One Mindanao - May 23, 2014

Almost a hundred rebels took oath of allegiance back to govtDavid M. SuyaoCARAGA REGION

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 184

President Aquino welcomes Indonesian President at PICC

NATIONAL

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Page 4

CENTRAL MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Satisfactory rating to DavNor health offices – DOH-XI

25 triathletes compete in 2014 Dinagat Islands Triathlon Challenge

N. Cotabato to plant over 3,000 trees in centennial celebration

Koronadal mayor asks DepEd to lift ban on purchase of books, hiring of teachers

GSIS opens college scholarship for members’ kin

DevAdCom members meet in Dipolog

DA partners with DepEd for “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project

Talent show highlights end of 2014 summer reading camp in Ozamiz

32 13

36 37

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28 30

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Information to Empower Filipinos

10 7 11

CARAGA REGION

Brigada Eskwela continues to go well in SurSur 14

GSIS Iligan

Franklin P. Gumapon

Mary May A. Abellon

Michael Uy

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Susil D. Ragas

Greg tataro, Jr.

Danilo E. Doguiles

Almost a hundred rebels took oath of allegiance back to govtN inety seven rebel returnees took

their oath of allegiance back to the government after several years of being blinded by promises

and lies, coated with crooked principles introduced to them while they were in the midst of hard life and confusion in their respective remote barangays.

This is the meat of the message delivered by Librado Perez alyas Batoy, a former mayor of the New Peoples’ Army Front 34 Compostela Valley Area who have served the rebel movement since 1999 until he decided to surrender a month ago. “Being in a very remote area in Loreto town since birth, I have never seen these beautiful and strong foundation of the government that I see today. I thought that time, only the educated and the wealthy people are government’s friends, and not illiterate and poor people like us. I never experienced being cuddled by the government because of our geographical location that is far from what they call civilization. Because of that belief and confusion, the high ranking NPAs took

advantage o f o u r situation and convinced us to join the “movement” as they call it. Then life became even harder,” Perez said. He said that contrary to what they promised, his family never received anything but threats. “We, in the movement never receive anything but bullets that almost killed us. And here comes my relative, now Mayor of Loreto, Dario Otaza, who never failed to explain and convince us how nice

by David M. Suyao

5

it is to live a peaceful and normal life. Today, I cannot explain how happy and contented I am, just seeing the bright life in the civilized world like where we are now, and most of all, knowing Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza whom I only know by name before but I can hug now, and Gen. Bautista, whom I think a terror but instead an angel in reality. Now, I am very proud and e x c i t e d to tell my family I met wonderful people in a wonderful world of peace and prosperity,” sa id Perez. The 97 rebels, four of them from Surigao del Sur and 93 from Agusan del Sur mostly from Loreto and La Paz towns received on Wednesday immediate cash assistance of P5,000 each and the remuneration of their surrendered firearms depending on their types and kind. The livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process will follow after the processing of their documents which will be completed the soonest, according to an OPAPP

representative and the AFP. No less than the Chief of Staff of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Emmanuel Bautista

witnessed the ceremony with Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr., mayors and local officials of the province

of Agusan del Sur and Surigao

del Sur. “Wha t I heard from one of our b r o t h e r s , L i b r a d o

Perez really t o u c h e d

me. Wrong impressions of our

brothers and sisters in the hinterlands about the government, the military and the government officials divided us. As we struggle to unite ourselves with our brothers and sisters who are until now blinded by the fact that we should unite as one Filipino nation, let us also help our blinded brothers and sisters by convincing them that we are one in our struggle against poverty and gearing towards prosperity. We do not want our fellow Filipino to be left behind, therefore, let us work together as one, towards peace and prosperity. And this is what we call victory,” said Gen. Bautista.

7 MAY| PAGE

Across the NationHosting World Economic Forum ‘vote of confidence’ for Philippines - Yudhoyono

In his speech at the WEF-EA’s plenary session held at the Shangri-

La hotel in Makati, Yudhoyono cited the good economic performance of

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hailed on Thursday the selection of the Philippines as this year’s host

for the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA), referring to it as “a solid vote of confidence” for its remarkable economic achievements in recent years.

8 MAY 2014 | PAGE

the Philippines and Indonesia, which had Britain-based newspaper The Economist naming both countries as Asia’s “economic stars” last year.

