one mindanao - november 16, 2012

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Officer-in-charge, PIA Caraga Region

ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

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

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

Editorial Adviser :

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

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]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound 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]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Cover Story

“La Isla Pangapuyan”

Jocelyn P. AlvarezWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Friday, November 16, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 65

page 4

President Aquino to invoke international treaty shared between ASEAN member countries to extradite Filipino-Malaysian to face charges11

Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

DTI warns public on sub-standard Christmas décor 2318

Dipolog’s good governance pays off24 Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

New Integrated Van Terminal offers better services to commuters

News Feature: FNRI bares health status of Pinoy adults

Maria Luisa Dianah Z. Generalao, Caraga Region

DTI releases suggested prices for noche buena products 27 Lorry V. Gabule , Northern Mindanao

Advancement of lives of IP’s is biggest mandate of IPRA Law - NCIPJopat D. Nano , Northern Mindanao28

Aurell P. Arais, Caraga Region

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Small scale mining not so small after all Lovely Carillo, Southern Mindanao31South Cotabato sets two days for province-wide tree planting Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

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DOT partners with fast food chain to strengthen SOCCSKSARGEN’s local tourism Aida Agad, Central Mindanao37

Friday, November 16, 2012 4 ONE MINDANAO

“La Isla Pangapuyan”

I say “untouched” because the place itself has not only shun herself from the sophisticated and almost complicated age of technology, but this beautiful, unexplored island was able to preserved her “virginity” for decades from the harassment of “irresponsible” travellers who cares less for the environment, that after enjoying and savouring nature, would not even move a muscle to pick up the pieces of trash brought.

PhotoAdventurers Photo shoots 2012

Let me conceive the word photoAdventurers. After minutes of pump boat ride, 20 photoAdventurers arrived in the island mid-morning that day, (Nov. 6, 2012) they were there for their “practicum” (or as they termed it, “photowalk”) as part of their two-day photography seminar and

Like an incorporation

of facets of sceneries, this small island called “Pangapuyan” is a canvas that tells stories of nature “untouched.”

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Friday, November 16, 2012 5ONE MINDANAO

“La Isla Pangapuyan”workshop. Headed by International Master Photographer Rene Araneta, the group took striking photos of the island; the people; it’s pride - the “nameless” beach that vaunts of its white sand and crystal clear water and the mangroves that surround the area. “We want to help promote the place as a tourist destination,” said Engr. Kates Allas, the event organizer. Picturesque as may be, but this island is unknown to many, even to people from Zamboanga. “Di pa natutuklasan na may magandang beach tayo dito sa Pangapuyan. Pag sinabi mong beach sa Zamboanga, Sta Cruz Island agad naiisip, pero itong beach dito sa Pangapuyan ay napakaganda, masasabi kong comparable sa Boracay” (This remain unexposed that we have lovely beach here in Pangapuyan. When people talked about beach in Zamboanga, it is always the Sta Cruz Island that they have in mind, but here in Pangapuyan, we have this gorgeous beach that is comparable to Boracay). Boracay is a small Island of the Philippines known to the world for its white-sand beaches and was named (in 2012) the Best Island in the World by an International travel Magazine. “Pangapuyan is abundant in seafood, the people are friendly and you can literally breath fresh air there, the place is soothing and peaceful to the mind, ideal for relaxation, walang (no) pollution,” Allas said.

Introducing : Pangapuyan Island

A small barangay of the highly urbanized Zamboanga City, Pangapuyan


is one of city’s eight island villages created upon the enactment of Commonwealth Act. No. 39, s. 1937. A small round shaped island, Pangapuyan is surrounded by mangroves and is near the villages of Arena Blanco, Tumalutab, Manalipa and Tigtabon. The island is 18km away from the city proper. Pangapuyan’s Barangay Captain Khadafy M. Jailani said the village has approximately 800 registered voters, a figure close to 2007 census of 773 total population in the area with 110 household. People living in the island are of Sama-Banguigui ethnicity that thrives on fishing and seaweed farming as primary source of living The island has a lone elementary school, Mandrasan, and a Mosque as the only Infrastructure developments introduced in the area.

Back in timeTell tale…. Several stories about the beginning of Pangapuyan Island have been told. One story narrates that the island started with very few houses built on her because when the tide is high, the houses (made of light materials) would afloat together with the mangroves, so this made the people afraid to construct houses on the island. “nakapagtataka, lumaki at kumapal paunti-unti ang sand dito, hanggang sa madami na ang nagtayo ng bahay dito sa isla,” (Bizarrely, the sand in the island grew little by little until such time many houses were already constructed on the island) narrated a Pangapuyan villager, a story retold from her grandparents. Another obscure story traces the origin of its name. Accordingly, the name Pangapuyan is a derivative of two words. One is “panga” which means lake and the other is “puyan” which means fish otherwise called “tulingan”.

Friday, November 16, 2012 7ONE MINDANAO

Story has it that at that time, whenever the tide is high, the tulingan fish would swim in harmony with the tide that carries the fish into the Panga lake area thus the legend of the name Pangapuyan was born. “panga” and “puyan” which means “fish in the lake”.

