one mindanao - february 11, 2014

Info Summit gathers 150 IOs in Surigao CityFryan E. AbkilanCaraga Region

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 117

President Aquino presides over full Cabinet meetingNATIONAL

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CARAGA REGION

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

DILG-9 implements P25-M PAMANA project in Pagadian City

OCD 12 bares 2013 accomplishments of sub-committees

DTI urges clients to participate in Online Customer Experience Survey

DAR joins week-long mass dialogue in Tandag City

BJMP tightens security at Dipolog City Jail

Feb. 25, a special holiday for schools

Panabo opens new and improved ALS Building

ARMM HEART provides relief to IDPs in Maguindanao

CHED Caraga accepts StuFAPs application

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Gideon C. Corgue

SJDuerme

Eriberto A. Taban-ud Jr.

Nida Grace P. Barcena

Alfonso T. Ruda

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Michael Angelo A. Resueño

Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Nora Cl Molde

Information to Empower Filipinos

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Info Summit gathers 150 IOs in Surigao City

Around 150 information officers from the line agencies, municipalities, barangays,

department heads, and NGOs of this city and Surigao del Norte trooped on Tuesday for the first-ever Information Officers’ Summit.

The summit, held at Hotel Tavern, aimed to empower the information officers through timely, accurate and reliable information and highlight government initiatives, programs and projects for the benefit of the people. City Mayor Ernes T. Matugas, in his speech delivered by city councilor Ernest Matugas, Jr. expressed his profound gratitude for the conduct of the summit. “The summit will bring together people who have been designated as the ‘faces’ of their respective offices and soon become the so-called ‘messengers’ of our local government units,” Matugas said. Matugas also emphasized the role of the information officers in today’s generation. “In this present age where people have instantaneous access to information through inventions like the internet and the cellphone which is, undoubtedly, a major information supplier, the role of information officers in the public cannot be undermined,” he said.

By Fryan E. Abkilan

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Meantime, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) deputy Director-General Virgilio DC Galvez commended the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and city government of Surigao “for coming up this unique activity involving the information officers in the barangay level - this is the first in PIA,” Galvez said. He also wants to replicate this activity in Calabarzon. In her message, Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas congratulated the lead coordinators of the event. She also highlighted the roles and functions of information “as it goes beyond the call

to action, wherein the promulgation, dissemination, propagation and transmission of news reports must be based on accurate, factual and concrete data.” PIA regional directors from Mindanao and region 7 also served as lecturers of the event. This year’s activity is organized by the city government of Surigao in partnership with the PIA Caraga and provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

10FEBRUARY 2014 | PAGE

President Aquino encourages all government agencies to support ‘Kabisig Expo 2014’

President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support and

participate in the “KABISIG Philippine Expo and Trade Fair 2014.″

Across the Nation

The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 62 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Janauary 29.

The KABISIG People’s Movement (KABISIG) Program was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 650 (s. 1990) in order to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the implementation of government programs

and projects, as well as to provide linkages between and among the private sector groups and the government agencies.

In pursuit of the mandate, KABISIG is conducting the “KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2014″ which has for its theme “Matuwid na Daan, Susi sa Tagumpay at Kaunlaran.”

The project aims to bring together in


Across the Nation one venue all government agencies and instrumentalities, including Government-owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs), to feature their profiles, service facilities, programs, projects, products, and accomplishments. It is also an opportunity that will allow the government to promote public awareness and participation in national government.

“All heads of departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs and LGUs, are hereby encouraged to extend support and participate in the said expo and trade fair, subject to the availability of funds and usual accounting and auditing rules,” the President said.

The Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately. PND

President Aquino presides over full Cabinet meeting

President Benigno S. Aquino III presided over a full cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the progress of

the administration’s efforts to address poverty, peace and order, disasters and other concerns.


The President prayed for God’s guidance at the start of the meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace.

The Cabinet secretaries discussed with the President the measures that are consistent with the administration’s social contract with the Filipino people.