Evidently, Yudhoyono shared President Benigno S. Aquino III’s agenda of inclusive growth with his demand for social and economic mobility to address the issue of inequity that has been challenging Asia’s complete economic development.

“In my view, at the heart of the inequity is the question of social and economic mobility. I suppose we have to be realistic that there will always be people who are more well-off than others. But this becomes particularly problematic if mobility applies only for the few. The key challenge in addressing inequity is how to ensure that those at the bottom and middle also enjoy the same, if not more, socioeconomic mobility as those at the top; hence, mobility for all. And in this way, it doesn’t matter how many billionaires and millionaires emerge, so long as those at the economic bottom also get a ladder of a better life opportunity and progress, ” Yudhoyono said.

Yudhoyono said this particular thrust can be achieved through education—the “best weapon” against

poverty—financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship, especially in the micro, small, and medium enterprises.

He noted, however, that “economic growth and equitable progress are not necessarily the same thing;” hence, there is a need for governments and institutions to come up with “true pro-poor” programs, which, he said, “have always been at the heart of Indonesia’s economic transformation.”

“Whatever the global ups and downs, I do believe that the intense pro-poor programs and social safety nets that they have instilled in the last decade will help make the Indonesian economy much more resilient in the face of uncertainty, and that Allah will lift us not just towards equality for all, not just towards equal opportunity for all, but towards mobility for all,” Yudhoyono said.

Apart from his participation at this year’s WEF-EA (his last as Indonesia’s President), Yudhoyono is also in the country for a state visit on President Aquino’s invitation. The two leaders are expected to discuss matters of mutual concern, including political, defense and border, maritime, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation at the Palace on Friday (May 23).

9 MAY| PAGE

The President and the Indonesian leader both delivered their respective speeches at the opening of the 23rd World Economic Forum on East Asian at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

Prior to meeting President Yudhoyono, the President received World Economic Forum founder and executive chairman Professor Klaus Schwab in a courtesy call also at the PICC.

President Aquino also had a photo opportunity with Professor Schwab, Philippine officials, and ministers attending the 23rd WEF summit in Manila.

The President hosted dinner at the PICC’s Reception Hall for the Indonesian President and delegates of the WEF.

The World Economic Forum is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation in the spirit of global citizenship.

It engages with business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, WEF is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Economic Forum is an independent, impartial group that is not tied to any interests, cooperating closely with all leading international organizations. PND

President Aquino welcomes Indonesian President at PICC

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Madame Ani Bambang

Yudhoyono at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Thursday.

10MAY2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Electric cooperatives power contract to improve Mindanao power supply by 2017

A signed long-term power supply contract with

Electric Cooperatives (ECs) will improve the current electricity condition in Mindanao by 2017, according to University of the Philippines (UP) Professor Rowaldo del Mundo.

The Php 4.09 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) contract was a success due to its original estimate at Php 4 -4.50 but was suggested by Generation Companies (Gencos) to be at Php 5.50-6.30.

The future power supply will have a capacity of 405 Megawatts (MW), more than enough to sustain the current shortage in the region.

Presently, Mindanao suffers a -7MW reserve, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which made rotating brownouts the only solution to the power supply problem.

About 20 electric cooperatives have undergone bidding for the baseload 330 MW, with advice from an International Transaction Adviser to invite new and foreign

Independent Power Producers (IPPs).THREE FOREIGN IPPS WERE

SUCCESSFULLY INVITED TO THE BIDDING, WITH ONE NEW FOREIGN IPP AMONG THE THREE.

THE SOLE REQUIREMENT AMONG THE BIDDERS IS TO SUBMIT THEIR PRICE CAP, WHICH MADE THE KWH CHARGE MUCH LOWER.

HOWEVER, BASED ON A STUDY BY DEL MUNDO, MINDANAO NEEDS 600 MW MORE BY 2014 TO SUSTAIN ITS CONSUMPTION.

THE STUDY ALSO CONCLUDED THAT THE REGION WOULD ALSO NEED AN EXTRA 200 MW BY 2017.

THE COOPERATIVE WOULD ONLY PROVIDE HALF OF THE DEMAND NEEDED BY THAT TIME.


