CONTENTS NATIONAL • Japan trip aimed at forging stronger ties,
expressing solidarity, says President Aquino
OUR COVER:
• Palace welcomes passage of 2012 national budget
OIC aspirants TALKING POINTS for ARMM
• Phl has 60-day rice buffer stock –NFA official • Tagalog news: Presyo ng NFA rice bababa pag naabot ang self-sufficiency period • Tagalog News: ’Self-sufficiency’ ng Pinas, nasa 85% na--NFA Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN)
An Electronic News Magazine
published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Mindanao Clusters
EDITORIAL STAFF
• Hamon ni Gov. Pingoy sa bagong PD, pigilan ang street crimes • DA program helps SK town to rise • Bagong police director ng South handa nang simulan agad ang trabaho
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
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
• DILG reiterates guidelines for pedicab, tricycle operations • Dipolog approves PAG-IBIG coverage of casual employees • 1,900 studes attend reproductive health symposium • DOLE ZamboSur holds Re-Orientation on PPACL • P679,272 released to 441 SPES grantees in ZamboSur
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
Northern Mindanao
Regional Desk Editors …...
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Emmanuel D. Gonzales, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
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SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
• DTI vows to monitor prices, quality of Christmas lights sold in dept. stores • DOH, PhilHealth conduct Forum on Universal Health Care Program • CDA-Caraga bares rationalized guidelines in the organization, structure of the Cooperative Dev’t Councils • Transparency corner launched • Former household service workers receive livelihood starter kits
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
• Mis. Or. OFW’s and dependents undergo training on swine and goat raising • Volume of NorMin major crops, up 157% in 2Q • CEPALCO campaigns for increase of solar photo-voltaic capacity in Mindanao • 4ID soldiers garner medals in sports competition • Cebuano news: Aquino mogikan karong Sept.18 alang sa 4 ka adlaw nga pagbisita sa Amerika
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) • Asia Foundation and USAID donate books to Panabo City • Legislator tackles the Big C • Davao solons laud CC identification process
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Japan trip aimed at forging stronger ties, expressing solidarity, says President Aquino
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III said he’s visiting Japan late this month to strengthen relationships, discuss nuclear issues as well as things that interest both countries particularly the West Philippine Sea. 4
Saturday, September 17, 2011
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Japan Trip.....from page 3
The President, who leaves for an official visit to Japan on September 24, told Japanese media on Friday in Malacanang that he wants to thank Japan for its continuing assistance to the Philippines. The President will return to Manila September 29. “Japan has been very good to us… contributing the largest source of official development assistance. Japan has undergone a tremendous shock with both earthquake and tsunami and of course the continuing issue on radio activity,” the President said in an interview with the Japanese press. “We would want to express solidarity with the Japanese people because in our culture there’s a phrase in Filipino called utang na loob (debt of gratitude)” Japan has a new leader described by the President as “a good prime minister” and he said he wants to meet him to
be able to continue the strong relationship between the two countries that have been allies for quite a long time. “We are honored… and I understand that I’m the second head of state who will be talking to him. We want to appraise him on the things happening in the Philippines …and for him appraise us also on things happening in Japan,” he said. In terms of being trading partners, Japan is in the top three trade partners of the Philippines, and any downturn in the economy of Japan would have a corresponding effect on the Philippines, the President said. Asked if he’ll seize the opportunity to ensure employments of Filipinos in Japan as its economy expands, he said: “The sooner you recover redounds the benefit to the entire world, and our people has demonstrated time and again given the proper environ 5
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
Japan Trip.....from page 4
ment they can really excel in whichever company that does hire them.” The President noted that in his last visit to the Filipino community in Japan, he found that more and more Filipinos are no longer in the entertainment sector but already in the professional sector. The chief executive also mentioned the West Philippine Sea as an area of mutual interests for Japan and the Philippines. He said he will be raising the idea of unhampered trade and the freedom of navigation in this particular area so complimen-
Saturday, September 17, 2011
tary efforts could be done to ensure the safety of trade. Another major agenda will be discussions on the use of nuclear energy because of the ongoing debates in the Philippines on the use of nuclear power. “Their experiences undoubtedly will help us, will guide us on whether or not to do the same,” the President said noting the nuclear disaster Japan experienced recently. The President also told the Japanese media that the Philippines is arranging another package of assis-
tance for Japan after it sent food and clean water right after the disasters. There is a substantial amount allocated by the Philippine government to assist Japan, the President said. Aside from the help already extended by the Philippines, President Aquino said the country also dispatched a medical team of psychiatrists and psychologists to assist those suffering from emotional distress after the disasters. “To our mind it’s a significant expression of solidarity for the Japanese people,” he said.
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Palace welcomes passage of 2012 national budget
M
alacanang expressed elation over the passage of 2012 national budget by the House of Representatives Friday night saying this will mean better services to the people more especially the poor.
“Happy po tayo na naipasa na on second reading yung budget po natin. According to RG Cruz it was at 11: 29 p.m. when the vote was entered,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during an interview Saturday over government-run dzRB radio. “I was also monitoring that and masaya po tayo that it was ontime. Nag-commit naman din po kasi ‘yung ating congressmen at talagang… Maganda kasi ang nangyari like last year, kung naaalala ninyo our budget was also passed on time so hindi po tayo nagre-reenact ng budget,” she added. The lower house passed on second reading the proposed P1.816-trillion budget for the 2012 fiscal year that aims to continue to
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provide lifeline for the poor, and cut government expenditures for debt servicing. Members of the House of Representatives approved House Bill 5023 or the General Appropriations Act of 2012 before midnight Friday following nine days of marathon plenary sessions. According to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. the proposed 2012 budget anticipates the opportunities and threats that the economy might face in 2012 and at the same time support the reforms that promote transparency in government. The lower house will finally approve the budget in October and then transmit it to the Senate. It is expected to be ratified in November and signed into law by President Aquino
before the Christmas break. The Department of Education (DepEd) got the biggest appropriation with P238.8 billion or 15.2 percent higher than its current budget. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) comes next with P125.5 billion, followed by the Department of National Defense (DND) with P107.9 billion. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also got a big share with P101.4 billion, as well as the Department of Agriculture (DA) with P54.1 billion. In terms of sectoral allocation, a bulk of the spending pie goes to social services with P575.8 billion or 31.7 percent, with economic services getting P438.9 billion or 24.2 percent. (AS)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Phl has 60-day rice buffer stock –NFA official by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan
