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 Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX
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 and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
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 Blogspot: www.pia-10.blogspot.com
Associate Editors …….......
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) 2/F Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
NOEMI B. 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
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, 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 (SOCCSKSARGEN) 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
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA
Presidential Communications Operations Office
OUR COVER
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com , pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph Blogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur
features the
MunaTo Festival
of Saranggani Province
Saturday,
Vol. 1 No. 97
13
City vet nagpaalaala sa mga residente na maging responsable sa mga alaga
14
OPAPP tiwalang uusad ang usapang pangkapayapaan
17 18
DEDoguiles,
Ac agad ,
PIA Region XII
PIA Region XII
150K awaits 3rd Agri-Aqua Tourism Trade Fair winners Nida Grace B. Tranquilan ,
PIA-Caraga
Administration says arrest of Mrs. Arroyo ‘a triumph of justice’ ...............................
Cristina Dedel,
All systems go for Sarangani’s Nov. 2427 MunaTo Festival
page 4
Everly Paoyon
CENTRAL MINDANAO
PIA-Caraga
20 21
Business owners urged to renew permit before deadline
23 24
Task Force on Anti-Trafficking set for launching in Cagayan de Oro
10
Cover Story
LGU-Butuan, DTI-AgNor to hold Christmas bazaar WESCOM helps Tagbanuan boy’s treatment of serious disease
25 26
National
In This Issue...
page 12
PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX
Apipa Bagumbaran,
page 15
WESTERN MINDANAO
PIA Region X
Paper highlighting role of parolees gains international recognition JPA/6CRGAFP/RVC,
CARAGA REGION
PIA Region X
COMVAL conducts Incident Command System Traning
page 19
NORTHERN MINDANAO
page 22
PIA Region XI
Hydropower firm’s labor management council, country’s best
PIA Region XI
SOUTHERN MINDANAO page 25
Cover Story
All systems go for Sarangani’s Nov. 2427 MunaTo Festival by Everly Paoyon
O
rganizers of the upcoming 9th MunaTo Festival said preparations are all set for the extravaganza of cultural events, exhibits, and crowd-drawing competitions guaranteed to stir excitement over this year’s celebration. 4
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Saturday, November 19, 2011
MunaTo Festival is a celebration honoring the first people and leaders of Sarangani. MunaTo was derived from the native vernacular meaning “unang tao” or “first people”, the early inhabitants of Sarangani who passed on a rich cultural heritage. MunaTo also refers to the makers of the 2000year old anthropomorphic burial jars discovered in Maitum that are now in the National Museum. As a tribute to the pioneering leaders of the province, MunaTo is a celebration of their efforts to spur development in Sarangani which is sustained up to this day. Sarangani is rich with the local culture and tradition of the Blaan, Tboli, Manobo, Ubo, Kalagan, and Muslim tribes who succeeded in preserving the
cultural heritage and the craftsmanship that are reflective of their respective culture. This year’s festival is set on November 24-27 with activities lined up to showcase Sarangani’s “history, culture and resources.” Acting coordinator of Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Center (STIPC) Larry Asparin anticipated that “sounds and colors” with a festive mood would domi-
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nate the forthcoming MunaTo. He expected a huge attendance this year compared to the previous celebrations because activities were properly screened to attract more people. A considerable increase of tourists has been noted from the 16,080 in 2009 to 26,100 in 2010 as reported by the STIPC. MunaTo Fun Run: “A Run Against Global Warming� 6
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from the Capitol grounds to barangay Maribulan in Alabel would open up the festival. Male and female runners of all ages are invited to join with priz-
es at stake for both male and female categories of P1,000 - 1st prize, P750 for 2nd prize, and P500 for the 3rd prize. A hero’s welcome for the internationally acclaimed boxing icon and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao from his recent victory in Las Vegas would also be staged on November 24. The street dance on November 26 is an open competition which the organizer proposed bigger prizes this time of P100,000; P75,000 and P50,000 respectively for the champion, 1st and 2nd placers. A P12,000 consolation prizes would also be given. The cheerdance competition, dubbed as “Sayaw Hugyaw sa Kalinaw”, is giving away prizes of P45,000; P30,000 and
P20,000 for the champion, 1st and 2nd and a consolation of P10,000 each for the non-winning entries. Other events worth watching are the cultural exhibits, Fabli Gu Ni (municipal showcase), Photo Exhibit, Moro Pagingadan and Kadtigi sa Kapangiluto (Moro Cottages and Traditional Delicacies), Wall Climbing, Zip Line, Karnabal sa Kapitolyo, Pearl of Sarangani Pageant, Motocross, Eco-Trek, Battle of the Bands, concert featuring Cueshe, street party and fireworks display.
