One Mindanao - April 29, 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

DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

Gensan residents satisfied with LGU services, survey says

PNP highway patrol group trains motorcycle cops

Disaster preparedness dialogue held in DipologNGCP taps media to disseminate its role in power distribution

14

2527

3132

19

Gensan hosts 3rd National Conference of Mindanao BNSs

DOLE urges illegal OFWs to avail of Sultanate of Oman’s offer of amnesty

Hataman welcomes, lauds Peace Council’s report on BBL

95% of police hotlines, personal numbers of PNP officers regionwide are working

Gingoog, SHFC team up for P8M socialized housing

CDO Energy Press Corps plans priority projects

By: Noel B. Najarro

By: PGFruylan

11

By: IJLagare

17

43By: Alfonso T. Ruda

By: Dave G. Malcampo

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Buboy Pabia

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

ARMM

NATIONAL

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3537

DavNor dads commends honest gymnasts

Gov’t. information officers in Lanao del Sur meet, identify priorities

DSWD-ARMM, MLGUs in Lanao Sur ink pact for 2015 PAMANA implementation

By: Noel Baguio

By: Johaniah N. Yusoph


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4 APRIL 29, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

The City of General Santos hosts the 3rd National Conference of Mindanao Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) which opened Tuesday at the KCC Convention and Events Center.

Gensan hosts 3rd National Conferenceof Mindanao BNSs

5APRIL 29, 2015 One Mindanao

The City of General Santos hosts the 3rd National Conference of Mindanao Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) which opened Tuesday at the KCC Convention and Events Center.

Gensan hosts 3rd National Conferenceof Mindanao BNSs By: PGFruylan


According to Arceli Latonio, Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) XII at least nine hundred BNS from the different localities in Mindanao have registered in the two days conference which aims to strengthen the relationship among BNSs and

enhance their skills “as prime movers and catalyst for nutrition development.”

Latonio said some of the highlights of the conference include the launching of the BNS Handbook developed by the NNC to serve as a reference for the BNSs in the exercise of their roles and responsibilities; and the awarding of “longest-serving BNSs,” who served for over 30 years, as a way of recognizing their “dedication and commitment to ensure the nutritional well-being of the families in their communities.”


“We have seven awardees in Region XII and they are from the municipalities of Kabacan, Surallah, Banga, Isulan, Esperanza, Norallah and from Koronadal City. We are so thankful for their committed service of promoting nutritional programs in their respective communities for 30 years and more,” she enthused.

Jovita Raval, Chief of the Nutrition Information and Education Division of NNC disclosed that one of the advocacies of the conference is to give voice and uplift the current situation of the more than 42,000 BNSs all over the country who most of them served as volunteers with meager or no incentives at all.

“What we want is to mobilize the BNSs para mas lalo pa silang maging committed sa pagdadala ng mga nutrition services sa mga pamilya kasi sila yung ating link talaga sa mga nutrition services at bukod doon isa sa mga gusto rin natin ay magkaroon sila ng boses para maisulong ang pag-amyenda ng Presidential Decree 1569 which is the law that created the BNS signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos in 1978.”

Raval said that for 37 years after the promulgation of PD 1569 the NNC sees a need to amend the law to push for the security of tenure of the BNSs to ensure sustainability of services.

“The BNSs should have plantilla positions, to be permanent and not just volunteers. Otherwise, there will be no improvement in our country’s nutrition status unless we have sure support to deliver those nutrition services.”

Raval explained that as volunteers some BNSs don’t have any monetary compensation while others only receive P50 to as much as 2,500 per month which comes from either the barangay, municipality, city or province although NNC provides assistance like accident insurance, training and other technical supports.

“We will gather at least 4,000 signatures of BNSs to submit to Congress to help push the amendment of PD 1569” to support the welfare of our BNSs.”

Meanwhile, Felia Guilingan, National Outstanding BNS for 2012 said that to be an awardee is not an easy task as it entails huge patience and hard work.


“There is a need for efforts and time management as everything is possible if everybody unites. To be outstanding BNs, it is not a requirement that you must be an intelligent person what’s important is you have the heart to serve the people in your community,” she explained in the vernacular.

The 3rd National Conference in Gensan is the last leg of the four sub-conferences held in the different areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for the whole month of April to enable more BNSs from all over the country to attend.

Anchored on the theme: “BNS: Bigay Todo sa Nutrisyon at Serbisyo!” the conference “underscores the crucial role of the BNSs in the delivery of nutrition services and related activities to families in the barangay. It also recognizes the hard work and dedication of the BNSs that are pivotal in addressing malnutrition at the community level.”


