one mindanao - july 6, 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

VICTORIANO B. VILLACRUZ, 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

DILG 12 orients Tacurong’s BATs on UBAS

NDCM celebration in R-12 highlights capability-building of communities

Comval boosts capabilities of Tanods

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Bakngeb, A Perfect Place for Traditional Picnic

Palace announces new appointments

No Mindanaoan will be left behind

PSA sets nationwide population census in August

Army EastMinCom commander pays courtesy call to SurSur guv

PDIC advises borrowers of Siargao Bank to pay their obligations

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By: ASFreno

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: DepEd

By: Claro A. LanipaBy: Greg Tataro, Jr.

By: PDIC

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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DTI MisOcc alerts public against pyramiding schemesDSWD maintains clean database of Pantawid Pamilya

By: DTI

By: Oliver Badel Inodeo

By: Fe Maestre

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Contents

4 July 6, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

Bakngeb, A Perfect Place for

Traditional Picnic


Those who were born in the 60’s and 70’s would remember this: picnic by

the river on weekends.

5July 6, 2015 One Mindanao

With packed cooked food, fish or meat for broiling, drinks and delicacies families would proceed to nearby river for a refreshing day of bathing and bonding. Often, this weekend trip to the river was also an opportune time for washing of soiled clothes.

Nowadays, rivers have taken the backseat to beaches and resorts as far as weekend destination and picnics are concerned. Most rivers have become murky with environmental degradation. Others are reduced to streams after the construction of massive dams that routed most of the waters to irrigations and farms.

Gone were those days when going for a picnic means a commune with nature, no entrance fees, no artificial structures.


Introducing Bakngeb.

Traditional river picnics are making a revival in South Cotabato. Of so many choices for picnic grounds, Bakngeb Cave, is becoming most popular due to its accessibility and its environs that are sure to amaze the visitors.

Bakngeb Cave is a 4-kilometer subterranean river located in Sitio Bakngeb, Barangay Laconon in Tboli.

It’s major attraction is the fact that an entire river, a tributary to the massive Allah River comes gushing out of a cave with a background of a lush forest. Its crystal-clear water is almost ice-cold, ideal for almost an entire day of

wading and bathing.

Even when the sun is at high noon and scorching hot bathers need not worry of sunburn as the surrounding offers enough shade from the trees.

Apart from this, visitors may also try climbing trekking the hill at the back of the cave for a very good view of the river. Going farther uphill would also lead to a bridge where the same river has created a very deep gorge out of the limestone. Looking down on the cavernous gorge seems eerie but surely adds to the adventure, more so because you have to step on bridge that is made mostly of bamboos where only humans, horses and carabaaos and motorcycles are allowed to


pass through.

Soon, according to the local government unit of Tboli, Bakngeb Cave and the river will be developed to offer river tubing that will begin from the cave’s entrance.

Going to Bakngeb Cave is much relaxed compared to the other eco-tourism destinations in Tboli municipality like the Hidak and Hikong Kmebel Falls and Lake Holon, which both require some training on river trekking and mountain climbing and for those with hefty bellies, a lot of exercises.

Having a 4-wheel drive vehicle would be an advantage going to Bakngeb. An all-terrain vehicle would definitely be a

real treat. (For information, the LGU has recently purchased 15 ATVs to convey passengers to or near the eco-tourism sites.)


Commuters from General Santos and other places outside of South Cotabato should proceed to Koronadal City where they have a choice to take either a bus or commuter van to the municipality of Surallah. From Surallah, they may ride a van or jeep to Poblacion Tboli.

From the town center, commuters may ride a jeep -- or for the more adventurous, a “habal-habal” -- to Barangay Laconon.

Traveling to the said village is in itself a treat, as the route passes through several where trees and bamboos form a natural canopy covering the road. The road is mostly unpaved but construction of a concrete road

is going on.

Once in Barangay Laconon, they have two alternatives: hike o sitio Bakngeb or take another habal-habal ride.

Hiking, however, adds to the adventures, and advised especially for those who enjoy nature sightseeing. The walk could take only between 30 to 40 minutes, which of course, requires a sturdy footwear. Trekking shoes or sandals are advised.

Visitors may either pack cooked food or cook food at the site.


Local villagers have built makeshift cottages with traditional kitchen -- three stones arranged in a triangle -- for a fee of only P100 or P150 depending on the size of the cottage.

Those who rather prefer a more old-style picnic, may set up their wares just beside the river.

T h o s e interested in culture, the place also offers a means to interact with the villagers who are mostly Tboli.

A final r e m i n d e r : Please clean up before leaving the place to help keep the place pristine.


DOLE to recruitment agencies: Become recruitment centers of care and excellence

QUEZON CITY– The Department of Labor and Employment called on recruitment agencies to also be centers for care and excellence for overseas Filipino workers.


