one mindanao - july 23, 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

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, 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

Fallen SAF 44 member’s bro, now a TESDA Specialista

ECC Caraga conducts meat processing skills training to 7 PWRDs

DOST 12 Halal lab logo seen to boost PHL Halal sector

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Information Caravan: bringing government services to the grassroots

No more gravel farm-to-market roads—DA

Mindanao leaders back amended Cabotage Law, expect cuts in shipping costs

Health office warns public of water contamination in Iligan

Thematic symposia on nutrition slated in Balangasan

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By: Catalina O. Tacubao

By: Olga Virginia A. Demata

By: Claro A. Lanipa

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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20 Farm machineries turned over to coop-beneficiaries in Davao Sur town

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By: Alma Tingcang

Contents

By: Anthony S. Allada

By: Danillo E. Doguiles

By: Lorry V GabuleTOG-10 wins the “TOG of the Year” Award for 2015

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4 July 23, 2015One Mindanao

By: Alma L. Tingcang


Cover Story

5July 23, 2015 One Mindanao


It is hard for government services to trickle down to the grassroots, many people would say. Harder even to gather government agencies into one distinct activity

aimed at poverty reduction. But the Information Caravan, a convergence of national government agencies to bring the government closer to the people is a laudable activity which spurs development in the area through various interventions and opportunities for a better way of life in the countryside.

The road to the island

Traversing rough roads, crossing water channel through a barge and anxious about what will happen along the way, our

fears have been allayed by the thought that our journey was blessed because God was with us. The presence of our police escorts from the Zamboanga Sibugay PPO headed by PSupt. Torres. We traveled on convoy with security escorts from the 102nd Infantry Brigade sent by brigade commander Lt. Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr. In spite of the nasty things that have been reported about the peace and order situation in the area coupled


with reports of kidnapping, we braved the barriers to reach our destination in the name of public service. The townof Talusan For the municipality of Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay, a far-flung coastal town in the western part of the province located in Olutanga Island, services are hard to come by aside from its being a 5th class municipality with only a small IRA. Talusan, known as the best tobacco producer in the region has a total land area of 5,816 hectares of rolling terrain and plains. The areas around the coastline are full of mangroves and fishponds. Ideally, the soil is suited for coconut and tobacco production. On November 11, 1977, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1237 issued by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, it became a municipality.

It is approximately 1.6 kms away from the adjacent municipality of Mabuhay and more or less 20 kms from Olutanga town. Of the 14 barangays, 10

are coastal and 4 are inland. These barangays are: Aurora, Baganipay, Bolingan, Bualan, Cawilan, Florida, Kasigpitan, Laparay, Mahayahay, Moalboal, Sagay, Samonte, Poblacion and Tuburan.

Information Caravan

The Information Caravan, a joint undertaking of the Mindanao Communicators Network (MindaComNet) and the Regional Communication Advocacy Program (RCAP) Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC),together with some 20 various government agencies arrived onTuesday, July 21, at the municipal gym in Talusan.

Convergence Mayor Orlando Ramiso was grateful to the participating national government agencies and welcomed everyone to the information caravan. “This is the first time that an activity like this happened in our municipality. This was supposed to be conducted last year but because


of unavoidable circumstances, it did not push through,” Mayor Ramiso said.

“I thank all participating agencies of the government, and to the Philippine Information Agency, welcome and thank you all for coming to Talusan,” the good mayor announced. PIA Assistant Regional Director Franklin P. Gumapon gave the rationale of the infocaravan which is to bring other government agencies together so the people will know

the programs and services that they can avail of. The very objective of the Aquino administration, according to Gumapon, is inclusive growth, a sustained growth that creates jobs, draws the majority into the economic and social mainstream, and continuously reduces mass poverty, hence the convergence of government agencies.

Services rendered

Mr. Wilfredo Genovia, municipal planning and


development coordinator facilitated all the preparations for the infocaravan. “We could do this every year because this is a very worthy endeavor that will benefit all our constituents,” the planning chief said.

A total of 140 day care children were given supplemental feeding by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Food Authority. The medical and dental services had the most number of clients with 79 consultations, 76 for “Tuli” and 78 patients served for tooth extraction.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, in partnership with the 1st Cavalry Squadronadministered 64 anti-rabies vaccination for dogsand gave deworming pills for cattle.Each agency was provided with a service desk to accommodate concerns of local folks, wherein they also signed a commitment form in response to those concerns.The successful conduct of the Information Caravan in Talusan was made possible through the support of the following participating agencies: Commission on Higher Education,

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, National Nutrition Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, 1st Cavalry Squadron, 1st Infantry Tabak Division, 102nd Brigade, 44th IB and Zamboanga del Sur Pharmacists’ Association.

