One Mindanao
PIA REGIONAL OFFICES Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0919-9994516 E-mail: ro9_pia@yahoo.com, mimibern17@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX
Ground Floor 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
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com, r10_pia@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.pia-10.blogspot.com
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL ADVISERS SEC. SONNY B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency EXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region
SOCCSKSARGEN Region 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 Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com , pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph Website: www.piacaraga.com Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - Caraga Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region COPY EDITORS FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region
NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST
THELMA B. OLIVER Regional Director, PIA Region X
LAYOUT ARTISTS
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region
GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X
Contents NATIONAL
INFOCUS
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government job 11 3,320 16 vacancies posted online
NORTHERN
SOUTHERN
warns public on text 20 BSP scam intensifies conduct 21 DTI of law enforcement in
CARAGA
By: Gideon Corgue
WESTERN OUR COVER
25 intensifies PRIME28 CSC HRM among government 39 employees By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
DSWD-Caraga strengthens implementation of MCCTIP on GIDA
DavNor guv hopes Samal bridge FS to be done before his retirement By: Michael Uy
4Ps proves poor can excel in school
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MisOcc
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Investors raise concern on the adverse effect of weak BBL on investment in ARMM
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Cover Story
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Dipolog conferred PGS proficiency medallion By: Franklin P. Gumapon
Mindanao cultural educators, artists urge MinDA to fortify culture, arts agenda in Mindanao 2020 By: Rene Carbayas
Cover Story
4Ps proves poor can excel in school By: Gideon C. Corgue
W
hat
has the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) accomplished since its implementation in region 9? Answers to this question may vary – negative or positive – depending from which group the answer would come. But, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 has always the best answer to this question.
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Lately, Ivan Eric Salvador of DSWD-9, Zamboanga City paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 in Pagadian City to seek PIA’s help in the media coverage of the mass graduation activity to be attended by 4Ps beneficiaries who finished their secondary education with honors from all over the region. One of the highlights of the said activity was a talk show with four high school valedictorians from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City, 4Ps beneficiaries. sharing their success in school as
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Human development program According to Salvador, 4Ps or simply called “Pantawid” is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily children aged 0-18 years old. “This year 2015, the program has produced more than 300,000 high school graduates nationwide,” Salvador said adding “this occasion is considered a memorable milestone not just for
the program but most especially for the beneficiaries who are a step closer to a better life.” In region 9, a total of 23,354 Pantawid beneficiaries had finished high school last March, broken down as follows: Zamboanga del Norte – 7,098; Zamboanga del Sur – 8,222; Zamboanga Sibugay
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– 4,487; and Zamboanga City – Isabel cluster – 3,547. Academic achievers The data released by DSWD9 showed that 1,171 or 5.01 percent of the 23,354 Pantawid high school graduates finished with flying colors: 109 as valedictorian, 81 as salutatorian and 981 as honorable mention. During the talk show, Keith Jasper S. Guantero of Zamboanga del Norte, Crisjane A. Mandawa of Zamboanga del Sur, Elmer R. Gumabo of Zamboanga Sibugay and Ronie Giap of Zamboanga City-Isabela Cluster were one in thanking the government for giving them financial support for their studies. The four, who graduated valedictorian, said they were able to cope with their studies because of the monthly allowance they regularly received from the DSWD through the 4Ps. They said their monthly allowance had enabled them to buy their needs in school especially their projects and to spend for their extra-curricular activities, which comprise 30 percent weight in computing the grades of honor students in high school.
“Without that financial assistance, we could not have competed with our fellow bright students who were economically better-off,” Guantero pointed out. Best resource A government official, who requested not to be named, was frank in telling this writer that at first he thought the Pantawid was a waste of people’s money that it would only make the poor more dependent on dole-outs. But now he has realized that the government was right in implementing such as a program to improve the country’s human resource.
helped the poor students pursue their studies. What will happen to these poor but bright students? It is only proper that they be given the needed support by the government to improve on their lives, for human resource is the best resource any government can ever have,” he pointed out. (FPG/PIA9)
“The 4Ps has really
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Malacañang congratulates Social Welfare Secretary Soliman for World Bank MANILA The Palace congratulated Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman, who was recently recognized by the World Bank for her anti-poverty work and people empowerment. “We congratulate DSWD Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman for being one of six leaders from government, civil society and the private sector worldwide, who were given recognition by
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the World Bank for their work ‘in promoting social accountability as a means to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive growth in their respective countries’,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement issued on Thursday.
and discuss their concerns,” said Konishi.
