one mindanao - august 11, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

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

COPY EDITORS

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

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

LAYOUT ARTISTS

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

Western

NorthernSouthern

Fun Walk for Mother Nature slated on August 18

Private sector partners commit mentoring time at Negosyo Center in Surigao

PopCom Caraga awards LGUs, local execs

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Passion and Compassion: Bimbo’s #PARASAKABATAAN, #PARASABAYAN mission

2016 legacy budget to sustain inclusive development—DBM

DSWD provides cash grant to 997 senior citizens in Davao Sur town

Iligan city reactivates Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils

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By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: DTI-XIII

By: Lorry V. Gabule

Cover Story

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By Daisy Jane M. Apit

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35 OUR COVER

By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

C o n t e n t s

DavOr, Surigao Sur partner to boost tourism

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By: Perlita C. Changco

Caraga

SOCCSKSARGEN

National INFOCus

Western

NorthernSouthern SOCCSKSARGEN

National INFOCus

DOH, stakeholders partner to bridge health programs in region 10 49

POPCOM XII pursues family planning and responsible parenthood campaign

By: Karen Lou Deloso

2014 Rafael M. Salas and Development Awardees regional winners namedBy: Jasper Marie O. Rucat

4 August 11, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

5August 11, 2015 One Mindanao

Passion and Compassion: Bimbo’s #PARASAKABATAAN, #PARASABAYAN mission By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Born with a sympathetic fondness of reaching out to the needy, John Oliver M. Tablazon, whom is known to his friends as Bimbo, at his best, strives hard to be of service to the youth and to the country as a whole. Thus, #PARASAKABATAAN and #PARASABAYAN battlecry were conceptualized to stress the drive towards making a difference.

A registered nurse by profession and now currently working under the Special Project on Education of the Office of the Governor in Sarangani, Bimbo’s volunteer works center on helping tribes in their struggle against malnutrition, uneducation and poverty to sum it up.

Among his notable accomplishments in the area of volunteerism is the construction of a makeshift dormitory or the Bahay Tuluyan Project implemented in Malkahi Elementary School in Malapatan town addressing the need of the Lumad children for a temporary shelter while they are attending school on weekdays.

CDrossing 14 rivers and trekking hilly terrains do not impede him to continue the journey of helping the unprivileged and underserved masses, particularly

the Lumads in the mountains of Malapatan, Sarangani province. Much more, him, being a volunteer, works heartily without asking anything in return.


Bimbo and the Bahay Tuluyan Project

Bimbo, being the president of the Hearts and Brains Youth Volunteers (HABYV) in the areas of Sarangani and General Santos City, pushed the implementation of the Bahay Tuluyan Project in effecting at least basic education in the area. Recipients of the project are tribe children who endures kilometric course before learning how to read and write or worse, memorizing their ABCs.

Going to school everyday is a big challenge for the children as they need to cross rivers and pass hills, not to mention the danger they encounter during rainy days. With the 14 to 20- kilometer walk, children sometimes lacks the interest of studying and worse, they tend to stop schooling.

The makeshift dorm was built on May last year through bayanihan or ‘food- for- work system. The dorm which is made of light indigenous materials now


houses 20 to 35 children. With the Bahay Tuluyan Project, IP children can now continue weaving their dreams of finishing school and become productive citizens.

The volunteer and his other volunteer worksFor years, Bimbo is able to lead a number of youth volunteers who actively work together in making the HABYV an avenue of true servanthood. Aside from the implementation of the Bahay Tuluyan project, among the

noteworthy volunteer works of Bimbo and his team center on projects for education, health and environment.

On education, aside from distribution of school bags and school supplies, the team conducts literacy and numeracy sessions to IP children. On health, one of HABYV’s notable achievements is their assistance to the construction of a potable water system and improvised community toilet for the tribesmen in the highlands of


Malapatan. Also, the group is dedicated on the conduct of medical mission, child feeding and backyard gardening. Moreover, it provides medical assistance to the poor and implements the Walking Blood Databank program enabling patients to have easy access to blood donors. On environment, the youth volunteer organization joins tree planting activities.

These volunteer works are realized through linkages and partnerships with some government line agencies, non- government organizations, academe and private individuals among others.

A selfless volunteer and a humble awardee

Plant and you will reap. In every good deed that has been sown comes a fruit wrapped in a shining and shimmering coat.

Heading different volunteer activities, Bimbo raked different awards and recognitions not only for him but also for the volunteer organization he is managing. In 2012, the HABYV is among the awardees of the Smart PAYITFWD Community Project while in 2014, the group was a finalist to the General Santos City Youth Achievers Award- Group Category and was recognized and featured under the Philippine Star’s 28 Stories of Giving. Also, on the same year, HABYV was one of the finalists to the 2014 Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines.

On the other hand, through Bimbo’s volunteer works, he is designated as the current youth representative of the Regional Juvenile Justice


and Welfare Committee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 12 and a member of the Youth on Disaster Risk Reduction of the VISMIN team. Also, he became a delegate to the 9th National Youth Parliament of the National Youth Commission and now, the Philippine youth ambassador to the 42nd Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program.

