one mindanao - september 15, 2015

PHIVOLCS to spearhead earthquake, tsunami awareness, preparedness seminar-workshop for LGU, barangay officials in SurSur

Tacurong City, four other cities showcased in good governance forum

July spending for infrastructure, capital outlay surges by 93% year-on-year

President Aquino dares retired generals

to give own solution to achieve peace in

Mindanao

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Allan Freno

By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

By: K ChannelO

UR C

OV

ERLanao Norte teachers hopeful with new found skills thru K Channel

NorthCot LGU braces for El Niño phenomenon

“Handog Titulo Program” awards 170 land titles to beneficiaries

Butuan secondary school launches wellness program

MARINA advances safety measures in maritime industry

contents

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41

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 18

By: Glen B. Pacot

By: Elaine O. Ratunil

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By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy“Handog Titulo Program” awards 170 land titles to beneficiaries34

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 ARTISTS EMMANUEL D. 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 Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE 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

4 September 15, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

FIive cities that have been successful in transforming slum areas into model communities took center stage in the recent national forum on good governance.

By: Allan Freno


5September 15, 2015 ONE MINDANAOFIive cities that have been successful in transforming slum areas into model

communities took center stage in the recent national forum on good governance.



Of the 127 cities in the country that served as project sites for the MDG-FACES implementation, Tacurong was one of the five cities invited to share their success stories in the GalingPook Governance Fair dubbed “Mamamayan

Mamamayani” conducted by the DILG’s Local Government Academy (LGA) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on September 1.

Mayor Lina Montilla was joined by Mayor Benjamin Abalos,

7September 15, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Jr. of Mandaluyong City, Mayor Rowena Tuazon of Masbate City, Mayor Edward Codilla of Ormoc City, and Mayor Jennifer Barzaga of Dasmariñas City in the event.

Tacurong also participated in the Governance Fair exhibit in line with the theme “Reaping the Harvests of the MDG-FACES: Putting Smiles on the Faces of Children”.

Mayor Montilla led Tacurong’s delegation that included MDG-FACES Project Management Team (PMT) Members City Councilor Psyche Sucaldito and City Local Government Operations Officer Alberto Sero, Jr. MDG-FACES, an acronym for Millennium Development Goals-Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums, is a program of the LGA that seeks to localize the MDGs and along the way, strategize to help the cities achieve the MDGs.

The program aims to enhance capacities of poor mothers to identify issues, articulate their needs and set targets for their families especially that of their children. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the quality of life of

the families living in slum areas, especially the children.

Since the program’s inception in 2008, a total of 127 cities have served as project sites of the MDG-FACES covering 7,360 family-beneficiaries.

MDG-FACES started in Tacurong City when Mayor Lina Montilla accepted the invitation of the LGA for the city to be included to be part of the expansion of the 3rd national rollout.

Project PAGLAUM, a Hiligaynon word for hope, is the localized program implemented by the city for the MDG-FACES. PAGLAUM is an acronym for Panata at Adhikain, Gutom ay wakasan; Lingap, edukasyon, kalusugan, Asalnamabuti ay isulong at Ugaliing makamtan ang Malinis, matiwasay at maunlad na pamayanan.

The project started with the selection of 40 family-beneficiaries from the city’s lone slum area, which is PurokOnse or Caños Subdivision located in Barangay Poblacion.

During the program orientation and workshop


sessions, the beneficiaries identified three priority issues in their community they want to be addressed: environment (clogged canal; solid wastes; air pollution), economic (needs for livelihood and skills training), and peace and order (presence of illegal drugs and gambling; absence of street lights).

The situation of Purok Onse before project implementation was abysmal. Dark alleys contributed to the prevalence of illegal activities such as drug use, gambling, and theft. Pollution was extremely evident around the community contributing to poor hygiene and deplorable health conditions. For a long time, the place has suffered the ignominy of being called as refuge of criminal elements.

With the help of stakeholders, Project PAGLAUM transformed Purok Onse into one of the model communities in the city.

Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) installed street lights to the dark alleys of the purok. Aside from regular patrols in the area, the local police conducted buy-bust operations

and raids on illegal gambling operations.

The peace and order campaign in the place prompted the residents to cooperate with the authorities. They informed the police of the presence of criminal elements in their place. They also formed their own civilian volunteer group and guarded the entrance of their purok.

