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[ Contents 29 June - 05 July 2019
Volume III, No. 46
PSA Caraga spearheads 2019 labor force, annual poverty indicators surveys REGIONAL NEWS
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Army lauds launching of task force in ending local communist armed conflict in Caraga
Sorghum to answer feeds supply needs
BFAR Caraga leads ‘Oplan Bira’ in Surigao del Norte
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94 NPA supporters surrender to Army in Surigao Norte
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MINDANAO NEWS
Pantawid-Caraga holds 2nd RAC meeting, encourages partnership
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NNC Caraga reminds workers to spend an hour daily for exercise at work
PROVINCIAL NEWS
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LGU-Dinagat Islands reaps fully gender responsive LGU Award
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PH’s largest satellitetracking antenna launched in Davao
NATIONAL NEWS
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P334-M rural dev’t projects to benefit Mindanao IPs, ARBs
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Andanar sees PRRD’s reform policies to continue in 18th Congress AFP, DSWD ink pact on peace, countering communist threat
Duterte approves new dev’t plan to boost PH exports
PDRRMC AgNor recognizes health care providers LGU-Bayugan City ensures compliance to standard building code
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News Briefs Seven contestants joined today’s #DRRM Factor held at the Agusan del Norte provl. covered court in Butuan City. Winners will receive P5,000 for the 1st prize; P3,000 for the 2nd; & P2,000 for the 3rd place. The event is part of the monthlong celebration of the #NDRM2019.
A total of 94 NPA supporters (Underground Mass Organization) from the different barangays of Surigao del Norte appeared before Lt. Col Allen Raymund C. Tomas, commander of 30IB, with the intent to dissociate from the CPP-NPA terrorist group.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga held the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of Caraga Regional Operations Center at military reservation area, Camp Bancasi in Butuan City with Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Defense Operations Cesar B. Yano as the guest of honor and speaker. The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Program is a training cum-production intervention program to provide distressed women OFWs with livelihood skills to improve their socio-economic well-being by expanding their employment and economic opportunities, and consequently, reduce their socio-economic vulnerability. Eligible and priority beneficiaries of the program are distressed workers sheltered by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center as well as other displaced women household service workers.
Cover Story
PSA Caraga spearheads 2019 labor force, annual poverty indicators surveys By Nora L. Molde
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UTUAN CITY - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office XIII (Caraga) will conduct the July 2019 Labor Force Survey (LFS) together with the 2019 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS). 4
According to Dr. Rosalinda C. Apura, PSA Caraga regional director, with a regional sample of approximately 2,120 housing units, it is sufficient to provide regional level estimates. “About 70 Statistical Researchers and Field Personnel will be involved in the conduct of July 2019 LFS and APIS in the region,” Apura said.
Also, Apura said that the indicators to be used during the survey will be used as inputs to the development of the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) which can be used to assess and monitor the poverty situation in the country. In line with this, Apura encourages everyone, especially the sample households, to support and cooperate in the conduct of the July 2019 LFS and 2019 APIS.
She further said that the 2019 APIA is the thirteenth in a series of All information collected by the poverty indicators survey conducted hired Statistical Researchers from the sample households shall be kept strictly nationwide. confidential and shall not be used for “The survey focused in the purposes of taxation, investigation or collection of data to generate non- regulation as provided under Article 55 income-based indicators correlated of Republic Act 10625, Apura added. (NCLM/PSA Caraga/PIA Caraga) with poverty,” she added.
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REGIONAL NEWS
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
Army lauds launching of task force in ending local communist armed conflict in Caraga
BUTUAN CITY - The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army lauded the launching of the Regional Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Caraga Region and vows its full support during the Joint Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC)-Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Full Councils Meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, held this city. The launching of RTF-ELCAC is in line with President Duterte’s proclamation of Executive Order No. 70 last December 28, 2019 institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework providing an efficient mechanism as a government policy for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace.
presence of Cabinet Secretary Alexie Karlo Nograles, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development & Security (CORDS), as the Presiding Officer together with the leaders of RPOC and RDC and Municipal/City Mayors of Caraga. The National Task Force has adopted a mechanism designating Cabinet Secretaries as CORDS per region.
