Caraga Today April-June 2016

4|Caraga Regional Development Council endorses PhP96.16B proposed budgets for fiscal year 2017 5|What’s inside the 2016 PhP3T national budget 24| 2015 Regional Economic Situationer 34|Q1 2016 Regional Project Monitoring Report

today caraga

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council

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In brief

AmBisyon Natin 2040 Unveils the aspirations, values, and principles of the Filipino people

April-June 2016 Vol. XIX, Issue 2

caraga today Volume XIX Issue 2

April-June 2016

On this issue

HIGHLIGHT AmBisyon Natin 2040 or the National Long Term Vision initiated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is intended to be the basis of unity among Filipinos. Generally, NEDA wanted to know what the Filipinos envision the Philippines to become by 2040.

On this issue, we feature what the Filipinos want to have, to do, and to be by 2040.

NEWS 16 Caraga ranks 4th poorest region; Agusan del Sur among top 10 poorest provinces City business ventures goes to Brunei 18 Butuan 2016 Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair showcases Caraga food products 21 Dinagat Islands is rabies-free Regional Development Council endorses Joint Memorandum to mainstream 37 Caraga social protection in local planning 39 NEDA-Caraga for an HIV-free Philippines FEATURES safety nets: The case of 14 Understanding 4Ps

40 K to 12 and the things that you need to know Environment Day, Philippine 42 World Environment Month

GDP as a measure of 17 Rethinking economic progress

30 is World Day Against Trafficking in 43 July Persons

the Sustainable 7 Introducing Development Goals

processing: A profitable agriculture 44 Highlights: Millennium Development Goals 19 Rice Status for Caraga Region enterprise a strong society through child 20 Molding care: The Bayabas case

38 Why do mothers die

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Editor’s Note Jazmin D. Berido

In the first quarter 2016 issue of Caraga Today we introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promised to elaborate on the goals and targets.

In this issue we feature SDGs 1 -6 and their corresponding goals and targets together with some facts and figures. The remaining SDGs (7-17) will be elaborated in the next issues.

Along with the implementation of the SDGs, we are featuring the endorsed budget for fiscal year 2017 by the Caraga Regional Development Council and the content of the 2016 national budget amounting to PhP3 trillion. We also highlight the 2016 approved budget for Caraga amounting to PhP43.4 billion.

For each SDG, we gathered relevant issues and stories and feature them here.

For SDG 1, we feature the concept of safety nets and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps as a strategy to curb poverty in the country. The 4Ps was in the news lately and was even a hot topic during the presidential debates. We find it appropriate to discuss the same.

Another story is on the latest poverty incidence estimates published by the Philippine Statistical Authority. On this latest report, Caraga ranked fourth poorest region in the country and Agusan del Sur is among the top 10 poorest provinces.

Relevant to the issue on welfare, we feature the debate on rethinking the use of GDP as a

measure of economic progress.

Three economists during the recent World Economic Forum have already agreed to rethink the use of GDP. In this feature, we present the arguments on GDP to help you understand the debate.

At the local level, we feature the endorsement of the Joint Memorandum of DILG and DSWD to mainstream social protection in local planning. Also, we feature the successes of some micro and small enterprises in the region.

For SDG 2, we feature the story of a cooperative that ventured on rice processing and how it benefited from the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program.

For SDG 3, we highlight the testimonial of Mayor Maria Clarita Garcia-Limbaro of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur and how they were able to surmount the challenges of being a 5th class municipality and how they emerged as a child-

friendly municipality.

Likewise, we feature the excerpts of the latest State of the Philippine Population Report on the causes of maternal deaths in the country and some regional figures.

We added the latest feat of Dinagat Islands as a rabies-free province.

As a prime mover in HIV advocacy, we feature the HIV counseling and testing done by DOH-Caraga to NEDA-Caraga employees. This is hoped to serve as an inspiration for other agencies to do the same given the rising HIV cases in the region.

In 2015, the Millennium Development Goals ended. Here, we feature the achievements of the region on the indicators that we have monitored in the last 15 years.

For SDG 4, we feature the answers to the most frequently asked questions on the much talked about K to 12.

For SDG 5, we feature the observance of July 30 as World Day against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness on human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of victims. In Caraga alone we have 103 recorded cases since 2014.

Finally for SDG 6, we feature the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5 and the Philippine Environment Month for the entire month of June. The theme for the celebration is Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss #GreenEnvironment GawingForever.

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Caraga Regional Development Council endorses PhP94.16B proposed budgets for fiscal year 2017

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsed PhP94.16 billion proposed budgets for fiscal year 2017 during its 86th Full Council Meeting on March 2, 2016 at NEDA-Caraga Conference Hall, Butuan City.

The said budget represents the 2017 proposals of regional line agencies and state colleges and universities of the region.

The endorsement came after a rigorous process of consultation with different stakeholders including civil society organizations.

About 56% of the total

endorsed budget came from the infrastructure sector amounting to PhP52.61 billion, of which PhP49.54 billion is proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways and PhP2.74 billion is proposed by the National Irrigation Administration.

The social sector has a proposed budget of PhP35.14 billion with the Department of Education posting the highest proposed budget of PhP24.09 billion, followed by the Department of Social and Welfare Development with a proposed budget of PhP6.29 billion and the

Department of Health with a proposed budget of PhP1.90 billion.

Meanwhile, the economic sector has a proposed budget of PhP5.99 billion; while the development administration sector has a budget of PhP0.42 billion.

Besides deliberations in the four sectoral committees, the Caraga RDC has conducted a Budget Forum and a Budget Consultation with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Private Sector on February 1 and 24, 2016, respectively.

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What’s inside the 2016 PhP3T national budget For 2016, the government will spend PhP3 trillion according to the National Budget Memorandum 124 issued by the Department of Budget and Management. About PhP2.42 trillion will fund ongoing expenses such as employee salaries, overhead costs, and existing government programs. The remaining PhP580.9 billion will support new or expanded programs.

The 2016 budget focuses on the five priority areas of the Aquino Social Contract, as follows:  Pursuing good governance  Making growth more inclusive  Sustaining the growth momentum  Managing disaster risk  Forging a just and lasting peace Looking closer into these priority areas, one can see the following strategies to achieve President Aquino’s thrusts: Pursuing good governance  Conduct procurement trainings for national and local government units (LGUs) as well as suppliers and civil society organizations  Hire more personnel for procurement and program monitoring  Sustain the campaigns against tax evaders and smugglers  Implement the national anti-corruption plan  Sustain performance challenge fund for LGUs  Expand the Commission on Audit’s citizen’s participatory audit Making growth more inclusive Social Protection  Update the conditional cash

transfer targeting system  Include more groups such

as overseas Filipino workers, persons with disabilities, displaced families and Indigenous People under various social protection programs  Increase subsidy for crop insurance to benefit poor farmers Education  Address input gaps for K to12 and support the roll-out of senior high school  Provide possible displacement of university faculty and staff  Enhance technical-vocation education  Invest in early childhood care Universal Health Care  Give higher funding for programs such as maternal health  Expand PhilHealth coverage  Address gaps in health facilities Housing and Resettlement  Expand housing microfinance  Conduct social preparation activities for informal settler families Sustaining Growth Momentum Transport Infrastructure  Empower LGUs to construct local roads  Boost public-private partnership projects  Complete paving of all national roads and construction of national bridges Tourism  Upgrade airports, seaports, Rollon/Roll-off terminals, and other facilities  Increase support for branding campaign  Focus resources on the nine priority tourism cluster areas

Agriculture  Fast-track acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands  Provide training to farmers and fisher folk  Improve rural infrastructure  Promote technologies that enhance resiliency to climate risks Manufacturing  Provide technological support to micro, small, and medium enterprises  Support industries in identifying their specific needs  Conduct research and development for new technologies  Increase scholarships and skills training for workers Managing Disaster Risk  Support the National Greening Program  Increase funding for flood mitigation and drainage  Promote the Energy Efficiency Program  Finance climate-resilient farming practices  Fund community-based early warning system Forging Just and Lasting Peace  Conduct post-arbitration initiatives on West Philippine Sea  Support the modernization plans of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines  Expand funding for Bangsamoro Development Plan and PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan (PAMANA) Program  Establish crime and forensic laboratories in Cebu and Davao

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Focus geographical areas of the national budget

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Caraga budget Caraga Region has an approved budget for fiscal year 2016 of PhP43,407,298.91*, of which 47% is appropriated for social development, 40% for infrastructure development, 10% for economic development, and 3% for development administration.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has the biggest budget among agencies with a 40% share followed by the Department of Education with 31% share, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development with 10% share.

Agency DPWH DEPED DSWD DOH DA DENR NIA DILG PCA DAR SSCT SDSSU CSU BFAR TESDA DTI PNP BJMP ASSCAT DOLE CHED NHA DOST NCIP DOTC MGB EMB NEDA POPCOM DOT CDA BLGF MARINA

Budget (‘000) 17,422,184.00 13,404,000.00 4,537,895.00 1,120,337.00 1,097,803.00 1,073,800.00 960,968.00 801,633.00 382,272.82 320,875.00 248,545.00 247,781.00 210,683.00 185,578.00 174,238.00 163,240.00 137,170.00 135,990.73 122,284.00 116,826.00 111,369.35 88,065.00 87,364.00 54,034.00 44,848.00 42,895.00 28,898.00 28,834.00 16,601.00 12,371.00 10,318.00 10,055.00 7,543.00

* represents only the budgets of agencies that presented in the RDC

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Introducing the Sustainable Development Goals What is sustainable development?

It is defined as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To achieve this, the three core elements should be harmonized: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Are the Sustainable Development Goals legally binding?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not legally binding.

Nevertheless, countries are expected to take ownership and establish a national framework for achieving the 17 Goals.

How will the Sustainable Development Goals be implemented?

Implementation and success will rely on the countries’ own sustainable development policies, plans and programs, and will be led by the countries themeselves. The SDGs will be a compass for aligning countries’ plans with their global commitments.

How will the Sustainable Development Goals be monitored?

At the global level, the 17 goals and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. The global indicator framework, to be developed by the InterAgency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEA-SDGs), will be agreed on by the UN Statistical Commission by March 2016. The Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will then adopt these indicators.

Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets.

How much will the implementation of this new sustainable development agenda cost?

The achievement of the goals requires substantial investment and mobilization

of significant resources—in the trillions of dollars. Resources need to be mobilized from domestic and international sources, as well as from the public and private sectors.

How does climate change relate to sustainable development?

Climate change is already impacting public health, food and water security, migration, peace and security. Climate change, if left unchecked, will roll back the development gains that have been made over the last decades and will make further gains impossible. Hence, investments in sustainable development will help address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience.

How are the Sustainable Development Goals different from the MDGs? The SDGs are broader in scope and go further than the MDGs by addressing the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development that works for all people. The goals cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

In the succeeding pages you will read about the international goals and targets for SDGs 1-6.

Source: United Nations (http://www.un.org/ sustainabledevelopment)

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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Targets

Facts and Figures  836 million people still live in extreme poverty

 1 in 5 persons in developing regions live on less than $1.25 per day

 The overwhelming majority of people   

living on less than $1.25 a day belong to two regions: Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa High poverty rates are often found in small, fragile and conflict-affected countries 1 in 4 children under age five worldwide has inadequate height for his or her age In 2014, 42,000 people had to abandon their homes everyday to seek protection due to conflict

Why no poverty matters Eight hundred thirty-six million people still live in extreme poverty and are struggling to fulfill the most basic needs like health, education, and access to water and sanitation, to name a few.

That’s a lot of people.

Yes. The overwhelming majority of people living on less than $1.25 a day live in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and they account for about 70% of the global total of extremely poor people.

Lower middle-income countries, including China, India, Indonesia and Nigeria, are home to about half of the global poor.

 By 2030, eradicate extreme

 By 2030, build the resilience of the

poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day  By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions  Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable  By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters  Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions  Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on propoor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions

However, this issue also affects developed countries. Right now there are 30 million children growing up poor in the world’s richest countries.

Jeffrey Sachs calculated that the total cost per year would be about $175 billion. This represents less than one percent of the combined income of the richest countries in the world.

Why is there so much poverty in the world?

Poverty has many dimensions, but its causes include unemployment, social exclusion, and high vulnerability of certain population to disasters, diseases and other phenomena which prevent them from being productive.

Can we actually achieve this goal?

Yes. To end extreme poverty worldwide in 20 years, economist

I’m not poor. Why should I care about other people’s economic situation?

Because as human beings, our wellbeing is linked to each other.

Growing inequality is detrimental to economic growth and undermines social cohesion, increasing political and social tensions and, in some circumstances, driving instability and conflicts.

