today’s news
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Canada welcomes Philippines’ accession to the Hague Child Abduction Convention Maj. Gen. Madrigal is new 4ID Commander DepEd holds gender responsive DRRM confab Elaine O. Ratunil ,Northern Mindanao
Power firm helps eliminate child wasting Northern Mindanao
PAMANA, DOST-ARMM to provide free internet in public places
ARMM
DOH-ARMM alerts residents on common summer ailments
ARMM
Genset for Samal to arrive on March 28
Michael Uy, SOCCSKSARGEN
Businessmen from Singapore, Brunei eye investing in Cotabato City Danilo E.Doguiles, SOCCSKSARGEN
Month celebration with awards for outstanding policewomen Noel Najarro, Caraga
Cover Story
Conserving water: now, more than ever By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
SurSur DPWH deploys “Lakbay-Alalay” teams for Holy Week Greg Tataro Jr, Caraga
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One Mindanao EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITORIAL ADVISERS
SEC. SONNY B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency
EXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western & Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region
ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX THELMA B. OLIVER Regional Director, PIA Region X OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
REGIONAL DESK EDITORS
FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region
COPY EDITORS FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region
SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region
LAYOUT ARTISTS
GIDEON CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII
PIA Regional Offices Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0919-9994516 E-mail: ro9_pia@yahoo.com, mimibern17@yahoo. com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com, r10_pia@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.pia-10.blogspot.com
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
SOCCSKSARGEN Region Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail: r12_pia@yahoo.com, pia_xii@yahoo.com
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com , pia_caraga@yahoo. com,ph Website: www.piacaraga.com Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - Caraga Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga
Cover Story
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onsidering our daily water consumption as it is now, you may ask, will there be enough water soon for all of us?
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Conserving water: now, more than ever By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
March 23, 2016
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Surely, water covers almost three-fourth of the earth’s surface or 71 percent to be exact. However, a great portion of this crust water is found in seas and oceans, and only a small fraction is freshwater that is consumable by the human body. Safe and clean water is essential to humans and other life forms even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients. Water is a basic need essential for us to survive. A famous adage even attributes water as life. Based from research, access to safe drinking water has improved over the last decades in almost every part of the world, but approximately one billion people still lack access to safe water and over 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. More so, climate change has greatly affected our water resources. As the earth’s temperature continues to rise, we felt its significant impact on our fresh water supplies with the potential for devastating effects on these resources.
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statement. ‘Dryer-dry’ periods The city might experience “dryer dry periods” than what it is experiencing now considering the drastic change in climate, researchers have revealed in the recent National Conference Under state of calamity on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management In Zamboanga City, fresh held in city. water supply continues to drop that even the local government “We should all expect that had declared the area under the worst will get worst. Talagang state of calamity. Water level of emergency (It is really an the Pasonanca Diversion Dam, emergency). You have to do your the barometer on the state of the utmost with water resources. Food city’s current water supply, now security will also be affected,” recedes to a critical level. emphasized Dr. Rosa Perez of the Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Thus, the Zamboanga City Manila University, who discussed Water District (ZCWD) has climate-change related-hazards imposed water rationing in the and their implications on water city since January 8 due to the and food security. continuous decline in the water level. The rotating water services interruption is only one of the few mitigating measures that the water firm is undertaking to ease the effects of “one of the worst, if not the worst El Niño phenomenon compared to that of 1997-1988,” in a press March 23, 2016
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Dr. Perez said climate has significantly changed over time. “The supposed recurring pattern of El Niño and La Niña is no longer experienced, instead, dry spell is followed by another dry spell,” she said.
University (ADZU) said “It can no longer be denied. We are experiencing drastic environmental changes, from extreme floods to critical water supply which prompted the local government to put our city under state of calamity”. “That is why it is important for us to address these impeding issues and act on it,” she further explained. Handle with care
“Yong hindi natin kabisado might save our lives. Let’s transform our behavior. Let us include the educational system. Nagbabago na ang panahon, panahon na para magbago,” she encouraged, quoting the slogan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the “Water is Philippine Information Agency’s essential to life. We have to (PIA) joint advocacy campaign handle it with care,” said Ms. on climate change. Bebeth Gozun, Climate Resiliency Team Leader of USAID Be Secure Ms. Teresita Montano, Project and former Secretary of director of the Ateneo Research the Department of Environment Center of Ateneo de Zamboanga and Natural Resources.
