CONTENTS 03- 09 December 2016
Volume 1, No. 36
REGIONAL NEWS
7 8 9
Caraga LGUs, DA-13 recognized in PH corn congress Local leaders vow to support RPRH law DOST, Winrock hold TOT on food safety awareness
PROVINCIAL NEWS
11
Agusan del Norte bags quality corn hall of fame award
AgNor farmer-groups 12 13 participate in records keeping,
HEALTH NEWS
22 Feature: Herbs for sports? MINDANAO NEWS
25
Mindanao gets substantial infra fund under BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025
COVER DOST, Winrock, PIA maximize platforms in communicating Caraga Food Safe Campaign
NATIONAL NEWS pledges at UNCAC: 27 Duterte No corruption
28
South Korea commends PH gov’t reintegration programs for migrant workers
file management seminar
ARBs graduate from farm 13 68 business school in AgSur
14
Business establishments in Surigao City receive BAGWIS award
7
Islands holds 2-day 15 Dinagat Jobs Fair
16
11
Young Surigaonons make waves in the Youth Development Convergence in Caraga
SurSur mobilizes 86 18 PENRO forest rangers for LAWIN
25
system
guv supports IP 20 SurSur representation in SP
22
27
News Briefs The Philippines is one of eight countries in Asia and the Pacific with increasing new HIV infections, next to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Other countries include Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Indonesia. To date the country has 25 new HIV infections per day or I new HIV infection in every hour. As the messenger and communication arm of the government, Philippine Information Agency is set to officially launch and introduce ‘LIKE PINAS’ TV Program via Peoples Television (PTV) come February 2017 . The new platform will serve as a gateway to present what we like about Philippines, what makes us proud to be Pinoys, & what other countries may like about the Phils.
The Surigao del Norte PGADCC will conduct a culminating activity of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW at the Surigao City Cultural Center. The DepEd Surigao del Sur & Tandag City Divisions facilitated a one-day Planning & Coordination Meeting in preparation for the upcoming Caraga Regional Athletic Meet to be held in Tandag City on February 2017. The said conference was joined by the representatives & officials from the different government agencies, provincial government, city government & private sector.
Cover Story
DOST, Winrock, PIA maximize platforms in communicating Caraga Food Safe Campaign By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
B
UTUAN CITY – With the intent to intensify the Caraga Food Safe Campaign in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Winrock International – Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) have joined efforts and were able to maximize the use of its existing platforms to effectively communicate food safety to all Caraganons.
4
The DOST, Winrock and PIA Caraga had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Caraga Food Safe Campaign.
food service enterprises, and among consumers; and to develop or improve the food safety practices and behavior of food handlers and consumers.
DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga reiterated that the said campaign is aimed to advocate food safety among processing and
Mallonga bared that relevant information on food safety will be coming from their office, in collaboration with the Caraga Food
REGIONAL NEWS
Safety Team, and other concerned agencies. She emphasized that PIA is the lead agency in the dissemination and promotion of information to the general public through its known platforms. “We believe that PIA is best in communicating this campaign to the different provinces through its Information Center Managers. PIA also works well and harmoniously with the media in the region and we want this strengthened. We are optimistic that
in line with the implementation of the Caraga Food Safe Campaign. “We have been innovating and discovering other means on how we can reach more people in the grassroots. Also, we have been maximizing our existing platforms in communicating the Caraga Food Safe Campaign since the day it was launched in the region – from our textblast, press and photo releases, national and regional websites, Caraga in Focus electronic news magazine, and our online streaming Advance Forward Emergency PIA and media can effectively help us Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network, bring our campaign on food safety to and constant collaboration with our its listeners, viewers that will also effect media partners,” elaborated Caga. change in the people’s daily routine of Also, Dan Gudahl, chief of party preparing food,” Mallonga underlined. PIA Caraga regional director Abner of Winrock International assured Caga will lead the crafting of the one- that they will fully support PIA and its year communication plan indicating partners in the implementation of this significant activities to be conducted campaign. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
5
Photo Gallery DILG Agusan del Norte
- Orientation on the Federal Form of Government - Launching of Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (MASA MASID) Program Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City 05 December 2016
By: Aurelius P. Arais
REGIONAL NEWS
Caraga LGUs, DA-13 recognized in PH corn congress