ASEAN talks on South China Sea dispute yield ‘substantial progress, says President Aquino

MANILA - The discussions on the conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea (West Philippines Sea) within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have yielded “substantial progress,” President Benigno S. Aquino III said.


President Aquino, during the media interview in Langkawi Tuesday, said other ASEAN leaders voicing concern about the ongoing territorial disputes between China and its neighboring countries in the South China Sea is a ‘healthy development.’” Over the weekend, President Aquino flew to Malaysia to join his Southeast Asian counterparts in the 26th ASEAN Summit, which was held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi from April 26 to 28.

The 10-nation bloc, in a statement released Tuesday, expressed serious concern over the recent developments in the South China Sea, particularly on the land reclamation activities being undertaken in the disputed area.

China is asserting ownership of almost the whole South China Sea. The Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as Taiwan, also have overlapping claims in the disputed area.

“I think there was a very, very substantial

progress from the time that we first started—or at least I first started—participating in discussions with regards to the issues of the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea,” the President said.

During an interview with the Philippine media delegation covering this year’s summit in Malaysia, President Aquino reiterated that the teritorial dispute is a global issue since 40 percent of world trade passes through the South China Sea.

“This is the common waterway for ASEAN to be dealing with each other to a large degree, let alone the rest of the world, where at least 40 percent of world trade has to traverse this water,” he said.

“‘Yung formulation of the COC was dormant from at least


DOLE urges illegal OFWs to avail of Sultanate of Oman’s offer of amnesty

MANILA - Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has urged all illegal OFWs in Oman to avail of the Sultanate’s three-month amnesty offer to overstaying foreigners, to avoid legal sanctions, including deportation.

2002 to 2012 when we raised the matter up in Phnom Penh, and there had been, I think, two or three preliminary talks to the formal talks, and before there was none. We are making progress, and hopefully, we will make parang more progress at a faster rate,” he added.

President Aquino has been pushing for the full and effective implementation of the

Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and the early conclusion of a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

ASEAN, established in August 1967, is made up of Brunei Darrusalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. (PCOO/PND (co)


“I strongly urge our OFWs in Oman who, for various reasons, have been staying illegally in the Sultanate, to avail of this amnesty and go home to the Philippines or correct their stay to avoid the repercussion of their being illegal foreigners in Oman,” Baldoz said.

She cited a report from Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa, which said that the Sultanate of Oman is offering the three-month amnesty as part of its continuous efforts to regulate the presence of foreign workers in the country.

The three-month amnesty is from 1 April to 30 June.

Labor Attaché Mustafa said the Ministry and the Royal Oman Police have been conducting raids of late against undocumented migrant workers, putting tighter controls on work permits and tenancy contracts,

and stringently scrutinizing landlords and their tenants. He said Oman’s Ministry of Manpower recently briefed labor attaches of foreign embassies in Muscat about the amnesty.

“This amnesty will also help foreign workers who are willing to stay and work in Oman, but subject to the guidelines under the labor law promulgated by the Sultanate’s Royal Decree 35/2003,” Mustafa further said in his report.

DOLE said the amnesty guidelines are as follows: • Registration of Filipino nationals shall be at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). • All required documents of overseas Filipino workers who want to avail of the amnesty program shall be prepared by the POLO which will endorse it to the Oman Ministry of Manpower. • Employers/sponsors of illegal workers will also be asked to comment in writing amnesty applications. If employers/sponsors fail to comply, the worker will be repatriated. • Penalty for overstaying and money claims of employers’ expenses during the deployment of workers will be waived. • All applicants will


need to have themselves finger printed, except children aged 18 years and below. •

Applicants whose documents were received by the Oman Ministry of Manpower must leave the Sultanate within one month.

Mustafa also said the Oman Ministry of Manpower has advised POLO and Philippine Embassy representatives to be at the Ministry every day.

“A small drawback of the amnesty program is that repatriated workers under the amnesty program cannot return to Oman within three years from the time they were repatriated,” he said.

In 2009, the Sultanate of Oman offered an amnesty which lasted until the start of 2011.

It helped over 60,000 overstaying workers to return home without facing any legal action. There had also been similar amnesties in 2005 and 2007.

Omani authorities had put in place a new set of measures in April 2014 to help uncover undocumented migrant workers. Officials carried out raids on expat homes, put tighter controls on work permits and tenancy contracts, and placed landlords and their tenants to more scrutiny as part of the crackdown.

Meanwhile, Mustafa said the POLO in Oman only has 15 wards. Of this number, six have ready plane tickets. They were already included in the priority list of repatriates.