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USAID Be Secure has been promoting Water Demand Management (WDM) in six focal areas around the country including Zamboanga City to deal with water shortages caused by seasonal weather events such as El Niño and long term climate change impacts.
a s ke d . However, study shows in 2014 that Filipinos actually used 98 “Did you know we only need liters each person per day. 54 liters of water per person/day Gozun said the mature for drinking, hygiene, sanitation, food preparation and laundry?” she and strong El Niño that is now
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present will likely strengthen and last through mid-2016 causing drought in many areas. “Our water is at stake, reason why we have to use it wisely because every drop counts” she concluded. As it is now, water situation in the city couldn’t be more threatening and worse. Water scarcity is felt all over town. Even some areas don’t have water for months now despite the water rationing. Social media posts are becoming more inimical. However, we can only hope for the best, adapt and mitigate to somehow lessen the impact of the changing climate.
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Palace: Enough security measures are in place to thwart terror attacks in the country
MANILA - MalacaĂąang assured that sufficient security measures are being implemented in the country, especially following the bomb attacks in Belgium that left 34 people dead. In an interview at the Palace, “Ang ipinaiiral natin ay ang Communication Secretary mga deterrents at detection Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the measures tulad nga ng heightened government is strict in securing visibility of uniformed personnel public places in the country. sa mga terminals at ang pagpapakita na ang ating
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sinusunod ay mga patakaran na magpapatatag sa seguridad ng mga transportation terminals,” he told reporters.
tinututukan ni Ambassador Bataclan ang sitwasyon doon at sinabi naman niyang nasa maayos na kalagayan naman ang ating mga mamamayan at These security measures in patuloy na sinusubaybayan ang airports and terminals, he said, mga kaganapan sa Brussels,” he include the inspection of people added. and vehicles, and X-ray scans of baggage, hand-carried items and Coloma also advised Filipinos cargoes. in Belgium to remain vigilant and heed the call of Belgian authorities “Hindi ito pangkaraniwang if they have announcements. ginagawa sa ibang bansa at kahit hindi pa naganap ang pinakahuling According to news reports, terror attack sa Brussels, two explosions were heard at the matagal nang ipinapatupad at Brussels airport and another at a pinapairal ang mga security busy train station in the Belgian measures na katulad ng ating capital on Tuesday, killing some nabanggit bilang pagpapatatag 34 people and injuring about sa kasiguruhan ng seguridad ng 250. ating mga mamamayan at ng mga naglalakbay sa loob ng ating The Islamic State has claimed bansa,” Secretary Coloma said. responsibility for the coordinated bombing but Belgian authorities The Palace official further are still determining whether quoted Philippine Ambassador the terror group is behind the to Belgium Victoria Bataclan as attacks. (PND) saying that no Filipino has been killed or injured during the terror attacks.
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March 23, 2016
Canada welcomes Philippines’ accession to the Hague Child Abduction Convention
MAKATI - The Government of Canada welcomed the Government of the Philippines’ accession to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. “We welcome the Philippines’ when their children are abducted announced accession to the and removed to another country. Convention, and stand ready to International abduction cases share our expertise,” Canada’s are very complex in nature and ambassador to the Philippines frequently deal with conflicting Neil Reeder said. justice systems. As such, the Convention is the “Parents suffer foundation for the peaceful incredible loss and pain and orderly resolution
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of these cases, facilitating the internationally on December 1, prompt return of children to the 1983. state of their habitual residence,” he explained. On March 16, 2016, the Philippines became the “The Hague Convention of 25 Convention’s 94th contracting October 1980 on the Civil Aspects state. As a new acceding state, of International Child Abduction is a treaty relationship will not be an important mechanism that we established between Canada will continue to promote actively and the Philippines until Canada in order to assist more families formally accepts the Philippines’ facing issues of international accession by depositing a child abduction. Canada looks declaration with the depositary forward to continuing to work of the Convention. Once with the Philippines, with the Canada receives notification of aim of making the Convention the accession, it will undertake operational between the two the necessary review and countries,” he added. consultations to consider the possible acceptance of the The Hague Convention on Philippines’ accession. the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral Canada ratified the treaty seeking to protect children Convention, which applies to under the age of 16 from the all Canadian provinces and harmful effects of their wrongful territories, in 1983. Canada removal or retention and to currently applies the Convention establish procedures to ensure along with 78 other contracting their prompt return to the state of states. (Embassy of Canada) their habitual residence, as well as to secure protection for the rights of custody and of access under the laws of its contracting states. The Convention was concluded on October 25, 1980, and entered into force
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Maj. Gen. Madrigal is new 4ID Commander
