today’s news
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More than 8,000 Juanas, Juan to ‘vote’ for priority women’s issues NGCP: Mindanao power supply improves after bombed tower rehabilitated in Lanao del Sur Military officers inspire ROTC cadets to show love for Gideon C. Corgue, Western Mindanao the country PNP spearheads security preparations for May elections
Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao
SP ratifies pact for farmers project in Tignapoloan Northern Mindanao Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Malaybalay City Lorenzo B. Siobal Jr., Northern Mindanao SOX food, fashion take center stage at Danilo E.Doguiles, SOCCSKSARGEN Glorietta
Cover Story
SurSur PNP bags 2nd top award on Performance Governance System Greg Tataro Jr., Caraga
P4.8M projects to be implemented in AgNor
Making Tour in Dinagat Islands
Aimee B. Sienes, Caraga
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One Mindanao 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 & Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region
ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX THELMA B. OLIVER Regional Director, PIA Region X OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
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 VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region
SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region
LAYOUT ARTISTS
MARY MAY ABELLON, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII
PIA Regional Offices Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0919-9994516 E-mail: ro9_pia@yahoo.com, mimibern17@yahoo. com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz
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
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) 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
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
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
Cover Story
Making Tour in Dinagat Islands
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ature’s perfect beauty is God’s priceless gift that cannot be measured nor be replaced by anything man has made or paid for in any factories. March 17, 2016
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Dinagat Islands, the second to the youngest province of the Philippines is locatedat the northeast part of Caraga Region, about 60 kms from north to south and is on the south side of Leyte Gulf. It has seven beautiful and bountiful municipalities namely: Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo,Loreto, San Jose and Tubajon. Each municipality is endowed with genuinemagnificence that can capture one’s attention and touch a heart of any living creature. According to the myths, once upon a time, two lovers from warring tribes named Prinsesa Dina and Prinsepe Gat eloped to the northernmost fringes of Mindanao where they lived in an islands paradise near the Pacific. Unfortunately, foreigners invaded the islandforcing them to escape by swimming out to the sea. Nothing was heard of them again until two curious land formations suddenly appeared. Babaeng Bukid (female mountain), the larger islet, was shaped like the sleeping maiden and Lalaking Bukid (male mountain), the smaller, was shaped like a sleeping man. Since
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then, the villagers of the islands believe that the spirits of the prince and princess protect their land. To honor them, they called their place, “DinaGat”.(version of Alan-Zeta Yap) How to get there People travel to see the beauty of souls that lies even in a tiniest place that occupies the world. Tourists and Visitors can easily and hassle-free reach the Dinagat Islands through a plane from Manila or Cebu via Surigao City. Upon reaching
Surigao, ferry boat (MV Cab-ilan) at Philippine Port Authority (PPA)Surigao whilemotorboats/ pumpboatsalong the boulevard are available from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.daily that can lead you to any of the seven towns of the province. With a fare of a hundred
pesos only (P100.00), you’ll sail for one and a half hour enjoying the sweet scenery of a sea travel to the unexplored and unsoiled place one wouldn’t forget. San Jose
Being the capital town of the province, it is indeed the best place to commence a memorable tour in the Dinagat Islands. Along the way to San Jose, beautiful rock formations and
Lalaking Bukid (Prinsepe Gat) can be closely seen. When an image of a Disneylike-palace on the top of the hill is already clear, it’s an exact indication that tourists are already in its first stop to Dinagat Islands. Upon the arrival at San Jose Port, habal-habals(single motorcycles) are available for a ride. Since the province is a hilly terrain, habal-habal is the suited means of land transportation. Mystical Islands, Province of Love, that is how Dinagat Islands is being dubbed. Once you travel and experience life, people, sceneries, traditions and culture in this wonderful place, you can undoubtedly define how this “tag name” justifies everything in the Province. Capital Town and Business Center-San Jose is not a typical kind of town. It has a lot of love and beauty to share. Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) Inc’s main office is in this municipality. Along the hilly Brgy of Mahayahay, PBMA Founder’s Shrine is generously built on the
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bare hands of the dedicated and bighearted Dinagatnons. Who would’ve thought that the most solemn place in Dinagat was made that way? Who would’ve even thought that such mountainous place would be as astonishing as it is today? It only shows how lovely,enthusiastic and amazing people of Dinagat are.
latter part of 1980’s. It is where the remains of the founder-Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. lays.The construction of said shrine was made of love, voluntarism and efforts of PBMA members through the so called “bayanihan” or the pahina. Bayanihan is a teamwork system where in people do all the construction process without the use and help of big machineries and equipments. From the first phase up to the finishing touches of the shrine building and landscapes are all made by the
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Shrine was built and is visited by the members of the PBMA, Inc. who come every year for their pilgrimage. It is the only Pilgrimage Shrine in CARAGA where about more than 10,000 PBMA members from all over the Philippines and abroad visit annually on the months of May and December. Such visit is a tradition that made “Banwag Festival” born. Banwag literally means “to light”is one of the highlight activities during the General Annual Conference of PBMA. Due to His influence, deeds and contributions, Ruben Edera Ecleo, Sr. is now the declared Local Hero of the province by the virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Resolution No.
