one mindanao - march 26, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound 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]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Executive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists : Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

Marcos Park, Carmen, Agusan del Norte

Dandee J.F. MontonCaraga Region

Today’s issue... Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 153

page 4

‘We have a long way to go towards getting Philippines off American and European aviation watchlists,’ President Aquino tells Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

11

Anjanette Vallejera-Nemiaga, Western Mindanao

DAR beefs up agricultural insurance in ARBs 24

2,623 CARAGA farmers now landowners

DAR-CARD, Inc. launches microfinance operations

10 metal firms benefit CBI’s export coaching program

17

Anjanette Nemiaga, Western Mindanao

Danielle Venz, Northern Mindanao

Oro Chamber, City LGU launch Emergency Call 888

DSWD assures assessment project for “Pablo” victims is free of political interventionsDanilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Oro Chamber, Northern Mindanao

25

32

51 Sultan Kudarat residents receive land titles Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao38

Caraga Region

3733

8 13 15 22 28 31

Tuesday, March 26, 20134

Marcos Park, Carmen, Agusan del Norte

The slogan read ‘WOW Carmen’ along the highway in the farthest town of

Agusan del Norte before seizing one of the tallest mountains in Caraga, Marcos Park in the town of Carmen. The ‘WOW Philippines’ slogan of the previous administration to lure visitors coming in from different parts of the country and even foreign visitors beginning to stick the beauty of the Philippines but here comes…It’s More Fun in the Philippines.

CoVer StoRy

Carmen was one of the ten town of Agusan del Norte in which the eleventh town Cabadbaran was newly-installed

city in the province.Carmen was blessed with natures. Aside from scenic jade waters in the coastlines and coral reefs like witnessing Bolihon Beach Resort, it has mountainous landscape that brought the feast sweet mango scattered in the terrain and called as ‘Mango Country’ wherever you are in the province. And here the escape route to the tallest peak called Marcos Park is the boundary between Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental. Dreaming the highest peak is just a wildest dream craving the heart of an

By Dandee J.F. Monton

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 5

adventurer. Someone cannot resist whatever place in the planet is a witness of the whole world under the feet. The world is the most beautiful place to live. Peoples are getting the vision for the highest peak in the world reaching the coldest and tense pressure of the Himalayan Region the Mt. Everest summit which were conquered now by many Filipinos.Everyone has a dream of reaching the tallest mountains like the inspiration I have for dying of dreaming the tallest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Apo in Davao. Remembering the tallest in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu which was the hot item for mountain lovers and climbers visited from different

countries of the world located in Sabah, Malaysia.If there was no mistake in the history, Philippines owns this gift of nature Mount Kinabalu. Since Sabah during the pre-Spanish time owned by Philippines as part of Sultanate of Sulu. But when Spain started colonizing the Philippines from top to bottom it was excluding Sabah

which then colonized by British Empire as part of the whole state of Malaysia. I bet legislators should not drop the claim of Sabah. Well, some pieces of history started to explode in one’s mind. Explore The Top Of CarmenPicking-up to capture the highest peak in Carmen was just an easy task. Taking bus from Butuan City for one-hour plus and drop in the boundary lane, and you are done. Take a walk from the highway without losing the strength, and even losing a parcel of energy, it will recharge when reaching the top. That is the wonder of nature actually. Many of the mountain climbers are struggling behind but manage to moves forward before embracing the glory of natures that new found feelings started to emerge eternally.The rest house set the eyes as standing at the highest peak alone and this structure can be seen when the bus started climbing the mountains lair. The route to Marcos Park was just a curve of streets behind a steepest hill while started to emerge a vast ocean


underneath. Estimating the entrance of Marcos Park is at the middle of the boundary lane between the two provinces. Started walking a sand and gravel road in hundred meters distance after dropping the entrance. The moment is deep quiet when taking the steps forward to the top and heard only the cracking of the leaves and the swaying of some branches of trees along the side when winds passes by. The mountains are the end products of the winds blowing from the sea. The whole world makes some commotion when winds strangled trees and grasses likes dancing fields in the terrain.Not seeing anyone standing in the distance, seems walking slowly in a no man’s land. The path was covered with wall of land and grassy area in the left side putting thrill of the hidden world under as moves forward to the park. There was no ocean in sights, no mountains, no troops of trees in the distance yet, the world under still hiding like thieves. The travels are in the peak of emotion impatient to uncover the beauty that the world has shown at the top.Sunlight beams in green mountains that reflect the clear blue sky. Going into Marcos Park was a perfect day for first time visits eager to reach those elevated portion of the planet. This mountain I stand was little bit extra ordinary and the windy afternoon started embracing chest and refreshing the lungs from the

c l ogged urban life.The road seems overruled by growing grasses along the side not yet cut or trimmed. This is how natures measured its creation. The growing grasses added tone the beauty of natures swayed by the wind blows like an army bowing when someone passes their path. This place was a replica of Himalayan Region when monks preserve the natural world surrounds them living most quiet places on earth where trees and flower blooms, and peoples blend with natures.Mountain shows extra ordinarily as started gaining confidence of eternity when moves closer to the rest house. When making a turn to the right, the hidden world below started to emerge like a boom. Then come the vast ocean which called Butuan Bay emerging in a distance. The art of creation cannot be measured in single phase. This piece of earth and heaven is started to exist not just in dreams but in reality started to occupy one’s soul in pink of health. A moment owning the real treasure in life


