one mindanao - june 9, 2014

Northern Mindanao unite for World Environment DayRudolph AlamaSOUTHERN MINDANAO MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 195

Philippine-Vietnam Friendship Games in Spratlys

NATIONAL

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WESTERN REGION

NORTHERN MINDANAOCARAGA REGION

Mother-tongue promotes class participation

DTI-9 brings SSF to remote areas to achieve inclusive economic growth

City installs people’s law enforcement board members

Zambo. Norte guv appointed as new RPOC-9 chair

OCD-10 holds Disaster Summit in CamiguinDOST develops ‘predictive damage, business continuity’ for more pro-active disaster preparedness in PHL

SurSur guv vows to push for construction of new ‘shortcut’ roads to Butuan City

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Information to Empower Filipinos

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SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Greg tataro, Jr.

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

CIO

Michael Uy Franklin P. Gumapon

Elaine O. RatunilDOST STII

MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 195

Brownouts in Summer

Last April 30, this writer being the moderator of the weekly Marco Polo Davao media forum Club 888 got a call from a Davao

Light and Power Company official asking for a slot in the forum. It was an emergency press conference.

Their announcement which earned a collective emotion of anger among city residents and areas under the power utility firms franchise was that the two-hour rotating brownouts would be extended to a maximum of six hours, split into 4 hours brownout during peak hours and two hours in the off-peak. T h e l o n g e r blackouts (or b r o w n o u t s ) was due to the low supply of power coming

f r o m t h e Mindanao Grid. Citing data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), DLPC

cited reduced supply coming from the hydropower plants National

Power Corp.’s Agus 2, 4, 6 and the Pulangi 4 hydro-electric power plants plus two units of Therma Marine Inc.Another factor was the 210-megawatt STEAG coal plant in

Misamis Oriental, which is still undergoing repair after being

damaged in February.

by Rudolph Alama

COVER STORY

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According to the DLPC during the press conference the NPC allocated about 120 MW to Davao Light from the previous week’s allocation of about 180 MW which is way lower than the Davao Light’s contracted supply with NPC of 280 MW.”

Impact Aside from inconvenienced residents the brownouts has also affected businessmen in the area. According to data from the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC) losses estimated to be P6-milion an hour of blackout. Ferdinand Maranon, president of the regional office of the Philippine Exporters Confederation bewailed DLPC’s failure to follow their schedule of power outages, which has resulted in man-hours which could have been used for more productive purposes. He said that banana exports have suffered delays because workers cannot complete the export requirements because of the disruptions cause by the brownouts. Businesses are also investing in generators to cope up with the inconvenience. According to Ivan Cortez OIC of the DCIPC, malls are experiencing brisk activity because people are converging in the malls to

c o o l off.

Cortez said that in times like these, only r e s p o n s i v e businessmen

survive and one of these

responses is to buy generator sets.

“The crisis has also given opportunities to businesses, as people will now go to the malls to cool down. Having generators is big plus for businesses as people seek establishments who have regular power. “ Cortez said.

Solutions Relief came in the form of repaired plants particularly the power barges and the subsequent completion of one of the 105-megawatt plant of STEAG which drastically reduced brownouts to 2 hours and in several areas,

brownouts were no longer felt. Also DLPC areas (Davao City, Panabo, Carmen and Sto. Tomas) were not much affected as compared to other areas in Mindanao which are experiencing up to 12 hours of blackout because of embedded capacity and other contracted power sources. DLPC sources 42.5 megawatts from the Sibulan hydropower plant, 30 megawatts from the power barges, 40 megawatts from its embedded generator in Bajada and 4.5 megawatt from Talomo hydro plant. During the early days of the power crisis, the embedded and additional sources of power were enough to save DLPC from the crutches of rotational blackouts until April which culminated in the first week of May with severe power shortfall coming from the grid. When the 105 MW STEAG plant went online, DLPC got an additional 10 megawatts of power. Which reduced the blackout hours. Long-term solutions include the construction of new power plants. According to Secretary Jericho Petilla during the inauguration of the Tudaya Hydropower plant in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur. Government’s re-entry to the power generation industry, which has, since been prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act

