One Mindanao - April 2, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

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 & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

Rising from the Bayani Challenge 2013 in BasilanRene V. CarbayasWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 156

page 4

Aquino leads the nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of poet Francisco Baltazar 10

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

“No work, no pay” policy applies to March 30 spe-cial non-working holiday pay – DOLE 16

Over 2,000 volunteers in Lanao del Norte’s GK Bayani Challenge 2013 mobilized

Aggie dept launches Search for Corn Quality Awards

TESDA offers DSWD training for work

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao151923

Caraga Refion

Jeanevive Duron-Abangan, Southern Mindanao

Parolees, probationers undergo fire prevention seminar 26Gideon C. Corgue, Western lMindanao

8 12 14 17 22 26

Tuesday, April 2, 20134

As an avenue for the the national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges, local government units (LGUs), and other government entities to disseminate

their respective programs and services, the media forum facilitates no-holds-barred discussions of government programs between government agencies and local media practitioners.

Brainchild of lady PIA-IX director The forum, which is a one and a half hour-activity held every Tuesday at Daniel Hall, New Roxan Hotel, Pagadian City, has been the brainchild of PIA-IX Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga. It is regularly attended by broadcast, print and online media practitioners who are

PIA-IX’s media forum showcases government’s programs, projects

In keeping with its mandate of providing a free flow of timely,

accurate, relevant information to the public, the regional office of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-IX has been holding a weekly media forum featuring government programs, projects, services, policies, pronouncements, and accomplishments.

CoVer StoRy

By Gideon C. Corgue

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 5

all members of the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club, Inc. Edaga finds it wise toorganize a weekly media forum, as “the government has various development programs that need to be disseminated to the public especially the poor sectors of the society by the private media as partners in advocacy to have these programs trickle down to the grassroots.”

Operating without budget At first, the lady director washesitant to proceed with the activity since the agency has no budget to fund the same more especially the payment for the venue and snacks for the guests and participants. But, PIA-IX’s healthy relations with the private media and the line agencies enabled the agency to spearhead the program at no cost. The media forum,whichwasofficiallylaunched

on July 16, 2010, is now on its third year.

NGAs, LGU participation Since its launch in 2010, a number of NGAs, LGUs and even non-government organizations (NGOs) had already participated in the media forum. To name some, they are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Education (DepED), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCCA), National Housing Authority (NHA), National Statistics Office(NSO), Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Health Skills and Development

PIA-IX’s media forum showcases government’s programs, projects


Authority (PHSDA), Pagadian City government, Office Civil Defense(OCD), Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-I, and others.

A great help OCD-IX Regional Director Adriano Fuego said the media forum greatly help in disseminating the programs and activities of his agency especially the implementation of Republic Act No. 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Fuego further said through the forum “the implementing rules and regulations of the said law have been well disseminated to the public with the help of the print, broadcast, TV and online media.” He also expressed his thanks for having been invited to the program. “As far as I can remember, I’ve been in the forum for three times

already, giving and discussing the salient features of RA 10121 with the media,” he added. The OCD chief recalled that a media forum was held by PIA-IX in 2012 at Marian College in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay where the OCD was conducting an earthquake drill to the teaching staff and students. “Every time we have major activities and important announcement especially on disaster preparedness, we usually tap PIA for a possible guesting in its media forum to promptly disseminate the information to the public,” Fuego stressed.Strengthening government-media relations


Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club, Inc. (ZPPI) president and “Hardline” news editor Vic Del Pilar lauded the efforts of PIA-IX, saying “the forum helps strengthen the relationship between the NGAs, NGOs and media practitioners in disseminating vital information to the public. The ZPPI president regularly attends the forum and writes news articles about the topics discussed in said activity. Lualhati “Waway” Belen, broadcaster of RMN-dxPR and a regular panelist in the forum said she was happy that PIA-IX had launched the project for she has been able to gather more pieces of information about the government services/projects from the program. “Nalipay ko nga ang media forum gihimo sa PIA9 tungod kay daghan nga mga kasayuran nga among

makuha gikan sa mga nagkadaiyang ahensya sa kagamhanan. Nahatagan usab kami ug kahigayonan nga makahimamat ang mga kadagkoan opisyal sa kagamhanan, ug akong makahimamat usab kanunay ang akong mga kauban sa inidustiyra sa media (I am elated that the media forum was launched by PIA9 because we can gather various information from the different national government agencies. We are also given an opportunity to meet government officials and mycolleagues in media industry),” Belen said. Belen, who is handling a daily public affairs program, said she found it difficult before to conductan interview with some government officialsbecausetheyareoftenout-of-town attending conferences and meetings. “But with the forum, we have now direct access to interview them,” Belen added.

