one mindanao - october 26, 2015

FDA warns against use of unregistered ProMatrix 7 Multiple Source Protein

Best performing food terminals recognized

Enforcement of No Smoking Law sought

By: Susil D. Ragas

Panabo City Green Leaf Association Benefits from Shared Service Facility

DAR turns-over road, bridge in Surigao Sur town

President Aquino signs law on financial assistance to poor students

Government supports actions to stop

violence against Lumads

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Cover Story

National

Southern

InFocus

Northern

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contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No.46

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17By: MCLPaylaga

26SOCCSKSARGEN

2430 28Caraga

By Joie L. Ceballos

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Summit underscores importance of coco coirBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

31PSA Caraga to hold FLEMMS Reg’l Data Dissemination ForumBy: Jennifer Gaitano

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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

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

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]

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSGIDEON CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 October 26, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

DAR turns-over road, bridge in Surigao Sur town By Joie L. Ceballos

5October 26, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

DAR turns-over road, bridge in Surigao Sur town


The P49.6 million project, funded under the DAR-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project Phase III (ARISP-III) includes a seven-kilometer road improvement and construction

of a 36.8 meter flatslab bridge which is expected to benefit 834 agrarian reform beneficiaries and thousand other residents in the three barangays namely, Dughan, San Jose and Javier, all

Te Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) handed the completed improvement works for the NRJ Dughan-Javier farm-to-market road in Barobo, Surigao del Sur last October

16, 2015.


of Barobo, Surigao Sur.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Surigao Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang, Barobo mayor Felixberto Urbiztondo, ARISP Assistant- National Project Manager (NPM) Henry Zapata, National Project Engineer Mel

Lamboon, assistant regional director Daylinda Narisma and provincial agrarian reform officer Benjamin Mataksil.

In his message, Governor Pimentel lauded the DAR for its efforts and challenged the farmers to take good care of the project.


Meanwhile, Ragandang thanked the local government units, both provincial and municipal, for their support especially in generating the local government’s counterpart. “Indeed, the counterpart of the local government is essential in

realizing this big project,” she said.

Assistant NPM Zapata reminded both the recipients --- farmers and the local government alike, that both play a very important role in the post-construction phase and that is to use with care and contribute not to its destruction.

For Dughan Barangay Captain Alex Maceda, the project is a dream come true. “Thank you so much to all the government agencies most specially to DAR who did not fail to remember us,” he said in the local dialect.

9 October 26, 2015ONE MINDANAO 9October 26, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Palace welcomes UN statement praising Philippine gov’t for rapid, pre-emptive response to ‘Lando’

MANILA -- Malacanang on Sunday welcomed the recent statement of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction praising the Philippine government for its timely response which mitigated the impact of Typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu). Margareta Wahlstrom, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, even said that other

countries could learn from the Philippine government’s rapid and pre-emptive response.


“Malugod nating tinatanggap ang pahayag ng United Nations, partikular ng UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, hinggil sa ginawang paghahanda ng Pilipinas sa pagtama ng bagyong ‘Lando.’ Sa simula pa lamang ng administrasyong Aquino, isa sa mga pinagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapahusay sa mga programa, proyekto, at pangkalahatang

sistema patungkol sa climate change mitigation and adaptation, alinsunod sa layuning matamo ang kaligtasan ng lahat ng mga mamamayan at residente sa panahon ng kalamidad,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. during an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.


The Palace official also cited the government’s effort to make the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) improve their services. “Isa sa mga tinututukan ng pamahalaan ang pagpapalakas sa kakayahan ng DOST-PAGASA sa pagtataya ng lakas at pagtukoy sa galaw ng isang bagyo na siyang batayan sa isasagawang pagkilos ng mga lokal at pambansang disaster risk reduction management council. Kabilang ang pagsasagawa ng pre-disaster risk assessment at pagtatalaga ng mga first responders na binubuo ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan at mga empleyado ng pamahalaan, ang pag-preposition ng mga rescue equipment, food packs, at relief goods sa mga istratehikong lugar para sa agarang deployment,” Coloma explained.

“Makatitiyak po tayo na tuloy-

tuloy ang modernisasyon ng mga equipment ng DOST-PAGASA at ang higit pang pagpapalakas ng ating kapasidad na magbigay ng napapanahong pagtaya sa panahon at iba pang sitwasyon ng kalamidad para mabigyan din ng sapat na paghahanda at nang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng lahat ng mga mamamayan at residente sa Pilipinas,” he added.

