one mindanao - may 8, 2012

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

EDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

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Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

Cover Story

Adlai: From Weed to Food

Dani Doguiles Central Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, May 8, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 252

page 4

Noel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

President Aquino assures Philippine sports of continued government support

8Iligan city conducts animal breeding, vaccination

Caraga police upgrades ‘kidnap-for-ransom’ investigators’ skills14Surigao Sur to implement last tranche of salary increase in June16

NFA encourages farmers to increase rice prod’n20

Greg Tataro, Jr., Caraga Region

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

Anggot and Garcia, Northern Mindanao

COMVAL Road Rehab to start this month 26Anggot and Garcia, Southern Mindanao

NorMin Police, RLECC gear up National Greening Program anew 23PSupt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, Northern Mindanao

3,000 couples join mass wedding in Malungon, Sarangani28Pops Gumana-Fruylan, Central Mindanao

24

DOLE-12 course commits to ISO 9001:2008 certification29Cathy Apelacio, Central Mindanao

46 Dipolog policemen deputized in drive vs. smoking19 Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

6 9 10 13

17 25 2721

4 Tuesday, May 8, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Arecent press release from the regional office of the Department

of Agriculture that carried the headline “DA pushes Adlai as an alternative staple” got me curious. The term is too “foreign” and utterly unfamiliar.

Cover StoryAdlai: From Weed to Food

So, I got a laptop and googled for images of “Adlai.”

“What? This can be eaten?” What I saw displayed on the screen are hundreds of photographs of a very familiar weed called “Katigbi” that my sisters, our playmates and I used to play with when we were still kids. “But this can’t be food, this is grass.” I said. I opened another tab, this time to search for articles on “Adlai.” What came back is a rich collection of articles that prove indeed Adlai is food, too. Adlai(scientificallyknownasCoix

lachryma Linn) is popular in English as Job’s Tears,

maybe owing

to its seeds or grains that resemble tears, andCoixseed.Itisalsoknownlocallyinseveral names: Katigbi, Tigbi, Tidbi, Uyas, Paias, Aglay. Having been born in a village near B’laan communities at the boundaries of the provinces of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato,andSultanKudaratmyearliestmemories of Adlai were the ornaments – bracelets and necklaces -- worn mostly by B’laan women highlighted with the shiny Adlai grains strung together like beads. In fact, along with other children in our villages, I used to scour riverbanks where this grass grows abundantly to collect what we knew were inedible seeds of a grass and only good as a plaything.

by Dani Doguiles

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

Being a tailor’s kid, it was mostly my duty to gather needles and threads and lead in making bracelets, necklaces. One neighbor even has a curtain made out of Adlai grains. Our mother has a Katigbi rosary. The Deparment of Agriculture says, it is also food, an alternate to rice like corn, camote, and taro root. Several regional research and development (R&D) consortia and collaborating state universities and colleges have joined efforts in a national Adlai R&D Program to develop the potential of the weed as an alternative food source. DA 12 has allocated a lot in Barangay Paraiso where they grow Adlai. This is in line with DA’s efforts to identify additional substitute food crops forthefoodself-sufficiencyprogramofthe government.

Adlai or Job’s Tears comes from the family of grasses (Poaceae) where wheat, corn, and rice belong.

The plant grows 1-2 meters high. Stem is erect, branched and stout.

Leaves are 10-40 cm long, 2.5 -4 cm

wide, with a

broad and cordate base. Spikes are 6-10 cm long, erect, and peduncled. Capsules (fruits/grains)enclosingthefemaleflowersandgrainsarehard, bony, white, or nearly black, shiny, ovoid, about 8 mm long. It is is native to East Asia where it is available in dried form and is usually cooked as a grain. It may be boiled and eaten like rice or added to stews and soups. Thegrainsmayalsobeground intoflourfor baking or fermented to produce beer, wine, and vinegar. It is also processed into coffee and tea. Its grain contains a protein , prolamin, with a high percentage of leucine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, and basic amino acids arginine, histidine, and lysine. Extractshaveyieledcoixenolides,attributedantitumor activity. Grain starch is tonic. It is considered anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiseptic,antitumor, antispasmodic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, vermifuge.

