One Mindanao - April 5, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

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

Cover Story

Election is just around the corner; how are we as voters?Michael Vincent D. CajulaoWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Friday, April 5, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 159

page 4

Govt has effective contingency plan for a Korean Peninsula crisis, says Aquino9

DA TOT graduates to help boost rice self sufficiency in ZamPen24Butuan dad denies disrupting religious activity

Barangay in Tacurong City to represent R-12 in Nat’l Lupong Tagapamayapa Awards

Geologist urges vigilance among New Bataan poblacion residents

162730

Southern Mindanao

Personal information updating, editing now available at Pag-IBIG Fund 33Gilbert Francis Uy, Northern Mindanao

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

DENR to address environmental concerns on invasive alien species25

7 11 13 19 24 29

Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

Alma L. Tingcang, Caraga Region

Friday, April 5, 20134

Once again we will hear politicians sing songs of beautiful promises, sweeping people off their feet with their words of wisdom and pledging to take them to a “promise land overflowing with milk and honey”. That is to say, to greater success

and development in exchange for our votes. As far back as anyone can remember, at least here in the Philippines, a lot has been promised by our leaders during campaign, but fell terribly short after sitting in the position. Some may have delivered, but most of them did not. Then we start to complain.

Some even express their disgust openly thru rallies or any form of public demonstration. This has been the same, old situation for decades. But should we really put all the blame on our leaders? Could we pass

Election is just around the corner; how are we as voters?

Last Monday saw the official start of the campaign period

for those running for the May 2013 elections, at least in the local level. National aspirants started theirs a few weeks back.

CoVer StoRy

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Friday, April 5, 2013 5

all the culpability to them? The Commission on Election and private organizations like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and others have all been conducting voters education activities pushing for a clean, honest, peaceful, and meaningful elections, and to enlighten the voters to put the right leaders in the position. Sadly, reports of vote-buying is still prevalent despite all these efforts. To be blatant about this, the reason why there are corrupt officials is because voters put them in the position. Politicians will do everything in their power just to get our votes. And that means buying it. They spend millions of pesos for all their election machineries just to get the position. And when seated, they will

get back their “investment” with a big “interest”. It has been like this for years now but voters seem not to care. Election time is “bidding” time for most. The ones who give more get the people’s vote. It’s high time for voters to stop this culture. In one of GMA’s retweeted messages, it says, “Dapat tama ang pagpili ng kandidato. Sa halip na magkano, ang dapat na tanong: Karapat-dapat ka ba sa aking boto?” (The selection of a candidate should be right. Instead of “how much?”, the question should be: Do you deserve my vote?) Some say they cannot blame those receiving money during election in exchange for their votes because they are in need. Poverty has led them to be part of this system. But should they sell their votes for a few hundreds or thousands of pesos


for years of suffering because of the corrupt officials that they voted for? Maybe they should also realize that by selling their votes, they have greatly contributed to their worsening plight since these corrupt politicians really don’t care about them. The poorer the voters are, the more unscrupulous politicians can exploit and manipulate them. Voters depend on those running to bring them to the promise land. It’s never easy. There will always be bumps and grinds along the way. But it has to start somewhere or with someone. And it is thru the voters. Voters make or break our society. A wrong choice of leaders can spell doom to all of us. But think of the brighter side, a right choice could

spell a big difference, a positive one, a choice that will be a start on our way to the promise land. Step by step, little by little. What is important is we are in the right track. With elections fast approaching, we are now given a huge privilege and responsibility to once again choose our leaders. How are we as voters? Are we wise, conscious, careful, and discerning, or are we once again part of a rotten system? Election is all about choice; choice that will make or break all of us. Voters should treat their votes sacred just like the Junior Chamber International (JCI) campaign message which says, “Boto Ko, Sagrado” (My Vote, Sacred).


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino leads launching of Laguna Lake flood control project in Sta. Cruz

President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday the launching of the Laguna Lake flood control and river protection project that will shield communities along the lake from raging flood waters during rainy seasons.

Upon arriving at the project site, the President was briefed by Secretary Neric Acosta, the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and Laguna Lake Development Authority

(LLDA) general manager, about the flood control project.