Joining President Aquino during the full Cabinet meeting were Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. and Presidential Management Staff Head Julia Abad.

Also in attendance were Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr., Budget Sec.

Florencio Abad, Education Sec. Armin Luistro, Environment Sec. Ramon Paje, Finance Sec. Cesar Purisima, Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima, Labor Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson, Industry Sec. Gregory Domingo, Social Welfare Sec. Corazon Soliman, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Presidential Adviser on Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Commission on Higher Education Chair Patricia Licuanan, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secterary Teresita Deles, among others. PND

13FEBRUARY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

BIMP-EAGA strategic planning to tackle food basket strategy in Davao meeting

Poised to become the food basket of ASEAN and the rest of Asia, the two-day meeting on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Marco Polo Hotel will be

one of the priority topics that will be discussed by 200 delegates of private sector representatives and technical officials from the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines/East Asian Growth Area).

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Director for investments

and public affairs Romeo Montenegro said under the effort to alleviate


poverty in BIMP-EAGA focus areas, the economic cooperation rallies for sustainable development and economic integration of its agro-industries and fisheries sectors.

“This is to ensure food security and sustainable livelihood for its people,” he said.

He said the sub-region steps up its food basket strategy by pushing for massive hybrid rice and corn seeds production.

Milva Lunod-Carinan, senior economic development specialist of MinDA, in a separate interview said under the hybrid seeds production are two cooperators -- the Asian Hybrid of IndoPhil for corn and SL Agri Tech for rice.

The corn seeds are from the Philippines and will be grown in Indonesia.

She said the corn seed propagation started last year in Indonesia but outside of the focus area of BIMP-EAGA consisting of about 15,000 hectares.

She said the current plan for expansion has to be within a BIMP-EAGA focus area covering 12,000 hectares for implementation in 2014 and will be discussed by the agriculture sector during the meeting here.

Meanwhile, the hybrid rice production will be done in selected areas in Mindanao and will be exported to Brunei.

There is already an existing

rice growing in Palawan and in selected provinces of Regions IX, X, XIII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

She said there will be expansion of rice growing to cover some 31,000 hectares.

The expansion areas for 2014, Carinan said, will still be in Palawan and in selected three provinces of Region XII and ARMM.

Meanwhile, Montenegro also said a food and agribusiness corridor development program is being developed to propel BIMP-EAGA’s growing business industries.

He said other projects identified under the BIMP-EAGA pillar of Food Basket Strategy are the following: Information Exchange through Establishment of Web-enabled Food Security; Strengthening of Smallholders Coconut-based Industries (coco coir project); Commercialization of date cola and other date-enriched products (Philippines-Brunei initiative); BIMP-EAGA Seaweed Development Project; Sulu Celebes Sea Sustainable Fisheries Management and Participation to Consumer Fair and Expo.

Montenegro also said that connectivity, which is the clamor of the agriculture sector, will increase trade of agri products of the BIMP-EAGA to other markets in the world. (PNA)


All is set for ‘Araw ng Sibugay’ celebration - Gov. Palma By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – All is ready for the weeklong celebration commemorating the founding anniversary of Zamboanga Sibugay on Feb. 20-26, said Governor Wilter Y. Palma in a meeting held yesterday at the Governor’s Office here with the press and civil society groups.


School heads and district supervisors from the 35 school districts and some 60 secondary schools in the province turned up to attend the said training which tackled transformational leadership, curriculum supervision, school management planning, monitoring and evaluating school programs, and strategic planning. The participants underwent a series of workshops to thresh out the issues hampering Philippine education and to propose certain strategies to address them. In his lecture on transformational leadership, Dr. Carl Mark Miniano emphasized that a school head should have “an exceptional form of influence that moves followers

to accomplish more than what is usually expected of them.” “Transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms individuals,” he said. Dr. Danilo K. Villena, on the other hand, underscored the importance of supervising the curriculum to effectively meet the goals of education vis-à-vis curriculum development, teachers’ career development, action research, curriculum evaluation, and group activities. The Department of Education (DepED) has intensified its efforts in providing enhancement trainings to school administrators to get them more prepared in the implementation of the K-12 basic education program.

