one mindanao - may 26, 2014

Bringing IDPs closer to their government through infocarsDominic I. SanchezWESTERN MINDANAO

MONDAY, MAY 26, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 185

PhilHealth to hospitals: Give patients the benefits they deserve

NATIONAL

8

Page 4

CARAGA REGIONSOUTHERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

Makilala LGU receives recognition from CHED 12

P8.6M infra projects benefit 2 NorthCot towns

RDRRMC, OCD-9 conduct provincial DRRM summit in Sibugay

PopCom conducts VAWC forum in PDI

PNP gears up for opening of classes in SurSur

Holcim Philippines gives 100 houses to Pablo victims

MisOr dad introduces MisOr Care System

Gov’t releases P5.7 million poverty alleviation assistance to MisOr towns

27 28

13

31 32

18

23

22

Information to Empower Filipinos

10 7 11

WESTERN MINDANAO

RCWC meets in Dipolog, tackles monitoring system for child abuses in conflict areas 14

Michael L. Uy

Aida C. Agad

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Elaine O. Ratunil

Jane Mayola

Emmanuel d. Taghoy

Dominic I. Sanchez

Greg tataro, Jr.

Bringing IDPs closer to their government through infocars

I t all began as an endeavor to prevent misinformation among the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) from the September 2014 siege.

The IDPs were facing a cacophony of problems – the difficult and virtually sickening condition at the evacuation centers particularly at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex or the Grandstand, lack of food and water, the spread of diseases. The government, with the help of international humanitarian partners was trying to address these problems immediately; however, another issue had surfaced. False information related to the situation of the IDPs was spreading. Misinformation was circulating like wildfire regarding food rations, the return of IDPs to their communities, the peace and order situation in the city, among a wide assortment of other issues. This misinformation has caused

restlessness, anxiety and even angst not only among the IDPs, but the general public as well. In the effort to prevent further problems from arising, particularly those related to misinformation, the Zamboanga Communications Working Group (CWG) composed of the City Information Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and other government,

by Dominic I. Sanchez

5

non-government and international humanitarian institutions decided to use a more personal medium to communicate with the IDPs. “In times like this, information is as important as food and shelter,” shared City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias. It is based on this principle that the i n f o r m a t i o n caravan was b r o u g h t into being.

On March 6, the first information caravan was held at the most populated evacuation center in the city – the Grandstand. Thousands of IDPs gathered, but only a few speakers to talk to all of them. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, during that pilot endeavor was personally there to ensure to the IDPs how sincere government is in providing

urgent solutions to their concerns. With her were the different heads

of local government offices including the Department

of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Housing Authority (NHA), the City Health Office (CHO), and other stakeholders

who needed to share updates

regarding all spheres in the IDPs’ lives. But the p r e s e n c e

of the speakers and

the information they had to share

were just one aspect of the

information c a r a v a n . The other, p e r h a p s m o r e significant

component was the

f e e d b a c k generated by

the IDPs. “They needed

to be heard,” explained

Covarrubias, “they needed to share their d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d s e n t i m e n t s since they have a lot on their shoulders right now.” True enough, in almost all the ten information caravans conducted in all evacuation centers and transitory sites, there were IDPs who were angry. Some were brought to tears, but many were reassured, feeling that “government was with them all the way,” as one of them put it. “Build Back Better”, the local government’s slogan for the IDPs’ recovery and rehabilitation has now become a popular catchphrase in the city. These three words now mean something for Zamboangueños, especially for the IDPs. The information caravan has

reached the last transitory site in barangay Taluksangay, but more still has to be done. Through the support of different agencies like the DSWD

and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),

livelihood services are being brought

to the IDPs – like knocking on their doorsteps. Covarrubias shared that the CWG now looks into the possibility of transforming the

future caravans into something

more than just d e l i v e r i n g

in fo rmat ion . F u t u r e c a r a v a n s will not only be sharing u p d a t e s , but will also

be providing services in

coordination with a l l agencies wanting to help out. The caravans have demonstrated that IDPs are assured of a future, perhaps even a brighter one, despite the tragedy that had befallen them, but still managed to make Zamboanga City stronger more than ever before.

7 MAY| PAGE

Across the NationPresident Aquino to lead Navy’s 116th anniversary celebration in Palawan

“As part of the ceremony on Tuesday, the President will witness the capability demonstration of the Naval Forces West (NFW)

Command Center and the conceptual master plan of Naval Station Carlito Cunanan (NSCC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan,” Presidential Spokesman

President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the 116th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Navy in Puerto Princesa in

Palawan on Tuesday, as well as take a look at a naval station to be rehabilitated following the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

8 MAY 2014 | PAGE

Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.

