One Mindanao - March 23, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

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

COPY EDITORS

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

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-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

VICTORIANO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

50 pupils receive school supplies from Smart, BFP-GSCCFS

Butuan City’s Grow a Million Tree project records 5M trees planted

Zamboanga Sibugay Province Consumer Network organized

DTI turns-over Timbangan ng Bayan, price watch board to city gov’t

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DTI-SC holds series of LGU consultation for BuB 2014, planning for BuB 2015

Palace welcomes survey saying Filipinos rank fifth happiest citizens in the world

P199-M fund to bolster fire safety in ARMM

Surigao Norte veterinary office trumpets ‘Marajaw Kahayupan’ program

Lanao del Norte promotes women’s health

RDC-X backs Mindanao Development Corridors strategy

By: Malou Pizarro-Apego

By: John Glenn A. Platil

10

By: Catherine T. Apelacio

By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

14

3435 City Agriculture Office seeks aid for

farmers affected by drought

By: Alma L. Tingcang

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Aida C. Agad

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

By: Vincent N. Labial

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

30 PRDP board approves P298-M road projects in Davao Norte By: Noel T. Provido

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4 MARCH 23, 2015One Mindanao

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has conducted series of consultations on the government’s Bottom’s-Up Budgeting (BuB) program

with different local government units (LGUs) in South Cotabato.

DTI-SC holds series of LGU consultation for BuB 2014, planning for BuB 2015

5MARCH 23, 2015 One Mindanao

DTI-South Cotabato provincial director Flora Gabunales said, with the opening of the fiscal year, DTI-SC started to visit LGUs to set target activities, timelines and documentary requirements for the completion of BuB 2014 programs as well as the commencement of projects under BuB for 2015. Six LGUs are beneficiaries of projects for BuB 2014 with a total cost of P15,648,956.25. LGU Polomolok has enrolled the establishment of Pasalubong Center costing P1,150,000 and Information and Communication Technology project with P575,000.00; Tampakan has the

Engineered Bamboo Project with P1,891,750, Meat Processing Project with P1,046,816.25, Processing of Coconut Products costing P287,500.00, and the Establishment of Tindahang Pinoy with allocation of P575,000.00. Lake Sebu town identified their Bamboo Development Project costing P287,500 and the Sustainable Livelihood Project worth P3,450,000; Norala-Business Permits and Licensing System with P575,000; and Sto. Niño - Development of Rice-Based Products worth P2,300,000, Indigenous Bag Making Project with P2,070,000 and Jewelry Making Project worth P345,000.


LGU Surallah listed under BuB their Food Processing Project at Lamian P250,000; Food Processing at Buenavista P250,000, Handicrafts at Centrala P252,000, Pottery Making at Little Baguio P230,000 and T’boli town’s Beads Making Project P316,250, Brass Crafting Project P193,200, Loom Weaving Project P603,750 and Bag Making Project P149,040. Gabunales said BuB Projects for 2015 will be implemented by LGUs once they are determined to be eligible based on criteria set for them to comply by the National Government Agencies (NGAs). She added, the most crucial requirements are the Seal of Good Housekeeping and the completion of Public Financial Management System (PFM). She explained, once an LGU is tagged as ineligible, it has until the end of 3rd quarter to comply with the imposed requirements stipulated in Joint Memorandum Circular #6. Non-compliance would mean the projects identified for BuB 2015 will no longer be implemented. The Budget allocated for the proposed project will no longer be downloaded to the NGA concerned, hence, cannot

be made available for LGU utilization. For South Cotabato, as per initial evaluation, all BuB Beneficiaries under DTI are eligible for BuB 2015 implementation. Timeline set for the execution of the plans, activities and projects is by the 2nd Quarter of 2015. BuB is a program of the Philippine Government that aims to alleviate poverty through allocation of funds to be utilized to programs, projects and activities identified at the


local level. Implementation of BuB projects are overseen by different NGAs from whom enrolled programs were taken. LGUs which have BuB Projects for 2014 and 2015 cannot start implementing their 2015 BuB Projects unless BuB 2014 Projects are completed and the accomplishment and financial reports are submitted. For 2015, eight LGUs enrolled their projects under BuB with a total cost of P11,575,494.00.

