One Mindanao - April 2, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

Executive 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

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Cover Story

2 youth leaders in Region 12 named student ambassadors to Japan

Dani DoguilesCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue...Monday, April 2, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 228

page 4

Koronadal City turns dark for an hour 13 Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

P3.5-M iginawad ng Malungon LGU sa women’s club

16Central Mindano

Agusan Norte farmers get P559K livelihood projects from DAR ARISP-III17 Gil E. Miranda, Caraga Region

Ochoa to DOJ prosecutors: Ensure efficient criminal justice system to lure investors 8

3 gov’t soldiers wounded on joint PNP, AFP operations vs. NPA Greg Tataro Jr., Caraga Region

ZamboSur’s observance of fire prevention month successful22Gideon C. Corgue, Western Mindanao

SSS amnesty on loan penalty program starts this April23 Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

14

PhilHealth offers 50% discount to members

27 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

Women’s groups undergo life-saving skills training Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Northern Mindanao

Saudi Arabia needs 650 medical specialists30 Carina Cayon, Southern Mindanao

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11

15

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4 Monday, April 2, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Two student leaders from state schools in Soccsksargen Region/Region 12 will be visiting

Japan as ambassadors on disaster management and recovery program in May.

Cover Story

2 youth leaders in Region 12 named student ambassadors to Japan

Lily Jean Cacatian, a BS Development Communication senior

at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan

Cotabato and Angel Marie Ysik BS Education junior

at the Sultan Kudarat State University

(SKSU) in Ta c u r o n g

City are

among 400 Filipino youths selected as “Tohoku-shinzen-taishi” or “Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors” who will be visiting Japan this year. The travel is part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme funded by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) in cooperation with the National Youth Commission (NYC). Cacatian, in an interview with Philippine Information Agency -12 today said she and Ysik will be among the

by Dani Doguiles

Monday, April 2, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

third and fourth

batches of student ambassadors who will visit Japan for 10 days to learn Japan’s disaster management and recovery efforts after the March 13 , 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters “We will learn and understand Japan’s experience and the lessons they learned from past natural disasters. We will also witness Japan’s on-going recovery efforts and see how it was possible for Japan to make a fast turn-around from the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck its Tohoku region,” she said. The first two batches of goodwill

ambassadors will focus on the host country’s “Go Green” program.

An NYC statement on the JENESYS program in

October last year said the program “will be a

chance for student ambassadors

to learn

everything about P h i l i p p i n e - J a p a n relations; Japanese culture; and issues on technology, environment, tourism, and health. They will interact with experts and will have a chance to live with a Japanese family.” Cacatian said, “the feeling was overwhelming when I learned I was chosen as one of the student ambassadors. ” She joined the program by sending in a policy paper concerning the issue of illegal logging in some areas of North Cotabato along with the filled out application form. “I expect to learn a lot from the short-term visit, especially the concept of “Kizuna” which is about brotherhood and friendship that played a major role in their recovery from the disaster. I hope to be able apply this concept in our country’s situation,” she said. Cacatian was recently awarded as this year Outstanding Student Leader of USM. She is expected to graduate with honors as magna cum laude in April. Cacatian and Ysik are also delegates of

6 Monday, April 2, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

the prestigious Ayala Young Leaders Congress in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Ysik is a scholar of the Department of National Defense. Both are expected to travel to

Metro Manila on May 6 for a pre-departure orientation before their May 7 or 8 flight to Japan.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino joins formal 20th ASEAN Summit opening

Prresident Benigno S. Aquino III will join fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) when the 20th Asean Summit opens on Tuesday, April 2.

The regional organization, which was founded August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, is also celebrating its 45th anniversary.

The opening of the summit, the Asean’s 45th anniversary celebration as well as the formal

meetings will be held here in Phnom Penh at the Peace Palace at 9:30 am.

Joining the Asean leaders will be Asean ministers and their spouses, the Asean secretary general and deputy secretary

general, as well as other delegates and invited guests.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is the chairman of this year’s summit, will deliver a message during the summit opening and anniversary celebration.