The Labor Attaché has already asked the Department’s assistance to produce tickets for the nine workers so that they could join the first batch of repatriates. “We can expect zero wards this month,” said Mustafa. (DOLE)


Hataman welcomes, lauds Peace Council’s report on BBL

COTABATO CITY - Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous REgion in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Tuesday welcomed and lauded the Peace Council’s Report on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“We welcome this development as we urge our legislators to approach the recent resumption of the hearings on the BBL with an open mind,” Hataman said in a statement issued Tuesday.

“We encourage them to recognize the merits of the peace process together with its gains. We urge them to bring its culmination in the passage of the BBL,” Hataman said.

It has been a little over a year after the draft law has been completed.

“We now find ourselves at a crossroads, a particularly precarious moment when the atmosphere of solidarity and support for the peace process has been broken by calls for violence, and expressions of distrust from a powerful few,” the regional governor said.


He remained optimistic that despite the “noises” against the draft law in the aftermath of the bloody Mamasapano incident.

“All the doubts and the loud, angry, twisted grumblings failed to dampen the desire of the Moro people. They have failed to still the heartbeat of a nation. They have failed to diminish the spirit of peace,” Hataman said.

He said he was a strong believer of peace advocacy against all odds. “The war chants have faded as the chorus of peace resounded, like thunder cracking a hostile land with the promise of rain,” he said.

The regional governor rallied peace advocates in Mindanao and the country to continue working for peace. “Now we find hope in the many who continue to struggle toward lasting and just peace in the Bangsamoro - those who have remained steadfast to the cause and true to the path of peace.”

President Aquino formed the independent Peace Council to study thoroughly and make recommendations on the BBL.

On April 27, the Peace

Council’s Report on the BBL was presented to the House of Representatives.

The Council stressed the proposed piece of legislation that seeks to establish the Bangsamoro is “within the framework of (the) Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.”

“That report affirms our struggle has not been in vain,” Hataman said.

The Council also endorsed the BBL and recommended its passage “as an act of social justice and reparation to the peoples of Muslim Mindanao to rectify all the injustices inflicted upon them in the past.”

Hataman said the BBL makes just and lasting peace possible, and it is now in the hands of our government to make this possibility a reality.

“As always, we express our support to the peace process and we pray for mutual understanding and respect to prevail in the halls of Congress and in the heart of every Filipino,” Hataman said. (PNA)


DSWD 4Ps in SurSur produces 37 valedictoriansBy: Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY - Around 37 students in Surigao del Sur benefiting under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) graduated valedictorians. In a report presented by Meiraflor Cabigon, provincial link officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Provincial Operation Office based in this city, that out of 90 valedictorians regionwide, 37 of them are from the province of Surigao del Sur. Cabigon said that the province of Dinagat islands has 19 student-beneficiaries followed by Agusan del Norte with 16 students, Agusan del Sur with 12 students and six students from


PNP highway patrol group trains motorcycle copsBy: Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY - The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Unit 13 conducted a refresher training for the motorcycle-riding policemen here.

Surigao del Norte. For students with honors, out of 931 in Caraga, still the province of Surigao del Sur led among the other provinces regionwide with 289 students. It was followed by the province of Agusan del Sur with 248 students, Agusan del Norte with 187 students, province of Dinagat islands with 113 students and Surigao del Norte with 94 students.

For students with awards, Caraga has recorded a total of 78 students where 41 students are from Agusan del Norte; 16 from Agusan del Sur; 14 from Surigao del Sur; five from Surigao del Norte and two from Dinagat Islands. Cabigon also revealed that the province of Agusan del Sur has the most number of 4Ps household beneficiaries in the region.


The five-day refresher training which will end on April 29 is aimed to hone the motorcycle riding skills and techniques to ensure the maximum handling of the issued vehicles for the motorcycle cops. The training is mainly participated by those cops who have been in charge of the recently issued 135cc Kawasaki Rouser Motorcycles from the PNP national headquarters Directorate for Logistics, supervised by the chief of the RHPU 13 PSupt. Lawrence B. Cajipe, according to PRO 13 chief spokesperson PSupt. Martin M. Gamba. Recently, the Police

Regional Office 13 received 25 units of 135cc Kawasaki Rouser Motorcycles, one unit of which was used by the PNP PRO 13 Liason Office based in Camp Crame, PNP NHQ. The issuance of the motor vehicles as well as the recent training according to Supt. Gamba is in compliance with the PNP’s Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule Of Law (PATROL) Plan 2030 to continually equip frontline service providers with the much needed police mobility. All the representatives of the 24 recipient police offices and stations participated in the training, Gamba said.


95% of police hotlines, personal numbers of PNP officers regionwide are working

BUTUAN CITY - Ninety-five percent of the almost three hundred police hotlines and personal numbers of the police officers (from the Regional Director down) are working, said a senior police official here on Friday.

