One Mindanao - April 19, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESExecutive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

EDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

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Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

Cover Story

A glimpse of Ambulon Beach, Biodiversity park

Gideon C. CorgueWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Thursday, April 19, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 239

page 4

Perlita B. Changco, Central Mindanao

Aquino government to come up with concrete mining policy soon 8 Group on road safety to convene on

April 2030DepEd-ARMM generates P162-M savings 14

First domestic wastewater treatment facility in CDO installed at Xavier Ecoville33Mga mahihirap na pamilya sa

Tantangan tumanggap ng tulong pinansiyal 16

BFAR identifies areas positive of red tide35Gov’t prepares LGUs to mainstream

peace & development in governance19DOST-Caraga announces qualifiers to the 2012 SEI scholarships24

AC Agad, Central Mindanao

Rene V. Carbayas, Armm

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

Alma L. Tingcang, Western Mindanao

Vanessa M. Gorra, Northern Mindanao

Mary Kimby Rigonan Northern Mindanao

ZAMPEN ships 329 MT of mango in Q131 Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

DTI-DN highlights Export Pathways accomplishments in February38JenMendoza, Southern Mindanao

7 10 12 17

21 29 32 36

DAR-Agusan del Norte distributes 245 hectares of land to 131 farmers27Gil E. Miranda, Caraga Region

4 Thursday, April 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur, April 19 (PIA) – This

little town is so blessed by nature, with the vastness of the sea surrounding it, marine resources also abound contributing much to the economy of the place.

Cover StoryA glimpse of Ambulon Beach, Biodiversity park

Mayor Edilberto Adlaon said municipal waters account for 30,185 hectares, far bigger than the land area which is only

6,518 hectares. No wonder they take pride in having fine white beaches,

crystal clear waters, diving sites and coral

formations

proclaimed by divers/tourists as world-class. From the town proper, it takes only 15 minutes to reach a quiet beach resort, the Ambulon Beach with white sand and clear blue waters, frequented by locals and people from nearby municipalities on weekends and holidays. Cottages are very affordable at P100, P150 and P500. One could bask on the sandy shore, collect starfishes and other kinds of shells and enjoy swimming with

by Gideon C. Corgue

Thursday, April 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

family and friends. It’s a great place

to unwind and forget all the cares of this life. Being rich in marine resources, the local government through the initiative of Mayor Edilberto Adlaon established the Josefina H. Cerilles State College, Vincenzo Sagun Campus Biodiversity Park having opened a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries course. The park was established on November 2011. Operational for over five months, the park serves as a natural conservation site for mangroves. It is spread over an area of over five hectares on flat wetlands. It is an excellent opportunity for the students to start discovering and appreciating the beauty and diversity of the mangrove trees,

sea grass beds and blue-green waters in the area, Adlaon

said.

Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Meriline Locson said the LGU’s aim in establishing the park is to let students appreciate the significant role of mangrove trees, sea grasses, and corals in the ecosystem.

Bamboo bridge A bamboo bridge about 200 meters long was constructed connecting the cottage on the coast to provide students and visitors a good vantage point of the mangrove plantation. LGU provided the funds for the purchase of bamboos while the students offered their manpower to finish the bridge.

6 Thursday, April 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Mangrove forests

Ms. Locson said mangroves protected the coastal areas from the devastating impact of the 1976

t s u n a m i that claimed hundreds of lives in the province. “Without these mangrove trees, I believe many homes will be destroyed and hundreds will be buried in the shores during the tsunami in 1976 that ravaged the coastlines,” Locson said. “We thanked God that mangroves thrive in their habitat,” she added. The lady MPDC said that the 24-year old trees which are remnants of

the tsunami were preserved to be a part of the park and for

the students to remember

the sad event that happened and to encourage them to preserve the park. With the locals’ active participation in mangrove preservation and conservation, mangroves are now thickly growing and surrounding the shorelines of barangay Ambulon. Locson said they look forward to have 26 species of mangroves in the country grown in the park and be part of the students’ learning experience.

Blue crabs During low tide, blue crabs ((Callinectes sapidus) can also be found in the park. “We are preserving this specie, in fact we have drafted an ordinance prohibiting the residents to harvest the blue crabs being in danger of extinction,” Locson said.


ACROSS THE NATION

The President will join international government labor leaders in the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue among Asian Countries of Labor Origin and Destination on the Administration of the Temporary Contract Employment Cycle that aims to address issues and challenges involving the recruitment and deployment of contract workers to the Gulf Cooperation Council and

other migrant worker destinations in Asian countries.

The Abu Dhabi Dialogue, a milestone in regional cooperation on labor migration in Asia, brings together the Labor Ministers of the Colombo Process Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam) and the Gulf Cooperation

Council (GCC) states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Japan to hold discussions on problems in the contract worker system.

Following the 2005 meeting of the Colombo Process in Bali, Indonesia where observer countries from the GCC states participated, it was affirmed that an expanded

President Aquino to keynote regional consultation of Asian labor ministers

Pr e s i d e n t Benigno S. Aquino will keynote a

regional consultation of Asian labor ministers that will be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Thursday, April 19.