This is the first time that the World Bank-Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) gave the regional awards and a lifetime award for social accountability.
Under Soliman’s leadership, civil society organizations have been involved in the implementation and monitoring of the conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the DSWD and more than 50 civil society organizations have entered into a budget partnership agreement to monitor the budget of the department, he added.
According to World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi, Secretary Soliman “translates the practice of social accountability and transparency into concrete strategic activities, which she implements with great commitment and passion.”
In a statement, the World Bank said that as Chair of the Philippine Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Soliman helped promote collaboration among government agencies for poverty reduction.
“Amid dissenting voices and criticisms, she opens the door for collaboration, participation and dialogue, inviting people to voice
These include the bottom-up budgeting approach where 300 to 400 of the poorest municipalities developed their own communityMAY 15, 2015
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level poverty reduction empowerment plans.
and These students were the first batch of high school graduates covered by the program. These plans were subsequently included in the rural The Pantawid Pamilyang development and conditional cash Pilipino Program is one of transfer budgets of six national the programs initiated by the agencies: the departments of government to sustain inclusive social welfare, education, health, growth and uplift the lives of poor agriculture, agrarian reform, and Filipinos. environment, the World Bank said. The other recipients of the World Bank GPSA award were Soliman also mobilized from Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, regional development councils Bangladesh, Morocco, and to work with local government Moldova. units in ensuring the registration of the poor in the government’s The recognition was given national household targeting during an official ceremony at the system database, it added. World Bank headquarters, which was hosted by Sanjay Pradhan, In his statement, Coloma World Bank Vice President reported that last month, some for Change, Leadership and 14,000 beneficiaries of the Innovation. (PCOO/PND (as) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program graduated from high school in the National Capital Region.
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3,320 government job vacancies posted online
MANILA - Encouraging more young Filipinos to join the civil service and widening the reach of government recruitment, the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and Department of Tourism (DOT) have posted 3,320 vacancies online. MAY 15, 2015
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As of Thursday, 3,320 vacancies have been posted at Kalibrr.com, a jobs matching site, in partnership with the Bagumbayani Initiative, a program by Young Public Servants (YPS) that aims to promote positive change and integrity in the government by sustainably recruiting young people into the civil service. Bagumbayani Initiative started with a group of friends who come from different government agencies, and who decided to meet every Wednesday to talk about their experiences and stories in the civil service. Of the 3,320 vacancies, 3,211 entry-level positions are from the BIR, 41 positions from the DOF, 31 positions from the DBM, 33 positions from the DOTC, and 4 positions from the DOT. Since the vacancies were published in an initial soft launch in April, the DOF has received 244 applications, BIR - 154 applications, DBM - 152 applications, DOTC - 18
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applications, applications.
and
DOT
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Applicants can now view the government agencies’ Kalibrr accounts through the Bagumbayani Initiative’s Facebook page, and through the following links: 1. DOF - https://www.kalibrr. com/c/department-of-finance/ jobs; recruitment.dof.gov.ph 2. BIR - https://www.kalibrr. com/c/bureau-of-internalrevenue/jobs 3. DBM - https://www.kalibrr. com/c/department-of-budgetand-management/jobs 4. DOTC https://www. kalibrr.com/c/dotc-npmo/jobs; h t t p s : / / w w w. k a l i b r r. c o m / c / department-of-transportationand-communications_ppp_ implementation/jobs 5. DOT - https://www.kalibrr. com/c/department-of-tourism/ jobs
Heads of these agencies have shared their thoughts encouraging young Filipinos to enter government service.
with a critical eye and a hopeful heart. I had the privilege of meeting the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore a few years ago, and I agree with him when he “To ensure the sustainability says that the only way to change of President Aquino’s good government is from within. To governance initiatives, we need a young Filipinos: your country needs you. We hope that you respond to this call to service,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said. BIR Commissioner Kim S. JacintoHenares on the one hand believes the country needs “a critical mass of young, honest Filipinos who love the country to join the BIR. The 3,211 vacancies we have posted are around a constant flow of young, talented fifth of the Bureau’s workforce: Filipinos entering government this is our chance to transform MAY 15, 2015
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the Bureau into a vibrant organization that can respond to the changing times and demands of the modern taxpayer,” Budget Secretary
much to nation-building, and we now call on our youth to join us in our pursuit of crucial budget reforms. We can all play a more active role in public leadership and Management and service, and there’s no Florencio “Butch” better place to kick-start positive change than in government itself.”
