Caraga Infocus - December 29, 2018 - January 4, 2019

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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Contents An Electronic News Magazine of Philippine Information Agency Caraga

Dec. 29, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019

Volume II, No. 92

140 tauhan ng BFP-Caraga, pinarangalan sa 45th Fire Service Recognition Day

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SSS News: SSS runs after erring employers in Butuan City

DOE News: DOE rolls out guidelines for oil tax hike implementation

ASEAN News: ASEAN holds dialogue on the rights of persons with disabilities

Regional News 9

VAW desk officers sa ibat-ibang barangay sa Caraga tinalakay ang madalas na kinakaharap na pang-aabuso sa mga kababaihan

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Provincial News NPA’s supply cache found in 15 SurSur town 16

Mindanao News

19 na miyembro ng NPA sumuko sa 401st Brigade, Philippine Army

declares Agusan Norte 18 PDEA town drug-cleared

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BOL to address issues in Mindanao, PH: Mangudadatu

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27 Bukidnon ex-NPAs get benefits after surrender

National News hard to deal 22 Communists with: PRRD 23

PRRD reiterates plan to turn NDRRMC into ‘regular department’

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

News Briefs

• PIA CARAGA: The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Regional Statistical Services Office Caraga will conduct the 2018 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES 2018) Visit 2, with around 7,920 eligible sample households, deemed sufficient to provide provincial level estimates. Data collection for FIES Visit 2 will start on January 9, 2019. According to PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura bared that about 313 Statistical Researchers and Field Personnel will be involved in the conduct of the FIES 2018 Visit 2 in the region.

• PIA AGUSAN DEL NORTE: The Negosyo Center of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte joins the annual BUSINESS ONE-STOP-SHOP (BOSS) system of the municipality held at the Montinola Information Center today, Jan. 3 for the convenience of our taxpayers/ clients in the processing of their business permits and licenses.

• PIA AGUSAN DEL SUR: It is a good start for a new life for the former New People’s Army (NPA) members belonging to Guerilla Front 3 (GF3) who recently surrendered to 75IB & 26IB as they celebrated the New Year’s Eve with the soldiers of 401st Infantry Brigade held at the headquarters in Brgy. Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Sonny also known as ‘Boss,’ the commander of GF3 & 9 others joined the soldiers led by BGen. Andres Centino in celebrating the new year’s eve on Monday night. The soldiers welcomed their former foes, as they waited the “Media Noche” at the military camp.

Soldiers & former NPAs shared the food being prepared while others enjoy singing on the videoke.

• PIA SURIGAO DEL SUR: The Philippine flag was raised at half mast at the Provincial Capitol to honor former Governor Vicente Ty Pimentel, Jr. who passed away last week. Provincial employees paid tribute to the late governor during this morning’s convocation program.

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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Cover Story

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140 tauhan ng 45th

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

g BFP-Caraga, pinarangalan sa h Fire Service Recognition Day By: Venus L. Garcia LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Bilang pagkilala sa ipinakitang katapangan at kagitingan, pinarangalan ang isang daan at apatnapu’t walong tauhan ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Caraga at pribadong indibidwal o fire brigade volunteers sa ginanap na 45th Fire Service Recognition Day dito sa lungsod ng Butuan.

Isa na rito si FO1 Barry James Aurea ng Butuan City Central Fire Station - Special Rescue Unit. Aniya hindi lang sa sunog natatapos ang serbisyo ng isang bombero.

Kaakibat din nito ang responsibilidad na tugunan ang mga aksidente sa lansangan at rescue operations sa oras ng kalamidad o sakuna tulad ng lindol, baha o landslide.

Dagdag pa ni Aurea walang pinipiling oras ang kanilang operasyon dahil prayoridad nilang maisalba hindi lang ang buhay ng tao kundi pati na rin ang mga ari-arian.

Samantala, kasabay ring ginanap ang graduation ceremony ng 110 fire trainees na sumailalim sa puspusang pagsasanay sa pagresponde sa sunog at pagbibigay ng pangunahing lunas sa mga biktima.

Bilang mga bagong bombero inaasahan ni SSupt Romel Tradio, regional director ng BFP-Caraga, ang kanilang tapat na paglilingkod.