Polomolok identified Livelihood Program for PWDs/Entrepreneurship Development P1,150.000 and Indigenous Craft Development P575,000.00; Tampakan listed Technology and Productivity Upgrading P568,512.00, Technology Development & Upgrading Of Bamboo Based Crafts Products/ Engineered Bamboo P1,342,320.00 and MSMEs Skills Training And Production Enhancement Support Program P568,512.00; Lake Sebu identified the YamanPinoy (Skills Training, Production Development, Marketing) P770,000.00 and Industry Clustering Development Project P1,100,000.00; Koronadal City - Bamboo Industry Development P2,000,000.00; Sto. Niño-Garment Making Industry P800,000.00; Surallah - Support To Food Industry Cluster Development – Peanut Processing P500,000.00; Tantangan with Bamboo Products Development P1,950,000.00 and Meat And Food Processing P600,000.00; and Norala - Industry Cluster Development For Processed Foods (Kakanin) P800,000.00. (AC Agad PIA12/with report from DTI-SoCot)


MANILA - The Palace on Sunday encourages Filipinos to participate in “Earth Hour 2015” slated on Saturday evening, March 28.

Palace encourages everyone to participate in ‘Earth Hour 2015’

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng

Bayan said, “We encourage our people to participate in Earth Hour 2015 by voluntarily switching off all lights for one


hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening, on Saturday, March 28.”

“In so doing, Filipinos will be showing their solidarity with the rest of the world in efforts to combat climate change, thereby promoting a cleaner, healthier and greener world,” he added.

Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement of the World Wide Fund to unite people to take action for the planet.

This year’s global tagline is “Use Your Power to Change Climate Change.”

For the Philippines, the main switch-off will be held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, according to Earth Hour Philippines.

From 2009 to 2013, the Philippines has earned the title of “Earth Hour Hero Country” as the country topped the participation records.

Earth Hour Philippines will be donating portable solar lamps to off-grid communities to help them safely and economically light up their homes, Coloma said.

“We echo the statement of Earth Hour Philippines as follows: ‘When we unite towards a common goal, we can change climate change.’ Let us all participate in Earth Hour 2015 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28,” Coloma reiterated. (PCOO/PND (ag)


Palace welcomes survey saying Filipinos rank fifth happiest citizens in the world

MANILA - The Palace on Sunday welcomes the result of a global survey that ranked Filipinos as the world’s fifth happiest

citizens.

“Siyempre po dapat nating ikagalak ang nabatid nating balita hinggil diyan, dahil sa pagitan naman siguro ng kagalakan at kalungkutan, mas marami ang pipili palagi ‘nung kagalakan at pagiging masaya,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The Philippines scored 80, based on a research conducted by the Gallup, a US-based per fo rmance-management consulting firm.

Leading the survey is Paraguay which scored 89. Followed by Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala which shared the second spot with the score of 84.

Honduras, Panama and Venezuela all got 82 all tied at third place.

While Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua scored 81 and shared the fourth place.

Gallup interviewed 1,000 adults aged 15 and older in each country and where asked questions to gauge their Positive Experience Index.

Among the questions asked were: Did they feel well rested? Were they treated with respect? Did they smile or laugh a lot? Did they learn something interesting?

In 2012, the Philippines ranked fourth and shared the spot with Guatemala. (PCOO/PND (ag)


P199-M fund to bolster fire safety in ARMM

As part of the National Government’s commitment to ensure security and the rule of law in areas of the country that need essential government services, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P199 million to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the procurement of 33 fire trucks.

This release coincides with the designation of the month of March as Fire Prevention Month, and is part of the P22.47-billion Supplemental Budget passed

last December 2014. Aside from being part of the ARMM Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP), the amount of P199 million also supplements the BFP’s P8-billion


budget in the FY 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said, “These fire trucks are the final element needed to complement the recently-constructed fire stations in the ARMM municipalities. That’s why we need to guarantee budgetary support for agencies like the BFP whose main task is to ensure public order and safety. With the help of these agencies, we’ll be able to establish an environment of social stability in areas that need it so that inclusive development can thrive and grow.”

