EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Regional Desk Editors
Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region
Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X
Senior Layout Artists : Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers :
JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency Director General
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
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Today’s issue...
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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7 18
Vol. 2 No. 139
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Cover Story
Sci-fun Caravan goes to Lanao del Norte Lorry V. Gabule Northern Mindanao
page 4
8 14 16 20 21
ES Ochoa calls for stronger cooperation to thwart chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats DOLE sets up One-Stop Shop Processing Center, Crisis Management Committee for Sabah repatriates Mary Jane R. Amarado, Western Mindanao
BIR-RDO 92 kicks-off 2013 tax campaign Mary Jane R. Amarado, Western Mindanao
DENR, LGUs push governanceoriented forest management Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao
Tacurong-BFP holds 1st fire olympics Jezereel Louise C. Billano, Central Mindanao
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Poll spending of candidates are subject to 5% withholding tax
28 29 32
4ID support Women’s Month 2013 Celebration
Apipa P. Bagumbaran, ARMM
4CMO/4ID/PA, Northern Mindanao
CAAP proposes new terminal fee for Laguindingan Airport
Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat, Northern Mindanao
Fire Prevention Month kicks-off in Butuan Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Refion
CoVer StoRy Sci-fun Caravan goes to Lanao del Norte By Lorry V. Gabule
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he provincial government of Lanao del Norte is hosting the Sci-Fun Caravan, a travelling science exhibition of 42 interactive exhibits from February 26 to March 15,
It aims to inspire students, teachers and families to get to know and better appreciate science and technology and its relevance in our daily lives. Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo said in his message during the opening of the exhibit that this is the second time that they’ve invited the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST) at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) gymnasium in Tubod, this province. The first was way back 2006 during the administration of former Governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo. 4
The province expects around 1,500 individuals of all ages per day to visit and experience the stimulating environment where they can increase their appreciation and understanding of science and its applications. May M. Pagsinohin, managing director of the Sci-Fun Caravan Travelling Science Centrum (SFCTSC) expressed her appreciation to the governor for accepting to host the Caravan, maximizing awareness of science and technology among the general public and the Filipino youth in general who will play an Wednesday, March 6, 2013
active role in shaping the future of the nation. The Sci-Fun Caravan is a travelling science exhibition component of the Philippine Science Centrum, the premiere science center-museum in the country. Through “hands-on” interactive exhibits and activities, the SFC-TSC has brought a unique medium for science and technology learning to 50 cities and provinces. It has registered more than a million visitors since its first travel in 1995. The following are some of the 42 interactive exhibits in the caravan: 3D tic tac toe, animal sounds, anti-gravity mirror, coin reflection, magnetic chain reaction, finger tingler, “touch me if you can,” pedal generator, plasma sphere, magnetic suction, steady hand game, color or words, pupil of the eye, dancing worms, frozen shadows, shadow geometry,
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trapezoidal window, calypso reef, subjective shapes and “your nose knows.” Technical Supervisor Nelson Natividad of PFST said visitors will undergo briefing prior to the handson activity inside the MCC gym where the exhibits are placed. Natividad said the caravan goes to Mindanao six times a year. The PFST was designated by the Department of Education (DepEd) as the lead agency of the Science for the Masses Program under its Education for All (EFA) program. Other PFST programs are the Adventures in Discovery and SciFun Caravan travelling exhibits, SciArts program and Teaching Science Through Interactive and Integrated Approaches, among others. The PFST has assisted the establishment of 12 regional science centrums in key areas of the country in order to raise consciousness on science and technology on a 5
PFST’s mission is to promote science and technology consciousness among the public as well as complement and supplement formal science education in the country. It envisions an environment that favors the development of a science culture among Filipinos for productivity and nation-building. PFST was established in 1984 in response to the call of the government for private sector support in creating an environment of science consciousness and literacy among the populace, making the people, specifically the youth, aware of and responsive to the call of national development. nationwide scale. The foundation also provided inputs in the development of national programs of other agencies such as Department of Science and Technology (DOST), DepEd and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 6
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ACROSS THE NATION Palace says Sabah standoff not a stumbling block to ASEAN integration
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he Aquino administration doesn’t see the ongoing standoff in Lahad Datu in Sabah a hindrance for the realization of a single community by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by December 2015. The regional grouping agreed last in Malacanang on Tuesday. year during a summit in Cambodia to “Hindi po magiging sagabal ito [Sabah]. realize the ASEAN Community by 2015. Nakita natin at the highest level, nagPresident Benigno S. Aquino III and usap na si Prime Minister Najib at saka Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul ang Pangulong Aquino. Hindi namin ito Razak have been in touch with each other nakitang isang obstacle,” Lacierda told on the Sabah crisis and both are working reporters. to resolve the issue at the soonest Lacierda said the administration possible time, Presidential spokesman doesn’t believe the Sabah issue would Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing be an obstacle to the ASEAN’s goal of Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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achieving a single community by 2015. The President’s perspective is much broader and he cares not only for the 180 people holed up in Lahad Datu, the Palace spokesman said. “He cares not only for the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah, he also has to be concerned with the interest of the 95
million Filipinos here in the Philippines. We have a national interest to protect and to promote.” The ASEAN Community will be based on three pillars, namely, a security community, an economic community and a socio-cultural community. PND (as)
ES Ochoa calls for stronger cooperation to thwart chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats
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xecutive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Wednesday called for stronger cooperation in the region to boost its capacity to respond to persistent threats of weapons of mass destruction. Speaking before officials and delegates of the European Union (EU) and United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in Malacanang, Ochoa Wednesday, March 6, 2013
emphasized the importance of forging deeper alliance and collaboration to ward off chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats confronting the world today.
