one mindanao - march 15, 2012

Cover Story

Dumingag leads in organic farming

Roxan Desiree T. OrtalezaWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Thursday, March 15, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 214

page 4

PEMO, partners conduct resource assessment, mapping in tarsier sanctuaryFruto C. Sumagaysay Jr, Central Mindanao

Koronadal City naglaan ng P2.7 M para sa mga atleta ng lungsod 13KJ Navecis, Central Mindanao

PAWB to implement Bird Conservation Project in Lake Mainit

17Arturo M. Cruje, Caraga Region

OMB team visits Dipolog21 Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

Palace nixes support for death penalty revival to deter criminals 8

GSIS to move its art collection to Nat’l Museum Caraga Region

Rubber stakeholders consulted for Reg’l Value Chain Map finalization22Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

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Tangub City vows to develop its tourism industry25Pat Nano , Northern Mindanao

Brgy officials urged to amicably settle boundary disputes28RG Alama, Southern Mindanao

PhilHealth-10 beneficiaries reach 5 million in 201124 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

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PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

Executive 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

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EDITORIAL BOARD

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

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4 Thursday, March 15, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Aiming to become the

organic capital of the Philippines, the municipality of Dumingag leads in practicing Sustainable Organic Agriculture (SOA) in the entire archipelago.

Cover StoryDumingag leads in organic farming

From less than 20 SOA practitioners in the municipality in 1998, the number rose to more than

500 in five years of implementing the SOA program. This was

the result of massive campaigns and

trainings of the local gove rnmen t

in all

barangays. The effort aimed not only to transfer the learning but to make the SOA a way of life of the people. “What we are doing is not just a mere transfer of farming technology, rather it is a way of capacitating the people to work and liberate themselves from the bondage of poverty,” declared Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr.

by Roxan Desiree T. Ortaleza

Thursday, March 15, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

Recognizing its outstanding performance in

practicing SOA, the Mindanao Network for Sustainable

Organic Farming Systems (MINSOFS)

chose Dumingag as congress

h o s t .

Dumingag successful ly hosted the first Mindanao Sustainable Organic Congress and Agro-Eco Tourism Fair last February 19-22, 2012. The congress aimed to build a stronger SOA in Mindanao. SOA enthusiasts, not only from Mindanao but from all over the Philippines attended the congress. The four-day event was graced by the presence of Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Dante Delima, Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Undersecretary Florencia Dorotan of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), among others. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM), the network of champions and advocates of SOA worldwide, also recognized the performance of Dumingag. In the IFOAM, only Dumingag has been accepted as LGU member along with its 25 other member organizations in the country. Mayor Pacalioga has received numerous invitations from different municipalities and agencies to share the best practices and the success


of SOA practice in Dumingag. The popularity of Dumingag was boosted when NAPC made it as a model LGU in eradicating poverty. Moreover, in drawing the organic agriculture roadmap for the LGUs in the country, the Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED), a collaborative program between the governments

of the Phi l ipp ines and Canada, also made Dumingag as a model. The DILG will soon encourage mayors all over the Philippines to visit Dumingag so that they can replicate its outstanding performance in practicing SOA.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino government lauds Science and Technology official for exemplary contributions

The Aquino administration lauded Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano P. Yumul, Jr. who sought optional retirement for his exemplary contributions to the government’s efforts to advance the country’s science and

technology.

During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Yumul was among those who helped to improve the weather forecasting system.

Yumul Jr. served as DOST’s Undersecretary

for Research and Development from January 26, 2006 to March 12, 2012. He also served as Officer-in-Charge of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAG-ASA) since August 2010 in a concurrent capacity until January 2011.

“Certainly he is a big help . . . but we cannot stop him if he would like to pursue other courses at this stage in his life right now. We wish Undersecretary Yumul

8 Thursday, March 15, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Palace nixes support for death penalty revival to deter criminals

Malacañang said it won’t support the

proposals calling for the re-imposition of death penalty in the country despite recent incidence of heinous crimes particularly against women and children.

well in his future career or in his future plan of action,” Lacierda said.

“It is with deep regret that I accept the decision of Undersecretary Graciano P. Yumul, Jr. to seek optional retirement from government service due to personal reasons,” Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo said in a statement read by Lacierda.

“With almost 28 years of service in Government, Undersecretary Yumul’s

career path as professor, scientist, and executive was marked by excellence and dedication and duly recognized by peers from government, academe, and the private sector,” Montejo said.

