one mindanao - december 15, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

2/F Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features

Tourist Destinations

in Davao City

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

In ThisIssue...

Thursday, Vol. 1 No. 123

Cover StoryDestination Davao

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Del Rosario endorsed to lead Mindanao peace and security committee

DTI cautions public to examine ICC of imported items

Daan-daang trabaho, pamaskong handog ng South Cotabato LGU

Sec. Paje distributes 2,341 patents in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Province

Eric F. Gallego, Caraga Region

Region XI

Region XII

DEDoguiles, Region XII

23

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page 14

page 18

page 22

page 25

page 29

RG Alama

Nat

iona

l

Aquino leads commissioning of navy assets............................................................ 11

page 4

19 Pag-IBIG Fund celebrates31st anniversary

Region X

Agusan del Norte LGU supports DOH birth spacing campaign

Caraga Region 33

Palay prices in Bukidnon steady as NFA steps up procurement drive

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy Region X21

31

16 PNoy is in the right direction, says former military rebel

Franklin P. Gumapon, Region IX

2013 rice self-sufficiency target doable thru dynamic rice-related agencies ... 13

17 City reminds adult carolers to seek permitJocelyn P. Alvarez, Region IX

4 Thursday, December 15, 2011ONE MINDANAO

Destination Davao

Cover Story

Under the National Tourism Development Plan, there are 21 tourism clusters and within each clusters there are tourism development areas and Davao is included in the Top 10 priority tourism clusters.” says

Department of Tourism-XI regional director Art Boncato.

by RG Alama

5 Thursday, December 15, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Interviewed during the Talk-ing Points Radio Show of Radyo Ng Bayan last Tuesday (Dec. 13) Boncato is optimistic and bullish about tourism in the region. Part of the plans is the goal of the DOT to double existing tourism arrivals (which stands at 3.5million) for the next five years. By 2016 the plan is to have 7-mil-lion foreign tourists. Among the plan is the opening up of secondary airports like Clark and Davao to more international flights which would decongest the existing terminals in the Ninoy Aquino International Airports. “Dapat ma-optimize na ang DIA (Davao International Airport)

for international flights.” Boncato said. As for the NTDP the tourism sector is eyeing to develop tour-ism areas in the priority tourism cluster of Davao. The first would be the contiguous areas of Davao City, Samal and Davao del Norte, the next would be the areas of Davao del Sur and another tour-ism area is the Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. To prepare for this, the tour-ism stakeholders in the region has come up with a One Davao tagline which could position the region as one great destination. Currently the Department has adopted the Islands-to-Highlands


line where visitors can either go to the sun-soaked beaches or hike up to mountainous attractions. Boncato said they are also en-couraging localities in the region to come up with their own tagline and brand. Davao City for exam-ple has launched its Life is Here tag and image branding. Though he frowns upon the idea of marketing the region or city as separate and distinct from Mindanao which is suffering from serious image issues. “Davao is the heart of Mind-anao. The success of Davao is also the success of Mindanao. “ Bon-cato said. He adds that bad things do happen in many places across the world. “We should bring out the beauty of Mindanao,” Bonca-to urged the tourism stakehold-ers, “When we show to people the beauty of Davao, we are also showing the beauty of Mindanao.” he adds. Based on data culled from hotels, which is the basis for tour-ists arrivals in the city. The figures collected from January to August 2011 there were about 500,000 tourist arrivals from the region. Up by 10% as compared to last year. Of these 95% are local tour-ists with only 5% coming from other countries. Majority foreign


visitors are from United States, Japan and South Korea. China meanwhile is consid-ered as an emerging market which they like to focus on. Boncato said they are also enticing niche mar-kets like scuba divers and wake boarders. There are many dive sites in Davao Gulf while the Deca Wake-board Park in Mintal is drawing in wake boarders. The region is also shaping up for its Meetings, Exhibition, Con-ventions and Exhibitions or MICE market. Currently new conven-tion facilities like the SMX by SM City and the Davao International Exhibition and Convention Center are being constructed as so with new hotels and other accommo-dations. Boncato reveals that the 10% increase in arrivals could partly be attributed to the growing MICE market which finds the region as a perfect destination because of its

highlands-to-islands attractions. Another reason for the growth would include the promotion cam-paigns of the various local govern-ments like Davao City. “it is crucial for every region to have a branding campaign.” Boncato said. He says the ideal-ly brandings depicts the visitors’ experiences in specific locations they had visited. The director also bared that the DOT will be embark-ing on a new branding campaign, he briefs us on the progress and says that an advertising agency has already been chosen to imple-ment the campaign. Another reason for the growth is the entry of low-cost carriers. For example Tiger Airways has started to operate at the Davao International Airport and will con-nect the City to Singapore. The regional director said that more airlines would bring in more tour-ists. Davao remains a top destina-tion for local inbound tourists cur-


rently DOT estimates that there 28 million traveling Filipinos who travel at least twice a year to oth-er destinations in the country.

