Dumalinao, newest agricultural hub of ZamboSur Alma L. Tingcang WESTERN MINDANAO
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 236
NATIONAL
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Stakeholders must find common ground to resolve Metro Manila’s traffic woes, says Palace
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WESTERN MINDANAO
15 19
PIA-9 wraps up journalistic writing workshops for IP students Franklin P. Gumapon
CENTRAL MINDANAO NorthCot’s dart competition draws 300 players Shahana Joy E. Duerme
NORTHERN MINDANAO
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Ozamiz CDRRMC, MHARS-RTTH top NorMin’s Search for Gawad Kalasag Awards Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob DTI Lanao Norte and Iligan projects to increase consumer rights awareness Angelo A. Devero
CARAGA REGION
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Surigao del Norte mining companies support establishment of prov’l training center Robert E. Roperos DA-MRDP turns over P6M worth of livelihood subprojects to Las Nieves MJ Gumapac
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ARMM
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RDC-XI gathers stakeholders to address power gap Noel Baguio
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Information to Empower Filipinos
COVER STORY
Dumalinao, newest agricultural hub of ZamboSur
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by Alma L. Tingcang umalinao, classified as a 3rd class municipality of Zamboanga del Sur is a gently sloping land of verdant hills and mountains nestled on a wide expanse of crystal clear waters, located 9 kms away from Pagadian City, the provincial capital.
It comprises 30 barangays, of which 7 are coastal barangays with abundant fish species, corals and other marine flora and fauna. The fertile land is suited to rice, corn, coconut, banana production and other crops such as cassava and camote. With corn as its main agricultural crop, farming and fishing are the major economic activities for local folks and its proximity to the city provides a ready market for their products. MOA with Nestle Philippines In October last year, Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Nestle Philippines to pilot a Coffee project in Barangay Sebucao
through the Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SCFO), which aims to address the challenges faced by coffee farmers in the province. “This collaboration is part of Nestle’s efforts to make coffee farming a sustainable and attractive livelihood, and such initiative is essential to nurture the country’s coffee industry and improve longterm crop supply,” the young mayor said. He is positive that this will be a model project that can be replicated in other municipalities, boosting agricultural sustainability and development in terms of coffee production. LGU support Municipal Agriculturist Ponciano Edano said the project is a joint undertaking of Nestle and the Philippine Coconut Authority which provides free yearly supply of fertilizer (Salt) for the coconuts. The coffee seedlings will be planted under the coconut trees, explained the agriculturist. “There are 12 SCFOs in our town with approximately 200 members who availed of free fertilizers,” according to Edano. The local government of Dumalinao under Mayor Cerilles, Edano remarked, is focused on agricultural development to uplift the economic condition of the local folks. He added that very soon, Dumalinao will be a recipient of a machinery for Coco Coir production through the Department of Trade and Industry. Coir is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses and many others. It is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. The counterpart of the farmer organization is the building which is almost completed and other needs will be provided by the local government unit of Dumalinao. 5
SCFOs as beneficiaries Mr. Velly M. Naciongayo, former Outstanding Farmer of the Philippines awardee (Koi Farming), a member-beneficiary of the coffee program and PIO of Dumalinao SCFO, said he is thankful to the Philippine Coconut Authority and Nestle Philippines. “Sila (Nestle) ang naghatag sa seedlings ug ang PCA naghatag ug abono sa lubi nga mao ang asin. Ang mga kape gitanom ilalom sa kalubihan. Lahi ra gyud ang lubi nga giabonohan ug asin. Dako kayo kini ug ikatabang sa farmers kay imbis bakante ang ilalom sa kalubihan, matamnan pa kini ug kape nga makahatag usab kanamo ug dugang income,� Velly quoted. (Nestle provided the seedlings and PCA gave us fertilizer (salt) for our coconut farm. The coffee seedlings were planted under the coconuts and we observed that applying salt to fertilize our coconut trees produces more yield. This is a great help to us farmers since it provides additional income.) Velly expressed his gratefulness to Mayor Cerilles for giving priority to agriculture and helping farmers cope with the challenges of life in the countryside. On the other hand, Joel Naciongayo, a cousin of Velly and president of the SCFO said 100 hectares has been
