one mindanao - february 12, 2016

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSDOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERSSEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

2 OFCs Agnor organized, trained in financial literacy

Cover Story

By: Jean Pearl Millones

today’s news

8 13 16

22 28 31

DSWD ready to assist sectors to be affected by El Niño

“Government internship is ‘game changer’ to young workers,” says DOLE-Zambo ChiefBy: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

Peace panels, mechanisms meet anew to forward Bangsamoro process

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DepEd brings out-of-school individuals back to learning thru Early Registration

2nd Mech security force remains vigilant in maintaining peace to LanaoNorte

Kids receives free dental care

30 DOLE 12, partners offer 3 job fairs until March 4

By: Aimee B. Sienes

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

By: Irene Joy B. Dayo

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Integration of DRR-CCA in NSTP OK’d

PSA Caraga sets CRVS Forum in Butuan

SOUTHERN

SOCCSKSARGEN CARAGA

INFOCUS NATIONAL WESTERN

NORTHERN

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Zambo communications group to partner with student volunteers for IDP dialoguesBy: By Felipe David G. Malcampo

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By: Danilo E.Doguiles

By: Renato A Doroteo

4 February 12, 2016One Mindanao

Cover Story

Consistent in the bid to provide its members with beneficial trainings and organizational development, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration - Caraga gave its member-OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers, their beneficiaries and families from the municipality of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, a back-to-back community organizing, financial literacy training and values orientation seminar on February 4 and 5.

5February 12, 2016 One Mindanao

By: Jean Pearl Millones

2 OFCs Agnor organized, trained in financial literacy

Consistent in the bid to provide its members with beneficial trainings and organizational development, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration - Caraga gave its member-OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers, their beneficiaries and families from the municipality of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, a back-to-back community organizing, financial literacy training and values orientation seminar on February 4 and 5.


The municipality of Magallanes is home to a number of member-OFWs. As such, two sets of OFW Family circles (OFCs) were formed to facilitate the needs of each member even more.

Organized on the first daywasthe SRP OFWs and Dependents Organization with members from the barangays of Poblacion and Sto. Rasario, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte.

The Programs and Services of the agency were thoroughly conveyed by Mr. Rodel P. Deligero, OWWO II, to the 30 members of the organization. The participants were also given ample time to raise their queries on the programs of the agency especially for education and scholarships.

Training on financial literacywas also carried out to aid the OFW families in becoming self-sustaining by giving tips on how to safeguard their earnings and introducing ways for it to grow. The group enthusiastically participated in the lecture as they could relate to the discussion.

“We are very happy to be shared with this information, it is something that we could apply in our daily lives”, said Ms. Cheryl M. Erro, wife of an OFW and a Barangay Kagawad in Poblacion, Magallanes.

Understanding that the different characteristics of the organization’s members might clash and hinder

their success, a Values Reorientation Seminar was also given to address the matter. This is also aimed to re-instill essential Filipino values, not just as an organization, but especially towards family and relationships.

The same set of trainings was likewise provided to the 28 members of Marnin OFW and Dependents Organization from the Brgy. Buhang, Sto. Niño and Marcos, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte.

Furthermore, the two organizations were assisted during the election of their officers.They were also encouraged to come up with desired training needs for their o rgan iza t iona l development.

7February 12, 2016 One Mindanao 7

One Mindanao8 February 12, 2016

DOLE steps up operation of ‘Assist WELL’ Centers for returning OFWs

MANILA -- Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz recently announced the setting up of a more cohesive and synchronized ‘Assist WELL’ Processing Centers in three Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) agencies and 17 regional offices in the country. The centers will provide an improved and comprehensive welfare, employment, legal, and livelihood (WELL) assistance to returning overseas Filipino

workers.

“The Assist Well Processing Center is led by a management committee that oversees and


ensures a well-coordinated and systematic delivery of assistance to returning or repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers. It operates during both emergency and normal times,” Baldoz said.

