one mindanao - may 29, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

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

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

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

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE APIT, PIA Caraga Region

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

NIA reveals status of irrigation development in SurSur

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The Best Palaro Ever

PH first quarter GDP growth is 5.2%

City Dad cites need for education to address teen pregnancy

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By: Joey Sem Dalumpines

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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OUR COVER

Contents By: Rudolph Alama

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OWWA-12 gives financial grant to repatriated OFWs from Yemen

DTI MisOcc reports declining prices of products

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

Youth groups to solons: Pass BBL now

NAPC, DENR-9 kick off “SALUBUNGAN” in Pagadian

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BPI Foundation opens ‘Sinag Challenge’ to CDO young entrepreneursBy: Karl Glendy Espares and Gennerah Enterina

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2015 NATCAC launched in Caraga

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By: Claro A. LanipaBy: Robert E. Roperos

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

ARMM

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50DAR Lanao holds 1st agrarian reform beneficiaries conferenceBy: Johaniah N. Yusoph

52No tuition fee increase in colleges and universities in ARMM

23 Outstanding OFW family circles in SOCCSKSARGEN to be recognized on Migrant Workers DayBy: Oliver Ross Rivera

4 MAY 29, 2015One Mindanao

The Best Palaro Ever

By: Rudolph Alama

Cover Story

The Palarong Pambansa is an annual multi-level national scholastic athletic competition conducted by the Department of Education and is participated by elementary and high school students from public and private schools across the country. The participating delegations are grouped according to geographical administrative regions.

5MAY 29, 2015 One Mindanao

And it has been 65 years ever since Davao last hosted a huge athletic event such as the Palarong Pambansa.

In the year 1950, Davao City hosted the then Bureau of Public Schools-Interscholastic Athletics Association Games or (BPISAA) which was the precursor of the Palarong Pambansa (BPISAA Games was changed to Palarong Pambansa in 1974). Due to lack of adequate sporting facilities, the region was not able to host games of such magnitude.

In 2013, with the completion of the modern Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum, it now enabled Davao del Norte to host huge sporting events such as the Palaro. The provincial government putting up a successful bid in 2014 for the hosting of the 2015 games.

Dubbed as the “Best Palaro Ever.” The province put out all stops to make the return of the games an unforgettable


experience. The battlecry was taken from Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario who told DepED officials including Secretary Armin Luistro that he will make this the best palaro ever during the bidding.

When the bidding was successful, the Governor personally attended to the preparations of the Palaro, visiting and inspecting the sites of the games and billeting facilities, attending the meetings particularly the regional peace and order council where he sat with RPOC chair Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte.

“ I committed to the DepEd that we will make this Palaro not only the safest but the best ever and we have to attain this promise.”

And the Dabaonon’s hard work paid off when a month before the games, the hosts declared themselves ready, a rarity for the Palaro which according to DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro the Department got used to panicking during the games because of readiness issues, which fortunately they


did not felt in Tagum.

Marketing and promotions also got into full-swing. A 30-seconder TV commercial and music video were produced which starred former Palaro athletes turned sports icons like Elma Muros (15-time Southeast Asian Games in Athletics) 2-time swimming Olympian Eric Buhain and former Azkals National Football Player Yannick Tuazon.A theme song was made for the event. The song “Palaro ng Pagkakaisa.” Was composed by Dabawenya musical artist Maan Chua and arranged by her Mebuyan Peace Project bandmate Paolo Sisi.

The song impressed the DepEd secretary that it would be used as the official theme of all future Palarong Pambansa, a feather in the cap for the hosts.

The games held from May 3-9 attracted about 20,000 people who descended in Tagum for the games, which featured 26 athletic events (Panabo hosted the gymnastic competitions).

The grand opening ceremony was cut short by a rare occurrence of heavy rains (parts of the country is experiencing El Nino


dry spell) but it did not stop people from flocking to the venue. When the rains ceased, a 30-minute firework display followed by a lights and sound show held at the newly constructed provincial capitol park mesmerized the crowd.

Bands and celebrity performers had shows on the peripheries of the sports complex to entertain the visitors, the usual quiet nights in Mankilam Tagum transformed into a nightly fiesta just for a week.

National Capitol Region as usual dominated the games with a 98 gold medals, 76 silvers and 71 bronze medal tally. Davao Region was at 5th place with four gold medals, 4 silvers and nine bronzes.

The Palarong Pambansa finished with a bang. A pyromusical show capped off the event with the field demo restaged in the field after rains shortened it during the opening ceremonies. ARMM won P50,000 for having the largest number of delegates during the closing ceremonies. The cash prize an

incentive for the delegations to join the closing parade.

Overall, the Palaro was a huge success, there were no untoward incidents that occurred thanks to the efforts of the local government, the regional peace and order council and also the host communities which spared no effort to make the places peaceful and orderly for the visitors.


PNoy orders gov’t agencies to speed up implementation of infra projects

MANLA-- President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered government agencies to accelerate the implementation of vital infrastructure projects to boost economic growth in the remaining quarters of the year.


