one mindanao - march 5, 2014

Kids play major role in the revision of South Cotabato Children’s CodeDanilo E. Doguiles CENTRAL MINDANAO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 133

No overseas Filipino worker situated in Crimea, Palace says

NATIONAL

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CARAGA REGION

NORTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO WESTERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

ARMM

Fire incidence in Dipolog dips

Fun Run kicks off Comval’s Bulawan Festival celebration

RanaoComNet inducts officers, directors

Lanao del Sur opens 2nd district engineering headquarters

5 rubber cooperatives to receive SSF equipment

Talacogon fire station observes annual fire prevention celebration

Tandag City bares activities for International Women’s Day

SSS tells OFWs, self-employed, voluntary members to settle underpayments

LTO-Gensan rated “Excellent” in 2013 ARTA

DTI-Misamis Occidental identifies priority industry clusters for SSF in 2014

Solon calls on brgys to convene anti-drug abuse councils

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34 37 39

31

18 19

14 15

25

26

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CdeOSP

Alfonso T. Ruda

Rey Antibo

Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Emmanuel D. Taghoy

Danilo E. Doguiles

Danilo E. Doguiles

Venus L. Garcia

Nida Grace P. Barcena

Information to Empower Filipinos

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Kids play major role in the revision of South Cotabato Children’s Code

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Kids play major role in the revision of South Cotabato Children’s Code

The provincial government of South Cotabato is currently

reviewing a draft of a code that could replace its 2001 Children’s Code.

Notably, the draft of the 2014 Children’s Welfare Code of South Cotabato was formulated with inputs coming from 8 to 13-year old children representing different sectors. Floyd Maglangit, program manager of adolescent development and gender advocacy and focal person of the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) recounted, the move to revise the first Children’s Code started in August 23 when the PCPC Secretariat decided a revised Code is necessary to suit it to new laws related child protection

and welfare. “A twist on the original processes came when Save the Children International – South Central Mindanao Program Office (an NGO member of the PCPC) expressed desire to take a bigger role on the full-blown development of a draft of the new code,” Maglangit side. Meanwhile, Leah Saba-Gabucan, Save the Childrens’ program coordinator for South Cotabato, explained they wanted more profound participation in the process because of their bias for children’s participation.

By Danilo Doguiles

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“Save the Children lobbied with the provincial government, accentuating that the process should involve that not only the adult perspective but more especially the ideas of the rights holder, which are the children,” Gabucan said. Save the Children also introduced to the provincial government the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), a non-government government organization to provide legal aid in the crafting of the new code. The approval of the PCPC to involve children in the preparation of the draft led to a writeshop of children representatives on November 20 – 21. Eighty-nine children representing indigenous peoples, Muslims, Christians, out-of school children, in-school children, children with disabilities and special concerns were invited participate in the crafting of a new code. For two day, Gabucan said, the children “walked through the 2001 Children’s Code, examining it section by section” and discussed among themselves the issues and relevance of each item to them as children, which were used as bases for their suggestions and the recommendations. The two-day sessions were

also facilitated by trained youths. Although some adult PCPC members were present at the writeshop, they only stayed on the background as co-facilitators. On December 3 -6 members of the PCPC held a follow-up writeshop to prepare the draft that would be submitted to South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes. Said draft featured 45 salient and points that would ensure protection of children, including development of a comprehensive program on violence against children, establishment of partnership with child-care facilities, promotion of positive violence, control on children’s exposure to commercial video games and similar games, prohibition of worst forms of child labor and regulation of employment of children. Establishment of a transition and rehabilitation home for children in conflict with law, strengthening of protocols on evacuation of children

during armed conflict, disasters, and calamities, establishment of children and family psycho-social program, and many others. “More or less 50 percent of the salient points incorporated in the draft of the new code came from the children,” Gabucan estimated. Fanny Divino, program manager of Save the Children-South Cental Mindanao told Philippine Information Agency, said this is the first time that the Save the Children has fully

partnered with a local government

unit for the crafting of a children’s welfare code. “We are very lucky that the provincial government of South Cotabato is very supportive of our efforts,” she said. She added, the same partnership will also be showcased in Sarangani Province and Sultan Kudarat as well as in municipalities

where they have projects and programs. Yesterday, South Cotabato Board Member Ellen Grace Subere-Albios, who also chairs the Committee on Women and Children of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan confirmed Gov. Fuentes has already directed the province’s legal office to review the draft and may be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan soon. “We are very grateful to Save the Children for this long-term help that

would guide the provincial government regarding policies and programs that would be enforced for the welfare of our children,” she said. Albios hopes the proposal could be transmitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan within March for its enactment around June, 2014.