When grown as a crop, Adlai is harvested three to four months form planting, Like rice, the grains are separated from stalks through threshing and dried to certain moisture level and milled before cooking. It can be prepared like rice such as sinaing, sinukmani, maja blanca and others. As Adlai is introduced as alternate to rice, many people would likely say, it is only a weed. But then, let us remember that somehow, before humans discovered rice as staple, it was a weed.

6 Tuesday, May 8, 2012ONE MINDANAO

ACROSS THE NATION

In his speech keynoting the event, the President said that the Palarong Pambansa, the “biggest sports event in the Philippines,” will provide some 10,000 elementary and secondary school athletes a chance to showcase their skills and talents as they vie for honors in their chosen sportsfield.

“Ito pong Palarong

Pambansa ang nagsisilbing pinakamalaking entablado upang maipamalas ng lahing Pinoy ang kanyang angking kagalingan sa larangan ng palakasan,” the President said.

“Sa mga susunod na araw, masasaksihan ng sambayanan ang pagtatagisan ng galling, ang mga patalasan ng dunong, ang pagpapamalas

ng husay ng mga atletang Pinoy mula sa iba’t ibang larangan, mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng Pilipinas,” he added.

The President honored the participants saying he hoped that they remain inspirations for the Filipino youth to emulate.

“Sa inyong lahat na nandito ngayon: saludo ako sa inyo. Nawa’y maging

Aquino opens Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan

In efforts to keep all Filipinos fit, strong and healthy, President Benigno S. Aquino III formally opened this year’s Palarong Pambansa (National Games) in grand ceremonies held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here on Monday.


mabuting halimbawa kayo sa kapwa niyong

kabataan. Nawa’y maging bukal kayo ng inspirasyon sa iba pa niyong mga kababayan,” the President said.

The President then wished luck to all participants and their endeavors of achieving triumph for their respective regions.

“Ngayon po, pormal na nating binubuksan at pinasisimulan ang Palarong Pambansa 2012. Sa inyong lahat: good luck sa inyong mga laban. Mabuhay po

ang kabataang Pilipino; mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy,” the President said.

The Palarong Pambansa is a scholastic athletic competition that serves as a means to promote Physical Education and Sports as an integral part of the Basic Education Curriculum andas an affirmation to theschool’s commitment to the full development of the great potentials of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens of the nation.

The Bureau of Public

Schools Interscholastic Athletic Association (BPSIAA) Meet as it was called before was firstheld in 1948 in Manila. It has been held annually sinceexceptin1957whenPresident Magsaysay passed away and in 1972when Martial Law was declared.In 1974, BPSIAA was

changed to Palarong Pambansa. It was substituted by Palarong Bagong Lipunan in 1980 and Palarong Pilipino Gintong Alay in 1984. (RCK)


President Aquino assures Philippine sports of continued government support

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured proponents of Philippine sports of continued government support to ensure that Philippine athletes get the training and equipment they deserve to make it in the international sports arena.

The President gave this assurance in his speech keynoting the formal opening of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and CivicCenterhereonMonday.

“Maasahan naman ninyo na patuloy ang suporta ng inyong pamahalaan sa pagpapabuti at pagpapaigting sa larangan ng sports sa bansa,” the President said.

He pointed out that aside from setting aside P200-million from the Department

of Education’s budget for this year’s Palarong Pambansa, the government, through the Philippine Sports Commission has laid downthe national plan for sports -- the 2011-2016 Philippine Sports Roadmap.

This roadmap, the President said, has a “focus sports policy” which centers attention on the further development of choice sports field suchas boxing, taekwondo,athletics, swimming, wushu, archery, wrestling, bowling,

weightlifting and billiards.He said P200-million

representing 33 percent of annual remittances from the National Sports Development Fund will be used to fund the roadmap.