He said he hopes the region could also increase its foreign arrivals. One way is to effectively monitor tourism arrivals.

By next year under the new tour-ism law all tourism establishments like hotels, inns and resorts must be accredited by the DOT. During the enactment of the local govern-ment code, tourism accreditation was devolved to the local govern-ments and accreditation was only optional.

With accreditation these es-tablishments must present data to the DOT. Unlike the current sys-tem where they only get data from accredited tourism businesses or about 50% of the inventory. Boncato says that to fully at-tract more tourists the country must increase its budget for tour-ism promotions. The country for example has a budget of $20-mil-lion and gets 3.5 million foreign visitors as compared to Malaysia which has a $80-million budget and gets 24-million visitors and Thailand with $75-million and has about 17-million foreign tourists annually.

9 Thrusday, December 15, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

2012 National Budget earliest to be signed since 1986

The National Budget for 2012, which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday, (December 15), is the earliest government appropriations law approved since Philippine

democracy was restored in 1986.

President Noynoy Aquino signs Republic Act (R.A.) 10155, the P1.245 Trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the Fiscal Year 2012 during the Signing Ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace Thursday December 15, 2011.


In his speech following the signing, the Pres-ident said that this day should go down in histo-ry as a first in the 25 years of Philip-pine democracy. “Kanina lang ay nasaksihan ninyo ang ating paglagda sa ating budget, ang pina-ka-maagang pag-sasabatas sa tau-nang budget mula ng mabawi natin ang demokrasya nuong 1986,” the President said. “Tunay pong makasaysayan ang araw na ito,” he added. The earli-est budget enactments for the four

o t h e r Ph i l i p -

p i n e

Presidents who came before him are as follows: Corazon Aquino – December 18, 1986; Fidel Ra-mos – January 6, 1993; Joseph Es-trada – December 30, 1998; and Glo-ria Arroyo – Janu-ary 21, 2002. President Aqui-no thanked the people who worked doubly hard to prepare the 2012 budget namely: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Fe-liciano Belmonte and the Depart-ment of Budget and Manangement. In a state-ment, Budget Sec-retary Florencio Abad said the ear-ly signing of the budget meant that government could immediately imple-ment its programs

and key infrastruc-ture projects even on the first day of the New Year. “In contrast to 2011 when infra-structure spend-ing was delayed, we intend to be-gin 2012 on a very strong note,” Abad said. “The swift-ness of the bud-get signiong also means that the government can hit the ground running with its programs, starting with key infrastructure proj-ects. It also rein-forces the Presi-dent’s commitment to his Social Con-tract with the Fili-pino people and underscores our mission to ensure economic devel-opment and trans-parent government spending,” he said. (RCK)


Aquino leads commissioning of navy assets

In his speech after the commissioning and christen-ing of the three ships and a chopper on Wednesday at South Harbor in Manila, the President said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should put its focus not only on internal threats but

also on external challenges. “Kailangang ituon ng sandatahang lakas ang pansin sa mga banta—hindi lamang sa loob ng bansa, ngunit ngayon, maging sa mga panlabas na hamon. Bilang isang arkipelago na

may 36,000 nauti-cal miles na bay-bayin, mahalaga pong magka-roon tayo ng sapat at matatag n a

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the commissioning of the new and refurbished Philippine Navy ships and helicopter saying the additional naval assets will ensure greater peace and security in the country.


depensa upang mabantayan ang ating mga isla,” he said. To meet these challenges, the Presi-dent said, the coun-try should modernize its military by acquir-ing new weapons and equipment and increas-ing the readiness of its forces. The acquisition of the assets by the Navy is a major thrust of the government to strength-en the country’s maritime defenses, he said. The Chief Executive thanked the men and women in the Navy for their unwavering dedica-tion to serve the country by securing the country’s borders. “Sumasaludo ako sa puspusang pag-susumikap at patuloy na pagkayod ng Huk-bong Dagat ng Pilipi-nas, sa pangunguna ni Vice Admiral Alex-ander Pama, upang magampanan ang kanilang tung-kulin sa bayan. Hindi po tayo makakarat-

ing sa pag-k a k a t a -

ong ito kundi

dahil sa tatag at dedikasyon ninyo,” he said. The continuing mod-ernization of the Philippine armed forces is a manifesta-tion of the righteous path that the country is taking, Presi-dent Aquino said. Although the military has limited re-sources, he said it was able to carry out its modernization program through prudent spending. “Patunay ang narating nating ito sa layo ng kaya nat-ing abutin kung sama-sama lamang tayong magsasag-wan, at iisang direksyon ang ating tatahakin. Sa likod ng ating pagsulong, huwag sana nating lilimutin na mahaba pa ang ating lalakbayin. Mana-tili sana tayong nakatutok sa ating layunin, kumapit nawa tayo sa inaasam nating tun-guhin: isang Pilipinas na mas matatag, mas maginhawa, mas mapayapa, at natatangl-awan ng wagas na liwanag,” he said. Among the navy as-sets that were commissioned Wednesday include the newly acquired Hamilton Class cut-ter Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Gregorio del Pilar and the new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) BRP Tagba-nua. The Navy also put into service the newly refurbished BO105 helicopter donated by

