one mindanao - july 23, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDExecutive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’Building,AntonioLunaStreetCagayandeOroCity9000TelefaxNo.(08822)72-66-83Telephoneno.(088)856-8178/729-594Cellphoneno.0928-52043050917-3084969E-mail:[email protected][email protected]:www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/FKantoMotorsBldg.,QuimpoBlvd.,NewMatinaDavaoCity8000Telephoneno.(082)297-0991/301-8580Telefaxno.(082)297-0992/304-2044Cellphoneno.0917-7053606/0918-9202950E-mail:[email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

Cover Story

“Clean ground, zero waste” consultant shares enterprise tips

Gervacio C. Dauz, Jr.Caraga Region

Today’s issue... Monday, July 23, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 306

page 4

Palace says DOH prepared to handle EV-71 cases, appeals for public participation 10

Sheila Covarrubias, Western Mindanao

ZCHS-main gets P22.3M school bldg. from City

2221

Felipo David G. Malcampo, Western MindanaoEarthquake and tsunami drills up in BASULTA provinces

300 more houses to be constructed at Calaanan Relocation Site 27

Persons-with-Disabilities finds work online

Anti-trafficking network formally takes in PIA-XI as partner

3133

Lorebeth C. Requiroso, Northern Mindanao

1718

Bayan Muna Rep graces turnover of various projects in Surigao del Sur

Eric F. Gallego, Caraga RegionDENR Anti-Task Force seized illegal lumber in Trento

DOH10 calls to intensify the anti-dengue campaign of LGU’s28Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

ARMM enacts human rights charte38

Jeanevive Duron-Abangan, Southern Mindanao

Carina L. Cayon, Southern Mindanao

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, ARMM

NFA-South Cotabato strengthens I-Rice advocacy42 Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Tulong ng DOST 12 sa mga maliliit na negosyo nagpapatuloy 43 Central Mindanao

9 12 19

26 30 35 39

Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, Caraga Region

14

4 Monday, July 23, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story“Clean ground, zero waste” consultant shares enterprise tips

Little is known however that behind such impressive local government unit undertaking is a consultant named Dr. Almer M. Alfonso, Sr., who by the way is a medical doctor also and, for three terms, was a councilor of the City of Valencia in Bukidnon. Having a platform to stand on and with a good inspiring model to showcase, he’s now on high gear to lend a helping hand for Nasipit, Agusan del Norte . . . meanwhile on a pro bono basis first. And, who knows, if the relationship with the movers and shakers of Nasipit will start to smoke, catching fire will not be far behind.

The catch is that the convenors and organizers – Saint Michael College of Caraga (SMCC), SMCC Alumni Association, Brgy. Council of Talisay, Office of the Vice Governor of Agusan del Norte through the Association of Brgy. Captains – desire to make Nasipit t h e

Butuan City’s “Clean ground, zero waste” program has caught fire under the dynamic

leadership of Hon. Mayor Ferdinand “Jun” Amante, Jr. together with Committee Chair on Environment and Natural Resources Hon. City Councilor Virgilio “Jun” Nery, Jr. By divine providence, the two “Juns” are both partner surgeons, who did a good surgical operation of the city’s environment and continue to do so, because the “price of having a clean ground is vigilance.”

by Gervacio C. Dauz, Jr.

Monday, July 23, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

“Ground Zero for Clean Waste” and to generate income out of said waste. For that reason, they staged the seminar “Community Enterprise Approaches: Zero Waste Management Program” this 1st day of June 2012 inside the SMCC Campus in Nasipit and invited Dr. Alfonso, Butuan City’s consultant and reputedly known to be the pillar of zero waste management in Northern Mindanao, to be the guest speaker. Hon. Enrico R. Corvera, Vice Governor of Agusan del Norte, who primed up the seminar, revealed during his partnership message that “any LGU would be happy if its constituents would commit in doing their share of helping clean the environment purposively.” Dr. Nelly M. Gatilogo, who gladly shared about the convergence story, informed the audience composed of community and political leaders, teachers from the Department of Education, representatives from government agencies, SMCC personnel and alumni that the holding of the s e m i n a r

was born out of emerging

partnership between and among the academe, civil society, and the barangay local government units. She added that “today, we come together to learn. Tomorrow and in the days ahead, we come again and work together for deeper and wider program for environmental protection first for Nasipit, and soon for our nearby localities in Western Agusan del Norte.” When Dr. Alfonso finally stood, he opened up with a prayer that intoned the need for organizing: “Lord, help us to have a place for everything and to put everything in its place. Amen.” Before zeroing in on his core message, he dwelt first on educating the audience about handling waste properly. He cited the need to keep track and take charge of one’s thrash citing even Jesus Christ who commanded his disciples in John 6:12 to “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.”


Waxing positive, he argued that “waste is a resource that has not yet found its rightful place.” As to why we need to go zero waste, he proffered at least three practical reasons for it. First, “it’s all about our values; we are responsible for it,” he argued. Going further, he reasoned that “unless we make cleanliness a personal issue, nothing will happen” in the long run. Second reason, according to him, is “we need to consider its adverse effects.” He complained that while the country became afraid with bird flu, AH1N1, and other exotic viruses, and the government had invested so

much resources for it, gross

killers such as diarrhea and dengue caused by dirty environment have had not been given more attention. The third reason, he cited, is about opportunities – the prospects of making livelihood out of waste when handled properly and creatively. He likewise shared about the pillars of Environmental Solid Waste Management dubbed as 3 “E’s”. He explained that the trio work like a tripod of a stool where in the absence of one the two others would fail. “The first of said 3 ‘E’s’ is education,” he elucidated, “where we hope to see the day that the neighborhood or community would say with conviction: ‘I am doing it (cleanliness drive) because I want to’.” Hence, it is the type of education that is not taught, but rather caught. The second E is engineering or infrastructure. “For example,” he cited, “if we educate our constituents, but we cannot offer them a public lavatory or comfort room,


then they will be tempted to just urinate anywhere.” The third E is enforcement or having a law and pursuing the implementation of it. He argued that unless we enforce our laws, then nothing significant will happen. He cited that there is already a law as early as January 26, 2001, referred to as R.A. 9003, which is “an act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanism and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating the funds therefor, and for other purposes.” The law itself has good policy provisions and to cite just a few with reference to segregation and collaboration: (1) Ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding incineration; (2) Encourage greater private sector participation in solid waste management; (3) Retain primary enforcement and responsibility of solid waste management with local government units while establishing a cooperative effort among the national government, other local government units, non- government organizations, and the private sector; (4) Encourage

cooperation and self-regulation among waste

generators through the application of market-based instruments; (5) Institutionalize public participation in the development and implementation of national and local integrated, comprehensive, and ecological waste management programs.