7 MARCH 2014 | PAGE

Palace: Lifestyle check for President, Cabinet members superfluous

The Palace wIl not entertain the call of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. for a lifestyle check for the President and his Cabinet

members because it has nothing to prove, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Across the Nation

Instead he advised the lawmaker being implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel scam to strengthen his case and answer the allegations against him.

“Does it improve his credibility? Will it improve his credibility? Well, let us say all of

us passed a lifestyle check, will it improve his credibility? It doesn’t. It’s irrelevant. So what is the point?” he asked during a press briefing at the Palace Wednesday.

“I think the point is, the most important thing is, sagutin na lang niya yung issue.

8 MARCH 2014 | PAGE

Huwag na lang siyang mandamay. Ang maganda siguro pandayin niya nang husto yung kaso niya. Stick to the case. Answer the issues against him and that’s it.”

Reacting to the call of another senator who wants a fast trial for those involve in the scam, Lacierda said prosecuting those officials relies on the pace set by the country’s judicial system, in this case, on the Sandiganbayan.

The lawmaker fears that those involved will be off the hook once the

next administration assumes power so this should be resolved before the President steps down in 2016.

“This is where the separation of powers is very, very clear. We don’t have control over the pace of the cases. Would we like the cases be resolved as in any case, as the other cases we have filed under this administration? Certainly, we would like them resolved under this administration. PND (as)

No overseas Filipino worker situated in Crimea, Palace says

No Filipino is either working or living at the center of Ukraine’s ongoing political upheaval, Malacañang told

reporters Wednesday, following the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issuance of crisis alert level 2 in the said country.

9 MARCH 2014 | PAGE

Citing information from Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said about 172 Filipinos are currently in Ukraine, but none of them are based in the Crimean peninsula where violent protests against the Ukrainian government continue.

“They (overseas Filipino workers in Ukraine) are not situated in the Crimean peninsula. They are situated in Kiev. As you know, Kiev is more than 800 kilometers from the Crimean peninsula,” Lacierda said in a press briefing.

“Nonetheless, we wanted to be sure that they are safe, so the DFA issued the (crisis) alert (level) 2. Hopefully, as with the recent statements of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, things would hopefully cool down in Ukraine.”

Both the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and DFA have already issued separate statements, strongly advising Filipinos working in Ukraine for possible evacuation in the event tensions in the Crimean peninsula escalate in other parts of the troubled European country.

Reports say that most of the OFWs deployed in Ukraine were in administrative and managerial positions, and about 30 are service workers. The DOLE remains in close contact with the DFA in monitoring

the situation there.The Philippine government has also

joined other nations in calling on all concerned parties to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means.

10MARCH 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Palace welcomes developments on Maguindanao massacre case trial

Malacanang welcomed the developments in the Maguindanao massacre case trial as the prosecution rested its case, at least on 28

of the accused in the brutal killings.“We’re certainly pleased that we’ve

moved a step ahead. This has always been a concern for us. I think based on the SWS surveys that’s one of our

medyo mahina ang points, although time and again we’ve stated that we don’t have control over the pace of the case in the Maguindanao


case trial,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang Wednesday.

The latest development is a big step for the government; that prosecution has rested its case insofar as some of the respondents or the accused are concerned.

As the defense starts to present evidence, the Palace official said he is sure that the prosecution is ready to cross examine the witnesses for the accused.

Asked how hopeful the Palace is of convicting people within the President’s term, Lacierda said Malacanang is as hopeful as Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in seeing convictions by 2016.

“The Maguindanao trial has been what we’ve called the ‘trial of the century.’ This is something that we look forward to. It’s something that happened right during the campaign and we were also aghast and so shocked of what happened there,” he said.

“Certainly, we want a closure; we want an outcome there in the Maguindanao trial case. And we certainly would hope that it would come in 2016.”

While the Palace has this optimism, Lacierda emphasized that

the pace of the case is beyond the control of the Executive branch, as it lies on the judicial system.

