One Mindanao - April 17, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA 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 EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

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 BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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]

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

MARY MAY A. ABELLON, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

Gensan get child-friendly city seal

OWWA-ARMM spearheads peace building symposium

TESDA-13 announces PESFA, TWSP scholarship slots

BSP launches demonetization campaign in Region 9

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Hinuklog 2015, community theatre at its best

DepEd, Samsung Philippines computerize 3 IP Community schools

GPH-MILF peace process seeks to address root causes of Mindanao conflict – Deles

Barangay commits to plant 4,700 trees in support of the LGUs Vision 2020

Health centers now offer free pneumonia vaccination

Leadership summit empowers youth in Lanao del Norte

By: Robert E. Roperos

By: Noel B. Najarro

By: OPAPP

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By: IJLagare

By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

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2021

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Lorry V. Gabule

By: CIO

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

17PH sports icons star in Palarong Pambansa music videoBy: Rudolph Ian Alama

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4 APRIL 17, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

The Hinuklog 2015 street play in Medina, Misamis Oriental is a proof that community theatre is still alive.

Hinuklog 2015,community theatre at its best

5APRIL 17, 2015 One Mindanao

On April 2-3, 2015, the Hinuklog Council of Medina staged the most highlighted event of the Lenten Season, “The Hinuklog 2015,” a traditional Lenten street play depicting the last passion of Christ. With over 200 local parishioners and Medinhanons as actors, the play highlighted the events that brought Christ before the council of elders, tried, persecuted and put to death by way of crucifixion. Medina Municipal Mayor Ken Uyguangco said there are times that these actors only eat steamed banana for meals because the budget is at a minimum. He said that they

are trying to get sponsors to finance their props, sound system, even food and all other things they need for the play beginning from rehearsals to the actual play. Right now, their major sponsors include the Fresh Fruits Ingredients, Inc., a private company in Medina and overseas friends, Medinhanons

abroad. People in Action “We are witnessing people in action,” said Judy Aclan of the Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental Provincial Office during a press conference held prior to the play.


The unique element in Hinuklog is that the whole community comes together to stage the production. It is not just a destination, but the people involved in this production. There is community involvement coupled with faith, she said. Aclan said that it is time to institutionalize. DTI’s role is for the promotion of the event since tourism is the main One Town One Product (OTOP). However, there is a need to strengthen partnership with other government agencies and s t a k e h o l d e r s to promote the event including the Department of Tourism, Philippine

Information Agency, media and bloggers, among others. She added that in our modern society, only a few left in the country that get together and are involved in activities such as this play. The challenge perhaps is to draw the younger

generation in this kind of activity, she said.

Medina, center for community theatre in Mindanao The community theatre of Medina started during the 1950’s after World War II. According to its history, it started with variety shows, singing and dancing and the likes. In 1975, when Fr.


Villamil took leadership in the parish, the street play of “Pasyon ni Kristo” or Passion of Christ started. This was participated by almost all the residents of Medina. This street play was done during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Former Mayor Pacifico T. Pupos Jr, in his term from 2010-2013 ignited the community theatre to develop through workshops and training on singing and acting in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). In 2011, it was through this partnership that the Lumadnong Magdudula sa Medina

(LUMAGMED) was created. This group consisted directors and actors that comprised Pasyon Ni Kristo which is now known as “Hinuklog.” For three years, LUMAGMED had the opportunity to join a number of trainings and workshops on

community theatre. This has given members the ability to direct, act especially create a deep bond within the group. Presently, there have already been three stage plays that the group has performed particularly History of Medina, Bagyo and Importance of the rights of a Child and BATA: Love does not hurt and the yearly


street play “Hinuklog.” Members of LUMAGMED include Raul M. Barcelona, Allan M. Barcelona, Annabelle R. Morales, Ma. Teresa P. Huerto, Alexis T. lago, Narciso E. Sinajon Jr., Diomedes M. Barcelona and father Policarpo “Pol” Gumapon. The future of Hinuklog During the press conference before the play, the local government including the media have exchanged views on how Hinuklog could be better. According to Mayor Uyguangco, they are hoping to get sponsors to continue this annual event.

Meanwhile, promotion will be boosted through massive information dissemination over TV, radio and social media. Through this massive promotion, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the area will also be given boost. Local economy will be given opportunity for growth.

Most importantly, faith will be strengthened. According to Rev. Fr. Rufino “Pepoye” Cabatingan, parish priest of Medina MisOr, this Hinuklog play should make people reflect and think. During this time, people should be ready to suffer for Christ, able to do fasting, penitence and pray.


