one mindanao - september 22, 2015

Note points to NPAs as kidnappers of Samal tourists

24 employers jailed, 7,000 others sued for non-remittance of employees’ SSS contributions

APEC 2015 skills enhancement workshop for HMLOs held

Environmental payback program targets North Cotabato watershed

CDO plays host to 14th National Vegetable Congress

By: Michael Uy

Agnor ARB wins Land Bank’s 2015Gawad Pitak

Government to improve credit access for small farmers

Joint Normalization Committee holds

Mindanao Security Summit

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Cover Story

National

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

Southern

By: Jorie C. Valcorza

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Franklin P. Gumapon

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Shellfish from Murcielagos Bay, MisOcc is safe to eat, says BFAR

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 23

By: Gil E. Miranda

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23 By: Gideon C. Corgue

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OWWA kicks off capability building series for Caraga PESO managers3941

CaragaSurigao Norte maritime stakeholders celebrate National Maritime Week 2015

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones 36By: Susil D. Ragas

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

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 22, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

5September 22, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Agnor ARB wins Land Bank’s 2015 Gawad PitakBy: Gil E. Miranda


Ruben Ragas, a vegetable farmer in Barangay Sanghan in Cabadbaran City, has again set another milestone by streaking a record grand victory as 2015 Ulirang Magsasaka

during the 25th Land Bank Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad Pitak 2015) in line with the 52nd Anniversary celebration of Land bank of the Philippines (LBP) held at the Land Bank Plaza in Malate, Manila on August 7, 2015.


Ragas, together with his wife Fe, joyfully received the award handed-over by keynote speaker and former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. along with Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisma, Land Bank president and CEO Gilda E. Pico, Treasurer Roberto B. Tan and CDA chair Orlando Ravanera.

“Winning 100 thousand worth of fixed assets is a blessing or reward for years of productive work,” he said. In 2014, Ragas was also conferred as the “Ulirang Magsasaka” 1st runner-up honors during the 24th Annual Gawad Pitak where he won P75,000 fixed assets.

I really appreciate the Land Bank’s way of recognizing the farmers performance and of course the Department of Agrarian Reform whose vision is to empower the farmers in rural communities,” he said.

“I am proud as part of this milestone given due recognition of all my untiring effort. It brings us encouragement to elevate socio-economic condition not only in my family but also to those in need,” Ruben added.


Ragas, who continuously cultivated the piece of land that was awarded to him by the Department of Agrarian Reform, is now paving his way to success. Over 15 years, he reckoned the blessings from his farm. As an agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB), he strived to increase the farm production successfully and profitably giving due respect to mother nature by way of fostering integrated and diversified farming system. The DAR in this province headed by Provincial Agrarian

Reform Program Officer Andre B. Atega expressed its heartfelt congratulations to Ragas and his family for this important milestone in their lives, as it depicts the successes in agrarian reform program implementation in this province.

The LANDBANK Gawad PITAK is anchored on the importance of giving due recognition to the farmer-sector and cooperatives whose hard work and effort promote positive outcome toward progress.


DOLE signs agreement that protects OFWs from human traffickers

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and New Zealand Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michel Woodhouse on Sunday signed a labor cooperation agreement that strongly implements a no-placement fee for overseas Filipino workers going to New Zealand, clamps down on illegal recruiters and agents, and prosecutes perpetrators of document fraud and other recruitment anomalies.


Secretary Baldoz and Minister Woodhouse signed the “Arrangement on the Principles and Controls on the Recruitment and Protection of Filipino Workers in New Zealand,” in the presence of Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia Benavidez, and top officials of New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.

“Two countries working together to eliminate costly job placement and other recruitment-related fees, illegal recruitment and human trafficking, document fraud and fake training and qualifications credentials will make a strong case for a model bilateral arrangement for other sending and receiving countries to emulate,” Baldoz said.

photoceredit: rappler.com


The agreement spells out the areas of cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand, particularly in the regulation of the deployment of OFWs. Under the agreement, the two countries committed to work together in the promotion of compliance with recruitment, employment, and immigration laws of both countries through a targeted program of action, such as the audit of sectors where OFWs are engaged in.