The Maguindanao massacre is known to be among the deadliest attack on the media in the country with 32 of 58 people killed being journalists. PND


One-Stop-Shop Building in progressGENERAL SANTOS CITY City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (extreme right), City Engineer Francisco Provido, City Administrator Atty. Arnel Zapatos and Office of the Building Official head Engr. Juan Marco Antonio Reyes study the blueprint of the One-Stop-Shop Building of the city gov-ernment Monday, March 03. According to Engr. Reyes, the One-Stop-Shop is expected to be fin-ished before the end of 2014 and would be fully operational in January 2015. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)


LIBUNGAN, North Cotabato —The Department of Agriculture 12 (DA 12) through the Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP) has recently com-pleted a 13.2-kilometer road concreting project Barangay Kapayawi, this city.

DA-MRDP completes 13.2 km road concreting project in NorthCotBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said that included in the project is the construction of the 20 linear meter single lane bridge and a box culvert.

Datukan also revealed that the project costs P37,854,735.32.

“The Kapayawi-Bao road concreting project is among the projects lined up by the MRDP for the whole Region 12.

“MRDP has allotted P4.519 billion for SOCCSKSARGEN Region which is intended for the concreting and construction of roads, bridges and irrigation system,” she explained.

Datukan stated that the road concreting project will be turned over on Friday to be graced by DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of North Cotabato and the local government unit of Libungan expressed gratefulness on DA-MRDP’s initiative in implementing such project which is very helpful to the residents of the province.

According to the DA 12 regional executive director, on the same date, the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) will be introduced to the people as a replacement for the MRDP.

Datukan also emphasized that on the occasion, six infrastructure projects will be turned over to North Cotabato.

These include the: rehabilitation of Pisan Communal Irrigation System in Kabacan; rehabilitation of Upper Mingading-Lower Mingading farm to market road and the Katalicanan-Upper Mingading-Tomado farm to market road in Aleosan; rehabilitation of Upper Bulanan-Sitio Bayabas farm to market road in Midsayap; rehabilitation of Poblacion-Cabangbangan-Natipukan farm to market road in President Roxas; and the rehabilitation of the Malire-Tiwanan farm to market road in Antipas. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta-Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


COTABATO CITY -- The Social Security System (SSS) office here are reminding its overseas Filipino worker, self-employed, and voluntary members to settle any contributions underpayment to ensure that their monthly premiums for January 2014 are aligned with the SSS Contribution Schedule.

SSS tells OFWs, self-employed, voluntary members to settle underpaymentsBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Sukarno Pendaliday, branch head of SSS-Cotabato City, explained in a statement sent to Philippine Information Agency 12, that underpayments were due to monthly contributions that were paid in advance and based on the old SSS contribution rate of 10.4 percent and maximum monthly salary credit (MSC) of P15,000.

Starting January 2014, the contribution rate has increased by 0.6 percent to 11 percent, while the maximum MSC is currently P16,000.

Affected members include those who made advance payments prior to the announcement of the new SSS Contribution Schedule – such as self-employed and voluntary members –as well as members unaware of changes in the amount of contributions that took effect starting this year.

Self-employed and voluntary members who paid at the minimum MSC of P1,000 would have an underpayment of P6.00 per month.

As for affected OFW-members who paid contributions based on their minimum MSC of P5,000, their underpayment would amount to

P30.00 per month.Pendaliday added that members

may settle underpayments at any SSS branch with tellering facilities, which are open from Mondays to Saturdays, or in any of our accredited local banks.

They must use the SSS Form RS-5 and indicate that the amount paid is intended for settling their underpayment for the specified applicable months.

Affected self-employed, voluntary and OFW members with payments above the minimum MSC may opt to pay the corresponding increase in contributions to retain the posting of their payments at the same MSC. Otherwise, their contributions will be posted at the applicable lower MSC.

Members are also advised to immediately settle underpayments and put their contribution records in order to avoid issues arising from ‘out-of-bracket’ payments.

The MSC, which relates to the amount of the member’s monthly income covered by contributions, serves as a major basis for computation of benefits and loanable amounts.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The General Santos City District Office of the Department of Land Transportation (LTO) 12 has made it to the list of 168 government services offices nationwide rated “Excellent” on client satisfaction.

Members can view the new SSS Contribution Schedule and the SSS Advisory showing the list of underpayment amounts per MSC at the SSS Website (www.sss.gov.ph).

Various SSS forms, including the RS-5 Form needed for settling contribution underpayments, are also downloadable from the SSS Website. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

LTO-Gensan rated “Excellent” in 2013 ARTABy Danilo E. Doguiles

The rating, according to Director Teresita Antolin of the Civil Service Commission –Cotabato City Field Of-fice, was based on the results of the 2013 Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) Report Card Survey (RCS) results.

Director Antolin explained all of-fices and agencies of the government providing frontline services were sub-jected to a Report Card Survey initi-ated by the CSC.

