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Contents Volume II, No. 59
19 - 25 May, 2018
P180 million seen to reduce poverty, improve income for abaca farmers in Agusan del Norte
ASEAN NEWS must stand united vs. 8 ASEAN protectionism: Singapore minister
REGIONAL NEWS
sector contributes largest 9 Services share to Caraga’s economy
MINDANAO NEWS NorMin MSMEs urged to product branding, 20 improve packaging
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AFP installs new Western Mindanao Command chief
CAMP introduce new agri, 10 ATI, fisheries extension concept DSWD-Caraga capacitates 11 middle managers on Strategic Communication
PROVINCIAL NEWS 13
MGB Caraga conducts groundwater resource mapping, assessment in Siargao Island
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14 equipment from DA Caraga AgNor to receive vet
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NC Cabadbaran conducts “going green” seminar for local business sector DTI conducts CASSY, organizes student consumer organization
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AgSur starts roll-out of 2018 CMCI
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SK mandatory training kicks off in SurSur
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101 ARBs in Tagbina town receive land titles from DAR
NATIONAL NEWS 1st year of Marawi siege
22 a time to reflect, not celebrate: SAP Go
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Duterte wants to transfer training of police recruits to PNP
News Briefs In time with the 81st Anniversary celebration of GSIS Butuan City Branch headed by Marciana Bata , in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur and MHO Bayugan City, the 3rd Special Forces Battalion under 401st Brigade , conducted on Thursday, May 18, a bloodletting activity with the theme “Dugon Alay, Dugtong Buhay” to promote its advocacy in saving lives among its troops through blood giving held at the H3SFBn , Brgy. Noli , Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. A total of 45 bags of blood were given by the individual soldiers. (Source: 1Lt. Vincent Hagonia, CMO Officer, 3SFBN)
DILG Surigao Sur Provl Dir Pedrito Alacaba cited that the subject matters on SK Mandatory Training had something to do with Decentralization & Local Governance; Katipunan ng Kabataan/Sangguniang Kabataan (KK/SK) History & its Salient Features; Meetings and Resolutions; Planning & Budgeting; and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards for Government Officials & Employees. (GTataroJr/RP) A P148 Million Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge breaks ground in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte on May 23, 2018, funded under Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and counterpart from PLGU-Agusan del Norte.
Sec. Martin Andanar of PCOO assured that the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) is committed to bring truthful and factual information about the government’s programs and projects down even to ordinary people. He also enjoined the socia media influencers and youth leaders in Surigao City to join their campaign in waging war against disinformation and misinformation.
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Cover Story
P180 million seen to reduce pov farmers in Agusan del Norte
BUTUAN CITY, The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte, through the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE) funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), proposed a total of P180 million funding to support the Abaca Value-Chain Project in Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago in this province. The project aims to increase profitability of agrarian reform beneficiaries, small holder
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farmers, Indigenous Communities and women groups involving the San Isidro Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) and other 20Â participating Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs). Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Andre B. Atega, CESO V, disclosed that most of the projects are funded by a loan from the IFAD with counterpart funding from DAR, Local Government Units (LGUs) and farmer-beneficiaries.
verty, improve income for abaca
According to ConVERGE Project Coordinator Annelyn R. Chan of DAR Agusan del Norte, the Project ConVERGE was approved in October 2015 and took off in the last quarter of CY 2016. For Agusan del Norte, from 2016 to the first quarter of 2018, a total of P55.6 million or 31 percent was released out of the proposed P180 million allocated up to 2021.
two-year target in a span of one year.
The project conducted 80 classes with 13 types of capability Enhancement Trainings to 21 farmer-groups; provided 12 mobile Abaca Stripping Machines; one-unit 10-wheeler Hauling Truck; provided planting materials and other farm inputs covering 300 hectares distributed to ten ARBOs; and With the very active participation rehabilitation of farm-to-market road to be of all project stakeholders and partner- implemented within 2018. (Gil E. Miranda, implementers, Team ConVERGE in DAR- DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte) Agusan del Norte was able to deliver the
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Photo gallery
1st Surigao International Dragonboat Summer Festival Surigao City, May 24, 25, 26, 2018
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MAY 12 - 18, 2018
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ASEAN
ASEAN must stand united vs. protectionism: Singapore minister By: Lily Ramos
SINGAPORE -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must take a collective stand in favor of a free, open, rules-based trading system while combating protectionism, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said Monday.
