one mindanao - february 22, 2016

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor 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]

SOCCSKSARGEN RegionBautista 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)J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSMARY MAY ABELLON, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERSSEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

Army’s ‘Peacebook’ Mission: Sowing seeds of peace, caring communities

Cover Story

By: Cpt. Norman M. Tagros

today’s news

9 13 17

21 27

PhilRice adapts a simplified virus detection tool for rice

Tabak commander dares new 53rd IB chief to do his utmost best

DA shifts focus to Mindanao as drought pummels region

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32

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City Hall maps out measures vs drought

Subanen tribe members receive cash grants

Barangay personnel trained on Mobile Journalism for DENR’s Bantay Lasan

18 Kidapawan City rations water to dry spell-affected villages

By: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

22 14-feet long python captured at DENR compound

SOUTHERN

SOCCSKSARGEN CARAGA

INFOCUS NATIONAL

WESTERN

NORTHERN

29

1711By: Michael Uy

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By Cielito M. Reganit

19 DOLE, TESDA employ Sarangani farmers affected by El Nino

By: Danilo E.Doguiles By: Gideon C. Corgue

4 February 22, 2016One MindanaoCover Story

5February 22, 2016 One Mindanao

By Cpt. Norman M. Tagros

In the past, fine soldiery means firing the guns of war,

making body counts of enemies who fell in combat, and recovering enemies’ firearms.

Army’s ‘Peacebook’ Mission: Sowing seeds of peace, caring communities

But today, the peacebuilding and peacekeeping works done on the ground is a ‘plus’ measure of a soldier’s success, which is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, Commanding Officer of the army’s 8th Infantry Battalion

said.In Impasugong town in Bukidnon, the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) recently launched its “Peacebook Project” and delivered heaps of books for Ulayanon Elementary School in Barangay Kalabugao and Bulonay Elementary School in Barangay

6 February 22, 2016One Mindanao

Bulonay through Mayor Anthony A. Uy and Schools District Supervisor of Impasugong Dr. Ramilito P. Paloma during the Municipal Peace and Order Council meeting.

“The project aims to promote good moral values and cast the idea of violence in the minds of young generations especially in identified conflict-affected areas because these children’s books portray many of life’s lessons on the value of love

and peace,” Lt. Col. Babilonia said.

This is amidst the recent issues appearing limelight of traditional and social media on the alleged communist-run schools in the different hinterlands in Mindanao, which “radicalize” the minds of children and inculcate violence and armed revolution as a way towards achieving peace.

He said, the books, donated by


Asia Foundation will be the tipping point for promoting a culture of reading amongst the schoolchildren of Kalabugao and Bulonay villages.Building peace

The 8th Infantry Battalion continuously invested in its efforts on ‘Bayanihan Team Activities’, which is centered at peace building and conflict mitigation in communities that are most affected by insurgency.

The year 2015 has been significantly a peaceful year in Impasugong town, which can be attributed to the deployment of battalion’s Bayanihan Teams back in 2014 that helped facilitate the delivery of basic services to communities and opened up developmental projects such as road concreting project of Damay-Kalabugao road, and the 30-km road concreting project implemented through the PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang


Pamayanan) program.

As part of its post ‘Bayanihan Team Activities’, the “Peacebook Project” exemplify the battalion’s commitment to free the community, especially the children and the minors, from exploitations of leftist groups and the New Peoples Army that only promote violence as a means of solving local issues.

Caring communities

The army’s 8th IB has increased cooperation since it acknowledged the contribution of each civil society organization, government agency—and even opens up space for the involvement of the community.

“We consider our schools as the second home for our children and therefore, these institutions are sacred. And being so, we must protect and preserve its sanctity by investing in our future and focusing our efforts in bringing goodwill to schools. We can promote peace through various activities, instead of radicalizing the minds of our schoolchildren. We must teach our children the values and very foundation of caring for one another, respecting others’ rights, and embracing harmony towards creating a culture of peace in the

community. Through these books, we hope to bring forth the importance of education as a long term ticket to a peaceful and better life. This project is another convergence program, which signifies our strength in unity. This is what our AFP’s campaign plan is all about; this is what IPSP Bayanihan is all about,” Lt. Col. Babilonia said.