The RCS is mandated under Section 5 of the Republic Act 9485 otherwise known as “An Act to Improve the Ef-ficiency in the Delivery of Service by Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape, Pre-venting Graft and Corruption and Pro-viding Penalties thereof.”

Under the RCS, clients are made to assess a subject agency on their compliance with their respective Citi-zen’s Charter and the provisions of the ARTA as well as on customer satis-faction.

Evaluation on the charter focuses on the documents the clients need to submit, fees to be paid, as well as length of time needed to complete

each transaction. On the other hand, the survey on the ARTA provisions covered how the agency personnel carried out no-noon break policy, wearing of easy-to-read IDs or name-plates, presence of public assistance and complaints desks, and absence of fixing activities.

From January to December, 2013, CSC administered the RCS to 929 offices nationwide, consisting of 620 national government agencies, 303 government corporations, and 6 state colleges and universities.

A copy of the 2013 ARTA RCS re-sults may be accessed via the CSC website, www.csc.gov.ph.

In a response, LTO 12 Director Puti-was Malambut said he is happy and pleased with the result, adding that the excellent rating is another honor to his leadership.

LTO 12’s district office in Cotabato City, the Cotabato City Licensing Di-vision, and the LTO Marawi City Dis-trict Office were rated “good” in the same survey, Malambut added. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


DBM Sec visits ButuanBy Diana Lusia GeneralaoBUTUAN CITY - Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad recently graced the Caraga Regional Development Council Special Meeting in one of the convention centers here.


In his message, Sec. Abad emphasized the government’s aim for greater efficiency in budget implementation and improved transparency and accountability in the expenditure process.

The secretary added that starting this year, the agency will be implementing a General Appropriations Act (GAA)-as-Release-Document budget regime. Under this scheme, departments and agencies will no longer need to secure Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) to obligate funds — which involves

entering into contracts and kick-starting the procurement process — for a particular project. Instead, an agency can begin obligating funds as soon as the 2014 GAA is implemented on the very first working day of the fiscal year.


Talacogon fire station observes annual fire prevention celebration

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY -- The Talacogon Fire Station (TFS), on its second year of activation under the direct supervision of municipal fire marshal SFO3 Arcadio Sacol, paid adherence to the annual observance of the Bureau of Fire Protection Fire Prevention Month.

A unity walk commenced early morning on March 1, 2014 which confirms the unanimity of every participating citizen in promoting rational consciousness and involvement in fire prevention.

The municipal officials, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, head of offices, fire brigade volunteers, community organizations, teachers, students and other public servants also joined the caravan on Saturday to convey

their support as this year’s banner theme bares, “Isulong ang Kaunlaran, Sunog ay Iwasan, Kaalaman at Pag-iingat ang Kailangan.”

Simultaneous sounding of fire truck sirens at noon hinted the entire community of the significance of said celebration wherein the promulgation of fire prevention programs deals greatly on the precautionary and safety measures which is focused on the avoidance of fire occurrences.


By Venus L. Garcia

Tandag City bares activities for International Women’s DayTANDAG CITY -- The city government of Tandag is all set for the upcoming International Women’s Day celebration on March 8, 2014.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Tessie Buniel said highlighting the celebration is the conduct of “Kalandrakas,” an activity where a one-stop-shop service will be set up to bring an array of government services in collaboration with the concerned government agencies and other sectoral groups.

Services include, legal aid/clinic facilitated by the City Legal Office and the Provincial Prosecutor Office; free health services like pre-natal, medical and dental check-up and bloodletting with the City Health Office and the Philippine Red Cross;

free civil registration; and local and overseas employment facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Meanwhile, beauty care and make-up demonstration, massage and ‘libreng gupit’ (free hair cut) will also offered facilitated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Bingo Socials.

The commemoration of the International Women’s Day is in line with the month-long celebration of the Women’s Month this March 2014 spearheaded by the city government.

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

According to FO2 Karen Aceron, they also conducted a Fire Brigade Enhancement Training to some private wood companies and facilitated the fire suppression simulated exercises among the newly elected barangay officials of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

“The training will equip them with appropriate knowledge and techniques as to how to manage when fire strikes in their establishments,” said Aceron.

To effect a meaningful reduction of fire incidents and losses, FO2 Rosel Cardente, together with the fire volunteers and members of Masendo Rescue Team, distributed pamphlets on Fire Safety in different

public areas within the municipality.“Continuous endeavors on

massive information dissemination and fire prevention education campaign, with full cooperation of all sectors of community, will surely pave the way to economic stability contrary to destruction of properties and natural environment caused by harmful fire,” bared Sacol.