“ASEAN has done well in eliminating tariffs and gradually reducing services barriers. However, non-tariff barriers still hinder the free flow of goods, and the investment landscape is uneven and lagging behind many other emerging economies,” the minister said.
Chan made the remarks while addressing the Business Times’ Leaders Forum on ASEAN, as Singapore is taking the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.
Consequently, ASEAN must continue to push for economic integration and strive to achieve a greater level of connectedness among members, Chan noted.
The minister noted that trade frictions According to him, ASEAN must ensure between major economic players will that the trade architecture is continually lead to spillover effects in the region. updated and enhanced towards greater coherence. Moreover, ASEAN needs to ensure ASEAN “must reaffirm our resolve to that their economies are digitally connected abide by open regionalism, press on with and digitally enabled. Finally, ASEAN needs the deepening integration, and come together to capacity to innovate and create to maintain make a strong statement for a free, open, rules- its competitiveness in the long-run, shifting based and interdependent system,” he said. the region up the value chain. (Xinhua Net)
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Regional n ews
Services sector contributes largest share to Caraga’s economy
By: Nora Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY Recent results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) survey revealed that Caraga’s economy grew by 4.3 percent in 2017 higher than the 2.0 percent growth recorded in 2016. PSA Caraga regional director Dr. Rosalinda Apura revealed that the services sector has contributed the largest share of the region’s economic growth in 2017. “Services remained to account for the largest share in the region’s economy with 49.7 percent,” said Dr. Apura. Services continued to expand in 2017 with 7.2 percent growth and Other Services also contributed the most to growth as it grew by 10.9 percent, she added. Dr. Apura also said that next to Services is Industry with 34.3 percent and Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing with 16.0 percent. The Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing and Industry both recovered from their respective declines in 2016 while Services continued to expand in 2017. Based on PSA’s record, other subsectors also expanded during the period: Financial Intermediation, by 8.1 percent; Public Administration and Defense; Compulsory Social Security, by 7.0 percent; Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Personal and Household Goods, 5.8 percent; Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities, by 5.7 percent; and Transportation, Storage and Communication, 5.5 percent. Also, PSA recorded that Industry rebounded with a 1.8 percent growth in 2017 from a decline of 3.8 percent in 2016. The growth was contributed by the expansion in Construction by 14.3 percent
and Manufacturing by 5.0 percent. Mining and Quarrying and Electricity, Gas and Water Supply both pulled down the growth of Industry with a contraction of 4.3 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing grew by 0.9 percent in 2017 from a dip of 1.6 percent in 2016. Both Agriculture and Forestry, and Fishing posted growth of 1.0 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. According to Dr. Apura, of the 4.3 percent growth of Caraga in 2017, Services contributed 3.5 percentage points. Industry and Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing contributed 0.6 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point, respectively. (NCLM/PSA/PIA-Caraga)
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ATI, CAMP introduce new agri, fisheries extension concept By: Jason Paul Dads E. Jampac
BUTUAN CITY -- Some call it a paradigm shift but for Dr. Rogelio Cuyno of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization of the Philippines (CAMP), it is a ray of hope towards a better and improved agriculture and fisheries extension (AFE) system in the country. This was one of the important discussions during the 1st semester meeting of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Network (RAFEN) in Caraga region which was attended by National Government Agencies (NGAs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Municipal Agriculturists (MAs) and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) of Agusan del Sur, Vicente Dayanghirang Jr. of ATI-Central Office, and Dr. Cuyno. Dubbed as “Collaborative Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System” (CPAFES), this is a proposed concept to be pilot-tested in Agusan del Sur and is developed by CAMP with the support
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of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Under the proposed system, the provincial government will be empowered to develop its own agriculture programs and policies and thereby creating more wealth and reducing poverty within its jurisdiction. In the proposal, a provincial board to be headed by the Governor will be created. Members of the board will be NGAs and SUCs, which will provide technical and financial support to the province. Dayanghirang told RAFEN members that the agency has previously lobbied with congressmen and senators to reform the country’s AFE system. He is optimistic that the new proposal will be taken positively by legislators since it will be pilot-tested first in three provinces, thus providing them a solid basis in crafting and passing a new extension law. (ATI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Regional n ews