“The President has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Department of Education, the Department of Agriculture, and all other departments to accelerate the implementation of vital public infrastructure projects. Among these agencies, it is noteworthy that the DPWH has posted the highest utilization rate of obligated appropriations,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.

Earlier, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced that the first-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slowed to 5.2 percent because of lower-than-expected pubic spending.

“A significant contributory

factor to the slower growth rate is the 24.6 percent decline in public construction spending. This was due to delays in the actual disbursement of funds that are usually experienced at the start of the year,” he said.

He however noted that despite the lower-than-expected result, further analysis of the components of the GDP provides “sufficient room for optimism on faster growth in the next three quarters.”

Coloma said that of the total GDP pie, the private sector accounts for approximately 88 percent, while the government accounts for 12 percent.

“Private sector performance indicators point to faster growth during the next three quarters. Private construction increased by 14.2 percent and private investments in durable


equipment rose by 14.3 percent. Moreover, growth in household consumption was sustained at 5.4 percent, equaling the growth rate attained in the past two years,” he said.

“These results are aligned with the findings of the Social Weather Stations that during the first quarter of the year, personal quality of life was at its highest in the past 30 years,

while optimism about the national economy also remained high. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the business confidence index on the outlook for the next quarter rose to 58.2 percent from 43.1 percent in its previous survey,” he further said.

Coloma said that on March 30, President Aquino issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 46 to address key institutional

areas of improvement that were noted in the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) year-end 2014 disbursement report, specifically on planning and program/project design, procurement, and program/project implementation bottlenecks.

He said the directives in AO 46 include the implementation


of prompt budget execution measures, the enhancement of procurement efficiency, and the establishment of a full-time delivery unit, to be headed by an Undersecretary and fully staffed to ensure effective program and project implementation.

Coloma said that according to the DBM report, national government spending for the first quarter of 2015 was P504 billion, which is 4.5 percent higher than the comparable 2014 disbursement level of P482.5 billion.

“The cumulative rate of expansion reflects an acceleration in spending. From a decline of 5.4 percent in January, there was a 9.6 percent growth in February and an improvement of 11.8 percent in March. Nevertheless, total actual spending of P504 billion was P78.2 billion or 13.5 percent less than the targeted

spending of P582.2 billion,” he explained.

Coloma also recalled that a 6.1 percent GDP growth was attained last year.

“While GDP grew up only 5.3 percent in the third quarter, a 6.6 percent growth was achieved in the fourth quarter as government spending rebounded,” he pointed out.

“The President acknowledges the business community’s continued confidence in the economy and support for the administration’s good governance program. He assures the citizenry that the government will exert intensive efforts to bring about the full fruition of reform and development programs that promote greater inclusion and sustainable long-term progress,” said Coloma. (PCOO/PND (jm)


PH first quarter GDP growth is 5.2%

MANILA -- The National Economic Development Authority on Thursday reported that the country’s GDP for the first quarter is 5.2-percent, lower than what the government and the market expected for the period.


NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan in a press briefing said that “while growth in the private sector remains robust, the slower-than-programmed pace of public spending, particularly the decline in public construction, has slowed down the overall growth of the economy.”

He added that apart from the normal first quarter delays in government spending, the recent uptick in disbursements from the Department of Budget and Management has not yet been reflected in the national income accounts.

“Still, the 4.8 percent growth in government consumption is much faster than in the first quarter of 2014, driven by the 19.2-percent increase in

disbursements for maintenance and other operating expenses primarily on social protection programs, bottom-up budgeting projects, and the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings,” Balisacan said.

Baliscan is optimistic that the economy will grow at a faster rate in the remaining quarters.

“Private sector economic activity remains vibrant, with private construction registering a double-digit rise of 14.2 percent for the quarter and private investments in durable equipment rising by 14.3 percent. The latest business confidence index from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shows that next quarter confidence index climbed to 58.2 percent from 43.1


percent in the previous survey. Likewise, growth in household consumption remains steady at 5.4 percent,” he said.

He also said that based on the first quarter 2015 Consumer Expectation Survey, consumer sentiment improved in the quarter due to expectations of stable price of commodities, decline in oil prices, availability of more jobs, higher number of employed family members, and fewer calamities during the period, among others.

These he said are clear indications that business and consumer confidence on the economy is still very high and is supportive of our optimism in hitting our growth targets for 2015.

Balisacan is also hopeful that public spending will pick up for the rest of the year.

DBM in its latest report said that disbursement performance for the first three months of 2015 shows a trend towards faster government spending.

“If this disbursement trajectory is sustained and reflected in all government agencies, the higher government spending will fuel even more activities in the private sector, and thus push economic growth in the next quarters of the year,” Balisacan said.

