“Anhi Ta” promotes the best and beautiful in Davao del Sur
Carina L. Cayon SOUTHERN MINDANAO
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FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 223
NATIONAL
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Government preparations for typhoon ‘Glenda’ were sufficient, Palace says
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SOUTHERN MINDANAO
Davao International Airport observes heightened alert
NORTHERN MINDANAO
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NYC: SK not abolished, window for reforms getting smaller NYC10
Hydromet stations distributed in strategic locations in northern Mindanao
Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat
CARAGA REGION
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Gov’t IOs offer environmental prayer for climate change adaptation advocacy Jennifer P. Gaitano
NIA continues to maintain and develop irrigation system in SurSur
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WESTERN MINDANAO
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DOST conducts skills training on food processing in Talusan Alma L. Tingcang
DTI-9 wants SMEs to be disaster resilient, ready for AEC 2015 Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
12 Information to Empower Filipinos
COVER STORY
“Anhi Ta” promotes the best and beautiful in Davao del Sur by Carina L. Cayon
A
nhi Ta” Celebrating the Best and Beautiful tagline has officially made way for Davao del Sur to showcase the best and beautiful in the province. “Anhi Ta” which the provincial government has defined “to live, invest and enjoy,” was launched aiming to promote the province to become the most strategic and best investment hub in the region. The tagline highlighted the 47th founding anniversary of Davao del Sur on July 1 this year, which made the celebration even more meaningful and alive with colourful and festive events. Among the featured events were the Agro-Trade Fair, Marching Band competition, BMEG Fiesta Bonanza, 1st CPB Open Dart Tournament (National Ranking Event) and Tribal
Olympics. Other activities were the Banca Race (Non-Motorized and Motorized), 1st CPB Shootfest, Public Presentation/Fashion Show of Mutya Contestants, 1st CPB Motorcross, 1st CPB Mindanao Wide Airsoft Games, 1st CPB Billiard Tournament, 1st CPB 5 Cock Derby, Lawn Tennis, and 1st CPB Mindanao Open Chess Championship. Residents in Digos City were also entertainment with nightly
performances a week prior to the culmination of the Araw ng Davao del Sur. The nightly performances include DepEd night, Gabi ng Parangal, Gabi ng Pambansang Ahensya, Ikaw ang Bida Talent Search, SP Night, Gabi ng Mutya ng Davao del Sur, and Gabi ng Barangay. Colourful float entries conveying different themes and the presentation of the Mutya ng Davao del Sur winners warmed up the culminating program which was led by Governor Claude P. Bautista and Vice-Governor Aileen Almendras. The governor lauded the working committees of the provincial board and department heads for the success of the celebration. “Cooperation and unity were the key factors of this huge success,� he stated. The celebration also marked the first year in service of the governor to lead the province. Bautista said he has made positive reforms and improvements for the province during his one year administration. Among the main concerns of the governor is the strengthening of his priority programs such as livelihood, health, education, infrastructures and peace and order.
founding anniversary, Bautista led all city and municipal mayors and provincial officials in the turn over rites of vehicles and equipment to various agencies. The governor released 20 motorcycles to Police stations in Digos City and in the 14 municipalities in the province, while three mobile cars were issued to the Provincial Police Headquarters. He said the vehicle assistance was part of the LGU’s intention to modernize
During the culmination of the 5
the capabilities of the Police force to help address imminent dangers to possibly attack in the province. The provincial government has also provided equipment for barangay road improvement and road networks, such as bulldozers, graders, backhoes and dumptrucks. Bautista bared there are 150 infrastructure projects to be constructed in the barangays. For the health program, public hospitals and health facilities including the provincial hospital
have received ambulance units, aiming to capacitate the facilities to effectively respond to emergency cases. Bautista said the recipient municipalities included Kiblawan, Jose Abad Santos and Malita. An ambulance unit was also stationed at the provincial capitol. During his message at the culmination of the founding anniversary, Bautista informed his constituents that his administration has already released a total of 400 bancas to fisherfolks this year as part of the livelihood program. He said not less than 2,500 bancas will be distributed to coastal areas in the province in the next two years. In Sta. Cruz town and Digos City, some 15 tricycles have also been provided to drivers as livelihood assistance. “I want to provide appropriate livelihood to make sure that my constituents have something to eat,� Bautista said in the vernacular. He was hoping that his constituents would also give importance and support to the implementation of the government’s programs, most especially on the livelihood program which is also one of the priority programs of the governor.
