Caraga InFocus - January 1-6, 2017

01 - 06 January 2017

Volume 1, No. 40

REGIONAL NEWS

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PNP reports fewer firecracker injuries in Caraga region PopCom Caraga mobilizes volunteers to meet Duterte’s order

contents

PROVINCIAL NEWS

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AgNor PDRRMC holds 4th rescue exercise

HEALTH NEWS

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DILG releases P41.9 M to SGLG Caraga awardees

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COVER

18 MINDANAO NEWS

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1st Agusan del Norte centenarian 14 receives incentive, award

DAREA spearheads feeding program to La Paz undernourished children DTI Surigao Norte holds seminar workshop on local competitiveness for mainland LGU officials

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DepEd Surigao Sur celebrates 56th anniv

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SurSur reports zero firecracker-related cases

Healthy brown choices

Former Davao City vice mayor joins Duterte admin as new member of DBP board

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NATIONAL NEWS

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DSWD announces implementation of medicine assistance program funded

by President Duterte’s Social Fund DILG: 535 PAMANA completed projects bring real change to conflictaffected areas

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News Briefs Based on PNP Caraga record, a total of 563,188 pieces of firecrackers to include Piccolo, Giant Kwitis, 5-Star OG, imported Baby Rocket, Pop Pop, Super Lolo, Pla-Pla, Whistle Bomb, Watusi and Big Mega were being confiscated during the holiday season.

For the period July 2015 to Dec. 2016, OCD Caraga was able to train 1,916 Caraganons on different disaster risk related trainings.

DOH Caraga recorded the highest firecracker related incident in Agusan del Sur with 7 cases and Surigao del Norte with 6 cases. DOH Caraga monitoring of firecracker related injuries is from Dec 21 to Jan 5.

Cover Story

e t r o N l e d n a s u 1st Ag s e v i e c e r n a i r a centen d r a w a , e v i t n e c in nuza Molde

By: Nora C. La

B

UTUAN CITY - Lola Conchita Hurod of Barangay Tagbongabong in the municipality of RTR, Agusan del Norte has received P100,000 as a centenarian.

Lola Conchita celebrated her 102nd birthday on December 20 of this year and she was the first centenarian grandmother who received an incentive from the provincial government of Agusan del Norte. Â

According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office chief Daisybiel Demavivas, based on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Listahanan Database for Senior Citizens, there are already 17 centenarians in the entire province.

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Demavivas said that of the 17 centenarians, only Lola Conchita complied the requirements and managed to claim her incentive and award. The other 16 centenarians did not process any claims yet, for some reasons that they no longer reside in the area or they don’t have the complete documents yet to support their claims, Demavivas added.

Lola Conchita received a total of P100,000. The P50,000 came from the provincial government while the other P50,000 was given by governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. AmanteMatba. A wheelchair was also accorded to Lola Conchita during the awarding ceremony, which was personally attended by governor Matba and witnessed by the

provincial government employees during a Monday convocation held recently at the provincial capitol lobby.

Lola Conchita has four children, namely, Norma, Armando, Filomeno and Carmelita.

As per Provincial Ordinance No. 362-2014, a cash gift of P50,000 shall be given to the Centenarian upon reaching the age of 100 years old in honor of his or her longevity and to encourage other residents to stay fit and healthy. A Certificate of Recognition and felicitation shall also be given to the Centenarian and shall be awarded during the celebration of the Araw ng Agusan del Norte. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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REGIONAL NEWS

PNP reports fewer firecracker injuries in Caraga region By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY - The Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 13 reported fewer firecracker related injuries during the holiday season.

PNP-PRO 13 regional director PCSupt.

Rolando Felix said there was a significant decrease on firecracker related injuries from the different provinces during the holiday season.

Felix said that as of January 1, a total of 15 firecracker related injuries were recorded in the entire region, all are out-patient cases. “This is a 57 percent decrease compared with the last year’s 35 incidents,” Felix added.

Also, the PNP noted the decrease on confiscated illegal firecrackers.

