PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
An Electronic News Magazine of the Phliippine Information Agency Mindanao Clusters
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
EDITORIAL BOARD
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail: r9_pia@yahoo.com mimibern17@yahoo.com Skype: hnb_r9pia
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com r10_pia@yahoo.com rutchiecabahug@yahoo.com
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region
Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)
Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph
Managing Editor …….........
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region
2/F Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail: r12_pia@yahoo.com pia_xii@yahoo.com
Executive Editor …….........
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
OUR COVER
Korban
“Beef Sharing”
Cover Story :
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Vol. 1, No. 833
Korban “Beef Sharing” Program and Lechon Baka Festival
NATI O NAL
8 9 10 13 15
DSWD leads preparations for displayed residents return to Zamboanga Sibugay DBM releases P1.15 billion more for education Palace warns public from sale of substandard Christmas lights Comm. Biazon pushes for systemic reforms in BOC Use barangay health center funds wisely, DOH official urges LGUs
WESTERN Mindanao
38 39 31 32
Dipolognons warned of possible scarcity of water supply DOH bats for putting up health center in every barangay DSWD 9 conducts Pantawid Pamilya Program orientation for set 5 areas DOH-IX holds consultative meeting in Dipolog
38
contents
NORTHERN Mindanao
8 17 18 19 20 22
NOVEMBER 6, 2011
17
Sumilao Farmers Moving On
Pag-IBIG Fund launches the Land Bank Cash Card
CARAGA Region
24 25 26 27
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Earthquake rattles Surigao del Sur
Medical program for Agusanons continues P17.4M worth of peace, dev’t projects alloted for Caraga’s conflict-affected communities Aktibidades ng DepEd sa selebrasyon ng Nat’l Reading Month, suportado ng Malacañang
Pamahalaang Aquino pursigidong makipagsundo sa mga rebelde alang-alang sa kapayapaan
IDRN, Bukidnon DRRMC hold training on community development and disaster response PhilHealth signs PPP agreement for PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope Eid Al-Adha’s beef sharing festival of Muslims likens that of Christmas for Christians – ICAD
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Cover Story
Korban “Beef Sharing” Program and Lechon Baka Festival
B
eef sharing is in line with the Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated in commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Such was as an act of obedience to God, who upon seeing Abraham’s faith intervened and instead provided a lamb to be sacrificed. A tradition for both Muslim and Turkish people all around the world, the festival is likened to Christmas for the Christians as it wants to feed people who are among the poor and those who are needing help. Through this festival, the Integrated Center for Alternative Developments (ICAD) Foundation extends help and assistance to the people in need and their families by giving them an amount of beef, which will help sustain their need for food, for a period of time.
The ICAD Foundation began the beef sharing in 1997, where about 20 heads of cows were provided. However, in the past years, the foundation increased the number of cows to not less than 400 and shared with more than 10,000 families each year. This is because through the activities of ICAD Foundation, more people were able to know the Philippines better and extend their assistance to the country through the Foundation. A private, non-profit, nonstock organization, ICAD Foundation is established under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 16, 1996. Currently, it has three (3) campuses offering elementary and secondary education under its administration in the Philippines: The Filipino-Turkish
How the project has grown throughout the years ‌.. Sunday, November 6, 2011
5
Tolerance School located in Zamboanga City, established in 1997 and two (2) schools in Manila established in 2002 and 2006, respectively. All aforementioned schools apply the ideals and Philosophy of the foundation, built on the belief that peace and understanding among students of different nationalities, religion and diverse cultural backgrounds can be achieved through quality and contemporary education. To date, the students of these schools have won many achieve6
Sunday, November 6, 2011
ments in the Philippines and abroad. Other than advocacy for quality education, the ICAD Foundation is established to extend assistance and concern for the welfare of those who are less fortunate among the members of the society in which it belongs. As such, members of the foundation are committed to fulfill their social responsibility through different means of charitable works and services to the community. For the last 13 years, ICAD shared beef with thousands of less
fortunate families in Zamboanga, Davao and Manila. This year, the ICAD Foundation is not alone in this charitable activity. It has a sister foundation called Pacific Dialogue Foundation (PDF) which is also a private, nonprofit, non-stock organization established under the SEC, on Aug.
18, this year. The PDF serves societal peace, love, and friendship wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good by striving to bring forth the common values of humanity, such as, understanding, tolerance, respect and compassion.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
7
DSWD leads preparations for displayed residents return to Zamboanga Sibugay
T Sunday.
