one mindanao - october 24, 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

Catching Crime

RG AlamaSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Wednesday, October 24, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 50

page 4

Aquino wants closer cooperation with New Zealand in agriculture, energy development 9

Jenny Rose de Guzman, Central Mindanao

Sarangani DepEd superintendent named OIC regional director of DepEd Region 1019DA 12 launches community-based coffee enterprisein Senator Ninoy Aquino, SK 20 Shahana Joy Duerme & Pamela Dee Rana , Central Mindanao

Power group meets to prioritize Misamis Oriental electrification roadmap

Preparations underway for drug awareness month celebration in November

Jerome R. Soldevilla, Northern Mindanao

Army urged to relocate away from communities23 Joey Dalumpines, Southern Mindanao

Muslim to celebrate Eidul Adha on October 26 27 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, ARMM

Zambo City hosts 11th Annual CES Conference REAWESMIN gears up preparationJocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

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Melvin T. Anggot & Virgilio C. Garcia, Northern Mindanao

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Surigao del Sur DRRMC to implement red alert status on Oct 26Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, Caraga Region33

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DILG 13 conducts regional forum on local governance Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa, Caraga Region

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012 4 ONE MINDANAO

Catching Crime

Shortly Erwin with the help of friends posted and shared around Facebook the list of the items stolen and their corresponding serial numbers. One of the equipment stolen was a Nikon D700 Digital Single Lens Reflex DSLR camera one of the high-end models used by professional photographers along with expensive

top-of-the-line camera lenses. The robbery occurred at around late evening last October 14. One of the Facebook posts appealed to those living in nearby provinces to be aware of peddled merchandise similar to those stolen in Tay’s car. The fence items could be peddled in outlying provinces as to avoid detection in the city. A few days after, a photography enthusiast based in General Santos City contacted his friend in Davao City who happened to read the Faceboom post. The enthusiast called up his friend to inquire about the Nikon D700 since a person was peddling him the camera at around P35,000. The friend was suspicious, the camera was worth in the hundreds of

It began as Facebook post which went viral. Davao City

photographer Erwin Wong Tay’s vehicle was burglarized, his car windows broken the thieves entered the car carted away his expensive camera along with lenses and a laptop.

by RG Alama

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 5ONE MINDANAO

thousands, resale value would hover near its original brand new price not at a ridiculously lower amount. The friend alerted the authorities who immediately set up an entrapment operation in the General Santos Hotel. The photography enthusiast to whom the stolen items was peddled cooperated by delaying the transaction waiting for the police team to arrive from Davao. During the entrapment four suspected members of the buak-kotse gang were caught by the long-arm of the law. Among these arrested were Joey Aguirre Masayon, alias Jojo, 35, of Silway Fatima; Melanie Gulfan Aguirre, alias Lanie, 24, of Purok Uhaw in Barangay Fatima; Tristan Ocampo Sumaoang, 40, computer technician, of Morales Subdivision, all from General Santos City; and Leonardo Medel Valentin, alias Jojo, 48, of Barrio Patay of Agdao. The gang’s name takes after their modus operandi which is to break the glass portion of the vehicle’s windows. So far they were said to be responsible for a series of burglaries in the city based from the recovered items. Recovered were two units of Mazda Familia cars which are said to be used in their capers, Erwin Tay’s equipment, cellular phones and some pieces of jewelry. The gang’s modus operandi is

to pass through cities, and strike at the nearest opportunity and peddle their goods in another locality to avoid being tracked, unfortunately they didn’t discount the power of Facebook. Police Superintendent Ronaldo dela Rosa head of the Davao City Police Office said that the buak kotse gang is a reminder to the public never to leave precious possessions in their vehicles especially if they are visible to passers-by. You can cover the items or hid them from view, dela Rosa told the public during the presentation of the suspects. He also reminded the public to remain vigilant despite the arrest of the gang as there are also parallel groups operating. According to DCPO data there are 32 recorded buak kotse cases in the city with 15 occuring in the Talomo area where Tay’s cameras were stolen.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 6 ONE MINDANAO

