PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
An Electronic News Magazine of the Phliippine Information Agency Mindanao Clusters
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail: r9_pia@yahoo.com mimibern17@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX
EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI Managing Editor …….........
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
ABNER M. CAGA
Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
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
Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, 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
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 100th issue of
One Mindanao
National
In This Issue...
Tuesday,
Vol. 1 No. 100
22 23
Bombo Radyo, PRC Blood-letting activity generates 205 bags
29
MinDA firms up preparations for MindaNOW program launch
Region IX
Interfaith Forum to spearhead Mindanao Week of Peace celebration in ZamboSur
Region IX
Claro A. Lanipa,
Barya ng mga Bayani, makakapagpatayo ng mga paaralan ........................................
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Cover Story
Region X David M. Suyao
30 33
PDEA assures no recycling of confiscated drugs
38 39 42 44
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“One Mindanao”: News and Information delivery at its best
Dengue cases in Mis. Occ., up by 10.05 percent
35
Aquino says PHL remains committed to advance relations with South Korea .........................................................
Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob,
Noel Baguio,
Inventors to seek protection of works from City Council Carina Cayon,
DSWD addresses 4Ps issues and concerns Olivia Sudaria,
Region XII
page 25
SOUTHERN MINDANAO page 32
CENTRAL MINDANAO page 36
Caraga Region
Turn-over of new PNP station at San Agustin, SurSur conducted PSupt Martin M Gamba ,
NORTHERN MINDANAO
Region XII
SDSSU stude wins stat quiz reg’l championship Ruel L. Dres ,
page 20
Region XI
SOCOTECO 1 planong kumuha ng kuryente sa coal-powered plant sa Sarangani DEDoguiles,
WESTERN MINDANAO
Region X
Region XI
page 7
Caraga Region
CARAGA REGION page 40
Presidential Communications Operations Office Malaca単ang, Manila
MESSAGE
It is heartening to note that our electronic news magazine One Mindanao will already be coming out with its 100th issue on 22 November 2011. I am glad to know that it is now considered one of the high impact projects of government which features developmental news and information of the five regions in Mindanao. That it has already gone this far since its launching in August 15 this year only shows the effectiveness and reliability of such system in delivering information vital to the growth of our people. This early, we already foresee it is one important instrument in effectively forging peace, progress and unity in the Southern Philippines. To all the men and women from the PCOO-PIA and others who have in one way or another helped in realizing this project, our heartfelt congratulation.
Keep up the good work!
SONNY COLOMA Secretary
Philippine Information Agency PIA Bldg, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
MESSAGE I congratulate you for coming out with the 100th edition of One Mindanao. At the beginning, the PIA Inbox News was only an idea in my mind. I had been trying to sell the idea to our regional directors and information officers. Caraga and Basulta took up the challenge and started the germinal seeds that led to One Mindanao.
Why One Mindanao? Mindanao has always been a land of promise. It is a dream waiting to be fulfilled. It is rich in natural resources that is the envy of many countries. It has people with rich history, culture and tradition. Trade and commerce existed between Mindanao and the rest of Asia even before the Europeans and the Americans came. Ironically, Mindanao is also the center of decades of conflict and war. People, especially the poor and the marginalized continue to suffer. But, everything is not lost. There is hope for Mindanao. With one mind, one spirit and one dream of a progressive and peaceful Mindanao, people of Mindanao can rise up to the challenge of development. It is my aspiration that One Mindanao will bring the good news about Mindanao, provide information on the rich natural resources of the area which good for tourism and adventure. It will inform the public on the rich culture, tradition and history of the different places and peoples in the island. It will showcase the best business practices in the area and finally inform the rest of the world that Mindanao is a promise waiting to be fulfilled and the people there are working so hard to make it peaceful. One Mindanao can be a catalyst for change. Through its pages, Mindanaoans will one day realize that they live in a beautiful and bountiful place. They will learn to forgive and resolve to start anew. They will learn and practice a culture of peace. They will learn that the way to peace is socio-economic progress. Finally, One Mindanao will be able to arouse the consciousness of the people of Mindanao that they are of One Mind, One Spirit...One Mindanao.
ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General
Recipients’ Feedbacks
Cover Story One Mindanao: News and Information delivery at its best by David M. Suyao
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ews and information delivery is very expensive, but it is more expensive to deal with the dayto-day challenges of life to tune up with other people’s mindset and to cope up with the trend and the needs of a person or an organization, without information. This is the principle behind the efforts of PIA Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga when he suggests to the PIA Caraga regional of-
fice workforce to maximize the delivery of information using the modern facilities with the least costs but of wider scope using the elecTuesday, November 22, 2011
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tronics technology. Thus, the Caraga e-News Service was born. The principle of Dir. Caga has been very effective in reaching the middle class. PIA Caraga recipients of the Short Messaging Services (SMS) became hungry of news and information that Caraga e-News Service delivers right at their finger tips, without cost. But the information was so limited that only important events and government programs in Caraga Region were circulating around the globe, while PIA is considered the information arm of the government and is suppose to deliver the widest information that the world need. This situation prompted the high-
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
est PIA management headed by Director-General Jose Fabia himself, to conceptualize the system with the sense of unity, thus “One Mindanao” was born. While the PIA News Service was presented in a very simple, yet clear to read style by its clients, RD Caga did not stop searching for a presentable computer software to make the “One Mindanao” more attractive and interesting to read. With the technical capabilities of PIA Caraga workforce, the use of ISSUU web hosting was studied and employed, where the reading of the “One Mindanao”
became easy and exciting. With a very limited facilities and resources, PIA Caraga regional office was able to publish the maiden issue of “One Mindanao” on August 15 of this year, featuring the stories of government programs and efforts, from all corners of Mindanao.