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President Aquino: Military modernization meant for disaster response and internal defense only
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resident Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that the military modernization that he initiated when he assumed office is meant to upgrade the country for disaster response and internal defense. “Our efforts seek to modernize the speech to open the Asian Defense, Security capabilities of our security sector is to and Crisis Management (ADAS) Exhibition address the needs in human disaster 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. response arenas and for our own internal President Aquino said that since defense. None of these actions are meant he assumed office in 2010, he has to increase tensions in the region; rather, released P40 billion to modernize and they are meant to address our domestic upgrade the capabilities of the military. problems and issues,� he said during his JULY| PAGE
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“Compare this to the P26 billion that my predecessor released in a span of nearly 10 years. On top of this, we made it a point to follow a procurement process that is fair, transparent, and strategic,” he said. The Commander-in-Chief noted that over the past four years, his administration has acquired two Hamilton Class Cutters for the Navy -- the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, eight Sokol Combat Utility Helicopters, three AW-109 naval helicopters, four refurbished UH-1 helicopters, and the BRP Tagbanua, the first locally-built landing craft utility ship, among others. The government has already received the first batch of M4 Caliber 5.56 mm rifles, and expects that all 50,629 units shall have been distributed by the end of the year, he added. “Because of our fair and transparent procurement process, we have saved
P1.2 billion on these rifles, which has allowed us to order another 12,657 M4s, and to set aside a budget for succeeding rifle procurements,” he said. The President further said that the government is expecting the arrival of two out of 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets, 17 more refurbished UH-1 helicopters, eight more combat utility helicopters, two long-range patrol aircrafts, six closeair support aircrafts, two anti-submarine helicopters, two frigates, three full missile capable multi-purpose attack crafts, and other equipment that will strengthen the capacity of the country’s armed forces. “Clearly, if this event is any indication, we have no plans of slowing down. Anytime we have an opportunity to make our military more efficient, we have every intention of taking that opportunity,” the President said. PND
Government preparations for typhoon ‘Glenda’ were sufficient, Palace says
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overnment preparations for Typhoon “Glenda” have paid off, with casualties kept to a minimum, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Thursday.
“We will notice that this is the first major storm after Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and there was sufficient preparation orchestrated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC),” Coloma told reporters during a press briefing. He also commended the Department
of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) and Project NOAH (Nationwide Operation Assessment of Hazards) for “the very accurate forecasts,” which were disseminated through JULY 2014 | PAGE
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the social media on a real-time basis. The Palace official noted that preparations actually began in January when the President met his Cabinet for a post-‘Yolanda’ assessment, during which he instructed his Cabinet Secretaries to prepare for the onset of the rainy season. “Indeed the different departments buckled down to brass tacks and proceeded to make their preparations in their respective spheres,” he said, adding that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted seminars and workshops at the local government level, as well as drills for flood evacuation. “Kaya’t makikita natin na sa aspeto ng kahandaan, marami na ring mga pagbabago at pagpapahusay ng mga sistema na naisagawa simula noong Typhoon Yolanda, at nakita nga rito ‘yung mas mataas na antas na kahandaan ng mga pamahalaang lokal sa pakikipagugnayan sa kanilang mga komunidad… Marami-rami na rin namang mga aral na natutunan na nagamit at napahusay sa p a g h a h a n d a para sa Typhoon
Glenda,” he said. Coloma also cited the efforts made by Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who ordered the evacuation of 150,000 residents from danger zones 24 hours before the expected landfall in Bicol. “Yung mga bilang ng casualties ay napanatili sa mababang numero, at marami ring mga nag-report na sa maraming munisipalidad ay naka-attain talaga sila ng zero casualties,” he said, taking note that the typhoon struck the most populous areas of the country. Data issued by the NDRRMC put the casualties at 38 dead, 10 injured and eight missing. “We continue to learn from the experience and prepare even harder and better for the next storm,” Coloma said. PN
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Drilon assures Senate will pass draft Bangsamoro Basic Law
S
