one mindanao - may 22, 2012

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Cover Story

Food Trip: “Pyanggang”, anyone?

Michael Vincent D. CajulaoWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 262

page 4

Peleta B. Abejo, Northern Mindanao

People’s Republic of China allows entry of Philippine bananas 10

DENR-ARMM pursues government’s National Greening ProgramRDC-X checks on P7.85-B Laguindingan

Airport Project

17 DoLE-10 releases P235,560 livelihood grant to Camiguin beneficiaries

95 public schools in Gensan to receive P30,000 each for Brigada Eskwela 2012

Mildred E. Dablio, Northern Mindanao

Pops Gumana Fruylan, Central Mindanao

Perlita Changco, Armm

Butuan City police receive 3 patrol multi-cabs Noel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

Simula ng isang linggong Brigada Eskuwela sa Koronadal City inulan24 Ac Agad, Central Mindanao

City health office to conduct massive fumigation in schools36 Vic Larato, Western Mindanao

27

Comval to build Asia’s longest Zipline 19 RG Alama, Southern Mindanao

22

EMB conducts planning workshop to adopt rivers, creeks in Caragae32Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

30

8 12 14 18

25 28 33

16

10 Dipolog artists recognized 37 Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

21

4 Tuesday, May 22, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Food has been, and always been, a part of human culture.

Cover StoryFood Trip: “Pyanggang”, anyone?

In fact, food mirrors a distinct culture. That is why people say Asian food, American food, Italian food, and so on. Wherever you go, you will find foods that trigger your curiosity. Foods that are far different from what you are accustomed with. But our penchant for food will tell you to try them. After all, food is the common denominator of all living things. We need to eat. Philippines is known for our unique and wide varieties of foods. It varies according to tribes, making Filipino foods one of the most diverse in the globe. When one hears of Zamboanga,

what automatically comes to mind are Spanish-

influenced foods, owing to the

fact that,

Zamboanga City was once one of the fortresses of Spain in Mindanao.

Authentic Zamboanga cuisine But here is my dilemma. What are the authentic Zamboanga cuisines? Before the Spanish occupation, the main tribes living here were the Samal Banguingui, the Tausugs, and the highland-dwelling Subanens, ruled by the Sultanate of Sulu. When the Spanish came here, they inter-married with the local women. For hundreds of years, their cultures also evolved through assimilation, and is now known as the Chavacano (Zamboangueño) culture. Now, the food also has evolved, although we do share it with other places in the country. We have the paella and arroz valenciana to name

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

a few.

B u t some things never change. Even for food. There are still authentic foods from the ethnic groups found here in Zamboanga. This article would like to focus on

one native food of the Tausug people that had been kept intact and

free from western influences through the years… a

food that requires painstaking

preparations and processes to cook. It is considered one of the special foods of the Tausugs. According to my mom, this food is usually served only during festivities that is why rarely do we see this food commercially sold, although there are a few restaurants or eateries serving Tausug foods. One thing I can say about this food is, if you’re a first timer, you will really be intrigued by how it looks, and definitely, how it tastes. Let us journey together as we discover, or for some, rediscover “Pyanggang Manuk” or simply, “Pyanggang”. Personally, it is one of my favorite foods. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to cook it. So I need someone who can show me how this is being done. Luckily, I don’t need to look far to find the best chef, my mom. (Sorry Chef Boy Logro. I know you’re one of the best, but you may need to take the back seat. You’re no. 2 for me though. Hehe)

6 Tuesday, May 22, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Now what makes this different or interesting from other foods that I have tried? Ah, yes. When you look at it, it’s a bit odd. Why? Because it’s black, as in burned black! You might have seen Jessica Soho’s feature of the “Tyulah Itum” (black soup), also an authentic Tausug food. These two share the same key ingredient making them black. We call it “Pamapa Itum” (black condiment) or “Syunug Lahing” (burned coconut meat).

The Making of Pyanggang

It is done by scraping coconut meat from its shell and burning

them until its total black inside out. After doing so, they

will grind the burned coconut meat.

This gives Pyanggang

its unique look, smell, and taste. This process alone really takes time. As my mom said, “if you do it in a traditional way, half a day is not enough for you to cook this, fortunately, we can now buy “pamapa itum” in the market, so that’s a lot of time saved for us.” The ingredients here are whole NATIVE chicken cut into halves diagonally (but you can also use commercial dressed chicken), turmeric (dulaw/luyang dilaw), ginger, salt, black pepper, coconut cream, onion, lemon grass (tanglad), garlic and “pamapa itum”. Since Tausugs are fond of hot foods, chili pepper should not be forgotten, although, it is optional. After cleaning the chicken, rub salt and black pepper onto it. Grate ginger, turmeric, chili (again, optional) and ginger, and mix with pamapa itum. Once you’re done mixing, rub the mixed condiments to the chicken generously. In a casserole, mix coconut cream with onion and lemon grass and cook the chicken in it until almost dry. It is important to cook it on a slow fire to achieve the desired taste and texture of the meat. Add salt to taste. When it’s cooked, put chicken on a plate and let it cool. So, is it time to eat? NOT YET!


We are not yet done. There is one more

thing that we should do. After cooling the meat on regular air temperature, cover the chicken with pamapa itum and roast it for several minutes making sure that the meat is still juicy. It’s like a roasted chicken with a lot of twists. After doing all these, now it’s time to enjoy your “pyanggang”.

