One Mindanao - April 27, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

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

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

LAYOUT ARTISTS

VICTORIANO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

DOH-ARMM intensifies campaign against Neglected Tropical Diseases

DTI gives sewing machines to women’s group in Gensan

BCWD fully operates infiltration gallery by-pass line

Zambo. Sur solon lauds DSWD for successful implementation of 4Ps program“Barrio Fiesta @ Ecozone” to cap Labor Day celebration in Zambo

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Making the Best Palaro, Ever

Philippines, Vietnam agree to work on Code of Conduct in South China Sea

EAGA leaders push for connectivity to propel sub-regional dev’t

OWWA-13 releases P430,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to OFW returnees

Removal of illegal fishing structures needs political will--BFAR

CDO to host West PH Sea confab on April 29

By: Ramil S. Barquin

By: OWWA-Caraga

By: Jeanevive Duron–Abangan

By: MinDA

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By: Perlita B. Changco

By: SVillacastin

19 4244

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

39 Palaro 2015 exhibits Beach Volley as demo game By: Michael Uy

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4 APRIL 27, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

MULTICOLORED FLAGLETS are hoisted at the center-islands of the national highway upon entering Davao del Norte. The same scene can be prominently seen along the streets leading to Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex and to the Provincial Capitol. Pathways

inside the Provincial Capitol are also adorned with such flaglets.

Making the Best Palaro, Ever By: Jeanevive Duron –Abangan

5APRIL 27, 2015 One Mindanao

MULTICOLORED FLAGLETS are hoisted at the center-islands of the national highway upon entering Davao del Norte. The same scene can be prominently seen along the streets leading to Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex and to the Provincial Capitol. Pathways

inside the Provincial Capitol are also adorned with such flaglets.

Making the Best Palaro, Ever


We usually associate

flaglets of something merry and festive to happen. For Davao del Norte, these flaglets signals the fast-approaching 2015 Palarong Pambansa that it has long been preparing to host starting May 3 to May 9.

More than just symbols of the upcoming 2015 Palarong Pambansa, the flaglets are indicative of the preparedness of the Provincial Government to host the national sports event organized by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Delivering the Best

“We want to make this Palaro, the best Palaro ever,” Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario

during his bid to host the Palaro before officials of DepEd led by Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.

Wanting to deliver his promise, Del Rosario gets hands-on in managing the preparations for the Palaro. He is frequently

seen at the construction sites of playing fields and sports facilities especially those inside the Sports Complex, personally seeing to it that everything is done according to standards. He attends executive and committee meetings, picking up concerns needing utmost attention. Lately, he sat with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to make sure that peace and order reigns throughout the period of Davao del Norte’s hosting of the Palaro. Banking on government forces, Duterte had given his assurance of a well-secured Palarong Pambansa this year.

Taxing it might be but Governor Del Rosario personally made rounds in schools tapped


as billeting quarters of Palaro delegates. Starting off as early as 7:00 a.m. on Thursday last week, del Rosario visited billeting sites in Tagum City, in Panabo City and in the municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas, Kapalong, and New Corella.

Asked why he personally did so, Del Rosario said he wanted to make sure that “everything is in order” while he owning up the responsibility to answer all that would be left undone. “I committed to DepEd (Department of Education) that we will make this Palaro not only the safest but the best ever, and we have to attain this promise,” he said in an interview.

Del Rosario also made

himself available to answer

questions of the media regarding the Palarong Pambansa preparation. Invited by Philippine Information Agency XI Regional Director Efren F. Elbanbuena, he faced the media during the Insulares Forum held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel on April 17. The answered questions regarding physical to technical preparations, the economic costs of holding the Palaro, peace and order and even tourism opportunities of the Palaro.

What Governor Del Rosario has done recently are just finishing touches of Davao del Norte’s tip-tip preparations

for the Palarong Pambansa. He had the vital needs prepared and almost completed late March this year. His early preparations earned the A rating at 9.7 percent of DepEd Secretary Luistro during the launching of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa on March 26, 2015.

First-time features

“It is the first time that I


really feel and sense that we are one month ahead of the Palarong Pambansa,” he said during the official launching which was attended by members of the National Management Committee of DepEd.

Luistro revealed that DepEd used to experience feeling the panic buttons, rushing to complete last-minute preparations including the application of painting on game venues, done before the Palaro day opening. “Salamat sa provincial government of Davao del Norte; di po kami masyadong harassed. (Thanks to the provincial government of Davao del Norte; we are not too

harassed.), he said. He heaved a sigh of relief for the first time feeling of ease during Palarong Pambansa as preparations took an advanced pace. On top of this, Luistro noted some first-time features of holding the Palaro. Only in Davao del Norte that the Palaro Guidebook was produced and a theme song was composed.

The Palaro Guidebook reveals the contact numbers of the persons in-charge and addresses of the billeting areas, playing venues, food and beverages, health and medication per billeting site, transportation services and safety and security. It also gives


details on on-line sites where to surf updates on the Palaro as well as informs the users of the easy-to-access tourism sites in the city and towns where the billeting sites are located.