To address the environmental issue, the LGU and the community conducted a massive cleanup drive in Purok Onse. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) also conducted regular garbage collection in the area. The Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) also introduced container gardening to the families. The LGU even launched a gulayan contest to encourage gardening among all beneficiaries.

To address the economic issue, the LGU imparted skills training to the parents. Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA) and Tacurong City Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TACEMPCO) also gave inputs on basic financial management and accounting.


To complement with the skills trainings, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII extended livelihood projects to the family-beneficiaries through starter kits amounting to more than P200 thousand.

The gains of the MDG-FACES implementation in Tacurong paved way for the city to be regarded as one of the model cities that truly achieved the transformation desired by the program.

Mayor Montilla and four other mayors who were invited to the Good Governance Fair were cited by the LGA as leaders that epitomize good politics and good governance. In his message read by DILG Assistant Secretary Josefina Castilla-Go during the forum, DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero said that the MDG-FACES has come to bear much fruit only because the LGUs did their part in raising good politics,


good service delivery and good governance.

“Hindi ito madaling gawin kaya naman saludo tayo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. It pays off to risk on the side of doing what is right. Basta nasa tama at nakakabuti sa nakararami, gawin mo”, Usec. Panadero said. “We have proven that poor women can transform themselves into valuable resources addressing household poverty. Mothers are not just housewives and caregivers. They are development managers and transformative agents at the household level.”

“Mayor Montilla of Tacurong put it well when she said that what the marginalized sector of our community really needed was

the integrity to uplift their lives and the MDG-FACES gave that back to them,” Usec. Panadero added.

LGA Executive Director Sacendoncillo conveyed in her message that “the indicator of abundance and poverty will be the face of a child”. “Tingnan mo lang sa komunidad kung ano ang mukang mga bata at malalaman mo na kung ano ang kalagayan nila.”

“The MDG-FACES is a story about transformation… of the mothers who are now empowered to change their lives… of the LGUs regarding the poor as partners and not mere beneficiaries,” Sacendoncillo said.


‘Shun products with ozone-depleting substances’—DENR

QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging the public to continue taking preventive steps to help protect the ozone layer despite indications that it is slowly recovering from depletion. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said one simple yet effective measure people can take to save the thin layer that shields

the earth from cancer-causing ultraviolet rays from the sun is to shun products containing or manufactured with ozone-


depleting substances (ODS).

“Scientific measures show that the ozone layer is healing itself and is expected to recover by the middle of this century, probably during the period 2050-2075. This could be realized if all of us cooperate to stop patronizing ODS and ODS-containing products,” Paje said.

He also urged the public

to patronize repair shops that hire qualified and well-equipped technicians to repair and service appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners that still contain ODS.

The DENR chief made the call as the Philippines joins the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on September 16, with the theme


“30 Years of Healing the Ozone Together.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. The convention, put into force in 1985, is a framework agreement in which the parties agree to cooperate in relevant research and scientific assessments of the ozone problem, exchange information, and adopt appropriate measures to prevent activities that harm the ozone layer.

The Vienna Convention laid the foundation for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer designed to regulate the production and consumption of ODS.

Examples of ODS are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide,

and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These chemicals are commonly found in aerosol products, foams and fire extinguishers, and are used as refrigerants and in air-conditioning and cooling equipment. Assistant Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, concurrent head of DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, explained that under the Montreal Protocol, parties commit to phase out ODS according to specific time schedules.

As a result, the parties, including the Philippines, have so far collectively phased out 98 percent of the ODS except HCFCs, which is the remaining ODS group that is being eliminated, Cuna added.

According to a 2014 study commissioned by the United Nations (UN), the ozone layer is showing early signs of thickening


after years of depletion and that the ozone hole appearing annually over Antartica had also stopped growing bigger every year. UN scientists claimed the recovery was entirely due to political determination to phase out the man-made greenhouse gases destroying the ozone.

Cuna said the recovering ozone layer still needs protection, especially amid concerns about the potential alternatives to HCFCs.

He said the most common alternatives to HCFCs are hydroflourocarbons (HCFs) which have been determined to be potent greenhouse gases.

“The parties to the Montreal Protocol are presently cooperating with experts, industry and other sectors to evaluate these alternatives and identify those that would have the most climate benefits and the least toxicity and flammability characteristics for adoption by industry and other end-users,” Cuna added. (DENR)


July spending for infrastructure, capital outlay surges by 93% year-on-year

MANILA, Sep. 15 -- Government spending for infrastructure and capital outlay (CO) in July skyrocketed by 92.9 percent or almost P19 billion over levels posted in July 2014, ramping up disbursements for the month and bringing July expenditures to P210.7 billion this year.


