One Mindanao - June 26, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

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

COPY EDITORS

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

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

LAYOUT ARTISTS

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

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

Gensan releases cash assistance to IDPs

DENR donates eco-tourism building to Maasim town

Davao City braces for the flood with the onset of the rainy season

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Niema and her lucky dream

WB recognizes geotagging as effective transparency tool for gov’t projects

Youth Commission lauds MILF decommissioning, backs passage of BB

NYC encourages local youth organizations to join 13th TAYO Search

DTI to hold diskwento caravan in Surigao Norte town

AgNor solon prohibits allowances to COA personnel

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By: IJLagare

By: Jocelyn P. AlvarezBy: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

By: Aimee B. Sienes

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

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MisOcc organizes Provincial Bantay ASIN Task Force

NorMin posts P215-M export receipts in 1QBy: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

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By: Egypt F. Del Rosario

Contents

By: Danilo Doguiles

1st Cavalry Squadron plants 2,000 mahogany seedlings in Tukuran town

38By: Gideon Corgue

4 June 26, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

Niema and her lucky dreamBy: Egypt F. Del Rosario

5June 26, 2015 One Mindanao

Niema and her lucky dream

“And I’ve had a chance to read about some of you and the amazing things that you’ve been doing.

And I suspect that Niema Remegoso, from the Philippines—there she is right there—she spoke for a lot of you. She said, “Am I just dreaming, or is this really happening?” So it’s really happening,” US President Barack Obama said during the town hall meeting of Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) at the White House on June 1, 2015.

Admit it; it is a big privilege for someone who is just living simply in a humble city to be mentioned by the most powerful leader in the world. It deserves the fame for the person’s name will surely be written on the President’s speech transcription—a great way to be part of the US history even just for that single moment. Indeed, Niema Marie Bacus-Remegoso is such a lucky woman—very lucky woman, perhaps. Niema Marie Bacus Remegoso, born on January 23, 1982, is a native of Gingoog city. She works as an assistant city accountant in the Local Government Unit of Gingoog City, particularly in the city’s accounting department.

According to her, her journey on YSEALI started with just a try that she did not expect to bring her abroad. She actually did not even think of joining the fellowship at first. She just filled out the form, thinking that nothing will be lost from her by just filling out. Remegoso shared that she received a forwarded message from their city mayor last 2011. The message was about training on governance sponsored by Asia Institute of Management (AIM), World Bank, and International City/Country Management Association (ICMA). According to her, she immediately grabbed the opportunity, took the examination,


passed it, and got a certification. After then, she had always been receiving e-mails from all the three organizations. In fact, last year, the World Bank invited her to go to Korea for an event. And now, it’s the ICMA that gave her a new opportunity—an invitation to join YSEALI. But before all the luck in this world came to Remegoso’s hands, she had undergone screenings that tested her validity to join YSEALI. One of the screenings that she had was a panel interview on Skype. Remegoso honestly said that she did not do any preparation prior to the interview. For her, all she had to do was to be honest. When asked about her reason in going to the states, it was no joke, she answered that she just wants to see the snow. For Remegoso, it was her honesty that brought her to YSEALI. Well, it’s no doubt. Out of the 45 Filipino applicants, Remegoso was fortunate to have a place on the final cut. Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a signature program of U.S.

President Barack Obama that aims to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community through a variety of programs and engagements, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding. Further, the program focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region: civic engagement, environment and natural resources management, and entrepreneurship and economic development. R e m e g o s o ’ s chosen community challenge that she raised on YSEALI was the implementation of an electronic financial recording system in her city. She revealed that Gingoog is still using the manual recording of financial transactions which


makes the city’s transactions slow. Her community challenge also highly aims to have transparency and efficiency of the local government’s service. 38 Day American If Filipino motorists fear to be caught by roads and traffic officers because of violation in driving, Remegoso shares that the residents of the city of Sugar land in Texas are careful to follow a city ordinance


that orders them to mow their grass. In excess of six inches, the residents have to mow their grass to avoid receiving ticket from the city government that would require them to pay a certain amount of money. That is only one of the unforgettable things that