Baktin Group Napoleon Icdang Saliog Jr, a businessman had parked his Toyota Fortuner car in front of his home for the night. Later to find out that his car was gone. Saliog was just among the victims in the spate of carnapping incidents which occurred in the City’s Buhangin District. Among the other victims included Dante Chavez Alon, a plantation manager of Tropical Fruits who lost his Toyota Hilux pickup, Stanley Tudio, supervisor of the Japan Tobacco Philippines lost his Toyota Avanza just outside his home. Highway Patrol Group recorded 16 vehicles missing in Davao since January 1. Only one was confirmed as carnap while the other 15 were still listed as missing. According to the HPG this was the highest number of carnapped cases compared to 2011 where there were only two cases. A few weeks after another car was stolen in Tandag Surigao del Sur owned by agricultural company Sumifro, the company immediately alerted the police. The carnappers were later caught in Davao City under the joint efforts of the HPG and the DCPO. Arrested were Jerry Malacao Paulino, 30, Diego LIngasa Macatimba, 19, and Eddie Tabanao Lopez, 19, all residents of Davao City.Recovered were scores of carnapped vehicles which were found in the bodega of Ryan Yu alias Baktin the alleged mastermind of the so-called

Baktin Group. In another raid last October 22, in a warehouse owned by Ryan Yu, 14 more vehicles were recovered. The gang were said to be in cahoots with employees of car dealers who provided him purchased cars along with details like vehicle specifications and the address of the owners. And according to Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte the mastermind also gets help from rouge members of the HPG and the Land Transportation Office The group included technicians who specialized in disabling car alarms and those who could tamper vehicle chassis numbers to prevent it from being tracked. The group was responsible for at least 21 cases of carnappings since November of last year. Currently Ryan Yu remains at large. Meanwhile Vice-Mayor Duterte warned erring policemen and LTO personnel to shape up “tumino kayo, umayos kayo sa trabaho niyo.” He also issued a warning to Yu never to operate in the city, vowing to hunt the man down until he is caught.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 7

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino government to build more infrastructure projects under PPP

The Aquino government announced on Tuesday that it was targetting to award eight projects for this year and 10 additional projects next year under the public private partnership (PPP) program.

In a business forum in New Zealand Tuesday, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, who accompanied President Benigno S. Aquino III in his state visit there, said the government has already bidded out several projects such as the Light Rail Transit extension and the construction of classrooms for the Department of Education.

So far, the government was able to award 10,000 classrooms and there will be another two 10,000-classroom projects to be bidded out.

The government also bidded out a toll way and will award another one. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway is also up for grabs, Purisima said.

8 Wednesday, October 24, 2012

“What’s happening in the Philippines is we’ve established a pipeline of PPP projects, and we hope to launch at least eight this year and 10 next year,” Purisima stressed.

“What’s important is that this covers not just economic infrastructures such as mass transit, toll ways, power, sewerage and water; it also covers social infrastructures such as schools, office buildings and maybe prisons as we move down the road,” he added.

The goal of the President is to reduce the infrastructure gap between the Philippines and its neighboring

countries, Purisima said noting that the administration is doing this through PPP arrangements on available budget.

With prudent financial management, Purisima said, the government was able to increase the allocation for infrastructure in the budget by almost 50 percent since the President took office in 2010. He said that the administration hopes to sustain this momentum until President Aquino steps down in 2016.

The President was in New Zealand for a two-day state visit. After New Zealand, President Aquino will proceed to Australia for a similar visit. PND (as)

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 9

Aquino wants closer cooperation with New Zealand in agriculture, energy development

President Benigno S. Aquino III said he hopes the Philippines and New Zealand could work together in areas of agriculture, energy, and manufacturing for the benefit of both countries.

During a business forum held in New Zealand on Tuesday, the President said he’s interested in imitating Thailand in its dairy cooperation with New Zealand by developing tropicalized breeds of cattle to sustain Thailand’s meat

and dairy needs.“We’d like to have the same

experience. I had a good fortune to try some of your produce ever since I came in yesterday, and I’m very, very impressed,” the

10 Wednesday, October 24, 2012

President said. “We’d really like to develop more indigenous abilities to satisfy that particular need,” he added.

The President was in New Zealand for a two-day state visit. He is scheduled to go to Australia after his New Zealand trip.

The Philippines imports 99 percent of its dairy requirements, the President said.

If the Philippines could develop such industry, it would become less dependent on the vagaries of the international market and at the same time satisfying the nutritional requirements of next generation of Filipinos, the Chief Executive further said.

The Philippines and New Zealand could also work together for further development of the Philippines’ geothermal energy sector. In the 70s, the President said New Zealand assisted the Philippines put up its own capacity to harness

geothermal energy.The Philippines is the second

country in the world devoting much attention to geothermal energy development and use. The US is the biggest geothermal energy user.

