For its 147th Regular Meeting, the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX returned to Isabela

City after nine years, as the Local Government Unit once again graciously hosted the council at Claret College of Isabela on June 5, 2014.

No less than City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar welcomed the RDC members and guests. The lady local chief executive was joined by her staff, city heads of office and local officials. In her opening remarks, Mayor Akbar expressed that hosting the RDC meeting was an honor, adding that lasting peace has been one of Isabela City’s aspirations.

The meeting, where regional development concerns were discussed, was attended by 35 out of the 45 RDC members.

During the said meeting, the Council endorsed nine resolutions, including the 2013 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Report and the FY 2015 Budget Proposal of Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (ZamboEcozone) as well as the Construction of the ZamboEcozone International Cargo Terminal. Acting Chairperson and NEDA IX Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos said that the construction of an International Cargo Terminal at the Zamboanga

City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport is a big ticket project in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Chairperson of the government peace panel and panel member Senen Bacani, both from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, presented a briefing on the provisions, implications and updates on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement. Prof. Ferrer said that the government is already in the implementation stage of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) after it was signed on March 27, 2014. The CAB incorporates agreements between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the basis for the crafting of the bill on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The meeting ended with Director Ramos expressing gratitude and appreciation to the LGU of Isabela City for successfully hosting the RDC meeting, as well as for its warm hospitality; and for the RDC members’ continuing efforts and support. (Loreta E. Lapad, NEDA IX)

Isabela City hosts147th RDC IX meeting

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFTeresita Socorro C. Ramos

ASSOCIATE EDITORSSusan C. Valerio, OIC-ARDRenato C. Herrera, CEDS, PDIPBDEleanor M. Reyes, OIC, DRDManolette Jude M. Mercado, OIC, PFPDLeticia O. Lobren, OIC, PMEDRonald Von D. Rivera, OIC, FAD

PUBLICATION COORDINATORVilma M. Julian

DESIGN AND LAYOUTDaryll L. Cabico

CONTRIBUTORS

NEDA IXLoreta E. LapadArdi Abril T. LayugueKaryl Kristal M. VillejoVilma M. JulianRodrigo A. ManuelElvie D. MaisogJordan B. Sali

Other AgenciesSusan A. Duran, City Government of PagadianLowell S. Vallecer, DTI IXM Daguro, DA IXBSP, Zamboanga BranchDOT IXDFAPNA/PIA IX

The RDC communicator is published quarterly by Regional Development Council (RDC) IX. The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose the articles to be published due to space limitation. Articles and pictures will become property of RDC IX. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact:

The Editorial BoardNEDA Regional Offifce IXZamboanga del Sur Provincial Government Center, Dao, Pagadian City 7016Telephone Nos. (062) 945-0049, 215-4113Email Address: nedapagadian@yahoo.com

http://nro9.neda.gov.ph

Editorial Board

April - June 2014RDC Communicator

The construction of an International Cargo Terminal at the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport is a big ticket project in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Teresita Socorro C. Ramos

(L-R) Mr. Senen C. Bacani, Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer of OPPAP, Dir. Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Mayor Cherrylyn S. Akbar, ASec. Earl P. Saavedra of NYC and OIC-ARD Susan C. Valerio

3

PPP Center conducts

orientation workshop

Dir. Eleazar Ricote (seated, 4L) of the PPP Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service with Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy (seated, 4R) and staff

The Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) conducted an Orientation-Workshop on

PPP and Initial Project Structuring for Dipolog City LGU on May 15-16, 2014 at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City. This was in response to the request of the local government unit (LGU) of Dipolog City to update the feasibility study of Galas Port Project and to determine the appropriate PPP scheme, should a private investor get interested to partner with the LGU in completing and operating the said port.

The activity was facilitated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) IX and was hosted by Dipolog City LGU. The PPPC staff, led by Dir. Eleazar Ricote of the Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service, provided the necessary technical inputs.

Present during the orientation-workshop were Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy together with key officials and staff of various departments of the LGU as well as Sangguniang Bayan Committee Chairpersons Atty. James Cyril Ruiz and Atty. Raul Barbaso, of the Committees on Energy, Transportation, and Communication and Public Works and Infrastructure, respectively.