R e m e g o s o experienced in the US. She stayed in two host communities in Texas; Sugar Land and Pearland. She is thankful as well to the deputy manager of the city of Pearland, Jon Branson, for

giving her great opportunity to watch NBA game live. As she puts it, she feels like having a family away from her own family. Aside from her side trips in different Texas fave spots, she also had the opportunity to understand how each host city


operate—a good way for her to get an idea that can be applied in her own community. According to Remegoso, she learned that despite culture differences of the participants, when they tried to communicate with and understand each other, there is

no problem and that people can make this world a better place to live in. In terms of governance, Remegoso’s significant learning in Texas is the city’s efficiency and ethics. As to her, government employees in Texas observe good ethics that guide them to do the right deeds as public servants. She also pointed out the reason of American’s progressiveness. She said that US always looks for ways to improve their systems which is a thing she really admires of. The actual YSEALI Congress was conducted for three days in Washington DC. There she met US President Barack Obama together with the other 74 YSEALI

fellows invited in the White House. Moreover, in the three-day congress, they were taught how to make a speech and the ways in convincing people to help in their community challenges. Remegoso is optimistic that her experience in YSEALI will be an avenue to catch the attention of the local government of (LGU) Gingoog to help her in her cause. In fact, just recently, she posted on her ICMA blog an action plan in making her great vision in her humble city. Obliged to do good The lack of funds and the different political system in the Philippines are two of the big challenges to Remegoso to implement her project. But for a happy-go-lucky woman like her, optimism is a key to implement her plan. For her, it was America that taught her to think that nothing is impossible. Indeed nothing is impossible for a lucky and blessed person. As she puts it, “With this blessing I feel obligated to be good... If I get lucky again, I can achieve my goal and make this a reality.”


President Aquino says he wants to focus on governing, does not want to be distracted by politics

MANILA - With barely more than a year before his term ends, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he does not want to be distracted by politics at this point in time, as he is focused on ensuring that the country’s development continues.


In an interview at the SMX Convention Center after opening the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference on Thursday, the President said he was surprised at Vice President Jejomar Binay’s tirade on Wednesday but said this is not unexpected and that he and his Cabinet will respond to it point by point.

“Either I, or the specific Cabinet secretaries, will also respond to it,” the President said when asked about his response to Vice President Binay’s allegations.

“I have about 370 days or so remaining (in office), ‘yung interes ko ay ma-maximize lahat ng opportunities para sa ating taumbayan, patakbuhin itong bansang ito.”

He noted that unlike those jockeying for political positions in next year’s elections, he does not have the luxury to engage in politics at the moment.

“Ako ay may responsibilidad na pagandahin lalo itong lipunan nating ito, itong bansa nating ito at hindi ako papayag na madi-distract ang atensyon natin sa paghahalo sa usapang pulitika, na palagay ko naman klarong-klaro sa taumbayan kung sino ang nagsasabi ng tama at mali.”

The President said Vice President Binay’s resignation came as a surprise to him.

He said he could not understand why the vice president is attacking him when in fact, he gave the latter every opportunity to prevent him from becoming a “spare tire”.

“Iyong pinagkasunduan namin, ‘yung assignment niya na housing, hinirit niyang idagdag ‘yung OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers), at lahat ito ay ipinagkaloob natin sa kanya, ‘yung pagkakataon na manatili ang kanyang popularity ratings,” he explained.


“Bagama’t hindi natin siya kaalyado ‘nung tumakbo sa eleksyon, bagama’t ‘nung 2013 e nandun siya sa kabilang grupo, hindi natin siya parang pinigilan na magkaroon naman ng pagkakataon na ma-recognize ang kanyang trabaho.”

The Chief Executive further said that he wonders why the vice president has kept his views on improving the country’s conditions to himself, while he was serving as a member of the Cabinet.

“After nang statement niya kahapon, tila marami siyang kinikimkim na mga sekreto para mapaganda sa pagpapatakbo nitong bansang ito. Palagay ko may obligasyon siya bilang miyembro ng Gabinete na ibahagi ito,” he said.

“Pero siguro maganda na rin kapag itatanong ninyo sa akin, ‘Bakit hindi niya ibinahagi?’ e palagay ko siya na lang ang tanungin niyo. Kung may

maitutulong ka sa ikakabuti ng taumbayan na pinangakuan nating paglilingkuran, bakit mo naman isinisikreto?”

The President acknowledged that the vice president has been his family’s ally even before the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, and that he remained supportive of the Cory Aquino government, including during the series of coup attempts that her administration had gone through.

“Ngayon, siguro ganyan talaga ang pulitika sa ating bansa. Baka naman napag-isip siyang hindi siya ang ma-e-endorso natin, so kailangan ipakita niyang hindi niya kailangan ‘yung endorsement o may mas maganda siyang kayang magawa,” the President said. (PCOO/PND (as)


WB recognizes geotagging as effective transparency tool for gov’t projects

QUEZON CITY - The World Bank (WB) has asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote geotagging not only in the country, but also internationally. This is in recognition of the Philippines as the leading nation in utilizing geotagging—a vital tool in promoting transparency of government-implemented

projects, DA said in a statement.

