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25 November - 01 December 2017
REGIONAL NEWS
ASEAN NEWS
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Volume 1, No. 87
PH cacao technology at par with ASEAN standards: DOST ASEAN youth form network vs. climate change
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ECC exec director explains increase in workers’ funeral benefits Lee Kuan Yew School accepts nomination for master degree programs, scholarships Police Regional Office 13 welcomes new director
CONTENTS
Caraganons set to PROVINCIAL NEWS celebrate Mindanao Week LGU officials deny evacuation of 700 17 Army, SurSur villagers of Peace 2017 Butuan LGU surpasses revenue collection
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performance
KMMe mentees in AgSur train on entrep accounting, financial management CSU-Surigao Norte initiates security, safety gun-handling course New Dinagat Islands police office soon to rise
HEALTH NEWS
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A variety of foods daily is key to good health
MINDANAO NEWS
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DSWD intensifies early recovery efforts for Marawi IDPs Davao bid as PH Halal hub gets boost
NATIONAL NEWS
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SSS starts releasing of 13th month, December pension Comelec sees 800K new voters for 2018 barangay, SK polls
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News Briefs
DOH bared a total of 387 HIV positive were being recorded in Caraga region from 1995 to June 2017 and 52 new cases from January to June of this year. The proposed permanent camp of the AFP in Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur will be constructed in a 4-hectare land donated by Surigao del Sur governor Vicente T. Pimentel and Tandag City mayor Alexander T. Pimentel. In line with the advocacy of the provincial government of Surigao Norte to put into action a full-blown infrastructural growth all across Siargao and mainland Surigao del Norte, Bacuag municipality mayor Mokee Cebedo led the recent opening of the Octopus Islet Adventure and hanging bridge. OWWA Caraga recently conducted a free entrepreneurial training on Financial Literacy to 83 distressed and displaced Caraganon overseas workers in Butuan City. The training was given to jumpstart the reintegration package provided by the agency to OWWA members, active or non-active, whose contracts were preterminated due to various adversities during their employment abroad.
Based on Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) statistics, as of September 30, 2017, Caraga region has a total of 1,338 registered cooperatives but only 778 are compliant with the requirements.
Cover Story
Caraganons set to celebrate Mindanao Week of Peace 2017 By: Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY – The Diocese of Butuan, through the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD), in cooperation with Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Caraga and peace advocates in the region, will once again gather hundreds of Caraganons to celebrate the annual Mindanao Week of Peace on December 1-6, 2017 with the theme, “Owning Mindanao History for Peace and Development.”
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Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase, executive director of CCPD said that Caraga region as predominantly inhabited by Muslims, Christians and Lumads is not spared from peace challenges. “It also has its share of peace issues concerning conflict between Christians and Lumads, ‘redos’ of lumads, insurgency and other forms of criminality,” Clase said. “These social and cultural issues became a concern among peace advocates in the region,” he added. After Marawi siege victims and survivors were traumatized by the attacks of the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists, followed by the announcement of liberation from the declaration of Martial Law, Mindanaoans were given a stronger reason to celebrate peace in its territories. “Let us show our strong support of affirmation and commitment to the Diocese’s collective effort in attaining a harmonious way of living in the region,” encouraged Clase. The week-long activity is composed of the following lined up activities: Peace Forum on Countering Violent Extremism, ecumenical gathering in commemoration of the 500-year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, indigenous peoples (IP) dialogues, youth summit, dialogue among stakeholders with topics on extortion and revolutionary tax. (VLG/ PIA-Caraga) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Photo Gallery Caraga Conference for Peace & Development Mindanao Week of Peace 2017 Bishop House, Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City 01 December 2017
PH cacao technology at par with ASEAN standards: DOST By: Saul Pa-a
LOS BAŇOS, Laguna – The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) said Tuesday its cacao processing technologies are at par with ASEAN standards. DOST-ITDI’s Food Processing Division supervisor, Ma. Dolor L. Villaseñor, said the cacao, including the “tablea” and cocoa, processing technologies are designed to help industry players. The ITDI-developed technologies and the cacao bean roaster have been devised to speed up the production and improve the quality of cacaobased chocolate, as well as reduce production costs. “The cacao processing technology that the DOST-ITDI developed can produce cocoa that is smooth and less acidic than the ones commercially available,” Villaseñor said during the DOST-ITDI Technology Offering Series held recently at the DOST complex in Bicutan, Taguig City.