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Government lawyers aim for successful prosecution of Mrs Arroyo, Palace says
M
alacanang made an assurance Saturday that government lawyers will handle the electoral case against former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo very well to ensure that justice will be done.
“Our OSG [Office of the Solicitor General] will certainly do its best in all the cases that it represents government on,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over government-run dzRB 8
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Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. “On the part of government, we will certainly be on the ball on making sure that this case -- in doing everything that we can to make sure that there is no delay on the part of
Saturday, November 19, 2011
the prosecution,” she added. Valte said the Office of the Solicitor General will do everything for the successful prosecution of Mrs. Arroyo amid fears that government lawyers will be no
match against brilliant lawyers such as Estelito Mendoza and Jose Flaminiano, who are the counsels of the Arroyos. Issues were also raised about the competency of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Judge Jesus Mupas, the judge to try the former leader, as he has been previously sanctioned by the Supreme Court for delaying the cases he was handling. Valte said they hope Judge Mupas has learned his lessons with regards to the SC sanction believing that he’ll handle the Arroyo case very well. “We can always hope that he learned his lessons after that particular sanction,” she said adding that she be-
lieves the case assignment is fair because it was raffled. The Aquino government said the arrest of Mrs. Arroyo is a welcome development and considered it as “a triumph of justice” in the country with government continuing its pursuit of the Arroyos for alleged abuses and excesses while they were in power. A Pasay City court issued an arrest warrant against the former president for an electoral sabotage case effectively barring her from a scheduled departure abroad Friday afternoon. In a media briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said President Benigno Aquino III
wanted Mrs. Arroyo treated with utmost respect being a former president of the country. The government, she said, is open for a possible hospital or house arrest for the former president and will not insist on putting her in prison. The court’s issuance of an arrest warrant Friday effectively made the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued earlier by the Supreme Court moot and academic, averting a possible constitutional crisis. (AS)
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Administration says arrest of Mrs. Arroyo ‘a triumph of justice’
T
he Aquino administration welcomed the decision of a Pasay City court issuing an arrest warrant against former president and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for an electoral sabotage case.
The court decision effectively barred the former president from leaving the country and making the temporary restraining order issued earlier
10
by the Supreme Court moot and academic. In a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima described the recent developments as a “triumph of justice” for the Philippines adding she
ONE MINDANAO Saturday, November 19, 2011
has informed and consulted President Benigno S. Aquino III about future government actions on the case. “This is a real triumph of justice and accountability. Ito na iyun. Kaya nga we issued a WLO [watch list order] dahil nga nag-
mo-move na itong kaso na ito. And we wanted her to be here within the reach of our court system,� de Lima said. The President is in Bali, Indonesia, attending a threeday Asean summit there. He is due to arrive in the country Saturday evening. The President, according to de Lima, instructed her to treat the former leader with utmost respect once the warrant of arrest is served. The government, she said, is open for a possible hospital or house arrest for the Mrs Arroyo and will not insist on putting her in prison. However de Lima said once Mrs Arroyo attempts to leave her house or the hospital the police will arrest her and put her behind
bars. The government will exercise fairness and impartiality and will uphold every right of the former president as an accused under the Constitution, she said. De Lima said they are optimistic about the electoral sabotage case against former president Arroyo saying there is strong evidence to pin her down in the fraudulent 2007 midterm elections. De Lima also fended off criticisms raised on the timeliness of the issuance of warrant of arrest explaining that it is not unusual for a court to issue one in a short period of time. The justice chief also said the Arroyos were given due process during the inquiry on the anomalous