targeted to be planted with 500 seedlings per hectare. “The demo farm of Nestle is in Tagum City and they deliver the
seedlings here. Aside from our barangay, Camanga, Mecolong, Upper Dumalinao, Tickwas and Tina are also beneficiaries of this program,” Naciongayo said in vernacular. Sure
market In Sebucao alone, 40 farmers have benefited from the project CoCoBED or Coconut Coffee-Based Enterprise Development Project. “We are encouraged because we have a sure market which is Nestle,” said Naciongayo. The coffee seedlings are expected to be fruit bearing in 2 to 3 years, providing a lucrative and worthwhile income for farmers. According to Nestle Philippines, the Philippines is supplying 20% of their coffee demand and 80% is being sourced out from other countries. Hopefully, this partnership will address the gap in coffee production. Under the MOA, Nestle will manage and oversee the implementation of the project and provide training programs in sustainable farming practices, technical assistance in the areas of coffee production and postproduction, introduction of green coffee quality standards technology and the establishment of a seedling nursery. The agreement also states that Nestlé will purchase the beneficiary cooperative’s produce provided it passes the company’s quality standards. 7
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Palace firm on moratorium on construction projects in West Philippine Sea
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he government will continue to push for a moratorium on any construction in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea, despite China’s refusal to cooperate, a Palace official said Tuesday. “Ang ating posisyon dito ay malinaw. Communications Operations Office Unang-una, nais nating pairalin ang Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said moratorium sa lahat ng lugar na sakop in a press briefing in Malacañang. ng maritime entitlement claims; ikalawa, He said the Philippines has earned buuin ang Code of Conduct na dapat the support of other claimant countries pairalin; at ikatlo, isulong ang proseso in the Southeast Asian Region. sa UN arbitral tribunal,” Presidential “Sa lahat ng mga aksyon na iyan, umaani AUGUST 2014 | PAGE
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tayo ng suporta at pagkilala ng katuwiran ng ating posisyon mula sa iba’t ibang bansa sa daigdig. Ang pinakahuling natanggap nating ulat ay ang pagpapahayag ng suporta ng Brunei, Vietnam at Indonesia sa posisyon ng Pilipinas, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs,” Coloma added. The Philippines has filed a memorial at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) against China, which has been carrying out construction projects at the disputed Spratly Islands. China, through its Foreign Ministry, has
rejected the Philippines’ proposal to freeze reclamation projects in the area, which is being claimed by several countries. “Sa patuloy nating pagtahak sa landas ng kapayapaan at diplomasya, umaani tayo ng suporta sa mga bansang naniniwala sa ating posisyon na batay sa makatuwiran at makatarungang pagtukoy sa mga usaping ito. Kaya hindi tayo natitinag kung anuman ang pagtangi na gagawin dito dahil naniniwala tayo na makatuwiran ang ating posisyon,” said Coloma. PND
Stakeholders must find common ground to resolve Metro Manila’s traffic woes, says Palace
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he Palace has appealed to parties who disagree with the policies of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to work for an acceptable solution to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila, instead of just blaming the board. AUGUST | PAGE 9
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the issue on Metro Manila’s traffic situation is complicated. The LTFRB has issued the new “no apprehension policy” for colorum or illegal trucks as well as an order allowing provincial buses to once again pass through EDSA. Metro Manila mayors and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are blaming the LTFRB over the severe traffic congestion in the city.
