Mindanao Daily Set A (January 12, 2017) by Mindanao Daily News

MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T

Volume VI, No. 186

Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com

Thursday

January 12, 2017

P15.00

7 DA-Davao City executives charged over P15M bidding scam THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of multiple graft charges against officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit XI in Davao City for mishandling the utilization of the P10 million 2005 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of then Davao

Oriental Representative Joel Mayo Almario. Facing multiple counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) are Roger Chio (Former Regional Executive Director), Romulo Palcon (Former Regional Technical Director), Alma Mahinay

(Chief, Finance Division), Godofredo Ramos (Administrative Officer), Onofre Nugal (Chief, Agricultural Engineering Division), Jamie Bergonio (Former Chief Agriculturist) and Isagani Basco (Former Chief Administrative Officer). In three separate Resolutions, the Ombudsman

found that Chio, et.al. facilitated the procurement and payment of the following items in 2005: • 100 units of multimedia system with computer set - P10,000,000 • Water system materials* - 2,591,435.40 • 81 units of personalized 10 x 20 livelihood tent with

framing - 2,496,582 *The funding for the water system materials was sourced from Almario’s share from the GMA Rice and Corn Program. Ombudsman investigators found that respondents failed to comply with the required bidding procedure as they did not conduct any

pre-procurement or any pre-bid conferences for the projects. Respondents also failed to publish any invitation to bid as required under the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act No. 9184). Chio et. al. did not dispute that the

Farmers threaten to file ‘class suit’ vs. recruiter CAGAYAN de Oro City-About 42 farmers who fled from Hacienda Luisa in Tarlac were preparing a “class suit” involving human trafficking against a recruitment agency in the controversial estate. Mario Memper, the leader of the farmers, said Wednesday that about 161 farmers from Bukidnon were recruited sometime in July last year by a recruitment agency to work in Hacienda Luisita. “We were promised to be paid P900 daily wage, but we were actually paid only P9.45 for a daily eighthour work,” Memper told reporters here.

Prank callers giving Davao 911 headache

Davao City Central 911 head Emmanuel Jaldon warned to block from their database callers who continue to make prank calls. This came after the Central 911 here recorded a high incidence of prank calls last year with 63,644 calls, or at least 37.46 percent of the total 169,865 calls received. “We have measures to control the phone numbers that are in our database. We will block these numbers if they continue making prank calls,” he warned. He said that many of the legitimate reports that they received last year were either repeat calls or inquiries on accidents but See PRANK, page A7

See SCAM, page A7

See farmers, page A7

poorest of the poor. The Estate Management Division (EMD) conducts an orientation seminar, lottery

of lots and signing of Affidavit of Undertakings for the beneficiaries on January 10 to relocate some 26 families from Barangay Lapasan and Landfill in Upper Dagong, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The families who have been identified by the national government as the ‘poorest of the poor’ under the program of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be relocated in Balubal relocation site and be given sustainable livelihood as well. (CIO/PIA10)

Abe’s visit to strengthen PH-Japanese relations DAVAO City––The two-day visit of Japanese Prime Shinzō Abe will bring the relationship of Philippines and Japan to a new level. Romeo Montenegro, director for investment promotion and public affairs of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), told a press conference Wednesday that the stronger Philippine-Japan relations will specifically benefit Mindanao in terms of economic relations. Abe, who will be the first head of state to visit the country under the current administration, will also visit Davao City, the hometown of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, on Friday. Montenegro acknowledged the help of the Japanese government to the Mindanao area, as the largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA). He said that the program implemented with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also helped with the development of the country, most especially of the island, in areas of governance, education, health, and infrastructure. Montenegro said that they are currently working on Welcoming Japan. DPWH personnel install the Philippine and Japan flags along JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City on Tuesday (10 January 2017) in preparation of a list of new projects that can be rolled out using the visit of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. Mindanews Photo

Other top stories

n Gensan’s main public park goes online with free Wifi/A2 n Students slam Duterte’s conditional free tuition/ A3 n Implications of being born illegitimate/A4

See relations, page A7

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

In Focus

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Do you have hoarding tendencies? Beyond IN GENSAN Public park goes the mess lies a mental health problem online with free WiFi By Jesse Pizarro Boga of MindaNews

At a glance, hoarding can simply be defined as the result of the difficulty involved in discarding possessions of little value often due to a perceived need to save them for future use. The danger in this comes when hoarded possessions and items accumulate and start to affect a person’s life. “Among balay hapit na mahugno kay akong inahan di ilabay ang mga old things kay kuno naay sentimental value,” said netizen Val in a crowdsourced Mindanao Times Facebook survey. “These include old appliances: a TV, a stereo set, and an old nonfunctioning refrigerator now used as a shelf to store old magazines.” “Pathological hoarding (or hoarding that is considered a clinical disorder) is considered when objects and items are accumulated to such an extent that they congest the areas of a person’s space so much that this is substantially compromised or limited, causing distress, exposing them to danger, and restricts their quality of life,” said Dr. Louie Lacno, a former resident physician at the Southern Philippines Medical Center’s Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine (SPMC-IPBM). Collecting vs. hoarding Lacno mentions the following criteria when diagnosing hoarding: difficulty in discarding items or objects regardless of actual

