one mindanao - october 9, 2015

Long-awaited electricity reaches Lantad in Misamis Oriental

APEC Business Advisory Council calls for more women participation in transport sector

GPH, MILF panels urge Congress to prioritize

BBL passage13

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Southern

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

By: Noel Baguio

By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Alfonso T. Ruda

By: Joe Patrick A. Martinez and Elaine O. Ratunil OUR

CO

VER

TESDA mulls sustainable skills, livelihood training for lumad evacuees in SurSur

Davao del Norte celebrates good governance

DA links local producers to market

Medical mission highlights Elderly Filipino Week celebration

DAR surveys farmers in SCotabato towns

Nine ZamboNorte studes hurdle DOST scholarship exams

DTI releases P2 Million micro-enterprise project to Surigao Norte town

CDO turns over 3-classroom building to Man-ai NHS

contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 35

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

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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 ARTISTS VICTORIANO VILLACRUZ, 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 9, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Long-awaited electricityreaches Lantad inMisamis OrientalBy: Joe Patrick A. Martinez and Elaine O. Ratunil

All concerned stakeholders in northern Mindanao took an active participation in bringing electricity in an Indigenous People Community

in Misamis Oriental after long years of waiting.

Cover Story

5October 9, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Anchored on the Whole of the Nation Initiative (WNI), this is part of the inclusive Peace Agenda of the current administration emphasizing on the need for convergence among different stakeholders towards addressing the root causes of conflicts. This symbolic ceremonial switch-on of electricity brought Higaonon tribe in Sitio Lantad, Barangay Balingasag, in the province of Misamis Oriental to tears.

During the activity, there was also a service caravan wherein medical and dental community assistance program, feeding program, haircut services and tree planting activity were provided.

Days look brighter

The lighting ceremony showed the government’s solid commitment for the Higaonons in the hinterlands. As one household applicant said… with this project “tomorrow will be a brand new day” for the people of Lantad. For his part, Roger Lindahay, 27 years old, and nephew of village’s tribal chief, Bruno A. Lindahay, said they didn’t expect this place will be energized; and that roads will be established. “Dako among pasalamat nga giabot sila dinhi ug karon nadala ang mga medical mission…ug naka abot ang mga ahensiya sa gobyerno aron paghatud sa ilang nagkalain laing serbisyo. Wala diay gihapon mi kalimti sa gobyerno. Walay kinutoban ang among pasalamat,” said Lindahay. (We are very thankful various offices of the government are able to reach out and deliver their services to us such as the medical mission. The government continues to care for us.)


Since the delivery of services started to pour in Lantad, the residents felt the substantial improvements it brought them especially on the knowledge/skills they gain on farming techniques to increase their production; construction of a secondary school for their students and access to basic education; and the easing up of travel time in going to the Balingasag town proper and vice versa.

Lindahay said, “Nakita usab namu ang mga kabag ohan sa among panginabuhian ug kahibalo ilabina kabahin sa

panguma sukad ang gitagad kami sa gobyerno ug sa dihang naa nay kalsada, nag level up na pud ang panginabuhian. Maka pa luag na sila sa ilang uma. Aduna na usab eskwelahan sa high school diri…Miuswag gayud [among kahimtang]. Sa una, walay makita nga eskwelahan dinhi. Sa transportasyon, kabayo ra among masakyan. Mobiya mi dinhi alas-6 sa buntag ug muabot sa Balingasag ala-una na sa hapon…ug gabii na kayo mi makabalik dinhi sa Lantad. Karon mahimo nang usa ka oras.” Light for Peace The project was conceptualized as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of power producer STEAG, MORESCO II, Chamber of Commerce and Industries (COCI), Regional Association of Government Communicators (RAGCOM), Energy Development Corporation (EDC), communication company Cherry Mobile and the Soriano Philippines Community Health Foundation, Inc in partnership with the Local Government of Misamis Oriental under Governor Bambi Emano and the Office of


1st District Rep, Peter Unabia.

This became possible through the support of 58th Infantry Battalion, the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under Mgen Oscar T Lactao, who really pushed for the realization of this endeavor to help our less-fortunate Lumad brothers. MGen Lactao said, “Poverty is one of the causes of insurgency. That is why aside from farm-to-market road, water system, education, livelihood program, and health, electricity is also one of the infrastructures that have a very high impact to poverty reduction.” He emphasized how the NPA exploits the IPs. “IPs are very vulnerable in NPA recruitment. With the presence of the issues and

problems in their communities, they can be easily convinced to join the armed struggle. That is why with the WNI, we bring government projects to this areas. This is also part of the government’s advocacy that no one will be left behind… Walang maiiwan sa Bayan ni Juan,” said MGen Lactao. The project is anchored on the theme” Pakigtambayayong Alang sa Kahiusahan ug Mahayag nga Kaugmaon” (A unified effort for peace and vibrant future) aims to promote peace and uplift the living conditions of our marginalized Indigenous People. Looking Back

Way back in the 1980s, the village of Lantad was a model of governance. Problem was, it was the showcase not of the


