OUR COVER
“For a peaceful community, we should raise a lot of fish” Alma L. Tingcang Western Mindanao
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Today’s news... NATIONAL
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Myanmar President Thein Sein visits typhoonstricken Bantayan Island in Cebu
WESTERN MINDANAO
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Zambo bans sale of pyrotechnics Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
Davao Norte governor recognizes role of gov’t info officers in disaster preparedness Gideon C. Corgue
CARAGA REGION
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PIA Team Mindanao to launch ‘tent’ drive for typhoon victims TESDA top official graces Caraga Regl Skills Competition 2013 Robert Roperos
NORTHERN MINDANAO
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City to provide 100,000 CdeO families with PhilHealth membership in 2014
Ozamiz LCE reorganizes City DRRM Council Rutchie C. Aguhob
SOUTHERN MINDANAO
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22 Hedcor scholars pursue their dreams Tagum City welcomes Gov’t info officers RG Alama
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013 Vol. 3 No. 78
COVER STORY
“For a peaceful community, we should raise a lot of fish” by Alma L. Tingcang
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hat started out as a high school hobby for this young man has become a thriving industry when he engaged in the koi breeding business. Having a father who was an agriculturist paved the way for his penchant for keeping fishes and his interest in them became more intense when he realized that he could gain much from it.
Raising ornamental fish, including Koi is the No. 2 hobby in the world, providing high profit, but second only to photography. In the ornamental fish business, anyone can make a six figure income, not even requiring a university degree to do it. How it started? Mr. Velly Marcial Naciongayo, 36 years old, is a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) graduate who hails from Sebucao, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. His inspiration comes from the love of his life, Ardilyn and their two kids, Dimple,
8 years old and Billgord,5. “I started with only 6 breeders which I bought from Laguna in 1996. Koi being an ornamental fish cannot be eaten so I also raised tilapia in the same pond for our consumption,” he recounted. Little by little, Velly started to develop his backyard pond to accommodate more koi and tilapia. One advantage he saw was that mosquitoes started to vanish in the place, where there used to be plenty since fishes eat mosquitoes. “Farming helped me and my family so much. Life was quite hard at that time and we could not sustain our everyday needs. Food was scarce and I could barely provide a decent life for my family,” Velly tearfully recalled. However, things changed a few years after. “In 3 months, we harvest the koi and we also have tilapia which I sell in my store at P120/kilo. Sometimes the harvest could reach up to 400 kilos, more than enough for our needs,” he said. Koi is sold at P10 a piece where a box containing 2,000 koi
of the DA and Nestle Philippines joint venture of 100 hectares coffee plantation launched last Nov. 25 through the efforts of Mayor Cerilles. Velly is now promoting aquatic farming, having organized the Backyard Aquatic Gardeners Association (BAGA) with 20 members. Aside from its financial benefits, you will surely enjoy raising fish and derive health benefits, he says. is sold at P20,000, while the big ones are priced at P1,000 each. Winning the prestigious award Little did he know that he would reach a milestone in his life when he joined the Search for the 2013 Most Outstanding Farmer in the Philippines organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines together with the Department of Agriculture and the Universal Harvester Inc., which he handily won. He received his award on Nov. 15, 2013 at Makati ShangriLa. “I am thankful to God for all these blessings, the sponsors, JCI Phils., DA and Universal Harvester Inc. for recognizing my efforts in koi farming, to Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles for giving much attention to agriculture and our municipal agriculturist, Mr. Ponciano Edano who always visits and monitors my progress, giving valuable advices,” Velly said.
Health benefits “Raising fish is therapeutic, like a healing balm. It takes away fatigue and problems giving you peace of mind. This is also one way to control mosquitoes,” he cited. BAGA plans to embark on bigger activities and, at the same time, giving back life to depleted rivers by sowing fish fingerlings in them. Very soon, a banana plantation project will also start to be integrated with coffee. With banana, coffee, and fish in town, we will soon be expecting an abundant harvest, bringing peace and prosperity to Dumalinao. As Velly said, “For a peaceful community, we should raise a lot of fish.”