enate President Franklin Drilon said Saturday that the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be prioritized once Congress resumes its session after the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno S. Aquino III on July 28. JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
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Drilon was guest of honor and speaker during the culminating activity of the 15th T’nalak Festival of South Cotabato’s 48th foundation anniversary in Koronadal City. The proposed BBL is among the priority legislation the Executive branch is submitting to Congress. While Drilon admitted the Senate is yet to receive the draft from Malacanang, he said the legislation process may take some time but in accordance with the roadmap for peace of the Aquino government. ”The draft BBL is among the urgent bills Malacanang is expected to submit to Congress and we prioritize it because we really want peace in Mindanao,” Drilon told Happy FM 91.7 Radio in Koronadal City. Drilon said that aside from the Bangsamoro draft law, Congress
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will also prioritize the proposed 2015 national budget. Chief government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and her Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, both said the draft law had undergone review by both panels to ensure it is properly passed in Congress. The BBL, drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) after the government and the MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) will be subjected to a plebiscite once Congress gives its green light on it. It will formalize the creation of a new political entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (PNA)
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DTI holds forum to lure more investors in DavSur
DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has recently called for a convergence among Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPOs) to help them lure more investors.
DTI-Davao del Sur Investment Promotion Officer Ma. Victoria R. Placer said the one-day seminar was basically an orien
JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
tation and introduction to investment promotion, the most fundamental information that every LEIPO must know. With the participation of 13 LEIPOs and the Mayor of Padada, Lawyer Gladys Razonable Gascon, the convergence focused on providing an orientation on investment promotion as a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the city and municipalities as an investment destination. “While we augur more investments, we are actually improving the economic condition of the community especially that more investments mean more
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job opportunities are created,” she said. Placer said the convergence was in response to the identified need for the local government units (LGUs) to enhance their capability to promote investments into their area being a devolved function from DTI to the LGUs per the Local Government Code. Likewise, this will also address the requirement for the LGUs to be awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the designation of their respective LEIPOs and the streamlining of their Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS). During the seminar, Placer gave an orientation on the framework conditions and benefits of an LGU to go into investment promotion and the general context of investment promotion, while DTI-Davao Region’s Investment and Industry Development Division (IIDD) chief Vedastito C. Galvez presented the roles, duties and functions and the competencies of an investment promotion officer. On the other hand, Sta. Cruz
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Provincial Agri-Industrial Center (PAIC) administrator Camila Infiesto shared the municipality’s experience and strategies on how it became a major investment destination in the Davao Region. It can be observed that some of the biggest investors in the region are located in Sta. Cruz, like San Miguel Corporation and Franklin Baker. “This convergence is just an initial step to develop the competencies and capabilities of the LEIPOs and the LGUs in Davao del Sur,” Placer said. Other activities to follow will include an advanced capabilityenhancement training program, drafting of their respective investment promotion programs, benchmarking to other industrial centers in the country, and exposures to different investment promotion activities. In 2013, the Board of Investments (BOI), DTI’s investment arm, registered a total of P31.667 billion worth of investments from 13 projects, six of which are in Davao del Sur.(DTIDS/MVRP/jmm)
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Davao International Airport observes heightened alert
DAVAO CITY-Authorities have imposed stricter security measures at the Davao International Airport after Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered a heightened alert due to impending terror threat.
Vehicles and baggage are checked more thoroughly by airport security personnel as they enter the facility. Engr. Agnes Udang, local chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and manager of the DIA urged incoming passengers to follow procedures to avoid delay and to ensure their safety. “We still follow the same procedure. People just have to abide with it for their safety,” she said.
