One Mindanao - May 18, 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

GIDEON C. CORGUE, 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

18

30

33

24

41

Coffee for a Tree: A Unique Coffee Experience!

PH, Indonesia agree to combat IUUF; fair treatment for Filipino offenders assured

Heed the majority support of Bangsamoro for BBL, Ferrer appeals to Congress

SSS-Sibugayurged OFWs to save, enroll in Flexi-Fund program

DPWH completes P176-M widening of airport access road in MisOr

13

By: Daisy Jane Apit

By: Emmanuel Taghoy

Cover Story

CARAGA NORTHERN

WESTERN

INFOCUS

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

26 Dragonboat Paddle for Peace in Mindanao held

1810

38

22

27

28 OUR COVER

Contents

By Laurence D. Pradia

45 DPWH completes P176-M widening of airport access road in MisOr

By: Mary Queenstar Balltazar

Caraga LGUs urged to pay withholding tax, mandatory obligations’ payment promptly

AFP, PNP vow to join Brigada Eskwela in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro Jr,

4 MAY 18, 2015One Mindanao

By Laurence D. Pradia

Coffee for a Tree: A Unique Coffee Experience!

Cover Story

“A coffee for a tree… please!”

5MAY 18, 2015 One Mindanao

Filipinos prominently wake up in the morning with a little sweet, hot and aromatic blend of coffee to jumpstart their day. Some take it with their snacks and even as nearly as a round-the-clock beverage. But have you ever sipped brewed coffee that lifted not just your taste buds but also the spirit of kindness in yourself?

To some, yes, but to many, no, unless you tried the intensified taste and hearty purpose of Hineleban Coffee. Then you could say, “A coffee for a tree… please!”


Locally known for its humane cause and sweet mission to sustain lives and empower the Indigenous People of Bukidnon by providing sustainable livelihood, Hineleban Coffee soared high from its humble beginnings. With this desire, it has spread its wings in strengthening not only their mission in reforesting the bare mountains of Bukidnon, but also in supporting the coffee industry in the country.

Hineleban Coffee: The intensified taste Hineleban Coffee has now been regarded as the country’s finest brewed coffee being

graded the best Arabica in the Philippines and cupped as “Very very specialty coffee” by internationally renowned green bean coffee trader and roaster, Level Ground Canada, with an outstanding cupping score of 8.75/10.

With just the right combination of sweetness and carmelly flavor as perceived by the tongue, Hineleban Coffee’s richness in aroma serves as one delightful attribute that attracts buyers and convinces them to patronize the product.

According to HFI Coffee


Technician and Processing Supervisor, Jojo Lerin, the secret on maintaining quality coffee is not achieved in coffee processing alone. It starts in the proper identification of the variety best for the area, accurate timing, and harvest of only red ripe cherries and masterfully roasting the beans to capture the true flavor of the specialty coffee. The Coffee’s Emphatic Purpose As it suggests, Hineleban Coffee was named after a non-stock organization, Hineleban Foundation Incorporated (HFI) and is anchored with the campaign to “Sip and Reforest.”

The Foundation predominantly promotes patronage of the product with the initiative of helping reforest the denuded mountains of Mindanao. “Each single bag of coffee bought corresponds to one seedling of forest tree planted for you,” said Forester Renato Baylomo of HFI. This way, the consumer becomes part of the reforestation efforts of the Philippines, one sip at a time. Sweet and kind, isn’t it?

To date, Forester Baylomo said, HFI is preparing 30,000 forest-tree seedlings to accommodate the demand for Hineleban coffee.


Based on 2014 coffee sales alone, HFI sold as many as 19,200 bags of coffee. Imagine how lush the mountains will be few years from now. You can also be part of reforesting our land by purchasing Hineleban Coffee in all Healthy Options stores, nationwide.

HFI realized this campaign in partnership with the seven tribes of Bukidnon residing in the mountain ranges of the province. The green thumb of these Indigenous People (IP) partners produce high elevation Bukidnon

Highland coffee varietals from Hineleban Foundation seedlings garnering higher yields with the coffee production technology of sustainable agriculture practices imparted by the foundation.