He added that government is keeping a careful watch over the spending performance of the agencies to ensure that implementation bottlenecks are being addressed and the execution of programs and projects will not be further


delayed. Balisacan further noted that while the country continue to face challenges the economic performance in the first five years of the Aquino administration remains the highest five-year

growth average recorded by the country since the mid-1970s. This, he said is a testament to the private sector support for the governance and economic reforms that government has been implementing. (NEDA)


Youth groups to solons: Pass BBL now

MANILA -- As youth groups and organizations lauded the lower House for its swift approval of the Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region at the committee level, they urged the Senate to do the same before session adjourns next month. “The time to correct historical injustices and generations upon generations of deprived opportunities has

come,” Akbayan Youth Vice Chairperson for Mindanao James Alih said.


Alih said that Akbayan Youth supports the BBL because it is a law “for those who yearn for a better Mindanao, for those who have unjustly suffered the consequences of war, for those who have lost, and for the generations to come who deserve better.” “The youth has been silent witnesses of the atrocities of war, the decades of injustices and the proliferation of prejudices. But more than victims and spectators, we now claim our stake in the peace process as active stakeholders,” he added. Fifty representatives from the House Ad Hoc Committee last week voted in favor of the BBL against 17 objections and one abstention. The House committees on appropriations and ways and means also approved the draft bill on May 26 for submission to the plenary. Generation Peace (GenPeace) Youth Network commended the lawmakers

for their efforts, saying the committee-level approval in the House of Representatives is a triumph for peace. “We congratulate the peace champions in Congress for this victory at the committee level. This is a win for peace in the areas that need it most,” GenPeace leader Beverly Orozco said. Orozco expressed that they will remain steadfast in their call for peace, saying it is a fight for future generations of Moros, Lumads and Christians in the Bangsamoro. Youth hopes for peace rests with Congress Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman of Teach Peace Build Peace (TPBP) Movement and


member of the National Peace Council said that passing the BBL will “give the young generation (of the Bangsamoro) hope for they have suffered enough.” “We strongly believe that the Bangsamoro Basic Law can start us on the path that can bring lasting peace to Mindanao and the country. The BBL is not the silver bullet that will solve all our problems, but we cannot even begin to solve any of those problems without this peace. It is an excellent starting point,” she remarked. Usman said that building a good future with peace and progress starts with Congress. “It may not be perfect, but it is still the best chance that we have for a future with lasting peace,” she said.

Usman is also the chair of the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) which has been a staunch supporter of the Bangsamoro right to self-determination, religious tolerance, and peace education. “Passage of the BBL is our best chance to achieve peace in Mindanao. We urge our lawmakers to do their monumental role as provided by the Constitution to enact genuine autonomy in the south. While the BBL is a proposed law drafted by Bangsamoro leaders, our lawmakers are not merely rubber stamps to BBL, but rather it is in their hands to realize justice and peace to the Bangsamoro people through the BBL,” she quoted a YMPN statement.

OWWA-12 inks agreement with 59 new scholarsBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 29 (PIA) – Days before school year 2015-2016 starts, 59 dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers from the SOCCSKSARGEN Region officially signed their scholarship agree-ments with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA 12 welcomed the new scholars together with their parents and guardians Wednesday during the scholarship contract signing and orientation program at EMR cen-ter. OWWA 12 Dir. Marilou Sumalinog said these scholars are from two of their schol-arship windows: the Education for Develop-ment Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the OFW Development Scholarship Program (OF-WDSP). “We have three scholars under the EDSP and 56 new scholars for the OFWDSP starting this school year 2015-2016,” Sumalinog said. ‘We consider the EDSP scholars as the ‘cream of the crop’ because they belong to the top 200 who successfully hurdled the DOST administered examinations last year.”

Sumalinog identified the EDSP scholars as Vincent Barrion of Koronadal City who will take up Business Economics at UP Diliman,


Hannah Castillano of Gen-eral Santos who will pursue Metallurgical Engineering also at UP Diliman and John Adrian Golveo will study Accountancy at University of Santo Tomas.

The official noted that since the scholars will study in Metro Manila, the OWWA Regional Wel-fare Office 12 will endorse their papers and portfolios to OWWA-NCR for the payment of school fees as well as for the monitor-ing of their school performance.

EDSP scholars are pro-vided with a maximum educa-tion assistance of PhP60,000

per school year, for bachelor degree courses in any college or university of their choice.

Meanwhile, the new OFWDSP are composed of 13 new scholars from South Cotabato, 13 from North Cotabato, 12 from Sultan Kudarat, and 18 in from Saran-gani and General Santos City.

Under the OFWDSP, quali-fiers are entitled to a financial assistance of P20,000/year or P10,000/semester which will cover tuition fees and other ac-ademic-related expenses and a group health and accident in-surance coverage of P100,000.


OWWA-12 gives financial grant to repatriated OFWs from YemenBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 29– The Overseas Work-ers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 12 has released a total of P90,000 cash and livelihood assistance to Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the region who have returned home following their repatriation from Yemen.

