Caraga Today July-September 2018

5|Regional Development Council invests on Peace and Development Zones 7|Caraga cities, municipalities ace competitiveness survey 15|DILG, NEDA spearhead localization of 2017-2022 Results Matrices 21|2018 First Quarter Regional Economic Situationer

today caraga

July-September 2018 Vol. XXI, Issue 3

A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council

COVER

Caraga Regional Development Council invests on Peace and Development Zones

caraga today Volume XXI Issue 3

July-September 2018

On this issue

HIGHLIGHT The PDZ Logo: A Dove’s Flight The dove symbolizes hope. Its green tail represents the mountains of Caraga and its people as well as the components of peace-building—safe and secure environment; stable governance; and social well-being.

On the other hand, the blue mountain represents the other components of peace building sustainable economy and rule of law. Together, the green and blue mountains symbolize the two broad approaches to peace-building – direct work and multi-sectoral coordination. The dove’s orange wings symbolize fire that express the aspiration to transcend to a higher human condition. The dove is carrying with her three rings that represent the collaboration among local and regional governments as well as the private sector. At the center giving guidance to the alliance is the Regional Development Council and the Regional Peace and Order Council. The rings’ purple color represents the power and ambition of attaining long and lasting peace.

The dove is flying east symbolizing optimism that someday, somehow, the sun will rise and heat up the hearts of people that peace is the way to development.

NEWS Regional Development Council 5 Caraga invests on Peace and Development Zones cities, municipalities ace 7 Caraga competitiveness survey

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NEDA Caraga enjoins agencies to adopt human rights, humanitarian law agreement

reviews Philippine Development 9 NEDA Plan Chapters for regional alignment jumpstarts spatial development 10 Caraga framework preparations on IP Concerns discusses 11 Committee displacement in conflict-affected areas

Caraga, Consultant train staff on 12 NEDA basic statistics

13 Public-Private Partnership Center NEDA spearhead localization of 15 DILG, 2017-2022 Results Matrices housing underway for 18 Permanent Yolanda-affected families in Loreto, PDI Committee inks Partnership 19 Gender Agreement with Philippine Council on Women Inflation Rises to 6.4 Percent 30 Philippine in August

FEATURES 14 The Philippine Identification System Act and its implementation 20 Mental Health Law up for mainstreamed mental health consciousness 21 2018 First Quarter Regional Economic Situationer

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Editor’s Note Engr. Emmanuel Z. Gidacan This issue, we highlight two important things: one is the localization and alignment of development plans, and the other one is the joint planning and launching of the Peace and Development Zones (PDZ).

The third quarter begins with the localization and alignment of Caraga Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 which intends to strengthen vertical and horizontal alignment of local development priorities with that of the province, region, and national government towards the attainment of the aspirations of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022. This issue presents the first Mindanao-wide workshop and review of Chapter 5, 6, 7, and 16 of the RDP and PDP 2017-2022 for alignment and collaboration.

The launching of the PDZ as the region’s banner program to combat insurgency takes the limelight.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as the Secretariat of the Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) collaborated with the regional line agencies and Local Government Units to come up with programs and projects for the PDZs. The PDZs intend to bring social and economic development to conflict-affected areas with the end in mind of transforming these areas into bastions of hope and inclusive development.

At the centerfold, you will

On the cover OPPAP Secretary Jesus Dureza and Caraga Regional Development Council Chairperson Sol Matugas unveil the Caraga Peace and Development Zone logo.

find the PDZ Framework which emphasized the hierarchy of objectives including the legal basis of the Caraga RDC in adopting the PDZ. The framework illustrates the PDZ strategies, processes/mechanisms, and tools as the PDZ is anchored on the RDP 2017-2022, Caraga Roadmap for Peace, and the Ambisyon Natin 2040 which aspires for Filipinos to have a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay.”

We also feature the salient provisions of the RA 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act and RA 11036 also known as the Philippine Mental Health Law that strengthens the government’s commitment to secure the rights and welfare of persons with mental health needs. This issue also provides quick facts on DILG Memorandum Circular No. 201859 on the Regulation and Monitoring of Fishery Activities

in Municipal Waters.

This issue likewise presents the signing of a Partnership Agreement between RDC-Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) and Philippine Commission on Women, a collaboration on enabling women to become active contributors to and holders of development.

Relevant to the issue on malnutrition among Filipino children, infographics on childhood stunting will give us information on the causes, effects, and strategies for preventing stunting.

You will also get a glimpse of the 2018 First Quarter Regional Economic Situationer. On the back cover, this issue incorporates quick facts and infographics on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Localization which highlights the Philippine Institutional Mechanism for SDG monitoring. The back cover will also inform us about the number of targets and indicators of the Philippine SGDs towards the aspiration of “leaving no Filipino behind.”

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Peace and Development Zones Top 5 Proposed Projects in terms of amount (all 4 provinces) for FY 2019-2020

Roads and Bridges PhP17 billion

School Facilities PhP7.6 billion

Irrigation Facilities PhP763 million

Social Welfare PhP157 million

Livelihood Projects PhP18 million

4 Provinces 1 Highly urbanized city 5 Component cities 26 Municipalities 116 Barangays

Butuan City (6 Barangays) (Anticala, Pianing, Nongnong, Bitan-agan, Manila De Bugabos, Tungao) Agusan del Norte (17 Barangays) Cabadbaran City (Mahaba) Buenavista (Guinabsan, Sagay, Lower Olave) Carmen (Manoligao, Poblacion) Jabonga (Baleguian, Cuyago, Bangonay) Kitcharao (Hinimbanga, San Isidro, Bangayan) Las Nieves (Kasiklan, Lawan-lawan, Durian) Nasispit (Jaguimitan, Camagong) Agusan del Sur (22 Barangays) Bayugan City (Villa Undayon, Mt. Carmel, New Salem) Bunawan (Bunawan Brook, Imelda) Esperanza (Guibonon, Kinamaybay, Sinakungan, Kalabuan, Tagbalili, Salug) La Paz (Lydia, Comota) Prosperidad (Mabuhay, Magsaysay, La Purisima) San Luis (Binicalan, Balit) Sibagat (Padi-ay, New Tubigon, Kioya, Tag-oyango) Surigao del Norte (32 Barangays) Surigao City (Mat-I, Mabini) Claver (Sapa) Gigaquit (Lahi, Sico-Sico, Caman-onan) Alegria (Alipao, Anahaw, Budlingin, Camp Eduard, Ferlda, Gamuton, Julio Ouano, Ombong, Poblacion, Pongtud, San Juan, San Pedro) Malimono (Bunyasan, Cagtinae, Canaga, Cansayong, Cantapoy, Cayawan, Doro, Hanagdong, Karihatag, Masgad, Pili, San Isidro, Tinago, Villariza) Surigao del Sur (39 Barangay Bislig City (San Roque) Tandag City (Maticdum, Maitum, Mabuhay) Lanuza (Sibahay, Mampi, Pakwan, Agsam) Lianga (Diatagon) Marihatag (Mahaba) Tagbina (Sta. Juana) San Agustin (Buhisan) San Miguel (Bagyang, Baras, Bitaugan, Bolhoon, Calatngan, Carromata, Castillo, Libas Gua, Libas Sud, Magroyong, Mahayag, Patong, Poblacion, Sagbayan, San Roque, Siagao, Tina, Umalag) Tago (Lindoy, Layug, Caras-an, Cavale) Cantilan (Lobo, Cabngahan) Madrid (Bayogo, San Roque)Carmen (Hinapoyan)

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Cover Story:

Caraga Regional Development Council invests on Peace and Development Zones

by Gemeniano B. Crisante, Jr., NEDA-Caraga

The Regional Development Council (RDC), in collaboration with the Regional Peace and Order Council and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, launched the Caraga Peace and Development Zones (PDZ) last August 28, 2018 at Brgy. Sico-Sico Multi-Purpose Hall, in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza graced the launching of the PDZs together with RDC Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Provincial Governor Sol Matugas and RPOC Chairperson and Agusan del Norte Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba.