(EPIRA) won’t solve the power crisis.Petilla said that building a power generating plant takes about four years or longer. If ever government decides to go back to building power plants it won’t solve the ongoing problem. Among the big-ticket projects is the Therma South Inc. Davao Coal Power Plant which is a 300-megawatt

power generation facility. The coal plant is expected to be

online by next year. Of the 300-megawatt, about 100-megawatt will be supplied to DLPC while the 200-megawatt will be shared by 22 electric cooperatives

in Mindanao.The power plant is also

set for a 375-megawatt expansion, with initial

endorsement being given by the City Council of Davao. The newly inaugurated Tudaya hydro power plant is also providing power to DLPC with 6.6 megawatts from its 14.6 megawatt capacity, the rest being supplied to Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) which is enjoying zero brownouts due to the hydro power plants in the area and also by contracting power from other sources. Rains has also returned boosting water levels in Lake Lanao which has in turn increased the capacity of the hydro power plants in Agus. For now DLPC consumers has been spared from the travails of the rotating blackouts.

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Across the NationSchool-based feeding program aims to eradicate malnutrition among students, says Palace

Malacanang said the government has appropriated an over 1 billion-peso program aimed at eradicating malnutrition among school children, Malacanang said Sunday.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Herminio Coloma, Jr., told reporters in a press briefing aired over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan

this is a school-based feeding program.He said the lead agency for this

program is the National Nutrition Council which is under the Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government and

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid

and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva during a courtesy call at the South Ballroom of Diamond Hotel in Manila on Thursday.

8 JUBE 2014 | PAGE

the Commission on Higher Education.“Pinapatupad po ‘yon (program) sa

loob ng 120 araw at pagkatapos ng pag-release ng standardized malunggay recipe, at meron po silang tinatawag na 20-day cycle menu, at ang nationwide implementation ay pinopondohan ng General Appropriations Act. Ang pangkalahatang budget para diyan ay isang bilyon walumpung milyong piso (P1,080,000,000),” Coloma explained.

Under this program school canteens were given guidelines on how to provide proper nutrition to school

children. This included not serving junk foods and only giving nutrition-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Coloma added that this is apart from the supplementary feeding program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and separate from feeding programs of the Local Government Units in partnership with private groups and corporations.

“Ang mga programa pong ito ay naglalayon na ibalik sa normal na kalagayang pang-nutrisyon ang ating mga kabataang mag-aaral,” Coloma said. PND

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said “sila ay hindi naman maglalaban sa isa’t isa sa idaraos na mga palaro na kung saan magkakasama ang mga Pilipino at Vietnamese sa mga pangkat na maglalaro. Hindi ito Philippines versus Vietnam. Joint teams po ang lalahok sa palaro para mas maging mainam ang kanilang pakikipag-kaibigan.”

Filipino and Vietnamese

troops will compete in football, volleyball and tug-of-war matches.

They will be playing at the Vietnamese occupied island of Pugad (Southwest Cay).

“Ginawa po ang inisyatibang ito para maitaguyod ang pakikipagkaibigan at mainam na pagtutulungan ng mga Pilipino at ng mga Vietnamese na naatasang magbantay sa mga lugar na ‘yan,” Coloma added. PND

Philippine-Vietnam Friendship Games in Spratlys

The Philippine-Vietnam Friendship Games in Spratlys kick off Sunday, with combined Filipino and Vietnamese troops playing

side-by-side, said Malacanang.

9JUNE2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Mindanao trade up by 15 percent despite natural calamities

Mindanao’s total trade last year clinched US$7.6 billion freight-on-board (FOB) receipts which registered a

remarkable 15 percent increase despite the natural calamities that hit the island-region’s agricultural lands and production areas in the past two years.

“We are happy to announce that Mindanao’s trade performance remains bullish amid the natural calamities that beset the island-region from 2012 onwards,” said Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

Based on the data gathered and processed by MinDA, the island-region secured US$6.612 FOB receipts in 2012.

