CONTENTS
OUR COVER NATIONAL
features • Coloma commends Asia-Pacific journalists who joined ICRC media conference
South Cotabato: • Palace says rice importation not needed this year Changing lives despite damages from typhoons through • Palace assures whistle-blowers protection to
surgical mission
build strong case against the Arroyos
Photo Credit:
Dani Doguiles
(with parental consent)
Northern Mindanao • Camiguin opens ‘Buahanan Fest” on Sunday, Oct. 16 • Oro Chamber holds OROBEST Expo 2011
An Electronic News Magazine
published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Mindanao Clusters
EDITORIAL STAFF Executive Editor …….........
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Managing Editor …….........
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Regional Desk Editors …...
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
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• Compostela Valley, Laak LGUs cited for local governance
Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN) • Pregnant mothers urged to follow life-saving protocols • Water hyacinth summit nakasalang na • 36 na kabataang lider sa ARMM lumahok sa Youth Association Convention
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
• DENR, EMB readies Environmental Awareness Month celeb • DOF conducts Microinsurance training • BFAR declares sea foods from Surigao del Sur safe • United Nations Youth Association of the Phils to hold Essay, Feature Writing Contests • Garantisadong Pambata 2 is set to launch in several barangays
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) • ARMM settles teachers’ unpaid salaries since 2006 • Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan to arrive in Z Norte • Zambo. Norte PCPC to form inter-agency task force for children’s protection • Dipo City Engineering Office completes another Projects
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Cover Story:
South Cotabato: Changing lives through surgical missions by Dani Doguiles
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hree-year old Sheila (not her real name) had been crying her heart out for hours.
She had not taken food nor drank any liquid for more than 8 hours. But her moth-
Saturday, October 15, 2011
er, a T’boli, was all smiles. Her little girl’s name was finally called to come to
the mobile operating room just outside the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center for her
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surgery to correct her cleft lip and palate. Sheila is one of the 30 children operated for their cleft lip/palate and 26 others provided with obturators (a device used to close the gap between the oral and nasal cavities) during the surgical mission of Davao-based Mindanao Charity Foundation Inc. (MCFI) in partnership with the South Cotabato provincial government
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and other private organizations here on Sept. 25 to 29, which was extended on Oct. 5 to 8. The surgical surgical mission gave at least 393 indigents, indigenous peoples and retirees a rare chance to be operated of their conditions absolutely free of charge. In fact, Sheila’s mothers’ only contribution to the whole process is to have her child listed among
possible candidates, travel to Koronadal City, and bring a foldable bed. Twenty fiveyear old or younger children underwent operation for their hernia while 113 individuals, mostly the elderly, were operated for eye conditions. Twelve individuals, mostly children, underwent operation to check their strabismus (popularly called squint or cross-eye).
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Because 21 children with squint eyes were not accommodated during the mission in September, they were brought to Davao City for their operations – all expense paid by the MCFI and the provincial government. Asked why the foundation had to bring these children (with at least one chaperone each) to Davao, Dr. Rizal Aportadero, president of MCFI said
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“We do not want to leave here with everyone served.” Also at least 120 individuals were also operated for minor cysts and 51 more received dental services. Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer, said the first major surgical mission in South Cotabato “by conservatives estimates cost MCFI P7 million to P8 million.” An MCFI staff said an operation for cataract and strabismus, when done by a surgeons in highly urbanized centers could cost between P50 – P80,000; about the same amount is needed for some cases of cleft lip/palate operation. Board Member Ervin Luntao, who is doc-
tor by profession, in a separate interview said, “The opportunity to restore the confidence of these individual and the chance to help them be accepted by the society is beyond value.” “What more satisfaction can government officials ask for with these many lives changed?” he added. Luntao spearheaded the surgical mission for the provincial government, along with Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. and Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa, who are also doctors. Operation Smile Fresh from the success of the mission with MCFI, this week the provincial government has again partnered with
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another private institution for free operation of children with cleft lip/palate. At least 34 volunteers including nurses, medical staff and doctors of the nongovernment organization Operation Smile are conducting free surgical operations to children with cleft lip/palate at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital from October 13, Wednesday, until October 16, Sunday. Aturdido said, “Operation Smile volunteers aims to give free operation to at least 80 children with cleft lip or palate.” He explained that this week’s mission is being done by the organization’s medical team from Davao. Another Operation Smile is being planned for Novem6
ber 2012 with an international medical team coming to South Cotabato. With a much bigger Operation Smile activity and other surgical missions planned for next year, the Integrated Provincial Health Office is already iconducting massive drive to search individuals with cleft lip/palate in the entire province and neighboring areas. “Soon I will call for a meeting with our BHWs (barangay
health workers) to discuss our plan to track down our brothers and sisters who have hernia, cleft lip, cataract and others. This way, we should be able to identify beneficiaries for the coming surgical missions.” As early as September this year, the provincial government and the IPHO had already listed individuals with goiter for consideration in the operational mission of MCFI early next year.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Coloma commends Asia-Pacific journalists who joined ICRC media conference
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Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma acknowledged the role of the press in bringing about social change during the conference titled “Reporting on Violence and Emergencies" organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The conference brought together media representatives from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. (Malacanang Photo Bureau)
residential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma commended Friday the media practitioners who shared their experiences in a regional media conference organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.