DOLE said that just as the DOLE and the Department of Foreign Affairs are doing their utmost to transform Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and Philippine Embassies and Consulates into centers of care and excellence for overseas Filipino workers as mandated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, so must recruitment agencies also become so that the government and the private sector can have a seamless system for protecting workers being deployed to overseas labor

markets.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz , in a speech delivered on her behalf by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac at the PASEI’s 15th annual general membership meeting recently, emphasized the promotion of the welfare and protection of the rights of Filipinos who opt to work overseas is the DOLE’s continuing commitment, alongside efforts to facilitate the creation of better local employment opportunities with the help of other stakeholders such as PASEI.

The Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) is one of the country’s leading associations of overseas recruitment agencies.

Baldoz challenged the recruitment industry to change its business mindset and culture. “The recruitment of OFWs


is not an ordinary business. You deal with human beings who needed to be treated with dignity and respect. You must stop the race for quantity. You must opt for quality deployment,” she said.

Agencies, Baldoz reminded, must first be fully compliant with the laws, rules and regulations and labor standards set by the government for license holders.

She also said recruitment agencies should have strong financial guarantees to deal with the risks of the industry.

“Your agencies should not operate as mom-and-pop stores, but as strong companies who are competitive and financially viable to undertake the requirements of such a complex business, and to be able to deploy top-notch human resources for global businesses.

She said agencies must adopt quality systems certified

by international certifying bodies, such the ISO, to ensure they are efficient, transparent and compliant with government regulations and standards.

Baldoz said an important aspect of quality systems is an efficient and effective database and monitoring and reporting system for workers, one that is capable of monitoring departure, situation in the jobsite, and return to the country.

She urged PASEI to deploy highly-skilled workers by adopting good skills-matching systems and investing in training and certification or partnering with employers and other entities which can help develop such workers.

“Employers and agencies should view training and education of workers as investment, not as cost. This will ensure continuous supply of highly-qualified Filipino workers for the global labor


market,” she said.

She also urged PASEI members to be selective in choosing business partners. “You should opt for quality employers who share your core values in business, so you can do business with them for the long-term. Quality employers pay good service fees. This will enable you to deliver quality services, in terms of deployment of highly-qualified workers who are protected on both ends of the market, from recruitment to employment, and even until their reintegration back to the Philippines,” she further said.

Baldoz also called on PASEI to converge with the POEA, OWWA, and POLOs to make DOLE reforms work meaningfully for OFWs.

This, she said is imperative because of the many issues and challenges of managing migration, such as the continued

growth in deployment and OFW remittances; sustaining global competitiveness and ensuring their welfare through the ups and downs of the global economy; technological changes; volatility of the political landscape in major countries of destinations; and risk of pandemic diseases.

“Maximizing the benefits and minimizing the costs for our OFWs, their families, and the country is something that we should continue to work on together for effective migration governance,” Baldoz said. (DOLE)


Palace announces new appointments

MANILA -- President Benigno S. Aquino III filled the last commissioner post under the Commission on Human Rights by appointing Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz for a term expiring on May 5, 2022, the Palace announced on Saturday.

In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Cadiz’ appointment was signed by the President on June 25, 2015.

Cadiz, 55, has a degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines and also has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines.

Currently, he is serving as a


member of the Board of Directors of the North Luzon Railways Corp. and is also the executive director of Libertas.

The President also appointed on June 25 Tahir Sinsuat Lidasan, Jr. as Executive Director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The chief executive also appointed on June 26 Renato T. de Guzman as member of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

De Guzman, 65, is currently the senior adviser of the Bank of Singapore. He is formerly the chief executive officer of the Bank of Singapore, and also the former CEO of ING Asia Private Bank. He was also the previous Philippine country manager of ING.

Other appointees were Juan

Miguel T. Cuna as Assistant Secretary under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Amadeo Jose C. Forteza III as deputy director of the Bureau of Corrections. Forteza’s appointment was signed by the President on June 25.

Under the Department of Budget and Management, the President appointed Dara Acusar as Acting Undersecretary. Acusar’s appointment was also signed by the President on June 25. (PCOO/PND (as)


No Mindanaoan will be left behind

“Part of the challenge of the K to 12 Program is that no Mindanaoan will be left behind. If Mindanao progresses, the Philippines will progress,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said during the gathering of over 4,000 education stakeholders from Mindanao supporting the education reform, which was held in Cagayan de Oro.

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said that the local government of Tagum is committed in the successful implementation of the said

education reform, saying, “The success of the K to 12 Program is not just the success of DepEd but also the success of all Filipinos.”