QUEZON CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- In times of emergency and rising global rice prices, the Philippines can rely on a 60-day buffer stock for rice, an official from the National Food Authority (NFA) said Thursday. During DZRB and PTV 4’s radion program Talking Points Lauengco said that the Department of Agriculture targets to increase rice production by 10 percent every year until 2013. However, he said this goal of rice selfsufficiency by 2014 may be affected by various
factors such as weather conditions and the lifting of quantitative restriction set by the World Trade Organization to its member countries. Lauengco said Typhoon Ondoy which struck the country in 2009 resulted to the loss of 500,000 metric tons of rice. Due
to this, an inter-agency committee comprised of the NFA, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) closely monitors weather disturbances which may
8 Saturday, September 17, 2011
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Phl has.....from page 7
decrease the country’s rice yield. In line with this, DA is also developing a new variety of hybrid rice which could withstand constant rains and could increase the farmers’ yield at the same time. Lauengco also clarified that DA does not use GMO rice. Lauengco also said that lifting the quantitative
restrictions on rice importation will also affect the country’s drive to reach the self-sufficiency target. The Philippines and South Korea are the only member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) who have not lifted the restriction. He said lifting the quantitative restrictions puts local farmers’ in-
come at risk as imported rice is cheaper than rice produced locally. The restriction of rice importation in the Philippines will be lifted on June 2012. However, the government has already formed a task force to ask members of the WTO for an extension for the implementation of quantitative restriction. (PND GGPIA-GHQ)
Tagalog news: Presyo ng NFA rice bababa pag naabot ang self-sufficiency period by Domingo B. Natividad V QUEZON CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- Bababa ang presyo ng kasalukuyang presyuhan ng NFA rice na P27 kada kilo ayon kay National Food Authority (NFA) special assistant to the administrator, Atty. Gilbert F. Lauengco, pag naabot na ng bansa ang target nitong maging rice sufficient sa taong 2013. Sa programang “Talking Points” ng DZRBRadyo ng Bayang at Philippine Information Agency (PIA) ngayong umaga, pinaliwanag ni Lauengco na mangyayari ito dahil “pag na-achieve na po natin ang self-sufficiency sa 2013, hindi na natin kailangan mag-imbak pa ng buffer stock ng bigas.” Target ng Department of Agriculture (DA) na umabot sa 17.45 milyon metriko tonelada (MT) ng
palay ang maani ngayong taon. Sa susunod na taon, kailangang maitaas ito ng 10 porsiyento at umani ng 19.2 milyon MT, at umusad ng 10 pang porsiyento sa 2013 kung saan 21.11 milyon MT palay ang kakailanganing maani. “Pag naabot na ng bansa ang mga targets nito sa kada taon ng produksiyon ng palay mula 2011 hanggang 2013, maari ng tawagin na rice sufficient ang Pilipinas,” ani Laueng-
co. Nilinaw naman ni Lauengco na pag naging tuluyang food sufficient na ang bansa, tuloy parin ang NFA sa tungkulin nito. Aniya, “Kahit self sufficient na po tayo, mayroon tayong pangangailangan magmaintain ng buffer stock.” Paliwanag niya, “hindi po natin masabi, baka magkaroon ng kalamidad o magka-problema sa produksyon, kaya kailangan po ng NFA panatilihin
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
Tagalog news: Presyo ng NFA.....from page 8
ang food suplay.” Dagdag pa niya, nasa mandato rin ng NFA na siguraduhing abot kaya
ang presyo ng bigas para sa nakararami. “Mayroon din po tayong role sa price stabilization, sakaling ang
presyo ng bigas sa mga pribadong supplier ay tumaas,” sabi niya. (PIANCR, rjb)
Tagalog News: ’Self-sufficiency’ ng Pinas, nasa 85% na--NFA by Mishella Cruz QUEZON CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- Sa programang Talking Points sa Philippine Information Agency, sinabi ni NFA Special Assistant to the Administrator Atty. Gilbert Lauengco na sa ngayon, ang self-sufficiency sa bigas ng bansa ay nasa 85-90% na. Binanggit niya na ang produksyon ng bigas ay tumataas ng hanggang 7.6 metriko tonelada at sumasang-ayon sa plano ng programang Rice Self-sufficiency Program ng Department of Agriculture, kung saan isa sa mga kaakibat nitong ahensya ay ang NFA. Sa proyektong ito, target ng dalawang ahensya na sa 2013 ay na kaya na ng Pilipinas na tugunan ang pansarili nitong pangangailangan sa bigas. Aniya, mayroon ding mga salik na makakaapekto sa target para sa taong ito kung kaya’t patuloy pa rin ang kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa PAGASA para sa tamang pagtaya ng panahon. Saturday, September 17, 2011
“Ang negosyo o transaksyon ng bigas ay para po tayong nangongontrata sa Diyos, di naman natin masasabi kahit maganda nga yung plano naten, kung tatamaan naman tayo ng typhoon ay maiiba yung plano na yun,” aniya. Sinabi rin ni Lauengco na makakaapekto ang pag-alis ng ‘quantitative restriction’ sa pagkamit ng Pilipinas sa target na rice self-sufficiency. Ang quantitative restriction ay isang pahintulot mula sa World Trade Organization-kung saan miyembro ang Pilipinasupang pansamantalang magtakda ang pamahalaan ng bilang o limit sa pag-aangkat ng bigas ng mga pribadong nego-
syante. Ang ‘quantitative restriction’ sa Pilipinas ay matatapos sa taong 2012 ngunit nagbuo na ng task force ang Department of Agriculture na hihingi ng palugit sa WTO. Sa lahat ng bansang kasapi sa WTO na nagpapatupad ng ’free market,’ tanging ang Pilipinas at South Korea lang ang napagbigyan ng WTO noong 2005 para maipatupad ang naturang restriksyon. Kung mangyayari ang inaasahan sa target na 2013, ang presyo ng bigas sa bansa ay tiyak na bababa, sabi ni Lauengco. (RJB/MCPIA NCR)
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Hamon ni Gov. Pingoy sa bagong PD, pigilan ang street crimes
ni Danny E. Doguiles
B
-- ibigyan niya ng ilang araw ang bagong upong police provincial director para resolbahin ang mga street crimes sa lalawigan, partikular na ang pagnananakaw ng motor, ayon kay South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. 11
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
Hamon ni Gov......from page 10
Ayon sa Gobernador nakababahala na ang mahigit limang kaso ng pagnanakaw ng motor sa ilang bahagi ng lalawigan, kabilang na ang lungsod ng Koronadal mula Enero hanggang Agosto ng taong kasalukuyan.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ang hamon ay inihayag ni Gov. Pingoy kasanay ng oath taking ni Police Senior Superintendent Randolph Delfin noong Miyerkules kapalit ng magreretirong si P/ SSupt Nilo Wong. Ayon sa Gobernador nakababahala na ang mahigit limang kaso ng pagnanakaw ng motor sa ilang bahagi ng lalawigan, kabilang na ang lungsod ng Koronadal mula Enero hanggang Agosto ng taong kasalukuyan. Ilan sa mga biktima ay pinaslang pa ng mga salarin. Bilang tugon, sinabi naman ni P/SSupt. Delfin na tinatanggap
niya ang hamon ng gobernador. Aniya, kabilang sa kanyang mga pinakaunang hakbang ang pagpapatupad ng police visibility sa mga estrahikong lugar sa buong lalawigan at pagpapalakas ng ugnayan ng mga otoridad at kumunidad. Dagdag pa ng bagong police director, determinado siyang mapanatiling maayos at ligtas ang buong South Cotabato at kasabay sa kanyang pag-upo dapat pinapanday na rin umano ng buong puwersa ng kapulisan sa South Cotabato ang maging pinakamagaling na mga pulis station sa bansa. (PIA 12) 11
DA program helps SK town to rise KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – The antipoverty program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) was a key component to the town’s growth. This was how Kalamansig Mayor Rolando P. Garcia described the holistic interventions of DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP). “When I assumed office in 2007, our local coffers was empty and MRDP was the first and only opportunity presented to me, and I seized the chance,” Mayor Garcia said. MRDP is a poverty-alleviation initiative under DA that aims to improve rural incomes and strengthen decentralization of delivery of basic agricultural services in 225 towns across Mindanao. It is funded through a loan portfolio from the World Bank and the counterparts of the national government, and local government