Bukod sa mga dagdag na mga tauhan ng BFP-Caraga, nanumpa naman sa kanilang tungkulin ang mga newly promoted non-commissioned officers, patunay lamang ng kanilang kasipagan at maayos na pagganap sa tungkulin.

At nitong holiday season, pinapaalalahanan naman ni SSupt Tradio ang publiko na umiwas sa pautok at maging maingat sa paggamit ng mga Christmas lights na walang standards seal para ligtas sa kapahamakan at sunog sa pagsalubong ng pasko at bagong taon. (JCM/VLG/PIA-Caraga) Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

SSS NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

SSS runs after erring employers in Butuan City SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that nine employers were found to be non-compliant with Republic Act (RA) 8282 otherwise known as “The Social Security Act of 1997” due to non-registration as employers in SSS, non-reporting and under-reporting of employees, non-production of records and non-remittance of contributions to the SSS.

SSS Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President for Legal Enforcement Group Voltaire P. Agas led the RACE Campaign together with SSS Acting Vice President for Operations Legal Services Divisions I and II Renato Jacinto S. Cuisia, SSS Vice President for Mindanao North Division Edwin M. Alo, and employees of SSS Butuan branch headed by Antonio G. Fabia.

“We are conducting this nationwide campaign nationwide to increase the awareness on employer’s statutory obligations and worker’s right to social security. We know that business is all about profit, but employers should never forget that their worker’s welfare should always be the priority,” Dooc said.

As part of the RACE operations, show cause orders were posted at Angelicum Montessori School Inc., and Tagbagani Security Agency for non-remittance of contributions. Similar show cause orders were posted at Multi-Trend Enterprises, Jayhan Dry Goods, J&C Lucky Management Development Inc., and Simple Menu

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SSS NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES Restaurant for under-reporting the actual number of their employees as well as for non-remittance of SSS contributions. The total delinquency for the six employers amount to P5.55 million.

All nine employers are required to respond to the Show Cause Orders by reporting to the nearest SSS branch within 15 days from posting of the said notice.

“Although this is the biggest delinquency amount that we are about to collect from a single operation, it is still disappointing that there are employers who have been neglecting their duties to their employees. That is why we must give them a strong reminder to settle their accounts as soon as possible,” added Dooc.

“I hope that the nationwide implementation of RACE Campaign will finally break their ignorance to the law as well as their habit of neglecting their duties as business owners,” Dooc concluded.

Show cause orders were also posted at Son Heng Commercial for nonregistration of business with the SSS, Amparo Mini Sawmill for under reporting of employees, and Butuan Esperanza Veneer Corp. for non-production of employee records.

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Prior to the regional activity here in Butuan, the SSS already conducted RACE Campaigns in nine areas namely Batangas, Pangasinan, Palawan and the cities of Davao, General Santos, and Bacolod, Pagadian, Laoag and Naga.

From March to November this year, 40 out of 69 employers or 58 percent of the total number of delinquent employers subjected to RACE Campaign immediately complied after the operations.

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

REGIONAL NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

VAW desk officers sa ibat-ibang barangay sa Caraga tinalakay ang madalas na kinakaharap na pangaabuso sa mga kababaihan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD SA BUTUAN - Paiigtingin pa ang kampanya ng pamahalaan laban sa pang-aabuso ng mga kababaihan.

Ito ang binigyang diin sa sa pagsasama-sama ng Violence Against Women (VAW) desk officers mula sa ibat-ibang barangay ng Caraga region sa isinagawang summit kamakailan dito sa lungsod.

Ayon kay Rosalina Sayawan, isang kagawad sa barangay Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, nangunguna ang physical abuse sa kanilang barangay maging sa ibang barangay na sakop ng lungsod.

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REGIONAL NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Agad nila umanong binibigyang atensyon at akmang aksyon ang anumang reklamo na kanilang matatanggap mula sa mga biktima.

Dagdag pa ni Sayawan, may mga pagkakataon na ang misis ay nagrereklamo dahil sa binubogbog umano ito ng mister tuwing nalalasing. Ang iba naman ay dahil (RIACAT-VAWC), mahalaga ang patuloy sa hindi pagkakaintindihan. na pagpapalakas sa barangay VAW desk officers at nang madagdagan pa

“Kapag may nagreklamo, mayroon ang kanilang kaalaman sa mga batas kaming area or room para sa pag- na magtitiyak sa proteksyon ng mga handle ng mga VAW cases at doon namin kababaihang biktima ng mga pangkinakausap ang biktima,” sabi ni Sayawan. aabuso at karahasan.

