one mindanao - july 9, 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

DOMINIC SANCHEZ, 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

Gensan rolls out scholarship program

NorthCot- PDRRMC braces for possible calamities

DavNor guv inducts alliance of disaster action officers

DOH-ARMM to launch info drive on obesity, overweight among residents

No fake rice in ARMM, says regional NFA office

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BFAR 12 intensifies training on seaweed farming

Malacañang defends hiring of foreign lawyer to represent Philippines at Arbitral Tribunal

DOT: Passage of BBL to spur tourism growth in Mindanao

Police to tourists, locals: Be ‘extra careful’ amid threats in Zambo City

CDRRMO to promote disaster resiliency in Zambo schools

DTI warns public on the use of butane canisters

PhilRice - Agusan strengthens ICT-based resources, tools on rice

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By: IJMLagare

By: Shahana Joy e. Duerme

By: Peace Process Media Bureau

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

By: Dave G. Malcampo

By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

By: Japhet C. Sugian

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERNARMM

NATIONAL

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DENR 10 conducts series of learning events to people’s organization

Tangub budgets P6M for “Bigay-Buhay” sa Panguil Bay Project

By: Jessa nn Mahartin

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Michael UyBy: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

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By: Nirvana Alpha Vita G. Fruylan

Contents

4 July 9, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

By: Nirvana Alpha Vita G. Fruylan

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 12 has intensified its training on seaweed farming by including it as one of the

featured activities of the 13th Yaman Gensan which will end on the third week of July.

BFAR 12 intensifies training on seaweed farming

A two-day ”Hands on Training on Seaweeds Farming with Emphasis on Seaweeds Lantay Method” was conducted by BFAR 12 Tuesday for Gensan fishermen particularly from Barangay Bula, which is the pilot area in the city for seaweed production and value adding for over a year now.

Jeffrey Nunez, Regional Seaweed Coordinator of BFAR

12 said the participants were taught on the basic seaweed farm management, how to layout their farm and plant seaweeds; and were also oriented on the seaweeds biology and ecology.

He pointed out that seaweed farmers must know that this vegetative plant grows faster in areas with water current of 20-40 meters per minute while it grows

5July 9, 2015 One Mindanao

slower and unhealthy in stagnant waters.

“Barangay Bula is safe for seaweed farming. BFAR 12 introduced this cost-effective, alternative livelihood for our marginalized fishermen in the area, as seaweed farming requires small capital but big income. It requires no fertilizer. It is purely organic,” he disclosed.


Moreover, Nunez said that aside from seaweed production local residents in the barangay started to appreciate the seaweed value-added products as source of income for fishermen’s households.

“Wives and children of our local fishermen in Bula are now earning a living through their delectable seaweed maja blanca, and other products like crackers, noodles, pickles, and jams which are made of seaweed,” he explained.

Aside from the training, BFAR 12 will also distribute “farm implements” like polyethylene ropes, floaters and seedlings to the participants as well as “fishing gear assistance” like gill nets, fish pot, squid trap, and hook and lines which they could use while waiting for the harvest period.

“Gensan is a non-traditional area for seaweed farming since it is known as tuna capital of the country. The challenge really is how to entice our local fishermen to venture into seaweed farming especially with the recent challenges our tuna industry is facing. It takes 2-3 months for seaweeds to be harvested, thus BFAR 12 find other interventions to entice our local fishermen to venture into seaweed farming,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Teddy Bulante, 53, a fisherman for more than 20 years, but is now into seaweed farming explained the advantages of his current source of income which is more safer than going out into the open sea for weeks just to catch tuna.

Bulante said most of the time they go home with no catch because of bad weather which put their lives always in danger.

“Seaweed farming is a bit relax for me and my family since I only visit my farm to clean once a day, just early in the morning before breakfast then I go back home and do other household chores,” he said in the vernacular.


DFA warns public of drug couriers’ modus operandi; calls for Filipinos not to be victims

PASAY CITY - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises the public not to fall to the modus operandi of drug syndicates, describing also the profile of recruiters working for them and their victims. The information on the modus operandi of drug syndicates is based on the report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).


“We call for personal vigilance and responsibility on the part of Filipinos who travel abroad. We remind our kababayans that the laws imposed by host countries govern cases of drug trafficking,” DFA said in a statement. “We hope that this information will help our kababayans to be more equipped in preventing themselves from becoming victims of drug syndicates,” it further added.

Citing the report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), drug syndicate recruiters meet potential victims through casual acquaintances or through the Internet in order to befriend, enter into a relationship and/or marry the victim.