BUTUAN CITY - Farmer’s determination plus right technology plus government support results to quality produce. These what gives Caraga Region an edge over other regions vying for the recently concluded 4th National Quality Corn Achievers Awards 2016. For the third time, the Province of Agusan del Norte set Caraga Region in the limelight as the province emerged as Hall of Fame awardee in the implementation of the corn program. Governor Maria Angelica Rosedelle Amante-Matba with other provincial officials received the award
as Agusan del Norte is the lone winner of the said category. Aside from the award of the province, Agusan del Norte Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Aclan also received a Hall of Fame award for being an outstanding provincial agriculturist while provincial corn coordinator Oscar Tuyor as outstanding provincial corn coordinator hall of fame awardee. Aside from hall of fame awardees from Caraga Region, the Municipality
7
REGIONAL NEWS
of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur also emerged as the outstanding municipality while Marlita Cortez was awarded as an outstanding municipal agriculturist, Luzviminda Abellana as an outstanding municipal corn coordinator and Nilo Villamor as an outstanding agricultural extension worker. The province of Agusan del Norte and municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur received a check amounting to P5M and P1M worth of projects respectively while individual winners received cash prizes. Recognizing government’s support to the local government units, DA-Caraga Region has been recognized also as the best regional
team. The awarding ceremony was held in conjunction with the 12th Philippine National Corn Congress at the City of Koronadal, South Cotabato on November 16-18, 2016 with the theme: Sulong Maisan! Sapat na Pagkain ng Bayan. The event was graced by DA Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr., assistant secretary for operations and national coordinator for corn and rice program. The congress was attended by close to 2,000 participants composed of corn farmers, traders, government officials and other corn stakeholders around the country. (DA-Caraga)
Local leaders vow to support RPRH law By: May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY – Series of orientationbriefing of the Population Agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was conducted by the Commission on Population among the barangay captains, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan Committee Chair on Health/Social Services from the Provinces of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur District 2, Surigao del Norte mainland and the City of Surigao, respectively, to fully implement the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH).
8
informed choice and voluntarism, and to access needed for reproductive health care information and services. POPCOM founded its advocacy to local officials on the DILG Memorandum Circular 2015-145 reiterating the roles and responsibilities of the local government units on the localization of the RPRH Law. The Duterte Administration’s 10-point socio-economic agenda includes, among others, the strengthening of RPRH implementation to enable poor couples to make informed choices on family planning. (POPCOM-Caraga)
REGIONAL NEWS
This initiated advocacy and communication strategy of POPCOM aimed at building awareness among these local leaders and program partners on population concerns and reproductive health and to draw full support from them in the full implementation of the said law at their level. Director Alexander A. Makinano of POPCOM Caraga reiterated that the Republic Act 10354 or the RPRH Law was enacted for all Filipinos to exercise their rights, including the right to decide freely and responsibly on their desired number and spacing of children, within the context of responsible parenthood,
DOST, Winrock hold TOT on food safety awareness By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, together with the Winrock International - Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) conducted on Thursday the Food Safety Awareness Training of Trainers held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
In her message, DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga emphasized that food safety is not only the responsibility of one agency, but a shared responsibility of all sectors. She added that through this training, participants are equipped with right knowledge on food safety and will be able to train others in their respective community. Mallonga also recognized the
Winrock International – PCCP thru chief of party Dan Gudahl for its sincere concern for the Caraganons in terms of food safety and for establishing programs that directly address the needs of the vulnerable sectors in the region. “We are very lucky that the Winrock is here working with us for this campaign that will address food safety concerns not only here in Butuan City
9
REGIONAL NEWS and Agusan del Norte, but for the whole provinces of Caraga region. Let us all do our share for us to achieve our goal for a healthier Caraganons,” underlined Mallonga. Gudahl enumerated examples/ situations where people missed to observe food safety that may cause various diseases. He also stressed that Winrock wanted to improve food safety practices in Caraga region, and conducting the Food Safety Awareness Training of Trainers is just one of their initiatives with DOST. “The Food Safe Caraga Campaign is aimed to contribute to the PCCP’s overarching goals by implementing an information campaign on food safety, and a training program on meat handling for meat shop operators and workers,
