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PIA REGIONAL OFFICES Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail: ro9_pia@yahoo.com, mimibern17@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX
Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com, r10_pia@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.pia-10.blogspot.com
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL ADVISERS SEC. SONNY B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency 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 & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com , pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph Website: www.piacaraga.com Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - Caraga Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga SOCCSKSARGEN Region Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail: r12_pia@yahoo.com, pia_xii@yahoo.com REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region COPY EDITORS FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region
NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST
THELMA B. OLIVER Regional Director, PIA Region X
LAYOUT ARTISTS
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region DOMINIC I. SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X RAUL M. QUILAB, JR., PIA Caraga Region
NATIONAL
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Palace commemorates Bonifacio Day
INFOCUS
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Future Bangsamoro can enact laws for protection of Lake Lanao
SOCCSKSARGEN
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CONTENTS Cover Story Teachers Day a photo exhibit By: Rudolph Alama
South Cotabato assures sustainable livelihood for former illegal miners By: Danilo E. Doguiles
CARAGA
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By:David M. Suyao DAR-Surigao Norte readies farmer organizations on agrarian credit program By: Daryll M. Tumbaga
WESTERN
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PNP, PSWD-AgSur intensify campaign to stop VAWC
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Sulu Gov seeks more cooperation with the AFP on crisis situations By: Rene V. Carbayas
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NORTHERN
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Misamis Occidental bids out rehabilitation of provincial roads in Clarin By: Rutchie C. Aguhob Fireworks highlight opening of Christmas Symbols Festival 2014 in Tangub
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Mindanao Film Festival to show films about climate change By: RG Alama
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Teachers Day a photo exhibit By: Rudolph Alama
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ast September this writer was approached by the Abreeza Mall management if I could mount an photo exhibit with the theme centered on Teachers’ Day which was slated on October 6. I immediately enlisted the help of my co-members of the Davao-based photography group MCOM. The Philippine Information Agency-XI also offered assistance during the shoot. Coincidentally Abreeza Mall and PIA-XI have a close working partnership as the mall hosts the third Friday of the Kapihan sa PIA forum. The photo exhibit was conceptualized by Abreeza with
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the a i m o f putting the spotlight on the noble teaching profession as the opening of the exhibit coincides with World Teachers’ Day.
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Volunteer photographers from MCOM set out to find the teachers that would be featured in the exhibit. We selected our former teachers who are still teaching and who had the greatest influence on their lives, while other photographers chose their friends who are working as teachers. PIA-XI helped by linking us up with some of our subjects. A.L. Navarro National High School located in Lasang welcomed this writer into their campus, three selected teachers including their principal Nelma Lyn Barnijo who was very accommodating and made our shoot in their
school an experience.
unforgettable
I also got the chance to meet Randy Halasan who was the only Filipino awardee in the 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awards. This was for his effort in improving not just the lives of his students but also of the indigenous Matigsalog community in the remote hinterland barangay of Pegalongan in Marilog. Though I was not able to go to Pegalongan, I was able to meet and interview Randy when he was the guest-of-honor in an
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event here in Davao City. It was marketing department of the only available time he can Abreeza Mall led by Ms. Ruby meet me due to his Ochoa and her hectic schedule after talented team being co-awardee Cheekie Albay, of the human Shimea More development and Aidx awards known Paredes, as the Asian then there’s equivalent Philippine of the Nobel Peace Prize. The photo exhibit titled Role Models: A Teachers Day Exhibit started last October 5 in celebration of World’s Teachers’ Day. The gallery display was mounted at the Abreeza Activity Center during the first day and was moved to the Abreeza Corporate Center (from October 6 to October 10).
Information A g e n c y XI office led by Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena. We would like also to thank Ms. Patricia Elbanbuena director University of Southeastern Philippines Institute of Languages for the support given during the shoot.