The LGU hosted lunch for all participants and the Infocar Team is grateful to the LGU officials and employees, especially the team from the Municipal Health Office under Dr. Shenorino Sotto, whose support made the activity a success, and to Mr. Wilfredo Genovia, municipal planning and development coordinator who supervised the legwork.


DFA rescues Filipino women from trafficking in Indonesia

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus I. Yabes led a consular team to Manado to look into the situation of the rescued Filipino women who are

temporarily being accommodated at the Immigration Detention Center in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia while awaiting their repatriation to the Philippines.

MANILA - Twelve Filipino women have been rescued from a human trafficking syndicate who brought them to Manado, Indonesia en route to certain jobs in the Middle East, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported Wednesday.


In their meeting, the Filipino women narrated to Undersecretary Yabes the circumstances which brought them to Indonesia. Undersecretary Yabes counseled them to go through regular deployment channels for migrant workers by submitting their documents to the Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA) to ensure that they are covered by the safety nets provided by the Philippine Government.

The rescued Filipino women come from different regions of the Philippines. They are expected to be brought back to Manila as soon as the Philippine Consulate General in Manado has obtained their plane tickets and completed departure procedures set by Indonesian authorities for their repatriation.

While in Manado, Undersecretary Yabes also

coordinated the preparations for the repatriation of 20 Filipino fishermen who were arrested by Indonesian authorities for illegal entry and illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. The Filipino fishermen are housed in the Manado Immigration Detention Center but are otherwise permitted to roam around the premises unguarded. Their fishing bancas and vessels were confiscated by Indonesia authorities but the fishermen were released for eventual repatriation to the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reports that 225 Filipino fishermen have been repatriated from Indonesia during the first half of 2015 after they were arrested for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. Data from the Philippine Consulate General indicates that, in 2014, 327 Filipino fishermen were arrested by Indonesian authorities. (DFA)


No more gravel farm-to-market roads—DA

QUEZON CITY - The government, under the Aquino administration, no longer builds “all-weather” gravel farm-to-market roads (FMRs) as it resolved as early as July 2010 to build only concrete FMRs in the country, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the primary problem with these gravel roads is that they are not resistant to the effects of changing climate.

“Many of these roads are damaged—or disappear—after a flood or typhoon. The Department of Agriculture would then receive new requests to rebuild the same roads. The result was huge


amounts being spent on roads that are repaired or rebuilt over and over,” Alcala said.

The Secretary added that construction and repair of gravel roads involve other issues such as favored contractors and duplication of projects. These have pushed the DA to advocate for the construction of concrete FMRs only.

Costs vs. benefits

Secretary Alcala recalled that at first, partner financing agencies objected on the idea of “concrete FMRs only,” citing the high cost of constructing such.

“We explained that the ₱10 million standard cost of a kilometer of six-inch-thick, five-meter-wide concrete FMRs, following DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] standards, would be cheaper than constructing and reconstructing gravel roads, particularly with worsening floods,” Secretary Alcala said.

The DA has mainstreamed climate change adaptation in all its projects and this entails building climate-resilient infrastructure such as FMRs and bridges.

“We believe that the benefits of building concrete FMRs instead of repairing gravel roads every now and then outweighs its costs in the long run, particularly in the context of climate change adaptation,” Alcala said.

2,440 kilometers worth ₱24.7 billion FMRs soon

As the DA pushes for climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure, it has teamed up with 49 provincial and local government units (LGUs) to build a total of 2,440 kilometers of concrete, climate-resilient FMRs worth ₱24.7 billion under the World Bank-assisted Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Under the PRDP, LGUs as project proponents will have to share at least 10% equity. The World Bank will finance 80% of the project and the remaining


expenses will be covered by the DA.

Municipal Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, one of the LGU parters of a PRDP sub-project said that the P36.7 million-worth FMRs they have availed of under the PRDP will spur a g r i c u l t u r a l growth in their province as these roads serve about 2,000 hectares of farmlands and 1,000 households.

Cesar Falle, Barangay Captain of Kudanding village in Isulan, said that since the 1970s, these roads have been almost impassable and farmers have always had a hard time bringing their products to the market especially during rainy seasons.

Because of poor accessibility, Falle recalled that they used to spend ₱40.00 for every sack of rice to be hauled to the market.

“But now, the roads have been improved and transporting our products has become easier and cheaper; hence, the incomes of farmers have increased,” Falle shared.