But wait. Remember the coconut cream where you cooked the chicken? After cooking the chicken there it has now become pasty with chicken essence, and the different taste of all

mixed ingredients, and coconut oil. You can now put those in a saucer as your gravy. So if you have a knack for unique foods, try “pyanggang” and have a taste of unadulterated native food that you can find here in Zamboanga and the neighboring provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. I did say before that this takes painstaking preparations and processes to cook, right? Well, I’m not joking. It took us almost three hours to cook it! But it’s all worth the wait. I just had the best supper in recent months. Thanks to my mom for the delicious “pyanggang!”

8 Tuesday, May 22, 2012ONE MINDANAO

ACROSS THE NATION

“We are pleased to report that government disbursements continue to grow and to reverse the contraction of disbursements last year. More importantly, with the reforms that have taken place since last year, we are confident that the quality of spending under the Aquino Administration continues to improve,” Secretary Florencio B. Abad said in a press release from the department.

The national government incurred a fiscal deficit of P2.89 billion as of April, as it incurred a fiscal surplus

of P31.02 billion in April due to a 10.6-percent increase in revenues for the said month. Cumulative disbursements as of April have reached P517.13 billion, 12.1 percent higher than in the comparable period of 2011.

“Nonetheless, we acknowledge that government spending, especially on priority programs and projects of the Administration, needs to grow at a much faster pace in order to support our development targets. We in DBM will work closely with key departments in the

remainder of the second quarter to troubleshoot i m p l e m e n t a t i o n bottlenecks, address capacity constraints, and accelerate disbursements,” he said.

He emphasized that departments responsible for implementing priority programs and projects need to improve their capacity to utilize the allotment and cash allocation releases that have been frontloaded by the DBM at the start of the fiscal year.

As of April, DBM released P377.2-billion in cash disbursement authorities in

Gov’t’ disbursements as of April grow 12.1% year on year

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that national

government departments and agencies have disbursed a total of P122.24 billion in April, or 9.1 percent higher compared to the spending in the same month of last year.


the form of Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs), which is 11.5-percent more than the NCAs issued in the same period of last year. Of the NCAs issued, departments and agencies were able to disburse 90.8 percent.

However, departments with large appropriations—the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Agriculture, Transportation and Communication, Education, Health and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)—have not been able to fully disburse the cash allocations released to them. Their NCA utilization rates range from 70 to 90 percent.

Abad said the DBM is currently considering a range of interventions, in cooperation with these key departments, to accelerate disbursements. For one, he said that DBM and the departments are jointly identifying and determining solutions for implementation bottlenecks. He added that DBM is also considering the realignment of unobligated allotments of agencies to faster-moving programs

and projects. Highlights of 2012

Disbursements as of April per Expense Class

Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) increased year-on-year by 41.0 percent or P21.9 billion to P75.5 billion as of April due to larger appropriations for priority programs. However, this was slower than the 66.4-percent growth as of the first quarter due to a slight decrease in the month of April. For one, the number of qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was lower than targeted due to compliance issues.

· Infrastructure and Other Capital Outlays (CO) continued to grow, posting an increase of 49.7 percent or P17.3 billion to P52.1 billion as of April. In April, infrastructure spending grew by 28.2 percent. In the case of DPWH, payments for services rendered in March started to be credited in April with the lifting of the Direct Payment Scheme on the settlement of demandable accounts payables.

· Interest Payments (IPs) as of April increased by 12.2 percent or P12.5 billion to P114.6 billion mainly due to higher issuances of fixed rate treasury bills and retail treasury bonds in view of the larger deficit financing requirement for this year.

· Personal Services (PS), as expected, increased by 8.6 percent or P12.7 billion to P159.3 billion due to the mandatory increase in salaries under the Salary Standardization Law III as well as the increased provision for clothing allowances.

· Allocations and Capital Transfers to Local Governments (LGUs) decreased by 6.0 percent or P5.9 billion to P92.4 billion. As expected, this was mainly due to the decline in the mandated Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of LGUs.

· Subsidies and Equity to Government Corporations (GOCCs) increased by 8.2 percent or P0.6 billion to P7.9 billion with the release of P0.5 billion for the operational subsidy of the National Electrification Administration, among others.


People’s Republic of China allows entry of Philippine bananas

Quarantine officials of the People’s Republic of China (PROC) have allowed Philippine bananas to enter their market after imposing stricter measures on the product coming from the

Philippines.“I can tell you

that we have a bit of good news. We have progressed in resolving the phytosanitary issue. We received word today that 30 to 40 containers have been allowed to pass in China. So that’s a little bit of good news for us,” Deputy Presidential

Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced in a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Valte said that it was agreed that the Department of Agriculture will double check all banana exports before leaving the country

and its counterparts in the PROC will join them once the exports arrived there.

“It will be subjected to a joint inspection to resolve quickly any phytosanitary issues,” Valte said.

To assist the local banana producers


affected by the trade row with PROC, Valte said the President already ordered a study so that some measures could be extended to them.

Although the import restrictions imposed by PROC started to ease, the government is still looking for other markets for Philippine bananas, she said.

The secretary of the Department of Agriculture organized a team from the Bureau of Plant I n d u s t r y (BPI) to go to China to check on the stranded b a n a n a shipments in response to PROC’s claim that Ph i l i pp ine b a n a n a s shipped to have pests.

Likewise, the Chinese quarantine officials have been invited to inspect plantations and ports in the country.