LGU support “There are 12 categories of the yearly award and this is the first time that Dumalinao bagged the title. This is once in a lifetime award. “To you Velly, you make every Dumalinaoan proud so carry on the good deeds and continue helping others,” said the young mayor. “Basically an agricultural hub, our program in Dumalinao is geared on farming, applying the latest technology so that farmers will have maximum benefit,” the good mayor explained. Future venture Sebucao farmers are also beneficiaries
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PCOO Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. on Malacañang’s Statement on The Death of Former South African President Nelson Mandela
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akikidalamhati po tayo sa bansa at sa mga mamamayan ng South Africa sa pagpanaw ni Nelson Mandela, isang ginagalang na lider ng daigdig, na pinangunahan ang kaniyang bansa sa kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng pagtahak sa daan ng kapayapaan.
Sa loob ng dalawampu’t pitong taon, siya ay napiit sa bilangguan at nagpakita siya ng matibay na paninindigan upang ipakita ang kahalagahan ng pagtahak sa daan ng kapayapaan bilang solusyon sa problema ng apartheid sa kaniyang bansa. Pinakita niya na ito ang paraan kung paano magiging ganap ang pagtupad sa aspirasyonngkaniyangbansaparasaganap ng paglaya at pagkakamit ng kalayaan.
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Sa kaniyang kamatayan, katulad na rin noong siya’y nabubuhay pa ay palaging magbibigay ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng mga tao sa buong mundo na nagmamahal sa diwa ng kalayaan. Iyan po ang ating pahayag ng pakikiramay sa bansang South Africa dahil po sa pagpanaw ni President Nelson Mandela.
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Myanmar President Thein Sein visits typhoonstricken Bantayan Island in Cebu
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resident Thein Sein of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Friday flew to Cebu to visit typhoon-stricken Bantayan
The Myanmar President, who is here in the country for a three-day state visit, left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II around 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival at the Mactan International Airport, he and his party were welcomed by Cebu provincial officials.
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The visiting head of state immediately proceeded to Bantayan Island which was devastated by super typhoon “Yolanda� last November. He conducted an aerial inspection of the typhoon-stricken island for almost 30 minutes. President Thein Sein and his party
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landed at the Sta. Fe Airport in Bantayan afternoon for his departure for Myanmar. Island where he had a meeting with the Upon the invitation of President Benigno local officials. S. Aquino III, the Myanmar President The Myanmar President is set to return arrived on Wednesday for the state visit. to Mactan International Airport in the The two leaders held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of several agreements such as cooperation on trade and investments, food security and agriculture, Agreement on renewable energy, information cooperation in the fields of newsexchange,radio,and television broadcasting, film industries, public relations, and printing and publishing and an agreement on visa exemption of ordinary passport holders in ceremonies in the Malacanang Palace on Thursday.
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The Representatives from the chambers of commerce and industries of both countries also signed an agreement to expand business opportunities and trade relations. After the signing of the agreements, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement of Myanmar and the Department of Social Welfare and Development exchanged notes on the turnover of Myanmar’s donation for the victims of the Central Visayas earthquake and typhoon Yolanda. Myanmar on Thursday donated $150,000 for victims of “Yolanda” and the strong earthquake on the occasion of President Thein Sein’s state visit to the Philippines. The donation included $100,000 for victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) that devastated parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon in November, and $50,000 for victims of a magnitude 7.2 quake that hit Central Visayas last October. Myanmar President Thein Sein said
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Myanmar sympathizes with the Philippines, having experienced the effects of a big cyclone in 2008. The President also tendered a state luncheon in honor of the visiting head of state following the bilateral talks and signing of agreements. The state visit is President Thein Sein’s first visit to the Philippines since his assumption to office in 2011. The last time a head of state from Myanmar visited the Philippines was in 2005 when Prime Minister Soe Win visited Manila. President Aquino and President Thein Sein had their first bilateral meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on June 07, 2013, when the Chief Executive attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia hosted by Myanmar. It will be the Philippines turn to host the said forum in 2015. The Philippines and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1956 and will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their relations in 2016. PND
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Mindanao oil and gas resource inventory on the upswing
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here is a huge potential for oil and gas exploration in Mindanao with up to 551 million barrel oil equivalent (bbl oe) still undiscovered in several areas in the island with a total of 162,000 square kilometers. With an oil barrel in the United yet undiscovered in Mindanao. States equivalent to 42 US gallons, This was according to this could run to an estimated Engineer Gil M. Dureza, Board of 23 billion barrels of oil reserves Investments-Davao officer in charge.