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“The key word in the midst of all these efforts is cooperation. As our world gets smaller and criminal elements have shown that they will not hesitate to cross borders to inflict harm to our citizens, it becomes imperative for us to work together to improve our capacity to respond to threats of all kinds, particularly CBRN dangers,” Ochoa said. Ochoa, chairman of the AntiTerrorism Council (ATC) and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), delivered the opening remarks during Wednesday’s official opening of the CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Regional Secretariat for Southeast Asia (SEA) in the Philippines. The office will be housed in the Mabini Hall inside the Malacañang complex. “CBRN threats are not limited to those posed by criminal elements. Countries in our region are also exposed to accidental or natural CBRN threats and the lack of exposure of some nations to these sorts of dangers mean that some countries are better equipped than others to deal with these concerns,” the Executive Secretary said. Wednesday, March 6, 2013
According to Ochoa, the establishment of the regional secretariats is envisioned to address issues stemming from the dangers of CBRN while ensuring the high level of cooperation and coordination between partner countries, donors and international organizations in pursuing programs that will prepare partner nations in emergency cases. He expressed gratitude to international agencies for choosing the Philippines as host to the institution that will take the lead in regional efforts to improve coordination and preparedness in dealing with CBRN threats in SEA. He pointed out that having the EUCBRN CoE office in Mabini Hall, where the ATC and PCTC hold offices, will improve coordination and harmonize government efforts in fighting terrorism, transnational crimes and CBRN dangers. “Having all these related offices under one roof will allow for closer coordination and information sharing between the bodies concerned with tackling CBRN threats,” Ochoa said.
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DOE allocates P70.5B power projects for Mindanao
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apital outlay for power projects in Mindanao over the mediumterm as approved by the Department of Energy (DOE) would amount to P70.5 billion.
During a forum energy reporters Energy Department specialist Lisa Go 10
with power and here recently, chief investment noted that the
planned electricity generation facilities comprise both of indicative and committed projects and their commercial operations have been Wednesday, March 6, 2013
spread through the years. Based on the department’s latest data, she emphasized that P42 billion have been categorized as “committed projects” while P27 billion are “indicative” or those that are still in various stages of development but no firm commitments yet on a datecertain commercial commissioning. The firmed up projects, she said, will include the coal-fired power projects being developed by the Aboitiz and Alcantara groups which will bring in additional capacity of 500 megawatts in 2015 to 2016. These project developments would cover the 300-MW coal-fired plants of Therma South Inc. of the Aboitiz conglomerate and the instalments of 200MW of Alcantara’s Sarangani Energy Corporation, and the proposed 105MW coal-fired facility in Zamboanga. Beyond that period though, DOE director Mylene Capongcol stressed
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
that the grid would be in need again of greenfield capacity of 200MW by 2018 given annual economic growth forecasts of 4.7 percent set for Mindanao. Go added that other projects which are considerably advancing into implementation phases such as the proposed 200-MW coal plant of San Miguel Energy group had not been factored in yet. Capongcol emphasized that the department has also been updating its power planning to align it with the medium-term economic planning set out by the National Economic and Development Authority. The energy officials both emphasized that the capacity needs of Mindanao would stretch to as much as 1,600 megawatts until the 2030 planning horizon for the Philippine Energy Plan. Nevertheless, the pipelined power project developments for the Mindanao grid would not be solely confined to fossil fuel-fired facilities but would correspondingly be supplemented by renewable energy projects, primarily for resources where Mindanao has been endowed with such as hydro and biomass technologies. 11
1st Zamboanga City Ecotourism Awareness Summit held By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao ZAMBOANGA CITY – “It’s high time that we know of the natural wonder that is Zamboanga City,” Councilor Rogelio “Jerky” Valesco stressed to over 200 participants of the 1st Zamboanga City Ecotourism Awareness Summit held last week in the newly inaugurated P30 million Centro Latino MultiPurpose Center, inside Paseo del Mar this city. Want Want to to publish publish your your photo, photo, news and feature news and feature release release just just email email http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIAWesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310
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ro9_pia@yahoo.com ro9_pia@yahoo.com
piazampen.blogspot.com piazampen.blogspot.com Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The summit, which was held in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT)-IX headed by Regional Director Mary June Bugante and the Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR)-IX headed by Regional Executive Director Arleigh Adorable, aimed to inform and update the different sector representatives of the potential ecotourism areas in the city and the efforts being undertaken by concerned agencies to promote, and at the same time, protect the areas for a balanced and sustainable tourism in the city. Councilor Valesco, City Council Committee Chair for Tourism, said efforts to develop the city as one of the premier ecotourism destinations in the country started with the development of Sta. Cruz Islands, known for its “pink” sands. He said all these were made possible with the city government’s strong partnership with DOT and DENR in the protection of the islands. Last year, the care of
