One Mindanao - August 26, 2011

2 ONE MINDANAO Friday, August 26, 2011

Western 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] : hnb_r9pia

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] [email protected]

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/F 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 (SOCSKSARGEN)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],ph

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

In This Issue...

COVER STORY : Lamitan’s Lami-lamihan, a festival of “harvests”

NATIONAL• Palace elated over improved business confidence as indicated by latest survey of Bangko Sentral• President Aquino receives winners of the 2011 Magsay say awards

Northern Mindanao • More NorMin youths benefit from government internship program• NBI-10 nabs smuggling suspect Bigcas for illegal possession of firearms• Malaybalay steps up efforts to protect consumers vs. fraudulent trade practices• Standard safety programs can help prevent accidents - DOLE• BJMP expects 800 outdoor enthusiasts in Hike/Run Challenge

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)• Kadayawan framework eyed for future stagings• DavSur mayors support RH Bill• Army sees Bayanihan completion by next year• Serbisyo Caravan pooled gov’t services in varied types• P10-M MRDP road to stir rural economy, boost farmer’s income

Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN)• N. Cotabato pushes for environment-friendly Kalivungan Festival• Sarangani officials eye for PDAF’s new scheme• Sarangani Muslim employees hold Grand Iftar at Capitol• Pagtutok sa Early Recovery Plan ng ARMM patuloy• DOH bus tuloy na tuloy na ang biyahe sa South Cotabato sa Setyembre • Kaso ng dengue bumaba sa ARMM

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)• PDEA-13, police raid alleged drug lab in Surigao City• RTWPB-Caraga sets schedules of Public Consultations for Wage Increase Petition• Gov. Plaza receives gawad sa kaunlaran awards from AFP• PIA Surigao Norte partners RMN-Surigao in bloodletting activity• City Director Carillo to create Discipline Zone in Butuan

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)• Tawi-Tawi gears up for 38th founding anniversary; promotes vast tourism potentials• U.S. Embassy Launches VISAtisfied Voyager as new Visa blog• Saving our farms, securing our staple food

OUR COVER

Today’s cover features the

Lami-lamihan Festival

of Lamitan City, Basilan.

Story on page 3...

3ONE MINDANAOFriday, August 26, 2011

On June 26, 2011 Lamitan City in Basilan marked the 28th Lami-lamihan festival with grandeur and hope as Lamiteños

harvest the labor of the past.

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Lami-lamihan or merry-making in today’s celebration displayed the colorful traditions and culture of the Yakans of Basilan as showcased in the hand-woven tapestry, traditional mu-sic, songs, dances, and rituals. While, many Yakans and Lamite-ños, especially among young people,

have embraced modernity, locals kept in mind their treasured tradi-tions. Thanks to the annual celebra-tion of the festival that kept young generations attuned with their cul-ture and way of life. It is, however, uncertain how many of the young genera-

a festival of “harvests”by Rene V. Carbayas

coverstory...

Lamitan’s Lami-lamihan,


Cover Story: Lamitan’s Lami-Lamihan... from page 3

tions today in Lamitan are culturally educated about their traditions and customs. This year’s theme, “Perpetuating the gran-deur of the past in a humane and progres-sive society,” is fitting enough to bring to the consciousness of the young about the beauty and richness in values of the Yakan culture. For Mayor Roder-ick Furigay, the theme reflects the aspira-

tions of his people while

celebrating Lami-lami-han. “As we celebrate Lami-lamihan, we re-kindle the good values among the youths as they indulge in bad hab-its, like drugs, alcohol-ism, and worst crimes against the State; such as drug-pushing, ban-ditry, and kidnapping,” Furigay said. “Celebrating Lami-lamihan reminds us that in the past our youths indulge themselves in good values that we per-

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Floral offering to the monument of Datu Kalun, founder of Lami-tan in Basilan, held during the 28th Lami-lamihan festival.

Locals and guests enjoy the food during the Duwaa and flo-ral offering at Datu Kalun Park in Lamitan, Basilan celebrating Lami-lamihan festival.


petuate the grandeur of the past in a progressive society,” he recalled. The mayor chal-lenged the elders to always be on guard to protect the good val-ues in the community. He, further invited peo-ple to join him in the pursuit of the dream for a better and peace-ful Lamitan City. F o r V i ce -May -or Arleigh Eisma, the years that passed were significant to all Lamite-ños, historically. It was when the status of city-hood of Lamitan sees its numerous reversals until it was finally pro-claimed with finality by the Supreme Court as constitutional. “Lamiteños must

celebrate the Lami-lamihan with much ar-dor notwithstanding the good news of our city-hood as this is a cel-ebration that promotes our peoples heritage and cultural identity,”

Eisma said. He, likewise, urged the people to continue to preserve its cultural identity in spite of the fast-changing times. The festival is basi-cally cultural in nature. One would be fascinated enough having a military

high-ranking official to be the keynote speaker of the celebration. Brig.Gen. Romeo Calizo, AFP Command Center chief, was also surprised to be invited as keynote speaker. He

said there could be two pos-sible rea-sons. “ F i r s t , m a y b e they got interest-ed with our battle cry that is win-ning the peace. It’s

not anymore winning the war, emerg-ing as victors in [armed] conflict but rather win-ning the peace,” he ex-plained. He said that the second reason could be due to his being a “con-tingent of Lamitan”, the first place that he set


Civic parade during the 28th Lami-lamihan festival in Lamitan City, Basilan.

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6 ONE MINDANAO Friday, August 26, 2011ONE MINDANAO Friday, August 26, 2011

his feet on in the past years, while assigned in Basilan. In his keynote ad-dress, Calizo took note of the respect and tribute given to those involved in spearheading the de-velopment of Lamitan and in transforming to what it is now. He said that the current genera-tion enjoys the fruits of the harvest as he cited the many projects that changed the landscape of Lamitan, like the in-stallation of CCTV cam-eras around the city and various infrastructures, among others. He said the mean-ing of Lami-lamihan de-pends on the leaders. “It is a way of gathering the people together and unite them, kahit na hindi magkakilala unit-

ed pa rin tayo towards the attainment of peace and development.” Meanwhile, Basilan Congressman Jim Salli-man-Hataman salutes Lamiteños for the cre-ativity and dedication to preserve its culture. He said that his office is willing to support in-dividuals who would explore or venture on Yakan literature, cul-ture, and arts. He looks forward to the day when a Yakan and or a Basileño will document or write about the Yakans, citing

that many literatures or documentaries about the Yakans were written by other people. The Lami-lamihan festival 2011 completes another annual celebra-tion of the harvests of the past as it continues to cultivate the seeds of respect, peace, and development. The har-vest that Lamiteños will continue to enjoy gives hope for a future where people are culturally grounded, while facing the challenges of the modern times. (RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)


(From left) Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay, Congressman Jim Hataman, and BGen Romeo Calizo enjoy watching the civic parade during the 28th Lami-lamihan festival in Lamitan City, Basilan.


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Palace elated over improved business confidence as indicated by latest survey of Bangko Sentral

MPFalacanang welcomed on Friday the latest results of the Bangko Sen-tral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey showing improved business confidence index despite the recent US credit rating downgrade and the ongoing

debt concerns in Europe.

In a statement, Presidential Spokes-person Edwin Lacierda said, “We are encour-aged by the results of the third quarter Busi-ness Expectation Sur-vey of the BSP showing a 34.1 percent increase in business confidence in the current quar-ter and a 53.9 percent increase in the next quarter.” “The increased optimism displayed by businesses is a sign of confidence in the Aquino administration and in the renewed vitality of the Philip-pine economy, which

puts us on the path of surmounting the chal-lenges posed by recent events that indicate economic instability in Europe and in the US,” he said. Laicerda said, “The results of the BSP survey show that the vigor of an economy is as much dependent on the optimism displayed by businesses, as it is on fundamentals and sound economic poli-cies.” “We want to build on this optimism; and in the next few years, our administration will continue to expand

the reforms we have already instituted and the firm foundations we have put in place to realize the adminis-tration’s vision of sus-tainable and equitable economic growth,” he said. The higher busi-ness optimism is based on expectations that the domestic economy will remain resilient despite the recent US credit rating down-grade and the ongoing debt concerns in Eu-rope, according to the BSP. (JS)


President Aquino receives winners of the 2011 Magsaysay awards

President Benigno S. Aquino III received this year’s winners of a prestigious award-giving body that recognizes personalities and groups whose lives and work paint a portrait of remarkable change

and achievement, addressing issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity and transforming their societies for the better.