Secretary Coloma however said that the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) are doing everything possible to fix Metro Manila’s traffic condition. He said the LTFRB’s policies must be studied along with the proposals of other stakeholders to find the best solution to the problem. “Iginagalang natin iyong mga pananaw na nailahad na tungkol dito at nananawagan tayo sa lahat ng mga sangkot dito na ilagay ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan sa pinakamataas na antas ng konsiderasyon para matukoy ang mga problemang kinakaharap natin sa kasalukuyan,” he said. Coloma also said that Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras is spearheading a meeting this week to get inputs from other government agencies and find a common ground to come up with an acceptable course of action. The LTFRB has defended its decision to allow illegal trucks to operate in Metro Manila, saying that banning them would have a negative impact on the economy. PND AUGUST 2014 | PAGE
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Malaca単ang hopes government, MILF would soon agree on a fair Bangsamoro draft Law
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he Palace said it hopes that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would soon agree on the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be submitted to Congress, so everything could proceed as planned.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Wednesday that the Palace wants to see a draft law that is acceptable to both sides. AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
Secretary Lacierda was commenting on a statement made by House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte that Congress might not be able to meet the December deadline PAGE | 11
for passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law, due to the delay in its submission. “We would certainly still hope for the best. Our understanding also from Senator Frank Drilon is that he was working on a timetable from, if not the end of December, to the first quarter of next year,” Lacierda said. “Certainly, we would hope that we can expedite the process, but it has not yet been submitted to Congress. And so, they are being realistic, for instance, on the timetable,” he said. He however noted that everyone is conscious of the fact that the draft law is important and should thus be attended to as soon as it is submitted to Congress for deliberation. He further said that even if the basic law is passed by the first quarter
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of next year, the government would still hold a plebiscite in the same quarter, then have the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority in place. The next challenge will be capacitating the governance institutions and the governance resources in the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, he said, adding that these will be given more emphasis as 2016 draws near. The President has committed to the conduct of fair and democratic elections in the Bangsamoro in 2016. Lacierda assured that despite the hurdles, both sides are moving forward, and foremost in the minds of the government and MILF panels is to ensure that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is just, fair and acceptable to all. PND
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Line agencies vow to pour more projects in Sominot town
By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
SOMINOT, Zamboanga del Sur – Having found to have the second highest poverty incidence in the province of Zamboanga Del Sur, Sominot town will get “extended” help and assistance from various government agencies as committed during the recently held information caravan (infocar) here.
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Mayor Stephen Acosta was not only elated over the visit of government offices in his town to deliver government basic services, but was also thankful and hopeful that continuous assistance from the government will pour in his town through the execution or implementation of the agencies’ commitments made during the infocar. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) committed to continue providingtraining on Hand Courses Programs to the town aside from the two-day training on Food Processing (tocino and chorizo making) during the infocar, which benefited 37 women. National Irrigation Administration (NIA) also promised to conduct initial investigation on
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the proposed irrigation project at Barangay Bagong Baroy in the last quarter of this year while the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PHILFIDA) will again visit here this October to encourage and assist the farmers to plant abaca. PHILFIDA also pledged to conduct in November a five-day training on bag making. It will supervise the establishment of Abaca nursery in the municipality starting August to December this year. The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), on the other hand, promised to provide cash incentives to those who will avail of their programs- Participatory Coconut Planting Program and Salt Fertilization Project. It will also provide salt fertilizers, seedlings/ seed nuts to farmers.
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Key officials of the Department of Education (DepEd)-9 also committed to assist in facilitating classroom repairs/rehabilitation in the area. For its part, the National Food Authority (NFA) is contemplating on opening additional accredited outlets to exclusively distribute NFA rice. Apart from the 300 Mahogany and Narra seedlings turned-over by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the municipal government, the agency alsocommitted to attendto other needs of the community like land titling.
Other agencies also presented their respective programs and services. The conduct of the Information Caravan, which was spearheaded by the Mindanao Communicators Network (MCN) in collaboration with the Regional Development Council’s Regional Communication and Advocacy Plan – Technical Working Group (RCAP-TWG), aims to deliver the services of the different national government agencies (NGAs) direct to the people particularly the poorest of the poor based on DSWD’s Listahanan also known as National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
PIA-9 wraps up journalistic writing workshops for IP students
By Franklin P. Gumapon
PAGADIAN CITY – In keeping with the government’s Climate Change Advocacy Campaign (CCAC), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 has spearheaded a series of journalistic writing workshops for college students belonging to Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Zamboanga Peninsula region as well as those in Isabela City, Basilan Province. AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
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A total of 124 IP students completed the writing workshops given in two days in five separate venues starting in Pagadian City on July 3-4 followed by Dipolog City on July 10-11, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on July 17-18, Zamboanga City on July 24-25, and Isabela City, Basilan on July 31-Aug. 1. The participants were given lectures on newswriting and feature writing interspersed with topics on climate change, writing workshops and critiquing. PIA-9 personnel served as lecturers and facilitators in all the writing workshops, which the participants said they had learned a lot from the lectures and writing exercises. AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
Rijiya Carama of Isabela City, Basilan said she was impressed with the expertise and friendliness of the lecturers and facilitators who were able to enliven the discussion on the seemingly dull topics like newswriting and feature writing, thus, making it “more interactive, engaging, entertaining and interesting.� The IP students joining the workshop were composed of 66 Subanen, 30 Sama Bangingi, 20 Yakan, 6 Kalibugan, 1 Sama Bajau and 1 Tausog. This journalistic writing training for IP students was a joint project of PIA-9 and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9 with assistance from the US Embassy in Manila. PAGE | 16
Tboli primes for launching of ecotourism sites in 2015 By: Danilo E. Doguiles TBOLI, South Cotabato -- The municipality of Tboli in South Cotabato is gearing up for the opening next year of its ecotourism destinations honed to become favorite weekend getaway for the family.