According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), government disbursements for July rose by P42.2 billion or 25 percent year-on-year (July 2014 to July 2015), bringing total disbursements for the month to P210.7 billion, and marking the fastest that public spending has grown since the year began.

“Earlier this year, the Aquino administration through the DBM established catch-up measures

so our departments could accelerate their disbursements. We’re pleased to see that our major spending agencies are responding very well,” Budget Secretary Abad said.

He cited as an example the spending for infrastructure and CO in July, which have gunned ahead to expand by almost 100 percent year-on-year.

“What this really means


is that our leading agencies for infrastructure programs are making better use of their budgets. As a result, more goods and services are being rolled out to the public, and in better time,” he added.

The DBM reported that spending for infrastructure and CO amounted to P38.3 billion for July, compared with the P19.9 billion disbursed in the same month last year. The upsurge in infrastructure and CO disbursements was due mostly to the ongoing implementation of road work projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The increase was also on account of the acquisition of aircraft units under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program of the Department of National Defense (DND), as well as the implementation of local

infrastructure projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Abad also noted the 70-percent year-on-year spike in Maintenance Expenditures in July, which leapt by P15.1 billion to register at P36.6 billion. Spending for this sector was made mostly under the Administration’s social protection, education, and health care programs.

“The social welfare component of the National Budget has always been a keystone in our growth agenda. If our social development agencies continue to spend as vigorously, not only can we confidently support the continuing expansion of our economy. We can also make sure that the poorest Filipinos get the education, aid, and healthcare services that are urgently due them,” Abad said.

The largest disbursements

18 September 15, 2015ONE MINDANAO18 September 15, 2015ONE MINDANAO

under Maintenance Expenditures were made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to widen the implementation of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, as well as to support Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for calamity victims.

Spending by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) likewise bolstered Maintenance Expenditures via locally funded projects, including those for poverty reduction, specifically through the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) program, as well as for peace-building, reconstruction, and development projects in war-torn areas.

“We are optimistic that public spending will continue its upward trajectory in the succeeding months. As budget reforms gain further traction—and as our agencies find appropriate means to optimize their budgets—we can likewise bring the real and lasting

benefits of good governance to our citizenry. No Filipino should be left behind,” Abad added.

Meanwhile, Personnel Services climbed to P371.3 billion from January to July 2015, posting an increase of 10.6 percent. Among other factors, this was mostly due to the release of the mid-year and Productivity Enhancement Incentives (PEI) to government employees, as well as hiring activities for teachers, police, engineers, and other positions in public health. Furthermore, allotments for local government units (LGUs) peaked at P238.5 billion, 16.7 percent higher than comparable levels last year, after the National Government increased its revenue collections and broadened the country’s tax base. Growth in this spending class was also supported by larger local government shares in proceeds from national taxes, including Tobacco Excise Taxes. (DBM)


President Aquino dares retired generals to give own solution to achieve peace in Mindanao

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday challenged the retired generals to give their own solution if they claimed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) are not the best antidote to the peace and order problem in Mindanao.


President Aquino made statement in reaction to a paid advertisement and manifesto signed by 31 retired generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

”All of us should join this dialogue. We should be mature that this is not a good step, there has to be a better step. This is the better step. Perhaps somebody can even say this is the best step. If it is a good suggestion, why we should not support it? But if you’ll just criticize, what benefit it will bring?,” the President said in a media interview after the inauguration of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

The retired generals, led by Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) chairman and president retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, have expressed alarm over Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) and

CAB forged with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They also opposed the passage of the BBL, “in its original form, even as it now undergoes congressional scrutiny.”

The former generals said the two agreements and the BBL’s original form violated the Constitution and “seek to establish a political entity which has all the makings of a state.”

President Aquino said he was surprised by the manifesto of retired officers even as he expressed his readiness to sit down and get their suggestions through an open dialogue.

”I was surprised that they have such strong opposition that came out in this paid ad. I’m open to have dialogue with them. In fact, I know some of those who signed. Some of them I met lately but they have not mentioned about it to me,” the President said.


If the retired generals would agree to a dialogue, the President said he would ask them if they indeed signed the manifesto which was published in whole page by some major Manila newspapers on Monday.