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Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas met Mayor Duterte and the local police in July 2 to show and personally convey his support to the people amid the latest security threat in the city. The police and military have been on heightened alert upon Duterte’s order after Pres. Aquino personally called Duterte to inform him of an intelligence report on the presence of terrorists in the city. Police and military have set up checkpoints in strategic areas in the city and police patrolling the streets have increased. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
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MisOr enhances 24/7 barangay-based disaster preparedness, anti-criminality monitoring system by PIO
MISAMIS ORIENTAL - The provincial government of Misamis Oriental strengthens its barangay-based disaster preparedness and response communication system through short message services (SMS).
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According to governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano the SMS scheme is to monitor the whereabouts of all the 424 barangays through the barangay volunteers. “This is a 24/7 scheme. I see to it that I get updates from them every day. Mag text na sila kanamo maghatag ug update, nag-ulan man o wala or kung unsa ang kahimtang sa ilang nagkadaiyang barangay, ila nang i-text kanamo,” (This is a 24/7 scheme. I see to it that I get updates from them every day. They send us updates of their respective barangays, rain or shine) the governor explained. “Even if taligsik lang, nakaalerto na kita. I received 424 text messages a day, dugang pa niana kung aduna pa sila’y (barangay volunteers) mga updates or mga pagpanginahanglanon,” (We are alerted. I received 424 text messages a
day from the barangays. In addition, there are updates or needs from barangay volunteers) the governor added. Edmundo Y. Pacamalan Jr., provincial administrator and disaster risk reduction and management office (DRRMO) chief said, “This will keep our barangay volunteers kanunay nga magbinantayon. (This is to make barangay volunteers always vigilant)” Pacamalan added through this scheme, the provincial government can response quickly to emergencies and untoward situations. Meanwhile, governor Emano encourages the people to be always alert. “When crisis arises, they can contact our PDRRMC mobile hotline numbers 09172701570,” the governor said.
NYC: SK not abolished, window for reforms getting smaller by NYC10
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The National Youth Commission calls the urgent need to pass the measures for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform pointing out that the window is getting smaller as COMELEC is set to hold elections as early as October of this year. Emphasized by Commissioner- National Youth Commission (NYC) on at-Large Jose Rafael Cruz of the the theme “Investing in Young People” JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
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of the just concluded World Population Day, “Even if there are disagreements on the exact measures and proposals for reform, what we can all agree on is that there is a need to fix the current system. We can’t go back to the status quo.” Republic Act 10632 was passed in October to give Congress one year to enact reforms. Commissioner Cruz clarified the misconception that there is no longer an SK. “We’ve been given a very rare opportunity to effect change in the system. Young people are at the forefront of the demands for good governance and they will not just stand by as spectators. The youth want to show that they can do better and for some, this is the only platform that is available to them.” Commissioner Cruz said that while our lawmakers have deliberated on the various bills both for reform
and abolition, there is no sense of urgency because there is no pressure from the public, especially from the youth, to prioritize these measures. “While some sectors are calling for the scrapping of the institution altogether, we welcome these sentiments because it gets us talking about the issue and it’s something we’re all passionate about. At the end of the day however, we can all agree that the alternative of retaining the current system is unacceptable. But that’s where we’re heading given the lack of interest.” The NYC official encouraged discussion on the SK. “Pag-usapan natin ang issue. We can’t deny that a lot of the bad press comes only from anecdotes. Give us your recommendations and we’ll be sure to take it into consideration in the deliberations in Congress.”