DSWD-13 chief expresses support to PIA’s AFEBSBy Jennifer P. Gaitano


BUTUAN CITY - During her visit and courtesy call to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional office headed by regional director Abner Caga, regional director Minda Brigoli of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga also expressed her support to PIA’s Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS), a communication tool designed for disaster operation.

As chairperson of the Disaster Response Committee under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region, Brigoli discussed with RD Caga the details and operations on the agency’s AFEBS.

“We are interested to learn how you operate the AFEBS. I believe this facility can help our constituents be informed on time especially during disaster. I am also glad that your agency, in partnership with LGU-Surigao City had just launched this kind of equipment there,” shared Brigoli.

Caga, on the other hand, emphasized that as disaster and calamity downright threatens human lives, the agency has

crafted the AFEBS to contribute in protecting lives and properties through delivery of timely, accurate, and relevant information and updates to the public powered by its communication system.

“The operational capability of AFEBS equipment has been tested and proven to be functional 24/7 in all weather conditions; compact and highly mobile which can be transferred anytime, anywhere in just an hour or two; user friendly (plug and play); can be remotely managed thru the internet; and highly reliable, long life design,” added Caga.

The AFEBS is under the lone and direct management of PIA-Caraga, a distinct innovation that puts forward for a real constructive impact in the community.


25 triathletes compete in 2014 Dinagat Islands Triathlon Challenge BUTUAN CITY-- A total of 25 triathletes from all over the country joined the 2nd Dinagat Islands Triathlon Challenge 2014 held on May 18, 2014 at San Jose town, this province.

Most of the 25 triathletes who competed for this year’s Triathlon Challenge from 1.5Km. swimming, 40Km. cycling and 10km running are already champions of the different triathlon events here in the country.

Dinagat Islands Vice Governor Benglen B. Ecleo, in his message during the welcome ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the participants for joining the significant

event and encouraged them to enjoy and explore the man-made natural attractions and wonders of Dinagat Islands.

“I hope that you will share your momentum and experiences in staying to our mystical and enchanting province and tell the entire world that Dinagat Islands is a beautiful place to visit,” Ecleo said.

The winners for the men category

by Susil D. Ragas


are the following: 1st place - Saim Jonard form General Santos City; 2nd place - Brain Borling from Cagayan de Oro City; and 3rd place - Jefferson Tabacon also from Cagayan de Oro City.

For the women category: 1st place - Noemi Andrea Galeos; 2nd place - Jenefer Paloma; and 3rd place - Dorina Ararao.

This year’s winner received P25,000 for the first prize, P15,000 for the second prize, P10,000 for the third prize and non-winners received a consolation prize worth P5,000.

Brigada Eskwela continues to go well in SurSurTANDAG CITY- The conduct of Brigada Eskwela has been going well in Surigao del Sur according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office.

Schools Division Superintendent Teofila Cabatuan said that not a single complaint has ever been received by her office yet.

A week before the start of the weeklong activity, she said that school heads provincewide have already been reminded of their respective tasks in order to guide accordingly.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual undertaking designed to prepare all public elementary and secondary schools for the opening of classes with the help and support of all stakeholders in the concerned community.

This school year, the event has started on May 19 and will end on May 24.

by Greg tataro, Jr.

Brigada Eskwela continues to go well in SurSur

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph


MinDA, DENR, DILG launch two environment programs for Mindanao by Ariana Cristelle Pagdanganan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) made a collaborative effort to launch two environment programs here to sustain the natural resources of Mindanao.


These two projects are the Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project ( B S F P ) and the Payment for

Ecosystem Services (PES) for the Miarayon-Lapok-Lirongan-Tinaytayan Tribal Association (MILALITTRA) of Mt. Kalatungan

Range Natural Park. The implementation of the BSFP calls for the rehabilitation of Mindanao’s natural habitats as well as in the reforestation of their denuded areas. This project initially targets 200 barangays, organized by the DILG. Each barangay will

es tab l i sh 2 0 h e c t a r e s of nursery that will eventually p r o d u c e 1 0 , 0 0 0 s e e d l i n g s and 4,000 h e c t a r e s of tree plantation. BSFP also

provides incentives for top performing communities, as well as the livelihood support and project sustainability. Secretary Paje explained on how important the DILG plays in this

program; “Kalahati nung target ni Pangulo na matamnam by 2016 kayang i-deliver ng LGUs lamang” (The local government units (LGUs) are capable to deliver half of the target that the President would