With these awards and recognitions, Bimbo still believes

that the greatest prize of his efforts is seeing the smiles of the people especially the children, whom he helps.

JOT’s Passion and Compassion John Oliver Tablazon’s life is an open book. It’s like a series with chapters not yet published. This is because his volunteer works are not yet through. The present situation of the tribesmen not only in Malapatan town but also in different areas


of the country serves as his inspiration to widen the horizon of making the light lighter and the good better.

Despite the hardships, JOT believes that volunteerism will in one way or another, bear fruits as sweet as success. When asked why he loves doing volunteer works, the true-blue volunteer answered that it is because there are places which are in need of development workers. Further, through volunteerism, he wants

to prove that something can be achieved without receiving anything in exchange.

No mountain is high enough and no river is deep enough when you have the heart to extending a helping hand. Like any other volunteers, Bimbo’s good heart is burning with passion to volunteerism and compassion to those poverty-stricken as he continues to go out, take action and accomplish more.


Special children from DSWD center win bronze in Special Olympics World Games

MANILA- Four residents of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) brought joy and pride to the country after excelling in their respective sports, bagging bronze medals at the Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles, California, USA, from July 25 to August 2.


EGV is a residential care facility located in Muntinlupa City managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) for mentally challenged persons. It provides care and rehabilitation to abandoned and neglected children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism, and other related illnesses.

DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman commended Catherine Uy, Michael Jordan, Ryan Ilaya, and Arjay Gala for their accomplishments. She said these children should serve as inspiration for others as they have proven that through determination and confidence, children with special needs can also excel.

“These children have shown to the world what they can do. We recognize their capabilities and skills, and we will continue to support their endeavors,” Soliman said.

Catherine was 5th place in bowling among eight countries while Michael bagged the bronze medal in the 400 Meter Run. Ryan and Arjay got bronze medals after winning over American Samoa in Unified Team, Football 5-A


Side competitions.

The Special Olympics World Games aim to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adult with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. They also got to participate in a sharing of gifts,

skills, and friendship with their families, as well as with other Special Olympic athletes, and the community. The 2015 Games featured competitions in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, football (or soccer), and many other summer sports involving 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world. (DSWD)

Photo credit: asianjournal.com


2016 legacy budget to sustain inclusive development—DBM

MANILA—As the final budget to be submitted by the Aquino Administration, the P3.002-trillion proposed 2016 budget will broaden inclusive development even as it strengthens agency spending for stronger citizen participation and consolidate the reforms implemented in the past five years, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Monday.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad made the statement prior to the presentation of the proposed 2016 budget to the Development

Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) at the House of Representatives.

“In line with President


Aquino’s last budget message, this blueprint of the administration’s 2016 budget will reinforce and sustain the foundation of our country’s inclusive development. The success of our previous budgetary reforms, have already helped us turn public expenditure into something that is more transparent, accountable, and participatory. With the budget increase for the coming year, we’re concentrating on widening the reach of the people’s budget to address more of the public needs,” Abad said.

Furthermore, it was stated that the government is helping agencies make optimal use of their allocations through reform measures adopted in previous budgets, as well as, new ones for this proposed budget.

“Later on, we plan to legislate these measures with the help of Congress so that they become the cornerstone of public expenditure of

succeeding administrations,” Abad added.”

Some of the budgetary reforms implemented in the past years include the General Appropriations Act-as-Release-Document (GAARD) regime, the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB), the Performance-Informed Budgeting (PIB), and the installation of the Unified Accounts Code Structure (UACS).

New reforms in the 2016 budget include the transformation


of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the lead construction agency of the government, the further reduction of Special Purpose Funds (SPFs) in magnitude, allowing performance-based downloading of funds to local governments, the Two-Tier Budgeting, and the Program Expenditure Classification (PREXC).

Next year’s proposed budget is higher than this year’s budget due to the National Government’s being able to avail of more resources because of reform measures.

This budget is 15.2% more than the P2.606-trillion 2015 enacted budget, and double the administration’s P1.541-trillion budget in 2010.

To secure the goals of sustained inclusive development, the 2016 budget will support the following government programs,

among others: good governance and anti-corruption measures to create a better environment to attract investments and quality jobs; making growth inclusive by raising the quality of Filipino workers; and creating more, better jobs and livelihood to sustain the growth momentum.

It also includes managing disaster risks in order to prevent the loss of lives, properties, and livelihood; and establishing an enabling environment of just and lasting peace via the promotion and implementation of peace agreements, as well as the modernization of the military and the police.

“Following the 2016 Budget Priorities Framework, this proposed budget will help us attend to the needs of 44 of our poorest and most climate-vulnerable provinces. We believe a budget that is responsive to the needs of our people is a budget that truly empowers,” Abad said.


DOLE inaugurates PHP2.04-M venture for displaced GenSan fishermen, workers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Four months after receiving a PHP2.04 million livelihood grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a group of displaced fishermen and workers here are now ready to embark on their own fishing enterprise. Members of the 148-strong United Workers of Citra Mina Group of Companies Union (UWCMGCU) completed over the weekend the construction of three mother boats and several “pakura” or small boats that will

be used for its planned tuna hand line fishing venture.