In terms of segregation, he claimed that there are only two kinds of waste: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The biodegradable, he suggested, could be reused ecologically by turning the same into fertilizers. But he suggested three steps in solid waste resource management for non-biodegradable waste: (1) sort at source; (2) pack properly; and (3) use, re-use, recycle, or dispose ecologically. As an observation, he pointed out that “we refuse what we thought we don’t need anymore.” But in solid waste management, he argued that we should take the “f” from the picture and what would be left is “reuse.” Thenceforth, he showed us waste materials that were turned into usable stuff. For the biodegradable, he shared that it can be turned into “feeds, fertilizers, fermentables, biogas fuels.” For non-bio, it can become “factory returnables, floaters, fillers, fine crafts.” Then he showed as examples after examples of what he meant: vegetables grown in plastics with the use of biodegradables as fertilizers; bags and soap savers; hats; necklaces; etc. The same could be sold to raise funds, he suggested. “We can do it,” he positively urged us. “While we may have lost our sense of humus,” he kidded, “we can rekindle the same.”

He went on to remind us about important dates to remember: that April 22 is Earth Day; that the 2nd Week of September is Cleanup Week; and that June is Environment Month. As a twist, he challenged us rather: “Would it be possible if we make every day as Earth Day, every week as Cleanup Week, and every month as Environment Month?” The audience could only chuckle in agreement. At the end, he confronted us: “What kind of world do we leave our children in an overcrowded and ecologically devastated planet?” And the answer to his question lay just beneath the recesses of our hearts. Many of us just smiled. Many of us did not want to have a repeat of our “ningas cogon” tendencies as in: “After all that has been said and done, much has been said than done.” But it can be done. Dewey suggested that the end point of education is not acquisition of information but action.


ACROSS THE NATION

“We certainly welcome their projected forecast. We will certainly try our best and in fact we are hoping by the second quarter mas maganda pa rin ang ating performance because of our infrastructure spending and the economy,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“We certainly welcome… number one, the action taken by the projections of the World Bank. And number two, we will do our best efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable growth.”

While World Bank adjusted its 2012 growth forecast for the Philippines it warned of headwinds from the crisis in Europe and a Chinese slowdown that

Palace welcomes World Bank’s confidence in Philippine economy

Malacañang welcomed the World Bank’s confidence for the Philippines by raising its 2012 growth forecast for the country following a stronger-than-expected economic performance at

the start of the year.


may affect the Philippine economy.

The country’s stronger economic momentum comes

in the midst of weakening global economic growth that may affect key export markets and cause job losses in electronics and the manufacturing sector.

The Philippine economy grew 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012, after posting 3.9 percent growth last year.

The World Bank hasn’t factored in the possible intensification of the crisis in Europe and a further slowdown in China

in making adjustments in its projection for the Philippines.

The global financial institution also said higher government spending and robust private consumption backed by remittances by a huge Filipino overseas work force may boost domestic demand.

The bank is projecting a modest global growth of 2.5 percent this year from 2.7 percent in 2011. This slowdown may hit key Philippine export markets like the United States, Japan, the Eurozone, and China, according to the World Bank. (AS)

Palace says DOH prepared to handle EV-71 cases, appeals for public participation

Malacañang made an assurance that the Department of Health is

prepared to handle Enterovirus 71 cases in the country after the health department reported one local case of the disease.


“Number one, DOH is itself prepared. Number two, we need

the participation of the citizenry. If you feel that there are symptoms that would lead to Enterovirus 71, immediately bring it to the attention of the doctors,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

“We cannot wait na kung malala na saka lang dadalhin sa hospital. We need the engagement of the citizenry. In the part of the DOH, they will be coming out or they have come out with information on the symptoms of Enterovirus 71,” he added.

At the same time, the Palace official also encouraged the public to observe proper hygiene and maintain cleanliness in their communities. The DOH is also spearheading a massive public information campaign about EV-71 to raise awareness, he said.

The DOH reported last week that a 19-month-old toddler from Davao has been infected with EV-71, the same virus that has killed more than 60 children in

Cambodia, but has since recovered.The boy was the only confirmed case

among eight suspected cases in the country with the hand, foot and mouth disease or Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) strain, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

The strain detected in the boy was a mild form of EV-71 and could have been in the country long before its deadlier variant killed Cambodian children, noted the Health Secretary.

Enteroviruses consist of 68 sterotypes that usually cause self-limited infections in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) was first detected in California in 1969. Since then, EV-71 has been isolated in many parts of the world. Severe outbreaks associated with a high fatality rate occurred in Bulgaria in 1975 with 44 deaths and Hungary in 1978 with 45 deaths, the CDC said.

Severe outbreaks occurred in Malaysia in 1997 with 30 deaths and in Taiwan with 78 deaths in 1998, 25 deaths in 2000, and 26 deaths in 2001.

12 Monday, July 23, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Malacañang commends COMELEC, other govt.agencies for ARMM re-registration of voters

Malacañang commended the various government agencies responsible in the implementation of the

electoral reforms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as it expressed high hopes that the region will eventually attain progress and development through the good governance of leaders that have faithful and convincing mandate from the people.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda extolled the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the uniformed personnel of the government for maintaining peace and order during the ten-day re-registration of voters in ARMM.

“Today marks the end of the voter re-registration by the Commission on Elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, we commend the individuals and groups that came together and help ensure the success of the reform initiative…


most especially our uniformed personnel who kept the peace during the ten-day period,” Lacierda said.

He added that despite the reported irregularities regarding the implementation of such reform, the Comelec has been successful in implementing the re-registration process to ensure more credible results in the coming polls.

“While there have been reports of irregularities, the Comelec has been able to reduce the number of registered voters in the ARMM from 1.8 million to only 1.2 million. A significant reduction that will more faithfully represent the democratic principle of one person, one vote,” Lacierda noted.