“There is much to be hopeful for in public transportation. As one transport expert said, the true test of a developed country is not when the poor get to ride cars, but it is when the rich take public transportation. We encourage the youth to come aboard ‘daang matuwid’ and help us prove that even transportation can be more fun in the Philippines,” said Secretary of Transportation Abad said the presence of young and Communications Joseph people in government has opened Emilio T. Abaya. new spaces for innovation in the agencies. “The natural skill Meanwhile, underscoring and creativity of so many young the improvement of the country Filipinos has already contributed for the past years that Filipinos
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can be truly proud of, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. encourages the youth to join government service saying “Tourism has now become a national industry, generating billions in terms of revenue and creating millions of jobs for our people. And although we have achieved where we are now, this is only the beginning. The biggest responsibility of the youth is to ensure the future. We invite our young people to join the public service and help continue the story of our country’s success,” “Kalibrr is excited at the opportunity to partner with government to help them fill their vacancies with the best talent the Philippines has to offer. With Kalibrr’s technology and social media reach, we’re confident we will help the government achieve its national recruitment goals,” says Kalibrr Chief Executive Officer Paul Rivera. Kalibrr is the sole Philippine-based startup
that aims to solve recruitment in the Philippines. The company is backed by Y Combinator – the Silicon Valley giant behind tech giants AirBnB, 9Gag, Reddit and Scribd. Other strong patrons of the firm include EBay’s Pierre Omidyar, and Globe Telecom’s Kickstart Ventures. With only six months of full operations, Kalibrr has already provided over 1,500 jobs to seekers and has gained the trust of almost 4,000 companies. “Young Public Servants is proud to take part in the Bagumbayani Initiative, and we support its mission of bringing the best and the brightest young Filipinos to directly take part in nation building through the civil service. Good governance lives because of the hope and energy of our youth,” Natalie Cristine Jorge, Lead Convenor of Young Public Servants said.(DOF)
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Investors raise concern on the adverse effect of weak BBL on investment in ARMM
COTABATO CITY - Registered firms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have expressed fear that a diluted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) could bring forth a weak “autonomy� and undermine the investment climate in the region, an investment official said Thursday. The group tackled the possible effects of the passage of the BBL to the current investments in the region in a meeting on Tuesday,
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12 May, of the Promotion of Investment Sustainability Organization (PISO), a newly created advisory body composed
of registered firms in the ARMM consents and their regulatory and headed by the Regional framework directly from Board of Investments (RBOI). the Autonomous Regional Government without the need to Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI go national agencies in Manila or chairperson and managing head, to their regional administrative said “if there will be changes to offices. the BBL, it should not lessen the ARMM ‘autonomy’ but should The ARMM has recorded seek to improve the investment- a steady influx of multi-billion friendly environment of the investments since 2013. The region.” RBOI registered PHP1.46 billion worth of investments in 2013 and He further said that “the the number doubled the following only way to have stability of year with PHP3.86 billion total investment policy for private investments. sector development in the region is to make sure that the level In the first quarter of 2015, of autonomy currently being RBOI registered PHP863 million. experienced in the ARMM is The agency is expecting to not lessened or reduced by the sustain or even exceed last year’s proposed changes to the BBL.” investments. Mastura urged both houses of Congress not to lose sight of the ease of doing business in the ARMM. He said new measures that will be introduced in the region must encourage more private sector development and not unduly burden them. Investors in the ARMM currently enjoy the convenience of getting their permits, licenses, approvals, administrative
Mastura said the increasing trend in investments in ARMM is largely attributed to the favorable outcome of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the continuing governance reform of the region under the present administration. (PNA) FFC/RCK/NYP/EOF
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TESDA 10 to host 1st Mindanao Zonal Dual Training Partnership forum By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) region 10 will host the 1st ever Mindanao wide Zonal Dual Training Partnership forum on 26 May 2015 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.
