Regional News

Provincial News

Mindanao

National News

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Volume 1, No. 2 9-15 April 2016

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

Cover StoryPIA, Butuan media,

army cruise Agusan River

DA-Rice Processing Center: A profitable agriculture enterprise

POPCOM: Pregnancies lead to death

PIA Caraga features COMELEC in One Mindanao mobile app

OCD orients Caraga media on DRRM

PIA, Butuan media discover Agusan River’s ‘Peace Rocks Island’

AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash

Over P15-B BuB projects benefitting thousands of Filipinos nationwide

Government surpasses target of bringing electricity to rural areas nationwide

DTI Surigao Norte conducts packaging, labelling training for seaweed-based food products in Taganaan

100 studs qualify for SPES program in Dinagat Islands

CENRO Bislig, AFP plant trees at SurSur Arboretum for Earth Month

P5.3M FMR completed in AgNor town

By: Rhea C. Abao

By: DPWH-Caraga

By: DILG

By: May Ann O. Escobal

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

By: Johny S. Natad

By: DTI-Surigao del Norte

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Table of contents

DTI Caraga has registered a total of 2,968 business names for the 1st quarter

of 2016. This is 9% higher compared to same period

last year with trading & services as the most

registered business.

The Phil. Information Agency (PIA) together with the Commission on Election (COMELEC) has launched the COMELEC's tile/icon featured at the PIA Caraga's One Mindanao mobile application on April 14 at COMELEC regional office in Butuan City.

COMELEC Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) dxBC Butuan will sponsor a Provincial Debate on April 20 at 8AM. According to provl. election supervisor Atty. Ernie F. Palanan, the debate is aimed to inform and educate the public for the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections.

(Butuan City Water District Advisory) Taguibo River has become very

shallow making it incapable of providing enough water supply. Volume is only 569.67

cu.m./hour. This is less than half of the water demand of 1,208.32 cu.m./hr for 41,428

connections. 5 pump stations are operating, but still not enough to cater to the demand. Some

areas are waterless. 2 tankers will provide water to end points.

News Briefs

4 9-15 APRIL 2016

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

PIA, Butuan media, army cruise

Agusan RiverIn time with the

celebration of this year’s ‘Araw ng

Kagitingan’ (Day of Valor), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga in coordination with the Save Mindanao Volunteers Incorporated through executive coordinator Ruel Hipulan and 4th CMO Battalion, convened the media partners in Butuan City on Saturday and cruised the Agusan River.

Cover Story

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PIA, Butuan media, army cruise

Cover Story

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PIA Caraga

regional director Abner Caga emphasized that the media being a constant partner of PIA should also have a time for exploration and bonding with other media personalities in the city, and the River Cruise is just one of the many activities which the PIA planned to do with them.

“The media have been our partner in information dissemination and we see it necessary to allow them to explore and have fun at the same time. More of this

activity will happen as we work along with the media here,” highlighted Caga.

Ramil Bangues, station manager of dxBC-RMN appreciated the efforts of PIA in initiating such activity with the media. Bangues, who is from Pagadian City has seen the picturesque spots of Agusan River and discovered different water and forest species.

“Agusan River is really amazing. Its beauty, calm water and the vegetation grown in the riverbanks are so attractive and it has a lot of tourism potentials. With that activity, we did not only enjoy discovering Agusan River and natural environment while cruising but most importantly, we enjoyed the company of other media practitioners from various media outfits. It was a camaraderie and our kind of celebrating Valor Day,” expressed Bangues.

Also, Noel Najarro, a Mindanao correspondent from Philippine News Agency (PNA) underlined that said activity was very educational. “The activity aside from being informative and educational, it also opens up awareness for the participants on the eco-tourism potential sites right here in our locality. Also, there are sites here which needed to be developed, conserved and protected,” he said.

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PIA and media visited the following locations within the Agusan River: Rock Island with 2.9 hectares where wild ducks, Acacia trees and other indigenous vegetation can be seen, Kayam Forest in Pagatpatan and bird sanctuary.

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Agusan River is a river located in the eastern part of Mindanao island in the Philippines, draining majority of the Caraga Region and some parts of Compostela Valley province. It is the third largest river basin of the Philippines with a total drainage area of 10,921 km² and an estimated length of 350 kilometers from its origin.