DILG-9 implements P25-M PAMANA project in Pagadian City By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – “The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) coastal road project is the biggest infrastructure project to be implemented in my administration,” said Mayor Romeo Pulmones during the groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday.


The 25-million five-kilometer coastal road project, which will be funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), is going to connect barangays Bomba and Poloyagan of this city to barangays Pantad and Rebokon of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. Mayor Pulmones expressed his elation on project saying that “after a long wait, the PAMANA has been finally implemented in the city.” This project, which aims to strengthen peace-building, reconstruction and development in conflict affected areas, was supposed to be implemented in July 2013 yet but it was deferred after the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) failed to convene and pass a resolution for the release of funds. “The successful implementation

of the project is attributed to the unwavering support of the officials of DILG, RPOC, City Engineer’s Office and City Planning Office,” Pulmones announced. The project is said to benefit primarily the small farmers and fisherfolks especially in the transportation of both agriculture and marine products to the market. DILG-9 Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said “the city of government of Pagadian is very lucky to receive the P25-million PAMANA project,” which is jointly implemented by the DILG and the local government unit. “Ang PAMANA project makadani sa mga tigpamuhunan nga makatampo sa ekonomikanhong kalihokan sa upat ka mga barangays tungod kay masayon naman kayo


BJMP tightens security at Dipolog City JailBy Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - Jail authorities has tightened security at the Dipolog City Jail in Barangay Dicayas, as proliferation of illegal drugs has been noted in the premises. City Jail Warden Allan Vargas said an inmate was caught in possession of five grams of shabu during a surprise inspection conducted among the prisoners last Jan. 28. Such incident nearly caused riot inside the jail as the said detainee refused to get out of his cell by seeking refuge from his co-inmates when he was taken out and transferred to Dapitan City Jail last Jan. 29 on a court order. No one was injured during the commotion but Vargas admitted having fired a warning shot to ease the tension. The said detainee, who was jailed for illegal drugs, has been placed under surveillance by jail officials as a suspect behind the entry of the illegal drugs at the city jail “using his connection with the underworld.”

Vargas also directed his men to impose stricter measures on the inmate’s visitors and to inspect thoroughly their personal belongings during the visit particularly the food. Presently, a closed-circuit television camera was installed to ensure that all visitors are identified and all activities are monitored. “We are doing our best to prevent the entry of illegal drugs,” Vargas declared. Last year, 10 pieces of plastic sachets containing shabu were placed inside a wrapped a bottle of perfume was recovered near the kitchen of the jail. Jail authorities believed that said item was thrown from outside by unidentified passers. According to Vargas, the jail has more than 300 inmates with only 4 jail guards.

kanila nga moagi sa nindot nga dalan,” said Poloyagan Barangay Captain Maximino Generale. (The PAMANA project will help attract investors and contribute more to the economic activities in the four coastal barangays with more accessible roads.) Meanwhile, Pulmones also considered the ongoing construction

of the regional offices of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Bureau of Treasury in barangay Balintawak some of the projects implemented during his administration.


A Ray of Hope for a Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiaryby Sherlyn E. Lugto

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – For people who have less in fortune, getting a help from a particular organization, charity programs and others would be one of the hopeful ways for them to get out or at least ease the indigence they are experiencing.