Davao del Norte has also produced a music video that gives life to this year’s Palarong Pambansa theme, “Sports: Breaking Borders, Building Peace.” Entitled, “ “ Pa l a r o ng Pagkakaisa,” it is performed by Dabawenya music artist Maan Chua and arranged by Dabawenyo musician Paolo Sisi. It features national sports icons: Elma Muros-Posadas, a 15-time gold medalist in athletics in the Southeast Asian Games; Eric Buhain, bemedalled Southeast

Asian Games Filipino swimmer and a two-time Olympian; and Yannick Tuason, the forward for the national football team the Philippine Azkals..

Aside from these known first-time features, Palaro athletes, coaches, parents and visitors are expected to get surprised with Davao del Norte’s hosting of the Pambansang Palaro opening on May 4, 2015. On the night of the opening day, there will be lights and sounds to welcome them all. As to how this will be staged, it is still a surprise for everyone, even us here in Davao del Norte. How it may unfold, absolutely, it is designed to make this 2015 Palaro the best ever in Davao del Norte.


26th ASEAN Summit opens in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - President Benigno S. Aquino III and other Southeast Asian leaders gathered on Monday morning for the opening ceremony of the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. President Aquino was welcomed by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and his spouse, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, upon his arrival at the

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the summit venue.

The leaders of the 10-member ASEAN convened on Monday to discuss, among


others, the progress made towards establishing the ASEAN Community by the end of the year, the association’s post-2015 vision, external relations, and future direction.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Najib welcomed the leaders and delegates to Kuala Lumpur, saying 2015 would be a “milestone” in the history of the ASEAN with the establishment of the ASEAN Community by the end of this year.

“It is also our collective duty this year to formulate a successor document to the Roadmap to Establish the ASEAN Community. This will provide the basis for how we further strengthen our unity and deepen our integration over the next ten years, taking us up to 2025,” the Malaysian leader said.

“These are two crucial undertakings for charting a bold,

inclusive and forward-looking future for ASEAN and its peoples.”

The ASEAN Community comprises three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

This year’s ASEAN summit, being held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi from April 26 to 28, has the theme, “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”.

Established in August 1967, the ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

The summit is the association’s highest policy-making body and its chairmanship is rotated alphabetically among the member states every year. (PCOO/PND (co)


Philippines, Vietnam agree to work on Code of Conduct in South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The Philippines and Vietnam pledged to work for the adoption by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) amid China’s reclamation activities in disputed territories over West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Monday. Coloma issued the statement to members of the Philippine media delegation following a bilateral meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyan Tang Dung held Sunday night.

The Philippines and Vietnam are just two of several countries in the ASEAN that have exclusive economic zone claims in the South China Sea challenging China’s nine-dash line theory.

The two leaders spoke to


each other before a gala dinner hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center in honor of the visiting heads of state and government for the 26th ASEAN Summit.

Coloma said both President Aquino and Prime Minister Tan Dung expressed concern over China’s aggressiveness in reclaiming uninhabited islands in the disputed waters, which violates a provision stated under the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

“The two leaders expressed concern over the reclamation activities undertaken by China that clearly indicate violation of the DOC provision against ‘inhabiting previously uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features,’ even as they compared notes on incidents of harassment that ‘add to tension’ in the South China Sea,” Coloma wrote in his note.

Coloma said having a legally binding COC will effectively implement the declaration made by ASEAN countries and China on the exercise of self-restraint

in order to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, besides the South China Sea issue, the two leaders also talked about the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Vietnam, which Prime Minister Tan Dung described as “thriving in all aspects.”

Coloma said Prime Minister Tan Dung called for a meaningful observance of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam next year.

The Vietnamese leader cited the significant progress achieved in rice trade cooperation and in the strategic defense dialogue between the two countries that includes maritime cooperation.

Prime Minister Tan Dung


also made an appeal to President Aquino regarding the case of 31 Vietnamese fishermen currently facing trial in the country for poaching.

“Upon the Prime Minister’s request, the President said he will direct the Department of Justice to work for the speedy completion of the ongoing trial of the 31 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested in Sulu for illegal fishing activities,” Coloma said.

Joining President Aquino in the meeting besides Coloma were Foreign Affairs Secretary

Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad, and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya.(PCOO/ PND (hdc)


EAGA leaders push for connectivity to propel sub-regional dev’tKEDAH, Malaysia - Leaders from BIMP-EAGA are pushing for projects that will enhance connectivity among member countries in a bid to strengthen trade and increase investments within the ASEAN sub-regional group.

In the 11th BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit to be held Tuesday (April 28) here at the Langkawi International Convention Centre, leaders from the member countries will discuss priority infrastructure projects aimed to improve roads within EAGA, as well as the current expansion of sea ports and airports that will help sustain socioeconomic development in the sub-regional economic bloc.

“While other BIMP-EAGA countries are connected through land transport, the Philippines is working on the establishment of air and sea linkages to be fully accessible to our EAGA neighbors,” said Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia


Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. The initiative was launched in 1994 as a key strategy to accelerate social and economic development of less developed areas in participating countries.