is within reach. It will be there forever and became part of memory as time goes in the history.This place was made for soul-searching and pass the world for those who are heavily laden that living in urban life. The image of tranquility conquered the soul like flash of light then started meditating. Visiting Marcos Park was a healing process when human and Mother Nature starts communicating to regain strength and peace of mind. A glance of the structure at the close distance became a symbol when making a turn in another direction. Reaching the tallest peak where stands a structure of Chinese temple look-a-like design I guess it could be fit for those who want to make peace and meditate, or for those who want to make romantic moments when sunset began to descend the western part of the province. Stand still and stunned those never ending horizon, bodies of calm

blue water, trooping mountain ranges in a distance, big trees became small trees, and the green environment bonus includes the island of Camiguin. And the magical world at the top revitalized oneself as young and healthy dwellers in this planet, and problems seize away like magic. Wonderful feeling that no one can borrow and steal and change every creature from those wonderful creations. Go back the traditional way of living and eternal happiness somewhat clearing the hearts and minds for those living in stress and pain of life. Living in a society where man-made creations are the majority and influences the whole generations the treats of modern living.At last the world of Marcos Park came embracing for someone dreaming the highest peak in Carmen. The moment of exploration began and seize before the eyes the beautiful world that surrounds never been before seen the young years

of life. The eyes of adventurer truly a window of the soul capturing the beauty of Mother Nature below.But living in Caraga Region making aid to those man-made activities because the hidden gift started to emerge like a healing process. Here, at the top in Carmen town called Marcos Park is another world making sights and sounds for those adventurers out there who want to make or break, and moves life

8Tuesday, March 26, 2013

ACROSS THE NATION‘We have a long way to go towards getting Philippines off American and European aviation watchlists,’ President Aquino tells Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

Saying that the country still had a long way to go towards improving and meeting global standards on aviation safety, President Benigno S. Aquino III extolled officers and employees of the Civil Aviation Authority

of the Philippines (CAAP) to join government efforts and work doubly hard for the Philippines to get off the watch lists of the United States of America and the European Union.


The President issued his “marching orders” during the 5th Anniversary of CAAP held at the agency’s main office in Pasay City on Monday.

“But while I am here today to congratulate you for a job well done, and for celebrating your fifth anniversary, I would also like to remind you that the job is not yet over. In the coming days, weeks, and months, all of us will be working towards getting our country off the watch lists of the United States and the European Union,” the President said.

He lauded the CAAP’s efforts to comply with global safety standards which include: a Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System, the Minimum Required Annual Inspection for all air operators, revalidation of the Air Operators Certificate of five international operators and several other air taxi operators and domestic air operators, and the Certificate Management Department to help our local carriers, such as the Philippine

Airlines and Cebu Pacific, to meet the standards of other countries and help them expand their routes.

He said though that these programs which were implemented under the stewardship of CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III, have allowed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to lift the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) it previously issued to the Philippines and have resulted towards the fact that “it is now more safe to fly in the Philippines.”

“This took the effort of each person who works for this agency, and I extend my gratitude to all of you for your work,” the President said.

“So today I also give you my marching orders: Let’s get this done. We have the momentum; we have the right people and have put the right systems in place. It is time for us to usher in a golden age not just for Philippine aviation—not just for Philippine tourism—but for our entire country,” he added.

The CAAP was created on March


4, 2008 through Republic Act 9497 renaming the Air Transport Office as Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and mandating it to perform the following ---inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and operated in the Philippines and all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation; operate and maintain

national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities and; determine the charges and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities.

Joining the President were Hotchkiss III, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and CAAP Deputy Director General John Andrews. PND (rck)


President Aquino orders Social Cabinet Cluster to ‘draw up a substitute measure’ that Congress may use to pass Magna Carta for the Poor

President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Social Cabinet Cluster (Human Development and

Poverty Alleviation) to draw up a “substitute measure” that will be submitted to Congress which it may use as reference towards drafting a Magna Carta for the Poor.


In an interview after keynoting the 5th Anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday, the President said he wanted a substitute measure formed after he vetoed a previously drafted Charter for the Poor citing the improbability of the government meeting its demands.

Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, the Philippines, as a signatory, joins 160 other countries in committing to work towards the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals, including

labor rights and the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living.

The President cited Section 4 of the ICESCR which gave the poor the right to immediately demand “the enjoyment of which is an essential step towards poverty alleviation: a) the right of food; b) the right to employment and livelihood; c) the right to quality education; d) the right to shelter; and e) the right to basic health services and medicine.”

He noted as an example the provision of providing shelter which he said is around five million social housing units that will cost P2.320-trillion which is the entire budget for this year of about P2-trillion.

“So, ang buod niyan, isa pa lang doon sa limang karapatan hindi na kayang punuin ng budget. Ngayon, ‘yung budget natin... ang pwede lang i-program off the P2-trillion is roughly about P600-billion. Wala pa ‘yung right to food, wala pa ‘yung right to work, wala pa ‘yung right to health, wala pa ‘yung right to education,” the President said.