The potential drug courier is lured or attracted by the offer of payment of US$3,000 up to US$15,000 for every successful delivery or transaction. They are provided with plane tickets and

hotel accommodations. African Drug Syndicate (ADS) members, in particular, are engaged in the importation of illegal drugs in low amounts at a high frequency.

Drug couriers that have been caught are mostly male. Some are displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are looking for a job abroad. Some have a poor educational background.

However, some drug couriers are also, in fact, well-educated. In their case, they were lured by drug syndicates who offered them “easy money” and the opportunity to travel to different countries. Drug syndicate recruiters also take advantage of a potential victim’s desire to enter into a relationship or marriage. According to PDEA, Filipinos are the target of drug syndicates specifically for their proficiency in the English language, their ability to speak other languages, and their skill with computers and the Internet.


Malacañang defends hiring of foreign lawyer to represent Philippines at Arbitral Tribunal

MANILA - The Palace on Wednesday defended the hiring of a foreign counsel to represent the Philippines at the Arbitral Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands, in the country’s territorial dispute with China.

Filipinos are also deemed by drug syndicates to have an “unassuming behavior” which attracts less attention from police or airport authorities. It

is also assumed that Filipinos, in general, have a positive disposition which drug syndicate recruiters exploit. (DFA)


“You hire someone on the basis of competence. You hire someone on the basis of expertise and the field of knowledge that one possesses,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, commenting on reports that lawyer Harry Roque has questioned the government move to enlist the help of a foreign lawyer to defend the Philippines’ case against China at the tribunal.

“We have the knowledge, but insofar as appearing before the international tribunal, you get the best persons that you

can hire for that,” Lacierda told reporters during the daily press briefing in Malacañang.

“When you call on international arbitration, for instance, in other cases that the Philippine government has appeared before, we’ve always hired experts on those issues,” he added, noting that it would be foolhardy for the country not to hire experts who have experience in appearing before such courts.

On why the government sent a big delegation to The Hague, Lacierda said this shows that everyone in the government supports the case against China.

“This is a very important issue for the country and it shows the unity of the three branches of government in presenting this issue before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS),” he explained.


The government has hired Paul Reichler as the Philippines’ Chief Counsel at the ITLOS.

Reichler, who graduated cum laude from the Harvard Law School in 1973, is a partner at the 70-year-old law firm Foley Hoag in the United States. He co-chairs the firm’s International Litigation and Arbitration Department.

Chambers Global, which has been ranking the world’s best law firms and lawyers since 1990, has described Reichler as one who “belongs to a select group of elite lawyers with extensive experience litigating on behalf of sovereign states before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in Hamburg”.

Reichler has expressed his eagerness to help poor countries, saying that smaller countries should at least have an equal footing before the international tribunals, despite their economic or military weakness, compared to big and powerful states. (PCOO/PND (as)


DOT: Passage of BBL to spur tourism growth in Mindanao

DAVAO - The passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not only benefit the general peace and security condition of Mindanao and its people, but will also spur the region’s tourism and economic growth, a

Department of Tourism official said. At present, only the domestic market is the primary driving force that boosts tourist arrivals in Mindanao. This, however, does not cover the provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The domestic market drives tourist arrivals in Mindanao. With the exception of the ARMM region, active marketing and promotion, product development, and strong LGU (Local Government Unit) involvement have kept the regions competitive,” Tourism Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato said in a statement sent by the Peace Process Media Bureau.

Boncato added that travel advisories issued by the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and South Korea in some areas of Mindanao, particularly in ARMM, have snagged the tourism growth of the region.

“The travel advisories by the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea to various parts of Mindanao and specifically in ARMM areas have kept Mindanao an unattractive destination for regional and international markets. Even the domestic market is wary,” Boncato said. He further expressed


hope that with the passage of the BBL, Mindanao, specifically the provinces in ARMM, will eventually get a better impression not only in the peace and security issue but also as an alternative tourist destination.

“Currently, the DOT is working with DOT ARMM and is positioning the region as a destination for both domestic and international markets during important and meaningful celebrations such as the Eid’l Fitr,” he said.

He added, hopefully with the enactment of BBL which would pave the way for lasting peace in the region, “travelers can celebrate in Cotabato City where the biggest mosque in the country is located.”

“The growth impact on ARMM tourism if entering a peaceful BBL regime can very well be like the national average growth both in arrivals and spend. We need to continue building investor confidence, investing in infrastructure, working on connectivity, rolling our standards and regulation, and marketing and promotions focused on existing products (sites, attractions, services) as part of a confidence-

building program for our target market,” Boncato said.