AIRPORT DRILL. No, there was no airplane on fire at the runway of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental Wednesday morning (January 11, 2017). It was just a drill for security and medical personnel to put into practice their emergency plans. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera value; and clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational and other important areas of functioning. “ Ho w e v e r i f t h e s e symptoms are seen in an individual it is highly recommended to approach a mental health professional for proper diagnosis,” Lacno said. “This should help anyone distinguish a person who has the condition as compared to others who merely collect items which they deem are valuable (e.g. stamps, vintage toys/cars, porcelain dolls, etc.)” “My sentimental mom firmly believes that things have memories attached to them and refuses to throw

them out. I belong to a big family and, to my mom that means more family members and more memories! She keeps all our baby clothes, hair from our first haircuts, effects from childhood, the gown she wore as mutya when she was 18, etc. It occupies at least one bedroom (around 20 sq.m.) of our house in the province. She’s a hoarder of old and useless stuff,” shared Chuck Gepaya in the same survey. “She knows each item by heart. She can pick one item and spend an entire afternoon regaling the history of that item. That’s why when our house was consumed by fire in 2012, she was devastated. She

wasn’t able to sleep well for a month,” Gepaya said. Lacno said the cause of hoarding is not totally known. “Some propose that a family history can be pointed out as a cause, although genetic studies do not prove this. Other psychological theories also propose that patients often have excessive sentimental attachments to the objects they hoard,” he said. And when hoarders are confronted, they become defensive and will always say that they have plans to use in the future the things they keep. “Sometimes these individuals may deny that they have a problem or are aware of it but lack the motivation to do anything about it,” he said. Hoarder at home Countless of health See PROBLEM, page A7

GENERAL Santos City–– This city’s main public park, the Plaza Heneral Santos, is now a free “high-speed” WiFi Internet zone. This, as the city government formally unveiled on Tuesday its free Internet WiFi or wireless fidelity project for the entire park in partnership with telecommunication and digital services provider PLDT Inc. and its mobile subsidiary Smart Communications. PLDT-Smart earlier tapped the city as pilot area for its free public WiFi initiative in coordination with local government units (LGUs). “This is the first government park in the country to have free public WiFi from PLDT-Smart,” said Melvin Lacuna, PLDT General Santos-Cotabato zone head, during the ceremonial launching. He said the project is an offshoot of an agreement between the city government and PLDT-Smart. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera personally requested for the public WiFi service after the successful launching of free Smart WiFi connection at the city airport in September last year, he said. Under the project, Lacuna said they committed to provide WiFi connection with data transfer speed of up to 1 gigabit per second (gbps) within the city plaza grounds. Around 500 users could be accommodated by the free connection through WiFi networks #LGU-GenSan_PLDT-SMART_FreeWifi. “This is quite fast since the requirement for Internet

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streaming is only 2-4 mbps (megabits per second),” he said. Lacuna said that based on a speed test they made during the launching, the WiFi connection is already at 50 to 60 mbps. “For the other equipment that’s already at around 300 mbps,” he said. Rivera said they pushed for the provision of free public WiFi connection at the city plaza as part of the city government’s efforts to provide better services to residents. The mayor said it is specifically a component of the local government’s development strategy of “creating a livable environment for all Generals towards nation-building.” Residents here are called “Generals” in reference to the city’s name. “This is one of the services that we really wanted to give to our people here,” Rivera told reporters. Rivera said that putting up internet connection in strategic locations in the city, like the public park, would ensure that residents would enjoy digital connectivity, which could help boost tourism, economy and technological capability. He noted that since Plaza Heneral Santos is in the vicinity of schools and colleges, students who are on a budget can do their research and online study for free. “We are living in the digital age and internet connection is very important. It’s a big help especially for the students who frequent the area. For our tourists, they can help promote the city better and show the world how beautiful this city is by uploading pictures. Even for those looking for jobs, you can easily search the internet for free,” he said. Rivera said families here of Overseas Filipino Workers may also use the connection for video chats with their love ones for free. Dave Arreglado, executive assistant of the City Mayor’s Office, said the project is just the start of the city government’s partnership with PLDT and Smart. He said they will continually work together to further improve and strengthen the internet connection at the city plaza. The official added that to protect users, especially the minors, online security measures have been put in place by network engineers to prevent downloading and watching of pornographic websites and materials. (MindaNews)

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In Focus

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Studes slam Duterte’s conditional free tuition e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com

THE militant League of Filipino Students (LFS) on Monday vowed to launch bigger protest actions against President Rodrigo Duterte over his “conditional” free tuition policy. “Our right to education is non-negotiable. We reject all forms of conditionalities that will obstruct the path in having a free public education in all levels for every Filipino youth,” said LFS National Spokesperson JP Rosos on Monday morning as they lead a protest in the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

In a press statement, Rosos said: “For decades, Filipino students have been fighting against tuition increases and other school fees. Having a free tuition in public tertiary education institutions is a welcomed development. But it is infuriating that President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed such progress.” He said the recent pronouncement of President Duterte that free tuition in state universities and colleges should not be available to all undergraduate students is unacceptable.

Rosos noted that their group rejected the idea that free tuition must be subjected to conditional implementation. According to the youth leader, since education is a right of every Filipino, there should be no conditions on who can avail of the free tuition. “Free tuition is only the first step in realizing the youth’s aspiration for a free public education for all. But it is unacceptable that the regime is already blocking the path to such aspiration,” added Rosos. Rosos pointed out that

having conditions in the enactment of free tuition is no different from the socialized tuition system (STS) being implemented in the University of the Philippines. “Duterte’s conditions that students who can afford tertiary education must pay and those who are poor but academically inclined are the only ones subsidized is the same premise of UP’s STS. But it cannot fool us. We have seen how such premise translates to tuition increases and imposition of other school fees,” he said.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

He noted that since the implementation of STS, the average tuition in UP has gone up to 1,500 pesos per unit as those with full subsidy are decreasing yearly. The youth leader added that such scheme should not be implemented nationwide under the guise of conditional free tuition. “It seems that instead of providing education, the Duterte regime planned to use the conditional free tuition as a means to further commercialized and privatized education. Duterte’s conditional free tuition is

an affront to our right to education,” said Rosos. “We challenge President Duterte. If he is really prostudents and pro-people, then he should allow the blanket implementation of free tuition. If he really believes that education is a right, then he should junk the neoliberal policies that attacks such rights. Among these policies are the Education Act of 1982 and the K to 12 program, which paved the way for relentless tuition increases and imposition of other school fees,” he added.