In Caraga region, Secretary The Joint RDC-RPOC Full Council Nograles was appointed and Meeting was highlighted with the designated by President Duterte.
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Regional News I Empowering Communities “I will be your Malacanang,” he said.
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in “The RTF-ELCAC mechanism will synergize the inter-agency convergence embodied in the He stated that his function is creation of 12 Clusters addressing the to assist in articulating the region’s various concerns that is fueling the concern; assist in seeking efficient and insurgency problem. In our part, we orderly resolution of problems; preside ensure our continuous commitment over joint meetings of RDC and RPOC towards any government counter – to harmonize peace and security and insurgency efforts and assume our full development efforts; and ensure that support to the RTFB-ELCAC,” he said. all projects, programs and activities are well implemented. Col. Allan D Hambala, Commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, In his statement, Col. Maurito expressed his excitement on the Licudine, Commander of 402nd Infantry creation of RTF-ELCAC of Caraga Brigade said that he was elated that region as it will pave the way for a finally the RTF-ELCAC was created focused and harmonized agency in Caraga as the operationalization interventions in addressing the of the Whole of Nation Approach in insurgency problem. (402nd Brigade/ addressing the insurgency problem. PIA-Caraga)
NNC Caraga reminds workers to spend an hour daily for exercise at work By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY - In time with the kick-off celebration of this year’s Nutrition Month, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga encourages the public particularly those workers in various government agencies and private institutions to allocate an hour daily for physical activities to prevent them from acquiring different diseases. According to Dr. Gerna Manatad, assistant regional director of DOHCenter for Health Development (CHD) Caraga, while workers perform their daily functions at work, there is also a need for them to ensure physical and
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health wellness. She emphasized that workers could at least do physical activities during their break time.
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“So you could just stand and walk, or sing and dance for a moment just to break the sedentary cycle, do it,� elaborated Manatad. Dr. Manatad added that without physical activities like exercise, this would lead to various illnesses and diseases, especially for those who sit in front of their computer monitors for long hours.
Regional News I Empowering Communities
the government towards good nutrition and physical wellness, many are still overweight and obese due to eating non-nutritious food and without proper exercise.
She said, based on the data released by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2015, four percent or 0.5-million of children aged five below; nine percent or 3-million adolescents; and 33 percent or Hypertensive and diabetes are 18-million adults have been recorded some of the non-communicable as overweight and obese in the country. diseases and cardio vascular disease that anyone could get without active With this, Dr. Manatad urged lifestyle. everyone to be a well-informed citizens and have the right choice of food that Meanwhile, Leah Vina Vargas, will give them the right nutrients for nutrition officer III of NNC Caraga also their body, and most importantly, to bared that despite continued efforts of exercise. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
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Pantawid-Caraga holds 2nd RAC meeting, encourages partnership By Joana Rica P. Millama
BUTUAN CITY - Program partners from various national government agencies (NGAs) attended the 2nd Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on June 25, 2019 at the Watergate Hotel here. One of the meeting highlights was the discussion on the salient features of Republic Act 11310 or 4Ps Act discussed by lawyer Geramer Durato, Legal Unit head of DSWD-Caraga. The law, recently signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte on April 17 aims to provide financial aid to the poor households that meet certain qualifications to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspect of their lives.
The draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Data Sharing was also discussed by Clark Aries Ingles, Pantawid LGU focal person. “This document described the specific responsibilities of, and actions to be taken by, each of the parties so that our goals may be accomplished pursuant to R.A. 10173, data sharing protocol of the Department and other statutory requirements,� Ingles said.