“ W e , e d u c a t i o n stakeholders, made it a point that education is not a spending but an investment. K to 12 is an investment for the future,” Rellon added.

Several students from Mindanao shared how the K to 12 Program and their decision to undergo the early implementation of Senior High School changed the course of their lives. “Isa ako sa magandang bunga ng K to 12 sa pagkakaroon ng magandang training na kailangan ko sa paghahanap-buhay. Nagagamit ko ang mga kasanayang nakamit sa isang tribal school,” said Marian Clarell Bularon, Grade 11, Kling National High School in Sarangani. Lyn Joy Olana, a Grade 9 indigenous learner from Impasugong National High School in Bukidnon also attested that in K to 12, their cultural knowledge is being recognized and given importance. She added that “the implementation of K to 12 serves as a helping hand for the Indigenous Peoples to boost us to do our best in school.”

Elaine Salar, a mother from Surigao City, lauded the K to 12 Program as his son landed a job as encoder after finishing the program. “Now, I truly believe that K to 12 is a big help to the families, especially the least fortunate families,” Salar said. “I had a hard time figuring out what would happen to me after fourth year high school. I came from a poor family,” said Marion Sonorio, an SHS graduate of a technical−vocational course from Iligan City National School of Fisheries. He said that, after taking up commercial cooking, he immediately found a job as cook in a local restaurant. Months after, he was promoted as assistant supervisor.

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno said that he sees a brighter future for the Mindanaoans with the full implementation of the K to 12 Program.


DTI Surigao Norte supports microenterprises under SSF program By: Rodrigo R.Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office had assisted a total of nine micro-enterprises with the implementation of Shared Service Facility (SSF) since last year.


According to DTI provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan, various equipment and accessories were delivered and being set-up for community-based projects of various proponent groups. He said that among the recipients are Esperanza Farmers Credit and Consumers Organization of Esperanza in Del Carmen, Siargao Island with their Camote Moledo Processing project; the Kababayen-an sa Panatao Producers Cooperative of Barangay Panatao, Claver on their Virgin Coconut Oil Production project; Claver Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Daywan, Claver with their Geo-Net Production project; Mayag Women’s Association of Barangay Mayag, Sison on their Coco Sap Sweetener Processing project; and Trinidad Farmers Agra Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Trinidad, Surigao City for its Calamay Production project. He also said that the local government of Alegria supported their farmer beneficiaries on their Bamboo Slat production project; the Samahan ng mga Kababaihan of Barangay Cancohoy in Del Carmen with their Cassava Fritters Processing

project; Tinago Eagles Fisherfolks and Farmers Association (TEFFA) of Barangay Tinago, Malimono on their Bamboo Slat Production project; and the Malimono Farmers Consumers Cooperative of Barangay Cayawan, Malimono with their Coco Sap Sweetener Processing project. According to Negapatan, all the nine projects had an aggregate cost totaling to P5,125,087, and the latest delivery of equipment under SSF implementation was done last June 17-19, 2015 for the cassava fritters project of Barangay Cancohoy, Del Carmen. The team of SSF project evaluators from the DTI Manila had visited the province third week of June to look into the actual status and utilization of the processing equipment that it had really helped the target beneficiaries on their different enterprise activities.


By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

Army EastMinCom commander pays courtesy call to SurSur guv

Accompanied by 402nd Brigade commander Col. Isidro Purisima along with his brigade executive officer Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas and battalion commanders—Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio, Jr. and Lt. Col. Haron Akaz of the 36IB and 75IB, respectively—the highest ranking military officer of EastMinCom exchanged pleasantries with the governor. However, the two leaders discussed in particular the

nagging insurgency situation plaguing the province. Since insurgency problem has been going on in Surigao del Sur for almost 40 years, Pimentel admitted he is already “sick and tired” of it. With Lt. Gen. Baladad’s vow to help address the situation, Pimentel in return stressed to extend full support to “eradicate” the mess. The governor, to prove his point, even reiterated the desire

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief, paid a courtesy call on Governor Johnny Pimentel at around 1:00 p.m. at the provincial capitol here on Wednesday, July 1.


of the provincial government to purchase at least a three-hectare lot nearby, ideal enough to house a headquarters, to be donated as military reservation for the use of the brigade to keep the presence of the army for good. In the meantime, 402nd Infantry Brigade is temporarily occupying a portion of the compound of the Police Provincial Office (PPO) using as headquarters the old PPO building at the Camp Vicente L. Pimentel, Sr., this city, that has been offered by PNP provincial director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero.

Baladad was in Surigao del Sur, the sole area of responsibility (AOR) of 402nd Brigade, which is under EastMinCom, for an “Information Briefing.” Capt. Regie Go, brigade civil military operations (CMO) officer, explained that, in military parlance, an information briefing is a process of relaying the status of their AOR in general and their accomplishment in particular based on their mission and vision for the assessment, in this particular case, of the EastMinCom commander, for guidance and support purposes.