The union, which is a beneficiary of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), is

Photo credit: asiancorrespondent.com


composed of retrenched workers of tuna producer Citra Mina and former crew members of fishing boats that it commissioned for fishing operations.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and top DOLE officials led on Monday the inauguration of the project and the blessing of the newly-completed fishing boats at the Passionate Retreat Center in Labo Beach, Barangay Bawing here.

“We have come full circle towards ensuring your future.

Last March 10, I joined you when I awarded the PHP2.04 million grant for your project. Today, we see each other again to see your hand line fishing project moving forward,” Baldoz told members

of the group.

She recalled that her first meeting with the displaced fishermen was clouded by tension and conflict but the second meeting was very much different.

“We meet today in a more hopeful and celebratory mood because this livelihood project is the reward for your trials, a victory over past tests brought by your sad experience with the Citra Mina Group of Companies,” she said.

Baldoz was referring to the retrenchment of UWCMGCU members from Citra Mina two

years ago after their union was organized.

The company figured in another controversy after 43 crew members of a fishing operation that it financed was apprehended and jailed in Indonesia in August last year due to illegal fishing.

The fishermen, who accused


the company of abandonment, were repatriated last February through the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs, DOLE and the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)-Sentro.

The case is currently undergoing mediation under the single-entry approach handled by DOLE Region 12.

Romulo Dumalag Jr., union chair, expressed gratefulness to DOLE for intervening in their situation and providing the livelihood assistance through the DILEEP.

He said they will make sure that the project will become sustainable and benefit other

workers as well. As tribute to DOLE officials, the f i s h e r m e n named its three mother boats F/B Q u e e n R o s a l i n d a , F/B Queen Rebecca, and F/B Queen Ofelia.

They specifically refer to the Labor Secretary, Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato and DOLE Region 12 director Ofelia Domingo.

Joshua Mata, APL-Sentro secretary general, said they will assist the beneficiaries to ensure that their planned venture will become successful.

DOLE earlier tapped APL-Soccsksargen as accredited co-partner for the implementation of the tuna handline fishing project.

Hand line fishing uses the traditional hook and line method and is considered one of the best means to catch large tuna and other big fishes.


The method is considered as ecology-friendly as hand line fishers catch only mature fish, thus protecting the marine resource environment.

Citing the scheme adopted by the beneficiaries, Mata said the three mother boats will carry or tow the “pakura” or small boats that will serve as auxiliary boats in catching tuna.

The fishermen’s catches will be delivered to tuna canneries based in the city, processors and exporters as well the local markets, he said.

“The fishing boats will not just be for livelihood. The concept was for these boats to also serve as training boats so that many more fishermen will benefit from the project,” he said.

The beneficiaries project to earn gross sales of PHP1 million for every fishing trip of one to two months that will be shared under a socialized system.

The fishermen’s share in the project’s income will automatically reflect deductions for the Social Security System, Philippine health Insurance

Corporation and Pag-Ibig premium payments.

Baldoz assured the fishermen that the agency will continue to support the project through technical assistance on business management, productivity and innovation, and occupational safety and health.

She said they will monitor and coordinate with their convergence partners for additional assistance to the beneficiaries.

DOLE’s convergence partners are the Department of Trade and Industry for marketing and packaging; Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Science and Technology and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training, certification and assessment; and, local government units through the Department of Interior and Local Government for local concerns.

Baldoz said the memorandum of agreement that it had signed with their partner-agencies on technology-based


Facilitated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) here, the provision of the cash assistance

usually takes place on the second week of the month. This time, the 22 barangays are divided into three groups to

and resource-based sustainable livelihood will help make the project easier to manage for the beneficiaries.

She urged the fishermen to

continually work and cooperate with DOLE Region 12. “I want you to be a model in sustainable livelihood development in the fishing industry here,” she added.(PNA)

DSWD provides cash grant to 997 senior citizens in Davao Sur townBy: Anthony S. Allada

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has continued to provide a monthly cash grant to 997 Social Pension beneficiaries in the municipality.


avoid overcrowding at the MSWD office.

“The pensioners coming from the first seven barangays – Dalawinon, Kanapolo, Kasuga, Mabini, New Opon, Upper Bala, and Blocon -- are advised to come on August 11 while the schedule for the other seven barangays will be on August 12 and the remaining six barangays will be on August 13,” Zaldy Bueno, Senior Citizen focal person said.

Social Pension is a government program that provides Php500-monthly stipend to indigent senior citizens aged 77 years old and above.

The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), also known

as “Listahanan,” is an information management system that the government uses in identifying who and where the poor are.

The NHTS-PR aims to address poverty through a scientific and target-focused strategy.

Identification of social pensioners was based on the Listahanan database and listing submitted by the Local Social Welfare Officers, and the Federation of Senior Citizens in the various localities.

The Social Pension for indigent senior citizens is one of the provisions under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. (PNA)


NIA administrator visits two major projects in Caraga By: Jane B. Huqueriza

BUTUAN CITY – National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Engr. Florencio F. Padernal recently visited two major projects in the region.

