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
features
Panikian Island Photo Credit: skyscrapercity.com
Cover Story :
4
Vol. 1, No. 73
Unleashing the beauty of Panikian Island
By Alma L. Tingcang
7 7 10
12 14 15
TAGUM SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM SEIZED AGUSAN HOT LOGS
DILG-XI has new regional director LGU, Army provide security briefing for Sta. Cruz investors
CENTRAL Mindanao
16 18 19 20
So. Cotabato padlocks 300 tunnels in T’boli
Kapulisan ng Rehiyon 12 nakahanda na para sa Undas
Pagtatanim ng soybean isinusulong sa South Cotabato
Cagayan 1st District Cong. Enrile nangako ng suporta sa mga magsasaka ng Koronadal
Aquino declares every third week of March and October as Design Week of every year Govt doing all the preparations of All Saints Day, All Souls Day
CARAGA Region
21 23 24 26 27
contents
SOUTHERN Mindanao
NATI O NAL
OCTOBER 26, 2011
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12 WESTERN Mindanao
NORTHERN Mindanao
Agusan del Sur PESO grabbed regional best performer award New peace, amnesty plan to win peace – BGen Plaza Time to review AFP strength and recruitment - Chiz
31
CFO conducts continuing education program on migration News Feature: Breastfeeding practice short of WHO recommendation
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31 33 35
AFP laments Basilan & Sibugay clashes; but still committed to peace 100 studs graduate from Candidate Soldier Course Australia to provide financing facility to DepEd through PRIME
36 38 40 41
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Mahinog town is grand slam champion in 2011 Camiguin Lanzones Festival
CCIFII holds business confab LCC conducts module development workshop for ALS radio program Streetlights retrofitting project saves Cag. de Oro Php7.0 million a year Two gov’t soldiers die in ambush at Lanao boundary
Cover Story Unleashing the beauty of
Panikian Island
by Alma L. Tingcang
D
on’t be misled by the island’s name! There are no bats there, only sea turtles who mate and lay their eggs on the shoreline so molded by nature which adds to its pristine beauty. It is a sanctuary for sea turtles.
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A breath-taking beauty to behold, the island seems so perfect and untouched, where long stretches of fine white sand and clear blue waters beckon both swimmers and scuba divers. The dive sites in Zamboanga del Sur are said to be among the best in the country. The water quality and coral formations have been proclaimed by diver-tourists as world-class. A refreshing dip in the cool and clear waters will surely be a fascinating experience. This is nature at its best! One thing that locals are proud of, Panikian Island can be reached through a 30-minute banca ride from Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur. Nestled on the southernmost part of Zam- boanga del Sur, the municipality of Pitogo lies in the Baganian Peninsula, about 60 kilometers
of
province’s capital, Pagadian City. It can be reached either by boat or by land through the provincial highway. It is a 5th class municipality with a population of 21,064 in 4,235 households, politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Local populace consists of Cebuanos, 60% followed by Subanens, 25% and the Muslims which make up the remaining 15%. . In the early days, Pitogo used to be known as Sibongan, a name that was given by the early Subanen settlers due to the native plant that also goes by the same name which flourished along the shores. The sibongan is particularly useful as a raw material used by the Subanen natives for weaving mats. When the Cebuanos eventually arrived in the early 50′s, they made a sitio in the area and named it Pitogo because of the abundance of the pitogo ornamental plants in the area. south As the population grew over the t h e years, the need for the establishment Wednesday, October 26, 2011
5
of a school was recognized. So they built a school and finally agreed to name their place Pitogo in honor of the early Visayan settlers who pioneered the establishment of an educational institution. Before it became a municipality, Pitogo was under the political jurisdiction of the municipality of Dimataling. It finally became a regular municipality on July 16, 1978, with its first municipal officials headed by Mayor Doroteo Garban. Since then, Pitogo has been the recipient of several government infrastructure projects that have benefited the municipality a great deal. Pitogo is mainly an agricultural town, with about 85% of its soil devoted to agriculture. Major products include coconuts and upland rice. Farming is the livelihood of almost 80% of the population. Even those residing along the coastal town supplements fishing with farming.
Aquino declares every third week of March and October as Design Week of every year
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III has declared every third week of March and October of every year as Design Week Philippines as he underscored “the need to highlight the creativity and design capability of the Filipinos to bring in opportunities for economic development towards viable trade benefits.� Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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The Chief Executive issued Proclamation No. 277 on October 20, 2011 as part of the government’s bid to promote Filipino creativity with the aim to present, demonstrate and showcase the country’s products. “Creativity, together with knowledge and access to information, has been declared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as a powerful engine of economic growth and promotes development,” the President said. “There is a need to organize activities that will create local and global awareness about the uniqueness of Philippine creativity and design by showcasing the wealth of 8
different product innovations and craftsmanship, through trade exhibitions, festivals, workshops and conferences,” he added. To ensure that benefits are maximized from such activities, the President said a concerted effort of both government and the private
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
sector is necessary to address various issues and concerns towards sustaining the development and promotion of the country’s’ design capability. The President tapped the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions
(CITEM) and the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) as the lead implementing agencies in the conduct of activities that will promote the Philippines as a Design Destination in Asia. “In time with the DTI-CITEM’s signature show, the Manila
Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers’ Exchange (FAME) International, “Design Week Philippines” shall be held twice a year as the platform to showcase the application of creativity and design capability of local manufacturers and design professionals that would bring in buyers locally and
worldwide to source their products and inspirations,” the President said. He tapped the Department of Tourism (DOT), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as co-organizers of the “Design Week Philippines” celebration. The President, likewise, called on Philippine designers, artists and design training institutions, associations and all other entities involve in the design industry, both from the government and the private sector, to collaborate with DTI-CITEM and PDDCP in the observance of Design Week Philippines by organizing fitting activities. (JS)
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Govt doing all the preparations of All Saints Day, All Souls Day
T
he government has been doing all the necessary
provinces.