The presentation of the maiden issue was so simple with less colourful pictures, yet very clear and precise that made the eyebrows of the readers rise with amusement. The maiden issue is also a gift of Director-General Jose Fabia to its readers as he celebrates his first year anniversary with PIA. “The two clusters from Mindanao agreed to make the electronic newsletters of the five regions into one to bridge the communication and exercise information exchange of the island, as DG Jose Fabia wanted. It was conceptualized not only to bring the good news of the government to the general public but also to show that all the regional offices in the island are united, thus, aim-
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ing for one common vision – to be of efficient service to the Mindanaoans through timely, accurate and reliable delivery of information,” RD Caga said. The Northeastern Mindanao cluster head and concurrent Caraga regional
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
director noted that the electronic news magazine has the advantage of delivering the material to the personal e-mail addresses of the recipients, thus, disseminating the information personally through the use of cyberspace technology (e-mail), is like delivering the e-newsletter to the recipients with a sense of personal touch. Also, with the five Regional Offices having significant number of recipients, RD Caga said the information of the government’s thrusts and programs are widely disseminated compared to dailies, as copies of it are only limited. “For
the reader’s part, the enews magazine is free of charge,” RD Caga added. Caga stressed the enews magazine is also supported by the concept that the government’s news and information on a specific day, will only be read in daily papers on the following day. “With One Mindanao, news and information from the national government and all regions in the island can be read on the evening of that same day that the event happened,” RD Caga said. But why use a host website? Dir. Caga explained that the use of a host website (http://issuu.com) is to advance the e-news magazine to a higher level as it can flip pages one after the other, rather than using the traditional one where a .pdf file will be browsed vertically. In this way, Caga said, it gives justice to the name “e-news,” an automated news magazine for which pages can be flipped right at the screen of the computer. The host website is free of charge.
Caga stressed the concept of the news magazine is still present, complied and fulfilled. “But we must not be contented. Instead, we must continue discovering techniques using modern technologies to maintain the niche that PIA have at present. And for all we know, no less than the people in the White House of the United States of America is reading the “One Mindanao,” RD Caga added. (with Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga) Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
South Korean President lauds Aquino for ‘outstanding leadership’
S
outh Korean President Lee Myung-Bak lauded President Benigno S. Aquino III for his “outstanding leadership,” and assured that the Republic of Korea will remain the partner and friend of the Philippines.
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. President Benigno S. Aquino III hosted a State Dinner in honor of the South Korean leader and his delegation at the Malacanang’s Rizal Hall on Monday evening. During his speech President Lee expressed his “deepest admiration” to the “outstanding leadership” of Pres14
ident Aquino. “I know that since assuming office, he has strenuously carried out steadfast reform both political and social, which has yielded substantial results,” the South Korean leader said. “We believe that due to that outstanding leadership, the Philippine economy as well as the country as a whole has been able to achieve much despite the global economic difficulties,” he added. President Lee was
ONE MINDANAO Tuesday, November 22, 2011
in the country for a three-day state visit upon the invitation of President Aquino. The two leaders had a bilateral meeting Monday morning in Malacanan Palace. He said that during his bilateral meeting with President Aquino, he reaffirmed the close partnership between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. “It has been more than 60 years since the two countries first established diplomatic
relationship and it has been 60 years since the Philippines came to our aid during the Korean War,” President Lee said. President Lee also took the opportunity to thank the Korean War veterans here in the Philippines for their “service” during the Korean war. “It may have been several decades since the brave soldiers from the Philippines came to help my country and my people, but as time goes by our appreciation and gratitude only grow stronger,” he said.
President Lee said that the people of Korea would always remember the “sacrifice, dedication and the service that the people of the Philippines gave to Korea during times of darkness.” He also assured that the Aquino administration that his country will remain the Philippines’ closest partner and friend adding that his visit to the Philippines will elevate the partnership between the two countries. “We will continue to strengthen not only our economic and com-
merce and trade relationship but also on the international stage, as we have always done for the last several decades,” President Lee said. “Our two countries will remain steadfast partners and friends as we face the global challenges of today,” the South Korean leader said. (CO)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Aquino says PHL remains committed to advance relations with South Korea
T
he Philippines remains committed to advance its relationship with South Korea, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday.
