One Mindanao - April 3, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

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

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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

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

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

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

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

Northern MindanaoGraces’Building,AntonioLunaStreetCagayandeOroCity9000TelefaxNo.(08822)72-66-83Telephoneno.(088)856-8178/729-594Cellphoneno.0928-52043050917-3084969E-mail:[email protected][email protected]:www.pia-10.blogspot.com

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

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

Cover Story

Filipino Las Vegas chef donates computers,books to school in South Cotabato

Aida AgadCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue...Tuesday, April 3, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 229

page 4

DENR tightens anti-illegal logging drive in “hot spots” of Caraga Region 11 Eric Gallego, Caraga Region

PRO 13 ready for Oplan Sumvac

16PSupt Martin M Gamba, Caraga Region

Sky lanterns light up Zambo skies on Earth Hour 2012 17Rene V. Carbayas, Western Mindanao

Aquino arrives in Cambodia to attend ASEAN Summit 7

TESDA scholarship programs are for all, says TESDA chiefFranklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

DA holds consultation on agri-fisheries modernization20 Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

PAGASA, PIA hold lectures on CCA, communicating disasters21Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, Northern Mindanao

13

Dabawenyos pledge for ‘I Will If You Will” campaign 23 Frances Mae Gevera Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

Davao women to lead campaign vs junk foodsCarina Cayon, Southern Mindanao

Code White alert up in public hospitals for the Holy Week27Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

24

Gen San city gov’t readies for Holy Week 29 Central Mindanao

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4 Tuesday, April 3, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Like thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who ventured in foreign lands, a now famous Las

Vegas-based Ventano Italian Grill and Seafoods chef wanted to share the fortunes he earned with the poor students of his home barangay Polonuling, in South Cotabato province.

Cover StoryFilipino Las Vegas chef donates

computers,books to school in South Cotabato

In simple ceremonies Tuesday morning, chef Rodolfo Janeo,

personally turned over 35 balikbayan boxes containing

books for various subjects; computer

sets with printers; DVDs and DVD

P l a y e r s ; s p o r t s

equipment for basketball, softball, volleyball; and assorted toys to officials and pupils of Polonuling Elementary School. The recipient school’s principal, Mrs Judith Dingal, said she is happy for the gifts the elementary school and pupils receive from a former grade-school pupils. “With original and brand new sports equipment, we hope our pupil-athletes could win a slot in the Palarong Pambansa next year,” Dingal

by Aida Agad

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

said. Janeo, a college dropout but was

fortunate to prove his worth in the kitchen through hard work and

experience, said, he love the school where he earned

his basic elementary knowledge and had

him molded with values like

love and

concern for poor students. H u m b l y acknowledging his poor beginnings and the hardships he’s been through in his schooldays, the 49-year former barrio boy said these inspired him to work hard, persevere and succeed. Being at the top of his cooking career, he said he wanted to share his fame to kababayans, especially in a far-flung barangay of Tupi. This was realized, he emphasized with the help of his self-founded The Mabuhay Foundation Inc. which organized charity events in Nevada State. At the said events, he is offers his cooking expertise in different courses in exchange for donations like brand new computers, books, medical and sports equipments as well as other stuffs that he sees are useful in schools here in his hometown.

Last year, he also sent 36 boxes with computers and printers, clinic equipment, and books to his high school alma mater, the Polonuling National High School. Janeo in an interview by the Philippine Information Agency and local media here, said he hopes to collect more school equipments when he goes back to the United States as he envisioned to help more barangay schools in hometown Tupi and other

6 Tuesday, April 3, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

far-flung barrio

schools in South Cotabato.

“Anybody can help even without money,”

Janeo explained as he proved this because he grew up from a poor family in the barrio. He said, this will highlight his graduation speech at the high school and elementary graduation ceremonies of Barangay Polonuling on March 29th.


ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino leaves for Cambodia Summit

President Benigno S. Aquino III left Monday night to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that will be held from April 3 to 4, 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The President and his delegation left onboard a chartered Challenger 850 jet from the tarmac of the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

He was seen off by members of his Cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Cabinet Secretaries

Voltaire Gazmin of Defense; Florencio Abad of Budget; Armin Luistro of Education; Ramon Paje of Environment; Leila De Lima of Justice, Rogelio Singson of Public Works; and Ramon Carandang of Communications.

