one mindanao - november 25, 2015

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor 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]

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSEMMANUEL TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

75 displaced Caraganon OFWs undergo financial literacy, entrepreneurship dev training

Gensan mayor, partners donate facilities to day care centers

18

48

23

51

South Cotabato has most functional child protection council in SOCCSKSARGEN

Outcomes of APEC Philippines 2015

GSIS offers emergency loan in 2 Luzon, 4 Mindanao areas

15

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

Cover Story

SOUTHERN SOCCSKSARGEN

CARAGA

INFOCUS

WESTERN

NATIONAL

Davao Oriental Welcome Park reopens

1812

40 O

UR C

OV

ER

Contents

By: Karen Lou DelosoBy: IJLagare

3320

49

31Basilan, Sulu dev’t alliances track performances for OSY welfareBy: Rene V. Carbayas

24 Building partnership in Del Carmen

42

ARMM

300 farmer-beneficiaries in ARMM receive land ownership title

46

44 ARMM passes law creating the Regional Darul Ifta

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

38

NORTHERN

DAR turns over projects to ARB coop in MisOr

36

39 Camiguin business establishment cited in 2015 DTI - Bagwis Awards

By: Danny Escabarte

By : Carlo Peralta

41

November 25, 2015One Mindanao

5November 25, 2015 One Mindanao

Cover Story

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

South Cotabato has most functional child protection

council in SOCCSKSARGEN

6 November 25, 2015One Mindanao

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 represented by Assistant Regional Director Josephine Leysa, handed on Monday to Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes and other provincial government officials a plaque recognizing the province’s accomplishment.

“The Department of the Interior and Local Government Most Functional Council for the Protection of Children is awarded

to the Province of South Cotabato for being an ideal council for the protection of children for Fiscal Year 2015.” the plaque reads

Per DILG criteria, an LGU achieves an “ideal” functionality when its children’s council is rated 80 to 100 percent, Leysa explained.

In the latest assessment, South Cotabato has achieved


For three years in a row, South Cotabato has

the most functional Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

109 percent.

“South Cotabato’s rating was because of the additional initiatives that South Cotabato has implemented, thereby earning bonus points,” Leysa explained. “This means that South Cotabato has performed beyond the criteria.”

Conducted by an inter-agency task force, the evaluation of local councils focuses on the following criteria: organization

of LCPC through a Sanggunian resolution and ordinance and its composition based on the DILG Memorandum Circular 2002-121 (10%); regular and quarterly meetings with minutes duly signed by the Secretariat Head (10%); policies, plans and budget (30%); and accomplishments (50%).

From these, a local council for the protection are rated as basic when it achieves up to 20%, progressive if it is rated 21-50%, mature if rated 51-79% and ideal if rated 80-100%.

Besides South Cotabato,


two other LGUs in SOCCSKSARGEN Region were rated ideal, namely: General Santos City with a rating of 80.5 percent and Sarangani Province, 80 percent.

South Cotabato was also recognized as having the most functional Local Council for the Protection of Children in 2013 and 2014.

The awarding of the plaque was held at the covered court at the Provincial Capitol after Gov. Fuentes delivered her 2015 State of the Children’s Address (SOCA) where she reported on the provincial government’s accomplishments in the areas of children’s rights for survival, protection and participation.

“As we move forward, we will intensify and further our information drive on maternal and child health and nutrition programs for a more effective and efficient child protection services; strengthen our partnership with other agencies, NGOs and CSOs to provide conducive classrooms and school campuses for our children as well as to provide innovative activities for our children’s overall development,” Gov. Fuentes said. She also vowed that the provincial government will follow strict imposition of child policies, strengthen systems


for child protection and offer more avenues and inventive activities to increase children’s participation.

Recently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the 2015 South Cotabato Children’s Welfare Code that revised its 2001 Children’s Code. The new code was crafted by the PCPC under the guidance of Save the Children International, legal NGO Saligan-Mindanaw and with active participation of children who reviewed the original code and proposed measures they deemed important to promoting the rights and welfare.

In 2013, Gov. Fuentes signed Executive Order No. 53 that reorganized the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children to be composed by the provincial governor; the chairpersons of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s committees on women and children welfare and family relations, and social services and population; DILG provincial director; scbool division superintendent; the provincial officers for social welfare and development, planning and development,

health, nutrition, population and agriculture; provincial PNP director; provincial commander of the AFP; provincial prosecutor; provincial budget officer, provincial treasurer, provincial accountant and provincial officer; president of the League of Municipalities, Provincial SK Federation President, a child representative and 14 nongovernment organizations.

NGO members of the PCPC are Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Chiu Bun Gun Foundation Inc., Coalition of Social Development Organizations, Girl Scout of the Philippines, Justice and Peace Desk - Diocese of Marbel, Mahintana Foundation Inc., Notre Dame of Marbel University, OND Hessed Foundation.

Philippine Red Cross-South Cotabato Chapter, Save the Children International, South Cotabato Tri-People Gentud Foundation Inc., St, Laweence Orphanage, World Vision Development Foundation Inc., and Women Indigenous Focus of Enhancement.

One Mindanao12 November 25, 2015

Shift to alternative energy, achieve zero carbon economy—Climate Change Commissioner

MANILA -- Climate Change Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez has challenged the private business sector to aim for zero carbon economy by transitioning from the traditional to the alternative sources of energy. Alvarez issued the challenge to chief executive officers (CEOs) and leaders of some 50 leading businesses and private industry after the Climate Change

Commission received the Manila Declaration 2015 signed by the private sector during the “Business Summit on Climate Change” at the SMX Convention


Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

The Manila Declaration recognizes climate change as a growing threat to mankind, the expectations of the private sector to the government to take actions, and their own commitment to combat climate change, and support the government’s effort “to define the country’s INDCs that are aligned with national priorities, circumstances and capabilities, subject to meaningful consultation with stakeholders.”