“We can make our own industry that much more efficient and perhaps really tap into the reported 2,000 megawatts reserves. We need to be able to generate a lot more energy to bring down the prices of our electricity which are amongst the highest in Asia,” he President stressed.

Aside from these areas, both countries can also build stronger tie up in manufacturing, the President said. He noted that he is also excited about a working holiday scheme so that both countries can express views about their respective culture and best practices. PND (as)

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 11

Government prepares for drafting annexesin next round of talks with MILF --OPAPP

The Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has

been conducting preparatory work on drafting the annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that will form part of their agenda on the next round of talks in Kuala Lumpur next month, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said.

“Both parties, through their Technical Working Groups (TWGs), expect to complete at least three annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and normalization by the end of the year,” Deles said.

The peace adviser detailed that as part of the preparations,

initial discussions of the government delegation with the human development and poverty alleviation cluster were held recently. In addition, an ad hoc interagency meeting on normalization will be held Monday.

Further, the government peace

Wednesday, October 24, 2012ONE MINDANAO 12

panel and other government officials will embark on a week-long study visit later this month to Navarra, Spain – a Comunidad Foral or a chartered community that practices a high degree of self-governance but operates within Spain’s structure as a nation of autonomous communities, Deles said.

“Supported by the Spanish government through the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), the trip will give insights to the Philippine delegation on how Navarra’s governance works, which can be useful in the drafting of annexes and in further discussions of the details of the signed Framework Agreement,” Deles said.

It can be recalled that representatives of the MILF undertook a similar study visit in March of this year. MILF visited Spain’s autonomous region of Catalan and observed the autonomous community’s experiences.

“The visit also hopes to draw lessons and insights relevant as reference to the drafting of the Basic Law of the Bangsamoro. The trip also hopes to inspire models for the yet to be established Bangsamoro set to replace the

current ARMM,” Deles explained.The delegation will leave for

Madrid on Oct. 23 and from there will travel to Navarra on Oct. 24.

With annexes expected to be due by the end of 2012, both parties are hard at work in preparing the details of the Framework Agreement, which will comprise the final peace agreement once completed. An Executive Order (EO) to be issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to be drafted and released two to three weeks from now, Deles said in an interview.

Following the roadmap, the EO – which is expected to be supported by Congress through a resolution – will create the Transition Commission, to be composed of 15 members - seven from government and eight from the MILF.

The Framework Agreement, considered by government chief negotiator Dean Marvic Leonen to be the “mother agreement” that is expected to usher in peace and development in Mindanao, serves as the roadmap for the creation of the Bangsamoro, the new political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). (PNA)


DOLE pursues reform program to maintain industrial peaceby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The labor department is currently pursuing a reform agenda to prevent labor conflicts from becoming full-blown disputes.

Lawyer Johnson Cañete, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao, said in a media forum that one of the flagship programs of the Department to

maintain industrial peace is the single-entry approach (SENA). He said the SENA, which uses conciliation-mediation as a strategy to settle differences, is a better approach towards maintaining the


Power group meets to prioritize Misamis Oriental electrification roadmapby Jerome R. Soldevilla

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Energy firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) has convened a planning group that will lay down plans to accelerate and prioritize the energization of Misamis Oriental at the sitio level.

During a recent coordinating meeting held at the Mallberry Suites, officials from SPI, the Department of Energy (DOE) and electric distribution utilities Cagayan Electric Power and Light

Company (Cepalco), Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative (Moresco) 1 and Moresco II agreed to prioritize Misamis Oriental as recipient of the electrification fund accruing

good relationship between the labor and management. He also said the DOLE will not treat problems between the company and labor as cases under the SENA but rather as requests for assistance. “Instead of looking into their violations, we will look into how we can help the companies,” he added. Cañete said through this new approach, the DOLE will shift into becoming developmental, partnering and empowering rather than being just regulatory. The media interactive forum is being conducted quarterly by DOLE-10 to promote social dialogue and update the media on the various programs and milestone of the Department. The third quarter forum, held

last October 19 at the Polymedic Medical Plaza, was highlighted by the oath-taking of the president of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), as one of the board of directors of the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council. The PMAP is a professional organization with over 1,800 corporate and individual members engaged in human resource management and industrial relations work, said Priscilla Capitan, PMAP president. She said the PMAP advocates for best practices on human resource management. It also helps its members become more effective by teaching the human aspect of management via numerous career development forums and training programs.