During its presentation and inspection on the confiscated illegal firecrackers, Felix said that a total of 563,188 pieces of firecrackers to include

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the piccolo, giant kwitis, 5-Star OG, imported baby rocket, pop pop, super lolo, pla-pla, whistle bomb, watusi and big mega were confiscated/recorded.

Felix said the decrease is the result of the community’s response and cooperation to the call of the authorities for safe celebrations and also due to the relentless pro-active measures conducted by the Department of Health and the Local Government Units including the help of the media in information dissemination on the campaign against the use of illegal firecrackers in greeting the New Year.

(NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

Regional News

PopCom Caraga mobilizes volunteers to meet Duterte’s order By: Angie B. Antonio

BUTUAN CITY- The Commission on Population (PopCom) in Caraga fielded all the population volunteers to assist couples in achieving their desired family size through modern family planning.

PopCom intensified its campaign on generating demand for family planning in time for the Population and Development Week event on November 23 – 29.

Anchored on the celebration’s theme “Achieve: Wastong Bilang ng Pamilya,” various capacity-building activities for the Barangay Population Volunteers were conducted by PopCom with funding assistance from the Department of Health (DOH).

PopCom tapped the Barangay Population Volunteers to conduct house to house visit to married couples of reproductive ages, to validate and check if they are using modern family planning methods and if not, motivate to come up with informed choices and refer said couples to the health service

Vivian Arcaina Tandoc

facility for counseling and service provision.

Population volunteers are also mobilized in the house to house profiling and monitoring of the status of unmet need for family planning in the entire region to achieve zero unmet need.

The zero unmet need for modern family planning is one of the thrusts of the DOH under the Duterte’s Administration as one of the strategies in achieving all for health towards health for all.

About 80 Barangay Population Volunteers from each province of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur attended the two-day training on interpersonal communication and counselling techniques on modern family planning. (POPCOM-Caraga)

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Regional News

DILG releases P41.9 M to SGLG Caraga awardees

By: Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga releases P41.8 Million worth of checks to the 13 local government units in Caraga that are awardees of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) on December 20, 2016 here.

The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) is a program of the DILG which is conferred to deserving LGUs portraying integrity in providing better performance and service based on criteria gauging local government performance. As SGLG awardees. LGUs will receive an incentive fund called Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) to be used for the implementation of local development projects.

DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion expressed her

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congratulations to the 13 LGUs that has exemplified good performance in providing better public service that is coupled with integrity, transparency and accountability. She hopes that there will be more LGUs in the region acclaimed as SGLG passers in the next round of assessment.

Through DILG Memorandum dated December 19, 2016 entitled: “Release of Funding Check for Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) 2016,” the following checks were released to the following LGUs:

Regional News

LGU RECIPIENT AMOUNT

1. Carmen, Agusan del Norte - 3,000,000.00

2. Trento, Agusan del Sur - 3,000,000.00

3. Loreto, Dinagat Islands - 3,000,000.00

4. Claver, Surigao del Norte - 3,000,000.00

5. Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte - 3,000,000.00

6. Mainit, Surigao del Norte - 3,000,000.00

7. Malimono, Surigao del Norte - 3,000,000.00

8. Tandag City, Surigao del Sur - 3,400,000.00

9. Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur - 3,000,000.00

10. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur - 3,000,000.00

11. Bislig City,Surigao del Sur - 3,400,000.00

12. Province of Dinagat Islands - 4,000,000.00

13. Province of Surigao del Norte - 4,000,000.00

The SGLG awardees for the Province category are: 1) Province of Dinagat Islands and 2) Province of Surigao del Norte; City category: 3) Bislig City and 4) Tandag City; Municipal category: 5) Hinatuan, 6) Lanuza, 7) Loreto (Dinagat Islands), 8) Trento, 9) Carmen (Agusan del Norte), 10) Claver, 11) Del Carmen, 12) Mainit and 13) Malimono.