The new agreement also details the cooperation priorities

of the two countries, such as promoting transparent, ethical, and equitable recruitment and employment practices consistent with the Philippine Labor Code

Other cooperation priorities include the enforcement of laws and regulations on non-payment of recruitment

and placement fees by OFWs; ensuring that the terms and conditions offered to OFWs reflect their actual terms and conditions in New Zealand; ensuring that OFWs are made aware of their immigration and employment rights; facilitating linkages between employers and recruitment agencies; and ensuring assistance in the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, and investigation of offenses in either the Philippines and New Zealand. (DOLE)


Government to improve credit access for small farmers

QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agriculture is set to implement a financing model that further improves credit access for small farmers participating in the agribusiness value chain.


The implementation of the program was signaled by the turnover of P40-million worth of funds by the DA’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) to the Philippine Postal Savings Bank, Inc. (Postbank) on September 18, 2015. Agriculture Secretary and ACPC Chair Proceso Alcala had likewise signed the implementing guidelines of the AFPP.

According to Secretary

Alcala, the ACPC Governing Council’s approval of the AFFP-VCFP underscores the importance of putting in place a viable agricultural value chain financing model that can be adopted by mainstream financing institutions.

“With improved credit access, the program hopes to enhance farmers’ production capacities, productivity, and


incomes. It also intends to contribute to the national government’s goal of promoting inclusive growth,” Alcala said. The value chain approach capitalizes on existing business linkages between farmer-producers and traders or processors to lessen credit risk. This approach in agricultural financing is recognized globally as one of the schemes that have potential in promoting inclusive growth in rural areas.

Under the AFFP-VCFP, the initial funding of P40 million from ACPC will be used to support the implementation of a value chain financing facility for individual farmers or farmer groups registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and market tie-up with established buyers. The Postbank will also match the loan fund with its own counterpart fund equivalent to at least the amount of loans availed of under the program.

The additional funding support from the ACPC will enable Postbank to sustain its value chain financing activities for small corn farmers in Zamboanga del Norte and Bukidnon. This will ensure that the productivity of corn farmers, hence providing the supply of corn grains needed by the ZGI. The Program will be implemented in the DA’s priority areas, initially in the provinces of Bukidnon and Zamboanga del Norte. Other provinces may be covered subject to criteria to be set by the DA. Secretary Alcala also wants other commodities such as cassava, rubber, banana, and cacao to later be considered for inclusion under the program, which will be implemented within a one-year period.

The Postbank was selected to be the program partner for

16 September 22, 2015ONE MINDANAO16 September 22, 2015ONE MINDANAO

the AFFP-VCFP as it is already implementing a corn value chain project with the ZDMC Grains, Inc. (ZGI) in Zamboanga del Norte. The production-processing-bulk handling-marketing project, which is aligned with the DA’s corn development roadmap, is implemented in Zamboanga del Norte and Bukidnon. The AFFP is one of the programs under the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program (AMCFP), the umbrella credit program of the

DA for agriculture and fisheries. The VCFP, on the other hand, is one of the credit facilities under the AFFP.

Other credit programs being implemented by the ACPC under the AFFP are the AFFP Sikat Saka II, Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), ACPC-PCFC AFFP Agri-Microfinance Program (AMP) II, Cooperative Banks Agri-Lending Program (CBAP) II and Climate Change Adaptation Financing Program (CCAFP). (DA)


Joint Normalization Committee holds Mindanao Security Summit

DAVAO CITY -- The Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) conducted a Mindanao Security Summit here at the Waterfront Hotel Monday, recognizing security as a main concern of the people in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Among its objectives, the Summit gives opportunity to all organizations working on

security to present their activities and plans; and a platform for increased coordination and


collaboration between the JNC and civil society organizations working on security-related issues. The JNC was created by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last October with a purpose of coordinating efforts to keep and improve security. Its creation is parallel to a number of national and international NGOs and academic institutions implementing projects to address peoples’ security concerns.