Acosta said the P180-million flood control project in Sta. Cruz is the first to be implemented and other

8Friday, April 5, 2013

four projects in several other locations along the Laguna Lake rim will also soon start.

The government is prioritizing the Sta. Cruz flood control project following the visit of the President in the area after the onslaught of habagat in Laguna, Acosta said.

Sta. Cruz was heavily affected by the flooding and had the largest number of hectarage affected as well as families devastated by flood waters, he added.

Acosta said they expect the Sta. Cruz flood control project to be completed by November or December this year. They also target to complete the entire flood control system along the lake by April next year, he added.

The Sta. Cruz flood control project launched by the President involves the construction of river control structures with reinforced concrete river walls on steel sheet piles. The DPWH will also excavate earthen embankments to widen the river and increase its flood conveyance capacity, according to a project briefer.

It is designed to restore damaged river

walls, extend length of slope protection and balance the habitat and recreational function of the area. The project design includes rock grade stabilization, rock bank protection and the use of bio-engineering techniques.

The government is implementing the flood control project based on the memorandum of agreement between the LLDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The LLDA and the DPWH have P780 million to complete the project that will rehabilitate and construct river control structures in Sta. Cruz, Mabitac, Sta. Maria, Binan, and San Pedro.

The P780-million fund is part of the P5 billion allocation approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board chaired by the President.

The government allocated P5 billion for the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan that establishes the roadmap for a sustainable and effective flood control management of the DPWH in cooperation with the LLDA and local government units (LGUs). PND (as)


Govt has effective contingency plan for a Korean Peninsula crisis, says Aquino

President Benigno S. Aquino III made

an assurance on Friday that the government has an intact emergency response plan in case war breaks out in the Korean Peninsula as tension continues to rise in the region.

In an interview with the media during an event here, the President said he’s confident that Filipino community organizations in South Korea are working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Embassy in that country to organize Filipinos if there is a need for an evacuation.

“Maganda ang ugnayan ng ating embahada at ng mga Filipino community groups doon. Iba-ibang mga grupo ang naghanda ng mga evacuation plans kung sakaling kakailanganin,” the President said.

At the same time, the President said

10Friday, April 5, 2013

the Philippine government is also talking with other countries for temporary sheltering arrangements in case of any emergency evacuation.

The President said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is flying to South Korea tomorrow to check on the government’s preparations for a possible emergency situation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the intelligence services was also instructed to assess whether or not the threat is real and how bad it is, the President said.

But the President added that he hasn’t received any information about any eminent threat in South Korea that will require evacuation of Filipinos.

The President recalled that during the shelling of a South Korean island two years ago, there were about 50,000 Filipinos living or working in South Korea. About 15,000 stay closest to the demilitarized zone than Seoul, making them a top priority for the government in case of an emergency.

The government said there are nine Filipinos working in North Korea as

United Nations staff.Under the government’s contingency

plan, Filipinos will be brought to the southern portion of the country, in Busan, and then they will be ferried or airlifted from there, the President said.

The government also has better capability now than before in evacuating people because it has three operational C-130 cargo planes. It also has a Navy ship that could ferry people from South Korea.

One C-130 can carry about 100 people per flight for a four-hour flight, the President explained. A Philippine Navy ship can carry a thousand but travel time could take around ten days.

Tension has been high in the Korea Peninsula amid threats of North Korea to launch nuclear attacks against the US and its ally, South Korea. On Thursday, the US announced it is deploying an anti-missile defense system in Guam to shield its territory against a possible North Korean missile attack. PND (as)


MinDa chair questions signing of BOT deal for 20.9-MW GenSan power plant

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)

chairperson Secretary Luwalhati Antonino has questioned last month’s signing of a build-operate-transfer ()BOT) deal for a 20.9-megawatt (MW) bunker-fired power plant in this city due to alleged lack of consultations.

Antonino said she is personally opposing the agreement signed by proponents A Brown Co. Inc. (ABCI) and distribution utility South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) as it allegedly failed to follow the required procedures and processes, specifically the public hearings.

“Hindi porke may authority kayo sa board pipirma na kayo ng kontrata (It does not mean that when they obtained the board’s authority, they can already sign the contract),” she said in an interview

with a local television station.Antonino was referring to the Socoteco

II board of directors’ president Elenito Senit and general manager Rodolfo Ocat, who represented the electric cooperative in the supply and transfer deal with ABCI.

