One Mindanao - September 22, 2011 by PIA Mindanao

CONTENTS OUR COVER Today’s cover features

Zanorte’s DDPKaRoMa

NATIONAL

• Aquino invites US President Obama to visit PHL • Aquino urges Public Relations practitioners to help in moving

the country towards progress and development

• Aquino keynotes IBM centennial • Aquino calls on US Senator Daniel Inouye in Washington D.C. • Gov’t needs to be nimble and adaptable enough in order to

respond to challenges - Aquino

• Aquino vows to remove people’s disillusionment with

government

PHOTO CREDITS: BW file photo dipolognon.com fantasyland.com.ph myspace.com fotothing.com

TALKING POINTS • Pres. Aquino’s meeting with transport sectors addresses

major issues

• DOE gives tips on household LPG safety • PNoy orders interagency action to combat oil smuggling

An Electronic News Magazine

published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL STAFF

Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN) • PDRRMC renews call for vigilance in accident –prone areas • Bagong police director ng South Cotabato pangungunahan ang pagpapatupad ng disiplina • Publiko hinihikayat na dumalo sa public consultation ng SMI

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

• SC administrator to keynote PACE’s 5th cluster assembly • 5,457 examinees to take LET exam on Sept. 25 • Military rescues kidnapped bizwomen in Basilan • Zambo Sur solon to 4P’s beneficiaries: Take full advantage of the program • LHP Seminar held in Bayog

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) • Clean committees intensify campaign on ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program • Surigao City civil registry office unveils monthly accomplishment report • DOST-Caraga launches 1st reg’l invention contest, exhibits • Mindanao Immigration Bureau minomonitor ang mga ilegal na dayuhan • HR professionals – mga kasosyo sa kaunlaran • Transport strike sa Butuan, umani ng iba’t-ibang reaksiyon sa publiko

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

• DPWH Sec. Singson inaugurates flyover, reminds motorists to follow traffic rules • Peace caravan/ISO handover anniversary highlight Int’l Day of Peace in Mis.Or. • Malaybalay City vies for national Gawad Kalasag award • Camiguin’s first zipline set to rise in Mahinog • OroChamber holds finance forum

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) • • • • • •

BFAR-LBP partnership to improve mariculture parks DOLE XI revives big brother concept Coastal cleanup gipatuman sa DavSur Mt. Diwata brgy officials to come up with resolutions airing latest concerns The Asia Foundation to turn-over more than 6,000 books to DavNor 7th Davao Gulf Week Gisaulog

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Cover Story: by Franklin P. Gumapon

ZaNorteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DDPKaRoMa growth corridor weaving for agro-industrial, eco-tourism development

eroing in on the potentials of each local government unit (LGU) is the key to achieving sustainable growth and development. 4 Thursday, September 22, 2011

ZaNorte’s DDPKaRoM .....from page 3

This is the guiding principle which leads the public officials of Zamboanga del Norte to form the Dipolog-Dapitan-Polanco-Katipunan-RoxasManukan (DDPKaRoMa) growth corridor that seeks to promote sustainable economic and investment opportunities to uplift the quality of life of the people in the area. Each LGU in the DDPKaRoMa growth alliance has its unique contributions to making it a bustling economic corridor through the development of agro-industrial and ecotourism programs and projects. Although the LGUs are basically agricultural, some of them possess certain advantages

over the others. Dipolog City, for example, serves as the central business center in Zamboanga del Norte. This is where most of the commercial and government banks are situated. It is also known as the bottled sardines capital in the country. Dipolog also beckons

local and foreign tourists to its 3,003-step Linabo Peak where one can get a full view of the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan a top a hill. A very unique feature of the growth corridor is the historical city of Dapitan, the place where the national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, spent four years of his life as an exile in 1892-1896. It is one of the “must see” historical sites in the country with its Rizal Shrine and old Spanish-style buildings which serve as a living imprint of the Spaniards, the country’s first colonizers. Dapitan is the province’s cultural heritage and eco-tourism destination. Aside from the historical relics which abound the 5

Thursday, September 22, 2011

ZaNorte’s DDPKaRoM .....from page 4

place like Rizal’s house, water system and clinics at Rizal Park at Barangay Talisay and the map of Mindanao the national hero built on the grounds across St. James Church near the city plaza, it is also home to the famous Dakak Park and Beach Resort. Its Selinog and Aliguay islands also boast of long stretches of pristine white sand beaches and clear blue waters. The Shrine city also boasts of a long stretch of boardwalk along its boulevard leading to a privately-owned Gloria de Dapitan where a modern theme park, Fantasyland, is located. The agricultural town of Polanco, on the other

hand, helps supply the food requirements of the corridor. It has vast tracks of rice and corn lands as well as coconut and orchard plantations. This municipality also produces handicrafts, novelty items and processed foods through its “Kabuhayan” project for women.

These products are made available and on sale not only during trade fairs but even in ordinary days. The other towns of Katipunan, Roxas and Manukan serve as main producers of commercial crops like mango, cassava, coffee, coconut and many others for food manufacturers/processors inside and outside the province. Katipunan and Manukan have also ventured into eco-tourism industry with their waterfalls and caves. Zamboanga del Norte’s 52-hectare Provincial Agri-Industrial Center (PAIC) is situated in Roxas town. PAIC can accommodate light and medium industries. Presently it houses two food processing industries: the Poms Mango Processing Plant and the Di

6 Thursday, September 22, 2011

ZaNorte’s DDPKaRoM .....from page 5

polog Coconut Oil Mill. This town has also one coconut oil mill which has been operating since 1970s, catering to copra traders in the province. “DDPKaRoMa’s lo6

cation buoyed by its rich natural resources offers enormous opportunities to the public, government and private sectors, as it is envisioned to be Western Mindanao’s trade link to the rest

of Mindanao, the Visayas and Luzon,” said Project Management Officer Ma. Teresa B. de Jesus. For his part, Provincial Governor Rolando E. Yebes has encouraged the active participation of the private sector in the DDPKaRoMa growth corridor by “making the process a collective undertaking and not a competitive feat.” Today the DDPKaRoMa is ready to spread its wings and soar to uplift the province from being the poorest in the country. (FPG/PIAZambo. Norte) Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino invites US President Obama to visit PHL

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino invites US President Obama to visit PHL resident Benigno S. Aquino III has invited United States President Barack Obama to visit the Philippines during their brief meeting after the formal launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) at the Waldorf Astoria hotel here on Wednesday.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

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Aquino invites.....from page 9

The Philippines joined 45 other countries in launching the OGP, a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance by presenting the Open Government Declaration concretizing their respective commitments to the initiative. President Aquino told reporters here that he extended the invitation to President Obama at the conclusion of the formal launch of the

OGP. He said President Obama congratulated him for his success in instilling government reforms to end corruption and to go after the corruptors themselves. “Noong natapos iyong buong session... kinongratulate niya tayo sa lahat ng mga nagawa natin in the first year. Sabi niya, “I understand there have been those that have been pushing back”--pumapalag doon sa lahat ng mga imbestigasyon, sa lahat ng mga pagkakalap natin ng ebedensya, etc. Tulad raw dito, meron ring mga nagpu-push back

sa kanyang reforms. Siyempre marami siyang problema, sabi ko nga I wish him the best of luck in addressing all of these,” the President said. Niyaya ko siya sa Pilipinas, ang sagot niya siguro makakapag-usap kami ng mas mahaba sa sideline sa APEC, which is in November. Pero kaming dalawa pa lang ang nag-usap siyempre maguusap pa ang Foreign Affairs department ng bawat isa. So maraming discussions by that time and of course you have to understand he will be fixated in the elections here,” he added. (RCK)

Aquino urges Public Relations practitioners to help in moving the country towards progress and development resident Benigno S. Aquino III urges the Public Relations practitioners to help the government in moving the country towards sustainable progress and development by committing themselves to building a culture of trust and integrity among the Filipino people and the entire society. In his message delivered by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary

Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. during the opening ceremonies of the 18th National Public Relations

Congress on Thursday at the Manila Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City, the President underscored

11 Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino urges.....from page 10

the importance of every individual’s role in fostering unity and cooperation towards a reformed nation where trust and integrity takes control. “It is my hope that in this PR Congress, each of you will reflect on how, as individual practitioners, you may be able to help move our country forward by the strength of your personal commitment to building a culture of trust and integrity,” the President said. “We can only succeed in this endeavor through the convergence of our individual efforts. It is my hope then, that we will be able to foster a rich partnership between the public and private sectors, as we walk together under

the guidance of daylight toward our vision of a Philippine society where integrity reigns,” he stressed. The Chief Executive’s message also imparted the Aquino administration’s commitment to effecting change through its Social Contract with the Filipinos that is being implemented through various programs aimed at benefitting and uplifting the lives of the citizenry. This commitment entails the President’s vision of a country whose people are energized by a “reawakened sense of right and wrong, from the living example of their highest leaders,” as shared since the start of the Presidential election campaign in the year 2010.