The first half-day of the workshop started with a presentation of the Galas Port project, highlighting its contribution to regional development. It was followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of PPP, as well as, on the topic engaging the LGU to PPP. PPPC staff then facilitated a workshop on the templates that may be used by Dipolog City in pursuing its proposed PPP project.

The second half-day was devoted to the discussion of the initial PPP project structuring specifically about the project preparation and the viability indicators in the project study. Comments on the existing feasibility study of the Galas Port and the respective recommendations were discussed. Before the workshop ended, Dir. Ricote encouraged the participants to prepare a work plan on the project preparation.

Mayor Uy, together with her staff demonstrated great interest in the pursuit of their proposed PPP

project by actively participating in the orientation-workshop. A continued coordination between the LGU and PPPC is expected in order to realize the said project.

The PPP Program is a key strategy of the Aquino Administration focused on mitigating infrastructure backlogs and bringing in development of high productivity sectors. (Ardi Abril T. Layugue, NEDA IX)

The participants during the workshop proper

4

T he certain progress of Pagadian was seen when it was finally converted into

a chartered city on June 21, 1969, by virtue of Republic Act 5478. Another milestone followed when this beautiful hill city by the sea, dubbed as the “Little Hongkong of Mindanao,” was declared as the Regional Center of Western Mindanao when then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 429 on October 12, 1990.

Today, Pagadian City has gained numerous footholds for the furtherance of its development as the Regional Center of Region IX. The rolling and picturesque 30-hectare President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government

Center (PCARGC) in Barangay Balintawak, is now the prospective home to various fully transferred regional offices that are currently constructing their buildings. These are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Bureau of Treasury, and Philippine Coast Guard. National Irrigation Administration (NIA), on the other hand, already conducted its ground-breaking ceremony at the PCARGC. Other regional offices on the line are the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and Commission on Audit (COA).

Before 1927, the present poblacion of Pagadian was still a wilderness. Blest with intuitive and early visionary pioneers and their succeeding hardworking and decisive leaders, Pagadian was declared a barrio of the Municipality of Labangan in 1934 and evolved into a flourishing municipality when it was

inaugurated on March 26, 1937.

The following regional offices have already constructed their very own office buildings in different parts of Pagadian City: Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Department of Education (DepEd).There is no turning back for the City of Pagadian. It is the Regional Center of Zamboanga Peninsula. With the full support of all stakeholders, and guided by the late Pres. Corazon C. Aquino’s vision for Region IX, the transfer of more regional offices to Pagadian City can be achieved. (Susan A. Duran, City Government of Pagadian)

Pagadian Citysustains its vision

5

Sec. Pangilinan calls for support in dealing with

coconut infestation

Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agriculture Modernization

Secretary Francis Pangilinan underscored his need for the support of the national and local governments to contain the infestation in the country’s coconut plantations.

“Until May of this year, we have had P65 million spent for this effort, and this is precisely why we felt the need to augment and provide greater support - budgetary and personnel support - for the effort,” Sec. Pangilinan said during a press briefing. He said that 1.2 million trees in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Cavite, and Basilan have been affected by the pest Aspidiotus Rigidus, with Batangas being the hardest hit with more than half a million trees.

According to Sec. Pangilinan, the pest can reach the Bicol region and Zamboanga Peninsula by the end of the year. That is why failure is not an option. He said that left without intervention, the coconut farmers’ losses could reach up to 60 percent of their annual yield.

Asked about the origin of the pest, Sec. Pangilinan said that similar pests could be found in Indonesia but they could not pinpoint the source as yet. “We do not have the data and the evidence as to how it got into the country, but there is the possibility that this could have been brought in through Batangas ports, and by way of bringing in ornamental plants,” he said.

According to the Secretary, the Scale Insect Emergency Action Program will be implemented to address the problem. “This is a six-month program beginning June, where we will do all these: pruning and burning of drying leaves, then we will do trunk injection. After which, there will be spraying using organic pesticide. After spraying, we will do release of biocontrol agents, which is the friendly kulisap, and then we will do fertilization, and strengthening or providing more sustenance and nutrients to the trees so that they will recover faster,” he said.