The ongoing event,

spearheaded by the Asia Foundation and the Conciliation Resources, is participated by the members of the JNC from the GPH and MILF; representatives from international donor agencies; civil society organizations (CSOs) implementing security initiatives in the Bangsamoro; members of the GPH and MILF Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH); Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG); International Monitoring Team (IMT); and International Decommissioning Body, among others. (PNA)


Zambo authorities urges transport groups to help ensure passengers’ safety By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In light of the recent bombing of a bus in Tomas Claudio Extension that killed a girl and wounded 33 others including an infant, local officials here are calling on public transportation operators to enforce strict inspection and security measures, especially in terminals.

Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar aired her call through Zamboanga Today, that operators of public transportation should enforce “strict inspection procedures, safety and security measures.”

After the blast on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy regional director for operations PSSupt. Randolf Delfin said that it is also “the responsibility of the bus liner


to provide security to their passengers.” “Please coordinate with us when you are receiving extortion letters,” Delfin said, adding that had they been informed, appropriate security measures would have been done pro-actively, which could have prevented the explosion. The D’Biel transport, which operated said bus took flak from angry residents after authorities pointed out that the management had already received an extortion letter, which D’Biel allegedly did not disclose to police prior to the incident. Local broadcast journalist and Talon-Talon barangay captain Teodyver Arquiza strongly criticized D’Biel’s management for their non-coordination with authorities. “The victims have suffered terribly as a result,” he said on-air in Chavacano. In CCTV footages secured by GBPI TV-11 on Friday, a man wearing a black hoodie and green jogging pants can be seen carrying a package and walking towards the off-cam bus. A few minutes after, he was again seen, now hurriedly running away, this time without the package. There was an explosion barely two minutes afterwards.

Last Sunday, the police released a cartographic sketch of the suspect. City Police Director Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro said that based on eyewitness account, the suspect is 5’4 in height, about 25 years old, medium built, brown complexion and a slightly drooping shoulder. Authorities have already set a P200 thousand bounty for the suspect. According to Mayor Climaco-Salazar, based on reports that she had received, there may be a link between the D’Biel blast and the Lamitan blast on September 16. Police are eyeing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for the atrocities, which has been engaging in extortions, bombings and kidnap-for-ransom within the Zamboanga Peninsula area. Meanwhile, the cartographic sketch of the suspect, which has gone viral over social media was heavily criticized for being culturally-insensitive. The sketch, which provided physical information about the suspect carried the words “Muslim type.” Netizens cried foul over the unwarranted labeling. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clarified that the description was the eyewitness’ own words,


APEC 2015 skills enhancement workshop for HMLOs held

By: Franklin P. Gumapon

MANILA – As part of the preparations for the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November this year, the Media Relations Accreditation Office (MARO) has conducted on Saturday a skills enhancement workshop for Philippine Information Agency (PIA) personnel who will serve as Host Media Liaison Officers (HMLOs) during the event.

and was “purely personal to the witness.” Leila Dagalea Vicente on Facebook cited the Anti-Ethnic or

Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011, which is the law providing for criminal liabilities for such issues.


Some 20 PIA staff from both the regional and central offices converged at PIA conference room in Quezon City to participate in a one-day workshop, which aimed to acquaint them with their roles, duties and responsibilities as HMLOs. Director JO Paulo Espiritu and Assistant Secretary Virgilio P. Nadal Jr. of the APEC 2015 Media Operations Committee briefed the participants on their specific roles to play during the gathering of Asia-Pacific economic leaders in November. Each APEC member-economy will have one HMLO who will work with its own media liaison officer. For the second time since 1996, the Philippines plays host this year to a year-long APEC

meetings which will culminate with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18-19, 2015 in Manila with the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” The government has declared Nov. 18 and 19, 2015 as special non-working days in Metro Manila as part of the security measures for the APEC economic leaders’

meeting. Member-economies attending this event include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hongkong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua Ne Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.


24 employers jailed, 7,000 others sued for non-remittance of employees’ SSS contributions

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Twenty-four employers who were found guilty of refusing to remit the monthly social security contributions of their employees were sent to jail and cases have also been filed against some 7,000 erring employers by the Social Security System (SSS).