units. “We needed some assistance to start development. It was like we were groping in the dark but when MRDP staff Jojo Mijarez explained the features of the program, I was determined push for it,” he said. Garcia said he believed their town before was left out. “We seem isolated from development as we were hard to reach and that it had a long history of insurgency and extortion,” Garcia said. Due to unfavorable road condition, it used to take at least six to seven hours of travel from Isulan town, the province’s capital. Today, after the completion the cemented road connecting to Cotabato City and Isu-
lan, travel time is cut to three hours. “The first thing we did was to revise our local tax rates and fees, and improved our revenue collections,” he said. As a strategy, mayor Garcia personally visits those businessmen whom he believed have been delinquent in paying taxes as well as those who did not register their businesses. MRDP extended capacity-building on revenue generation through the Investment for Governance Reform component. “We are now seeing results as we were able to provide our counterparts for the projects under MRDP and other development assistance that requires counter13
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
DA program......from page 12
part,” said Garcia. “Our first investment under MRDP was on the Natural Resources Management (NRM) component to help us sustain our natural resources. And this is also the only component I have some knowledge of,” he added. Before joining politics Garcia was the dean of the College of Fisheries of the Sultan Kudarat State University (Kalamansig campus). Resource conservation is an important investment, he said, as the town is rich in natural resources from its terrestrial terrain down to the coastal areas and deep sea waters. Facing the Moro Gulf, the Kalamansig has one of the richest tuna population, lobsters, slipper crab and the sweet shell-fish locally known as “Imbao” which are popular in seafood restaurants. They have relativeSaturday, September 17, 2011
ly dense forest cover and diverse fauna population from wild boars, monkey and the Philippine deer. The town’s total invest for NRM reaches P6, 738,000.00 for Riverbank stabilization, Mangrove forest rehabilitation and agro-forestry development. “We also have at least P5 million investments for at least 25 agri-based livelihoods under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development component,” he added. Among the projects that have already helped increase income of farmers and fisherfolk included Mini Ring net fishing, fish marketing/vending, seafood processing, deep sea fishing, rubber-based integrated farming, and coffee production. Further, under the Rural Infrastructure component they also invested in two farm-to-market roads (FMR) amounting
to 9,702312.50. These roads traverse the highland communities of the indigenous peoples who are mostly Manobo. “Even it required a 50:50 equity, we still gambled because I thought 50 percent cut from the project cost is already a big help for us and FMR is a much needed infrastructure here,” he said. “My entering into politics is not for personal benefit but for the love of this community. I have grown old here and I know it’s been a long time that this town remained underdeveloped. W e are already behind our neighboring towns,” Garcia said. “Now, we have seen the results of our hard work. Had it not for MRDP, many would still be very poor and won’t be given the opportunities that we were able to provide,” he said. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/SBManual/DA- MRDP) 13
Bagong police director ng South handa nang simulan agad ang trabaho KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 17 (PIA) -- Siniguro ni P/ SSupt Randolph Delfin, bagong police provincial director ng South Cotabato, na handang-handa na siyang gawin ang kanyang mga responsibilidad bilang pinuno ng kapulisan sa lalawigan. Ani Delfin, hindi lamang siya pumunta sa lalawigan bilang pagtalima sa order na maging police provincial office kundi para na rin gawin ang ang kanyang trabaho at pamunuan ang South Cotabato Police Provincial Office. Pinakamahalaga umano sa kanyang pagtutuunan ang masigurong makakapamuhay ang mga mamamayan ng lalawigan na mapayapa at may kaayusan. Sa isang panayam sinabi, ni P/SSupt. Nilo Wong dating police provincial director ng lalawigan, nagkasama sila ni Delfin sa tour of duty sa East Timor. 14
Kilala umano niya si Delfin na maasahan at tapat sa kanyang tungkulin. Kilala rin umano itong istrikto at mahigpit sa disiplina ng mga tauhan. Kinumpirma naman ni Delfin na istrikto nga siya at disciplinarian pero nilinaw nito na kailangan lamang niyang maging istrikto at disiplinahin ang mga tauhan kung hindi tumutupad sa kanilang mga sinumpaang tungkulin at hindi sumusunod sa tamang kautusan. Samantala, umaasa naman si Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. na malulutas ni P/SSupt Delfin ang mga street crimes sa lalawigan, partikular
ang nakawan ng mga motorsiklo sa lalawigan sa lalong madaling panahon. Nangako naman si Gov. Pingoy ng suporta sa bagong pamunuan police provincial office. Ayon sa gobernador may pondo pa ang pamahalaang panlalawigan na maaaring magamit sa mga programa ng bagong police director. Ibibigay na rin umano niya ang mga motorsiklong binili ng pamahalaang panlalawigan para sa police provincial office na kanyang pinigil ilang buwan na ang nakalipas dahil sa ilang isyung kailangan resolbahin. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) Saturday, September 17, 2011
DTI vows to monitor prices, quality of Christmas lights sold in dept. stores by Robert E. Roperos
Lighting chains/ Christmas lights with Light Emitting Diodes or LEDS are covered by the mandatory certification and shall be tested for compliance to PNS 189:2000.
T
he provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Agusan del Norte today vowed to monitor department stores here to assure that only quality Christmas products are sold at a reasonable price, and to avoid any untoward incidents caused by factory defect Christmas lights.
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DTI vows......from page 15
In a radio interview here recently, Mr. Win Palma, DTIAgusan del Norte Consumer Welfare Division Chief said personnel from DTI-Agusan del Norte were tasked to monitor the prices and quality of these products in mall and supermarkets in the province. Palma added Christmas lights are considered mandatory products. “This means that these products must be monitored and checked if it complied with the standards set by the government,” Palma said. The official also enjoined the public to buy products that have ICC stickers and numbers ton ensure 16
its quality. “This indicates that the product has passed the standards,” he said. It was learned that lighting chains/ Christmas lights with Light Emitting Diodes or LEDS are covered by the mandatory certification and shall be tested for compliance to PNS 189:2000. Earlier, DTI Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) has issued a memorandum to intensify the monitoring and enforcement activities to clear the market of uncertified lighting chains and Christmas lights that are putting unnecessary dangers to the properties and welfare of the consumers. (PIA-Caraga)
Earlier, DTI Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) has issued a memorandum to intensify the monitoring and enforcement activities to clear the market of uncertified lighting chains and Christmas lights that are putting unnecessary dangers to the properties and welfare of the consumers.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
DOH, PhilHealth conduct Forum on Universal Health Care Program by Jennifer P. Gaitano BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation Caraga Regional Office headed by Regional Vice Pres. Johnny Sychua, and Department of Health (DOH) Caraga Regional Office headed by Dir. Leonita Gorgolon jointly spearheaded the Forum on ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ (Universal Health Care) Program with the Local Chief Executives in the region, representatives from the national line agencies, and members from the local tri-media, held Thursday, Sept. 15 in one of the hotels here.
