one mindanao - november 12, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: hnb_r9pia

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)

Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] [email protected],ph

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

Davao’s cacao source of world’s best

chocolates

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

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region

Associate Editors ……....... OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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 Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo Credits:ACDI/VOCA epicstreet.blogspot.com

Vol. 1, No. 90 NOVEMBER 12, 2011

N A T I O N A L

contentsCover Story :

Davao’s cacao: source of world’s best chocolates

Palace assures Mrs. Arroyo due process

By Mai Gevera Macapagat contents

15

Aquino faces busy schedule in 3-day working visit to Honolulu

Aquino arrives in Honolulu for the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit

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4

10

WESTERN Mindanao

37PCNHS students support tree planting program of RMN

WESCOM personnel urged adherence to highest conduct, ethics standard

36 AFP to propose new modernization plan

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38

CARAGA Region

PDEA conducts initial screen-ing of applicants to augment Caraga regional office person-nel

BCWD 2011 Water Quiz Show ends with a bang

Pinakaunang harinang gawa sa sago inilunsad ng mga katutu-bong Agusanon

Gov’t troops encounter insurgents anew Gov’t troops encounter insurgents anew

CCPD, partner stakeholders step up preparations for 2011 MWOP celeb

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NORTHERN Mindanao

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How to solve “Rido” tops concern of Lanao del Sur peace advocates

PDEA-10 arrests 6 persons in drive against illegal drugs

RDC-X to use the 2007 census-based projections for popula-tion

All Pantawid Pamilya ben-eficiaries are set to receive Philhealth benefits – DSWD Secretary

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Cag. de Oro Tourism Board now accepts ‘Halad sa Pasko’ entries

20

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21CENTRAL Mindanao

Mayor plants mangrove

63,00 IDPs in Maguindanao to receive livelihood aids from New Zealand Gov’t

Labor union from Makilala, N. Cotabato wins 1st WINAP productivity Olympic26

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SOUTHERN MindanaoRomblon leaders impressed by Tagum’s style of governance

Davao City 87th fastest growing city in the world23

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4 Saturday, November 12, 2011

Who would have thought that one of the world’s known chocolate bars like Mars heavily rely their cacao supply from the Philippines, specifically in Davao region.


Cover Story

By Mai Gevera Macapagat

5Saturday, November 12, 2011


Another signifi-

cant chocolate maker based in Springfield, Missouri, USA and specializes in single ori-gin chocolate in small batches, the Askinosie Chocolate, also sources out raw cacao supply from Davao City. The owner, Shawn Askinosie, personally visited Malagos, a small communi-ty found in the outskirts of the city. Convinced that the area is perfect for quality cacao production, Askinosie formalized partnership with the local farmers to supply the company with raw ca-cao. Through the company, the Davao White Chocolate Nibble Bar was named by the

Times of London as one of the Ten Best Chocolate Bars in the World as released in September last year. Giving back to the community that positively helped Askinosie Chocolate find its niche in the global market, the owner constantly

pours in social devel-opment projects like establish-ment of Internet connection and enough number of comput-er units which can be of great use to the students of Malagos Elementary School. The Mars Chocolate, hav-ing been long established in the region, has also contributed m u c h


to the growth of the cacao indus-try. The Mars Cocoa Devel-opment Center (MCDC) that started in 2008 was built to bring positive environment and socioeconomic benefits of sus-tainably grown cocoa to farm-ers. It is through the center that farmers get to learn best practices in cocoa cultivation. it is here that they learn new methods in pest control to bet-ter improve the quality of their cocoa. More than 3,000 farmers have been part of the center, most of them graduated from the Farmer Field School. MCDC has expanded its coverage from Malagos to oth-

er Davao provinces like Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. Satellite demon-stration farms were set up in those areas to further cater to more farmers and start engage in cacao production. Another significant ac-tor in the development of the cacao industry in Davao Region is the US-DA-funded project Suc-

cess Alliance II as implemented by ACDI/VOCA in partnership with CocoaPhil. In this project, farmers attended Farmer Field School activities wherein they didn’t just improve production but they have also strength-


ened the industry by engaging in col-lective venture. Before the proj-ect, these farmers used to do farming as individuals. They were not yet edu-cated about the re-alities of the value chain and importance of consolidation. Through time, these farmers grouped themselves and started doing things as Subasta Cocoa Farmers. They bought wet cocoa beans from their members and few from other farmers in the community.

They sold and delivered these

cocoa beans to Puentespina Farms, the leading market of these wet cocoa beans. The farmers also learned that they could also earn not just from wet cocoa. They started to sell dried and fermented co-coa beans by the assistance of ACDI/VOCA. A solar dryer, fer-mentary boxes and bean-grad-ing toolkit were provided to the Subasta farmers. Increased income led to the building of additional post-harvest facilities. These have further improved the cocoa production of the said farmers. They have mastered the skill, applied technology, played the market, and joined the compe-


tition. At the end of the day,the lesson learned is the im-portance of collec-tive work. Working individually in this industry, as they observed, may have been very promis-ing at first ,however, the consolidated ef-fort of each farmer was found vital in the long run for the sustainability of the industry. What urged farmers to focus and better cocoa produc-tion is the turn out of the cocoa export in the recent years. Before when Davao

was not yet known to be a conducive area for cocoa pro-duction farmers al-most lost interest in farming cacao. Things changed as international de-mand started com-ing in. It was in 2008 to 2009 that the Bu-reau of Customs XI reported a six fold increase in exports from a mere 151 metric tons to 1,112 metric tons in 2009. Before the increase, it was barely Chi-na and the United States that import the cocoa products

from the region. However, with the full-blast trainings and other form of capacity develop-ment efforts the BOC XI noted some expansion of the in-ternational market. It has expanded to Europe with the Netherlands as the shipping point. Not just that, neigh-boring Asian coun-tries like Malaysia and Thailand also followed to import from the country. More than half of the supply here was exported to Malay-sia, a portion of the total supply went to Thailand, USA, and Netherlands.