As a result, this commitment earned the people’s trust and confidence resulting to more than 15 million Filipinos casting their votes and entrusting their destiny to the incumbent administration. “Nearly 15 months later, the Filipino people have every reason to believe that their trust is well-founded,” the President said. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, 75 per cent or three out of every four Filipinos trust in the leadership of President Aquino with the performance approval rating even higher at 77 per cent. The highest performance ratings of 86 per cent came from those belonging to the class E. Another survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that there are about one million less Filipino families that have rated themselves poor, a positive proof that the Aquino government’s centerpiece program of good governance has gained traction and has taken root. President Aquino is presently in the United States to join President Barrack Obama and other world leaders as part of the Steering Committee

12 Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino urges.....from page 11

in the launch of the Open Government Partnership in New York. Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the 18th PR Congress aims to help PR professionals redefine their roles as en-

ablers of integrity. It focuses on the role of ethics in PR practice. This year’s theme is “PR in a transparent world, the role of trust and integrity in public relations.” PRSP is the country’s premier organiza-

tion for public relations professionals. In its roster are practitioners who represent business and industry, government, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, hotels and professional services, among others. (JCL)

Aquino keynotes IBM centennial

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Session III: Making the World Work Better during the IBM Centennial Forum entitled “THINK: A Forum on the Future of Leadership” at the Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center in line with his working visit to the United States of America on Wednesday (September 21). President Aquino expressed his gratitude to IBM for its investments in the Philippines saying that his attendance in the event shows that he is “a friend of the company, a friend to innovation and a friend to harnessing the positive energies borne of risk-taking and the recognition of opportunities.” (PLDT powered by SMART). (Photo by: Jay Morales / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

resident Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the Integrated Business Machines (IBM) for evolving with the times and becoming socially and technologically relevant to the growing needs of its client base.

13 Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino keynotes....from page 12

In his keynote speech commemorating IBM’s centennial celebration at the Alice Tully Hall of the Lincoln Center here Wednesday, the President cited the company’s innovative and calculated risk-taking genius that has made IBM one of the leaders in information technology of its clientele. “It is an honor to be here at the IBM on its centennial, and to speak before such distinguished people about what I view as the future of leadership in the 21st century,” the President

said. “Who would have imagine a business that initially made scales, clocks, and tabulating machines would one day be at the head of the pack in information technology, with a globally integrated enterprise employing more than 400,000 people? As the world evolved, so did IBM; when the world sought new answers to new concerns, IBM responded,” the President said. He told IBM officials and other guests present that his elder sister

Pinky was an employee of IBM and it was in the halls of the company that his sister met her husband Manolo. “This goes to show that I am here this morning not only as President of a country that is grateful for your investments, I am here as a friend of the company — a friend to innovation, and a friend to harnessing the positive energies borne of risk-taking and the recognition of opportunities,” the President said. (RCK)

Aquino calls on US Senator Daniel Inouye in Washington D.C. resident Benigno S. Aquino III called on US Senator Daniel Inouye during his visit to the United States capital on the second leg of his four-day official working visit to the US Wednesday.

The Chief Executive, who was joined by Cabinet members led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, For-

Thursday, September 22, 2011

eign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Transportation Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning

Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, met with Inouye at the Senator’s Committee on Appropriations Office at the ground floor of the Capitol Build14 13

Aquino calls....from page 13

ing here. The President took the time to personally thank the US Senator, who is also Senate ProTemporare, for all the help extended to the Filipino people during the meeting that lasted for 15-minutes. “The purpose of the whole trip is to personally thank you for so many things. Thanks to you, we’ve had a very productive trip,” the President told Inouye. In response, Inouye vowed to continue supporting President Aquino’s administration and the Filipino people. Daniel K. Inouye,

the most senior member of the U.S. Senate and the President Pro-Tempore, is known for his distinguished record as a legislative leader, and as a World War II combat veteran with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who earned the nation’s highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor. Although he was thrust into the limelight in the 1970s as a member of the Watergate Committee and in 1987 as Chairman of the Iran-Contra Committee, he has also made his mark as a respected legislator able to work in a bipartisan fashion to enact meaningful legislation. As Chairman of the

Senate Appropriations Committee and of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Inouye has been able to focus on defense matters that strengthen national security, and enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families. This reflects his hope for a more secure world, and his desire to provide the best possible assistance to the men and women who put their lives at risk to protect the United States. In addition, he is the Ranking Democrat on the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee and sits on the Rules Committee. He helped establish the Inter-parliamentary Exchange Program between the U.S. Senate and Japan’s legislature, and in 2000 the Government of Japan presented him with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Early in his tenure in the Senate, Senator Inouye delivered the keynote address at the 1968 Democratic 15

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino calls....from page 14

National Convention, and was under consideration to become Hubert Humphrey’s vicepresidential running mate that same year. He became the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in 1976, served as the thirdranking leader among Senate Democrats as Secretary of the Democratic Conference from January 1979 through 1988. He chaired the Senate Democratic Central America Study Group to assess U.S. policy and served as Senior Counselor to the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America.. (RCK)

Gov’t needs to be nimble and adaptable enough in order to respond to challenges - Aquino resident Benigno S. Aquino III underscored on Wednesday the need for government to keep up with the times and to be “nimble and adaptable enough” so that it can act relevantly to any challenges that may arise.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

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Gov’t needs....from page 15

In his keynote speech commemorating IBM’s centennial celebration, the President said that the challenge that any government faces in this day and age of the internet and social networking, is to approach different situations with “pragmatic idealism.” “Deng Xiaoping saw the first glimmers of this, and expressed it in his famous maxim, and I quote:, ‘IIt does not matter whether the cat is black or white; what matters is that it catches mice,’” the President said. “He meant, I believe, that the ideological paradigms of political leadership common in the last century can-

not account for the complexities in today’s societies, and governments need to be nimble and adaptable enough in order to respond to challenges as they arise. The challenge is to approach different situations with a certain pragmatic idealism,” he stressed. He said that his administration has done away with paying attention to “ideological labels” and has instead focused on the clamor of the people. “It means the only compass that I refer to is my people,” the President said. “Labels are not important to me; what is important are practical solutions that will ad-

dress the needs of my people. For example, we are trying to create an environment where businesses can thrive at a leveled playing field, with clear and consistent rules so that they will not be afraid to come in and invest. My government considers free market principles as a solid basis for economic growth,” the President said. “At the same time, however, we recognize that this growth is not always even; the danger of untrammeled capitalism is that it can condemn the poor to being permanently poor. Growth must be inclusive; progress must be equitable,” he added. (RCK)

Aquino vows to remove people’s disillusionment with government resident Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Wednesday to replace the people’s disillusionment with government by “putting in place strategic interventions that promote not just growth but inclusive growth.”

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Aquino vows...from page 16

He told officials and employees of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund at its annual meeting here that despite decades of trauma borne of corruption and impunity, the Filipino people still have a renewed sense of optimism that needs to be nurtured further. “Institutions have been eroded to the point that doubt is a Filipino’s first instinct when dealing with government. Decades of trauma borne of corruption and impunity have festered and calcified, and while my people approach the future with a renewed sense of optimism, it remains a guarded optimism, a hope that is only now beginning to take the first important steps away from disillusionment,” the President said. “My government is determined to stoke that hope by putting in place strategic interventions that promote not just

growth, but inclusive growth,” he stressed. These interventions, the President said, include increased spending on social services (health and education), expand and improve the government’s conditional cash transfer program that will provide stipends to less fortunate families, provided they keep their children in school and visit their health centers regularly, ending large scale corruption that had become a common occurrence over the past decade and implementing a zero based budgeting process that evaluates the effectiveness of government programs. “These reforms are paying off. The savings generated by more honest and transparent budgeting have allowed us to increase spending on social services and defense without having to increase taxes this year,” the President said. These, the Presi-

dent noted, have earned accolades from the international community as evidenced by the four positive rating actions over the past fifteen months, a stark contrast to the lone upgrade and six downgrades meted out to the Philippines in the nine and a half years of the previous administration. “This, on top of the recently-released World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report, in which my country posted a ten-point jump in ranking,, the biggest improvement we have ever recorded in the report,” the President said. “In my recent trip to China alone, we were able to acquire 1.2 billion dollars in new investments; and, with an estimated 11.7 billion dollars more in potential investments, this number is sure to grow,” he added. The President pointed out that “these 18

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aquino vows...from page 17

foreign investments, and the equallyimportant investments coming from domestic sources, are in large part responsible for the jobs that have been created within our administration.” “There are a million new entrants to the labor force every year,” he continued, “meaning that keeping our 8 percent unemployment rate from going up meant creating a million jobs every year. But we were not only able to main18

tain it; we improved on it by bringing it down to 7.2 percent. This does not factor in the fact that 2010 was an election year, creating an employment spike during an election period,” the President said. “Ending corruption means not only cleaning up the system, but holding accountable those who have wronged my people. Accountability allows closure to the many sins committed against my people

over the past generations. Without accountability, there will be no certainty that others will not follow in the footsteps of those who have wronged my people. Without accountability, the entrenched culture of impunity will remain, the corrupt will continue to flourish and steal, and the atmosphere of doubt and mistrust will continue to linger even as we rebuild our institutions,” he concluded. (RCK) Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pres. Aquinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with transport sectors addresses major issues by Alice V. Sicat

il Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Director Zenaida Monsada today said that the meeting held between of the transport sector and President Aquino and his Cabinet led many of the transport groups to not join the strike yesterday, said Monsada. Among the issues discussed were the rising oil prices and the perception that the Oil Deregulation Law was being abused by major oil companies, which adjust oil prices almost immediately when global crude prices go up. She said the President has instructed the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to check on the profitability of oil companies, and whether they pay the correct taxes.