The winners, com-posed of five individuals from Cambodia, India, In-donesia and a group from the Philippines, paid a courtesy call to President

Aquino at the President’s Hall of Malacanang Pal-ace, Friday. They were gladly congratulated by the Chief Executive along with Presidential Spokes-

person Edwin Lacierda. The 2011 Ramon Magsaysay awardees in-clude a Filipino group, the Alternative Indigenous Development Foun

President Benigno S. Aquino III was all smiles as he poses with this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees during a courtesy call at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace Friday (August 26). The 2011 Magsaysay awardees include Tri Mumpuni of Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia; Nileema Mishra from Bahadarpur, Maharashtra, India; Koul Panha of Cambodia; Hasanain Juaini from Indonesia; Harish Hande of Bangalore, India and Auke Idz-enga of Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) from Negros Occidental, Philippines. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is being given by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) to personalities and groups whose lives and works paint a portrait of remarkable change and achievement, addressing issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity and transforming their societies for the better. Also in photo are RMAF Vice Chairperson Emily Abrera, Chairperson Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista and President Carmen-cita Abella. (Photo by: Jay Morales / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

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dation, Inc. (AIDFI) that was given recognition for their collective vision, technological innovations and partnership practic-es to make appropriate technologies improve the lives and livelihood of the rural poor in the country’s upland communities and elsewhere in Asia. Harish Hande from India was given recogni-tion for his passionate and pragmatic efforts to put solar power technol-ogy in the hands of the poor through a social en-terprise that brings cus-tomized, affordable, and sustainable electricity to India’s vast rural popu-lace, encouraging the poor to become asset cre-ators. The holistic, com-munity-based approach to pesantren of Hasanin Juaini of Indonesia cre-atively promoted values of gender equality, reli-gious harmony, environ-mental preservation, in-dividual achievement and civic engagement among young students and their communities. Koul Panha from

Cambodia was honored for his determined and courageous leadership in a sustained campaign to build an enlightened, or-ganized and vigilant citi-zenry who will ensure fair and free elections – as well as demand accountable governance from elected officials – in the country’s nascent democracy. Nileema Mishra from India, was recognized for her purpose-driven zeal to work tirelessly with villagers in Maharashtra, India organizing them to successfully address both their aspirations and ad-versities with collective action and heightened confidence in their poten-tial to improve their own lives. The efforts of Tri Mumpuni from Indonesia was honored for her de-termination to promote micro hydropower tech-nology, catalyze needed policy changes and ensure full community participa-tion in bringing electric-ity, as well as the fruits of development to the rural areas of her country. Established in 1957,

the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely re-garded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Phil-ippine President Ramon Magsaysay and is given annually to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino lead-er. The winners, dubbed as Asia’s living heroes, join 284 other laureates who have received the region’s highest honor to date. Each of them re-ceives a certificate, a me-dallion bearing the like-ness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay and cash prize. The awardees will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award during the Presentation Ceremo-nies to be held on August 31, Wednesday at the Cul-tural Center of the Philip-pines. (jcl/)

President Aquino receives... from page 8


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More NorMin youths benefit from government internship programby Apipa BagumbaranCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Aug. 26 (PIA) --- Some 1,704 youths in Northern Mindanao, have been benefited by the Government Internship Program (GIP), this year.

This was bared by Eddie Cuaresma, Clus-ter Head, National Youth Commission (NYC), North-eastern Mindanao, during the recent Regional Advi-sory Council (RAC) meet-ing, here. Data gathered by NYC show that the prov-ince of Camiguin posted the highest GIP enrollment with 420 youths, exclud-ing the 140 GIP-enrolled youth in Mambajao town. Next was Malayba-lay City in Bukidnon with 300 youths, followed by Gingoog City and Cagayan de Oro City with 260 and 250, respectively. The data also show that in Bukidnon, the local government unit (LGU) of San Fernando had 139 GIP beneficiaries, while Lan-tapan had 79, and Manolo Fortich and Valencia City had 75 and 41, respec-

tively. The GIP is NYC’s contribution to the pov-erty alleviation program of the government which provides young and de-serving individuals with necessary skills related to youth development, Cuaresma said. It aims to initiate the youth to public service to draw their support and understanding of govern-ment programs and proj-ects and serves as a re-cruitment mechanism for potential public employ-ees. Students and out-of-school youths (OSY), who are 18-25 years old, are the targeted clientele of the GIP, which involves all departments and agencies of the national govern-ment, government-owned and controlled corpora-tions (GOCCs), and the

LGUs. College and/or vocational students are to be recruit-ed by the government agencies on the basis of their major or minor fields of discipline, while OSY, preferably those less fortunate but deserving ones, shall be involved in the field work of govern-ment extension programs and projects in their com-munities. Under the GIP, the government agencies will provide the youth interns with stipend of not more than 75% of the applica-ble minimum wage. They may also pro-vide meal or transporta-tion allowances which can be sourced out from the GO budget, as may be provided by law, and sub-ject to the existing laws of accounting and auditing rules and regulations.


However, the youth participant shall be ac-commodated only once in the year-round imple-mentation of the program for a maximum period of three (3) months and

a minimum of two (2) months, upon comple-tion of which, he/she will receive a “Certificate of Completion” to be issued by GO involved. Meanwhile, Cuares-

ma has encouraged the LGUs’s in Northern Min-danao to come-up with an ordinance adopting the GIP to be able to help more youths in the region. (PIA-10)

NBI-10 nabs smuggling suspect Bigcas for illegal possession of firearmsby: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

He was arrested, ex-actly a week after a War-rant of Arrest (WOA) for Illegal Possession of Fire-arms and Ammunitions was issued by Judge Jose U. Yamut, Sr. of the Re-gional Trial Court, 10th Ju-dicial Region, Branch 11, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, last Aug. 18. Bigcas was social-izing with friends at Rho-delsa Circle, near the alternate bridge, here, when apprehended, said Atty. Wenceslao Galen-dez, NBI-10 Investigation Agent, said. Per the WOA signed by Judge Yamut, the bail for Bigcas’ release is fixed at Php80,000 which may-be furnished by the ac-cused, either by deposit-ing the amount with the

nearest collector of the Bureau of Internal Rev-enue (BIR) or provincial, city or municipal trea-surer, in accordance with Section 14 ( cash bail).He can also do it by fur-nishing a bond approved by the RTC Judge, in ac-cordance with Section 19 (corporate surety) and Section 11 (property bond) of Rule 114 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure. It can be recalled that last May 3, joint op-eratives of NBI, the Phil-ippine National Police (PNP) and USA’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the ware-house in Talakag, Bukid-non, owned by a certain Robert Omullon wherein 19 cars and motorcycles

were successfully recov-ered from the premises The raid was made on the strength of a Search Warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Talakag, Bukidnon, after which, another opera-tion was simultaneously conducted on the rented house of Bigcas in Baran-gay Kauwsagan, this city, where 10 more cars and motorcycles, including some firearms and am-munitions, were found. Subsequently, last May 9, the Bureau of Cus-toms (BOC) issued a War-rant of Seizure and De-tention (WSD) against the recovered cars and motor-cycles, thereby, acquiring jurisdiction over them. A congressional in-quiry was, thereafter,

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. Misamis Oriental, Aug. 26 (PIA) – Smuggling suspect Lynard Allan Bigcas has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), here, and has been turned-over to the proper authorities.

