CONTENTS NATIONAL
• Aquino wants stricter enforcement of ‘forced
OUR COVER
Today’s cover features USEP gymnasium Davao City’s largest sports facility
evacuation’ from affected areas
• Aquino wants probe on Manila Bay seawall failure • DA assures availability of rice supply • Aquino wants subsistence for fisher folks during
hazardous weather conditions
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) • Youth Commission concludes Peace Month celebration • Simultaneous Pantawid Pamilya cash card distribution conducted in Bayugan, Barobo • Surigao del Sur GPK evaluation, assessment starts today • DSWD conducts convergence caravan • RAFI Triennial Awards calls on entries for blogging contest
Northern Mindanao 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 …...
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
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
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• DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS shows that the poor can manage million-peso projects, achieve community development • City commends blood donors for ‘bloodiest’ Sunday ever • City dad hails 1st kidney transplantation in Zambo • “Pesca Kita”, high-lights 2nd day of Fiesta Hermosa • ‘Solamente’, ‘Rockista’ unveiled Oct. 1
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) • DENR-10 creates TF Iponan River to stop illegal mining in the area • Repair of Mambatangan Section of Sayre Highway seen to improve transport services – Congressman Rodriguez • BSP conducts financial education expo in Cag. de Oro • 4th ID Hosts PA Civilian Personnel Basic Supervisory Training Course • Cag. de Oro LGU accepts PPP’s Project EMPOWERING
Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN) • 8,000 books turned-over to DavSur schools • RDR expects a more professional prov’l jail under BJMP • Siayan town urges stores, food establishments to sell iodized salt • Text prostitution on the rise-NGO • Panabo wharf road closure mulled
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
• DSWD 12 launches NHTS-PR database • NFA South Cotabato naghahanda sa pagdagsa ng produktong palay • SP ng South Cotabato siniguro ang suporta sa pagpapatayo ng anneng provincial hospital sa Surallah
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Cover Story: USEP gymnasium- Davao City’s largest sports facility
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avao City with its land area, population, economy and strategic importance in the region should have a large civic center, a coliseum or indoor sports complex that could accommodate at least 10,000 persons.
Monday, October 3, 2011
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Cover Story:USEP gymnasium......from page 3
Unfortunately the City currently doesn’t have large indoor sports centers, the largest is the Rizal Memorial Colleges Gym can seat about 4,000 people. while the CYO (Holy Cross of Davao College) gymnasium can accommodate 3,000 persons. The City has its newly renovated Almendras gym or the Davao City Recreation Center which is smaller than the CYO. Other small cities in Region-XI like Digos and Panabo now boasts of spanking new gymnasiums bigger and better than our existing sports facilities. In the year 2000 the City Government under then City Mayor Ben De Guzman took out a
loan from Land Bank and started the construction of a P330-million sports complex named as the Artica Dome that is supposed to seat around 15,000 people. However allegations of irregularities led to the abandonment of the expensive project. In 2008, Perfecto Alibin Ph.D. president of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) thought of building a large gymnasium for the school, the idea came into fruit when it was backed by then House
Speaker Prospero Nograles (also Davao City’s 1st District Representative) who provided the seed fund to start the construction of the said project. USEP Gymnasium was planned to accommodate 7,000- 8,000 people. It would be airconditioned unlike RMC 5
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Cover Story:USEP gymnasium......from page 4
and CYO which are steaming ovens. It can now host Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games whose Davao sorties are being played in the modern gyms of Digos and Panabo. The gymnasium would also be a revenue-generator for
the school. The income derived from the rentals (including the commercial spaces inside the gym) would be plowed back the university for fund more scholarship grants and other development projects. The funding for the gymnasium is about P120-million, with P10-million additional funding for 2011 as pledged by Congressman Karlo Nograles, Speaker Prospero’s son who won the 2010 elections. According to Dr. Alibin the P10-million will be used to put
the finishing touches to the gymnasium as well as adding the PBA-standard basketball court. The construction of the gym was done in three phases, Phase 1 involved the superstructure and substructure, Phase 2 involved the walls, flooring and bleachers, comfort rooms and the commercial spaces while Phase 3 included the airconditioning, lighting and electrical systems. While Phase 4 would include the finishing works including the provision of a modern basketball court. Phases 1 and 3 are already complete Alibin said. The gymnasium can already be used minus the basketball court, which he 6
Monday, October 3, 2011
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Cover Story:USEP gymnasium......from page 5
says will be included in the additional budget from Congressman Nograles.The construction took so long because of budgetary problems. but despite the setbacks the project plodded on.
If it will be completed, it will become the largest indoor multi-purpose gymnasium/sports complex not just in in Davao City but also in the whole region. He says a management group will be creat-
ed to run the facility which will bring in additional revenues to the university. The USEP Gymnasium could indeed provide a much-needed decent venue for sports events like PBA games, concerts and conventions. According to then Philippine Sports Commissioner Butch Ramirez Davao City should have at least a 15,000-seater coliseum but the priorities of our city government is focused more on building and providing essentials infrastructure and basic services such as improving the peace and order (Central 911 Emergency Response System ), traffic situation (traffic signalization system) and drainage/ flood control. 7
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Cover Story:USEP gymnasium......from page 6
The gym would also complement the on-going construction of convention centers particularly the Davao SMX with a capacity of around 5,000
Monday, October 3, 2011
people and build by SM Hotels and Conventions Then there is Davao International Exhibition and Convention Center which is planned to accommodate
3,000-5,000 people. These facilities all geared in capturing the booming Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) market.
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Aquino wants stricter enforcement of ‘forced evacuation’ from affected areas o lessen the incidence of people getting stranded in an area severely affected by calamities, President Benigno S. Aquino III said Sunday that he wanted the authorities to strictly enforce the “forced evacuation” warnings. 8
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Aquino wants......from page 8
In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the President wanted this law implemented further to save the lives of the evacuees. “The President wants a stricter enforcement of the forced evacuation primarily because the residents keep on refusing to evacuate the premises,” Lacierda said. “The President wants the PNP to strictly enforce the forced
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evacuation for the primary reason that he wants the evacuees to be saved—for their own security,” he added. Lacierda also said that in order to ensure the peace of mind of the evacuees on the safety of their properties, the President has directed the Philippine National Police to post their personnel in affected areas. “And in order to protect their belongings, the President also—in conjunction with
the forced evacuation order—has also tasked the PNP to make sure that while the evacuees are moved out of their residences, that there will be police presence in the areas where they left,” Lacierda said. “So that’s a twopronged approach so that the people will not be going back to their areas where there’s already flooding in order to protect their belongings,” he added. (RCK)
Aquino wants probe on Manila Bay seawall failure resident Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways and other concerned agencies to look into why the Manila Bay seawall failed to prevent a storm surge from flooding a large portion of Roxas Boulevard and nearby areas at the height of typhoon “Pedring’s” onslaught last week.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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Aquino wants probe......from page 9
The President told DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson in a briefing at the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp Aguinaldo Sunday that he wanted the agency to collaborate with law authorities and other concerned agencies to get to the bottom of the issue in order to prevent a repeat of what had happened. Singson concurred but said an initial probe into the failure of Manila Bay seawall showed that “changes” were made to the original design of the seawall that did not conform to regulated seawall design standards.