The NFW is the Navy’s primary operational command at the West Philippine Sea, and has been at the forefront of territorial defense operations in the Kalayaan Group of Islands, Lacierda said.

“Its upgraded Command Center, equipped with secure communications equipment and a satellite-based vessel tracking system, will further bolster our defense capabilities and ensure stability in the area,” he added.

The Palace official said that Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, named after the first naval officer to support the 1986 EDSA Revolution, has been slated for redevelopment.

Rehabilitation work will include the upgrade of the pier, living quarters, and other support facilities of the Navy.

These latest efforts are in line with the EDCA, through which the government hopes to further improve the country’s defense capacities, Lacierda said.

During the celebration, the President will also lead the commemoration of the sacrifices of the country’s Marines, who have devoted themselves to protecting the Philippine territorial and maritime borders.

“We recognize their hard work and dedication, and in them find renewed inspiration to maintain our commitment to protect our national sovereignty,” Lacierda further said.

“In strengthening the defense mechanisms of our country, the administration makes progressive investments for the long term, leaning forward into the future as we pursue the path to greater national and regional stability.” PND


The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Monday warned hospitals to give the benefits that every patient

deserves or face government sanctions.

9 MAY| PAGE

In a press briefing in Malacanang, PhilHealth president and CEO Alex Padilla said they have received information that Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAP) president Dr. Rustico Jimenez came out with a threat that some hospitals would not clear PhilHealth members due to delayed reimbursements from the insurance corporation.

Padilla warned hospitals not to carry out such action because it is against the law and violators will face fines or sanctions.

“This is against the law. This is against their commitment to PhilHealth. All PhilHealth members must be given the full benefits that they are entitled to. No more, no less, basta full benefits ho ‘yon, hindi ho puwedeng paglaruan ‘yan ng mga ospital,” he said.

Once a hospital is proven to have violated the law, Padilla said PhilHealth will suspend or revoke its accreditation.

Violators may not get any reimbursement from PhilHealth and can be blacklisted for not following the insurance corporation’s guidelines, Padilla said.

PhilHealth could also call for a boycott by encouraging the public not to patronize certain hospitals, he said.

“Mayroon tayong ganoon in place but we wish to avoid such situation. Kaya sana lang ibigay sa ating mga miyembro ang lahat ng mga benepisyo nila,” he said.

The PHAP has complained that some member hospitals are not receiving their reimbursements from PhilHealth on time.

Padilla has denied this but attributed some delays in reimbursement to PhilHealth’s shift from the fee-for-service system to the case rates system, which was introduced last January 1.

Under the fee-for-service system, PhilHealth paid for every input, with different rates and prices for different hospitals.

In the case rates system however, PhilHealth makes lump sum payments for the treatment of certain diseases, regardless of the type of hospital or whether it is public or private, Padilla said.

PhilHealth coverage is part of the government’s universal healthcare program, or Kalusugan Pangkalahatan.

In the President’s fourth State of the Nation Address last year, he reported that PhilHealth has so far been able to cover 81 percent of the country’s population. PND


10MAY2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Bangsamoro Basic Law will be submitted to Congress on time says Palace

APalace official said Malacanang is working on

the review of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with urgency assuring the public that it will be soon submitted to Congress.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said time is running out for the submission of the draft law to Congress.

Iqbal also chairs the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, comprised of experts from the government and the MILF, which drafted the bill.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo on Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is working very hard on the review of the draft law and the President himself made several follow ups.

“The President himself has made several follow-ups on the legal team but the President is also cognizant and is understanding of the task that is at hand,” Valte said.

Valte also said the President saw the three-inch thick draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Valte quoted the President as saying: “I am very cognizant of the urgency but I’m also understanding of the task at hand.”

“Nagche-check na din si Pangulo kung

kamusta na ‘yung review,” she said.Congress will ratify the Bangsamoro

Basic Law which will replace the organic act that created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Peace Adviser Teresita Deles expressed confidence that the draft bill would be submitted before Congress adjourns on June 7.

She said the President wants to make it sure that he certifies the draft as urgent that can be defended in Congress during deliberations.

