PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail : r9_pia@yahoo.com mimibern17@yahoo.com Skype : hnb_r9pia
COVER STORY : Mindanao businessmen support responsible and sustainable mining
NATIONAL
Northern Mindanao
Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969 E-mail : pia10_pd@yahoo.com r10_pia@yahoo.com rutchiecabahug@yahoo.com
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) 2/F Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail : efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
• Aquino receives International Olympiad winners in Malacañang • President Aquino meets former British Prime Minister Tony Blair • President Aquino to visit People’s Republic of China • 6 agreements to be signed during President Aquino’s state visit to PROC – DFA • Malacañang condemns killing of Negros Occidental broadcaster • Ochoa: Rapid response teams ready in Libya and Syria • Malacañang welcomes Senate move approving resolution concurring ratification of Rome Statute • Aquino appoints Acosta presidential adviser for environmental protection
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail : r12_pia@yahoo.com pia_xii@yahoo.com
• Duyog Mindanao promotes civil society’s participation to sustain peace in the island • LGU Agusan Norte prepares for Christmas season • 2011 Nat’l Crime Prevention Week set in Butuan • Butuan City Gov’t and GIZ partnership strengthened • Tagalog News: Buwaya sa Agusan Marsh, sumalakay muli • Surigao City Prosecutors Office bares first sem accomplishments
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph
• Local industry promotion sustains drive vs poverty in ARMM • ARMM to settle accrued arrears with GSIS • LGUs prepare 10-year solid waste management plan • Dipolog conducts fishery law enforcement training • One region, one business community – PCCI
Northern Mindanao
OUR COVER
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Today’s News...
The cover of this issue features the Mindanao Business Conference which is set on Sept. 7-9, 2011 at Pagadian City.
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• DOST’s OL Trap sites show decrease in dengue cases • DSWD-10 constructs 69 KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects costing Php66.59M • OWWA-10 gives notice of awards to Mis.Occ. OFWDSP scholars • DSWD’s SEA-K offers sustainable livelihood for the poorest of the poor • NYC convenes advisory council to advance youth development in NorMin
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
• LMP-DavSur vows commitment on health programs • PCUP reiterates call for just and humane eviction, demolition • RPOC-XI chair asks NPAs to release POWs, to convene IHM • Nat’l travel agencies see ecotourism boom in Tagum City • PDEA nabs MJ and shabu pushers
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Cover Story:
by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao PIA Region IX
Mindanao businessmen support responsible and sustainable mining ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The Mindanao Business Council said it supports any mining activities provided that it conforms to the laws and policies implemented by the national government when asked about the coming operation of Sagittarius Mining Incorporated in Tampakan, South Cotabato. In a press conference conducted yesterday here, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Regional Governor for Western Mindanao Edgar Mata Bagarinao said they are for mining but it should be responsible and sustainable. “WE are for responsible and sustainable mining operations here. Basta dapat sundin nila ang batas”, Bagarinao said. He also said that mining industry will be beneficial to Mindanao and the country as a whole thru the taxes paid by the operators and the job opportunities it offers.
“Mindanao and the whole country will benefit, either directly or indirectly, in mining. For one, taxes will go to the government’s coffers which can be used to fund programs and projects. It also gives jobs to the locals as mining operations need human resource”, he explained. The business group also allayed fears on destruction of the environment saying they will keep an eye to the mining operators throughout Mindanao. “We will keep an eye on all mining operators here to make sure that they operate according to the 4
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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Mindanao businessmen... from page 3
law and that our environment is preserved and protected”, Ms. Lourdes Quisumbing, President of the Pagadian City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed. She said having big mining firms like SMI to operate in Mindanao will really boost economic activity. “If these companies pay their taxes on the area of their operations, would you not want that? They will be pouring their resources in our area”, Quisumb-
ing exclaimed. Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Cholo Soliven also shared the same position saying responsible and sustainable mining is being supported by their chamber. “Our chamber is in full support of responsible and sustainable mining as this ensures the protection of our environment and the continuous growth of our economy,” the flamboyant businessman said.
However, he stressed that they do not support the proposed mining operation in Ayala District, west of the city, saying it will destroy the city’s watershed. “But we again reiterate our opposition to the proposed mining site in Ayala because it will destroy one of the city’s remaining watersheds. This is not responsible and sustainable mining”, Soliven said. (MVC/PIA9Zambo City)
Aquino receives International Olympiad winners in Malacañang
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III received a new breed of Filipino achievers who bagged their respective awards from different prestigious international competitions.
Bronze medalists Henry Jefferson Morco and Miguel Arnold Reyes won a medal each from the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the
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2011 International Physics Olympiad, respectively. Accompanying the group during the call held at the President’s Hall in Malacanang Palace was Science
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and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo. Morco, from Chiang Kai Shek College, won the bronze with two other Filipino team members that earned 5
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Aquino receives... from page 4 the highest medal haul of the country ever since it joined the IMO in 1988. Because of the Philippine team’s successful performance in the Math Olympiad this year, the country’s standing in the contest went up to 54 from 74 in 2010 out of 101 countries. The equally-brilliant Reyes of the Philippine Science High School / UP Diliman was also awarded the 2nd Grand Award - 2011 Intel International Science &
Engineering Fair. Based on the official ranking, Reyes with another Filipino teammate got scores higher than 60% of the entire participants. A total of 393 students from 84 countries joined the Olympiad. Another winner, Angeli Joyce Dy of Capiz National High School also won the 4th Grand Award from the 2011 Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. Other members of the entourage were Julius Mag-
alona Basilla, Roland Christopher Caballar and Jose Perico Esguerra from UP Diliman; Filma Brawner - Director, Science Education Institute & OIC, Philippine Science High School System; Ricky Banaag and Arlita Narag of INTEL Philippines; Mark Ivan Roblas - Science Education Institute (SEI-DOST) and Glen Mackenzie Ong - Mathematical Society of the Philippines. (jcl/11:31 p.m.)
President Aquino meets former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
F
ormer British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who arrived in Manila for the signing of religious literacy program, met President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang Tuesday night.