Montejo said Undersecretary Yumul leaves a rich legacy to the Department of Science and Technology for others to follow and emulate.

“I wish him all the best in his future planned endeavors,” he added.

Yumul, a multi-awarded researcher, teacher, and administrator, earned his BS degree in Geology from University of the Philippines as a scholar of the Bureau of Mines. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Geology majoring in Igneous Petrology at the University of Tokyo. He also took postdoctoral studies as a Fellow at the University of Bretagne Occidentale in France. (JS)


Some groups have made recommendations asking the government to revive the death penalty in the spate of rape cases against children committed either by juveniles or close relatives.

“On the death penalty, our position is that we’re not in agreement in the imposition of the death penalty. Given the present justice system, there is a likelihood that… because of our poor justice system, there is a likelihood that if we impose the death penalty baka yung maling tao, yung walang sala ay baka maparusahan at patawan ng death penalty,” Presidential Spokesman

Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.

Lacierda reiterated that this is the same position that President Benigno S. Aquino III had when he run for the presidency in 2010.

While Lacierda acknowledged that the recent rape cases are a concern, he said that generally there is a downward trend with regards to crime incidence based on police statistics.

Based on the indicators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) the

incidence of crime has gone down, Lacierda stressed as he noted a 24-percent reduction in the overall crime rate in 2011 compared to 2010 record.

“The PNP has been strengthening and improving the crime prevention that is why we address criminal incidence,” he said.

Lacierda also pointed out that the barangays should help in preventing crimes from happening in their respective localities.

With regards to the concern of the Filipino-Chinese businessmen who reported the rising incidence of kidnappings and other crimes in the country, the Presidential Spokesman said that Malacanang will raise the issue to the police leadership.

Despite those reports however, Lacierda said that the peace and order situation in the country remains manageable and investors continue to come to the Philippines to infuse their capital. (AS)


DOST-12 remains ISO 9001:2008 compliantCOTABATO CITY-- The regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-12) passed anew with flying colors the reassessment audit for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008, a top official of the agency announced today.

Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof-Laidan, DOST-12 director, said the regional office’s Quality Management System (QMS) remains compliant to the rigid ISO 9001:2008 standards.

The Certification I n t e r n a t i o n a l Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) recently conducted the surveillance audit on the DOST-12, which first acquired the ISO 9001:2008 certification four years ago.

“This is a validation of DOST-12’s continued implementation of the international QMS standard as an

instrument to further enhance the office’s competitiveness and to meet the needs and expectations of the people,” Dr. Laidan said.

The audit also includes the DOST-12’s Provincial Science and Technology Centers, which are located in four key centers in the region.

Aurelio L. Ebita, CIPI lead auditor, noted that the organization continues to demonstrate a

highly satisfactory implementation of quality management systems compliant to ISO 9001:2008 standards.

The surveillance audit covered DOST-12’s business processes such as the provision of


scientific technology transfer services; S&T promotion and information d i s s e m i n a t i o n ; competence training and awareness; customer satisfaction; customer feedback internal audit, corrective/preventive action, and manage-ment review validation.

The first reassess-ment audit on the DOST 12’s QMS was conducted by CIPI last November 10-

11, during its 3rd year of acquisition of the prestigious certification.

ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a QMS where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product and services that meet customer and applicable regulatory and statutory satis-faction.

Moreover, it aims to continually improve client satisfaction

through the effective application of the system, including pro-cesses for continual improvement.

CIPI is one of the best ISO 9001:2008 standard certifiers, both in the country and abroad, duly accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation System (UKAS). (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/BK Tagitican/DOST-12)


PEMO, partners conduct resource assessment, mapping in tarsier sanctuaryBy Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato– South Cotabato’s Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) and other program partners recently conducted a Community-based Resource Assessment and Mapping (CBRAM) in four sub-villages in Barangay Linan, Tupi to map out the biophysical and cultural resources of an identified tarsier sanctuary in the province.

PEMO, together with the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) and the Tarsier Research and conservation core group, began the CBRAM in January, this year.

The conservation core group is composed of Tupi Tourism, Information and Environment (TIE) Office, the province’s Arts, Culture, Tourism, Sports & Museum (ACTS) Services, Linan Barangay Council and foreign NGO Endangered Species International (ESI).

The resource assessment and mapping was conducted in Purok Bagong Silang, Fortuna, Malipayon and Bayanihan, in which approximately 800 hectares of land area


were included in the survey.