GSIS opens college scholarship for members’ kinby GSIS Iligan

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announces its pension fund and now accepts applications for the GSIS Scholarship Program (GSP) for Academic Year 2014-2015 until May 30, 2014.

want to be planted by 2016). Other than organizing the 200 barangay LGUs, the DILG will also disseminate tree-growing or other environmental initiatives to local partners and present performance incentive scheme for the BSFP. After which, the barangay LGUs will then provide counterpart either by cash or in kind. Meanwhile, MinDA, through the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program is assigned to coordinate the private sectors, academe and the civil society organizations (CSOs) in assisting the organization of partner LGUs/alliance with the DILG and DENR. Further, another project designed by the three governing agencies is called the Payment for Ecosystem Services or PES. This is an environmental mechanism in sustaining ecosystems as well as to encourage industry stakeholders to participate in the payment scheme that is meant to protect the environment against the

massive utilization of resources caused by excessive human activities. Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, Chairperson of MinDA, said that PES is already being done in the municipality of Naawan. The municipal council of Naawan had issued an ordinance to collect additional fee of one peso per cubic meter of water consumed per household. Antonino encouraged everyone to do parallel efforts to protect and sustain the environment and its natural resources. “We have to act now in order that the next generation will not blame us for abusing the environment that they will inherit from us in the future,” Antonino expressed. Along with MinDA, DENR, and DILG, other partners that took part in this joint undertaking were the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC), Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, and the Miarayon-Lapok-Lirongan-Tinaytayan Tribal Association.


President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said the program provides an opportunity for children of low-income GSIS members to earn a college degree. The GSIS will shoulder up to P20,000 of the actual cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees of the selected scholar per semester. The scholars will also get a monthly stipend of P2,000.00. Under the program, all active and regular GSIS members at the time of application with premium payments for the last six months and are permanent employees in the government with at least three years of service, with salary grade of 24 or below or its equivalent job level, are eligible to nominate their incoming college freshmen-dependents who have been accepted in any four- or five-year course or in priority courses identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Since 1998, the GSIS has granted a total of 1,887 scholarships. Over the years, amendments to the program have been introduced to make it more equitable and responsive particularly to members in the low-income bracket. Previously, the mode of choosing scholars was done through an electronic raffle. Since 2012, nominees of members who have the lowest annual basic salary have been given priority in the scholarship grant. A total of 200 scholars will be selected this school year. For this year, we have enhanced our program by

giving half of the slots to those who have been accepted under the CHED-identified priority courses which are those actually needed by the labor market,” said Vergara.“Unemployment is a growing concern. We must establish a fit between the available jobs with that of the skills and knowledge acquired by our scholar-graduates,” he added. Four- or five-year courses in agriculture; engineering; math and science; information technology; teacher education; health sciences; arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; business administration; architecture; maritime and communication were listed by CHED as in demand. The list of priority courses identified by CHED along with the list of accredited educational institutions and GSP application form are downloadable. Application form and other required documents are downloadable from GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph) and available at GSIS Iligan Branch Office. Qualified members must submit a duly accomplished form, certificate of employment, and school certificate that the scholar has been accepted for AY 2014-2015. Questions about GSP may be directed to the GSIS Human Resource Administration Department at 479-3600 local 3414 or 976-4970 or to the GSIS Iligan Branch Office at (063) 221-8362 and look for Michelle Daba.


Talent show highlights end of 2014 summer reading camp in Ozamiz by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - A stage presentation and talent show as the schoolchildren’s outputs will highlight the May 23 culmination of the 2014 Summer Reading Camp (SRC) at the Ozamiz City Central School (OCCS).