More Normin... from page 10

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conducted on the alleged smuggling activities of Bigcas chaired by Cong. Rodolfo Fariñas. However, Bigcas tes-tified that he brought all the imported motorcycles through “Balikbayan” boxes, thereby, evading the payment of taxes and duties. He was also re-quired to present proof of his ownership over the confiscated motorcycles. As to the MV’s, Bigcas al-leged that he acquired all of them locally. Last May 19, a case of smuggling was filed by the BOC against Bigcas before the City Prosecu-

tors of CDO and the Prov-ince of Bukidnon. The Bukidnon case was later withdrawn and filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Manila. However, the CDO case remains to be heard by the City Prosecutor’s Of-fice here in the city. In close coordina-tion with BOC-X, NBI-10 is conducting an in-depth investigation on the al-leged smuggling activities of Bigcas in CDO. Meanwhile, NBI-10 has turned-over the ac-tual physical possession of the following MV’s for disposal and upon subse-quent issuance of a WSD

to BOC-X, last Aug. 17: Martin Brother’s Chop-per with chassis # 1M9H-W28808D830003 and Chevrolet Tahoe with chassis # 1GNNEC13-Z34R110174 and engine # 317018133648925.Dodge |Charger with chas-sis # 2B3KA43G37H86607 and Ranger Utility Ter-rain Vehicle (UTV), color red, chassis # 4XAVH76A48D330033. Yamaha YZF450 with chassis # JYAC-J1077A015220 engine # J324E-015271 and Yama-ha YZF285 with chassis # JYACG25C06A012137 en-gine # E-G342E-024206. (PIA-10)

Malaybalay steps up efforts to protect consumers vs. fraudulent trade practices

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Aug. 26 (PIA) – The Malaybalay City Price Coordinating Council (MCPCC), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), convened recently to adopt the Action Plan crafted by the newly installed Price Monitoring Board (PMB).

by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

City Mayor Ignacio Zubiri said the project forms part of the initiative of the city government to combat deceptive and fraudulent commercial practices. “We are committed to ensure that consum-ers should be protected through the licensing and regulation of many busi-nesses and services here,”

he said. Despite differing systems and policies for the protection of consum-ers, the PMB reached a consensus on the need to pass an ordinance to impose penalties to price manipulators, weekly market price monitoring, and implementation of the price tag law. The PMB, likewise,

underscored in the plan, the regular calibration of the “Timbangan ng Bayan” (market weighing scales), installation of huge price monitoring boards at conspicuous areas in the public market, and veri-fication of the consumer-lodged complaints. DTI Provincial Director Ermedio Abang, meanwhile, said informa

NBI-10 nabs... from page 11

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tion exchange, communi-cation and joint action will combat misleading and unfair commercial con-duct.

“Businesses, con-sumers, the government and their representatives should devote special at-tention to the development

of effective enforcement of consumer protection policies and laws,” Abang further said. (PIA 10)

Standard safety programs can help prevent accidents - DOLEby Jorie C. ValcorzaCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Aug. 26 (PIA) – Industries have to put in place standard safety programs to help prevent or elimi-nate accidents from happening.

This was the mes-sage of Asst. Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano of the Department of Labor and Employ-ment (DOLE-10) to the private occupational safety groups dur-ing the opening of the Regional Occupation-al Safety, Health and Environment Summit held at the Pearlmont Inn, this city, Aug. 25-26. “We will continu-ously work and sup-port our partner safe-ty organizations, so that, together we may be able to inculcate to workers, as well, as to the management side, that safety is non-ne-gotiable,” Cano said. Anchored on the theme: “Sustain-ing and strengthen-ing safety, health, and environment in the workplace,” the sum-

mit aims to enhance compliance to occu-pational safety and health (OSH) stan-dards, as well as, pro-mote greater stake-holder participation in the OSH advocacy. Together with DOLE and the Occu-pational Safety and Health Center, region 10 (OSHC- 10), the activity was initiated by the three (3) estab-lished safety organiza-tions in the region: O c c u p a t i o n a l Safety and H e a l t h Network, region 10 (OSHNet-10), Safety Organization of the Philippines-Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and Bukid-non, Inc. (SOPI-MOCdeOBuk) and the Association of Safety Practitioner of the Phil-ippines, Inc., region 10 (ASPPI-10).

Engr. Teodoro V. Cahoy, president of OSHNet-10 Inc said that this is the only gathering where all safety organizations in a region have worked together in bid to in-crease public aware-ness especially among small medium enter-prises (SMEs). “The good turnout in attendance shows that most in-dustries in the region are (OSH) conscious,” he said. Among the par-ticipants of the sum-mit were, medical pro-fessionals and safety practitioners from the different industries in the region who will be sharing their best safety practices and studies on addressing regional concerns and issues such as OSH challenges in

Malaybalay steps... from page 12


agri-business, hospi-tals, and emergency preparedness in the Information and Tech-nology (IT) sector. The summit opened with the un-veiling of booths and exhibits, followed by plenary sessions and will close with presen-tations on resolutions related to OSH the signing of the pledge of commitment. Meanwhile, OSHC Executive Director, Ma. Terista Cucueco commended its part-ners for realizing the big gathering, citing it, as an initial step to best expand the net-

working between the government and non-government organiza-tion (GO/NGO). “Through this co-partnership we will find ways to multiply all our efforts and this sum-mit that we are having now, is the fruit of our partnership,” she not-ed. Likewise, Dr. Gil-bert B. Gille, President of the Philippine Col-lege of Occupational Medicine, Inc. invited interested companies to join any of the three safety organizations in the region, assuring help and necessary assistance.

“We give free lectures or seminars to the corresponding companies as part of our advocacy aware-ness and with that we also recommend to them, to apply for ac-creditation to the gov-ernment sector like DOLE,” Gille said. “We are not sleeping on our obli-gations as safety and health practitioners in the private sector and we are moving togeth-er aggressively with the government sec-tor that’s why we are here,” he added. (PIA 10)

BJMP expects 800 outdoor enthusiasts in Hike/Run Challenge

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Aug. 25 (PIA) -- Some 800 outdoor enthu-siasts are expected to take part in the “Jail House Rock 8-K Hike/Run Challenge,” which will kick off this coming Sept. 25.

by Jeza Mae Sarah Sanchez

“The first of its kind in region 10, the activity primarily aims to source out funds to strengthen even more the Alternative Learn-ing System (ALS) of inmates in Malayba-lay City Jail,” Sr. Insp. Guy Jason Reyes, Jail Warden, said.

“Optimistic as we are, we also hope that this would help transform the public perception of jails and on that process trans-form the inmates’ perception of them-selves,” the Jail War-den added. Souvenir jerseys

will be made available. Prizes will be also be given for winners in every category. Interested partic-ipants may sign up at registrations sites at Malaybalay City Plaza, Bukidnon. (BJMP/PIA-10)

Standard safety... from page 13


Kadayawan framework eyed for future stagingsDAVAO CITY Aug 26 (PIA)—A framework that will serve as guide for future Ka-dayawan Festivals is being eyed by the recent Kadayawan 2011 organizers. “We want to put in writing the feedbacks of the other sectors.” Lisette Marquez, festival direc-tor of the Kadayawan 2011 which is handled by the Duaw Dabaw Foun-dation, a private sector group tasked to oversee the annual festival. Marques said that they are currently hold-ing post-event evalua-tion meetings to review the way the festival was handled. The festival di-rector added that the festival was a huge suc-cess despite admitted lapses, shortcomings and limitations, “We are so happy that despite the limita-tions the Kadayawan Festival happened as it is.” Marques said. Among the aspects they wanted to revisit is the guidelines of the Hiyas ng Kadayawan a pageant participated by

female representatives from the ten recognized indigenous tribes in Davao City and is touted as a showcase of indig-enous culture and diver-sity. She said that among the comments in the Hi-yas ng Kadayawan were of the candidates wear-ing westernized attire like high heels. “We’d like to see if we are moving too fast or being mod-ernized” Marques said. A consultation will be in place to be partici-pated by different sec-tors particularly from the indigenous people’s community and the me-dia. These and among the many feedbacks will be encapsulated into a framework which Marques hopefully said will be like a manual for holding the festival. She said that if cho-

sen again to handle next year’s Kadayawan they would apply the lessons learned in this year’s Ka-dayawan event. For his part, Davao City Police Office chief Senior Superintendent Rene Aspera, will recom-mend utilizing Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from the various schools in the city during Kadayawan as he noticed that there are not enough warm bodies for crowd control as they were using reg-ular police, military and civilian volunteer units. “Our security man-power was not enough compared to the crowd attendance.” Aspera said. He added that ma-jor festivals like Cebu ’s Sinulog have been de-ploying ROTC cadets for crowd control. (PIA 11/ RG Alama)FMG/RGA


by Carina L. CayonDavSur mayors support RH BillDIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Aug. 26 (PIA) – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines Davao del Sur Chapter declared support for the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill, denoting an initial adherence to its commit-ment to address health concerns in the province. The LMP-Davao del Sur came up with this declaration during the Provincial Health Sum-mit which discussed sev-eral health issues includ-ing the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals on reducing child and maternal mortality, AIDS, Tuberculosis, ma-laria and other infectious diseases. LMP-DavSur vice-president Mayor John Johnson of Don Marceli-no town was the one who raised a motion for the body to prepare a reso-lution in support to the RH Bill which is currently pending on second read-ing and interpolation in the Senate and House of Representatives (HOR).Hagonoy Mayor Fran-co Calida, LMP-DavSur board member, sec-onded the motion with no objection from the body. Johnson told the Philippine Information Agency that the LMP’s resolution would add to the needed endorse-

ment and backing up of the said bill. The Philippine Leg-islators’ Committee on Population and Develop-ment Foundation, Inc. (PLCPDF) provided an update on the status of RH Bill at the 15th Con-gress during the Health Summit. PLCPDF national ad-vocacy manager Ernesto Almocera said that as of last week there were ongoing plenary debates and interpolation at the HOR. Almocera bared that a number of authors and supporters have signified support to vote for the bill after the in-clusion in the priority list of Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). RH Bill, he said, has 98 co-authors with a to-tal of 138 supporters out of 285 HOR members, implying a gain of 48 percent in favor, while 37% against and 15% neutral and/or still un-decided.