HONOLULU, Hawaii: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Hickam Airbase here for a three-day working visit to attend the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting

from November 11 to. November 13.



APEC is the premier forum for facilitat-ing economic growth, cooperation, trade and in-vestment in the Asia Pacific Region. It has 21 members referred to as “member economies” which account for approxi-mately 40 percent of the world’s population, approximately 54 per-cent of world gross domestic product, and about 44 percent of world trade. Hosted by the United States, APEC 2011 is working towards the achievement of a “seamless regional economy.” The Chief Executive, who was accompanied by a lean delega-tion led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Spokeman Edwin Lacierda, was on board the Phil-ippine Airlines chartered Flight PR001 that landed at the airport’s tarmac at exactly 8:15 am (Honolulu time, 2:15 am Manila time) from Manila. He was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr., Consul General Leoncio Cardenas, Jr., Trade and investment Officer of the United States to the Philippines Jennifer Neidhart de Ortiz, and a Senior US Protocol Representative among others. After the simple arrival ceremony at the Hickam Airbase, Presi-dent Aquino, accompanied by his delegation, motored to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel where he is billeted. Following a brief respite, the President will attend his first ac-tivity for the day -- the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth, where he is one of the panel participants at the Sheraton, Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii. Other participants in the event include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation plus Richard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., as well as Jane Ulrich, managing director and chairman of the Global Markets, China, JP Morgan.


Dur-i n g

the panel discussion, there will be four chairs on stage. The moderator would wel-come and introduce President Aquino and will have one-on-one for ten minutes where the President would be asked an initial question which he could turn into an opening statement about the issues.

This APEC CEO summit will be held from November 11 to 12 with high-level representation from the private sector, government, and ac-ademia. This sum-mit will identify ways to enhance public-private coopera-tion within APEC. It is held annually just prior to the annual APEC Leaders’ Meet-ing and is a “by invi-tation only” event. The first APEC

CEO Summit was held in 1996 during the Philippine chair-manship of APEC. Later in the evening, the Presi-dent will likewise at-tend the APEC CEO-Leaders’ Dinner with the theme “Taste of American Reception” hosted by Micro-soft chairman Craig Mundie at the exclu-sive home in Hono-lulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday. (RSDA)

Aquino faces busy schedule in 3-day working visit to HonoluluPesident Beenigno S. Aquino III faces a busy

schedule ahead as soon as he sets foot on Friday (Honolulu time) at the Island Paradise here to join the other 20 leaders of member economies

attending the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting.


Shortly after his arrival at the Hickam Airbase from Manila, the President and his official delegation

will be immediately whisked to the Hil-ton Hawaiian Village Hotel, where he will stay for the duration of his three-day of-ficial working visit. The President’s first activity on the first day of his work-

ing visit is to attend the Panel Discus-sion on Commod-ity Security for Eco-nomic Growth at the

Sheraton Waikiki. Aside from President Aquino, other participants in the panel discus-sion include Frank Ning Gaoning, CEO of the China Nation-al Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corpora-

tion; R i c h -ard Adkerson, president and CEO of the Freeport Mc-

MoRan Copper and Gold Inc.; and Jane Ulrich, managing di-rector and chairman of the Global Mar-kets, China JP Mor-gan. The APEC CEO Summit is sched-


uled from

Novem-ber 11 to 12 with high-level repre-sentation from the private sector, gov-ernment and aca-demia. The summit will identify ways to enhance public-private cooperation within APEC. It is held annually in the APEC host economy just prior to the an-nual APEC Leaders’ Meeting. Later in the eve-ning, the President will attend the APEC CEO Leaders’ Din-ner with the theme “Taste of American Reception” hosted by Microsoft chair-man Craig Mundie at the exclusive home in Honolulu of Paul and Mrs. Fredrica Cassiday.

During his vis-it, President Aquino will take time out to visit the Pearl Har-bor. Before his at-tendance at the din-ner in honor of the APEC Leaders and Spouses at the Hale Koa Maile Garden, the President is also expected to hold a bilateral meet-ing with Australian Prime Minister Julia Eileen Gillard. Then President Aquino will proceed to meet with the members of the ac-companying media during a Coffee with Philippine Media at the Honolulu Suite of the Hilton Hawai-ian Village Hotel. On Sunday, No-vember 13, Presi-dent Aquino will at-tend the 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting at the JW

Marriott Thilani Ho-tel The President will likewise attend the Leaders dialogue with the APEC Busi-ness Advisory Coun-cil (ABAC) members also in the same ho-tel. Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Al-bert del Rosario said the dialogue with APEC Leaders “gives ABAC members the opportunity to meet with APEC Leaders to discuss the entire year’s ABAC work programme and to raise issues of pressing concern to the business com-munity. The Chief Ex-ecutive will then attend the Work-ing Lunch for APEC Leaders with the topic entitled “Reg-ulatory Reforms and Competitiveness”


Palace assures Mrs. Arroyo due process

Prior to the is-suance of the Joint Declaration by the 21 APEC Leaders, the President will resume his atten-dance at the 19th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Session 2 on the topic “Energy Secu-rity and Energy Ef-ficiency.” The President will also check the condition of the Filipino Overseas

Workers in Hono-lulu when he meets with them on Sun-day (November 13, Honolulu time) be-fore he leaves for Manila. In a prepared program for the OFWs meeting, the President will deliv-er his speech where he is expected to report to them the positive develop-ments of his admin-istration since he as-

sumed office last year. Consul General Leoncio Cardenas will also deliver wel-come remarks while Bernadette Misalu-cha, chairperson of the Philippine Cele-brations Coordinat-ing Committee of Hawaii and Hawaii Governor Neil Aber-crombie will deliv-er their respective messages. (RSDA)

Malacanang assured former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due process in the ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for her alleged involvement in massive corruption

during her administration.