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He said the design of the seawall, which looks like an inverted “L” had a sharp angle to the horizontal bar instead of a steady slope that would have helped ease the power of the waves directly hitting it and redirect it back to the sea. “So, with the series of storm surges it experienced during Pedring’s wrath, natuklap ito together with its concrete dockings,” Singson noted. Singson added that the design of the seawall was outdated as its construction was based on 20 to 25 year old flood data when it should be 50 year old flood data.
“We are now seriously looking at about 50 year old flood data because with the climate change, tides are rising (more than expected). Hindi na pwede yung old flood data,” Singson said. “When we restore this, we will have to raise the seawall (‘s height). We are now determining how much higher it would be,” he added. Because of these findings, the President told Singson that he wanted to know who made the modifications and why the modifications were made. (RCK)
DA assures availability of rice supply he Department of Agriculture assured Sunday the availability of rice and other agricultural products despite the pummeling the country’s plantation fields in Northern and Central Luzon got as a result of two weather disturbances passing through one after the other last week.
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DA assures.....from page 10
In a report to the President presented at a briefing held at the National Risk Reduction and Management Council in Camp Aguinaldo, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the staple could be sourced from Mindanao. “Hindi po dapat
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
mabahala ang ating mga kababayan because we have enough supply of rice. Napakaganda ng harvest natin ng palay sa Mindanao,” Alcala said. He added that his agency was still in the process of estimating the damage wrought by typhoons “Pedring”
and “Quiel” on the country’s agricultural sector but assured he would have the numbers soon. “He said the DA was ready to extend any assistance to the farmers and their families whose plantations were affected by the typhoons. (RCK)
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Aquino wants subsistence for fisher folks during hazardous weather conditions
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resident Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to look into how the government can provide subsistence to fisher folk as a deterrent to fishing during extremely hazardous weather
The President gave his directions to DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman during a briefing on the effects of typhoons Pedring and Quiel held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp Aguinaldo Sunday. 12
“Can the DSWD study if the marginal fisher folk …if they will not be allowed to venture out (to fish), can we give them some subsistence for the days that are extremely hazardous?” the President asked, adding whether a mechanism could be determined and funds
be made available for this purpose. The President has expressed concern over the country’s fishermen who, despite being warned in advance of an incoming weather disturbance, choose to take a chance and go out to earn their living. (RCK) Tuesday, October 4, 2011
DSWD’s KALAHICIDSS shows that the poor can manage million-peso projects, achieve community development
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n its years of implementation in the poorest municipalities including those within Western Mindanao. KALAHI-CIDSS has shown that the poor can implement their own development projects worth up to millions of pesos, and bring development to their own communities, said Development of Social Welfare and Development-IX Regional Director Teodulo Romo, Jr. 20
Monday, October 3, 2011
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DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS....from page 19 This announcement was made during the DSWD orientation-forum with municipal mayors for newly identified KALAHICIDSS areas held in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay recently. KALAHI-CIDSS is recognized by independent international development agencies such as the World Bank to be one of the top 5 most effective povertyreduction strategies in the world. According to Director Romo, the success of the project is attributed to the dedication of the community volunteers who rendered their services to uplift the poor socio-economic conditions in their barangays. KALAHI-CIDSS “is not just about ‘projects’ or infrastructures, but of empowering our people to take direct ownership of their problems, and become development actors in their communities,” shared Director Romo. In Region IX alone, 756 community sub-projects were implemented by the volunteers from the poorest communi-
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ties. These amount to Php787,138,431.82 (combining local counterpart contributions from the LGU and communities, and grant funds from the World Bank through the DSWD). These projects range from simple livelihood trainings to more complex ones such as water systems, roads, bridges, day care centers, health stations, electrification and more. The volunteers were simply trained in concepts such as problems analyses, engineering, procurement, finance and operation and maintenance. These volunteers, most of whom have not completed even primary education, have successfully addressed their communities’ inequities and implemented projects worth huge sums of money in a relatively short span of time (the KALAHI-CIDSS project requires a timeframe for the completion of the community projects, depending on their specifications, on an average of 120 days). “By introducing this innovative communitydriven process into your municipalities, we hope
that finally, the poor people, even the poorest of the poor will become our partners in the fight against poverty since they have demonstrated this very efficiently in the previous KALAHI cycles,” said Director Romo. Last year, municipal mayors from KALAHI-CIDSS areas nationwide appealed to President Aquino to mainstream KALAHI-CIDSS as a national strategy for poverty reduction. The President then ordered a cabinet cluster to study the mechanism for its institutionalization. Meanwhile, the municipalities of Naga, Malangas and Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay; Tukuran, Dumalinao, Tigbao and Tabina in Zamboanga del Sur; and Sibuco, Sirawai, Salug, Baliguian and Manuel Roxas in Zamboanga del Norte are expected to begin the KALAHI-CIDSS enrollment process on November, this year. As soon as the enrollment is approved and all requirements have been submitted, engagement will begin on January 2012. (JPA/DSWD-9/ CAL/PIA9/ZamboSur) Tuesday, October 4, 2011
City commends blood donors for ‘bloodiest’ Sunday ever by Vic Larato ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA ) - -The city has commended the 300 students, law enforcers and civic group members who responded to the mass blood-letting activity yesterday, making it the “bloodiest” Sunday ever in Zamboanga City. “Este dia alegre el ciudad kay ya vene ustedes para dona sangre. Gracias gayot por el de ustedes participacion ,” (Today, the city is happy because you came over to donate your blood. Thank you very much for you participation) City Mayor Celso Lobregat said. The blood donation,which was conducted in coordination with the local Red Cross and the Zamboanga City Blood Council, was one of the activities lined up for the Fiesta Hermosa Festival this October.