Natural Hazards Pangapuyan was reported to have a medium-low occurrence of periods with extreme drought. Flooding risk is medium.

Weather

September is on average the month with most sunshine. Rainfall and other precipitation peaks around November. The time around December is driest.

The 2011 development : water at last!

For decades, the islanders never experienced what other barangays in the mainland considered ordinary-- potable water system. But in February 2011, the Island received completed potable water system project implemented by the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) Program, in partnership with the Coca Cola Foundation. After a feasibility study, it was found out that the island is blessed with abundant rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year thus the AMORE-Coca Cola partnership constructed all over the island Eleven cisterns, measuring 8 cubic meters each, and able to store up to 8,000 litters of rainwater per structure.


“Until the construction of the rainwater harvesting structures, people in Pangapuyan relied on water ferried from the port of Arena Blanco, some 20 minute pump boat-ride from the island. An average of PhP80.00 is spent by a household every day for their water consumption,” the AMORE article reads. To ensure that the collected rainwater is safe for drinking, AMORE

also distributed bio-sand filters among the households The bio-sand filter is a simple and low-cost sand filtration technology that is intended for the use of rural homes where naturally safe or treated water sources are not available. The residents were also trained on the use of the bio-sand filters to enable them to use the simple technology properly and derive maximum benefit.

Try Pangapuyan

Today, Pangapuyan folks still live simply, cellular phone (cp) signal is even difficult there. But it’s like a sanctum, if one wishes to have a day or two off from the world’s buzz, the internet and the cp, or if one just wishes to “disappear” from civilization and go someplace where there is tranquillity or if you want to go nature tripping, or u want to have photo shoots, then visit Pangapuyan Island , eat all the fresh seafood you want and enjoy the cool ambiance.

Friday, November 16, 2012 9

ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino assures more infrastructure projects for Cavite

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured residents of the province of Cavite on Thursday that the government would continue implementing infrastructure projects to improve the

traffic flow and overall road safety in the province.

10 Friday, November 16, 2012

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas’ 38th Top Level Management Conference, the President said the Department of Public Works and Highways had various projects lined up that were already being implemented or are soon to be implemented for the province’s benefit.

“We are really improving all the roads between Manila and Cavite. And talagang either, we are fixing the roads or widening them,” Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who was with the President, said.

Singson added that the DPWH would soon be implementing “other major initiatives” such as the Ternate-Nasugbu road project that will decongest the Tagaytay Ridge that goes to the province of Batangas and will provide a scenic view on the Ternate, Puerto Azul, all the way to Camilo Coast.

Another infrastructure project, Singson said is the Cavite-Laguna Expressway “that will open up the whole of Cavite and Laguna especially as we try to decongest Metro Manila.”

The President then interjected with a list of infrastructure projects lined

up for the province of Cavite: asphalt overlay and widening of the Manila-Cavite Road, Kawit-Noveleta Diversion Road, including right of way acquisition; Governor’s Drive- Carmona- Dasmarinas-Trece Matirez Road including bridges and approaches; widening of the Pulunan Bridge and its approaches; construction of the Kawit-Noveleta Diversion Rood including road right of way acquisition and then, lastly, the widening of the Bangkal-GMA Bridge in Dasmarinas.

“So, we will continue to improve, because this is the major thrust of the government --- tourism,” Singson said. PND

Friday, November 16, 2012 11

President Aquino to invoke international treaty shared between ASEAN member countries to extradite Filipino-Malaysian to face charges

President Benigno S. Aquino III will invoke an international treaty shared between Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) –member countries to extradite a Filipino-Malaysian wanted for

allegedly duping hundreds of Filipinos of their hard earned savings by enticing them to invest in a multi-level marketing company he put up.

Friday, November 16, 2012ONE MINDANAO 12

In an interview at the sidelines of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas 38th Top Level Management Conference held here on Thursday, the President said that the ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) could be invoked to bring back Aman Futures Group, Incorporated founder Manuel Amalilio to the Philippines to face charges.

Amalilio was reportedly spotted in Malaysia after fleeing the country.

“Actually, sa ASEAN, merong tinatawag na MLAT, iyong Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. We can invoke that,” the President said.

He added that that the National

Bureau of Investigation has been coordinating with its counterparts in Malaysia in searching for Amalilio.

“Pero ganunpaman po, kailangan nating mailagay, madala sa bars of justce itong mga taong ito at iyon na nga po hinahanap nating lahat itong involved at nandoon pa rin tayo, kailangan nating dumaan doon sa proseso na may mga preliminary investigation bago pa pumutok itong isyung ito na on going tungo sa pagpa-file ng information para mabigyan tayo ng Korte ng hold order saka mga warrant of arrest,” the President said. PND (rck)

Friday, November 16, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 13

Updated Mindanao topo maps near completion, says MinDA

After a series of validation work that spanned two years, the updated maps of Mindanao that will

replace those half a century old versions are set for roll out this year, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

In a recent meeting here of the Technical Coordinating Committee for the Mindanao Topographic Mapping Project for Peace and Development, the newly developed topographic maps of Mindanao were presented for final validation by stakeholders.