“The pursuit of genuine electoral reform within ARMM binds the Aquino administration and its allies in both Houses of Congress with our continued solidarity, our resolve in the participation of our countrymen. ARMM will succeed in attaining enduring reform in governance where its leaders have clear and convincing mandates through clean and fair elections,” he added.

The Comelec initiated the re-registration in the ARMM to cleanse what they consider to be a voters’ list bloated with thousands of fictitious names.

The ten-day re-registration of the entire ARMM which started last July 9 and ended today, will not have any more extension, the Comelec said.


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

Governor Sol Matugas announced on Wednesday the winners of the Search for Outstanding Barangay of the

Province during her Second State of the Province Address held at the provincial convention center, this city

Surigao Norte gov awards Search for Outstanding Barangay champsby Susil D. Ragas


Winners are Barangay Mat-I, Surigao City, for city cluster; Barangay Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte, for the mainland cluster; and Barangay Punta, Pilar, Siargao Island, for Siargao cluster. Winning barangays received project incentives worth P250,000, P25,000 cash prize and a plaque of appreciation from the provincial government in recognition of their continuous efforts and commitment in the realization of the present administration’s program and inclusive growth of the province. Second prize winners are Barangay Washington, city cluster; Barangay Cansayong of Malimono, mainland cluster; and Barangay Nuevo Campo, San Benito, Siargao cluster. They were given project incentives worth P150,000, P15,000 cash prize and a plaque of appreciation. Barangay Nonoc, Surigao City, city cluster; Barangay San Jose, Mainit, mainland cluster; and Barangay Poblacion 2 of Burgos, Siargao cluster are third prize winners with P100,000 worth of project incentives, P10,000 cash prize and a plaque of appreciation. Special awards for Best in Health and Sanitation Practices went to Barangay Taft, city cluster; Barangay Sta. Cruz, mainland cluster; and Barangay Punta, Pilar, Siargao cluster. Best in Educational Practices/Project Best went to Barangay Washington, city cluster; Barangay

San Pablo, Tubod, mainland cluster; and Barangay Pelaez, San Isidro, Siargao cluster. Best in Agriculture/Aquaculture Practices was awarded to Barangay Mat-I, city cluster; Barangay Cansayong, Malimono, mainland cluster; and Barangay Nuevo Campo, San Benito, Siargao cluster. Best Practices in Promotion of Welfare of Special Vulnerable Groups went to Barangay Canlanipa, city cluster; Barangay Daywan, Claver, mainland cluster; and Barangay Punta, Pilar, Siargao cluster. Best in Disaster Preparedness went to Barangay Mat-I, city cluster; Barangay Cansayong, Malimono, mainland cluster; and Barangay Poblacion 2, Burgos, Siargao cluster. Best in Livelihood Program Implementation to Barangay San Jose, city cluster; Barangay Sta. Cruz, mainland cluster; and Barangay Punta, Pilar, Siargao cluster. Best in Solid Waste Management to Barangay San Juan, city cluster; Barangay San Jose, Mainit, mainland cluster; and Barangay Pelaez, San Benito, Siargao cluster. Best in Barangay Governance to Barangay Washington, city cluster; Barangay San Pablo, Sison, mainland cluster; and Barangay Punta, Pilar, Siargao cluster and Best State of Barangay Governance Report to Barangay Nonoc, Surigao City, city cluster.


Other participating barangays also received plaques of commendation for their support and contribution. This year’s search was conducted simultaneously in three clusters: city cluster, mainland cluster and Siargao cluster by the Provincial Awards Committee composed of the Provincial Governor’s Office as chairman, with technical assistance

from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, representatives from the barangay development office, provincial offices, provincial liga ng mga barangay, provincial SK federation, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Surigao del Norte NGO Coalition for Development and the media.


Bayan Muna Rep graces turnover of various projects in Surigao del Surby Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño visited the province of Surigao del Sur recently to grace the turnover of several projects. Makabayan Provincial Chair Nep Cuizon said the project funds were taken from Casiño’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Among the projects funded are the lamayan set in Barangay Dagocdoc, Tandag City, P250,000; water system project in Barangay Unidos, Tago, P1.25 million; medical support program for indigent of Surigao del Sur, P400,000; scholarship program to Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU), P200,000; and the ambulance for LGU Tandag City, P1.25 million. Casiño also turned over a netbook

and LCD projector to the student supreme government of Surigao del Sur State University. Meanwhile, a consultative forum joined by different government agencies and media personalities here was also conducted to address queries on national and local issues. Governor Johnny Pimentel welcomed and expressed gratitude to Casiño for the support and projects given to the province. Pimentel also said his constituents would benefit from those projects and programs and will lead to the development of Surigao del Sur.


DENR Anti-Task Force seized illegal lumber in Trentoby Eric F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, -- Operatives of the anti-illegal logging task force-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have confiscated 1,396 undocumented lumber products worth about P373,000 during a raid in the remote barangay in Lankilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, July 18.

Reports said the raiding team found several pieces of lumber wood products of lauan and yakal species scattered in several places when they arrived in that barangay. Trento Police Station headed by PInsp Ma. Gemma Christina Corbeta has taken custody of the apprehended wood products for safekeeping.

The raiding team led by Louie Ceniza and Ret. Philippine Army Col Harry Taladua, was backed up by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Bunawan forest officers, Philippine National Police (PNP) Trento, Agusan del Sur and the 13th Regional Public Safety Company headed by Police Inspector Clark Abeya.


piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

MINDA bats for agricultural developmentby Franklin P. Gumapon

As Mindanao serves as the major supplier of food and raw materials to Manila and Cebu, the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) now focuses on

transforming the island into a modern agricultural center.


