Caraga Today January-March 2017

4|Caraga RDP 2017-2022 set for RDC endorsement after second round of LGU consultations 8|Caraga RDC bares 2016 accomplishments 20|Q2 Regional Economic Situationer 24|Q3 2016 Regional Project Monitoring Report

today caraga

January-March 2017 Vol. XX, Issue 1

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council

CENTERFOLD

2017 National Women’s Month Celebration

COVER

Caraga RDP 2017-2022 set for RDC endorsement

caraga today Volume XX Issue 1

January - March 2017

On this issue

HIGHLIGHT On this issue, we feature the preparations of the RDC-Regional GAD Committee (RGADC) for the 2017 National Women’s Month celebration in the region.

NEWS 6 Caraga RDC spearheads Regional Budget Review for FY 2018 16 PCW-NEDA Joint Memo reconvened, reorganized Regional GAD Committee 18 DSWD-Caraga, partner NGAs lead 2017 Adoption Consciousness Celebration 19 DSWD-Caraga provides rice subsidy on top of Pantawid Pamilya cash grant RIACAT-VAWC holds Training for Facilitators on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention and Online Safety

FEATURE 28 Are you and your child CyberSafe?

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Editor’s Note Jazmin D. Berido

In 2016, Caraga Today highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introduced the AmBisyon Natin 2040, and capped the year with a feature on the activities leading to the preparation of the successor Caraga Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022.

We welcome the new year reminiscing the accomplishments of the Caraga Regional Development Council and its Sectoral Committees.

We feature the follow through activities of the formulation of the RDP 2017-2022 as the RDC conducted its second round of consultations in all of the five provinces and six cities of the region to ensure that the commitments of the local government units in achieving the regional goal and the concerns of the local government are considered in the Plan.

The Budget Review for FY 2018 is presented next with an outline of consultations leading to the endorsement of the RDC. This issue highlights the celebration of the 2017 National Women’s Month in March. The celebration is spearheaded by the newly-constituted RDC-Gender and Development Committee (RGADC).

Other significant regional activities were given focus including the celebration of the 2017 Adoption Consciousness Week as well as the conduct of the Training of Facilitators on

ON THE COVER The Caraga Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 is set for endorsement by the Regional Development Council during its 90th Full Council Meeting.

Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention, and Online Safety. A graphic information on the 2015 CyberSafe Survey is featured to give emphasis on the importance of Child Online Protection.

Lastly, as government’s banner program for poverty alleviation, the provision of a Rice Subsidy for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries is also featured in this issue.

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Cover Story

Caraga RDP 2017-2022 set for RDC endorsement after second round of provincial and city consultations

By Paul Edward B. Castillo , NEDA-Caraga

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Caraga conducted its second round of provincial and city consultations last January 23- 26, 2017 to elicit additional inputs for the enhancement of the draft Caraga Regional Development Plan (CRDP) 2017-2022.

The draft CRDP 2017-2022 is anchored on the Administration’s 0 to 10 Socioeconomic Agenda, the Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda, and the Ambisyon Natin 2040, which represents the collective vision and aspirations of Filipinos for the country and self.

The members of the Provincial and City Development Councils (P/CDCs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) actively participated in the second round of consultations.

During the series of consultations, Acting Regional Development Council Chairperson and NEDA Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño presented the consolidated concerns and priorities of Local Government Units (LGUs) that were raised and discussed during the first round of plan consultations. She then discussed the region’s development directions and its macroeconomic trends.

Based on the Philippine Development Plan, the Caraga Regional Development Plan 20172022 outlines the strategic direction towards achieving the region’s goal of becoming the FAME Center of the country.

Participants were later divided into four breakout groups to comment on the different chapters of the draft plan.

The following were the schedules of the provincial consultations:  Agusan del Norte, Butuan City and Cabadbaran CityJanuary 23  Agusan del Sur and Bayugan City- January 24  Surigao del Sur, Bislig City and Tandag City- January 25  Surigao del Norte and Surigao City- January 26 The NEDA Regional Offices (NROs) in Mindanao were assigned draft RDPs for review from February 22 to 24, 2017.

The CRDP 2017-2022 was reviewed by NRO-11, while NRO -Caraga reviewed the RDP of NRO-10. The RDPs shall be revised according to the comments and inputs gathered from the consultations.

The CRDP 2017-2022 is set for endorsement by the Regional Development Council during its First Quarter Meeting on March 2, 2017.

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2nd Provincial and City Consultations on the RDP 2017-2022. Top left, clockwise: Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City.