BJMP tightens security at Dipolog City Jail


In line with this, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or also known as Pantawid Pamilya is one of the many programs that the government provides to improve the lives of the people. Implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Program aims to alleviate poverty simply through offering marginalized families cash allowance granting that they would follow all the conditions of the Program. One beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya is Vilma Montes-Beñas, 42, with two children aged 10 and 9. Vilma became a beneficiary of this Program since 2009. According to Vilma, she never thought that she will be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Program and will be given the chance to give a better life to her children. Despite the fact that she came from a less fortunate family, Vilma did not expect much from the Program as she has lived all her life working hard just to earn for a living. She flew to Manila during his early teenage years to get a job to support herself and her family. While in Manila, she met her husband, Roland Beñas. After months of knowing each other, they decided to come home to Vilma’s hometown in Cagayan de Oro after they learned that she was pregnant. From then on, they lived together and got married in 2010.Knowing that both of them do not

have a good job to support their family, Vilma cheerfully shared that the Pantawid Pamilya really became a big help in terms of giving their kids the right to be sent to school and be given a healthy environment. “Nagpasalamat gyud kaayo ko sa gobyerno ug sa DSWD aning programa kay kung wala gyud ni, tingali pit-os gyud kaayo among kinabuhi karon” (I am really grateful and so much thankful to the government and the DSWD as well. If not because of this program, we would surely be living a pitiful life),” Vilma said in an interview. Moreover, Vilma enthusiastically shared that with the addition of DSWD’s Self-Employment Assistance Para sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) livelihood program, their life has become even better. In 2011, the couple was able to loan P5,000 from SEA-K which enabled them to build a small sari-sari store and further helped Vilma’s husband as he no longer have to strive really hard driving a pedicab until late night. In addition, the P2,200 that the family gets every other two months from the Pantawid Pamilya also helped a lot in supporting the studies of Vilma’s kids saying, “Kada dawat gyud nako sa 4P’s insigida pud gyud ko mugahin ug pampalit ug vitamins sa mga bata kay kahibalo ko nga importante gyud ang ilang kahimsog. Ug usa pa pud, ginatudlu-an man mi sa DSWD nga kining 4P’s


gamiton gyud sa saktong pamaagi ug igahin gyud para sa kaayuhan sa pamilya hilabina sa akong mga anak kay kini para sa ilaha.” (Every time I receive my 4P’s cash grant, I would really immediately set aside certain amount for my kids’ vitamins because I know that health is very important. Furthermore, DSWD has always been so consistent in reminding us to spend the cash wisely and use it only for the welfare of the whole family, especially the kids) It is indeed undeniable that Vilma and her whole family are grateful for the cash grants they receive. The Pantawid Pamilya has certainly given them a lot of reasons to celebrate life and be thankful to God and to the people behind the program as well. In fact, her two sons never fail to always enlighten their day simply by giving them pride as they continue to do better in school. “Unta lang gyud magpadayon ni nga programa sa atong gobyerno kay kini dako gyud kayo ug natabang dili lang sa ako kundili sa mga parehas nako nga yanong tao lang. Gusto ko nga tanan pod untang mga pobre sama nako, maka benefit aning maong programa arun matabangan pod sila nga mauswag ilang pamuyo parehas nako” (I just hope this program will still continue in the coming years because this has really given much help not just to me but also to the plain and simple citizens around. I

want every poor family to benefit from this program so that they would also have that opportunity to improve their lives),” Vilma added. She also mentioned that DSWD has also requirements which should be fulfilled such as regularly attending to the Family Development Sessions (FDS) every month. The goal of the FDS is to educate the family, especially the parents, in disciplining their kids in a proper way.With this, it is envisioned that sooner, lives of the Filipino families will improve not just physically and mentally but also spiritually. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4P’s is a human development program of the national government. This program aims to help poor households by giving them cash grants, particularly for children aged 0-18 years old. However, the cash grants, which the beneficiaries receive every other two months, will only be released if the beneficiaries will follow the conditions laid in the said program. On the other hand, the Self-Employment Assistance Para sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) is also a program of DSWD. This is a livelihood assistance program which allows needy families to loan in order to start their own business. The DSWD only approves the loan of those members who actively participates in the seminars, weekly meetings and business management trainings conducted by the DSWD.


MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon is urging those who have renewed their business permits this year to take part in the Online Customer Experience Survey by the DTI’s Center for Industrial Competitiveness (CIC).

by Eriberto A. Taban-ud Jr.