Padernal along with Administrative Department Manager Atty. Ailyne C. Agtuca-Selda and Acting NIA-Caraga Regional Manager C’zar M. Sulaik visited Kitcharao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (KSRIP) - a P495 million project, which was programmed to restore 261.90 hectares to five Communal Irrigation Systems and irrigate 218.52 hectares new area


to benefit 280 farmers of the five barangays of the municipality, the first of its kind in NIA-Caraga. Mamkas River is the main source of water, it was learned. Aside from providing irrigation water, the project is projected to boost tourism in the locality. Administrator Padernal, in speaking to the Irrigators Association (IA) leaders, emphasized that “We should avoid cutting of trees to protect the environment and maintain watershed in the area.” The leaders expressed their gratitude to him for making

their dream come true. KSRIP is scheduled to be inaugurated in September of this year, according to the resident engineer, Engr. LuisitoL. Cadelińa. The group also proceeded to Umayam River Irrigation Project (URIP) in the municipality of Loreto in Agusan del Sur, where they were welcomed by Project Manager Gregorio Y. Fang, Jr. The administrator wanted to see that the agreed commitments of the contractor during the Administrator’s visit last March 4, 2015 have been implemented. The 1.4B project targets to


irrigate 6,729 hectares to provide sustainable development and increase agricultural production to 2,125 farming household. URIP draws water from Umayam River where the dam is located at Brgy. Waloe in Loreto. The administrator’s series of visit in URIP indicates that the project was closely monitored to make sure that only quality services will be given to its beneficiaries. The group also visited Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto and informed him of the status of the on-going project. The

group was overwhelmed by the support given by the LGU as they provide security in the project site to ensure the safety in the area. Mayor Otaza said that “He will give 100 percent support to the project as it will benefit his constituents and improve their living condition.” The on-site visit is a gesture that shows the seriousness of the management to fulfill its objective to deliver the kind of services the agency envisions for the country’s development especially to the agriculture sector.


BUTUAN CITY– The Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga recently awarded exemplary local government units, local chief executives and institutions that have contributed in the field of population and development in the region.

PopCom Caraga awards LGUs, local execsBy: Daisy Jane M. Apit

Dubbed as Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award (RMSPDA), which was designed to perpetuate the legacy of Salas, the recognition also aims to heighten support and participation among government, non-government officials, individuals, or institutions in the implementation of the population management program.

The ceremonial recognition honored Butuan City for RMSPDA: city category and the municipality of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur for RMSPDA: municipality category for their active implementations of the mentioned programs. Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. with other City PopCom officers and Cantilan municipal health officer Dr.


Tomas Cruiz with health officers received a plaque of recognition and a P50,000 check awarded by PopCom regional director Alexander Makinano and DOH regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr. Both LGU executives thanked the PopCom for acknowledging their efforts in population and development. They also promised that they will do better to make their constituents happy

and to be inspiration to other LGUs to strive more in program implementations. Furthermore, the winning LGU representatives signed a memorandum of agreement with Dir. Makinano witnessed by Dir. Llacuna for further implementation of population, health management and development programs in their respective areas.


The commitment was the highlight of MSMEDC chair and Surigao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Concepcion Paqueo’s message on the occasion of the blessing and launching last July

23 of the second Negosyo Center in the province of Surigao del Norte. Paqueo also asked other private sector partners to help and lend their support. The center is located beside

Private sector partners commit mentoring time at Negosyo Center in Surigao City By: DTI-13

SURIGAO CITY - The chair of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) said she and the other members are volunteering to be mentors and consellors at the Negosyo Center (NC) here.


the Department of Trade and Industry Surigao del Norte Provincial (DTI-SdN) Office at the Simtoco Business Center. DTI-SdN provincial director Celestino Negapatan clarified that the NC is not DTI. “We are just the secretariat of the MSMED Council which is steering the operations of the Negsoyo Center.” The approach according to Negapatan is to support aggressively the start-ups because they can provide more job opportunities. Existing enterprises, he added will be assisted to address the need for sustainability. The local government unit representatives extended their congratulations and well wishes to all stakeholders. Surigao City Vice Mayor Danilo C. Menor who represented City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas said the city government is supporting fully the Negosyo Center. In fact, the 2016 proposed Negosyo Center bottom-up budgeting (BuB) proposed funding may be used to actualized this support. Edwin Ausa, Assistant Department Head of the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development & Management

Office (PEEDMO) who represented Provincial Governor Sol F. Matugas echoed the city’s backing of the center. PEEDMO is also running the Negosyo Center-Surigao del Norte located at the provincial capitol complex. It was inaugurated on May 15 with the presence of the Go Negosyo Act or Republic Act 10644 author Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. Ausa said that he is sure the new center is also going to “serve (the public) beyond the usual.” DTI-Caraga regional director Brielgo Pagaran, in his message read by the Regional NC Coordinator Brenda Corvera thanked the local DTI and the MSMED Council for their efforts to give the region its 5th Negosyo Center. The region is committing to establish eight NCs for 2015. With the recent launching, accomplishment is already 63 percent with still five months away from the end of the year. He, however emphasized that “we can only say mission accomplished when the aims of the Negosyo Center are pursued and achieved, i.e., when our clients are provided facilitation and assistance in business registration, financing, business


mentorship, market placements and other demanded services.” Pagaran is also banking on the synergies that will come from the coordination and collaboration arrangements that will be firmed up with the two centers located in the city for the benefit of Surigao del Norte

and Surigao City’s micro small and medium enterprises. The launching was also attended by members of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MSMEs, representatives from the academe and national government agencies.