This was the gist of the message delivered by Gerardo Ramon Cesar B. Reynaldo on behalf of MINDA Chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino in yesterday’s plenary of the 8th Zamboanga Peninsula Business Conference (ZAMPENBIZCON) at the Town Center, Barangay Canubay this city. “Agriculture has remained a dominant sector propelling the Mindanao economy,” said Reynaldo adding that Mindanao enjoys “superior agro-climatic conditions.” Reynaldo also disclosed that MINDA has lobbied to secure no less than 30 percent of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) allocation for Mindanao to ensure and realize agricultural development in the island. Other agencies that committed to increase their budget allocation for Mindanao are the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation and Communication

(DOTC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Health (DOH). In a related development, the Zamboanga Peninsula is famous with its processed fish products, rubber, seaweeds, canned and bottled sardines, shell crafts, copra and others. Oroquieta City Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Ozamis City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the city government of Oroquieta hosted this year’s ZAMPENBIZCON which has for its theme, “One. Global. Filipino: Business Synergy thru Public-Private Partnership.” Some 300 delegates composed of businessmen, local government officials, representatives from the different government line agencies and other stakeholders from all over the region and neighboring places such as Cebu City, Butuan City and Cagayan de Oro City attended the conference. (ALT/FPG/PIA9)


ZCHS-main gets P22.3M school bldg. from City By Sheila Covarrubias

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Classroom shortage in the Zamboanga City National High School-main in Tetuan is partially eased with the inauguration and turnover yesterday of the 3-storey 27 classroom building constructed and funded by the city government.

The unveiling ceremony was made even more special with the presence of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro who flew all the way from Manila on a Sunday to accept the project from Mayor Celso Lobregat. Secretary Luistro thanked Mayor Lobregat and the members of the City Council through Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde for putting highest priority on education through the construction of school buildings and other education-related projects. The 3-storey 27 classroom building is the biggest and tallest

school building yet constructed and turned over to a public school by the Lobregat administration since the massive school building program started in 2007. Secretary Luistro could not help but compare the manner that city government projects are undertaken as well as the manner the projects are turned over to other areas. He stressed that building classrooms is not just about having money “but it’s about vision, transparency and dignity”. Under the Lobregat leadership, the city government, the secretary


said, has the vision to give a better future for the young generation. This is the reason why, he said, the people of Zamboanga are supportive of the programs of the city as all these are intended to put education back to its feet. “Mayor Lobregat is the only mayor who places the cost of every project being undertaken”, the secretary continued. He said by being transparent, the people are informed and can keep track of government funds. For his part, Mayor Lobregat thanked Sec. Luistro for keeping his commitment to be present during the inauguration of the 3-storey 27 classroom building. He vowed that the city government will continue to invest in education to help ensure that the students get quality education.The mayor requested Sec. Luistro to also provide the necessary teachers and desks to complement the schools buildings being constructed by the city government. “What good are our classrooms without teachers and desks?”.

Since 2007 to present, the city government has already invested over P940 million in education, and that the amount will reach the P1billion mark in 2013, the mayor said. The ZCHS-main community, headed by Principal Felisa Munar presented Mayor Lobregat with a plaque and a certificate expressing highest regard on the chief executive for his unfaltering commitment to education. Also present during the inauguration were Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, Councilors Rudy Lim, Mike Alavar, Nonong Guingona and Luis Biel III, City Schools OIC Superintendent Pedro Natividad, Tetuan barangay chairman Nonong Natividad, the different district supervisors, secondary school principals, other city officials, Zamcelco president Bong Atilano, the mayor’s brother Jomar Lobregat and ZCHS-main students, teachers and parents. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA9-ZBST)

Earthquake and tsunami drills up in BASULTA provinces by Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY - For earthquake and tsunami-prone island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi, the Office of Civil Defense is making headway with its information and education campaign on disaster risk reduction management (DRRM).


and the distribution posters and brochures. When in the communities, they underscore the importance of family disaster plan to barangay folks before conducting the quake drills, and advocate active community involvement in tree planting activities and clean-up drives. In an interview Monday while on board a RORO vessel bound

for Bongao, Tawi-tawi, OCD-BASULTA Chief Ramon G. Santos said that “Ang pinaka-tutok ng aming trabaho ay ang paghahanda ng ating mga kababayan sa mga posibleng sakuna.” Based in Malagutay, Zamboanga City, Santos and his team were on their way to conduct an orientation on DRRM with earthquake drills with students and teachers at Abubakar Computer Learning Center and at Bongao Science High School. Preferred to be called “Manong Boy,” Santos revealed that their efforts in the islands are all made possible with the collaboration of the local government units, line agencies, non-government organizations and the men in uniform. Santos is a retired General in the Philippine Army. He took special mention of the Red Cross in Bongao, particularly its Administrator Diana Amilasan and its Board of Directors’ Chairperson Glenda Abdul, whom he said are working closely with their Liaison Officer Jun Dail for the ground work in Tawi-tawi. In a phone interview with


Liaison Officers Edd Vincent Martin and Rene Mabilog, they reported that in Lamitan City, Basilan, the DDRM Caravan, which started July 2, is still on-going till the end of this month. Their focused groups are the more than 4,000 beneficiaries of the 4Ps Program under the DSWD – covering all 45 barangays in that City. Family disaster plan and earthquake-tsunami drills are being conducted in the coastal area communities, and earthquake drills in upland barangays, Martin said. In separate interviews, Jenner Pandan, Jade Camasura and Marx Sorino collaborated details in their conduct of DDRM info drive with video presentations and quake drills in the elementary schools of Atong-atong, Switch Yakal, Pamucalin, Port Holland and at Maluso National High School – all in Basilan. Still in a separate phone interview, Sulu liaison officer Anni Intimani said that right after the June fire incident in a business block in Jolo, he and Myrna Gajir represented OCD-BASULTA in the First Responder Medical Training Course conducted by USNS Mercy Pacific Partnership 2012. They also claim to have participated the 3-day Red Cross Action Team (RCAT) training conducted by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). As it appears, both trainings were just enhancement skills for the duo, who already had completed the conduct of a First Responder Course


with personnel of the 4th Civil Relations Group, and another with the composite troopers detailed in the Task Force Zamboanga. These revelations give substance to what Manong Boy said earlier that they aim to have barangay-based trained “first responders” to emergencies and disasters, in as many communities as possible though out the BASULTA provinces. “The rationale is simple, locals must be equipped with skills to help themselves in times when they needed it most,” he said. According to data from the Manila Observatory, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, and Basilan are the first three in the top 10 provinces in the Philippines that are at risk to tsunamis; and that Sulu is number 2 in the top 10 provinces at risk to volcanic eruptions. Given that data, Manong Boy explains why there will be no let ups in their mission. With the onset of the Holy Month of Ramahdan, however, he said that they will pause for some assessment of their initial activities, but that this will be followed immediately by some planning for the coming months.