At the Senate lev-el, Almocera said the Bill pending on 2nd Read-ing, has completed the period of sponsorship by Senator Pia Cayetano on June 7 and Senator Mir-iam Defensor-Santiago on Aug 1 and 17. He presented the balance of support in the Senate that showed 57% are in favor and 13% are anti-RH Bill, while 30% are still undecided/neu-tral. Almocera also re-vealed that the RH Bill is getting more support from advocates, and that 72% of the country’s population supports the Bill’s provision on fam-ily planning according to survey. PLCPDF and other health group advocates attested to the signing of the joint declaration of commitment by ma-jority of the municipal mayors of the LMP-Dav-Sur chapter who vowed to strengthen the imple-mentation and its sup-port to health pro

17


grams. The forging of com-mitment was done to-gether with other health advocates from the League of Provinces of the Philippines, House of Representatives, De-partment of Health and other development part-ners during the Health Summit on August 19 in Digos City.

“We declare our unwav-ering commitment to en-sure that every Filipino is healthy and productive,” stated the joint declara-tion, anchoring from a premise that the Filipino families deserve health services beyond political division and bias. The LMP sponsored the first Health Summit which would roll out to

other 79 provinces in the country, according to LPM-DavSur chapter president and LMP Na-tional secretary gener-al Mayor Roel Paras of Malalag. The Summit ban-nered the theme “Usa-pang Lokal para sa Kalusugang Pangkalaha-tan.” (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon) FMG/CLC

Army sees Bayanihan completion by next year DAVAO CITY, Aug 26 (PIA) - Oplan Bayanihan under the area of responsibility of the 10th infantry division has liberalized more than 500 barangays and immersed 60 percent of its target areas. In Thursday’s Hermes Club at Pearl Farm Marina, 10th ID Commander Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia reported this accomplishment dis-closing the army’s inten-tion of completing their immersion next year. Oplan Bayanihan was launched during AFP’s celebration of its 75th anniversary last December 21, 2010. It replaced the four-year Oplan Bantay Laya II of the Arroyo administra-tion. It took effect from January 1, 2011 up to the end of President Be-nigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s term in 2016, com-

ing into force amid the impending peace talks between the government and communist rebels. Oplan Bayanihan is people-center, peo-ple-focused. Instead of purely focusing on mili-tary operations, we are bringing in peace devel-opment outreach pro-grams and linking these with the programs of other national and local agencies.”, he said. Segovia explained that the Oplan Bayani-han is done by phases, spending a specific pe-riod of time in a certain area. The 10th ID start-

ed its efforts in Mawab, Compostela Valley Prov-ince as this is the fu-ture home of the said division. The province of Compostela Valley is also identified as a pri-ority area for the army’s peace and development projects and programs. The official admit-ted though that liberat-ing the Paquibato area in Davao City is a chal-lenge for the military as this is considered an isolated case. However, this part is a priority of the military for its Oplan Bayanihan in the coming year. “ Hindi agad na

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

DavSur... from page 16

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babago ang pag-iisip ng iilan pero isolated case lang naman ang Paquibtao. We are just asking the public for a little patience.”, he add-ed. Despite the recent call of the CPP-NPA-NDF for a suspension of mili-tary operation, Segovia

stressed that he army cannot stop its mandate of providing peace and order in the community. “There will be no suspension of peace and development efforts as well as military opera-tion. But if they call for suspension for the re-lease of the abducted ci-

vilians, and if it is clear that the suspension is only for a given time, then possibly we will wait for the order from the higher office to come.” , he said. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat) FMG/FMG

Army sees... from page 17

Serbisyo Caravan pooled gov’t services in varied types DAVAO CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) - Mothers carrying bags of goodies on their way home; farmers with either seeds or tree seedlings; fisherfolks with their fishnets; people holding either birth or marriage certificates. These were some of scenes that Regional Director Achilles Gerard Bravo of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARE-NA) XI saw at the end of the day’s Serbisyo Cara-van in Boston and in Ca-teel towns of Davao Ori-ental, held from Aug. 4 to 5, 2011. In delivering the Serbisyo Caravan ac-complishment report at the Hermes Club, Bravo described the hauling of government services as a triumph in bringing together government agencies to serve the people in hard-to-reach towns of Davao Orien-tal.

“It was the first time that we were able to bring together 47 na-tional government agen-cies and government-owned and controlled corporations. We’ve not done that in Davao City,” he said. Bravo bared the Serbisyo Caravan con-ducted last Aug. 4 to 5 in Boston and in Ca-teel of Davao Oriental, mobilized 250 members of the staff of the par-ticipating agencies and brought together 55 re-gional directors.

Participating agencies

Hoisted as the ban-ner project of ARENA

XI, the Serbisyo Cara-van pooled together the services of the depart-ments of budget, labor and employment, agrar-ian reform, social wel-fare and development, education, environment and natural resources, science and technology, trade and industry, jus-tice, agriculture, health, interior and local govern-ment, energy and public works and highways. It also enlisted the participation and sup-port of the Securities and Exchange Commis-sion (SEC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Com-mission on Audit (COA), Professional Regulation

by Jeanevive D. Abangan

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Commission (PRC), Commission on Popula-tion (PopCom), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Sta-tistics Office (NSO), Na-tional Commission on In-digenous People (NCIP) , Land Transportation Franchising and Regu-latory Board (LTFRB), Public Attoryney’s Office (PAO), Technical Educa-tion and Skills Develop-ment Authority (TESDA), National Irrigation Ad-ministration (NIA), Phil-ippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Agriculture Train-ing Institute (ATI), Re-gional Soils Laboratory, National Food Authority (NFA), Fiber Industry Development Author-ity (FIDA), Commis-sion on Human Rights (CHR), Philippine Infor-mation Agency (PIA), PhilHealth, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Home Dev’t Mu-tual Fund (HMDF), Mar-itime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Southern Philippines Medical Cen-ter (SPMC), Davao Re-gional Hospital (DRH). Government finan-cial institutions such as the Land Bank of the

Philippines, Develop-ment Bank of the Phil-ippines and Quedancor also volunteered their services while the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the National Police Commis-sion together with the Philippine National Police provided security during the event.