PhilHealth introduces hassle-free Premium Payment Channels

QUEZON CITY -- To ensure fast and easy quality service, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) introduces better ways of making premium payment transactions hassle-free for its members.

One of the latest payment modalities that it is introducing is its tie-up with Bayad Center for the use of the Bayad Center 1Pay Machine, a self-service payment kiosk where members can pay

their PhilHealth premiums in just one minute. It has a user-friendly interface and available 24/7. This machine is currently stationed in various business centers in the National Capital

One Mindanao10 February 22, 2016

Region (NCR) and will soon be available in government offices, malls, factories and convenience stores.

“Members’ satisfaction is our fulfillment,” said Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth President and CEO, adding that, “using advanced digital technology in the premium payment aspect makes every transaction in PhilHealth better, faster and easier.“

Earlier, PhilHealth introduced the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS), Version 3.1 , a web-based application designed to enable

employers to pay their premium contributions online. The system can be accessed by clicking the Accredited Collecting Agents or ACAs icon in the corporate website (www.philhealth.gov.ph) and the user will then be redirected to the bank’s online payment facility to register and do the usual online banking process. Online remitted contributions are immediately posted to the employee’s contribution ledger.

Currently, Security Bank Corporation provides such service using the EPRS facility. (PhilHealth)


NUEVA ECIJA-- Scientists at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have adapted a simplified method to detect viruses in plant and insect vectors using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique.

PhilRice adapts a simplified virus detection tool for rice

LAMP assay has been proven useful in detecting viruses in animals and humans, said Dr. Emmanuel Tiongco.

His team, composed of Dr. Xuan Hoai Truong, Ms. Ma. Johna Duque, and Dr. Rubigilda Paraguison-Alili (Central Luzon State University), extended the application of this method to rice viruses in the Philippines.

The method enables detection of the rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) in plants even before common symptoms become noticeable.

“Through this application, major rice virus diseases and insect vectors can be diagnosed in a fast, efficient, and accurate method,” Dr. Tiongco said.

One Mindanao12 February 22, 2016

Using the method, RTBV can be detected 1 day after infection. The widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects RTBV 3 days after infection.

Additionally, Dr. Tiongco said that LAMP assay detects the rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) and the rice dwarf virus (RDV) not only in rice plants but also in their respective brown planthopper and green leafhopper vectors. This way, the impending virus spread is known even before rice crop establishment.

Existing virus detection tools, Dr. Tiongco commented, have difficulties in detecting viruses that are of low titer (strength of a substance’s solution) aside from being arduous and time consuming.

Easy to follow procedures, cheaper equipment required, high level of specificity, and simple result determination by

merely looking at the change in color of the test solution are among the advantages of the newly developed method.

Dr. Tiongco and his team have conducted training programs for agricultural technicians, rice researchers, and extension workers about this new method at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija and its stations in Isabela, Negros, and Midsayap.

“This early, virus detection tool is useful for pest control officers. The reliable and prompt results it provides can lead to proactive solutions, and hence, prevent viral disease epidemic,” Dr. Tiongco said. (PhilRice)


DA shifts focus to Mindanao as drought pummels region

MANILA-– The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it would be shifting its focus on Mindanao where several provinces have been placed under a state of calamity due to severe drought brought by the intense El Niño prevailing over the country. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, in a chance interview with the media, said the focus of attention is now on

Mindanao as mitigation measures implemented by the DA since last year have eased the effects of the weather phenomenon in

By: Cielito M. Reganit

14 One Mindanao February 22, 2016

Luzon and Visayas.

But while Northern and Central Philippines have somewhat weathered the more intense effects of El Niño, drought had already caused severe crop damages in Southern Philippines amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos.

According to reports from the Philippines News Agency, North Cotabato has reported that crop damages have already reached PhP240 million in late January due to water shortage and rat infestation.