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Tboli Mayor Dibu Tuan said they are preparing the municipality in anticipation for the influx of visitors. In June, the LGU closed the 304hectare Lake Holon to visitors to ensure the proper implementation of its comprehensive rehabilitation and development programs; the closure is expected to last for a year. Entry to other destinations in the area has also been restricted. “Anytime next year, we will hold a synchronized launching of all our ecotourism sites,” Mayor tuan told Philippine Information Agency in an interview, “but first, we want to make sure that the communities, land owners and all stakeholders are aware of their obligations.” Tuan added that they regularly involve communities in dialogues to discuss tourism development efforts. “These communities should know their role in this entire development process. They should participate because the influx of tourists to our municipality would mean more livelihood and more income for them,” he said. The local chief executive added that they are currently “preparing the technical aspects and documentation of the ecotourism sites. We are also strengthening our policies regarding ecotourism.” Besides Lake Holon, named the country’s cleanest inland body of water in 2003 and 2004, the LGU AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
is also developing other nature destinations, he said. These tourism spots include Bakngeb Cave in Barangay Laconon, a 4-kilometer subterranean river; hot spring in Barangay Lamhaku; and Hidak and Hikong Kmebel falls in Barangay Kematu. It is also developing a preserved Tboli community in Barangay Tudok. Once the ecotourism activities in the area are reopened, Mayor Tuan assured visitors of other worthwhile undertakings such as “kayaking, water tubing, all-terrain vehicle adventures and many others.” “We want the South Cotabateños to know Tboli as the weekend destination for the family,” he said. In line with its ecotourism initiatives, Tboli LGU started the construction of a 70-foot Tboli monument at the municipal plaza on July 28. Asked why he pushed for the construction of the landmark, Mayor Tuan replied: “Our Tboli culture has been featured in monuments in other places like Surallah. Sadly, in Tboli where the tribe originates, not a single sculpture has been erected in honor of the tribe and its culture.” The towering monument was designed by renowned artist Kublai Millan who also designed the TriPeople Monument in nearby Surallah PAGE | 18
town, the Durian Monument at the Davao International Airport, and the giant eagle and Bagobo children sculptures at the People’s Park in Davao City. The Tboli Monument, described at the Tboli LGU’s official Facebook account as an “art piece that
depicts the rich culture, tradition and history of the Tboli tribe and their harmonious mingling with other non-IP groups in the passing of times,” is expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
NorthCot’s dart competition draws 300 players By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato,—Top dart players from different parts of the country joined the province’s 4th National Open Dart Cup on August 1-3 Jevie P. Curato, focal person of the the event thanked the dart teams who sports event said that about 300 play- responded to the invitation. ers participated in the event, which “This is a chance for dart players was part of the province’s Centen- to show their skills and be recognized nial celebration. as one of the country’s bests. Also, Participants came from Gener- this is an opportunity for the proval Santos City, Pagadian City, Davao ince in promoting North Cotabato as City, Koronadal City, Digos City, Cota- a peaceful and safe province that evbato City, Tacurong City, Tagum City, eryone from other places must visit,” Cagayan de Oro City, Bayugan City, Soncuya stated. Ipil of Zamboanga del Sur, Sindangan The winners of the National Open of Zamboanga del Norte, Banga of Dart Cup were as follows: South Cotabato, Bayugan of Agusan del Sur, Marikina and Makati. Doubles (Champion) These players registered for the Gabiana, Bong Robson – Manila different events consisting of fixed- Melitante, Roan – Digos City four person team, youth singles, senior singles, classified draw triples, Fixed Four-Man Team (Champion) fixed doubles, ladies singles and open Robson, Tungsten – Manila singles. Perez, Christian A total of P200,000 was alloted Lozano, Bert for the prizes, Curato said. Mijares, Ricky National Dart Federation of the Gabiana, Bong Philippines (NDFP) president Roberto T. Soncuya, one of the guests during Youth Singles (Champion) AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
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Setoza, Jordan – Cotabato City Senior Singles (Champion) Bagabuyo, Cel – Kidapawan City
Parcon, Mayflor – Kidapawan City Open Singles (Champion) Salenga, Jerry – Team Makati/Metro Manila
Classified Draw Triples (Champion) Perez, Christian – Manila Peresores, Lito – General Santos City Soncuya said that with the success Doctolero, DA – General Santos City of the three- day 4th Governor Lala Mendoza National Open Dart Cup, Fixed Doubles (Champion) Kidapawan City will now become a Villamor, Andy – Manila regular venue for big dart competiAndrade, Toto – Manila tions of the NDFP. (SJDuerme-PIA12/ JSta.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial GovLadies Singles (Champion) cernment)
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Korean mushroom cultivation project opens in NorMin by Vanessa Mae S. Siano
CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental - Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) opens a Mushroom Cultivation Commercial Product Technology Transfer Project at the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
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“DA assures you that we will have this technology transferred to our farmers in the region,” said DA-10 assistant regional director Constancio C. Maghanoy, Jr. during its completion ceremony. The project was realized through the collaborative effort of the DA-RFO 10 through the Claveria Experiment Station (CES), MOSCAT, the local government unit of Claveria and the Korean Government through the Center for Overseas Agriculture and International Development (COAID) as the project proponent and implementer in cooperation with Farm 23 and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) as the funding organization. It aimed to promote mushroom cultivation as a source of living among farmers as it is deemed to be a viable enterprise. This is in line with the government’s effort in attaining food security and poverty alleviation. With the implementation of the project, two growing houses, two incubation houses, a boiler room, an inoculation room, a sterilization room and a substrate making building were built inside the MOSCAT campus which serves as an area for cultivating oyster mushrooms. More so, local farmers from barangays Lanise and Luna were also trained on the technology and are expected to continue the project and make it successful in order to
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encourage their fellow farmers to venture into mushroom production Dr. Yang-hoon So, director of COAID, challenged the local farmers to harness their potentials in order to attain their goals in augmenting their income. He also hoped that more will get interested into mushroom cultivation. For his part, Dr. Rosalito A. Quirino, MOSCAT President, expressed his gratitude to the project implementers and revealed that the university is already preparing for a ten-year plan to make the project profitable and sustainable. “We would also want that this technology will have an impact to the lives of our farmers as we aim that the technology that is being showcased here will also be replicated in the nearby farms. We take the challenge of not putting this project to waste as more farmers, students and researchers will benefit from it,” said Dr. Quirino. Moreover, the P1.18M Mushroom Spawn Laboratory at the CES was also inaugurated. The facility funded under the Organic Agriculture Program of the DA is in support to the mushroom cultivation project of KOICA and COAID. ARD Maghanoy also disclosed that in addition to the Mushroom Spawn Laboratory the department has also allotted around P1M funds for the production and research for mushroom which will be established PAGE | 22
as techno-demo projects at the agency’s research stations. This is DA’s counterpart to the Korean mushroom cultivation project. The DA has also slated trainings for farmers and agricultural technicians from the local government units in order to transfer the technology at the grassroots level.
With the completion of the project, KOICA resident representative Min-Hyeon Song is hopeful that it will contribute to enhance land management, agricultural productivity and farmers’ income and in turn, will become a model for rural development in the Philippines.
Ozamiz CDRRMC, MHARS-RTTH top NorMin’s Search for Gawad Kalasag Awards by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - At least two winners of this year’s Search for the Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) Awards in region 10, are from this city. These are the Ozamiz City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as “Best DRRMC, Component City” and the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr., Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (MHARS-RTTH) in Ozamiz City, as “Best Hospital, National” Category. The Regional DDRMC led by its Chairperson, regional director Ana C. Caneda of the Office of Civil Defense, region 10 (OCD-10) conferred the Gawad Kalasag Awards during the culmination of the July National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), July 31: An annual activity, the Search for Gawad Kalasag Awards was AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
initiated by the National DRRMC in 1998, as the principal mechanism by which it advances the awareness of the best practices in DRRM and climate change adaptation (CCA) that advocates for “Nagbago na ang Panahon, Panahon na para Magbago! (Times have Changed, It’s time to Change!), as well, as in humanitarian response and assistance programs. Meanwhile, RDRRMC-10 also conferred the following 2014 Gawad Kalasag Awards during the occasion: Barangay 18 Day Care Center, Gingoog City as Best Early Learning Center; Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori, Gusa, CDO as Best Urban Private School; and Gusa National Science High School, PAGE | 23
CDO as Best Urban Public School. Bureau of Fire Protection, Region 10 as Best Heroic Act (Group); ECOWEB Inc. as Best Civic Society Organization (CSO); Camiguin General Hospital as Best Provincial Hospital; CDO as Best DRRMC, Highly Urbanized City; Lanao del Norte as Best PDRRMC; and Quezon, Bukidnon as Best Municipal DRRMC, 1st-3rd Class
municipalities. Likewise, certificates of appreciation were to the members of the RDRRMC/PDRRMC Deployment Teams who conducted Disaster Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) after the Zamboanga Siege and Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas, on September and November 2013, respectively, during the event.