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“The government is still on the resource inventory stage but there is a lot of potential in this industry,� he said. There is a 285,000-square kilometer area of oil and gas potential along the Sulu Sea area which is already in the process of commercial exploration. Dureza said 95 percent of the oil and gas resources in Sulu Sea are offshore, with a yet undiscovered 200 million barrels of oil. A total of 15 wild cat wells have been drilled in the area, the total resources of which is said to contain 5-6 percent gas. Wild cat drilling is the process of exploring regions not previously well-drilled. The Cotabato basin is another possible rich source of oil and gas with up to 14,000 square kilometers for exploration. The 158 million barrel of oil resources in the area is said to be 100 percent onshore. Up to 5 million barrels of oil equivalent have been discovered while 152 million barrels
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of oil equivalent remain undiscovered. Gas constitutes 45 percent of the total resources in the area. Ten wildcat wells have been drilled in the area. He said the Agusan-Davao basin is also a potential gas and oil source with 33,000 square kilometers still to be explored. Up to 60 percent of the resources are offshore, with three wildcat wells being drilled. The area has 194 million barrels of oil equivalent still undiscovered but up to 70 percent of the total resources consist of gas.
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We are blessed to be a blessing to others, say Zambo. Sur donors for Yolanda victims By Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY - The outpouring of support from local and international communities for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda may be tremendous, but people who have generous hearts always find a way to share their material blessings.
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Thus, relief efforts were initiated by the management and staff of Caritas Health Shield, Ramona Fishing Corporation/Ramona Construction, Zamboanga Motors Supply and the office of Zamboanga del Sur First district Congressman Victor J. Yu. “We are doing this to help the victims. Actually, the idea came from Fritzie and Ivy and we were also very willing and happy to contribute and share, so all of us agreed to help,” says Michelle Quimada of Ramona Fishing Corp. To date, donations have reached 17 sacks of rice, canned goods, bottled water, biscuits, Milo, noodles, shampoo,soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. Ms. Fritzie S. Piape, together with Ms. Evelyn Tumulak initiated this charitable project because they were so touched by the heartbreaking sight of Yolanda’s aftermath. “It pains to see people who have nothing to eat, needing food and water. While
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we are enjoying abundant supply of God’s blessings, there are those wanting in the basic necessities of life,” Ms. Piape said. “It’s heartwarming to know that you are able to help in your own little way to alleviate their plight. So it is just right to share God’s blessings to others in need,” she added. “We only solicited relief goods from those offices occupying the Zamboanga Motors building but there were also sister companies who donated and gave wholeheartedly, and we are so grateful for their involvement,” explained Ms. Tumulak. They have already packed the relief goods and will be sending them out soon to the victims in Tacloban. Donations are still being accepted at Caritas Health Shield office located at the 2nd floor of Zamboanga Motors Building, Rizal Avenue, Pagadian City.