Coloma also stressed the importance of making the public well-informed during calamities.

“Dagdag pa rito ang tuloy-tuloy na pagpapakalat ng impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan na maaaring tamaan ng bagyo o kalamidad. Sa mga hindi pangkaraniwang pagkakataon tulad ng nakaraang bagyong ‘Lando’ at ng super typhoon ‘Yolanda,’ mismong ang Pangulo ang siyang nangunguna sa panawagan sa mamamayan at nag-uulat ng mga isinagawang paghahanda ng pamahalaan,” he said.


Coloma assured that the government will do its best to minimize if not prevent destruction of lives and properties during calamities.

“Sa mga nalalabing panahon ng administrasyon, hindi titigil

ang pamahalaan na ibayo pang mapalakas ang ating pambansang kakayahan at kapasidad laban sa pananalasa ng anomang kalamidad upang maibsan ang pinsala sa mga mamamayan at sa mga ari-arian,” he noted. (PND (jm) PCOO)


APEC endorses framework that seeks to ensure safety and sustainability of blood

CEBU CITY, Cebu -- Health Ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies have endorsed a Roadmap formulated in Manila last year that focuses on building the capacity of blood services, infrastructure and governance, and promoting international blood safety and quality standards in APEC member economies, in coordination with the private sector.

photo credit: sunstar.com

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Fifth APEC High Level Meeting on Health and the Economy (HLM5) held here

last August, the APEC health officials expressed their support to the APEC Blood Supply Chain 2020 Roadmap in order to ensure

14 October 26, 2015ONE MINDANAO14 October 26, 2015ONE MINDANAO

sustainable access to safe blood across the APEC region.

Formulated during the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum held in Manila October the previous year, the Roadmap is the first of its kind in the region.

Delegates to the said policy dialogue and workshop noted that demand for human blood is increasing at a rapid rate throughout the Asia-Pacific. They pointed out that rising populations and living standards, healthcare infrastructure development and greater healthcare spending are driving the region’s need for blood and creating greater impetus for action to meet this challenge.

In an effort to address these problems, the APEC 2020 Blood Supply Chain Roadmap was crafted to provide guidance on implementing and harmonizing international standards; optimizing blood processing, testing, and distribution systems;

improving clinical transfusion practices and patient blood management; and boosting capacity to develop and export plasma to help sustain blood systems in APEC economies.

During the HLM5, APEC health ministers also welcomed the establishment of the Blood Supply Chain Partnership Training Network to support the Roadmap’s implementation. The aim is to support supply chain knowledge and best practice sharing and technical capacity building cooperation, based on contributions from APEC economies, academia and professional societies, the Red Cross, key international organizations and industry. (APEC Communications.


Government supports actions to stop violence against Lumads

MANILA -- Malacanang welcomes and supports calls by local government units to stop the violence against Lumads in Mindanao, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Sunday. The Palace official issued the statement during an interview over government-run Radio ng Bayan, saying he was informed

that some LGUs have passed resolutions regarding the situation of the indigenous people in the south.


“Nakikiisa ang ating pamahalaan sa lahat ng panawagan sa pagpigil sa karahasan laban sa ating mga kapatid na Lumad sa Mindanao.

Ipinagpapatuloy ng pamahalaan ang pagtataguyod ng kaunlaran at kapayapaan sa lahat ng mga lugar na apektado upang matiyak ang patuloy na paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko ng ating mga lingkod-bayan,” said Coloma.

“Maaalalang noong nakaraang linggo. mariing kinondena ng pamahalaan ang pagpaslang kay Mayor Dario Otaza ng Loreto, Agusan del Sur, isa sa mga matibay na nagtataguyod sa prosesong pangkapayapaan at pangkaunlaran ng mga Lumad at Manobo communities,” he further said.

Coloma also stressed that the national government is using its resources to ensure peace and order in indigenous communities.

“Gusto natin na mabatid at maunawaan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating bansa na ang buong pamahalaan ay ginagamit ang

mga resources nito para itaguyod ang katahimikan, kaayusan at kapakanan ng ating mga kapatid na katutubo o indigenous peoples o Lumad communities sa Mindanao,” he added.