The Philippines’ Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) submitted to the United Nations last month committed a conditional goal of achieving 70 percent carbon emission reduction by 2030. In the receipt of the Declaration, Alvarez asked the private sector to “undertake voluntarily an energy efficient usage of at least two percent per annum, meaning two percent less for the same output.”

Alvarez’s second challenge to

the business group is, “to commit to install a 100 kilowatt of solar, or any other alternative energy, in their establishments, according to a systematic program of not more than three years.”

“We welcome your 5-point commitment but let me stress that to achieve your commitments, it is far better to rely on your organization’s flexibility and independence in responding to market conditions and market opportunities,“Alvarez said. “That is the way you compete and make profits for your stockholders,” he added, citing businesses from the United States and Europe that are already profiting from clean energy alternatives.

Alvarez said the Manila Declaration could be the first step in an affirmative process on the road to efficiency usage, low carbon energy, and ultimately, into deep decarbonization that eliminate the hazards of climate change.

He explained that President Aquino, who chairs the Climate


Change Commission, has already led the way to a low carbon economy by greening Malacanang with solar rooftops. “Our Chair will be happy to see this nationwide movement like fireflies, to brighten decades over our archipelagic horizon,” Alvarez concluded.

The Business Summit is part of the 3-day celebration of the Climate Change Consciousness Week 2015. Alvarez initiated and pushed for the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1667 in 2008, declaring the third week of November of every year as Climate Change Consciousness Week. (CCC)


Outcomes of APEC Philippines 2015

MANILA-- Four days after the successful hosting by the Philippines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary and APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Chair Laura Q. Del Rosario shared the outcomes of APEC 2015 at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris, France. Over 80 participants from OECD delegations, diplomatic missions, French government agencies, think tanks and companies attended the Forum

entitled “APEC Philippines 2015: Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

During the first session,


Usec. Del Rosario spoke about the priorities of APEC Philippines 2015: enhancing the regional economic agenda, fostering MSMEs’ participation in regional and global markets, investing in human capital development, and building sustainable and resilient communities.

She also shared the outcomes of the Economic Leaders’ Meeting, particularly the Philippines’ contributions to the APEC process.

“The Philippines has produced a ‘new kind of APEC.’ Aside from pushing the traditional APEC agenda of trade and investment, the Philippines also pushed for a development agenda through inclusive growth and the APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth. This Strategy mandates all APEC economies to build institutions on good governance, social cohesion and environmental impact. And in 2020, APEC will release a report


on the APEC economies’ progress in these key accountability areas,” the Usec. Del Rosario explained. Another item on the development agenda that the Philippines introduced was the role of women in development. “This is the first time in APEC history that the SOM Leader was a woman. The ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) Chair was also a woman (Ms. Doris Magsaysay Ho). Women were driving APEC this year and all the men said yes to us.” During the second session which focused on the Philippines, OECD experts shared some policy recommendations for the Philippines to be on track to become a high-income country by 2048 (based on OECD estimates).

Mr. Kensuke Tanaka, head of Asia of the OECD Development Center, summed it up, “The growth prospects and macroeconomic stability of the Philippines are good, therefore now is the time to embark on structural reforms.”

Taking off from the 2016 Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India which the OECD launched on November 20, Mr. Tanaka highlighted the need for the Philippines to improve job creation, infrastructure development and the overall framework for disaster risk reduction and management.

The Forum was jointly organized by the OECD Development Center and the Philippine Embassy in Paris. (DFA)

18 One Mindanao November 25, 2015

GSIS offers emergency loan in 2 Luzon, 4 Mindanao areas

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering an enhanced emergency loan to active members and old-age pensioners affected by calamities in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Isabela; municipalities of Baganga, Tarragona, and Manay in Davao Oriental; and Datu Piang in Maguindanao. In August, Ilocos Norte experienced heavy rainfall and flash floods due to typhoon Ineng. Drought struck Isabela

and the municipalities of Manay and Baganga, where dengue outbreak was also declared. Climatic conditions damaged

19One MindanaoNovember 25, 2015

livelihood in Tarragona. Rio Grande de Mindanao overflowed in Datu Piang due to excessive rains.

GSIS earmarked a total of Php1.18 billion in emergency loan for its 38,159 members and 6,930 pensioners in the said areas to help them recover from the damages wrought by the calamities.

Active GSIS members may apply for the loan if they are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas, are not on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in premium payment, and have no loans in default.

Qualified members who are availing of the loan for the first time is entitled to Php20,000. Those who have an existing emergency loan may borrow Php40,000, but the outstanding balance shall be deducted from the proceeds of the new loan.

The pensioners’ emergency loan is Php20,000. Old-age pensioners who are also active GSIS members may avail of the loan only once.

Emergency loan carries a

six percent interest rate per annum and is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of demise of the borrower, provided that he or she has up-to-date loan repayments.

Members may apply for the loan through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System or GWAPS kiosks in GSIS’s 42 branch offices, 14 extension offices, and 58 service desks; provincial capitols; city halls; municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; 27 Robinsons Malls; and SM Supermalls in Manila, Pampanga, and Cebu.

Old-age pensioners may apply over the counter at any nearest GSIS branch office. Deadline for submission of loan application for Ilocos Norte is on October 13, 2015. For the rest of the areas, the deadline is October 15, 2015.

Loan proceeds will be electronically credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card.


