one mindanao - january 25, 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 ARTISTSGIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. 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

Power On:Therma South Power Plant

Cover Story

By: Rudolph Alama

today’s news

Good governance initiatives drive country’s credit ratings—Abad

14

36 Determination is key to a world-class AFP, says Gen. Dela Cruz

By: Felipo David G. Malcampo

BBL passage will change Mindanao’s violent narrative – Deles

16

37 Over 2000 grains businessmen expected to renew licenses

40 University opens 8th Cinemagis film fest: ‘Lucid,’ ‘Senyas’ lead nominations

50 LGU Tagum targets rice farmers’ self-sufficiencyBy: Richi Gulle

20 P1.3B oil palm project boosts ARMM investmentsBy: Perlita B. Changco

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Herzon F. Gallego

By: Stephen Pedroza

24

25

“El Niño” downs rice yield in SurSur

DENR earmarks P12.4 billion for climate change programs

NATIONAL INFOCUS

WESTERN NORTHERN

SOUTHERN

SOCCSKSARGEN

CARAGA

10 16 1922

35 3943

45 Agri-Pinoy Program in ARMM to assist 65,000 farmers

ARMM

46 DSWD-ARMM launches Apat Dapat anti-poverty program

41 DTI, DOH, FDA issue advisory on Hoverboard safetyBy: Nelia Quijano

4 January 25, 2016One Mindanao

Power On:Therma South Power PlantBy Rudolph Alama

5January 25, 2016 One Mindanao

Last January 8 with President Benigno Aquino III in attendance, the 300 megawatt Therma South Power Plant was formally inaugurated.


The coal-fired power plantstraddles Binugao, Toril Districtin Davao City and the town ofSantaCruzinDavaodelSur.AtacostofP35-billionitistoutedasoneofthemostmodernand

cleanest coal-firedpowerplantsinthecountry.

Thecoalplantusescirculatingfluidized bed which is aimed atmeeting strict environmental


standards.

CFB uses bed of inertmaterials likelimestoneorsandwhichmixeswithcoalparticles,the process absorbs 95% ofSulphurpollutants.

The biggest coal dome inSoutheastAsia is located in theplant. This iswhere coal fuel isstoredsafelyandwherecoaldustiscontained.

The Therma South Inc.power plant is among the newpowerinvestmentsintheregionwhichisexpectedtoaddressthepower supply problems of theMindanaoGrid.AccordingtotheDepartmentofEnergyabout550megawatts of energy from fournew power plants in Mindanaowillaugmentthegridbythefirsthalfof2016.

“When this plant becomesfully operational, we can countonittoconsistentlyproduce300megawatts of base load power,which means that this capacitycan be tapped into anytime,rain or shine, with very minorfluctuations,” President Aquinosaid in his speech during theplant’sopening.

“To emphasize just howsignificant this is, this plant’sdependable capacity is roughlyequivalent to one-fifth of theMindanao grid’s highest peakdemand in 2015—and it isalreadydeliveringpowertoareasat the end of the grid, such asSarangani,GeneralSantos, andthe Zamboanga peninsula.” Hesaid.

Hydropower accounts formore than half of the island’sgeneration capacity. Electricityoutputatthesefacilitiesisoftenaffected by seasonal variationsinwaterlevelsparticularlyintheAgus and Pulangi hydro electricplants.

The power plant currentlysuppliesbaseloadpowertomorethan20electriccooperativesanddistributionutilitiesinMindanao,providingelectricitytothecitiesofDavao,CagayandeOro,GeneralSantos, Zamboanga, Butuan,Kidapawan, Tagum, Koronadal,Digos,PagadianandCotabato.

ItalsosuppliesenergytotheDavao region, the provinces ofCotabato,SultanKudarat,Agusanand Surigao; the ZamboangaPeninsula;andpartsofBukidnonandMisamis.


Erramon Aboitiz, chiefexecutiveofficerofAboitizPowerof which TSI is its subsidiariessaid that the baseloadplant isabletocontinuegeneratingmuchneededpowerevenwithMindanaoisexperiencingdryspellscausedbyElNinophenomenon.

“Wehope that other powerprojects from other privatecompanieswillalsorealizetheir

projects which are seen aspower assets in the island, thiswill eventually lead to a steadyand reliable supply of power inMindanao.”Aboitizsaid.

AboitizcitedtheinvestmentsinpowerisaproofthattheElectricPower Industry Reform Act of2001(Epira)isworking.Thisbycutting down the monopoly inthe industry andattractingnew


powerplayersintheregion.

The private sector hascommittedtoundertakeatleastanother 11 power projects inMindanao that will come onlinebetween2016and2020,whichareanticipatedtoproduceatleast675.30 MW, more than enoughto cover the projected increaseindemandforthoseyears.

The President thankAboitizPower and TSI for beinganearlybelieverinthepotentialsof Mindanao. AboitizPower alsoownsHedcorwhichisinvestinginhydropowerplants inDavaodelSur andBukidnon, it also ownsTherma Marine whose bargesdockinMacoinCompostelaValleyand Nasipit in Agusan del Surprovidesmuch-neededpowertotheMindanaoGrid.

One Mindanao10 January 25, 2016

MANILA-- NICE upgraded the country’s credit rating by a notch, from the minimum investment grade of BBB- to BBB. The move has tightly secured the Philippines’ place within the investment-grade territory.

Another credit rating upgrade for PH

In a statement releasedWednesday, NICE said theupgrade was anchored on

“improved governmenttransparency as well asenhanced environment backed


by expanded infrastructureand social overhead capitalsin the form of public-privatepartnerships.”

The upgrade came amidsustained rise in infrastructureinvestments.From1.8percentofgrossdomesticproductin2010,thegovernment’s infrastructurebudgetrisesto5percentofGDPthisyear.