DSWD-Caraga capacitates middle managers on Strategic Communication By: Russ Cleppin M. Paster
BUTUAN CITY -- Communication plays an important role in the effective realization of the goals and objectives of any organization, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). With this, a Roll-out Training on Strategic Communication cum Writeshop on Packaging Development Stories for Regional Management Development Conference (RMDC) members was conducted by DSWD Caraga last April 4-6, 2018 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort. During the activity, the participants took part in the different activities that enhanced their skills along with strategic communication,
in order to achieve desired behavior change for target audience (partners, stakeholders, and public) and ensure successful implementation of the different social welfare and development programs. Different competencies were also discussed so that the participants were equipped in plotting-out goal-driven plans that will help them achieve their goals individually and as an organization. Regional Training Specialist Glezza T. Ty, Capacity Building Unit Head; Social Welfare Officer Golda V. Pocon, Standards Unit Head; Regional Information Officer Eunice M. Plaza, Social Marketing Unit Head; and Theresa MAY 19 - 25, 2018
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D. Barsobia, Training Specialist II, served as the resource persons during the activity. The resource persons employed various training methodologies such as interactive discussion, simulations, and audio-visual presentation, among others. The topics of the three-day capacity building activity included the following: Overview on Strategic Communication, the “P” Process, Message Designing, Audience Analysis, Communication Strategies, Stakeholders Mapping, the Science of Persuasion, Basics on News Writing, and Mobile Photography. “Our work needs perfect and effective communication for the fact that our poverty situation is so complex and alleviation from this situation requires not only the poor families themselves but including us, the stakeholders, who are part and parcel of the whole region,” Chief Administrative Officer Ramel
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F. Jamen, one of the participants stated. As tackled during the training, Behavior Change Communication (BCC) is an interactive process of any intervention with individuals, communities and/or societies to develop communication strategies to promote positive behaviors which are appropriate to their settings. Strategic communication means communicating a concept, a process, or data that satisfies a long term strategic goal of an organization by allowing the facilitation of advanced planning. DSWD said that having this capability building for RMDC members shall, in one way or another, contribute to the attainment of the agency’s vision which states, ”all Filipinos are free from hunger and poverty, have equal access to opportunities, enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful society.” (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
MGB Caraga conducts groundwater resource mapping, assessment in Siargao Island
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Caraga carried out the groundwater resource mapping and assessment in the municipalities of General Luna and San Benito in Siargao Island The activity aimed to establish the characteristic of the groundwater locale, and geology of the area and determine the in determination of the basic water chemistry general groundwater resource potential of of the groundwater. the different lithologic units. For 2018, MGB Caraga hopes to Likewise, the activity aimed to assess conduct Groundwater Resource Mapping the vulnerability factors that could affect and Assessment in the provinces of Surigao the water quality of the existing water supply del Norte and Agusan del Sur. (Melvin A. sources in the study area and to identify Mantilla, MGB-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte) possible areas for development and future extraction. The assessment was conducted by a team of geologists, cartographer and onthe-job trainees from the Negros Oriental State University. As for the mapping aspect of the activity, it was composed of an inventory of the existing groundwater resources (e.g. springs and wells) of each barangay within the said municipalities, identification of the lithologic unit and the overall geomorphologic
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Surigao del Norte
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Agusan del Norte
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AgNor to receive vet equipment from DA Caraga By: Aimee B. Sienes
Photo Credit to: ANimalsworld.life BUTUAN CITY -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is set to receive new veterinary equipment for its Provincial Artificial Breeding Center from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga. The equipment included one unit portable veterinary ultrasound and one unit binocular microscope for pregnancy diagnosis and semen evaluation of livestocks in the Provincial Artificial Breeding Center to be purchased by DA Caraga for the provincial government through the Provincial Veterinary Office, which handles the breeding center. This is in line with the policy of the national government to conserve and preserve its meager livestock resources to pursue and achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliance. The provincial government and the DA Caraga recognized the need