This fund, the President said, would be used to finance the PhilippineNational Games, that will give athletes at the grassroots level a chance to showcase their talent in hopes of landing a place with the Philippine Team.(RCK)


MinDA cites significance of mutual compromise in addressing Mindanao power issue

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) advocates for a common strategic recommendations and consensus before the President in addressing Mindanao power problem.

MinDA Spokesperson Romeo Montenegro stressed on this in a press conference held May 3, at the Philippine Information Agency10office. He said stakeholders needs to agree into a common recommendation, a united stand with the different sectors involved

in finding solutions. Montenegro further explainedthattherecentlyconcluded Mindanao Power Summit in Davao is just but a start towards the continuing advocacy of finding answers to the Mindanao power grid issue. The Mindanao Power

Summit has collectively come up with a strong and appropriate proposals that will be presented to the National Government. Among those includes the recommendation for review of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) privatization provisions.


Divers group holds scuba diving course to marine science students

The Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) in cooperation with the Tawi-Tawi Divers Club (TDC) has successfully

conducted a two-month introductory course to scuba diving to selected Marine Biology and Environmental Science students.

A total of 20 people have participated in the free training, 15 of whom are students of MSU-TCTO and members of the Marine Bio and Environmental Sciences Students’ Association (MABESSA). TDC president Engr. Rosendo

R. Reyes said that this project with the MSU-TCTO was initiated as part of the club’s social responsibility “to draw strategic partnership with the academic institution like the MSU-TCTO that offers courses in marine biology and fisheries and


environmental sciences.” Reyes pointed out that TDC provides such training to students so that “they will utilize their skills, exposures and experiences especially in the conduct of their academic research in marine and environmental sciences.” He added

that conducting under water research studies require students to be scuba divers. He said that two Dive Masters, Prof. Ramon Tangon and Rasul Sabal were assisting him the training. He emphasized that TDC would continue to participate on collaborative engagement with concerned agencies and NGOs in projects related to coral assessment, establishment and management of fish sanctuary, construction of artificial reef, Crown-of Thorns Clean-up, coastal clean-up like ‘scubasurero’ (garbage collector of the sea) and other projects and programs of similar considerations, especially those involving environmental concerns. Meanwhile, MSU-TCTO

Chancellor Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes, in his message, underscored the significance of scuba diving to the academic program of the university. He said that he is planning to make scuba diving as one subject area of study in the academic curriculum of the Department of Marine and Environmental Science of the university. “I have always encouraged the college of fisheries and environmental science to undertake more research studies in fisheries and marine biology as well as in environmental sciences because MSU-TCTO is a vocational institution by its mandates, he stressed. He shared his vision to make MSU-TCTO a center of excellence on fisheries and oceanographic studies and to ensure that the

graduates will be relevant and globally competitive. He pointed out, further, that Tawi-Tawi is considered a haven for research studies and that he wishes to expect also that the college should be able to come up with more vital research proposals in which he assured


that it would be his responsibility to find possible source of funding for any research proposal submitted. Moreover, Director for Coastal Resource Management Prof. Felimon Romero said that “there’s a need to strengthen our environment and ecological system as this is our only potential source of eco-tourism for foreign investment in Tawi-Tawi.” “We are part of Coral triangle in Southeast Asian region, and that what we have here in Tawi-Tawi is that we can find more interesting coastal fishery resources and pristine beaches to explore that we are proud to say is much better than those in other places within the country, including other places abroad,” he added. Meanwhile, the Office of MSU-SCTO Chancellor has donated to the club about ten pieces of junked steel cabinets that will be used as artificial reef in support to the national coral reef restoration program of government. As part of their commitment to the TDC, the trainees will install the cabinets to the seas near Mountain View Resort