In his message, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said that being a medical doctor, health care is very important to him that is why the city government sees to it that Butuanons avail the affordable and quality health care services. “I hope that with this forum, local chief executives and all other partner agencies would come up with new pans to better enhance the health care services of the government,” Amante said. Also, Dir. Gorgolon emphasized that the implementation of the said program shall be di-
rected towards ensuring the achievement of the health system goals of better health outcomes, sustained health financing and responsive health system by ensuring that all Filipinos, especially the disadvantaged group in the spirit of solidarity and have equitable access to affordable health care. DOH-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Cesar Cassion also added that the Aquino Health Agenda – Achieving Universal Health Care for All Filipinos is being launched especially in Caraga to improve, streamline and scale up reform interventions es-
poused in the Health Sector Reform Agenda. “This deliberate focus on the poor which will ensure that as the implementation of health reforms moves forward, nobody are left behind,” said Cassion. It was also learned during the forum that among the roles and responsibilities of DOH include: 1) to develop guidelines and protocols to organize the community health team and service delivery network, implement a functional referral system, deliver health service packages, contract with private pro18
Saturday, September 17, 2011
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DOH, PhilHealth....from page 17
viders, implement clinical practice guidelines, generate, retain, and use hospital revenues, and establish hospital pricing system to maximize benefits from PhilHealth; 2) to utilize its resources for public health grants and commodities to leverage the performance of LGUs to organizing the community health team and service delivery network, delivering health service packages, and providing critical inputs like supplies, drugs and commodities; and 3) engage partners in policy development and implementation of strategies including the media in providing accurate and timely information to the public regarding the implementation of the Aquino Health Agenda. As co-implementer, PhilHealth will also expand National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) coverage by ensuring the
annual registration and enrolment of poor families while leveraging for local counterparts and providing member and provider services to promote utilization of NHIP benefits; secure financial risk protection for outpatient services by linking capitation payments with discrete outpatient services; secure financial risk protection for inpatient services by implementing a nobalance-billing policy in government hospitals for our poorest population; improve management of the NHIP by investing in modern information and communication technology to link members and providers with PhilHealth offices; and seek other financial instruments and strategies to maintain/ improve financial sustainability. Meanwhile, LGUs are encouraged and assisted to do the following:
1) Develop policies and plans appropriate to their locality and consistent with the implementation of the AHA; 2) Mobilize and utilize resources such as Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), PhilHealth reimbursements, user-fees, capitation fund, and other resources to organize and sustain the community health teams and service delivery networks including provision of supplies, drugs and commodities; 3) Allow their local hospitals and other public health facilities appropriate incentives such as income retention, socialized pricing, and improved hospital pricing to improve their capacity to deliver services; and 4) Organize Community Health Teams and Service Delivery Networks in partnership with the private sector for effective delivery of health service packages, and whenever appropriate, 19
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
DOH, PhilHealth....from page 18
contract private providers to supplement available services or provide other services that cannot be delivered by existing public providers (e.g. family planning services such as
tubal ligation or perform caesarean sections). Atty. Alexander A. Padilla, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of PhilHealth together with Mr. Oscar
B. Abadu, Jr., AVP Senior Manger – MCD, PhilHealth graced said activity and answered several queries and clarifications from the participants. (PIA-Caraga)
CDA-Caraga bares rationalized guidelines in the organization, structure of the Cooperative Dev’t Councils by Jennifer P. Gaitano BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) – The Cooperative Development Council (RCDC) Caraga Regional Office headed by Regional Director Manuela Pelaez bared the Simplified Policy and Rationalized Guidelines in the Organization and Structure of the Cooperative Development Councils, during the Regional Development Council (RCDC) Meeting held recently at the CDACaraga Conference Room, this city. Dir. Pelaez recalled that the creation, organization, operation and functions of the different CDCs at the various levels shall be in accordance with the intention and purpose of Executive Order No. 95 entitled “Designating the CDA as the lead government agency on cooperative promotion, development, regulation and calling on all government agencies with cooperative programs to coordinate these with CDA and
for other purposes. “The councils in the various levels as organized shall serve as mechanism for collaboration, consultation and coordination in the implementation of various cooperative programs and projects implemented by all government branches, instrumentalities subdivisions and agencies in partnership with the cooperative sector,” said Pelaez. Pelaez further said
that powers and functions of the councils are retained. Among the mandate and responsibilities of the councils include: 1) to coordinate, harmonize and monitor the implementation of various cooperative development plans, programs and projects of national government agencies, government financial institutions (GFIs), local government units, and non-government organizations within the areas of
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CDA-Caraga....from page 19 such councils; 2) to operationalize and monitor the Cooperative Medium Term Development Plans (CMTDP) through the collective efforts of all sectors and to develop such mechanism as may be required in line with the CMTDP; and 3) to share resources (financial, supplies and equipment, manpower) towards the full realization of such development plans. It was learned that in the composition of the councils, little changes/revisions were made. With the rationalized guidelines, the officers of the councils should only be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. Unlike before, aside from the chairperson, there is also a co-chair which is the office of CDA but now, CDA would automatically be the secretariat in every council. Involvement of the Regional Development Council (RDC) is also realized. Compositions for the National CDC are as follows: Members of the National Coordinating Committee; National Presidents of Gov-
ernors, Vice-Governors, City Mayors, City-Vice Mayors, Municipal Mayors, Municipal Vice-Mayors Leagues of the Philippines, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan Leagues of the Philippines; League of Cooperative Development Officers of the Philippines; Chairpersons of the various RCDCs; Chairperson of the Philippine Cooperative Center; Chairpersons of tertiary cooperatives; and Representative of other organizations with cooperative development programs as may be identified by the CDA. For the RCDC, it shall be composed of the Regional Directors of the national government agencies; Regional Managers/Area Manager of government financial institutions; Chairperson of RDC; PCDCs; CCDCs; Chairpersons of the regional cooperative federations and unions; and Representative of other NGOs with cooperative programs. The Provincial CDC shall be composed of the Provincial Directors of the national government agen-
cies; Designated/or assigned officer of any government agency which does not have any established provincial office; Chairperson of Provincial Development Council; Provincial Cooperative Development Officer; Municipal Cooperative Development Officers for component cities; Chairpersons of MCDCs; Chairpersons of the CCDCs in component cities; Chairperson of the committee on cooperative at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; Chairpersons of provincial cooperative federation and unions; and Representative of other NGOs with cooperative programs. The composition of the City CDC shall also be the representatives of national government agencies with cooperative programs including GFIs; Chairperson of the CDC; City Cooperative Development Officer; Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives at the Sangguniang Panlungsod; Chairpersons of primary cooperatives in the city; and representatives of other NGOs with cooperative pro-
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CDA-Caraga....from page 20 grams. Lastly, the Municipal CDC shall be composed of the representatives of the national line agencies with cooperative programs including GFIs; Chairperson of the Municipal Development Council; Municipal Cooperative Development Officer; Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperatives of Sangguniang Bayan; Chairpersons of the primary cooperatives in the municipality; and representatives of other NGOS with cooperative programs.