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for a comprehensive small and large ruminants’ Genetic Improvement Program to improve and develop productivity and efficiency of local livestocks as well as the need to hasten the production of good quality breeds of animals and improve genetic components of native livestocks. To ensure the purchase of the veterinary equipment and proper implementation of the program, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte authorized Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DA Caraga. Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr. pushed for the granting of the said authority through Sanggunian Resolution No. 061-2018 during its 74th regular session. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
NC Cabadbaran conducts “going green” seminar for local business sector
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte - Fifty business establishments of this city took part in a “Going Green Seminar Workshop” recently held here. The activity was co-organized by the Department of Trade and IndustryAgusan del Norte/Butuan City (DTI-AdN/ NC) through the Negosyo Center (NC) Cabadbaran and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabadbaran City. The going green campaign is part of DTI-AdN’s continuing efforts to promote green economic development in the province. DTI ADN Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist (STIDS) and Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Account Officer Myra Luz Pasinio Arriola-Gavero and STIDS/NC-Cabadbaran
Agusan del Norte
Provi ncial n ews
Center Manager Gemma Tano Larong Clarin provided inputs on greening your businesses - why go green and climate smart and environment - friendly practices. They also facilitated the ensuing workshop. On the part of the city, personnel from the City Environment Division Girlie Alfaro and Mariza Collado talked on the LGU’s greening initiatives and solid waste management, respectively. The one day activity was capped by the pinning of the participants’ pledge of commitment written on green paper leaves. They did this by answering the question “what can you do for Mother Earth?” The one-day activity was held at the Anino Roadside Eatery, this city. (DTIAgusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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Agusan del Sur
Provi ncial n ews
DTI conducts CASSY, organizes student consumer organization SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, -- A total of 39 second year students, taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), of the Southway College of Technology (SOCOTECH) were recently organized as a student consumer o r g a n i z a t i o n . The establishment of the organization took place after the conduct of Consumer Advocacy Seminar to Students and Youth (CASSY)
with Module 1 which tackled the rights and The activity also emphasized that responsibilities as consumer, as their first understanding the rights and the responsibilities learning session. of a consumer will help protect the person. The advocacy activity was aimed to equip the students on the eight consumer rights: 1) the right to basic needs, 2) the right to safety, 3) the right to information, 4) the right to choose, 5) the right to consumer education, 6) the right to representation, 7) the right to redress, and 8) the right to a healthy environment.
Likewise, the activity also put forward that “a well-informed and vigilant consumer is the best protected consumer�. The elected officers of the student consumer organization (SCO) are as follows; President: Stephanie Embodo, Vice President: Melissa Sesante, Secretary: Ana Mae Padilla and P.I.O: Jephte Enaldo.
This will help them understand the rights the consumer should enjoy.
Every quarter, the SCO shall meet to plan their advocacy initiatives. They shall also be continually equipped with other consumer advocacy modules.
The five responsibilities of a consumer were also tackled which were as follows: 1) critical awareness, 2) social concern, 3) action, 4) environmental awareness, and 5) solidarity.
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In the 2nd quarter, CASSY will discuss Module 2 which will tackle product standards. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgSur starts roll-out of 2018 CMCI
CC) has started the 7th run to Manila, b) the number of Public Transport of the Cities and Municipalities Terminals, c) Frequency of Routes and Trips per Competitiveness Index (CMCI) for 2018. Day, and d) the Presence of Retail Companies. The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities based on their competitiveness on the four major pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. In Agusan del Sur, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga Regional and Provincial Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) thru the Provincial Economic and Enterprise Development Office (PEEDO) conducted the CMCI 2018 roll-out last March 20, 2018 at the Provincial Learning Center, Gov. D. O. Plaza Government Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Marson Jan Dolendo, DTI-CaragaCMCI Focal person presented the 2018 CMCI. Jose T. Baron, Jr., OIC-Provincial Director of DTI- Agusan del Sur also presented the result and analysis of the 2017 CMCI. In the meeting, Rodel C. Maglunsod, Department Head of PEEDO, encouraged all the LGUs to provide the data needed as these are basis in identifying the standing of the LGUs. He also expressed to collaborate with DTI to come up with a business profile analysis of the province using the CMCI data.