Antonino added that Mindanao suffered heavy losses from Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) which


hit hardest several provinces of Caraga and Southern Mindanao in December of 2012.

“We anticipated a downtrend in some of the region’s agricultural produce particularly banana and coconut because of the typhoon, but on the contrary, banana remained as our top dollar earner in 2013,” she said.

FOB receipts for banana products reached US$0.911 billion last year, 45 percent higher than the US$0.6255 billion registered in 2012.

Antonino however noted that there is a minor decline in coconut and palm kernel exports last year.

From US$890.1 million in 2012, Mindanao’s coconut exports only registered US$773.8 million in 2013. The 13 percent shortfall is attributed to the number of coconut trees that were damaged by Typhoon Pablo especially in the province of Davao Oriental. The coconut industry accounted for 14.9 percent of Mindanao exports in 2013.

“But our exports of nickel ores and concentrates significantly increased,” said Antonino, pointing out that in 2013, it recorded an increase of 72.86 percent, which amounted to US$639.5 million from only US$370 million in 2012.

Moreover, other Mindanao major exports include fish (either prepared or

preserved) and caviar that generated US$614.1 million or an increase of 92.33 percent from only US$319.3 million in 2012 as well as fruits, nuts and other edible parts of plants that accounted for US$284.3 million.

Antonino also reported that Mindanao’s total imports in 2013 reached US$1.2 billion. These imports were comprised mainly of petroleum oils, US$449.2 million; wheat and meslin, US$155.5 million; milk and cream, US$120.2 million; fish (frozen), $82.4 million; and mineral or chemical fertilizers, US$78.8 million, among others.

Mindanao’s major trading partners last year were the United States of America, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Antonino said that as part of the efforts to help sustain the gains of the region’s trade sector, MinDA is advocating for the Mindanao Development Corridors, a development strategy that aims to achieve internal connectivity and strengthen the region’s local supply chains to effectively link production centers to the export gateways.

“With this strategy, we expect to create massive employment and generate more income particularly in our agribusiness sectors, as we accelerate trading with our


economic partners,” she added.Antonino also emphasized that

in Mindanao, efforts to safeguard the economy from the changing climatic conditions are a priority agenda under the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan, the island-region’s roadmap to long-term peace and development.

“Climate change adaptation is a must since the island-region is the country’s front-runner in terms of agriculture-based exports,” she said.

Antonino explained that to secure the future of Mindanao’s agri-industry, MinDA is also pursuing environment programs such as the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program to rehabilitate the island-region’s denuded forest areas and lessen the impact of climate change to the island’s agriculture sector.

In a related development, Antonino announced that her office is closely working with the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, concerned government agencies, and local government units in efforts to identify areas suitable for cacao production in the island-region.

“Chocolate is a multi-billion dollar business, and we want Mindanao take a sizeable bite in this growing industry,” she said.

Antonino also added that

Mindanao’s organic products that include black, red, and brown rice of North Cotabato as well as the coco sugar of Davao del Sur and Misamis Oriental are currently penetrating markets abroad.

“In the long-term, we’d like to see our organic products in the shelves of major grocery stores in the US and Europe. We are closely working with our trade attaches to firm up partnerships between our local investors and their counterparts overseas,” said added.

Mindanao will be hosting this year’s largest sub-regional trade fair and business leaders’ conference that will gather more than 200 top buyers from the ASEAN, and about 700 key business representatives from the country as well as from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Dubbed as the 2nd BIMP-EAGA & IMT-GT Trade Fair and Business Leaders’ Conference, the event will be held from October 23 to 26 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center in

Davao City.“Mindanao is beefing up its

efforts to do business with our counterparts across Asia, if not the entire world,” she said.