RDC-GADCC Caraga spearheads 18-Day Campaign to End VAW, highlights men in high-heeled shoes

BUTUAN CITY– In line with this year’s kick-off celebration of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the Re-gional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordi-nating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga conducted the Fun-Walk activity with employees from the government and partner stake-holders and highlighted the men wearing high-heeled shoes from the Guingona Park going to provincial capitol’s covered court, this city.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) board member Elizabeth Calo of Agusan del Norte congratulated and warmly welcomed all the government agencies and other stakeholders who participated and attended the said kick-off program. She also encouraged the government workers to continuously advocate against VAW and extend help (in their own little ways) to those women whom they know are undergoing struggles in life. On behalf of RDC-GADCC chairperson Atty. Marylin Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director, co-chair Edna Hontiveros of Forward Filipina Inc., shared the overview/rationale of this year’s celebration of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). “I salute all the participating men of today’s kick-off ceremony thru a fun-walk activity who walked wearing high-heeled shoes from the city’s Guingona Park going here at the capitol. One of the objectives of the 18-Day Campaign to end VAW is to raise awareness among all stakeholders that VAW is a public issue of national interest,” she added. Hontiveros further revealed that these men who wore high-

heeled shoes during the fun-walk have shown support to all the women of all walks of life. “It is by walking in a woman’s shoes that one can tell how it is like to be a woman,” she said. Also, representing Department of Health (DOH) Caraga regional director Jose Llacuna, assistant regional director Ernesto Pareja stressed that one way to help in reduction if not elimination of the violence against women is to avoid in engaging in any form of violence. “Men should be protectors of women but everyone must help in making this world a better place, free from any fear and any form of violence,” he remarked. The participating men from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga won and received a cash prize from RDC-GADCC for being the most number of men wearing high-heeled shoes. Meanwhile, all the participants also enjoyed the last part of the program which was the Zumba activity. This year’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is anchored on the theme: “End VAW Now! It’s Our Duty!: Gains and Ways Forward,” from Wednesday, November 25, 2015 to Saturday, December 12, 2015.


It is an annual event that supports the Philippine Government’s goal to protect the human rights of women and its commitment to address all forms of VAW. The following issuances provide the national legal mandates for the annual campaign: Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 – Declaring 25 November to 12 December as the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW); and Republic Act 10398 (2013) – Declaring November 25 of Every Year as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership

Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University in Building partnership in Del Carmen 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation. In the Philippines, the government has expanded it in 2006 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172 to include up to December 12, which marks the adoption of the United Nation Convention Against Transnational Crime, thus making it an 18-Day Campaign.


75 displaced Caraganon OFWs undergo financial literacy, entrepreneurship dev training By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

BUTUAN CITY-- A total of 75 displaced member-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) availed of the Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) and Financial Literacy (FinLit) for Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Admin-istration (OWWA) Caraga on November 16 and 23, at the OWWA Training Hall here. Two batches of Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! Program applicants were provided with the basic concepts of efficient budgeting, financial management and saving approaches. They were likewise introduced to the Potential Entrepreneurial Competency Test (PECT). Jean Mary G. Ronquillo,

OWWO II, facilitated the activity and cited that the PECT contains self-rating questionnaires which involves ten characteristics that are most likely possessed by an entrepreneur. The said training is extended by OWWA as part of its reintegration services to encourage its member-OFWs,


especially those who were faced with adversities during their stint overseas, to venture into livelihood and entrepreneurship for them eventually become self-sustaining individuals. Moreover, OWWA Caraga Programs and Services DIvision officer-in-charge Ma. Irene C. Cambaling assisted the OFWs in identifying their prospect business venture which adheres to priority projects including, but not limited to, health and wellness, house repairs, food processing, handicraft, goods under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme and agriculture-related projects. Cambaling also emphasized the need to select livelihood opportunities that will generate a sustainable source of income. The EDT is the primary requirement in availing the Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay program of OWWA which grants

a non-cash livelihood assistance of P10,000.00-worth starter kits and other incidental services that will aid the beneficiary towards self or wage employment. Michael S. Pates, an engineer from Ghana, Africa, extended his gratitude to OWWA for the assistance that he greatly needs especially after his contract’s pre-termination. “I am very thankful, that after I have lost a job, I am still provided with programs to help me generate income for my family,” bared Pates. The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program is available for OWWA members whose contracts were pre-terminated and were displaced by hostilities, wars/political conflict in the host country, victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking who have returned to the Philippines for not more than one year.

Building partnership in Del CarmenThe three-hour boat ride from Surigao City to Dapa, Siargao Is-land is challenging. Still drizzling when the boat left the city, sleep had to be shortened to be able to catch up with the boat that will be leaving for the island at daybreak. This trip will bring us to the town of Del Carmen, where a two-classroom school building will be constructed for the high school students of Surigao State Col-lege of Technology (SSCT).

By: Danny Escabarte


Waves at Siargao Strait inspired passengers to take a nap as the boat cruises towards the island. Shoreline villages ringed with mangroves and coconut trees catches the sight of curious onlookers, while other passengers sought better positions to take a rest. It’s almost noon time when the boat docked at Dapa wharf. Passengers were in a hurry to disembark as it was already lunchtime. The group proceeded to SSCT Campus to have one final look at the site where the groundbreaking for the new school building would take place. The municipality of Del Carmen will again take center stage as another education-focused project will be constructed for secondary students of SSCT. In 2013, digital literacy for children

and youth had been enhanced with PLDT’s donation of personal computers to the Computer Training Education Center (CTEC) in Del Carmen. The project is in transition to become the Tech4Ed Prorgram- which uses information technology (IT) to combat poverty in Siargao. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) also participated in the Siargao It Up program of the Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC). The undertaking included underwater clean up, formation of the Junior Environmental Scouts and Run for the Mangrove Event. PLDT InfoTeach Outreach Program participated by the nine municipalities of Siargao Islands has trained 300 high school students and teachers in Del


Carmen. The training focused on teachers’ appreciation of technology to improve teaching skills. The program with support from PLDT was spearheaded by the municipality of Del Carmen led by Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II. Private and public partnership in bringing social development is possible in Siargao. This was shown by the people of the island, as they eagerly joined with others in the community during the groundbreaking for the two-classroom school building in Del

Carmen.


ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – Six years after the bloody Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 people including 32 journalists, justice for the families still remains to be an “elusive dream.”

Six years after Maguindanao massacre, justice still ‘elusive’ - NUJP By Dominic I. Sanchez


Julie Alipala, director of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) correspondent said in spite of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s commitment to have a conviction on the case within his term, “wala pa ring nangyayaring substantial” (there is still no substantial action on the case). “Some principal suspects were even able to bail out and file their certificate of candidacy,” Alipala said. Until today, one victim’s body still remains undiscovered. “The families demand justice,” she emphasized.

Alipala related that Maguindanao Governor Esmael G. Mangudadatu shares the grief of the families. Mangudadatu lost his wife and several political supporters during the massacre. “Parang pangarap na lang ang hustisya,” (justice seems to be only a dream) Alipala quotes Mangudadatu. However, in spite of the circumstances, Alipala, for one is still hopeful that justice will be served within the President’s term. “Justice for the families still is elusive, but we have strong witnesses,” she said. Accordingly, it’s up to the DOJ


to speed up the case. “But we are still hopeful,” she said. Meanwhile, the Php50-million assistance to the families from the government is still to be delivered, according to Alipala. “They have initially released Php100,000 to each of the families, while the remaining amount is still to be released,” she shared. The remaining amount was to help in the families’ livelihood. Alipala said they have received reports that some of the beneficiaries of the slain journalists have

been struggling with financial difficulties, some even resorting to prostitution just to cope. Alipala said that 170 journalists were killed since 1986. Five of them still have pending cases. Monday (November 23) marked the 6th anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre. Zamboanga City-based journalists commemorated the anniversary with a mass, and a call for government to finally serve justice that has long been overdue.

Basilan, Sulu dev’t alliances track performances for OSY welfareBy Rene V. Carbayas


The OSYDAs from Isabela and Lamitan cities in Basilan and Indanan and Jolo municipalities of Sulu have evaluated their accomplishments to include the identification of emerging opportunities or new directions envisioned by each OSYDA in the report card system. “Our goal is for OSYDAs to adopt simple and systematic evidence-based approaches for tracking progress toward being fully transformed into effective structures for OSY development and service delivery,” Dr. Miriam A. Pahm, Deputy Chief of Party - Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) program pointed out. She said that the OSYDA forum hopes to review and update respective accomplishments and action plans for OSYs and plot contributions of different government and non-government partners in OSYDA. “Memories take us back, dreams take us forward,” she said, as she challenged agencies engaged in OSY development

to institute mechanisms that will sustain the partnership and document significant updates and accomplishments. She lauded the significant accomplishments of the OSYDAs who have best practices that accelerated the services and progress of helping more and more OSYs in the communities. She added that the OSYDAs are using the information from the market analysis made in 2014 in decision-making. Most OSYDAs are also providing post-training support and mobilizing resources. As of September 30, 2015, MYDev reached a total of 9,830 out-of-school youths; 3,198 were enrolled in Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, of which 2,434 were in A&E (Acceleration and Equivalency) and 764 in basic literacy program.

Moreover, enrollment in skills training, including TESDA-certified programs and emerging skills training reached 6,632. This year’s OSY enrollment in

DAVAO CITY (PIA) - - The Out-of-School Youth Development Alliances (OSYDA) of Basilan and Sulu gathered recently to review the progress and performances of each OSYDA member organization and improve capacity in helping more OSYs uplift themselves.


skills training constitutes a big chunk (67%) of the project’s cumulative reach of 9,830 OSYs. The forum, which was held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on November 18-20, 2015 led each OSYDA to track its progress in the organizational development for the year 2014-2015 using the Capacity Assessment Tool, which provides evidence for results in the functionality and sustainability of OSYDA as a necessity for possible replication in other areas. The participants were also oriented on the Local Resources Inventory Report, a tool for documenting and monetizing the resources that OSYDAs have contributed to programs for out-

of-school youth. After two years of project implementation, each OSYDA were able to contribute some P1-2 million pesos so far, based on initial inventory made at the workshop, but the amount could go much higher as more services are monetized. Isabela City OSYDA was cited as the best presenter of OSYDA accomplishments at the closing ceremony of the forum. USAID’s Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) Program is a five-year program (July 2013-June 2018) in the Philippines that hopes to address key constraints to peace and stability in selected conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.


DOST Bukidnon chief receives CSC’s 2015 Pagasa AwardDepartment of Science and Technology (DOST) Bukidnon provincial

director Virgilio M. Fuertes received recently from President Benigno S. Aquino III the prestigious Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Pagasa Award at Malacanan Palace.