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Sta. Cruz Islands was turned over by DOT to the city government for its development. RED Arleigh Adorable said the development of Sta. Cruz was carefully studied to adhere to existing Philippine laws on ecotourism and environmental protection. DENR has also identified the 17, 414 hectarePasonanca Natural Park, and caves as ecotourism spots in the city. “The Pasonanca Natural Park is home to beautiful flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to the area like the “Zamboanga Bulbul”, and there are still more that are yet to be identified. We also have various caves within the city, some of which with historical value,” Adorable said. He added that of the 257 caves found in Zamboanga Peninsula, 149 are found in Zamboanga City. DOT-IX chief Mary June Bugante, on the other hand, talked on potential community-based
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tourism activities as tool for poverty reduction and improving the overall economy of the city. She also presented some challenges the city may face if the tourism flourishes and how to counter the unwanted, yet unavoidable effects of development in the said areas. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Zamboanga City Provincial Director Engr. Rolando Acuña also talked on the importance of the “One Town, One Product”
(OTOP) strategy and the role of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in realizing the program and contribute to economic growth. He also informed the participants of the programs and assistance of DTI for the SMEs. Summit participants were also taught how to effectively promote the city through media, with Mr. Charlie Villanueva, Executive Producer and Director of VEZ TV, a local cable channel here, as resource speaker.
DOLE sets up One-Stop Shop Processing Center, Crisis Management Committee for Sabah repatriates By Mary Jane R. Amarado
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz the other day instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Coordination Committee in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region to work together and beef up the One-Stop Shop Processing Center (OSSPC) to assist Filipino deportees from Sabah. Sec. Baldoz, however, emphasized that the 289 deportees assisted by the DOLE were “regular deportees,” and their deportation were not in any way connected to the tension in Sabah between the 14
Malaysian authorities and the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu. “I visited Zamboanga City to get the best handle of the situation that might involve our OFWs in Sabah. I was informed by our field officials Wednesday, March 6, 2013
that the 289 are “regular deportees” who came from all over Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia through regular commercial vessels from Sandakan,” she said. “In fact, our data showed that 195 deportees from Sandakan, Sabah arrived last Jan. 6, while another 109 deportees arrived on Jan. 12, bringing the total deportees to 897 this year alone. The transportation expenses of these deportees were shouldered by the Malaysian government,” she added. Because of this seeming uptick in the number of deportees, Baldoz said, she had ordered the DOLE Regional Coordination Committee to strengthen the OSSPC Sabah at the height of the Malaysian crackdown on illegal immigrants in 2005. “We have the template on how to deal with the arrival of deportees and we are activating and strengthening it just as there will be an influx of deportees,” she said during a meeting of the RCC which was attended by the heads of the DOLE Regional Office, OWWA, POEA, TESDA, and the NCMB. The heads of the PRC and the NLRC failed to attend the meeting. The OSSPC, located at the Area Vocational and Rehabilitation Center in Mampang, Zamboanga City, was created through Administrative Order No. 115 on March 5, 2005. Baldoz, then administrator of the POEA, supervised its operations and she even visited Bongao in TawiTawi, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah to coordinate with Malaysian employers and authorities for the Wednesday, March 6, 2013
safe return to the Philippines of undocumented OFWs and their safe and legal return to Malaysia. The OSSPC provides various services to the deportees, including transient stay, passport services, NSO birth certificate issuance, NBI clearance issuance, TESDA training, POEA processing of OEC, OWWA membership, reintegration services such livelihood, capability building, and entrepreneurship skills, and referral for local employment. The OSSPC Baldoz was also informed by the RCC officials that they have already established a Crisis Management Committee to respond just in case there will be an influx of deportees. “The DOLE is ready to help facilitate the smooth arrival of the deportees and we are ready with our reintegration programs and other services. However, we must work in convergence with other national agencies and local government authorities,” Baldoz said. DOLE’s partner, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended support by preparing deportees’ profile and providing food, accommodation, transportation, and other humanitarian support services. Malayan immigration records showed that there were 57,500 Filipino workers with work permit in Sabah as of 2010. These Filipinos went to Sabah illegally and did not pass through POEA processing. There were another 95,951 illegal workers registered under the Malaysian’s Operation Bersepadu in 2010.