In the country, there are only 306 LGUs that received the Seal. For an LGU to be an SGLG awardee, it should pass all ‘three core assessment areas’: Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH), Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness, and ‘at least one of the essential areas’: Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order and Environmental Management.

(DILG-Caraga)

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AGUSAN DEL NORTE

AgNor PDRRMC holds 4th rescue exercise By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY – The Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) successfully conducted its 4th Provincewide Rescue Exercise held at the provincial capitol covered court, recently.

PDRRMO civil defense officer Jorge Vincent G. Pagaran said the three-day rescue exercise was participated by some 300 young ADNERTs or Agusan del Norte Emergency Response Team

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from the lone city of Cabadbaran, and eight municipalities of the province.

During the exercise, four badges were being competed by

Provincial News the participants. These were the Fire Rescue Badge that includes the bucket relay, use of fire extinguisher, turn off the LPG, and fire hose; Rope Rescue Badge using the single rope technique – descend, basic knots, and basic anchoring; First Aid Badge with lifting and moving, CPR, patient assessment, and bandaging and splinting; and Radio Handling Badge that includes the daily operations.

The RTR Young ADNERT composed of students from Agay National High School (NHS) and Balangbalang NHS was declared as the overall champion during the competition; Cabadbaran City National High School got the 2nd place; Nasipit got the 3rd place; Cabadbaran’s La Union, Puting Bato, Northern Cabadbaran Central Elementary School Evening Opportunity High School got the 4th place; and Buenavista got the 5th place.

According to PDRRMO officer Erma Suyo, the rescue exercise was conducted with the aim to enhance and evaluate the capacity schools in the province of Agusan del Norte; promote camaraderie and linkages with other young ADNERT school and participating agencies; promote interoperability/synergy among agencies in times of disaster/ calamities; and to benchmark basic skills to foster unity and consistency in skills facilitation.

participated by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Regional Public Safety Battalion, PNP-K9 EOD Unit, PNP PPO, Philippine Army (PA) 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 23IB, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, DLF Tubay fire volunteers, Agata Mining.

Facilitators and evaluators during the event were coming from PDRRMO, ADNERT, Team Agusan, Department of Health, BFP, PNP, and Respond, Inc. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

The rescue exercise was also

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AGUSAN DEL SUR

DAREA spearheads feeding program to La Paz undernourished children By: Rechel D. Besonia

LA PAZ, Agusan del Sur - In celebration of the Government Employees Week, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office here recently conducted a feeding program led by the DAR Employees Association (DAREA) to 150 identified children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) held at La Paz Central Elementary School.

The DAR employees were welcomed by a message from Master Teacher II Imelda G. Perez and dance presentation by the recipient students of LPCES. They are joined together by

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the LPCES faculty and staff during the feeding proper.

“I am thankful that this feeding program was finally realized through

Provincial News the support of DAR Agusan del Sur management. We are happy that this is done in La Paz considering the number of undernourished children of our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries,” said DAREA President Ferdinand Arroza.

For District Incharge of La Paz Central Elementary School, Melchesidec C. Dubduban, the generous act of the department is very commendable. “We feel very happy that of all the schools in Agusan del Sur, we are the lucky once to be chosen. Our population ranges from 1,500 students and mostly are undernourished.

Sometimes, these are the reasons

of tardiness and absenteeism,” he expressed.

“We will always remember your good deeds. I salute you for doing this activity,” Dubduban added.

The feeding program was part of the mandate of the National Government Employees Association to any sectoral group or organization in the government agencies to conduct social services, tree planting activities or forum as support to the Government Employees Week celebrated every first week of December. (DAR-Agusan de Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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SURIGAO DEL NORTE

DTI Surigao Norte holds seminar workshop on local competitiveness for mainland LGU officials By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government conducted a seminarworkshop on local competitiveness for mainland local government unit officials (LGUs) on December 15, 2016 held at Parkway Hotel, this city.

The activity aims to provide a venue for the mainland LGUs in the province to discuss concerns on how to improve the overall territorial competitiveness.