By: Noel B. Najarro

Police Regional Office13 chief spokesperson PSupt. Martin M. Gamba said that he had tasked his personnel at the PRO 13 PIO since Wednesday to check on the PNP hotlines and personal numbers of the Police Regional Office 13 Headquarters, Provincial Police Offices, City Police Offices and police stations and the municipal police stations all over the region. ”It was found out that 95 percent so far of the police hotlines and personal number of the officials from our regional director down to the lower units and those of the support units all over the region are working. It is accessible for calling or texting to any person who are in emergency or in need of police assistance. We need however to re-check the five percent and to

ascertain why they seemed not to be working at the moment,” Gamba said. He said the move was initiated by the Regional Tactical Operations Center (RTOC) which tasked the public information office to do the checking. He said that it is to ensure that the police hotlines and personal numbers of the offices and officers concerned from the command group headed by the regional director, the directorial staff, the personal staff/support office, the national support units, the city, provincial and municipal police stations are working 100 percent in line with their program dubbed as “Text Information to the Police for a Speedy and Timely Emergency Response (T.I.P.S.T.E.R.),” Gamba said.


By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – To show its sincere commit-ment and ardent support to public secondary schools that are in dire need of chairs, desks and tables, the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army (PA) will send next month another batch of empty plastic bottles and containers to the management of “Eat Bu-laga”, GMA7’s noon-time variety show.1st Civil-Military Op-erations (1CMO) com-manding officer Lt. Col. Audie Mongao

said in a recent meet-ing with the officers of the Tabak Defense Press Corps at Pinoy

Tabak to send 600 kilos of empty plastic bottles to “Eat Bulaga”


Grill and Restaurant here that the division is slated to ship out some 600 kilos of empty plastic bottles and containers for Eat Bulaga’s “Plastic ni Juan” project. Mongao, acting Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief, met with the TDPC officers to also apprise them of the other pro-grams, projects and activities of the unit.

Mongao said the Tabak division under the supervision of BGen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr. is slated to deliver another set of empty plastic bottles and containers to “Eat Bulaga” on the second week this month.

It could be recalled that the divi-sion had delivered the first batch of 100 kilos of empty plastic bottles/containers placed in 10 customized bags via C130 plane to “Eat Bulaga” last March 3.

“This time, the unit will deliver 600 kilos of empty plastic bottles. We want to show to the manage-ment of “Eat Bulaga” that we are serious in our campaign and we want to help the poor schoolchil-dren in the remote barangays to have chairs and tables so that they can comfortably sit,” Mon-

gao stressed. Mongao said the unit commits itself to promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness by institutionalizing its campaign and sending regu-larly empty plastic bottles and containers to Eat Bulaga every quarter.

“Our men are collecting empty plastic bottles/containers from all line units of the Tabak division so that at the end of the quar-ter, we will immediately send it in Manila,” he added.

As part of “Eat Bulaga’s project, the empty plastic bottles col-lected from their audience will be processed and converted into plastic tables and chairs. The processed items will be given to the schools that are in dire need of them.

Mongao is optimistic that sooner or later some public schools in Zamboanga Peninsula which are needing plastic chairs and tables can also benefit the project, as the division will exert utmost ef-forts to convince the manage-ment to donate the processed items to the schools in the re-gion.


Disaster preparedness dialogue held in Dipolog By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Zamboanga del Norte together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) has conducted a disaster preparedness dialogue Monday at the Bambo Garden this city.Under Republic Act (RA) 10121, otherwise known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Manage-ment Act of 2010, all local gov-ernment units (LGUs) are man-

dated to ensure the safety and resiliency of communities to face challenges during the occurrence of any disaster.


In his message as read by Lo-cal Government Operation Offi-cer V Anabella Jatico during the opening program, Regional Di-rector Paisal O, Abutazil of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 urged all stakeholders not to be compla-cent and be proactive for “disas-ter preparedness is the concern of everybody and not just the re-sponsibility of one individual.”

“We have seen the worst and we have experienced and witnessed how disaster and calamities af-fected the lives of individuals and families. We have to be proac-tive, we have to act today and we have to act now,” Abutazil said.

Abutazil also encouraged the collaborative effort of all LGUs, national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organiza-tions to come up with system-atic and coordinated actions in addressing disaster-related con-cerns. The dialogue was DILG’s second activity after the Operation Listo

was launched in Zamboanga del Norte last March 28.

In the same forum, LGOO VI and Cluster III head Robin Quebral presented the LGU Disaster Pre-paredness Manuals and Minimum Action Flowchart, stressing the vital role of the local chief execu-tives in disaster response opera-tions, starting from issuance of directive aimed at creating struc-tures and systems to operation-alize all plans of action.