8 Thursday, April 19, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Aquino government to come up with concrete mining policy soon

Malacanang made an assurance Wednesday that it would come up with a well-defined mining policy soon after having extensive consultations with mining stakeholders.

“We can expect it soon. There are just a few more notes that need to go

between some of the departments and then that should be out in a

relatively short amount of time. We understand the concerns and it is

meeting among the Asian destination and

sending countries will bring about maximum benefits on contract mobility for all stakeholders.

Thus in 2008, the UAE government took the groundbreaking step of hosting the 1st Ministerial Consultation of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue which adopted 4 action-oriented key partnership areas to address issues on and

optimize mutual benefits from overseas employment and contractual labor.

Joining the President will be Vice President Jejomar Binay and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

In a statement, Baldoz said the ADD would enable participating governments to forge unilateral, bilateral, and regional actions that will improve the contract

employment cycle. “The Abu Dhabi

Dialogue provides an opportunity for governments in countries sending and receiving contract workers to discuss and deal collaboratively with problems in the contract worker system. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue II in Manila will be such an opportunity,” Baldoz said on the eve of the event. (RCK)


exactly what we are trying to come

up with -- a well-defined mining policy from which will flow specific actions,” Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said in a press conference in Malacanang.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines claimed that the mining industry lost significant amount of mining investments last year because of the absence of new mining policy in the country.

Inconsistent mining policy has been a

problem in the country in the past several years and Carandang said the administration wants to have definitive mining guidelines that will boost the local mining industry and attract more investments.

He mentioned the ongoing discussions on a general mining policy that could entail creation of an executive order (EO) or a change in the law.

“All of these are possible but all of the actions must stem from the general policy which will be released shortly…hopefully, very soon,” he said.

“I think the policy will give you a clear direction

and before anything else I think kailangang linawin natin sa mga namumuhunan sa mining industry kung ano ba talaga ‘yung direksyon na gusto ng administrasyon pagdating sa mining.”

While saying it’s too early to say if the administration will prioritize the mining measure, Carandang made an assurance that the discussion on the mining guideline will be inclusive.

“One of the things that we also want to do is to make sure that this discussion, this policy has the approval of the stakeholders,” Carandang said. (AS)


PNoy to review proposals by Confed

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III promised to look into recommendations made by leading Mindanao leaders to solve the power crisis in the island.

Among the proposals made by the Mindanao Confederation of Mayors and Governors (Confed) are the review of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and deferment of the privatization of the Agus and Pulangi hydropower plants.

He assured the multi-sectoral participants during the recent Mindanao Power Summit in Davao City that Malacanang will study the proposal presented by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, saying it is time to reevaluate whether the

EPIRA law has attained its purpose. “We ask you Mr. President to certify as urgent for Epira Law to be revisited and look into the privatization of the two government-owned power plants,” Gov. del Rosario said. Aquino said he will


look into the proposal to review and defer the plan privatize the hydroelectric power plants in Lanao and Bukidnon. The President, however, said that these are only short-term solutions. He said that in the long haul, investments are needed to expand the power generation capacity in Mindanao, and that private sector participation is crucial for stable supply of electricity. He noted in his speech that the government-owned National Power Corporation incurred huge debts since its leaders did not want to raise the cost of electricity for consumers. He said the government is saddled with the P928-billion debt of the Napocor, even as only P400 billion of the national budget can be allocated for all the needs of the country, making it impossible to address the power crisis in Mindanao at once. He stressed the people of Mindanao must “put in (their) fair share” in solving the power

shortage problem by paying “a little more.” Del Rosario, who is also Confed chair, raised fears that private power providers may form a cartel on power if these plants are privatized. Other policy r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s presented by del Rosario also include the prohibition of cross ownership between and among the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors; reclassifying the power generating sectors as “utilities” defined under the Public Utilities Law to put a cap on profits; and, appointment of a Mindanao consumer group representative to sit in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in order to keep the interest of Mindanaoans protected. He also asked Congress to rescind the operational management agreement between Napocor and PSALM (Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management) Corp. because the former has been earning

billions but the money was not being spent for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the power plants. Aside from the revision of the EPIRA law, Secretary Lualhati Antonino, Chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, further outlined other specific solutions drawn from the summit to directly address the power problem, that include the immediate tapping of existing or available facilities such as barges and embedded generators, as well as, the upgrading and rehabilitation of the existing plant facilities, in order to fill in the current average power deficit of 150 to 200 megawatts in the island. She also pointed out the need to fast-track processing of pending applications through a one-stop shop processing center based in Mindanao and to encourage new power capacities, particularly renewable energy.


NIA-12 honors outstanding irrigators in 34th anniversary By Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-12) celebrates its 34th founding anniversary this week with a lineup of several activities culminating in the awarding of outstanding irrigators’ as-sociations, officials, and employees.