Before boarding, the President said that the

Summit is an opportunity to discuss with fellow ASEAN members the direction and progress the regional bloc hopes to achieve in the coming years.

He added that he will also be given the chance to showcase the readiness of the Philippines and its

8 Tuesday, April 3, 2012ONE MINDANAO

p e o p l e to engage

the members of ASEAN in its

endeavors such as the implementation

of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the fight against drugs, and disaster risk reduction and management.

“Bukod sa mga paksang ito, itutulak din natin sa mapayapang paraan ang ating adbokasiya upang protektahan ang integridad ng ating teritoryo. Igigiit natin ang ating paninindigan sa implementasyon ng Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in

the South China Sea, upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at estabilidad sa West Philippine Sea,” the President said.

He added that he would also discuss the welfare of migrant workers who have been calling for the lowering of remittance charges which will greatly help them cut costs that they can save for their families.

He also said he would meet with the Filipino community working and living in Cambodia in order to get a picture of how they are doing

and in turn, tell them of developments in the Philippines.

“Sabik tayong kumustahin ang kanilang kalagayan at pakinggan ang kanilang mga kuwento. Nais nating malaman ang kanilang mga pangangailangan upang agad na makapaglatag ng paraan para matugunan ang mga ito. Ibabalita rin natin sa kanila ang magagandang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas at kung ano ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan upang arugain ang kanilang mga pamilya,” the President said.

Aquino arrives in Cambodia to attend ASEAN Summit

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived here at Cambodia’s

capital Monday night for the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and for the celebration of its 45th anniversary.


T h e P r e s i d e n t

arrived at the Phnom Penh

International Airport at around 10:15 pm

through Challenger 850 aircraft from Manila.

Among those who welcomed the President were the officials of the Cambodian government, the director of protocol of the Cambodia, the Cambodian liaison officer and the Cambodian security officer to the President.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo were also present, as well as Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Noe Wong,

Philippine Permanent Representative to the Asean Wilfrido Villacorta, and Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Col. Manuel M. Orduna.

The chief executive will stay in Cambodia until Wednesday. He will participate with his counterparts during the summit as well as meet

the leaders of Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia for the 8th Brunei-I ndones i a -Ma l ay s i a -Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

He is also scheduled to meet the members of the Filipino community here in Cambodia. (AS)


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Workshop on Mainstreaming Peace & Dev’t program in Surigao del Sur gains support from LGUs

The recent two–day training workshop on Mainstreaming Peace and Development in Local Governance in Surigao del Sur, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the

Peace Process (OPAPP) and in partnership with the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has gained support from Local Government Units (LGUs) and participating agencies here.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan


DENR tightens anti-illegal logging drive in “hot spots” of Caraga Region

The workshop focused on the integration of peace and conflict sensitive programming in the planning and budgeting of targeted LGUs through a series of capacity building

interventions. During the opening day on March 29, the official encouraged all local executives from 17 municipalities and two cities to support and get

involved in the program implemented by the national government. According to OPAPP Area Manager Oliver Binancilan, the program is anchored in the LGUs particularly in the conflict-affected areas (CAAs) and is linked up with the PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan (PAMANA) program. PAMANA is the national governments’ peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction

and development aims to reduce poverty, empower communities and improve governance in conflict-affected areas.

by Eric Gallego

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has strengthened its patrol operation in known “hot spots” of illegal logging activities particularly in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur in Caraga Region to discourage timber smugglers from transporting undocumented cut logs particularly during the Holy Week.


“We are strengthening our guards at the frontlines particularly in areas known to have records of illegal logging activities in the past,” Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said. He said Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday are ”critical times when transporters of illegal logs are considered active based upon experience in the past.” “There is no doubt that timber poachers can sometimes elude the DENR operatives nevertheless with the support of the people they may not succeed,” Sibbaluca said. DENR officials visited different forest monitoring checkpoints along the Maharlika Highway and the Agusan River recently and reminded their personnel to be alert and awake about illegal logging transporters in their area. Sibbaluca also conferred with the Philippine Army Battalion Commanding Officers

in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and also the Philippine National Police officials about service personnel assistance support when the situation warrants. “We always thank the Philippine Army and the PNP for their all-out support to the campaign of the DENR against illegal logging,” he said. Last year DENR-13 confiscated 5,250 cubic meters of illegal logs and 383,415 board feet of illegally-cut lumber and flitches. The DENR filed 23 cases with violation of PD 705 at the Environmental Court against illegal loggers and timber poachers in Caraga Region. Since Executive Order No. 23 took effect on February 1 last year,

chainsaws, bulldozers, graders and all other logging tools are now off-limits in natural and residual forests nationwide. Sibbaluca said the EO 23 issued by President Aquino declared a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests with the creation of an anti-illegal logging task force. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje also gave instructions to all DENR regional executive directors to pull out all logging/cutting and hauling equipment from natural and residual forests after 28 days from its imposition. Sibbaluca said he instructed all CENR officers to pull out any