Conducted from May 19 to 23, this year, the SRC focused on the theme: “Promoting the Love of Reading,” and was among the activities lined-up in observance of the 2014 Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week (NSMW), Jeryn C. Penaco, Education Supervisor II and OCCS Central District Principal, said. A school intervention program, the SRC was attended by OCCS teachers, who offered their voluntary services to help the schoolchildren not only how to read but develop their love for reading and be ready for school in time for the opening of School Year 2014-2015 on June 2, Penaco said. She said the five-day SRC had the following sub-themes: May 19, English, “The Love for Reading” and “Araling Panlipunan,” May 20, Mother-Tongue Based, “Magkat-on Kita sa Atong Pinulongan (Let’s Learn Our Own Dialect)” and “Funstastic Mathematics,” and May 21, Filipino, “Tayo Na at Magbasa (Let’s Go, Read)” and English, “The Joy of Reading.” Rehearsals of Written and Performance Outputs was set on May

22, while the culmination has been set on May 23, along with the recognition of pupils for Best in Attendance, Most Punctual, Most Participants, Most Creative and Best in Reading, as well as, Recognition of Teachers. Meanwhile, the SRC included the following activities, among others: Read and Enjoy/Speak and Tell Game, Charades, Dramatic Interpretation, Interpretative and Oral Reading, Paint Me a Picture, as well, as Reader and Chamber Theaters. Message Relay, Syllables, Phrases and Clothesline Story, Treasure Hunting, Mental Calculation, Mathematical Operation, Reading and Interpreting Simple Word Problem, Problem Solving, Step-Word Problem, Score Graph and Story Squares. ‘Dula-dulaan,’ Pyramid Story, Trip to Jerusalem ‘Tungkol sa Konsepto sa Filipino Bugtong,’ ‘Gamit ng Wikang Pilipino,’ ‘Pabitin ng mga Gawain sa Filipino,’ Anagram, I Spy Something, Jazz Chants, Tongue Twisters, Production of Letter-Sounds, Consonant Blends, and Classification Charts.


DOLE prepares Zambo IDPs for overseas jobsBy Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been registering internally-displaced persons affected by last September’s crisis to determine their skills and eventually facilitate their overseas employment during the series of information caravans held in the different evacuation centers and transitory sites here this month.


DOLE prepares Zambo IDPs for overseas jobs

This employment program, dubbed the Overseas Employment Facilitation for IDPs of Zamboanga City aims to place about 800 skilled IDPs to good-paying overseas jobs. This program is a joint endeavor of the DOLE, the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the National Reintegration Center for OFWs and the City Government of Zamboanga. During the information caravans in Rio Hondo, Sta. Catalina and in Taluksangay this month, personnel from the DOLE set up information desks to cater to the IDPs’ queries on

livelihood. It is during that time that they began registering and profiling the IDPs for jobs matching. Labor Attache Adam Musa told the IDPs about the program, and encouraged them to register to be profiled for their skills, “since overseas employment would indeed enable them to get back up on their feet after the tragedy that befell them.” Through the program, the government would assist the qualified beneficiaries in the securing of documents such as birth certificates, police and NBI clearances, passports, medical certificates and others. TESDA would provide further skills training and enhancement for the


DevAdCom members meet in DipologBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – In preparation for the 147th meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 in Isabela City on June 5, 2014, the members of the Development Administration Committee (DevAdCom) have converged here Tuesday to discuss the 2013 annual development report covering macroeconomic development, good governance and the rule of law as well as the peace and security situation of the region. Assistant Regional Director Sonnie Cuevas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 and Atty. Reena Marie Patangan-Francisco of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) No. 15 also attended the said meeting to apprise the members of the 2014 allocation for the region under the

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP) and BIR updates, respectively. Cuevas disclosed that this year’s GPBP allocation for the region is P1,019,232,429.07 apportioned to the following agencies: Department of Agriculture (DA) – P459,606,879.08; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

beneficiaries when needed. OWWA would also conduct pre-departure orientation, and in instances, even provide loans. The POEA would identify job orders from foreign employers through government-to-government arrangements so beneficiaries will shoulder only minimal, or no cost at all, and to ensure that beneficiaries would be employed legitimately. Meanwhile, DOLE-9 Regional Director Sisinio Cano said that this endeavor was borne as a result of a meeting between Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. It can be recalled that last March 19, a memorandum of agreement was signed for this purpose. Musa said that “the info caravan is a timely opportunity to touch base

and reach out to our target clients”, since conducting a separate activity to gather the IDPs would be more time and resource-consuming. The information caravans for IDPs had reached its tenth stop in the Taluksangay Transitory Site on May 20. As of now, all evacuation centers and transitory sites were already visited; IDPs were informed on updates regarding their recovery and rehabilitation. The caravans are a joint endeavor of the members of the Communications Working Group (CWG) that include the City Information Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).