Checkpoints will also be set up to prevent the spread of the infestation by way of infested coconuts, trunks and leaves, he said, adding that there will be livelihood interventions to address the damage and the farmers’ loss of income. He estimated the budget at P765 million and projected the coconut industry’s economic recovery at two years.

Sec. Pangilinan emphasized that 3.5 million hectares, or 27 percent, of the country’s total agricultural land are planted with coconut. There are 3.5 million coconut farmers and 25 million Filipinos directly or indirectly dependent on the coconut industry, he said, adding that 60 percent of the world’s coconut exports come from the Philippines, earning the country about a billion per annum. He called on the local governments, the community and the farmers to support the efforts to control the infestation.

On June 5, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order 169 on Establishing Emergency Measures to Control and Manage the Spread and Damage of Aspidiotus Rigidus in the Philippines and designating the Philippine Coconut Authority as the lead agency for the purpose. (PNA/PIA IX-ZAMBASULTA Infocenter)

Photo by: PCA IX

6

BSPheightens information campaign The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Zamboanga Branch conducted public information

campaigns in Region IX to raise awareness among the Filipino people regarding counterfeit note detection, clean note policy, coin recirculation, and other related matters.

Target groups were composed of students, banks, business establishments, various

government agencies and other concerned institutions. Security features of the Philippine currency were discussed. This was most helpful to businesspersons, cashiers, and sales personnel since they are more exposed to counterfeit notes. The BSP-Zamboanga Branch aims to increase the number of its public information campaigns in 2014. This is to heighten the awareness of the public regarding the Philippine currency and the roles of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The Clean Note Policy is a mandate of BSP to preserve and maintain the integrity of the currency. Thus, the public will be penalized for any violation of laws enacted for this cause. An expeditious disposal of unfit and mutilated notes is encouraged.

The Coin Recirculation Program is another advocacy of BSP to encourage the public to use the coins they usually hide in their drawers, piggy banks, and other places. Since low denomination coins are short in circulation, this program is extensively advocated. The workshop on the Security Features of the Philippine currency hopes to prevent the public from being victimized by counterfeit

notes. The first and second level designs are explained in detail for the benefit of the audience.

The BSP Zamboanga Branch is also open for tours or visits in its building. The Branch has a numismatic display of old currencies that describe the history of our money since the Spanish era. It has also a specialized library with collections on economics, finance, management, banking, and accounting reading materials; and exclusive collections of BSP-published reports and periodicals. For more information, BSP can be contacted through telephone number (062) 991-2864.

Grade School students from Claret School of Zamboanga intensively view the numismatic collections of BSP Zamboanga

7

Participants of Seminar on Counterfeit Detection discussing the security features of our Philippine Currency during a workshop.

Meanwhile, have you ever experienced receiving your change or “sukli” in terms of candies instead of coins? As of January 2014, the BSP minted a ratio of 257 pieces of coins per Filipino resident. However, the country is still facing an alarming shortage of coins that can be attributed to non-circulation of such among the consumers. The BSP regional offices are advised to take an active part in the coin recirculation campaign. The BSP Zamboanga Branch has been reaching out to the public to promote awareness on the security features of the Philippine currency and coins recirculation.

Non-circulation of coins results to negative effects to the public and to the economy. The Philippine Government is spending millions of pesos as minting of coins is more costly than their face value. Thus, the public is encouraged to properly recirculate the coins to keep the BSP from minting more coins and to help the government from spending additional money for such.

Hoarding of coins will indirectly result to inflation. If each of the 80 million Filipinos store P10.00 worth of coins regardless of denomination, an equivalent of P800 million remains uncirculated in the system. This will result to an increase in the prices of commodities.

The public is advised to deposit their coins in their depository bank. This way, said bank may also issue these to other depositors/consumers.

The public may also use coins in purchasing goods. Low-denomination coins are useful in the daily business transactions of pharmacies, supermarkets, and stores, among others.