Blair paid a courtesy call on the President at Malacanang’s Music Room which was followed by a dinner hosted in his honor by the President at the State dining room. Blair on Wednesday signed an agreement with Philippine education officials for the adoption of his foundation’s religious literacy program aimed at teaching school children inter-faith and intercultural dialogue. Theprogram, Wednesday, August 24, 2011
which integrates lessons on peace-building in schools with the history of religious conflict, is part of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation initiative. The program called “Face to Faith,” teaches young people key skills for the conduct of effective dialogue and engagement particularly on different faith and cultural traditions. Blair’s arrival in Manila is his second visit in the country, the first was in March 2009 for
a speaking engagement at the Ateneo de Manila University during the celebration of its 150th anniversary. Blair served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from March 1997 to June 2007. He is currently the quartet representative to the Middle East, representing the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia. (as/ 11:27am)
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President Aquino to visit People’s Republic of China
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III will visit the People’s Republic of China from August 30 to September 3, 2011 to further enhance relations between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Malacañang, Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs Cristina Ortega said the President’s state visit to the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen highlights “the centuries-old friendship between the Philippines and China, and our desire to promote more exchanges and better understanding between our peoples.” “The State Visit will further strengthen the 36 years of friendship and mutually beneficial relations between the Philippines and China,” Ortega said. “The visit hopes to push for more trade, investment, media, culture, education and tourism exchanges between both sides. It will also showcase the Phil-
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ippines as an attractive and profitable business destination,” she added. Ortega pointed out that among the activities the President will undertake during the visit include meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premiere Wen Jiabao and Chairman Wu Bangguo of the National People’s Congress. The President will also keynote three important fora: the Philippine-Chinese Economic and Trade Forum in Beijing, High Level Forum with Yangtze River Delta Government Officials and Business Enterprises in Shanghai, and the Philippine-Fujian Business Conference in Xiamen. Aside from these, the President will hold one-on-one meetings
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with selected Chinese businessmen to promote the government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) program. He will also join the Filipino community in each of said cities to personally get an overview of their situation. Ortega said that there are 12,700 Filipinos living and working in various cities in the PROC. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China were established on June 9, 1975 and since then, China has been the Philippines’ third largest trading partner and fourth largest source of tourists as well as the fourth largest source of development assistance. (rck)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
6 agreements to be signed during President Aquino’s state visit to PROC – DFA
T
he Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that at least six agreements will be signed during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s fiveday State Visit to the People’s Republic of China from August 30 to September 3, 2011. Assistant Secretary of the DFA’s Office Asia and Pacific Affairs Cristina Ortega said that these agreements will be signed during the business fora and meetings the President will be having with Chinese business leaders in the different cities he will be visiting. The three cities the President will visit are Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen. Ortega said the
agreements include the Joint Statement (PH-PROC) on the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation, an MoU between the PCOO and State Council Information Office on Friendly Exchanges, an MoU on Sports Cooperation, Implementing Program on the MoU on Tourism and Exchange of Letters on the Executive Program of the Phil-
ippines-China Cultural Agreement. On the Joint Statement on the West Philippine Sea, Ortega said that the document will be released but only after the State Visit. “We will have a Joint Statement of the Philippines and China (on the West Philippine Sea)…that will be crafted during and right after the State Visit to China so hindi pa natin alam yan. I don’t think we can preempt
the Joint Statement but I would assume that there would be a line or two on the West Philippine Sea,” Ortega said. On the PhilippineChina Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ortega said the targeted sectors of this program are in infrastructure, mining, energy, information and tourism. (rck)
Malacañang condemns killing of Negros Occidental broadcaster
M
alacañang on Wednesday condemned the murder of 42-year-old former broadcaster Neil Aranga Jimena of Negros Occidental.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda assured the family of the slain journalist that the full force of the law is being applied to immediately identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the crime. The Palace also extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Ji-
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
mena, who was shot dead on Monday by unidentified assailants in E.B. Magalona town, northern Negros Occidental. “The full force of the law is being applied to swiftly identify and apprehend the killers of Neil Aranga Jimena. We have tasked the PNP to constantly update us on the progress of their
investigation,” he said. “We condemn his murder and call on those who may have information concerning the case to swiftly contact the authorities. To his loved ones, we extend our deepest sympathies and we will work to ensure justice is done,” he added. (co)
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Ochoa: Rapid response teams ready in Libya and Syria
T
he Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), trained and prepared to address developments in crisis-affected countries with significant OFW populations, have been activated and are closely monitoring developments in Libya and Syria, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Wednesday.
“RRTs were deployed to Syria and Libya on August 13, and the team in Syria has already reported that they have validated the contingency plans for OFWs based in Syria,” Ochoa said. “The RRT assigned to Libya, on the other hand, is at the Libya-Tunisia border. It is closely monitoring developments in the area and is ready to assist OFWS that leave Libya via that route,” added Ochoa, who also chairs the Overseas Preparedness and Response Team (OPRT). Ochoa said one of the priority programs of the OPRT when it was formed by President Benigno Aquino III was the formation of several RRTs, with each team assigned to review and assess the contingency plans prepared by Philippine diplomatic posts in the Middle East. “We did not want to wait for the next crisis to occur before acting so we formed and trained the RRTs in anticipation of
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these developments in the Middle East. These teams were trained last May and have been ready for deployment to crisis-affected countries in the Middle East since June of this year,” Ochoa said. The RRTs are tasked to verify and validate the contingency plans in crisisaffected areas, familiarize themselves with actual conditions on the ground and augment efforts and personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs in countries where there are political upheavals. The RRTs, which are composed of select personnel from the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Department of National Defense (DND), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) report directly to the OPRT and work in tandem with the foreign affairs office. The OPRT was established through Executive Order 34 signed by the President on April 6, 2011. It replaced the Presiden-
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tial Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC), which was created under Executive Order No. 159 in 2002, to deal with the evacuation of thousands of Filipino workers in the Middle East at the height of the Iraq crisis. Under EO 34, the OPRT is composed of the Executive Secretary as chairperson and the presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns and secretaries of the DFA, DoLE, DND, and, the Departments of Justice (DoJ), Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Budget and Management (DBM), as members. The high-level crisis team is tasked to draw up strategies and programs and formulate policies to appropriately respond to crisis situations affecting Filipinos abroad. It is also tasked to develop and adopt interactive operating arrangements among agencies to ensure maximum coordination.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Malacañang welcomes Senate move approving resolution concurring ratification of Rome Statute
M
alacañang welcomed on Wednesday the move of the Senate to approve a resolution concurring with the ratification of the Rome Statute that paved the way for the Philippines to join the International Criminal Court (ICC). With the approval on third and final reading of its resolution concurring in the ratification of the Rome Statute, the Senate has paved the way for the Philippines to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), with a vote of 17-1, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III had endorsed the Rome Statute on May 6, 2011. Lacierda said the Department of Foreign Affairs will deposit the instrument of ratification this week in New York. “This is a concrete demonstration of the administration’s commitment to human rights and accountability within and
among nations,” Lacierda stressed. According to the statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the Philippines, through then Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Enrique Manalo, signed the Rome Statute on December 28, 2000. Under the Philippine Constitution, the DFA noted that treaties ratified by the President need the concurrence of the Senate before these can enter into force and effect. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairperson of the Senate Subcommittee on the ICC, delivered the sponsorship speech on the treaty last August 16. Sena-
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
tor Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, likewise delivered a co-sponsorship address. President Aquino received in Malacañang last March ICC President Sang HyunSong. The DFA has been an ardent advocate of Philippine ratification of the Rome Statute through the years. Under Secretary Teofisto Guingona, the DFA recommended its ratification to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2002 and under Secretary Blas F. Ople resubmitted the same to the President in 2003. The Rome Statute was concluded in 1998 by the United Nations (UN) Diplomat-
ic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an ICC that was participated in by some 140 States, including the Philippines. The Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002, after 60 States had become Parties. The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, has jurisdiction over the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. To date, there are 116 states that have either ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute, 15 of which are from Asia and the Pacific, including Cambodia, East Timor, Korea, Australia, and Japan. (JS)
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Aquino appoints Acosta presidential adviser for environmental protection
P
resident Benigno Aquino III has appointed former Rep. Juan Romeo Nereus “Neric” Acosta of Bukidnon province as presidential adviser for environmental protection.