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BIR-RDO 92 kicks-off 2013 tax campaign By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 15, Revenue District No. 92 kickedoff its 2013 tax campaign on Monday at Margarita Hall, Hotel Camila this city.
BIR Revenue Region No. 15 Director Atty. Alert B. Alocilja said this yearly activity was held to emphasize BIR’s tax campaign for this year whose deadline will be on April 15. “Our tax campaign slogan for this year is ‘I love the Philippines, I pay taxes correctly.’ Why correctly? Because there are taxpayers not paying their taxes correctly. If all taxpayers are paying the correct taxes, according to Commissioner Kim Henares, we will have an excess tax collection in the country,” Alocilja explained. 16
“Truly we should pay the correct amount of tax if we really love our country, this is our measure of our patriotism,” Alocilja emphasized. “It has been said that taxes are the life-blood of our country and no nation could exist without taxes,” Alocilja further said, adding “there will be no development, no progress, as the government could not run without taxes.” Part of the taxes collected is being “flowed back for the development of the local government units’ infrastructures such as building hospitals, roads and bridges as well maintaining peace and order,” said the BIR official. Alocilja also announced that the target goal of BIR Zamboanga Peninsula Region for 2013 has been raised from P3.82-billion in 2012 to P5.01 billion, with an increase of P1.19 billion or 31.1 percent. The reason for this increase was that BIR collection target for this year also rose from P1.03- trillion in 2012 to P1.25- trillion, with an increase of P193.2 billion or 18.71 percent. “This increase represents the need of our country for more revenues to maintain government operations and to spur economic development in the country. BIR as the prime collection agency contributes about 65 percent of its collections to the coffers of the national government,” Alocilja said. Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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24 Soccksargen police officers train in hostage negotiations By Danilo E. Doguiles KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - Some 24 officers in Soccsksargen Region have recently completed a course on hostage negotiations offered by the US Department of State.
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Police senior inspector Benjamin Mauricio Jr., PRO 12’s chief for public information, said trained officers were from AntiKidnapping Group (AKG) and the Special Action Force (SAF). In a statement, Mauricio said, hostage incidents are one of the toughest situations a police officer could face. To be effective in this very critical situation, he added, a police officer acting as a negotiator in a hostage situation must be physically and mentally ready. The 10-day training, Wednesday, March 6, 2013
which was held at the PRO 12 Tr a i n i n g Facility in Barangay Ta m b l e r, G e n e ra l S a n t o s City was supported by the US Department of State’s Office of Antiterrorism Assistance ( A T A ) . Instructors were from the ATA and headed by Deputy Regional Security Officer Dan Childs. The course focus on the strategies geared toward keeping the victim alive and urging the offender to surrender as well as making careful decisions. Addressing the trainees at the closing ceremonies on Friday, Childs said: “May you use the knowledge you had acquired to save the lives of the people. We are hoping that you learn from the topics we had lectured to you.”
Meanwhile, PSSupt Manolito Labador, acting deputy regional director for administration, said the hostage negotiation course has equipped PNP personnel with modern techniques to deal with such critical conditions. This should also improve the perceptions of some critics that question the capacity of policeinaddressingpeace and order situations. Early last month, US Department of State’s Regional Security Office/ Antiterrorism Assistance also donated six units of post-blast investigation (PBI) kits and explosive incident countermeasure kits as well as several sets of computers to the Police Regional Office 12. The PBI kits have been assigned to the police provincial offices of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato as well as city police offices Cotabato, and General Santos as well as the Aviation Security Group (AVSEG) – 12. (DEDoguilesPIA 12/WBAVillafloresRPIO-12) 19
DENR, LGUs push governance-oriented forest management By Danilo E. Doguiles KORONADAL, South Cotabato -- Governance principles of transparency, accountability, and participatory are taking stage in the formulation and eventual implementation of Forest Land Use Plans ( FLUP).