The Philippines is one of the world’s top banana exporters with much of the fruits being grown in Mindanao. Among its major markets include Japan, South Korea, PROC and New Zealand. In 2010, the total export earnings for

fresh Cavendish banana amounted to $720 million.

The PROC is the country’s second biggest export market for bananas next to Japan. Records show that as of February 2012, the Philippine banana exports to China accounted for 19 percent of the total export during the first two months of this year. (AS)


Deles urges greater public participation in Mindanao peace process

The government wants greater public participation in the Mindanao peace process, Secretary Teresita Quintos-

Deles of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said.

Deles appealed Thursday to the public to study the issues surrounding the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to be able to contribute to the crafting of a final peace agreement.“Read and study. You will see how broad and deep the GPH-MILF

peace process is. You will understand how much there is that needs to be discussed on the peace table. Ask if there are things that need to be further explained and help in crafting an agreement that is acceptable to the majority,” she said in a statement.Deles stressed the value of citizen participation in the peace process,

saying that ordinary citizens should take part in supporting and guarding the peace talks. Last month, both parties reached a significant stride with the signing of the “Decision Points on Principles” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Deles said that “the milestone document will dismiss negative feedback that nothing is


happening on the peace table.” The document, signed during the 27th exploratory talks in Malaysia last month, shall serve as the framework in the discussion and formulation of the comprehensive peace compact.Mario Victor F. Leonen, government chief negotiator in talks with the MILF, said making public the 10-point document is part of government’s policy for “inclusivity and transparency so that the people can discuss, debate and provide inputs.” He said that they hope to sign a peace agreement with the MILF “with due and deliberate speed.” “Due time means we will sign as soon as possible because we need to address the roots of armed conflict so the development in the region and the entire country can be aided by this peace process,” Leonen said

MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim earlier urged the Moro people to pray for the success of the amity talks with the recent breakthrough in the 15-year negotiations spanning four administrations.“This is a breakthrough in the almost two-year drought in talks under the Aquino administration,” Murad said in the rebels’ website. Last August, President Benigno S. Aquino III and Murad met in Tokyo in a bid to move the peace process forward. Japan is a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) and the International Monitoring Team, bodies that are involved in the peace process between the government and the MILF. Following the signing of the “Decision Points on Principles,” Murad reiterated the Front’s commitment to forged a comprehensive compact agreement

to end the Mindanao conflict. Aquino wants the final peace accord inked before he steps down from power in 2016.Murad described last month’s agreement “as a leap forward,” but cautioned the Moro people not to be complacent. “The road ahead is more rugged and tricky than what has been achieved so far,” the MILF chairman noted. “The real test of the success of the talks hinges on the conclusion of agreements on the substantive issues like the power-sharing, wealth-sharing, and extent of territory of the new Moro entity.” Murad appealed to the international community, particularly members of the ICG, to continue supporting the Mindanao peace process to sustain the momentum, and thanked Malaysia for mediating the negotiations. (Bong Sarmiento)


CSC-10 conducts anti-smoking symposiumby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The Civil Service Commission Regional Office 10 (CSC-10), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) conducted an anti-smoking symposium on Friday, May 18, at the Grand

Caprice Restaurant, this city.

Over 100 representatives from the various national line agencies, state universities and colleges, and local government units in the region attended the symposium which was anchored on the theme “Race Towards A Smoke-Free Civil Service.” In the symposium, Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr. and Dr. Andrea Benas, both from DOH-

Center for Health Development (CHD) discussed the harmful effects of smoking and smoking cessation, respectively. The participants were also provided with the salient features of CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 17, series of 2009; CSC-DOH Joint MC No. 2010-01; World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco


other laws and laws protecting people from the harmful effects of smoking. Lawyer Lourdes Clavite-Vidal, CSC-10 Regional Director, said the symposium was initiated to promote and maintain a healthy government workforce reiterating that a healthy government employee works more efficiently, more productively, and possess a more responsive work attitude than a sickly one. In a related development, DOH-CHD Regional Director Dr. Aristides Tan expressed hope that the sin tax reform bill would be passed by Congress after it was approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means and certified as urgent by President Benigno Aquino III. He said the bill, which seeks to restructure the taxes on cigarettes, liquor, and other tobacco and alcohol products, is one of the ways to ensure that there will be sufficient funds that will help DOH in campaigning for a smoke-free Philippines. He added that the money that will be collected from these taxes will also help finance smoke cessation clinics, healthy lifestyle advocacy and capability building, and other health-related activities.


RDC-X checks on P7.85-B Laguindingan Airport Project by Peleta B. Abejo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - “The earliest time that the Laguindingan airport can be opened for commercial operation is November 2013,” Engr. Edgardo J. Mangalili, project manager of the P7.85-billion Laguindingan Airport Development Project (LADP) reported during the May 10 meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Special Committee on LADP chaired by Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno.