Each of the 33 recently-constructed ARMM fire stations will receive one water tank pumper truck, which has a capacity of 3,800 liters. These fire stations are located throughout the five ARMM provinces—Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi—and their construction was completed in 2013.

The following municipalities will get one fire truck each:

1. Lanao Del Sur– Pagiapo, Madalum, Lumba Bayabao, Masiu, Balindong, Marantao, Poona Bayabao, Saguiaran, Ditaan Ramain, Bayang, Balabagan, and

Bacolod-Kalawi 2. Maguindanao– Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Montawal, Datu Unsay, Gen. SK Pendatun, Mamasapano, Paglat, South Upi, and Talayan 3. Basilan– Lantawan, Sumisip, and Tuburan 4. Sulu– Indanan, Luuk, Panamao, Parang, Patikul, and Talipao 5. Tawi-tawi– Languyan, Langlima, and South Ubian

Abad added, “It’s important to reiterate that we were able to fund priority projects like these fire trucks with the help of the 2014 Supplementary Budget, which was finalized late last year. What’s more, this release will help promote public order and safety even as it provides important services in areas made vulnerable by violence.”

Other projects from the 2014 Supplemental Budget to receive funding this year are the construction of fishports, lighthouses, and seawalls by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, the implementation of the North Triangle Relocation Plan, and the Operational Transformation Plan of the Philippine National Police. (DBM)


6 of 10 young Pinays are mothers - PSABy: Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY - Six in 10 Filipino young women started childbearing between 15 to 24 years old, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here. “Of this, at least one in 10 Filipino young women age 15-19 has begun childbearing and five in every 10 young adult women age 20 to 24 are already mothers,” said Lovervelle Olaco of PSA Surigao del Sur during a forum on Sex-Disaggregated Data on Thursday as part of the Women’s month celebration here. Based on the statistical records presented,


Butuan City’s Grow a Million Tree project records 5M trees planted

BUTUAN CITY - A total of five million trees have been planted through the Grow a Million Tree project under the Vision 2020 of the city government of Butuan.

By: Malou Pizarro-Apego

the initiation of sexual activity before age 18 is more common among young adult women with less education and those in poorer households. “Of which seven percent with college education against 40 percent with elementary education, while 10 percent from the highest quintile against the 36 percent lowest wealth quintile,” she said. Olaco said that the early pregnancy and motherhood varies by education, wealth quintile, and region. Furthermore, Olaco added that females are fewer than males in Surigao del Sur with a ratio of 106 males per 100 females, while on education, more females (59

percent) than males (41 percent) had attain higher level with a difference of 18 percent. According to provincial statistics officer Ruel Dres, early childbearing is also more common in Caraga with 38 percent and Cagayan Valley with 37 percent than other regions in the country. Meanwhile, the data presented was based on the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) that was designed to provide information on fertility, family planning, and health in the country and the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) which was conducted last May 1, 2010.


According to Pierre Anthony Joven of the Vision Aligned Circle of the city government, as of December 2014, the said number of trees planted has been recorded through geotagging and documentation. Joven also said the number of planted trees mentioned have been accomplished since the crafting of the Vision in 2013. It was learned that an independent team of the Performance Government System (PGS) from the Institute

of Solidarity in Asia (ISA) is coming to the city to validate the number of trees as reported by the city government. It can be recalled that the city government has been working to align itself with the PGS as instituted by the ISA. In 2014, the city was among the three local government units that passed the revalida for the second or compliance stage and is aiming to pass the third or proficiency stage of the four stage PGS program.


Provincial Veterinary officer Dr. Life Sheila Laugo said, the implementation of the said program is in line with the declaration of Governor Sol Matugas that the year 2015 be called the “Year of the Barangay” and its sincere desire to bring public service to all barangayanons. She said that early on, they have already initiated the program in the municipalities of San Francisco on March 17- 20, Tubod on March 11 -13, Sison on February 24- 27, and Claver on February 4-6, this year. Laugo further said that the province won the national award for having Bucas Grande Island officially proclaimed as a rabies-free zone all over the country and Governor Matugas was also honored with Gawad