The farmland damage includes coconut (9,956 hectares, PhP116 million); corn (3,690 hectares, PhP50 million); rubber (10,722 hectares, PhP48 million); rice/palay (548 hectares, PhP15 million); oil palm (2,199 hectares, PhP6 million); cacao (153 hectares, PhP2 million); and coffee (287 hectares, PhP713,000).

Meanwhile, as of February 6, the province of Maguindanao has already incurred about PhP130 million in agricultural damages.

At least 30 of Maguindanao’s

36 municipalities have reported severe crop damage.

“I am going to Mindanao next week to personally assess the damages. I will also engage the local executives of all affected local government units (LGUs) in a dialogue to come out with the best course of action to take,” Alcala said.

At present, the DA chief said that El Niño damages to agriculture throughout the country since last year was estimated at about PhP3.6 billion.

Alcala said that damages would have been higher had it not been for necessary mitigation measures instituted by the DA since April of last year.

“The rains brought by Typhoons ‘Lando’ and ‘Nona’ had also filled majority of our dams in Luzon and the Visayas. The DA is maximizing areas reached by irrigation and is continuously distributing shallow tube wells and water pumps in areas not reached by the system,” he said.

Alcala likewise noted that intermittent rains over the past weeks have also contributed in


easing the effects of El Niño in Northern and Central Philippines.

He said the DA is also beginning to install solar water pumps and is sustaining its cloud seeding efforts in the affected areas, among others.

He added that the agency needs an additional PhP900 million for its El Niño mitigation measures, most of which is immediately needed in Mindanao.

“We are happy to say that all our efforts have been successful in Luzon and Visayas. We could now shift our focus in Mindanao where there are no rains. I will be talking with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) within the week to hasten the release of funds so that we can provide aid to our farmers without further delay,” Alcala said. (PNA)


AFP chief urges Eastmincom troops to be non-partisanDAVAO CITY- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff General Hernando Irriberi has urged the troops of the Eastern Min-danao Command not to engage in partisan politics.

“Just focus on your job, let us ensure that our people can exer-cise their right to vote, freely and safely. Just implement the law so you cannot go wrong” Gen. Irrriberi said to the soldiers dur-ing his visit last February 17 at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City. Located in the naval station is the headquarters of the East-ern Mindanao Command. Irriberi also reiterated that the soldiers continue the achieve-ment of peace in the region by establishing good rapport with the communities. Also urged the troops to sustain Bayanihan with concerned stakeholders. Bayanihan part of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan is interfacing of the AFP with the communities through the deploy-ment of Peace and Development

Teams or known as Bayanihan Teams. The AFP chief congratulated the achievement of Eastmincom under Major General Rey Leonar-do Guerrero for their accomplish-ments. The Chief-of-Staff visit was to check on the progress of security operations, support to development efforts of units and to check on the morale of the personnel. (PIA/RG Alama)


Barangay personnel trained on Mobile Journalism for DENR’s Bantay Lasang

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI, through the Pro-gram Monitoring and Coordinat-ing Council of the National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD), trained barangay functionaries on

Mobile Journalism to intensify the Bantay Lasang Project. Around 20 functionaries from four barangays included in the Diwalwal Mineral Reserva-tion Area (DMRA) participated in the training focused on Cell-phone Photography and Videog-raphy held at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City on February 15-17. The barangays identified were Salvacion, Mt. Diwata, Tu-bo-tubuo and Upper Ulip, all part of the municipality of Monkayo, Compostela Valley. Atty. Chelin Joan Sonza Alug, chief administration division and PMCC Regional Program Coordi-nator, emphasized that the train-ing hopes to intensify the pres-ervation of the forest through

citizen-journalists. “We encouraged you to send us pictures of pictures and vid-eos of any illegal activities in your area,” Atty Alug said. The training was conduct-ed by the Philippine Information Agency XI. (PIAXI, Michael Uy)


Kidapawan City rations water to dry spell-affected villages By: Danilo E.Doguiles

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Feb 22— On Monday, February 22, the city government of Kidapawan begins rationing drinking water to villages affected by the dry spell.


DOLE, TESDA employ Sarangani farmers affected by El Nino By: Danilo E.Doguiles

The City Information Of-fice reported that targeted for the water rationing are the Sitio Nazareth and Quarry in Baran-gay Amas and Sitio Lika in On-ica.