The PRDP FMR projects are expected to connect about one million farmers and their farms


and enterprises to highways and markets—decreasing production costs, increasing yields and improving farmers’ incomes. All these projects were approved based on careful and extensive feasibility studies, including value chain analyses.

Transparency and accountabi l i ty in FMR projects “Not only we do ensure that FMRs really link farmers to the market and connect agricultural value chains. We also guarantee that these projects meet prescribed standards of the World Bank and the DPWH and conditions set with the contractors,” Secretary Alcala said.

Alcala stressed that gone were the days when FMRs are built for political patronage, when roads are built based on who the proponents are.

To avoid duplications and ensure that FMRs serve their intended purposes, the DA uses

an innovative Google Earth-based geotagging tool. This allows computer-based checking of road proposals, as well as monitoring from construction until completion.

Developed by the DA under the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), the tool has been adopted by other agencies not only for roads but also for other infrastructure projects.

The DA likewise received the NEDA Good Practice Award in 2012 for this innovation, which has also been recognized by the World Bank as a Global Best Practice recommended for replication in other countries.

“Dahil sa tuwid na daan, magkakaroon na tayo ng mas matibay na mga daan,” Secretary Alcala said.

“Tuwid na daan” (straight path) is the Aquino administration’s catchphrase for its good governance agenda. (JPD/DA-AFID)


Mindanao leaders back amended Cabotage Law, expect cuts in shipping costs

DAVAO CITY – Key government leaders and business players from Mindanao expressed full support to the approved amendments to the Cabotage Law, citing the move will result to healthy competition, make rates more competitive, and eventually bring down shipping costs.


“The President’s approval of the amendments to the Cabotage Law would be expected to hasten improvement of Mindanao’s cargo shipping industry and encourage efficient services that will result to more a competitive business climate,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA.)She added the amendments to the law could usher increased services of foreign shipping players that will create a more productive and profitable import and export mechanism, which is considered an advantage for Mindanao’s growing industry.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law on Tuesday the Foreign Ships Co-loading Act, which amends the decades-old Cabotage law. The law allows foreign ships carrying imported goods and cargoes for export out of the country to dock in multiple ports.

Under the law, foreign vessels will be allowed to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic trans-shipment. The law also seeks to lower the cost of shipping export cargoes from Philippine ports to international ports and import cargoes coming from international ports.


In his speech, President Aquino said because of lack of competition, the current cost of transporting cargo container from Cagayan de Oro City to Hong Kong totals to P56,880, with P50,400 from that amount covering the cost for shipment from Cagayan de Oro City to Manila. The other remaining P6,480 will cover for shipment cost from Manila to Hong Kong. With the amended Cabotage Law, shippers can directly transport goods from Cagayan de Oro City to Hong Kong for a cost of P22,500, allowing them to save P34,380 or 60 percent from the current shipment costs.

MinDA, through its priority policy agenda has been pushing for the amendment to the law seeing it as a move that will strengthen connectivity and help Mindanao maximize its economic potentials.

“With this law already in place, we can fully tap the potentials of the Mindanao Development Corridors and focus on building a more connected and globally-competitive Mindanao,” said Antonino.

She added the law will also will facilitate a more competitive Mindanao business environment in terms of trade with BIMP-EAGA

and ASEAN, and other countries around the globe.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, a sub-regional grouping formed with the goals of promoting trade, investment, and tourism within the sub-region.

“We laud this development, as Mindanao products bound for export will become more competitive in the world market,” said Vicente Lao, chair of the Mindanao Business Council.

He added that imported raw materials that are needed for production in Mindanao will also become cheaper due to the anticipated cuts in shipping costs.

The Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), an annual gathering of the region’s key business leaders has been pushing for the approval of the amendments to the Cabotage Law. The Mindanao Exporters Congress (MEC), a regular assembly of Mindanao export industry stakeholders has also been urging the Aquino Government to approve the amendments to the law.

A discussion on the


approved amendments will be conducted today and Friday as the MEC reconvenes for a three-day congress here in this city at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center.

“This is a good move of the Aquino administration, and we welcome this development as it will foster competition among domestic shipping companies in the country,” said Ferdinand Marañon, president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) – Davao in a news statement. Marañon, a key convenor of the MEC added the new law will pave way for lower shipping costs since logistics costs are expected to drop.

“This will give big contributions to the country’s economic activity, which in the long run will reinforce sustainable growth and development of the Filipinos,” he said.