2007 election but they opted not to answer the allegations being raised against them prompting the joint panel to come up with a decision. Instead of giving their side, they questioned the constitutionality of the ongoing hearing of the DOJ and the Comelec, de Lima said. Earlier Friday, the SC thrashed a motion for reconsideration filed by the DOJ seeking to prevent Mrs Arroyo from leaving the c o u n t r y. (AS)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
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Lake Sebu town gets ‘most functional’ LCPC award KORONADAL CITY – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has feted Lake Sebu municipality in South Cotabato for its successful implementation of various programs that uphold the welfare and rights of children. 12
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Josephine Leysa, DILG-South Cotabato director, said the lakeside town has topped this year’s provincial search for the most functional Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) that was earlier launched by the agency. She said the Lake Sebu local government received P75,000 cash award and a plaque of recognition from the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children of South Cotabato for such accomplishment. “Lake Sebu’s efforts to protect their children from any form of abuse were exceptional because they had the support of non-government organizations and other stakeholders. We hope that this kind of interaction will also be replicated to other LCPCs
in the province,” Leysa said. She said they launched the search to encourage local governments in the area to implement programs related to child welfare and protection. Leysa said the LCPC of Tupi town bagged the second place followed by LCPC Polomolok at third place, LCPC Surallah at fourth place and LCPC Tantangan at fifth place. Barangay Rizal in Banga town was also awarded for having the most functional Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). It received P55,000 cash award and a plaque of recognition. The establishment of the LCPCs and the BCPCs was mandated among local government units (LGUs) as
provided for under Article 87 of Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code and in Section 15 of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The national government has assigned the supervision and monitoring of the functionality of the LCPCs to the DILG. Aside from facilitating the establishment of the LCPCs, the DILG was also tasked to promote the implementation of training programs on barangay human rights program, which mainly seeks to empower vulnerable sectors like women and children in pursuing justice through heightened awareness about their basic rights and the country’s judicial system. (DED/ PIA12)
City vet nagpaalaala sa mga residente na maging responsable sa mga alaga KORONADAL CITY -- Muling nagpaalalala si Dr. Charlemagne Calo, city veterinarian ng lungsod ng Koronadal sa mga residente na maging responsableng amo ng kanilang mga alagang aso. Saturday, November 19, 2011
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Ayon kay Dr. Calo dapat mananatili lamang ang mga alagang aso sa loob ng bahay nga kanilang amo o nananatiling nakatali. Binigyang-diin pa nito na pasanin ng mga may-ari ang anumang pinsalang dulot ng kanilang mga alaga. Kalimitan aniya, mga asong gala ang nakakakagat ng mga tao o dahilan ng pagkakadisgrasya ng mga motorista. Aniya nagpapatuloy
ang kanilang isinasagawang kampanya sa mga barangay at paaralan sa lungsod upang mapalaganap ang impormasyon hinggil sa responsableng pag-aalaga ng mga hayop. Samantala, inihayag ni Calo na kanilang isinusulong ang pagtatayo ng isang dog pound sa lungsod. Base umano sa batas, ang isang first class city tulad ng Koronadal ay dapat umanong magkaroon ng pasilidad kung saan
pansamantalang ipiit ang mga asong gala. Subalit inamin ng city veterinarian na mahihirapan silang ipatupad ng naturang proyekto dahil nangangailangan ito ng mahigit P1 milyon para sa pagbili ng lupa na pagtatayuan ng pasilidad at sasakyan na magagamit sa paghuli ng mga asong gala pati na sa konstruksyon ng pasilidad, at marami pang iba. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
OPAPP tiwalang uusad ang usapang pangkapayapaan KORONADAL CITY – Tiwala si Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process secretary Teresita Deles na magtatagumpay ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Pamahalaan at ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at National Democratic Front (NDF). Naniniwala umano siyang maraming himala ang mangyayari sa negotiating table na makakabenepisyo sa lahat ng mga stakeholders. Sa kabila umano ng mga aberya at mga isyung nauugnay sa usaping pangkapayapaan, umuusad pa rin umano ang prosesong 14
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pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MILF at NDF. Wala umano sa alinmang panig ang nagsasara ng pintuan para dito, kung kayat tiwala siyang makakabuo rin ng kasunduan na katanggap-tanggap sa bawat panig. Kahit pa man mayroon umanong mga