Fuertes was among nine state officials and employees conferred the Pagasa Award for Outstanding Work Performance during the awarding rites for the 2015 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. He was cited for his scientific research for product development of

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bukidnon.Fuertes has implemented 17 success-ful projects for the firm-based and four community-based projects. The firm-based projects include 1) Rice-based project of Mr. Nicasio Engallado of Valencia City; 2) Banana


Chips Processing of Mr. Nestor Manu-el, Dologon, Maramag; 3) Muscovado Sugar Mill of Engr. Charleston Apaap, Maramag; 4) San Isidro Labrador Community Sugar Milling at Kuya, Maramag; 5) Natural Vitamin Fortified Pancit Processing of MMU Enterprises in Maramag; 6) Meat Processing Fa-cility of Eli’s Food Products owned by Elizier Magdales in Malaybalay City; 7) Carrot Concentrate Production Fa-cility-Value Adding & Product Devel-opment of Henry Binahon-owner of Binahon Agroforestry Farm (BAFF) at Bol-ogan, Songco, Lantapan, Bukid-non; 8) Abaca-based Handicrafts of Malaybalay Choice Craft in Malaybalay City; 9) Frames and Novelty Items of RAM Enterprises in Valencia City; 10) Pineapple-based Pasalubong of Cake-boom Party and Flavors in Malaybalay City; 11) Muscovado Sugar Mill of Va-lencia Sugar Mill in Valencia City; 12) Pasalubong Food Products Processing of Angel’s log in Valencia City; 13) Organic Corn Coffee of Nangka MPC, Nangka, Libona, Bukidnon; 14) Es-sential Oil of Imbayao MPC, Malayba-lay City, Handicrafts, Gifts and Souve-nirs of SHAMARA Industries owned by Sasha Marie S. Cubero, in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; 15) 22-cu-bic meter Dome Type Biogas Digester within the double “A” slaughterhouse of Malaybalay City; 16) Establishment of a Center for Mixed Media Bamboo Craft and Metal Working Technology in Manolo Fortich; and 17) One-tonner Biorector and 50 kilos capacity Plastic – Styro Densifier in Malaybalay City. For the community-based proj-ects, these are 1) Production of In-terlocking Compressed Earth Block

(ICEB) in Tubigon, Maramag, Bukid-non; 2) Upgrading of Water Hyacinth-based handicrafts in Tubigon, Mara-mag, Bukidnon; 3) Comprehensive Aquaculture Development and Tech-nical Assistance Program through “Assessment of Alternative Livelihood Opportunities for Small Scale Aqua-culture Operation in the Philippines” implemented with Worldfish as the funding agency in Malaybalay City, Valencia City and Maramag, Bukid-non; and the 4) Community Empow-erment through Science and Tech-nology (CEST) Program in Malitbog, Bukidnon. One of the highlights was col-laboration of DOST with Worldfish In-ternational for implementation of the project “Assessment of Alternative Livelihood Opportunities for Small Scale Aquaculture Operation in the Philippines” at Managok, Malaybalay City. The project emphasized on the technical and viability of fresh water prawn or “Ulang” production in Bukid-non. The project was replicated by fish-farmers in nearby areas of Mana-gok. Fuertes created a strong part-nership with DTI-Bukidnon in assist-ing the Bukidnon Small and Medi-um Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC), the Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Valencia City Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry, North Bukidnon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Don Carlos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kisolon Business Club.


He was also instrumental in the cre-ation of Regional Magsasaka Siyentis-ta (MS) association with 17-member MS and established 11 Science and Technology-based Farms (STBF). Likewise, he established 33 Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center or Techno Pinoy in Re-gion 10. In Bukidnon, he is the Regional Tech-no-gabay Coordinator (RTGC), who handles the Techno Gabay Program that aims to hasten modernization of agriculture and natural resources sec-tors by enhancing access to knowl-edge and technologies by extension agents, farmers and entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commis-sion records showed these are just some of Fuertes’ outstanding work performances that brought him on top. In his speech during the award rites at Rizal Hall in Malacanan Palace, President Benigno S. Aquino III said, “Saludo tayo kay Virgilio Fuertes sa kanyang siyentipikong pananaliksik upang mapaunlad ang mga produkto ng maliliit na negosyo sa Bukidnon (Our salute to him; for his scientific research for Bukidnon’s MSMEs prod-uct development).” (RLRB/PIA 10, Bukidnon)

The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office in Misamis Oriental recently turned over several projects to Lapad Agrarian Reform Farm-ers’ Cooperative (LARFACO) in Lapad, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. These include one corn coffee processing facility, a 4WD 90 HP tractor with 5-ton trailer, trailing harrow, mounted disc plow, and a solar dryer & warehouse with toilet.

During the turnover ceremony, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program

Officer (PARPO) Zoraida Macadindang said the farm equipment and facilities were being implemented under the department’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), Village Level Processing Center Enhancement Project (VLPCEP), and Agrarian

Reform Infrastructure Support Project

DAR turns over projects to ARB coop in MisOr


(ARISP).

The construction of roasted corn coffee processing facility under the DAR-VLPCEP project is worth P200,000. The solar dryer and warehouse under the ARISP project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Government of the Philippines (GOP) worth P3.38 million. The 4WD 90 HP tractor with 5-ton trailer, trailing harrow, and mounted disc plow are provided by the ARCCESS project valued at P2.98 million. Macadindang urged the people of Barangay Lapad to take care of the equipment and facilities for the ben-efit of future generations. DAR Undersecretary Rosalinda Bistoyong graced the occasion. She said that the machineries and facili-ties would not only increase the farm-ers’ yield but would also help ease the burden in land preparation. DAR-10 Regional Director Faisar Mambuay also attended the occasion and urged the farmers to take care of

the farm equipment and facilities and use them properly to increase their production. PARPO Jamil Amatonding of La-nao del Norte likewise attended the event together with Municipal Agrari-an Reform Officer (MARO) Francis Pa-dilla and members of LARFACO who witnessed the turn-over and the sign-ing of the trust agreement between DARPO-MisOr represented by PARPO Zoraida Macadindang as the grantor, and Chairman Danilo Quilab of the LARFACO as the grantee of the proj-ect. Also present during the occa-sion were Laguindingan Municipal Mayor Oliver Ubaub, Barangay Chair-man Jimmy Refuerzo and PBDD CAR-PO Archie Ladera, Engr. Mark Bael, ARCCESS coordinator Chiona Bahian, SARPO Maybelle Alcala, and DAR pro-vincial and municipal employees. Fr. Emerson Pasilan and Fr. Wil-son Legaspi blessed the farm equip-ment and facilities. (Carlo Peralta/ERS/PIA)

Camiguin business establishment cited in 2015 DTI - Bagwis AwardsMAMBAJAO, Camiguin, November 19 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently awarded a Bronze “Bagwis” Seal to DL Bo-nita Merchandising-Catarman Branch, a consumer store located at Pla-ridel Street, Poblacion, Catarman, Camiguin.

