PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
An Electronic News Magazine of the Phliippine Information Agency Mindanao Clusters
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
EDITORIAL BOARD
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
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
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region
Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)
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
Managing Editor …….........
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga 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
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
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
Executive Editor …….........
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
OUR COVER
Tree Planting in Panigan, joining the NGP
Cover Story :
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Tree Planting in Panigan, joining the NGP
NATI O NAL
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Vol. 1, No. 91
CENTRAL Mindanao
Davao del Norte Sports complex to rise at par with international standards Rep. Apsay determined to push Comval State College
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Aquino debunks claims that Phl government has not been nice to the ‘Big Brother’
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Aquino says Phl employing new tact in handling food security concerns
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Aquino says American company to start developing natural gas field in northern Philippines next year
CARAGA Region
WESTERN Mindanao
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contents
SOUTHERN Mindanao
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No sufficient reason to adjust wages – DOLE 12 Budget ng South Cotabato inaasahang maipapasa bago ang Disyembre 15
South Cotabato Gov’t handa nang mamili ng palay
NORTHERN Mindanao
Gobyerno mipasalig sa supisyenteng pondo para sa mga OFWs
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Butuan City officials, businessmen, professionals to invite investors in Tokyo Provincial Health Office to conduct synchronized posting of IEC materials Hot lumber seized in Surigao del Sur; illegal sawmill dismantled DILG, DTI and AECID capacitate LGUs on Local Investment Incentives Code City official cites importance of morality to achieve peace and order
NOVEMBER 13, 2011
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Wheelchair/Walk for a Cause highlights Int’l Day of PWDs on Dec. 3
PWDs receive 80 wheelchairs as early Christmas gifts 15 FMR sites to open in Camiguin this year Bukidnon pilots integration of DRR, CCA in local plans to ease LGU disaster response RA 9679 mandates membership in Pag-Ibig Fund
Cover Story Tree Planting in Panigan, joining the NGP
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was not able to join the office’s tree planting schedule under the National Greening Program. To make up for it, I joined the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group-XI tree planting activity in Sitio Panigan, Calinan District, a far-flung area in Davao City. 4
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Stio Panigan is located atop a 2,000 feet above sea level mountain, the tree-planting area is a Community-Based Forest Management Area or what we call the CBFMA. It took me more than an hour to climb the back-breaking trails of the mountain. We were joined by PAF personnel, PAF reservists, ROTC cadets and personnel from the DENR. It involved river-crossing, steep trails, spectacular vistas and forest hikes until we reached the top of our destination, where we planted seedlings like rubber trees and mahogany.
National Greening Program The launching of this flagship environment program of the President Benigno Aquino III’s administration is a landmark forest management imitative. This was spelled out in Executive Order No. 26 signed by the President in February of 2011. The NGP is geared towards attaining sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. It seeks not just to plant trees or create forests but also to give livelihood opportunities to upland dwellers particularly
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with the planting of fruit trees and other agro-forestry species like rubber, narra and mahogany. The President’s goal is to plant a billion trees all over the country in six years time. NGP in the Region The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region XI has a target of 2.757 million tree seedlings to be planted in 5,514 hectares for 2011 alone. By succeeding years will have another set of targets. 6
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As of September the DENRXI with the support of different sectors has planted 2.2 million seedlings mostly Falcatta, Cacao, Coffee, Rubber, Narra, Mahogany and Molave tree species in an area estimated to be about 4,900 hectares. This is 80% of the target for the year and the DENR is confident in meeting and surpassing their replanting targets. The tree planters in the region are mostly composed of Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) beneficiaries and other volunteers both
coming from the public and the private sectors particularly the students. Aside from the 2.2 million seeds another 450,000 seedlings were also planted along roadsides, riverbanks, timberlands and watershed areas. By 2012 new areas had been identified for replanting which would now total 9,500 hectares. These sites are mostly ancestral domain and protected areas which means the planting locations are farther away from the previous ones.