BBE 003. Another surprising architectural structure was built on the top of same hill of Brgy. Mahayahay. It was the Islander Castle that is designed like a real Disney palace.It’s the official residence of the Provincial Governor Glenda B. Ecleo, EdD., a perfect place to see the beauty of whole place beyond heights. Nutritious and delicious foods are also available at a very affordable price. D’nor Restaurant and Gaffney Café at Brgy. Poblacion and Dina Gat Resto at Brgy. San Juan are sample places to have a healthy meal time.
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no place like home, that’s why fine view and sweet lookof nature is evidently on hand. You’ll experience it all by choosing any of the following places: Sophia’s Bed and Rose Pink Lodge both located at Purok-1 Poblacion, San Jose Pension House at Brgy. Justiniana, Bahay Turista Mini Challet and Yalkot Lodge both in Brgy San Juan and Amas Inn at Brgy. Sta. Cruz. Famous Sta. Cruz beach at Brgy. Sta Cruz is just an installment view of how beautiful and astounding beaches in Dinagat Islands are. It’s just the beginning of the journey one will experience in the entire province. Dinagat It is the Mother and Oldest Town of the province. It can be reached through either a sea transport from Surigao City with 6.6161 nautical miles or 12.253 km west of Surigao via motorboats/pumpboats for one and thirty minutes or thru habal-habal when you came from San Jose for just 20-30 minute drive.
The Municipality of Dinagat is there are gorgeous places you’ll rich with beautiful white beaches really love to spend with.There’s and scenic attraction. One of the March 17, 2016
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most visited tourist destination serves as a clear indication of the in the area is the Biasong Beach bountiful blessings and harvest situated at Brgy. White Beach, it is feasible and potential area for family bonding and swimming. People will be attracted as well in the areas like Cabilan Beach, Sitio Ecleo Beach & Diving Site situated at Brgy. Cabayawan, and the Key Island at Brgy. Gomez. Recently, municipality of Dinagat established new tourist destination in Brgy. Cab-ilan which is the “Statue Monument” of PBMA founder,Divine Master,Ruben E. EcleoSr. PBMA members and tourists used to visit this place every year round. Traditional and cultural activities in the area are commonly held during Fiesta Celebration held every 8th to 9thday of December and Adlaw nan Dinagat held every 25th day of April. This historic celebration attracts many domestic tourists to come and witness the sports festival, cultural songs and dances and peaceful social gathering. “Tinubdan” Festival started in the year 2008. Said festival is about the celebration of how thankful people are of having water from the mountain which
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of the local residents of Dinagat. It emphasizes
the development of the mother municipality for the past years. In fact, this town is the best fishing ground and agricultural producer.
Dinagat may be the smallest town in the entire Province, yet, it is undeniably rich with nature’s beauty, culture and people with a loving and humble hearts. Cagdianao Endowed with a bunch of stunning fine and white beaches, Municipality of Cagdianao is the “Whistling Waves of Dinagat islands”. Located at the east part of the Province beside Dinagat Town and behind San Jose, is the largest municipality in terms of land area with 19,251 hectares. It takes 30-40 minutes
drive from San Jose via habalhabal. Fresh air will welcome you as you see the gracefully dancing leaves of palays in the rice field both sides along your way to Cagdianao. Upon reaching the Poblacion proper, Municipal Building itself will surely catch your attention. It’s like seeing a mansion-like-building on the top of the hill with a gorgeous landscape and flowers all over. Another eye-catcher view is their boulevard, designed in a peaceful and refreshing way that will surely relax the tourists and travellers. Located on its other side is a “grill house” that offers delicious and juicy barbecue. To watch either the dawn or sunset when you’re in a serene beach always gives a heavenly feeling. Cagdianao has a countless of bodies of crystal clear water and fine beaches to share. Tagberayan Beach at Brgy. San Jose, Hinabyan Beach and ManMade Dam Lake both in Brgy del Pilar and Sayao Islands. Since this Municipality faces the Pacific Ocean, open water runs the sea board that makes it quite thrilling for beach and adventure lovers. Waves are mostly in huge form best for surfing and weight boarding adventures.