preparations for the commemoration of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day this November 1 and 2 to assist the people who will rush back to the
“Yung sa Undas po, tuloy po yung preparasyon. Doon sa mga kababayan natin na uuwi ng probinsya, magde-deploy po ang PNP (Philippine National Police) ng additional personnel para sa police vis10
ibility. Tuloy po ang preparations natin,� Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday. The PNP will be
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
coordinating with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to make sure that all exit and entry points going to and from Metro Manila will be traffic-free for the long weekend, Valte said. (AS)
P-noy Photos
President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Order of National Scientist on Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J. during the conferment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malaca単an Palace on Tuesday (October 25). Fr. Nebres received the Presidential Medallion for his outstanding achievements and accomplishments as mathematician, educator, mentor and administrator and for his contributions to education and social reform that earned him international recognition. Fr. Nebres is recognized for his distinctive leadership in the formulation and implementation of a long-term plan for the development of the natural sciences and mathematics that included the establishment of the Ph.D. Consortium program in the basic sciences and the establishment of the Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development. The Order of National Scientist is the highest honor given by the President of the Republic of the Philippines to a Filipino man or woman of science in the Philippines who has made significant contributions in one of the different fields of science and technology. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malaca単ang Photo Bureau).
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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TAGUM SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM SEIZED AGUSAN HOT LOGS
T
he joint efforts of the City Government of Tagum and the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley led to the seizure of hot logs with a total volume of 300 cubic meters with 2.8 length from the Municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur. The confiscated logs will be added to yet another batch of wood materials to be fabricated into school furniture such as armchairs, desks, kiddie chairs and teacher’s tables, by the local government here. Both siblings—Mayor Rey T. Uy of Tagum City and Governor Arturo 12
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
T. Uy of Comval - led a bold move in the initiative of hauling these logs by repairing the road network and providing large vehicles to get the apprehended logs in the area, with the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the CARAGA Region. Evilio Tabanquil, chief of the Forest Protection Division of DENR Region XI said that these confiscated hardwood products were part of the first batch of logs apprehended in the same area but were not hauled immediately because of the poor condition of road networks leading to the site.
Twelve truckloads of logs consisting of lauan and other (miscellaneous) hardwoods were officially turned over by DENR last October 25 to the local government at the City’s Motorpool in Tipaz, Barangay East. Mayor Uy said that the fabrication of these wood products into school furniture will only take until December 2012 to finish. He later urged private organizations and business establishments to donate paints or volunteer on weekends in sand papering and painting of chairs to help fast-track the mass production of school furniture.
He added that the city government will save P58 per piece because of the donations and services of the volunteers. Later on the same day, the Uy brothers went to Mabini Central Elementary School in the municipality of Mabini, Compostela Valley Province to distribute 120 armchairs, 84 school desks and 50 kiddie chairs. The said sets of furniture were fabricated jointly by Tagum and Comval, with the provincial government. Five additional carpenters were hired at the city’s motorpool to address the required labor force. This was the first time that the municipality of Mabini received school furniture since Tagum City intensified its “social responsibility,” as compliance to Executive Order No. 23 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III. The Order mandates that all confiscated logs shall be used by the Department of Education to address the shortage of classrooms, chairs and desks in public schools. (CIO-Tagum/Louie Lapat & Edwin Lasquite)
Did You Know... That the Province of Davao Oriental is the country’s largest producer of coconuts. It produces an average of one billion nuts annually covering a total crop area of 156,837 hectares. The major products exported by the province through the International Copra Export Corporation are crude oil and copra pellets. There are about 114,079 Coconut farmers / copra producers in the province. (source: davaoorientalinvest.com) Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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DILG-XI has new regional director DAVAO CITY- Personnel of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Davao Region welcomed on Tuesday Francisco C. Jose as the agency’s new regional director. In a turn-over ceremony at the DILG regional office, Jose accepted the region’s responsibility and authority from outgoing regional director Ananias M. Villacorta who is assigned to DILG-VII. Quoting from John Maxwell’s thoughts on leadership, Jose urged the DILG employees to be “adaptable, collaborative, team player, supportive and committed” for DILG XI to surpass previous accomplishments. “These values will define the true meaning of ‘catalysts” and being catalysts will denote excellence in local governance,” he stated in his message during the turn-over rites. As one of his initial endeavors in his new place of assignment, Jose will be holding a series of consultations with key officials of the region in the next succeeding days, as well as meetings with the various members of the DILG family. This is the first time for Jose to be back after more than nine years of being away from the region. Jose is a Career Service Officer, who has spent his reputable 14
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
years in public service. He has provided proficient leadership in his various assignments as assistant regional director and regional director in DILG. As an accomplished career officer, Jose notched his milestones in the government service through various trainings, study grants and seminars, locally and internationally. As a regional director, he has carried out numerous reforms on strategy and implementation of program thrust on local governance. He has served several Presidents and Secretaries of the DILG, transforming him as a steadfast leader who can adapt to all kinds of leadership and working environment. Jose is a cool, calm and collected career officer and manages a stress-free DILG regional operation. His colorful career as an executive officer of the Department made him as one of the most experienced Regional Director of the Department. He looks forward to productive working relationships with partners in the local government unit leagues, inter-agency community, civil society organizations and the private sector in his home region to achieve desired outcomes for a more transparent, accountable and performance-oriented governance. (DILG-XI/Mika-Chan S. Magtulis)
LGU, Army provide security briefing for Sta. Cruz investors STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur-The executives of all business locators here obtained on Tuesday a security briefing aiming to prepare them on concerns relating to peace and order, security, employment and labor.