Antonino, who is a participant in the summit added that establishing air and sea links within the sub-region is among the key strategies to further integrate the economy of Mindanao and Palawan within the larger economy of the ASEAN.

The BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit is an annual meeting of heads of states of the four EAGA countries with the aim of assessing the developments and accomplishments of the sub-region. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III heads the Philippine delegation composed of cabinet secretaries and key officials from government line agencies.

One of the connectivity projects to be discussed during the meeting is the Davao/General Santos – Bitung RoRo operation, which is expected to commence within the year. The leaders will also review the recent launch of the Brookes Point – Kudat sea route that strategically provides a faster and cheaper channel of trading goods from Palawan to Sabah, and vice versa.

“Maritime transport is crucial to BIMP-EAGA, thus the Philippines will continue to push for the Davao/GenSan – Bitung shipping service and the Brookes’ Point – Kudat,” said Usec. Prudencio Reyes of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) one of the Philippine senior officials who is participating in the summit.

He added that transport and connectivity hold crucial roles in achieving the goals of the other three EAGA pillars, which are agribusiness, tourism, and the environment.

An additional pillar, the socio-cultural and education will be formalized during the summit, which is seen to enhance multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder


programs that promote education, social exchange, sports, and cultural exchanges within the sub-region.

“Connectivity brings food, people, and investments around the sub-region, and will stir further socio-economic developments within EAGA,” said Reyes.

In a recent statement, Reyes said DTI has committed to help pursue initiatives and projects aimed to spur trading and economic activities in the sub-region, while citing the steady increase of gross domestic product growth, tourism, trade and investment among EAGA-member countries.

Total trade within BIMP-EAGA reached P7.319 trillion, contributing to the sub-region’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.7 percent.

The BIMP-EAGA statistical information brief compiled by the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center showed that other factors contributing to the region’s GDP growth include the increase of its foreign direct investments which grew by 23 percent from P360 billion in 2012 to P444.8 billion in 2013.

Domestic investments in the sub-region also showed tremendous increase from P50.16 billion in 2009 to P202.84 billion in 2012, providing optimistic growth prospects for the sub-region in the coming years. Investments in 2013 grew by 6.6 percent from the previous year and amounted to P216.48 billion.

EAGA leaders are also keen on re-establishing the air linkages in the sub-region specifically the Davao-Manado, Zamboanga-Sandakan, and Puerto Princesa-Kota Kinabalu routes, as sea connectivity is being pursued.

All transport and connectivity initiatives developed within EAGA are supportive to the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity, given that the sub-region is viewed as a platform for the integration of its member-countries into ASEAN Economic Community. (MinDA)


BSP advises public to transact with authorized individuals, entities onlyBy: Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warns the public against transacting with unscrupulous individuals or entities who engage in unauthorized deposit-taking activities. BSP in its advisory advised and reminded the public that only banks are allowed to accept deposits from the public. Bank deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to P500,000 per depositor per bank. Non-stock savings and loan associations


(NSSLAs) are also allowed to accept deposits but only from their eligible members and they are not authorized to accept deposits from non-members. But, the deposits from the NSSLAs are not insured by the PDIC. Also, an NSSLA’s membership is confined to a “well-defined group” of persons as defined in its by-laws. An individual may not transact with NSSLA if he/she is not a member. To confirm if the bank is authorized by the BSP to accept deposits, directories of authorized

banks can be viewed at http://www.bsp.gov.ph/bank ing/directories/asp. For further information, the public may contact the Financial Consumer Protection Department, Supervision and Examination Sector of the BSP through email address [email protected] or telephone number (02) 708-7087 (direct line), 708-7701 local 2584 (trunkline) or through the Economic and Financial Learning Center Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Butuan Branch (085) 815-1502 local 230.

BCWD fully operates infiltration gallery by-pass line By: Ramil S. Barquin

BUTUAN CITY - The Butuan City Water District (BCWD), in partnership with the Taguibo Aquatech Solutions Company (TASC), is now operating the by-pass line of the infiltration gallery. The facility was completed and has started functioning as a means of increasing production of potable water for the almost 40,000 concessionaires of BCWD.


While the operation of the by-pass line was ongoing, a bigger volume of BCWD’s water supply was dependent on the operation of the pumping stations and a small percentage coming from the infiltration gallery after having been partially declogged. Production of water at the filtration plant averaged only at 500 cubic meters per hour. With the operation of the by-pass line, water production at the filtration plant increased to 800 up to 1,000 cubic meters an hour. As of April 2015, BCWD has already attained the 100 percent water supply distributed to its

entire service area utilizing both the two sources of water, such as ground and surface water. The by-pass line is an alternative method of extracting water from Taguibo River, conceptualized amidst the water crisis experienced by the city of Butuan after the tropical storm Señang damaged the infiltration gallery of BCWD. The idea is to extract water through an intake box at the upstream of the infiltration gallery and convey water to the transmission line through a combination of reinforced concrete pipes, steel pipes and uPVC pipes. When


OWWA-13 releases P430,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to OFW returnees

BUTUAN CITY - In aid to the displaced and distressed migrant workers in Caraga region, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently released a total of P430,000 worth of livelihood starter kits under the “Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay” Program.