Pangkalahatan trophy, in sync with the municipalities of Alegria, Tubod and Socorro. Further, the Provincial Veterinary Office calendar of activities for the “Sebisyong Panghayop sa Barangay” are as follows: March 25 to 27 - Placer; April 3 - Pilar; April 8 to 10 - Burgos; April 15 to 17 - Sta. Monica; April 22 to 24 - San Benito; May 11 to 13 - General Luna; May 22 to 24 - Del Carmen; May 29 to 31 - San Isidro; June 3 to 5 - Bacuag; June 8 to 11 - Gigaquit; June 24-26 - Alegria; July 7 to 10 - Mainit; July 22 to 24 - Malimono; July 29 to 31 - Socorro; and August 12 to 14 in Malimono town. Dr. Laugo, however noted that the schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

BUTUAN CITY - On top of the national distinction earned by the province government, the Provincial Veterinary Office unveiled its year-round program dubbed “Serbisyong Panghayop sa Barangay (animal services in the barangay).”

Surigao Norte veterinary office trumpets ‘Marajaw Kahayupan’ programBy: John Glenn A. Platil


ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Bantay Bayanihan in Basilan, composed of civil society groups and some government line agencies, has resolved to pursue grassroots communication on the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Bantay Bayanihan in Basilan bats for grassroots communication on peace process By Rene V. Carbayas

With the derailed congressional deliberation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) due to the Mamasapano incident, the members have expressed concern over the uncertainties of events and the future of the BBL and its impact on the locality.

While the national debate centered on the alleged lies spread by some opposing sectors of the BBL, the local Bantay Bayanihan


groups were wary about the decommissioning process and its implementation, over and above the various questions that continue to linger in the minds of Basileños and Isabelaños on the contents of the BBL.

During its March 20, 2015 meeting here, Basilan Advocates for Peace, Environment and Sustainable Development (BAPESDA) Executive Director Asrif Tindick shared updates on the “Bangsamoro Peace Process.”

He echoed the statement of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) that “the proposed BBL is one of the many target milestones in the peace process. It is a critical milestone, but there are also corresponding interventions to ensure that

the process is comprehensive, relevant, and inclusive (hence, the socio-economic interventions, normalization, transitional justice, and confidence building measures). In short, the BBL is not the “magic pill” that will deliver ‘peace,’ but is one of the deliberate and synchronized interventions of the process.”

He stressed that the basic goal of peace process is, first, to forge a political settlement with the armed group so that communities can pursue their desired quality of life in a condition of peace and second is to ensure that the conflict affected areas benefit from the peace dividends of the peace table.

Margarita Auxtero of the Child Fund Philippines in Basilan also shared OPAPP’s updates on the


IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently spearheaded the organization of Zamboanga Sibugay Province Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) on March 19, 2015 at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel here.

Zamboanga Sibugay Province Consumer Network organizedBy Alma L. Tingcang

development on normalization, the process through which the communities affected by the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao can return to a peaceful life and pursue sustainable livelihoods free from fear of violence and crime.

“But the normalization process is the most challenging of all in the peace process,” said Miriam Suacito of the Nagdilaab Foundation (NFI) who stressed the importance of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation component which hopes to appropriate mechanisms to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and

address human rights violations.

At the end of the one-day conference, the group resolved to conduct grassroots information dissemination activities on normalization, especially on the issue of decommissioning. However, no definite dates yet for the said awareness drive. The participants also listed some possible questions and topics in the BBL and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the community may have asked or had been asking.

Bantay Bayanihan is a civil society-led group for third party monitoring of the implementation of the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP).

Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae, officer-in-charge of DTI-Sibugay welcomed the participants from the national government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders to the meeting.

“In the upcoming meetings, we will be joined by other consumer

groups because we will organize a ConsumerNet in the different municipalities,” Lipae announced.

He urged the participants to ask about consumerism and take advantage of the presence of Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Ceferino J. Rubio of the


Consumer Protection Division of DTI-9.

Rubio discussed the operationalization of ConsumerNet in Zamboanga Sibugay and gave a brief background information on RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Price Act of the Philippines (RA 7581), an act providing protection to consumers by stabilizing the prizes of basic commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and like occasions.

“ConsumerNet aims to institutionalize networking among consumer-oriented agencies; facilitate the flow of consumer

protection information; provide speedy resolution of consumer complaints; and enhance continued support and cooperation among member agencies,” Rubio emphasized.