Some 30 company managers, human resource officers and security officers of the established and major businesses in Sta. Cruz attended the briefing on October 25 at the Municipal Training Center. The activity was part of the joint effort of the Local Government of Sta. Cruz and the 39th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army. LTC Oliver Artuz, commanding officer of 39th I.B., presented the role of the army such as providing assistance and taking part in the development programs of all National Government Agencies and local government units. Artuz informed the company officials of the territorial jurisdiction of the 39th IB and their existing programs against insurgency in Davao del Sur. For the part of the 10th Infantry Division, commander of 10th Civil Military Operations Batallion Major Jacob Thaddeus M. Obligado presented several salient points about Sustainable Growth for Davao Region. Obligado said that labor unions and insurgency is interrelated, add-
ing that if labor unions are strong, insurgency would also be strong. He emphasized that strong LGU participation in addressing insurgency and partnership with religious sector are among the four contributory factors to weaken insurgency. The other two factors are strong media support and continuous interaction with the student and youth sector through youth leadership seminar and information drive in schools. Obligado then left a challenge to encourage inter-agency coordination, saying that the joint venture for peace would definitely yield promising Return on Investments (ROI). On the other hand, Sta. Cruz Mayor Atty. Joel Ray L. Lopez expressed his full support to the initiative. Lopez said that he will be acting on forming an alliance from which all investors are members to strengthen security matters, disaster preparedness, and to deliver a unified Corporate Social Responsibilities. (MIOSta. Cruz/Julius Paner)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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So. Cotabato padlocks 300 tunnels in T’boli By Dani Doguiles It’s final. At least 300 gold tunnels in Barangay Kematu, T’boli town will be padlocked tomorrow, Oct 27. South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. during the emergency meeting of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board yesterday denied the request of the management of T’boli Minahan ng Bayan MultiPurpose Cooperative for
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at least one-month extension of their operations. “We are saddened by this development because many residents working in the smallscale mines will be affected but we cannot allow an illegal activity
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
to continue,” Gov. Pingoy said. The provincial government has already given the cooperative at least 20 months to resolve its conflict with the Maguan clan, which resulted in its failure to secure Free and Prior Informed Consent, which is required before the small-scale mining cooperative can be given permit to conduct mining operations. In an interview with a local radio station, Gov. Pingoy recounted that the mining cooperative was first given rights over a 21hectare mining area by former Gov. Hilario De Pedro III in 1994.
But since they started operations, the Minahan ng Bayan was unable to comply with all the requirements to be issued permit. During the administration of then Gov. (now 2nd District Representative) Daisy AvanceFuentes, they were allowed to mine until 2009. The mines were closed but was later re-allowed to operate for six months under the condition that they will submit the necessary documents. Pingoy said during his administration the mining operators were given two extensions of six months each “out of human consideration.” Still they failed to comply with the requirements. “Strictly speaking, all the operations within the Minahan ng Bayan is illegal,” he said. The governor also disclosed that the provincial government does
not earn much from the Minahan ng Bayan. In 2010, it only contributed about P250,000 to the provincial treasury. On Friday, the Provincial Environment Management Office headed by Engr. Seigfred Flaviano sent handed the mining cooperative a closure order signed by Gov. Pingoy. “We gave the operators five days to remove their ore stocks from the tunnels,” Flaviano said. Padlocking the tunnels will be done by a team composed of officials from the provincial government, the Philippine National Police and the military.
The 21-hectare T’boli ng Bayan is part of tenement of the Tribal Mining Corp. (TMC) covering 85 hectare under Mineral Production Sharing Agreement 090-97-XI granted in 1997. The agreement is valid until 2022. (PIA 12)
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Kapulisan ng Rehiyon 12 nakahanda na para sa Undas
KORONADAL CITY -- Handa ang kapulisan sa buong rehiyon sa pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang panseguridad sa panahon ng undas. Inihayag ni P/CSupt Benjardi Mantele, regional director ng Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) na naiatas na niya sa lahat ng police commanders sa nasasakupan na mag-deploy ng mga pulis sa sementeryo at iba pang lugar na dadagsain ng mga mamamayan sa Nobyembre 1 at 2. Aniya, pinapa-identify na niya ang lahat ng se18
menteryo sa buong rehiyon at ipinag-utos na lagyan ng police assistance center ang bawat semeteryo. Iniutos din niya ang pagtatalaga ng mga pulis na magbabantay sa seguridad ng mga simbahan at mga terminal. Pinaalalahan din ni Mantele ang publiko na iwasan ang pagdadala ng ipinagbabawal sa loob
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
ng sementeryo tulad ng matatalas na instrumento, firearms, mga nakalalasing na inumin, baraha at katulad na gamit sa pagsusugal, at maiingay na sound system. Nanawagan din siya sa publiko na tumulong sa pagbabantay at pagmamanman sa paligid upang maiwasan ang anumang masamang insidente. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
Pagtatanim ng soybean isinusulong sa South Cotabato KORONADAL CITY, – Isinusulong ng Department of Agriculture (DA) ang pagpapalago ng industriya ng soybean sa buong Soccsksargen Rehiyon o Region 12.