Aquino Admin to push faster gov’t spending

MANILA - Following a year of slower government spending, the Aquino administration is now taking aggressive steps to ramp up public disbursements and bring faster economic growth to the country. With majority of their respective 2015 allotments already released to government departments and agencies under the General Appropriations Act-

as-Release Document (GAARD) regime, President Aquino recently issued Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 46 to improve spending efficiency and expedite


the implementation of priority programs and projects under the 2015 Budget.

“We’ve already set down a lot of transparency and openness reforms in the National Budget, and that’s allowed us to make spending more responsive to the people’s needs. We recognized the need, however, to make budget execution much more efficient among our agencies. If major departments cannot optimize their budgets, it will be very difficult for us to get crucial projects rolling,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

“There was a clear need for us to adopt firmer and more aggressive measures so that the Budget can duly support the growing economy. The A.O. will allow us to strengthen agency capacities for implementing the budget and clear more of the bottlenecks that hamper efficient spending.” Under A.O. 46, agencies will be required to complete the disaggregation of project listings and submit all the documentary requirements for their allotment releases by end-April. Likewise,

they should submit to the DBM and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OSC) their implementation plans for the programs and projects noted in the FY 2015 GAA. To improve procurement practices, agencies will be expected to assign full-time support staff to their respective Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariats—even as they require BAC members and Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to prioritize procurement assignments over other duties and responsibilities. Furthermore, larger departments with a number of complex items that need to be procured—like the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)—should increase the number of BACs to handle the load. “We have a strong procurement framework, but agencies won’t be able to make good use of it if they juggle their daily responsibilities with


BAC duties. We see now that introducing devoted BAC staff will go a long way in making the procurement process more efficient. If we clear this bottleneck, agencies can deliver public goods and services more quickly,” Abad said. In addition, the A.O. directs agencies to submit their Annual Procurement Plan (APP) to the Government Procurement Policy Board and its Technical Support Office as soon as possible, besides coordinating with the DBM to ensure they have the needed personnel and resources. They must also comply with all procurement timelines as required by Republic Act 9184 (the Government Procurement Reform Act). Furthermore, agencies will be required to designate full-time personnel—with officers not below the rank of Undersecretary—to oversee the implementation of each program and project, as well as ensure that these are properly executed. Finally, departments and agencies must now submit their Budget and Financial Accountability Reports at the end of every quarter to the DBM

and the OSC. The reports are expected to cover the progress and issues of the program and project implementation, as well as catch-up plans and alternative modes of implementation if applicable.

Abad said, “Hand-in-hand with the early release of government funds, these measures improve department spending and procurement in both the immediate and long term. Our National Budget has already been designed in favor of rapid and inclusive economic growth. If we’re going to realize our goals, however, agencies must be better-positioned to bring goods and services efficiently to the public. The A.O. addresses that need in a very sure and sustainable way.” (DBM)


DepEd, Samsung Philippines computerize 3 IP Community schools

MANILA - The Department of Education (DepEd) forged a partnership with Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation that will benefit three schools for Indigenous Peoples (IP) – one school from Region 2 and two schools within Region 3, all of which were also beneficiaries of electrification projects by the department, in its continued efforts to promote tech-savviness and innovation in classrooms nationwide. Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC extended his gratitude to Samsung Philippines and said, “We are very thankful for the opportunities which you have opened for DepEd.” He also explained that as the computerization program reaches the farther areas of the

country, “education is taken into a whole different dimension and technology becomes a solution to inaccessibility.” Pureg Elementary School in Sanchez Mira Cagayan, Flora Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, and Tamale Elementary

Photo credit: ITU.int


School in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija will be the recipients of Samsung Philippines’ donations for the computerization program. A total of 250 IP students from the mentioned schools will be the beneficiaries of the program.

Samsung Philippines President and Managing Director Harry Lee said, “This signing is only the beginning and we are more than happy to support all the initiatives of the department.”

An approximated cost of Php 4,900,000.00 will be donated by Samsung Philippines for the aforementioned schools in the form of 93 tablets (31 per school), 93 Bluetooth keyboards (31 per school), 93 units of Bluetooth mouse (31 per school), six (6) laptops for teachers (2 per school), three (3) charging stations (1 per school), and three (3) sets of printer and ink supplies (1 per school).

Other education programs by Samsung Philippines include the launching of the Samsung Smart Classroom in Philippine Science High School last February 2014 and scholarship opportunities for students in the tertiary level.

Luistro reiterated the importance of this program for the IP communities and said, “We Filipinos are very culturally centered and we hope to make sure that technology becomes a partner for the local community in preserving their culture.” (DepEd)


GPH-MILF peace process seeks to address root causes of Mindanao conflict – DelesMANILA- The ongoing peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is among the measures being pursued to substantially reduce threat to security and peace and order in Mindanao from armed groups that foment lawlessness and instability in the South, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said on Saturday. “Peace between government and MILF means peace with the largest, most organized armed group which has been fighting government for decades. Ending this armed conflict means that this organized armed body ceases to fight the government and instead becomes a partner in addressing the problems facing the country, including problems of lawlessness in the South,” she said.