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Media practitioners who shared their experiences in covering conflict areas such as North Korea, Indonesia, Egypt and other parts of the world showed their heroism in uncovering truth and supporting democracy, Coloma said. “You are modern day heroes in the covering of conflict and difficult emergency or calamity situations, as you broadcast vivid images or deliver details to audiences worldwide you create awareness of reality as it unfolds across time zones every minutes of night or day,” Coloma said in his message during the one-day media conference. As the media creates awareness it also builds consciousness, and eventually consensus, he said. When people find common ground they unite and take action, he added. The press has been instrumental in the toppling of the Berlin Wall, the triumph of the Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986 and the continuing Arab Spring in the Middle East, Coloma
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said. Coloma also shared three reflections: the need for the press to continue asserting and defending freedom of expression, the exercise of responsible media freedom, and the necessity to honor the primacy of life and to uphold the nobility of humanity. “I wish to commend you for including in your discussions the topics of self regulation and ethical reporting. As professional media practitioners you are expected to behave in a manner that is consistent with the values and norms of society,” he said referring to the ethical practice of media men. Coloma also recalled the tragic Luneta hostage-taking incident last year saying lives could have been saved if media acted responsibly during their coverage of said crisis. “In summary perhaps we can all affirm and declare this: To be free, to be responsible, and to be compassionate towards our fellow human beings, that is the commitment that we all
share,” Coloma said in concluding his message. The conference titled “Reporting on Violence and Emergencies: Regional Media Conference for Southeast and East Asia”, was organized by ICRC aimed at advancing the discussion on these topics and facilitate the sharing of best practices and recommendations. The media of East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific have an important role to play in covering conflict, violence and the issues faced by vulnerable groups, according to ICRC. ICRC brought together senior representatives of different media organizations from the Asia-Pacific region to share their experiences in covering conflict areas and emergency situations. Media representatives from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea Thailand, and the Philippines came up with what they called the Manila Declaration following the media conference. (AS)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Palace says rice importation not needed this year despite damages from typhoons
M
alacañang assured that there is no need to import more rice this year despite the damages brought by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” saying the overall country’s food security inventory is still high, a Palace official said on Saturday.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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In an interview over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the harvest of rice for the first and second quarters of this year was very good. She said the country has more than enough stock of the staple to meet the domestic requirements. Valte confirmed that President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the release of a P400-million fund intended for a palay assistance program to help farmers recover palay that were destroyed by the twin typhoons. While the government only needed P203 million to buy the palay damaged by the typhoons, the President decided to release additional funds for the program. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will collabo10
rate with institutions and companies for the financial assistance of concerned farmers. “Iyong po P203 million will be used for this year. The rest will be saved for next year because we are also anticipating typhoons.. So, magtatabi po tayo para doon,” Valte said. Reports have estimated the value of loss to the agriculture sector due to typhoon Pedring and Quiel at P12 billion, of which palay accounted for the bulk of the damage at 760,207 metric tons (MT) worth P11 billion. Valte also assured the government’s relief efforts for the typhoon victims continue. Aside from allocating funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by the typhoons, Valte said the government started crafting strategies to prevent massive floodings in the
future. “Ngayon po kasi ang nagiging concern na is how to avert massive flooding from happening again. Sio Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson has been actively coordinating with the Local Government Units (LGUs),” Valte said. Sec. Singson assured that the DPWH is ready to send dredging equipment to affected areas but he asked for the cooperation of the LGUs to ensure the maintenance of waterways. “Kasi may mga illegal na fishpen, at iyong pag-dismantle ng mga ganyan nasa ilalim iyan ng Local Government. So, we are doing our part as best as we can para naman mabawasan iyong panganib na magkaroon pa ng mga ganitong kalalang pagbaha,” Valte said. (JS)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Palace assures whistle-blowers protection to build strong case against the Arroyos
