One Mindanao - October 24, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: hnb_r9pia

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] [email protected],ph

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

featuresLakewood’s Alindahaw

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region

Associate Editors ……....... OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo Credits: journeysandtravels.com alindahaw lake view resort

Vol. 1, No. 71 OCTOBER 24, 2011

N A T I O N A L

contentsCover Story :

Lakewood’s Alindahaw attracts more tourists

By Noemi B. Edaga contents

President Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to unveil Ho Chi Minh bust at ASEAN Park in Intramuros

Vietnamese President arrives Wednesday for 3-day state visit

108

4

8

NORTHERN Mindanao

19

BIMP-EAGA blueprint to focus on connectivity, food basket and tourism

BIMP-EAGA scales-up connectiv-ity across the sub-region

BIMP-EAGA strengthens coop-eration with ASEAN

BIMP-EAGA to integrate LGUs in its framework

2122

18

Forum on Rio+20 set Oct. 25 in Cag. de Oro23

CENTRAL MindanaoGiving honor to the slain soliers

Glan Vice Mayor is this year’s GAWAD awardee

300 na tunnel sa T’boli nakatakdang ipasara

GenSan, next stop of 35th National Milo Marathon32

3129

33

CARAGA RegionJPENHS and TMENHS: Victors of 3rd SQS Division Championship

BGen Plaza defends Lt Col Pacquiao’s promotion

Feature: Infants inappropriately fed – FNRI-DOST

Surigao City to commemorate “Battle of Surigao Strait” on Tuesday

Mindanao alliance to launch “Nurture A Tree, Save a Planet Earth Campaign”

3437383940

34

WESTERN Mindanao

14 Dipolog City PNP prepares security plans for All Saint’s Day, All Soul’s Day

NFA-Zambo. Norte to conduct food fortification seminar

12 War is Not the Path to Peace

12

17 BIR pursues collection campaign to meet P3.3B target

16 FTA seminar slated in Dipolog on Oct. 25

SOUTHERN Mindanao

Davao’s tourism industry seeks air links with neighbors

Mindanao youth for peace movement organized

Davao cites Gains in DOT-led Mission to Japan26

2524

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18

29Floods did not affect tourism-DOT-XI27

4Monday, October 24, 2011

The sun rises oozing with heat at temperatures between 32 degrees C and 36 degrees C. People living in non-air conditioned houses and those working in non-air conditioned environment sweat it out the whole day. Young

and old both long to have some deep plunge to cool themselves. Indeed it’s too hot to stay indoors and utterly refreshing to take a swim .

Lakewood’s Alindahaw attracts more touristsby Noemi B. Edaga

Cover Story


People with lots of money to spend go to new found nook and crannies, beau-tiful beaches and resorts with the fam-ily, friends, and officemates for bonding time. But locals in the Zamboanga Pen-insula need not go far. Thanks to Mother Nature for giving us Lakewood.

Lakewood Where? Lakewood is a 4th class munici-pality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,317 people in 3,122 households. Lakewood was named after Lake Wood, a large lake intersecting the town. The most popular species of fish in the province can only be caught in the lake: the `carpa and porang.

How To Go About Lakewood is about 42 kilome-ters away from Pagadian City along the Zamboanga City - Pagadian City high-

way. Geographi- cally, it is 7 deg ree s ,

4 9 ’ 60” north and 123

degrees, 9’ 0” south. From Pagadian, vans leave every hour for Lakewood. While public buses pass through the Lakewood junction along the National Highway, the Alinda-haw Lakeview Resort and the town prop-er are still several kilometers inside. It’s best to take vans or hire a habal-habal when you get off at the junction. Or bet-ter yet, hire a private.

6Thursday, October 20, 2011

Melengas Wow Guests The Subanen tribe is the major ethnic group living around Lakewood. They cultivate vegetables and corn for their own use. Subanens have their own dialect, but they also speak Cebuano as a common dialect for conversation. They take pride in their rich heritage which they preserve and promote trough the Melengas Dance Ensemble, that grace-fully presents graceful subanen and moro dances. Upon arrangement with Alindahaw Resort management, they do a cultural presentation to wow guests. A few years back, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) medical mission headed by then NKTI Executive Director Enrique T. Ona were treated by then Governor Aurora E. Cer-illes and Congressman Antonio H. Cer-illes. They were overwhelmed when they saw the pristine beauty of the lake. “I must admit that I am from this province but this is the first time that I have ever come to this place. And I am very happy and very pleased to see the province have developed under the leadership of Auring and Tony Cerilles,” Ona said. Ona hails from Pagadian City. They were all in awe as they viewed the wondrous beauty of the lake upon arrival at the Alindahaw Lakeview Re-sort in Biswangan, Lakewood, this prov-ince after the hard days work for the NKTI medical mission.It was the Pro-vincial Government’s way of expressing gratitude to the NKTI team for the big help they had extended to sick people in

Zamboanga del Sur; having op-erated 27 major cases, 6 me-dium and 2 mi-nor operation, served and treated 600 out-patients for free at the Zamboanga del Sur Medi-cal Center.

Alindahaw Resort Alindahaw’s main at-traction is the amazing stillness of the mystic 800-hectare of water named Lake Wood. Sometimes it is referred to as Lake Lakewood. The best place to enjoy the view of Lake Wood is at the Alindahaw Lakeview Resort in Brgy. Biswan-gan. Travel Mistress posted in Multiply some photos she had from Alindahaw Lakewood Resort. She said she had a quick visit to check it out and found out “it surprisingly had some modern facade with clean and pristine lake.” Lakewood is being enjoyed most by locals here, it being near to Zam-boanga del Sur compared to other prov-inces in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

8 Monday, October 24, 2011

Vietnamese President arrives Wednesday for 3-day state visit

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang is set to arrive in Manila on Wednesday afternoon for a three-day state visit to the Philippines highlighted by an expanded bilateral meeting

with President Benigno S. Aquino III which is aimed at strengthening further the diplomatic ties between the two countries.