WB is set to release guidelines for geotagging application on the procurement


and implementation of projects supported by three major foreign fund sources in the country.

Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Deputy Project Director Arnel De Mesa said that the WB and Commission on Audit (COA) have asked the DA to help craft and develop standard procedures in auditing and monitoring government projects to include geotagging as a tool in the system.

“The national government will soon release a standardized process scheme in monitoring and evaluating government projects,” De Mesa said during the Geomapping and Governance Unit Coordination Meeting on June 24, 2015 in Davao City.

“With this, we see how geotagging is affecting the policy of the national government in regards with sub-project validation, monitoring and evaluation, and approval of

projects,” he added.

Aside from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will soon adapt the tool in implementing their assisted projects in the Philippines.

Pioneered by the DA as a virtual monitoring tool for agri-fishery projects in 2011 under the Mindanao Rural Development Program, geo-tagging is now being adopted by 17 WB-supported projects of national agencies including Departments of Agrarian Reform, Public Works and Highways, Environment and Natural Resources, and Social


Welfare and Development, and the National Irrigation Administration among others.

The geotagging tool is being utilized under the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), also a WB-assisted project to validate and monitor proposed and implemented sub-projects.

Other DA agencies such as the Agricultural Training Institute and the National Meat Inspection Service are undergoing training from the PRDP to allow them success similar to MRDP/PRDP projects.

GGU Head Samuel Belamide, the team that handles the PRDP geotagging said that the tool covers the entire project cycle from validation to implementation, completion and even the assessment of the project impact.

“The guidelines set by the WB for the foreign-assisted

projects are based on the experience of the PRDP and we are glad that we will be applying this tool to other government projects,” he added.

Belamide and his team are responsible for the training of other government agencies in geotagging as well as PRDP’s Local Government partners and winning contractors for various sub-projects.

Geotagged photos of physical accomplishments for projects and deliveries of goods are required for contractors’ progress billings and requests for payment.

Geotagging is an ICT application that associates digital resource such as photos and videos with geographic and location information with high degree of precision. Geotagged photos are then automatically mapped into Google Earth, showing the exact location of a particular project. (DA-PRDP)


Youth Commission lauds MILF decommissioning, backs passage of BBL

CAGAYAN DE ORO - The National Youth Commission (NYC) commended the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government (GPH) for the successful launch of the decommissioning program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro despite a delay in the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the peace pact’s legal iteration.

The NYC reiterated its support for the Bangsamoro law as it noted that it promotes

youth empowerment in the autonomous region.


“With the MILF’s manifestation of its commitment to end the long struggle in Mindanao during the decommissioning of firearms (and combatants) led by President Aquino, the National Youth Commission brings with it the unified voice of the youth in pushing for genuine peace through the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law,” National Youth Commissioner for Mindanao Earl Saavedra said during a forum at Xavier University in this city attended by different youth groups and school publications from the region. Saavedra also expressed hope that the enactment of the draft law would address the current issues and concerns of the Bangsamoro youth through active participation and proper sectoral representation in the government citing provisions from the draft BBL. “We see hope in curbing secessionism. The idea of inclusivity, shared prosperity and equal opportunities will also be evident as we help [the] Moro youth sector by maximizing their potentials,” Saavedra said.

As presented in Article VII Section 12 of the House-approved Basic Law in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the Bangsamoro policies and programs should consider the best interest of the child, non-discrimination, survival and development, protection and rights of the children which includes youth participation in the government. Saavedra said that based on a recent study by the NYC that showed youth participation in the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is relatively low compared to other regions, the agency would propose a youth development plan to the Bangsamoro parliament expected to be elected in 2016. “Institutionalizing the Bangsamoro Youth Development Plan will champion the interest, needs and concerns of the Moro youth,” he remarked. The NYC plan suggests youth inclusion in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for proper representation in addressing the role of the youth in the normalization process. “The normalization process


when the proposed BBL will be carried shall be equally essential to the youth since they will form part of the integral process and structures that will work for the best interest of the Bangsamoro people,” Saavedra added. A proposal in the plan is the creation of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission as an institution that will uphold youth rights and cater to the issues, needs and

concerns of the sector. Last May 20, the House Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law approved the inclusion of youth representation in the Parliament by amending Article VII, Section V of the draft BBL and defined age representation for the youth to be between 18-25 years old, taking into consideration the MILF’s recommendation.