”First I will ask them if they really signed it. Secondly, what’s their specific opposition. Have you really read the proposed law? Have listen only to the so-called experts? What are the agenda of those experts? The real open

discussion,” the President said.

The BBL is still being tackled both in the House of Representatives and the Senate where Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. submitted a substitute bill which he called Basic Law on Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). The Senate is hoping to pass the Bangsamoro bill before the filing of certificate of candidacy (CoC) next month. (PNA)


Health care for IPs pushed in CaragaBy: Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY- The Department of Health (DOH), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) collaborated in pursuit of better health service delivery and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Caraga Region.

photo credit: asiafinest.com


The DOH-NCIP-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2013-01, which was signed and approved last April 19, 2013, aims to set guidelines that will address, utilization, coverage, and equity issues in the provision of culture-sensitive and safe basic health services to the IP communities. NCIP Agusan del Sur provincial officer Randy Rosas said the circular specifically intends to provide basic health services, equitable distribution of needed health resources, non-discrimination of IPs in the delivery of health services, management of geographical, financial and socio-cultural barriers and to strengthen recognition, promotion, and respect of safe and beneficial traditional health practices. Rosas also bared that some of the places where the memorandum have been first implemented are located in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur. “We need to focus on the areas where there are disadvantaged groups identified using the Geographicaly-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA),” Rosas added. It was learned that the

memorandum shall also focus the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples - Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition (IP-MNCHN) Project in the whole Mindanao region. Aside from the three core agencies (DOH, NCIP and DILG) other members of the program are, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Population (POPCOM), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Education (DepEd), PhilHealth, Department of Agriculture (DA), and the provincial and local chief executives’ offices. These agencies and organizations shall be consulted and/or engaged for coordination and/or operationalization of the circular considering the multi-sector concerns of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/IPs health development according to the JMC briefer.


PHIVOLCS to spearhead earthquake, tsunami awareness, preparedness seminar-workshop for LGU, barangay officials in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 15 (PIA) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) headed by Director Renato Solidum, Jr., in coordination with the provincial government here, is set to conduct a “Seminar-Workshop for Local Government Units and Barangay Officials: Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness” in Surigao del Sur.

`In a letter dated September 9, 2015 to all concerned, Governor

Johnny Pimentel, chairman, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction


and Management Council (PDRRMC), through Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas, has caused the dissemination of the information regarding the important event that is going to be held at Shacene Pension House and Restaurant, this city, on Wednesday, September 16. “The activity aims to capacitate Local Chief Executives, C/MDRRM Officers, PDRRM Council Members and the Barangay Officials through the detailed information campaign and awareness raising focusing on earthquake and tsunami,”

Rivas said. In case of any concerns, the administrator also cited “PDRRM Officer Abel De Guzman at his mobile number 09999913206” to be contacted.


Butuan secondary school launches wellness program

The program kicked off with a parade in the morning throughout Barangay Taligaman and was followed by a launching proper in the afternoon. TNHS principal Ruth Castromayor opened the program by emphasizing the pressing need for living healthy inside and out because of the nature of work plus the demands

to balance family and career lives. “To become more productive, effective and efficient employees, the school in coordination with the MAPEH Department designed this wellness program. Starting today, Sep. 10 and every Friday at 3:00 pm, the faculty and staff will do a two-hour zumba,”

BUTUAN CITY -- The Taligaman National High School (TNHS) recently launched its wellness program, which aims to promote and practice healthy lifestyle to the faculty and staff of the school.

By: Glen B. Pacot


Castromayor said. DepEd Butuan City asst. schools division supt. Jeanie L. Mativo graced the opening celebration. She also shared an inspiring story on how one should maintain fitness and wellness not only in the body but also in the emotion. Barangay Taligaman Committee on Education chairman Reynaldo Nituda simply shared his insights about the famous line, “When work is lost,

nothing is lost. When health is lost, all is lost.” The celebration became more memorable as everyone was gathered in the ground for the releasing of balloons with wishes written on it during the ceremonial launching of the wellness program. The event ended with a Zumba participated by the DepEd local officials, teachers, Barangay Council Members, GPTA officers and students.


1st Cavalry Squadron exceeds NGP target for 2016

By Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur – In a bid to finally make the National Greening Program (NGP) of the goverment sustainable, the 1st Cavalry Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army recently planted some 2,000 mahogany seedlings in barangay Navalan here.