By: OWWA-Caraga

the turbidity level of the water is high, water will be pumped to the desander/filtration facility of the TASC and the product water will be conveyed through the by-pass line toward the injection point at the transmission line. Through the desander/filtration facility, BCWD will still be able to deliver to its concessionaires even if the water of the Taguibo River is very turbid during rainy weather. As of press time, the desander facility of TASC is still under construction. Thus, during rainfall events at the watershed area, the service area of BCWD will still experience low pressure,

and the extreme parts of the water system will have no supply of water. The challenge of providing ample water supply to BCWD concessionaires is never ending. BCWD has been gearing toward the preparation in case another problem will occur with regards to the supply of water. In fact, as per observations of the technical personnel of BCWD, the water yield of the Taguibo River is now decreasing amidst the El Niño declared by the DOST-PAGASA. As, such, should the Taguibo River dries up, the source of water for BCWD will be coming from the underground.


OWWA Caraga regional director Samuel Madrid personally distributed the starter kits to OFW beneficiaries amounting to P10, 000.00 each. A total of 43 OFW returnees from Agusan del Norte (39) and Surigao del Norte (4) benefited from the program. Aside from receiving starter kits, these OFW returnees were also provided with entrepreneurship development training and other technical assistance which aims to enable them generate a small-scale livelihood enterprise and/or engage into wage employment. The livelihood grant is part of OWWA’s reintegration services afforded to OFWs who underwent repatriation after premature termination of their contracts. The reasons given by the displaced workers as to why they were not able to finish their contracts include the following: political conflict, civil war, sickness, non-compliance by employer of agreed salary,

maltreatment, sexual assault, death in the worker`s family, non-payment of salaries, closure of the company, and layoffs, among others. One of the OFW beneficiaries, Glady May Buque decided to use the assistance to finance meat vending. OFW Gildo Ando, on the other hand, chose to venture on swine production, while, two other program beneficiaries, Randolp Lumain and Joiza Mae Go, preferred to utilize the livelihood grant to start rice trading. Both Lumain and Go also expressed gratitude to the agency for its support to the OFWs who were unfortunate in their journey overseas. More so, an additional P130,000.00 is currently being processed for release to 13 OFW beneficiaries from the provinces of Agusan del Norte (3), Surigao del Sur (5) and Agusan del Sur (5).


DENR-9 turns-over research center at Labangan town

By Franklin P. Gumapon

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 formally inaugurated and turned-over the Forest and Timber Resources Research Center (FTRRC) to the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) in a simple rites recently held at Barangay Pulacan this municipality.


In a makeshift tent set up in front of the refurbished research center, Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable turned-over the key of responsibility to Antonio M. Dano, assistant director of ERDB-9.

In his message, Marcial Amaro, assistant secretary for field operations, hoped that the center would not just continue with what had been started in 2012 but continue maintaining, upgrading and ensuring that the researches are being done insofar as far as clonal preparation of planting materials is concerned to support the National Greening Program which will end in 2016.

It can be recalled that the

clonal facility was inaugurated and started its operations in July 2012 with Assistant Secretary Amaro and Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo as the guests of honor during the said occasion.

At the start of the program, Ruben Tabora, head of ERDB-9 reported that the clonal facility had produced 20 thousand seedling in 2012, 30 thousand in 2013 and 50-thousand last year. It is now targeting to produce 90 thousand seedlings of various indigenous trees this year.

Amaro also challenged the officers and personnel manning the facility to further enhance and work more seriously in the


years to come.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director Antonio Dano of ERDB-9 in his acceptance message said, “ to us in the research sector, it is a reminder of what are we going to do. Our role is very important and the expectation of DENR from us is very high that we really have to support the program of the DENR particularly the NGP.

“With this clonal facility we are expected to produce quality planting materials,” Dano pointed out.

“It is a big challenge for us, with the expected target as presented earlier, we always emphasized that we want to produce quality planting materials,” Dano said.

Also in attendance during the occassion are Gil Ona, assistant regional director for DENR’s Management Services, and PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga as well as the entire staff of the facility. Rev. Fr. Francisco Pintac, parish priest of Lantian officiated the blessing of the facilities and the motorcycles for its working force.


PAGADIAN CITY – Having found the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Zamboanga del Sur successful, Congressman Victor Yu of the province’s first district has expressed his elation on DWSD’s accomplishments in helping out the poor sector.

Zambo. Sur solon lauds DSWD for successful implementation of 4Ps program By Gideon C. Corgue

`Speaking during the regional mass graduation of 4Ps student-beneficiaries held recently at the city gym here, Congressman Yu said “these graduates are a testament to the accomplishments of DSWD especially in the aspect of education.”

“Karon lang nako nakita nako ang unang produkto sa atong 4Ps beneficiaries nga mga estudyante. At least, nakumbinsi na ko nga ang DSWD milampos sa ilang 4Ps program,” Yu said.

(Only this time I have seen the first product of our 4Ps student-beneficiaries. At least, I am already convinced that the DSWD has satisfactorily implemented its 4Ps program.)