Visitors from the NPMO Some changes from the current Compliance Verification Division also guidelines, especially on the amount of presented the Pantawid Pamilya cash grants, were indicated in the Act. Compliance wherein hotline numbers
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
were shown in relation to the Short the 1st Semester Updates, Findings on Messaging Service (SMS)-based facility. Health and Education Facility Visits, Code 25 Implementation Status, Through text messaging, and Bata Balik Eskwela Updates. beneficiaries would have direct access The meeting was presided by to their records in the database. Crislea D. Celeste, regional program coordinator of 4Ps. (DSWD Caraga/ Other discussions included were PIA Caraga)
Sorghum to answer feeds supply needs By Vanessa P. Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY As the country’s livestock industry increases, the demand for feed materials also increases. And this is where sorghum comes in. Sorghum is an African grass species that produces round grains which is ideal for livestock and poultry feeds. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is boosting sorghum production in the country to supplement the Corn Production Program which has been the main source of animal feeds.
Sorghum and Soybeans on June 21 at Del Monte, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The hybrid sweet sorghum variety seeds used was part of the seeds distributed by DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to the DA Regional Offices during the first Sorghum Field Day at North In the region, the DA Caraga’s Cotabato. The seeds were planted on Del Monte Lowland Rainfed Research March 5 on a 2,500 sq. m. lot. Station conducted a Field Day on
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
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Sorghum requires less water and can survive in dry weather. The grain of sorghum is a good source of energy and protein. It has an estimated average production of 10 metric tons (MT) per hectare per harvest with three harvests in one planting season because of its ratooning capability wherein a crop will grow from the previous crop.
On the other hand, the technology demonstration for Soybean showcased 20 varieties to demonstrate their features. These were planted on a 1,000 sq. m. lot on March 5.
“Although sorghum may be used for food, it is basically used for feeds especially for ruminants like goat, sheep, and cow. Its stalk also may be used for silage,” he said.
Soybean is one of the most important commodities in the world and is one of the best sourceS of highquality protein.
The study is under the Soybean Research and Development Program which aims for the improvement of soybean for better nutrition and higher According to DA Caraga Regional income through the development of Technical Director Nestor Burgos, 50- soybean varieties with large seed size, 60% of feed ingredient is either corn or high yields and enhanced functional sorghum. properties.
He added that the more people will invest In the livestock industry, the more there will be demand for feeds also so other sources for feed material will come in handy. DA Caraga’s Field Operations Division Chief Rebecca R. Atega said that the Department is targeting 35 hectares to be planted with sorghum this year while a total of 1,500 hectares is targeted for next year. She added that DA’s interventions for sorghum include seeds, fertilizer, and village-level feed mill. “The village-level feed mill development program will provide rural livestock and poultry growers access to affordable feeds using materials they can locally grow,” Atega said.
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In 2016, Caraga had a total production of 287.20 MT with a total of 251 hectares with Surigao del Sur accounting for the bulk of production. (DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
PROVINCIAL NEWS
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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BFAR Caraga leads ‘Oplan Bira’ in Surigao del Norte
SURIGAO CITY - In its continued quest to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) activities in the region, the Fisheries Protection Law Enforcement Group of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga recently executed the Oplan Bira in the municipality of Placer, Surigao del Norte, which resulted to the confiscation of illegal gears found in some abandoned fishing boats. The team also inspected two Seine in the Philippine waters, among fishing vessels with the presence of the the fishing vessel owners in the said barangay captain, who has jurisdiction municipality. over the area of incidence. Likewise, BFAR Caraga regional Meanwhile, Omni Olama, officer- director Visa Tan-Dimerin, in a meeting in-charge of the Fisheries Management with mayor-elect Jovymarie Villazon of Regulatory and Enforcement Division, Placer, Surigao del Norte, stressed the spearheaded an information drive Bureau’s intensified implementation of on the Fisheries Administrative Order the FAO 246-1. (FAO) 246-1, the banning of operation of Danish Seine and Modified Danish The team further conducted
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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a consultative meeting with the fisherfolk regarding the presence of modified Danish Seine or locally termed as “liba-liba” operators in their municipality.
other law enforcement agencies. The commander-in-chief of the regional bureau also held a meeting with Surigao del Norte district representative Francisco Jose Matugas II.