Each household in these communities, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Office is provided 25 liters of potable water.

City Mayor Joseph Evange-lista said, besides damage to crops, months of drought has also depleted supply of potable water in some parts of the city, prompting the city government to apportion water to affected residents.

Evangelista said, the need to keep the residents healthy has urged him to seek help from the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD).

For this initiative, the City LGU is buying water from the MKWD.

Also, the city LGU has pre-

pared 2,000-liter and 1,000-li-ter capacity tanks for storage of water to be used in the ra-tioning.

Mayor Evangelista reminds beneficiaries that the rationed water is strictly for drinking purpose only.

Water rationing in the afore-mentioned areas and other affected communities while the dry spell persists.

Kidawapan City has already declared state of calamity due to El Nino.

In South Cotabato, the local government of Polomolok has also carried out water rationing in Puroks 1, 2 and 3 of Ba-rangay Kinilis after the springs where the residents get their drinking water dried up.

According to DOST PAGASA, the current dry spell could last until June this year. (DEDogu-iles-PIA 12 with report from Kidapawan City Information Of-fice)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 18 (PIA) — Some 50


farmers in Glan, Sarangani who have felt the brunt of the long dry spell were recently provided emergency employment.

Given emergency job are 50 members of the Tapon-Padi-du Irrigators Association, Inc. of the said town

The short-term intervention to help avert the effects of El Nino is implemented by the Department of Labor and Em-ployment 12 under TUPAD (Tu-long Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers Pro-gram) and in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the National Irrigation Ad-ministration.

According to a report from DOLE 12, the irrigators were hired as laborers in constructing a dike that would provide irri-gation to about 50 hectares of agricultural production area.

Prior to the deployment of these farmer-beneficiaries to actual job, TESDA 12 provid-ed enhancement trainings on masonry, carpentry, said TESDA 12 Regional Director Zeus Am-puyas.

Their training, Director Am-puyas added, would qualify them for NC II certification that would also “prepare the beneficiaries for possible skills

job employment after the completion of the infrastructure project.

“We are thankful to the gov-ernment for giving us emer-gency employment,” said Igme-dio Galono, president of Tapon Padidu Irrigators Association, Inc.

He added that the farmers in the area are also grateful that the government is construct-ing a dike in their area that could help provide irrigation for their farms, even during drought.

Part of the TUPAD Project, the beneficiaries are provided personal protection equip-ment such as hard hats, vests, gloves, masks and boots.

They also went through ori-entation on occupation safety and health.

Based on the partial report of the Office of the Provincial Agri-culturist (OPAG), around 2,400 hectares of farmlands in Saran-gani Province have been dam-aged by the continuing dry spell. (DEDoguiles-PIA with re-port from APBorela-DOLE 12)


DOST-ICTO to install fiber optic network linking 80 gov’t agencies in Butuan By: Fryan Abkilan

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Science and Technology - In-formation and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) is set to install its fiber optic network linking up 80 government of-fices in the city.


During its collaboration meeting with government agency representatives here, DOST-ICTO Region X and Caraga cluster director Evamay Dela Rosa said that with this project, government agencies can expect a significant improvement in their operations and the delivery of their services with the use of fiber optic technology under the Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) project. Dela Rosa said the adoption of fiber optic technology will not only help government offices coordinate faster but also facilitate other necessary services like cloud computing, data center co-location, web hosting, document and records management, email and online security. “The agencies connected to the government network

(GovNet) will be able to access files and data easily and conveniently, thus providing unified and simplified services to the citizens,” Dela Rosa said. “The connection is going to be faster and the bandwidth capacity is expected to be larger,” she added. Project manager Alona Isidro of iGovPhil Infrastructure said the total cost of the Butuan project is pegged at P17 Million. “ICT office will shoulder the costs for the installation of GovNet while the identified agency will be responsible for housing and monitoring of ICT office’s network equipment. They are allocated 1 Gbps of connection,” Isidro said. Also forms part of the GovNet project is the free public Wi-Fi to 49 identified locations in the city, it was learned.