“So, ang corrective action natin dito, dinirect (direct) natin ang social cluster to draw up a substitute measure that we will give to the next Congress and, hopefully, that they will act upon with haste,” he added. PND


GPH peace panel chair downplays speculations on Mindanao peace process

The chair of the government peace panel talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Tuesday dismissed speculations regarding the postponement of the scheduled 37th exploratory

talks on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.“In fact, we will have our meeting

with the members of the Transition Commission,” Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief government negotiator told DXMS Radyo Bida here via her mobile phone Tuesday.

She said there was nothing wrong

with the rescheduling of the talks since both sides remained focused on the completion of the annexes of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB). The meeting with Transition Commission is scheduled next month.


“There is nothing to worry about, we are on tract and we remained focused,” Ferrer said, responding to reports that spread through text messages that the postponement, the first under President Aquino’s term is sending a message that should worry the Bangsamoro.

Ferrer said while the formal talks did not push through as scheduled on Monday, an executive meeting between members of the two panels was held during which vital issues on the peace process was discussed.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), said both sides also discussed the composition of the third party monitoring team, and the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP), and the first ever formal meeting of TransCom members next month.

Also discussed during the executive meeting was the proposed terms of reference for the Task Force Sajahatra Bangsamoro.

President Aquino’s peace adviser Teresita Deles said the GPH and MILF panels also agreed to meet in the second week of April 2013 for the 37th round of Formal Peace Talks.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier asked for the postponement of the supposed March 25-27 peace talks in Malaysia.

“The President has requested that the 37th round of formal exploratory

talks that was originally scheduled to begin March 25, be reset to April. The President deems it necessary to have more time for review and consultations on the draft annexes,” OPPAP’s statement said.

Ferrer said she relayed the President’s request for the re-scheduling of the talks to the MILF peace panel and Malaysian facilitator during Monday’s executive meeting in Malaysia.

Simultaneous with the supposed holding of the 37th exploratory talks was the conduct of a series of peace rallies by Mindanao peace advocates in Pikit, North Cotabato, Cotabato City and Marawi City.

Malaysia, a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), had been helping the peace process as third party facilitator since 2003.

Aside from hosting the formal talks, Malaysia also had been sending peace monitors and leads the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

According to Ferrer, the President is within his self-imposed projection that a peace deal is signed in March or April.

Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator and incoming chair of the Transition Commission, has said the 37th round of formal peace negotiations should have been the last and it will be followed by the signing of the accord. (PNA)


Bayani Challenge opens in Siargao

SURIGAO DEL NORTE- The 8th Bayani Challenge opened on March 23 at the GK build house site in Brgy. Lobogon, Del Carmen, Siargao Island, this province.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

By Susil D. Ragas


Del Carmen Mayor Afredo “JR” Coro officially declared the opening of the 8th Bayani Challenge with this year’s theme “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan,” followed by a community dancing to the tune of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) theme songs and human chain activity dubbed “PASALOAD,” a community ‘bayanihan’ of forming a lengthy line and then passing the hollow blocks and filling materials for construction until it reach near to the framework of houses to be built.

Mayor Coro announced during the opening ceremony that the 8th Bayani Challenge is a five-day event, done simultaneously in 37 sites of 33 different provinces all over the Philippines from March 23-27 and Del Carmen is lucky to be included in the 37 sites of this year’s Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge.

More than 1,000 bayani volunteers from Surigao City, Butuan, Manila and Singapore including local residents have registered for the five-day activity of test of courage, endurance and volunteerism.

From a total of 1,000 bayani volunteers or 44 teams (with 15 individuals in 1 team) registered, 28 teams were assigned to build houses, 6 teams for

refurbishments of schools and parks, 5 teams for feeding and education sessions for children, and 5 teams were assigned for tree planting, clean-up drives and health missions.

A total of 30 houses will be constructed by the bayani volunteers for the homeless and poorest families of Brgy. Lobogon.

Early morning on March 24, the bayani volunteers had a tree planting activity along the highway of Brgy.Lobogon and Brgy. Bitoon.

Following the tree planting activities, Gawad Kalinga Founder and Executive Director Tony Meloto, together with Governor Sol Matugas, 1st District Congressman Francisco Matugas and Mayor Coro arrived at the GK build house site to led the ceremonial hollow blocks laying and gave support to the bayani volunteers.

Gawad Kalinga Founder and Executive Director Tony Meloto was also the guest speaker during the Fellowship Night dubbed as “Kalinga Night” held on March 24 at the Bayani Challenge Camp Site in the school campus of Numancia Central Elementary School, Poblacion, Del Carmen.


In the province of Butuan alone, DAR Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes distributed 3,260 hectares of farmlands to 2,263 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with extension reform (CARPer).

The covered landholdings are from the municipalities of Butuan, Buenavista, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Las Nieves, Tubay, Nasipit, Carmen, RT Romualdez, Magallanes, and Cabadbaran.

De Los Reyes told the new landowners that government’s

support for the farmers does not end in the distribution of lands, there are also various support services to further boost their economic lives.

Edwin Espinosa, a farmer-beneficiary from the said province, said that they finally reap the fruits they have sowed for years. “With the DAR on our side, I am certain that our newly-acquired land will give us a better life,” he added.

Earlier, De Los Reyes also distributed 530 hectares of lands to 360 ARBs in the province of Dinagat Island. The farm lots are from the municipalities of Dinagat,

2,623 CARAGA farmers now landowners

BUTUAN CITY-- Some 2,623 farmers are now landowners as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed a total of 3,790 hectares of agricultural lands in CARAGA region.