The roll-out was participated in by the CMCI Focal person, Business Permit For this year, CMCI has additional and Licensing Officers in the municipalities data requirements, which shall be complied and the Provincial and Municipal Planning and completed by the participating local and Development Officers in the province. government units (LGUs). These include: a) (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur) the Cost of Freight from local starting point
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Surigao del Sur
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SK mandatory training kicks off in SurSur By: Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, -- The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Mandatory Training has started in Surigao del Sur Monday According to Pedrito Alacaba, DILG Provincial Director here, the Provincial Management Team (PMT) mandated to assist the conduct of such undertaking would be expecting attendance of all proclaimed winners in the just concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) held on May 14, 2018. Each participant had to shell out P2,000 training fee for the oneday mandatory attendance in the five-day appointment window that would last until May 25, Alacaba said. to play in the conduct of the said training. The DILG provincial chief clarified He stressed that aside from being the that “SK Mandatory Training all over the facilitator, they had to handle lectures on Philippines is set on May 17 – 26, 2018.” two of the five specific topics given, noting the second and the last one mentioned. Earlier Alacaba cited that the subject matters had something to do with All six campuses province-wide would Decentralization and Local Governance; be utilized as training venue, Estal added. Katipunan ng Kabataan/Sangguniang Kabataan (KK/SK) History and its Salient Considering the set of SK officials with Features; Meetings and Resolutions; seven members plus its chairperson, Surigao Planning and Budgeting; and Code del Sur would have 2,472 participants of Conduct and Ethical Standards for coming from 309 barangays, it was learned. Government Officials and Employees. However, both the DILG and COMELEC Meanwhile, Dr. Baceledes Estal, admitted that there were barangays with president of the Surigao del Sur State University lack of SK poll runners during the said polls. (SDSSU), confirmed that the learning resource (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur) institute (LRI) under him had an important role
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Surigao del Sur
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101 ARBs in Tagbina town receive land titles from DAR Nida Grace P. Barcena
TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur, (PIA) -- Some 101 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the municipality of Tagbina received land titles or Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Surigao del Sur provincial office recently.
For this year, Yu revealed that their office has targeted 488 hectares that will be distributed to 300 qualified ARBs in the province.
Meanwhile, acting Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Victor Canda According to Myra Yu, DAR-Surigao stressed that the CLOA is a proof of the Sur Information Officer, the land titles that ownership of each beneficiary on the were awarded during the distribution are land they till for a long period of time. classified as government owned lands (GOL) covered under the agrarian reform program He also encouraged those who of the said agency comprising 176 hectares received the CLOA to maximize the in barangay San Vicente and Ugoban, all in land awarded to them for their farm Tagbina town, part of its 2017 accomplishment production activities. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) on land acquisition and distribution.
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m i n danao n ews
NorMin MSMEs urged to improve product branding, packaging
By: Nef Luczon
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--Owners of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Northern Mindanao should change their “mindset” in considering branding and packaging as important components of their products to increase global competitiveness, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said. Linda Boniao, director of DTI 10 (Northern Mindanao), said local entrepreneurs commonly harbor reservations in improving their branding and packaging.
Boniao attributed this to the additional production costs that branding and packaging For the Visayas leg, the roadshow visited may entail, which would affect pricing and Tacloban City on May 3-4, while the Mindanao could in turn discourage consumers from buying. leg concluded in Cagayan de Oro City last week, from May 16-17. The final leg in Luzon “It would be unfortunate for these will be held in Carmona, Cavite on May 29-30. good products (from local traders) not to create an impact in the international Boniao said the roadshows aims to market simply because of bad packaging,” encourage MSME entrepreneurs to consider she said in an interview Thursday. improving their branding and packaging styles to entice wider markets and consumers, as visual She added that while products from appeal remains a major factor among buyers. other countries have good packaging, some of them are of lower quality DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, compared to Philippine-made goods. who graced the opening event, said the agency can provide technical assistance Boniao pointed this out as the DTI to entrepreneurs wanting to avail of the is on the thick of launching its “Pack! program, which includes computations and Pilipinas”, a roadshow that enables local payment schemes aimed at making it easy for traders to meet and consult with packaging traders to access packaging supplies.聽(PNA) and branding consultants and suppliers.