Acosta, a member of the Liberal Party, took his oath of office as presidential adviser for environmental protection beACOSTA fore President Aquino in Malacanan Palace on Wednesday. Acosta, who served as representative
for the first district of Bukidnon, is the principal author of the Clean Air Act. He also sponsored major environmental legislation on clean water, solid waste management and biodiversity protection. He also served as the House of Representative’s chairman of the Committee on Ecology and vice chairman of the Committees on Science and Technology, Human Rights, and Foreign Relations. Acosta ran but lost in senatorial race in May 2010 national elections. (co)
THE PRESIDENT IN FOCUS His Excellency Menashe Bar-on, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Philippines, troops the Palace Guards upon arrival at the Malacañan Grounds for the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of Malacanang Palace Tuesday (August 23). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of His Excellency Menashe Bar-on as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Philippines during the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of Malacanang Palace Tuesday (August 23). (Photo by Jay Morales / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Duyog Mindanao promotes civil society’s participation to sustain peace in the island by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, August 24 (PIA) -- A campaign to raise citizen’s awareness on the outstanding issues about the on-going peace process in Mindanao is taking place. “Duyog Mindanao,” an initiative led by the Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) is aimed at achieving a negotiated political settlement of the armed conflict between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is crucial in moving forward genuine development not only in Mindanao but in the entire country, as well. In a press statement, Jude Cabusao of Duyog Mindanao said the initiative was undertaken after the 2011 World Development Report showed that armed conflicts further disrupt efforts to-
wards development and address mass poverty. “New poverty data reveal that poverty is declining for much of the world, but countries affected by violence are lagging behind. For every three years, a country is affected by major violence, poverty reduction lags behind by 2.7 percent,” Cabusao said. Cabusao further said no low-income fragile or conflict-affected country has yet achieved a single Millennium Development Goal (MDG). “People in fragile and conflict-affected states are more than twice as likely to be undernourished as those
in other developing countries, more than three times as likely to be unable to send their children to school, twice as likely to see their children die before age five, and more than twice as likely to lack clean water,” he said. On average, Cabusao said a country that experienced major violence over the period from 1981 to 2005 has a poverty rate of 21 percentage points higher than a country that saw no violence. These, according to Cabusao are some of the reasons why Duyog Mindanao was organized. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
LGU Agusan Norte prepares for Christmas season by Nora CL Molde
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, August 24 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte headed by Governor Erlpe John M. Amante is now preparing for the coming Christmas season by improving its provincial capitol’s park. According to Gov. tol Park at the provincial provincial capitol’s surAmante, the province has capitol compound, Butuan roundings like landscapallotted one million pesos City. ing, putting up of Christfor the improvement and The budget will in- mas lights and repair of beautification of the Capi- clude beautification of the the existing fountain. 12
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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LGU Agusan Norte... from page 11...
The provincial capitol, its surroundings & park, according to Gov. Amante will surely be a nice place for Butuan-
ons and Agusanons’ family recreation during the Christmas season. The said improvement and beautification of
the park will start within this week. (NCLM with reports from Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)
2011 Nat’l Crime Prevention Week set in Butuan by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Caraga will once again spearhead this year’s National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) with the theme: “Pinoy Ako, Crime Prevention Misyon Ko!” from September 1-7, 2011. During the Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 23 at the PNP-Caraga Regional Conference Room, members from the government line agencies and non-government organizations have lined-up activities for the weeklong celebration. NCPW will kick-off on Sept. 1, 5:00am with a Fun Walk dubbed “Lakad Laban Sa Krimen” from the city’s Rizal Park going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court. A ‘Hataw’ exercise will follow after the fun walk. On Sept. 2 is set for the launching of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council
(PADAC) which will be held in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Seminar on Crime and Drug Abuse Prevention is also set on Sept. 3 at the People’s Hall, City Hall Compound spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from different barangays in Butuan. Since the youth is the main focus of this year’s NCPW celebration, TWG chose the out-of-school youth from different barangays in Butuan as participants of the Mural Painting Contest on Sept. 5 while on Sept. 6, the same seminar on crime and drug abuse prevention will be conducted in Bayugan National
High School, Bayugan City. Meanwhile, said celebration will culminate on Sept. 7 with an Ecumenical Prayer, Blood-letting activity, Awarding of PNP and BJMP Model Family, as well as Awarding of winners for the Mural Painting Contest at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this city. With this, government agencies headed by NAPOLCOM is encouraging the general public to witness and support every activity set for this celebration and help in advocating for a crime and drug-free region. (JPG/PIACaraga)
Butuan City Gov’t and GIZ partnership strengthened by Maria Rebecca Ayaton BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - After a year of coordination, the Deutsche Gessellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Butuan Citygovernment finally formalized and strengthened their partnership by signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Technical Assistance and Advisory package on Co-Management Area. This agreement was sealed by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. as the city mayor
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Butuan City government and Dr. Stephanie Schell-Faucon, Principal Advisor of GIZ- Con-
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flict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 13
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Butuan City Gov’t... from page 12... the City Mayor’s Office-Conference Room 2, this city. GIZ-COSERAM will technically and financially support the city and will furthermore provide assistance to incorporate disaster-risk-reduction and climate-change-adaptation in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). The said program aims to ensure that governance of natural resources and assets is implemented in a peaceful and sustainable manner benefiting the community. GIZCOSERAM works throughout the Caraga region with an integrated approach to poverty reduction and peace building. Moreover, the program
includes capacity development for multi-stakeholder dialogue processes and participatory Barangay Development planning in eight (8) pilot barangays namely: Aparo, Nongnong, San Mateo, Bitan-agan, Manila de Bugabus, Tungao, Dulag and MG Santos. According to Dr. SchellFaucon, to advance the socioeconomic development of the Nasipit Lumber Company area that covers around 11 thousand hectares of land will be the starting point in doing the project. “GIZ wanted to support Caraga region for the fact that it is one of the poorest regions in the Philippines yet
it is very rich in terms of natural resources and it has the potential for development,” Faucon stressed. Meanwhile, City Mayor Amante emphasizes that this partnership with the GIZCOSERAM is basically aimed to secure the land, people and development of Caraga. The GIZ is a federally owned enterprise that supports the German government in the field of international development cooperation, has been implementing projects to promote economic, ecological and social development in the Philippines for more than 30 years. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Buwaya sa Agusan Marsh, sumalakay muli by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 24 (PIA) - Binulabog ng mga sigaw at hiyawan ang tahimik na madaling araw ng Barangay Nueva Era, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur ng mga bagong gising na mga residente ng makitang hila-hila ng dambuhalang buwaya ang isang tatlong taong kalabaw sa gilid ng sapa na sumabit sa tulay na siyang ginagamit ng mga mamamayan sa pagtawid sa ilog.