SFO1 Lemuel Goloran said, “aside from fire prevention related campaigns, we also initiated a feeding activity to some 50 individuals as a way to express our concern to those who were badly affected by tropical depression Agaton in our area of responsibility.”


DTI turns over SSF equipment to Bukidnon abaca farmersby Junar B. Merla

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - Nasandigan Abaca Planters Association (NAAPA) of Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon recently received machines and equipment from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facility (DTI-SSF) project. dpuf

DTI provincial director Ermedio J. Abang said the organization received one unit mechanical stripping machine and 15 units hand stripping devices, all designed by the Philippine Fibre

Industry Development Authority (Philippine-FIDA).During the turnover ceremony, Ramil B. Barcelona of DA-FIDA Head Office, being the owner of the design, briefed

http://www.southernleytetimes.com/Catanduanes_is_Now_The_Top_Abaca_Producer.html


DTI-Misamis Occidental identifies priority industry clusters for SSF in 2014 by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Trade and Industry identified at least six priority industry clusters in Misamis Occidental to have qualified to receive its Shared Services Facility (SSF) for Calendar Year 2014.

So-called SSF Eligible, these industry clusters include those of coco coir, bamboo, tourism, processed foods, poultry and rubber, whose micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) have complied with the selection criteria for SSF cooperator-beneficiaries, Delia

M. Ayano, Provincial Director of DTI-Misamis Occidental, said. Ayano said the SSF is offered to cooperator-beneficiaries, such as, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, cooperatives, industry/trade/ business associations,

the machine operators of NAAPA on how to operate and maintain the equipment, which has a total amount of P327,500.00. Members of DA-FIDA technical staff were purposely present in the activity to inspect and demonstrate proper installation and operation of the machine tools. DA-FIDA also assured NAAPA of their continuing support in producing quality fibres in the province of Bukidnon. Likewise, Tramat Merchantile Inc, the equipment supplier, did a concrete demonstration on abaca-stripping to produce fine fibres. After the turnover ceremony, all the 15 officers and operators of NAAPA experienced actual hands-on

stripping using the new machine. The release of documents, on the other hand, was done at the DTI provincial office with NAAPA Chairman Priscilla Mae M. Albino and DTI Provincial Director Ermedio Abang signing the Memorandum of Agreement. The SSF project of DTI aims to improve the product quality and productivity of Microenterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of priority industry clusters all over the country. It is a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative which is being implemented through private sector partners who can provide facilities to house the machinery and equipment.


and academic institutions. To qualify for the SSF, the co-operator-beneficiary must address processing and/ or manufacturing gaps or bottlenecks of the industry cluster due to any of the following: absence of the needed facility, lack of capacity of an existing facility the cost of services of an existing facility is not affordable. Meanwhile, the SSF is expected to increase the productivity of the industry cluster in terms of product improvement/quality enhancement, marketability/price competitiveness and conformity to standards. The SSF is designed to support micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) and not the large enterprises and serve existing industry cluster

and not “greenfields” nor “start ups“ in business and must have an eligible cooperator, Ayano said. The eligible cooperator must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Cooperatives Development Authority (SEC/CDA) or with any other appropriate agency which registers organization for purposes of legal personality. Likewise, the cost of their proposed facility is less than P1 million, and must have existed for at least two years or more than P1 million, with at least three years of existence, has a suitable site and building, with support personnel and cash flow to support at least three months of operations, Ayano also said.

Solon calls on brgys to convene anti-drug abuse councils by CdeOSP

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Councilor Yan Lam Lim, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, is urging his fellow barangay chairmen to immediately convene their respective Barangay Anti Drug Abused Councils (BADAC).

This is in response to the Drug Situation report of P/Supt Danildo Tumanda, who represented the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) during the ABC general assembly, Feb. 28. According to P/SuptTumanda,

there are four barangays considered seriously affected with illegal drugs in the city. These are Barangay No. 34 (Sto.Niño, Cogon), Balulang, Bayabas and Macabalan. He said 11 barangays are moderately affected, 35 are lightly affected and only 30 barangays are


drug-free. The results were reportedly based on the 60 operations against illegal drugs conducted since January of this year. P/Supt Tumanda appealed to all barangay officials to organize their respective anti-drug abuse councils, which will be chaired by the punong barangay themselves. He also encouraged barangay officials to report to the police the names of the drug users or pushers in their areas. Meanwhile, P/Supt. Tumanda assured the confidentiality of reports and the security of the barangay officials.