On June 22, 2019, Dimerin had a dialogue with the local chief executive of the municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, together with the BFAR provincial fishery officers and representatives from
The conduct of Oplan Bira was in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group and the local police office. (BFAR-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
94 NPA supporters surrender to Army in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - Following the surrender of four New People’s Army (NPA) leaders, a significant number of Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members surrendered to the 30th Infantry “Python” Battalion at Barangay Sta Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte on June 27, 2019. A total of 94 NPA supporters from different barangays of Surigao del Norte appeared before Lt. Col. Allen Raymund C. Tomas, commander of 30IB, with the intent to dissociate from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – NPA terrorist group.
“These people were used and exploited by the CPP-NPA terrorists (CNTs). Cutting their ties will definitely degrade the NPAs capabilities and deter them from entering their guerilla base. While we continue the community support program (CSP) in CNT affected barangays, we are also expecting more UGMO members to surrender. Our combat operations will be no let-up against the terrorists so that communities will be free from CNT threats and violent atrocities,” Tomas said.
Some 45 personalities out of the said 94 UGMO members came from Barangay Ima in Sison, which consists of indigenous peoples (IPs) and farmers while other UGMO members were from barangay Togbongon in Surigao City, Barangay Tolingin in Mainit and Barangay Mayag in Sison.
UGMO is a group of people in a
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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barangay organized by NPA to become their mass supporters, which vary from farmers sector or Pambangsang Katipunan ng Magsasaka, women sector or Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan, youth sector or Samahan ng Kabataang Makabayan, and IP sector or Rebolusyonaryong Organisasyong Lumad. They are the CNT’s source of financial, material, and moral support to advance their armed lead, synchronize and harmonize government efforts of ending the local struggle. communist armed conflict in Caraga Col. Maurito L. Licudine, region through its banner program commander of the 402nd Infantry which is the Peace and Development (Stingers) Brigade, said they are very Zone (PDZ). happy that the NPA supporters heeded MGen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, the call to withdraw their support to the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, CNTs. also emphasized in a positive note that “We are glad that they had finally with the launching of RTF-ELCAC and decided go back to the folds of the law. the full implementation of the PDZ in Thus, we will now be able to facilitate CARAGA backed with the CSP, more the delivery of basic services in order to NPA members and supporters will return achieve peace and development in our to the folds of law. area of operations. We are positive that more NPA members and supporters will follow the lead of their comrades and will chose to live a better and peaceful life,” Licudine said. It can be recalled that last June 26, 2019, CARAGA launched the Regional Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) during the Joint Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC)-Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Full Councils Meeting in Butuan City. The launching was a milestone especially that the Task Force will
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“We assure the people that by supporting the government we will be able to bring in sustained delivery of basic services and social development packages in poor, conflict affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. We call on all local government units (LGUs), local government agencies, and other stakeholders, especially to the peace-loving people of this region to continue to support the government, and together we will attain lasting, inclusive and sustainable peace and development,” Gacal said. (30IB, 402nd Infantry Brigade, Phil. Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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LGU-Dinagat Islands reaps fully gender responsive LGU Award By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY - The Regional Development Council-Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) Caraga awarded the local government units in Caraga region for being gender responsive in the implementation of their programs and projects in the communities. During the awards conferment ceremony of the Search for Caraga’s Most Gender Responsive Local Government Unit (SCMGR-LGU), the province of Dinagat Islands received the fully gender responsive LGU award while the cities of Cabadbaran and Bislig, as well as the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del
Norte received the gender responsive LGUs awards. The cities of Butuan, Tandag, and province of Agusan del Sur were also given awards for being gender sensitive LGUs.