11 new LGUs to implement Kalahi-CIDSS

Davao City – As their acceptance in imple-menting Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Compre-hensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Ser-vices) in their respec-tive municipality, 11 local government units (LGUs) agreed to un-dergo the enrolment process during the re-cent LGU Forum. These new targeted municipalities are Bagan-ga, Braulio E. Dujali, Lu-pon, Kiblawan, Jose Abad Santos, Malalag, Sta. Ma-ria, Don Marcelino, Mon-tevista, Sarangani and

San Isidro (Davao del Norte). “The officials and department heads from targeted municipalities and stakeholders will be oriented on the condi-tionalities and enrolment requirements that need to be complied before the approval or acceptance to join the program,” said Ma. Annabelle S. Jabla, Deputy Regional Program Manager for Kalahi-CI-DSS. Jabla added that LGU enrolment is one of the preparatory activities that will lead to the proj-ect’s commencement this year.


Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project of the Philippine Government that aims to empower communities through sus-tainable development, enhanced par-ticipation in local governance, and poverty alleviation projects. According to DSWD XI Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon, Kalahi-CI-DSS works to minimize poverty using the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach wherein the com-munities are taught how to select, design, and implement sub-projects that respond to their most vital need. “These sub-projects are com-mon infrastructure facilities such as farm-to-market roads, school build-ings, potable water systems, electri-fication, and day care centers,” Direc-tor Razon said. Braulio E. Dujali Mayor Lolita A. Moral expressed her utmost apprecia-tion for the program. “We are very thankful for this new endeavour in our municipality. Rest assured that we will give our full support to DSWD’s goal in empower-ing communities in far-flung baran-gays.” Kalahi-CIDSS, which started last 2003, has already served 299 baran-gays in 16 municipalities in Region XI. A total of 21 more municipali-ties are set to operate Kalahi-CIDSS in 2015, covering 375 barangays with a total grant of Php 173,980,750. (DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd)


Davao City braces for the flood with the on-set of the rainy season

DAVAO CITY- Drainage Manage-ment Unit chief Yusof Jimlani as-sured the readiness of the city’s drainage system to cope with the surge of flood water with the on-set of the rainy season. Speaking in the I-Speak Forum, he observed that the climate change also impacts on the occurrence of flood in the city, as flood waters shift from one area to another given the implementation of more drainage projects. Jimlani said the previous efforts of the DMU to clear the existing drain-age system with 20,000 cubic meters of garbage help in the immediate flow of water to the sea. “We continue clearing the drain-

age system to immediately arrest the flood in the city,” he said.Jimlani also observed that most areas where flooding occurs have no drainage system. He said it is the reason why the DMU is working fast to arrest the flooding in these areas by the in-stallation of bigger culverts to ac-commodate larger volume of wa-ter. Jimlani also cited the good work-ing relationship between the DMU unit and the Department of Public Works and Highways in address-ing the flood in the city. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

South Cotabato proposes declaration of state calamityBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 26 -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended plac-ing South Cotabato under state of calamity as a result of the damage wrought by heavy rains.

Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes called for an emergency meeting of the PDRRMC Thursday to discuss measures to address following concerns following flash floods and landslides that affected several areas in the province.

According to initial report from the Provin-cial Engineering Office the province would require at least P252 million to repair or rebuild bridges, rehabilitate roads, fortify riverbanks against flooding, and other simi-lar infrastructure projects.

Most affected infrastructures, said Engr. Generosa Capundan, assistant provincial en-gineer, are two bridges in Koronadal City, namely: The Leopoldo Sanico Bridge in Barangay Concepcion and Namnama Bridge at the boundary of Barangays General Pau-lino Santos (GPS) and Namnama.

Floodwater scoured and collapsed the approach road pavement to Leopoldo San Juanico Bridge following heavy rains that


started Tuesday evening. Said bridge links Koronadal

City and Tampakan municipality. At present only light vehicles can pass by the bridge.

For the repair of the said bridge, PEO recommended in-stallation of a retaining wall and bank protection works to repair the damage, which could cost about P20,000,000.

Meanwhile, the 60-meter Namnama Bridge was ren-dered inoperative after it col-lapsed Wednesday afternoon. The bridge is a major road connecting the municipality of Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat to Koronadal City.

The PEO recommended con-struction of a new bridge with an estimated cost of at least P45 million.

Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr of Tupi town also reported that a bridge in Barangay Lunen was also rendered impassable, prompting the LGU to divert traffic to an old bridge, which he added is only passable to light vehicles.

Three persons also died from landslides in Tupi.

Moreover, Provincial Agricul-turist Justina Navarrete report-ed that based on their initial assessment at least 997 hect-ares of crops have been dam-


aged in the province’s upper valley area. The data included 907.25 hectares of palay, 80.5 of corn and 9.5 hectares of other commodities.

The OPAg has yet to receive disaster assessment reports from municipalities in the first district of the province.

Navarrete also clarified that their data are incomplete since evaluation is still ongoing.

Mila Lorca, PDRRMO action of-ficer, also noted that they cannot estimate the value of the dam-age to properties, agriculture and infrastructure yet because they are still on the process of

collecting and consolidating re-ports from the municipal DRRM offices.

The meeting ended with rec-ommendation to propose the declaration to place South Co-tabato under a state of calam-ity and ask assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to fi-nance major infrastructure proj-ects.

“Once state of calamity is de-clared,” said Gov.Fuentes, “LGUs could use their calamity


The distribution, which took place in a church along Daproza Street, Barangay West, was for 217 IDPs who attended a risk preparedness seminar in May. The seminar was conducted by the CSWDO and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

Of this number, 125 individu-als were from Barangay South who were victims of fire and 92 from Barangay Tinagacan who were displaced by flood in 2013.

Each of the IDPs received P585 after attending the risk manage-ment seminar for three

Budget for the cash assistance came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who supervised the distribution, said the city government is equipping each of its concerned depart-ments on how to respond and mitigate the effects of disasters.

“One of my priorities is to strengthen our disaster pre-paredness capability. We gave focus on improving our CDRRMO so that we have equipped per-sonnel and facilities to respond in any emergencies,” the mayor said.

“We also highlighted in our

Gensan releases cash assistance to IDPs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, June 26 – The city government here, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has distributed cash-for-training assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs)

fund to address their imme-diate needs.”

Lorca explained that before a state of calamity is declared, the resolution has to be approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Only after a declaration of a

state of calamity could the pro-vincial government could use its Quick Response Fund amount-ing to P19 million, she added. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


City Land Use Plan the disaster prone areas of the city, so that we will know where to give inter-ventions,” Mayor Rivera added.

Mayor Rivera narrated the dif-ferent steps that the city govern-ment has taken to improve its disaster preparedness such as conducting disaster studies and assessment with the help of non-government organizations and private companies.

“But of course, even with this, I hope that there will be no di-saster that will happen in Gen-san,” Mayor Rivera added.

Aisa Mulo, one of the IDPs from Barangay South, said she was glad to have attended the semi-nar, and the same time, received cash assistance for it.

“Marami talaga akong natutu-nan lalo na sa dapat gawin pag may sakuna. Malaking tulong ta-

laga ang ibinigay ng city govern-ment sa amin; ngayon may alam na kami sa paghahanda (We learned a lot especially on how to prepare in times of disaster. The city government gave us a huge help; now, we know how to prepare),” Mulo stated.

Arabeque Batilong, field oper-ations officer of the CSWDO, dis-closed that the National Housing Authority (NHA) has approved a material assistance request to help IDPs build their houses.

Batilong said, the assistance from NHA amounts to P824,000. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DE-Doguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 26-- In line with their efforts to promote ecotourism and hasten so-cio-economic development in local government units, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources re

DENR donates eco-tourism building to Maasim townBy: Danilo E. Doguiles


DENR 12, led by Regional Di-rector Datu Tungko Saikol, also handed several projects to the municipality during the build-ing inauguration on June 18.

Director Saikol explained the construction of the ecotourism building was a result of the pas-sage and approval of the Eco-tourism Development Plan by the LGU Maasim. Included in the plan are infrastructure develop-ment such as construction of an ecotourism/information cen-ter, view deck and other needed facilities.

Saikol disclosed that the worth of tourism building costs about P1 million.

During the activity, Maasim Vice-Mayor Uttoh Salem Cu-tan and Municipal Councilor and Sangguniang Bayan Chair on Fi-nance, Ways and Means Visita-cion Nambatac said, the youth sector in the LGU will gain more from this partnership with DENR since they will be target-ed in the environmental educa-tion and information materials at the ecotourism office.

Following the the inauguration, proceeded to the public market for the blessing and turn-over of

projects, namely: motorized fish-ing boat, ice maker machine and mini fishport to beneficiaries.