Fruits are good source of nutrition for children, says Nutrition Officer

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Fruits are good sources of nourishment for the children and adults, alike, and involving children in the “Prutas sa Kinaiyahan (PAK)” Project will instil in their young minds the values of production and caring for the environment.

by City Information Office

This was emphasized by Lelita G. Navarez, City Nutrition Action Officer (CNAO), during the signing of the pledge of commitment for the PAK implementation at the recent Nutrition


Somehow, this would be the effect after the bursting of 24-inch blue pipe of Iligan city’s water line at Barangay Suarez, last July 16, which caused some leaks, and might be the source of bacteria contamination.

It took three days to fix and connect the pipe, and at the moment, some areas affected still experience low water supply. Hence, Dr. Cherlina Canaveral, city health officer, reminds the consuming public to

Health office warns public of water contamination in Iligan

ILIGAN CITY -- City health office of Iligan has warned the public that a diarrea or loss bowel movement might occur due to water contamination.

by Lorry V Gabule

Advocacy Conference for School Administrators on the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity,’ here. The conference was part of the month-long activities of the July National Nutrition Month focused on the theme: “Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Nutrisyon at Ehersisyo (Achieve Normal Weight Through Proper Nutrition and Physical Activity). Meanwhile, Navarez said a yearly reward system is designed by the PAK to recognize those pupils with alive plants as Green Thumb Awardees, who will be

given medals and cash, during schools culmination and as soon as the trees will bear fruits and the pupils reach graduation in the elementary. Signatories of the PAK included Parojinog representing the local government unit (LGU), Dr. Rebonfamil R. Baguio, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Division of Tangub City, Rolando E. Neri, City Director, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Ferdinand P. Jalalon, Office of the City Agriculturist.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Outstanding achievements in both traditional and non-traditional missions have won for the Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 10, Philippine Air Force (PAF), based here, the “TOG of the Year” Award for 2015.

TOG-10 wins the “TOG of the Year” Award for 2015

“This, as the unit’s performances are reflected in its lifelong investment of sincere service and dedication to the country, and winning the hearts and minds of the people in pursuit of national development and everlasting peace,” Lt. Col. Leo Fontanilla, TOG-10 Group Commander, said. Composed of men and women of PAF in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region, TOG-10 includes units from the 723RD SPOW, 505TH SRG, 300TH AISG, 900TH AFWG, 8TH ARCEN and the contingent from the 15TH SW, who have worked together in

unison to attain its desired output and outstandingly performed its plans and programs for Calendar Year (CY) 2014, Fontanilla said. Meanwhile, as recognition for its collective effort, all TOG-10 officers and enlisted personnel were awarded with the Military Merit Medal or “Triple M” Award, for which the unit was awarded the Commanding General (CG), PAF Streamer for TOG Category, CY 2014 during the PAF’s 67th Founding Anniversary, early, this month. Another display of TOG-10’s solidarity and collected efforts was recognized with all

keep watch of water discoloration flowing from the faucet after the repair was done. “Though the Iligan City Waterworks System (ICWS) gives assurance to put water

disinfectant, the most we can do is to boil the water for 15 minutes, to avoid bacterial disease of the newly water supply after the repair was done,” said Dr. Canaveral.


its personnel awarded with the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge for the security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster efforts during the Zamboanga Siege in September, the Central Visayas earthquake in October, and the Eastern Visayas onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in November of 2013. Meanwhile, TOG-10’s demonstration of excellence was also manifested with the recognition of TSg Abel Lim Idusma, PAF, Acting Group Sgt Major, with the Outstanding Community and Public Service during the “Balik Fernando” Alumni Homecoming. Relatedly, the Group was also adjudged as the Tactical Group Operations of the Year 2013-2014 during the 3rd Air

Division’s Founding Anniversary on April 1, 2014. It also received the “Tagapagtanggol ng Kalikasan Award” Plaque from the Cooperative D e v e l o p m e n t Authority (CDA), for efforts, exemplary p e r f o r m a n c e and outstanding

act in capacitating vulnerable communities by way of conducting trainings on disaster risk reduction and safeguard mechanisms in facing life threatening circumstances. The same award acknowledged TOG-10’s strong support for cooperatives, civil society, government and non-government organizations (GO’s/NGO’s) in the protection of the environment to have an ecological integrity. In relation to civil military operation (CMO) activities, the unit has also received 14 Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition from the different Local Government and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units. (TOG-10/PAF/PIA-10)


r DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – The prov-ince of Davao del got the highest rank as the most competi-tive province in the country in this year’s National Competitive-ness Council’s Cities and Municipalities Index (CMCI). The result was based on a perfor-mance assessment of 1,120 local govern-ment units (LGUs) as to the programs they implemented to im-prove economic dy-namism, government efficiency and infra-structure competitive-ness in their respec-tive areas. The provincial ranking is a new fea-ture for this year’s CMCI and Davao del Sur is the first prov-ince to receive this award under the pro-vincial category.