Among those who donated blood were students from the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Universidad de Zamboanga, policemen, Air Force Reservists, firemen, Montero Bikers Association members, Suzuki riders and some Tyrogin fraternity members. Red Cross Administrator Victor Liozo Jr. described yesterday’s mass blood donation as the biggest gathering of heroes, referring to the blood donors, and said that the activ-
ity initiated by Mayor Lobregat as Red Cross governor broke the records of previous sponsored blood-letting activities in the city. According to him, the highest record of individual sponsored blood donation was that of the Universidad de Zamboanga with 232 blood donors. “Today, the mayor’s blood-letting mustered 271 donors so far (as of 4 pm yesterday) and counting with the target of at least 300 donors,” Liozo said, adding the blood donation 22
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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City commends....from page 21
continued until 5 pm. “This is also the biggest blood donation ever initiated by a Red Cross governor in the person of Mayor Lobregat.” Present during the blood-letting activity held at Red Cross So-
cial Hall in Pettit Barracks were Councilors Lilia Nuno, author of the ordinance creating the Zamboanga City Blood Council, Rudy Lim, Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, who also donated blood and be-
came a galloner, City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Francisco Barredo, City Hall Chief Executive Assistant Mario Roca and member of the blood council.
City dad hails 1st kidney transplantation in Zambo by Sheila Covarrubias ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – City dad Mayor Celso Lobregat has hailed the Western Mindanao Medical Center for launching the first ever kidney transplantation procedure in Zamboanga Peninsula and neighbouring regions 10 and 11. Mayor Lobregat, who graced the short program prior to the actual operation Saturday together with Councilor Nonong Guingona and City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos, was ecstatic that the first kidney transplant procedure in Western Mindanao held at the WMCC, a private
institution, is by coincidence held the same day as when American surgeon Henry E. Murray performed the first successful transplant of a human kidney in October 1954 with 24-year old identical twins as the donor and recipient. “Probably by coincidence, today, the 1st
of October, the Western Mindanao Medical Center, scores the first kidney transplantation procedure. Thus, we join with this health care institution in celebrating this feat”, the mayor said in his message during the program held at the Atoa restaurant prior to the actual opera23
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
City dad hails...from page 22
tion held at the WMCC. The mayor stressed that the first kidney transplant procedure is another milestone not only for the WMCC but also Zamboanga City in health care program. He likewise expressed jubilation that the first ever procedure is held as the city of Zamboanga starts its Fiesta Hermosa 2011, the city’s grandest festival in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar whose feast day is on October 12. Like WMCC, the city government is also prioritizing health care, the mayor stressed. “As we celebrate Fiesta Hermosa, the city government is not only focusing on social activities but also on health as we also have lined up a blood letting activity on Oct. 2 and free Tuesday, October 4, 2011
medical services on Oct. 5”, he emphasized. The blood letting activity, held yesterday at the Red Cross training center was intended to support and assist the Red Cross in its blood services program while the medical mission dubbed “Fiesta Medical” set to be held City Health Office compound in Pettit Barracks from 8am to 2pm on October 5 is intended to provide free medical, dental and minor surgical services to poor but deserving residents of the city. Meanwhile, the mayor took pride in personally presenting to the crowd during the program, the members of the team that conducted the first kidney transplant in Zamboanga. The team included Dr. Michael Abutazil, head of the WMMC
hemodialysis unit. The first ever procedure was witnessed by Dr. Antonio Paraiso, program manager for operation, Philippine Organ Donation Program of the DOH representing the Secretary Enrique On as well as Dr. Benito Puruganan, chairman, Department of Organ Transplantation, National Kidney and transplant Institute. Also present during the program were Dr. Joshua Brillantes of the Center for Health Development-9; PCSCO-Chief Lottery Operations Officer Raul Regondola, Dr. Paterno Cabrera III, President of WMCC Inc.; Dr. Nida Tan- WMMC Assistant Medical Director; WMMC Hospital board of directors; consultants and hospital staff.
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“Pesca Kita”, high-lights 2nd day of Fiesta Hermosa by Vic Larato ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct .3 (PIA) - - “Pesca Kita na Boulevard”, a fishing competition now on its 3rd year and initiated by the ZamboangaChabacano Anglers Club in cooperation with the city government highlighted the second day of Fiesta Hermosa 2011 yesterday.
The fishing competition was held at the R.T. Lim boulevard with almost 60 participants.The tilt started 7am and wrapped up at past 1pm. Winners of the Off Shore Category with 38 competitors were: Hussein Mendizabel- champion; Jose Carlo Garcia2nd placer; Marvin Macario- 3rd placer; Jamil Askalani4th placer; Jing Fernandez- 5th placer; Jeffrey Ranin- 6th placer and Ramon Espiritusanto- 7th placer. Also in the Top 10 were Phillip B. Patino- 8th plac18
er, Jonas Zaragoza- 9th placer and Leopoldo Saavedra- 10th placer. Top in the On Shore Category with 19 participants were: Seidrick Ray Malinao- champion; John Barraca- 2nd placer; Raul Carpio- 3rd placer; Brigitte F. dela Cruz4th placer; Mike de Leon- 5th placer; Joel Patalinghug- 6th placer;Marco Roble7th placer; Jame Ibanez- 8th placer; Joel Canseco- 9th placer and Nikko Mares- 10th placer. Mayor Celso Lobregat awarded the winners with
trophies and fishing gears during the simple ceremony held at the R.T. Lim Boulevard. He thanked the local fishing enthusiasts for their support and participation in the activity as he invited them to also witness all other festivities for Fiesa Pilar. Now on its third year, the sport fishing competition was sponsored by the Department of Tourism regional office 9 and the city government of Zamboanga in coordination with the Zamboanga-Chabacano Anglers Association. Tuesday, October 4, 2011
‘Solamente’, ‘Rockista’ unveiled Oct. 1
niRichard Aliangan
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- “Solamente Zamboanga”, an art exhibit was launched Saturday, October 1st as part of the opening salvo of Fiesta Hermosa 2011. Some 15 Zamboangue¬ño artists are participating in the exhibit which runs until the end of the month at the Garden Orchid Hotel lobby in Gov. Camins. Organized by the City Government in cooperation with Rameer Tawasil-an internationally multi-awarded Zamboangueño artist, the 15 local artists corroborated their efforts, creating more than 30 artworks that mainly carry an “exclusive Zamboanga” motif. Romel Racho, Sandra Jamiro, Fran-
cisco Lorenzo, Chito Alvarez, Maridol Vasquez, Mark Burda, Ahl-Qasmi Lakibul, Teofilo Torino, Claire Lukban, Chrisel Babol, Sheena Cascon, Shariff Morales, Moh. Reza Abbas, Buds Lacho and Wilhelmina Siasico were 15 artists who created the eyecatching artworks that go on display until the end of the month. Majority of the collections are also for sale. Mayor Celso Lobregat, who graced the opening ceremony together with other city officials and other guests, praised the ex-
hibit as an activity that showcases the best of Zamboangueño creativity and genius. Councilor Myra Paz-Abubakar and Department of Tourism Regional Director Mary June Bugante led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also in attendance were Councilors Rudy Lim, Nonong Guingona, Gerky Valesco, Mel Sadain, Rudy Bayot, City Police Director Col. Edwin de Ocampo and Task Force Zamboanga Commander Buenaventura Pascual, among others. 26
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“Solamente’,’Rockista.....from page 25
Meanwhile, four amateur bands battled off the first elimination round of a Chabacano rock band contest dubbed Rock the FortRakista Zamboanga at Plaza del Pilar Saturday night, also as part of the opening salvo of Fiesta Hermosa 2011. Down Syndrome, One Piece,TSEL’X, and Musiamatics showed off their musical skills to the delight of the cheering crowd who thronged the venue for the electrifying free entertainment. Judging from the given criteria of the contest which include Originality 30%, Showmanship 25 %, Audience Impact 25% and Musical Ability 20%, Down Syndrome and One Piece got the judges’ approval to