Kotie R. Bax, TESDA chief of Regional Operations Division said during a press briefing that they are expecting about 400 participants from all over Mindanao including Industries, Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) and 40 chambers of commerce including the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce. Bax said that they aim to get the commitment of Industries and TVIs to
implement the Republic Act 7686 or Dual Training System (DTS) which was approved on February 1994. This is an act to strengthen manpower education and training in the Philippines by institutionalizing the DTS as an instructional delivery system of technical and vocational education and training, providing the mechanism, appropriate funds therefore and for other purposes. Basically, she said that compared to On-the-Job-Training (OJT) during summer, this DTS combines two places of learning: school and company. The school provides theoretical exposure while the company provides practical exposure. Ratio is 40:60. Bax said that in Cagayan de Oro, Xavier University is already implementing this through their Center for Integrated Technologies (CIT). Their CIT has partnered with various industries such as Nestle Inc., and BMW among others to let their students go to school for two days and the other three days in the company for practical exposure. DTS is partnership between employment and educational systems, learning by doing, depends on private-sector
leadership, cost-sharing and has legal basis. However, Bax said that some companies or institutions have not implemented this because companies accepting students for DTS will pay 75% of the minimum wage. But overtime, there have been adjustments on the payment depending on the agreement set by the institution and companies. Companies in return will benefit because the workers are trained according to the company’s specific needs, highly productive workers and therefore long term growth and bigger profits and savings on production cost through tax incentives. She said that this is more so needed now because of the implementation of the K to 12 wherein Junior High School students will have to choose their path whether tech-voc, sciences, sports or arts. She adds that one National High School in Cagayan de Oro, 70% of students prefer tech-voc path. They need to link industries and TVIs in preparation for K to 12, Bax said. During this event, there will be a signing of social contract and partnership between TVIs and industries. MAY 15, 2015
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BSP warns public on text scams CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warns the public on the various text scams that continue to persist and are being proliferated through the use of mobile phones. Such recurring text scams declare that the receiver has won in a purportedly electronic or mobile number-based raffle/ lottery, allegedly sponsored by the BSP or any of its official/ representative. The receiver is then instructed to deposit a sum of money or send a prepaid load to the sender’s account to claim the
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prize money. The BSP reiterated that it does not sponsor or engage in any games of chance, lottery or raffle of such nature. Thus, BSP is reminding the public to remain vigilant about these scams and other fraudulent schemes to avoid any financial loss or damage.(BSP)
DTI intensifies conduct of law enforcement in MisOcc OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its monitoring and enforcement activities in the province. he Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lauded the local chief executives (LCE’s) of Tangub and Ozamiz Cities for their efforts in cleaning Panguil Bay. Foremost in these activities is the implementation of the Philippine National Standards (PNS) under the mandatory certification of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), DTI Provincial Director Delia M. Ayano said. Among others, the monitored products include the electrical and wiring devices, electrical appliances, building and construction materials and consumer and chemical products. Also included in the monitoring activities of DTI MisOcc is the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act to safeguard the interests and safety of consumers and to maintain fair trade in the market. Meanwhile, Ayano said a monitoring and enforcement activity was conducted in Tangub
City where DTI MisOcc enforcers were fielded to do the actual assessment in the existing firms. Covered by the activity were several types of business establishments classified as hardware, retailers, wholesalers, service and repair shops, Ayano added.(DTI)
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DavNor guv hopes Samal bridge FS to be done before his retirement DAVAO DEL NORTE - I hope the feasibility study of the Samal bridge will be completed before I’ll retire.
Davao City, the best location will be determined by the technical persons that will work on the study,” he said. He said that the Gov. Rodolfo del study will show which Rosario said recently during the Biz Talk at Big place is more feasible, yet he added, “but since 8 Hotel that before he there is still no study, I steps down as the provincial governor of Davao am suggesting to put it in Panabo because badel Norte on 2016, he sically Samal is part of wanted to ensure that Davao del Norte.” the feasibility study for Del Rosario said the Samal bridge is done that most of the people and approved. thought that Samal is “For now, I am still part of Davao City berequesting the NEDA cause as of now, it is (National Economic Dethe main gateway to the velopment Authority) to island. fund the P90-million for The Island Garden the feasibility study or to City of Samal (IGACOS) source it out,” Gov. Del more known as Samal Rosario said. “Obviously, the con- City is a component city struction will start on the of Davao del Norte, together with Panabo City next administration.” Del Rosario pointed and Tagum City. “I want it to be lothat if the study is precated in Panabo City pared and completed within his term, then his to connect Samal to its home province,” Del Rosuccessor will just have sario said. (PIA11, Mito pursue the project. chael Uy) “Whether it will be located in Panabo City or
DILG XI to intensify assessment on LGUs’ child-friendly projects
DAVAO CITY- With the recent conferment received by the city as the Most Child-Friendly 2014, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI will intensify its assessment on the performance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the delivery of social services and manifold landmark projects that promote and uphold the welfare of children. According to DILG City Director Merilo Q. Limbaro, DILG plays a vital role in the conferment of the Presidential Award, stressing that they are thoroughly assessing every