Sa isinagawa ang isang farmers field day sa Barangay Concepcion, Koronadal City noong Oktubre 20, inilahad n Dr. Irene Alvarez ng DA-Tupi ang Soybean Development Program. Sa naturang pagpu-
pulong inihayag naman ni Provincial Agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste na aabot sa 2,000 ektarya sa buong lalawigan ng South Cotabato ang maaring taniman ng soybean na mayaman sa protina at maaar-
ing makakapagbigay ng magandang kita sa mga magsasaka. Iminungkahi din ni Legaste ang institusyunalisasyon ng industriya ang soybean. Kailangan aniya ang konkretong target sa produksyon ng soybean, at pagsasagawa ng “market encounter” sa mga prodyuser at mga pangunahing gumagamit sa naturang produkto upang masiguro na may bibili na produksyon ng mga magsasakang magtatanim ng soybean. Inihayag naman ni Elena Garces, na kinatawan ng DA- Bureau of Agricultural Research (DABAR) na may suportang maasahan ang mga researchers na nagnanais na makapagsagawa ng pananaliksik hinggil sa pagpapaunlad
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ng produksyon ng soybean at ibang high value commercial crops. Aniya, may pondo ang DA-BAR na P600 milyon para tustusan ang mga research proposals. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
Cagayan 1st District Cong. Enrile nangako ng suporta sa mga magsasaka ng Koronadal KORONADAL CITY, Okt 26– Sa kanyang pagbisita sa Lungsod ng Koronadal noong nakalipas na linggo, ipinangako ni Cagayan 1st District Congressman Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. sa mga grupo ng mga magsasaka mula sa walong barangay ang pagpapalago ng sektor ng pagsasaka. Ayon kay Cong. Jack Enrile, mahalaga umano ang ginagampanang papel ng sektor sa pagtiyak sa seguridad sa pagkain ng mga residente. Binigyang diin din ni Enrile sa mga magsasaka ang kanyang paniwala na “walang Pilipino ang dapat magutom sa sariling
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bayan” kung kayat kanya umanong isinulong ang House Bill No, 4626 o ang “Food for Filipinos First Act of 2011” sa kamara. Bilang pangunahing proponent ng Food for Filipino First Advocacy (FFFA), isinusulong ni Enrile ang sapat na pagkain para sa mga Pilipino ang una kaysa sa pag-eexport nito sa ibang mga bansa. Hiniling din nito sa Department of Agriculture (DA) ang pagbuo ng National Food Requirement Plan ng bansa. Ibinahagi din ni Enrile sa mga magsasaka ng Lungsod ng Koronadal ang mga eksperyensiya
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sa agrikultura ng ibang mga bansa na kanyang napuntahan at naging matagumpay, kung kaya’t nais nitong ito ay gayahin din ng mga magsasakang Pilipino sa kanilang mga sakahan. Ayon sa nakakabatang Enrile, kung ang administrasyon Aquino ay naglalaan ng pondo para sa programang “conditional cash transfer” o (CCT), dapat din umano nitong pagtuunan ng pansin ang sektor ng agrikultura dahil karamihan umano sa mga magsasaka ay kabilang sa mga mahihirap. (ac agad PIA12)
Agusan del Sur PESO grabbed regional best performer award by David M. Suyao
T
he Agusan del Sur Public Employment Service Office (PESO) grabbed the Best Regional PESO performing award during the recent regional competition conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
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According to provincial PESO manager Divina Lagumbay, this is the first time that Agusan del Sur join the competition. “We do not expect to win in this competition because this is the first time that we join. But of course, we know, we did our best to respond and implement all the employment work program as set by the DOLE without reservation, and we even exceeded our target. Because of this, together with the municipalities of Trento, Sibagat and Sta. Josefa, we were recognized as institutionalized PESO offices region-wide and became nominees for the national competition,” Lagumbay said. During the awarding ceremony, 22
the municipalities of Trento and Sta. Josefa also received the “Best Municipal PESO Performing Awards” for the first and third class municipalities, respectively. Aside from being the region’s best, Agusan del Sur also bagged the best provincial PESO award for the first class provincial category. But Lagumbay admitted, there is no chance they will win in the national category competition because they have a very small figure in the placement report compared to the PESO offices in Metro Manila. “Of course, if they will base their judgment in the placement report, we are very inferior compared to that of Metro Manila
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
and other big cities. Even if we often conduct jobs fair here, the population in big cities in terms of applicants and placements bares a very big difference. But if they ratio the placement report against the population, maybe, we will have the chance, but still very thin,” Lagumbay said. Lagumbay also called on all companies and institutions that have joined the jobs fair in Agusan del Sur, to furnish them copies of their hired applicants during the jobs fair conducted in the province so that her office, including those in the municipal level, will have ready reference of the employment status of applicants for local and abroad.
New peace, amnesty plan to win peace – BGen Plaza by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY – “An all-out war is destructive, but a new peace and amnesty plan will win the peace,” said BGen Charito B Plaza of the 7th Air Force Wing Reserve of the Philippine Air Force.
In a press statement issued by the first lady general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force, Plaza said with the recent and continuous attacks and firefight in Caraga Region, Basilan and the various parts of Mindanao, she is so disturbed and worried with the seemingly unstoppable conflict and war in Mindanao. She added an allout war solution will not solve but will just worsen the Peace and Security condition in Mindanao. “Both the victims’ families and relatives will
surely retaliate to get even and give justice to their dead family members, hence, the struggle for retaliation will never end,” she said. Plaza also said an all-out war policy will depict a negative impression of an arrogant, selfish and a helpless government, pitting its own people, who are both fighting for justice, freedom, equality and peace, being victims of all forms of poverty and want, as a result of the government’s weaknesses, neglect, insincerity, complacency, lack of focus and inability.