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compete for the semi finals on October 10. The chosen bands are just 2 of the 12 groups that will outplay each other for the semis on October 10. The 12 qualifiers will still be battling for the super six who will be contesting for the final rounds on October 11. Last Saturday’s tiff was the first of the 6-night elimination rounds where each night two band will be declared worthy for the second level of the competition. All bands in the elimination rounds whether they will win or lose were awarded with Urbandub Concert tickets plus one case of San Miguel Beer products. Free concert tickets and Smart
water bottles were also awarded to several lucky spectators who gamely joined the trivia gimmicks of the event. One winner took home a brand new cell phone courtesy of Smart Communications. San Miguel Brewery, Inc. and Smart Communications are the major sponsors of the show that gives young band performers to show off their musical talents while promoting the use of Chabacano language among the youth. With the success of the first evening, the hype of the rock-banging event is expected to raise the excitement of the succeeding days of this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
DENR-10 creates TF Iponan River to stop illegal mining in the area
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by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
unified task force has been created by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), region 10, to put a stop to the illegal mining activities in Iponan River, Opol town, this province. Dubbed Task Force Iponan River, the body is created to formulate the operational plan, together with the law enforcement agencies. It will be headed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), as the steward of the country’s mineral resources who has direct charge in the administration
and disposition of mineral lands and resources and the promotion of sustainable mineral resources development, sensitive to the known environmental impacts of mining. Composed of more than 20 government agencies and non-government organizations, members of the task
force will work in close cooperation with each other to resolve the existing problems of the area. �Foremost of these problems are the discoloration, damage to environment and illegal small mining in the river and its vicinities,� Officer-inCharge/Regional Director Alfredo T. Relampa28
Monday, October 3, 2011
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.DENR-10 creates....from page 27 gos, of MGB-10 said. Relampagus, who newly assumed as MGB10 head, said small scale mining activities, particularly using hydraulicking method in extracting placer deposit along Iponan River and its vicinities from Tawasion, Opol has resulted to continuous soil erosion and the uprooting of trees and other vegetable cover along the river bank and severe or heavy siltation of the river. This has also affected the quality of water in Iponan River which has continued to deteriorate and may affect the Macajalar Bay, as well. Thus, he said,
MGB has planned to issue deputation of the task force members to apprpehend the illegal mining activities in the area and provide technical knowledge on possible appropriate methods of responsible mining in the area. Meanwhile, Relampagus said the task force members are the regional/provincial heads of the following GO/NGO’s: Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Mis. Or., Community ENRO of Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) and Iligan City.
Local government units (LGU’s) of Mis. Or., and two (2) of its towns, namely: Opol and Manticao, and the cities of Iligan and CDO. Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group, Northern Mindanao, (PAF, TOG-10), Philippine Army’s 1st and 4th Infantry Division, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Task Force Iponan is expected to meet, as necessary, to review and address the issues within the contest of its purpose, Relampagus also said.
Repair of Mambatangan Section of Sayre Highway seen to improve transport services – Congressman Rodriguez CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 3 (PIA) – Transport of goods and services along the Puerto-Mambatangan-Alae Section of the Sayre Highway, is expected to improve in the next few months.
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Monday, October 3, 2011
Repair of Mambatangan....from page 28 This assurance came from Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, during the recent ground-breaking ceremony for its repair held in Barangay Mambatangan, this city. The Sayre Highway serves as the arterial road that connects to other provinces in the southern most part of Mindanao, such as, the Davao and Cotabato provinces and cities like Malaybalay, Valencia, Gen. Santos and Tagum, among others. “We have considered this section of the highway very important, as it is being used, not only by the commuters, but most especially, by the businessmen from down south who want to ship their goods to other points of the country, through the Mindanao Terminal Container Port (MTCP) located in Tagoloan, Misamis Ori-
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
ental,” he said. Goods like vegetables, fruits and fish and other agricultural products need to be transported fast, he said. Spanning the road from Barangays Puerto and Mambatangan towards Barangay Alae in the Bukidnon border, the project involves the removal of existing damaged asphalt and concreting of road pavement, 3.927 km. long, 6.70 m. wide and 0.34 m., thick. The allocated amount for the projects is Php118.297 million sourced out from the regular infrastructure funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), this year. Rodriguez, however, said the contract amount for the project was only Php60,709,621.16 million, to be completed within 210 calendar days
by SOCOR Construction Corp., the winning contractor. “This means the government was able to save almost Php40 million, which can still be used for extending the length of the project,” the Congressman said. Meanwhile, Engr. Norma Geronilla, Regional Director of DPWH, region 10, said the project will be done under the Rehabilitation/Reconstruction/Upgrading of Damaged Paved National Roads Generated From Pavement Management System/ HDM-4 Project Analysis, Intermittent Section National Arterial, Puerto-MambatanganAlae Section, Cagayan de Oro II. It is expected to be completed by the end of April, as stipulated in the contract, Geronilla said. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob)
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BSP conducts financial education expo in Cag. de Oro by Apipa Bagumbaran CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 3 (PIA) --- To highlight the importance of financial education in building a stronger economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) conducted a financial education (Fin-Ed) expo for the academe and the working sector, here, last Sept. 29-30. The 2-day Fin-Ed expo was aimed at providing the participants basic understanding about the Philippine Financial System (PFS), as well, as the consumer protection initiatives and consumer assistance mechanism of the BSP. The expo also sought to equip the participants with the basics of saving, investing, and borrowing, the different financial products available in the financial market, and demonstrate to them the proper handling of physical money. “The BSP began holding the expo in 2009 in line with our advocacy towards financial awareness and literacy,” said
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Atty. Thelma C. Pantig, Deputy Director of BSP – Cagayan de Oro City branch. It is principally anchored on the belief that the efforts of the BSP to promote financial stability and to strengthen the economic and financial system will have a better chance of succeeding, if they go hand-inhand, with the efforts to protect and educate the public, she added. With a theme “Financial Education: Building Block for Stronger Economy,” the expo featured mini sessions and lectures conducted in learning booths covering topics on the PFS, financial consumer protec-
tion, currency concerns, personal finance, financial products, and financial regulators. There was also a primer hub where primers, advisories, and other information materials were displayed. Primer hunt, centavo guess, knowledge bowl, and other interactive activities related to the different mini-sessions and lectures were also featured in the primer hub. The said expo is one of the advocacy initiatives conducted nationwide by the Financial Consumer Affairs Group (FCAG) of the BSP to support the interest of the public on financial literacy issues.
