Caraga InFocus - November 12-18, 2016

CONTENTS 12 - 15 November 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

REGIONAL NEWS 7

Poultry a promising agribusiness in Caraga Region

8

Caraga uniformed officers undergo ICS course

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DILG, LRIs partner for Caraga Consortium on Good Governance

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Volume 1, No. 33

DepEd building to rise in 11 New Tandag

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Dengue downs 3 MASTS athletes

NGO launches 13 SurSur aquaculture project

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Surigao Norte Tourism Office to attend tourism development planning for LGUs in Pasig City

farmers receive 17 AgSur their long-awaited land title

AgNor conducts 18 DAR workshop on Agri-Business Venture Arrangements

PDRRMO conducts 19 AgNor ICS Training to 1st SAB

holds root crop based 15 DOST products training in Dinagat Islands

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town intensifies anti16 PDI rabies campaign

COVER ‘Caraga lobster’ launched to banner Region-13 HEALTH NEWS a healthy lifestyle, throw 20 Have the burning stick away

MINDANAO NEWS 23

23 NATIONAL NEWS hopes to capture 1-M of 25 DOT 25% Asia’s young population 26

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New DOT office to spur Mindanao tourism

to visit Mindanao PHL economy posts 7.1 % GDP growth in the Q3 of 2016

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News Briefs Genevieve Elorde, admin. officer II of Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Caraga encouraged the media to help them relay the message to all public & private employees that ECC has programs & services for sick & injured workers under its Employees’ Compensation Program. #piacaraga #partnerforchange The representatives from government agencies & private sector are gathered today for the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC) Meeting led by National Youth Commission (NYC) held at DTI Caraga regional office, Butuan City. The council discusses updates on the Sangguniang Kabataan Election in 2017, & RDC 13 Res. No. 4 series 2016 Encouraging regional line agencies & state universities & colleges in region 13 to earmark at least 1% of their agencies budgets for Youth Development related programs/projects/activities.

The member agencies of the Regional Disaster Response Committee (RDRC) led by DSWD Caraga are gathered for its meeting today held at the DSWD regional conference room, Butuan City. Agenda of said meeting include: Seasonal Weather Outlook; Disaster preparedness by LGUs & Response Cluster Agencies; & Revisit Disaster Response Protocols (RDRP).

PhilHealth Board approves increase in package rate for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in children under the Z Benefit package. New rates are P380,000 for DOH-retained contracted hospitals and P500,000 for other contracted hospitals.

Cover Story

‘Caraga lobster’ launched to banner Region-13

CARAGA INFOCUS

COVER STORY

By: Venus L. Garcia

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In time with the grand opening of the Caraga Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition (CARAT Expo 2016) here on Wednesday, the ‘Caraga Lobster’ was formally launched as the signature brand of the region.

Meanwhile, Butuan City mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada said that “with the world class aqua produce known as lobster, it will help empower the people for it is time for the Caraganons to be proud of with their robust resources, something worthy of the promotion as the regional signature brand.”

Also, in her message, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Charito Plaza bared with much pride about how fortunate the Caraga as it reached its height of progress especially in coming up with the region’s official signature brand. She further said that PEZA will be creating regional ecozones and industrial cities in Mindanao as well.

Known of its Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP), a four-year United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program, Winrock International takes the lead on the extensive implementation of its undertakings in Caraga region.

The symbolic ‘Caraga Lobster’ crawls its pairs of claws to catch a wider

Since Dinagat Islands became range of opportunities and attract successful in the production of cultured more investors as it bid of becoming the lobsters, the peculiar features of largest and fastest growing economic lobster were seen to be advantageous hub in Mindanao. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

COVER STORY

“We are into increasing production of perishable high-valued commodities and improving marketing strategies of those same commodities including lobster, vegetables, and fishery resources. With lobster as the regional brand, characterized as edible aquatic specie, favorable opportunities are at stake for the economic development of the region,” said Dan Gudhal, chief of party of the Winrock International.

and best aqua asset for exportation.