He likewise claimed that with the passage of the BBL, domestic and foreign arrivals would significantly improve since security concerns will no longer be a big issue for tourists who will visit Mindanao.

As indicated in the DOT’s 2012 to 2013 statistics of tourist arrivals in Mindanao, Davao region has been the top tourist destination in Mindanao with an increase of 252,086 tourists coming in or 1,827,086 as against 2012’s 1,575,000 arrivals, while Region 10 or Northern Mindanao which covers the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Occidental is the second most visited region in the southern part of the Philippines, despite a decline with local and foreign tourists slightly down from 1,482,801 in 2012 to 1,321,172 arrivals in 2013. The ARMM provinces remain to be the least visited part of Mindanao followed by Region 12 or the Cotabato region and Zamboanga Peninsula. (Peace Process Media Bureau)


PopCom Caraga heightens male involvement on family health By: PopCom-Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – Another KATROPA (Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya) Session was initiated recently by the Commission on Population (PopCom)-Caraga among the 70 husbands and community leaders from selected barangays and offices of this city. The event specifically aimed to equip these men with necessary knowledge and skills on maternal and child health in order that they


By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

DTI warns public on the use of butane canisters

The DTI cautions that these canisters are not intended and designed for LPG and therefore may pose danger to users and households. Based on the Philippine

National Standards (PNS 03-01:2000), only welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of 150 liters are intended for storage and transport of LPG. Butane canisters are not

SURIGAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) once again warns public on the use of butane canisters for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

would be personally effective in making decisions about their family’s health, personal development, and other related issues and concerns; and they can be mobilized as advocates from the ground for the development of needed policies and programs on Maternal Nutrition and Child Health Nutrition (MNCHN).

In his opening message, PopCom Caraga regional

director Alexander A. Makinano emphasized that involving males as advocates for maternal health is considered a pioneering advocacy strategy that improve the policy and program environment for maternal and child health and nutrition and responsible parenting. The term “katropa” connotes a group of male peers who have developed sense of camaraderie. PopCom believes that mobilizing men collectively for maternal health and responsible parenthood can make pregnancy and child birth a joyous moment for women as well as their male partners, instead of being situations where women have to risk their lives from the risk of pregnancy and child birth.


compliant with quality and safety requirements for LPG refill. As such it may leak and emit hazardous gas and cause explosion and fire, thus, posing danger to life and properties. DTI Provincial Director Celestino L. Negapatan encourages the public to report

any information on the said unsafe practice. Concerned individuals can visit the DTI Provincial Office located at the 2nd Floor, Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city or call at telephone number 826-6129 or 0919-5971199.

PhilRice - Agusan strengthens ICT-based resources, tools on rice By: Japhet C. Sugian

TANDAG CITY - The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Agusan in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and province of Surigao del Sur led recently the conduct of a knowledge, sharing and learning activity on strengthening Information Communication and Technology (ICT) based resources and tools on agriculture specifically on rice at Shacene Pension House and Restaurant, this city.


The activity was aimed at promoting and improving public awareness on rice based technology intended for the farmers by capacitating the agriculture extension workers (AEWs) as front line movers of the technology together with the assistance of the local media practitioners in disseminating the relevant information. Different personalities composed of media practitioners, representatives from the academe, local government units, and AEWs of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist participated in the training. During the activity, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) technical persons presented the concept of establishing a rice doctor as well as downloading and learning the rice knowledge bank (RKB), and weed identification tool.

Also, Sharen Rivas of PhilRice presented the key realities of the agriculture sector today. “The population is rapidly increasing and rice consumption is also expected to grow but the problem now is - how to convince our youth to take up agriculture in college,” said Rivas. Provincial agriculturist Marcos Quico also bared that the average marginal age of farmers at present ranges from 45 to 60 years old. “We have never seen youth nowadays cultivating their piece of land under the heat of the sun,” Quico added. The event ended with an oath of commitment from the participants by jotting down their specific roles in reviving the agriculture industry in the province and the whole country.


By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – To clarify certain issues raised against the proposed Bangsamoro Ba-sic Law (BBL) and the Comprehensive Agree-ment on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Atty. Anna Basman, head of the legal team of the Govern-ment Peace Panel met with the local press in a forum held here yesterday.

OPAPP holds BBL forum; cites gains of peace talks with MILF


Some 25 media practitioners from the different print, radio and TV outfits in the city turned up to shoot their questions to Atty. Basman who traveled all the way from Manila for the said activity.

