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[ Contents 10 - 16 February 2018
Volume II, No. 45
DAR starts work for road and water project in Tagbina ASEAN NEWS
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Japan hopes Jenesys PH to continue for another decade ‘Capturing the Spirit of ASEAN in the Digital Times’ in UP Diliman
REGIONAL NEWS
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Caraga identifies special areas for agricultural development
PSA prepares for the conduct of crop production survey
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DTI gears up to upgrade LGUs’ competitiveness index
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BIR unveils tax campaign logo in SurSur
DOLE to meet PESO chiefs in SurSur Lake Mainit farmers, fisherfolks receive 8-M worth of agrifisheries projects AgSur Negosyo Centers staff finish 5-day Small Business Counseling Course 101 AgSur brand development program starts with a Social Enterprise Leadership Workshop AgSur’s green advocates meet for 2018 planning
Nutritional needs of teenagers
MINDANAO NEWS
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Davao continues to attract foreign, local investors Davao’s tribal village still awes locals, foreign visitors
NATIONAL NEWS
DTI sees supplies, prices of basic goods stable in SurSur SurSur coops visit coffee plantations in Batangas
28 HEALTH NEWS
PNP Caraga double barrel reloaded: 51 surrendered, 41 nabbed
PROVINCIAL NEWS
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Senator wants streamlined process for the adoption of children PH-Kuwait ties won’t be affected despite deployment ban: Palace
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News Briefs A total blood processing fee of P1,711,580.00 was collected by the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del NorteButuan City Chapter in the month of January 2018. The Agusan del Norte Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit reported during the recently conducted meeting that the Abaca Warehouse with drying area and other provisions in Barangay San Isidro, Santiago funded by the Philippine Rural Development Project worth P31.2 Million are already completed and turned-over to SIUFMULCO.
Forty-one Senior Red Cross Youth of St. James High School in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte were trained on Leadership Development Program Training Course by the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter.
The Year of the Dog starts howling with the launching of the Smile Cares Foundation (SCF) Siargao EcoCamp in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands. This program will allow the communities of Del Carmen to work with “celebrities with a heart� to support sustainable development in Siargao. The primary focus of SCF Siargao EcoCamp will be on food security thru a partnership with Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) Del Carmen Campus Agriculture and Fisheries Senior High and College. It is hoped that tje program will expand to cover all Senior High Schools of Siargao wanting to pursue Agriculture and Fisheries as options for their future career.
Cover Story
DAR starts work for ro in Tagbina By: Joie L. Ceballos
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Coffee farmers in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur will no longer have a hard time transporting their products months from now as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) commenced work for the concreting of road from Sitio Mabuhay to Kahayagan. A groundbreaking ceremony led by DAR 13 Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob and Tagbina Mayor Generoso Naraiso was held on February 6, 2018 in Brgy. Kahayagan, Tagbina, Surigao Sur.
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Aguhob said that the 4.67-kilometer road concreting is funded under the DAR Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Development (ConVERGE). 10 - 16 February, 2018
oad and water project “This road project amounting to P30.9 million is expected to aid the value-chain process of the coffee products in Tagbina,” he added. Naraiso thanked the DAR in behalf of the people of Tagbina. “Out of 19 municipalities in Surigao del Sur, it is our Tagbina who is blessed to have this road and water project,” he said in his farmers for a better quality of life,” he message. stressed. In the same occasion, the groundbreaking for the Extension of Level II Potable Water System in Sitio Mabuhay was also held.
Arlyn Ruiz, chairwoman of the Kahayagan Water System Sanitation Association (KAWASA) said that the water project will greatly help not only in their livelihood but more so in their According to Aguhob, the day to day living. water system project is helpful in the production and processing cycle of She added that with easier the coffee. household chores, they will have enough time to attend to their children In his message, Surigao Sur PARPO and their livelihood. II Benjamin Mataksil encouraged the beneficiaries and the community to Seventy (70) households, in take care of the project. “Let us work addition to the existing 300 households, together so that these projects will help will benefit the P2 million water realize the dreams of Tagbina coffee expansion project. 10 - 16 February, 2018
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For Carmelita Samoya, member of the Mabuhay Kahayagan Coffee Growers Cooperative (MKCGC), the road project, which they have been dreaming for a long time, will greatly help them in their coffee production and processing business.
but have started growing coffee since 1965. Under Project ConVERGE, the MKCGC will be the lead organization of the Coffee Production, Rejuvenation, Processing and Marketing project.
