one mindanao - july 14, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA 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 EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

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 BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ 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 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

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]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

Starkey coming back for hearing mission

NorthCot’s livestock dispersal program amounts to over P7 M for the first sem

RDRRMC line agencies plant trees along Davao River

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DA-MRDP turns-over Caraga’s first rubber processing facility

DBM clarifies allegations on lump sums, DAP in 2015 national budget

Palace thanks CBCP for praying for peaceful resolution of WPS dispute

Council for Disability Affairs gears up for disability prevention, rehab week

Regional gawad saka awardee readies for national evaluation

ASELCO determined to accomplish PNoy’s BLEP, SEP targets in AgSur

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By: BCPaoyon

By: Shahana Joy E Duerme

By: Dave G. Malcampo

By: Japhet C. Sugian

By: ASELCO

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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Energy firm to boost capitol’s capability in dev’t planning, poverty monitoringMisOr PDRRMC to conduct earthquake orientation, drill in JulyBy: Elaine O. Ratunil

By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

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By: Aurelius P. Arais

Contents

4 July 14, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

By: Aurelius P. Arais

DA-MRDP turns-over Caraga’sfirst rubber processing facility

Undoubtedly the province of Agusan del Sur is the rubber capital in Caraga Region but who knows it might become the rubber capital in Mindanao in the near future.

5July 14, 2015 One Mindanao

DA-MRDP turns-over Caraga’sfirst rubber processing facility

Undoubtedly the province of Agusan del Sur is the rubber capital in Caraga Region but who knows it might become the rubber capital in Mindanao in the near future.


It’s a vision that was realized with the concerted effort of various government agencies.

Last July 7, 2015, a P26.5 million worth of Crumb Rubber Processing Facility was inaugurated and turned-over to the Farmers Alternative Self-Reliance Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FARSMCO) in Brgy. San Vicente, this municipality.

The said multi-million project was funded by the Department of Agriculture - Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) under the Community Fund for Agricultural

Development (CFAD) with counterpart from the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and local government unit of Prosperidad as well as from coop recipient.

Gracing the occasion were DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza; community development specialist Samson Mate of MRDP Program Support Office, governor Adolph Edward Plaza, 1st district representative Valentina Plaza, mayor Albin Magdamit and other local officials as well as residents in the area.

Mabeza said that the


establishment of the said facility is a manifestation that DA is now embarking on total support to farmers to uplift their economic conditions.

“Ang panglangtaw karon sa Department of Agriculture wala na ta nag-concetrate sa production, naglantaw na ta from

production to processing unya marketing (The vision now of the Department of Agriculture is not merely on production, but from production to processing then marketing),” she said.

She also appealed to the recipient to utilize the facility to come up with quality crumb rubber to make it competitive to other parts of Mindanao producing the same.

Meanwhile, Governor Plaza said that the rubber processing facility is a big boost to its flagship program called Upland Sustainable Agro-forestry


Development (USAD) in which planting of rubber is one of the priorities.

“We had established our own bud wood garden to have quality planting materials for our rubber planters in the province to accelerate our program,” he said.

Arnaldo Silverio, FARSMCO chairman said that the facility is a big help for their cooperative and vowed to take care the facility entrusted to them.

“Katumanan gyud ni sa among mga damgo, dako gyud ni ug ikatabang sa among panginabuhian (It’s a dream come true, it is a great help for our livelihood),” he said.

It was learned that the Rubber Processing Facility has a daily capacity of 10 metric tons to produce crumb rubber.

With the said project, no need for rubber planters around the vicinity and neighboring municipalities to bring their produce called cup lump to other regions thereby cutting additional expenses.

They may opt to sell their produce to FARSMCO or just bring it to the facility to be processed into crumb with minimal fee only.

Crumb rubber commands higher buying price of more than two fold for additional income of the rubber planters.

Also, crumb rubber is ready for processing into products such as boots, tires and other rubber related materials.


Philippines hopes for favorable ruling from Arbitral Tribunal

MANILA - Malacañang is hoping for a favorable ruling from the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague as the hearing for the Philippines’ second round of arguments in the country’s case against China, begins on Monday (July 13), an official said.

photo: www.philstar.com


“We are confident that the delegation will be able to thoroughly answer additional questions from the Tribunal and convey the full merit of our arguments. We continue to hope for a favorable ruling,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in his opening statement during a press briefing on Monday.