A joint undertaking of MinDA, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project is designed to produce 1:50,000-scale Mindanao topographic maps, replacing the 1:200,000-scale


maps developed in 1960s.“These updated maps are crucial

for our planning and programming of strategic and sustainable peace and development initiatives across the island,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of MinDA.

Antonino stressed that such maps are essential tools for ensuring integrated Mindanao action on disaster planning and management, land use planning, urban planning, environment management, and socio-economic planning.

“The final outputs of the topographic mapping project can be used to improve and protect the lives and properties of the people in Mindanao through accurate and integrated planning,” added Kazunobu Kamimura of the JICA Project team

A component of the project also entailed briefings on the effective utilization of the topographic maps, particularly the electronic versions.

Government agencies and

local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao that were provided with pre-final copies of the maps are expected to submit their revisions to MinDA before final production. Distribution of final copies to all stakeholders is expected for completion by March next year.

“This will not stop at 1:50,000. There are plans for a larger scale of the maps, but we are taking it

one step at a time,” said NAMRIA Director Ruel Belen.

NAMRIA initially conceptualized the Topographic Mapping project back in 2009 to update the 50 to 60 year-old topographic maps of Mindanao, including the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi, and the remote islands of Cagayan de Tawi-tawi, Turtle Island, and Mambahenauhan Island.

The project was launched in 2010 after a formal partnership agreement was signed by MinDA and NAMRIA as implementing partners, and JICA as the funding agency. With a total project cost of P500-million, the Mindanao topographic mapping project is one of the largest JICA-funded grant projects in terms of cost.

“We are glad that with the grant-assistance of the Government of Japan through JICA, we are close to completing this important and updated resource which we expect to strategically serve as a critical tool for planning and effective governance in Mindanao,” said Antonino.

She likewise noted that the completion of the topographic mapping project is expected to support mechanisms for creating a more enabling environment for peace and development in Mindanao, especially with the firming up of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement. MinDA


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NSO updates public on special civil registryby Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY -- The National Statistics Office (NSO)-Caraga through the Civil Registrar has updated the public on the current situation of the special civil registry in the region.


In a press conference held recently here, NSO-Caraga Regional Director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura presented the performance indicator on the completion rate of those who requested civil registry documents in the region. Apura said some 900 special civil registry transactions were recorded as of August 2012 and only 40.1 percent was recorded for the on-time completion rate while 210 feedback cases were recorded. These special civil registry documents are those affected by the court decrees and legal instruments (CDLI) and Republic Act 9048 authorizing the city or the municipality civil registrar or the Consul-General to correct a

clerical or typographical error, as well as Republic Act 9255, an act allowing illegitimate children to use the surname of their father. “This happened because of the long turnaround time, high incident of feedback and or exemption notices and high incident of re-work cases or unsuccessful annotations,” Apura explained. Because of this prevailing situation, the official said that NSO is doing everything to resolve this problem. Apura said by implementing a measure through a project where the turnaround time will be reduced from 22 to 20 working days. She added this project which was piloted here in the region aimed


New Integrated Van Terminal offers better services to commutersby Maria Luisa Dianah Z. Generalao

BUTUAN CITY -- Fusing together the scattered local van posts around the city to come up with one accessible station, the local government here through the Land Transportation and Management Office (LTTMO) recently opened the Butuan City Integrated Van Terminal in Langihan area.

to improve the completion rate from current level 40.1 percent in August 2012 to at least 56.6 percent by December 2012. The official further said with the implementation of this project, incident of feedback notices were reduced. It also increased public awareness regarding the requirements and process flow in requesting the civil registry documents affected by CDLI and RA 9048, as well as strengthening

the collaboration and networking with C/MCRs clerk of courts, Philippine Information Agency, and other line agencies. She added to further systematize the flow of requesting special civil registry, implement preliminary screening and monitoring purposes and transmit the screened or evaluated documents to CRD-Manila for priority loading in the CRS database.


According to LTTMO Chief Alfredo Radaza, this development is being undertaken not only to integrate van stations, but also to closely monitor local van transport and to keep an eye on private vehicles that are illegally used for public transport. This recent progress is also seen to ensure the safety of all commuters going in and out of the city. It is operating on a 24-hour schedule with a round-the-clock security workforce composed of policemen and security guards The new van terminal is also ensured to offer comfort to the transporting public. It is completely

furnished with modern facilities including an air-conditioned waiting area with benches, baggage lounge, and a toilet with assigned sanitation personnel. The vans are travelling to and from several towns in Agusan and Surigao del Sur and also reach the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro on a daily basis. Chief Radaza said that van operators have been given one week grace period to relocate from their previous van posts and transfer to the new van terminal. Appropriate legal sanctions will be carried out for those that would not follow the new regulation immediately after the grace period ends.