“Finally, we can now experience Project ConVERGE is jointly a better road. Thanks to the DAR,� funded by the Government of the Sayoma said. Philippines represented by DAR and the International Fund for Agricultural The MKCGC started with 140 Development (IFAD). (DAR-Caraga/ member-farmers who were recipients PIA-Caraga) of land award from the DAR in 2010
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Photo Gallery Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Operations Center, Butuan City 11 February 2018
BGEN FRANCO NEMESIO M GACAL AFP Brigade Commander, 402nd Inf Bde, 4ID PA Bancasi, Butuan City 15 February 2018
Japan hopes Jenesys PH to continue for another decade By: Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA - With more than 3,000 Filipino beneficiaries and counting, the Japan Embassy in Manila is hopeful that their youth exchange program, Jenesys, will be able to outlast another decade and continue to harness the relationship between Japan and the Philippines. In an interview at the sidelines of the Jenesys-Kizuna Alumni GetTogether on Sunday, Takehiro Kano, minister and deputy chief of mission from the Japan Embassy, said the program, spanning over 10 years, had been “successful.” “Many youth from the Philippines and other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, they had firsthand, updated information and picture of the Japanese society,” Kano said. Kano believes that through people-to-people exchanges, youth from the region obtains enough understanding of what is going on in Japan, a gain he said may serve as a “catalyst” in the future to further boost 10 - 16 February, 2018
ties. “It’s a unique opportunity,” he added. “It’s difficult to quantify achievement but it’s immeasurable achievement that we’ve made so far.” The heart of the program is to encourage the youth in Japan and ASEAN countries to know each others by experiencing jointly the culture, sports and various aspect of each other’s nation. Since its inception in 2007, the Jenesys program has brought Filipino students, youth leaders, young professionals, medical practitioners, artists, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, science and technology enthusiasts, teachers, football players, peace
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building advocates, young public According to Kano, the program’s servants, among others to visit the continuity will depend on the availability different prefectures in Japan. of funds by the Japanese government but they are hoping to continue the Together with other activities like initiative for another decade. institutional visits, educational tours, lectures and homestay with Japanese “In terms of the number of the families, participants were allowed to people, I think 3,000 Filipinos had a immerse themselves with the Japanese chance to get to Japan in the last way of life for ten days. ten years making it a very successful program,” he said. The Jenesys partnership between the National Youth Commission (NYC) Kano is positive that the youth and the Japanese government started exchange somehow provided share in 2008. in what President Rodrigo R. Duterte now calls Golden Age of Strategic During the same interview, NYC Partnership between the two countries. Assistant Secretary Paul Pangilinan expressed gratitude for the opportunity In 2017, he said visitors from the the Japanese government offered to Philippines to Japan reached at least the Filipino youth. 430,000 and around 584,000 from Japan to the Philippines. “Jenesys is not just a cultural exposure, it also promote mutual “I think Jenesys is playing some part understanding between the Japanese in these growing number of people-toyoung people and Filipino youth,” he people exchange, so we hope this will said. continue,” Kano said. (PNA)
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‘Capturing the Spirit of ASEAN in the Digital Times’ in UP Diliman QUEZON CITY - The ASEANnale 2018 with the theme, “Capturing the Spirit of ASEAN in the Digital Times,” will showcase select creative and research works of Higher Education Students and Faculty from the 10 ASEAN countries in the 1st Film and Multimedia Competition and Exhibition, and the 2nd International Symposium on ASEAN Studies on 28 February to 02 March 2018 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. The three-day conference will bring together ASEAN academics, experts, filmmakers, multimedia artists, and scholars, who will engage in a public discourse on ASEANology in order to promote the community of scholars on ASEAN through Film and Multimedia, Poster Exhibition, Paper Presentation, and International Symposium on three sub-themes that focus on current concerns shared and addressed by numerous parties in the region: Diaspora, Disasters, and Democracy.
internationalization. ASEANnale 2018 is a project of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the University of the Philippines Open University, U.P. Diliman Asian Center, the College of Mass Communication UP Diliman, TVUP, University of the Philippine System in collaboration with the UP Open University Foundation Inc., and the Philippines Communication Society (PCS). Deadline for submission of entries for the 1st Film and Multimedia Competition and Exhibition is on 02 February 2018 (Fri) at 5pm Manila Time, while the deadline for submission of abstracts to the 2nd International Symposium on ASEAN Studies is on 26 January 2018 (Fri) at 5 pm Manila Time.
“This event is a celebration of the ASEAN Spirit in this digital world, which includes recognition of the Distinguished ASEAN Award for Higher Education,” explains ASEANnale Organizing Committee Chair Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, who also designed the trophy for the competition. The ASEANnale 2018 marks the 50th Year For more info and downloadable of the Founding Anniversary of ASEAN, entry forms, visit aseannale.upou.edu. and is in line with U.P’s thrust for ph. (ASEANnale) 10 - 16 February, 2018
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Regional News
Caraga identifies special areas for agricultural development By: Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) gears up toward the realization of its promise to provide available and affordable food for the people through Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD). SAAD is a locally-funded program of the government that aims to help alleviate poverty in the poorest provinces of the country through the provision of agricultural and related interventions to the marginalized in the farming and fisheries sector.