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alaca単ang made an assurance Saturday that it is willing to protect whistle blowers who will come up with new evidence against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo as the Aquino administration builds its cases against them.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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“We have consistently said this in the past that we will extend assistance, we will evaluate the evidence on anybody who wants to come forward and to give evidence or testimony not just on cases against the Arroyos but on any wrongdoing that they know of,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over governmentrun dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. “Nakita na naman natin iyan, that this is one of the very few administrations that has extended help and protection to so-called whistle12
blowers,” she added. Last week, President Benigno S. Aquino III told the officers and members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in a forum in Makati City that his administration will be filing charges for large-scale corruption against the former leader by November. The details of the possible charges against Arroyo are still being finalized, President Aquino said. Efforts to put closure on the unresolved corruption cases against the previous government will soon
be bearing fruit with indictments against corrupt officials of the previous administration, the President said. Malacanang also said that it respects the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman with regards to the handling of corruption charges to be filed against the Arroyos. The Palace said that by not putting a definite time frame in prosecuting the former leader, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales only shows her independence from the executive branch. (AS)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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Camiguin opens ‘Buahanan Fest” on Sunday, by Jorie C. Valcorza Oct. 16 amiguin, an “island born of fire,” known for its natural wonders and sweetest lanzones-bearing trees, will open its “32nd Lanzones Festival,” set from Oct. 16-22, this weekend.
as known Also Festival,” “Buahanan from the word “buahan,” the fruit’s native name, the sweetest lanzones harvest is celebrated, yearly, with a weeklong festivity that showcases the island’s agri-cottage exhibits and food and Saturday, October 15, 2011
expo, trade indigenous sports and the tableau of local culture portrayed through dances. The grand opening is set on Oct. 16, with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting Agrothe at I n d u s t r i a l Technology Trade Fair dubbed as “UGMAD,” which means “to till’ or “to cultivate” in the local dialect. The fair features the best agricultural, industrial and processed products of the province, which also serves as the activity ground of the
festival in Mambajao, the provincial capital town. Provincial Tourism Officer, Candice Naomi noted Borromeo L. that other towns of the province will also street holding be dancing extravaganza that ‘Kalanrakas’ or traditional features dances, drums circles ethnic colorful and costumes. Kalanrakas winners will then compete for the grand showdown on Saturday, October 22 which marks the peak of the 2011 Lanzones Festival. Other interesting 13
activities include the “Harana in Kinamiguing” or love songs in the local Camiguin dialect, cooking contests, and a variety of choral, folk dance, kiddie theater, and draw and tell competitions. Also included is the “Banag-banag” dance drama representations/ interpretations and of nature, native salad and an exhibition of drinking of “koter,” a concoction
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of “tuba” or coconut wine made from coconut water mixed with ground cacao, evaporated milk and beaten chicken eggs. Completing the celebration, the Search for “Mutya ng Buahanan 2011” or the Miss Camiguin Tourism is also opened. Participants of the tableau competition dressed as fairies,
likewise, will vie for the Ms. Diwata title, where they showcase their “diwata” or fairy qualities in a dance showdown. Meanwhile, a festival King and Queen will be declared, as the festival, is also celebrated by the people to help push Camiguin as cultural tourism destination.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Oro Chamber holds OROBEST Expo 2011 by Lordilie Enjambre
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The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) will be holding the Oro Business Enterprise Services and Trade (OROBEST) exposition at the Atrium of SM Mall, here, this coming Oct. 19-22. Now on its 5th year, the OROBEST Expo aims to showcase the local products of Northern Mindanao and encourage investors to do business and give out information on product developments taking place, not only in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), but also in the neighboring areas. This year’s OROBEST Expo coincides with the 2nd day of the Senior Officers and Ministers Meeting of the Brunei-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) hosted by the City Government of CDO, Antonio Uy, Oro Chamber President,