Bayugan City and Surigao City
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were also recognized as gender neutral As the honored guest, Regional LGUs. Director Mylah Faye Aurora Carino of the National Economic and According to vice governor Development Authority (NEDA)-Region Benglen Ecleo of Dinagat Islands, it is a 10 also stressed the need to recognize privilege and a huge opportunity for the the LGUs that are giving their best and province to be declared as fully gender their sincerity in providing the right responsive LGU, among other LGUs that programs, projects and services useful joined in the search. He emphasized to various communities. that the provincial government would continue in mainstreaming gender Meanwhile, RDC-RGADC responsive programs and services for chairperson and Commission on the constituents, and in addressing Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga regional gender issues. director Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, congratulated all the winning LGUs “We hope to continue what the and encouraged them to continue to province has started implementing do more and be consistent in all their to continuously address gender issues gender-mainstreamed programs and and promote the welfare of men and services for all the sectors in the region. women,� said Ecleo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PDRRMC AgNor recognizes health care providers
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY - The province of Agusan del Norte, through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), has recognized the contribution of the health providers of the provincial and district hospitals during the kick-off ceremony of the monthlong celebration of the National Disaster Resilient Month, here.
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PDRRMO chief Erma Suyo said it is the time for them to be recognized because they are always there for the Agusanons not only during emergencies and crisis but especially during the time of disasters.
Provincial News I Empowering Communities Heroes, different contests participated by the different responders coming from the different municipalities of the province are also held during the kickoff ceremony.
Ten contestants joined the Best “We give recognition for all your DRRM Chant and seven for the Best sacrifices, for even if you are also a DRRM Factor. victim of disasters, still you continue to manage your work and provide The Philippine National Police immediate response and services,” Provincial Office got the first place Suyo said. on both the Best in DRRM Chant and DRRM Factor, while the Bureau of Fire Dr. Gertrudes Cembrano of the Protection Provincial Office got the Best Nasipit District Hospital said she did not in Uniform. expect the recognition accorded to Also, a video clip making contest, them. DRRM contest to include essay writing, quiz bee and poster making contest; “This recognition given to us DRR-CCA convention; trainingbeing the province’s DRRM hero is an workshop on Forecasting and Weather inspiration for us to give our best so that Observation and Date Interpretation of we can provide better services to the Early Warning Signals; and NDRM Bae people,” Dr. Cembrano said. competition will be conducted during the monthlong celebration. (NCLM/PIA Aside from recognizing the DRRM Agusan del Norte)
LGU-Bayugan City ensures compliance to standard building code By Jennifer P. Gaitano
AGUSAN DEL SUR - The local government unit here ensures that they would be more meticulous and keen on deciding which infra projects are fitted and necessary, and it follows the standard building code considering that fault lines have been traced by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) within the city.
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
Mayor-elect Kirk Asis of Bayugan City said, resilient building design or earthquake proof structure is a must in order for it to withstand even during severe seismic shaking. He said, this information is already known to the locals and the LGU is serious in ensuring the safety and security of the people as it implements various infra projects in the city. Mayor Asis also emphasized that the LGU is continuously intensifying its capability building efforts for their local rescue teams to make them more equipped to respond in any disaster event like earthquake. The official added that the guidance, assistance, and augmentation of other government agencies, as well as the provision of
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the necessary rescue equipment, have greatly helped the city. Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga Regional Director Dominga Mallonga reminds different offices near the fault lines to always be proactive and alert to prevent them from being harmed during earthquake. She further reiterated that it is very important for the LGUs to comply with the standard building code requirement not only for the business establishments but including residences. It can be recalled that Bayugan City was the national ceremonial site for the 2nd quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) this year. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
MINDANAO NEWS
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
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P334-M rural dev’t projects to benefit Mindanao IPs, ARBs By Che Palicte
DAVAO CITY - In support of the country’s rural development program, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) turned over Wednesday PHP334 million worth of projects to Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) and indigenous peoples (IPs) in Mindanao. In a statement released roads (FMR), bridges, communal Wednesday, DAR said the projects irrigations, potable water systems, as consisted of solar dryers, farm-to-market well as equipment for the production
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of agricultural commodities such as make life easier for our farmers but also rubber, coffee, abaca, pili, rice, and to sustain the development of their corn. communities,” Castriciones added. DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones said the projects will be implemented in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, South, and North Cotabato.