The officers and men of the 1st Cavalry Squadron led by LtCol. Charlemagne Batayola, Jr,. in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), office of 1st

district representative Victor J. Yu and barangay officials of Navalanconducted the tree planting in the hilly part of the four-hectare farm of Barangay Captain LeoncioOsores.


Batayola said the tree planting activity was in support to the NGP,President Aquino’s flagship reforestation program which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares by 2016. He said the activity will not only alleviate poverty and achieve food security, but it will also help address the problem on climate change. Under the NGP, Batayola said the unit was given a quota of 8,800 trees to be planted and the unit was able to overshoot its goal. From 2013 to 2015, he said the 1st Cavalry Squadron conducted five tree planting activities in the adopted sister barangays and within the period, they were able to plant more than 8,800 seedlings in the area. “We have exceeded the NGP target since we planted 2,000 additional mahogany seedlings,” Batayola proudly announced. “This is how we showcase the group’s shared passion in sustaining the efforts of the government in greening the Philippines,” he added.Batayola said the activity was also part of the 9th founding anniversary of theMechanized Infantry Division in Capas,

Tarlacon September 11, where the different companies have conducted simultaneous tree planting activities in Basilan, Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga City, respectively. Meanwhile, Punong Barangay LeoncioOsores said he mobilized the ‘BantayKalikasan’, which composed of barangay tanods to prepare the planting holes, help in planting trees and take care of the newly planted seedlings. “Among gitabanganang 1st Cavalry Squadron dili lamang sapagpananomugmgakahoy, kun dililakipnaangpag-amumaniiniaronngaangtananmotubo(We helped the 1st Cavalry Squadron not only in planting trees but also in taking care of it so that it will all grow),”Osores explained. Teresita Puno, 63 years old said she did not failto join the tree planting activity spearheaded by the unit saying that it is her commitment to help in restoring the environment. “Lima nakahigayonngangawalakomisipyatpag-apilsapagpananomugkahoyngagipasiugdahansa 1st Cavalry Sqaudron.Mokabatnasa 50 ka mahogany seedlings angakongnatanomdinhisabukid,” Puno proudly said.


DOST-9 to hold invention contest, exhibit in Zambo

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 will showcase on September 17-19, the latest scientific and technological innovations from Zamboanga Peninsula’s best and brilliant inventors at Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar here.

Students, researchers, inventors, professionals and the general public are all invited to take part in the event dubbed as 2015 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) with the theme, “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating and Inventing for Global Competitiveness.” A total of 90 entries will be on display such as research projects, prototypes, industrial designs and software applications, each created to contribute and provide significant advancements to

different fields. Guests from the DOST- Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd) are expected to grace the event. The conduct of RICE is pursuant to Republic Act No. 7459 known as the “Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act of the Philippines.” It is designed to encourage Filipino inventors, researchers, and students to

(For fivetimes, I have not failed to join the tree planting activity conducted by the 1stCavaly Squadron. There were about 50 mahogany seedlings that I have planted in this mountain)

Batayola attributed the successful implementation of the tree planting activity to the support of various stakeholders such as the DENR, barangay officials and residents and other private-sector partners.


use their inventive capability by competing for cash rewards and recognitions both locally and internationally.

To view the complete schedule of events, visit the DOST-9 website at http://region9.dost.gov.ph.

“Handog Titulo Program” awards 170 land titles to beneficiariesMUTIA, Zamboanga del Norte -The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 9, in collaboration with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Dapitan City, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the Registry of Deeds recently turned-over land titles tobeneficiaries of Handog Titulo Program.

In a press release from the PENRO, itdisclosed that 170 patentees were given land titles during the “Handog Titulo Program” conducted recently at Tabac, Mutia, this province. Aside from the individual land titles, a Special Patent for a 2.6 hectares school site was also awarded to Daan Tipan Elementary School of Piñan town, which was received by Susan Montana, school principal. The 170 patentees are from Barangays Newland, San Miguel, Pasorio, Sto. Tomas, Headtipan, Poblacion, Alvenda, Buenasuerte, Unidos, New Siquijor, and Dioden, all of Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte. In his message, DENR-

9 Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable urged everyone to take good care of the land and make it productive as he enjoined them to be grateful and thankful to this program of the government. Atty. Bryan Lim of the Registry of Deeds also emphasized to the patentees to take care of their land titles and visit his office whenever any problem arises. The “Handog Titulo” program is one of the anti-poverty alleviation programs of the Aquino administration to help the Filipino farmers and their families to have a strong foundation of social security and contribute towards the economic growth and development of the country.


