one mindanao - january 8, 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 ARTISTSDOMINIC SANCHEZ, 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

Dinagat Chamber conferred Most Outstanding Young Chamber

Cover Story

By MPTawakal

today’s news

DTI welcomes revised UN guidelines for consumer protection

12 20 Zamboanga del Norte creates local blood councilBy: Mary May A. Abellon

DOE working with local governments to secure power supply in Mindanao

16

22 DOLE 10 elects family welfare committee in Lanao Norte

23 BIR urges taxpayers to file returns early

26 Firecracker incidents in South Cotabato down by 11.6%By: Danilo Doguiles

33 AgSur coop launches microfinance programBy Engr. Josette J. Simbajon

SOUTHERN

CARAGA

INFOCUS WESTERN

NORTHERN

816

18

21 27

31

NATIONAL

By: Glenford C. Labial

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

35 Pork festival set in ButuanBy Nora CL Molde

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29 Firecracker incidents in South Cotabato down by 11.6%By: Danilo Doguiles

SOCCSKSARGEN

4 January 8, 2016One Mindanao

Dinagat Chamber conferred

Most Outstanding Young Chamber

By MPTawakal

5January 8, 2016 One Mindanao

By MPTawakal

The Dinagat Province Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (DiPCCI) adjudged as the Most Outstanding Young Chamber of the Philippines by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

The awarding ceremony was held recently during the closing ceremony of 41st Philippine Business Conference and Exposition at Marriott Grand Ballroom Hotel, Newport City Complex in Pasay City, Manila.

The said awarding ceremony was attended by no less than

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay and witnessed by the local business tycoons and several foreign investors.

The DiPCCI officers led byits president Leonel C. Rojo received the said award together with Dinagat Islands provincial vice governor Benglen B. Ecleo, provincial administrator Gwendolyn B. Ecleo, provincial

board member Norberto A. Sarita Sr.,provincialinformationofficerMillard Tawakal and provincial treasurer Annabelle S. Naluan.

“I’m so happy that we’re able to grab this award which stimulates growth and economic development of Micro and Small Enterprise in our province,” vice governor Benglen B. Ecleo said in his short message.

6 January 8, 2016One Mindanao

Also, provincial administrator Gwendolyn B. Ecleo said that the award provides the business community the distinct opportunity to network and establish links with other business organizations and individuals and identify prospective business partners and clients thus putting Dinagat Islands into the map of business investment in the Philippines.

Meantime, Rojo expressed his sincerest thanks and gratitude to the local hero Divine Master Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. for the wisdom and guidance during the interview and panel defense, to the provincial government and employees headed by provincial

governor Glenda B. Ecleo for the moral and financial support, tothe different municipal officialsand to all national lines agencies which serve as their partners in all the activities especially the Department of Trade and Industry which gave them the source to be effective premiere economic development driver in the province.

Rojo also thanked the DiPCCI officers, consultants, membersand the civil society organizations for all their support all the way, “especially to the organizer Mr. Tawakal, former provincial administrator and now provincial information officer for withouthim there would be no DiPCCI

7January 8, 2016 One Mindanao 7

and to all Dinagatnons.”

“Though Dinagat Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. is still very young and fresh in the realm of doing business in our province, we were able to implement several advocacy programs made on behalf of the business community. In just two years of existence, we were also able to serve other stakeholders like farmers, women, youth and person with disabilities. We also crafted different policies that were successfully implemented and positively influenced toconcern stakeholders particularly the business community,” Rojo added.

DiPCCI is a non-stock, non-profit organization registeredwith the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014 with SEC Registration No. CN201429845. At present it has around 392 member-businesses comprising the various trade and industry sectors in the province.

One Mindanao8 January 5, 2016

MAKATI CITY -- Investments approved by the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), the industry development and investments promotion arm of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), reached P366.74 billion in 2015, up by 3% from the P354.76 billion posted in 2014.

BOI-approved investments create new jobs

The aggregated investment approvals were generated from 358 projects. BOI expects a total of 58,252 new jobs when these investments become fully operational.

The increase in investments was attributed mainly to the approval of big power projects, including Olympia Violago Water & Power Ltd. Co. (P69.13 billion), San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co.



(P49.45 billion), and Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (P29.50 billion).