Beach at Barangay Pasiagan in Bongao. TDC said the areas that are devastated by dynamite and cyanide fishing are the targets of coral reef restoration. MABESSA President Yunadzmal Ong, moreover, expressed his gratitude to the TDC President and MSU Chancellor for making the scuba training possible that helps in their quest for scientific exploration of the seas and the oceans of Tawi-Tawi. Among the successful trainees include the 15 students from the MSU-TCTO, namely: Adzmil Ledinil, Aharul, Almyra Samimi, Arthur Attuh, Delmar Asanol, Ibkar Salip Marijan, Joemary Alpha, Kara Habibon, Shaima Abdul, Sherelyn Abdul, Willy Rafales, Yunadzmal N. Ong, Maria Mita Fe Beringuel, Mira Luna Lagao and Nuradzmar Sali; the three personnel from Bongao Water District—Rommel Nunal, Jose Baldevino and Dante Delfinado; and the PMAer, ILt. Charles Dennis Tan from the Philippine Marines. (JPA/MSU-TCTO/PIA-9 ZBST)


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CSC-Caraga to conduct seminar on handling legislative casesby Robert E. Roperos

To improve knowledge in handling legislative cases, the regional office of the Civil

Service Commission (CSC) in Caraga will conduct the third batch of seminars

for human resource management officers and legal officers of the different

government agencies in the region on May 10 to 14.

According to CSC-Caraga Regional DirectorAdams Torres, the revised rules on administrative

cases in the Civil Servicewill be discussed to enlighten the participants on the new regulations set

by the commission in case administrative cases will be filed against any stateofficialsandworkers.


Under CSCMemorandum Circular19, series of 1999, the Commission, throughResolution No. 99-1936 dated August 31, 1999 adopted the new “Uniform RulesinAdministrativeCasesin theCivilService,”whichwill govern the conduct of disciplinary and non-disciplinary proceedings in administrative cases brought before the Commission and/or othergovernment agencies, except where special lawprovides otherwise.

The said resolution was published in the Manila Standard on September 11, 1999 and thus it took effect onSeptember27,1999. The memorandum pointed out that the Commissionshallhearanddecide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal, including contested appointments, and review decisions and actions of its officesandoftheagenciesattached to it. It also stated that the existingrulesandregulations

in administrative cases need to be updated and revised to make them more responsive to the demands for speedy, fair and judicious disposition of cases. With these developments, the region’s CSC chief enjoined humanresource management officers and legal officersof the different government agencies to take part in this seminar to ensure that handling of administrative cases will be made smoothly in accordance with the civil service rules.

Caraga police upgrades ‘kidnap-for-ransom’ investigators’ skills

BUTUAN CITY -- Forty-eight police investigators from the city and provincial police offices under Police Regional Office 13 attended the three-day seminar-workshop training aimed to hone their skills and learn the advanced techniques in the investigations dealing with kidnap-for-ransom cases, at the conference room of Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan City, a senior regional police official said.

by Noel B. Najarro

photo Credit: militaryphotos.net


“This is in line with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) plan nationwide to have our police investigators undergo such training in order to upgrade their skills in doing their investigative works and to use the modern techniques and gadgets in the performance of their jobs,” he said PSupt. Martin M. Gamba, PRO 13 chiefinformationofficerinan interview. He clarifiedthat as far as the PNP is concerned, the holding of such activity here has no implication in any way to the past kidnapping incidents occurring in the region nor did it convey the idea that kidnapping incidents are in uptrend

here. In fact, he said that similar activities will also be held in all of the regional policeofficesnationwide. Supt. Gamba said a team fromCramearrivedhere yesterday morning as the seminar guest lecturers led by PSSupt. Isagani R. Nerez, Director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group in Camp Crame, PSupt.Rolando S. Miranda, chief of the PNP Operations and Management Division, PSupt. Joenel M. Aurelio, chief Legal and Inspectorate Division and PCInsp. Rossel I. Cejas,the Anti-Kidnapping Group PublicInformationOfficer. Gamba also said that the teams consisting of eight police investigators

each came from the Police Provincial Offices ofDinagat Island Province, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusand del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ButuanCityPoliceOffice,Regional Public Safety Battalion and from the Regional Headquarters, who are undergoing the said training which is expected to end uptomorrow. After their training, the investigators are expected to performtheir functions in their respective areas of responsibility. They are alsopresumed toextendassistance in cases where kidnapping may occur near their assigned areas.