Caravan likened to fies-ta Bravo might not have yet figured out the total number of benefi-ciaries but he likened the event to a town fi-esta. He was informed that beneficiaries were already at the town gym as early as 1:00 in the morning for the formal opening ceremonies of the caravan. Interviewed moth-ers who were Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Brgy. San Vicente, Cateel, Davao Orien-tal confided having left their home at around 1:00 a.m., and trav-eled at wee hours in the morning towards the poblacion for the Serbi-syo Caravan. They rode in a truck along with 67 other Pantawid Pamilya Program beneficiaries

of their barangay, just to get their cash assis-tance. While still qeue-ing to get their cash as-sistance, they planned to buy food, clothing, vitamins and other items they would take home for their children. During the two-day roll out of govern-ment services, the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) pulled the most number of benefi-ciaries. Based on ARENA data provided by Bravo, total of 930 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Boston, Davao Oriental were paid out of cash assistance amounting to a total of P2,211,200 released by Land Bank while 1,924 benefi-ciaries in Cateel were paid of their cash as-sistance which totaled P3,555,500. DSWD XI Region-al Director Ester Acebe-do Versoza in an inter-view said DSWD paid out in advance a total of P236,808 Rice Sub-sidy through cash-for-work to 78 beneficiaries in Boston. DSWD targeted to

Serbisyo Caravan... from page 18

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children, farmers, fisher-folks, persons with dis-ability, and poor families in the Davao Oriental sortie of Serbisyo Cara-van. Other than the Rice Subsidy Through Cash For Work and the Pan-tawid Pamilya, DSWD also brought along oth-er prime programs such as Supplementary Feed-ing, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Services for Persons with Disability. Services given In quantifying its Serbisyo Caravan ser-vices, BFAR revealed having brought a total of P432,577.33 worth of mud crab project, fish-ing paraphernalia, tilapia fingerlings to poor and marginalized fisherfolks in Boston and Cateel, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) distrib-uted assorted vegetable seeds, grafted durian seedlings, corn seeds and had given away technoguides for vege-tables and fruit produc-tion. DA also rendered anti-rabies, hemosept and hog cholera vaccina-

tion services while DOLE released sets of fishing equipment to three fish-ing communities in Bos-ton and seven fishing villages in Cateel. Bravo noted as un-expected the high turn out of clients who came to get birth, death and marriage certificates from NSO, and that he considered as among the milestone accomplish-ment the distribution of 3,969 Philhealth cards to beneficiaries who had been identified through the National Household Targetting System. The caravan also touched lives of ailing people. Before the Ser-bisyo Caravan rolled out to Boston and Cateel, DRH earlier set a surgi-cal mission on August 01 at Cateel District Hospi-tal. Seven patients were operated from goiter; 10 from hernia and hydro-cele; and 84 from (non-malignant) cyst. Such surgical mis-sion got a P40,000 worth of medical sup-port from the Depart-ment of Health (DOH) and P100,000 from the Southern Philippines Medical Center. DOH stretched fur-

ther its resources as it also gave out a total of P30,000 worth of medi-cines in Boston and in Cateel. DOH regional di-rector Dr. Teogines Bal-uma also made a timely deed of handing over a check worth P35 million to Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon for hospital enhancement purposes. The 1370th Den-tal Detachment of 10th Infanty Division had its separate dental outreach benefitting 100 dental patients in Boston and 106 in Cateel. Agrarian reform beneficiaries also had their hey-day during the caravan as the Depart-ment of Agrarian Reform distributed 43 certifi-cates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) benefit-ting 192. The Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also handed over land titles aside from distributing seed-lings.

Information services Other agencies staged lectures, dia-logue, consultation and


21


information services. Among those which brought along such types of services were DBP, DOE, PAGIBIG, CHR, DepEd, CHED, CSC, SEC, COA, PRC, PopCom, OWWA, NCIP, LTFRB, DOJ, PAO, TES-DA, NIA, PCA, ATI, Re-gional Soils Lab., FIDA, DPWH, DILG and NFA. Others went out to do actual inspection such as the CHR which did jail visitation; MARINA which con-

ducted ocular inspec-tion of motorbanca; DepEd, site inspection of schools with class-room problems and distributed raincoats to pre-school children; and LTO, conducted emission test on motor vehicles. During the cara-van, teachers and other professionals also took advantage of having their PRC licenses re-newed with PRC which also gave out a total of

4,000 used pencils in Boston and in Cateel. DOST conducted food processing, soap-making and techno-clinic; DTI handled on-site business name registration and busi-ness consultancy; NFA renewed licenses of grains retailers; while Quedancor restruc-tured past loans and condoned penalties of 100 borrowers. (PIA 11/jda)

P10-M MRDP road to stir rural economy, boost farmer’s income KAPALONG, Davao Norte, Aug. 26- Officials and residents of the barangays of Dagohoy in Talaingod town and Semong in the municipality of Kapalong are happy with the new road project with bridge component funded by the Min-danao Rural Development Program (MRDP). They were one in saying that the 2-kilometer farm-to-market road, which include a 36-linear meter RCDG bridge that will con-nect the two needy barangays will truly stimulate develop-ment and increase farmer’s incomes along the way. Governor Rod-

olfo P. del Rosario, Kapalong Mayor Ed-gardo Timbol and Engr. Arnel V. De Mesa, Deputy Pro-gram Director of the MRDP-2, led the groundbreaking of the P10.2-M proj-ect on August 25, 2011. The project is ex-pected to be com-pleted on March

20,2011. Dagohoy Ba-rangay Captain Ro-lando Piquero said his remote baran-gay stands to ben-efit most from the project, as the road will significantly re-duce transport costs for the produce and increase the selling price for the har-vests of his people.

by Noel Baguio


22


He bared the new road will cut the dis-tance of his baran-gay to the market by about eight kilo-meters. “Dali na pag-pagawas sa among mga produkto ug da-ko-dako na ang ma-save sa among mga farmers (It would be easier to trans-port our products and our farmers will be saving a lot on hauling expenses),” he shared. He further said school children who used to cross the riv-er and trudge along muddy trails to get to school will then be more excited to go to school after the project is com-pleted. He also revealed somebody had even asked him about the price of agricultural lands in his baran-gay, as soon as news on the new project came out. Gov. del Rosario affirmed the ben-

efits of the project, pointing out that the road will not only connect the farm-ers to the buyers, but will also bring so much opportuni-ties and hope to the dead-end barangay of Dagohoy. He said that af-ter the road is es-tablished, other services will surely follow, as health, education and other services, as well as business opportuni-ties become more accessible. More than the implementation of the project, Gov. del Rosario said what is more important is the profit that the farmers will gain from the project. The gover-nor bared the prov-ince is posed to re-ceived more than P150 million worth of projects from the MRDP. Engr. De Mesa asked the LGU and the contractor

to properly imple-ment the project, taking cognizance of the target date of completion. He said the performance of both the LGUs and the contractors are important in getting the nod of the World Bank to fund the third phase of the MRDP, in order to fa-cilitate the financing of the remaining ex-cess demand of LGU proposals amount-ing to P6 billion. He also com-mended the gover-nor for taking re-sponsibility of half of the amount being asked as counter-part of the LGUs. The LGUs are supposed to raise a counterpart of 10 percent for the proj-ect, but the province offered to provide the five percent, in order to ease the burden of the cities and municipalities. (PIO/PIA)

P 10-M MRDP... from page 21


N. Cotabato pushes for environment-friendly Kalivungan Festival KORONADAL CITY, Aug 26 (PIA) -- The provincial government of North Co-tabato is pushing for minimal use of plastic products in the celebration of its Kalivungan Festival and 97th Foundation Anniversary that started August 26 and will culminate on September 1.

Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendo-za, a strong advocate of the environment awareness and pro-tection , the provincial board, along with the organizers of the fes-tival activities have urged exhibitors and caterers to refrain from using plastic bags and Styrofoam in packing or selling their products. Mernie S. Com-mendador, coordinator of the festival’s food bazaar “Kumbira sa Kapitolyo” said this move has been wel-comed by the cater-ers who will be join-ing the Kumbira. Caterers have

promised they will be using boxes as pack-aging materials for their packed lunch while others would use banana leaves as food wrappers. Those who said they cannot do away with using Styro-foam food containers vowed they will make sure their wastes are properly disposed. This campaign was spearheaded by the technical work-ing group of the Sol-id Waste Management Board of the province. Recently, the pro-vincial board also passed a resolution prepared by Board Member Vicente C. So-

rupia, Jr. , chairman of the Committee on Ag-riculture, Environment and Natural Resources of the SP urging all government units to implement appropri-ate measures to regu-late the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam as packaging materials. Gov. Mendoza, told the residents of the province that the anniversary celebra-tion is “an opportune time for us, Cotabate-ños to demonstrate our concern and involve-ment in protecting our Mother Earth for future generations”. (PIA 12/ICDC)

by Dani Doguiles


Sarangani officials eye for PDAF’s new schemeGENERAL SANTOS CITY, August 26 (PIA) - Local executives in Sarangani have resolved to share a specific percentage as their counterparts to en-sure success of projects implementation in the province. The scheme is believed to sustain the development and implementation of projects benefiting the people and help-ing them improve their quality of life. Isagani Palma, municipal informa-tion officer of Malun-gon told PIA General Santos City that the officials led by Saran-gani Congressman Manny Pacquiao will release Php52-M fund allocation for socio-economic projects in the province by next year. According to him, the plan was threshed out in a meeting among Pac-quiao, Governor Migs Dominguez, and the League of Mayors in the Philippines (LMP)-Sarangani Chapter, where the amount of fund to be released

was unanimously agreed including the new scheme for fund-ing projects under the Priority Develop-ment Assistance Fund (PDAF). Pacquiao through the congressional of-fice will share under his PDAF Php40-M or 70 percent of the to-tal agreed fund while Php8-M or 20 per-cent will come from the provincial gov-ernment and the re-maining Php4-M or 10 percent will be shoul-dered by the munici-palities. He also com-mitted the release of another Php7-M to sustain the health services in Saran-gani. But Pacquiao said this will only be real-ized if each munici-pal government will pledge to undertake a

