one mindanao - november 14, 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

features

South Cotabatobamboo industry

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:world-trades.com,disney-homes-vacations.com beiz.jp,furniturehomedesign.com

Vol. 1, No. 92 NOVEMBER 14, 2011

N A T I O N A L

contentsCover Story :

South Cotabato eyes development of bamboo industry

Aquino and 20 member economies of APEC pledge com-mitment in advancing green growth objectives

by Dani Doguiles contents

14

Aquino visits Pearl Harbor

Aquino asks government of Australia to consider PHL a strategic partner

119

4

9

NORTHERN Mindanao

36

Illegal constructions inide private bldgs. top security issues in Lanao Sur

BIR conducts on-the-spot verifications on withholding tax compliance

Phil. Army, LTO step-up cam-paign against illegal motorists in Marawi City

FCAP calls for strict enforce-ment of cigarette ad ban

35

Smile mission helps 12 kids in Camiguin

39

35

37

40

SOUTHERN Mindanao

Davao likely to meet 6 out of 8 Millenium Devt. Goals

Giant holiday tree lighting signals start of Tagum’s festive Christmas season42

41

41

Aflatoun academy to rise in Tagum City43

CARAGA RegionSkills training-workshop on HIV, AIDS set in Butuan

Gordon ignites Filipinos’ sense of volunteerism

Whirlwind hits Brgy. Victoria in Tago, Surigao del Sur

24

26

24

DAR Surigao Norte to turn-over potable water supply system in Tubod

Prov’l jail needs more guards, says warden28

29

CENTRAL Mindanao

22nd ARMM foundation anniver-sary celebration kicks off

Malaria in Region 12 down by 82%

Jobs fair ipatutupad sa Tulunan at Midsayap, N. Cotabato

DOH muling nagpaalala hinggil sa sakit na malaria 21

2019

19

22SP pinuri ang PNP-S. Cotabato director 23

WESTERN Mindanao

32BIR urges professionals to be tax law compliant

1st WESCOM Badminton Cup to promote healthy lifestyle

30Care giving graduates take national competency exam at PPTS

30

33

Mas masiglang CNEX, inaasahan 16

4 Monday, November 14, 2011

South Cotabato eyes development of bamboo industry

Cover Story

by Dani Doguiles

Another industry -- that of bamboo and engineered bamboo -- is taking shape in South Cotabato with the provincial government taking the lead role.

5Monday, November 14, 2011

Besides massive rehabili-tation in riparian zones using bamboo as alternative to fruit-bearing and hardwood trees, South Cotabato provincial gov-ernment and its partners are tapping into the potential of bamboo as a major industry. Mary Jane Manlisis, senior environment specialist of the Provincial Environment recently announced that the South Co-tabato Bamboo Industry De-velopment Council (SCBIDC), being chaired by Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., will be holding a sub-regional bamboo confer-ence at EMR Center in Koronadal City on November 23 and 24. “The sub-regional bamboo conference will look into the vi-ability, potentials, and possible investments in the develop-ing industry of bamboo,” Gov. Pingoy said in a communica-tion sent to target participants from South Cotabato and near-by provinces of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, ans Sarangani and General Santos City. Industry experts including Philippine Bamboo Founda-tion President Edgardo Manda will be here to present the

bamboo industry value chain through which the neighboring provinces can be tapped, busi-ness potentials , and technolo-gies for nursery and plantation management. Among the highlights of the conference is planting of at least 3,500 bamboo seedlings and launching of a community bamboo nursery in Barangay Veterans, Surallah town. The conference’s theme is “The Wood of the Future is a Grass: Bamboo.” Bamboo Hub To further boost local bam-boo industry, the provincial government is considering the


establishment of a bamboo hub in the province. Initially, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) , through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) allocated P9.5 million for the purchase of tools and equipment for the establish-ment of bamboo nodes in the province. Bamboo nodes, Manlisis explained , are facilities where raw bamboo will be cut, sliced, treated and dried. From these nodes processed bamboos will be sent to the bamboo hub, where the final processing into finished products such as bam-boo tiles and planks will be un-dertaken. “Gov. Pingoy has commit-ted to allocate funds for the establishment of a bamboo

hub that will ensure that prod-ucts from nodes are processed, ” Manlisis said. In its October 17 meeting, the SCBIDC finalized a pro-posal which lays down two options on the processes that the local bamboo hub should include. In the first option, which needs less than P2 million

funding, South Cotabato will establish a hub that will pro-duce engineered planks. The second option has a budget of less than P4 million; but with this fund the hub will be able to produce finished products such as school desk, Manlisis explained. She said the proposal is now with Gov. Pingoy. “Initially, the hub will be


located inside the Protech Cen-ter in Koronadal City.” Bamboo Development Council

Both the confer-ence and the plan to put up a bamboo hub in South Cota-bato are a result of the estab-lishment of the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council (SCBIDC) pursuant to Executive Order No. 5, signed by Gov. Pingoy on February 15 this year. The same EO also insti-tutionalized South Cotabato’s Kawayan Festival, which show-cases bamboo arts and crafts. The council which includes a multi-sectoral representation is responsible for formulat-ing the Provincial Bamboo In-dustry Development Plan; har-

monizing all bamboo related programs, projects, and other activities through convergence of all related projects; acting as advisory group assisting the Productivity and Technology (Protech) Center in the conduct of annual Kawayan Festival; implementing activities that promote bamboo industry in the province; and sourcing out resources that support bam-boo industry.

Bamboo Rehabilitation With the increasing demand for bamboo and its products, South Cotabato is embarking on a massive bamboo reha-bilitation. Provincial Environment Of-ficer Engr. Mama Samaon said, this year until


early next year, they are tar-geting planting of bamboos at least 90 hectares along tribu-taries of Allah River, Banga Riv-er, and Sapali River. They are also encouraging farmers as alternative to hard-wood and fruit-bearing trees because bamboos grow five times faster than most trees. Samaon said even with

only bamboo poles farmers are assured of reliable income in addition to income from the primary farm produce. Recently, Nakayama In-dustries based in Digos, Davao del Sur, came to South Cotaba-to to enter into contract for a regular supply of 7,000 bam-boo poles per month.


Aquino asks government of Australia to consider PHL a strategic partner

In an effort to further cement the relationship between the two countries, President Benigno S. Aquino has asked the government of Australia to be a “strategic partner” of the Philippines.