He announced that a police officer was apprehended for possession of illegal drugs, emphasizing that the law is for everybody, whether men in uniform or civilians. The police reminded the barangay officials of their social responsibility and obligation to help in the implementation of peace and order in their respective areas, citing that they are the best people to know their constituents. Police assistance can be requested through hotline number 0917-7149-611.


DOLE holds occupational safety, health learning session in Isabela CityBy Rene V. CarbayasISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Isabela City conducted an Occupational Safety and Heath learning session to some 42 informal sectors in the city last Feb. 20.


Engr. Wesley D. Tan, officer-in-charge, DOLE-Isabela City Field Office said that aside from providing training and enhancing the capabilities of the informal sectors to help improve their livelihood, the agency also stresses on the value of work safety and health as key to better life. “We saw it important for the informal sector to acquire basic knowledge and skills with regard to health and safety at work because injuries and accidents could happen while performing their jobs. And this could be prevented if we practice safety at work,” Tan said. He said that injuries have great impact on the economy of the family as these may cause the worker to stop working for a while, or worst permanently. DOLE provides assistance to informal sectors by giving out Kabuhayan starter kits for small entrepreneurs who lack the needed facilities, equipment, tools, and paraphernalia to start or improve their business. Under the program, DOLE makes sure that beneficiaries also practice safety at work and observe healthy lifestyle in the performance of their job, especially those in the food business. Appreciation course on good housekeeping, unsafe acts and unsafe health conditions, basic and simple records keeping were given during the one-day learning session. Representative from the Social Security System (SSS) was also present to provide orientation on SSS services to the informal economy. “We hope to be able to inculcate in the consciousness of the informal sector to practice discipline especially in the 3S of the good housekeeping, such as Sort, Segregate, Systematic with the end goal of increasing their

productivity no matter how small is their business,” Tan said. DOLE hopes to bring into the consciousness of informal sectors about recording transactions made, and that small vendors will learn to document their transactions by doing simple record and bookkeeping to keep track of the development and improvement of their business. When asked about streamlining the informal sectors, Tan said that this is the direction of the government for informal sectors and elevate them somehow to a micro and small enterprise where they are already registered as a business sector. Tan said that DOLE is helping the sector to graduate from an informal sector to a micro enterprise by improving their capability and productivity which will eventually improve their income. “When this happens, they will begin to expand their business, hire people which will make it into a micro enterprise where there is already employer-employee relationship and other legal requirements,” he said.


Fire incidence in Dipolog dipsBy Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - The fire incidence here has decreased in 2013 compared to 2012, according to Sr. Inspector Richard Timosa, the City Fire Marshall. Timosa said in an interview on Saturday during the opening program of the Fire Prevention Month here that the fire incidence in 2013 was less than that of 2012. “This positive development can be attributed to the people’s awareness and vigilance about fir,” he stressed. The month-long celebration started with a unity walk from Dipolog City Blvd., a holy mass and a short program at the city fire station with student-interns from Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), Andres Bonifacio College and Saint Vincent’s College (SVC), personnel from Rescue 117, and Philippine Red Cross in attendance. In her message, City Councilor Jasmin Pinsoy has commended the local firefighters in minimizing fire incidence in the city, as she vowed to provide them with the needed support in their advocacy campaign. “Fire is useful but a tool to

irreparable destruction …. Fire creates but it also destroys if one overlooks its danger,” Pinsoy said. The lady councilor also urged the BFP personnel to set aside personal differences and stay united and work for a common goal which is to build safe community for people to live. She also reminded them of their prime duty as the protector of the people’s lives and properties. Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Fire Marshall Romeo Medalla, on the other hand, appealed to Councilor Pinsoy to make representation with the city council in requesting the city leadership to donate a fire truck to Dipolog City Fire Station to augment its firefighting capability. The theme of this year’s 48th Fire Prevention Month Celebration is ”Isulong ang Kaunlaran. Sunog ay iwasan, Kaalaman at Pag-iingat ay Kailangan.”