Further, Plaza emphasized that the seemingly successful attack by the rebels with more losses in the government side was an embarrassment and depicts failure of tactics and strategy, being more equipped and a well trained force. “The rebels too will be strengthened to stage more attacks. The AFP and the Philippine National Police on the side of the government will naturally get back in their best form, hence, a never ending war, unless a new approach will be employed,” she added. With these devel-
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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opments, Plaza, a peace educator and negotiator in the successful surrender of the 105, Rag Tag Army of the then renegade Col. Alex Noble in 1991 in Esperanza,
Agusan del Sur and the 205 ragtag Moro National Liberation Front of Chairman Nur Misuari in a ceremony held in the Basilan Province in 2003, crafted a proposed
‘Peace and Amnesty Plan’ for adoption by the Aquino Presidency, in order to give peace a chance, especially in Mindanao and can be replicated throughout the country.
Time to review AFP strength and recruitment - Chiz
BUTUAN CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should conduct an immediate and total review of its actual troop strength versus its troop ceiling in the wake of the separate deadly clashes between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay this week, Senator Chiz Escudero said. The Basilan bloodbath last Tuesday claimed the lives of 19 soldiers and six more in the latest encounter in Zamboanga. 24
Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said it is high time for the AFP to review its present number of
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
warm bodies and the vacancies for new recruits that need to be filled to strengthen the military. “While we commend the gallantry
and bravery of our troops for going head on in the battle field, we bewail the fact that they were outnumbered and outsmarted in a terrain most familiar to the enemies. Without adding anymore pain to our troops, we now beg the question what is our military’s optimal force? Are we also filling in the yearly quota for military recruitment?” Escudero said. The senator underscored the importance of this assessment to maximize the strength and potential of the troops in the frontline and readjust it to meet certain existing standard operating pro-
cedures in terms of troop augmentation and recruitment. “We need to fill in the yearly quota for recruits so that yearly our forces get stronger and that our soldiers are not left out there like mice caught in a mouse trap, outnumbered by its enemies. As the country’s guardians of democracy and Constitution, we need to give them enough physical, material and arsenal support to keep and improve their morale and efficiency,” Escudero stressed. Escudero said that the AFP is in a better position to know the situation in the battlefield need and should be able to refine its protocols given the blatant and bold moves by rogue elements against government troops, particularly in Mind-
anao. “I urge the AFP and also the PNP to aggressively go out there and fill the yearly quotas for new recruits. Spend the budget intended for hiring new personnel. Don’t let the old system prevail again where the allocation for hiring new personnel is scrimped on so that the amount can be converted into savings and diverted to line the pockets of some unscrupulous individuals. This has already cost so many lives and has orphaned thousands of wives and children,” Escudero said.
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CFO conducts continuing education program on migration by Nora CL Molde
BUTUAN CITY – The Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) will conduct information activities on migration, in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte on November 14-19. According to CFO Chairperson Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas, the inter-agency community education and information campaign program of the agency seeks to assist prospective migrants in making informed decisions regarding settlement abroad, as well as generate community involvement in migration concern. Also, the program aims to raise public awareness on various issues concerning migration, intermarriage and existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud, and human traffick26
ing, among others, Nicolas said. In addition, Nicolas said CFO also plans to reach out to the public in the municipalities, cit-
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ies and provinces through the conduct of school symposia on migration, public assemblies, radio interviews with community members.
News Feature: Breastfeeding practice short of WHO recommendation
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by Regina M. Pagaspas
any of us know that breastmilk is the natural and perfect first food for a newborn child and until age two and beyond if possible.
Nine out of ten or 90 percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding, according to the results of the infant feeding practices component of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRIDOST) in 2008. The survey further revealed that out of the nine breastfed children, eight were exclusively breastfed for an average of two months only. As the child grows older, from birth until five months, exclusive breastfeeding diminished to approximately three out of ten, while also around three out of ten children were breastfed and at the same time
already given complementary foods. At 6-11 and 12-23 months old, only four out of ten and two out of ten children, respectively, were breastfed. The data show that the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its duration fell short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond while giving complementary foods after six months. While breastfeeding is said to be convenient for the mother and the baby, as breastmilk is readily available at all times, still, many mothers opt not to continue
breastfeeding as recommended. As an observation on real life situations, there are problems that mothers, especially first time moms experienced which may have been the reasons for not continuing breastfeeding as recommended. These problems may be classified based on the following categories: (1) mother’s condition after delivery, (2) mother’s work outside home, (3) mother’s home support system, (4) hospital support system, and (5) early giving of complementary foods. The trauma that first time moms experience due to labor and delivery pains and some
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pregnancy and childdelivery complications is one problem that some mothers are faced with. Mothers who had this experience tend to postpone breastfeeding, causing delayed and reduced breastmilk production until eventually discontinuing breastfeeding. The mother’s work outside home is also a major factor for mothers not to continue breastfeeding even if they have successfully initiated it. Most mothers tend to mix feed their infant in preparation for their return to work to avoid nipple confusion. Nipple confusion happens when breastfed children are difficult to feed using the bottle when they are accustomed to breastfeeding
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or difficult to breastfeed when they are used to bottle feeding. Once the baby is mixed fed, breastfeeding frequency is lessened and therefore, milk flow is also lessened and eventually dries up. The pressure of returning early to work, even if it is less than the allowable maternity leave, is also a factor that triggers difficulty in breastfeeding. Many mothers have not even recovered fully from the rigors of pregnancy and delivery when they are called to report back to work. Working moms would go home very tired and just want to rest and sleep, forgetting fully that they have a baby to breastfeed. The child who is left to the caregiver thrives on milk formula that is given while the mother is away f r o m home, or even when at
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home, is asleep or taking a rest. As a result, breastmilk diminished and the child does not want to be breast fed anymore because he or she is already accustomed to milk formula. The role of the support system, particularly the husband and other family members, is very
crucial to the mother’s early initiation of breastfeeding as this will determine the volume of milk that she will pro-
duce. There is a tendency t h a t fami l y
members panic when the baby cries such that they resort to bottle feeding at once to solve the problem. When bottle feeding is easily resorted to, mothers are not be able to breastfeed the child at the soonest possible time, and probably may not be able to do it at all. While the mother’s breastfeeding situation is not yet established, the hospital has the major role during this crucial period. However, many hospitals are not prepared and equipped enough to provide the needed breastfeeding support. Some hospitals even allow feeding bottles and milk formulas to be given to the infant. While the nurse should be the best person that a mother can count on to provide support in assisting her to
initiate breastfeeding, it seems that providing such support is not always their priority. As a result of the lack of support after delivery, some mothers go home without even initiating breastfeeding leading to less milk flow. Too many visitors that a patient accommodates as well as long visiting hours also pose a problem to mothers because instead of resting while the baby is asleep, mothers entertain visitors. By the time the baby wants to be fed, the mother cannot breastfeed because either she is taking a nap to revitalize her energy or is shy to breastfeed in front of guests.