Aside from the photo exhibit, Abreeza provided surprise gifts for the teachers which they can claim at the concierge and free movie passes to the movie Walking on Sunshine which was shown on Abreeza Cinema during that day. I and the MCOM shooting team would like to thank the
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PH to launch APEC 2015
MAKATI - The Philippines will launch Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 today,(December 1 to buoy up local businesses to explore and initiate opportunities based on lined up activities for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) next year. “While the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has lined up several activities as the country chairs APEC in 2015 and hosts the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, we aim to
spur greater private sector participation and generate new prospects for local and foreign businesses to flourish,” Secretary Gregory L. Domingo in a statement said.
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The launch will be attended by the local business community. It will be held at Green Sun in Makati City.
SMEs play an essential role in driving economic growth and generating employment in the local communities. They contribute and enrich growth opportunities in these communities that are being developed as hubs of trade and investments in various regions of the country.
The Philippine hosting of the APEC intends to inspire greater confidence that the APEC member-economies can indeed build a truly vibrant and inclusive future for all peoples as they pursue the Bogor Goals and work The country’s micro, to realize the vision laid out by small and medium enterprises the country. (MSMEs) account for 99 percent of the businesses, and contribute Domingo noted that next 65 percent of the jobs generated year will be a perfect opportunity by all types of business for local business to seize and establishments. further help in contributing to the Philippines’ growing economy. Domingo pointed out that as the backbone of the country’s “In the country’s hosting economy, MSMEs are developed next year, we seek to underscore by the government to help them the significance of the small and become more competitive not medium enterprises (SMEs) in just regionally but also globally. the country’s economy, and their role and integration in global “The DTI has continuously supply chains,” Domingo said. implemented several programs for these enterprises to Domingo further said that grow in an enabling business
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and investment for them to take full advantage of undertakings geared towards SME development and integration to global supply chains.
environment, enjoy access to finance, expand market access, and improve efficiency and productivity,” Domingo said. He noted that to get the most of these government interventions, SMEs must also be abreast with regional economic forums that facilitate economic growth, cooperation, trade
“We strongly believe that regional economic integration should work towards empowering the Filipino people and achieving inclusive growth in the country. Thus, we will work with other APEC member economies towards this goal and complement it with frameworks and policies that will benefit all in the Asia-Pacific region,” Domingo said. (DTI-PRU)
Palace commemorates Bonifacio Day MANILA - The Palace on Sunday commemorates the 151st anniversary of the birth of Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution. DECEMBER 1, 2014
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President Aquino III.
Benigno
“Ngayon, 151 taon mula nang siya ay isinilang, pagkatapos ng maraming pagsubok sa ating kasaysayan at katauhan na ating nalampasan, nagkakaisa tayo bilang isang bansa upang gunitain ang mga sakripisyong inalay niya bunsod ng kanyang mithiin na makita ang pagtamo ng ating mga aspirasyon,” “Nakikiisa ako sa he added. pagdiriwang ng Araw ni Bonifacio. Ang pagmamahal sa Also known as the bayan ni Andres Bonifacio ang “Supremo,” Andres Bonifacio nagbigay inspirasyon sa mga founded the Kataas-taasan, Pilipino na ipaglaban at itanghal Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ang kanilang dignidad, kalayaan, ng mga Anak ng Bayan. He at ang soberanya ng ating bansa,” led the Katipunan in seeking said Presidential Communication independence of the Philippines Operations Office Secretary from Spanish colonial rule. Herminio Coloma, Jr., over (PCOO) dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, quoting
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Future Bangsamoro can enact laws for protection of Lake Lanao MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The future Bangsamoro government has the authority to enact laws for the management and protection of Lake Lanao which is classified as an inland water, Government of the Philippines legal team head Anna Tarhata Basman said during a public consultation of the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law in this city. Basman addressed the issue on Lake Lanao which is among the top concerns of local executives, members of academe, religious sector, federation of sultanates, and
youth who generally cited support to the passage of the Bangsamoro bill which is also known as House Bill 4994, OPAPP said in a statement
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Basman cited a provision in the Bangsamoro bill that pertains to Lake Lanao as inland waters. Article XIII, Section 22 of the bill says: ”The Bangsamoro Government shall have exclusive powers over inland waters, including, but not limited to lakes, marshes, rivers and tributaries. The Bangsamoro Parliament shall enact laws on the regulation, management and protection of these resources. It may create a Bangsamoro office and authorities for specific inland bodies of water that shall exercise management powers over these bodies of water.”