DevAdCom members meet in Dipolog

– P27,083,220.02; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – P20,190,450; Department of Education (DepEd) – P15,598,813; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – P252,193,458.72; Department of Energy – P8,760,000; Department of Health (DOH) – P79,820,257.71; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – P15,759,947; Department of Tourism (DOT) – P400,000; Department of Social welfare and Development (DSWD) – P119,494,303.54; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – 10,697,500; National Electrification Administration (NEA) – P2,415,000; and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) P7,212,600. GPBP funds, Cuevas said, would be used in programs and projects for poverty reduction in the region - from 26.5 percent in 2009 to 16.6

percent by 2015 - and for promoting good governance. Atty. Francisco, on the other hand, discussed BIR Memorandum Circular No. 23-2012 concerning the responsibilities of the officials and employees of government offices for the withholding of applicable taxes on certain income payments. She also appealed to the provincial governors, provincial treasurers, provincial accountants as well as city, municipal and barangay officials to “correctly withhold taxes and timely remit them.” Moreover, she urged the public to join the “Premyo sa Resibo,” which will have its P1 million draw during the BIR anniversary on Aug. 1, 2014. Some 20 members turned up to attend the meeting with RDC-9 co-chair and Dipolog City private sector representative, Fr. Enrico V. Montano, presiding.


DA partners with DepEd for “Gulayan sa Paaralan” projectBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – A forum on Agri-Pinoy Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (AG-GPP) was conducted recently to 37 elementary and 10 secondary schools here by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). “Gulayan sa Paaralan” seeks to raise the level of public consciousness on health and nutrition as well as the economic benefits of establishing school, household and community gardens. School gardens with varieties of fruits and vegetables that are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals will serve as “food basket and the main source for sustaining supplementary feeding to schoolchildren. Among the suggested crops are leguminous plants to address deficiency in protein, rootcrops for more energy and leafy green vegetables like malunggay for vitamins and minerals. “Through this project, hunger and malnutrition in schools will be fully addressed, as this promotes food security in public schools and the community,” said Ms. Ana S. Aying, regional AP-GPP focal person.

According to Hanival Bayo-ang of DA-9 High Value Crop Division, the said seminar trained the teachers on how to embellish school gardens and to nurture and sustain seed production to be used for the next school year. “Schools will not spend for this program because the seeds are provided for by the DA, and the children can even plant on recycled plastic bottles and garbage bags,” City Schools Division Superintendent Victoria G. Perez said in an interview. “The crops planted will be utilized by the children in their supplemental feeding and may bring some of it in their homes,” Perez added. Mayor Evelyn T. Uy has expressed her gratitude to DA for initiating the said program, as it can help provide the schoolchildren with nutritious food.


DA partners with DepEd for “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project

DavNor PDRRMC to hold 3rd RDR RescuelympicsDAVAO DEL NORTE - To gauge the readiness of the local govern-ment units in disaster mitigation, the provincial government here, through its disaster risk reduction and management center will con-duct Rescuelympics on May 28 at the Davao del Norte Sports Com-plex. For its third year, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC) will hold the Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario Rescuelympics enjoining cities, municipalities and barangays of the province. Reden Cardinal, operations chief of the PDRRMC, said that the Rescuelympics will focus on the timely response and effectiveness of the application by the team given the two scenarios they will be dealing. He added that the scenarios will cover trauma and medical activities. According to its mechanics, the Rescuelympics will require a team of

eight members to finish a scenario in 10 minutes or less. The eight members will include the team leader, two first aiders, a communication officer, a supply officer, a documentation officer and two reserve players. Cardinal said that the winning team will receive a trophy and a cash prize of P 25,000 for the city/municipality level, and P 20,000 for the barangay level. Cardinal revealed that last year, the team from the Island Garden City of Samal edged out nine other contenders in the city/municipality level; while, the team from Brgy. Sto. Niño of Talaingod beat seven barangays in the province. In preparation of the activity, the PDRRMC briefed the participants on the mechanics on May 8 and assembled the judges today. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)