Receiving the award for DL Bonita Merchandising was Kassandra Pacudan, with DTI-Regional Office Legal Officer

Atty. Fel Lester Brillantes, Rene Michael Baños of the Konsumanteng Kagay-anon, Inc.(KKI), Ramon Mendoza of


the Cagayan de Oro Treasurers Office and the Department of Energy (DOE) representative Russel Bustillo. The awarding ceremony took place last October 18, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro City. This is the third time that DL Bonita Merchandising’s chain of groceries in Camiguin has won a DTI-Bagwis Award, one in 2007 as Bronze Awardee and in 2009 as Silver Awardee both for Municipality of Mambajao Branch.The Bagwis Award is a Certified Establishment Program that encourages establishments to come up with services that will allow their clients to get premium value for their money and also to promote and foster the highest level of business ethics and uphold a fair and honest marketplace through voluntary self-regulation and service excellence. Also recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Committee on

Consumer Protection (ACCP) as one of the best practices of the country in Consumer Protection, the DTI Bagwis Program of DTI gives due recognition to establishments that practice fair business and uphold the rights and welfare of consumers. It was launched 2006 with the aim of creating an environment where entrepreneurs uphold fair and honest business practices through self-regulation, boosting the trade of quality and safe goods, products, and services at affordable prices. The award has three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold, which all aims to provide quality service to the consumers of the establishment. For over nine years now, there are already a total of 12 business establishments awarded of DTI Bagwis seals in the province, both for Silver and Bronze Categories. (Zita M. Abellare (with reports from Varry Labial) DTI-Camiguin, PIA Cam Inet)


RPMA-ARMM upgrades facilities, services in ports

To ensure safety and convenience of its clientele, the Regional Ports and Management Authority of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RPMA-ARMM) continuously upgrades the

facilities and services of ports in the region.


300 farmer-beneficiaries in ARMM receive land ownership titleMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Almost 300 farmer-beneficiaries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) received their Certificate of Land Ownership (CLO) on November 19.

Ersan Warad, the regional ports authority’s general manager, said the agency recently signed a memorandum with ports officials and ARMM’s Tourism department to establish Port Tourism Information Assistance Center to strengthen the tourism industry in the region. “Our client is our people and we want to compensate the fees our clients pay by providing them quality basic services and standardized ports. This is in adherence to the Reform Agenda of the ARMM Regional Governor, Hon. Mujiv S. Hataman,” Warad said. During the celebration of the regional ports authority’s 18th anniversary on Sunday, November 22, Warad also said they will initiate site improvement and launch a beautification drive and make the ports environment-friendly. The regional ports authority’s official distributed closed-circuit television system to base ports in Lamitan, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. In November 2014, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the RPMA-ARMM, Office for Transportation Security, and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The agreement strengthens the commitment of the regional ports authority in compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including the National Security Program for Sea Port Transportation and Maritime Infrastructure to ensure the preparation of Port Facility Security Plan in each port within RPMA’s jurisdiction. The ISPS Code is a new “mandate imposed by the IMO to its member-countries on the holistic security control of passengers, ships, cargoes and port facilities against international terrorist activities.” As of November 2015, the RPMA-ARMM exceeded its P12-million target revenue collection, as it generated P15-million total collection from its seaport operations. RPMA-ARMM operates the base ports in Jolo in Sulu; Bongao in Tawi-Tawi; and Lamitan City in Basilan; as well as the sub-ports of Siasi in Sulu; Maluso in Basilan; and Mapun, Sitangkai and Sibutu in Tawi-Tawi. It also exercises regulatory powers in six private ports/wharves operating in the region. (BPI/PIA-10)


ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Amihilda Sangcopan, secretary of the region’s Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-ARMM), personally awarded the CLO to 70 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Basilan and 221 ARBs from Maguindanao. The awarding was held during the opening ceremony of this year’s ARMM anniversary in Cotabato City. The distributed CLO covers a total of 711 hectares of landholdings in the region wherein 154.5 hectares are in Basilan while 556.5 are in Maguindanao. Secretary Sangcopan said there are still 967 pending CLOs in the regional DAR office that covers more than 2,000 hectares

of landholdings in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. Four hundred eighty one of these are already for transmittal to the office of the regional governor. She said the landholdings awarded are part of the agency’s distribution target this year. “We are working to distribute 20,000 hectares of landholdings this 2015. We are assured of approved survey plans before the end of the year,” she added. Datu Jan Utto, 35, CLO beneficiary from Datu Saudi in Maguindanao expressed his gratitude to the Autonomous Regional Government noting the land awarded to him will help


ARMM passes law creating the Regional Da-rul IftaMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor has approved a legislation that establishes a regional religious authority in the ARMM to help address contemporary issues and challenges faced by Filipino Muslims.