5 rubber cooperatives to receive SSF equipmentBy Emmanuel D. TaghoyIPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Some five rubber cooperatives here in Zamboanga Sibugay will receive equipment from the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on March 6, during the launching of the said project in this municipality. This was disclosed by Provincial Director Edito B. Lumacang of DTI Sibugay Provincial office in an interview with the media. The five (5) beneficiaries are ARBEMCO, which is situated in Kalawit town, Zamboanga del Norte; GARBEMCO, situated Kabasalan town, Zamboanga Sibugay; TARBEMCO, situated in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay; SARBEMCO, situated also in Naga town; PZSRFA, situated in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay; and KAMPIL, Inc., which is also situated in Ipil town, this province. ARBEMCO will receive five Abaca Spindle Machines and one rope Making Machines, with a total cost of Php784,000.00. GARBEMCO will receive three abaca stripping machines, two rope making machines, and one centrifuged rubber processing facility, with a total cost of P1.3 million. TARBEMCO will receive one centrifuged rubber processing facility worth P816,000. SARBEMCO will receive five abaca stripping machines and one rope making machines with a total cost of P784,000. ZSRFA, which is composed of three barangays, will receive six coagulating tanks, six concrete aging tanks and three digital weighing scales with a total cost of P2,157,000. KAMPIL Inc., will receive five sewing machines and one rope

making machine with a total cost of Php179,000.00. Lumacang said the total project cost is P6,114,000.It can be recalled that DTI has earmarked P46 million for SSF projects in region 9 for the year 2014, with an increase of roughly 70% over the P27.12 million allocation in 2013. In a press release issued by the DTI-9 on the SSF Project, Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain said that the SSF Project would be able to help more small and medium enterprises in Region 9, which are needful of government support in acquiring needed equipment, tools or machinery to improve their production. “Let me clarify again, though that SSFs are not given to individual persons or businesses, but as its name implies, are given to registered associations of SMEs, farmer groups, etc. fro their shared or common use,” said Dr.Jain The SSF Project is said to have been possible with the help of the private sector through Public-Private Partnership initiative. The said initiative aims to improve the productivity and quality of rubber products and the capacity of micro-enterprises and SMEs in the region. The SSF project is also a collaborative effort of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).


Duterte tightens grip against corruption

DAVAO CITY- Mayor Rodrigo Du-terte warned anew alleged mulct-ing officials and members of the city bureaucracy of dismissal or transfer to hinterland barangays

once proven to be in-volved in irregularities. He issued the warning as he welcomed the result of the Social Weather Station survey which rated the city 86 percent in its fight against corruption. Duterte said there is still a need to rid the city government of corrupt employees of whom their presence is noted in the study. He said he will not hesitate to replace government employees from the heads down to the janitor once an anomaly reveals in the manner they transact

business with the public. “You work as a time. Once an anomaly comes out, everyone

by Joey Sem Dalumpines


will be implicated,” Duterte said. He cited several city government offices where mulcting is allegedly part of the transaction. Duterte warned them to stop the malpractice as the city gains ground in the fight against corruption. He called on all government workers to sacrifice and to be satisfied with their salary. “Once fixing is proven to be happening in your office, you are all implicated,” Duterte pointed out. He said employees who are implicated in corruption can also have a choice in working as far as Paquibato District, to implement government projects that need manpower. Duterte said all permits being processed in the city hall must go out to the clients within 72 hours.

He said the public must be furnished of the requirements in the processing of clearance and business permits. “The public must know what to bring to your office, no more, no less. The clearance or permit must be released within 72 hours, unless there are problems like failure of inspection due to the absence of vehicle,” Duterte said. He said if the transaction runs for a week or more, the release of clearance or permits will be done through the City Mayor’s Office. Duterte said the head of office has to explain to him the reason for failing to act on the documents within 72 hours. “Mulcting occurs when you give the person the discretion to sit on the job since the client has to return many times,” he said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

did you know...that the Davao City Children’s Code of 1994 which is geared towards addressing the rights, services and protection of children, therefore upholding their welfare and interests in high regard is the first of its kind in the country.


COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE -----Compostela Valley province celebrated a simple but meaning-ful 7th Bulawan Festival and 16th Founding Anniversary through the opening of the “Walang Iwa-nan, Bayanihan Fun Run” held last March 2, 2014. The fun run for a cause reaches 5,750 registrants organized by the provincial government as part of the province’s rebuilding program dubbed as “Tindog Comval Movement.” Governor Arturo T. Uy, in his welcome message, was very grateful to those who participated and gave support for the success of the fun run. Also gracing the event were the municipal mayors and provincial officials with Vice-Gov. Manuel Zamora and heads of offices. Runners came from the different agencies such as the PNP and Phil. Army, institutions, LGUs, academe, and private groups & individuals. This is the 4th time Comval holds its “Run-for-a-cause” starting on July 2011 and thereafter holds its annual run every Bulawan festival. The proceeds of the said bayanihan run is intended for the repair of schools and for other interventions