News Feature: FNRI bares health status of Pinoy adultsby Aurell P. Arais

Nutrition- and lifestyle-related risk factors due to behavioral and environmental factors, among others, increase the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases as well as premature deaths among Filipino adults. This was revealed in the 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted in 2008 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).


News Feature: FNRI bares health status of Pinoy adults

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart attacks and stroke, are the main leading causes of deaths among Filipinos in 2009, according to the Department of Health (DOH). CVDs include diseases of the heart and blood vessels which normally develop over time. By definition, CVD occurs when the arteries develop atherosclerosis – a process that begins in childhood and involves a gradual build-up inside them that is called plaque. This plaque contains fat, cholesterol and other substances which can grow large enough to reduce the blood’s flow through an artery. However, most of the damage occurs when a plaque ruptures. Plaques that rupture cause blood clots to form which can block blood flow or break off. If this happens and it blocks a blood vessel that feeds either the heart or brain, it causes a heart attack or stroke. What can Filipinos do to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke? Much of the burden of cardiovascular diseases, including both heart attacks and stroke, could be eliminated by reducing the prevalence of major risk factors like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and physical inactivity, said Charmaine A. Duante, senior science research specialist of FNRI-DOST.

What risk factors can be changed? Smoking: Smokers have a three- to

five-fold greater risk for CVD, including stroke, than nonsmokers. Thirty-one percent (31.0%) of Filipino adults smoke cigarettes. Differences exist by sex where Filipino male smokers at 53.2 percent are four times higher than female smokers at 12.5 percent. Cigarette smoking is most prevalent among young men 20-29 years of age and women aged 40-49 years old. Alcohol Drinking: Alcohol intake of 3 or 4 drinks a day was found to be a risk factor for CVD, especially for hypertension, studies show. About 27.0 percent of Filipinos are alcohol drinkers. Male drinkers at 57.5 percent are almost five times more


than their female counterparts at 9.8 percent. Overweight and Obesity: “Overweight” is defined as an excess amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water, while “obesity” specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat. Both overweight and obesity are considered independent risk factors as well as co-morbidities of high blood pressure, high blood lipid levels, and the onset of diabetes. Most often, overweight and obesity develop from eating too much and exercising too little. A person who is either overweight or obese has at least two-fold greater risk for CVD, including stroke, than a person with normal body weight. Two in 10 Filipinos are overweight. This is measured using the body mass index (BMI) following the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria of overweight. The BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters (BMI=wt in kg/ht in m2). A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25.0 to 30.0 is considered overweight. Android obesity or apple-shaped obesity is prevalent particularly among Filipino women. Apple-shaped obesity is six times more common in women than in their male counterparts, affecting 7 out of 10 and 1 out 10, respectively. Android obesity is measured either using waist circumference (WC≥102 cm for men and WC≥88 cm for women) or waist-hip ratio (WHR≥ 1.0 for men and WHR ≥ 0.85 for women) criteria of the

WHO. Obesity among Filipinos increased dramatically in women using both WHR and WC criteria from 1998 to 2008. Physical Inactivity: About 97.0 percent of Filipinos failed to participate in regular leisure time physical activity. Furthermore, results of the 7th NNS showed physical inactivity at work and travel was found in more than 75.0 percent of Filipinos. Men were more likely to participate than women in leisure and travel-related activities like walking, biking or cycling. In contrast, women were more likely to be active than men in the household activities.

What risk factors can be controlled? High Blood Pressure: There is about three- to four-fold greater risk for CVD, including stroke, among hypertensive than among non-hypertensive adults. About three in 10 Filipinos have high blood pressure based on a single visit measurement. Hypertensive men at 29.1 percent are significantly higher than their women counterparts at 22.2 percent. However, about 53.0 percent of women are hypertensive after menopause. In general, blood pressure increases with age. Between 2003 and 2008, hypertension increased significantly among Filipinos from 22.5 percent to 25.3 percent. Diabetes: The risk for type 2 diabetes or the so-called late-onset diabetes may increase with age, obesity, and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes based on high


fasting blood sugar (FBS ≥ 126 mg/dL) is more common in adults aged 40-49 years and older. In 2008 alone, more than 3 million Filipinos were estimated to have type-2 diabetes in 2008. High Cholesterol: About two- to three-fold greater risk for CVD, including stroke, among those with high total cholesterol (≥240 mg/dL) than those with normal level of total cholesterol (< 200 mg/dL). About 13 in 100 Filipino women and 7 in 100 Filipino men have high total cholesterol. Likewise, women have significantly higher LDL-cholesterol than men at 125.6 mg/dL and 110.0 mg/dL, respectively. In contrast, men have higher triglyceride than women at 155.0 mg/dL and 129.2 mg/dL, respectively. Men have lower HDL-cholesterol than women at 39.1 mg/dL and 41.1 mg/dL, respectively. At age 50-59 years, the level of total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride peaked for men and women. From 2003 to 2008,

cholesterol abnormalities significantly increased affecting millions of Filipinos. Pre-determined factors such as heredity, including culture, sex and increasing age are considered unmodifiable factors or cannot be controlled, the FNRI-DOST added. Predisposing environment including continuous urbanization, cyclical poverty and low level of education among majority of the people as a consequence of poor economic situation of the country, among others, are all major contributors on the pathway to chronic lifestyle diseases among Filipinos, Duante emphasized further. For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: [email protected], [email protected]; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.