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Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Targets  By 2030, end hunger and ensure

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access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of smallscale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated

animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed  Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries  Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round  Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility

Facts and Figures Hunger  Globally, 1 in 9 people (795 million ) are undernourished  Majority of the world’s hungry people live in developing countries, ⅔ live in Asia  Southern Asia faces the greatest hunger burden, with about 281 million undernourished people.  Poor nutrition accounts for 45% of deaths in children under five or 3.1 million children each year.  1 in 4 of the world’s children suffer stunted growth; 1 in 3 in developing countries  66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry across the developing world; with 23 million from Africa.

Food security  Agriculture is the single largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households providing livelihood for 40% of today’s global population.

It is the largest .  500 million small farms worldwide, most still rainfed, provide up to 80% of food consumed in a large part of the developing world.  Since the 1900s, some 75% of crop diversity has been lost from farmers’ fields.  If women farmers had the same access to resources as men, the number of hungry in the world could be reduced by up to 150 million.  1.4 billion people have no access to electricity worldwide

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Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages Targets  By 2030, reduce the global 

Facts and Figures Child health  17,000 fewer children die each day than in 1990, but more than six million children still die before their fifth birthday each year Maternal health  Maternal mortality has fallen by almost 50% since 1990 but maternal mortality ratio is still 14 times higher in the developing regions HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases  At the end of 2014, there were 13.6 million people accessing antiretroviral therapy  At the end of 2013, there were an estimated 35 million people living with HIV  TB-related deaths in people living with HIV have fallen by 36% since 2004  There were 250,000 new HIV infections among adolescents in 2013 worldwide, two thirds of which were among adolescent girls  AIDS is now the leading cause of death among adolescents (aged 10– 19) in Africa and the second most common cause of death among adolescents globally  Between 2000 and 2013, tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions saved an estimated 37 million lives. The tuberculosis mortality rate fell by 45% and the prevalence rate by 41% between 1990 and 2013

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maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under 5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and wellbeing Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all By 2030, substantially reduce the

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number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and noncommunicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and in particular, provide access to medicines for all Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks

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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning Targets  By 2030, ensure that all girls and

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boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-

violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development  Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all  By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular to least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries  By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states

Facts and Figures  Enrolment in primary education in   

developing countries has reached 91% but 57 million children remain out of school More than half of children that have not enrolled in school live in subSaharan Africa An estimated 50% of out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-affected areas 103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60% of them are women

Obtaining quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls. Basic literacy skills have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to make even greater strides for achieving universal education. For example, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.

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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Targets  End all forms of discrimination 

Facts and Figures  About two thirds of countries in the 

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developing regions have achieved gender parity in primary education In Southern Asia, only 74 girls were enrolled in primary school for every 100 boys in 1990. By 2012, the enrolment ratios were the same for girls as for boys.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and Western Asia, girls still face barriers to entering both primary and secondary school.

Women in Northern Africa hold less than one in five paid jobs in the nonagricultural sector. The proportion of women in paid employment outside the agriculture sector has increased from 35% in 1990 to 41% in 2015 In 46 countries, women now hold more than 30% of seats in national parliament in at least one chamber.

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While the world has achieved progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development Goals (including equal access to primary education between girls and boys), women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a

against all women and girls everywhere Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and

necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large.

reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences  Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws  Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women  Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

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Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all Targets  By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all  By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations  By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally  By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering

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from water scarcity By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate By 2020, protect and restore waterrelated ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Facts and Figures  2.6 billion people have gained  

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Why do clean water and sanitation matter?

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a human right, yet billions are still faced with daily challenges accessing even the most basic of services.

Around 1.8 billion people globally use fecally contaminated drinking water. Some 2.4 billion people lack access to toilets or latrines. Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population and is projected to rise. More than 80% of wastewater from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without any treatment, leading to pollution.

What would it cost to correct the problem?

World Bank Group, UNICEF, and WHO estimates that extending basic water and sanitation services to the unserved would cost US$28.4 billion per year from 2015 to 2030, or 0.10% of the global product of the 140 countries included in its study.

What would it cost if we don’t correct the problem?

The costs are huge–both for people and for the economy. Without better infrastructure and management, millions of people will continue to die each year from diarrheal diseases

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access to improved drinking water sources since 1990, but 663 million people are still without access At least 1.8 billion people globally use a source of drinking water that is fecally contaminated Between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of the global population using an improved drinking water source has increased from 76% to 91% Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population and is projected to rise. Over 1.7 billion people are currently living in river basins where water use exceeds recharge 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines More than 80% of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without any pollution removal Each day, nearly 1,000 children die due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy, representing 16% of total electricity production worldwide as of 2011 Approximately 70% of all water abstracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation Floods and other water-related disasters account for 70% of all deaths related to natural disasters

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Understanding safety nets: The case of 4Ps

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

One of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 1 is for governments to implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

The 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was created as part of the Philippine government’s social protection system to curb poverty in the country.

In this article, we examine the concept behind 4Ps as a safety net program and how it functions. We based this explanation from the work of Morgan Ruelle and Marc Rockmore who are PhD students of Cornel University.

Safety nets defined Safety nets are targeted transfers of cash, vouchers, food, or other goods to poor or vulnerable households.

Governments around the world use them to prevent and reduce poverty.

Safety nets are a key form of social protection, which includes any public actions to support poor and vulnerable persons and increase their ability to manage risk. A key difference from other forms of social protection is that safety nets are noncontributory, meaning recipients do not contribute to the program before receiving benefits.

Safety nets can reduce inequality and poverty; encourage investments that increase household income; reduce individuals’ need to sell vital assets when disaster strikes; and lessen the likelihood that vulnerable persons suffer catastrophic losses that leave them chronically poor. Governments can also design safety nets to incentivize socially desirable behaviors, such as sending children to school or visiting a doctor or helping rehabilitate infrastructure damaged by natural disaster.

Different types of safety nets Safety net programs are diverse and are characterized by conditionality and transfer type. Conditionality occurs when assistance is subject to specific behaviors such as school attendance or work on public infrastructure projects, intended to help reduce poverty and vulnerability over the long term.

Conditional safety nets often aim to increase participation in education and healthcare systems to promote the longterm economic security of beneficiaries and the productivity of household and community assets in the future.

Safety net programs provide cash, near-cash (e.g., vouchers), in-kind transfers (e.g., food), or some combination to vulnerable households.

Cash transfers are typically less expensive to administer than other types. It allows recipients to determine the best use of their benefits, but which may not coincide with those desired by their government. On the other hand, inflation diminishes the purchasing power of cash transfers, which may also be ineffective if markets cannot provide an adequate supply of food, such as during a regional food shortage.

Near-cash transfers are vouchers or coupons that recipients can exchange for specific goods or services. Nearcash transfers are generally more expensive than cash transfers due to costs associated with voucher management and vendor monitoring and reimbursement.

In-kind transfers can include food, medicine, fuel, clothing, or other provisions. Transfers of food provide direct, immediate assistance with a high probability of reducing hunger.

Conditional Cash Transfer Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs only transfers cash to beneficiaries who meet certain criteria.

Criteria may include enrolling children into public schools, getting regular health check-ups, receiving

vaccinations, or the like.

CCT is popular is Latin American countries like Brazil (called Bolsa Familia), Chile (Chile Solidario), Colombia (Familias en Accion), Guatemala (Mi Familia Progresa), and Mexico (Oportunidades). Also in Asian countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia. The US has Opportunity NYC, an experimental CCT in New York City.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program The 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer scheme that requires beneficiaries to fulfill the following conditions: 1. Pregnant women must avail preand post-natal care, and be attended during childbirth by a trained professional; 2. Parents or guardians must attend the family development sessions, which include topics on responsible parenting, health, and nutrition; 3. Children aged 0-5 must receive regular preventive health checkups and vaccines; 4. Children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills twice a year; and 5. Children-beneficiaries aged 3-18 must enroll in school, and maintain an attendance of at least 85% of class days every month.

The 4Ps has two types of cash grants that are given out to householdbeneficiaries:  health grant: PhP500 per household every month, or a total of PhP6,000 every year  education grant: PhP300 per child every month for ten months, or a total of PhP3,000 every year (a household may register a maximum of three children for the program) For a household with three children, a household may receive PhP1,400 every month, or a total of PhP15,000 every year for five years, from the two types of cash grants given

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

to them.

These cash grants are distributed to the household-beneficiaries through the Land Bank of the Philippines or, if not feasible, through alternate payment schemes such as Globe G-Cash remittance and rural bank transactions.

Disadvantages First, safety net programs can be expensive. Second, safety net programs may discourage recipients from taking personal responsibility for reducing their own vulnerability, creating dependency on social assistance.

Research on dependency is nonconclusive, but there is increasing evidence that dependency usually results from specific design features and is not inherent to safety net programs in general. Third, safety net programs might ―crowd out‖ other assistance, discouraging private assistance to poor households, although research suggests that these effects are minimal.

Impacts According to World Bank, 4Ps is one of the best-targeted social safety net programs in the world, benefitting the country’s poor and most vulnerable families.

15

Ruslan Yemtsov, who led the preparation of the report The State of Social Safety Nets 2015 and World Bank Lead Technical Expert on Social Safety Nets, said that 82% of the benefits of 4Ps goes to the bottom 40% of poor households, as well as those that are highly vulnerable to poverty.

The State of Social Safety Nets 2015 reported that more than 1.9 billion people in 136 low- and middle-income countries benefit from social safety net programs. As a summary, the report finds the following:  CCT programs account for over 50% of the beneficiaries in social safety net programs, and are now present in 64 countries, a dramatic increase from two countries in 1997.  CCT has major positive spillover effects on the local economy of target communities. Every dollar transferred to beneficiaries generates income ranging from US$1.34 to $2.52 to local communities (―multiplier effects‖).  Cash transfers boost school enrollment and attendance; increase live births in safer facilities; improve prenatal and postnatal care; promote regular growth monitoring of children during critically-important

early ages; and enhance food security.

World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi said that, ―The CCT grants, on average, only account for about 11% of the income of the poorest recipient households. Yet, for poor and vulnerable households, the grants are very important. Two rounds of rigorous impact evaluation show that they use the money to buy food, school uniforms and school supplies for their children.‖ Konishi added that the impact evaluation studies show that CCT is delivering on its objectives:  Enrollment among poor elementary school children increased by 5 percentage points, while secondary education enrollment increased by 7 percentage points.  The program increased prenatal and postnatal care by 10 percentage points and increased the delivery of babies in health facilities by skilled health professionals by 20 percentage points.  Children benefited by receiving higher doses of vitamin A and iron supplementation by around 12 percentage points and by increased weight monitoring visits to health facilities by 18 percentage points.

caraga today

16

Caraga ranks 4th poorest region; Agusan del Sur among top 10 poorest provinces

by Paul Edward B. Castillo, NEDA-Caraga

Caraga ranked fourth poorest region as of 1st Semester 2015 despite the overall decline of poverty incidence at the national level according to the latest poverty statistics of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

At the national level, poverty incidence among families has slightly declined from 22.30% in 2012 to 21.10% in 2015.

However, Caraga Region’s poverty level has increased from 34.10% in 2012 to 35.30% in 2015. Furthermore, Caraga is among the poorest regions in Mindanao together with ARMM (16th), Region XII (14th), and Region X (12th). Region IX is tied with Region V in the 11th place while Region XI is among the least poor region in the country ranking 6th of the 17 regions.

Among the provinces of Caraga, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur displayed an increased in poverty incidences from 2012 to 2015. Agusan del

Sur had the highest poverty incidence in the region at 44.70% and was among the 10 poorest provinces in the country.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte exhibited a decline in poverty incidence levels from 32.00% and 34.60% in 2012 to 31.20% and 33.20% in 2015, respectively.

Despite the various interventions of the government to alleviate poverty, a number of setbacks have adversely affected the region’s fight against poverty.

This includes the displacement of some workers due to closure of some mining and wood manufacturing companies among other establishments. The occurrence of calamities in 2013 and 2014 also caused damage to agriculture, fishery and manufacturing sectors thereby affecting income generation and employment.

Annual poverty incidence among families by region, 2012 and 2015 (1st Sem) Poverty Incidence Among Families (%) Regions

2012

Philippines

2015

22.3

21.1

NCR

3.8

4.5

CAR

22.6

20.6

Region I

16.7

17.2

Region II

19.8

16.5

Region III

12.2

13.0

Region IV-A

11.2

10.4

Region IV-B

28.4

22.0

Region V

34.1

30.9

Region VI

24.7

24.2

Region VII

28.8

27.0

Region VIII

37.2

39.3

Region IX

36.9

30.9

Region X

35.6

34.9

Region XI

28.6

20.5

Region XII

37.5

37.4

Caraga

34.1

35.3

ARMM

46.9

53.4

Source: PSA-NSO Per capita Poverty Threshold (in pesos) Region/Province

st

st

2012 (1 Sem.) 2015 (1 Sem.)