An added improvement in the delivery of Assist WELL program is the structuring of database for returning OFWs from the Middle East Region. The database shall serve as a record of the returning OFWs to speed up the processing of the assistance or services that they may choose or avail of.

The free services offered by the Center are stress debriefing or counselling by OWWA; local employment referral or job placement by DOLE Bureau of Local Employment; overseas employment referral or placement by POEA and its regional centers or extension offices; livelihood assistance by OWWA and NRCO; legal assistance or conciliation services by the POEA, DOLE regional offices, and the Regional

Coordinating Councils; and competency assessment and training assistance by TESDA.

At the National Capital Region, three Assist Well Processing Centers are established in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).

To fully serve the needs of OFWs, the Center ensures, through a systematic procedure, that the OFWs’ needs are quickly assessed and ushered in to a particular service they need.

Secretary Baldoz said that the Center will strictly monitor the progress of the delivery of assistance sought by the OFWs. “In case of job referral, the Center’s staff will monitor the progress of the OFWs’ placement until they are deployed to their new jobs. The legal assistance


will also be checked, ensuring that the complaints or cases filed are efficiently handled until its disposition. The progress of all other services will be also monitored,” Baldoz assured.

‘Assist WELL’, which stands for ‘Welfare, Employment, Legal, and Livelihood’ is a reintegration assistance/services program formed by Secretary Baldoz in 2014 through Department Order 139-14 to address the needs of repatriated migrant workers. Baldoz said the program

holistically looks into the OFWs’ reintegration needs after their repatriation, especially due to emergency or crisis situations. She also assured that that the government stands ready at all times to assist all the OFWs, especially during emergencies.

The strengthened convergence of DOLE agencies delivering the Assist WELL program is mandated by Administrative Order No. 21 series of 2016 issued by Secretary Baldoz early in January this year. (DOLE)

filephoto of http://filipinotimes.ae/


MANILA -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to assist poor families with farmers, forest workers, and farm laborers deal with the temporary loss of income or livelihood due to the El Nino phenomenon or dry spell.

DSWD ready to assist sectors to be affected by El Niño

The Department has already submitted its action plan to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for funding. The plan will run until June 2016 with a funding requirement

of more than P6.7 billion.

Based on the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or Listahanan, there are 2,504,545 families with

filephoto of www.moveon.ph


farmers, forest workers, and farm laborers nationwide who are expected to be affected by the drought.

Under the action plan, DSWD will provide P10,000 livelihood assistance each to the target families.

It will also implement eight days of Cash-for-Work (CFW) per month to 50% of the target families. The CFW is a short-term measure to help the small farmers, forest workers, and farm laborers during the lean months caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

Under this program, beneficiaries will receive training, render community service utilizing their newly-learned skills, and at the same time earn daily income which is equivalent to 75% of the regional minimum wage.

Some of the activities under the CFW are tree-planting, reforestation, coastal cleaning, dredging of waterways and canals, and repair of damaged community facilities due to disasters. “While we are waiting for the approval of the action plan, we have already downloaded P3 million each from our regular funds for CFW to Regions III, IX, X, and XI, where the effects of the drought are now being felt,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said. Other regions are also assessing their situation so they can appropriately respond. The DSWD is ready to provide initial support. Furthermore, DSWD has an adequate supply of family food packs ready for nationwide distribution to the target families. (DSWD)


Peace panels, mechanisms meet anew to forward Bangsamoro process

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia-- The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with the various peace structures working under the Bangsamoro peace process, are meeting in the city to re-assess means of moving forward in light of the 16th Congress’ failure to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before it adjourned last week.

“Today could have been a much happier occasion, if only we had the law that would have moved our road map forward in leaps and bounds,” GPH chief

negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said. “But we do not have the law – yet. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our teams and all the other

14 One Mindanao February 12, 2016

tireless peace advocates and congressional allies who traveled with us in this difficult journey of a thousand miles, we saw the session days in Congress wither away, without a BBL in sight.”

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have recessed last February 5 up until after the May 9 national and local elections without passing the BBL. The proposed law would have established a strong autonomous regional parliamentary government that would replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The non-passage of the law would lead to the archiving of the bill by the current Congress, which means it would have to be re-filed again when the new Congress convenes in July.