Overall, energy related investment projects aggregated a total of P246.42 billion (from 55 projects) and with generating capacity of 2,095.92MW posted during the period. These were comparatively higher from last year’s record of P174.69 billion (from 37 power-related projects) and with total generating capacity of 1,542.404MW.

“The increase in power investment projects augurs well for the country’s goal to ensure energy security and independence. These investments support the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2010-2030 to search for, discover, and further develop energy sources,” BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said. The PEP indicated that at least P3 trillion in fresh investments are needed to attain the goal.

The manufacturing sector also contributed to the increase in investments which reached P27.01 billion from P24.47 billion in 2014.

“The continued growth of the manufacturing industry is a clear indication of the efforts to boost the growth and further development of the sector through the Manufacturing Resurgence Program (MRP),” Rodolfo said.

The MRP aims to rebuild the existing capacity of industries, strengthen new ones, and maintain the competitiveness of industries with comparative advantage. The MRP also seeks to build on agriculture-based manufacturing industries which generate employment, and support small-holder farmers and agri-cooperatives through product development, value-adding, and integration to big enterprises for marketing and financingpurposes.


“The revival of the manufacturing sector is key to inclusive economic growth because it will generate much-needed employment and help the country tap regional production networks,” Rodolfo said.

The other sectors that likewise contributed to the increase are agriculture, forestry and fishing (P6.19 billion from

P2.53 billion); and information and communication (P4.68 billion from P2.38 billion).

Investment commitments from domestic sources reached P307.24 billion or 84% of the total investment approvals in January to December of this year while the remaining 16% or P59.51 billion were generated from foreign sources.


The foreign country sources include Netherlands with investments worth P26.70 billion or 45% share to total approved foreign investments during the period; Singapore with investments amounting to P10.80 billion (18% share), Malaysia with P2.67 billion (4% share), South Korea with P2.41 billion or (4% share), and Taiwan with P2.37 billion (4% share).

In terms of geographic distribution, more than 45% of registered investments are located in Region 4A with P165.68 billion. Region VI came in second with P60.75 billion or 17% share to total approvals followed by Region VII which recorded almost P32.23 billion or 9%. The National Capital Region meanwhile ranked as fourth placer with P29.50 billion worth of investments. (BOI)


MAKATI CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomes the new United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection as an opportunity to put consumers at the heart of business and development.

DTI welcomes revised UN guidelines for consumer protection


DTI Officer-in-Charge forSecretary and DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba asserts, “The Department accepts the United Nation General Assembly’s adoption of the revised UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP).

The adoption of the revised guidelines was made through a resolution last 22 December 2015 in New York City.

The highlights of the revised guidelines include:•Firstcomprehensiverevisionofthe United Nations Guidelines for Consumer protection (UNGCP) since 1985 addresses gaps in financial services, privacy,energy, travel and tourism.

•Accesstoessentialgoodsandservices, and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers are recognised as

new consumer legitimate needs.•UpdatedUNGuidelinescanplayan important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by protecting and empowering consumers in developing nations.• Consumers International, theworld federation of consumer organisations, calls for governments to update their consumer protections in line with the new UN Guidelines and challenges businesses to ensure their practices are compliant. The UNGCP were firstadopted in 1985 and have acted as a blueprint for consumer protection around the world. They are estimated to have guided the development of consumer protection in more than 100 countries.

The Guidelines give governments, business and civil society high level guidance on issues including the recognition of new consumers’ legitimate needs, promotion and protection


of consumers’ economic interests, standards for the safety and quality of consumer goods and services to redress and coordination of enforcement efforts between consumer protection agencies around the world. If implemented globally the revised Guidelines would extend protections for consumers everywhere.

OIC/ Usec Dimagiba reports, “Recently, both the Senate and the House of Representatives

under the Committees on Trade and Industry have been deliberating on the amendments to the Consumer Act of the Philippines to update the areas of consumer protection as it applies to e-Commerce, motu propio cases powers by the DTI, and increasing penalties for violation of the Consumer Act”.

The new UNGCP key additions are:

• Recognition of access to


essential goods and services, and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers as new consumer legitimate needs;•Newguidanceone-commerce,parity of treatment between onlineandofflineconsumersandprotection of consumer privacy;• New guidance on financialservices, public utilities, good business practices and international cooperation;•AnewIntergovernmentalGroupof Experts (IGE) on consumer protection law and policy to monitor the implementation of the Guidelines, serving as a forum for exchange.