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It further says that “the Bangsamoro Government shall ensure that the utilization of these waters shall primarily be for the benefit of the people in the Bangsamoro and shall ensure that communities in the Bangsamoro in whose territory these waters are found are given an equitable share from the revenues generated from such utilization.” However, Basman clarified the distinction between Lanao Lake as an inland water and as an energy source. She noted that
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as an energy source, existing hydropower plants in Lake Lanao which are connected to the national grid will remain under the concerned national government agencies.
assurance that it shall “embody real autonomy” to address the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination. “Bulk of devolved powers will be provided to the future Bangsamoro government, because we Bangsamoro people know how we will govern our areas,” she said. She cited genuine political and fiscal autonomy for the Bangsamoro government as the essence of the proposed BBL.
According to Section 3 of Article V of the bill, “when power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities are connected to the national transmission grid, the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government shall cooperate and coordinate through the intergovernmental Cagayan de Oro City relations mechanism.” second district Representative Rufus Rodriguez, Chair of the Lake Lanao falls within the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, provincial boundaries of Lanao expressed his appreciation of del Sur, one of the five provinces the “overwhelming support in in the current Autonomous this province to the BBL,” as well Region in Muslim Mindanao as to the nineteen lawmakers (ARMM) and is part of the who attended the public envisioned core territory of the consultation. Eight members proposed Bangsamoro political of the Bangsamoro Transition entity. Commission, the body who drafted the BBL, were also Genuine autonomy present as resource persons. Local executives and sectoral representatives in Marawi expressed support to the passage of the BBL and the establishment of the Bangsamoro as Basman conveyed
Rodriguez emphasized that establishing genuine autonomy for the future Bangsamoro is “not a grant, but an affirmative action to address historical injustices” and end the decades-old conflict in the south.(OPAPP)
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North Cotabato extends help to tornado-affected families By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme
KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato -- Around 14 families in Carmen town whose houses were either partly destroyed or totally damaged by tornadoes that hit on October 24 and 25 were given light construction materials to help them rebuild their houses.
Among the materials given to two families in Barangay Manili and twelve in Nasapian were eight pieces of G.I. sheets, eight pieces kalakat, and one kilo umbrella nails. Marchita Capilitan, focal person of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said the items will aid the affected families to build new homes after the devastation left by two tornadoes. Apart from the construction materials, the affected families also received 15 kilos of rice, packs noodles and cans of sardines. As their counterpart,
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the local government unit of Carmen took charge of the hauling and transportation costs of the construction materials. Mayor Roger Tali単o also disbursed P1,000 for each of the 14 affected families as additional assistance to help them with their other needs. Meanwhile, Governor Emmylou Mendoza instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center to advice and recommend to the affected families to rebuild their houses in much safer areas or vicinities
far from landslides, flashfloods and their lives. (SJDuerme-PIA12/N. Coother calamities that may endanger tabato Media Bureau)
South Cotabato assures sustainable livelihood for former illegal miners By: Danilo E. Doguiles KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has assured former ‘banlaseros’ (sluice miners) who have pledged to leave give up their illegal mining activities in the copper and gold-rich mountains in Tampakan town. “We are now on the process of preparing project proposals for long-term and sustainable livelihood [of the former ‘banlaseros’],” Provincial Environment Management
Office acting chief Engr. Siegfred Flaviano told reporters in a press conference Tuesday. These livelihood project proposals will soon be endorsed to Gov. Daisy
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Avance-Fuentes before the same will be submitted for approval to convergence partners such as the Department of Labor and Employment for funding, Flaviano continued. “We are trying our best to be able to award the livelihood projects to the beneficiaries in January next year,” he said. Earlier this year, following the provincial government’s intensive campaign against prohibited hydraulic mining, several groups of ‘banlaseros’ in Barangays Pulabato, Danlag, and Tablu asked Gov. Fuentes for assistance in return for their commitment to do away with their destructive operations. As an initial response, the provincial government, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office implemented two batches of 30-day emergency employment that have benefited 200 former ‘banlaseros.’ Their works include demolition of illegal mining structures, road rehabilitation, cleanup of drainage systems, construction of several barangay structures and other