PRO 13 ready for Oplan Sumvac

BUTUAN CITY -- The Police Regional Office 13 has implemented Operational Plan for Summer Vacation Activities (OPLAN SUMVAC) to prevent any occurrence of criminal activities.

by PSupt Martin M Gamba

OPLAN SUMVAC will involve the maximum deployment of mobile and motorcycle patrol units along major thoroughfares to ensure the safety and security of the populace. The operation also encompasses the deployment of police officers and establishment of Police Assistance Centers on different sea, land and air transport

terminals. In addition, PRO 13 has deployed tourist police in areas where visitors are expected. These policemen will aid and assist all tourists in CARAGA. To tighten the measure more, it is launched in coordination with other government agencies and non-

government organization, Regional Director of PRO 13 Caraga, PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal directed the lateral coordination of all PNP offices for its successful implementation. Moreover, Rafal reminded its personnel to assist motorists and commuters and to be more vigilant for any criminal activities.

logging/cutting and hauling equipment from all natural and residual forests which remains enforced to ensure that no further timber harvesting shall be done following the imposition of the logging moratorium. He said the

acceptance and processing of new as well as renewal or extension of integrated operation plans, annual work plans or resources-use permits in all natural and residual forest has been also suspended

in accordance with the DENR Memorandum No. 52 issued by Secretary Paje. The memorandum limits the processing of application permits to forest tenure holders within their plantation sites only.


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Ten sidewalk vendors from the municipality of San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur were recipients of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE)

Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart).

DOLE disributes 10 Nego-Karts in San Miguel worth P150T By Alma L. Tingcang


In a simple turn-over ceremony held at the municipal hall on March 29, DOLE Assistant Regional Director Virginia L. Bonbon said with the Nego-Kart project, beneficiaries are provided with assistance like vending carts, provision of working capital for the procurement of raw materials and other inputs, training on production,

entrepreneurship and business management. In response, Vice Mayor Angelito “Dodong” Martinez II urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the Nego-Karts because this is a great help in their livelihood undertaking. Further, if they are good stewards, it will soon become a profitable and sustainable business enabling them to increase their income level. Mr. Camilo Encila, Focal person of the DOLE Nego-Kart project said each beneficiary is allotted P15,000; that is P12,000 for the cart and P3,000 as seed capital. What used to be a pushcart is now

modified with a bicycle attached for easy transport of the vendors to where many people are gathered like public markets and schools, where business is at its best. Encila said San Miguel is the 4th municipality to receive the Pangkabuhayan Nego-Karts. The first recipient was Pagadian City,

Dumalinao, Molave and San Miguel. Other municipalities are scheduled to receive their assistance soon. The beneficiaries in San Miguel are: Salvacion S. Bulaloc; Felicidad P. Pagara; Rosie C. Tan-awon; Librada M. Pajo; Rosario N. Manuel; Albert T. Libores; Florentina N. Canete; Elberto P. Acol; Reynaldo F. Ramirez and Sergio R. Acol. (ALT/PIA9-Zambo Sur)


DIPOLOG CITY - Scholarship grants for technical-vocational courses are open to all regardless of religion, tribe and political affiliations.

TESDA scholarship programs are for all, says TESDA chief By Franklin P. Gumapon

This was the statement of Secretary Joel V i l lanueva, d i r e c t o r -

general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before the members of the press during his visit here recently. “Any individual can avail himself of the TESDA scholarship program so long as he/she passes and meets the requirements,” Villanueva said. Villanueva also clarified that elective officials like congressmen are welcome to extend their financial support to TESDA’s programs but still “it is the agency that decides and has full control over its programs.” “What is important here is that an applicant must pass the screening process and meet other requirements set by TESDA,” he explained.