Eveyln Bragasin, information officer of NIA-12 said activities of the three-day celebration, which started yesterday, include sports competitions in volleyball, dart, badminton, and table tennis. She added that

there shall also be cultural dance and choir competitions and Search for Miss NIA-12.

Outstanding irrigators’ associations, irrigation management office managers, operation and maintenance chiefs and employees will also

be given awards on April 19 at the Notre Dame of Midsayap College Gymnasium in Midsayap, Cotabato. NIA administrator Antonio s. Nangel will be the guest of honor and speaker in the awards program.

Major awardees this


year include Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik of North Cotabato as most outstanding Irrigation Management Office Manager, Engr. Gina L. Lozano as most outstanding operation and maintenance chief; Bulacanon IA, Inc. of North Cotabato as most outstanding irrigators’ association under the communal irrigation systems category and Napal-Conel Road IA, Inc. of General Santos City as most outstanding irrigators association for the national irrigation systems category.

O u t s t a n d i n g awardees for operation and maintenance are Engrs. Edna C. Bantala, irrigation superintendent of Libungan River Irrigation System; Flora May D. Respicio, principal engineer A of Mlang/Malasila Rivers

Irrigation System; Rory F. Avance, principal engineer A of Kabacan River Irrigation System; Orlando A. Tibang, principal engineer A of Marbel-Banga Rivers Irrigation System; Julio L. Antenor, principal engineer A of Ala River Irrigation System and Cesar D. Agduma, principal engineer A of Lambayong/Tacurong River Irrigation System.

Mary Grace S. Gonzales of Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System will also receive recognition as outstanding senior water resource facilities technician.

NIA-12 will also honor irrigators’ associations who have shown exemplary performance in the past year.

For its Club 100 Award, NIA-12 will honor 13 irrigators associations (IA) from the national irrigation systems and for

the communal irrigation systems, 19 from North Cotabato area, 9 from South Cotabato, 7 from Sultan Kudarat, 1 from Maguindanao and 9 from Sarangani.

“The Club 100 Award is given to IAs of national irrigation systems which has attained 100 percent collection efficiency for both wet and dry seasons with an average programmed area of 80 percent of the service area, average irrigated area for wet and dry seasons is 80 percent of the programmed area and the benefited area for dry and wet seasons is 80 percent of the irrigated area,” Bragasin explained.

It is also given to, “IAs of communal irrigation systems which have attained 100 percent or more Current Amortization Payment


Efficiency with no back account or have fully paid their back account due.”

Four IAs in North Cotabato, two in South Cotabato, two in Sarangani and one in Sultan Kudarat have qualified for the Golden Star Award.

Moreover, Silver Star Awards will be given to two IAs in Maguindanao and one in Sultan Kudarat.

Bragasin explained that Golden Star Award is given to IAs from the national and communal irrigation systems which garnered the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Outstanding Rating) while Silver Star Award is given to IAs from both national and communal irrigation systems with the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Very Satisfactory Rating).

Buluan-Pigcawayan Irrigators Association,

Inc. of North Cotabato will receive a special award for being a Hall of Famer in the Highest Functionality Survey Rating.

This year’s celebration theme is “Samahang NIA, IA at LGU Patuloy na Pagtibayin Upang Makamtan Sapat na Pagkain ng Pamayanan.”

According to the agency’s website, NIA-12 “formally started its operation as a region on April 10, 1978 with its office based at Villarica, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

“That time, it was composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat. It had only four operational national irrigation systems, namely: Libungan, Kabacan, Mlang, and Malasila River Irrigation Systems.”

At present, NIA 12

covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat as well as the province of Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Among the guests expected to attend the awarding ceremony are North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan, DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia J. Datukan, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza, Midsayap Mayor Manuel M. Rabara, Libungan Mayor Manuel T, Dela Serna, Pigcawayan Mayor Roberto S. Blasé and Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Ramil B. Dilangalen, Al Haj and Mr. Gerardo R. Barrientos, president of the Regional Confederation of Irrigators Association president.

DepEd-ARMM generates P162-M savingsBy Perlita B. Changco

COTABATO CITY-- The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has generated P162 million savings from December 2011 to March 2012.


In his 100th day “Ulat sa Bayan” yesterday at the ORG Canopy, ARMM compound, ARMM OIC-governor Mujiv Hata-man said the agency has produced savings as a result of the ongo-ing “honest-to-goodness measures” to eliminate graft and corruption and instilling transparency and accountability.

Hataman identified the education and public works and highways de-partments as the most problematic agencies in the autonomous region with serious concerns on rampant graft corruption and mismanagement.

Hataman, in his report confirms irregularities in DepEd-ARMM involving ghost teachers, schools and students, which have been unearthed since his assumption to office, adding measures which are in place to ad-dress irregularities con-fronting the agency.

He said, he has direct-ed DepEd-ARMM region-al secretary Atty. Jamar Kulayan to intensify ef-forts to curb corruption adding that investiga-tions are underway to identify and determine the extent of the involve-ment of school officials in the loan scam.

Hataman warned to take appropriate action including dismissal from service against superin-tendents and supervi-sors who will be proven to be in cahoots with the lending groups victimiz-ing many teachers.