While the non-passage of the legislative measure has made it difficult for the Bangsamoro peace process to move forward and increased uncertainty on the ground, Ferrer said that the path remains clear as the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) remains signed and in place together with the many peace infrastructures

established through it.

“The MILF and the government shall jointly find ways and means to address this dangerous situation and avoid actions that may increase the frustrations. We must provide them hope that there is a chance for passage of a CAB-compliant BBL whoever will be the next President,” MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said. Iqbal is also chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body that drafted the original BBL draft.

Support for the Bangsamoro remains intact

Joining the GPH and the MILF panels in Malaysia are European Union Ambassador (EU) Franz Jessen; United Kingdom Representative to the International Contact Group (ICG) Thomas Phipps; Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) Chair Mo Bleeker; Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) Chair Mustafa Pulat; and Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) Chair Alistair MacDonald. Malaysia, as third-party facilitator, is continued to be represented by Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku


Mohamed.

The Malaysian facilitator commented that the upcoming elections must not deter the peace process from moving forward. “Let’s think how we will move forward. We must preserve the gains, we must continue… Changing of government doesn’t mean changing of infrastructure. We may add, but not subtract.”

“The journey has not yet ended but the meeting today demonstrates that the perseverance and commitment have not been lost. The Parties, meeting here today, are proving

that they, that you, are resilient and truly committed to peace. This is an important message to the public,” said EU Ambassador Jessen, who was invited by the panels to observe the meeting.

“I encourage the Government of the Philippines and the MILF to continue seeking the paths for the implementation of commitments made over the 17 years of negotiations and continue their engagements. This meeting is crucial as it will offer the opportunity to reassess, reschedule, and prepare for the next phase of the process,” he added. (OPAPP)

filephoto of http://i.dailymail.co.uk/


Catholics reminded to exercise Lenten sacrifice in humilityBy Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Catholics are reminded of their Lenten obligations of fasting and abstinence starting last Ash Wednesday (February 10), but all the while to exercise humility in their observance of the season of Lent.


In his Ash Wednesday homily attended by a multitude of Zamboangueños, Archbishop Romulo T. Dela Cruz told the Catholic faithful here to “be humble” in observing the yearly fast. He said that there is no need to tell the world about one’s fasting and abstinence, since this is more focused on the reflection of one’s own self. Thousands of Zamboangueño Catholics came to mass on Ash Wednesday to have their foreheads smeared with ashes of the previous years’ blessed palms during Palm Sunday. Upon receiving the ashes, the people were reminded by the Archbishop and the lay ministers with the words “You are dust and to dust you shall return,” which emphasizes the Church’s call for continued conversion and turning away from sin.Archbishop Dela Cruz explained that able Catholics are obliged

to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Lenten Fridays. By fasting, he said, “only two meals a day” are allowed. Abstinence, on the other hand means that one must not eat meat, except fish on Fridays. He reminded those who failed to fast on Ash Wednesday to “set a date to make up.”Fasting and abstinence, said the Archbishop, does not only apply to food. By fasting, Catholics are encouraged to give up things that have become leisurely habits and practices. Catholics are urged, but not obliged to go to mass daily, however prayers and self-reflection must be a constant part of one’s daily routines. This year, the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, and will end on Holy Thursday (March 24). This will be followed by Good Friday and then Easter Sunday, considered as several of the holiest holidays in the Catholic Church.


“Government internship is ‘game changer’ to young workers,” says DOLE-Zambo ChiefBy Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – “The Government Internship Program (GIP) is a game changer to help young members of the labor force gain experience in government work,” emphasized Engr. Wesley D. Tan, head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zamboanga City Field Office during the ceremonial graduation of the previous year’s interns held here recently.