The PDZ is the region’s banner program to combat insurgency, which is a brainchild of the RPOC. The launching of the PDZ conveyed the government’s strong commitment towards a just and lasting peace in the region.

The PDZ is a peace – building initiative which promotes establishment of durable peace by addressing the root causes of conflict through reconciliation, institution building, social, and political as well as economic transformation. It recognizes the whole of nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency and other conflicts and uses a conflict sensitivity lens in tackling and addressing prevalent issues in the communities.

National government agencies through NEDA Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla, OPAPP Undersecretary Ronald Flores, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Dickson Hermoso also expressed their support for the PDZ. Key AFP officials through Lt Gen Benjamin Madrigal, Commander of the Eastern

Mindanao Command and Major Gen Ronald Villanueva, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division joined the launch to show their commitment and unequivocal support to the PDZ. The two-part event showcased the following activities: blessing of the Lahi-Sico-sicoCamam-onan (LaSiCam) bridge or the “Tulay Nan Paglaum,” unveiling of the official Caraga PDZ logo, presentation on the identified Peace and Development Zones in the region, and turnover of the proposed major PDZ programs and projects. Close to 36 billion pesos worth of programs and projects were turned over to the provinces.

These programs and projects were generated from the RDCfacilitated workshops participated in by the various regional line agencies. Secretary Dureza, Assistant Secretary Sombilla, LtGen Madrigal, and MGen Villanueva were presented with a

copy of the compiled proposed programs and projects for the 29 PDZs across Caraga Region.

Secretary Dureza, in his message, cited the need for peace and development to converge at the level of the regional councils.

He said that the PDZ framework is a good example that may be replicated in other regions.

The PDZ is part of the strategies identified under the Caraga Roadmap for Peace.

During the 2nd Quarter RDC – Executive Committee Meeting last 18 July 2018, the PDZ was adopted as the region’s banner program to combat insurgency and the identified Peace and Development Zones were endorsed through RDC – Executive Committee Resolution No. 2, Series of 2018.

Similarly, during the 2nd Quarter RPOC Full Council Meeting last 23 July 2018, the PDZ was adopted through RPOC Resolution No.3, Series of 2018.

As a next step, the RDC and the RPOC will convene to lay-out the operationalization and institutionalization of the PDZs at the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels.

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Photos taken during the PDZ Launching

Left Photo: NEDA Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla receives a copy of the compiled PDZ programs and projects for Caraga Region from NEDA Caraga Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora CariĹˆo and DA Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo.

Left Photo: RDC Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Provincial Governor Sol Matugas and Secretary Jesus Dureza from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) unveiled the Caraga Peace and Development Zones (PDZ) logo during the launching.

Sec. Dureza addresses the crowd in Brgy. Sico-Sico, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte as a response to the message given

by RPOC Chairperson and Agusan del Norte Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Matba.

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Caraga cities, municipalities ace competitiveness survey

by Gladys C. Giberson, NEDA-Caraga

San Agustin, Surigao del Sur was named as 4th most improved local government unit (LGU) among the 874 3rd to 6th class municipalities in the Philippines according to the 2018 Cities and Municipalities Index (CMCI) Survey. Under the same LGU class category, the municipalities of San Jose in the Province of Dinagat Islands, and Mainit in Surigao del Norte ranked 5th in Economic Dynamism, and 6th in Resiliency, respectively.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur ranked 4th in Resiliency among the 489 1st to 2nd class municipalities in the country. Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on the other hand placed 11th in Resiliency, 18th most improved LGU, and 20th in Infrastructure under the same class category.

Butuan City, the lone highly urbanized city in the region, ranked 18th in Infrastructure, and 19th in Resiliency.

The 6th Regional Competitiveness Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City presented the results of the CMCI 2018, an annual survey that measures the competitiveness of local government units in terms of four pillars: Economic Dynamism, or the activities that create stable expansion of business and industries and higher job creation; Government

Efficiency, or the quality and reliability of government services and support for effective and sustainable productive expansion; Infrastructure, or the physical building blocks of a locality that enable the provision of goods and services; and Resiliency, or the capacity of a locality to facilitate industries and raise productivity despite the shocks and stresses it encounters.

Awards were given to LGUs

LGU

in four categories: Highly Urbanized Cities, Component Cities, 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities, and 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities. LGUs that climbed several notches from their previous ranks were awarded as well.

The Regional Competitiveness Council (RCC), through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), also released the following regional results:

Ranking

Category

1st Place

Province

2nd Place

Province

3rd Place

Province

1st Place

Component Cities

Tandag City Bislig City Buenavista, Agusan del Norte San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Talacogon, Agusan del Sur

2nd Place 3rd Place 1st Place

Component Cities Component Cities 1st – 2nd Class Municipality

2nd Place

1st – 2nd Class Municipality

3rd Place

1st – 2nd Class Municipality

San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands Mainit, Surigao del Norte

1st Place

3rd – 6th Class Municipality

2nd Place

3rd – 6th Class Municipality

Nasipit, Agusan del Norte

3rd Place

3rd – 6th Class Municipality

Province of Agusan del Norte Province of Agusan del Sur Province of Surigao del Norte Surigao City

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NEDA Caraga enjoins agencies to adopt human rights, humanitarian law agreement

by Marx Rev A. Buenavidez, NEDA-Caraga

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga enjoins 32 implementing agencies in Caraga Region to adopt the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) in the implementation of the region’s infrastructure projects.

NEDA Caraga Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño heeded the call and stressed that such policy is crucial to sustain the implementation of programs and projects of agencies and offices. Further, she emphasized that CARHRIHL is critical in the attainment of a just and lasting peace in the region.

Earlier, the National Project Monitoring Committee (NPMC) has adopted the fundamental principles of CARHRIHL in the implementation of projects affected by insurgency. In a memorandum, the NEDA Regional Development Office directed all NEDA regional offices to instruct implementation offices and contractors to post the CARHRIHL statement on project billboards and equipment at project sites where insurgency is present. The CARHRIHL statement for project billboards is: “This is a CARHRIHL-Protected Project” while for equipment/ facility is “This is a CARHRIHLProtected Equipment/Facility.”

The CARHRIHL acronym should

be spelled-out as a footnote for each statement.

Through an official letter, Police Chief Superintendent Noli Romana of Police Regional Office 13 assured that the CARHRIHL statement will be disseminated to different Police Provincial Offices, City Police Offices and Regional Mobile Force Battalion down to Police Stations. Meanwhile, Commission on Higher Education Regional Director Maricar Casquejo responded that they will implement the said policy.

CARHRIHL is a peace

document signed by the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front in 1998. In the said agreement, Part IV, Article 4, Paragraph 8 stipulates that personnel and facilities of schools, medical profession, religious institutions and places of worship, voluntary evacuation centers, programs and projects of relief and development shall not be target of any violent attack.