Government of the Republic of the Philippines, but of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Lantad, populated mostly by Higaonon indigenous people, is situated in a valley blessed with fertile soil that is ideal for farming. It is part of Barangay Kibanban of the municipality of Balingasag in Misamis Oriental. It is only 25 kilometers away from the present highway, but back in the 1980s, it was virtually impenetrable because there were no roads then. The village sat amidst a rugged mountainous terrain. Accordingly, because of the almost total support of the residents, Lantad became the seat of a regional government of the communist insurgency. It was here where the CPP-NPA’s Front Committee 4B-North Central Mindanao once reigned for about a decade. They were so in control of the community that they even issued land titles. Lantad has become a model of what could happen when

the government, the military, and other stakeholders work together to bring peace and development to a community. Winning Lantad

Lantad was vulnerable to the CPP-NPA because no government presence could be felt there. The provincial government of Misamis Oriental knew all along that a military approach is not the answer; economic opportunities had to be provides, too. In 2004, the provincial government set out to win over Lantad. The military is thankful that there are more members in the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), so they won’t be left on their own attending to the people’s needs in Lantad. Among the provincial government’s priority projects


was the building of roads all the way to the middle of Lantad in 2006 to open up opportunities to the people. At that time, Lantad could be reached only through narrow dirt roads which are best suited for horses and carabaos. According to chieftain Lindahay, before the road was built, they could not bring their agricultural produce to the market. Their sick would die on the way to the hospital. The teachers had difficulty coming to school such that they could only hold classes three days a week instead of five. The military and the police seldom visited the place to provide security for the residents.

While the road leading to Lantad may still be so bad by most people’s standards, what with boulders and mud in the middle of the road, it dramatically opened up access

for this community that had long suffered neglect in delivery of basic services. For the residents of Lantad, this is already a welcome improvement from their previous dirt road. Habalhabals (motorcycles with extension seats), even though usually overloaded, could now bring them down to the lowlands where they could sell their agricultural produce or buy items not found in the village. Occasionally, 4x4 vehicles pass by, its passengers stopping every now and then to take pictures of the beautiful scenery or pick beautiful wild sunflowers that abound by the roadside. Various agencies have extended aid and services to Lantad by way of this road. Among them is the Department of Agrarian Reform that assisted in the formation and sustainability of a community cooperative. A school building was built, along with a solar dryer for the farmers’ rice and corn, and an abaca stripper. (With reports from BMFI)


Student employment program to undergo evaluation

MANILA -- To further strengthen the Special Employment of Students (SPES), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has partnered with a US-based research institution and with an international grant-making non-government organization (NGO) to conduct an impact evaluation of the SPES program. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Wednesday said Innovations Poverty Action (IPA), a non-profit organization based in

Connecticut, USA, will spearhead the impact evaluation, together with the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), a global grant-making NGO which


promotes evidence-informed development policies and programs under the Philippine Policy Window.

“We have incorporated the SPES as a priority program to be evaluated by 3ie under Philippine Policy Window of the DOLE. This window develops and fund rigorous, mixed-methods impact evaluations commissioned by policymakers and programme managers to answer questions about the impact of interventions they implement in the Philippines,” Baldoz said.

In support of the impact evaluation project, Secretary Baldoz constituted a DOLE SPES-Technical Working Group (TWG) to assist the research partners in the conduct of the impact evaluation.

“We created a special TWG to support a robust and credible impact evaluation of SPES, in order for us to identify key policy and program implications that would further enhance the delivery of the program,” she added.

The SPES-TWG is headed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Employability of Workers and Competitiveness of Enterprises Cluster, with the following offices as its members: Bureau of Local Employment (BLE); Institute of Labor Studies (ILS); Planning Service (PS); Labor Communications Office (LCO); and selected DOLE Regional Offices—National Capital Region, Region 3, Region


4-A, Region 7, Region 11, and Region 13.

Meanwhile, the DOLE regional offices will be tasked to coordinate and provide operational and administrative support to the impact evaluation implements of the IPA.

“We are placing great emphasis on the implementation and evaluation of SPES under the specific directives of President Benigno S. Aquino III, who has been true to his promise of ‘investing on human resource,’ especially the youth, by consistently increasing the SPES budget,” Baldoz said.

The labor and employment chief, on this note, said that because of continued budget increases, the DOLE was able to reach more beneficiaries. In 2011, the program was extended to a total of 120,312 students; in 2012, a total of 138,635 students; in 2013, a

total of 167,569 students; and last year, 182,573 students. As of June 2015, the DOLE was able to reach a total of 169,246 SPES beneficiaries.

“The SPES is an opportunity to enhance the employability of the youth, who will eventually be the next generation of the country’s workforce. More than giving the students gainful experience while earning some cash they can use when they go back to school, we want a long-term result of the SPES program by means of increased employment opportunities to the beneficiaries,” Baldoz finally said.

SPES is a bridging program that enhances the employability of young student-workers. Established in 1992 under Republic Act No. 7323, which was amended by RA 9547, the SPES is open to all qualified high school, college or vocational/technical students, and out-of-school-youth. (DOLE)


APEC Business Advisory Council calls for more women participation in transport sector

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu -- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is urging the transport sector to promote women’s rights and equal rights regardless of gender, the woman behind Magsaysay Maritime Inc., the largest manning company in the country, has said.