Marikina is the first LGU in Metro Manila to urge the government to stop the attacks againsts Lumads through Resolution No. 15-235, which was approved by the 14-member city council on October 14.

Principally sponsored by Councilor Joseph Banzon, the resolution condemns the series of Lumad killings in Mindanao and the destruction of their indigenous culture.

Other LGUs which are taking action on the plight of the Lumads are Quezon City and Caloocan. (PND (jm) PCOO.


DA-10 recognizes outstanding agri-achievers

Outstanding agricultural achievers from all over the region received recognition for their exceptional contribution to the agricultural sector during the 2015 Regional Achievers Awards, held on October 15, 2015, in the city, as part of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Office 10 (DA-RFO 10)’s annual observance of the World Food Day celebration.

With the presence of Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DA-RFO 10, represented by Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos, Assistant Regional Director Constancio C. Maghanoy, Jr. and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chair Prof. Edgardo

D. Layug, granted the Organic Agriculture Achievers Awards, Gawad Saka Awards, Rural Woman Achiever Awards, Quality Corn Achievers Awards and Best Performing Food Terminal Awards, to notable farmers and agricultural groups in the region. On the field of organic farming


in the region, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Misamis Oriental (MisOr) garnered the spot for Outstanding PLGU, and whose focal person, Engr. Alicia J. Angeles, won as the Outstanding Provincial Focal Person. On the other hand, the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental (MisOcc) got the Outstanding MLGU award, with its focal person, Elizabeth A. Talam, as the Outstanding Municipal Focal Person awardee. The said PLGU and MLGU won a project award worth P500,000 and P300,000, respectively; while the Outstanding Provincial Focal Person and Outstanding Municipal Focal Person got a cash prize worth P25,000 and P20,000, respectively.

In addition, Adelino F. Rico of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, won as the Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker (AEW) and received a cash prize of P15, 000. Other renowned awardees were: Nonito C. Cordero of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, who won as the Outstanding Small Farmer and who also is a finalist for the national awards; Greenminds, Inc. of Cagayan de Oro City, who won as the Outstanding Farmers’ Group; and the family of Arsenio A. Catiil of El Salvador City, MisOr, who won as the Outstanding Organic Farming Family. The said individual awardees won a cash prize of P50,000 while the Outstanding Farmers’ Group won a project award worth P100,000. (DA RFO 10/PIA 10)


Enforcement of No Smoking Law soughtCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The strict implementation of the No Smoking Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 96 of 1994 Codified Ordinance of Cagayan de Oro City is being sought by student leaders who were members of the Rotary Youth City Council.

RY Resolution No. 2015-23 was passed last September 24, 2015 during the Rotary Youth Week celebration and one week experiential exposure in City Hall of this year’s batch of city officials. International School Grade 10 student Blanca Louise V. Valledor authored the resolution. The student leader pointed out that smoking is the number one contributory factor to lung cancer and other diseases victimizing not only the active smokers but also passive smokers. The youth officials agreed that smoking violates everyone’s rights for clean air and healthy environment. The students also reported that there are already many minors or young students who are addicted to smoking. In their resolution, the students also cited the successful implementation of smoking ordinance in Iloilo City, which reportedly prompted them to request the same in the city. The anti-smoking ordinance prohibits any person to smoke cigars or cigarettes inside any public utility vehicle or other vehicles for passenger for hire, in any public places, classroom, except in isolated areas

with designated smoking lounges. Section 443c states that it shall be the duty of any driver and conductor of any public vehicle or classroom teacher or owner of the business establishment to call the attention of the person smoking inside the vehicle or enclosed premises and to report those who refuse to stop smoking to the nearest police station for apprehension. Through Resolution No. 12163-2015, the City Council adopted and strongly endorsed to concerned government agencies and officials and concerned City Council standing committees the resolutions adopted by this year’s batch of Rotary students.(ELB/CdeOSP)


Best performing food terminals recognizedCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - For its excellent job in establishing and operating food terminals for its local producers, the local government unit of Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, earned the title as the Best Performing Municipal Food Terminal (FT) and received P30,000 worth of goods for this success.