Engr. Samuel V. Delos Reyes of DTI-Sibugay presented a draft memorandum of agreement (MOA) to the participants which, when finalized, will be signed by all member agencies with DTI acting as secretariat.

Elected chairman of Zamboanga Sibugay ConsumerNet was Mr. Herman B. Agpawa of ZAMSURECO II with Mr. Edgardo Balboa of LGU Kabasalan as vice chairman.

PAGADIAN CITY – Four weighing scales with steel enclosures were officially-turned over by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last March 16 to the city government through its fish section unit at Agora complex here.

DTI turns-over Timbangan ng Bayan, price watch board to city gov’tBy Gideon C. Corgue

Provincial Director Ma. Socorro Malate-Atay in her message said the agency provides the measuring instruments to the city government to respond to some complaints of the consumers that the products sold at the local market are being reduced.

Atay said three weighing scales would be installed at the premises

of Agora complex and one would be installed at the Bagsakan center, Sta. Lucia District.

Atay said their agency bought the instruments to respond to several complaints on incorrect weights received by their office.

“This is one of the best ways to protect the basic rights of our


consumers by checking the accuracy of the weight of the products they are buying at our market,” Atay added.

Atay said a price watch board was also officially turned-over to guide the consumers on the current prices of good in the locality.

Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu who represented Mayor Romeo Pulmones, in her message said she was grateful to the DTI for launching the project, as the would help protect the right of the consumers.

“Pinaagi ning mga timbangan magiyahan ang atong mga konsumante pagsusi kung ang timbang sa mga produkto nga napalit ensakto ba ug ingon man

magiyahan sila sa kasamtangan nga mga presyo sa produkto nga ibaligya sa merkado,” Yu said.

(With these weighing scales, our consumers will be guided by checking if the weight of the products they are buying have correct weights and to guide them on the current prices of products being sold in the market).

Yu said with the instruments, prices of prime and basic commodities are properly monitored.

A MOA was signed between the DTI represented by Atay and the city government represented by Vice Mayor Yu.

Pasundayag Northern Mindanao 2015 gets devt council supportCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Recognizing its significance to the tourism development of Northern Mindanao, the Regional Development Council (RDC) has expressed support to the conduct of Pasundayag Northern Mindanao 2015.

By: Apipa Bagumbaran

The support was conveyed by the RDC-X during its 104th Full Council Meeting held on 19 March 2015 in Marco Hotel, this city. Pasundayag Northern Mindanao is an annual event spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region to entice tourists to experience what Northern Mindanao has to


Through the Provincial Health Office, its advocacy focuses on the early detection of breast cancer, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, High-blood, and HIV-AIDS. “We need to raise awareness on these top killer diseases by way of early detection and prevention, explained Dr. Jamaica Dimaporo-Umpa, provincial health officer (PHO). Towns of Balo-i, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Tubod, and

Kapatagan, are among the towns identified for the Information caravan. The Women’s month celebration here in Lanao del Norte was officially launched on March 9 during the flag ceremony program at the provincial capitol grounds. A raffle draw of household appliances and kitchen utensils highlighted the opening rites. Other topics of the Information Caravan include

Lanao del Norte promotes women’s health

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - In celebration of Women’s Month in March, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte conducts an information drive to promote women’s health among its residents.

By: Vincent N. Labial

offer. It will feature the best of the region’s tourist destinations including its culture, arts and crafts, as well as, its investment potentials along tourism and related sectors. This year, Pasundayag Northern Mindanao will be held in Angeles, Pampanga on May 11-17

in cooperation with SM City Clark Pampanga, DOT Region III, and the Northern Mindanao Tourism Council as major co-presenters. The RDC-X also encourages Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region to participate and showcase their respective products in the Pasundayag.


The RDC-X expressed its support after Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino presented the corridor strategy to the Council members during their 104th Full Council Meeting held on 19 March 2015 in Marco

Hotel, this city. Antonino said the MDC aims to increase the competitiveness of Mindanao to prepare the island-region towards greater economic cooperation with the BIMP-EAGA and other ASEAN-member countries.