“They must create an environment that celebrates the uniqueness of women,” Doris Magsaysay-Ho, this year’s Chair of the ABAC, said in her remarks at the opening of the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting here on Thursday.

Noting that women are better drivers than men, contrary to popular perceptions, Ho disclosed that Uber Technologies, Inc. already has plans to hire women drivers.

Uber is an American international transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company develops markets and operates the Uber mobile app, which allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request, which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars.

She further pointed out that more women, including Filipinos,

are having the opportunity to enter the shipping sector, which has been considered a man’s world, amid acute shortages of top officers among ship managers.

The Philippines is home to at least 25 percent of the world’s seafarers, who include Filipino women, she said.

Ho cited as an example Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a cruise ship this year.

The 37-year-old McCue took the helm of the 91,000-ton cruise vessel last September. Her maiden voyage was on the Celebrity Summit ship as it set sail to New England and Canada. She was in charge of more than 2,000 passengers and a crew of almost 1,000.

According to Ho, based on the Filipino experience, the promotion cycle of a seafarer takes at least 10 years.


She pointed out that a female cadet who starts at 20 years old, would be 30 years old when she becomes eligible to be a sea captain.

“However, reality shows that at the age of 30, women enter a period where they get married, have children, and take care of their family,” the ABAC chair said. “Companies must take this into reality when developing workforce policies.”

Ho said this environment should allow the success of women in the workplace to also include success in their home.

She said that a progressive approach of cross-border flow of seafarers would allow them to pursue career paths while maintaining ties at home.

Companies must make provisions for childcare facilities, flexible work hours, and prevent sexual harassment.

According to Ho, the ABAC is suggesting better movement of people through the ‘earn, learn, and return’ framework.

Under the framework, women seafarers, after years of working overseas, could go back home and open a bed and breakfast with the same standards as a cruise ship.

Ho said throughout the Philippine hosting of the APEC, the concept of inclusive growth has been the overriding principle.

“We must ensure that policies are truly inclusive, giving women the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations,” she emphasized.

The APEC transportation meetings will run until October 10. (PCOO/APEC Communications Group)


GPH, MILF panels urge Congress to prioritize BBL passage

QUEZON CITY -- The peace negotiating panels of the Philippine government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have called on lawmakers to prioritize the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when Congress resumes by November.


“We realized that two important matters have taken the front seat at this time: number one is the budget which is also a very important annual bill that has to be passed before the end of the year. Number two is the filing of candidacies. But we see no reason why come November, when Congress returns for its next session from November 3 to December 16, the BBL can’t be prioritized by our Congress,” government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said in a press conference at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Ferrer was joined by MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal, Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL vice chair Rep. Bai Sandra Sema of Maguindanao and Cotabato City 1st District, Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL member Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Anak Mindanao partylist, and Dr. Jasmin Galace, executive director of the Center for Peace Education in Miriam College and national coordinator of the Women Engaged in Action (WE Act) on 1325.

“Pagpasok sana ng Nobyembre, ito talaga ang inaasahan natin: na mabigyan

(ang BBL) ng pansin. (When November comes, this is really what we are expecting: that the BBL will be prioritized),” Ferrer added.

Ferrer said it is important to have movement with regard the BBL deliberation, hoping that the basic law can be passed by the House of Representatives by early November in order for the people, especially the Bangsamoro, to not lose hope in their government.

The House of Representatives and the Senate failed to pass the BBL during their plenary sessions between July and October. The leadership of both Houses agreed on a new deadline on December 16 this year for the bill’s passage.

However, Ferrer said there was no reason to “wait for the bill’s natural deadline,” especially


that the country is expected to host the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting next month.

“This is going to be our message to the APEC community: that we will not squander the opportunity that is provided for in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro as well as in the passage of the law that will provide that kind of environment to really jumpstart peace, security, and development in the region,” Ferrer explained.

In 2014, the government and the MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that served as basis for the original draft of the BBL. Together with the CAB, the BBL aims to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao and provide the Bangsamoro with genuine autonomy as envisioned in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“The world is watching this process. They are fully supportive of this. We can see that from all the support we have received internationally, aside from the domestic support,” Ferrer said.

“Kung mangyari ang APEC at ang message na lumalabas sa buong mundo ay ‘Hindi natin masusulusyunan itong problema natin dito na nangyayari sa Mindanao, it is not going to be a good sign for the APEC community who is really pushing for economic integration that is founded on very secure societies of the Asia-Pacific that are able to address the security and economic challenges that the whole world is facing,” she added.

Higher sense of responsibility

Maguindanao and Cotabato City 1st District Representative Bai Sandra Sema, who is serving as one of the vice chairs of the Ad hoc committee on the BBL, committed that Congress would prioritize the BBL once they return from recess.


“We are here to show our support that the BBL will be tackled after budget deliberations and Congress recess,” Sema said.

Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Anak Mindanao Party-list, for her part, urged the general public to not give up on the BBL. “We want the whole country to know that we should remain positive and hopeful on the BBL even though time is against us.”

She also commented that the quorum issues that have plagued the House since July couldn’t be attributed to the BBL alone as there are several factors. “What we can say is that hindi kami mapapagod na paalalahanan ang mga kasama namin tungkol sa kanilang tungkulin sa BBL (What we

can say is that we will not tire of urging our colleagues in the House with regard their duty to the BBL),” Hataman said.