Saturday, October 15, 2011
said. The first day of the activity will be attended by business men from the domestic and international companies, including the CDO officials and the regional heads of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Regional Development Council, Region 10 (RDC), and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), among others. Meanwhile, Uy said the OROBEST Expo is not only known for the products/services/
projects showcase, but also for the free trainings that it conducted, which benefited the viewers of the expo. The trainings, this year, together with their schedule will include the following: Customer Service, 3:00 p.m., Oct. 19, Northern Mindanao Dairy Forum, 10:00 a.m., Oct. 20, Livelihood Training for White Cheese, Yema and Lactoflan Making for Women in the Barangay, 1:00 p.m., Oct. 20. 1st Northern Mindanao Knowledge Forum, 1:00 p.m., Oct. 21, Bartending and Flairtending Showdown, 10:00 a.m., Oct. 22, and Customer Relations,
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1:00 a.m., Oct. 22. “We are inviting everybody who are interested to come to our trainings, which are given free, especially,
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during the opening ceremonies at 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 19, at the Attrium of SM CDO Rotunda,� Uy said. For more information
about the OROBEST Expo 2011, you may contact Oro Chamber or call telephone no. 8584068 and look for Pilar or Cherry.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Compostela Valley, Laak LGUs cited for local governance Compostela Valley – For exemplary performance in local governance, Gov. Arturo T. Uy and Laak Mayor Reynaldo B. Navarro receive the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award last October 11, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Roxas Boulevard Manila with no less than the President Benigno Aquino III attending the awarding ceremony. Aside from the trophies, Gov. Uy receives
the award for Provincial Government category with P3 million pesos check and Mayor Navarro for Municipal Category with P1M worth of check from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Also known as the Presidential Local Government Heritage Award, this was established to give recognition and to further encourage the invaluable support and contributions of different local government units towards national development and to formally establish local government units that have excelled in various areas of local governance to enrich our heritage. In line with “Biyaheng Pinoy: Tapat na Palakad, Bayang Maunlad” advocacy of the President, both LCEs distinguished themselves in the performance of their roles and responsibilities not only on the basis of a single program performance but also on their significant and quantifiable achievements along major development initiatives in local governance. The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi is created with the following categories: Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, Provincial Governments Category; Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, Highly Urbanized Cities Category; Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, Component Cities Category; Gawad Pamana ng Lahi,
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First to Third Class Municipalities Category; Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, Fourth to Sixth Class Municipalities Category. The Gawad is conferred annually to LGUs which have excelled most in the key activities or areas of local governance, namely: Implementation of Katarungang Pambarangay Program (Lupong Tagapamayapa Economic Incentives Awards); Environmental Management/Clean and Green Program (Presidential Awards for the Cleanest and Greenest Local Government Units of the Philippines); Innovations in Local Governance (Gantimpalang Panlingkod Pook or Galing-Pook); Maintenance of Peace and Order (Peace and Order Award); Sports Development Program (Siglakas Bayan Award); Population Management (Population Management Award); Promotion and Implementation of Nutrition Program; Poverty Alleviation Initiative and Financial Resource Management.
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Regional Gallery
For exemplary performance in local governance, Gov. Arturo T. Uy and Laak Mayor Reynaldo B. Navarro receive the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award last October 11, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Roxas Boulevard Manila. (photo courtesy: League of Provinces-Phil.//ids comval)
Comval Gov. Arturo Uy shows the LGU Report card for the ME3 (Monitoring and Evaluation for Equity and Effectiveness) under the Department of Health during his official visit in Manila last October 11. With him are top officials from the DOH and LCEs in the region. (photo courtesy: League of Provinces-Phil //ids comval)
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Saturday, October 15, 2011
Pregnant mothers urged to follow life-saving protocols By Dani Doguiles
KORONADAL CITY -- Responsibility to ensure their and their child’s safety relies first on the pregnant mothers, an health official said.