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m i n danao n ews
AFP installs new Western Mindanao Command chief By: Teofilo Garcia, Jr
ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday installed newly-promoted Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega as the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom). The installation of dela Vega, a seasoned military officer, coincided with the commemoration of the first year anniversary when the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups occupied the city of Marawi. National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana presided over the turnover of command that saw the installation of dela Vega as the 10th commander of Westmincom. Previously, dela Vega was Dela Vega, the current commander assigned as the commander of the Joint of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, Task Force Sulu, the command that replaced Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who was pursues the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). promoted as AFP chief of staff on April 18. Dela Vega, as the current commander Lorenzana said Westmincom is of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, also leads fortunate to be led successively by two the fight against the Bangsamoro Islamic bemedalled officers, Galvez and dela Vega. Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Central Mindanao. “Both are very good officers,” Lorenzana added, citing both officials have served as his subordinate officers when he was still in the military service.
“With his vast experience in dealing with terrorism and his strong leadership, I am confident that the Westmincom under (Lt.) Gen. dela Vega can performs its task inherent to this command,” Lorenza said.
Lorenzana said both Galvez and dela Vega have worked together in Galvez said Westmincom “will be in crushing the ISIS-inspired Maute and good hands” with the designation of dela Abu Sayyaf Groups in Marawi City. Vega as the new chief, whom he described as “a competent and honest commander.” Galvez said dela Vega was the first commander to send reinforcements Galvez and dela Vega are members to government troops when the fighting of the Philippine Military Academy broke on May 23, 2017 in Marawi City. (PMA) “Sandiwa” Class of 1985. (PNA) MAY 19 - 25, 2018
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national n ews
1st year of Marawi siege a time to reflect, not celebrate: SAP Go
By: Jelly Musico
MANILA -- Rather than commemorate the start of the Marawi terror siege, the country should instead reflect on the lessons brought by this dark chapter in Philippine history, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Wednesday. “(We should reflect) to prevent a similar incident from happening again in any part of our country and to sustain our efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate the city,” he said in a statement.
Maute terrorists entered the bustling city of the south carrying black flags with ISIS logo and started their assault by taking priest Fr. Chito Soganub and other civilians as hostage.
Go said President Rodrigo Duterte did not visit Marawi City for the commemoration of the first year of the bloody siege, and will instead attend the commemorative rites on the liberation of the war-torn city.
Government troops responded, prompting Duterte to cut short his Russia trip and put Mindanao under martial rule. The conflict ended five months later after Maute’s top leaders, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, were killed by the military.
“The start of the Marawi siege is something that is not worth celebrating. And for being such, the President is not keen on During the five-month siege, the visiting Marawi a year after it was desecrated Commander-in-Chief visited Marawi City by members of the ISIS-Maute group,” Go said. seven times including on Oct. 17, 2017 to declare the liberation of the war-torn city. “In his next visit, the President wants to see Marawi During the 120th anniversary of the rising again and Maranaos going back to Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Duterte took their normal lives. Presently, the rehabilitation full responsibility for the shortcomings of the efforts in Marawi are going well and way the Marawi siege was handled, saying 70 percent of residents already went the government could have done better. back to their homes,” he said in Filipino. “We had a very sad experience On May 23 last year, a group of in the Marawi siege. And we all know
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national n ews
that we have fallen short in some what’s going to happen, “Duterte said. respects the way it was handled. I assume full responsibility, “Duterte said. The Marawi siege had left over 1,000 terrorists, 167 government troops Duterte said he did not anticipate and more than 100 civilians dead. that the war would reach five months, leaving Marawi City in ruins. According to Task Force Bangon “All of these faults, if it is indeed one, or Marawi, the total amount of damages and our faults, it belongs and it falls on my losses has reached to PHP17 billion while shoulders as Commander-in-Chief. And I more than PHP51 billion will be needed assume full responsibility to the nation of to rehabilitate the strife-torn city. (PNA)
Duterte wants to transfer training of police recruits to PNP By: Azer Parrocha
“We’re producing, to my mind, some lousy men getting into the service under questionable circumstances,” Duterte said.