8Tuesday, April 2, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino assures Manileños of continued support

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the local government of Manila of his government’s utmost and continued support as the LGU, under the helm of Mayor Alfredo Lim, works to provide the basic needs and livelihood

of its constituents.The President gave the assurance in

his speech during the proclamation rally of Liberal Party candidates held at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila on Monday.HesaiditwasafittingtributetoLim

who, since his time as Chief of Police in Manila in 1986, has been a strong and long-standing ally and leader to the people of Manila, whose welfare has

been his topmost priority.“Malinaw po, noong EDSA, at

pagkatapos man ng EDSA, tapat na lingkod-bayan si Mayor Lim, lalong-lalo na para sa Maynila. Biruin ninyo, ang pinaplano pa lang natin noong universal healthcare, matagal na po niyang isinasakatuparan sa Maynila. Hindi lang po siya nagpatayo ng mga


President Aquino assures Manileños of continued support

ospital, barangay health centers at mga klinika, ginawa pa niyang libre ang pagpapagamot ng mga maralita nating kababayan,” the President said.

“Dagdag pa sa serbisyong-medikal, pursigido rin si Mayor Lim sa pagpapagawa ng mga silid-aralan, at tinitiyak din niyang nakakatamasa ng libreng edukasyon mula elementarya hanggang kolehiyo ang mga mahihirap na kabataan. Bukod pa sa libreng pagpapagamot at edukasyon, doble kayod din po si Mayor Lim sa pagsisiguro ng kaligtasan at maginhawang pamumuhay ng mga Manileño,” he addded.

The President lauded Lim for joining government efforts to provide homes for the marginalized sector and keep residents safe from harm through the launch of the centralized disaster evacuation center “upang ilayo sila sa mga lugar na malapit sa kapahamakan.”

“Nito ring Pebrero, pinasinayaan ang bagong tayong centralized disaster evacuation center sa Tondo na malilikasan ng tatlong libo nating kababayang naninirahan sa mga peligrosong lugar

tulad ng Parola 1 at 2, Smokey Mountain, Isla Puting Bato, at Happyland. Kaugnay nito, bilang bahagi ng master plan natin para sa epektibong pagkontrol ng baha, isinasaayos na natin ang daluyan ng tubig sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Maynila gaya ng sa Tondo, Sta. Ana, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Mesa, Ermita, Sampaloc, at Pandacan,” he said.

“Sa lahat po ng nabanggit na proyekto, makakaasa kayong hindi nag-iisa si Mayor Lim sa pagsasakatuparan nito. Sa lahat ng mga tagumpay na ito, talagang napapaisip tayo ---sulit po talagang magpaseminar tayo kay Mayor Lim dahil sa husay niyang mamuno,” he said.

“Kaya nga po, basta’t sinabi po ni Mayor Lim, hindi po tayo mag-aatubiling suportahan, dahil tiwala tayong makakabuti ito sa mas nakakarami. Kaya nga po, dahil tiwala ako kay Mayor Lim, anuman ang hindi niya kayanin, ako na po mismo ang gagawa ng paraan para isakatuparan ang hindi niya makakaya. Kasangga natin si Mayor Lim sa bawat hakbang; kasangga tayo ng Maynila sa tuwid na daan,” the President said.

10Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Aquino leads the nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of poet Francisco Baltazar

President Benigno S. Aquino III led on

Tuesday the Filipino nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of prominent poet and orator Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

“…sa pamumuno ni Mayor Lim sa Maynila, hindi po tayo kailanman nahirapan na makipag-ugnayan sa kanya, at nangunguna po siya sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan. Anuman pong oras, basta’t nariyan si

Mayor Lim, makakaasa tayo sa mabilis na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga Manileño, at sulit na sulit po ang sebisyo’t benepisyong naihahatid sa Maynila,” he concluded. PND (rck)


Aquino leads the nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of poet Francisco Baltazar

“Sa paggunita sa kaarawan at buhay ng dakilang makata at bayaning si Francisco Balagtas Baltazar, nagbibigay-pugay tayo sa naratibo ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Nakapaloob sa kanyang mga talinghaga ang diwang makabayan, na siyang nagpaalab ng pambansang pagkakakilanlan, at nagpunla ng damdaming nagbunga ng kasarinlan,” the Chief Executive said in his message to the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino on the celebration of the 225th birth anniversary of Balagtas.

President Aquino urged Filipinos to emulate the good qualities and hard work of Balagtas in helping the government to transform the country into a progressive nation.

“Sa kanyang mga nilikhang tauhan, higit pa nating nakikilala ang ating mga sarili, at ang kahulugan ng pagiging makatao. Nawa’y manatili tayong handang tumugon sa tawag ng pagkabayani sa ating sariling paraan, nang mapabilis pa ang ating pagtunton sa daang matuwid,” the President said.

“Nagsisimula na tayong makalaya sa mapanglaw na gubat ng karukhaan at kamangmangan. Gamit ang mga bagong patnubay ng katotohanan at katarungan,

sumasaibayo na tayo sa kurapsyon ng kahapon, at pumapanday na tayo ng bayang kinikilala ng buong mundo,” he noted.

He also called on Filipinos to work with his administration in pushing reforms for the country’s development and progress.

“Sama-sama nating ipagpatuloy ang pagsulong ng Pilipinas, tungo sa lalo pang maliwanag, lalo pang masagana, at lalo pang makatarungang lipunan,” he said.

Known by his pen name Balagtas, Baltazar has been described as the “Prince of Tagalog Poets.”

Baltazar was born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 2, 1788. He was the youngest of the four children of Juan Baltazar, a blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz.

Baltazar is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura,isregardedashisdefiningwork.In 1840, he moved to Bataan where he met Juana Tiambeng who eventually became his wife. He died on February 20, 1862. PND (js)


Mindanao power problem may end by 2015, says NGCP spokesperson

Mindanao may become power-sufficient by 2015, according to Lawyer Cynthia P. Alabanza, spokesperson and adviser for external affairs of the National Grid Corporation of the

Philippines (NGCP).Inrecentmediabriefingandpress

conference in Dipolog City, Alabanza said the NGCP has nothing to do with the rotating brownout plaguing


Mindanao power problem may end by 2015, says NGCP spokesperson

Mindanao nowadays because the problem lies mainly in the power supply.

She, however, told the media that the power problem in the island is now being addressed and it is expected to be over by 2015 with the completion of new power plants.

Presently, the power consumers in Mindanao have to bear with rotating brownouts ranging from four to six hours each day except for the service area of the Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO).

ZANECO has been able to tap other power source to cushion the impact of power rationing by the National Power Co rpo ra t i on (NPC) due to limited supply.

In the case of Zamboanga which is in the Southwestern tip of the P e n i n s u l a , the blackouts continue on an average of eight to ten hours in a day.

T h e n

Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) President Elbert Atilano said the city’s some 150,000 consumer/connections can expect full supply only by about 2016, the time when a coal-fired 100megawatts power plant will start operating full time.

Work on the multi-billion peso project proposed by the San Ramon Power Incorporated will start sometime this year.

Atilano has relinquished his position at Zamcelco last Friday, because he is running for councilor in this city for the May 13 elections. (PNA)


DOLE-10, ILO-IPEC train anti-child labor advocates on knowledge sharing systemby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Around 50 anti-child labor partners and advocates in Northern Mindanao have undergone a hands-on training on the use of the Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System (CLKSS) on Tuesday.