“I will be more convinced if the parents of the students will themselves pursue their studies in secondary and college education for them to become professionals like their children,” Yu declared.

4Ps is the program of the national government under DSWD which aims to eradicate extreme

poverty in the Philippines by investing in heath and education particularly in ages 0–14.

As a poverty reduction and social development strategy that provides grants to extremely poor families, 4Ps was criticized by many people thinking that the program is a waste of money and would only encourage poor Filipinos to be lazy.

On the contrary, thousands of 4Ps student-beneficiaries have finished their studies because of the program. In fact, many of them graduated valedictorians, salutatorians, and honorable mention.

For this year, region 9 has 23,354 Pantawid beneficiaries who have graduated from high school in the region.

These graduates, Yu said, are the products of the 5-year implementation of the program, which met a wave of disapproval and criticisms from his fellow legislators and from the rest of the public.

“Today’s event will serve as


Dubbed “Labor Day-Barrio Fiesta @ Ecozone,” the whole day event, which will be held at the Ecozone in Talisayan, is a collaboration of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Regional Coordinating Committee, the city government of Zamboanga City, the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and the Zamboanga City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council .

The said celebration will start with a motorcade at 7 a.m. from Centro Pastoral at Gov. Camins to ECOZONE in Talisayan where the opening program will be held at 9 a.m.

A raffle bonanza will also follow to make the celebration more colorful and festive.

The lined-up activities include job fair at 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Diskwento fair by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), free

medical and dental services at 10 a.m., skills demonstration by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Military Static Display at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and boodle fight at 12 noon.

An information booth will also be set up by participating agencies like the Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), DTI, etc.

Ballgames such as basketball and volleyball as well as chess will be played at 1-5 p.m. Para Drop Demo will also be held at 3-4p.m., 30-minute Fun Run at 4:30-5:30p.m., and Zumba at 4:30-5:30 p.m.

An evening entertainment and lighting of Chinese lantern will serve as the finale of the day-long celebration.

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A barrio fiesta will highlight this year’s 113th Labor Day celebration here on May 1 with the theme, “Disenteng Trabaho at Kabuhayan, Alay Natin sa Bayan.”

“Barrio Fiesta @ Ecozone” to cap Labor Day celebration in ZamboBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

a big challenge for the DSWD to show and disprove to my fellow legislators on their negative perception of the program,” Yu added.

The congressman is optimistic that the graduates will pursue their college education and soon become professionals to help alleviate the living condition of their family.


DA pours in over 300 million worth agri-projects in LdN

LALA, Lanao del Norte - Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has reached out around 4,000 farmers and fisherfolks and other agri-stakeholders in his 2-day sortie in the province of Lanao del Norte on April 22-23, 2015.

By: Lorry V. Gabule

Dubbed as ‘Panagtigum sa Mga Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda uban ni DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala’ (Convergence of Farmers/Fisherfolks with DA Sec. Proceso J. Alcala), the Secretary in a Forum was able to interact with the farmers and fisherfolks in their clamor for more interventions from the Department. In his visit, the Department of Agriculture region 10 (DA-10) turned over directly to Kauswagan recipients the interventions of


10 heads of carabao under Arms to Farms Project, specifically to armed-afflicted areas who now returned to mainstream society as they now feel the government’s sincerity to provide them to live a normal and quality of life. The Secretary also witnessed the ceremonial turn-over of check amounting to P1.8 million to 12 Kumander returnees of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), each to receive P150, 000 for their project. Interventions turned-over to all town recipients during the two-day visit of Sec. Alcala include goats, carabaos, cattle, animal drawn plow, seedlings (durian, lanzones, rambutan), assorted vegetable seeds, coffee, rice seeds for low and upland areas, OPV corn seeds, laminated sacks, 4WD 90HP farm tractor, rice thresher, hammer mill, and carabao for Arms to Farms Project. Apart from those interventions mentioned above are Certificates of Award turned-over to town recipients for power tiller and infrastructure. Also, there are four towns to receive thru fund transfer for organic agriculture, bottom-up-budgeting, and other services. A raffle draw highlighted during

cluster visit, with goats, carabao with implements and cattle, awarded to lucky winners drawn. Interventions from attached agencies- the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) turned over to recipient towns are fishing gears, distribution of fresh milk, and the indemnity checks, respectively. Its grand total cost of interventions amounted to Php 312,589,438.00.Activities set in the province The Secretary and DA-10 regional team were warmly received by the provincial government officials led by Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo and all local chief executives from the 22 municipalities in the province. With a theme, “Pakighiusa Alang sa Kalamboan Pang-Agrikultura sa Lanao del Norte,” the 22 municipalities were clustered under three host towns- Matungao, Lala and Kolambugan. The first leg was at Sultan Macalpang D. Permites Central School gymnasium in Matungao on April 22. Secretary Alcala and his entourage was warmly received by around 1,200 farmers from Cluster 1 municipalities composed of Linamon, Baloi,