“Well, meron

tayong dalawang stra-tegic partners, namely America and Japan, and the strategic partner-ship talks about shared values, shared aspira-tions, shared problems, and we offer Australia to consider getting into a strategic partnership with us also,” the Presi-dent said. The Chief Execu-tive said he echoed the invitation for the two countries to be strategic partners to Australian Prime Minister Julia Ei-leen Gillard during their bilateral meeting at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel at the sidelines of the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meet-ing here. President Aquino noted that the invitation is a major step in deep-ening and strengthen-

ing the relationship be-tween the Philippines and Australia adding that the Philippines only considers two countries, Japan and the United States as it’s strategic partners at present. During a Coffee with the Philippine Me-dia delegation at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel, the President said that the elevation of the status of Austra-lia as strategic partner of the Philippines “is in recognition of Austra-lia’s invaluable assis-tance to the country in numerous areas.” “It’s the next logi-cal step in our relation-ship,” he stressed. In this connec-tion, the President cited the huge grants that the Philippines received from Aus-tralia, which, he said, are second only to the millennium challenge account granted by the United States. According to the

President, he thanked Prime Minister Gillard for Australia’s sup-port in funding the government’s Coast Watch project includ-ing various projects of the Department of Education and the elevation mapping study for Metro Manila as part the adminis-tration’s disaster risk reduction program.

“After everything has been said and done, logical na alukin na-tin na pumasok sa isang strategic part-nership ang Australia with us,” he said. As to the Austra-lian Prime Minister’s invitation for him to visit Australia next year, President Aqui-no said that prepara-tions are already un-derway for the visit which, he stressed could probably be pushed through by the middle of next year. (RSDA)


Aquino visits Pearl Harbor

President Benigno S. Aquino III took time out from his busy schedule to visit Pearl Harbor here.

The Chief Exec-utive, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and industry Secretary Gregory Domingo,

and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, arrived at the Pearl Harbor on Saturday at 9 am (Honolulu time). Shortly after his arrival in the area, the President

boarded a US navy craft and proceeded to the USS Arizona Memorial where he was briefed by Ad-miral Patrick Walsh commander in chief of the U.S Pacific Fleet on the fea-


tures of the

American facility. Upon reach-ing the USS Ari-zona Memorial, President Aquino offered a wreath in honor of the 1,177 sailors and marines who were killed on board the battle-ship USS Arizona when it was sunk during the Japa-nese surprise at-tack on Pearl Har-bor on December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor, which is known to Hawaiians as Pu’uloa, is a lagoon harbor on the is-land of O’ahu, Ha-waii, west of Ho-nolulu. Much of the

harbor and sur-rounding lands is a United States navy deep-water naval base. It is likewise the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The Japa-nese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the

U.S. into World War II While on his way to the USS Ari-zona Memorial, the President on board the U.S. navy ves-sel also passed by the memorials of the USS Oklaho-


ma and Utah, two other warships that sunk alongside the battleship USS Ari-zona. The U.S. Okla-homa Memorial is a dedicated to the 429 brave men who lost their lives

aboard the USS Oklahoma, sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack. On the other hand, the USS Utah is also known as the Forgotten Memorial due to its seclud-ed location. The

U.S. navy has not for-gotten the Utah. An American flag is raised daily at the memorial. The hull of the USS Utah still remains a short distance from shore with 54 members of her crew entombed in-side including Peter Tomich who was awarded the Con-gressional Medal of Honor for his hero-ic deeds. The President, who is in Hono-lulu to attend the 19th Asia Pacif-ic Economic Co-operation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting, visited Pearl Harbor for about an hour. (RSDA)


Aquino and 20 member economies of APEC pledge commitment in advancing green growth objectives

President Benigno S. Aquino and the 20 other member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) pledged their commitment by taking concrete

steps to advance their shared green growth objectives.

“We can and must address both the region’s econom-ic and environmental challenges by speed-ing the transition to-ward a global low-carbon economy in a way that enhances energy security and

creates new sources of economic growth and employment,” the 21 APEC lead-ers said in the APEC Declaration issued on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the con-clusion of the 2011 APEC Leaders’ Meet-

ing at the JW Marriott Hotel here. The APEC leaders noted that they have advanced these ob-jectives significantly this year saying that in 2012, economies will work to develop an APEC list of envi-


Aquino and 20 member economies of APEC pledge commitment in advancing green growth objectives

ronmental goods that directly and positive-ly contribute to green growth and sustain-able development objectives, “on which we are resolved to reduce by the end of 2015 our applied tariff rates to 5 per-cent or less, taking into account econo-mies’ economic cir-cumstances, without prejudice to APEC economies’ positions in the World Trade Organization (WTO).” They also said that economies will also eliminate non-tariff barriers, in-cluding local content requirements that distort environmental goods and services trade. “Taking these concrete actions will help our businesses and citizens access important environ-mental technologies at lower costs, which in turn will facilitate

their use, con-tributing signifi-cantly to APEC’s sustainable devel-opment goals,” the APEC leaders said. To promote their green growth goals, the 21 APEC leaders agreed to take the following steps: -- Rationalize and phase out inef-ficient fossil-subsi-die that encourage wasteful consump-tion, while recogniz-ing the importance of providing those in need with essential energy services, and set up a voluntary reporting mechanism on progress, which APEC member econ-omies will review an-nually; -- Aspire to re-duce APEC’s aggre-gate energy inten-sity by 45 percent by 2035; -- Promote ener-gy efficiency by tak-

ing specific steps related to transport, build-ings, power grids, jobs, knowledge sharing, and educa-tion in support of en-ergy-smart low-car-bon communities; -- Incorporate low-emissions devel-opment strategies into their economic growth plans and le-verage APEC to push forward this agenda, including through the Low-Carbon Model Town and other proj-ects; and -- Work to im-plement appropriate measures to prohibit trade in illegally har-vested forest produc-tion and undertake additional activities in APEC to combat illegal logging and assorted trade. (RSDA)


Mas masiglang CNEX, inaasahan

Umaasa si Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Chief, Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr na lalo pang sisigla ang Communication

and News Exchange (CNEX) forum, matapos nitong batiin ang mga tagapagtaguyod sa kauna-unahang taong anibersaryo nito noong Biyernes, 11/11/11 – araw na masuwerte ayon sa paniwala ng marami.