Variance (%)

Poverty Incidence Among Families Estimates (%) 2012 (1st Sem.) 2015 (1st Sem.)

Variance (%)

Philippines

9,385

10,969

16.88

22.30

21.10

(5.38)

Caraga

9,779

11,237

14.91

34.10

35.30

3.52

Agusan del Norte

9,528

10,706

12.36

32.00

31.20

(2.50)

Agusan del Sur

9,847

11,452

16.30

38.60

44.70

15.80

Surigao del Norte

10,122

11,461

13.23

34.60

33.20

(4.05)

Surigao del Sur

9,636

11,333

17.61

31.80

32.80

3.14

Source: PSA-NSO

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

GDP or gross domestic product is the widely-adopted standard means of measuring national economies since 1944. American Simon Kuznets developed it in 1934 but warned against its use as a measure of welfare.

True enough, criticisms began in the 1950s from GDP’s failure to account for health, happiness, and other elements of social progress.

In 2001, Austrian economist Frank Shostak shared his view on GDP by saying that, ―the GDP framework cannot tell us whether final goods and services that were produced during a particular period are a reflection of real wealth expansion, or a reflection of capital consumption.‖ ―For instance, if a government embarks on the building of a pyramid, which adds absolutely nothing to the well-being of individuals, the GDP framework will regard this as economic growth. In reality, however, the building of the pyramid will divert real funding from wealthgenerating activities, thereby stifling the production of wealth,‖ Shostak added.

Recently, during the World Economic Forum last January 2023, 2016 at Davos, Switzerland, attended by leading economists and academics, International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Christine Lagarde, Nobel Prizewinning economist Joseph Stiglitz, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Erik Brynjolfsson agree to rethink the GDP as a measure of economic progress.

Lagarde said that, ―We have to go back to GDP, the calculation of productivity, the value of things – in order to assess, and probably

17

Rethinking GDP as a measure of economic progress

by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga

change, the way we look at the economy.‖ On a different session, Stiglitz said that, ―GDP in the US has gone up every year except 2009, but most Americans are worse off than they were a third of a century ago. The benefits have gone to the very top. At the bottom, real wages adjusted for today are lower than they were 60 years ago. So this is an economic system that is not working for most people.‖ While Brynjolfsson said (referring to Kuznets) that, ―He understood that GDP is not a welfare measure, it is not a measure of how well we are all doing. It counts the things that we’re buying and selling, but it’s quite possible for GDP to go in the opposite direction of welfare.‖ So, what really is GDP and why it is criticized?

GDP, which measures the monetary value of all goods and services produced by a country each year, only accounts economic performance not the quality of life experienced by the citizens such as improved access to education and healthcare. It also excludes income from unreported transactions, illegal activities, and informal economy; unpaid domestic work especially by women; and goods and services derived from nonmarket production. It does not subtract pollution and disasters.

Are there alternatives?

You probably have heard of the human development index,

gross national happiness index, and social progress index. These three are just few of the proposed alternatives to GDP. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistics of life expectancy, education, and income per capita indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. A country scores higher HDI when the life expectancy at birth is longer, the education period is longer, and the income per capita is higher. It covers 185 UN member states.

On the other hand, Gross National Happiness Index is a survey-based index used by Bhutan that focuses on the spiritual and material development of human beings by focusing on the four pillars of sustainable development, preservation of cultural values, conservation of natural resources and establishment of good governance.

While the Social Progress Index is a composite index that measures the extent to which countries provide for the social and environmental needs of their citizens. Fifty-four indicators in the areas of basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing, and opportunity to progress show the relative performance of nations. It covers 133 countries.

Was Kuznets right in warning us on the use of GDP as a measure of welfare? Is it time to rethink GDP?

caraga today

18

Six Bottom-Up Budgeting Program-assisted micro and small enterprises (MSEs) participated in the 2016 Brunei International Trade and Consumer Exhibition last February 27 to March 2, 2016 held at Brines Hall 1-2, Jerudong, Darussalam.

The MSEs were Marjeck Food Products, JIDA Aqua Resources, Lagman-Regis Farm and Agri-Resources, Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. of the Missionary Sisters of Mary, RTR Federation of Abaca weavers, and Mercado’s Sudlanan.

During the exhibition, the MSEs showcased some of the best products of Butuan City such as bottled sardines, turmeric powder, herbal coffee, abaca bags, abaca hampers, and water hyacinth slippers.

The MSEs benefited from the exhibition by gaining wider market exposure, generating additional sales, and learning about product trends in the Brunei

Butuan City business ventures goes to Brunei

by Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia growth areas. They were also able to book orders amounting to more than PhP100,000.

The trade fair enabled the participants to gain valuable insights and lessons that will guide them in future initiatives and in scaling up their respective businesses. The MSEs understood the importance of Halal

2016 Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair showcases Caraga food products

by Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

Six of Caraga homegrown food products qualified for the 2016 Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair on March 16-20, 2016 at SM Mega Trade Halls, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Themed, ―Piling-Piling Pagkaing Pilipino,‖ the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion provided the opportunity for food producers in the country to

generate more sales in the domestic market and hopefully in the international market.

Caraga’s products such as fruit wine, tableya (cacao chocolate), roasted corn coffee, pancit noodles with squash and malunggay flavors, guyabano juice and bottled bangus were among the more than 130 regional delicacies and specialties selected for the 5-day retail and ordertaking activity.

certification in Muslimdominated markets like Brunei.

They also recognized the huge opportunities in selling their products abroad given the sizable population of Filipinos overseas who crave for Philippine made products.

Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Gay Tidalgo headed the delegation.

Products showcased were selected based on the following criteria: product quality and safety, product packaging and labeling, market potential, and the manufacturer’s production capacity.

DTI Caraga Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran shared that Caraga will develop more competitive products through the implementation of the agency’s programs which include the Shared Service Facility, BottomUp Budgeting, Negosyo Center, and the Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy.

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

The Sto. Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SNMPC) in Butuan City is now enjoying the benefits of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) agricultural modernization projects.

Organized in 1991 with only 25 members composed of rice farmers, the cooperative started their rice milling business from a bank loan. But over the years, the equipment and facility became inefficient. ―For almost 20 years of rice milling operations, our equipment and facility have depreciated and have become less efficient, prompting our customers to find other millers that can provide better service. But thanks to DA’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Program which provided us a Rice Processing Center (RPC); we were able to upgrade our operations,‖ said Marilyn Aranas, Chairperson of SNMPC. In 2013, the cooperative was a recipient of RPC worth PhP4.5 million in which 15% of the total amount was the cooperative’s counterpart. The center has a twoton-per-hour multi-pass rice mill that gives the farmers a 65% rate of recovery of their produce compared to small rice millers that only gives 50%. RPC is a facility that showcases efficient rice postharvest operation through mechanization and automation. It ensures savings in labor cost, reduces losses, enhances quality, improves distribution system and maximizes use of buy-products. ―The facility is cost- and energy-efficient and makes our operation more productive.

Before, the milling capacity was only 10 sacks per hour but today

19

Rice processing: A profitable agriculture enterprise

by Rhea C. Abao, Department of Agriculture-Caraga

through the RPC the milling capacity doubled to 20 sacks per hour. This time, we can accept customers through market linkages who order by volume every month,‖ said Aranas.

Aside from walk-in clients, the cooperative with the help of DA-Marketing Assistance Division forged marketing agreements with Mangagoy Fishermen Cooperative, San Roque Farmers and Displaced Workers Cooperative from Bislig City, Sto. Niño Consumers Cooperative of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, and Gingoog Rice Retailer of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.

According to Aranas, an average of 2,430 sacks of rice (50 kilos per sack) with an aggregate value of PhP4,700,900 were sold every month.

The cooperative is now capable of producing premium milled rice and is an active partner of the National Food Authority.

DA also provided the following pre and postharvest facilities worth PhP2.2 million: 3 units of flatbed dryer, 4 units of multi-purpose drying pavement, 1 unit hand tractor and 1 unit rice transplanter.

The cooperative’s total sales from 2011 to 2015 increased which showed that the establishment of RPC is not only a service facility but an enterprising venture for farmers. ―Today we have 360 active members. SNMPC members are now receiving dividends, unlike before when the cooperative was not profitable,‖ Aranas added.

From 2011, the cooperative’s assets have grown from PhP10.2 million to PhP21.6 million in 2015.

Through the years, DA continues to provide the needed support to empower the farmers in Caraga and increase productivity through mechanization and other assistance.

caraga today

20

Molding a strong society through child care: The Bayabas case

by Mayor Maria Clarita Garcia-Limbaro, Bayabas, Surigao del Sur

The scarcity of funds and the very low share in Internal Revenue Allotment constantly plague a 5th class municipality like Bayabas.

But when we looked beyond these barriers, we were able to find ways to achieve our dreams.

We aimed to build a strong foundation for our children and our men and women - the future keepers and leaders of Bayabas.

We focused our initiatives on health, education, skills development and empowerment.

Through these efforts we have strengthened our mission to provide our children with opportunities for development, protection, and participation.

Despite a tight budget, we attended to our children’s needs by enforcing laws and policies, providing maternal and child care services, constructing school and multi-purpose facilities, assisting students, and training out-ofschool and non-working youths on livelihood.

Our Adopt-A-Child Program which seeks kind-hearted individuals to sponsor multivitamins, essential medicines and nutritious foods to identified severely underweight children (SUW) is a testimony of our commitment.

Upon assumption as the local chief executive in 2013, there were 39 SUW children in the municipality. This became the

subject of several consultations with local health and nutrition bodies. Heads of offices and LGU personnel became sponsors for the children. Multi-vitamins and medicines were provided to the children, while the LGU continues to ensure strong partnership and provide capacity enhancement to our dedicated volunteer partners such as the Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Barangay Health Workers, and Day Care Workers whom we acknowledge as the key players for this program.

Our annual provision of multivitamins, allocation for nutri -meal serving and vegetable seeds are in place. This also gives focus to individual family of recipient

children thus our Dialogue with Parents; Healthy si Nanay, Healthy ang Banay Contest every July which evaluates mothers during pregnancy (pre-natal visits, immunization, spacing) as well as cases of malnutrition and diseases in the family, proper hygiene, presence of backyard gardening, proper solid waste management and sanitary toilets, including community participation. To ensure that the delicate condition of our SUW children is addressed during disaster and evacuation, we conducted the Nutrition in Emergency Training for our BNS, BHW and barangay captains.

The result was not at first remarkable as our statistics went

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

21

Dinagat Islands is rabies-free

by Rhea Abao, Department of Agriculture-Caraga

up and down in the first quarters of 2014. In 2015, incidence of malnutrition dramatically decreased to 19 affected children, and to only 11 at present.

During the High Impact 5 launching of DOH, we presented our program to the public and made the formal Signing of Agreement between the sponsors, recipient child through their respective parents, the concerned agencies, and the involved volunteer groups such as BNS, BHWs and Day Care Workers.

In that activity, the DSWD Supplementary Feeding Program, helped us in examining each SUW child’s condition and guided us on proper responses and interventions to beat malnutrition.

We have proven this time that we can attain success with passion for the resolution of concerns and establishing the appropriate linkages.

The results of our efforts are proofs of initiatives that will benefit the intended beneficiaries.

These will serve as bases for Bayabas LGU through the Municipal Council to legislate these actions to ensure sustainability. We do not need to wait for more funds to build a bright future for our children and a stronger society. Let us act now!

Rabies - a thing of the past.

The Province of Dinagat Islands was declared a rabies-free zone last March 16, 2016. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) conferred the declaration to Dinagat’s seven municipalities, namely: Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose, and Tubajon. ―This is the fruit of our labors as we push strategic measures in eliminating rabies in our province. Our advocacy through information awareness and mass dog vaccination campaign paved the way for Dinagat Islands to be rabies-free,‖ said Dr. Aimee Jimeno, PDI Provincial Veterinarian.

The provincial government of Dinagat Islands implemented dog control measures through the enforcement of local ordinances in accordance with Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. ―This included impounding of stray dogs from all municipalities,‖ Jimeno added.

The seven municipalities joined Socorro, Surigao del Norte and the existing 28 rabies-free zones throughout the country. ―DA together with the Bureau of Animal Industry continue to work on eliminating rabies while promoting animal welfare and preventing animal cruelty.