Hydromet stations distributed in strategic locations in northern Mindanao by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 bared that hydrometeorological devices are already distributed and installed in strategic locations in northern Mindanao to prepare communities for incoming weather disturbance or natural disasters. As of June 2014, a total of 35 (ARGs), 14 Water Level Monitoring stations of Automated Rain Gauges Stations (WLMS) and 10 tandem of JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
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ARG and WLMS are stationed in viable areas in the region, especially in the heart of Mindanao, Bukidnon province according to DOST Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban. In Misamis Oriental, areas placed with these instruments are Gingoog City, Pigsag-an, Cagayan de Oro City, Kibunsod Bridge, Magsaysay, Mintabon, Talisayan, Guinalaban, Salay, Quezon, Balingasag, CES, Lanise Claveria, Tagoloan bridge in Tagoloan, Cagayan de Oro and San Simon Bridge. In Bukidnon, ARGs and WLMS are placed in Malayabalay, Quezon, Maramag, Valencia, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich and Oroquieta in Misamis Occidental, among others. Further, they are also installed in Sagay and Mambajao in Camiguin and Iligan City and Tubod in Lanao del Norte. During the Talakayan sa PIA, Alamban said that the technology now provides easier understanding of terms. He said they continue to learn from the feedback of people from the field to make is user friendly and have made these instruments satellite based. Moreover, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology to generate enhanced topographic maps
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in the country is still ongoing, said Alamban. The result will be hazard forecasting and flood modeling. It will forecast intensity of heavy rains and when it will flood. There is already a 3D map in Cagayan de Oro City and soon that of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte will be incorporated to complete the picture, added Alamaban. Another initiative is the installation of landslide sensors in vulnerable areas. The DOST-Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identifies areas vulnerable to landslides to put equipment or instrument to provide ample warning if possible landslide will occur given the intensity of the rain. On the other hand, the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao through DOST’s support have developed biodegradable plastic. It can easily rot but it will not cause flooding. The raw material is starch which can be found in Lumbia. Alamban said that the technology is here, waiting to roll out and eventually commercialize. Meanwhile, Forest Product Research and Development Institute developed portable houses or cottages that may be assembled immediately in the event of flood or other natural calamities. The technology is already here, said Alamban. However it is not utilized because bunker houses are perhaps cheaper, he added. They also have technology on rescue boats to address disaster reduction.
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‘Natural events and human activities contributes to global warming,’ says DENR-13 chief By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY- “Natural events and human activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by the increase in ‘greenhouse’ gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) leading to a change in climate which can affect weather in various ways, hence we have this Greenhouse Effect.”
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Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito Tamayo bared this during the Regional Information Officers’ Summit on Climate Change advocacy held on Thursday in one of the local convention centers here. “The energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface. In turn, the earth ra-
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diates energy back into space. Some atmospheric gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. These gases are therefore known as ‘greenhouse gases.’ The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature on Earth as certain gases in the atmosphere trap
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energy,” explained Tamayo. Many of these greenhouse gases are actually life-enabling, for without them, heat would escape back into space and the earth’s average temperature would be a lot colder. “However, if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, then more heat gets trapped than needed, and the earth might become less habitable for humans, plants and animals,” Tamayo added. It was also learned that carbon dioxide, though not the most potent of greenhouse gases, is the most significant one. Human activity has caused an imbalance in the natural cycle of the greenhouse effect and related processes. In addition to the natural fluxes of carbon through the earth system, anthropogenic (human) activities, particularly fossil fuel burning and deforestation, are also releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. “When we mine coal and extractoil from the earth’s crust, and then burn these fossil fuels for transportation, heating, cooking, electricity, and manufacturing, we are effectively moving carbon more JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