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan De Oro City- The 4th Infantry “Diamond� Division (4ID) changed command Wednesday with Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal. Jr. as the new division commander. The 4ID is one of the largest military commands in Mindanao with an area of responsibility that covers nine provinces and 16 cities in North and Northeastern
Mindanao regions. Former 4ID division commander Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao has been assigned as the new Inspector General of the
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Armed Forces of the Philippines divisions in various capacities based at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo prior to his assignment as the in Quezon City. commanding general of the 4ID. Capt. Patrick Martinez, the 4ID spokesperson, said that Commanding General Lt. Gen. Eduardo M Año, of the Philippine Army, flew to Cagayan De Oro City together with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to witness the turnover ceremony. Martinez said that Madrigal, of PMA “Sandiwa,” Class 1984, is a be-medaled military officer who served in the 4ID and other army
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During his stint as Battalion Commander of the 26th Infantry Battalion in Northeast and Central Mindanao, the unit was adjudged as the 4ID’s Best Battalion on 2006-2007 and eventually overall best battalions of Philippine Army the following year in 20072008. (PNA)
Solo parents finish general sewing skills training By: City Information Office
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Twenty solo parents from barangay Carmen graduated on skills training on General Sewing on March 19.
The program was initiated by Noeme L. Mandac # 45-Order of the Amaranth, in coordination with the city government of Cagayan de
Oro, Carmen Barangay Council, Plum and Level Club, Inc and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
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City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Teddy Sabuga-a thanked those who supported the solo parents by giving them skills training as their means of livelihood.
Sabuga-a added that city mayor Oscar Moreno is eager to help the sector as it is also mandated by law under Republic Act 8972, an act providing benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children.
DepEd holds gender responsive DRRM confab By: Elaine O. Ratunil
MISAMIS ORIENTAL– Department of Education Division of Misamis Oriental conducted on March 23 a simultaneous re-echo on the Orientation Seminar for Gender Responsive Disaster Risk Reduction Management (school based) in schools and districts in the province. According to Cherry Mae L. Limbaco, schools division superintendent, Department of Education Division of Misamis Oriental, the activity aims to increase understanding on gender concerns and needs in disaster risk reduction (DRR). This is in accordance to Republic Act 101211 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), she said. Section 2 of RA 101211 states that DRR and climate change should implement measures that are gender responsive and its perspective shall be integrated to all disaster risk management, policies and plans related to risk assessment, education
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and training. To be participated by public schools division supervisors, school heads, teachers, Supreme Pupil Government (SPG)/ Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers, Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons and SSG advisers will serve as the facilitators during the activity. Among the desired learning outcome for the seminar include understanding of basic concepts on gender in DRRM; appreciation of the importance of integrating gender in DRRM plans, projects and activities; and appreciation of individual roles in the DRRM.
Power firm helps eliminate child wasting
VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – The cases of child wasting (being too thin for one’s height) in barangay San Martin, Villanueva town, province of Misamis Oriental had been successfully eliminated following the completion of a 10-month school-based nourishment program jointly undertaken by the local government unit, Department of Education and power producer STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI). During a recent stakeholders forum, San Martin Elementary School Principal Ma. Theresa Delegencia reported that the cases of 174 severely wasted pupils identified during the start of the school year in 2015 dropped to zero in March 2016. Last year, San Martin ranked 1st among the 11 public schools in Villanueva in the incidence of child wasting, prompting SPI to adopt the school as one of the beneficiaries of its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. About P0.9 million worth of assistance was earmarked to cover costs of daily school-based feeding activities, conduct of responsible parenting and maternal care seminars, and the construction of a one-story building for use as Children Nourishment Center. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that in 2015, some 21.5% of Filipino children under five years old are underweight. With this figure, the Philippines missed one of its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of reducing by half the percentage of underweight
children from 27.3% in 1990 to 13.6% by 2015. The FNRI also reported that the prevalence of stunting (being too short for one’s age) among Filipino children under age five increased from 30.3% in 2013 to 33.4% in 2015, while the prevalence of child wasting among Filipino children under age five stood at 7.1%. The cases of underweight, malnutrition, stunting and wasting affect not only the physical health of children, but also their mental development. If unabated, these conditions will cause irreversible damage which may last until adulthood, ultimately affecting their productivity in the long run. SPI’s support in addressing community-based social problems forms part of the company’s continuing commitment to help improve quality of life of the people in its host communities in Misamis Oriental. (SPI)
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ARMM leaders, poll candidates sign peace covenant
R May.