Raising lobsters has also benefitted the community in finding a source of livelihood.

CARAGA INFOCUS

The lobster, pegged as a highvalued product and a sui generis marine crustacean is considered to significantly stand out as a distinctive local produce of Caraga region.

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Photo Gallery PRESS CONFERENCE International Men’s Day “STOP MALE SUICIDE” POPCOM Caraga Conference Room T. Calo St., cor. Langihan Road, Butuan City

CARAGA INFOCUS

COVER STORY

17 November 2016

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Poultry a promising agri-business in Caraga Region By: Aurel Arais

As of 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority data, Caraga with a population of more than 2.5 million, has pegged its demand for poultry

products to 24.126 metric tons (MT) while its supply accounted for only 18,967 MT or a deficit of 5,159 MT.

The data is using the per capita consumption from the year 2012-2015, wherein per person consumes an average of 5.51 kilograms per year (kg/ yr) of chicken meat, 3.48 kg/yr of the chicken egg, 0.04 kg/yr of duck meat and 0.13 of the duck egg.

The gap between the supply and demand means there is an opportunity for investment in the poultry industry. As

CARAGA INFOCUS

Are you thinking of a promising business? Poultry industry might be your future!

Data presented during the crafting of the industry roadmap for poultry spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Region needs more supply for poultry products and by-products.

REGIONAL NEWS

BUTUAN CITY - There’s money in an egg.

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of now, Caraga Region absorbs supply from other neighboring regions to fill in the increasing demand for poultry products.

Joel Callano, a poultry grower in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur said that his daily harvest of 25 trays of eggs is not enough to supply the need of his municipality alone.

“There is still a room for investment in the poultry industry in Caraga Region, so for the farmers who are willing to put up it is very much welcome,” Callano said.

The poultry industry is a significant contributor to the agricultural sector in the Philippines chipping in 15.41 percent to the total value of agricultural production in 2015.

To strengthen government support for the industry and other commodities, DA-Caraga conducted series of roadmap crafting through the involvement of different stakeholders such as farmer associations, academe, agri-preneurs, private sector, financial institutions, DA attached agencies and other national line government agencies. (DA-Caraga)

Caraga uniformed officers undergo ICS course

CARAGA INFOCUS

REGIONAL NEWS

By: April Rose Sanchez

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BUTUAN CITY - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga region conducted on Friday Executive Course on Incident Command System (ICS) for high-ranking uniformed officials of Caraga in one of the convention centers here.

Some 46 uniformed officials from by regional director PCSupt. Rolando the Philippine National Police (PNP) led Felix; Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) attended the activity.

Amado M. Posas of OCD Caraga said that the executive course aims to provide with the basic knowledge and understanding on the tenets of the Incident Command System as a vital component for effective disaster

response.

Posas along with Marc Gil Calang, Mark July Yap, John Lenn Uayan and Kim Durango of OCD Caraga facilitated the said course.

This is the first ICS Executive Course in the region which is intended for the high-ranking uniformed officials. (OCDCaraga)

DILG, LRIs partner for Caraga Consortium on Good Governance

CARAGA INFOCUS

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga through its Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) and the local resource institutes (LRIs) formally enter into a partnership for the creation of Caraga Consortium on Good Governance through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 24, 2016 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

REGIONAL NEWS

By: Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

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CARAGA INFOCUS

REGIONAL NEWS

Dubbed as “CCGG,” the Caraga Consortium on Good Governance is formed for the purpose of knowledgesharing by promoting experiential learning of students of the LRIs and improving the delivery of basic services of local government units (LGUs) through research-based policy making.

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DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the CCGG will strengthen the awareness of the academe in the field of local governance and encourage their participation in all the activities concerning local governments.

The LRIs that are included in the MOU are: Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), Caraga State University (CSU), Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), Philippine Normal University (PNU),

Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT), Saint Paul University Surigao (SPUS), Surigao del Norte College of Technology (SCT) and Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU).