As regards the issue on a sepa-rate Bangsamoro police, Basman clarified that the police force of the Bangsamoro government is still under the Philippine Nation-al Police (PNP). “It is called the Bangsamoro police because it is in the Bangsamoro; it is just like the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Police Re-gional Office (ARMM-PRO),” Bas-man explained.

When asked whether the BBL is the solution to armed conflict in Mindanao, Atty. Basman re-plied that “the armed conflict is 40 years in history and not one law can instantaneously resolve the conflict. It’s going to be a work-in-progress with the gov-ernment, the Moro Islamic Lib-eration Front (MILF), civil society groups and all the stakeholders in the island.”

She also told the media practitio-ners that “there is no automatic/wide-scale integration of the MILF combatants to the PNP or the

Armed Forces of the Philippines. If they want to join the PNP or the AFP, they have to go through the hiring process. There is no special concession for them.”

To settle conflicts, she said, Shari’ah Court for the Muslims, Traditional/Tribal Justice System for “lumads”, regular courts and alternative dispute resolutions using customary laws will be established in the Bangsamoro government.

Basman said the normalization process had already taken place even without the BBL with the decommissioning of 145 MILF combatants with 75 high-pow-ered/crew served weapons last month. “The decommissioning will continue with the implemen-tation of the agreement on the Bangsamoro,” she added.

“One thing that happened in this peace negotiation with the MILF is that we are able to convert them from their extreme position – which is independence – to the fold,” the lady lawyer concluded.

Similar fora with media practi-tioners were also conducted in Zamboanga City, Pagadian City and in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.


By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – City police director Col. Angelito Casimiro ad-vises foreigners and locals alike to be extra careful when wandering the city especially at night due to the alleged presence and threat of lawless elements.

“We have visitors like British, Ma-laysians and others, and we want to assure their security. But they

themselves must also be con-scious and careful for their own safety,” said Casimiro.

Police to tourists, locals: Be ‘extra careful’ amid threats in Zambo City


However, he assured that the po-lice are ready to respond to any untoward occurrences.

Mayor Beng Climaco recent-ly called on residents to remain watchful and vigilant amidst said threats. “Immediately report to authorities about suspicious bags or items left in your areas and even the presence of suspicious persons,” she was quoted as say-ing.

According to City Hall Informa-tion Officer Shiela Covarrubias, the police a week ago unearthed alleged plans of lawless elements to “sow atrocities in the city.” Earlier, the authorities had suc-cessfully recovered improvised

explosive devices (IEDs) in two areas here.

Meanwhile, Casimiro bared that the city is “relatively peaceful” since they have noted no major crimes for the past several days. The city police director shared with the media his office’s accom-plishments such as the arrest of wanted persons, operations ver-sus illegal drugs and illegal gam-bling and the confiscation of fire-arms.

The police had also rescued two would-be victims of human traf-ficking and turned them over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

CDRRMO to promote disaster resiliency in Zambo schoolsBy Dave G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) will visit schools here this month to conduct infor-mation dissemination on disaster awareness to improve students’ and school personnel’s resiliency in case of any disaster would strike.


According to CDRRMO chief, As-sistant City Administrator Dr. El-meir Apolinario, they will be do-ing rounds in both private and public schools to discuss “earth-quakes, landslides, tsunamis and other disasters that may occur here” to raise awareness among the residents on what they need to know, to do and to be pre-pared for.

“We want to inform the public what to do before, during and after a calamity,” Dr. Apolinario said.

The CDRRMO will also have a bloodletting activity on Friday (June 10) at their office in baran-gay Zone IV.

On July 30, the city will join in a simultaneous nationwide earth-quake drill.

The activities are part of the

celebrations of the National Di-saster Consciousness Month. This year’s theme is “Pamilya at Pamayanang handa, katuwang sa pag-unlad ng bayan.”


Repair of Kibanog bridge soughtCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The request of the Barangay Council of Tignapoloan, thru Barangay Chair Jay Roa Pascual for the repair of Kibanog Bridge in the barangay will soon be tackled by the City Council committee on public works.

by City Information Office

According to Barangay Chair Jay Roa Pascual, the bridge is already cracked and has a weak foundation. In his letter request to the committee, Barangay Chair Pascual expressed concern over the safety of constituents. He said the bridge already poses danger to the motorists