egional officials and candidates running for various positions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) expressed their support for peaceful elections this coming
The region’s leaders have signed last week a peace covenant that requires them to abide with election rules and regulations, to maintain good
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relations with each other, avoid any form of fraud for an honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections. Ma. Amelia Rowena Guanzon,
commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and head of the agency’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS) executive committee, said the signing will seal the commitment of the candidates for peaceful elections. “I hope that this peace covenant will bind each of the candidates to the value of mutual respect, non-violence and peace,” said Commissioner Guanzon. She also assured the public that the agency is determined to have orderly and peaceful elections in the country especially in the ARMM. “We assure you that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are working with the Comelec to ensure that we will have zero election-related violence in the 2016 elections,” she said. PNP statistics showed 391 incidents of Election-Related Violence (ERVs) were recorded in the 2010 national elections, and 196 in the 2013 midterm elections. ERVs refer to “acts or threats of coercion, intimidation or physical harm committed to affect an electoral process.” The PNP considers ERVs as violent incidents that happened within
the election period. The covenant was signed during a forum on gender and ERVs held on Friday, March 4, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex. The forum, spearheaded by the Comelec and the ARMM Regional Commission in Bangsamoro Women (RCBW-ARMM), was the first in the country and was aimed at discussing the connection between gender and ERV cases in the Philippines as well as “gather recommendations and best practices to combat ERVs, especially against women.” Sittie Jehanne Mutin, RCBWARMM chair, said the forum does not only provide the participants a platform for exchange of gender sensitive ideas but also updates on election-related policies and activities. She added that “it is a step to a violence free, genderbalanced society.” Around 700 participants including stakeholders from the House of Representatives’ Committee on Women and Gender Equality, officers of the PNP and the AFP, representatives from political parties, national, regional and local candidates, the academe, women and religious groups, attended the forum. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)
PAMANA, DOST-ARMM to provide free internet in public places MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will provide free internet connection to public places in the coming months to improve residents’ access to opportunities. March 23, 2016
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The free internet access will be funded by the ARMM’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)ARMM. Abdelnur Campong, chief of information and communications technology of the ARMM governor’s office, said PAMANA will initially provide internet connection to public places in five identified local government units – one site in each province under the ARMM. The project aims to provide connectivity and free internet access and avenue for service delivery mechanism enhancement in the areas of education, health, and disaster preparedness. “The focus is to establish connectivity in government service agencies or offices to improve government services,” Campong said. He said that the connectivity is for use of the PAMANA communities availing government services such as online registration for birth certificate,
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marriage certificate, and National Bureau of Investigation clearance, among others. In January and February, the project’s Technical Working Group conducted a series of site validation to find strategic places for the connections and the presence of internet service providers in the areas. The target local government units are Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Bongao in TawiTawi, Jolo in Sulu, and Lamitan City in Basilan. A total of P50 million was allocated for the entire year under the 2016 PAMANA ARMM Fund. PAMANA is the national government’s peace and development framework that caters specifically to peace and development issues of conflict-affected communities. Meanwhile, the DOST-ARMM will also embark on internet connection to more than 80 identified sites across the region. The project, dubbed ‘Juan Konek’, will install free internet connectivity to public places such as plazas, parks, schools and health facilities. “This project aims at accelerating the government’s efforts in enhancing internet accessibility for Filipinos to accelerate economic, social and educational opportunities,” DOST-
ARMM Secretary Myrah Mangcabung said. The project is the national government’s initiative directly in line with the “Internet For All” thrust identified in the Philippine Digital Strategy 2011-2016.