In a radio inter-view over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte was asked if the

Palace supports speedy inquiry on the allega-tions against Arroyo so that appropriate charges could be filed against her.

“What we would prefer is that the DOJ goes step-by-step on the process. At this point, we are already being accused of po-


litical persecution but, on one hand, you also have comments that we are too slow in pros-ecuting,” Valte said. “We want to as-sure that whatever cases are on the ta-ble will go through the proper process, will go through due process and that the rights of whoever is being ac-cused of anything are afforded and are pro-tected,” she added noting they don’t want half-baked investiga-tion results. At the same time, she said they want to fend off speculations

that the administration is sitting on the cas-es against the former president. “Gusto lang po natin talaga masunod yung tamang proseso,” she added. Charging Mrs Ar-royo in court could bol-ster the government’s resolve in issuing a hold departure order to prevent her from leaving and seeking asylum anywhere. This week, Presi-dent Benigno S. Aqui-no III expressed his full support to Justice Secretary Leila De Li-ma’s decision disallow-

ing the former presi-dent to travel abroad to seek medical help. He said the gov-ernment was willing to shoulder the expens-es of flying in medical specialists to look into Arroyo’s medical con-dition to ease the for-mer president’s need to travel. The DoJ on Tues-day denied Arroyo’s re-quest for an Allow De-parture Order for lack of merit. She was also reported seeking asy-lum in the Dominican Republic. (AS)


How to solve “Rido” tops concern of Lanao del Sur peace advocates Problems on how to solve “Rido” or family feud topped the concerns

of some 300 delegates from various sectors who attended the Multi-Sectoral Peace Forum at the Municipal Gym, here, last Nov. 8.

Jointly organized by the Philippine Army (PA) and the local government unit (LGU) of Picong, Lanao del Sur, the delegates, mostly sectoral leaders, showed their commitment to support the campaign against lawlessness, “Rido” and promotion of the observance of the justice system and support to the authorities. Leading the civilian delegates was Picong Mayor Alinader M. Balindong, while Col. Daniel A. Lucero, Commander of 103rdBrigade (103Bde), PA led the security sector. Several speakers shared their programs to the participants, like Lt. Col. Ceasar Marlon M. Yadao, Commander of 51st Infantry Battalion (51IB) and the main organizer of the event who discussed the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan (unity and cooperation)” of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP). This was followed by a sharing about the campaign against drug illegal drugs by Feliciano Alejandro A. Serino II of the Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA). Likewise, delegates from the International Monitoring Team (IMT) -Mindanao discussed the peace process mechanisms and their campaign on non-violence, while discussions on religious matters and the Local Government Code were shared by concerned sectoral representatives. The participants were also given a chance to give questions according to the lectures, most of which were centered on how to resolve “Rido,” which is a problem besetting the peace in the province. In addition to the activities, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by the various sectoral leaders to show their commitment of support to the campaign against lawlessness, “Rido” and promotion of the observance of the justice system and support to the authorities of Picong. Another MOA was, likewise, signed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) represented by the Picong Municipal


Police Station Commander and the 51IB for the creation of a Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center for Picong. Meanwhile, the 103Bde Commander, who was the guest of honor and speaker, emphasized the role of the Army, particularly, his troops as protectors of the Maranaos.

He, likewise, assured the people that all soldiers under his command had to undergo a Cultural Sensitivity Seminar before being deployed. “We are like a human body: the military as one part and the people as another, harmonious functioning of each leads to peace and development,” he said. (103Bde PA)

RDC-X to use the 2007 census-based projections for populationby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Such decision of RDC-X is manifested in Resolution No. 24, s. 2011, “Adopting the Interim 2007-Based Population Projection for Region X, by Provinces/Highly Urbanized Cities and Municipalities: 2008-2015.” Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, who is the RDC-X Chairperson, said this will put to rest the issue on the incomparability of the projected population figures used by the local government units (LGU’s) and the regional line agencies (RLA’s) raised during the May 10, 2011, meeting of the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC). “To foster uniformity, among the various users within Northern Mindanao, and in the absence of a 2010-based official population projection, the RSCC decided to provide a 2007 CBIPP for Region X,” Cruz said.

Pursuant to Paragraph C., Section 2 of Executive Order No. 135, s. of 1993, the RSCC is authorized to act on statistical matters that concern only the region, province/city, municipality and barangay. Cruz, however, said the use of the interim population projection shall be limited only to administrative and development planning purposes and shall cease to be effective once the NSO releases the 2010 official population census results. Upon release of such results by the NSO, the RSCC, thru the Macro and Development Administration Committee, shall immediately estimate and provide a new interim population projection based on the official 2010 census. The resolution was attested by Engr. Leon M. Dacanay , Jr., Regional Director of the National Economic

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – Due to the absence of official population projections based on current census, the Regional Development Council, region 10, has adopted the 2007 census-based interim population projection (CBIPP) for region 10.


and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, and approved by the RDC-X Chairperson and Aresenio L. Sebastian III, Co-chairperson and RDC-X Representative from the Private Sector. Thus, based on the 2007 CBIPP for Region X conducted by NSO, Northern Mindanao is projected to have a population of 4.48 million by the year 2015. In 2007, the region had a

projected population of 3.95 million, which grew up to 4.02 million or 1.66 percent in 2008, to 4.08 million or 1.62 percent in 2009, and to 4.15 million or 1.60 percent, in 2010. Likewise, the projected population of the region is expected to increase to 4.21 million or 1.59 percent in 2011, to 4.28 million or 1.57 percent in 2012, to 4.34 million or 1.55 percent in 2013 and to 4.41 million or 1.53 percent in 2014.