As part of the partnership, the DILGLGRRC and LRIs agree to undertake the points of coordination along community extension, research and evaluation and academic integration (ERA) to improve local governance.

The DILG will also coordinate with the LGUs on community activities and make available the data and information for research and evaluation. Complementary to this, the LRIs will encourage faculty and students to conduct research on local governance and provide knowledge experts during capacity building programs. (DILG 13)

New DepEd building to rise in Tandag By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

According to DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Gregoria Su, the building worth P10Million stands in a 2,000 square meter lot donated by the city government of Tandag in Sitio Balilahan, Barangay Mabua, this city.

The activity will be joined by the officials from the DepEd and the city government of Tandag led by City Mayor Alexander Pimentel, it was learned. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

CARAGA INFOCUS

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Education (DepEd) Tandag City Division is set to hold its ground breaking ceremony for its new two-storey building on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 at 8:00 A.M. here.

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Photo from Bravo Blackhawk

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Dengue downs 3 MASTS athletes By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

CARAGA INFOCUS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - At least three student-athletes of the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games 2016 are downed by dengue here.

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Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) President Baceledes Estal believed that the victims, one of them is from Sultan Kudarat, have a dengue strain already before they arrived here for the competition, since dengue’s incubation period ranges from 3 to 14 (usually 4 to 7) days before the signs and symptoms will appear.

the host of the event they are prepared with any eventualities.

“If the victims need to be transferred at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) for further medical attention, we have to do that,” he added.

Meanwhile, a total of 26 institutions

It was learned that the three coming from the different regions of victims are currently billeted in separate Mindanao joined the MASTS Friendship quarters.

Games, which started on Sunday, Nov. 6 and will end on Friday, Nov. 11. (PIA Estal assured the public that being Surigao del Sur)

SurSur NGO launches aquaculture project By: Nida Grace P. Barcena

Photo from Jay-ar Marco

Sur, representatives from DOLE, and NAMATI members.

Mayor Angos said their assistance is part of the LGU’s development plan under his administration.

On the other hand, Canda said that after about 20 years of existence of the said organization, this is the first time

Cortes Mayor William Angos that the local government of Cortes graced the launching program with town has extended financial assistance the presence of some members of to them. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) the Tri Media Association of Surigao

CARAGA INFOCUS

According to NAMATI chairperson Teddy Canda, the said project worth P1.245 Million was jointly funded by the local government unit of Cortes, Department of Social Welfare and Development thru the Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD-SLP), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

PROVINCIAL NEWS

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Tigao or NAMATI successfully launched on Tuesday, Nov. 8 its bangus (milkfish), danggit (rabbitfish) and lobster Production project at Tigao Sanctuary in Cortes town, this province.

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Surigao Norte Tourism Office to attend tourism development planning for LGUs in Pasig City By: Susil D. Ragas

CARAGA INFOCUS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Provincial Tourism Office of Surigao del Norte will attend a four-day Tourism Development Planning for local government units (LGUs) set on November 14-18, 2016 at the DAP Building, Pasig City.

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The four-day planning workshop will be spearheaded by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), which seeks to enhance the knowledge and skills of local government unit officials, particularly the local chief executive, Sangguniang chairperson on Tourism, tourism officer, provincial planning and development officer, and other tourism stakeholders.

local development plan.

He said at the end of the workshop, the participants would have formulated their LGU’s local tourism development plan concepts.

Cruje further said that the province gives preferential attention to the development of the tourism industry being a major employment

Surigao del Norte Provincial Tourism generating industry in the country where and Culture Officer Arturo M. Cruje said unemployment and underemployment the activity specifically aims to provide are still societal problems. participants with an understanding of tourism development in the Philippines, Governor Sol Matugas is and local development planning encouraging the LGUs to participate in process from analysis of local tourism the said workshops, Cruje added. (SDR/ situation to adopting and financing PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DOST holds root crop based products training in Dinagat Islands

DOST provincial director Nancy L. Charcos said the training was conducted purposely to help individuals engage into entrepreneurship since the province is abundant with cassava.