The headwaters of the river is found in the mountains of Compostela Valley, near its border with Davao Oriental and east of Tagum City. It flows through the wide Agusan River valley which measures 177 kilometers (110 mi) from south to north and varies from 32-48 kilometers (20–30 miles) in width. It finally drains into the Butuan Bay at its mouth in Butuan City. The river is also the third longest river in the Philippines.

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REGIONAL NEWS

DA-Rice Processing Center: A profitable agriculture enterprise

Sto. Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) in Butuan City is now reaping the profit of Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) agricultural modernization projects.

By: Rhea C. Abao

The cooperative was organized in 1991 with only 25 members composed of rice farmers. They started their operation on rice milling business from

a bank loan. But over the years, the equipment and facility procured were already inefficient. This causes for their operation to be less productive.

REGIONAL

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REGIONAL NEWS

“For almost 20 years of our rice milling operation the equipment and facility that we have, were already depreciated and less efficient. This became a hindrance for our customers tried to find another miller which can provide them a better quality output. But thanks to DA’s intervention through Agri-Pinoy Rice Program, the department provided us the Rice Processing Center (RPC) a facility that we need to upgrade our operation,” said Marilyn Aranas, Chairperson of SNMPC.

In 2013 the cooperative was a recipient of RPC worth P4.5 million in which 15% of the total amount was the cooperative’s counterpart. The center has a two-ton-per-hour multi-pass rice mill that gives the farmers

65% rate of recovery of their produce compared to small rice millers that only gives 50%.

RPC is a facility that showcases efficient rice postharvest operation through mechanization and automation. It ensures savings in labor cost, lesser losses, enhanced quality, improved distribution system and maximized use of buy-products.

“The facility is cost and energy efficient and makes our operation more productive. Before, the milling capacity was only 10 sacks per hour but today through the RPC it doubled to 20 sacks per hour. This time, we can accept customers thru market linkages who need order by volume every month,” said Aranas.

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Aside from their walk-in clienteles, SNMPC has established a marketing agreement with Mangagoy Fishermen Cooperative (MAFISCO) and San Roque Farmers and Displaced Workers Cooperative from Bislig City. They also have market linkages to Sto. Niño Consumers Cooperative from Magallanes, Agusan del Norte and Gingoog Rice Retailer from Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.

According to Aranas, an average of 2,430 sacks of rice (50 kilos per sack) valued at P4,700,900 were sold every month to their identified buyers. DA-Marketing Assistance Division assisted the cooperative to make market linkages for potential buyers, she added.

The cooperative is now capable to produce premium milled rice. The enhanced rice quality through the use of the multi-pass rice mill serves an avenue for the National Food Authority (NFA) to link partnership with the cooperative through a milling contract.

Furthermore, DA also provided pre and post-harvest facilities with a total worth of P2.2 million. Over the years, the following equipment were granted to SNMPC: three units of flat- bed dryer, four units of multi-purpose drying pavement, one unit hand tractor and one unit rice transplanter.

Based on the cooperative’s financial statement, the total sale for the year 2011 was P17.7 million. While in 2012 it has a total sale of P21.4 million, or an equivalent of 17% increase. In

2013 a drastic increase of sales was recorded amounting to P33.2 million, or an equivalent of 35% increase was achieved.

This shows that the establishment of RPC is not only a service facility but an enterprising venture for farmers to do and learn how to run an agri-business operation to the best of their ability.

“Today we have 360 active members of the cooperative. SNMPC members are now receiving their dividend, before the coop is incapable to give the dividend because the operation is not profitable. We are very thankful for the Department of Agriculture in restoring back our profitable operation. Now, we saw the great advantage on our part if we have our rice produced milled at the RPC,” said Aranas.

For the past five years (2011-2015), SNMPC has a yearly total asset worth of P10.2M, P11.6M, P16.4M, P20.4M, and P21.6M respectively.

For years, DA continues to provide the needed support to empower the farmers in Caraga and increase productivity. Through its Rice Program, mechanization is placed as one of its top priority.

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REGIONAL NEWS

POPCOM: Pregnancies lead to death

BUTUAN CITY -- The Commission on Population (PopCom) recently released its report that in the country, mothers are dying due to pregnancy-related causes.