“It enables the effective exercise of the rule of law over areas previously outside its reach and ungovernable. Certainly, that must have some value in achieving our national aspiration for shared security and shared prosperity,” she added.

Her statement came after a published news report quoted a study funded by the World Bank which noted that political


violence related to rebellion and insurgency inflicts the “largest human cost” that affect Philippine development.

Deles said the government had early in the Administration concluded that negotiating with the MILF, which has concluded with a peace agreement and its legal iteration, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), would make efforts to address the root causes of the conflict in Mindanao more effective.

Deles said despite efforts by critics to paint the Mamasapano incident as proof that the BBL won’t address the threat from armed groups in Mindanao, the peace agreement with the MILF and the establishment of the proposed Bangsamoro in the BBL would be an indispensable big step towards disarming not just the MILF but other threat groups in Mindanao.

“The decommissioning process will cover not only the MILF but also other armed groups. Hence, the BBL will have a multiplier effect,” she said.

Under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro which the government and MILF

signed on March last year, the MILF agreed to decommission its firearms and weaponry and its 11,000-strong Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) in exchange for the establishment of a political entity with genuine autonomy to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its fighters would undergo a normalization process so they could resume lives as ordinary citizens, and not as combatants anymore.

The CAB -- a product of more than 17 years of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF -- has also made the MILF, the biggest armed group in Mindanao, to undergo a transformation from a secessionist movement to a political group with intentions to participate and field candidates in the coming elections.

“The challenge is tough but unavoidable and doable through a combination of MILF cooperation and government law enforcement,” Deles said. “Rule of law begets trust and vice versa. Together both will encourage people to choose lawful ways to resolve conflict or to sustain life,” she added. (OPAPP)


Trike drivers to serve as ambassador of goodwill for Tagum City

DAVAO CITY- Tagum City Mayor Allan Rel-lon assured that all the amenities, billeting areas all the way to the venues of the games are ready for the Palar-ong Pambansa 2015. Speaking during the Hermes Club-Insulares Forum at the Waterfront Insular Hotel,he said even the tricycle driv-ers have been briefed to be hospitable given their duty to provide conve-nience to the public. Rellon said 3,200-strong tricycle drivers have undergone proper briefing and val-ues formation to ensure that they offer the cor-

rect fare. He said a three kilometer-stretch within Tagum City has a prescribed fare at P8.00. Rellon said road worthiness, cleanliness of the unit, and proper dealing with the passengers will be

strictly imposed on the units. Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario of Davao del Norte said the games will commence from May 3 with the opening cer-emonies on May 4. He said May 3 also is a Pac-quiao-Mayweather-Bout Day which people will also have to watch. Del Rosario said that open court-games will be played in the morning until 10:00 and 3:00 pm until nighttime. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Da-lumpines)


PH sports icons star in Palarong Pam-bansa music video

DAVAO CITY- A track and field champion, a swimming sensation and a football prodigy are featured in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa music video commissioned by the host provincial government of Davao del Norte. The appearance of Elma Muros-Posadas, Eric Buhain and Yannick Tuason gives star power to the video which also features different tourist attractions of Davao del Norte. The video was helmed by Urian award winning Dabawenyo filmmaker Willie Apa. The video shows Elma Muros carrying the torch in the highland of Talaingod, Eric Buhain is also seen carrying the games torch in the shores of San Remigio in the Island Garden City of Samal. Other places featured is the Christ the King church in Tagum, Panas Waterfalls in New Corella and the modern Davao del Norte Sports Complex also in Tagum City. The music of the video “Pal-aro ng Pagkakaisa” is an original song commissioned for the games it is composed and performed by Dabawenya music artist Maan Chua and arranged by Dabawenyo musi-cian Paolo Sisi. Elma Muros-Posadas is a 15-time gold medalist in athletics in the Southeast Asian Games dominating

the long jump and sprint events. She also is a two-time bronze medalist in the Asian Games. Eric Buhain is also a bemed-alled Southeast Asian Games Fili-pino swimmer, he is also a two-time Olympian representing the country in the 1988 and 1992 summer olympics while Yannick Tuason plays forward for the national football team the Philippine Azkals. This year’s Palarong Pambansa will be held this May 3-9 with major-ity of the sporting events to be held in Tagum City.(PIA/RG Alama)


DA 12 readies interventions to farmers affected by dry spellBy: Perlita B. Changco

COTABATO CITY, April 17—The Department of Agriculture in Region 12 is closely moni-toring the prevailing weather system partic-ularly since the onset of the dry spell affect-ing agricultural crops in the region.