“Last week, a delegation from the country traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, to present the case of the Philippines before the Arbitral Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Peace Palace. All three branches of government were represented in the delegation, showing a united stance in supporting our country’s claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he said.

The first round of arguments to convince the Arbitral Tribunal that it has jurisdiction to hear the

Philippines’ case against China began on July 7.

“In his speech before the Tribunal, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario spoke about the case’s importance, not just to our region but also to the world, given that the spirit of UNCLOS lies at its core and since it could have implications on the future handling of maritime disputes,” said Lacierda.

“Subsequent speakers -- such as Paul Reichler, Chief Counsel for the Philippines, among others -- gave presentations on why the case falls squarely within the Tribunal’s jurisdiction, as well as on the strength of the Philippines’ environmental and fishing claims against the People’s Republic of China,” he added. (PCOO)


DBM clarifies allegations on lump sums, DAP in 2015 national budget

MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) clarified on Monday the allegations by Senator Panfilo Lacson on inclusion of lump sums and the resurrection of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) in the 2015 national budget, are inaccurate. “A careful reading of the National Budget would prove that quickly enough. While the General Appropriations Act (GAA) may appear complex, it will very clearly show two things: that the supposed DAP provisions are

not in the GAA, and that there are fewer lump sums in the Administration’s spending plan this year. As a matter of fact, 87 percent of the Special Purpose Funds under the 2015 Budget has already been disaggregated,”


Budget Secretary ‘Butch’ Abad said.

Abad noted that all remaining lump-sum items are funds of which specific purposes are impossible to determine in the planning process.

“For example: we cannot foretell where disasters will strike or what the extent of the potential damage might be, so the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund is necessarily a lump-sum,” Abad added.

Furthermore, he said the public should not be misled by implying that lump sums in the budget are tantamount to fund irregularity.

Though it’s true that most budget items ought to be disaggregated, the Budget Secretary expressed it’s true as well that some budget items, by their very nature, must be

expressed in lump sums, so that the government can continue to deliver goods and services in the face of contingencies.

“We urge Mr. Lacson to reach out to the DBM if he has any misgivings about the National Budget, so we can prevent the misinterpretation of budget data. As it stands, it is unclear to us how Mr. Lacson arrived at the lump-sum figures that he named in his PICPA speech, because these figures are not in the GAA. At a time when public interest in the budget is extraordinarily high, it is only appropriate that public servants protect the people’s right to truthful and accurate information, especially when it comes to government spending,” Abad said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed the allegations on Monday (July 13) in a speech before the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants at a gathering in Makati City. (DBM)


Palace sees CBCP’s support to boost chances of BBL in Congress

MANILA – Malacanang acknowledged on Tuesday the support extended by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress.

”We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the CBCP on the principles that guide the government in pushing

the Bangsamoro political entity and the passage of the BBL,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)


Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.Coloma said CBCP’s support is important for the enactment of the BBL “that is rooted in social justice and would achieve the Bangsamoro people’s aspirations for self-determination.”

”Government shares the Bishops’ primordial concern for social justice,” he added.

Coloma said President Benigno S. Aquino III convened

a multi-sectoral Peace Council that adopted the position taken by 14 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission on the essential constitutionality of the proposed BBL.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are scheduled to resume debates on the proposed BBL at the third regular session of the 16th Congress which will start on July 27.

Senate Committee on Local Government chairman Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is preparing his committee report based

on the 14 hearings, including five conducted in Mindanao, on the BBL.

Marcos said he will submit his committee report after the sixth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) of President Aquino on July 27. (PNA)


PZCCFI awards Pagadian top taxpayers By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, (PIA) – Six top taxpayers coming from the sole proprietorship and corporation categories have been recognized during the “2015 Business Night” hosted on Saturday by the Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (PZCCFI) at Chandler Suites this city.


PZCCFI President Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing said the “Business Night,” which was the highlight of the 5th Pagadian City Business Week celebration, was a tribute to top taxpayers for their big contribution to the city’s economic growth. Quisumbing said it was the first time that the

foundation had given honors to businessmen “who were diligent enough to show their commitment in supporting the government by paying their taxes regularly and honestly.” “The activity is very memorable because it is the first time that the PCZCCI gives thanks and honor to the drivers of our economy,”


Quisumbing announced. Quisumbing said the award is not ordinary, as the honorees were chosen based on the 2014 compliance list of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the City Business Tax Office. “The Pagadian Chamber of Commerce is very proud of these awardees because they are the people who are honest and who have given their share of their businesses to our government, not only to the locality but to our national government as well,” Quisumbing announced. Sammy Lim, the proprietor/owner of Sam’s Bakery and Fastfood was very grateful to the PZCCFI for the recognition.