The 62-year old President Sang, who will be planed in Ma-nila via a chartered Vietnam Airlines flight, becomes the first head of state to visit the country un-der President Aqui-no’s administration. Welcoming Pres-ident Sang upon his arrival at the Villam-or Airbase in Pasay City are Foreign Af-fairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Assistant Secretary Maria The-resa Lazaro, Philip-pine Ambassador to Vietnam Jeril Santos and Manila Interna-tional Airport Author-ity General Manager Jose Angel Honrado. President Sang will be billeted at the Sofitel Philippine Pla-za and will then pro-ceed to Malacañang where arrival honors await him at 3:00 p.m. He is expected to sign the guestbook

later on and have a courtesy call on Pres-ident Aquinothe Pal-ace. Thereafter, Pres-ident Aquino and President Sang will be engaged in an expanded bilateral meeting to be held at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room. Both leaders will sign bi-lateral agreements afterwards and are expected to issue a joint statement at the President’s Hall before the Philippine and Vietnamese me-dia. President Aquino once mentioned in a forum with foreign media groups early this month that he the matter of resolv-ing the disputes in the West Philippine Sea will be among the is-sues he will discuss with his Vietnamese counterpart. Wrapping up

President Sang’s list of activities for his first day of visit in Manila is a tradition-al state dinner to be hosted by President Aquino in his honor inside Malacañang’s Rizal Hall. On Thursday, President Sang will begin his activities by laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park. After-wards, he will lead the ceremony for the unveiling of the bust of one of his prede-cessors, President Ho Chi Minh at the ASEAN Park in Intra-muros, Manila. President Sang


President Truong Tan Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will lead the unveiling of the bust of Vietnamese Socialist Republic founder, President Ho Chi Minh during his three-day State Visit to the Philippines

from October 26-28 this year on the occasion of the 35th anniversary celebration of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to unveil Ho Chi Minh bust at ASEAN Park in Intramuros

will then have a short visit to the Interna-tional Rice Research Institute in Los Ba-ños, Laguna at 10:30 in the morning and will go back to Manila by 12:30 to attend a Vietnam-Philippines Business Luncheon. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feli-ciano Belmonte, Jr., and Asian Develop-ment Bank president

Haruhiko Kuroda will each pay a courte-sy call to the Viet-namese President by Thursday afternoon. President Sang will host a private din-ner in honor of his old-time Filipino friends at Casa Roces inside Malacañang complex to cap his second day of visit here. A light schedule awaits President Sang on Friday as he meets with the Vietnam Embassy personnel and the Vietnamese community to con-clude his three-day

state visit here before boarding a chartered return flight via Viet-nam Airlines to Hanoi just before lunch at the Villamor Airbase. Diplomatic rela-tions between Viet-nam and the Philip-pines date back since July 12, 1976 and from then on, the two countries have estab-lished good relations in the areas of poli-tics, economics, trade investments, security and defense, and ag-riculture among oth-ers. (HDC)


The unveiling cer-emony, which will be held at the ASEAN (As-sociation of South East Asian Nations) Park located in Intramuros Manila, symbolizes the ever-growing friend-ship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. President Sang is scheduled to meet with President Benigno S. Aquino III on Octo-ber 26 in Malacanang shortly after his arrival in Manila to further ce-ment the friendly, eco-nomic, trade and bilat-eral relations between the Philippines and Vietnam. This will be the first meeting of the two leaders since Pres-ident Sang was elected by the Vietnamese Na-tional Assembly in July this year.

It can be re-called that during his first state visit to Viet-nam last year, Presi-dent Aquino paid his respects to Vietnam’s famous leader Ho Chi Minh and martyrs with wreath laying ceremo-nies at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Vietnam War Memo-rial. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a large memorial to the former Vietnamese leader. It is located at the center of Ba Dinh Square where he read the Declara-tion of Independence on September 22, 1945. Ho Chi Minh’s body, preserved in the cooled, central hall of the mausoleum, with a military honor guard, lies in a glass case with dim lights.

On the other hand, the Hanoi War Memori-al is a monument which commemorates the sacrifice of courageous men and women who served the country in a time of great danger. The Memorial’sdesign is an impressive combi-nation of modern archi-tecture and traditional Vietnamese elements. It is located next to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Dinh Square. Diplomatic rela-tions between the Phil-ippines and Vietnam started to blossom on July 12, 1976. The two countries are enjoying good relations in areas of politics, economics, trade and investments, security and defense, as well as agriculture. (RSDA)


War is Not the Path to Peace

The slaying of 19 soldiers by alleged rebel troops in Basilan is an outrage which should be met with unreserved condemnation.

This most recent en-counter is among the most deadly between lawless elements and the military in a war that has already left more than 150,000 people dead in the last four decades.

“I deeply sympathize with the families of our fallen men in uni-form. Their sacri-fice should give us all greater strength to continue on the path to peace,” Lanao del Sur Representative

Pangalian M. Balin-dong said in a state-ment. Calls have since mounted for the gov-ernment to launch an all-out war in Mindan-ao. “We must reject these calls and re-main vigilant against anyone or any group who would take ad-vantage of the situa-tion to sow more fear and disorder,” Balin-dong added. “We must sup-port pursuit opera-tions against lawless elements, but not against the MILF,” he


said, adding that the just response to aggression must be discriminate; it must be directed only against unjust aggressors, not against innocent people caught up in a war not of their making. We must say no to total war in Mindanao. To wage ‘total’ war is by definition to take huge numbers of innocent lives--- and perpetuate the cycle of senseless violence, death, and destruction. The primacy of the peace talks must be upheld. After all, there is no military solution to what is, at heart, a political and humanitarian problem. War cannot repair or repay decades of poverty and bad policy. We commend the Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP) for remaining keen on pursuing peace talks. We laud Former President F i d e l Ramos who has said that an all-out w a r i n

M i n d a n a o could lead to massive internal displacement among non-combatants in the South. We salute the astuteness and leadership of His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for upholding the peace talks in the midst

of grief and anger. An all-out-war will not improve the situation. His rational and long-term strategic thinking is what we need to set us on a path of enduring peace, stability and genuine progress. This is a time for maturity, a time for responsibility, a time for reason. It is my prayer that we can all come together in respectful dialogue as Filipino citizens to forge peace, no matter how difficult, complex, and trying this may be.

The future of our nation

and our p e o p l e

depends on our

l e a d e r s having the

courage to say “no to war.”

We believe that peace in

Mindanao is possible. We must

all seize the current opportunity to walk on the path of peace. The alternative path is too horrible to comprehend.(JPA/OPAPP/RVC-PIA9 ZamBaSulTa)


NFA-Zambo. Norte to conduct food fortification seminar by Franklin P. GumaponIn keeping with the government’s thrust of

addressing micronutrient deficiencies in the country, the provincial office of the National Food

Authority (NFA) here is going to conduct a seminar on food fortification come Oct. 26.