Quoting Sec. Mar Roxas, she said that the President formed an interagency group composed of DOE, BIR, Department of Customs, NEDA and DOTC to review the matter. In the meeting, the President also expressed interest in having the Oil Deregulation Law reviewed by the House of the Representatives and the Senate, although he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t certify it as an urgent bill. Transport groups

pointed out that while oil prices were deregulated, public transport fares were regulated. The approved jeepney fares hike to P8.50, according to the transport sector, has not been implemented because of the occasional downward trend in oil prices in world and domestic markets. The President also tasked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to look into the possibility of having public transport cooperatives 20

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pres. Aquino’s meeting... from page 19

go into the business of purchasing and selling spare parts to members at a lower price. Transport groups have complained that prices of spare parts follow only the upward

trend of prices of oil in the world market; but these do not go down even after oil prices are reduced in local and foreign markets. Monsada was guest at the Talking Points ra-

dio program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and aired over DZRB - Radio ng Bayan and NBN4. (PIA-GHQ)

DOE gives tips on household LPG safety by Lanie Bolina-Ronquillo QUEZON CITY, September 22 (PIA) -- “Gusto naming magkaroon ng kultura na ang lahat ng tao maging conscious sa paggamit ng safe na Liquefied Petroleum Gas o LPG (We want the public to have a culture of safe-consciousness when it comes to using the LPG)”, declared by Zenaida Y. Monsada, Director of the Department of Energy - Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOEOIMB) as she shared several safety tips on the LPG use. Dir. Monsada said it is common in the Philippine culture to prefer buying the cheaper LPGs, even if it compromises household safety. Monsada admits that they have heard speculations that the energy department is only pushing for LPG safety standards “because they want only the big oil companies

to survive”. However, Dir. Monsada denied the accusations. “Hindi po, ang pinapahalagahan naming ay ang buhay ng lahat ng Pilipino, mayaman ka man o mahirap. Hindi porke’t mahirap ka pwede ka na mamatay sa pinsala ng LPG. So sana lahat tayo, magtulungan tayo. (No, we only want to protect the

lives of all Filipinos – regardless of their status in life. It does not mean that when you are poor, it’s okay to die. I hope all of us will help each other”, Monsada said. The Department of Energy is convincing the legislators to set as a priority bill the passing of the LPG Cylinder Improvement Program, which will set 21

Thursday, September 22, 2011

DOE gives... from page 20

the standards in LPG retail and distribution. “Yung mga tabingi na ang paa, may dent na, dapat wala na yan sa market (Tanks which have deformed stands and have dents must be taken off the market)”, Monsada stressed. Monsada shared that most retail outlets do not know how to properly stack the LPG tanks. Only two levels of tanks are allowed to be stacked. Also, it is important that tanks are not roughly-handled, and bottoms of tanks are checked for any rusts and decay, which may result to accidental explosions.

“Even the transporting of LPGs has standards. We should not just carry the tanks on motorcycles. LPGs must be carried upright because LPG is a kind of gas that is heavier than air. So if your valve has a leak, it has a tendency to drop on the ground and when somebody near ignites a fire, the tank could explode”, Monsada said. She further said that the same rule applies to empty tanks, since it is impossible to saturate the contents completely; there is still a tendency for the tank to leak.

Monsada kept emphasizing the importance of instilling a culture of safetyconsciousness among the LPG stakeholders. “Kasi halimbawa, ikaw maingat ka, pero kung ang kapitbahay mo hindi maingat, kapag nasunog ang bahay niya, damay ka rin, at hindi lang yan proteksyon sa property kung hindi sa buhay (Even if you are safety-conscious, when your neighbour is not and their house gets razed, you may also get affected – it is not only protection of properties, but lives as well)”, Monsada said. (PND/ LBR PIA-GHQ)

PNoy orders interagency action to combat oil smuggling by Precie Catherine C. Cuarto

QUEZON CITY, September 22 (PIA) -- The Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) of the Department of Energy (DoE) will coordinate with other government agencies in its effort to combat oil smuggling into the country. Among these agencies are the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Justice (DoJ), Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). 22 Thursday, September 22, 2011

PNoy orders...from page 21

Quoting Transport Secretary Mar Roxas, OIMB Director Zenaida Monsada of DOE said that the order for interagency coordination against oil smuggling came from President Benigno Aquino III. These agencies are to compare data regarding oil companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; profitability, and look into taxation of imported crude oil and oil products, and similar concerns. Monsada said that the said agencies may issue a set of standard operating procedures oil companies to follow in importing crude oil and oil products. Among the measures being studied include requiring oil companies to notify

the DoE before importing crude oil or oil products. This would alert the Bureau of Customs so they can monitor said importation. Oil companies that do not notify the DoE would then be doing so under a cloud of suspicion, said Monsada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also looking at accrediting import terminals. It cannot be just anywhere because that is when smugglers sneak in,â&#x20AC;? Monsada added. She noted that smuggling activities have negative effect on government revenue and on the viability of the both small and big oil companies in the country.

The intervention of the government, Monsada explained, is needed even though the oil industry is deregulated because the public expects government to act on rising oil prices. The DoE-IOMB, she stressed, has a role to ensure a sustained and sufficient supply of crude oil and oil products, and to balance the rights of the oil companies, the consumers, and the business sector. Monsada was guest at Talking Points radio program aired over Radyo ng Bayan, sponsored by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, PIA and NBN4. (PIA-GHQ)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

PDRRMC renews call for vigilance in accident â&#x20AC;&#x201C;prone areas

by Dani Doguiles

outh Cotabato officials have renewed calls for vigilance, especially among residents living in or near identified flood-prone and landslideprone areas.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

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PDRRMC renews.... from page 23 Provincial Administrator Isidro Janita, who also heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said residents in the identified accidentprone areas should always be on the lookout for their safety because landslides and flash floods with the heavy rains being experienced in the province. This renewed call for vigilance came after a flash flood incident in Polomolok town. Fifty-six families, including 274 individuals, in Barangays Landan, Upper Klinan, and Maligo in Polomolok town were displaced when a

creek overflowed Monday night. PDRRMC incident report said 21 houses and 1 chapel were totally damaged and 25 houses were partially damaged. At least 6 hectares of crops and four farm animals were also lost. Initial estimates have set the damages at P5 million. No human casualty was reported. Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. yesterday said the provincial government has already extended food and relief assistance to the displaced families.

He said he has also ordered the immediate relocation of the residents in the affected area, which has been identified among the high risk area. In a recent meeting of the regional council, Gov. Pingoy has requested the RDMMC to expedite the purchase of the relocation sites for communities living in calamity-prone areas. He said purchase of the relocation site for affected residents in Landan area may not be difficult since the identified lot is properly titled. (PIA 12)

Bagong police director ng South Cotabato pangungunahan ang pagpapatupad ng disiplina by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 22 (PIA) -- Kasabay ng kanyang pagamin sa pagiging mahigpit at disciplinarian, siniguro ni Police Senior Superintendent Randolph Delfin, bagong police provincial director ng South Cotabato na siya mismo ang mangunguna sa pagdidisiplina ng kanyang sarili. 25 24

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Bagong police....from page 24

Sa kanyang kauna-unahang pulong â&#x20AC;&#x201C;balitaan sa Kapitolyo ng South Cotabato, binigyang-diin ni Delfin mahalagang maipapakita niyang na ipinapatupad din niya sa sarili ang disiplinang pinapasunod sa kanyang mga tauhan. Kabilang aniya dito ang kanyang disiplina na hindi mahuhuli sa pagpasok sa kanyang tanggapan at pagsusuot ng tamang uniporme at pagiging modelo sa pagiging pulis. Paliwanag ng bagong police director, walang karapatan ang sinumang opisyal na magsalita o mag-utos sa kan-