Meanwhile, Dir. Pelaez stressed that the officers shall be elected directly by the members constituting the councils at their respective level. “As much as practicable and when feasible, if the elected Chairperson is from the government sector, the vice chairperson should come from the private component of he cooperative sector and vice-versa,” Pelaez added. The term of office of the elected officers shall be one year with right to
re-election and which shall commence on the fifteenth (15) of January and shall end on the same date one year thereafter when the newly elected officers shall commence their term. The manner of election of officers shall be by secret ballot and shall be held on the last week of November every year. With this, Dir. Pelaez acknowledged the continued support by the coop members in the region and hoped for a longer years of partnership. (PIA-Caraga)
Transparency corner launched
by Cecil Ybañez
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - The City Government here led by Hon. Ferdinand M. Amante Jr., City Mayor, recently launched the TRANSPARENCY CORNER at the city hall with the presence of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun, Chiefs of Offices headed by City Administrator Leah A. Mendoza, Barangay officials, and guests from the TOYO University of Japan. This TRANSPARENCY CORNER, located at the ground floor of the city hall building, will display all government transactions of the different offices of the city. In the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) MEMORANDUM CIRCU-
LAR 2010-83 issued on August 31, 2010, all Local Government Units (LGUs) are directed to
faithfully implement FULL DISCLOSURE PROGRAM. This is a government’s policy which re22
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Transparency corner....from page 21 quires all LGUs to post all their Budget and Finances, Bids and Public Offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation, and in conspicuous place within their respective localities. This said circular was issued in line with PNOY’s call for an end in government’s luxurious spending and misappropriation of public funds and to scale-up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency and accountability. Vice Mayor Fortun congratulated Mayor Jun Amante for being consistent in his election campaign platform of change and promised to work hand-inhand with the mayor in their transparency efforts. “It is alarming to note that corruption and abuse has become common and worse is that
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people have at some point come to consider these evils as an accepted norm in government. But the current administration, under the leadership of Hon. Ferdinand M. Amante Jr., will not accede to that, no matter how common place these evils have become” Fortun said. City Mayor Jun Amante emphasized the importance of being transparent in his governance in order to attract foreign investors. Quoting one of the Japanese investors, “Being transparent is a good thing because this is one of the first things that investors consider before embarking on a business venture”, the mayor said. He also cited the Japanese guests of their being known for integrity and honesty. The mayor also encouraged the Punong
Barangays to do their part and cooperate with the city government to gain the trust and confidence of the people. He challenged them not to be afraid of showing to the people where and how their taxes are being spent. Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr., further assured the people of Butuan City that brighter future is ahead for the city because of the transparency program of his administration. “Better things are in store for our city and we owe that partly to our full disclosure program. Just like our Balangai, which has become the symbol of Biyaheng Pinoy campaign for good governance, let us all row our oars together, face the rough waves ahead and sail towards the better Butuan”, the mayor said. (PIA-Caraga)
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Former household service workers receive livelihood starter kits by Ritchel M. Molero
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- The Balik-Pinay, BalikHanapbuhay Program, a flagship of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now fully implemented in Caraga Region. Twenty-eight household service workers from Butuan City received the Pangkabuhayan Starter Kits on September 14, 2011. Each starter kit is worth three thousand pesos and contains body towel, hand towel, lotion, baby powder, oil, manzanilla, alcohol, and liniment. Fifty-five Household Service Workers from Bislig City and neighboring municipalities of Tagbina and Hinatuan completed the training on Massage Therapy and Technology Transfer Demonstration on Monday, 12 September 2011 at the TESDA Training Center, Poblacion, Bislig City. The workers learned how to make liquid dishwashing paste, fabric softener, Perfume and cologne. After a 10-day intenSaturday, September 17, 2011
sive skills training, graduates of the 3rd Batch of the Galing Masahista received their livelihood starter kits. Said graduates already passed the NCII (National Certification) accreditation. The training was spearheaded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office-Caraga in partnership with the Technical and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). LGU Bislig Mayor Librado C. Navarro provided free use of training venue, while Surigao del Sur District II Representative Florencio C. Garay provided extra Pangkabuhayan Starter Kits. The other 21 graduates received the starter kits for Liquid Dishwashing Paste Making, Fabric Soft-
ener Making, Perfume and Cologne Making. Ms. Marieta A. Lumawag, OIC of RWO-Caraga in her graduation message challenged the OFWs to become successful business entrepreneurs using the “Balik-Pinay, BalikHanapbuhay� starter kit as starting capital. With their newly acquired skills and start-up kits, the graduates are now ready to start their own livelihood undertaking in their own communities and augment their family income. Sixty-two workers graduated under the 3rd Batch of the Galing Masahista program. The said program have already graduated more than a hundred recipients. (OWWA-Caraga/LCO)
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DILG reiterates guidelines for pedicab, tricycle operations by Franklin P. Gumapon
T
he Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 2011-68 urging all the local government units (LGUs) to strictly follow the guidelines governing the operations of public utility vehicles. 25
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DILG reiterates....from page 24
Reports reaching the DILG disclosed that pedicabs and tricycles in many cities and municipalities still operate on national highways despite the prohibition of the same. DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo has enjoined the local chief executives to strictly implement in their respective cities/municipalities the guidelines for public utility vehicles including the pedicabs and tricycles. Under existing laws, the pedicabs and tricycles are prohibited to operate on national highways. However, they can only use the national roads if Saturday, September 17, 2011
there are no other streets to and from the city/town proper. In support of this DILG directive, the city government here has urged all pedicab and tricycle operators not to use the national highways as directed. In a related development, the city has long adopted the number coding scheme in which the tricycles have been assigned their dayoffs to decongest traffic in the city. New city streets have also been constructed to provide alternate routes to both passenger and private vehicles. (ALT/FPG/PIAZambo. Norte)
Under existing laws, the pedicabs and tricycles are prohibited to operate on national highways. However, they can only use the national roads if there are no other streets to and from the city/ town proper.
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Dipolog approves PAG-IBIG coverage by Franklin P. Gumapon of casual employees DIPOLOG CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) - - City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy has agreed to the proposal to enroll the casual and job order employees of the city government in the PAG-IBIG Fund. A news release issued recently by the City Information Office (CIO) disclosed that the city government headed by Mayor Uy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PAG-IBIG Fund authorizing a mandatory deduction of P100 from each casual/job order employee’s monthly pay. Personnel Office
Wilson Mabilog explained that the contribution made by the casual/job order employees to the PAG-IBIG fund would serve as their savings. Besides, Mabilog said, “it would also entitle them to enjoy the services and programs of the PAGIBIG Fund such as provident savings, housing and multi-purpose loans and death aid benefit. It can be recalled
that membership to PAG-IBIG Fund is only mandatory to regular employees covered by the Social Security System (SSS) and/or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Casual employees can join the PAG-IBIG Fund on a voluntary basis. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)
1,900 studes attend reproductive health symposium by Paulnazer Lontua ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Sept. 17 (PIA) -- More or less 1,900 students of Sibugay Technical Institute Incorporated (STII), a local school in Ipil, attended the one-day symposium on adolescent reproductive health recently held at the STII Gymnasium in Barangay Lower Taway, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay through the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and HealthPRO. According to Erwin ful that majority of the manifests that most of the Cenas, STII School Regis- students responded to young generation are eatrar, the school was grate- their invitation and just ger to learn about repro-