Invited to attend the said activity, are representatives from the different national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), schools, civic and religious groups and non-government organizations (NGOs). NFA provincial manager Julakmad

J. Lawama disclosed that the topics to be tackled during the one-day seminar include the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000, NFA’s in food fortification and the rice fortification technology. Under Republic Act (RA) 8976, or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of

2,000, the fortification of staple foods is made mandatory especially in rice, wheat, refined sugar and cooking oil. Rice and wheat flour must be fortified with iron while refined sugar and cooking oil are to be fortified with vitamins A. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)

Dipolog City PNP prepares security plans for All Saint’s Day, All Soul’s Day by Alfonso T. Ruda

The Philippine National Police is now preparing its security plans for the upcoming All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day celebration on November 1 and 2, 2011.

Supt. Kenneth Mission, Dipolog City Police Station Chief

said, among the security measures undertaken the local

police command, include the rerouting of traffic to avoid


NFA-Zambo. Norte to conduct food fortification seminar

Dipolog City PNP prepares security plans for All Saint’s Day, All Soul’s Day

traffic congestion along the road going the Ramon Catholic Cemetery and Public Cemetery which are located inside the city proper. Mission advised the public not bring valuable items like cellphones and ipods; not to wear valuable jewelries and not to bring big amount of cash inside the cemetery. He also reminded them to be vigilant and extra-careful against snatchers as they are also expected to mingle with the crowd inside the cemetery. Mission likewise cautioned everybody not leave their house un-attended, but

if ever everybody decides to all go out during All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day, request their neighbor to look after their house, and also leave their cellphone number for easy contact in case emergency arises. “We will also prohibit bladed weapons, firearms, liquor, playing cards inside the cemetery, as well as any instrument that may disturb those who will

offer prayer to their loved ones like guitar, radio and videoke machine,” Mission said. Mission likewise appeal to the public to immediately report any monitored suspicious-looking persons inside the cemetery to the police personnel deployed in and around the cemetery to monitor the possible presence of unwanted visitors in the area. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo


To drum up public awareness on the salient features of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is slated to hold a one-day

seminar here tomorrow, Oct. 25.

FTA seminar slated in Dipolog on Oct. 25 by Franklin P. Gumapon

Dubbed “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas,” the seminar also aims to highlight the benefits the busi-nessmen may derive from FTA. It has been ob-served that most busi-nessmen have not been able to take full advan-tage of FTAs. Ms. Estrella M. Roda, DTI-Zambo. Norte information offi-cer-designate, said the seminar would cover discussions on market opportunities focusing on products with zero or reduced tariffs under existing FTAs. Businessmen who have availed them-selves of FTA incentives will also share their ex-periences with seminar participants. Specific topics to be discussed during

the seminar include the overview on Philippine Trade Agreements and the Philippine Export Development Plan by Assistant Director Ja-son T. Lao, ASEAN FTA

by Ms. Suraida Guro, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA by Dr. Joc-elyn Cruz, Commercial Law Department Chair, De Las Salle Universi-ty, ASEAN Japan Com-prehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement by Ms. Ag-nes Legaspi, OIC, Trade Information Assistance

Group, Bureau of Ex-port Trade Promotion, ASEAN China FTA by Mr. Benjie Celedio, Se-nior Trade and Industry Development Special-ist, ASEAN Korea FTA by Ms. Rafaelita C. Cas-tro, Assistant Division Chief, Japan/Australia Division, Bureau of Ex-port Trade Promotion, and ASEAN India FTA by Ms. Ester Rosario, Senior Trade and De-velopment Specialist, Bureau of Export Trade Promotion. The conduct of FTA seminar has been sup-ported by the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the Tariff Commission (TC), the Export Development Council (EDC), Philex-port, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zam-bo. Norte)


BIR pursues collection campaign to meet P3.3B target by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here is strictly implementing it’s “Oplan Kandado” as it pursues collection campaign to meet its 2011 collection target

of P3.3 billion.

BIR Regional Di-rector Albert B. Al-ocilja said the bureau has collected a total of P2.3 billion for the first nine months and he is optimistic that the P 1 billion collection bal-ance will be “in” at the end of the year. “I am confident that the P1 billion bal-ance which is about P333 million a month and P10.7 million a day will be met in the next three months,” Alocilja was quoted as saying. BIR here is strict-ly implementing its” Oplan kandado,” a campaign to close down business estab-lishments who failed to pay their tax dues to the government. “The implementa-tion of Oplan Kandado

has improved our tax collection,” the internal revenue chief said. It can be recalled, business giants- shop-pers chain of stores like Shoppers’ Plaza, Shoppers’ Emporium, Shoppers’ Central, Shoppers’ Square, Shoppers’ Center-(gateway) were re-cently padlocked/ closed by BIR for fail-ure to pay their more than P50 million tax dues to the govern-ment. Alocilja admitted, the temporary closure of these stores on Sep-tember 8 has helped the bureau’s collection for the month of Sep-tember. The BIR director said he has given or-ders to the bureau’s district offices to fo-

cus their collection on the top 200 taxpayers who contributed 60% of their tax to the gov-ernment. Alocilja appealed to the tax payers to promptly and reli-giously pay their taxes as these will redound to the benefit of the pub-lic in the form of infra-structure development like roads, bridges and other projects geared towards development. The BIR chief confirmed, the Fili-pino Chinese Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry and other businessmen and es-tablishments have ex-pressed willingness to pay their tax dues re-ligiously. (JPA/PIA9-Zambo City)


BIMP-EAGA blueprint to focus on connectivity, food basket and tourism

The 16th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASIAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) ministerial meeting approved a joint statement endorsing its Implementation Blueprint for

2012-2016.

by Jorie C. Valcorza

It reaffirms connectivity as the key in translating all its visions - connectivity in terms of air, sea, and land transport. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary, Gregory L. Domingo in a press conference said, all ministers also agreed to include in the 2012-2016 blueprint, efforts geared towards maximizing Information and Communications (ICT) connectivity.

BIMP-EAGA needs to aggressively improve connectivity within its sub-regions in order to achieve both food basket and ecotourism vision. The possible impact of unprecedented and continuing hike of world prices of essential food commodities on the regional food security likewise concerns the ministers and called on its senior fishery officials to


exert effort to complete the action and investment plans under the BIMP-EAGA food basket policy framework. Fishery officials were directed to review resource requirements and investment plans and endeavor to allocate

adequate resources that would ensure effective implementation of the projects in order to create viable impacts on the food basket strategy and assure food security not only in the BIMP-EAGA region but for the entire ASEAN region. Domingo noted it is high time for the sub-region to make a mark and achieve a breakthrough in pushing for various initiatives and prospects. “A big push is on, to translate all these plans into action, as part of that effort we are doing a strategic collaboration and partnership with the national government agencies (NGAs) and their equivalent in those countries, to provide assistance in the implementation and to integrate the local government units (LGUs) into the mains sections as well as in the sectoral/economic ministers,” Sec. Domingo said.