Based on the initial findings of the CBRAM, the team recommended the planting of indigenous species in the target tarsier sanctuary, particularly suitable tree species for the existence of the tarsiers.

Likewise, they recommended the conduct of capability-building training on homestead tourism and ecological tourism for the stakeholders in the community.

“We also suggested

the crafting, if not the strengthening, of local ordinances pertaining to environmental management and protection, and eco-tourism,” Forester Mary Jane of PEMO added.

Putting up of signage in strategic points in the community was likewise suggested in their report.

But the team requested for a validation of the initial data gathered for the CBRAM process.

“The validation may help redefine the boundaries of locations

and maps of the puroks, comparing it with the initially generated maps identified by ESI,” Manlisis further added.

The team also hoped that the validation will also define the areas of the claimants/owners and may encourage them to donate areas for the target tarsier sanctuary.

Aside from Manlisis, the CBRAM report was signed by Rogelio Calmita, PEMO Community Development Officer and Louie Pacardo, AVLDA Project Officer – South Cotabato.

Koronadal City naglaan ng P2.7 M para sa mga atleta ng lungsodKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Nagsimula na noong Marso 8 ang In-house training ng mga atleta para sa Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet.

Ayon kay Dep’Ed MAPEH Education Supervisor Napoleon G. Comicho mayroong inilaang P2.7 milyon na pondo ang pamahalaang panglungsod para sa pangangailangan ng mga atleta tulad na lamang ng kanilang mga uniporme at pagkain.

Ayon sa kanya mayroong 610 na delagado ang

Koronadal sa CRAA meet; 510 rito ay mga atleta at ang naiwang bilang ay kinabibilangan ng mga coaches, chaperon at mga honorary officials.

Aniya target ng Koronadal City na makapasok sa top 3 nang CRAA Meet.

Sa ngayon ay nasa Marbel 5 National High School ang delegado

para sa kanilang in-house traning.

Ang Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet ay magsisimula sa Marso 18 at magtatapos sa Marso 21.

Ang host sa nasabing meet ay ang South Cotabato at Co-host Koronadal City.(KJ Navecis/ PIA 12)


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OCD-Caraga leads Disaster Response Training for gov’t troopsby April Sanchez

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga spearheaded the conduct of a disaster response team training for government troops as part of the disaster preparedness

program of the national government.


The five-day in-house training recently held here aimed to enhance the disaster response capacity of the disaster action team of the Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP). The participants were able to familiarize and have been updated with the basic concepts of search and rescue and rope rescue for Water Search and Rescue (WaSar).

The soldiers were able to demonstrate basic rescue techniques and were brought into light with the effective principles of emergency responses and incident command system principles and features. Th scope of the training included the disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippine Perspectives and its challenges and issues, emergency services and responses, introduction to incident command system, emergency medical action, introduction to flooding, ropes and lines, life saving techniques and rescue boat operation and lastly was the simulation exercises. “Army Core purpose: Serving the people, securing the land”.


PAWB to implement Bird Conservation Project in Lake Mainitby Arturo M. Cruje

Matugas said the project is funded by the Ramsar Regional Center-East Asia Wetland Fund (RRC-EAWF) through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the purpose of wetland conservation and wetland education programs.

The project, according to Matugas, hopes to establish Lake Mainit as a bird sanctuary, determine the boundaries for the mapping of the sanctuary, prepare lake management plan and make the project under

the watch of the PAWB. Migratory birds from

Japan and Siberia seek temporary refuge in Lake Mainit annually during the months from September to February. In the last annual water fowl census conducted by DENR, a total of 23,335 birds were counted with the Tufted Duck having the largest population followed by Egrets, Chinese Pond Herons, Black Headed Gulls and Common Terns.

Lake Mainit Development Alliance, which is chaired by Gov.

Sol Matugas, will be working closely for the said conservation project. Accordingly, the project complements the current development thrust of the alliance which is on the conservation, preservation and protection of Lake Mainit.

Lake Mainit, which is being shared by the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, also carries the distinction of being the deepest lake in the country with maximum depth of 223 meters.

SURIGAO CITY-- The Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) is set to implement a project entitled Lake Mainit Migratory Birds Conservation Project at the country’s fourth largest and Mindanao’s second largest freshwater lake, Gov. Sol Matugas said recently.