from the electricity sales of Steag’s coal-fired power plant in Villanueva. Pursuant to the DOE guidelines, power generating companies set aside one centavo for every kWh of electricity sales to fund electrification and other community development programs and projects. Since 2006, Steag has earmarked PhP 31.97 million for the electrification of 39 villages in Region 10, of which 32 are in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City. Anabel Elmaga of the DOE Rural Electrification and Management Division said the identification of the recipient communities follows the radiating order from the location of the Steag power plant as provided for in the ER 1-94

guidelines of the DOE. “Priorities are the host communities nearest the power plant of Steag including the host province, then the host Region” Elmaga explained. Data from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) showed that there are still 730 potential sitios for energization in Misamis Oriental, most of these are within the franchise area of Moreco II (covering the eastern towns of the province). “We are working on the full energization by 2013 of the remaining five sitios in our host communities in Tagoloan and Villanueva afterwhich we move on to consider the other neighboring towns in Misamis Oriental,” said COMREL Manager Ghaye Alegrio.


Preparations underway for drug awareness month celebration in Novemberby Melvin T. Anggot & Virgilio C. Garcia

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The Iligan City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ICADAC) is preparing for the observance of Dangerous Drugs Awareness and Prevention Month in November.

The celebration will be opened with a motorcade that will begin at the Children’s Park of Barangay San Miguel, going to Buhanginan Hills at Barangay Pala-o this city. A program will follow for this one-month celebration. Within the month of November, there will be a bloodletting program to be led by the Iligan City Police Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Likewise, a drug summit will also be conducted to be sponsored by the office of Lone District Representative Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr, who is chairman of the Congressional Committee on Drugs. The culmination of the observance will be held on November 29 through a march rally and program at Rizal Park that will be sponsored by the Youth Affairs Office, under the office of Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, chairman of ICADAC.


DA beefs up partnership with farmers via “Usapang Palay’By Dani Doguiles & Lito Salvo

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Agriculture in Soc-csksargen Region (DA 12) has intensified its of agricultural information and technology campaign on its AgriPinoy Rice Program.

Preparations underway for drug awareness month celebration in November


Through its latest project ‘Usapang Palay’ a focus group discussion was launched during the two-day technical briefing and writeshop last week.

DA 12 believes that holding FGDs with local farmers where they are located will give them opportunity to openly discuss their technology needs and the issues confronting their rice productivity.

DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said, Usapang Palay is a sharing of rice information and technology updates between the DA, agricultural extension workers and the farmers.

“Main objective of the project is to enhance the interest and enthusiasm of the farmers to learn and appreciate the best farming practices in order to achieve high yield on rice production in their communities,” Dir. Datukan added.

It is also aimed at soliciting the concerns of farmers as well as their suggestions in advancing agricultural productivity.

This project, Dir. Datukan emphasized, is

part of the agency’s line of strategies in ensuring the attainment of its Food Staples Self-sufficiency Program (FSSP).

Besides DA 12 through its AgriPinoy Rice Program as the lead agency that will shoulder the project’s cost, representatives from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) and PhilRice also play significant roles in the project.

On Thursday, members of the Regional Management Team (RMT) discussed the strategies as well as the schedule of the project implementation.

The following day, the RMT has oriented the municipal and provincial agriculturists on their responsibility for the project.

RMT team leader Soraida Bangon, said that this project will only cover farmers who have not yet undergone any Farmers’ Field School or any relevant trainings given by the regional office.

Aside from this, Bangon added that they

will target farmers whose farm yield is below 3.8 metric tons per hectare.

With these qualifications, the project committee decided to jumpstart the project starting November to December 2012 in the four provinces of the region.

After the two-day technical briefing, the ‘Usapay Palay’ RMT has decided to utilize the local farmer technicians (LFTs), RSTC, Training on Trainors (TOTs) on Rice to organize a team in holding this project in their respective scope of operations.

At present, according to Marilyn Opolentisima, senior agriculturist of ATI, there are 96 LFTs in the region where 75 of them are already doing their duties.

The regional office will allocate P100.00 per farmer-participant which covers the transport cost of the personnel from the municipal and provincial local government units (MLGUs/PLGUs) to conduct the ‘Usapang Palay.’

‘Usapang Palay’ is set to formally begin next month.


Sarangani DepEd superintendent named OIC regional director of DepEd Region 10By Jenny Rose de Guzman

ALABEL, Sarangani -- Department of Education (DepEd)-Sarangani schools division superintendent Dr. Allan Farnazo, was installed on Thursday (October 18) as the new officer-in-charge regional director of DepEd Region 10.