The DAR chief said that among those who will benefit from the projects are the IPs, specifically, the Blaans, Mansakas, and Mandayas, who were given land titles under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Castriciones said he expects a Program. big economic turnaround for farm communities in Mindanao “now that the DAR said the IP beneficiaries infrastructure projects are completed reside in settlements established by and the food and crop production are the government in the municipalities of on-going.” Matanao and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur (for the Blaans) and in Maragusan “These projects are significant in and New Bataan in Compostela Valley achieving progress in rural communities. (for the Mansakas and Mandayas). These were implemented not only to (PNA)
PH’s largest satellite-tracking antenna launched in Davao
By Che Palicte
DAVAO CITY - The Philippines’ largest satellite-tracking antenna is now fully operational here. qLaunched on Sunday, the Davao GRS Ground Receiving Station (D-GRS) called Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) will have the same functions as that of the first GRS installed at Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) in Quezon City.
on Monday the system is very helpful since the country is starting to leverage on space technology to address challenges such as disasters. “This tracking system will take images of the affected areas. It will be processed and downloaded and will be distributed to the concerned disaster agencies,” he said.
Harold Bryan Paler, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST- ASTI, said
It is designed to comunicate with
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
Earth observation satellites, including the Philippines’ very own Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 microsatellites, by receiving, processing, and distributing spaceborne imagery. Paler said that it has direct access to a broad range of optical (highresolution, multispectral) and synthetic aperture radar (cloud-penetrating, day-night-imaging) satellite data.
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D-GRS has a 7.3-meter satellite-tracking antenna, which will allow more efficient download of images at a higher bandwidth. With the D-GRS in full operation, the reception, processing, and satellite data storage cycle will open more opportunities to promote inclusive innovation, reaching more Filipino scientists and researchers in return, Paler added.
Apart from post-disaster images, the D-GRS will be utilized for agricultural The D-GRS was installed at the Civil monitoring, maritime surveillance and Aviation Authority Philippines Transmitter urban mapping. Facility here and was established by DOST-XI and Department of Information Compared to the ASTI GRS in and Communications Technology. Quezon City with only 3.7 meters, the (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
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National News I Empowering Communities SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Andanar sees PRRD’s reform policies to continue in 18th Congress MANILA – As the newly-elected senators backed by President Rodrigo Duterte buckle down to work, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday said he expects the continuity of the administration’s cornerstone reforms in the 18th Congress.
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that the public still trust the reforms being implemented by the Duterte administration since 2016. The Duterte-allied candidates won 9 of 12 Senate seats. They are neophytes Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino; reelectionists Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara and Koko Pimentel; and returning senators Pia Cayetano and Bong Revilla. “Sabi nga nila, ‘super majority’ na ang tawag dito. (As they have said, it is now called ‘super majority’),” Andanar said in a Radyo Pilipinas interview. “Kung noong 2016, 2017, at 2018 ay naipatupad po at nasuportahan ang mga legislative agenda ni Presidente eh what more ngayon na buong-buo po ang suporta ng koalisyon kay Presidente sa Kongreso (If the legislative agenda of the President received support in 2016, 2017 and 2018, what more now that the coalition has solid support to President in Congress,),” he added. Andanar said the Duterte administration will focus on socioeconomic initiatives that will mitigate extreme poverty in the next years.