rapidly into the atmosphere than is being removed naturally through the sedimentation of carbon, ultimately causing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to increase,” highlighted Tamayo. Also, by clearing forests to support agriculture, we are transferring carbon from living biomass into the atmosphere (dry wood is about 50 percent carbon). “The result is that humans are adding ever-increasing amounts of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Because of this, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher today than they have been over the last half-million years or longer,” revealed Tamayo. Said summit is initiated by PIA and DENR-Caraga, and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Partners from the private sector such as Mary Kay, PLDT-Philcom and Bayan Telecommunications also contributed to the activity. PAGE | 21
Gov’t IOs offer environmental prayer for climate change adaptation advocacy By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN - Wearing the eye-catching shirt with the statement: “Nagbabago na ang Panahon… Panahon na Para Magbago,” and candles lit with them, participating information officers from the different provinces of Caraga region offered environmental prayer during the Regional Information Officers’ Summit on Climate Change advocacy held on Thursday at Dottie’s Place Hotel, this city. In a report dubbed as Project Status of calendar year (CY)-2012, CY-2013, Quick Response Fund, and CY-2014 Projects, Layasan bared the sum total of P1,241,509,765.52 as direct cost/ JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
awarded amount of irrigation projects to Surigao del Sur for the said periods apart from the P23,038,000 project tagged as “needing clearance” and the quick response fund (QRF) amounting PAGE | 22
to P53,621,000 due to Typhoon Pablo. It was learned that for calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014, the allotted amounts were P704,443,362.52; P337,312,400; and P199,754,000, respectively. Moreover, the particular amounts were also supplied with corresponding physical and financial accomplishments of projects. For CY 2012, the project posted 76.10 percent physical and 61.06 percent financial accomplishments; for CY-2013— 81.17 percent physical and 48.37 percent financial accomplishments; but for CY-2014—
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the report did not yet indicate the project status except for the notation “For Awards” under the remarks column for particular items. Overall, the NIA here has already posted 88.574 percent physical accomplishment as of June 2014 including that of the CY-2012 project needing clearance—100 percent; and the status of QRF due to Typhoon Pablo—85.60 percent, as well as the QRF funded by calamity fund for Repair and Rehabilitation of Existing Irrigation System (RREIS)—100 percent. However, records will show that PIMO has only put up 63.906 percent
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financial accomplishment. Irrigation projects in Surigao del Sur are classified into two categories— National Irrigation System (NIS) and Communal Irrigation System (CIS). Meanwhile, it was learned from Engr. Dexter Sablaon, Senior Engineer A of PIMO that the potential irrigable area JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
in the whole province is estimated at 26,778 hectares; 13,346 hectares of which have already been irrigated or equivalent to 49.84 percent. The idle area waiting for an irrigation system to be put in place is still at 13,532 hectares or equivalent to 50.16 percent, he stressed. PAGE | 24
NIA continues to maintain and develop irrigation system in SurSur By Greg Tataro, Jr. TANDAG CITY- The Provincial Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Surigao del Sur led by acting division manager Engr. Salome Layasan has continued to maintain and develop the irrigation system in the province. In a report dubbed as Project Status of calendar year (CY)-2012, CY-2013, Quick Response Fund, and CY-2014 Projects, Layasan bared the sum total of P1,241,509,765.52 as direct cost/ awarded amount of irrigation projects to Surigao del Sur for the said periods apart from the P23,038,000 project tagged as “needing clearance” and the quick response fund (QRF) amounting to P53,621,000 due to Typhoon Pablo. It was learned that for calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014, the allotted amounts were P704,443,362.52; P337,312,400; and P199,754,000, respectively. Moreover, the particular amounts were also supplied with corresponding physical and financial accomplishments of projects. For CY 2012, the project posted 76.10 percent physical and 61.06 percent financial accomplishments; for CY-2013— 81.17 percent physical and 48.37 percent financial accomplishments; but for CY-2014— the report did not yet indicate the project status except for the notation “For Awards” under the remarks JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