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 here recently gathered at least 65 officials of local government units of Banga, Tantangan, Polomolok, Tupi, and Tampakan towns as well as Koronadal city for an orientation of the FLUP. Topics discussed in the meeting included forestry situation in the Philippines and in the region; legal basis of FLUP, governanceoriented FLUP, related concepts and the FLUP process and key activities. Participants likewise underwent series of group workshop focusing on the status of forests and forest lands (FFL) as well as the areas of improvement in their municipality 20
or city. Outputs are essential inputs in their FLUP. “I am privileged to participate in this kind of activity as I am made to understand that forest management should be participatory, multi-sectoral and sustainable,” said Tantangan Planning Development Officer Edgardo Nono. Forester Casimiro V. Olvida, who served as a resource person said the FLUP provides a framework for visioning, strategy formulation, and implementation, emphasizing here sound environmental governance. “There is a need for local collective actions from all stakeholders -to curb illegal logging and further denudation of forests. There is also a need to allocate
FFL assets to the most accountable, capable, and responsible resource managers,” Olvida added. Meanwhile, Forest Development Division chief Noel Dungca on his lecture emphasized that stakeholders, especially the LGUs, should play important role in the implementation and monitoring of agreed action in the forest and forest lands management. Pursuant to Joint Memorandum Circular No. 98-01, the LGUs are mandated to share with DENR the responsibility in the sustainable management and development of the forest resources within their territorial j u r i s d i c t i o n . (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/ CGValdez/LPCurias/ MCLocsin-DENR 12) Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tacurong-BFP holds 1st fire olympics By Jezereel Louise C. Billano TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat -- Tacurong Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted the 1st Fire Olympics in the City on Friday at the City Hall grounds in observance of March as Fire Prevention Month.
Some 140 barangay fire volunteers from the 20 barangays participated in the event. They competed in putting out fire at the shortest time and most efficient demonstration of skills using a 5-hose connection. Brgy. Griño topped the competition that was judged by fire officers from Tacurong BFP and Sultan Kudarat BFP. Brgys. New Lagao and Buenaflor were adjudged 2nd and 3rd placers, respectively.
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Barangay fire volunteers were trained by BFP on basic fire skills and on organizing their barangay volunteer brigade. Aside from the Fire Olympics, BFP also conducted a Walk for a Fire-Free Nation on the same day. Fire officers and LGU employees walked around town to facilitate awareness among the public. “I am very glad that BFP is very visible in our city. I hope that you will carry
on in innovating ways to safeguard our people,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the program that followed the walk. The activities were led by City Caretaker Insp. Marjorie Jenna A. Agabao-Resurreccion. Fire Prevention Month 2013 is themed Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-Unlad ng Bayan. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/JCBillano – Tacurong LGU)
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ARMM brings HELPS convergence program to Lanao del Sur by Apipa P. Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government has brought its convergence program on health, education, livelihood, peace and program here in a bid to bring regional government services closer to constituents. 22
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The program called ARMM Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance, and Synergy or ARMM HELPS is the banner program of the present regional government that aims to reach out to the region’s constituents by bringing basic services to the ground. The program was launched in the city on February 13 followed by a similar launching in three other towns of Lanao del Sur, namely, DitsaanRamain, Ganassi, and Taraka, on February 14,15 and 16, respectively. Among the services provided during the convergence program included free medical and dental services, pneumococcal and tetanus toxoid vaccination, diabetes screening, prenatal screening, eye examination and surgery, and Wednesday, March 6, 2013
supplemental feeding for pre-school kids. Social pension for indigent senior citizens and PhilHealth cards were also distributed to identified beneficiaries in the province. The region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) likewise turnedover a warehouse and a solar dryer to the officials of Barangay Cabingan here and Barangay Rantian in Ditsaan Ramain under the Community Development Assistance (CDA) component of the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP). Moreover, some 1,100 seedlings of jackfruit, durian, rambutan and mangosteen; 450 packs of palay starter seeds; 10 bags of corn seeds; 1200 pockets of assorted vegetables; 45 bags of OPV corn seed; and 2400 pieces of technoguide amounting to
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P320,000 were distributed by the region’s Agriculture and Fisheries department to four barangays in the province. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region, on the other hand, handed out 20 sets of gill net; 100,000 pieces of tilapia fingerlings; and 20 units of fish pots in each of the municipality. The region’s Education department also conducted a proper hand washing drill among the students from each barangay and distributed thousands of hygiene kits containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. The launching of the ARMM HELPS convergence program in the province was highlighted by the
ground-breaking of the national road concreting for the Tubod-Ganassi road section and Masiu-Ganassi road section. The road concreting is under Contract Package 1 for the province of Lanao del Sur amounting to P24 million. The ARMM HELPS Convergence Plan was first launched in Al-Barka and Lamitan City in Basilan last February 6 and 7. The same program was also launched in the island province of Tawi-Tawi yesterday, February 18, and will be launched in Sulu on February 20 and some other parts of Maguindanao on February 25 and 26. (ARMMCOMMGROUP)
Poll spending of candidates are subject to 5% withholding tax by Apipa P. Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Election campaign spending of candidates are subject to five percent withholding tax, according to a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regulation. Thus, the BIR is monitoring campaign expenses of candidates. “We are closely coordinating with the regional and local election officers for the effective implementation of Revenue Regulation No. 8-2009,” said Revenue District Officer Aminoding Macarampat. The tax covers political parties and candidates in local and national levels. 24
The Commission on Elections earlier issued Resolution 9616 officially deputizing the Commission on Audit, BIR, law enforcement agencies, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to help make sure that the figures given by the candidates in their Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures are true and correct.