“The government and people of the Philippines are committed to the advancement of relations between our two nations,” the Chief Executive said as
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he proposed a toast during a State Dinner in honor of visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall. “We will build on six decades of shared sacrifice and idealism by working
ONE MINDANAO Tuesday, November 22, 2011
with you whether in bilateral meetings or multilateral fora to ensure peace, development and cooperation in our region and throughout the world,” the President said. The President also expressed ad-
miration to the people of South Korea for their fast-recovery despite the challenges that they had to go through during the previous several years. “I remember during our own Martial Law years, when I was but a mere child, my father (the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.), who also first introduced us to Korean cuisine, would relate to the family his stories about the deprivations that your
country had to go through,” he stressed. “He was very impressed with your people’s strength of character, your perseverance, your drive to strengthen your institutions in a single-minded focus to achieve the vision that your leaders have laid out,” he added. “His Excellency, your people have done so much with so little to begin with, and it is my fervent hope that increased people-topeople engagements
can bring about a cross pollination of mindsets so that my people can also recover from the traumas we have experienced, and with strength and pride join the community of nations in building a better world for humanity,” he said. (CO)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Barya ng mga Bayani, makakapagpatayo ng mga paaralan by Alice V. Sicat
N
apakalaki ng maitutulong ng ating beinte singkong barya sa pagpapatayo ng mga paaralan dahil sa proyektong “Barya ng mga Bayani� na isinasagawa ngayon ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) at ng Kabayanihan Foundation. Layunin ng proyekto na mangolekta ng pinakamaraming barya na siyang ilalatag sa Quirino Grand Stand sa darating na ika-30 ng Nobyembre upang 18
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maisali sa Guinness Book of World records. Ang Estados Unidos ang may hawak ng kasalukuyang titulo ng may pinakamahabang baryang nilataga na may
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
habang 68.5 km. Nais ng Pilipinas na makalikom ng barya upang mapaabot ito sa habang 70 kilometro. Ito ay magdadala ng napakalaking karan-
galan sa ating bansa dahil sa muling pagkakaisa ng mga mamamayan, ayon kay Ralph Morales, ang Executive Director ng Kabayanihan Foundation Inc. Sa proyektong ito nais ring ipaalala ang tunay na kahalagahan ng barya kaya’t dapat itong gamitin at paikutin sa mga transaksyon sa buong bansa at huwag itong itago at ibalewala lamang, dagdag pa ni Morales. “Kapag pumunta tayo sa mga pasyalan, kapag humingi tayo ng sukli, kadalasan kulang yung sukli; kundi naman, bubble gum po yung sukli sa atin. Nagkakaroon po tayo ng impresyon na, nasan na ang barya?” ayon kay Dr. Greg Suarez, ang pangulo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Officers Club (BSPOC). Ayon sa Banko Sentral mayroong 16.9 bilyong barya na dapat umiikot sa bansa. Ibig sabihin, ang bawat Pilipino ay dapat may hawak na nagpapaikot ng P200, ayon sa ating kasalukuyang populasyon. Ang mga makokolektang barya sa nasabing proyekto ay gagamitin sa pagpapa-
tayo ng tatlong paaralan sa tatlong iba’t-ibang rehiyon sa ating bansa. Ito ay bahagi rin ng “10 Moves campaign” na inilunsad nito lamang Oktubre. “Hindi naman siguro mahirap para sa ating mga kababayan na ibigay yung kanilang beinte-singko,” sabi ni Grace Padaca, dating gobernador ng Isabela, na isa din sa mga nakikiisa sa pagtataguyod ng programang ito. Ayon pa kay Morales, tinawag na “Barya ng mga Bayani” ang nasabing proyekto dahil ang bawat Pilipino ay maaaring maging bayani sa pagtataguyod ng ating bayan. “At mangyayari ito sa pamamagitan ng mga maliliit na pwede nating gawin tulad ng pagbabahagi mga naipong barya.” Ang BSP at Kabayanihan Foundation ay nakikipagtulungan din sa iba’t-ibang malalaking kumpanya at organisasyon tulad ng Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) dahil madami ang umiikot na barya sa pamamasada.
Ang nasabing proyekto ay gaganapin sa ika-30 ng Nobyembre na espesyal na araw din sa paggunita sa buhay ni Gat. Andres Bonifacio. Napili ang araw na ito dahil nais bigyang kahalagahan ang pagiging simpleng mamamayan ni Bonifacio ngunit hindi naging hadlang ito upang siya aymaging isang bayani. Ang pagganap nito sa Quirino Grand Stand ay isa ding pagbibigay pugay sa nasabing pook dahil sa iba’t-ibang makasaysayang pangyayari dito. Ang mga nais lumahok at magbahagi ng kanilang naipong mga barya ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng 21 sangay ng Bangko Sentral sa buong bansa. Si Dr. Suarez, Gov. Padaca, at G. Morales ay mga panauhin sa programang “Communication and News Exchange” Forum (CNEX) na itinanghal sa People’s Televison Network (PTV4), at handog ng Presidential Communications and Operations Office at Philippine Information Agency.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Pag-Ibig Fund gives free LBP cash cards to 12,190 MPL applicants by Gideon C. Corgue
I
n line with its vision of providing an efficient and better service to its members, the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund Office in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has launched its new electronic program nationwide dubbed “LandBank Instant Cash Card� (LCC) on November 14.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Pag-IBIG Fund housing loan and marketing division head Gregorio M. Luba Jr. said the program was designed to give convenience to its members by minimizing their long wait times in claiming their Multi-Purpose Loan at their office and also at the LBP. Luba said the cash card is a debit card and also functions as ATM card and is accessible to any ATM nationwide affiliated with Expressnet, Megalink, and Bancnet member banks and POS accredited merchants. The card has the following salient features: No opening deposit requirement; no maintaining balance; no specimen signature card; no interest; no dormancy period, aggregate monthly
credits allowed is P100,000; card validity is active to 3 years; ATM limit of P50,000/a day; Point of Sale Limit of P20,000/ a day; no replacement fee; and reactivation fee is not required. “It’s hassle free. Pag-IBIG members will no longer be anxious from waiting in the long queue at the time of their application and in withdrawing the loan proceeds at the bank,” Luba said saying that before, members had to wait for a couple of hours in applying loan and will experience the same inconvenience while encashing their checks. Lubao said with the program, a member will only wait for 3-5 minutes in submitting the MPL application forms and subsequently, he will be issued cash card after his application will be approved. He will no longer go to the bank because the proceeds of his loan will be automatically deposited in his cash card.
Luba said, 12,190 ICCs allocated for its members in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Misamis Occidental, the area of coverage of the Pagadian branch office. Luba said the ICCs were offered free to its members as part of Pag-IBIG fund’s special promo. “The issuance will be done on a firstcome, first-served basis because the registered total number of PagIBIG members is almost 70,000, Lubao reported.” Luba said the cash card is just part of the 1 million generated by the LBP. “The distribution of cash cards is a dry run to measure the effectiveness of the program,” Lubao said. Meanwhile, assistant branch manager Beder F. Morandarte, Jr. said the LCC is one of the agency’s programs implemented this year which aimed to provide better customer service and promote cost savings. “We are now
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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moving towards paperless transactions,” Morandarte announced. Morandarte encouraged Pag-IBIG Fund members to register now as the first 12,190 LCCs to be distributed to members here shall bers must bring an origibe free of charge. nal and photocopy of two Interested mem-
(2) valid identification (ID) cards with photo to avoid delay in the card distribution. Morandarte said Pag-IBIG Fund’s Marketing and Enforcement Division can be reached at telephone numbers (062) 2141695 or at mobile phone numbers 09086477451 and 09152265163.