Deles said the Chief Executive does not want false promises to achieve a lasting peace in Mindanao which for several decades ravaged the region. PND


Bangsamoro Basic Law will be submitted to Congress on time says Palace

Among the participating national government agencies were the Philippine National Police (PNP), 101st Infantry Brigade of Philippine Army, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management

and Penelogy (BJMP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department

Thousands join ‘Sporty Dipolog’ launchingBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – Over a thousand of individuals from the academe, national and local government offices, sports organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private sectors and the media were attended the launching of Sporty Dipolog last May 22 at the city boulevard, which was preceded by a parade from Plaza Magsaysay.


of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Food Authority (NFA), National Statistics Office (NSO) and Department of Education (DepEd). A number of sports organizations also showed up to support the event. These groups include skydiving, longboard and skating, running and swimming teams, Taebo club, the Dipolog Running Team (DiRT) Inc., Bike Run Triathlon Enthusiasts (BRITE) Dipolog Inc., Dipolog Airsoft Group, Megabulls Basketball Association, Taekwondo Club, Rollians Football Club and many more. On behalf of Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, Vice Mayor Horacio Velasco formally opened the said activity, encouraging Dipolognons to support

the city’s vision of becoming the Sports Events Center of the South by year 2020.The vice mayor also said that “exercising gives numerous benefits like improving one’s emotional uplifment, and increasing our stamina, energy and endurance.” Vice Mayor Velasco cited a study that in every 20 youths, only one is engaged in sports or exercising regularly. “Sporty Dipolog plays a major role in every life, benefiting us, our families and our city,” he stressed. Rianne Marie P. Miranda, “Sporty Dipolog” focal person, said that no other city in Mindanao is currently aiming to becoming a sports city. Thus, Dipolog is taking the lead in enhancing sports facilities, holding


RDRRMC, OCD-9 conduct provincial DRRM summit in SibugayBy Emmanuel d. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – “With the recent phenomenon that transpired in our country, it is but a sad reality that the world is undergoing a lot of changes. But searching deep within our hearts, are we prepared for a disaster as destructive as Yolanda?” This was the question posed by Dr. Emilia V. Julhajan, officer-in charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-9 and chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-9, during the provincial summit on disaster risk reduction management for local chief executives (LCEs) held on May 20-21 at Roderic’s Resort

this town. In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Doctor Julhajan said that the RDRRMC-9 has “intended to widely spread information on disaster management all throughout Zamboanga Peninsula region through provincial summits.” “The provincial summit on DRRM aims to ensure that we are

several local and national sports events, and in encouraging its residents to embark on sports and fitness activities. “We take pride that we have sports facilities and covered courts in schools and barangays. We also have a sports complex owned by our

city government and a convention and sports center owned by our provincial government,” said Mayor Evelyn T. Uy’s message as read by Vice Mayor Velasco. The event was capped by “Hataw Sayaw” led by the Dipolog Taebo Club.


RCWC meets in Dipolog, tackles monitoring system for child abuses in conflict areasBy Dominic I. Sanchez

DIPOLOG CITY - The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) has conducted on Friday (May 23) its second quarter consultative meeting at the Top Plaza Pension House here in this city. Zamboanga del Norte Governor Roberto Uy, in a message read by his representative underscored the role

of the RCWC in child protection and the promotion of children’s welfare, particularly in strengthening the

able to cascade our message up to the grassroots level and fully explain, if not answer, all those questions that are related to the provisions of Republic Act 10121 also known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” she said. Julhajan explained that among the key players in the operation of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS) are the LCEs and their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs). “Their task is to formulate and implement a comprehensive and integrated Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP) that will facilitate and support risk assessments and hazard-specific multi-sector contingency planning activities,” she explained. “The general objective of the provincial summit is to come up with

the comprehensive and standard understanding of the DRRM roles and responsibilities of the local chief executives for efficient delivery of government services.” Also attending the summit were Regional Director Delfin P. Aguilar of the Commission on Audit (COA)-9, who discussed accounting and reporting guidelines for the local disaster risk reduction and management fund, and Atty. Nilda J. Cemine, assistant regional director of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-9 for the allocation and utilization of the LDRRM fund. Julhajan also expressed her gratitude to the LCEs for their support and active participation in the summit. Zamboanga Sibugay is the third and the last province in Zamboanga Peninsula region that the RDRRMC will conduct the Provincial DRRM Summit.