PDEA-10 arrests 6 persons in drive against illegal drugsby Juliet CagaananCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – At least six (6) persons were arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2006, in two (2) separate buy-bust operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), region 10, last Nov. 9. Regional Director Roberto S. Opeña of PDEA-10 said these operations were conducted at about 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively, by the PDEA, Misamis Oriental Provincial Special Enforcement Team led by Investigation Agent (IA) 1 Rodolfo S. De La Cerna and Iligan City Special Enforcement Team led by IA 3 Rey D. Pavillar, PDEA-10 Deputy Regional Director. The first buy-bust operation was conducted in Purok 7, Barangay Molugan, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental where a Target-Listed Drug Personality (TLDP) identified as Marites Turno Macapanton, female, 54 years old, separated and jobless was arrested. Bought from the suspect were two (2) pieces of heat-sealed plastic transparent sachets (HSPTS) believed

to be shabu and recovered from her possession and control were another two (2) pcs. of the HSPTS containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, 20 pcs. open plastic sachets with shabu residue and other drug paraphernalia. The other buy-bust operation was conducted in Purok 3, Barangay Saray, Iligan City which resulted to the arrests of Analisa Delalamon Amabao, a Watch-Listed Drug Personality (WLDP), female, 34 years old, single, and her live-in partner, Leonilo Omongos Camingawan, also a WLDP, male, 38 years old, single. Bought from them was one (1) piece small size HSPTS believed to be shabu and recovered from their possession and control were: Two (2) pcs. small size heat-


transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, 20 pcs. folded aluminum foil placed in a plastic container. During the Saray buy-bust operation, three (3) other persons who were “caught in the act” of having a pot session, were arrested: Tommy Tecson Balaba, male, 43 years old, single, Marcelo Edralin Dorio, male, 36 years old, single and Jovanie Casilang Labasamo, male, 19 years old, single, all were residents of Pindugangan Tipanoy, Iligan City. Recovered in their possession and control were one (1) pc. disposable

lighter and two (2) pcs. used improvised tooter. The suspects are now temporarily detained at PDEA-10 Detention Cell in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City Police Station 5 Detention Cell for booking and documentation, while the drug and non-drug evidences were brought to respective Crime Laboratories of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for qualitative and quantitative examinations. Opeña said appropriate charges for violation of RA 9165 is now being readied for filing in court against the suspects. (PDEA-10)

All Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are set to receive Philhealth benefits – DSWD Secretary By Charmaine P. TadlasCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental -- All beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) are set to receive benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth). Likewise, all those identified in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) are also going to be enrolled with Philhealth. These clarifications were made by Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who convened all the provincial governors of the country, here, last Nov. 9. The activity was aimed to discuss the updates and clarify issues, as well, as gain support from the Provincial Chief Executives of the Pantawid Pamilya. A conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme of the National Government, the Pantawid Pamilya provides cash assistance to poor families for their children’s health and education.

The DSWD Secretary said the Pantawid Pamilya has been developed, mainly, to address the inter-generational cycle of poverty plaguing, among poor families, due to lack of opportunities to quality education and accessibility to health services. She said a Pantawid Pamilya household-beneficiary is receiving a maximum of Php1,400 on a monthly basis for their children’s health and education, whose ages are from 0-14. In order for them to continuously receive the grant, they are also required to comply with the Program’s set conditionalities: to send their children to school with at least 85 percent school attendance and to regularly send them to health centers for check-ups.


All Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are set to receive Philhealth benefits – DSWD Secretary

The national consultation drew a closer tandem between the DSWD and the provincial governors who, Sec. Soliman said, are the Department’s partners in reaching out to poor families in their areas. The Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, however, are identified through household assessment and validation using the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) which identifies who and where the

poor are, and thus eliminate politicizing the identification of beneficiaries for government resources. The DSWD Secretary said Pantawid Pamilya emphasizes that it is a program of the National Government, because it is being implemented not only by DSWD but also by the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well. (DSWD-10)

Cag. de Oro Tourism Board now accepts ‘Halad sa Pasko’ entriesBy Cheryl C. MoncayCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental -- The City Tourism Board, here, is once again holding its yearly ‘Halad sa Pasko’ competitions and is now beginning to accept qualified applicants. These competitions consist of the “Bangga sa Daygon (Christmas Carol Contest)” and the “Indigay sa Parol (Christmas Lantern Contest). A cash prize of Php15,000 awaits the winner of the Indigay sa Parol which will be held on December 3, at the Limketkai Center. Open to all students, barangays, groups or individuals of Cagayan de Oro City, each participant of the lantern contest is allowed only one (1) entry. The 2nd, 3rd, and consolation prizes are Php10,000, Php5,000, and Php500, respectively. Registration forms are now available at the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office or at the City Tourism Showhouse in Divisoria where interested participants may also inquire about the complete guidelines

of the contest. Deadline for submission of the registration forms for the Christmas Lantern Contest shall be on Nov. 28. The Bangga sa Daygon, on the other hand, will happen on Dec. 17, at SM City Mall, and is open to all glee clubs and choral groups of both private and public elementary schools in the city. First prize for the choral competition is a whooping Php25,000, while the 2nd and 3rd prizes are Php20,000 and Php15,000, respectively. Submission of registration forms for the choral competition shall be accepted until Dec. 9. All interested participants for both contests may inquire and look for City Tourism Officer Imma Rae D. Gatuslao, or Ophelia B. Fuertes at the City Tourism Office. (CIO)


Romblon leaders impressed by Tagum’s style of governance

Local leaders from the Lone District of Lombon visited

Tagum City last November 5, 2011 and were impressed by how local governance is working here, es-pecially on the initiative of Mayor Rey T. Uy to make use of the con-fiscated hot logs into school furni-tures. Representative Eleandro Je-sus F. Madrona of the Lone District of Romblon led a team of mayors, vice mayors and barangay captains in their visit to the city to learn from the corporate style of governance as espoused by Mayor Uy.