Asked to give a scenario on their future activities, Santos declared that, “After these pockets of trainings, drills, and education campaigns, our next move is to conduct massive simulated disaster drills, involving whole towns and mobilizing all local government units, government agencies and all people in a given area.” Concluding the interview, Santos drops a reminder: “ We may not be able to prevent or stop the occurrence of natural calamities. But we can always be prepared for it and in the process minimize damage to properties and the loss of lives.” From a personnel profile presented by the OCD-BASULTA Chief himself during the PIA Media Forum last month, the retired General has in his team a dozen of young professionals, to include: a registered criminologist, a registered nurse, two registered midwives, a graduate in marine science, an animal rescue specialist, a commerce graduate, a certified instructor in first aid and basic life support, 2 graduates in computer science , and a registered social worker. All are in their 20s. (ALT/FDM/PIA9-ZBST)


Stamps featuring Cagayan de Oro’s white water rafting now availableby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The Philippine Postal Corp is issuing a stamp that features the famous white

water rafting in Cagayan de Oro.

This was announced by Cecilia Cotapte, PhilPost Northern Mindanao Area information officer, during the Regional Association of Government Communicators meeting recently. Having a size of 30mm x 40mm, the stamp is classified a special issue at P9 each; there are only 100,200 pieces available. Cotapte said the stamp is available at the Manila Central Post Office and all its regional offices from June 15 until June 14, 2013, or until stocks allow. Cagayan de Oro is a favorable destination among tourists and businessmen because of its numerous beautiful facets, stable peace and order, urban amenities, good banking system, and strategic location.

It has developed into one of the most dynamic in economic and in the entire country and still growing and developing at a fast rate. The city is also known as the gateway of Northern Mindanao and home of the most scenic and


300 more houses to be constructed at Calaanan Relocation Siteby Lorebeth C. Requiroso

exhilarating white water rafting. The development of this activity as a leisure sport began when the Northern Mindanao Mountaineering Society set their sights on exploring the Cagayan de Oro River. By 1995, they had mapped the channels, surveyed the river by sections, and paddled the treacherous white water. They organized the Cagayan de Oro White Water Rafting Adventure, now known as the Rafting Adventure Philippines (RAP), and offered commercial runs to local community. By word of mouth, the adventure package gained a following not only among locals but also among

adventurous domestic and foreign tourists. In 2008, the city council of Cagayan de Oro passed Resolution No. 8947-2008 declaring white water rafting as the primary, “One Town, One Product (OTOP)” of the city in recognition of the contribution this industry has made in promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs for Cagayanons. More than an icon for tourism, Cagayanons have found in white water rafting an inspiration to sustain the river’s rich ecosystem to keep its white water teeming with life and roaring with power.

28 Monday, July 23, 2012 ONE MINDANAO All rights reserved by staticgoast

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The mayor here announced that 300 more houses will be built at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village in Calaanan, Canitoan.

This, after Mayor Vicente Emano signed a memorandum of agreement with a group of Chinese businessmen led by Lucio Tan, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry headed by its president, Tan Ching and the local federation of Filipino-Chinese association of the Philippines under Antonio Tan. The mayor was grateful over this development and thanked the Chinese community for its partnership in addressing the shelter needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the city. “Mapasalamaton ako’g dako sa

atong mga igsoong Intsik nga wala gayud magmakuli sa pagtubag sa atong pangalyupo nga matabangan intawon nga makabarog ang mga biktima sa baha pinaagi sa paghatag og libreng balay ug yuta (I am deeply grateful to our Chinese brethren who did not hesitate to respond to our request in helping the flood survivors to rise again through providing free house and lot),” he said. The mayor said that with the help of the private sector, the city is able to rise from the tragedy brought by tropical storm Sendong. (CdeOSP)

DOH10 calls to intensify the anti-dengue campaign of LGU’sby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), Region 10 has reiterated its call for the local government units (LGUs) to intensify their anti-dengue information campaign.

This, after the number of dengue cases that were admitted to the different sentinel hospitals in the region has continued to rise, from 1,023 as of May 25 to 1,720 as of July 6 this year. This means there were 697 more cases or an increase of 68.13 percent of the dengue cases in the region in

less than a month, as per data at the Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU) of DOH-10. Compared with the same period last year there were only 220 cases or an increase of 28.27 percent, from 778 to 998 cases, Dr. David Mendoza, head of RESDRU, said.


Considering the significant increase, this year, Mendoza challenged the LGUs to activate the Bantay Dengue Brigades or the “dengue warriors” in their barangays in the wake of the rising number of dengue cases in the region, especially during this rainy season. “The LGUs should intensify the information, education and communication (IEC) drive on the fight against dengue through the 4S method or the search and destroy, apply self-protection measures, seek early consultation and say ‘no’ to indiscriminate fogging,” Mendoza said. Meanwhile, a total of 33 barangays in Region 10 have been found to have three or more cases of dengue in the past four weeks, 20 of which were located in Cagayan de Oro City, seven in Misamis Oriental, four in Iligan City and two in Bukidnon. In Cagayan de Oro, these barangays included the following: Agusan, Balulang, Barangay 26,

Bayabas, Bugo, Bulua, Camaman-an, Canitoan, Carmen, Cugman, Gusa, Iponan, Kauswagan, Lapasan, Macabalan, Macasandig, Nazareth, Patag, Puerto, Tablon. In Iligan City, the barangays were Poblacion, Luinab, Saray and Tibanga while in Misamis Oriental the areas were Poblacion and Sta. Cruz in Tagoloan, Imelda and San Martin in Villanueva, Taytay in El Salvador, Barra in Opol and Lunao in Gingoog City, while those in Bukidnon were Kiburiao in Quezon and Poblacion in Valencia City.