RCWC meets in Dipolog, tackles monitoring system for child abuses in conflict areas

local children’s councils among local government units (LGUs) not only in the province, but in all municipalities and cities in the region. The need to have a Monitoring and Response System (MRS) on Grave Child’s Rights Violations in Situations of Armed Conflict was among the topics discussed in the said gathering. Bobby Gonzaga of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in Zamboanga del Norte said that “the MRS is an inter-agency undertaking, and will need an executive order from the CWC so that we can create such a system.” He added that there is an urgent need to establish this system especially in Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CSAT) areas. “The government of the Philippines is mandated to respect

utmost humanitarian rights, especially those of children,” he stressed. Meanwhile, Ma. Socorro Rojas, Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Officer pointed out that such a response system would enable closer coordination between non-government organizations (NGOs) involved in child protection. April Obtinario of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)-Central Office emphasized that in MRS, the following items should be reported: who is reporting an incident, the source of the information, date and time of the incident, location, number of children affected, name and age of the affected children, name of the armed group, and even any member of the armed forces that may have committed an abuse, and a short description of the incident.


School exec pushes measures as ASEAN 2015 nears

DAVAO CITY- A school official is pushing for measures that will enhance school’s attractiveness as ASEAN 2015 nears. The ASEAN 2015 (Asean stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional economic integration which involves the freer movement of capital, goods

and people a m o n g A S E A N m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s by 2015. A m o n g t h e s e movement will be s t u d e n t s f r o m d i f f e r e n t countries in the region. R e y

Castro, Assistant Vice President for Business Development of the University of Mindanao, said that several measures must be enacted so that schools can take advantage of ASEAN 2015. One is the change of school calendar. The Philippines is the only


country in ASEAN where the month June is the opening of classes. Almost all countries have followed the schedule where August is the start of the classes. Castro said that Vietnam and Thailand had changed their school calendar to adapt to other countries. He said that UM will be following the new calendar this coming 2015 with August as the start of classes and also they will be be using the trimestral calendar instead of the usual semestral classes. “If you really want to internationalize you must change our school calendar because no students will enroll if our school calendar is different from their countries.” Castro said during an interview at the Kapehan sa Abreeza Media forum held today (May 23) at Abreeza, Ayala Mall. Another measure for schools to adapt is to ensure that curriculum must adhere to international standards. And one of the steps is to harmonize the credit transferring system in Philippine schools. Castro also noted the discrepancy of Philippine units with units from other ASEAN countries, for example one Malaysian college subject is equivalent to about three Philippine college subjects. He said the country is noted for having so many subjects in

college. In other countries one college semester has an average of 3 to 4 college subjects while in the Philippines a semester has a load of 8 to 9 college subjects. He said this is the reason why foreign students only study English and other cultural subjects in the country instead of schooling here full-time. UM he said has started to harmonize its curriculum and is widely accepted among ASEAN countries. Another measure is for schools to have foreign professors and to offer foreign languages particularly Bahasa, Japanese, South Korean and Chinese as ASEAN integration will also include the three countries Japan, South Korea and China. One aspect looking into is fixing the peace and order problem particularly the country’s negative image. Castro cited the school University of Mindanao as hard to promote because of the negative connotation of Mindanao as a war-torn region. Castro cited huge potentials in the education market in the coming ASEAN 2015, particularly as many students from ASEAN countries will be attracted to study in the country because of its English communication skills. (PIA/RG Alama)


Holcim Philippines gives 100 houses to Pablo victims

DAVAO DEL NORTE - “Alas sais sa buntag mi namakwit sa among ba-lay kauban akong bana ug tulo ka anak. Tungod sa kakusog sa ulan, hinay-hinay lang kami namaktas. Ningkalit nalang ug bugso ang kusog kaayo na tubig ug lapok.” (At 6:00 in the morning, I, to-gether with my husband and three children, evacuated our house. Because of the strong winds, we walked slowly. However, there was a sudden rush of water and

dirt.) Nimfa Tumalang tearfully recalled the struggle they encountered last December 4, 2012, when Typhoon Pablo destroyed towns of the province of Compostela Valley. Tumalang said that when they were hit by the surge of the flood, she lost grab of her children and struggle through the current. She added that she was taken by the flood for about three kilometers


away and thought she was the lone survivor of that flood. “Pagbakod nako, abi nako ug ako nalang ang nabuhi sa among baryo,” she said. (When I resurfaced, I thought I was the only one alive from our village.) In three days, she was reunited with her second son and husband. Tumalang lost two of her children. When they visited their village, Tumalang added, they saw nothing that can be distinguished as their house. “Maong dako kaayo nakong pasalamat sa Holcim nga gitagaan mi nila aning balay,” (That is why I am grateful to Holcim for giving us this house) she said. Tumalang family is one of the 100 family-victims of Typhoon Pablo that received a house built by Holcim Philippines in the municipality of New Bataan. The houses were built in a hectare land allocated by the Local Government Unit of New Bataan by Holcim and the families themselves. “Nagtabang pud mi sa paghimo sa among mga balay,” (We also helped in building our houses) Tumalang said.