The BSP Zamboanga Branch supports this campaign through the Coins for Trees Program, among others. On July 20, 2013, the BSP Zamboanga Branch spearheaded this event, together with various government agencies, non-government organizations, schools, and private establishments, by selling seedlings for P50.00 each. Only low-denomination coins (from 0.01 centavo to P1.00) have been accepted as payment. The 1, 5, and 10-centavo coins have been treated as 25 centavos to allow people to buy more seedlings. This was held at the Cesar Climaco Park, Abong-Abong, Zamboanga City. More participants are expected to join the program to support this advocacy. (BSP, Zamboanga Branch)

The Coins for Trees project collected 90,131 pieces of coins worth P14,583.85

DFAopens

passportcourtesy laneThe Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) informs the public that effective immediately, the age limitation for

minor passport applicants, whose parents are availing of the Courtesy

Lane Facility for their passport applications, has been modified

from infants aged one (1) year old and below to children aged seven

(7) years old and below. There is no need for applicants to schedule

an appointment for their personal appearance at the Passport Division

of the DFA for the evaluation and processing of their passport

applications.

The Courtesy Lane may accept the passport applications of applicants, whose ages are 7 years and below,

for evaluation and processing, subject to the usual documentary

and procedural requirements outlined under the Philippine Passport Act of

1996 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations under Department Order

No. 11-97 and other passport-related regulations of the Department.

The list of passport requirements are posted on the DFA’s official website www.dfa.gov.ph or www.passport.

com.ph. (DFA Media Releases)

8

RDC IX supports DTI IX in ASEAN Economic Community Forum

Business leaders, officials of academic institutions, non-government organizations,

members of Regional Development Council (RDC) IX, consumer groups, and local chief executives in Region IX participated in the Regional Forum on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in Zamboanga City on May 27, 2014.

The forum, sponsored by RDC IX and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), was conducted to update the business and other sectors on the preparations and readiness of the Philippines to participate in the establishment of the AEC by December 31, 2015.During the open forum, various issues were presented, especially those that impinge on the state of competitiveness of Region IX. Unstable supply and high cost of electricity; security problems; high shipping cost; inadequate, if not total absence of critical infrastructure, and other concerns were articulated by the panel of reactors.

Dr. Adoracion Navarro of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies whose presentation focused on infrastructure and logistics admitted that the country’s infrastructure is still currently poor and inadequate. She raised the need to modernize the country’s seaports to be able to handle five different types of cargoes, such as containerized, passenger, dry, liquid, and general cargo. She also emphasized the need to upgrade our airports and our internet connectivity.

Newly installed PHILEXPORT-9 President, Mr. Ismael Abubakar who was one of the reactors, also emphasized the need to review the old customs law for the possible lifting or amendment of its provisions on cabotage as a possible remedy for the high cost of shipping domestic cargoes.

Mr. Pedro Rufo Soliven, Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and Co-Chairperson of the RDC’s Regional Competitiveness Committee echoed the sentiments of Mr. Abubakar. He lamented on how Region IX could possibly compete in a market setting such as the AEC, if it could not even compete with other regions in Mindanao considering the long-standing issues confronting its business sector.

Considering the realities in the ASEAN community, Director Senen Perlada of the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau suggested for the business sector in Zamboanga City to do a strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats or SWOT analysis.

DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo sought to allay the fears of some sectors regarding the AEC establishment in 2015 saying that more than 99 percent of goods

the panel of speakers DTI ASec.Ceferino Rodolfo, Dr. Erlinda Medalla, Dr. Adoracion Navarro together with the panel of reactors – Mr. Pedro RufoSoliven, Mr. Ismael Abubakar, Mr. Roberto Valerio, and Mr. Felix Louell Saavedra

9

RDC IX supports DTI IX in ASEAN Economic Community Forum

traded within the ASEAN member states have been at zero tariff as early as January 2010. He said that the country experienced robust growth through these years and has now successfully shaken off its tag as the basket case of Asia. He added that while there is a need for many of our industries to rise up to the challenge of becoming and staying competitive, our business sector should seek out opportunities for complementation under this huge ASEAN market.