“I am pleased, honored and humbled to accept this prestigious award from the PZCCFI which I have long admired and respected,” Lim said. “I was inspired by the story of the Bible where a taxpayer pays taxes to the government honestly,” Lim concluded. (FPG/GCC/Pagadian/Zamboanga del Sur)


By Dave G. Malcampo

Council for Disability Affairs gears up for disability prevention, rehab week

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Regional Council for Disability Affairs has lined up several activities for the celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week here starting July 16-23.

Teddy Kahil, president of

the Regional Federation of

PWDs said that the activities

aim to “promote more

opportunities for persons

with disabilities (PWDs)”

particularly in livelihood and

employment.

The activities will kick off

on July 16 with a motorcade


from Pettit Barracks towards

the City Coliseum where the

opening program will be held

at 8 in the morning. During

the program, the Department

of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) will distribute starter

kits to PWD-beneficiaries for

their livelihood. The Western

Mindanao State University

(WMSU) will also conduct

information dissemination on

Tertiary Special Education.

Also, the Technical Education

and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA) will launch

a skills training on Nail Care

and Foot Spa for 25 PWDs.

A jobs, trade and wellness

fair will also be held at the

Coliseum on the same day.

Kahil, along with other

resource speakers from the

DSWD, DOLE, DOH and other

agencies will have radio and

TV guestings in local stations,

as well as a press conference

at the Philippine Information

Agency (PIA) on July 21.

Other activities include

PWD voters’ registration on

July 20, Skills and Talents

Enhancement workshops for

PWDs, and the awarding of

Western Mindanao Power

Corporation for its compliance

to RA 344, or the Accessibility

Law.

This year’s NDPR theme

is “Health and Wellness

Opportunities for Persons with

Disabilities Toward Inclusive

Development for All.”


DOH-10 intensifies IEC campaign for July 29 National School Deworming DayCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – An intensified information, education and communication (IEC) campaign for the National School Deworming Day (NSDD) on July 29, 2015, is now being waged by the Department of Health (DOH), region 10.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

The NSDD is a massive, one-day, simultaneous school-based deworming effort to approximately 16 million school-aged children, Dr. Josephine C. Eballo, Regional Coordinator, Vector-Borne Diseases of DOH,


region 10, said. “It is a strategy of the DOH to end the suffering of schoolchildren infected with intestinal worms that tend to subject them to poor health and hinder the development of their mental faculties,” she said. About 85 percent of the targeted schoolchildren will be covered by the NSDD, particularly those with ages 5-12 yrs. old, or from Kindergarten to Grade 6, enrolled in public elementary schools. The NSDD will be conducted twice during the School Year (SY) 2015-2016: Round 1, on July 29, 2015, and Round 2 in January 2016, the exact date of which, is still to be determined, Eballo also

said. Meanwhile, the DOH is distributing campaign posters with the following message: “Goodbye bulate para maging malusog at masigla ang inyong mga anak. Maikiisa at sama-sama at sabay ang pagpupurga sa lahat ng mga estudyante mula kinder hangang Grade 6 sa mga pampublikong paaralan.” (Bid the intestinal worms goodbye, for the good health and attentiveness of your children. Let us support the simultaneous deworming of schoolchildren, from Kindergarten to Grade VI in elementary schools).

Energy firm to boost capitol’s capability in dev’t planning, poverty monitoringVILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental -- The provincial government of Misamis Oriental will go one notch higher on its local development planning and poverty incidence monitoring when it begins utilizing GIS-aided information and data base for its program planning and anti-poverty campaign.