Also,infrastructurecontractsamounting to $4.8 billion hasbeenawarded toprivate-sectorinvestors since 2010, makingthe Aquino administrationthe most active in promotingpublic-private partnerships forinfrastructure.

The Philippines’ new creditrating with NICE is assigneda “stable” outlook, indicatingit may stay the same at leastover the short term despitechallenges posed by externaldevelopments.

Comparedwithpeers,NICEsaid, the Philippines is seen tobe more resilient to shocks,includingtheimpactofaslowingChinese economy and marketvolatility arising from higherinterest rates in the UnitedStates.

“Considering its tradestructureandstrongFX[foreignexchange] liquidity, the impactofglobaleconomicuncertaintiessuch as slowdown of Chineseeconomy and US interest ratehikewillbemanageable,”NICEsaid.

Thecreditwatchdogexpectsthe Philippines to sustain arobust economic growth of 6.3percentoverthemediumterm.

Meantime, economicofficials welcomed the latestcredit-rating upgrade, whichmarks the 24th positive ratingaction for thePhilippinesunderthe Aquino administration (9outlook changes to “positive”


and 15 actual hikes in creditratingsfromvariousagencies).

“The string of favorableactions from credit ratingagencies,thelatestofwhichisfrom NICE Investors Service,resonates the process ofeconomicstrengtheningthatthePhilippineshasundergoneovertheyears.Contributorytothisprocess were soundmonetarypolicy and bank supervision,whichhaveplayedcrucialrolesinpromotinga stable inflationenvironment and a strongfinancialsystem,”BSPGovernorAmandoM.Tetangco,Jr.said.

FinanceSecretaryCesarV.Purisima remarked, “Virtuouscycles come from doggeddiscipline, even when politicalheadwinds seem too strong.

Expanded fiscal space hasopened up a pandora’s box ofopportunities in infrastructure,allowingustoplayafastgameofcatch-upwithourneighbors.

Withincreasedtransparency,we have empowered citizenswhoparticipateintheprocessofgovernance, and who—havingknown the gains reforms canbring—will refuse to roll back


progress.” Purisima also notedthat with this latest creditrating action, Fitch remainsthe only agency to assign theminimum investment grade tothePhilippines.

TheInvestorRelationsOffice(IRO) said upgrades in creditratings have provided concretebenefits for the economy,i n c l u d i n gimprovedbusinessconfidence andreducedborrowingcost for thegovernment. Thelatter has helpedlower commerciallending rates forconsumers andbusinesses aswell.

“ T h e investment gradesovereign creditratings that thePhilippines nowenjoys are aresult of a long

a tedious process of economictransformation. Taking thecountry’sfavorablecreditimagefor granted—and reversing thereforms implemented over theyears—wouldbecostly.ItisuponeachFilipinotoseetoitthattheeconomic transformationof thePhilippinesissustainedoverthelonghaul,”Martinsaid.(DOF)


QUEZON CITY- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said that good governance initiatives have become “significant drivers” of the Philippines credit rating adjustments.

Good governance initiatives drive country’s credit ratings—Abad

The National Informationand Credit Evaluation InvestorsServices of South Korea raisedthe country’s credit rating by anotch from BBBminus to BBB,an investmentgradethatSouthKoreacitedasthereformsinthePhilippines and the robustnessitseconomy.

“Wetakeprideinthefactthatour good governance initiativesin the past six years improvedpublic spending, helping tocreatefiscal space thatenabledthe government to spendmoreonsocialandeconomicservices,”Abadsaidinastatement.


Abad said this year, thegovernmentissettocompletekeyinfrastructureprojectsespeciallythatithassignificantlyincreasedthetotalinfrastructurespendingto reach the internationalbenchmarkoffivepercentoftheGrossDomesticProduct.

“We take even more pridein the fact that these good

governance initiatives havebecome significant driversof the country’s credit ratingadjustments,” he said. “Positivecredit rating actions like thislatestupgradenotonlyvalidateoureffortsuptothispoint,theyalso serve as milestones thatwe seek to surpass with evenstronger performance in thecomingmonths.”(PIA/DBM)

16 One Mindanao January 25, 2016

BBL passage will change Mindanao’s violent narrative – Deles

MANILA -- The much-awaited passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not only improve the fate of the Bangsamoro region but will also change the discourse on Mindanao as it will signal the closing of the armed conflict with the largest Moro rebel group in the country, said Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles. “Yung kailangan siguro sapanahong ito talaga yung bigpicture ang tinitingnan. ‘Yungfarsightedness… dahil sa totoo

lang itong batas na ito hindilang pang ngayon [but] it will[also] affect the future of theBangsamoro (What we need to


see at this point in time is thebigpicture.Thefarsightedness…because, in reality, this law isnot only for the present but itwillalsoaffectthefutureoftheBangsamoro),” Deles said in aninterviewonnationaltelevision.

“Mapapalitan na natin angnarrativenitonglugarnaitofromoneofdistrust,despair,violenceto one na meron kang bagongopportunities [and] new hopes(Wecanchangethenarrativeofthis place from one of distrust,despair, violence to one withopportunities[and]newhopes),”she added. “[The two peace]partiesandalargeconstituency,church leaders, civil society,evenbusinessleadershavecometo a consensus on this, not tomention [that the] internationalcommunityissoready.”

Deles emphasized thatthe passage of the BBL shouldnot be passed on to the nextadministration, but rather thefinal decision and action to theMindanaoarmedconflictdependsonthecurrentCongressandthepoliticalwillofthelegislators.