Tagoloan, Pantar, Munai, Poona Piagapo and the host town-Matungao. Local chief executives from these municipalities were present too, except Munai. Town Mayor Aisha Mangotara-Azis of Matungao expressed her gratitude to the good Secretary for taking his time with the farmers, an opportunity for the town’s folks to talk with the Secretary in a forum, hearing his views on the government’s program on agriculture, likewise, the town’s expression of thanks for all the interventions they received on this day. The second day was loaded with events, started off at Lala- the host town, held in the morning at the municipal gymnasium, with Cluster 3 municipalities composed of Kapatagan, Salvador, Tubod, Baroy, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Sapad, Magsaysay, Nunungan and Lala, with around 1,500 participants. Mayor Allan J. Lim of Lala cited how beautiful and bountiful Lanao del Norte in terms of agriculture, how the government’s technology on agriculture improved the lives of the farmers and fisherfolks. He revealed the recognition received- Lala, as the National Rice Achiever’s Award of the Department of Agriculture, for

two consecutive years. In the afternoon, the Secretary preceded to the Municipal Civic Center in Kolambugan- the host town, for another forum with some 1,100 agi-clientelle. The Cluster 2 municipalities composed of Maigo, Pantao Ragat, Bacolod, Tangkal and Kolambugan. On the other hand, Town Mayor Lorenzo V. Maῆigos of Kolambugan, said these interventions they received today would greatly benefit farmers and fisherfolks for more production and harvest. Sec. Alcala’s last stop was in Kauswagan. He was met by Mayor Rommel C. Arnado and the town’s constituents. Mayor Arnado said the Secretary’s visit in Kauswagan was timely in celebration of the town’s Agri-Aqua & Livestock Fair on its 67th Kasikas sa Umahan, this year, falls every month of April. Meanwhile, Sec. Alcala, stressed some points that the government under the PNoy administration has allotted 30 percent in the Department of Agriculture’s program and services to Mindanao. For Northern


Mindanao, DA has reported farmers served of 35,840 in 2014, an increase of 93 percent from its record in 2010 of 18,562 farmers. This refers to project interventions like irrigation and infrastructures, farm-to-market road, farm machineries and equipment, technology and product support services, and barangay/municipal food terminal. Alcala encouraged farmers and fisherfolks and to all those who availed to share to everyone how the government’s programs and services benefit them. On his part, Governor Khalid Dimaporo invites everyone from Luzon and Visayas to experience how peace-loving people in Lanao Norte are, and see for themselves

the agri-interventions availed, and how PNoy administration looks into Mindanao as potential food granary of the country. Lanao Norte has an allocation of Php1,115,465.673 for 22 municipalities from DA-10 allocation of Php5,087,279,870, year 2010-2015. We are privileged to have this share, expressed Gov. Dimaporo. The visit of the Secretary in our province touched our hearts when he stayed overnight here at the MCC Hotel, we really felt his presence in the province when he engaged himself with the farmers and fisherfolks, the first Secretary to have visited and toured around different towns in a limited but spared quality time with the agri folks, said Dimaporo.

Removal of illegal fishing structures needs political will--BFARTANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - The removal of illegal fishing structures, particularly, “sanggab” from Panguil Bay, needs the political will of the local chief executives (LCE’s) in the area.

This was emphasized by Atty. Asis G. Perez, Undersecretary of

the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Director of the



CDO to host West PH Sea confab on April 29By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), during a recent press conference in Barangay Lorenzo Tan, this city. Perez witnessed the ceremonial removal/dismantling of a “sanggab,” in this portion of the bay, after presiding over the 2nd quarter Full Council Meeting of the Panguil Bay Development Council (PBDC) held in the nearby Ozamiz City, last April 17. “It is very important that the LCE’s themselves will be able to convince the sanggab owners to dismantle these illegal fishing structures, as of the second quarter,” Perez said. He said a good number of fishing gear structures are being illegally constructed and operated in the bay, which are found unsustainable and consequently violating the Fisheries Rules and Regulations, such as, the use of

fine-meshed nets in their daily operations and non-adherence to Local Fishery Ordinance Banning the Operation of Filter Nets, etc. “The PBDC recognizes the need to protect, conserve and manage the Panguil Bay’s aquatic resources and restore it back to its productivity for a sustainable fisheries and aquatic resources, which can be done only through a collective effort of BFAR and the concerned local government units (LGU’s) surrounding the bay,” Perez, Chairperson of PBDC, said. These LGU’s are Bonifacio, Clarin and Ozamiz and Tangub cities in Misamis Occidental, Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala and Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Aurora and Tambulig, in Zamboanga del Sur.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The second leg of the nationwide Information Drive on the West Philippine Sea issue will be held on April 29, 2015 at VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

A collaboration project of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Philippine Information

Agency (PIA), the campaign aims to disseminate information on the issues relating to West


Philippine Sea particularly why the Philippine government seeks arbitration from an international tribunal, our entitlement on the disputed territory and other historical, economic and legal concerns. Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose will grace the event to discuss the core issues, the overarching principles that guide Philippine response to the issues, and the steps that are being undertaken by the Philippine Government to address the

disputes. An estimated 200 participants from the different sectors particularly from the academe, National Government Agencies, fisherfolks, Information officers, local government through barangay chairmen and the media have been invited. The Multi-sectoral forum will start from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn which will end with a press conference with ASec Jose. This forum is open to anyone interested. For details you may call PIA region 10 office at 856-