By: May Ann O. Escobal

During the recently conducted regional dissemination forum on the Sixth State of the Philippine Population Report (SPPR 6) here, it showed that maternal deaths of the country are as high as 120 because of various factors.

During the panel discussion, Department of Health-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Dr. Cesar C. Cassion cited the four goals of the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) strategy, specifically: no mother should die giving birth; every pregnancy should be properly managed; every pregnancy should be delivered

at the facility; and every mother and newborn pair secures proper post-partum and newborn care. With these strategic goals, Cassion guaranteed that maternal mortality will be prevented. ARD Cassion also emphasized the importance of strong LGU support in addressing said issues.

PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano also highlighted the importance of male/husband involvement in taking extra care for their pregnant wife/partner. Their participation has greater impact in providing maternal health care services.

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PIA Caraga features COMELEC in One Mindanao mobile app

BUTUAN CITY -- The Commission on Election (COMELEC) has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga in the delivery of real-time updates for the 2016 elections though its One Mindanao mobile application.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

Butuan Medical Center Hospital Director Dr. Josephine E. Chua, on the other hand, shared some measures and program interventions in addressing maternal health care and maternal deaths in Butuan and how the local government unit sustain these initiatives. Chua disclosed that LGU Butuan received financial support from the Spanish government, constructed 19 birthing facilities, and purchased additional ambulances to augment whenever there are emergencies that take place.

The sixth SPPR “Precious and Precarious: The Life of Filipino Mothers” focuses on maternal mortality and its underlying causes including unmet need on family planning.

SPPR is a series of publication

by PopCom the purpose of which is to disseminate gains and progress made in the population management programs as well as to raise issues which are timely, relevant, and concerning attention among the stakeholders.

PopCom appealed to its partners including the LGUs to intensify their effort in providing and improving health facilities, health service providers giving adequate and efficient information and services to increase the health seeking behaviour of women.

The government through PopCom is continuously intensifying its efforts through various program interventions that aim to contribute to improving the well-being and development of every Filipino family.

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Agusan del Norte provincial election supervisor Atty. Ernie Palanan expressed his optimism that a significant number of people worldwide who have downloaded and who will be downloading the app can be reached and be able to see their updates especially in the coming May 2016 elections.

“We appreciated the initiative and effort of PIA for including us in their platform. The agency has been providing us technical support especially in our preparation for the May 2016 elections. We have been good partners along with the media here,” expressed Palanan.

PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga said that putting in place

the COMELEC tile at the agency’s One Mindanao mobile app is very helpful and useful to the netizens. “We have been taking advantage of the technology and we are continuously upgrading our technical capabilities and creativity. This time, we see it necessary to include the COMELEC in our mobile app as this is accessible via smartphone and it’s free. Users can be able to see updates posted real-time by PIA Caraga, along with other features in the mobile app,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Palanan further reiterated the conduct of Candidates’ Forum for congressional, mayoral and vice mayoral on April 22, 2016 at the Little Theater of Morelos Campus at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), this city. PIA will be covering the said forum live via Youtube streaming and radio broadcast. (JPG)

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REGIONAL NEWS

OCD orients Caraga media on DRRM

BUTUAN CITY -- As chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga recently conducted the one-day orientation on DRRM with media practitioners in the region held in one of the local convention centers here. According to OCD Caraga regional director Manuel Luis Ochotorena, the said activity was aimed to provide the media a background on DRRM particularly on the diverse yet unified roles of different government agencies in the inter-agency coordination as well as to orient media professionals on their significant function and crucial responsibility in the delivery of information wen calamity strikes and other crisis situations.

“The OCD, as the implementing

arm of the NDRRMC, shall have the primary mission of administering a comprehensive national civil defense and disaster risk reduction and management program by providing leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches as well as measures to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and manage the consequences of disasters,” bared Ochotorena.

He also clarified that OCD is a separate body/entity from that of

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REGIONAL NEWS

the regional DRRM Council. “It is an agency that leads the implementation of DRRM in the region while the DRRM is the highest policy-making body on DRRM in the region. RDRRMC carries out coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions between and among regional member-agencies,” he said.