Ayon naman kay Jessie Catherine Aranas, isang social welfare officer ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga at focal person ng Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking – Violence Against Women and Children

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Dagdag pa ni Aranas, mas nagiging aktibo na ang VAW desk officers sa pagganap sa kanilang tungkulin at dumadami na rin umano ang mga kababaihan na nagkakaroon ng lakas na loob na mag-report sa otoridad. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

PROVINCIAL NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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DOE NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Nuclear energy issues up for more public consultation

TAGUIG CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced that the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) has ironed out several issues with the country’s vision of nuclear energy.

This was verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission during the ceremonial turnover of its review results on Monday afternoon (December 17) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“The results of this INIR mission are the fruits of our hard labor. Our NEPIO remained dedicated and determined to address all the gaps within the two-year period on nuclear feasibility studies,” Sec. Cusi said.

“The results will help us focus our efforts on the identified issues, accelerate the legislative process and prepare the national decision,” he added.

According to IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section Head Milko Kovachev, the NEPIO has followed

DOE Undersecretary and NEPIO a systematic approach in finalizing the Head Donato D. Marcos accepted the country’s nuclear power strategy and INIR findings together with other NEPIO completing the associated infrastructure members. development.

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

The INIR team noted that the NEPIO has completed several studies and a draft legislation addressing nuclear safety, security and safeguards. In addition, the establishment of an independent regulatory body is already being reviewed at the Philippine Congress, as information on the matter is being disseminated to the public for stakeholder engagement.

The recommendations of the INIR team include involving a broader range of stakeholders to complete the work required to enable a national commitment to introduce nuclear power, and developing a legal and regulatory framework that ensures and demonstrates a commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation.

Other aspects include enhancing the approaches to human resource and leadership development, nuclear fuel cycle options and electrical grid impact, and adapting the existing national frameworks for emergency preparedness and response and nuclear security.

The INIR team also identified three good practices that would benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power in the areas of legal framework, stakeholder involvement, and site and supporting facilities.

The INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases and three milestones. INIR missions enable IAEA member-state representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the member-state to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.

“It is high time we put the framework in place to bring nuclear power into the energy mix. We should learn the lessons from the past and catch up with the missed opportunities,” Sec. Cusi concluded.

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PHOTO GALLERY | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Nuclear energy issues up for more public consultation

Bureau of Fire Protection 45th Fire Service Recognition Ball, Hotel Oazis Butuan City

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

PROVINCIAL NEWS | SURIGAO DEL SUR | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

NPA’s supply cache found in SurSur town

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SAN MIGUEL, Surigao del Sur – A cache of ammunitions and several materials of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) were discovered by the Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion in Sitio Kiskis, Barangay Siagao, San Miguel town.

(Unserviceable); three pouches (Small Size), 11 pcs ballpen; one topographic map, nine pieces notebooks/primers/ leaflets, one piece bandolier, four pairs combat boots, one round 60mm mortar (Unserviceable), and one scissor.

According to Capt. Garello, the supply cache owned by the CNTs was kept

Civil-Military Operations (CMO) hidden in the said area, as per information Officer Captain Francisco Garello Jr. from the concerned citizens in Barangay said the troops captured the following Siagao. materials used by the CNTs: four IED switches, one digital tester, one roll scotch Lt. Col Xerxes Trinidad, Commanding tape, one piece Talk N Text Simpack, 10 Officer of the 36IB, said “the successful pieces Icom commercial radio, two pieces capture of said supplies is a result of the Extra Battery Pack for commercial radio, yearning of the residents to achieve peace two pieces CP charger, two pieces Nokia and in support to the Army’s commitment cellphone battery, 10 pieces HH Icom to bring normalcy even in the far-flung antenna, 40 pieces assorted transistors, areas previously influenced by the CPPone piece comb, 56 rounds of 76.2 ball NPA Terrorist.” (PIA-Surigao del Sur) ammo of M14, two M14 empty magazines Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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PROVINCIAL NEWS | AGUSAN DEL SUR | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES Photo courtesy of DWDD AFP Radio

19 na miyembro ng NPA sumuko sa 401st Brigade, Philippine Army PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Isang buong unit ng Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s army (CPP-NPA) Guerilla Front 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee ang sumuko sa 75th Infantry Battalion at 26th Infantry Battalion kamakailan sa ilalim ng 401st Brigade, Philippine Army sa Agusan del Sur.