“[M]as nakasalalay dito samga nakaupo mismo ngayonna sila ang kailangan talagang

magpasyana...umabotna[tayosa]mahabang panahon, [kaya]hindi lang ito yung sinasabingminadali. Ang tagal nila [at]andamingconsultationsnangyari[kaya]haloslahatnangtanongaynandiyanna(Itreallyrestsonthe incumbent political leaderswe have today to decide... thishasgoneonforsuchalongtime,that is why they can’t say thatthere has been any railroading.Ithasbeensolongandvariousconsultations have been madetoensure thatall questionsareanswered).”

Despite the limitedtimeframe of Congress for BBLpassage,Delesremainspositivethat it can still be done undertheAquinoadministration.“[W]ewillkeeponpushingandnotgiveuphopeonthis.It’saverytightwindowbutthosewhoknowthelegislativeprocesssaidthatitisstillpossible.”

Cagayan de Oro CityRepresentativeRufusRodriguez,who serves as chairman of thead hoc committee on the BBL,announcedearlierthattheHouseagreedtovoteonthebillon27January.

During the course of the


interview, the OPAPP secretarywas also asked about the re-openingoftheSenateprobeontheMamasapanoincident.

Deleswelcomedthemotionof Senate Minority Leader JuanPonce Enrile to reopen theMamasapanoinvestigationatthecommitteeleveltoputclosureontheissue.

“[W]e will respect SenatorEnrile na siya yung nagtulaknito na mayroon nga siyangmga tanong na inaasahannating makakatulong sa pag-intindi sa nangyari (We willrespect Senator Enrile who ispushingforthisbecausehestillhas questions that would helpin making us understand what

reallyhappened),”shesaid.

“Kung kailangan buksan[dahil] may mga issue pangpag-uusapan,maymgatanong,i-focusdoon(Ifwearegoingtoopen because there are issuesstilltobeaddressed,allquestionsshouldfocusthere).[Iamhopingthat]itwillbefactualanditwillhelpto[givethe]bigpictureofwhatreallyhappened.”

She reminded lawmakersthattheBBLpassageshouldnotbeaffectedwiththeMamasapanoprobe re-opening and that theremainingsessiondayswouldbeusedto focuson importantbillscurrentlypendingforlegislation.(OPAPP)


Over 173K hectares distributed to CARP beneficiaries in Sultan Kudarat

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato Jan 25 – Some 173,212.96 hectares have been distributed to about 69,722 farmer-beneficia-ries in Sultan Kudarat since the start of the agrarian reform pro-gram in 1988, a high ranking official of the province’s Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said.

By: Aida C. Agad

RodolfoAlburo,provincialagrarianreformprogramofficerII(PARPOII),saidthatDARhas al-readyaccom-plished94percentofitsto-taltargetwithre-gardtolandac-quisitionanddistri-

butioninSultanKudarat.“Wehaveatargetof


P1.3B oil palm project boosts ARMM investments

184,995.9101hectareswhichweneedtoaccomplishbyendof2016.Withthecurrenttrend,weareclosetoclearingthistar-get,”hesaid.Alburoaddedthattheiroffice

continuetodeliverservicesandperformitsfunctionsamidnewsthatagrarianprograminthePhilippineswillendby2016.“Thereisnolettingupwith

theperformanceofourmandateandinachievingourtargetsasanagency.DARevenintensifiedthegivingofsupportservicestothefarmer-beneficiariestoim-proveproductivityandeffectabetterchangeinthequalityoflifeofthefarmers,”hesaid.Outofthe11townsand2

citiesincludingCotabatoCity,Columbiotownhasthehighestnumberoflandsdistributedtothefarmerswith50,207.9526hectares,followedbyPalimbangwith40,944.5138hectares,thenbySenatorNinoyAquino

with26,919.9755hectares.“Basedonrecords,Colum-

biohasaround15,738farmer-beneficiarieswhodividedthelandgiventothem.Palimbanghas15,361andSenatorNInoyAquinohas9,007farmer-bene-ficiaries,”saidAlburo.Heexplainedthatthesetowns

areamongtheresettlementar-easdeclaredbythegovernmentundertheKilusangKabuhayanatKaunlaranLandResourceManagementprogramduringthetimeofPres.FerdinandMar-cos.Lastmonth,DARdistributed

certificatesoflandtitlescov-eringsome3,381.60hectaresinBatangBagras,Palimbang,hopingitwouldalsoboosttheeconomiclivesofthenewland-owners.(ACAgad-PIA12/JJB-Dael-DAR-SK)

COTABATO CITY, Jan. 25 – “With or without Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the company has already decided to invest in the Au

By:Perlita B. Changco


Fergussonadded,spilloveroffightinginMamasapanoearlylastyearwasaninitialconcernforthecompanybutsincenowidespreadfightingbrokeout,theydecidedtocontinuewiththeproject.TheGintongAgri-Corporation

ismajoritySingaporean-ownedcompanywithajointventurewithlocalcommunitycoopera-tiveswhereinthemembersownthelandswhilethecompanyun-dertakesthedevelopmentandmanagementoftheproject.Thecompanyhasregistereda

P1.3billionoil-palmplantationprojectintheARMM’sRegionalBoardofInvestments(RBOI)onJanuary15,2016seentogen-erate1,000jobsuponfullop-eration.Some5,000hectaresinDatu

OdinSinsuat,Maguindanaowillbedevelopedfortheinitialop-erationofthesaidcompany.Itisexpectedtoexpandup

to20,000hectaresofoil-palmplantationinthemunicipalitiesofTalayanandGuindulunganbothintheprovinceofMaguin-danaooverthenextdecade.Thecompanyisinvestinginto

sustainableoil-palmproduction

andwillbuildandoperatepalmoilmillfacilitiesinMaguindanaotoproducecrudepalmoilandpalmkerneloil.Theprojectissettocreate