It was reiterated that the four thematic areas of DRRM are as follows: 1) Disaster Prevention and Mitigation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the lead agency; 2) Disaster Preparedness with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as lead agency; 3) Disaster Response with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as lead agency; and 4) Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as lead agency.

Also, guest speaker Romina Marasigan, Civil Defense Public Affairs Chief and NDRRMC Spokesperson emphasized that DRRM is a concern of the public.

“Media as DRRM key player contribute to raising disaster awareness at all levels; understand and sisseminate accurate disaster information; support early warning systems and life-saving protective measures; and stimulate a culture of disaster resiliency,” she said.

Marasigan further bared that the NDRRMC and even the regional councils are faced with different challenges. “We are seeking common grounds. We must be proactive, influence the government and communicate to prioritize DRRM, extend extra hands in times of crisis, and communicate effectively to save lives,” she stressed.

Also, during the orientation, the following topics were discussed: The Role of OCD as the secretariat and executive arm of DRRM/ communications flow and warning dissemination based on the standard operating procedures and guidelines; DOST-PAGASA Revised Tropical Cyclone classification; and the roles of DOST, DILG, DSWD and NEDA on DRRM.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga facilitated and moderated the open forum right after the orientation.

All the participants then affixed their signatures in the Pledge of Commitment on DRRM tarp to signify their interest and willingness to advocate for a more proactive and resilient community. (JPG)

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REGIONAL NEWS

PIA, Butuan media discover Agusan River’s ‘Peace Rocks Island’

BUTUAN CITY -- As the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga personnel headed by regional director Abner Caga together with the local media, Philippine Army, and Save Mindanao Volunteers Incorporated (SMVI) cruised the Agusan River on Saturday, the team led by SMVI executive director Ruel Hipulan, discovered the 2.9-hectare island, which they then named as ‘Peace Rocks Island.’

Hipulan, who also used to travel to different places in Caraga region brought the team to the island. When they arrived at the area, they then agreed to name said island as ‘Peace Rocks Island’.

“This place has wild ducks and other indigenous water species. It is also rich in different kinds of vegetation. Only few people have visited this place and this is the first time that media practitioners gathered together and toured this place,” expressed Hipulan.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Dir. Caga underlined that PIA and media as peace advocates should continue to inform the people on developmental news as they also promote peace and development in the city and in the region in general.

“This activity is definitely memorable for all of us as we did not only enjoy each other’s company but we also learned many things and discovered the natural resources that we have in Agusan River. This Peace Rocks Island is a symbol of our strong partnership. We do not own this place, but this will remind us always that we’ve reached this far and we will continue

to be partners and to be of service to other people,” Caga highlighted.

The Peace Rocks Island is situated in the upstream of Agusan River in Barangay San Mateo, Butuan City. The Agusan River is the widest and most navigable river in Mindanao. Natives who live on the banks of this river pay tribute to their patroness, Senora Sta. Ana (Saint Anne) every last Sunday of July in the Abayan festival.

Several media practitioners from print and radio participated and enjoyed the whole-day river cruise. (JPG)

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GALLERYRiver Cruise & Media Tour

9 April 2016

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

PROVINCIAL

P5.3M FMR completed in AgNor town

BUTUAN CITY -- A P5.3 million budget farm-to-market road has already been completed in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) convergence which provide convenient transport of agricultural products for mango planters and farmers alike. The mango planters and farmers in Barangay Culit, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte express gratitude to the government and to the DPWH as their agricultural products especially

mangoes for export will now arrive fresh at the local markets and port of Nasipit, free from damages during transport.

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

“This is an answered prayer for us because as you all know the cost of producing export quality mangoes is not minimal, therefore it would be a big loss if our mangoes are damage while transporting to the port or market due to a very bad road,” a mango grower said when he witnessed the road opening.

DPWH Agusan Del Norte District Engineering Office (ADN-DEO) District Engineer Nicholas O. Alameda, the implementer of the project, and DA-XIII Engr. Rene Morales, turned-over the newly paved road to the local government unit headed by town mayor Enrico Corvera and punong barangay Joel A. Pepito of Barangay Culit, Nasipit, during the opening and turned-over ceremony held recently in the presence of other local officials and residents in the area.