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Zambo bans sale of pyrotechnics By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The use of firecrackers is not allowed this Christmas season in the city, the city government reminded the public and businessmen. Mayor Ma. Isabelle ClimacoSalazar issued Executive Order BC 23-2013 prohibiting the sale and display of any kinds of pyrotechnics following the 23-day MNLF siege last September. “The incident brought untold trauma, stress and anxiety to all residents,” the lady mayor was quoted as saying. Mayor Climaco stressed that with the harrowing incident still
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fresh in the minds of the public any explosion may still affect the residents of Zamboanga and cause panic. Police Regional Office 9 spokesperson and FESAGS head Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca said they would be strictly implementing the firecracker ban as ordered by Mayor Climaco. He explained that violators will be charged with violation of Republic Act 7183, an act regulating
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the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, approved on January 30, 1992. Huesca said they will be tapping different barangay officials to help for monitor and enaure that the ban is implemented. The Executive Order also bodes well with the national government’s campaign against the use of
firecrackers. The Department of Health (DOH) has been campaigning for the “Iwas Paputok” for years now to ensure a safe and hazard-free celebration of Christmas and New Year. Instead of firecrackers, DOH is encouraging the use of alternative and safe noisemaking toys or devices during the festivities.
Davao Norte governor recognizes role of gov’t info officers in disaster preparedness By Gideon C. Corgue TAGUM CITY – “Your roles as information officers are very important especially in the crucial hours when people need information,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario told the participants to the 2013 Mindanao Communicators’ Network in yesterday’s opening program.
Photo courtesy : PIA-Caraga
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Photo courtesy : PIA-Caraga
Speaking before some 200 information officers gathered at the Big 8 Corporate Hotel here, Governor del Rosario said “ it is trough the information officers that the public is informed of the LGU (local government unit) activities. “More than reporting the activities of your institutions, most of you have become weather men and women reporting the hourto-hour weather situation in your localities,” the governor said adding “it is through you that your local chief executives could reach their constituents via airwaves and social media.” Del Rosario also pointed out that disaster management information shall be delivered timely and effectively.
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“We are called upon by time to level up our development perspectives. Our government sees this modern perspective through its disaster management plans. But what is the use of having these plans if these are not communicated?” De Rosario explained. “I urge you to trumpet disaster management plans in this changing phenomena in order to bring about behavior change among our people,” del Rosario concluded. Among those who were present were Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional directors Noemi B. Edaga of region 9, Abner Caga of CARAGA, Olivia Sudaria of region 12, and Efren Elbanbuena of region 11 who is also the current MindaComnet president.
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MindaComNet highlights BAF in day 2 by JENNIFER P. GAITANO
BUTUAN CITY -- During the second day of the Mindanao Communicators’ Network (MindaComNet) Congress and Workshop held on Friday at the Big 8 Corporate Hotel in Tagum City, Atty. Jose Yusup Lorena, Undersecretary of Bangsamoro Office and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) discussed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its significance.
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Yusup bared that the Framework Agreement outlines the general features of the political settlement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “It defines the structure and powers of the Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It also sets the principles, processes and mechanisms for the transition until the regular election in 2016 for the new Bangsamoro
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autonomous political entity. The agreement paves the way forward to the just resolution of the historical divide between the Government and the Bangsamoro,” said Yusup. When asked why there is a need for a Framework Agreement, Yusup explained that the Framework Agreement puts together the points of concensus achieved in the series of talks between the Philippine Government and the MILF that took off with the forging of the Ceasefire Agreement in 1997. “It
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elaborates on the nature of the political entity that will replace the ARMM. This new entity shall be called Bangsamoro. The document also charts the road map or the steps and mechanisms for the transition leading to the creation of the Bangsamoro. The road map can aptly be described as an inclusive and peopledriven process,” he added. As to its finality, Yusup also stressed that it is not yet the final peace agreement. “The Philippine Government and the MILF panels will continue to discuss the details that will form the different annexes to the Agreement. There shall be annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing, normalization and transitional mechanisms. The Framework document and the annexes all together will constitute the comprehensive agreement. Both panels aim to finish the annexes within this year,” he said. It was also learned that after signing the Framework Agreement, the President will issue an Executive Order that will create the Transition Commission (TC), wherein eight members of the TC shall be selected by the MILF; seven shall be selected
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by the Philippine Government. Both parties are committed to make the TC representative of the different sectors and groups in the Bangsamoro. The TC shall work on a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. The draft law shall then be submitted to Congress for deliberation. Once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed and signed by the President, a plebiscite shall be conducted in the envisioned core territory of the Bangsamoro. Elections for the new Bangsamoro government will be held in 2016. As to how will the Bangsamoro government will look like, Yusup said that the Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form. Voters will vote for political parties, and the parties who win seats in the legislative body shall elect the head of the Bangsamoro. “The Philippine Government believes that the ministerial system will support the development of a strong and responsible party system in the Bangsamoro. The MILF and all other political forces, through political parties, will be able to participate in elections and seek power through democratic and peaceful means,” Yusup emphasized.