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On the other hand, the ITDIdeveloped cacao bean roaster has better features than the traditional roasters because it is easy to use and affordable at only about PHP600,000, compared to its imported counterpart which costs up to PHP 1 million. “We’re targeting the local licensed fabricators for this cacao bean roaster technology,” ITDI’s Rufino T. Barcala Jr. said. ITDI developed the bean roaster to make the equipment locally available and more affordable to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The newly developed technologies are in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call during the ASEAN 25 November - 01 December, 2017
Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2017 to bring attention to investment opportunities and directions for inclusive growth, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
(MT) of cacao, 12,000 MT of which came from the Davao region.
Local entrepreneurs can avail of these technologies through licensing agreements with DOST-ITDI, which offers According to 2015 data, the technical services for various industries. country produced 14,000 metric tons (PNA)
ASEAN youth form network vs. climate change By: Albert-Anthony Abando
MANILA - Youth leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to form a region-wide network of youth leaders to serve as a knowledge management platform for sharing best practices and ongoing climate actions in the region. This was the result of the threeday “Not on Our Watch ASEAN” (#nowASEAN) Conference held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on November 23-25. The ASEAN youth leaders will recommend the creation of the Southeast Asian Youth in Climate Action Network (SAYCAN) to the 2018 ASEAN 25 November - 01 December, 2017
Leaders Summit. Young men and women representing ASEAN member countries affirmed their commitment to fight the disastrous effects of climate change through the #nowASEAN movement— formerly #nowPH—which was spearheaded by the Philippines for the ASEAN.
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Representatives of the country’s 17 regions and other ASEAN youth from neighboring Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand among others, took part in consultative meetings and the formulation of policies designed to empower the youth to take action and continue the advocacy of caring for the environment and avert the harmful effects of climate change.
Sawn Khai, a 26-year-old Livestock and Rural Development officer at the Ministry of Agriculture of Myanmar. Khai lamented that in his country, people are so carefree and unaware of the implications of climate change.
“Some adults casually throw their cigarette butts and other trash on the street, which causes blockages of drains and pollution. When I go home, I National Youth Commission (NYC) will help in educating my countrymen,” Chair Cariza Seguerra highlighted the he said. #nowASEAN’s achievements and hopes that all the participants will be Shaul Haizal Rozak from Malaysia able to sustain the initiative. was grateful to learn a lot from the conference and hoped that the activity “I’m proud of what we have should be held yearly. accomplished for the ASEAN in the past year, particularly for the NYC. The “I am overwhelmed by the young participants showed a lot of experiences of Filipinos, who have enthusiasm but I hope this will not end been through so many calamities and here. I am looking forward to seeing disasters over the years. It was good to results,” Seguerra said. see different perspectives and become part of the solution for this global During the #nowASEAN problem,” Rozak said. campaign, youth leaders, youth-serving organizations, government agencies, Not only did the conference and development partners were rallied benefit the able-bodied youth but in gathering pledges to call on their also persons with disabilities (PWD), leaders to take decisive action against like 21-year-old Abdulaziz Dapilin from climate change. Zamboanga. Dapilin is visually impaired. “It’s the youth who will eventually take over,” said Assistant Secretary Evelyn Cruzada of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “All these pledges are theirs to keep and the vigor to pursue their aspirations.”
“I am thankful that #nowASEAN counted on the support of PWDs despite our physical conditions. Even as PWD, we can still help in spreading awareness and finding solutions to climate change and develop programs that will respond to the needs of PWDs, The conference had a lasting especially in times of disasters,” Dapilin impact on its participants like Tual said. (PNA)
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Photo Gallery IP Youth Leadership Seminar Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte 27 November 2017
REGIONAL NEWS
ECC exec director explains increase in workers’ funeral benefits By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY – The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) announced the increase of funeral benefit under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP). According to ECC executive director Stella Zipagan-Banawis during a press briefing, the funeral benefit under ECP has been increased from P20,000 to P30,000 after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Executive Order No. 33, increasing the said benefit for the employees in the public and private sector.
public sector, respectively – to show that the State Insurance Fund (SIF) can support such increase and will not affect its stability,” explained ZipaganBanawis.