The family of a 56-year old woman from the Higa-onon tribe, Elsie Alizan, is one of the partner growers who source out her family sustenance from coffee farming. “Hineleban helped us tremendously. Aside from the assistance they gave for coffee maintenance, they also give cash advances and even bring rice at home whenever we have nothing

to eat, and then we pay them back during harvest time,” Elsie meekly said during an interview.

Elsie’s and 81 other Indigenous families’ voices shouted commitment out loud to produce quality coffee berries and obliged themselves in upholding the reforestation mission of the foundation. For them, this is a return of favor for Hineleban Coffee’s sincere succor.


“Livelihood first, then planting trees,” cited HFI Coffee Technician and Processing Supervisor Jojo Lerin who’s the first contact of the IP beneficiaries in the field.

Hineleban Coffee hence satisfies the nutritional and psychological need of all coffee lovers as well as the social and environmental need of the people living in the buffer zones of Mindanao mountains. HFI stepped up its sales through advertising in social media and promote its cause.

An Aromatic Collaboration The forged collaboration of HFI and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) strengthened Hineleban Coffee’s hearty purpose.

Based on a statement from HFI Farm Manager Neil Konrad Binayao III, the provision of P1.7M worth of coffee processing equipment by the DTI-Bukidnon through the Shared Services Facility (SSF) project will create a big impact in improving their post-harvest and production processes especially in roasting coffee.

Processing almost 11 tons

of farm-produced coffee berries yearly from 24 hectares is made easy through the processing facility provided by DTI. Binayao found it helpful enough for the Foundation and its partners in reducing post harvest costs.

Moreover, based on the project’s benefit, DTI-Bukidnon Provincial Director, Ermedio J. Abang said that this only sustains the holistic view of the SSF project in empowering Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as essential contributors to the country’s long term economic growth. Altogether, the pooled resources, a collaborative effort of DTI, HFI and the small coffee partner growers — plus the Coffee’s intensified taste and humane cause — heated up the coffee table igniting 82 IP-beneficiaries to work as one, which contributed in reviving and highlighting the Coffee Industry in the province of Bukidnon.


PH urges middle-income APEC economies to enhance support for skills upgrades, innovation of SMEs

BORACAY, Aklan -- The Philippines is urging other middle income countries particularly Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies to promote skills upgrades and innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enable the poor to share the benefits of economic growth.


National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Asst. Director-General Rosemarie G. Edillon underscored the importance of this initiative to enable these middle income countries to graduate to high-income status. “Escaping the so-called middle income trap requires governments and the private sector -- both firms and individuals -- to do things differently and to

continuously innovate to keep up with the growing demand associated with globalization,” she said at the sidelines of the APEC seminar on the middle income trap recently held here.

The “middle income trap” is a term used to describe the situation of an economy that has escaped poverty but still unable to graduate into high income status due to uncompetitive industries

and underdeveloped human capital, among others.

Nine APEC economies, including the Philippines, are currently classified by the World Bank as middle-income and have remained as such since 1987, when formal income-based classifications began.

Edillon said middle income countries need to upgrade their products and processes in the global value chains


through focused interventions on SMEs and provisions for regulatory efficiency and greater incentives for skills upgrade.

The NEDA official said it is imperative for these countries to “offer a level playing field to ensure inclusivity.”

“Reforms in structural policies and regulations, infrastructure, education, and institutions, should be prioritized, as the main challenge really is to ensure that even the poor are able to participate in the growth process,” she added.

The seminar discussed the challenges of middle income economies in sustaining economic growth to become high income economies.

This will serve as an input to future APEC work on the area, especially to the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting slated in September.

The Philippines is hosting some 31 APEC meetings all over the country this year. (PCOO/PNA (lv)


PH, Indonesia agree to combat IUUF; fair treatment for Filipino offenders assured

QUEZON CITY- The Philippines and Indonesia have initiated fresh talks that could signal the revival of a bilateral fishing agreement that lapsed in 2006, with both countries agreeing to strengthen cooperation in information exchange and enforcement to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) in their respective territorial waters and fishing grounds, the Department of Agriculture said in a statement.


Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala met with Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), while he was in Jakarta recently to take part in the World Economic Forum and its adjunct event called Grow Asia Agricultural Forum. Alcala said the Indonesian official agreed to his suggestion to have both parties convene a technical working group that will meet “at the soonest possible time” to flesh out the issues, including the concerns of Filipino-owned fishing companies in Indonesia regarding MMAF’s strict enforcement of its policies and regulations. Earlier this year, Pudjiastuti announced she would not issue new licenses to foreign fishing companies in a bid to protect its territorial waters

and fishing grounds from illegal fishing.

The fisheries ministry likewise wants to impose a 100-percent Indonesian manning on foreign-owned fishing vessels with licenses to fish in their waters.

These new policies from Indonesia’s six-month old administration have affected


a number of Filipino-owned companies operating in the country. Some reports indicated that a number of Filipino-owned but Indonesian-flagged fishing vessels have temporarily suspended operations in Indonesia while waiting for clarification on the new government policies. The DA chief said that while the Indonesian minister made it clear that these policies are not likely to change anytime soon, she assured him that Filipino personnel of confiscated and apprehended boats would be “well-taken care of.” “It was a very constructive, sincere exchange of ideas about what should be done about a matter that concerns both our countries,” said Alcala who was accompanied during the meeting by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen Isleta and other DA officials that included Undersecretary for

Field Operations Emerson Palad; Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Orlan Calayag; and Special Agriculture Representative Ana Abejuela. He said Indonesia was particularly concerned about the economic and environmental impact of poaching as illegal fishers are “not only getting our fish, but also wildlife” such as turtles and corals. On his part, Alcala informed Pudjiastuti that the Philippine government continues to carry out measures that will help deter and eliminate illegal fishing practices, including the recent enactment of Republic Act 10654 that revised the old national fisheries code. Pudjiastuti lauded these efforts. Under RA 10654, sanctions have been raised to as high as P45 million for commercial fishing violators, and $2.4 million


for poachers. The revised law also requires the installation of a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance system in “all Philippine flagged fishing vessels regardless of fishing area and final destination of catch,” which would make it easier to ensure compliance with fisheries regulations.

Through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DA likewise continues to train new law enforcers to beef up its anti-IUUF campaign. To date, 200 law enforcers have been trained out

of the targeted 700 for this year. On the issue of manpower, the Indonesian minister clarified that they allow two non-Indonesian masters in an Indonesian-flagged boat, provided that the contract for foreign crew will be for a maximum of three years, after which fishing companies are “mandated to transfer technology” to their Indonesian employees. She explained that the new regulation is designed to give Indonesians more income and livelihood opportunities. Meanwhile, at the sidelines of Grow Asia, Alcala held separate bilateral meetings with Indonesia’s Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, and Vietnam’s Cao Duc Phat, wherein they expressed their shared commitment to expanded and stronger technical cooperation, trade and investments.


In addition, two multinational companies relayed their intention to invest in the Philippines – Swiss Re on crop insurance and DuPont on biotechnology. Alcala said DA is ready to facilitate these possible investments.

“These are votes of confidence about the future of Philippine agriculture,” Alcala said. (DA-OSEC)


Heed the majority support of Bangsamoro for BBL, Ferrer appeals to Congress

This was the appeal aired to Congress last Friday by government chief negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as she attended a forum held at the University of the Philippines where

Asia Foundation country director Steven Rood and Social Weather Stations chief Mahar Mangahas presented latest poll results related to the Mindanao peace process and the Bangsamoro

MANILA - Congress should heed the voice of the majority of the people in the proposed core territory of the Bangsamoro who favor the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government by the Bangsamoro.