The CLKSS orientation and training was conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). The CLKSS is a new web portal for

sharing and collaboration of all anti-child labor advocates. Jodelen Mitra, ILO-IPEC Program Officer for Monitoring and Evaluation, said the system was developed to contribute to the elimination of child labor in the country. She said the 2011 Survey on Children conducted by the National Statistics Office revealed

that around 3.21 million children in the country are in child labor. The CLKSS aims to become the go-to-site for everything child labor in the country, she further said. According to her, there is no common platform for knowledge sharing before the development of


Over 2,000 volunteers in Lanao del Norte’s GK Bayani Challenge 2013 mobilizedby Lorry V. Gabule

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - A total of 2,078 volunteers with 70 teams registered in the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bayani Challenge in Lanao del Norte, its site at Poblacion, Sapad town, this province, for the disaster prone area and indigent families as recipients to this project.

The 32 units built during the weeklong GK Bayani Challenge (BC) from March 23-27, 2013 in Sapad is located in Poblacion in a two-hectare lot donated by the Ali family through Vice Governor Irma Ali of the province of Lanao del Norte. “Each unit has a lot area of 64 square meters and we aimed to put up around 140 houses in this site,” said Mayor Paruk Asis of Sapad. This year is the 9th Anniversary of the said program simultaneously done in 33 provinces nationwide. Among those who particpated in building core shelters were Team Lanao del Norte led by Gov. Khalid

Dimaporo whose volunteers were employees, the division chiefs, and the Provincial Engineer’s Office of the provincial government of Lanao del Norte. Congresswoman Imelda Q. Dimaporo of the First Legislative District of Lanao del Norte has also pledged unit coming from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Provincial Council, Cong. Dimaporo as the council’s president. Other volunteers include neighboring municipalities of the province, cooperative groups, army soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion, the Eagles Group, the

the system. Program partners and advocates were not informed of initiatives where they could have possibly involved while good practices were not shared and replicated, she added. With the CLKSS, partners and advocates can access child labor data, share information on good practices with other online community member, promote advocacy against child labor, and monitor program delivery

effectiveness. The key features of the system include information on different child labor programs, services, partners, resources and updates; report generation; integration with referral system and real-time monitoring of child labor cases; repository of child labor materials, articles, case studies and good practices; as well as a forum or a discussion board.


sector, and others. Most of the volunteers were from the local places, its neighboring towns because ‘walang ibang magtutulungan kundi ang mga Lanaenos mismo’ (Nobody else should help each other but the Lanaenos themselves), according to USEC Jose Mari Oquinena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for Special

Concerns, who is also the Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). USEC Oquinena graced the BC closing program on the evening of March 26. He lauded everybody’s effort to build shelter, capping this year’s theme, “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan.”

“No work, no pay” policy applies to March 30 special non-working holiday pay – DOLEOZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The policy of “no work, no pay” will apply to the special non-working holiday pay for daily-paid workers last Black Saturday, March 30.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

This is pursuant to Secretary Rosalinda Dimapiles-Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), who issued Labor Advisory No. 06, which she signed on Dec. 10, 2012, concerning the computation of the worker’s pay during special non-working days in 2013. The said advisory specifies that if the employee did not work on that day, the “No work, No pay’” principle shall apply, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day. If the employee worked, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/daily rate on the first eight (8) hours of work [(Daily rate x 130%) + COLA]. If the employee worked in excess

of eight (8) hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basis daily wage x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked). If the employee worked during a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his/her daily rate on the first eight (8) hours of work [(Daily rate x 150%) + COLA]. If the employee worked in excess or eight (8) hours (overtime work) during a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 150% x 130% x number of hours worked).


“No work, no pay” policy applies to March 30 special non-working holiday pay – DOLE

AgNor conducts provl policy forum on RA 10354

BUTUAN CITY -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte thru the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWD) in partnership with the Phil. Legislators’ Committee On Population and Development Foundation Inc. (PLCPD) launched a provincial policy forum tackling the key features of RA 10354 (Reproductive Health Law), recently at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol Compound, this city.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

by Bryan Ceballos


The forum was participated in by different Local government Units (LGUs) of the province, Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Dept. of Health (DOH), stakeholders and other concerned agencies.

PLCPD is a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1989 by a group of progressive legislators from the Senate and House of Representative. It primarily works within the hall of Congress, developing policy champions and generating viable, responsive, and people public policies on population and human development.