BIMP-EAGA strengthens cooperation with ASEANby Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental --- The Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is strengthening its cooperation and collaboration mechanisms with the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN).

During the opening ceremony of the BIMP-EAGA 16th Ministerial Meeting, Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop of Malaysia noted that the BIMP-EAGA is equally contributing to the success of wider regional initiatives. He said the sub-region is no longer

just a part of ASEAN but a partner to the ASEAN citing the first project that BIMP-EAGA will initiate under the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan. The Power Exchange Agreement (PEA) expanding the electricity distribution in Sarawak and West Kalimantan was


signed on July 18, 2011 between Sarawak Energy Berhad and Indonesian power utility PT PLN PESERO in Jakarta, Indonesia. The project which is expected to commence on the first half of 2012 will enable power export and import between Malaysia and Indonesia, he said. The Malaysian Minister also cited the recently signed ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF) where ASEAN will itself take the lead in funding BIMP-EAGA projects to enhance the sub-region’s strategic role for the wider region. Meanwhile, the BIMP-EAGA Ministers have expressed appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat for its increasing engagement with the sub-region. In their joint statement, they also urged ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen its support to the BIMP-EAGA through various meetings and forums to high-profile BIMP-EAGA with the region’s dialogue and development partners. The Ministers likewise exhorted the ASEAN Secretariat to provide advice and guidance in aligning the BIMP-EAGA development agenda with the ASEAN Economic Community Initiatives and help mobilize knowledge, technical and financial resources. Held at the Xavier Estates and Country Club, here, the 16th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting was attended by

Department of Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo; Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Lualhati Antonino; Brunei Darussalam Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng; Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop; and Bapak Raldi H. Koestoer, Senior Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, representing the Signing Minister for Indonesia. Other attendees were Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Johari Bin Tun Abang Haji Openg, Minister of Urban Development in Sarawak, Malaysia; Datuk Raymond Tan, Minister of Industrial Development in Sabah, Malaysia; and Datuk Yussof Bin Hj. Member of Parliament, Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia


BIMP-EAGA scales-up connectivity across the sub-regionBy Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental --- The Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will improve the connectivity within the sub-region in order to realize its strategic vision of becoming the food basket and premier ecotourism destination of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the

This was one of the agreements reached by the BIMP-EAGA Ministers during the 16th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting held recently at the Xavier Estates and Country Club, here. Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, who chaired the meeting, said the Ministers have agreed that connectivity, in terms of ICT, air, sea, and land transport, is the key to all the integration that are being done in the sub-region. Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop of Malaysia added that the initiatives on the integration of transport services or connectivity within the sub-region has been pursued noting the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on the Expansion of Air Linkages, Cross-Border Movement of Commercial Buses and Coaches, as well as, Establishing and Promoting Efficient Integrated Sea Linkages. He said these will provide the required accessibility and enabling part

of the value chain in trade of goods and services, as well as, in generating more business and economic activities within the sub-region. He also disclosed the Pandaruan Bridge Construction connecting Limbang in Sarawak, Malaysia and Temburong in Negara, Brunei Darussalam as one landmark achieved in pursuing connectivity within the BIMP-EAGA. He said the MoU on the construction of the bridge had been signed on September 12, 2011 at Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam with the construction to start in April 2012. Meanwhile, the Ministers welcomed the collaboration between the transport and tourism sector in promoting sustainability of intra-EAGA connectivity. In their joint statement, they encouraged more collaborative efforts between and among clusters to ensure that programs and projects are supportive of each other.


The Ministers also concurred to prioritize and implement trade facilitation and transport infrastructure projects that support the establishment of food production hubs and enhance intra-and-extra EAGA travel and tourism. Likewise, they commended the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) for the implementation of private-sector led projects to enhance inter-connectivity within the sub-region, particularly, the Intelligent Clearance Identity (iCLID) System project. The project aims to ease and facilitate cross-border movement of vehicles, people, and trade.

BIMP-EAGA to integrate LGUs in its frame-workby Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental --- Ministers of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have accepted the proposal to include local gov-ernment units (LGUs) in the BIMP-EAGA framework.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte disclosed this during the BIMP-EAGA Press Conference held at the Xavier Estates and Country Club, here. Del Rosario, who is also the President of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents, said they tried to get the nod of the Ministers to consider LGUs as part of the formal mechanism of the BIMP-EAGA framework.

We are here to support but we are not part of the structure, he told the members of media, stressing the status of the LGUs as a loose mechanism. Once they are part of the formal framework, he said they can actively participate in trying to push the projects that will be brought to their respective areas. Meanwhile, Trade and Industry


Secretary Gregory Domingo said there is now an effort to integrate the LGUs into the main sessions as well as the Sectoral Ministers. He said the BIMP-EAGA Ministers also welcomed the conduct of the Local Government Forum and their role to effectively contribute to the realization of

the social and economic development goals of the sub-regional cooperation. The Ministers also encouraged the LGUs and the private sector to enhance their coordination and cooperation to ensure a more conducive environment for business growth and development.

Forum on Rio+20 set Oct. 25 in Cag. de Oroby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A regional consul-tation on the subject “The Philippines’ Countdown to Rio+20: Region 10 Consultation for the Preparation and Participation to United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development” or Rio+20 Conference will be held in the city, this coming Oct. 25.

Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, said the consultation will be participated in by representatives from regional offices of national government agencies, provincial and city governments, civil society, business and labor sectors. He said through its General Assembly Resolution 64/236, the United Nations decided to organize Rio+20 Conference in Rio Janiero, Brazil on June 4-6, next year, with the following major themes: “Green economy within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication” and “institutional framework for sustainable development.” Marking the 20th year of the Rio Summit in 1992 and Agenda 21, the Rio+20 Conference, aims to secure renewed political commitment to sustainable development, assess progress and gaps in implementation of agreed

commitments and address new and emerging challenges. Dacanay said as part of the preparations for the Philippines’ meaningful participation in the Rio+20 Conference, the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) will conduct an assessment of the implementation of Philippine Agenda 21. It will also look into the green economy prospects of the country and how it can be a means to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication, as well, as the priorities for strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development at the local, national and international levels. Activities to be conducted to produce an assessment report and strategy papers for the Rio+20 Conference themes will include of a series of policy fora, round table discussions and consultations, Dacanay added.