Basic Law (BBL) which is pending approval of Congress.. “Although the survey indicated that 48 percent of Filipinos may not favor the BBL, it also shows an overwhelming majority of the people in the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro in Mindanao who want it,” she said. Ferrer was referring to the SWS report on a separate survey conducted in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory and adjoining areas on February 22-March 1 this year, or a month after the Mamasapano tragedy. The survey showed an overwhelming majority of voters approve of the BBL in the provinces of Maguindanao (83% approve versus 3% disapprove), Lanao del Sur (90% approve vs 4% disapprove), Basilan (59% approve, 12% disapprove) and Tawi- Tawi (52% approve, 22% disapprove), Cotabato City (76% approve, 6% disapprove), and adjoining areas in Lanao del Norte(83% approve, 6% disapprove) and Cotabato province (93% approve, 2% disapprove). The February SWS survey also indicated that the highest

number of voters still undecided on the BBL was found in the province of Sulu and Isabela City in Basilan. Despite this, those who approve of the BBL in Sulu province was bigger at 31 percent over those who disapprove of the BBL which were measured at only 14 percent of voters there. The same situation was found in Isabela City, where 38 percent said they approve of the BBL, 40 percent undecided, and only 29 percent disapprove of the proposed law. The February SWS special survey had a sample size of 1,900. These findings in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory and adjoining areas contrasted markedly with the findings in a survey a month later by SWS nationwide on March 20-23, where results showed that approval rating nationwide for replacing the ARMM with the Bangsamoro reached only 23 percent while disapproval was measured at 48 percent, with 28 percent undecided. Wide gap in views Ferrer said the wide gap in the opinion of those living in the proposed Bangsamoro and Filipinos outside the region “is


precisely the root of the problem.” “The people in the margins are not your average Filipino. They have different needs and perspectives that are not understood by the majority,” she said. “Skewing happens when you aggregate local data with Mindanao-wide or country-wide results. The national data drowns out the voices of the minority,” she added.

This is also the case in the Pulse Asia survey released in March, according to Ferrer. Lanao del Sur, the sole area in the ARMM included in the Pulse Asia survey showed 91 percent approval for the BBL while the total approval rating in the whole country was a low 21 percent.

“The Bangsamoro people’s opinion needs to be heard more because the BBL primarily concerns them,” Ferrer said. “We ask our congressmen and senators to recognize this very strong support within the Bangsamoro core territory for the passage of the BBL because they are the ones who will be affected by our legislators’ vote,” the chief negotiator appealed. Peaceful option preferred According to Dr. Steven Rood of The Asia Foundation, it is important to note that historically, even after the “upsurge of violence after the failed MoA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain), surveys revealed that Filipinos in general

still want a peaceful resolution to the Mindanao conflict.” “That is also true after Mamasapano. This is a very important point. Politicians shouldn’t believe otherwise,” Rood stressed when he presented the survey results showing that 45 percent of Filipinos prefer peaceful negotiations with the MILF while only 20 percent believed


that military operations are the way to go.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said that the “most important for me is the general public’s support and preference for a peaceful resolution over militaristic actions to the conflict in Mindanao.” Iqbal added

that the survey results could aid Bangsamoro supporters in planning where communication

efforts are needed. Ferrer acknowledged that the SWS findings indicated that the general Filipino public was overwhelmed by the Mamasapano tragedy. “We hope the results of the various investigations and the recommended filing of charges would answer the quest for justice for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident,”

she said. Ferrer thanked the chairs of the lead committees in Congress for their tireless work on the proposed Bangsamoro law.(OPAPP)

CHO offers free HIV testing in selected barangays By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) conducted free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in five barangays here during the National HIV Testing Week on May 11-15.

HIV/AIDS coordinator Carleen Jerusalem said the free HIV screening was conducted in barangays Dumagoc, Kawit, Lumbia, Sto. Nino and Santiago. Jerusalem said the CHO also provided social hygiene services in these barangays as part of the DOH’s relentless campaign against HIV and AIDS.