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Photo Gallery
DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman (standing, in pink blouse) with ARMM OIC Vice Governor and concurrent DSWD-ARMM Secretary Hdja Bainon Karon and Nuro Upi Mayor Ramon Piang (in white barong) take part in the launching of the 4Ps Biometric Pay Out in Nuro Upi, Maguindanao on February 20, 2013. ATM cards issued earlier to 4Ps beneficiaries are no longer valid according to Soliman.(ARMM Comm Group/JoHenry3 Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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Eighty seven year-old Martin Usman from the town of Montawal in Maguindanao receives his P3,000 pension from DSWD-ARMM Assistant Secretary Pombaen Karon Kader (center) on Sunday, February 24. Usman along with 43 other senior citizens in the area were given their pensions for the third and fourth quarter of 2012 as part of the government’s Senior Citizen Pensioner Program. Also in photo is Usman’s wife (2nd from right) and two other pensioners. (ARMM Comm Group/JoHenry)
A 4Ps beneficiary from the village of Nuro in Upi, Maguindanao shows the cash assistance she has received using the biometric payout system launched in the area on that day, February 20. Present at the event are DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman and ARMM OIC Vice Governor and DSWD-ARMM Secretary Hadja Bainon Karon. (ARMM Comm Group/JoHenry)
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Wednesday, March 6, 2013
DTI 10 share tips for guaranteed delivery of balikbayan boxes by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 has released tips for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to ensure that balikbayan boxes reach their destination. The Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) of DTI operates the accreditation scheme for sea freight forwarders based on its Administrative Order 6, series of 2005. The DTI PSB holds both the foreign consolidator/ principal and its Philippine agent/ forwarder jointly liable for the delivery of cargoes to the consignees. PSB-DTI said the common complaints they receive are undelivered balikbayan boxes, pilferage of balikbayan boxes, overcharging and damaged cargo. The PSB DTI advises OFWs to Wednesday, March 6, 2013
organize the contents of balikbayan box; book balikbayan boxes only with PSB-accredited sea cargo consolidator/ freight forwarder companies with clean records; be wary of exceptionally low rates and declare the contents of shipment. OFWs are also advised to secure 27
transport documents such as cargo receipt (or official receipt) for fees paid, and bill of lading-a document issued by a transportation carrier to the shipper as proof that they have received the cargo shipment and have placed them on board a particular vessel for delivery to a particular destination. They should also get the name and contact details of the forwarder’s agent in the Philippines; monitor the movement of the cargo from origin to destination to make sure it is being shipped and delivered and inform the consignee to check the cargo with the Philippine freight forwarding agent before it arrives. PSB also reminds OFWs not
to put currencies, checks, money orders and traveler’s checks, jewelries, firearms, ammunitions and explosives, prohibited drugs and other substances, pornographic materials, gambling cards and toy guns, pirated products like DVDs, CDs, tapes and items of commercial quantity in the balikbayan box. Upon discovery of pilferage, lost items or non-delivery of box, file an immediate claim or complaint with the freight forwarder’s customer service or directly to the PSB at the 2nd Floor of DTI Bldg., 361 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City or fax at (02) 7513305 or email at dti_psb@yahoo.com.ph or call DTI-Direct (02) 751.3330 or 0917.834.3330 for assistance.