Saturday, November 19, 2011
problema sa labas ng negotiating table, umuusad pa rin naman umano ang prosesong pangkapayapaan. Binigyang diin din ni Deles na kasalukuyang nakatuon ang panel sa socio-economic reforms ng usaping pangkapayapaan. (ac agad PIA12)
GADCC-Caraga bares activities for the 18-Day campaign to End Violence Against Women by Jennifer P. Gaitano
I
n line with this year’s 18-Day campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) and children, the Caraga Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) prepared activities from November 25 to December 12, 2011.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
Saturday, November 19, 2011
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
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On Nov. 22, the Caraga Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere (MOVE) with the Commission on Population (PopCom) will be spearheading the Forum on “Male Involvement in Responsible Parenting” at the Goat2Geder Hotel and Restaurant, wherein every government agency will be sending their male representative to attend the forum. GADCC members are also invited to the 18-Day Campaign Press Conference with chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin Pintor with other concerned officials to be held on Nov. 23, 1 p.m. at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Caraga Regional Office. On Nov. 25, the 18Day campaign will officially kick-off through a “Walk for A Cause” from the city’s Rizal Park going to the Agusan del Norte Covered Court, wherein the opening program and ‘Hataw’ exercise will follow. 16
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It was also learned that from Nov. 25-Dec. 12, the GADCC members and Speakers’ Bureau will be conducting GAD Orientation Seminars and Fora. On Nov. 29, the Gesu Eucharistico Children’s Incorporated will be visiting Manapa, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte to check the status of the children’s abused. They will be accompanied by the concerned government agencies. Also, GADCC will be holding the Forum on “Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons” with speaker – Ms. Jean Enriquez on Dec. 2, 1 p.m. at the Luciana Convention Center. Meanwhile, on Dec.
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12, the following activities will be conducted: 1) Forum on United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325 and 1820; 2) Launching of the “VAWC-Free LGU Program; and 3) 4th Quarter GADCC Full Committee Meeting cum Christmas Party. All these activities will be held in Butuan City. RDC-GADCC is inviting the general public to participate in the lined-up activities and continue to support the committee in their fight against violence to women and children. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “UNITE: Stop VAW, Now!”
150K awaits 3rd Agri-Aqua Tourism Trade Fair winners by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
SURIGAO DEL SUR -- A total of P150,00 cash prizes await the 3rd Agri-Aqua Tourism Trade Fair winners, in time for the celebration of the 9th Lanuza Surfing Festival 2011.
The competition will be joined by the 13 barangays of Lanuza. Local products as souvenir items will also be displayed in their respective booths during the weeklong celebration. Accordingly, this year’s competition
mechanics include the following criteria: Backyard Gardening in every household (40%); Implementation of Solid Waste Management (20%); Booth Dressing and Display (20%) and; Sales of Goods during the weeklong
Surfing Festival Celebration (20%). The contest is an annual activity of the local government unit in support of the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
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LGU-Butuan, DTI-AgNor to hold Christmas bazaar by Cristina Dedel
BUTUAN CITY -- As part of the city’s month-long celebration for Christmas, the local government is set to hold a Christmas Bazaar on November 22 to December 22, 2011 at the City Hall Complex.
Led by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Butuan City/Agusan del Norte, the bazaar will be joined 18
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by micro entrepreneurs and farmers from Butuan City. Wide-array of products from novelty items, to processed foods and farm products are going to
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be available at low prices. The Christmas Bazaar is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. (DTIAgusan del Norte)
A
1 missing, 60 hectares of farmland damaged in Kumalarang floods by Gideon C. Corgue day after the heavy floods deluged the six (6) barangays of Kumalarang, this province on Thursday evening, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) made an immediate on site visit and assessment on the affected areas.