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‘Saad’ promise.
in
Cebuano
means
Since its inception in 2017, there were 20 provinces that were given assistance from the different regions in the country. Each year the DA-SAAD 10 - 16 February, 2018
REGIONAL NEWS National Program Management Office “The selection of the beneficiaries will prioritize 10 provinces until 2022. are in the areas where the poorest of the poor generally resides. The far This 2018, DA–Caraga is now flung areas of these municipalities will preparing for the implementation of be prioritized especially for those parts the SAAD Program in 2019. One of the where the absence of government steps undertaken is the orientation services exists. SAAD is a program of DA and consultation with the local to cater the marginalized sector, that government units (LGUs) who will be will provide interventions in areas not the beneficiaries of the program. reached by the regular DA programs,” said Regional Technical Director for In the region, the provinces Operations Alberto D. Ocampo, Jr. of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur are among the pilot areas The eligible beneficiaries of the for the program. Each province program must be poor households or has 4 municipalities where the groups who earn below the poverty beneficiaries will be identified. For threshold per province, who would the province of Agusan del Sur like to engage or already engaged the municipalities of Talacogon, in agriculture and fisheries. Preferably, Rosario, San Luis and Veruela are must not be a recipient of similar among those to be assisted. The interventions from DA in the last two municipalities of Bayabas, Carmen, years upon implementation. Lingig and Bislig City of Surigao del Sur will also be reached out by the “SAAD can cater individuals who program. are interested to venture into farming. Eventually, these individuals will be Base on the 2015 report of the assisted by SAAD to organize themselves Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and formally register or be accredited Caraga region has a 30.8 percent by appropriate government authority, poverty incidence among families, in provided these group will undergo which the province of Agusan del Sur required training courses,” explained has 37 percent while Surigao del Sur Planning Officer III Roberto Hipolao, Jr. has 32 percent. during the consultation and workshop meeting with the identified LGUs. According to PSA, poverty incidence is the proportion of families DA-Caraga is working with the or individuals with per capita income provincial and municipal LGUs to help less than the per capita poverty ensure the smooth implementation at threshold to the total number of families the local level. Series of activities will be or individuals. While poverty threshold conducted for the multi-year planning is the minimum income required for a for the SAAD Program implementation family or individual to meet the basic in the region. (DA-Caraga/PIAfood and non-food requirements. Caraga) 10 - 16 February, 2018
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REGIONAL NEWS
PNP Caraga double barrel reloaded: 51 surrendered, 41 nabbed By: PSInsp Analee V. Enriquez
BUTUAN CITY – A total of 51 drug personalities surrendered to the authorities and 41 were arrested amid the intensified campaign against illegal drugs conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga Drug Enforcement Units from December 5, 2017 to February 1, 2018. Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Director Chief Supt. Noli A. Romana, said those 51 surrenderers, who came from different barangays infiltrated by drug activities, are willing to undergo treatment while the 41 arrested are facing charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. “The police drug operations successfully confiscated shabu worth of P328,960.00 during the implementation of Search Warrant and conduct of buy-
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bust operation regionwide,” Romana added. “We are determined to sustain these substantial gains in arresting drug pushers/users in order to stop the illegal drug activities,” said Romana. “We urge the active collaboration of the community and other stakeholders to help us in our campaign by providing relevant information to the nearest police unit,” Romana concluded. (PNP-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga) 10 - 16 February, 2018
REGIONAL NEWS
PSA prepares for the conduct of crop production survey
BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will conduct a Crops Production Survey (CrPS) to generate basic production statistics for crops other than palay and corn at the national, regional and provincial levels. Fruits, Vegetables and Non-food and Industrial Commercial Crops (NFICC) are three commodity groups for other crops sub-sector. It covers more than 200 crops of which 19 are considered major crops. It also releases data on volume of production, area planted/harvested and number of bearing trees/ hills/vines. CrPS is undertaken nationwide in a quarterly basis. It is conducted during the last ten days of the second month of the current quarter, which is simultaneously collected with Farm Price Survey. The survey uses Sampling Design in which farms are classified into small and large farms according to area planted to a specific crop. For large farms, a maximum of five (5) plantations are covered based on the cut-off area. While for small farms, the top five (5) producing municipalities 10 - 16 February, 2018
based on the volume of production are chosen through Key Informant (KI) Approach. All the data and information collected by the hired Statistical Researchers from sample farmerproducers shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be used for purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as provided under Article 55 of Republic Act (RA) no. 10625, otherwise known as the “Philippine Statistical Act of 2013.” (PSA-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)
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Provincial News
Surigao del Norte
DTI gears up to upgrade LGUs’ competitiveness index
By: John Glenn A. Platil,
SURIGAO CITY - In order to be at par with the standards instated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Competitiveness Council, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has stepped up to the challenge of improving the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) with the conduct of a Province-wide Roadshow on March 13, 2018. Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas suggested to the DTI for the conduct of seminar workshops in every municipality so they can submit expeditiously all the reportorial qualifications and inputs.
percent data generation. In so doing, all the concerned LGUs can come up with innovative strategies to improve their showing and entice more foreign investors to do business.