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similar jobs. Flaviano noted that the livelihood projects should be ready for distribution before the emergency employment is completed. He said, these livelihood projects, including rice retailing stores, food processing and others were identified through consultations and dialogues between the technical working group and the ‘banlaseros.’ Other agencies such as the National Food Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Science and Technology will also extend support via inputs, skills training, and technology. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
DECEMBER 1, 2014
Agnor agrarian coop, farmer beneficiary receive national awards By: Gil E. Miranda
Butuan City - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office conferred the prestigious awards to Baug CARP Beneficiaries MultiPurpose Cooperative (BCBMPC) and Ruben Ragas as the Most Progressive Organization and Most Outstanding Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB), respectively, during the commemoration of the DAR Annual Awards and Recognition, in line with the celebration of International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Convention Center, Quezon City, last November 24, 2014.
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Agusan del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO II) Andre B. Atega commended BCBMPC and Ragas for modeling the success in Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementation. “The two awardees are literal showcases of success in agrarian reform program implementation in this province,� PARPO Atega said. BCBMPC is a story of true grit and determination of 110 ARB members, who struggled from crab hunters to become bankers. From a capital of P30,000.00, BCBMPC now stands in hundreds of millions and expected to be one of the billionaire coops in the country in the next five years. After more than a decade of spectacular growth, BCBMPC operates a bank-like system,
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which provide financial knowledge and assistance to many small borrowers including Ragas, who now become an outstanding ARB. Ruben Ragas is a vegetable grower and farmer entrepreneur who now earns about half a million pesos yearly from the 2-hectare land acquired through land distribution program of the government. BCBMPC has been a recipient of an array of prestigious awards in the last four years which included the Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad Pitak), that in 2013, it was conferred with Hall of Fame Award under the AgriBased category with P100,000 worth of fixed assets. In 2013, Ragas was the regional awardee on Gawad Saka 2013 Most Outstanding high valued crop category during the 11th Annual Vegetable Congress and this year was conferred last August 8, 2014 as the 1st runnerup as Ulirang Magsasaka. Both BCBMPC and Ragas are inspiration to all coops and individual ARBs in Agusan del Norte.
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PNP, PSWD-AgSur intensify campaign to stop VAWC By: David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR - The Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Office in Agusan del Sur are working together for an all out campaign to stop violence against women and children (VAWC) as the provincial PNP noted a tremendous increase in number of violated/ abused women and children compared to last year as reported by all the Municipal Police Offices provincewide.
In a recent meeting held at the PSWD office, PInsp. Junalyn Suan presented the data comparing the violence against women (VAW)
and violence against children (VAC) committed in 2013 and the latest update of the same cases as of September of this year, with 55 cases difference on VAW and
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70 cases on VAC. “Let us take note of the cutting period. For the year 2013, the period was from January until December 31, while the period for this year represents incidents from January until September only, but the differences are tremendous. I believe this situation needs immediate action from us, the members of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children and Women (PCWCW) and other stakeholders,” Suan said. As of September 2014, Bayugan City claims the highest incidence both on VAW with 110 cases and VAC with 72 cases, followed by Prosperidad with 47 on VAW and 16 on VAC, more than half the number of cases
from that of Bayugan’s. “Loida Antonio of the PSWD and I had discussed this matter, and we both believe it is timely that as we celebrate this “18days to end violence against women” we all go out and educate our children and women of their rights and importance in the development of the country so that in our own little way, we can reduce the incidence if not eradicate it,” Suan said. Numerous forum and advocacy activities are lined up as programmed by the PCWC starting November 25 until December 12, 2014 covering almost all high schools within the province of Agusan del Sur.