Increasing public awareness on the importance of dog vaccination will also continue throughout the region,‖ said Dr. Esther Cardeño,

DA-Rabies Regional Coordinator.

In support of the Rabies Eradication Program, DA’s Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory offers free rabies diagnosis exam. The free laboratory exam is meant to encourage pet owners to submit more samples from suspected animal rabies cases.

According to DOH, rabies from dog bites remains as one of the leading causes of death in the country. On the average, 200 to 300 Filipinos die from rabies each year. As of today, there are 424 Animal Bite Treatment Centers across the nation, 21 of which are in Caraga.

What do the Filipinos want to achieve for themselves in 2040?

79% aspire for a simple and comfortable life

Desired occupation

Preferred work location

The Life We

What should the country have achieved by 2040?

72%

believed that by 2040, the standard of living for all is having a simple and comfortable life

25%

indicated that all Filipinos should have a prosperous and affluent life

Major Goals By 2040, the Philippines will be a predominantly middle-class society. Poverty and hunger will have been eradicated. There will be sufficient good quality local jobs available.

In terms of good governance, Filipinos believe in eliminating corruption important to achieving a better future Most Filipinos expressed the need to eliminate corruption to achieve a better future.

Based on the focused group discussions, it should be noted that corruption is interpreted as petty corruption (like extra charge to facilitate transactions) that ordinary Filipinos directly encounter. Ease and efficiency of government transactions is the second most important need, followed in distant third by affordable government services. Most Filipinos believe that having polite, helpful, and knowledgeable government employees are important in the delivery of government services.

e Want

Filipinos believe that peace and security are important in achieving personal and national prosperity

78%

Considered peace and security imperative for the development of the country as a whole

75%

Considered peace and security imperative for the improvement of every Filipino’s own standard of living

caraga today

24

2015 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer Overview of the Economy Key Labor Statistics, Caraga, 2014-2015 Labor Force Participation Rate Employment Rate Unemployment Rate Underemployment Rate Source: PSA-NSO

Record low inflation rate The region’s average inflation rate for 2015 was a record low of 2.50%.

This is 2.81 percentage points lower than the inflation rate in 2014.

However, prices of basic commodities generally increased during the period as the annual Consumer Price Index averaged at 159.60 from 155.70 in 2014. This resulted in the contraction of the Purchasing Power of Peso to 0.63 from 0.64 in 2014.

While labor force increased by 1.88% in 2015, labor force participation rate slightly shrunk by 1.13 percentage points from 65.83% in 2014 down to 64.70% in 2015.

Meanwhile, employment rate slightly picked up by 0.10 percentage points; from 94.18% in 2014 to 94.28% in 2015 due to opening of several malls in the region. Subsequently, unemployment rate declined by 0.10 percentage points; from 5.83% in 2014 to 5.73% in 2015. But, underemployment rate increased by 0.95 percentage points in 2015 due to seasonal job opportunities and mismatch of occupations and skills.

Volatile performance The region’s sectoral performance in 2015 was characterized by great volatility. The agriculture, fishery and forestry sector’s performance declined due to the drop in the production of agricultural crops, livestock, fishery and forestry.

2014 65.83 94.18 5.83 25.23

2015 64.70 94.28 5.73 26.18

Except for fruits and vegetables that slightly picked up during the year, production of palay, corn and nonfood and industrial crops shrunk by 16.22%, 5.29% and 0.11%, respectively. The decline in the volume of palay and corn production is attributed to the El Niño phenomenon that caused dryness and pest/disease infestations in most agricultural areas of the region.

The region continues to import livestock and poultry. Livestock production in the region fell by 1.28% as local raisers controlled the disposal of hogs to build up their stocks while poultry production improved by 4.09%.

The fishery subsector also declined to 2.07% due to low fish catch and infestation of ―ice-ice‖ disease in seaweed plantations.

In the forestry subsector, log production plunged by 22.53% as prices of logs fell caused by overflow of log supply in Regions 10 and 11.

Under the industry sector, the mining and quarrying subsector was affected by the decline in the global prices of minerals. This resulted in the substantial reduction of the region’s mineral export value by 66.13%. Shipment of mineral products, particularly nickel decreased by 6.76%.

On the other hand, the woodbased manufactured products expanded by 10.63% percent with a

total output of 461,987.87 m3.

Meanwhile, trade and investments increased with domestic sales growth of 15.68% from P611.86 Million in 2014 to P707.83 million in 2015. Also, new business names registered improved by 10.32% with 7,140 new registrants recorded. However, the total foreign export value of the region decreased by 47.92% from US$1.61 Billion in 2014 to US$839.09 Million in 2015.

Total value of foreign imported goods, on the other hand, increased significantly by 1,526%; from US$0.88 Million worth of goods in 2014 to an aggregate of US$14.27 Million in 2015.

In the tourism industry, tourist arrivals increased by almost 3.66% in 2015. Both the number of flights and passengers in the region grew by 17.18% and 10.02%, respectively as compared to their performances in 2014. Similarly, domestic and foreign shipcalls intensified by 27.79% and 25.90%, respectively.

An upsurge of 60.26% was noted in domestic inbound and outbound cargo throughput during the period.

Foreign import throughput increased by 249.46%, while foreign export throughput grew by 8.76%.

However, motor vehicle registration fell by 2.31% in 2015.

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

25

Agriculture 2015 2014

2015 2014

481,312

118,774

259,738

17,228

804,723

83,349

▼

▼

▲

▲

▼

▼

574,499

125,406

243,792

15,700

821,512

85,113

Palay

Corn

Banana

Mango

Coconut

Fish

2,677

1,421

39,589

930

18,967

82,284

▼

▼

▼

▲

▲

▲

2,911

1,541

39,825

919

18,221

81,827

Carabao

Cattle

Hog

Goat

Poultry

Vegetables

Production (in Metric Tons)

Palay Production (in Metric Tons)

Corn Production (in Metric Tons)

caraga today

26 Inflation Rate, 2014-2015 (%)

Macroeconomic Performance Record low inflation rate Inflation rate decreased significantly from 5.31% in 2014 to a record low of 2.50% in 2015 due to modest price pressures of basic commodities. The first quarter of 2015 registered the highest inflation rate throughout the year at 3.4% but gradually decreased towards the third and fourth quarters with 1.9% and 2.1%, respectively.

The average Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew slightly by 2.50% from 155.70 in 2014 to 159.60 in 2015. Prices of basic commodities and services generally increased in 2015 with Surigao del Sur posting the highest CPI level among provinces.

Agusan del Sur followed (155.10), Agusan del Norte (150.30), and Surigao del Norte (145.40) followed.

The continuous rise of prices of basic commodities and services in 2014 and 2015, though minimal, resulted in the contraction of the Purchasing Power of Peso in all provinces. This presented a slight reduction of money value in the region by 1.56%. From a value of 0.64 in 2014, it went down to 0.63 in 2015.

Slight increase in employment rate The region’s labor force increased by 1.88% from 1.76 million in 2014 to 1.79 million in 2015.

Consumer Price Index, 2014-2015 (PhP)

Labor force is directly related to population size and economic output; therefore the region’s natural population increase caused higher labor force size.

On the other hand, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) slightly shrunk by 1.13 percentage points from 65.83% in 2014 to 64.70% in 2015 due to natural ageing of population that compelled older people to retire from work. Others have chosen to advance their education to gain advantage, while some skilled workers and professionals have decided to work abroad.

Employment rate slightly increased by 0.10 percentage points from 94.18% in 2014 to 94.28% in 2015 because of mall openings in San Francisco (Agusan del Sur), Bislig City and Tandag City (Surigao del Sur).

In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported 13,361 jobs generated during the period because of the continued assistance to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

Consequently, unemployment rate shrunk by 0.10 percentage points from 5.83% in 2014 to 5.73% in 2015. While unemployment rate of the region declined, the quality of employment is still a major concern as observed in its high underemployment rate of 26.18%.

This was greatly attributed to

seasonal job opportunities and mismatch of occupations and skills.

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery Palay production declines Palay production declined in 2015 by 16.22%. From 574,499 metric tons (MT) in 2014, production went down to 481,312 MT in 2015.

The decline is attributed to a smaller harvest area, which decreased by 10.93% or 19,040 hectares from 174,170 hectares in 2014 to 155,130 hectares in 2015.

Also, dryness of agricultural areas and pest/disease infestations (neckrot disease, brown plant hoppers, stemborer and rodents) brought about by El Niño phenomenon during the third and fourth quarters of 2015 resulted in the production decline.

Agusan del Sur remained the highest palay producer contributing 48.50% of the overall output in 2015 or a total of 233,526 MT. The province was the least affected by the El Niño phenomenon as farmers followed the advice of DA-Caraga to shift crops during the year. Surigao del Sur followed with 21.79% contribution or 104,883 MT. Agusan del Norte produced a total of 76,191 MT of palay or 15.83 percentage share. Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands yielded 60,576 MT or 12.59 percentage

Vol. XIX

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27 Rice Sufficiency Level, Caraga, 2015 Production

Region/ Province Caraga Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Dinagat Islands

Palay (Mt) 481,312 76,191 233,526 60,576 104,883 6,136

Rice (MT) 312,852 49,524 151,792 39,374 68,174 3,988

share and 6,136 MT or 1.27 percentage share, respectively.

The current palay production level is 87.39% of the rice sufficiency level. Of the five provinces, only Agusan del Sur indicated a rice surplus in 2015 with rice sufficiency level posted at 140.10%.

In anticipation of the effect of El NiĂąo phenomenon and to address rice deficit, the government through the National Food Authority (NFA) imported 108,762 rice bags as buffer stocks to ensure food security for the year.

Distribution of imported rice comprised of the following: Surigao del Norte (including Dinagat Islands) with 35,078 bags (32.25%); Surigao del Sur with 26,588 bags (27.20%); Agusan del Sur with 23,081 bags (21.22%); and Agusan del Norte with 21,015 bags (19.32%).

Corn production drops Corn production dropped by 5.29% in 2015. From 125,406 MT in 2014, it went down to 118,774 MT despite a slight increase in area planted by 1.05%. Bad weather condition tampered plentiful harvest.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that only the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Dinagat Islands posted production growths of 8.03% and 93.65%, respectively. Agusan del Sur, which contributed almost 79%

Seed Used (MT) 6,750 1,139 3,432 671 1,388 120

Rice Utilization Net Food Disposition

Feeds/ Wastes (MT)

20,076 3,219 9,866 2,559 4,431 259

Total (MT) 285,767 45,166 138,493 36,144 62,355 3,609

of the 2015 production, shrank by 4.16%. Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur corn productions also declined by 11.04% and 34.02%, respectively.

Banana, mango lead fruit production increase Fruit production increased by 6.98%, reaching an aggregate of 298,972.53 MT in 2015 as compared to 279,475.29 MT in 2014.

Major fruits contributed 95.20% to the total output with a production of 284,625.64 MT, which is 6.71% increase from previous year’s produce. Among the major fruits, banana (which contributed roughly 87% of the total fruit production) grew by 6.54% from 243,791.92 MT in 2014 to 259,737.68 MT in 2015.

Calamansi and mango harvests accelerated by 12.61% and 9.73%, respectively. On the contrary, pineapple production declined by 4.57%.

Priority fruits followed contributing 2.69% of the total fruit production. The group grew by 20.70% with a total harvest of 8,053.11 MT from 6,652.20 MT in 2014. Watermelon and durian contributed 37.49% and 33.35% of the total priority fruit production.

Vegetable production slightly increased Despite the decline of major vegetable group by 1.41% and

Per Capita (kg) 118.16 116.71 116.18 121.07 120.93 114.61

Consumption (MT) 327,020 80,721 98,852 59,553 72,228 15,665

Sufficiency Level (%) 87.39 55.95 140.10 60.69 86.33 23.04

those categorized as others by 4.77%, total vegetable production slightly increased by 0.57% or 82,294.18 MT in 2015 as compared to the 81,827.64 MT produced in 2014.

As to percentage share, major vegetables harvest comprised 64.41% of the total production followed by priority vegetables with 28.15% share while other types of vegetables contributed 7.43%.

Camote, which comprised more than half of the major vegetable production and contributed 36.63% of the total vegetable output, dropped by 5.95% caused by smaller sizes of tubes harvested. It was followed by cassava with a 22.12 percentage share which also decreased by 5.94%. On one hand, gabi, which is the third highest contributor comprising 15.32% of the total production, grew by 13.05%.