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NEDA reviews Philippine Development Plan chapters for regional alignment

by Hazel O. Fuentes, NEDA-Caraga

The Governance Staff (GovS) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) serve as facilitators during the Mindanao-wide workshop on the alignment of the Chapter 5, 6,7, and 16 of the Regional Development Plans (RDPs) and Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 on July 24, 2018 at Hotel de Viajera, Koronadal City.

The Chapter Focal Persons from NEDA Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII participated in the workshop. Ms. Thelma Manuel, the Director of the Governance Staff, emphasized in her opening message that the activity is an avenue to understand the regional profiles and highlight best practices of the regions on the chapters under the Malasakit pillar of the PDP and RDPs. Dir. Manuel added that the workshop intends to identify areas of collaboration as well as gaps between national and regional concerns, and strategies as inputs to the 2018 Socioeconomic Report and the medium-term review and assessment of the RDPs and PDP 2017-2022 in 2019.

During the break-out session, Chapter Focals validated the

placement of their strategies within the PDP matrix. The discussion surfaced the similarities, differences, and gaps in terms of priorities and strategies among NEDA Central Office and NEDA Regional Offices. Participants identified the strategies that are aligned with the PDP; strategies distinct to the region but remained aligned; strategies that need further elaboration; and strategies that are not directly aligned but may either be more aligned with other strategies of other chapters or responsive only to the desired outcomes of the specific region.

Discussion focused on Chapter 5: Ensuring PeopleCentered Clean, and Efficient Governance; Chapter 6 Swift and Fair Administration of Justice; Chapter 7 Promoting Philippine

Culture and Values; and Chapter 16 Leveling the Playing Field through a National Competition Policy.

Cultural mapping on Chapter 7 which includes coming up with the inventory of existing School of Living Traditions is one of the identified areas of collaboration with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. The NEDA Central office shall also look for standard culture-sensitivity modules that will help build the capability of the government.

The review of the PDP and RDP Chapters was the first National-Regional Alignment activity and outputs/matrices of the workshop will serve as guide in the succeeding workshops that will be conducted in some parts of the country. The activity was in support to the localization of the PDP that is geared towards the attainment of the Ambisyon Natin 2040 and Sustainable Development Goals.

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Caraga jumpstarts spatial development framework preparations

by Shiela M. Bermoy, NEDA-Caraga

The Caraga Regional Development Council gears up for the preparation of the Caraga Regional Spatial Development Framework (CRSDF) 2018-2045.

The CRSDF 2018-2045 is the region’s long-term development framework and policy agenda for the utilization and development of its land and other resources. The CRSDF will also guide provinces’ preparation/updating of their respective Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans.

The CRSDF 2018-2045 preparation officially commenced with the workshop on the Regional Planning Environment on August 1617, 2018 at the NEDA Caraga Conference Room, J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City. The workshop capacitated the CRSDF technical working group and the RDC Secretariat to strategically analyze

the existing planning environment of the region.

The two-day capacity building workshop was conducted with Dr. Elmer Mercado of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) as the Resource Speaker.

Eighteen staff from the regional line agencies and 28 technical staff from the RDC Secretariat participated in the workshop.

Dr. Mercado discussed the following topics combined with group-based workshops: Basic principles and concepts on location and spatial development theories; Development economics vs. physical/spatial planning; Urban sprawl; Concept of “place”;

Elements of mental map of a city; Problems of distance; Friction of distance; Location theory; Central place theory; and Shifts in location theory.

The said workshop is just one of the series of activities programmed for the crafting of the CRSDF 20182045.

Participants brainstorm and map-out the eco-tourism and fishery subsector of Caraga Region using Kevin Lynch’s basic elements and approach to mental mapping.

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Committee on IP Concerns discusses displacement in conflict-affected areas

by Hazel O. Fuentes, NEDA-Caraga

Clockwise: RDC-CIPC Acting Secretary Randy Rosas, RDC-CIPC Acting Chairperson Atty. Leslie Mae Plaza, RDC Vice Chairperson Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, DepEd Regional Director Francis Cesar Bringas, and CIPC members who shared their thoughts on IP displacement.

Regional Development Council-Committee on Indigenous Peoples Concerns (RDC-CIPC) held its third quarter meeting on September 11, 2018 at the NEDA Caraga Conference Hall, Butuan City.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) OfficerIn-Charge Atty. Leslie Mae Plaza chaired the meeting. The agenda included updates on the regional line agencies’ response to IP issues raised during the Regional IP Summit, and the situation of IPs displaced in conflict-affected areas in the region.

RDC Vice Chairperson and NEDA Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño presented the

milestones of the Peace and Development Zone as the Region’s banner program against insurgency, which was adopted through RDC ExeCom Resolution No. 02 Series of 2018 entitled, “Adopting the Peace and Development Zones as a Banner Program to Combat Insurgency in Caraga and Endorsing the Proposed Peace and Development Zones.”

Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Francis Cesar Bringas presented the status of the non-accredited schools operating in the Indigenous Cultural Communities particularly in Surigao del Sur. The committee agreed to endorse to the RDC the request for DepEd to provide provisional or

temporary appointment to IP Teachers who have yet to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Atty. Plaza presented the longstanding issues related to delineation and titling of CADTs, preparation of Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), and status of the operationalization of the Joint Administrative Order No. 01 Series of 2012, “Clarifying, Restating and Interfacing the Respective Jurisdictions, Policies, Programs and Projects of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Registration Authority (LRA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Order to Address Jurisdictional and Operational Issues Between and Among the Agencies.”

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Director Atty.

Jerefe Bacang highlighted the situation of IPs in conflict-affected areas. According to her, the definition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is not fully understood. In response to this, CHR issued Policy Advisories on “Who are IDPs” and “On the Continuity of Learning of Children While in Displacement.”

The RDC-CIPC regularly meets to tackle IP issues and concerns in Caraga and ensure that these issues are accorded preferential treatment and provided with appropriate solutions.

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NEDA Caraga, Consultant train staff on basic statistics

by Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga

In order to gain common understanding about processes involved in conducting an impact assessment study, the FREEDOM, Inc., a nongovernment organization, organized an activity entitled “Training-Workshop on Methods of Research and Basic Statistical Analysis” held on June 18-22, 2018 at Y Hotel, Montilla Blvd., Butuan City.

Nineteen NEDA Caraga and FREEDOM, Inc. staff participated in the said basic statistical analysis training, which covers topics on methods of research, construction of survey instrument, research designs, data consultation, descriptive statistics, statistical tests and assumptions, comparison means of test, correlation, and linear regression and modeling.

The participants had a handson in navigating and using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, which is used for interactive, or batched, statistical analysis aside from learning from the lectures of the speakers.

Four professors from the Caraga State University served as the resource persons of the said training, including Karen Burdeos, who discussed the methods of research, research designs, regression analysis and modeling; Shiela Rae Permanes talked about descriptive analysis, common assumptions for

Top: Ms. Karen B. Burdeos of Caraga State University illustrates the basic concepts on basic statistical analysis using SPSS to the training participants.

statistical inference; Breix Michael Agua discussed construction of survey instrument, and data cleaning and processing; and Jan Niño Tinio spoke on test of significant relationship/ association, parametric and nonparametric.

The capacity development is one of the components agreed upon by the NEDA Caraga and FREEDOM, Inc. under the Terms

of Reference of the project entitled “Impact Assessment of the Lower Agusan Development Project – Flood Control Component” funded under the NEDA Monitoring and Evaluation Fund. FREEDOM, Inc. is the winning bidder of the PhP4 million-contract which is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

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Public-Private Partnership Center capacitates focal persons

by Marx Rev A. Buenavidez, NEDA-Caraga

The Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) spearheaded a three-day training-workshop for the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Offices (NROs) on June 26-28, 2018 in Quezon City.