Mr. Roberto Valerio, former DTI-Zamboanga City Director and currently the Executive Director of the Industrial Group of Zamboanga, said that just like the dreaded millennium bug that came and went without much of the anticipated deleterious impact to the global economy, the fear expressed by some sectors on the establishment of the AEC in 2015 may be unfounded or just grossly overrated. He believed that our industrial and business sectors would be able to adapt and respond appropriately. He said that amid all the constraints, the sectors showed resilience in previous inauspicious situations, including natural and human-induced calamities that befell our city and region.

On the inquiry of her assessment of the forum, Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, OIC-Regional Director of DTI IX, said that the forum may be declared as an unqualified success given the big turn out of participants as well as the spirited discussions and exchange of ideas during the open forum. However, she added that she would have wanted more representatives from the business sector since the forum was conducted at their request.

Dr. Jain announced the conduct of another forum on the AEC, dubbed as “Gearing up for AEC 2015” during the roadshow for the Mindanao Business Conference on June 10, 2014 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City. She hoped that by then, majority of the participants would already come from the business sector. (Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI IX)

NEDA IX co-hosts

CPO conferenceThe National Economic and

Development Authority (NEDA) IX, together with the

Local Government of Pagadian City, hosted the Council of Personnel Officers (CPO) – Zamboanga del Sur Chapter 2nd Quarter Conference for CY 2014 on May 15, 2014 at the Executive Function Hall, City Mayor’s Office, Pagadian City. Three (3) NEDA IX Human Resource Management Practitioners (HRMPs), headed by its OIC-Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Ronald Von D. Rivera, and thirty-two (32) HRMPs from different Regional Line Agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), and State Universities and Colleges, attended the conference.

The event was graced by Atty. Mario Jose T. Cunting, Director II - Civil Service Commission (CSC) IX, and Mr. Brixio P. Daniel, Pagadian City Administrator, as representative of Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones.

Among the matters discussed were the Council’s Financial Report, the President’s Report and the forthcoming 2014 Regional CPO Congress tentatively scheduled on August 26-28, 2014.

Dir. Cunting also discussed the following: a) CSC MC No. 17 series of 2009 on Smoking Prohibition based on 100% Smoke-free Environment Policy; b) DOH-CSC Joint MC No. 2010-01 on the Protection of the Bureaucracy Against Tobacco Industry Interference; c) CSC MC No. 19 series of 1992 on the provision regarding the creation of Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices in LGUs; d) MC No. 6 series of 2014 on the 114th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary and the implementation of the Strategic Performance Management System. The CPO is a council of HRMPs within the region, under the direct supervision of CSC IX. The conference served as a venue for discussion among personnel officers, and for uniform implementation of pertinent CSC rules and policies. (Karyl Kristal M. Villejo, NEDA IX)

Participants during the CPO Conference

10

RDC IX conducts K to 12 summit

Regional Development Council (RDC) IX and Department of Education (DepEd) IX,

in coordination with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) IX and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) IX conducted the K to 12 Senior High School (SHS) Summit on June 19, 2014 at Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The participants were warmly welcomed by Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Palma who expressed his deep appreciation for the conduct of the activity. He encouraged the different government agencies, local government units, and all stakeholders to support the K to 12 program implementation. He said that while the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay has no specific funding for K to 12 social infrastructure projects, it implements infrastructure projects particularly roads and those that support the agriculture sector.

In his message, DepEd IX Regional Director Malcolm Garma highlighted the importance of K to 12 program implementation and support. K to 12 will provide students ample time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop and prepare the graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. In her message which was read by OIC-CEDS Eleanor M. Reyes, NEDA IX Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos highlighted the support of RDC IX for the K to 12 program. She encouraged everyone to take part in making quality education achievable by working together to brave the challenges of K-12, embarking on a journey of re-engineering the educational system not just for global competitiveness but also for poverty reduction.

DepEd IX school division superintendents presented the salient features of the K to 12 program, the roles of DepEd and other partner agencies in the

implementation of SHS based on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, and the SHS curriculum models. The summit was conducted to provide the participants composed of educators, administrators, and stakeholders, a picture of the SHS (Grades 11 to 12) program. It sought to discuss the requirements and bottlenecks of program implementation.

During the workshop, teacher qualification and requirements (such as additional classrooms, additional qualified teachers, and corresponding textbooks) to meet the demands of K to 12 were among the major concerns raised by the participants. Among the recommendations identified were capability training for the teachers, hiring of qualified teachers, and provision of corresponding facilities.