These are carried out under OWWA’s Scholarship and Train-ing benefits for active-member OFWs, and a gesture of goodwill

to OFWs who have been sacrific-ing for their families. (ORVRive-ra-PIA12)

The cash assistance was un-der the Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). OWWA 12 Director Marilou Sumalinog said the financial as-sistance is a one-time grant of P10,000 each to returning OFWs from Yemen. As of this date, a total of nine OFWs from different provinces of the region have already availed of the financial grant. “Most of the repatriated OFWs from Yemen are skilled workers such as engineers, con-struction workers, nurses and

the like,” Sumalinog said. “We are expecting more re-patriated OFWs from Yemen to avail of the FRAP as the Philip-pine government continues its mandatory repatriation and reit-erates its call for Filipinos to go home,” the official added. OWWA has implemented the Financial Relief Assistance Pro-gram (FRAP) by virtue of Board Resolution No. 3 and 4, Series of 2015 instructing the release of P10,000 financial grant to the OFWs (both OWWA member and non-member) who were dis-placed by the political unrest in Yemen.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 29– The Overseas Work-ers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will celebrate the 20th Mi-grant Workers Day on June 7 to recognize the valuable contribu-tions of the overseas Filipino workers.

The one-time financial as-sistance has been provided to OFWs from Yemen, who were repatriated after the govern-ment declared Alert Level 4 sta-tus, which requires mandatory repatriation last February 16.The program can be availed of by the repatriated OFW with-in six (6) months after his/her arrival in the Philippines. Qualified OFWs could claim the financial grant at OWWA Re-gional Offices and should bring with them their passport or travel documents indicating the date of entry to Yemen, date of exit from Yemen and date of arrival in the Philippines, and any government-

issued ID with address or baran-gay certificate to establish the residency of the returning OFW. FRAP aims to provide imme-diate relief to OFWs while they are undergoing economic and social adjustments in their com-munities as a result of sudden displacement from their jobs.Aside from cash aid, OFWs from Yemen are also being provid-ed airport assistance, tempo-rary shelter, and transport ser-vices and fares for their travel to their respective provinces as well as welfare, employ-ment, livelihood, and legal as-sistance. (ORVRivera-PIA12 with reports from OWWA12)

Outstanding OFW family circles in SOCCSKSARGEN to be recognized on Migrant By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

In the SOCCSKSARGEN Re-gion, activities will be held at

Polomolok Municipal Gymna-sium.


OWWA-12 Director Marilou Sumalinog said about 600 OFWs and OFW dependents are par-ticipating in this year’s Migrant Workers Day activities.

“We invited members and of-ficers of OFW family circles from the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani to participate in the fun-filled activity,” Sumalinog said.

“This year, we will give due recognition to our Outstanding OFW Family Circles who serve as OWWA’s family community sup-port system in different LGUs,” the official added.

To date, we are maintaining over 100 OFW family circles from different municipalities and cities in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, the official added.

Several activities have been lined up for overseas Filipino workers and their families for the whole day event.

Success stories of funded proj-ects under the Balik Pinas, Ba-lik Hanapbuhay Program and the

P2B OFW reintegration program will be shared to OFWs during the program for them to learn new practices, techniques and entre-preneurial activities, Sumalinog said.

A special learning session on Anti-Illegal Recruitment will also be conducted in partnership with the Philippine Overseas Employ-ment Administration (POEA).

This year’s Migrant Workers Day theme is “Kasanayan at hu-say sa paggawa, protekyson ng migranteng manggagawa,”.

The Migrant Workers Day cel-ebration is held every year in ac-cordance with R.A. 8042, oth-erwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995,” an act to institute policies of overseas employment and establish a higher protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress. (ORVRivera)


Butuan employers highlight convenience of using EPRS

BUTUAN CITY-- One of the greatest innovations of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is the development of the Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS), a revolutionary database system that changed the reporting system of the employed sector to a more reliable, customer-friendly system that brings ease to employers as well as to their PhilHealth Employers Engagement Representatives (PEERs).


“In comparison with other agencies that required us to submit monthly reporting of premiums, PhilHealth has the most convenient, fastest and easiest remittance system,” shares PEER Jearamie T. Buque, a Compensation and Benefits Specialist of EQUI-PARCO Construction Company based in Ambago, this city. The company is one of the most valued clients of PhilHealth Regional Office Caraga. “Considering that we have 897 employees, posting of payments through EPRS has never been a problem. EPRS made updating easy especially those employees who are already separated or have no earnings. With just a few clicks, total remittance is already adjusted and payment is much easier!” she said with a smile. “What I like the most is the convenience and its 24/7 availability. No matter where I am, as long as there is an internet connection, I can access the system. Very advantageous to our office since we are very busy and sometimes there is a need

to do reports outside our office. We can do our report without having to download the system to all our computers so we can access the system anywhere,” she added. Ryan Jae G. Yap, Operations Manager of Manila Auto Care based in this city, states that “I have no problem with the connections. It is fast and reliable. EPRS is convenient in updating (the list of) employees such as adding new employees, or taking away employees’ names from the system. There is no need to go to the office and installation of the system is one-time. In fact, upon realizing the convenience of the EPRS, we immediately registered our other businesses as well.” “So far, so good! It is fast and automatic. It is hassle-free; EPRS has a ‘no earnings’ feature, which is quite convenient for us. I am contented with the program and have not encountered any problem yet,” said Alicia B. Pen, Payroll/Payable Staff of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology. (PhilHealth-Caraga)


NIA reveals status of irrigation development in SurSur

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– The Provincial Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Surigao del Sur has revealed the status of irrigation development province-wide as of May 15, 2015.