Non-food, industrial crops faintly declined Non-food and industrial crops faintly declined by 0.11% or 982,318.44 MT in 2015 from 983,427.98 MT in 2014 because of the decrease in production of coconut with husk by 2.04%. The decrease was caused by fewer nuts harvested per bearing tree due to over harvesting in the previous year specifically in Surigao provinces. Nevertheless, coconut is still the top contributor with

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Livestock Production, Caraga, in Metric Tons, 2014-2015 Percent Livestock 2014 2015 Change Carabao 2,911.00 2,677.00 (9.54) Cattle 1,541.00 1,421.00 (1.99) Swine 39,825.00 39,589.00 (1.22) Goat 919.00 930 9.90 Total 45,196.00 44,617.00 (1.28)

81.92% share. On one hand, oil palm which contributed 15.59% of the total output managed to generate growth of 9.06%.

Major non-food crops contributed the highest with 84.04% share or 825,556.73 MT despite the decline of 1.66% in 2015 compared to 2014 output. It was followed by priority non-food crops contributing 15.80% and other types of non-food crops by 0.16%.

Livestock production falls, poultry production increases Livestock production fell by 1.28% from 45,196 MT in 2014 to 44,617 MT in 2015.

Minimal increases in production were recorded during the first and second quarters of 2015. However, production shrank by 6.68% and 2.87% during the third and fourth quarters because local raisers controlled the disposal of hogs to build up their farm stocks.

On the other hand, poultry production increased by 4.09% in 2015, generating a total production of 18,967 MT as compared to that of 2014 of 18,221 MT. Fishery production continues to decline The overall fishery production continue to decline by contracting about 2.07% in 2015 or 1,764 MT less than the recorded total of 85,113 MT in 2014. Municipal

Poultry Production, Caraga, in Metric Tons, 2014-2015 Percent Poultry 2014 2015 Change Chicken 13,164.00 13,254.00 0.68 Duck 4,052.00 171.00 (1.70) Chicken Egg 174.00 4,815.00 18.84 Duck Egg 831.00 727.00 (12.51) Total 18,221.00 18,967 4.09

fishery which contributed the bulk of the total fishery production decreased by 0.41%.

Aquaculture production which contributed about 12% likewise dropped by 7.24%. Commercial fisheries which contributed roughly 6% slightly decreased by 0.59%.

All species exhibited decrease in production except for milkfish which increased by 3.95%. From 2,853.70 MT milkfish production in 2014 it went up to 2,966.45 MT in 2015.

Tilapia and tiger prawn productions decreased by 9.72% and 39.04%, respectively. From an aggregate of 1,212.61 MT in 2014, tilapia went down to 1,094.80 MT in 2015; while tiger prawn’s total output of 453.79 MT in 2014 dropped to 276.61 MT in 2015.

Roundscad, skipjack and yellowfin tuna productions also plunged by 9.60%, 3.82% and 17.37%, respectively. From the 2,149.95 MT total output of roundscad in 2014 it fell to 1,943.62 MT in 2015; from 4,055.15 MT of skipjack in 2014 to 3,900.33 MT in 2015; while yellowfin tuna only produced a total of 3,703.53 MT in 2015 from 4,481.99 MT in 2014. ―Ice-ice‖ disease continued to affect the seaweeds production in the region resulting in a decrease of 9.68% in its total output. From a total of 16,383.89 MT in 2014 down to 14,798.71 MT in 2015.

Despite the drop in the production, value of fishery products increased by 4.37% in 2015 reaching a sum of PhP6.16 million compared to the PhP5.91 million in 2014. Around 82% of the total value is attributed to municipal fishery with an aggregate of PhP5.05 million.

Aquaculture followed with an 11.96% share or PhP737,512.89; while commercial fishery contributed 6.11% or PhP376,565.58.

In order to produce quality tilapia and carp fingerlings and disperse the same to fishpond and fishcage/pen operators in the five provinces of the region, BFAR Caraga supports the Caraga Fisheries Research and Development Station for Freshwater Development at Anibongan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte. A total of 11.62 million pieces of tilapia and carp fingerlings were produced in 2015 and distributed 11.41 million pieces to 1,610 fishfarmers regionwide.

There were also 2.64 million carp and tilapia fingerlings stocked in 31 communal bodies of water.

The stock served 145 local government units including 31 academic institutions. Such activity was conducted to ensure sufficient supply of fish in worn-out areas.

To augment fisher folk income and boost fishery production in the region, bangus/tilapia fingerlings,

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Fishery Production, Caraga, in Metric Tons, 2014-2015 Fisheries SubPercent 2014 2015 sector Change Commercial 4,874 4,845 (0.59) Municipal 69,661 59,416 (0.41) Aquaculture 20,579 19,089 (7.24) Total 85,113 83,349 (2.07)

prawn fry and lobster juveniles were distributed to small fishpond and fish-cage/pen operators in 2014. About 155,486 pieces of bangus fingerlings were given 38 fish farmers in Dinagat Islands and Agusan del Norte.

In addition, 539 seaweed growers in tSurigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands were given seaweed propagules and 300 units of seaweed farm implements.

Log production declines Estimated log production in 2015 declined by 22.53% or 593,217.00 m3 as compared to the previous year’s production of 765,725.00 m3 because of unstable prices of logs caused by high supply of logs from other areas outside the region.

On the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the region planted 72% of 72,113.12 hectares target area with 99,964,860 seedlings of various species for the last five years with a total allocation of PhP376.579 million.

Trade and Industry Domestic sales grow; registers PhP707.83 million Caraga’s total domestic sales grew by 15.68% in 2015 with a total income of PhP707.83 million as compared to PhP611.86 million in 2014.

Domestic Sales, by Province, Caraga, in PhP Million, 2014-2015 Percent Province 2014 2015 Change Agusan del Norte 138.40 190.96 37.98 Agusan del Sur 185.37 211.03 13.84 Surigao del Norte 121.50 129.56 6.63 Surigao del Sur 119.40 146.68 22.85 Province of Dinagat Islands 47.19 29.60 (37.27) Total 611.86 707.83 15.68

Around 30% of the total domestic sales in the region or PhP211.03 million came from Agusan del Sur. Agusan del Norte contributed almost 27% (PhP190.96 million); Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte followed with 20.72% (PhP146.68 million) and 18.30% (PhP129.56 million), respectively; while the Province of Dinagat Islands covered 4.18% or PhP29.60 million.

In terms of growth, Agusan del Norte led the provinces with a 37.98% increase in 2015 compared to 2014. Surigao del Sur followed with a 22.85% growth. Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte posted 13.84% and 6.63% increase while the Province of Dinagat Islands’ domestic sale contracted significantly by 37.27%.

The increase in the number of assisted MSMEs in 2015 caused the rise in domestic sales.

Likewise, stronger and more effective interfacing strategies and converging mechanisms with government and private stakeholders such as the Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy and Shared Service Facilities.

On registration of new business names, DTI-Caraga recorded an aggregate of 7,140 in 2015 from 6,472 in 2014, which is 10.32% growth or 668 new business names registered in DTI as a result of the agency’s intensified monitoring

activities on Business Permits and Licensing System compliance of local government units.

Although the number of new business name registrants in Agusan del Norte decreased by 5.38% in 2015 compared to 2014, the province is still the biggest contributor (35.95%) followed by Surigao del Norte (24.61%), Agusan del Sur (20.22%), Surigao del Sur (16.71%), and Dinagat Islands (2.51%). Accordingly, the highest increase of new business name registration in 2015 was in Agusan del Sur with 21.45%.

Export value declines almost half; import grows 16 folds DTI recorded a total export value of US$839.09 million dollars in 2015, which is 47.92% lower than the US$1.61 billion dollars in 2014 as the total volume of exported products dropped by 33.95% from 31.14 Million MT in 2014 to only 20.57 Million MT in 2015. Nickel ores and concentrates, which comprised 99.62% of the total export, decreased by 34.06% in 2015.

On the other hand, total import rose significantly by 1,518% from a total value of US$0.88 million in 2014 to US$14.27 million in 2015.

Imported goods include electrically operated machines, cellular phones, laptops, liquid soda, tapered roller bearings, iron or steel casting in the rough state, frameworks for workshop and

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Minerals

Gold Silver Chromite Nickel Mixed Sulfides

Mineral Volume of Production and Gross Value, Caraga, 2014-2015 Volume (in MT) Estimated Gross Value (in Million Pesos) 2015 Percent 2014 2015 Percent 2014 Change Change 2.49 2.55 2.39 4,786.45 4,773.43 (0.27) 0.66 1.46 121.72 19.43 36.82 89.52 5,289.56 6,095.78 15.24 40.84 41.33 1.20 43,207,354.07 35,698,675.37 (17.38) 59,196.03 8,207.99 (86.13) 46,767.35 50,924.00 8.89 15,400.50 13,846.25 (10.09)

(Nickel & Cobalt)

Total

43,259,414.13

35,755,699.16

store-house, sulphur of all kinds, machine parts and other semiconductor devices. These goods primarily came from China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, UAE, Singapore and USA among others.

Mineral production declines Mining Industry is one of the top economic drivers of the region with a total of 25 operating mining companies in 2015. Six of these are located in Surigao del Norte, four in Surigao del Sur, two each in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur and eleven in the Province of Dinagat Islands. Twenty-one of these companies are Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) holders; two with Mineral Processing Permits and two are under Joint Operating Agreement (JO). Nineteen mining companies conducted exploration during the year; 11 of which are under MPSA while eight are with Exploration Permits (EP).

To deter losses from the drop in the prices of minerals in the global market in second to fourth quarters of 2015, operating mining companies slowed down their production activities which resulted in the decline in mineral production by 17.35%. From 43,259,414.13 MT in 2014 production went down to 35,755,699.16 MT in 2015.

Consequently, shipment of mineral export during the period decreased

(17.35)

79,443.25

26,905.83

Mining Key Indicators, Caraga, 2014-2015 Percent 2014 2015 Change No. of shipments 740 690 (6.76) Value 79.44 B 26.91 B (66.13) Royalty 2.65 B 1.19 B (55.18) Excise Tax 1.59 B 935.73 (41.11) Direct Employment 22,296 M 27.88 28,512 Indicators

(66.13)

by 6.76%, as it went down to 690 from a total of 740 in 2014. An estimated mineral exports value of PhP 26.91 billion was recorded in 2015 posting a notable decrease of 66.13% compared to the total value of PhP 79.44 billion in the previous year. As a result, royalty and excise taxes generated from mining operations dropped by 55.18% and 41.11%, respectively.

From PhP2.65 billion collected in 2014, royalty tax dropped to PhP1.19 billion; while excise tax reduced from PhP1.59 billion in 2014 to PhP935.73 million in 2015.

Despite the decreased production, the mining industry generated employment of 28,512 posing an increase of 27.88% as compared to 2014 figures. Almost 93% of those employed in 2015 are males. According to Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), massive hiring was noted in mining companies in the first quarter of 2015 due to high price of minerals during the period.

Manufactured forest products grow Manufactured forest products grew by 10.63% in 2015 producing a total of 461,987.87 m3in 2015 from the previous year’s production of 417,615.92 m3.

Major manufactured products include lumber, veneer, plywood and blockboard. Veneer had the highest production of 37.59% followed by plywood (22.17%),

blockboard (18.86%), and lumber (18.32%).

Services Tourist arrivals improve; highest in Surigao del Norte In 2015, tourist arrival in Caraga Region improved by 3.66% from 2.44 million in 2014 to 2.53 million in 2015. It peaked during the fourth quarter reaching an aggregate of 1,047,512 or 41.40% of the total number of tourists.

Among the provinces, tourist arrivals were highest in Surigao del Norte where the famous Surfing Capital of the country is located, the Siargao Islands. Both foreign and local tourists crowded the islands all year-round and peaked in the summer season and during the International Surfing Cup and International Game Fishing Tournament.

Among cities, Surigao City had the highest tourist arrivals contributing 47.10% of the region’s total tourist arrivals followed by Butuan City with 33.30% . Both cities are main entry points to other tourist destinations in the region.

About 94.53% or 2.59 million of the total tourists in 2015 are domestic tourists; while 5.12% or 129,486 are foreign tourists; and 0.35% or 8,852 are Overseas Filipino Workers.

Flights increase; incoming and

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Issue 2

outgoing passengers improved Flights in the region in 2015 reached a total of 8,988 which is 17.18% higher than in 2014. All airports exhibited increase in the number flights during the year with Butuan City contributing 54.32% of the total flights, Surigao City with 23.01%, Siargao with 17.94%, and Tandag with 4.74%.

As a result in the increase in number of flights, total incoming and outgoing passengers improved by 10.02%; from 708,862 passengers in 2014 to 779,891 in 2015. Incoming passengers increased from 348,218 in 2014 to 383,003 in 2015. Outgoing passengers likewise escalated to 196,888 from a total of 360,644 in the previous year.