According to DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Datukan, part of the agency mandate is monitoring and assessment ac-tivities on the prevailing drought in Mind-anao based on the PAGASA rainfall forecast projection.

“In fact, we have to study weather forecasting for the sake of agriculture. For April to June, actual rainfall forecast from PAGASA indicates expected rains compared to January to March. The last rain in Region 12 including Maguindanao was in February 15, but according to PAGASA the weather condition is expected to improve from April to May, ” Datukan said.

At present, she said, the agency is repo-sitioning an intervention that coincides with the Ulat sa Bayan Peace Caravan based on PAGASA forecast of improved weather con-dition with expected rainfall.

DA 12 is preparing interventions such as palay and corn seeds and fertilizer for distri-bution to farmers in affected areas in prepa


ration for the next planting season with the expected on-set of rainfall before the end of April, Datukan said.

Based on aerial survey and data from affected LGUs, Direc-tor Datukan said, damage to palay in the region as of end of March is only more than 580 hectares compared to corn with 6,000 plus hectares.

“Damage to corn farms is wider than the rice sector be-cause most rice farmers have already completed harvesting last January and February. The National Irrigation Admnistra-tion has helped us in dissemi-

nating for earlier and synchro-nized planting,” she added.

Datukan said, based on in-spection and validation the agency is considering cloud seeding activity in the munici-palities of Alamada and Banisi-lan in North Cotabato to save corn plantations with good chance of recovery. (PBChang-co/PIA Cotabato City)


Gensan get child-friendly city seal

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Apr. 17– The Council for the Wel-fare of Children (CWC) has given its stamp of approval to the Local Government Unit of General Santos as a Child-Friendly Local Governance (CFLG).

The award comes after LGU-GSC passed the child-friendly local governance audit (CFLGA) for 2014.

CFLGA is a mandatory audit system crafted by the Depart-ment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last 2013 to ensure that LGUs all over the country are active in pursuing the delivery of effective social services to the children and the youth.

It is being done in partner-ship with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Depart-ment of Social Welfare and De-velopment .

Some of the gauges set by the DILG for the CFLGA are completion rate for elementary schooling, safety measures for children in the community and schools, and extent of main-streaming of children’s rights to core development agenda of LGUs.

It also looked into the pres-

ence of an ordinance establish-ing Barangay Violence Against Women and their Children (VAW/C) desks, PHILHEALTH accreditation of its main health facility or rural health unit for Maternal Care Services and Primary Care, as well the es-tablishment of a Local School Board (LSB) plan for CY 213 which should be aligned with the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and and 70% completion of the LGUs LSB Plan for 2013.

“I am glad that they have no-ticed our efforts in making the local government child-friendly. We will make sure that we will continue to deliver services that will benefit our children and youth,” City Mayor Ronnel Ri-vera said.

He said, LGU Gensan has specifically implemented its flagship program CLEAN Gensan (Creating a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation-building), to strengthen ser


OWWA-ARMM spearheads peace building symposiumBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

COTABATO CITY, Apr 17-- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration recently held a peace building symposium for some 56 officers and members of OFW family circles in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

vices in the areas of educa-tion, health, and social services.

“I chose these areas be-cause they are needed by our constituents, especially by the children, women, and elderlies. They are our vulnerable sector that is why we should take care of them,” he said.

Mayor Rivera has launched various initiatives that are an-chored on the CFLGA criteria.

He also strengthened part-nership with DepEd and private agencies to raise the educa-tional standards and academic learning here in Gensan.

Programs like enhanced Early Childhood Care Development Initiative (ECCDI), Community Teach, and Project Modelo were implemented to further promote the rights of the children to-

wards quality education.LGU Gensan employees have

also taken part in building ad-ditional classrooms through the “Piso Ko, Klasrum Mo” program.

Every month, each employee donates donate P1 from their salary. The donation is collect-ed by the General Santos City Government Employees Associa-tion (GSCGEA) for the construc-tion of makeshift classrooms.

Youth-oriented activities such as the Gensan Summerfest were also introduced last 2014 to empower the youth in the city through various sports compe-titions and development train-ings.

LGU Gensan had allotted P3.4 million for the training of these athletes. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


meant to promote a culture of peace and development among their clientele.

It is also aimed not only at tackling safety and security concerns, but also at increas-ing awareness on the need for stakeholders to participate in peace and development efforts.

Among the topics discussed is the Bangsamoro’s quest for genuine peace, presented byEx-ecutive Director Aboud Syed M. Lingga of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies.