The capacity development activity aims to equip the NRO focal persons on the concepts and processes of PPP and Joint Venture Agreements (JVA).

NEDA-Regional Development Office Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro and PPP Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson graced the event.

The topics and corresponding resource persons during the threeday activity were: Introduction to the PPP Knowledge Corner Initiative by Director Jomel Anthony Gutierrez; Introduction to Philippine PPP Program, Legal Framework and Processes under the BOT Law, Legal Framework and Processes under the Joint Venture Agreement by Director Feroisa Francisca Concordia; and Local Public-Private Partnership for the People or LGU P4 by Atty. Cyris Ann Ng-Santiago.

Throughout the activity, fora and a workshop were conducted.

Usec. Navarro expressed that some projects are not implemented and remain project titles in the Regional Development Investment

NEDA USec. Adoracion Navarro pose with the participants and PPP Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson, Dir. Jomel Anthony Gutierrez, and Dir. Feroisa Francisca Concordia.

Program (RDIP). To improve implementation, she said that projects in the RDIP can be pursued as PPP from partner agencies. She pointed out that one way to drive growth in the region and decongest Metro Manila is through the implementation of PPP projects in the regions.

On the other hand, Executive Dir. Pecson underscored that the activity is significant as NROs are key partners in realizing inclusive growth. He shared some myths on PPP such as no money or cost incurred by the government and that PPP is slow-moving process.

He shared that PPP will incur obligations and expenses to the government such as relocation of informal settlers. In addition, he said that the implementation of

PPP depends on the actors involved especially how the proponent handles the requirements. Lastly, he highlighted that stakeholders should look at PPP not only on the construction side but also the benefits of the project after implementation.

To contribute to the BuildBuild-Build agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, NEDA Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora CariĂąo explained that PPP serves as a cornerstone in the infrastructure sector that would propel and accelerate the economy of the Philippines.

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The Philippine Identification System Act and its implementation From the Philippine Statistics Authority

His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has formally signed the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act on 06 August 2018 formalizing the implementation of a Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

As implementing agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will spearhead the initiative together with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) forming the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PSPCC).

Soon after the signing of the Act, NEDA Secretary and PSPCC Chairman Ernesto Pernia will convene the council to discuss the plans for the PhilSys implementation. As head of the implementing agency, PSA

Infographic by Entrepreneur.com.ph

Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales will act as Co-chair.

As part of the preparatory activities, the PSA will formulate the draft of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for consultation with the PSPCC members, Office of the Solicitor General, University of the Philippines Diliman-College of Law, and stakeholders before its issuance, as mandated by the PhilSys Law. In addition, the Terms of Reference (TOR) shall

be prepared for consideration by the PSA-BAC and the procurement shall be fully compliant to R.A. 9184 and the IRR. In the coming months, the PSA, in collaboration with Council member-agencies, will conduct a pilot implementation in selected regions in the Philippines. The pilot test aims to lay down the registration process prior to the full 5-year implementation starting 2019.

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DILG, NEDA spearhead localization of 2017-2022 Results Matrices

by Paul Edward B. Castillo, NEDA-Caraga

Left to Right: NEDA Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora CariĂąo presents the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022; Members of the PPDO of the Province of Dinagat Islands in a workshop on localizing PDP/RDP and SDGs in Social Sector; PPDO-Agusan del Sur signs the commitment pledge; and NEDA Caraga presents the RDP RMs during the breakout session.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) spearheaded the workshop on the localization of Philippine Development Plan/ Regional Development Plan (PDP/RDP) 2017-2022 Results Matrices (RMs) last August 1315, 2018 at Big Daddy’s Hotel and Convention, Butuan City.

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinators (PPDCs) of the five provinces, the City Planning and Development Officers of the City of Butuan,

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), observers from other DILG regional offices I-XII participated in the three-day workshop.

The workshop was aimed at ensuring alignment of nationallocal priority thrusts and fulfillment of international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the formulation of provincial RMs, the accompanying document of the PDP/RDP 2017-2022 which contains indicator statements and targets to be achieved within the

term of the current administration.

The three-day workshop gathered the commitment of Local Government Units in pursuing and formulating localized RMs for the Province and the City.

During the activity, Director Rosalinda Apura of the Philippine Statistics Authority presented the SDGs and the established SDG indicators while Director Mylah Faye Aurora Carino of NEDA presented the Caraga Regional Development Plan and the Results Matrices 2017-2022.

During the breakout groups, some technical staff of NEDA presented RDP RM indicators to be translated to Provincial RMs and acted as facilitators of the activity. Participants then vetted the RM indicators and supplied their indicative targets and presented their output during a plenary session thereafter.

As a follow-through of the RM localization initiatives, the Province of Dinagat Islands conducted the localization workshop for their eight (8) municipalities on September 4-5, 2018 in Surigao City.

Caraga is one of the pilot regions, while the Province of Dinagat Islands is one of thepilot provinces in the country for the localization.

The Peace and Development Zon

Matatag, Maginhawa, at

What is Peace and Development Zone?

A peace-building initiative/effort which promotes Peace building process that facilitates the establishment of durable peace and to prevent the recurrence of violence by addressing the root causes and effects of conflict through reconciliation, institution building, and political as well as economic transformation.

The PDZ is designed for peace stakeholders to bring social and economic development in a conflictaffected areas in the hope of making Caraganons safe from any forms of crime with reduced insurgency-related violence, reduced resource-based conflicts and improved self determination of indigenous peoples.

Legal Bases The PDZ was adopted as the region’s banner program to combat insurgency during the 2nd Quarter Regional Development Council (RDC) – Executive Committee Meeting last 18 July 2018. Subsequently, the identified Peace and Development Zones were endorsed through RDC – Executive Committee Resolution No. 2, Series of 2018.

The PDZ was also adopted through Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Resolution No.3, Series of 2018 during the 2nd Quarter RPOC Full Council Meeting last 23 July 2018.

PRRDP-Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte Plan RDP-Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 CRMP-Caraga Road Map for Peace Source: Caraga RPOC

P R  R  D 

C R M P

R D P

. . .

Attaining Just an

Continuity of the GPH-CPP/NDF/NPA Peace Development in Conflict-Affected Areas Promotion of the culture of peace and conflic

Ensuring Security, Public Order and Safety

Communities are safe from any forms of crimes

Crimes related to Illegal Drug Use are Reduced

Violations against vulnerable groups are reduced

Other Pillars of Criminal Justice System are strengthened

Accelerating Infrastru

Insurgency-related violence are reduced

Public trust in the go

Conditions for peacefu estab

Robust Growth throug Deve

IPs are gainfully emp productive commu ente Ensure Peace and Security

Employment in the formal sector is increased Law Enforcement is improved

STRATEGIES

PROCESSES/

ne (PDZ) Framework at a glance

t Panatag na Buhay by 2040

.e Process towards Final Peace Agreement .ct sensitivity in peace building and development . nd Lasting Peace

ucture Development

Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean & Healthy Environment

Self-determination of IPs/ICCs is improved

Conflict over use of natural resources is reduced

overnment is increased Environmental Quality Improved

ul economic activities are blished

gh Strategic Infrastructure elopment

ployed and/or engaged in unity-based livelihood/ erprise IPS are recognized and strengthened

Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Private Sectors National Government Agencies (NGAs)

Adaptive Capacities & Resilience of Ecosystems increased

Environmental Degradation is decreased

Natural Resources are sustainably utilized and inclusively managed Overlapping land Uses are harmonized

/MECHANISMS

Regional Development Council (RDC)

TOOLS

Local Government Units (LGUs) Non-government Organizations (NGOs)

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Permanent housing underway for Yolanda-affected families in Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands

by Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga About 500 housing units will be constructed in the municipality of Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands as part of the government’s rehabilitation efforts for the Typhoon Yolanda.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) – Visayas Management Office bared that more than PhP200 million was allocated for the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project with site being identified and secured by the local government unit of Loreto.