8 Monday, April 2, 2012ONE MINDANAO

A f t e r that the

leaders will start the summit

plenary session. Then a lunch will be

hosted by Prime Minister Hun Yen for the visiting Asean leaders.

At 2 pm, the leaders will meet the representatives of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) at the Peace Palace.

Then a meeting with Civil Society

Organizations will follow at 3 pm also at the Peace Palace.

After meeting the in te r -pa r l i amenta ry representatives, the Asean leaders will meet with Asean Youth Representatives at 4 in the afternoon. Two youth representatives from each of the Asean countries will join the meeting.

At 6:30 pm, the leaders will have a Royal Audience at the Royal Palace with His Majesty

Norodom Sihamoni, the king of Cambodia. A state banquet, hosted by King Norodom Sihamoni will follow at 7 pm.

The Asean leaders and minister will be joined by their spouses during the state banquet.

In concluding his activities on Tuesday, President Aquino is scheduled to meet with members of the Philippine press at 9:20 in the evening at Hotel Sofitel here in Phnom Penh. (AS)

Ochoa to DOJ prosecutors: Ensure efficient criminal justice system to lure investors

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. has

exhorted prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to complement the administration’s efforts in restoring investor confidence and managing the economy by ensuring an efficient criminal justice system.


Speaking at the

24th National Convention of the

Prosecutors’ League of the Philippines recently,

Ochoa underscored the need for the DOJ and its prosecution arm, the National Prosecution Service (NPS), to help establish the Philippines as “a nation where justice and the rule of law prevails” to make it more attractive to investors.

“We have to do our share to inspire confidence among businessmen, who want a return on their investment, and seek security for their persons and their properties,” Ochoa stressed.

As the country’s economic revival making the headway, Ochoa said it was important for those in the criminal justice system to step up in order to match the plans and programs of President Benigno Aquino III and his economic managers.

“While it is their job to encourage foreign investors to bring business into the country, it is the

job of those involved in law enforcement, like the DOJ and NPS, to discourage international criminal syndicates from operating in this country and victimizing our people,” Ochoa added.

Ochoa likewise urged prosecutors to emulate the President’s example and brand of leadership in providing justice and accountability to the Filipino public.

He noted the President’s clear foresight and political will to attain a vision of “a country where people are held accountable for their crimes; a government that is dead-set at putting closure to the controversies that have eroded the credibility and legitimacy of our institutions; an administration that will ensure a level playing field for foreign and local businessmen; and a nation whose people abide by and uphold the rule of law.”

“The President has chosen to lead by example and has been unequivocal about ensuring that our people obtain justice, so

those tasked to enforce our laws – including those in the prosecutorial service – must be emboldened to ensure that those who break our laws do not profit from their crimes, but are made to pay for them,” Ochoa said.

“The Prosecution Service and DOJ must take its cue from the President, and must exhibit the same qualities the Chief Executive has shown in his campaign for reforms. You must be uncompromising in the pursuit of justice and must be unrelenting in your efforts to ensure that the victims of crimes, regardless of rank or station, obtain justice.”

At the same time, Ochoa cited tremendous achievements of various government agencies in terms of international crime-fighting and prevention.

Ochoa said the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), which he heads, had been vigorously coordinating and aligning the efforts of government agencies


t a s k e d to combat

o r g a n i z e d c r i m i n a l

activities.The Executive

Secretary said the initiative of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – composed of PAOCC, DOJ, Philippine Center for Transnational Crime, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Department of Labor and Philippine Overseas Employment Agency – resulted in the rescue of more human trafficking victims during the last two years. This accomplishment was the main reason why the United States removed the Philippines from its “Tier 2 Watchlist” last year, he said.

According to Ochoa, much credit goes to the DOJ and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who has taken the lead in the government’s anti-human trafficking efforts.

“The DOJ played a major role in the success of our anti-human trafficking efforts as it tied together the efforts of numerous agencies to thwart human

trafficking syndicates and build solid cases that led to the convictions of the criminal elements responsible,” Ochoa said.

He added: “This should serve as the model by which the DOJ and the NPS can get involved in law enforcement efforts – from investigation and pursuit of criminal elements, all the way to evidence gathering and the successful prosecution of the masterminds behind the terrible crimes committed against our people.”