As Sarangani division superintendent for almost 16 months, Farnazo has significantly improved the performance of education in the province, as manifested in the recent National Achievement Test where Sarangani bested other provinces and cities in Region 12.

The result ranked Sarangani 2nd in the elementary level from 7th place in the previous examination and topped the secondary level from its previous 6th place. Over-all, Sarangani ranked 1st in Region 12.

This, according to Farnazo’s former staffers, was among the

many contributions that he left as legacy. They hoped for his successor to continue Farnazo’s advocacy of delivering quality education in Sarangani.

Dr. Isagani dela Cruz, Farnazo’s assistant division superintendent will reportedly replace him.

Governor Migs Dominguez said it would indeed be a great responsibility and challenge for Dela Cruz to “surpass what Allan has done for the past 16 months” and challenged school supervisors and administrators to “continue the vision, the passion to create a better Sarangani, a better Philippines tomorrow.”

Dominguez was hesitant to accept Farnazo’s transfer but instead said “kailangan


siya ng Region 10, so ang contribution natin na galing sa Sarangani ay makaka-impact at makaka-impluwensiya sa Region 10.”

During his term, Farnazo was able to create a separate

council for the Boys Scouts of the Philippines in Sarangani and envisioned to likewise establish a separate council for Girls Scouts and Red Cross.

Meanwhile, Farnazo described all his

accomplishments as “collective effort” with the teachers, the community and the laudable support of the provincial government of Sarangani and other stakeholders.

DA 12 launches community-based coffee enterprise in Senator Ninoy Aquino, SKKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato--The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 in partnership with the Tri-People Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao Inc. (TRICOM Inc.) has launched and turned over to the Manobo Dulangan indigenous people in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat.

By Shahana Joy Duerme & Pamela Dee Rana

DA 12 through its Agri Pinoy High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) has allotted a fund worth P1,724,000 for the project.

Engr. Jocelyn Torres, HVCDP staff, said that project is aimed at providing livelihood for the mentioned indigenous tribe.

“This project spearheaded by TRICOM and DA is an avenue for you to improve the quality of your life. Through this enterprise package, you could assure that your harvest will be

processed and will be put into market,” Torres explained to the beneficiaries.

Included in the enterprise package were post-harvest facilities like de-pulpers, de-huller, dryer, grinder, roaster, coffee vending machine and enterprise building.

“The business intends to take much advantage of the favorable industry condition brought about by a general increase in coffee consumption and consumer population,

both in the national and international market,” stated Narciso P. Jover Jr., Executive Director of TRICOM, Inc.

Further, Jover said that through this project, the locals can sell and compete their products in the market through superior processing of highly selected coffee beans that will be traded as dried coffee green beans to processors. Meanwhile, some parts will be processed into roasted beans or ground coffee for brewed coffee marketing.

TRICOM, Inc. is


a non-government organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which is designed to help indigenous people in the legal recognition of their ancestral domains using the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (RA 8371) and to assist them in developing their community.

It also helps in the promotion of appropriate technologies for sustainable agriculture production. Under this program is the value

chain development of coffee commodity for agriculture sub-sector development.

On the other hand, apart from DA, this effort has gained favorable support from government sectors like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) as well as private sectors like Philippine Coffee Alliance, Globe, Accenture, Bote Central, Incorporated and the Philippine Business for Social

Progress (PBSP).Also, a funding

partner abroad which is the Inter-Church Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) extended help for this endeavor.

Meanwhile, DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia J. Datukan gave assurance that she will continue to support coffee farmer groups especially in remote areas for them to contribute to the country’s agricultural productivity.


TAGUM CITY - The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has established a protocol or system that should be observed by members of the media for their safety and proper dissemination of information in times of disasters. “It is important for media practitioners to check in or register with the Operation Center not only for them to be able to get the information they want but also for their own safety,” PDRRMC Special Operations Officer Sonio J. Sanchez said. Sanchez, who presented the Disaster Protocol to members of the media prior to the downstream river familiarization tour Wednesday, said the protocol does not allow media and information officers to go to the areas affected by the disaster without proper clearance from the safety officer. “All operations are released only at the Operation Center or

Incident Command Post which makes registration and checking in very important,” he said. The Operation Center will be located at the barangay level when only one barangay is affect, town level when two barangays are affected and provincial level when two towns are affected, he added. Sanchez said there are different point persons or persons in-charge depending on the type of disaster. He said in case of natural disasters like flooding or earthquakes, media should go to the disaster action officers. However, in cases of man-made disasters, media should go to the fire marshall in case of fire, the Philippine National Police for hostage or bombing incidents and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for insurgency. He however cautioned members of the media that they will not give information when they only play a supporting role in deference and with respect to the person-in-charge in times of disaster.