city and municipality in the region to gauge their performance in delivering children and youth-specific social services in the community. “Our core responsibility here is to conduct the mandatory Child Friendly Local Governance Audit or CFLGA. With this, we are very resilient lalo na sa pag-iikot and we meet with Punong Barangays para masigurado na lahat ng concerns at proyekto na kailangan para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng bawat bata ay existing talaga,” Limbaro said. The award for the Child-Friendly municipalities and cities was initiated by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) pursuant to Executive Order No. 184 entitled “Establishing the Presidential Award for the Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities” issued on December 13, 1999. “We assess LGUs based on the set of criteria like reduction in the deaths among children below 5 years old; reduction in the number of children below normal weight; absence of child labor or percentage reduction in child labor cases; and percentage reduction in the number of child victims of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Ilan lang yan sa tinututukan natin,” Limbaro explained. He also stressed that the assessment criteria shall use as benchMAY 15, 2015
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marks and a scale system in measuring the results and performance of LGUs consistent with national standards, averages or targets. For this year’s national search, Davao highlighted its various landmark projects creating a sustainable child-friendly milieu toward protecting the rights of the child to survival, protection, development and participation. Some of the key projects include the Halfway House for IPs in Brgy. Datu Salumay in Marilog District, Balay Pasilungan Project, ALIMA Development Center for street children, Mobile Registration Program, and the Child Minding Center in Magallanes, anti-drugs and anticrime campaigns,supplemental feeding program, scholarship program, among others. “In accordance with the country’s commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we support the realization of children’s rights and building a “Child-Friendly Society,” he said. According to Limbaro, DILG Regional Office “will intensify our assessment on the delivery of social welfare services on child and youth hindi lang para sa award kundi para sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” adding that the DILG ensures organization and assist in the strengthening of Barangay Council for the Protection of Children in all barangays. Davao City’s recent award included a trophy and a cash amounting to PHP500,000 plus a
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PHP50,000, for being a national finalist. The award was presented by CWC headed by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman in a ceremony held at Philippine International Convention Center in Manila last May 8, 2015. The city had also been honored with the same award for two consecutive years from 1998 to 1999 and won the regional award in 2012. This year, it is eyeing for the “Hall of Fame” award pushing itself further to remain in the category title as the most child-friendly city for 2015. [DILG XI-CPNaig]
BIR clarifies issues on eFPS, eBIRForms implementation By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY – In time with the second quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council – Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) meeting held on Thursday here, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Caraga has clarified issues and concerns on the implementation of the Electronic Platform in Filing Tax Returns under eFPS or eBIRForms for filing Income Tax Returns for Calendar Year 2014. Edelwesa Patubo, Client Support Unit acting assistant head of BIR-Caraga reiterated that the BIR is committed to collect taxes for nation-building through excellent, efficient and
transparent service, just and fair enforcement of tax laws, uplifting the life of every Filipino. “In connection with the implementation of the Electronic Platform in Filling Tax Returns under the eFPS or eBIRForms especially for those who filed for filing and payment of Income Tax Returns for Calendar Year 2014 which was due last April 15, 2015, the Circular No. 19-2015 was issued to provide answers/ resolutions to frequently asked questions in addition to those already posted in the eFPS/ eBIRForms Systems available in the BIR website,” Patubo bared. Patubo also explained that the online eBIRForms is a filing infrastructure that accepts tax returns submitted online and automatically computes penalties for tax returns submitted beyond the due date. When asked who are those mandated to use the eFPS, Patubo disclosed that these are the following: Taxpayer Account Management Program (TAMP) Taxpayers (Revenue Regulation No. 10-2014); Accredited Importer and Prospective Importer required to secure the BIR-ICC and BIR-BCC (RR No. 10-2014); National Government Agencies (RR No. 1-2013);
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All Licensed Local Contractors (RR No. 10-2012); Enterprises enjoying Fiscal Incentives (RR No. 1-2010); Top 5,000 Individual Taxpayers (RR No. 6-2009); Corporations with PaidUp Capital Stock of P10 million and above (RR No. 10-2007); Corporations with Complete Computerized Accounting System (RR No. 10-2007); Procuring Government Agencies with respect to Withholding of VAT and Percentage Taxes (RR No. 3-2005); Government Bidders (RR No. 3-2005); Insurance Companies and Stock Brokers (Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 71-2004); Large Taxpayers (RR No. 2-2002, as amended); and Top 20,000 Private Corporation (RR No. 2-98, as amended). Also, for those who are mandated to use eBIRForms and eFile are the following: Accredited Tax Agents/Practitioners and all its client-taxpayers who authorized them to file in their behalf; Accredited Printers of Principal and Supplementary Receipts/Invoices; One-Time Transaction taxpayers; Those engaged in business, or those with mix income (both compensation and business income) who shall file a “No Payment” Return (exception under RMC No. 12-
2015); Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations; Local Government Units, except barangays; Cooperatives, registered with National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Local Water Utilities Administrations (LWUA).