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PIA Team Mindanao to launch ‘tent’ drive for typhoon victims
BUTUAN CITY -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Team Mindanao will launch a tent drive dubbed “A Tent for a Family” for the typhoon victims in the Eastern Visayas. Mindanao cluster Team Leader and Caraga regional director Abner Caga said that food, water, medicine and the health of people affected by the typhoon remain as major priorities, “but based in our observation when we were there, it is also important to focus on providing them with temporary shelter.” “This is, I believe, one the most appropriate interventions for now since we cannot provide them with hardware materials, they need at
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least a tent just to protect them from the cold at night,” Caga added. Though it is only temporary, Caga explained that it is also a very important step to help them begin to rebuild their lives. Tent donation may be dropped off at PIA Caraga Regional Office at J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City or at any PIA regional offices in Mindanao or they may call (085) 341-5285 for more details.
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TESDA top official graces Caraga Regl Skills Competition 2013 BUTUAN CITY -- Top official of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) has graced the Closing Ceremonies of the 2013 Regional Skills Competition (RSC) held recently in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
During the press conference held prior to RSC’s Closing Ceremonies, TESDA Deputy Director-General for Field Operations Teodoro C. Pascua underscored the importance of partnering with the private sector. He said the government’s effort to partner with private organizations has been noted to be successful in delivering services towards the attainment of quality technical-vocational education. DDG Pascua explained through the convergence of public and private Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) with TESDA supervising the tech-voc program offerings, skilled individuals in the country has been observed to be increasing. The official further said with TESDA spearheading the skills competition, it promotes the capability and skills not only of tech-voc students but as well as skilled workers to be effective in their respective trade areas. Pascua said in the history of
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ASEAN skills competition, skilled Filipinos are at par excellent with the other neighboring countries as it showed remarkable performance for the past years. He added sometime in 19951996, the Philippines was proclaimed overall champion, besting competitors from other neighboring Southeast Asian countries in different trade areas. Last year in the same competition held in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Philippines made a remarkable comeback after the country did not participate in late 1990s, winning bronze medal in the fashion design courtesy of Christine Guzman. DDG Pascua added that with Christine receiving the ASEAN fete, she is now one of the seven most outstanding and promising young fashion designers of the country. The second top official of TESDA admitted that because of the country’s absence in the previous staging of the
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competition, the Philippines has been left behind by other Southeast Asian neighboring countries. With this development, Pascua said the government, thru TESDA with the help of the public and private TVIs have been doing strategies to develop skills of young Filipinos. “… One of these strategies is the holding of skills competition showcasing capabilities and skills of tech-voc students and skilled workers… Through this event, we could be able to scout for talents who will be developed so that they may represent the country not only in the ASEAN Skills Competition but as well as in the World Skills Competition,”
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Pascua said. The Regional Skills Competition is a friendly competition on vocational and technical skills. Competitors are endorsed by the respective TVET institution in Caraga Region who is currently enrolled or sixmonths graduates prior to the competition of Training Centers and/or Technical-Vocational schools of trade areas such as Restaurant Service, Electrical Installations Technology, Visual Graphics Design, Welding, IT/ Software Application, Cooking, Plumbing and Heating. The competition promotes transfer of tech-voc education and training technologies. It also highlights active participation and contribution of industry organizations in advocating skills excellence through competition. This year’s skills competition is anchored on the theme: “Ganda ng Buhay, Tekbok ang Tulay” (Good Life through TechnicalVocationalEducation).