Coordinators, Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers, Business Permit and Licensing Officers and Sangguniang Bayan Members as well as other members of the Local

A total of 37 officials of LGUs and Competitiveness Committees. members of the local competitiveness committees of Surigao City, Claver, In her welcome address, Board Tagana-an, Malimono, Gigaquit, Member Melva P. Garcia, chairperson Bacuag, Placer, Sison and Tagana-an of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan attended the said seminar workshop.

Committee on Economic Affairs, Trade, Commerce and Industry expressed

Participants are mostly composed the need to make the local business of Municipal Planning and Development competitive and improve the quality of

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Provincial News products and services to be profitable explained that the purpose of establishing and better serve the community.

Negosyo Centers is to help business develop and improve their operation.

Meanwhile, DTI Surigao del Norte Provincial Director Celestino L. The participants were also made Negapatan explained that the present to understand the implications of their economic environment calls individual respective CMCI scores and how it can firms, industry sectors and LGUs geo- be used to identify relevant interventions political territory to improve their to further develop their respective respective competitiveness level to face communities. the challenge of globalization.

Rodrigo R. Matabaran, head of

He further stressed that for LGUs the DTI Institutional Development Unit to develop their localities, they must also shared some inputs in coming be competitive to attract more local up with possible short term and long and foreign investments that will help term measures in addressing specific them in the improvement of their concerns related to various indicators respective economies through creation and parameters. of more businesses that in turn generate employment for the local manpower.

During the workshop, the participants were able to initially come up

Bryan F. Edulzura, Local with possible solutions and actions on how Government Operations Officer V of they can improve their competitiveness the DILG as one of the resource persons level hoping it will translate to tangible explained the DILG-DTI-DICT Joint Memo ground level development eventually Circular issued late this year requiring leading to higher scores and ranking LGUs to adapt a revised Business Permit hopefully in the coming years if not in the and Licensing System (BPLS) standards to 2017 CMCI round. further simplify and accelerate business permit processes as directed by President The activity ended with the closing Rodrigo R. Duterte. remarks of City DILG Officer Mary Ann S. Tomate, also a member of Surigao City

Meanwhile, Graciela E. Mante, Competitiveness Committee, as she Officer In-Charge of the Provincial shared her appreciation for having more Economic Enterprise Development understanding on what LGU’s territorial and Management Office (PEEDMO) competitiveness is all about. discussed the ranking of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index The DTI Provincial Office will be (CMCI) of the Surigao del Norte LGUs conducting similar activity early next while Ma. Theresa Z. Calang, head of year for the Siargao Island LGUs. (DTIthe Industry Development Unit of DTI Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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SURIGAO DEL SUR

DepEd Surigao Sur celebrates 56th anniv By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Education (DepEd) Surigao del Sur Division celebrated recently its 56th Anniversary with the theme, “Soaring High with Leaders of Vision and Excellence in 56th Years and Beyond.”

The celebration was highlighted with the State of the Division Address wherein several accomplishments and achievements were enumerated.

Supt. Marilou Dedumo said several projects were implemented like the improvement of school building facilities intended for the Junior and Senior High Schools, hiring of new teachers and promotion of around 400 personnel.

Dedumo also thanked the

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provincial government officials led by Governor Vicente Pimentel, as well as Congressmen Johnny Pimentel and Prospero Pichay for alloting a total of P19M worth of financial support.

Part of the celebration is the awarding and recogniton of the outstanding teachers and schools and partner stakeholders. Other activities were the search for Miss Educator 2016 and raffle draw to all DepEd personnel.

(PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Provincial News

SurSur reports zero firecrackerrelated cases By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – No significant incidents caused by firecrackers or stray bullets were recorded in the Adela SerraTy Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) here during the holiday season.

According to ASTMMC Information Officer Nelle Karl Roz, since Dec. 20, 2016 up to Jan. 2, 2017 no incidents of people killed or hurt due to firecrackers were recorded, while they were on Code White Alert status.