“weekly medical out-reach” to serve indi-gents living in distant barangays.Sarangani has seven municipalities. M e a n w h i l e , Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constatino, LMP Sarangani Chap-ter president, said the PDAF’s new scheme has undergone con-sensus among may-ors after Dominguez and Pacquiao extend-ed a unifying hands to each other early this year. Palma said “PDAF serves as source of fund by small-scale but significant proj-ects which cannot be included in large-scale projects that are be-ing funded by the na-tional-led agencies.” (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

by CT Apelacio


Sarangani Muslim employees hold Grand Iftar at Capitol

ALABEL, Sarangani, August 26 (PIA) - Muslim employees, Muslim leaders from SOCSARGEN and provincial officials gathered for the 3rd Grand Iftar celebration Thursday (August 25) at the Capitol gymnasium.

The provincial Grand Iftar was or-ganized by provincial Muslim employees in partnership with the provincial govern-ment said Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, one of the organizers. “We are conducting it during the last week of the month of Ra-madhan,” she added. Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islam-ic month of Rama-dhan. It is one of the religious observances of Ramadhan and is often done as a com-munity, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. “We in Saran-gani are very particu-lar about highlighting our cultural practices especially extend-ing a hand in cultural

sensitivity,” Governor Migs Dominguez said in his inspirational speech. He said Rama-dhan “is a time for us to reflect, a time for us to thank our Lord, our God, our Allah for the blessings he has bestowed on us. It is also time for us to look at our families and thank them for always being around especially in times of need.” “Being your fa-ther of the province and you as my family, I thank you also for always being around me,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Sit-tiehawa Morohamsal-ic, human resource management officer of the province, said the celebration of If-tar clearly shows that there are no biases or

cultural discrimina-tion happening inside the Capitol as she presented the 150 Muslim employees of the province. “From depart-ment heads down to rank and file and al-most all departments have Muslim employ-ees. As long as you are qualified, you will be hired regardless of tribe,” Morohamsalic said. On the other hand, Alimudin Has-san Al Hadj, of Rajah Muda, Royal House of Sugoda Buayan, ex-pressed his thanks and appreciation to the provincial govern-ment for hosting the event. “It just proves your full concern in Muslim welfare,” he said. (PIO Saran-gani/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

by Cocoy Sexcion


Pagtutok sa Early Recovery Plan ng ARMM patuloyCOTABATO CITY, Agosto 26 (PIA) - Hindi pinababayaan ng liderato ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) ang kapakanan ng mga naging biktima ng kaguluhan noong 2008 na umabot sa 8,000 pamilya. Kasalukuyang tina-tasa ng ARMM ang im-plementasyon ng Early Recovery Plan na siyang nagpapatupad ng mga programang naglalayong matulungan ibalik sa nor-mal ang kabuhayan ng libou-libung pamilyang apektado ng pagsiklab ng karahasan noong 2008. Ayon kay ARMM ex-ecutive secretary Naguib Sinarimo 195 ang tinar-get na return sites ng Ear-ly Recovery Plan para sa 8,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sa rehi-yon ang patuloy na pinu-pursigeng mahanapan ng paraan para ipatupad. Sa ulat, 46 priority return sites ang tinayuan ng pabahay sa pamamagi-tan ng core shelter pro-

gram ng DSWD gayundin ang tulong pangkabu-hayan para sa mahigit da-lawang libong pamilya ng IDPs ang naisakatuparan simula noong nakaraang taon na nagsisilbing haom dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo. “Ngayon ang hamon sa atin kailangan natin ma-punan ang natitirang re-turn sites na hindi kasama doon sa prayoridad dahil ang mga IDPs na nandoon sa ibang return sites ay humihingi ng tulong na kahalintulad sa ibinigay natin doon sa priority na 46,” ani Sinarimbo. Ang pagpapatupad ng nasabing plano ay nag-sisilbing hamon sa liderato at iba’t ibang ahensiya sa autonomous region sanhi

ng kakulangan sa pondo. Ang ginagawang pagrerepaso, ayon kay Si-narimbo, ay upang maki-ta ang implementasyon ng plano at malaman ang mga problema sa pagpap-atupad dito upang palaka-sin at lalong mapabilis ang pagrekober ng mga IDPs. Para kay Sinarimbo, naging matagumpay ang pagsasakatuparan ng Ear-ly Recovery plan sa pag-baba ng bilang ng IDPs sa mga evacuation center sa rehiyon. Ito aniya ay baha-gi rin ng paghahanda ng transition committee para sa pagsasalin ng pamumu-no sa mga maitatalagang OIC sa ARMM caretaker government. (pbchang-co/PIA Cotabato City)

DOH bus tuloy na tuloy na ang biyahe sa South Cotabato sa Setyembre KORONADAL CITY, Agosto 26 (PIA) -- Tuloy na tuloy na ang pagbiyahe ng “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) Bus ng Department of Health sa South Cotabato sa darating Setyembre 22 at 23. 27


Sinabi ni Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer ng South Cotabato noong Mi-yerkules na partikular na pupuntahan ng LBK Bus ang Barangay Aflek sa bayan ng T’boli na napili dahil pinakama-dali itong puntahan ng mga residente sa malalayong barangay sa lugar. Layon ng natur-ang mobile health sta-tion ng DOH na maka-pagbibigay serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga liblib na lugar sa tu-long ng mga lokal na

pamahalaan. Kabilang na serbisyong pangkalusugan na na-katakdang ipamahagi ng LBK ang pre-natal care at child health, Habang isinasa-gawa ang libreng ser-bisyong pangkalusug-an , isasagawa naman ang mga pagtuturo sa mga residente sa iba’t ibang mahahalagang impormasyon hing-gil sa kalusugan ng mga at kanilang mga anak sa pamamagitan ng mga nakahandang lecture. Ang mga bata naman ay masisiya-

han rin dahil may mga laro nanakahanda para sa kanila. Ayon kay Dr. Atur-dido, target ng natur-ang health bus na makapagbigay ng ser-bisyong pangkalusugan sa hindi bababa sa 500 pamilyang may mga anak na limang taong gulang pababa sa sampung barangay ng T’boli. Naunang itinakda ang pagbisita ng LBK sa South Cotabato noong Hulyo 6 at 7 subalit ipinagpaliban ito. (DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)

Kaso ng dengue bumaba sa ARMMKORONADAL CITY, Agosto 26 (PIA) – Mas mababa ang kaso ng dengue sa Autono-mous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) kumpara sa ibang rehiyon sa buong kapuluan, ayon sa opisyal ng regional health office.