Mayor Nena Ladaga-Quijano said that her office is identifying and validating the recipients of the housing units to ensure that only those affected households and families and those determined by law, such as the poor and the homeless, will receive assistance from the government. She added that the lot and house is for free and the recipients will receive a Certificate of Award.

In a consultation held in Loreto on May 11, 2018, both the LGU and the

NHA explained to the affected locals that their existing houses will be demolished before they can qualify as beneficiaries of the new housing project so that they can relocate when the project is completed.

Responding to the concerns of lack of economic opportunities available at the new housing site, Presidential Assistant for Special Concerns Secretary Wendel Avisado emphasized that employment will be prioritized during project implementation.

In the same consultation, government agencies such as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Public Works and

Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Municipality of Loreto presented their interventions.

Consequently, DTI turned-over the Shared Common Facilities to the LGU so beneficiaries can already use them.

Director Kim Robert de Leon of the Office of the Special Assistant for Special Concerns in Malacanang facilitated a preparatory meeting with the above-mentioned agencies on April 23, 2018 at the NEDA Caraga Regional Office in Butuan City to consolidate an updated physical accomplishment report of all the interventions under the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

Cultural Values Dimensional Model outlines Philippine public policy

by Hazel O. Fuentes, NEDA-Caraga

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in collaboration with the Hofstede Insights conducted a learning session on the Philippine Dimensional Model for Cultural Values on July 3-4, 2018 at Astoria Plaza, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. About 30 participants from the NEDA regional offices, ARMM RPDO, and other government partners from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) attended the said training.

NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon emphasized in her welcome message that the government recognizes the vital role of culture in

national development. USec. Edillon cited that NEDA commissioned Hofstede Insights to develop the Philippine Dimensional Model on Cultural Values to better understand the significant role of these values in shaping Philippine public policy.

With the transfer of knowledge, technology, and methodology, participants grasped key concepts and techniques in understanding the Filipino cultural values. The presentation on the Global Cultural Studies by Mr. Michael Minkov highlighted that Filipino culture is high in collectivism- a society that conforms and high in power distance or ascendancy. Further, world cultural maps showed that countries with high

collectivism like the Philippines belong to countries with relatively high inequality that is a common characteristic of developing countries.

Mr. Minkov presented that based on studies, Filipinos show a great deal of respect for those in authority and extremely value working together to create harmony and group cohesion.

For Filipinos, titles, rank, and status carry a great deal of weight.

The government will use the Philippine cultural model to better inform the formulation of programs and policies that will develop Filipino Culture towards achieving the country’s long-term vision or Ambisyon Natin 2040.

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19

Gender Committee inks Partnership Agreement with Philippine Council on Women

by Elsie S. Lariba, NEDA-Caraga

Left photo: RDC-RGADC Chairperson Atty. Jerefe Bacang, and PCW Deputy Executive Director for Management Services Cecil Gutierrez pose during the signing of the Partnership Agreement together with RDC-RGADC and PCW

The Regional Development Council-Regional Gender and Development Committee (RDC-RGADC) Caraga represented by Chairperson Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang and Regional Director of Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-13 signed a Partnership Agreement with Philippine Commission for Women (PCW) represented by its Deputy Executive Director for Management Services Cecile Gutierrez.

RGADC Caraga Vice-Chair Concepcion Asis, Nharleen SantosMillar, Chief GAD Specialist of PCW and the RGADC Caraga focal persons witnessed the signing.

The agreement highlighted the roles of various partners in promoting GAD activities in the region and in strengthening further the advocacy on gender and development.

Dir. Gutierrez emphasized that the renewal of partnership will be a 3 -year partnership with the work plan of achieving the following activities: regional GAD Budget Fora; strategic Planning; training of Technical Advisers on GAD(TAG)/Deepening

Session on GAD Analysis tools for TAG members; second Caraga GAD Focal Point System Assembly; and conferring of GAD Timpala Awards.

She commended the RGADC Caraga members for their active involvement in GAD-related endeavors of the region. She encouraged everyone to be an agent of the said advocacy.

The signing of partnership agreement was done on August 23, 2018 during the RGADC 7th General Assembly at Oazis Hotel, Butuan City. Present were the GAD focal persons from various government agencies and private sector, officials of RGADC Caraga and PCW.

During the assembly, Dir. Bacang presented the accomplishments of the committee in partnership with the PCW, which include the conduct of leveling session on basic GAD concepts; GAD Planning and Budgeting; and conduct of training for TAG, wherein eight GAD focal persons from the region were identified and certified by RGADC and PCW. The PCW challenged these identified TAGs to carry on with their advocacy efforts and be an instrument in capacitating other GAD advocates by the knowledge they would share.

Updates on the Search of Caraga’s Most Gender-Responsive Local Government Unit (LGU) were also presented.

The PCW was briefed with the timelines for the site visitation and assessment in the implementation of GAD programs of various LGUs in the region.

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Mental Health Law up for mainstreamed mental health consciousness

by Ms. Hazel O. Fuentes, NEDA-Caraga

Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently signed into law Republic Act No. 11036 or “An Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of Enhancing the Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, Neurologic and Psychosocial Health Services, Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for other Purposes” on June 20, 2018.

The new law is also known as the Philippine Mental Health Law that strengthens the government’s commitment to secure the rights and welfare of persons with mental health needs.

RA 11036 would also provide mental health services down to the barangays; integrate psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurologic services in regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals; improve the country’s mental health care facilities; and promote mental health education in schools and workplaces. Further, the law seeks to capacitate more mental health professionals and improve Filipino’s access to psychosocial services as well as government subsidy for treatment and medicines.

RA 11036 is in response to the increasing cases of depression and suicide among the Filipinos.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), seven Filipinos

turn to suicide every day. In fact, and 1 in 5 Filipino adults suffer from a form of mental health concern, the most common of which is depression. This claim is supported by the World Health Organization report which cited that in year 2012, approximately 2,558 cases of suicide in the Philippines was recorded.

The law highlighted the roles of different government and public sectors to fully implement its measures. DOH in collaboration with the educational institutions will incorporate mental health in the school

curricula while schools and workplaces will develop mental health programs and services.

Efforts to raise public consciousness on various mental health issues, available support and services will gradually reduce and eventually end the stigma against mental illness.

This new law means that many people will finally receive much needed help that is in line with the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal number 3 on the Good Health and Well-being of every Filipino.

Vol. XXI

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21

2018 First Quarter Regional Economic Situationer Palay Although there was an increase in area planted to palay from a total of 6,869 hectares during the first quarter of 2017 to 7,229 hectares in 2018 for the same period, palay production declined posting an output of only 15,681 MT or a negative growth of 21.26 percent compared to the harvest of 19,915 MT for the same period in 2017.