4ID support Women’s Month 2013 Celebration by 4CMO/4ID/PA
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division with the Gender Advocates in Region 10 (formerly GA Wings 10), national line government agencies and civil society organizations celebrated Women’s Month 2013 with several activities last March 1. The month-long celebration kicked off with a program held at the headquarters of Police Regional Office 10, Camp Alagar, Lapasan in this city and a thanksgiving mass at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chapel. The theme for this year is: “Kababaihan Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.” The celebration will 28
feature several activities, such as gift-giving for the victims of Typhoon “Sendong” at Berjaya Relocation Site of Camaman-an on March 8 at 8 a.m.; personality development with Avon at Alcoseba Hall, Camp Evangelista, Patag on March 13 at 9 a.m. and an outreach feeding program for children at the Camp Evangelista Learning Center on March 22 at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The annual celebration of Women’s Month is recognized through the promulgation of Presidential Proclamation 224 and 227 and Republic Act 6949 which provides that March 8 of every year will be observed as National Women’s Day. Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, 4ID spokesperson, said they appreciate the active participation of women in several societal concerns, especially in preserving the country’s natural resources and in the protection of human rights. He added that the women’s
participation show that they are really taking on an active role in nation building. “I extend my congratulations and respect to the women who were able to find their ways and had occupied key positions not only in public but as well in the private sectors, you were there not because of any gender consideration but surely because of your indispensable qualification, may you continue to help in nation building by providing services to our people,” said Osias.
CAAP proposes new terminal fee for Laguindingan Airport by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area Center 9 conducted a public hearing on the proposed terminal fee for Laguindingan Airport which will open soon in Misamis Oriental. The proposed terminal fee or passenger service charge for the new airport is P200 for domestic travels and P700 for international travels. Engineer Raul G. Glorioso, CAAP vice chair, said one basis of the terminal fee is for cost recovery. In Republic Act (RA) 9497 or the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008, CAAP is given fiscal autonomy. All revenues earned by CAAP will be used solely by the authority in its operations, maintenance and development of Wednesday, March 6, 2013
airports nationwide. Glorioso said they do not receive a subsidy from the national government but they rely on their own income. In RA 9497, CAAP is also authorized to have their own fees and charges and can only increase every three years. After the public hearing, the board will consult with the director general to determine, fix, impose, collect or receive reasonable charges, fees, dues or assessments with respect 29
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aviation certificates, licenses and all other authorizations or permissions authorized to be issued under RA 9497 and all services performed by
airport of international standards located in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental under the Department of Transportation and Communications
the authority. Glorioso said consultations on the terminal fee will be prioritized since the fee will be implemented once the airport is opened. CAAP also intends to strategize and study on concessions as part of the income generating factor for the airport. He added that the terminal fee will not recover investment but only the operations of the airport. The Laguindingan Airport Development Project is a new trunkline
(DOTC). Project components of the airport include civil works and buildings, air navigation system and support facilities (ANSSF), consulting services, construction of access road and right-of-way (RoW) acquisition resettlement. The construction of civil works started last January 18, 2008 and will finish in June 30, 2013 while the construction of ANSSF is from March 2013 to May 2014. Wednesday, March 6, 2013
20 new police officers take oath in Butuan by Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY -- Twenty new police officers took their oath Tuesday at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City after they hurdled the thorough perusal and screening set by the Regional Screening Committee to supplement the quota for the 2nd semester 2012 Recruitment Program.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com Wednesday, March 6, 2013
h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .
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Caraga Regional Director Police Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas said that new recruits would beef up police operations as they cope up the police to population ratio. The group, composed of 17 men and three women, will be transported to the Regional Training School 12 in General Santos City on Friday (March 8) to undergo basic recruit course and field training exercises for almost one year. Napeñas congratulated the new breed of valiant men and women yet further challenged them to
commit with higher degree of integrity and conduct to deliver quality police services. “To be fully equipped with skills and knowledge needed in an effective and efficient policing system, you have to undergo mandatory and special trainings,” he said. Police recruits shall undergo major transformation from “simple civilians to finest uniformed personnel” through surviving physical tests, firm protocol and procedures, and stern standards of discipline, Napeñas added.
Fire Prevention Month kicks-off in Butuan
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Caraga is once again spearheading the observance of the Fire Prevention Month in March this year. 32
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The observance kicked-off Friday through a motorcade around the city thouroughfares. Since March is also Women’s Month, the BFP joined the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) during the opening ceremony of the Women’s Month celebration through a fun walk and hataw exercise from the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol going to Guingona Park, Butuan City. Sr Insp. Ray Antonio Restauro of the BFPCaraga said the month of March is considered Fire Prevention Month of every year since this month has recorded several Wednesday, March 6, 2013
fire incidents. Restauro also stated that BFP is continuously conducting information dissemination to the public on the prevention of fire everywhere. “For any training that your agency would want us to assist you, our office is very willing to provide you the knowledge and skills on how to prevent and be safe during fire-related incidents,” said Restauro. This year’s Fire Prevention Month is anchored on the theme “Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pagunlad ng Bayan” (Prepare for Fire and Calamities, Reserve the Environment for a more Progressive Nation).