1,000jobsuponitsfullopera-tions.Meanwhile,RBOI-ARMM

chairmanAtty.IshakMasturasaid,2015recordedaP6.5bil-liontotalinvestmentdespitetheMamasapanotragedy.“Thisoptimismwillcontinue

this2016sincemoreinvestorsareexpectedtocomeandstayintheregion,confidentthattheycandogoodbusinessevenwithsomeissuesinthepeaceprocesswhichwasevenaggra-vatedbytheMamasapanoinci-dent,”Masturasaid.Masturasaid,thisyearisgo-

ingtobeanothergoodyearforARMMsinceinvestmentproj-ectsarerelatedtoanoildepot,bulkwatertreatmentandsupplysystem,andanindustrialwastemanagementandtreatmentarenowintheworks.(IEroy/PB-Changco-PIACotabatoCitywithreportfromRBOI-ARMM)

tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),” Gintong Agri-Cor-poration President Alex Fergusson said.


DFA, PIA hold info drive on West PH Sea issue in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY –The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), gave updates on the latest matters on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue especially on the results of the case filed in the Arbitral Tribunal to Butuanon media practitioners in a press conference held Monday at the Samping Avenue, this city.

By Daisy Jane Apit


According toDFA - Maritimeand Oceans AffairsOffice executivedirector Ma. TeresaAlmojuela, thehearing on themerits of the casefiled have alreadybeenconductedlastNovember and theresultswillbegiventhis last quarter oftheyear. “Wearepositivethat the resultswillbeinourfavor.ThegovernmentiscontinouslymakingeffortsinengagingtheWPSissuein the international talks withother foreign countries,” addedAlmojuela. Duringthepressconference,thetalkscoveredthecoreissuesoftheWestPhilippineSeadispute,the Philippine official policy anditsguidingprinciples,aswellasthe government efforts on theissue. “TheissueonWestPhilippineSea isnotonly relevant for theinterestofthecountryinwinningthedisputebutalsotoreinforcethe supremacy of the rule ofthe Law specifically the UnitedNations Convention on the Lawof the Seas (UNCLOS),” Dir.

Almojuelasaid. Furthermore, PIA ProgramManagement Division staffdirector Emelyn Libunaounderscored that the respect tothe primary of the rule of lawis the government’s guidingprinciple.“Wagingwarisnotourendoption.WewanttohelpourfellowFilipinostotrulyunderstandthatwearedeterminedtodefendwhat is legitimately ours. Thatis, pursuing the fight throughdiplomatictrackasprescribedbytheframereferenceinsresolvingthedispute,”Libunaoadded. Thepressconferenceispartof the three-day from January25-27 activity in Butuan set bythe said offices to disseminateinformationtothestakeholders.


Marcos Quico, provincialagriculturist, told capitolemployeespalayharvestdidnotturn that good, citing climatechange, particularly El Niño, asculprit. Bypresentingacomparativedataplantedwithricein2014and2015,productionpermetricton(MT)wassaidtohavegonedownsignificantly, pointing out thatduring theprevious year, 2014,a totalof33,701hectareswerereported to have been planted

as compared to only 31,059hectaresin2015. Asaresult,Quicosaid, theprovince had posted a “-6.84percent growth rate (GR),”showing production at 112,493MT in 2014 as against 104,794MTin2015. “We expect that we willbe having shortfall of supplyin the next months. The onlyadvantage we have—becausewe have a ‘seesaw’ harvestingin Surigao del Sur. While the

“El Niño” downs rice yield in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– The Office of the Provincial Agri-culturist (OPAG) here, which played host to this week’s Monday flag ceremony program, bared the agriculture sector had suffered from the mild effects of El Niño phenomenon in 2015.


DENR earmarks P12.4 billion for climate change programs

BUTUAN CITY– Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional director for Caraga Region Nonito M. Tamayo said that a total of P12.4 billion has been earmarked by the DENR for 19 specific climate change programs to strengthen the country’s resiliency against natural calamities.

Thisamountis57percentoftheDENR’stotalbudgetofP21.8billionin2016aftertheCongressrealignedsomebudgetforotherpriorityprogramsoftheDENR.

Director Tamayo said theNationalGreeningProgram(NGP)gotabigsliceinthebudgetpiewith a total of P8 billion. Lastyear’sbudget forNGPwasP7.2

By: Herzon F. Gallego

central (part) is resting, theCarcanmadcarlan area (fiveclusters of municipalities in thenorth) is harvesting,” explainedthechiefagriculturist. Ricefieldsintheprovinceareclassified only as “irrigated andrainfed,” the former somewhatdoublingtheareaofthelatter.Asbrokendown,theirrigatedandrainfed areas planted/harvestedin 2014 were at 22,404 and11,297 hectares as comparedto20,164and10,895hectares,respectively,in2015 Ontheotherhand,thechiefagriculturistallayedfearsofriceshortage. Referringtoworstscenario,he assured that this would not

takeplaceunlessriceproductioncouldgodowntoasmuchas50percent. Duringthatoccasion,Quicoalso disclosed plans of seeingGovernor Johnny Pimentel andthe Sangguniang Panlalawiganmembersforaconsultation. “Weare intendingtoreportthis to the Sanggunian and tothegovernorsothatwecanalsosuggest some mitigation to, atleast,cushionthe impactofthedryspell,”hesaid. Last year, Quico had saidmanytimesoverthatmitigatingmeasureshadbeeninplacehereeven before mild El Niño hadtakenitstollonthefarmsector.


billion. TheotherpriorityprogramsoftheDENRwhichalsosharedintheP12.4billionclimatechangeprogramsaretheprotectedareamanagement - P1.063 billion;forestprotection-P473.6million;reforestationofmajorriverbasinsunder the Integrated NaturalResources and EnvironmentManagement Project - P451.4million;airquality improvement-P443.7million;unifiedmapping

project - P398million; NationalGeo-Hazard assessment - P397million; clean water program- P194 million; ecologicalsolid-waste managementregulation - P88.2 million;Manila Bay Rehabilitation - P80million; wildlife protection andconservation-P72.2million;andhazardouswastemanagement-P41.7million.