DOH to immunize 4-M schoolchildren nationwide by Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - The Department of Health (DOH) has targeted to immunize 4 million students in public elementary schools nationwide with measles, rubella (German measles), tetanus and diphtheria (Td) this month.

The school-based immunization or vaccination of school-aged

children is one of the programs of the DOH to protect the health of the students and


eliminate different contagious diseases which can be deadly if not prevented. Dubbed “Bakuna para sa Kabataan, Proteksiyon sa Kinabukasan,” it is a collaboration of the DOH, Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) wherein students from Grade I, IV and VII will receive free vaccines which are safe and effective as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a recent media forum, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rolando A. Olmoguez said only children with consent forms from their parents or guardian are allowed to have the vaccines.

About 2.4 million Grade I children (boys and girls) and 1.6 million Grade VII pupils (boys and girls) will be immunized this August while 327,444 Grade IV girls (9-13 years old) in 20 priority poorest provinces will be given human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, to include Zamboanga del Sur in Region 9. This will protect the adolescents living in the marginalized provinces from cervical cancer. The DOH goal for immunization coverage is to reach 95% of children across the country, believing that the future belongs to the children and they deserve the best quality of life the government can offer.

PAGADIAN CITY – The Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMSURECO-I) will hold a Fun Walk for Mother Nature 2015 on August 18 in the towns of Mahayag and Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.

Fun Walk for Mother Nature slated on August 18

By Gideon C. Corgue


ZAMSURECO-I General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Jose Raul A. Saniel said the event is one of the lined-up activities to drum up the 43rd Foundation Anniversary of the electric cooperative on August 25 with the theme “ZAMSURECO-I @43: Good Governance + Commitment + Teamwork+ Innovation=Excellence.” Saniel said the Fun Walk for Mother Nature, dubbed “Baklay Para sa Kinaiyahan,” seeks to raise the level of public awareness and support for our Mother Nature, promote healthy and active lifestyle, to build a sense of camaraderie through walking, and to sustain and strengthen the unity and friendship of ZAMSURECO-I employees, board of directors, stakeholders, and member-consumers/stakeholders. The participants are classified based on the following categories, to wit: class A, composed of ZAMSURECO-I officers, employees and board of directors, and class B, composed of member-consumers/MSEACs.

Saniel said the event will commence at ZAMSURECO-I Bayad Center in Mahayag to Molave Bayad Center in Barangay Culo, Molave. Participants shall begin their fun walk at exactly 6:00 a.m. in Mahayag, ZDS and end at ZAMSURECO-I action and collection center (ZACC) office, National Highway, Barangay Culo, Molave, ZDS. For the employee participants, they must go to their respective area office and perform chants and yells, Saniel explained. Saniel said that during the event, each area must have a team banner using eco-friendly/indigenous materials bearing a slogan for the team slogan contest and such banner shall be posted at the ZAMSURECO-I office in Molave, prior to the start of the fun walk. Saniel also announced that prizes and special awards will be given to the winners for “Best team slogan and Best slogan (individual category).”


Award-winning Davao Sur PESO to hold career advocacy summit

DavSur awarded most com-petitive province

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur– The Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of the local government here, awarded last year as the Best PESO of the Year in Davao region, is set to hold its first ca-reer advocacy summit on August 17, 2015. Leonile Escarpe, who also received the Best PESO Manager award on the same year, said that the “1stCareer Advocacy Summit” is actually the last day of the weeklong celebration of the Career Guidance and Advocacy Week, which has been celebrated every August of the year. Escarpe said some 700 fourth year students from the seven public and private high schools in the municipality will gather to share thoughts and views on the importance of Ca-reer Guidance Advocacy Program of the national government.

He said the LGU-PESO was instituted to serve as linkage to all public and private schools in the pro-motion and advocacy of career guidance program and to help generate em-ployment opportunities. Escarpe said that the local government has also acknowledged the vital role of the private sector, especially cooperatives, associations, non-govern-ment organizations and business establishments, in the realization of the career guidance advo-cacy program by way of supporting any initiative or activity that may take place here in this munici-pality. “The PESO-Magsay-say organized the Career Advocates of Magsaysay, whose members repre-sent the public and pri-vate schools in this mu-nicipality, to strengthen the implementation of the Career Guidance Advoca-cy Program,” he said.