He said that the GIP had a total employment of 72 interns, 60 of whom completed the three to six months program; and twelve served as substitutes. “The GIP has taught the interns to invest in relationships and to work in the spirit of family and

public service,” Engr. Tan said.He even stressed that it’s an “investment of the government, with millions of pesos allocated for its implementation.”A painting contest anchored on the previous year’s Labor Day theme: “Disenteng Trabaho at


Kabuhayan, Alay Natin sa Bayan” highlighted the event, which was participated by 32 completers present during the activity.Engr. Tan said the output of the contest shall be considered DOLE’s property and displayed in its office.“The internship program is a test of perseverance and pursuit of excellence, an opportunity for interns to develop their potentials and professionalism in the bureaucracy,” he concluded. DOLE Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano expressed his gratitude to the partner agencies for the support to the program, and for

the patience in guiding the interns in the way of public service.“The GIP is a way of providing fresh college graduates with the opportunity to work for the government, and experience first-hand, how it functions in the delivery of programs and services to the public,” he said.Cano stressed that the program served as an instrument for participants to let go of their false impression about government service, and has afforded them a renewed view on how to deliver better service to the people, and help make a difference once they join government service.

Zambo communications group to partner with student volunteers for IDP dialoguesBy Felipe David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Zamboanga Communications Working Group (CWG) is looking to tie up with local colleges and universities to tap students as volunteers for dialogues with internally-displaced persons (IDPs) to assess their prevailing needs in the transitory sites.


The CWG will once again engage IDPs this month through the Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) focused group discussions. These activities are designed to solicit comments and feedback from the IDPs themselves regarding their needs in security, health, livelihood, water and sanitation among others. The results of these discussions will be the basis for upcoming camp dialogues between the service providers and the IDPs themselves. The camp dialogues, slated for March this year are the venues where the heads of different government and non-government clusters personally meet with the IDPs and share with them updates on their recovery and rehabilitation, as well as other

important matters. It is also a venue where the heads could personally listen to the IDPs regarding the issues they face at the transitory sites to come up with more effective and needs-based interventions. On Wednesday, the CWG met with representatives from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC) and the Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZSCMST) to agree on schedules for the proposed discussions. The CWG would need student-volunteers to help them


administer the questionnaires and solicit feedback. According to Sapia Taulani, Humanitarian Affairs Assistant of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), “students would be of very big help to the CWG,” considering that the group is only ad hoc, and composed of roughly twenty member-representatives coming from the local and national government and international humanitarian partners.Meanwhile, City Public Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias is

thankful for the support given by the schools in this endeavor. “Although we still have to materialize this partnership, we are very thankful on their expression of support right now,” she said.

At present, there are still over 16,000 individuals in the transitory sites waiting for the completion of their new permanent homes under the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R) project of the national government.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Motorists seen to cope up with the traffic condition of Cagayan de Oro City.

By: City Information Office

CDO transport groups to aid in traffic enforcement

This as the Cagayan de Oro’s First Taxi Drivers Alliance (Cafitada) president Bernie Jamaca, city mayor Oscar Moreno and National Confederation of Transport Workers

Union (NCTU) Mindanao coordinator Joel Gabatan signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) for the transport group’s commitment to assist the city government in the area of traffic law


DepEd brings out-of-school individuals back to learning thru Early RegistrationCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Education – Regional Office 10 has deployed its teachers and staff to different areas, since January 30, 2016, to perform various activities, urging children and youth not currently enrolled to register for school year 2016-2017.

By: Irene Joy B. Dayo

Through DepEd Order No. 5, series of 2016, Early Registration implementation is covered in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, including Northern Mindanao. Having the theme, “Makapag-aral ay Karapatan Mo, Magpalista,” it is a massive advocacy campaign to find out-of-school individuals and bring them back to school through acquiring support from local officials, civic organizations, people’s organizations and the community. In a discussion made on air via Lambo Dyes program of Philippine

Information Agency-10, Chief Education Program Specialist Allan L. Mansaladez said that this early registration allows children and youth to finish their studies in different strategy. Since the commencement of the implementation, DepEd teachers and staff and partners did house-to-house campaigns, and series of meetings to locate, identify and enrol out children and youth who are in remote or geographically isolated areas, difficult circumstances, belong to disadvantaged groups or who suffer from discrimination, and have

enforcement during the flag raising ceremony on February 9 at City Hall. The city government welcomed the deputies who aim to assist the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) and Task Force Hapsay Dalan (TFHD) on the enforcement and implementation of traffic laws, rules and regulations.