Meanwhile, Police Community Relations (PCR) Officer PCI Noel Naranjo of Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office also bared that no record of firecracker-related injuries has been reported in the whole province during

the holiday season.

PCI Naranjo further said that the whole province of Surigao del Sur celebrated the Christmas and New Year’s Eve peacefully with no untoward incident happen.

It can be recalled that last 2014, as per DOH data, the province of Surigao del Sur ranked as the most number of cases in firecracker-related injuries.

(PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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HEALTH NEWS

Healthy brown choices By: Abbie L. Padrones

The interest for new functional food alternatives has been steadily growing in the Philippines.

In response to this increasing demand, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), the leader in nutrition and research, developed healthy and delicious brown rice products.

Brown rice is utilized as the main ingredient for the power bar, cereal for babies six months to two years old, and cereal beverage for all children and adults, as part of a nationwide campaign to utilize brown rice.

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Health News

Brown rice is rich in dietary fibers, phytic acids vitamins B1, B3, and B6 needed for efficient metabolism and maintaining good health systems.

The National Year of Rice was celebrated last year with efforts of promoting brown rice included in the celebration.

Studies on brown rice were

Brown rice also contains conducted by the FNRI to improve Gamma-aminobutyric acid its texture, prolong the shelf-life and (GABA), which promotes relaxation improve convenience in cooking. and sleep. It also helps prevent

A recipe book featuring seizures and chronic pain. brown rice was also developed to

In spite of its nutritional benefits, offer varied cooking options and only a marginal population increase brown rice appreciation. consumes brown rice because Processed functional of its cost, shorter shelf-life and such as beverages, traditional customs favoring milled foods complementary foods and snack rice. foods were also developed to diversify the use of brown rice.

These innovative formulations include the brown rice power bar (BRB), brown rice cereal for babies six months to two years old (BRCB), and germinated brown rice beverage (GBRB).

Power in a Brown Bar

A convergence of good taste, healthy diet and convenience describes the new power bar of FNRI.

This nutty snack food has a sweet caramel taste and has the perfect blend of rich, soft, chewy and crunchy texture.

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Health News

The power bar is high in completes the preparation. fiber, rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and is suitable for all Germinated Brown Rice ages.

Beverage High-energy cereal drinks are Brown Rice Cereal healthy breakfast alternatives. The fiber-dense germinated brown

Eating healthy foods should rice beverage has a refreshing start as early as the weaning period chocolatey flavor and taste, and of six months when we introduce is suitable children and young complementary food. adults.

Nutrient analysis shows that For more information about the brown rice cereal is high in food and nutrition, contact: Dr. calories, phosphorus and calcium. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research

Aside from the health Institute, Department of Science benefits of the complementary and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig food, the FNRI improved the ease City; Trunkline: 837-2071 local of preparing a healthy brown 2296 or 2287; Telephone/Fax No.: rice cereal by using the extrusion 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost. technology. gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com; Website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.

Extrusion renders the cereal ph (FNRI S&T Media Services/PIAcooked; thereby adding hot water Caraga)

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MINDANAO NEWS

Former Davao City vice mayor joins Duterte admin as new member of DBP board DAVAO CITY - Former Davao City vice mayor Luis Bonguyan has joined the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte as new member of the board of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Bonguyan, who was Duterte’s vice mayor in early 2000, told reporters during the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City on Monday that DBP’s mandate for this year is to focus its support to the local government units (LGUs), the electric cooperatives and water districts in the country.

out, saying that in 2015, DBP had an income of PHP4.7 billion that went down to PHP3.8 billion in 2016.

Since he assumed post, Bonguyan He said they attributed the said around 350 LGUs have already decrease in the banks’ income to the proposed to avail of the services of DBP non-selling of its acquired properties. especially on its loan facility.

“We received a letter and

DBP will also extend support to the memorandum from the Department of micro, small and medium enterprises Finance last year to set aside the selling (MSMEs) through its medium and long- of our acquired assets pending reterm loans, he added. appraisal,” he added.