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

Engr. Salome Layasan, PIMO division manager, indicated that figures have remained on the rise in the status report for CY-2012, QRF, CY-2013, and CY-2014 irrigation projects costing up to a total of P1,227,037,362,52. These are broken down as follows: For CY-2014—P184,854,000; CY-2013—P337,640,000, and; CY-2 0 1 2 — P 7 0 4 , 5 4 3 , 3 6 2 . 5 2 . Correspondingly, physical and

financial accomplishments have been posted at 66.39 percent and 53.13 percent; 91.25 percent and 65.16 percent, and; 77.43 percent and 67.44 percent, respectively. Also, Quick Response Fund (QRF) due to Typhoon Pablo damages, which carries a total cost of P53,651,000.00, physical and financial accomplishments have been reported at 100 percent and 78.62 percent,


respectively. Other CY-2012 irrigation projects such as Project Needing Clearance and Variance Projects, physical and financial accomplishments were placed at 100 percent and 97.93 percent as well as 48.53 percent and 38.45 percent, respectively. The costs of Project Needing Clearance and Variance Projects

amounted to P23,038,000 and P41,911,132.81, respectively, or a total of P64,949,132.81. PIMO is servicing some 15,957 out of 26,778 hectares of the potential irrigable area over Surigao del Sur or equivalent to 59.589 percent, Layasan stated in her latest report.


2015 NATCAC launched in CaragaBy: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY – Caraganons as well as people from the neighboring provinces of the region can now avail free assessment and certification thru the 2015 National TVET Competency and Accreditation Certification (NATCAC) program which was launched recently at the Activity Center of Robinsons Place-Butuan. Dr. Florencio F. Sunico Jr., TESDA Caraga regional director underscored the benefits that people can get from the program. He said since this is offered free of charge, interested individuals need not to worry

about the assessment fee. “All they have to do is to see to it that they will successfully pass the assessment,” Sunico said. The program, which aimed to promote assessment and certification program at the


company/enterprise level, is offered for free at the regional and provincial levels funded by the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP). It also expands clients’ access to assessment and certification program as well as to enhance the competitiveness, employability and productivity of workers, and upgrade the qualification of existing works, trainers and assessors to a higher level of qualification. Workers, industry practitioners, professional, career shifters who want to undergo competency assessment, trainers of private and public Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs), DepEd Grades 9 and 10 Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teachers, Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)/Filipino Expatriates with relevant experience who want to undergo competency assessment and industry practitioners who are prospective competency assessors. Interested applicants must submit a duly accomplished form, self-assessment guide, three 2 x 2 passport size pictures in white background with name written at the back. Said requirements

must be submitted to the identified accredited assessment centers or the nearest TESDA Provincial Offices.

The schedule and venue for the national assessment per qualification will be determined by the regional and provincial offices. For the first batch will be held this month; second batch is on August, and the last batch is on November. For the detailed schedule, please call TESDA Provincial Offices in Caraga Region. TESDA-Agusan del Norte can be contacted thru (085) 342-0085; TESDA-Agusan del Sur (085) 343-7278; TESDA-Surigao del Norte (086) 826-2591; TESDA-Surigao del Sur (086) 211-3957; and TESDA-Dinagat Islands at 0919350-6106.


Department of Science and Technolog y (DOST)

Caraga Region“ Science Nation: Agham na R amdam”

RoadshowMay 27 - 29, 2015

Day 2 Activites/Areas Visited:1. Jabonga, Agusan del Norte - SMARTER CEST

2. Gigaguit, Surigao del Norte - COMPLEMENTARY FOOD PROJECT

3. Placer, Surigao del Norte - PROVINCIAL TRAINING CENTER

4. Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte - MARBLE PRODUCT PROCESSING & MANRACZ LIMESTONE

PROJECT

OPAPP, BASCOMNET hold forum on Bangsamoro peace processBy Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The Basilan Communicators Network Inc. (BASCOMNET) in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has recently conducted a forum on the Bangsamoro and the Philippine peace process to enlighten the communicators and information officers from the different government agencies and non-government organizations in Basilan on the issue.