This is, if bidding for the Air Navigation System and Support Facilities (ANSSF) could start this month, said Engr. Mangalili. The loan agreement between the government of the Philippines and the Korean Export-Import Bank for the ANSSF was signed on October 13, 2011. Comments of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on the Korean-made Instrument Landing System is being awaited. “We don’t mind the delay of

the project as long as safety and integrity of the airport project is not sacrificed,” Governor Moreno reiterated. Given the interfacing works with the ANSSF, the overall accomplishment of the project is 89.33 percent as of April 30, putting it behind schedule by 3.17 percent. The Department of Transportation and Communications and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has already

contracted the services of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as Transaction Advisor for the preparation of the business case or terms of reference for the operation and maintenance of the LADP, which will be offered for PPP. On the power supply for the airport, Misamis Oriental-1 Rural Electric Service Cooperative General Manager Julie B. Real reported that the Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the construction of


the 40 km alternative 69-kV line (N-1) from Manticao town to Moog, Laguindingan. Energization of 10-MVA Moog Substation is now in process. Expecting increased water requirements with the airport operations, the municipal government of Laguindingan proposed to rehabilitate their existing water system and welcomed prospective investors on the municipal water supply. The Department of Public Works and Highways representative also reported that funds are already allocated for the upgrading/widening of about 210 km of national arterial road

from the municipality of Magsaysay to the municipality of Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Moreover, the PPA feasibility study for the Laguindingan seaport development project will soon be submitted to the RDC for review and evaluation. Present during the meeting were the chairs and members of the sub-committees on infrastructure;investment promotion, tourism and employment; and land use and environment. Guests from the Ayala Lands Incorporated and PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority also attended.

DoLE-10 releases P235,560 livelihood grant to Camiguin beneficiariesby Mildred E. Dablio

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) under the leadership of Director Johnson G. Cañete approved the release of the swine fattening livelihood grant that will employ 45 members of the Mga Kababaihan Laban sa Kahirapan of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mahinog in the province of Camiguin.

The livelihood grant, amounting of P235,560, was released by Ricardo D. de Dios, Officer-In-Charge of the DOLE Camiguin Provincial Field Office, and turned-over to Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo. The turn-over ceremony held in Mahinog Municipal Hall last March 28 and was attended by the employees of the LGU, headed by Mayor Alex R. Jajalla, who expressed gratitude

to DOLE on its continued support towards the welfare and development of the workers of the informal sector of the province. The release of the grant was in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda, to alleviate poverty in the countryside by generating community livelihood and employment for nation building. (DoLE-10)


by Carina Cayon

The 5th year conduct of the Na-tional Schools Maintenance Week or “Brigada Eskwela” gives em-phasis to the importance of health and sanitation in schools. Dr. Eunice Atienzar, “Brigada Eskwela” focal person of the Department of Education-XI, told the media in today’s Kapihan sa PIA that the week-long nationwide synchronized activity on May 21-26 will strengthen the advocacy and awareness on health and sanitation.

Aside from minor repairs and preparations for the school opening on June 4, “Brigada Eskwela” will also involve construction and repairs of toilets in all elementary and secondary schools, Atienzar stated. “So we will be able to look at the value and give importance to health and sanitation,” she said, urging parents to help in this endeavor to elude their children from getting sick. She said various stakeholders from all sectors in the society are expected to converge and

participate in this yearly bayanihan strategy that DepEd has institutionalized in an aim to ensure that “public schools are ready to receive students when school opens.” Atienzar said DepEd has been mobilizing parents, teachers, students, civic and business groups, religious organizations, local government units, non-government organizations and other community residents in the annual school maintenance program.

“Brigada Eskwela” 2012 underscores health and sanitation


She said they are expecting a 100 percent participation of all public schools including schools in remote areas in Davao Region. DepEd personnel from nine Divisions have been deployed to reach out to far flung schools, she added. Atienzar reiterated that joining the activity is voluntary, and emphasized that it is not a pre-requisite for enrollment. She urged the public to participate and support “Brigada Eskwela,” further reminding that school personnel will not receive cash, but rather donations in kind such as construction and cleaning

materials, and/or services. At the opening of the “Brigada Eskwela” on May 21, Atienzar disclosed that some 50-60 DepEd regional personnel will be joined by their counterparts from DepEd offices in Digos City, Panabo City, Tagum City and Davao del Norte in a caravan to converge at Tagum City National High School. She said a short program will take place during the caravan to give recognition to Tagum City local government’s “Care for School Chairs Program.” (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

Comval to build Asia’s longest Zipline

DAVAO CITY- The Provincial Gov-ernment of Compostela Valley will be building a 1.5- kilometer zipline at Camp Manual Yan in Mawab. The P3-million project if completed will be Asia’s longest Zipline eclipsing the 840-meter Dahilayan Zipline in Bukidnon.

A c c o r d i n g to Christine T. Dompor, Provincial Tourism Officer the zipline will start at its highest point in Camp Manuel Yan and will descend 1,500 meters down to Hijo River. Dompor said that preparatory works are underway and the zipline is estimated to be

completed later this year. The zipline are among the developments introduced to the sprawling 100 hectare army camp which has been declared as an eco-tourism park. Aside from facilities in the camp, they are


into developing the nearby Hijo River to complement the tourism attractions in the area. A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed between the Province and the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division to develop and promote the military camp/eco-tourism park. Aside from the ziplines, the area is also being readied as a caving and spelunking destination. Mahayahay Cave located in the camp has been identified as another tourism site. Lt. Colonel Paniza, commander of the 72nd infantry battalion, a tenant unit of the camp said that extra care has been enforced to preserve the caves, he bared that

strict military regulations even forbade military personnel from entering the caves without due permission from the municipal tourism office of Mawab. Visitors are also required to plant Lawaan trees before they are allowed to visit the caves. According to Paniza the military is keen in bringing back the once lush Lawaan forests in the area before they were cut down to make way for farming communities. Tree parks, an Indigenous