“This marks a great accomplishment not only for Barangay Culit but also for nearby residents in Nasipit and Carmen, especially mango planters and farmers who are frequent users of this road transporting their produce from farm to market,” said DE Alameda. Agusan del Norte is known to yield high quality, sweet mangoes sold for export which is mostly grown in Nasipit and in the neighboring municipality of Carmen.

To note, the DPWH XIII has implemented a total of 12 FMR projects in Agusan del Norte in the year 2015, which consists of five projects implemented by ADN DEO and seven by Butuan City District engineering Office (BCDEO) for a total allotted budget of P138,000,000 million which is expected to boost local economy through agriculture. (DPWH-Caraga)

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

BISLIG CITY -- In line with the celebration of the Earth Month 2016, the officials and employees of Bislig Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) detailed in the area have planted endemic tree seedlings at the Arboretum of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Surigao del Sur in Sitio Sanyata, San Roque on April 7.

CENRO Bislig, AFP plant trees at SurSur Arboretum for Earth MonthBy: Johny S. Natad

Surigao del Sur OIC PENR Officer Raul A. Rosales together with Bislig CENR Officer Michael E. Montalban led the tree planting activity with some 39 planters from CENRO Bislig and AFP 75th Infantry Battalion personnel. A total of 135 tree seedlings of Yakal, Mahogany,

Bono, Anislag, Kalingag, Bitangol and Tabon-tabon were planted at the arboretum during the said event.

The four-hectare arboretum is the home of giant dipterocarp tree species like White lauan, Mayapis,

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

Almon, Bagtikan among others with shrubs, palms, rattan, and other endemic trees. It is located within the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) 35 of PICOP Resources Industries in Bislig.

The said arboretum is co-managed by Barangay Council of San Roque and DENR through PENRO Surigao del Sur and CENRO Bislig, who formally signed a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of the arboretum as a protected area for conservation of native flora and fauna and model for environmental eco-tourism destination of the province. The arboretum also serves as the living laboratory and demonstration site for educational and scientific related purposes.

Meanwhile, OIC PENR Officer Rosales urged DENR personnel to intensify, step-up and deliver green environment campaign to save the planet Earth from all types of environmental violations against our forest and watershed areas while calling every Surigaonons to support environmental initiatives in celebrating the Earth Month.

“Everyone should be part in Earth month celebration,” Rosales said. “We encourage everyone to continue support the National Greening Program (NGP) by planting and caring more trees and adopt-a-tree program in support to the Earth Day theme ‘Trees for the Earth.’ Everyone can be part of our environmental effort in stopping illegal logging, banning

kaingin or slash and burn farming and other environmental crimes against our forest and watershed which are some identified causes of Climate Change. Everyone can be part also in Earth month celebration by showing and applying best practices in solid waste management. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse,” he added.

The month of April is declared as the “Month of Planet Earth in the Philippines” per Presidential Proclamation No. 1482 dated April 10, 2008. The country also joins the world in celebrating every April 22 as the Earth Day per Proclamation No. 1276 series of 2007 and Proclamation No. 1481 series of 2008. On this year’s Earth Day with the global theme “Trees for the Earth,” the DENR supports the said celebration by spearheading environmental activities like tree planting, fun run, youth camp, among others which adopts an environmental campaign slogan ‘Step Up and Deliver, #GreenEnvironmentGawingForever.’

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

TAGANA-AN, Surigao del Norte -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office conducted a one-day training on Packaging and Labelling for seaweed-based food products to Taganaan Women Federated Association (TAWFA) on April 5, 2016 held at the Municipal Function Room, here.

DTI Surigao Norte conducts packaging, labelling training for seaweed-based food products in Taganaan

TAWFA has availed an approved project fund amounting to P500,000 under the 2014 Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) Program through DTI as participating agency and the local government unit of Taganaan, as implementing office.

The business project of the said association would give income and job opportunities especially to women in the said municipality.

The training activity provides the association a ready design of different product labels and packaging suitable to the types of food product they are producing.

It also aims to make the product ready for competitive market and eventually boost sales and income generation. (DTI-Surigao del Norte)

100 studs qualify for SPES program in Dinagat Islands

The students who have qualified the summer job program can avail of several privileges such as daily compensation worth P175.00, trainings/seminars, and other work-related experience.