PDIC advises borrowers of Siargao Bank to pay their obligations By: PDIC

MANILA - The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the Receiver of the closed Siargao Bank (A Rural Bank), Inc. reminded borrowers of the bank to continue to pay their loans and transact only with authorized PDIC representatives. Siargao Bank was placed under the receivership of the PDIC by virtue of Monetary Board Resolution No. 919.B dated June 11, 2015. In a statement, PDIC advised borrowers of Siargao Bank to pay their loans and other obligations directly at any Philippine National Bank (PNB) Branch under account name, PDIC FAO BURL (SIARGAO

BANK, INC.). PDIC emphasized that it has not engaged any person, agent or agency to collect the loan payments for and in behalf of the bank. To ensure proper recording of their payments, PDIC


further advised borrowers to keep copies of the PNB Deposit/Payment Slips. The PDIC emphasized that for payments to be valid, it must be supported by a machine-validated PNB Deposit/Payment Slip. Official receipts will be issued by PDIC upon validation of payments and will be sent through mail to the borrowers. For proper accounting of their payments, borrowers who do not receive their official receipts are advised to send a photocopy of their deposit slips by mail to the Deputy Receiver for loans Democrito L. Bitang at the PDIC Office, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner

V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or send via e-mail to Ignacio M. Quintano [email protected] and to Ms. Thelma A. Peña at [email protected]. Borrowers of the bank may also communicate with the PDIC-Loans Management Department I at (02) 841-4992 or 841-4766. Queries may also be sent through email at [email protected]. Siargao Bank is a three-unit rural bank with Head Office located at 03406 Jose C. Sering Bldg., Borromeo St., Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. Its two branches are located in Dapa and Mainit, both in Surigao del Norte.


ROW violations disrupt NGCP’s power linesBy Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the country’s grid operator is facing a problem in the operation and maintenance of their power lines.

Thus disclosed Engr. Armand S. Dysico, NGCP’s district I operations and maintenance head during the weekly media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-9) at Hotel Alindahaw, this city. Dysico said NGCP’s Mindanao grid is experiencing a major problem due to rampant right-of-way (ROW) violations committed by some residents in Lanao del Norte. “The Mindanao grid is now experiencing a major problem in Lanao del Norte,


Thus disclosed Engr. Armand S. Dysico, NGCP’s district I operations and maintenance head during the weekly media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-9) at Hotel Alindahaw, this city. Dysico said NGCP’s Mindanao grid is experiencing a major problem due to rampant right-of-way (ROW) violations committed by some residents in Lanao del Norte. “The Mindanao grid is now experiencing a major problem in Lanao del Norte, particularly in Balo-i substation where 138 kV lines and 169 kV lines are not

operational due to vegetation,” Dysico reported. “The presence of vegetation below these power lines has adverse impact on the power situation in Mindanao,” Dysico said adding that when tall trees touch the lines, it will cause power outages. In a recent inspection on the area, they have observed that some landowners have planted trees underneath the lines. “The growing of trees was intentionally done since there are no trees planted in the open field,” he added. “With this, NGCP in Mindanao


had to pay off landowners to uproot the trees planted underneath the transmission lines,” Dysico announced. He said the NGCP negotiated with the concerned landowners but only few have agreed. Most of them refused to negotiate because they demanded huge amount of money in exchange for their request. When asked why this problem had cropped up, Dysico said NGCP officials have observed that during the time when TransCo was still in operation, there were only a few ROW problems encountered. “But when it was about to be privatized, some landowners started planting trees under the transmission lines and refused negotiations,” he added. Meanwhile, Regional Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer Elizabeth Ladaga said the Baloi substation in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte is considered as the heart of Mindanao grid saying that four (4) of the hydropower plants, namely: Baloi Agus 2 138KV line no. 1; Baloi-Agus 2 138KV line no. 2; Balo-I Agus 4 line no. 2; and Abaga-Agus VI 69KV line are situated in Balo-i. Ladaga said on June 4, 2015, Baloi-Agus 2 138KV line 2 no. 1 and 2 tripped off due to critical vegetation. Fortunately, line 1 was restored when the breaker was reclosed. However, line 2 did not render service, and the said line is out of service up to the present.

Accordingly, some 500 megawatts produced by the hydropower plants will pass through Balo-i substation. She said NGCP’s ROW problem in Balo-i has caused frequent line tripping or brownouts, not just in the town, but also in the western region of Mindanao. Ladaga said the NGCP had filed expropriation proceedings so it can pay off landowners, but the transmission company may have to shell out more money to pay the tree planters in Balo-i. “We have already filed 6 expropriation cases in the court,” she concluded.