“Not all taxpayers are required to file electronically. Only taxpayers enumerated in items no. 5 and 6 of the RMC No. 19-2015 are required/ mandated to file electronically. Other taxpayers such as Micro Small Medium Enterprises who are filing their own returns and have tax payment due are not required to file electronically. However, nothing prevents them to voluntarily enroll and file using either the eFPS/eBIRForms electronic platform of the BIR. Thus, the existing procedures on Manual Filing shall still apply,”
Patubo emphasized. Patubo further clarified that only those taxpayers enumerated under item no. 6 of same RMC (as mentioned under RR No. 6-2014) are mandated to use and enroll in the eBIRForms System. Individual and non-individual taxpayers who do not fall under those categories may still file manually using the printed BIR Forms or file using the generated form from the Offline eBIRForms either manually or electronically by online submission or e-filing. Meanwhile, as to the penalties for failure to file returns under electronic systems of the BIR by taxpayers mandatorily covered by eFPS or eBIRForms, Patubo stressed that all taxpayers mandated under the existing issuances, who fail to do so, shall be imposed a penalty of P1,000 per return pursuant to Section 250 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. “In addition, the taxpayer, shall also be imposed civil penalties equivalent to 25 percent of the tax due to be paid, for filings a return not in accordance with existing regulations, thus, tantamount to wrong venue filing pursuant to Section 248 (A) (3) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended,” added Patubo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) MAY 15, 2015
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CSC intensifies PRIME-HRM among government employees By: Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY – BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – “We shall continue to establish a career service among government workers and adopt measures to promote their morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy in the civil service.” This was the statement also strengthen the merit and of Civil Service Commission rewards system, integrate all (CSC) Caraga regional director human resource development Resurreccion Pueyo, during the programs for all levels and Regional Development Council ranks, and institutionalize a – Development Administration management climate conducive Committee (RDC-DAC) second to public accountability,” said quarter meeting held here Pueyo. recently. In line with this mandate, “As mandated, the CSC shall Pueyo revealed that the CSC shall
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also serve as model for all public institutions, and there is a need to develop standards which will be the guide in the formulation of programs/systems, provision of developmental interventions, and assessment and rewarding of excellent human resource management programs, systems and practices in the public sector. “The Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) is a program of assessment, assistance and recognition of HRM excellence using global HR standards. It supports the attainment of the Commission’s vision of becoming Asia’s Center of Excellence in Human Resource (HR) and Organizational Development (OD) by 2030,” Pueyo disclosed. It was learned that under the PRIME-HRM, CSC HRM assessment, assistance, and award are envisioned to be more strategic, as it shifts from merely monitoring of compliance with regulations and guidelines, to establishing globally accepted HR maturity level indicators/ standards. These indicators/ standards will be used in searching for best practices, providing interventions, and recognizing agencies that excel
in formulating and implementing strategic HR programs, practices, and standards. The maturity level indicators serve as a yardstick for assessing, assisting, and celebrating/awarding HR excellence that would create a positive impact on public service delivery and citizen satisfaction. “The program also aims to: serve as a search mechanism for best practices in human resource management; serve as a venue for exchange and development of expertise in the area of human resource management between and among government agencies; empower agencies in the performance of human resource management functions; and promote and reward excellent human resource management practice,” emphasized Pueyo. The program covers all national and local government agencies, including governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charter, state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as regional offices of agencies with HR offices/ units. PRIME-HRM shall involve all HRMOs, heads of agencies, supervisors and rank and file employees. Accreditation under PRIMEHRM is a recognition of an agency’s performance in terms MAY 15, 2015
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of its HRM implementation. It empowers an agency to become self- managed in human resource management and development and confers on it certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities in recognition of its passing PRIME- HRM assessment based on established HR maturity level standards. Under PRIME-HRM, agencies are classified as follows: Regulated (Level I) The agency HR systems, competencies, and practices are assessed as Maturity Level I (Transactional). It has not fully demonstrated readiness to exercise delegated HR functions and needs to be subjected to regular monitoring/assistance by the Commission. Accredited (Level II) – The agency HR systems, practices, and competencies are assessed as Maturity Level II (Processdefined). It has demonstrated readiness to exercise delegated HR functions. The Commission grants Level II Accredited agencies the authority to take final action on appointments.