In his utmost desire to transform Davao del Sur as the best investment hub in the South, Gover-nor Claude Bautista has undertaken bold steps to establish in-frastructure projects to back up the current investment activities in the area. The infrastruc-ture projects include improvement of road networks in the rural areas and enhance-ment of support to agricultural infrastruc-ture facilities to im-prove farm outputs. Gov. Bautista’s remarkable support to rice enhancement program also led the province to receive an award as one of the best rice performing province in the coun-try for 2014. His initiatives to enhance public health

Davao del Sur ranks 1st as the Most Competitive Province


DOH-XI to immunize 150,000 young students

DAVAO CITY– The Department of Health (DOH-XI) is set to give free vaccination shots to about 150,000 students from public schools in the entire Davao Re-gion from August 10 to August 30 this year.

The immunization, however, will only be limited to Grades 1, 4 and 7, DOH-XI medical specialist Dr. Raquel Montejo said during Tuesday’s partners meeting on School-Based Ado-lescent Immuniza-tion Program held in the city.

Vaccines for the prevention of measles-rebulla, tetanus tox-oid and diphtheria (MRTD) are ready to be administered to more than 56,000 Grade 1 pupils and about 86,000 Grade 7 high school students, regardless of age.

care programs and efficiency on hospital services for the poor also generated national awards for the province from the Depart-ment of Health. The National Competitive-ness Council initiated this pro-gram, aligned with the goal to improve the country’s overall competitiveness, through col-laborative ef forts between the national and localgovernment agencies, and the public and pri-vate sectors. For this year, the Province of

Cebu got the third place, Prov-ince of Misamis Oriental got the second place, and the province of Davao Del Sur was awarded the most competitive province for 2015. The Competitiveness award was given during the 3rd Re-gional Competitiveness Summit held at PICC on July 16, 2015 with about 2,000 delegates from Local Government Units all over the country, national agencies and private organizations. (PGO-Davao del Sur)

By: Carina L. Cayon


More than 6,000 Grade 4 fe-male students, aged 9 to 13 years old, in the province of Davao Ori-ental will have the privilege to be immunized of the human papil-loma virus (HPV). Davao Oriental is among the 26 poorest of the poor prov-inces prioritized to be piloted of the HPV vac cination intended for Grade 4 female students. “The HPV vaccine is more effective to be given to females aged 9 to 13 years because it’s usually the period of the first menstruation and before they become sexually active,” Mon-tejo explained, adding that the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer. She said the school-based adolescent immunization will be the first time to be conducted nationwide for a larger popula-tion of young students, aimed at eradicating cases of measles and preventing diseases like re-bulla, tetanus and diphtheria. She said the country is aiming to achieve a 95 percent eradication of measles by 2018. As of 2014, there is still an outbreak of measles in the country and globally, Montejo admitted. “The immunization activity in schools this August will pro-

vide access to broader popula-tion and will give convenience to parents and adolescents,” she stated. Montejo clarified though that the students will not be forced to receive the vaccine shots, saying that the imple-menting guidelines under DOH Department Memorandum No. 2013-0168 requires parental notification and consent for the students to be vaccinated. The regionwide immuniza-tion activity is in close coordi-nation with the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the 67 local government units in Davao Region. Montejo bared that DOH-XI got the allocation of P9 million for the implementation of the School-Based Adolescent Immu-nization Program in the region this year. She said the nationwide im-munization of adolescents will become a yearly activity starting 2015. In 2013, Grade 7 to Grade 10 students from public schools in Davao City were the first to receive free vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus and diphtheria (Td) diseases.


5 SOCCSKSARGEN LGUs recognized among most competitive in PHLBy:Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 23 -- Five local government units in SOCCSKSARGEN were named most competitive in the country.

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) in the Philippines listed South Cotabato 4th in the Top 10 Provinces in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index


while Cotabato City ranked 4th in Top 10 Component Citites

It also recognized Kabacan and Midsayap in North Cotaba-to and Polomolok in South Co-tabato 4th, 8th and 10th most competitive municipalities in the country.

This annual ranking of cities and municipalities in the Phil-ippines was developed by the National Competitiveness Coun-cil through the Regional Com-petitiveness Committees (RCCs) with assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It its website, the NCC ex-

plained that the overall cometitive-ness score and the ranking was based on three main fac-tors: economic dy-namism, govern-ment efficiency and infrastructure.

Economic Dyna-mism, it explains, is usually associated with activities that create stable ex-pansion of business and industries and higher employment.