Under the agreement, ABCI’s wholly owned subsidiary Peak Power Energy Inc. will build, operate, maintain and transfer a 20.9-MW bunker-fired power plant in the franchise area of Socoteco II over an undisclosed period.


Roel Castro, Peak Power president, said in a statement that the “decision to build power generation facilities is our way of contributing a solution to the power problem in Mindanao.”

Senit said the agreement will help cover for the power deficit within its franchise area as a result of the reduced power allocation from the National Power Corporation (NPC).

Socoteco II is presently implementing daily rotating brownouts lasting seven hours for each of its two feeder grouping or a total of 14 hours due to the power shortage.

The rotating brownouts outages were mainly blamed on the severe load cuts imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as a result of the declining generation capacity of the NPC’s hydroelectric plants in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

The electric cooperative, which has a daily average peak power demand of 112 MW, serves this city, the entire Sarangani Province and the municipalities of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

In the last two weeks, the area’s power deficit reached as high as 41 MW due to the unstable power allocation from the NPC.

Socoteco II forged the sales deal with TMI in 2011 after the NPC slashed the area’s power allocation to the area by

30 percent or from 104 MW to 72 MW in 2012.

This year, NPC imposed another 30 percent cut to the area’s power supplies or specifically from 72 MW to 52 MW.

Ocat said they remained open into leasing diesel-fired modular generator sets to help ease the brownouts in the area as proposed earlier by the Department of Energy but stressed that they consider the ABCI deal as its best option at the moment.

Such position was based on the analysis made by the Socoteco II board.

“We don’t want an option where we will be involved in the operations of a power resource or get into a partnership agreement,” he said, referring to the leasing of modular generator sets.

During the regional power forum here last week, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla presented the leasing or purchase of modular generator sets as immediate alternative option for local electric cooperatives.

He said DoE will assist the cooperatives in facilitating the purchase of the generator sets through a loan scheme that will be administered by the National Electrification Administration.

But Antonino, who has been pushing for the deployment of the modular generator sets in the area, said she will investigate the deal signed by Socoteco II and ABCI.


NEDA-Caraga presents region’s labor, employment status

BUTUAN CITY -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Caraga today presented the region’s labor and employment status.

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

by Robert E. Roperos


During the Sectoral Technical Working Group Meeting on Mainstreaming Labor and Employment in the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2011-2016 Revision and Enhancing the Results Matrices held in one of the local establishments here, Melanie Maur of NEDA-Caraga said in comparing the key labor and employment indicators in 2010 and 2011 in the region, the labor force participation rate has increased from 65.38 percent to 65.73 percent.

Maur also said the region’s employment rate has also increased from 93.50 percent to 94.03 percent. In terms of unemployment rate in the region, Maur said the region’s data has

decreased from 6.48 percent in 2010 to 5.98 percent in 2011.

However, the official said the underemployment rate of Caraga has increased from 22.23 percent to 26.00 percent.

Maur further explained Caraga Region has achieved moderate accomplishment with

respect to employment creation, where laborers and unskilled workers comprise a big chunk of the total labor force.

She also said number of jobs created did not grow fast enough and there is still high level of underemployment in the region.

With these developments, Maur said the challenges that the region in


particular, and the country in general is facing is to translate potential jobs into actual employment. She also stressed there is a need to improve governance infrastructure to encourage investments, particularly in key industries.

The NEDA official further cited that mainstreaming employment generation in sectoral and industry roadmaps must also be made, as well as to facilitate school-to-work transition of young entrants to the labor force, and maximizing productive capacities of large pool of educated unemployed young adults.

In other developments, Maur presented the region’s probability in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She

said the region is seen to be high in terms of under five and infant m o r t a l i t y rate, halt and begin to revers the i n c i dence of malaria and other d i s ea se s , access to safe drinking

water, and households with sanitary toilets.

In terms of improving maternal health, the probability was observed to be medium, while in the aspects of gender equality and women empowerment, elementary cohort survival and completion rates, and access to reproductive health services, the region was seen to have low probability.


Butuan dad denies disrupting religious activity

BUTUAN CITY -- Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. denied involvement in the disruption of a religious activity dubbed “Panaad 2013” in Barangay Anticala, in which an alleged misencounter between government forces occurred.