The July 6 DESDRU Report show that Misamis Oriental had the highest number of 1,275 dengue cases, or 74.13 percent. This was followed by Bukidnon with 203 cases or 11.8 percent, Lanao del Norte, 184 cases or 10.69 percent, Misamis Occidental, 52 cases or 3.02 percent and Camiguin, six cases or 0.34 percent. Among the cities, Cagayan de Oro posted the highest number of 903 cases or 52.5 percent, followed by Iligan, 136 cases or 7.90 percent, Gingoog and Valencia City, 42 cases or 2.44 percent each, Malaybalay, 19 cases or 1.10 percent, and El Salvador, 18 cases or 1.04 percent. The three cities of Misamis Occidental posted the lowest number of dengue cases during the period: Ozamiz with 18 cases or 1.04 percent, Oroquieta, 11 cases or 0.63 percent and Tangub, six cases or 0.03 percent, the DOH report show.


Persons –with-disabilities (PWD) are still struggling

against impediments to their mo-bility as some buildings remain PWD inaccessible, 30 years after the Accessibility Law Batas Pam-bansa 344 was passed in 1982. Guesting in Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Arlene Semblante said that the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (PCWDP) is still dealing with

problems on accessibility.In line with this, Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario who sits as chair of PCWDP, has a standing order for the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) work with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct accessibility audit of public establishments throughout the province. Semblante said that del Rosario made such order last year in a meeting with members of PCWDP upon learning that even the

Provincial Capitol of Davao del Norte fell short of the accessibility standards of Batas Pambansa 344 which is “An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices.” Among the noted inaccessible areas of the Provincial Capitol were its second floor and its comfort rooms.

PWDs still struggling for free mobility


Persons-with-Disabilities finds work onlineDAVAO CITY- Persons with disabil-ities (PWDs) have found suitable means of earning a living through working on the internet. Differently-abled Graphic Artist Association (DAGAA) head, Engr. Darlito Palermo said his organization established by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has paved way for about 50 PWDs in Davao City to work online, earning as much as P30,000 a month. Palermo viewed online jobs as

suitable for PWDs who need not go to workplaces which, mostly, have yet to establish accessible features such as ramps. “The can work at home. They don’t need to go out, commute and go to work in establishments which are not accessible,” he said. DAGAA-assisted blinds and orthopedics are now working online for companies based in Singapore, Netherlands, the United States, Australia and other developed

Semblanted revealed that only the buildings of Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) were found at par with the standards of BP 344 based on a survey done last year by a composite team with members coming from DPWH 11 and from PCWDP of Davao del NOrte. The team went around Tagum City to check public buildings, hotels and business establishments, Semblante said. Meanwhile, orthopedic Engr. Darlito Palermo of Differently-abled Graphic Artist Association (DAGAA) called on fellow PWDs to continue pushing for their rights to free mobility which PWDs have yet to fully experience.

“If our environment is accessible, there would be opportunities for employment, and social integration. If it is free of barriers, there would be high chances for PWDs to uplift their standard of living,” he said. Palermo looked forward for public transportation units in the Philippines to truly become accessible. “Only taxis are comfortable for us,” he said. He noted that the reserved seats for PWDs of public utility vehicles (PUVs) fail to serve their purpose because PWDs are still having a hard time getting inside buses and jeepneys. “Di man din kami makakaakyat. (We still cannot get inside the bus),” he said. (PIA-11/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


countries, rendering services as virtual assistants, web designers, content writers, data encoder, remote PC assistant, among others. Totally blind, 25-year old Maricel Fornis of Sasa, Davao City shared her experiences working online during the Career and Employment Advocacy held Wednesday at SM City Annex in observance of the 34th National Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. Fornis said she lost her sight in a vehicular accident in February 2002, but she rose from the misfortune by undergoing a training for online work. She now serves as the virtual secretary of an executive director of a company based in Singapore. She arranges flight summaries, book hotels, coordinate meetings, prepare documents for Visa applications of her employer. She viewed online work as beneficial to PWDs who would be spared from the hazards of mobile barriers because they only have to stay at home and work on their internet-connected personal computers. Working online makes them save expenses for transportation and fuel, she said. Fornis also shared information about the values and attitudes which had help her stay long in

online work. She said one must be determined, resourceful, initiative, conscious about the importance of global services and must be result-oriented. “Gikinahanglan ang right attitude. Dali lang tun-an ang computer pero dili ang right attitude. Apan ang right attitude ang gikinahanglan kaayo. (Right attitude is needed. It is easy to learn how to use the computer but not the right attitude which is the most important),” she said. Meanwhile, 30-year old orthopedic Gil V. Alfeche of Sasa, Davao City is now working as a quality control assurance officer of an English online tutorial company based in Singapore. Recalling his quest for a job, he said he used to do repair cellphone services, among other odd jobs he engaged in after dropping from college as a graduating student of Computer Engineering of the University of Mindanao. Because of his desire to haunt jobs online, he borrowed money from friends just to buy his own computer unit and had it connected to the internet. That started opening up fortunes for him. “Dili lang jud ta mawad-an ug paglaum. (Let’s not lose hope),” he said. (PIA-11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


Anti-trafficking network formally takes in PIA-XI as partner

DAVAO CITY – The Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT-XI) has formally taken in today the Philippine Information Agency-XI (PIA-XI) as part of its partners in the RIACAT Integrated Action Network (RIACTION-XI). RIACTION-XI represented by its Chair, Regional Prosecutor Antonio Arellano and PIA-XI headed by Regional Director Efren F. Elbanbuena inked the partnership in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in time

for the launching of the RIACTION-XI-Davao International Airport operating unit. RIACTION-XI is a network organized by different government agencies and private organizations in Davao Region for the purpose of combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP). PIA-XI becomes a permanent member of the network, and will be part of both the operations teams of the Law Enforcement Unit (LEU) and the Psycho-Social Unit (PSU),


primarily making available public information teams whenever called upon by the heads of LEU and PSU. Arellano said RIACTION-XI was created for a more proactive approach in effectively preventing TIP and for a more efficient prosecution of TIP cases in court. As lead agency of IACAT, the Department of Justice has strengthened the implementation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking Law, following a poor performance of the country noted in 2005 to 2009 with only 23 convictions, and placing the country at tier 2 watch list, he said. The poor performance of the region from 2003 to 2010 with only three convictions, has also challenged RIACAT-XI being at a prime entry and exit of Mindanao because of the presence of the Davao International Airport, Arellano stated. “We’re doing something, but we are not very successful in trying to get out of the watch list,” he told the media at the special edition of the Kapihan sa PIA held after the launching of the RIACTION XI-DIA. Aside from the creation of RIACTION-XI in beefing up the anti-trafficking program in the region, training and seminars have been conducted for the members, and assistance has been extended to the local government units in setting up their own programs up