Sa isang iglap, dumami ang mga taon para makita kung ano ang dahilan ng hiyawan at sila ay namangha ng makita ng kani-knilang mga mata ang isang napakalaking buwaya, na kung sukatin ang likoran nito ay himigit kumulang mga tatlong talampaka ang lapad, at tinatayang nasa 12 talampakan ang haba, habang hila ang isang batang kalabaw patungo sa malalim na parte ng ilog, at nginangatngat ng kan-
yang matalas na pangil ang leeg ng kanyang biktima. Sa kanilang pagkamangha, wala n I isa man ang nagtangkang awatin ang dambuhalang buwaya, kung saan, ang kanyang biktimang kalabaw ay sumabit sa tulay. Sa kapaguran marahil, iniwan ng buwaya ang kanyang biktima at ito ay lumobog at iniwan ang kanyang biktima sa paanan ng tulay. Wala pa ring naglakas loob na lumapit man lang sa patay na kalabaw
sa takot na biglang lumabas uli ang buwaya at sagpangin ang sino mang makita sa paligid. Sa pakipanayam ng isang taga radyo DXDA, sinabi ni Barangay kapitan Teofanes Adlawan na ang ilog na aming nakikita ay nakakabit sa Agusan Marsh, at ito ay malapit lamang sa Lake Mihaba kung saan, mga dalawang taon na ang lumipas, isang batang sagwan ang kanyang Bangka galing ng lumulutang na esk
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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Tagalog News... from page 13...
welahan, ang sinagpang din ng dambuhalang buwaya. “Kami ay naniniwalang dalawa ang mga dambuhalang buwaya sa paligid namin at sila ay palipat-lipat lamang dito sa paligid ng Agusan Marsh. Dahil sa pangyayaring ito na nakita naming mismo, pinagbawal na naming ang sino mang sumakay sa bangka. Ito rin ang nagpatibay sa aming hinala na ang mga buwaya ring ito ang umatake at lumapa sa isa naming kababaryo,” sabi ni Kapitan Adlawan. Sa pakipanayam din kay Maritess Salon, isa sa mga residente ng Barangay Nueva Era, isang nagngangalan ng Daniel
Auxtero, 56 taong gulang, ang nawala sa ilog habang ito ay nangingisda. Ayon sa kanyang asawa, si Daniel ay nagpaalam sa kanya na mangisda mga alas 9 ng gabi mga isang buwan na ang nagdaan, at ito ay hindi na nakauwi. Nakita na lamang ng mga naghanap na kabaryo ng sumunod na araw ang kanyang Bangka, sagwan at sombrero na nakalutang mga ilang kilometro lamang ang layo sa kanilang barangay at malapit sa Lake Mihaba sa loob mismo ng Agusan Marsh. Ipinaalam agad ni Barangay Kapitan Adlawan sa mayor ng Bunawan na si Edwin Elorde ang pangyayari, ha-
bang binabantayan ng mabuti ang paligid ng ilog kung saan nakita ang kalabaw na hilahila ng dambuhalang buwaya, at kung saan din lumubog ang nasabing buwaya. “Sinabi ng aming lokal na pamahalaan na huwag patayin ang mga makitang buwaya dahil ang mga ito ay kanilang huhulihin nang buhay. Sa kasalukuyan, ang aming munisipyo sa Bunawan ay mayroong kulungan na ginawa para mapaglagyan ng mahuling mga buwaya,” sabi ni B/kapitan Adlawan. (kasama ang ulat ni William U. Andres ng DXDA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Surigao City Prosecutors Office bares first sem accomplishments by Dandy Lapura SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The Surigao City Prosecutors Office unveiled recently its 2011 First Semester accomplishment with 1,292 cases received for January-June this year. Surigao City Prosecutor Atty. Manuel Tesiorna, in his report sent to the office of Mayor Ernesto Matugas, said that his office was able to receive 1,187 preliminary cases or regular and 135 inquest cases. “There are 476 cases still pending including the 2nd semester of 2010. Disposed cases totaled around 816 with at least 513 cases filed and 303 dismissed.” Also, the office was able to issue 452 Fiscal’s Clearance, “thus providing additional income to benefit the city of Surigao,” he said.
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Tesiorna said that aside from criminal complaints, his office also stands as the government representative in Special Proceeding, making sure that there is no corroboration between two parties. He said his office received 73 cases for the first semester of 2011 and of the 73 cases, 3 cases were granted. “Out of 652 clients who asked for legal assistance, a hundred percent of that number was given help thereof, insuring that Surigaonons are well informed with the laws,” he added.
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Lastly, Tesiorna said the Surigao City Prosecutors Office was able to bring justice to 69 complaints or cases filed herein, giving a conviction judgment by the courts. “For the 452 clearances that were issued for the 1st semester, the prosecutor’s office provided it with speedy legal remedies to those needing legal documents to further process for any purpose that such clearance is needed,” he concluded. (DL/PIA–Surigao del Norte)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Local industry promotion sustains drive by Iskak L. Paguital vs poverty in ARMM ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 23 (PIA) – Industry, not politics, serves as the flagship of economic prosperity of nations. I cannot paraphrase exactly the thesis of an article I read more than a decade ago. But indeed it meant that way.
The writer substantiated it with the examples of the British Empire with its East India Company, the United States and Japan with their global industrial might as well as of lesser nations and entities whose industry sectors created so much economic prosperity and political power. South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam are on the rise. That leaves any wellmeaning Muslim hard put in finding a number of Muslim nations that could come near this category. Then sometime in 2003 came Samuel Huntington’s “Class of Civilization” book which helped me gain a little bit more insight into the economic state of the Muslim world, including our own Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The book reinforces long-standing and damaging misperceptions such as the “notion that Western
and Muslim civilizations had little in common…and that Islam and modernity are inherently incompatible.” This is borne by the judgment based on the scientific and economic superiority achieved by the western civilization over that of the Muslims all over the world. Nevertheless, Nazeer Aziz Ladhani, chief executive officer of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, pointed out that “What clouds our understanding of this issue -- and exacerbates efforts within the Muslim world to demonstrate the fallacy of the Islamic versus modernity dialectic -- are the poverty, ignorance and isolation endemic to the developing world, where the majority of Muslims live.” And so there lies the crux of writer Huntington’s thesis. Poverty and its attendant features such as the prevalent lack of the
economic uplifting force of industries, has come at the center of the Muslim dilemma. In the so-called developing world where most of the poor Muslim nations belong, poverty alleviation has become a focus for much of the efforts of governments and developmental bodies in the world today. The United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal is that of halving or reducing to 50% the global poverty incidence. The ARMM, with its more that 60% poverty incidence, understandably the highest in the country, has not been fairing well in recent decades. The unresolved Moro political/territorial problem and the unshrinking poverty incidence continue to necessitate external impetus for economic advancement. The Japanese government, thru the Japan International Cooperation 16
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Local industry... from page 15 ...