She further explained that the increase in the EC funeral benefits will not require any increase in the EC contributions paid by the employers for “The increase in the funeral their employees. benefits is a result of actuarial studies of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Executive Order No. 33 directed Government Service Insurance System the ECC, SSS, and GSIS to appropriate (GSIS) – the administering agencies of and release the amounts necessary to the EC Program for the private and cover the increase in funeral benefits
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under the ECP. Zipagan-Banawis also clarified that the EC funeral benefit is granted to the beneficiaries of workers who died because of a work-related sickness or injury. It is separate from the funeral benefit provided by the SSS and GSIS.
The ECC is a government corporation, attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for policy coordination and guidance. It is a quasi-judicial corporate entity created to implement the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP). (JPG/ECC/PIA-Caraga)
Lee Kuan Yew School accepts nomination for master degree programs, scholarships
By: Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY – The Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) School of Public Policy in Singapore is inviting the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to nominate candidates to enroll in their master degree programs commencing on August 2018. The LKY School’s mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations of leaders, raise the standards of governance in Asia, transform lives and create a more sustainable world.
“Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds and they chose to study in our school for the following reasons: our global excellence; global outlook; shaping Asia’s influence in the world; an innovative Asia-focused curriculum “Since 2004, there have been for Asia’s policy makers; and generous 2,200 leaders in Asia and in rest of the financial support,” he added. world who graduated from LKY,” said Kishore Mahbubani, dean and professor The LKY School offers the following in the Practice of Public Policy. four master program: 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Two-year Master in International Affairs (MIA) program suitable for professionals with a keen interest in Asia and global affairs; and a strong passion to contribute to the positive transformations that are taking place in Asia and the world; Two-year Master in Public Policy (MPP) program suitable for early-career professionals with at least two years of relevant work experience, who aim to gain a strong foundation in policy analysis, program evaluation and management; One-year Master in Public Administration (MPA) program suitable for mid-managerial professionals with at least five years relevant work experience, who aspire to make transition to senior management and leadership roles through an intensive and interdisciplinary training in decision-making and problemsolving; and One-year Master in Public Management (MPM) program
suitable for senior public officials with over ten years of work experience and a proven track record of leadership and high-level decisionmaking in their careers, looking for intellectual rejuvenation to become more effective leaders by focusing on the challenges of effective leadership and good governance. Places in the programs and scholarships are offered on a competitive basis. Head of offices (public, private and non-profit sectors) may take part in the said program or nominate a member of his or her staff and submit the application documents to the DOST-Human Resource Development Program (HRDP) secretariat not later than 15 December 2017. For more information on courses offered, anyone interested may access www.lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/admissions (VLG/DOST-DRDP/PIA-Caraga)
Police Regional Office 13 welcomes new director By: PCInsp Renel E. Serrano
BUTUAN CITY – The post for Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Caraga regional director was formally relinquished to its new successor during the turnover ceremony on Nov.21 at the PRO 13 Caraga grandstand, here.