8
he Department of Social Welfare and Development is leading preparations for residents and families displaced by military offensives to return to their homes in Zamboanga Sibugay, Malaca単ang said on Sunday, November 6, 2011
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the DSWD has been conducting various social programs to help residents get back into the groove of normal life after operations were conducted against rebels in their area recently. “The DSWD is now beginning to
M
make preparations for the return of the displaced families,” Valte said over government-run radio station dzRB. She said that among the activities being conducted by the DSWD include counseling and stress debriefing sessions and providing livelihood assistance in the
form of grants coming from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. She pointed out that DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman visited evacuation centers in Zamboanga Sibugay to oversee the preparations. (RCK)
DBM releases P1.15 billion more for education alacañang on Sunday said that the Department of Budget of Management has released P1.15billion to fund various projects of the Department of Education.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
9
In a n i n terview aired over government-run radio station dzRB, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the additional funding would be used to improve the delivery of basic education services to more Filipino students in order to meet the government’s goal to provide “Education for All.” She added that this was also being done to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on education set for 2015. “Yung pondo pong ito ay gagamitin para sa mga training, scholarship and fellowship grants ng mga teache, capac10
ity building for nonteaching personnel and for the national English proficiency program, as well as to cover the repair and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings in various locations,” Valte said. Of the P1.15 billion, P500 million will cover the maintenance and other operating expenses, particularly in improving the learning outcomes determined in the annual Implementation plan of the schools; as well as to procure school supplies necessary in classroom teaching. This was released directly to DepEd’s 16 regional units. A total of P483.8 million was released to fund teachers’ training,
Sunday, November 6, 2011
scholarship and fellowship grants, capacity building for non-teaching personnel, among other human resourced development activities. This release is charged from the P1.157-billion budget for Human Resources Training and Development. Of the P483.8 million, P179 million will be used for the National English Proficiency Program. Also, P74.7 million has been released for the Madrasah Education Program of DepEd in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao. Another P104 million was infused by the government to cover the repair and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings in various loca-
tions. Lastly, P60 million was released to cover the acquisition of 52,630 armchairs and 1,169 teachers’ tables and chair will be furnished 1,169 classrooms (725 for elementary and 444
I
for secondary) out of the 1,430 classrooms to be constructed from the current year’s releases from the P1billion DepEd School Building Program. Of the P192-billion regular budget
of DepEd for 2011, P171.2 billion have already been released by DBM to the agency as of September 30, 2011. (RCK)
DILG creates inter-agency task force against ‘kotong’ n line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive “to coordinate with other agencies, and investigate as well as remove from the service, those found to be guilty of extortion activities,” the Department of Interior and Local Government has created an inter-agency task force that would go after scalawag policemen and other traffic law enforcers engaged in “kotong” or mulcting and extortion activities in the Metro Manila area. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced the creation of the InterAgency Anti-Kotong Task Force (IAA-TF) in a press briefing
aired over stateowned radio station dzRB on Sunday. She said that the creation of the IAA-TF was the government’s response to concerns raised
by transport leaders in a meeting with the President earlier. These concerns include the confusion in the issuance of traffic citation tick-
Sunday, November 6, 2011
11
ets b y different agencies; maintenance of illegal terminals, proliferation of colorum public utility vehicles, extortion, collection of passing-thru fees and suspension of smoke-emission testing being implemented by LGUs. The DILG is currently preparing a Memorandum of Agreement with concerned agencies like the Department of Transportation and CommunicationsLand Transportation Office, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the various local government units in the National Capital Region on the single-ticketing scheme and the 12
campaign against “colorum� vehicles plying or operating in the National Capital Region. The IAA-TF, aside from its strike force, will be composed of agents or representatives from the DILG, National Police Commission, Philippine National Police, DOTC-LTO, MMDA, Department of Justice and those from local traffic enforcers from various local government units in Metro Manila. Under the anti-kotong hotline (0918-888-2749) scheme, the public will be asked to call or provide via text messaging their information that includes the date, time, place of occurrence, the modus operandi and
Sunday, November 6, 2011