Now, she, together with her husband, her son who is finishing his on-the-job training in a company in Davao City for automotive mechanic, and her nieces from her sister who died from the flood, is living in a 26 square-meter house with concrete tiled roofing. Gov. Arturo Uy of Compostela Valley said that the design of the house was way better than any low-cost housing project. Further, Dir. Priscilla Razon of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI said that she was awed by the design and style of the house as well as the program institutionalized by Holcim in building the houses. “They involve the family-victims and make them feel that they are part of building their own homes,” Dir. Razon said. Zita Balogo, plant manager of Holcim Philippines, said that the company capacitated the family-victims to build their houses through training them on carpentry, masonry and electrical. She added that the company placed a training center in the area for the said purpose. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)


Northern Mindanao’s economy continue to growby Peleta B. Abejo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Northern Mindanao continues to be one of the contributors of the Philippine economy in 2013. It is the largest producer of pineapple in the country, second largest producer of banana and corn and third largest producer of coconut and chicken.


This was revealed by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region X Director and Acting Chair of the Regional Development Council Leon M. Dacanay Jr. in his State of the Region Address during the 101st RDC-X meeting held in the city Thursday, May 22. Dacanay also reported that the prices of basic commodities remained stable in the last two years posting inflation rates of 4.2 percent in 2012 and 4.4 percent in 2013 which is well within the 3-5 percent target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Tax and customs receipts, on the other hand, reached P8.16 billion and P6.70 billion attributed to government’s aggressive implementation of programs against tax cheat and smugglers. Investments also hit P13.3 billion in 2013, higher than the targeted P11.3 billion with trading, infrastructure services and servicing as top three performing sectors while volume of exports expanded by more than 200 percent with coconut-based products remaining as one of the region’s top exports. Moreover, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from which poor Filipinos enjoy government’s conditional cash transfer grant for health, education and family development have more than 270,000 household beneficiaries receiving a total of P7.34 billion since the 4Ps’ inception in 2008. Dacanay also bared that the new international standard Laguindingan Airport which started operations in June 2013 is now the new gateway to

Northern Mindanao. He said the construction of the Panguil Bay Bridge between Tubod, Lanao del Norte and Tangub City is hoped to commence in 2015 to further improve intermodal transport system. Towards reducing disaster risks, the Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA)-enhanced Regional Physical Framework Plan (RPFP) for 2013-2040 has been completed along with the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFP) of the five provinces and the Comprehensive Land use Plans (CLUP) of the three Sendong hard-hit cities in the region. The P8.6 billion Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR) which will improve the resilience of communities along Cagayan de Oro river to flooding hazards has also been recently endorsed by the Investment Coordination Committee-Technical Board (ICC-TB) to the ICC-Cabinet Committee. Despite the gains, the challenge of translating the region’s economic growth into an inclusive one remains. Poverty persists with one-third of the families still considered poor amid a decade-long growth. While the region is nearing full employment level, underemployment remains unwanted. Thus, the region looks forward to a rapid and sustained growth that generates not simply employment but decent jobs for non-skilled and low-skilled workers in situations of high unemployment and underemployment to ultimately attain


Gov’t releases P5.7 million poverty alleviation assistance to MisOr townsby Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The government has released the amount of P5,744,275.00 to Misamis Oriental towns in pursuit of attaining Philippine Development Plan (PDP) goal of inclusive growth.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas turned over on May 21 more than P5.7 million to four mayors of Misamis Oriental who had completed all requirements needed for them to avail of anti-poverty projects from national government. Roxas said the P5.7 million represent fifty percent of the total fund allotted by the national to the

four towns under the Grassroots Participatory Budget Process (GPBP). He said the initiative, introduced in 2013, is being facilitated by DILG in which project identification and monitoring of implementation are implemented by the local government units (LGUs) in partnership with non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs).