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PCSupt. Noli Andrade Romana Franco Nemesio Gacal, and other assumed the office, replacing PCSupt. regional advisory council members. Rolando Bacong Felix. In his farewell speech, Felix The turnover of command expressed his sincerest thanks to was officiated by PDDG Ramon all uniformed and non-uniformed Apolinario, the Deputy Chief of PNP for personnel of PRO13 Caraga for carrying Administration as the guest of honor their daily tasks despite limited resources and speaker. and facilities. He further expressed his gratitude to the local chief executives In his message, Apolinario of Caraga for the untiring support to encouraged the officers and men all PNP PRO13 programs and projects of PRO 13 Caraga to give the same launched during his stewardship. amount of support and cooperation to Romana, as they did to Felix. Meanwhile, Romana stressed his plans and programs for the region Further, Apolinario expressed his giving emphasis on the individual sincerest gratitude to the outgoing worth of every policeman – one who regional director as he bid good luck is well-trained, committed to his work, for the incoming regional director to courageous, honorable and one who continue to perform his sworn duty to is looked up to by the public. He also the public, especially now that he has emphasized the vital role of the media a bigger responsibility. in informing the public on the PNP’s programs. Said activity was also attended by the Provincial Governor of Agusan Romana, a member of the del Norte, Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Amante-Matba, 401st Brigade “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, is the 16th Commander Col. Andres Centino, regional director of PRO 13. (PNP402ndBrigade Commander BGen. Caraga/PIA-Caraga) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Photo Gallery MSME Development and Disaster Resilience PRESS CONFERENCE - MOA Signing - Forum Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City 01 December 2017
SURIGAO DEL SUR
Army, LGU officials deny evacuation of 700 SurSur villagers
By: Nida Grace P. Barcena
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur – Officials of the Philippine Army and the members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) of Lianga denied reports claiming the evacuation of 12 Lumad communities in Barangay Diatagon in Lianga and Barangay Buhisan in San Agustin, this province on Nov. 26, 2017. In a press conference, MPOC chairman and Lianga Mayor Homer Pedrozo and 401st Brigade Commanding Officer Col. Andres Centino belied the report of evacuation of more than 700 villagers from 12 Lumad communities, following the increased presence of soldiers in their communities. Centino said that since Nov. 26, “there is no evacuation happening from the communities in Barangay Diatagon, and Barangay Buhisan as reported by the militants over social 25 November - 01 December, 2017
media and SMS.” He also debunked the information that they were militarizing the areas and that soldiers were occupying Lumad communities. Pedrozo, on the other hand, has already directed the concerned MPOC members to validate the issues raised. He added that the situation was not new to them, citing the displacement of Lumads once there is a military operation in the area. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Butuan LGU surpasses revenue collection performance BUTUAN CITY – The Butuan city government has surpassed its performance in 2016 by posting a collection performance of 106.95 percent from January to October 2017, compared to the same period last year. The performance translated to a revenue collection of more than P446 million as of October 2017. The surpassing of the collection performance of the City Treasurer’s Office was primarily due to the increase in the business tax collection in which they have already attained their target as early as October.
According to Acting City Treasurer Hernando G. Curilan, Jr., one of the reasons in the attainment of their target was their aggressive tax collection campaign.
The Business Process Licensing Office (BPLO) also contributed to Revenue on business tax already this increase with their aggressive reached more than P205 million and campaign against establishments that account for 43 percent in the total do not possess business permits. (Butuan CIty PIO/PIA-Caraga) revenue collection of the city.
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Photo Gallery World AIDS Day Celebration A Simultaneous Zumba Party J. Rosales Ave., (Gaisano Mall) Butuan City 01 December 2017
AGUSAN DEL SUR
KMMe mentees in AgSur train on entrep accounting, financial management PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) has recently conducted the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMMe) Program Module 8: Entrepreneurial Accounting and Financial Management to the second batch mentees held at the Provincial Learning Center, Gov. D.O Plaza Government Center, Prosperidad, this province. Gil Pol Tan, a certified public accountant and an accredited local mentor of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) served as resource person and mentor. The module aimed to educate the participants on financial recording/ system and the importance of record keeping in their respective businesses. The group did actual bookkeeping of a sample business entity. “I am a type of a business owner who is dependent on bookkeepers. I am so thankful for the session as
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I’ve learned today what I refused to understand and learn before – doing the financial transactions and recording personally,” Arline Riveta of Samuel’s Candies & Pastries said. The 24 selected mentees still have two more modules to attend and learn before they present their business improvement plans to graduate the program. The mentees are also currently assisted by PGAS through its Livelihood Enhancement Assistance Program (LEAP). (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIAAgusan del Sur) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
SURIGAO DEL NORTE
CSU-Surigao Norte initiates security, safety gun-handling course By: John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY – The Civil Security Unit (CSU) of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte conducted a shortened Security and Safety Gun Handling Course and Evaluation. In his message, Surigao de Norte Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. said that “the activity seeks to empower the guards on duty at the Capitol premises to exercise caution and vigilance, especially in the discharge of their official functions and sworn responsibilities.” He added that the buildings must be fully secured from infiltrators, especially outsiders who take advantage of the situation, in order to sow discord, wreak havoc, or commit terroristic acts that would endanger the lives of Capitol employees. These 12 golden rules for safe gun handling were underscored during the lecture:
4. Always keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use it; 5. Never point the gun at anything you don’t intend to destroy; 6. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it; 7. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the gun you are using; 8. Always use proper ammunition; 9. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before loading and shooting; 10. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, hold your shooting position for several seconds; then with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, carefully unload the gun; 11. Don’t rely on the gun’s safety to keep it from firing; 12. Be aware of your surroundings when handling guns so you don’t trip or lose your balance and accidentally point and/or fire the gun at anyone or anything.