The weeklong activity culminated on Friday with a candle lighting ceremony in support of the 32nd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Taclobo Stage, Plaza Luz here in the city, giving respect and honor to those who died due to AIDS. Various advocates led by the DOH and CHO attended the event to give hope to those who

are suffering from the disease and to remember the victims. City Health Officer Dr. Noel Ceniza said the CHO had observed the HIV/AIDS candlelight memorial, as Pagadian City has already an HIV/AIDS victim. “This ceremony is fitting because we have an HIV/AIDS victim who died of the dreaded


SSS-Sibugayurged OFWs to save, enroll in Flexi-Fund programBy Emmanuel D. TaghoyIPIL, ZamboangaSibugay – To help Filipino workers abroadprepare for their future,the Social Security System (SSS)has been encouraging Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) hereto commit to regular saving and join the exclusive Flexi-Fund program. “We are inviting Sibugaynons who are working abroad toregister with SSS and take charge of their personal finances through regular savings. We invite them as well to join the exclusive Flexi-Fund program for OFWs,” Branch Head Rudy M. Lacandalo of SSS-Sibugay said.

Lacandalo said it would be

beneficial for OFWs to enrol to the Flexi-Fund Program while they are still employed abroad. “Once they returned home and their income stops, their savings with SSS can mitigate the loss of income,” he explained.

An OFW member will be able to save and build up funds that can be used upon retirement to

disease and we have several cases of HIV positive here,” Ceniza announced. Ceniza said the HIV problem in our country could not be resolved if we would not intensify our HIV prevention efforts. “HIV transmission rates will continue to rise if we do not act decisively,” he stressed. Ceniza said with the DOH’s launching of the free HIV testing, persons who are suffering from the disease can be easily diagnosed and be treated to prolong their lives. Meanwhile, Clarissa Jose, regional HIV/STD coordinator in her message said one should avoid having a risk behavior

adding that there is no cure for HIV. “There is no cure or vaccine to prevent HIV. The only way people can prevent infection from the virus is to avoid high-risk behaviors putting them at risk of infection, such as having unprotected sex or sharing needles,” Jose explained. Jose was very happy to see the people in the said barangays actively support the campaign. “I am very happy to see people from these barangays for actively participated in the free HIV testing. In fact, lot of them underwent the testing to know whether they are HIV positive or negative,” Jose concluded.


supplement the benefits available under the regular SSS program for a minimum of P200 paid in excess of the maximum contribution.

Under the regular SSS program, an OFW member can contribute at least P550 based on the P5,000 minimum monthly salary credit (MSC) for OFWs to a maximum of P1,760 per month based on the maximum MSC of P16,000. SSS savings will redound to their benefits in the form of payments for contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement and death.

Accordingly, early withdrawal of funds is also allowed in case of urgent cash needs.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2013 Survey on Overseas Filipinosshowed that only 40.7 percent of 1.9 million OFWs who sent remittances had savings from cash remittances,

which was 2.2-percent lower than data in 2012.

As of September 2014, existing OFW members of the Flexi-fund program reached 39,274 with total equity amounting to P431 million. A paying OFW member has an average Flexi-fund investment of P10,974.

The SSS estimates Flexi-fund investments to grow at an average guaranteed interest rate of 1.3 percent this year, while Flexi-fund accounts with annual incentive benefits (AIB) will have a total yield of 3.9 percent.

According to Lacandalo, SSS-Sibugay was not able to receive an application on the Flexi-Fund program since most of the OFW members applied in the main offices. But, he said their office is open for assistance and will accept applications if there will

Dragonboat Paddle for Peace in Mindanao held

DAVAO CITY- Davao Dragon Boat Associa-tion is a non-govern-ment organization that aims to promote sports from all folks in Mind-anao through Dragon Boat Race. The association’s campaign is entitled Bug-say Mindanao 2: Paddle for peace which raises awareness about how Mindanao is striving for Peace and Unity. The Bugsay Mind-anao 2 racers will com-pete in the 200 and 2,000 meter class that feature three categories for Open/Men’s Standard Boat of 22 crews, Mixed Standard of 22 crews, and the Women’s small Boat for 12 crews. There are seven teams coming from dif-ferent parts in Mindanao competing for Dragon Boat Race. There are 3 from Davao Region, 1 from Butuan, 1 from Cagayan, 1 from Iligan, and 1 from Agusan. Participants are

