Cover Story CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School (SHJMS) in Cagayan de Oro showcased its capabilities when an earthquake strikes the campus and nearby areas in a drill held October 2.
Spearheaded by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) region 10, SHJMS - Borja campus was identified as its regional ceremonial venue for the 3rd quarter national simultaneous earthquake drill (NSED) for 2017. A siren sounded at 2:05 p.m. which signaled the start of the drill. Evaluators during the drill were dispatched in various areas of the campus, including the school
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canteen. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in northern Mindanao, meanwhile, demonstrated its capabilities in firefighting; and in rescue operation with the Cagayan de Oro City DRRM department during the drill. Aside from testing the efficiency and usefulness of the preparedness, response and recovery plans, systems and policies developed in the school, the drill also evaluated the effectiveness of contingency plan.
The drill also tested the coordination and communication mechanism during response operation; and understand the command and control mechanism in emergency and disaster operation at the DRRM councils. Gaudencio C. Garife, SHJMS DRRM coordinator, said all the resources were prepositioned like ambulance and rescue trucks, volunteers, firefighters, rescuers during the drill and also demonstrated their capabilities in case of emergencies that could result from the quake. Kyleen Fabiaña, SHJMS Grade10 student, said it was an exciting, challenging, and an opening experience for students. This approach prepares students for emergencies in times of quake. “As students, we received firsthand experience working with various response partners and benefited from the chance to perfect
our skills,” she said. SHJMS has been a consistent placer as Best Private School Urban in Gawad KALASAG Search for Excellence on DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance. Meanwhile, DRRM has been institutionalized through its integration into the school curriculum. Section 14 of the Republic Act 10121 (or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) requires the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (Ched), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to integrate disaster risk education in school curricula. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the region is reminding the public to be informed about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. (EOR/PIA10)
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Heavy equipment from China turned over to DPWH to fast track Marawi recovery ILIGAN CITY, Mindanao Hour – Forty-seven set of heavy equipment from the People’s Republic of China through its Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Program were turned over to the Department of Public Works and Highways 10 (DPWH-10) which will be utilized for the rehabilitation phase of Marawi City.
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Shipped from the Port of Shanghai to Iligan Port, the heavy equipment include eight excavators, eight wheel loaders, five compactors, five track type tractors, five bulldozers, eight dump trucks, eight cement mixers and a unit of container van. The heavy equipment will be used
for the construction of transitional shelters particularly in Barangay Sagonsongan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi. DPWH-10 District Engineer Rey Peter Gille and Office of Civil DefenseAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) Regional
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Director Reylindo Aniñon inspected the heavy equipment. Engr. Gille said that the heavy equipment are “very vital in fast tracking the operations in the recovery and rehabilitation phase of Marawi City currently being undertaken.” Being the lead agency for the Reconstruction Committee of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and member of Housing Sub-committee, DPWH has already completed the
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site development for areas 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Barangay Sagonsongan. Road concreting is still ongoing and estimated to be completed by the end of November, this year. Furthermore, DPWH continues to provide assistance to the evacuation centers through the improvement of roadways, installation of water supply system, latrines, communal kitchens and other related matters. (LEAntonio-PIA ILIGAN/LDN)
DOH urges families to have health seeking behavior CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) region 10 during Talakayan sa PIA on ‘Garantisadong Pambata’ on 10 October 2017 urges families to have health seeking behavior by taking advantage of the government health information and micronutrient supplementation including immunization, Vitamin A and deworming drugs. Dr. Maria Ellen Santua of DOH region 10 shares that the department is doing all it can to provide nutrition to the young ones. In fact, she said that DOH not only go per barangay to offer health services but ensures that each household be given health, nutrition and environment information and services aged zero to 14 years old. According to statistics, DOH completed 94% micronutrient