New Task Force Davao chief to focus on training and equipment

DAVAO CITY- The newly installed commanding officer of the Task Force Davao mulled of conducting more training to its personnel and acquiring new equipment to en-hance its anti-terror and security capabilities. Colonel Macairog Alberto, commanding officer of the TF Davao said the training will include proper appreciation on terrorism and improvement of equipment. “Our personnel have to be trained

in proper handling of inspection and manner of dealing with the public,” he said. Macairog stressed that while keeping the city safe, the Task Force Davao must give primacy to respect the human rights of the city residents. He also said that he intends to also hire additional Special Civilian Active Auxiliaries given the limited number of the unit’s Army personnel. Macairog said the SCAA

has to undergo the process of hiring and training so that members will be professional in handling their jobs. “We will be recruiting more to add to our ranks,” he said citing that currently the TF Davao only has 100 troops. Macairog said his marching order is to prevent terrorism, and to deter threat groups like local and foreign terror organizations. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

by Michael Uy


Mother-tongue promotes class participationDAVAO DEL NORTE- - - An ed-ucation program supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd) based in the province confirmed yesterday during the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo that the use of mother-tongue en-couraged class participation. Allen Guilaran of the DepEd said that there is a significant change in class participation during the implementation of mother-tongue. “Daghan na gusto mo-answer sa questions sa teachers ug mobasa sa libro na bisaya during classes,” (Many students want to answer the questions of the teachers and read the books in Bisaya during classes) Guilaran said. She added that since all the subjects, except English and Filipino, were taught in vernacular, the students can comprehend more what they are reading and what the teachers are telling them. Guilaran said that although classes in the province use the Cebu’s Bisaya dialect but the

students can still understand the differences since the teachers were trained to bridge to them the unknown to the known and known to the unknown. Aileen Anonuevo, education program supervisor of DepEd Panabo City division, revealed that there is an ongoing proposal of the establishment of Dinabawnon Bisaya. Anonuevo added that this kind of dialect is the one that we are really using here in Davao Region. Guilaran also said that since the students’ cognitive level has been raised due to the use of mother tongue, they also noticed that the student can easily grasp lessons in English and Tagalog when they will reach Grade 4. The use of mother-tongue in classes is being implemented only from Kinder to Grade 3 classes; for Grades 4 and 5, Filipino is the main language in all subjects, except English subject; and Grades 6 up to 12 use English language. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)


Naliyagan to showcase best agri products, AgSur beauties PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur- The second day of the Naliyagan Festival will be the farmers’ day in the morning, June 13, 2014, where best agriculture products will be at stake for the contest dubbed as “Naliyagan Agri-lympics” while Agusan beauties will be introduced while performing their talents on stage at the heart of the Naliyagan Cultural Center (NCC) in the evening.

By David M. Suyao


In the Naliyagan Agri-lympics, agriculture products such as eggplants, squash and other agricultural products will be judged according to their sizes, appearance (smooth skin or cover), robustness and the overall quality. Growers and producers must be from Agusan del Sur only, and the availability of the products including the length of time they

are fresh and safe if they are displayed in the market. During the evaluation, municipal booths will also be evaluated and prizes for both are at stake.

Activities for the second day of the Naliyagan Festival will include the Rocklakan sa Naliyagan, sponsored by the San Miguel Corporation. Live bands called “Concert ng Bayan sa Naliyagan” will be playing non-stop, while merry-making at the Naliyagan grounds are open for all. At the NCC Rizal stage, a comedy variety show will be played.

In the middle of the merry-making, another live fireworks display competition at 9:30 p.m. will color the evening skies, while the merry-making continue until midnight.

The annual Naliyagan Festival is open for all. Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza and the people of Agusan del Sur invite everyone to witness the weeklong celebration.


He said that since the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road (SDCR) project has already been completed, it is now the right time to embark on new ones.

Come June 9, during the scheduled meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC)

which he chairs under the Regional Development Council (RDC), Pimentel assured capitol employees last Monday during the flag ceremony program, that he is set to revive and file the proposal for such worthwhile projects that will certainly cut the travel time to

SurSur guv vows to push for construction of new ‘shortcut’ roads to Butuan City By Greg tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY- Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel vows to push for the construction of two new “shortcut” roads to Butuan City.