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Fresh
water behind simple way comes the best destinations you’ll ever seen. Upon tracking its wayout of this precious town, one will surely look behind this place, and for another minute, will be mesmerize with the real beauty of red mountainous place of Cagdianao with hidden sweet whistle sound of waves in all its shore.
escapade will be experienced as well if Mt. Tristan is explored in one of the farthest Brgy in town-Legazpi. There you’ll find anicy waterfalls that will surely hypnotize you. Traveling through the plains and heights of Cagdianao won’t give you even a single idea that
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To roam around the Municipality of San Jose, Dinagat and Cagdianao in a day or two might be more than enough to appreciate the genuine beauty of nature and experience the warmth personality of Dinagatnons, yet it’s only the three among seven splendid towns of the Province. Four more towns will further define how true it is, that indeed, Dinagat is a mystical islands and a province of love.
Overall SSS web-based transactions breach 5.5-M mark in 2015
QUEZON CITY-- The Social Security System’s (SSS) total website transactions increased from 3.64 million by end2014 to 5.55 million by end-2015, reflecting a growth of 53 percent driven by the rising number of members and employers using the online facility as a faster and easier means of transacting with the pension fund. SSS Officer-inCharge of Service Delivery
Department Renato N. Malto noted that
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the year-end number of webregistered users grew last year across the various types of SSS members, with the highest rate of increase recorded among regular employees and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) both at eight percent. Malto said the overall number of web-registered members increased by eight percent from 3.24 million in 2014 to 3.50 million in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of employers with SSS web accounts jumped by 32 percent from 187,152 in 2014 to 247,385 last year.
by individual members, and reports of newly-hired workers, employee maternity notifications, contribution and loan collection lists and certification of employee salary loan applications by employers. In September 2015, the SSS website started accepting online sickness notifications by employers as well as technical retirement benefit claims by members and applications for Social Security (SS) numbers. “The bulk of the 5.55 million overall online transactions or 5.41 million were from employers using the SSS website to submit their employment and collection reports, salary loan applications of employees, and sickness and maternity notifications to facilitate the benefit availment of their workers,” Malto said.
“The SSS website is more than just an online facility for viewing general SSS information. Members and employers can also check their personal SSS records and perform several online transactions thru the website, providing a convenient alternative to over-the-counter transactions at SSS branches,” Of these, 2.77 million he said. transactions involved employers’ online submission of the SS Form Launched in 2008, the R1-A or Employment Report for SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) reporting new workers to the SSS. was upgraded in 2011 to allow Submission of the SS Form R-3 or the online submission of Contribution Collection salary loan applications List, which specifies the and maternity notifications amount remitted for each
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employee, totaled 1.16 million as of end-2015. “Approval of employees’ online salary loan applications, with over 931,000 transactions recorded as of last year, is also frequent among employers using the SSS website. Other employer transactions include the submission of SS Form ML2 or Loan Collection Lists and sickness and maternity notifications of employees,” Malto added.
through the SSS website are tagged as temporary but can already be used for employee reporting and contribution payment by employers. To convert it to a permanent SS number to allow the availment of loans and benefits, the member would have to present any accepted supporting documents such as their birth or baptismal certificate or valid passport to any SSS branch.
“We encourage employers and members who are not yet registered to start creating their online web account for faster transactions with SSS,” Malto As for individual members, said. online issuance of SS numbers For assistance, call the SSS was the top website transaction by end-2015, totaling 95,862 hotline numbers 920-6446 to 55 despite being launched only on which are open 24/5, or email September 29 last year, followed member_relations@sss.gov.ph by salary loan applications with or onlineserviceassistance@sss. gov.ph. (SSS) 22,103 transactions.
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More than 8,000 Juanas, Juan to ‘vote’ for priority women’s issues
MANILA -- With less than two months before the most anticipated 2016 National Elections, “Juanas” and “Juans” can already exercise their right to vote, not for qualified candidates but for women’s issues which should be prioritized by the next administration. About 8,000 participants from government agencies, civil society groups, state universities and colleges will gather to call for inclusion of women’s concerns in leadership platforms and the government’s development agenda. This simulation of national polls is part of the public event aptly named
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as “Sama-Samang Pagsulong sa mga Agenda ni Juana.” Taking place at the Burnham Green in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila at 6:30 to 9:00 am on March 16, 2016, said public event is part of the celebration of the National Women’s
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Month carrying the theme, “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda! (Include Women in the Agenda!).” U.P. Economics professor, veteran women’s rights advocate and broadcast journalist-columnist Solita “Winnie” Monsod keynotes the event. In a separate statement, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa said this public event will enable the participants to be heard and become involved in crafting policies and programs for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, especially now that we anticipate changes in local and national political leaders.
women and men from all parts of the country to join the online voting. In this way, we can to fully maximize theuse of technology to reach a wider audience and have a better representation of women and men from different provinces and regions.”