To support the replanting efforts, the DENR Clonal Nursery in Tagum City has been beefed up. The clonal nursery in Madaum Tagum supplies about 80% of the planting requirements for the NGP. Other planting sources are sourced from CBFM beneficiaries who scour their areas for mother trees where they can source their seedlings. City Government of Davao initiatives In line with the NGP, the
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City Government of Davao is also envisioning an ambitious agro-reforestry program to be spearheaded by the City Agriculturist Office. It aims to cover 105,000 hectares of identified agroforestry areas according to City Agriculturist Leo Avila, an initial funding of P8-million was al-
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located to jumpstart the program in 2011. The funding will be spent for seedling and farmer trainings. The city has also developed a 5-hectare central nursery in Malagos and eight satellite nurseries in different barangays located within watershed areas. These would produce seedlings of
Sunday, November 13, 2011
agro-forestry trees like cacao, coffee, rubber, abaca and coconuts. The plan as enunciated by Mayor Sara Duterte in her recent Stateof-the-City-Address is aimed for upland rehabilitation and to address poverty in the hinterland areas.
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Aquino debunks claims that Phl government has not been nice to the ‘Big Brother’
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III debunked claims that the Philippine government has “not been nice to the Big Brother,” referring to the People’s Republic of China.
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
“If you look at tourism, we sent about 800,000 Filipinos out of our population of 95 million to China. China reciprocates by sending us 200,000,” the Chief Executive said in response to reports enunciated by a Chinese national to the President that the Philippines was not very nice to the Big Brother during the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth on Friday (November 11, Honolulu time) at the Sheraton Waikiki here. “So in terms of balance of trade and tourism we’ve sent a lot more than China sends to us. In terms of direct investments, we have 2.5 billion dollars in direct investment to China; we get 600 million so far from China. So I think we have invested more in China than
China has invested in us, although China’s economy is way, way beyond ours,” the President said. According to the President, it would be unfair to say that the Philippines has not been a good brother to the Big Brother adding that “I think we have demonstrated time and again.” The President noted that as a government, “we’re tasked not to look at the short term but rather the longer term and lay the groundwork for future interventions.” He said that while “we agree that China is a very dominant economic player in the world’s stage play but there’s a saying that says don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” “China does have to fund its purchases also by its own trade with the rest of the
world, and therefore anything that redounds to grow in the world’s economy should be something that the Philippines is... into doing and actually doing something about,” he added. The President also said that the government is focused on really maximizing the utility from various advantages, chief of which is human resource capital. “We will invest further and further in improving this lot and we participate in global forums like APEC primarily because we do believe that the problems have a commonality, and a common solution is necessary if we are to effect longterm solutions to all of us,” he concluded. (RSDA)
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Aquino says Phl employing new tact in handling food security concerns
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III stressed that the Philippines under his helm is employing a totally different orientation in all fields especially on food security which, he said, is part of the “transformative character of our administration.� 12
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The Chief Executive made this statement in response to a question fielded to him by the moderator at the panel discussion on commodity security for economic growth. How has he addressed food security and how far has his government gone in that path? The panel discussion was held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel here on Friday. “In terms of food security, I’m very pleased to note that our agricultural minister has already given us a guarantee, number one, that there is no need for further importation of rice,” the President said. “With the next harvest which is due January, we will have an excess over that
which is mandated as strategic reserve in terms of rice. And what was done was not radical changes but rather just doing what was necessary,” he stressed. He cited as examples the government’s move in providing certified or genuine seeds, offering basic inputs that would help upland farmers in their marketing campaign and in not making it profitable to import. The concern was to control dependence on imported rice and in the process guarantee food production and security. According to the President, all these basic steps have led to the “three quarters of bumper harvest that gives us that measure over and
above that which is necessary for the first quarter of 2012.” The President also described as “truly encouraging” that there are neighboring countries that have signified so much interest in participating in the country’s agricultural sector. In closing the President emphasized that “we are trying to become a country that is extremely business friendly, that will maximize the potentials inherent to our country and most of all something that is geared towards our people, who we believe is the greatest resource we have.” (RSDA)
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Aquino says American company to start developing natural gas field in northern Philippines next year
resident Benigno S. Aquino III announced on Friday here that a United States company will start developing a natural gas field in the northern part of the Philippines next year.