the identity of the perpetrators. All anti-kotong information/reports that would be fed or submitted to the hotline will be treated with utmost confidentiality to protect the source of the information. Upon receipt of the information, a police officer-led IAA-TF team will be deployed to conduct discreet surveillance and investigations on their subjects, gather material and other documentary evidences against the perpetrators. (RCK)
Comm. Biazon pushes for systemic reforms in BOC by Alice V. Sicat
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"Sinasabi systemic yung corruption; systemic din yung approach ng solution." ith this paradigm, Commissioner Rufino Biazon of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has started reforms in the agency foremost of which is changing the mindset of customs employees. Sunday, November 6, 2011
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“We want to change the sense of values of the people of the bureau of customs by reminding them of the value of the work that they do,” Biazon said. “We want to bring back into their consciousness the real role that the BOC is bearing, (which is) to generate funds that (will be used) to build health centers, to give social services.” This means, he said, that the work of BOC employees goes beyond collecting money. “At dahil sa paniniwala ako naman na kung ikaw may sense of value sa trabaho ay iiral ang nationalism at hindi pangsarili.” (I believe that if one’s sense of value in this line of work is intact, what will prevail is the sense of patriotism and not self-interest.) 14
Apart from changing value systems in the bureaucracy, BOC is also focusing on streamlining its operations especially in its assessment and evaluation functions. This means removing “non-relevant” personnel, who really have no official role in that function to reduce opportunities for corruption. Biazon said that in the past, various offices assigned their own monitors and agents its own staff to do this function which opened more opportunities for “kalokohan” (monkey business). He also said that the agency is pushing for the completion of the electronic to mobile system or computerization of the BOC. Eventually, the BOC can connect to the “national single window” that
Sunday, November 6, 2011
will connect it with 40 other government agencies. This will make transactions with the BOC more efficient and faster. The BOC has also instituted a system of media accreditation based on the practice of other government agencies such as the Congress. This will ensure that only genuine members of the media will covers news inside the bureau. He said fake or “hao shiao” journalists also add to opportunities for corruption as they move around the bureau. Comm. Biazon was today’s guest at the in Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), aired over Radyo ng Bayan and People’s Television network (PTV-4).
Use barangay health center funds wisely, DOH official urges LGUs by Phres A. Evardone
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epartment of Health assistant secretary Enrique A. Tayag urged local government units to wisely use the funds for building local health facilities, which is part of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH).
Under this program the DOH, through local government units (LGU), will put up at least one health facility in
every barangay by 2013. This is in line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” or health
for all program. The DOH has allocated P7.1 billion pesos for the said program. “Let’s just imagine that there’s a
Sunday, November 6, 2011
15
deep well and there are a lot of people lining up to fetch water. If those who have already fetched water stumbled and spilled their share, what they’ll do is to line up again. But would there still be available water in the well? So let us not waste the water we can get from the well.” This was the analogy used by Tayag to convince local officials to be prudent in spending the budget allocated to local government units to implement the program. Dr. Tayag added that they are closely monitoring the implementation of the said program because of its substantial effect on public health. “May ilan tayong hospital na matatawag natin na ‘white elephant.’ 16
Ibig sabihin tinayo lamang kasi nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makahingi ng konting pondo eh hindi napag-aralan na ayaw ng mga tao pumunta sa lugar na yun (dahil) mahirap pumunta roon,” Tayag aid. (We have a number of hospitals that may be considered “white elephants.” This mean, these were constructed only because there was an opportunity to request for funding. But people do not go there to avail of health services because the facilities are inaccessible) In light of this, Health Secretary Ona implemented a mapping scheme that would identify potential sites where hospitals can be constructed to avoid committing the same mistake.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Tayag said hospitals considered as “white elephants” were constructed without the benefit of an intensive feasibility study by the LGU. The HFEP aims to provide essential health services such as care for newborns and mothers; prescribing quality and affordable medicines to the poor in rural communities by assisting LGUs in constructing, rehabilitating and modernizing hospitals and rural health centers nationwide. Tayag was today’s guest at “Talking Points” radio program aired over Radyo ng Bayan and People’s Television (PTV-4), and sponsored by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Information Agency.