DA-XI pegs the damage of the long dry spell at P55.9 Million

DAVAO CITY- The De-partment of Agriculture reported a total cost at P55.9-Million worth of damage brought about by the long-dry spell as of April 21, 2015. Herna Palma, focal point person of the DA in Davao Region told re-porters that extended dry spell impacts on the rice and corn. She said the total damage in Davao City is P5.5 Mil-lion, Davao del Sur at P1.5 Million, Compostela Valley P4.2 Million, and Davao del Norte at P44.4 Million. Palma said no re-

port of damage emanates from Davao Oriental which experi-ences a rela-tively normal weather con-dition. “Some rain-feed areas even experi-ence flooding due to heavy downpour,” she

said. Palma said the DA 11 no longer encour-ages conducting cloud-ing seeding operation in most affected areas since it is more practical to give corn seeds as buf-fer stocks to the affected areas where corn plants had been dried up due to the absence of moisture. She said the DA has allocated a total of P22.2 Million for their banner programs like corn, rice, high value crops and development program and livestock. Palma said with this allocated, their agency is able to give out 6,923 bags of corn


seeds, 4,200 bags of certified seeds, 1,130 bags of registered rice seeds, 125 units of irrigation pumps and five units of irrigation pumps. She said for high value crops 575 drums have been deployed to the affected areas, and 66 bags of mungbean, one unit spring development, one unit farm reservoir and alternate stape crops and planting materials. Palma said that on the affected live-stock drugs and biologics were also given to the affected areas. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured the readiness of the city government to help farmers whose farms will be affected by the dry spell. Speaking in the public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa,” he said that it will only take a declaration of a state of natural calamity in order for the funds to be released to the affected sector. Duterte said the financial as-sistance is the immediate aid of the city once the farmers go hungry, especially if nothing grows anymore because of the drought. He projected that with the ex-tended dry-spell even importing rice from Thailand, Vietnam and Lao might be affected since this coun-try is also experiencing the impact of the drought. Duterte said the city is still lucky to have heavy down-pours every now and then. “I hope the calamity fund would last because a long dry-spell will really result in the scarcity in food which will lead to hunger and chaos. Water and food are very important. Without these basic needs,

there will be chaos,” Duterte said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


Palaro 2015 exhibits Beach Volley as demo game

DAVAO DEL NORTE - Hoping to be included as a regular game, Beach Volleyball will be exhibited as a demo game in the Palarong Pam-bansa 2015 on May 3-9. Sofonias Gabonada, provincial information officer, revealed during the Kapihan sa Abreeza on Friday (April 24) that provincial government of Davao del Norte really pushes for Beach Volleyball to be included next year as a regular Palaro game. “As of now, we have 10 regions that signified their participation to the Beach Volley game,” Gabonada said. He said that the preliminary games will be played in Kaputian and Babak in the Island Garden City of Samal.

“The final games will be held at the only beach vol-ley court in the country that is located at the center of city, which is the Beach Volley Court at Rotary Park, Tagum City,” he said. The Palarong Pambansa 2015 has 21 regular sporting events. These are archery, ar-nis, athletics, badminton, base-ball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, billiards,

futsal, wushu and wrestling. Gabonada said that all the play-ing venues of the regular sports ex-cept for gymnastics will be played within Tagum City. “Gymnastics will be played in the Panabo Gym because it is the only gymnasium that passed the standards for such event,” he said. (PIA11, Michael Uy)


Tacurong City hires 424 students ,OSYs

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat April 27 -- Some 424 students and out-of-school youths have been granted employment opportu-nity by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong City this summer.

These young people are hired under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of La-bor and Employment and collaboration with the city LGU.

On Monday, Mayor Lina Montilla and other city officials welcomed the SPES beneficiaries at the City Cultural and Sports Center where they were also ori-ented on their work.

Mandated by Republic Act No. 9547, SPES aims to provide poor but deserving high school, vocational or college students the opportunity to be employed and compensat-ed. SPES is one of the flagship programs of the DOLE in partnership with LGUs and pri-vate employers nationwide.

As employer, the city government pays for 60 percent of their salary of the while DOLE shoulders the remaining 40 per-cent.

SPES scholars of the city government will be working for 20 days and will re-ceive compensation that is higher than the minimum wage.


Of the current SPES benefi-ciaries, 224, who were hired in previous SPES offerings are set to receive P7,000 each; the 200 newly-hired individuals will be receive P6,000 each.

These wages are high-er than those received by grantees in the previous years as the LGU increased alloca-tion for the SPES program. In 2014, each grantee was P4,000.

Moreover, the city LGU also increased the number of SPES scholars by pouring additional P900 thousand out of the Bot-tom Up Budgeting (BUB) funds

into the summer employment program.

Earlier the LGU earmarked P1 million from its regular fund for the SPES.