South Cotabato Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr. said pregnant women should exert efforts to follow protocols that could save their lives as well as that of their children. Dr. Aturdido pointed out that a mother’s responsibility does not end with visiting the nearest health center for at least four prenatal check ups and making sure that they deliver their child only with skilled health providers.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
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For instance, he said, mothers should religiously comply with their birth plan. “Mothers should not simply fill in their birth plan forms for the sake of complying with the requirements,” he said. A birth plan specifies, among others, information regarding the persons who will assist her in going to a health facility, the means of transportation and driver, the health facility and health professional who will take care of her and her child, and the donors in case blood donors are needed. If parents take their time setting their birth plan, at the time of delivery, everyone and every facility involved in safety of the mother and the child should be ready. Days before the expected due date, people who are needed
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for support could already be asked to prepare, he said. Parents should also avoid delays that could possibly lead to maternal death. Dr. Aturdido enumerated these delays to be avoided as: “delay in deciding to seek medical care, delay in identifying and reaching appropriate facility, and delay in receiving appropriate and adequate care at the facility.” From January to September this year, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of South Cotabato has already recorded 11 maternal deaths, seven of these were due to severe blood loss. He said, two of the recorded fatalities were mothers from neighboring provinces but were referred to the health facilities in
the province. Aturdido added that the provincial government in partnership with the Department of Health has been upgrading community-based health facilities to make sure that mothers and their children are immediately provided with the necessary health services. Three batches of midwives have also been trained on lifesaving skills for the same purpose. He said more midwives will be trained in the coming months, he added. Besides these, they are also strengthening the Community Health Team (formerly Women’s Health Team), which includes the barangay chairman, midwife, barangay health worker, and others and whose objectives include curtailing maternal and infant death.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Water hyacinth summit nakasalang na COTABATO CITY-- Puspusan ang ginagawang paghahanda ng Department of Science and Technology, Region XII (DOST-XII) para sa pagdaraos ng Water Hyacinth Summit upang mapakinabang ang masaganang na suplay ng water hyacinth sa maraming lugar sa rehiyon.
Ayon kay DOST-XII regional director Zenaida Laidan, kasalakuyang abala ang kanilang tanggapan sa pakikipagugnayan sa iba’t ibang kinauukulang ahensiya, mga lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang sektor ng lipunan para sa gagawing aktibidad sa Koronadal City sa unang linggo ng Nobyembre, taong kasalukuyan. Mga kinatawan mula sa lokal na pamahalaan, academe, kababaihan, at iba pang sektor ang aanyayahan para sumailalim ng pagsasanay sa paggawa ng mga produkto yari sa water hyacinth ilan dito ang organic fertilizer, fish meal, fiber cloth at novelty items na mapagkakakitaan. Katuwang ng DOST XII sa pagsasagawa ng nasabing summit ang Saturday, October 15, 2011
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Technical Education and Skills Development Authority o TESDA. Department of Trade and Industry XII para sa paghahanap ng merkado ng mga produkto at lokal na pamahalaan. “Tinitingnan natin ang pagbuo ng road
map para patatagin ang paggawa ng iba’t ibang produkto yari sa water hyacinth na makapagbibigay ng hanap-buhay, sa paglikha ng trabaho at masolusyunan na ang pagdami ng water hyacinth sa mga ilog,” ayon kay Laidan.
Sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya, malilinang ang maraming paggagamitan ng masaganang suplay ng water hyacinth sa rehiyon, hindi na ito maituturing na salot o menace, dagdag pa ni Laidan. (pbchangco)
36 na kabataang lider sa ARMM lumahok sa Youth Association Convention COTABATO CITY - Mas malawak at pinalakas na partisipasyon ng produktibong kabataan sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ang layunin ng isinagawang Youth Association Convention kamakalawa dito sa lungsod ng Cotabato. Ipinahayag ni DSWD-ARMM acting regional secretary Pombaen Kader na umaabot sa tatlumpu at anim (36) na kabataang lider mula sa Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City at Tawi-Tawi ang dumalo sa naturang pagtitipon upang hasain ang kanilang kasanayan at kakayahan sa paggawa at pagbuo ng plano ng mga kapakipakinabang ng mga proyekto at aktibidad upang maging produktibong mamamayan ng komunidad.
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“Tinitingnan natin ang mas malawak na paglahok ng mga kabataan para palakasin ang kanilang potensiyal hindi lamang para sa pansariling kaunlaran kundi bilang katuwang natin sa pagsasakatuparan ng mga serbisyo at gawaing makakatulong sa komunidad,” ayon kay Kader. Sinabi ng opisyal na bilang pagkilala sa kahalagahan ng kanilang suporta at tulong, binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang sektor ng kabataan mula labing
lima hanggang dalawampu at apat na taong gulang na lumahok sa mga proyektong pangkomunidad o di kaya ay magkaroon ng sariling mpagkakakitaan. Ayon kay Kader, pagkakalooban ng DSWD-ARMM ng livelihood assistance ang samahan ng mga kabataan upang maseguro ang kanilang pagiging produktibo at magsisilbing huwaran para pamarisan ng iba pang mga kabataan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng rehiyon. (pbchangco)
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DENR, EMB readies Environmental Awareness Month celeb by Jennifer P. Gaitano ursuant to Republic Act No. 9512, known as the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Education Committee is hereby reconstituted to ensure a continuing integration and
implementation of environmental awareness and education programs in all levels of school curricula and capacity building programs.