DavOr, Surigao Sur partner to boost tourism

DAVAO ORIENTAL, August 10, 2015 – Several months after set-tling boundary disputes, the neighboring provinces of Davao Oriental and Surigao del Sur are now seeking to ‘break the borders’ as they bid to enhance bilateral cooperation that would boost both their tourism sector. Sharing the same tourism high-way called Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur Highway Tourism Belt, officials of both provinces believe that by adopt-ing common actions and by comple-menting each other’s efforts and re-sources, the aim for tourism growth and competitiveness for both areas can easily be pushed. Surigao del Sur Vice Governor Manuel O. Alameda, Sr. said that link-ing both provinces can be a great ad-vantage, particularly in widespread

promotion, which the two provinces are progressively working on. Davao Oriental Governor Cora-zon N. Malanyaon expressed her sup-port to the proposed linking strategy, saying that both provinces should be-come united in efforts of establishing this tourism corridor. She pinpointed both territories’ unique attractions as well as the good connectivity as ad-ditional advantages to this joint en-deavor. With Surigao del Sur taking the first move on this linking strategy, its officials had crafted a resolution for the creation of the Davao Oriental –Surigao del Sur Tourism Highway. They listed several potential strate-gies and schemes that can be adopt-ed by both provinces, thus, serving mutual interests. These include submitting a re quest to the Department of Tour-

He said one of the highlights of the summit is the search of best-dressed student representing his own school wearing the costume of his or her chosen career and he will be giv-en time to explain orally. Escarpe said another equally important event during the summit is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the local government, career advocates and partner-cooperatives and as-

sociations to bind their partnership. (CDIO-Magsaysay/Anthony S. Allada)


ism to officially establish this tour-ism highway and tofacilitateexten-sive promotional efforts through the conduct of exhibits and production of promotional materials. The proposal also entails requesting the Depart-ment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the establishment of rest areas along the national highway be-tween the two provinces, production of road signage detailing distances of tourist destinations, and street light-ing along the highway. “Through the integration of our tourist destination, we can entice more tourists to stay longer in both provinces and provide a wide variety of attractions for them to see,” said Surigaodel Sur Board Member Conrad Cejoco. While both government units are bounded by law to limit expen-diture, Surigaodel Sur officials urge their counterparts in Davao Oriental to also pass a similar resolution which would tap and secure funding support from national agencies, particularly the Tourism Infrastructure and Enter-prise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for pos-sible tourism infrastructures for both areas. Gov. Malanyaon, also noted ‘the need to start right with our develop-ment’. She emphasized setting the standards to attract the private sector to invest, thus, increasing economic enterprise of the provinces. “While we want to continue to attract more visitors, we need our provinces to create a kind of development that our people can truly patronize and at the same time continue to provide a good experience for the growing numbers

of tourists.” Anchored to this belief, the pro-vincial government of Davao Oriental initiates development of eco-tourism sites and parks, setting the founda-tion for world-class development standards of tourism-related projects. These include Subangan Pro-vincial Museum in Mati City, Pintata-gan Welcome Park and Dalansa Cruz Shrine in Banay-banay, Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park and Riverview Park in Cateel, Sunrise Boulevard in Bagan-ga, Pacific View Park in Boston, Mt. Hamiguitan Eco-Park in San Isidro, Pusan Point in Caraga, and Cape San Agustin Eco Park in Governor Genero-so. In March 2015, the neighboring provinces of Davao Oriental and Su-rigao del Sur had signed a ‘Compro-mise Agreement’ signifying the clo-sure of the long standing boundary dispute involving some barangays on the borders of the two provinces. The inking of this agreement was led by Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon and Surigaodel Sur Governor Johnny Pimentelheld in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. (By Karen Lou Deloso/ PIO Davao Oriental)


TOG-10, PAF plant thousands of assorted treesCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some 6,575 assorted seedlings were planted by the Tactical Operations Group, Northern Mindanao, Philippine Air Force (PAF), based in Barangay Lumbia, this city, on separate occasions in 2014 and 2015.

by Tactical Operations Group

These seedlings were planted to help preserve Mother Earth and cushion the immediate effect of global warming as well as sustain TOG-10’s community relations among the populace in our area of responsibility (AOR), Lt. Col. Leo A. Fontanilla, Group Commander, said. Meanwhile, he said TOG-10 has conducted at least six mangrove/tree planting activities in cooperation with the Alternative Learning


School (ALS), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), region 10. This was also done in cooperation with the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) and the members of the Barangay

Councils of Bayanga, Balulang, Bonbon, Tablon, Indahag and Bayabas, this city. On the other hand, TOG-10 has also participated in the recent clean-up drives of Barangays Gusa and Cugman, two (2) of the city’s coastal barangays, Fontanilla added.