Thursday, September 22, 2011

yang tauhan kung siya mismo ay kayang gawin sa sarili ang pinapagawa. Dagdag pa nito na walang mairereklamo ang kanyang mga tauhan na maraming siyang inuutos dahil maipapakita rin niya magtatrabaho siya ng magdamagan. Kahapon ang ika-anim na araw ni Delfin bilang police director ng lalawigan. Aniya, sa loob ng anim na araw nalibot na umano niya ang buong South Cotabato at nabisita na ang lahat na istasyon ng pulis dito. Kahit gabi binibisita niya ang

mga nasasakupan upang matiyak ang operational readiness ng kapulisan. Kahapon, Setyembre 21, sinimulan niya ng pagtrabaho ng ala-una ng madaling araw sa pamamagitan ng pagbisita sa police station ng bayan ng Sto. NiĂąo na sinundan naman niya ng inspection sa mga police station sa mga bayan ng Norala, Surallah, at Banga. Alas-kwatro ng madaling araw kahapon, binisita niya ang police station sa lungsod ng Koronadal bago bumalik sa provincial police headquarter. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Publiko hinihikayat na dumalo sa public consultation ng SMI by Dani Doguiles KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 22 (PIA) -- Muling nananawagan ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng South Cotabato sa mga residente na dumalo at makilahok sa gagawing presentasyon ng environmental impact assessment (EIA) ng Sagittarius Mines Inc. bukas, Setyembre 23. Mismong si Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. ang nanawagan sa mga taga- South Cotabato na pumunta sa South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center sa Alunan Ave., Koronadal City. Aniya mahalagang marinig at matimbang ng mga residente ng lalawigan ang ilalahad ng SMI hinggil sa epekto sa kalikasan ng pagmimina nila ng copper at ginto sa bayan ng Tampakan batay sa kanilang isinagawang pagsusuri at ang mga dahilan ng mga grupong tumututol sa planong pagmimina ng SMI. Sa gagawing pub-

lic consultation bukas, dalawang British environment experts at isang Pilipinong eksperto sa environment laws ang inimbitahan ng Social Action Center ng Diocese of Marbel upang ilahad din sa publiko ang negatibong epekto ng pagmimina. Inaasahang ma-

Pingoy

makatutulong

ang public upang

consultation

maaabot ng mga

taga-South Cotabato ang responsableng

desisyon

hinggil sa naturang isyu.

Matatandaang

nasa

Sangguniang

Panlalawigan ng Cotabato 2010

ang

ipiSouth

noong Hunyo Environment

sa Code na nagbabawal ng pagitan ng mga um- open-pit mining method aayon at sumasalungat sa lalawigan. habang

talakayan

Open-pit mining ang mining gagamisusunod sa pamamaraang

sa copper-gold project ang

taya tin ng SMI sa paghuhung gobernador aabot ng kay ng tinatayang 13.5 hanggang alas-tres ng m8etriko toneladang coppresentasyon.

hapon ang public forum per at 15.8 million ouncna magsisimula ng alas- es ng ginto sa Tampa-

kan. (DEDoguiles/ Paliwanag ni Gov. PIA 12)

ocho ng umaga.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Clean committees intensify campaign on ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program by Jennifer P. Gaitano

ommittee members of the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ program led by Butuan City government convened yesterday to discuss plans on full implementation of said program.

This includes the ‘No Segration, No Collection’ policy in all the barangays of Butuan, and Awarding of ‘Clean Seals’ in the different sectors involving households, schools, establishments, and others. Thursday, September 22, 2011

28 27

Clean committees ...from page 27

Butuan City Vice Mayor Atty. Lawrence Fortun stressed during the meeting that government officials and employees should serve as good example to the general public. “If the public sees that the government is not compliant with the law, the public will not be persuaded to do the right thing,” Fortun said. Also, Ms. Ruth Jugao, City Economic Enterprise and Development Office (CEEDO) Manager and overall coordinator of the program said that there is money in garbage. 28

She also emphasized that the general public can earn money by way of segregating the garbage. “In Butuan, various groups, organizations producing different handicrafts out from the solid wastes are buying cellophanes, bottles,

recycled papers, and empty cans. With this, the public does not only help clean the environment but also earn additional income. Wastes can also be converted to organic fertilizers,” Jugao said. Ms. Gemma Reserva, Butuan City General Services Officer is also optimistic that the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program will be sustained once the cleaning activity will become a routine and be practiced by Butuanons. “With this program, the city govt is working together with the public to achieve a ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ city,” Reserva stressed. (PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Surigao City civil registry office unveils monthly accomplishment report by Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- The Surigao City Local Civil Registry Office unveiled recently its monthly accomplishment report for the month of August. According to Surigao City Local Civil Registry officer Manuel Edera the said office received applications for the following: birth registration, 404; marriage registration, 60; death registration, 123; and correction of

clerical error, change of first name, registered of finality and migrant petition, 35. Edera said his office collected P121,450 in fees for birth, marriage, death and late registration certificates. Edera also bared

that around 226 persons availed of the free birth registration during an agency caravan held last August 26, 2011 in line with the celebration of Surigao City 41st Charter Day Anniversary. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DOST-Caraga launches 1st reg’l invention contest, exhibits by Maria Rebecca Ayaton BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- A total of 40 participants from different high schools and colleges in Caraga Region joined the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-sponsored young inventors competition. The (DOST)-Caraga launched Wednesday the first ever Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) with the theme “Imbensyon at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa

Pag-unlad” held at Luciana Convention Center, this city. The exhibit is open for public viewing from September 21-23, 2011, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm at Luciana Conven-

tion Center, this city. The competition featured six categories namely: Invention Category or Tuklas Award, Utility Model Category, Industrial Design Category, Cre30

Thursday, September 22, 2011

DOST-Caraga ...from page 29

ative Research Category or Likha Award, and Student Creative Research Category or Sibol Award. Said categories are featured both in secondary and tertiary level. DOST Assistant Secretary for Strategic Plans and Programs Engr. Robert O. Dizon together with DOST Caraga Regional Director Lyndo G. Villacorta and other DOST officials cut the ceremo-

serves as a founnial ribbon. Also, Asec. Dizon dation of economic said DOST is hoping growth,â&#x20AC;? Amante said. to utilize and commer- (MRA/PIA-Caraga) cialize the inventions and researches of the youth for the development of the country. Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Governor John Erlpe M. Amante supports the gesture of DOST-Caraga and urges the youth to be more creative and active in these kind of activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mindanao Immigration Bureau minomonitor ang mga ilegal na dayuhan by Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Set. 22 (PIA) – Siniguro kamakailan lang ni Ret. Col. Ace Guro, Technical Assistant for Mindanao ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) na sinusubaybayan nila ang mga foreign nationals na nandirito sa Mindanao upang masampahan ng karampatang kaso kung sakaling sila ay ilegal na papasok sa buong rehiyon ng isla. Ayon kay Guro, makikita sa kanilang record ang lahat ng mga dayuhan sa Mindanao na paso na ang visa. Pinayuhan niya ang mga ito na ayusin ang kanilang visa sa tanggapan ng BI. “Sa mga hindi susunod sa panukala, sila ay papayuhan na lisanin na lang ang bansa,” dagdag nito. Sinabi rin ng opisyal na ang mga tauhan

ng tanggapan ay mas pinaghusay ang kanilang mga gawain upang mabigyan ng kaukulang aksyon ang mga isyu. “Sinisiguro kasi ng bagong pamunuan ng BI na ang mga isyu at concerns ay natutugunan base na rin sa direktiba ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III,” ayon kay Guro. Sinabi rin ni Guro na ang ahensya ay nakakatanggap ng impor-

masyon mula sa mga sibilyan hinggil sa kasong kinakasangkutan ng mga dayuhan--dahilan upang ang mga ito ay maresolba. Nagpasalamat ang opisyal sa mga Mindanaoans sa suporta upang sugpuin ang mga katiwaliang kinasasangkutan ng mga dayuhan. Aniya, sana’y , magpatuloy ang tiwala at suporta ng mga tao sa naturang ahensya. (PIA-Caraga)

HR professionals – mga kasosyo sa kaunlaran by Danilo S. Makiling BUTUAN CITY, Set. 22 (PIA) -- Ang Human Resource practitioners sa rehiyon ng Caraga ay magtitipun-tipon upang mapalawak ang kanilang kaalaman at kahusayan. 32 Thursday, September 22, 2011