Results of this crowdsourcing will aid the PCW and aspiring leaders in proposing policies and programs related to gender equality, women’s empowerment, Interested individuals or and the fulfillment of women’s organizations who won’t be human rights. attending the public event can join the crowdsourcing of The online survey runs women’s agenda via PCW’s nline from March 1-31, 2016 and is voting facility. accessible through PCW’s website www.pcw.gov. “We are enjoining ph. (PCW)
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NGCP: Mindanao power supply improves after bombed tower rehabilitated in Lanao del Sur
COTABATO CITY-- The power situation in Mindanao has improved with the completion of repair works on a bomb steel structure in Lanao del Sur and the restoration of Agus-1 and 2 hydrpower plants complex back to the Mindanao grid, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) today said. In fact, the NGCP said, extra power supply as of March Mindanao has 93 Megawatt (MW) 15.
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Melfrance Bambi Capulong, speaking for NGCP in southern Mindanao, said this development came after repair works of bombed Tower 25 in Ramain, Lanao del Sur, was completed after the NGCP secured a Temporary Restraining Order from a court against the Sanbitory. The Sanbitory family prevented NGCP field personnel from doing repair works of Tower 25 bombed by still unidentified men on Christmas Eve last year. The family who claimed right of way issues in preventing rehabilitation works for the toppled structure.
“We are very pleased with this development. We have been poised and ready to restore the facility as soon as it was toppled. All we needed was access to the property. With the court issued injunction, we were given legal cover to access the transmission facilities and begin restoration,” the company explained. In 2015, a total of 19 transmission towers were targeted, resulting in 16 toppled or damaged facilities.
Today, Mindanao grid has an available capacity of 1,569 MW while the island’s peak demand was at 1,476 MW or a power Capulong said repair reserve of 93 MW. works that started March 5 was completed nine days later. NGCP reiterates its appeal for the public to help in securing She said it sent 138KV steel towers against saboteurs line from Agus 1 and Agus 2 “for the good of everybody.” hydropower plants back to the (PNA) Mindanao grid. “The restoration of the facility allows the grid operator to transmit the electricity produced by state-owned Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydro power plants, with a combined installed capacity of 260MW, to the rest of the Mindanao grid,” a separate NGCP statement said. March 17, 2016
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Dipolog launches ‘Nature Farm Product Display’ By Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY – After introducing to the farmers here the “Nature Farming Technology System (NFTS),” organically grown farm products are now being sold in the city.
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command better prices in the market, as these are free from hazardous chemicals. City Agriculturist Jose Kerr Porlas also revealed that the city leadership wants these organic vegetable growers to engage in buying and selling of “organic vegetables” with a seed capital Sixty-two farmers who of P10 thousand from the city adopted the NFTS or organic government. farming method have participated in the recently concluded launching of the “Nature Farm Product Display” at the city fish port in barangay Barra. NFTS has been implemented
Mayor Evelyn Uy, on the other hand, encouraged other farmers in the city to adopt NFTS to help promote “good health” of the consuming public. under the Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP)-2 of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Organically grown vegetables, cereals and crops March 17, 2016
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Military officers inspire ROTC cadets to show love for the country By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – “ROTC cadets play a vital role in nation-building.” Thus said Colonel Noel S. Buan, Assistant chief of staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs Office, G9, Philippine Army, in his message during the 2016 ROTC Summit for Zamboanga Peninsula held at the Zamboanga del Sur National High School (ZSNHS) gym on Sunday, inspiring cadets to show their love for country. “We inculcate in them patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs,” Buan said to the crowd of about 1,000 ROTC cadets from different schools in the city. He said the ROTC summit is the third leg of the tour of the officers of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs Office in the country. The first was in Cebu City and Palawan. Buan said the team,
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composed of the three major service units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy are slated to visit 15 areas in the country until September this year in preparation for the National Service Week. Buan also acknowledged the crucial role of ROTC cadets in assisting the AFP in disaster response. “The cadets are our partners in times of calamities such as : typhoon, flood and earthquake. They should always be ready to offer their time and assistance when needed,” Buan announced. Meanwhile, Colonel Isaias N. Espino from the Office for the Assistant Chief of Air Staff encouraged the cadets to religiously attend their ROTC classes and to focus on their military training.