The activity was spearheaded by incumbent Congressman of 1st District Agusan del Norte Hon. Jose ‘Joboy’ Aquino II, who is also his opponent for mayor in the May elections.

“I am not against this religious activity of the Catholics. I may not be a catholic by religion but I’m also a Christian and I support other religious sector’s activity especially in times like this (holy week) because people just want

to express their faith and belief to the most almighty... It is not my doing not create such scenario just to destroy my opponents’ activities and get attention from the people,” Amante said.

Amante added that when he received the report early morning on ‘Good Friday’, he immediately called the attention of his personnel to provide dump trucks so devotees can easily leave the area and move to a safer place.

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


Amante also clarified that it is not a ‘misencounter’ between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as some people were claiming.

“I don’t think it is a misencounter between the two forces because a week prior to the holy week season, both conducted clearing operation in the area and declared it as ‘red alert’ area since there was also a report of possible sighting by the NPAs. However, we could not force the devotees not to join the activity since it has been their usual/yearly activity during ‘Good Friday’ as an expression of their faith to God. So, I instructed the PNP in coordination with the

Phil. Army to secure the area and safety of the devotees,” Amante pointed out.

Amante further said that he requested the office of Sec. Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to create an independent task force from the national level to investigate the said incident. This is to know the truth and avoid any whitewash though he also released an executive order to the PNP and AFP to conduct their own investigation and its results will be integrated afterwards.

“It will be my word against theirs (detractors),” Amante said.


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Timi told the local media in a press conference that her husband deserves to be elected, as “he is not just theoretical but practical” as well. Claiming as her husband’s cheer leader, Mrs. Aquino enumerated Bam’s achievements and accomplishments

from his childhood days till today. “Bam’s life was in public service. When he was about six to eight years old, he was already the speaker of the family in rallies during the time of People Power Revolution or EDSA I,” Timi said. He also excelled both in school

Bam Aquino to push for reforms in PH educationMary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - Mary Fatima “Timi” Gomez Aquino visited the city recently to serve as guest speaker during the Women’s Month celebration and to speak for her husband, Bam Aquino, who is running for the senate in the May 2013 midterm elections.


and in his work, having graduated valedictorian in his elementary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University, finishing Summa cum laude at the same school in Management Engineering degree in 1999, and was appointed chairman of the National Youth Commission at the age of 25. He once joined the ABS-CBN Foundation and hosted the Y Speak in Studio 23, a youth-oriented debate show. While serving at NYC, Bam and his team devised two remarkable projects to be implemented yearly, namely, the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Search (TAYO) and the Presidential Youth Fellowship Program (PYFP). “Bam received multiple national and international awards such as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for 2012, Asian Social Entrepreneur of the

Year, United Nations Project Inspire Grand Prize awards for the HaPinoy Program, Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines GoNegosyo Inspiring Young Entrepreneur, and many more,” Timi disclosed. “This is the perfect time for Bam to run for public office with his three key points namely: his childhood, his involvement in public service and motivation,” she added. In summing up the Aquinos, Timi said: “Ninoy may be an advocate for Kalayaan (freedom), Cory an icon of democracy, PNoy a firm crusader for good governance, and Bam would be the number one promoter of trabaho (work) to curb poverty.” If given a chance, Timi said, “Bam will make our education system geared towards job placement, as he is planning to enact Go Trabaho Act and initiate a national internship program.


DA TOT graduates to help boost rice self sufficiency in ZamPen By Alma L. TingcangPAGADIAN CITY - Some 32 graduates of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 3rd batch season-long Training of Trainers (TOT) on Palay Check for farmers/irrigators association were recently confirmed by Regional Executive Director (RED) Eduardo B. Holoyohoy in a simple ceremony held at Casa Emsa, Airport Road, Tiguma this city. Gianipa A. Manupac, TOT adviser and facilitator presented the graduates to RED Holoyohoy who encouraged the farmers to work hand in hand with the government to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the region. In response, “Sapat na Bigas, kaya ng Pinas” was chorused by the graduates. “The DA is committed to keep pace with the agricultural needs and progress of Filipino farmers that will make them profitable and also to create an income-generating rice granary throughout the year,” Holoyohoy said. The TOT program for Palay Check is part of DA’s efforts to enhance the knowledge of rice farmers and irrigators to minimize the cost of farm inputs by maximizing the use of available resources and minimizing the big gap of the harvests in terms of yield from one cropping to another. In consonance with the observance of the National Year of Rice (NYR 2013), DA is advocating for responsible rice consumption enjoining the public, producers, and policy makers to work hand in hand in achieving its goal for rice self-sufficiency.