The Government Service Insurance System had announced that all its art works including Juan Luna’s ‘Parisian Life,’ will have a new home at the National

Museum within the second semester this year, after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the GSIS and the National Museum of the Philippines.

GSIS to move its art collection to Nat’l Museum

Under the agreement, the GSIS will transfer the management of the GSIS collection to the National Museum “to preserve, maintain, secure and promote the collection... with highest standards of care and

diligence.” The agreement will be effective for five years to start upon the complete transfer of the custody of the GSIS Art Collection from the GSIS to the Museum. According to the

National Museum, the entire north wing of the main exhibition floor of the National Art Gallery, devoted to 20th century and contemporary Filipino art, will be renamed the Government Service


Insurance System Wing. This comprises six exhibition halls and three hallway galleries totaling approximately 1500 square meters of floor area. President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara inspected the prospective Wing that is currently undergoing renovation. The Museum expects the renovation to be completed this July. “It is an impressive location, quite spacious and caters to a wider audience that will now have the opportunity to see and appreciate the GSIS art collection.”

As of December 2011, the GSIS collection comprised 308 pieces of art recorded in its books which include the works of such masters as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Vicente Manansala, HR Ocampo, Bencab, and Federico Alcuaz. Selected art and heritage pieces from the Metropolitan Theater, which the GSIS owns, will also be entrusted to the Museum. The winning entries from the GSIS Art Competitions from 2004 to 2011 will be included in the transfer as well. The

decision of the current GSIS Board of Trustees to transfer the collection to the Museum forms part of the continuing review of the policies of the pension fund. “Preserving and maintaining art works is beyond the mandate of the GSIS as a social insurance institution and insurer of government properties”, Vergara said. “We are happy to partner with the Museum, the principal cultural institution that takes the lead, in preserving and promoting the country’s cultural and artistic legacy.”


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Search for 2012 Model PNP families extended until March 31

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) announces that the submission, acceptance of nominations for the Search for 2012 Model PNP

Families is extended until March 31, 2012.

By Claro A. Lanipa

philheadlines.blogspot.com


The search aims to encourage and strengthen partnership between the community and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by highlighting the PNP’s capability as a leader and partner of the community in the maintenance of peace, order and security for an improved socio-economic system. Moreover, the event will also help build public confidence and support to the police force; help induce positive changes in the environment by serving as role models as well as to emphasize the importance of strong family ties that is consequential to the overall success of preventing crime in communities. The contest criteria is focused on assessing the type of relationship established by the parents with their children and vice versa (i.e., parent-children, children-parents and child sibling relations), social conduct and relationship of each family members with other members of the community which exemplifies ideal Filipino police family behavior,

and involvement of family members in community affairs particularly those that promote socio-civic, spiritual and moral development, as well as community welfare and development. The search is open to all uniformed PNP personnel with legitimate or legally adopted families and/or children, and who have been in the police service for at least 10 years at the time of the search. For family category, the candidate or nominee must be legally married, and living together with his or her spouse for the past 10 years. While for solo parent category, he or she must be a widow/widower or legally separated for at least five (5) years, legally married prior to his or her present status, and was left alone to bring up his or her child/children. Uniformed PNP personnel who have been nominated in the previous year but were not declared as


OMB team visits DipologBy Franklin P. Gumapon

OMB team leader Noel Uy told the press that OMB Chairman Ronald N. Ricketts is waging a no-nonsense campaign against piracy as mandated under Republic Act No. 9239, otherwise known as Optical media Act of 2003. It can be recalled that Ricketts asked the help of Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila to help rid the city especially the Quiapo area of pirated CDs. Most of those selling pirated CDs there are reportedly Muslim vendors. Also, with the help of Muslim leaders in Manila, the vendors voluntarily surrendered their wares.

The OMB team has observed that pirated CDs are not that rampant in Dipolog. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

winners in the national level may be once again nominated. But, national champions, 1st and 2nd runners-up winners of the previous year are no longer eligible for nomination in the succeeding search. The local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and fellow police officers, who are not related within the 3rd degree of consanguinity or affinity, are allowed to nominate the model PNP families. The awarding ceremonies will be

held on the first week of September 2012 in line with the 18th National Crime Prevention Week celebration. The annual Search for Model PNP Families is being implemented by NAPOLCOM, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP and other member-agencies and organizations of the the National Crime Prevention Week Interagency Technical Working Committee (NCPW-TWC). (JPA/CAL/NAPOLCOM-9/PIA Zambo Sur)

DIPOLOG CITY - A team from the Optical Media Board (OMB) was here recently to assess the prevalence of pirated movie CDs being sold in the locality.