San Juan, Cagdianao and Basilisa.Provincial Agrarian Reform

Officer (PARO) Jamil Amatonding Jr. said that this is the first time a DAR Secretary has set foot in the province.

“The presence of our Secretary gives a positive outlook to the farmers. The farmers said that they feel that the government is sincere in uplifting their lives,” he added.

The DAR also turned-over a P6-million worth of farm equipment to the 1,046 ARBs in Butuan City.

The farm equipment includes one combined harvester, two jeep-mounted threshers, four cultivator

power tillers, five threshers, and eight hand tractors.

De Los Reyes said the farm equipment is implemented under the department’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCESS) program.

“Part of the ARCESS program is to provide you (the farmers) with farm implements or common service facilities to help improve your incomes. I hope that this equipment will also serve as a tool to unify your organization in taking care of these machines,” De Los Reyes said.


http:/ /www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

[email protected] piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

She said several women are now holding top positions in government and private institutions. “We too,

have to show what we can do. Don’t underestimate (yourself) but show and prove yourself. What men can

Lady police chief urges women to show talents By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – Police Superintendent Christine Sorosa-Tan, chief of police of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, encouraged all women during the weekly PIA forum held on Friday at the Anastacia Pensionne House in this city to show their talents.


Lady police chief urges women to show talents

do, you can do it also,” Tan pointed out. “We are equal and, at the same time, we are not competing with each other but we are complementing one another in everything we do, because if there are no men, there are no women also,” the lady chief of police added. It was learned in said forum that Tan was a recipient of the Most Outstanding Police Woman award in 2002 in the entire country. Presently, she is the lone lady chief of police in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. In the same forum, 1Lt. Myleen P. Sagadraca, administrative officer of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics (G4) of the First Infrantry ‘Tabak’ Division, Philippine Army(PA) also encouraged all females who want to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “to go ahead and share your individual potential to the organization and to the people we serve.” She said “the role of women in the society is important. So, whatever your role is, be it a mother or as a professional ‘Filipina,’ do your best.” Lt. Sagradraca hails from a family of soldiers and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2009. The forum was held in support of this year’s Women’s Month celebration that carries the theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.”


This was the message of OIC-PARO II Moh. Dassan J. Adju of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Zamboanga del Norte during the recently concluded provincial orientation for Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAOs) and representatives from Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) on the crop insurance program. Jointly conducted by DAR, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (DA-PCIC), Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries - Agricultural Insurance Program (ARB-AIP), the said activity aimed to orient MAOs and ARBO representatives as

potential underwriters for the crop insurance program. Enhancing credit access for ARBs is DAR’s key support services intervention. In addition to facilitating agricultural production and agri-enterprises credit as well as microfinance for ARBs, DAR proposed a budget of P1 billion in the 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the budget of DA-Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (DA-PCIC), which shall be exclusively used as premium subsidy for agricultural insurance of ARBs to be endorsed by DAR. The program shall be implemented for a period of one

DAR beefs up agricultural insurance in ARBsBy Anjanette Vallejera-Nemiaga

DIPOLOG CITY – “The whole package of intervention through our support services is a clear manifestation that we are indeed continually placing our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) right at center of development.”


DAR beefs up agricultural insurance in ARBs year unless additional funding for succeeding years shall be provided. The ARB-AIP will be jointly implemented by DAR and DA-PCIC. The premium subsidy is said to lessen the cost of borrowing by ARBs, by shifting the cost of crop insurance from the borrower to the government. It will also lessen the credit constraints of ARBs as the insurance coverage can act as a guarantee or collateral to the production loans of ARBs. The program also seeks to address the vulnerability of ARBs to extreme weather conditions brought about climate change with the crop insurance protecting them from losses due to pest and disease infestations, natural calamities, and other weather-related disasters. Under the joint program, the DAR shall identify the ARBs to be

provided with the premium subsidy while the DA-PICC shall provide the necessary agricultural insurance cover for the ARBs utilizing the P1 billion subsidy fund. The program aims to provide ARBs and ARB household members with premium subsidy for agricultural insurance to protect them against losses due to pest and disease infestations, natural calamities, and extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change, and to improve their productivity. The program shall give priority to ARBs which are members of ARBOs that have not yet accessed to any credit from formal financing institutions. The insurance program shall also cover crops like rice, corn and high-value crops as well as livestock production. (DAR9)

The DAR is now adopting microfinance as strategy in support services delivery to help agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) meet their financial needs through cooperatives and other microfinance institutions in agrarian reform areas. The CARD, on the other hand,

which is one of the largest micro-credit service providers in the local microfinance industry and one among the best in the world, is a microfinance-focused non-government organization (NGO). DAR-Zamboanga del Norte and CARD, Inc. shall jointly implement the

DAR-CARD, Inc. launches microfinance operationsBy Anjanette Nemiaga

DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. has launched the microfinance operations in Langatian Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (LACARBEMCO), Langatian, Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte recently.