The project, launched in July 2015, received P3 billion in total funding. The free internet can be accessed through 7,118 sites nationwide across 967 towns. (BPI/ APB/PIA-10)
DOH-ARMM alerts residents on common summer ailments MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - As the dry season continues, the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) is alerting residents on common ailments and adverse health conditions they might suffer from in the near term. Dr. Alexander Ampatuan, designated head of the NonCommunicable Diseases Cluster of DOH-ARMM, said during dry months, residents must take note of common summer diseases like sunburn, rashes, sore eyes, and chicken pox.. Sunburn is a term used for red and sometimes swollen and painful skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. To prevent sunburn, he advised residents to avoid too much sun exposure. “Iwasan natin ang lumabas sa bahay kung tirik ang araw. Mas mainam kung huwag lumabas mula 9:00 AM hanggang 4:00 PM (Avoid going outside the house especially when it is too hot. It would be better to stay at home from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM),” Ampatuan said. “Kung hindi maiiwasan, magsuot ng mga protective gear tulad ng payong o magpahid ng sunblock na may SPF 60 pataas (If you cannot avoid going
under the heat of the sun, wear protective gears like an umbrella or use sunblock with at least SPF 60 or higher),” he added. Ampatuan said residents should also observe proper hygiene. “Ugaliing maligo araw-araw at magpunas ng pawis. Gumamit ng powder upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng rashes (Take a bath every day, always wipe and dry your sweat and use powder to prevent rashes),” he said. Rashes are abnormal changes in skin color, or texture, caused by skin inflammation. Because of climate change, he said residents in ARMM should be more cautious as these diseases could develop into serious cases. Moreover, he warned people, especially those with hypertension, of possible heat stroke. He advised them to drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration.
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The DOH-ARMM, he said, has various projects to help residents suffering from these common diseases. He encouraged them to go to the nearest Regional Health Units, or to the DOH-ARMM office, for free check-ups and medicines. “Kung may nararamdaman, huwag mag-atubili na pumunta at magpatingin sa mga malapit ng Rural Health Center para mabigyan ng lunas at maiwasan ang komplikasyon. Ang
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pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan ay mandato ng ating ahensya, (If they are suffering from the diseases mentioned, I encourage them to go to the Regional Health Centers nearest their localities for immediate cure and to avoid further complications. Helping the marginalized is part of the mandate of DOH-ARMM),� Ampatuan said. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)
Coast Guard in Davao wish for more vessels DAVAO CITY- The Philippine Coast Guard station here in Davao would wish for more sea assets to fulfill its mission. Lt. Commander Dan August Cariño, commander of the PCG Sta. Ana Station which has jurisdiction over Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal up to Malalag Bay said that currently they have two patrol vessels and seven aluminum boats. “Ideally if we could have two Search and Rescue Vessels (SARV) and five or seven patrol vessels and at least one aluminum boat for our ten detachments.” Cariño said. Currently the station has no Seach and Rescue vessel. He said they are currently hoping that the acquisition of 10 40-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) from Japan could provide the station in Davao with a modern vessel. Cariño said that the MRRV could perform a variety of missions like Search and Rescue, enforment of maritime and fishery laws and oil spill containment.