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Lapuyan residents lauded for their vigilance and support to AFP’s LAPUYAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The encounter between the troops of the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) battalion and 20 fully armed member of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday in barangay Tiguha, Lapuyan was attributed to the active support of the civilians.

By Gideon C. Corgue

LtCol. Alvin Luzon,commandingofficerofthe53rdIBinaradiointerviewovertheweekend said civilians livingin thehinterlandsareactivelysupporting the programs andactivitiespursuedbytheArmedForces of the Philippines—theInternal Peace and SecurityPlan (IPSP) or Bayanihancampaign. “Iacknowledgetheeffortsofresidentsandbarangayfolks

forthecooperationandsupportin keeping their communityfreefromNPAelements,”Luzonreported. Luzonsaidwhenhereceivedareportfromlocalresidentsonthepresenceofarmedmen,heimmediatelysenttroopsinthearea to check and validate itand foundout that the reportwastrue. Luzon said the encounter,whichresultedtotherecovery


of one (1) M16 rifle, several magazines and assorted liveammunitions, improvised explosive devices (IED), cartridgesof40mm,subversivedocuments,foodstuffandotherpersonalbelongingswasattributedtothereportofciviliansinbarangayTiguha. Meanwhile, Luzon said the NPA is already losing mass-basesupportbecauseitusesforceorcoerciontogetfinancialsupport fromthemasses. “Themasseshaveappreciated theComprehensiveLivelihoodIntegrationProgram(CLIP)whereithasprovidedsurplusbenefitstothesurrenderees,”headded. Under theCLIP, Luzon said, the governmentwill provideimmediate cashassistance to theNPA surrenderees to covertheirbasicneedsandskillstraining.“Theynolongerhideinthemountainsandwillneverexperiencedifficultlifelikeconstantwalking,sleeplessnightsandlackoffood.” HeaddedthattheNPAsurrendereeisassuredofabrightfuturebecausetheywillhappilylivewiththeirfamily,sendtheirchildrentoschoolandprovidefortheirbasicneeds. Itcanberecalledthatover30NPAregularmembersalready


Determination is key to a world-class AFP, says Gen. Dela CruzBy Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – During his New Year’s call with the officers and visitors of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) last Wednesday, newly-installed commander Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz said that they key to having a world-class armed forces is every soldiers’ steel determination in doing everything to protect the interest of the Filipinos.

surrendered to the 53IB dueto the sustained combatoperations of governmenttroops and the growing socialpressure for them to rejoinmainstreamsociety.

“I am confident that indue time, the restof theNPArebels in the mountains willsurrender to the governmentandlivepeacefulliveswiththeirfamilies,”Luzonconcluded.

“Sa amin, dimasusukatangpagigingworld-class sa gamitlamang (being world-class cannot be solemeasuredbyequipmentalone),”Gen.DelaCruztold his men adding“dapat buo ang loobnatin(wehavetohavestrongwill).” The Wesmincomcommander cited thenationalgovernmentfortheprocurementofnewequipmentsuchasjets,


Over 2000 grains businessmen expected to renew licensesZAMBOANGA CITY - The National Food Authority (NFA) here reminds grains businessmen in the region to renew their licenses for 2016 on time so as to avoid surcharge. Jordan Lee Valente, NFAInformation Officer said theyareexpectingsome2000grainsbusinessmen operating in the

Zamboanga Peninsula Regiontorenewtheirlicenseswiththeoffice. “NFA has scheduled the

choppers, boats and weapons,butalsoemphasizedthatifbeingworld-classisnotmeasuredalonebysaidmodernequipment. “Wecannotsaythatweareas modern as other countries,but we compensate (it) withourdetermination(toserveandprotect),”hestressed. Gen. Dela Cruz said thatwhile many other nations havemore modern equipment,there are instanceswhen theseequipment eventually fall intothe enemies’ hands. “There areinstances when, given thesenewequipment,youdonotevenknow how to use them.Worst,the enemy gets hold of theequipment,anditmayseemthatyoumodernizetheenemy.” He also stressed that

“whatever happens,wewill notlet the enemy get hold of ourequipment,ifpossible,weshouldbe the ones to take away theirequipment.” Heputoutawordtosoldierswhohavebeenthroughyearsofschooling. “All of us have gonetoschoolingatsomepoint,whiletheenemyisjustlearningatthesidelines,” he said, adding thatthisshouldbeenoughmotivationforthesoldierstosucceedintheiroperations. “Masmatindiangmotivationnatin kaysa sa kanila (we havestronger motivation than theenemy),” he said. “Millions ofpeopledependonus,while theenemy’s motivation is only hisown personal interest. This iswhatshoulddriveus.”


wholemonthofJanuaryfortherenewal of licenses for grainsbusinessmen from barangaysunderthefirstdistrictincludingthoseattheMainPublicMarketand Sta. Cruz CommercialComplex,whilethosefromthebarangays under the seconddistrict is scheduled on themonth of February,” Valentesaid. Concerned grainsbusinessmen are advisedto observe the schedule forrenewal of licenses to avoidsurchargeandpenalties. Valente informed, thosewho renew licenses beyondthedeadlinewouldbemadetopayasurchargefeeequivalentto25percent(%)ofthetotallicense cost and an additional25%foreverymonthofdelay.