Bishop David Salazar, repre-senting the religious organiza-tions in the Ugnayan ng Baran-gay at Simbahan or UBAS, was present during the orientation to inform the grantees on the role of the church in monitoring the implementation of BUB-funded projects.

In 2014, DOLE 12 devel-oped and implemented the On-line SPES system that allows internet-based processing of


DOH-ARMM intensifies campaign against Neglected Tropical DiseasesBy: Perlita B. Changco

COTABATO CITY, Apr. 27 – As part of the joint filariasis awareness campaign and commemoration of World Malaria Day on April 25, the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Minadanao (DOH-ARMM) launched the Multi-Stakeholders Forum on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) here, Monday, April 20.

SPES from pledging of part-ners and registration of appli-cants to payment of salaries by DOLE.

DOLE 12 is the first region-al unit of the department that has Online SPES portal. It also signed an agreement with

MLhuiller for the use of latter’s money remittance service for the payment of the 40 per-cent government share in the SPES salary. (JLCBillano- LGU-Tacurong City/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Anchored on the theme, “Ne-glected Tropical Diseases on a Highlight,” the campaign aims to eliminate these diseases through involvement of different multistakeholders and to reiter-ate that the World Malaria Day is providing continuous educa-tion and understanding of ma-laria as a global scourge that is preventable and curable.

The NTDs are infections caused by a variety of patho-

gens that affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and put more than 2 billion people at risk especially those living in remote rural areas.

Out of 17, at least 6 NTDs remain great concern in the Philippines, namely: filariasis, malaria, schistosomiaisis, inte-grated helminthiasis, food and water borne diseases, leprosy, and rabies.

According to ARMM’s health


Sec. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., they are focusing on NTDs because the statistic shows that it is sig-nificantly affecting a number of the population and this forum is part of the strategy to eradicate these cases in the ARMM.

“Maraming interventions ang ginawa natin pero may kakulan-gan pa rin - ito iyong gusto nat-ing i-address para in a shorter time, ma-address at ma-reduce natin significantly,” Sinolind-ing said. (We have done a lot of interventions but there are still shortage – this is we want to address so that in a shorter time, we are able to concentrate and reduce it significantly).

He added, all these diseases are deadly and preventable to avoid people to die unnecessar-ily because of these curable and preventable diseases, so the best shield that we need is pre-vention and medical manage-ment for the complications.

Surviving the NTDs is life-sav-ing, the official points out.

Various line agencies show support on the forum to share and contribute in disseminat-ing information on these NTDs especially on how to avoid and treat these illnesses.

“We believe that with co-ordination, collaboration and

cooperation it will turn to cas-cade effect from their office, to their families and to their communites aside from the fact that we are already tar-geting specific piloted areas wherein cases of these are very high or significantly high in the community,”Sinolinding cited.

Although DOH is the lead agency in terms of health management, Sinolinding stressed,the importance of co-ordination and collaboration for strong and aggressive to ad-dress the problem.

Sinolinding said,” hindi lang ito problema ng DOH, problema ito ng sambayanang ARMM at lahat ng ating kasamahan sa ARMM maging ang ating mga kababayan ay mayroong ob-ligasyon na dapat makialam, makipagtulungan at makiisa”. (This is not only the problem of DOH, this is the problem of whole ARMM and all of our partners in the region even the constituents has the obligation to intervene, collaborate and co-operate). (IEroy/PBChangco/PIA


DTI gives sewing machines to women’s group in GensanGENERAL SANTOS CITY Apr. 27 - A women’s group in Barangay Fatima here received on Tuesday, April 21, sewing machines courtesy of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Engr. Arnel Sayco of DTI Gen-eral Santos City Office facilitated the turnover of 15 units of heavy duty Juki sewing machines to Socsargen Peace Network Inc.

Fr. Angel Buenavides, orga-nizer of the women’s group, re-ceived the machines valued at P270,000

Sayco said this Shared Ser-vice Facility Project is in line with the Philippine Development Goal (PDG) of the national govern-ment which promotes inclusive growth and job generation, a goal that is also prominent with the initiatives of City Mayor Ron-nel Rivera.

Sayco noted that the provi-sion of these livelihood tools to the women’s group also intends to boost productivity and efficiency in line with the agency’s mandate to promote Small and Medium Enterprise De-velopment (SMED).

SSF, he elaborated, helps small business groups whose production capacity is limited by inadequate tools and equip-

ment.Socsargen Peace Network Inc.

in Barangay Fatima is involved in production of rags.

“These machines are heavy, so is the challenge (for the or-ganization),” said Fr. Buena-vides as he received the sew-ing machines. Buenavides organized the the group for rag production three years ago.

He noted that the women’s group has been successful in their production.

“If you have produced rags before, you can do more with the new heavy duty sewing ma-chines given to you by DTI, like t-shirts, pants or anything” he said addressing the members of the group who were also present during the ceremony.

He also challenged the women to push for further develop-ment and to take the oppor-tunity to improve not only their lives but also their character. (SVillacastin-Gensan CPIO/DE-Doguiles-PIA 12)

One Mindanao - April 27, 2015

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