Salaries of teachers will now be delivered di-rectly to the schools by competent personnel from the DepEd-ARMM together with represen-tatives of civil society organizations to ensure that teachers receive their pay personally. (pbchangco/PIA Co-tabato City)


Mga mahihirap na pamilya sa Tantangan tumanggap ng tulong pinansiyalKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Tumanggap ang mga residenteng ma-hihirap ng Barangay New Iloilo sa bayan ng Tantangan ng tulong pinansiyal mula sa pamahalaan, sa ilalim ng programang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Kagawad Mercy L. Villa, na noong araw ng Sabado, Abril 14 nagsimula ang pamimigay ng tulong pinansiyal sa mga barangay ng Tantangan na sakop ng programang 4Ps at pinangangasiwaan ito ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) dito sa Rehiyon XII.

Dagdag pa ni Villa, mapalad umano ang mga indigent na mga residente ng barangay dahil naisama sa pangalawang phase ng 4Ps ang bayan ng Tantangan.

Kahit papaano ay makakatulong ang kaunting halaga na natanggap ng mga benepisyaryo, lalo na’t hindi umano maganda ang kita ng iilan na nagtatrabaho sa mga

sakahan at gulayan, aniya.

Ayon kay Villa na siya ring chairman ng Committee on Health at Womens sa konseho ng barangay, ang unang batch ng recipients ay umabot lamang sa 149 na pamilya.

Umaasa rin

ang barangay na m a a a p r u b a h a n ang aplikasyon ng karagdagan pang mga pamilya. Target ng barangay na matulungan ang mahigit pang 600 na maging mga benepisyaryo. (AC Agad/PIA12)


Regional Governor Hataman made the statement at the opening ceremonies of the ARMM Athletic Association (ARMMAA) meet last week in Lamitan City, Basilan where he urged young athletes, coaches, teachers, and spectators to be the agents of reform in the region.

“Lahat po ng maanomalya at mga anomalya noong mga nakaraan, tinitiyak ko po sa inyo ay hindi na po nangyayari (I assure you there is no more anomaly here),” he said. He said major reforms were instituted in the three priority departments, namely: the Office of

ARMM Gov. declares significant reforms instituted in 1st 100 days By Rene V. Carbayas

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) caretaker Mujiv Hataman declared recently that in its first 100 days, his administration has freed the regional government of

anomalous transactions and unscrupulous activities.


the Regional Governor, the region’s Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). While Hataman admitted that in his administration’s effort to institute changes, some promises were broken, “not because we wanted it but because of the resistance of those affected by the changes.” He cited the case of systematizing the releasing of salaries of the teachers in the ARMM through automated teller machines (ATMs). “Nahirapan ang Landbank sa disiplina ng mga nag-oopen ng account,” he said. He appealed to the teachers to be patient with the new system as he is aware of some complaints that teachers assigned in the islands and far-flung communities would still have to spend time and money to visit banks in urban centers to claim their salaries in ATM. He said that the system is the

same with salaries released through checks, “the teacher will still have to visit a bank to encash his/her check.” Hataman pointed out that this system is for the benefit of the teachers because their salaries will already be free from unauthorized and illegal deductions. “Ang sweldo ni Abdul ay dapat mapunta kay Abdul,” he said as he abhor the existence of ghost teachers in the region. He assured that by the opening of classes in June, all salaries will already be in ATMs, complete with identification cards with picture and in biometrics. The regional governor announced that there are some 2,300 available items for new teachers in the ARMM. With many applications received in the region, Hataman appealed to the region’s governors, mayors, and DepEd officials “na huwag politikahin ang application of teachers, at unahin natin ang mga LET passers.” “Hindi magtatanggal ng guro ngunit magdisiplina at maglinis tayo upang magkaroon ng makabuluhang edukasyon ang DepEd-ARMM,” Hataman stressed. Hataman was appointed ARMM caretaker by President Benigno Aquino III and took his oath of office on December 19, 2011 with the mandate to institute reforms in the region as envisioned by the frameworks of the Constitution, by the solons that drafted the Organic Act and push to advance the welfare of the people from ARMM. (RVC/PIA-9 ZBST)


Gov’t prepares LGUs to mainstream peace & development in governanceISABELA CITY, Basilan - Government is implementing in three phases the Mainstreaming Peace and Development in Local Governance (MPDLG) program in 36 provinces in PAMANA zones that will capacitate local government units in mainstreaming conflict management and peace initiatives. The MPDLG, which is a collaborative program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), is set to be implemented this year. It will be linked up with PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities), which is government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

The MPDLG will be implemented in three phases. The first phase will focus on providing the needed capacities of LGUs in PAMANA areas to be able to mainstream peace and development in their planning, budgeting and programming. Second phase will involve providing selected LGUs’ access to PAMANA funds to support the implementation of peace and development projects identified in their peace sensitive Comprehensive Development Plans or AIPs. Third phase, on the other