The target for the roadshow is 100 percent local government units Competitiveness is the ability (LGUs) participation and the same 100 of locality to produce and provide
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PROVINCIAL NEWS goods and services efficiently. Local competitiveness is how a city or municipality knows its resources and how it uses these to improve its standard of living.
DTI said that “the problem with some municipalities is the fact that they were not able to furnish them a faithful copy of their reports, pertinent data and other attached documents that is why the score earned by the province Scores are determined by the may not reflect what is happening on values of the actual data, as well as the the ground.” completeness of the submitted data. The higher the score of a municipality, One case in point is General the more competitive it is. Luna, which is a booming municipality due to the influx of foreign tourists and Surigao del Norte currently ranks beach resorts, but because it has not third in the Northeastern Mindanao forwarded to DTI the germane data Region. It scored 34.19 just a notch on investment, there was no way to below Agusan del Norte which is 35.17. rectify the scorecard. Overall, the most competitive is This year’s CMCI starts this month Quezon City followed by Manila and until August 2018. (PGO-SDN/PIADavao. Surigao del Norte)
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Surigao del Sur
PROVINCIAL NEWS
BIR unveils tax campaign logo in SurSur By: Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District Office 106 in Surigao del Sur has joined the simultaneous nationwide unveiling of the “2018 Salamat Sayo!” tax campaign logo during the simple flag-raising ceremony program on February 12, 2018. Roger Cadavas, BIR Revenue District Officer (RDO), said that the activity of their office was President Rodrigo Duterte’s and BIR Commissioner Ceasar Dulay’s way of saying “thank you” to the taxpaying public, citing the agency’s record-high collection growth rate of up to P1.779 trillion for the last five years.
in tarps around the town for the public to see how great it was for both President Duterte and Commissioner Dulay to feel such an impressive tax collection feat made in 2017. “Of course, the effort of all the men and women of BIR was taken into account,” Cadavas pointed out.
The BIR chief added that such Meanwhile, the BIR District chief Salamat Sayo! logo would soon be hung admitted a three percent shortfall in
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PROVINCIAL NEWS collection here in 2017. He cited that as assigned they were supposed to collect P986 million but was only able to rake P949 million. However, Cadavas was glad to say that as compared to 2016 collection, they were able to exceed it with the tax collected in 2017. In a related development, the local BIR chief bared that for 2018, they were assigned to get as much as P1.193 billion. He then again made a strong appeal for an improved level of tax compliance.
Besides, Cadavas also reminded
taxpayers to always demand for receipts. The BIR chief shared the same observation, particularly with most drivers or car owners. He stressed that these sectors were not yet used to the habit of demanding for receipts after gassing up. On the other hand, he said that gas stations just ignored this obligation to issue receipts, hence, no record of transaction could be traced to the detriment of government. Expounding on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, he went on saying that the state was supposed to earn as much as P4.00 per liter in excise tax. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DTI sees supplies, prices of basic goods stable in SurSur By: Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Even as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law has already been on the go, yet over half (or equivalent to 52.49 percent) of the monitored goods have been found out to be as stable as the supply and price watch done in Surigao del Sur three months ago, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here. Manny Disca, DTI Consumer Welfare Division (CWD) chief, bared that as far as all the 84 items of the basic commodities being kept under watch in Tandag City, everything seemed to be fine.
goods at least since the New Year opened,” the said.
Backed up with such data, Disca went on to say that out of that number of basic commodities they kept an eye on, 48 items or equivalent to 57.14 percent “The agency had seen no problem were sold below the suggested retail on both supplies and prices of basic price (SRP). 10 - 16 February, 2018
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PROVINCIAL NEWS However, he pointed out that 12 goods out of the same number of commodities being checked went slightly higher. Also, Disca noted that only one of the goods corresponding to 1.19 percent was seen to have been sold at SRP. “The rest in the list were out of stock,� he said. Also, referring to the same monitoring for the period of January 2018 as compared to the month of December 2017, Disca disclosed that
12.96 percent of the number of goods that had been checked were below the SRP; 12.65 percent came out to be slightly higher; while prices of the commodities representing the 74.38 percent remained unchanged. Again, the DTI here under Provincial Director Romel Oribe would be coming out soon with the result of both supply and price watch for the month of February, Disca assured. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/ PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur coops visit coffee plantations in Batangas
By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - Aimed to gain knowledge and different techniques on coffee production that will boost the agency-assisted cooperatives in Surigao del Sur, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here spearheaded a benchmarking to coffee plantations in Lipa City, Batangas on Jan. 22-25, 2018. According to DAR-Surigao del Sur Information Officer Myra Yu, there were seven agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) organizations that participated during the cross visit to coffee plantations and processing centers represented by selected cooperative officers.