Commissioner Atty. Raisah Jajurie of the Bangsamoro Tran-sition Commission also talked about the roles and rights of labor and women sector in

Bangsamoro Basic Law.Other topics include women

empowerment, gender sensitiv-ity and anti-illegal recruitment with Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women Chairper-son Sittie Jehanne U. Mutin, DOLE-ARMM Labor Employment Officer Kadiguia Mamadra and DOLE-ARMM Secretary Muslimin A. Jakilan as speakers.

The activity was carried out under the theme “Kapayapaan! Katahimikan! Kaunlaran! Mithiin nating lahat!.” (ORRivera-PIA 12 with report from OWWA-ARMM)


Conquering the prayer mountain - Mt. Hilong-hilongBy: Brian Ceballos

After a thorough planning and deliberation, it was only a matter of time wherein every stakeholders involve would agree to push thru with the much anticipated Freedom Climb to the top of Mt. Hilong-hilong using the Mahaba Trail in Brgy. Mahaba, Cabadbaran City. It was a climb open for every experienced climber in the country that happened on April 8-11, 2015. Mt. Hilong-Hilong, towering 2,102 meters (6,896.33 feet) above sea level is the highest peak in Caraga Region, covering 80-100 hectares and also known for its seven waterfalls, and home to different species of animals and ecologically threatened flora.


At least 25 people from all over Mindanao participated in the climb (guides and porters not included in the count), which is poised to become an annual event of the said city to lure in more outdoor enthusiasts and promote the unspoiled beauty of the area as a tourist destination and a favorite for mountaineers to engage in every year.

The provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the city government of Cabadbaran, as the major stakeholders, were in all out support for the activity and made sure climbers were properly briefed and guided with the rules and its do’s and don’ts. Both as a spectator and a novice participant, I questioned myself and my sanity in my participation to the climb. But it proved to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve done which

every participant would surely agree. It was a challenging three days trek from the base camp to the summit and back to the camp. Hiking through almost untouched trails and river crossing, ropes are an essential. As experienced mountaineers would put it, it was a hard trail because of the rawness of the

site. But it was worth it, the view from the top was as majestic as it gets. A thirteen-y e a r - o l d girl, Roelle Janne Jersey V a m e n t a , from Cagayan de Oro City,

accompanied by her mother, was the youngest who have climbed Mt. Hilong-hilong. James Ondoy, 60, from Cabadbaran City, is the oldest man to reach the peak. Prosfe June D. Yee and Michelle E. Fookson were also the first females to reach the summit of the said mountain.


TESDA-13 announces PESFA, TWSP scholarship slotsBy: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY - Caraga Regional Office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has recently announced the available scholarship slots for 2015. TESDA Caraga regional dir. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. said the available slots were made possible as per approved qualification map for this year. For the Private Education Students Financial Assistance (PESFA), constituents from the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte will be able to avail of such grant. For Agusan del Norte, 50 slots were approved in the Food and Beverage Services NC II; 25

for Gas Metal Arc Welding NC II; and 25 for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II. In Surigao del Norte, 30 slots were approved in Bookkeeping NC II; 15 for Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II; 15 for Machining NC II; 15 for Masonry NC II; 15 for Plumbing NC II; and SMAW – 53. Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), Dir. Sunico said all provinces in the region were given such grant.


Agusan del Norte residents can apply for the following qualifications with the following number of slots: Cookery NC II – 40; Electrical Installation and Maintenance – 40; Events Management Services NC II – 25; SMAW NC II – 217. Available slots for Agusan del Sur are as follows: Animation NC II – 50; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Servicing NC II – 20; and Visual Graphics Design NC III – 41. For Dinagat Islands, approved number of slots for Automotive Electrical Assembly NC II is 100; Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II – 75; and SMAW – 200. Further, Dir. Sunico said 50 slots in SMAW NC II were approved in the province of Surigao del Norte. In Surigao del Sur, 100 slots were allocated for the Automotive Electrical Assembly NC II; 50 for Automotive Servicing NC II; Heavy Equipment Operation: Backhoe Loader NC II – 75; Heavy Equipment Operation: Off-Highway Dump Truck (Rigid) NC II – 75; Heavy Equipment Operation: On-Highway Dump Truck (Rigid) NC II – 50; Machining NC II – 50; and SMAW NC II – 200. PESFA was established through Section 8 of Republic

Act No. 8545, otherwise known as the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act. PESFA offers educational grants to qualified and deserving college freshmen both in degree and non-degree courses. The program seeks to extend financial assistance to marginalized but deserving students in post-secondary non-degree courses; promote TVET; contribute to the development of a competent skilled workforce; and assist private institutions in their development efforts by assuring a steady supply of enrollees to their course offerings. The PESFA directed the beneficiaries on the choices of careers to the critical skills requirements of in-demand jobs in the labor market. It also allows for equity distribution of the opportunities made available through government subsidies. TWSP provides immediate interventions to meet the need for highly critical skills. It aims to purposively drive TVET provision to available jobs through incentives and appropriate training programs that are directly connected to existing jobs for immediate employment, both locally and overseas and; build and strengthen the capacity and


capability of TVET institutions in expanding and improving the delivery of quality, efficient and relevant training programs that meet job requirements, including programs for higher levels of technology. Interested applicants may contact the provincial offices of TESDA-Caraga at the following details: TESDA-Agusan del Norte (085) 342-0085; TESDA-Agusan del Sur (085) 343-7278; TESDA-Surigao del Norte (086) 826-2591; TESDA-Surigao del Sur (086) 211-3957; TESDA-Dinagat Island-0907-7319173.