Iligan city reactivates Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils

ILIGAN CITY -- The local government unit of Iligan revitalized in 28 barangays its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs), through an oath taking of its officers and members during the scheduled People’s Day at their respective barangays.

by Lorry V. Gabule

The reactivation of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs ) is pursuant to Joint Regional Development Council- Region 10 with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular NO. 2012 – 94 with the subject Strengthening The City, Municipal and Barangay Anti – Drug Abuse Councils. The Iligan City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ICADAC), along

with the respective barangays, this city, started the reactivation last February 2015, with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). BADAC as part of ICADAC program continues to support the task and functions of DILG and PNP on its program of reactivation. In a report presented during the reconstitution of ICADAC


in July this year, with now City Acting Mayor of Iligan Ruderic Marzo as ICADAC chairman, the Council has presented that those remaining barangays, out of 44 barangays of Iligan, were not visited especially the hinterlands due to transportation and road concerns/problem. But there’s an agreement with the PNP to meet them during their Barangay Monthly Meeting for scheduling of visit. In the coastal area, the ICADAC is still waiting for the barangays’ response to the said memorandum circular on reactivation. Meanwhile, ICADAC has coordinated with the following local and national agencies government in all their activities with regard to their functions in the Council wherein: PNP Iligan or the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) takes charged on the apprehension, custody and transport of drug dependents scheduled for admission to drug rehabilitation centers; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Iligan handles for the transfer of arrested persons guilty of using prohibited drugs and sentenced to six months in-house treatment to rehab centers; City Legal Office for the preparation of legal documents;

and the Department of Justice, Iligan City, for the processing & issuances of Court Orders for admission to drug rehabilitation centers. Furthermore, the City Health Office for the laboratory requirements of patients, drug dependency examination of drug dependents by Psychiatrist Dr. Ray P. Sagge; City Social Welfare and Development Office for the preparation of social case study reports of indigent clients; City Assessor’s Office for the preparation of certification of real properties for indigency purposes; PNP Crime Laboratory for drug testing; private laboratories for the needed medical examinations required by rehab centers; Drug Rehabilitation Centers who accommodated Iligan’s patients; and the barangays in Iligan City for assisting/helping their constituents who have drug abuse problems, the use of their barangay vehicle for the transport of drug dependents to rehabilitation center. The barangay has a great role in maintaining their community to be drug-free and safe to live in. The Reconstitution of the ICADAC this July is through Executive Order No. 43, series


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) region 10 together with Xavier University Governance Leadership Institute (XU-GLI) and Zuellig Family Foundation through a joint Municipal Leadership and Governance Program (MLGP), held a colloquium on 30 July 2015 with chief executive officers of municipalities of region 10 and their corresponding health officers to discuss their journey to better health outcomes in their respective areas.

DOH, stakeholders partner to bridge health programs in region 10

MLGP which started in November 2013 have since provided trainings and lecture to municipal mayors and their

municipal health officers to determine health issues and seek solutions to these issues in their areas. Further, it aims to develop

of 2015, with Acting City Mayor Ruderic C. Marzo, as over-all chairman, with City Councilor Bayani C. Areola, as vice chairman on Preventive and Preemptive, and OIC-City Director of ICPO PSSupt Raul A. Benetiz, as vice chairman on Overt/Covert, and City Director Emilio Rana, representing DILG, while Glenn A. Quijoy holds the position as ICADAC action officer. The logistics is taken-cared of by the City Budget Office, and the ICADAC secretary is from the

City Information Office. Acting City Mayor Ruderic C. Marzo, encourages all barangay captains present during the reconstitution, to act on the reactivation of BADAC at their level as mandated by DILG. ICADAC is composed of six committees, which include Law Enforcement, People Empowerment, Information and Media Promotion, Drug Abuse Preventive Education, Alternatives, and the Treatment and Rehabilitation.

by Jasper Marie O. Rucat


local health leaders to be health advocates. Mayor Romeo Tiongco of Damulog Bukidnon, one of the recipients of this program said during the event that health is one of his priorities and that he really hopes for zero maternal deaths in his town. He said that he has observed that Filipinos have poor health seeking behaviour. One is that people don’t go to doctors or hospitals; some against their culture and still some don’t have money. He said that one of his steps after the going through the program is to move health boards to barangay level by creating barangay health board. He also pushes to maintain and promote well-being and learned how to plan. Meanwhile, Mayor Nelieta Q. Noval of Tubod, Lanao del Norte said that now she is really encouraging birthing at health centers and not in the house. In 2014, they had one maternal death but in 2015, so far there is zero maternal death. Although they are advocating for this, some residents who live in remotest barangay still rely on birthing at home. But now she says that a week before birth, pregnant women are advised to

head to the health center and the LGU will provide free food for the duration. The colloquium had two parts with a panel discussion. This involved eight towns with their mayors and health officers particularly Damulog, Bukidnon, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Plaridel Misamis Occidental, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, Linamon Lanao del Norte, Malitbog Bukidnon, Jimenez Misamis Occidental, and Kibawe Bukidnon. The panel discussion was headed by Dixon Q. Yasay, PhD, Director, XU-GLI, with Arlene Gella, Vice-President, Zuellig Family Foundation and Dr. Nemesio T. Gako, Undersecretary of Health, DOH. According to Dr. Aristides Tan, past DOH regional director that this is an opportune time where leaders will show what they have done, programs initiated or projects expanded to showcase to other municipalities. Meanwhile current DOH regional director Nimfa Torrizo said that this is co-ownership, not just limited with provider, DOH with LGU. As her first time in region 10, she looks forward for strong collaboration between DOH and LGUs.