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Zambo Sur pupils become “hygiene educators” at homeZAMBOANGA DEL SUR - To many parents’ surprise, schoolchildren in New Village Elementary School in Zamboanga del Sur have transformed to become “hygiene educators” at home.

By Imee Alonzo

This was disclosed by PTCA President Raul Ponce who gave his testimony about the impact of Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) during the Global Hand washing Day held recently at the Village school. Ponce said when the EHCP was fully implemented in their school over a year ago, and they noticed schoolchildren have been reminding their parents and siblings at home

to brush their teeth and wash their hands daily after meal and before sleeping. “This is the impact of EHCP and our children have been consistently reminding us parents to brush our teeth and wash our hands every night to prevent diseases,” Ponce said. Addressing hundreds of guests and participants in the first ever global handwashing day event in


Zamboanga del Sur, Ponce also said that the PTCA noticed that absenteeism was significantly reduced in the school. EHCP promotes three interventions to prevent child diseases. These daily tooth brushing, daily hand washing with soap and twice a year deworming. This testimony was also shared by school head Eleadora Macala that aside from less absenteeism, teachers no longer remind their pupils to brush their teeth because children are the ones announcing in class when “it’s tooth brushing time!”

“We also noticed that children are more active and participative in class since we started EHCP in our school,” Macala said. New Village Elementary School is one of the EHCP model schools in Zamboanga del Sur where UNICEF provided the kick start EHCP materials that includes toothbrush, bottled toothpaste and soap. The Fit for School, a partner organization of DepED provided the capacity building of the school nurse and teachers on how the program will be implemented and sustained.

DTI warns public on sub-standard Christmas décor

DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has reiterated its warning to the public to be cautious in buying Christmas lights and other decorations for the Yuletide season.

By Alfonso T. Ruda

The DTI issued the warning as people are now starting to buy Christmas lights and other Christmas décors.

DTI-Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Head, Engr. Noel Bazan said, “DTI personnel are now regularly monitoring the Christmas decors


displayed in various establishments in the city to check if these items carry the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) and Product Standard (PS) stickers.” Bazan said any establishment found violating the ICC and PS sticker requirements will be issued Notice of Violation and formal charges will be filed against them. The DTI Provincial Director reminded the public to be extra-careful and meticulous in buying

Christmas lights and always see to it that it has ICC and PS stickers bearing as there are unscrupulous business traders that offer sub-standard series of Christmas lights to buyers. He pointed out that as buyers; “it is our responsibility to see to it that we buy the right product. All products that have passed DTI’s inspection are those that bear ICC stickers and PS mark.”

Dipolog’s good governance pays off

DIPOLOG CITY - Good performance doesn’t go unnoticed!

This holds true for this city after it was declared as one of the top performing cities in the country by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently. Dipolog garnered 4.83 points and landed seventh place in the latest ranking based on Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS). Laoag City got first with 4.99 points followed by Naga City with 4.93 points, Vigan City with 4.921

points, Ligao City with 4.917 points, Tagaytay City with 4.87 points and Cabanatuan City with 4.86 points. The DILG report said Dipolog was the only city from Mindanao that made it in the top ten. Mayor Evelyn T. Uy attributed the new accolade received by the city to good governance as espoused by the Aquino administration. It was also learned that Dipolog is the richest local government unit in the region. LGPMS is a self-assessment tool that seeks to measure the performance of provincial, city and municipal governments in terms of their capabilities/capacities in providing quality basic services aimed at promoting socio-economic development among their constituents as well as protecting/preserving the environment.

By Franklin P. Gumapon


Bukidnon holds nutrition congress, honors nutrition workersby Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - Realizing the urgent need for collaborative effort to curb malnutrition, the provincial government of Bukidnon, in coordination with the National Nutrition Council Region 10, spearheaded the 2012 Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress recently held in Kaamulan Open Theater, Malaybalay City.