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Saturday, October 15, 2011
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During the DENR Environmental Committee Meeting held recently at the DENR-Caraga Regional Conference Room, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga Regional Dir. Ester Olavides tackled the proposed activities in support to the National Greening Program of the government and the ‘Adopt an Estero/ River/Creek’ Program. Olavides said that pursuant to the policy set forth in R.A. 9512, the month of November of every year shall be known as the “Environmental Awareness Month” throughout the
country. With the upcoming celebration of the Environmental Awareness Month, the committee aimed to promote environmental awareness to the community by coordinating with other government agencies and partner stakeholders, and initiating activities that will unite the public and work as one in the goal to maintain the cleanliness of the environment. “The ‘Adopt Estero’ Program will be launched on November 18, 2011 at the Masao River, Butuan City wherein government agencies, part-
ner stakeholders and community will be cleaning and planting in the area,” Olavides said. After the said program will be formally launched, the committee is also committed to monitor and assess the impact of the activity and will replicate it to other areas of the city and region in general. Aside from the ‘Adopt Estero’ Program, DENR and EMB will continuously lead the provision of planting materials/seedlings to partner stakeholders who are planning to conduct massive tree planting in the coming months.
DOF conducts Microinsurance training by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton BUTUAN CITY-- A Training on Microinsurance Advocacy (TOMA) with the theme “Magpaseguro para Protektado: Advocacy Seminar on Microinsurance”, was conducted to educate the public about insurance at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, in this city on October 11 to 13. The said activity was spearheaded by the Department of Finance- National Credit Council together with
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the German International Cooperation – Microinsurance Innovations Program for Social Security (GIZ-MIPSS) and
the Asian Development Bank-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. For the culmination of TOMA, a press confer-
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ence on the Financial Literacy Roadshow on Microfinance Advocacy was conducted yesterday to enhance public awareness and education campaign on the importance of microinsurance and focused on issues such as the microinsurance
policies and regulations, appropriate risk protection and rights and benefits of clients. Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel F. Dooc said microinsurance is integral to the overall poverty alleviation strategy of the Filipino government. He said that microinsurance has the potential to buffer Caraga from sinking further into poverty by protecting its residents from sudden fincancial burdens of accidents, illness, deaths, or any catastrophe. Dooc added that
the Financial Literacy is a pervasive way of informing the people under low-income sector about microinsurance for it is the key to supplement the livelihood of our brothers. Microinsurance product is very accessible for the poor because the amount of premium or contribution per microinsurance policy can range from less that P1 up to P20 per day. This means that the premium on a microinsurance product can be as low as P30 per month.
BFAR declares sea foods from Surigao del Sur safe by Jasmin Reyes
AGUSAN DEL SUR -- The latest shellfish bulletin released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Sea declared all edible sea products from Surigaodel Sur safe and negative from “Red Tide Toxin.” Produced from the municipalities of Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga in Surigaodel
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Sur, these sea products are sold in major markets in Agusan del Sur particularly in the
municipalities of San Francisco, Trento and the city of Bayugan. The “Red Tide
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Toxin� came from large concentration of different kinds of algae and other organisms from the ocean that bring toxic elements and contaminate sea foods and other
shells that inhabit in the sea. People who eat the contaminated shells and other sea products will suffer paralytic shellfish poisoning which can eventually cause death.
United Nations Youth Association of the Phils to hold Essay, Feature Writing Contests BUTUAN CITY-- In time with the World Youth Day for Democracy celebration on October 18, 2011, the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines will be holding the Essay and Feature Writing Contests on said date, 1:00p.m. at the Prince Hotel, this city. During the 1st Northern Mindanao Democracy (Essay & Feature Writing) Contest Conference, Brigadier Gen Charito B Plaza, Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist will be the lead Democracy Speaker while Undersec-
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retary Rizalina Rivera from the Department of Education will also be the Guest of Honor. According to Rex YbaĂąez, national vice president for external affairs, the objectives of the said
activity are to generate
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young people responses on democracy and freedom; inculcate sustainability on democracy beliefs and commissions; and enhance youth skills through competition outlets. “The 1st Northern Mindanao Democracy Contest Conference is an event to celebrate the World Youth Day for Democracy on the 18th of October. The participants are public and private secondary students from the Student Publication of Northern Mindanao,” Ybañez said.