The UNGCP are a powerful tool to help governments implement many of these goals. Adequate consumer protection can directly support the achievement of SDGs relating to ending hunger and encouraging healthy diets by supporting access to safe, affordable and nutritious food; to health and well-being by

protecting consumers from unsafe products that cause illness or injury and expanding access to effective pharmaceuticals. In addition, sustained and inclusive growth is supported by ensuring consumers, as the largest group in the economy, are empowered and well represented.

The DTI is a Member of Consumers International, the international federation of consumer organisations.

For more information, callthe DTI-CPG at 751.3236. (DTI)

16 One Mindanao January 8, 2016

DOE working with local governments to secure power supply in Mindanao

MANILA -- The Department of Energy is coordinating efforts to ensure a continuous and reliable power supply in Mindanao, particularly in areas where transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) had been bombed, the Palace said on Thursday. Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Energy

Secretary Zenaida Monsada has reported that an additional


capacity of up to 600 megawatts (MW) will come on-stream in the first half ofthis year, starting with the 150-MW thermal power plant of the Aboitiz Group, which President Benigno S. Aquino IIIwillinaugurateonFriday.

“Also according to Secretary Monsada, on the bombing of transmission towers, the operations of 14 out of the 15 towers have resumed,” Secretary Coloma said during a pressbriefinginMalacañang.

Lanao del Sur’s provincial government, led by Governor Mamintal Adiong, is working with other concerned local government units, as well as the NGCP, to beef up security for the transmission towers, the Palace official said, adding thatthe provincial government is also working to address right-of-way issues with landowners where the towers are located.

Coloma noted that despite the bombing of the transmission towers, the electricity supply in Mindanao will remain stable because it is derived from a combination of sources, including

existing hydroelectric power plants.

“The power grid in the region is not solely dependent on these transmission towers, which are connected to the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants,” he said.

Coloma also assured that there would be enough power supply for Mindanao during the upcoming national elections, saying this is part of the efforts of the Department of Energy.

He said that despite past concerns on the energy supply in Mindanao, the country was able to conduct a successful election in 2013, and there is no reason for this year’s election to be disrupted by power shortage. (PCOO/PND)


Couples told to submit documents to Pag-IBIG before Jan 22 to avail of free weddingBy Dominic I. Sanchez


According to Generoso Balacuit, Pag-IBIG area head for Western Mindanao, “the first 50 coupleswho can submit the complete documents will be ensured of free symbolic rings, bouquets, and other giveaways and souvenirs.”Balacuit shared that couples will also have the “chance to win a house and lot or a livelihood package.”Interested couples should already visit Pag-IBIG starting January 8 for assistance with the preparation of documents such astheCertificateofNoMarriage

(CENOMAR), Marriage License and Marriage Contract. “They should bring all the necessary requirements so we can assist them in the preparation of marriage documents,” said Balacuit.“The due date for submission of requirements is on January 22, 2016,” he said.Formoreinformation,interestedcouples may visit the Pag-IBIG Zamboanga office, or calltelephone numbers 992-0822 or 09369077829 and look for Mary Joy Nolla or Melanie Donguines.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Pag-IBIG Fund – Zamboanga City Branch is inviting interested couples to the “I Do. I Do.” mass civil wedding to be held on February 12, 2016.


This local blood council aims to strengthen and support the implementation of the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health (DOH) to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act. Moreover, the said undertaking has for its mission the promotion of blood safety, blood adequacy, rationalblooduseandefficiencyof blood services.This is pursuant to Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promoting voluntary blood

donation to provide sufficientsupply of safe blood and to regulate blood banks. Thus, in an Executive Order No. 15-085 issued by the provincial governor, the provincial government through its health office collaborates with thenational government to establish an effective program for voluntary blood donation.The said local blood council is composed of five committeesnamely; the executive committee, public education, donor recruitment, mobile blood donation, and ways and means.

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – The provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte has created the Zamboanga del Norte Blood Coordinating Council (ZNBCC) headed by Governor Roberto Y. Uy.