Despite Surigao del Sur’s significant contribution of 41.21 percent, which is 7.86 per cent higher than its output for the same period last year, it was not enough to compensate for the weak performances of the other provinces.

The output of Agusan del Norte dropped by 36.83 percent, followed

by Surigao del Norte, which declined by 34.31 percent and Dinagat Islands with -26.01 percent. While there is an increase in area planted in the province of Agusan del Sur, its produced also exhibited a negative growth of 15.87 percent.

Corn Corn production of 2,144 MT in the first quarter of 2018 significantly grew by 98.70 per cent compared to last year’s output of 1,079 MT. The growth is attributed to the increase in area planted, which expanded to 650 hectares during the first quarter of 2018.

Surigao del Sur’s output increased by 606.25 percent in its production. Surigao del Norte followed with an improvement of 485.71 percent. Agusan del Sur contributed 65.21 percent to total production in the same quarter as it grew by 222.12 percent; Dinagat Islands’ output expanded by 214.29 percent. However, Agusan del Norte which contributed 26.59 percent of

Agriculture Production Palay production drops Palay production declined by 21.26% Agusan del Norte: -36.83% Agusan del Sur: -15.87% Dinagat Islands: -26.01% Surigao del Norte: -34.31% Surigao del Sur: 7.68%

25,000

20,000

19,915 15,681

15,000 10,000

7,229

6,869

5,000 -

1Q 2017 Production (MT)

1Q 2018 Area (Ha.)

Corn production increases Corn production increased by 98.70% Agusan del Norte: -7.32% Agusan del Sur: 222.12% Dinagat Islands: 214.29% Surigao del Norte: 485.71% Surigao del Sur: 606.25%

2,500

2,144

2,000 1,500

1,079

1,000 500

424

650

1Q 2017 Production (MT)

1Q 2018 Area (Ha.)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

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the total produce declined by 7.32 percent.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicates that area planted to white corn which accounted for 53.23 percent of the total area increased by 10.54 percent - from a total of 313 hectares in the first quarter 2017 it went up to 346 hectares in the first quarter 2018.

Likewise, area planted to yellow corn also exhibited a 173.87 percent increase at 304 hectares.

Other Crops Fruits Total fruit production in the first quarter 2018 displayed a slight negative growth of 0.70 percent, reaching an aggregate of only 65,053.77 MT in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 65,512.38 for the same period last year.

Major fruits (banana, calamansi, mango, and pineapple), which contributed the bulk of the region’s total fruit production posted a decrease of 0.84 percent. Banana, sharing 96.55 percent to total fruit production fell by 0.80 percent from an output of 63,319.79 MT in the first quarter of 2017. Calamansi grew by 15.06 percent from an output of 362.59 MT in 2017. However, the increase did not positively affect the overall performance due to its nominal contribution to the total volume of production.

Priority fruits (balimbing, durian, lanzones, mangosteen, papaya, rambutan, tamarind, watermelon, mandarin and orange) also decreased by 2.99 percent, while other fruits increased by 17.22 percent.

Vegetables In the first quarter of 2018, all types of vegetables presented an increasing trend compared to the production in the first quarter of 2017. From a total

production of 11,547.95 MT in 2017 it expanded to a total of 13,171.06 MT in 2018 or a 14.06 percent increase. The growth is largely attributed to the increase in production of mongo, peanut, cabbage, eggplant, tomato, garlic, camote, and cassava.

Major vegetables contributed 63.69 percent of the total production for the period in 2018 posting an increase by 16.61 percent; it is followed by priority vegetables at 27.24 percent. The remaining 9.07 percent is attributed to other types of vegetables.

Non-Food and Industrial Crops Non-Food and Industrial Crops declined by 1.15 percent with a total production of 229,390.57 MT in the first quarter of 2018 compared to last year’s harvest of 232,051.83 MT. Major NFIC faded by 1.05 percent.

The declining performance of the group is greatly attributed to the slump in coconut production which accounted for 82.20 percent of the total NFIC output. From 190,826.22 MT in the first quarter 2017, Coconut went down by 188,569.36 MT in the first quarter 2018.

Priority NFIC went down by 1.70 percent; while other types of NFIC improved by 4.01 percent.

Livestock and Poultry Livestock production declined by 10.61 percent - from a total output of 11,484 MT in the first quarter of 2017 it went down to a total of 10,266 MT in the first quarter of 2018. The drop is attributed to the decrease in production of hog, which accounted for 88.31 percent of the total produce.

Total poultry production exhibited a 7.03 percent increase.

The growth is attributed to the duck meat production, which improved by 21.74 percent. Likewise, chicken egg production increased by 33.87

percent, which contributed 28.61 percent to the total output. While chicken meat contributed 68.24 percent to the total poultry production, its produce dropped by 0.65 percent. Duck egg production also dropped by 10.34 percent.

Fishery Total fishery production bounced back as it displayed a rise of 1.58 percent in the first quarter of 2018.

The subsector posted an aggregate output of 15,708.68 MT. Seaweeds and milkfish production expanded in the first quarter of 2018 reaching a growth of 26.04 percent and 10.68 percent respectively.

However, tiger prawn, tilapia, roundscad, skipjack and yellowfin tuna production continue to plunge resulting in a decrease of 24.29 percent, 18.84 percent, 9.67 percent, 8.58 percent and 8.23 percent, respectively.

Forestry Log production was estimated at 116,742 cubic meters in the first quarter 2018 posting a decrease of 12.24 percent from the 133,019 cubic meter level in the first quarter 2017.

Agusan del Sur still contributed the bulk of log production in the region with 67.19 percent share in the first quarter 2018 production.

This was followed by Surigao del Sur with 17.68 percent contribution.

While Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte pooled in 17.68 percent and 12.24 percent respectively.

Trade and Industry Trade Caraga’s total domestic sales grew by 12.29 percent in the first quarter 2018 accruing a total sales of PhP186.07 Million compared to the PhP165.70 Million in the same period in 2017. This is attributed to the increase in number of business

Vol. XXI

23

Issue 3

Agriculture Production 2018 2017

2018

0.73

15,708.68

5,534.58

2,555

2,411.20

▲

▲

▲

▼

▲

0.49

15,464.51

5,015.49

2,624

1,813.32

Mongo

Fish

Camote

Carabao

Cassava

340

218

662

403.17 ▲

2017

2018

340

218

662

341.39

Cattle

Goat

Carabao

Eggplant

5,246

10,264

188,569.36

62,810.57

861.89

▼

▼

▼

▲

2017

4,944

10,264

190,826.22

63,319.79

946.56

Chicken

Hog

Coconut

Banana

Mango

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority-Caraga

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registrant and sales coming from the different industry clusters in the region.

Almost forty-two percent or PhP79.96 Million of the total domestic sales in the region came from Agusan del Norte. It was followed by Agusan del Sur with 40.88 percentage share (PhP76.96 Million); the Province of Dinagat Islands had a 15.69 percentage share (PhP29.20 Million); while Surigao del Sur contributed 0.46 percent (PhP0.85 Million).

In terms of growth, domestic sales in Agusan del Norte improved by 31.02 percent or PhP18.93 Million. It was followed by Province of Dinagat Islands which increased by 29.78 percent; and then Agusan del Sur with 9 percent. However, total domestic sales in Surigao del Sur declined by 93.14 percent.

New business names registered was recorded at 6,575 in the first quarter 2018 representing a 22.69 percent growth compared to the 5,359 in the first quarter 2017. The increase was attributed to better access to BN registration through the establishment of Negosyo Centers around the region.