HR professionals ...from page 31

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng Caraga Regional Council of Human Resource Managers, Incorporated (CRCHRMI) at ng Civil Service Commission (CSC), Caraga Regional Office, gagawin ang 8th Regional Convention of Human Resource Practitioners sa ilalim ng temang “Transforming HR Practitioners as Strategic Partner for Good Governance” ngayong Setyembre 27 28, 2011 sa Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. Sinabi ni CSC Caraga Regional Director Adams D. Torres na ang pagpupulong ay naglalayong maibahagi ang tulong upang maipagpatuloy ang edukasyon sa mga miyembro ng CRCHRMI pati na

rin ang pagsulong ng Government HR propesyonal na nangangailang ng pagbabago sa mga tungkulin nito at magkaroon ng iba pang estratehiya sa pagpapaunlad sa kani-kanilang institusyon. Kabilang sa mga lalahok sa pagpupulong ang administrative office, human resource management officers, HRM assistants, HRM aides at iba pang mga empleyado ng pamahalaan na namamahala mula sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno ng rehiyon. Ang convention ay isang live – out na aktibidad na may registration fee na Php 2, 400 kasama na ang pagkain, kit, at ang panghabang buhay na member-

ship fee sa konseho na isang daang piso. Ang mga miyembro ng konseho ay nagkasundo na ang mga kalahok ay dapat magsuot ng ng damit ayon sa itinalagang kulay ng bawat probinsiya: Agusan del Norte ay kailangan magsuot ng bughaw na damit; Agusan del Sur – itim; Surigao del Norte – pula, at dilaw naman sa Surigao del Sur. Ang nasabing pagpupulong ay kabilang sa pagdiriwang ng 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary na may temang “Championing R.A.C.E (Responsive, Accessible, courteous, and Effective): Excellent Public Service at Full Speed.” (PIA-Caraga)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Transport strike sa Butuan, umani ng iba’t-ibang reaksiyon sa publiko by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Set. 22 (PIA) -- Umani ngayon ng iba’t-ibang reaksiyon sa publiko ang nangyaring malawakang welga noong Lunes ng iilang transport drivers at operators dito.

Ayon kay Aling Felisa Jimenez, maybahay at may tatlong anak, maraming trabaho ang naantala dahil walang masasakyan ang mga manggagawa dito. Aniya, naging perwisyo ito lalung-lalo na sa mga manggagawang arawan ang pasahod. Si Aling Felisa ang tagapagbantay ng kanilang sarisari store. “Dahil sa walang masasakyan, napilitan tuloy ang ibang manggagawang lumiban na lamang sa kanilang trabaho. At dahil sa arawan ang kanilang pasahod, na-miss tuloy nila ang isang araw na kikitain,” sabi ni Aling Felisa. Sinabi rin ng Thursday, September 22, 2011

maybahay na si Farmenia Quiñonez na hindi na niya pinapasok kahapon ang kaniyang anak sa klase dahil higit tatlong kilometro ang layo ng paaralan sa kanilang tinitirhan. “Kahit na sinabi ng pamunuan ng DepEd Butuan City Division na bibigyan ng konsiderasyon ang mga hindi nakapasok kahapon, na-miss pa rin ng mga anak ko ang leksiyon nila kahapon,” ani Quiñonez. Samantala, humingi naman kahapon ng dispensa sa publiko ang iilang transport groups dito dahil anila, hindi lang naman nila ginagawa ito para sa kapakanan nilang mga drivers at

operators, kundi pati na rin sa mga commuters sa pangkalahatan. Tumugon naman ang lokal na pamahalaan at iilang pambansang ahensiya ng pamahalaan dito matapos ipinagamit ng mga ito ang ilan sa kanilang mga sasakyan upang maihatid sa patutunguhan ang mga pasaherong naantala dahil sa strike. Ayon naman sa ulat ng Philippine National Police (PNP) dito, naging mapayapa at matiwasay naman ang ginawang tigil-pasada kahapon at walang nai-ulat na malalaking insidente kaugnay sa nasabing tansport strike. (PIA-Caraga) 33

SC administrator to keynote PACEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5th cluster assembly by Franklin P. Gumapon

upreme Court (SC) Administrator Jose Midas Marquez is here in the city today to serve as the keynote speaker in the opening program of the 5th cluster general assembly of the officers and members of the Philippine Association of Court Employees (PACE).

35 Thursday, September 22, 2011

SC administrator ...from page 34 PACE-Dipolog chapter president Atty. Ian O. Campiseño told the local press that the two-day assembly would be conducted at the newly built Dipolog City Sports Center at barangay Olingan this city. Mayor Evelyn Uy has also been invited to give a welcome address to the participants. According to Campiseño, a series of lectures shall follow right after the opening program to tackle topics on membership, welfare and benefits, em-

ployees’ education, information and research and many others. Like other places in Mindanao, Dipolog has become host to a number of national conferences and conventions. It can be recalled that the local officials of Calatrava, Negros Occidental also arrived here yesterday on a study tour. They were briefed on the best practices adopted and implemented by the city government of Dipolog, which include among others the estab-

lishment of the Livelihood Skills Development and Enhancement Center (LSDEC), the fitness and wellness program which is held every morning at the Dipolog Boulevard, women’s livelihood project on sardines making, the clean and green program, the eco-tourism park , and the Performance Governance System (PGS) which aims to make the city a SWIGAPORE (Switzerland and Singapore) by 2030. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)

5,457 examinees to take LET exam on Sept. 25 by Gideon C. Corgue PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) -– The Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) is on a new high. Professional Regulations Commission (PRC9) has added another feather to its cap as the number of examinees across the Zamboanga Peninsula region has increased remark-

ably in 2011, as compared to 2010. PRC9 supervising professional regulations officer Efren P. Amatorio said PRC9 has registered 47% increase in the number of exam-

inees to take the exam in September 26, 2011, when compared to 2010 in the same month. Amatorio said a total of 5,457 are part of the 2011 LET exam , as against 3,697 in 2010. 36

Thursday, September 22, 2011

5,457 examinees ...from page 35 Amatorio said 3,826 of the examinees will take the LET for elementary level while 1,631 will take for secondary level. Since the number of examinees have increased, Amatorio said PRC has increased also number of testing centers from 6 to 8 to accommodate the examinees. Amatorio said the designated testing centers are as follows: Holy Child Academy, Pagadian City Pilot School,

Southern Mindanao Colleges, St. Columban College, St. Columban College (High School Department), Sta. Lucia Elementar School, Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Institute of Technology, and Zamboanga del Sur National High School (Main Campus). These testing centers have a total of 259 rooms to be manned by 518 proctors, 32 supervisors, 11 building inspectors, and 11 personnel from National Bureau of Investigation and Philip-

pine National Police Amatorio respectively . “ The seat number, room assignments, and examination school centers are posted at our office today to guide the hopeful examinees,” Amatorio announced. Amatorio strongly encouraged the examinees to be at their respective testing centers at exactly 6:00 a.m. to avoid hassle for searching their room assignments on the test day. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)

Military rescues kidnapped bizwomen in Basilan by Rene V. Carbayas ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept 22 (PIA) -– Operating elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion of the Special Operations Task Force Basilan rescued a kidnapped businesswoman in the hinterlands of Basilan Sunday, the military said. In a press statement, the military said that Ma. Luisa Galvez Morrison was rescued in an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) fortified encampment in Brgy

Mahatalang, Sumisip, Basilan Province. Mrs Morrison, a business woman who owns a salon and Spa in Poblacion, Ipil, was abducted by suspect-

ed Abu Sayyaf Group members in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay last September 4 at about 6:00 p.mm and has not been sited ever since. The military said 37

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Military rescues ...from page 36

that government troops chanced upon an armed group while the SOTF-Basilan, SOCOM of the Philippine Army was conducting security operations in the area of Brgy Mahatalang, Sumisip, Basilan Province, in line with the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) that is being implemented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The surgical operation was conducted through an intelligence report received by this unit, well-matched with the information from the technical support unit, confirming that the

presence of Abu Sayyaf Group in the target area is affirmative. The government troops involved were reacting upon an information given to them last Sunday, which divulged the location of Abu Sayyaf Commander Khair Mundos with thirty (30) of his cohorts. The swift thinking and action of government troops led to the retreat of the ASG forces allowing soldiers to the discovery of Mrs Morrison whose right leg was wounded during the firefight. The government troops also discovered bloodstains

in the camp which was indicative of casualties in the ASG’s side, and documents of high intelligence value. The military also reported that a government soldier was also wounded in the clash, he and Mrs Morrison were evacuated by helicopters from the 3rd Air Division and were later transported to the nearest hospital for appropriate treatment. Both of the wounded are now stable and will most probably make a full recovery from their injuries soon. (JPA/ SOTF-B/PIA9-BaSulTa)

Zambo Sur solon to 4P’s beneficiaries: Take full advantage of the program PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District Congresswoman Aurora Cerilles, during the “Serbisyo Contra Kawad-on” (Service against Poverty) convergence caravan held in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur on September 15, urged Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to take full advantage of the program for their development. 38 Thursday, September 22, 2011