Housing beneficiaries affected by government infra projects in Cagayan de Oro entitled to one lot each

CAGAYAN de Oro City--Beneficiaries of the city’s housing program here would be entitled to only one lot each, City Vice Mayor Rainier Uy said Wednesday. He said that the newly approved Ordinance No. 13178-2016, also known as the Comprehensive Housing Program, provides that

the beneficiaries are those affected by the government funded infrastructure projects. Aside from those affected by the government funded projects, those living along the riverbanks and creeks, and on the road-rightof-way would also qualify with the city’s housing program.

Uy said that other qualified beneficiaries include household who was subject of ejectment orders for demolition by the court, the landless City Hall employees, and those included in the master list in the 1994 socialized housing registration in the city’s urban villages.

The ordinance also provides that the awarded lot is not non-transferable, except through hereditary succession, and in the absence of a legitimate descendant and successor, the lot would be reverted back to the city government. Uy said that under the law, the beneficiary who sells, transfers,

leases or disposes of his rights or acts as a broker or middleman shall thereafter be disqualified from any city shelter resettlement program. He said that the prohibition also includes those who allow other persons who are not immediate member of the family to occupy and stay on the awarded lot. (PNA)

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

Opinion

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Every day is a new day

GOD wants us to have joy in the midst of our ordinary, everyday life, even on the worst days of our life. There were times in my life when I dreaded facing each day. All I could think about was my circumstances, wondering how I was going to pay the bills or get everything done that i

needed to do. Sometimes I wanted to pull the covers over my head and just stay in bed. I was so wrapped up in worry that I was missing the point: God had created a new day, and He created it so that I could enjoy it. Every single day is filled with all kinds of situations

that could upset you, things like losing your car keys or getting caught in a traffic jam. But you can choose to be at peace and in control in the midst of them. When you and I take our minds off of ourselves and our circumstances and put our focus on God and loving others, we are embracing

an attitude that will bring honor to Him and enable us to view every day as an exciting, new gift from God.

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…“Has not the one God made you? You belong to melanie rivera him in body and spirit. SAIRA E. GUMISING And what does the one God Advertising seek? Godly offspring…” (Malachi 2:15, the Holy WEMALYN GARCIA Bible). Marketing -oooGOD’S CURSES WILL Rolando sudaria COME TO THOSE WHO Production ARE NOT READING THE felix santillan BIBLE: Just to remind all Layout Artist of us once again about the penalties God will impose manila marketing office on us if we stop listening 9th Flr, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino cor. Valero St. to Him, if we stop reading Salcedo Village, Makati City His Word, and if we stop TEL. #: 5555392, Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 obeying His commands, I will reproduce here today lani vallido MIJIE JUAT the curses promised by Marketing and Sales MAY IGLECIAS God to those who have Manager Account Executives turned their backs on Him. Here they are, as written in EDITORIAL Deuteronomy 28:15, series: “However, if you do ALLAN M. MEDIANTE not obey the LORD your Editor-in-Chief God and do not carefully ruel pelone CRIS DIAZ follow all his commands Managing Editor Executive Editor and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will CHENG ORDOÑEZ MARK FRANCISCO come on you and overtake Associate Editor Lifestyle Editor you: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the GILBERT Y. CHAO gerry lee gorit country. Your basket and Motoring Editor Photo Journalist your kneading trough will be cursed. PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN “The fruit of your womb Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao will be cursed, and the crops

Kakampi mo ang batas

the realities of our society today. No one is marrying anymore! Perhaps, Filipinos are now happier if their offsprings were born out of wedlock, and are therefore derisively referred to in general as “bastards”, or “ijo de p..a” for males, or “ija de p..a” for females. -oooIMPLICATIONS OF BEING BORN ILLEGITIMATE: Indeed, there are plenty of reasons why Filipinos are no longer pre-disposed to marry---poverty or deprivation in life, prior marriage, or personal beliefs or dispositions. And no one can question anyone about these things. But I want to ask those who are establishing their families even without the benefit of marriage: did you know the dire consequences and the difficulty in law if a person was born out of an illegitimate relationship? -oooGOD WANTS GODLY CHILDREN: What is more problematic here, really, is the spiritual angle of a person’s status as a legitimate or illegitimate son or daughter. One part of Bible contains

this spiritual angle, which is found in Malachi 2:15, where God clarified that He wanted children who are legitimate and godly: “Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring…” -oooILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN MEANS VIOLATING GOD’S COMMANDS: That being the case, it would be clear that having illegitimate children means violating God’s commands, as Malachi 2:15 is saying. Indeed we know that violating God’s commands brings curses, to us and to our children to the third and fourth generations. Let us read Deuteronomy 28:25 and Exodus 5:20. -oooPLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook.com/angtangingdaan. Phone: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher and President TERESA ZAFRA PELONE Comptroller

Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor

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JOE FELICILDA Editorial Consultant

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NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Legal Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------

bureau and mktg staff candy macabale - 09161326483 RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0936-303-0410 VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 MARAMAG - roFINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 quezon, buk. - ROSE GENON Iligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 tangub city - bobby mag usara OROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 davao - tomas canoy avancena jr.-09177017010 davao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) butuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO -0912-8484037 ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO -09177103642 Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute

Juvy Sarraga

Implications of being born illegitimate

Atty. Batas Mauricio

of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him…” -oooFILIPINOS BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK: The report which said that four out of ten (10) Filipinos who have been born in the Philippines were born out of wedlock--meaning, their parents were not lawfully married to one another---confirms