The local chief executive met them at the city’s motor-pool where he shared the dy-namics of the Care for School Chairs Program of his admin-istration. He also gave a tour to the visiting officials to the facilities located inside the mo-torpool. The team also tried the Tagum City River Cruise where they were able to have a glimpse of the mangrove refor-estation project of the city. (By

Louie Lapat/Edwin of City Informa-tion Office- Tagum)

Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Lone Dis-trict of the Romblon gave a marble lampshade to Mayor Rey T. Uy of Tagum City as a sign of gratitude. (Louie Lapat CIO Tagum)


Davao City 87th fastest growing cityin the world

DAVAO CITY- From among the top 200 high growth cities in the world, Davao City has been ranked in the 87th spot. In a study conducted by a Euro-pean internet-based research group City Mayors Foundation which mea-sures the performances of world’ cities, Davao was listed in the top 200 cit-ies based on projected annual growth rates. In a 15 year period, Davao reg-istered an annual growth of 2.53 per-cent, ranking it as among the world’s 87th fastest growth city. Metro Manila is ranked 190th with an average growth of 1.5%. the

top growth city in the Southeast Asian region is Jakarta placed at 47th. The annual growth rate projections is based on historical growths and decline, other factors are of forecasts by in-ternational and national statistics organiztion. the 15 year period cov-ers the year 1996-2010. Davao City is the only Philippine City included in the top 100 fastest growing city a distinc-

tion which Mayor Sara Duterte said would mean a growing and a more robust economy. According to the related study, “World’s Fastest Growing Cities in 2007” economic growth is the main driver of urbanisation particularly in many na-tions. high growth is equivalent to a strong economy of a city. In 2008 the Foreign Direct Invest-ment Magazine of the Financial Times Group adjudged the City as one of the Top Ten Asian Cities in the Future. the ratings were based on investments/ economic opportunities and gover-nance. (PIA/RG Alama)


Mayor plants mangroveAlcantara Founda-tion project officer Jean delos Santos

and Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro plant

a mangrove seedling at barangay Tinoto

Friday, November 11. The activity was

initiated by the Al-cantara Foundation,

Inc., Alcantara Group of Companies, Sa-

rangani Energy Corp. and the municipal

environment of-fice. (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CEN-

TRAL)


63,00 IDPs in Maguindanao to receive livelihood aids from New Zealand Gov’tBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- At least 63,000 internally displaced persons, com-prised of about 10,550 farming and fishing households in Maguindanao are set to benefit from a livelihood project that the Food and Agricul-ture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Government of New Zea-land and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) will implement soon.

The resolution ap-proving the program implementation plan of the project “Re-storing Agricultural

Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas in Magu-indanao Province of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao” was

signed in a first meet-ing of the project co-ordinating committee at the Al Nor Hotel and Convention Center in


Cotabato City yester-day.

Cesar Galvan, proj-ect team leader from FAO said, the project has an implementation duration of one year and primarily aims to bring back the agricul-ture-based livelihood of the target returning IDPs.

Assistance to IDPs is through provision of agricultural input pack-ages that include rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; fertilizers; hand tools; livestock/poul-try; and fishing gears; coupled with conduct of solicited trainings and technology demonstra-tions.

“This will help the

IDPs rebuild their liveli-hoods and lessen the rate of their dependen-cy on external food aid,” Alberto Aduna, emer-gency coordination of-ficer of FAO said.

A formal launching of the project is sched-uled on November 22 in either Barangay Li-ong or Barangay Bala-kanen in Datu Piang town, Maguindanao.

A joint press release of the FAO and Govern-ment of New Zealand in June this year said that the New Zealand Gov-ernment has provided a grant amounting to US$ 1,351,413 for FAO to assist IDPs and returnee households in Maguindanao restore

their farming activities. In the same press

release, New Zea-land Ambassador to the Philippines An-drew Matheson said the project “is another ex-ample of New Zealand Government’s commit-ment to responding to the most critical needs of conflict-affected people, particularly in Maguindanao prov-ince.”

“We hope to contrib-ute in restoring and having lasting impact on food security, na-tional status, and in-come generation of the IDPs,” he added. (PIA 12/DAF-ARMM)

Labor union from Makilala, N. Cotabato wins 1st WINAP productivity Olympic

KORONADAL CITY -- A labor union in Makilala is one of the nine na-tional winner of the First WINAP Productivity Olympic held last month in Manila.

Jesse dela Cruz, sec-retary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Pro-ductivity Board (RTWPB) 12, announced that Stanfilco Makilala Labor

Union (SMLU) bested 25 other finalists and won the micro-service category of the produc-tivity olympic.

Dela Cruz said, SMLU

has shown exemplary performance through productivity by being successful with their co-operative store.

WINAP or Work


ers Income Augmen-tation Program (WINAP) is a Department of Labor and Employment Program that assists workers in the formal economy to engage in business to augment the salaries and wages of the workers.

The business activ-ity intends to provide workers with additional sources of income from their profit and to facili-tate employment of their family members.

Besides financial assistance, DOLE also helps the proponent by developing organization-al capabilities in plan-ning, business manage-ment and production skills.

Dela Cruz said, SMLU opened a consumer store in 2006 but was immediately beset with problems common to micro-business: high commodity prices, lim-ited profited, unaccount-ed losses of inventory and dwindling capital fund.