Zambo Sur solon ...from page 37 “Pantawid is not a dole-out and it is your duty to show that the program will bring you more towards the path of development,” Cong. Cerilles said. The convergence caravan was able to bring together approximately 2,000 program beneficiaries from the 2nd district of the province, as well as municipal heads of offices, line agencies like the DepEd, DOLE, and others. Moreover, the participating municipalities showcased the products of their areas in booths they have erected at the municipal gymnasium. “I have seen the many products you display here, and I am very positive that we are on

the right track. With assistance from other agencies, we will be able to market your products to a wider market,” Cerilles said. Meanwhile, Pantawid beneficiaries shared their testimonies to the Congresswoman. “What you say now is proof that you are indeed moving towards development – tumatawid na kayo. This is a testament that our people here are serious, and that you do not use the money for vices and other unnecessary things. I hope that you continue to do more with the assistance that the government, through President Aquino, has been giving you.” After the program,

the various agencies present showcased their services to the beneficiaries, informing them of particular anti-poverty programs which will be directly benefiting the poor. M e a n w h i l e , DSWD-9 Regional Director Teodulo Romo, Jr. thanked the participating agencies who gave their support to the conduct of the convergence caravan. “It is very inspiring to see other agencies here today. We know that poverty is too huge a problem to be fought by one agency or one program alone. But now, we are all being involved in the fight. Akohon nato ang problema,” he said. (JPA/DSWD-9/CAL/ PIA9/Zambo Sur)

LHP Seminar held in Bayog by Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY , Sept. 22 (PIA) –- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office recently held a seminar on Labor Relations, Human Relations and Productivity as well as Occupational Safety and Health Hazards at the Timber Mines Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. 39 38

Thursday, September 22, 2011

LHP Seminar ...from page 38

Spearheaded by DOLE Provincial Head Virginia L. Bonbon, a team of experts from their office presented to Alpha First Mining Industry issues on Human Relations and Child Labor which was discussed by LEO III Fortunato A. Magsayo; Labor Standards by Senior LEO Camilo A. Encila Jr.; Occupational Safety and Healthy Workplace by Engr. Rolando C. Godinez and Ms. Virginia Bonbon focused on Productivity. Thursday, September 22, 2011

Ms. Bonbon said Mr. Sapto Maryono, an Indonesian national who is currently the Project Manager of Alpha First Mining Industry together with his staff attended the seminar. Maryono and Mr. Doddy Setyawan, Exploration Manager agreed to comply with existing labor standards and to create a Safety Committee which would be under the project manager who will look into the well-being of its workers

and ensure their safety at work. This was also attested and affirmed by Mr. Emmanuel G. Salde, Operations Supervisor with the commitment of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for Occupational Safety and Health Hazards Compliance. It can be recalled that Alpha First Mining Industry is already in its third year of exploration in the municipality of Bayog. (ALT-PIA9/ Zambo Sur) 39

DPWH Sec. Singson inau flyover, reminds motori follow traffic rules

by Rutc

Thursday, September 22, 2011

ugurates ists to

chie Cabahug-Aguhob

ecretary Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has called on the residents of Barangay Bugo, this city, to take care of the newly completed PuertoSayre Flyover. Singson sounded the call during yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration of the project, which was constructed under the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project (MBURDP) of DPWH. Costing some Php363 million, groundbreaking of the project was done by President Benigno S. Aquino III, during his visit in the city, last March 23, which construction started, last March 28 and completed five (5) months later on Aug.27, Measuring some 195 lineal meters long, with a width of 7.5 l.m. and road approaches of 120 l.m., from both sides, the flyover was constructed with modular superstructure materials supplied by the Matiere S.A.S. Modular Steel Flyover of five (5) spans and four (4) piers supported by 1.5 m. diameter bored piles. With the COFACE Export Credit Guarantee Assistance of the French Government providing the funds, the project was implemented by 42

Thursday, September 22, 2011

DPWH Sec. Singson...from page 41

the DPWH Presidential Bridges Program Office (PBPO), in coordination with the DPWH Regional Engineering Office (REO), region 10 and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro. “Nakakatiyak po kayo na ang proyektong ito ay nakakatulong sa tao sa pag-uutos ng Pangulong Aquino. (You can be assured that this project can really help the people, upon the order of President Aquino),” he said. Singson said the President could have been with him during the inauguration, just as he was with the President during the groundbreaking, except that he was on a state visit to America, from Sept. 18-22. The DPWH Secretary was accompanied by Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez of CDO’s 2nd district, DPWH Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut and Asst. Secretary Emil K. Sadain, and Philippe Gou-

vary who represented His Excellency Borja de Mozota, the French Ambassador to the Philippines. Meanwhile, Singson also said that DPWH will always heed the directive of the President “to do the right project, with the right cost and the right quality on the right time.” “While we thank the people for giving us the privilege to do the project for them, we also call on the them to do their share to take care of these projects by following the traffic rules and regulations,” the DPWH Secretary said. “Kahit gaano ka rami ang ating mga flyover, pag walang disiplina ang ating mga motorista ay wala din. Masasayang lang ang ating mga ginagawa. (No matter how many flyover projects that we do, if our motorists do not have the discipline and do not follows the traffic rules, these will amount to nothing),” Singson said.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Peace caravan/ISO handover anniversary highlight Int’l Day of by Jorie C. Valcorza Peace in Mis.Or. CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 22 (PIA) – Members of the different Municipal Peace and Order Councils (MPOC) of the province converged at the Provincial Capitol, yesterday, to celebrate the International Day of Peace, jointly with the first Internal Security Operations (ISO) Handover anniversary. Thus, Jurgette Honculada, a member of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel, who was present during the celebration, commended Mis. Or. for its peace efforts and for fronting soldiers of peace instead of war. “If we let guns dictate our discourse it will be hard to find our way back into grace, for we cannot recall bullets but can always take the bullets out of the gun,” she said. “This is what your province has been doing, going back to talks. We must reclaim peace as our common birthright and honor it as a wellspring of our hope, faith, and dreams,” she urged. Honculada also appealed to the public to

keep faith in the success of peace process and continue to give life to our hopes and dreams. She said although we see countless of reasons walling its success we’ve got to keep pushing and persisting and citing further the famous line “there is no way to peace, because peace is the way.” Meanwhile, ViceGovernor Norris C. Babiera underlined the significance of the ISO saying that peace is the desired end and democracy, in its truest form, was manifested by the government and the state when it recognizes the supremacy of the civilian authority over the military. Babiera, who is the Co-Chairperson of the

Provincial POC said the ISO Handover, signed on Sept. 21, last year, also recognized the important role of civilian authority in realizing genuine and lasting peace through peace and development cognizance to address the root causes of insurgency. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also believes that ensuring peace in the province is a manifestation that, indeed, victory in peace is better than the victory in war and the ISO symbolizes the substantial meaning of peace as development, good governance, delivery of services, and economic opportunities for the contentment of the people. For his part, Maj. Victor A. Felix, Com 44

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Peace caravan...from page 43 mander of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said accepting the challenge of administering the peace and security of the province achieved considerable milestones by the increasing economic activity and influx of investors and ensuring a lasting peace has always been our common agenda. “We may come from different professions and possess different views but we share one thing. We are all

Filipinos. We envision for a peaceful, progressive, democratic society. The bigger challenge is at hand, that is convincing the communist party to join us in our quest for peace,” he noted. Other activities of the day included an early “Jog and Walk for Peace” from the Capitol Grounds towards the Rhodelsa Rotunda while the “Peace Caravan” came from different municipalities and 2 cities of the province. A Catholic Mass

and a Higaonon Ritual asking for blessing for the activities opened the program at the capitol grounds graced also by other dignitaries, that included the peace advocates led by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Regional Director, Loreto T. Bhagwani of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Mayors from the different towns of the province. (PIA 10)

Malaybalay City vies for national Gawad Kalasag award by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- The Malaybalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) has been included in the short-list of the top three (3) cities across the country vying for the 2010 Gawad Kalasag Award, Component City Category. The judging panel from the National DRRMC was composed of officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and League of Cities of the Philippines, who travelled to the three shortlisted DRRMC’s, recently. Marlon Henson

Obligado, Chairperson of the National Assessment Team, said they have come to find out about how the council had been working on DRRM, particularly, on preparedness, prevention and mitigation, response, rehabilita-

tion and climate change adaptation (CCA). “We will also look into the city’s crafting of strategic framework to determine the council members’ respective roles for a comprehensive, integrated and proactive DRR ap45

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Malaybalay City vies...from page 44 proach in lessening the socio-economic and environmental disaster impacts, including climate change,” Obligado said. Mayor Ignacio Zubiri, meanwhile, said, “being chosen as one of the top three cities for the coveted Gawad Kalasag award is a challenge to the council.” “Through this, we will know then how are we faring in uplifting the standards of DRR/ CAA, and humanitarian assistance through integrated community-

based strategies to protect and preserve life, property and environment,” the Mayor said. Virginia Flores, Executive Officer of the Malaybalay CDRRMC, also, said that the other finalists who vied for the award were Legazpi City in Albay and Santiago City in Isabela, both in the island of Luzon. The KALASAG or Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan awards individuals, government/ non-government orga-

nizations and private sector for their the excellence on DRRM/CAA. It is an annual activity is in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government along the guidelines of Republic Act (RA) 10121, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk along Reduction and Management System” and RA 9729 or the “Philippine Climate Change Act.” (PIA 10)

Camiguin’s first zipline set to rise in Mahinog by Homer R. Jajalla MAHINOG, Camiguin, Sept. 22 (PIA) – A 3-lane zipline is set to be opened, here, this coming December. This announcement came from Apolinario B. Alambatin of J & A Fishpen and Restaurant in Benoni Lagoon, here, during a project presentation at the Municipal Council Session, recently. Presided over by Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle, the municipal

Thursday, September 22, 2011

council passed a resolution endorsing this project, which is seen to boost the tourism industry of the island. Alambatin said this will be the first zipline in the island province of Camiguin and this can be found in municipality of Mahinog.