“We will do our best to convince our fellow lawmakers to finish the work on the BBL. Ayaw naman natin na ang kukumbinsi sa kanilang magtrabaho ay isa na namang malaking giyera sa Mindanao (We don’t want another war in Mindanao that will do the convincing for them),” Sema added.

Echoing the Bangsamoro legislators’ statements, Ferrer added that all they could do now was to continue appealing to lawmakers. “We can only appeal to our lawmakers’ higher sense of responsibility on quorum issues and filibustering. Again, we can only appeal to their higher sense of responsibility to finally pass the BBL.”

MILF supportive of peace process, President Aquino

MILF negotiating panel chair Mohagher Iqbal vowed that their group would stay the course of peace even though no BBL, or a not good enough BBL, would be passed. When asked to expound

Photo Credit: www.ndbcnews.com.ph


on what he meant as a good enough BBL, Iqbal mentioned the original provisions that didn’t make it in the substitute versions endorsed by the House ad hoc committee on the BBL and the Senate committee on local government, respectively, for plenary debates.

At least 28 provisions had been deleted by the House committee while the Senate version, according to peace advocates and stakeholders, will render the Bangsamoro government weaker than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We are hoping that the restoration of the deleted provisions will happen during the period of amendments,” Iqbal said.

Iqbal, who also serves

as chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body that drafted the original version of the BBL, also urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to certify the draft bill as urgent. “Frankly speaking, we are having a hard time explaining to our constituents why the BBL remains not certified as urgent.”

According to legislative rules, the President only has the power to declare a bill as urgent once it has passed the first reading. Certifying a bill as urgent would mean collapsing the second and the third readings into one. As it stands now, the BBL has yet to pass the first reading in both Houses of Congress.

Despite the uncertainties and delays, Iqbal stressed that the MILF leadership trusts and supports President Aquino. “President Aquino has been very supportive of the Bangsamoro struggle. His clout remains intact as far as the MILF is concerned.” (OPAPP)

Photo Credit: www.thepinoypulse.com


Dabawenyo inventor proposes maglev monorail

Jose Guardo Jr. currently owns the patent for a spin induced magnetic levitation (maglev) monorail, which he hopes the city would consider for its planned city wide light rail transit system.Maglev trains relies on magnets for lift and propulsion instead of wheels, which run on the tracks thus lessening friction making it more efficient than wheeled rails. Maintenance costs is also reduced as maglev trains does not cause much wear and tear to monorail tracks as compared to trains. Currently there are two maglev systems in the world, Japan has Electro Dynamic System which relies on cryogen to power the magnet while Germany has the Electro Magnetic System which needs superconductors, the EMS is used by Shanghai Maglev Train or the Transrapid

which is currently the world’s fastest commercial train. Guardo’s invention relies on a spin-induced magnetic field which is more cost-efficient as it does not need expensive cryogen and superconductors. The inventor has already a toy model of his maglev train. He has patented the technology in 2005. An architect by profession, Guardo says that it was a teenage passion that fueled him to research and develop his system of maglev. Currently the Department of Science and Technology has offered a five-hectare property in Tugbok, Mintal district where the Mindanao Science and Technology Center (MSTC) is located as a testing ground for his commercial prototype. Guardo intends to build a

DAVAO CITY- A Dabawenyo inventor is proposing an elevated and subway maglev monorail system for Davao City.


50-seater monorail prototype which will run around the DOST property, it will have five stations and is seen as a commercialized prototype of his toy model. He estimates that the prototype to cost around P300-million. Guardo is being encouraged to tap a Land Bank loan facility to finance its operation. Guardo says they intend to offer this technology to Davao City which has been planning to build a light rail transit system.

During Kapehan sa SM media forum at SM City Davao Guardo and his project engineer Engineer Edward Geguerra presented the proposed maglev monorail system in Davao City which is based on the proposed citywide LRT system. The proposed three-loop system include the Ecoland loop system, airport loop system which will be a subway type monorail and the downtown loop. (PIA/RG Alama)

Davao del Norte celebrates good governanceDavao del Norte– Public administration experts, local officials, the academe, private sector and the civic society converged in Tagum City on Tuesday to celebrate good governance.

The provincial government of Davao del Norte, in partnership with the Davao del Norte State College, held the Good Governance Congress to drum up advocacy for better public administration. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the forum, dubbed as Go-Go DavNor (Good Governance for Davao del Norte), intends to increase public awareness on the value of good governance in capacitating LGUs to improve

delivery of services and advance progress and growth. He revealed the crucial reforms he instituted that valued the principles of performance, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity fueled the success of the shifting strategies of his 15-year administration, particularly in providing better life to the Dabaonons. After heralding the accomplishments of his reform initiatives, the governor