Sheryl Lou Leonida, a staff of the Department of Agricul-ture disclosed that the proj-ects amounted to P5.5 million funded through the Bottom-Up Budgeting of the national gov-ernment through DA.

Meanwhile, Sarangani Provin-cial Agriculturist Jonathan Du-haylungsod enjoined both the local government officials and residents to continue working hard, practice team work in part-nership with the national gov-ernment to ensure success of projects and progress of Saran-gani. (CG Valdez/DENR XII-DE-Doguiles-PIA 12)

cently turned over to Maasim, Sarangani a building that serves as information, visitor center and view deck.


19th Kaliguan Festival kicks off in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The 19th Kaliguan Festival being held at Cagwait White Beach in Cagwait town, 34.5 kilometers south, this city, has already kicked off on June 24 with the usual grand opening ceremonies.

photo: www.turistayo.wordpress.com

Set for four days until June 27 in honor of St. John the Baptist, more activities are yet to unfold including various competitions like sand art, tug-of war, pinoy games, and Perlas ng Ka-liguan 2015 beauty pageant. Also, several rock bands are lined up to en-tertain tourists, guests and locals on a nightly


DTI to hold diskwento caravan in Surigao Norte townBy: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

This is the first diskwento caravan to be conducted this year to help poor residents, farmers and fisherfolk families in the barangays and its neighboring rural communities.During the two-day activity, basic necessities and prime commodities will be sold at discounted prices to help the consuming public reduce

their family expenses. Among the products that will be sold in the caravan are food products such as noodles, sardines, beef loaf, corned beef, soy sauce, milk, cheese, cooking oil, bread and biscuits, sugar and coffee. Also available are varieties of laundry soaps, fabric conditioner, shampoo, diapers and other

basis dubbed as “Rocklakan” un-til the wee hours of the morning, based on the program schedule. Rocklakan is coined word for rock music and “laklak,” a pinoy term for drinking spree, since one of the beer giants in the country acts as one of the festival’s sponsors. With the theme “One Beach, One Dance, One GREAT Cag-

wait,” this tourism hub at the central part of the province has continued to surprise and attract many due to its fine white sand aside from amiable inhabitants headed by Mayor Lilian Lozada. It will culminate with “Say-aw sa Kaliguan” on June 27, fea-turing more “dancing activities.” Kaliguan Festival has start-ed way back in June 1996.

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will spearhead the Diskwento Caravan on June 29-30, 2015 at the Claver Commercial District, municipality of Claver, this province.


grocery items of famous brands. The following local and regional distributors and dealers of manufactured goods will also be participating in the caravan with their items displayed and sold to the buying public at discounted prices: Oro Grande Distributors, Inc., Extract Sales, Inc., Sun Pride Foods, Inc., Marjeck, D’Best Value, Golden Century Marketing, Philippines Spring Water Resources, Inc. and Field Activation Merchandising.

Residents in the barangays of Claver and neighboring municipalities of Gigaquit and Bacuag are encouraged to avail of these opportunities for them to make the best value of their money and save in their basic goods purchases. For more information on this activity, interested parties are advised to contact Josephine D. Gabutin at cell number: 0919-5971199.

AgNor solon prohibits allowances to COA personnel By: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY - Cong. Erlpe John M. Amante of the second district of Agusan del Norte wants to prohibit government entities to allocate funds for the additional compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses and other emoluments to the officials and personnel of the Commission on Audit (COA) stationed in or assigned in different government agencies. This move is embodied in House Bill No. 5352 passed recently in the House of Representatives. Under the said bill, it shall be unlawful and illegal for the officials and personnel of the COA, especially those who are stationed in or assigned in the government entities including government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions or local

government units to receive all forms of additional compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses and other emoluments for their services rendered in performing their official functions, except those compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses and other emoluments directly paid by the COA out of its annual budget and appropriations. It is also unlawful and illegal


for any government entities including government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions or local government units to allocate funds from their respective funds from their respective office budget and appropriations, for the additional compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses and other emoluments for the services rendered by the resident COA Auditors and their personnel in performing their official functions. The bill also provided that any official or personnel of the COA found to be violating the said act shall, upon conviction, be punished with imprisonment of six months and one day to 12 years, perpetual disqualification from public office and shall refund all those previously received additional compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses

and other emoluments. Further, any officer of the government entities including government-owned or controlled corporations, government financial institutions or local government units who caused the release of any additional compensation, allowances, honoraria, bonuses and other emoluments to the officials and personnel of the COA shall, upon conviction, be punished with imprisonment of six months and one day to 12 years and perpetual disqualification from public office. Cong. Amante said that through this measure, “we can truly preserve the independence, morality and integrity of the Commission on Audit and the people are assured that there are concrete safeguards in the government spending of public funds.”