People’s Village, a 3-kilometer trekking trail, a deer sanctuary, a heroes park are among the facilities currently being developed by the Army in the camp as part of the efforts to develop it into an eco-tourism park. The camp served as the regional headquarters and training camp of the New People’s Army in the 1980s before Army troops wrested it permanently in 1986 converting it into a base for an army brigade. In early 2011, the 10th Infantry Division relocated to the area from their original base in Camp Panacan, Davao City. (PIA/RG Alama)


Tree planting held to protect newly-found Asik-asik FallsBy Shahana Joy Duerme

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato--A tree planting activity was conducted on Saturday, May 19 at the water reservoir of the now famous Asik-asik spring falls in Barangay Dado, Alamada North Cotabato.


Members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, troops from the 7th Infantry Battalion and several other organizations participated in the activity where 50 different kinds of fruit trees and hardwoods were planted in the area.

The main purpose of the event is to promote environmental protection which is in line with the program of the national government and is supported by the local government unit of Alamada as well as the provincial government of North Cotabato headed by Governor Emmylou Mendoza.

Organizers also said that the tree planting was aimed at providing protection to the spring falls that have lately become a famous

destination.It was estimated that

more than 1,000 people have already visited the spring falls since its accidental discovery in December last year by a local councilor with more visitors coming everyday.

It has also become a lucrative source of income of habal-habal motorcycle drivers. Toll fee collection of Barangay Dado, has now reached P20,000 per day primarily because of the bulk of visitors that come to the spring falls.

This despite the fact that Asik-Asik spring falls is located in Sitio Dulao, about 20 kilometers from the Poblacion Alamada and that visitors need to walk more than 1 kilometer to be able to reach the spring falls site.

This development has prompted the provincial and municipal government to develop and promote the site as one of the most beautiful spring falls in Southeast Asia.

They have also emphasized the need to protect the location from environmental degradation.

The provincial government has initially allocated P1.5 million for the development of the area while the Alamada LGU is putting in place policies and guidelines for the use of the spring falls as a tourist destination.

Gov. Mendoza has ordered closure of the Asik-Asik spring falls starting June 4 until August for the development of the site. (SJDuerme-PIA12)

95 public schools in Gensan to receive P30,000 each for Brigada Eskwela 2012By Pops Gumana Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- The 69 public elementary and 26 secondary schools here are scheduled to receive P30,000 each for the week-long Briga-da Eskwela of the Department of Education (DepEd) that began yesterday.


City Councilor Margareth Rose Santos, chairperson of the Committee on Education, revealed that the amount came from South Cotabato 1st District Representative Pedro Acharon Jr. to aid the different public schools in the city in preparing for the opening of classes on June 4.

“The assistance will be distributed this week and will be used for the purchase of materials such as paints and other repair needs,” she said.

D e p E d - G e n s a n C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

Officer, Ronnie Sunggay disclosed that “Brigada Eskwela”is an annual ‘National Schools Maintenance Week’ of DepEd where parents, teachers and the community helped each other to clean school campuses prior to the opening of classes.

He explained that “Brigada Eskwela “showcased the “bayanihan” spirit among the participants by giving either their voluntary services or donating construction and cleaning materials during the week-long

activity.Sunggay pointed out

that parents are not obliged by DepEd to pay any specific amount for the “Brigada Eskwela” as it should be a “voluntary act.”

“The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) sometimes agreed to receive monetary support from working parents and other benefactors who cannot serve as volunteers to defray the cost of maintenance materials needed by the school,” he clarified. ( P G F r u y l a n / P I A -Gensan)


Simula ng isang linggong Brigada Eskuwela sa Koronadal City inulanLUNGSOD NG KORONADAL, South Cotabato-- Kahit pa man maagang bu-muhos ang ulan sa Lungsod ng Koronadal, pumunta pa rin sa iba’t-ibang mga paaralan sa buong lungsod ang mga magulang, mga guro at mga kawani ng Koronadal City Schools Division para sa unang araw ng Brigada Eskuwela kahapon.

Ang Brigada Eskuwela ay ang taunang programa ng Department of Education (DepEd) na nagtutulungan ang mga mamamayan, guro at mga kawani ng ahensiya para sa paghahanda ng mga silid-aralan para sa pagbubukas ng klase, pahayag ni City Schools Division Superintendent Isagani dela Cruz, sa isang panayam sa lokal na

radyo.Ayon kay dela Cruz,

kailangang maihanda umano ang mga silid-aralan para sa mahigit 50,000 mga mag-aaral sa lungsod sa pagbubukas ng klase sa Hunyo 4, nitong taon.

Hiniling din ni dela Cruz sa lahat ng mga guro sa lungsod na seguruhing, maging maganda malinis at hindi pamumugaran ng lamok ang mga

silid-aralan upang maiwasan ang sakit na dengue na dala ng mga lamok.

Kaugnay nito, nanawagan din si Superintendent dela Cruz sa lahat ng mga magulang na maagang magpatala ng kanilang mga anak na mag-aaral ngayong pasukan. Ito umano ay upang maiwasan ang pagka-antala ng pagpasok sa eskuwela ng mga kabatan. (Ac Agad PIA 12)


More anti-poverty projects for Upi, MaguindanaoBy Dani Doguiles & Hannadi Guiamad

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- More barangays in Upi town in Magu-indanao are set to benefit from several projects that could help alleviate poverty and foster peace in the area.