By Rene V. Carbayas


hand, will include participatory monitoring and evaluation of projects. As one of the PAMANA beneficiaries, Maguindanao Governor “Toto” Mangudadatu has expressed support to the government’s program, which aims to strengthen capacities of local government units (LGUs) for them to better manage conflict and implement peace projects. “We will show that in Maguindanao, there can be good governance and we can uplift the economic situation of the people,” Mangudadatu stated in his message. OPAPP PAMANA Area Manager for Central Mindanao Johnnel V. Raneses said in the workshop that, “the aim of the MPDLG program under PAMANA is to mainstream conflict sensitivity and peace in local government planning in order to address conflict and uplift the lives of the people.” On the same note, Ampatuan Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Jose Bañaga said that, “the MPDLG program is very relevant in promoting peace and development which go hand-in-hand in advancing the socio-economic situation of our

communities.” At the end of the workshop, the local officials identified priority peace and development projects for their respective communities. Following transparency and accountability mechanisms of PAMANA, their identified projects will undergo evaluation by a provincial technical working group and approval by DILG which manages funds for sub-regional projects under Pillar 3. LGUs that are covered by the PAMANA program will be engaged in MPDLG before they could avail of the DILG-PAMANA fund for Pillar 3 projects. Eligibility of LGUs to funding will be through the following reform interventions: (1) peace and conflict sensitive planning, budgeting and programming; (2) strengthening of Peace and Order and Development Councils at the provincial and regional levels; (3) empowering local focal persons as champions for peace and development; (4) full disclosure through transparency and accountability mechanisms; and (5) collaboration and active partnerships with civil society. (JPA/OPAPP/RVC-PIA9, ZBST)


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Representatives from government agencies with the presence of the local media convened Wednesday at the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU),

College Main Building for the launch of the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG).

Butuan university, NGO launch Institute of Environmental Governanceby Jennifer P. Gaitano


The launch of the IEG is spearheaded by the FSUU led by its President Rev. Fr. John Christian Young, in partnership with the

Tanggol Kalikasan, a Civil Service Commission (CSC)-accredited organization together with other government agencies.

Young, as president of FSUU and host academic institution of the IEG program, expressed his gratitude to the organizers of Tanggol Kalikasan and assured commitment to their partnership in its advocacy to protect, preserve and sustain environmental good governance. Atty. Maria Generosa Misiang, executive director of Tanggol Kalikasan bared that their mission is to facilitate the empowerment of communities and key institutions to manage their ecosystem using laws and

other creative mechanism. “We reach out to the localities to enforce environmental laws. It is not only policy-making that is important but most of all, it is the enforcement of the laws since we already have many laws that needs to be enforced,” stressed Misiang. Misiang also emphasized that IEG is the strategic response to the ever-increasing demand for capacity building of the local government units. The program caters to two levels. The first level shall be designed to serve the needs of barangay officials and level two shall cater


to the needs of municipal, city and provincial officials. Both levels will be housed in partner academic Institutions. “To foster stewardship and shared responsibility, the program requires counterpart from the participant LGUs in the form of their transportation, food and accommodation expenses during the training,” Misiang added. With the IEG, a roster of highly qualified individuals from the academe, government and private sector that are equipped with both the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental governance shall be maintained. They

shall become the core faculty members of each institute. It was also learned that the Tanggol Kalikasan also provides direct legal services, support for environmental law enforcement, constituency building and organizational development, public environmental legal education and network among media practitioners and in-depth orientation on the environmental laws. M e a n w h i l e , Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion emphasized that the

Tanggol Kalikasan has made the right decision to choose the FSUU as their academic partner-institution for the establishment and implementation of the IEG program. “FSUU has been an active institution in the activities of the government when it comes to environmental good governance,” said Famacion. With this development, the FSUU, representatives of Tanggol Kalikasan with other partner government agencies will have constant coordination and discussion on the said program for its sustainability.


According to DOST-Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Dominga D. Mallonga, of the qualified applicants, 57 examinees, who are poor but deserving students, qualified for the Republic Act (RA) 7687 scholarship grants, otherwise known as the Science and Technology

Scholarship Act of 1994. Also, six applicants have qualified under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship program. The Science and Technology Scholarship Program under RA 7687 of 1994 awards scholarships in baccalaureate degrees and three-year technician courses. This

is given to talented and deserving students from poor families. On the other hand, the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Program or Merit Scholarship that started in 1958 provides BS scholarships in priority Science and Technology courses. Dir. Mallonga added

DOST-Caraga announces qualifiers to the 2012 SEI scholarships

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Caraga Region has announced the 63 high school graduates who qualified in the 2012 DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) scholarship programs.

by Robert E. Roperos


qualified examinees will enjoy scholarship privileges such as free tuition fees and other school fees not exceeding P6,000 per semester/term. They will also receive an allowance for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies at P5,000 per academic year. The official further said an outright grant for prescribed Military Science and Physical Education uniform of P500 during the first semester of the first year will be given to the scholars. “For those who

will be studying outside of their home province, they will be given free transportation for one economy-class round trip fare between permanent residence and place of study on reimbursement basis,” Mallonga said. Moreover, Mallonga said a monthly living allowance for a 10- to 11-month duration depending on the awardee’s scholarship category as full, partial, or special which shall be based on certain socioeconomic indicators. She added for those who will pursue