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Caraga Regional Development Council spearheads Regional Budget Review for FY 2018

By Mirasol P. Montenegro, NEDA-Caraga

The National Budget Memorandum (NBM) No. 127 dated 28 December 2016 recognizes the critical role of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in the FY 2018 national budget preparation. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 325, Series of 1996, the RDC is tasked to conduct a regional budget review to ensure alignment and harmonization of the programs, projects and activities of national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units for greater impact at the grassroots level.

The review also aims to broaden the participation of civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the budget preparation process to promote transparency in the delivery of government’s key public services.

The Caraga RDC issued a Regional Budget Call for FY 2018 parallel to the NBM to ensure that the budget proposals of agency regional offices (AROs), state universities and colleges (SUCs) and other government instrumentalities consider the development thrusts and priorities of the region.

This year’s regional budget call recognizes the need to allocate at least 1% of total budget for programs/projects for empowering Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Communities, and Youth Development.

During the CSO Consultation, the AROs gathered substantial inputs from the CSOs and the private sector. These inputs were considered in the revised proposal which shall be presented to the RDC for endorsement.

Consistent with the prescribed timelines of the NBM, the RDC conducted a series of activities relating to the regional budget review process for FY 2018, to wit: Activities Regional Budget Forum RDC Sectoral Committee Budget Review Social Development Committee Economic Development Committee Development Administration Committee Infrastructure Development Committee Civil Society Organization (CSO) Consultation RDC Full Council Budget Consultation Budget Consultation with Congresspersons Consultation/Dialogue with Selected ACOs

Schedule January 20, 2017 February 7, 2017 February 8, 2017 February 9, 2017 February 10, 2017 February 16, 2017 March 2, 2017 March 6, 2017 March 17, 2017

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1. Supports the President’s 0 to 10 Point Socio-Economic Agenda; 2. Supports the President’s 6-Point Peace Agenda; 3. Strengthens multi-year focus of the budget, including the acceleration of infrastructure spending from 5% of GDP; 4. Provides full support to the poorest, lagging and most climate-vulnerable areas; 5. Supports the Sustainable Development Goals; 6. Includes programs and projects with major considerations of the following: a. Relevance/contribution to the realization of the region’s development priorities and targets as specified in the RDP 2017-2022; b. Mainstreaming of Gender and Development; c. Assistance to municipalities program; d. Senior Citizens and Persons with Disability; e. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation; f. Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Communities; and g. Youth Development.

RDC Sectoral Committee Budget Review at the NEDA-Caraga Conference Hall in Butuan City on February 7-10, 2017

Regional Budget Consultation with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) held at the Balanghai Hotel in Butuan City on February 16, 2017

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RDC bares 2016 accomplishments

by Michelle P. Dela Calzada, NEDA-Caraga

Former NEDA Deputy Director General (DDG) Margarita Songco was the guest of honor during the 86th RDC Full Council Meeting on March 2, 2016. With her in this photo is Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas, who was the RDC Chairperson from 2010 to 2016.

Every year, the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) spearheads the conduct of strategic activities and adopts policy directions that will steer the development of the region and improve the lives of the Caraganons.

From 2010 to 2013, the RDC was under the adept leadership of Surigao del Norte Provincial Governor Sol F. Matugas.

Governor Matugas went on to chair the RDC for a second term from 2013 to 2016.

RDC Reorganization As the terms of office of the RDC officials ended on June 30, 2016, the Secretariat coordinated the reorganization of the RDC on August 22, 2016.

Part of the reorganizational meeting is the 1) confirmation of newly selected Private Sector Representative who will sit in the council, 2) selection of nominees

for Caraga RDC Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for appointment by the president, and 3) the election of Chairperson and ViceChairperson of the RDC Sectoral Committees (RDC-Economic Development Committee, RDCInfrastructure Development Committee, RDC-Social Development Committee and RDC-Development Administration Committee).

Private Sector Representative (PSR) Selection The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), as the RDC Secretariat, drafted the Private Sector Representatives (PSR) guidelines to facilitate the selection of new set of RDC-PSR. This set of guidelines was prepared in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 325, entitled “Reorganization of the Regional Development Councils”. The guidelines contain

the criteria in nominating a private sector representative to the RDC along with the selection process, the duties and responsibilities of a PSR and his/ her term of office. This guideline was approved by the RDC through a referendum on July 25, 2016.

The selection of 14 private sector representative was conducted in the five (5) provinces and six (6) cities of Caraga Region from August 15 to 19, 2016 as the terms of office of the previous set of PSR ended on June 30, 2016. The PSRs comprise ¼ of the total membership of the RDC. Eleven (11) are geographic PSRs, while two are regional PSRs and one is a labor sector PSR. All of the 14 PSRs were confirmed during the August 22, 2016 RDC Reorganizational Meeting. continued on Page 10

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RDC in Action...