Monday, October 3, 2011
4th ID Hosts PA Civilian Personnel Basic Supervisory Training Course CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Oct. 3 (PIA) – At least 23 civilian personnel from the different Philippine Army (PA) components in Mindanao attended the 4-week Civilian Personnel Basic Supervisory Training Course (BSTC), held here, recently. Conducted by the PA Chief Civilian Personnel Office (CPO), the training was facilitated by the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, under Maj. Gen. Victor A Felix, in coordination with the Mobile Training Team, Special Training Department, Combat Service Support School, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) PA. The activity took place at the Multi-Purpose Hall, 10th Regional Community Defense Group (10th RCDG), Army Reserve Command, PA, here, inside the camp. . The training was aimed and crafted to equip and enhanced the participants with the basic knowledge on leadership capability, duties and responsibilities to be developed as effec-
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
tive leaders in their respective units. The first time ever to be conducted in the Army Divisions of the Mindanao area, the mandatory training course, also provides the employees the opportunity to avail of the training to uplift their knowledge and hone their capability to be promoted to the next higher positions in the government service. The training was also designed to motivate one’s attitudinal behavior that implies to improve the traits, behavior and beliefs in the performance of duties as effective public servants. Acquiring skills is a tool for good leadership in shaping-up the forms as effective leader in career service, in accordance with the principles and norms implied in the Civil
Service Laws and Rules. The concepts of the course covered the following: Basic Concepts of the Organization, Principles of Leadership, Value Formation, Development and Communication Process, Develop to Hone-up the Communicative Skills on Public Speaking and Developed Skills on Effective Writing Ability. The pool of training instructors and facilitators included Dr Edna Sajo, Sophia L. Ay-ad, Civilian Personnel Training Officer, (CPO), Maj. Jose Francis de la Fuente, Course Director and concurrently the Commanding Officer, TRADOC Special Training Department, Combat Service Support School and TSgt Alex Rufino, Training NonCommissioned Officer (NCO), also of TRADOC. (4CMO/PIA-10)
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Cag. de Oro LGU accepts PPP’s Project EMPOWERING CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The City Government of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) has accepted the public-private partnership (PPP) initiated by STEAG State Power Inc. for project EMPOWERING or Empowering Monitoring System on Poverty Watch for a more Effective and Responsive Approach in Governance.
City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano of CDO, in his message read by City Planning and Development Officer Telly Sagaral, during the recent launching of the project, said he has gladly accepted with profound gratitude, Project EMPOWERING and the responsibilities that come with it. ”This will indeed augment and enhance the local government’s development planning arsenal,” he said. Funded by Steag with some € 277,125.32 or approximately Php16.9
million, the project is expected to run for 18 months, starting September, this year, and involves passing over to the target municipalities to create sustainability, technical assistance and preparation of case studies. Particularly, it will focus on updating the database and information system of the Planning Offices of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City that includes the following: Assessment and validation of the data available in the target municipalities, to
include assessment of community-based monitoring system (CBMS) Implementation, Data Collection and Determination of the general information system (GIS) requirements. Converting of the data into tabular forms using the CBMS software, Data encoding and digitizing to include data processing and validation of CBMS results, development and integration of GIS. The installation of data from the CBMS will, further, improve the data banking system of the city and 33
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Cag.de Oro LGU....from page 32
will further enrich the data base that we have in the GIS, the CDO Mayor said. Implementing the CBMS and maintaining the GIS entail a lot of resources, but the cost is worth it, considering the perspective that it affords the public and private sectors in determining and addressing needs, and assessing the scope and degree of response. “It saves us both time and money and ensures the quality of the service delivered,” Mayor Emano also said. Meanwhile,theCity Mayor also thanked the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), represented by Undersecretary Auster Panadero, for introducing CBMS to the LGU’s and for its facilitation Tuesday, October 4, 2011
and unfailing support. In the same way, he thanked Dr. Bodo Goerlich, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STEAG. for extending their extensive resources to this project and to Fr. Robert Yap, President of Xavier University for always being the city government’s partner in working for a
better Cagayan de Oro. “Rest assured, your efforts and ours will not be for naught. We will work very hard to maintain and sustain this project, which embodies your best hopes and intentions for the city and citizens of Cagayan de Oro,” Mayor Emano concluded. (PIA10) 27
8,000 books turned-over to DavSur schools by Carina L. Cayon
DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Oct. 03 (PIA) – Some 162 public and private schools here and in three municipalities of the province recently received almost 8,000 new reference books from The Asia Foundation in a series of books distribution in the region.