Microfinance Capacity Development Project for partner organizations for a period of three years to ensure the sustained access of ARBs to microfinance services. The DAR provincial office together with CARD, Inc. will then oversee the overall project directions and ensure a favorable financial environment for the sustained provision of microfinance services to agrarian reform areas. Because of the significant performance of the project and the need to adopt a more sustainable approach through the complementation of financial and non-financial services in its implementation, the project has been scaled up to reach and engage a bigger number of ARBs/ARB households. It can be noted that 30 cooperatives nationwide would be developed as microfinance conduits and one of these was selected as project partner in Zamboanga del Norte. LACARBEMCO was successfully chosen as project partner in the province. The microfinance project intends to reach out to more ARBs that are in need of the micro-agri financial and non-financial services. Microfinance is also an effective tool for poverty alleviation.

The cooperative was brought to KIMAYA Peoples Multipurpose Cooperative in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental for a learning expedition to meet with its selected officers and management staff and familiarize with the coop’s operations and implementation of microfinance in the community. In his message, OIC PARO I Raul J. Sy said: “Kami sa DAR kanunay anaa sa inyong kiliran aron sa pagsuporta sa atong mga agrarian reform beneficiaries. Atong ipadayon ang atong paningkamot aron sa paglambo sa atong mga mag-uuma. Labaw sa tanan, atong panggaon ug amomahon ang mga proyekto nga gihatag sa gobyerno (We in DAR are always on your side to support the agrarian reform beneficiaries. Let us continue to improve our farmers. More importantly, we will care and nurture the projects given by the government).” LACARBEMCO board chair also aired his thoughts and said: “Maningkamot kita aron sa atong kalamboan ug mohatag kita sa atong dugang capital aron mas modaku pa ang atong kooperatiba (We will strive for our progress and we will give additional capital to expand our cooperative)” (DAR9)


PIA chief asks Basilan youths to bet on time, ‘heart’ in nation-buildingISABELA CITY, Basilan – Philippine Information Agency Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena has asked some 130 young people of Basilan to bet on time and be a “heart” in order to contribute to nation-building.

By Rene V. Carbayas


PIA chief asks Basilan youths to bet on time, ‘heart’ in nation-building

The PIA chief spoke before the youth on separate occasions Sunday at a forum held late morning and during the Kalinga Night, the second day of the nationwide Bayani Challenge 2013 in Basilan. He explained the need for every Filipino to offer time, talent, and passion to change lives without fear. “Let us not compromise our dreams because of fear,” he stressed, saying that nothing can happen if one is enveloped with fear. Oquiñena also challenged the youth to accept that one is a Filipino and one’s being a Filipino. He is saddened by the fact that young people assume personalities and races like imitating the looks and ways of Koreans and Americans other than themselves. “We need to appreciate who we are and what we are, the beauty

and the talents that we possess as Filipinos,” he said. He added that aside from life and money, “sometimes we also bet on forgiveness and let go of the past.” He also urged the youth to inspire their fellow youth to do something like what they are doing now, volunteering for Bayani Challenge. In the afternoon DG Oquinena led the ceremonial groundbreaking at Pamucalin build site in Lantawan Municipality, together with Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, 104th Brigade Commander Col. Carlito Galvez (PA), Provincial Board member Yusop Alano, Provincial Administrator Tahira Sansawi-Ismael, Gawad Kalinga Area Coordinator Dan Bercasio, and some local government executives and officials. In her message, Gov. Akbar expressed her deepest appreciation and gratitude to Gawad Kalinga and


the volunteers for the chance to be gifted with the project. “I see how our young people are interested and willing to help and participate in this project. Because I saw the moon shining already at sunset, there is a big hope that our dreams will come true,” she said. Akbar said that this is one story that young people of today can share to future generations. She assured GK and the donors of the projects that the people of Basilan will take care of the gifts given them and prayed that more houses will be built in the days ahead. For his part DG Oquiñena bared that Basilan has a special place in President Aquino’s administration as manifested by the presence of the President’s exclusive radio-television Malacañang crew who would document the events to show to the entire country of the unique Bayanihan spirit here.

He asked the volunteers and local government officials to tell those who will benefit from the project to take care of the houses that will be given to them because so many people have invested their hearts and passion to build the houses. He said the 30 houses were the first of the many more houses to be built in Basilan. He did not cite figures, however. “Am not promising how many more, but in my experience, when the first houses were done right, more projects are possible. But when done wrongly, nothing could follow,” he said. “But I feel, what we have done here, because of the convergence, everything would be more than right,” he pointed out. He hoped that the “people of Manila will be educated that Basilan is the most beautiful province in the country.”


Eight power projects to boost Mindanao’s power supply by 2016by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) projected that eight power projects in Mindanao will boost the region’s power supply by 588 megawatts (MW) and help ease power shortfalls starting this year until 2016.

DOE Policy and Planning Bureau Chief Michael Sinocruz disclosed during the Regional Media Workshop on Power Industry and Renewable Development in Mindanao last March 22 that three of these committed power generation projects is expected to generate additional 38 MW this year. These include the 15-MW Mapalad Diesel Power Plant in Iligan City, the

15-MW EEI Power Corporation Peaking Plant in Tagum City, and eight-MW Cabulig Hydro project in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. He said Mindanao will also have additional 150 MW power

from the Phase 1 of the Therma South Coal project in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur in 2014 and another 150 MW from the project’s Phase 2 in 2015. The Mt. Apo 3 Geothermal project in Kidapawan, North Cotabato will likewise contribute 50 MW in 2015. This is in addition to the 100 MW that will be generated from the first phase of the Southern Mindanao


10 metal firms benefit CBI’s export coaching programby Danielle Venz

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Some ten companies in the metal sector will be provided training in European export-related matters this October to better prepare themselves for their participation in a trade show in Europe sometime March or April next year.