BFAR launches ‘Bayani Ko Sa Pangisdaan’ documentary-making contest

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has launched the “Bayani Ko Sa Pangisdaan: Search for Heroes of the Youth on Fish Conservation” documentary-making contest.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


“This, as a means to commemorate the 52nd Fish Conservation Week and further intensify the youth’s participation in the awareness campaign for the fisheries sector, as provided by Republic Act (RA) 8550,” Visa Tan-Dimerin, regional director of BFAR-10, said. Otherwise known as the “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” RA 8550 supports the educational campaign on management, conservation and proper use of the environment in all levels, in close participation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Meanwhile, the ‘Bayani Ko

Sa Pangisdaan’ documentary-making contest targets high school and college students as part of BFAR’s effort to promote the youth’s significant role in fostering public awareness on the protection of the fishery resources. It also bridges both youth and fisherfolk in the campaign towards sustainable marine and aquatic resources through fisheries conservation, Dimerin said. On the other hand, the competition will be held in three levels: the regional screening, the preliminary screening at the Central Office, and the selection of grand prize winners, Dimerin added.

Lanao Norte teachers hopeful with new found skills thru K ChannelTUBOD, Lanao del Norte – “I guess I have to say goodbye to traditional teaching and I have to embrace the enhanced learning pedagogies that is suited for my pupils.”

This was how Naomi Tambosecon, a 12-year veteran teacher from Kapatagan East Central School, Kapatagan,

Lanao del Norte, summed up the lessons she learned from the intensive


3-day teacher training program Learning Effectively through Enhanced Pedagogies (LEEP) of Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc.’s (KCFI). She admits that she has to keep up with the demands of teaching more technologically savvy learners. “I need to keep up with the demands of my pupils. In order to do that, I need to arm myself with the enhanced teaching and learning pedagogies that would cater to their needs,” she said. Tambosecon said LEEP is ‘a dream come true.’ Further, she said that LEEP made her realized that after years of using the same old teaching methodologies, she has not helped her students maximize their learning experiences in the classroom. “Iyon palang mga ginagawa ko sa loob ng classroom na akala ko sapat na, iyong tama na, ay kulang pa pala. Yun ding mga inaakala kong mga estudyante ko na medyo mahina sa loob ng klase, ay mali din pala ako doon. Hindi ko lang pala naibibigay sa kanila kung ano iyong tamang learning pedagogies na sapat at tama para sa kanila,” she said. (I thought that all teachings that I shared with my students are all enough, but rather, much

learnings to deal with, just like what I taught to my students who are less responsive in the class, their learning pedagogies are not met at all). And that is also my realization in attending this training) Tambosecon said from among the many trainings she has attended, LEEP is by far ‘the best training ever.’ Meanwhile, for Bingonan Elementary School principal Elver S. Gunesto (still in Lanao Norte province), LEEP made him realize that a learner-centered classroom makes learning more fun and effective. “Sa pamamagitan ng training na ito siguro, masasabi ko na maiiangat natin ang kalidad ng ating edukasyon… kaya nga sa programa ng K-12 naka-anchor ang LEEP training para naman iyong mga bata natin at ang kalidad ng edukasyon ay maiangat at kumbaga mai-compete natin globally,” she said. (With the LEEP training, quality education is levelled up, and with the K to 12 program anchored to LEEP, our students may as well compete now globally) Gunesto is optimistic that they can give a better chance to their students with their new


MARINA advances safety measures in maritime industryBy: Elaine O. RatunilCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) spearheaded nationwide public consultations on the Proposed MARINA Circulars on Safe Operations of Domestic Ships.

learnings gained from K Channel’s LEEP. As reported, more than 120 teachers from across the province of Lanao del Norte underwent the LEEP training which was jointly funded by the participating schools and their local government units. During a courtesy call paid by the members of the KCFI LEEP Team, Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo expressed his support to LEEP noting its importance in training teachers and principals, and their critical role in our learners’ future. He promised a counterpart fund subsidy from the provincial Special Education Fund to finance the next batch of LEEP training for the remaining Lanao del Norte teachers who haven’t been trained yet.