DTI urges clients to participate in Online Customer Experience Survey

DTI Provincial Director Ermedio J. Abang said the 2014 Customer Experience Survey aims to assess and validate the performance of the local government units (LGUs) in terms of the renewal process for Mayor’s Permit from the viewpoint of the business community. He said the CIC implements quality and productivity programs for industrial competitiveness and offers services that include conducting orientations and training programs on human relations, management development, quality and productivity. “The client will only have to visit the CIC website at www.competitive.org.ph and click the 2014 Customer Experience Survey icon and follow its instructions. Such online survey takes only few minutes to work on because of its easy-to-answer questions,” he said. Abang said the survey will end on February 14, 2014. Hence, he calls on the business community to be actively involved because such “feedback” could help the government find more advanced ways in the LGU’s “permitting system.”

This is also in line with the government’s policy under Republic Act No. 9485, which is known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.” Accordingly, the state shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a program for the adoption of simplified procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite transactions with the government, he added.


Feb. 25, a special holiday for schoolsby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – February 25, this year, is EDSA People Power Revolution (PPR) Day, a special holiday for all schools, nationwide.

This is pursuant to Proclamation No. 655, issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sept. 25, last year, wherein he said EDSA PPR restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country and serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere, as a nation and as a people. Meanwhile, pursuant to the proclamation, the year 2014 will have a total of the 10 regular holidays : January 1, New Year’s Day, April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, April 17, Maundy Thursday, April 18, Good Friday, May 1, Labor Day, June 12, Independence Day, August 25, Last Monday of August/National Heroes

Day, November 30, Bonifacio Day, December 25, Christmas Day and December 30, Rizal Day. It will also have the following seven special non-working days: Jan. 31, Chinese New Year, April 19, Black Saturday, August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, November 1, All Saints Day, December 24, Day Before Christmas, Dec. 26, Day After Christmas. and December 31, Last Day of the Year. On the other hand, the

proclamation declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha shall be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic Calendar (Hijra) or the Lunar Calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the proclamation provides that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which days the holidays shall respectively fall.


Army tightens efforts on disaster preparedness, response

DAVAO DEL NORTE--- While still training eyes on rebel groups, the Philippine Army also tightens ef-forts on disaster preparedness and response. In an interview, Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, commanding general of

the 10th Infantry Division said his forces had been prepared for “all-hazard, all threat” response. “If the NPA as terrorist group would be the cause of man-made disaster, we are prepared for that especially for natural disaster,” he

by Jeanevive Abangan


said. He revealed that each battalion under the 10th Infantry has designated one company tasked to respond to disaster, with elements whose minds were set on how to carry out response operations in every disaster-prone area. “We place them close to the area so they can immediately respond should there be a disaster,” he said. As guest during the Monday Convocation in Davao del Norte, Bernardo acknowledge the call of Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario to put together and synchronize efforts including resources in disaster response. Davao del Norte has rolled out since December last year the Oplan ANDAM which stands for Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management, bringing in involvement of household and communities. Implementing the Oplan ANDAM is a convergence of concerned provincial offices of Davao del NOrte, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other agencies in coordination with local government units. In an interview after the occurrence of low pressure area