Charcos further said that the training focuses on the demonstration of cassava processing with its byproduct the cassava chips, cassava cake, and cassava roll with technodemonstration module.

She said the activity is a good venue to educate the entrepreneurs to utilize the richness of root crops specifically the cassava.

The participants are personnel from the different offices and cooperatives of the province. (Province of Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

CARAGA INFOCUS

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted recently a twoday Root Crop Based Products training in support to the 10th Kaadlawan nan Probinsya (Province Day), held at the DOST Office here.

PROVINCIAL NEWS

By: Meltzimar Piquero

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PDI town intensifies anti-rabies campaign

CARAGA INFOCUS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

By: Teodoro L. Alipayo

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CAGDIANAO, Dinagat Islands – The local government unit of Cagdianao in the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) in cooperation with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PHO) and Municipal Health Office conducted a Rabies Free Dinagat InterAgency Advocacy on November 7, 2016 held at the Municipal Function Hall, here.

The one-day advocacy aims to intensify the anti-rabies information and education and tackling issues and concerns about Republic Act 9482 also known as Anti Rabies Act of 2007 and also the Municipal Anti Rabies Ordinance and its implementation.

PHO representatives led by Dr. Aimee Antonio-Jimeno, Provincial Veterinary Office Dr. Niel P. Rosillo, Gretchen Jazon of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, municipal health office representative Dr. Ma. Teresa V. Borlasa, and barangay captains and sangguniang bayan members from 14 barangays of the municipality. (MIOThe activity was attended by Cagdianao/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

AgSur farmers receive their longawaited land title By: Cpt. Jeffrey Batistiana

programs. Soldiers conduct needs assessment to the people in order to determine the issues that needed to be addressed. Issues that are determined are then forwarded to the LGU or agencies concerned for possible interventions or projects and programs that can directly address the issue.

Through the convergence of effort of the local government unit headed by Mayor Ronaldo Corvera and the provincial government of Agusan del Sur under Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, the issue of land tenure of farmers which was unearthed by the 26th Infantry Battalion troopers during their Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) in the different Barangays of San Luis were realized.

Under its whole of nation approach, standing issues in the community especially to the local farmers are addressed through the facilitation of the government troops immersed in the barangays conducting Bayanihan activities thereby establishing link from the community to the government agencies.

The BTA program conducted in the said municipality is an effort of the 26th Infantry Battalion under the 401st Infantry Brigade wherein soldiers are immersed in the different barangays to conduct peace and development

Winning the peace entails the participation of the different stakeholders such as the case exemplified in the municipality of San Luis and the farmer beneficiaries of the land titles have profited with this convergence of efforts. (JPG/26IB CMO/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

CARAGA INFOCUS

A total of 1,389 farmers from the different barangays of San Luis benefited the CLOA through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which was duly represented by June Navarro, the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer.

PROVINCIAL NEWS

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, – Farmer beneficiaries from the different barangays of the municipality of San Luis, this province received on Monday their Certificates of Landownership Award (CLOA) during a ceremonial program at the municipal grounds.

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DAR AgNor conducts workshop on Agri-Business Venture Arrangements By: Gil E. Miranda

CARAGA INFOCUS

PROVINCIAL NEWS

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte conducted a one-day workshop on Agribusiness Venture Arrangements (AVAs) to several Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) held at Balanghai Conference Hall on Oct. 13, 2016.

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The activity discussed the update and current status of the farmercooperatives who are engaged in the arrangement.

The three ARBOs, who entered into an agreement with the investor, are Soriano Farmworkers Cooperative (SFWC), Maong Integrated Farmers Association (MIFA), and Cabadbaran Fruits Corporation (CFC).

According to AVAs Point Person Virgilio Ignacio, the DAR rendered the necessary assistance to thresh out issues and concerns encountered by farmer-cooperatives in relation to the

implementation of the AVAs.