This came after energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) announces the approval of the P5.87 million financial grant for the implementation of the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) covering all the 25 municipalities and component cities in Misamis Oriental. The project is funded out of the provincial government’s share in a social fund that accrues from the electricity sales of SPI pursuant to ER 1-94 of the Department of Energy (DOE). CBMS is a tool designed to help LGUs diagnose the extent and causes of poverty in their respective localities and help them come-up with policies and programs to effectively address them. CBMS incorporates the design and methodology for data collection and processing,

validation and utilization. The project aims to identify the province’s state of development and poverty gaps using the indicators of the UN-declared Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), establish baseline information for socio-economic investment programming, improve provincial land use planning, tax mapping and hazard identification

in support of the province’s disaster-risk reduction efforts. The project, which will be implemented through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), is expected to be completed in May 2016. SPI’s assistance is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, one component of which is the EGoLD (Enhancing Governance in Local Development) Program. In 2011, SPI supported a similar initiative when it launched the Project Empowering (Project Enhanced Monitoring System on poverty watch for a more Effective and Responsive Approach in Governance) directly benefitting six LGUs in Misamis Oriental. (SPI)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is set to conduct an earthquake oriental and drills in schools in Misamis Oriental on July 13-17 and 20-24, respectively.

MisOr PDRRMC to conduct earthquake orientation, drill in July

This is in the observance of the 2015 National Disaster Cosciousness Month (NDCM). The orientation will involve the participation of the school heads, school disaster risk and management (DRRM) coordinator (SDC), Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president, school DRRM members and supreme student/pupil government (SSG/SPG). Topics to be discussed include: what to do before, during and after earthquake;

school watching team; composition of school DRRM committee; materials needed in preparation in times of disaster (bell, first aide kit, fire extinguisher); and school hazard mapping report. According to Cherry Mae L. Limbaco, Schools Division Superintendent for Department of Education (DepEd) in Misamis

Oriental, select schools will be given priority in the conduct of earthquake drill for the reason that the districts of Lagonglong, Balingasag and Jasaan are under the Cabanglasan Fault Line. Likewise, Districts of Villanuenva, Tagoloan and Claveria are under the Tagoloan Fault Line, while the District of Opol is in the Iponan Fault Line and District of Alubijid is the Lanao Fault Line.

by Elaine O. Ratunil


TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- The Tagumenyo constituency will soon see the commencement of the construction of the waste-to-energy facility on a two-hect-are property in Baran-gay San Agustin, as the companies behind the construction of the plant slated its comple-tion by the first quarter of 2016. The waste-to-en-ergy facility, which had its groundbreaking cer-emony on July 9, 2015

at Barangay San Agustin, Tagum City, is expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2016 after the initial test runs. Metro Pacific In-vestments Corporation (MPIC) President and CEO Jose Maria Lim said that they were finaliz-ing the technical details of the plant and that they ran into a few is-sues involving their en-gineers and designers which caused a little bit of delay, but assured the crowd that the said is-sues have been resolved

Waste to Energy plant breaks ground in Tagum


and that they will pursue the project as was originally conceived. “Financial arrangements with the banks are just being finalized… it’s just a timing issue with the banks when we’ll really get the facility, but as soon as we have that, we will be ordering within a month the equip-ment that will come into this project. If all goes well, by the first quarter of 2016, this plant will be built, with the equipment installed,” he further stated. As can be recalled, the City Government of Tagum and the Met-ro Pacific Investment Corporation signed an amended Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on October 2014 which was one year after the 2013 MOA signing between the city and the Global Green International Ener-gy Philippines, Inc, for the construc-tion of said facility. Global Green’s head, Mr. Alan Matthews, in his message reiterated that aside from providing the City of Tagum and its residents with cheaper and more efficient energy, the proj-ect also aims to clear up the environ-ment by diminishing the volume of wastes being dumped at Barangay San Agustin’s landfill site. The project will also benefit the local community by way of tapping the residents of the Barangay as workers for the plant. “We will try to involve all the people who are involved in the cur-rent waste handling, para hindi mawalan ng trabaho, and try to hire

them as well to work in our plant,” Lim said in an interview. (Richi D. Gulle/ CIO-Tagum)


RDRRMC line agencies plant trees along Davao RiverDAVAO CITY, July 13 (PIA) Line agencies under the Regional Di-saster Risk Reduction and Man-agement Council 11 joined hands in planting Narra trees at the bank of the Davao River as part of the commemoration of July as Nation-al Disaster Consciousness Month. Rebecca Lopez, acting regional director of the Office of Civil Defense 11 said tree growing gives the chal-lenge to provide clean air and shades for the future generation. She said trees provides the legacy of a clean and green environ-ment for the young. “Tree growing is a move to miti-gate the impact of global warming,” Lopez said. The planting of Narra trees was located one hundred meters away from the bank of the Davao River at Barangay Tigatto, Buhangin which is part of the flood plain. Lopez said the barangay gov-ernment of Tigatto will ensure that the Narra trees grow. “We are planting the specie of the national tree, Narra to ensure that it will be protected by national laws,” she said. Line agencies in Davao Region like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National