Department of Tourism and commissioned and renamed the Presidential Yacht BRP Ang Pangulo, formerly the BRP Pag-Asa. BRP Gregorio del Pi-lar, which was acquired by the Philippine government through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program, ar-rived in the Philippines from the United States last August. The US-made battle ship was acquired through the Malam-paya Gas-to-Power Project Funds of the Department of Energy. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar will primarily patrol the West Philippine Sea, accord-ing to the President, adding that hopefully another Hamil-ton Class cutter will arrived in the country from the US. On the other hand, BRP Tagbanua, a Filipino-made vessel, is primarily configured to transport combat person-nel, tanks, vehicles, artillery equipment, and cargoes in support to military amphibi-ous operations. It also has capabilities to perform non-combatant evacu-ation; medical assistance proj-ects; disaster, rescue and re-lief operations; and transport/logistics mission in support to national socio-economic proj-ects of the government. It was built using the AFP Moderniza-tion Fund. (AS)

D o , niam erum po-

nos vilicibes in-proximmo estrur. Si in ta re incla moltod res! Seri publica perc-estrae adeatu inata, Castra, c a v e r i p i o r e , nemed cuppli, tam verfec te perentilic is.Essolum pop-tere teremus, quem, cae aces Mae efaceret ver-iorum dit. Serem fac rem ilis con Ita, quam populicae-quo es-t a t i l l e g i n vaginatre, v i v a g i t e imus hoc-tam hoca; nos acesi con Itam v e r u n t e conloc ven-int iam at, qui con dereo, noter-virius spic te, niquamdis in inti lnestrum acesuam qua res egiticen tes se queri public orum et pat ni-mus aut venatus et? At omanum, pullariam uteatis, us cupiocus, C. Octam erimmorum incurbite erehemq uodicie muntem dieniam furo ut Cupio, ni int? Tius bondam reistra ctoreo imum hicio, cononsimure forsum faurehe ntelute rbemorb effre, nit. Na, macior adducon sus-pess enatuam dem idessena ina, quosse in Itam quas intes cervis. Patrum, Patqui


2013 rice self-sufficiency target doable thru dynamic rice-related agenciesAn official from

the National Food Authority (NFA) said that the

country’s rice self-sufficiency goal for 2013 can be attained if government rice-related agencies continue to be dynamic.

by Precie Catherine C. Cuarto

In today’s episode of “Talking Points” radio pro-gram, NFA Director for Public Affairs Rex Estoperez said rice importation is on a decline but there are factors that af-fect rice production that gov-ernment agencies must ad-dress. There is a need, Estop-erez said, to beef up agricul-tural infrastructures before 2013. Also, changing weath-er and other environmental factors, such as pests, must be considered ‘constant foes’ when it comes to rice yield productivity and quality.

He said rice supply can be greatly affected by typhoons, especially when it hits at a time when the ma-jor harvest is expected to be made, like the last quarter of the year.“But we do not stop laying out strategies on where (to start again) and how to overcome problems so that rice produc-tion would remain high,” he said. The Department of Ag-riculture and Philippine Rice Research Institute have de-veloped rice varieties that can resist pests, flood, and

drought.There are also varieties that have nutrients like Vitamin A for “Golden Rice,” and iron for i-Rice. “These agencies are developing (rice) varieties to suit the needs (of the con-sumers),” said Estoperez. Estoperez also encour-aged the consumers to con-sider other crops that can al-ter dependence on rice, and to advocate for the locally produced rice varieties devel-oped by researchers for the Filipino market.


Former MNLF members receive livelihood projects from WESCOM, ICRC

They once exchanged fires; now they are partners in development as former rebels and the military engaged in developing agricultural lands.