With these successes in combating crimes, Ochoa said the only message the Aquino administration wanted to convey to the international community was “our doors are open for business, but they are closed to crime.”

“For legitimate

businessmen who wish to invest in our country and want a good return on their investment, we will roll out the red carpet and make lives easier for them; for criminals who want to engage in profit from illegal activities within our borders, we will make business bad for them and will use all the resources of the state so that they are caught, tried and punished for their crimes,” Ochoa said.

“In these efforts, know that you have the support of a President who believes in walking the straight path, righting the wrongs in our country, and upholding the rule of law to provide an environment that will spur inclusive economic growth and genuine national development,” he added.


Agri official urges farmers to take care of farm machineries

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Agriculture assistant secretary Dante S. de Lima on Friday urged farmers to adopt as their own the farm machineries that the Department of Agriculture has distributed to them.

by Dani Doguiles

De Lima was here for the turn-over of P18.6 million worth of threshers, hand tractors, and four-wheel drive tractors to 126 farmer groups across Soccsksargen Region; the turn-over ceremony was held at DA’s Research Outreach

Station in Tupi, South Cotabato.

He also awarded P2.4 million worth of other agricultural machines to five best performing irrigators’ associations.

“We hope that you will take of these farm machineries. You are very

fortunate to have been chosen to r e c e i v e these,” he said.

Earlier, DA 12 regional e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r A m a l i a J a y a g -

Datukan these explained these machineries were provided by DA “in line with the Agri Pinoy Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) which is pushed by Sec Alcala and one of the top priorities of President Benigno Aquino.”

The is specifically undertaken under the Agri Pinoy Rice Program’s Mechanization Project that aims to enable farmers to improve their productivity through appropriate and efficient mechanization facilities.

Under the scheme DA pays for 85 percent of the cost of quality farm


machineries while the remaining 15 percent is shouldered as equity of the farmer group cooperator.

Among those turned-over to farmer organizations in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces and General Santos and Cotabato cities were 37 rice threshers, 112 hand tractors and 5 four-wheel drive tractors.

This “85-15% counterpart scheme”, she added, “encourages a sense of ownership for the part of the beneficiaries.”

To ensure the successful implementation of these projects, she added, a team from DA would closely supervise and regularly monitor the farm equipment given to the beneficiaries. She also reminded them to make use of the machines only for purposes they were intended and not to sell or mortgage them.

Asec de Lima further explained that the machineries distributed yesterday were part of allocations approved in 2011.

“Farm machineries for

2012, are expected to be delivered in August,” he said.

Also distributed yesterday were units of hand tractors with trailers, hermetic cocoons, and portable dryers given as incentives to five outstanding irrigators’ associations in the region namely: PULMAKA IA, MAREMCO IA, LD1C IA, MASBACAS IA and Roxas Silang IA.

De Lima, who is also the national rice program coordinator, explained these farm machineries were granted to IAs to encourage them further to optimize the production potentials in their area.

Besides farm machineries, DA 12 also turned over 5.6

million pesos worth of certificates for the 45 units Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP).

Earlier, DA has also distributed a total of 3,116 bags of registered seeds to rice farmers while ten (10) carabaos and farm implements were given to outstanding IA’s in Region 12.

In response, provincial agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste, said: “The provincial government of South Cotabato, farmers and fisherfolks would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to our Secretary represented by Asec de Lima.”

For his part, Sultan Kudarat provincial agriculturist Nestor Kasador said: “This really


Koronadal City turns dark for an hour

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- A large part of Koronadal city turned dark as thousands of households joined the Earth Hour last night.

by Dani Doguiles

From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., households, offices, government offices, malls, public switched their lights and other electric-powered appliances off .

Streetlamps were also turned off. Even motorists turned their vehicle’s lights to support to the global campaign.

The Earth Hour celebration here led by Mayor Peter B. Miguel, other local g o v e r n m e n t officials and the city environment office started with an eco-invocation and e c u m e n i c a l

prayer at the city’s government center in Carpenter Hill.

Other highlights leading to the 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour, included the signing of a manifesto in support to efforts against global change, and a symposium on the science of climate change and how to solve climate change.