SurSur guv vows to push for construction of new ‘shortcut’ roads to Butuan City

Butuan City from one to one and a half hours, either way.

He said that one project that he will propose is the Lanuza-Cabadbaran road section in the cluster of municipalities in the northern part of Surigao del Sur known as CARCANMADCARLAN—comprised of the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza, in that particular order from the northernmost tip.

The other, he continued, is San Miguel-Bayugan road, of which side at the Agusan del Sur province is already completely paved, hence the only concern is to connect from the same road to San Miguel town, this province, saying that its only about 12-14 kilometer stretch.

Meanwhile, Pimentel hopes that Congressman Philip Pichay is going to support his idea.

He recalled that the proposed road project in San Miguel did not push through during the time of former Congressman Butch Pichay due to the “line of r e a son i ng ” that it will open up illegal logging in the area;

besides, it will also pass through the concession area of Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR), a company, now shutdown, owned by the Puyat’s.

The governor said that, for practicality, now is the right time to act, adding that these projects will instead open up Surigao del Sur to further economic growth being the “last frontier of Caraga.”

He went on to say that “tourism potential” in the province abounds as compared to other provinces in the region.

Hence, Pimentel urged the tourism office “not to rest in their laurels” and continue to work to showcase the province which he said is now on the map of the industry.


DOST develops ‘predictive damage, business continuity’ for more pro-active disaster preparedness in PHL

BUTUAN CITY-- The Department of Science and Technology will share lessons on innovations in disaster risk reduction and management, including its new agenda for including “predictive damage” and “business continuity” as part of the country’s pro-active disaster preparedness agenda.

by DOST STII

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo first announced the two concepts during the opening plenary session of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Manila Conference (2014) hosted by

the Philippines at the Diamond Hotel on 5th June 2014, Thursday.

The recent onslaught of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) called for new ways on the practice of disaster risk reduction


and management and its inclusion as priority in the country’s development agenda.

“Recent severe weather events clearly showed that mega disasters are the new challenge we have to face. And we cannot be caught flat-footed or ill-prepared because doing so costs us more,” noted DOST Sec. Montejo.

Before Haiyan, mega disasters in Asia included the 2011 tsunami in Japan and the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia.

“Advanced information on impending disasters derived through the application of science and cutting-edge technologies enables vigilant local governments and the public to take early action and in turn, save lives,” he added.

In the Philippines, the use of science-based weather information was made possible by DOST’s modernization project, which included flagship programs such as the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH), which offers an online platform to monitor typhoons and floods based on real-time data feeds from 1,000 rain and water level sensors nationwide and the internationally renowned national 3D mapping project called Disaster Risk Assessment, Exposure and Mitigation-Light Ranging and Detection Technology (DREAM-LiDAR). The latterwon the prestigious Geospatial World Excellence in Policy Implementation Award for 2014 awarded by the Geospatial World Forum last May in Geneva.

Both projects were launched under the direction of the Aquino administration to promote a more proactive stance on

disaster management with the delivery of science-based information to local communities and national disaster managers and the vigilance of leaders and first responders to act accordingly based on the information showed that it can be possible to achieve zero casualties and reduce risks and damages due to flooding, and disasters related to severe weather events.

He cited local champions in the country that benefited from the use of Project NOAH and 3D map models of the DREAM Project such as Marikina City, which enforced evacuation hours ahead of the 2012 and 2013 Habagat (Southwest Monsoon) Flood events, which registered Ondoy-like flood levels. In 2009, the same city in the metro was submerged in floods after Ketsana (Ondoy) dumped a month’s worth of rain—about 300mm—in a span of only six hours.

Predictive Damage and Business Continuity

Since the commencement of the Aquino administration’s term in 2009, the DOST has undergone major improvements to provide quality, accurate, location-specific, and timely information based on science so local leaders and communities may know how to best deal with an impending disaster. To date, DOST has nearly completed the mapping of two-thirds of the 18 major river systems of the country, which included Marikina River and Cagayan River, both of which overflowed and flooded nearby communities during the typhoon season.