Creation of Planning Committees and Assessment Workshops held on October 14, 18 to 21, 2016

(From L-R) PSA RD Rosalinda Apura with NEDA RD Mylah Faye Aurora CariĂąo and ARD Roy Kantuna at the Results Matrix and Core Indicators Workshop on November 8-9, 2016

Right Photo: At the Philippine Development Plan Regional Consultation, NEDA Asst. Sec. Mercedita Sombilla emphasized the need to ensure that regional issues and concerns are considered in the strategies, policies, and programs of the PDP 2017-2022.

A writeshop cum strategic planning workshop was conducted per Planning Committee last November 17-18, 2016 to craft the direction of the region in the next six years.

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RDC bares 2016 accomplishments Continued from Page 9 Training-Workshop on Development Planning, Results Matrix and Investment Programming A training-workshop on development planning, investment programming and results-based monitoring was conducted on August 3-5, 2016 to develop and further enhance the RDC Secretariat’s skills and knowledge in preparing the RDP 2017-2022. The RDP 2017-2022 shall serve as the blueprint for

development of the region in the next six (6) years. Along with the RDP formulation is the preparation of the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP), the plan’s operational document, which contains the priority programs, project and activities of the region and the Results Matrices (RMs) which contain the desired outcomes of plan implementation including the sectoral objectives and targets.

Caraga Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 Preparation The year 2016 being an election year, meant that the formulation of a successor Regional Development Plan and its accompanying documents was in the pipeline.

The formulation of the RDP 2017-2022 has undertaken the following processes:

Activities Approval of the Process Guidelines for the Preparation of the Caraga Regional Development Plan (CRDP) 2017-2022 Creation of the five (5) Regional Planning Committees and conduct of the Regional Assessment Workshop 1) Economic Development Committee (Secretariat: RDC-EDC); 2) Human Capital Development Committee (Secretariat: RDC-SDC); 3) Infrastructure Development Committee (Secretariat: RDC-IDC); 4) Enhancing the Social Fabric Committee (Secretariat: RDC-DevAd/SDC); 5) Ecological Integrity Committee (Secretariat: RDC-EDC) RDP Results Matrices Formulation and Regional Core Indicator Identification Workshop Writeshop cum Strategic Planning Workshop for the CRDP and the Regional Development Investment Program 2017-2022 First Round of Provincial and City Consultations Presentation of the CRDP 2017-2022 1st Draft of the Citizen-centered, clean and efficient, delivery of public goods and services, Administration of Justice, and Peace, Security and Public Order Chapters to the RDC-Development Administration Committee Presentation of the CRDP 2017-2022 1st Draft to the RDC Full Council Committee Second Round of Provincial and City Consultations

Date Undertaken September 27, 2016

October 14, 18 to 21, 2016

November 8-9, 2016 November 17-18, 2016 November 7-22, 2016 November 29 to December 6, 2016 December 14,2016 January 16-19, 2017

Right Photo: Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza at the first round of Provincial Consultations on the formulation of the Caraga Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 and Regional Development Investment Program 2017-2022.

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RDC in Action...

An Expert’s Review of the Caraga Research Agenda was conducted on February 12, 2016. Here, DOST RD Dominga Mallonga (Right Photo) and Dr. Rowena Valera of CSU critique the research topics for enhancement.

Ambisyon Natin 2040 Knowledge Olympics (Left Photo) and MOU Signing with Restaurant Operators for the Use of Ambisyon Natin 2040 Advocacy Materials

RPMC: Preparatory activities for the Ex-Post evaluation of LADP-FCC and Terms of Reference Review

With RD Cariño at the RLUC Meeting on March 3, 2016 are NEDA DDG Margarita Songco and Dir. Remedios Endencia

RDC-GADCC’s Recognition of Outstanding Women during the 2016 Women’s Month Celebration