The forum dwelt on the rationale behind the peace process by understanding the history of the Moro conflict and struggle in Mindanao. Ma. Krishna Sonza of OPAPP’s communications team walked the participants to the time in the past that most people on Mindanao suffered injustices and discriminations that led to the poor state of human and social development

in the area today. She hopes that the people would further seek to understand first the root causes of the struggle of the people in Mindanao and the overarching intention of the government to provide the island genuine autonomy and peace.However, Sonza stressed that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is


still being deliberated in Congress and when passed and approved, it will not fully guarantee peace but “it will already be a great step towards attaining genuine peace.” At the same forum, the participants were illuminated on some pressing issues and concerns of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission’s BBL draft, to include the issue of the Bangsamoro police, core territories, creation of a

separate auditing body and civil service, among others. She also told the BASCOMNET members that the fate of the BBL is now in the hands of congress. “Since the BBL is now in the hands of congress, what the people need to understand first and foremost is the content of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed last March,” she stressed, saying that the CAB


i

is the basis of the BBL and that the MILF and other peace advocates are hoping that the final version would still contain the spirit of the CAB. Sonza also provided some updates on the ongoing deliberations at the ADHOC committee of congress and encouraged the participants to wait for the final version of both houses, as everything in the proposed BBL could still change and what is important for communicators is to understand the CAB by heart. The recent forum was made possible through the support of the Inter-Faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) in

Isabela City, Basilan. After the forum, the newly elected board of directors for 2015-2017 were inducted into office by Atty. Vivaniño Barrios of the Public Attorney’s Office in Basilan. The officers and members of the board are Dr. Paysal Kasim (DOH-Rep) as President, Hja. Lucia A. Kandum (DepEd-Isabela) as Vice-President, Marlyn M. Anoos (DOLE-Isabela)-board secretary, and Melchora “Choi” Mangubat (ISAWAD), PSI Daryl Vincent D. Bartolome (PNP Province), 2LT Sally Christine Magno (104BdePA), Miriam L. Suacito (NFI), Nadzwa Abdulwahid (DAR), Socorro E. Torralba (DPWH), and Jesielyn Puno, Treasurer (CPop). The BasCOMNET is a network of government and non-government agencies, who do collaboration work along information, education and communication activities.


It was established to harmonize and maximize the communication activities of member-organizations,

including the conduct of enhancement training to its members.

NAPC, DENR-9 kick off “SALUBUNGAN” in PagadianBy Claro A. Lanipa


PAGADIAN CITY, (PIA) - The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 have launched on Tuesday the “Salubungan” (encounter) activities for the province of Zamboanga del Suras convenor agency for the province of Zamboanga del Sur at Chandler Suites this city.

“Salubungan” is a scheme under the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAP) initiative of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) Cluster NEDA Board – Social Development Committee. The initiative aimed to identify area programs and convergent implementation arrangements that will speed up government spending and help accelerate the attainment of the poverty targets of the Aquino administration in its remaining term. NAPC Undersecretary Patrocinio Jude Esquerra III said there are 10 provinces in the country where Salubungan

are now taking place. “Salubungan is the encounter between the local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), entrepreneurs and the grassroot groups that are aspiring to have better lives,” Esquerra said. “We call this initiative as “four-in-one”, where the support of the LGUs, NGAs, entrepreneurs and the people in the community are being engaged. It is a reverse capital plight, the usual situation is that people go to the cities, but in Salubungan we want a reversal of this,” Esquerra emphasized. He further explained that


“the point of this initiative, as they say, if development does not come to the mountain, let the mountain come to do that or if the rural poor cannot make it to the city, then, it is the city must, perhaps, come and knock at the doors.” Meanwhile, Regional Director Arleigh Adorable of DENR-9 presented the consolidated programs and projects of the NGAs for implementation in the three pilot municipalities of Aurora, Mahayag and Kumalarang.“A grand total of P5,007,036.754 was funded under the regular

budget for calendar year 2015 through ASAP to be implemented by the different stakeholders,” Adorable said. The programs and projects include rural accessibility, product and enterprise development, technology transfer, organic agricultural promotion and production, organizational strengthening, federation building, private sector development, grassroots bankability, agri-forest development, social development and disaster risk reduction.

MisOr solons back DepEd K-to-12 program

SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN, Misamis Oriental – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental, through Resolution No. 134-2015, support the full implementation of the K-to-12 Basic Education Program.

by Gennerah Enterina

Per resolution, the lawmakers also urged all stakeholders to help the Department of Education (DepEd) in its implementation. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, DepEd will implement the new Philippine Basic education System which covers one year of Kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school, and an additional two years of senior


high school dubbed as the K-to-12 Basic Education Program. The Senior High School Program will be implemented starting School Year 2016-2017, needing immense logistical and financial support from all stakeholders from national to local levels. Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez, author of the resolution, said it is high time for the country to fully embrace the K-to-12 Basic Education Program to enable our young people to compete in the global and international stage with world-class competencies, skills and values. The Philippines remains to be the only country in Asia and one of the three remaining countries in the world that have yet to implement the twelve-year program of basic education, placing our graduated at a

disadvantaged position in an increasingly global market. The implementation of the K-to-12 Basic Education Program has far-reaching and beneficial effects on the quality of basic education system of the country which is much needed for the upcoming 2015 ASEAN Economic Community Integration as the K-to-12 Basic Education curriculum has been designed to match with the basic education system of other ASEAN Member Communities. Pelaez further said all things considered, the K-to-12 Basic Education Program will redound to the benefit of the young people and their families especially the poor and the underprivileged, of respective communities and the industries within, and of the country as a whole.