Davao’s tourism industry seeks air links with neighbors

The tourism sector here is eye-ing to connect Davao City to

countries like Malaysia and In-donesia following the renewed enthusiasm of the Brunei-Indo-nesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASIAN Growth Area (BIMP-EA-GA). Tourism regional director for Region XI Art Boncato bared plans of taking advantage of the re-packaging of BIMP-EAGA as it be-ing packaged as an entire growth area to other potential markets like Japan, Australia and the United States . Recently, BIMP-EAGA senior officials released a joint statement endorsing an Implementation Blue-print for 2012-2016 that strength-ens its vision of connectivity in terms of air, sea, and land trans-

port. Boncato stressed that Davao could finally be connected to other member countries of BIMP-EAGA as this is greatly aligned to the vision being pursued by the group. “ We are working to connect Davao , Mindanao, and Palawan to other parts of the EAGA. We could possibly establish a direct flight from Davao to Manadoor Davao to Kota Kinabalu.” he said. It’s been years that the tour-ism sector tried to connect Davao to foreign destinations like Malaysia and Indonesia . However, the city will have to prove sustainability of this air connectivity. Recent developments rather showed positivity of this goal espe-cially that Tiger Airlines, will start flying passengers direct from Davao to Singapore and vice-versa. The Davao City Chamber of Commerce is also set to seal a deal with the Clark International Air-port which would bring passengers from Davao to Clark. This positions Davao City as a second internation-al hub next to Clark . (PIA)

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat


DAVAO CITY--Young women lead-ers from diversified cultures and religions in Mindanao recently formed here the Mindanao Youth for Peace Movement aiming to lead an action program for the youth sector. The women leaders represent-ing the youth sector from the Mus-lim, Christian and indigenous people’s communities from all over Mindanao, chose from among themselves their officers to create the movement’s core group. The formation of the MYPM was an offshoot to the Mindanao Young Women Leaders Congress held in the city last week which gathered about a hundred young women leaders from the 21 peace circle areas of the Mind-anao Commission on Women. Dyamyla D. Millona, program as-sistant of Davao City’s Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, shared that she joined the movement in her person-al capacity to take part in the action program and to improve her leader-ship skills. Twenty-year old Millona from the Maguindanao and B’Laan tribes said she has interest in listening to ideas and stories from her peers, as well as in sharing her own stories and views on peace and development. Victoria Cajandig, a Subanen, imparted that her participation to the movement would provide a venue to

bring up her group’s concerns and to strengthen the advocacy of protecting their ancestral lands and the environ-ment. Cajandig leads as executive of-ficer the Pikhumpongan Dlibon Sub-anen, Inc., a Pagadian City-based non-government organization repre-senting the Subanen women. MCW chair emerita and chief ex-ecutive officer Irene M. Santiago said that the MYPM will implement the action program decided at the Con-gress which aimed at developing new generation of “innovative and ethi-cal” young women leaders to become “change makers.” Santiago said that as part of the preparation for the realization of the MYPM program, the women leaders will undertake skills training on how to handle and resolve any kind of conflict or dispute in their respective communities. She cited peer-to-peer counsel-ing and mediation to be part of the training. She added that members of MCW’s grassroots-base Mothers for Peace Movement have already taken the capability training on conflict han-dling. Santiago urged the women lead-ers “to claim being third siders of Min-danao – the side of the “peacemaker, the peacekeeper and the peace build-er.” “You will claim it as a new breed

Mindanao youth for peace movement organized


of leaders: innovative, bold, creative, but more importantly, ethical,” she stated, saying that “This is what we expect you to be.” MCW chair Margie Moran said that “This program can support their leadership abilities and civic engage-ment that will define the role of the youth – to make another Mindanao possible.” “It is our hope that this confer-ence will bring a lasting connection with the youth where women like us

can mentor to enhance their compe-tence and connection with the bigger network of women leaders,” Moran conveyed to the youth leaders at the Congress. MCW organized the Congress on October 20-22 at the Garden Oases in Davao City. MCW is an NGO that aims to “influence public policy and public opinion by incorporating the women’s perspective in peace and develop-ment.” (Carina L. Cayon)

Davao cites Gains in DOT-led Mission to Japan

Tokyo, Japan- Davao sees new windows of growth in the Japa-nese markets from Department of Tourism (DOT)-led Philippine Busi-ness Mission to East and West Ja-pan and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Travel Show-case in September and October. DOT Davao Regional Director, Art Boncato, Jr. and deluxe property Marco Polo Davao represented the city in a road show in Fukuoka, Osa-ka, Nagoya and Tokyo with promising results. “We are pleased to know that Philippine Airlines in Nagoya will soon

begin promotions for Davao via their direct flights to Manila and in our ini-tial meetings we agreed to focus on the golf market for starters.” Boncato said. “We are also gearing up through our Philippine Retirement Authority of-fice in Davao to entice the increasing number of retirees in Japan to choose Davao as their second home. Our tourism office in Tokyo has recorded an increase in inquiries about retiring in the Philippines.” Boncato added.Japan is the second biggest foreign market of Davao with at least 12,000 arrivals in 2010 based on 43% of to-tal number of hotels reporting data to the DOT. The Philippine Business Mission is an annual marketing program of the DOT that gives updates on Philip-pine tourism to travel agents & tour operators as well as media in a semi-


nar. A travel mart and an evening reception provided business interac-tion. This year, DOT Assistant Secre-tary Benito Bengzon, Jr. led the del-egation. Other government and pri-vate sector stakeholders came from Manila, Cebu, Bohol & Palawan. Meanwhile, at the JATA Travel Showcase, Asia’s largest tourism ex-hibition held in Tokyo, the DOT host-ed 29 tourism-related establishments in the Philippine Pavilion branded as Premium Resort Islands Philippines.

A total of around 38,000 travel trade players & press as well as 80,000 consumers visited the showcase from September 30 to October 02. The Philippine Pavilion featured Japanese convenience store, Mini-Stop that gave away Davao Cavendish bananas in a successful campaign for visitors to visit the Philippine Pavilion. A Cavendish banana in Japan is sold at Y100 or around Php 50 per piece. (DOT pr)

DAVAO CITY-The spate of flood-ings which has hit the city in pre-vious weeks and months hasnot affected tourism says Department of Tourism Regional Director Art Boncato. Gracing the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at Café Rhysus in SM City Davao. Boncato said that despite the floods tourists are still arriving in the city proof of that is the 10% increase in tourist arrivals in the period Janu-ary-August of this year compared to the same period last year.