Rivas cited the income on local taximposition, Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), and the

ceiling on personal services. The last tranche of SSL III is supposed to take effect in July,

not June, this year. Earlier, Rivas lauded President Aquino on the favorable move.

Surigao Sur to implement last tranche of salary increase in June

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas is optimistic that Governor Johnny Pimentel will follow what President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed regarding the early release of Salary Standardization Law tranche IV, but local government units (LGUs), as in the case of the province, have some financial constraints.

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

photo Credit: By Mayen Jaymalin


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PAMA, UP-“Ugnayan sa Pahinungod” and Rotary Club to conduct medical/surgical mission By Gideon C. Corgue

The Philippine-Australian Medical

Association (PAMA) in cooperation with the University of the Philippines (UP) “Ugnayan ng Pahinungod,” and Rotary Club of Pagadian will conduct a 4fourday medical mission in Pagadian City and Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur from May 21-24.


Rotary Club of Pagadian president John Steve Aleman said during the press conference held at Sunburst restaurant here that they want to help the underprivileged and marginalized sectors in our society. Aleman said the PAMA, an association of Filipino-Australian doctors committed in providing charitable activities and humanitarian aid in the Philippines contacted him requesting the Rotary Club of Pagadian to help the association by providing logistical support in the slated medical mission to be held in Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZSMC), barangay Dao and in the rural health unit in the municipality of Aurora. Aleman said since the club is a community service organization, the officers and members granted the request without hesitation. “We accepted the challenge of having the medical mission without any hesitation in order for us to help our poor people who could not afford to pay for expensive surgery,” Aleman said.

UP-Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, on the other hand, is the volunteer service arm of UP Manila. Meanwhile, Rotary Club of Pagadian past president Dr. Reynaldo Ortiz, said the medical mission has 50 medical experts and health care professionals. It is divided in two groups: one group composed of 25 from PAMA and the other 25 from UP-Philippine General Hospital. Ortiz said the volunteer medical professionals composed of plastic surgeons will do cleft lip and cleft palate surgery; Ob-Gyne doctors will perform fibroid removal myomectomy; ophthalmologists, will do cataract surgery; and a number of general surgeons will perform thyroid surgery. “During the surgery, we will have local doctors from the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Society (ZSMS) who will be assisting the volunteers,” Ortiz reported. Ortiz said the PAMA is offering free surgical operations to the poorest of the poor patients. “The PAMA has offered surgery


46 Dipolog policemen deputized in drive vs. smokingDIPOLOG CITY - To give the public a healthy and smoke-free environment, the city government here has tapped the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help in the enforcement of anti-smoking laws.

Forty six (46) policemen have just completed an orientation seminar conducted by the City Health Office (CHO) on the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9211 and City Ordinance 196 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and Anti-Smoking Ordinance, respectively. Sanitation Officer Edgardito R. Baes and Administrative Officer Larry Padilla of the CHO served as lecturers in the said seminar. These 46 policemen would be

issued deputation orders authorizing them to apprehend any violator of anti-smoking laws in the city. The city leadership also hopes to make the city a smoke-free zone by strictly enforcing the anti-smoking regulations. Dipolog City received last year the pink orchid award from the Department of Health (DOH) in recognition of its efforts toward curbing smoking to bring about a clean and healthy environment. (JPA/FPG-PIA9)

to the patients, free. The patients won’t spend even a single centavo except for the medical tests because there is no free screening tests given in the hospital,” Ortiz explained. Ortiz said major surgery is very expensive. “These procedures usually cost P80,000 to 100,000 in private hospitals,” he added. “Not everyone can afford to have an operation. And what would be more fitting than to give back to the Filipino community what we

have learned in training that we’ve got from our medical schools in our country,” Ortiz said quoting Fabian. A total of 150 patients will be subject to major operation. Ortiz thanked the provincial government through Governor Antonio Cerilles for actively supporting the noble endeavor by providing free meals for the patients and to ZSMC chief Dr. Rovelle Blancia for providing rooms for the mission. (JPA/GCC-PIA9)

By Franklin P. Gumapon


ZAMBOANGA CITY - The National Food Authority (NFA) is encouraging local rice farmers to increase their production. NFA’s 2011 records reveal that the city’s famers only produce 18 percent of rice that is why some of the rice came from neighboring provinces like Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, to as far as General Santos City, Ilo-Ilo, Cotabato and Manila. NFA provincial manager Gaudencio Nuega Jr. said, of the city’s 98 barangays, only five of these are into rice production. Rice-producing barangays include Manicahan, Talisayan, Curuan, San Ramon and Talisayan.