In 2008, SMLU availed of P600,000 additional capital under DOLE’s WINAP.

Through Productivity Improvement Program of the WINAP, SMLU rose from being a mere store to a consumer

store with a vision, man-aged by a Project Man-agement Team who is harmonious, trained to be systematic and pro-ductive.

Before WINAP, their total net income for three years was P11,518.99.

Under WINAP, they realized a total net in-come P687,895.84, due to access to low priced commodity that is aug-mented through a sys-tem of profit sharing and patronage refund.

WINAP enhanced their skills, knowledge and at-titude through trainings; provided capital aug-mentation; established a Manual of Operations / Policies; and set up of monitoring and evalua-tion system.

These resulted in having 74% of the members patronizing the SMLU consumer store.

SMLU has already acquired the land where the consumer store is located and has seven direct labors that oper-ate the consumer store. It has also create em-ployment opportunity for those who wanted to put up a sari-sari store since the prices of their com-modity are very minimal.

Labor and Employ-ment Secretary Rosal-

inda Baldoz told the winners of the produc-tivity Olympic: “You’re not just winners in this tough competition. You are in fact catalysts of the President’s 22- point agenda on labor and em-ployment.

“When you go into productivity improve-ment programs, you consequently train your people on productivity improvement technolo-gies through RTWPBs. In effect, you invest in enterprise competitive-ness as well as improved productivity on our hu-man resources and the economy in general.”

She cited that MSME’s comprised 99.7% of the country’s businesses and employs two- thirds of the workforce.

Productivity Olympics is a national competition of the best productiv-ity programs and prac-tices of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide and is done biennial.

The competition is or-ganized by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), DOLE and in coordina-tion with all its RTWPBs.(cdml/lco/DOLE12/DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

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PDEA conducts initial screening of applicants to augment Caraga regional office personnelby Nora CL Molde

As part of the weeklong celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program on November 12 to 18 with the theme “Global Action for Healthy Communities,” the

regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will conduct an initial screening and interview of qualified applicants for their regional office on November 17.


PDEA Caraga act-ing regional director Joel B. Plaza bared that there are 13 va-cant positions for de-liberation on Thurs-day, which include the following positions: one each for the po-sitions of Attorney IV, Attorney II, Informa-tion Officer III, Chief Administrative Officer (AO V), Administra-tive Aide VI (Commu-nication Equipment Operator II), Chem-ist III, and Laborato-ry Technician II; two items for the Danger-ous Drugs Regulation

Officer II; and four for the Prison Guard II positions. The need for an additional workforce of the region would significantly add to the success in fighting the very stern drug problem of our soci-ety, Plaza added. Also, Plaza en-courages interested applicants to visit their office at the provincial hospital compound in Libertad, Butuan City or call telephone num-ber (085) 815-1661 for more details and information.

PDEA is the lead anti-drugs law enforcement agency, responsible for preventing, inves-tigating and combat-ing any dangerous drugs, controlled pre-cursors and essential chemicals within the Philippines. The agen-cy is tasked with the enforcement of the penal and regulatory provisions of Repub-lic Act No. 9165, oth-erwise known as the Comprehensive Dan-gerous Drugs Act of 2002.

BUTUAN CITY -– The Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) with partner stakeholders steps up preparations for this year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) in Caraga.

CCPD, partner stakeholders step up preparations for 2011 MWOP celebby Jennifer P. Gaitano

For this year’s celebration from No-vember 24-30 with the theme: “Common Word between Us and You: Love of God, Love

of Neighbor,” the stake-holders from different sectors in the region have joined hands in the preparation and fi-nalization of the week-

long activities that will unite and create big impact to the lives of the Caraganons. The Department of the Interior and Lo-


cal Government (DILG) Caraga will be spear-heading the opening ceremony of said cele-bration in Surigao City, 7 a.m on Nov. 24. A press confer-ence will follow at 9 a.m while at 6 p.m, an hour of silence for peace will be conducted at the Bishop’s Home in Bu-tuan.On Nov. 25, MWOP stakeholders will join forces with other mem-ber-agencies of the Car-aga Gender and Devel-opment Coordinating Committee (GADCC) during the ‘Walk for A

Cause’ activity from Rizal Park going to Agu-san del Norte Provincial Covered Court since it is also in time with the kick-off celebration for the 18-day Campaign to end Violence against Women. Afterwards, the Tree Planting for Peace will also follow at 7:00a.m. along the sidewalk in the Gov-ernment Center, Ama-payon, this city.On Nov. 26, the fol-lowing activities will be conducted simultane-ously in different ven-ues: Bike for Peace,

7 a.m (city proper); Peace Offering through the Bloodletting, 9 a.m; and Tri-people Consultation for Peace, 8 a.m, both to be held at the St. Peter College Seminary. On Nov. 28, 7 a.m, a tribal organization will be spearheading the Tribal Dialogue and Assembly among the Indigenous Peoples to be held in Bunaguit, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. Also, the Peace Forum and Symposium is set on Nov. 29 at the St. Peter College Semi-nary with the topics – Climate Change and its impact on Peace, and Internal Security and Peace. Finally, on Nov. 30, the MWOP celebration will culminate at the San Lorenzo Ruiz For-mation Center, in time with the CCPD’s 5th An-niversary and Awarding Search for Best by the DILG-Caraga.


Gov’t troops encounter insurgents anewSURIGAO DEL SUR –- Government troops of the 29IB Philippine Army, under the command of Col. Henry Robinson, reportedly encountered around 20 Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front members at Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, this province while conducting a combat operation.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

According to Capt. Ramiel Fug-

nit, CMO officer, while troops of Al-

pha Company were conducting combat operation on No-vember 9, they en-countered the reb-els led by alias Adel that led to a firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes. No casualty from the government side has been reported, while it remains un-determined for the opposing side.