“LEEP is the essential teacher training for K-12. It is our commitment to the gatekeepers of our children’s learning. It is only fair that the teachers are equipped with the skills, the knowledge and the multimedia learning resources to teach the learners in the 21st century,” said K Channel president and executive director Rina Lopez-Bautista. “We hope to reach more teachers and train them on new teaching approaches and methods thru LEEP. By reaching more teachers, we reach more learners. We encourage everyone to join our cause of training teachers and giving K Channel access to our learners nationwide,” Bautista said. (K Channel/PIA-10 LDN)


This is relative to the Fact-Finding and Scoping Report of the International Organization (IMO) on the maritime safety of the Philippines, said Atty. Bashirudin U. Adil, Director for Maritime Safety Services (MSS) of MARINA, during the last leg of the consultation held in Cagayan de Oro, September 11. He said during the IMO Conference on the ‘enhancement of safety of ships carrying passengers on non-international voyages’ held in Manila, the Conference has adopted guidelines to aid the process of reducing the number of accidents involving coastal and domestic passenger vessels. The Conference issued the ‘Manila Statement,’ which are actually guidelines IMO adopted for the safe operations of such vessels. This refers to the Conference’s acknowledgment of the ‘urgent need’ to enhance the safety of ships in certain parts of the world and urges the States to ‘review and update’ national regulations in relation to their passenger ferries and to apply the guidelines in order to ‘address the unacceptable loss of life and damage to the environment and property due to marine casualties

and incidents involving such vessels. Among those presented during the consultation in Cagayan de Oro, were the proposed MARINA Memo Circulars on Maritime Safety and other related regulations: Conduct of Examination, Issuance of Certificate of Marine Profession (CMP) and Licenses to Seafarers below 500 GT or with Engine Propulsion Power below 750kW; Mandatory Passenger Insurance Coverage; Monetary Assistance to Survivors of Maritime Accidents, Incidents and other Relevant Concerns; Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing in the Domestic Shipping; and Requirements of Life Saving Appliances under Chapter IX of the Philippine Merchant Marine Rules and Regulations (PMMRR 1997). Likewise, on the Survey, Assignment of Maximum Load line Marking and Certification of Philippine Registered Motor Boat with and without Outriggers Carrying Passengers; Progressive Gradual Phase-out of Wooden-Hull Ships in the Domestic Trade; Construction, Conversion, Alteration and Modification of Philippine Registered Domestic Ships; Implement a Safety


Management System for Domestic Shipping; Registration of Boat Builders/Repairers; Subdivision and Damage Stability Requirements for Philippine Registered Domestic Ships; Shipboard Training for Deck and Engine Cadets; Issuance/Renewal of Coastwise Licenses (CWL), Bay and River Licenses (BRL) and Motor Yacht License (MYL). Meanwhile, the ‘Manila Statement’ highlighted that the safety of domestic ferries is the ‘shared responsibility’ between and among Governments, local authorities, ship owners, ship managers, ship operators,

shipboard personnel, maritime education and training institutions, classification societies and organizations which governments authorize to ‘survey and certify’ domestic ferries for compliance with the applicable laws, regulations and rules, insurance providers, ports authorities, port terminal owners and operators, and the public and civil society as users of the services provided. ‘Manila Statement’ strongly recommended the use of Guidelines on the safe operations of coastal and interisland passenger ships

on non-international voyages. The guidelines addressed issues on the purchase of ‘second hand’ ships intended to enter into service as ‘domestic passenger ships, that concerns on change in operating limits, the conversion or modification of a ship before it enter into service as a domestic passenger ships; passenger counting and voyage planning. The guidelines can also be used to check the operation of ships which are already providing passenger service; passenger counting and voyage planning in their daily operations.

41September 15, 2015 ONE MINDANAO 41

Dry spell to affect South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani – RDRRMC By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Sept 15 -- The provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in SOCCSKSAR-GEN Region will likely experience dry spell as “mature and strong El Niño” affects the country, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Council (RDRRMC) 12 warned.


Minda Morante, regional di-rector of the Office of Civil De-fense (OCD) 12 and chair of the RDRRMC 12 noted in an adviso-ry released Friday, September 11, that the aforesaid provinc-es are among the 21 provinces across the country that “may experience dry spell.”