1. Always treat the gun as loaded; 2. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction; 3. Always keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; 25 November - 01 December, 2017
CSU personnel were briefed on
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the proper handling of their guns and weapons to prevent any untoward incident. They also took their respective examination and were evaluated on the spot. It should be stated that people, especially security workers must never fool around or play with guns. Guns are
dangerous when they are not handled or used properly and can easily injure or kill innocent civilians, and those around you. There are no second chances with a gun and the rules for safe gun handling must always be followed to avoid accidents. (PGO-SDN/PIASurigao del Norte)
New Dinagat Islands police office soon to rise SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands – A police provincial headquarters will soon rise in a five-hectare land located at Sitio Iring-Iring, Barangay Wilson in San Jose. Police Provincial Director PSSupt. Ramir Perlito Perlas, together with Police Regional Office 13 Regional Director PCSupt. Rolando Felix and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Public Safety and Peace and Order chairperson Board Member Jess Paul D. Ecleo, led the posting of landmark with the picture of the proposed headquarter. According to Ecleo, the project is a joint undertaking between the provincial government of Dinagat Islands and the national government to provide basic services and support
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to different government agencies in establishing and fulfilling its mandates to the people of Dinagat. “As one of my legislative agenda, the headquarters will be named after our local hero Divine Master Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr,” said Ecleo. Representatives from the different provincial offices and national government agencies and other stakeholders attended the activity and give their utmost support for the realization of the said project. (SDR/PIODinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
Photo Gallery SOV Meeting Butuan City 25 November 2017
RDC-Development Administration Committee 4th Quarter Meeting BSP, Butuan City 01 December 2017
HEALTH NEWS
A variety of foods daily is key to good health By: Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
BUTUAN CITY – Did you know that the human body needs more than 40 different nutrients every day for good health?
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There is no single food that can supply the body with the needed nutrients in proper amount and balance starting at age six months and onwards. The revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) recommends eating a variety of foods every day to get the nutrients needed by the body. The NGF was developed by nutrition experts led by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).
However, other than these food groups, the water intake is also necessary. Water and other beverages also regulate body processes as they play an important role in digestion, absorption, metabolism, transport, and utilization of nutrients.