PLCPD Local Project Assistant Mr. Noel U. Sandigan presented the rationale of the activity. It was followed by the sharing to the stakeholders/participants the opportunities, program and policy solutions that will translate the national law into goals that are relevant, applicable and attainable at the local level especially in addressing gender issues, child mortality, maternal mortality, safe motherhood and increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases.

According to Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante, “the signing into law of Republic Act 10354 is another victory for women’s rights advocates especially on the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women. And this initiative of holding a provincial policy forum in line with the 25th year of the International Women’s Month is a concrete manifestation that the Province indeed recognizes women’s role in social development.”

The forum also highlighted various presentations, discussion and sharing of Maternal, Child Health Situations of the Province, Current Gender and VAW Issues, Key Features and Issues in the implementation of RA 10354, Challenges at the LGU-level and the Implementation of the National Law.

The activity concluded with an open forum and response from various stakeholders facilitated by Ms. Gloria L. Pabillore, head of the PSWD, followed by a closing remarks made by DILG Prov. Director Romeo A. Solis to formally end the forum.


Aggie dept launches Search for Corn Quality Awards

BUTUAN CITY -- To push quality and safe corn production in the country the Department of Agriculture AgriPinoy Corn Program launched this year the first and prestigious search in the corn industry dubbed as 2013 National Search for Corn Quality Awards.

The search is open nationwide and is envisioned to recognize the achievement of top performing LGUs with outstanding contribution to the corn industry.

Caraga Regional Corn Coordinator Abel Wagas said that the search is open to all provincial, city and municipal LGUs, as well as its LGU-based corn coordinators, and agricultural extension workers

(AEWs) who are involved in the implementation of the DA Agri-Pinoy Corn Program.

The 2013 Corn Quality Awards will choose top 5 provinces, top 25 cities or municipalities, top 5 provincial corn coordinators, top 25 municipal corn coordinators and top 100 agricultural extension workers.

The prizes for the winners are:


3 million worth of infrastructure or farm machineries plus plaque for provinces, half million worth of infrastructure or farm machineries plus plaque for cities/municipalities, 20,000 pesos cash prize plus plaque and certificate for provincial corn coordinators, 15,000 pesos cash prize plus plaque and certificate for city/municipal corn coordinators and 10,000 pesos cash prize plus plaque and certificate for agricultural extension workers.

Winning corn coordinators shall come from the chosen top provinces and cities or municipalities while AEWs must be involved in corn related extension activities.

For provincial category, judging will be based on technical requirements such as the corn grain samples and shall comply with minimum Grade No. 3 as per PNS for Shelled Corn.

Corn farms shall preferably meet the minimum requirements of Good Agricultural Practices for Corn (PNS/BAFPS 15:2008) and Code of Practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin in corn (PNS/BAFPS 27:2008) and have yield records for the past 3 yrs based on BAS data an annual average of 3.5 MT/ha for yellow and annual average of 1.5MT/ha for white.

For municipal category, corn

grits samples shall comply with minimum Grade No. 4 as per PNS for Corn Grits.

Corn farms shall preferably meet the minimum requirements of Good Agricultural Practices for Corn (PNS/BAFPS 20:2008) and Code of Practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin in corn (PNS/BAFPS 27:2008) and have yield records for past 3 yrs based on BAS data an annual average of 3.5 MT/ha for yellow and annual average of 1.5MT/ha for white.

The level of aflatoxin and other quality parameters shall be based on the data obtained during the contest duration.

Interested LGU shall submit letter of intent and other pertinent supporting documents to the Regional Search Committee (RSC) on or before June 15, 2013. Chosen top regional contenders will be endorsed by RSC to the National Technical Committee for evaluation and validation.

Awarding of winners is tentatively scheduled on October 2013 probably in Metro Manila area.

Ensuring quality corn production is not only a responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, but also of other partner government agencies, particularly the Local Government Units (LGUs).