Governor Mujiv Hataman signed into law Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMA) No. 323 or An Act Creating the Regional Darul Ifta’of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The law institutionalizes the Darul Ifta or the Islamic advisory council in the region. ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly House Speaker Datu Roonie Sinsuat, members of the region’s legislative assembly and some religious leaders (muftun) from different provinces of the region attended the signing. The RDI shall be primarily

responsible for the promulgation and issuance of legal opinions (fatwa) pertaining to Muslim personal laws and jurisprudence pursuant to Article VIII, Section 20 of Republic Act 9054 or the act strengthening and expanding the organic act for the ARMM. They will also advise and serve as consultant to the regional government of the ARMM and the RLA on matters pertaining to Islamic laws, jurisprudence and ecclesiastical matters and serve as the “religious guide” of ARMM leaders, bureaucrats and professionals, including those in the local government units.

enhance his family’s livelihood and boost crop production. “Nagsasaka na ako simula bata at matagal na namin itong hinihintay. Maraming salamat sa ARMM government (I am a farmer since childhood and we have waited this for so long. We are thankful to the ARMM government),” said Datu Jan. The CLO is a proof that a farmer-beneficiary has the right

of land ownership. Land covered by DAR’s CLO cannot be sold, transferred or donated within 10 years upon awarding, except through hereditary succession, or if sold back to the state or to another qualified beneficiary within the 10-year period. (BPI/PIA-10)


Governor Hataman said they have earmarked P5-million for the initial operation of the RDI from the unexpended fund of the Office of the Regional Treasury (ORT) and its succeeding annual budget will be provided for in the Local Appropriations Act. He reiterated that the creation of the RDI will help unite all the Bangsamoro in the region and will boost good governance in the region. For his part, Speaker Sinsuat said, “This office will recognize rights and well-being of the Bangsamoro due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions, and further ensures their contribution to the regional government’s goals and aspirations.” The MMA 323 also calls for

the establishment of RDI provincial offices in each of the five component provinces of the ARMM. The provincial office shall be headed by a Provincial Mufti who shall be selected from among the resident Ulama in the particular province. Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, regional grand mufti, said they will work, collaborate and cooperate with the international, national, regional and local bodies on matters of mutual interest and benefit, such as halal businesses, marriages, hajj (pilgrimage), professional engagement, intellectual exchange and academic discourses. (BPI/PIA-10)


DavOr is R-XI’s first malaria-free province

DAVAO CITY – The Province of Davao Oriental was officially de-clared by the Department of Health XI as the first and only prov-ince inthe entire region as a malaria-free zone.

At the awarding ceremony held on November 19, 2015 in Davao City, DOH XI Regional Director Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr., lauded Davao Oriental for this yet another unprecedented feat in terms of public health. Based on a disease-free as-sessment criteria set by the Na-tional Malaria Control and Elimi-nation Program, Davao Oriental

has achieved zero cases of ma-laria for five consecutive years, which became the majorbasis for this recognition. Provincial Health Officer I, Dr. Joy Sanicosaid this status was attained by Davao Orienta-lafter years of efforts to control the disease. She listed several strategies adopted by the Provincial Health


Office in fighting malaria, which include among others: early de-tection and prompt treatment, case surveillance, capability-building among municipal health workers, and increasing public awareness through extensive in-formation, education, and com-munication campaign, among many others. She also highlighted the dis-tribution of treated mosquito nets and eliminating nesting grounds of mosquitos as effective ways of preventing the spreading of ma-laria disease. “In the prevention of diseases, our actions should not be passive, they should be active,” said Sanico. Sanico attributed this feat to the strong collaboration between the stakeholders advocating in stamping out endemic diseases. Among them are the Provincial and Municipal Health Offices, the DOH and non-government organizations. In addition, she also named the Philippine Army as an active partner in helping reach remote areas – which are otherwise im-possible to reach by health work-ers. Aside from helping in the malaria program, the soldiers, said Sanico, are active in the conduct of medical outreach pro-grams, construction of toilets in

the communities, as well as in the conduct sputum test for the early detection of tuberculosis cases, among others. Meanwhile, aside from at-taining zero malaria cases in a five-year period, other basis in achieving a malaria-free status include a functional laboratory, stocks of insecticides, equipment and other supplies needed in times of outbreak. Sanico said that eliminating the malaria burden is an impres-sive achievement but the great challenge now lies in the sus-tainability of the program in the communities. She noted, however, that with the strengthened health programs of the Provincial Gov-ernment, under the leadership of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, she is positive that this status will be sustained. Other significant milestones attained by the province in terms of health include achieving the lowest malnutrition rate in the region, the construction of new Barangay Health Stations, and the establishment of a sophis-ticated, state-of-the-art Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center equipped with facilities that cater the health needs of the poor con-stituents of the province.


Davao Oriental Welcome Park reopensDAVAO ORIENTAL – A more sophisticated and elegant Welcome Park is now greeting locals and visitors at the provincial entrance in Barangay Pintatagan in Banaybanay town.Governor Corazon N. Malanya-on, who first launched the proj-ect way back in 2009, elatedly led the park’s historic reopening on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, saying this added attrac-tion would entice more visitors to come. Aside from the expanded space embellished with ‘green’ landscape design, the newly ren-ovated eco-park is now equipped with additional features such as a stylish restaurant called “Café Pintatagan”that offers ablend of exciting cuisine. It is also set-up with a tourist information center, a souvenir shop called Pasalu-bong Center, and clean and ful-ly-functional toilets for travelers. Another famous feature of the park is the Dalansa Cruz Shrine located above a hill that can be reached through 365 señorita steps. Giving visitors the first glimpse of what the province has

to offer, the Pintatagan Welcome Park serves as a jump-off area to other exquisite eco-tourism sites in the province. “This is a show-case of our province’s beautiful sites as well as our hospitality,” said the governor. The locals of Barangay Pin-tatagan, through Barangay Cap-tain Joel Peralta, expressed their gratitude to the governor for put-ting up this kind of development here which, years ago, was con-sidered desolate because of its distance from the town proper. For her part, Banaybanay Mayor Adalia Tambuang also thanked the Provincial Govern-ment for initiatingthis projec-twhich ‘truly compliments the beauty ofDavao Oriental’.“This is a clear indicator of her love for her people and for our province. Her drive and competence in leadership is indeed exceptional, she said.(By Karen Lou Deloso/ PIO DO)