coverage in the region. Dr. Santua explained that among the reasons include peace and security of some areas in the region, distance such as in far flung areas, and refusal of families and communities due to religious beliefs. Dr. Santua admitted that they are still outnumbered by population. Every day, population grows in the country meanwhile number of health workers remains. Further, she said
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that DOH will always uphold informed choice and volunteerism. DOH will not force anyone who does not want to take their medicines but assures the public that their vaccines are relatively safe. She added these medicines will not be released unless they have been tested. She added that even health workers are trained before they are deployed in communities. This is to make sure that they are able to explain to parents the importance of the vaccines or vitamin A and give them right information. Meanwhile, Jacqueline Roa, Nutrition Program Coordinator of
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Misamis Oriental shared that what they want to see is behavior change among residents, families and mothers, specifically a health seeking behavior. She said that they encourage mothers to go to health centers even when not ill to get checked. Meanwhile, Fe Sumagpao, Regional Coordinator of Adolescent Health of DOH region 10 added that DOH has worked with Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing health programs for children aged six to 14 years old. In fact, they have started providing Iron with Folic acid to teenage girls in public high schools. Sumagapo said this is to prepare
1-15 October 2017 girls who will become mothers soon. Finally, Telesfora Madelo, nutrition dietitian of DOH 10 shares that child’s health is not a mere task of the government but everyone’s responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in taking care of Filipino children including promoting key behaviors
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like proper hand washing and regular tooth brushing. She also urged mothers to do their part in taking care of their children by availing of the micronutrient supplementation from DOH. (JMOR/ PIA10)
115 candidate soldiers take oath at 4ID hallowed grounds CAMP EVANGELISTA, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City – At least 115 candidate soldiers will be joining the noble profession of arms as they take their oath in the hallowed grounds of 4th Infantry Division as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP’s) new set of promising peace advocates. The ceremony was held at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City at 2:00pm on October 11, 2017. These 115 candidate soldiers are composed of 95 males and 20 females (five Cebuanos and 15 Indigenous Peoples from the different tribal affiliations) whom had undergone series of stages of the selection process such as qualifying examinations that tested their mental and physical ability to prove their worth as finest from the poll of aspirants from Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions to join the Philippine Army.
After taking their oath, they will be undergoing the rigors of Basic Military Training at the 4th Division Training School in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon for the 95 males and at the 6th Division Training School in Carmen, North Cotabato for the 20 females to help them transform from their carefree civilian life to fine grown military men and women. Their training will be conducted in a six-month duration covering skills and knowledge not only in combat fighting but also in lifesaving imperatives, disaster response operation, peacekeeping initiatives, Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Rules
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1-15 October 2017 of Engagement. Major General Ronald C Villanueva, 4ID commander said during his speech, “We congratulate each and every one of you for having been chosen from among the thousand aspiring candidate soldiers who have undergone series of tests and screenings for us to be able to choose the best and the brightest. This is the first step as you pursue your career in the Military service. It is expected of you to be developed during this training as the most reliable soldiers that could defend our people and their communities from any kinds of threats. Make good and have a positive mind set during your training.” “To the parents and loved ones of
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these candidate soldiers, thank you for entrusting your sons and daughters to us. We commend you for raising such patriotic-minded individuals, who at their young age, have chosen to join this noble profession of arms. We will assure you that as they undergo this training, Safety, Morale and Welfare will be of utmost priority,” MGen Villanueva added. These new breed of peace advocates will fill up the needed number of personnel due to the attrition such as optional and compulsory retirement, and other causes. They will also continue the efforts of their predecessor in devoting their lives in the pursuit for lasting peace. (4ID/ PA)
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Ozamiz BSP holds Inter High School statistics quiz
OZAMIZ CITY – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) - Ozamiz Branch held an Inter High School Statistics Quiz in the observance of the 28th National Statistics Month with the theme “Figures for the Future: Realizing Ambisyon Natin 2040 Through Statistics” on 3 October 2017 at Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC) Briefing Room, BSPOzamiz Branch.