Connection restricted

WHAT happened to the billing section of PLDT myHome? On January 10, 2017, our Internet connection was “restricted,” actually was intentionally cut off by the billing people of that lousy department of PLDT myHome. Using an IP Address 210.213.253.70, a message was flashed on my screen coming from the PLDT Home’s Customer payment reminder portal. Here’s the message: Dear Valued Subscriber, Please be informed that your internet service with Account number *&^%$##@ has been restricted due to an unpaid balance amounting to PHP 5,178.00 as of January 10, 2017. Kindly pay your bill immediately to resume your internet service. For the meantime, your access will be limited to PLDT Home’s website until payment is made. You can also view your bills via myHome. For reconnection on the same day, kindly

pay at your nearest PLDT Sales and Service Center. If you have any inquiries and clarifications, please call our hotline 171. Thank you. PLDT HOME CUSTOMER CARE ••• The Internet connection was cut off in the morning on January 10––and despite payment was made in the afternoon, Internet connection is still unavailable even until January 11. I am just wondering why the PLDT HOME can afford to inform its customers using the CUSTOMER PAYMENT REMINDER PORTAL, but did not use it to remind their customers of an impending Internet restriction, even a day before cutting off the services. By doing it, we can be aware or, reminded of the consequences of not paying our obligations on-time. ••• I have no qualms about the PLDT myHOME payment policy, but at least the billing section must restore the services after

the customers are able to pay them. They cut off the services without even a warning yet, they are unable to restore the services right-there-and-then. ••• I hope the OWNERS, CEO, COO, PRESIDENTS, MANAGERS, and all the BOSSINGS of PLDT myHOME can change their payment policy––at least, give your customers oneday to settle their respective obligations. SEGURISTA RA POD MO KAAYO OI... In today’s modern day ruled by the Millennials, Internet connection is a must. It’s not just a necessity. ••• And ohhhh! There’s a three-digit number given by the PLDT myHOME. It’s not for Swertres, it’s a hotline number: 171. You can dial it--and a voice over command will prompt you--and tells you who to talk to. And when you pressed the digit of your concern, bang! The neverending referral follows.

From the newsroom

Ruel V. Pelone

••• There is no doubt that the PLDT myHOME is among the fastest Internet connection provider in Cagayan de Oro. It has definitely changed the landscape of the city in terms of information technology, but with lousy people in the billing and technical departments, I am hoping that another Internet Service Provider would dare invest in Cagayan de Oro or, in Mindanao. Anyway, I don’t really blame these people for being “sipsip” and loyal to their bosses, who knows if they get other incentives for having the most collection made. Ahay!

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Privatization of education continues under Duterte Thursday, January 12, 2017

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL, Bulatlat.com

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s various progressive pronouncements in his first six months in office had raised hopes for change in education, particularly among youth groups and advocates of free and quality education.

One such change was the increased budget for education this year, which will make college free in state universities. At the same time, the budget for the implementation of the voucher system in the muchcriticized K to 12 program, which prolongs high school by two years, was also increased. Progressive youth and teachers’ groups welcomed the budgetary increase that will make tuition at state universities and colleges free, but criticized the expansion of the voucher system, which, they said, privatizes the public education system. Duterte backtracked on his position on K to 12 Before he assumed the presidency, Duterte once expressed doubt about the implementation of the K to 12 program. He said senior high school and vocational courses should be optional for students. “Huwag mong i-burden lahat (Don’t burden everybody) just because you want to train technical people,” Duterte was quoted as saying in the report. His statement was a sign of hope for critics of K to 12. But shortly after Duterte assumed office, the wind changed swiftly when he said “some bright guys” at the Department of Education (DepEd) convinced him to support the program. The K to 12 program, which started under President Benigno Aquino III, was strongly opposed by different groups because of several reasons: it would result in mass layoffs of college professors; there is a sore lack of infrastructure to accommodate senior high school students; lack of preparations in terms of curriculum, teaching aids, lesson plans, books, among others. Those who oppose the program filed a petition for a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court, but these were all dismissed in March 2016. With the 2017 budget of the Duterte administration, critics of the K to 12 program said, government is further privatizing

education as it expands the coverage of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (Gastpe) or the voucher program. The voucher value for senior high school — Grades 11 and 12 – have three tiers. For National Capital Region (NCR) grantees, these are the following: • P22,500 or $455 per year (for students from the public schools) • P18,500 or $374 per year (for students from the private schools) • P11,250 or $227 per year (for non-DepEd schools that will implement senior high school). Meanwhile, grantees from the Non-NCR Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) and Non-HUCs also have three tiers. ‘Sure profits’ for private schools The Gastpe, which falls under the Major Final Outputs 3 (MFO 3) of DepEd’s budget has increased more than two-fold, from P8.3 billion ($170 million) in 2015 to P21 billion ($423 million) in 2016. This was due to the inclusion of the senior high school voucher program worth P12 billion ($240 million) — P P11 billion ($220 million) for private senior high schools and P1 billion ($20 million) for non-DepEd senior high schools or state universities and colleges catering senior high school. The MFO 3 in 2017 was further increased to P35.7 billion ($720 million), which includes P25.3 billion ($506 million) comprised of P24 billion ($480 million) for senior high school voucher program for private senior high schools and P1.3 billion ($26 million) for nonDepEd senior high schools. In the budget deliberation in September 2016, ACT Teachers’ Party Rep. Antonio Tinio said this provision only means that K to 12’s implementation of senior high school will rely on the private sector. He specifically questioned DepEd’s memorandum of agreement with the Ayala Corporation that exempts the corporation’s Affordable Private Educa-

(BULATALT FILE PHOTO) The petitioners of the K to 12 program urged the Supreme Court to act on petitions against K to 12. (Photo by A. Umil/ Bulatlat)

tion Centers (Apec) schools from the DepEd’s manual of regulations for private schools. For one, Tinio cited how Apec schools do not have to own the land on which to build their schools, which is in the DepEd’s manual of regulations. The Apec is among the senior high schools that accept the government’s voucher payments. “This raises a question for us. You have a manual of regulation for private schools, which supposedly covers all private schools, but there is a MOA and the DepEd agreed to exempt Apec from the regulations in your manual,” Tinio addressed Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones during the budget deliberations. Tinio said the budget has guaranteed income for corporations like Ayala. Briones, in response, said that this will be reviewed. A research paper by Curtis Riep, a Canadian doctoral student of the University of Alberta, has revealed other cost-cutting measures of Apec schools. This includes hiring unlicensed teachers who receive only P12,500 ($252) a month. “A household income of P12,500 per month puts Apec teachers in the second lowest socio-economic classification (class D) in the entire country,” said the research, entitled “Corporatised Education in the Philippine: Pearson, Ayala Corporation and the emergence of Affordable Private Education Centers (Apec).” The research was supported by the Education International, an international federation of education unions. The study said Apec schools operate in 29 sites in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. It intends to

establish 500 schools in 10 years, enrolling up to 250,000 students. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has called on DepEd to repeal the MOA and divert the funds for the voucher program to the public education system. Raymond Basilio,