Ni Domingo B. Natividad V

Sa panayam ni Coloma sa PIA-NCR, inihayag nito ang galak para sa CNEX na tinawag niyang “cred-ible channel of com-munication with sus-tained patronage of media people.” Aniya,

“umaasa ako na sa darating pang mga pa-nahon ay lalo pa itong sisigla… lalo pa itong maging epektibong vehikulo para mala-man ng ating kaba-bayan ang katotohan sa mga mahahala-

gang isyu na kinaka-harap nating lahat.” Bago matapos ang pagsasamhimpa-pawid ng CNEX noong biyernes, pinangu-nahan ni Coloma ang pag-awit ng “Hap-py Birthday” para sa


CNEX, gayundin ang sabayang pag-ihip ng cake candle nito. Bilang tugon, sin-abi Philippine Informa-tion Agency (PIA) Di-rector-General, Atty. Jose A. Fabia, lead convenor at tumatay-ong program host, na may naka-linya ng mga hakbangin ang PIA upang lalo pang mapasigla ang CNEX sa pangalawang taon nito sa ere. Kasama rito, aniya, ang pagpa-palakas ng research unit ng PIA. Kuwen-to niya, marami kas-ing natatanggap ang PIA sa pamamagitan ng research division at Project Monitor-ing Unit (PMU) nito na feedback mula sa mga mamamayan tungkol sa programa at polisi-ya ng pamahalaan, na puwedeng maiparat-ing sa mga heads of agencies at depart-ment secretaries. Matapos maiparating sa mga kinauukulan, “iyong mga (depart-ment) secretaries ay

maaring mag-report sa taumbayan ng ka-nilang mga ginagawa, sa pamamagitan ng CNEX, para matugu-nan ang kanilang mga idinadaing,” sabin niya. Nais rin ni Fabia na mapahaba ang oras sa ere ng CNEX upang mabigyan ng sapat na panahon ang mga opi-syales na matalakay at masagot ang ma-hahalagang talakayin. “Siguro, gawing isang oras at kalahati ang CNEX ,” sabi niya. Kasabay ng pag-papahaba ng oras, ilulunsad rin ng PIA ang pagkakaroon ng provincial at regional live points ng CNEX – sa pamamagitan ng

phone-in questions – para mabigyan din ng pagkakataon ang ibang mamamayan sa ibang bahagi ng Pilipi-nas. Aniya, “dapat maging regular fea-ture ito (ng CNEX) para bigyan ng pagkakata-on ang mga provincial questions na masagot (ng pamahalaan).” Kasama rin sa nais magawa ng PIA sa CNEX ang paghihi-kayat sa mga govern-ment officials na gaw-ing itong pangunahing daluyan ng importan-teng impormasyon at balita tungkol sa gobyerno. Paliwanag niya, kapag nagawa ito, maiiwasan ng pa-mahalaan ang pag-bibigay ng pabor, gaya


ng pagbibigay ng in-terview sa mangilan-ngilang media outfit lang. “Ang CNEX kasi ay isang transparency tool” kung saan “nai-papakita niya na ang Aquino government ay bukas para pakinggan at tingnan ang mga isyu… para mapagan-da ang pamamalakad sa pamahalaan,” sabi niya. Inaasahan rin ng pamunuan ng PIA, na sa isinasagawang pagpapasigla ng gov-ernment media sta-tions gaya ng PTV4 at Philippine Broadcast-ing Services (PBS) ay makakatulong din ito sa pagpapaganda ng lawak o audience reach ng programa. Sa ngayon kasi, nasa Kongreso na ang panukalang isaayos ang charter ng PTV4, samantalang ang PBS-Radyo ng Bayan naman ay dumadaan ngayon sa isang ratio-nalization program. Sa isang taon matagumpay na pag-

sasamhimpapawid ng CNEX, pinasalamatan naman ni Fabia ang mga media partners nito sa pribadong sek-tor. “We are happy and grateful to them. They have been our partners, who are re-ligiously attending our press conferences,” sabi niya. Nagpasala-mat din siya sa supor-ta ng private media sa programa, sa pa-mamagitan ng pag-ere ng mga CNEX sto-ries sa kani-kanilang pagbabalita sa hapon, gabi, at umaga. Masaya rin niyang binati ng may pasasal-amat sa mga tao ng Research Division at PMU na walang sawang nagmo-monitor ng is-sues at concerns na kailangan bigyan ng kasagutan. Gayundin, ang suporta ng govern-ment stations PBS-Ra-dyo ng Bayan, RPN9, IBC13, at Philippine News Agency (PNA) na kumu-cover ng CNEX. “We owe them a lot for the dedication and hard

work that they do,” sabi niya.Binigyan diin naman ng PIA head ang malak-ing tulong ng PTV4 para maisa-publiko ang CNEX. Liban kasi sa pagbo-broadcast ng ‘live’, ang progra-ma ay naipapalabas ng makailang beses sa loob ng isang linggo. Ang CNEX ay isang lingguhang press briefing program na in-organisa ng PCOO at ipinatutupad ng PIA sa suporta ng PTV4, RPN9, IBC13, PBS, at PNA. Ito ay may nai-sin na magkaroon ang mga mamamayan ng sapat na kaalaman tungkol sa mga pro-grama ng pamaha-laan; na mabigyan ng “access” ang publiko sa ganitong mga im-pormasyon; at mapa-natili ang matatag na relasyon at tulungan ng mga ahensiya at depar-tamento ng pamaha-laan sa pamamagitan ng CNEX. (PIA-NCR/ RJB/ DBNV)


22nd ARMM foundation anniversary celebration kicks offBy Perlita B. Changco

COTABATO CITY - A weeklong celebration for the 22nd foundation anniver-sary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) commenced today November 14 with a motorcade of officials and employees followed by an opening program at the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) canopy.

In his message ARMM Executive Sec-retary Naguib Sina-rimbo boasted of the present leadership firmly standing by with the constituents of the autonomous re-gion since the start of

its reign in late 2009.Sinarimbo said, with

the almost two years stint of the present ARMM leadership im-plementation of pro-grams and projects and delivery of basic services relatively im-

proved.He cited the positive

results of the recent SWS survey on the performance of the ARMM comiissioned by the United States Agency for Interna-tional Development


(USAID) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Sinarimbo said, based on survey re-sults 63% of ARMM residents expressed satisfaction with the performance of the present leadership of the regional govern-ment adding that this

is a welcome develop-ment.

He acknowledged the support and co-operation of all em-ployees in the regional government and the media in the satis-factory performance obtained during the reign of the present leadership.

With the theme

“Competitive-edge through Transpar-ency and Governance” some of the activities to take place from Nov. 14-19, 2011 in-clude sports competi-tion, fora/symposium, musicale, cultural presentation and out-reach program among others. (pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City)

Malaria in Region 12 down by 82%By Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Malaria cases in the Soccsksargen Region or Re-gion 12 is down by 82 percent, a report from the Department of Health showed.

Elvie Dominicata, Soccsksargen’s clus-ter head for Global Fund to Fight Malaria, said from January to October this year, Soccsksargen Region had only 124 malaria cases as compared to 694 cases in the entire 2010.

She added there may be additional cas-es in November and December “but number will be minimal.”

“Of the 124 cases this year, 64 of these

are from the province of Sultan Kudarat,” she said.

Dominicata cited

their massive infor-mation and education campaign as well as their distribution of in-


secticide-treated mos-quito nets as primary reason in the control of the number of malaria cases.

She said in line with their celebration of No-vember as Malaria Awareness Month, they will step up their activ-ities to reach out and educate people in the region about malaria and how to control the disease.