Total cargoes considerably grew by 153.73% in 2015 reaching 19,631.85 tons compared to 7,737.42 tons recorded last year.

Incoming cargoes increased by 158.09% while outgoing cargoes grew by 148.45% compared to the figures in 2014.

Ship calls, cargoes increase Ship calls increased by 27.72% in 2015 with a total of 29,213 compared to 22,872 in 2014.

Domestic ship calls dominated with 96.52% (or 28,197 ship calls) or a 27.79% growth. This increase was due to the increased shipment of cement, transport equipment, grains, iron/steel, sand and gravel and other general cargoes.

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On the other hand, foreign ship calls also grew by 25.90%; from a total of 807 in 2014 to a total of 1,016 ship calls in 2015.

Domestic inbound and outbound cargo throughput increased by 60.26% in 2015 with an aggregate of 4.20 million metric tons (MMT) compared to the 2.62 MMT in 2014. Inbound cargoes reached 3.27 MMT in 2015 posting an increase of 75.03% from the total of 1.87 MMT in 2014.

Outbound cargoes likewise grew by 23.84%; from 0.76 MMT to 0.94 MMT. Foreign import throughput of 3.41 MMT in 2015 exhibited a substantial increase of 249.46% from 0.98 MMT in 2014. Foreign export throughput reached 39.65 MMT in 2015, growing by 8.76% from 36.46 MMT in 2014.

Motor vehicle registration drops Motor vehicle registered dropped by 2.31% in 2015 from 127,769 motor registrations in 2014 to 124,823. Private vehicles which comprised 72.61% of the total registered vehicles dropped by 0.11% from its previous total of 90,728 to 90,631 in 2015.

Government vehicles also decreased by 49.31% or 6,263.

Seventy-six percent or 94,887 of the total motor vehicle registered are under renewal while 23.98 percent or 29,936 are newly registered vehicles.

Peace and Security Crime volume decreases The total crime volume in the region continually decreased from first quarter to fourth quarter of 2015. From a total of 16,829 crime incidences in 2014, it dropped to 14,331 in 2015 or a decrease of 14.84%. Out of these, 42.41% are categorized as index crimes (or crimes against persons) while 57.59% are non-index crimes.

Both index and non-index crimes were recorded highest in Butuan City Police Office with 30.57% and 30.47% shares, respectively. Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office followed with 24.55% and 19.86% shares.

Surigao del Sur PPO ranked third in the incidence of both index and non-index crimes with 19.87% and 19.39% shares, respectively.

As to total crime volume percentage share, Butuan City got 30.51%, Surigao del Norte has 21.85%, Surigao del Sur with 19.59%, Agusan del Sur with 16.79%, Agusan del Norte with 7.37%, and Dinagat Islands with 3.89%.

Compared to 2014, Caraga generally presented improved Crime Clearance Efficiency (CCE) and Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) in 2015. CCE reached 51.66% in 2015 which is 18.51% higher than the 43.59% in 2014.

CSE was likewise better in 2015 with an average rate of 44.55%

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compared to the 37.17% in 2014 posing an increase of 19.85%.

Both CCE and CSE were recorded highest in Agusan del Norte with 57.39% and 51.89% efficiency rates, respectively.

Agusan del Sur followed closely with 56.07% CCE and 49.79% CSE. It was observed that only Dinagat Islands exhibited decrease in both CCE and CSE rates.

Development Prospects Department of Agriculture pours in PhP216 million agricultural support From a report published in PhilStar, the Department of Agriculture has turned over PhP216 million worth of agricultural support to the region during the last quarter of 2015 which included funding for the construction of farm-to-market roads. The support package included the PhP208 million budget for the construction of five farm-to-market roads (FMRs) for which a notice to proceed was given by the World Bank under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) implemented by the DA. The said five FMRs will help in the development of agrienterprises in the region such as abaca production and marketing in Agusan del Norte and rubber production and marketing in Agusan del Sur.

The LGUs which participated in the PRDP are required to provide counterpart funds of 10% of the project cost for production support for commodities and 20% of cost for infrastructure projects.

The provincial government of Agusan del Norte implemented the on-farm mechanization program to improve farmers’ productivity by providing mechanization facilities and equipment to qualified and legitimate farmers associations to promote the development of agriculture in the province.

The three legitimate and registered farmer associations in Agusan del Norte which will implement the program as beneficiaries/corporators are Lekda Higaonon Farmers Producers Cooperative, E. G. Montilla Farmers Association, and Tinocuran Green Kalikasan Farmers Association.

Farmers get PhP33 million irrigation support from the Department of Agrarian Reform The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) handed over PhP33 million communal irrigation systems (CIS) to Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigator’s Association (BOFIA) in Brgy.

Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

The irrigation project was funded under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP-III) that includes three

dams to serve 180 hectares of rice land in the area.

Farmers get assistance from the Department of Agriculture The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned-over farm facilities and projects amounting to PhP140 million last February 19, 2016 to more than 10 farmers and irrigators’ associations from Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

DA also turned over around PhP66 million to Agusan del Norte and PhP74 million worth of projects to Surigao del Norte on the same day.

USDA-supported agricultural products storage facility opens in Butuan City A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded project under the Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) opened in Bancasi, Butuan City last February 18, 2016.

The partnership between Happy Enterprise Inc. and PCCP implementer, Winrock International, was forged to develop a model for dry warehousing and food storage that will support the trade of agricultural products in Caraga Region. Under the partnership, the warehouse operated by Happy Enterprise was expanded into a 4,000 square meter facility with a stocking space of 38,000 cubic

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meters that met national and international standards for clean food storage.

As Caraga Region grows, so does the requirement for safe and sanitary storage of perishable and non-perishable food products. And it is not only food for humans that requires such storage capacity but also livestock feeds. One deciding factor for Happy Enterprise in building these new facilities was the growing requirement for increased storage for livestock feeds by Pilmico Foods Corporation.

PhP516,563,803.89 and anticipated to be approved within 2016.

These infrastructure subprojects would translate to improved road networks linking production areas with markets to enhance efficiency of transporting agricultural products; increased productivity from irrigation and water supply systems; and lower postharvest losses.

The 24 I-BUILD subprojects for Caraga has a total amount of P1,482,949,710.92.

storey hotel will house 74 rooms.

On the other hand, the Watergate Hotel in J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City, the first boutique hotel in the region, is expected to be launched in June 2016. This intimate, design-led property distinguishes itself from larger chain/branded hotels by providing guests with ultrapersonalized service and accommodation.

Peace and Security

Caraga gets PhP1.5 billion worth of infra, enterprise projects According to the PRDP–National Project Coordination Office, Caraga has a total PhP982,605,907 worth of approved infrastructure and enterprise subprojects for 2016.

The Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) Component which aims to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value chain got the bulk of this amount with nineteen approved subprojects. Seven of these are already under implementation and twelve subprojects are still on the procurement process.

Other than the approved 19 subprojects, I-BUILD for Caraga still has five subprojects in the pipeline amounting to

Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur are conflict manageable - AFP, PNP The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police (PNP) officially declared the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur as conflict manageable and ready for further development. According to the PNP, crime incidence significantly reduced in the said provinces.

More rebels have surrendered and areas being controlled by the communists were also reduced.

Gaisano Capital to rise; Gaisano Mall, Robinson’s Place expands On-going groundworks are conducted for the soon-to-rise Gaisano Capital – Butuan along North Montilla Boulevard as well as the expansion of GaisanoButuan at J. Rosales Avenue..

After only two years of operations in the city, Robinsons Place Butuan began expanding its area to double its size and at the same time constructed a transport terminal in the area. The project is expected to be completed in 2017.

Tourism Butuan to open 2 new hotels Two hotels will open in Butuan City in 2016.

The Grand Palace Hotel along A. Veloso Street, Brgy. Imadejas is nearing completion. This three-

Trade and Industry

Services New hospital in Butuan City The rise of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center – Butuan City along South Montilla Boulevard, Brgy. Villa Kananga is soon to happen. The said hospital will house a first class medical facility.

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1st Quarter 2016 Regional Project Monitoring Name of Project/Program Components

Location

Cost in PhP

Physical Status (%) Target Actual Slippage

Status

Construction of Double Barrel Box Culvert Trento, Agusan del along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road, K1387+955 - Sur K1387+997, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur

6,929,400.00

100

Repair/restoration of collapsed concrete road Trento, Agusan del shoulder using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Sur Cuevas - Bislig Road, K1385+640 K1385+720, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Trento, Agusan del Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road Sur K1396+370 - K1396+400, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/restoration of collapse unpaved road Trento, Agusan del shoulder using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Sur Cuevas - Bislig Road K1396+690 - K1396+730, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur

14,855,825.00

100

The project is completed.

The monitoring team recommended for an additional slope protection in the area.

The project is completed.

7,536,867.00

100

The project is completed.

6,561,772.00

100

The project is completed.

The monitoring team recommended for installation of additional rail

Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1398+200 - K1398+240, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road, K1375+850 - K1375+890, Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1389+200 - K1389+260, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur

Trento, Agusan del Sur

4,553,900.00

100

The project is completed

Trento, Agusan del Sur

6,929,400.00

100

The project is completed.

Trento, Agusan del Sur

4,311,326.43

100

Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1389+450 - K1389+480, Sta. Maria, Trento, Trento, Agusan del Sur

Trento, Agusan del Sur

4,906,153.82

100

Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1399+000 - K1399+080, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1400+360 - K1400+430, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1400+220 - K1400+250, San Jose, Bislig, Surigao del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along NRJ Cuevas - Bislig Road K1400+760 - K1400+880, Sta. Maria, Trento, Agusan del Sur Repair/maintenance of road slip using Steel Sheet Piles along Asuncion - San Isidro Davao del Norte - Laak - Comval - Veruela Road K1543+100 - K1543+150, Katipunan, Veruela, Agusan del Sur Construction of single barrel box culvert and concreting of unpaved road along Butuan City Talacogon - Loreto - Veruela - Sta. Josefa Road K1398+440 - K1398+475, Masayan, Veruela, Agusan del Sur

Trento, Agusan del Sur

18,721,916.42

100

Trento, Agusan del Sur

8,750,000.00

100

Bislig, Surigao del Sur

4,417,787.06

100

The project is completed.

The monitoring team recommended to the concerned DPWH district to address road damage within the project.

The project is completed.

The monitoring team recommeneded to the Project Engineer to construct a canal along the scoured portion to avoid further damage to the project.

The project is completed.

Additional funding is required to finish slope protection of the area.

The project is completed.

DPWH has to provide feedback on the request for time extension.

The project is completed

Trento, Agusan del Sur

15,295,305.69

100

The project is completed

Veruela, Agusan del Sur

7,326,777.04

100

The project is completed

Veruela, Agusan del Sur

2,428,729.22

100

The project is completed

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

Name of Project/Program Components

35

Location

Cost in PhP

Physical Status (%) Target Actual Slippage

Status

Repair and Rehabilitation of Roads: National road junction Bayugan – Calaitan – Tandag Road, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, KM 1288+222 – KM 1294+782 with exception Widening of Permanent Bridges to more than 2 lanes, Wawa Bridge (B00896MN) along Daang Maharlika (Agusan-Davao Road Section) Construction of Butuan City South Market (Phase 2) Repair/restoration of collapse unpaved road shoulder using gabions along Asuncion - San Isidro - Davao del Norte - Laak Comval - Veruela Road K1539+430 - K1539+460, Katipunan, Veruela, Agusan del Sur Repair/Rehabilitation of Andanan RIS, Sibagat, ADS

Bayugan, Agusan del Sur

149,655,000.00

62.60

67.89

5.29

The project is on-going.

Wawa, Agusan del Norte

207,694,814.37

34.50

64.52

30.02

The project is ongoing with 64.52% accomplishment.

15,000,000.00

97.24

-2.76

The project is on-going.

Veruela, Agusan del Sur

2,007,897.15

100

Sibagat, Agusan del Sur

40,570,340.82

100

83.13

-16.87

Agusan River Basin Flood Control Project Completion of Flood Control Dike and Construction of Flood Gate in Mantange Creek, Butuan City Agusan River Basin Flood Control Project (LADP-FCC) Stage 1, Phase 1 & 2 Reconstruction of River Dike Protection Brgy. Agao, Butuan City Agusan River Basin Flood control project (LADP-FCC) Stage 1, Phase 1&2 Urban Drainage System, Butuan City (Villa Kananga) Construction of Overpass along J.C. Aquino Ave. (Robinsons)

Butuan City

91,000,000.00

83.35

70.51

-12.84

Agao, Butuan City

91,000,000.00

98.25

-

Villa Kanangga, Butuan City

96,500,000.00

60.59

78.18

17.59

Butuan City

12,600,000.00

71.83

71.91

0.08

Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of Mainit, Surigao del Circumferential Road Leading to Norte Lake Mainit (Mainit-Poblacion-Tagbuyawan)

144,700,000.00

76.58

80.12

3.54

Widening of Taguibo Bridge

199,942,000.00

62.44

59.46

-2.98

Butuan City

Taguibo, Butuan City

There were collapsed gabions in the project area.