Eastmincom chief stands firm against rebel demand for cop’s freedom

DAVAO CITY-A top military com-mander supported the position of the 10th Infantry Division not to suspend military operations to give in to the conditions of the New Peoples Army to release an abducted police officer. Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern

Mindanao Command said the rebels would always ask for suspension of military operations prior to the release of a kidnapped victim. He said the military would never yield to any demand from a rebel group. “We can no longer allow the rebels to use the abduction to restrain the actions of government,” Segovia said. He recalled that when PO3 Ruben Nohapa, a member of the Nabunturan Police Station was abducted two weeks ago, the rebels did not ask for SOMO. Segovia said that the rebels can release the policeman even without the suspension of military operations. He said that the kidnapping was carried out for propaganda purposes and to divert the attention of the military whose activities constrained the movement of the

by Joey Dalumpines


rebels.Segovia believed that guarding a hostage is taking a toll on the rebel groups due to their limited logistical resources and constraints in movement. “Releasing a hostage is also for their best interest,” he said. Chief Superintendent Anselmo Pinili, assistant regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office XI hoped that PO3 Nohapa is safe despite his captivity. He said the abduction is being documented to be used in the filing of charges against the leaders of the rebel group in order to effectively prosecute them. “We are coordinating with our counterparts in the military to come up with a solid case against them for kidnapping. We have to enforce the law,” Pinili said.

PO3 Nohapa was abducted when he passed by a checkpoint manned by the rebels who were disguised as soldiers in the early morning of March 18 in Barangay Mainit, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. The rebels in a communiqué said that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines ordered the release of Nohapa for humanitarian reasons following the appeal of his family and peace advocates who support a negotiated settlement within the bounds of international humanitarian law. They also urged the military and the police to stop the offensive military operations in Compostela Valley to pay the way for the safe, orderly and fast release of PO3 Nohapa. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

TESDA offers DSWD training for work planDAVAO CITY- The Technical Edu-cation and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is targeting about 1,080 youth beneficiaries for Davao City and Davao del Sur for its cash-for-training program funded by the DSWD. Engr. Nestor Tabada TESDA Provincial director covering the city of Davao and the province of Davao del Sur said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has allotted P21.6 million for the cash-

for-training program of which P12.1 million will be for Davao del Sur and Davao City will get P9.6 million. The beneficiary of the program will be allocated P20,000 that includes the scholarship voucher and tool kits for the industry he has chosen, The provision of transportation allowances is also included in the scholarship package. Tabada said that they have identified key industries for the training these include; the business


process outsourcing, tourism industry, electronics and agri-fisheries. The youth participants are those assessed by the DSWD covered under the Pantawid Pamilya Program. About P65-million has been allotted for the cash-for-training program in the region which aims to cover 3,200 beneficiaries. Tabada said that the budget of TESDA has been constant in recent years and they had been batting for the status quo of their agency’s scholarship budget. The TESDA provincial head said that the budget for technical skills education

scholarship are augmented by local government units, national government agencies such as the DSWD and private companies such as Coca Cola. The softdrink company has recently partnered with TESDA to formally train about a thousand sari-sari store owners in entrepreneurial management particularly in running their sari-sari stores. The multinational has allocated about P700,000 to Davao City and Davao del Sur for the project which began in February this year. (PIA/RG Alama)


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Poor fishermen in Katipunan to benefit from Bayani Challenge House Build 2013By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - Five indigent families of Barangay San Antonio, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte will soon have decent homes that they can call “their own.” Barangay San Antonio is one of the two recipient-barangays

in Katipunan town of the Gawad Kalinga’s (GK) Bayani Challenge


2013, which was simultaneously launched nationwide last March 23-27. With the theme “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan,” GK’s Bayani Challenge was simultaneously launched with “Pilipinas Natin” under the Presidential Communications Operation Office(PCOO) in 35 provinces all over the country. The first five families of San Antonio to benefit from the program are Joven Alpeche, Celestino Sumugat, Elna Tejano and Junrie Aleta. The houses, with an area of five by seven meters, will be built in a 1.5 hectare near the shoreline of the said barangay whose residents’ main source of income is fishing. San Antonio, which is around three kilometers from the town proper, is a coastal barangay with 549 households and a population of 2,617. The “House Build” beneficiaries

together with volunteers from the municipal government, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO), Katipunan Bikers Association and Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) shall undertake the construction of the first five houses under the supervision of the municipal engineering office. Celestino Sumugat, one of the “House Build” program beneficiaries thanked Gawad Kalinga and Pilipinas Natin for coming up with such a project and he vowed to take good care of his house. San Antonio Barangay Chairman Gervacio Jaictin also welcomed the program and urged his constituents to support the anti-poverty initiatives of the national government. During the Bayani Challenge launch, the organizers also held medical mission, school refurbishing, information campaign on climate change mitigation and many others.