Their message, she added , focuses on 4 Ms, which includes: Magkulambo (Use of mosquito nets), Mag-paeksamin ng dugo ( Undergo blood test, especially when expe-riencing fever, chills,

and sweating); Magpa-tubog ng mosquito net (Insecticide treatment of mosquito nets); and Magpagamot (Complete treatment of malaria).

According to the World Health Organi-zation (WHO) malaria is caused by a para-site called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the hu-man body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.

Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usu-ally appear between 10 and 15 days after the

mosquito bite. If not treated, malar-

ia can quickly become life-threatening by dis-rupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have devel-oped resistance to a number of malaria med-icines.

Key interventions to control malaria in-clude: prompt and ef-fective treatment with artemisinin-based com-bination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and in-door residual spraying with insecticide to con-trol the vector mosqui-toes. (PIA 12)

DOH muling nagpaalala hinggil sa sakit na malariaKORONADAL CITY, Nob 14 – Bagama’t bum-ababa ang bilang ng mga nagkakasakit ng malaria sa buong Rehiyon Dose, patuloy pa rin ang Depart-ment of Health (DOH) sa pagpapaalala sa publiko na protektahan sa kanil-ang sarili laban sa sakit na malaria.


Ayon kay Elvie Dominicata, cluster head ng Global Fund to Fight Malaria sa Soccsksargen Re-gion, apat na hakbang ang da-pat tandaan ng mga mamamayan upang makaiwas at maprotrek-tahan laban sa sakit.

Pinakamahalaga dito ang pag-gamit ng kulambo sa panahon ng pagtulog. Mahalaga din aniya ang pagpapa-eksamin ng dugo sakaling nakakaramdam ng la-gnat, panginginig na may kasa-mang pagpapawis.

Sa mga lugar na hindi pa nabibigyan ng mga insecticide-treated mosquito nets, pumunta lang sa pinakamalapit na rural health center para magpatubog sa kanilang mga kulambo.

Kung sakaling may sakit na na malaria, mahalaga ding kumpl-etuhin ang gamutan sa sakit.

Paala-ala ni Dominicata, li-bre ang gamot sa malaria sa mga health center.

Mula Enero hanggang Oktubre mayroon lamang 124 na kaso ng malaria sa apat na lalawigan ng Soccsksargen Region. Mababa ito ng 82% kung ikukumpara sa 694 na kaso sa buong taon ng 2010.

Ang buwan ng Nobyembre ay pinagdidiriwang bilang Malaria Awareness Month sa buong Pilipi-nas sa pangunguna ang Depart-ment of Health (DOH) (DEDogu-iles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY -- Inaanyayahan ng Department of Labor and Em-ployment sa North Cotabato ang mga residente lalung lalo na ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho na na-katira malapit sa mga bayan ng Tu-lunan at Midsayap.

Bukas, nakatakda ang jobs fair sa munisipyo ng Tulunan samanta-lang nakatakda namang gawin sa Midsayap ang kaparehong jobs fair sa Nobyembre 18, Biyernes.

Tampok sa naturang jobs fair ang maraming bakanteng trabaho sa bansa sa Middle East tulad ng Saudi Arabia, Qatar, at Kuwait at maging sa bansang Singapore. May mga bakanteng trabaho para sa skilled workers tulad ng telecom technicians, karpentero, trailer at truck drivers, pati na ang mga civil engineers.



May mga bakanteng trabaho din para sa mga nagnanais makapagtra-baho sa mga call center at marami pang ibang trabaho sa lokal.

Payo ng DOLE-North Cotabato makatutulong ng malaki kung dala ng mga aplikante ang maraming kopya ang kanilang mga dokumen-to tulad ng diploma, transcript of records, biodata, mga certificate, at iba pang credentials o papeles. (DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)

SP pinuri ang PNP-S. Cotabato director

KORONADAL CITY– Pinuri ng mga opisyal ng Lalawigan ng South Co-tabato ang magandang performance ng bagong police director lalo na sa pagtugon sa kapayapaan at kaayu-

san ng lugar sa loob ng nakalipas na dalawang buwan.

Sa isang resolution, pinapurihan ng mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato si police provincial director S/Supt. Randolph Delfin dahil sa kanyang hindi matawarang accomplishments lalo na sa pagsugpo ng krimen sa buong lalawigan.

Tinukoy ng Sanggunian ang mga ginawang hakbang ni Delfin lalo na ang mga bagong estratehiya na nakatulong sa pagpapababa ng mga insidente ng krimen gaya ng carnapping, pamamaril, illegal na druga at iba pang mga kahalintulad na krimen.

Ayon kay Peace and Order com-mittee chairman at Board Member Agustin Dema-ala, nakatala umano sa mga records na ang crime solu-tion efficiency ng South Cotabato Police Provincial Office ay tumaas ng 11.2% simula ng itinalaga si Delfin sa posisyon sa kalagitnaan ng bu-wan ng Setyembre.

Pinuri din ng Sanggunian ang mga ginawang regular at surprise inspection sa iba’t-ibang mga es-tasyon ng pulisya kahit na sa kala-gitnaan ng gabi, upang maseguro lamang umano na tinutupad ng mga kapulisan ang kanilang mga tungku-lin at mandato.

Ipinatupad din ni Delfin ang maxi-mum police visibility sa lahat ng mga pampublikong lugar sa lala-wigan, na siyang naging dahilan ng pagbaba ng kriminalidad. (ac agad PIA12)


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

[email protected][email protected]

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

Skills training-workshop on HIV, AIDS set in Butuan

A Life Skills Training-Workshop on HIV and AIDS in the Challenges of the New Era will be held on November 25-26, 2011 at the Prince Hotel, Butuan City.


This will be spon-sored by the Caraga Youth Leaders’ Net-work Inc. (CYLN), Of-fice of the Vice Pres-ident for External Affairs of the United Nations Youth Associa-tion of the Philippines (UNYAP), and Insti-tute for Youth Devel-opment Affairs of the Philippines in partner-ship with AIDS Soci-ety of the Philippines, Department of Health, and Commission on Higher Education. The objectives of the training are: 1) To equip young leaders, educators, and advo-cates on the neces-sary skills to acquire in HIV & AIDS educa-tion; 2) To input new data on AIDS victims and on the progress of AIDS vaccine; and 3) To produce more ad-vocates to fight the spread of HIV among the public particularly the youths. Mr. Rex F. Ybanez , CEO of CYLN and Vice President for External Affairs emhasized that the local government units and the aca-deme must take a se-rious step to fight the spread of the HIV. All regions of the coun-try are reporting AIDS

patient, which Caraga is not included.“HIV/AIDS is a serious issue. The public must have appropriate edu-cation with regards to HIV and its particulars. The youth must be given focus by the Lo-cal Government Units for they are the most vulnerable or most at risk to the HIV,” Yba-ñez stressed. The participants of said training are the Sanguniang Kabataan, Supreme Student Gov-ernment (SSG) offi-cers, educators, nurs-es, and others. CYLN, Inc. is the sole, largest and lead-ing regional non-gov-ernment organization

(NGO) which focuses to the advancement of Caraganon youth de-velopment affairs in Caraga Region, North-ern Mindanao, Philip-pines.For more details, Yba-ñez encourages inter-ested parties to call their office at the 4th Floor, Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga Regional Of-fice, Balebria Building, Pili Drive Street, this city at telephone num-ber (085) 346-9842.Others may also visit the CYLN blogspot at www.caragayouthle-adersnetworkinc.blog-spot.com or e-mail them at [email protected].