The zipline will have a distance of more than 700 meters from Station 1 to Station 2 that will cross over a lagoon, which makes the ride even more exciting. An additional 360-meter zip line is also being eyed in same area, Alambatin said. (MIO/PIA-10)

OroChamber holds finance forum by Lordilie Enjambre

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 22 (PIA) - A forum on “Creating a Financially Healthy Workforce for Every Employer” was conducted, today, by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (OroChamber), the country’s hall of famer as the Most Outstanding Chamber of Commerce. Held at the PUMOro Chamber Training Room, Macapagal Road, Pueblo de Oro Township, this city, from 1:30-5:00p.m., Sept. 22, the half-day event was graced by financial experts from Manila, who shared their knowledge on how to save from even the smallest earnings. “This forum is our way of helping member employers and their respec46

tive employees,” said Efren Uy, OroChamber Vice President for Trade and Commerce. Through this forum, employees will appreciate that savings does not come from huge salary but in managing whatever financial resource is available. In these trying times, we cannot rely on companies to keep increasing the wages to ensure the

welfare of workers. “Big wages do not guarantee savings. It is a matter of discipline, that do,” Uy said. The workers also need to examine their spending behavior making sure that every penny is spent wisely,” Uy added. The forum is also supported by BusinessWeek, Magnum Radio, Mindanao Current, Parasat CableTV, Sunstar CDO and Sunlife Financials. (PIA-10) Thursday, September 22, 2011

BFAR-LBP partnership to improve mariculture parks by Carina L. Cayon

T the countryside.

he recent partnership of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Land Bank of the Philippines is gearing towards optimizing utilization of mariculture parks and promoting it as alternative livelihood for the fisherfolks in

Thursday, September 22, 2011

48 47

BFAR-LBP partnership....from page 47 BFAR and LBP have just conducted orientation of this joint venture to stakeholders including the target beneficiaries in the region such as cooperatives, fisherfolk associations and small and medium enterprises, all engaged in fishing and mariculture industry. Gil Adora, BFAR assistant director for technical services, said mariculture activities are not common undertakings of fisherfolks, especially the small-scale ones, thus the need for its promotion and development. Adora told the Philippine Information Agency that the BFARLBP mariculture parks partnership covers the provision of technical assistance, capability building, direct technical and marketing assistance, technology transfer and business modeling, documentation and replication. He said LBP will provide the financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries in the form of credit or equity investment through its Accelerating Change in the Countryside Thru Equity Sharing Scheme (ACCESS). BFAR, meanwhile, will deliver the technical

support such as capability-building, technology transfer, marketing, and the business modeling and documentation. Adora said the country nurtures 67 mariculture parks, with four sites found in Davao Region such as in the Island Garden of Samal and Panabo City in Davao del Norte, Mati City in Davao Oriental and in the municipality of Pantukan in Compostela Valley province. He bared that a site in Malita town of Davao del Sur province would soon be declared as mariculture park. According to Adora, mariculture parks in Davao Region are not hard to promote, citing the privileges that the region has such as infrastructures like fine airport and one of the biggest fish ports which according to Adora are part of the advantages to lure investments for the fishing industry. He underscored the need to improve and promote the mariculture parks with the goals for food self-sufficiency, generation of more livelihood and jobs for fisherfolks in the countryside. Under the BFARLBP partnership, LBP will

determine what kind of project to be financed, and will only approve to fund a project which has a return of investment of eight percent and above as stated in the feasibility study of the proponent. Among the mariculture activities which could be financed by LBP are the construction of fish nurseries and hatcheries, fish culture in cages and fabrication of fish cages. Other activities are the establishment of infrastructures such as ice plant for storage, harvesting equipment, fish processing plant, as well as trading activity. Adora, a former BFAR-XI regional head, said the priority beneficiaries of this program are members of cooperatives and associations, as well as individual SMEs who could qualify for LBPs requirements. Adora explained that a mariculture park is a designated area in the sea of not less than 200 hectares delineated by the local government unit as mariculture. According to him, a mariculture park is managed by a Local Executive Management Council chaired by the Mayor of the host park and co49

Thursday, September 22, 2011

BFAR-LBP partnership....from page 48 chaired by BFAR regional director. The members of the council, he said, comprised of the LGU agriculture committee

as chair, barangay captain, representatives of participating barangays within the designated area, representatives from the Department of

DOLE XI revives big brother concept

Environment and Natural Resources, municipal fisheries and presidents of the fisherfolks association. (PIA-11/CL)

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

DAVAO CITY Sept. 22 (PIA) - About 17 companies in the region have committed to act as “big” brother” to small and micro enterprises through the KAPATIRAN WISE-TAV project of the Department of Labor and Employment. A memorandum of understanding was presented Wednesday to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz during the Social Partnership for Effective Labor Governance held at the Grand Men Seng. Baldoz witnessed the commitment shown by these companies in lending a hand to new and starting businesses especially in catching up with labor standards. The project is a Big Brother - Small Brother concept wherein large companies (Big Broth-

ers), that are fully compliant with labor standards and are willing to share their resources and expertise, assist micro and small enterprises (Small Brothers) in improving their work conditions particularly in the field of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). This will eventually enable the latter to comply with labor standards. The project also aims to empower the Small Brothers to share their experiences of workplace improvements to

other micro and small enterprises. DOLE XI regional director Joffrey M. Suyao calls this as a partnership that supports the goals and programs of the agency, paving the way for a stronger and unified labor sector. Some of the big companies which committed to act as big brother are DOLE Stanfilco, Carmen Corrugated Container Inc., Stanfilco, Nakayama Technology, CJ Toyota Tsusho Phils. Inc., Therma Marine, DORECO, NCCC, Co50

Thursday, September 22, 2011

DOLE XI revive....from page 49 ca-Cola Bottlers Phils., SUMIFRU, and TADECO. They will provide technical advice and assistance to the small brothers on how to improve their working conditions, increase the productivity of their workers and achieve compliance with the general labor standards and the occupational safety and health standards The small brothers, on their part, will have to cooperate in full by

attending safety meetings, trainings, workshops or seminars relevant and necessary to the KAPATIRAN WISETAV Project and commit to adopt a minimum of two (2) Small Brothers each for the next cycle of the said project. The agency reported yesterday that the National Labor Relations Commission or the Regional Arbitration Branch handled 772 total labor dispute cases; 497 of which were

Coastal cleanup gipatuman sa DavSur

disposed; 235 of those disposed were done by arbitration; while 154 were done through mediation or conciliation. NLRC is bent to dispose 274 cases filed from June 31, 2011 and earlier as well as resolve all OFW cases within 60 days from the time of acquisition of jurisdiction over the persons of the respondents. The body targets to have this complete by yearend. (MGM/PIA-XI)

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Sept. 22 (PIA) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Si Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas nagmando sa tanang mga Mayor kansang lungsod ang adunay mga kabaybayunan lakip na ang syudad sa Digos sa pagsuporta ug pagtamod sa Global Coastal Cleanup Movement. Pinaagi sa Memorandum Circular Number 03-2011 pinitsahan sa Setyembre 14, ang gobernador naglatid sa mga mayor nga mag organisa og cleanup activities sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka

mga dapit diha mismo sa mga kabaybayunan niining bulan sa Septiembre. Samtang ang Global Coastal Cleanup Movement napailalom sa Presidential Proclamation Number 470.

Ubos sa kamanduan ni Gov. Cagas, gidasig pod niya ang tanang sektor sa katilingban nga mohimo og hugtanong pagsuporta pinaagi sa pagsalmot sa mga kalihukan. Dugang in51

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Coastal cleanup....from page 50 struksyon mao ang pagpatuman usab sa gisukip nga Coordinator Report Form of 2011 International Cleanup nga isubmitar sa kada Local Government Unit. Kini unya ang ipadangat ngadto sa buhatan sa Provincial

Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO-LGU) sa Matti, Digos City sa dili pa modangat ang bulan sa Oktubre, 2011 alang sa pagsumite niini didto sa International Coastal Cleanup Philippine Coordinator, Quezon City.