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BIR kicks off tax campaign in Davao by Rudolph Alama
DAVAO CITY- The Bureau of Internal Revenue has kicked off its annual tax campaign aimed at meeting the bureau’s tax collection target. BIR Deputy Commissioner Nelson Aspe said that BIR’s tax collection goal for 2013 is set at P1.2 trillion. Last 2012, BIR narrowly missed its collection goal of P1.066 trillion as the Bureau collected P1.057 trillion or 98% of the target. However Aspe 36
said that the collection figures grew by about 14% from 2011. Aspe said they are expecting P30-40 billion collections from the implementation of the Sin Tax law. The BIR will intensify programs on enforcement, improved delivery of services and strict compliance from taxpayers. Among BIR’s continuous reform programs is the use of technology one of which is the use of the Mobile Revenue Collection Officers System (MRCOS) a web based program where data on collections and receipts is transmitted to data centers in real-time. MRCOS is capable of encoding tax filing and payment information as well as printing of the corresponding Revenue Official Receipt, Official Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Receipt and Acknowledgement Receipt through the use of handheld devices. Revenue Region 19 (Davao) Regional Director Glenn Geraldino said that Davao collected about P10.1 billion last year, however P9.1 billion was only credited to the office as the collections from the top 14 taxpayers was excluded from them. The collection figures is P1-billion more as compared to 2011. Geraldino said they are asking for a decrease in revenue collection goals because of the impact of typhoon Pablo which hit the region in December 4 of last year. Geraldino said that aside from coconut and banana plantations other supply industries like agricultural chemicals and trucking were likewise affected by the destruction. The Davao Revenue Region
aims to focus on its RATE (Run After Tax Evaders Program), Oplan Kandado (Padlock) of which 200 establishments are under surveillance on suspicion of underdeclaration of sales and nonissuance of proper receipts. Another focus is the implementation of SLSP or the Summary List of Sales and Purchase. SLSPs involves Value-Added Tax registered establishments being required to submit their list of sales and purchases. In the Davao Region only 50% have complied with the provisions of SLSP, the revenue region office is expecting a 100% compliance for the process. SLSP can be used to cross match actual sales and receipts and can be used to tag erring establishments for its Oplan Kandado program. (PIA/RG Alama)
Davao City mulls of expanding free kidney treatment to other hospitals by Joey Dalumpines
DAVAO CITY- Acting Davao city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte mulled of expanding the access of treatment for kidney patients from the Southern Philippines Medical Center by decentralizing the services of the Lingap Para sa mga Mahihirap or free medical fees to other hospitals in the city. Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Speaking in the commemoration of the World Kidney Day in one of the malls this city, he said the plan includes provision of dialysis machines to smaller hospitals and for the city government to shoulder the fees for the medical personnel involved in the treatment. Duterte said he cannot afford to 37
refuse other residents who need to undergo dialysis in small clinics, aside from those being served by the Lingap program at the SPMC. He revealed that medical and social services incur the biggest expense in his 19-year experience of local governance. “We spend P220-Million for burial, medicine and hospital expenses for the residents. It is bigger than the intelligence fund which is only P5Million per year,” Duterte said. He said even discretionary funds are given to the children of poor families in form of scholarships. Duterte said the city now supports seven thousand scholars. He also explained his hard stance against criminals as his way of taking good care of the welfare of residents. Duterte said with the influx of Mindanaoan residents who look at the city as a safe haven, the current population rises to 3.5 Million. “We have to stop the occurrence of criminal activities which might shoo 38
away investors and residents alike,” he said. Duterte said that currently, the city earns P4.5 Billion from the taxes collected from business enterprises which make the local government easy to serve the needs of the residents like education for children, medical treatment for residents, incentives for law enforcers, construction of school buildings, and payment for teachers. He stressed that he denounces violence but he is prepared to address those who will disturb the stable peace and order condition of the city. “Do not create trouble here given the gargantuan task of serving the people,” Duterte pointed out. Records from the kidney treatment dialysis section of the SPMC showed that three hundred kidney patients avail of the Lingap services per year, multiplied to four treatments per month for 12 months resulting to 14,400 treatments annually. (RGA/ JSD/PIA-XI) Wednesday, March 6, 2013