At around 6:30 p.m. participants who gathered in front of the Gaisano Grand Mall either joined the 3.5-kilometer Earth Hour Biking or Earth Hour 2012 Night Walk to Ace Centerpoint Supermarket at the center where the main program was held.

At exactly 8:30 p.m. candles were lighted as

the electric lights were turned off.

M e a n w h i l e , the local electric d i s t r i b u t o r South Cotabato 1 Electric C o o p e r a t i v e ( S O C O T E C O ) 1 implemented a 30-minute power shut-off

spells a big difference to develop the agriculture sector in the region. Farmers from our province are very happy knowing that they would get farm machineries from DA.”

Dante Cudal, president of the North Cotabato Irrigator’s Associations, said: “Ang DA ang nagbigay liwanag sa buhay ng mga magsasaka,nagbibigay ng mga tunay na programa. Kaya,

nandirito ako upang pasalamatan ang DA. Salamat at dumating na ang tunay na Kagawaran ng Agrikultura.” (With report from Lito Salvo/DA-RAFID 12) (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


P3.5-M iginawad ng Malungon LGU sa women’s clubMALUNGON, Sarangani-- Mahigit 2,000 na kababaihan ang nagtipun-tipon sa isinagawang kulminasyon ng Women’s Month noong nakaraang Lunes sa Malungon, Sarangani.

also in support of the campaign.

However, General Manager Santiago Tudio said, since the activity is voluntary, brownout was only enforced in the areas where the main activities was held, specifically Feeders 11, 22, and 33.

Earlier last week, South Cotabato Gov.

Pingoy Y. Pingoy Jr. released a memorandum to employees of the provincial government to support the campaign. He also called on mayors in the province to encourage participation in their respective areas of responsibilities.

Besides , Koronadal City and neighboring towns in South Cotabato,

General Santos City and the province also joined the country and the world in the symbolic 60-minute turning off of electricity.

Both General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani province Gov. Migs Dominguez led the Earth Hour campaigns.

Kasabay sa masayang selebrasyon ay ang paggawad sa Municipal Women’s Council (MWC) ng mahigit sa P 3.5 milyon na pondo mula sa lokal na pamahalaan.

Ang naturang pondo ay nabuo sa pamamagitan ng insentibong natanggap ng munisipyo galing sa Dept of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) bilang isa sa mga nagwaging lokal na pamahalaan na naging matagumpay sa pagpapatupad ng “transparency and systematic” na pamamaraan ng pamamahala.

Ang insentibo ay ginawad sa ilalim ng programa ng DILG na tinaguriang Performance Challenge Fund for Local Government Units (PC Fund).

Samantala, ang natirang mahigit na P1.5 milyon naman ay mula sa Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) bilang bahagi ng corporate social responsibility nito na may layong makatulong sa mga maliliit na mamamayan para sa ikakasigla ng mga kabuhayan ng mga nakatirang nasasakop nito.

Ipamamahagi naman

ng MWC ang pondo para sa mga ibat-ibang pangkabuhayang nababagay sa mga grupong kababaihang myembro ng konseho.

“Siguro naman sa loob lamang ng maigsing panahon ng paninilbihan ko nagawa kong makamit at mabigay sa inyo ang pinakamimithi nating kabutihan at kaunlaran para sa bayan ng Malungon,” ani Mayor Reynaldo Constantino.(DED/IP Palma/MIO Malungon/CT Apelacio, PIA General Santos City)

Monday, April 2, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 15www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

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PPP to build brighter future for Butuan City – Mayor Amante

The city government has partnered with Saint Joseph Institute of Technology’s (SJIT) College of Engineering and Architecture to help design and transform the city

into a green city and share in the ownership of the city and its development.

by Robert E. Roperos


3 gov’t soldiers wounded on joint PNP, AFP operations vs. NPA

Citing the positive effects of a public private partnership (PPP), Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. said on Wednesday that the private sector should share in the resources, problems and gains of every project implementation since they have more money and more

expertise in most cases. In his speech during the 40th Commencement Exercises of SJIT, Amante said the PPP is the latest reform that is implemented by the city government. Amante said through the PPP, the city will have a brighter future “as we rely

on this partnership to build roads and bridges, develop renewable energy sources, improve our water supply, and even build seaports, airports, sports complex and enhance our tourism and even education. The city’s chief executive also said in as far as providing quality education to the youths, the city government has partnered with SJIT in an educational collaboration with Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan for conducting researches in solid waste management.