Mt. Diwata brgy officials to come up with resolutions airing latest concerns

Ang bulan sa Setyembre gideklara isip National Cleanup Month pinaagi sa Presidential Proclamation Number 244. Sa pagsaulog niini karong tuiga, nagkapot kini og temang: “Trash-Free Seas.” (PIO-DavSur/Nilda S. Aniñon/CLC)

by Jean Duron-Abangan

MT. DIWATA , Compostela Valley Province, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- Officials of gold-rush Brgy. Mt. Diwata are set to officially bring their concerns before government agencies through the Program Monitoring Coordination Center- National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD). 52 Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mt. Diwata brgy....from page 51 This move is an offshoot to the PMCC-NTFD coordination meeting held on Sept. 21 (Wednesday) in Brgy. Diwata where regional directors and PMCC-NTFD agency representatives came to discuss the progress of government interventions in the barangay. In an interview after the meeting, Mt. Diwata Brgy. Captain Boyles said he together with the Barangay Council members, will be coming up, as soon as possible, resolutions pushing for road maintenance, additional survey enumators, identification of domestic dumpsite and settlement of political boundary with nearby barangay of Upper Ulip. These concerns came out as a result of the two-hour meeting with PMCC-NTFD heads and representatives of agencies, along with the concern on lack of public school chairs and classroom and, even a school site. During the meeting which was co-presided by National Economic and Development Author-

ity (NEDA) Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim, barangay officials were advised to maximize the presence of PMCC-NTFD agencies in their barangay. Created through Executive Order 217 issued in 2003, PMCCNTFD is being tasked to formulate a comprehensive plan of action for peace and development of Mt. Diwalwal which earlier became a chaotic area due to conflicts in mining rights and frequent incidents of mining tunnel collapse and landslides. Lim found out that not much of the programs/projects identified in the Mt. Diwata Comprehensive Land Use Plan had been thoroughly implemented and accomplished with only one year left of its set time-frame from 2007 to 2012. NEDA 11 assisted Brgy. Mt. Diwata officials come up and adopt the land use plan in March 2007 through a funding support from PMCCNTFD. NEDA 11 Asst. Regional Director Bonifacio

Uy revealed the intention of NEDA 11 to come up with an updated land use plan for Brgy. Mt. Diwata . He considered such move as timely as NEDA 11 is working on the integrated area development plan of Region 11, and that the Philippine Development Plan for 2011 to 2016 and the Regional Development Plan have been laid out already. “It’s a good opportunity to update this plan to check further geographical hazards,” Uy said among other concerns covered in Mt. Diwata Comprehensive Land Use Plan. To help barangay officials fast-track lined up development projects, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Ananias Villacorta urged them to work on implementing the set projects through following up commitments of mayors, the governor and agencies concerned. “Let’s not just let them happen because we are accountable to

53 52

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mt. Diwata brgy....from page

Regional directors and representatives of member agencies of the Program Monitoring Coordination Center-National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD) take a look at JB Mining Portal in Compostela Valley Province gold-rush barangay Mt. Diwata where they also hold a meeting to talk about the progress of government projects implemented in the area. Brgy. Mt. Diwata is the focus barangay of PMCC-NTFD. In photos are (L-R) regional directors Jim O. Sampulna of DENR 11 (2nd from the left), Efren F. Elbanbuena of PIA 11 (in green t-shirt), Ma. Lourdes Lim of NEDA 11 (in red t-shirt), Ferdinand Dobli of PMDC (in green, yellow stripes t-shirt), Ananias Villacorta of DILG 11 (back row in violet shirt), Atty. Leonor O. Quintayo of NCIP (partly hidden) with Nora Alicante, PMCC-NTFD secretariat head; and Lt. Col. Cesar A. Molina of 25th Infantry Battalion. (pia 11, jean d abangan)

the people,” he was referring to set programs and projects. “We have to report to our constituents what we have accomplished,” he said in vernacular. He also encouraged barangay officials to also be concerned with the delivery of basic services such as health and social services, not just with mining-related matters. In case, they run out of ideas how to address local concerns, Villacorta advised barangay officials to seek advise and guidance from proper government

Thursday, September 22, 2011

agencies. Meanwhile, Upper Ulip Barangay Captain Fernando Latiban was also present during the meeting to hear discussions on local dumpsite which was eyed to be located in his barangay. Taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with officials of national line agencies, he asked assistance for road access to far-flung sitios in his barangay. He was advised to also endorse his concern to PMCC-NTFD in a barangay resolution. Other heads of

agencies present during the PMCC-NTFD meeting in Mt. Diwata were Efren F. Elbanbuena of PIA 11, Atty. Leonor OraldeQuintayo of NCIP 11, Lt. Col. Cesar Molina of the 25th Infantry Battalion. PMCC-NTFD chair, Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 11 joined the courtesy call at the office of Municipal Mayor Manuel Brillantes of Monkayo and the onsite visit to JB mining portal. (MGM/PIA 11/jean duron-abangan)

by Jean Duron-Abangan

The Asia Foundation to turn-over more than 6,000 books to DavNor

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 22 (PIA)--- Elementary and secondary students in some public and private schools of Davao del Norte will soon have more learning materials within reach as The Asia Foundation is due to turn-over 6,175 new books. In a letter, The Asia Foundation Country Representative Steven Rood bared his intention to turn-over the books to Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario in a ceremony set to be held at the Provincial Capitol on September 29. Rood said that The Asia Foundation will be giving the books to 132 public and private schools in the municipalities of Kapalong, Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, New Corellaincluding the municipal libraries these towns, and the Davao del Norte Provincial Library. Each elementary

school is due to receive 50 books and each high school, 40 books. Rood explained that The Asia Foundation is distributing books and reading materials to schools and libraries in Mindanao under the Transparent Accountable Governance Project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Asia Foundation has so far distributed 400,000 books to various schools, libraries and non-government organizations in Mindanao since 2003, Rood said. Rood revealed that

The Asia Foundation has been running its Books for Asia program for more than five decades, distributing books and reading materials for all educational levels in more than 18 countries in Asia â&#x20AC;&#x153;as a contribution to national development, international understanding, and English-language literacy.â&#x20AC;? He bared The Asia Foundation to have given away over 14 million books for 56 years now through donations and contributions coming from American publishers, libraries and bookstores. (MGM/PIA 11/ jean duron abangan)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

7th Davao Gulf Week Gisaulog

isaulog karon sa Davao Gulf Management Council ang “Davao Gulf Week” nga nag sugod ni-adtong Setyembre 17 hangtod 23 niining kasamtangang tuig. Ang Maong kasasaulogan gihimo alang sa paghinumdom ug pag-ila kung unsa kaimportante ang gulpo sa Davao particular na mismo sa atong ekonomiya. Ang Davao Gulf Management Management Council gilanguban sa mga mayor sa siyudad, probinsya ug mga munisipyo nga anaa mahimutang ug nagpalibot sa gulpo sa Davao . Si Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, nga mao Chairperson sa Davao Gulf Management Council (DGMC) nagkanayon diha sa iyang pagpamulong sa regular nga flag raising ceremony atubangan sa empleyado sa city hall “ Davao Gulf is our history and our future. How we treat it today will be a testament of how we value our future.” Gipangandaman nila karon ang duha ka mga dagkong aktibitades nga mao ang usa ka exhibit sa mga Thursday, September 22, 2011

Best Coastal Resource Management practices (CRM) nga gi-iplementar sa atong mga local na panggamhanan ug laing gitatawag nga Project LIFE (Learning Independently for Environment) nga magpasundayag sa usa ka video presentation ug exhibit usab sa mga hulagway gikan sa atong gulpo. Kini anha pagahimu-on sa activity center sa Abreeza Ayala Mall nga magsugod karong Septyembre 22 ug matapos Septyembre 24. Kini pagasundan usab sa usa ka Davao Gulf Mayor’s Conference nga anha paga himuoon sa grand men seng hotel kuyog ang temang “Climate Change 101 for Local Executives”. Kini pagatambungan

sa mga pinasidungang mamumulong gikan sa kaulohan nga mao sila Secretary Elisea Gozon (Presidential Assistant on climate Change) ug si Secretary Jesse Robredo (Department of Interior and Local Government) karong Septyembre 23. Ang ika-pitong kasaulogan sa Davao Gulf Week nagdala sa tema nga “Gulpo sa Dabaw, Amumahon…… Simbolo sa atong Kagikan, Bahandi sa Kinaiyahan”. Ang maong tinuig na kasaulogan pagahimuon alang sa pag-ila sa kung unsa ka dako ang kuntribusyon sa Davao Gulf diha sa pang socioeconomic condition sa atong mga munisipyo ug mga siyudad diin sila nahimutang.

Thursday, September 22, 2011