Espino said it is very important for the cadets to obtain knowledge on military skills saying that they are part of the Citizen’s Armed Force in the event of war or calamities. He said the youth, as the most valuable resource of the nation needs to be motivated, trained, organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, and civic welfare in the service of the nation.
The cadets were given orientation on the programs and services of the AFP’s major unit services and were encouraged to join the service by taking entrance exams. “We inspire you to be successful military officers like us, who also availed of the scholarship programs of the government,” Espino said, who also believes that poverty is not a hindrance to success.
PNP spearheads security preparations for May elections By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY--- To ensure a clean, peaceful and orderly election, the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (ZNPPO), Commission on Elections, Philippine Army, together with other stakeholders held a command conference recently. COMELEC 9 top officials, chiefs of police of the province 101st Infantry Brigade, also attended the conference. municipal election officers and OIC Provincial Director March 17, 2016
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PSSupt. Edwin BC Wagan gave a briefing on police deployment during the delivery of the votecounting machines (VCMs) that will be used in the upcoming national and local elections on May 9 to the different municipalities in the province. Wagan admitted that the provincial command does not have enough personnel to escort the delivery of VCMs to the municipalities and has sought assistance from the military to augment its forces in some areas.
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Col. Jesus A. Manangquil Jr., 101ST Infantry Brigade Commander also assured the readiness of all units under his command for any eventualities that may happen during the election period. According to Dapitan City Election Officer Atty. Edmund Rey Callo, Zamboanga del Norte has a total of 608,605 registered voters from 3,862 clustered voting precincts in 691 barangays.
Anti-trafficking council strengthens fight against pornography, violence By: Recthie T. Paculba
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To eradicate child pornography, trafficking of persons and violence against women and their children, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will create regional and local committees to act on such cases through the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-1.
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By creating the Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking, AntiChild Pornography and Violence Against Women and their Children (RCAT-ACP-VAWC), it will be easier for the involved agencies to ensure the implementation of the law and the already established Regional Committee on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (RCAT-VAWC) and Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (LCAT-VAWC). The integration is also expected to expedite implementation of policies and plans, simplify operations, maximize resources, and prevent duplication of functions and redundancy at the regional and local levels. It is also created to establish partnership and participation of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) in the development and implementation of programs and activities that will address human trafficking, child pornography and VAWC. To attain such goals, the committee will institute policies and programs to
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protect women and children who are victims of trafficking, create and establish systems on surveillance, investigation and rescue, undertake information, education and advocacy campaigns, monitor and oversee the strict implementation of laws for the protection of women and children, and conduct regular coordination meeting to ensure implementation of policies and programs on trafficking, child pornography and VAWC. Meanwhile, the Regional InterAgency Council Against TraffickingViolence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC) in northern Mindanao will conduct advocacy campaigns in communities and public schools to systematically address social and cultural norms that perpetuate VAWC. For this year, the council will also work on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the various services of member agencies and NGOs by conducting training on VAWC case handling for service providers and provide technical assistance to the local government units (LGUs). They will also strengthen and institutionalize good practices on preventing and addressing VAWC to further improve the performance of the council as the lead coordinating and monitoring body on VAWC initiatives.
SP ratifies pact for farmers project in Tignapoloan CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– Cagayan de Oro City council backs the implementation of projects that will benefit farmers in the city. During its regular session, legislators enacted Ordinance No. 13054-2016, confirming and ratifying the memorandum of agreement (MOA) entered into by the city government and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 10, the Barangay Council of Tignapoloan and the Salimbal, Tignapoloan Cagayan San Isidro Community Farmers Association covering the construction of a multi-purpose drying pavement. The project, which amounts to P200,000 is a grant under the AgriPinoy Rice Program of the DA. The post harvest facility of the Agri-Pinoy Rice program includes a provision of multi-purpose drying pavement to qualified recipients. Pursuant to the MOA, the DA shall reimburse through turn-key basis the actual expenses incurred by the local government unit of Tignapoloan for labor and materials relative to the construction of the pavement in the amount not to exceed P200,000. The DA shall, likewise, conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation to ensure the progress and accomplishment of the project in accordance with the specifications and compliance with the provision of
the agreement, among others. For its part, Barangay Tignapoloan shall implement the project, conduct a canvass from at least three reputable suppliers in the area who can offer the most beneficial terms for the labor and materials and advance the initial expenses for labor and materials and finish the project in strict conformity with its purpose and specifications. OA provides that the recipient, which is the farmer’s association, shall provide an area of not less than 500 square meters for the project. Meanwhile, the city government shall provide the services of an agricultural technologist assigned in the barangay where the pavement is to be constructed to assist in the preparation of canvass of construction materials, regularly monitor the progress of the project and inform DA when the barangay starts constructing the project and the reference of information the time the recipient had poured concrete on the project site, based on the MOA. The legislation was reviewed and favorably endorsed by the committees on agriculture and fisheries and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Annie Daba and Ramon Tabor, respectively.