On the other hand, the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Agay-ayan Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC) of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Paglingkawas MPC of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, respectively won, as the first, second and third Best Performing Barangay FTs. As reward, the first, second and third Best Performing Barangay FT, won P20,000, P15,000 and P10,000, worth of goods, respectively. “The outstanding achievers are proof that we are indeed breaking the cycle of rural poverty,” Usec. Puyat

gratefully remarked in her keynote speech during the conduct of the Regional Achievers Awards. She also acknowledged and praised the incredible participation of the women and youth in the agricultural sector, and ended her speech with a proud salute to all the achievers. The Regional Achievers Awards is a yearly event observed by DA-RFO 10 to recognize the outstanding works of farmers and other agricultural groups in the development of agriculture in the whole region. (MCLPaylaga, DA-RFO 10/PIA 10)


Envi policy forum to discuss guidelines in climate-proofing plantations in Mindanao

“The current state of cul-tivated slopes in Mindanao has degraded with the unbridled expansion of plantation crops. With global warming and the ex-treme weather patterns that it brings, this situation may wors-en because plantations are also vulnerable to climate change,” said IDIS executive director Ann Fuertes. The Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC), and the Davao City Wa-ter District (DCWD) is hosting the forum together with the Relief International- Enterprise Works Worldwide, Phils (RI-EWWP), a Cagayan de Oro-based environ-

ment consultancy group. “This forum is convened as a platform for advocating Cli-mate Change-adaptive and sus-tainable agricultural practices as an island-wide strategy to resist the impacts of abnormal climate patterns that have spawned pro-found consequences on agricul-tural productivity, energy supply and human security,” said RI-EWWP Senior Consultant Raoul T. Geollegue. In 2011, the Environmen-tal Management Bureau had is-sued a memorandum circular mandating the inclusion of cli-mate-proofing provisions in the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System.Memo

DAVAO CITY – Environment groups and representatives from gov-ernment agencies and agri-business plantations will gather for a policy forum this October 27, 2015 at the Matina Episcopal Mission Center to discuss guidelines in adopting climate-mitigation stan-dards in agri-plantations in Mindanao.


Circular 2011-005 requires proj-ect proponents to climate proof their projects by adapting miti-gating measures against climate change in their project opera-tions and working environment. “This forum is a culmina-tion of a long process of dis-cussions and meetings between government agencies, civil soci-ety groups, plantation industry stakeholders to come up with a set of guidelines for screening and evaluating climate-change adaptive and sustainable agri-cultural practices in pineapple plantations to augment the im-plementation of Memo Circular 2011-005 in Region 10,” said Ge-ollegue. Fuertes said that the forum organizers are hopeful that these supplemental guidelines will be-come indispensable as a regu-latory tool for EMB frontline of-

ficers, multipartite monitoring teams, EIA review members and especially project proponents of development projects. “We hope that these guide-lines also become a starting point that can be enhanced further by other stakeholders, especially those coming from the Davao re-gion, so that it becomes relevant and applicable for widespread use,“ she said. Around 60 participants are expected to attend the forum. These include EMB officials from Regions 10, 11, 12 and the ARMM; LGUS and LGAs; representatives from the academe and research institutions, plantation industry stakeholders and environment civil society networks; select-ed regulatory and development agencies; and the local media. (IDIS/PR)

facts and figures

7,000 beneficiaries of the recent National Ser-bisyo Caravan held last Oct. 8-9 in Com-postela, Compostela Valley Province.


Panabo City Green Leaf Association Benefits from Shared Service FacilityPANABO CITY, Davao del Norte- Green Leaf Natural Farming Product Producers Association (GLNFPPA) benefited the Shared Service Facili-ties (SSF) of DTI Provincial Office given during the Launching Ceremo-ny on October 13, 2015 at Barangay Gym, New Visayas, Panabo City.

The facility worth 299,000.00 with two (2) shreaders and one screen. This SSF was intended for organic fertilizer such as Ver-mie Tea and Vermie Cast, the trend of today’s natutre’s friend-ly farming. OIC DTI Provincial Director, Romeo Castanaga related that Panabo City was the 4th to avail SSF, while two more to be given for this year. Next year, DTI will no longer venture on SSF but the Negosyo Center in which Panabo City is assured of being a ben-eficiary since Mayor James G. Gamao already signify his inter-est to be part of said endeavor, Dir. Castanaga revealed. Ideally, Panabo will be a good Negosyo Center, Dir. Cas-tanaga added. Furthermore, Dir. Castanaga ask the GLNFPPA to manage well the SSF that it will last longer with many to benefit it. Meanwhile, City Councilor Atty. Janris Relampagos stressed