During his visit, the TESDA chief also launched the “TESDA Specialista” program, which is designed to provide employment opportunities to tech-voc graduates. Under this program, the beneficiaries would undergo training on short-term courses such as hair dressing, manicure, driving mechanic and others complete with start-up kits. After the training, the graduates are advised to take the competency assessment test. Once they passed, they would be issued a certification in order for them to qualify for high-paying jobs here and abroad. Other skilled workers and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are likewise urged to take the assessment test to get certified. (JPA/FPG-PIA ZamboNorte)


Every major city in the world, including those in the Philippines, shut down power for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30 in the afternoon on March 31 in the global effort to raise awareness about climate change. “Switching off power for an hour may not save the planet, if the intention was merely to save power,” Jovi, an advocate of Earth Hour said. He said many are skeptical about this idea, including him, but still believes that skepticism is still part of the debate and “this created awareness.” Jovi brought his family at Paseo

del Mar as part of their Saturday night outings. He said that Saturday was special because his family, especially his 2 children ages seven and fourteen, will get to experience Earth Hour observance. “I guess this is the first time Zamboanga will use sky lanterns as part of the observance.” “I have little faith on how the organizers would use the event to spread awareness and really awaken people on the urgency of doing concrete response to save the planet,” he said, saying that releasing into the atmosphere another carbon-

Sky lanterns light up Zambo skies on Earth Hour 2012 By Rene V. Carbayas

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Hundreds of sky lanterns were released in batches to the skies of Zamboanga City at Paseo del Mar on Saturday (March 31) marking the city’s participation to the world-wide observance of Earth Hour 2012.


emitting lantern is somehow strange and confusing for him. More so, he said “there goes the garbage produced out of the event, the plastic packaging of the lanterns, the lanterns themselves that will eventually go back to earth as trash somewhere.” For a staunch advocate of Earth Hour, Jovi said he was a bit confused. “I guess by way of the lanterns, the city government wanted to keep the people and the crowd together for that hour. The lanterns are visually delightful but how they impacted on the crowd to do something to save the planet is not certain.” Students and young people were also in the crowd. Most of them were excited to participate especially in lighting the lanterns. In conversations with some students, many of them were sufficiently aware of the observance saying that switching-off power for an hour is a conscious effort to save electricity. “For me lighting and releasing the sky lantern into the sky is a symbol of hope,” Sandy, a student of a local school here said. “It is my

voice raised to the skies telling those who would see my lantern from a far that I need my home, my earth for my future.” For what it’s worth, Jovi believes sky lanterns can still bring the message and stir debate. He said that what is important is for organizers to be challenged with more meaningful and impact-driven observance of Earth Hour in the coming years. Earth Hour is a worldwide event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and held on the last Saturday of March annually, encouraging households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. The event, conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald, first took place in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney’s lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008. Since then, Earth Hour has grown to become what environmental group WWF organizers say is the world’s largest demonstration of support for action on carbon pollution. WWF noted that the main goal of Earth Hour is to create awareness around climate change issues and “to express that individual action on a mass scale can help change our planet for the better” and not about the specific energy reductions made during the hour being all that’s required. (PIA-9 ZBST)


DepEd-ARMM employees soon to enjoy right benefits as GSIS members

Employees of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) will

soon enjoy the right benefits due to them as Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members.

This, as the GSIS inked a memorandum of understanding with the DepEd-ARMM to update the service records of more than 24,000 DepEd employees in the region. Under the agreement, the GSIS and the DepEd-ARMM will jointly update the service records of active and separated teaching and non-teaching personnel of DepEd-ARMM in three months, which will basically

entail the matching a n d validation of entries in the records of the DepEd-ARMM personnel. “As the computation of retirement benefit and loans is based on the length of service, it is important to update and reconcile the records of our DepEd-ARMM members to ensure

by Apipa Bagumbaran


DA holds consultation on agri-fisheries modernizationby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - Spearheading the updating of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP), the Department of Agriculture (DA) Planning Service and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council pools an area-wide public consultation on the Draft Regional AFMPs 2011-2017, last March 20.