City Local Government Opera-tions Officer Lerma Campaner also gave an in-depth discussion on the Early Preparedness Manu-als, especifically focusing on ar-eas where civil society organi-zations, private sector and the media can support the LGUs dur-ing disaster response operations.

The one-day disaster prepared-ness dialogue ended with the participants signing the pledge of commitment to “Operation Lis-to” as an important tool towards mitigating the adverse impact of disasters and climate change.


NGCP taps media to disseminate its role in power distributionBy Dave G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY - In its effort to provide the public with sufficient information on its scope of operations, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has conducted a familiarization tour for about 25 members of the local media in its area control center here in barangay Lunzuran on April 24.Elizabeth Ladaga, Regional Cor-porate Communications and Pub-lic Affairs Officer for the North-ern Mindanao area said that such tour is “important to have the

media disseminate accurate in-formation regarding the NGCP, its roles in power distribution as well as the issues that the corpo-ration faces with the public”.


After the tour, the media were brought to Garden Orchid Hotel to be oriented on right-of-way violations. According to Nelson Bautista, Head of the Regional Communications Division, they face a lot of problems with lot owners.“We have to clear the way for our grid in privately-owned lots so that the residents will be safe from any electrical accidents,” Bautista said, “however many of the owners would immediately jack up the prices of the lots.”In addition, trees near grid lines are major obstacles and could cause more power interruptions, said Bautista. “We have to cut these trees and clear the area to avoid blackouts,” he said.Another problem that they en-counter is that after the trees were cut, the lot owners would soon plant trees at the same site again, since they know that they will be compensated for them.

Bautista sought the help of the media to help them disseminate information to give the public sufficient knowledge about what needs to be done to be safe from electrical accidents.“We need the media’s help to share all this with the public,” he said.Meanwhile, he emphasized that the NGCP is merely a power dis-tribution firm, and is not wholly responsible for the intense pow-er outages in the Mindanao area.“This is an issue with the pow-er suppliers, not the NGCP,” he explained. However, he ensured that come May 3 during Pac-quiao’s fight with Floyd May-weather, the NGCP will not be doing any maintenance.“This will be our contribution to help ensure that there won’t be any blackouts on that day, but we can only speak for NGCP,” he said.


Filipino account holders increased, growth higher among low income, less educatedCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) estimates that over three million new accounts were opened between 2011 and 2014.

By: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

This estimate is based on the latest edition of the World Bank Global Findex which reveals that 31.3 percent of Filipino adults own a formal account, up by 4.7 percentage points from the baseline figure of 26.6 percent reported in the 2011 Findex.


Formal account refers to an account held in financial institutions such as banks, cooperatives or microfinance institutions and can be a mobile money account as well. Such account can be used to save money and send or receive payments and remittance. Worth noting from the 2014 Findex is that there is growth in account penetration across income class, gender, age and educational attainment. The percentage of the poorest 40 percent of Filipino adults who own a formal account increased by 7.1 percentage points to 17.8 percent in 2014 from 10.7 percent in 2011. Account ownership in the richest 60 percent rose only by 3.4 percentage points to 40.6 percent in 2014. The increase in account ownership is slightly higher for men, although the percentage with account is still higher for women (37.9%) than men (24.4%). In terms of age, account penetration is higher for older adults (those aged 25 years old and above) at 35.9 percent compared to 19 percent among younger adults. While account ownership is higher for adults with at

least secondary education (36.8%) than those with at most primary education (18.1%), it is interesting to note that growth is higher for less educated adults. These gains are a result of continuing efforts in bringing the financial system closer to the people, especially to the disadvantaged segments. The Global Findex is considered as the world’s most comprehensive database on financial inclusion. Financial inclusion is a state wherein there is effective access to a wide range of financial services for all Filipinos. The Findex indicators are drawn from survey data and based on interviews with more than 150,000 nationally representative and randomly selected adults in 143 countries representing more than 97 percent of the world’s adult population. The results of the 2014 Global Findex will be enriched by the BSP’s first ever nationwide survey on financial inclusion which will be released soon. The survey has a more in depth look at the state of financial inclusion in the country to complement the high level cross country indicators of Global Findex.


Gingoog, SHFC team up for P8M socialized housing

GINGOOG CITY - The city government of Gingoog and the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) have partnered to raise funds amounting to P8,031,990 for a socialized housing in the hilly portion of Purok-6, Brgy. San Juan, this city.