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Giving complementary foods too early, like before six months, is also a factor that diminishes milk flow since the child will likely lessen the frequency of breastfeeding when offered other foods. Thus, there are challenges that mothers are faced with to pursue breastfeeding. There are many considerations in understanding the reasons for falling short of the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding. Here are some suggestions that may be considered in crafting policies in helping mothers succeed in breastfeeding: A policy should provide longer maternity leave benefits to employees for all private and government institutions; Mothers, particularly those under special conditions, should be given utmost attention by the hospital care unit to assist them to breastfeed; Health care personnel, family members, friends and 30
employers should discourage bottle feeding by strictly adhering to the rules of the mother and baby friendly environment initiatives; The hospital should have a policy regarding limiting number of visitors, and visiting hours, and disallowing minors as visitors; and Husbands and other family members including caregivers should be given breastfeeding classes and encouraged to participate in other health promotion activities. For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRIDOST), Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/Fax no.: 837-2934, 837-2071 local 2295; e-mail:mvc@ fnri.dost.gov.ph; mar_v_ capanzana@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http//www.fnri.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST)
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AFP laments Basilan & Sibugay clashes; but still committed to peace he military in Mindanao has expressed its concerns over the recent bloody incidents in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces which claimed dozens of lives to include AFP soldiers and caused dislocations of innocent civilians. In a press statement, the 4th Civil Relations Group of the AFP disclosed that the military is at the same time have strongly condemned the acts of atrocities even as it vowed to maintain its resolve to continue its mandated mission as peacekeeping force in Southern Philippines. “We were saddened by the incidents in Basilan and Sibugay which involved our troops and rebels (MILF) but we have to be steadfast and continue to protect the civilian populace,” a top official of the 4th
Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. 4th CRG Commander, Lt. Col. Gamal Hayudini in a statement said the two incidents were “unfortunate and unexpected” considering that those who will suffer most of the possible repercussion are the local populace who shall bear the blunt of war. Hayudini said that with the incident, the AFP’s primordial concern is to look after the displaced civilians in several barangays in Al-Barka municipality
and in other neighboring villages in Basilan towns who have evacuated from their homes. Initial report revealed that thousands of families in 5 barangays alone were affected by the recent clash. These were in Barangay Kailih, Cambug, Macalang, Danapah and Linuan in Al Barka. The displaced families are temporarily sheltered in Barangays Bato-Bato, Apil-Apil, Magkawa , Guinanta, Bohe Tambak and Bucalao. Other villagers are terrified of the present situation,
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h e Islamic Liberation Front guerillas despite the on-going peace negotiations initiated by the government and the leaders of the rebel group. Hayudini appealed to Basilan officials and its said. residents to cooperate with As an immediate the team of investigators response to the incident in to get into the bottom Basilan, the AFP has formed of the incidents so that a team to conduct an the truth can be ferret independent investigation out in pinpointing who is of what really transpired responsible in the killings. last Oct. 18 in Basilan in order to dig deeper into the circumstances of the incident. The probe body is led by Maj General Ireneo C. Espino, AFP Inspectorate General. Hayudini has conversed with Basilan Vice-Governor Alrashid Sakalahul recently regarding the In Sibugay, the plight of the civilians and Kabasalan and Alicia as what help could be ambuscade which extended to them in terms claimed 7 soldiers of relief services and to and a policeman attend to their immediate occurred barely needs to lessen their two days after ordeal while in evacuation MILF forces killed centers. 19 soldiers in Al Last Thursday, Barka, Basilan, President Nonoy Aquino including 3 has ordered the conduct officers were of investigation on slain in Basilan. the clash between the Scores of Army’s Special Forces others were and alleged elements of injured in the two separate the Basilan-based Moro incidents. 32
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Meanwhile, Hayudini emphasized that the military will carry out its commitment of trying to win the peace and not just to defeat the enemy through wars. “We will continue to uphold our commitment by not only defeating the enemy through armed confrontations alone but also by winning the peace,” Col. Hayudini stressed. Furthermore, Hayudini urged civilians to take their active role in helping the authorities against the lawlessness, so that the success of winning the peace will be enjoyed by every community in the region. (JPA/4CRGAFP/ R V C - P I A 9 ZanBaSulTa)
100 studs graduate from Candidate Soldier Course by Gideon C. Corgue
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he more you sweat in training, the lesser you bleed in battle’.