Nuegra said, Zamboanga is not a rice-producing city and can be categorized as “critical” area in terms of rice production. The rice-eating populace of the city is consuming 6, 196 bags per sack of rice per day, and only 15 percent NFA rice is being supplied by the food authority to the market while 85 percent are commercial rice, Nuega said. Rice farmers and farmers ‘cooperatives, bring and sell their milled rice to NFA and NFA supplies the market. (JPA/PIA9)

NFA encourages farmers to increase rice prod’n By Jocelyn P. Alvarez


CDO wins original veggie recipe tiltby Jorie C. Valcorza

The Kagay-anon Veggie

Roll entry bagged the top prize in the recent Regional Recipe Development Contest, initiated by the National Nutrition Council.

The regional cook fest was initiated as a prelude to the Nutrition Month Celebration coming July. There were 18 entries submitted and only six qualified entries made it to the final cook off yesterday at Hotel Conchita. Camiguin province had its Pinoy Embutido recipe; Malaybalay City with the Ginisang Labong na may Gulay; Vegetable medley for Valencia, Bukidnon; Kare-kareng gulay for the

Maramag entry; and a vegetarian dumpling recipe from the Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro. All entries used vegetables as its main ingredient, with no more than five ingredients, excluding seasoning and condiments. At the end of the cook off, Jose M. Gipulao and Chairmaine Joy A. Prieto’s


veggie roll recipe from Barangay Canitoan won the tilt. Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Zenaida T. Tondares explained that the activity aims on developing delicious, nutritious, low cost, and easy to prepare menu. It showcased every region’s traditional recipes and other innovative ways of preparing vegetables.

It will be compiled along with all winning regional entries into a recipe book that will be printed for distribution to the beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Copies of it will also be distributed the local nutrition workers as an IEC material to aid more families on ways of improving their meals.


NorMin Police, RLECC gear up National Greening Program anewby PSupt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Enforcers of the Police Regional Office (PRO) and the members of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (RLECC) in Northern Mindanao planted 3,500 seedlings at barangay Indahag, this city on April 25.

This is in consonance to Executive Order No. 26 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III ordering and declaring the implementation of a National Greening Program as a government priority. Meanwhile, Police Chief Superintendent Jufel C. Adriatico said the region is a geo-hazard region. Thus, there is a need to take action and saturate the area with trees, he said. Prior to the tree planting, RLECC

members met at the Multipurpose Hall of Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City, to discuss law enforcement matters affecting the condition of peace and order, economy and e n v i r o n m e n t in Northern Mindanao. At about 3:00 p.m., the members convoyed to two relocation centers in Brgy. Indahag where they

distributed assorted goods to 132 recipients. A short program was held and the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was entered between the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) and the Barangay City Council of Indahag. The said MOA is concerned about the watering and nurturing of the planted seedlings by RLECC members which shall be under the care of the Barangay leaders and officials.


Iligan city conducts animal breeding, vaccinationby Melvin T. Anggot and Virgilio C. Garcia

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The City Veterinarian’s Office conducted breeding of animals on May 3, at barangay Tipanoy this city which started at 9:00 a.m. at San Agustin Chapel area.