Negative slippage due to flash floods during Typhoon Seniang and Onyok.

Monitoring team advised contractor to complete project.

The project is on-going. Delay is caused

by RROW issue. LGU was requested to resolve RROW issues Service road not safe for pedestrians and vehicles. The monitoring team recommended the installation of warning signages prohibiting vehicles from accessing the road.

The project is on-going. LGU was requested to resolve RROW issues

The project is on-going. Railings in the project are not safe for children. Project has ROW issue with a bank. Cables are entangled with telecom lines along the project. Drainage canal is affected by the project. Issues were brought to the DPWH and contractor.

The project is on-going. It has RROW issue. Contractor cannot fully operate due to quarry regulation of SDN allowing only 2,000 cu.m. of aggregates every 2 months. PLGU has provided list of permittees that can provide quarry materials to the contractor.

The project is on-going. The team recommended for the LGU to help

caraga today

36 Name of Project/Program Components Lake Mainit Integrated Area Development Project (LMIADP) CY 2014: Package III

Location

Cost in PhP

Mainit, Surigao del Norte

Construction/Improvement of Surigao del Norte Access Roads Leading to Tourism Destinations Jct Gata-Mapaso (Hot Spring) Road Leading to Lake Mainit Masao Port Wharf Extension Masao, Butuan City Project Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Kitcharao, Agusan Sect) - K1170+200 - K1177 +340 del Norte (S00399MN)

Construction/Repair/Rehabilitation/ Butuan City Improvement of VILP Construction of Butuan City Pianing-Tandag Road, Butuan City Cabadbaran River Irrigation Cabadbaran City System

Physical Status (%) Target Actual Slippage 75

38,450,000.00

-25

100

190,900,000.00 224,200,000.00

49.45

3.75

15,925,000.00 77.53

17.81

Construction/Repair/Rehabilitation/ Cabadbaran City, Improvement of Various Agusan del Norte Infrastructure including Local Projects - Construction of Cabadbaran - Putting Bato Lanuza Road, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte Rechanneling/Desiltation of Butuan City Langihan Lagoon - Pequeno Creek with Bridge

186,068,000.00

79

0.79

144,381,000.00

59.13

24.11

Buenavista - Bunaguit Rd Buenavista, K1262+646 - K1263+543, Agusan del Norte K1263+845 - K1265+810, K1265+823 - K1266+860, K1266+940 - K1268+965 Construction of Butuan City ByButuan City Pass Road, (Bancasi Elliptical and Mahay-NRJ-Antongalon Section), with Bridge, Butuan City

146,250,000.00

95.7

-1.08

117,000,000.00

The project is on-going. It has problem on backfilling source due to suspension of concessionaires’ permit on quarry operations. Workers do not have PPE/ safety gear. PLGU has provided list of permittees that can provide quarry materials to the contractor The project is completed. The monitoring team recommended for the construction of a grill-type drainage canal at the aisle area.

The project is on-going.

97,500,000.00

Surigao Port Improvement Project, Surigao City Port of Surigao

Status

The project is on-going. Variation order is from 7km to 4km due to rocks excavation. It has RROW issue with ANECO and Globe telecom power posts. The team recommended for the LGU to help facilitate the resolution of the RROW issue.

The project is ongoing with 98.35% accomplishment.

The project has 96% physical accomplishment under Force Account Works.

The project is on-going. It has problem on source of gravel/aggregate.

Suspension of project resulted in lay-off and loss of income amounting to an estimated PhP10,000 a day.

The project is on-going. It has RROW issue with ANECO and some road areas are prone to landslide. The team recommended for the LGU to help facilitate the transfer of ANECO posts and install coconet in some areas that are prone to landslide.

The project is on-going. The bridge was redesigned as requested by the CTO of Butuan. RROW issues have yet to be settled. Desiltation is on-going but construction of bridge was suspended.

New bridge design will be released within February. The team recommended for LGU to help resolve RROW problem.

The project is on-going. Negative slippage is due to delayed plastic marking. The team recommended installation of coconet in areas prone to landslide Project is ongoing with 78.32% accomplishment.

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

37

Caraga Regional Development Council endorses Joint Memorandum to mainstream social protection in local planning

by Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga

The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) endorsed DILG-DSWD JMC# 1 series of 2015, ―Enjoining All Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities to Use the Social Protection (SP) Handbook for Local Planning, Implementing, Monitoring, and Evaluating SP Programs‖ through Resolution No. 45-D, series of 2015 last December 8, 2015 during its 86th Full Council Meeting.

Social protection (SP) is defined by the National Social Development Committee (NSDC) as ―policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people’s capacity to manage risks.‖ The Social Development Chapter of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 20112016 considers SP as a strategy to reduce poverty, promote inclusive growth and provide equitable access to quality basic social services, and reduce people’s vulnerability to various types of risks.

The Sub-Committee on Social Protection (SCSP) under the NSDC was created to lead in the formulation and

operationalization of mediumterm social protection plan, which contains social protection policies and strategies. As a result, the SCSP formulated the Social Protection Operational Framework and Strategy (SPOFS).

The SPOFS is the overall framework for implementing social protection programs. It is focused on achieving a better and improved quality of life for its beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the SCSP Chair led the implementation of the framework by developing a Social Protection Handbook, which will serve as the primary reference of local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and government agencies in implementing SP programs.

The handbook shall be useful in providing social protection lens in the regular course of planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring and evaluating social protection programs at the local level.

To enforce the use of the handbook at the local level, DSWD together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2015 on January 23,

2015.

The JMC instructs the DSWD to print and disseminate the SP Handbook to LGUs and concerned national and regional line agencies, allocate funds for the conduct of training of trainers, conduct training of trainers at the provincial level, and roll-out SP Handbook at the municipal/city level.

With the recommendation of the RDC-Social Development Committee (SDC), the Caraga RDC endorsed the JMC, in recognition of the need for a common understanding on social protection and ensuring that it is mainstreamed in all government processes.

In addition, the Caraga RDC designated the RDC-SDC as the regional counterpart of the National SDC Sub-committee on Social Protection. The RDC-SDC will become the avenue to discuss critical concerns and coordinate and monitor policies, programs and projects related to SP. Technical staffs from the DSWD, DILG, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and provincial LGUs attended a Trainers’ Training on the Use of the SP Handbook on October 510, 2015. They are the members of the same team that will roll-out the trainings to their respective municipal counterparts.

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Why do mothers die Excerpts from the State of the Philippine Population Report 6

Most maternal deaths in the country are caused by severe medical complications that occur either before, during, or immediately after childbirth. The Department of Health (DOH) Philippine Health Statistics stated that 34% of maternal deaths were caused by hypertensive conditions that complicated pregnancy and childbirth, followed by postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding), which accounted for 16% of maternal deaths in 2008.

In Caraga, mothers die mostly from postpartum hemorrhage at a rate of 48 deaths per 100,000 live births. Most of these mothers reportedly failed to follow the protocol of having blood donors two weeks prior to delivery.

Followed by eclampsia (seizures) and HELLP, a life-threatening liver disorder, characterized by hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes (which indicates liver damage), and low plateletP count.

These complications could have been prevented with timely and appropriate medical interventions, but for several reasons, the women failed to seek or receive pregnancy and childbirth-related medical attention.

Delay in Seeking, Reaching, and Getting Care The first phase of delay occurs in deciding to seek medical care.

Ideally, once a woman finds out that she is pregnant, she decides to consult either an obstetriciangynecologist, a midwife, or a qualified health worker. In many cases, however, women either delay or forego this decision because of several socioeconomic

and cultural factors, and also because of difficult access to adequate medical facilities.

The second phase of delay is in reaching the appropriate health care facility. Distance from the health facilities, geographical factors like rough terrain, lack of transportation support, and delay in referral are all factors that contribute to this delay. Difficulty in reaching the health facility discourages many women from having a facility-based delivery, making them opt for home deliveries instead.

The third phase is the delay in receiving adequate and quality maternal health care in the facility. This delay is brought about by lack of properly trained staff, essential medicines and equipment, and late or inappropriate medical diagnosis and/or procedure. These factors basically relate to the inability of the health care facility to provide the necessary package of maternal health services at the appropriate level of care.

Unintended Pregnancies A study found that 54% of the pregnancies in the Philippines in 2008 were unintended. In 41% of

these cases, the women resorted to abortion.

Why do unintended pregnancies happen? One factor is poor contraceptive use. A considerable number of Filipino women (18%) still use traditional methods; some (12%) even use withdrawal, and 45% are not using any method at all.

Contraceptive use is generally lowest among the poorest women and those with no education.

The concept of unmet need for family planning is another way of explaining unintended pregnancies. There is unmet need if a woman is at risk of becoming pregnant, does not want to get pregnant (yet or ever), but is not using any contraceptive method.

If a woman has an unwanted pregnancy, she is also considered to have an unmet need for family planning.

Early engagement in sexual activity, which can end up in unwanted pregnancy, also exposes young girls to the risk of maternal death. Survey data have shown that in 2013, 1 in 10 girls aged 15-19 and almost half of women aged 20-24 were already mothers.

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

39

NEDA-Caraga for an HIV-free Philippines

by Melanie A. Maur, NEDA-Caraga

Caraga HIV Update Number of cases, 2010-2015

Cases by sex, 1995-2015

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Caraga Region in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) – Caraga conducted HIV Testing and Counseling to 23 NEDA employees on March 15, 2016 in recognition of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This is a landmark initiative for NEDA Caraga as it is the first government agency in the region to undergo HIV testing and counseling for the year.

HIV testing, which is one of the activities scheduled to celebrate Women’s month, is the agency’s contribution in promoting ―HIVfree Caraga.‖ DOH data shows that from January 1984 to December 2015, there are 30,356 reported HIV cases in the Philippines. In 2015 alone, 22 Filipinos were infected with HIV everyday.

In Caraga Region, 240 HIV cases were reported from January

1995 to December 2015. Among provinces, Agusan del Norte has the highest number of reported cases with 114 for the period 19842015, followed by Surigao del Sur with 46, Agusan del Sur with 41, Surigao del Norte with 38 and the Province of Dinagat Islands with 1.

Among cities, Butuan City reported the highest number of cases at 92.

The most predominant mode of HIV transmission from 2010 to 2015 is male having sex with male (MSM) which accounts for 80% of the total infected. From 2013-2014, DOH says that the only mode of HIV transmission is through sexual contact.

The DOH highlighted the importance of being tested with HIV because early detection makes the disease manageable. Even with HIV, one can live up to the normal life expectancy if extra care is observed and antiviral medications are religiously taken.

Transmission mode, 1995-2015

Cases by age group, 1995-2015

Cases by area, 2010-2015

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40

K to 12 and the things that you need to know from www.gov.ph/k-12

What is the K to 12 Program?

The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle -level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Why are we now implementing 12 years of basic education?

The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries worldwide with a 10-year preuniversity cycle (Angola and Djibouti are the other two).

A 12-year program is found to be the best period for learning under basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals globally.

What has been done to get ready for K to 12? Are we really ready for K to 12?  SY 2011-2012: Universal Kindergarten implementation begins  SY 2012-2013: Enhanced curriculum for Grades 1-7 implemented  2013: K to 12 enacted into Law  2014: Curriculum for Grades 11-12 finished This 2015, we are getting ready for the implementation of SHS in SY 2016 -2017.

We are on the fifth year of the implementation of the K to 12 Program.

Our last mile is the SHS. DepEd’s 221 divisions have finished planning and have figures on enrolment a year in advance. These plans were reviewed by a separate team and finalized upon consultation with other stakeholders.  Classrooms: DepEd has built 66,813 classrooms from 2010 to 2013. There are 33,608 classrooms completed and undergoing construction in 2014. As

of April 30, 2015, DepEd has issued provisional permits to 1,866 private schools set to offer SHS in 2016.  Teachers: From 2010-2014, DepEd has filled 128,105 new teacher items.