Municipal planning and development coordinator Allel Tabiado said MDRRMC chairman Mayor Allan Damas led the assessment team and visited barangays Boyugan East, Diplo, Gawil, Poblacion, Salagmanok, and
Sicade. Tabiado said the MDRRMC has noticed severe damage to agricutureal areas and few houses in barangays Gawil and Poblacion, respectively. In Poblacion, Tabiado said an estimated 50 hectares of rice farmland and one (1) hanging bridge were severely damaged while in Gawil, 5 houses were swamped by the floods, 10 hectares were damaged, and undetermined number of animals were drowned
and died . In Salagmanok, a man whose surname identified as ‘Sempay�, a resident of Kahayag, Lakewood was missing while crossing the bridge and believed to be carried-out by the strong current of flood waters while the rest of barangays have incurred minor damages of their agricultural crops, Tabiado reported. Tabiado said municipal social welfare and development officer Phoebe Mamhot after the assessment made
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has recommended to the chief executive that financial assistance of P10,000 each from the calamity fund will be
A
given to the owners of the houses in Gawil. Meanwhile, the chief executive asked the public to be ever vigilant
in case of emergency to save lives and prevent damage to properties. (JPA/GCC/PIA9Pagadian)
WESCOM helps Tagbanuan boy’s treatment of serious disease 13-year old boy suffering from a serious medical condition gets a chance of a normal life with the help of the Western Command (WESCOM).
Third-grader Hinth Tibuasan, a Tagbanua native who lives in Bgy Napsan, Puerto Princesa City is suffering from a disease that causes an obstruction in his intestines. The 6th Civicl Relations Group of the AFP disclosed that through the initiative of WESCOM Commander LTGen Juancho M. Sabban AFP, the boy will be brought to a hospital in Manila where he will receive an operation to treat his medical condition. Because of his condition, called Hirschsprung Disease, Hinth could not defecate normally, particularly since his rectum is closed. A colostomy has 20
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been performed on him, which allows stool to leave his body through an opening in his abdomen into a pouch that has been attached to the opening. Ivaristo Tibuasan, the boy’s father, said Hinth was diagnosed with the disease two days after he was born and has been living with that pouch in his stomach ever since. “We are poor and we could not afford the operation needed to correct his condition,” shared the boy’s father in Filipino, who provides for his 11 children by engaging in slash-andburn farming. The disease has also made making friends
Saturday, November 19, 2011
for Hinth impossible because other children would drive him away because of the smell of the pouch attached to the opening in his abdomen. Some of his child’s classmates, Tibuasan related, would even try to pull the pouch. In the eyes of his classmates, that pouch made him different from the rest. His condition has also adversely affected his studies. He was supposed to be in high school already but because of the disease, he could not concentrate on his lesson which resulted to him failing every end of the year which is why he is still in third grade. Hinth needs a surgical procedure which
will remove the segment of his large intestines that lacks nerve cells and connect the healthy segment to his anus. Tibuasan said it was Major Neil Anthony Estrella, WESCOM Spokesperson, who referred his son’s medical problem to LTGen Sabban, who in turn coordinated with one of the biggest broadcasting networks in the country to bring the boy to Manila and perform a surgery on him in one of the hospitals there. WESCOM will pro-
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vide the plane tickets to and the accommodation of the boy and his father in Manila and will also extend a financial assistance to them for their stay in the big city. Tibuasan said the generosity shown by LTGen Sabban changed his perspectives on the military. “We used to be afraid of the soldiers and every time we see them, we only see their guns,” Tibuasan said in Filipino. “But the help they have extended to my son made me realize that
they can be our partners in improving our welfare,” he added. Tibuasan was profusely thankful to WESCOM, particularly to LTGen Sabban, for helping them give his child a chance to live a normal life. He and his son will be flying to Manila on November 12 and will be staying there at the WESCOM Liason Officer’s house until November 21, after the surgery is done. (JPA/6CRGAFP/ RVC-PIA9 ZBST)
Business owners urged to renew permit by Jocelyn P. Alvarez before deadline
anagers and owners of business establishments in the city are urged to start processing applications for renewal of business permits before the January 20, 2012 deadline. This call was made by City Mayor Celso Lobregat to business owners for the latter to avoid the rush and payment of penalties based of existing laws. City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias said Permits and Licensing Division of the City has been
accepting applications for renewal of business permits for 2012 since October. “Late payment will mean a surcharge of 25 percent and 2 percent additional penalty for every month of delay,” Covarrubias said. Under the law, January 20 is the deadline
set for the renewal process and payment of business taxes. “Business permit renewal applicants are advised to bring the original business permit for the year 2010 as basis for renewal,” Covarrubias said.(JPA/ PIA-ZBST)
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Opol earns the CROWN Award
E
fforts that have been put through the years for the local nutrition program, here, have finally paid off this year as Opol earned the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award.