announced his thrust of cascading the innovative systems, processes and procedures of the Capitol to the barangays. He announced the implementation of a P500,000 stimulus fund to be given to each barangay for the institutionalization of these reforms in the communities. Renowned political analyst Dr. Prospero de Vera, Vice President for Public Affairs of the University of the Philippines lauded the province for organizing the event. He explained that the core of good governance is transparency. “How can we ask the people to participate well in our democratic processes if they don’t have proper information about government affairs,” he said. University of the Philippines Professor Angelito Manalili use compelling stories to stress the government’s duty to serve the interest, particularly of the poor and vulnerable sectors. “Good governance is serving the needs of the least, last and lowest in our society,” he said. University of Southeastern Philippines Professor Aristeo Salapa detailed the measures of

good governance that include, among others, accountability, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, capacity and sound fiscal management. Other speakers during the congress were Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) Field Director Francis Gentoral, Dr. Jonathan Bayogan, President of the Davao del Norte State College, Ananias Villacorta, Regional Director of DILG-XI and Dr. Marilou Junsay also of DNSC. Famous singer/songwriter Gary Granada offered a repertoire of his hit songs of social relevance that provided a respite from the intense discussions.(Noel Baguio-PIO DavNor)


SOCCSKSARGEN identifies alternative corn production areasBy Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct. 9-- Several areas in SOCCSKSARGEN have been designated as substitute corn grow-ing areas during the expected dry spell due to El Niño, an agri-culture official here confirmed.


Zaldy Boloron, regional tech-nical director for operations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 told Philippine Infor-mation Agency that these ar-eas have been determined as ideal for corn growing despite drought.

The move, he said, is a means to prevent drastic reduc-tion in SOCCSKSARGEN’s pro-duction of said commodity as a result of the drought.

“These alternative produc-tion areas are located in the municipalities along the Ligua-san Marsh in North Cotabato; Maitum, Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani; Tboli, Tupi and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato and Esperanza, Pres. Quirino and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat,” Boloron said.

Municipalities located along the banks of Liguasan Marsh are Tulunan, M’lang, Matalam, Kabacan, Pikit and Midsayap.

Said alternative corn produc-tion areas are being prioritized for the distribution of seed support from DA, he said.

On Tuesday, DA 12 gathered corn program coordinators and representatives of the afore-mentioned LGUs to orient them regarding the pre-positioning of the corn seed assistance and to

inform them of their respec-tive seed allocations.

DA 12 expects to disperse the corn seeds starting next week.

Per report of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Admin-istration of the Department of Science and Technology (PAGA-SA-DOST), South Cotabato, Sul-tan Kudarat and Sarangani are most likely to experience dry spell.

This means three consecutive months of 21 to 60 percent re-duction or two months of over 60 percent reduction in rainfall condition.

The current El Niño event is expected to last until the first half of 2016.

Weather estimates also indi-cated that the current El Niño could be one of the four stron-gest events since 1950’s. The strongest El Niño occurrences were felt in 1972-1973, 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.

“Of the more than 129,000 hectares of rice production ar-eas, only about 9,049 hectares are vulnerable to El Niño. On the other hand, only about 11,000 of the 201,892 hectares of corn production areas are vulnerable,” Boloron said.


Medical mission highlights Elderly Filipino Week celebration By Oliver Ross V. Rivera

In an earlier interview, DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan con-firmed that over P44 million have been allotted for El Niño Mitigation Plan.

While the mitigation plan is set, DA 12 still appeals for the participation the local gov-ernment units in assessing the weather condition in their juris-dictions.

“We are urging our partner

local government units and technicians to regularly conduct weather monitoring and assess-ment and to immediately report observed damage,” said Bolo-ron as he appealed for public vigilance.

DA 12 submits El Niño moni-toring report to the DA Cen-tral Office every Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Boloron added. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

COTABATO CITY, Oct 9 – The City Government of Cotabato joins in the annual celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week by giving free medical services to senior citizens.

Various senior citizen groups from different barangays can avail of the free medical and dental services in the People’s Palace grounds Wednesday.

A short program led by City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. and other city officials was conducted prior to the start of the free consulta-tions.

Services including medical consultation, dental check-up, as well as free vitamins and

medicines are to be given to residents for free.

The Elderly Filipino Week or Linggo ng Nakatatandang Filipi-no is celebrated during the first week of October pursuant to Proclamation No.479 signed by President Fidel Ramos on Sep-tember 26, 1994. It honors the important role that older per-sons play in nation building, as well as raise and address issues concerning the sector.


DAR surveys farmers in SCotabato townsBy Danilo E. Doguiles

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Igalang ang Na-kakatanda at ang Kanilang Karapatan”.

Cotabato City continuously conducts advocacy activities to promote the rights and welfare of disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors, including older persons.

The activity is being held in coordination with the Office on Health Services, Cotabato Re-gional and Medical Center, Medi-cal Society and Dental Society Cotabato City, and the Depart-ment of Health 12. (ORVRivera-PIA12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct 9 -- The Department of Agrarian has recently embarked on a census of farmers in a bid to maintain the stability of the farmers’ rights over the lands awarded to them through agrarian reform program.

A report from DAR South Co-tabato Provincial Office said the survey covered farmers, farm workers and others in Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-awarded National De-velopment Corp. (NDC) lands in nearby towns of Tupi and Polomolok.

Same report emphasized the survey is intended to reinforce the rights of the beneficiaries of two collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) distributed in 1988 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

Maribeth Hababag, Polo-molok municipal agrarian reform program officer said, “the cen-sus is conducted by interviewing agrarian reform beneficiaries, farmers and farmworkers who were employees of Dole Philip-pines Inc. when the CARP was enacted in 1988, during which the two CLOAs were distribut-ed.”