The three major food groups are the go, grow, and glow foods. Water and beverages also help us excrete waste products and toxins Go foods like rice, bread, noodles, from our lungs, skin, kidneys, and large pasta, and corn give us energy. Other intestines. go foods include root crops like sweet potato, cassava, and potato. Sugars Remember to eat a variety of and jams, oil, margarine and butter foods and drink at least eight glasses of that make our food tasty give energy water every day. as well. For more information on food Grow foods build and repair body and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario tissues that make children grow tall. V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Grow foods also make the muscles Nutrition Research Institute, Department strong. of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Examples of grow foods are meat Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837and meat products, chicken and other 3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk poultry products, fish and seafood, milk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; and dairy products, beans and nuts, e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at and eggs. mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Glow foods, like fruits and vegetables help regulate body You may also check our Facebook processes by providing vitamins and page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or minerals. follow our Twitter account at twitter. com/FNRI_DOST. (Czarina Teresita Glow foods give us fiber that S. Martinez, FNRI-DOST S & T Media makes our digestive system healthy. Service/PIA-Caraga) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Photo Gallery National Nutrition CouncilDepartment of Health - Caraga Regional Nutrition Committee Meeting
Big Daddy’s Hotel & Convention Center, Butuan City 01 December 2017
Regional Data Dissemination Forum on the Demographic & Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Population Grand Palace Hotel, Butuan City 28 November 2017
MINDANAO NEWS
DSWD intensifies early recovery efforts for Marawi IDPs
MANILA - In continuation of the early recovery efforts of the government to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the armed conflict in Marawi City, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released its latest update on the services and interventions to returning IDPs in the war-torn city. Based on the November 28 data from DSWD- Field Office (FO) XII, a total of P112,008,964 worth of assistance has been provided to returning IDPs from Barangays Basak Malutlut, Marawi Poblacion, East Basak, Luksa Datu, Matampay, Tampilong, Datu Saber, Bo. Green, Panggao Saduc, 25 November - 01 December, 2017
Lumbaca Toros, Bacolod Chico, Toros, Tuca, Poona Marantao, Dayawan, Pindolonan, Bangon, Fort, and Amito Matrantao, Marawi City. The returning families were provided with “Kambalingan Packages,� a Maranao term for
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‘homecoming,’ which is composed of family food packs (FFPs) good for 17 days, hygiene kits and kitchen kits, and financial assistance worth P5,000.
conducting case management and social preparation which include evaluation for needed services and interventions for our vulnerable sectors such as PWDs, elderly and children,” he Moreover, a total of P102,266,000 added. cash-for-work (CFW) assistance was released to some 51, 133 beneficiaries The Department also plans to in Regions VII, X, CARAGA and ARMM create a team with the Department of to provide a temporary source of Health (DOH) and local government to livelihood for the IDPs. provide the psychosocial needs of the released hostages and their families Aside from the distribution of relief which will be led by Maranao-speaking items, the Department also continues staff from the DSWD FO XII. to perform its role as the lead agency in the Camp Coordination and Camp In addition, a DSWD satellite office Management Cluster by providing will be established to immediately meet protection services in all 70 existing the needs of the returnees. evacuation centers located in Regions X and ARMM. “Our goal here is to show that the families are not just mere numbers “We are consistently coordinating affected by the incident. They have with agency members of the Task their own stories to tell. They have their Force Bangon Marawi to ensure that own rich culture before the conflict. the needs of our affected kababayans They have their own lives. What we are addressed,” stated DSWD Officer- need is to listen to them and work with in-Charge (OIC) Emmanuel A. Leyco. them as they rise from their current condition,” DSWD OIC Leyco ended. “Social workers are currently (DSWD)
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Davao bid as PH Halal hub gets boost By: Armando Fenequito, Jr.
DAVAO CITY - The opening of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Halal Verification Laboratory in Davao City will boost the city’s bid as a halal hub not only in the country, but also in the Brunei-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
This will also open more as a laboratory processing facility which opportunities for Davao City as can be used by the manufacturers for halal products have a huge market, halal certification. especially in the Middle East. “We can serve as third-party DOST assistant regional director laboratory for halal producers to for technical support services Mirasol make sure that there are no ‘haram’ Domingo said Davao entrepreneurs contaminants in their products,” he who are exporting or going to explore said. Under the certification process, the halal food business should grab the producers need to have a Halal the opportunity now that the Halal Assurance System to ensure there are Verification Laboratory has opened. no contaminants on their product. “With the laboratory, they can “They (manufacturers) can come really test their products and the buying to us and have their products checked,” public will be assured that the food he said. they buy has the halal certified sticker,” she said. He said the facility has the stateof-the-art equipment that will ensure On Friday, DOST opened the laboratory as part of the implementation that products to be checked are well of Republic Act No. 10817 or the analyzed.