TFHD chairman Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy said the transport group is the first public transport sector that voluntarily offered its services in manning the city’s major streets during peak hours. The group undergone a 2-day seminar on traffic rules and regulations including hand signaling last January.


dropped out but would like to go back to school. Mansaladez also added that children and youth who have disabilities or in need of special education are included in the targets. DepEd assured that in every district, there are schools that cater special children and youth. Moreover, for parents who want homeschooling for their special children, teachers can visit them. He also said that this implementation of early registration is a big help to address the needs of the school for the next school year, because once the department

determine the estimation on how several official enrolees would be, they could easily know the number of students they would be serving and eventually, prepare for what might be lacking in terms of number of teachers, facilities and classroom buildings. Mansaladez is encouraging all individuals who are not yet enrolled to allow themselves to be listed because basic education is a privilege of all Filipinos and each one should enjoy it. The early registration implementation will continue until February 29.

2nd Mech security force remains vigilant in maintaining peace to LanaoNorteLANAO DEL NORTE – The 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Philippine Army has brought the attention of the ceasefire and various peace mechanisms in Lanao del Norte to compel Abdullah Macapaar aka Bravo to return to his base in Lanao del Sur as soon as possible.

Commander Bravo, leads the Moro Islamic Liberation Front 303rd Brigade, a breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Bravo now leads the North-Western Mindanao Front operating in Lanao, Misamis and Bukidnon. Col Gilbert I Gapay, 2nd

Mechanized brigade commander, requested the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to convince Bravo and his group to leave the area because their continuous presence in barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte is unauthorized and not coordinated

By: Renato A Doroteo


with the government security forces. The only coordinated movement of aka Bravo as approved by the CCCH was his visit in barangay Pangao, Munai and barangay Delabayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, purposely to attend “Tibao” (wake) of his deceased relatives from January 30-31, 2016, afterwhich, Bravo should have returned to his base in Lanao del Sur. However, aka Bravo and his group still remain in the area until now. Bravo’s reason for still staying in the area is the visit of the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) and Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) in Munai, Lanao del Norte, to discuss socio-economic development projects for MILF communities. However, when verified with CCCH, there is no scheduled visit of the JNC and IDB in Lanao del Norte which Bravo expects anytime soon. Bravo added that he would not disturb the peace and order

experienced by the community, but his actions prove otherwise and instead had caused alarm among the local populace. His group is now fortifying MILF communities in barangays Pangao and Tamparan, this province. Massive movements of MILF armed groups were also monitored and MILF forces of North Western Mindanao Front were converging in barangay Tamparan. Bravo is also demanding financial and in-kind support from the populace. All of these actions constitute deliberate and blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement. Col Gapay assured that the military will exhaust all peaceful means to normalize the situation. Nonetheless, the government security forces in the area remain vigilant and ready to respond to any eventualities that may arise from the continued unauthorized presence of Bravo in Lanao del Norte.


23 rebels surrender since January 2016DAVAO CITY-A total of 23 rebels returned to the folds of the law since January 1 this year from various fronts in the regions of Davao and Socksargen Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infan-try Division attributed the sur-render to the open arms policy being offered by the local gov-ernment units and the soldiers to those thinking of leaving the armed struggle. He said the military has also intensified its security operations in the countryside making the rebels to be always on the run. Soldiers under the 10th ID were involved in a series of en-counters with rebel forces last week in the provinces of Com-postela Valley and Davao Orien-tal. Batchar identified the latest to surrender in their aliases as Pablo 21, Borjack 18, and Bob-oy, members of the front 71 of the New People’s Army Far South Mindanao Region. They surrendered to the au-thorities in Jose Abad Santos,