Whirlwind hits Brgy. Victoria in Tago, Surigao del Sur

SURIGAO DEL SUR - A whirlwind, locally known as “ipo-ipo” hit Barangay Victoria in Tago, this province at around 8:45 am on Sunday, the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) reported.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

According to Nor-berto Lorente, Provin-cial DRRMC staff who conducted an ocular inspection after the incident, one wait-

ing shed and an un-finished house made of light materials was reported totally dam-aged, while part of the roof of some houses

were flown away due to strong wind. According to Lor-ente, no injured was recorded during the phenomenon.

Gordon ignites Filipinos’ sense of volunteerism by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has set December 4, 2011 for the conduct of “Million Volunteer Run,” which will be held simultaneously in all key cities and municipalities in the country.


The activity is in line with the United Nations’ declaration of 2011 as the Inter-national Year of Vol-unteers and the an-nual celebration of International Day of Volunteers every 5th of December. PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon, who conceptualized the event, is also ad-vocating the sense of volunteerism in the heart of every Filipi-no.Gordon said the vol-unteer run will be seen as the unity of the na-tion’s volunteers by running together for the sake of humanity. “It will be the de-

fining moment for a culture of vol-unteerism in our country--a cul-ture that will save our country and our people from the horrors of di-sasters,” Gordon said.

The registration fee is P500 for profes-sionals and P350 for students. Proceeds of the Run will be used to fund the training program of the 143 volunteers. Each par-ticipant will be given Million Volunteer Run t-shirt, 143 ID with Disaster Prepared-ness Guide, a whistle, race number, and Red Cross Membership with Accident Insur-ance Benefits or cov-erage. On the other hand, participants of the Million Run will also be registered as Red Cross 143 vol-unteers. They will be trained later on disas-

ter management. Meanwhile, the PRC chairman said that since the Philip-pines is visited with natural catastrophes all year-round, the people must be em-powered with hu-manitarian soldiers equipped with life-saving skills to help others. For this rea-son, the participants of the Run will be giv-en trainings after the event. Gordon added that the best way to prepare for disasters is to train and im-merse the people on risk reduction man-agement. The Red Cross 143 volunteers is a flagship volunteer pro-gram that recruits and trains 44 volunteers in every barangay on disaster management including disaster risk reduction and disas-ter response. In a related de-


Prov’l jail needs more guards, says wardenBUTUAN CITY –- Agusan del Norte Provincial Jail Warden Engr. Luisito P. Azura said the Agusan del Norte provincial jail lacks jail guards personnel.

Based on the penology stan-dards set by the authority, the ra-tio and proportion of jail guard-in-mates in Agusan del Norte pro-vincial jail is not

appropriate, he said. However, Azu-ra said that al-though there is a lack of manpower for the meantime, the problem must be settled base

on the available resources. Azura clari-fied that if the provincial jail of Agusan del Norte needs extensive security, the jail guards that are of off-duty must be recalled to aug-ment the security needs of the said jail and as well as to make sure that the custodial matters are will be well provided.(Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton)

velopment, Teodoro Cairo, Chapter Admin-istrator of PRC Agu-san del Norte-Butuan City Chapter is calling all the Butuanons to

participate in the said event and make a his-tory. For further details of the Run, visit PRC website: www.red-

cross.org.ph or visit the Red Cross Chap-ter at Capitol Site, Butuan City with tele-phone numbers 342-8521 or 815-9977.


Prov’l jail needs more guards, says warden

DAR Surigao Norte to turn-over potable water supply system in Tubod

SURIGAO DEL NORTE -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Surigao del Norte together with Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) is set to turn-over a Potable Water Supply System Level II on Tuesday, November 15 at San Isidro Barangay Hall, Tubod, this province.

by Edilberto Odvina

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Of-ficer PARO-II Teresita E. Depeñoso said the project costs around P3,345,004, “with the funding source from DAR-ARISP III costing around Php 1,674,764 and LGU of Tubod for Php 1,670,240 as equity.” Depeñoso also said the Potable Water Sup-ply System will be im-plemented by LGU Tu-bod and it is located in Barangay San Isidro, Tubod town. “Soon to cater 220 households and being contracted with BILCO Construction in the amount of Php. 2,222,697.57 which scope of work was the construction of Intake Box and Ground Res-ervoir; Installation of Transmission and Dis-tribution pipes and 34 units of communal fau-

cets,” she added. The ceremonial turn-over will start with the blessing of the com-pleted PWS project and unveiling of project bill-board and to follow the cutting of ribbon by Gov. Sol F. Matugas; 2nd dis-trict Rep. Congressman Guillermo A. Romarate Jr.; Tubod Mayor Cristina Hemady R. Arcillas; DAR Caraga Director Faisar A. Mambuay, CESO IV; National Project Man-ager - ARISP III Director Ma. Celerina G. Afable; ARISP III Technical Co-ordinator Engr. Mel Lam-boon, and Team Leader Project Consultant Mr. Yukihiro Kawahara. The second part is the ceremonial program proper in which the in-troduction of guest and participants will be con-ducted by MARO Venan-cia S. Signar of DARMO-Tubod; Presentation of

project profile by Mu-nicipal Engineer Jocelyn Macarayo and follows the project Turn-over Key of Responsibility and Signing Certificate of Turn-Over and Accep-tance with the Contrac-tor, DAR, MLGU in the person of Mayor Arcillas and Barangay Captain Carmelito R. Arado of BLGU. Inspirational Mes-sages will also be given by Gov. Matugas; Cong. Romarate; Dir. Mam-buay; Dir. Afable and Mr. Kahawar then lunch will follow after the pro-gram.


by Gideon C. Corgue

Care giving graduates take national competency exam at PPTS

PAGADIAN CITY – 21 care giving 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.