In an earlier interview with a local broadcaster here, Dir. Sunico enjoined the Caraganons to avail of the scholarships that TESDA has been offering. He also said this undertaking was made possible based on the blueprint of the national government through the Aquino administration. “This initiative was made possible through our Director-General, Sec. Joel Villanueva which is in line with the Human Development Cluster of the Philippine Development Plan,” Dir. Sunico said.

Barangay commits to plant 4,700 trees in support of the LGUs Vision 2020By: Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY - Barangay Libertad, the city’s largest barangay, committed on Wednesday to plant more trees in support to the city government’s “Vision 2020.” In a cascading forum held at the computer laboratory room of Libertad National High School, the barangay officials led by

Barangay Chairman Vincent Rizal C. Rosario committed to plant 4,700 more tree seedlings until June, this year.


Representatives from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) explained during the forum attended by the village officials, members of the village councils, purok (district) presidents, sectoral representatives, religious groups, transport organizations, academe and other stakeholders that the city’s “Grow A Million Tree Program” as well as its “Vision 2020” is right on its track. City ENRO chief Forester Alexander C. Alaan explained briefly the city’s “Vision 2020” mission, vision, the vision’s core values, the strategic accomplishments and the breakthroughs. Alaan said that the city had been able to produce what it had envisioned so far of its tree planting program and had been successful in protecting and see growing of its planted trees. He also mentioned some of the early “wins” of the city’s tree planting program such as the eight income generating nurseries of the city, the on-going tree planting programs as cascaded and adapted by the city’s 86 barangays, the utilized 10,000 tree planters sometimes on March last year, the organization and participation of the critical mass in the city’s tree planting

program and the establishment of the mechanisms of planting, protecting and nurturing of the planted tree seedlings among others. He also explained that among the future plans of the city’s tree planting program will be the continuous planting of tree seedlings along the city’s major thoroughfares and watersheds, the farming of 4,000,000 trees in its 4,000 hectares production zones to be intercropped with high value crops, the establishment of arboretums and greenbelts, making Butuan City a future premier forest-based city. Libertad Brgy. Capt. Rosario also explained during the Wednesday afternoon forum that Libertad had its own “greening program” in support of the city’s program. He said that the barangay had also initiated the planting of bamboo groves and mangroves on September this year headed by the village officials and its purok presidents assisted by the sector representatives and other stakeholders, along the Libertad-Masao river banks. He also said that the targeted 4,700 trees to be planted, the 3,500 will be implemented by its 35 puroks at 100 tree seedlings planted per purok and the remainder by the other sectors and stakeholders.


Dipolog’s success is a result of our people’s journey to good governance - Mayor UyBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – “The success of Dipolog is a result of our people’s journey to good gover-nance,” Mayor Evelyn T. Uy declared on Tuesday during her state of the city address at the Top Plaza Hotel here.


Mayor Uy also averred that the “city is no longer sleepy, backward town of 20 years ago, but a growing and developing ur-ban center” with 14 of its 21 ba-rangays are now classified as ur-ban from only seven a few years back. “Businesses and banks are opening left and right and the volume of new business invest-ments is on steady increase,” she added. Recently, the first commercial passenger marine vessel, MV Lady of Good Voyage of Medal-lion Transport started its opera-

tion in Dipolog Sea Port plying the direct Cebu-Dipolog route. The lady mayor also ex-pressed her gratitude to Presi-dent Benigno S. Aquino for the latter’s support to the city’s in-frastructure projects like the con-struction of the 150-bed capacity Corazon C. Aquino Hospital, im-provement of Cogon Eco-Tourism Park with funds from Tourism In-frastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), rehabilitation of Dipolog Communal Irrigation System with funds from DAR-AR-CPII, extension of Dipolog Boule-vard with funds from Department


of Tourism (DOT), rehabilitation and extension of breakwater at Dipolog Sea Port with funds from Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and the road widening project, com-pletion of river control and the concreting of Cogon-Diwan Road with budget from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The Corazon C. Aquino Hos-pital is said to operate on 4As, which stand for Affordability, Ac-cessibility, Availability and Ac-ceptability. Under Mayor Uy’s leader-ship, the city bagged the Gawad Galing Pook award for its Urban Renewal Program, one of the 10 most outstanding and model lo-cal governance programs in the country integrating envrionmen-tal protection, socio-economic and cultural development en-deavors. In 2014, the city was also

selected as one of the ten pilot cities in the country for the Is-lands of Good Governance (IGG) program that will showcase the competitiveness of the Philip-pines during the country’s host-ing of the 2016 APEC Summit. Meanwhile, Mayor Uy intro-duced the outdoor sports as a hook to raise public awareness on healthy lifestyle vis-à-vis invest-ments to bring about economic benefits to every Dipolognon.