Cooperative (MKCGC); Ugoban Multipurpose Cooperative (UMPC); Tagbina Rural Improvement Club Producers Cooperative (TAGRICCO); Tagbina Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (TAGAREBE); Progressive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative (PARBMCO); These cooperatives were the Barangay Villaverde Coffee Growers Mabuhay Kahayagan Coffee Growers Cooperative all in Tagbina Surigao del
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PROVINCIAL NEWS Sur; and (BAVILCOGCO) and San Roque organizations. Cooperative (SARCO) of Barobo town. “In behalf of the group, I am thankful to the DAR for giving us the Meanwhile, DAR Caraga Regional opportunity to visit the various coffee Director Felix B. Aguhob has extended industries in Batangas. This activity gives his support to this kind of endeavor that us an avenue to gain best practices that would encourage coffee farmers to level will be applied to increase our coffee up their production in order to have the production,” Evangelista said. better and sustainable livelihood income. The said activity is in line with Leonardo Evangelista, one of the the agency’s program under the DAR participants, has expressed his gratitude IFAD Convergence on Value Chain for giving them the opportunity to learn Enhancement for Rural Growth and more knowledge and techniques that Empowerment (ConVERGE). (PIA-Surigao can be applied in their respective del Sur)
DOLE to meet PESO chiefs in SurSur By: Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Field Office in this city is set to meet the respective managers of Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) province-wide on February 8, 2018. The 1st quarter meeting will be held at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City and Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico, being the PESO Federation president, is tasked to preside over the meeting. Quico said that apart from the briefing for the DOLE Issuances, among the main agenda would be the “Pledges” for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) as well as the Government Internship Program (GIP).
In addition, documents in connection
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with the Statistical Performance Reporting System (SPRS), Livelihood Proposal, and PESO Survey Questionnaire would be asked for submission. Through a letter of invitation, Genebelle Bal, labor field office head, had already sought the presence of Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. to attend the occasion. He was likewise asked to do the honor of welcoming the attendees by giving a message during the opening program. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIASurigao del Sur)
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
Agusan del Norte
Lake Mainit farmers, fisherfolks receive 8-M worth of agrifisheries projects By: Andy Ordoña
BUTUAN CITY – Farmers and fisherfolks of Lake Mainit received P8 million worth of agri-fisheries interventions from the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) on Jan. 12, 2018 during the Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum led by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piño as part of his “Byaheng Bukid.” Piñol had a dialogue with the farmers and fisherfolks of the lakeside municipalities namely; Mainit, Surigao del Norte, Kitcharao and Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.
Loan Easy Access (PLEA), to be given to each of the lakeside municipalities in addition to the agri-fisheries interventions that were formally turned-over to the local farmers and fisherfolks.
After hearing issues from farmers and “Being a son and grandson of a fishers, Piñol assured a 5 million worth of farmer, I have witnessed a lot of hardships credit assistance through the Production and struggles being a farmer; that is why
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PROVINCIAL NEWS I have no other dream but to serve in the Department of Agriculture, to realize the long term vision of my late father and grandfather – to deliver services and interventions that will uplift the lives of every farmer and fisherman,” Piñol said. Agri-fisheries interventions, which include 75 units of paddle boats and 50 units of motorized, fiberglass boats and three units of patrol boats and other fishing paraphernalia for the lakeside municipalities, were distributed amounting a total of P4.7 million. DACaraga distributed various production support which include rice seeds, farm inputs, planting materials, farm equipments, and drugs and biologics for livestock amounting P1.7 million. Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) also gave out Abaca plantlets amounting P1.2 million while Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) released insurance checks amounting P265,000.
DA-BFAR better known as FB Pagbabago (Fiberglass Boats for Change) which aims to support the livelihood fishing activities of the marginalized, artisanal fishermen. Likewise, an initial stocking of around 130,000 fingerlings in the 17,300-hectare Lake Mainit was spearheaded by DACaraga Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo, together with BFAR-Caraga Regional Director, Dr. Juan Albaladejo and Mayor Crisanta Mondano. It was the first batch of seedlings that were released in the lake for the year 2018. In 2017, BFAR-Caraga has accounted a total of 403,820 pieces of bangus and carp fingerlings stocked along the lakeside municipalities of Lake Mainit.