PSA sets nationwide population census in AugustBy Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY - Come August 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will undertake the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015), which is a complete enumeration of households in the country, designed primarily to take an inventory of the population of the entire Philippines. Engr. HermiloPantillo, Interim Provincial Statistics Officer, PSA, Zamboanga del Sur said the census aims to generate statistics on the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the population and important housing characteristics.

“Such data shall be used as bases in the formulation of development plans, policies, and programs and in the allocation of resources at various geographic levels,”Pantillo said.

Enumeration will start on August 10 until September 6, 2015 in most provinces and may be extended until end of September 2015 in big cities.

Enumerators wearing official POPCEN 2015 IDs will visit and interview every household and

ask basic information about its members, thus, PSA encourages everyone to cooperate and provide truthful answers to census questions.

The agency also urgeslocal chief executives as well as LGU leaders, down to the barangay, schools and academic institutions to provide full support and cooperation in this undertaking.

POPCEN 2015 is the 14th census of population to be undertaken in the country since the first census in 1903. It is the 3rd population census to be conducted in between two decennial censuses. It can be recalled also that the mid-decade censuses were carried out in 1995 and 2007.


Agutayan island watch tower inauguration kicks-off drive for Macajalar Bay protection

JASAAN, Misamis Oriental – The Agutayan Watchtower and Light House Project is inaugurated today at the Agutayan white island in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

by STEAG State Power Inc.

The project is a joint undertaking of the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, the Department of Energy (DOE), STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) and the local government unit (LGU) of Jasaan. Misamis Oriental Governor Bambi Emano, together with SPI President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich lead the


inauguration rites. The watchtower is a two-storey structure with a total floor area of about 84 sq.m. It has an observation deck equipped with a solar-powered LED lighting system. Project cost of P6.6 million was taken out of the Misamis Oriental provincial government’s share in a social fund that accrues from the electricity sales of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) pursuant to ER 1-94 of the Department of Energy (DOE). Virtually a sandbar surrounded by green waters teeming with marine life, Agutayan Island is located some five kilometer off the coast in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. It is one of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Misamis Oriental, with approximately 5,000 square meters of white sand that sits on a 4.5 hectare marine sanctuary that provides a favourable breeding ground for endangered marine species. As an MPA, Agutayan Island is essential for the attainment of a healthy balance of marine biodiversity for the entire expanse of the Macajalar Bay. It is home to several giant clams and other endangered marine species. Considered as one of the

priorities of the provincial government’s eco-tourism development programs, the Agutayan Watch Tower Project is an affirmation of a vibrant partnership between the government and the private sector geared towards attaining a more balanced development in the Macajalar Bay area. SPI President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich reaffirms the company’s commitment to responsible business practices at the same time supporting efforts in community development and environmental conservation. “We reaffirm our commitment to help improve the quality of life of the people especially in our host communities in Misamis Oriental not only through the electric power that we supply, but also through our various community development and environmental conservation programs,” Dr. Goerlich said. SPI owns and operates the 210 MW (net) Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant located along the coast of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental. It currently provides around 18% of Mindanao’s total electricity supply.


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), here, has alerted the public against the pyramiding schemes of some companies/business groups that invite/recruit them.

“The pyramiding scheme is generally characterized by people earning primarily from the act of recruiting other people who are made to pay significant registration fees to join them,” Delia M. Ayano, Provincial Director of DTI, said. Thus, in an effort to protect the welfare of consumers against the said schemes, DTI MisOcc has warned the public against investments that earn money from the recruitment of other members and not on the amount

of products sold, Ayano said. Meanwhile, Marites B. Alcampado, Supervising Head, Consumer Welfare Division (CWD) of DTI-Misamis Occidental, said the public must avoid investments that include “double your money” “easy money” and “quick money” schemes that offer big interest, which is more than those of the banks. They should also avoid groups that promise a “risk free” or a 100 percent assurance of

the return of investment (ROI), who encourage them to join, in haste, so as not to miss the chance of earning money, she said. Likewise, avoid companies that require deposit money for a “shipping fee” insurance and registration fee to be able to claim a prize or winning in a raffle which you they did not participate and gives no other information but a contact number, Alcampado added.(DTI)

DTI MisOcc alerts public against pyramiding schemes


DSWD maintains clean database of Pantawid Pamilya

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is reiterating that the agency is keeping a clean database of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya).

Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD Northern Mindanao, said that measures and systems are continually enforced to maintain a clean list of beneficiaries. Northern Mindanao has 277,510 beneficiaries listed under the regular Pantawid Pamilya, aside from the 18,901 grantees who are members of the different groups of Indigenous People under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer. Solamillo emphasized that only the rightful beneficiaries of the program are included in the database, adding that the Grievance Redress System (GRS) of the program is continually capturing and processing complaints related to the program. Since the implementation of the program in 2010, GRS has delisted 2,438 beneficiaries due to inclusion errors; found

out and delisted 13,210 because the household has no eligible children aged 0-18 years old; and delisted 717 grantees found to have regular income. GRS also has cleaned its list from double entry or duplication, fraud, missing, waived, not registered, among others. For her part, Kenneth Haze Sanchez, Regional Program Coordinator of Pantawid Pamilya in Northern Mindanao, explained that one way of keeping the database from leakage is through immediate filing of updates by encoding those updates in the system. As of this year, Sanchez disclosed that GRS has received, processed, and resolved only minimal complaints of inclusion error which are coming from the grantees under Sets 6 and 7 or grantees included in the program for the last two years. She also added that the

by Oliver Badel Inodeo


Department conducts regular spot checks nationwide and consultations with different partner-agencies and organizations to help improve the implementation of the program. Earlier, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has clarified reports citing a paper by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which stated “improvements are needed in the program’s targeting system to reduce an estimated leakage rate of 30%”. ADB through its Philippines Country Director Richard Bolt, however, has already issued a clarification saying that the paper they published referred to studies from 2013 and 2011, which in turn used data from 2009. “It is unfortunate that outdated data was used in media reports claiming that 19 billion pesos of program funds did not go to intended beneficiaries. That figure is based on a calculation drawn from outdated 2009 data—at a time when the budget for the program was much smaller—rather than the most recent 2014 budget. Initial targeting errors have been substantially reduced by the Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD), with advice from ADB and other partners. It is important to note that these targeting errors did not lead to misappropriation or misuse of funds. “Since 2010, ADB has worked closely with DSWD to ensure funding goes to intended beneficiaries. ADB technical assistance has supported DSWD in implementing measures—such as a grievance redress mechanism, extra training for staff, and spot checks in the field—to improve targeting models so they exclude non-eligible families. “As part of ADB’s continuing efforts to improve the program’s effectiveness, a new round of poverty assessment processes is ongoing to update the status of beneficiary households and ensure funds are properly directed,” said Bolt in his statement which is also posted in ADB’s websitewww.adb.org. Solamillo also enjoined the public to report, through the GRS, any complaint or questions about the Pantawid Pamilya. Messages can be sent through the text hotline 09189122813 or via electronic mail [email protected] or via Facebook: Tanggapan ng Reklamo.


Davao Oriental Guv to com-plete tourism landmarks in each town, city

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental— Each town and city of Davao Ori-ental will soon have its respective tourism landmark before Pro-vincial Governor Cora-zon Malanyaon ends her term next year. In an interview after the 48th founding anniversary program on July 01, Malanyaon bared plans of setting her focus on tourism development during the rest of her

term. “Ang concentra-tion ko is more on really building on tourism in-frastructures, and pro-moting the province as a premiere tourist destina-tion,” she said. She revealed intentions of enhancing the respective cultural and natural attractions in each town and city of the province while complet-ing the on-going tourism development projects.


She viewed her initiatives on eco-tourism development as a way of setting the standards of future development projects that would be done by Davao Oriental LGUs and the private sector. Meanwhile, the audio-video presentation shown during the 48th anniversary program said that Gov-ernor Malanyaon’s focus on tourism development “was highlighted by the inscription of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary as a UNES-CO World Heritage Site,” on June 2014. The AVP also said that the inscription triggered the enhance-ment and promotion of existing eco-tourism sites in Davao Oriental. These are the Subangan Provincial Museum in Mati City, Pintatagan Wel-come Park and Dalan sa Cruz Shrine

at the provincial entrance in the municipality of Banay-banay, Aliwag-wag Falls Eco Park in Cateel and the Cateel Riverview Park and Memorial Shrine. Other sites ready for tourist visits are the Baganga Sunrise Bou-levard, the Boston Pacific View Park, the Mt. Hamiguitan Eco-Park in San Isidro, the Pusan Point in Caraga, and the Cape San Agustin Eco Park in Governor Generoso. The parks development in the towns of Manay, Tarragona and Lupon are still in the pipeline. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

did you know...

that Davao Light and Power Company or DLPC was incor-porated by an American businessman PH Frank in 1929. He sold the company to Don Ramon Aboitiz after the war