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Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Malaybalay City By: Lorenzo B. Siobal Jr.
CAMP OSITO D BAHIAN, Malaybalay City – A fire fight between the Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels occurred March 9, at around 12:00 noon in sitio Baganao, barangay Kibalabag, Malaybalay city .
While conducting security operations, soldiers of Alpha Company, 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, encountered and had a fierce gunbattle with the rebels believed to be members of Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Dario, Section Committee 89 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) under Noel Gabute aka Cesar. After five minutes of intense fire fight, the NPA rebels withdrew towards different directions. No reports of casualty on the government troops as they pursued the rebels believed
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to have wounded comrades. Colonel Jesse A. Alvarez, commander of the 403rd (Peacemaker) Brigade said, the government troops were on security patrol when some residents reported that a group of NPA is lurking in the outskirts. He said this is the second encounter with the NPA rebels for this year in the north eastern part of Malaybalay City. “Our continous security operation is meant to protect the communities and the populace especially those in the hinterland barangays from NPA’s threat and intimidation, and extortion as well. The people in these areas are already fed up with NPA’s terror tactics,” Col. Alvarez said.
Davao City celebrates 79th cityhood anniversary DAVAO CITY- Davao City will celebrate today (March 16) its founding anniversary as a city. Parada Dabawenyo, a civic-mili- Dane Rae Sillo was named as tary parade which snakes its way Diwa ng Dabaw (1st runner-up), along the city’s main thorough- Maria Karis Garbriala del Coro is fare is the highlight of today’s this year’s Sinag ng Dabaw (2nd festivities. runner-up), Elda Louise Aznar is It will be attended by about the Pag-Asa ng Dabaw and An249 contingents coming from gelica Almaden is the Patnubay the local government offices, na- ng Dabaw. The pageant was held tional government agencies, po- at the Davao City Recreation lice, military, schools and private Center. groups. The contingent’s number In time with the celebrais bigger than last year’s number tion, the city will be enjoying a pegged at 184. 2-day holiday. March 16 is an Aside from people, the pa- annual holiday by virtue of Rerade will also feature dogs and public Act 7551. While March 17 horses who will be taking part in was declared by President Benigthe parade. The Davao Dog Lov- no Aquino III thru Proclamation er’s Community and the Davao 1234 series of 2016 as a holiday Horse Club is joining the parade. in Davao City. The March 17 holi Last night (March 15) this day is meant for the Dabawenyos year’s Mutya ng Dabaw was to celebrate Araw ng Pasalamat crowned along with her court. (Thanksgiving Day). Allyza Molly Teodor was declared The City’s cityhood was inas this year’s Mutya ng Dabaw, augurated in March 1, 1936 by March 17, 2016
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then Interior Secretary Elpidio was signed on October 16, 1936 Quirino, Commonwealth Act 51 by President Manuel Quezon. the law which created the city (PIA/RG Alama)
Inter-agency body recommends ways to ease the coliform contamination of the Davao River
DAVAO CITY-Health and environment authorities recommended several ways to address the pollution level on bathing beaches in the city especially those located near the delta of the Davao River.