column for particular items. Overall, the NIA here has already posted 88.574 percent physical accomplishment as of June 2014 including that of the CY-2012 project needing clearance—100 percent; and the status of QRF due to Typhoon Pablo—85.60 percent, as well as the QRF funded by calamity fund for Repair and Rehabilitation of Existing Irrigation System (RREIS)—100 percent. However, records will show that PIMO has only put up 63.906 percent financial accomplishment. Irrigation projects in Surigao del Sur are classified into two categories— National Irrigation System (NIS) and Communal Irrigation System (CIS). Meanwhile, it was learned from Engr. Dexter Sablaon, Senior Engineer A of PIMO that the potential irrigable area in the whole province is estimated at 26,778 hectares; 13,346 hectares of which have already been irrigated or equivalent to 49.84 percent. The idle area waiting for an irrigation system to be put in place is still at 13,532 hectares or equivalent to 50.16 percent, he stressed. PAGE | 25
Study author Dr. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, identified two significant challenges facing the sector agriculture in regards to fertilizer sector---inefficient fertilizer marketing (as seen in the large discrepancies in pricing across adjacent regions) and sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer applied by farmers. “Across the country, there is a wide dispersion in retail prices of fertilizer,” Briones said. “The cheapest fertilizers are found in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Davao region,” he said. Moreover, the most expensive fertilizers are ironically sold in the poorest regions in the country such as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, Briones said. Future research is needed to resolve the pricing disparities in fertilizer, Briones noted. It would help to identify if disparities may be attributed to transaction cost differences or area-specific gaps in infrastructure and logistics, he said. JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
“The diminishing importance of domestic production of fertilizer is also noticeable,” Briones said. Domestic production of fertilizer was accounted for at least 70 percent of consumption from 1994 to 1996, but now the share is down to 30 percent or lower, he said. Locally produced fertilizers are sourced from five firms, four of which are based in Luzon. These are mostly producers of smaller quantities of various common and specialty fertilizers, Briones said. Soiltech Agricultural Products has a capacity to produce 1 million tons of fertilizers in a year and considered as the market leader in domestically produced fertilizer in Luzon, Briones said. Meanwhile, PHILPHOS, located in the Visayas, has the capacity to produce 1.17 million ton of fertilizer that distributes all over the country, he said. “Clearly there are large scale economies at work, limiting the number of domestic manufacturers, but the market as a whole need not be an oligopoly if there is strong PAGE | 26
competition from imports,” Briones said. “Statistical analysis shows that ups and downs in the world price are efficiently transmitted to domestic markets. There is no evidence to support the hypothesis of excess profit from buying low abroad and selling high locally.” “Imports are mostly sourced from ASEAN and other free trade partners where the import duty is zero. There is in effect free trade in fertilizers.” Briones said. “China is by far the largest source of imports of the Philippines,” he said. Moreover, domestic production depends mainly on imported raw materials such as rock phosphate, anhydrous ammonia, sulfuric acid, and other finished fertilizer grades, he added. Briones also found that farmers continue to apply sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer both for the main nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and for micronutrients. Although fertilizers positively contribute to profitability of rice farming, fertilizer is being underutilized in Philippine farms JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
compared to other ASEAN countries, Briones said. Based on the FAO FertiSTAT data (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fertilizer Use Statistics) for 2001, fertilizer application in the country’s paddy rice areas was only 51 kilograms per hectare against Indonesia’s application at 105 kilograms per hectare. Access to credit and risk aversion are not strong factors on the issue of sub-optimal amounts of fertilizer used in Philippine farms, Briones said.Lack of information and aversion to loss are other possible reasons. Pinning down the explanation will require evidenced-based analysis at the level of the market and the farmer,to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the farmer’s goals, opportunities, and constraints, he said. If you want to read the full study, you may download this link:http://dirp3.pids. g o v. p h / w e b p o r t a l / C D N / PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1414. pdf. PAGE | 27
Health fair for IPs held in Dumingag town By Gideon C. Corgue
DUMINGAG, Zamboanga del Sur – To reduce poverty and address issues concerning the rights of cultural minority groups, the United Nations Population Fund Program (UNPFA) and European Union (EU) in coordination with Rural Health Unit successly conducted a two-day “Health Fair” in barangays Ditulan and Upper Landing on July 11-12, respectively.