He said that for this year, DBP’s loan portfolio is estimated at PHP140 to PHP150 billion while the bank’s over-all asset is around PHP550 billion.

Bonguyan believed that the bank will be able to increase its income once the re-appraisal by the DOF is completed.

He also called on the LGUs in Davao region to visit the nearest DBP branches

“Our income decreased last year and inquire on how they can avail of the compared to 2015,” Bonguyan pointed bank’s services. (PNA) LAP/LCM/AL/LDP

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NATIONAL NEWS

DSWD announces implementation of medicine assistance program funded

by President Duterte’s Social Fund

QUEZON CITY - In line with Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte’s pronouncement that he will allocate P1 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo has released Memorandum Circular No. 16 which mobilizes DSWD Field Offices III, VI, VII, XI and the National Capital Region (NCR) to provide medicine assistance to indigent patients/ clients, pending Malacanang’s fund transfer.

Sec. Taguiwalo explained that the Department of Health (DOH) has an ongoing free medicine program for indigents called Medical Assistance Program (MAP), a program of the DOH intended to provide medical assistance

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to patients seeking consultations, rehabilitation, and examination or otherwise confined in government hospitals. The DSWD provides medical assistance to indigent patients it is Assistance to Individuals in Crisis.

National News

“Pres. Duterte, very much aware of the high costs of medicines and the numerous indigent patients who cannot afford to buy prescription drugs, allocated P1 billion to the President’s Social Fund to enable these patients to access badly-needed medicines. Pres. Duterte instructed us in the DSWD to formulate guidelines for the program, implement, and administer it immediately,” she said.

The DSWD’s medicine assistance program funded under the Pres. P1 billion fund aims to provide assistance to indigent Filipinos so they can immediately secure much needed prescription medicines.

The beneficiaries of the program are Filipinos who seek assistance from a DSWD office to access prescription medicine. The priorities are 1) families/ individuals who are indigent, vulnerable, disadvantaged or those in the informal sector and poor based on the DSWD Listahanan; 2) government employees and contract of services workers; and 3) those who are facing crisis situations as determined by DSWD social workers.

Sec. Taguiwalo explained that prescription medicines of drug dependents undergoing treatment/ rehabilitation are not covered by the program.

“A separate program is being created for them,” she said.

The DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) will facilitate the release of the medical assistance. The CIU is a special unit of the DSWD that serves as an action center that immediately responds to the needs of individuals and families in crisis situations. The CIU are located at the Central office (CO), FO, and/or Satellite Offices in the Provinces.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that the requirements of the programs are fairly simple. “The DSWD has yet to receive the P1 billion from Malacanang, but we are willing to foot the bill in the meantime so Filipinos who need immediate prescription medicines can access them ASAP,” she said. “As soon as the fund is available, the DSWD will oversee and manage it and the program. Five percent of the fund will be used for project management.”

She also clarified that beneficiaries will not receive any cash, but referral letters from the DSWD which beneficiaries will take to DSWD partner drugstores and hospital pharmacies.

Those who need medicine should bring and submit to the closest CIU the needed original or certified true copy documents, and and/or photocopy documents certified by a CIU social worker: 1) clinical abstract/medical certificate with full name, signature and license number of the attending physician (issued not later than three months);

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National News

2) The doctor’s prescription with date and the name of the patient.

The prescription should be signed by the attending physician with license number indicated);

forge contracts or enter memorandum of agreement (MOA) with qualified service providers.

“As a safeguard, in no case will the implementation of the program

3) Barangay certificate of be delegated and/or transferred to indigence or Indigent Card issued any kind of civil society organization by the medical social service of the (CSO) regardless of whether it’s a hospital; and non-governmental organization or a people’s organization.

4) Any valid ID of the client.

“If the prescription is costs P5,000 or Finally, Sec. Taguiwalo said that less, confirmation by the doctor or his/ initially, the DSWD will enter MOA with her duly certified representative of the the following regional hospitals: the veracity of the prescription is sufficient University of the Philippines – Philippine for the DSWD to provide the assistance,” General Hospital in Manila; the Jose Sec. Taguiwalo said.