Ayon kay ARMM regional health secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, mababa um-ano ang kaso na naitala sa rehiyon, kabilang na ang 40 kasong naitala sa Lanao del Sur. Batay sa ulat ng Department of Health (DOH) 77 ang naiulat na namatay sa 11,260 na kasong naitala sa buong

bansa. Ang national Cap-ital Region (NCR) ang mayroong mataas na bi-lang ng mga pasyenteng mayroong dengue. Kahit pa man maba-ba ang kaso ng dengue sa rehiyon, pinapayuhan pa rin ni Dr. Sinolinding ang mga residente ng ARMM na manatili pa ring ma-pagbantay sa mga pag-

babanta ng dengue at magpatuloy sa pag-obs-erba ng “4 o’clock hab-it” ng paglilinis sa mga bakuran upang tuluyang maipalayo ang lamok na nagdadala ng dengue. (ac agad PIA12)

DOH bus.. from page 26


RTWPB-Caraga sets schedules of Public Consultations for Wage Increase Petition

According to Earl Dela Victoria, RTWPB-

Caraga Board Secre-tary, the public consul-

tations/hearing will be held in different prov

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) headed by Chairperson Ofelia B. Domingo of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga has approved and set the schedules of the public consultations/hearing in the region to review the Wage Order No. 10 and the petition filed by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) for P75.00/day wage increase during the board meeting.

by Maria Rebecca Ayaton

29

PDEA-13, police raid alleged drug lab in Surigao City

PDEA Caraga offi-cer-in-charge Director Joel Plaza said the raid at Sitio Kabugwason, Brgy. Ipil at around 5:30am failed to arrest the alleged occupants of the house for it was already abandoned eight months ago but they were able to re-cover chemicals and equipment allegedly used in manufacturing shabu. Plaza said

a certain Taiwanese national identified as Yang Kai and Filipino-Chinese Luis Lim rent-ed the house of Rod-ulfo Retorta sometime in March 2009. Plaza further re-vealed that it was Re-torta who actually informed PDEA yester-day, Aug. 25 thru the Philippine National Po-lice after he noticed a number of parapher-nalia and chemicals in

his house. He also said they will now coordinate with the Bureau of Im-migration to validate the identity of the sus-pects. As of press time, thorough investiga-tion is still going on by the PNP’s Scene of the Crime Operatives. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

SURIGAO CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) - Operatives of Philippine Drug Enforce-ment Agency (PDEA-13) and Philippine National Police-Surigao City seized chemicals, several paraphernalia and equipment al-legedly used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs from a clandes-tine chemical laboratory in Surigao City, Friday morning.

by FEAbkilan


RTWPB-Caraga sets... from page 28

inces of Caraga. The date and venue of the initial consultations/hear-ing of petition will be as follows: on Sept. 13 at Paso de San Francisco Suites, Agu-san del Sur; on Sept. 14 at Paper Coun-try Inn (PCI), Man-gagoy, Bislig City; on Sept 15 at Villa Luisa Hotel, Tandag City; on Sept. 16 at Ho-tel Tavern, Borromeo

St.,Surigao City; on Sept. 20 at Brgy. Au-rello Gym, San Jose, Dinagat Province and on Sept 22 at Luciana Convention Center, J.P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City. The said consul-tations will start from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. except on the last day of hearing which will start from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

RTWPB-Caraga encourages interest-ed parties to attend the public consulta-tions and to submit a position/opposition paper on or before the mentioned dates in their office located at Nimfa Tiu Building, JP Rosales Ave., Bu-tuan City. (MRA with reports form DOLE-13/PIA-Caraga)

Gov. Plaza receives gawad sa kaunlaran awards from AFP

Col. Rodrigo Di-apana, 402nd Bri-gade Commander, who himself was recently awarded being the best bri-gade under the 4th Infantry Division, handed over to Gov. Plaza the Plaque of Recognition in time with the celebration of the latter’s birth-day on August 21 in recognition of his exemplary perfor-mance in alleviating

the economic condi-tion of the people in Agusan del Sur. “Our basis in giving the hon-our to Gov. Plaza are his administra-tion’s dedicated and sincere efforts in implementing the socio economic pro-grams of the pro-vincial government like the Baka al-ang sa Kalambuan sa Agusan del Sur (BAKAS), the Agu-

san Goat Program (AGP), ISDA, PRU-TAS, the Boosted Utilization of Grains in Agusan del Sur (BUGAS) and other livelihood programs that the people of Agusan del Sur now enjoy. I would like also to mention the governor’s efforts in the construction of Hawilian, Esperan-za-Bukidnon road that made the trans-port of agricultural

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 26 (PIA) - Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza receives the “Gawad sa Kaunlaran Award”, the second highest distinction award bestowed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to civilian and govern-ment officials in the country.

by David M. Suyao

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products of the area to the market easier and cost-saving, the construction of Agu-san-Davao Maharli-ka highway, and the support that Gov. Plaza extended to the programs of the AFP in our joint ef-fort to attain lasting peace,” Col. Diapa-na said. Col. Diapana also counts on vari-ous trainings of the civilian auxiliary forces geographical units (CAFGU) that the army have con-ducted that are now deployed in various municipalities in the province, where the

provincial govern-ment have shoul-dered the expenses on food and other incidental expens-es. “We also ac-knowledged the provincial govern-ment’s financial as-sistance extended not only to civilian victims during our encounter against the country’s ag-gressors caught by cross fire, but also to the military casu-alties and wounded. Aside from that, the provincial govern-ment never failed to extend assistance during the conduct

of our joint medical outreach with other agencies from time to time,” Col. Diap-ana added. A day before and on the day of the governor’s birth-day celebration, the joint teams of the AFP, the provincial government, the provincial health of-fice, the Philippine Red Cross and oth-er agencies again conducted medical outreach in the mu-nicipalities of San Francisco and Ba-yugan where hun-dreds of people were served. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PIA Surigao Norte partners RMN-Surigao in bloodletting activitySURIGAO CITY, August 26 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency – Surigao del Norte Information Center has partnered with Radio Min-danao Network (RMN) Surigao for the conduct of bloodletting activity on Sunday, August 28, 2011. The event, which coincided with RMN’s 59th anniversary cel-ebration, will promptly start at exactly 8am at RMN-DXRS station, Km. 1, this city. Gay D. Tiu, Station Manager of RMN Surigao said some local fraterni-

ties have already con-firmed their participation in the activity. Tiu said aside from the bloodletting activity other services to high-light the event include free legal consultation, medical-dental mission, and giving of free medi-

cines. The said event is proudly supported by Power Cell Herbal Cap-sule, Manila Mining Cor-poration, Cagdianao Mining Corporation, and LPC Fish Trading. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

by Susil Ragas

Gov.Plaza receives... from page 29


City Director Carillo to create DisciplineZone in Butuan

Said LOI will serve as the guidelines in the creation of Discipline Zone in the city streets of Butuan. It involved the conduct of Security and Traffic Operations, Anti-Littering/Clean-Up Drive and Pedestri-an and Motorist Disci-pline Advocacy. PSSUPT Carillo in-tends to institutional-ize said LOI to resolve the problems of Traf-fic Congestions, Illegal Vending and Littering by utilizing all avail-able PNP personnel of Butuan City Police Of-fice and its resources.Uniformed person-nel will be sent in the streets for traffic con-trol and police visibility together with the City’s LTTMO and Barangay Tanods. Director Carillo said that by imple-menting the Discipline Zone, he wanted to instill in the minds of motorists, pedestrians and commuters the val-ue of discipline among citizens as a mean to attain public order and

enforcing traffic laws and ordinances with “Zero Tolerance”. PSSUPT Carillo has also coordinated with the LGU, baran-gay officials, LTTMO, School Adminitrators, PTAs and Drivers/Op-erators Associations of Butuan to work to-gether to implement city ordinances and traffic laws such as Ille-gal Terminals, Loading and Unloading Zone, Obstruction in the Flow of Traffic, Illegal parking, Disregarding Traffic Lights, Throw-ing of Garbages any-where, Illegal Peddlers and Smoking in Public Places in the Discipline Zone. The Discipline Zone will initially cover the area in the vicin-ity of Libertad in front of Butuan City Po-lice Station 3, Sacred Heart Kindergarten School and Saint Jo-seph Cathedral along JC Aquino Avenue go-ing to Butuan City El-ementary School at AD Curato Street, Butuan

City. Director Carillo intends for the public to give emphasis on the observance of law rather than its enforce-ment and urged them to help the PNP in its endeavor. It can be recalled that on August 19, 2011, PSSUPT Car-illo headed a briefing at BCPO Conference Room attended by BCPO personnel, BCPS 1 personnel, PO1s un-dergoing FTP, LTTMO personnel and Honor-able Ryan Anthony B Culima, Butuan City Councilor wherein Di-rector Carillo disscused in the briefing the Ori-entation on Imple-mentation of Discipline Zone within the city of Butuan and scheduled a dry run on the third week of August 2011 covering the areas of Montilla Boulevard crossing JC Aquino Av-enue to AD Curato ca-tering the butuan City Elementary School and Agusan national High School. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Camp Rafael C Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City, Aug. 26 (PIA) – Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) Director PSSUPT JOSE VELASQUEZ CARILLO signed the Letter of Instruction (LOI) 21/2011 signalling the green light for the implementation of the “Discipline Zone” in Butuan City.