Offered in ldentified schools of the division, these classes include the Headstart Program for Kindergarten, the Gifted and Talented (GT) for Grade 1 and for Children with Special Needs (CSN), Dr. Jonathan S. Dela Peňa, Schools Division Superintendent, said. “This is in line with the thrusts and programs of DepEd to ensure that all SPED Classes shall

be given necessary support to attain the highest standard of achievement that matches their abilities, intelligence and skills,” he said. Meanwhile, DepEd MisOcc has implemented the Continuing Advocacy and Orientation of the schools offering the SPED classes on the 2nd week of April and the last week of May 2015. Along this line, Dela Peňa has directed all principals/school heads /teachers of the identified schools to attend

the activity to help facilitate the acceptance and enrolment of the CSN, this School Year. Orientation in Calamba Central School (CS) was conducted last April 5, Bonifacio CS, last April 8 and Jimenez CS and Tudela CS, last April 10, respectively, Dela Peňa added.

DTI MisOcc reports declining prices of products

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Education, Division of Misamis Occidental (DepEd-Mis. Occ.) has announced the opening of their Special Education (SPED) Classes for School Year (SY) 2015- 2016.

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


BPI Foundation opens ‘Sinag Challenge’ to CDO young entrepreneurs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation in collaboration with Ateneo de Cagayan and Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ASCEnt) opens its First Regional BPI Sinag Challenge on 28 May 2015 at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

Attended by various young local entrepreneurs in the city, the BPI Sinag Challenge is a business plan competition nationwide, aimed to empower entrepreneurs with social mission. “The BPI Sinag Challenge is a social business competition. We’re seeking young entrepreneurs with socially oriented businesses

– the so-called millennial are as creative as they are critical-thinkers, and they have the passion, the heart and the skills to change the world through business,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Fidelina Corcuera.

by Karl Glendy Espares and Gennerah Enterina

Davao City celebrates 13th year of anti-smoking ordinance

DAVAO CITY- The Davao City Anti Smok-ing Task Force will celebrate the 13th anniversary of the ef-fectivity of the City Ordinance 0367 or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance with a drive to remove illegal tobacco market-ing collaterals. Domilyn Villareiz M.D. head of the anti-smoking task force said a simple ceremony will be held tomorrow May 29 at the Bankerohan Public Market and after the pro-

gram they will be going around the public market to take down illegal to-bacco advertisements. As per the provi-sions of Republic Act 9211, only small posters and leaflets are allowed inside of the stores sell-ing tobacco products. And large signage or posters posted outside of the premises are not allowed and according to Villareiz will be taken down. These include sig-nages bearing the name of the stores which also shows the tobacco prod-uct.


Violators which are storeowners will be meted P5,000 as penalty for installing illegal tobacco advertise-ments. Meanwhile Villareiz said that they apprehended and given citation to 2,000 anti-smoking ordinance in the first quarter of 2015 (January to April). In 2014, about 4,000 citation were given to violators. Villareiz said the first quarter of the year is the “peak” season for vio-lators. It wanes down during Decem-ber. She said despite 13 years of strict

implementation there are still a huge number of violators being caught. She attributes it to a growing number of smokers. Among the major causes of smoking include peer pressure, cu-riosity and work-related stress. Villareiz added that Business Process Outsourcing centers also contribute to the increase in violators since many of the employees like call center agents smoke outside desig-nated areas thinking that there are no anti-smoking enforcers during night-time. (RG Alama)

facts and figures...

P2.4 million collected penalties from anti-smoking ordinance citations from January 2013 to December 2014.


City Dad cites need for education to ad-dress teen pregnancyDAVAO CITY-City Councilor Ma-ria Belen Acosta, chair of the city council committee on education cited the need to once and for all address the increasing teenage pregnancy besetting Davao City. She issued the statement dur-ing the First Stakeholders’ Forum on Adolescent Health and Teenage Preg-nancy Wednesday, participated in by various sectors where she expressed concern on the figures where one out of ten Filipinas aged 15 years old to 19 years old is already bearing a child. Acosta noted that teenage preg-nancy is prevalent among indigent families where females aging 12 and 13, already take care of their own ba-bies who are prone to malnutrition. “It is a social problem where all sectors need to cooperate in the dis-cussion,” she said. Acosta said that momentarily, her committee can assist in address-ing teenage pregnancy by helping

young mothers who aspire to go back to school. She said educational options for teenage mothers range from Sunday school, alternative learning system being offered by the Department of Education, and skills development as proposed by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and the “abot-alam” education program. “We are willing to share rice and foodstuff, skills training and livelihood that will be learned in a few hours,” Acosta said. She also assured medical as-sistance for post-partum-depression cases affecting young mothers. Acosta noted that young moth-ers are also prone to post-partum-depression as hormones drop at low-est levels, consequently affecting the physiological make up of a person. (Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


Mock cultural villages showcasing ARMM’s major tribes to re-open in June

The mock cultural villages that showcased the seven major tribes of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be re-opened on June 10 at the regional government’s

compound in Cotabato City.