BS Physics, BS Applied Physics, BS Physics for Teachers and BSE Physics Teaching, Geology and Mining Engineering, a monthly living allowance of P5,000, P3,150, P2,825 will be given to full, partial, and special scholarship, respectively. A post-graduation clothing allowance of P1,000 will also be granted to the scholars upon graduation. Meanwhile, Mallonga stressed that scholarship qualifiers shall enroll in state universities or in other higher education institutions recognized by


the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development. Priority science courses for which the scholars can enroll in are Agriculture, Agricultural B i o t e c h n o l o g y , Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Biology, Ceramics Engineering, Chemistry with Applied Computer System, Chemistry with Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communications E n g i n e e r i n g , Environmental Science, Fisheries, Food Technology, Forestry, Geology, Geodetic Engineering, Geological Science and Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, M a n u f a c t u r i n g Engineering, Materials E n g i n e e r i n g ,

Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Physics, Physics with Applied Computer System, Physics with Materials Science and Engineering, Sc ience/Mathemat i cs Teaching and Statistics. Mallonga said this year’s scholarship qualifiers will add to the pool of highly qualified scientists and engineers who will take active and leadership roles especially in science and technology research and development activities. “The scholars,

however, are obliged to render service in the country after completion of their programs of study for the duration equivalent to the period of the scholarship,” Mallonga added. DOST-Caraga and Provincial Science and Technology Center will conduct an orientation for the new qualifiers and their parents. They will be notified through mail of the scheduled orientation and signing of scholarship agreement.


DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Andre B. Atega personally handed-over the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to the

farmer-beneficiaries assisted by SB Member Baltazar Sinajon, Barangay Captain Frederic P. Lumantas, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO)

Teresita P. Estrella, LGU officials, and some residents. Agrarian officer Atega lauded the local government of Las Nieves for being one of

DAR-Agusan del Norte distributes 245 hectares of land to 131 farmersby Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY-- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan del Norte installed recently 131 landless farmers as legal owners of public agricultural landholding under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), covering a total of 245 hectares in Sitio Subait, Bonifacio, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.


the most active partner local government units in implementing CARP program in Agusan del Norte. He then congratulated the new landowners and encouraged them to work hard to progressively develop the lands and enjoy the benefits. According to Atega, the department is very sincere in land distribution and in providing a package of

support services that would spur economic productivity to increase the income of the farmers in Las Nieves and in the province. Meanwhile, in his message, municipal mayor Reinario P. Rosales, represented by SB Member Baltazar Sinajon, commended DAR for contributing measures to poverty alleviation in his municipality. He also congratulated the new

landowners and urged farmers to develop the land to make it productive. “Land ownership will not end with a piece of title, it is coupled with a great responsibility and there will be challenges to make the land productive,” Sinajon said. Farmers here are happy to have finally sealed their ownership to their own farmland. It’s a dream come true for them since CLOA distribution is a moment they will never forget, as they are now the owner of the land they tilled. M e a n w h i l e , citing figures of land distribution under CARP Program across the province, about 31,024 hectares of agricultural land or 86 percent had already been distributed involving 17,280 farmer-beneficiaries, leaving a balance of 5,676 hectares or 14 percent involving 3,338 farmer-beneficiaries to be awarded in the next three years.


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Dipolog student bags nat’l essay writing tiltBy Franklin P. Gumapon

A student of Dipolog City National High School (DCNHS) has bested other contestants in the national level on-the-spot essay writing contest held in Iloilo City recently.


Ma. Bianca N. Cañoneo, 16, who just graduated from high school as valedictorian, emerged as national champion in the on-the-spot-essay writing contest which was held simultaneously with the 2012 national population quiz at the Grand Hotel in Iloilo City. The essay writing competition was anchored on the theme, “Promoting Youth Involvement in Population, Health and Development for Local Governance.” Cañoneo, who represented

region 9, was a consistent honor student at DCNHS, with coach Mrs. Elisa E. Vidal. Population quiz and essay writing contest are yearly activities jointly sponsored by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and the Department of Education (DepED) for high school students aimed at increasing the level of awareness among the youth on population issues and concerns. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director and Board Chairman Sisinio B. Cano said Proclamation No. 159 issued by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino in 2011 launched the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan for the next 10 years. In response, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz issued Administrative Order No. 182 creating the DOLE-TWG to study the working conditions and compensation schemes in the bus transport sector. A survey was also conducted

among drivers, conductors, and human resource managers of bus lines plying Metro Manila. Results of the survey revealed the need to improve terms and conditions of work in the public bus transport as one of the immediate and recognized interventions, in addition to initiatives of other agencies and long-term measures. RD Cano said the conference will facilitate the formulation, adoption, and implementation of such measures that shall promote public transport safety in this part of the country. (ALT-PIA 9, ZamboSur)

PAGADIAN CITY - A convening conference of the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (TWG) on Road Safety in the Bus Transport Industry for the Zamboanga Peninsula region is set on April 20, Friday at Lantaka Hotel.