Comval boosts capabilities of Tanods

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, JULY 03---The provincial government of Compostela Valley through the Legal Office (PLO) continues its mission to capacitate barangay functionaries on Barangay Justice System (BJS) towards effective governance. The barangay functionaries has always been at the forefront of lo-cal development undertakings in the province. Their roles are crucial be-cause of their strategic situation at the grassroots level especially in the effective and efficient service deliv-ery to the community. This year, the skills training workshop is given among Barangay Tanods with several batches assigned per municipality on a weekly basis starting late May 2015. On June 25-26, about 224 Barangay tanods from New Bataan join the workshop at the Raj Hotel, Tagum City. While 164 tanods from Mabini and 368 tanods of Nabunturan will follow on July 2-3 and July 14-17 (2 batches), respec-tively. Other municipalities will also have their training schedule set from July to August of this year. PLO head Atty. Richard Liban said the training program, targeting all barangay tanods in the 11 munic-

ipalities, is designed to provide them the necessary tools and practices in the administration of the BJS. “We would like to enable the poor particularly women and children to pursue justice through increased knowledge about basic human rights and the justice system,” he added. The 2-day workshop will also include disaster management, first aid and fire prevention, basic baran-gay police operations such as patrol-ling and Ronda operations, crowd control, arresting techniques and procedures, among others. It can be recalled that last July 2014, the activity kicked-off with the participating officials composed of the Barangay Captains, First Ba-rangay Councilors, Barangay Secre-taries, and members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa. With lectures on “Katarungang Pambarangay Law,” Other Related Laws, Mediation & Conciliation Skills, Special Laws, and R.A. 9262 or Violence Against Wom-en and Children Law, among others. The program is funded by PLGU Comval with technical assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, and Provincial Police Office. (Fe Maestre/IDS Comval)


LGU-Gensan posts highest revenue in 20 years

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 6 – The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported that the local government unit (LGU) of General San-tos has posted the highest revenue collected within the past 20 years.

Rodilon Lacap, head of the CTO, said the annual increase in revenue of the city has been noticed since the assumption of Mayor Ronnel Rivera as local chief executive of the city in 2013.

In the Statement of Receipts and Ex-penditures given by the Treasurer’s Op-erations Review Unit (TORU), Gensan’s net income peaked in 2014 to the sum of P309,975,597.64.

The amount is a significant leap from the city’s 2013 and 2012 annual net in-comes which were P248,598,517.57 and P242,621,783.97, respectively.

Gensan has also increased its total as-sets by around 50% for the past three years—from P2,512,512,282.57 in 2012 to P3,309,798,278.04 in 2014.

Because of these fiscal improvements and for showing transparency in their transac-tions, a Seal of Good Financial Housekeep-ing (GFH) for the year 2014 was awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the city government last April 2015.


Lacap noted the importance of the GFH award for LGU Gensan, especially in the access of na-tional funds.

“For example, one of the cri-teria for an LGU to acquire the Bottom-UpBudget (BUB) funds of DILG is its financial manage-ment and credibility. The GFH is one of its proofs,” Lacap said.

The city treasurer also enu-merated some of the factors attributed to the increase of revenue collection of the city government.

“One of the major factors for this is the kind of leadership that we have. The levels of re-sponsiveness of our business sector and our people depend on the kind of leaders we have,” Lacap explained.

“That (factor) is true, and I am very well informed with that since I am witness of that for many years already,” Lacap con-tinued. “If the people like their leader, then they become more responsive.”

Lacap revealed that Mayor Ri-vera helped them in formulating strategies to improve the collec-tion, through the public finan-cial management assessment tool provided by the DILG and Department of Budget and Man-agement.

“We looked at the areas that we didn’t perform very well, and improved it. Those areas that we perform well, we sustained it,” Lacap pointed out.

“After that, we (LGU Gensan) were able to formulate our pub


DILG 12 orients Tacurong’s BATs on UBAS

lic financial management im-provement plan for basis of our strategies, such as the exten-sion of land amnesty tax,” he added.

Another factor Lacap noted was the entry of new investors and businesses in the city, such as the SM Mall, SM Save More, Greenleaf Hotel, and real estate firms.

“The goal of our office is al-ways to exceed our target (col-lection) every year. We can ex-pect that this trend will continue for the next years to come, given that we are duly support-ed by the city government,” the treasurer affirmed. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, July 6-- In a bid to step up the mainstreaming efforts of Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 conducted an orientation workshop with members of the Barangay Action Teams (BATs) of Ta-curong City on Thursday.