Sumilao Farmers Moving On By Editha R. Salvador
A
year after they received the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) for the 144 hectares awarded to them by the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Sumilao farmers have started to build a better future for their members. women’s herbal garden, corn coffee production, native chicken production, rainwater catchment with tilapia, and a pedalpowered water pump that draws water from the catchment to irrigate the vegetable garden. Yoyong Merida, PANAW Chairperson, thanked their supporters who came to witness the event. He particularly acknowledged DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Jerry Pacturan who led the DAR delegation and Engr. Felix B. Aguhob, Regional Director of DAR, region 10. A tree planting activity highlighted the celebration wherein representatives of the supporting
DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes (left), assisted by Cong. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao of AKBAYAN partylist and Dr. Norman Ramos of San Miguel Foods (right), hands the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to Yoyong Merida, Chairman of PANAW Sumilao MPC. Partly hidden at the back are PARO Jun Celestiano of Bukidnon, Cong. Jess Paras of the 1st District of Bukidnon and Cong. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao. (DARRIO)
The PANAW Sumilao MultiPurpose Cooperative, which the farmers have organized into, celebrated the 1st anniversary of the CLOA Awarding that also marked the 4th anniversary of their historic “walk for land, walk for justice” with a thanksgiving mass and a demonstration tour of their ongoing livelihood projects in Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon last Oct. 10, 2011. The coop projects, so far, included a vegetable demo garden,
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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organizations, agencies, and other entities planted a tree along the road leading to the farmers’ center. Capping the day’s event was the groundbreaking ceremony for the
proposed Uma Republika, a marketing outlet of the farmers’ produce that would be established, nationwide, in partnership with the business sector. (DAR/PIA-10)
Pag-IBIG Fund launches the Land Bank Cash Card By: Ma. Therese Carmelite M. Abejo
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental- The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), commonly known as “Pag-IBIG,” Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Branch, will launch the Land Bank Cash Card (LCC), this coming November 8. The LCC can be availed of exclusively by the PAG-IBIG members who are borrowers of the Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL), upon filing of application. Juliano S. Banghal, Manager of PAGIBIG, CDO Branch. Banghal said there will be only 35,155 LCC’s issued by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), CDO Branch for free, hence, availment of the LCC is on a first come-first served basis. Pag-IBIG Fund members/borrowers are, therefore, encouraged to apply or renew their MPL, as soon as they are qualified. He said the LCC’s will be distributed proportionately among the Pag-IBIG Fund members from the private, selfemployed and government sectors. A debit card which has the functions of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card, the LCC does not require an opening deposit, a maintaining balance and a specimen signature. Furthermore, the LCC can use/ access any Land Bank ATM, ExpressNet, 18
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Megalink, Bancnet member banks or ATM providers and point of sale (POS) accredited merchants. The aggregate monthly credit will only be at a maximum of P100,000. Whereas, the maximum amount for withdrawal thru the LBP ATM is limited at P50,000 per day. However, the POS and the Express Payment System are only limited to P20, 000 per day. Banghal said the LCC shall not bear any interest nor is it covered by an insurance with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Company (PDIC). It has no dormancy period but is only valid for three (3) years. Withdrawals will no longer be
allowed from the cash card at the end of the 3rd year. The balance will remain in the cash card until renewal/ reactivation. Should the member opt to reactivate his/her LCC, a reactivation fee will be required in the amount of Php50.00, only, Banghal said. Personnel from the LBP- Velez Branch will be stationed at the PagIBIG Fund -CDO Branch to accept the
first 35,155 LCC applicants. The qualified LCC applicants will present the duly endorsed Letter of Introduction (LOI) from PAG-IBIG, to the LBP counter personnel. The LCC applicants are also requested to submit a photocopy of their valid ID to the LBP counter personnel and present the same ID for authentication. (PAG-IBIG/PIA-10)
IDRN, Bukidnon DRRMC hold training on community development and disaster response By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In a move to tackle natural calamities effectively in Bukidnon, a training for members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has been conducted from November 3-5 in Davao City. Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arsenio Alagenio said the training will focus on basic family and personal preparedness in the community level, particularly, on vital preparedness skills, evacuation, home preparation, and family communication during disasters. Likewise, Provincial Administrator Provo Antipasado Jr., said the training strategy advocates for disaster response in each vulnerable community that comprise assessment, relief, recovery, and reconstruction for community development. It also underscores involvement and active participation of the people in disaster reduction, prevention and preparedness, leading to improved risk
management. Tr a i n e r s i n c l u d e David Bopp, International Disaster Response Director and South East Asia Re p r e s e n t a t i v e Charles Ngui both from the International Disaster Response Network (IDRN). Using the Humanitarian International Services Group Disaster Response (HISG-DR) model, the training provides a roadmap for private sector organizations to know exactly how, when, and where to engage in disaster response. Meanwhile, Bopp said it Sunday, November 6, 2011
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is becoming more evident that communities need the combined efforts of the government and a full range of private sector participants in order to effectively respond to and recover from a disaster. He said HISG-IDRN is a leader in connecting resources from across the private sector and organizing them for efficient and effective disaster response operations. On the other hand, Alagenio, who is also the PDRRM Officer said that the activity is part of the 2011 disaster preparedness plan, which was
formulated by the Bukidnon PDRRMC early, during its first meeting this year,. The provincial government of Bukidnon, through its calamity fund, backs the 3-day training, which is participated in by nearly 40 PDRRMC members including non-government organization leaders of Bukidnon. “The training will hone our skills in disaster mitigation, prevention, preparedness and response including climate change adaptation, thus saving lives of people in times of disaster,” Alagenio, further said.