Anchored on the theme “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain,” the activity focused on the intensification of the Garden, Go, Grow and Glow (G4) program of the province and giving of honors to deserving BNS workers. Gov. Alex P. Calingasan said the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) serve as key implementers in community nutrition projects and

programs. “The BNS play the key role in promoting good nutrition and proper feeding practices of infants and children. They deserve a mark of honor and full support in gratefulness of their willingness to work on behalf of others without expecting huge pay or other tangible gains,” the governor said. The multi-sectoral and


Bukidnon holds nutrition congress, honors nutrition workers

multilevel nature of BNS’ tasks enriches the volunteer work they do in the community. They do regular weighing of preschoolchildren as part of the Operation Timbang (OPT) and determine the nutritional status of these children based on a reference table. The OPT is part of the programs reported in the Barangay and Municipal Nutrition Action Plans. The BNS also manage supplementary feeding of undernourished children and help out in the conduct of mothers classes by assisting the trainers and the mother-learners. They conduct home visits and household surveys regarding births, disabled persons, older persons, newly built houses and transferees. They also perform various tasks in barangay health centers assisting the

midwives. Based on the latest results of “Operation Timbang (weighing up)” of children, 10 towns namely Kalilangan, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Damulog, Quezon, Don Carlos, Kibawe, Maramag, Kitaotao, and Dangcagan were identified having high incidence of malnourished children with 7.26 percent prevalence rate of malnutrition among school children ages ranging from 6 to 10. “Hence, parents in said areas will be lectured and trained on how to successfully run their own backyard gardens, which is in line with the national government’s Agri-Pinoy Gulayan program to achieve the government’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,” the Governor further said.

DTI releases suggested prices for noche buena

productsby Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Trade

Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) has recently released the suggested retail prices (SRPs) for

noche buena products as of October 22.


Noche Buena products include ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta/spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, creamer, and condensed and evaporated milk. SRPs are the prices which

manufacturer recommends that the retailers sell the products. The intention is to standardize prices among locations. And because approved SRPs are nationwide, selling the goods above the suggested retail price will be penalized.

Advancement of lives of IP’s is biggest mandate of IPRA Law - NCIPby Jopat D. Nano

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The biggest mandate of Republic Act No. 3871 or the Indigenous People’s Right Act of 1997 is the advancement of the lives of the indigenous people (IP).

This was emphasized by Dodge Cabahug, Provincial Director of the National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), who said this was not only true in Misamis Occidental, but in the entire country, as well, during the law’s 15th anniversary celebration, in the province, recently. Otherwise known as the IPRA Law, RA 3871 also recognizes the Ancestral Domain of the IP’s, something that the Subanens are very thankful for, to the late President Corazon C. Aquino, in whose term the law was passed, Cabahug said. Anchored on the theme “IPRA Gabay sa Kaunlaran: Isa-isip, Ipa-batid at Isa-katuparan,” the activities of the celebration included the conduct of a caravan towards the Provincial Capitol Grounds, in Oroquieta City, that was participated in by the different groups of the Subanens coming from the towns. Meanwhile, a ritual to strengthen the mandates of the IPRA law was performed by the Subanens after the caravan, followed by a lecture to raise

their awareness on their benefits and their human rights.

Sergio Tumagna Sumatra, a Subanen leader and former NCIP Provincial Officer, said among the programs which are needed by the IP’s are those on education and livelihood. Thus, he called on the Subanens to unite in order to achieve the needed development of the IP’s, who has the support of the Environmental Awareness Teams that work out to honor their traditions and usual activities in the midst of the changing times. Sumatra has also challenged them to keep the spirit of the IPRA alive for the achievement of its goals, not only locally, but nationally, as well. Providing a highlight to the celebration was a cultural presentation that was participated in by Subanens from the seven (7) towns in the province where large concentrations of the said IP’s live, namely: Lopez Jaena, Jimenez, Tudela, Clarin, Bonifacio and in Ozamiz and Oroquieta Cities.


DAVAO CITY- an official from the Department of Science of Tech-nology has urged the Davao ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector to sustain their focus on innovationciting tremen-dous potentials of the city. Bud Melchor Deputy Executive Director of the DOST-ICT Office (ICTO) said that innovation is the key in getting a greater market share in IT and

Business Process O u t s o u r c i n g Markets He said that in 2010 global spending in IT BPO for engineering innovation has reached about S1.10 trillion, while the market for innovation in the healthcare BPO industry is projected to reach $300-billion. The creative industry

has also reached $1.8 trillion. Melchor said that a bigger share in the world market would ultimately benefit Davao City which is cited as the country’s Next Wave City of the future for an ICT investment site.“Davao City has tremendous innovation potentials, perhaps one of the reasons why IBM has put up an innovation center in the city.”

Innovation key to Davao IT dev’t.by Rudolph Alama


Though factors for measuring innovation is not yet in place, there are signs of innovation in the city one of which is the recent ON3 online pitching competitions in country, where two of the finalists came from Davao. Pitching competition involves the presentation of startup concepts, ideas, applications and technologies to venture capitalists. Melchor said that the world is finding out that Filipinos are super talented and very innovative people. He said that the first one to find out the inherent qualities of Filipinos were American soldiers coming here for training, who found out that despite lacking in resources Filipino soldiers were very resourceful. Currently the Filipinos innovativeness has extended to the

ICT/BPO industry where there is an ongoing bull market for IT professionals. However instead of luring Filipino IT professionals out of the country they could be tapped to help promote the country as an ideal investment destination for outsourcing industries particularly involving innovation. Melchor cited Davao City as among the most innovative cities foremost among which is the focus of its ICT sector in promoting innovation. Last November 9-11 the DOST-ICTO and ICT Davao held the Innovation Expo 2012 at Abreeza Mall in the city. The activity gathered local

IT players which included developers, innovators, vendors and BPO service providers showcasing their capabilities and new innovations. The Innovation Expo carried the theme Enabling Innovation in Healthcare, Creative and ICT Industries as it joined hands with the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI). The RHRDC-XI has cited the role of IT in health research particularly in the referencing of research materials from IT-based sources. Aside from health research, the expo also showcased various healthcare solutions in the form of application and software developed by local software developers.