These programs, he said, are Andanar said results of the poverty alleviation, infrastructure last May 13 mid-term polls proved development, and peace and order dubbed as three cornerstones of the
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Duterte administration’s priorities. “Maaasahan po natin for the next three years ay masusuportahan po ang mga programa ni Presidente dahil ngasuper majority ang mga kakampi natin sa Kongreso(We are hoping that in the next three years, the programs of the President will be supported because of super majority that we have now in Congress),” he said. Andanar said the Duterte administration intends to bring down poverty rate from 21 to 14 percent by 2022, to finish major infrastructures projects and to address insurgency in the countryside. “Itong lahat pong ito ay asahan niyong tututukan ng gobyerno. (You can expect that the government will focus on these programs). The last three years will be about: first, protecting the Duterte legacy na nagawa na po nang mga nakaraang taon (which was achieved last year).
National News I Empowering Communities
Secondly, building the final Duterte legacy,” he said. Ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, Andanar said a series of pre-SONA will highlight the various programs, policies, and accomplishments of the Duterte administration. The Department of Finance (DOF) and Economic Development Cluster kicked off the three-part pre-SONA on July 1 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Another forum will be held on July 10 in Cebu by the participatory governance cluster and the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster. The last forum will be held on July 17 in Davao City by the Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Risk Reduction Cluster, and the Security, Justice, and Peace Cluster.
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AFP, DSWD ink pact on peace, countering communist threat By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that seeks to enhance the cooperation of the two agencies, especially in peace-building programs and ending the threat posed by the conflict with the communists. Military public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said AFP Chief-ofStaff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, signed the MOU together with Social Welfare Secretary Joselito Bautista at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. “The MOU complements efforts to institutionalize Executive Order (EO) No. 70 that adopts the Whole-of-Nation approach, directing all government agencies to collaborate in ending the communist armed conflict,” Madrigal said in a statement Friday.
the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and directs all government agencies to render all the necessary support to peace-building programs, plans, and activities for the campaign. During his assumption as AFP chief, Madrigal committed the AFP’s support to the task force, stressing the need for government agencies to come together to eradicate the root causes of conflict and violence.
“We have made significant progress and have made headways in It also formalizes an ongoing our campaign to end insurgency. partnership in the effective and efficient delivery of social services to the public, But to reach what we can call a especially those that are affected complete victory, we need to create by calamities and conflict and are communities that are conflict-resilient vulnerable to radicalization. and we need local and national EO 70, signed by President Rodrigo government agencies to attain this,” he Duterte in December last year, mandates added. (PNA)
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National News I Empowering Communities
Duterte approves new dev’t plan to boost PH exports By Azer Parrocha
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a memorandum that approves the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018 to 2022, a multi-year roadmap aimed at improving exports performance and increasing the sector’s competitiveness.
creasing the sector’s competitiveness. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by the authority of the President, signed Memorandum Circular 62 on June 26, 2019, and a copy of the document was released to reporters on Monday (July 1).
the six-year program of the Duterte administration (the PEDP 2018-22 fiveyear timetable is to catch up with the PDP),” the executive summary on the PEDP read. “The export targets are seen to significantly contribute to short to medium term development objectives in the PDP and in ensuring they are integral The PEDP 2018 to 2022, which was to the long-term vision of the country as prepared by the Department of Trade Ambisyon 2040,” it added. and Industry (DTI), aims to increase export revenues from USD122 billion to USD130 Meanwhile, the memorandum billion by 2022. also directs all concerned government Moreover, the PEDP 2018 to 2022 is very much aligned with the government’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which calls for boosting services exports, increasing the competitiveness of Philippine exports, and exploring new markets for Philippine products.
agencies to review relevant policies to ensure the implementation of the plan. Last month, the Economic Development Cluster endorsed the PEDP 2018-2022 for President’s approval.
The Economic Development Cluster is an executive body composed “The task for PEDP 2018-2022 is of 15 member agencies in charge of determining the feasibility of the targets promoting inclusive, sustainable, and that would synchronize the PEDP with rapid economic growth. (PNA)
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