Police 11, National Bureau of Investi-gation, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Task Force Davao. Louel Quijano of the City Envi-ronment and Natural Resources said Narra is suitable for the river bank and might serve as a flood control mechanism like the species Malibago and bamboo. He recalled that Tigatto, the ha-ven for many subdivisions was once hit by a strong flood in 2013. Quijano said the Narra trees will be of great help to control the flood. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


GenSan’s Aerotropolis to position Region 12 as major Mindanao gateway

KORONADAL, South Cotabato July 14 – A top official from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the proposed P959 million General Santos City Airport Industrial Complex or Aerotropolis will position Region 12 as a major international gateway in Mind-anao.

MinDA Undersecretary Janet Lopoz said the Aerotropolis, a major infrastructure project being pushed under the Mindanao Development Corridors will boost the com-petitiveness of Region 12, located in the South-Central Mindanao Development Corri-dor.

“The project will integrate the different points of entry in Region 12, particularly General Santos’ international airport, fish-port complex, and Makar Wharf,” said Lopoz at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Regional Development Council XII at Villa Amor Hotel, held here recently.

Region 12 is composed of the four prov-inces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and Sultan Kudarat, and the five cities of Koronadal, Tacurong, Gen-eral Santos, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.

The proposed Aerotropolis will develop


some 200 hectares of property surrounding the General Santos airport to an integrated complex that will include business parks, amusement parks, hotels, inte-grated food terminal, food pro-cessing and manufacturing ac-tivities, and shopping malls.

“General Santos City has the potential to be a hub for the consolidation of products and services due to its proximity to major economic centers of Min-danao and the BIMP-EAGA,” she

added.BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei

Darussalam Indonesia Malay-sia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, an economic sub-grouping aimed to accelerate social and economic develop-ment of less developed areas in participating countries.

On top of the General Santos City Airport Industrial Complex, other projects being pushed un-der the Mindanao Development Corridors are the Mindanao Rail


way System, the Davao South Marina and Industrial Park, the Davao International Airport Op-erations, Maintenance, and De-velopment Project, the Davao City Sasa Port Modernization Project, and a number of ma-jor road projects connecting the South-Central Mindanao Corridor to other development corridors.

The Mindanao Development Corridors is a key spatial strat-egy of MinDA that will help pave the way for a connected and globally competitive Mindanao. Cited under Chapter 10 of the updated Philippine Development Plan, this strategy captures the Aquino government's accelerat-ed infra development agenda for Mindanao.

“We need to interconnect Min-danao for it to be efficient,” said Lopoz while adding “the cor-ridors strategy will accelerate development and ensure align-ing of infrastructure projects in Mindanao to facilitate better eco-nomic activity and a much at-tractive investment climate.”

The Mindanao corridors will also help position the island-region as a single, integrated economy that is able to leverage and actively participate in the BIMP-EAGA and the rest of the world.

“In the past several years,

Mindanao has been experienc-ing an economic growth of six to seven percent, but this increase must also translate into higher incomes and more jobs,” she said.

The corridors strategy will al-low for the improvement of in-frastructure, establishment of connectivity, and spur the devel-opment of growth clusters within Mindanao, to achieve a balanced and inclusive growth among its regions.

“We need to improve fur-ther Mindanao’s connectivity and infrastructure in order for businesses to experience huge reduction of transaction costs and divert savings to expansion, which will provide employment to the region’s constituents,” she added.

Lopoz said one of the key components for a competitive region is having good connectiv-ity that will allow a smooth flow of trade within and outside of the region.

“ With the corridors strat-egy, we can expect Mindanao’s growth to go into full swing and at the same time boost its com-petitiveness in the global eco-nomic stage,” she said. (MinDA/DED-PIA 12)


Starkey coming back for hearing mission

ALABEL, Sarangani, July 14 – Starkey Hearing Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building better lives for hearing-impaired people across the world, will visit Sarangani the third time for a hearing mission.

This time, the provincial gov-ernment of Sarangani targets around 1,230 people to ben-efit from Starkey’s hearing aid gift-giving that costs roughly P15,000 to P20,000 each set.

The visit is slated in Novem-ber.

Starkey is the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive hearing solutions and donates thousands of hearing aids in many countries every year.