These cultural villages first opened to the public in November last year as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of ARMM. It was viewed by at least 100,000 visitors

from different provinces in Mindanao not just from the ARMM. The seven major tribes covered in this event are Maguindanaon, Tausug, Sama, Maranao, Yakan, Iranon, and


DAR Lanao holds 1st agrarian reform beneficiaries conference

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - More than 600 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from various Agrarian Reform Communities here joined the 1st ARB Provincial Conference on May 21.

In line with the theme “Dalisay na Repormang Pansakahan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan, Para sa Kapayapaan,” the event highlighted

the support and commitments of all the various stakeholders to uplift the income and lives of the farmer beneficiaries in the entire province.

Teduray. Each village will feature traditional living, culture and arts, and would depict the people and their products on a landscape consistent with those of tribal communities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The villages will be open to the general public for 100 days, specifically during the month of Ramadhan. There will also be a series of activities and entertainment in the regional government’s compound to be spearheaded by different regional agencies. “Ang pagbubukas muli ng cultural villages ay para maipamahagi, maintindihan at lalong maunawaan ng ating mga mamamayan ang kultura, kasaysayan at pamumuhay ng mga tao sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng ARMM (The reopening of the cultutral villages will allow the people to understand better the culture, history, and way of living in various provinces in the

region,” said Tourism Secretary Marites Maguindra. “We added additional healthy living activities, which the people can join like zumba, ‘hataw’ and yoga,” she said. Aside from these, there will also be a free tour, a children’s day, and an indigenous arts and handicraft exhibit, among others. A competition among participating tribes and their villages is also part of the event wherein the winning village would be announced during the closing program, or after 100 days. The Tausug village was recognized as the best in last year’s event. The re-opening of the mock villages will bear the theme “100 Days of Journey in understanding the culture and history of the Bangsamoro towards peace and development.” (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)

by: Johaniah N Yusoph


Engr. Mesug P. Unda, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II, expressed his gratitude to the local government units and stakeholders and at the same time solicited their commitments and services for the ARBs. He encouraged all the farmers to continue doing more citing that the conference “is just the beginning of DAR and other offices’ tighter and stronger collaboration in delivering programs and services to the beneficiaries.” He also shared the synopsis and process of ARB Pulong pulong which gave them the opportunity to know and hear the ARBs’ PINCs (Problems, Issues, Needs and Concerns), strengths and weakness which they hope to provide solutions. The ARB conference in the five main provinces of ARMM is one of the programs of DAR - ARMM spearheaded

by Secretary Amihilda Sangcopan to strengthen the partnership of the farmer beneficiaries and their agency. The activity was witnessed by some Municipal Mayors, NGOs and heads of line agencies in the province. Herman Ongkiko, DAR Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special projects, commended the DAR Lanao Sur for having successfully conducted series of ARB Pulong-pulong. “Rest assured the outputs are taken seriously and we need to do prioritizations first,” he said To officially get the commitments of stakeholders, a symbolic manifesto of support for the implementation of agrarian reform and sustainable development in this province was signed by all the heads of agencies and municipalities who were around.


No tuition fee increase in colleges and universities in ARMMMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - There will be no tuition fee increase this coming school year in private colleges and universities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Academic institutions in the ARMM preferred not to increase their tuition fees because they want the parents in our region to send their children to college,” said Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ARMM Commi s s i o ne r Amor Pendaliday. He said that with no tuition fee hike in ARMM, more enrollees are expected this year. On May 19, 2015, applications for tuition and other fees increase by 313 higher educational institutions in the country were approved by CHED national. In a statement released by the commission, an average increase of 6.17 percent, or the equivalent of P29.86 per unit, was approved on tuition fee adjustment, while for other school fees, the increase is 6.55 percent, or an equivalent of P135.60. These figures are down from last year’s P35.66, or 8.13 percent for tuition, and P141.55, or 7.97%, for other school fees. “We are glad that we don’t have

a tuition fee increase, it is good news for us, especially to our parents, ” said 17 year-old Sittie Aisha Tawal, a second year college student of Mindanao State University-Dalican in Maguindanao. As of date, the region has 66 higher education institutions, 51 private and 15 government-run. On the latest list of the online directory of colleges and universities in the Philippines (www.finduniversity.ph), the Mindanao State University campuses in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Marawi are among the 50 most affordable institutions in the country for 2015. (Bureau of Public Information)

one mindanao - may 29, 2015

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