Zamboanga del Norte creates local blood councilBy Mary May A. Abellon


Piccolo leading cause of fireworks injury-DOHCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Fifty six percent (56%) of the fireworks related injury from December 21, 2015 to January 5, 2016 is caused by Piccolo.

Department of Health (DOH) 10 Research Epidemiology Surveillance & Disaster Response Unit (DOH-RESDRU) report bared that there were only 64 cases reported and 87 percent of these sustained blast/burn

with no amputation. Other firecrackersidentified tohavecausedinjuries were triangle and kwitis. Seven eye injuries and one stray bullet were also reported. Meanwhile, the Regional Task Force onIllegalFirecrackers(RTFIF)meets on 08 January to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of their advocacy campaigns and other measures adopted. They will also conduct ceremonial disposal of the confiscated firecrackersand other pyrotechnic

devices at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional officeonthesameday.

By: Mariel B. Urdaneta


DOLE 10 elects family welfare committee in Lanao Norte

ILIGAN CITY – The Lanao del Norte Family Welfare Committees (LdN FWC), through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Lanao del Norte provincial office convened to elect a new set of officers on 10 December 2015 in Pala-o, Iligan City. According to DOLE Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office (LDNPFO) Head Remegio D. Cabañog,this is prelude to its strengthened implementationoftheDOLE’sFamilyWelfare Program (FWP) in everyworkplace in the province. The LdN FWC takes charge inmonitoring implementation of the DOLE’s Department Order 56-03 or theFWPinestablishmentsemployingat least 200 workers, and those with collective bargaining agreement, as mandated by Article 134 of the Philippine Labor Code. Cabañog,inhisopeningmessageemphasized that the undertaking is an offshootoftheregionaloffice’sfocusonastrongerFWP. “Ldn FWC is among the mostcollaborated committees that seeks to promote the welfare of workers and their families as a key to workplace productivity and improved worker-management relations, I thank you for advocating the program that draws corporate support, promoting workers’ quality of life by adopting a family-centered approach in the workplace,”Cabañogsaid.

A total of 82 participants attended the family welfare council election that highlighted learning sessions on violence against women and children, Republic Act 10028 or the setting up of lactation stations in workplaces, as wellastherevisitationoftheFWP10dimensions. Meanwhile, provincial focal person Eulita G. Escalante commended the effort of the participants that represented labor and management in their active participation in the different lined-up activities that contributed success in the implementation ensuring employee and family welfare that are keys to productivity. The following LdN FWC officerswere elected: President: Rebecca Inubio (Granexport Manufacturing, Corporation); Vice President-Management: Felma Suzon (PLDTMaratel); Vice President-Labor: GerardoClet(Fil-EslonManufacturingCorporation); Secretary: Mila Ratilla (Federation of Democratic LaborOrganization); Assistant Secretary: Jane Egam (Petronas Energy Phils.,

By: Glenford C. Labial


BIR urges taxpayers to file returns early

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is reminding all taxpayers to file their 2015 income tax returns (ITRs) early to avoid penalties and inconvenience due to late filing. In a statement, BIR Deputy Com-missioner Nelson M. Aspe appealed to taxpayers not to wait for the April 15 taxfilingdeadline. He advised taxpayers to start preparing and submitting their annual ITRs and its accompanying schedules and attachments such as FinancialStatements, Statement of Manage-ment’s Responsibility, BIR Form No.2307 as early as January 2016. He also reminded all manual and/orelectronictaxfilersorAccred-itedTaxAgentsusingeBIRFormsandeFPSortheElectronicFilingandPay-ment System to download the latest versionandstartfilingearlytoavoid

technical difficulties or downtime ofthe system. All BIR systems underwent its regular system maintenance in prep-aration for the taxfilingseasonandyear-end adjustment. Taxpayers may visit the BIR website at www.bir.gov.ph, or call the BIR hotline at 981-888 for further de-tails or assistance. They may also call theBIRRevenueRegion16Officeat(08822) 725-609 or 711-637 or vis-it them at the West Bound Terminal, Bulua, this city.