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Deregulated (Level III) – The agency has distinguished itself as “excellent” in all or some areas of human resource management and the core HR systems, practices, and competencies are assessed as Maturity Level 3 (Integrated). On top of the authority to take final action on appointments, deregulated agencies may establish and implement their own HR mechanisms without prior approval of the Commission. The CSC has been an active member agency of the RDC-DAC and has been getting involved in the efforts for the welfare of government employees. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga strengthens implementation of MCCT-IP on GIDA
BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program strengthens the implementation of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP). This project under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was created for the Indigenous People (IP) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA. MCCT-IP as a program is driven with its three main goals; (1) to empower, (2) to
promote, (3) and protect from any unavoidable adverse effects caused by the development process. On its implementation, MCCT-IP uses the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) strategy but with modifications in terms of processes in targeting, MAY 15, 2015
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conditionalities, package of benefits, interventions and modes of implementation. The project also employs holistic approach of community organizing. “This project requires close coordination with the tribal chieftains to ensure that cultural integrity remains while the project is implemented,” said DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli. On the identification of potential beneficiaries, community facilitators consider the following; Indigenous peoples living outside or inside their ancestral domains particularly those with no or limited access to social services, IP families with children aged 0-18 years old and/or pregnant member of the family at the time of selection, and IPs who are vulnerable and disadvantaged based on the assessment done by the community facilitators. “Because IP plays a significant part in our community. Like those partner-beneficiaries belong to the regular CCT, MCCT-IPbeneficiaries deserve to receive equal opportunities. And we do it by giving them support services interventions like working hand in hand with them on livelihood activities, capability building training, promotion of IP rights,
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or any collective engagement that will enhance self-determination, and through community family development sessions,” Brigoli added. MCCT-IP for GIDA is arranged with the following institutions, DSWD with the Department of Health, Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National AntiPoverty Commission and qualified civil society organizations. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga).
GSIS Pagadian intensifies home visits to old age pensioners By Alma L. Tingcang
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - To better serve its pensioners aged 90 years old and above, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Pagadian branch has intensified its home visits to prevent suspension of monthly payments. Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS Pagadian branch manager said as an old-age pensioner, one must renew his active status yearly, on his birth
month. “Home visits are done for oldage survivorship pensioners who cannot travel to the nearest GSIS office,� he explained.
Manuel said for 2015, the GSIS has identified 50 oldage pensioners scheduled for home visit. As of today, there are only 8 pensioners who have not been visited by GSIS. According to Engr. Manuel, no less than GSIS Senior Vice-President Atty. Dionisio C. Ebdane Jr., commended GSIS Pagadian for the highest percentage of home visits done in the Visayas-Mindanao area, during the recent Managers’ Conference held in Dumaguete City last month. In the Zamboanga Sibugay area, GSIS recently conducted
home visits and delivered UMID card to 90-year old Eulalia Sajulga of Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay; Marietta Junsay, 93 years old, also from the town of Imelda; and Agripino M. Santos, 91 years old of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay. Aside from the home visits, GSIS personnel Marvic Joy T. Ababol and Sherwin Duran also turned-over a check amounting to P50,000 to Mayor Julius T. Acosta Sr. of Siay, this province, representing his Personal Accident Medical Reimbursement. MAY 15, 2015
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The GSIS Personal Accident Insurance dubbed as My Shield covers individuals aged 3 to 80 years old and offers the cheapest yet the widest accident insurance coverage in the industry today. It has a wide array of insurance products that will protect your future at the lowest premium. My Shield offers a minimum coverage of P50,000 to a maximum protection of P5 million. GSIS continues to strive 38
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for the improvement of its services driven by integrity, professionalism, and a culture of public service, promoting an efficient organization that is fully-automated and memberfocused.
Dipolog conferred PGS proficiency medallion By Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – Having put in place the transformation toward good governance, the city government here has successfully passed the proficiency stage of the Performance Governance System (PGS) under the auspices of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).