In a press release, SSS chief legal counsel and senior vice president of legal services division Atty. Voltaire Agas said that SSS has charged 7,072 employees beginning in 2010. “The 24 employers convicted by the court were ordered to serve jail terms of up to 12 years,” Agas said. He emphasized that these convictions and SSS’ legal actions should be a reminder to erring employers. “As much as they have a business to operate, they also have the obligation to fulfill their duties under the Social Security Law, he added. According to the SSS, the legal actions were able to generate about P1.6-billion in unpaid contributions, penalties and fines, which were collected

from the employers that entered into out-of-court settlements. Under the SSS charter, employers must report new employees for contribution within 30 days of their hiring. In the case an employer is found to be delinquent in its obligations, employees are encouraged to report such incidents at the nearest SSS branch. Agas said that the complaints should be accompanied by proofs of employment such as a company ID and the payslips. The SSS is inviting all of its members to register for an online account at sss.gov.ph, where they can view their contributions and other membership details anytime.


3rd Career Guidance Congress in CDO tackles employment issues

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Adhering to inclusive growth and deploying strategies to address unemployment, underemployment, and skills mismatch, the Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) will facilitate the 3rd Career Advocacy Congress on 17-18 September 2015 at the Pryce Plaza in Cagayan de Oro City.

By: Mildred E. Dablio


Agravante said that with these achievements, our guidance counselors and career advocates at the regional and local levels are now ready to reach more students, jobseekers,

parents and stakeholders at the grassroots for the said advocacy. This continued endeavor calls on a strong commitment to maintain the implementation of Career Guidance activities.

CDO plays host to 14th National Vegetable CongressCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Vegetables farmers across the country converged in Cagayan de Oro City this week for the 14th National Vegetable Congress and Agri-Industrial Trade Expo.

By: Jorie C. Valcorza

The event focuses on discussing good agricultural practices and better business for the ASEAN economic integration, organized by NORMINVEGGIES Marketing Cooperative in partnership with DA and the Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board (PVIDB) PVIDB President Marcelino Remotigue said that the country is adopting the clustering approach to address the demand in volume, while stakeholders are also looking into technology to be able to produce high quality goods. “To be competitive we should consider quality of the product, you may have the volume but you

don’t have the quality, you may have the power but you don’t have the trust and confidence of our consumers,” he said. Remotigue stressed that there is always demand for vegetables, and farmers have to ensure steady supply by grouping on the kinds of vegetables they produce. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is meanwhile is preparing the way by issuing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certificate to individual, joint ventures, cooperative, corporations, and associations. Demonstration farms of government, academic and research institutions are also eligible to apply.


This information is published in Shellfish Bulletin (SB) No. 22, the latest publication dated Aug. 29, 2015, of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which has declared the area to be free from toxic red tide contamination, Atty. Benjamin F.S. Tabios, BFAR Officer-in-Charge, said. The declaration was made by BFAR based on the results of laboratory examinations of sea water from the above-mentioned areas it conducted, in coordination with the concerned local government units (LGU). Also found free from red tide toxins in Mindanao are Taguines Lagoon in Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin, in region 10, Dumagillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibuguey, region 9 and Hinatuan, Bislig and Llanga Bays in Surigao del Sur, region 13. Meanwhile, Regional

Director Visa Tan-Dimerin of BFAR, region 10, said the SB explains that all types of shellfish and alamang gathered from the above-mentioned areas can be harvested, sold, bought and safe to eat. However, Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental, region 11, have been found positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning that is beyond the regulatory limit, such that the shellfish and alamang gathered from the area are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption only if they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs, such as gills and intestines, are removed before cooking, as explained in SB No. 22.

Shellfish from Murcielagos Bay, MisOcc is safe to eat, says BFAROROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – All types of shellfish and minute shrimps or “alamang” collected from Murcielagos Bay, between Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte, have continued to be safe to eat.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


3 foreigners, 1 Filipina abducted in Samal resort

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF S AMAL, Davao del Norte, Sept. 22 (PIA)--- Three foreign nationals and a Filipina were abducted last night by still unidentified armed men from Holiday Oceanview Resort in Barangay Camudmud, Babak District.