RDC-X backs Mindanao Development Corridors strategy GINGOOG CITY - The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Northern Mindanao has backed the implementation of the Mindanao Development Corridor (MDC) as a strategy to help Mindanao achieve connectivity and global competitiveness.

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

artificial contraceptives available in Rural Health Units, Gender Sensitivity Program and various services offered by Lanao del Norte’s well-equipped provincial hospitals. Doctors from PHO also conducted free check-up for the participants during the caravan while free medicines were also distributed by members of the medical team. Different women’s organizations, the Philippine Army and police personnel, including

provincial employees joined the mangrove planting activity spearheaded by the Provincial Women’s Organization under the Provincial Social Welfare Office. The environmental preservation activity was held on March 13, 2015 at barangay Kawit, Kauswagan town, this province. The provincial culmination program for the Women’s Month celebration is set on March 25, 2015 at the Mindanao Civic Center gymnasium.


It comprises five essential and coherent components which will result in a connected and integrated Mindanao with a competitive economy ready for the challenges of BIMP-EAGA, as well as, ASEAN and global integration. These components are industry development, investment promotion, logistics development, connectivity and infrastructure development, and institutional development and policy support. Antonino said the MDC consists of the Western Mindanao Development Corridor (WMDC), South-Central Development Corridor (SCMDC), and the Northern Mindanao Development Corridor (NMDC). She said the NMDC has the greatest potential to develop into a world-class industrial and services center owing to its public infrastructure suited for industrialization, presence of eco-zones, and location of industrial ad agribusiness enterprises NMDC comprises the provinces Bukidnon, Camiguin, two Misamis provinces, two Lanao provinces, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte.

Major programs and projects under this corridor included the Panguil Bay bridge; development of the Ozamiz airport; Laguindingan airport development, operations and management; development of Surigao airport; Northern Mindanao high standard highway; and 1st segment of the Mindanao Railway System. Aside from the support to the implementation of the MDC, the RDC-X also enjoined its members and other stakeholders in the region to ensure complementation, synchronization and convergence of resources with development and physical framework plans, and other on-going initiatives and emerging trends in the country that affect the island-region.

Davao coal-fired plant starts synchronization this April

DAVAO CITY- The 300 megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant will start to synchro-nize with the Mindanao Grid this coming Holy Week. The plant oper-ated by Therma South Incorporated, a subsid-iary of Aboitiz Power, is expected to conduct its reliability run during the first week of April during which it will connect and supply power though in

a smaller amount to the Mindanao Grid. This is the first step towards full commercial operations. “We are happy to announce that our cus-tomers should be able to start receiving power from Therma South by April on a scaled basis as we continue our tests,” Therma South president and COO Benjamin A. Cariaso Jr., said. Steam blowing op-erations for the first of


PRDP board approves P298-M road proj-ects in Davao Norte

the two 150-MW units was recently completed which allowed for the tests. Full commercial operations is expected to commence after the completion of reliability tests which are conducted with the coordination of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The plant is expected to bring additional power to the Mindanao Grid. More than 20 distribution utili-ties and electric cooperatives have signed up to receive capacity from Therma South. The power plant ca-pacity has been “sold out” since 2014. “The timing could not have been better as the coming summer months are expected to affect the power output of Mindanao’s hydro power plants. Therma South will be

able to assist our customers to cope with the demand for power,” Cariaso said. Therma South customers in-clude the DavaoLight and Power, Ca-gayan de Oro Electric Power Co. and Cotabato Light franchise areas. It will also serve electric cooperatives serv-ing the cities of Gen. Santos, Bu-tuan, Tagum, Kidapawan, Mati, Ko-ronadal, Surigao and Digos, among others, It will serve the Zamboanga provinces, Misamis, the whole of Agusan and Surigao provinces, the Davao region, North and South Co-tabato and parts of Bukidnon and Misamis. (PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY-The regional project board of the Philippine Rural De-velopment Project (PRDP) has re-cently approved a total of P298.8 -million farm-to-market road (FMR) projects for the province of Davao del Norte. PRDP is a special project of the Department of Agriculture, which aims to promote an inclusive, value-chain oriented agriculture and fisher-ies development. The PRDP regional project advisory board that evalu-ates and approves project propos-