BCWD 2011 Water Quiz Show ends with a bangby Ramil S. Barquin

BUTUAN CITY -- It was a successful year for Butuan City Water District’s (BCWD) Water Quiz Show with the adoption of the Philippine Association of Water District’s (PAWD) National Science and Math Quiz patterned from BCWD’s Water Quiz.


With the ad-ditional incentive of being the rep-resentative to the National Level Quiz Show, the Cham-pions Guild of Four for both the El-ementary and the Secondary Levels, battled it out in the 2011 Water Quiz Show Grand Cham-pionship Match last October 14, 2011. The venue for the said contest was at the BCWD Training Hall. Rising as over-

all champion for the elementary level was Danica M. As-tillero from Divine Seraphim Speech and Development Centre, Inc., while Stephanie Grace M. Buico from Bu-tuan United Chris-tian came in sec-ond place, settling for the runner-up award. C o n s o l a t i o n prize winners were Diane P. Amit from Libertad Central El-ementary School and Jeramae Aira

M. Mordeno from Enfant Cheri Study Centre, Inc. For the Second-ary Level, Frances El E. Bequilla of Lib-ertad National High School and Gian Carlo M. Rosales of Angelicum Montes-sori School went head-to-head. But it was Mr. Bequilla who came out victo-rious, as he grabbed the coveted crown of being the Cham-pion for 2011 while Mr. Rosales won the runner-up trophy.


Consolation prize winners were Khris-tine Dee L. Mon-tenegro of Enfant Cheri Study Centre, Inc. and Junril Jay T. Menque of Anti-cala National High School. The champion for both levels each received P 3,500.00 cash plus gold med-als, P2,000.00 cash plus a silver medal

for the runner-up and P 1,000.00 plus a medal for the con-solation prize. The champions will also represent BCWD in the National Sci-ence and Math Quiz come February 2012 in Cebu City. Acting as Board of Evaluators for the competition to verify the answers of the contestants

were: Ms. Jennifer J. Dejarme, Science Research Specialist from the Depart-ment of Science and Technology Caraga, Dr. Lidwina L. Calo, Department of Ed-ucation Supervisor and Engr. Al Patrick M. dela Calzada, Senior Water Utili-ties Management Officer of BCWD.


Pinakaunang harinang gawa sa sago inilunsad ng mga katutubong Agusanonby David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR –- Inilunsad kamakailan lamang ang pinakaunang pabrika ng harinang gawa sa sago sa Barangay Sampaguita, sa probinsiyang ito.

Ito ang hudyat na sisimulan na ang pangmalawakang produksyon ng sago palm flour ng mga Manobo na napapa-loob sa Veruela-Sta. Josefa Ancestral Domain Manage-ment Organization (VESTA ADMO) sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pangkabu-hayang programa, ang Kayumbyahan Sagu Manobo Cor-poration (KASAMA-COR) Ang naturang harina ay galing sa bunga ng isang nat-ural na halamang tumutubo sa lugar na kung tawagin sa Manobo ay lumbya o sago, at tumutu-bo sa mahigit 700

ektaryang lupain na sakop ng Veruela - Sta. Josefa ances-tral territory. Ito ay pinaun-lad ng samahan ng mga Manobo sa ila-lim ng Caraga In-digenous People’s Development Pro-gramme (IPDP-Caraga ng Inter-national Labour Organization (ILO) at sa suporta na ib-inibigay ng Spanish Agency for Interna-tional Development Cooperation (AE-CID), at pinapatu-pad sa pamamagi-tan ng tambalan ng National Commis-sion on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) at ng lokal na pama-halaan ng Veruela.

Ayon kay Veru-ela Mayor Sali-mar Mondejar, ang proyektong ito ay parte ng tuloy-tu-loy na pagsisikap ng mga Manobo mismo sa tulong at patnubay ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Veruela para palakasin ang ka-nilang personal at kabuuang kakayan-an para makakita ng pangkabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng tuloy-tuloy na kaunlaran at pagta-tanggol ng kanilang ancestral domain. “Marami ang nagsasabing baka raw kapusin ang sup-ply ng lumbya para sa pangmarami-hang produksyon


Pinakaunang harinang gawa sa sago inilunsad ng mga katutubong Agusanon

ng harina, pero gusto kong ipaalam sa kanila na ang sago na tumutubo dito ay natural na dumadami at hindi na kailangang ito ay itatanim pa. Ang gurp ding ito ay bukas para maka-pamili ng sago sal-abas ng Veruela at Sta. Joseafa kung saan mayroon ding maraming saog na tumutubo, kaya hinid problema ang lumbya na gagaw-ing harina,” sabi

ni Ikel Asuncion, chairman of the Board of KASAMA-COR. “ A k o ay natu-tuwa at ang mga k a t u t u -bo rito ay mayroong gan i t ong pag-uuga-

li, prinsipyo at mga inisyatibo para ma-pa-unlad ang ka-nilang kabuhayan. Ako ay naniniwala at may pananaw na ang proyektong ito ay mag-aani ng tagumpay na si-yang maging mod-elo balang araw na susundin ng iba pa nating mga kababayan para maipakita at maisi-gaw natin sa buong mundo na ang mga tao sa Agusan del Sur ay may mala-

kas na determi-nasyon. Dahil sa ipinamalas ninyo, dadagdagan ko ang puhunan ninyo ng isa pang milyong piso kapag ang in-yong produksyon ay maging mabili sa merkado,” sabi ni Gob. Adolph Ed-ward Plaza ng Agu-san del Sur. Ayon kay Mondejar, ang hari-nang gawa sa sago ay maaring gawing cookies, tinapay, noodles, ice cream at marami pang iba.