By: Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

As Indicated from the spot report signed by Samal Chief of Police Benedicto Frias Faco and sourced from the Davao del Norte Police Pro-

vincial Office (DNPPO) among the abducted was Holiday Oceanview Operation Manager Kjartan Sekkins-tad, 56 years old Norwegian nation-


al. Others were Canadian nation-als John Ridsdel, 68 years old and Robert Hall, 50 years old and his 40-year old live-in Filipina partner iden-tified as “Tess”. Faco said in the spot report that at about 11:45 p.m. last night (September 21, 2015) Cheena Jala Canencia, the officer-in-charge of Holiday Oceanview Resort, person-ally appeared at the police station and reported the forcible abduction of foreigner-guests of the resort. Initial police investigation re-vealed that at 11:23 p.m. last night “more or less 11 men, wearing civil-ian attire with backpack and bando-lier, armed with two long firearms and short firearms, on board two motorized bancas docked at the re-sort”. At first, some of the armed men barged into the yacht of the spouse Steven and Kazuka Tripp attempting to abduct them but failed because the couple fought back and man-aged to escape. The two were rushed to Davao del NOrte Hospital-Samal Zone for medical treatment due to head inju-ries. Having held captive Sekkinstad, Ridsdel, Hall and the Filipina, the armed men left Holiday Oceanview Resort “heading towards undeter-mined direction,” the police spot report stated. At about 4:00 in the morning

today (September 22, 2015), police said that Holiday Oceanview security guard Alfie Monoy recovered a note at the entrance of the resort, about 500 meters from the docking area. The note allegedly had an in-scription stating “Katarungan ng Am-ing Commander by: NPA (Justice for our commander: NPA)”. The Island Garden City of Sa-mal Police Station has been coordi-nating with the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy and the Task Group Samal for follow up operations on the said abduction. The Island Garden City of Sa-mal Police Station is also set to orga-nize a “Special Investigation Group Oceanview” to conduct in-depth in-vestigation of such incident.


A note with the said inscription was seen at about 4:00AM this morning (September 22) at the entrance gate of Holiday Oceanview Resort, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) just 500 meters away where the abduc-tion of three foreigners and a Filipina happened last night. Davao del Norte Provincial Po-lice Director PSSupt. Samuel Gad-ingan stressed that even if the note was found near the incident area, the police is still investigating as to who is behind the kidnapping. Police Director Gadingan also emphasized that the note can be one of their leads but they are also looking into other armed groups that might be using the note as distrac-tion to their investigation. At about 11:23PM, more or less 11 armed men onboard two motor-ized banca abducted the resort’s op-eration manager and Norwegian Na-tional Kjartan Sekkinstad (56), along with Canadian Nationals John Ridsdel (68) and Robert Hall (50) and his Filipina live-in partner identified as Tess (40). IGACOS Police Station Chief PSupt Benedicto Frias Faco indicated in the spot report that they are co-ordinating with the PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Phil-

ippine Navy, and Task Group Samal for follow-up operations. The police station is set to or-ganize a special investigation task group to conduct in-depth investiga-tion of the incident.

Note points to NPAs as kidnappers of Samal touristsDavao del Norte- KATARUNGAN NG AMING COMMANDER by: NPABy: Michael Uy


South Cotabato revives Task Force El Niño

By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Sept. 22 -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has reconstituted its Task Force El Niño in preparation for impending months of dry spell.


Acting Provincial Agriculturist Justina Navarrete said the task force was reactivated to lead in the crafting of mitigating mea-sures against the effects of El Niño, particularly to the prov-ince’s agriculture sector.

Navarrete said the task force is a composite of several agen-cies such as the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, National Irrigation Administration, Na-tional Food Authority and sev-eral others.

The task force recently con-ducted an initial assessment of the conditions that may affect the residents of the province as well as set up plans to mitigate or reduce the drastic effects several months of below normal rainfall condition

Citing reports from the Phil-ippine Atmospheric, Geophysi-cal and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) , the Regional Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Coun-cil (RDRRMC) 12 warned that South Cotabato as well as the provinces of Sarangani and Sul-tan Kudarat are among the 21 provinces across the country that will likely experience dry spell in the coming months.