DA Regional Executive Director Lealyn A. Ramos said the AFMP will help ensure that all regional field units, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the department will have an action program that is cohesive, reinforcing, and consistent with the Philippine

Development Plan, the AFM Act, and other national policy directives. She added that this will be utilized by the agri-fisheries sector as an instrument to sharply focus programs, projects, and activities towards modernization. The area-wide consultation aims on enabling informed and effective stakeholders participation, which are representatives of

national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, private-sector led agricultural, and fishery councils and state universities and colleges. Ramos noted that it specifically

they will receive the correct level of benefits upon their retirement or when they apply for a loan,” said Robert G. Vergara, President and General Manager. The MOU takes off from the 2005 Service Records Updating agreement between the GSIS and the DepEd-National to re-encode the service profiles of active and separated DepEd employees using the latter’s personnel service records.

This included 16,170 teaching and non-teaching personnel of the DepEd-ARMM. However, the project however was hampered by the low accomplishment in the submission of records. “We appreciate the initiative of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman to pursue this long-delayed project and finish it within the year,” Vergara said.


seeks to generate comments, reactions, and recommendations on the draft regional plans of the

AFMP before it will be finalized and consolidated into the national AFMP.

PAGASA, PIA hold lectures on CCA, communicating disastersBy Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) of Barangay One, with the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Information Agency here, conducted a briefing on disaster risk reduction specifically on ‘climate change adaptation (CCA)’ and ‘communicating disasters.’

Gabriel P. Alima, Punong Barangay, said he will give the disaster risk reduction management plan that would focus on disaster preparedness, risk reduction management and climate change. About 50 BDRRMC members, barangay volunteers, and barangay officials are expected to participate in the briefing. Alima said they are now drumming up community awareness on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for the public to cooperate in the call for adoption of a policy of self-reliance in each vulnerable community that comprise capability building, as well as allocation and efficient use of resources. It also underscores involvement and active participation of the people in disaster reduction, prevention and preparedness, leading to improved risk management. Officials from the Department

of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will also give guidelines on disaster risk reduction. “The briefing will whet their enthusiasm on disaster response and skills in disaster preparedness, rescue operations and climate change adaptation, thus saving lives of people in times of disaster,” Alima, further said.

Photo Credits: http://www.progressivereform.org


Energy stakeholders’ meet held in Davao

A stakeholders’ meeting and information, education,

and communication campaign was held today (April 3) the at Grand Regal Hotel, this city. It was a venue for the Department of Energy (DOE) to talk to the stakeholders on the various challenges being faced by the energy sector in Mindanao. Among those who presented the Mindanao energy situation, efforts and plans of the department is DOE Usec. Josefina Patricia M.

Asirit. Representatives from the National Power Corporation (NPC), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) also discussed their share of topics in the said forum. This stakeholders’ meeting is was deemed crucial as President Simeon Aquino III

is also scheduled to talk with the power industry stakeholders in Mindanao in the coming week. Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino earlier announced the President’s plan to personally lay down to the stakeholders some specific measures to be taken by the government to secure a reliable and sustainable power generation in Mindanao . (PIA11/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)

By Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat


Dabawenyos pledge for ‘I Will If You Will” campaign by Frances Mae Gevera Macapagat

DAVAO CITY -- Dabawenyos shared their pledges in Earth Hour’s “I Will If You Will” cam-paign which went viral through the internet. In last night’s Earth Hour celebration here at SM City Davao, some Dabawenyos pledged to stop using the air condition for about a month, to stop using the shower for bathing to save on water, lessen time spent using the computer and the television to save electricity, and to walk to the office instead of riding a cab to save on gas. These are some of the challenges shared by Davao locals as their way of participating in the largest ever Earth Hour and the challenge platform hosted atwww.youtube.com/earthhour. The World Wide Fund (WWF) said the “I Will If You Will” campaign is to get long-term commitments from the public and extend the effect of Earth Hour beyond 60 minutes. While waiting for the big switch off at 8:30pm, Earth Hour Davao host Marc Nelson gathered pledges from the audience, read pledges from facebook and twitter, and even posed for pictorial as a challenge in

exchange of the pledges of some Dabawenyos. WWF Philippines VP for Programs Joel Palma said the I Will If You Will campaign shows the growing awareness of Filipinos that there are indeed serious problems in the environment that everyone should be concerned about. “ And the knowledge doesn’t end there. The campaign is an opportunity for all of us to think of our own way of doing something for the planet. It doesn’t just end after the one hour switch off but it goes beyond that.” Palma explained. The Davao celebration of Earth Hour was participated by corporate organizations like Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) and Hedcor, both major players in the energy and electricity sectors. Members of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of the Philippines also showed a solid participation in the said event. Despite the heavy rain that poured just in time for the switch off, the crowd stayed and opted to watch fire dancers strut off their moves in the entire hour that Davao establishments and households turned off their lights for mother earth.(RIGA/FMGM/PIA-11)