The DOST plays a crucial role in terms of providing information related


to weather and geological hazards in the Philippines, mainly through its agencies Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), respectively.

Pushing further the envelope for better disaster preparedness, DOST is introducing the concept of “predictive damage” and “business continuity.”

Predictive damage,noted Sec. Montejo, “is the capability of being able to simulate and model severe weather events and the amount or extent of damage that they would cause to the areas affected.”

Probability-based behavioural damage models for various types of infrastructure and natural assets of concern can be developed by evaluating and analyzing historical data on damage caused by previous severe weather events. These models then used in conjunction with our improving weather forecast methodologies would allow us to predict probable damage, thus allowing pro-active disaster preparedness and response.

“This approach is not only applicable for response or near-term planning but may also be used for a medium- and long- term disaster risk reduction program,” he added.

On the other hand, “business continuity is the capability to restore, within a prescribed period, vital services both public and private after a severe weather event. These vital services include power, communications, transport, food and drinking water, heath, security, banking and commerce,

among others.”Vital services can be restored after

12, 24 or 48 hours or more depending on the priority of a service. We proposed that a committed “business continuity” timetable for vital services be made the goal for all disaster preparedness and response programs.

The predictive damage will serve as the starting point for analyzing the strength and vulnerabilities of critical assets and infrastructure against severe weather scenarios modeled using the maps generated by DOST’s projects. This will allow planners to better understand areas for improvement, retrofitting, and can even go as far as provisioning of backup services for disaster preparedness and response.

Other plenary speakers will be Philippine cabinet officials and leaders of international organizations on DRRM, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Senator Loren Legarda, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Kristalina Georgieva, and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Head Margareta Wahlstrom.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is the lead coordinator for the conference in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The Philippines jointly organized the ASEM Manila Conference 2014 with Japan, Switzerland, and the European Union, together with sponsorship of Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Norway, Spain, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph


ISABELA CITY, Basilan – In its 147th meeting held in Isabela City, Basilan, the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 unanimously endorsed a resolution of its Economic Development Committee (EDCom) on the proposed construction of the ZamboEcozone International Cargo Terminal.

147th RDC-9 endorses construction of P3.01-B ZAMBOECOZONE Int’l Cargo Terminal By Rene V. Carbayas


Pedro Rufu N. Soliven, EDCom-9 chairperson said that of all free ports in the country the ZamboEcozone is the only freeport without a port. Soliven said that with the increasing passenger and cargo vessel traffic in Zamboanga City, the establishment of ZamboEcozone International Cargo Terminal would ease the port congestion in the Port of Zamboanga. It will exclusively cater to local and international cargo vessels. He reported that in 2012, the volume of foreign cargo in Zamboanga City is 140,776 tons while local cargo is 2,598,782 tons. “The presence of an international cargo terminal in the ZAMBOECOZONE will result in an

influx of export oriented industries,” he said. The proposed ZamboEcozone International Cargo Terminal will be constructed at the ZamboEcozone Second Industrial Park. It is similar in scope but smaller compared to the ports of Singapore and Hong Kong. With the strategic location of the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (ZAMBOECOZONE), the ZamboEcozone International Cargo Terminal is also intended to function as the transshipment hub for the BIMP-EAGA region. The project cost for its construction amounts to P3.01 billion. Moreover, RDC-9 also approved


DTI-9 brings SSF to remote areas to achieve inclusive economic growthBy Michael Vincent D. CajulaoZAMBOANGA CITY – President Benigno Aquino III, since the start of his administration, wants an inclusive growth where everybody participates and reaps the benefits of economic improvement. Thus, programs and initiatives were introduced to achieve this vision. The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is one of those initiatives aimed at bringing inclusive growth down to the grass root. DTI-9 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina Jain revealed that her office was able to turn-over 23 SSFs, including those that were delivered to the Babami Coop in Barangay Sto. Nino in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte. “The trail going there (Sto. Nino) is unbelievably arduous, even grievously dangerous. Yet the place hold so much promise for abaca and rubber plantation development and as an alternative source of high value veggies for Zamboanga City,”