Former MNLF members receive livelihood projects from WESCOM, ICRC

Through the initia-tive of its Command-ing Officer, LtGen Ju-ancho M. Sabban, the Western Command (WESCOM) brought a developmental project to former members of the Moro National Lib-eration Front (MNLF) to help them improve their lives and discour-age them from revert-ing to their old ways. The 6th Civil Rela-tions Group of the AFP disclosed that LtGen. Sabban personally at-tended the turn-over of agricultural liveli-hood projects to for-mer MNLF members who now reside in the town of Rizal. Among the proj-ects handed over to the former rebels were 11 carabaos (water buffalos), five hand tractors and threshers and rice seeds that the recipients could use to develop their rice fields. “Though at one time we have been at odds with one anoth-

er, these people have decided to renounce their old ways to live a peaceful life. Most of them have become good friends and we want to help them now to improve their lives,” LtGen. Sabban said. The agricultur-al livelihood projects were handed over to the former MNLF mem-bers last December 4. LtGen. Sabban said the project was made pos-sible with the help of

the In-ternational Communi-ty of Red Cross (ICRC) who provided the items that were dis-tributed to the former rebels. The project aims not only to rehabilitate the beneficiaries who have once been part of an armed struggle but also to help them reclaim their lives, a great part of which were spent in the boondocks and fight-ing authorities.


The beneficiaries of the program were former members of the said group who are now neglected by their orga-nization, LTGen Sabban

explained. “This only shows that we can put our dif-ferences in the past and move forward with a shared purpose and that

is achieving progress for our community and better life for our peo-ple,” the WESCOM Chief said. (JPA/6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

Querubin was here to attend a BCBP (Brotherhood of Chris-tian Businessmen and Professionals) gath-ering at the Top Plaza Hotel where he and his wife served as speak-ers.

The couple shared with the participants the hardships they went through in life and how the Lord strength-ened them. Querubin recalled the pains his family suf-fered when he was in-carcerated for more than four years on accusation of rebellion during the administration of former President Gloria Arroyo. The former military official told the press that he fought the Arroyo administration because of bad governance that brought about corrup-tion, poverty, inequality and all evils of society.

When asked how he felt for the former President after the lat-ter was served an arrest warrant for electoral sabotage, he curtly re-plied: “She got a dose of her own medicine.” In a separate de-velopment, Querubin expressed objection to an all-out war policy against the rebels. War, he said, is expensive and it could deplete our resources. “We shall continue running after the ban-dits but, at the same time, continue the peace talks,” Querubin suggested.

PNoy is in the right direction, says former military rebelDIPOLOG CITY - Former military official Col. Ariel Querubin told the media people here this morning that “President Benigno simeon C. Aquino III is in the right path” in pursuing good governance.

by Franklin P. Gumapon


City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Cova-rrubias said big organi-zations, civic and other organized groups that in-tend to do caroling activi-ties this Christmas season should get permits from the local government. “The policy is in-tended to discourage syndicates and money-making activities,” said Covarrubias. “An applicant of for caroling permit should present a letter of request in securing the permit,” she explained. Covarrubias said the permit is free of charge “but authorities have to determined the exact objective of the proposed caroling activities.” The lady IO fur-ther said “in the case of the children carolers, no permit is required.”

City reminds adult carolers to seek permit by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city government through the City Administrators Office reminds adult carolers to secure a permit first at the City Hall before they can conduct caroling activities this yuletide season.

Covarrubias in-formed that as of Dec. 8, the City Adminis-trator’s Office has ap-proved the application 0f 10 groups to conduct caroling activities this Christmas.

Caroling starts Dec. 16 until Dec. 24. Covarrubias said the city has been implement-ing this policy for years now with the purpose of discouraging syndicates. (JPA/CIO)


LCC, PIA rev up for radio program on literacyby Elaine O. Ratunil

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), will launch “Literasi Para sa Kaunlaran,” radio program, this month.

LCC’s Chairperson Rizalino D. Rivera, who is also Department of Education’s undersecretary, said the radio program on literacy aims to promote the thrusts and programs of Republic Act 10122 otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) by Amending RA 7165,” also, known as “An Act Creating the LCC,

Defining its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds, therefore and for Other Purposes.” Further, Usec. Rizalino said the “Literasi Para sa Kaunlaran” intends to intensify advocacy and social mobilization promoting literacy endeavors of LCC through radio broadcast in remote areas of the country where literacy rate is at its


LCC, PIA rev up for radio program on literacylowest. Dr. Norma Salcedo of the Department of Education (DepEd), Head of the LCC Secretariat, on the other hand, said through the program, the LCC hopes to convince the parents in these areas by showing them the importance of sending their children to school or to non-formal schools for out of school children. They also aim to encourage out of school youths (OSY) and indigenous people to avail of non-formal schools,

placements and assessment programs. The radio program hopes to promote the policy thrusts, directions and programs initiated by the LCC; and to underscore the importance of functional literacy in the empowerment of people and in poverty and hunger mitigation efforts, Salcedo said. The once a week radio segment will be aired live over a local radio station here in the

city, every Sunday, 7:00-8:00 p.m. starting December 18. There will be a delayed telecast over PARASAT Cable TV 29 on Saturdays, 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening. It will also have delayed telecast over various cable stations in the five (5) provinces of Northern Mindanao: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental and including Marawi city.