ACT national secretarygeneral said the P11 billion ($220 million) allocation for the voucher program “could have built around 30,000 classrooms and could have catered to more than one million students.” “Solving the problems of public education

is not through privatization schemes. The voucher system is designed to shift money away from public schools and to private schools, including for-profit schools such as Apec, making education highly profitable in the Philippines,” Basilio said. Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan partylist, which has consistently opposed K to 12, said the government budget gives “sure profits” for private schools. She said this confirms fears “that DepEd might have actually designed the full implementation of the K to 12 Program in a manner that will guarantee greater profits for school owners.” But Briones in a statement said, “The senior high school voucher program is one of the venues by which the DepEd collaborates with the private sector in the effective and inclusive delivery of education.” “In the next six years, I intend to enhance the complementarity See education, page A11

NOTICE to All CEPALCO Customers Subject: Scheduled Power Interruption on Thursday, January 12, 2017 and Switching Interruption on Sunday, January 15, 2017. The Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) would like to inform all customers of a SCHEDULED POWER INTERRUPTION on Thursday, January 12, 2017 and SWITCHING INTERRUPTION on Sunday, January 15, 2017 as shown below. REASON : TO FACILITATE ENERGIZATION OF 69KV BALOY-TABLON SHORT LINE AT NESTLE AND 69KV POLE RESTRUCTING AT OLD ROAD TAGOLOAN POBLACION. A. TIME OF INTERRUPTION

: January 12, 2017 / 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM (9 HOURS)

AFFECTED AREAS: 1. Portion of Tablon at Ravidas Compound, Sitio Sapong, Sitio Palalan and Sitio Manila. B. TIME OF INTERRUPTION : January 12, 2017 (Thursday) 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM (1 HOUR); Switching 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (1 HOUR); Switching AFFECTED AREAS: BALOY FEEDER 2: 1. From Minergy/UKC to Suy Sing Warehouse-Umalag, Tablon down towards Baloy to Barangay Cugman, Gusa (excluding Capistrano Complex, Sta. Cecilia and Mega Heights Subdivisions), Lapasan up to corner Agora-Shell including Puregold and portion of corner Pimentel and Sta. Cruz 1, Lapasan. 2. Agora Market area including Gaabucayan Extension, Sto. Nino and Tabaco. 3. Malasag, FS Catanico, Upper Gusa and Indahag including Alegria Hills Office. 4. Mitimco. C. TIME OF INTERRUPTION : January 15, 2017 (Sunday) 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM (1 HOUR 30 MIN); Switching 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (1 HOUR 30 MIN); Switching AFFECTED AREAS: BALOY FEEDER 2: 1. From Minergy/UKC to Suy Sing Warehouse-Umalag, Tablon down towards Baloy to Barangay Cugman, Gusa (excluding Capistrano Complex, Sta. Cecilia and Mega Heights Subdivisions), Lapasan up to corner Agora-Shell including Puregold and portion of corner Pimentel and Sta. Cruz 1, Lapasan. 2. Agora Market area including Gaabucayan Extension, Sto. Nino and Tabaco. 3. Malasag, FS Catanico, Upper Gusa and Indahag including Alegria Hills Office. 4. Mitimco. 5. Portion of Tablon at Ravidas Compound, Sitio Sapong, Sitio Palalan and Sitio Manila Power will however be restored immediately without further notice when Cepalco line and switching works are completed earlier than scheduled. We hope the affected customers and the public in general will be guided by this announcement. Thank you. Released by: Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez Assistant Vice President Head, Customer & Community Relations Dept. MDN: Jan 12, 2017

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

GenSan renews bid to have its own congressional district GENERAL Santos City-Officials here and in nearby South Cotabato province have renewed their bid for the separation of this city into a new congressional or legislative district. South Cotabato (1st District) Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. filed House Bill (HB) 4678 NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of FEDERICO PAREDES, who died intestate on March 23, 1989 at Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, consisting of a parcel of land the deceased and his wife, Lucia Paredes, acquired in Taloao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, with an area of 9,966 square meters, being a portion of the land registered under Transfer Certificate of Title No. RT-7582 in the names of Zenona T. Pableo, Candida T. Pableo, Arcadio T. Pableo and Eligio T. Pableo under Tax Declaration No, 03-01-01400034-A and Property Identification No. 053-01-014-01-037, with the transfer in favor of the deceased annotated as Entry No. 33223 of TCT RT-7582 which mentions that a portion of 9,966 square meters of the land described therein was transferred by Arcadio Pableo in favor of Federico Paredes through a Deed of Sale executed on July 15, 1980 at Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and recorded as Doc. No. 682, Page No. 17, Book No. 7, Series of 1980 in the Notarial Registry of Atty. Pablo P. Lapa, is the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE HEIRS OF FEDERICO PAREDES WITH ABSOLUTE SALE made and executed by deceased Federico Paredes’ compulsory heirs, namely, widow Lucia M. Paredes, heirs of Emmanuel M. Paredes represented by his widow, Verlin Paredes, Ildebrando M. Paredes, Federico M. Paredes, Jr., Angelito M. Paredes, Rodito M. Paredes, Maria Estella P. Dapar, and Pilarita P. Taclindo, adjudicating the conjugal share of deceased Federico Paredes on above-described property with all the improvements thereon in equal shares, pro indiviso, and for and in consideration of P50,000.00, selling, transferring, and conveying a portion of above-described land pertaining to the conjugal share of deceased Federico Paredes and his surviving spouse Lucia M. Paredes, with an area of 9,450 square meters unto LEONARDO M. KUIZON, married and a resident of Talo-ao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, ESTRELLA K, GARCIA, married and a resident of Baan, Butuan City, and JOHVANI M. KUIZON, married and a resident of Quiapo, Tondo, Metro-Manila, per Doc. No. 393; Page No. 79; Book No. VIII; Series of 2016 of the Notarial Registry of Reggie E. Morales-Saludo, Notary Public at Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Philippines.