“I think the situation is not ex-clusive to Davao City.” Boncato said. He added that flooding is part of a bigger picture and is not a localized problem. The tourism director cit-ed the recent floods hitting parts of Southeast Asia. But he said that though some tourists have noticed the flooding particularly in the downtown areas, this will not deter visitors from com-ing in, through Boncato hopes flood-ing would be mitigated. According to date from DOT XI about 490,000 visitors visited the re-gion from January to August of 2011. Majority of these are domestic tour-ists. Visitors from the United States mostly balikbayans, Japan and South Korea are among the top foreign tour-ists in 2011. Boncato said that they also recorded a spike of foreign tour-ists coming from China. Meanwhile Danny Dayanghi

Floods did not affect tourism-DOT-XI


rang, consultant of the City Mayor on special concerns said that the City Government is doing its best to curb flooding in the City. Dayanghirang agrees with Boncato that floods don’t deter tourists but he recalled one isolat-ed incident when severe flooding in La Verna Hills prevented travelers from going to the airport and as a

result many tourists missed their flights. However engineering solutions undertaken by the City Govern-ment and the Department of Public Works and Highways has eradicat-ed the problem in that area which was caused by a basketball court built over a canal that has impeded drainage flow. (PIA/RG Alama)

LANDMARKS

Oboza House in Rizal Street Davao City.Built in 1929, the house built by the first municipal mayor of Davao En-gineer Alfonso Oboza. it used to host visits of past Philippine Presidents from Manuel Quezon to Manuel Roxas (who used the house to hide from the Japanese during World War II). It is now leased to a French-Filipi-no couple who have preserved the old structure and turned it into an elegant dining restaurant.


Giving honor to the slain soliers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Comrades give full military honors to Phil-ippine Army soldiers PFC Gary Magno of Tupi, South Cotabato and Sgt. Ronald Sta. Rita of Kiamba, Sarangani as their remains arrive at General Santos City International Airport Sunday afternoon, Octo-ber 23. PFC. Magno and Sgt. Sta. Rita were among 19 soldiers killed in Basilan last week in one of the worst clashes in recent years with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (SARANGANI INFORMA-TION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)


Sarangani Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon condoles with Rosa-lie Sta. Rita (left), widow of Sgt. Ron-ald Sta. Rita who was one of the 19 soldiers killed in Basilan last week in one of the worst clashes in recent years with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Sgt. Sta. Rita of Kiamba, Sarangani was team

sergeant of a special team in Basilan and had served as peace keeper in East Timor.

Mindanao Develop-ment Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino (in dark blouse) sa-lutes as the remains of Sgt. Ronald Sta. Rita of Kiamba, Sa-rangani and PFC Gary Magno of Tupi, South Cotabato pass by upon arrival at the General Santos City International Airport Sunday, October 23. With Antonino for the

heroes’ welcome were (from left) City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and family and friends of the slain soldiers. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)


Glan Vice Mayor is this year’s GAWAD awardeeby GLAN Info and News Service

GLAN, Sarangani — A national awards-giving body has chosen Dr. Vivien B. Yap as this year’s Best Municipal Vice Mayor of the Philippines.

Yap was cited by the Gawad League of Vice Mayors Information and Research Services for her exemplary achieve-ments in the pursuit of her chosen career both in politics and in the field of medicine, where she demonstrated exception-al quality of leadership, imbued with lofty ideal-ism, courage and impec-cable record in public service, thereby contrib-uting much to the socio-economic development of Glan and the uplift of the living condition of her constituents.

The awarding ceremo-ny for this year’s Gawad LVM awards was held at the Manila Hotel last September 17, but due to unavoidable circum-stances, Yap was unable to attend and receive the Plaque of Recognition in person.

Nonetheless, Yap ex-pressed appreciation for the award, although, in

her typical nonchalant and unassuming ways, she would prefer to go about her job as efficient-ly and as unobtrusively as she could, award or no award.

“I’m not really at ease being put on the spot, in the limelight, just be-cause I am doing what I am supposed to do, in the first place,” she said.

But because of her pedigree, stature and achievements, people could not help but take notice of her and her fine track record, espe-cially now that she is the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan.

After all, she is the daughter of the late Atty. Enrique D. Yap, Sr., one of the longest-serving municipal mayors in the country; and the late Es-ther Barera Yap, former DepEd district supervisor of Glan.

Vice Mayor Yap is the author of a special or-

dinance declaring every April of the year as Mahin Festival Month in Glan, adding a new dimen-sion to the beach festival craze now spreading all over the region.

She also helped craft, among other major or-dinances and resolu-tions, the new Local Tax Code, which substan-tially cut down business and license fees but at the same time expand-ed the town’s tax base with more investments and businesses opening up because of the lower taxes.

She had been a baran-gay captain and an ex-officio provincial board member, aside from be-ing a practicing physician doing mostly charitable work, before she was elected as the town’s second highest

official in the May 2010 elections. (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)


GenSan, next stop of 35th National Milo Marathon

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --The 35th National Milo Marathon next stop will be here, according to race organizer Christian Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said the race will be on Sunday, October 30, 2011, which will include the 3-K Kid-die Run (Boys and Girls Divisions), 5-K Fun Run (Men and Women’s Divi-sions), 10-K Run (Men and Women’s Divisions) and 21-K Elimination Run (Men and Women’s Divisions).

Cash prizes and tro-phies await winners, he said.

Gonzalez met with dif-ferent committee heads Tuesday and discussed how the event would run for this leg.

Among those dis-cussed were the race routes highlighting the “start and finish lines,” including security mea-sure. The race will start at 5 o’clock in the morn-ing, Sunday.

Gonzalez added that after the race, a cheer-dance competition will

ensue at the oval plaza where schools will com-pete and perform their best in cheerdancing.

Meanwhile, the Philip-pine National Police here also expressed its sup-port ensuring police visi-bility to oversee people’s safety and security dur-ing the conduct of the event.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Dept. of Education (DepEd), and some key offices of the city government

such as the City Health, City Public Information, the General Services, Youth Affairs Develop-ment, Sports, Motorcycle clubs, Traffic Enforcers, Kabalikat, among oth-ers were also mobilized to actively participate in the event.

Event Organizers have also partnered with Ace Promotions to ensure massive people’s par-ticipation come October 30. (JP Aponesto/CPIO/CTApelacio/PIA General


300 na tunnel sa T’boli nakatakdang ipasaraKORONADAL CITY -- Humigit-ku-mulang 300 tunnel sa Barangay Kematu, South Cotabato ang nakat-akdang ipasara ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa susunod na mga araw.