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Dominga Mallonga DOST-Caraga Regional Director
for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.ph DOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph
Hope and light after darkness by Mitzie S. Santiago
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After Yolanda hit Tacloban, the Cagabhion family almost decided not to go back to the devastated city. They could not imagine how they were able to escape death. Three days after Yolanda severely hit Tacloban and the rest of Leyte, the Cagabhion family was among those who patiently waited in line to get a free ride in a C130 plane.
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They did not care where the plane would take them, as long as they can get out of grief-stricken Tacloban. All they wanted then was to vanish from their view the devastation and the floating bodies everywhere. All that the couple Reo and Menchie had were two bags full of their children’s clothes and their three precious blessings when they left Tacloban. The couple are residents of Tacloban since birth and it never crossed their minds that one day, in just one glimpse, they would be relocated somewhere. Menchie, teary-eyed while relating what they had gone through, could not imagine how they survived. After painstakingly transferring from one building to another holding on to the wires dangling from the fallen electrical posts, they managed to reach a three storey building where many of the survivors in their area took shelter. Upon reaching Cebu City, they looked for their immediate families. Luckily, their relatives were able to reach the city and had an emotional reunion in the evacuation center. The first few days at the Tinago evacuation center were so depressing and at the same time, encouraging. They never expected the heartwarming welcome the Cebuanos particularly in Brgy. Tinago had in store for them. Their family along with their fellow survivors is very thankful of the Brgy. Council of Tinago headed by Chairman Joel Garganera and the rest of the Council members who were all
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very accommodating in helping them out and who went out of the way to source out for donors all over Cebu to provide their basic needs. They also extend their thanks to both the Local Social Welfare and Development Office and the Regional Office for also doing their part in making their stay at the evacuation center more comfortable for them. After a few days of staying in the evacuation center, Menchie’s parents decided to go back to Tacloban to assess the damage of their house. They feared that looters and thieves would come and own all that was left of them, if there was any. Reo and Menchie chose to stay in the evacuation center for as long as they can. They wanted the children to fully recover first from the trauma before they go back to Tacloban. When Cherry (9) their eldest, was asked if she still wanted to go back to Tacloban, she immediately answered yes. She could not wait anymore to travel back as she was eager to attend school. Luckily, their school was spared from the storm surge. Reo used to work as an optical technician in Tacloban long before Yolanda hit the place. Knowing how to get back on their feet without any means of income was one of their greatest fears. Menchie had a sari-sari store in Tacloban which had somehow helped make both ends meet. “The Lord is indeed good” said Menchie. Just last November 27, Reo was hired by one of the branches of the optical clinic he used to work with
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in Tacloban. His employer looked for him and recommended him to the manager in Cebu. (As of the time of the interview, Reo was at work). Menchie realized that after every tragedy, problem, and trouble in life,
God takes full control of those who ask for His help and guidance. True enough, this just proves that there is indeed hope and light after darkness.