“Those who are requiredto secure or renew their NFAlicensearegrainsbusinessmenengaged in lines of activitiessuchasretailing,wholesaling,milling, warehousing,transporting, manufacturing,threshing, corn shelling,mechanicaldrying,packaging,poultry and hog raising, andimporting,”theactiveIOsaid. Requirements for renewalofNFAlicensesare2pieces2x2IDpicturesand2photocopiesofCityMayor’spermit.Allpersons,naturalorjuridical,who are engaged or areintending to engage in thericeand/orcornindustry,shallapply for a grains businesslicenseand/orgrainsbusinessregistrationwithNFA.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) is inviting all senior citizens in Cagayan de Oro to use the current online registration for the processing of their identification cards or IDs.

By: City Information Office

Online registration for senior citizens’ ID still ongoing


University opens 8th Cinemagis film fest: ‘Lucid,’ ‘Senyas’ lead nominationsIMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – Among the official entries from all over Northern Mindanao, “Lucid” by Cloyd Winstanley in the senior category and “Senyas” by Kenneth Sabijon in the student set have secured nine nominations each in the 8th Cinemagis Digital Short Film Festival.

By: Stephen Pedroza

The nominees were unveiledduring theopeningceremonyat theXU Little Theater held Wednesdaynight. “Lucid” follows the story ofthe protagonist named Phillip whograpplesbetweentherealmsofrealityandfantasy,while“Senyas”tellsthestoryofKagay-anonsravagedbythewrath of TS Sendong in December2011. After the presentation ofnominees, this year’s film feature

“AngNerseri”(TheNursery)byVictorAcedilloofCamiguinwasshowntotheaudience, composed of professionaland budding filmmakers, Cinemagisjudges,XUfacultymembers,studentsandguests. With screenings running untilJan23attheXULittleTheaterandSMCagayandeOroCinema3,theeighthinstallment of Cinemagis presentsthreeprofessionalentries,tenstudentfilms, five Pi-length entries and thepastfilmsofJoeBacusandClark

Applicants will just have to logon through the internet and accessthesite:scidcagayandeoro.gov.ph. The requirements of the saidregistration include scanned copy ofbirth certificate/valid ID/baptismal/marriage certificate, barangaycertificate,1x1latestcoloredpictureandsignaturespecimen. Withinthreeworkingdaysupon

approval,theIDwillbeavailableforrelease. At present, the City SocialWelfareandDevelopmentOfficehadalreadyreleasedalmost30,000PVC-typeseniorcitizens’IDcards. Formoreinformation,interestedapplicants will just have to call theOSCAlandlinenumber857-3143andmobileno.09462812066.


Cabantan. Under the banner of XavierCenterforCultureandtheArts(XCCA),Cinemagis serves as a platform forlocal filmmakers to showcase theirtalents,skillsandstories,contributingtothedevelopmentofthefilmmakingindustryinNorthernMindanao.Sinceits inception in 2009, a number offilmshavealreadygoneontonationalindependentfilmfestivalsandeventotheinternationalstage.

ThemembersofthejudgingpanelareCinemalaya2009BestScreenplayAwardee and “Ang Nerseri” directorVictor Acedillo of Camiguin; theateractor and director from PagadianCity Felimon Blanco; and Davaoeñofilmmaker, musician and productionsoundmixerArbiBarbarona,whowilldeterminethisyear’swinnersintheirdeliberationonSaturdaymorning. TheawardsnightwillbeheldatSMCityEventCenteronJan23.

DTI, DOH, FDA issue advisory on Hoverboard safetyBy: Nelia Quijano

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a recent joint advisory released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the public is advised to be cautious in buying hoverboards or scooter boards which are reportedly fire hazards and has caused serious injuries in the United States and Australia.

Theseinjuriesincludeconcussion,fracture, contusion/abrasion, andinternalorganinjuries. According toDTI, ISO8124 fortoys are designed for those aged14 years old and below where themaximum electrical capacity forelectrically-activatedtoysis24volts.However,hoverboardswhichhave36volts are not recommended as toys

forthisagegroup. Meanwhile, distributors mustalso comply with the requirementto label those available for retail incompliancewithRepublicAct10620,alsoknownas“ToyandGameSafetyLabelingActof2013.” According toDTI, thismust gotogether with a warning statement“Notintendedforchildrenages14


and below” that shall be displayedontheprincipaldisplaypanelof100square centimeters in both EnglishandFilipino. DTIalsosaysconsumersshouldcheckifthebatteriesarelabelledasIEC62133orIEC60335orshowingISO/IEClogo. Moreover,consumersareadvisedtobemorevigilantandconscious inbuying toys and gadgets (whetherornotsoldastoys)inthemarketto

avoidhealthandsafetyissues. Meanwhile,allcomplaintsrelatedtohoveroardswillbemediatedand/oradjudicatedbytheDTI-FairTradeEnforcementBureau(FTEB). Further, DTI and DOH-FDAwill jointly conduct monitoring andenforcement on the compliance ofall distributors, traders, importersand manufacturer with the labelingrequirements.