Care giving graduates take national competency exam at PPTS

Clinical Instructor Raymund Pedrosa said the assessment is done by TESDA in the accred-ited assessment schools to measure assessee’s level of competency in the field of care giving. “The graduates are required to take the Na-tional Competency (NC) II TESDA certification exam as a requirement to work in the country or abroad,” Pedrosa said. Pedrosa said the NC II certificate is a major requirement for the care giving graduates who wish to work abroad or in our country. “It is a vital document that an agency or employer is looking from a caregiver as evidence to show that he or she is a competent

health care provider,” Pedrosa added. Pedrosa said, PPTS the only TESDA accred-ited assessment school in Zamboanga del Sur since 2008 has conduct-ed several batches of as-sessment in care giving and health care services and has produced care-givers abroad. The assessors com-posed of nursing depart-ment head Paulo Mar-tin and instructress Mae Sunshine Sarmiento and TESDA representative Te-resa Mendoza appraised the assessees skills that they’ve learned from their school by requir-ing them to take a writ-ten exam, perform basic life support and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation

and bed making. Pedrosa said PPTS will accommodate not only their own gradu-ates to take the exam but also those coming from other schools say-ing it is the only accred-ited assessment school in the province. Further, PPTS will also accommodate stu-dents who wish to take an assessment exam for health care services (NC) II. Those who wish to take the exam are re-quired to submit the following: assessment form, recent 2x2 r ID picture and P350.00 as-sessment fee, Pedrosa concluded. (NBE/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)


1st WESCOM Badminton Cup to promote healthy lifestyle

SABELA CITY, Basilan – Military and civilian employees of the Western Command (WESCOM) battled it out in the badminton court for the honor of winning the 1st WESCOM Badminton Cup held at the command’s gymnasium on November 04.

The 6th Civil Rela-tions Group disclosed that the competition was organized by the WESCOM Badminton Club (WESBAC) headed by LTC Samuel R. Cabang as its Interim President. It was opened to all mili-tary and civilian person-nel of WESCOM who are badminton enthusiasts. SSgt Elmer Santos and Jhong Estrella, the Chief Civilian Personnel, triumphed other players in the men’s double cat-egory while Ms Jocelyn

dela Cruz from the Ac-counting Office and SSg Gladys Villarosa from the Dental Unit emerged as champions in the wom-en’s double category. LTC Cabang said the badminton compe-tition aims to promote healthy lifestyle among the WESCOM person-nel and foster better ca-maraderie among the military and civilian em-ployees of the unified command. “We can win friends for peace and this is what

the activity is all about,” LTC Cabang said. WESCOM Com-mander LTGen Juancho M. Sabban AFP congrat-ulated WESBAC for hav-ing successfully orga-nized and held the 1st Badminton Cup. The activity, ac-cording to the general, not only provided a re-spite from the daily grind of their jobs but also created an opportunity to stretch their muscles. “Every now and then, we need to work


out, to break away from the daily routines and to sweat. This activity is a way to show that we are concerned with our physical fitness,” LTGen Sabban AFP said. The WESCOM Chief,

along with the WESBAC President, LTC Cabang initiated the ceremoni-al service that formally opened the sports com-petition. Before the game began, LTGen Sabban

AFP reminded the play-ers that what is more important than winning is how the game was played. “Competition like this does not only call that we display sports-manship. It also allows us to overcome weak-nesses, appreciate ad-versaries and find ful-fillment along the way,” the WESCOM Chief said. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

BIR urges professionals to be tax law compliant by Paulnazer T. Lontua

According to Dimakuta, he is putting on his priority list the monitoring and checking of all the tax obligations of professionals in his areas of re-

sponsibility. “I would like to post this invi-tation to all the professionals out there who have tax obligations to comply and make sure they

file their income tax correctly and on time because I am putting this monitoring on all professionals,” Dimakuta em-phasized. In Zamboan-

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY --Revenue District Officer (RDO) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Zamboanga Sibugay, Monib Dimakuta, urged professionals to comply with tax laws and file their income tax correctly and on time.


ga Sibugay, Di-makuta urged doctors, lawyers, engineers and all professionals to abide by the tax law to pre-vent any trouble with the Bureau of Internal Rev-enue (BIR) in the future as it will not hesitate to implement the Oplan Kandado to delinquent tax payers. The BIR raised its rev-enue collections last year and ex-pected to do the same this year. The bulk of the increase would come from the professional seg-ment comprise of doctors, lawyers, accountants and

other high-earn-ing self-employed individuals. The coun-try has about 700,000 profes-sionals, but they contributed only P7 billion to gov-ernment coffers in 2009. Depart-ment of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima earlier said this amount would translate to an average contribution of P5,000 from each of the 700,000 professionals for that year. According to the Professional Regulatory Com-mission, the Phil-ippines have three million profes-sionals, includ-ing nurses, doc-

tors, engineers and seamen who are either self-employed or em-ployed. Lawyers and doctors, who are presumed to earn the most among profes-sionals, num-bered 190,000. (NBE / P. Lon-tua/ SebEx)


Illegal constructions inide private bldgs. top security issues in Lanao SurThe discreet construction of hardened gun-fighting positions inside private

buildings and the ill-constructed road humps that restrict the flow of traffic topped the security issues in the province.

These issues surfaced during an open forum that was conducted, as part of a training/seminar on Radio Land Mobile, at the Mindanao State University (MSU) Cafeteria, recently. Initiated by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), some 300 members, from 20 various radio clubs in the province, attended the training, which was aimed to educate the radio operators on how to contribute for the good of the communities. Col. Daniel A. Lucero,

Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade (103Bde), 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, who was one of the guest speakers, pointed out the importance of communications for peace and development. “As users of the radio, we shall take advantage of the tool to help solve crimes in the province of Lanao,” Lucero said. Taking advantage of his presence and that of P/Sr. Supt. Romeo Magsalos, Director of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, an open


forum was held regarding security issues in the area. Some of the issues clarified were about the discreet construction of hardened gun-fighting positions inside private buildings, which accordingly implied the ill-intent of the owners. Another was the ill-constructed road humps that restrict flow of traffic, which Lucero said, was properly acted

upon by the Army in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially, in the Lumba Bayabao area. (103Bde/PIA-10)

Phil. Army, LTO step-up campaign against illegal motorists in Marawi CityMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - At least 29 various types of motor vehicles (MV’s) were apprehended during the recent one-day checkpoint operation conducted by the Philippine Army (PA) units in two (2) different locations, here in the city.