The personnel of the office concerned conducted pregnancy diagnosis and estrus synchronization on livestock like female cattle and carabao. Non-pregnant animals were checked if they can be brought to heat. Animals brought to heat, as well as those in natural heat, were artificially inseminated. Animals and those who underwent artificial insemination last July 2011 were also checked-up. Animals that can be impregnated will undergo artificial insemination on May 7 and 8. “The services are free,” said Dr. Daliah Valera, head of the City Veterinary Office . Meanwhile, the office concerned will conduct vaccination of dogs, cats and other exotic animals also at barangay

Tipanoy on May 9. This will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. On May 10, the vaccination will be at barangay Abuno on the same time. The vaccination requires a fee of P100 per animal based on City Ordinance No. 4869 Series of 2005. Last year, there were 63 animals that were vaccinated in Tipanoy, four (4) in Abuno in the same activity.


Davao City to complete drainage projects in 2012 by Rudolph Alama

The City Government of Davao is bent on completing the

nine drainage project worth P54-million for this year. According to Andrew Lepardo of the City Engineer’s Office-Drainage Division among these projects include drainage improvements in Ponciano, Quimpo Boulevard, Royal Valley, Jade Valley and Matina Pangi. Areas identified as flood prone. The Mayor wanted these projects to be implemented ASAP. Lepardo said. The drainage infrastructure

fund is part of the P546-million Supplemental Budget I passed in 2011. Among the large drainage projects is the P10-million improvement project in Quimpo Boulevard, a notoriously flood prone area. Lepardo said that based on studies, the there is only one inlet in the area hence the reason for the quick build-up of water that leads to flooding. Under the drainage improvement project they adding nine more inlets plus

enlarged the outflow of water, from 24 inches diameter culverts they are putting in larger culverts 48-inches in diameter. Plus in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) some of the water will flow into the Davao Gulf, in the past there was only one outflow of water that leads to the Davao River. Meanwhile City Planning and Development Office head Robert Alabado said that the city needs main line or very large canals to alleviate


COMVAL Road Rehab to start this month

flooding in some areas. According to a Dutch consultant who studied Davao City’s flooding problems the city would need to install more main drains particularly in the barangays of Dumoy, Buhangin and Lizada. These main drains would then

flow out to the gulf. However Alabado said that these main drains are so expensive to build since aside from the expenses of the infrastructure, one would have to buy land and relocate people for the project to materialize. (PIA/RG Alama)

NABUNTURAN- To fast track the rehabilitation of roads damaged by typhoon Sendong and excessive heavy rains last January and February, the more intensified LUSONG concept of road repair will take off this month to all municipalities in the Compostela Valley province. LUSONG is a Cebuano word for advance, its initials also stands for Lihuk katawhan Ubanan ta ang Sensiro, Organisado ug Nagkahiusang Gobyerno. (Move People, Lets Join the Sincere, Organized and United Government) In a joint meeting conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office with the respective Municipal Engineers of the 11 municipalities last April 19, 2012, two teams (heavy equipment) will be deployed one for District 1 and another one team for District 2. Both team will have 10 heavy equipment to include back hoe, 1 loader, 1 road roller, 2 grader, and 5 dump trucks to shorten the numbers of days of

work and to fasten the repair. Each LGU will counterpart not less than one equipment and the rest of the equipment will be provided by the province including the fuel for the rehabilitation of the provincial road sections. Repair for the municipal and barangay roads will be shouldered by the LGU within its territorial jurisdiction. Top most priority of the repair is the provincial road sections because this connects barangay and municipal roads which is very busy. Among the priority list are the 11.5 km. Sto. Niño-Panag-Cogonon Road of New Bataan, 10 km. Araibo-Las Arenas-Tagugpo Section of Pantukan and Maragusan, 5 km. Anitapan-Mascare-Luhong Section of Mabini, 16.30 km. Elizalde-New Leyte-Panamin-Anitapan Section of Maco and Mabini and 49.08 km. Elizalde-New Leyte-Cambagang Section which connects the municipality of Maco and Maragusan. . (Rodielyn A. Manugas-IDS COMVAL)


School supplies on sale on May 16-18, says DTI – SoCotBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Parents who are trying to save for the schools supplies of their children who are going to school starting June 4 have help coming up from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).


Elbert Capecio senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-South Cotabato said they are now preparing for the staging of the three-day “Balik-Eskwela Caravan” where school supplies such as notebooks, pens and pencils, coloring tools, and many othes as well as uniforms, bags and shoes, will be offered on discounted prices.