inclusive growth. Meanwhile, the RDC-X also endorsed the following proposals during the meeting: J.R. Borja-Carmen-Patag Skyway Project; RDC-X Facility Improvement Project particularly the Procurement of a Brand new 125 KVA Generator Set; POPCOM’s Guidelines to Reduce Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning; and the Creation of a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems. The body likewise expressed support to the filling up of vacancies for prosecutors in Region X;

strengthening the institutionalization of the ALKANSSSYA Program of the Social Security System (SSS) in Region X; additional provisions in the implementation of the Essential Health Care program; economic analysis of Climate Change Adaptation strategies in selected coastal areas of the Philippines; and the participation of the RDC-X private sector representatives (PSRs) to the 5th RDC PSR National Convention on August 13-15, 2014 in Iloilo City. The body also confirmed the creation of a Regional Food Security Technical Working Group.


MisOr dad introduces MisOr Care Systemby Ariana Cristelle L. Pagdanganan

MISAMIS ORIENTAL - In a recent Cash Assistance Turn-over Ceremony conducted by the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano introduced a program dubbed MisOr Care System.

The checks were turned-over during his visit on May 21 for the launching of the Mindanao Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project (BSFP). The BSFP, a joint project of the DILG, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), seeks to harmonize efforts in Mindanao to contribute to the National Greening Program’s goal of planting 1.5 billion seedlings in 1.5 million hectares of public lands by 2016. For this year, a total of P205.44 million has been allocated for two cities, Oroquieta and Cagayan de Oro, and 54 municipalities in northern Mindanao under GPBP, said the DILG chief. During the turn-over, Laguindingan town received P2,533,650.00; Lugait, P1,795,625.00; Magsaysay, P665,000.00; and Talisayan, P750,000. These towns identified Municipal Water System as their priority need under GPBP. Roxas, meanwhile, urged the

other towns to comply with the requirements to avail this national project. He said GPBP empowers not only the LGUs but the NGOs and POs as well in deciding what to do with the annual budget allocated for local government units under the program. Under GPBP, municipalities are qualified to receive a maximum of P15 million while cities are entitled to P50 million annually to fund local projects that include Municipal Water System, Livelihood Projects, Farm to Market Road, Irrigation System, Pre-Planting and Post-Harvest Facilities, Agriculture Production, Processing and Marketing, Livestock Raising and Plant Propagation. For the year 2014, the national government has allocated a total of P20.03 billion under GPBP to fund 19,553 poverty-alleviation projects that were identified by 1,226 local government units all over the country in coordination with civil society organizations in their respective communities.


Governor Emano said that a MisOr Care card will be given to beneficiaries, who are residents of the province, in order to be identified as members in this program. A MisOr Care card holder will receive services and benefits such as the calamity assistance, death assistance, relief assistance and the scholarship assistance offered for the youth, persons with disabilities (PWD), senior citizens, and the solo parents. Another benefit emphasized by the governor was the hospitalization assistance for the indigent members. This would mean that the indigent MisOr Care card holders will immediately

receive free hospitalization and medicine. This hospitalization benefit for the indigents can be availed in the eight public hospitals in the province located in Alubijid, Balingasag, Claveria, Gingoog City, Initao, Magsaysay, Manticao and Talisayan, the governor said. Emano said everyone could be enrolled regardless of creed, sex, and political affiliation. The provincial government has assigned barangay coordinators and cluster coordinators to facilitate the enrollment to the program.


Elementary school gets 100 armchairs from Mayor Rivera, RD FoundationGENERAL SANTOS CITY - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera with the RD Foundation delivers 100 armchairs to Bia-o Elementary School in Barangay San Jose Thursday, May 22. The armchair donation is a part of the educational initiative “Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko” of Mayor Rivera in partnership with RD Foundation to supplement the shortage of school armchairs in the city. These armchairs were manufactured by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to give them livelihood. As of now, the program has already donated more than 4,000 chairs to different pub-lic schools in the city since October 2013. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- At least 1,500 sons and daughters of beneficiaries the national government’s conditional cash transfer pro-gram in SOCCSKSARGEN Region will be enjoying college scholarship be-ginning school year 2014 – 2015.

Gov’t offers college scholarship to 1,500 children of 4Ps beneficiaries in R-12By: Danilo E. Doguiles

And they will be studying in any of the state universities and colleges, said Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 12 Regional Director Maximo Aljibe in an interview with Philippine Information Agency 12.