Agency (JICA) has been helping the ARMM since 2004 to enhance its social and economic condition. JICA provided support to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to enhance a Rice-Based Farming System and as well as various support towards the early efforts to develop Halal industry. Numerous JICA social and infrastructure support programs are indeed making significant contribution in the overall effort to lift the region from the ashes of decades-long war. The recent launching of the JICA funded Development Study on Promotion of Local Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LIPARMM) comes as another welcome development as it sustains earlier efforts, particularly the Halal Food Industry Development ini-
tiatives. And it opens another opportunity for the ARMM development agents in working up our regional economic dilemma. Reporting back to DAF after my short stint at DTI-ARMM, it was a delight to renew my team-up with the top guns of the agency. ASec Tess Maguindra, CEO VI, was designated LIP Focal Person for DTI, and Dr. Baks Datumanong a resource person for One Town One Product. I also got my LIP Focal PersonDAF designation. And so back to work for the thing that interests us most, being part of the effort to mitigate poverty incidence in ARMM, though one very tall order it might seem. Local Industry Promotion aims to develop businesses. It will encourage the emergence of innovative kind of entrepreneurs and industry leaders
who could produce more goods and values for our local agri-fisheries and other resource endowments for the purpose of creating livelihood and jobs. Joblessness and poverty help fuel our current peace and order problem which is generating dire consequence on the lives of thousands of people in evacuations centers, in the slums of population centers and elsewhere. Industries, no matter how our regional political entity will evolve, will be our flagship carriers towards social and economic development. But, for now, such flagships cannot launch their voyages into the competitive sea without political will – meaning: full measure of required governmental equity. (DAF-ARMM/ RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)
ARMM to settle accrued arrears with GSIS
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 24 (PIA) – Incumbent officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are girding to settle some P400-million accumulated arrears spawned by past administrations failure to remit timely school teachers’ premiums to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). In a press release, with known collectibles from these agencies is the GSIS,” ARMM Information Chief Ali agencies of the regional au- ARMM Executive Secretary macabalang disclosed that tonomous government. Naguib Sinarimbo said. the Office of the Regional “We have earlier asked He said Acting ARMM Governor (ORG) is follow- all concerned entities in for- Governor Ansaruddin Aloning up vigorously its earlier mal writing, asking them to to-Adiong, in his desire to communications with all in- update us on the standing “clear the debts” of the restitutions including the GSIS payables due them. One of gional government before 17
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ARMM to settle ... from page 16... he bows out of office this coming October 1, has ordered the updating of the outstanding payables they have inherited from past administrations. As an offshoot of the passage of R.A. 10153, which defers the Aug. 8, 2011 ARMM elections to 2013 and allows President Aquino to install officers-in-charge (OICs) for 21 months, incumbent elected regional officials including Adiong will bow out on Sept. 30. Although the Adiong administration merely inherited a great magnitude of problems including financial debts, it is “very desirous to leave a legacy of good governance for the successors to administer the ARMM system smoothly,” Sinarimbo said. Since the advent of the Adiong administration on December 14, 2009, re-
mittances of premiums of the region’s 22,000 public school teachers have been done promptly, except for the arrears accumulated in several years starting early 2000, GSIS sources said. The arrears in teachers’ GSIS contributions had piled with interests to more than P800-million. Upon election and office assumption in 2005 of ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, payments of the arrears had been made in installments that brought the debt to around P400-million, they said. Incumbent DepEdARMM Secretary Baratucal Caudang said that on instruction of Adiong, he is pushing the forging of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the GSIS for the settlement of the outstanding arrears. Caudang said his fi-
nance personnel are “sourcing out funds” to pay the arrears through some mechanisms that would be stipulated in the MOA. Also on order of Adiong, Caudang said, his office had paid in trances more than P300-million back salaries of public schools teachers accumulated since 2005. According to Sinarimbo, their regime has instituted administrative and operation reforms and what is left to settle is their inherited financial woes. National and foreign institutions including the National Economic and Development Authority, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the executive body of United Nations’ humanitarian agencies have separately given the Adiong administration “satisfactory” ratings. (BPIARMM/RVC-PIA9 BaSul-
LGUs prepare 10-year solid waste management plan by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - The participants to the solid waste management workshop conductedhere recently by the Environmental Management Bureau-Manila have each come up with a 10-yearsolid waste management plan to be implemented in their respective local government units (LGUs). Around 63 participants who were mostly City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators from the different cities and municipalities of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay attended the activity. National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) Deputy Executive Director Eligio T.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Ildefonso has emphasized to the participants the importance of putting up a sanitary landfill that conforms to the standards set by the commission. Meanwhile, the local government units (LGUs) have been given time to prepare a draft of their10-year solid waste management plan which will first be submitted to EMB regional office before endorsing the same
to EMB-Manila for further evaluation. EMB-Manila also pledges financial support to LGUs with approved solid waste management plan. Proper solid waste disposal system has remained a big challenge among LGUs not only in theregion but in the entire country as well. (FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)
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Dipolog conducts fishery law enforcement training by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - Sixty deputized fish wardens have recently completed a three-daytraining on fishery law enforcement conducted by the City Agriculturist Office (CAO) headed by Dionisio C. Mandawe. The training aimed to equip the participants with the basic knowledge and skills that areindispensable in enforcing fishery laws. A group called Dipolog Fishery Law Enforcers (DFLE) consisting of 14 alert teams, six spotterteams and five information officers was also organized during the said training. This group will help theCity Fish
Warden in running after illegal fishing activities in the area. City Councilor Kenny Cal Ong, who represented City Mayor Evelyn Uy in the closing program,expressed optimism that the city would again enjoy the abundance of marine resources with the help ofthe deputized fish wardens. He urged them to assist in the implementation of fishery laws to
restoreand preserve the marine resources. Coastal cities and municipalities are always faced with the problem of big fishing vessels encroaching in the municipal waters. Under fishery laws, these big fishing boats are not allowed to fishwithin the 15-kilometer radius from the shorelines. (FPG/PIAZambo. Norte)
One region, one business community – by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao PCCI
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regional Governor for Western Mindanao Edgar Mata Bagarinao said it’s best for the region to act as one business community to boost economic activity here as he encourage the full participation of all business chambers in the region for the 20th Mindanao Business Conference on September 7-9, 2011
In a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Bagarinao said the business group in the region should be on the same direction for a much stable economic climate. “All of the business chambers here in region 9 should be on the same page as this will make us more competitive”, Bagarinao pointed. He pointed that there is no room for individuality if the region wants to move forward. “Dapat hindi tayo nagkakanya-kanya. We have to pull all our resources and ship it to the market coming out directly from us. Hindi yung idadaan pa natin sa
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ibang region”, he stressed. Bagarinao said the region has many products and Zamboanga City has the facilities to ship out the regional products. “We can utilize Zamboanga Free Port and Economic Zone to ship out our products. Zamboanga del Norte does not have the facility, same is with Zamboanga del Sur. Mas malapit pa ang Zamboanga kaysa sa Cagayan De Oro”, he added. Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Cholo Soliven agreed with Bagarinao saying the city’s chamber is fully supporting this year’s business conference with Pagadian as host.