DENR 10 conducts series of learning events to people’s organization

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- To sustain the production of bamboo-based handicrafts of the People’s Organization, Pualas Higaonon Tribal Small Land Owner Association (PO-PHTSLOA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 conducted learning events on Skills Enhancement Training on Bamboo Handicraft Making and Sustainable Community ENR-Based Enterprise (SCEE) Management Planning Workshop at Pualas, Baungon, Bukidnon on June 23-27, 2015.

by Jessa nn Mahartin

as well as the residents as it may collapse due to its current state. Meanwhile, the committee on public works chaired by Councilor Alden Bacal received a report from City Engineer’s Office regarding the deployment of the city government-owned backhoe at the Macasandig National High School site. According to Acting City

Engineer Rolando Pacuribot, due to the initial signs of landslide in the school site, it was decided to deploy the equipment to do benching/backsloping. It may be recalled that the committee requested the office to submit its report and justification on the presence of the city-owned equipment in the area.

The learning event on bamboo handicraft making taught the participants improve their product quality and designs. Fourteen prototype of bamboo handicrafts were used as patterns to make their own handicrafts

as an alternate source of their livelihood. The participants were also taught on the marketing, pricing and costing, and sustainable management of the bamboo handicrafts.


To support the full implementation of the production of bamboo-based handicrafts among the beneficiaries, the learning event on SCEE Management Planning Workshop equipped the beneficiaries with the necessary skills in the preparation of the SCEE Management Plan needed in the implementation of their livelihood. Topics taught to the participants include Community Resource, Organizational and Market Assessment, PO Enterprise Readiness Assessment, Importance of Formulating an Enterprise Plan, Steps in Enterprise Planning, and SCEE Plan Format and Write

shop. Trainings were conducted as part of the Community-Based Forest Management- Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program’s on poverty reduction, and environmental conservation and rehabilitation implemented by the DENR 10. Resource persons were Yvonne Joy M. Ambrosio of the Department of Trade and Industry, Roland G. Ciscar of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Talakag, Bukidnon, and Foresters Gemma B. Celino, Jennifer G. Bonggay, and Cathy B. Escuzar of the DENR 10 regional office.

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- At least P6 million pesos have been budgeted by the city government, here, under its “Bigay-Buhay sa Panguil Bay Project (Bigay-Buhay).”

Tangub budgets P6M for “Bigay-Buhay” sa Panguil Bay Project

“Bigay-Buhay extends financial and rice assistanceto those affected by the removal of ‘sanggab’ from the city’s coastal

waters implemented from May to August, this year, Atty. Philip T. Tan, Mayor of Tangub, said. He said the budget is

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


supported by City Ordinance No. 2015-05-014-A, adopting and approving the sustenance or “Pantawid” to the affected workers by the removal of those illegal fishing structures using filter net fishing gears. However, the mayor clarified that only those operators who voluntarily removed and surrendered their sanggab are entitled to the benefits of Bigay-Buhay, that include a half sack of rice and P2,000 cash, per month, for four months for households with four members and a sack of rice, plus P4,000 cash per month, for four months, for those with more than four members. Likewise, children of qualified beneficiaries enrolled in Northwestern Mindanao State

College (NMSC) and Governor Alfonso D. Tan College (GADTC), both of the city, can avail of full scholarship until graduation. Meanwhile, Tan said qualified Bigay-Buhay beneficiaries are “sanggab” operator-worker and “sanggab” worker who can present a certification of removal from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and certificate of “sanggab” deposit from the City Agriculture’s Office. Also required from the beneficiaries are their certificates of residency from the Barangay Chairperson, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Community Tax Certificate or cedulaand Valid Identification Documents (ID), the mayor added.


Communicators in Lanao del Sur team-up for wider info dissemination

Communicators in this province collaborated to create a new and stronger information network to ensure that populace are well-informed of the relevant issues and development efforts in Lanao.

The organization named AGONG LINe or Lanao Information Network is composed of media practitioners, bloggers, government information officers, communications officers of civil

society organizations, Communication Studies students, Editor in Chiefs of school papers, freelance writers, bloggers, and even netizens. AGONG LINe was conceptualized

by: Johaniah N. Yusoph


to serve as a special network that will connect all communicators to make information easily accessible to everyone, discuss current issues and concerns and how to address such issues without hiding the truth, and share developmental stories. “Individually, we are like dots of our respective organizations. But the network will connect us together to create a line that will provide faster access and dissemination of information,” said Prof. Sorhaila Latip, chairperson of the Communications and Media Studies Department of the

Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus. Agong is a big gong used to call the attention of the public or summon people to a gathering or meeting. Apipa Bagumbaran, provincial information coordinator of Philippine Information Agency, said the network will serve as a mechanism for the promotion of peace and development efforts in the province. She also expressed optimism

that members can strengthen the network to allow continuous exchange of views, knowledge and information. The organizational meeting of the AGONG LINe held at the Science Lecture Hall of MSU main campus on July 6, was highlighted by an orientation on peace journalism. Prof. Latip, who gave the lecture and mini workshop, also committed the support of the MSU Communications and Media Studies Department in the future undertakings of the network. (Johaniah N. Yusoph/APB/PIA-10)


DOH-ARMM to launch info drive on obesity, overweight among residentsMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) will conduct an information campaign to address obesity and overweight problems among residents in the region, the Health department chief said.

Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM secretary, said his department has lined-up a series of activities including community-based information drives in the different towns in the region, provincial and regional health forums, and medical missions. Overweight and obesity refer to body weight that are greater than what is considered healthy in relation to a person’s height. This indicates excessive accumulation and storage

of fats in the body. An overweight person has a body mass index (BMI) of greater than, or equal, to 25, and an obese person has a BMI of 30 or over. Being overweight, DOH-ARMM said, means having weight over and above the norm, while being obese means having excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. This year’s nutrition campaign is “Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon

by: Apipa P. Bagumbaran


at ehersisyo (Achieve normal weight through proper nutrition and physical activity).” In 2014, the department’s campaign focused on disasters and their effect on nutrition among Filipinos. The National Nutrition Month is observed July of each year by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491, which was signed into law in 1974. “Our objectives are to increase awareness on proper nutrition and physical activity to prevent obesity, encourage action, to attain normal weight and manage obesogenic environment,” Sec. Sinolinding said. “Obesogenic environment (refers to situations) that encourage people to eat unhealthy food and not do enough exercise,” he added. He also underscored that obesity has become one of the problems of the country, citing 31.1% of overweight and obesity prevalence among 20

years old and above in the Philippines in 2013. The National Capital Region posted the highest number of obese and overweight Filipinos with 39.9% among the 17 regions, while ARMM is at the 14th spot with 23.2% among adults. Physical inactivity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and child undernutrition that usually occurs during the first 1,000 days of life as well as poor breastfeeding practices, are among the possible reasons for overweight and obesity in the Philippines. Sec. Sinolinding added having proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and regular exercise will lead to proper weight and a healthy body, thus solving the problems on obesity and overweight. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)


No fake rice in ARMM, says regional NFA officeMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The National Food Authority (NFA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has assured the public that there is no synthetic, or fake, rice in the region amid reports of such product sold in Davao City and in other areas.

The NFA-ARMM has conducted inspections in rice retail outlets all over the region since July 1 in response to reports of suspected synthetic rice sold in some provinces not only Mindanao but in Luzon and the Visayas as well. “We closely supervise rice (distribution) in the region and so far, we have not monitored any fake rice,” said Fernando Nuñez, NFA-ARMM assistant regional manager. Fake, or synthetic, rice is reportedly made from other crops mixed with synthetic components, including chemicals related to the manufacture of plastic, and produced in neighboring countries. NFA rice supply in Cotabato City and Maguindanao comes from General Santos City; rice retailed in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur is from Cagayan de Oro City; and in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, rice comes from Zamboanga City. Nuñez said there are several processes and certifications in the legal importation of rice. The supplier is required to submit certificates of origin, of weight, and of quality in order to check if the incoming commodity conforms to current standards. NFA rice is available in the region’s markets at a price of P27 per kilo for regular milled and P32 per kilo for well-milled. The region’s grains agency also

offered tips when buying rice. Consumers, it said, should buy only from licensed retailers, which can be found in designated public markets, from groceries and supermarkets, as well as in NFA-accredited outlets. Licensed outlets, it added, display the full name of the retailer and the NFA accreditation number. Consumers should also pay attention to the appearance of the commodity since the NFA imports long-grained and white rice. Fake rice is reportedly not too white, usually round, and uniform in shape and size. NFA rice also does not smell of plastic. When cooked, there should be no layer of plastic above the rice. Avoid rice, the agency said, that weighs less than the usual. Furthermore, the grains agency said if there is suspicious-looking rice bought, the consumer must provide a sample of at least one kilo of uncooked grains and basic information of when, where, and from whom it was bought. He said reports on such product retailed in the market can be relayed through NFA-ARMM hotline at 421-2407and NFA’s Bantay Bigas hotline at 0906 436 3133. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)