MANILA -- Describing some policemen as “lousy”, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday said that he might return the training of police recruits to the Philippine National Police (PNP). “I think that I might return the training itself and the militaristic activity training of the police back to the PNP itself,” Duterte said during the 120th anniversary of the Philippine Navy in Pasay City.
The President said that it seemed like there was a lack of effort to conduct background check among police recruits since many end up being criminals. “Nagkulang tayo doon sa (We lacked) background check and even the matter of the protocol of joining the police. Marami diyan mga salbahe (There are many policemen) who are really criminals,” Duterte said. “Some of them sadly, are really into drugs.” He, meanwhile, warned policemen who are involved in the drug trade that their days are numbered. “May I just remind everybody, including, most of all the policemen, I’m just warning them that if you are into it, you will be the first to go,” Duterte said. The PNP has earlier expressed its desire to transfer the training to its agency.
“It has not done good since we transferred it to [the] Public Safety with due respect to General de Leon,” he added, referring to Former PNP chief Director General the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC). now Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa pointed out Duterte said that he believed PPSC that the PNP is the only police agency in president and retired Police General the world not training its own policemen. Ricardo de Leon was very “competent” At present, all police recruits undergo a training but noted that the system where program under the PPSC before they are PPSC handles training “ain’t working.” turned over to the PNP for formal hiring. (PNA) MAY 19 - 25, 2018
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For more info. contact: Tel. No.: (085) 225-9219 / 300-0722 Cell Nos. 0908-875-9185 / 0917-580-2609 / 0925-556-2417 Email: inkboxinnovation@gmail.com
ONE MINDANAO MOBILE APP
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EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor
Regional Office
Associate Editor
Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City E-mail: piacaraga@gmail.com; pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph Telephone no. (085) 341-5285; Telefax No.: (085) 341-2370 Facebook: Philippine Information Agency Caraga Twitter: @PIACaraga
ABNER M. CAGA FRYAN E. ABKILAN Managing Editor
NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Copy Editor
VENUS LIM GARCIA Layout Artists
JOHN CHARLES B. MALAZARTE RONNIE E. MADANGUIT Contributors
JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur
NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur
SUSIL D. RAGAS
Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands
LILY RAMOS JASON PAUL DADS E. JAMPAC RUSS CLEPPIN M. PASTER AIMEE B. SIENES GREG TATARO NEF LUCZON TEOFILO GARCIA JR. JELLY MUSICO AZER PARROCHO DAR AGUSAN DEL NORTE XINHUA NET NCLM PSA ATI-CARAGA DSWD CARAGA MGB - 13 DTI - AGUSAN DEL NORTE DTI - AGUSAN DEL SUR Business Managers
ZARINA O. LASTRA REGAL C. ORIBIA Photographer
ROBESPIERRE C. TRADIO
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Information Centers AGUSAN DEL NORTE Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 815-1991 E-mail: pia.northagusan@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Agusan del Norte Twitter: @PIAAgusanNorte
AGUSAN DEL SUR Provincial Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Cellphone no. 0917-723-3455 E-mail: pia.agusandelsur@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Agusan del Sur Twitter: @AgSurPIA
SURIGAO DEL NORTE/DINAGAT ISLANDS Parrucho corner Magallanes St., Surigao City Telephone no. (086) 826-9450 E-mail: piasurigao@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Surigao del Norte; PIA Dinagat Islands Twitter: @PIASurigaoNorte
SURIGAO DEL SUR Old DPWH Bldg., Telaje, Tandag City Telephone no. (086) 211-3353 E-mail: piasurigaosur@gmail.com; sds_pia@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Surigao del Sur Twitter: @piasurigaosur
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