President Aquino made the announcement during a panel discussion on commodity security for economic growth at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel here in Honolulu, Hawaii. The President is here in Hawaii for a three-day working visit to join the other 20 APEC leaders for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to discuss relevant issues, including growth and jobs, regulatory reform and competitiveness, and 14
energy efficiency and energy security. “In terms of energy, we are second to America in exploiting geothermal resources. We have managed to have several other countries sharing the expertise that we do already have,” the President said in a response to a question fielded by a moderator during the panel discussion. “There is a new field that is going to start next year by an American company in the northern portion of the Philippines. There’s substantial gas deposits that we believe are
Sunday, November 13, 2011
already on the proven scale that will dwarf the existing Malampaya oil fields,” he added. The President said that some of the fields are part of the disputed areas and that the Philippines is currently working on steps to determine if these are consistent with the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Aquino also expressed hope that all the signatorycountries will adhere to UNCLOS, which provides that a state’s exclusive economic zone extends to 200 miles
from its continental shelf. “We are hoping that all the signatories of the United Nations Convention will adhere to the stipulations of the convention
and among them are the 200-mile exclusive economic zone,” he said. The President also said that there are also “various mechanisms” to settle the issue on
the disputed areas “once and for all” and to have the resources benefit not only the Philippines but neighboring countries as well. (CO)
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Davao del Norte Sports complex to rise at par with international standards Jean Duron-Abangan
D
avao del Norte Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario believes that the Provincial Sports Complex will rise through construction works at par with standards though the project bid is P7 million lesser than the original estimated cost. During the groundbreaking ceremony Friday, del Rosario bared the original construction cost at P250 million but the winning bidder took the project in a turn-key arrange
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ment at P243 million. “We develop the specs and the design of the sports complex. The specs come from our engineering department,� he said in pointing out that the contractor, Young Builders Corp., would just have to construct the sports facility based on specifications set by the provincial government. Young Builders Corp. has a track record of turn-key arrangement in constructing the Tagbilaran City Hall and Quirino Gen. Hospital
in Bohol. It constructs buildings first before it gets paid. Set to get done on Dec. 12, 2012, the Davao del Norte Sports Complex would have a main grandstand of 1,712 square meters with approximately 3,000 seating capacity. It will also have an oval track of 8-lane running tracks, outdoor playing courts, olympic size swimming pool with a warm-up pool. Its roads and drainages including its electrical works are set to get done at par with standards of a sports complex capable of holding national and even international sports events. Meanwhile, Del Rosario has also seen substantial economic benefits which can be drawn out of operating the sports complex. Once ready to host a Palarong Pambansa, the sports complex would be further developed through funds from the national government which usually allots budget for sprucing up of sports facilities in the Palarong Pambansa site. Del Rosario also wants a commercial complex to rise that would add up to avenues of generating economic enterprises within the 11-
hectare sports complex area. Though athletes are free to use the facilities within the sports complex, he expects fees to be charged for public use especially of the swimming pool. On the other hand, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy is pleased with the construction of Davao del Norte Sports Complex as this would primarily benefit Tagum City. He is looking at the prospect of more people coming into Tagum City, creating more income in terms of transportation and sales receipts. Tagum City can also share with the mileage that the provincial government would get out of holding big sports events at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex. However, he suggested that sports/ athelete associations be involved in the management and maintenance of sports facilities within the complex. “Politico mi. Usahay dili ta makabalibad.” (We are politicians, we sometimes can’t say no) he said. (PIA-11/ Jean D Abangan)
Facts and Figures...