10
meat vendors and the general public,” reiterated Gudahl. Gudahl further challenged all the participants to take said training seriously and share their learnings to other people. Republic Act (RA) No. 10611, also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013 is an act to strengthen the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products. Apart from consumer health protection, implementation of RA 10611 also pushes for better food regulatory system to ensure a high level of food safety, and linked to this, the promotion of fair trade practice and sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
By: Aimee B. Sienes
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Agusan del Norte bags quality corn hall of fame award
BUTUAN CITY - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte bagged the quality corn hall of fame award and received a plaque and cash incentive during the 12th Philippine National Corn Congress in conjunction with 4th National Quality Corn Achievers Awards in Koronadal City, South Cotabato held on November 16-18, 2016. Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba personally received the said award and cash incentive of P5,000,000, together with Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong, Provincial Board Members Elizabeth Marie R. Calo, Dick Victor B. Carmona, Lucia E. Jundis, Virgilio R. Escasiñas, Jr.
and Benjamin D. Lim. Agusan del Norte Provincial Agriculturist Alvin P. Aclan also received his award as Outstanding Provincial Agriculturist and Oscar S. Tuyor as Hall of Famer Outstanding Provincial Corn Coordinator during the said congress and awarding. (LGU-Agusan del Norte)
11
PROVINCIAL NEWS
13 AgNor farmer-groups participate in records keeping, file management seminar By: Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY - At least 200 Agrarian Reform Farmer-Beneficiaries in Agusan del Norte attended the series of seminars on records keeping and file management conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at the different villages in Agusan del Norte in the months of September to October, 2016. According to Section Head Juanita Balibay of Social Infrastructure and Local Capability Building (SILCAB), the said 200 seminar attendees belong to 13 different Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) in the province, namely, Tagbuyacan Farmers Marketing Cooperative, Rural Improvement Club, Tagbuyacan Upland Farmers for Development, Colorado Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Tirador Beneficiaries Farmers Association, Marcos Calo Agrarian Farmers Association, Bonifacio Agrarian Reform Cooperative And Dona Rosario ARB Association (DARBA). The activity is part of DAR’s capability building program for the ARBOs and made response to the need to organize records to meet the requirement for transparency and accountability. “The seminar is not only to improve the productivity but also to make the workplace more pleasant, improves the safety and quality of work and ensures public satisfaction,” Balibay added.
12
Ponciano Nino, chairperson of Tagbuyacan Farmers Marketing Cooperative said that he was satisfied with the results of the topics of the training. “Pasalamat kami niini nga records management seminar kay libre kini gihatag sa DAR ug sa partner niini nga Propegemus Foundations Inc. (we are thankful for the records management seminar because its free to us from DAR and its partner Propegemus Foundation, Inc.),” Nino added. Olegario Aguillon, chairperson of Colorado Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative based in Jabonga said that “Tukma ug haum gyud ang among nahibaluan, daghan mig nakat-unan sa records management training (The topic was very appropriate, we learned a lot from the records management training).” The seminar was in partnership with the DAR and the Propegemus Foundation Inc., an accredited training provider of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). (DAR-Agusan del Norte)
By: Rechel D. Besonia
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur - A total of 68 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Rizal Multi Purpose Cooperative (RMPC) had recently graduated from Farm Business School (FBS) held at Mabe’s Savory Place, San Francisco, this province. San Francisco Municipal Mayor Jenny De Asis; Rizal Barangay Captain Rufino Acog; DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Allan N. Mundala; Municipal Agriculturist Vina Ranoco, and the members of Rizal MPC attended the activity. Three municipalities in the province have already availed of the FBS including the recent graduation of Rizal MPC, it was learned. “Pasalamat kami ug dako sa FBS sa paghatag sa among coop ug oportunidad aron madugangan ang among kahibalo ilabi na sa pag record ug pag compute. Enjoy jud kaayo me sa among klase ilabi na sa among benchmarking sa Alameda Farms. Among gi claim nga puhon pinaagi sa among kahibalo madatu na me ug makapalit na ug sakyanan (We are so thankful to DAR for giving our cooperative the opportunity to avail of the FBS program. Because of this, we are able to gain more knowledge especially in recording