Bombo Radyo, PRC Bloodletting activity generates 205 bags
T
he annual blood-letting activity of Bombo Radyo dubbed as “Dugong Bombo” recently conducted in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross has generated 205 units of various blood type.
covertoperations78.blogspot.com
The donated blood were type “O”, 91 units; type “A”, 43 units; type “B”, 65 units; and type “AB”, 7 units. 22
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The blood-letting activity conducted at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center was
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
participated in by 25 donors coming from various government agencies and individuals.
Mr. Nidoh Regencia, PRC-Zamboanga del Norte Service Representative said the donors were Red Cross Staff and Volunteers; Blood Gallooneers Club of Zamboanga del Norte; Philippine National Police; Security Agencies; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; Provincial and City Government Employees; Phil-Am Life; ROTC Units in Dipolog City and Dapitan City.
A
The extracted blood are now deposited at the PRC Blood bank in the city. Regencia stressed that PRC-Zamboanga del Norte is only a blood collecting agent. All blood samples generated during the bloodletting are sent to its regional office in Zamboanga City for validation. Once cleared by its regional office, generated blood will be distributed to the public.
However, Regencia, clarified that P1,500.00 is assessed to non-donors as processing fee for every bag of blood they’ll get from PRC. Meanwhile, as part of its effort to maintain substantial supply of blood in its blood bank facility, PRC-Zamboanga del Norte is conducting a twice-a-month bloodletting activity throughout the province. (ALT/ ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
Interfaith Forum to spearhead Mindanao Week of Peace celebration in ZamboSur by Claro A. Lanipa
s in the previous years, the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace along with the support of all partners in peace building in the city and the province of Zamboanga del Sur will spearhead this year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace which falls on November 24-30, 2011 and to culminate on December 10 during the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Day. This year’s celebration bears the theme: “Common word between us and you, love of God and love of neighbor.” The celebration is a joint undertaking of the government and civil society
supported by Presidential Proclamation 127. The objectives for this year’s celebration are as follows: (1) Right Path: Advancing Human Rights and Ecological Rights; (2) Con-
sciousness-raising to all stakeholders on human rights, ecological and Indigenous People’s (IP) Rights towards the attainment of the right to self-determination of all people in Mindanao;
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(3) Bridging understanding and forging closer relationship of the tri-people and other stakeholders of peace; and (4) A way of celebration of our gains in peace building. Sultan Maguid Maruhom, chairperson, MWP 2011 steering committee said series of activities are set for the week-long celebration which will kick-off on November 24 with the bike for peace, a press conference at the UCCP Western Mindanao Conference Hall and a prayer
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for peace at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Balangasan District, this city, among others. It can be recalled that, the Mindanao Week of Peace is a comprehensive promotional activity that involves various GO’s, NGO’s and PO’s in advocating the culture of peace in the Southern Philippines. It is a celebration of peace which was initiated ina Zamboanga City by Peace Advocates Zamboanga Foundation, Inc. (PAZ)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
and SALAM Foundation in 1997. It has snowballed into a Mindanao-wide event as adopted by the Bishop-Ulama Conference and perpetrated as an annual observance through Presidential Proclamation 127, series of 2001. (ALT/CAL/ PIA9/ZamboSur)
DoT-10 bares eco-tourism destinations in Northern Mindanao by Apipa Bagumbaran
F
amous for its captivating islands, enchanting falls and caves, exotic parks and rivers, and lush greeneries of mountains, Northern Mindanao is one of the well-sought eco-tourism sites in the country. Decius Esmedalla, Regional Marketing and Promotions Officer of the Department of Tourism (DOT), in region 10, said both local and foreign visitors can enjoy a wide range
of experiences in the identified adventure and eco-tourism destinations in the region. Among the identified sites is the 25hectare lake located at Guinoroyan Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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in Valencia City of the Bukidnon province which is surrounded with lush greeneries of hills and mountains, huge ferns and endemic plants, as well as orchids and other flower plants. Esmedalla said Lake Apo is one of the emerging attractions in the region where tourists can cruise around the lake in bamboo rafts. Also, right at the heart of Malaybalay City is the Kaamulan Park, a theme park encompassing vast natural surroundings of pine trees, hilly area, endemic plants and landscape for leisurely walks, horseback riding, and off-the-track races. The Canopy Walk situated within the rainforest of Barangay Mag-Bais in Claveria town in Misamis Oriental is a well sought destination in the region being one of the earliest canopy walk in the country, he cited. According to him, its best features are the varied sceneries of the site as one manages to transport himself to the seven decks all atop some 150 feet from the ground where 26
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
tourists are greeted with the scent of forest and brilliant display of flora and fauna. Other sites cited by Esmedalla are the Agutayan Island in Jasaan town which is a marine sanctuary and nursery of five species of giant clams; the century-old catholic church of Immaculate Concepcion which is situated also in Jasaan and identified by the National Historical Institute as a historical spot and one of the wellpreserved churches still operational in the country. In Sugbongcogon, he said one can also experience nature tripping in the Mantianak Zoological Park which features flora and fauna, tigers, and various bird species. The Lasang Boardwalk and Treetops or the Initao-Libertad National Park Seascape and Landscape also offer an adventurous experience and marvellous sight of the woodland. Developed as a theme park, its seascape is home to centennial-old trees, endemic flora and fauna, tarsiers, rare ferns and wild orchids, as well as a cave habituated by nose-clip bats. T h e Gardens o f Malasag E c o t o u r i s m Village is also a must see. Nestled in