According to DAR South Co-tabato, said survey came af-ter issuance of an interlocutory order by DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, to conduct a cen


sus to finally stabilize the farm-ers’ rights to lands distributed to them under CARP.

This following an increasing number of cases, issues and petitions pertaining to the lands formerly owned by the NDC.

In 1988, NDC turned over to DAR a total of 8,937 hectares of land to be covered under CARP.

Two collective CLOAs were then distributed to cover these lands and named 7,535 farm-workers as beneficiaries includ-ed in the masterlist.

These beneficiaries formed an organization named the Dolefil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative Inc. (DARBCI) to oversee and manage the lands covered by the CLOAs.

In that same year, DARBCI and Dole signed a Land Use Partnership Agreement (LUPA) in which it was stated that DAR-BCI handed over to Dole their right to manage their awarded lands in exchange for rental fees and a portion of the income Dole earns from farming their land.

Since then, issues have arisen which made way to cases and petitions filed by groups against the DARBCI.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Felix Frias said

that these issues include identi-fication and validation of benefi-ciaries based on the processes and guidelines when the CLOAs were distributed as well as iden-tification of beneficiaries who are now deceased, naming their family as heirs.

Frias added that petitions by some members and indigenous peoples’ groupsto segregate the land that according to them is theirs is also another issue that needs resolving.

“The census aims to gather pertinent information and data that will help resolve said is-sues,” Frias said.

The census started last Sep-tember 7, 2015 and will last un-til November 27, during which time, the consolidated data will be delivered to the DAR Cen-tral Office to hasten resolution of cases, issues and petitions in the court as well as in the DAR Adjudication Board (DARAB). (DEDoguiles-PIA12 with report from KSespene-DAR-South Co-tabato)


BUTUAN CITY -- More than 100 people from the different organizations, the national government agencies headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional Office, and the municipal government of Carmen and Nasipit in Agusan del Norte have conducted clean-up activities on the coast of Barangay Bolihon in Carmen to usher the celebration of the International Coastal Clean Up Day recently.

DENR leads coastal clean-up in AgNorBy: Eric Herson F. Gallego


CENR Officer for Nasipit Norman Asugan and Agusan del Norte PENRO Paterno Olivera led the coastal clean-up which started at 6 a.m. at the Bolihon Beach as the participants pick up debris that were swept ashore by the tides. Among other trashes found ashore are rubber sandals, slippers, plastic bottles, palm leaves, plastic wrappers, straws, wine bottles among others. “Coastal clean-up has always been a regular activity of DENR on September of each year and each time, we always find piles of trash on the shores,” PENRO Olivera said. “I wish the residents along the coast would volunteer initiatives that will protect our seas,” he said. The theme of the celebration of the 2015 International Coastal Clean Up is “Our Place, Our Planet and Our Responsibility.” It highlights that the activity

taken by every community and volunteers’ partaking in the clean-up –has a global impact. Coastal Clean-Up relates to a clean and healthy ocean. The problem of trash continues to pose a challenge when it comes to clean and healthy oceans. Trash in the water may affect the health of humans, wildlife, and the livelihoods that depend on a healthy ocean. It can also pose to the tourism industry and recreation and the income that a local community can get from foreign visitors. The DENR is always taking bold actions in working to stop as soon as possible the flow of trash at the source before it has a chance to reach the water to pollute the sea waters and in effect choke and entangle dolphins and giant sea turtles, or ruin our beaches and depress our local economies.


TESDA mulls sustainable skills, livelihood training for lumad evacuees in SurSurTANDAG CITY -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Caraga region continues to look into the possible skills training and provision of livelihood assistance for the lumad evacuees at Surigao del Sur Sur Sports Center here.

Florencio Sunico, Jr., Caraga TESDA regional director, said his office would not only content on the holding of training inside the evacuation center but also contemplating on what could be done “even outside upon going back home,” referring to the same evacuees. Recently, some 106 lumad individuals had undergone or participated in chips- and cocopretzels- making conducted in the evacuation center, which

was jointly sponsored by Governor Johnny Pimentel and Board Member Glenn Plaza, Sunico bared. The lumads received the training warmly, he added. Meanwhile, Sunico disclosed about the plan to conduct “inventory” of the lumad evacuaees—“how many are the out-of-school youths, mothers and fathers—for possible carpentry and agriculture training.” Sunico said TESDA had already experienced holding training for lumads in cooperation with concerned local government units (LGUs) like in the towns of Lianga, Marihatag, and San Miguel towns, this province, admitting that conducting one inside an evacuation center was something new.


DTI releases P2 Million micro-enterprise project to Surigao Norte townSURIGAO CITY -- The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has released recently a total of P2 million to the municipality of Dapa under the Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) Project.

Among the beneficiaries of the said project are the seven sub-projects under the Rural Micro-Enterprise Development (RUMEPP) Program previously assisted by DTI in selected barangays of the said municipality. These projects are managed by the different organizations like women, youth, farmers, and even senior citizens. These micro-enterprise and alternative livelihood projects are expected to significantly increase family income and eventually reduce poverty incidence in rural communities. Dapa Mayor Yulie Yangson Ruaya during the hand-over ceremony was thankful to DTI Surigao del Norte headed by provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan for the support in facilitating the release of the said project fund that will be used to

help local micro-entrepreneurs in the municipality.