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8,000 books....from page 34 TAF officials handed over a total of 4,930 books to the school recipients from the towns of Malalag, Matanao and Sta. Cruz, of which turnover rites were witnessed by Governor Douglas Cagas and other officials of said municipalities and the Department of Education last week. Malalag town got 850 books for distribution to 17 public elementary and secondary schools, while Matanao received 1,800 for the 36 schools from both elementary and high school. In Sta. Cruz, 1,450 books were given to 27 public elementary and secondary schools and two private schools. Four public libraries in the province received 230 reference books while one college school got 275 books. In a separate distribution activity in Digos City, some 61 public and private schools from elementary to college were handed over a total of 3,030 books. The bulk of which with about 2,500 went to
50 elementary schools. Some 150 books were also sent to six secondary schools and 250 books were received by five college schools, while the Digos City Library obtained 130 books. TAF Books for Asia director Efren Balajadia explained that the books mostly composed of reference books for English, Math, Science, Reading Comprehensions, and dictionaries. Balajadia told the local media in Digos City in an interview that the books distribution in the province was part of another TAF program under the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG) which provides technical assistance to local government units. He said that the TAF-Books for Asia has been providing support to the education program of the country for more than 50 years, particularly in promoting the English language literacy. “There’s no other mission, but to help the government in its education pro-
gram,” Balajadia stated. He said that they invest for the education of the children, especially in far-flung areas. TAF-TAG project coordinator Cora A. Gumba said that the town recipients Sta. Cruz, Malalag, Matanao and Digos City are part of the TAG-4 project which availed of the technical assistance for the improvement of their governance. Gumba bared that both towns of Matanao and Malalag have ongoing review with TAF-TAG on the local revenue code, that aims to enhance the towns’ respective local enterprises. Sta. Cruz, meanwhile, availed of a training on devising a system and procedures to improve delivery of services. “We continue to be broker of education and governance. We advocate program for the convergence of social development and good governance,” Gumba stated. The TAG project, she said, has been supporting LGUs in Mindanao that avail of TAF’s 36
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8,000 books....from page 35 services since 2001. The program for the recipients in Davao del Sur is short-term that would end next year. The TAF Books for
Asia and TAG also distributed books last week to Compostela Valley province with 8,705 books to 143 schools; Davao del Norte, 6,175 books
to 132 schools; Panabo City with 3,505 books to 62 schools, and to nongovernment organization partners with 150 books to three schools.
RDR expects a more professional prov’l jail under BJMP by Jean Duron-Abangan
DAVAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 03 (PIA): Davao del Norte Rodolfo P. del Rosario expects utmost professionalism among jail personnel of Davao del Norte Provincial Rehabilitation Center (DNPRC) which will now be managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). In an interview with the media, Del Rosario was sure that BJMP would make true its commitment to train all jail personnel based on its standards, especially that BJMP is now taking charge of the operation and management of the provincial jail after the turn-over ceremony this morning. Del Rosario turned over this morning the Davao del Norte Provincial Rehabilitation Center to BJMP in a cer-
emony held at the Girls Scout of the Philippines (GSP) Hall, Provincial Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City. Del Rosario admitted that some of the provincial jail personnel have not been formally trained but he was banking on the assurance of BJMP national officials that those who are qualified will be absorbed and be trained. He advised those who are old enough to seek for retirement but
he was willing to bring back to the folds of the provincial government workforce, those who will not be absorbed by BJMP. Meanwhile, Del Rosario explained that the provincial government will still be shouldering the finances needed to run the provincial jail particularly power and water supply, food and other maintenance expenses for three years. Such transition commitment of the provincial government is 37
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RDR expects....from page 36
stated in the Memorandum of Agreement that Del Rosario signed with BJMP National Director Rosendo Dial, BJMP Regional Director Norvel Montojo Mingoa and DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan. On the other hand, Dial explained in a press conference after the ceremony, that the turn-over of the provincial jail from provincial governments nationwide to BJMP is due to the fragmented state of jail management.
Dial said that the national government wanted to institutionalize a system of jail management. Due to the absence of a law to effect the legal transfer of provincial jail management to BJMP, an MOA is being entered into by both parties. Dial said that a draft bill on a systematic jail management nationwide had been submitted to Congress, and this filed among the priority bills that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III request-
ed for immediate action from the legislative body. With the turn-over of Davao del Norte Provincial Rehabilitation Center, Dial assured Gov. del Rosario of a much improved provincial jail management. “We assure that the lives of inmates of Davao del Norte will be in good hands,” he said in his message. He also vowed to ensure the safety, security and personal development of inmates during their stay at the provincial jail.
Text prostitution on the rise-NGO DAVAO CITY Oct. 3 (PIA)- Jenny (not her real name) a 16year old lass lounges lazily in the comforts of her room. Minutes later she would receive a flurry of text messages in her mobile phone. It is her pimp who informs Jenny that a client is interested in her “services.” Jenny is among the increasing number of girls engaging in a new mode of prostitution where young girls are just texted by clients and pimps for their availability. “They no longer have to be out in the streets or in the brothels, they
now wait in their houses where they will just be texted.” Says Jeanette Ampog executive director of Talikala, a nongovernment organization dealing with prostituted women and children. Ampog says that those who engage in
“text prostitution” are young girls mostly in their teens. Their number is steadily increasing based on the cases they receive. Text prostitutes are considered as freelancers who are not registered and mostly rely on pimps as pro38
Monday, October 3, 2011
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Text prostitution....from page 37
curer of sex service. Other types of freelancers include “Akyat Barko” or women who climbed aboard foreign ships docked along the harbor to cater to sailors and mariners and “Prosti-Tuition” who are poor students unable to support their studies by regular means. And because they do not ply their trade on the streets or in clubs, it is hard to monitor them. According to Ampog there is an estimat-
ed 2,000 freelance prostitutes in Davao Region alone. She added that the number of prostitutes are increasing every year and getting younger. Jenny has had numerous clients, one of her clients, a foreigner even gave her a brand new Macbook laptop. Subsequently her peers in the profession then referred her to Talikala, where she was given counseling. Ampog says Jenny is interested in venturing into henna tattoing as