By Alma L. Tingcang

Group on road safety to convene on April 20


ZAMPEN ships 329 MT of mango in Q1ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga Peninsula shipped 329.42 metric tons of mangoes to domestic and export markets for the first quarter of 2012 in a report presented by Mango Industry Cluster during the First Quarter Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Core Group Meeting held last April 3. Mr. Ferdie Gamorot, Chief of Agri-Business Division of Department of Agriculture 9, said during his presentation that over half of the total mangoes shipped went to the export market. “For the first quarter we shipped 201.5 MT of mangoes to Malaysia, with Zamboanga City as our exit point”, Gamorot said. Gamorot explained that Zamboanga port has a direct access to Malaysia and that all products bound for that country are being shipped from the city. According to him, the total export sales reached $110,719.29 or over P4.73 million. “Our basis for our sale figure is the report coming from the Bureau of Customs”, Gamorot pointed. The remaining 127.92 MT out of the 329.42 MT sold for the first quarter went to the local market, mainly to Cebu with exit point from Pulauan, Dapitan port in Zamboanga

del Norte. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the figures of total sales as traders do not divulge that. What we only got is the total volume shipped as this passes thru our office”, Gamorot said. To further improve mango production and sales of the region, the Department of Trade and Industry-9, in partnership with DA-9, came up with an action plan for this year with the participation of all stakeholders. The plan was an offshoot of the Mango Stakeholders Forum conducted last month here. The industry has also sought the help of Zamboanga City 2nd District Representative Erico Basilio Fabian for trainings on mango processing thru a proposal. “We will follow up our proposal to Cong. Fabian and we hope for a positive feedback to help our mango industry in the region”, Gamorot said. (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao


DoLE-10 employees attend Moral Renewal Seminar by Mildred E. Dablio

A total of 75 regular employees of the Department of Lobor and Employment Regional Office No. 10 and five (5) Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) employees

attended the Moral Renewal Seminar, dubbed “Paglalakbay at Paglilingkod ng Puso,” recently.


First domestic wastewater treatment facility in CDO installed at Xavier Ecovilleby Vanessa M. Gorra

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Since their transfer to Xavier Ecoville, relocatees of tropical storm Sendong have been getting their hands dirty – literally – in vegetable gardening activities for home consumption and for sale to support their livelihood. However, limited water supply can be a problem.

In response, the Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WaSH) cluster of Xavier Ecoville led by experts from Xavier University (XU) tapped the Ateneo Innovation Center (AIC) in installing a wastewater treatment facility that would make wastewater generated in the site re-usable for irrigation and

other purposes. The wastewater management system is called Localized Constructed Wetland Greywater Treatment facility. This technology, which uses umbrella plants like papyrus as disinfectant, has already been adapted at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in their

In coordination with the department’s Human Resource Development Service, the Lay Formation Center, the formation arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, facilitated the two-day - Levels 1 and 2 towards the journey in re-discovering one’s value as a person, renew commitment to the dignity of work, which in turn would result to patriotic contribution, and re-assess life’s meaning which would achieve inner peace in dealing with others. D o L E - 1 0 Regional Director,

Atty. Johnson G. Cañete, was all in support with the activity and believes the results will boost up productivity of the employees and at the same encourages healthy relationships in the workplace. (DoLE)


Marian Garden and Matteo Ricci Study Hall. But it’s the first of its kind to be introduced in Cagayan de Oro. Engr. Jun Granada of the AIC conducted a workshop to the residents of Xavier Ecoville on the use of the technology. Granada, together with XU engineers and WaSH focal person and XU Sustainable Sanitation director Analiza Miso, spent an entire day teaching residents about the system and applying it to the site. The result was a small scale wastewater management facility installed by the partner beneficiaries themselves in an area in the temporary shelter. The two-stage wastewater treatment facility involves the use of layers of bed liner, sand, gravel and pebbles to filter the solid particles from the greywater (1st stage). The water then flows through a pipe where sand, gravel, coconut husks, charcoal and pebbles are used to minimize any foul odor in the water (2nd stage). Both treatment stages have umbrella plants which help in disinfecting the greywater. A wastewater team composed of chemical engineers from XU headed by

Engr Maria Isabel Dumalao-Tan will certify the usability of the water. The expansion of the wastewater management system for the bathrooms and all wash areas of the temporary shelter at Xavier Ecoville is already underway. Testing of various plants to see which one has more filtering power is also being planned. The set-up yielding the best and most cost-effective results will be remodeled in the Xavier Ecoville permanent relocation site.

This sustainable and eco-friendly innovation is just one of several facilities that can be found at Xavier Ecoville, the relocation and resettlement project of XU with the city government. The community stays true to its name and commitment to green technologies.


BFAR identifies areas positive of red tideby Mary Kimby Rigonan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has released results of a laboratory study conducted by the National Red Tide Task Force on areas in the country found positive of red tide toxins.