PAGADIAN CITY – As part of the Parole and Probation Administration’s (PPA) rehabilitation program, a seminar on fire prevention was conducted recently for parolees and probationers at Balangasan gym here.

Parolees, probationers undergo fire prevention seminar By Gideon C. Corgue

Supervising Parole and Probation Officer Jocelyn Bael said almost 50 parolees and probationers had attended the seminar which aimed to provide them with the knowledge and skills on fire prevention. Bael said the agency has included the seminar in its regular programs for the parolees and probationers to become productive and socially responsible members of the community. The PPA chief said: “Since we Filipinos used to observe fire prevention every month of March, we would like our clients to be actively involved in community service.” “With the lesson they learned during the seminar, they would know exactly on what to do especially in helping firemen on how to prevent the occurrence of fire in their respective communities,” Bael pointed out.

Since everyone is not spared from fire, Bael said, her clients should be ready at all times to render service to the community. Bael invited speakers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to give lecture on fire safety. Fire Officer 3 Perlito Bustamante lectured on the behavior, characteristics and types of fire and fire prevention tips while Fire Officer 3 Nellby Racho gave tips on how to operate fire extinguishers. Bael also disclosed that aside from the fire prevention seminar, PPA also conducted a forum on women which was attended by its clients and mothers. In said forum, Bael gave lecture on the promotion and protection of women’s rights. The activity was also a part of the agency’s rehabilitation program.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 2 - The Department of Health-Au-tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) will deploy 68 addition-al midwives to different communities in the province of Lanao del Sur this month as part of its Midwives in Every Community in ARMM (MECA) project.

DOH-ARMM deploys 68 additional midwives in Lanao del Sur

Kadil Sinolinding, ARMM health secretary, said the MECA project is designed to help address maternal and infant care in some of the depressed and far-flung areas in ARMM.

The midwives are trained to cater to basic health concerns in their communities apart from attending to the health needs of pregnant women and newborns, Sinolinding said.

He said that, to date, DOH-ARMM has already hired

and deployed more than 300 midwives to communities in the five component province and two cities of the region.

“We will continue to hire registered midwives to supply the growing necessities on prenatal care and reproductive health in the succeeding years,” he said.

S i n o l i n d i n g encouraged the midwives to be more focused on their job because they will be acting like doctors in

their assigned areas.He also emphasized

the importance of time management and dedication to their work as key factors to becoming excellent midwives.

In addition to providing health services, the midwives will help educate women on reproductive health and keep track of and evaluate all other important health c o n c e r n s . ( A R M M Comm Group)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Environment officials here disclosed over the weekend the recovery last month of approximately 300,000 board feet of lumber and a log loader inside a leased area of private company in Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat province.

Military, DENR seize P13.5 M hot lumber in Sultan KudaratBy Danilo E. Doguiles

G o v e r n m e n t estimates placed the value of the illegal wood products at P13.5 million

(computed at P45/bd ft). These could fill 150 trucks if loaded at 2,000 bd ft per transport.

These are believed to have been sawn from illegally cut trees coming from the Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) area of the Silvicultural Industries, Inc. (SII).

The illegal lumber of assorted sizes are now stock piled at Sitio Salatan, Barangay Kabulnan in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat Province.

SII is a private company which has an existing production-


sharing agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under IFMA 022 and is obliged to protect its leased area.

SII earlier sought assistance from local DENR office on the encroachment of illegal loggers in their IFMA area.

On March 17, a joint team composed of personnel from DENR and the 46th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army raided the area where they found the illegal lumber and the Kymco –brand log loader.

DENR Regional Executive Director Datu Tungko M. Saikol lauded the efforts of the Philippine Army (PA) in implementing the log ban pursuant to Executive Order No. 23 “declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests” and issued by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III in 2011.