With the vision of making Di-polog as the Sports Events Cen-ter of the South by 2020, visi-tors and tourists as well families and small groups are expected to flock to the city. “After today, I will only have a little over 400 days in office as city mayor. I will devote that one year in ensuring that I leave a continuing legacy of good gov-ernance and inclusive growth,” Mayor Uy concluded.


BSP launches demonetization campaign in Region 9By Gideon C. CorguePAGADIAN CITY – The Bangko ng Sentral Pilipinas (BSP) has launched a nationwide information campaign on the “demonetization program” to educate the people on how to distinguish genuine banknotes from counterfeits.

Angela Pamaran, research analyst of BSP-Zamboanga City branch in a recent interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here said the information teams in region 9 are doing the campaign starting this month

in national and local govern-ment agencies, business estab-lishments, public markets. “The agency is also doing an interper-sonal communication with our cli-ents to make them aware on the program,” Pamaran explained.


The BSP in its website: www.bsp.gov.ph said the pres-ent banknotes will remain in cir-culation and will continue to be accepted as legal tender for at least three more years. “Based on previous currency retirement or demonetization program of the BSP, this will give enough time for the public to make a full transition to our new generation currency.” Pamaran said the BSP started demonetizing New Design Series (NDS) banknotes starting Jan. 1 until Dec. 31 this year. “We urge the public to have their old bills exchanged with new generation currencies at their banks, other accredited financial institutions or at the BSP office before these are totally demonetized,” Pama-ran appealed. “This year, the public can still use the NDS banknotes in their

daily transaction by depositing or exchanging it with the new gen-eration currencies because on January 1, 2016 they are no lon-ger allowed to use it,” Pamaran pointed out. “If a person keeps P1 mil-lion-worth of old bills at home and he failed to exchange it with new generation currencies with-in the allotted period then he is wasting his money away,” Pama-ran cautioned. Pamaran expressed opti-mism that many people will heed their call to maximize the use of new design series bills. The three teams assigned in region started the informa-tion campaign in Pagadian to be followed by Dipolog city and the municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.


Hotels asked to submit data on tourist arrivals

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Tourism, region 10 (DOT-10) through the City Tourism Office (CTO) is calling on the management of hotels to submit data on tourist arrivals in the city.

By: City Information Office

This was aired by Dorothy Jean Pabayo, chair of the City Tourism Council during a public hearing held by the City Council committee on tourism chaired by Councilor Lourdes Candy Darimbang. The committee discussed proposed amendments to Ordinance 5239-96, which provides for the rules and regulations governing the establishment, operation and maintenance of hotels, motels and all tourism-oriented


and tourism-related business in Cagayan de Oro City. Pabayo said the DOT is requiring the City Tourism Office to collect data from all hotels in the city on tourist arrivals, both foreign and local, with their areas of origin. “It is very important to submit the data of tourist arrivals … if we don’t get your cooperation we are not able to give proper report to the DOT,” she said, adding that the data is also significant for investment purposes. According to the City Tourism Office, the data should be submitted every 10th of the month. A form will be

provided to them to be filled up. Representatives of the CTO will visit hotels and pick up this data, said Pabayo. She said if the office fails to visit hotels to collect the data, hotel management can submit this to the City Tourism Office email: [email protected]. The CTO assured that all the data submitted will be considered as confidential. During the public hearing, councilor Darimbang reiterated the appeal to all hotels in the city to submit data on tourist arrivals regularly as required by the DOT.

Health centers now offer free pneumonia vaccination CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Health and the City Health Office formally launched the free Pneumonia Conjugate Vaccine Program intended for infants aged 12 months and below on April 15 at Divisoria, this city.