Dry spell, RDRRMC 12 chair-person Minda Morante, region-

al director of the Office of Civil Defense, explained in a notice sent to Philippine Information Agency 12, means “three con-secutive months of below nor-mal (21-60% reduction from average) rainfall conditions or two consecutive months of way below normal (more than 60% reduction from average) rainfall conditions.”

According to PAGASA, the El Nino phenomenon which is esti-mated to begin next month could last until the first half of 2016.

Navarrete disclosed that in the initial discussion of Task Force El Nino, they have identified sev-eral measures that may be car-ried out including construction of shallow tube wells and water impounding facilities and if nec-essary, requesting the Depart-ment of Agriculture to conduct cloud seeding.

Navarrete also disclosed that the Department of Agriculture 12 has distributed 1,100 bags of certified seeds which were dispersed to farmers in sever-al areas in South Cotabato that have harvested earlier.

These certified seeds are in-tended to help farmers immedi-ately replant for another


Environmental payback program targets North Cotabato watershed By Danilo E.Doguiles

cropping while irrigation sup-ply are still enough.

In a separate interview, NIA-South Cotabato chief Engr. Or-lando Tibang revealed that they have earlier issued schedule of water releases, cropping calen-dar and cropping pattern for farmers in the province to follow to be able to steer clear of the effects of the the dry spell.

Tibang estimated that in Ban-ga River Irrigation System, for example, around 30 to 50 per-

cent of the service area may experience insufficient water supply.

In the past few weeks, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes has repeatedly re-minded farmers to plant root crops that may be consumed in lieu of the traditional rice in case supply of the latter will be affected by months without rain. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Sept 22 -- A environmental program that would provide incentives to protection of natural resources is being considered for implementation in North Cota-bato

According to a report from the Mindanao Development Author-ity (MinDA), the Libungan Wa-tershed is being considered for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), an incentive mechanism designed to strengthen manage-ment of natural resources and

ecosystems that provide goods and services to the public and key industries.

The MinDA report noted that the PES is intended to encour-age the efficient and sustain-able used of resources that are being provided by the


52,820-hectare Libungan Wa-tershed and its surrounding ar-eas.

A watershed is described as an area of land that contains com-mon set of streams and rivers that drain into a single larger body of water.

The Libungan Watershed is home to eco-tourism sites and two river irrigation systems (RIS) that provide water to 9,255 hect-ares of rice lands, a major crop that drive economic growth in the province.

The municipalities of Pigc-awayan, Aleosan, Libungan, Mid-sayap, Alamada, Pikit and Ba-

nisilan, which have formed into an alliance of local government units called PALMA + PB will di-rectly participate in the proposed PES and oversee the implemen-tation of the mechanism.

“The idea of subjecting Libun-gan Watershed to PES has met a positive response from respon-dents,” said Dr. Carmelita Marti-nez, PES consultant of the Min-DA.

During the recently conclud-ed 1st Mindanao Policy Research Forum held at the Insular Wa-terfront Hotel here in Davao, Dr. Martinez presented “Developing PES Mechanism with River Basin


PES Mechanisms with Riiver Basin Organization (RBOs) in Mindanao” which highlighted the result of a pilot study on PES for the Libungan Watershed com-missioned by MinDA.

The forum was co-organized by MinDA and the Philippine In-stitute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Dr. Martinez said “the pilot study revealed that 92 percent of respondents are willing to pay for the protection of Libungan Watershed,” while adding “those who cannot pay have expressed willingness to volunteer their time in any protection and con-servation project.”

In the implementation of PES, the farmers or landowners who have agreed to manage natural resources such as forests, wa-tersheds, rivers, and streams are given incentive payments for rendering ecological services such as replanting of trees and ensuring the survival of the trees planted. Payments are made by the beneficiaries of the environ-mental services such water us-ers, companies that benefit ir-rigation systems and industry stakeholders.

The PES mechanism is also seen to enhance the protection of biodiversity that provide en-

vironmental goods such as food, freshwater, fuel, fiber and other natural resources that are used as inputs to the production pro-cess that help move the econo-my.

“PES is a market-based mech-anism that will employ practical approaches and is not a program designed to reduce poverty,” said Martinez while explaining “that PES is an economic incentive to foster more efficient and sustain-able use of ecosystem services provided by the natural environ-ment.”