to be extended to those who are affected by calamities. Such advocacy run of 5K and 3K categories was indeed successful. And as a gesture of gratitude and adding to the excitement, various prizes and items such as BMX Bikes were awarded during the raffle draw. The winners received cash prizes and medals. For the 3K male category: 1st place is Santos Batingal, 2nd place-Jesser Mike Arias, 3rd place-Keanny Duyang and for the female category: 1st place is Anne Mary Depone, 2nd place-Marianne Dojo, 3rd place-Karl Medard Apit. Both categories are below 12 years old. While the 5K category for men, 1st place is Jobert Carolino, 2nd-Renren Manolong, 3rd-Rodien Hormigas and for the women category, 1stplace is Clarin Dojo, 2nd-Enlyn May Selidana and the 3rd place is Thelma Neri. The province will hold a three-day celebration---March 2 (Fun Run), March 7 (Al-law ng Kalumunan or Tribal Day), and March 8 (Foundation Day and International Women’s Day) bearing the theme, “Inspiring Change.” (Rey Antibo/PGO-IDS Comval)

Fun Run kicks off Comval’s Bulawan Festival celebration


GIOs in Lanao del Sur undergo training on news writing, photojournalismby: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Information Officers of the various local government units and national line agencies in the province have completed the two-day training-workshop on basic news writing and press

photography conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).


The training-workshop was conducted on February 26-27 in partnership with the Ranao Communicators Network and with the support of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur to hone and enrich the journalistic skills of government communicators in the province. The two-day training-workshop covered key topics on news writing, photo journalism, use of social media, and public relations practices and was designed to be practical with lectures, examples and exercises that encouraged participation and exchange of information among the participants. The capability-building was in line with the goal of PIA to provide communication support and assistance to local governments and line agencies to effectively promote their development efforts and initiatives.


RanaoComNet inducts officers, directorsby: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Elected officers and directors of the newly-organized Lanao del Sur Communicators Network (RanaoComNet) took their oaths of office before Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Nasser Ganda Jr. Thursday, February 27.

The oathtaking ceremony highlighted the closing program of the two-day training on basic news writing and photo journalism jointly conducted by the Philippine Information Agency and RanaoComNet with the support of the Provincial Government. The event was witnessed by the members of the network together with PIA Regional Director Thelma Oliver and Provincial Government Chief-of-Staff Shiela Ganda. Ganda said the organization of the network is a long overdue dream of the provincial government and its establishment is a clear manifestation that government communicators in Lanao del Sur are all together in the

active pursuit of transparency and accountability all over the province. With that, she gave assurance that the provincial government will be very active in supporting more upcoming endeavors of the network. Oliver, on the other hand, expressed optimism that the RanaoComNet, through the support of the provincial government and technical assistance of PIA, will continue to capacitate their members for the enhancement of their developmental communication skills which will make them more effective and efficient in communicating the programs of their agencies and local governments to respective


communities and other significant audiences. For his part, RanaoComNet President and Provincial Information Officer Sultan Ansary Maongco said the network’s officers, directors and members will work together in giving vital information to the people of Lanao del Sur especially to the communities where they are assigned. RanaoComNet is an organization of government public information and relations officers of national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units in the province that seeks to promote local development efforts and initiatives.


Lanao del Sur opens 2nd district engineering headquarters

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. jointly inaugurated the newly-constructed headquarters of the 2nd district engineering office of Lanao del Sur in Malabang town, Wednesday, February 26.

The two officials, accompanied by ARMM Public Works Secretary Emil Sadain, also led the groundbreaking rites of a staff house. Sadain said the new engineering headquarters sits on a half hectare compound and costs P5 million. He said the funds for the project were taken from their agency’s generated savings. Sadain further said that efforts are now underway to make the engineering office fully functional with the planned hiring of at least 54 regular staff. The office, headed by Engineer Abib Arumpac, is presently run by a skeletal workforce of detailed personnel from the regional office and the province’s 1st district engineering office. The ARMM government has also inked a memorandum of agreement with the provincial government of

Lanao del Sur in the implementation of a combined P280 million worth of road network projects in the province. Hataman said the 2nd district engineering office will play a major role in the implementation of the projects. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)

one mindanao - march 5, 2014

Documents

school children

protection of children

new code

year old children

revised code

childrens program coordinator

major role

provincial council