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“We know that there were some gaps between Zamboanga City and Pagadian due to the regional center issue. But we are putting it aside and give our full support to the Pagadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as host of this year’s business conference”, Soliven said. Pagadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Lourdes Quisumbing thanked all the business chambers in the region for the support and encourage them to participate in this year’s business confab. (MVC/PIA9-Zambo City)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
DOST’s OL Trap sites show decrease in dengue cases CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The use of the Mosquito Ovicidal Larvicidal (OL) Trap, has helped increase the awareness of the communities on the nature of the dengue carrying “Aedis Aegypti” mosquito and howto prevent them from breeding any further. This observation was made by Regional Director Alfonso Alamban of theDepartment of Science and Technology (DOST), region 10, who said initial resultsfrom various regions revealed the decrease in dengue cases after using the OL Trap. One of DOST’s Research and Development (R&D) strategies in addressingdengue, the OL Trap is part of the government’s multi-pronged approach in fightingthe said fatal disease. “It works by attracting the said mosquito, through the trap’s black color andorganic solution, to lay its eggs in the trap. The solution then kills the eggs and thelarvae, thus, eliminating the next generation of mosquitoes,” Alamban said. In region 10, for example, a total of 1,058 dengue cases were admitted tothe different sentinel hospitals, region-wide, from January 1
to August 11, this year, which was actually 76.56 percent lower compared to 4,514 cases during the sameperiod, last year. Dr. Jaime S. Bernadas, Regional Director of the Department of Health, Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), region 10, said OL Traps were established in strategic areas to trap the female dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The same observation was given by Dr. Josephine Ibalo, DOH Dengue Coordinator in the province of Bukidnon who noted that there were only 40 dengue cases in the whole province, as of August 10, this year, a significant decreasefrom last year’s 1,447 cases or a decline of 97.24 percent. Meanwhile, the DOST S&T Media Service has reported that in Eastern Visayaswhere the OL Trap was initially launched, five (5) barangays
in Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte showed zero dengue incidence after the OL Trap was usedin said areas. Barangay Dalakit in Catarman, for example, had 44 cases, last year, whileBarangay Airport had 30 cases and Barangay 109-A in Leyte had 64. Its neighbor,Barangay 109, also showed significant decrease in its dengue cases from 122 lastyear to only three (3), this year. Again in Region 2, five (5) schools in Ballesteros and Claveria towns in Cagayan reported “zero case” as of press time, namely the Libag Elementary School, North Central School, Caritan Elementary School, Cataggamman National High School, and University of Cagayan Valley. Official reports also show that in 2010, there were 210 aggregate cases of dengue among schoolchildren in four (4) barangays where these schools were located.
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DOST’s OL ... from page 19 After the OL Trap rollout in these barangays, no cases have been reported,thus far. Ballesteros and Claveria were declared “hotspots” for dengue cases, last year,with the former having 213 cases and the latter, 15 cases. To date, there have beenno dengue cases reported since the roll out.
With the decrease in dengue cases reported in the region, Dr. Labasan, Municipal Health Officer of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, said that additional units areneeded for other barangays, as they found that mosquito eggs and larvae are “killedright then and there. It is the only way to stop the eggs
from hatching,” he added. This month, DOST and the Department of Education (DeEd) are workingtogether in providing OL Traps to elementary and secondary school, both public andprivate, that are located in hotspot areas of the country, Alamban added. (DOST/ PIA-10)
DSWD-10 constructs 69 KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects costing Php66.59M by Apipa Bagumbaran CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, August 24, (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has constructed 69 community sub-projects in Northern Mindanao under the Kapit-Bisig Laban saKahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program. In today’s “Talakayan sa PIA,” held at the Philippine Information Agency(PIA), KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Infrastructure Assistant, Engr. Ruel Pagua, disclosed that 69 community-driven projects have been completed in six (6) municipalities of the region with a total grant of Php66,588,967.85. Particularly, the municipalities covered by the program include Kapatagan,Lala and Bacolod in Lanao del Norte and Concepcion, Lopez Jaena, and Sinacaban in Misamis Occidental, Pagua said. These projects include the construction of the wa-
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ter systems, concretedrainage system, road gravelling and concreting, pathways, suspension bridges and solar drier with warehouse and rice mill. Construction of classrooms, day care centers, health stations, seawall, dredging and slope protection were also among the projects constructed under KALAHI-CIDSS, he further said. These facilities, he added, were identified and completed by the beneficiaries through the communitydriven development processes of the KALAHI-CIDSS. A poverty alleviation
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program of the government, KALAHI-CIDSS aims to empower local communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty and is one of the largest poverty alleviation portfolios of the World Bank in the country. It also aims to reduce poverty by providing seed funds for community infrastructure, common service facilities and capability-building and improves local governance by providing training programs and capacity strengthening for localgovernment units (LGU) as local institutions. (PIA-10)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
OWWA-10 gives notice of awards to Mis.Occ. OFWDSP scholars by Nestor Flores, Jr.
0R0QUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 24 (PIA) – At least 10 dependentsof Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from this province, who have qualified for theDependents Scholarship Program (DSP) received their Notices of Award, last August19. This brings to 32, the total number of OFW-DSP beneficiaries in the region, Regional Director Petrona M. Bergado of the Overseas Workers WelfareAdministration (OWWA), region 10, said. Early this month, OWWA-10 also gave the notice of awards to 22 OFW-DSPbeneficiaries from Misamis Oriental. Bergado said the OFWDSP came into effect with OWWA Memorandum of Instructions No.003, series of 2010, that offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of OFW’s who are active members of OWWA and receive a monthly salary of not more than US$400 or below. “This will be determined through the verified employment contract, overseasemployment certificate or OWWA OFW member verification sheet,” Bergado said. The scholars will en-
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
roll in any 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate degree or associate degree leading to a baccalaureate degree and become agents in community development. They shall receive financial assistance of P10,000 per semester to cover the tuitions fees and other academic-related expenses and a group health and accident insurance worth P100,000.00 per scholar. Meanwhile, Bergado said an active OWWA member is defined as an OWWAregistered member who has a valid membership at the time of availment or whose membership has expired for not more than six (6) months. Considered OFW legal dependents are children, natural or adopted, of marriedOFW’s/Single OFW’s, brother or sister, half-bloodied or single/childless marriedOFW’s. Qualifications of a legal dependent include the
following: Single, not more than 21 years old at the time of the application, high school graduate or about tograduate from high school or already enrolled in college, this semester, andphysically and mentally and morally fit. Present during the awarding of notices were Henry Ken Regalado, ProvincialAdministrator, Leonardo Rodrigo, Provincial Head, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Leo Velez, Provincial Director, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Also present were Gorardo Peralta Provincial Auditor, Commission on Audit(COA), Concordia Dete Acosta, Trade Promotion Officer, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bonifacia Gado, Administrator, Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School (OAIS). (OWWA/ PIA-10)
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DSWD’s SEA-K offers sustainable livelihood for the poorest of the poor by Ruchell L. Mula,
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- To help the poorest of the poor rise from poverty, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, will be providing them sustainable livelihood through the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program.