from the supervision un-der Davao Dragon Boat Association like Dragon Del Sur, Base Camp Dragon, and Hiraya Mi-nokawa, while visit-ing teams include Blue Dragon of Butuan, Liseo de Cagayan Dragonoids, Bakunawa team from Ili-gan, and Agusan del Sur Dragon Boat Team. The association is now in the stage of building and producing elite team to compete not only in Mindanao but throughout the country. Clarise Jane Calolot, Davao Dragon Boat As-sociation President said that Paddling or Bugsay in vernacular language is part of Mindanao life-style. Calolot said that Davao Dragon Boat As-sociation wish to bring the sport to other coast-lines around Mindanao to highlight Mindanao’s beaches and to strength-en its advocacy on pro-tecting coastal and ma-rine resources. (PIA-Mary Queenstar Cruz Baltazar, intern)


DepEd-XI prepares for K to 12

DAVAO CITY- With the implemen-tation of the K to 12 program this school year 2016-2017, the De-partment of Education-XI is pre-paring for the entry of the Senior High School (SHS) program. Atty. Alberto Escobarte DepEd-XI regional director said that 97% of the schools in the Davao Region are ready for the implementation of the SHS. About 89% of the 73 public high schools in the region will be of-fering senior high school. DepEd has given probational permits to 40 pri-vate schools to operate Senior High School. Dr. Luzviminda Onor said they are making sure that the high school divisions are ready for the imple-

mentation. Senior High School (SHS) covers the last two years of the K to 12 program and in-cludes Grade 11 and 12. In SHS, students will go through a core curriculum and sub-jects under a track of their choice. In Davao City three stand alone schools had been es-tablished in preparation for the senior high school. These schools include Davao City National High School, Sta. Ana National High School and the Daniel R. Aguinaldo High

School. Stand alone schools have a separate facilities from the mother schools with different school princi-pals. Outside Davao Ci the prov-inces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte along with the Island Gar-den City of Samal, Digos and Mati cities thru the help of their respec-tive Local Government Unit are well prepared for the senior high school. (PIA/RG Alama)

53 SMED stakeholders participate in Negosyo Center Operation learning sessionBy: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte– A total of 53 Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) counselors, members of the academe and a number of technical staff of banks and financing institutions, various national agencies and local government units from northern Mindanao provinces particularly in Region X and Caraga region attended the two-day session on Negosyo Centers operation held on May 13-14, 2015 at Hotel Tavern, this city.


The activity is purposely done to ensure an efficient and effective operation of the Negosyo Centers in their respective areas. The activity also addresses some operational issues and concerns so that micro, small and medium size businesses in the communities will be adequately serve. Depending on the type of operation and scope of service provided, Negosyo Centers are expected to provide business registration and/or facilitation services, implement business development programs and projects including support services for business conceptualization, development, management, financing facilitation, marketing, human resource capability building that will catalyze business start-up and operational sustainability. Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV who is the principal author of Republic Act 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act” is the resource speaker during the two-day session and the guest of honor during the launching of the Surigao del Norte Negosyo Center established under the provincial administration of Governor Sol F. Matugas on

May 15, 2015 at the Provincial Capitol Complex, this city.

More Negosyo Centers will be established in the coming months in other locations to serve increasing number of micro and small entrepreneurs in the countryside.


Subject matter of Resolution No. 6 was “Endorsing to the RDC the request to the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and the various Leagues of Local Government Units (LGUs) to strongly urge all local government units (LGUs) to promptly remit the correct Bureau Internal Revenues (BIR) withholding taxes and mandatory obligations to Government Service Insurance System

(GSIS), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).” The said resolution was the answer to the committee’s proposal of “Inclusion of Regular Remittance by the LGUs of the Correct BIR Withholding Taxes and Other Mandatory Obligations as an Additional Criterion in Evaluating Nominees for conferment of the Seal of Good

Caraga LGUs urged to pay withholding tax, mandatory obligations’ payment promptly By: Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY—The Regional Development Council - Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) has approved Resolution No. 6, Series of 2015 in their 2nd quarter meeting, Thursday, May 14 held at Samping Avenue, J.C. Aquino Avenue, this city.