Small scale mining not so small after allDAVAO CITY-With 13-million peo-ple according to the International Labor Organization and up to 30 million people estimated to be directly involved with small scale mining worldwide plus an estimat-ed 50,000 small scale miners in the Davao Region alone according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Edilberto Arreza, is it still proper to call small scale mining small? While this was not the main issue during the Conference on “Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in Mindanao: Issues, Opportunities and Future Options” hosted by the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) from November 15 to 16, 2012, it was one of the many questions raised by the participants of the Conference. “The small miners have long been in existence but the society has not recognized them for their contributions to society,” ADDU President Fr. Joel Tabora said in an interview. He urged the small miners to “come together and organize themselves because Ateneo would like to work with you.” Tabora said “if the government requires the gold products of small miners to be sold to the Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas then it should have the decency to help them with the technicalities.”

Use of Mercury

Lawyer Richard Gutierrez of Ban Toxics said the Philippines is one of the countries that recognized the value of small scale mining in economic development as early as the 1980s through Presidential Decree 1899 Establishing Small-Scale Mining as a New Dimension in Mineral Development. However, he said, the present mercury pollution problem “would have been averted had the government provided technical support to the small scale miners during that time.” “The use of mercury in small scale mining is a symptom of a bigger problem,” he said. While the large scale mining companies have stopped using mercury, he added, the small scale miners have adapted this method so “there is equal fault.”British Columbia Mining engineer Adrian Daniel, who has extensively worked with the mining sector in Guyana, South America, said “artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) is a cultural response to an

by Lovely Carillo


condition, which is “typically a cultural institution and generational” involving people with few alternativesIn his presentation, Daniel said ASM amounts to a 10-year average production of 27,700 kilograms of gold valued at $1.515 billion from 2000 to 2010. “This is a strong case for recognition,” he said. But if the ASM operates in the shadow economy, he added, “how much gold is missing from the picture and if they are using the Mercury Amalgamation process then how much gold is being lost?” Daniel said ASMs use mercury because it is easy to use even without formal education, fast with visual results, accessible, transportable, easy to hide and recovers coarse gold. However, he added, this method

comes with major long term risks and is toxic to the brain and the kidneys. He said gold recovery with the use of mercury is typically only 50 percent. More importantly, those using mercury are facing global trade ban. Most ASM have never done test work, he said, because while it saves money and unlocks more gold, they could not afford it and do not have access to the process.

Alternative to mercury

“Pirmi lang mi nila ingnon nga mali ang amoang proseso pero ngano wala ma’y gatudlo sa amoa kung unsa ang tama nga himuon (we have been told that we are using the wrong process but no one has taught us


how to do it) Tata Sala, a small-scale miner and a conference participant said. Through the Conference, Daniels has introduced a possible sustainable alternative to mercury in retrieving gold—cyanide. He said it gravity concentration can achieve up to 85 percent overall gold recovery. More importantly, it is not persistent with the environment, he added.“There is nothing in this world that isn’t risky but cyanide can be managed safely and technically,” he said. However, he said, it requires technical knowledge, strict process control and fatal if misused. Daniels said it is important to follow the International Cyanide Management Code and adhere to the rules in using cyanide which includes” no acids, there should be as minimal exposure of the material to cyanide, never use it in combination with mercury and always treat the tailings. He said there are as few as two percent but memorable disasters involving the use of cyanide eight major accidents out of the 460 large cyanide mines since 1992.

The Guyana experience

Compared to the Philippines with 92 million people occupying a 300,000-square kilometer area, Guyana is a small country with only 752 thousand people with an area of 214,970 square

kilometer. But while the country has a total ASM export of only 0.22 percent, Guyana has an ASM export of 35 percent. Daniels, who has conducted a full metallurgical testing and training of gold-cyanide in Guyana and provided an alternative to its ASM sector, said the government of Guyana realized that the ASMs were asking for assistance but could not do it themselves. Guyana developed the technical capacity of the government in tracking the ASM and in regulating cyanide. During the conference, the small scale miners asked Daniels if he has a blueprint for the technology but were told that he does not have any but that it can be done easily. “We have to look for an efficient formula for responsible mining.” Tabora said. “Ateneo is ready to explore how this alternative can be done,” he added. He said Ateneo can work together with other institutions like the University of the Philippines so we can provide this type of training to the small scale miners. With the many issues faced by the small scale miners in the Davao Region alone including the use of mercury, the lack of recognition of their contribution to the economy and the lack of technical trainings that can improve their livelihood, one can actually say that the small scale miners are after all not so small anymore.(LAC)


LGU, church in N. Cotabato team up to promote good governance, progressBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Local government units and churches in Midsayap town in North Cotabato agree to work together for

Last week, Mayor Manuel Rabara led at least 250 municipal and barangay officials, leaders of different churches and other sectors in the adoption and launching of Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) project.