DAR-Surigao Norte readies farmer organizations on agrarian credit program By: Daryll M. Tumbaga
SURIGAO CITY - The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Surigao del Norte (DARSDN) conducted recently a series of activities focusing on the validation and finalization of the farm plan of its assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province. 20
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The said activities were done to prepare the said ARBOs as they become recipients of the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) of the DAR. A farm plan is a requirement to be able to avail of projects and funds under APCP. It identifies activities to be undertaken and enumerates the equivalent costing of the farm plan activities. Under APCP, the credit needs of the ARBs on various projects such as agricultural crop production, agri-enterprise, and livelihood projects are being responded to. The five ARBOs were the San Pedro Rural Workers Association of San Pedro, Alegria; Ima Women’s Initiated Community Association of Ima,
Sison; Cantapoy Farmers and Fishermen C r e d i t Cooperative of Cantapoy, Malimono; Union AgroAqua Credit Cooperative of Union, Dapa; and the Esperanza F a r m e r s Credit Cooperative of Esperanza, Del Carmen, all in Surigao del Norte. The board of directors, officers and some members of the five assisted ARBOs participated in the activities and they successfully underwent the tedious process of identifying and inputting data for the draft farm plan, including the presentation of the plan to the facilitators of which the plan was scrutinized and critiqued, and the finalization and polishing of the farm plan. The DAR-SDN spearheaded the activity led by Lina Alvarez, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer.
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Eco-friendly schools in Zamboanga del Norte recognized By: Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY – A team from the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 has awarded plaques of recognition to elementary and secondary schools in Zamboanga del Norte that were adjudged most sustainable and ecofriendly schools in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
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program “is not only an honor of Buenavista Elementary School but of the municipality and the division office as well.” The group was in Buenavista Elementary School in Gutalac town and in Siayan National High School in Siayan municipality to hand the awards. Buenavista Elementary School and Siayan National High School emerged as regional winners of the Search for Most Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools in 2009 and 2011, respectively. In his message, Mr. Roman Alberastine, school head of Buenavista Elementary School, vowed to continue the school programs and activities that are geared toward environmental protection and climate change adaptation.
Moreover, Dr. Mildred Maquiling of Siayan National School has expressed her gratitude to the DENR and PIA for recognizing her school’s efforts at protecting and preserving the environment. Four other schools are also slated to receive the same awards today. They are Manukan National High School in Manukan town, Dipolog City National High School and Sicayab Elementary School in Dipolog City and Sulangon National High School, Dapitan City.