The dispersal of fingerlings was one of the major components of the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL), a program of the DA-BFAR which aims to repopulate and bring back the integrity of the country’s The distribution of the fiberglass lakes and river systems. (BFAR-Caraga/ boats was one of the priority programs of PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
Agusan del Sur
AgSur Negosyo Centers staff finish 5-day Small Business Counseling Course 101
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Nine (9) Agusan del Sur Negosyo Center (NC) project staff have completed the Small Business Counseling Course (SBCC 101) organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga Negosyo Center Coordinating Unit. The graduates were as follows: Elphie Plaza (NC Talacogon/Bayugan City); Charlotte Carl Pingol (NCBayugan City); Charlz Palen (NC Esperanza/Project Entrep); Caryl Joy Husain Zapanta (NC-Provincial Hub/ Srtike Team for IPs); Shiela Mae Silong and Mark Bogani (NC-Trento); France Tumulak Suaybaguio (NC-Bunawan); Yoraidyll Shanxt Tutor (NC-Provincial Hub/BuB); and Aibel Tolentino (NC Provincial Hub and Project Entrep and Strike Team for IPs).
in 2015 and 2016. All the participants said they had fun while learning. They also became more confident to serve NC clients with the added knowledge and the tools and techniques, which they can use in their jobs.
Tapped by DTI Caraga as resource persons and facilitators was the father and son tandem Rene S.L. Resurrecion and Rene Mikhael Resurrecion of the Association of Development Facilitators and Enterprise Counselors, lnc. (ADFEC, The rest of the NC project staff lnc.). (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan and counselors had the same training del Sur)
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AgSur brand development program starts with a Social Enterprise Leadership Workshop
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Department of Trade and IndustryAgusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) organized a two-day workshop on “Social Enterprise Leadership” as introductory and foundation session for its brand development program. The said activity sought to promote multi-sectoral collaboration and community-led social development. It also hopes to help micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) participants hone their leadership skills and management knowledge to enable them to make sustainable social changes in their communities.
graduates from the two batches run by DTI AdS. In her message to the 30 MSMEs, DTI-AdS OIC-Provincial Director Brenda Corvera thanked the participants for making time to join the session despite their busy schedules, especially during the Christmas season.
Most of the participants are Corvera said it is a deliberate Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) mentee- choice to start with this workshop in 10 - 16 February, 2018
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PROVINCIAL NEWS order to build further the entrepreneurial character of the participants by considering the needs of others, other than their respective businesses. By this she meant the people they work with – workers, the farmer-suppliers, the people in the communities where they source their raw materials, and the environment where they operate. Following this activity will be the two-day “Brand Thinking Workshop,” which will focus on the fundamentals of brand management and brand thinking process to help the social entrepreneur
“create a compelling brand narrative and brand thinking canvass.” DTI-AdS has engaged Frederick Blancas, a Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE)-accredited local mentor who is also trained in Active Citizens Social Enterprise Leadership module developed by the British Council. Blancas, who is also a social entrepreneur, will then proceed to do the Brand Development Mentorship initially to four of the participating MSMEs. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgSur’s green advocates meet for 2018 planning
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Agusan del Sur Green Practitioners (AdSGP) hopes to expand its membership in 2018 to increase the number of green advocates in the province.
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
This was agreed during its 1st adopt it soon. meeting held in Barangay Patin-ay, this municipality. During the sharing of group members, it was agreed that green Representing Brenda Corvera, practice will have to start from home. OIC-Provincial Director of the One can start by guiding members of Department of Trade and Industry the family in managing wastes. Agusan del Sur (DTI AdS), Jose Baron of the Business Development Unit Alfredo V. Lobog, station reiterated the agency’s commitment manager of DXAK in Bunawan shared in the advocacy in Promoting Green that the private sector has a big role in Economic Development (ProGED). promoting green practices. He urged the group to be Baron said and that the local registered with the Securities and government units (LGUs) are also Exchange Commission (SEC) for legal doing their part by pursuing its solid identity. waste management system and other initiatives. He then encouraged the The group agreed to have their media to help advocate. quarterly meeting every 3rd Friday of the 2nd month of the quarter. The first Avel Galorio, president of AdSGP meeting is scheduled on February 16, shared his learnings on ProGED to his 2018. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan neighbors. He reported not seeing any del Sur) actions yet but that he knows they may 10 - 16 February, 2018
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Health News
Nutritional needs of teenagers By: MIGGlorioso
BUTUAN CITY – Because of the rapid growth and development during teenage years, adolescents have greater needs for certain nutrients. Below are certain nutrients needed by teenagers in greater amounts. These are based on the Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI) 2015 developed by Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI). The PDRI is a new set of multi-level standards wherein the Recommended Energy/Nutrient Intake (REI/ RNI) is one of the components. The REI/RNI is the level of intake of energy or nutrient which is considered adequate for the maintenance of health and well-being of healthy persons in the population.
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10 - 16 February, 2018
HEALTH NEWS • Energy – Adolescent boys need more energy foods because of an increase in physical activities than adolescent girls. The energy requirement of adolescents aged 1315 years is 2700 kcal for 48.5 kg boys while 2170 kcal for 46 kg girls. For adolescents aged 16-18 years, it is 3010 kcal for 59 kg boys while 2280 kcal for 51.5 kg girls;
for iron is 19 mg/ day for teenage boys (13-15 years) while it is 28 mg/ day for teenage girls (13-15 years). Iron requirements of teenage girls cannot be met by usual diet alone. Intake of iron-rich and iron-fortified foods and the use of supplements are recommended, if necessary. It is important to plan how to get adequate iron. Iron from meat is better absorbed by the body than the iron from plant sources. However, the absorption of iron from plants is improved by eating fruit or drinking juice that contains vitamin C with the iron-rich food.