Mayor Dexter B. Yasay personally accepted the trophy, together with a cash prize of Php250,000, from Secretary Enrique Ona of the Department of Health at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), recently. With this award, Opol joined the list of only 130 local government units (LGU’s), to date, that have been conferred with the CROWN Award which is given to an LGU that has been adjudged by the Inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team(IRNET) as 22
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outstanding in their region in the implementation of its Nutrition Action Plan for three (3) consecutive years. The increasing investments for the program and the different initiatives of the town have sustained a good nutrition picture in the last three (3) years, the IRNET said. Prevalence rate of underweight preschool children of 10.82 percent in 2007 was sharply reduced to 3.69 percent in 2009 and further dropped to 2.7 percent in 2010. The town also took pride of Merlinde Hubalan of Barangay Taboc who emerged as one of the national finalists, from among the 38,000
Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in the country, in the 2011 Search for National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar Award. For such feat, Hubalan received a certificate of recognition and a notebook computer. Meanwhile, the drive of Mayor Yasay in improving the nutrition
status of his town is no different to his support and commitment to the blood donation program which also earned him his first Sandugo Award during the 13th National Sandugo Awards. He was the only Local Chief Executive (LCE) in Misamis Oriental who received such recognition this year. (PIO)
Task Force on Anti-Trafficking set for launching in Cagayan de Oro By Apipa Bagumbaran CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - To intensify the advocacy against crimes on human trafficking, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in region 10, will be launching the Task Force on Anti-Trafficking, here, this coming Nov. 21. To be conducted in close coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the launching is slated on November 21 at Pearlmont Inn, this city. Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillio, Regional Director of DSWD-10, said the launching will be highlighted by a TV Guesting in an early morning show “Pamahaw Espesyal� of ABS-CBN, Cagayan de Oro, of the same day. The activity will be followed by a press conference with tri-media practitioners at Pearlmont Inn, where a referral network meeting on trafficking will be held, she said. Solamillo said the meeting aims to have a consultation with the referral networks on the flow of referral of trafficking-in-persons (TIP) victims, as well as, to discuss and resolve
issues on their management. Moreover, the meeting is also aimed at strengthening the referral network system by enhancing partnership with line agencies in combating trafficking cases and concerns in need of intervention and assistance.
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Paper highlighting role of parolees gains international recognition by Melanie Pelosas CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – It is very important that parolees will have some sense of responsibility being in-charge of their lives, as they need to recognize personal strengths. This was emphasized by Olivia Therezah J. Pajente-Pelagio, Regional Psychologist of the Parole and Probation AdministrationDepartment of Justice (PPADOJ), region 10, who wrote a paper on the importance of the role of the community for the parolees to successfully reintegrate them in the society. The study have shown transition challenges that a parolee faces, thus, pre-release and post-release plans must consider a holistic approach for successful reintegration/reentry of a parolee. “It is important that a parolee will have some sense of responsibility being in-charge of their lives, they need to recognize personal strengths. Coordination with the different agencies then is very important,” Pelagio said. Pelagio was invited to present her Paper entitled “Health Condition,
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Health Seeking-Behavior and Experiences of Selected Parolees in Region 10” during the International Convention on Psychology of Resilience, held at the University of Indonesia, Depok Indonesia last September 22, and was nominated as Favorite Oral Presenter. The paper that she presented was her working paper during her study at De La Salle University, Manila as a Ford Foundation Scholar with the Degree Master of Health Social Science (Behavioral Science Department). (PPA-DOJ)
COMVAL CONDUCTS INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM TRAINING