Particularly, SEA-K targets the beneficiaries of the Pantawid PamilyangPilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya), after they graduate from the 5-year duration of the Program in a particular area. Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD-10, said SEA-K is aconvergence strategy framework aimed at enhancing the family’s socio – economicskills towards sustaining education of their children and their other basic needs. She said the Pantawid Pamilya Family will be provided with various
trainings and skills enhancement to help them to become self-reliant families and for them to totally rise from poverty. It will also enable them to access to credit, promote entrepreneurship, increaseunderstanding on values of honest work, pay debts, have social responsibility and increase their income. Meanwhile, Solamillo said DSWD has actually three (3) core programs which are aimed to generate greater impact on poverty reduction in the country: Pantawid Pami-
lya, a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the National Government that provide conditional cash grants to extremely poorhouseholds to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly, of children aged 0-14. KALAHI-CIDSS, a community-driven development project which aims to empower communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty and SEA-K, a livelihood and capability building program. (DSWD/ PIA-10)
In today’s media forum, “Talakayan sa PIA,” KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Infrastructure Assistant, Engr. Ruel Pagua (second from left), discloses that 69 community-driven projects have been completed in six (6) towns of Northern Mindanao with a total grant of Php66,588,967.85. (Rodolfo D. Mendoza/PIA-10)
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
NYC convenes advisory council to advance youth development in NorMin by Apipa Bagumbaran CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, August 24 (PIA) – The National Youth Commission (NYC), in Northern Mindanao, has convened its Regional Advisory Council (RAC), yesterday, to tackle concerns and programs geared towards youth development in the region. Eddie Cuaresma, NYC Northeastern Mindanao Cluster Head, said the meeting was aimed at discussing youth concerns at the grassroots level to come-up withrecommendations and policies to address youth-related gaps and issues in order to advance the welfare of the youth sector in region 10. It also serves as a venue for sharing and disseminating information and updates on the various programs of its member-agencies and youth organizations in the region, he added. During the meeting, youth participation in the National Greening Program of the Aquino administration and in the up-coming National Crime Prevention Week celebration were tackled by the council. In relation to youth employment, the promotion of the Government Internship Program (GIP) in Northern Mindanao and the updates on the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) were, likewise, dis-
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
cussed. Representative from the Department of Agriculture (DA) also presented to the group the status of the Farm Youth Development Program and the Young Filipino Farmer Training Program of the department. Population Commission (POPCOM) Regional Director Psyche Paler also gave an overview of the National Indicators on Adolescent Friendly Services where Northern Mindanao was eyed as the pilot area for this new guideline. She stressed that the national indicators will serve as the standard for all adolescent health programs of both public and private agencies in the country. Moreover, matters relating to the reformation of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) were also debated during the meeting while the programs and best practices of the Misamis Oriental Youth Development Council(MOYDC) and the Gingoog City Youth Development Council (GCYDC) were likewise presented to the
group. Held at Hotel Conchita, here, the 17th RAC regular meeting was actively participated in by representatives from the following government agencies:POPCOM, DA, DOLE, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Environmentand Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST),Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Philippine Employment Service Office (PESO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), as well as, representatives from Local Youth Development Councils and youth organizations in Northern Mindanao. (PIA10)
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LMP-DavSur vows commitment on health programs by Carina L. Cayon DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Davao del Sur chapter vowed to strengthen the implementation and its support to health programs in the province in a bid to provide universal health care to all of the constituents. The group said that this action “will ultimately contribute and speed up the achievement of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) 4, 5, 6 on reducing child and maternal mortality, AIDS, Tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases.” In particular, the group committed to sustain dialogue and action between and among members of the LMP, DOH and partner organizations “by building on the gains of our programs” under President Benigno Aquino III’s Aquino Health Agenda focused on providing Universal Health Care for all Filipinos. The universal health care strategy mandates the national and local government units to enroll the poorest 40% of Filipinos to health care program and improve health facilities into functional health providers
of essential health packages and the resulting achievement of the MDGs. DOH regional director Teogenes Baluma reported during the summit that DOH has already enrolled into the National Health Insurance Program a total of 75,871 families in Davao del Sur, who earn an income of P3,460 and below per month. Baluma challenged the local chief executives to expand the enrollment program and provide budget for the enrollment of the remaining poor families earning a monthly income of P6,073 and below. He said that this particular requirement of the universal health care for all program has put emphasis on the vulnerable groups to give them economic protection in times of sickness. The manifesto of commitment also took up the
aim to empower and capacitate mayors, local government health services providers, health volunteers and supportive stakeholders through well designed capacity building program. Another vow was to continue strengthening partnerships between the LMP and DOH including regional and local government health offices to constantly work together and link with other stakeholders from the academe, faith based groups, professional organizations such as non-government organizations. In aggressively ensuring that all programs and projects on health will not be stalled by the lack of funds, the group promised to practice resourcefulness, saying that they shall cooperate to find alternatives for the implementation of health strategies and programs. Lastly, it was commit 25
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LMP-DavSur vows... from page 24 ted that the municipalities would showcase and promote their respective best practices in improving health-seeking behaviors which would help increase the quality of health services delivered. In his solidarity message, Governor Douglas Ra Cagas urged the municipal mayors to help improve
health programs in the province, and set aside political differences, saying “When it comes to health, we are one.” “For the good of our people, let’s lighten our load to serve them well,” he stated. Development partners such as HealthPro, TBLinc,
LMP-UNFPA, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine Information Agency attested to the joint declaration of commitment. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
PCUP reiterates call for just and humane eviction, demolition by Mai Gevera-Macapagat
DAVAO CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The Presidential Commission for the Urban
Poor (PCUP) reiterates and demolition. Following the covenant signed by President Benigno Aquino III with the urban poor anchored on Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, PCUP Chairperson Hernani B. Panganiban said “no PCUP representative would sign any recommendation for demolition unless provisions of the act are observed.” PCUP strongly calls for the observance of at least 30 days notice to affected entities prior the date of demolition, presence of concerned local government officials during the demolition, execution during Wednesday, August 24, 2011
for a just and humane, and voluntary eviction good weather, and that there should be no use of heavy equipment for demolition. The law also provides adequate relocation whether temporary or permanent to be handled by the LGU concerned and the National Housing Authority with the assistance of other government agencies within 45 days from the service of notice. However, if relocation is not possible within the said period, financial assistance in the amount equivalent to the prevailing minimum wage multiplied by 60 days must be extended to the affected families.