“The activity will iron out details and consolidate issues in preparation of the upcoming three-day Implementers’ Evaluation Workshop to be held in Davao City,” Ignacio added.

The activity was facilitated by the provincial point person Virgilio Ignacio, together with the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) Lawyering Team under the leadership of Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Andre B. Atega. (DAR-Agusan del Norte)

AgNor PDRRMO conducts ICS Training to 1st SAB By: Aimee B. Sienes

of disaster. It is a vital tool for effective disaster response.

The trainers/instructors were PDRRMO head Erma R. Suyo, Lorna C. Bayer of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and PDRRMO staff Merry Chris M. Cabonce.

Other four companies stationed and operating in Caraga Region also attended the said ICS training. (LGUAgusan del Norte)

CARAGA INFOCUS

SAB officers expressed their thanks to the provincial government for providing necessary support to their ICS training.

ICS is a standard, on scene, all hazard incident management concepts that can be used by all DRRM Councils. It is a disaster response tool that coordinates the actions of different groups by blending their complex organizational structures. The use of ICS can prevent or minimize loss of life or damage to property at the onset

PROVINCIAL NEWS

BUTUAN CITY - The Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) conducted a threeday formal training of the Incident Command System (ICS) to the 1st Special Action Batallion (SAB), Philippine National PoliceSpecial Action Force (PNP-SAF) held recently in the municipality of Santiago, this province.

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Have a healthy lifestyle, throw the burning stick away

- Achieving a healthy lifestyle does not only involve eating right and exercising regularly but also entails stopping a bad habit like cigarette smoking. and avoiding excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.

HEALTH NEWS

Why do we have to stop smoking? Smoking has been associated with different kinds of cancer such as cancer of the mouth, tongue, throat and lungs, as well as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, ischemic heart diseases, hypertension and other diseases. The heavier the smoking, the greater is the risk to these diseases. Even those who do not smoke but are exposed to cigarette smoke can also have the same diseases.

CARAGA INFOCUS

Cigarette Smoking

Aside from the diseases that smoking may cause, it also has a direct effect on nutrition. Smoking may also cause malnutrition because of decreased appetite.

Moreover, because of the many diseases and infections brought about by smoking, vitamin C requirement increases, causing the body’s resistance to infection to weaken further.

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A mother who smokes during pregnancy also causes harm to her fetus. Cigarette smoking tends to limit the growth and development of the baby in the womb, resulting to lower birth weight. This may be due to the reduced food intake of the mother resulting from lack of appetite brought about by smoking as well as to the ill-effects of substances found in cigarettes.

a gas that destroys the capacity of the blood to supply adequate amounts of oxygen to the vital organs of the body and is responsible for the shortness of breath among smokers and also that of the people around them;

· nicotine which is the substance that makes one addicted to cigarettes. It raises blood pressure and heart rate;

The three most common and substances found in cigarettes · tar which is the brownish and cigars that are found harmful viscous substance found in to the body are: cigarette/cigar smoke that causes

· carbon monoxide which is lung cancer, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

CARAGA INFOCUS

Decide to stop smoking and set the date when you will stop smoking;

Throw away all cigarettes, cigars, matches, lighters, ash trays and all other things that have something to do with smoking;

Watch out for any untoward signs or any other unpleasant feelings when you stop smoking such as nausea, cold-clammy hands, too much perspiration, trembling and restlessness. Should

HEALTH NEWS

The best rule is never start smoking because once a person is addicted, giving up smoking will not be easy. Among smokers, quitting smoking can be done only if the smoker is serious about it. To help you quit smoking, here are some tips:

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CARAGA INFOCUS

HEALTH NEWS

you experience any of these, do not worry because these are usual withdrawal symptoms which may disappear in a week or two;

Drink plenty of water;

Get involved in different physical activities to divert yourself from craving for cigarettes;

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Use the money saved from not buying cigarettes to get a special gift for yourself as a reward for avoiding smoking;

Avoid going to places where cigarettes can be bought and where people smoke;

Avoid lighting even just one cigarette as this will lead to lighting a second stick and another stick, and before you know it, you are back to the smoking habit;

Carefully observe your diet to avoid gaining weight because as you keep on with quitting smoking, you might turn your attention to food; and

Tell your friends and relatives that you have quit smoking.