For years now, the SPES has been providing assistance to students

willing to earn during vacation. The said program was spearheaded by the Provincial Labor and Employment Management Office (PLEMO) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). (Provincial Information Office, Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands -- Out of 200 student-applicants only 100 were chosen to occupy the vacant slots and undergo the orientation program for this year’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) held recently at the SP Session Hall, Barangay Cuarinta, here.

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Photo Credit: Ma Angelica Beatriz Tan

GALLERYCOMELEC Icon Launching

14 April 2016

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MINDANAO

MINDANAO

“I would like to address the first issue on the announcement of the ISIS group, (coming from Cairo, Egypt) owing to the attack on Philippine forces in the island of Basilan. First of all I like to say that this is not true,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

Reports claimed that ISIS terrorists they have blown seven military trucks, killing 23 soldiers in the process.

“The attack was initiated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and (reports claiming that ISIS have staged the ambush) are not true and inconsistent with real events on the ground and we assess that this is mere propaganda on the part of the larger group because they have taken notice of the events in this country,” he added. “As it is, we encourage everyone

not to give this value because this is very inconsistent with what is really happening on the ground and as such we are bent on finishing whatever operations we have ongoing,” Padilla stressed.

As this develops, the number of ASG bandits killed in ongoing operations in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan since last April 9 has now climbed to 31.

The AFP spokesperson said about half of this number are for validation even as military units continue to scour the grounds to ensure that all of the bandits are neutralized for the betterment of the country.

No government losses were sustained in these operations, he added. (PNA)

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday vehemently denied reports claiming that Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists is responsible for the attack that killed 18 soldiers and wounded 53 others in Basilan last April 9.

AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash

Photo: www.update.ph

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NATIONAL

DILG Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero said that of the 16,576 completed BuB projects, a total of 5,391 or 79 percent of the 7,282 funded projects were completed for 2013; 9,455 or 48 percent of the 19,525 projects for 2014; and 1,730 or 12 percent of the 14,349 projects for 2015.

BuB is a program that strengthens participation in national budget formulation and project implementation. Before BuB, decisions were made at the top. Now, local communities with their local government units (LGUs) are given the power to decide on what priority projects should be implemented in their areas.

“BuB as a reform program has its own birth pains since its conceptualization in 2011 and early stages in 2013 and 2014. Understandably and consequently, the completion rate takes time in improving through the years as projects differ in nature ranging from infrastructure to livelihood,” said Panadero.

The DILG Undersecretary said that over the said three-year period, a total of P51.70 billion has been downloaded by the national government to LGUs for the implementation of a total of 41,156 funded projects.

Aside from the 16,576 completed

QUEZON CITY -- Thousands of Filipinos all over the country are now benefitting from 16,576 completed projects amounting to around P15.5 billion under the government’s Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program since the program started in 2013 until 2015, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Over P15-B BuB projects benefitting thousands of Filipinos nationwide

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NATIONAL NEWS

projects from 2013 to 2015, he said 8,385 are still ongoing, 11,473 are pipelined, and 4,722 have been proposed. The completion rate is 40 percent and the delivery rate is 61 percent.

“We hope for the appreciation not only of completed projects but as well as thousands of ongoing projects that has started and has visually verifiable physical accomplishment,” said Panadero.

Gains from BuB

The Undersecretary emphasized the gains of the national government because of the BuB program. “The government has improved delivery of basic service, increased spending of national government funds, increased LGUs’ compliance to full disclosure policy, public finance management, conformity to the policies of the Commission on Audit (COA), improved civil society organization (CSO) engagement, and increased investments in poverty alleviation,” he

stated.

He said that national government agencies (NGAs) had the sole discretion in identifying what kind of projects are needed on the ground. With BuB, NGAs are now attuned with LGUs.

“In 2015 and 2016, we have fine-tuned the integration of local anti-poverty plans into the national budget. BuB projects for this year are covered in the 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA). About P24.7 billion was set aside to fund 14,324 projects this year,” he shared.

The cities and municipalities covered by BuB program started with 595 in year 2013 and have increased almost three times to 1,514 this year. Next year, it aims to cover all 1,634 cities and municipalities in the country.