Davao del Norte sets disaster protocol for mediaby Lovely Carillo


Davao City-Two city councilors renewed calls to keep the shelter of soldiers away from the houses of residents particularly in Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District to ensure the safety of civilians in the event the rebels launch attacks. Speaking at the regular session of the city council Tuesday, Councilor Jimmy Dureza said the

soldiers must consider the safety of civilians in setting up camps within the community. He said military base must locate themselves away from the population since it causes danger to the civilians especially during attacks perpetrated by the rebels. “The soldiers must be located far from the population because their presence might cause danger

Army urged to relocate away from communitiesby Joey Dalumpines


to the lives of civilians,” Dureza said. Councilor Leah Librado echoed Dureza saying that the soldiers must relocate away from civilian communities. She said soldiers must ensure the safety of civilians by keeping them away from the crossfire during rebel attacks. Earlier, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said there is no standard on how near or far a military base must be from the civilian populace.She said that the general rule is that soldiers must avoid setting up their bases in crowded places like residential areas and government buildings. Duterte-Carpio said the instruction given to soldiers assigned in the mountain barangays is to set up their base away from government buildings like the barangay hall and the residential areas. Duterte-Carpio said this situation makes the definition of the

distance between military camps and communities on a case-to-case basis. She said there are barangay officials who want that soldiers stay within the community, since they feel more protected. Duterte-Carpio said there are also barangay chairs who seek to keep Army bases away from the residential areas. “These are the barangay officials who opt to stay neutral and want to live their lives peacefully,” she said. Duterte-Carpio said the barangay chair and the military officer in the area must discuss on the issue since peace and development teams assigned in specific areas are received formally by the respective barangay officials. She said barangay officials and military officers must discuss on the security mix that will work for the barangay.

did you know... That the name of the Davao del Sur town of Malita is derived from the Spanish word Maleta or suitcase, the story goes that a Spanish settler who ventured into the area crossed a river, the strong river current forced him to lose his grip on the suitcase forcing him to call out “maleta!, maleta!” a name which struck with the natives in the area.


EU releases P312M livelihood grant for conflict-affected families in Mindanao

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The European Union (EU) has turned over P312 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide livelihood to conflict-affected families in Mindanao.

The grant of EUR 5.9 million (or P312 million) under the Aid to Uprooted People Programme will fund

the project “Enhancing the Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Central Mindanao by Strengthening

Photo Credit: Mary Villanueva, DSWD


Livelihoods” for a period of two years, according to the statement issued by Thelma Gecolea, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Public Affairs Officer on Monday. The grant aims to boost the livelihood recovery of 50,000 families or 300,000 persons displaced by the past conflict in Mindanao. WFP will lead the program implementation in close collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “As a major development partner in poverty alleviation in Mindanao since 1990, this grant is a strong re-affirmation of the European Union’s support to the development of Mindanao, and this will no doubt continue in the light of the recent peace Framework Agreement,” EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said. He said that this support will directly address poverty alleviation for the poorest in Mindanao, especially during the crucial transition phase following the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “We are very grateful to the EU for their continuous assistance to WFP and its work in the Philippines. In part, the EU in the Philippines is proactively promoting the Mindanao peace process through this significant and timely EU grant which will enable WFP to help conflict-affected communities

quickly recover and rebuild,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson. To formalize the partnership, a ceremonial signing between the EU and WFP was held on Monday, October 22, at the DSWD office in Quezon City. Aside from the top officials of EU and WFP, the signing was also graced by DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, United Nations Resident Coordinator Luiza Carvalho, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman and Mike Pasigan of the MILF Peace Panel. Secretary Soliman said the EU’s support through WFP, a partner of the DSWD, is a welcome development that is expected to boost and complement the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable peace and development in Mindanao. The EU press release also quoted Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF negotiation panel, saying that the MILF is greatly encouraged by the show of support for the peace process. “The MILF greatly appreciates the help EU has extended to promote peace in Mindanao, and to improve the living conditions of the people, especially the internally displaced persons. This assistance will facilitate the work ahead, as we move towards achieving peace and development for the Bangsamoro,” he said. (EU)


Muslim to celebrate Eidul Adhaon October 26 by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The entire Muslim community is set to celebrate Eidul Adha on Friday, October 26.