to the barangay level, he said. As to the outcome of the network’s enhanced efforts, Arellano disclosed that there were two convictions in 2011, both transpired in Davao City. On the same year, Arellano said RIACTION-XI and DOJ Anti-Trafficking Task Force have done lots of case build-up with 16 already filed and pending in court, noting that ten of the cases were from Davao City, one each from Digos City, Panabo City, Panabo and Compostela Valley and two from Davao del Sur. For the protection program, he said rescue and interceptions have been done in June this year involving 111 TIP victims mostly in Davao City with 94 persons, Compostela Valley, six; Panabo City, 2; Sultan Kudarat, 10; Manila, 1; and Xiamen in China, 5. Meanwhile, Arellano said they are planning to expand the network and to create clusters for each of the three main unit teams such as prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation and integration. Aside from PIA-XI, RIACTION-XI has recently taken in the LGUs of Davao Oriental province and Panabo City as members through signing of MOA. Arellano said they have set schedules to cover all cities and municipalities in the region before the year ends. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)


Line agencies showcase programs, projectsby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Various line agencies in the province showcased their respective programs and projects Sunday, declared by the provincial government as Line Agencies Day as part of its 53rd founding

anniversary.

A “hataw” exercise session, which is part of the healthy lifestyle program of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), kicked-off the day’s activities. Various agencies also showcased their booth displays at the provincial capitol grounds.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officer-in-charge governor Mujiv Hataman, graced the occasion and responded to the concerns of some of the agencies during the Line Agencies Reportorial Show held at the Social Hall of the


Provincial Capitol. Agencies that presented their accomplishments were the IPHO, T e c h n i c a l E d u c a t i o n and Skills D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y ( T E S D A ) , Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways Districts I and II, Department of Education Divisions Lanao Sur IA, IB, IIA, and IIB, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). Other agencies present at the event were the Department of Social Welfare and Development Lanao Sur-A and Lanao Sur-B, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Statistics Office (NSO), Provincial Prosecutors Office, and Public Attorney’s Office. In his message, Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. expressed appreciation to all the agencies who participated in the celebration. He also thanked them for supporting and cooperating with the provincial government in bringing programs and services that respond to the needs of the community specifically mentioning existing strong partnerships with NSO and

National Bureau of Investigation on the mobile passporting program with DFA , IPHO on health and nutrition, TESDA on livelihood and manpower development, DAF on agricultural projects and DPWH on infrastructure support, among others. He also emphasized that the provincial government is committed to support consistency and transparency in all government actions and the core part of this will be achieve through strong collaboration with line agencies and other sectors of the society. The Line Agencies Day was also busy with people seeking free services like in mass registration of live birth, legal assistance, and application of business permit, as well as a medical and dental mission. The day was capped with a concert featuring the Freestyle band, and lantern lighting at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.


53rd Araw ng Lanao del SurLine Agencies Booth Display / Exhibit


ARMM enacts human rights charterby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Acting Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) signed on Tuesday the Muslim Mindanao Act (MMA) 228 to uphold and enhance respect for the primacy of human rights in the region.

MMA 228 is the region’s Human Rights Charter under which the newly created ARMM Human Rights Commission will operate. It covers a wide range of national and international laws pertaining to anti-torture, genocide, inhuman treatment, driscrimination against women, rights of the child, and others. The law was passed less than a month after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III appointed 24 members of ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), representing seven districts of the region’s five component provinces, as well as the women and youth sectors. A press statement by the Bureau of Public Information quoted Hataman saying that establishing an independent human rights body in the ARMM has been long overdue, with the region’s worst experience during the martial law and even during armed clashes between government forces and enemies of the state. Principal author of the MMA 228, Lanao del Sur Assemblyman Zia Adiong, said the regional law affirms national and international

laws, including the Article III of the Philippine Constitution; Republic Act 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009;Republic Act 9851, the Philippine Act On Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity; Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948); International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984); Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (1979); Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989); and all other international instruments on human rights to which the Philippines is a signatory. RLA Speaker Rasol Mitmug Jr. said MMA 228 becomes the country’s first operational charter of an independent human rights body that is passed into law by a legislative body. The charter of the national government’s Commission on Human Rights was created by an executive order issued in 1986 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.


Government fulfills college education for tribal youthBy Serafin Ramos

MALUNGON, Sarangani -- For three school years, Roger Bago and his class-mates had to hold their college classes either in the elementary school library, laboratory or even at an open stage, notwithstand-ing the noise of pupils play-ing around.

That time they were just borrowing the facilities of Malandag Central Elementary School.

Today, Bago, a B’laan, and his fellow scholars under the Special Tertiary Extension Service (STES) for indigenous people (IP) have real classrooms of their own.

Governor Migs Dominguez led a turn-over


ceremony of a four-classroom building funded by the provincial government purposely for the use of STES, an off-campus scholarship program of the province with Mindanao State Univers i ty-General Santos City (MSU-GSC).

“Today we are marking a second stage of what we call a dream,” the governor told STES scholars, teachers and local officials during the turn-over ceremony July 12 at Malandag elementary school campus.

That dream started in 2008. The STES program was conceptualized and prepared by then Board Member Rolando Octavio with the assistance of non-government organization MASICAP (Medium and Small Scale Industry Coordinated Action Program).

In 2008, a Memorandum of Agreement between MSU-GSC, the provincial government and Department of Education (DepEd) was signed.

The provincial government agreed to

collaborate with MSU-GSC for an offering of a five-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) baccalaureate degree for deserving IPs to study in the MSU-GSC satellite school to be based in Malandag.

The provincial government shall provide the funding, MSU-GSC the academic requirements, while the DepEd shall provide classrooms and other facilities to conduct the extension classes every Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

During the school building turn-over, Dominguez advised the students that “the biggest gratitude that you can show to your professors is that one day you will

become successful teachers, successful professionals. You will be the one to touch the lives of other people.”

“The more we invest in our children the more successful our province will be in the future,” the governor said.

The STES program was designed to benefit IP high school graduates and out-of-school youth. It rolled out in 2009, with a project cost of P9.8 million until 2015.