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

kumander ng Guerilla Front 3, dala ang kanyang sub-unit leader na nakilalang si alias ‘SK’ na siyang commander ng Platoon Basil, kasama rin si alias ‘Sniper’ ang commander ng Platoon Andoy.

Labing-apat na firearms ang daladala ng surrenderees kabilang dito ang siyam na high-powered at limang lowpowered firearms. Sinurender din nila

Ayon kay Major Rodulfo Cordero, ang may ilan-ilang magazines, tatlong civil military operations officer ng 401st commercial icom radios at mahigit 1,300 Brigade, may 19 na miyembro ng grupo sa ammunitions.

Loreto, Agusan del Sur ang sumurender, noong pasko, bisperas ng anibersaryo ng Ibinahagi naman ni Brigadier NPA. General Andres Centino, commander ng 401st Brigade na sinabi mismo ng mga

Ang nasabing NPA unit ay ito na may korapsyon na nangyayari sa pinangunahan ni Mark alias ‘Boss’, ang loob ng organisasyon mula sa kanilang

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

ginagawang extortion activities subalit walang naibibigay na benepisyo para sa kanila. Nahihirapan na umano ang kanilang mga pamilya dahil sa kawalan ng suportang pinansyal na siyang dahilan sa pagtiwalag nila sa teroristang grupo.

401st Brigade ang mga surenderees para na rin sa kanilang proteksyon.

Tumanggap na rin ang mga ito ng tulong mula sa provincial government ng Agusan del Sur. Meron din na makukuha ang mga ito na tulong sa ilalim ng Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Kasalukuyang nasa kustudiya ng Program (E-CLIP) ng pamahalaan.

Photo courtesy of DWDD AFP Radio

Binigyang-diin ni Brigadier General Centino, na ito ang pinakaunang pagkakataon na halos buong unit ng npa ang sumurender, at nagkataon pa na sa anibersaryo ng NPA. Ito ay nagpapakita umano na ang mga miyembro ng teroristang grupo ay humihina na at karamihan dito ay tumutugon na sa panawagan ng gobyerno sa pagkamit ng

kapayapaan.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Ronald Villanueva, ang pagsuko ng mga miyembro ng NPA ay isang magandang desisyon na kanilang ginawa para sa kanilang sarili at sa pamilya.

(JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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PROVINCIAL NEWS | AGUSAN DEL NORTE | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

PDEA declares Agusan Norte town drug-cleared

By Arvin R. Silvosa

CARMEN, Agusan del Norte – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga region declared the Municipality of Carmen as the first drug-cleared municipality in the province of Agusan del Norte.

“Drug-Cleared” status of drug-affected barangays.

PDEA Caraga Regional Director Aileen T. Lovitos awarded the Certificate to Carmen Municipal Mayor Ramon M. Calo during the convocation following the flag ceremony at the municipal grounds, Monday.

The government’s unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs mandate the active roles of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in drug clearing operations. They are to work directly with the Philippine National Police (PNP), together with BADAC as the first line of defense against the proliferation of prohibited drugs in the community.

The eight barangays of the municipality have completed the three phases on the conduct of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operations which involve several relevant activities, documentary preparations, and actual implementation of drug supply and demand reduction strategies in priority drug-affected barangays. The barangays have satisfied the parameters for declaring

Among those who also attended and witnessed the awarding were municipal officials and employees; PDEA officials; Municipal and Provincial National Government Agencies’ officials; Punong Barangays of the eight barangays of Carmen with members of the Sangguniang Barangays and Barangay Secretaries; and other local functionaries. (DILG-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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ASEAN NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Young entrepreneurs from ASEAN, China discuss technology and innovation solutions for MSME Year of Innovation and the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership in 2018, deepening innovation cooperation was of mutual interest and benefit for China and ASEAN to cope with the growing regional and global challenges as well as achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

SIEM REAP – Around 100 young entrepreneurs from ASEAN and China convened at the 2nd ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Forum on 17-18 December in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to discuss the challenges of technology and innovation in business.