At least 385 persons were already screened but only 256 qualified and underwent ear im-pression while 39 others were referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist volunteer phy-sician for a possible ear infection treatment.

Starkey is the partner foun-dation of Governor Steve Chi-ongbian Solon’s office in its Serbisyong Sarangan Outreach Program that is anchored on ad-dressing the needs of the less fortunate and people with dis-ability (PWD) who have hearing

defects.The program also serves to

create a friendly environment for PWDs in the province.

Program manager Asma Ak-mad said the partnership with Starkey was an offshoot of their effort of exploring possible part-ners that could help them “pro-vide the needs of PWDs like hearing aids, and mobility devic-es such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches.”

In 2013, Starkey distributed P9.3 million worth of hearing aids to some 1,200 patients in the province.

Last year, a total of 1,570 pa-tients from all over SOCSARGEN area and Cagayan de Oro got their early Christmas gift from the foundation.

Akmad said, Starkey spent around P34.5 million for all types of hearing instruments that were distributed in their 2015 mission in the province. This included the seven special-ized hearing aids costing


NorthCot’s livestock dispersal program amounts to over P7 M for the first semBy:Shahana Joy E Duerme

P120,000 a set for those pa-tients with no outer ear.

The provincial government “is very thankful for the assistance of Starkey because we could not cater all concerns of our PWDs here,” Akmad said. “At least, with our partnership with them, the needs of our PWDs could

now be answered through a gift giving from the foundation.”

On July 14 to 17, Akmad and her team will visit Kiamba, Maa-sim, Glan and Malungon for a phase one hearing screening. (BCPaoyon- Sarangani Informa-tion Office/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, July 14--- The province’s Ani-mal Dispersal Program under the Office of the Provincial Veterinar-ian utilized a total of P7,654,978 for the first semester of this year.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rufino C. Sorupia informed that from the said amount, the OPVet has allotted P5,627,630 for the acquisition and distribu-tion of around 228 large rumi-nants to some 228 beneficiaries in the province.

On the other hand, P535,598 was allotted for swine dispersal to some 134 beneficiaries while P1,491,750 was allotted for small ruminants benefiting some 146 farmers.

The Animal Dispersal Program

is the provincial government’s initiative in extending develop-ment interventions to identified and qualified farmers in many villages including those remote areas as well as conflict-affected communities.

It helps the provincial govern-ment to strengthen its efforts in empowering the agriculture sector by helping farmers obtain additional animals and livestock for farming and breeding which are the two foremost benefits of the program.


The program reached a total of 177 villages.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza highlighted that the objective of the program is to alleviate pov-erty incidents byimproving the economic status of many farm-ers and fishermen especially those based in far-flung areas.

Under the program, identified farmer-beneficiaries undergo screening and evaluation and after qualifying will sign a Mem-orandum of Agreement (MOA) with the OPVet.

One of the primary stipula-

tions of the MOA is for the re-cipients to give back the first offspring to the OPVet which will be given to other qualified farm-ers or next in line beneficiaries.

For years, the program serves an avenue where farmers get an opportunity to enhance their production and their livelihood as well. (SJDuerme-PIA12/ NCot Media Center)


Caraga launches 1st municipal negosyo centerBy: DTI-Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – Described as “the most open and transparent” Negosyo Center (NC) in the region or the country so far for its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the NC in this municipality formally opened on June 29, 2015. It is also the 1st municipal NC launched in the Caraga Region. Mayor Jenny de Asis of the municipality of San Francisco said everyone is happy with the


enactment of the Go Negosyo Law which made the setting up of the center in their area possible. “San Francisco is the most competitive municipality in 2013 and we are proud of that. Having the first municipal NC in the region is another feat.” She asked the representative of Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino – Luke Buniel to relay the LGU’s thanks to the senator. Sangguniang panlalawigan member Edwin Demegillo, who represented the provincial governor congratulated and praised the municipality of San Francisco. He said the local government unit (LGU)

has always been an example of good things being done in the province. He said other municipalities are looking up to San Francisco and so everybody should work together to make the Negosyo Center prosper or else other towns will be discouraged. Buniel for his part thanked the stakeholders for their collective effort, noting that not all national and local governments work well together. He said the establishment of Negosyo Centers is among the promises of Senator Aquino- “trabaho, negosyo, edukasyon.” He expressed his hope for


microfinancing institutions to partner with the center to provide financing information and assistance to the NC clients. DTI-Agusan del Sur provincial director Lolita Dorado also thanked all the stakeholders who gave their support and will continue to contribute to the success of the center. She explained the Go negosyo Act and discussed the services of the center for existing and would-be entrepreneurs. The pasalubong corner in the center is also prioritizing San Francisco products for display and marketing. She also encouraged the micro small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) owners to make use of the services of the center to be able to avail of opportunities like joining the supply chain for companies in the areas – the Gaisano malls, mining firms and others. “Now your negosyo center is open to serve you,” she said. Agusan del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by its President Engr. Freddie Mero reminded those present that the success of the center depends on everyone- not only the DTI, LGU and the chamber. The LGU-San Francisco