Pag-IBIG Fund celebrates 31st anniversaryCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – The Pag-IBIG Fund is celebrating its 31st anniversary, this month. Corporate-wide convocation was organized, December 1, as a kick-off to Pag-IBIG Fund’s month-long celebration. As its corporate social responsibility, the officers and employees of the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch simultaneously conducted outreach activities, December 3, where 180 beneficiaries were given meals and gift

items. The outreach activity transpired at the following areas: Tahanan sa Kabataan, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City; St. Joseph’s Golden Home Foundation, Inc., Dolores-Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro City; Calabrian Children’s Foundation, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City; Alternative Learning Center of (Landfill) Dagong, Carmen, Cagayan


de Oro City; Children of Barangay 9, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Since Pag-IBIG Fund values good health, a physical fitness activity cum “Hataw” was also set and participated by the Cagayan de Oro Branch workforce, December 10, at Pelaez Sports Complex, this city. To solemnly commemorate Pag-IBIG Fund’s 31 years of steadfast pledge in providing excellent and professional service to all its members, a Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Pag-IBIG Fund Training Room, December 14. On the same day, Pag-IBIG Fund will sponsor a Bloodletting service, conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross. The Cagayan de Oro Branch has been practicing this activity for more than a decade as its way of supporting the nation’s call for more blood donors in order to save lives. Furthermore, a forum with the officers and members of the Fund Coordinators Club and several employers in Northern Mindanao will convene on December 15 at a local restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City. During the conference, updates on the latest programs implemented by Pag-IBIG Fund will be presented. Moreover, the Chiefs of Divisions of the Cagayan de Oro Branch will also update the participants with the current policies concerning their unit. The conference, thus, becomes an important venue to gather the feedback from the member’s representatives concerning the Fund’s Provident Savings and Loan Programs and services, as well. Plaques of Recognition will be given to various employers who helped the Fund implement and enforce

Republic Act 9679 also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) Law of 2009. The awardees include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 10, the National Economic Research and Assistance Center (NERBAC), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-10, the Municipal Government of Gitagum and the City Government of Valencia. Awards will also be given to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for assisting the Fund in the registration of outgoing Filipino Overseas Contract Workers. The Land Bank of the Philippines Velez Branch will also receive an award for helping improve the Fund’s services thru its Cash Card system. The Philippine Information Agency 10 will also be given an award for its valuable support to the Fund during the conduct of the “Pabahay Caravan” last September 26, 2011. As partners of the Fund, retired Fund Coordinators will also be honored during the said conference. (Pag-IBIG Fund)


Palay prices in Bukidnon steady as NFA steps up procurement driveby Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - Palay buying prices in Bukidnon have stabilized since the past several months as the National Food Authority (NFA) stepped up its palay procurement drive and continued to advise farmers to sell their produce to NFA, which buys it with incentives.

Victoria Duray, NFA Provincial Manager, said the agency buys palay at P17.00 per kilo plus farmers’ incentive of 70 centavos (P.70) per kilo for transport, drying and cooperative development that sums up to P17.70 per kilo. The prevailing palay buying prices in major trading centers here have so far increased to as high as 16.94 to 17.00 per kilo to level off with the agency’s buying price. “NFAs procurement program aims to even up the grains supply and prices. We have enough funds for the agency’s procurement program. We also intend to accommodate all palay deliveries to our buying stations,”

Duray said. “We have three (3) palay buying stations in the province located in Maramag town, Barangay Aglayan in Malaybalay, and Valencia City, with a total capacity of 500,000 bags,” she added. She also cited that these warehouses are located within various commercial or trading centers in the province.“As a government entity, NFA will continue to be at the forefront of the country’s rice marketing to ensure stability in the supply and prices of its staple cereals,” Duray concluded.

http://iskojose.blogspot.com / http://business.inquirer.net


Davao’s 911 braces for funding cut with IRA slash

The Davao City’s Central 911 (Central Communications

and Emergency Response Center ) is bracing for a reduction of their annual funding as the City is reel-ing from a reduction of its Internal Revenue Allotment. From an annual budget of P80-million it would be decreased by P64-million. Says 911 chief Verner Mon-santo. The funding cut is the offshoot of the City’s reduced IRA which was slashed by about P360-million. Which has prompted Davao City Mayor Sara

Duterte to institute belt-tightening measures. The funding cut would surely af-fect the country’s most sophisticated emergency response services pat-terned after the 911’s of United States and Canada. “In reality it affects us, but we have to work with that.” Monsanto said of the funding cut. Majority of the 911’s budget is geared towards Maintenance and Oth-er Operating Expenses. He added. Monsanto says he had hoped to buy more assets for 911. The rescue unit has about 15 ambulances, 4 res-cue vehicles, 3 fire trucks, 4 rubber boats and 3 fiber-glass boats. It has about 300 personnel assigned in vari-ous services; the call center, emer-gency medical services, fire, urban search and rescue and K-9 unit. He says the unit is in the pro-cess of creating satellite centers to cut back on response time which av-erages within 16 minutes. “kasi sa 8 minutes may nangyari na sa


pasyente (because within 8 minutes something has already happened to the patient).” Monanto said. Satellite centers will be placed in Panacan in the northern part of Davao which has been operational since September of this year, an-other satellite would be in Toril, in the southern portion of the city which he hopes to open this month.