AFP to propose new modernization plan

With the current AFP modernization program set to expire by the end of this year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is pushing for a new one.

by Rene Carbayas

The 6th Civil Rela-tion Group of the AFP reveals that during the visit at the Western Command (WESCOM) on November 4 of AFP Vice Chief of Staff LTGen Reynaldo B. Mapagu AFP said the military is craft-ing a new program to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces. Earlier reports said the AFP submitted a proposed P428 billion appropriation for its new modernization program. LTGen Mapagu AFP also suggested during his visit at WESCOM that funds for the upgrading of the military’s capabil-

ities be taken from the proceeds of oil explora-tion projects, such as the Malampaya Gas-to-

Power Project in north-ern Palawan. The Vice Chief of Staff said that out of


the 34 existing service contracts issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), 18 are in Pala-wan. The revenue that will be generated from these oil exploration projects can provide the fund needed for the ac-quisition of new equip-ment for the military, LTGen Mapagu AFP said. “If we want some-thing done, obstacles can be overcome,” LT-Gen Mapagu AFP point-ed out, referring to the challenges that the mili-tary faces in implement-ing its modernization program. WESCOM Com-mander LTGen Juancho M. Sabban AFP, in a re-lated matter, asked the

AFP Vice Chief of Staff that the security of pro-spective oil exploration projects, particularly in the southern part of the province be placed un-der the centralized com-mand of WESCOM. Unlike Malampaya, LTGen Sabban AFP wants WESCOM to take full re-sponsibility in the secu-rity of these potential oil exploration projects. In the case of Malampaya, a special task force was created by virtue of a presiden-tial proclamation—the Joint Task Force Malam-paya—to primarily se-cure the gas-to-power project because of its huge significance in the energy department. Considered as the

largest natural gas de-velopment project in the country, Malampaya can provide up to one-third of the energy require-ments of the entire Lu-zon and one-fourth of Metro Manila. It extracts natural gas and trans-ports it to three power plants in Batangas. Thinking “five years ahead,” LTGen Sabban AFP said the security of oil companies conduct-ing seismic surveys in other parts of the prov-ince should already be considered so as to be prepared if and when their tests as to whether there is an oil and gas reserves in their area of study yield positive re-sults. (JPA/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

WESCOM personnel urged adherence to highest conduct, ethics standard

To promote the adherence to high standard of ethics in public service to the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the Western Command (WESCOM), the Office of Ethical Standard and

Public Accountability (OESPA) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted on November 4 an information drive about Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees.

by Rene Carbayas


The 6th Civil Rela-tions Group of the AFP reported that AFP Vice Chief of Staff LTGen Reynaldo B. Mapagu AFP took part in the informa-tion drive held at the So-cial Hall of the WESCOM Headquarters. The information drive served to remind the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of WESCOM that “public office is a public trust” and, there-fore, they must always perform their duties with utmost responsibility, in-tegrity and competence. The code, which was the primary subject of the information drive, requires government of-ficials and employees alike to commit them-selves foremost to pub-

lic interest and to be re-sponsive to the public. It upholds professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, na-tionalism and patriotism and commitment to de-mocracy. Conducted by the OESPA annually, the in-formation campaign aims to curtail corrupt practices in the armed forces, promote hon-esty and integrity in the military service and in-culcate a strong sense of public accountability among the military and civilian personnel of the AFP. Military and civilian personnel of WESCOM have also been taught of the proper way to fill up their respective State-ment of Assets and Li-

abilities and Net worth (SALN). Besides being a tool for monitoring who among the AFP person-nel are amassing un-explainable wealth, the SALN also serves as a deterrent for anybody who might be thinking of enriching himself be-yond legal means. “As public servants, we cannot allow our cred-ibility to be tarnished by even the tiniest doubt of corrupt practices, which is why we should always adhere to the highest standard of conduct and ethics that have been set for us,” WESCOM Com-mander LTGen Juancho M. Sabban AFP stressed. (JPA/6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

PCNHS students support tree planting program of RMN Twenty one (21) caregiving graduates of Philippine

ParaMedical Technical School (PPTS) on Friday took the national competency assessment and

certification exam conducted by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) at PPTS here.

by Gideon C. Corgue


Clinical In-structor Raymund Pedrosa said the assessment is be-ing conducted by TESDA in the ac-credited assess-ment schools to measure asses-see’s level of com-petency in the field of caregiving. “The graduates are required to take the National Competency (NC) II TESDA certifica-tion exam as a re-quirement to work in the country or abroad,” Pedrosa said. Pedrosa said the NC II certifi-cate is a major re-quirement for the caregiving gradu-ates who wish to work abroad or in our country. “It is a vital document that an agency or employer is look-ing from a caregiv-er as an evidence to show that he or

she is a competent health care provid-er,” Pedrosa add-ed. Pedrosa said, PPTS the only TES-DA accredited as-sessment school in Zamboanga del Sur since 2008 has conducted several batches of assess-ment in caregiv-ing and health care services and has produced caregiv-ers abroad. The assessors composed of nurs-ing department head Paulo Martin and instructress Mae Sunshine Sarmiento and TESDA representa-tive Teresa Mensoza appraised the as-sessees skills that they’ve learned from their school by requiring them to take a written exam, perform ba-sic life support and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, bed

making , and etc. Pedrosa said PPTS will accommo-date not only their own graduates to take the exam but those who are also coming from oth-er schools saying that it is the only accredited assess-ment school in the province. He also sai d PPTS will also ac-commodate stu-dents who wish to take an assessment exam for health care services (NC) II. For those who would like to take the exam shall submit the follow-ing requirements: assessment form, recent 2x2 r ID pic-ture and P350.00 assessment fee, Pedrosa condlud-ed. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)

one mindanao - november 12, 2011

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