(LPA) in January, Col. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of 701st Infantry Brigade based in Davao Oriental explained strategies of the Philippine Army in responding to disaster. “We are able to deploy soldiers in all towns just before this happened so we had responders in all towns,” he was referring to the recent low pressure area that hit the east-coast towns of Davao Oriental. “Mahirap na kapag nag concentrate sa isang area na pag-isolated di kana makapag respond. (It would be hard to concentrate in one area. In case of isolation, you won’t be able to respond.),” he added. The LPA isolated east-coast towns of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay and Tarragona from each other as bridges collapsed due to the surge of flood-waters which came about as a result of incessant raining. As 67th Infantry Battalion of the 701th Inf Bde had prepositioned troops in each of the east coast towns, the military came in ready to assist during the evacuation and the rescue operations of local government units (LGUs). (PIA/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) - “Bisag unsa kadato ang syudad, ang ALS ginabutang sa mga dilapidated na rooms. (Even in rich cities, the ALS is placed in dilapidated rooms). It has been my dream to place them in the most convenient learning environ-ment and this is indeed a dream come true.” Said School Division Superintendent Dr. Maria Ines C. Asuncion during her acceptance speech at the Inaugural Blessing and Turn-over Ceremony of the new Alternative Learning School (ALS) Building in Brgy. JP Laurel last February 6. The new ALS is a three-room building located beside the DepEd Panabo Division Office within the compound of the New City Hall. The new building is a strategy to reach out to the convenience of the ALS learners in order to provide a quality educational environment. The Local School Board has coordinated with the City Engineer’s to make its ALS classrooms completely air conditioned for the comfort of the learners. One advantage of studying in ALS is that former drop-out students can go to college after they graduate. Also, the school conducts livelihood programs so that the youth will know

how to earn while having a credible academic background. According to City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr., there are two possible reasons why some people are not interested to go to school. First, they are not aware about the advantage of education. Second, they find their school buildings in their barangays inconvenient. The Department of Education, through the support of the Panabo City Government, has responded to this matter by making an attractive and alternative learning system. Furthermore, Mayor Silvosa has plans on making the new ALS known and credible in the City. Dr. Asuncion proudly expressed her gratitude to the Local Government of Panabo City for its dedication on establishing a sophisticated Alternative Learning School, “Sa tanan nga division sa Region 11, ang Panabo lang ang naka produce ug ingon ani kanindot na building para sa ALS. Daghan salamat sa support, Mayor.” The new Alternative Learning School is part of the preparation for the K-12 program because it will serve as a skilled-based training venue for all the youth who are interested to earn than finishing their studies. (Michael Angelo A. Resueño, CIO Panabo)

Panabo opens new and improved ALS Building


DOLE XII Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo and Ms. Cecilia Lumapas, FSD Manager of Mlhuillier signed the Memorandum of Agreement ,on February 06 at Greenleaf Hotel , Gen-eral Santos City to help DOLE XII efficiently pay the beneficiaries of SPES. The MOA signing is an off-shoot of the Online SPES which is now under develop and will be launched on Febru-ary 13, 2014.

MOA signing


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Several activities upholding arts are slated this month in celebration of the National Arts Month in South Cotabato.

S. Cotabato joins Arts Month celebrationBy Danilo E. Doguiles

“Together with the South Cotabato Culture and Arts Foundation Inc. (SCCAFI) and other committees, we have planned different activities for the entire month of February,” Indira Cagaanan of the South Cotabato Arts, Culture, Tourims and Sports (ACTS) Office said.

H i g h l i g h t i n g these, she said, are workshops in contemporary and hip hop dances and stage lighting design.

Carlo Ebeo, SCCAFI vice p r e s i d e n t , said resource persons for these workshops are


experts in their fields.“We have invited Fulbright

scholar Jose Jay Cruz of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to teach our local artists hip hop dancing as well as advanced contemporary dance techniques.”

Ebeo explained the choice for hip hop dancing was aimed at upgrading the capability of local hip hop dancers especially with the expansion of hip hop dancing into several genres .

“We are specializing in hip hop because this is one of the important competitions during the T’nalak Festival,” he said. “We want to improve the techniques of dancers in South Cotabato on the different forms of hip hop.”

T’nalak Festival is South Cotabato’s official cultural festival held every July in time with the province’s foundation anniversary.

“SCCAFI has also invited Emmanuel Estrella of the Sinag Arts Foundation for the workshop on stage lighting design. He was trained in Japan,” Ebeo said.

Besides local stage artists and production artists, Ebeo elaborated, the workshop on lighting is also open to hotels and resorts operators in South Cotabato as their contribution to the local tourism efforts.