Some 200 participants from the provinces and cities, and regional line agencies attended the activity. In behalf of RDC IX, Private Sector Representative for Zamboanga City, Engr. George Ledesma expressed support to the K to 12 program and committed to absorb graduates based on their employability. DepEd IX led by Dir. Garma, and TESDA IX Regional Director Lorenzo Macapili clarified and answered the queries raised by the participants.

The summit ended with Dir. Garma expressing gratitude and appreciation to Gov. Palma and to all the participants for the success of the activity. He reiterated the importance of everybody’s support particularly the local government units, educational institutions, parents, and community in facilitating the implementation of the K to 12 towards global competitiveness. (Vilma M. Julian, NEDA IX)

DepEd IX Regional Director Malcolm Garma (inset) with the participants during the K-12 Summit

11

DOT conducts tour package development and delivery workshop

NEDA Regional Office IX conducted a Training on Project Development, Appraisal and Monitoring on June 16-19, 2014 at Chandler Suites, Pagadian City. It was conducted in line with NEDA’s thrust for continuous human capital development. For 2014, NEDA IX conducted various capability building activities to enable its staff to be more effective in performing their tasks. Among the identified areas for enhancement are project development, technical and research writing. Twenty-seven (27) staff were trained on basic skills in project development, appraisal and monitoring. Resource persons from NEDA Central Office were tapped, namely: Ms. Kathleen P. Mangune, Assistant Director, and Ms. Kathreen V. Miralles, Chief Economic Development Specialist, both from NEDA Infrastructure Staff; Mr. Wifredo De Perio, Supervising EDS, NEDA Monitoring and Evaluation Staff; and Ms. Ma. Ellaine Patambang, Senior EDS, NEDA Public Investment Staff.

The training was divided into three modules, namely: a) Project Development Cycle (overview), ICC Approval Process and ODA Financing, one half day; b) Project Appraisal, two days; and c) Monitoring and Evaluation including post-evaluation, one day. (Rodrigo A. Manuel, NEDA IX)

NEDA IXconducts

training onproject

development,appraisal and

monitoring

Asst. Director Kathleen P. Mangune (seated, 3R) and Ms. Ellaine Patambang (seated, 1R) together with the NEDA IX staff

The Department of Tourism (DOT) IX conducted the Tour Package Development and

Delivery Workshop on April 23-24, 2014 at Mibang Hotel, Dipolog City. The workshop was designed to help local stakeholders and local tourism offices effectively package, operate and manage tours in their respective areas.

The workshop was attended by 34 participants from the private sector and local government units (LGUs) of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City. The participants were taught the tour operation cycle, costing and pricing, marketing and selling tour packages. It emphasized the role that LGUs play in identifying and developing their respective

tourism potentials and the role of the private sector, particularly tour operators, in creating the packages to sell.

Mr. Bienvenido Claravall, author of the textbook entitled “Travel and Tour Operations in the Philippines” and part-time faculty at the Asian Institute of Tourism of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, was the speaker during the workshop.

DOT IX will also conduct the same workshop for the other cities and provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula within the year. (DOT IX)

12

RPMC reorients LPMCs; develops ProMISThe Regional Project Monitoring

Committee (RPMC) of the Regional Development Council

through its Technical Working Group conducted the first of a series of reorientations on the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) in Zamboanga Peninsula for CY 2014, on May 13, 2014. This first batch was comprised of members of the Local Project Monitoring Committees (LPMCs) of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte and was held in Sindangan, in response to the clamor that the orientation be conducted closer to the participants, particularly those from the municipalities in the 3rd District of Zamboanga del Norte.

In his welcome remarks, Sindangan Mayor Nilo Florentino Sy, expressed his gratitude for the selection of his municipality as the venue for the activity.

Nineteen (19) participants from the Municipalities of Gutalac, Kalawit, Labason, Leon Postigo, Salug, Siayan and Sindangan took part in the orientation. Mayor Eddie Quimbo of the Municipality of Labason and Mr. Adrian Amatong, Chief of Staff of Congressman Isagani Amatong of the 3rd District of Zamboanga del Norte, were also present during the briefing.