Also present during the activity were representatives of civil society organizations and people’s organizations as well as officials of national line agencies.

Information from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)- 12, said that UBAS project is a partnership of the DILG with the Catholic church and the League of Barnagay to push for good governance, peace and progress starting at the barangay, the


smallest political unit in the country.

The collaboration recognizes the fact that political territories of barangays coincide with the parishes of the church, which provides an opportunity for both parties to work together for the efficient delivery of services and the attainment of integral development of residents.

It is also seen as a vehicle to address several concerns such as low participation of village officials in planning and administration, non-transparency of local budgeting. It also recognizes that barangays are in the

frontline in providing solutions concerns involving human rights, disaster preparedness and response, and many others.

Specific collaborations that have been implemented in areas with UBAS projects are clean up drives, values formation, anti-drug campaigns, tree planting activities, and livelihood development.

The launching on November 6 at the rooftop of the municipal hall was highlighted by a discussion of UBAS project including its rationale, objective and organization.

Other topics focused on ethics of politics, zeal

of good governance and bridging government and church.

Ensuing open forum clarified several concerns including fund allocation, project implementation, roles of parties in the collaboration, among others.

The convergence was capped by a signing of memorandum of agreement by the representatives of barangay LGUs and churches as well as other sectors involved in the project.

Midsayap is the second municipality in North Cotabato to adopt UBAS project, the first being Pigcawayan town.

South Cotabato sets two days for province-wide tree plantingBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The local government of South Co-tabato has set aside not one, but two days for province-wide tree plant-ing activities.

Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., signed on November 5, Executive Order No. 22, enjoining all municipal government

unit in the province to conduct tree planting activities every June 25 and every last Friday of November in their respective designated

areas. “Tree planting

sites should be in environmentally critical areas, deforested areas, community-


based forestry areas, public idle lands, parks and schools and/or private areas,” Gov. Pingoy said.

Env i r onmen ta l l y critical and community-based forestry project sites should be given priority.

For the effective implementation of the order, Pingoy also directed municipal LGUs to submit plans and undertakings to the provincial government through the Provincial E n v i r o n m e n t Management Office and coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National

Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other stakeholders.

Pingoy said the order is in accordance the Aquino A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’ s National Greening Program (NGP) and the Arbor Day Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10176).

NGP aims to plant 1 billion trees in 1.5 million trees from 2011 to 2016.

Section 4 of RA 10176 states: “All provinces, cities and municipalities with their component barangays shall be required to declare an Arbor Day or Tree Planting

Day, by appropriate proclamation of their respective local chief executive through an ordinance passed by the respective local sanggunian, at a fixed date every calendar year as shall be deemed conducive to the proper tune and season for planting trees in the respective localities.

“Although adoption of uniform dates for its celebration shall be encouraged, varying dates may be allowed in order to afford flexibility in the planning and implementing of the programs for tree planting.”

Designated Arbor Day shall be declared public working holiday to ensure wide participation by stakeholders.

South Cotabato’s Environment Code also mandates regular observance of province-wide tree planting day every last week of June and November every year.

Meanwhile, a proposal seeking for the declaration of an


DOT partners with fast food chain to strengthen SOCCSKSARGEN’s local tourismBy Aida Agad

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has teamed-up with a food conglomerate in the promotion of local tourism, an official here disclosed.

DOT 12 senior tourism officer Armin Hautea said a convergence effort with fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation was formalized after president Jose Minana and DOT secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. signed a partnership agreement.

Here in S O C C S K S A R G E N region, Hautea said, as an initial step DOT 12 will provide a general tourism training to Jollibee store front-liners in General Santos City’s KCC Mall on November 23,

in an effort to boost tourism awareness and promote local tourist destinations.

Hautea also said that under the partnership agreement, 239 Jollibee stores out of the 750 branches nationwide will act as tourism information centers where tourists can find maps and brochures provided by DOT.

In region 12, Jollibee stores located in the five cities are part of the campaign, the official said.

An advertising campaign will be

launched in these selected Jollibee outlets in the form of viral videos, micro sites, press releases, print, and out-of-home materials to serve as a seamless tie-in with the current tourism campaign “Its More fun in the Philippines,” Hautea said.

Day in the province is being discussed at the environment committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Loida Villa, senior environment management specialist

at the PEMO, said these special days set for tree planting should be on top of the several tree planting activities being done by the provincial government in partnership with other stakeholders,

including, among others, massive planting of bamboos in riparian zones and the planting of at least 10 seedlings for every chair given to schools.

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one mindanao - november 16, 2012

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