Allocated budget for BuB program has also leaped from P8.9 billion in 2013 to P24.7 billion this year. (DILG)

The SEP, which was launched in September 2011 as a flagship program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, was able to energize 32,688 sitios as of last March 31. The target was 32,441 sitios.

President Aquino on Wednesday acknowledged former and present Energy secretaries, as well as the electric cooperatives that contributed to the successful implementation of the

LAGUINDINGAN, MISAMIS ORIENTAL -- The government has surpassed its target of bringing electricity to rural areas nationwide through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

Government surpasses target of bringing electricity to rural areas nationwide

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SEP.

“Dahil sa ginawa ng tatlong Kalihim ng ating Department of Energy, umpisa kay Rene Almendras, tumuloy kay Icot Petilla for the most part, at si Naidi (Zenaida) Monsada ang nagtapos nito. Tumulong ang lahat ng cooperative para mangyari ito. Hindi naman ho puro tauhan ng gobyerno ang gumawa nito. Tumulong kayo sa Sitio Electrification Program. Tumutulong kayo palagi pag may bagyo at nagbagsakan ang linya, kayo ang nagpapamadali ng panunumbalik ng kuryente,” President Aquino said after leading the switch-on ceremony at the Misamis Oriental-1

Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO-1) covered court in Barangay Poblacion here.

“Doon po sa pinagtulong-tulungan natin—ulitin ko, hindi si Noynoy Aquino ang gumawa nito—kayo ho ang gumawa. Idamay na lang ninyo ako. Tayo ho ang gumawa ng tagumpay na ito kaya maraming-maraming salamat sa inyo,” the President added.

“Gusto ko hong ipagdiinan: Sa Daang Matuwid ho kasi, ano ba ang pakay? Ang pakay ay ...maglingkod sa taumbayan nang totoo,” he said.

Photo: http://themindanaocurrent.blogspot.com/

30 9-15 APRIL 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

Assisting the President in pushing the knife switch that turned on the LED lights representing the energized sitios nationwide, were Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada and National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Edita Bueno.

Also present were Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, and MORESCO-1 Board President Nonito Labis and General Manager Engineer Julie Real.

The government has released P21 billion to 117 electric cooperatives to bolster the completion of the program. Luzon got the biggest share of the funding with 11,670 sitios energized, followed by Mindanao with 10,800, and Visayas with 10,218.

The SEP, which aims to boost the economy that would lead to job generation and bring in investments to rural areas, is under the supervision of NEA.

President Aquino also mentioned other government projects, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and PhilHealth, which have improved the lives of the Filipino people.

He noted that 4.6 million households are beneficiaries of the 4Ps and that 7.7 million Filipinos are now above the poverty line.

“Dito sa Pantawid Pamilyang

Pilipino Program, nag-umpisa tayo sa 780,000 na kabahayan sa buong Pilipinas. Ngayon po, 4.6 million. Itong taon na ito, matatapos na po ang 200,000. Ang in-expand noong 2014 sa high school, ang unang nag-graduate doon, over 300,000. At sa number na iyan, kulang-kulang 14,000 ang honors,” said the President. “Talagang ang isang sentrong mensaheng gusto kong iwan sa inyo ay lahat ng ginawa nating ito, nagmula dahil nagtulong-tulong tayong baguhin ang dinatnan nating sistema. Ang perang hindi nanakaw, nadala sa Sitio Electrification, nadala sa 4Ps, nadala sa 185,000 classrooms, nadala sa PhilHealth,” he added.

The President also mentioned the National Greening Program under which 1.5 billion trees would be planted in 1.5 million hectares.

With 78 days remaining in his term, President Aquino said he is leaving the country in a much better state for the next generation.

“Magpapaalam na po ako sa inyo. 78 days. Hindi ko alam kung makababalik pa ako. Talaga hong marami tayong napag-tagumpayan. Talagang palagay ko, puwede nating masabi ngayon pa lang na di hamak mas maganda ang iiwan natin sa susunod na salinlahi kaysa doon sa dinatnan natin. Talagang malaking karangalan pong mamuno ng isang dakilang lahi tulad ng Pilipino. At ito nga po ang utang ko sa inyong lahat,” he said. (PND)

319-15 APRIL 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

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