She added that well-function-ing ecosystems provide services that are crucial to human sur-vival such as clean air, pest and disease control, carbon seques-tration and storage, controlled greenhouse gases, productive soil, and power sources.

The need to implement PES is bolstered by the findings of the study which revealed watershed degradation in various parts of Mindanao, Libungan included, caused by unregulated agricul-tural development and eco-tour-ism, illegal logging, population encroachment, and poverty of communities within the water-shed area.

The Libungan Watershed is at risk for water pollution, land use


change, soil erosion, siltation, flooding, and the lowering of Li-bungan River’s water level. Un-regulated human activities are putting pressure on the water-shed’s sustainability, specifically the quality of its water and land-scape, as well as water availabil-ity.

Guided by Mindanao’s road-map to peace and development, Mindanao 2020, MinDA seeks to address ecologically-distressed areas in the island-region as it promotes a dynamic, inclusive, and green economy. It is a goal of Mindanao 2020 to implement PES in all major watersheds in Mindanao by 2030.

MinDA hopes to replicate PES initiatives in other River Basins in Mindanao as inspired by the two PES success stories: the LGU of Naawan and the Miaray-on-Lapok-Lirongan-Tinaytayan Tribal Association (MILALITTRA) in Bukidnon.

The Local Government of Naawan institutionalized its PES initiative through its inclusion in their LGU Code Section 87 on the Development of Trust Fund for Watershed and Reforesta-tion. The Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park benefits from PES through the successful collabo-ration of the Cagayan de Oro

River Basin Management Coun-cil (CDORBMC), Xavier Universi-ty-Ateneo de Cagayan, and the tribal group MILALITTRA.

Study on PES is conducted through the Mindanao Knowl-edge Center (MKC) of MinDA that provides evidence-based policy researches for Mindanao’s sus-tainable development, in support to the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program or MindaNOW.

One of MinDA’s flagship pro-grams, MindaNOW integrates and harmonizes all watershed man-agement and protection efforts in the island-region, with the PES as one of its support programs.(MinDA/DEDoguiles-PIA12)


Surigao Norte LGU inks MOA with 4ID, PA for insurgency-free province By: PIA-Caraga

BUTUAN CITY - A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the declaration of Siargao Islands as ‘insurgency-free’ and Surigao del Norte as ‘conflict manageable and ready for further development’ is signed on Sunday in General Luna, Siargao between the provincial government of Surigao del Norte led by Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chairperson and governor Sol Matugas and Task Force Diamond, 4th Infantry Division (4ID), Philippine Army (PA) represented by Col. Henry Dar.


According to Gov. Matugas, the signing ceremony in the declaration of the island as insurgency-free is history in the making wherein said areas are given the proof of reality that indeed stable and habitable. “ Such feat is never easy to achieve. I would like to attribute this to the disciplined and loving people of Siargao and Surigao del Norte who painstakingly perpetuate and preserved the time learned values of respect, love, pride of place, solidarity, generosity, and most of all religiousity. I also commend and recognize the Army forces for their best efforts in planting the seed of peace in the island of Siargao where east meets west,” underscored Matugas. In a provision as contained in the MOA, Siargao Island has never been influenced by

the CCP/NPA/NDF (CNN) as its politico-military infrastructure does not exist. The insurgent’s armed group has ceased to exist and there has been no record of terroristic and NPA initiated violent incident for the past years. Likewise, lawless criminal activities have come to a very manageable level which the PNP can ably address. “The leadership of the Philippine Army (PA) through MGen Oscar Lactao and the Philippne National Police (PNP) through PCSupt Vert Chavez and their officers and staff have made a big difference in the province. Today, we stand with pride here in the island as we celebrate the recognition you accorded to this world gem of beauty and adventure – Siargao, an insurgency-free island,” articulated Matugas.