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2016 RDC Resolutions Passed

Development Administration Committee  

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Endorsing the Proposed Budgets of Regional Line Agencies Under the Development Administration Sector for FY 2017 Supporting the Request for the Philippine Congress to Review and Consider Amendments to RA 8291 and Related Laws on Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Retirement Packages Urging the Department of Education Central Office to Download the Funds to the Local Government Units for the Construction of Classrooms/School Building in Conflict-Affected Areas Approving the Reorganization of the RDC-GADCC in the Light of NEDA-PCW Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2016-1 with the RDC Secretariat Taking the Lead in the Reorganization Supporting the Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities Program Supporting the President’s Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign Program Enjoining the Local Government Units to Strengthen the Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (PADAC/MADAC/CADAC/BADAC) Reiterating RDC Resolution No. 45, S. 2014 Entitled “Requesting the Office of the President Through the Travel Rates Committee to Adopt the Constitutional Fiscal Autonomy Group (CFAG) and COA Resolutions Providing for the Increase of Government Personnel Daily Travel Allowance for Local Travels” Enjoining the Local Government Units to Capacitate their Local Planners on Environmental Planning Pursuant to RA 10587 Approving the Process for the Preparation of Regional Development Plan 2017-2022

Economic Development Committee    

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Endorsing the Proposed Budgets of Regional Line Agencies Under the Economic Development Sector for FY 2017 Enjoining the Local Government Units (LGUs) and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) to Support the Caraga Agri-Trade and Marketing Export or CARAT Expo 2016 Enjoining the Local Government Units (LGUs) and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) to Support the 25th Mindanao Business Conference Requesting the Concerned Regional Line Agencies to Furnish the Philippine Statistical Authority with the Required Data for the Preparation of the Regional Socio-Economic Trends (RSET) for Caraga Region Adopting the 2015 Annual Regional Economic Situationer Endorsing the US$ 450 Million Additional Financing of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)

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Social Development Committee  

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Endorsing the Proposed Budgets of Regional Line Agencies Under the Social Development Sector for FY 2017 Encouraging Regional Line Agencies and State Universities and Colleges in the Caraga Region to Earmark at Least One Percent of their Budgets for Youth Development Related Programs/Projects/Activities Adopting and Supporting the AmBisyon Natin 2040 Adopting the 2015 Regional Development Report Enjoining the Caraga Schools Divisions to Procure the Armchairs Manufactured by TESDA from Logs Confiscated by the DENR Requesting CHED and DepEd to Explore the Possibility of Developing a Continuing Education/Special Training Program for Senior High School Teachers in Caraga that can be Undertaken by the higher education institutions (HEIs) Offering Teacher Education Program Adopting the Millennium Development Goals Final Report Supporting the Proposal of RDC XI to Increase the Social Pension of Indigent Citizens Recognizing the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee as a Special Committee under the RDC Enjoining All Local Government Units to Establish a Bahay Pag-asa in Every Province, City and Capital Town per Mandate of RA 9344 Enjoining All LGUs to Provide Counterpart Fund to Cost of Care of Elderly Referred to Por Cristo Foundation, Incorporated Enjoining All LGUs to Promote Inclusive Education of Children with Disability and Provide the Corresponding Budget Appropriation Thereof Directing the RDC-Social Development Committee to serve as Venue for Discussing Migration Related Concerns Approving the Work and Financial Plan for the Ambisyon Natin 2040 Information Education Campaign

Infrastructure Development Committee    

  

Endorsing the Proposed Budgets of Regional Line Agencies Under the Infrastructure Development Sector for FY 2017 Endorsing the Construction of Flood Control Structure Along Lake Mainit-Tubay River (Kalinawan- Karak-an Section) Endorsing to the Office of the President the Proposed Port Zone Delineation of Lipata Port in Surigao City Supporting RDC 4B Resolution No. 2016-055-523 - Requesting the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Interventions on the Provision and Enhancement of Accessibility Features of the Shipping Vessels for Persons with Disability (PWDs) and Senior Citizens Endorsing the Construction of Libjo Coastal Road Access (Plaridel, Arellano, Magsaysay, Osmena, Quezon and Sto. Nino - PAMOQS) to Dinagat Islets Endorsing the Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network (MLIN) Projects in Butuan City and the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur Endorsing Agusan del Norte’s Request for Feasibility Study Preparation for the Las Nieves Bridge

Newly installed Regional GAD Committee spearheads 2017 Women’s Month Celebration

By Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga

The international community celebrates women and their contribution in uplifting humanity as well as their causes every Month of March. In the Philippines, Caraga marks 2017 as a special year as the newly constituted Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) spearheads the celebration of the National Women’s Month.

The celebration of the National Women’s Month (NWM) began with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 224 in 1988 which declared the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day. This proclamation was followed by Proclamation No. 277, which recognizes the Filipino women’s contribution to society. These instruments were further

strengthened with the enactment of Republic Act 6949 which declared March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day. As the Duterte Leadership is anchored on “malasakit at pagbabago” (true compassion and real change), the 2017 NWM is focused on ensuring that every man and woman will be partners in all facets of development and in the full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW).

These fundamentals are captured by this year’s theme, “We Make Change Work for Women."