Registered as Rolling Hills Homeowners Association, Inc. (RHHOAI) with HLURB Reg. No. 12178 issued on May 15, 2013, this project responds to the essential housing need to 273 beneficiaries whom many of them are living before in dangerous zones and hazardous areas prone to calamities and disasters. This is a dream-come-true to the residents who are once tagged as informal settlers, said Mayor Marie Guingona. In a radio interview, Ruben Laset, division chief of SHFC’s Localized Community Mortgage Program (LCMP)-Main Office in Manila says, “upon the go-signal from Vice President Jejomar Binay being the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), our office has been tasked to expand its program to various regions with the mandate to coordinate with concerned local

agencies for dwelling aspiration to be catered to the poorest of the poor. He added their office has congratulated mayor Guingona for her dedication to the landless and homeless. SHFC has underlined around five community associations (CA) in Gingoog whose land-home fundamental needs will be addressed within this year. Likewise, City Councilor Myrna Motoomull, chair of the City Council committee on Urban/Rural Poor Housing, has been giving priorities on this initiative. “Rolling Hills lot acquisition is a living testament that the mayor is heeding to the cry of the poor. Her commitment for this cause calls my simple know-how and capability to tandem for her pro-poor programs,” said Punong Brgy. Rodulfo Maturan, city’s Urban Poor Housing federation

By: Buboy Pabia


president. As to the payment scheme, city’s housing in-charge Joel Sinatao said RHHOAI beneficiaries occupying the total land area of 47,247 square meters have to pay the affordable monthly amortization for 25 years. “Daghang salamat Mayor Guingona sa pagdamgo uban kanamo ug paghatag og katumanan sa atong damgo (Thank you Mayor Guingona for dreaming with us and fulfilling our dreams). I will help motivate my fellow recipients to build simple house and create a peaceful community in Rolling Hills,” said Edwin Babida, RHHOAI president. The lady executive has applauded SHFC’s 75% share

from the total amount for lot acquisition and allocated 25% share for the same purpose from the local government unit (LGU) coffer in purchasing the residential land. Mayor Guingona said she have appreciated SHFC’s collective effort in flying from Manila to Gingoog city in order to turn-over Land Bank check worth P3,001,996.25 as the initial 50% payment of its share for RHHOAI. Well done for our City Planning Office under Ancio Felisan with Sinatao, Brgy. Capt. Maturan. I am very glad for the chairmanship of councilor Motoomull, the mayor said.

CDO Energy Press Corps plans priority projectsCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Officers of the newly-organized Cagayan de Oro Energy Press Corps (CEPC) met on April 27, to plan their priority projects for the second quarter of 2015.

The meeting was presided by its President and Philippine

Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director Thelma B.



Oliver. One of the projects identified is the distribution of learner’s kit to select Grade 1 and Grade 2 pupils on June 15, 2015 in support to the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education (DepED). The officers agreed that the Brigada Eskwela is a good venue to educate pupils, parents, and teachers on transmission line safety and the importance of the power lines of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The learner’s kit will consists of a bag, notebooks, paper, pencils, crayon, sharpener, scissors and slippers. Aside from the learner’s kit, transmission line safety

information materials will also be distributed during the activity. The school beneficiary is not yet identified pending advised from the NGCP District 3 Chief Transmission Line Engineer. But the group proposed that the school should be located in Kinoguitan or Tagoloan, both in Misamis Oriental and host of the Jasaan-Kinoguitan 69KV line and Abaga-Lugait-Tagoloan 128KV line, respectively. The press corps oficers also planned to conduct an officer’s exposure trip in Abaga Substation and Davao Substation and a meet-and-greet activity with the General Santos-Sarangani Energy Press Corps Officers on the second week of July, this year.


People’s Day in Lanao del Sur to offer free services to the public

Government agencies in the province is

offering free services to the public on April 29-30, 2015 at the Provincial Capitol Compound as part of the local government’s People’s Day initiative.

The two-day open house of public services aims to provide free government services and raise awareness on the different services, programs and projects of the government It is spearheaded by the Provincial Government in partnership with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional

Government and national line agencies in the province. Medical and dental

services, circumcision (tuli), legal services, application for NBI clearance, and registration of cooperatives were just among the free services lined-up during the People’s Day. Aside from free services, releasing of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) will also be conducted during

by: Apipa P. Bagumbaran


Gov’t. information officers in Lanao del Sur meet, identify priorities

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Information Officers (IOs) of the various municipal governments and national line agencies of this province convened on April 22, at the Provincial Capital for an Orientation on the Role of an Information Officer.

by: Johaniah N. Yusoph

the two-day activity. Other highlights of the People’s Day include display of agricultural products; demo on fish gear making; essay writing contest; market linkaging and business matching; orientation on K+12, Abot Alam and scholarship programs; and the conduct of a peace summit. (APB/PIA-10)