• Protein – The need for body building foods is also high among teenagers because of accelerated growth and development. The protein need of adolescents (13 -15 years) is 62 grams per day for boys and 57 grams per day for girls. For adolescents aged 16-18 years, it is 73 grams per day for Meet the changing nutritional boys while 61 grams for girls is needed; needs of a growing teenager by choosing and enjoying a diet that • Calcium – Teenagers have includes a variety of foods from the higher requirements for calcium as Pinggang Pinoy, coupled with regular the adolescence period is a vital time physical activity. for bone development. Teenagers need extra calcium to store up an For more information on food optimal amount of bone (peak bone and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario mass). Building bone mass through a V. Capanzana, Director, Food and balanced diet, including adequate Nutrition Research Institute, Department calcium may delay the onset or limit of Science and Technology, General chances of developing osteoporosis Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig later in life. Calcium requirement for City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and an adolescent boy or girl (13-18 years) 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov. is 1000 mg per day; ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov. • Iron – Both teenage boys and ph.; FNRI Facebook page: facebook. girls need additional iron due to the com/FNRI-DOST; FNRI Twitter account: growth spurt. Among teenage girls, the twitter.com/FNRI-DOST (MIGGlorioso, onset of “monthly period” increases the FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIAneed for iron. The recommendation Caraga) 10 - 16 February, 2018
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Mindanao News
Davao continues to attract foreign, local investors By: Lilian Mellejor
“There is nothing definite,” said Milan, who was hopeful with the business matching. “That is very encouraging.” Come March, a 70-member delegation from Shanghai, China engaged in its Belt and Road project will also visit the city. “They are trying to organize a Philippine-China Belt and Road economic forum,” he bared.
DAVAO CITY – Davao City has continued to attract the interest of foreign and local investors, exploring business opportunities in the city.
The visits are indications that Davao City is becoming attractive to investors, Milan said, noting the benefit trade missions bring to Dabawenyos, particularly jobs.
A group of Canadians from Toronto has met with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) to see what Davao has to offer, said DCCCII president Arturo Milan.
He commended the city government for giving extra effort to secure the city to make it a prime investment destination and urged the business sector to take trade missions seriously because these would open joint business ventures.
He said the Canadians, who expressed interest in the city’s information technology industry, property development, and construction industry, were briefed on Davao’s business climate and were engaged for business matching.
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“We are excited with this development,” he said, adding that he looks forward to promoting Davao more to attract investors.
Milan
was
looking
for
10 - 16 February, 2018
MINDANAO NEWS more investments in agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. “Our economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing and service sector. We have more jobs in business process outsourcing, information technology, and tourism,” he said. He underscored the importance of promoting agriculture, for instance, to make it more attractive.
establishing an economic zone in the city important. He expressed hope that it would be at the initiative of the city government because the land value in the city is increasing, brought about by the city’s rapid development. He said the price of land discourages the private sector from putting up one and this is where the government comes in. The price of land in Davao City could reach as much as PHP60,000 to PHP100,00 per square meter depending on the location or the property. Milan said.
Milan cited a South Korean envoy who highlighted the importance of how strategic alliance with developed countries where food security would be the biggest issue. Ideally, he said, an economic zone requires 100 hectares. “Fifty can With the lack of farmers because do as a start,” Milan said. of the ageing population of some developed countries, Milan said the Milan said there are other Philippines could be a big source of requirements to establish an economic food. zone, such as its proximity to ports and airports and available basic Given all these, Milan still finds infrastructure. (PNA)
Davao’s tribal village still awes locals, foreign visitors By: Digna Banzon
DAVAO CITY – The tribal village here that features the city’s 11 tribes inside the Magsaysay Park has continued to awe locals and foreign visitors. 10 - 16 February, 2018
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MINDANAO NEWS City Tourism Chief Generose Tecson said that for the month of January alone, close to 10,000 foreign and domestic tourists visited the tribal village, which has become an attraction since it was introduced as one of the highlights during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw in August last year.
Maguindanaoan, Kagan, Tausug, Sama and Maranao.
Iranun,
The tribes also hold cultural performances on weekends. Tecson said the city tourism wanted to capacitate the tribes so they could do more things.
The tribal village was re-opened weeks after the Kadayawan and since then, it has become a popular attraction.