Rubber stakeholders consulted for Reg’l Value Chain Map finalization By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Rubber is identified as one of the six regional champion products of Zamboanga Peninsula, with Zamboanga Sibugay as the major producer. The forum gave the stakeholders a view on rubber market opportunities, investment priorities and plans, rubber road map, value chain map analysis, and updates on the National Green Program of the national government. The value chain map aims to identify strengths and weaknesses of the rubber industry and come up with a systematic strategy to improve rubber production and sales by identifying market opportunities. One of the main issues presented during the forum is the inferior quality of rubber due to the use of battery solution as coagulant. Although there were provincial and municipal ordinances passed banning the use of battery solution in processing rubber, there are still wide spread use of it noted. It was

agreed that there should be massive information dissemination to rectify this practice of rubber farmers. The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said it will also open a special course on proper tapping of rubber trees to ensure good harvest and lifespan of rubber trees. The forum which was jointly conducted by the Department of Agriculture-9 and Department of Trade and Industry-9, also emphasized the importance of reforestation under the National Greening Program. DA-9 Regional Executive Director Eduardo Holoyohoy said that while they prioritize rubber as high value crop, it will also address the reforestation requirements in the region. “We are expecting more lands to be planted with rubber. It is one of the best alternatives for reforestation”, Holoyohoy said. (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST/Lowell Vallecer)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least a hundred rubber stakeholders in Western Mindanao recently gathered in the capital town of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay for a consultation to finalize the Regional Value Chain Map for Rubber Crumb.


Xavier University holds “Kalinga ng Sining” for Sendong survivorsby Jorie C. Valcorza Xavier

University, Xavier Center

for Culture and Arts (XCCA), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) held today the “Kalinga ng Sining,” an art therapy and art for transformation activity for typhoon Sendong survivors.

Hobart P. Savior, Director of XCCA said the project gives creative intervention and therapy to the survivors, especially the youth. The “Kalinga ng Sining” project showcases various performances to include the Philippine Madrigal Singers and a string quartet from Manila, with the participation of some 1000 children and teen agers. “In this program we have also aligned activities such as ritual

ceremony, art workshops, children’s showcase as well as feeding,” Savior added. The event takes place in Rodelsa Circle and Xavier Ecoville in Lumbia until tomorrow, March 7.


PhilHealth-10 beneficiaries reach 5 million in 2011 by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office 10 reached an enrolment rate of 86 percent as of December 31, 2011 with total beneficiaries of 5.068 million, 1.662 million of which are registered members while 3.405 million are dependents.

“Northern Mindanao is universally covered because we have surpassed the 85 percent barometer of universal coverage,” said Marlon Niño Arrabaca, head of the Membership and Marketing Section of PhilHealth-10. He also expressed optimism that the figure will continue to grow as they are very aggressive in their enrolment, adding that they have yet to encode some dependents. According to Arrabaca, 58 percent or 960,811 of the registered members are under the Sponsored Program sector while 387,377 are employed members, 217,598 are individually paying members, 29,612 are lifetime members, and 67,211 are under the Overseas Workers Program. On the other hand, total premiums collected for the year

2011 amounted to more than P1.096 billion while total benefits paid for the 335,801 claims exceeded P2.522 billion. In terms of accreditation, the PhilHealth-10 announced that as of December 31, 2011 it has accredited 106 hospitals with 76 hospitals classified as Center of Safety, 28 as Center of Quality, one Center of Excellence and one still under provisional accreditation. Other PhilHealth-accredited health facilities in Northern Mindanao consisted of 76 rural health units/health centers, 10 authorized hospitals, 58 tuberculosis directly observed treatment short-course center, 44 maternity care clinics, one free-standing dialysis clinic, and one ambulatory surgical clinic.

25 Thursday, March 15, 2012 ONE MINDANAOPhoto Credits: PeaceBuildersCommunity

Tangub City vows to develop its tourism industry by Pat Nano

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - Tangub City will continue to develop its tourism industry, following its success of being called the Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines and the conduct of the Christmas Symbols Festival every December.