The meeting was jointly initiated by the Provincial Information Office (PIO) and the Philippine Information Agency-Lanao del Sur (PIA) to refresh the IOs on their various roles and consult them on the needed interventions to further enhance their skills for them to effectively and efficiently communicate the development efforts of their respective offices or agencies. The refresher lecture on the role of an information officer, given by PIA Regional Director Thelma Oliver, highlighted the meeting. “Information officers play a great role in the progress of their municipalities or agencies. They give information in various means

and ways,” Oliver reminded the participants. Sheila D. Ganda, Provincial Governor’s Chief of Staff, relayed the Governor’s enthusiasm and support in forwarding developmental stories and updates within the province. She urged everyone to continuously brace themselves by attending beneficial workshops and trainings for them to be more effective and efficient in delivering updates and news to the public. Apipa Bagumbaran, PIA Lanao del Sur Information Manager, encouraged the IOs to regularly give updates regarding the programs, projects and activities of their respective agencies while Provincial Information Officer Salma Jayne A.


DSWD-ARMM, MLGUs in Lanao Sur ink pact for 2015 PAMANA implementation

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) and the municipal governments in the province inked a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the 2015 Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

Tamano, committed its office full support to future activities of the body. At the end of the meeting, the IOs agreed that they will

meet monthly to give updates and improve their skills through the learning sessions that will be conducted every meeting. (Johaniah N. Yusoph/APB/ PIA-10)

by: Apipa P. Bagumbaran


The MOA was signed by Regional Vice Governor and concurrent DSWD-ARMM Secretary Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr. and municipal mayors of the target municipalities Monday, April 20, at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall. PAMANA is the government’s peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace-building, reconstruction and development in conflict affected and vulnerable areas. It complements the government’s peace negotiation efforts. Rahima Datumanong Alba, PAMANA Project Manager Designate, said the 2015 PAMANA is the Cycle 2 of the PAMANA expansion projects that implement community-based livelihood and enterprising market which will benefit 1,777 barangays in 83 municipalities of the ARMM. She said the PAMANA Cycle 2 will use the community-driven and development approach which

empowers the target beneficiaries in the selection, imp lementa t i on and monitoring of the projects. The 2015 PAMANA will expand the existing community l i v e l i h o o d c o o p e r a t i v e s (CLCs) by organizing another 30 subsistence-level households as extended project

beneficiaries in the 1,777 target conflict-affected and vulnerable areas. A P300,000-worth livelihood assistance will be released to the CLCs for community-based livelihood and enterprising market projects through identified modalities. Alba said modalities could be agricultural production such as vegetables production; cottage industry such as abaca production, brass-making and wood carving; aquatic production; and small-scale infrastructure projects. She however emphasized that the assistance will be released in the form of livelihood packages and resources such as materials. In the province, a total of 925 barangays in 30 municipalities are set to benefit from the Cycle 2 of the PAMANA program. (APB/PIA-10)


Health officials sees drop in Malaria cases

DAVAO CITY- Health officials in the region sees decreasing numbers of malarial cases. According to Dr. Han-sel Amoguis, of the Malaria Control Program said as of today there is only a single recorded malarial case in the region, the case was moni-tored in Davao del Norte. This compared to 2014 where 67 malarial cases were recorded, about 65 cases were reported in Kapalong, Davao del Norte while 2 cases were in Davao City. This is a significant improvement as compared to 2001 where about 5,000 cases of malaria were record-ed in the region. Amoguis said the coun-

try is eyeing that by 2020 the Philip-pines will be malarial free. As to the case in Ka-palong, the Department of Health has sent resources to the area such as insecticide treated cur-

tains and bednets.The three other local govern-ments in Davao region has made significant headways in the campaign against ma-laria. Davao Oriental is on the verge of being cited as a zero-malaria free province with no recorded malaria case from 2010-2014, Com-postela Valley also has no recorded malaria case from 2011-2014 while Davao del Sur has zero malarial cases in 2013 and 2014. (PIA/RG Alama)


DavNor dads commends honest gym-nasts

DAVAO DEL NORTE– Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte recognized the honesty of the three gymnasts who returned the P50,000 cash that they have found on the prem-ises of their billeting quarter. The SP on its 17th Regular Ses-sion approved the resolution filed by Board Member Atty. Raymond Joey Millan, commending Brian Albert Q. Buhian, 15; Janliver S. Estabaya, 14; and Louie H. Villacorte, Jr., 16, for their integrity. “What the three athletes have done proved that you need not die to be a hero,” said Millan on his priv-ilege speech.