In a public governance Pasay City, a PGS proficiency
forum held on May 4 at medallion was awarded to the Philippine International Mayor Evelyn T. Uy. Convention Center (PICC) in MAY 15, 2015
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In the same occasion, Mayor Uy also she presented the city’s accomplishments and gains to attain its vision to be the center of outdoor sports of the South by the year 2020. Dipolog is gearing up for hosting various outdoor sports competitions and events in the next five years. “We are happy that our efforts to transform our city through good governance is gaining grounds and is now being recognized. We will continue to push forward until we fully realize our dream and 40
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vision for Dipolog,” the lady mayor said. Before the awarding of the PGS proficiency medallion, Dr. Jesus Estanislao, ISA chair and forerunner of PGS in the country told Mayor Uy that he admired “how Dipolog was able to make Vision Aligned Circles (VACs) work and make transformation inclusive.” “You can proudly say that in Dipolog, even street sweepers and garbage collectors are part of good governance,” Estanislao added.
In a public revalida, Mayor Jasmine Oporto, senior vice Uy satisfactorily responded president of Aboitiz Equity to all queries posed by the ventures. panelists led by Guillermo Luz, private sector-co-chair of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). Other members of the panel were Anabelle Ochoa, chair of the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Atty. Jose Luis Gomez, commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Alfredo Reyes, vice president of the Philippine Women’s University, and Atty.
Mindanao cultural educators, artists urge MinDA to fortify culture, arts agenda in Mindanao 2020 By Rene V. Carbayas
DAVAO CITY (PIA) – Cultural workers, educators, and artists of Mindanao have pushed for the strengthening of cultural, arts and heritage agenda in Mindanao 2020. MAY 15, 2015
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From the output of the recently concluded integration workshop of the different Mindanao-based sub-commission members of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) here, Carly Sereso of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) thanked the NCCA for brining to MinDA’s attention the agenda of the cultural artisits and workers and he admitted that MinDA and the Mindanao 2020 plans lack the very “soul” of Mindanao in direct reference to culture, arts, and heritage. MinDA said the present plan is largely focused on 42
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security, social, and economic development. MinDA is Mindanao’s lead agency in coordinating and integrating development efforts to bring about accelerated socio-economic development in the area by encouraging the active and extensive participation of all sectors in the development process. “We consider very important our socio-cultural aspect because if we try to look at the development aspect is purely economic, knowing that there diverse cultures in Mindanao,” Sereso said. MinDA further said
that there are four areas of intervention to incorporate culture, arts, and heritage agenda in Mindanao 2020: 1) study the roadmap in the light of the Philippine Development Plan and that of Mindanao and endorse it to partner agencies and institutions, 2) identify aspects in the roadmap for implementation in the MinDA level, 3) identify resources and partners for development opportunities and collaboration of MinDA and NCCA and other partner agencies, and 4) identification of gaps for culture and arts future planning and programming by NCCA and other agencies or with MinDA. Fr. Albert Alejo of the NCCA Sub-Committee on Literary Arts said that MinDA should distinct itself from NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) and challenged MinDA to be a culture-based body. “MinDA could exist and
be distinct as a body if it is very familiar with the soul and culture of Mindanao, otherwise we contend with having NEDA,” Fr. Alejo said, challenging MinDA to embrace the culture of Mindanao. Cultural workers, artists, and educators from the different parts of Mindanao met at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City last April 21 to revisit the plans that each subcommittees have prepared in previous meetings and consolidate them to become a one Mindanao plan that will serve as the roadmap of Mindanao Culture, Arts, and Heritage Indicative Action Plan: Period 2016-2017. “This is not a program planning. We are planning for results. We are planning for impact outcomes,” workshop facilitator Nestor T. Horfilla stressed, hoping to make the consolidated plan be more MAY 15, 2015
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implementable. In her opening remarks, Marichu G. Tellano, Chief of NCCA Plan/Policy Formulation and Programming Division, said that the meeting was in response to the clamor that while each committees meet and create programs and activities respectively, there was no opportunity to get-toknow one another and more importantly to harmonize the plans and programs so these may have greater impact to the communities NCCA is serving. In her message, NCCA Executive Director Adelina M. Suemith said that NCCA has been engaging lots of sectors in consultation activities in order to improve its services to the people and saw the need to find new ways in planning and sharing of resources in view of the challenges posed 44
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by the Aquino Administration. “In this way, the NCCA empowers the regions to dream for themselves and achieve these dreams at their level. NCCA hopes to see an improved sense of identity among the diverse peoples of Mindanao,� she said. The collective Mindanao Region Culture-and-Arts Action Plan was set for a two-year period starting 2016 until 2017, and intended to harmonize the Culture-and-Arts strategic directions in Mindanao with the three sub-sector development outcomes, namely: 1) established culture as pillar for sustainable development, 2) advanced creativity and diversity of artistic expression, and 3) promoted strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and arts.