a way out of her former job. She is still engaged in prostitution since she is single-handedly raising her daughter. Since prostitution is rooted in poverty it needs a concerted effort from all groups of the society. Ampog said. Livelihood skills are just palliative measures and are difficult to preach to prostituted women particularly if they do not know their rights or are still undergoing abuse and oppression. (PIA/RG Alama)
Panabo wharf road closure mulled
PANABO CITY- A public hearing on a proposed ordinance permanently closing portion of the old Panabo wharf road and providing for an adequate substitute road conducted last September 28, 2011 at ABC Hall, Panabo City. It was stated in tute road connect- son on Committee on the proposed ordi- ing the remaining Public Works and Innance that the area stretch of Panabo frastructures stressed owned by the City Wharf Road to the that the Public and Government of Pana- Panabo Coastal Road. Private Participation bo by way of dona- Panabo City (PPP) scheme is imtion shall serve as Councilor Ruperto B. portant for the estabby-pass and substi- Cagape, Jr., Chairper- lishment of the sub39 32
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Panabo wharf road....from page 38
stitute road which is favorable for the betterment of the city. He also presented that since the bypass road will be utilized by the public, the closing of the old road will be a form of security measures to avoid vehicular accidents in the area near Panabo wharf. He added that the there is a need to relocate a portion of the old road and establish a by-pass road Monday, October 3, 2011
because critical bend at the existing road connecting the City road to the coastal road gets congested which places these trucks and trailers in critical positions due to the limited space to maneuver their large, long and heavy trucks. The said construction of the bypass road out of donation from the pri vate sector has caused the city to
decide to abandon the critical section of the old Panabo Wharf road which was a public land subject to the disposition of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Hon. Cagape said that all suggestions, comments are well taken during the public hearing and will be discussed in the next council meeting. (Mark Anthony Gellor – CIO Panabo) 33
DSWD 12 launches NHTS-PR database
by Dani Doguiles
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 3 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 12) today launches the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) database. The launching highlights the opening ceremonies of the 22nd National Statistics Month celebration in Region 12 at the Protech Center in Koronadal City. Jackiya Lao, NHTSPR focal person of DSWD 12 said, with the launching they are presenting to the public the database which had undergone two years of intense re-evaluation and “cleaning.” “This is the first attempt of the Philippine government to
establish an electronic database of all the poor households in the entire country,” she said. NHTS-PR is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. It aims to create an objective and transparent database of poor households “which will serve as guide to government agencies and other stakeholders identifying beneficiaries of social welfare programs,” she added. Lao added the da-
tabase changes the manner by which program and project beneficiaries are determined. “Before, we had to ask local government units for a list of possible beneficiaries before we can implement a program. With the NHTS-PR database, before programs are downloaded to the implementing agencies those who will receive benefits from the programs have already been identified ,” she explained. According to the 41
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DSWD 12....from page 40
database Soccsksargen Region has 129,043 households that are considered poor. Soccsksargen region covers the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato City. Also during the opening activity of the
statistics month celebration, Herlita Caraan, regional head of the National Statistics Coordination Boards (NSCB) delivered “Tracking on MDGs: Region 12 Beating the Odds Between Now and 2015.” Her presentation updated stakeholders on the status of the region in terms of attaining the various MDG goals. Several activities such as symposia,work-
shops, conferences, seminars, trainings, exhibits, statistics quizzes, poster and slogan making contests, and IEC activities are also lined up for the rest of the month to give emphasis on the importance and value of statistics. This year’s celebration theme is: “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives.
NFA South Cotabato naghahanda sa pagdagsa ng produktong palay KORONADAL CITY, Okt 3 (PIA) – Inaasahan ng National Food Authority (NFA) ng South Cotabato ay pagdagsa ng mabibiling palay simula ngayong buwan ng Oktubre. 42
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NFA South Cotabato....from page 41
Ayon kay Avelino Usman, manager ng NFA South Cotabato bagamat nasa may 800 na sako pa lang ang kanilang nabiling palay nitong nakalipas na dalawang linggo, inaasahan na umano ang pagdagsa ng bagong aning palay ngayong linggo kung kaya’t hinahanda na rin nila ang mga bodegang pagiimbakan ng mga palay. Aniya nagpapatuloy rin ang kanilang kampanya sa kanayunan na humihikayat
sa mga magsasaka na samantalahin ang mas malaking presyo para sa kanilang produkto. Nasa P17.00 ang bili ng NFA ng sa bawat kilo ng palay na may karagdagang 40 sentimos bawat kilo para sa cleaning and delivery at 30 sentimos kung idadaan ito sa mga kooperatiba at farmer association. Sa ngayon may tatlong buying stations ang NFA sa lalawigan. Isa sa Koronadal City, isa sa bayan ng Norala,
at isa sa bayan ng Banga. Iniulat din ni Usman dahil sa isinagawang pamimili ng palay, patuloy na tumitibay ngayon ang palay pati na ang bigas. Sa ngayon umano may mabibili nang bigas sa mga pamilihan ng lalawigan sa halagang P27 hanggang P33 bawat kilo. Noong kalagitnaan ng Setyembre nasa P31 ang pinakamurang bigas sa mga pamilihan. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
SP ng South Cotabato siniguro ang suporta sa pagpapatayo ng annex ng provincial hospital sa Surallah KORONADAL CITY, Okt. 3 (PIA) -- Suportado ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang panukala ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. hinggil sa pagtatayo ng isang hospital sa bayan ng Surallah na magiging annex ng South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH), ayon kay Board Member Pablito Subere, vice chairman ng committee on health. 43 36
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
SP ng South Cotabato....from page 42
Inaasahan ni Subere na tuluyan nang maaprubahan ng SP sa mga susunod na linggo ang panukalang pagbibigay otoridad kay Gov. Pingoy sa pagpapatayo ng isang bagong pampublikong pagamutan sa pamamagitan ng publicprivate partnership. Naiintindihan umano nila na lubhang kailangan ang isang pagamutan sa may Upper Valley area upang mabawasan ang pagsisikip ng pasyente sa provincial hospital na nasa lungsod ng Koronadal kung kaya’t iniindorso na ng committee on health ang pagapruba sa panukala. Aniya , 34 na porsiyento ng pasyente sa provincial hospital ay galing sa T’boli, Surallah, Lake
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sebu, Norala, at Sto. Niño kung kaya’t siguradong masosulusyunan ng isang ospital sa Surallah ang problema sa pagsisikap sa provincial hospital. Base umano sa kanilang obserbasyon nahihirapan na rin ang mga doktor at nurses ng provincial hospital na bigyan ng tamang serbisyo ang mga pasyenteng pumapasok sa provincial hospital dahil sa dami ng kanilang pasyenteng dapat asikasuhin. Ang provincial hospital ay aprubado sa 210-bed capacity, subalit umaabot ng 280 hanggang 300 ang pasyente nito. Inihayag din ni Subere na nasa P145 milyon ang kabuuang halaga na kailangan para sa pagpapatayo ng naturang ospital.