The export coaching program (ECP) designed for qualified companies to penetrate the huge European Union (EU) market is being undertaken by the Netherlands-based Center for the Promotion of Imports from developing

countries (CBI). “These are select, small to medium-sized enterprises ranging from 80 to 200 people in company size. The ten (beneficiaries) most probably supply to almost a hundred

Coal project in Maasim, Sarangani in 2015 and another 100 MW under the second phase of the project in 2016, he added. Romeo Montenegro, Investment and Public Affairs Director of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), meanwhile stressed that the Mindanao power situation is expected to improve only until 2016 when committed projects come on stream. He said the outlook for cheap hydro-electric power from the Agus and Pulangi is compromised by the siltation of river systems and dams, as well as, of aging plants. The long dry spell in the summer months, he further said, is also expected to reduce the output of the Agus-Pulangi hydro-electric plants (HEP). According to him, deficit could persist with around 300 to 400 MW if

no immediate measures are taken. Sinocruz reiterated that the DOE is fast tracking measures to ease the power supply in Mindanao in the immediate terms. Among these immediate measures is the utilization of available capacity such as the uprating of the HEPs which will increase the capacity of Agus 1 HEP from 45 to 80MW and the Agus 2 HEP from 120 to 180 MW. The operation of the 100-MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant will also contribute 15 MW in April, 30 MW in May, 50 MW in June and 98 MW in September, he said. Another initiative is the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) where around 200-300 MW power can be tapped through the utilization of the embedded generators of distribution utilities and other voluntary load participants.


companies...The program now covers companies based in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Manila,” said Jimmy T. Chan, trustee of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) for the metals sector. Chan said CBI experts assist companies that are qualified to export to EU market prepare all requirements in the exhibition, including product brochures and company profiles. “The program also provides market study so experts will bring in information on what products that some potential clients (in Europe) will be buying. They will match it against the products that we have,” he noted. However, Chan bared that some changes are being formulated in the coaching program wherein small companies who have potentials could be also developed to enable them reach a level that they could export. He believed that participation in exhibitions in Europe can pave the way for more companies to enter the

huge market even as it is experiencing difficult economic situation. “In the past, there are few companies who did it,” he said. “Europe’ s economy is very bad, so many companies have scaled down so they are not buying too much from abroad. But we anticipate that in two years, the European economy will bounce back and there will be another surge (in product demand). I’m quite confident that when the change comes, the demand will be more. We have already these data at hand which the exporters can use,” he added. The CBI is undertaking export coaching programs for different sectors, including the metalworking, food ingredients and tourism. Exporters are assisted to determine the characteristics of the EU market, how to deal with the buyers, and how to improve their production and processes and product quality, among others.

Oro Chamber, City LGU launch Emergency Call 888

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - After conducting a series of stakeholders’ meeting, the country’s Hall of Fame Most Outstanding Chamber of Commerce—the Oro Chamber in cooperation with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be launching this Monday, March 25 EMERGENCY CALL 888.

by Oro Chamber


EMERGENCY CALL 888 is an improvement of the previous disaster response hotline 888 operated during typhoon Pablo. This emergency direct call access will enable local residents to immediately report to police authorities’ suspicious individuals and unlawful activities in the area. This emergency number can be reached through landline and cellphone and covers the entire city of Cagayan de Oro— the 1st and 2nd District including its 80 Barangays. “This launching is hoped to effectively diminish and prevent crimes from happening in the city,” Oro Chamber President Efren Uy shared. Uy said Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Chief PSSupt. Graciano Mijares assured us that the assigned officers from the Cagayan

de Oro Police Office (COCPO) will immediately respond to the reports c o m m u n i c a t e d through this emergency number 888. “We from the Chamber expect that this information be disseminated to each and every Kagay-anon through every method possible-- text, email, social media, word of mouth and others. We would also like to emphasize the serious repercussions that

will await people who will send scam reports to the said hotline,” said Uy. This launching is supported by PLDT-Philcom, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), NTC, Pueblo de Oro Corporation and other telephone companies. The Chamber Executive is likewise calling the city police and the entire PNP in the region to heighten the security in the City of Cagayan de Oro and Province of Misamis Oriental and nearby areas. Local residents and the business community are also advised to be vigilant at all times while appropriate CCTV camera equipment should also be put up in every business establishment in the area.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, -- School buildings constructed under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Project are found “excellent”, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 12 reported Friday.

RDC-12 finds Kalahi-CIDSS projects excellent


The Regional Project Monitoring Committee of the RDC 12 randomly inspected several development projects, including those implemented through Kalahi-CIDSS Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Emerita Q. Dizon, Kalahi-CIDSS regional project coordinator said that the RDC 12 monitoring committee conducted field inspection for the three-classroom school building projects in the remote villages of Maguling, New La Union, Ticulab, and Wali in Maitum town and Kablacan, Maasim, all in Sarangani.

“Each project inspected costs P1.8 million, in which the 30% of the total amount came from community local counterpart through provincial, municipal and barangay local government units,” Dizon said.

The recent field monitoring and evaluation was conducted to identify initiatives and practices of priority projects worthy of replication and give recommendations

for those agencies who are encountering bottlenecks in implementation.