Eidul Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is one of the two greatest Islamic festivals. The other is Eidul Fitr which marks the end of Ramadhan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. During the Eidul Adha celebration, Muslims will gather at their local mosques to listen to sermon and perform the Eidul Adha congregational prayers. Those who can afford will also

symbolically sacrifice or slaughter a domestic animal, such as cow or goat, and share the meat of the sacrifice to family, relatives, friends and others, especially the poor. Muslims called this act as Qurbani. Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 26, 2012 as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eidul Adha to bring the religious and cultural significance of the celebration to the fore of national consciousness.


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NMIS celebrates 19th Nat’l Meat Safety Consciousness Week, 40th anniversaryBy Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) celebrates its 19th Meat Safety Consciousness Week with the theme “Karneng Ligtas at Sapat, Kabalikat ng Lahat.” (Sufficient and Safe Meat is Everybody’s Concern).


NMIS Week also coincides with the agency’s 40th anniversary celebration this October. NMIS 9 Regional Technical Director Dr. Arturo De Jesus said, the theme for this year recognizes the role of everyone towards sufficient supply of safe meat. “In our goal towards self-sufficiency lets us not sacrifice public safety or public health over production,” de Jesus said. De Jesus also appealed to meat establishment operator’s to ensure that their establishments are thoroughly clean before and after “operation.” “Make certain that workers have medical certificate, free from

any diseases and handling of meat and meat products must be in a hygienic and sanitary manner,” he emphasized. De Jesus disclosed, “in the surveillance study conducted by NMIS, it was found out that some workers do not observe proper hygiene.” “With this observation, our office has reminded plant operators and informed them regarding certain observations and we have also advised them to improve their food handling practices,” he said. Proclamation No. 276 declares third week of October of every year as Meat Safety Consciousness Week.


Zambo City hosts 11th Annual CES ConferenceREAWESMIN gears up preparationBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

PAGADIAN CITY - The Regional Executive Association of Western Mindanao (REAWESMIN) gears up for the 11th Annual Career Executive Service (CES) Conference set on November 14-16 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

This annual CES Conference is conducted in partnership with the National Union of Career Executive Service Officers (NUCESO) and REAWESMIN as this year’s host. The conference underscores the public policy and program advocacy bias of the CES promoting good governance within the context of sustainable development. Over 900 members of the CES Community from all over the country are expected to attend this year’s conference says Macybel Alfaro-Sahi, Civil Service Commission 9 (CSC9) Regional Director and REAWESMIN President. “The executives will be pushed to cutting edge management tools to bolster delivery of public service, with this year’s theme “Going 4G! Good to Great, Green Governance,” through the different learning sessions as we capitalize our executives to better improve our delivery of basic services,” Sahi was quoted as saying. Consequently, REAWESMIN has been burning lines reaching out to concerned people in order to make this year’s Annual CES

Conference a rousing success, says regional director Noemi B. Edaga, of the Philippine Information Agency 9(PIA9) and chair of REAWESMIN Souvenir and Program Committee. “Different committees were created and have been busy doing their respective tasks.” She said The occasion is expected to provide various innovative learning opportunities through plenary and learning sessions, open forums and other networking activities. On the lighter side, Sahi said, ‘REAWESMIN has prepared a city tour and exotic food to cap the learning sessions for the participants to make their Zamboanga CES conference experience not only meaningful but enjoyable as well.” The Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular No. 37 on September 11, 2012 authorizing participation of all CESOs / Career Executive Service (CES) Eligible and Career Executive (CSE) Eligibles in the 11th Annual CES Conference. Last year almost 800 participants attended the conference held at the Heritage Hotel Manila in Pasay City.


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OWWA-Caraga awards 2012 Reg’l MOFYA winnersby Danilo S. Makiling

AGUSAN DEL SUR --- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga region awarded the regional winners in the annual Search for Model Overseas Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) in a ceremony held here. According to OWWA-Caraga Director Ron Lionel Bartolome, MOFYA is an award-giving program designed to give recognition to outstanding OFW families and promote best

practices achieving optimal success in all aspect of life in the face of overseas migration of one or more members of the household. Bartolome also said MOFYA aims


to give recognition to the outstanding achievements of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families and serve as the role models for the whole OFW population; to promote success stories about the OFW families’ endurance over the challenges on their family relations and uplift the image of the OFW families in the community; and to highlight the role of the OFW family acting as a group/unit in the attainment of socio-civic, educational, professional and success. The awards is categorized into two namely the land-based and the sea-based, with the following qualifications: A) The family is headed by an OFW, l and-based/sea-based, formerly or presently working abroad with a formal or informal contract of employment and with proof of OWWA Membership; B) the OFW either married or single, is the head of the family, and has at least four years of work experience as an