Peace advocates urged to amplify benefits of BBL

A young Moro professional

has appealed to peace advocates in the province to amplify the cause of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, formera s semb l ywomanin the AutonomousRegion in MuslimMindanao (ARMM), said there is aneed to explain the controversialcontentionsandthebenefitsofaBBLthat is based on the ComprehensiveAgreementontheBangsamoro(CAB)tolegislators. “The BBL is a 17 year processbut that is not felt. The legislatorsare not supermen or women whocan read throughhundreds of pagesandprovisionsinjustonesittingand

understand the document that wehave internalized for 17 years, shecitedduringamultisectoralforumontheBBLheldinMarawicityrecently. Tomawis also urged youngcommunicators and heads of officestousethepowerofthepenandtheirorganizationstoencouragelegislatorstopasstheBBL. “Usethepoweroftheinternettosharestatementsofsupportandother

by: Apipa P. Bagumbaran


onlineresourcespushingforagenuineBBL.ThebenefitsofgenuineautonomyanddecentralizationasguaranteedbytheConstitutionmustbeappreciatedbythem,shesaid She further saidthat peace advocatescan contribute byreaffirming theirrole in spreading thelessons in solidarity,toleranceand respectto the right of self-determination of theBangsamoro peoplewho has suffered solong. In the sameforum, GovernmentPeace Panel LegalTeam Member Atty.

Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli gaveassurancethat theyarecontinuouslycoordinating and lobbying with thelegislators and are ready to providesupport and technical assistancein defense of and in explaining thecontentsoftheBBLinitsoriginalform. HesaidthegovernmentishopefulthattheBBLwillbepassedanytimebeforelegislatorsgoonbreak. Julkipli also reiterated thatdespitethechallenges inpursingthepassageof theBBL, thegovernmentandtheMoroIslamicLiberationFront(MILF)willnotgiveup. “Nooneisgivingup.Bothpartiesare still working towards achievingthe objectives of the peace process,whichistopassameaningfulBBLthatwill address the two main problemsof keeping security and improvinggovernanceinMindanao,”hesaid. Julkipli added that the entirePhilippines will ultimately benefit ifthesetwoproblemswillbeaddressed.(APB/PIA-10)


Agri-Pinoy Program in ARMM to assist 65,000 farmersMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) will provide assistance to 64,271 farmers and 866 agriculture groups during the first quarter of 2016 under its Agri-Pinoy Program.

Alexander Alonto, DAF-ARMMSecretary, said the department hasalready lined up its programs andprojectsfortheentireyeartoempowerfarmersand farmingcommunities intheregion. “Weassureallthefarmersnakunganoman ang naka-lineup for 2016,wewilltryourbestnama-implementnamin sa lahat para makatulong sakanila(Weassureallthefarmersthatthe lined-up programs for 2016 willbe implemented to support them),”Sec.Alontosaid. Agrikulturang Pilipino, orAgri-Pinoy, is the over-all strategicframework of the Department ofAgriculture that guides the various

agriculturalservicesandprogramsofthegovernmentfrom2011-2016andbeyond. It incorporates principlesand practices that optimize thedevelopmentofPhilippineresources,natural and human, to achievePhilippine goals in agriculture andfisheries that would contributesignificantlytonationaldevelopment. The Agri-Pinoy Program of theDAF-ARMM has a total budget ofP451.2million this year. In 2015, ithasanallocationofP417.4million. UnderAgri-Pinoy’sRiceProgramalone,atotalof48,971farmersand255agriculturalgroupswouldreceivehybrid and certified palay seeds,as well as agricultural equipmentspecifically170unitsofhandtractor,floatingtiller,transplanterandmulti-purpose dying pavement– amongothers. Agricultural interventions willalsobeprovidedundertheAgri-PinoyCornProgram.Amongtheequipmentto be distributed under the cornprogramare10mechanicalshellers. RecordsfromPhilippineStatisticsAuthority showed the total value ofagriculturalproductioninthecountry,atconstantprices,reachedP568.7


DSWD-ARMM launches Apat Dapat anti-poverty programMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The regional Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) has just launched the pilot run of its Apat Dapat program, an anti-poverty initiative that will focus on 600 of the region’s poorest families.

Theprogramwillfocusonkeyinterventionsconcerningfourbasicneedsofeveryfamily,namelyfood,lighting,waterandsanitation,andshelter. Theprogrambeneficiariesof theApatDapatprogram’spilotrunareamongthepoorestof thepoorintheregion. “WehopethattheApatDapatprogram’s focused approach willprovetobeagoodfitalongsidethebroader approaches taken by our

existing anti-poverty initiatives,allofwhicharecommunity-drivendevelopment projects,” DSWD-ARMMSecretaryRahimaAlbasaid. Accoording to Alba, ensuringfoodsufficiencyandlivelihood,thefirstofthefourcomponentsoftheApatDapatprogram,involvesfourmodalities.Theseare(1)satisfyingevery families’ recommendeddietary allowance for protein andenergy,(2)identifyingwhat

billioncoveringtheperiodJanuarytoSeptember2015. ARMM is primarily agricultural,as reflected in the region’s GrossRegional Domestic Product (GRDP),saidIskakPaguital,DAF-ARMM’schiefofstaff.ThelargestportionofGRDPcomes from agriculture, hunting,forestryandfishing–accountingfor61.3%ofthetotalin2013,and58.8%in2014. Paguital said production ofpriority commodities and high-valuecropsintheregionmustbeincreasedsince ARMM has an agriculture-dependenteconomy.

Six hundred six agriculturalassociations and cooperatives arescheduled to receive interventionsunder the High-Value CropsDevelopmentProgramthisyear. Sec. Alonto added that theregionistargetingtoharvestatotalof659,970metrictonsofagriculturalproducts during the year, while230,759 hectares of land would beplantedwithcropsthisyear. ARMM, with five componentprovinces,has533,410hectarestotalagricultural land–145,477hectaresofwhicharericeareas. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)


livelihoodisbestforthefamiliesandproviding the necessary livelihoodtraining, (3) encouraging familiestoputupsmalllivelihoodactivitiessuch as backyard gardening andpoultry raising that can supportfoodsufficiency,and(4)graduallytransitioningthelivelihoodactivitiesfrombeing food securitymeasuretoalsobeingasourceofincomeforthefamilies. “Alongwithcontinuedsupportinconstructionofsolardryersandwarehouse,aswellastheprovisionofequipmentandmachineries,wearemakingsurethateveryfamilyinacommunitycanlivealifewheretheir needs are met through theApatDapatprogram,”Albasaid.