“We are eating more rice than other food groups when rice and other grains should only be one-fourth of our plate meal. We restrict our energy source too much to rice,” said Regional Rice Action Officer Winifreda P. Jose. Jose presented the Panatang Makapalay (Pledge for Rice) in driving consumers to save rice with emphases on responsible rice consumption such as cooking rice correctly, preparing and taking just enough to minimize waste, to value every grain, and to acknowledge the efforts of the farmers. “For each grain saved, a life is saved. This line elevates the status of the farmers not only as rice producers but also as life savers, giving life to the nation. Ang mga mag-uuma mao ang dugo nga naglatay sa nasud (The farmers are the lifeblood of the nation), provincial coordinator, Jose Agad Jr. said. The program ended with the distribution of special awards and certificates in recognition of the efforts of the farmers and irrigators for successfully completing the four-month season–long training. (DA9)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY “It is good to be an engineer but it is better to be an innovator,”Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez tells participants of the Sarangani chapter-hosted PICE (Philippines Institute of Civil Engineers) 6th Region XII Technical Conference Thursday, April 4, at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center. For more news and updates,

Gov. Migs to engineers: Innovate


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- A farmers’ cooperative in nearby Banga town has received a grant worth P1.763 million from the Department of Agrarian Reform in South Cotabato.

Farmers’ coop receives P1.76 M project from DAR-SoCotBy Danilo E. Doguiles

The organization, identified as Maguad Farmers Irrigators M u l t i - P u r p o s e Cooperative of Brgy. Kusan in said town, received common service facilities

(CSFs), a report from DAR- SoCot showed.

Facilities turned over to them include four hand tractors, three power cultivators, and six threshers.

These were received

by cooperative chairperson Nathaniel Hechanova who signed the Trust Agreement and the Deed of Donation for the irrigators’ association.

The project is part


Farmers’ coop receives P1.76 M project from DAR-SoCot

of the program of DAR under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity support Services (ARCCESS) which includes the provision of equipment and machineries to help the farmers, especially the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBS).

These aids are intended to increase farm productivity of the beneficiaries.

During the turn over ceremony, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) of Banga, Engr. Nestor Villanueva, explained

to the members of the organization their obligations and responsibilities in handling and managing the CSFs entrusted to them.

He also urged them to make plans to maximize their use and earn more income.

Under the ARCCESS program of DAR, selected beneficiaries are also provided with Community D e v e l o p m e n t Specialist who will help the beneficiary association establish business plans as well

as identify trainings that would enhance their capabilities in managing their projects.

Maguad Farmers Irrigators Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s project will serve at least several barangays in Banga, including Kusan as the host barangay, Cabuling and, Cinco. Services are not limited to ARBs but also other farmers in the locality. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with MTVQuimsing – DAR SoCot)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is set to implement a project that would address environ-mental problems brought about by invasive alien species.

DENR to address environmental concerns on invasive alien speciesBy Danilo E. Doguiles

DENR 12 Executive Director Tungko Saikol in an interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 12 explained that invasive alien species or IAS are animals and plants that are introduced, deliberately or accidentally, in

environments where they are not naturally grown.

Examples of such species include: golden kuhol, giant tilapia, janitor fish, G-melina, and buyo-buyo.

Often, he said, IAS pose risk to the native ecosystem as well as

income of residents depending on the environment affected by these species.

Yesteday, DENR held a stakeholders’ consultation meeting in Lake Sebu town on the Philippine component of an internationally-funded project on


Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

The project, entitled “Removing Barriers to Invasive Species Management in the Production and Protection Forests in Southeast Asia” is being funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) through the United Nations E n v i r o n m e n t Programme (UNEP), with the DENR-Protected Area and

Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) as the implementing agency in the Philippines.