Davao women to lead campaign vs junk foodsby Carina Cayon

DAVAO CITY – Members of the Mothers for Peace Movement in Mindanao (M4P) will take the lead in a “food revolution” campaign or the fight against junk foods in schools in the city starting July this year. M4P will launch the Mothers for Peace SuperFood Carts in Davao City in time for the Nutrition Month celebration in July in a bid to promote healthy foods organically produced and cooked by the city’s rural women. Patmei Ruivivar, program officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) that organized the M4P, disclosed this during the Kapihan sa PIA on March 30 featuring women issues in observance of the Women’s Month. Ruivivar said the campaign will also support the city government’s

ordinance that bans junk foods in schools. “The food revolution campaign will start in schools to educate parents on healthy foods, and help them change the eating habits of their children,” she stated, mentioning that the Assumption College of Davao is one that adheres to no-to-junk foods policy inside its school campus. She said the Mothers for Peace SuperFood Carts will be installed in different schools in the city to sell nutritious and delicious foods in food carts. Davao City will be the pilot area for this health and at the same time economic enterprise for women in Mindanao as part of MCW’s Mothers for Peace Social Enterprise Program. MCW launched this enterprise program during the Women’s Market that brought more than 20 women’s groups and food producers all over Mindanao in time for the women’s month celebration on March 8 this year in the city, Ruivivar said. MCW, established in 2001 by Mindanao women leaders, is a non-government organization that advocates for Mindanao peace and development agenda from women’s perspective. The M4P is MCW’s grassroots base.


ALABEL, Sarangani The new International Monitoring Team (IMT)-Team Site 4 headed by Col-onel Abdul Bin Waley Mohammad pays a courtesy call to Governor Migs Dominguez Monday, April 2, at the Provincial Governor’s Office. The IMT has been in the forefront of monitoring the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

International Monitoring Team courtesy call

Photo Release


So Cotabato PNP on alert for the Holy WeekBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- South Cotabato’s police force has been put on heightened alert for the celebration of the Holy Week, P/SSupt. Ran-dolph Delfin, police provincial director said.

Delfin said, as early as two months ago, in accordance with a directive from the Police Regional Office, he ordered all police chiefs under his jurisdiction to plan out and strengthen

security measures for the summer vacation.

“Included in this are the security measures for the celebration of the Holy Week as well as those intended to keep vacationers safe,” Delfin

said.As in other important

events, he said, police personnel will be deployed in public convergence places, such as terminals, churches, malls, supermarkets


others.Security in the popular

tourist destinations in the province, including Lake Sebu and the famous Seven Falls zip line, will also be increased with the expected influx of visitors coming to these areas.

“We are also intensifying our checkpoints in the province’s entry and exit points,” he added.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office

– 12 regional director Arlan Mangelen said they are putting up assistance centers along major roads in the region to help motorists and travellers.

“Our focus during the Holy Week is safety and protection of the traveling public,” he said.

Mangelen added that starting Wednesday, they are temporarily suspending their anti-colorum operations to be

able to concentrate on the Operation Semana Santa.

LTO has also reminded motorists to meticulously prepare for the expected long travels. According to the agency, drivers should check BLOWBAGETS or battery, lights, oil, water (radiator & wiper washer), brakes, air pressure, gas, early warning device, tools, and self.

Code White alert up in public hospitals for the Holy Weekby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Code White Alert is up in time for the celebration of the Holy Week, Department of Health 12 regional director Dr. Marlyn Convocar said.

“In support to the Op-eration Semana Santa, our public hospitals are ready to extend help in case of emergencies during the celebration of the Holy Week,” Dr. Con-vocar said.

“We have buffer stocks of medicines and IV fluids for cases like diseases, dehydration, diarrhea, and others.”

During Code White

alert, emergen-cy medicines and supplies especially for trauma needs should be stocked up and made available at the emer-gency rooms of health facilities.

M e d i c i n e s and supplies in the operating


rooms should likewise be reviewed and increased to meet sudden require-ments.