RPMES, which was established through Executive Order 376 on 2 November 1989, provides a scheme for monitoring and evaluating projects at the national, regional, provincial/city and municipal levels. Through the system, generation of information on the overall status of project implementation at each level, and the detection of problems that impede implementation, are facilitated and remedial actions are readily undertaken through the problem solving sessions of RPMC.

Reorientation/orientation of the different LPMCs will make them more responsive in terms of adhering to the mandates of the RPMES. Problems met during field visits of the RPMC are often coordination problems between LGUs and implementing agencies, which the LPMCs can already address at their level.

Similar reorientations were also held on June 3, 2014 in Pagadian City for Zamboanga del Sur LPMCs; June 9, 2014 in Ipil for Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City and Isabela

Labason Mayor Eddie Quimbo and Sindangan Mayor Nilo Florentino Sy (seated 2nd and 3rd to the left) with 3rd Congressional District COS Amatong (seated 5th to the left) together with the RPMC IX Secretariat and some participants.

© pressmaster - Fotolia.com #57048405

City; and June 24, 2014 in Dipolog City for Batch 2 of Zamboanga del Norte covering the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts.

Meanwhile, the Technical Secretariat of RPMC IX has developed the Project Management Information System (ProMIS), which is designed to track project implementation and serve as a database for projects in Region IX. With the latest technology and with the use of a wide array of system languages, the ProMIS is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of project monitoring.

The ProMIS is a LAN-web-based system that uses geographical information for tracking ongoing and completed projects. Data for ongoing projects are validated through actual field visits. The system uses location-based digital technology like Geographic Information System, Geographic Positioning System, and Geotagging, resulting to the viewing of projects in their actual location via online map. This system is able to provide real-time information on the project’s development, and is accessible to the public and its implementing agencies.

An orientation was conducted on May 23, 2014 in Zamboanga City to introduce the PIS to RPMC IX members, monitoring partners and stakeholders. Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos of NEDA Region IX and concurrently RPMC IX Chairperson commended the Secretariat for this achievement that has made RPMC IX one of the RPMCs nationwide which has developed such technology. The members of RPMC IX believe that the system can be a powerful tool which can provide reliable database of all projects monitored in Region IX. More importantly, the system can serve as an effective instrument in addressing issues encountered during monitoring without delay. (Elvie D. Maisog and Jordan B. Sali, NEDA IX)

13

Four out of 10 Regional Gawad Saka Winners from the Zamboanga Peninsula will be

moving on to the national level. “Outstanding Coconut Farmer Wilfredo T. Baje; Outstanding Young Farmer Rogelio A. Tamin, Jr; Oustanding Small Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization- Midsalip Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal Non-LGU Operated- Polanco Barangay Food Terminal were slated as National Finalists for this year’s Gawad Saka Search,” declared Institutional Development Services Section (IDSS) Chief Erwin Rodriguez during the recently conducted Achievers Day at ZAMPIARC, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

With the theme “Ang Family Farming ay Buhay,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) recognized 10 Regional Gawad Saka Winners with a plaque of recognition and P30,000 pesos for individual winners and P50,000 for organizations. Completing the regional winners were Outstanding Rice Farmer Annie E. Sitjar; Outstanding Corn Farmer Felipe A. Capadangan; Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur Fe M. Hau; Outstanding Rural Improvement Club - Gawil Rural Improvement Club; Outstanding Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC) - Molave Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council and Outstanding Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) - Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council. Special citations were also given to Nonito Bernardo from Ayala, Zamboanga City for being the Outstanding Large Animal Breeder and to the Greenfield 4-H Club in Tulungatung, Zamboanga City being the Outstanding Young Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization.