Sustainable and eco-friendly schools are environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated the promotion of Mr. Danilo R. Alga, district officer a green environment in their programs and in-charge of Gutalac II district, instructions, on the other hand stressed activities. that the award received by school in recognition of its environmental DECEMBER 1, 2014
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Sulu Gov seeks more cooperation with the AFP on crisis situations By: Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Sulu Governor Abdusakur “Totoh” A. Tan II sought the cooperation and full collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines especially in time of crisis situations like kidnapping incidents. In a press report, Governor Tan stated his concern during a expressed dismay over how special meeting last October the military handled the case 20, 2014 at the Provincial of two German kidnap victims Capitol with representatives Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and from various his wife Henrike Dielen. He One Mindanao DECEMBER 1, 2014 28
sectors of Sulu Civil Society, Lt. Gen. Rustico O. government line agencies and Guerrero said in a institutions. statement that “the issue has already been resolved “We were not informed that since the Chief of Staff of the the hostages were already Armed Forces of the Philippines rescued, it was only thru media (CSAFP), General Gregorio Pio P. reports that we became aware Catapang, Jr., personally visited that they were already rescued the province of Sulu last October Friday night (Oct 17) and in the 24, 2014 purposely to apologize custody of the Armed Forces,” and consult with the provincial Tan said. government, particularly with the Special Action Committee, Moreover, he questioned the and the people of Sulu for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ resolution of this controversy.” (AFP) action of keeping the Special Action Committee (SAC) The said apology was lauded in the dark on the events recently, by Governor Tan and several of leading to and the subsequent the local officials, while General rescue from the Abu Sayyaf of Catapang pronounced the AFP’s the two (2) German captives. willingness to assist the local government units and the PNP “The approved mandate of in the attainment of peace and the committee during the 16 development in the province October 2014 Expanded PPOC thru the AFP-PNP Joint Letter Resolution was set aside, even Directives. though it was unanimously subscribed to by all council Sulu Provincial OIC information members present, including the chief Sonny Y. Abing III said the PNP and AFP. The idea was upon Special Action Committee (SAC) the suggestion of AFP Vice Chief is a unit created by the Sulu of Staff, Lt. Gen. John Bonafos, Provincial Peace and Order that the committee was created,” Tan told sector and community representatives. Western Mindanao Command chief DECEMBER 1, 2014
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Council (PPOC) mandated to oversee all law enforcement operations in the hostage situation and rescue of the two German captives, headed by the Sulu Governor, with the provincial chiefs of PNP and AFP, and civilian representatives, among its members. The Civil Society organizations/ groups (CSO) in Sulu, also strongly believe that the military must sincerely involve the participation of the community in the solution of the perennial problem of kidnapping.
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“We must build trust between the people and our law enforcers to curtail criminality in the Province,� a CSO representative said. Position papers were submitted to the Office of the Governor from each sector and civil society groups expressing their sentiments and suggestion on possible measures to effect change and improve the organizational structures on public order and law enforcement, and to include community perspective on curtailing criminality in the province.
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DOST holds food packaging confab in NorMin By: Teresita Baluyos
CAGAYAN DE ORO CTIY - The Department of Science and Technology in Region 10 (DOST10) in partnership with the DOST Packaging Research and Development Center, Manila, conducts a twin forum on Food Packaging.
The forum is on November 27 at Country Village Hotel, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The morning forum which will end at 12 noon will focus on “Related Contaminants in Packaged Foods.” Invited attendees are those in the food business. The afternoon session will deal on “Packaging Technologies for Pork Lechon.” Expected to attend are pork lechon producers (lechoneros). For more inquiries, you may visit the nearest DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center in your area or call the DOST-10 Office, 858-39-33 and look for Meriam Mondia.
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Misamis Occidental bids out rehabilitation of provincial roads in Clarin By: Rutchie C. Aguhob
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The rehabilitation and minor
improvement of the Malibangcao-Guba-Sabasi Provincial Roads in Clarin, in Misamis Occidental, have been bided out. region 10, through the Philippines Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID. The pre-bidding conference have been set on Nov. 28, and the opening of the bids, on Dec. 11, both this year, at the DILG, region 10, office in Cagayan de Oro City, provincial director Sanivier G. Patoc, DILG Misamis Occidental, said. Only those bidders with With a length of 6.20 kms., the project involves movement of experience of having completed, earthworks, preparation of sub-base at least one contract, similar to the and surface/base courses, drainage Project, equivalent to at least 50% and slope protection structures, of the ABC adjusted to current prices and provision of miscellaneous using the National Statistics Office consumer price index will be allowed structures. With an approved budget for the to submit their bids. On the other hand, the bidding contract (ABC) of P10,952,930.99, the completion of the project is required will be conducted through open within six calendar months, excluding competitive bidding procedures using fifty three (53) rainy/unworkable non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules days. Meanwhile, the bidding out was and Regulations (IRR) of Republic done by the Department of Interior Act 9184, otherwise known and Local Government (DILG), as the
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“Government Procurement Reform Act.” It will also conducted with some exceptions/ amendments as stipulated in the approved Memorandum of Subsidiary Arrangement (MSA)
between the Government of the Philippines (GOP) thru the DILG and the Government of Australia (GOA), Patoc added.