Inc.); Treasurer: Helen Avila (Imascu Stevedoring Services); Auditor: Delia Genobaten (Iligan City Government Workers Union). Board of Directors for Labor: Jimmy Dandasan (Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation); Virgilio Lomonsod (Newtech Pulp); Deoro Quito Macalam (Lafarge Iligan, Inc.); Jay Lenan (Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation); Rey Padayhag (Dr. Uy Hospital);

Sarah Aranaydo (Mercy Community Hospital); and Julito Pogoy (Imascu Stevedoring Services). Board of Directors for Management: Bobby Sun (Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation); Jinky Manon-og (Fil-EslonManufacturingCorporation);LailanidePedro(Filmico);JoySinahon(Iligan Light and Power, Inc.); Lorna Lee (National Grid Corporation) and Blessa Gascon (Dr. Uy Hospital).

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran


PNoy underscores new power plant’s role in addressing Mindanao’s power shortage

The President graced the in-augurationofthecoal-firedpow-er plant late morning today in Barangay Binugao, Toril, where he led the ceremonial switch-on before a crowd of about 300 key players from the Aboitiz Power Corporation, national and local government, civil society organi-zations and other stakeholders. “When this plant becomes fully operational, we can count

on it to consistently produce 300 megawatts of baseload power, which means that this capacity can be tapped into anytime, rain orshine,withveryminorfluctua-tions,” Pres. Aquino stated in his speech. He emphasized the signifi-cance of the baseload power, saying this “plant’s dependable capacity is roughly equivalent to one-fifth of theMindanao grid’s

DAVAO CITY– Pres-ident Benigno Aqui-no III underscored the significant con-tribution of Therma South Inc.’s 300 mega watts Davao Baseload Power Plant generated from coal to help address the peren-nial power short-age in Mindanao.


highest peak demand in 2015—and it is already delivering power to areas at the end of the grid, such as Sarangani, General San-tos, and the Zamboanga penin-sula.” He said the Mindanao situa-tion needs more baseload power that provides reliable power.However, the President pointed out that the government has not forgotten the goals of developing renewable energy, and the ef-forts of mitigating climate risk.“In fact, we have increased our usage of renewables, and they now make up 33 percent of our energy mix; we have reduced the number of illegal logging hotspots by 88 percent,” he said, adding that the National Greening Pro-gram is also strengthened.Pres. Aquino also bared that the private sector partners have committed to undertake at least another 11 power projects in Mindanao that will come online between 2016 and 2020. The projects are envisioned to produce at least another 675.30 megawatts of capacity, which will be more than enough to cover the projected increase in demand for those years, he said. Meanwhile, Aboitiz Power CEO Erramon Aboitiz said that the power plant forms part of the

company’s commitment to sup-port the growth of Mindanao and indicates the positive impact of government reforms in the en-ergy sector. He said the power plant cur-rently supplies power to more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities in Mindanao. Thesignificantportionofthepower supply go to the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga, Butuan, Kidapawan, Tagum, Koronadal, Digos, Pagadian and Cotabato. It also serves the Davao Re-gion and the provinces of Co-tabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan, Surigao, Zamboanga Peninsula and parts of Bukdinon and Misa-mis. ThefirstunitoftheP35bil-lion power plant has started com-mercial operations in September last year. The second unit is ex-pected to operate by February2016. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cay-on)


Election period begins on January 10TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, January 8 (PIA) - - January 10 is the start of the 2016 National Election period. Tagum City Election Offi-cer Jim Cladiel Casinto stressed during the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo yesterday that the May 9 Nation-al election period will begin 120 days before the election and end 30 days after the election, which is January 10 and June 8 respec-tively. Casinto emphasized that as the campaign period starts, some election prohibitions will also take effect. The things or activities that are forbidden during this period are bearing, carrying or trans-portingoffirearmsorotherdeadlyweapons also know as gun ban; transferring or moving officerand employees in government service; using police and army as bodyguards of candidates unless authorized by the Commission on Election (COMELEC); organiz-ing of reaction forces, strike forc-es and other similar forces; sus-pending elective local officials;and altering precinct territories and establishing new precincts. He also pointed out that any violation is considered an elec-

tion offense that can be penal-ized to an imprisonment of not less than one year but not more thansixyears;disqualificationtohold public office; and depriva-tion of the right of suffrage. Casinto also clarified thatall activities that a person, who will run in the election, do before January 10 cannot be called pre-mature campaigning but as part of their freedom of expression as ruled by the Supreme Court. “It is not yet campaigning since he is not yet considered as a candidate under Republic Act 9396,” he said. Based on Republic Act 9396 or the Automated Election Act, a personwhofilesa certificateofcandidacy shall only be consid-ered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period. Meanwhile, Casinto added that the campaign period for na-tional elective positions will start on February 9, while for localelection position will be on March 25. (PIA11, Michael Uy)


Gensan has new IP representative

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan 8 – Juanito Kindat, a Blaan chieftain from Barangay Labangal, has replaced the late Fulong Mario Empal as Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Gen-eral Santos City.