The Philippines is one of four Southeast Asian Countries committed to strengthen regional cooperation to effectively combat invasive alien species (IAS) that pose potential adverse impacts to environment.

One of the project components is the conduct of a pilot

study for the control and management of invasive alien species at field level.

The IAS project here will concentrate on the The Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR) which covers Lake Sebu as pilot site,

It will focus on the management of the plant “buyo-buyo” (scientific name, Piper aduncum L.) .

Buyo-buyo, also


known as Matico tree, is a flowering plant in the family Piperaceae known for their peppery odor. It is native to Southern Mexico.

As an IAS, it is known to be highly aggressive and has been linked not only to the degradation of natural forests, and also found to suppression of natural regeneration of forests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

It was found to have already invaded and colonized vacant agricultural areas, logged-over areas and in gaps within natural

forests in the AWFR.It has also invaded

banana and cassava plantations, and has become a dominant species in regenerating natural forests in the pilot site.

Among the guests at today’s stakeholders’ consultative meeting are IAS Project Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim of DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, and Dr. Portia Lapitan of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau in Laguna, along with other officials from said offices.

Local stakeholders is led by Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan.

The local implementation of the project would see partnerships with local communities in managing the “buyo-buyo” with techniques in weed management, appropriate biological control, and habitat restoration.

The four-year project has an overall cost of $6.8 million or almost Php 280 million, with more than $375,000 (Php 15 million) allotted for the Philippines. ( D E D o g u i l e s - P I A

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat-- Barangay Upper Katungal in Tacurong City, is Soccksargen Region’s entry to the 2013 National Lupong Tagpamay-apa Incentives and Awards (LTIA)-Component City Category, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Barangay in Tacurong City to represent R-12 in Nat’l Lupong Tagapamayapa Awards

Before the Holy Wek, LTIA Regional Evaluation Committee conducted a site evaluation in Brgy. Upper Katungal Lupong

Tagapamayapa (LT) Office last month.

During the visit, village chairperson Hernane Fermo,

presented the barangay profile, accomplishments, and innovations. Fermo said that LT’s members are


w e l l -respected in the community.

“ B e c a u s e they have the respect of the residents, our Lupong Tagapamayapa conflicts are immed i a t e l y resolved. They listen to us,” he said.

Also, being purok leaders, LT members are able to settle cases at the purok level thus lessening the number of cases filed at the Barangay LP.

He noted that in 2012, 90.91% of the cases filed in the barangay were settled; zero cases were repudiated; and 100% non-occurrence of settled cases.

Upper Katungal vied against two other barangays from Cotabato City and Koronadal City for the said award.

“Brgy. Upper Katungal really worked hard, not only for this award but to help the city maintain peace and order in

the community,” said Alberto Sero, Tacurong City Local Government Operations Officer.

SP Committee Chairperson on Peace and Order Rodrigo Jamorabon, representing LGU-Tacurong during the evaluation, also expressed his confidence on the Upper Katungal-LT.

“This barangay is smaller than other barangays but they have proven how a small community can significantly contribute to the fulfillment of the city’s objectives,” said Councilor Jamorabon.

Meanwhile, Brgy.

K a t a n g a w a n of General Santos City will represent Region 12 for the LTIA-Highly Urbanized City Category, and Brgy. Poblacion of Polomolok, South Cotabato will be Soccsksargen Region’s entry for the Municipal Category.

S o c c s k s a r g e n Region or Region 12 includes the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani as well as the cities og General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.

L u p o n g Tagapamayapa is a local/barangay justice system that takes charge in settling civil disputes and cases to ensure community peace and order. LTs work with PNP to fulfill their purpose. (DEDoguiles-12 with report from JLCBillano/Tacurong LGU)