City to provide 100,000 CdeO families with PhilHealth membership in 2014 by CIO
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - In line with Mayor Oscar S. Moreno’s directive to provide the people of Cagayan de Oro City with financial access to quality health care services, the City Health Insurance Office (CHIO) has started identifying qualified indigent families for enrolment in PhilHealth’s Sponsored Program. The CHIO was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 121-13 dated August 01, 2013 under the Office of the City Mayor. CHIO, headed by Dr. Ma. Lourdes S. Gaane and supported by 15 personnel, main task is to promote the universal PhilHealth coverage of Cagayan de Oro City, making it one of the City’s major poverty alleviation initiatives. The Sponsored Program is the major component of the National Health Insurance Program (as administered by PhilHealth) wherein identified indigent families in a local government unit are given free PhilHealth membership. The premiums for the said membership would be shouldered the local chief executive, in this case, Mayor Oscar S. Moreno,
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according to Dr. Gaane. For 2014, Mayor Moreno has committed to enroll 100,000 city residents into the program. At an premium rate of P2,400/member/year, this would cost P240 million, making the City Health Insurance Program, one of the Moreno administration’s flagship programs. With a regional average of five people per family, the enrolment of 100,000 members would cover at least 500,000 PhilHealth beneficiaries. This would mean that seven out of ten residents in the City would now have financial risk protection in case of medical emergencies. City residents without existing PhilHealth membership are advised to coordinate with their Barangay Health
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Workers for possible inclusion in the Program. If qualified, they are required to submit their birth certificates, marriage contract, and that of their qualified dependents (children below 21 and parents 60 years old).
The enrolment period is until December 11, 2013. For further inquiries, please call the CHIO at telephone no. 880-1936 and look for Aniceto Sillacay during office hours.
Ozamiz LCE reorganizes City DRRM Council by Rutchie C. Aguhob
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr., reorganized the Ozamiz City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through the issuance of Executive Order No. 03-13. An order adopting Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” EO 03-13 amends EO 003-11. It also re-organizes the membership of the CDRRMC Committees “as a response to the accumulated experience to better suit the changing conditions.” Meanwhile, pursuant to EO 0313, the CDRRM Office shall serve as the executive arm of the CDRRMC, which shall be composed of the City Mayor as Chairperson, the CDRRM Officer as Executive Officer and the CDRRM Office, as the Secretariat of the Council. On the other hand, Parojinog said the CDRRMC shall approve, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the CDRRM Plans and regularly review and test the
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plan consistent with other national and local planning programs. The CDRRMC shall also ensure the integration of DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CAA) into the city development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable development and poverty reduction. Likewise, EO 03-13 tasks the CDRRMC to recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents, during disasters or calamities, if necessary. The same EO provides to regularly convene the CDRRMC and for the Mayor to call for a special meeting, when needed, as provided by RA 10121 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
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Mindanao Film Fest ushers bumper crop of films year history.
DAVAO CITY-This year’s Mindanao Film Festival will be exhibiting the highest number of films in its 10-
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“We have 55 films which will be exhibited in the festival these includes three feature length productions and 52 short films.” Rudolph Alama, festival director of MFF 2013 said. The 55 films eclipsed last year’s number of 39 films. There were a record number of submissions from different parts of Mindanao. Just like year Mindanao Film Festival will feature films from Davao City, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Butuan and Zamboanga. “This goes to show that regional filmmaking is growing and that growth is being sustained.” Alama said. “The growth is coupled by heightened awareness of regional filmmaking, we have government support thru the NCCA and FDCP and hopefully the City Government through their proposed film development ordinance, the festival
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is a mirror of how Philippine cinema is evolving, particularly the growth of regional filmmaking, from a Manilacentric film industry towards becoming an archipelago of imagination.” The MFF festival director added. The Mindanao Film Festival started in 2003, then known as the Guerrilla Filmmaking Workshop Festival, whose entries were mostly done by Guerrilla Filmmaking Workshop participants. In 2005, it established its open non-workshop category and 2006 formally adopted the name Mindanao Film Festival. It is considered as the country’s longestrunning regional film festival. The Mindanao Film Festival 2013 will adopt the theme “Style Nato” that aims to celebrate the ideas, concepts
and creative styles of Mindanaoan filmmakers as seen through their films. The MFF 2013 which opened last December 4 is slated to be held until the 10th at the Gaisano Mall Cinema 6. It is organized by the Mindanao Film and Television Development Foundation Inc. with the support of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). MFF 2013 is also supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Mindanao Development Authority, Gaisano Mall of Davao, Smart Communications, Canon, Penongs, Zabadani, Villa de Mercedes, iFM, alchemy of vision and light studios, de channel, Cinematheque Davao and Lou Works studios. (pr)
22 Hedcor scholars pursue their dreams DAVAO CITY – True to its pledge of support to its host community, the Aboitiz Power companies - Hedcor, Inc., Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Luzon Hydro Corporation (LHC) continue to nurture the dream of the youth by transforming it into reality through its collegiate scholarship program.