als for PRDP funding in the region is chair by the DA regional director with members from the DPWH, DAR, DENR, DILG and DTI. Davao del Norte planning chief Josie Jean Rabanos said the approved projects cover the reha-bilitation of three FMRs in the towns of Sto. Tomas, Kapalong, and San Isidro, which had been, identified as major cacao-producing areas. Under PRDP, cacao was identified as a pri-ority commodity of which better road network will help strengthen it value-


chain. “The province of Davao del Norte has an existing area of 6, 307 hectares planted to cacao with 23, 665 hectares of potential areas for development and expansion,” Raba-nos said. Of the P298.8-million pro-posed approved projects, P114.8-million will cover rehabilitation of 13 kilometer FMR from Esperanza to Poblacion in the town of Sto. To-mas; P102.2-million for 11-kilometer FMR from Capungan to San Miguel, in Kapalong; and P81.8-million for 9-kilometer FMR from San Miguel - Sawata-Igangon in San Isidro. DA assistant regional director Febe Orbe in her message during the regional project board meeting said PRPD regional team is targeting at least P1.4-billion projects while the Mindanao cluster is working to meet its targeted P4-billion projects. “PRDP is a demand-driven projects where project funds are not allocated per region but based on the submission of project proposals. If we are not prompt on submitting and evaluating proposals, chances are funds will be accessed by regions form other parts of the country,” Orbe said. “We urged our partners from the local government units to work on their project proposals and enabling documents such as social and environment clearance, resolu-tions and other requirements fro the region to meet if not exceed its tar-

gets,” she added. (Noel T. Provido-DA XI)

Koronadal City intensifies awareness campaign on rabiesBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar 23 -- In accordance with Executive Order No. 84, series of 1999 declaring March as Rabies Awareness Month, the city government of Koronadal is hands on with their activities to provide knowledge on the prevention and management of the disease.

Anchored on the theme “Bakunadong Pusa’t Aso sa Rabis Protektado, Sama-sama nating Labanan ang Rabis”, personnel of the City Veterinary Office will have their hands full of activities during and after the Rabies Awareness Month in March.

City Veterinarian Dr. Charlemagne S. Calo said that the annual activity is part of the initiatives of the city government in support to the National Rabies Prevention and Con-trol Program which envisions declaring Phil-ippines Rabies-Free by year 2020.

For the whole month, the city veterinary office will conduct a series of anti-rabies mass vaccination for pet animals in 27 ba-rangays of the city to lessen the chances of spreading the rabies virus.

Each of the 27 barangays has their own schedules and selected areas where resi-dents can bring their pets to avail them-selves of the free anti-rabies vaccines.


Aside from the mass vaccina-tion, the CVO conducted a one-day symposium last March 17, participated by barangay cap-tains of the 27 barangays.

The symposium aimed to in-crease public awareness on the risks of rabies and the impor-tance of having dogs and cats vaccinated regularly against this fatal disease.

Further, this will capacitate barangay officials on how to manage and counter bite inci-dents in their respective baran-gays.

Topics included the city’s cam-paign on Huwag maging IDO (Iresponsableng Dog Owner)

which would delve on respon-sible pet ownership and dog bite management.

Meanwhile, a free film show-ing of the movie entitled “Good Boy” will be held on March 27 at the Freedom Park to promote responsible pet ownership and to highlight their close relations, loyalty, and companionship with humans.

‘Good Boy’ is a comedy film about a 12-year-old boy who has been working as the neigh-borhood dog-walker so he can earn the privilege of getting a dog of his own.

Aside from rabies vaccination, the City Veterinary Office has


50 pupils receive school supplies from Smart, BFP-GSCCFSBy: Catherine T. Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Mar 23 – At least fifty pupils from San Jose Elementary School (SJES) here have received on Friday (March 13) a bunch of school supplies from SMART Communica-tions and Bureau of Fire Protection-General Santos City Central Fire Station (BFP-GSCCFS).

been very active in imple-menting programs such as ani-mal health mission and continu-ous barangay visits to do free vaccination, treatment, and deworming and vitamin admin-istration to various large and small animals.