Thus inspired 1st Infantry Tabak Division commander MajGen. Noel A. Coballes some 100 newly graduate students of the 6-month Candidate Soldier’s Course (CSC) “KALASAG” Class 266-2011 on Tuesday’s closing ceremony and entrustment of firearms at the Tabak Division Grandstand, Camp Major Cesar Sangan, PUlacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Coballes commended and congratulated the
1st Division Training Unit (IDTU) headed by LTc Johnson Jemar Aseron and his training staff for their dedication to train and develop the candidate soldiers on the basic military knowledge on jungle warfare operations and as well as the significant understanding and appreciation of the army core values and competencies. The graduates, Coballes said who came from different provinces in Luzon and Mindanao
successfully surpassed the rigors and challenges of military trainings and discipline. Coballes said the graduates have been provided with the best training saying that the command wants to make sure that we only have the best among the Tabak division’s roster of troops. The Tabak commander constantly reminded the graduates that as they leave the discipline of their
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training institution, they are still bound to uphold the norms of proper conduct.
“You continue to serve through good example, hardwork, professionalism and integrity coupled with the knowledge that you have gained from your training. I am confident that you are now in a better position and disposition to render service for our civilians,” Coballes challenged the graduates. He, however cautioned the graduates to think always of the benefit for the common good. “In all you pursuits, remember, whatever your actions are reflects to the division. What you are is an extension of the military profession,” Coballes added. Coballes also reminded the graduates during the entrustment ceremony to take care 34
of the firearms entrusted to them by the people. “Take care of the firearms and use it to protect the rights of the Filipino people and our country,’” Coballes urged. He acknowledged also the guests from the national
del Sur administrator Hildaliza Muñoz, UCCP convenor Rev. Diosdado Marquez. and Navalan, Tukuran barangay chairman Leoncio Osores , who led the symbolic entrustment of firearms. (JPA/GCC/PIA9Pagadian)
government agencies and local government units , and the loved ones of the graduates for their presence saying that they helped understand the nobility of their career that they have chosen. Among those who attended the ceremonies were Regional Trial Court prosecutor Atty. Joel C. Vercide, Tukuran mayor Atty. Francis Vic Villamero, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Conchita San Diego, Philippine National Red Cross-Zamboanga
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Australia to provide financing facility to DepEd through PRIME by Claro Lanipa o speed up the attainment of the Education For All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on achieving Universal Primary Education targets by 2015, and in support to the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA), the government of Australia has provided the financing facility to the Department of Education (DepEd) through the Philippines’ Response to Indigenous Peoples’ and Muslim Education (PRIME) Program.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said, the PRIME program through the provision of grant, will allow the DepEd to respond to both the educational demand and supply needs of the target communities. Specifically the program aims to improve equitable access to and quality of basic education for girls
and boys of the disadvantaged Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) and the Muslim communities. Nine (9) regions throughout the country were identified as recipients of the program, composed of elementary
and secondary schools and communities namely: Regions I, II, IV-B (MIMAROPA), IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). These regions are entitled to receive this grant, subject to the guidelines on the availment, release, utilization and liquidation process. (JPA/ CAL/PIA9/ZamboSur)
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Mahinog town is grand slam champion in 2011 Camiguin Lanzones Festival
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by Homer R. Jajalla
esidents and supporters, here, were jubilant as contingents from this town made waves again and grabbed the grand slam title in the recently concluded 32nd Camiguin Lanzones Festival held in the capital town of
Mambajao.
For three (3) consecutive ground demonstration (tableau) years, Mahinog town landed first competitions. placer in both street dancing and “Winning this award is not easy, and it’s the hard work and prayers that made this possible,� multi-awarded choreographer Harold Antallan said during the victory program and caravan at the municipal hall this morning. Mahinog contingents amazed everyone with their awesome and high speed performance upon which the audience that gathered at Camiguin Tourism Complex erupted into thunderous applause and 36
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got the second and third places, respectively. Mahinog also got the grand prize award in Music and “Diwata” Showdowns, Second
from start to end. “We feel very triumphant today and we will work hard to keep the spirit alive in our own daily struggles as a people and as a community,” Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla said in a press statement. The 5-member Board of Judges unanimously picked the Mahinog Local Government Unit (LGU) represented by Columbia St. Michael’s Parish High School and Mahinog National High School as winner in ground demonstration (tableau) competition. Second place went to Mambajao LGU represented by Yumbing National High School while the Provincial Government of Camiguin represented by Fatima College of Camiguin (FCC) got the third place. In street dancing, Mahinog got the first place, while FCC and Mambajao Nat’l High School
placer in both Festival Queen and King Showdown, and third placer in “Kabog” Showdown. Meanwhile, Mahinog’s Charmaine R. Soldevilla was also chosen Mutya sa Buahanan (Miss Lanzones) 2011. She also bagged the Natural Beauty Award, People’s Choice, Best in Gown and six (6) other corporate awards.