This second semester, 22 young minds coming from the different host communities in Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Davao are on track in pursuing their college degrees. Hedcor, Inc. is sponsoring
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five scholars from the different host municipalities of the province of Benguet and three in Davao City. LHC, operating in Alilem, Ilocos Sur has eight scholars coming from Ilocos Sur and Benguet. On the other hand, Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. operating the 42MW Sibulan A and B hydros sponsor six students from Davao del Sur. The scholars are enrolled in different universities in Baguio, Benguet, Ilocos, Davao and
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Davao del Sur. They were given the independence to choose their favored courses. Their full tuition fees are shouldered by Hedcor and also their book allowances and monthly allowance. Among the popular courses they’re taking are commerce, education and information technology. The recipients of the scholarship undergo guidelines set by the companies to screen students who really deserve the scholarship. Academic achievement and economic status weighs higher in the selection process. They would also be tested in an interview. Since the conception of the program in 2000, 26 graduates were already produced and are already working in the country and abroad. Others are also absorbed within Hedcor. Last September, Hedcor adds another licensed engineer from its roster of scholars. Miguel Taypoc is now a Regis-
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tered Electrical Engineer after passing the board exam. He’s one shining example of perseverance that the young scholars can look up to. Aside from the collegiate scholarship program, Hedcor also inspires high school students by giving out stipends to achievers. In order to create an environment conducive to learning, Hedcor also donates school buildings; refurbish classrooms and joins Brigada Eskwela. This year, Hedcor turned over three ‘Silid Pangarap’ to Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Davao providing new learning centers to learners. This is in partnership with the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pagasa (AGAPP) Foundation. As a partner of choice to its host communities, Hedcor gives back by engaging activities focused on education, livelihood, health and environment. (pr)
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Tagum City welcomes Gov’t info officers
DAVAO CITY- The City Government of Tagum welcomed more than a hundred communication officers during the opening ceremonies of the Mindanao Communicators Network Congress held yesterday (Dec. 5) in the city.
“Welcome to Tagum City.” Mayor Allan Rellon greeted the 120 delegates which gathered in the provincial capital of Davao del Norte province. MindaComNet is an organization of government public information and relations officers of national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao. The City Mayor underscored the partnership of government communicators particularly in communicating the programs of the government, he is grateful for giving the focus on assisting the local governments particularly his city on the matters regarding information. He cited the partnership between the City Government and the Philippine Information Agency in the Biz Talk at Big 8, a media forum on business, economics and tourism covering Davao del Norte and Compostela
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Valley. The congress and workshop which will run from December 5-7 is held at the three-star Big 8 Corporate Hotel. This year’s Mindacomnet congress will banner the theme “Communicating PNoy’s Social Contracts with the Mindanaoans” with the primary goal of communicating the Millennium Development Goals under the Philippine Development Plan. To welcome the participants the City hosted the welcome dinner and an early morning tour which will take the delegates to various sites around the city such as the energy park, botanical garden, the new city hall among many others. The provincial government of Davao del Norte is also taking the visitors to the most modern sports facility in Mindanao, the Davao del Norte Sports Complex which will be bidding to host the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. The opening ceremonies was also graced by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Provincial information officer Romulo Tagalo delivered a talk on the province’s mainstreaming of its disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies to its development thrusts. (PIA/ RG Alama)
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