The Japan-made vessels is part of the P8.81-billion Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Coast Guard. About P7.37-billion is funded by a loan from the Japanese official development assistance. The initial deliveries of the ship is expected on the third quarter of this year. Maritime safety within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Coast Guard Sta. Ana Station was highlighted in when seaborne Abu Sayaff terrorists abducted three foreigner guests in a resort in Samal Island last year. The group managed to slip away to Sulu. (PIA/RG Alama)
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Genset for Samal to arrive on March 28
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - If there will be no hitches in the transportation, the 6MW modular generator set will arrive in the Island Garden City of Samal on March 28. Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) Manager Charles Bejod bared in an interview that they are currently preparing the foundation for the generator set from Mindoro Grid Corporation, which will provide electricity in the Samal island Samal has been in total blackout since Thursday (March 17) as a vessel hit the submarine cable connecting the island to the power grid. “If the genset will arrive as scheduled, we can energize Samal by March 29 or before the month ends,” Bejod said. Bejod stressed that with the generator, Samal will have an excess of 2 megawatts, since the genset has a capacity of 6 megawatts while the city only has a demand of 4 megawatts. He also emphasized that the genset will remain in Samal until the submarine cable will be repaired and operational to connect Samal the power grid. Bejod also declared that provision of modular genset will not transform to an additional charges to the power consum-
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ers. “This will not entail additional charges since it is for emergency purpose,” he said. Bejod also disclosed that they will still conduct another round of assessment tomorrow for the damaged cables. (PIA11, Michael Uy)
March 23, 2016
Drought-hit South Cotabato declares state of calamity By: Danilo E.Doguiles
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 23-- South Cotabato is now under a state of calamity due to El Ni単o phenomenon. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, approved in its meeting Monday (March 21) the resolu-
tion from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recommend
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ing a declaration of a state of calamity. The PDRRMC resolution passed on Friday (March 18) was prompted by extensive damage the province has sustained from the almost four months of drought. Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) indicated that damage to crops since November 2015 has already exceeded Php284 million. Some 11,011 hectares of rice, corn, high value crops and inland fish ponds were affected; these involved at least 9,380 farmers. However, Provincial Agriculturist Justina Navarrete and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Nelida Pereira confirmed that the extent of actual damage is expectedly much higher because the production areas reported were limited to the farms tilled at present and the number of individuals affected did not account for the farm laborers and plantation workers as well as the households who have lost sources of income and food. The report did not also account the communities that are facing concerns of deplet-
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ing sources of drinking water. Mila Lorca, PDRRMC action officer, said in an interview that placing the province under a state of calamity means that the provincial government can start relief operations using the 2016 Quick Response Fund (QRF). South Cotabato LGU has earmarked Php22.13 million as QRF this year. Lorca, however, clarified that of the total allocation, only Php17 million will be spent for the relief operations and mitigation activities for residents affected by the El Niño as the provincial government must also prepare for possibility of other disasters or calamities that may occur with the onset of the rainy season. Among the provincial government’s immediate responses include distribution of food packs to affected families as well as feeds and food concentrates for livestocks. “Since the election period has already taken effect, the distribution of relief assistance will be consigned to the Philippine Red Cross in coordination with the Commission on Audit,” Lorca said. PDRRMC personnel will vis
it affected communities only to conduct Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis ( RDANA), she added. Meanwhile, Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes expressed concern that the brunt of the ongoing drought may still be felt around the third quarter of this year. “If it will not rain in May, the effects of El Nino, particularly on food sufficiency and agricultural production, could last until September or October,”
Gov. Fuentes said, adding that the Php22-million QRF may not be sufficient to provide the needed assistance. “If this happens, the provincial government may have to allocate funds for relief operations from the General Funds,” the lady governor said. “This also means that we have to cut down on some items such as expenses on travels and seminars and trainings.” (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
Businessmen from Singapore, Brunei eye investing in Cotabato City By: Danilo E.Doguiles
COTABATO CITY, March 23 -- Cotabato’s progress has continued to draw in foreign investors , a city official said. Just recently, businessmen from Singapore and Brunei visited the city to explore areas of investments that Cotabato City could offer. Secretary to the Mayor Aniceto Rasalan, who met with these investors, said these companies are highly engaged in export-import business, specifically of food and agricultural
products, which he emphasized, the city is very rich with. What enticed the investors, Rasalan added, is the quality of the city of having no social divisions. They have seen that despite being a melting pot of religion, culture, and tribes, the city’s economy still thrives and do not count these factors as something that can affect its
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growth and progress, he elaborated. “The investors from Singapore and Brunei specifically pointed out that it is very outstanding that people here respect and understand each other. I told them that we have been a melting pot for so long and social division was never an issue here,� Rasalan said. Aside from the import-export of goods and other products, the foreign investors are also eyeing a partnership with the local businessmen in the city and help them develop their trading skills and boost their market.
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Rasalan said, the visits of foreign investors to Cotabato is an indication that the city is improving and developing, and is slowly transcending from its image as one of the dangerous cities in the country. He is also confident that breakdown of the Bangsamoro Basic Law will not affect the city’s business climate. (LJADominisac/Cotabato City Information/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
Caraga IP youth undergo DRRM skill, knowledge enhancement lectures By: Daisy Jane M. Apit
BUTUAN CITY– “Continue nurturing yourself by applying all your learnings in your respective communities.” This was the statement of Manuel Luis Ochoterena, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director and chairperson of Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), as he urged some 50 Indigenous Peoples (IP) youth communicators to use their gained skills and knowledge in responding to disasters and calamities in their respective Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs).