“Based on the field monitoring report, the craftsmanship of the school buildings inspected in overall is considered excellent” Dizon said.

The committee, in an 11-page report, cited that the classrooms constructed under Kalahi-CIDSS, with mostly having a total land area of 189.00 square meters, are well-executed, with a good quality of lumber used and with an excellent craftsmanship of doors, jambs, and window grills.

The school buildings, all with genderized comfort room, are found having well-fabricated arm chairs, with a well-done installation of tiles, plumbing and lighting fixtures, while painting jobs in both exterior and interior are noted excellent.

DSWD should document best practices and draw lessons learned for reference in planning and future project development undertakings, the report

stated.For local government

units and beneficiaries, the committee report suggests allocating funds for the landscaping and greening of the premises for aesthetic and environmental purposes.

Also, stakeholders are recommended to ensure that water and sanitation component is provided so as not to compromise the welfare and health of students and teachers.

The recommendations and findings were confirmed by the Regional Development Council XII during the 41st Regular Meeting per RDC Resolution No. 29, series of 2013.

“We welcome this development report which will further affirm that Kalahi-CIDSS projects are of quality and follow the standards set by government,” DSWD-12 Assistant Regional Director Gemma Rivera said.

“This is the result of our activities in ensuring that funds are utilized as intended by the communities and the overall operating parameters are strictly followed.”


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12 guarantees that the National Household Target-ing Unit (NHTU) validation assessment for the Pablo victims in Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao- Lanao and Maguindanao (ARMM-LaMa) will not be influenced by the 2013 political campaign.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a c o m m u n i t y - d r i v e n development anti-poverty alleviation project implemented by DSWD through the financial support from World Bank. Under the project, poor communities are

capacitated to analyze their own problems, manage, plan, and implement their identified project to answer their pressing needs.

Aside from school buildings, Kalahi-CIDSS also constructed

other infra projects like bridges, health stations, water systems, day care centers, roads, post-harvest facilities, and other common services. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/HTEstacion, DSWD-12)

DSWD assures assessment project for “Pablo” victims is free of political interventionsBy Danilo E. Doguiles

The validation and assessment was implemented to monitor the status of the poor and non-poor households affected by typhoon Pablo in December and determine how the catastrophe has affected their living conditions.

Despite threats of political lobbying especially during campaigns, DSWD 12 Regional Director Bai Zorahayda T. Taha assured the public that the agency is keeping

guard on project to prevent any possible linkage to political aspirants.

“We have carefully screened all the hired

staff, from enumerators, area supervisors to area coordinators. The agency made sure that none of the staff is connected to


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Fifty-one residents of Baran-gay Laguilayan in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat now officially own their home lots.

politicians, but the agency still keeps its eye on every aspect of its implementation to avoid suspicion from external audience,” she said.

In case of emergencies, especially insurgency situations, the enumerators have also been advised what to do, she added.

“We have instructed the enumerators to stop the validation, return to the field office immediately and write a report on the incident for investigation,” Taha

noted. “This way, we can prevent anomalies before they even sprout,” she added.

Sixty enumerators, 10 area supervisors and two area coordinators were deployed by DSWD 12.

Meanwhile, ARMM LaMa deployed 209 enumerators, 34 area supervisors and six area coordinators.

For transparency purposes, both groups are expected to submit individual validation reports on March 28, the day before the

election ban.The agency hopes

that through these measures, they earn public trust and prevent malicious accusation against the project.

Typhoon Pablo affected more than 60,000 households in Regions 12 and ARMM LaMa in December 2012 thus the nationwide household re-validation of NHTS-PR to determine the current socio-economic status of the households. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/AMDacua-DSWD 12

51 Sultan Kudarat residents receive land titlesBy Danilo E. Doguiles

This after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 12 (DENR-12) awarded to them titles to their lots on March 17 in time with the village’s 56th foundation

anniversary celebration.Information from

DENR-12 said these recipients availed of Residential Free Patent of 2010 or Republic Act No. 10023 being implemented by the

DENR.Laguilayan is located

11 kilometers from Isulan, the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province.

It has a population of 10,698; eight percent of whom are Ilocanos while


51 Sultan Kudarat residents receive land titles

the remaining 20 percent are Maguindanaons and Ilonggos, according to Kagawad Amado A. Serra Jr.

Seventy-eight-year old Jose Obra, married with five grown-up children and recipient of a land title said, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa DENR at sa lahat ng tumulong sa pagpapatitulo ng aking lote na kinatitirikan ng aking bahay (I am thanking the DENR and to all who helped in the titling of my home lot),” Obra said while pointing to the direction of his house which is near the barangay gymnasium

where the awarding program was held.

CENRO Jerry B. Dalauta, whose office has jurisdiction over the first district of Sultan Kudarat province, said that the processing of the said land patents took them only 35 days, way ahead of the time limit of 120 days.

“It was last February 12 that the Laguilayan residents filed their applications during a patent drive dubbed as “DENR sa barangay” and now we are into distribution,” Dalauta proudly said.

In his message, DENR-

12 Regional Executive Director Datu Tungko M. Saikol thanked the local officials led by Barangay Chairman Alberto Arqueza for their warm reception.

He also noted the abundance of trees in the area.

“But we will add more to that through the National Greening Program of the President wherein we will plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land nationwide from 2011 to 2016,” Saikol said.