P6,000.00
The monthly salary of a member belonging to theDavao City Anti Crime Task Group. Organized to compliment the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in anti-crime, peacekeeping and disaster response operations. Sunday, November 13, 2011
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Rep. Apsay determined to push Comval State College by Jean Duron Abangan
DAVAO CITY-Compostela Valley Province 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora- Apsay will continue to pursue the establishment of a state college if the planned regional state college would not have a branch in the province.
and is currently being lodged at the Education Committee in the Senate. But discussion of such bill for final approval has been pending due to plans of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to establish a regional state college out of the existing state colleges in the Davao Region. Guesting in a media forum She suggested CHED to put up in Davao City, Apsay revealed a branch of such regional state colthat Bukidnon State College has its lege in Compostela Valley so stubranch in Compostela Valley Province dents in the province would no but the province has no independent longer have to travel far from their tertiary school that it can call its homeplace. own. “If that would mean our stu “Mas maayo pa ang Zamboango dents have to travel to Davao City Sibugay (Region 9). It has its own then I would still push through with state college, “ she said. the Comval State College,” she said Apsay bared having filed a bill referring to the planned regional creating a Compostela Valley Provstate college. (PIA 11/jmdabangan) ince local state college that is already approved in the third reading,
Did you know... That the lworld’s largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bats (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus) is found inside the Monfort Bat Cave in Babak district, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). the distinction is already recognized by teh Guinness World Book of Records.
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No sufficient reason to adjust wages – DOLE 12 By Dani Doguiles KORONADAL CITY, Nov 13 -- Wage adjustment in the private sector is not yet necessary, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of Soccsksargen region (RTWPB 12) has decided in its recent meeting. Ma. Gloria Tango, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment said, the wage board met on Wednesday, among their agenda was to review regional economic factors and determine whether there is enough reason for a wage adjustment, considering that the present wage order is already past the one-
year prescriptive period. “Based on the data on the prices of basic commodities we have gathered from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture and data on prices of fuel from the Department of Energy, the board has found no sufficient basis to ad-
just the minimum age in the region.” Despite these, Tango ordered continued close monitoring of prices of the commodities across the region in the next two months. Earlier, RTWPB Secretary Jessie dela Cruz explained that the board has not yet received a single petition asking for a review
Sunday, November 13, 2011
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of Wage Order No. 16 or an increase of the basic wages, although the ban for filing a petition has expired last month. Wage Order No. 16, approved on October 31 last year, increased the daily cost
of living allowances of workers in the private sector by P15. Thus, the prevailing minimum daily wage of workers in the region is P260 for non-agricultural workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for agri-
cultural non-plantation workers, P240 for retail and service establishments with more than 10 employees and P234 for retail and service establishments with less than 10 employees. (PIA 12)
Budget ng South Cotabato inaasahang maipapasa bago ang Disyembre 15 KORONADAL CITY, Nob 13 -- Balak ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato na maipapasa ang budget ng lalawigan bago ang Disyembre 15. Ayon kay Board Member Jose Madanguit, chairman ng committee on on appropriations ng SP, hindi sila mahihirapan na talakayin ang budget dahil halos magkasinglaki lang ito ng budget ng lalawigan noong 2010. Ani Madanguit, nasa P859 milyon lang ang budget na isinumite ng pamahalaang panlalawigan para sa 2012. Hindi na aniya sila mahihirapang maghanap kung saan babawasan ang budget 20
dahil lahat ng departamento ay nagbawas nan g kanilang budget alinsunod sa kautusan ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr na pagtitipid lalung lalo na sa maintenance and other operating expenses bunsod ng malaking kabawasan sa internal revenue allotment ng LGU. Base sa notisyang kanilang natanggap ilang linggo ang nakalipas, aabot sa P36 milyon ang mababawas sa IRA ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa susunod na taon, da-
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hilan para tipirin ang gastos sa office supplies, gasolina, oil and lubricants, telepono, tubig, at marami pang iba. Subalit nilinaw ni Madanguit na hindi maapektuhan sa pagtitipid ang suweldo ng
mga kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan, Sa katunayan aniya, kalakip sa panukalang
budget ang humigitkumulang P30 milyon para sa ikatlong bugso ng salary stan-
dardization III na dapat maibibigay sa kanila sa Enero. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
South Cotabato Gov’t handa nang mamili ng palay KORONADAL CITY, Nob 13 -- Handa na ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng South Cotabato para mamimili ng palay sa mga susunod na linggo kung sakaling bababa ang presyon ng palay sa mga commercial traders kasabay ng biglaang pagtaas ng ani sa susunod na buwan. Inaaasahan kasi ang mahigit 12,000 ektarya na aanihin sa lalawigan sa Disyembre na maaring dahilan ng padausdos pababa ang presyo ng palay. Ayon kay Provincial Agriculture Officer Reynaldo Legaste nakikipag-ugnayan na sila sa isang maaasahang seed cooperative para ilatag ang proseso para sa pagpapatupad ng proyekto na popondohan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan. Subalit nilinaw ni Legaste na hindi nakikipagkumpitensiya ang provincial LGU sa mga commercial traders. Nais lang daw makatulong ng pamahalaang panlalawigan
para mapigilan ang labis na pagbaba ng presyo ng aning palay ng mga magsasaka. Dagdag pa ni Legaste, ang palay na malilikom sa proyekto ay ipapagiling at ang bigas na makukuha ay gagamitin naman sa supplemental feeding program ng pamahalaang panlalawigan.