14-feet long python captured at DENR compoundBy: Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

BUTUAN CITY -- A 14-feet-long Reticulated Python was captured at the DENR Caraga Regional Office compound after it drops off from the ceiling of the agency’s Canteen.


The said python weighs 20 kilograms with brown and yellow skin color. It was captured by Marlon Tesiorna, Enforcement Division Staff of the Regional Office. “Upon opening the canteen, I heard that something fell from the ceiling but I did not mind it until I went to the fridge and saw a huge snake roaming on the ground. I was terrified and immediately reported it to the enforcement division,” Canteen chef Almiro Polison said. Marlon Tesiorna immediately responded to the report of Polison and with the help of other DENR personnel within the area, the snake was successfully captured. “I was surprised by the news that a reticulated python was

found right at the compound of our office but nevertheless, I would like to commend our personnel for the immediate response and proper control of the situation,” DENR Caraga regional director Nonito Tamayo said. Enforcement Division officer-in-charge Ruel Ladaga said that the snakes like python usually go out during summer season to find a colder place to live. “After capturing the said python, we immediately decided to release it back to its natural habitat. As much as possible, we would like to maintain its capacity to adapt to its environment,” Ladaga said. The python was released at Barangay Tagabaca, this city.

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DIPOLOG CITY---Fifty couples who have been living for quite some time as husband and wife without the blessing of marriage, has finally realized their dreams to become legitimate couples through the free mass wedding initiated by the city government.

By Alfonso T. Ruda

City Government’s free mass wedding benefits 50 couples


Some couples have yet to bear a child, others on the family way and some with children already made their union legal through the effort of the city government. The wedding ceremony was officiated by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy on February 17 at Dipolog Boulevard Function Hall, here.

The activity, dubbed as “Twogether Forever Mass Wedding 2016” was one of the highlights of the Civil Registration Month celebration spearheaded by the City Civil Registrar’s Office. Other agencies which

supported the activity include the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Commission on Population.

Aside from free wedding, the newly-wed couples, together with their sponsors were also given free lunch hosted by the city government. In another development, 45 Roman Catholic couples also availed of free mass wedding at St. John Neumann Parish in Sicayab during the Valentine’s Day celebration, according to Monsignor Steve Gaudicos.


By Gideon C. Corgue

GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur– The commander of the 1st Infantry ”Tabak” Division challenged the newly-assumed commander of the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) battalion to do his utmost best in leading the unit.

Tabak commander dares new 53rd IB chief to do his utmost best

MGen. Gerardo F. Barrientos, Jr. in his message during the change of command ceremony held recently at Camp Major Cesar Sabido in Guipos town challenged Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos, Jr., to perform better. His predecessor, Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon

has accomplished outstanding achievements when he led the unit from February 12, 2014 to February 12, 2016. During the ceremony, Luzon received numerous accolades from


provincial and municipal officials, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in recognition for his outstanding contribution making Zamboanga del Sur “peaceful and ready for development” province. Having known Hamos as a good performer when he was assigned at the 4th Infantry Division, Cagayan de Oro City, as they worked together in the intelligence community, Barrientos is confident that he can carry out his duties and responsibilities as the new commander. Meanwhile, Barrientos encouraged Hamos to have a clear vision and execute goals effectively, create a positive direction on what he wants to achieve, make things happen, and make a difference. “I challenge you to make the 53rd IB a more improved battalion and ensure that we will be able to achieve a more secure society,” Barrientos urged. “As you assume command of this unit, you have to maintain good rapport with the local chief executives,” Barrientos declared adding that stakeholders’ engagement contribute to the attainment of the objectives of

the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or Bayanihan which was fully implemented by his predecessor. Hamos was proud that he was given the opportunity by the Tabak commander to lead an organization previously under the sterling leadership of Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon who has accomplished much during his 2 year stint in the unit.

“As your new commander, I vow to continue the vision and programs that my predecessor has started with much dedication,” Hamos assured. “I will build upon your accomplishments. I will do what an officer must do, that is, to accomplish the mission. To the men and women of the 53rd IB, I offer you my full commitment to serve. I will work with you, struggle with you, and fight with you,” Hamos concluded.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With this year’s theme as “Legal na Ampon ako, anak na Totoo,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development marks February as the Adoption Consciousness Month and aims to show one (or a couple) can adopt a child legally in the Philippines.