This was assured by Mayor Philip Tan during the recent celebration of the city’s 44th charter anniversary, who said these developments in the city’s tourism industry has brought a lot of advancement in the lives of the Tangubanons. He said another of its tourism event is the participation of its Sanduloy Dance Troupe’s in the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, held January of every year. Tan said he is positive these events can be well made into potential sources of livelihood for the constituents of the city, especially with its agricultural background, as he compared Tangub to Malaysia, which is known more of its agriculture and tourism than its products. Meanwhile, Tan said that aside from the dance, drama, and artistic talents of its youths which compose the Sinanduloy Dance Troupe, Tangub has also been known for its achievement in sports, particularly, in the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association, where it places sixth among the 14 schools divisions of the region. (PIO)


Disaster preparedness at the barangay level is

seen to rev up as the Philippine National Red Cross (PNTC) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) this year intend to organize barangay-based volunteer groups.

In an interview, Davao del Norte PNRC Administrator Luzviminda Cacacho-Neri targetted 100 barangays where PNRC will organize 143 Red Cross volunteer groups to establish a disaster management mechanism at the community level. PNRC will prioritize barangays located at disaster prone areas, but she said the Red Cross will also be conducting trainings upon requests of barangays which are actively engaging in disaster preparedness. “They will serve as hands, feet, ear and eyes of the organization. In case of disaster, they will inform us immediately and will also facilitate

information (dissemination),” she said in explaining the working relationship of the barangay-based Red Cross volunteers with PNRC. The 143 Red Cross which shortens the expression, “I Love You Red Cross”, is a 44-strong barangay volunteer group composed of nine rescuers, nine health providers,

Davao Norte to intensify brgy disaster preparedness by Jean Abangan


25 standby blood donors and one leader. Before members can fully take on their Red Cross volunteerism, they have to undergo an orientation about Red Cross working principles anchored on “Humanity, Independence, Neutrality, Universality, Voluntary Services and Unity”. Neri said that volunteers should also know the restrictions of using Red Cross uniforms and enblems, aside from learning how to administer first aid and how to conduct rescue operation during disaster Since 2010, PNRC Davao del Norte has conducte 50 orientations on Red Cross, and that it has so far handled first aid training in 20 barangays since 2009. On the other hand, PDRRMC action officer Sonio Sanchez said that the PDRRMC of Davao del Norte this year is eyeing to organize Reduce D’ Risk (RDR) rescue groups in 71 barangays which were partially and totally hit by flashflood occurrences in December last year and in January this year.

Sanchez sees no conflict with the Red Cross initiative because “we will complement what Red Cross has not provided but we see as important in disaster management at the barangay level.” “We need only 10 committed volunteers,” he said in a separate interview. Sanchez saw the need to establish a notification system in barangays located at the upstream areas of Saug and Liboganon rivers monitored to have overflowed causing wide-scale flooding. “So we would have an estimated time when floodwaters would hit the low lying areas,” he explained.Upstream barangays he eyed to prioritize are Gupitan, Semong and Florida in Kapalong town; Palma Gil in Talaingod; Sagayen in Asuncion; and Igangon in San Isidro. Sanchez, however, emphasized that the PDRRMC will be working closely with the local disaster risk reduction management in conducting series of training in barangays.

facts and figures

75 years since the founding of the city of Davao on March 1, 1937.


Brgy officials urged to amicably settle boundary disputesDAVAO CITY- Barangay officials in Davao City are being urged to settle boundary disputes amicably and on their own so the city would no longer resort to expensive boundary surveys to fix the problem. City Planning and Development Office chief Roberto Alabado III said that it costs around P27-million for a citywide barangay boundary survey undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that would delineate their respective boundaries. He said that most of the city’s 180 barangays have boundary disputes with each other He said that for example, in the city’s District 2, only one barangay has no boundary dispute. The rest have issues of overlapping territories with neighboring barangays. However for District 1 they expect lesser disputes since the boundaries are defined by roads and national highways unlike Districts 2 and 3 whose territories often follows topography and land form. He said some of the barangays are still dependent on mohon or demarcation marks for their boundaries. Alabado said that the resolution of boundary conflicts

can help businesses and residents living within disputed areas. He said that barangay territories have bearing on the IRA or internal revenue allotment for each barangay since the IRA is determined by the size of the barangay. The city with the help of DENR is researching on old ordinances which have created the barangays; these ordinances were crafted in the Sangguniang Panglungsod which is the body that has the power to fix these barangay boundaries. Alabado said that many of the disputes would crop up during barangay elections and tax mapping operations. (PIA/RG Alama)

one mindanao - march 15, 2012

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