PROVINCIAL NEWS
68 ARBs graduate from farm business school in AgSur and computation. We enjoyed the sessions so much especially during the Benchmarking in Alameda Farms. We claimed that someday we will become successful entrepreneurs and we will be able to buy our own car),” expressed Arlene Binas, an ARB and one of the FBS beneficiaries. “The Department of Agrarian Reform is continuously providing interventions to our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and Farm Business School is just one among the others. We are hoping for the best for all the recipient of the program and help establish linkages to other financial institutions to avail the support services,” Mundala highlighted. FBS is a collaborative approach initiated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to help the farmers develop and strengthen their skills not just in farming but also in business enterprising and marketing strategies to ensure profitability. (DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
13
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Business establishments in Surigao City receive BAGWIS award By: Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, – Metro Surigao Shopping Center, Inc. and Palma Superstore, both based in this city received a bronze and silver BAGWIS awards, respectively during the 10th Year Anniversary of the BAGWIS Program gala night held recently at the Manila Hotel, Metro Manila. According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Celestino Negapatan, the two establishments are consistent bronze and silver BAGWIS awardees since 2006. “Metro Surigao Shopping Center and Palma Superstore were given the awards as the first establishments which responded to the call of DTI to be partners in carrying out good business practices by complying all the criteria set forth by the DTI for the program and have maintained its award for the past 10 years,”
14
Negapatan said. He said that the DTI-Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) has identified eight establishment awardees from the province for the said activity. Negapatan further said that the Consumer Protection Group through CPAB undertake such activity to give due recognition to the 2006 BAGWIS awardees who continued to be partners of DTI in upholding consumer welfare. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
By: Jane Gonzales
PROVINCIAL NEWS
Dinagat Islands holds 2-day Jobs Fair
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands - The provincial government of Dinagat Islands through the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) and Provincial Labor Employment and Manpower Office (PLEMO), in partnership with the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), POEA, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), recently conducted a two-day Jobs Fair held at Multi-Purpose Building, San Jose town. The activity aims to give equal employment opportunity to all Dinagatnons under the leadership of Governor Glenda B. Ecleo. The available local job placements are production operators and sewers, project supervisors, administrative staff/ Information Technology support, company nurse, company and expat drivers, machine operators, technicians, janitorial/utility, auto mechanics/
welders, service crew and grass cutters, carpenter/mason, company registered nurse at least one year experience, mess hall supervisor with at least three years relevant experience, marine engineer with at least three years relevant experience, accountant and engineer, bookkeeper, sales clerk, mining engineers, drilling operators with at least two years experience and must be a High School graduate, and safety manager.
15
PROVINCIAL NEWS
The available overseas job placement are accountant, architect, babysitter, bartender, beautician, bellman, carpenter, cashier, cleaner, clerk, cook, service crew, designer, driver, electrician, engineer, housekeeper, laborer, manager, mason, mechanic, nurse, operator, painter, plumber, computer programmer, receptionist, saleslady/ man, secretary, supervisor, tailor, technician, waiter/waitress, general welder, asst. production technician, production staff, technician production, safety observer, machine operator, accountant, administrator, travel agent, barber, foreman, machinist, manicurist, painter, plumber, receptionist, security guard, therapist, AutoCAD operator,
cartographer, draftsman, housemaid, elementary and high school teacher, librarian, and photographer. The said activity was participated in by different local and overseas employment agencies, namely: The Power Master, Inc. (Service Provider of CMC); Dielco; Rico Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Avatar Construction; PBMA DIMPC; Cagdianao Mining Corporation; Jenerick International Manpower; Philquest International Management and Service Contractor; AL-ALAMIA International Manpower Services; MMML Recruitment Services, Inc; and MI-REKRUIT Manpower, Inc. (Jane Gonzales, PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Young Surigaonons make waves in the Youth Development Convergence in Caraga By: Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The first ever Youth Development Convergence event in Caraga region dubbed “Para sa karadjawan: Jari na kami! (For development: We are here!) kicked-off on December 3, 2016 held at the Provincial Sports Complex, this city.