Aljibe is referring to the Expanded Students’ Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) being implemented by the CHED and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the lead implementer of the national flagship Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

“The program aims to support 4Ps beneficiary households by helping them send their school to college,” the CHED director said.

Assistance for each scholar amounts to P30,000 per semester, that’s P60,000 per semester,” he added, “which is more than enough considering that a student in a state-run school -- for example, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC) – only pays about P5,000 per semester for tuition and other school fees, meaning, the scholar receives an excess of P25,000 per semester which he or she can spend

for board and lodging.”ESGP-PA is only open to 4Ps

beneficiary who has completed at least high school education. As scholars, they must enrol in CHED’s priority programs in selected SUCs.

The largest bulk of scholarship slots, about 700, has been assigned to the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan Cotabato, “owing to its status as a center for development in agriculture and the courses the university is offering.

Other schools that have been identified for the program include Sultan Kudarat State University in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City State Polytechnic College in Cotabato City.

“Applications are coursed through the DSWD,” Director Aljibe said.

In March, CHED announced that 36,412 poor but deserving students across the country, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will be provided financial assistance through the ESGP-PA.

The national government has allotted P2.1 billion for the program this school year. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


MAKILALA, North Cotabato, – At the celebration of the 20th founding an-niversary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the municipality of Makilala received a recognition for being the first local government unit (LGU) to establish a college institution in the region.

Makilala LGU receives recognition from CHED 12By: Aida C. Agad

Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan received from CHED 12 Director Maximo Aljibe, the distinction for the effort, in an awarding ceremony held at Koronadal City Gymnasium on Tuesday.

The theme of the celebration is “Access, Capacity, Excellence: Higher Education for National De-velopment and Global Competitive-ness.”

Along with other stakehold-ers who were recognized for their meritorious contribution in the field of higher education LGU Makilala stood out distinctively, according to CHED.

Makilala’s opening of a college was lauded not only as the first to be established in Region 12 but most significantly being the first in the entire country to offer full scholar-ship status to all its students who are residents of the municipality.

In his message as an awardee, Mayor Caoagdan emphasized the moral obligation of the government to prepare the future of the chil-dren through education.

“The putting up of a government–run college is a must–do obligation on the part of the local government upon seeing the result of a survey among the graduating high schools that 70 – 80% cannot pursue col-lege education due to financial in-capacity,” the mayor said.

Records show that no less than 1,000 high school students grad-uated last March 2014 from both public and private high schools in Makilala.

Caoagdan also assured the CHED leadership in his message that “we will never sacrifice quality” as he stressed, “developing the individ-ual competence of every student is the main goal of new Makilala In-stitute of Science and Technology (MIST), and certainly to make ev-ery graduate a productive Makila-leño. “

Widening access by providing opportunity to the less fortunate is the operating principle of the MIST, the mayor said.

With a permit granted by the CHED 12, the MIST will commence


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, — Some P8.6 million worth of infra-structure projects implemented by the provincial government of North Cotabato are now benefiting hundreds of households in Makilala and Tulunan towns.

initial collegiate programs in Bachelor of Science in Entrepre-neurship and the Diploma in Agri-cultural Technology- Bachelor in Ag-ricultural Technology (DAT-BAT).

The DAT-BAT program is a lad-derized concept in Diploma in Agri-cultural Technology for the first two years and the degree of Bachelor in Agricultural Technology in the next

two years.Enrollment is now going on at

the new MIST. The institute has al-ready accepted 573 enrollees who expressed intent to join the initial programs offered for the first se-mester of SY 2014-2015. Class-es are scheduled to start June 9, 2014. (ACAgad PIA12/with reports from ODeseo- LGU Makilala)

P8.6M infra projects benefit 2 NorthCot townsBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

The projects include a box culvert worth P3.5 million at Sitio del Pilar in Barangay Guangan, Makilala and a 100-linear meter hanging bridge amounting to P5.1 million in Barangay New Caridad, Tulunan.

Barangay Guangan chairperson Armando Yabot said that the residents especially the students, who use the road everyday benefit from the box culvert.

“The project is very helpful as can water from overflowing thereby providing a more convenient trip for residents passing by the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, Enrique Dimaulo, chairperson of Barangay New Caridad noted that hundreds of families and students are now using the hanging bridge.

“The project does not only benefit the residents of New Caridad but also the villagers of Luz Village and Palma Perez in M’lang town,” he further explained.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza emphasized that the implementation of the infrastructure projects in barangays is aimed at giving way for more development in many areas.