The checkpoint operations were based on the deputation order number AMM-061-2011 issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for specified members of the 103rd Infantry Brigade (103Bde),

1ST Infantry Division, PA, stationed here. As a result, various types of MV’s ranging from private sports utility vehicles (SUV’s), motorcycles, tricycles, CAB type, multi-cabs and public utility vehicles (PU’s) were apprehended and temporarily impounded at the main headquarters of 103Bde at Kampo Ranao. Offenses committed by drivers or operators

ranged from: no registration, expired registration, expired drivers’ license and driving without license. The effect was that there were no more MV’s plying the area with similar


expected offenses, the following day and that most of the vehicles were already released to their respective owners after paying appropriate penalties through LTO-Marawi City. According to LTO Marawi and Iligan branches, their respective collection increased for the past weeks due to the publicized deputation of the elements of this unit to LTO. It’s been noted that suspected carnapped vehicles were brought in the area and utilized for illegal activities, such as, drug trade and other syndicated crimes. Meanwhile, Col. Danilo A. Lucero, Commander of 103Bde,

vowed to help restore public order and confidence of the populace through strict enforcement of laws and implementation of checkpoints. It also plans to step-up inspection to include checking of possible illegal contrabands, such as, firearms and prohibited drugs soon. As part of the aspirations of the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan,” (unity and cooperation), 103Bde will continue pursuing support operations for the protection of the populace against unscrupulous groups within the Lanao Provinces, Lucero said. (103Bde PA)

BIR conducts on-the-spot verifications on withholding tax complianceBy Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – On the spot verifications to ascertain that the applicable regulations on Withholding Tax are fully complied with is now being conducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue District Office No. 98, this city.

This measure is done to intensify BIR’s efforts to achieve its collection target for taxable year 2011, Samson Q. Carcueva, Jr., Officer-in-Charge of RDO 98, said. Carcueva said it has been observed that some local government units (LGU’s) and government agencies and instrumentalities (GAI’s) failed to deduct and remit the correct withholding taxes on compensation

of their employees and government money payments. To regulate, BIR is compelled to initiate measures to strictly monitor their adherence to Revenue Regulations No 2-98, as amended, and other existing withholding tax regulations. Thus, RDO 98 has called on all government withholding agents, in its area of coverage, to accurately withhold, perform


end adjustments, in accordance with Revenue Memorandum Circulars (RMC) No. 21-2010 and No. 23-2007and Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 10-2008, to avoid unnecessary penalties including administrative sanctions and even criminal charges. Meanwhile, Carcueva emphasized that the 13th month pay and other benefits, in excess of the statutory amount of Php30,000, are subject to withholding tax. For compensation earners in the government sector, these excesses include the year-end bonus received by employees of the local government units (LGU’s) and government agencies and instrumentalities (GAI’s). Pursuant to a recent Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 27-2011, voluntary contributions in excess to what the law allows are no longer excludible from the gross income of the taxpayer, hence, it is not exempted from income and withholding tax. Consequently, the exemption from withholding tax on compensation referred to in Section 2.78.1 (b)(12) of RR 2-98 shall apply only to mandatory/compulsory contributions of the Government Service Insurance

System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Medicare and Pag-Ibig contributions. Further, per Revenue Regulations No. 2-2006, all withholding agents are strictly required to submit the Monthly Alpha list of Payees (MAP) in electronic, hard and soft copy, as attachment to BIR Form No. 16001-E and BIR Form No. 1600. Incidentally,Carcueva said the applicable penalties for non-compliance with existing tax laws and regulations relative to withholding taxes are as follows: Additions to the tax, in the form of penalties or interest per Section 249, 252 and 255 under Title X, Chapter 1 of the Tax Code, as amended.

Criminal liablitilies in the form of fine or imprisonment or both, per sections 255 and 272 of the Tax Code, as amended. For further assistance, you may visit RDO 98 at the Ground Floor, BIR Building, Westbound Terminal, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, or call (08822) 711-6437 , local 104 or better still,visit website www.bir,gov.ph for easy reference to the full text of the pertinent regulations on this matter.


FCAP calls for strict enforcement of cigarette ad ban by Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Atty. Josefina Buenaseda, legal consultant of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) called on the Tobacco Control Group in Region 10 for the strict banning of all tobacco advertisements in televisions, newspapers, billboards and internet.

A t t y . B u e n a s e d a noted that the advertisement ban on smoke also includes sponsorsh ip a n d p r o m o t i o n s and that compliance on these areas were quite loose. FCAP showed several violations explicitly caught on pictures like lighted signages of establishments, posters, and cigarettes vendors near schools campuses. FCAP had been actively campaigning with its partners to help end the proliferation of these materials. She said cigarette companies will go as far as having some streets named after their brands. FCAP warned local counterparts, especially

the local government officials to hold on their commitment in protecting the welfare of their constituents and veer away from any dealings with cigarette industries. FCAP further challenged local chief executives to pass an ordinances adopting RA 9211, an act regulating the packaging, use, sale distribution and advertisement of tobacco products. Some LGUs have successfully won the battle and stomped the smokers out. In Misamis Oriental, the town of Talisayan was acknowledged as the first 100% smoke free municipality in the country.

www.safetysignsservice.com / http://upload.wikimedia.org


Smile mission helps 12 kids in CamiguinBy Jorie C. Valcorza

CAMIGUIN – Twelve children in this small but paradise like island province, could soon flaunt beautiful smiles after receiving free surgical treatment for cleft lip and palate deformities.

Most of these kids are now on their second surgery. Amidst the pain that they have to hurdle to get their winning smiles they were able to muster their courage again to undergo the surgical treatment.

The Family to Family and Philippine Service of Mercy Foundation in cooperation with the German doctors successfully initiated the medical mission recently at the Camiguin General Hospital.

The smile outreach is regularly undertaken in coordination with the local government who in turn refer children with cleft lip and palate deformities.

Community Based Rehabilitation Service Coordinator, Marydel Credo said that cleft lip repair is best initiated at early age between two to six months, although in many cases, treatment and surgery of cleft palates may occur over years of child development.


Davao likely to meet 6 out of 8 Millenium Devt. Goals

by Mai Gevera Macapagat

Six out of eight goals of the Millennium Development

Goals (MDG) are most likely to be attained in Davao Region provinc-es by 2015. The National Statistical Coordi-nation Board (NSCB) released in yes-terday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw held at the SM City Davao the study showing Davao region’s high probability to reach six goals, although two goals appeared to have medium probabil-ity. NSCB XI regional director Es-trella Turingan said that Goals 1 and 2 appeared to be lagging behind as monitored by the government office. The first goal is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger while the second goal is to achieve universal primary education. The study used poverty inci-dence and poverty gap ration to monitor efforts in eradication ex-treme poverty and hunger. In measuring the goal of achieving universal primary educa-tion, NSCB used net enrolment ra-tion and cohort survival rate as

indicators. “Of the eight goals that we are working on, these two areas ap-peared to be unlikely to be reached as compared to the six other goals.” she said. Similar studies done in other regions outside Mindanao would usu-ally release results every end of the year. Study results in Mindanao re-gions showed that Regions 10, 11, and 12 exhibited high probability of attaining MDG goals. Turingan explained that coun-tries which fail to attain these MDGs may not be sanctioned however it would reflect the performance of the country. This could be made basis is a country deserves to be granted


with foreign funding for project as-sistance. The progress of countries in attaining the MDGs over the period 1990 to 2015 is being monitored through a set of core indicators de-fined by the UN and rationalized by countries to suit their respective thrusts. MDGs are time-bound and mea-

surable goals and targets for com-bating poverty, hunger, disease, il-literacy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. They consist of eight goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators that are periodically monitored at the interna-tional and country levels, based on a timeline from 1990 to 2015. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)