TechnicalassistancehavebeenprovidedbytheWorldFoodProgramtoensurethesustainabilityof thefood security program,with inputfrom the World Bank which hasbeen consistent in being ARMM’spartnerinpovertyalleviation. TheDSWD-ARMMislookingintoapartnershipwiththeDepartmentof Health’s rural health units andlocalnutritioniststomakesurethatfoodsufficiencyandsecuritygoalsaremet.(BPI/APB/PIA-10)


Malaysia asserts its support to the gov-ernment-MILF peace processDAVAO CITY- An official of the Malaysian government in the city reiterated their country’s support for the pursuit of a lasting peace in Mindanao de-spite the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Con-gress. Speaking to reporters dur-ingthe inductionof leadersandmembers of the Davao RegionMaranaoLeadersConfederation,Consul-general Abdullah ZawaiTahir of theMalaysian Embassysaidhiscountry’scommitmenttothepeaceinMindanaohasbeenthereforthelast17yearsinthenegotiations between the gov-ernment and the Moro IslamicLiberation. Herecalledthatthedealwasalmostreacheduntil theMama-sapanoincidenthappenedwhere44 police commandois and 16peopleincludingmembersoftheMILFwerekilled in theencoun-ter.

“OurleadersandthepeopleofMalaysiaaresinceretoseealastingpeaceinMindanao,”Tahirsaid. He stressed that their sup-port to the peace in MindanaohasnothingtodowiththeSabahclaim. Tahir said their support tothepeaceprocessandtheSabahclaimaretwoseparateissues. Hecitedthatbeforethereignof foreigners to Malaysia undertheBritishfor100years,Indone-siaundertheDutchandthePhil-ippinesundertheSpaniardsandAmericans, respectively, thesecountriesbelongedtoonesinglenation. “Itisfromthebottomofourhearts,bothMuslimbrothersandsisterstorealizealastingpeaceinMindanaoandtoseeprosper-ityinthecountry,”Tahirsaid. He said the issueon integ-rity is raised only by politiciansbutnotfrom


thepeople. Tahirstressedtheirconcernforthepeaceprocessisnotsole-lyfocusedonthePhilippines. He said theMalaysian gov-ernment is asked by the Orga-nization of Islamic Countries toplayapositiveruleinthepeaceprocessinSouthernThailand,Af-ghanistan,Bosnia,Congo,Leba-non and conduct humanitarianactivities in other parts of theWorldinthenameofIslam. “Aslongasweareacceptedby the people, Malaysia will doitsbestwiththehelpofGod,”Ta-hirsaid. He said peace in MindanaomeansstabilityintheEastAsian

region. Tahir expressed thanks tothe confidence shown by thePhilippinegovernment. He also observed a lot ofprogress in theMuslimareas inMindanaodue to the holding ofthe ceasefire for the past threeyears. “The economy, livelihoodand education have greatly im-provedduetothepeaceprocessand there are also strong pullfor the investors to come in toMindanao. Wemustnotsacri-fice these developments,” Tahirpointedout. (PIA-11 Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

did you know

thatDavaoCityChinatownat44hectaresisthelarg-estChinatowninthecountry.


LGU Tagum targets rice farmers’ self-sufficiencyTAGUM CITY—Anchored on its vi-sion of attaining self-sufficiency on rice production, the City Gov-ernment of Tagum, through the City Agriculture Office, recently transplanted rice seedlings to its 1.8 hectare rice field located at the city’s Rice Research Station at Mandapaan, New Balamban, Tagum City on January 21, 2016. The transplanted seedlingswhichwereoriginallypurchasedas registered seeds at the Phil-ippine Rice Research Institute(PhilRice) in Agusan del Norte,wereplantedtoyield200sacksofcertifiedseedswhichwillthenbedistributedforsaletothemem-bersofthesixricefarmer’sorga-nizationsinthecityat800pesosper sack which is significantlylowercomparedtotheprevailingandcurrentmarketprice. Thisisstillpartoftheagen-daonachievingfoodsecurityforTagumCityofMayorAllanL.Rel-lonundertheEAGLEWINGSPro-gram. The800-pesoincomeofeachof the farmers from thewould-besaleofthecertifiedseedswillformpartofthericefarmers’Re-volvingFundundertheFarmersEmpowerment and Sustainable

Agriculture (FESA) Program oftheCityAgricultureOffice.

CityAgriculturistHaroldS.Dawa,saidthatthesettingupofthere-volving fundwiththeaidof thelocalgovernmentofTagumwasonthepremisethatthericefarm-ersofthecityneededasystemwheretheydonothavetokeepgoing to lenders to finance theoperationalcostsoftheirfarms,thereby becoming debt-riddenduetotheextremely-highinter-estrates. He added that the CAGROwarehousewillhaveonstandbybufferstocksofriceseeds fromtheseedproductionharvestthatwillbereadilydistributedtothefarmers in case their respectivericefieldsarehitbynaturalca-lamitiesandalsostatedthattheCity Government will distributethe sacks of certified seeds forfreeintheeventofpestinfesta-tionaswellasflooding. Through the continued im-plementation of the program,themembersofthesixfarmer’sorganizations will become self-sustainingbyyear2019,andwillnolongerneedtheaidofthecitygovernment.(Richi Gulle)

51January 25, 2016 One Mindanao 51

one mindanao - january 25, 2016

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