And for next year a satellite in Cali-nan district will be realized. The satellite centers will have one medical ambulance with four medical personnel assigned. Mon-santo bared. About P1-million has been allocated for each satellite center. (RG Alama)

Del Rosario endorsed to lead Mindanao peace and security committeeDAVAO CITY- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario was unanimously endorsed by the Mindanao Peace and Development Security Committee (MPDSC) un-der the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to be its work-ing Vice-Chairman during its Or-ganizational Meeting and 1st Prin-cipal’s Meeting last December 09, 2011, at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. The endorsement is made by Mr. Jake Miranda, the business sector rep-resentative to MinDA in recognition of Gov. del Rosario as President of the

Confederation of Local Chief Executives in Mindanao and Chairmanship of the Regional Peace and Order Council XI. It readily gathered support of Generals Raymundo B. Ferrer of WestMinCom, Arthur I. Tabaquero of EastMinCom, and their counterparts in the Internal Security Operations. The MPDSC is a mechanism under the Mindanao 2020 which purports to integrate all Regional Peace and Order Councils in Mindanao, with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. The three-pronged objective of the new committee includes the con-solidation of Mindanao-wide issues that impact on peace and development se-curity; convergence of efforts and ini-tiatives on peace and development; and strengthening of coordination, complementation and alignment of development sector and security sec-tor initiatives anchored on the over-all peace and development agenda of the Aquino government.


In her message, MinDA Chair Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino emphasized the need for the creation of the MPD-SC to assist her on the grounds that the threats to Mindanao’s peace do not respect geographical boundaries, con-stantly evolving, active, and mobile because the sponsors are also thinking and planning. “Peace and development should go hand-in-hand. There are numerous queries from potential investors, espe-cially for plantations, in Mindanao; and I am endorsing ARMM which they think is not serious,” Sec. Antonino said. “I am appealing to the security sector to attain peace and security by empowering our people through edu-

cation and livelihood,” she added. The MPDSC proposed to look into the dredging of Liguasan marsh as its first test of collaboration between and among the security sector, the MILF elements, and the community people in preparation to La Niña predicted by PAG-ASA. Del Rosario welcomed the en-dorsement as another challenge to his emerging role as nurturer of peace in the region and the whole of Mind-anao. His RPOC center-piece program, Convergence for Peace and Develop-ment, is penetrating remote barangays in Davao del Norte which are in need of basic socio-economic interventions. (PIO DavNorte)

did you know that...

Tagum City was named by the Department of Tourism the country’s Palm City. Based on 2009 figures about 11,500 palms were planted in its roadside as part of its Palm-Tree planting project covering about 60-kilometers of streets and highways. The most number of palms planted by any urban community in the country. Among palm tree varieties planted are Royal Palms planted along highways, Red Palms, Foxtail Palms, Bunga Palms and McArthur Palms. Lequala, Bismarck, Madagascar palms can also be found in the City’s sprawling Energy Park.


DOST seeks presidential approval in institutionalizing Phil Nat’l Halal Industryby Olivia Sudaria

KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology, re-gion XII (DOST XII) has proposed for the institutionalization of the Philippine National Halal Industry and Halal Science Center (PNHLSC) through an executive order to be signed by President Aquino.

DOST XII di-rector Zenaida Hadji Raof-Laidan said the PNHLSC is the first of its kind in the country which shall serve as the country’s clear-ing house of all Halal products manufac-tured and processed for domestic and in-ternational consump-tion for the protection of the Philippine Halal market. She further said the PNHLSC shall also serve as the center for Research, Develop-


ment and Extension (RD&E), Halal Educa-tion and Training for Halal Science Incuba-tion. It shall be recog-nized as the compe-tent authority in Halal Science and shall be an accrediting body for Halal laboratories and certifying body for Halal products, Laidan pointed out. The DOST XII di-rector disclosed that as far as the technical aspect is concerned, DOST XII has capa-

bilities referring to the advanced Halal labo-ratory equipment and competent Muslim sci-entists. The construc-tion of the P75 mil-lion four-storey Phil-ippine Halal Center building, according to Laidan, is on-going at its one-hectare site at Barangay Paraiso, Kor-onadal City which was donated by LGU-South Cotabato through the efforts of Governor Ar-thur Pingoy, Jr.