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1,900 studes....from page 26 ductive health. “We actually have a 98% attendance now and this is a very good sign that our students here welcome reproductive health education and are eager to learn new things”, Cenas said. Resource speakers who are experts in their respective fields tackled fertility awareness, men’s health and involvement, reproductive health planning and sexually transmitted infections with the crowd of hungry for knowledge students. One student, Arvin James Bioy, a 2nd year Practical Nursing student, said that he was grateful that his time was spent with learning and knowledge. He further said that the speakers were able to put the message across
the students and the latter acquiring the basic things to know about reproductive health. “This is a good experience. We were able to grasp the ideas that our speakers imparted to us and at the same time we learned a lot and had fun. My time was not wasted and I am grateful that our school gave us this opportunity to learn more”, said Bioy. Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Board Member, Eufemio Javier, Jr., former President of STII, who was also present during the symposium, said that students deserve the right to know things about reproductive health and he also expressed his appreciation to the Administration and work force of the school for initiating
the said symposium and giving quality education to the students. “This one of the basic rights of our students and I am giving two thumbs up to the people behind this event. Students as well as their instructors learned a lot”, Javier said. The speakers were Agnes Ortega Dr. Sherwin Bastero, Julia Revantad and Dr. Adnilre Verzon, all from the local and provincial health agencies of the province. The symposium is part of the campaign of the IPHO and MHO-Ipil to increase the awareness of the people especially the students about reproductive health, family planning and sexually transmitted infections. (NBE/ PL, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay)
DOLE ZamboSur holds Re-Orientation on PPACL by Alma L. Tingcang PAGADIAN CITY , September 17 (PIA) –- The protection of Filipino children remains to be a national concern in view of the growing complexity of child protection issues in the country and the continued increase in the number of cases of child neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination. 28 Saturday, September 17, 2011
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DOLE ZamboSur....from page 27
Hence, the Department of Labor and Employment Provincial Office holds a two-day reorientation on the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) on September 15-16 which is held at the Asia Hall of Hotel Guillermo here. Ms. Virginia L. Bonbon, DOLE Provincial Head in her opening statement acknowledged the presence of program partners who play a pivotal role in the PPACL’s vision of a child labor-free Philippines. “For the next two days, we will be reviewing the country’s program against child labor strategic framework and undertake the knowledge sharing system. We will also discuss how we can do our share and put these plans into ac28
tion,” Ms. Bonbon said. The PPACL is a network of mutually enabling social partners composed of national government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, private institutions, religious organizations and other concerned groups working towards the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor through protection, withdrawal, healing and reintegration of child workers into a caring society. Ms. Annavic S. Cordova, Focal Person of the Child Labor Program in Region IX discussed the PPACL and relevant laws such as RA 7610 otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” as well
as facilitated the action planning which elicited a productive output from the participants. A child is any person under 18 years of age. Child labor is defined as any work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him to any form of exploitation and is harmful to his health and safety or physical, mental or psychosocial development. Children working in mining sites, agriculture/farming, deep-sea fishing, prostitution/pornography, pyrotechnics, all forms of slavery as defined in the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict are considered child laborers. (ALT/PIA9Zambo Sur)
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P679,272 released to 441 SPES grantees in ZamboSur by Alma L. Tingcang PAGADIAN CITY , September 17 (PIA) –- The Department of Labor and Employment has released the amount of P679,272.00 for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. DOLE Provincial Head Virginia L. Bonbon said in July, 2011, 323 students were given their SPES checks broken down as follows: Sominot – 17 grantees, P20,400.00; Dimataling – 17, P30,600.00; Vincenzo Sagun – 25, P45,000; Margosatubig – 30, P36,000; Pagadian City (Southern Mindanao College) – 50, P153,000; Lakewood – 91, 131,040; Dinas – 51, P58,752; and Kumalarang - 42, P60,480 or a total of P535,272.00 Another release was made by DOLE on September 7 in the amount of P144,000.00 to 5 municipalities as follows: Dumingag (J. Saturday, September 17, 2011
H. Cerilles State College) – 20 grantees, P19,200; Pitogo – 12, P 14,400; San Miguel – 12, P9,600; Lapuyan – 20, P21,600; and Bayog – 54, P79,200, bringing the total amount to P679,272.00. Ms. Bonbon said the objective of the SPES is to develop the intellectual capacities of children of poor families and harness their potentials for the country’s well being. Specifically, the program aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income through encouraging their employment during summer and/or
Christmas vacations. SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 otherwise known as “An Act To Help Poor But Deserving Students Pursue Their Education By Encouraging Their Employment During Summer and/or Christmas Vacations Through incentives Granted To Employers Allowing Them To Pay Only Sixty Per Centum of Their Salaries Or Wages and the Forty Per Centum Through Education Vouchers To Be Paid By The Government, Prohibiting and Penalizing the Filing of Fraudulent and Fictitious Claims, and For Other Purposes.” (ALT-PIA9/ Zambo Sur) 29
Mis. Or. OFW’s and dependents undergo training on swine and goat raising by Nestor B. Flores, Jr.
Some 27 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and their dependents participated in a Training on Swine and Goat Raising, last Sept. 7- 8. 31
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Mis. Or. OFW’s...from page 30 The training was a joint undertaking Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), region 10, and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Misamis Oriental. Director Petrona M. Bergado of OWWA-10 said, among the topics covered during the training, were breeds of swine, housing, breeding management, feeding management, marketing, and health management. She said the following veterinarians from the Mis. Or. PVO gave the lectures: Dr. Russel Roa, Dr. Gerlie Flor Velasco, Dr. Efren Melner Viloria, Dr. Mariadeth Occeña, Dr. Nonito Labis, Dr. Benjamin Resma and Jose Victorino Cabotaje. Meanwhile, an
educational tour was made to a Livestock Farm owned by Dr. Nonito Labis in Kibonbon, El Salvador City. This was followed by site visits to a piggery operated by the Municipal LGU of Villanueva and a backyard piggery project in Mandangoa, Balingasag town. During the occasion, the participants had the opportunity to observe the operations of a livestock farm for cattle, goats and sheep. They were introduced to different breeds of goats that included the Boer, Saanen and Anglo Nuvian stocks. They marveled at the information that the price for a male goat breeder could go as high as P60,000, each and
received instructions on the breed and herd size of goats for beginners. Later in the day, they had a hands-on experience in piglet castration, Bergado said Francisca Liloc, a participant who operates a backyard piggery said, “This is my first time to castrate a piglet. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought. From now on, I will no longer hire a technician to do the castration. The experience here in the seminar is a big help in my backyard piggery.” The Livelihood Skills Development Training is one of the interventions under OWWA`s Reintegration Program to improve the economic conditions of returning OFWs and their dependents. (OWWA/ PIA-10)
Volume of NorMin major crops, up 157% in 2Q by Apipa Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 17 (PIA) – A total volume of 2,691,434 metric tons of major crops was produced in Northern Mindanao, during the second quarter, higher by 157 percent compared to the 1,049,050MT in the same period of 2010. 32 Saturday, September 17, 2011
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Volume of NorMin....from page 31 Data presented by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in region 10, show that increase in the volume came mostly from industrial crops, especially sugarcane. In a media forum held recently, Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, Chief Economic Development Specialist of NEDA-10, disclosed that the positive growth on the regional output was pushed by the tremendous increase of sugarcane produced during the quarter. The sugarcane recorded a huge 12fold increase, from the 143.56MT to 1,709MT due to the high price of sugarcane which encour-