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Ochotorena served as one of the speakers during the graduation rites of the five-day Community-Based DRRM Training of Trainers for IP Youth Communicators at the Goat2geder Hotel and Restaurant, this city initiated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga and 4th Civil Military Operations (4th CMO) Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based here. The IP youth learned during the event valuable information
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on Community Risk Assessment which taught them to assess hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks, abilities to cope, prepare coping strategies and prepare risk reduction implementation plans in their communities. Also, they were able to prepare Hazard Spot Map which indicated boundaries, roads, bridges, and bodies of water, houses, populated areas, landmarks and natural resources in the community. According to Aizy Lyn Paglinawan of OCD Caraga, the
spot map will help the IP youths to familiarize the high, medium or low risk areas during disasters. Additionally, they were also instructed to mark the safe areas for evacuation sites and routes and other existing and potential DRRM facilities. “The very heart of the training was to impart the learning and inputs to these youths what to do before, during and after a disaster because the event had lectures on prevention and mitigation or ways to prevent and mitigate the effect of the disaster by preparing. There were also in-
puts on how to respond during the disaster and for the rehabilitation and recovery plans and actions,” Paglinawan added. After the training, the participants would serve as trainers of other IPs in their respective communities’ regionwide. “In behalf of my co-participants, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the efforts and patience you afforded to us to be able to gain skills and knowledge on disaster risk reduction and management. As we go back to our respective communi-
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ties, we will see to it that we will share to other IPs the lessons we have learned from this training for us to be more resilient and prepared especially in times of emergencies and disasters,” expressed Caraga IP youth president Hawudon Liko-ab Graciano Jusay, Jr. In her words of impression, Nelia Ellarina, a Higaonon participant enunciated how privileged they are for the support given to them by the facilitators and also by their united tribes. “It’s not enough to be skillful but we should bear in mind that we have to exercise proactive actions in dealing the challenges. Rest assured that what you taught us will be put in purpose,” she said.
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“I know the extent of your adjustment as you painstakingly discover and perform each new skill. Know that the government is doing everything to empower you and now you already acquired the knowledge and power of information which make you ready to face the challenges ahead. Be much more willing to share it to your communities because all it takes is a single person to bring light to brighten the world and widen the horizon of the entire society,” said PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga. Certificates of Completion, sleeping bags, boots and raincoats were distributed to the IP youths who went through the five-day event.
Caraga Police to culminate National Women’s Month celebration with awards for outstanding policewomen
By: Noel Najarro
BUTUAN CITY -- The Police Regional Office 13 will spearhead the culmination rites of the 2016 National Women’s Month on Monday, with two very significant highlights in honor of women. The culmination rites with its invitation to the media for the the theme: “Kaayohan ni Juana coverage of the ceremonies. I-apil Sa Adyenda,” (Juana’s Wel- The event will be celebratfare Be Included In The Agenda) ed at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez will include the awarding of the grandstand, the regional headdeserving policewomen with ex- quarters of the Philippine Naemplary accomplishments and tional Police Office here.(PNA) the show of force of all female police battalion formation, says March 23, 2016
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SurSur DPWH deploys “Lakbay-Alalay” teams for Holy Week By Greg Tataro Jr
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First District Engineering Office in Surigao del Sur has confirmed the deployment of three District Motorists Assistance Teams (D-MATs) for the duration of the Holy Week.
OIC District Engr. Ruel Bantugan said that the D-MATS were instructed to provide 24-hour “prompt and reliable assistance” to road users in strategic locations here—Cantilan Junction, Gamut Junction, and Poblacion, Lianga—“from the period March 21-28, 2016.” He said receiving on March 16, 2016 a copy of the memorandum signed by Secretary Rogelio Singson dated March 9, 2016. Containing eight detailed measures, the memo had been “strictly observed and implemented” to serve in particular “motorists and pedestrians
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as well as domestic and foreign tourists,” Bantugan stressed by quoting some of the memo’s important points. Prior to this, “proper coordination” was already made with “concerned government entities,” according to the DPWH district chief, citing the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Local Government Units (LGUs), among others. He likewise assured that all D-MATs in his area of jurisdiction had remained under close monitoring.
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