The said program was witnessed by provincial officials led by Provincial

Legal Officer Macabangen A l a m a d a , D E N R regional and p r o v i n c i a l o f f i c i a l s , m e d i a personalities, s c h o o l teachers, and Lagu i l ayan r e s i d e n t s . (DED-PIA 12/MCalungsod-Locsin-DENR 12)


New twists greets Compostela GK Bayani Challenge volunteers

COMPOSTELA, COMVAL PROV-INCE- Gawad Kalinga builders in the Municipality of Compostela had a new kind of experience in volunteering to build houses dur-ing this year’s Bayani Challenge. Added to the sweat and muscle pains of Gawad Kalinga build, was the meaningful feeling that they did it for the benefit of those who

had lost their homes to the wrath of Typhoon Pablo. Gracing the opening of the GK Bayani Challenge 2013 in Barangay Osmena in the Municipality of Compostela, Compostela Valley Province, 1st District Representative Maricar Zamora said the Bayani Challenge in Compostela Valley came at the right time when “it is needed most.”

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI Assistant Director Mavil Vigil in the same forum said that DSWD registered 17,462 total number of Typhoon-affected families in Compostela town. The looming rain clouds and cold morning breeze on March 23,


failed to douse the high spirits of more than a thousand volunteers who came during the Compostela opening of the Bayani Challenge 2013. Volunteers echoed the nationwide call for volunteerism bannering the theme, “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan” at the bang of the gong followed by the popping of balloons marking the start of the build. The “Pasaload”, featuring the passing of hollow-blocks from one volunteer to the other tied together the spirit of camaraderie of more than 40 volunteer groups from the academe, the government, humanitarian agencies, the media, the government information officers, banks, religious, among other sectors. The Presidential Communication Operation Office (PCOO) led by Philippine Information Agency XI Director Efren F. Elbanbuena struck a gesture of brotherhood with the house workers as he engaged them in a “boodle fight” during lunch joined by some members of Davao City and Davao del Norte media and members of PIA XI staff. The fellowship night on the first day, staged the usual honoring of the volunteer groups but it had a new twist as it incorporated a touch of Earth Hour during which Volunteers lit lanterns and let them flew sending the message of unity with the world in calling for the conservation of the environment. As this year’s GK Bayani

Challenge five-day build schedule, runs into the Holy Week, the GK build in Compostela featured a twist distinct from the rest: the Palm Sunday Rosary Walk. Volunteers went to Barangay Andap, in the nearby municipality of New Bataan where they attended the Palm Sunday Mass and lit candles of those who lost lives due to debris flow that brought an avalanche of about seven to nine meters of boulders, sand mixed with mud. The GK Bayani Challenge house-build is designed not just for sweating and labor, but also for fun and inspiration which serve as anchors in holding the fellowship nights. The day one fellowship night staged the Empowerment Talk 1 about “HOPE,” followed by Talentadong Bayani: D’ Talent Night on day two, which also featured Empowerment Talk 2 on “Honor and Heroism”. The day 3 fellowship night featured the Search for Mr. and MNs. Bayani with Empowerment Talk 3 on “Bayan.” The 4th night on Tuesday, is expected to send volunteers and worker in awe with music and magic as the fellowship night brings Gabi ng Bayanihan: “Musika at Mahika,” that goes alongside with Empowerment Talk 4 on Bayan at Bayanihan. The GK Bayani Challenge 2013 in the Municipality of Compostela is also peppered with other delightful activities open for volunteers to participate. (PIA-XI JEAN ABANGAN)


Tagum’s trike drivers take “refresher” seminarTAGUM CITY- An army of road-worthy tricycle drivers is on the vision board of the Tagum City Tri-cycle Franchising and Regulatory Board (CTFRB) after it convened the tricycle drivers for a series of half-day seminar on traffic aware-ness. Atty. Roland G. Tumanda, CTFRB chair, said this is a way of refreshing the knowledge of the drivers of the city’s main mode of transportation about traffic rules and regulations as well as orienting them about the latest traffic-related policies carried out by the authorities. Serving as guest speakers during the series of seminar which kicked off March 20, 2013 at the Tagum City Pavilion, are focal persons from the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police-Traffic Section and the Tagum City Traffic Management Unit. Among those discussed are the franchise guidelines in securing the Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit (MTOP) which is the document granting franchise or license to operate in the city as regulated under City Ordinance

No. 162 series of 2004. On his part, Mayor Rey T. Uy expressed gratitude to the pedicab drivers for their contribution to the progress of Tagum but also made a stern warning to those who tends to violate traffic rules and regulations.The local chief executive said during his term as city mayor, no additional franchises were granted by the MTOP because he doesn’t want to swarm the city with lots of tricycle units that could lower the earnings of the present franchise holders. Per data of the CTFRB, the city only have 3,150 tricycle units operating within the urban hub. An open forum was also conducted after the seminar. The first leg of this seminar catered motorcycle units with body numbers from 1 to 630. The other schedule will be as follows: March 27, 2013 (631 to 1260), April 3, 2013 (1261 to 1890), April 10, 2013 (1891 to 2520) and April 17, 2013 (2521 to 3150). (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum)

one mindanao - march 26, 2013

Documents

pia agusan

pia surigao

pia caraga region richard

pia caraga updates

pia region ximanaging

pia caraga regioncopy

pia region x rudolph

pia wesmin info bliztwitter