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The UNPFA, a UN organization whose work is to promote the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity and the EU, the funding agency, have been continuously supporting the implementation of maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) program in the municipality. IP-MNCHN program manager Dr. Cenelli Bernadette Sabay of the UNPFA, said “the activity is part and parcel of the MNCHN Project Mindanao implemented in Dumingag in October, 2012.� The event involves the UNPFA as a major implementing partner
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on reproductive health concerns. The UNFPA, which will run from 2012-2016, is funded by the EU. Sabay said the event aimed at contributing to significant, sustainable improvement in maternal and child health towards meeting the Millineum Development Goals 4 and 5, to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health by 2015. Capping the event were the turnover of medical equipment and FP commodities to Rural Health Unit/Birthing Facility, distribution of certificates of live birth to 493 recipients from six IP
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barangays, lecture on IP rights, birth registration, and gender-based violence, provision of medical and dental health services, mobile birth registration, family planning and reproductive health session, and distribution 182 “dignity” (hygiene) kits to IP pregnant and lactating women.
Sabay said the two-day event has served the following barangays: Dilod, Dulop , Guintanan, Saad, Salvador, and Sunop. As an abode of IPs in the province, Dumingag has been chosen as one of the five project sites for MNCHN in Mindanao, Sabay explained.
DOST conducts skills training on food processing in Talusan By Alma L. Tingcang
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - A skills training on banana chips processing and fish processing (Fish ball with squash and Fish embotido) was conducted recently in Talusan town by the Provincial Science and Technology Center-Department of Science and Technology (PSTC-DOST). PSTC chief Francis Melanie T. Temonio said that lectures on basic sanitation and personal hygiene were included in the training to teach the participants proper food handling and make them aware of the danger of food poisoning. Appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures prevent microorganisms from having harmful effects on costumers. Ms. Temonio tackled Basic Sanitation while Ms. Jeyzel P. Aparri, Project Assistant III facilitated the skills training on food processing with actual demonstration of the technology. The training was conducted in response to the need analysis submitted by the municipal action JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
team (MAT) of said town to help the participants augment their family income. Mayor Orlando A. Ramiso has expressed his gratitude for the timely response of the DOST as a prelude to the Information Caravan to be held on July, 25 where national government agencies will converge to bring the government closer to the people. The information caravan is sponsored by the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX through the Regional Communication and Advocacy Plan – Technical Working Group (RCAP-TWG), in cooperation with the Mindanao Communicators’ Network (MindaComNet). PAGE | 38
DTI-9 wants SMEs to be disaster resilient, ready for AEC 2015 6
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry-9 is making sure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are ready for any disasters that may hit the region, thus, this year’s SME Roving Academy (SME Caravan) is aimed at making them disaster resilient and equipping with the opportunities the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will bring. Newly minted DTI-9 Industry Development Division Chief Mr. Lowell S. Vallecer said this year’s roving caravan includes seminars that will equip SMEs against calamities and opportunities for growth. “What makes our caravan different from last year’s is that we have included a forum on ASEAN Economic Community, and Business Continuity Planning to make our SMEs disaster resilient. This will be for our Dipolog City leg,” he said. Vallecer added that they will also be conducting Financing forums for Pagadian leg to support budding businesses in the area, while Zamboanga Sibugay SMEs will be treated to a Visual Merchandizing Seminar. “Visual Merchandizing will teach our SMEs how to dress up their stores or establishments to make it more attractive to potential customers,” Vallecer said. As part of the core activity of the caravan, DTI will still be conducting product development seminar to help JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph
SMEs improve their products and also the one-on-one consultation with concerned government agencies to help SMEs secure needed assistance from product development, access to finance and market. The caravan also informs SMEs on the different policies of the government in conducting business. The SME Roving Academy 2014 will be held from July 21 to 26, kicking off in Dipolog City, then in Pagadian City, in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and finally in Zamboanga City to cater for SMEs not just in Zamboanga but also those from Isabela City, Basilan. DTI-9 OIC Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain is enjoining all stakeholders to participate in the caravan to help SMEs in the region grow and spur economic advancement. “SMEs should be given utmost priority as they are the very backbone of the country’s economy,” Director Jain said in the previous meeting with SME-9 Core Group. PAGE | 39