Other municipalities in Davao Oriental that also received recognition as malaria-free in-clude Caraga, Cateel, Governor Generoso, Tarragona, and the City of Mati. The towns of Ba-

ganga, Banaybanay, Boston, Lu-pon, Manay, and San Isidro, on the other hand, have maintained their malaria-free status. (By Karen Lou Deloso/PIO DO)


DAF-ARMM pushes consumption of brown rice By: Perlita B. Chnagco

COTABATO CITY, Nov. 25 –The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) highlighted the importance of organic products particularly the brown and black rice along with the celebration of the No-vember as Rice Awareness Month.


DA-ARMM particularly pro-motes #BROWN4GOOD cam-paign in a press conference on Friday.

#BROWN4GOOD, in which the word BROWN stands for Be Re-sponsible in your Own Way Now and Be Riceponsible are promo-tions and advocacies of the DA-National Office to educate the public consumers on the health benefits of organic rice.

DAF-ARMM officer-in-charge secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia said, many of consumers are patronizing the commercial rice not knowing that the brown and black rice are better and more nutritious staples.

“We are strengthening these advocacies. In fact, our provin-cial agriculture officers (PAOs) and municipal agriculture offi-cers (MAOs) are bringing these campaigns to the ground to deeply encourage our farmers to plant organic rice”, Alamia said.

According to Alamia, while the supply of organic rice in the region is not enough the ag-riculture department is in the process of intensifying its infor-mation and education efforts to increase awareness aimed at enhancing the brown and black rice production in the ARMM.

She said, insufficient supply of

organic brown and black rice is inot limited to the autonomous region but in the entire country which is why the department is aggressively promoting advoca-cies in different medium, for in-stance in social media, by using the #BROWN4GOOD.

As of now, the Al-Rahman Farmers Multi-Purpose Coopera-tive in Manongkaling, Mamasa-pano, Maguindanao is the sole producer of organic brown and black rice in the autonomous re-gion covering 900 hectares, she added.

The DAF-ARMM, Alamia said, aside from technology transfer also provides seeds of brown, black and other varieties of hy-brid rice that can survived even in drought season such as the so-called green rice.

“Our niche is to promote or-ganic agriculture and halal kind of agriculture - this promotion is not only for the farmers but also for the consumers by doing veg-etable gardening in their back-yard,” the official said.

The organic products of the ARMM will be highlighted dur-ing National Organic Agriculture Congress this week in Bacolod City.

Alamia sought media partners’ assistance to help in dissemi


Gensan mayor, partners donate facilities to day care centers

nating information to encour-age farmers engage in black and brown rice production and for consumers to patronize said rice varieties considering its high nu-tritional value.

As this developed, the DAF-ARMM also initiated the 1st Or-ganic Agriculture Month last November 19-21, 2015 at the DAF-ARMM’s covered court, alongside with trade fair and product exhibit as part of the

National Rice Awareness Month celebration..

Anchored on the theme, “Lig-tas at Masustansyang Ani, Mula Taniman Hanggang Hapagkain-an”, the 3-day event was partici-pated by farmers and fisherfolks cooperative members, farmers associations, women’s group, youth representing the provinc-es comprising the autonomous region.(IEroy/PBChangco-PIA Cotabato City)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 25 – After donating 7,000 school armchairs, Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has embarked on an-other educational advocacy.

This time, Mayor Rivera, in partnership with RD Foundation Inc. (RDFI), has extended edu-cational aid to the day care cen-ters of the city by giving them armchairs and tables.

This was made possible by the modification of the existing Edu-kasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko pro-gram of the RDFI that the local chief executive tapped to help in his pursuit to fill in the insuf-ficiency of school equipment like armchairs.

The program, whose original beneficiaries are public elemen-tary and secondary schools, now includes the day care centers as requested by Mayor Rivera.

RDFI already succeeded in do-nating 7,000 armchairs—half of the total 14,000 armchair defi-ciency in the city as declared by the Department of Education.

He said, he reactivated the Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko program after noticing that the city’s day care center are also


incapable of providing for their own facilities and require-ments.

As of press time, three cen-ters in Barangay Fatima and one in Labangal have already benefited from this assistance.

Mayor Rivera assured this program will continue until all day care pupils in the city can have a conducive place to learn.

“Our schools are the learning place of our children. Improving these facilities will contribute on how well they can learn. That’s why we have programs like this to ensure that we can give qual-ity education to them,” said Mayor Rivera in an interview.

During the city’s local edu-cation summit in 2013, DepEd Gensan asked Mayor Rivera for

assistance in curtail-ing the in-adequacy of public school arm-chairs.

Budget limitations and other important allocations were some of the con-straints that impeded

DepEd Gensan in providing the appropriate number of arm-chairs with respect to the num-ber of enrolled pupils.

RDFI, a subsidiary that heads the corporate social responsibil-ity programs of the RD Group of Companies, was the first institu-tion which responded to the re-quest of Mayor Rivera.

The RD Group of Companies is a conglomerate owned by the Rivera Family.

Aside from donating arm-chairs and tables, Mayor Rivera has also coordinated with the General Santos City Water Dis-trict to supply water to all day care centers in the city free of charge. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)

one mindanao - november 25, 2015

Documents