Celebration across the nation aims to inform and engage women as stakeholders of citizen-centric government programs and services, and to empower women and girls to be agents of positive change. Activities that facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges and commitments to strengthen the

implementation of the MCW are encouraged.

The RGADC Technical Working Group, during its meeting on February 10, 2017, outlined a series of activities in line with the 2017 NWM. Advocacy activities on the Gender Ombud Guidelines highlight this year’s NWM celebration in the region. The Gender Ombud Guidelines “clarifies the scope of jurisdiction of the CHR as set out under the Magna Carta of Women. It identifies the types of violations/ complaints which may be investigated, the investigation procedure to be followed, the system of referral and monitoring, the investigation protocols, the issuance of policy advisories and the promotion and monitoring activities to be undertaken.”

2017 National Women’s Month Schedule of Activities March1 Press Conference* Venue: NEDA-Caraga Conference Hall Host: PIA Panelists: CHR, DILG, PNP, DOH, NEDA March 3 Roll-out of the Gender Ombud Guidelines* Participants: GAD Focal Persons of Regional Line Agencies Host: CHR March 8 Women’s Day Celebration (AM) Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Motorcade, and Program at the Agusan del Norte Covered Court Kalandrakas Year XIII (PM)* Host: DTI March 15 Jail Visit to Women Inmates Counseling and medical mission at the Butuan City Jail Hosts: DOH and DSWD March 28 Roll-out of the Gender Ombud Guidelines* Participants: DILG and LGUs Host: CHR March 29 Culmination Activity* Mid-term Pre-planning Workshop and Closing Program Host: CHR *Venues are to be determined by host agencies.

References: 1. Philippine Commission on Women 2. The CHR Gender Ombud Guidelines, 2016

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PCW-NEDA Joint Memo reconvened, reorganized Regional GAD Committee

By Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga

On January 31, 2017, the Regional Development Council (RDC) Secretariat spearheaded the reorganization of the Regional Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) to become the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) in response to Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2016-01 issued by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

Caraga GADCC Nineteen years ago, the Caraga RDC created the GADCC as its affiliate committee through RDC Resolution No. 41, Series of 1998. Since then, the Caraga GADCC spearheaded gender and development (GAD) initiatives in the region .

The GADCC sponsored landmark policies which include the strengthening of GAD mainstreaming at the regional and local levels in 2002; and the development and adoption of the Gender-Responsive Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (GR-RPMES) Manual in 2004, which provides for women’s representation, ensures that gender concerns are considered, and gender-fair

RGADC Chairperson Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang is the Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights-Caraga

language is used in project monitoring.

JMC 2016-01 The NEDA-PCW JMC 2016-01, entitled “Guidelines for the Creation, Strengthening and Institutionalization of a Regional GAD Committee under the Regional Development Council”, issued on 28 March 2016, to accelerate gender mainstreaming at the regional and local levels was largely based on Republic Act 9710 or otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW). The issuance of the JMC

is a result of the First RGADC Summit held on August 14 to 15, 2014, with the theme, “Strengthening Regional Mechanisms for GAD Convergence.”

During the summit, NEDA and PCW declared the need to initiate, coordinate and monitor gender mainstreaming at the regional and local levels; strengthen institutional linkages with local government units, academe, civil society organizations, and people’s organizations in pursuing GAD efforts at the regional and local levels; and ensure the participation

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RGADC’s First General Assembly

of women and women’s groups in the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of regional and local development plans. The Summit Declaration also called for the review and issuance of policy guidelines for the strengthening of a regional GAD mechanism that will provide technical assistance in the implementation and monitoring of GAD programs and initiatives.

JMC 2016-01 rationalizes the core membership of the RGADC and ensures that it is headed by a regular RDC member and cochaired by a representative of the civil society or the private sector.

While it limits the core membership to oversight agencies directly involved in gender mainstreaming, it also allows for the expansion of the membership depending on the gender concerns and issues of a region.

Meanwhile, the term of the chairperson and co-chairperson is limited to 3 years in sync with the term of elected local officials.

The JMC underscores the roles and functions of the RGADC to recommend policies and actions that may be adopted by the RDC to facilitate gender mainstreaming, and promote women empowerment and gender equality in the region. Finally, the JMC lodges the RGADC secretariat under the office of the RGADC chairperson or an office to be agreed upon by the Committee members. The Secretariat shall provide technical and administrative support to the Committee.

Caraga RGADC The newly constituted Caraga RGADC elected the Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Atty.

Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, as its first chairperson. The CHR, as the GAD Ombud, ensures the protection of women’s human rights and compliance of government and private entities to

the mandates of the MCW. After its reorganizational meeting, the RGADC held its first general assembly on February 6, 2016 to craft its work and financial plan for endorsement to the RDC. A technical working group meeting followed on February 10, 2017 to plan activities for the celebration of the 2017 National Women’s Month.

This will be the first among many initiatives under the new RGADC leadership as Caraga continues to achieve a gender-fair society.

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DSWD-Caraga, partner NGAs lead 2017 Adoption Consciousness Celebration

By Ryan Malbas Tapayan, DSWD-Caraga

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) partnered with other National Government Agencies (NGAs) in leading this year’s week-long Adoption Consciousness Celebration from February 11-19, 2017 with the theme, “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pagaampon Ating Gawin (Spread Unconditional Love through Legal Adoption)”.

Among the activities lined-up by the Protective Services Unit, the Adoption Forum conducted on February 16 served as the highlight.

The Adoption Forum had the following primary objectives: 1) disseminate basic information about legal adoption including the adoption process, documentary requirements, procedures and the benefits and effects of adoption to the public; 2) educate the public on the legal process of adoption that may lead to applicants for domestic adoptions or inquiries on adoption and other forms of alternative family care; 3) respond to inquiries of the public on adoption and other forms of alternative family care thru Adoption Help Desks; and 4) provide program orientation on adoption and foster care laws and guidelines to the officials and staff of DILG.

Ms. Cathy Aranas discussing requirements on legal adoption during the Adoption Forum at LJ Mega Convention.

Jessie Catherine Aranas, Regional Focal on Adoption, reported during the said seminar the total picture of adoption nationwide. “According to DSWD – Protective Services Bureau, out of 5,695 children declared as legally available for adoption (CY 2009- as of January 17, 2017), only 1,409 children were placed-out for domestic adoption. The data reveals that there is a high number of neglected/abandoned children in centers/institutions waiting to be adopted,” said Aranas.

“Other than this growing data, issues such as public’s perception on adoption, lack of interest of families to adopt and the discrimination experienced by adopted children should likewise be addressed,” she added.

OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim encouraged all government agencies to promote and advocate legal

adoption as it remains a strange concept in the society.

“Let us altogether advocate legal adoption all the time and not just during occasions that we commemorate this celebration.

The underlying objective is to provide a child a kind of family he/she deserves,” Lim emphasized.

Presidential Proclamation No. 72 signed on February 3, 1999 by the former Hon. President Ejercito Estrada formalized the observance of Adoption Consciousness Day to call for public attention and ensure nationwide awareness on legal adoption of surrendered, orphaned, abandoned, and neglected Filipino children in need of permanent home.

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DSWD-Caraga provides rice subsidy on top of Pantawid Pamilya cash grant From DSWD-Caraga

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga announces to the public the provision of additional cash grant as rice subsidy for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries.

With the numerous questions received by the regional management on the said issue, DSWD-Caraga confirms the following: 1. All active and compliant partner-beneficiary shall receive a rice subsidy in addition to their monthly cash grants; 2. The rice subsidy is granted monthly in cash in the amount of P600.00; 3. The draft Rice Subsidy Provision Guidelines is now subject for approval by the DSWD Central Office.

Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries actively participate in a Family Development Session (FDS) facilitated by PNP.

The Regional Program Management Office of Pantawid Pamilya released a memorandum addressed to all field staff to clarify this concern at the local level. OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim calls on all Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries to wait for official notice from the City or Municipal Link Officer to avoid misinformation.

RIACAT-VAWC holds Training for Facilitators on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention and Online Safety

By Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga

Thirty-five (35) representatives from the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (RIACATVAWC) member agencies participated in a Training for Facilitators on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention (CSAEP) and Online Safety from February 20 to 24, 2017.

The Senior Trainor and Advocacy Officer of Stairway Foundation Mr. Ysrael Diloy served as Resource Person during the training which was sponsored by the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation - Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDC). JPIC-IDC is a faithbased non-government organization accredited by the DSWD and is a RIACAT-VAWC member.

At the end of the training, the participants were able to 1) understand the issues on child protection with emphasis on online safety, 2) develop a draft social media policy, 3) familiarize various technology solutions,

and 4) acquire knowledge and skills on teaching CSAEP and Child Online Protection (COP) through an experiential learning method.

The training came about upon assessment that there are only a few technical experts on CSAEP and COP in the region.

Mr. Diloy emphasized that Child Online Protection can be achieved when the 3 online risks — Content, Contact and Conduct are addressed. Content refers to what children see online; contact refers to who children interact with; and conduct refers to how children behave online.