that the City Government really supported the Natural Farming. In fact, in the recent wet market construction at the Panabo Cen-tral Market, a place was allotted for organic/natural farm prod-ucts. Yet unluckily, there were no organic farm products sold there. Perhaps with this DTI SSF, more natural farm products will be fa-cilitated. The Launching Ceremony was started with the Holy Mass, and a blessing officiated by Fr. Arman Idago of the New Visayas Quasi Parish. It was followed by a short program and MOA sign-ing. Present also were Hon. Em-manuel Pamisaran, DTI Staff, GLNFPPA officers and members. (CIO Panabo)


Limit outdoor activities, wear masks, health officials urge publicBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct 26 -- Health officials here have called on the public, especially those with at risk to respiratory tract infections and heart ailments to limit outdoor activities because of the haze affecting the province and neigh-boring areas since since last week.


“We advise the public to limit outdoor activities. We also ad-vise wearing of dust masks when going out,” Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer said in a radio interview Saturday morning.

Dr. Aturdido’s call was prompted by the report of the Environment Management Bu-reau (EMB) 12 indicating in-crease in coarse dust and fine particles in the area attributed to haze from forest fires in In-donesia.

According to the EMB 12 ‘s air quality monitoring report released at 5:00 a.m. Satur-day morning, the coarse dust (PM 10) in Koronadal City on Friday was 117.47 micrograms per normal cubic meter while the fine particles (PM2.5) was at 82.51micrograms per normal cubic meter.

Although the PM 2.5 value is slightly lower than the value the day before, it still exceeds the Philippine standard of 75 micrograms per normal cubic meter.

Meanwhile Oct. 23 values in Gensan were 83.41 micrograms per normal cubic meter for PM10 and 64.89 for PM2.5.

According to an advisory from the Department of Health,

“haze due to forest fire can cause air pollution which can bring about increased risks for respiratory tract infections and cardiac ailments.”

Motorists are also advised to exercise extreme caution when-ever on the road.

“Use headlights/fog lights. Follow the required minimum speed level and extreme caution in low, visibility driving.Ensure that vehicle is in good running condition,” the Doh advisory reads.

Dr. Aturdido emphasized that although there is no cause to panic, extra precaution is re-quired especially for those whose health may be put at risk, including the elderly, chil-dren and those with lung con-cerns like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular dis-eases.

He also advised joggers and cyclists to refrain from morning and late afternoon runs and ex-ercises as levels of particulate matters are usually high during these times.

Dr. Teogenes Baluma, re-gional director of DOH 12, also stressed, “haze is not life threatening but could trigger asthmatic attack.”


Summit underscores importance of coco coirBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

He, however, emphasized that “there iss nothing to be alarmed as of now as our situation is still tolerable when it comes to health concerns.”

Ma. Socorro Lanto, EMB 12 regional director told the press Friday that they have observed increasing particulate matters since October 17.

On this date the PM 10 value in Koronadal City reached 79.01 micrograms per normal cu-bic meter and PM2.5 value of 45.62. From October 10 to 14

the highest values were reg-istered at only 36.54 for PM10 and 21.82 for PM2.5.

EMB 12’s ambient air moni-toring systems are located at the Acharon Sports Complex in General Santos City and at the city hall complex in Koronadal City.

The Air Traffic Control Office in Gensan have confirmed that several flights in Gensan airport were cancelled or diverted to Davao City due to poor runway visibility. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct. 26--- In line with efforts to build competitive advantage for coco coir industry, SOCCSK-SARGEN Region held on Thursday the 1st Region 12 Coco Coir Summit was conducted Thursday in General Santos City.

The event which was jointly organized by the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philip-pine Coconut Authority (PCA) was attended by farmers, pro-ducers, processors, buyers, stakeholders, consolidators, ex-porters, as well as concerned

government agencies and part-ners in the private sector.

Marcelina Alcantara, assistant regional director of the DTI Re-gion IV- A and the coordinator of the National Coco Coir In-dustry Cluster emphasized the prospects of the coco coir indus-try in the international market.