DepEd is targeting two kinds of teachers: those who will teach the core subjects, and those who will teach the specialized subjects per track. DepEd will hire 37,000 teachers for SHS for 2016 alone.  Textbooks: Learning materials are being produced for elementary to junior high while textbooks for SHS (which has specialized subjects) are being bid out.  Curriculum: The K to 12 curriculum is standards- and competence-based.

It is inclusive and built around the needs of the learners and the community. The curriculum is done and is available on the DepEd website. It is the first time in history that the entire curriculum is digitized and made accessible to the public.

Private SHS: There are 2,199 private schools cleared to offer SHS and over 200 more being processed.

How will the current curriculum be affected by K to 12? What subjects will be added and removed?

The current curriculum has been enhanced for K to 12 and now gives more focus to allow mastery of learning.

For the new SHS grades (Grades 11 and 12), core subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Language will be strengthened. Specializations or tracks in students’ areas of interest will also be offered.

Changes to specific subjects are detailed in the K to 12 Curriculum Guides, viewable and downloadable at bit.ly/kto12curriculum.

How will specific learning groups such as indigenous people, Muslim learners, and people with special needs be affected by K to 12?

The K to 12 Curriculum was designed to address diverse learner needs, and may be adapted to fit specific learner groups.

Under K to 12, will Kindergarten be a prerequisite for entering Grade 1?

Yes. Republic Act No. 10157, or the Kindergarten Education Act, institutionalizes Kindergarten as part of the basic education system and is a prerequisite for admission to Grade 1.

With K to 12, will there be an overlap between the Day Care program of Local Government Units (LGUs) and DepEd Kindergarten?

No. Day Care Centers of LGUs take care of children aged 4 or below, while the DepEd Kindergarten program is intended for children who are at least 5 years old by October 31st of the present school year.

With K to 12, should schools prepare permanent records for Kindergarten students?

Yes. While the assessment on readiness skills of students in Kindergarten is not academically driven, a good measure of the child’s ability to cope with formal schooling is needed for future learning interventions.

Vol. XIX

Issue 2

What does Senior High School cover?

SHS covers the last two years of the K to 12 program and includes Grades 11 and 12. In SHS, students will go through a core curriculum and subjects under a track of their choice.

Will SHS mean two more years of High School?

Yes. These two additional years will equip learners with skills that will better prepare them for the future, whether it be:  Employment  Entrepreneurship  Skills Development (Further TechVoc training)  Higher Education (College) How will students choose their SHS specializations?

Students will undergo assessments to determine their strengths and interests.

These will include an aptitude test, a career assessment exam, and an occupational interest inventory for high schools. Career advocacy activities will also be conducted to help guide students in choosing their specialization or track.

How will student specializations/ tracks be distributed across SHS? Specializations or tracks to be offered will be distributed according to the resources available in the area, the needs and interests of most students, and the opportunities and demands of the community.

Will SHS ensure employment for me?

SHS creates the following opportunities:  Standard requirements will be applied to make sure graduates know

41

enough to be hirable.  You will now be able to apply for TESDA Certificates of Competency (COCs) and National Certificates (NCs) to provide you with better work opportunities.  Partnerships with different companies will be offered for technical and vocational courses.  You can now get work experience while studying; and companies can even hire you after you graduate.

Entrepreneurship courses will now be included. Instead of being employed, you can choose to start your own business after graduating, or choose to further your education by going to college.

How will SHS affect my college education?

SHS, as part of the K to 12 Basic Curriculum, was developed in line with the curriculum of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) – the governing body for college and university education in the Philippines.

This ensures that by the time you graduate from SHS, you will have the standard knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to go to college.

Is SHS really necessary? Must I go to SHS? Yes. According to the law you must go through Grades 11 and 12 to graduate from High School beginning SY 20162017.

If I choose not to go to SHS, what happens to me?

You will be a grade 10 completer, but not a high school graduate. Elementary graduates are those who finish grade 6; high school graduates must have finished grade 12.

What will I learn in SHS that the current high school curriculum doesn’t include?

SHS covers eight learning areas as part of its core curriculum, and adds specific tracks (similar to college courses) based on four disciplines:  Academic (which includes Business, Science and Engineering, Humanities and Social Science, and a General Academic strand)  Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (with highly specialized subjects with TESDA qualifications)  Sports  Arts and Design SHS Students may pick a track based on how he or she will want to proceed after high school graduation.

You can learn more about the tracks and strands (as well as their curriculum) on deped.gov.ph.

Where will SHS be implemented?

Will my school offer SHS? Existing public and private schools, including colleges, universities and technical institutions may offer SHS. There may also be stand-alone SHSs established by DepEd or private organizations.

Can a private school offer SHS before SY 2016-2017?

Private schools may offer Grade 11 as early as SY 2015-2016 to interested students. However, SHS before SY 2016-2017 is voluntary for both private schools and students, and there will be no funding assistance from the government to private SHS before SY 2016-2017.

Will SHS modeling schools that implemented the SHS program in SY 2012-13 be allowed to implement the SHS Program?

SHS modeling schools listed in DepEd Order No. 71, s. 2013 may implement the SHS program, but they must go through the process of applying a provisional SHS permit, and must meet the standards and requirements for the SHS Program.

For other questions on K to 12, kindly visit www.gov.ph/k-12/.

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World Environment Day, Philippine Environment Month from the Environment Management Bureau

World Environment Day is celebrated every 5th of June, to raise global awareness, to take positive environmental action, and to protect nature and the planet earth. This celebration aims to inspire people to take action to prevent planet Earth from reaching its breaking point.

The theme for World Environment Day has been dubbed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as "Go Wild for Life." Illegal wildlife trade endangers both known and lesser known species, which remain at risk despite international campaigns to influence policy, investment, conservation and law enforcement.

World Environment Day encourages everyone to celebrate and protect all species which are in danger of extinction. Zero tolerance for illegal wildlife trade, in both words and action, can definitely make a difference.

June is also declared as the Philippine Environment Month, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as the primary focal agency, implementing different activities. The theme for this year is "Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss #GreenEnvironment GawingForever."

Aside from illegal trade and various human-made activities, climate change can also be a threat to biodiversity, especially to various species and living life forms, including humans, which we sometimes overlook. World Environment Day and the Philippine Environment Month aim to raise awareness in the fight against illegal wildlife trade and biodiversity loss, and climate change. Combating the loss of biodiversity, wildlife, and resources can be aimed for if we beat climate change, through simple steps.

What you can do Go wild for life, and combat biodiversity loss. The Philippines is part of the 18 "megadiverse" countries in the world, and is also considered as a biodiversity

hotspot. It also contains two-thirds of the earth's biodiversity. In addition, more and more new species are being discovered year after year. Because of this, the rate of endemic species also continues to rise. DENR Administrative Order 2007-01 established the National List of Threatened Species of Plants and Other Wildlife, which indicates that 99 are critically-endangered, 187 are endangered, and 176 are vulnerable. And it continues to get worse, especially with the rise of illegal wildlife trade.

Combating biodiversity loss and being an advocate of wildlife protection starts with being vigilant. Report to agencies like DENR, World Wildlife Fund and local government units any illegal trade activities, any plant or animal species that are on the verge of abuse or maltreatment, or any illegal activities being held in protected areas.

Support the endeavors and initiatives of these organizations as well. Truly doing little can go a long way.

Clean the air. Doses of toxic pollutants that stay in the air, not only harm the human body and different species, but can also disrupt the natural flow of ecosystems. Various gases that are released from fossil fuel burning, for example, can also spread in the air, and can be inhaled, as well as absorbed by plants and soil. Simple ways of addressing air pollution include the use of cleaner fuel, especially in vehicles.

Reducing activities like open burning can also make a difference.

Clean the waters. Water pollution kills aquatic life. Pollutants can include agricultural and industrial waste, pesticides, and other human-made or

artificial pollutants, and even discharge from sewage. In turn, pollutants deplete water of oxygen, lessening the survival of aquatic life. Wastes should not be disposed of in water bodies. Activities like dynamite fishing should be continually prohibited. It can kill fish and different species, and pollute water bodies.

Manage solid wastes. Solid waste, especially biodegradable waste, when not managed or disposed of properly, can also affect wildlife and the flow of biodiversity. The formation of landfills and dumping sites is a result of the improper disposal and management of wastes, especially from households and industries. In turn, this deprives various wildlife species the chance to enjoy their natural habitat. Exercising proper solid waste management starts by doing best practices like recycling, segregation, and using products with environmentfriendly materials.

Beat climate change. Climate change refers to changes in climate patterns, which is attributed largely to global warming and increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide, produced by the use of fossil fuels. Rapid and serious climate change is not only a threat to humans, but also to different species forcing them to leave their natural habitat and adapt or migrate to different areas with more favorable conditions. Addressing climate change starts with reducing our carbon footprint.

Use energy- efficient devices and appliances. Utilize renewable energy like solar power. Segregate, recycle, and dispose of waste properly, so as to avoid the use of landfills, and support ecofriendly businesses. By helping to address climate change, we are not just doing ourselves a favor; we are also protecting natural resources, including the earth’s biodiversity.

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Issue 2

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July 30 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons What is Human Trafficking?

Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is defined by the United Nations as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims.

In 2010, the General Assembly adopted the Global Plan of Action to Combat TIP to urge governments worldwide to take coordinated and consistent measures against trafficking, especially women and children.

In 2013, the General Assembly appraised the Global Plan of Action and adopted resolution A/ RES/68/192, which declared July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to ―raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.‖ The Blue Heart Campaign  Is an awareness-raising initiative to fight human trafficking and its impact on society.





The Blue Heart Campaign seeks to encourage involvement and inspire action to help stop this crime.

The Campaign also allows people to show solidarity with the victims of human trafficking by wearing the Blue Heart.

The Blue Heart The Blue Heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the coldheartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings. The use of the blue UN colour also demonstrates the commitment of the United Nations to combating this crime against human dignity. This campaign aims to make the Blue Heart into an international symbol against human trafficking. By "wearing" the Blue Heart you will raise awareness of human trafficking and join the campaign to fight this crime.

Colophon Edition Caraga Today Volume XIX Issue 2 April-June 2016 Publisher Caraga Regional Development Council Address NEDA-Caraga Building JP Rosales Avenue, Butuan City 8600 Telephone 085 342-5774 Email caraga.neda@gmail.com Online Versions issuu.com/nedacaraga slideshare.net/NEDACaraga13

Editor-in-Chief Jazmin D. Berido Associate Editor Melanie A. Maur Managing Editor Sherwin E. Verdun Writers Sherwin E. Verdun Paul Edward B. Castillo Rhea Mae C. Mendez Melanie A. Maur Gladys C. Giberson Ian G. Miculob Contributors Rhea C. Abao, DA-Caraga DTI-Caraga Layout Rhea Mae C. Mendez Advisers RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño ARD Roy B. Kantuna

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Highlights: Millennium Development Goals Status for Caraga Region Goals/Indicators

Baseline

Current Level

Target

Achievement

2003

2015

2015

below subsistence threshold

21.70

21.60

10.85

Not Achieved

below poverty threshold

44.70

43.90

22.35

Not Achieved

2003

2015 (1st Sem)

below subsistence threshold

16.60

15.60

8.30

Not Achieved

below poverty threshold

37.60

35.30

18.80

Not Achieved

23.12

7.14

11.56

Achieved

1995-1996

2014-2015

Elementary participation rate

93.01

95.90

100.00

Not Achieved

Elementary cohort survival rate

68.43

86.86

82.25

Achieved

Elementary completion rate

66.79

86.36

81.27

Achieved

2000-2001

2015-2016

Male

86.78

95.86

100.00

Not Achieved

Female

93.27

95.94

100.00

Not Achieved

Male

50.54

61.27

100.00

Not Achieved

Female

57.23

72.73

100.00

Not Achieved

2000

2015

26

6.78

8.70

Achieved

1991

2015

17.37

4.67

5.80

Achieved

1991

2015

161.00

92.00

52.00

Not Achieved

1999

2015

37.96

60.00

65.00

Not Achieved

1995

2011

Malaria morbidity rate (per 100,000 population)

154.98

1.65

31.00

Achieved

TB morbidity rate

231.1

13.23

46.22

Achieved

2001

2015

70.61

92.00

87.00

Achieved

Eradicate Extreme Poverty Proportion of population

Proportion of families

Prevalence of malnutrition among 0-5 years old (% underweight) Achievement of Universal Primary Education

Promote gender equality and women empowerment Elementary participation rate

Secondary participation rate

Reduce child mortality Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths)

Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths) Improve maternal health Maternal mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths) Increase access to reproductive health services Contraceptive prevalence rate Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases

Ensure Environmental Sustainability Provide basic amenities Proportion of families with access to safe drinking water