Sa isang panayam, inihayag ni Engr. Seigfred Flaviano, acting pro-vincial environment and management officer (PEMO) ng South Cotabato, ito ay alinsunod sa inilabas na kautusan ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., na pag-papasara sa mga naturang tunnel hangga’t hindi pa sila nabibigyan ng

permit na makapagmina. Ayon kay Flaviano, matagal nang

epektibo ang stoppage order subal-it ilang beses ng napagpaliban ang pagpapatupad dahil sa paulit-ulit na paghingi ng extension ng mga

kinauukulan. Paliwanag ni Fla-

viano hindi nabibig-yan ng permit ang mga naturang mi-nahan dahil hindi pa nareresolba ang isyu sa pagitan ng Maguan Clan at Tribal Mining Cor-poration (TMC) na may kaugnayan sa pagbibigay ng mga

lumad ng permiso para makapagmina sa kanilang lugar ang TMC.

Handa na umano ang closure or-der notice para ibigay sa mga opera-

tor ng mga naturang tunnel. Aniya, matapos nilang maisilbi ang

notice sa mga kinauukulan, bibigyan nila ang mga ito ng limang araw para maibaba ang kanilang stock

bago i-padlock ang mga tunnel. Ayon kay Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr.,

tatalakayin din sa pagpupulong ng Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) bukas (Oct 25) ang mga hakbang na maaring magawa ng pa-mahalaang panlalawigan para matu-lungan ang mga partido na magka-sundo upang mabigyan na sila ang permit na makakapagpatuloy sa pag-

mimina. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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JPENHS and TMENHS: Victors of 3rd SQS Division Championshipby Ruel L. Dres

Jacinto P Elpa National High School-Learning Resource Center (JPENHS-LRC) won the Championship in the 3rd Statistics Quiz Show (SQS) - Surigao del Sur Division held recently at the JPENHS

Computer Laboratory Room, Tandag City, this province.


The JPENHS team was composed of Kristine Mae M. Pazo and Mae L. Cabadonga with Coach Analyn L. Avila. JPENHS accumulated a total of 14 out of 25 points and was declared as the Divi-sion champion. Second placers in the Quiz who garnered a total of nine points, were the teams coming from Tandag National Science High School and Tagbina National High School. The third placer was Matho

National High School-Annex. Other compet-ing schools were Gamut National High School, Madrid National High School, Solomon P. Loza-da National High School, Sto Nino National High School, Tagsaka National high School and Unidad National High School. The announcement of the winners was made by Ms Edna E. Trinidad, the Mathematics Su-pervisor for Secondary schools, who chaired the

three-member Board of Judges. The Provincial Sta-tistics Officer of NSO-Surigao del Sur, Mr. Ruel Dres together with Ms Trinidad presented the cash prizes, trophies and certificates to the top three division winners. Non-winning teams and all the coaches were given certificates and consolation prizes. Bislig City DivisionFor Bislig City Division, Tabo M. Estrella National


High School (TMENHS) succeeded as the cham-pion I 3rd Statistics Quiz Show held at Mangag-oy Central Elementary School Computer Labo-ratory Room, Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur on October 19. TMENHS was com-posed of Emmanuel R. Escala and Mac An-drian D. Abadies with Coach Rhodora C. Luga. TMENHS accumulated the highest score of 16 points thus giving them the trophy for the divi-sion champion. The second placer was Mangagoy National High School with a total of 11 points. Bislig City National High School (BCNHS) and Tumanan National High School tied in third place slot after the final round. However, after the sudden death rules were applied, BC-NHS emerged as the third placer. Other competing school in Bislig City Divi-sion was Sikahoy Nation-al High School. The proclamation of winners was made by Dr. Teresa Dumaran-Buray, the Mathematics Supervisor for Second-

ary Schools, who chaired the three-member Board of Judges. The Provincial Sta-tistics Officer of NSO-Surigao del Sur, Mr. Ruel Dres together with Ms Buray presented the cash prizes, trophies and cer-tificates to the top three division winners. After the awarding, the assistant Schools Di-vision Superintendent of Bislig City Division, Dr. Imelda N. Sabornido im-parted inspirational mes-sage and at the same time closing remarks. She encouraged the con-testants to pursue in the field of Statistics and to make use of the modern technology.The 3rd Division SQS The 3rd Division SQS is undertaken as part of the 22nd Nation-al Statistics Month this October 2011. The lead-ing agency for this year is the Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD) with the theme: “Quality So-cial Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting” Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives.” NSO I coordination

with the Department of Education thru their re-spective Schools Divi-sion Superintendents, namely, Dr. Teofila G. Cabatuan (Surigao del Sur) and Dr. Lucia S. Castro, CESO V (Bislig City), conducted this 3rd SQS to all the National Secondary Schools to assess the competency and skills of students in statistics and to pro-mote, enhance and instill awareness and appreci-ation of the importance and value of statistics specifically in the field of education. Through this activity, high school graduating students is encouraged to take up statistics courses for their tertiary education. This year’s contest is a collaborative effort of sponsors and part-ners. The sole sponsor for the two divisions will contend in the SQS Re-gional Championship this coming October 25 at Butuan City. SQS is the brainchild of Caraga Region. Up to the pres-ent, Caraga is the only region that conducts the contest annually.


BUTUAN CITY – Mindanao Alliance Self-Help Societies – Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPECC), a federation of primary cooperatives around Mindanao will be launching its synchronized environmental consciousness campaign dubbed as “Nurture A Tree, Save a Planet Earth Campaign” on October 29, 2011.

Mindanao alliance to launch “Nurture A Tree, Save a Planet Earth Campaign”

The one-day activ-ity shall be conducted in a synchronized manner around the different re-gions in Mindanao. This initiative of MASS-SPECC is part of its thrust to implement cooperative social services to the communities where its member cooperatives are located. The objective of the

activity is to promote awareness among the member cooperatives on its contribution in achieving the Millennium Development Goals of ensuring environmental sustainability. Over the years, co-operatives have imple-mented social service programs on an individ-ual basis. But the impact of disparate efforts have been minimal. Thus, co-operatives have decided to collaborate to achieve substantial impact and wider involvement of the coop community. Apart from the financial ser-vices offered by the cooperatives to its members, provision of social services that are responsive to the needs of the mem-bers and the com-munities remain an

important thrust of the movement. The synchronized tree planting activity is a unified initiative of the different primary co-operatives under MASS SPECC to culminate the celebration the month of October as Cooperative Month. All Co-operators are enjoined to partici-pate in this synchronized tree planting activity on October 30, 2011 (Sat-urday) in their respec-tive localities. (MASS-SPECC)


SURIGAO CITY-- The city government of Surigao will commemorate once again the historic “Battle of Surigao Strait” on Tuesday, Oct. 25.