“The local hotels and resorts association was invited because we want to upgrade the capability in lighting their sets for weddings, baptismal, and other events.”

Cagaanan also noted that in four weekends of February, the local theatre group Apat sa Taglamig Productions Inc. is staging eight one-act plays at the Audio-Visual Room of the Koronadal National Comprehensive High School.

Featured on the first two weekends were: “Ang Mga Mananahi” and “Isa pang Kawing” on February 1 and 2 and “17 Days of Summer” and “Soleros” on February 8 and 9.

This weekend, the theatre group will stage “Kapon” and “Bayag: The Testicle Chronicles” as well as “Balikbayan Box” and Skate UNITE” on February 22 and 23.

Jim Raborar of the Apat sa Taglamig said shows start at 2:00 pm and 6:00.

Cagaanan further announced that the Provincial Tourism Council is also finalizing arrangements for a digital photography workshop and exhibit with Canon Philippines.

Activities of the Arts Month celebration will culminate on February 27 with a showcase of arts from music, dance and theatre among others, she said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


Information officer designate Janilyn Bartolome said that under the Prevention and Mitigation Committee headed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 4 automated weather station devices, 9 water level monitoring devices as well as 26 automated rain gauges devices were installed in different parts of SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

“The installation of the said devices is in line with Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards). Most of the devices were installed in parts of the region mostly affected with bad weather condition,” Bartolome noted.

Under the Preparedness Committee through the leadership of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), various trainings on disaster risk reduction and management and disaster preparedness and response were conducted.

“Aside from the trainings, daily weather advisories, bulletins and DRRM related issues were disseminated to local government units,” the information officer stated.

Meanwhile, under the Response Committee through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bartolome said that augmentation support both food and non-food items were provided to families affected by natural and human-induced disasters.

Further, Cash for Work Program for Internally Displaced Persons particularly in North Cotabato and General Santos City was implemented.

On the other hand, under the Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee headed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA) enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFP) of the four provinces of Region 12 were finalized.

Bartolome also said that through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) leading the Communication Committee, different press releases involving mitigation and prevention components of DRRM were produced, disseminated as well as broadcasted.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato—The Office of Civil Defense (OCD 12) recently revealed significant accomplishments its sub-committees have achieved last year in line with the disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA).

OCD 12 bares 2013 accomplishments of sub-committeesBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme


COTABATO CITY – Thousands of internally displaced persons re-ceived relief assistance and free medical services from the ARMM government last week.

ARMM HEART provides relief to IDPs in MaguindanaoBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Around 758 families comprised of 3,790 individuals from the village of Macasendeg in Midsayap, North Cotabato benefit from the services of the joint team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

The individuals are originally from the village of Dasawao in Shariff Saydona, Maguindanao but were forced to flee their homes due to the clashes between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF).

One of those displaced, farmer Racman Gandi, 48, said his family is willing to go back to their home in Dasawao when the fighting stops and government officials can guarantee their safety.

“Pagod na kami sa gulong ito, sana matapos na (We’re tired of this conflict),” he said.

Gandi said the relief from the ARMM government will help them get by the hardship of life in the evacuation center.

Aside from the relief goods and medical service, evacuees were also able to get free haircut.

Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said ARMM HEART targets to cater all affected families at identified evacuation sites.

She said similar relief operations will be conducted at other evacuation sites in the days ahead.

“We like to let these displaced families feel that they are being neglected by the government,” she said. (ORVRivera-PIA12/BPI-ARMM)

Also, various news were communicated through short messaging system.

With these accomplishments, Bartolome noted that OCD 12 is

strengthening its effort in serving the constituents of the region to address problems on disasters risk reduction and climate change adaptation. (SJDuerme-PIA12)


Butuan CSOs extend help to TD Agaton victims in Brgy. MaugBy Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - Various civil society organizations here have extended their needed assistance for the victims of tropical depression Agaton in one of the most-affected barangays in the city.