aged farmers to produce more, he cited. He also said that both the area planted and yield per hectare for sugarcane increased during the period. Vegetable production, on the other hand, went up by 10.53 percent, posting a volume of 17,655MT from the 15,973MT recorded in the same quarter of 2010. The increase is largely attributable to the 37 percent increase in the production of broccoli, Clarete said. While most of the fruit crops registered negative growths, pineapple, which shared 43 percent of the total fruit production, grew by almost 20 percent pushing the overall fruit crops production by 6 percent,
he added. Cassava, which is the greatest contributor to root crop production, also grew by 16.63 percent. Clarete said the increase in area planted to root crop in Misamis Oriental, as well, as the increase in the number of contract growers of San Miguel in Bukidnon caused the increase the cassava production. Meanwhile, the estimated value of selected major crops rose by almost 16 percent, reaching P10.504 billion. Among the largest gainers were eggplant for vegetable, camote for rootcrops, pineapple and mango for fruits, and rubber and abaca for industrial crops, Clarete added. (PIA-10)
CEPALCO campaigns for increase of solar photovoltaic capacity in Mindanao by Apipa Bagumbaran CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 17 (PIA) --- The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) is campaigning for solar photo voltaic (PV) technology to boost power generation in Mindanao. 33 32
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CEPALCO campaigns...from page 32 With the constantly increasing demand for power in Mindanao, solar PV is the fastest technology to address the current capacity shortage in this part of the country, said Engr. Cecilio U. Sumaoy, Senior Manager, CEPALCO’s System Operations Department. He emphasized that the solar PV will effectively complement the hydro-electric power (HEP) plants, especially during dry seasons, since major portions of the energy supply in Mindanao comes from these plants. Sumaoy, further, said that based on their simulation, a 100 MW solar power plant will enable large HEP plants to store and reserve water for the night time peak. “If we can store water at the hydro, we can use that water to complement the deficiency in the contingency reserve during peak time and augment the reserve of
Saturday, September 17, 2011
the system during night time peak,” he cited. He also said the solar electricity production matches the daytime peak in Mindanao, so it can displace up to 365 MWh per day of electricity from oil-fired generation resulting to savings in generation costs. At the current fuel costs of P9.35/ kWh, displaced oil-fired generation translates to around Php1.0 billion a year of savings, and with the total Mindanao consumption at around 7GWH, this is equivalent to P0.14/kWh reduction in generation costs, he added. With this, CEPALCO is calling for the immediate implementation of the Renewable Energy Law and asks Malacañang to increase the solar capacity targets, especially for Mindanao. Out of the 760MW additional capacity for renewable energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) has endorsed
or certified only 50MW for solar capacity, while wind has an allocated capacity of 200MW, ocean with 10MW, and hydro and biomass with 250MW each. Sumaoy also stressed that solar PV is the cheaper alternative than fossil-based generation. Based on the National Renewable Energy Board figures, adding 760MW of renewable energy plants eligible for the proposed Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) will result to a rate impact of only 10 centavos per kWh with solar PV contributing only 1.14 centavos per kWh. The rate impact, he said, is much less than the Php0.05 centavos per kWh, additional electricity payments experienced by the people of Mindanao at the height of power shortage in 2010. At 100MW installed solar capacity, the rate impact is only 2.28 centavos per kWh, he concluded. (PIA-10)
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4ID soldiers garner medals in sports competition CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Sept. 17 (PIA) – Maj. Gen. Victor A Felix, Commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA), has commended five (5) of his soldiers for bagging the major prizes in the long distance foot race/fun run initiated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), region 10. The said soldiers bagged the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th prizes in the event, which was held in observance of the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, recently. To celebrate the occasion, CSC-10 has lined up a series of activities participated by all interagency employees in the region envisioned to showcase their skills through friendly games and funrun competition. Meanwhile, the 4ID runners, who show-cased their skills, sportsmanship and camaraderie in the said athletic activity and their respective units were the following: PFC Ernie Z.
Cabingue, 26IB, 1st Placer, PFC Danilo L. Orallo, 4th Mechanized Infantry Company, 2nd Placer, SGT Jerry N. Gamilla, 8IB, 3rd Placer, SSg Donato A. Barua, 4PDS, 4th Placer, Cpl Jester T. Camargo, 23IB, 5th Placer and SSg Joennel L. Traces, 23rd IB, 10th Placer. The event started from Bulua Gymnasium passing along Marcos Bridge, and ended-up at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center. It was also participated in by all government agency employees and was among the month-long series of activities for the celebration.
“I commend these soldier-athletes who dedicated themselves in improving their skills and by showing commitment and discipline,” Felix said. He, likewise, gave motivation to personnel by providing them adequate support to enable them to maintain their excellent performance in sports. The participation of the “Diamond” troopers was an expression of commitment and support to the community, as soldiers were not only trained to hone their combat prowess, but they were also physically and mentally trained in any sports competition. (4CM0/PIA-10)
Cebuano news: Aquino mogikan karong Sept.18 alang sa 4 ka adlaw nga pagbisita sa Amerika MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Sept. 17 (PIA) – Si President Benigno S. Aquino III mogikan ugmang adlawa, Domingo, Septembre 18, alang sa opisyal nga pagbisita sa United States of America agig pagtando sa imbitasyon ni US President Barack Obama sugod Sept. 18 hangtud Sept. 22. 35 34
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Cebuano news: Aquino mogikan...from page 34 Ang Presidente giimbitar ni US President Barack Obama ug ni Brazil President Dilma Rousseff, nga mga ‘cochairs’ sa gitawag nga “Open Government Partnership (OGP),” alang sa opisyal nga paglusad sa OGP sa September 20 didto sa New York. “Ang OGP maoy bag-o nga paningkamot ug ideya alang sa pagsuporta sa ‘transparency’, paghatag ug gahum sa katawhan, pagsumpo sa pangurakot ug pagpahanas sa bagong mga teknolohiya alang sa mas lig-on nga pagpadagan sa p a n g a g a m h a n a n ,” matud ni Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Patricia Paez. Sa ilang hiniusa nga sulat kang Presidente Aquino, si President Obama ug President Rousseff miingon: “Among gidayeg ang aktibo nga ‘commitment’ ug liderato sa imong pang gobyerno diha sa pagpalambo niini nga paningkamot, ug Saturday, September 17, 2011
nagalaum kami nga makauban ka atol sa paglusad niini nga ‘initiative’ karong Septyembre. Ang Pilipinas usa sa duha lamang ka nasud sa Asya nga gi-imbitar aron mahimong miyembro sa International Steering Committee sa OGP. Ang ubang miyembro sa Steering Committee mao ang United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway ug South Africa. Matud ni Paez, ang mga miyembro Steering Committee gipili kini base sa mosunod nga mga ‘criteria’: Fiscal transparency kon dayag nga paghupot sa panalapi, ‘access to information’, ‘disclosures to related officials’ ug ‘citizen engagement.’ “Ang pagkapili sa Pilipinas isip miyembro sa Steering Committee usa sa timailhan nga giila usab sa nagkalainlaing nasud ang maayo nga pangagamhanan ni Presidente Aquino
diha sa natad sa dayag nga pangagamhanan ug ‘anti-corruption,” dugang ni Paez. Gitakda usab nga mohatag si Presidente Aquino sa iyang ‘keynote remarks’ sa usa ka forum sa OGP nga may tema “The Power Open: A Global Discussion” didto sa New York City. Ang Presidente maoy naginusara nga ‘head of state’ nga gi-imbitar aron sa paghatag ug pakigpulong sa maong ‘OGP forum. Samtang atua sa New York, si President Aquino motambong usab sa ‘roundtable meeting’ kauban sa tulo (3) ka mga organisasyon sa pangnegosyo aron ipadayag usab ang ‘economic agenda’ ug mga nahimo sa kagamhanan human sa usa ka tuig nga serbisyo isip Presidente sa nasud. Kining tulo ka mga ‘business organizations’ mao ang US-Asean Business Council, ang US Chamber of Commerce ug ang P h i l i p p i n e -A m e r i c a n Chamber of Commerce. (NCR/PIA 10) 35
Asia Foundation and USAID donate books to Panabo City by Elreen Ann D. Albuna
Dr. Steven Rood symbolically handed the books to Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. in time of the turn-over ceremony at the Lobby of the New Panabo City Hall. Together with them were (L-R) Honorables Alan Piedad, Emeterio Blase, Janrey Gavina and Vice Mayor James Gamao.
T
hrough the partnership of the City Government of Panabo, the Asia Foundation and the founding agency of the program, United States Agency International Development (USAID) symbolically turned-over 3,505 books last September 14, 2011, 4PM, at the Lobby of the New City Hall.. 37
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Asia foundation.....from page 36
The City Government of Panabo is one of the outstanding partners of the Asia Foundation in the implementation of the Transparent A c c o u n t a b l e Governance (TAG), hence, the City was so blessed as one of the beneficiaries of the Books for Asia. The books officially received by Mayor Jose L. Silvosa Sr., accompanied by Vice Mayor James Gamao; City Councilors Janrey Gavina, Alan Piedad, Emeterio Blase, Jovito Glodo and Ferdinand Gocon; and DepEd Education Program Supervisor Azucena Bendijo.