16
youth talents. It was participated by eight bands and 15 performing groups comprising of students and out-ofschool youth. “The Jari na Kami event also celebrated the 3rd anniversary of YSEALI YOUnified and joined the ASEAN community in simultaneous conduct of youth events all over the region. Launched in 2013 by President Barrack Obama, YSEALI nurtures youth development in Southeast Asia through various leadership programs, grants and exchanges. The YSEALI YOUnified Surigao activity is considered as one of the grandest celebrations which gathered around 1,500 participants, 100 youth volunteers, 150 performers and 40 agencies,” Mante underlined. Mante explained that Jari na Kami aspired to revitalize youth volunteerism and ignite the zeal of the youth in carrying out their mission in the development of their communities and is made possible thru the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, in partnership with the YSEALI Program of the US Embassy and Events Factory, and in convergence with the academe, national line agencies, civic society organizations, the business sector and other private companies and individuals. “This event was organized by the youth leaders and youth volunteers of Surigao and is the first of the series of youth development initiatives which will be implemented in the following months,“ remarked Mante. (SDNPEEDMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PROVINCIAL NEWS
The successful whole day event which aimed to signify the willingness of the youth to be part of the development of Surigao was spearheaded by the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (PEEDMO) headed by Graciela Mante, a Spring 2016 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) professional fellow whose placement was in Cook County Bureau of Economic Development in Chicago, Illinois and a mentor for Economic Development for the YSEALI Alumni Mentoring Program through Leadership and Influence to the Filipino Youth (AMPLIFY). Mante said the event aspired to empower the youth in the pillars of education, environment, economic empowerment, civic governance, sports, wellness, tourism, arts, history and culture. She added that the youth-led event featured 18 different activities consisting of lectures and workshops, jobs fair, fire drill, live band concert, variety show, business mentoring, bloodletting, free massage and haircut services and sports and wellness clinics on yoga, frisbee, crossfit, zumba and weightlifting. She said there were also missions and volunteer recruitment booths, food and merchandise booths and information booths from the academic community. Lectures consist of talks on basic photography, Surigaonon language, business experiences from young entrepreneurs, financial literacy and international scholarship opportunities. As a culmination of the event, live bands concert and variety show were done featuring local
17
PROVINCIAL NEWS
PENRO SurSur mobilizes 86 forest rangers for LAWIN system By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - Some 86 forest rangers of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Surigao del Sur were trained and mobilized for the implementation of Landscape and Wildlife Indicator (LAWIN) Forest and Biodiversity Protection System in the province.
18
The fourth innovation, LAWIN enables decision-makers to monitor patrol efforts such as manpower exerted, distance covered, and number of hours spent patrolling.
While the fifth innovation, LAWIN allows for the visualization of the spatial distribution of observation records and patrol efforts and trends that show the effectiveness of the interventions Natad said the system uses five implemented to address the observed key innovations in forest protection, threats. enumerated as follows: First is a science-based purpose-driven process Along this way, well informed, for identifying conservation areas and community leaders, resource managers, hotspots and formulating measurable and environmental law enforcers can conservation objectives. evaluate and continuously improve their forest conservation strategies. Secondly, LAWIN replaces manual recording and encoding of Meanwhile, Natad added patrol data with a mobile application. that each trained forest patrollers or Forest patrollers can use tablets or forest rangers are well equipped with smart phones and directly record geo- knowledge and skills and provided referenced observations on habitat, some gadgets used in the conduct of wildlife, trees, threats and illegal LAWIN activities especially the android activities. phone with CyberTracker application, cap, and watch. Cyber Tracker free open-source software, is used to create the interface LAWIN is officially implemented for the mobile application. After a at the identified program sites and patrol is completed, observations are other forest degradation hotspots in uploaded to a computer using the the Philippines by DENR through the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool Forest Management Bureau (FMB) and (SMART) software for data analysis and Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) mapping. in support and partnership with the United State Agency for International Natad further explained that Development (USAID) Biodiversity this fast processing of data leads to and Watershed Improved for Stronger LAWIN’s third key innovation: enhanced Economy and Ecosystem Resilience coordination between biodiversity and (B+WISER) program, according to threats monitoring with environmental Natad. (PENRO-SDS/PIA-Surigao del law enforcement. Sur).