The Team Balangay and United Sentinels Search and Rescue Team with Samahang Magdalo Balangay Chapter, Project Michaelangelo, Wilderness Search Rescue, Center for Disaster and Emergency Management, Rotary Club Raha Sulayman, and other partners visited Barangay Maug on Friday for the distribution of relief goods to the TD Agaton flood victims.

“Among other barangays in the city, we are so thankful that we have been chosen by these various donors. Your efforts and assistance mean so much to us,” bared Barangay Captain William Macuno.

To maintain a systematic and peaceful distribution of relief goods to some 500 recipients of said barangay, Macuno personally appealed to his constituents to patiently queue as requested also by the organizing donors.

“We opted to have this relief distribution to be in a smooth and peaceful process that each family will really receive the relief goods from the donors,” said Macuno.

The relief goods contained canned goods, biscuits, noodles, medicines, slippers, and “malongs”, among others.

“I am happy that we have with us today our relief donors from the private organizations to give us

relief goods as their way of helping us. Thank you very much to the Team Balangay and partners. Other organizations who will be willing to share their blessings are very welcome to visit us here in our barangay,” expressed Macuno.

Also, Rufina Ego-ogan, 53 years old, married and one of the recipients of the relief distribution said that they will never forget the people who dared to care for them and continue to extend any kind of help for the Agaton-survivors.

“Another help is extended to us today from a group of donors and I am very thankful that we received the assorted relief goods from them. We survived TD Agaton and with the help of these private donors, they give us a hope to continue to live,” Ego-ogan stressed.

Aside from the relief goods, hot bread with coffee and cereals were also served as snacks for the recipients which include the children.


DAR joins week-long mass dialogue in Tandag CitySURIGAO DEL SUR -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office here participated in the week-long mass dialogue from January 27 to February 6, 2014 to various barangays in Tandag City .

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

The activity, spearheaded by the 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, is in line with their Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) program.

During the dialogue, questions raised were mostly on tenancy matters with the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers, legal officers and

DAR lawyers who served as the panelists during the open forum.

The mass dialogue or grand pulong-pulong is a collaborative effort of the government agencies to build communities’ awareness that several programs of the government really exist and implemented in the area.

By Nora Cl Molde

CHED Caraga accepts StuFAPs applicationBUTUAN CITY -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga region is now accepting applications for the CHED Student Financial Assistance Programs (CHED StuFAPs) for academic year 2014-2015, says CHED education program specialist.

According to Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez, OIC Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED Caraga, their office is mandated as provided for in Article XIV, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution “to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education and make

such education accessible to all.”Thus, according to Sanchez,

CHED is continuously providing poor and deserving Filipinos opportunities to quality higher education as articulated in its Long Term Development Plan.

CHED StuFAPs available programs include: 1) Scholarship


Programs (Full and Half Merit) ; 2) Grant-in-Aid Programs (CHED Senate Study Grant Program or CSSGP, CHED Special Study Grant Program for Congressional Districts or CSSGP-CD, DND-CHED-PASUC Study Grant Program, and OPAPP-CHED Study Grant Program); 3) Student Loan Programs (Study-Now-Pay-Later or SNPLP; and 4) Special Programs to include the a) Sajahatra Bangsamoro Study Grant Program or SBGP, b) Student Agribusiness Enterprise Loan Fund or SALF, c) Study Grant Program for Poverty Alleviation or SGP-PA, and d) Study Grant Program under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan (PAMANA).

Sanchez further said, interested applicants can secure their Application Forms with list of requirements at the CHED regional office and it can also be downloaded at www.ched.gov.ph or at http://scholars.chedcaraga.com. Application will be received until March 31, 2014. Incomplete applications will not be accepted, he added.

For clarification, interested individuals may call the CHED Caraga Scholarship Coordinator, Dr. Elsie E. Calo at (085) 342-2064 or visit the Scholarship Unit, Technical Services division, CHED Caraga, CSU Campus, Ampayon, this city.

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph

one mindanao - february 11, 2014

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