Sa ganitong pamamaraan, aniya, makatutulong na ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa mga magsasaka , makatitipid pa ito sa gastusin para sa gagamiting bigas sa supplemental feeding program. (DEDoguiles/ PIA 12)
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Butuan City officials, businessmen, professionals to invite investors in Tokyo by Robert E. Roperos
M
ayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun led the Butuan delegation composed of city officials, professionals from the academe and private businessmen as they flew to Tokyo, Japan Saturday to invite Japanese investors.
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
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During the sendoff press conference held Friday, Mayor Amante said the main purpose of their fiveday trip is “to sell Butuan.” Amante said that what he meant by selling Butuan is that they will serve as Ambassadors of Goodwill and they invite Japanese investors to pour in investments here. The city’s chief executive also said this is in response to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the national government which is one of the priority programs of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The hardworking mayor of the city pointed out that he will be presenting 11
of his priority projects to the Japanese counterparts in Toyo University in Tokyo and discuss the matters that will make the said projects into a reality. Amante said the partnership with the Toyo University started during the construction of the Diosdado Macapagal Bridge here where Japanese contractors handled the multi-million project. “One of the Japanese contractors of that project probably fell in love with the City of Butuan as he helped in recommending the city to visit the said university in Tokyo to discuss matters pertaining to infrastructure development of the
city,” Amante said in Cebuano dialect. Meawhile, Mayor Amante explained that as per instruction of the national government, only his fare and with that of Vice-Mayor Fortun will be shouldered by the local government. The rest of the officials will be charged to them personally. Amante said those who came from the academe and business sectors will also shoulder their expenses. The official also called the support of the Butuanons by praying for their safe travels and success in their transaction with the Japanese investors.
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Provincial Health Office to conduct synchronized posting of IEC materials by Nora CL Molde
BUTUAN CITY-- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Agusan del Norte, in partnership with the Educational Discipline in Culture and Arts for Development and Services - Health Promotion Project (EDCADS-HealthPRO), will conduct a synchronized posting of information, education and communication (IEC) materials on November 14.
Provincial health officer Dr. Elizabeth N. Campado said the partnership of EDCADSHealthPRO and PHO in promoting health has benefited the communities in the province. 24
He also said the health programs are implemented and sustained in the province by the 11 rural health units (RHUs) including its five hospitals. The health pro-
Sunday, November 13, 2011
grams include Family Planning; Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition program; and Safe Motherhood. The unveiling of IEC materials’ posting on Monday will be held
at the Nasipit, Agusan del Norte Municipal Hall ground at 7:30 A.M. It is considered as first in the province and Nasipit was chosen as the pilot
municipality for the program. The activity is in line with the Aquino administration’s Universal Health Care or “Ka-
lusugan Pangkalahatan” (UHC KP) program with the aims of improving the quality of health care services in the country.
Hot lumber seized in Surigao del Sur; illegal sawmill dismantled
BUTUAN CITY - Some 2,000 board feet of government banned hardwood species Lawaan estimated to be worth P85,000 were confiscated recently in Barangay Tigao, Cortes town in Surigao del Sur province, police said. A report from Caraga Police Regional Information Office headed by Supt. Martin Gamba said the seizure of the illegal lumbers also led to the discovery of a local wood processing plant in the area allegedly processing illegally cut logs unnoticed.