Surigaonons and in-vited guests from Amer-ica, Australia and Japan will converge to remem-ber the day when the Japanese Imperial na-tion bowed down to the American and Australian Navies during one of the greatest battles in his-tory on Oct. 25, 1944. The 67th year com-

memoration ceremony will be held at the Lipata Ferry Terminal complex where the site of the fa-mous naval battle was held. City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, Gov. Sol Matu-gas and 2nd district Rep. Guillermo Romarate will lead the memorial ser-vice which will begin at 4:30 a.m. with a wreath

laying, lighting of the memorial flame by par-ticipating American, Australian and Japanese embassy representa-tives and lighting of sky lantern by the city and provincial officials and employees, veterans, members of Surigaonon Heritage Foundation, national line agencies, tourism council mem-bers and students. Other commemo-rative activities during the one-day celebration include, wreath-laying at the Japanese Cre-matorium Marker in Su-rigao del Norte National High School-the former site of the Japanese en-campment during World War II, the “3rd Bugsay Race” at the Surigao City Boulevard, film showing of the accounts of the Battle of Surigao Strait, and 4th monthly finals of Surigaonon Singing Star. (Surigao City Tourism Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)



BUTUAN CITY -- “Lt Col Manny Pacquiao is worth more than a Thousand Soldiers, and is very qualified for his promotion and appointment.”

BGen Plaza defends Lt Col Pacquiao’s promotion

This was the state-ment made by Brigadier General Charito B. Plaza, AFP Reserve Force’ first woman General, from Mindanao and the three-termer representative of the First District of Agu-san del Norte. The Republic Act 7077 or the AFP Re-servist Law, provides, the organization, train-ing, development of the

citizens to compose the AFP Reserve Force, as a component of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The reserve force shall also be a source of ex-pansion of the regulars troops in times of war and national emergen-cies. Thus, Plaza said, this qualified the boxing champ when he enlisted himself to join the Phil-ippine Army Reservists in 2006, prior to his be-ing elected as Represen-tative of the Province of Saranggani in Mindan-ao.Pacquiao then held the rank as Senior Master Sergeant, the head of all the enlisted personnel. The GHQ AFP Cir-cular No. 4, dated July 5, 2010, standardized the concept, policies and procedures govern-ing the commission of officers in the Reserve

Force and the different sources of the Reserve Force Officers to include the elected and appoint-ed government officials, graduates of the Nation-al Defense College of the Philippines, graduates of a baccalaureate degree or honorary degree, ex-cept for deserving en-listed personnel under RA 718. Pacquiao was elect-ed Congressman of the Province of Sarangani in 2010, hence, quali-fied for his appointment to the LT Col rank. Fur-ther, he was conferred , the honorary degree as a Doctor in Humanities, by the South Western University in Cebu City in 2009, for his extraor-dinary service as a pub-lic servant/Representa-tive, and the honors he brought for the Philip-pines as the world box-ing champ, said Plaza.


Feature: Infants inappropriately fed – FNRI-DOST by Jund Rian A. Doringo

The latest results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 provided evidence on the

poor and deteriorating nutritional status of infants 0-23 months and children 2-5 years old in the country.

“Based on the World Health Organization/Na-tional Center for Health Statistics (WHO/NCHS) standard, the prevalence rates of underweight at 26.2 percent and stunt-ing at 27.9 percent among the 0-5 years old are high and moderately severe, respectively, and are higher than the 2005 prevalence rate,” said Dr. Mario V. Capanza, direc-tor of the FNRI-DOST. He also said the anemia prevalence among the youngest group of infants in 2008 at 55.7 percent remains a significant public health problem, while an improvement was noted among the older groups of infants and children. At the regional lev-

el, Region IX had the greatest number of un-derweight, under height and thin 0 to 5-year-old children among the oth-er regions. On the other hand, Region IV-B and Region VI had the highest num-ber of underweight and under height 6 to 10-year-old children, re-spectively. “Overall, the per-centage of infants 0-23 months old ever-breast-fed was 89.6 percent al-though this proportion was same as in 2003, the percentage given colos-trum declined from 91.5 percent to 89.4 percent,” Capanzana said. Colostrum, a thick yellowish fluid, is the first milk secreted by the

breasts within the first three to four days after the baby is born. Colos-trum contains antibodies which make the newborn especially resistant to intestinal disorders and respiratory diseases, and has a slightly laxa-tive effect which clears the newborn’s bowel of the dark green or black matter. According to the


Feature: Infants inappropriately fed – FNRI-DOST

WHO, the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods, referred to as complementary feeding, should typically cover the period from 6 to 18-24 months of age, and is a very vulnerable period. The survey also re-vealed that among the 0-5-month-old infants, only 35.9 percent were exclusively breastfed and 36.8 percent were already exposed to com-plementary food. The NNS results serve as inputs to na-tional plans and pro-grams of the country and basis of the national and regional menu calcula-tions, among others. Conducted every five years by the FNRI-DOST, the NNS aims to update the official sta-tistics on the Philip-pine food, nutrition and health situation. The NNS encom-passes survey compo-nents such as anthro-pometry, biochemical, clinical, dietary, eco-nomics, food insecurity,

government health and nutrition program par-ticipation, and health. According to the current recommenda-tions of the WHO and United Nations Chil-dren’s Fund (UNICEF), the introduction of com-plementary food must be at 6 months of age because starting it ear-lier than 6 months offers no growth advantage, displaces energy intake from breastmilk and re-sults in greater morbid-ity. Dr. Jossie Rogacion, associate professor of the University of the Phil-ippines College of Medi-cine, said that improving the quality of infant and young feeding practices has been shown to be a cost-effective strategy to reduce morbidity and improve child survival. “The challenge of achieving optimal feed-ing for young children is often related to ig-norance about feeding and food choices rather than availability of food,” Rogacion said.

In this very crucial stage of development, a parent would only want the best for the chil-dren. It is everyone’s re-sponsibility to take part in promoting adequate food and nutrient intake especially for infants and children. Nutrition education and behavioral modifi-cations should also be included in the inter-ventions through local health providers and care-givers to achieve improvement in infant growth. For more informa-tion on food and nutri-tion, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Re-search Institute, De-partment of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email:[email protected], [email protected]; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST)

One Mindanao - October 24, 2011

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