World Vision sets voter’s education campaign in DavaoDAVAO CITY– The World Vision in partnership with the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is set to hold a voter’s education campaign dubbed as “Eleksyung Pinoy 2013” on Thurs-day (April 04, 2013) in the city. World Vision Advocacy Specialist in Mindanao Vina Villar said major discussions in the voter’s education include social accountability, political dynasty and party list system. “We’d like to advocate the holding of clean, honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections which is important for the survival and strengthening of any democratic society,” she said in a press statement. Other topics cover basic election laws and identifying various forms of election violations and steps on how to respond those. Villar said, “It’s a good preparation. We aim to start and grow a responsive movement of well-engaged publics responding on

different issues.” The activity will be held at Tower Inn, Quirino Avenue, Davao City, at 9:00am to 4:00pm. World Vision supports initiatives to educate and engage the electorate in community activities and grassroots mobilization aimed at instilling the correct values and principles that would enable them to make wise decisions in choosing their leaders. “We will endeavor to promote increased awareness of communities on their responsibilities during elections, as well as disseminate important guidelines to assist the voting public in choosing their officials,” World Vision press statement said.World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. (PR/World Vision)


Geologist urges vigilance among New Bataan poblacion residents

NEW BATAAN, COMPOSTELA VAL-LEY- Mines and Geosciences Bu-reau (MGB) Geologist Beverly Brebante urges residents of New Bataan to be always vigilant of flashfloods and floods which she said would usually occur due to the towns topographic location. During the Makigsayod Information Forum in New Bataan held last month, Brebante made residents especially of the town poblacion (referred to as Barangay Cabinuangan), understand the geographic hazards that they have to

deal with. Brebante drumbeat calls for utmost vigilance as people in the area recently experienced a disastrous debris flow when typhoon Pablo swept through Compostela Valley in December last year, carrying an avalanche of seven to nine meters depth of mixed mud, rocks, boulders and sand. The debris flow rushed through the center of barangay Andap, buried a considerable portion of the barangay, lost lives of hundreds of its residents. It further pushed floodwaters six kilometers towards


the poblacion area of New Bataan.Brebante explained that flashfloods and floods would come as natural phenomena in Barangay Cabinuangan which lies at the floodplains of Mayo and Maa rivers.Floodplains are downstream areas where rivers normally shift their courses over some period of time. I n revealing findings of recent topographic survey, Brebante said Mayo River has shifted 1000 meters from its original course, taking a new direction closer to the poblacion, while the Maa River has taken a new course 500 meters westward towards the poblacion. Brebante understood that relocating would take some time for residents to do so but she already had identified areas as relocation sites, specifically Purok 15 of Barangay Panag; Sitio Pagsilaan of Barangay Andap; and Purok 4 and 2 of Barangay San Roque. The Task Force Pablo in February recommended relocation of residents in most parts of Barangay Pending such moves to happen, Brebante suggested the local government unit (LGU) to adopt some mitigating measures

such as construction of a dike before and after the junction of Kalyawan Creek and Mayo River; desilting and widening of river channels to prevent clogging and constriction of river courses; and construction of a dike to prevent floodwaters of Ma-a River from overflowing. She recommended the LGU to take strict implementation of land use plan; to set a buffer zone of five meters on both sides of river banks; install rain gauges at the upper watershed of rivers; set up a warning system; monitor landslide prone areas to check development of tension cracks and other landslide manifestation; require a detailed environmental impact study of whatever development activities at the headswater areas of surrounding rivers; conduct EIC Campaign; and to immediately relocate residents of So. Liboton in Brgy Andap. Sitio Liboton is located at the headwater area of Mayo River which spawned huge volume of floodwaters and an avalanche of debris into the sitio when Typhoon Pablo came in December last year. (piaxi/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

facts and figures

300,000 number of visitors/tourists to the Island Garden City of Samal in 2012


DOLE to grow bamboo trees along CdeO riverbanksby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Around 1,000 bamboo seedlings will be grown by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) along the riverbanks of Cagayan River starting this month.

The tree growing initiative called “Iswag Kagay-an” will kick-off on April 11 in Barangay Mambuaya, the beginners’ point of the white water

rafting here. It will be participated by local folks including members of the Oro Association of Rafters, river guides


Personal information updating, editing now available at Pag-IBIG Fundby Gilbert Francis Uy

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Pag-IBIG Fund members who have already complied with the Online Membership Registration via www.pagibigfund.gov.ph but had inadvertently encoded erroneous information on their personal data may now request for the editing or updating of their personal profile by accomplishing the Members Change of Information Form (MCIF).