the 7.5 hectare hilly reforestation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Barangay Cugman, this city, the garden features tribal houses, souvenir shop, open air coffee shop, swimming pool, multipurpose air-conditioned building, guest cottages, dormitories, orchidarium, wide camping ground, picnic area, jogging lane, and open amphitheatre, he said. Just ten minutes from the Gardens of Malasag is the Mapawa Nature Park which also offers facilities for adventure like trekking, horseback riding, waterfalls hopping, and zip line, he added. For those who want to experience the limitless aqua adventure, Esmedalla identified the Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort in Balingoan and the Duka Bay Resort in Medina which offer wide range of facilities like scuba diving spots, fish watching/feeding, cavern diving, wreck diving, night
diving, and underwater photography. Tourists can also enjoy cool respite in Tiklas Falls in Gingoog City, Maria Cristina Falls and Hindang Falls in Iligan City, as well as Tinago Falls and Cathedral Falls in Lanao del Norte province. Northern Mindanao is also famous because of the Cagayan de Oro River White Water Rafting. He said the rafting stretch provides striking panoramic view of the rocky walls, lush vegetation, and breath-taking challenging varied rapids of less than 10 minutes intervals. The river is also best to do tubing (an indigenous pinoy version of wild water adventure) as well as kayaking. Other features if this site is the exciting walk in a 120m long skybridge suspended 120ft from the ground. Also, few yards away is the historical Macahambus Cave, where cavern leads to a natural veranda overlooking Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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the river. Zip line and rappelling in the Macahambus (gorge) Adventure Park. Both gorge and cave are right on the sides of the national highway where private and public utilities take their routes. Another must-see destination is the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park which is famous for its dolphins viewing area. The 200-hectare aquaculture production center, mangroves, and wildlife sanctuary is located in Sinacaban town, about 20 minutes by land from the Ozamiz Port. Likewise, the Misamis Occidental Economic Research in Barangay Pinef in Oroquieta City, serves as a research and farmers training center for marine
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and agriculture. It houses facilities for researches, laboratories, agricultural/ marine exhibits and gardens of various plant species and fruit trees. A popular destination in Tangub City is the Highland Gardens in Barangay Hoyohoy which is considered both a botanical garden and a museum of living plants as well as site of the upcoming popular grass skiing. Meanwhile, Esmedalla said the entire province of Camiguin is considered an eco-tourism destination due to its rich natural attractions found in waterfalls, hot and cold springs, marine life, islets of fine white sand, diving areas, caves, old church ruins, and centennial-old houses.
MinDA firms up preparations for MindaNOW program launch MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Final preparations for the upcoming island-wide launching of the MindaNOW! or Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters Program are being firmed up by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and its partner agencies in various regions in Mindanao. Maramag, this province. No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to lead the launching of a major Mindanaowide undertaking that shall focus on ensuring integration of Mindanao’s economy and environment to achieve sustainable development. A flagship program of MinDA, MindaNOW! is the designed to integrate, harmonize, and rationalize plans, programs, policies, and processes for the protection and rehabilitation of the 13 river basins and 262 watersheds found in Mindanao. “This program seeks to strike
Acoordination meeting was held recently at the Provincial Governor’s Office, here, to finalize the details of the program launch scheduled later this month in the Municipality of
a balance between economy and environment in Mindanao by pursuing programs and projects through ecosystems integration approach,” said Cecilia Trino, MinDA technical staff. She stressed that the program would look into the condition of Mindanao’s forests, river basins and watersheds as Mindanao’s major production areas have now also become high risk or prone to flooding problems and related environmental threats. A study made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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(DENR) has cited that as of 2010, Mindanao has only about 6% forest cover or trees and vegetation. “This considerable drop in our forested areas amplifies the threats that we face today. Through the MindaNOW program, we hope to pursue integrated efforts involving all sectors in addressing this major concern,” Trino adds. Among the agencies that are tapped for this inter-agency program are: the DENR-River Basin Control Office and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education (DepEd), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Climate Change Commission (CCC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) , Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and National Water Resources Board (NWRB). Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC), Philippine Watershed Management Coalition (PWMC) and the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). (MinDA/PIA-10)
Dengue cases in Mis. Occ., up by 10.05 percent by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – A total of 405 dengue cases have been reported in the province from January 1- Nov. 18, this year. “This figure is actually 10.05 percent higher compared to 368 dengue cases in the same period, last year, “ said Dr. David Mendoza, Head of the Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOHCHD), region 10. Mendoza said Mis. Occ. is the only province in the region with an increasing number of dengue cases, while the other four (4) provinces 30
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
reported the following down trend: Bukidnon, from 2,099 to 89 cases or down by 95.57 percent, Camiguin, from 156 to 89 cases or down by 89.74 percent, Lanao del Norte, from 1,386 to 254 cases or down by 81.63 percent and Misamis Oriental, from 3,407 to 902 cases or down by 73.53 percent. The Disease Surveillance Report also show the following increase/downtrend, as far as the nine (9) cities of the region are concerned: Ozamiz City in Mis. Occ., the highest increase from 59 to 168 cases or up by 184.75 percent, Malaybalay City, from 302 to 12 cases or down by 96 percent, and Valencia City, from 192 to eight (8) cases or down by 95.83 percent. Gingoog City, from 152 to 19 cases or down by 87.50 percent, Iligan City, from 992 to 132 cases or