Everyone is called to become partners of parents and guardians in keeping children safe online by ensuring the adoption of a child-friendly social media policy in all government agencies at the regional and local levels.

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Quick Look at Caraga’s Economy: Q3 2016 Inflation rate increases

Consumer price index increases

Purchasing Power of Peso

Key labor Statistics Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

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Agriculture Production Palay production improves

Corn production improves

Fruit production slightly improves

Log production declines

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority-Caraga

Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Caraga

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Agriculture Production Q3 2016 Q3 2015

Q3 2016 Q3 2015

Q3 2016 Q3 2015

191,749

1,180

700

▼

▼

▼

211,831

1,347

712

Coconut

Fish

Carabao

78,040

1,194

5,960

902

2,007

▲

▲

▲

▲

▲

70,791

991

5,920

884

1,376

Banana

Pineapple

Mango

Calamansi

Eggplant

3,257

9,262

400

▲

▲

▲

3,008

8,365

320

Chicken

Hog

Cattle

Sources: Department of Agriculture-Caraga Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Caraga

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Trade and Industry Domestic sales grow

Business name registration increases

Source: Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

23

caraga today

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4th Quarter 2016 Regional Project Monitoring Name of Project & Components 1 Construction of Guiasan FMR, Magallanes 2 Cabadbaran-Taguibo RIS (Calamity Fund)

Fund Physical Status (%) Utilization (%) Target Actual Slippage 106% 100.00 100.00 0 100%

100.00

100.00

95.00

61.00

Employment M F 20 0

0

60

0

-34

60

0

3 Cabadbaran-Taguibo RIS (Climate Change Adaptation)

26%

4 Sanghan CIS 5 Construction of GamotonLake Mainit FMR 6 Widening of National Road 1 (N1) along Daang Maharlika/ Asian Highway 26, Daang Maharlika (Surigao - Agusan Section) K1170+200-K1177+340 (S00399MN) Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte 7 Mabini CIS

100% 404%

100.00 89.82

100.00 96.89

0 7.071

900 30

0 1

89%

100.00

100.00

0

50

0

100%

93.00

91.00

-2

8 Danao CIP 9 Concreting of LaurelDanao Road, Tagana-an 10 Tagbongabong CIS

68% 105%

100.00 100.00

80.56 100.00

-19.44 0

88%

100.00

99.00

-1

11 Construction of Daywan Bridge aling Surigao Davao Coastal Road

42%

61.99

60.09

-1.9

no data 20 no data no data no data

12 Const/Conct of Cawilan FMR, Tubod 13 Banbanon CIS

100%

100.00

100.00

0

15

29%

100.00

78.53

-21.47

14 Hubgan CIS

100%

100.00

76.25

-23.75

15 Honanpodima CIS

97%

100.00

100.00

0

16 NHA-Alegria Resettlement Project 17 Concreting of Brgy. Bangayan Proper-Sitio Zapanta Valley, Kitcharao Phase 1 18 Concreting of Brgy. Bangayan Proper-Sitio Zapanta Valley, Kitcharao Phase 2

100%

47.25

45.92

-1.33

99%

100.00

100.00

0

no data no data no data no data 50

99%

60.00

70.30

10.3

66

Remarks The project has been completed.

The project has been completed.

Covered areas (around 800 has) include Barangays Taguibo and Los Angeles in Butuan City.

The project is ongoing. The project basically involves protection of river bank from further scouring by placing gabions which also protect the irrigation canal located near the river bank.

The project has been completed.

For turn-over this coming December 27, 2016.

The project has been completed.

no ROW issue is already resolved. data Project is 99% completed.

0 The project is 80% completed. no The project has been completed. data no The project is 99% completed. data no The project is ongoing. The entire data project is implemented by the DPWH Regional Office and the DPWH- SDN 2nd District.

0 The project has been completed no The project is ongoing with data negative slippage. no The project is ongoing with data negative slippage. no The project has been completed. data no The project was suspended. data 3 Phase 1 has been completed while phase 2 is still ongoing.