A question often asked is: Will a smoker gain weight if he or she quits smoking? Yes, he or she will gain weight because while trying to quit smoking, food may serve as substitute for cigarettes because of the return of the usual appetite for food which may result

to weight gain. Thus, there is a need to watch that you do not substitute cigarette with food to avoid weight gain.

This habit should be broken to start having a healthy lifestyle, Stop smoking for a healthier, happier you!

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@ fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@ yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Like our Facebook page at facebook. com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/ FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo is looking at China as the major market for young travellers. She said that during her visit to China the tourism sector committed to bring in more tourists although there is still a need for Mindanao to develop more destinations and rooms to cater to a big market.

DoT noted that in regional travels – 60 percent of the world’s millennials are in Asia and 25 percent of that comprises Asia’s population. This

accounts for 35 percent or USD210 billion of the USD 600 billion in tourism spending. By 2020, it is seen to increase USD340 billion.

Teo said DoT’s tourism selling campaign is towards Mindanao because it has been left out for several years. She cited that at a recent tourism event there was little information about Mindanao, not even a brochure about Davao was included in the event.

CARAGA INFOCUS

DAVAO CITY - The Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes to capture at least one million of Asia’s young population to visit Mindanao with its intensified tourism campaign starting next year.

MINDANAO NEWS

DOT hopes to capture 1-M of 25% Asia’s young population to visit Mindanao

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CARAGA INFOCUS

MINDANAO NEWS

Despite the lack of a promotion campaign for Mindanao in the past, Teo was optimistic that the island would capture the foreign market. She said it is not only about visit but also capturing Chinese investors to build tourism infrastructure.

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She said there are 400 countries that would want Chinese tourists to visit their countries. The top outbound destinations last year were South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, HongKong, Thailand, Finance, Italy, Switzerland, Macau, and Germany.

According to her, the Chinese are In 2014, the top outbound very specific on seeing more hotels and destinations were HongKong, Thailand, theme parks.

South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and

Earlier, Jazmin Esguerra, France. a consultant of DoT-Mindanao announced that the tourism industry The expenditures of these tourists players of Davao and Mindanao are include shopping with 57.75 percent, fine-tuning products and packages accommodations, 17.82 percent, aimed at enticing Chinese and other transport, 10.88 percent, food, 5.84 tourists to visit Mindanao. percent, entertainment, 3.72 percent, attraction tickets, 3.72 percent, and

Esguerra, who served for ten tips, 0.13 percent. years as Philippine Tourism Attaché to Beijing, said Davao should find its own She said most of the Chinese niche and not to compete with other tourists come to Asian countries like destinations Boracay. the Philippines for beach holiday and they usually splurge on local delicacies

She advised the Mindanao tourism and foodstuff, souvenirs and crafts, players to do branding and know your cosmetics, make-up and perfumes, market. She said, “You can tweak a fashionable clothing, digital and little but be sure to showcase only the electronic products, leather goods, best of what you have.” house goods and furniture.

Esguerra said that in 2015 about 120 million Chinese traveled out of China with total outbound expenditures of USD 194 billion. The rising disposable income levels among consumers, the continuous development of transportation networks in China including more direct flights, increased exposure to the outside world through new technology sparked the increase.

Most of these tourists are internet savvy as 56.1 percent of these travelers are in their 20s, while 26.41 percent are in the 30 years of age category, 58.25 percent are married and travel with their children, 15.30 percent are married and childless, while 20.26 percent are single. (PNA) BNB/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/ SSC

NEDA Board approves New Nayong Pilipino PPP project

identities and traditions spanning past and contemporary periods.

The winning private partner will build, operate and maintain the project with a cooperation period of 23 years which includes a 3-year construction period.