It can be recalled that a Joint Recommendation Report (Declaration of Siargao Island as Insurgency-Free Province) dated September 20, 2015 was passed and approved by the SDN-PPOC. It aims to build confidence among the people and the stakeholders in order to create an environment that is conducive to socio-economic, political and cultural development, free of CNN influence. “Thank you to the Phil. Army, PNP and Department of Interior

and Local Government for the job well done and for working with us in sustaining peace and security in Caraga region,” said Gov. Matugas. Along with the inking of MOA, all other local government officials of said areas also affix their signatures on the board of pledge as a manifesto of their unrelenting support by providing quality service, and ensuring the preservation of peace in homes/communities and environmental possessions abound its province.


Recognizing these developments along with its underlying challenges, the role of the Public Employment Service Officers (PESO) as the principal implementing arm of the efficient delivery of services in the local government units (LGUs) essentially needs to be intensified and their capabilities amplified. In the thrust of capacitating the PESO managers through

transfer of knowledge and skills driven to provide response to the concerns of their constituent OFWs within their own local government units in an easy, convenient and minimal expense for the clients, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) spearheaded a series of Provincial PESO Conferences, a capability building activity for the PESO Managers, for the month of September 2015.

OWWA kicks off capability building series for Caraga PESO managers

BUTUAN CITY -- The increasing number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents in Caraga region entails the rise of issues and cases encountered by OWWA members as well as their beneficiaries. Clients from distant provinces take long ways of travel to report incidents and address their complaints to the regional office which involves both financial and non-financial costs (time, effort).

FILE PHOTO

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones


The forefront two of the five “PROVINCIAL PESO CONFERENCE: Enhancing the PESO to Better Serve the OFW” was participated in by 17 PESO managers and their understudy from the province of Surigao del Norte on September 17 and 22 in Agusan del Sur on the 18th. The exercises aimed to provide PESO managers with Enhanced Training Orientation on OWWA Programs and Services and capacitate them with the proper protocol in responding to the OFW cases, queries, concerns and program availment procedures. POEA regional coordinator for CARAGA Meriam Balmocena, reiterated to the PESO managers, the forefront network of POEA in disseminating overseas employment opportunities, the legal documents and means of hiring overseas. She also emphasized the significant role of PESO managers in reducing and gradually eliminating the threats of Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking through heightened

requirement in giving authorities to the recruitment agencies. As a major objective of the conference, OWWA Caraga welfare case officer Annette Lovete discussed the Case Management Protocol. Lovete highlighted the common cases encountered by the OFWs as well as their dependents in Caraga Region. The basic procedures on handling complaints, requests for assistance and methods of intervention for each case were also introduced to the PESO managers. A workshop was also conducted to usher familiarity of the most common counseled cases. Three more conferences shall be held in Surigao del Sur on September 23, Dinagat Island Province on the 28th and Agusan del Norte on October 2015. This is an action of OWWA Caraga to continually develop its programs and services tailor-fitted to the needs and welfare of its members, right at their localities.


Surigao Norte maritime stakeholders celebrate National Maritime Week 2015

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – In line with the government’s efforts to recognize thousands of Filipino seafarers working here and abroad, the stakeholders of the maritime industry here are celebrating the National Maritime Week from Sept. 20-27, 2015. The event, which is anchored on the theme: “Edukasyon at Pagsanay sa Maritima: Kabalikat sa Patuloy na Kaunlaran,” is spearheaded by the provincial station of the Philippine Coast

Guard (PCG) Surigao del Norte, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). PCG Surigao del Norte Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey

By: Susil D. Ragas


T. Gervo said the celebration is aimed to give tribute to all the seafarers and stakeholders who contributed much to the country’s economy and to promote maritime safety for travelers and the entire maritime sector. One of the highlights of the week-long celebration is the conduct of the Basic Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) on September 24 to be participated by selected rescue volunteers of the province. Other activities calendared for the event include hanging of streamers, motorcade, coastal clean-up, lecture on responsible

disposal of garbage, garbage management plan, garbage book and shipboard and oil pollution emergency plan, regatta parade of motorboats, blood-letting activity, mangrove planting, and SCUBASURERO. The National Maritime Week is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation No. 1094, consolidating the celebration of the National Seafarers Day (NSD), National Maritime Day (NMD) and the National Maritime Week (NMW), making the celebration more significant and more inspiring.

one mindanao - september 22, 2015

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