Along with the Essay and Feature writing Contests, the following will also be conducted: On-the-Spot Poster Making; On-the-Spot Cartooning; and Story Telling. Also, the judges of said contests are professionals who have expertise on these fields. Criteria of judging will be revealed on the actual date, Oct. 18. Ybañez appealed to the youths, as the National Vice President for External Affairs of the
United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines and the CEO of Caraga Youth Leaders’ Network Inc. to actively participate in this kind of activity to enhance their skills and ability, and make life worth-living by doing things which will benefit the community. “It is my call to keep the youths of today to be educated on various advocacies to promote youth participation and development towards nation building,” stressed Ybañez. (JPG)
Garantisadong Pambata 2 is set to launch in several barangays BUTUAN CITY –- Children aged 6-59 months from 86 barangays in this city are going to benefit from the Vitamin A supplementation program of the City Health Office (CHO). Aside from vitamin A supplementation, CHO is going to deworm 1271 month-old children. These free health benefits are in line with the GarantisadongPambata Program spearSaturday, October 15, 2011
headed by the Barangay Health Workers and the CHO that is conducted annually in the month of October. The GarantisadongPambata Program is an advocacy of the lo-
cal government of Butuan in giving any health services to the children in order to promote a healthier life. (MRA with reports from Butuan City PIO/PIACaraga) 27
ARMM settles since 2006
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teachers’ unpaid salaries
he back-pay amounting to a total of P106 million was finally released starting Monday to some 1,246 teachers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in a three-day dispersal process in Cotabato City.
Information chief Ali G. Macabalang said the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officialdom held another episode of its initiative in paying arrears in incomes of teachers for the 11 schools divisions in the region, representing wages and benefits accumulated since 2006. On Monday’s kick off day, lawyers Naguib Sinarimbo and Baratucal regional Caudang, executive secretary and ARMM education secretary, respectively,
Teachers’ salaries back payment. Ali Sabpel (right), 61, a teacher at the Balungis Elementary School in Pagalungan, Maguindanao, receives 11 checks covering his unpaid salaries from June to December 2006 and January to February 2007 including bonuses from Regional Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo on Monday at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex (SKCC) in Cotabato City. Inset photo shows ARMM finance personnel in a row of tables readying checks for 1,245 other teacher-claimants, some of them shown fronting the processors. All checks set for distribution from Monday to Wednesday involved P106 million.
to individual payee-teachers from the two school divisions of Maguindanao at the ARMM Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center (SKCC). SKCC huge The building was chosen as Alonto-Adiong to “ensure a venue by Acting ARMM that concerned teachers are personally handed checks Governor Ansaruddin assembled in one place
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to receive personally their back salaries and benefits in checks,” Secretary Caudang said. A 61 year-old Teacher 1 Ali Sabpel of Balungis Elementary School in Pagalungan town was the first called among queuing 279 teachers from Maguindanao to receive his 11 checks covering his back-salaries from June to December 2006 and January to February 2007 including bonuses amounting to a total of P92,000. Emerging from the venue in obvious high spirit, Sabpel confided to reporters his agony and that those of his peers in teaching without salaries for several months, even as he expressed “deep
gratitude to the Adiong administration for taking the cudgel for us.” “Candidly, I did not expect I could get my back-pays from 2006 to 2007,” Sabpel said, because he had received bigger arrears payment
in checks for his incomes from 2007 to 2011 at the third episode of the Adiong administration’s
said Adiong ordered him to ensure that all salary obligations and insurance remittances of teachers unpaid by past regional administrations “must be settled” within his term of office. Thus, Caudang sourced out funds and conducted the first two legs of paying teachers’ arrears in salaries and benefits in September and December 2010, cashing out more than P300-million in two tranches. F i n a n c e officials of the Office of the Regional Governor said that because of the far distance of Tawi-Tawi, they allowed on Monday a liaison officer from the island province’s school division to receive the checks for 176 claimantteachers.