According to her, coco coir products have a market poten-tial because of its so many uses and application. Among the products cited in her presenta-tion are the coco fiber, coco peat or dust and coco twines.

Coco fiber is best used in making car seat, ropes and coco pots while coco peat is good for horticulture and vegetation as it can be used a growing medium and most specially in bio-engi-neering as means to prevent erosion and restore eroded land.

Meanwhile, Alcantara stated that in order for these products to strengthen their market po-

tentials, domestic supply- base for coco coir should be devel-oped and expanded and access to market information as well as market linkage should be strengthened.

On the other hand, she said that as of June this year, coco coir international market price in the Philippines reached up to 300 US dollars.

Alcantara also noted that the DTI together with the PCA is do-ing their best push for the coir industry as 25 million Filipinos are directly or indirectly depen-dent on the said industry. (SJ-Duerme-PIA12)


SurSur DRRMO bares latest update on evacueesBy: Greg Tataro Jr

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Provincial Disaster Risk Re-duction and Management Office (PDRRMO) here bared the latest update on the situation of the evacuees in the province.


Updated report on the massive evacuation is done on a regular basis by the PDRRMO.` According to Abel De Guz-man, executive officer of PDRRMO, aside from the evac-uees at Surigao del Sur Sports Center as an offshoot of the lu-mad slay incident on Septem-ber 1, 2015, there had been two more evacuation centers located in two separate areas that are being taken care of— at Janipaan Elementary School in San Agus-tin town and Municipal Gymna-sium in Marihatag town. The PDRRMO chief said the total number of evacuees was accounted at 3,314 individuals or equivalent to 675 number of families. Surigao del Sur Sports Cen-ter has the most number of evac-uees, at 2,804; followed by Mari-hatag, at 404; and San Agustin, at 106. However, except for the evacuees at the two other areas mentioned, the ones in Marihatag were said to have only evacuated on October 1, 2015. Until now, nobody can say when this community of people could go back to their respective homes since their demands, pri-marily the capture of the three suspects behind the killings of Emerito Samarca, Dionel Cam-

pos, and Bello Sinzo, have yet to be met. In the meantime, interven-tions in various forms, coming from government and private sectors, including non-govern-ment organizations, have been continually provided. De Guz-man cited in particular the basic needs of food and water, cloth-ing, as well as shelter, plus oth-er services like medical require-ments. Since the mass evacuation occurred, fatalities had been al-ready posted at four due to the death of a four year girl who died of asthma at the sports center on September 8, 2016, the PDRRMO chief added.


FDA warns against use of unregistered ProMatrix 7 Multiple Source Protein

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) in its Advisory No. 2015-055 dated July 30, 2015 advises the public against the use of unregistered ProMatrix 7 Source Protein with variants Triple Chocolate and Strawberry Ice Cream.

By: Susil D. Ragas

FDA warned that the use of such unregistered health prod-ucts may cause harm to the con-sumer’s health. The public is advised not to purchase nor patronize any un-registered health products found online and in the market.

All establishments and out-lets are warned against selling any unregistered health prod-ucts and anyone selling shall be sanctioned according to Republic Act No. 9711 and other pertinent laws. Furthermore, FDA encour-


PSA Caraga to hold FLEMMS Reg’l Data Dissemination Forum

BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga is set to hold the 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Me-dia Survey (FLEMMS) Regional Data Dissemination Forum on Oc-tober 28, 2015 at Pietros Square, this city.

By: Jennifer Gaitano

“The objective of this forum is to raise the awareness of the stakeholders and data users on the importance and relevance of the survey data especially in the formulation of plans, policies and programs,” disclosed PSA Caraga interim regional director Rosalin-da Celeste-Apura. Apura further bared that the 2013 FLEMMS cover topics on ba-sic and functional literacy, edu-cational qualifications in terms of formal schooling, and exposure

of the population to mass media. “This activity will be partici-pated by the government agen-cies, civil societies/non-govern-ment organizations, religious organizations, women’s group, academe, media and local gov-ernment units” Apura added. No registration fee is re-quired. For more information, the PSA Caraga can be reached at telephone number (085) 342-5764 or (085) 815-2878.

aged the public to visit their web-site at www.fda.gov.ph to verify health products purchased in the market by using the search bar located at the upper right corner

of the website. If the search produces no result, then the products might not be registered with FDA.

one mindanao - october 26, 2015

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