last month that seeks the creation of a lone legislative district for the city. This city, which is classified as an independent and highly-urbanized locality, is presently a part of the province’s first district. HB 4678, which was officially filed Dec. 13, was immediately referred by the House committee on rules to the committee on local government, which Acharon chairs. In filing the proposed measure, Acharon said it is time for the city to stand as EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTIOTION WITH AND SALE Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the deceased REY O. DIFUNTORUM who died on April 2, 2003 at Iligan City; that the deceased left a parcel of land situated at Camague, Iligan City, which is more particularly described as follows: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-34,118 (a.f.); “A parcel of land (2-F of the subdivision plan Psd-12014035 being a portion of Lot 2, Blk. 11, (LRC) Psd-89917 situated in the Barrio of Camague, City of Iligan, Is. Of Mindanao; Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED (200) SQUARE METERS, more or less” ; is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION WITH AND SALE; made and entered into by and between namely; ROSEMARIE DIFUNTORUM, widow, LEO FRANZ DIFUNTORUM, and REY MICHAEL DIFUNTORUM, all of legal age, Filipinos, and EDNA O. DIFUNTORUM, of legal age, Filipino, and a residents of Iligan City,.; That WE, the abovenamed ROSEMARIE DIFUNTORUM, LEO FRANZ DIFUNTORUM and REY MICHAEL DIFUNTORUM being all of legal age, and with full civil capacity to contract, and EDNA O. DIFUNTORUM, hereby these presents, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (Php100,000.00) PESOS, Philippines Currency, to us in hand paid by REY A. PANTINOPLE, likewise of legal age, Filipino, married to ERMA R. PANTINOPLE, both of legal age, Filipinos, and residents of Camague, Iligan City, receipt of which is hereby confessed to have received in full and in cash to our entire satisfaction do hereby SELL, TRANSFER and CONVEY absolutely and unconditionally unto said VENDEE, his heirs and assigns, the above-described parcel of land; free from any and all liens and encumbrances.; Under Notary Public of ATTY. BERNAGIFT C. GONZAGADIMACALING; as per Doc No. 498; Page No. 49; Book No. XII; Series of 2016.

MDN: Jan 12, 19 & 26, 2017

MDN: Jan. 5, 12 & 19, 2017

a lone congressional district as it has long been qualified for it. Citing results of the 2015 Census on Population and Housing, he said the city had a total population of around 594,000 and an annual average population growth rate of 1.91 percent since 2010. In line with the measure, Acharon is pushing for the reconfiguration of the present composition of South Cotabato’s first and second congressional districts to carve out a separate or lone congressional district for this city. The first district presently comprises this city and the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok in South Cotabato. The second district is NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of LOLITA AYENTO LIM, who died intestate in Butuan City on January 24, 2006, consisting of one-nine share over a real property consisting of a residential house and a commercial building built over a parcel of land situated at 044 Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City, containing an area of 500 square meters, more or less, covered by TCT No. RT-9506 and more particularly described as “A parcel of land (Lot 29 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Bsd-32206, being a portion of Lot 445-A described on plan Bsd-4934, LRC (GLRO) Cad. Rec. No. 321) with all improvements thereon situated in the city of Butuan, Island of Mindanao, Philippines. Bounded on the N., points 3 to 4 by Lot 30 of the subdivision plan; on the E., points 4 to 1 by Lot 295, Butuan Cadastre (Montilla Boulevard); on the S., points 1 to 2 by Lot 79 of the subdivision plan; and on the W., points 2 to 3 by Road Lot. Beginning at the point marked “1” on plan being N. 56 deg. 17’W., 302.36 m. from B.L.L.M. No. I, Butuan Cadastre,” containing an area of 500 square meters, more or less, is the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE made and entered into by and between deceased Lolita Ayento Lim’s legitimate children and sole heirs, namely, Diana Ayento Lim and Venus Ayento Lim Garcia, agreeing to equally divide and adjudicate among themselves their mother’s one-nine (1/9) share of above-mentioned parcel of land, which is equivalent to 55.5 square meters, more or less, per Doc. No. 681; Page No. 137; Book No.8; Series of 2017 of the Notarial Registry of Atty. Jose B. Guibone, Notary Public in the City of Butuan, Philippines, until December 31, 2017. MDN: Jan 12, 19 & 26, 2017

composed of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga, T’boli, Surallah, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. Acharon, who is a former mayor here, said that with the separation of the city, the remaining towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan will comprise the first district. He said the three municipalities are already qualified to become a separate district as their combined population reach 262,090. Based on the 2015 census, he said Polomolok has a population of 152,789 and posted an average annual growth rate of 1.92 percent. Tupi has a population of 69,976 while Tampakan has 39,525. “This clearly shows that the reconstitution of the first district of South Cotabato is in order so as to ensure NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of MARGARITA R. VDA. DE AYENTO, who died intestate on July 27, 2009, consisting of her conjugal share over a real property, consisting of one part of nine (1/9) share over a real property consisting of a residential house and commercial building built over a parcel of land located at 044 Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Philippines, containing an area of 500 square meters, more or less, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. RT-9506 issued by the Registry of Deeds for the City of Butuan and declared for tax purposes as Tax Declaration No. 08-03-0003-00638 at the time of her death; one-storey residential building with floor area of 100 square meters declared under Tax Declaration No. 08-03-0003-0069; and one-storey commercial building with floor area of 137.54 square meters declared under Tax Declaration No. 08-030003-00640, are the subjects of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MARGARITA RADAZA VDA. DE AYENTO made and entered into by and among deceased Margarita Radaza Vda. De Ayento’s only surviving and lawful heirs, per Doc. No. 371; Page No. 76; Book No. XXV; Series of 2016 of the Notarial Registry of Atty. Gil M. Cembrano, Notary Public until December 31, 2017 at Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Philippines. MDN: Jan 12, 19 & 26, 2017