Fireworks highlight opening of Christmas Symbols Festival 2014 in Tangub By: Rutchie C. Aguhob
TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - A fireworks display will highlight
the grand opening of the Christmas Symbols Festival 2014, here, at the “Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines,” this December 1 and its closing on January 10, 2015.
“With only three more days to go before the opening, you see people from the different sectors and barangays, working round the clock, putting the finishing touches/decors on their Christmas symbols,” Atty. Philip T. Tan, City Mayor of Tangub, said. “Aside from promoting the city as a tourist destination every yuletide season, the festival aims to uphold the spirit of Christmas in the hearts of the Tangub residents, who really look forward to another 41 days of seeing Tangub, all ablaze with the lights,” Tan said. He said the festival
also enhances the resident’s ingenuity, creativeness and resourcefulness to come up with very unique Christmas symbols, and transform Tangub, in keeping with this year’s theme: “Christmas Around the World, Part III.” “It just excites them to see all sorts of people coming to the city from the neighboring communities and from other areas not only from Mindanao, but from Luzon and Visayas, as well, as from outside the country to view the lights,” the Mayor said.
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New minimum wage adjustment takes effect in December 1 By: Joey Dalumpines
or retail merchandise employing ten or more workers and P281 for those employing less that ten workers. Suyao said the new cola adjustment will adjust the pay to P317 per day for non-agricultural sector, P307 per day for the agricultural sector, service or retail industries employing DAVAO CITY- Labor ten or more workers and Employment diat P317 and P286 for rector Atty Jeoffrey those employing less Suyao of Davao Rethan ten employees. gion announced the “I urge the emeffectivity of the P5 ployers to implement cost of living allowthe new wage adjustance for all minimum- ment that will serve as wage workers on De- our Christmas gift to cember 1, 2014. our workers,” he said. He said the new Suyao also reCola is part of the sec- minded the employond tranche of miniers to pay the workers mum wage adjustment their thirteenth-month due to the implementa- pay not later than Detion of the Wage Order cember 24 of each No. 18 in June 1 raisyear. (PIA 11-Joey Sem ing the pay to P312 for G. Dalumpines) non-agriculture, and P302 for the agriculture sector, P312 for service
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Mindanao Film Festival to show films about climate change and Paraiso from Davao. “Lugdang “ is a story of college classmates searching for their missing classmate in the aftermath of typhoon Sendong, “Hope in the Garden” is a documentary of a school in Nabunturan who creates a garden in the hope of inspiring others to help in restoring mother nature. DAVAO CITY- The 10th Mindanao “Pangindahay” is a tale of two Film Festival will feature films that siblings orphaned after their parents tackle the environment and cliwere killed during the onslaught of mate change. typhoon Pablo, “Paraiso” is a docu To be held this December 3-9 at mentary that centers around the Gaisano Mall Cinema, the festival will famous environmental song comscreen about 68 films from all across posed by Ryan Cayabyab. “Abiso” is Mindanao. an animated short about the typhoon The film program titled “NagYolanda. bago na ang Panahon” (Times have The film is screened with the changed) is composed of documensupport of the Philippine Informataries, live-action short films and an tion Agency-XI under their joint clianimated short that tackle climate mate change advocacy campaign in change issues. conjunction with the Department of Among these films include Lug- Environment and Natural Resources. dang from Cagayan de Oro, Hope in (PIA/RG Alama) the Garden and Pangindahay from Compostela Valley, Abiso from Zamboanga City DECEMBER 1, 2014
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