Local Governance (SGLG)” during their first quarter meeting. “Instead of recommending the inclusion of this matter as another criterion in our assessment for the conferment of the seal of local good governance, let’s just make a resolution enjoining the LGUs to remit promptly in accordance to the requirements of the agencies

concerned,” Cabadbaran Mayor Dale B. Corvera, RDC-DAC chairperson said. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion also asserted that there was no need for another criterion because the three criteria of the core assessment for the seal

(good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness and social protection) were already hard for the LGUs to comply with. “The matter regarding these issues is already covered in the good financial housekeeping. If it would be separated as another criterion then, I think, it would be more challenging for the LGUs,” Famacion added.

“We all agree that the present criteria of the conferment of the seal are indeed stringent. So, with this it is but right to affirm the endorsement to call for the LGUs to pay promptly all these obligations to help in the efforts of the concerned agencies. Not only for a requirement but it is a responsibilty and of course, maapektuhan din kasi nito ang benefits ng ating mga employees (the employees’ benefits will also be affected),” said NEDA Caraga regional director and RDC Caraga vice

chairperson Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño. Before the approval of the resolution, presentations of the status of Caraga’s LGUs payment for withholding taxes and other mandatory obligations preceded. GSIS, PhilHealth and BIR regional offices gave summaries of their previous annual reports.


The stated reports were also the bases for assessing the LGUs performance for further evaluation for SGLG. Other major resolutions accepted in the conference were the endorsement to the RDC the request of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Process (OPAPP) to the Regional Line Agencies for the Inclusion of Unfunded Peace building Interventions in PAMANA Areas in its FY 2016

Budget and Subsequent Budgets and the request of the DAC for the submission of the members of the council for their proposed research topics on or before May 22 for this year’s Research Agenda.


Capt. Regie Go, civil military operations (CMO) officer of the 402nd Infantry Brigade under the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army (PA), said the endeavor is in compliance with the directive issued on April 27, 2015 by brigade commander Col. Isidro Purisima.

Earlier, a prior instruction has also been given to the brigade coming from the 4ID under Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao.

Purisima, addressing the commanding officers (COs) of both the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) and 75th Infantry

AFP, PNP vow to join Brigada Eskwela in SurSur

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– Both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur have assured to join the Department of Education (DepEd) here for the conduct of Brigada Eskwela.

By: Greg Tataro Jr,


Battalion (75IB), told his men to coordinate with the DepEd at the provincial level, in this case with Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Marilou Dedumo, citing “Civil Affairs Activity.”

Meanwhile, acting PNP Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero said a memorandum has also been issued last week reminding all lower units under him to take part in the Brigada Eskwela province-wide set on May 18-23, 2015.

The provincial chief cop pointed out that the annual conduct of Brigada Eskwela is aimed at gearing up for the upcoming opening of classes on June 1.

It was learned that Mario Deriquito, DepEd undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages, has issued a memorandum to all concerned DepEd regional chiefs dated May 4, 2015 regarding “this year’s National Schools Maintenance Week more known as Brigada Eskwela.”

Construction of Bitan-ag Bridge begins

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-10) will begin this week the construction of Bitan-ag Bridge and approaches at Recto Avenue, near the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST).

By City Information Office

As such, six-wheeler trucks are prohibited from passing through the Recto-Osmena highway going to the eastern part of the city, according to the

Task Force Hapsay Dalan (TFHD) and the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) Instead, they can use the coastal road passing through the Puntod-Kauswagan


Some P200 million of the loan will be spent for heavy construction equipment like bulldozers, graders, backhoe, pay loaders and dump trucks which will be used to fast track the various construction projects of the province

particularly barangay roads. Of the total 4,300 kilometers of barangay, municipal and provincial road network, only some 2,700 is concrete prompting local officials to badger the Governor in every opportunity.

MisOr exec assures transparency in loan funding spendingPROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Misamis Oriental -- Misamis Oriental Governor assures open and utmost transparency in the procurement of equipment with the use of the P250 million loan the province signed with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), recently.