Dr. Jain said. Just recently, DTI-9 turned over two sets of abaca processing machines – one for SARBEMCO, an agrarian reform cooperative (ARC) in Sulo, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay and another in ARBEMCO, an ARC located in Marcelo, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte, Dr. Jain added. The abaca processing equipment turned-over to SARBEMCO and ARBEMCO cost P785,000 per set, consisting of five mechanized abaca spindle stripping machines, as well as a set of twining and rope-making machines. Jain said some approved proposals are now ready for implementation and a good number

the EDCom resolution endorsing the FY 2015 Budget Proposal of the ZamboEcozone. The guidelines in the preparation of FY 2015 GOCC (government-owned and controlled corporation) budget proposals require RDC’s endorsement and consultation with civil society organizations. Soliven said the EDCom-9 reviewed and deliberated on the priority programs and projects of

ZamboEcozone for FY 2015, and endorsed the same after finding these supportive of the priorities and thrusts of the updated Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Plan. ZamboEcozone is a GOCC, which was created by virtue of Republic Act 7903, signed into law by former President Fidel V. Ramos on Feb. 23, 1995.


DTI-9 brings SSF to remote areas to achieve inclusive economic growth

Zambo. Norte guv appointed as new RPOC-9 chairBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – Zamboanga del Norte Govenor Roberto U. Uy has recently been appointed as the new chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-9 to steer it in addressing the peace and order issues and concerns in Zamboanga Peninsula. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas personally handed the appointment to Governor Uy during his visit here last May 30, the opening day of the weeklong “Saulog” (celebration) festival commemorating the 62nd founding anniversary of the province. Secretary Roxas served as guest of honor and speaker during the opening of “Saulog” festival. Based on Executive Order No. 773 series of 2009, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SILG) has the authority as chair of the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) to issue an appoinmtment to the regional chair, duly approved by the President. RPOC is tasked to provide a forum for dialogues and deliberation

of major issues and problems affecting peace and order including insurgency with the help of the military, police and civilian authorities/agencies. It is composed of provincial governors, mayors of highly urbanized cities, a representative of the mayors of the component cities, presidents of the League of Municipalities and regional heads of the different line agencies. RPOC-9 deals with the peace and order concerns in the Zamboanga Peninsula which covers the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Isabela City in Basilan Province as well as the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

are under evaluation under the SSF program. “It doesn’t matter if the project is to be located in the heart of town or in the middle of nowhere so long as it will accomplish its purpose, then trust us that we will deliver it

there. I, myself, have been to many of those places and I will continue to do so for as long as God grants me the strength and the opportunity of doing so, the DTI-9 chief said. (DTI9)


MisOr dad reminds teachers, students against bullyingby PIO

MISAMIS ORIENTAL - If bullying is practiced at an early age, this will foster domestic violence.

Thus underscored Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano during his visit on June 2 to public schools in the province in time

of the opening for the school year 2014-2015. Gov. Emano encourages teachers to constantly remind students and


City installs people’s law enforcement board membersby CIO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Newly-installed members of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) of Cagayan de Oro swear into office on May 26.

pupils not to bully one another. “Akong paghangyo kaninyo mga maestra og maestro nga palihug ipasabot sa atong mga estudyante nga dili mang-bully sa ilang isig ka-classmate kay dili kini maayo og kaninyo mga estudyante nga pangga-on ninyo inyong mga classmate aron hamugaway usab inyong pagtungha,” (I am urging the teachers to enlighten their students not to bully classmates and for students to care for one other so they learn comfortably) the governor said. Governor Emano sets aside the whole month of June for his regular visit to schools in the province, not only to remind teachers and students not to bully, but also to personally listen and attend to the needs on how to improve service delivery of quality education to students and pupils. Meanwhile, the governor attended the flag raising ceremony at Sugbongcogon Central School and Sugbongcogon National

Highschool. He also visited Salay National high school and Hermano Elementary School in Balingasag. Governor Emano hopes to provide better education to students and pupils in the province not only by giving them better school facilities but also instilling in them good values. Per Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, all public and private kindergarten, primary and secondary schools as well as alternative learning centers are mandated to adopt anti-bullying policies and establish intervention programs which include counseling, life skills training and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and the psycho-social well-being of both the victim and the bully with the inclusion of all concerned parties such as bullies, victims, witnesses, parents, school officials as well as other persons that may be affected by the bullying incident.