PhilHealth signs PPP agreement for PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope By Merlyn H. Ybañez
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has organized the “Philhealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope” to take place in February 5, next year. As the country’s health insurance arm, Philhealth is mandated to provide affordable, accessible and quality health care to all Filipinos, will continue to enhance its role in the health care sector and support the preventive aspect of health, rather than just the usual curative agenda. Thus. taking off from the success of running events in providing an avenue for public and private partnership (PPP) to work together towards a good cause, PhilHealth Run will, simultaneously be held in six (6) key cities: Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Zamboanga. This running event is targeting a 20
Sunday, November 6, 2011
minimum of 17,000 runners, the first simultaneous run to be held across the island of Mindanao. Philhealth Run hopes to bridge financial assistance to a chosen main beneficiary, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Children’s Cancer Center and Blood Diseases Unit (SPMC-CCCBDU) located in Davao City. The SPMC-CCCBDU is the only facility in Visayas and Mindanao that can deliver multidisciplinary care for children with cancer. Through this running event and PhilHealth’s army of partners and stakeholders, children with cancer in
Mindanao may get another lease in life, a second chance and a brighter hope. PhilHealth’s call to action has caught the attention of a number of private partners who committed to join the advocacy of hope for children with cancer. Last October 18, PhilHealth Mindanao formally sealed the Sponsorship Agreement with its main partners through a Signing Event held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City and introduced the following Copresentors of the PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope: Rite Med, United Laboratories, Inc., “right medicine, priced right” from the leading pharmaceutical company
in the Philippines and ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation – the largest integrated media and entertainment company in the country. Smart Communications Inc., the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider, CIS Bayad Center, Inc., the country’s pioneer and leader in the over-the-counter multiple bills payment collection business and All Card Plastics, Inc., the highest volume, fast-growing full plastic card printing and production facility in the Philippines. PhilHealth Mindanao was represented by OIC-AVP Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr. while the Co-presentors were represented by Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave, Senior Vice President for United Laboratories, Manuel Lorenzo Tuason (President and CEO of CIS Bayad Center), Allieta C. Cue, President, All Card Plastics, Trisha Corpus, Station Manager for ABSCBN Davao and Haydee Bernabe, Public Affairs Sr. Officer for Smart Communications. A brief summary of the milestones and accomplishments of SPMC-CCCBDU was presented by Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo, PediatricOncologist and Program Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital International Outreach Partner Site. Dolendo said that their pediatric cancer program has yielded improved survival rates through the years and hopes to help more kids with cancer across Mindanao. She expressed optimism that through the PhilHealth Run, stakeholders from the government, medical and business sectors will Sunday, November 6, 2011
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another look at the plight of these kids and help in increasing and improving the pediatric cancer facilities and in finding solutions to the usual problems on budgetary constraints, uneducated parents/ guardians and the lack of access to a cancer facility. She also led the Co-presentors
for an on-site visit to the Center and the House of Hope, a transient home for kids with cancer and their parents. PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope will be formally launched, this month. (Philhealth/PIA-10)
Eid Al-Adha’s beef sharing festival of Muslims likens that of Christmas for Christians – ICAD By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Today’s beef sharing is in line with the Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated in commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Such was as an act of obedience to God, who upon seeing Abraham’s faith intervened and instead provided a lamb to be sacrificed. This was how Ferhat Kazkondo, President of the Integrated Center for Alternative Developments (ICAD) Foundation, who described the Festival of Sacrifice as a tradition for both Muslim and Turkish people all around the world. “The festival is likened to Christmas for the Christians as it wants to feed people who are among the poor and those who are needing help,”he said. Through this festival, ICAD Foundation extends help and assistance to the people in need and their families 22
Sunday, November 6, 2011
by giving them an amount of beef, which will help sustain their need for food, for a period of time. Meanwhile, Kazkondo said the ICAD Foundation began the beef sharing in 1997, where about 20 heads of cows were provided. However, in the past years, the foundation