The rabies virus is transmit-

ted in most all cases through saliva transferred through a bite or in some cases a scratch. The rabies virus affects the central nervous system (CNS), ulti-mately leading to brain disease and death. (ORVRivera-PIA12 with report from Koronadal City Information Office)

Recipient San Jose Elementa-ry School in Barangay San Jose has been touted as one of the farthest public schools in Gen-eral Santos.

But to help the less privileged students in the area, SMART Communications in partnership with the BFP-GSCCFS perse-vered in going the distance just to reach out to the students, who without choice have to contend with the scarcity in a school as remote as SJES.

The school supplies were

comprised of customized water-proof school bags with raincoats from SMART Communications. Also inside the bag were note-books, papers, crayons, pencils and sharpeners as counterparts of the fire station.

“We are very thankful that you have chosen our school to be the recipient of your dona-tions,” said Jean Encarnacion, SJES officer-in-charge.

According to her, the school supplies were “big help to these kids,” who hail mostly from poor


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Mar. 23—The City Agriculture Office here is asking for assistance to concerned agencies particu-larly to the Department of Agriculture as the dry spell continues to affect more farmers.

families.“We can only hope and pray

that you will continue this kind of activity,” she added.

The school head also revealed that some of their pupils come from remote communities who have to walk 2-3 or more kilo-meters, cross rivers, and climb hills to and from school every day.

Meanwhile, GSCCFS Fire Mar-shal, Chief Inspector Nailyn Be-lonio said the activity formed part of the Fire Prevention Month being observed nation-wide during March of each year.

“As far as BFP is concerned, Community Outreach Program (COP) as this big and in partner-ship with SMART Communica-tions is first time in the region,” C/Insp. Belonio said.

“We are in high-spirit on this

program because we believe that education is the key to ev-ery child’s success and school bags and supplies that we dis-tributed will certainly help these pupils in their education.”

She also commended SMART Communications for its assis-tance saying: “This COP will not be possible without the help of our partner-benefactor.”

To maximize the visit to the school, BFP-GSCCFS also con-ducted fire safety tips to the pu-pils and teachers to boost infor-mation and their knowledge on fire safety and prevention.

Berong Bombero, the BFP offi-cial mascot also gave additional entertainment to the kids by injecting more hilarious activi-ties to the occasion. (FO2 Philip C Chan, GSCCFS/CT Apelacio, PIA-12 General Santos City)

City Agriculture Office seeks aid for farmers affected by droughtBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Senior Agriculturist Nesmari Espejo said over P7 million


worth of crops including rice, corn, banana and coffee have been rendered unproductive by the ongoing drought.

“Based on our records the El Niño phenomenon has affected 27.12 hectares of rice field, 12.30 hectares of corn field, and 17.30 hectares of banana plan-tation and 2.25 hectares of cof-fee farm,” Espejo stated.

Affected areas are the vil-lages of Onica, Katipunan, Nu-angan, Macebolig, Amazion, Mateo, Sibawan, Linangkob, Ka-lasuyan, Magsaysay, Sumbac, Malinan, Paco, Singao, Indan-gan, Gayola, Kalisan and San Isidro.

The official added that they are seeking for assistance now that the dry spell has also threatened water sources in the city.

According to Zaldy Alqueza, assistant manager of the Met-ro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD), water shortage is un-avoidable if the current dry spell continues.

“The city has not experienced major rainfall the past weeks and most of the spring sources of water in the area have been reduced by about 25 percent,” Alqueza emphasized.

With the situation, he advised

water concessionaires in the city to start conserving water.

On the other hand, the City Eco- tourism Council has tem-porarily stopped the climb book-ings for the entire summer climb. This is to prevent for-est fire due to the worsening drought in the area.

Kidapawan City tourism officer Joey Recimilla said they have been receiving reports of de-creasing water level in the rivers of Matingao and Marbel on the way up to the Mt. Apo.

The Matingao and Marbel Riv-ers are two of the longest riv-ers that can be found along the Kidapawan trail.

Meanwhile, those who have already booked can do the sum-mer climb as the Tourism Office will put them on close monitor-ing.

It can be noted that thou-sands of climbers trek to Mt. Apo especially every Holy Week. (SJDuerme-PIA12)

One Mindanao - March 23, 2015

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