Senior Research Specialist Ramonnetto S. Gervacio of BSP Ozamiz said this is one way of encouraging the students to learn more about statistics because statistics is really very important in our nation building and development. He added that they envisioned the quiz to become a North Western
Mindanao Challenge for statistics including not only Misamis Occidental but nearby provinces. The contest consisted of questions related to statistics, participated by the High Schools and Integrated Schools in Misamis Occidental. The Board of Judges included the Department of Education (DepEd),
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1-15 October 2017 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Top 5 Winners of BSP Statistics Quiz are the following: 1st place went to Lorenzo Tan NHS of Tangub City Division – P5, 000 for the student and P3,000 for the coach and additional Tokens and Commemorative Coins. For the 2nd place, Labo NHS of Ozamiz City Division - P4, 000 for the student and P2,000 for the coach and additional Tokens and Commemorative Coins; 3rd place was Holy Rosary Academy of Sapang Dalaga - P3,000 for the student and P1,000 for the coach and additional Tokens and Commemorative Coins; 4th place was Silangit NHS of Tangub City Division- P500 for the student and teacher. Lastly, 5th place was given to Mayor Alfonso Tan High School - P500
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for the student and teacher. Acting Deputy Director of BSP Jason P. Capocao in his closing remarks said that the learning that you can get of statistics is all compulsive in all areas in our life. He also shared that there is no losing or failing but we have to learn and do more because most successes, if not all successes in life are built in failures. The activity showcased the important role of reliable statistics and factual information in determining appropriate strategies for tracking the country’s progress towards AmBisyonNatin 2040, where all Filipinos are envisioned to enjoy a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay. (Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA MisOcc)
RDC-X enhances communicators skills, strengthens gov’t info efforts
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To improve the skills of information officers in communicating the Regional Development Plan (RDP) and enhance their writing and presentation skills as important aids in communication, the Regional Development Council (RDC)-X held the Training on Enhancing Communication Skills of the RDC-X Communication and Advocacy ProgramSubcommittee and RDC/National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-X Speakers Bureau on October 3, in Cagayan de Oro.
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The training comprised discussions and workshops on communication techniques for effective advocacies, communicating the AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the RDP, managing press conferences, transforming technical reports, effective powerpointers, and social media engagement. In his message, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-10 Regional Director Franklin Gumapon urged government information offices to apply their learning in performing their duties as government communicators. “We are not here to just inform but also to communicate to get the message across,” Gumapon stressed. Effective communication techniques To effectively advocate government programs and services, Elaine Ratunil of the PIA-10 said that communication techniques must encourage action from the target
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audience as well as it should be driven by purpose. She also shared the effective communication characteristics that every information officer should consider in communicating their programs, activities, projects and services, and these include the two-way communication process, accessibility, timeliness, accuracy and planning. To apply the concepts on effective communication techniques in a specific government program, NEDA-X Assistant Regional Director Ester Mae Guiamadel provided a workshop on communicating the AmBisyon Natin 2040 where she stressed the importance of identifying an audience; obtaining their profile, demographics and interests. “Framing emphasizes some aspects of an issue and de-emphasize others. It also helps define issues and influences how stakeholder perceive,” Guiamadel explained as she discussed
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the importance of rooting for the purpose in doing an advocacy. Sending the message To equip the government information officers on the different ways of sending message to their audience, Ramir Balquin, assistant city planning and development coordinator in Cagayan de Oro City, shared his expertise in transforming technical data and reports into understandable sources of information. Balquin stressed that such reports should be objective, factual, complete, selective and clear. He also added that information officers must always consider the content, format and process in handling technical reports. Aside from doing the technical reports, there are also inputs on
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the effective use social media in information dissemination. PIA Director General Harold Clavite emphasized the use of new technology in strengthening advocacies as it is very helpful in engaging citizens to improve governance. He urged the communicators to plan their social media posts, and make use of photos, links, message and hash tags that will entice more viewers to engage in the government’s page. More than 40 government information officers in the region participated in the training and are expected to come up with their own effective communication strategies that will improve engagements with the public.(RTP/PIA10)