Capecio said, the Balik-Eskwela Caravan in South Cotabatto will be held on May 16, 17 and 18 in Koronadal

City “but instead of the usual practice of gathering producers, manufacturers and other participants in one place, the school supplies will be sold inside the participating malls and stores.”

He identified the participating stores as KCC Mall of Marbel, Ace Centerpoint, Gaisano Grand Mall, and Starbright Store.

The decision not to gather the participating entities in one place, he explained, was in response to some

concerns like pilferage and additional effort and expenses to install booths.

Capecio added that based on their monitoring, there has not been changes in the prices of school supplies in the province.

Besides the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan next week, DTI-South Cotabato is also preparing for a major discount during South Cotabato province’s T’nalak Festival in July. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

3,000 couples join mass wedding in Malungon, Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani -- Around 3,000 couples have already been wed through the “Kasalan ng Bayan” as part of the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay’ program of the local government.

By Pops Gumana-Fruylan

Reports from the Municipal Information Office (MIO), Local Civil Registrar Lydia Erasmo revealed that the number of “live-in” couples getting married from the 31 barangays in the area has increased because of

the intensified campaign of the administration on the importance of matrimony and the benefits they could get from the local government. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino repeatedly

explained that a lot of benefits can be enjoyed by “live-in couples” from the municipal government if they get married such as free education, PhilHealth medical assistance, livelihood and other


programs for the family members. C o n s t a n t i n o clarified that the only requirement of the municipal government to avail of the different programs is to present the marriage contract or marriage certificate of the wedded couple as he encouraged other unmarried partners to take advantage of the said program for the benefit of their family.“Kasalan ng Bayan” is one of the services of the local government

for the residents of the municipality where Constantino, along with other representatives from different agencies of the government visit even the remote areas of

the town to deliver basic public services especially to the least served people in Malungon. (PGFruylan with reports from MIO Malungon-PIA 12, Sarangani)

DOLE-12 course commits to ISO 9001:2008 certificationBy Cathy Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- The Department of Labor and Employment Re-gional Office (DOLE) 12 select employees recently received an “Orientation and Refresher Course on Quality Management System Requirements and Auditing” recently to improve the agency’s commitment as an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 certification holder.

Romeo Ramirez, training director of Certification International Philippines (CIP), served as the resource speaker.

CIP functions to review, analyze, and

reward businesses or organizations recipient of a host of standards to strengthen and help improve the system with the use of “technology, experience, and knowledge.”

DOLE-12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla hailed CIP’s enthusiasm in extending the necessary support to ISO-certified agencies in the country.

In her message, Mantilla conveyed her


commitment saying “maintaining and sustaining the Quality Management System (QMS) is indeed a great challenge” but the greater challenge, she stressed, still lies in serving “our customers well and do so excellently and from the heart.”

The cover topics included the “Q101:Understanding and Implementing ISO 9001:2008 – A Strategy for Global Competitiveness,” which points on the development of QMS model; the overall aim of ISO 9001:2008 and its structure; the eight Quality Management Principles and understanding the requirements of ISO

9001:2008.Mantilla said the

orientation has contributed not just on conceptual level of understanding but most of all on the actual learning experiences of DOLE-12 key officials, chiefs, and field office representatives attending the orientation.

She urged all participants to apply their learning when they go back to their respective field offices as a way to ensure the sustainability and their commitment to the core values embodied in ISO 9001:2008 certification.

DOLE XII gained its ISO certification 9001:2008 in October 3, 2011.

ISO 9001 fuels best practice and helps organizations to become more efficient toward a definite commitment to quality, which is a powerful force to attract and retain customers or clients while at the same time improving the “efficiency and profitability” of the company or organization.

Alongside its commitment to ISO standards, DOLE-12 also implements the present administration’s 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda, which is bent to carry out “Human Resource Competitiveness and Industrial Peace Based on Social Justice.” (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

one mindanao - may 8, 2012

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