Swearing in before Mayor Oscar Moreno, city’s first district comprises of city councilor Roger Abaday; Kauswagan Barangay Chairman Pedro Balite; Atty. Matildo Aparece; Retired General Jose Cuevas and Atty. Doreen Delegencia. While the second district is composed of City Councilor Ramon Tabor; Barangay Chairman Apolinar Bonete of barangay 29; Atty. Edgar Cabanlas; Atty. Vincent Cromwell

Seriña, and Atty. Maria Rosario Consuelo Tumulak. PLEB is primarily tasked to receive, hear and decide administrative complaints filed by citizens against officers and members of the Philippine National Police assigned in Cagayan de Oro City. Members from both first and second districts, who will serve for three years, will choose among themselves their respective Chairman.

OCD-10 holds Disaster Summit in Camiguinby Elaine O. Ratunil

CAMIGUIN - One of the disaster prone provinces in the region, Camiguin, hosts the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (DRRM) Summit for Local Chief Executives (LCEs) on June 10-11 at the Camiguin Convention Center.

This was revealed by the Civil Defense Regional Office 10 Director Ana Cañeda. RD Cañeda pointed out that because of its susceptibility to disaster, it is paramount to craft the Local DRRM plans for the five municipalities and the provincial government. The implementation updates of the plans is set to be reported by the province during the summit. Camiguin’s susceptibility has been linked to its geologic landscape which makes it prone to flooding, storm surge and landslide.

Identified flood-prone and affected areas in the provinceare Alangalan, Dingasan and Puti River in Catarman; Mabini and Balbagon Creeks in Mambajao; Mahinay Riverand Hubangon, San Roque and San Isidro Creeks in Mahinog and Sagay River in Sagay. Its Identified coastal areas which are prone to flooding are Brgys. Hubangon, San Jose, Binaliwan, Poblacion and San Josein Mahinog and Brgys. Poblacion and Balbagon in Mambajao. The coastal areas prone to storm surge are Brgy. Liong in Guinsiliban


OCD-10 holds Disaster Summit in Camiguinand Brgy. Balite, Manuyog, Alangilan and Poblacion in Sagay.Identified areas as highly prone to landslide are Brgys. Bonbon, Mainit, Mandulao and Santo Niño in Catarman; Brgys. Hubangon, Owakan and San Roque in Mahinog; Brgys. Baylao, Poblacion and Yumbing in Mambajao; Brgy. Balite in Sagay and Brgy. South Poblacion in Guinsiliban. The summit aims to highlight the LCEs roles and responsibilities and to enhance their capacities on the DRRM system. The Disaster Summit is an avenue for consultation as major challenges and gaps in the implementation of DRRM activities at the local level are brought forward. The creation of the local DRRM Office and the signing of declaration on the strengthened commitment to DRRM by LCEs is a

major highlight of the Summit, RD Cañeda said. During the summit the LCEs and their LDRRMC Vice-Chairs and LDRRM Officers are informed on the current state of the DRRM in the region; PDRRMC updates on plans and program implementation and topics on Disaster Mitigation and Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, Cluster Approach in response Operations and Disaster recovery and Rehabilitation are discussed by the resource persons from concerned government agencies. The summit is anchored on the theme, “KaluwasansaKatawhan, KatungdanansaTanan.” The Camiguin series is the 3rd in the 5-Provincial summit Series set by OCD-10.

one mindanao - june 9, 2014

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