DTI Lanao Norte and Iligan projects to increase consumer rights awareness by Angelo A. Devero
ILIGAN CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has projected to increase the level of awareness of consumers on their rights and responsibilities from 50% to 80% by 2016, in line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011–2016. With this mandate, DTI - Lanao del Norte Provincial Office has launched the Awareness-Raising Campaign for Consumer Empowerment (ARCCE) through the conduct of Consumer Education (Con Ed) Seminar in the barangays and the installation of signages emphasizing the eight consumer rights and the five consumer responsibilities in strategic locations. ARCCE aims to increase the level of awareness on consumerism especially in rural areas by augmenting their knowledge and consciousness on the Consumer Act of the Philippines and other fair trade laws, said Ruel AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
B. Paclipan, Provincial Director, DTI Lanao del Norte.. Further, the awareness campaign will increase the volume of consumers to purchase duly licensed products and regularly patronize business establishments which are compliant to government regulations; educate substantial number of residents in identifying and understanding their rights and responsibilities as consumers; and sensibly provide guidance in handling their own complaints. In coordination with the City Government of Iligan through the PAGE | 24
Community Affairs Office, Consumer Education (Con Ed) Seminars had been conducted in Barangays Ubaldo Laya, Luinab, Upper Hinaplanon, Tibanga, Poblacion and Tubod, this city, last June and July 2014. DTI also included in the Con ED sessions the Priority Fair Trade Laws such as RA 7581 - the Price Act; RA 71 - the Price Tag Law, and the Standards Law - RA 4109, including Insights on Handling Complaints, Consumer Welfare Desk Operations. ARCCE as a project of convergence of efforts from public and private institutions, Lafarge Iligan Incorporated-a cement factory, provided promotional collaterals and signage bearing the eight consumer rights and five consumer responsibilities with Cebuano translation.
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These framed signages were installed at the Iligan Bus & Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) – North in Tambo, IBJT – South in Camague and in Central Market through the Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (EEDMO), Office of the City Mayor. In 2013, Con Ed seminars had been conducted in six barangays – five in Iligan and one in the Municipality of Lala, Lanao del Norte province. With the continued support from both the local government and the private sector, the ARCCE project is hoped to be sustained since this undertaking delivers the opportunity for partners in business to affirm their commitment to social responsibility, said Paclipan.
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Caraga GAD Committee sets activities for this year’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAW By Jennifer P. Gaitano BUTUAN CITY - In celebration of this year’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) under the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) is once again setting activities for the said campaign from November 25 to December 12, 2014.
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GADCC chair and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Marylin Pintor reiterated that the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation. “In the Philippines, the government has expanded it in 2006 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172 to include up to December 12, which marks the adoption of the United Nation Convention Against Transnational Crime, thus making it an 18-Day Campaign,” recalled Pintor. It was also learned that this year’s 18-Day Campaign will kick-off early morning with a fun walk activity from the Capitol Grounds to the city’s Guingona AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
Park. A flash mob will also be conducted on Nov. 25. Pintor also bared that the guest speaker will be coming from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) or CHR, whichever is available. Meanwhile, as planned by the members of the GADCC Caraga, the following activities will be conducted during the days of campaign: 1) Press Conference; 2) Oratorical Contest; 3) Gender Sensitivity Training for Media; 4) Reproductive Health Forum; 5) Info Drive Campaign in public and private schools; 5) Youth Forum; and 6) Capacity Building Training for GADCC members, among others. Said campaign will also culminate on December 12 with a tree planting activity in one of the beach resorts in Butuan City. This is also in time with the International Day Against Trafficking.