payment process last April. Upon the takeover of Sec. Caudang of the ARMM’s Education Department 2010, he On
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Tuesday,
checks
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distribution process served some 383 claimant-teachers from the four schools divisions in Lanao del Sur and 68 others from Marawi City schools division, one of them received 104 checks amounting to P1.07million constituting her back salaries and bonuses from April 2008 up to Sept. 2011, sources from the ORG finance division said. They said 119 teacher-claimants from the two schools divisions in Sulu and 14 from Basilan lone school division were set to receive their own back salaries and
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benefits last Wednesday in a fashion estimated to have “fully settled” the DepEd-ARMM’s unpaid obligations to some of the region’s almost 21,000 teachers. In a statement, Adiong said the settlement of the unpaid salaries and benefits of some 4,000 public schools teachers accumulated under past ARMM administration “would form part of the highlights” of his leadership. The elective term of Adiong alongside 25 other elected ARMM officials lapsed on September 30 but all of them are
serving their offices on holdover capacity as mandated by a Supreme Court temporary restraining order issued on Sept. 13 halting the implementation of RA 10153. RA 10153 synchronized the Aug. 8, 2011 elections with the 2013 midterm elections and allowed the President to appoint officers-incharge in the region for 21 months. It is, however, facing at least seven petitions questioning its constitutionality before the High Tribunal. (AGM/ RVC-PIA9)
Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan to arrive in Z Norte by Franklin Gumapon
he Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK), a health fiesta caravan of the Department of Health (DOH) is slated to arrive in Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte on Oct. 20-21. Dr. Eduardo M. Luayon, officer in-charge of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Health
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Office (ZNPHO) disclosed that “LBK aims to bring bits of information on safe motherhood, child
nutrition and family health to families in remote communities all over the country.
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Moreover, LBK is aligned with President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s health agenda of universal access to quality health care, featuring a colorful bus customized with consultation and examination clinics, and a health promotion arena of an interactive exhibit, health classes, storytelling sessions and entertainment shows. “LBK is targeting men and women of reproductive age, pregnant and breastfeeding women,
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couples with children 0-5 years old, and fathers and young couples,” Luayon said. Around 3,000 participants from all over the province including the indigenous peoples are expected to turn up during the event, which will be attended by DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, Provincial Governor Rolando E. Yebes and the municipal officials of Gutalac. LBK was launched last March in Capas, Tarlac where some
1,500 individuals from Aeta community received maternal and child health services. For this year, LBK would be covering the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija in Luzon, Bohol and Negros Occidental in Visaya, and; Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del norte, South Cotabato and Maguindanao in Mindanao. (FPG/PIAZambo. Norte)
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Zambo. Norte PCPC to form inter-agency task force for children’s protection by Franklin Gumapon n keeping with the national children’s month celebration, the members of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (ZNPCPC) will convene on Monday for the creation of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF) for children’s protection. In her letter to all PCPC members, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer and PCPC secretariat head Grace Marylen Balisado-Sabal said the meeting would focus on the organization of an inter-agency task force that will help ensure full protection of children against all forms of child abuse, discrimination
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and exploitation as stipulated in Republic Act (RA) No. 9231, the special protection of children law. In a related development, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-IX had conducted here last month an orientation on the Philippine Program against Child Labor (PPACL) which was
participated in by the different line agencies, local government units and non-government organizations. During the said gathering, DOLEIX Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom appealed to all the participants to actively support DOLE’s campaign against child labor. (FPG/ PIA-Zambo. Norte)
Dipo City Engineering Office completes another Projects he Dipolog City Engineering Office has reported another eleven(11) projects completed as of September this year.
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This was contained in the Monthly Project Status Report for the month September submitted by the City Engineer s Office to Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn. T Uy. CEO Head, Engr. Nedilla D. Magdayo said, these projects include the Dipolog City Airport Parking Area worth P1.92 million which was completed last August 19 and the Urban Poor Road Network at Barangay Galas, Dipolog City, worth P2.5 million was completed last Sept. 19, 2011. The two projects were funded by the 20% Development Fund of the City Government. Other projects completed include
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the Paupers Memorial at the Dipolog City Memorial Garden in Gulayon; improvement of Sta. Cruz Day-Care Center at the Relocation Site in Barangay Olingan; construction of the Multi-Purpose Building of the Department of Trade and Industry and the construction of the 3rd Floor ot the Dipolog City Annex Building Phase II, completed last Sept. 30; Rehabilitation and Improvement of Eco-Park Structures of the Eco-Park in Cogon; Improvement of 2 classrooms in Estaka Central School; Additional Steel Formworks and Scaffoldings of the various Infrastructure Projects in the city; construction of the
drainage canal at the Sicayab National High School; and the construction of the Drainage System along the streets at the Boulevard going to Rizal Avenue and Ranillo Street. The CEO also reported that there are still on-going of that are expected to be finished very soon. These are the Rehabilitation and Desilting of Miputak Creek at TurnoSta. Isabel-Miputak Section; Construction of Concrete Pavement at Purok 8, Barangay Road, sta. Isabel; and the Fabrication and Installation of Steel Safety Railings at the Dipolog City Sports Complex in Olingan. (ATR)
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