that they are not deprived of equal representation,” Acharon said. He added that the approval of the measure will “give life to the Constitutional mandate of ensuring due and equal representation for all.” In the 15th Congress, Acharon filed HB 6038 or “an act reapportioning the

composition of the first and second legislative districts in the province of South Cotabato and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment.” But the measure failed to get past the preliminary discussions at the committee level until the congressional recess for the May 2013 elections. (MindaNews)

Duterte gov’t eyes 70% contraceptive prevalence rate in PH

With the signing of Executive Order No. 12 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the government is hoping to reach 70 percent contraceptive prevalence rate in the Philippines by year 2022. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ernesto Pernia said the Philippines has only 40 to 45 percent contraceptive prevalence rate while Thailand and Bangladesh reach up 75% each. “So we really need to wrap up our contraceptive prevalence rate to around 70%, 65 at least, better 70% in order to achieve zero unmeet need for family planning,” Pernia said in a Palace press briefing. On the other hand, Commission on Population Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III predicted that population growth rate might go down from 1.6 million to 1.4 million per year if the EO No. 12 on “Zero Unmeet Need for Family Planning” will be fully implemented in the next six years. “If this program is fully implemented by up to 2022, we predict that the population growth rate might go down around 1.4,” Perez said. The joint efforts of the NEDA and the Department of Health (DOH) to push further the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive See RATE, page A7

KIMBERLITE PAWNSHOP MALAYBALAY BRANCH

Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having an AUCTION SALE on all items that expired on November 2016: AUCTION DATE: January 16, 2017 Estrada Bldg., Fortich-Don Carlos Sts., Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

OROFIESTA TRADING SERVICES, INC. TEL. #S: 0998-991-3742 - Smart / 0917-720-3742 - Globe

PURCHASING OFFICER

Republic of the Philippines Province of Davao del Sur CITY OF DIGOS

OFFICE OF THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that MERCEDITA ALBERCA-AQUINO has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF FIRST NAME (CFN) from “MERDEDITA” to “MERCEDITA” in the Birth Certificate of MERDEDITA RAMOS ALBERCA who was born on 4-14-1974 at Malalag, Davao del Sur and whose parents are Jesus Alberca and Matilde T. Ramos. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office not later than January 18, 2017. Issued this 29th day of December 2016 at Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that ROSEMARIE W. SORIANO has filed with this Office a petition for CHANGE OF FIRST NAME (CFN) from “MARIA XXXXXX” to “ROSEMARIE” in the Birth Certificate of MARIA XXXXXX SARDIDO WENCESLAO who was born on 8-24-67 at Digos, Davao del Sur and whose parents are Francisco > Wenceslao and Elpedia M. Sardido. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than October 16, 2016. Issued this 26th day of September 2016 at Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

(Sgd.) MARISSA C. NEBRADA City Civil Registrar

MDN: Jan 5 & 12, 2017

Publication Notice NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No.2013-01 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172). Notice is hereby served to the public that KEEN LACSON TINDOY has filed with this Office, a petition for Correction of entry in the GENDER/SEX from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in her certificate of Live Birth at Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. (Sgd.) BEDICTO P. SABATIN Municipal Civil Registrar MDN: Jan 12 & 19, 2017

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Farmers... from page A1

Memper, together with farmers from Bukidnon and the 42 other farmers who escaped Hacienda Luisita in November last year, trooped down to Cagayan De Oro City Wednesday to hold a protest rally. He said that of the 161 farmers who were recruited from Bukidnon by the Greenland Labor Cooperative in July, only 42 farmers managed to escape amid the heavily guarded hacienda. According to Memper, the 119 other farmers who remained in the Hacienda Luisita were asking for the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Agrarian Reform to intercede on their behalf. Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac, is owned by the Cojuangcos. “Ironically, the hacienda was covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program during the presidency of Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, but has continued to operate despite a court order to distribute the sugar land to farmers,” Memper said. He said that the farmers in Bukidnon held the protest-rally in Cagayan De Oro City in order that the DOLE, DAR and other line agencies could take notice of the plight of the farmers. Memper said that the farmers would also file a case with violation of the human trafficking laws. (PNA)

Scam... from page A1

procurement requirements were not complied with but raised the common defense that “they did not have any involvement in the bidding process.” According to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, “this is untenable.” “The wanton disregard of a plain and simple policy of the law that defeated the principle of transparency and competitiveness in the procurement process is sufficient to establish that respondents acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality or gross inexcusable negligence.” Source: Ombudsman.gov.ph

Prank... from page A1

he discouraged these kinds of calls and instead urged them to report on emergency and life-threatening situations. “Prank calls clog Central 911’s network and make it difficult for its call center to actually receive legitimate emergency calls,” Jaldon said. He said that Central 911 call center will block the callers after making five prank calls, although line owners can be unblocked if they request in the future. Jaldon lamented that that non-emergency calls may affect the operation of the Central 911 to respond

efficiently to legitimate reports. He said, for instance, in terms of the dispatch of the agency’s limited resources like ambulances and manpower such as the responders to areas where they are mostly needed. The Central 911 chief classified non-emergency calls as inquiries about the locations of emergencies and accidents, traffic jams, test calls and drills done by offices, and complaints on noisy neighborhood. “The priority of Central 911 as the responders are people’s lives,” Jaldon said. He said that he will no longer propose to the City Council to come up with an ordinance punishing prank callers here but he leaves it to Congress to create a measure to control the number of prank calls after 911 hotline became available nationwide in August 2016. He said callers must be prompt, clear, and direct when reporting to Central 911. When calling the Central 911, Jaldon advised the public to be immediately aware of the nature of the emergency and the location, although the Central 911 call center agents may ask for additional information. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Relations... from page A1