Sangguniang Bayan represented in the launch by the SB Secretary Sugano earlier passed a resolution in support of the Negosyo Center. Guests and participants to the launch included representatives of the market vendors, peoples’ organizations and beneficiary groups of the livelihood programs of other government agencies like DSWD. They, together with the LGU, chamber and MSME Development Council Officials all signed the commitment wall. A number committed to become mentors or resource persons. NC-San Francisco also did its first major activity as one of the highlights during the launch. The business councellors did crowd sourcing of the priority training programs to be conducted in the center through the filled-out checklist of possible topics from among the MSME attendees. NC-San Francisco is strategically located near the commercial district and along the national highway. It is housed on a two-story buillding owned by the LGU of San Francisco. Part of the space is occupied by the Municipal Tourism Office.


By: Japhet C. Sugian

Regional gawad saka awardee readies for national evaluation

TANDAG CITY – “I am prepared, and I am ready for any assessment,” this was the statement of Joel Callano, a Regional Gawad Saka awardee for Small Animal Raiser category from Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. The national evaluation is set on July 20-21, 2015. During the initial validation at Callano Farm in Barangay Matin-ao, Tagbina, Callano said that he had already applied the appropriate technologies in improving the quality of his farm focusing on small ruminants in

close coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist livestock division, Agricultural Training Institute-13, and Department of Agriculture-Caraga. Last year, Callano was named as the Regional Gawad Saka awardee because of what


By: ASELCO

ASELCO determined to accomplish PNoy’s BLEP, SEP targets in AgSurPROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO) is determined to energize sitios, puroks and barangays in the province of Agusan del Sur as it races with time before the conclusion of subsidized electrification programs of the Aquino Administration come 2016. The coop aims to energize for this year alone a total of 173 sitios and puroks and seven barangays to benefit 6,744 households.

The thought of accomplishing this target in a year is in itself overwhelming added with the geographic and transportation

he had accomplished in his own farm. “As a seafarer turned into a successful farmer, it is never too late,” said Callano. The local government unit of Tagbina through the Municipal Agriculture Office has committed to support Callano in his endeavor. They have been conducting local assessment on Callano’s farm from time to time to ensure that nothing will be left behind in terms of technology-packaged.


condition of reaching the areas, it is even more daunting. “Can we do it?” ASELCO’s General Manager, Engr. Emmanuel B. Galarse posed a challenging question to the barangay officials, sitio leaders and contractors during the 2015 Batch 1 Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) Coordination Meeting recently. “Yes, we can with all your help. Yes, we can with everybody working together. ASELCO can only do so much but your assistance is of the utmost importance,” he answered with utmost certainty. ASELCO’s strong partnership with the local government of Agusan del Sur and good rapport with project Contractors and Suppliers made the coop stand out in the implementation of SEP and BLEP. Testaments to this are the Sunshine Electric Cooperative (EC) Awards given

by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in 2013 for being the top implementer of SEP and BLEP. Recently, news reached the coop that NEA has ranked ASELCO as one of the top 5 implementers for calendar year 2014. Since 2011, ASELCO has already energized 563 sitios and puroks and enhanced electrical line connections in 43 barangays. ASELCO’s distribution lines now reach the remote mountain villages in the municipality of Sibagat and the flood-prone plains of Sabang Adgawan and Sabang Gibong in the Agusan Marsh. Moreover, line construction for the 2015 SEP and BLEP beneficiaries is on-going. First batch beneficiaries are expected to be completed by the end of the month. BLEP and SEP was launched by the Aquino Administration in its pursuit for inclusive national development in 2011 and 2012, respectively. These programs enable electric cooperatives like ASELCO to extend its distribution lines to previously unviable areas through the financial support from the government. This year’s project is worth P 258,531,225.09 of government subsidy.

one mindanao - july 14, 2015

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