Amante was invited as commencement speaker of the institute which is anchored on the theme: “Celebrating the Glorious Past and Soaring High towards Transformation for Nation Building”.

by Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- Three government soldiers had been wounded while the number is still undetermined on the enemy side as the joint PNP, AFP forces continue its operations against the New People’ Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur recently.


PFC Elmer Calabroso and Rodulfo Bautista of the Philippine Army (PA) of the 75th Infantry Battalion and PO1 Sergio Cubillan of the 131st Regional Public Safety Command (RPSC) had been plucked out of the encounter area

and brought to Butuan City hospital through a UH helicopter at around 2:45 pm of March 29, the day of the 43rd NPA anniversary. A day earlier, the government forces recovered some rounds of assorted live ammunition

empty shells after a 40-minute gunfight with undetermined number of NPA rebels as they scoured the enemy’s lair in the mountainous area of Sitio Sinai, Tambis, Barobo town, 105 kilometers south of Tandag City.

Agusan Norte farmers get P559K livelihood projects from DAR ARISP-IIIBUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform through its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project, Phase III (DAR-ARISP III) provided a package of Agricultural-Agribusiness Development (AAD) livelihood project assistance to the Cluster of Farmers’ Organizations in an agrarian reform community in the municipality of R.T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.

by Gil E. Miranda


The cooperation of the DAR-ARISP-III, municipal local government of RTR, Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities C o o p e r a t i v e s (FEDARCCO), Peoples Alternative Study for Research and Education in Social Development, and Clusters of Peoples’ Organizations signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) recently at Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall. “These projects improve agricultural productivity that will significantly raise the farmers’ level of income,” DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Andre B. Atega aid. Municipal Mayor Nilo D. Soliva renewed their commitment to support the program during the said MOA signing. The total project cost was estimated at P559,000 with ARISP III sharing P269,055. More than 353

farmer-beneficiaries will be benefitted from the AAD sub-project comprising of Vegetable Production with an estimated project cost of P231,289 with 112 farmers; Native Chicken Production with an estimated projects cost of P162,886 with 155 farmers; and Swine Raising with an estimated project cost of P164,418.46 with 86 women members. The AAD sub-project aims to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of men & women members, product enhancement and marketing in partnership with FEDARCCO, generates employment, alleviate

the economic conditions of the farmer beneficiaries in the area. It will also focus on developing sustainable agr ibus iness/ rura l enterprise and livelihood that can increase to at least 30 percent from their usual income and promote development of appropriate production technologies and farm practices. The project will be implemented by identified farmers’ organizations from Clusters of Peoples’ Organizations in TAGBABAPSA ARC with direct supervision from FEDARCCO in coordination with DAR-ARISP III this province.


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Close to 3,000 join “Earth Hour” activity in Zambo CityBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Close to 3,000 individuals trooped their way on Saturday night to the city’s favorite hangout park-Paseo Del Mar to convey their messages that they are

one with the world in the fight against global warming, and share support to effort in energy efficiency and conservation.


People from various sector, government, non government, academe, families with their infants and children, people young and old, even those in their wheelchair, showed up as early as 6 o’clock in the evening and filled the Paseo del Mar ground to share the meaningful celebration of “earth hour.” “I brought my 8 year old daughter here so that at an early age her eyes would be open to what is happening with our environment and how she could do her share of responsibility in doing something to mitigate climate change,” said one mother-participant when asked why she and her family chose to join the earth hour activity. Mayor Celso Lobregat who lead the “earth hour” program said, “I know that there are some who are disappointed of why we are doing this symbolic switching off of lights for an hour when in fact we have been experiencing rotational blackout every day.” “But we have to understand, that despite our problems, we also have responsibilities as part of a global community thus we are supporting and we will continue to support earth hour.” He said that despite the Mindanao power crisis, the city