Bridge. On the other hand, trucks coming from the eastern part of the city can also use the same portion of the coastal road. The re-routing of trucks start at Valenzuela Road, to and from Agora Market, and Osmena Extension going to and from the Recto-Gaabucayan road. However, TFHD chairman Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy clarified

that other vehicles, especially public utility vehicles, are not affected by the bridge project because they can still pass through the said road portion. The project is expected to complete within 215 days, starting from Phase 1 until Phase 2. Uy explained that if traffic jam occurs, private vehicles will be affected by the re-routing.


“But there is nothing I can do. More than 70 percent of the equipment left could be best described as junks,” Governor Bambi Emano said. In his desire to service the hinterland barangays, some of the dump trucks which will be procured are 6-wheelers and the rest are 10-wheelers. “I assure you, and I already instructed all parties concerned, that the number 1 most important thing from the procurement to delivery of these pieces of equipment is transparency; number 2 is transparency, and number 3 is transparency,” Gov. Emano emphasized. The remaining P50million

is earmarked for the acquisition of hospital equipment and ambulances in order to stay within the health deve l opmen t plan of the province. The plan calls for the upgrading of Gingoog and

Alubijid hospitals into Level III. The remaining hospitals will be upgraded to Level II. The province’s eight hospitals will have an ambulance each. Other basic equipment like X-ray machines, delivery tables, ultrasound machines, ECG machines and beds will be furnished to these hospitals as needed. “Because of MisOrCares, our people are now comfortable in going to our hospitals for their medical needs. This is why we need this loan to equip our hospitals,” the governor said. The loan is payable in seven years with a one year grace period. (PIO MisOr)


DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said DPWH Region 10 has completed the P176 million widening of Opol to Laguindingan Section of Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro City-Iligan City Road (BCIR) which covers the 3.7 kilometer access road leading to Misamis Oriental’s main airport - the Laguindingan International Airport. The project includes the widening of the highway from two lanes to four lanes, with some vital sections widened into six lanes. The widening and reconstruction of three bridges namely: Alubijid, Igpit and Opot Bridges along BCIR were also part of the accomplishment under the Department of Tourism-DPWH Convergence Program.

The road is not only servicing Laguindingan International Airport but also providing better access to neighboring tourism sites like Loguilo Beach in the town of Alibijid and Opol Beach in Opol, Misamis Oriental. “We continue to commit building better national road network, as we recognize its importance in maximizing the potential of our country’s world-class tourism destinations. This much improved road will benefit both the local residents and tourists, allowing better and safer transport of people, goods and services,” said Secretary Singson.(DPWH10)

DPWH completes P176-M widening of airport access road in MisOrCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Experience ease in travelling to amazing tourism areas of Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao with the recent completion of a road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).


It requires at least P200.00 paid in excess of current maximum salary credit of P16, 000.00. Entitlements from the fund are added on top of the regular membership benefits. The program is tax-free and members could avail of the fund as early as three years after membership date, or choose to leave the fund intact until the members retire. The members may also have the following options as to the utilization of the fund: avail of the accumulated balance in the provident fund to meet their financial needs; apply for early withdrawals to finance housing, education, or capital for business; hold the fund until retirement age, which can be drawn in the form of monthly pension, or a lump sum payment or both. In addition, all OFWs can be members to the SSS Flexi-fund Program with the following conditions: they were recruited in the Philippines by a foreign-based

employer for employment abroad; having a source of income in a foreign country; or residing permanently in a foreign country. A member who has reached 60 years of age is entitled to a retirement benefit, and upon the death of a pensioner, the beneficiary shall receive a lump sum benefit equivalent to the cash value of the remaining pension. Any member can also withdraw his contributions to the fund including interest anytime. Per data provided by the SSS, registered voluntary member OFWs as of 2014 was 1,028,252 but only an estimated 443,000 or 32.4% are paying SSS premiums and receiving benefits and based on the 2013 Philippine Statistics Authority’s survey, only two of every five OFWs are able to save from their cash remittances, thus the need of the OFWs to save or start saving for their financial security.

One Mindanao - May 18, 2015

Documents

Transcript of One Mindanao - May 18, 2015