Indicators include size and growth of local economy

as measured through business registrations, capital, revenue and permits; capacity to gener-ate employment; cost of living; cost of doing business; financial deepening and presence of busi-ness and professional organiza-tions.

Government efficiency refers to the quality and reliability of government services and sup-port for effective and sustain-able productive expansion.

It is shown in transparen-cy and economic governance scores in local governance per-formance management system,


ratio of LGU-collected tax to LGU revenues, LGU competition-relat-ed awards, business registry efficiency, in-vestment promotion, compliance to national directives for LGUs, security, health and education.

Infrastructure “re-fers to the physical building blocks that connect, expand and sustain a locality and its surroundings to enable the provision of goods and services.”

This covers existing road networks, distance from city/municipality center to major ports, DOT-accredited accom-modations, health infrastruc-ture, education infrastructure, availability of basic utilities, an-nual investment in infrastruc-ture, connection of ICT, number of ATMs and number of public transport vehicles.

“We are very proud of the per-formance of our local govern-ment units, having this number of LGUs that made it to the top of the Competitiveness Index this year,” said Josephine Leysa, as-sistant regional director of the Department of the Interior and

Local Government in SOCCSK-SARGEN Region in an interview.

“The mere fact that 100 per-cent of our LGUs have partici-pated in the Competitiveness Index is already something to be very proud of, a proof that LGUs in SOCCSKSARGEN Region believe that they are business-friendly,” she added.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region or Re-gion 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani; the cities of General Santos City, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato and 45 munici-palities.

In 2014, Isulan in Sultan


DOST 12 Halal lab logo seen to boost PHL Halal sectorBy:Danilo E. Doguiles

Kudarat and Polomolok ranked 7th and 8th in the overall com-petitiveness index.

Leysa emphasized that the competitiveness index “is a chal-lenge to the LGUs in SOCCSK-SARGEN Region as the country joins in the ASEAN Integration. Our LGUs should be show that

they can be preferred destina-tions for investments.”

For example, she elaborat-ed “LGUs should be able to streamline their business permit and licensing system to attract more investors.” (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 23-- The Halal logo of the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST 12) will enhance the marketability of Halal products of the coun-try, an official of the agency said.

“Right information and genuine labels are what general consum-ers of today, local and foreign, look into products. Much more for Halal consumers where product integrity is of utmost concern,” Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST 12 regional director em-phasized in a statement.

Laidan emphasized that the DOST 12 has capacitated and strengthened its Halal Laboratory in Cotabato City to avoid avoid doubts and address uncertainties especially in the food value and supply chains .

She added that the said lab-oratory “is dedicated for genuine food and selected non-food prod-uct testing and accordingly for au-thentic Halal product labeling.”

Halal involves both Shariah Law/ Islamic Principles and Sci-ence. Halal products as symbol of quality produce are in demand both in the Muslim and the non-Muslim world. Products Certified Halal therefore implies wider and larger global markets.

On June 3, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation- Stan


dards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (OIC-SMIIC) has granted permission to DOST 12 to adopt the former’s Unified Global Halal Standards.

At the same international event, the Philippine Halal As-sembly, DOST 12 also launched the DOST XII Philippine Halal Lab-oratory Logo.

“The launching marked not just our readiness to assist our local manufacturers and exporters but also accentuated our commitment to boost up the Philippine Halal Sector”, Laidan said.

The DOST XII Halal Laborato-ry Logo, she stressed, is a sym-bol of quality which indicates and confirms a product bearing it as 100% pure (Halal) and whole-some (Thayyib).

“The logo is our immediate re-sponse to address issues on prod-uct label ambiguities and our preliminary adherence to ‘One Standard, One Logo, and One Test’ rule for worldwide acceptance of Halal products,” Dr. Laidan said.

“The Halal sector has long been in existence in the country but hardly felt and not thriving all through the years.

“Our country, despite its poten-tial to produce Halal food for con-sumption and for export failed to tap the huge market value of Halal in the world market”, she added.

The introduction of the said logo

was expected to create an impact, promoting the acceptance of Phil-ippine-made Halal products to the international market.

Apparently, Halal laboratory is crucial especially for a non-Islam-ic country like the Philippines to gain the trust and confidence of Halal consumers. The laboratory increases the integrity of locally-made halal products and credibil-ity of certifying bodies and local halal product-manufacturers, pro-ducers, and processors both for domestic consumption and export trading.

“We cannot assure that a par-ticular product is Halal using only our naked eyes or senses,” Laidan said.

“With the complexities in the in-dustry, only through testing and analyses in our Halal laboratory can we guarantee that products claimed as Halal are what they claim to be without contamination or adulteration.”