Satisfactory rating to DavNor health offices – DOH-XIDAVAO DEL NORTE - - - Satisfac-tory.This is the rating given by Dr. Abdullah Dumama, regional direc-tor of Department of Health XI, to the services rendered by the public health offices in Davao del Norte. Dr. Dumama said in an interview that according to the presentation of Dr. Agapito Hornido, health officer of this province, there are progress made by the province but there are still indicators that are red or below the national average. Dr. Hornido reported today during the Provincial Health Summit the accomplishment of the city and municipal health offices for the year 2013 based on the national score cards on health. The score cards used three colors to evaluate the performance of the health services. The colors were green for performance that reached the national objective for health (NOH) targets, yellow for those that reached the national average but the NOH target and red for those who were below the national average. Dr. Hornido said that with the concerted efforts of the health offices, the province recorded seven green, eight yellow and seven red scores. According to the report, the green scores are on allocation of

the government units’ maintenance and other operating expenses to health services, parasite incidence for malaria, exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, access to safe water, average length of stay in days for Level 1 public administered hospitals, bed occupancy rate in public hospitals, and public hospital gross death rate. Yellow marks are indicated on the percentage of the local government’s budget allocated to health, treatments for Filariasis and Schistosomiasis, detection rate on tuberculosis, rate of facility-based deliveries, deliveries attended by skilled professionals, use of modern family planning method or contraceptive prevalence rate and access to sanitary toilet. While the red marks are noticeable on health expenditures, ratios of population to physicians, nurses and midwives, cure rate for tuberculosis, full immunization of the children, and functional community health teams Dr. Dumama said that the province has potentials for improvement, since some of the red marks were within the control of the local government units like the health expenditures and organization of functional community health teams. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)


regional gallery

Busy construction on the Sta Cruz (Davao del Sur) side of the 300 Megawatt coal fired power plant of Therma South Inc. a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power. The plant is 90% complete and is expected to supply power to the Mindanao Grid by the first half of 2015. (photo by Rudolph Alama)


Keeping the light on HIV KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Hundreds of residents of South Cotabato gathered at Alunan Avenue, this city, to signify their paricipation in the advocacy for public education on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and to commemo-rate those who have become victims of these illnesses. Spearheaded by the Integrated Pro-vincial Health Office, the event is also intended to show unity with the 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held in at least 115 countries world wide on May 18. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Students in 13 private colleges and universities across SOCCSKSARGEN Region may be paying more in tuition fees this school year, according to an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) here.

13 schools in Region 12 apply for tuition hikeBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

CHED 12 Regional Director Maximo Aljibe told Philippine Information Agency that the regional office has endorsed to CHED National Office the applications for tuition hike of the higher education institutes (HEIs).

Three schools have applied for 5% raise, namely: Dr. P. Ocampo College in Cotabato City; Notre Dame of Salaman College in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City.

Meanwhile, 10 HEIs have filed for 7.34% hike. These are: Coland Systems Technology in Cotabato City; Notre Dame of Tacurong College in Tacurong City; Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City; King’s College of Marbel in Koronadal City; Southern Baptist College in Mlang, North Cotabato; Mindanao Polytechnic College in General Santos City; Central Mindanao College in Kidapawan City; South Christian College in Midsayap, North Cotabato; South Christian College

in Midsayap, North Cotabato; Notre Dame RVM College in Cotabato City; and Notre Dame of Kidapawan in Kidapawan City.

AMA-ACLC in Koronadal City filed application for tuition increase but later withdrew its petition, the regional director added.

Aljibe said that these requests for tuition increase are “good as approved” based on their evaluation of the applications, particularly on the schools’ compliance to CHED standards on tuition hike.

No government-owned college or university in the region has filed for petition to increase tuition and other school fees.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region, which straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato, has 103 state-run and privately owned HEIs.

Moreover, Aljibe assured that subject HEIs have consulted students, parents and other


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato—Thousands of trees are set to be plant-ed in three strategic areas in North Cotabato as part of the province’s 100th founding anniversary.

stakeholders before they submitted application and that documentary evidences attesting compliance to CHED guidelines were thoroughly scrutinized.