Mayor Ruaya also committed their full support on the project implementation emphasizing that the target beneficiaries have to be closely supervised to ensure that the fund will be utilized on its intended purpose.


PAGADIAN CITY – Two multi-purpose cooperatives from the Zamboanga Peninsula Region made it to the top five finalists of the annual Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Gawad Parangal this year.

Two ZamPen coops Gawad Parangal 2015 finalists By Claro A. Lanipa

CDA Regional Director Ruben Cunanan was proud to announce that the Aurora Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AIM Coop) of Aurora,


DIPOLOG CITY - Nine(9) students of Zambanga del Norte hurdled the Junior Level Science Scholarship given by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute(DOST-SEI) in the different testing centers throughout the country last July 12, 2015.

By Alfonso T. Ruda

Nine ZamboNorte studes hurdle DOST scholarship exams

Zamboanga del Sur and Siayan Officials and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte were nominated as national finalists in this year’s Gawad Parangal for large coop category and small coop category, respectively. On the other hand, Mr. Pacenciano Tumarong, AIM Coop manager was also nominated as one of the top five finalists for the coop leader category, Director Cunanan disclosed. “These finalists have undergone stringent and strict requirements considering the hundreds of nominees nationwide but only a few passed the criteria, and we are so happy about this development that we have three finalists from our region,” Cunanan said. The awarding ceremony of Gawad Parangal winners will

be done on October 23, 2015, during the culmination rites of the Cooperative Centennial celebration with no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor and speaker. “The Gawad Parangal is given to deserving cooperatives in recognition of their valuable contribution to the country’s economy,” Cunanan added. Meanwhile, he said the first law on cooperatives was enacted last February 5, 1915, creating the Rural Credit Law, an “act regulating the creation and operation of Rural Agricultural Cooperatives Association, and for other purposes.” This act officially gave birth to a social enterprise which is a model of business based on ethical values and principles whose goal is to provide for the needs and aspirations of their members.


Of the 9 local passers, 4were among the 27 examinees who took the examination at Hotel Camila I, Estaka, Dipolog City administered by Mr. Jhanjhan De Vera of DOST-SEI and Ms. Melody Anne Donio of PSTC-ZDN, while therest tried their luck at other testing centers of the country. The lucky passers are Frederick Quibong, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, Andres Bonifacio College (ABC);JunielAmores, BS Electrical Engineering; Joseph Kames Verano, BS Electrical Engineering; and Claire Uttoh, BS Agricultural Engineering, all of Jose Rizal Memorial State University. Those who took the examinations at other testing centers wereHerlene Mae Cantores-BS Chemistry, University of the Philippines, Iloilo City (UP-Iloilo); Ryan Cuenca-BS Statistics, Mindanao

State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City; Karl Michael Edquilla-BS Chemical Engineering-UP-Dilliman Campus;JumarHamac-BS Computer Engineering, Ateneo de Zamboanga City and Keren Omoso- BS Chemical Engineering, UP Iloilo. Under the program, the above-mentioned qualifiers, together with their parent or legal guardian, underwent Orientation and signing of Scholarship Agreement at the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center, Upper Turno, Dipolog City on October 5, 2015. It maybe recalled that last May, 2015, the DOST-SEI offered JLSS to qualified junior level regular college students enrolled in priority S & T courses who are willing to teach basic education in public or private schools as return of service.

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)future officers made their first visit to the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division at its headquarters inCamp Colonel JacoboE. Zobel, Pulacan, Labanganon October 2-6.

By: Gideon C. Corgue

“Nahirang Class” visits 1st Infantry division, 1st Cavalry Squadron


The Officers Candidate Course (OCC) “Nahirang Class 45-2015” composed of 58 soldiers (51 male and 7 female) led by LtCol. Robert Beatisula, assistant commandant of the Training and Doctrine Command

(TRADOC), Camp O’Donnelin Capas, Tarlac visited the unit as part of their educational tour and exposure before their graduation on December 9, this year. Earlier, the group made their


visit to the headquarters of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army and 1st Field Artillery Battalion, respectively prior to their visit to the 1st Cavalry Squadron. In an interview, Beatisula said the TRADOC has chosen the unit as one of the places to be visited for them to learn the skills and capabilities of the armor personnel and to obtain a better understanding of the real situation on the ground. Accordingly, they already had their exposure in the different Philippine Army units, namely: the Special Operations Command and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) inFort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; FirstScout Ranger Regiment, San Miguel, Bulacan; Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City; and 104th Brigade, Basilan City. Meanwhile, 1st Cavalry Squadron commanding officer LtCol.Charlemagne F. Batayola, Jr. said the officers demonstrated tactical decision games, squad qualifications skills, conducted static display of weapons and provided them the opportunity to experience riding Simba fighting vehicles. “They were also taught how

to disassemble and reassemble rifles,” Batayola added. Batayola said the OCC “Nahirang Class 45-2015” also conducted information drive and silent drill exhibition at the Western Mindanao State University- External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU), Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadian City to promote the school and to encourage poor but deserving students to take up the OCCto become young and aspiring officers like them in the future. Batayola mentionedthat the 1st Cavalry Squadron has 2 officers who are graduates of OCC. “I am referring to Capt. Donny Val Gamao, intelligence officer and Capt. Jonathan Escandor, operations officer who are performing their job competently and efficiently,” Batayola proudly said. He said graduates of this school are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and Ensigns in the AFP Regular and Reserve Forces by the President of the Philippines who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the AFP.