Davao Occidental. Major General Rafael Valen-cia, commander of the 10th ID welcomed the former rebels and assured fair treatment from the government. He also vowed to run after rebels who continue the armed struggle. “We hope that the active reb-els will follow their former com-rades. The rebel movement has caused a lot of broken families, lives wasted and denial of peace and development in communi-ties,” he said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


Kids receives free dental careDAVAO ORIENTAL – More than one hundred fifty preschoolers and day-care pupils here received free dental and oral health care during the Provincial Government’s kick-off celebration of the National Oral Health Month last February 2, 2016. Held at the Provincial Capitol, public health dentists from differ-ent municipalities here in the prov-ince provided the kids free dental services such as a traumatic re-storative treatment for dental car-ies and application of sealant and fluoride treatment. During the activity, the kids were taught the importance of oral health hygiene and the proper way of brushing the teeth through a mass tooth brushing drill. Dr. Jereme Yuson, Head of the Planning Department of the Provin-cial Health Office said that the Oral Health Month is a campaign to help improve oral health in the commu-nities. She said that by observing this celebration and with the govern-ment pouring a portion of it’s re-sources for this sector, ‘we are one step closer in making a difference in our community’ by reducing the number of adults and children with untreated dental disease. The month-long celebration, said Yuson, also brings together all committed dental and health care providers and educators to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining good oral health, par-ticularly on children, through oral

health education, prevention, and treatment. “Despite the fact that tooth de-cay is almost entirely preventable, it is also the most common chronic oral health disease in children. The good news is that there are ways to prevent tooth decay and cavities,” said Yuson, noting the importance of oral health hygiene. Bannered with the theme “Ka-linisan ng Ngipin Laging Panatilihin, Ugaliing Kumain ng Masustansy-ang Pagkain”, Dr. Raul S. Delosa, Oral Health Program Manager of the Department of Health in region eleven, underscored that common oral health problems such as den-tal caries and periodontal disease can easily be prevented not only by means of maintaining good oral health but also through the intake of nutritious foods. A priority program of the DOH, the Oral Health Program is now be-ing strongly pushed throughout the country, wherein dentists are mo-bilized to improve the dental health of the communities. (DAVOR PIO)


OWWA-12 releases livelihood starter kits to 9 OFW returnees

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 12 – The Overseas Work-ers Welfare Administration provided livelihood assistance to dis-placed and distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the re-gion.

By: Oliveer Ross V. Rivera


OWWA 12 Director Marilou Sumalinog said a livelihood as-sistance amounting to P10,000 will be given to OFW returnees for their selected start-up busi-ness under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program.

“Five OFW returnees from South Cotabato and four from Sultan Kudarat will be given claim vouchers this week for their livelihood assistance, Sum-alinog said.

One of the recipients, Lloyd Ala, a resident of Tacurong City and a former OFW in Oman pre-ferred to utilize the grant to fi-nance a rice trading business.

Sumalinog added that most of the recipients of the program engage in food-related ventures

such as rice buy and sell and mini grocery enterprise, food processing, agricultural produc-tion and other services.

The livelihood grant under OWWA’s reintegration services is a one-time-availment, non-cash assistance given to OFWs who underwent repatriation after premature termination of their contracts.

Aside from receiving starter kits, these recipients were also provided with entrepreneurship development training and other technical assistance which aims to assist them in managing their selected business venture. (OR-VRivera-PIA12 with report from OWWA12)


DOLE 12, partners offer 3 job fairs until March 4 By: Danilo E.Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 12 — Jobseekers in South Cotabato and neighboring areas have three opportunities to land a job until the first week of March.

The Department of Labor and Employment 12 in partnership with local government units have scheduled job fairs in line with the agency’s job facilitation initiatives.

These job fairs are slated on following dates and venues:

FEBRUARY 26 New City Hall, City of Koronadal

FEBRUARY 29Roadwalk ni Manong SidIn front of the Municipal Hall, Banga

MARCH 4 Gaisano Grand Mall , City of Koro-nadal

Applicants are advised to bring college diploma and transcript of record or high school diploma, em-ployment certificates, certificates of training and competency, biodata abd ID pictures.