Surigao del Norte presented the highest growth of 48.41 percent.

From 816 new business names registered in the first quarter of 2017, it reached 1,211 in the first quarter 2018. Dinagat Island’s performance decreased by 10.09 percent as the total number of business names registered went down to 936 during the first quarter 2018. Agusan del Norte remains the highest contributor with 35.21 percent share. Agusan del Sur follows with 18.95 percent and then Surigao del Norte with 18.42 percent.

Total number of jobs generated

by MSMEs increased by 37.46 percent reaching 11,196 in the first quarter 2018 compared to the 8,142 generated in 2017. The increase in the number of jobs generated for the

Trade and Industry Domestic sales increases Domestic sales increased by 12.29% Agusan del Norte: 31.02% Agusan del Sur: 9.00% Dinagat Islands: 29.78% Surigao del Sur: -93.14%

190

186.07

185 180 175 170

165.70

165 160 155 Caraga Q1 2017

Q1 2018

Business name registration increases Business name registration increased by 22.69% Agusan del Norte: 42.20% Agusan del Sur: 12.25% Dinagat Islands: -10.09% Surigao del Norte: 48.41% Surigao del Sur: 13.48%

7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 -

6,575 5,359

Caraga Q1 2017

Q1 2018

Source: Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga

1st quarter of 2018 was due to the increase in number of business establishments. MSMEs are also registered in the different industry clusters.

Manufacturing Manufactured forest products reached 57,047.00 cubic meters during the first quarter 2018, which is significantly lower by 61.79 percent than the first quarter 2017

production of 149,305 cubic meters.

Major manufactured products include veneer, lumber, and plywood.

While Agusan del Norte remains as the highest contributor to the total output of manufactured forest products with 80.87 percent share, it declined by 65.63 percent during the first quarter of 2018. Surigao del Sur contributed 4.46 to total output.

Agusan del Sur’s produce on the

Vol. XXI

Issue 3

other hand increased by 7 percent contributing 14.67 percent of total production. Only the production of plywood increased during the period; manufacturing of lumber and veneer continues to slow down. The reduction in manufactured forest products stemmed from nonproduction in other commodities like blackboard, fiberboard, matches, plyboard, barecore and match splints.

25

Manufactured forest products drops Manufactured forest products decreased by -61.79% Agusan del Sur: 7.00% Surigao del Sur: -64.85% Agusan del Norte: -65.63%

200,000 150,000 100,000

57,047

50,000 1Q 2017

Services Financial Services Total assets of the region exhibited an increase of 8.75 percent in the first quarter 2018 compared to last year’s figure for the same period; from an aggregate of PhP61,004.22 Million it grew to PhP66,339.68 Million. Universal and Commercial Banks accounted for 80.39 percent of the total assets during the period followed by Rural and Cooperative Banks with 9.86 percentage share and Thrift Banks with 9.75 percentage share.

As to provincial distribution, Agusan del Norte still has the biggest contribution with PhP28.32 Billion or 42.69 percent of the total assets. It is followed by Surigao del Norte with PhP14.24 Billion or 21.47 percentage share, Surigao del Sur with PhP11.80 Billion or 17.79 percentage share, Agusan del Sur with PhP11.60 Billion or 17.48 percent, and the Province of Dinagat Islands with roughly PhP373.48 Million or 0.56 percentage share.

Total Operating Income as of March 2018 reached a total of PhP714.43 Million. This represents an 11.05 percent increase from the PhP714.43 Million registered in March 2017. Operating income derived from Rural and Cooperative Banks decreased by 2.34 percent from PhP294.93 Million in March 2017 to PhP288.02 Million in March 2018. It contributes 36.30 percent to the region’s total operating income.

Universal and Commercial Banks

149,305

1Q 2018

Manufactured Forestry Products, Caraga 1st Quarter 2017-2018, in cu.m

Lumber

114,842

20,895

Percent Change (81.81)

Veneer

9,328

7,433

(20.32)

25,135

28,719

14.26

149,305

57,047

(61.79)

Commodity

Plywood Grand Total

1Q 2017

1Q 2018

Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Caraga

Total assets increases 68,000

66,340

66,000

64,000 62,000

61,004

60,000 58,000 March 2017 March 2017

March 2018 March 2018 Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

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with 37.79 percentage share or PhP299.83 Million and Thrift Banks with 25.91 percentage share or PhP205.53 Million both increased by 38.40 percent and 2.25 percent, respectively.

In terms of provincial distribution, Agusan del Norte accounts for 34.62 percent (PhP274.67 million); Agusan del Sur 21.69 percent (PhP172.08 million); Surigao del Sur 23.81 percent (PhP188.93 million); Surigao del Norte 19.68 percent (PhP156.13 million); and Dinagat Islands with 0.20 percent share (PhP1.58 million).

Total Operating Income, by Province, Caraga 1st Quarter 2017-2018, in Million Pesos March 2017

274.67 271.22

172.08 155.85

March 2018

156.13 122.92

188.93 162.60

1.84 Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur Dinagat Islands

Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Tourism Tourist arrivals increased by 2.47 percent compared to the same period last year. The increase in tourist arrivals is attributed to the Department of Tourism’s sustained promotional efforts to attract more tourists and the improved security situation in the region. The various events or festivities hosted by LGUs also contributed to the increase in tourist arrivals. Sand and Sea Destinations in the region are being considered by tourists as alternatives to Boracay.

Of these tourist arrivals, 92.27 percent is comprised of domestic travellers which posted a slight decrease of 0.32 percent during the first quarter of 2018. While both foreign and overseas tourists increased in arrivals by 48.56 percent and 895.83 percent, respectively.

The highest growth among the provinces was observed in Surigao del Norte, which registered 56,310 tourist arrivals in first quarter of 2018. It contributed 18.88 percent share to the total tourist arrivals.

Surigao del Sur followed with a growth of 8.78 percent. Dinagat Islands also increased by 6.87 percent. Meanwhile Agusan del Sur decreased by 42.74 percent.

As to cities, Butuan City

1.58

Services Tourist arrivals increases

300,000 298,000 296,000 294,000 292,000 290,000 288,000 286,000

298,267

291,068

1Q 2017 1Q 2017

1Q 2018 1Q 2018 Source: Department of Tourism

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Issue 3

recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2018. Surigao City followed, which accounted for 20.55 percentage contribution to total tourist arrivals, increasing by 5.38 percent. Tandag City grew by 13.10 percent. And despite Cabadbaran City’s minor weight in the overall arrivals of only 3.01 percent share, the City experienced a rise by 34.07 percent.

However, Bislig City suffered a decline of 46.48 percent.

Air Transport Total incoming and outgoing flights in the region in the first quarter of 2018 reached 2,252 posting a 14.66 percent increase from the 1,964 flights registered for the same period in 2017. Butuan City Airport, which accounts for more than half or 77.35 percent of the total flights, increased by 6.22 percent. Surigao City Airport followed with 19.36 percent of the total flights; it increased by 77.24 percent. The upturn was attributed to the increase in flights during the first quarter of 2018. Tandag City Airport however recorded a decrease in the number of flights in the first quarter of 2018; it had a share of 3.29 percent to total number of flights.

Subsequent to the increase in flights, total incoming and outgoing passengers improved by 4.31 percent; from an aggregate of 183,221 passengers in the first quarter of 2017 it went up to 191,115 in the first quarter 2018. Incoming passengers increased from 86,344 to 92,570. The number of outgoing passengers likewise spiked to 98,545 from 96,877.