PROVINCIAL NEWS
In a press statement released, PENRO Information Officer Johnny Natad said that LAWIN system is a forest and biodiversity protection system that integrates forest, biodiversity and threats monitoring, implementation of interventions to address threats and monitoring of the response of the forest ecosystem to these management interventions.
19
PROVINCIAL NEWS
SurSur guv supports IP representation in SP By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr. has signed on Monday a resolution supporting the indigenous people’s (IP’s) mandatory representative at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The governor said that the IP representation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should not be neglected because it was mandated under a memorandum-circular issued by then Interior and Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo that ordered mandatory representation of indigenous people’s organizations in legislative bodies.
first quarter of 2017.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) provincial chief Engr. Charlyn Binghoy said the selection of the IP representative that will bring the voice of the Lumads to It is expected the first IP the legislative body is already on going. representative will be chosen on the (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
20
Photo Gallery FOOD SAFETY AWARENESS Training of Trainers Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City 8 December 2016 8 December 2016
HEALTH NEWS
Herbs for sports? An herb is a plant valued for flavor, scent, medicinal or other qualities other than its food value. Herbs can be according to their use.
classified
A culinary herb can be any other part of the plant itself like its seeds, berries, barks, roots and fruits, which provide flavor to food even in very minimal amounts. A medicinal herb is used to treat or prevent diseases or disorders and promote good health. Other uses of herbs are for religious purposes and pest control. According to Dr. Gemiliano D. Aligui, a research epidemiologist, herbs in relation to sports can stimulate peak levels of physical performance, control pain in
22
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is Aligui cited various examples of helpful herbs in each categorical a nutritionally dense herb which contains 60 percent carbohydrates purpose in sports. and minerals like selenium, magnesium and calcium. Ergogenic Aids: Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) and Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia Pain Control: serpentina) contain ‘yohimbe’, an Turmeric (Curcuma longa) alkaloid capable of stimulating the body and acts as an aphrodisiac. has been shown to be a COX2 inhibitor, a non-steroidal anti Tongkat ali (Eurycoma inflammatory substance.
HEALTH NEWS
increases free injuries, manage weight and longifolia) rehabilitate the body from the testosterone levels to improve performance. consequences of injuries.
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) lowers prostaglandin levels to help ease pain. Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) contains capsaicin which reduces inflammation and pain. Weight management: Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) contains corosolic acid which improves glucose utilization and contributes to weight loss. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which helps metabolize fat with regular exercise. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) helps in fat digestion and limits fat deposition. Although these alternatives are surely beneficial, it is
23
HEALTH NEWS
recommended to ask a licensed medical practitioner knowledgeable in herbal medicine before taking or mixing these herbs with prescription or non-prescription drugs. Herbs may have adverse effects when mixed with other drugs. The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) developed by a team of experts led by the FNRI-DOST are primary recommendations to achieve good health and proper nutrition of Filipinos. The tenth guideline, “For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcohol beverages”, focuses on behavior modifications for a healthy lifestyle. This guideline aims to encourage people to engage in physical activities either by brisk walking, jogging or playing sports, and to turn away from unhealthy vices such as smoking and excessive alcoholic beverage consumption. In this fast-changing and demanding environment, people tend to search for choices. As natural and cost effective as herbs are, there’s a lot more reason to go out and play!