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total of 60 residents of Nabunturan coming from the Barangays of Bukal, Katipunan, Mainit and Tagnucon which was identified as incident prone mining area had undergo an Incident Command System (ICS) Training last November 17, 2011 at the Social Hall of the provincial Capitol. Incident Command System (ICS) is “a systematic tool used for the command, control, and coordination of emergency response. It’s a set of personnel, policies, procedures, facilities, and equipment, integrated into a common organiza
tional structure designed to improve emergency response operations of all types and complexities. An ICS is based upon a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively. These people may be drawn from multiple agencies that do not routinely work together, and ICS is designed to give standard response and operation procedures to reduce the problems and potential for miscommunication on such incidents. ICS has been summarized as a “first-on-scene” structure, where the first responder of a scene has charge of the scene until the incident has been declared resolved, a more qualified responder arrives on scene and receives command, or the Incident Commander appoints another individual Incident Commander. It is a public knowledge that Compostela Valley is one of the disaster prone province in Davao Region specially that it has may rivers, creeks, lakes and even mountain Saturday, November 19, 2011
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ranges, making it very vulnerable to landslide and any form of disaster both natural and man- made prompting the PDRRMC to set up Incident Command System structure in all municipalities and identified barangays of the province to be always ready should incident occurs. Participants were given background all about Climate Change and Disasters, Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Concepts, ICS Intro, Basic Features, Organization and Staffing, Evacuation Center Management and Table Top Simulation. Calamities and disaster is unpredictable that we cannot determine nor avoid when it will happen but being always ready and aware makes the community easily manage and organize responders to a given situation. (Rodielyn A. Manugas-IDS COMVAL)
Hydropower firm’s labor management council, country’s best
“As responsible corporate
citizens, the management and rest of the Hedcor team ensure a good working relationship among all team members”, said Hedcor president Rene Ronquillo. “Being part of the Aboitiz group, the company continuously improves labor relations as fundamental to good business performance”, Ronquillo added. The 7th National Search for Outstanding LMC DAVAO CITY- Aboitiz Power wholly Awards, led by the National Conciliation & Mediation Board of the owned subsidiary Hedcor, Inc. Department of Labor and Employbested other companies as the ment and the Philippine League hydropower firm received the of Labor-Management Cooperation Outstanding Labor Management Practitioners, recognizes companies Cooperation (LMC) Award for Inwith success stories and best LMC dustrial Peace during the LMC Napractices. LMC is a mechanism detional Convention in Naga City last signed to preserve industrial peace November 9. by encouraging constant communi26
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cation and positive interaction between workers and employers. In September, the Hedcor Employees Union (HEU) and the Hedcor management signed a collective bargaining agreement after a seven hour-negotiation – the fastest negotiation to date indicating a healthy working relations between the management and the employees. Early this year, Hedcor was a finalist to the Employer’s Confederation of the Philippines’ Kapatiran sa Industriya Award which recognizes companies that best promote industrial peace and harmony, quality and productivity, social accountability, and strategic visioning and partnering. In 2010, to add feather in its cap, two national awards were given by DOLE agencies to Hedcor for its initiatives on providing safe and healthy workplace - the Gawad Kaligtasan and Kalusugan Award for Occupational Safety and Health
and Safety Milestone Award by Bureau of Working Conditions. Hedcor is also OHSAS 18001:2007 certified for Occupational Health and Safety Standards by the Certification International. Hedcor, the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the country, operates 18 plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Davao with a total capacity of 150 megawatts. Tagged as the Hedcor Kabisig Council and formed in 2005, LMC’s members volunteer their time to Hedcor’s Corporate SociaL Responsibility projects to its host communities particularly in tree planting activities, medical programs as well as Brigada Eskwela and livelihood projects. “Hedcor will continue programs that will strengthen workplace cooperation and partnership while fulfilling its commitments to stakeholders and communities,” Ronquillo explained.
Facts and Figures P8.5 billion
The share of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the P72-billion stimulus fund of the President Aquino administration
198.2 people per square kilometer
The population density of Davao del Sur province (2010 figures)
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