increased the number of cows to not less than 400 and shared with more than 10,000 families each year. This is because through the activities of ICAD Foundation, more people were able to know the Philippines better and extend their assistance to the country through the Foundation. A private, non-profit, non-stock organization, ICAD Foundation is established under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 16, 1996. Currently, it has three (3) campuses offering elementary and secondary education under its administration in the Philippines: The Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School located in Zamboanga City, established in 1997 and two (2) schools in Manila established in 2002 and 2006, respectively. All aforementioned schools apply the ideals and Philosophy of the foundation, built on the belief that peace and understanding among students of different nationalities, religion and diverse cultural backgrounds can be achieved through quality and contemporary education. To date, the students of these schools have won many achievements in the Philippines and abroad. Other than advocacy for quality education, the ICAD Foundation is established to extend assistance and concern for the welfare of those who are less fortunate among the members of the society in which it belongs.
As such, members of the foundation are committed to fulfill their social responsibility through different means of charitable works and services to the community. For the last 13 years, ICAD shared beef with thousands of less fortunate families in Zamboanga, Davao and Manila. This year, the ICAD Foundation is not alone in this charitable activity. It has a sister foundation called Pacific Dialogue Foundation (PDF) which is also a private, non-profit, non-stock organization established under the SEC, on Aug. 18, this year. The PDF serves societal peace, love, and friendship wisely and compassionately in support of human dignity and the common good by striving to bring forth the common values of humanity, such as, understanding, tolerance, respect and compassion. Sunday, November 6, 2011
23
Earthquake rattles Surigao del Sur
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magnitude 3.7 earthquake rattled residents Surigao del Sur, early Saturday evening.
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
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Office of Civil Defense (OCD-Caraga Region 13) reported no injuries or damage but various disaster councils in Surigao del Sur are still monitoring the effects of the tremor. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismol-
ogy (Phivolcs), the earthquake was recorded at 5:57 p.m. Saturday. The epicenter of the tremor was traced at 30 kilometers northeast of Lianga town, in Surigao del Sur province, Phivolcs Butuan advisory said. Phivolcs also said
intensity 2 was also recorded in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. No after shocks and damages occurred as of press time, Phivolcs said. Phivolcs added that the quake was tectonic in origin. (MUC/ PIA-Caraga)
Medical program for Agusanons continues
TRENTO, AGUSAN DEL SUR-- The medical program of the provincial government and the legislative constituency offices of the District 1 and District 2 has continuously benefited big number of Agusanons, especially those in farflung village communities. Sunday, November 6, 2011
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The residents received free medicines, medical consultations and other hospital needs. In the recent culmination of the National Children’s Month Celebration, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Evelyn Plaza-Mellana led the distribution of free medicines to the children. Majority of the children came from Trento West Central Elementary School in Trento, Agusan del Sur. “For the parents, with the tender age of your children, I suggest you let them enjoy play-
ing and train them to be interested in sports because sports help develop the personality of a child,” Mellana said. During the health and medical program early this week, the children were treated to games and contests. Rep. Mellana asked pre-school teachers, if they received the play station set given by the UNICEF and to list down the most needed section of the play set so that she can complement them. Since early this year, the two Agusan del
Sur lady solons, Rep. Maria Valentina Plaza of District I, and Rep. Mellana, and Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza, had been conducting medical outreach and giving medical and educational assistance to their constituents in their respective districts, prioritizing the children in Agusan del Sur. The officials are currently focusing their health and medical program in far-flung communities in this landlocked province in Northeastern Mindanao. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)
P17.4M worth of peace, dev’t projects alloted for Caraga’s conflict-affected communities BUTUAN CITY-– At least P17.4 million worth of various peace and development projects are set to be implemented in conflictaffected communities in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga Region in 2012. It was learned on Friday that these government projects are under the Payapa at Masaganang Pama26
yanan or PAMANA program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