Quality Management Systems including food safety and trace-ability are pre-requisites of the Unified Halal Standards.

DOST 12’s Quality Management System is Certified ISO 9001:2008 and its Physico-Chemical and Mi-crobiological Laboratories are ISO/ IEC 17025 .

Accredited, thus according to the regional director, it would


be easy for DOST 12 to imple-ment and assure compliance of its processes to the Unified Halal Standards including operational conformity of its Halal laboratory.

DOST 12 Halal Laboratory is currently equipped with state-of the-art facilities and manned by skilled and proficient Muslim chemists and microbiologists.

As to the issue of certification and accreditation, Laidan claimed that DOST being a government entity has competent authority and as per guidelines in the Uni-fied Global Halal Standards and can perform Halal Certification for Technical Regulation and Ac-creditation of Laboratories.

“For the meantime that the country’s Accreditation and Cer-tification Systems on Halal are not yet in placed and most Halal certification bodies have issues on competence and credibility, DOST 12 is open to serve and assist local manufacturers and exporters to ascertain whether their products are totally Halal or contaminated/ haram,” she elaborated.

“Given that our laboratory logo is a symbol of quality, acquiring such, affixed to a product is tan-tamount to obtaining Halal Cer-tification acceptable worldwide,” Dr. Laidan pointed out.

She made it clear that DOST 12, being manned by both de-voted Islam and competent Mus-lim scientists, holds credibility beyond question where Halal-ness of product can no way be compromised- a crucial stand for maintaining and sustaining prod-uct integrity.

“Integrity, remember, is the cornerstone of the Halal industry. Halal is a sensitive phenomenon involving not just the economic benefit of the whole country and preference of a growing number of non-Muslims for health and other reasons, but above all, the welfare of the 10 million Muslims and billions from the rest of the world noting that Halal is fardhu kifaya (obligatory) and a quality way of life to all of Islamic faith.

“The only way we can there-fore protect, develop and boost our Halal sector is by establish-ing, proving and promoting our product integrity which again, can only be made possible with reliable Halal Certification pro-cess or reliable product testing and plant assessment carried out by competent and credible agency/ institution,” Laidan said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOST 12)


New 15RCDG commander assumes post

BUTUAN CITY – New Group Commander of the 15th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) Col. Maning Tawantawan of the Philippine Army accepted on Wednesday his new position during the turn-over of command ceremony at the 15RCDG headquarters in Barangay Bancasi, this city.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


Outgoing 15RCDG officer-in-charge LTC Ramonit Rivera delivered his speech and signed the relinquishment orders. He also expressed his thanks and gratitude to all his comrades for the friendship and companionship in all its operations. The said event was graced and presided by Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) Commander BGen. Paolo Leo Ma Miciano. Some media partners were also in attendance. “Nothing is permanent in this world, and change is the only constant thing that we know. There might be changes but that change is for good and for the betterment of the organization. We acknowledge the efforts of

LTC Rivera and I am very willing and committed to be of service in the 15RCDG,” articulated Tawantawan. Tawantawan, further emphasized that he believed in the saying ‘You reap what you sow.’ “That is why we should be responsible in everything that we do in life. When we do good things, we will also receive good things. We must also give our best in whatever we do especially if we know we are doing it for our people,” he expressed. The event ended with a simple fellowship by the officials of the 15RCDG with their families and the media.


Fallen SAF 44 member’s bro, now a TESDA Specialista

BUTUAN CITY, – The brother of one of the Fallen Special Action Force (SAF) member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now finally a certified TESDA Specialista.

By: Catalina O. Tacubao

Joel Inocencio, a resident of Bonbon, this city successfully got his National Certificate (NC-II) in Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO)-Wheel Loader after passing the mandatory assessment. He is the fourth in the family while the late SPO1 Lover Inocencio came next to him.

The older Inocencio underwent training on HEO-Wheel Loader NC II under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) at the Butuan City Manpower Training Center (BCMC). It can be recalled that on February this year, Joel visited Technical Education and Skills


Development Authority (TESDA) - Caraga regional office after he was informed by a TESDA employee in Central Office that Sec. Joel Villanueva is directing all regional and provincial offices in the country to give assistance to family members and relatives of the fallen SAF 44. During his visit, TESDA-Caraga regional director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. immediately award the Scholarship Commitment to him and immediately arranged for the schedule of his training. After making such arrangement with the Butuan Manpower Training Center (BMTC), an LGU-funded training center of this city, the older Inocencio immediately started

the training and passed the mandatory assessment on June 21, 2015. At present, he is employed as a Foreman at the Ruin Construction in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

In an earlier interview, Inocencio said the skills he will acquire from the training will somehow be a big help not only to him but more importantly to the family of his fallen younger brother Lover as he vowed to support them financially.