The police report said the joint operatives of the 1st Company of 13th Regional Public Safety Battalion, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR’s) Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission
conducted the operation against the illegal logging in Barangay Tigao, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, recently. Confiscated Lawaan lumber and sawmill equipment were turned over to CENRO Tandag City. (BS/PIACaraga)
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DILG, DTI and AECID capacitate LGUs on Local Investment Incentives Code by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise
BUTUAN CITY –- In accordance with the recently issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2011-01 dated October 12, 2011, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry Region XIII, in partnership with Agencia Española de Cooperacion para el Desarrollo (AECID) under its Strengthening Local Governments in the Philippines (SLGP) Project, conducted a Local investment Incentives Code Formulation Workshop for selected local government units recently at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
The activity aimed to capacitate the participants on the formulation or revision of their investment incentives code to enhance the competitiveness of the investment climate in their local government units. This was participated by the cit26
ies of Bayugan, Surigao and Tandag and the municipalities of Buenavista and Carmen, Agusan del Norte, San Francisco and Esperanza of Agusan del Sur, San Jose of Dinagat Islands, Mainit of Surigao del Norte and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. The participants of each city and municipality were the Sanggunian Member Chair on Trade and Commerce, Secretary
Sunday, November 13, 2011
to the Sanggunian, Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer (LEIPO, Assessor, Treasurer and Planning and Development Coordinator. The main speakers of the activity were: Lourdes Ellen N. Kionisala, officer-in-charge of
the Board of Investments (BOI) Cagayan de Oro City Office and Nemesio Maceren, assistant regional director of the Bureau of Lo-
cal Government Finance (BLGF) Region XIII. The two-day activity ended with the presentation and critiquing of
their action plans on the formulation and revision of their investment incentives code.
City official cites importance of morality to achieve peace and order
BUTUAN CITY-– Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun of this city said Wednesday that uplifting morality of the people will lead to achieving peace and order. Sunday, November 13, 2011
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Speaking before the participants of the 2011 National Moral Recovery Program Congress held in one of the local convention centers here, Fortun pointed out that in achieving peace and order in the community, it should start with the basic foundation in the family for which moral upbringing of an individual should be considered. Fortun also said that prosecuting 28
and enforcing legality that will put criminals to jail is the last solution to all the crimes that have been happening. “The most important is the moral values which emanate in each family,� Fortun added. Inspite of this, the official said the city government through the police force is doing the best they can in order to solve, if not, to minimize crime incidence in the
Sunday, November 13, 2011
city. It can be recalled that series of robbery, holdups and even murders happened in the past days here which alarmed the people of Butuan putting the Philippine National Police on a heightened alert status. Meanwhile, some 237 participants from the government and private sectors attended the congress hosted by the city government here.
Gobyerno mipasalig sa supisyenteng pondo para sa mga OFWs by Alfonso T. Ruda
T
aliwala sa kontrobersya kabahin sa giingong “lump sum� funds, ang gobyerno mipasalig nga walay nakuha bisan usa ka dako sa 100 ka milyon ka pesos nga Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) nga alang sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) diha sa proposed budget sa Department of Foreign Affairs sunod tuig.