In the forum themed “Harnessing Technology and Innovation for Resilient SMEs Development,” the participants, about a third of them were women, together with representatives of business associations and small and medium enterprises (SME) agencies from across Southeast Asia and China came up with key recommendations on how to overcome the challenges of technology and innovation.

The two-day forum served as a platform for young entrepreneurs from ASEAN and China to exchange views on the impact of policies and good practices in the adoption of new technology and innovation into their business activities, with a view to encouraging them to further contribute to the ASEAN Community building and ASEANChina economic cooperation.

Topics discussed included the importance of harnessing technology and innovation for SMEs in ASEAN Member States and China, key challenges hindering technology adoption and innovation, potential and challenges brought by China’s rapid advances in technology and innovation on businesses in ASEAN Member States and possible joint ventures, and recommendations on how to promote greater role of innovation for SME

The forum was opened by Kan Pharidh, development. Through the forum, ASEAN Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China young entrepreneurs were also and International Cooperation of Cambodia able to establish networking and business and ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting Leader linkages, and explore possible collaborations. of Cambodia; along with Pin Prakad, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap; Fang Bing, Counsellor The forum organised by the Ministry of of the Mission of the People’s Republic of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation China to ASEAN; and Dr. Heng Sokkung, of Cambodia, and supported by the ASEANSecretary of State of the Ministry of Industry China Centre and the government of the and Handicraft of Cambodia.

People’s Republic of China through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund.

In his opening remarks, Kan Pharidh emphasised that in light of the ASEAN-China

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

MINDANAO NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

BOL to address issues in Mindanao, PH: Mangudadatu

By Earl Jed Roque

MANILA - The ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) will address issues that hound Mindanao, Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) during the 2018 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award on Dec. 28, Mangudadatu said he has been campaigning hard for the BOL’s ratification.

provide long-term peace and solutions to problems in southern Mindanao.

The BOL has yet to be approved through a plebiscite in Muslim-populated regions in Mindanao. The Commission on Elections has scheduled the plebiscites for

“Isa ito sa pinakamaayos at the ratification of the BOL from January pinakamabuting daan para maging 21 to February 6, 2019. maunlad ang ating bayan sa southern Philippines. Kung ma-ratify at talagang For his part, Department of the matanggap itong BOL, 60 porsiyento Interior and Local Government (DILG) palagay ko mawawala ang problema ng Secretary Eduardo Año said in a press buong Pilipinas dahil naging problema lagi briefing that the extension of martial law ng Republika ng Pilipinas ang southern in Mindanao will greatly help the police Mindanao (The BOL is one of the best and the military ensure the peaceful roads towards prosperity in southern conduct of the plebiscite.

Philippines. If this gets ratified and people accept it, I think 60 percent of The BOL, previously known as the the country’s problems will be addressed Bangsamoro Basic Law, considered as one because the problems of the Republic of of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s biggest the Philippines are usually in southern legislative achievements, seeks to give Mindanao.),” Mangudadatu said. the Moro people basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the country’s

Mangudadatu said the BOL may Constitutional framework.(PNA) Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

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MINDANAO NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

27 Bukidnon ex-NPAs get benefits after surrender

By Earl Jed Roque

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon -Another batch of 27 former rebels received financial assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) headquarters here Thursday.

Marieta Dayata, DSWD-Bukidnon provincial team leader, said the incentive totaled PHP135,000 -- or PHP5,000 each -- for rebel returnees who formerly belonged to the North Central Mindanao Regional command and Militia ng Bayan (MB) of the New People’s Army (NPA).

family is in better hands, and we can eat regularly now that we have returned to the arms of the state,” Taquin said in the dialect.