“Applicants who bring several

copies of their documents have as much chances to be interviewed in as many companies,” said DOLE 12 in previous interviews.

Director Domingo also advised applicants to dress up properly for the interview and to prepare re-sponses to possible questions.

“They should be honest especially regarding their capability and show interest to be trained,” she added.

Local and overseas jobs will be offered on the job fairs on Feb-ruary 26 and 29. The job fair on March 4 will offer mostly local op-portunities.

Venues will open at 8:00 am and close at 4:00 pm. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


DENR reports low apprehension for 2015By: Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY-- The sustained intensive operation of the Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Enforcement Teams in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) has brought down incidence of tim-ber poaching activities in Caraga Region in 2015.

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The DENR Enforcement Division reported that there were 918,218.54 bd. ft. of illegal forest

products apprehended and seized last year as compared in the previous year of 1,931,303.84


bd.ft. in 2014. “The anti-illgal logging campaign under the implementation of Executive Order 23 of the DENR had paid off in the region since it was imposed in February 2011,” Forester Modesto U. Lagumbay Jr., chief of the DENR Caraga Enforcement Division said. “We hope we can reach our goal of zero illegal logging for the next six months,” he added. The DENR Caraga seized 2,585.833.53 bd.ft in 2011; 4,341,143.01 bd.ft. in 2012; and 2,667,184.77 bd.ft. in 2013. The agency reported a total of 12,453,683.70 bd.ft. of apprehended forest products for the last five years with a total of 142 cases filed in courts against the perpetrators since 2011 and out of these, there were 32 cases of conviction. Meanwhile, more than one-third of the total confiscated illegal forest products by the DENR were donated to various national and local government agencies.

DENR Caraga disposed a total volume of 4,696,583.88 bd.ft. to the Department of Education (545,940.04 bd.ft.); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (1,626,530.00 bd.ft.); local government units (1,155,617.19 bd.ft.); Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police/Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (1,233,533.50 bd.ft.); Department of Social Welfare and Development (8,480.00 bd.ft.); Department of Public Works and Highways (21,327.20 bd.ft.); Environment and Management Bureau (1,463.62 bd.ft.); DENR-DOST-FPRDI-NNVS (28,017.03 bd.ft.); and other agencies (75,675.30 bd.ft). The region continues to promote the government’s target for a “zero-illegal logging hotspot” together with the consistent advocacy for total log ban for the year 2016. (with reports from Hannah Yael Morano/PIA-Caraga)


Integration of DRR-CCA in NSTP OK’dBy: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY-- The Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA) will now be included in the National Service Training Program (NTSP) in the pilot schools and universities within the province of Agusan del Norte pursuant to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Resolution No. 02-16.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte adopted and approved the said resolution, “Adopting and approving the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA) in the National Service Training Program (NTSP) and appropriating funds thereof,” in line with Republic Act (R.A.) 9163, An Act Establishing the NTSP for tertiary level students and Republic Act 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010. Based on Section 14 of R. A. 10121, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher

Education (CHED) are mandated to incorporate the disaster risk reduction and management education in the school curricula of secondary and tertiary levels, including the NSTP. The local legislators of the province saw the importance of the said program that will provide tools and enough knowledge for the students to enhance their skills and prepare themselves in times of disasters and calamities, hence, supported the said program in partnership with the PDRRMC. The proposed modules will be formulated and developed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Region and CHED.


PSA Caraga sets CRVS Forum in ButuanBy: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY– The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga is set to hold this year’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Forum on Feb. 26, 2015 at Patria’s Inn and Restobar, this city.

PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura bared that said forum will start at 1:00 p.m. “The forum is in line with the Civil Registration Month celebration that aims to provide updates in the implementation of CRVS system and address

issues and concerns encountered by different stakeholders of the system,” Apura said. The CRVS Forum is anchored on the theme “Makiisa..Makisali sa Dekadang CRVS (Unite..Participate in the Decade CRVS).”

one mindanao - february 12, 2016

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