He said they need

the military in pursuing violators of forestry laws who are usually armed.

Mindanao’s anti-illegal logging operations in Mindanao was converted from civilian to active military operations on November 8, 2012 by virtue of Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force Resolution No. 2012-005 due to the presence of insurgency and armed groups where illegal logging operation proliferate.

The task force was also created by virtue of Executive Order No. 23.

Meanwhile, the office of Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Jerry B. Dalauta in coordination with the SII company is set to conduct further investigation on the case in order to identify the culprits.

Dalauta, who heads the Tacurong City-


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The Overseas Workers Welfare Admin-istration-12 here is urging Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents in the Soccsksargen Region to use their free time wisely this summer and avail of the agency’s Information Technology (IT) Program.

DENR field office, will conduct administrative proceedings thereafter as part of due process prescribed under DENR Administrative Order No. 97-32.

The Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force met in Tacurong City last Tuesday with concerned DENR officials to plan for the next steps in building up a case and in transporting the hot lumber to a safer area.

Section 68 of Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised

Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines, as amended, provides that “any person who shall cut, gather and/or collect, remove timber, or other forest products from any forest land, or timber from alienable or disposable land, or from private land without any authority, or possess timber or other forest products without legal documents as required under existing forest laws and regulations, shall be punished with the penalties imposed

under Articles 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code…”

“The court shall further order the confiscation in favor of the government of the timber or any forest products cut, gathered, collected, removed, or possessed as well as the machinery, equipment, implements and tools illegally used in the area where the timber or forest products are found.” (KBBenpolok/CG Valdez/MCLocsin- DENR 12/ PIA 12)

OWWA-12 invites OFWs, dependents to avail free computer trainingBy Oliver Ross V. Rivera

The OWWA-12 Community Technology and Learning Center (CTLC) located at Koronadal City continues to conduct training weekly from Mondays – Fridays at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to cater to interested applicants.

The computer literacy training will provide OFWs

and their dependents basic computer skills that will equip them with much needed IT skills especially now that being computer literate is a major advantage in job seeking.

Applicants may choose from various courses offered such as word processing,

s p r e a d s h e e t , presentation, and Internet and World Wide Web Fundamentals.

Also, they can opt to pursue another set of training covering advance courses like database, web design, and digital media fundamentals.

In 2011, OWWA, in


OWWA-12 invites OFWs, dependents to avail free computer training

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The office of the Department of Edu-cation (DepEd) in North Cotabato encourages everyone especially the stu-dents, parents and DepEd employees to participate in this year’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’.

cooperation with the Microsoft Corporation and Lenovo, added Learn and Earn Workshop to the IT Program Curriculum wherein participants are provided with knowledge and ideas in utilizing IT Resources in learning new stuffs and earning

additional income.OWWA continues

to provide better opportunities through Education and Skills Training Programs to help develop OFWs and their beneficiaries to be competitive in a fast rising technical world.

Those who would like to avail themselves of the training may visit their office at Ilao Bldg., Judge Alba St., Zone 3, Koronadal City or contact (083) 520-0205. (ORVRivera-PIA12/GBDocusin-OWWA-12)

DepEd-Cotabato Province encourages public to join ‘Brigada Eskwela’By Shahana Joy E. Duerme

This is in a bid to provide clean and orderly classrooms for the school opening on June.

The week-long activity has been scheduled on May 20 to 25.

DepEd OIC Regional Director and OIC Schools Division Superintendent Maria Rosa Gutierrez noted that DepEd-main office in Manila will spearhead the opening of ‘Brigada Eskwela’ through a caravan which will also be conducted to the 17

regional offices in the country.

According to the official, this activity would not only focuses on preparing classrooms but also on strengthening ties between the students, parents, school employees as well as partners from the private sector.

Gutierrez emphasized that this is also their office’s way of showing unity in a quest to promote quality education not only through financial aspect

but more particularly through Filipino culture of helping one another.

‘Brigada Eskwela’ 2013 also tagged as National Schools Maintenance Week is a yearly activity under the directive of the Department of Education (DepEd) where everyone works together in preparing schools for class opening and in providing students a conducive place for learning. (SJDuerme-PIA12)

One Mindanao - April 2, 2013

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