B. Lingad General Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga in Region III

However, a social case study report ; Western Visayas Medical Center prepared by the LGU social worker/ (WVMC) in Iloilo in Region VI; Vicente medical social worker, or a social case Sotto Memorial Medical Center summary prepared by a registered (VSMMC) in Cebu City in Region VII; and social worker may be required by the Southern Philippines Medical Center CIU social worker to support assessment (SPMC) in Davao City and Davao and recommendation of assistance.

Regional Hospital (DRH) in Tagum City – both in Region XI. The hospitals were

“A social case study report is chosen in the regions where there are needed as a supporting document for the highest poverty levels and to ensure assistance more than P5,000,” she said. the representation of Luzon, Visayas, “A client can avail of the assistance and Mindanao. (DSWD) only once within three months.”

Sec. Taguiwalo also explained that the DSWD can establish partnerships with service providers to ensure that clients are efficiently and effectively assisted immediately. The DSWD can

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National News

DILG: 535 PAMANA completed projects bring real change to conflict-affected areas QUEZON CITY - A total of 535 or 68% of the 787 projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have been completed since the program started in 2012.

DILG Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno said the Department is continuously monitoring the 252 remaining projects which are on various stages of implementation.

structures, local roads, evacuation centers, water supply systems and community infrastructure subprojects.

The Department also builds the capacities of DILG field offices and local government units (LGUs) on conflictsensitive planning and investment programming. It also implements or formulates policies addressing issues on good governance relative to conflictaffected areas.

The PAMANA program provides subsidy and technical assistance for infrastructure projects such as roads, water, bridges, and public market to alleviate the plight of people living in conflict-affected communities and to strengthen peace efforts in these areas.

The DILG further provides advisory and technical assistance to Regional

“Armed conflict is ignited when Offices in project appraisal; and assists people’s clamor for socioeconomic LGUs in the preparation of project development is ignored and proposals and detailed engineering marginalized. There can’t be peace design including program of work as where there is no development. Over well as operation and maintenance of the years, this is being addressed and completed projects. healed by PAMANA,” said Sueno.

“Real development, real change

Through PAMANA, the DILG is inclusive and does not leave behind addresses sub-regional development areas affected or vulnerable to armed interventions covering economic conflict,” said Sueno. (DILG)

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Photo Gallery OCD/RDRRMC Turnover Ceremony Almont Inland, Butuan City 06 January, 2017

For more info. contact: Tel. No.: (085) 225-9219 / 300-0722 Cell Nos. 0908-875-9185 / 0917-580-2609 / 0925-556-2417 Email: inkboxinnovation@gmail.com

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SUSIL D. RAGAS

Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands

ANGIE B. ANTONIO FLORIAN FAITH JR. P. BAYAWA RECHEL D. BESONIA RODRIGO R. MATABARAN ABBIE L. PADRONES PNA/LAP/LCM/AL/LDP FNRI S&T MEDIA SERVICES DTI-SURIGAO DEL NORTE POPCOM-CARAGA DAR-AGUSAN DE SUR DILG-CARAGA DSWD DILG Business Manager

ZARINA O. LASTRA Photographer

ROBESPIERRE C. TRADIO

AGUSAN DEL SUR Provincial Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Cellphone no. 0917-723-3455 E-mail: pia.agusandelsur@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Agusan del Sur Twitter: @AgSurPIA

SURIGAO DEL NORTE/DINAGAT ISLANDS Parrucho corner Magallanes St., Surigao City Telephone no. (086) 826-9450 E-mail: piasurigao@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Surigao del Norte; PIA Dinagat Islands Twitter: @PIASurigaoNorte

SURIGAO DEL SUR Old DPWH Bldg., Telaje, Tandag City Telephone no. (086) 211-3353 E-mail: piasurigaosur@gmail.com; sds_pia@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Surigao del Sur Twitter: @piasurigaosur