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CCIFII holds business confab by Lorry V. Gabule
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte— A productive discussion on issues that affect the business climate of the city will highlight today’s Business Forum at the Celadon Pension House, this city. Emily Pascua, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan Inc. (CCIFII), who spearheads the forum, said this is an opportunity for the business community to engage the City Chief Executive and our District Representative in a dialogue relative to economic stability in our locality . “By doing this, we are sending a clear message to our local government officials that we are seriously pursuing this objective and they have to address the issues to improve the business climate of the city,” Pascua said. A representative of the Board of Investments (BOI), as well, as from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Region 10, would also be presenting their briefing on the regional and national economic
indicators of the country. “We enjoin the business community to show up in full force during the forum. It is imperative that we present a united front, working together to make Iligan the next investment destination in Mindanao,” challenged the lady business icon. A registration fee of P200.00 would be collected from the participants to defray expenses for food and information materials, Pascua added. Photo Credits: http://maayongiligan.com
LCC conducts module development workshop for ALS radio program by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A consultative module development workshop for a Radio Program on Literacy (RPL) in Regions 9 and 10 will be held at Dynasty Court, this city, starting tomorrow, Oct. 27-28. The RPL aims to promote the thrusts and programs of Republic Act 10122, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordi38
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nating Council (LCC) by Amending RA 7165,” also, known as “An Act Creating the LCC, Defining its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds,
therefore and for Other Purposes.” Dr. Norma Salcedo of the Department of Education (DepEd), Head of the LCC Secretariat, said the program aims to intensify advocacy and social mobilization promoting the literacy endeavors of the LCC, through radio broadcast in remote areas of the country where the literacy rate is at its lowest. She said through the RPL, the LCC hopes to convince the parents in these areas on the importance of sending their children to school or to nonformal schools for out of school children and to encourage out of school youths (OSY) and indigenous people to avail of non-formal schools, placements and assessment programs. Meanwhile, the RPL will be conducted by the LCC, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in the provinces of Basilan in Region 9 and Misamis Oriental in Region 10. Some of the “30 Bottom Barangays with Lowest Literacy Rate, 5th and 6th Class Municipalities,” are found in these regions, as shown in the “Literacy Mapping of the 20% of the Total Number of Barangays of the
20% Total Number of 5th and 6th Class Municipalities: Policy Implications to Local Government Units,” done by the LCC in 2007, Salcedo said. Thirteen (13) of these barangays were in Region 10, of which seven (7) were in Lanao del Norte, three (3) each in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. Respectively. These were Barangays Pendalonan, Bubonga Radapan and Old Poblacion in Munai, Dansalan in Sapad, Cabasagan and Natangcopan in Pantao Ragat and Bangcal in Pantar, in Lanao del Norte. Barangays Dioyo and Ventura in Sapang Dalaga and Manalad in Calamba, Misamis Occidental and Matampa, Alipuaton and Bunal in Salay town, Misamis Oriental. However, the LGU’s in these areas have qualified that the data might have been gathered when most of the people were not in their homes as these were declared “no man’s land,” during the period due to the insurgency problems. Meanwhile, Staff Director Emelyn Q. Libunao of the PIA Program Management Division (PMD) said preparations for the creation of the RPL in the workshop will be attended by the following: Regional Directors of the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Chief, DepEd Alternative Learning System (ALS) in region 10; ALS Coordinators, Mobile Teachers and Barangay Chairpersons in Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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the Municipality of Salay, Misamis Oriental and Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental and concerned local chief executives (LCE) of Lanao del Norte. Regional Director of PIA, Region 9 and Information Center Managers
of Basilan, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental. Target date of the RPL implementation in Basilan and Misamis Oriental is November 28, this year.
Streetlights retrofitting project saves Cag. de Oro Php7.0 million a year by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – Cagayan de Oro City is expected save Php7.0 million a year, due to the completion of the Retrofitting of Street Lighting and Light Emitting Diode Traffic Lights (RSL/LEDTL) Project.
This was explained by Director Evelyn N. Reyes of the Department of Energy (DOE), during her recent visit to the city, for an ocular inspection of the project, together with contractor FUMACO Inc. Reyes said the project can also result to an annual energy savings of 900,720 kwh, and a payback period of 2.3 years with Carbon Dioxide emission reduced to about 486 tons per year. With a total funding of Php16 million to cover installation of fixtures and necessary accessories and controls provided by DOE, the project replaced the existing mercury vapor lamps, in 27 barangays of the city, with newly installed lamps which are found to be more energy-savings efficient, Reyes said. The project will also replace the traffic and pedestrian lanes lights with LED lamps in four (4) 40
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major intersections in the City. Meanwhile, Reyes said a total of 2,008 units of the newly installed High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps ranging from 70 watts to 150 watts had replaced the mercury vapor lamps of the following barangays: Balubal, Balulang, Bayabas, Bonbon, Bugo, Bulua, Camamanan, Canitoan, Carmen, Catanico, Consolacion, Cugman, Gusa, Indahag and Iponan. Kauswagan, Lapasan, Lumbia, Macabalan, Macasandig, Nazareth, Patag, Poblacion, Puerto, Puntod, Tablon and Taguanao. Done under the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP), the RSL/ LED/TL Project of Cagayan de Oro was implemented during the period July 13 to Oct. 13, this year, to promote the use of energy efficient lamps, and LED Traffic Lights, Reyes added. (DOE)
Two gov’t soldiers die in ambush at Lanao boundary ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte– At least two (2) soldiers of the 5th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) were killed in an ambush in Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) town, around 11:00 a.m., yesterday, October 23. Lt. Col. Bagnus Gearlan, 5IB Commander, identified the fatalities as Corporals Rolly Duhaylungsod and Jonathan Anggot. Gaerlan and his men were traversing eastward along the SNDPicong-Malabang highway in the Lanao del Norte-Lanao del Sur
boundary on board two (2) vehicles when fired upon by an undetermined number of fully armed men who fled towards the coast after the incident. The 5IB Commander survived the incident but another military officer was critically injured. The ambush area has been the target of highway robbers, kidnap-for-ransom groups, and cattle rustlers who have made the highway as their escape route towards the interior communities of the Lanao provinces. Meanwhile, Col. Aldred L. Limoso, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade,1ID, PA, said that they have yet to confirm the group behind this atrocity. Limoso, however, assured that they have already implemented their multi-agency security plan to thwart any threats to Lanao del Norte in a bid to improve investor confidence and further promote economic development in the province. (2nd Mech Bde/ PIO ) Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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