All is set for 6th RDC-PSR national confab

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – All is set for the 6th Regional Development Council (RDC) Private Sector Representatives (PSR) National Convention on October 14-16, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro city.

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The convention aims to strengthen the role of PSRs in the Councils, enhance their capabilities in meeting the challenges of the ASEAN Economic

Integration, and strengthen public-private partnership towards global competitiveness Jaime Rafael Paguio, chair of the convention’s publicity &


promotion committee, said a total of 175 delegates from 15 regions have confirmed to join the three-day nationwide confab. He said the gathering seeks to strengthen the public and private sector by taking a look on how they have worked together and their participation on projects that have been implemented. The highlights of the three-day confab are the discussion on strategies on how to enhance the role of the private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) as well as the impact of the ASEAN Economic Integration on tourism and the labor market, said Rodolfo Menes, overall event coordinator. There will also be sharing of best practices on PPP collaboration particularly the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Project; Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investments for Development Project; and Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Company-Benguet State University Partnership in Action; and the STEAG Coal-Fired Plant Implementation. The three-day RDC-PSR national convention will carry the theme “Enhancing Public-Private Partnership in the ASEAN Market.” The theme is timely and

relevant considering that the country will be entering integration into the ASEAN community this year, said National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Regional Director Mae Ester T. Guiamadel. She said Northern Mindanao is in a better position to sell itself to wider audience of government and private sectors to realize its vision of becoming the gateway to trade and industry and even services in Mindanao. The strength of the region lies in its strategic location. Among the regions in Mindanao, we are in the best position in terms of trading with Manila and even in the rest of the world. Besides that, our region is also competitive in terms of the manufacturing sector, Guiamadel added. For his part, Arsenio L. Sebastian III said the PSR confab is a good avenue to showcase Cagayan de Oro City. It is an opportunity to show why Cagayan de Oro was adjudged as one of the competitive cities in the country, said Sebastian who chairs the event program committee. The best products and destinations in Northern Mindanao will also be featured during the convention.


DA links local producers to marketCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), through the efforts of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), opened market opportunities for small-scale processors and producers in the region in a market matching, held on September 30, 2015, in Cagayan de Oro city. Several local producers from three provinces in the region, namely: Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, got the chance to showcase their products ranging from organically grown vegetables, processed goods and other high value crops, to consumers from hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the city. According to AMAD Corazon E. Balabat, market specialist III, the goal of the market matching is to promote local products by directly linking producers to potential buyers. “Through the market matching, producers can meet buyers to increase the volume of their sales and not only limit their market to their place,” said Balabat. The Damilag Growers Associaton, a group of coffee growers in Manolo Fortich, was one of the local producers who benefited the said event.

Being a neophyte in the market, the market matching served as the group’s first exposure in showcasing their very own Damilag Coffee, a commodity of roasted Exelsa coffee. Ignacia Mata, the secretary of the said group, said the market matching widened their knowledge on their livelihood as they saw how their fellow producers marketed their own products. Meanwhile, Genevieve Cababarros, market manager of Doalnara Multi-purpose Cooperative, that produces organic crops, said that the market matching also enabled them to build connections with fellow local processors for exchanging of goods and technologies. “Nahimo sab ming buyers sa among isig ka producers (We also became buyers of our fellow producers),” Cababarros said.


The area is said to be one of the far-flung barangays that have long been neglected of the basic services from the government. Barangay chairman Jay Roa Pascual, sent his gratidute to the city government for choosing the barangay as the first recipient of a three-classroom building in August 2014 when Mayor Oscar S. Moreno has started building classrooms and initiating a reform in education. Pascual said that just as their children were benefitting from the new classrooms, another three-classroom building was turned-over to cater to the increasing number of children going back to school. Danny Labadan, school head of Man-ai National High

School, quipped the additional classrooms is “the realization of our small dream seeing no more children walking 20 kilometers a day just to attend classes in Sitio Man-ai, Magayad and Dunggoan all in barangay Tignapoloan this city.” He said that from the last year’s 90 students, “We are now having at least 145 students and we are expecting it to reach more than 200 next year.” The turn-over ceremony was witnessed by Department of Education (DepEd) officials, barangay council, members of the Local School Board and Rainier Joaquin Uy representing first district representative Rolando Uy.

CDO turns over 3-classroom building to Man-ai NHSCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government of Cagayan de Oro has turned-over a three-classroom building at Sitio Man-ai, barangay Tignapoloan, here on October 2.

AMAD is hopeful that these local producers will soon expand their market as they continue

to help them promote Northern Mindanao’s own bounty. (MCLPaylaga, DA-10 RAFIS)

one mindanao - october 9, 2015

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