Held at the Formation Center of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish, the orientation gathered more than 80 members of BATs from the 20 barangays com-posed of Barangay chairpersons, chapel leaders and representa-tives of barangay-based civil society organizations.The creation of BATs in the city, notably the first in the region, is mandated by Executive Orders issued by the Punong Baran-

gays.It was also an offshoot of the commitment of the Liga ng mga Barangay together with the DILG, Archdiocese of Cotabato and the Inter-Faith Group of Ta-curong during the UBAS launch-ing in February.UBAS is a partnership of baran-gays, faith-based organization and the DILG which encourages citizens’ active participation in governance, thus institutional


izing transparency and account-ability the local government.Meanwhile, BATs are specifically tasked to monitor the proper implementation of the projects under Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) and other engagements in the barangay, to achieve the goal of curbing corruption and promoting good governance.DILG 12 UBAS Focal Person Jer-mie Erie-Yeager provided the participants with inputs on the BUB process and engagement of UBAS in BUB projects monitor-ing.BAT members were also taught on how to fill out BUB Monitor-ing Forms. DILG City Director Alberto Sero, Jr. also talked on the role of the barangays in pro-moting good governance.The workshop included the drafting of action plan by each BAT that includes the schedule of ocular inspection of BUB-funded projects in the baran-gays as well as the conduct of interview to project beneficiaries among others.Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Ester Valdez, who represented DILG Regional Director Reynaldo Bungubung during the event, commended the attentiveness and dynamism of the partici-

pants in the whole-day activity.“Your presence implies your commitment to help the pres-ent government in implement-ing the Matuwid na Daan,” Valdez said as she relayed the message of the the DILG Direc-tor.Mayor Lina Montilla also urged the BAT members to be com-mitted in their tasks saying that the effective monitoring is a key ingredient in the proper imple-mentation of government proj-ects.The whole-day orientation wrapped up with the talk of Fa-ther Zaldy Robles on “I Vote for Good Advocacy” which gives the citizens of the community a guide on what to look for a lead-er who possesses the qualities of an honest and efficient public servant. (ASFreno-LGU Tacurong City Information/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


NDCM celebration in R-12 highlights capability-building of communitiesBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 3 (PIA) -- The celebra-tion of National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) in SOCCSKSARGEN Region focuses on capability-building of com-munities and different sectors on disaster risk reduction and response, an official of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

Jerome Barranco, assistant regional director of OCD XII told Philippine Information Agency XII in an interview that several activities have been lined-up for the month-long celebration in the region.

OCD XII, in partnership with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, launched the NDCM at the provincial com-pound on Wednesday, July 1.

“The celebration of the NDCM intends to heighten public awareness regarding disasters and how these disasters could affect the population,” Barranco said. “more importantly how the public could prevent or prepare for these disasters.”

He added that the event also aims to promote the disaster risk reduction and management efforts of the government from the national level down to the level of the local government

units.Starting July 2, OCD XII is

hosting a three-day Incident Command System (ICS) train-ing for the municipality of Maa-sim, Sarangani.

An ICS is a standard on-site command system designed to command, control and coordi-nate disaster response.

“Of the 54 LGUs in SOCC-SKSARGEN Region, more than 40 have already undergone ICS training,” Barranco disclosed.

SOCCSKSARGEN is comprised of the provinces of South Cota-bato, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat; the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cota-bato; and 45 municipalities.

OCD is also extending techni-cal assistance to the City of Ko-ronadal LGU through a contin-gency planning and pre-disaster risk assessment on July 6-7


with regard to the Piyesta Kolon Datal, an international folkloric festival to be hosted by the city government.

Twelve countries, namely: Armenia, Slovenia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Turkey, Poland, Japan, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, India and Thailand will join the festival on August 9-18.

On the third week, the OCD XII will conduct a seminar on Rapid Disaster Assessment and Needs Analysis for SOCC-SKSARGEN Region, which he added also aims to organize another team of experts from different sectors who will con-duct an “honest-to-goodness post-disaster assessment and feed the gathered data to the local government units in the preparation of a response and rehabilitation plan.

“These experts will advise local government officials on needed immediate actions such as deployment of heavy equip-ment to repair roads for an ef-ficient relief and rescue opera-tions,” he explained.

They will also gather per-sons with disability for an ori-entation on the Philippine DRRM system.

“The orientation for PWDs will include discussions on how they could possibly contribute such as serving as disaster man-

agers despite their limitations,” Barranco said.

OCD XII will also conduct a series of contingency planning seminars for the province of Sarangani as well as the munic-ipalities of Columbio, Lambay-ong, Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Palim-bang, Lebak and Kalamansig.

It will also roll out a new module, Community-Based DRRM, in Carmen, North Cota-bato.

Other activities in the month-long celebration include coastal cleanup and mangrove planting in General Santos City, a regional draw and tell and es-say contest with the Depart-ment of Education XII and evaluation of the Gawad Kalasag nominees.

It will also lead in the conduct of a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on July 23.

“OCD XII is willing to con-duct earthquake drill orientation seminar for offices and groups who will request training on how an earthquake drill should be carried out,” Barranco an-nounced.

This year’s NDCM celebration is anchored on the theme “Pami-lya at Pamayanang Handa Katu-wang sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan.” (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

one mindanao - july 6, 2015

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