Lt. Col. Ronal Illana, 8IB commanding officer, expressed gratitude to the government agencies that are extending

“This is one of the DSWD programs aid to former communist rebels. that will help former rebels,” aside from medical assistance and other aid under Illana called on the remaining NPA the Enhanced Comprehensive Local rebels to “lay down your arms and come Integration Program (E-CLIP), she said. back to the folds of the law. Rest assured that your Army will always be there to

Marila Taquin, who was a former help and support you in changing your political instructor of the NPA, said the life.” aid packages from the government have made it possible for her to start a piggery Lt. Ken Cabbigat, 8IB civil-military business. operations officer, said a total of 295 Bukidnon-based NPA members and mass

“I started a piggery business after supporters have surrendered in the past receiving PHP65,000 on December 18 last two years. (PNA) year through the E-Clip program. Now my

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92

NATIONAL NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

Communists hard to deal with: PRRD

By Earl Jed Roque

“Si Agcaoili, hinahaluan ng mga legal-legal yan (Agcaoili is always mixing things with legal jargon). They came and wanted to talk to me, sabi ko (I said), ‘No.’ You come, cut, and cut cleanly, you adopt the democracy,” he said.

MANILA -- There is a slim chance of pursuing peace talks with the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as their demands are hard to meet, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Friday.

In a situational briefing after his aerial inspection in the aftermath of Tropical Depression Usman in Camarines Sur, Duterte said unlike Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari, who is open to peace negotiations, CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison is difficult to negotiate with.

“Wala tayong makuha diyan sa NPA. Maski na sabihin nilang walang coalition but they want to join yung mga economic bodies natin gaya ng NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority), mahirap yan (We cannot get anything from the NPA. Even if they say they do not want a coalition, but they want to join our economic bodies like the NEDA, it’s a hard thing to do),” he said.

The President said Sison’s fellow CPPNPA-NDF negotiators Luis Jalandoni and Fidel Agcaoili are also hard to deal with.

Duterte added that leftist personalities previously in his Cabinet, particularly former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary Rafael Mariano and former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Judy Taguiwalo, pushed for questionable policies, with Mariano allegedly urging people to occupy vacant lots and Taguiwalo allegedly prioritizing NPA members in the distribution of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) benefits.

“He (Mariano) was there, a Cabinet member at that. He was egging people na mag-okupasyon (to occupy), if there is a vacant lot. Kaya(So) I was forced to come up, sabi ko (I said), ‘Do not do that because I will order the law enforcers to arrest you, if you fight, to shoot you dead,’” the President said.

NPA members, he said, do not know the impact of their insurgency and just blindly follow Sison.

The CPP-NPA, in earlier reports, had been involved in mass murders, extortion, and violation of indigenous people’s rights.

The US State Department and the European Union have both tagged the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations.

(PNA)

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NATIONAL NEWS | EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

PRRD reiterates plan to turn NDRRMC into ‘regular department’

By Azer Parrocha

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte reiterated his call for the creation of a Department of Disaster Management (DDM) that will focus on minimizing risks in the advent of disasters.

people’s safety requirements cannot wait,” he added.

The House of Representatives has already passed a bill on the creation of a disaster department. However, the Senate is still deliberating on its version of the

“I have plans of making this bill. department a regular department. Solely to meet the challenges,” Duterte said Citing lack of coordination between during Friday’s situation briefing held national and local government units, in Pili, Camarines Sur, after conducting Senator Grace Poe, also urged her an aerial inspection in the area that was colleagues in the Senate, to approve devastated by Tropical Depression Usman. the measure that would create a new department in charge of responding to

Duterte was referring to the National calamities quickly.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which is headed by She lamented how the Senate has Executive Director Ricardo Jalad. prioritized other bills but only remembers the measure creating a disaster

The NDRRMC is in charge of policy- department during disasters. making, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation Last year, Poe filed Senate Bill functions in relation to disaster risk No. 1735 that seeks the creation of reduction and management. a Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management that will

In his third State of the Nation strengthen the country’s disaster risk Address (SONA) on July 23 last year, reduction and management system and Duterte appealed to Congress to pass a institutions, particularly, the NDRRMC. measure that will allow the creation of an (PNA) agency that will have more powers than the NDRRMC.

“We, in the Cabinet, have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the ‘Department of Disaster Management,’” Duterte said.

“I fervently appeal to Congress to pass this bill with utmost urgency. Our

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Caraga Infocus • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019 • Volume II, No. 92