The P1.47-billion New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City project

The planned cultural theme park can now be bid out under the Publicof the Department of Tourism (DOT) Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. and Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) will be an experiential and creative The tourism-oriented facility showcase of the various elements passed the muster of the National and dimension of the Filipino culture, Economic and Development Authority

CARAGA INFOCUS

The Board headed by President Duterte was convened on November 14. The newly approved PHP 1.47 Billion PPP project is tourism-oriented facility.

It is envisioned to be the top-ofmind destination for foreign and local tourists who want to experience what makes our nation and culture unique and more fun.

NATIONAL NEWS

QUEZON CITY- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City Public Private Partnership (PPP) project after it was endorsed by the Investment Coordination Committee.

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(NEDA) Board, the last hurdle before foreign and local tourists. the bidding procedure.

It will cover 120 hectares of

The PPP is a cultural theme park of reclaimed land at the southeastern the Department of Tourism (DOT) and part of Manila Bay and generate Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), an employment for close to half a million experiential and creative showcase of in ParaĂąaque and neighboring areas. the various elements of Filipino culture, identities and traditions spanning past The winning private partner of the and contemporary periods.

New Nayong Pilipino project will build, operate and maintain the facility in the

The Entertainment City, which span of a 23-year cooperation period, includes an integrated resort, casinos, which includes a 3-year construction shopping malls, fine dining restaurants time under the Build-Transfer-Operateand residential areas, was envisioned and-Maintain (BTOM) scheme. (PPP to be the top-of-mind destination for Center)

PHL economy posts 7.1 % GDP growth in the Q3 of 2016

CARAGA INFOCUS

NATIONAL NEWS

MANILA - The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew year-onyear by 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016. This growth is driven by Manufacturing, Trade, and Real Estate, Renting and Other Business Activities. This is higher than the growth rates of 7.0 percent in the second quarter of 2016 and 6.2 percent in the third quarter of 2015.

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Among the major sectors, Services posted a growth of 6.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016, lower than the 7.2 percent growth in the previous year.

On the other hand, Industry accelerated to 8.6 percent compared with 6.1 percent in 2015. Meanwhile, after five consecutive quarters of decline, Agriculture rebounded to 2.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016. In the same period last year, it declined by 0.1 percent.

Net Primary Income (NPI) slowed down to 2.5 percent in the third quarter of 2016 compared with 6.8 percent in 2015. As a result, Gross National Income (GNI) grew by 6.3 percent.

With the country’s projected population reaching 103.5 million in the third quarter of 2016, per capita GDP and per capita GNI grew by 5.3 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively.

These are both higher than the respective growth of 4.4 percent and 4.5 percent in 2015. (PSA)

Photo Gallery 1st Caraga LCAT-VAWC SUMMIT 2016

Almont Inland Resort J.C. Aquino Ave., Butuan City 17 November 2016

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EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor

ABNER M. CAGA Associate Editor

FRYAN E. ABKILAN Managing Editor

NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Copy Editor

VENUS LIM GARCIA

Regional Office Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City E-mail: piacaraga@gmail.com;

pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph Telephone no. (085) 341-5285; Telefax No.: (085) 341-2370 Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates Twitter: @PIACaraga

Information Centers

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AGUSAN DEL NORTE

Contributors

Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 815-1991 E-mail: pia.northagusan@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Agusan del Norte Twitter: @PIAAgusanNorte

GERIE MAE G. COCO RONNIE E. MADANGUIT JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur

NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur

SUSIL D. RAGAS

Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands

TEODORO L. ALIPAYO AUREL ARAIS CPT. JEFFREY BATISTIANA FLORIAN FAITH JR. P. BAYAWA GIL E. MIRANDA MELTZIMAR PIQUERO APRIL ROSE SANCHEZ AIMEE B. SIENES PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS DAR-AGUSAN DEL NORTE LGU-AGUSAN DEL NORTE MIO-CAGDIANAO DA-CARAGA OCD-CARAGA DILG 13 26IB CMO 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