Laidan is optimis-tic of the economic impact of the project which, she said, will be beneficial to both Mus-lims and non-Muslims. In its 36th regu-lar meeting held last week, the Regional De-velopment Council, re-gion XII approved the resolution endorsing the institutionalization of the Philippine Halal Laboratory and Halal Science Center.


DTI cautions public to examine ICC of imported itemsCOTABATO CITY, -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 12 through its city office here cautions consumers to carefully examine the import commodity clearance (ICC) of Christmas lights, food items and other commercial items in malls and grocery stores before buying.

The reminder yes-terday by OIC-City Di-rector Carlos Nunez, DTI 12 was made in the wake of reports that there are commercial items being sold in the city which are labeled as imported but no ICC markings. Nunez said their office had been con-ducting inspections in various commercial es-tablishments here even before the yuletide sea-son to protect custom-ers from buying fake im-ported items, especially sub-standard Christmas lights. As far as Christmas lights are concerned, Nunez said, consumers should check the label of Christmas lights if these items are made before or just last 2008 “Make sure that these items are not produced or manu-factured long time ago dahil maaring may kalu-maan na ang mga ito,”

Nunez said. Nunez advised store owners who are selling sub-standard Christmas lights to pull these items out of their establishments. He also asked consumers to re-port to DTI if there are sub-standard Christ-mas lights being sold in stores so that appropri-ate actions could be tak-en against the sellers. The Department of Trade and Industry, according to Nunez, have not monitored

price increase of com-modities as of the mo-ment. In the depart-ment’s weekly price monitoring during the first week of Decem-ber there has been no significant increase of price of prime com-modities. B u s i n e s s m e n , Nunez added, are sat-isfied with the present prices of items this Christmas season. (MCD-PIA Cotabato City)


Daan-daang trabaho, pamaskong handog ng South Cotabato LGUKORONADAL CITY -- Daan-daang trabaho sa loob at labas ng bansa ang inihandog kahapon, Disyembre 14, ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng South Cotabato sa isang jobs fair sa Protech Center, Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City.

Ang jobs fair na magkatuwang na ipi-natupad ng South Co-tabato LGU at ng De-partment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ay isang mahalagang baha-gi December Fest 2011 ng lalawigan. Ayon kay Jessie Claverias Jr., labor em-ployment office II ng DOLE South Cotabato field office at focal per-son for jobs fair, sam-pung overseas em-ployment agencies at labintatlong lokal na mga kompanya ang kabilang sa mga naghahanap ng mga trabahante. Kabilang sa mga trabahong inihahain ng mga lokal na kompanya ay ang sumusunod: call center agent, manag-er, supervisor, manage-ment information system managers, service crew, cashier, management trainees, sales marketing clerk at marami pang iba.

Sa mga nag-nanais makapagtrabaho sa labas ng bansa may mga bakanteng trabaho para sa mga caregiver, tutor, domestic help-er, engineers, physical therapist, service crew, cooks, housekeepers, machine operators, car-penter, draftsmen, hair-dresser at x-ray techni-cian, optical technician, at marami pang iba. Umaasa ang DOLE na katulad ng kanilang mga nakaraang jobs fair marami pa rin ang mapapabilang sa mga “hired on the spot.”

Matatandaang um-abot sa mahigit 420 na aplikante ang “hired on the spot” sa kanil-ang isinagawang jobs fair sa Gaisano Grand Mall sa Koronadal City noong Oktubre 4. Sa mga hindi na-kahabol sa jobs fair sa Protech Center ka-hapon, may kaparehong jobs fair ding isinasa-gawa ngayon, Disyem-bre 15, sa bayan ng Sto. Niño sa kahilingan na rin ng pamahalaang bayan. (DEDoguiles)


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PNP to draw patrol plans for ‘simbang gabi’by Robert E. Roperos

To ensure public safety during “Simbang Gabi (Nightly Mass),” which begins at dawn Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga Regional Director C/Supt. Reynaldo Rafal required station commanders in the

region to submit their patrol plans.


In an interview with a radio station here, PSupt. Martin Gamba, public in-formation officer of PNP-Caraga Region said the patrol plans will be submitted to the Regional Opera-tions and Plan Divi-sion for evaluation, and to see to it that all the plans submit-ted fits the needs of their respective areas of responsibilities. However, the in-formation officer of the region’s peacekeep-ers clarified that the police visibility is not only applicable during these times but will al-

ways be implemented 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Ang police visibil-ity dili lang ipatuman panahon sa Simbang Gabi kung dili sa tibuok oras kada adlaw 24/7 kay ang atong services wala man lang naga-ingon nga i-intensify nato ang police vis-ibility ug police opera-tions sa panahon nga adunay espesyal nga okasyon kung dili ka-nunay kana sa matag adlaw),” Gamba said. (The police vis-ibility is not only im-plemented during the Simbang Gabi but it should be on a 24/7

because our services mandated us to inten-sify police visibility and police operations not only during special oc-casions but rather on a daily basis.) The official also said the ceremonial sealing of firearms of police personnel will be made before the cel-ebration of the Christ-mas eve to identify those who have fired their issued firearms, without any valid rea-son. Gamba said vio-lators will face appro-priate disciplinary ac-tion as this order came from Camp Crame. He also made an assurance that police officials here will not tolerate any violations of their personnel. “I can assure the public that PNP officials will not tolerate any viola-tions made by these police officers,” Gam-ba said.