Engr. Gloria Raut, Senior Health Program Officer of the Department of Health XI, the Regional Inter-agency Committee on Environmental Health had already submitted their findings on the alarming levels of fecal coliform contamination on the beaches near the Davao River to the city government for it to act accordingly. She said the recommendations include provision of septic tanks to all residential houses near the beach resorts and the Davao River; to encourage all houses and establishments to empty and clean their septic tanks every three to five years; provision of septage and sewerage facility for the city; provision of water treatment facility for all livestock farms and proper solid waste management. “The RIACEH underscores that major health issues brought
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about by too much exposure to polluted water range from stomach pains and diarrhea, ear infection, shellfish poisoning and cholera,� Raut stressed. The monitoring was conducted on eight monitoring areas of the Davao River by the Environment Management Bureau XI which reported their findings to the RIACEH. The EMB XI noted an increasing fecal contamination in the water samples from Davao River with the highest spike at 16 million per 100 milliliter at the monitoring station in Ma-a, going towards Bangkerohan, Bolton Bridge and at the mouth of the Davao River at Barangay 76-A, consequently affecting the water quality of the bathing beaches near the area. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
SOX food, fashion take center stage at Glorietta By: Danilo E.Doguiles
Photo Credit: DOT 12
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 17 -- SOX (short for SOCCSKSARGEN) Region’s food and fashion will be on spotlight in a fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on April 14. March 17, 2016
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Nelly Nita Dillera, regional director of the Department of Tourism 12 said the SOX Food and Fashion Fair will be the culminating event of the Treasures of SOX: A Travel and Trade Expo, which will start on April 11. Food products that will be highlighted will include rice, corn, tuna, pineapple, coffee, muscovado, coconut oil, Cavendish banana, and aquaculture products. “The production of these has evolved from the time these where traditionally grown and processed by the indigenous peoples living in the region to how these are processed now,” Dillera said in a press statement. “The region’s current status as top exporter of a number of food products is an indication of a successful transition from traditional to modern production,” she added. SOCCKSARGEN Region has six tuna exporting canning companies, and hosts the Dole pineapple processing plant and processing plants of other products such as Cavendish banana, rubber and oil palm. It is also popular in the production and processing of cof-
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fee and muscovado as well as tropical fruits like pomelo, mangosteen, durian, passion fruit, solo papaya, guyabano, cacao and lanzones. \Among its most popular exports are black rice and porkin-a box. “SOCCSSKSARGEN is giving a fitting recognition to this evolution of food production and processing as it unfolds SOX Food and Fashion Fair on April 14,” Dillera said. The event will start at 2:00 p.m. Visitors, Dillera added, will be treated to a presentation of the Hinugyaw Cultural Troupe of Koronadal City that will trace back the processes of production in the olden times so closely entwined with their culture, way of life, arts and crafts and cuisine. Among SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s indigenous peoples are Tbolis, Blaans, Manobos and Tedurays. The show will then transition to a fashion show that will showcase avant-garde collections reflecting icons as well as the life and work of the indigenous cultures of SOX. Creations of Project Runway Season 4 1st Runner Up
Jared Servano will be on center stage, Dillera said. Runway judges described Servano as a “fashion rebel who emphasizes on the local culture with a modern take that reflects the tradition of his region and has the ability to transform them into modern silhouettes.” He is a non-traditional designer of traditional cultural icons that “oozes with sophistication with a punch that only his signature style can deliver.” Servano was also one of the acclaimed designers during the 2016 London Fashion week “who made a walking rose dress that looked like it was made of dried buds, but was in fact made from banana hemp” or abaca, the same material used by the Tbolis and Blaans in producing tnalak and tabih, respectively. After the show, delectable food choices from traditional to modern will surely satisfy anyone’s palate, Dillera said. The Treasures of SOX: A Travel and Trade Expo is mounted by various government agencies converging to generate awareness and promote tourism, trade and investments of the region. “Great and discounted tour
packages are for grabs. SOX is famous for paragaliding, diving, living tradition communities, mountain climbing, ecotourism sites.” Dillera sais. The region registered 3.15 million tourist arrivals in 2015, higher than its 2.5 million tourist arrival in 2014. Investments opportunities on tourism projects will also be matched with potential investors. Business Matching with local producers and exporters shall also be arranged with institutional buyers and Sales Calls between Manila-based PhilTOA, PTAA, PATA and Asian Travel, and the SOCCSKSARGEN Tour Operators Association (STOA), the regional tourism chief noted. “It would definitely be an exciting week of visiting simulated cultural areas and tourism sites as if you have actually visited SOCCSKSARGEN,” she said. Dillera added that the food and fashion fair is SOCCSKSARGEN’s entry to the Flavors of the Philippines culinary program, which main and grand event is the international Madrid Fusion in Manila 2016. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOT 12 )
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DA hands out Php8-M worth of livestock aid to coops in Maguindanao By: Danilo E.Doguiles
COTABATO CITY, Mar. 17 -- Eight farmer- cooperatives in Maguindanao received Php 8 million-worth of livestock assistance from the Department of Agriculture-ARMM on Monday. The aids distributed at the DAF-ARMM Grounds inside the ORG Compound here were granted to the recipients under the DA-ARMM Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance Synergy (HELPS). According to the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division, each recipient cooperative will receive Php1 million worth of aid, comprised of 25 cattle, a cattle shed, 2 hectares of forage and pasture, 4 rolls of hogwire, 4 kg of nails and 1 roll of barbed wire. RAFID identified the beneficiaries as follows: Pagalungan Water Refilling Station Consumers Cooperative of Pagalungan, Bongo Island Livestock Development Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Parang, Romongaob Farmers Marketing Cooperative of South Upi, Kadtabanga sa Dalpa Producers Cooperative of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Cabayuan Farmers Marketing Cooperative of Buldon,
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Pagkakaisa Women’s Producer Cooperative of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Tamar Kalilintad Farmers Producer Cooperative of Talayan and Bangsamoro Lapok Farmers Producer Cooperativeof Shariff Aguak, all in Maguindanao province. ARMM Regional Secretary Alexander G. Alonto, Jr. at Assistant Secretary Eugene Strong led the turn-over ceremony with ARMM HELPS Project Manager Anwar Upahm at DA-ARMM Livestock Division Chief Dr. Norodin Kuit. ARMM-HELPS Program is an initiative of Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman. It aims to extend development and livelihood assistance particularly to the autonomous region’s marginalized sectors with the assistance of line agencies, partner institutions, local government units and other stakeholders. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from RAFID-ARMM)
PDI steps up greening project
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands– In a bid to step up its greening project, another project was recently implemented by the province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) dubbed as “Verde-Dinagat Highway Project”, a tree planting activity which was officially launched on March 9, 2016 at Barangay Wilson, San Jose, this province.