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Sumala pa ni Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas, kini tungod kay ilang gilantaw ang LAF nga mohatag ug tukmang panabang-legal sa nagakadaghang mga OFWs nga posibling makasinati ug problema o kaha makahimo ug kalapasan batok sa balaod didto sa nasod nga ilang adtoan. “Samtang nagakdaghan na ang mga Filipino ang moadto sa ubang mga nasod aron manarbaho, posibli na usab nga magakdaghan ang mga OFWs nga posibling magkaproblema. Kining LAF gamiton lamang gayod para isuporta sa maong mga OFWs sa pag30
panalipod kanila sa kasong ilang atubangon,� matod pa ni Gullas. Sa proposed General Appropriations Act of 2012, ang gobyerno nagbutang ug bag-ong 30 milyones ka pesos sa proposed DFA budget aron magpabilin ang LAF nga 100 ka milyon ka pesos. Ang LAF unang na-establisar sa balaod nga 100 ka milyon ka pesos, diin 50 milyones ka pesos kuhaon gikan sa Contingency Fund sa Presidente; 30 milyones ka pesos gikan sa Social Fund sa Presidente; ug 20 milyones ka pesos gikan sa Trust Fund sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
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(OWWA). Ang pondo padaganon sa Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers sa DFA nga maoy responsable sa paghatag ug kinatibuk-ang koordinasyon para sa mga legal aid services sa mga OFWs ug uban pang mga Filipino nga tua sa gawas sa nasod. Lakip sa mga gastong gamitan sa LAF mao ang professional fees sa mga langyawng abogado nga mo-representar sa OFW sa kaso; bayad sa piyansa; ug uban pang gastong may kalabutan sa kaso. (JPA/ ATR/PIA9Zambo Norte)
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Wheelchair/Walk for a Cause highlights Int’l Day of PWDs on Dec. 3 by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
n “Alay Tulak-Lakad Para sa May Kapansanan” will highlight the celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) in the city on Dec. 3, this year.
The activity is actually a “Wheelchair Walk for a Cause” for our brothers and sisters who have disabilities of all sorts, Milagros M. Maquiling, President of the DifferentlyAbled Women Network (DAWN) and the Cagayan de Oro Federation of PWD’s Association (CAFEDPA), said. The walk will start at Gaston Park, near the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral at exactly 7:00 a.m. and will end up at the Provincial Capitol Grounds where a short program and different PWD competitions will be conducted. “This is also an advocacy campaign of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWD’s (UNRPD) which is held, simultaneously, throughout the world,” Maquiling said. As an added attraction, a Wheelchair Race for those on wheelchairs and Marathon for the Blind, as well, as Marathon for the Deaf, where prizes are at stake, will be held starting, this year. “That’s why we have asked for a registration fee of Php150 per participant which entitles them to a token marked for the occasion,” the CAFEDPA President said.
Maquiling said the proceeds of the activities will be translated into some livelihood projects for the sector, not only here, in the city but also in the whole region, in the coming years. She also said CAFEDPA welcomes the donation of old or new books and toys for distribution to the Children with Disabilities (CWD), as well, as to the children of PWD’s, themselves, during the general assembly and preChristmas Party which will happen after the Wheelchair Walk for a Cause. Meanwhile, Maquiling had requested the registration fees to be forwarded to CAFEDPA ahead of time, so they will have an estimate of the number of participants for the token. For more details, please text or call Martin Gadrinab at his mobile phone no. 0935-909-8771 or Maquiling at 0917-702-9554 or contact the land line number 309-8269 of the DAWN Office located at District 4, Legaspi St., Barangay Consolacion, this city. Sunday, November 13, 2011
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PWDs receive 80 wheelchairs as early Christmas gifts by Elaine O. Ratunil
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Persons with disability (PWDs) and polio victims in the province received their early Christmas gifts from the provincial government here. Governor Herminia Ramiro, in cooperation with the Children International Philippines Incorporated (CIPI), donated 80 wheelchairs primarily for them. “These wheelchairs would ease the lives of the beneficiaries, make them productive and be able to contribute to the development of the province,” Ramiro said. She also encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the wheelchairs and send a thank you letter to the donor as a gesture of gratitude. Ramiro expressed her deepest gratitude for the generosity of CIPI, a humanitarian organization dedicated
to easing the burdens of poverty of poor children around the world through sponsorship and donation, mainly, in the areas of education and health. Meanwhile, the wheelchairs were distributed to the beneficiaries from the cities of Tangub, Ozamiz and Oroquieta and the towns of Clarin, Sinacaban, Lopez Jaena, Plaridel, and Sapang Dalaga. Other recipients were the Provincial Farmers Cultural Training Center (PFCTC), the Misamis Occidental Aquarine Park (MOAP) and the Misamis Occ. Provincial Medical Rehabilitation Center; for the use of the PWDs and polio victim visitors.