4

0

Vol. XX Issue 1 Name of Project & Components 19 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs and Projects (SDSSU Satellite Campus - Lianga) 20 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs and Projects (SDSSU Satellite Campus - Cagwait) 21 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs and Projects (SDSSU Main Campus - Tandag) 22 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs and Projects (SDSSU Satellite Campus-Cantilan) 23 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programs and Projects (SDSSU Satellite Campus - Tagbina) 24 NHA - Tandag Resettlement Project 25 Concreting of P-1 ANyholm Falls FMR 26 Concreting Of MaglatabManambia, Tagbina FMR 27 Concreting of NRJCumawas-Tinuy-an Falls Road Section with Bridge, Borboanan, Bislig City,SDS 28 Concreting San RoqueTagongon FMR 29 Construction/Improvement of Ipas-Hagnaya San Marcos Road leading to Agusan Marsh, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

30 Rehabilitation of San LuisBinicalan Road (Phase 3), San Luis, Agusan del Sur 31 Construction/Repair/ Rehabilitation/Improvement of Various Infrastructure including Local Projects Construction/Improvement of Esperanza (Crossing Luna) - San Luis Section, Agusan del Sur

25 Fund Physical Status (%) Utilization (%) Target Actual Slippage 100% 100.00 100.00 0

Employment Remarks M F no no The project has been completed. data data

92%

100.00

100.00

0

no no The project has been completed. data data The project covered repair of the mini-hostel.

100%

100.00

100.00

0

100%

100.00

100.00

0

95%

100.00

100.00

0

no no The project has been completed. data data The project covered repair and renovation of portion of SDSSU Gymnasium. no no The project has been completed. data data The project covered repair of ceiling and roofing of the electrical building. no no The project has been completed. data data

100%

100.00

100.00

0

100.00

100.00

0

100.00

100.00

0

56.64

66.06

9.42

100.00

100.00

0

95.87

98.92

3.05

100.00

100.00

0

100.00

100.00

0

45%

no no The project has been completed. data data no no The project has been completed. data data no no The project has been completed. data data 37 0 The project is ongoing with negative slippage as of monitoring date but with pending approval of variation order. no no The project has been completed. data data no no The project is ongoing with slope data data protection works. Slippage is 0.46 as of monitoring date. Based on the report, the physical accomplishment is 98.92% as of November 30, 2016. DPWH to provide POW to the RPMC to validate the reported 98.92% physical accomplishment since the RPMC observed that the project has not yet been substantially completed. no no The project has been completed. data data 62

1

The project has been completed.

caraga today

26 Name of Project & Components 32 Butuan City-TalacogonLoreto-Veruela-Sta Josefa RD - K1315+472 K1318+228.20, K1318+262 - K1321+819, K1322+827 K1322+847.59, K1322+893.56 K1325+084.46, K1325+115.30 K1325+290 (S00828MN) San Luis, Agusan del Sur 33 Road Upgrading (Unpaved to Paved) AgusanMalaybalay Road, , (K1290+631 – K1294+490) Chainage 141 Bolo - Hawilian Section, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur 34 Construction/Repair/ Rehabilitation/Improvement of Various Infrastructure including Local ProjectsMindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network : Road Opening to Tandag-San Miguel-Calaitan (Calaitan Section), Bayugan, Agusan del Sur 35 Gibong RIS (Package 2)

Fund Physical Status (%) Utilization (%) Target Actual Slippage 100.00 100.00 0

Employment Remarks M F no no The project has been completed. data data Project Engineer has been instructed to correct portions that have cracks and need slope protection.

100.00

100.00

0

no no The project has been completed. data data The road upgrading is composed of four sections being undertaken by four different contractors.

100.00

100.00

0

no no The project has been completed. data data

57.00

60.00

3

36 Gibong RIS (Package 3)

61.00

63.00

2

37 Gibong RIS (Package 4)

54.27

55.00

0.73

-

50.00

50.00

no data no data no data no data

38 Gibong RIS (By Administration)

Concreting of Laurel-Danao Road, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte

no data no data no data no data

The project is ongoing.

The project is ongoing.

The project is ongoing.

The project is ongoing with negative slippage.

Honanpodima CIS, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte

Vol. XX Issue 1

27

Colophon Edition Caraga Today Volume XX Issue 1 January-March 2017

Banbanon CIS, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte

NHA - Alegria Resettlement Project

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

Widening of National Road 1 (N1) along Daang Maharlika (Surigao—Agusan Section) K1170+200-K1177+34D (SOO399MN) Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte

Editor-in-Chief Jazmin D. Berido Associate Editor Melanie A. Maur Managing Editor Rhea Mae C. Mendez

Gibong River Irrigation System, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur

Construction Improvement of IpasHagnaya San Marcos Road leading to Agusan Marsh, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

Writers Paul Edward B. Castillo Marisol P. Montenegro Michelle P. Dela Calzada Sherwin E. Verdun Rhea Mae C. Mendez Contributor Department of Social Welfare and Development Graphics designed by Freepik and distributed by Flaticon Advisers RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. CariĂąo ARD Roy B. Kantuna

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E

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