24
For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/ Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost. gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
By: Digna D. Banzon
MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao gets substantial infra fund under BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025
DAVAO CITY - The final plan for BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 (BEV 2025) has identified big ticket projects out of the USD23-billion fund for the eight-year plan of the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA). According to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro during Wednesday’s Forum at Habi at Kape, Mindanao gets substantial allocation for the infrastructure projects. He said the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 covers the period 2017 to 2025 which will eventually align with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) 2025.
One of the big-ticket projects is the Mindanao Railway project that has an allocation of USD9 billion. The other projects include the Sasa Port Development Project, the Davao International Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Polloc Port and other infrastructure projects within the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, Montenegro added.
25
MINDANAO NEWS
He said the island is given preferential attention because it is Mindanao that needs most of the assistance. He said all the neighboring areas already have well-developed connectivity.
for approval when the Philippines takes its turn for the chairmanship.
Montenegro said that during the 20th BIMP EAGA Ministerial Meeting last November 29 in Puerto Princesa, the body endorsed the BEV 2025 that aspires Once these projects will for a resilient, inclusive, sustainable and materialize, expect a big change in economically competitive sub-region. the economic landscape, Montenegro said, emphasizing that there must be He said the BEV 2025 aims to linkages for air, sea and land. deliver three main outcomes, namely, 1) competitive and green manufacturing, And linking these growth areas, he 2) sustainable, competitive and climate said, will make Mindanao an attractive resilient agro-industry and fisheries, and area for investment. The development 3) sustain tourism destination. of these infrastructure projects will also create jobs. Montenegro said BEV 2025 includes priority infrastructure projects Meanwhile, Montenegro said that that are most needed within the growth BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 will be presented area. (PNA) LAP/LCM/LDP
Photo from MinDA
26
NATIONAL NEWS
Duterte pledges at UNCAC: No corruption
MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his commitment Wednesday to eliminate corruption in government and put an end to decades long abuses in the bureaucracy. Filipinos are fed up with corruption and this is the reason why he was elected president due to his strong stance against it as well as illegal drugs and criminality. “I will give you a respite of this so many generations of corruption in this country. We are like a plane on the verge of a takeoff and yet cannot lift, there is no lift because of corruption,”
President Duterte said in his speech during the 4th State Conference of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption Implementation Review in Malacañan Palace attended by members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. “Iyan talaga ang totoo diyan. Everywhere including sa baba, local governments,” he added.
27
NATIONAL NEWS
The President particularly cited money or help and do it. the construction of infrastructures in the country, which he said is almost always His government is also addressing done by officials engaged in corruption red tape, the President said. and abuses. He particularly cited the National In order to protect government Economic and Development Authority funds, he said he would personally (NEDA) wherein he said in the past it supervise the constructions of would take two to three years to get infrastructures in Jolo and Basilan, the papers processed and released, noting it will be undertaken by the but now under his administration, it only Office of the President and handled by takes a month. the military. He also mentioned the reforms in “At ako mismo ang magtingin the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) doon, the hospitals and all. Otherwise, headed by Commissioner Caesar “Billy” walang dadating doon,” he said. Dulay. “Ako na mismo ang mag-supervise. Ibigay ko sa engineering battalion. You go down Sabah. Construction of the roads there. Mga engineering brigades there. So may makuha po ako diyan kabutihan.” He is not casting any aspersion, he said, but it’s the reality. It’s either he does not extend help, withhold the
“Kay Billy Dulay, sabi niya three days. Kasi ‘yung ano, the longer they squat on the documents, pera-pera talaga ‘yan. So, it needs to be corrected now,” he said. “There will be no corruption. I will assure you 100 percent,” the President stressed. (PCO)
South Korea commends PH gov’t reintegration programs for migrant workers
MANILA - “The Philippines was commended for its major achievement of maintaining a steady percentage decline of undocumented number of Filipino EPS workers from 2013 to July 2016, reducing it from 6,548 to 4,962, or from 31.7 percent down to 19.7 percent,” Welfare Officer Manuela Peña of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Korea Peña said.