Included in the list are Isa-bela, Sorsogon, Eastern Visayas (except Biliran), Zamboanga del Norte Misamis Occidental, Com-postela Valley, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Basilan, South Cotabato, Sultan, Kudarat, Sa-rangani, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“A mature and strong El Niño is now present in the tropical. Consensus of climate models show that it will likely strength-en further before the end of the year and may last until the first half of 2016. This 2015-2016 El Niño event will potentially be among the four strongest events since 1950,” Morante said, citing PAGASA-DOST and NDRRMC.

Strongest El Niño occurrences were felt in 1972-1973, 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.

Dry spell is described as three consecutive months of below normal (21-60% reduction from average) rainfall conditions or two consecutive months of way

below normal (more than 60% reduction from average rainfall conditions.

Sultan Kudarat, the advisory noted, may be among the prov-inces that will likely experience way below normal rainfall con-dition.

On Tuesday the OCD 12 and the NDRRMC 12 will meet mem-ber agencies for an update on the weather situation and pro-jections.

In the same meeting, the De-partment of Agriculture will pres-ent updates on the effects of El Nino on the agriculture sector.

Potential impacts on foods, fisheries, water supply, environ-ment as well as social, macro-economic and security concerns will also be discussed, Morante said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


NorthCot LGU braces for El Niño phenomenonBy Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Sept. 15- The provincial govern-ment here is intensifying its preparations against the possible ill-effects of the El Niño phenomenon which according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will occur on October 2015 up to the second quarter of 2016.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza said that preparations are be-ing strengthened among the con-cerned departments or offices in the provincial capitol such as the Office of the Provincial Agricultur-ist (OPAg), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Disas-ter Risk Reduction and Manage-ment Division (PDRRMD) and oth-ers.

In the radio program “Ang Kuta-bato Karon”, aired recently, Gover-nor Mendoza cited the report from PAGASA on the worst drought and significant reduced rainfall in two decades which will affect around 65 provinces including many in Mindanao.

“This is a situation where we can’t just sit and let it happen but instead necessitate collective ac-tions from all sectors, especially

the local governments,” the gov-ernor stated.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agricul-turist Engr. Eliseo Mangliwan and PDRRMD and Provincial Planning and Development Office Head Cynthia Ortega shared the actions and measures they will carry out to respond to the situation.

“The effect of El Niño is actually slowly felt at present because we have little rain now,” Ortega said persuading farmers to plant crops with shorter gestation period so as to enable faster harvest.

She also reminded the public to be cautious of the diseases that arise during drought such as sore eyes and other sickness even in the case of farm animals.

On the other hand, Engr. Man-gliwan narrated reports from OPAg that water stress affects some 41,039 hectares of planted land all over the province due to lack


of rain.“This total land area mostly

planted with rice, corn, rubber and other high value crops and fruits and vegetables must be supplied with enough water for them to surpass the heat and dryness of land,” said Mangliwan.

Moreover, he advised farmers and other stakeholders to save or start stocking water in preparation to the worst scenario brought by El Niño.

“All the measures we will exe-cute to help the agriculture sector will be useless without the right amount of water for our plantations that is why we will resort to cloud seeding,” Mangliwan added stat-ing that the provincial government has already sent a letter request-ing the Department of Agriculture 12 to allocate cloud seeding to the province which has also been ap-proved by the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

He further said that OPAg is ready to provide technical assis-tance in growing shorter gestation plants and conserve water.

Both officials emphasized that the Provincial Government of Cot-abato is doing its best in maximiz-ing efforts to strengthen protec-tion for the farmers and is working with national line agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, National Irri-gation Administration and many others to minimize the effect of the phenomenon.

On the other hand, Vincent Ba-guio, spokesperson of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc. (COTEL-CO) said that the supply of elec-tricity will definitely be affected by El Niño since the main supply of power in Mindanao is hydro and in this case, COTELCO is expected to implement means to mitigate the effects of drought.

“COTELCO is resorting to certain approaches that will both ben-efit the consumers and the coop-erative,” said Baguio adding that the efficiency of such approaches would also depend on the cooper-ation of the consumers.

One of these approaches is the Demand-Side Load Management where power consumers are re-quested to adjust or put-off elec-tricity during peak hours so that electric consumption will be mod-erate to low.

He then appealed to consum-ers to understand the situation especially during fluctuations and brownouts which are caused by natural phenomenon such as El Niño. (SJDuerme-PIA12 with JSta. Cruz- NorthCot Media Center)

one mindanao - september 15, 2015

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