The present enrollment of scholars taking up BEED is 118: 4th year – 31; 3rd year – 30; and 2nd year – 57.

Bago, 36, is now in 4th year.

His classmate Irene Mayora, 19, thanked the provincial government


for the scholarship program. “We were able to study from first year to fourth year and we were given priority,” she said. “Now the governor built classrooms for us.”

According to Glenda Revano, STES program coordinator, Malungon is the biggest municipality with IP communities. Seventy percent of the total population of Malungon is comprised of IP, predominantly Blaan and Tagakaolo. These IP groups have long been suffering from poverty.

Farming is the main source of income for the IPs. Average income per farmer is a meager P3,000 per month. This could hardly provide for the basic needs of their families, most especially education.

“Due to this, they can only afford to send their children to elementary and high school,” Revano said.

Hence, the MSU-GSC extension service addresses the dilemma of the indigenous people in attaining a college education and the availability of

committed and culture-sensitive teachers in the communities.

Revano said with more IPs becoming professionals, the higher the chances for them to improve their lives and eradicate poverty and sustain the development efforts in their communities.

Atty. Abdurrahman Canacan, MSU-GSC chancellor, said “we have to congratulate also our students for surviving at least three years since enrolling here. We wished to see you not only as graduates of MSU-Sarangani but also as licensed teachers.”

Canacan assured “quality of education” was given to IP scholars.

“We have the same classroom teachers teaching there (at MSU-GSC campus in Tambler) and here (in Malandag), the same classroom policies and the same guidelines. The same curriculum and course outline are given to you by our teachers,” Canacan told the scholars.

“You can expect the same dedication given

by our teachers in the main campus,” he said.

Professors from MSU-GSC Tambler campus most of the time have to ride “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) in going to Malandag, leaving their “comfort zone” in the main university campus.

Canacan said “we started a dream and that dream has become reality with all the concerted efforts of MSU as service provider.”

For Roger Bago, his dream is “makatapos ko aron makatabang pud ko sa community (to finish college so that I can help my community).”

Bago must be very determined to have education.

“When I was in high school I walked from our house to the school here in Malandag. For four years, I endured walking nine kilometers morning and afternoon,” Bago narrated.

“I was striving to learn and I was fortunate to avail of the scholarship program of Governor Dominguez.” (Serafin Ramos-PIO-Sarangani/PIA-General Santos City)


NFA-South Cotabato strengthens I-Rice advocacyBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The National Food Authority (NFA)-South Cotabato is bringing its iron-fortified rice (I-rice) to the community level.

Avelino Usman, provincial manager of NFA-South Cotabato, said they met with members of the associations of day care workers in each local government unit in the province for briefings on I-Rice.

In these meetings, they also organized advocacy teams that will inform their communities on the benefits of I-Rice and encouraged them to use it.

Usman explained the National Nutrition Council and the Department of Health promote I-Rice as it has been proven to effectively fight anemia among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Angelina Lucena,


assistant manager of NFA-South Cotabato and overall coordinator of the I-Rice advocacy teams, explained fortification of the popular staple is mandated in compliance to the Republic Act 8975, otherwise known as “The Philippine Fortification Act of 2000.”

She said this is also to address the lack of essential m i c r o n u t r i e n t s including vitamins and trace minerals such as vitamin A, zinc, iron, and others in the diet of most Filipinos.

Lucena added, insufficient iron in diet causes iron-deficiency anemia, which according to

World Health, “is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world.”

Five of every 10 pregnant women and 40 percent of schoolchildren in Third World countries are anemic. It also contributes to 20 percent of all maternal deaths.

“The major health consequences include poor pregnancy outcome, impaired physical and cognitive d e v e l o p m e n t , increased risk of morbidity in children, and reduced work productivity in adults,” the WHO report said.

Lucena added they need to intensify I-rice campaigns at the barangay

level because it has remained unpopular despite the benefits it provides.

I-Rice sold by NFA outlets does not taste differently from the milled rice popularly consumed by the public, she said.

For every kilo of milled rice, NFA mixes four to five grams of iron premix.

“We have enough supply of iron premix to produce iron-fortified rice when needed by consumers, local government units, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and others who would like to buy the product.” Lucena said. (DED-PIA 12)

Tulong ng DOST 12 sa mga maliliit na negosyo nagpapatuloyLUNGSOD NG KORONADAL, South Cotabato-- Muling nananawagan si De-partment of Science and Technology (DOST) 12 Regional Director Zenaida Laidan sa mga may-ari ng maliliit na negosyo na samantalahin ang tulong ng ahensiya sa ilalim ng Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Sa technology forum sa Koronadal City noong

Miyerkules, sinabi ni Director Laidan na sa

P34 milyon na alokasyon ng Soccsksargen Region

ni Dani Doguiles


para sa unang anim na buwan ngayong taon, may P14 milyon na pondo ang nalalabi na maari pa ring magamit ng mga micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

K a i l a n g a n lamang, ayon sa director, na magsumite sila ng panukala o proposal sa DOST regional office sa Cotabato City o sa pinakamalapit na provincial S&T center.

Ang mga negosyong

maaring tulungan ng SETUP ay ang sumusunod: food

p r o c e s s i n g ; f u r n i t u r e and home f u r n i s h i n g s ; gifts, holiday decors and f a s h i o n a c ce s so r i e s ; marine and a q u a t i c r e s o u r c e s , ho r t i cu l tu re , metal and eng inee r i ng , information and communication technology, at Halal.

Ka b i l a n g sa mga

ayuda na m a a r i n g

matanggap ay angkop na teknolohiya, pagsasanay ng mga tauhan, pagpapaunlad ng kalidad ng produkto at libreng gamit ng testing facility, packaging at labelling, access sa merkado at kailangang materyales, at angkop na mga makinarya at kagamitan na sisiguro ng pagpaparami at pag-angat ng kalidad ng kanilang produkto.

Binigyang-diin ni Dr. Laidan na layon

ng SETUP na mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga MSME na maging industriya at makapasok sa pandaigdigang p a m i l i h a n . (DEDoguiles/PIA-12)

one mindanao - july 23, 2012

Documents

pia surigao

pia caraga region nora

pia caraga region richard

pia caraga region officer

pia region ximanaging

cellphon pia agusan

pia region x rudolph

edaga regional director