“I
will
request
the
National
Tecson said the latest visitors were the 250 FilipinoCanadian tourists who were amazed to see the 11 tribes and their handicrafts were sold out. She said whenever there are foreign visitors they would request to Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) bring them to the tribal village. to conduct lectures and also teach them so they could create performing “It only shows that people are groups,’ she added. interested to know more about our culture as well as the customs and “Once they are organized we tradition of our tribes,” she said. can tap them to perform during events and other activities,” she said. The tribal village features 11 Tecson said the city also wants to help houses representing each of the 11 them in their livelihood particularly tribes of Davao City namely Ata, Klata, in upgrading their capabilities on Ubo-Manuvo, Matigsalog, Tagabawa, handicraft. (PNA)
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10 - 16 February, 2018
National News
Senator wants streamlined process for the adoption of children
By: Lucia F. Broño
QUEZON CITY- Senator Grace Poe intends to file a bill that would make the adoption process “administrative” in nature so that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) alone could complete the process. Speaking at the kick-off celebration of the Adoption Consciousness Week in Pasay City on Saturday, Feb. 10, Poe said “Napakaimportante nito kasi maraming mga bata ang nangangailangan ng magulang na mag-aaruga at magmamahal sa kanila. Siyempre alam naman natin na malapit iyan sa puso ko kasi ako rin ay isang batang inampon kaya sa sa ating batas ay mapabilis ang proseso ng pagadopt ng bata kasi napakamahal, 10 - 16 February, 2018
napakatagal at marami masyadong paperwork at red tape na kailangan mabawasan.” Discussing the details of the proposed legislation that she was drafting, Poe said: “Yung bill na ipafile ko ay para maging administrative na lang ang adoption. Hindi na sana kailangang dumaan sa korte, kahit sa DSWD may mga eksperto dapat doon na nakatutok talaga sa mga kasong ganito.”
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NATIONAL NEWS Meanwhile, DSWD officer-incharge Manuel Leyco called on partners to help protect the credibility, security and efficiency of the legal adoption process saying that currently there is a proliferation of illegal adoptions that are being facilitated through social media. He also warned that illegal adoption is tantamount to child trafficking that should be stopped because it endanger the lives of the children and adoptive parents. Leyco also batted for reinforced years imprisonment, and/or a fine not inter-agency coordination to prevent exceeding P50,000. birth simulation. The Department of Social “Tampering with the civil registry Welfare and Development (DSWD), in of children is a criminal offense that collaboration with partner-government has great repercussions; for instance, agencies and child caring and children whose civil registration status placement institutions, leads the have been tampered with are deprived observance of the 2018 Adoption of their rights to know their real identity,” Consciousness Celebration (ACC) held last February 10-18. he said. “It is the duty of those of us in government to ensure sure that the rights of children are upheld and protected. We urge our partners to help protect the credibility, security, and efficiency of the legal adoption process so that prospective adoptive parents will go through the legal process of adoption and be discouraged against undergoing birth simulation,” Leyco said. Under the law, simulation of birth and tampering with the civil registry of a child is a criminal offense that may lead to six years and one day to 12
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The week-long activity highlights the theme, “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin! (Spread Unconditional Love through Legal Adoption),” which reiterates the call to ensure that orphaned, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered children are provided with the secure, permanent and loving homes which they deserve. To launch the celebration, a “Walk for Legal Adoption” was held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) followed by a gathering of adoptive families and adopted children. (PIA-NCR/EPC/LFB) 10 - 16 February, 2018
NATIONAL NEWS
PH-Kuwait ties won’t be affected despite deployment ban: Palace By: Azer Parrocha
MANILA – The long-term relations between the Philippines and Kuwait would not be affected despite the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait, Malacañang said Thursday.
“I’d like to think that the longterm Filipino-Kuwaiti relations will not be affected,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a Palace briefing.
Roque was responding to concerns raised by Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah that the ban could damage ties between the two countries. Sheikh Sabah has refuted the statements of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on OFWs being treated “inhumanely”, saying that thousands of other Filipinos lived a decent life in Kuwait.
manner it treats its own nationals. “I think the President is very clear, we will not tolerate abuses to be committed against Filipino nationals,” Roque said. On Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered a total ban on the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait effective immediately. The move follows Duterte’s directive amid reports of several deaths of Filipino workers, particularly household service workers in the host country. The OFWs in Kuwait who are currently vacationing in the country are allowed to leave and return to their jobs, the Bureau of Immigration earlier said.
Roque, meanwhile, said that Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano would meet with the Kuwaiti ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh Thursday. Meanwhile, under DOLE’s new directive, “Balik Manggagawa”, He said Duterte’s marching order passengers are exempted from the to Cayetano was to get a commitment deployment ban of OFWs to the Gulf from the government of Kuwait to state. protect Filipinos in the Arab state. DOLE earlier assured returning Roque, meanwhile, restated the OFWs that the government will obligation of the Kuwaiti government provide them financial assistance and to treat Filipino nationals in the same livelihood. (PNA) 10 - 16 February, 2018
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