Giant holiday tree lighting signals start of Tagum’s festive Christmas season

TAGUM CITY- All that glitters lighting up a towering holiday tree finally come to life on Wednesday night which will kick-off this city’s festive Christmas Season. All roads will lead to this city’s freedom park on November 16, 2011 for the formal lighting of the 108.6-feet holiday tree that has become one of Tagum City’s most-attended events, drawing thousands of people from all walks of life to witness the holiday tree shine and glimmer. The structure has thus become one of icons of the city for its dis-tinct design, changing each year that pass—for the better. The said holiday tree was once dubbed as the country’s tallest years ago, dethroning that of Palawan’s. This year’s ceremony will hon-or dispatchers, vendors and other people working at the public market, paying tribute to their contribution to the development of the city. Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy will

lead Tagumeños in this ceremony along with local officials and city’s stakeholders. As expected, the lighting of the iconic holiday tree will also benefit micro-entrepreneurs in the city, es-pecially among those vendors in the vicinity of Freedom Park and down-town area. Tagumeños are also excited about Wednesday’s event—a thing they can’t contain they had to share it on popular social networking site Facebook. “What I love about the light-ing is that it brings Tagumeños all together. The tree gives hope and a time to temporarily rest the heavy luggage brought by living an urban life,” wrote Felix Rey Largo, a student of University of Southeastern Philip-pines, on his facebook wall. For Novea Anne Villegas, the holiday tree is more than a towering structure. It’s a symbol of friendship, she said. “Every time it’s being lighted


up, my barkada is complete and it’s fun,” she added. “Tagum’s Holiday Tree is not only an edifice standing amidst the crowd but a symbol hope to every-one,” exclaimed Marc Francis Laba-ta. For those coming to witness this event, ceremonies will start at exactly 5 in the afternoon at the freedom park and will feature choir performances from the students of Saint Mary’s College and Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elementary School. (By Louie Bryan M. Lapat/Edwin of City Information Office – Tagum)

Architectural blue print of the giant christmas tree.

Aflatoun academy to rise in Tagum Cityby Jean Duron Abangan

TAGUM CITY ---- Tagum City public schools adopting financial literacy are expected to develop into Afla-toun Academy where children from various schools get to absorb les-sons on financial management and social responsibilities. Coop-National Confederation of Cooperatives House Representa-tive Cresente Paez floated this view having learned during the recent 1st TC Youth Laboratory Coopera-tive that the 18,534 young-savers of Tagum Cooperative (TC) had gen-erated a total of P25.6 million as of Oct. 2011. The young savers belong to Youth Savers, Power Teen, Afla-

toun and Youth Laboratory Coopera-tive. Started in early 2000, the Youth Savers and the Power Teen savers groups poured an accummu-lated savings deposits of P25 million from their 15,912 combined mem-bers. The school-based Aflatoun sav-ers group is seen to grow fast in membership now that Tagum Co-operative has adopted Aflatoun in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd) Tagum City Schools Division. Aflatoun is a “concept to teach children about social values, and rights and responsibilities coupled


with basic financial education.” Tested in India 18 years ago, the Aflatoun concept is also aimed at facilitating the “inclusion of Child Social and Financial Education into formal and informal education systems as a recognition of child’s rights.” DepEd Tagum City Schools Supt. Nenita Lumaad who also chairs the Board of Directors of Tagum Co-operative calls such Aflatoun imple-mentation in Tagum City as Financial Literacy for the Youth (FLY). With Tagum Cooperative as its major partner, DepEd Tagum is pilot-testing it in seven public elementary schools particularly in Rizal, Mankilam, Pilot, La Filipina, Laureta, Apokon and Catalan. Aflatoun has drawn 2,167 savers from the pilot schools since its implementation in June this year but Aflatoun membership is expect-ed to grow wide next year as Tagum Cooperative plans to spread its coverage next year, requiring each branch to adopt one to three schools in its location. Aside from its branches in Tagum City, Tagum Cooperative branches out to neighboring towns of Nabunturan, Compostela Val-ley Province; in Carmen, Davao del Norte; and in the cities of Panabo and Davao City. Paez viewed it worth looking into the best practices of Tagum Co-operative in terms of generating sav-ings from young savers. “Why it has gone this far? Kids are made capable of generating savings,” he said. Tagum Cooperative has

invested about P300,000 in rolling out Aflatoun. It shoulders the print-ing of teachers’ manuals to integrate financial literary in school curriculum. It also provides free passbooks and deposit slips to savers in schools. Generating savings in schools does not involve the principal nor the teachers as DepEd Tagum City Schools Division mobilizes stu-dent organizations in every class-room to take charge of collecting savings on certain days when Tagum Cooperative collectors will visit the school. “Dili mahilabtan ang kwarta sa maestra ug dili mabunta-gan diha sa eskwelahan kay may col-lector ang Tagum Coop. (Teachers won’t be able to touch the money nor will the money be left overnight in schools. Tagum Cooperative has its collectors.),” Lumaad said. Paez noted well how Tagum Cooperative along with DepEd Tagum City Schools Division had in-stitutionalized the practice of actual saving as an application of the social and financial literary, including lead-ership and values . “The program is in place, modules are there, accounting is in place. There is actual experience,” he said. Admitting how impressed he was of Tagum Cooperative’s young savers savings performance, Paez vowed to file a resolution com-mending Tagum City’s home-grown cooperative, once Congress re-opens i ts session. He e xpected such resolu-tion to trigger curiosity and generate


interest nationwide on how Tagum Cooperative had made laudable re-sults in implementing financial lit-eracy and leadership programs for young people. He also believed DepEd to eventually consider adopting Afla-toun “on a wider scale” especially in areas where DepEd can tie up with well-managed cooperatives to handle

the savings deposits of school chil-dren. “In areas where there is fertile ground for this kind of pro-gram to grow, then DepEd should encourage and tell the school super-intendent to do it because you have the infrastructure,” Paez said. (PIA-11/jean d abangan)

REGIONAL GALLERY

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario drops the time capsule during the inauguration rites of the construction of the P243 mil-lion worth Davao del Norte Sports Complex. With him are Davao del Norte Vice Gov. Victorio Suay-baguio, Tagum City Mayor Uy, SP board members, mayors of towns of Davao del Norte and heads of provincial government agencies... (PIA-11 Jean D. Abangan)

one mindanao - november 14, 2011

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