The MCIF is a downloadable form which must be signed by both the member and the Employer or the duly authorized signatory of the Head of Office (if applicable), to attest the change of information made by the said employee. Furthermore, Ferdinand Saniel,

Department Manager III of Pag-IBIG Cagayan de Oro Branch, said that Pag-IBIG Fund members who wish to update their Civil Status and/or beneficiaries may also request for the editing or updating of their personal information by submitting a duly accomplished MCIF and a photocopy

and their dependents. Atheneus Vasallo, officer-in-charge of the DOLE Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, said the greening effort is part of the advocacy of the Department to protect the environment. The project which seeks to grow bamboo trees along the denuded side of the river to replenish the trees destroyed by typhoons Sendong and Pablo is also supportive to the greening program of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Vasallo said the DOLE has organized the dependents of the river guides into an association to care for and ensure the survival of the planted

bamboo trees. In return the DOLE will provide assistance to the association and train them on product development to enhance their existing livelihood on souvenir making and augment their income. Lawyer Johnson Cañete, DOLE Director for Northern Mindanao, has turned-over the check amounting to P419,350 to the Cagayan de Oro River Guides and Vendors association last April 1 during the launching of the Iswag Kagay-an greening initiative. According to Vasallo, the project will also be replicated in the neighboring riverbanks in the city.


University identifies ‘environment’ as main problem, ‘basic services’ as need of Kagay-anons

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan through its Kinaadman Research Center identified the ‘environment’ sector as primary concern and ‘basic services’ as prime need of the residents here based on their “Barangay-level Community Problems and Needs Identification” with an accompanying 2013 poll survey conducted just recently.

by Mark Anthony Dedoyco and Marie-Zil Malinao

of his/her Marriage Contract and/or the Birth Certificate of his/her beneficiaries (i.e., children). In cases where photocopies of the said documents are submitted, the original copy must be presented, for authentication. Moreover, Pag-IBIG Fund members who are requesting for the editing in the spelling of their complete name and/or date of birth must submit also a duly accomplished MCIF and a photocopy of his/her Birth Certificate and surrender his/her Pag-IBIG Fund Transaction Card, prior to

the reprinting of his/her new Pag-IBIG Fund Transaction Card. In cases of loss in the previously issued Pag-IBIG Fund Transaction Card, a duly notarized Affidavit of Loss must be submitted. The MCIF and the aforementioned required documents can be submitted to Ms. Katherine May Bautista or Mr. Dante Pacana at the Marketing and Enforcement Division of the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch, Pag-IBIG Fund Building, J.R. Borja Mortola Sts., Cagayan de Oro City.

It appeared in the research that the environment ranked first in the problem identification and basic services as prime need of the community. The former includes solid waste management, waste water management, river-related problems and sea cleanliness while the latter involves infrastructures, housing, education, government support and so on. Dr. Astrid Lara Sinco of

Kinaadman specified that out of the survey and analysis of the data, the results showed that the problems to be addressed by the upcoming public officials and political parties are the following: environment with the highest problem identified by the respondents, basic services, peace and order, health, and lastly economics. The XU research agenda further presented the different sectors wherein there are urgent problems


University identifies ‘environment’ as main problem, ‘basic services’ as need of Kagay-anons

peace or law and order particularly theft/robbery, illegal drugs and solvent, prostitution, police visibility/barangay tanod presence and group conflict. Health is also an issue specifically in Philhealth membership, sanitation (road/drainage) and toilets. City local governance came out in terms of traffic in the city/road management, legislation/implementation, city corruption and public market. Food security was also identified wherein there is a problem with employment and adequate food on the table. The research was conducted in the two districts of Cagayan de Oro—District 1 and District 2 wherein a sample size of 600 voters was calculated, each district having 300 respondents. During the presentation, it

reflected that most barangays here have problems with drainage/canals, theft/robbery, road maintenance, cleanliness of roads and canals, city traffic management and illegal drugs/solvent. According to Dr. Hilly Ann Quiaoit of the Research and Social Outreach (RSO) of the university, they conducted this research because of the goal of the university to have stronger formation, greater societal engagement, and help for a better administration. Through this, they need to identify the needs and to provide information that would aid for the formulation of platforms of the candidates for election. Such research aims to generate public opinion of the Cagayan de Oro City electorates in terms of problems and needs to be addressed by incoming public officials and political parties.

One Mindanao - April 5, 2013

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Transcript of One Mindanao - April 5, 2013