Information from the Upi LGU said, that these projects include access to potable water, day care

centers and livelihood projects.

Noraida Chio, team leader of the A Single

Drop of Safe Water (ASDSW) Cotabato Office, announced on May 15 that Upi town has been selected as a pilot site for a water sanitation and hygiene project funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Maguindanao provincial and municipal governments.

Under the project, the clustered villages of Rempes, Ranao Pilayan, Bayabas, Kibleg and Mirab as well as Barangay Tinungkaan, will have access to clean sources of water primarily to


prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases.

Besides Upi, the municipalities of Parang and Sultan sa Barongis have also been included as pilot areas.

Chio explained, these villages were selected based on several criteria including existence of governance, peace and order situation, accessibility, and presence of water-borne diseases based on previous assessment of local water sources.

Chio emphasized that the program believes that provision of clean and potable water in underprivileged communities could help boost efforts to achieve long-lasting peace.

Meanwhile, five villages in Upi town will also have their own day care centers courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Social Welfare Officer III Marilou Diestro announced that day care centers will be built Barangays Blensong, Kibleg, Sefegefen, Bugabungan and Borongotan within 45 days.

Diestro said, each day care building which will be constructed in partnership with the Philippine Army’s Engineering Brigade based at Awang,Datu Odin Sinsuat, costs P617,000.

On May 16, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at Barangay Kibleg to signal the start of the construction of the facilities, which are seen to be of great help especially in honing the minds of pre-school children in the areas.

Delivery of construction materials have already began for the other day care centers.

On Thursday, May 17, a barangay assembly was held at Barangay Sefegefen to announce that a grant amounting to P1.5 million have been awarded to the municipality.

Municipal Engineer Gerardo Cariño said the fund under the Municipal Block Grant through the ARMM Social Fund Project was given to the village as a result of the positive result in the monitoring

of previous projects granted to them and for the cooperation that the village have shown in the implementation of their projects.

Cariño said the money was part of government loan from the World Bank in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The fund and the projects, the municipal official said, will be managed by the Centro Sefegefen Farmers Association.

Survey on what specific projects this fund will be spent on is still being finalized, he added.

The barangay-wide assembly was also attended by social welfare officer III Marilou Diestro, municipal local government operations officer Cicellia Pelobillo, municipal facilitator Cheruben Real, 4PS municipal link Maureen Obina , and barangay officials led by chairman Dominador Moendem. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with reports from Hannadi Guiamad-Upi-LGU)


DENR-ARMM pursues government’s National Greening ProgramBy Perlita Changco

COTABATO CITY-- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) is determined to undertake aggressive tree planting in the region in compliance with the gov-ernment’s Greening Program and the campaign against global warming and climate change.

As the lead agency in the conservation and protection of the coun-try’s environment and natural resources, one of the major programs that DENR-ARMM fo-cuses is the aggressive reforestation.

According to the DENR-ARMM regional secretary Kedtag Ka-hal, ARMM has been assigned the quota of 2,500 hectares for re-forestation under the National Greening Pro-gram under the admin-istration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Consistent with this, Kahal said, prepara-tions are underway for a mass tree planting activity during the ob-servance of World En-vironment Day on June this year.

Kahal said, in part-nership with the lo-cal government units, civil society groups,

students, government workers, military and the police forces as well the private sector, assuring availability of more than enough planting materials to meet their target of planting 75,000 trees in one hour, a move to surpass the current Guinness World Record of 60,000.

“Kayang-kaya natin na makapagtanim ng 75,000 seedlings sa pagtutulungan at paki-kiisa at malampasan ang world record na 60,000 upang maka-pagbahagi sa Greening Program ni President Aquino at bilang miti-gation measure upang matugunan ang prob-lema ng pagguho ng lupa at pagbaha sa re-hiyon sanhi ng climate change,” Kahal said.

He assured that the agency remains focused on the re-

forestation program through continuous tree planting activities of which the latest was last May 1 organized by DENR-ARMM as a fitting celebration of this year’s Labor Day led by ARMM-OIC re-gional governor Mu-jiv Hataman wherein more than 2,000 tree seedlings were plant-ed at the Dimapatoy Watershed. Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sin-suat, Maguindanao.

Kahal called on all sectors of the com-munity to support and share the basic social responsibility for the conservation and pro-tection of the environ-ment ror the benefit and welfare of future g e n e r a t i o n s . ( p b -changco/PIA Cota-bato City)


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“No collection” policy still up this enrollment, DepEd saysby Robert E. Roperos

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Caraga Region is reminding the public and all public elementary and high school

teachers and administrators that the “no collection” policy is still in effect as enrollment for school year 2012-2013 nears.