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Surigao del Norte mining companies support establishment of prov’l training center By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY - Following the recent inauguration of the provincial community training center in Bad-as, Placer, Surigao del Norte, Gov. Sol F. Matugas said the establishment of the training center was made possible through the public-private partnership program of the provincial government.
The official said mining companies operating in the province have initially contributed some P15,4000,000 for the establishment of the building structures, as well as the facilities that are now placed in the training center. The training center was established by virtue of Executive Order No. 1, proposing the operation on a co-management AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
scheme between the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Surigao City through forging a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The Chamber of Mines of Caraga in cooperation with the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) – Surigao Chapter will rehabilitate the PAGE | 28
existing buildings in the area as a Practical/Workshop Area and likewise, construct new building for the Basic and Common Competencies including the first year operation. The Provincial Government Office of Surigao del Norte initially transfers some qualificationofferings of the Provincial Manpower Training CenterSurigao del Norte including the trainers and likewise, allocate funds for the payment of the light and water bills, maintenance of the building and medical-dental services of the trainees until the PCTC can establish a selfsustaining scheme, with the assistance of TESDA. The training center shall initially run by the Provincial Governor’s Office of Surigao del Norte through its Provincial Employment and Manpower Office (PEMO) and TESDA-Surigao del Norte through its Provincial Manpower Training Center in a complementation system until the PCTC can establish its own Governing Board and personnel complement. The PCTC is generally aimed at serving the youths, unemployed and underemployed of the province and nearby provinces. It offers skills trainings on AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II on as the Distinctive Area of Competence (DAC) and its support qualifications namely: Automotive Servicing NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II, Driving, Garments NC II, and other mining-related qualifications. The training center is proposed to be accredited as an Assessment Center in the aforementioned qualifications. The PCTC plays a major role in improving the way of life of the Surigaonons. It will pave the way for progress and development of the entire province of Surigao del Norte. Meanwhile, Gov. Matugas added, the contributions of Silangan Mindanao Mining Corporation, Taganito Mining Corporation, Hinatuan Mining Corporation, and Platinum Gold Metals Corporation have paved the way for the Surigaonons especially the youths to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in lives. The official therefore, is thankful that indeed, the public-private partnership that is initiated by the provincial government has gained an important milestone into the lives of the Surigaonon populace. PAGE | 29
DA-MRDP turns over P6M worth of livelihood subprojects to Las Nieves By MJ Gumapac
BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Agriculture - Mindanao Rural Development Program – Adaptable Program Loan Phase 2 (DA MRDP-APL2) recently turned over seven sub-projects under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) to the seven People’s Organization (PO) in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte with a total funding cost of P6 Million.
“It is fast, it has changed,” said Alma Agad, chairperson of San Isidro Farmers Association as she expressed her deep gratitude in her acceptance speech to the Local Government of Las Nieves and the DA MRDP. “The face of our farming has changed, unlike before it was disorganized and scattered, but AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
now it is fast,” Agad remarked. The sub-projects consist of Rubber-based Plantations for Marcos Calo Farmers Association and Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association; Construction of Multipurpose Drying Pavement with Mini-Warehouse for Pinana-an Farmers Association; Construction of Spillway and Acquisition of PAGE | 30
Farm equipment to Support Rice Production for Katipunan Farmers Association; Construction of Two Small Reservoirs and Two Submersible Pumps to Support Rice Production for the Poblacion Farmers Association; Establishment of Mini-Feed Mill for E.G. Montilla Farmers Association and Cluster Corn Mechanization and Support Enhancment San Isidro Farmers Association. The LGU of Las Nieves even added P1M to the overall budget apart from their 20% counterpart to further expand the project and reach more beneficiaries. The said sub-projects are now being used in the seven barangays, especially in
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Barangay Pinanaan with their solar dryer and warehouse and also in Barangay San Isidro with their tractor and other production support enhancement machineries. “Now that it has finally arrived, we should all take care of it for it is ours,� said Las Nieves Vice Mayor Manuel N. Biong who led the turn over ceremony together with its Sangguniang Bayan members. The province of Agusan del Norte represented by OIC Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan also witnessed the said ceremony as part of the workforce who facilitated the implementation of the project in support to the municipalities under MRDP2.