By Claro A. Lanipa

DIPOLOG CITY – L“Make up yourself and love your tribe because that is where you belong,” Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim Wong of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9, has challenged today the IP (indig-enous peoples) college students attending the journalistic writing workshop held at Mibang Hotel this city.

NCIP-9 chief to IP studes: Make up yourself, love your tribe


Director Wong said this project, which is jointly implemented by Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9, NCIP-9 and the US Em-bassy in Manila, seeks “to help you enhance your knowledge, talent and skills in writing.”“In the market of job placement and employment today, competi-tion is very high, so you have to compete with your peers. If you don’t have the capability, talent and skills you will hardly find a job,” Wong said.This is a very rare opportunity for you, because not all of the grantees under the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) of our office were called to participate in activity such as this,” Wong

added.On the other hand, Director Wong appealed to the IP students to preserve their culture. “I saw there is a continuous erosion of your culture. Many of you are no longer speaking your dialect or you do not know anymore how to speak your own dialect. So, make up yourself and preserve your tribe,” Wong challenged them.“You cannot claim as Subanen if you do not know how to speak Subano. You need to, so that you will feel your belongingness to your tribe. Please learn how to love your tribe,” Wong conclud-ed.


NYC encourages local youth organizations to join 13th TAYO Search By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The search is on for this year’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), an annual search that seeks to give due recognition to outstanding youth organizations, and their valuable contribution to nation building.

Launched on May 30, 2015 by the National Youth Commission (NYC), the 13th TAYO search ac-cepts entries. “TAYO search is officially open to all Filipino youth groups, barkadas, organizations, clubs and societies,” said Ray-mond Domingo, NYC Western Mindanao Area Manager.

“Pwede nilang i-submit sa office namin ang kanilang mga entries or they can submit it online at www.tayoawards.net ,” (They can submit their entries in our office or online) Domingo informed.

NYC Office is located 3rd Floor, Land Bank Building, Veterans Av-enue, this city.


1st Cavalry Squadron plants 2,000 mahogany seedlings in Tukuran townBy Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur - To effectively address global climate change, the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army on Wednesday, June 24, conducted a tree planting activity in barangay Navalan, this municipality.


Armed with bolos and scythes, members of the 1st Cavalry Squadron with the active support of barangay officials and resi-dents planted 2,000 mahogany seedlings in the farm lot of Pu-nong Barangay Leoncio Osores, Sr.

Lt.Col. Charlemagne Batayola, Jr., 1st Cavalry Squadron com-manding officer said the activ-ity is in support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees throughout the country by 2016, and the climate change advocacy campaign of the Philippine Information Agen-cy (PIA) which carries the theme “Strengthening partnerships with communities for climate change adaptation.”

“Layunin ng aming ginagawa na tree planting activity ay makamit namin ang target na makapag-tanim ng 3,000 seedlings sa ika-lawang quarter sa taon na ito para mabigyang solusyon ang isyu tungkol sa climate change,” Batayola explained.

(The objective of the tree plant-ing activity that we conducted is to achieve our target to plant 3,000 seedlings in the 2nd quar-

ter this year to address the issue on climate change.)

“Ang tunay na kalaban natin ay hindi lang po ang mga lumalabag sa batas at kahirapan kundi pati na rin ang pagbabago ng pana-hon,” Batayola declared.

(Our real enemies are not only the lawless elements and pover-ty and but also climate change.)

Batayola said the role of soldiers have evolved significantly from protecting and defending the people to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

Meanwhile, Batayola encouraged all participants to care for the trees they planted and to make sure that the trees will grow, add-ing that the unit is not only doing tree planting but tree growing as well.

“When the mahogany seedlings grow, it becomes a fulfilment for the planter and a laudable con-tribution to the community,” Ba-tayola added.

Punong Barangay Leoncio Os-ores, Sr. said he was thankful that the 1st Cavalry Squadron have chosen his barangay for the


second time, as the site of the tree planting activity.

Osores said the first tree planting was done on August 16, 2013, where 1,000 mahogany seed-lings were planted.

“Aktibo kami nga nagsuporta sa tree planting activity aron nga makatabang pagsulbad sa prob-lema pag-usab-usab sa panahon nga nasinati dili lamang sa atong nasud kon dili sa tibuok kalibu-tan,” Osores declared.