by: PSUPT Martin M Gamba


Tawi-Tawi gears up for 38th founding anniversary; promotes vast tourism potentials by Nonoy E. Lacson

Tawi-Tawi Gov-ernor Sadikul Sahali said the province will showcase this year the many impressive tour-ist destinations and tourism potential sites to domestic and foreign tourists during the an-niversary celebration of Tawi-Tawi. “Showcasing the eco-tourism poten-tials and products of the province during the holding of the 38th founding anniversary is very important dur-ing the affair, and this is the very reason why I asked them to center their preparations on the eco-tourism poten-tials of the province,” Sahali said. Adding that Tawi-Tawi’s founding anni-versary is one of the most appropriate ac-

tivities to showcase the eco-tourism potentials to the visiting tourists. “We only need a serious and aggres-sive promotion of our tourism attractions, destinations, and po-tentials, and add more colors to the celebra-tion to get the much-needed boost in the tourism field,” Sahali pointed out. He assured tour-ists who wanted to visit this capital town during the celebration that the province has many good hotels and resorts where they can be accommodated during the duration of their stay. Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu, and on September 11, 1973, Presidential De-

cree No. 302 was is-sued separating Tawi-Tawi from Sulu, with this town as the seat of the provincial gov-ernment. Sahali said that most of the people in this province belong to the Sama cultural group, and within this group are subgroups, and were named based on the location of the individual. The Sama Sibu-tu are those from the Sibutu-Sitangkai Island Group, Sama Simu-nul are those from the Simunul-Manuk Mang-kaw Island Group, and other subgroups. While those who belong to the Jama Ma-pun are largely found in the Cagayan Ma-pun and Turtle Islands Group.

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 26 (PIA) – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi steps up its preparation for the upcoming celebration of its 38th founding anniversary next month dubbed “Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi” as it centers its preparations for the promotion of the prov-ince’s ecotourism potentials.

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Many of the peo-ple from the Turtle Is-lands and Cagayan Mapun are conduct-ing their marketing in Sabah, since it is only some 14 kilometers away from the island, Sahali explained. The Badjao – also called “Sama Dilaut” – population is diminish-

ing due to diseases and migration to other ar-eas in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indone-sia, he claimed. The Tausog or Tau Sug, Orang Suluk or Aa Suk are migrants from the Sulu province and came to Tawi-Tawi in search for better live-lihood opportunities

or run away from the seemingly unending conflict and violence in Sulu, he added. Fishing and agar-agar (seaweed) farm-ing are the leading source of livelihood of the people of Tawi-Tawi, the governor said. (RVC-PIA9 Ba-SulTa)

U.S. Embassy Launches VISAtisfied Voyager as new Visa blog

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 26 (PIA) – The U.S. Embassy in Manila is pleased to announce the launching of its official visa blog, VISAtisfied Voyager.

In a press state-ment, the US Embas-sy said the blog aims to provide timely and relevant information to members of the public interested in learning about the Nonimmi-grant and Immigrant visa processes. Each week, blog posts will examine top-ics relevant to visa ap-plicants. Readers are welcome to post com-ments and questions

about applying for U.S. visas. The blog is also a venue for visa appli-cants to provide feed-back and share their experiences when they have applied for a U.S. visa. A team of visa ex-perts from the U.S. Em-bassy’s Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa units will be the mod-erator of the blog, and inquirers can expect a quick response to their

visa questions. With the launch of VISAtisfied Voyager, US Embassy Manila hopes to start a dialogue with applicants and provide them with up-to-date news and information. “Please note, however, that U.S. Em-bassy Manila will not be able to respond to queries about individ-ual visa applications on VISAtisfied Voyager”, the embassy added.

Tawi-tawi gears... from page 32

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Questions about individual nonimmi-grant visa applica-tions should be direct-ed to [email protected]. Questions about individual immi-grant visa applications should be directed to [email protected]. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently noted that the Internet

has become the public space of the 21st cen-tury, and as the per-centage of Filipino in-ternet users increases, we want to be available to them in all forms of media. The launching of the VISAtisfied Voy-ager visa blog is part of the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to provid-ing excellent customer

service to thousands of Filipinos who will apply for visas to travel to the United States. The embassy in-vites Filipinos to visit VISAtisfied Voyager at http://blogs.usembas-sy.gov/philippines/. (US Embassy/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

Saving our farms, securing our staple food

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 26 (PIA) – The current weather abnormal-ity, which is being made more destructive by man’s excesses in ex-ploiting our natural resources, raises concern over the sufficiency of our staple food—rice.

by Iskak L. Paguital

Flooding submerged several towns in the coun-try, and Mindanao is not spared. The loss of vast forest covers is being blamed for the unprece-dented level of flooding in some parts of Mindanao. This calamity is a stark reminder on the need for political will to find remedy to save our farmlands from greater harm in the future. So far what we are witnessing are palliative measures such as the “flood-diver-sion channel” in Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao. For one, bald moun-tains and hills are always

there for all to see; noth-ing substantial is being made to reforest them. The people don’t even care. Our government has set a goal to achieve rice self-sufficiency. In recent decades there were, ap-parently, urgent need for the state’s rice importa-tion and distribution on account of existing rice production-consumption deficit of around seven-teen percent annually. The easiest remedy used was importation. Shortage of rice – the most strategic com-modity, socially and po-

litically - has been a perennial concern of our government except dur-ing the brief period of rice exportation to Indonesia in the ‘70s. Although Maguin-danao is a mainstay top ten rice- producing prov-inces of the country, the rest of the ARMM areas are net rice-importer. Growing food stuff in the region is being af-fected substantially both by man-made and natu-ral calamities – the armed conflict and the perennial flooding and also draught. Global warming starts to make its presence felt

U.S Embassy... from page 33

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with the erratic weather in some months of the year. Regional Secretary of the Department of Ag-riculture and Fisheries-ARMM, Atty. Lomala Bal-indong, in a meeting with the Agriculture depart-ment’s workforce, noted that several decades ago the province of Lanao del Sur had the capac-ity to send surplus rice to neighboring provinces in northern Mindanao. Now it meets its shortfall from elsewhere. Water, just enough of it, is the crux of the mat-ter. Decades ago, Lanao Sur is home to massive irrigation projects such as the Rugnan Irrigation system, the operation of which has not been sus-tained mainly on account of subsequent national agricultural policy shifts after the ‘70s. Lanao’s irrigation in-frastructure comes out, apparently, as sub-priori-ty of a nearby region that handles it. And, again, flooding hits the vast rice fields in the province fur-ther setting us back from our target production this year. In the 1970’s, the Marcos government launched an intensive drive to end our country’s rice importation thru a na-tional rice production pro-

gram called “Masagana 99.” This program saw the massive nation-wide construction of irriga-tion systems following the then “Green Revolu-tion” production paradigm which was a global effort to avert impending fam-ine. The global effort fo-cused on revolutionizing production of Maize and Rice, the staple food of most of the vulnerable peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America. For rice, the Inter-national Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based at Los Baňos, Laguna was established by the Ford Foundation in the ‘60s and tasked to develop the “Miracle Rice”, early maturing, short-stature, high-yielding but chemical and irrigation-dependent rice varieties. Its natural agricultural policy conse-quence was the introduc-tion of massive irrigation systems and a national rice production program prescribing heavy and sustained use of inorganic fertilizer and other chemi-cal inputs. Today, however, the Department of Agriculture has taken a “paradigm shift” to organic farming.Most of our country’s farm-ers are among the world’s

small-scale producers who work marginal lands in the tropics and are the most vulnerable to climate change phenomena such as drought and flood. They are among those who can least withstand drop in in-come from their fields and are least capable to adapt to changing conditions. Consequently, global food production policy has been calling for a multi-pronged approach which includes use of more mar-ginal areas, sustainable intensification of farm production and ecological farming systems, among others. In rice production, the approach now in-cludes the use of indig-enous rice varieties as well as drought and flood resistant varieties to help achieve the illusive rice sufficiency. Decades of rice production policy de-pendent on “Miracle Rice” and its later generations had reduced the local rice farmers’ production resil-iency. Indeed, the region-al autonomous govern-ment, with its unique circumstances—natural and man-induced—needs to look incisively into the matter and act appro-priately. (DAF-ARMM/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

Saving our farms... from page 34

One Mindanao - August 26, 2011

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