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Initially, a total of 58 conflict-affected barangays will receive funding from the government for communi-
ty-driven peace-building and development interventions. The PAMANA program will be initially allocating some P300,000 for each of these barangays under Pillar 2 on peace and development efforts, said Regional Community Development Specialist
Ester Villamor of KALAHI-CIDSS Caraga. KALAHI-CIDSS stands for Kapit Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services. Under Pillar 2, the implementation of PAMANA in these barangays will be tied up with the communitydriven development processes of the KALAHI-CIDSS in which people are given control on how they would use the funds they will receive. Community projects for PAMANA will be infrastructure, livelihood trainings, capability-building trainings
and other peace-promoting activities such as dialogues and consultations among the volunteers. Aside from the P300,000 grant for each barangay, another P2,000 will also be given to volunteers for the conduct of community trainings in preparation for the implementation of the projects in January of next year. The municipalities that will be given grants for the implementation of their identified projects are Veruela and Esperanza in Agusan del Sur and Tagbina and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur. (MUC/ PIA-Caraga)
Aktibidades ng DepEd sa selebrasyon ng Nat’l Reading Month, suportado ng Malacañang ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton
BUTUAN CITY-– Suportado ng Malacañang ang Department of Education (DepEd) sa kanilang mga gawain sa selebrasyon ng National Reading Month ngayong Nobyembre na naglalayong humimok sa mga kabataan na maging kagawian ang pagbabasa. Sunday, November 6, 2011
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Ayon kay Abigail Valte, ang Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, ang buwan ng Nobyembre ay idiniklara ng DepEd bilang National Reading Month kung saan nagtakda na ang nasabing kagawaran ng mga gawain at inutusan naman ang mga paaralan at mga learning center na sumali. Ani ni Valte, susuportahan ng pamahalaan ang kampanya ng DepEd sa paghimok
sa mga kabataan na sumali sa mga aktibidades sa pagbabasa gaya ng read-a-thons, storytelling, shared readings, at reading camps. Nakapag bigay ang DepEd ng deklarasyon noong Oktubre 25 sa bisa ng Memorandum No. 244 na nagsasaad na bawat taon, sa buwan ng Nobyembre ay ipagdiriwang ang National Reading Month at ang Nobyem-
bre 25, 2011 bilang Nationwide Araw ng Pagbasa. Ang mga nasabing kaganapan ay naayon sa 10-point Basic Education Agenda ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at ang paginstitusyonalisasyon sa programang “Every Child a Reader” ng DepEd. Ang pagdiriwang ng National Reading Month ay magkasangayon sa selebrasyon ng National Book Development Month (Proclamation 1436 series of 2007) at sa ika-4 na linggo ng Nobyembre ay ang National Book Week (Proclamation 109 series of 1936), dagdag pa ni Valte. (MRA, ulat mula PCCOO/PIA-Caraga)
Pamahalaang Aquino pursigidong makipagsundo sa mga rebelde alang-alang sa kapayapaan MANILA-– Ayon sa Malacañang, pursigido ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na ipasagawa ang ganap na kasunduang pang kapayapaan sa pagitan ng Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian ArmyAlex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) at maglalabas ng pondo para sa nasabing rebeldeng grupo. 28
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Binanggit kahapon ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson na si Abigail Valte na ang administrasyong Aquino ay desididong ipagpatupad ang limang pakikipagsundong talahalayan na nagtataguyod ng makatarungan at matagalang kapayapaan. Sinabi rin ni Valte na ang gobyerno ay maglalabas ng pundo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan bilang tulong para sa pag-unlad ng komunidad at tulong pangkabuhayan. Nasa kasunduan na nilagdaan ni dating
Pangulong Joseph Estrada noong taong 2000 na ang pamahalaan ay magbibigay ng pundo para sa reintegrasyon at proyektong pang-unlad ng grupong rebelde. Kasama dito ang proyektong pangkabuhayan, pabahay na tulong, edukasyon at pagsasanay, pangangalaga sa kalusugan, agrikultura at kagamitan sa irigasyon, lansangan, microfinance at iba pa. Idinagdag pa ni Valte na ipinahayag ng mga military ang kanilang suporta sa mga “peace process” sa pagi-
tan ng RPMP-RPA-ABB at pagkilala sa dulot nito sa seguridad sa lugar. Plano ng administrasyong Aquino na bigyan ng P31 milyon ang RPMP-RPA-ABB na kukunin mula sa Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan o Pamana, na may P329 milyong pundo na pinangangasiwaan naman ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process o OPPAP. Ang RPMP-RPAABB ay isang organisasyong kumalas sa “mainstream” na grupo ni Jose Maria Sison. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)
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Dipolognons warned of possible scarcity of water supply by Alfonso T. Ruda ipolog City may experience the scarcity of water supply if climate change continues to worsen.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 9 Information Officer Roservirico Tan has issued the warning during the recent 3rd Zamboanga Peninsula Media Summit, held in Dipolog City. According to Tan, the continuing warming due climate change causes an increase in evaporation, especially in high altitude areas can result to a fast and immediate heavy