28
The Ministry of Employment on Labor of the Republic of Korea (MOEL-ROK) has commended the Philippines for its active promotion of voluntary return of workers and for rolling out successful reintegration programs, making it a possible reference in adopting return programs of other labor-sending countries under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Peña’s report to Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III says that the commendation was in recognition of Philippines’ best practices in complementing the South Korean’s effort to promote the return support program for foreign workers. Peña said the commendation came from MOEL Deputy Minister Jong-kil Park, during a meeting on 21 October 2016 at Royal Hotel Seoul in Myeongdong. Labor Attachés of the 16 laborsending countries under the EPS attended this meeting which aimed
to discuss the current implementation status of EPS and the comprehensive sending system monitoring program for foreign workers in South Korea. The Welfare Officer noted that during the meeting, MOEL Deputy Minister Park extended his sincere gratitude for the interest and continued cooperation of the countries sending workers under the EPS via the non-professional or E9 visa category, which are mostly employed in the small and medium enterprises in the country.
NATIONAL NEWS
“Deputy Minister Park elaborated the sound implementation of the current implementation status and achievements of EPS, specifically the comprehensive monitoring on the sending process, active promotion of voluntary return to reduce the number of illegally-staying workers and the improvements in recruiting process,” Peña said in her report. She also added that right after the discussion, Deputy Minister Park cited the Philippines for its exemplary performance and active promotion of voluntary return of workers and for establishing and executing measures to facilitate their reintegration process. “With our country’s accomplishments, we have been
29
NATIONAL NEWS called to present the Philippines’ policy and best practices in complementing the host government’s effort to promote the return support program for foreign workers,” Peña said. She said that together with Administrative Staff Rene Mangune, they presented the paper on the Philippine Reintegration Program for Overseas Filipino Workers, enumerating among others the programs of the Department of Labor and Employment. Among these are the programs of the DOLE’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO); the 2Billion Peso Reintegration Loan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Land Bank of the Philippines (OWWALBP); the Assist WELL Program, and the investment options under the Pag-IBIG Fund. Peña also shared that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) conducts the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) and PreDeparture Orientation Seminar (PDOS),
30
and requires EPS workers to execute undertaking that as soon as their labor contract expires, they will leave Korea and shall not overstay. The regular conduct of PostArrival Orientation briefing and Labor Education Seminar among EPS Filipino workers was also mentioned during the presentation. The POLO-Korea delegation also highlighted in the presentation the active coordination of the Post with the Filipino community, migrant centers and faith-based organizations to conduct livelihood skills trainings, such as basic courses in baking and sewing, barista training, web development and graphic design. “Because of these initiatives, the MOEL-ROK encouraged the other labor-sending countries to look into the programs of the Philippine government on reintegration for possible reference in adopting return programs in their respective countries,” Peña concluded in her report. (DOLE)
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
EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor
ABNER M. CAGA Associate Editor
FRYAN E. ABKILAN Managing Editor
NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Copy Editor
VENUS LIM GARCIA
Regional Office 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: PIA Caraga Updates Twitter: @PIACaraga
Information Centers
Layout Artists
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Contributors
Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 815-1991 E-mail: pia.northagusan@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Agusan del Norte Twitter: @PIAAgusanNorte
GERIE MAE G. COCO RONNIE E. MADANGUIT JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur
NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur
SUSIL D. RAGAS
Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands
AURELIUS P. ARAIS DIGNA D. BANZON RECHEL D. BESONIA MAY ANN O. ESCOBAL JANE GONZALES GIL E. MIRANDA AIMEE B. SIENES DAR-AGUSAN DEL SUR DAR-AGUSAN DEL NORTE DA-CARAGA POPCOM-CARAGA PIO-DINAGAT ISLANDS SDN-PEEDMO PENRO-SDS FNRI-DOST S&T MEDIA SERVICE DOLE, PCO, PNA LAP/LCM/LDP Business Manager
ZARINA O. LASTRA Photographer
ROBESPIERRE C. TRADIO
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