Committee Chair for Agriculture, Senator Cynthia Villar through her representative, Roberto Villacora saluted the winners saying “we commend the Gawad Saka achievers with an exemplary gesture. We must continue to learn, to recognize, to inspire and even inculcate in the minds of the youth, to be involved in more community enterprises that help reduce poverty significantly in the country. We would like to duplicate their projects through the Villar foundation, the Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation on Governance (SIPAG) with the help of the Department of Agriculture.” He added that the SIPAG award seeks to recognize good practices or innovations on community enterprises which generate jobs and increase household income. It highlights outstanding initiatives of community enterprises as models in good practices on poverty reduction. He expressed his hope of getting prospective nominees from all winners of the GAWAD SAKA, for the SIPAG award next year. DA Regional Director Constancio G. Alama emphasized the importance of family in agriculture. Hunger will affect everyone in the absence of families molding the youth to improve farming using new technologies without damaging nature. He expressed his hope for the youth to continue farming to achieve food self sufficiency.

Dir. Alama announced that 2014 is declared as International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), a timely event for DA’s Achiever’s Day. He explained that the IYFF celebration aims to raise the profile of family farming that includes all family-based agricultural activities, and small holder farming in alleviating hunger and poverty,

providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, protecting the environment, and allowing sustainable development particularly in the rural areas.

Assistant Director for Operations Dr. Dennis H. Palabrica acknowledged the awardees’ hard work as he ended the event saying “you have proven that farming will forever live.”

Meanwhile, the 4-H Club regional winners of four major and minor contests were also awarded with certificates and cash prizes. Winners were Krytyl Pearl Arbas for Rice Production Technology; Alfred Cañete for Corn Production Technology; Arnie Solis for Saba Cardava Food Processing and Preservation; and Reymark Marcos for Poultry and Livestock By-Product Handicraft; Christian Clyde Ching for Extemporaneous Speaking; Rizza Earl Beverly T. Angeles for 4-H Quiz Bee; Jun John Cosgafa for Canvas Painting and Beverly Fuentes for OPM Vocal Solo. Among those who graced the event were respective mayors of winning municipalities who received the awards, namely, Hon. Ireneo Q. Glepa of Molave, Hon. Lorna S. Espina of Mahayag and Hon. Liwaya Angcap Paras of Midsalip, all of Zamboanga del Sur. Also present were Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager, Ralph S. Hamoy; Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Chairman Rodolfo Iglesias; Provincial/City/Muncipal Agriculturists and Veterinarians, Farmers/Fisherfolk’s Organization members, Rural Improvement Club members and 4-H Club members regionwide. (MDaguro, DA IX)

DA salutes

agricultural achievers

RDC IX Resolutions Passed

http://www.nro9.neda.gov.ph

IX-46-14: A Resolution Approving the Agenda of the 147th Regional Development Council (RDC ) IX Meeting

IX-47-14: A Resolution Approving the Highlights of the 146th Regular Meeting of Regional Development Council IX

IX-48-14: A Resolution Accepting the CY 2013 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Report

IX-49-14: A Resolution Approving the CY 2013 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Report and Scorecards

IX-50-14: A Resolution Accepting the Report of the Economic Development Committee (EDCom)

IX-51-14: A Resolution Confirming and Endorsing to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the FY 2015 Budget Proposal of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport

IX-52-14: A Resolution Endorsing the Proposed Construction of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport International Cargo Terminal (ZICT) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

IX-53-14: A Resolution Requesting the Department of Justice to Effect the Relocation of San Ramon Penal and Prison Farm (SRPPF) to Upper Curuan, Zamboanga City and to Appropriate Funds Therefor

IX-54-14: A Resolution Requesting the Concerned Entities to Study the Issues Arising from the Joint Venture Agreement Between the Zamboanga City Water District and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation on Bulk Water Supply

IX-55-14: A Resolution Endorsing to the Office of Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization the Urgent Request to Allocate Funds to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) IX for the Control of Scale Insect Infestation in the City of Isabela

IX-56-14: A Resolution Accepting the Report of the Infrastructure Development Committee (InfraCom)

IX-57-14: A Resolution Requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) IX to Assist in the Sourcing of Funds for the Rehabilitation of Carlos P. Garcia Street in the City of Isabela

IX-58-14: A Resolution Expressing Heartfelt Gratitude to Hon. Cherrylyn S. Akbar and the City of Isabela for Graciously Hosting the 147th RDC IX Meeting

147th Regular Meeting on June 5, 2014 at Claret College of Isabela, City of Isabela, Basilan