down by 86.69 percent, El Salavador City, from 78 to 18 cases or down by 76.92 percent and Cagayan de Oro City, from 2,200 to 642 cases or down by 71.82 percent. Oroquieta City, from 64 to 39 cases or down by 39.06 percent and Tangub City, from 84 to 71 cases or down by 15.47 percent. Meanwhile, Mendoza said a total of nine (9) deaths due to dengue cases were reported in the region, during the period, lower by 88.88 percent, compared to 57 cases, in the same period, last year. Meanwhile, Mendoza said a total of nine (9) deaths due to dengue cases were reported in the region, during the period, lower by 88.88 percent, compared to 57 cases, last year. The reported deaths in 2011 were in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Mis. Occ., two (2) deaths, each, and Misamis Oriental, nine (9) deaths. Those in 2010 were in Camiguin and Mis. Occ., two (2) each, Lanao del Norte, 12, Bukidnon, 19, and Misamis Oriental, 22 deaths. He also said a total of 1,666 dengue cases were admitted to different sentinel hospitals, region wide, lower by 77.26 percent compared to 7,326 during the same period, in 2010. Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Davao businesses urged to utilize FTA with China by Mai Gevera Macapagat
F
ilipinos are urged to take advantage of the existing Free Trade Agreement between China and the ASEAN which includes the Philippines. Commercial Attache of the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) Emmanuel W. Ang told Davao exporters and customs brokers recent updates on China’s economy and potentials to welcome foreign products. “ There’s an increasing income 32
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
of Chinese people, RMB currency appreciation, inflation, and government policy to encourage further domestic consumption. All these make the Chinese afford to buy more imported products”, he said. Ang was one of the resource speakers invited to encourage Filipino exporters in yesterday’s Information Session: Doing Business in Free Trade Areas held at Grand Men Seng, this city. The information session is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in educating Filipinos to make use of the existing trade agreements with other countries in which the Philippines had participated in. Ang explained that contrary to what many Filipinos think that Philippines import more China products, it is actually the other way around. “ In 2010, Philippines and China has a positive bilateral balance trade
which shows that the China actually import more Philippine goods rather exporting their products here”, he said. A balance trade of negative 873.50 in 2009 was turned into 1,096.91 in 2010. Ang also stressed the increasing salaries of Chinese people as their government allowed for a growth rate of more than 20 percent per year on the workers with minimum wage. This according to him pushed employers to pay their workers above minimum wage. This, according to him, opens more windows for foreign products to be consumed by the Chinese market. DTI sees new opportunities arising in the furniture sector as China puts more focus on products utilizing indigenous design and materials. An-
other potential sector that exporters could take advantage is the marine business. One example is the shipment of live fish to Zhuhai from the Philippines. Filipinos are also seen potential partners as China pushes to develop its own IT and IT enabled services industry. Ang cited the presence of Pinoy call center workers in Guangdong. Ang stressed that the China market is so vast that it can actually buy everything that Filipinos can offer; however, the only challenge is the readiness of the Filipinos to do business in China. “ We should remember that China is a hungry market that’s why we must have the volume and the quality that China demands”, he said.
TAGUM CITY- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) made certain dangerous drugs that were seized and confiscated by law enforcement agencies in the Davao region are all accounted for and are never recycled. PDEA-XI Regional Director Emerson Rosales reassured the public that evidences in successful anti-drug operations are not being recycled, as they are immediately destroyed after the issuance of court orders, pursuant to R.A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002. “Lahat ng na-coconfiscate natin during operations ay sinisira rin natin (all confiscated drugs are also being destroyed),” Rosales bared, after the burning of seized illegal drugs in front of the Provincial Capitol of Davao del Norte. The disposal-of-evidence ceremony, where a total of 32.9081 grams of methamphetamine or shabu worth P296,000 and 2,251.761 grams of marijuana amounting to P80,000 were destroyed, capped the recent anti-drug abuse prevention and con
PDEA assures no recycling of confiscated drugs
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trol week celebration in the province. The illegal drugs were kept as evidence from 34 drug cases that have been resolved by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 30 in the sala of Executive Judge Rowena Adlawan. Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. led the burning of the confiscated drugs, together with Board Member Shirley Belen Aala, Judge Adlawan, Dir. Rosales, DNPPO Director PSSupt. Edgardo Wycoco, RTC Judge Dorothy Gonzaga of Panabo City, Provincial PDEA Officer Clodito Cañada, LPRRC Dir. Gabriel Logronio and Dr. James Paul Dumdum of the DRH. “The aim of burning or destroying these confiscated dangerous drugs is to erase the notion and doubts from the public that there is recycling of
Regional Gallery DOST Regional Dir. Anthony Sales (second from left) and PAGASA Davao Weather Station head Gerry Pedrico (right) launch Juan Time during the Regional Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) held in Davao City. Juan Time aims to promote the synchronization of time pieces to Philippine Standard Time.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
dangerous drugs,” Cañada reiterated. Dir. Rosales further revealed that the fight against illegal drugs is gaining ground in the region, as the communities are now active in providing information to PDEA agents. “Marami na silang binibigay na information sa ating opisina na agad naman nating inaaksyonan (the people are now giving us enough information which we immediately look into),” he said. The PDEA official also lauded the good collaboration of other lawenforcement agencies, together with the local government units, that resulted in the arrest of noted drug dealers in the region. (Noel BaguioDAVNOR PIO)
Inventors to seek protection of works from City Council by Carina Cayon DAVAO CITY-The Davao Inventors Association has mulled over lobbying at the City Council for an ordinance seeking for the protection of the works and researches of inventors and students in the city. DIA president Dr. Randell Espina underscored the need of a regulation to safeguard the inventions and science researches against piracy and from acquisition of other countries. Espina also emphasized that the city should be the one to benefit from and utilize the science and technology innovations and researches of the Davao-based inventors and researchers. He told the Philippine Information Agency that there were many good inventions and researches in the city that were pirated or only went to the benefit of other areas in the country or other to countries. He said researches and innovations were usually prone to piracy during invention exhibits like the recently concluded Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology. Espina stated that with a City Ordinance to be in place, the inventors’ works especially the students’