“Philippine Halal Export Development Services offered in the laboratory and Promotion Act of 2016.” are Porcine DNA Detection, Alcohol DOST regional director Dr. Content Determination, and Amino Anthony Sales said the facility will serve Acid Profiling. 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Porcine DNA Detection is the test method that will determine the presence or absence of pork (porcine DNA) using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
in the Philippines and are located in Manila, Cotabato City, and General Santos City.
Some exporters have their products certified abroad as there Alcohol Content Determination are some certifiers in the country that will analyze the concentration of do not follow the standards of Muslim ethanol by using head space Gas countries in the Middle East. Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Earlier, Mayor Sara Duterte The sample scopes are fermented Carpio expressed optimism about the foods, sauce, vinegar, herbs, spices, prospects of the city’s halal products carbonated and premix drinks. Then, with the opening of the lab. the Amino Acid Profiling will determine the relative amount of 17 amino acids “The launch of the Halal in raw collagen, gelatin and capsules Verification Laboratory is envisioned by using Liquid Chromatography Mass to increase the profitability of halal Spectrometry. products from Davao in neighboring cities in Mindanao and in the Brunei, The National Commission on Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) lauded the Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” opening of the Halal Verification Duterte-Carpio said. Laboratory in the city. NCMF regional director Norhaida Lumaan said the The mayor, who is also the Muslim communities not just in the chairperson of the Davao City Halal Philippines but also abroad, will benefit Industry Development Council, said the from this project. acknowledgment of the importance of the halal industry is reflective of “We Muslims should consume the respect for cultural diversity in the halal not only for ourselves but also for country. our business,” she said. “And since Mindanao has the Lumaan also encouraged food biggest of Muslim communities, it is only manufacturers to produce more halal appropriate that we are at the forefront products for export. in terms of the efforts to ensure that our products are halal-certified,” she said. With the establishment of the laboratory, she said the NCMF “The advent of this Halal will organize an accredited halal Verification Laboratory will also position certification body in Davao City. us in a better advantage in the halal industry in Asia than ever before,” she She said only three such bodies said. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
SSS starts releasing of 13th month, December pension
UNTV
MANILA – State-run Social Security System (SSS) said more than 2.2 million pensioners will start to receive their 13th month and December pension starting today, Dec. 1 until Dec. 8. SSS President and Chief Executive Emmanuel F. Dooc said the pension fund has already released the amount to the respective partner-banks starting Nov. 15 to give the banks ample time to release the 13th month and December pension to SSS pensioners. Some disbursing banks have released the 13th month and December pension as early as Nov. 15.
to the discretion of the disbursing banks if they will release the regular monthly pension for December along with the 13th month pension or to release it based on the bank’s usual schedule of the release of monthly pension,” Dooc said.
SSS also reminded the pensioners that the basis of the 13th month pension “We have already asked the banks is the basic monthly pension of a to release the 13th month pension not pensioner excluding the dependent’s later than December 8, while we leave pension, if any. (SSS) 25 November - 01 December, 2017
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Comelec sees 800K new voters for 2018 barangay, SK polls By: Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is optimistic of meeting the voter registration target of over 800,000 new regular and youth voters which ended on Thursday. According to Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, they are on track in meeting the estimated 500,000 regular and 350,000 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) applicants.
“The ERB will take approximately two weeks to process the applications. It will then send out notifications of disapprovals.
Approvals will be posted at the “I think we’re on track to meet Offices of the Election Officers,” he those expectations,” he said in a explained. statement. “This will be followed by the period Latest figure from the Election and for the filing of petitions for inclusion Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) (if someone feels that he/she was showed that they have received a total mistakenly disapproved) or exclusion of 496,816 applications for registration (if someone feels some people were for a period of three weeks from mistakenly approved). That will then be followed by the preparation of November 6 to 25. the project of precincts,” Jimenez Jimenez said that the figures for furthered. the last week of the registration are not The resumption of registration for yet available. the May 2018 Barangay and SK polls, With this, the poll body official resumed last November 6. reported that after the voter Applicants age 15 to 17 years are registration has ended, the Election Registration Board (ERB) would review allowed to register as voters for the SK the applications and they would also elections, while those who are 18 years be the ones who would approve or old and above are preferred to register as regular voters. (PNA) disapprove.
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