(We are actively supporting the tree planting activity to help solve

climate change which is experi-enced not only in our country but in the entire world.)

Osores said the barangay of-ficials, purok presidents, ba-rangay tanods and members of “Kalikasan” will help the unit in taking care of the seedlings to make sure that it will grow.

He believes that protecting our environment is the greatest leg-acy that we can leave for our great, great grandchildren.

Nominations for 2015 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards openCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) during its celebration of the 20th Migrant Workers Day in Cagayan de Oro City announced that the nominations for 2015 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) is open.

by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

This is to give recognition to OFWs and their families who demonstrated steady and enduring family ties; success in education of family members; outstanding community service; and financial stability and success in business. Nomination criteria include: OFW (The Head of the Family or Main provider of the


Family) either Landbased or Seabased; with at least four years and above of experience working abroad; OWWA member; known as a solid and stable family in the community; Members of family have completed education and successful in the chosen profession. Also, the OFW family have advocacies in terms of education, poverty alleviation, economic, health, environmental protection and among others; advocacies were implemented through various community projects and services either initiated of supported by the OFW family that made an impact to the lives of people particularly the marginalized sector in the community where they live in; and are successful business enterprise which contributed to the generation of local

employment and development. Qualified to nominate are OFW Organizations, Local Government Units, Academe, People’s Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Religious Organizations and Individual nomination is not accepted. The Regional Model OFW Family of the Year will represent Region 10 to the National MOFYA Selection. The Nomination Form can be obtained at OWWA Regional Office. Meanwhile, deadline of submission for nomination is July 31, 2015. For more information you may visit OWWA office at 2/Floor Trinidad Building, Yacapin-Corrales Streets, Cagayan de Oro City or call them at 72-28-63; 0917-5480033 or email [email protected].

MisOcc organizes Provincial Bantay ASIN Task Force

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (PGMO) has recently organized the Provincial Bantay ASIN Task Force (PBATF) to help implement Republic Act (RA) No. 8172, in the province.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


An “Act Promoting Salt lodizatiion Nationwide (ASIN) and for related purposes,” RA 8172, or the “ASIN Law,” mandates the iodization of salt for human and animal consumption. Thus, in her Executive Order No. 12-2015, organizing the PBATF, Governor Herminia M. Ramiro has mandated the task force to monitor the salt supply at the provincial, municipal and barangay levels. Also included among the tasks of the PBATF are the following: establish a level of coordination between the

relevant government agencies, local government, salt industry representatives and civil society groups. Ensure the supply and distribution of adequately iodized salt within the province that will support the program initiatives under the National Salt lodization Program (NSIP) in the effective implementation of the ASIN Law. Formulate and manage an annual NSIP operational plan, organize Local Bantay Asin Task Force and coordinate with stakeholders like salt producers and traders.

NorMin posts P215-M export receipts in 1Q

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Northern Mindanao posted a total of US$215 million exports for the first quarter of 2015, higher by about one percent compared to the US212.63 million recorded in the same quarter in 2014.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region disclosed in a media forum last week that Misamis Oriental contributed the biggest share with US$159.33 million mostly from the export of coco-based products led by oleochemicals, coconut shell

charcoal, desiccated coconut and coconut oil. Lanao del Norte followed with US$28.94 million or 13 percent share attributable to the higher export value of abaca fiber/pulp and coconut oil as well as to the newly-registered exports from fresh young coconut and

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran


ferronickel. Exports from Bukidnon, on the other hand, was recorded US$16.86 million (8 percent share) due to the high volume of exports for cane raw sugar, cane molasses, pineapple silage, and dried sweet potato. Export of crude glycerine was also recorded during the quarter. Misamis Occidental with a share of five percent or US$9.87 million registered the highest growth during the period at 132 percent. The huge growth was attributed to the entrance of new exporter for frozen shrimps/prawns and increased exports on coconut oil. In terms of exports by sector, coconut-based products with a value of US$129.66

million remained as the region’s top export products constituting about 60 percent of the total regional exports. Fresh fruits sector ranked second earning US$34.60 million followed by industrial manufactures with US$16.46 million. Meanwhile, the region’s top dollar earner for the quarter was oleochemicals contributing a total value of US$74 million or 35 percent to the regional total. Other top export commodities of the region for the quarter were coconut oil, canned pineapple, sintered ole, abaca/fiber, coconut shell charcoal, desiccated coconut, fresh pineapple, copra meal cake, and cane raw sugar.

One Mindanao - June 26, 2015

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