will continue to do all efforts to rehabilitate mother earth. “We cannot just complain and complain, we have to do something, to share with the planet’s problems and contribute to its rehabilitation,” Lobregat emphasized. The local chief executive said there are manifestations that the world has its “crisis” like the erratic water supply among others, “we have to share something in restoring the earth to its original state, we need the cooperation and support of all stakeholders,” Lobregat said before the listening crowd. Lobregat called on all Zamboangaueños to take conscious decision to the effort to mitigate climate change.“Let us all help mother earth from further deterioration, let us continue to make every hour an earth hour.” The earth hour program started with ecumenical prayers.

Lobregat then led the earth hour countdown at 8:29pm. At exactly

8:30 the power at the Paseo Del Mar was symbolically switched off, that was the time when the crowd started to light their candles and their sky lanterns. Few minutes after the power switch off, hundreds of sky lanterns were released and illuminated the sky like bright fireflies. Seeing the sky lanterns for the first time, the crowd cheered and clapped. (JPA/PIA-9 ZBST)


PAGADIAN CITY – Provincial Fire Marshall Supt. Gerson Sisona thanked all the stakeholders for actively supporting the observance of Fire Prevention Month thereby making it successful.

ZamboSur’s observance of fire prevention month successful by Gideon C. Corgue

Sisona in his message during the 46th Fire Prevention Month culmination program at the Central Fire Station said the successful month-long observance was attributed to the active support, cooperation and vigilance of the stakeholders and the more intensified information dissemination campaign on fire safety and fire prevention to the public. He added that the city has only a single fire incident in March this year. “We only have one (1) fire incident that occurred in barangay Bulatok with damage amounting to P60,000.00. However the incident did not disrupt the observance of fire prevention month since it is only a minor incident unlike in the cities of Metro Manila and Cebu who are experiencing major fire incidents,” Sisona reported. Despite the fire incident, Sisona declared the whole month observance as generally successful. Meanwhile, City Fire Marshall Sr. Inspector Rheno Cimafranca

said the fire prevention awareness campaign which aimed at preventing future fire incidents was conducted by his men thru radio programs, ‘recorida’, distribution of leaflets, fire prevention lectures and drills to schools, barangays and government agencies was very effective saying that the BFP almost hit the target of making the fire prevention observance this year as “zero fire incident’ month. “Our continuous campaign on fire prevention and awareness to the people has paid off,” Cimafranca claimed. Cimafranca vividly recalled that ‘zero fire incident’ happened in


2003 during his incumbency as the then city fire marshall before he was assigned in Molave Fire station as the municipal fire marshall. Cimafranca expressed his profound gratitude to the barangay officials and the disaster assistance rescue brigade services (DARBS) for being their active partners in the fire prevention campaign saying that they played vital role in performing their tasks. The DARBS were formed in

2003 and composed of barangay officials and barangay tanods. Cimafranca encouraged the stakeholders to continuously extend their support to the BFP saying that fire prevention will not be observed only for the month of March but throughout the year. The culminating activity was highlighted by a brief program, motorcade, fire Olympics, and awarding ceremony. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)

DIPOLOG CITY - Employees, self-employed workers and volunteer members having overdue loans with Social Security System (SSS) can now settle their unpaid principal and interest without paying the full amount of penalties under a new amnesty program that would start on Monday.

SSS amnesty on loan penalty program starts this April By Alfonso T. Ruda

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr., said the amnesty differs from the previous SSS loan penalty condonation program and its terms and requirements for applicants will depend on the type of delinquent borrower.