This developed after reports in the previous years have reached DepEd-Caraga Regional Office that allegedly, some school principals allow their teachers to collect miscellaneous fees during the enrollment period. Arnold Solen of DepEd-Agusan del Norte today emphasized that school teachers and administrators are not allowed to collect any fees from the parents during the enrollment, as Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro reiterated its call to all public schools officials to refrain from collecting any fees from students to encourage more parents to send their children to

school and complete basic education. In DepEd press release, Luistro strongly called on all public schools to abide by the “no collection” policy because this is enshrined in the Constitution and DepEd is duty-bound to make sure that school-aged children are in school. Luistro stressed the national government’s goal here is to lessen the worries of parents about school fees which is one of the reasons why many children are out of school or have dropped-out in the middle of schooling. Meanwhile, Jeaneth Obejas of Libertad Central Elementary School (LCES)

said the miscellaneous fees will then be collected months after the classes have started. She likewise emphasized that this must be collected by term and on voluntary bases. “Meaning, this must not be collected once requiring the parents to pay it in full, and it is not compulsory” she added. The DepEd likewise informs the public that

beyond Grade 4, there should be no collection during enrollment period and the first month of classes. Contributions, on a purely voluntary basis, may start on the second month of every school year. This covers contributions for Boy Scout of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis Fund and Parents-Teachers Association. The no collection policy is one of government’s anti-poverty measures. Through this, parents can instead use the money for other important needs such as food and transportation fare, the DepEd said.

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Butuan City police receive 3 patrol multi-cabsby Noel B. Najarro

Attending the turn-over rites were top officials from the regional and city PNP led by Caraga PNP Regional Director CSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, PSSupt. Jean Aunzo, Director Lilibeth Famacion, OIC DILG 13, PSSupt. Pedro U. Obaldo, OIC BCPO, Rev. Pedro Jean E. Amante, President of the Butuan

Evangelical Ministerial Association (BEMA) who

officiated the blessings, former Councilor

BUTUAN CITY -- Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) received three patrol vehicles as assistance from the congressional office of Agusan del Norte 1st. District (Butuan City-Las Nieves) Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, in a simple turn-over ceremony held 9:00 a.m. Friday at the multi-purpose hall, Butuan City Police Office.


Salvador “Benjie” Calo, and Cong. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, the guest of honor and speaker of the occasion. Other top city police officials led by Deputy City Dir. PSupt. Romy I. Palgue and the chiefs of Butuan City Police Stations 1-5 also attended the ceremony. DILG 13-OIC Dir. Lilibeth Famacion signed the turn-over certificate of the three

units multi-cabs 4 x 4 Suzuki converted patrol cars, 6-sitters, 5-speed, 3-cylinder 660 CC 12 valve engine with its accessories including tire range, jack, horn and blinkers valued at P 167,000 per unit. The acquisition fund came from the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of Congressman Aquino. Butuan City Police Director PSSupt Pedro

Obaldo received the vehicles from Dir. Famacion by signing the certificate of acceptance for the recipient. In his message during the turn-over ceremony Cong. Aquino said he hoped that the patrol vehicles will in a way assist the city police in its visibility, mobility, and accessibility efforts as “Butuan deserves to be a peaceful city.”


According to For. Jay Managat, EMB-Caraga technical staff, the activity is aimed at informing the establishments how to mobilize the communities living along the riverbanks and creeks to clean their surroundings. Managat also said local residents in the area are also taught on how to get water samples for the water analysis that is regularly conducted by EMB. Through this, people will know if said water systems are safe from bacteria or even risks that come from mining companies and other establishments.

“Ang katuyuan sa maong kalihukan mao ang paghatag og kahibalo sa mga establismento nga naga-operate duol sa maong mga water systems dinhi sa rehiyon. Gitudluan usab ang pipila sa mga residente kung usaon pagkuha sa water samples aron i-analisa sa EMB ug mahibalo-an kung ang maong tubig contaminado sa mga kemikal nga naghatag risgo sa panglawas sa katawhan sa komunidad, atong hatagan og tukmang legal nga aksyon ang maong mga establismento (The activity is aimed to give knowledge to the said establishments

operating near the water system here in the region. Some local residents are also taught how to get water samples for EMB’s analysis, and if found that water is contaminated with chemicals that may risk the health of the people in the community, we will give appropriate legal action against these establishments),” Managat said. The activity is participated by personnel of all gasoline stations, palm oil plantations from Agusan del Sur, and mining firms from Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

EMB conducts planning workshop to adopt rivers, creeks in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY -- To instill awareness among public on the importance of cleaning the rivers and creeks in Caraga Region, the Environmental and Management Bureau (EMB) conducted recently a two-day strategic workshop planning on adopting rivers and creeks in the region.


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Peace summit held in ZamboangaBy Gideon C. Corgue

The interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, Consortium of Bangsa Civil Society, Asia Foundation, Department for International Development, and the local government

unit on Thursday jointly conducted a peace summit at the Antonio V. Apostol Memorial Central Elementary School gym.


The forum bears the theme “Hepenantu Ritu Dlengasan Hepheselabuk Nu Nga Getaw Dlepuyan Sapay Nawan” (Strengthening a Sustainable Unity and Peace of the Tri-People of Lapuyan). Mayor Daylinda Sulong in her message said she was very happy that the activity was conducted to restore the peace and order in the municipality. Speaking before a crowd of more than 700 delegates composed of municipal and barangay officials, military and Philippine National Police officers, tribal leaders and other stakeholders, Sulong in her message said, “Let us open our hearts, recognize and respect ourselves as well as the culture and religious beliefs so that we will remain united and attain peace.” “Ang atong gihimo karon mao ang paagi pagbalik sa kahusay ug kalinaw ug pagpakita ug pagpadungog sa kasilinganan natong mga komunidad nga kita nagpabilin nga nagkahiusa sa atong kausa ug mas gipalig-on nato ang atong panaghiusa tungod kay ang Lapuyan mao ang lugar nga atong gipuy-an ug gimahal pag-ayo (The things we do now is a way to restore the peace and order and to show to our neighboring communities that we remain united in our cause and further, we have strengthened the unity because Lapuyan is our place of abode and we love most),” Sulong said. “Atong kalimtan ang nahitabo tungod kay nakalabay na kini.Dili

nato kalikayan nga naa gyud pipila

nga mga dautang tawo nga mosimang sa dili maayong dalan sa ilang kinabuhi apan ubay-ubay nato ang nagsubay sa maayong dalan (We shall forget the things that had happened because it belongs to the past. We cannot avoid that there are bad people who have gone astray and follow the wrong path in life but many of us are following the right path),” Sulong said. Meanwhile, 102nd brigade commander Col. Gerardo