Sa ngayon nangako na ang San Miguel Corporation na magbibigay ng P15 milyon para sa pagpapatayo ng naturang ospital. Nangako na rin ang Department of Health na magbibigay ng P30 milyon at ang Department the Interior and Local Government ng P7 milyon. Binigyang diin din ni Gov. Pingoy sa naunang pahayag na dadahan-dahanin ang pagpapatayo ng naturang ospital. Inaasahan ng gobernador na masisimulan na ang konstruksyon ng naturang pampublikong pagamutan sa limang ektaryang lote na bigay ng pamahalaang bayan ng Surallah sa loob ng unang tatlong buwan ng 2012. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
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Youth Commission concludes Peace Month celebration
by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton
T
o formally close the celebration of Peace Month, the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Local Government of Butuan recently spearheaded a Peace Parade and program that highlighted the signing of the Manifesto for Peace Freedom Wall.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
Monday, October 3, 2011
Youth Commission...from page 13
According to NYC Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra, the aim of the program is to unite the efforts of the different government agencies, LGUs, NGOs including youth organizations in Butuan City which are our stakeholders in efforts to uphold Peace in Mindanao. During the opening program of the said activity, Atty. Faisal Mamintal, Legal Officer of the NCMF said that the youth must take part in bringing peace in Mindanao for “the youth of Tuesday, October 4, 2011
today is the chemistry for peace and change”. In addition, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. emphasized to the youth the importance of attaining peace for a community to progress by saying that “development can not be attained without peace”. The activity was attended by NYC’s inter-agency Regional Advisory Council (RAC) members, Butuan City Police, students from Agusan National High School, Butuan City Special Education Cen-
ter and Butuan City School of Arts and Trades; Caraga Muslim Youth Federation, Local Youth Development Council, National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF) Caraga, Ong Yiu Muslim Youth Group and other government agencies. Aside from promoting peace, the Mindanao-wide celebration of Peace Month is also a gesture in bridging the gap between Muslim Filipino and nonMuslim Filipino youth. 39
Simultaneous Pantawid Pamilya cash card distribution conducted in Bayugan, Barobo
by Stella Maris V. Barcelon
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) - A simultaneous distribution of Pantawid Pamilya cash cards were conducted recently in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur and Barobo, Surigao del Sur. In Bayugan, Vice Governor Santiago Cane Jr., Vice Mayor Charles P. Anggayong and Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis were present during the said activity. Congresswoman Maria Valentina Plaza also attended the activity to show her support to the program. In her message, she reminded the beneficiaries to comply with the conditions for them to stay in the program. Furthermore, Agu-
san del Sur Vice Governor Santiago Cane Jr. asked Mayor Asis to negotiate with Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) Bayugan branch to put additional two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to accommodate the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. Mayor Asis assured Vice Governor Cane that he will discuss with the LBP branch manager about it. Meanwhile, the cash card distribution in Barobo, Surigao del Sur
was attended by Congressman Florencio C. Garay, Municipal Mayor Felixberto S. Urbiztondo, Vice Mayor Joey S. Pama and other members of the Local Government Unit (LGU). Congressman Garay in his message exhorted the beneficiaries to go to health centers, provide their family with nutritious foods and encourage their children to go to school. The Congressman shared to the beneficia16
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Simultaneous Pantawid.....from page 15 ries how the budget for DSWD was approved in the House of Representative. He told them that they had to stay overnight at the Plenary Hall for the budget hearing to show their support for the program and eventually pass the budget in the congress. Congresswoman
Valentina Plaza and Congressman Garay have always been supportive of Pantawid Pamilya and other programs of DSWD. In fact, Congresswoman Plaza has attended 3 cash card releases in Agusan del Sur. While Congressman Garay if caught-up with his hectic schedule never
fails to send a member from his office to attend the activities. The LBP as the authorized government agency to release the Pantawid Pamilya cash cards distributed 5,611 cash cards in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur and 3,207 cash cards in Barobo, Surigao del Sur.
Surigao del Sur GPK evaluation, assessment starts today by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan SURIGAO DEL SUR, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The province’s “2011 Gawad Probinsiya sa KAPALIGIRAN” (GPK) program started today its annual evaluation and assessment to the 17 municipalities and 2 cities.
The evaluation and assessment were divided into three categories according to the income classification of the Local Government Unit. These are the City Category; Category A (1st to 3rd class municipality); and Category B (4th to 6th Class Category). Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The program will recognize the positive impact to the component cities and municipalities that institutionalize the value of saving the environment as a way of life among Surigaonons. LAst year’s winners Bislig City in the City Category, Hinatuan in Category A,
and Carrascal for Category B. are expected to give their best to make sure they can retain their title. It was learned that Hinatuan has already won three years in a row. The team of evaluators are now in the municipality of Lingig, 2nd District of this province. 41
DSWD conducts convergence caravan by Stella Maris V. Barcelon
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Region recently launched its first Convergence Caravan in one of the local convention centers here.
The activity aimed to showcase the three core programs of the departments, the Kapit Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), SelfEmployment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Sharing of testimonies of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and partners on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and reading of letters for Congress-
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man Aquino and ceremonial turn-over of SEA-K checks highlighted the activity. The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are among the government agencies who attended the caravan. Different booths were also set-
up which included SEA-K booth, Grievance booth and Beneficiary Update System booth. Different SEA-K products were also displayed. Booths for other agencies such as TESDA, DTI and DOLE were also setup to answer queries from the participants. The Convergence Caravan was participated by the 1st district local government units in Las Nieves and Butuan City. About 300 beneficiaries participated in the Caravan, it was learned.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
RAFI Triennial Awards calls on entries for blogging contest by Haidee Emmie K. Palapar BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – To promote the inspiring stories and work of recognized development workers in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) is calling on individuals between 13 and 35 years old based in the Visayas and Mindanao to join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest. The contest highlights the RAFI Triennial Awards and its awardees and finalists. Guided by the theme, “Shaping the big picture of change”, entrants are expected to do background research on the lives and works of RAFI Triennial awardees and finalists nearest their area. The RAFI Triennial Awards is an awards program of RAFI given every three years to recognize the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic efforts of individuals and institutions in the Visayas and Mindanao in enhancing the quality of life of the communities they serve. It is now on its 5th run with conferment of awards in 2012. To join the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest, individuals should register through www. rafi.org.ph. Entrants must have an existing and updated blog for at least six months. Tuesday, October 4, 2011
All blog entries must be original and written in English, with a minimum of 1,000 words and maximum of 4,000 words. Entries should not have been entered or won in previous competitions. Writers must at the end of their blogs indicate, “This is an official entry to the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Triennial Awards Blogging Contest.” and include a link to the RAFI website. The criteria for judging include 50 percent for content (originality and alignment to the theme and research value) and 50 percent for writing style or composition (including technicalities). A contest participant is allowed a maximum of three blogs that feature different awardees and finalists. After posting their entries on their blogs, entrants should email application form, URL of the
blog post, and electronic copy of at least one valid ID to ellen.red@rafi.org.ph with the subject header: Entry to the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest. The blogging contest starts on Sept. 30, 2011. Deadline for the submission of blog entries is Dec. 15, 2011. Entrants must ensure that their blogs are accessible until winners are declared in January 2012. First prize winner will receive Php 25,000; second prize Php 20,000; and third prize Php 15,000. All entries of winners and finalists will be consolidated and published into a book. For more information on the RAFI Triennial Awards Blogging Contest and to check on the awardee or finalist nearest you, visit www.rafi. org.ph.
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