The “Laban Niyo, Mo, Niya Libreng Bakuna Kontra Pneumonia,” is available to all infants in all health centers starting next week, said City Health Officer Dr. Fe C. Bongcas. All mothers who have infants aged 12 months and below

are urged to visit their nearest barangay health centers every Wednesday to take advantage of the free pneumonia vaccination. During the launching, City Mayor Oscar Moreno thanked the DOH and City Health Department for initiating the free vaccination


Leadership summit empowers youth in Lanao del Norte TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Some 70 youth leaders from the three municipalities this province, joined the 3-day activity, dubbed Youth Leadership Summit 2015 which ran from April 13 to 15, 2015 at the Mindanao Civic Center stadium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

By: Lorry V. Gabule

drive against pneumonia, aside from polio, DPT, measles, and many more as healthcare is one of mayor Moreno’s 8-point agenda.

Dr. Bongcas added that the vaccination for pneumonia costs around P4,500 per dose. The Pneumonia Conjugate vaccine has three doses.(CIO/PIA10)

Capping the theme, “Shaping the Youth through Leadership and Advocacy,” the Youth Leadership Summit is an event of the 41st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, in partnership with the Y4D-Lanao del Norte (Youth for Development) and the Provincial Population Office (PPO) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, the Department of Education and vast support of JCI Panguil Bay Chapter, as one of the stakeholders. Youth participants, who were in their secondary and tertiary level, were all from the towns of Lala, Salvador and Kapatagan. Ananette B. Daniel, PPO head,

said the event aimed at promoting nationalism, patriotism, civic consciousness, value formation, youth empowerment and peace building among different youth organizations through the Bayanihan concept, the bedrock and the heart of all Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) activities. We have invited speakers/competent personalities from the academe, religious group, local government unit, national government agencies, non-government organizations and AFP personnel from this unit, thereby giving the participants advocacy presentations that would enhance their capabilities,


awaken their mind set and would contribute an impact on their lives, added Daniel. While Lordleos Lavv L. Ladonga, PPO staff and Y4D coordinator said the YLS program core group has lined up activities entailed to strengthen the participants’ faith; build their character; develop their social and leadership skills; and to aware them in matters that would help them become good citizen of our country. On the first day, a Self-Awareness Session was introduced by Y4D coordinator. The day’s activity also includes HIV-AIDS Awareness by the Red Cross representative. The participants experienced on the second day the Paugnat sa Kusog (Zumba) and morning shower led by personnel from 41st IB, joined by the facilitators of the day. Spiritual engagement and a talk on Living Effectively with Parents added gesture to the participants’ interests, a ‘quality time’ needed for a family to engage. Other presentations for the day were on Drug Abuse Prevention for the Youth and other drug-related situationer in the region and in the province

per see, handled by Rosemarie A. Bajao of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10), coupled with IEC Drug Awareness campaign (Information Education Communication). Lecture on Advocacy on Human Rights Laws concerning Youth & Women followed. Prevention of Criminality and Drug Addiction was discussed by the Philippine National Police representative, this province. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Lanao del Norte Information Center representative discussed on Climate Change Adaptation, a campaign for the Youth to be advocates on environment preservation and climate change resiliency. Likewise, Environmental Care and Global Warming were shared by Forester Ben-Ali Decampong, chief, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Department of Environment and Natural Resource (PENRO-DENR), Lanao del Norte Office. Part of the summit was the audio visual presentation of AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP Bayanihan) by 2Lt Virgil Thomas A. Visabella. IPSP highlights the importance of increased


involvement of stakeholders, the national and local government agencies, non-government entities and the entire citizenry in addressing peace and security concerns. It gives equal emphasis to combat and non-combat dimensions of military operations. On the other hand, the IPSP departs from the old parameters and explores non-combat parameters of success in addressing the country’s peace and security problem. Under the said Plan, the AFP’s desired end state is that “capabilities of internal armed threats are reduced to a level that they can no longer threaten the stability of the state and civil authorities can ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipino people,” Visabella explained. Static Display of armor assets and Mechanized Infantry Squad Capability Demonstration at the MCC sports complex ground, and photo opportunity of the participants with the armored facility, highlighted the second day activity. On the last day was the creation of Youth Organization and the induction of set of officers, and were made to formulate the Youth Action Plan, their role in

nation-building, as what has been pointed out by Capt Junmar M. Tutoy, civil military officer, 41st IB 5ID, PA. Moreover, the participants couldn’t forget the boodlefight-lunch prepared for them by the 41st IB. Vice Governor Cristina Atay graced the closing program, and enthusiastically applauded the participation of the youth in this 3-day activity of which they prioritized to join this event instead of taking vacation after having been through lately with their studies as the school year ended in March. The activity earned lasting and positive impressions from the youth sector and to other stakeholders. Indeed, the participants learned the knowledge that would somehow make them become a tremendous force in nation and peace building. The 41st played a significant role in terms of community relations within their area of operation. It’s one of the many opportunities that the unit was able to work hand in hand with other stakeholders showing generous concern over the civilian populace particularly the youth sector.

One Mindanao - April 17, 2015

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Transcript of One Mindanao - April 17, 2015