Children’s rights, protection remain NorthCot LGU’s priorityBy:Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Aug. 11 - Upholding the rights of children and their protection still stands among the top priorities of the provincial gov-ernment.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza assures that children as well as the youth in the prov-ince will be given exact attention intended in molding them into better citizens of the future.

With this, the provincial government re-cently hold an activity to review and assess the Child and Youth Welfare and Develop-ment Code of 2003.

“We want to determine what other impor-tant things we can do for our children with regards to the code,” Governor Mendoza stated.

The Pre-Summit Facilitators Training and Workshop for Child and Youth Code, primar-ily held a workshop orienting the technical working group of the Committee on Revisit-ing the Child and Youth Code of the Province of Cotabato, on the laws affecting the welfare and development of the children and youth. Further, the three-day activity conducted a team building and dry run for the


Child and Youth Summit slated sometime on September.

1st District Board Member Shirlyn Macasarte, focal person of the TWG noted that the activity is a good preparation for the pro-posed summit which is aimed at raising the level of understanding of the provincial government in responding to certain issues and concerns of children and youth.

Moreover, the participants of the summit will have the oppor-tunity to present their opinions and recommendations as to the provisions, programs and other pertinent stipulations of the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

It is of high importance that the province continues to pro-mote the welfare of children and

in doing so, enhancing all the op-portunities for them to become happy and productive individu-als,” said Macasarte.

Meanwhile, she emphasized the efforts of the provincial gov-ernment in promoting the the welfare and protection of chil-dren in the province.

She stated the firm advocacy of Governor Mendoza to uphold children’s rights anchored to the belief that children are impor-tant in the community and they are the future of nation. (/JSta.Cruz&RASotto- NorthCot Media Center/SJDuerme-PIA12)


POPCOM XII pursues family planning and responsible parenthood campaign

COTABATO CITY, August 11—Consistent with the national govern-ment’s thrust of improved quality of life of many Filipinos, the Com-mission on Population, Region XII (POPCOM XII) in collaboration with the provincial and city population offices and program partners continue a relentless information campaign to further raise the level of awareness focusing on the importance of family planning and re-sponsible parenthood.

By:Perlita C. Changco

In line with the celebration of Family Planning Month, the re-gional PopCom office is working closely with LGUs and program partners in the region to provide critical information on different family planning methods and re-sponsible parenthood through re-sponsible parenthood program, pre-marriage counseling semi-nars, family development ses-sions and other related programs and activities.

Based on the 2013 Nation De-mographic Health Survey, 15.6 percent of currently married wom-en in Region XII have unmet needs for family planning of which 7.6 percent need birth spacing while 8.0 percent need limiting births.

Further, 57.5 percent of women in the region have met needs for contraception, presently using a method.

Data indicated that 15.2 per-cent use contraception to delay next birth and 42.3 percent want to stop childbearing; 73 percent of women expressed satisfaction on the demand for family plan-ning intervention.

According 2013 NDHS, unmet needs for family planning refer to fecund women who are not using contraception but who wish or in-terested to postpone or delay the next birth (spacing) or stop (limit) childbearing altogether.

Anchored on the theme “Ang Pamilyang Pilipino: Kapag Plana-do, Panalo” RPO XII assures en-hanced partnerships and further strengthen program implemen-tation in addressing the unmet need for family planning and en-ables parents to deliberately and responsibly decide their desired


2014 Rafael M. Salas and Development Awardees regional winners named

family size based on informed choices based on their social and

economic capacity. (EVI-RPO XII/PBChangco-PIA XII)

COTABATO CITY, Aug. 11—Five local government units in Region XII and three in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been declared winners in the 2014 Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award in recognition for their contribution and support to government’s population and development program.

This year’s awardees in the city level category for Region XII in-clude the City of Koronadal as re-gional winner, Kidapawan City-second place and General Santos City-third.

Meanwhile Polomolok in South Cotabato, Isulan in Sultan Kudarat and Tupi in South Cotabato were named winners in the municipal-ity level.

In the ARMM, North Upi leads the list of awardees as the regional winner while Buluan and Sultan Kudarat towns in Maguindanao got the 2nd and third places.

The annual Rafael M. Salas Pop-ulation and Development Award seeks to showcase outstanding population and development (POP-DEV) oriented cities and munici-palities in recognition of the excel-lence and innovation in population and development initiatives.

It is intended encourage local government units particularly cities

and towns to heighten implemen-tation and delivery of population related services.

Criteria for said Award include governance on health and health financing; access to programs, services and facilities; and perfor-mance monitoring.

With POPCOM Executive Direc-tor Dr. Juan Perez III as keynote speaker, the regional awarding cer-emony will be held on Tuesday, Au-gust 11 at the FARM Garden Resort in Koronadala City.

The regional winners in both cat-egories will receive a cash prize of Fifty Thousand Pesos and Plaques of Recognition while all the regional nominees will be given special cita-tions.

All regional winners for both cat-egories will compete in the Nation-al Level Awards. (EVI-POPCOM XII/PBChangco-PIA Cotabato City)

one mindanao - august 11, 2015

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