Total cargoes greatly decreased by 6.24 percent in the first quarter 2018 with a total of 1.763 Million kilos compared to the 1.881 Million kilos recorded for the same period in 2017.

Total volume of cargoes in Surigao City recorded an increase of 61.63 percent; from 10,183 kilos of

27

Number of flights increases 1,150

1,126

1,126

1,100 1,050 982

1,000

982

950 900 Incoming

Outgoing Source: CAAP Butuan, Surigao, and Tandag

Domestic cargo drops 1,400,000 1,200,000

1,168,171 1,134,099

1,000,000 713,096

800,000

629,805

600,000 400,000 200,000 0 Incoming

Outgoing

Source: CAAP Butuan, Surigao, Siargao. Tandag

cargoes in the first quarter of 2017 it went up to 16,459 kilos of cargoes for the same period in 2018.

Furthermore, Butuan and Tandag City Airport cargoes progressed by 0.63 percent and 17.72 percent respectively.

Land Transport Motor vehicle registration increased by 9.34 percent in the first quarter of 2018; from a total of 47,488 in 2017,

it went up to 51,923 for the same period in 2018. The growth is attributed to the increasing number of renewal for private and government motor vehicles. This is due to the information drive being done by district offices in their respective geographic areas of responsibility. Private vehicles, which comprised 91.14 percent of the total registered vehicles pick-up by 10.18 percent; government-owned

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vehicles also increased by 3.79 percent. However, motor vehicles registered for hire dropped by 12.88 percent.

Around 71 percent of the total motor vehicle registered is under renewal while 29 percent are newlyregistered vehicles.

Peace and Security Without doubt, security is an enabler of national development. Thus, programs and initiatives on reducing the incidence of crimes in the region are of utmost priority.

In the first quarter of 2018, total crime volume in Caraga exhibited an increasing trend as it went up by 19.02 percent for a total of 2,322. Of the total crime volume for the first quarter 2018, 20.76 percent were index crimes, while 79.24 percent were non-index crimes.

Total Index Crimes recorded reached 482, which is 5.12 percent or 26 incidents lower compared to the 508 for the same period in 2017.

Robbery, theft, and physical injuries had the highest number of incidents.

However, total Non Index Crimes increased by 27.51 percent; from the 1,951 incidents it went up to 2,322. The highest number of incidents involve violation of special laws and RIR physical injuries and damage to property.

As to disaggregation by province, Agusan del Sur tops other provinces; it accounted for 30.19 percent of the total crime incidence, increasing by 115.69 percent, Surigao del Norte follows, then Surigao del Sur, then Agusan del Norte and last Dinagat Islands.

Nevertheless, Caraga still remains peaceful with a manageable crime level. Both Crime Clearance Efficiency (CCE) and Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) improved during the period. CCE improved by 21.31 percent while CSE went up to 64 percent in the first quarter 2018.

Registered motor vehicle increases 53,000 52,000 51,000 50,000 49,000 48,000 47,000 46,000 45,000

51,923

47,488

Q1 2017

Q2 2018 Source: DOTr

Distribution of Index Crime, Caraga, 1st Quarter 2017-2018 Robbery

Physical Injuries

Murder

Carnapping - motorcycles

Rape

Homicide

Castle Rustling

Theft

26%

0%

15% 32%

2%

10% 4% 11% Source: PNP-Caraga

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QUICK FACTS ON DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2018-59 POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ON THE REGULATION AND MONITORING OF FISHERY ACTIVITIES IN MUNICIPAL WATERS

Source: DILG and Oceania

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caraga today

Philippine inflation rises to 6.4 percent in August From the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Headline inflation rose in Year-on-Year increased by Commodity Group August to 6.4 percent year (based on May 2018 Inflation Figures) -on-year, the highest level observed since March 2009, as supply and logistical issues continued to drive price pressures.

The year-to-date average of 4.8 percent is above the Government’s announced inflation target range of 3.0 percent ¹ 1.0 percentage point for 2018.

Similarly, core inflationwhich excludes selected volatile food and energy items to measure underlying price pressures -increased to 4.8 percent in August from 4.5 Infographic by: NEDA percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, month and seafood also pushed up reassess the medium-term -on-month seasonally-adjusted inflation in August. inflation path, even as persistent headline inflation went up to 0.8 Meanwhile, non-food inflation pressures emanating percent in August from 0.5 inflation eased in August to 4.1 from supply-side factors continue percent in July. percent from 4.2 percent in July to require non-monetary August inflation went up as as the upward adjustment in interventions from the National most food items as well as electricity rates due to higher Government. On the part of the alcoholic beverages and tobacco generation charge was offset by BSP, monetary authorities will recorded price increases. Rice the decline in inflation for consider the information at the inflation increased to 7.1 percent education as a result of the freeSeptember 27 policy meeting of year-on-year in August from 5.0 tuition program of the the Monetary Board with percent in July due to tighter supply resulting from the ongoing government for the public tertiary increased vigilance against the level. potential impact of recent lean season and adverse weather The actual inflation print for developments on inflation conditions. Recent typhoons also August 2018 exceeds the high end expectations. The BSP remains affected the supply of fruits and strongly committed to meet the vegetables while sugar prices rose of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) forecast.

Government's inflation target of as continuous rains dampened The BSP will look more 2-4 percent. domestic output. At the same closely at the detailed data to time, higher prices of meat, fish,

Vol. XXI

Issue 3

In brief: Childhood Stunting Stunting, or being too short for one’s age, has lasting consequences on one’s health, learning, and economic productivity. Sadly, the Philippines has shown little progress in reducing its prevalence in the last 20 years, according to the 2016 study of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute. The infographic below explains why it matters to prevent childhood stunting and how this can be achieved.

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Colophon Edition Caraga Today Volume XXI Issue 3 July-September 2018 Publisher Caraga Regional Development Council

Address NEDA-Caraga Building J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City 8600 Telephone 085 342-5774 085 815-0308 Email caraga.neda@gmail.com

Online Versions issuu.com/nedacaraga slideshare.net/NEDACaraga13 Editor-in-Chief Emmanuel Z. Gidacan Managing Editor Melanie A. Maur Writers Marx Rev A. Buenavidez Ian G. Miculob Paul Edward B. Castillo Gladys C. Giberson Shirley C. Torotoro Gemeniano B. Crisante, Jr. Shiela M. Bermoy Elsie S. Lariba Hazel O. Fuentes Graphics designed by Freepik and distributed by Flaticon, Entrepreneur.com.ph Businesstips.ph Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Inquirer Business-INQUIRER.net Layout Hazel O. Fuentes

Excerpt and infographic from PIDS based on PIDS Policy Note 2017-16 titled “Preventing Childhood Stunting: Why and How?

Advisers RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño ARD Roy B. Kantuna

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Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for National Economic and Development Authority

“SDG Localization� relates both to how the SDGs can provide a framework for local development policy and to how local and regional governments can support the achievement of the SDGs through action from the bottom up.

Philippine Statistics Authority

Development Partners Media Academe Private Sector Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Data Producers and other Government agencies Data users, Planners, Policy and Decision makers Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute

INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR SDG MONITORING The SDGs build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which aims to go further to end all forms of poverty. The SDGs are set of goals with corresponding targets that were defined and developed through unprecedented dialogue among UN Member States, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The new Goals recognizes that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection (UN.org).