Other needs such as X-ray plates laboratory requirements and oth-ers should also be made available and not re-quired to be purchased by victims and patients.

Dr. Convocar also warned to public to be especially careful with food and so much ex-posure to the sun dur-ing the Holy Week when diarrhea and heat stroke

are common.She advised them to

carefully check stored food before eating be-cause these are easily spoiled during summer. Proper hygiene, such as washing of hands before eating is also important to prevent diarrhea.

“As much as possible avoid so much exposure to the sun to prevent h KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 2 (PIA) -- Code White Alert is up in time for the celebra-tion of the Holy Week,

Department of Health 12 regional director Dr. Marlyn Convocar said.

“In support to the Op-eration Semana Santa, our public hospitals are ready to extend help in case of emergencies during the celebration of the Holy Week,” Dr. Con-vocar said.

“We have buffer stocks of medicines and IV flu-ids for cases like diseases, dehydration, diarrhea, and others.”

During Code White alert, emergency medicines


and supplies especially for trauma needs should be stocked up and made available at the emer-gency rooms of health facilities.

Medicines and sup-plies in the operating rooms should likewise be reviewed and increased to meet sudden require-ments.

Other needs such as X-ray plates laboratory requirements and oth-ers should also be made available and not re-quired to be purchased by victims and patients.

Dr. Convocar also warned to public to be

especially careful with food and so much ex-posure to the sun dur-ing the Holy Week when diarrhea and heat stroke are common.

She advised them to carefully check stored food before eating be-cause these are easily spoiled during summer. Proper hygiene, such as washing of hands before eating is also important to prevent diarrhea.

“As much as possible avoid so much exposure to the sun to prevent heat stroke,” she said.

If exposure cannot be avoided, especially dur-

ing critical hours from 10 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. she advised wearing of protective gears such as hats and umbrellas, staying under shady ar-eas, and drinking a lot of water. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) eat stroke,” she said.

If exposure cannot be avoided, especially dur-ing critical hours from 10 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. she advised wearing of protective gears such as hats and umbrellas, staying under shady ar-eas, and drinking a lot of water. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Gen San city gov’t readies for Holy WeekBy CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--The city government here is all set for the observance of the Holy Week.

In today’s City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting, Mayor Darlene Antonino-Cus-todio asked the mem-bers to submit to her by this morning their final reports relative to their respective plan for the Holy Week.

“It is important that everything is in place and coordinated well

especially with all the chiefs of police and other key line agencies and offices for the Holy Week,” the mayor told the Council members.

Custodio, however, pointed out the im-portant role of police in keeping the peace and order in the city especially in ensuring the safety of the public

during the observance of the season.

She said all key of-fices shall be on call during the observance and will be convened when necessary.

As this develops, the police assured the mayor that there was enough numbers of police personnel in the different police stations


and when necessary the regional police headquarters will de-ploy personnel for re-inforcement.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) GenSan, an elite military force based in the city will also join the police to tightly se-cure the parameters of GenSan.

In addition to the stand by security forc-es, Mayor Custodio also asked the Phil-ippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station here and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to help ensure that all-out security is concretely in place especially in Sarangani Bay.

PCG and the MARI-NA both reassured the

lady chief executive that they have been regularly conducting patrol in the Bay area and will do more during the season of Lent.

Citing the influx of people after Good Fri-day, Custodio urged then the police and other security forces to particularly double their efforts of securing the city during Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

“Ito kasing mga araw na to talagang marami ang pumupun-ta sa simbahan kaya kailangan ang ibayong pagbabantay,” she ra-tionalized.

She said more po-lice presence will be deployed in barangays

with many churchgo-ers such as Lagao, City Heights, Calumpang, Bula, Fatima to include the city proper.

Custodio also or-dered the police to co-ordinate with barangay chieftains for the mo-bilization of barangay tanods and other force multipliers who can help them to better se-cure the city-wide pe-rimeter.

She also cited the readiness of the city government key of-fices led by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Health Office (CHO), the City Disaster Risk Reduc-tion Management Of-fice (CDRRMO), the City Engineering Of-fice (CEO), the Delta 9 under the City Pub-lic Information Office (CPIO), including the City Quick Response Team (QRT) and the Interim Integrated Waste Collection Ser-vices Unit (IIWSU). (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

One Mindanao - April 3, 2012

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Transcript of One Mindanao - April 3, 2012