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downpour of rain, which will ultimately lead to numerous flashfloods in the area. Tan stressed that water is so important in one’s life. 70 percent of which is used in irrigation, 22% for manufacturing and energy and 8% at the households and establishments for drinking. Such warning drew immediate positive response from the City
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Government of Dipolog. Dipolog City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Wilson Mabilog said his office has already disposed 2,000 seedlings of Mahogany to the City Government of Dipolog. These were used by the officials and employees of the City Government in their planting activity recently. The CENRO also proposed for the conduct of coastal clean-up activities in all coastal areas in the city in partnership with the ROTC cadets of Andres Bonifacio College, as well other civic and nongovernment organizations in the city. (JPA/ATR/ PIA9-Zambo Norte)
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DOH bats for putting up health center in every by Franklin P. Gumapon barangay very barangay throughout the country will have its own health center by 2013.
This is the goal of the Department of Health (DOH) two years from now, said Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag in a press statement recently. Tayag disclosed that the goal of establishing a health center in every barangay “is part of the DOH’s health facilities enhancement program,” in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
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Development (DSWD) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). As of now, the DOH is tapping the support of the DSWD and DILG in the formation of community health teams that will go to poor areas to know the health condition of the residents. In a related development, the city government here is also pushing for four
As in the provision of health services to the public. These four As stand for accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability. Earlier the City Health Office (CHO) reported that the city’s maternal mortality rate last year was zero, which means no pregnant women died of any illness or complication during pregnancy. (JPA/FPG/ PIA-Zambo. Norte)
DSWD 9 conducts Pantawid Pamilya Program orientation for set 5 areas Room.
he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWDIX) conducted yesterday an orientation on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Progam at the City Hall Conference
Set 5 is composed of the municipalities of Ipil, Imelda, Buug and Diplahan of the province of Zamboanga Sibugay and Pagadian City in
Zamboanga del Sur. DSWD-IX Regional Director Teodulo Romo, Jr. announced that with this set of one city and four municipalities, will
finally make Zamboanga Peninsula Region 100 percent coverage of Pantawid Pamilya Program. Region IX, is the only region in the
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entire country that is being fully covered by the flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development, Director Romo added. The number of identified and potential target familybeneficiaries for this program are as follows: Pagadian City (12,147), Ipil (7,036), Imelda (2,169), Buug (3,522) and Diplahan (data not
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available). The orientation was attended by the chief executives and their representatives of the four municipalities and one city with their respective social welfare officers and other key officials of the LGU. Meanwhile, the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program better know as 4Ps started in Zamboanga del Sur on May 2009, initially covering 12 of
the 26 municipalities and one city, with an approximately 29,855 beneficiaries. Following the expansion program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, as of September 2011 the province has a beneficiary base of approximately 64,590 scattered in the two districts comprising of 26 municipalities. (JPA/PIA9/CAL/ Zambo Sur)
DOH-IX holds consultative meeting in by Franklin P. Gumapon Dipolog ey officials of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-IX headed by Regional Director Aristides Tan are now here for a two-day consultative meeting with hospital administrators and implementing agencies on the blood program and Blood Service Facilities (BSF)in the region. Tan said this gathering would discuss the issues and concerns involving the blood program to come up with appropriate measures to ensure enough supply of clean and safe blood for the patients in the area. DOH staff also provided the participants 32
with some updates and accomplishments of the BSF as well as the new policies concerning the blood program. Criteria for the National Sandugo Awards for Outstanding Local Government Executives were also discussed in said gathering.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sandugo award is for local chief executives who have shown strong support to the bloodletting campaign of the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). (JPA/ FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)
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