BUTUAN CITY – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje awarded some 2,341 patents covering 10,675,924 square meters to the different beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Province during his recent visit in Surigao City.

The move high-lighted the “Handog Titulo ng Pangulo program” be-ing implemented through DENR-Land Management Bureau (DENR-LMB), giving the people the opportunity to own the land that they have tilled for many years.

Secretary Paje award-ed the titles to the different mayors who were present during the environment forum sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte held at the Provincial Convention Center in Surigao City on

November 29,2011. The local officials who received the patents in be-half of their constituents are Mayor Carlos M. Egay of Gigaquit, 43; Mayor Ra-mon B. Mondano of Mainit, 71; Mayor Teodoro F. Si-naca, Jr. of Malimono, 65;

Sec. Paje distributes 2,341 patents in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Provinceby Eric F. Gallego


Mayor Felimon V. Napuli of Placer,135; Mayor Sim-plicia P. Bacol of San Fran-cisco, 51; Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas of Surigao City, 312; Mayor Cesar A. Diaz of Tagana-an , 78; Mayor Cristina HR Arcillas of Tu-bod, 49; Mayor Peter Ru-aya of Dapa, 30; Mayor Jaime P. Rusillon of General Luna, 87; Mayor Lamber-to B. Dominos, Sr. of San Isidro, 49; Mayor Elizabeth R. Galanida of Socorro, 614 , Mayor Rosalinda C. Pen-era of Sta. Monica,66 , all in Surigao del Norte and Mayor Allan B. Ecleo II of San Jose, Dinagat Province, 691 patents. “We are happy to see our landless folk in this part of the country receiving pat-ents from the DENR which is a reward of years of la-bor and tilling the land… We expect the new land owners therefore, that they will improve their lands and productive,” Paje said. Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Direc-tor Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said this is the biggest dis-tribution of patents done in

Caraga Region this year in keeping with the mandate of the DENR to process and distribute land titles under the “Handog Titulo ng Pan-gulo” program. The town of San Jose in Dinagat Province under Provincial Environ-ment and Natural Re-source Officer (PENRO) Aga Patubo has the big-gest produced patents with a total of 691.

Secretary Paje was invited guest speaker to the “Environment Forum” sponsored by Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas. The DENR Chief also announced that new reforms in the mining industry are being pre-pared to be implemented shortly to improve rev-enue collections benefit-ting the local government units. (DENR-13)


With a call “3-5 Taong Agwat, Dapat!”, the campaign aims to educate parents about the importance of waiting for three to five years before hav-ing another child. “We need to tell mothers and fathers why a longer birth interval is best for them,” said Provincial

Health Officer Dr. Eliz-abeth Campado. According to Campado, a mother needs at least three years to recover from previous birth. This will also allow her to spend more time with her child during the crucial first-five years of child development. “Relevant infor-

mation is crucial to help couples make a decision for their fam-ily’s future,” Campado added. Meanwhile, Dr. Irma Asuncion, Di-rector of the Nation-al Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) of the DOH said that they are mandated to provide information

Agusan del Norte LGU supports DOH birth spacing campaign

AGUSAN DEL NORTE – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has adopted a national campaign on family planning by promoting proper birth spacing of three to five years.


about the benefits of birth spacing so that parents can make an informed, voluntary decision about how they will plan their family. Short birth spac-ing is linked with poor health out-comes like maternal and newborn mor-bidity and deaths, premature births,

low birth weight, and child stunting in nu-merous studies cited by the World Health Organization in its global technical dis-cussions. Recent survey by the Social Weath-er Stations (SWS) re-vealed that 73 per-cent of respondents agreed that the gov-ernment should pro-

vide information on all methods of mod-ern family planning. Also, data from the Department of Health showed that about 55 percent of women in the Philip-pines give birth too soon after a preced-ing birth. Asuncion further encouraged local leaders and health service providers to step up health pro-motion through the conduct of health events and classes to increase the number of people adopting ways of birth spacing or reducing the size of their families. Rural health fa-cilities in Agusan Del Norte, with the sup-port of the Provincial Health Office have been conducting health classes and health events in mu-nicipalities.

one mindanao - december 15, 2011

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