OFW; C) The OFW family is known as solid/stable family in the locality with a certification of family solidarity by the Barangay Captain; D) Financially stable. The awardee for the land-based category is Nelly Arangali who works as a quality inspector in Liberty Woods International based in Malaysia. Nicolas Sonsona won the sea-based category. He is working as a seafarer chief cook from different shipping company abroad. The awardees were examined and approved by the Board of judges from different government and private stakeholders. The winners received P20,000 cash in the form of GCASH from Globe Telecom, and DBO Asenso Card from Banco De Oro. OWWA Caraga also said that the awardees of Caraga region are also the nominees for the National MOFYA to be held on December 6 at Mall of Asia, Manila.


Surigao del Sur DRRMC to implement red alert status on Oct 26by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

BUTUAN CITY -- Due to the scheduled rocket launching by South Korea on October 26, 2012, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Surigao del Sur chaired by Gov.Johnny T. Pimentel thru the PDRRMC Executive Officer Florencio Pimentel directed all the local DRRMC in the province to implement a red alert status.

This was announced by Norberto Lorente of PDRRMC Center to 19 LDRRMC chair/officers during the Provincial Development Council Meeting held last week at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room here. The PDRRMC said the advisory was sent by the office of the Regional DRRM Center directing them to activate the Red Alert Status on the day of the launching of the Republic of Korea’s 3rd Science and Technology Satellite-2.

In Caraga region, the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur were identified to be on red alert status where the general public especially the fishermen are advised not to venture on seas from 2:30 – 6:00 P.M.. Lorente further said Surigao del Sur Operation Center during the day of the launch will monitor, assess and respond to the possible effects of the satellite such as the fall of debris within the province.

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DILG 13 conducts regional forum on local governanceby Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Caraga, in commemoration of the 21st year of the Local Government Code, conducted the regional forum on local governance on October 19 at Dottie’s Place Hotel, Butuan City. Local chief executives in the region, representatives from regional line agencies, civil society organizations, academe and DILG personnel convened in the forum to celebrate the two decades of local autonomy in the Philippines. The regional forum is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No.

63, Series of 1992, which declared the month of October of every year as the local government month, and the second week as the local government Week, and the 10th of October as the local government day. DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, in her welcome message, said that collective


efforts will set the direction for good governance as the principles of participation, accountability, responsiveness and transparency are being uphold and put into action. Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr, who gave his message

in the event, emphasized the essence of local autonomy in the country as local governments have exercised certain basic powers to provide for the best interest of their constituents. The forum proper started with the region’s stake on sustainable development focusing on its three pillars, namely, social, economic and environmental aspects. It was presented by Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, assistant regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority-Caraga. She presented the status of Caraga in terms of development and areas of improvement where the region needs to recover and focus its attention, such as the presence of low water quality and forest degradation. The regional state of local governance report was presented by DILG Local Government Capacity Development Division Chief

Charissa T. Guerta. She made mention of the five performance areas, namely, social, economic, environmental, administrative and valuing fundamentals. Critical observation on the report is the region’s incidence on AIDS/HIV,


which has increased tremendously compared with other regions in the country. It was also noted that local government units needs to sustain their compliance to the Anti-Red Tape Act, which is an important component for the Seal of Good Housekeeping for 2012. The regional winners of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Awards 2012 were given plaques, certificates and a cash incentive: P1 million for the municipality of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; P2 million for Surigao City and P3 millionfor the province of Surigao del Norte. Also during the forum, the municipalities of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte and Loreto, Dinagat Islands being recipients of the DILG Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat Program received the first tranche

of release, which is equivalent to 50 percent of the total project cost. Magallanes received P3.5 million, while Loreto received P500,000. Symbolic checks equivalent to 80 percent of the total project cost were given to the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur as recipients of DILG-Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program. The province of Agusan del Sur, through Provincial Governor Adolph Edward G. Plaza, received P56 million, covering the municipalities of Sibagat, Prosperidad, Sta. Josefa and Veruela. On the other hand, the Province of Surigao del Sur, through Provincial Governor Johnny T. Pimentel received P30.4 million, covering the municipalities of Marihatag, Bayabas, San Agustin, Tagbina and Hinatuan; and the cities of Tandag and Bislig.

one mindanao - october 24, 2012

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