“In my conversations with students during visits to schools across the region, I gathered that most of them favor tuition fee increase for as long as the bulk of the increase will be dedicated to the salaries of

teachers and instructional facilities improvement,” he said.

He vowed further that CHED 12 will closely monitor these schools’ adherence to the guidelines on tuition fee increase, including their commitment to spend at least 70% for teachers’ salaries and 20% for the improvement of the school’s facilities and equipment. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

N. Cotabato to plant over 3,000 trees in centennial celebrationBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Josephine Abellana, head of the Public Affairs Assistance Tourism and Sports Development Division (PAATSDD) said that at least 1,000 trees per area will be planted in target sites, namely: Mt. Akir-Akir in Barangay Makarayag, Pigcawayan; Lake Malingling in Barangay Ganatan, Arakan; and in Kulaman Water Shed Area, Pisan Caves, Barangay Pisan in Kabacan.

“The tree growing activity will be conducted on June 13, June 20 and June 27, respectively,” Abellana added.

She also noted that tree species that will be used for the activity are Narra, Apitong, Tinikaran and other endemic trees.

“The tree seedlings or planting

materials will be supplied by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg).

“Coordination procedures with respective Local Government Units (LGUs) of Pigcawayan, Arakan, and Kabacan are already completed and that details regarding the activity were already disseminated to the target participants,” she further explained.

The participants will come from different sectors and stakeholders. Aside from the LGU’s, those who will also be joining will come from the academe, business, non-government, mountaineering, environmental groups and many more.

Meanwhile, Governor Emmylou


Mendoza encouraged everyone in the province to not only rekindle the history of Cotabato but also to give time to uphold environmental care and protection.

The ‘100 Years Celebration- Tree Growing Festival’ of North Cotabato centers in the theme, “Pagbubuklod ngayong Sentenaryo: Magtanim… Puno ay Buhay… Pagyamanin”.

On the other hand, for those who want to join and be counted for the activity, call or send a message to Russel Villorente, event coordinator at cellphone number +639999937363 or visit the PAATSDD Office at the Provincial Capitol, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Koronadal City Mayor Miguel has appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow local govern-ment units to purchase books to be distributed in public schools under their respective jurisdictions.

Koronadal mayor asks DepEd to lift ban on purchase of books, hiring of teachersBy: Danilo E. Doguiles


Mayor Miguel voiced his request for DepEd to lift the moratorium on the procurement of instructional materials as well as hiring of teachers through Assistant Secretary for Planning Jesus Lorenzo Mateo, who was here Monday to jumpstart the Brigada Eskwela 2014 in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

“I would like to reiterate my appeal, I am asking the Department to lift the moratorium on the purchase of books,” Mayor Miguel said,

“We all know that there is inequality among schools all over the country as far as attaining the one book per student policy. I pray, allow some local government units that have the capacity to provide one book per student using our local funds,” he continued, emphasizing further that Koronadal City LGU only intends to help the national government in this particular task.

“Allowing LGUs to procure books for their students in the basic education may cause some disparity inasmuch as some LGUs may have more resources than others,” he said, “but why should we also put in jeopardy the development of our students when indeed we have the capacity to [buy books].”

Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued on September 26, DepEd Order No. 44, Series of 2013, enforcing a “moratorium on the procurement of supplementary reading reference

and other instructional materials”Instructional materials include

supplementary reading, references, and instructional materials, including multimedia and computer software packages.

In the same order, he directed all DepEd officials “not to recommend and/or endorse the purchase of IMs using non-DepEd fund sources such as PDAF, the Special Education Fund (SEF), and other funds.”

LGUs usually charge purchase of books to their SEF.

Mayor Miguel also asked DepEd through Asec Mateo for “some leeway” in the recruitment of LGU-paid teachers .

“We are asking for some leeway so that in our little ways we may be able to hire additional teachers who can ensure quality education,” the local chief executive said.

DepEd issued the moratorium on LGU-hired teachers reportedly because many of these local government-hired teachers have not passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Mayor Miguel also asked support from Asec Mateo and teachers and education official in SOCCSKSARGEN Region for the bid of Koronadal City and South Cotabato for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa in 2015. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

One Mindanao - May 23, 2014

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Transcript of One Mindanao - May 23, 2014