Mt. Diwata public school receives P2.6 M worth of classroom from PMDC

MONKAYO, Compostela Valley---The Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) donated a Php2.6M worth of two-classroom school buildings to the Mt. Diwata Elementary School (MDES) located at Monkayo, Compos-tela Valley Province. Given by PMDC through the “Adopt-A-School” Program of the Department of Educa-tion, the building was inaugurated on June 9, 2015 and turned over by PMDC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lito A. Mondragon to Arriel Dublin, MDES school principal. During the inaugu-ration, Atty. Mondragon noted the event as his-toric not only for the school and for barangay Mt. Diwata, but also for PMDC, because the proj-ect “is a fulfillment of

PMDC’s mandate of ‘Cre-ating Wealth and Enrich-ing Lives’”. During the event, Mondragon expressed PMDC’s commitment to the improvement of the social well-being and general welfare of the residents of the Diwalwal Mineral Reservation Area (DMRA) in Monkayo, Compostela Valley Prov-ince. Atty. Mondragon thanked PMDC partners: the Department of Edu-cation, Mt. Diwata Ele-mentary School, the Mu-nicipal LGU of Monkayo and the Barangay LGU of Mt. Diwata, for ensuring the smooth implementa-tion of the project. He also thanked DCCD Engineering Cor-poration, one of the top engineering firms in the country, for providing the designs of high quality, DepEd –approved disas-ter-resilient school build


DavNor guv inducts alliance of disaster ac-tion officers

DAVAO DEL NORTE - - Governor

Rodolfo del Rosario inducted yesterday during the regular monthly Convocation pro-gram of the provincial gov-ernment here, the officers of the Provincial Alliance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PADIRRMO). Among the action officers from the city and municipal DRRMOs, the alliance is head-ed by Kapalong Rescue and Emergency Services (KARES) Action Officer and Municipal

ing. The Deed of Donation was signed on the same day by Atty. Mondragon and Dublin, and wit-nessed by DepEd representatives. Juanito Lapeceros, Division Physical Facilities coordinator of the Compos-tela Valley Division Office, and Azu-cena L. Teves, Monkayo district su-pervisor. Present during the event were Municipal Councilor Joel Caballes representing Mayor Joselito Brillan-tes of Monkayo; Eric Marteha of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) of Compostela Valley; Datu Santos Inagba-oy, IP Manda-tory Representative of Barangay Mt.

Diwata. Also present were officers and members of the 66th Infantry Battal-ion (IB), 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army, headed by Lt. Robert Entoma, and the Mt. Diwata Special Sub-Police Station, headed by PSI Constancio A. Lampitok. The project was also imple-mented in line with PMDC’s Cor-porate Social Responsibility (CSR) program dubbed as H.E.R.O (Health, Education/Environment, Rural Infra-structure, and Opportunities to earn) Program. (Kathleen Ocampo, Com-munity Devt Officer, PMDC)


Administrator Gaspar Balinggao. Governor Del Rosario lauded the action officers for creating the alliance emphasizing that a strong collaboration is needed to reduce the impact of disaster in a more timely response. “PADIRRMO plays a crucial role in saving people lives in the province especially in time of emergencies,” Del Rosario said. He said that with the steady increase in the number of calamities worldwide, disaster risk reduction

and management is very essential for sustainable development. The induction ceremony was part of the provincial celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month. PDRRMO Executive Officer Anita Juntilla said that activities for the monthly observation will include symposia in different local govern-ment units, Rescuelympics and res-cue boat making and race. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

regional gallery

Kennemer Foods International, together with the Obu-Manuvu Tribe of Davao City, the National Commission of Indigenous Peo-ples, and U.P. Mindanao, facilitated the distribution of school sup-plies to 245 elementary and day-care pupils in Marilog, Davao City and Arakan, North Cotabato.


LGU initiates strengthening program for brgy health systemsTACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, July 9 -- The local government unit of Tacurong through its Office of the City Health Servic-es has launched BHSSP or Barangay Health System Strengthening Program this year.

BHSSP is a city-led health initiative aimed at improving the barangay health system making health services available to the community, thereby improving health out-comes and contributing to the attainment of health-related Millennium Development Goals.

BHSSP intends to capacitate and em-power the health leaders in the barangay to help them organize and optimize their ba-rangay health board and community health team.

The very first BHSSP training was con-ducted in Barangay San Emmanuel on July 6.

Among the attendees were barangay offi-cials, purok presidents, and various organi-zational and religious leaders.

According to City Mayor Lina Montilla, cooperation between the city and the ba-rangays is important in offering adequate and proper health services to Tacurongons; hence, the LGU saw the need to implement a comprehensive health program for the ba


Gensan rolls out scholarship program

rangays.The LGU first launched BHSSP

in Barangay New Passi earlier this year.