Empal passed away last Sep-tember 16 due to cardiac arrest.

Kindat, accompanied by his family,tookhisoathofofficebefore City Mayor Ronnel Ri-vera on December 28 at the City Hall.

resent during the event were Department of the Interior and Local Government City Director Rochelle Sero and Myrna Garcia of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

People from different indig-enous communities in the city also witnessed Kindat’s swearing in.

Mayor Rivera said it would be a challenge for Kindat to follow what Empal had started.

The mayor said he expects the new IPMR to continue the advocacy of Empal to advance the rights of the indigenous people in the city.

“(City Councilor) Empal initi-atedthefirstBlaanDay,whichwas acknowledged by the na-tional government as a local holiday. He also paved the way for the establishing of Blaan museum. I am expecting Kindat to continue this. We expect him to do more,” Mayor Rivera said.

Kindat was designated as the new IPMR through the tradition-al Blaan selection where tribal

chieftains convened and formed a consensus.

He got the majority of votes from the chieftains, plus the conformation of other Blaan leaders.

Kindat will continue the ten-ure of Empal as an IPMR which will end on August 1, 2017.

The IPMR is the 14th seat of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Gensan, the 13th be-ing the Association of Barangay Captains president.

It was City Councilor Rosalita Nuñezwhopushedtohaveanindigenous peoples representa-tive in the SP as she explained that “the indigenous people should have voice” in legislation.ThisinitiativeofNuñezwas

also anchored on RA 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.Specifically,itwasstatedin

Chapter 4 of the RA that “IPs have the right to participate ful-ly, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through pro-cedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.” (IJLagare/Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)


By:Danilo E Doguiles

Firecracker incidents in South Cotabato down by 11.6%

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan 8 -- South Cotabato’s In-tegrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has recorded 99 fire-cracker-related cases from November 25, 2015 until January 5, 2016.

Thefigureis11.6percentlower than the 2014-2015 cases of 112. ForProvincialHealthOfficer

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., how-ever, the decrease in number was disappointing. “Forme,beingtheprovin-

cialhealthofficer,ourIwasPa-putok campaign was a failure because the rate of reduction was minimal despite massive and repeated information drive asking the public to refrain from usingfirecrackers,”Dr.Aturdidoemphasized.

Data from the Provincial Epi-demiology Surveillance Unit (PESU) indicated that of the 99 victims,90lightedthefire-crackers that wounded or burned them; 81 percent were causedbyillegalfirecrackers.

Piccolo, which has been list-edasillegal,wasidentified

as the cause of 72 percent of the reported cases, including the youngest (2 years old) and oldest (76 years old) victims.

Municipalities with most number of cases were Norala (17), Polomolok(17), and Sural-lah (13). Only Tampakan re-corded zero incident. PESUalsoconfirmedone

case of stay bullet injury re-ported from Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City on January 1. Only one incident of amputa-tioninvolvingamiddlefingerwas recorded.

No cases of deaths and firecrackeringestionwerere-ported.

Both Dr. Aturdido and Assis-tantProvincialHealthOfficerDr. Alah Baby Vingno support Health Secretary Janette Ga-rin’s suggestion for a total ban offirecrackers.


Dr. Aturdido said, he had supported the cautious use of firecrackersasthishasbeena tradition.

“Considering the increasing numberoffirecracker-relatedcases despite massive Iwas Paputok campaign, I believe a totalbanoffirecrackersisthemost logical solution,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health 12 reported that across SOCCSKSARGEN Region, 193 individuals were injured byfirecrackersfromDecember21 to January 5.

Of these, 80 were from South Cotabato, 38 from North Cotabato, 26 from Sultan Kuda-rat, 21 from General Santos City, 18 from Sarangani and 10 from Cotabato City.