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Tagum hosts 2nd One Mindanao Scouts Jamboree by Michael Uy
DAVAO DEL NORTE - The City Government of Tagum, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, hosted the 2nd which started yesterday (Aug. 6) One Mindanao Scouts Jamboree at the Energy Park, Tagum City. More than 3,000 scouts from 23 scout councils in Mindanao participated in the 5-day scouts jamboree, August 6-10. Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
president of Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), said that the organization remained to be the number 1 youth group in the country in terms of the number of members. Vice President Binay added that until today the boy scouts have been taking good care of the welfare of the youth for which this jamboree has been anchored. Jesus Meris, regional scout PAGE | 38
director for Eastern Mindanao, said that camaraderie and advancement of the boy scouts were the main focus of the jamboree. Director Meris said that several activities like historian challenge, fancy drill, challenge valley, global development village and water challenge will highlight this year’s jamboree. Wendel Avisado, senior vice president and acting secretary general of the BSP, said that more than the solidarity and survival challenges, the jamboree emphasized on the preservation and protection of the environment. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario affirmed that this year’s jamboree shed light in the direction of the scouting movement in Mindanao, which is towards safeguarding our environment. “Our island is known to be as the nation’s food basket but with
the realization that it is hampered with various factors, including the continued deterioration of the environment which heightened the impact of climate change,” Governor Del Rosario said. Del Rosario challenged the boy scouts to be instruments for sustainable environment because he added, “Sustainable development is possible only with a sustainable environment”. Also present during the opening of the jamboree were Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy, Asia Pacific Regional Scout Director Jay Rizal Pangilinan, BSP Vice Pres. for Mindanao Leo Lasacar, East Mindanao Regional Chairman Mayor Franco Calida, West Mindanao Regional Chairman Sultan Ansary Maongco and Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)
facts and figures
4-million
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number of trees to be planted during the Guinness World Record attempt across Mindanao this September 26
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RDC-XI gathers stakeholders to address power gap
DAVAO CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC)-XI brought together the stakeholders of the energy sector to tackle issues and concerns relative to the attainment of reliable stable power in the Davao region. RDC-XI Chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the activity sought the firm commitments of the local chief executives, relevant national government agencies and private renewable energy (RE) developers for the immediate realization of potential RE projects, especially the recently-awarded DOE projects AUGUST 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
in Region XI. “ T h e development of potential renewable energy sources in Davao Region is one of the Council’s priority agenda,” he stressed. He said that with the impending power shortage in 2015, there is a need to identify and develop more commerciallyviable RE sources, in order to avert energy shortfall and effectively support the ever-increasing demand of residential, commercial and industrial consumers. He added the quest for a sustainable and reliable electricity is part of the key strategic and sustainable infrastructure component of the Updated Regional Development Plan (RDP), 20142016. Participants of the forum agreed to adopt some concrete strategies in order to fast track PAGE | 40
the implementation of awarded RE projects. These include, among others, the streamlining of procedures and business processes, including the adoption of a fast lane for processing applications and uniform incentives scheme for RE development in all the LGUs. The stakeholders particularly pushed for the immediate implementation of the One-Stop-Shop and Processing Center (OSSPC), in order to enhance greater coordination and standardization across implementing agencies, as well as, minimize bureaucratic and administrative barriers. They also urged the government to decrease the Feedin Tariff (FIT) to P9.68 per kilowatt to significantly bring down the returns of the investors, among other recommendations. The power sector has initially identified 11 RE potentials, to include mini and micro-hydropower projects of about 35 megawatts (MW); biomass projects of of about 476 MW, geothermal of about 2040 MW, as well as, tens of MWs of
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solar power and biodiesel. RE initiatives presented in the forum include the Solar Energy and Darong Solar Power Project of the AC Energy Holdings, Inc.; Hydropower Energy and Davao Power Hydropower Project of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc.; and the Geothermal Energy and Mt. Sibulan-Kapatagan Geothermal Power Project of the Aboitiz Power, Inc. The event also featured Mindanao’s first-ever multi-million Waste-To-Energy Facility of City Government of Tagum, which is touted to create jobs and boost the city’s solid waste management program. The technology is expected to churn out 10,000 liters of biodiesel to produce two (2) kilowatt per hour of electricity out of the city’s daily waste 80 tons at the end of 2014. The event further played up the active involvement of the security sector to ensure robust and safe climate for the RE industry development in the region. (Noel Baguio/PIO DavNor)
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