He likewise acknowledged the support of TESDA for him to have been certified as an NC-II holder in the said qualification.


ECC Caraga conducts meat processing skills training to 7 PWRDs By: Olga Virginia A. Demata

BUTUAN CITY - Seven persons with work-related disability (PWRDs) in Caraga region were recently granted the first Skills Training on Meat Processing for the PWRDs in the region spearheaded by the Employees’ Compenation Commission (ECC) held at the Butuan Manpower Training Center in Langihan, this city.

Skills Training is necessary for knowledge in certain things and then improvement to what has been learned and eventually for competitive development. This is why skills training is very important

in a business aspect. One of the ECC benefits is the provision of livelihood assistance through skills training. And with this activity, the PWRDs in Caraga were given opportunity to learn


how to make Longganisa and Tocino at home. This will be the start of their entrepreneurial abilities that could be the door to get back to the mainstream of the society and provide for their families. “This training has given me and my family an opportunity to gain extra money for our daily life. It will be very advantageous for me even if this could be a small time business only. I really appreciate ECC’s service to the workers with

disabilities,” said Roberto Miole Jr., one of the beneficiaries of the said training. Apart from him, other beneficiaries were Renato P. Bugwat, Richard P. Estrella, Ruben G. Catig. Leo E. Piquero, Alan L. Madridano and Eleonar P. Brillo. Most of these PWRDs were not able to return back to work after the incidents that happen to them.


TITAY, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Local Government Unit of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay recently granted cash assistance to poor but deserving students to enable them to attain education and rise above their economic situation.

Lady mayor bats for scholarship programs

By: Rhea Grace A. La Plana

Mayor Maria Esperanza Corazon Rillera awarded the checks to deserving scholars

in the presence of their families at the Municipal hall on July 13, 2015. In a PIA


interview, the lady chief executive said that she is focused in advancing scholarship initiative to help the poor but deserving students who have the potentials and to provide them the opportunity to maximize their competencies. She said this is her pet project which started way back in 2009 when she was still a councilor. Back then, there were only thirty (30) scholars and presently, there are 75 scholars who are college students aside from the high school and elementary grantees. The good mayor said she continues to implement the

scholarship assistance because she saw how these poor but deserving students have been helped in a life changing way. Some of the scholars who had successfully finished college are now working in the LGU while some are applying in the different government agencies.Meanwhile, some have gone to Manila to seek better opportunities in the hope of shaping their careers. Mayor Rillera stressed that she will continue to provide for educational assistance to pave the way for poor yet deserving youth to achieve their dreams.


Thematic symposia on nutrition slated in BalangasanPAGADIAN CITY – In observance of Nutrition Month this July, the Regional Nutrition Anti-Hunger Committee Technical Working Group (RNAHC-TWG) will conduct a thematic symposia on this year’s theme, “TimbangIwastosaTamangNutrisyon at Ehersisyo” at the Day Care Center of Barangay Balangasan,this city on July 28.

By Claro A. Lanipa

Nutrition Program Regional Coordinator Maria del Pilar PamelaTarroza said the activity aims to create in the participants the appreciation of the theme’s focus on keeping a normal body weight through nutrition and physical activities. It will create awareness on the factors that lead to overweight and obesity and their consequences to the health of the individual and community. “Overweight and obesity increase the risk to cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, various forms of cancer and muscoloskeletal disorders like arthritis,” Tarroza said. She added that it also poses risk to having hypertension dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, breathing problem, liver and gallbladder disease. The “10 Kumainments” of the National Nutrition Council will also be launched, as follows: I. Kumain ng iba’tibangpagkain.

II. Saunang 6 months ni baby, breastfeeding lamang; mula 6 months, bigyan din siya ng ibangangkopnapagkain. III. Kumain ng gulay at prutasaraw-araw. IV. Kumainng isda, karne at ibangpagkaingmay protina. V. Uminom ng gatas; kumain ng pagkaingmayamangsa calcium. VI. Tiyakingmalinis at ligtasangatingpagkain at tubig. VII. Gumamit ng Iodized salt. VIII. H i n a y - h i n a y sa maalat, mamantika at matatamis. IX. Panatilihin ang tamang timbang. X. Magingaktibo, Iwasan ang alak; huwag manigarilyo. Expected to attend the symposia are students, parents of school children, teachers, barangay officials and residents, and parent leaders of Pantawid families.

one mindanao - july 23, 2015

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