BHSSP trainings will be con-ducted in all barangays of the city. (LGU-Tacurong City Infor-mation/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 9 – The local government unit of General Santos has recently launched a scholarship program for needy but deserving students.

EDUKAR or the Edukasyon para sa Kabus na Residente sa General Santos (education for the poor residents of General Santos) is the scholarship pro-gram initiated by the city gov-

ernment to help indigent stu-dents in the city gain college degrees.

A brainchild of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, EDUKAR aims to extend the reach and quality of


educational services given by the city government.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod also helped institutionalize the EDUKAR Program to assure its continuity by passing a resolu-tion in support of it.

“Every time I visit the schools here in the city for my PTA and armchair donation program, I always see children who were not able to finish their studies because of financial constraints,” Mayor Rivera said.

“I want every student in Gen-san to attain equal opportunity in education.”

EDUKAR grants a qualified student full scholarship which entitles him/ her to free tuition and other miscellaneous fees in any college course and school he/ she will enroll in.

Other perks like book allow-ance and monthly stipends are also included in the EDUKAR Program.

EDUKAR has an initial budget of P1.3 million.

The AKLAT (Alay sa Kabata-ang General Lahat ng Aruga at Talino) Office headed by Philip Pabelic facilitates the screening of the applicants for the scholar-ship program. The AKLAT office is located in the left wing of the Oval Gymnasium.

There are already 36 students who are enrolled in the EDUKAR scholarship program.

One of them is Jared Pinayao, 20, a Blaan and currently a 4th year nursing student at Bro-kenshire College. According to his mother Sophia Pinayao, 53, they feared that Jared can-not finish his study in a private school in such an economically demanding course after his fa-ther died.

His father, an agriculturist, was the only one who supported Jared and his older brother in their studies.

“I was really hopeless, but I kept my faith that someone will help us,” Sophia lamented in vernacular. “That’s why I am thankful to the EDUKAR Pro-gram of Mayor Rivera because it really encouraged Jared to finish his degree.”

Jared’s dream, according to his mother, is to become a proud Blaan nurse.

Pabelic said Jared’s case was special, since the EDUKAR Pro-gram does not cater to nursing courses. But after a thorough review, they considered Jared and enrolled him in the EDUKAR Program. (IJMLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12


NorthCot- PDRRMC braces for possible calamities

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, July 9 -- With frequent heavy rainfall experienced in many parts of the province in recent weeks, North Cotabato’s disaster response unit is now gearing up for pos-sible calamities.

By: Shahana Joy e. Duerme

Cynthia Ortega, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Council said that while the emergency preparedness in the province is already in place, some updating of the system and human re-source is still necessary.

With this, various activities are slated this July as part of the celebration of the Disaster Consciousness Month.

First on the list is the con-duct of a refresher course on boat handling for responders so that they can provide the right and proper intervention needed whenever calamity strikes. The provincial government has sev-en boats on standby in case of flooding.

Aside from the conduct of drills on earthquake and fire this month, Ortega added that they are also working out on the es-

tablishment of a unified com-munication system which will strengthen the linkages of the provincial government to the local government units (LGUs) – this way, important messages or concerns from the LGUs are di-rectly relayed to the higher ups.

Meanwhile, incidents from the three districts of the province are also closely monitored by PDRRMC staff assigned per dis-trict, with the help of municipal links or Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers who feed the necessary information.

While Ortega is confident that the province is ready for any eventualities with its state-of-the-art equipment and trained rescuers from the provincial level down to the barangay, she astill urged residents, especially in flood and landslide prone ar-eas, to be vigilant at all times


and report to authorities whatever irregularities they may observe.

Based on the provincial haz-ard map, flood prone areas in-clude: Kabacan, M’lang, Pikit, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, some parts of Matalam, Tulunan, Pres. Roxas, Kidapawan and Makilala; while landslide prone areas are: Arakan, Pres. Roxas, Magpet, Makilala, Tulunan, Matalam, Pig-cawayan, Alamada, some parts of Libungan, Carmen, and Ba-nisilan.

Keen on achieving ‘zero ca-sualty’ whenever inevitable di-saster hits the province, Gov-ernor Emmylou Mendoza, on the other hand, assured that

her administration will con-tinue to implement projects and source out funds to sup-port the disaster preparedness program of the provincial gov-ernment. (SJDuerme-PIA12/LQGonzales&RASotto-NorthCot Media Center)