Dr. Aturdido attributed the highest number of reported cases in South Cotabato to the active incidence surveillance activities of the PESU which he said is the most functional in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

“Modesty aside, South Co-tabato has been recognized as having established the most active surveillance unit in the entire region” Dr. Aturdido said.

Dr. Vingno elaborated that the dataattheregionalofficewascollected via the Online Na-

tional Electronic Injury Surveil-lance System (ONEISS) “which does not cover all the hospitals in the region, only those report-ed from sentinel hospitals.”

“Basically, the reason for South Cotabato reporting the highest number of case was because we we were more ac-tive in collecting data,” she said.

Dr. Aturdido, explained fur-ther that this year, South Co-tabato’s IPHO has increased the number sentinels for data gathering to 12 hospitals from only 3 last year.

Also, South Cotabato’s record-ing started on November 25, whenthefirstPiccoloblastvic-tim of the season was reported, instead of the DOH-mandated timeframe of December 21 to January 5. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


Regional Police-13 all set for election period By Noel Najarro

BUTUAN CITY-- The Regional Police Office 13 is all set for the start of the election period on Sunday, January 10 until the 8th of June this year.

filephotos: PRO 13


PSupt. Daniel L. Peusca, PRO 13 regional spokesperson, in an interview on Wednesday morning said that he had just come out from a regional command conference where the implementation of the election period was discussed. According to Peusca, the matter on election watch areas (EWAs) was initially taken up during the conference this morning but this was based on the documents during the past 2010 and 2013 elections.He also said that any time before the start of the election period, a joint conference will be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review, verify, validate and consolidate the EWAs and also to determine whether these have been lessened, or some new areas were added or whether the number of places had remained the same during the past two elections. According to the PNP regional spokesman, there were 53 EWAs recorded during the last two elections which practically included almost all the provinces of the region as election-related incident occurred at a certain province, a municipality in a certain province or a barangay in a certain municipality. Among the parameters, Peusca said among the factors


to determine an EWA will be the presence of an election-related violent incident (ERVI). The other parameters will be discussed with the Comelec during the joint conference. Furthermore,once determined, the places will be categorized further whether it belonged to Category 1, 2 or 3. Other matters taken up during this morning’s command

conference, was the setting up of checkpoints, the implementation of gun ban and the recall of police personnel detailed to some business and political personalities. All the discussions were aimed at achieving a secure and fair elections (SAFE), Peuscasaid. (PNA)

AgSur coop launches microfinance program

AGUSAN DEL SUR – The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Buenasuerte Multi-Purpose Cooperative with the assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Los Arcos Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMPCO) recently launched the microfi-nance program in the province.

By Engr. Josette Simbajon


The program aims to help the local farmers foster its credit program. The DAR tapped LAMPCO of Prosperidad, Agusan delSurtotraintheofficersandmembers of BUENASAMCO. LAMPCO manager Luciano Rensulat shared the center of Agriculture and Rural Development, INC (CARD) technology to the ARBs for them

to ensure better p e r f o r m a n c e in managing m i c r o f i n a n c e program and avoid default on payment.

Also, an orientation on climate change adaptation and mitigation was conducted on the same day for the farmers to be aware on issues relating to climate change, the causes, how to adapt and mitigate and the effective methods on strengthening micro-financeventure.


Pork festival set in Butuan

The MPA campaign, according to Pilmico Corporate Social Responsibility Unit Head Katrina Angelie Bayog is the agency’s thrust in helping affected partners. “It is also one of our initiatives to build a purpose driven organization and to create sustainable livelihood, and support to backyard farmers,” Bayog added. Also, Bayog said, MPA aims to help people rebuild their lives; promote sustainable entrepreneurship through

promotion of locally grown produce; instill a “pride of product, pride of place” mindset for both the farmers and the local consumers. MPA will also enable the operator to maximize profit without passing throughmiddlemen. The conduct of the event is a retrospect to the MPA event conducted in the city last November 2014. PilmicoFoodsCorporationisa subsidiary of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

By Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY – Pilmico Food Corporation in partnership with Win-rock International will hold the “Mahalin Pagkaing Atin (MPA) – Caraga Pork Festival on January 29 in one of the convention cen-ters here.

filephoto: aboitizeyes.aboitiz.com

39January 8, 2016 One Mindanao 39

one mindanao - january 8, 2016

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