15 FMR sites to open in Camiguin this year by Jorie C. Valcorza
CAMIGUIN -- A P25 million worth Farm to Market Road (FMR) project will benefit several poor farm families in far flung towns of Camiguin. Of the fifteen sites to be opened this year, four (4) FMR constructions are already on-going. Provincial Governor Jurdin Jesus “JJ” M. Romualdo however assures that the remaining proposed sites will be started within the year. Jang-Tacangon FMR, San Miguin FMR, Butay FMR, and Bura FMR were among 32
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the first set of FMRs who are given priority. Aside from the provision of access roads, the government has also distributed twenty five (25) sets of water pumps to protect farm produce during dry season and constructed one multi-purpose drying pavement last year.
Some sixty two (62) women beneficiaries’ likewise received livelihood assistance through the Plant Now Pay Later (PNPL) program.
It further extended trainings and educational tours to women and rural-based organizations in the island province.
Bukidnon pilots integration of DRR, CCA in local plans to ease LGU disaster response by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Governor Alex Calingasan, through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) region 10, declared Bukidnon as a pilot province for the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) project, which will focus on integrating said scheme into local development planning and decisionmaking process of the Local Government Units (LGUs). In a briefing with concerned local and national government agencies at the provincial planning and development conference hall, NEDA 10 assistant regional director Allan Olavides said there is really a need to include the DRR and CCA in the local planning for in-depth study of the disaster risk formula that includes hazard analysis, risk estimation, evaluation, and risk prioritization. Economic Development Specialists (EDS) Candido Balaba, Rio Yonson, Mezlaine Pacana and Al’Gemregy Cuerquez, all of NEDA 10, explained the components of integrating DRR/CCA project, such as the ‘risk formula’ that involves determining and monitoring hazards that threaten an area and their vulnerability, geographic extent, the expected annual number of lives and cost of property damage when disaster strikes. “Risk prioritization is aimed to determine which areas should be given attention considering the degree of risks
in the area as quantified through risks estimates”, Balaba stressed. Likewise, NEDA chief economic development specialist on plan and policy formulation, Leonila Cajarte, detailed on the guidelines in local planning expenditure management emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming framework and DRR-Enhanced Settlements Land Use Planning. Meanwhile, Rebecca Capistrano of Bukidnon Provincial Planning and Development Office responded and informed the group that Executive Order No. 33 has been crafted mandating all concerned agencies in Bukidnon to compose the DRR/CCA provincial core team. “The Climate Change Act of 2009 or R.A. 9729 articulates: ‘An Act Mainstreaming Climate Change into Government Policy Formulations, Establishing the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.’ Thus, this project is essential in LGU policy formulations,” Capistrano said. Sunday, November 13, 2011
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RA 9679 mandates membership in Pag-Ibig Fund by Wilmer M. Carabanes
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental -- Republic Act 9679, otherwise known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 mandates the membership registration of all employees, including their respective employers, coverable by the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), regardless of employment status or nature of appointment.
This includes employees who were not previously covered by the Fund due to their monthly compensation of less than Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.000) which affected on January 1, 2010. Pag-IBIG Fund members shall contribute monthly to the Fund a minimal percentage of their monthly compensation with a certain rate. For those whose monthly compensation P1,500 and below a contribution rate of 1% for the employee and 2% for the employers’ counterpart.
Value (TAV), which shall be released to them upon maturity and termination of membership. Pag-IBIG Fund members will also enjoy the other benefits: Tax Free Earnings, the dividend earning of the Members’ credited TAV shall be exempt from any tax payments, fees, or interest charges, said Pag-Ibig Fund Vice President for Northern Mindanao Group Fermin A. Sta. Teresa, Jr.
The member may also avail of the loan benefits such as multipurpose, housing and calamity loans provided the member meets For compensation over the corresponding eligibility P1,500, a contribution of 2% requirements of the program. from the employee and 2% for the employers’ counterpart. Whether the member transfers from one employer to Employers shall deduct another, or eventually become the contribution and remit the self-employed, the member can same together with the required carry with him his TAV. counterpart to the Fund. Said Lastly, the government of the contribution shall be credited to Philippines guarantees the the member’s Total Accumulated solvency of the Fund. 34
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