“The provincial government continues to implement essential programs and projects to strengthen not only the economic status of the constituents but also the peace and order situation in the province,” the governor added. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz&VBacarat-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


RCDA readies PWDs for the 2014 ‘Kakayahan’ competitionBy Jennifer P. GaitanoBUTUAN CITY - The Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) composed of government agencies led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga geared-up preparations for this year’s ‘Kakayahan’ competition among persons with disabilities (PWDs).


“Kakayahan 2014: National Skills Competition of PWDs will mark this year’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) celebration in July, following the theme “Talino at Paninindigan ng Taong May Kapansanan, Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran,” bared Ruth Tacujan, NCDA-Regional Program Coordinator.

Tajucan said the competition will spotlight the PWDs’ work excellence and potential in various trades as an active part of the country’s inclusive growth. The PWDs will be competing in the following contests: Cluster A - Painting, Photography, Floral arrangement, Cake decoration, Waste reuse, Cooking; Cluster B - Creating web pages, Desktop publishing, English text processing; and Cluster C - electronic-LIFE (e-LIFE), e-Tool, and e-Games.

Moreover, the national winners will be a pool of winnable competitors for the “Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities” in Vietnam in October 2014, the 9th International Abilympics in 2016 and other upcoming local/overseas competitions.

Tajucan further revealed the criteria for PWD contestants for the national competition. “The PWD contestant must meet the following requirements: A person with disability, at least 18 years old and above for Clusters A and B contests,

and 12-17 years old for Cluster C. For the Global IT Challenge (GITC) for Youth with Disabilities category, the contestant must be a winner of a local/regional/other skills contests/a nominee who passed TESDA’s skills assessment test, duly certified by the organizers/TESDA counterpart, and has not joined any international skills contests, to give way to new aspirants.

Meanwhile, the regional contestants for the national competition must submit to NCDA Kakayahan 2014 Secretariat at [email protected], not later than May 31, 2014, the accomplished: 1) Summary of regional contestants form and the 2) Individual contestant’s registry form attached with a picture of the contestant’s sample product, duly endorsed by the respective RCDA chairpersons.

Each regional delegation can field only one contestant per contest, subject to the abovementioned requirements.

Also, SM Supermalls will host the whole day competition for Cluster A except Cooking on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the SM North Annex Activity Center. Simultaneously, DOST-ICTO will host Clusters B and C, in tandem with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Resources for the Blind (RBI) for the youth categories.


PopCom conducts VAWC forum in PDI

DINAGAT ISLANDS -- The Population Commission Office (PopCom) in coordination with the provincial government of Dinagat Islands has conducted a one-day PopCom Forum held recently at the Provincial Guest Center, Cuarinta, San Jose, this province.

The one-day activity aims to strengthen responsible parenting with the involvement of male being a father or head of the family.

Vice Governor Benglen B. Ecleo, in his message, congratulated the effort of the PopCom and the officials

of MOVE (Men Opposed to Violence) for a very laudable effort of initiating a significant forum to end violence against women and children.

A total of 30 male provincial employees and officials of MOVE attended the said activity.

by Jane Mayola

This project will have NCDA as lead, in synergy with DSWD, TESDA, Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), SM Supermalls, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), RBI, Philippine

Information Agency (PIA) and selected International Abilympics Champions.

With this development, the members-agencies of the RCDA in Caraga will be convening potential PWD-contestants for a training on their field of interest so they can be more competitive not only in domestic but also in the international competitions.


PNP gears up for opening of classes in SurSur

TANDAG CITY- As the weeklong Brigada Eskwela is coming to a close, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur has already shifted to gearing up for the opening of classes on June 2.

Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero said that a directive has already been issued to all police stations in provincewide pursuant to Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) No. 41 series of 2014.

Such CMC coming from the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) “sets forth the guidelines and procedures to be undertaken by tasked PNP offices/units to ensure the maintenance of peace and order relative to the opening of classes

for the school year 2014-2015,” he cited.

However, until now, scores of PNP members were said to have been engrossed with their participation in the Brigada Eskwela.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual undertaking designed to prepare all public elementary and secondary schools for the opening of classes with the help and support of all stakeholders in the concerned community including the PNP.

by Greg tataro, Jr.

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

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

one mindanao - may 26, 2014

Documents

idps closer

return of idps

thousands of idps

information caravan

false information

displaced persons idps

misor towns

t i o n caravan