researches would have protection before presenting them in exposition events. “With the protection, the works and researches would not just easily be copied or be bought,” he emphasized. Further, he said that the local regulation would strengthen and support the country’s laws on patent. He said that DIA planned to present this proposal to the Council with the support from the Mindanao Inventors Federation and the Filipino Inventors Federation. Meanwhile, DOST regional director Anthony C. Sales disclosed that the region is in the process of setting up its Information and Communication Technology Office which is proposed to be housed at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP). Sales said the ICTO would include data-base information on patents from the Intellectual Property Office where inventors and researchers could easily check similar inventions. ICTO was formerly the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the Office of the President. In June this year, President Benigno Aquino III placed the ICTO under DOST by virtue of Executive Order 47. Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Tribal council leads watershed project by Cocoy Sexcion MAASIM, Sarangani - Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Jose Zamorro and Joel Aton of Sarangani Energy Corporation had a turnover of seedlings to the Municipal Tribal Council here for distribution to indigenous people (IP) families living in the upland barangays of Nomoh, Kablacan and Amsipit.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The seedlings would be planted to boost the watershed development program of the municipality. In a turnover rites Monday (November 21) at the municipal grounds during the flag raising ceremony, officials said thousands of seedlings were set for planting this year. “For the remaining months of this year, we will be distributing a total of 17,500 seedlings of rubber, coconut, jackfruit and coffee to 50 families from Barangays Nomoh, Amsipit and Kablacan,” said Joel Aton, project assurance manager of Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC). “This is part of the commitment of Sarangani En-
ergy Corporation to rehabilitate watersheds and to provide livelihood support to Maasim highlanders and tribal communities and each family will receive seedlings good for one hectare which can provide an added income of around P3,000 to P5,000 pesos a month upon reaching its productive stage,” Aton added. The project was supported by the provincial and municipal government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, 73rd Infantry Battalion and Alcantara Foundation. “I know this project will change the life of our people. The tribal people will cooperate and support this project because
we know that this project will give us some livelihood and at the same time will help us restore all the forests that are gone in the mountain,” Municipal Tribal Council chief Benjamin Donato said. Mayor Jose Zamorro also urged his constituents to plant trees. “Supposed to be, we Maasimians are the ones who should initiate this reforestation project. This is everybody’s concern. For me, the only solution to the problem of global warming is plant more trees. So I thank SEC for this project,” the mayor said. On the other hand, Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan appealed to those who are against the construction of the 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim set for its groundbreaking this November 25, to just give them a chance to welcome and embrace investments and development for their municipality.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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DSWD addresses 4Ps issues and concerns by Olivia Sudaria KORONADAL CITY -- The government particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development has continued and continues to address the barriers in the implementation of the conditional cash transfers (CCT) or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
DSWD assistant secretary Camilo Gudmalin said the issue of targeting is already being addressed fairly proactively. Gudmalin regretted that the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) used in identifying the beneficiaries had unavoidable leakages and exclusions which had also been observed in many countries with existing CCT programs. “But a Grievance Redress System to address
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the problems of inclusion, error, fraud, corruption, duplication and non-compliance has already been established to address these issues,” Gudmalin said. The DSWD assistant secretary also cited that there is likewise an “on demand” application for families who feel they are eligible but who have not been included in the NHTS-PR list. On the issue of mendicancy, Gudmalin emphasized that the recipi-
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
ents generally receive help for no more than five years. “So the notion of a temporary bridge is precisely to discourage parasitism and encourage long-term behavioral change. After all, at P1,400 a month per family, CCTs can only supplement the household income of beneficiaries by increasing their purchasing power for food and other necessities,” continued Gudmalin. Gudmalin cited that the close monitoring of the program has indicated that compliance rates have been particularly high: children’s attendance in school was a decent 88%, while enrollment rates for children from the ages of 6-14 was as high as 96%.
SOCOTECO 1 planong kumuha ng kuryente sa coal-powered plant sa Sarangani
KORONADAL CITY -- Kinumpirma ni South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1) General Manager Santiago Tudio na pinag-aaralan nila ngayon ang pagkuha ng suplay ng kuryente mula sa coal-powered plant sa lalawigan ng Sarangani sa panahong tuluyan na itong mag-ooperate.
Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni GM Tudio na nakikipag-negotiate na sila hinggil sa presyo ng kuryenteng kukunin ng kooperatiba was coal-powered plant. Siniguro naman ni GM Tudio na kung matutuloy ang plano at makakakuha ng suplay ang SOCOTECO 1, maso-
solusyunan ang problema ng power curtailment sa buong South Cotabato sakaling magkakaroon ng kakulangan ng suplay mula sa hydro-electric plants mula sa Lanao Lake at Pulangi River. Bentahi umano ito para sa sa mga konsumidor at mga negosyante sa nasasakupan ng SO-
COTECO 1 Inihayag ni Joseph Nocos, bisepresidente ng Conal Holdings Corp. na gaganapin ang groundbreaking ceremony para sa 200-megawatts coal-fired power plant sa Maasim , Sarangani sa Biyernes, Nobyembre 25. (DEDoguiles/ PIA 12)
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GSIS, HDMF ink home lending pact for GSIS members and pensioners
T
HOME LENDING PACT. Vice President and concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Jejomar C. Binay, Sr. (middle) witnesses the signing of a credit facility agreement between the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund). Under the agreement, the GSIS will provide an initial allocation of P5 billion to finance the housing loans of its members and pensioners through the Pag-IBIG Fund. Present during the signing ceremony were GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara and HDMF President and Chief Executive Officer Darlene Marie B. Berberabe.
he Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Home Development Mutual Fund more popularly known as Pag-IBIG Fund) today signed a credit facility agreement providing an initial GSIS allocation of Php5 billion to finance the housing loans of its members and pensioners through the Pag-IBIG Fund.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
The credit facility, signed by GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara and HDMF Chief Executive Officer Darlene Berberabe, is made available in line with the GSIS’s decision to wind down its direct lending program last April in favor of forging partnerships with key shelter agencies (KSAs) which has the proven expertise on home lending. “We want to synchronize our efforts in the implementation of the government housing program and to avoid duplication with the KSAs’ functions,” said PGM Vergara. “More importantly, this agreement proves that the pension fund continues to be a vehicle for realizing the homeownership dream of our stakeholders in our role as a partner of Pag-IBIG.”
The lackluster housing performance of the pension fund, which has been implemented since the mid-50s, prompted the current GSIS leadership to find ways to rationalize its home lending program. In 2010, the GSIS extended only Php600 million in housing loans to its more than 500 members against Pag-IBIG Fund’s Php5.5 billion to over 11,000 government employees, 10 times more what GSIS lent for housing and 20 times more than the number of government employees. The pension fund chief added that half of the housing loan portfolio of the GSIS or more than 16,000 housing units have either been foreclosed or cancelled. “It has been a difficult decision for us to stop direct home lend-
ing for our members but we are, above all, obligated to them to ensure that their contributions are managed prudently for their greater benefit,” said PGM Vergara. He added that that he has requested Pag-IBIG to put up a special lane for GSIS members and pensioners to facilitate the processing of their housing loans. The agreement was signed in the presence of Vice President and concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Jejomar Binay. GSIS Executive Vice President for Finance Sector Benedicto Jose Arcinas and HDMF Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Support Services Cluster Emma Linda B. Faria stood as witnesses to the agreement. (GSIS)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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SDSSU stude wins stat quiz reg’l by Ruel L. Dres championship
RD Rosalinda C. Celeste with the PSQ Regional Champion and Coach. (NSO SdS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SURIGAO DEL SUR -- Fredierick Remonde of the Surigao del Sur State University won the Championship title in the 20th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) Regional Championship held at the Almont Hotel Inland Resort, Butuan City on November 17, 2011.
Prior to his winning in the regional level, Remonde outsmarted his fellow contender from SDSSU – Ella Mae Pasuhil who won runnerup and Mae Rose Suniel from Saint 42
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Michael College, third place winner. All the top three provincial winners participated in the regional championship. Remonde is the son of Fred and Telly Remonde. He
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
finished his secondary education at Unidad National High School as Class Valedictorian. Presently, he is taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics in
the province’s only state university. A c c o r d i n g l y, this is the first time that the province of Surigao del Sur won the competition since the creation of NSO Caraga in 2000 and since the conduct of PSQ in the province. On the other hand, Nor Jhon M. Jala from Philippine Normal UniversityAgusan Campus and Ramione Clint A. Lazaga from Surigao State College of Technology completed the top three spots and were awarded cash prizes in the amount of PhP4,000, Php3,000 and PhP2,000 for the champion, second and third place winners, respectively. They were
also given medals and certificates. Meanwhile, SDSSU coach Luzminda S. Bacquial was also awarded and acknowledged during the competition. The PSQ is an annual contest designed to test freshman college students’ knowledge of statistics. The NSO and the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) have conducted the PSQ since 1992. The PSQ, as held nationwide, involves students enrolled in colleges and universities in the 17 regions of the country. The 2011 PSQ is the 20th in the series. The objectives of the PSQ are to assess the com-
petency and skills of students in statistics as acquired from the secondary education curriculum; to promote, enhance, and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of science, statistics in particular, among the students; and to generate public awareness on the importance of statistics in all development-planning activities and win overallsupport for all government statistical activities. The national finals will be held on December 6, 2011 in Metro Manila. The top five winners in the national finals shall be given a PSQ trophy and cash prizes.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
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Turn-over of new PNP station at San Agustin, SurSur conducted by PSupt Martin M Gamba
Butuan City -– The Police Regional Office XIII is again upgrading its physical facilities and equipment in support to field operations. Caraga Police Director PCSUPT Reynaldo Serrano Rafal said the Philippine National Police has risen from to the various challenges in the organization and have initiated reforms and improved capabilities to better respond to the concerns of the community. The new modern two-storey station building in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur is in accordance with the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP), particularly giving emphasis on the “Quick Response” in providing the PNP of a modern Police Station. The blessing, turn44
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over and acceptance of the new San Agustin Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Surigao del Sur was personally graced by PCSUPT Isagani F Genabe Jr, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, together with Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel, Provincial Governor of Surigao del Sur; Hon. Manuel O. Alameda, Provincial Vice-Governor; Hon. Honolulu C. Go, Municipal Mayor; and other Police Commissioned Officers from Police Regional Office 13 and Heads of Offices of said municipality, held recently. The construction of San Agustin MPS was financed under the PNP
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Engineering Service, PRO-13 with counterpart from LGU-San Agustin. PRO-13 wants to focus on addressing the current demands of the various places particularly in far-flung areas. Rafal also aimed that every police officer commits himself completely to the Filipino people through maintaining peace in their area of responsibility. Meanwhile, according to census on 2000, San Agustin is a 4th class municipality of Surigao del Sur with one poblacion and 13 rural barangays with a total population of 14,845 people in 2,751 households.