“SSS will waive 100 of penalties of qualified applicants whose loan delinquency was not their fault, such as members whose employers failed to remit their amortizations to SSS despite deducting loan payments from their salaries,” he said. Members must have at least three contributions within the last six months before the month of application and proof of deducted loan amortizations such as pay slips, company certification, and notarized affidavits to be eligible for full condonation of penalties. “They can pay their loan principal and interest in full, or avail of a three-year installment payment scheme at an annual interest rate of three percent,” De Quiros said, adding that SSS will take legal action against employers that fail to remit their workers’ deducted amortizations. SSS also offers amnesty to beneficiaries of deceased borrowers who will file their death claim applications within the availment period. It will also waive 100 percent of penalties and the member’s delinquent loan principal and interest will be deducted from the death benefit. De Quiros said delinquent borrowers who paid at least three amortizations can also apply for amnesty, provided that they have remitted a minimum of three monthly contributions within the last six months prior to the month of application. “Members with at least three paid amortizations will have 90

percent of their penalties condoned if they pay in full. Those who will pay in monthly installments over three years at a three percent annual interest rate will have 80 percent of their penalties waived,” De Quiros said. Borrowers filing total disability or retirement claims within the availment period will have 50 percent of the penalties condoned under the amnesty program. The outstanding loan balance and remaining penalties will be deducted from their retirement or disability benefit. “The deadline of application of amnesty program will be on September 30, but beneficiaries of borrowers who passed away without settling their delinquent obligations can apply until March 30 next year,” De Quiros said. The amnesty program covers overdue salary, calamity, emergency, educational, study-now-pay-later, stock investment and privatization fund loans. Zamboanga del Norte SSS Provincial Manager Godofredo Martinez urges SSS member-borrowers who had overdue loan payments and wish to avail of the amnesty loan penalty condonation program may just visit their office located Ramos Building (formerly Ramos Hotel) Rizal Avenue corner Ramon Magsaysay St., Dipolog City. SSS Zamboanga del Norte is presently serving 1,500 employers all over the province with more or less 8,800 employees and more than 10,000 self-employed members. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)


Northern Mindanao vows to save the environment by Elaine O. Ratunil

Close to 300 representatives from the different sectors of the society expressed their commitment to save the environment during a Seminar on Electricity Conservation in Households and

Schools on March 30, held at the Pilgrim Christian College, this city.

In his message, Department of Energy (DOE) Mindanao Field Office Director Manuel L. Llaneza said the Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Program of DOE aims to make energy efficiency and conservation a way of life of every Filipino. Llaneza further said the program


specifically intends to cushion the impact of increases in prices of petroleum products and electricity through the implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures; promote cost avoidance/savings on fuel and electricity without sacrificing productivity; secure firm savings commitments from identified sector groups; and help protect the environment. He said in line with the DOE’s mission to attain energy access for more and address emissions harmful to the environment, the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP) aggressively promotes Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The DOE partners with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines and the Philippine Information Agency

(PIA) to disseminate adequate information on ways and measure to conserve energy and the planet from environment degradation, said Llaneza. Meanwhile, he urged the participants of the seminar to join Earth Hour 2012 by switching off lights for one (1) hour on March 31 at 8:30 p.m. to take a stand on global warming and in taking

action to ensure a sustainable future. Earth hour, which started in Sydney, Australia in 2007, is a global campaign to showcase what can and is being done all over the world to combat climate change, said Llaneza.


PhilHealth offers 50% discount to membersby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Individually paying members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can avail of a 50 percent discount on their annual premium contribution.

They can avail of the 50 percent discount if they are going to pay their whole year premium contribution within the first semester this year, said PhilHealth-10 Information Officer Merlyn H. Ybanez. She said these members, earning an average monthly income below P25,000, are now required to pay an annual premium contribution of P2,400 effective this year. However, members paying their annual contribution within January

to June will only need to pay P1,200 instead of P2,400, she further said. Self-employed professionals earning an average monthly income of more than P25,000 shall continue to pay their annual premium contribution of P3,600, Ybanez added.

Women’s groups undergo life-saving skills trainingTUBOD, Lanao del Norte - To empower the various women’s organizations from the different towns of this fast-rising province, a disaster preparedness and emergency response training was conducted on March 27-28 at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) grand stadium function hall.