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The activity is one of the components of Verde-Dinagat Province program in line with national government’s national greening program wherein it targets to plant at least one billion trees nationwide in order to combat the ill-effect of global warming that is considered a threat to humanity. In fact, the island province experience water turbidity due to man-made deforestation. Meanwhile, DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Agapito Patubo requested the barangay captains of the seven municipalities to si-
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multaneously plant trees for the upcoming international day of forest on March 21, 2016. The launching was spearheaded by the provincial government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by PENRO-LGU Zacarias Valez in coordination with the DENR-PENRO participated by the different department heads and representatives from the national line agencies, municipal environment and natural resources officials, and board members Antonio Ensoy and Joslyn Ecleo. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
SurSur PNP bags 2nd top award on Performance Governance System By: Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– The Police Provincial Office (PPO) here earned the second highest rating on Performance Governance System (PGS) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame. With this feat, a Silver Ea- means garnering an equivalent gle Award was given to P/SSupt. of “96% - 100%” rating. Romaldo Bayting, OIC provincial It was no less than P/CSupt. director, during the Conferment of Noel Baraceros, director, Center Performance Governance System for Police Strategy Management (PGS) Certificates and Awarding (CPSM), who handed over the Ceremony held at Camp Rafael plaque bearing the inscription Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City “For demonstrated commitment on Monday, March 14, 2016. to effectively implement the PNP Such award has an equiva- P. A. T. R. O. L. Plan 2030 for lent rating of “90% - 95.99%” the attainment of the vision for based on the “Computation for a highly capable, effective and the Over-All Rating,” a little short credible police service.” of the Gold Eagle Award, which The CPSM director was, at March 17, 2016
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the same time, the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the occasion. Other than the inscription cited, eight more notable accomplishments were separately and distinctly highlighted just below
that, apparently the reduced photocopy of certain recognitions of the PPO here in the past. Compliance to the entire process was so elaborate as it requires several stages to undergo, it was learned.
P4.8M projects to be implemented in AgNor By: Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY-- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte will implement various priority programs and projects amounting to P4,892,000.00 based on the endorsement by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) Executive Committee to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). The SP recently approved the recommendation of the PDC considering the importance and significance of the projects for immediate implementation, which are essential in the delivery of basic services and facilities of the province. These projects included: 1. Completion of the Provincial Veterinarian Quarantine Station - P1,500,000.00 2. Provincial counterpart for the construction of KatugasanBayabas Bridge, Cabadbaran City (Payment of RROW and affected Improvements) - P1,500,000.00 3. Purchase of lot for the resettlement site, Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte P1,000,000.00 4. Embankment of Navintalan-
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Talaganahaw FMR, Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte P350,000.00 5. Replacement of submersible pump, Barangay Pinanaan, Las Nieves - P172,000.00 6. Improvement of Level II Water System, Purok 1, Barangay San Antonio, RTR - P166,000.00 7. Construction of Potable Drinking Water, Marcos Calo, Las Nieves - P150,000.00 8. Gravelling of Proposed Barangay Road, Purok 2, Barangay Basilisa, RTR - P30,000.00 9. Purchase of 24 pieces toilet bowls, Barangay Malapong, Buenavista - P24,000.00 Provincial officials were hopeful that these various projects and programs will improve the welfare of the province and its constituents.
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