BFAR Region 10 Director Visa Tan-Dimerin noted that Misamis Occidental still turned positive of the paralytic shellfish poison, while the Taguines Lagoon in Camiguin on the other hand remained free from toxic red tides. The latest BFAR shellfish bulletin no. 09, released last April 3, also declared Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte, Masinloc Bay in Zambales, and Bataan coastal waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay, and Samal) in danger for paralytic shellfish poison. Fishermen and consumers are strictly prohibited not to harvest, sell, buy, and eat all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or “alamang” in areas showing high levels of toxins and going beyond the regulatory limit. However, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe to eat, provided it is fresh and washed thoroughly, with gleaned off gills and intestines before cooking. (PIA 10)


ARENA-XI ‘Serbisyo Caravan’ goes to DavSur

The Association of Regional Executives of National Agen-

cies Region XI (ARENA XI) is set to bring its banner project “Ser-bisyo Caravan,” a one-stop-shop delivery of government services to the province of Davao del Sur this month. The ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan will have its first stop in the municipality of Sta. Cruz on April 20 where about 30 national government agencies

(NGAs) are expected to provide their respective programs and services to the constituents. The caravan will also be brought to Malita town of said province on April 27. In Sta. Cruz, the general assembly of beneficiaries and the general public will be gathered at the municipal gym, while the various services from the different NGAs will be provided at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall. Among the NGAs

that would render its services to its beneficiaries is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which is slated to put up three consultation desks for its Beneficiary Update System, Compliance Verification System and Grievance Redress System. DSWD will also conduct Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) registration and membership. The Department of Health

by Carina Cayon


will assist rural health units in the distribution of medicines worth P25,000 and information, education and communication (IEC) materials. Consultation, check-up and blood pressure screening will be given by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples to its IP beneficiaries. The National Food Authority will distribute rice through rolling stores, and will hold advocacy campaign on NFA Programs, while the Department of Science and Technology will offer demo on candle making and consultancy services on food processing. The Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will have its distribution of land titles during the caravan, while the Department of Agriculture will handle technical cliniquing on its different banner programs. The Department of Transportation and Communications, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, and Land Transportation Office will conduct lectures.Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) will also be distributed by the Department of Energy. The education offices will deliver its programs at Sta. Cruz National High School. The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to provide information and dissemination drive on the K+12 program to the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), and distribute school supplies and bags to the Alternative Learning System (ALS)

learners and Badjao elementary pupils of Apo Beach. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will also tender information and dissemination campaign, skills demonstration and awarding of scholarship grants.Consultations, dialogues and information drive with their beneficiaries and the general public will be conducted by agencies like Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Government Service Insurance System, and Professional Regulation Commission, among others. “Our Serbisyo Caravan is a novel approach to public service,” stated ARENA-XI president and DBM Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo. Bravo said the caravan aims to bring the national government programs closer to the people, especially to the vulnerable sector of the communities. “Let us make this work. Let us join hands and labor together in providing direct services to our various stakeholders,” he urged the NGAs in the region. The Serbisyo Caravan in Davao del Sur will be the third leg of the one-stop-shop delivery of government services in Davao Region. ARENA-XI’s banner project was launched in August last year in Davao Oriental as the first province recipient, followed by Compostela Valley Province in November.


DTI-DN highlights Export Pathways accomplishments in FebruaryDAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry in Davao del Norte (DTI-DN) has underscored the February 2012 performance of the Export Pathways Program (EPP) in the province. Citing the office’s report, DTI-DN officer-in-charge Engr. Vedastito C. Galvez said DTI-DN was able to corner a number of good business prospects for the period covered as a result of its EPP interventions. The EPP is an initiative started in 2006 which is aimed at providing the necessary and tailor-fit interventions to the would-be exporters and exporting local small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With the program’s success in the region, it has already been adopted by all DTI regional offices throughout the country. As of February 2012, DTI-DN has 56 EPP-enrolled SMEs. Galvez said one of the program’s major accomplishments is the granting of PUM Netherlands the amount of P240,000 (Euro4,000) to the Chokolate de San Isidro, Inc. for the various improvements in its factory which will include the roasting equipment, transformer (for power stability), and some other necessary machines for product improvement. CSI is also expecting a loan

of US$120,000 from its European client for its fermentation facilities. This development, Galvez said, will surely give a boost to the group’s sales as this will mean additional production capacity that will enable them to meet their clients’ volume requirements. Further, this will also mean improved products (chocolate tablets). Aside from this development, the EPP has likewise encouraged the Davao del Norte provincial government, through its Investment and Promotion Center, to allocate a budget of P735,000 for the establishment of the provincial pasalubong center (souvenir shop) in Tagum City. Meanwhile, two cooperatives from the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) were able to avail of the coco coir twining machines from Regwill Industries, the trainer of the basic skills training on coco coir twining under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of DTI-DN. “This is just the initial major accomplishments for the first two month of this year. We can expect that more will be done and achieved in the coming months,” Galvez said. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)

One Mindanao - April 19, 2012

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