This was the first-ever disaster training for the women’s groups which was jointly conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Office (PDRRMO), Provincial Population Office (PPO), and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) for the


celebration of Women’s Month. “We decided to expose the women’s organizations to this type of training because they are the ones often left at home and they should know how best to respond during emergencies,” PDRRMO Head Marlyn Trozo explained. The two-day training was facilitated by members of the Provincial Emergency Response Team, provincial police force, 35th Infantry ‘Makamandag’ Battalion, and Lanao Norte firefighters. The Provincial Emergency Response Team is composed of provincial employees intensively trained to provide immediate assistance to victims of natural or man-made calamities. Participants of this activity are women’s groups from the municipalities of Linamon, Kauswagan, Bacolod,

Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Salvador, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo as well as members of the Lanao del Norte Producers Association (LANORPA). Among the topics discussed were: understanding hazards and its counter measures, fire suppression, first aid training, and basic life-support. A rescue Olympics was also held on March 29 to simulate emergency situations which tested the participants’ skills in extinguishing fires and in handling injured victims. “This is another way of empowering our women. The vital life-saving skills that they received in this training can be of great help not only in their respective communities but in their homes as well,” Governor Khalid Dimaporo said. (PIO)


Honasan urges grads to try becomingentrepreneurs by Rudolph Ian Alama

Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan has pitched in the

idea of entrepreneurship to college graduates during his commence-ment address last Saturday (March 31) at the Davao Doctors College. “So how do you find your niche in entrepreneurship?” asked the senator during his speech at the graduation rites. Sometimes all it needs to start your own business is an idea whose

time has come. Honasan added. During his speech he cited inspiring true stories of students turned successful entrepreneurs. One of which is Feliciano Juarez, who studied engineering at the University of the Philippines, without knowing what course to take, Juarez decided to give law a try, when he noticed the scarcity of photocopiers at the University he saw the opportunity of serving law students needing certain law books which are in limited supply. He later opened photocopying services for the library which later grew into one of the country’s largest photocopying companies, the Copylandia Office Systems Corporation. The Senator’s speech was peppered by other success stories of people who started out their own businesses. Senator Honasan said that with the dearth of jobs, people should try to start out being entrepreneurs. Before the commencement


Saudi Arabia needs 650 medical specialists by Carina Cayon

address held during the afternoon, the senator also interfaced with members of the Davao media where he voiced out his opinions on current concerns particularly the Mindanao power crisis and the impeachment trial. During the impeachment, he said that the senate hopes to decide the case before it adjourns sine die in June. The senator refrained answering to questions relating on his opinions about the impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

On the Mindanao power issue, he said he is not in favor to the proposal of granting President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers, a view shared by the President himself who earlier stated that there is no need for emergency powers to solve the power problem. Honasan said he wants an actual reporting of the current power distribution situation by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, he said that the power situation in Mindanao could be of a distribution problem. (PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in need of qualified applicants for the 650 positions of physical therapists, x-ray special-ists and artificial limb specialists for the hiring country’s Ministry of Health. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in the region announced that KSA is hiring 500 physical therapists with a salary offering of 3,150 Saudi Riyal per month. POEA regional center for Mindanao Maria Carolina B. Agdamag said that 100 x-ray specialists and 50 artificial limb specialists with a monthly salary of SR4,080. The applicants for the physical therapist positions must be females of not more than 40 years old and

graduates of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy with Board License which is optional for Muslim applicants. KSA’s Ministry of Health also requires female applicants of not more than 40 years old for the x-ray specialist positions which further requires for BS in Radiologic Technology degree with Board License (also optional for Muslim applicants). Applicants for the physical therapist and x-ray specialist positions will qualify if they have at least four-year hospital work experience or two-year work experience but with Masteral Degree. For the artificial limb specialists, applicants must be males who


are not more than 45 years old, and must be BS graduates with at least four-year hospital work experience. Agdamag advised qualified applicants to register online at www.poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph., and personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) credentials. Other required documents

are: valid National Bureau of Investigation clearance, original and photocopy of the first page of the passport and six pieces of 2x2 recent photos. The documents must be submitted personally at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, ground floor of Blas F. Ople building at Ortigas Ave. corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Agdamag said that submission of applications is open until further notice.

regional gallery

Public and private sector representatives prepares for the ceremo-nial switch off to commence the Earth Hour 2012. During the ceremonies in Davao City last March 31 at SM-Davao

One Mindanao - April 2, 2012

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Transcript of One Mindanao - April 2, 2012