The Board Members also chipped in some amount of money to be given as incentive to the trustworthy athletes. The boys are deep in their training as mem-bers of the gymnastics team of the Davao Re-gion Athletic Associa-tion (DAVRAA) delega-tion, who are billeted at the Tagum City National Comprehensive High School in Mankilam, Tagum City, this prov-ince. The school is adja-cent to the Davao del

Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, which is the main venue of the Pal-arong Pambansa on May 3-9, 2015. Davao del Norte is hosting this year’s edition of the country’s larg-est school-based games supported by the Tagum Agricultural Develop-ment Company Inc. or TADECO, Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Cor-poration (DPC), Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. (DICT) and Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Buhian said he was shocked to find a bundle of money under the bench of the school kiosk after buy-ing some personal necessities out-side the campus at around 6:30 pm


on April 18, 2015. “Gikulbaan jud ko (I was per-turbed),” said the Grade 8 student of the Sinawilan National High School in Digos City, Davao del Sur, as it is his first time to see a huge amount of money. Yet, the son of an egg vendor said he did not balked a bit on re-turning the money because of the values instilled upon them by their parents and coaches. So that the moment he saw his approaching teammates, Estabaya and Villacorte, he immediately told them about his find and intention to return the money. No one else is around during that time but the three all agreed to give the money back to the rightful owner. “Our parents raised us well and we cannot afford to besmirch their name,” said Buhian, who is the 7th among a brood of 12, in the vernac-ular. It turned out the money was earmarked as allowance for their fel-low Davao Eagles athletes coming from Panabo City in Davao del Norte province. Education executives earlier cited the boys for their honesty. “We’re proud of what they did. Not only athleticism, sports also teaches good manners, honesty and other virtues,” said Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson of the DAVRAA. (noel

baguio/davnor pio


Farmers’ coop in NorthCot gets over P8M farm machines, facilityBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Apr. 29 —Some P8,859,200 worth of farm machinery and facility were given to the New Leon Multi-Purpose Cooperative sit-uated in Barangay New Leon, Aleosan.

The assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform consisted of two 4WD 90HP tractors, four corn shellers and one flat bed drier.Emelita Mayol, head of the Project Board of Directors (PBOD) of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Sup-port Services (ARCCESS) of DAR 12 said the aid to the coop is intended to empower the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB).Implemented under the Common Service Fa-cilities (CFS) of the ARCCESS, the machiner-ies and facility will be used by more than 100 cooperative members in the village of New Leon.“These farming machineries will provide the members of New Leon MPC with a wide range of help from tilling and planting to harvest and post-harvest of corn,” Mayol said.With this assistance, Governor Emmylou Mendoza lauded the DAR for its support and implementation of the project saying it will


Gensan residents satisfied with LGU services, survey says

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Apr 29– The recent Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) national survey has placed the local govern-ment unit of General Santos City among the most effective LGUs in delivering services to its residents.

answer the needs of the cooper-ative in improving their produc-tion.“I firmly believe that with these machineries and facility, the members of New Leon MPC will

have a bigger crop production in the village which in turn could improve income and resiliency among farmers,” stated the gov-ernor. (SJDuerme-PIA12/N. Co-tabato Media Center)


During the presentation of the 2014 CSIS implementation re-sults on April 14-17 in Manda-luyong City, it was revealed that Gensan ranked 5th in the Citi-zens’ Awareness category, with a rating of 56.93.

The LGUs of Iriga (81.85) and Roxas (64.35) got the first and second places, respectively.

LGU Gensan also placed 5th (74.66) in the cities with high health service satisfaction, with Iriga (82.57) and Batac (79.77) on the top spots.

Other service areas of LGU Gensan also received high rat-ings, such as social welfare (71.88), education (67.20), and agriculture (61.20).

These ratings were based on the standardized scoring scheme set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the CSIS.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera af-firmed the results of the latest CSIS and vowed to continue and improve the performance of the local government.

“I am happy that these re-sults have indeed confirmed that our efforts in bringing services to our people are indeed felt by them. The local government unit is committed in doing its best to give what our constituents need and deserve,” Mayor Rivera said.

On February 19, Mayor Rivera,

with the DILG, City Hall depart-ment heads, and other partner agencies, signed an oath of com-mitment to further advance the reach of the services they give to the public.

In the CLEAN Gensan (Creat-ing a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation-build-ing) agenda of Mayor Rivera, he indicated the three local govern-ment services he wants to im-prove: education, health, and modified social services.

Apparently, these are also the areas that scored the highest in the 2014 CSIS report.

The CSIS, which is managed by the DILG and operated by its partner institutions, is a strate-gic scheme launched in 2013 to know the citizens’ perception on the performance of their LGUs, including the reach and quality of public services and decision-mak-ing policies.

In Gensan, the CSIS survey was conducted last 2014 by the research department of the Min-danao State University – General Santos City.

Prior to this award, LGU Gen-san has also received a Child-friendly Seal award from the DILG and the Commission for the Welfare of Children. (IJLagare/Gensan-CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

One Mindanao - April 29, 2015

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