Jr. said the presence of the different stakeholders proved the sincerity and showed strong support to the peace initiative undertaken by the concerned sectors to bring an end to the conflict and to achieve lasting peace. Barrientos asked the stakeholders’ support and total commitment in promoting peace in signing the peace covenant.

“I am asking your support and total commitment in promoting peace. In signing the peace covenant, instill it in your hearts and minds that you will faithfully fulfill your duties in accordance with the laws,” Barrientos urged. Bishop of the Diocese of Pagadian Emmanuel Cabajar, convenor of the interfaith forum for solidarity and peace said the signing of the peace covenant is just the beginning of the peace that we seek to re-establish in this municipality whose peace

and order was disturbed by armed lawless elements for about three months. Cabajar urged all the stakeholders to continue working for peace saying that God will grant peace to His people who are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. (GCC/JPA-PIA9 ZamboSur)


Mayor Celso Lobregat issued the instruction yesterday during a meeting for Balik Eskwela at the City Hall conference room, which was attended by school principals and administrators, police and fire officers, barangay officials, and other stakeholders. It was suggested that schools located in barangays with the highest number of dengue cases will be prioritized in the fumigation to be carried out by CHO personnel. However, barangays with fogging machines are requested to conduct the fumigation in their schools

with CHO providing the necessary chemical, since CHO has only three fogging machines. The chief executive said that the fumigation starts on May 21 to June 3, during the conduct of Brigada Eskwela. Cleaning of school surroundings is requested before fumigation to ensure that dengue-carrying mosquitoes are killed. Priority of fumigation is given to public schools in barangays Tumaga, Tugbungan, Canelar, Tetuan, Guiwan, Putik, Sta. Maria, San Roque, Talon-Talon, Baliwasan, Sta.Catalina, Upper Calarian, Sta. Barbara, San Jose Gusu, Mampang, Lunzuran,

City health office to conduct massive fumigation in schools By Vic Larato

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Due to the dengue outbreak in Zamboanga City, the mayor instructed the City Health Office last May 17 to conduct a massive fumigation in all public and private schools in the city before the opening of classes for School Year 2012-2013 on June 4.


and Upper Pasonanca including the Zamboanga City Central School (East and West). The fumigation will cover at least two schools every day. Private schools may be fumigated upon request by their administrators. Likewise, Lobregat reminded school principals and administrators of their responsibility to ensure that their respective schools are always clean. “Non-functional toilets should be made functional, broken window panes and doorknobs should be replaced. The condition of a toilet is a reflection of people using it,” he said. It can be recalled that a dengue outbreak was declared in Zamboanga City following the reported 774 dengue cases with nine fatalities from January 1 to April 30, this year. Massive cleanup has already been conducted in all barangays. Meanwhile, Lobregat has

also directed the local police to make sure that security and traffic measures are in place in all schools, especially those located within the city proper, during the opening of classes. Police identified the following schools where security and traffic measures will be implemented: Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Universidad de Zamboanga, Southern City Colleges, Chong Hua High School, St. Joseph High School, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Western Mindanao State University, MEIN College, Pilar College, Claret High School, Zamboanga National High School West, Zamboanga City High School Main, East and West Central School, Brent College, Baliwasan Central School, San Jose Elementary School, among others. (VL/JPA/PIA9)

10 Dipolog artists recognizedBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY - Having displayed their exemplary works in visual arts, 10 self-made artists of this city have been recently declared as outstanding local artists by the Ivabelle Awards.


Outstanding artist awards have been conferred on Pastor Ron Forinas, Aldren Elman, Bert Balladares, Lea Abigail Prima, Junie Grapa, Ku Gamalinda-Fernandez, Jaira Jaro, Faith Veloro, Lordan Reganion, and Leo Maquiala. They were chosen by a group of judges from among the local artists who participated in the recently concluded art exhibit, which featured Filipiniana-landscape, mother and child portrait, contemporary art, youth art, and indigenous art. The judges were Paul Falcon from Brisbane, Australia, Dr. Marius Mercado of Cagayan de Oro City, Mitos Galicinao of Cebu City, Ms. Diane Ignacio of Manila and Dr. Meneleo Navarro of Cagayan de Oro City. The Ivabelle Awards, organized by a certain Ivabelle Icao-Bernabe who grew up in this city and now an international artist based in Brisbane, Australia, seeks to promote and recognize the outstanding artworks of local artists and serve as “a bridge to the international scene.” Trophies and cash prizes were given to the winners while the non-winners were given souvenir t-shirts from Bernabe. It can be recalled that the artworks of some lady artists from this city had already found their way to the art galleries in Manila and abroad. (FPG/JPA/PIA9)

one mindanao - may 22, 2012

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