funds from the Japanese government. He said that they will come out with a final list by next month. “What we are expecting to move forward and work specifically is coming up with the list of those projects that can be rolled out with funding from Japan,” he said. “We are expecting to have a workshop undertaken in middle of February.” Montenegro said that he is also overwhelmed by the interest of the Japanese to invest in renewable energy, specifically hydropower plants, in the island. Japanese investors and their Filipino counterparts are expected to meet in the city on Friday for possible joint venture. “For the visit of Prime Minster Abe, we are expecting a delegation of economic managers of the Japanese government and the private sector. There is an activity there where there is an investment interaction among the business leaders and Japanese sometime on Friday,” he said. Meeting will be held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Montenegro said. He added that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 will present investment opportunities in the region while the MinDA will highlight the Mindanao macroeconomic investment picture. Malacañang officials revealed that the itinerary of Abe’s visit includes a visit to the house of Duterte. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Problem... from page A1

articles online list down many signs of hoarding, but there is a peculiar way this manifests in Filipino homes: when you’re visiting a friend’s house and they tell you “gubot baya among balay” like a modest warning, managing guest expectations…or maybe a hesitation to accommodate. Unya gubot jud diay. Hoarders are often unable to invite friends or visitors over because there’s no space to accommodate them. In an EverydayHealth. com article, Dr. Daniel Yohanna, of the department of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago, said hoarding is currently categorized as an anxiety disorder, part of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. She described how this behavior often makes parts of homes unusable. “Generally, furniture has been slowly moved into the middle of a room as the periphery is filled higher and higher with useless objects. Eventually, only pathways exist throughout the home to get from room to room, a chair, or a bed.” Spaces intended for breathing are no more because these become areas for accumulated possessions filled with dust and cobwebs, making the home unsanitary. The worse part: there is no organization to the clutter, and there is no way to locate things at command. Hoarding also manifests in the way some people keep old clothes and uniforms with hopes to wear them again and storing broken appliances that are imagined to be fixed someday. Lacno said psychotherapy is often the most recommended form of treatment for hoarding and this takes several sessions and participation of the patient. “However it is important to always approach a trained mental health professional, especially someone with experience in psychotherapy, as this intervention can do more harm than good if done improperly,” he said.

be allocated to: textbooks, learning materials, Science and Math equipment, computers, repair of school furniture and rehabilitation of classrooms, training for teachers and non-teaching personnel, and testing and evaluation. Briones has committed to utilize all the budget of the DepEd to deliver services to Filipino students. “We are introducing greater leadership supervision and oversight over Finance and Administration transactions to efficiently utilize the government’s biggest personnel and operationalize the Department’s huge financial resources,” Briones said. Good news? Tuition will be free in SUCs Before 2016 ended, the General Appropriations Act of 2017 was approved with a budget allocation for free tuition. This was after the Senate realigned P8.3 billion ($170 million) for the 2017 budget of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched). The budget was sourced from the budget for infrastructure projects for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said, a form of pork barrel. Th realigned budget will benefit 1.6 million students in 114 SUCs. Duterte, meanwhile, said in his message to Congress that there is a need to ensure proper implementation of the free tuition provision and to give priority to “financially disadvantaged but

academically able students.” The Kabataan Partylist (KPL) called this a “gamechanger.” “It has shattered the illusion cast by naysayers and conservatives who have long sought division and spread cowardice by saying that this is not possible,” said the KPL statement. Meanwhile, research group Ibon Foundation said that the free tuition for higher education needs to be institutionalized to ensure funds and for all students of SUCs to avail of free tuition. The group said that the realigned funds is not enough to cover the tuition of all SUC enrollees and may not last beyond 2017. “By institutionalizing free tuition in tertiary education, government would be compelled to ensure that enough funds meet the needs of all public higher education students,” the group said. Progressive youth groups said this is an initial victory in the struggle for free and quality education for all Filipino youth. They stressed that this “development did not spring from the benevolence of government.” “This is a recognition of the long-standing clamor of the Philippine student movement for the government to veer away from letting state schools charge and profit from public higher education,” the group said. However, the group still views the 2017 national budget as “pro-big business and corruption-prone, and framed to implement

and further exacerbate neoliberal attacks against the Filipino people.” The group called on students and youths to conduct mass actions to “reclaim the public character of SUCs and institutionalize free public education in all levels.”

Rate... from page A6

Health Act (RPRH Law) has been realized with the signing of EO NO. 12 last January 9. This order aims to intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary to attain and sustain “zero unmet need for modern family planning” for all poor households by 2018, and all of Filipinos thereafter. In 2012, Congress has approved RPRH Law but temporary restraining order (TRO) filed at the Supreme Court (SC) has prevented the government from implementing it for the last four years. Pernia said if the RPRH law will be fully implemented, the government will not be able to meet the poverty reduction from 22 percent to at least 13 percent by the end of the Duterte administration. “The government cannot continue to tolerate this delay in judgment because time is of the essence as far as the implementation of the RPRH law is concerned. Everyday about 11 women die from complications of pregnancy and delivery,” Pernia said. philippine news agency

Education... from page A6

of public and private institutions. This is in recognition of the private sector’s vital contribution in achieving education for all in the country,” Briones said. Unobligated allotment Briones said in the DepEd’s Declaration of Vision and Agenda there are still unobligated funds – or funds allotted but unspent — for the education sector. For 2016, P47 billion ($950 million) was unobligated as of June 30, 2016. Of these, P21 billion ($420 million) was allotted for Gastpe, read the DepEd Declaration. Briones said there are unobligated funds not only for the year 2016 but also 2015, which, she said, could

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

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