According to Dr. Steven Rood, Country Representative and Regional Adviser for Local Governance of the Asia Foundation, “the Foundation and the founding agency USAID distribute these books to Panabo City as a matter of enhancing the education of Mindanao.” He also mentioned the importance of the books for the new generation, “books provide knowledge which guide our children as they made their way for a better society. Increasing their access of books and reading materials means investing for the next generations and
human development. ‘Kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan.” Books were turned-over to the 44 public elementary schools and 12 public high schools in Panabo City, as well as to the 7 private colleges, 3 private high schools and 9 private elementary schools. Some books were also donated to the Panabo City Library and the Institute of Primary Health Care. The turnover ceremony was witnessed by the city hall employees, School Presidents, Administrators/ Principals and students representing their schools.(PIA 11)
Legislator tackles the Big C by Mai Gevera-Macapagat
DAVAO CITY. Sept. 17 (PIA) - Woman legislator Senator Loren Legarda underscores the important role of family and friends in the battle against breast cancer. Legarda joins all the other breast cancer advocates and survivors in today’s Silver Linings, an
educational forum about the Big C, how to cope with it, and how to prevent it. “A cancer patient
needs to be strong, but her loved ones need to be stronger. A sister trimming down her beautiful 38
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Legislator tackles.....from page 37
long locks to a boy cut style while her sibling is losing hair from chemotherapy; a friend trading her leisure time with trips to the hospital to accompany her friend to treatment sessions; a husband assuring her wife that she is sexy and beautiful as ever even after losing a breast— these are simple ways of assuring a person with cancer that she is important, that people around her support her because they want her to get cured—this is where she will get the strength and will to go through the long and painful process of battling the disease.” Legarda shared as she remembered the difficulties experienced
by her family as they lost a mother, Bessie Bautista Legarda, who succumbed to breast cancer in 1996. Her family got
surprised upon learning the illness of their mother, toned down the focus on the pain but rather on how to be extra cheerful every time they were with their mother. Legarda shared that they instead made her feel the warmth of love instead of adding fright and worry she was feeling at that time. “The manner in which relatives and loved ones treat cancer is an important part of the healing process. Emotional healing is
as vital as the physical healing through chemotherapy and radiation therapy.”, she said. Learning so much from the experience, Legarda established the Bessie B. Legarda Memorial Foundation in the year 2000. “I wanted the foundation to embody the virtues—such as kindness, compassion and the strong desire to touch people’s lives in a meaningful way— that mama lived by.” One of her advocacies today is to raise awareness about breast cancer and to empower women who are struggling against the disease. (MGM/PIA 11/)
Davao solons laud CC identification process DAVAO CITY Sept. 17 (PIA) -Representatives Karlo Alexie B. Nograles of the 1st District, Davao City and Ma. Carmen Zamora - Apsay of the 1st District, Compostela Valley were all praises for the DSWD’s identification of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. 39 38
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Davao solons.....from page 38
“Maayo ba ang pagpili sa beneficiaries sa programa? Ako, isip congresista sa 1st District sa Davao City, nalipay sa pagpili sa mga beneficiaries sa CCT sa akong distrito. Nakita nako na ang mga napili mao gyud ang nanginahanglan nga mga pamilya. Ang mga barangay usab na nahiapil sa programa mao gyud ang mga nanginahanglan na barangay sa Distrito Uno (Is the selection of beneficiaries of the program faultless? Being the Congressman of the 1st District of Davao City, I am very happy with the beneficiaries that were identified in my district. I have observed that the families that were chosen were really the ones who are poor and need assistance. Also, the barangays that were selected are the barangays that are really poor and underprivileged),”
acclaimed Nograles during the recent Pakiglambigit Alang Sa Kalamboan caravan hosted by ABSNet Davao City Cluster. In like manner, Apsay believed that the identification of beneficiaries should be done by DSWD and not by any political figure to avoid politicization. “Mas maayo kung ang DSWD ang mopili kay sila man ang mas nakabalo kung kinsa ang mas angayan nga tagaan. Itugot sa nato sa DSWD ang pagpili sa beneficiaries, dili nato hilabtan (It is best that DSWD will be in command in the selection of the beneficiaries since they are the ones who know who and where the poor are. Let DSWD do the selection of beneficiaries, we should not intervene),” stressed Apsay at the recent caravan Pakiglambigit Alang Sa Kalamboan sponsored by the SKA Federation of Compostela
Valley. District 1 of Davao City has 18 recipient barangays with 5,332 total number of registered households. On the other hand, the 1st District of Compostela Valley has 4 recipient municipalities with a total of 13,262 registered number of beneficiaries. “The Department selects the beneficiaries through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) where enumeration of households in the selected municipalities is conducted to identify who and where the poor are,” said Ester AcebedoVersoza, the Regional Director of DSWD XI. To be elegible for the program, beneficiaries must be: (1) residents of the poorest municipalities based on 2003 SAE of the NSCB; (2) households whose economic condition is equal to 40
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Davao solons.....from page 39
or below the provincial poverty threshold; (3) households that have children 0-14 years old and/or have a pregnant woman at the time of assessment; and (4) households that agree to meet the conditions specified in the program. The poorest households in the municipalities that were enumerated and interviewed were filtered through a Proxy-Means Test which determines the socio-economic category of the families by looking at certain proxy variables such as ownership of
assets, type of housing, education of the household head, livelihood of the family and access to water and sanitation facilities. At present, a total of 125,165 families in 4 provinces, 32 municipalities and 3 cities in 625 barangays are already benefiting from the program in Davao Region. Patterned after the Conditional Cash Transfer Programs that is practiced in over 40 countries worldwide, the Philippines has benchmarked the program and called it the “Pantawid Pamilyang
PHOTO RELEASES
Pilipino Program� (formerly known as 4Ps) which has the same goals of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty by providing cash grants to identified poor households in the country to help improve the health, nutrition and education especially of children aged 0 to 14 years old. The families must comply with the program conditions on health, nutrition, education and family development sessions prior to getting their grants. (MGM/PIA 11/ DSWD/Sheryll Jane B. Sanico)
Mindanao IP REGIONAL ASSEMBLY Chair Zenaida Brigida Hamada-Pawid of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) addresses Mindanao IP leaders, heads of regional line agencies of the national government and LGU representatives on the 2nd day of the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly held at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Davao del Norte Provincial Government Center. (JMDA, PIA11/photo by PIO Davao del Norte)
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Photo releases.....from page 40 Senate Committee Chair on Cultural Communities and Climate Change Senator Loren Legarda answers some concerns of the participants to the recently held Mindanao IP Regional Assembly at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Davao del Norte Provincial Government Center. With her is Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario.
Senate Committee Chair on Cultural Communities and Climate Change Senator Loren Legarda talks about her IP bills filed in the Senate during the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly held in Davao del Norte. Among those IP bills seeking to advance the welfare of Indigenous Peoples are SB. No. 2858 or the Ethnic Origin Act, SB 2831 or the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Anti-Ethnic or Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011. (JMDA, PIA-11/photo by PIO Davao del Norte)
Ethnic designed handicrafts were displayed for sale during the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly held from Sept. 16 to 17 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Davao del Norte Provincial Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City. (JMDA, PIA-11/ photo by PIO Davao del Norte)
Ethnic weaving was also being featured during the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly held from Sept. 16 to 17 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Davao del Norte Provincial Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City. (Jean D. Abangan, PIA XI)
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