By: Charmaine P. Tadlas

DSWD-10 encourages couples, individuals to adopt legally

Before considering adoption, one must know if they are eligible to adopt a Filipino child. The eligibility includes that he

or she is of legal age and at least 16 years older than the adoptee, provided, however that the minimum age gap between the adopter and


City Hall maps out measures vs drought

the adoptee may not be required if the adopter is the biological parent or sibling of the adoptee or the spouse of the adoptee`s parent. The adopter has also have the capacity to act and assume all the rights and duties incident to the exercise of parental authority and that they are of good moral character and have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. The adopted must also be in a position to support, educate and care for his/her legitimate and illegitimate children and the child to be adopted in keeping with the means of the family; and has undergone pre-adoption services. In addition to the qualifications, an alien (not a Filipino citizen) may also adopt if he or she: is a citizen of a state which has diplomatic relations with the Philippines; and has been certified by his/her diplomatic or consular office or any appropriate agency that: he/she is qualified to

adopt in his/her country; and his/her government will allow the adoptee to enter the adopter`s country and reside there permanently as an adopted child. They must also have submitted the necessary clearances and such other certifications as may be required by the Department. When applying for adoption, interested applicants must consult with a DSWD social worker to be assessed if they are ready to adopt a child or not. Moreover, they also need to comply with certain requirements before they could go with the adoption process. The DSWD is an active advocate of legal adoption in the Philippines. For more information on how to go through the adoption process, interested individuals or couple will just have to visit a social worker at DSWD located at Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) team in Cagayan de Oro convened on February 17 to map out mitigating measures against the crippling effects of drought due to El Niño phenomenon.

City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) officer Teddy

Sabuga-a, Ret. Col. Mario Verner Monsanto of Cagayan de Oro


City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Dr. Hector San Juan of Agricultural Productivity Office and Edwin Dael of City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) and team were alarmed over reports after drought validations were done on affected barangays. Last year, the RDANA team

declared some barangays under state of calamity due to drought so as to ensure that farmers can cope up with the situation.. For now, the RDANA team is looking for ways and alternative solutions in order to help farmers sustain their livelihood on farming.(CIO/PIA10)

The Subanen tribe members who have 0-18 years old students and were validated to be eligible of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP) are residents of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). In Clarin town in Misamis Occidental province, 145 beneficiaries are living in the hinterland villages of Bitoon, Guba, Penacio, Bernad, Dalingap, Sebasi, and Canibungan Putol while in Jimenez town, the 362 grantees are from the hinterland villages of Carmen, Mialem, Guintomoyan, Matugas Alto, Matugas Bajo, Seti, and Sibaroc.

The MCCT-IP is a program designed for the indigenous people resulting from a series of policy and program participatory reviews. The program is designed to harmonize with the socio-cultural-political and geographic setting of IP communities. The program serves the beneficiaries who are in vulnerable and disadvantaged areas as identified during social preparations. The beneficiaries are those IP families with 0-18-year-old children or those beyond 18 years old who are still currently enrolled in Elementary, High School, Alternative Learning System, School of Living Tradition, other indigenous learning systems,

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – Hundreds of indigenous tribe members belonging to the Subanen tribe here have received their cash grants for the education and health of their children.

Subanen tribe members receive cash grants


IPs living within or outside their ancestral domain, and those who are in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). The objective of the MCCT-IP program is to empower, promote, and protect the IPs from any unavoidable adverse effects caused by the development process. To date, northern Mindanao has 18,924 active IP beneficiaries who are mostly living in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional

director Nestor Ramos said IP beneficiaries deserve to receive equal opportunities like those who belong to the regular CCT. “They play a significant part in our community. We support them through our services and interventions like providing them resources for their livelihood activities, capability building training, promotion of IP rights, or any collective engagement that will enhance self-determination, and through community family development sessions,” Ramos added.

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one mindanao - february 22, 2016

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