Panganiban said the office diligently adheres to its mandate embodied in Executive Order 82 that created PCUP as direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation addressed to their needs. PCUP is set to conduct a nationwide urban poor summit for stakeholders to discuss legitimate issues and aspirations and make it a venue for different agencies to present their programs and projects for the urban poor. (PIA-11/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)
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RPOC-XI chair asks NPAs to release POWs, to convene IHM by Noel Baguio TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Aug. 24 (PIA) – Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario appealed for the early release of the four Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel held captive by the New People’s Army since July 21. The chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-XI made the call after expressing his willingness to help facilitate the immediate release of the jail officers. “My communication lines are open and you can call me anytime of the day,” he appealed to the abductors. The Mindanao peace advocacy movement Sowing the Seeds of Peace accompanied the families of the captives in paying a courtesy visit at the office of the governor in Tagum City last August 23, 2011, in order to ask him to assist in the negotiations for the safe and orderly release of the NPA prisoners of war (POWs). The peace movement’s party is composed of Sr. Etta Banayo of the Missionaries of the Assumption, Pastor Jurie Jaime of the UCCP, Fr. Hipolito Paracha of the Diocese of Kidapawan, Mae Fe Ancheta- Templa, Managing Director of Kyabaan Institute for Social Service and Development Studies, among other peace advocates. They brought along with them Jail Warden Eric Llamasares’ wife Emma-
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lyn; SJO2 Rogelio Begontes’ wife Elizabeth; and Jail Inspector Murphy Todyog’s wife and mother Mea Lee and Ann, respectively. Emmalyn asked the revolutionary movement to allow the jail warden to contact them and to let them offer some food on his birthday on August 26. “Malapit na po ang birthday ng asawa ko at sana kahit patawagin nyo na lang po kung magpapadala po kami ng pagkain kahit konti lang po para sa celebration ng birthday niya,” she said in between sobs. Mea lee also appealed the abductors to at least let them know the condition of Jail Inspector Todyog, who, she said is suffering from a lingering disease. “Gusto ko lang po malaman kung ok siya kasi may sakit din po ang asawa ko,” she said. His mother Ann further asked the government to suspend military operations in order to make way for the negotiated release of the captives. Gov. del Rosario was so moved by the plight of the families of the captives
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that he readily agreed to convene an independent humanitarian mission (IHM) for the negotiated release of the BJMP personnel. “I am happy to be able to help and I hope that we will be successful,” said del Rosario, who is also the president of the confederation of all the leagues of local chief executives in Mindanao (Confed). He bared that the group intends to meet on September 2 in Davao City to be able to organize an IHM that will pursue the negotiations to free the four POWs. He cited the independent mission as a credible mediation body, being composed of church people, public officials, academe, peace and human rights advocates, and student leaders, among other sectors. The IHMs have already proved efficient in facilitating negotiations for the safe release of POWs in the past, particularly in the case of Brig. Gen. Victor Obillio and Capt. Eduardo Montealto. (PIODavNor/Noel Baguio)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Nat’l travel agencies see ecotourism boom by Louie Lapat and Edwin Lasquite in Tagum City TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Aug. 24 (PIA) – A respected national travel agencies organization is seeing a boom in ecotourism activities in Tagum Tagum after a one-day excursion in the said city. Rosemarie Sandoval Galang, president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), Inc. expressed confidence about the city’s branding of its ecotourism sites, particularly the recently-launched Tagum City River Cruise. She said that her group is “very much willing” to help promote Tagum City not just nationally but also in its international partners. NAITAS is the biggest and the largest travel association in the Philippines with more than 1,000 members and 17 chapters scattered nationwide.
NAITAS with a membership of strong marketing agents, produces 65% of outbound air tickets and 70% of domestic air tickets being issued from all over the country. Galang led her delegation of 28 NAITAS members during the familiarization trip which itinerary included breakfast at Punong Restaurant, the iconic New City Hall of Tagum and Banana Beach in Magdum. The team also paid a courtesy call to Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy prior to the start of their tour. Over breakfast, the mayor requested the team to help promote Tagum
as he discussed a bit of his administration’s best practices. Erstwhile NAITAS president Sheila Johnson, who had been in Tagum six years ago, expressed amazement of the city’s transformation in terms of its ecotourism destinations. “I was surprised because when I was here six years ago, wala pa masyadong tourist destinations and it’s really amazing how you had boomed in terms of re-branding your city to become a must-see destination,” Johnson said. (CIO-Tagum City/Louie Lapat and Edwin Lasquite)
PDEA nabs MJ and shabu pushers
DAVAO CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI nabbed two illegal drug pushers in a buy-bust operation conducted on August 23 at around 5:30 p.m. at Brgy. Tagakpan, Tugbok District, Davao City. The suspects were identified as Renante Cayao Y Gailon, 26 years old, single, driver, and a resident of Crossing Tagakpan, Davao City and his brother Jerson Cayao Y Gailon, 29 years old, single and a farmer, also of the same barangay. The suspects were arrested after selling two sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as “shabu” worth Php 1,000.00 to PDEA agent who acted as poseur buyer. Recovered from the possession and control of Renante were the three (3) sachets of suspected shabu, four packs of suspected died marijuana leaves and one Php 1,000.00 buy-bust marked money bill with serial number DP239025. During the conduct of arrest, Jerson interfered in the course of arrest of his younger brother which prompted the agents to frisk him for he might be carrying a deadly weapon.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Unfortunately, the agents recovered two packs of suspected dried marijuana leaves in his pocket, which led to his immediate arrest. The suspects were detained at PDEA Jail Facility, while the seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted to Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory, at Ecoland, Davao City for laboratory examination. Cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against the suspects. PDEA regional director Emerson R. Rosales urged the public to help in the crusade against illegal drugs, saying “Let us work hand in hand to drive out the menace of drug abuse in our country. Report to us those who are involved in il-
legal drug activities.” Concerned citizens can send comments, suggestions, queries and reports on suspected illegal drug in their respective areas, through texts. For Smart and Talk and Text subscribers: just type PDEA <space> FEEDBACK <space><NAME OF SENDER> /<AGE> <BARANGAY> /<CITY or MUNICIPALITY> / <REGION> / <DRUG RELATED INFORMATION> and send to 700PDEA (7007332). For Globe, Touch Mobile, Sun and Red Mobile subscribers: just type PDEA <space> FEEDBACK <space><NAME OF SENDER> /<AGE> <BARANGAY> /<CITY or MUNICIPALITY> / <REGION> / <DRUG RELATED INFORMATION> and send to 0999-888PDEA (09998887332). The public may also text or call PDEA hotlines at 082-222-3045, 09395433405, 09158362599 or 09331481387. (PDEA-11)
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