Cover Story CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In Pamalihi, a far-flung community in Barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, residents often get into conflicts due to the scarcity of water.
1
“A long time ago, we get drinking water in a nearby river. We dig in the riverbed and wait for water to come out. Sometimes residents get into heated arguments in claiming who gets the first dig. The safety of kids who dig are also put at risk when water level rises,” said Kagawad Elger Daayata representative of Pagatpat Barangay Captain Roel Yañez Gabo. Pamalihi has no access to the services of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District. It only gets by through an old water system that could not distribute enough water to all its
154 households. Unfortunately, the residents who mostly rely on seasonal labor like harvesting crops lack funds to buy materials and construct a new one that cost approximately Php38,000. “Our old water pump could not supply enough water. Water distribution was scheduled in two shifts. One group consisting of 26 households could access water in the morning. The other 20 households could access in the afternoon. Each household could only collect at most two containers a day,” said Concepcion
Wabe, President of Pamalihi Community Water Association (PCWA). With the Operation Pa-Tubig Project funded by Mercury Drug Foundation through Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the community received a new water pump, water tank, pipes and 12 tap stand stations. e projects of Mercury Drug is to provide safe, clean water to waterless communities to help uplift their living conditions and quality of life. This is made possible through PBSP whose personnel are diligent in going to farflung communities to help identify such communities. We hope that you will take care of this project so that the next generation can also benefit from it,” said Bernadette Dizon, Program Manager of Mercury Drug Foundation,
Inc. during the turnover of the water system. With the new water system, Pamalihi residents could now access water every day. The 12 tapstand stations could serve 98 households and could reach the remaining residents as indirect beneficiaries. At night, the water pump would refill the water tank as reserve resources for use for the next day. “We thought that Mercury Drug Stores only sell medicines. We did not expect that they also provide water system to far-flung communities. We are thankful to be one of their recipient communities. We can now access water not only for drinking and cooking but also for taking our bath and washing our clothes whenever we want,” said Wabe.(PBSP)
2
1-15 February 2018
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
DOLE MisOr holds career coaching to senior high students in Salay SALAY, Misamis Oriental – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Eastern Misamis Provincial Field Office (EMO PFO) gave career coaching to 231 Senior High School students of Salay National High School during the school’s yearly conduct of career guidance program on 30 January 2018.
3
School Principal Presentacion Alarba said, “We are very thankful that the DOLE has been assisting us in conducting career guidance for our students. The activity is productive and effective in facilitating
the appropriate career paths of the graduating students.” As part of its mission, the DOLE promotes gainful employment opportunities to every Filipino worker.
1-15 February 2018
In line with the recent labor market information and advances in the information technology, DOLE implements the Career Guidance Advocacy Programs (GACP) which addresses the job-skill mismatch issues and at the same time, bridges the gap between education and work. It also assists the youth in making appropriate career-related compatible
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
with their interests and abilities. “The GACP of the Department is a good response of the government on the K-12 implementation. Our youth will be guided in choosing careers appropriate with their interests and abilities when they proceed to College or Technical-Vocational School,” DOLE EMO PFO Chief Errol A. Natividad said. (Safrali S. Cabili/DOLE-X EMO PFO)
26 families in Bukidnon flee homes after NPA death threats BUKIDNON – Twenty-six families composed of 77 individuals fled their homes, February 10, in Cagawasan village, Kibawe, Bukidnon, after the New People’s Army (NPA) warned to kill them all. Village chieftain Roland T. Perequitte claimed that the Communist NPA rebels started warning him and his fellow barangay folks to kill them whensoever they decide to withdraw support for NPA’s terroristic activities. “Dili na namo gusto nga pahimuslan pa mi sa mga NPA pinaagi sa paghatod sa ilang mga supply ug pag monitor sa mga sundalo. Labaw sa tanan, dili na namo gusto nga makatugaw sila sa among kinabuhi pinaagi sa ilang pagpanghilabot sa among pagpadagan sa barangay.
Tungod niini, ila na ming gidudahan nga mga informant kuno mi sa military busa ila ming gibaharan nga pamatyon. (We don’t want to be exploited by the NPAs anymore like manipulating villagers as couriers and transporter of their supplies and other goods. Definitely, we don’t want to be bothered by their presence. They are now accusing us of being military informants and threatened to kill us),” Perequitte said. Frightened about the NPA’s murder threats, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now
4
1-15 February 2018
sheltered at Kibawe Municipal Hall compound since February 10, 2018. In a statement, Brigadier General Eric C Vinoya AFP, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, criticized the Communist NPA terrorist leadership for the deed and cowardice of NPA units on the ground. “The Communist NPA Terrorists are already desperate in their desire to win people’s support. It is very unfortunate that they are resorting to violence. While their leadership said that they would attack the military and promised to kill one soldier a day, in reality, they are attacking the innocent and helpless civilians and Lumad leaders. This incident in Kibawe,
5
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
Bukidnon is another manifestation of this terrorist organization’s gross disrespect to the Filipino people and we will not allow that,” said BGen Vinoya. He assured the internallly displaced persons (IDPs) and local government of Kibawe, Bukidnon that the Brigade and its line units will work closely with local authorities to contribute in addressing the situation. “We assure our people especially those who were affected by this threat and intimidation by the terrorists that we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the local government unit (LGU) and the Philippine National Police (PNP)
1-15 February 2018 to address your concerns, particularly on security. I have directed the 88th Infantry Battalion to do all necessary measures to ensure your security and address your immediate needs in collaboration with the LGU. We will not let these terrorists take your freedom away,” he further said. Meanwhile, the 88th Infantry
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
Battalion is closely coordinating with Kibawe LGU, particularly the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Municipal Police Station, to address the evacuees’ immediate needs.(Norman M. Tagros, CMO, 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4ID, PA)
Entrepreneur experts, DTI extend biz opportunities to over 1,500 Marawi residents ILIGAN CITY – Over 1,500 Marawi residents joined the Negosyo Seminar Para sa Marawi – entrepreneurial training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute Technology (MSU-IIT) gymnasium, Iligan City. The seminar targets to develop livelihood opportunities and improve the recovery of the conflict-affected individuals with the delivery of seminar and information regarding proposed loan programs. Also, it aims to stabilize and fast track socio-economic development of the communities devastated by the deadly combat and regains the self-esteem of the residents. Several business professionals took a hop in Iligan City to teach beneficiaries entrepreneurial preparedness, livelihood mindset,
and opportunities, business selection, product development, marketing financial literacy and franchising. Despite the conflict in Marawi, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez stressed that the agency is committed to working together with the other Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) member agencies to support disrupted residents in bringing their lives back and provide business opportunities for those individuals affected by the siege. He further ensures the beneficiaries that President Duterte’s
6
1-15 February 2018
7
administration continues to provide more business and livelihood through DTI Negosyo Seminar. “We are together in bringing Marawi back, this is just a start, this is not the last effort we have, and we will keep on coming back until there is product development in your chosen business,” Lopez said. During the DTI Negosyo Seminar Para sa Marawi, the beneficiaries also received livelihood packages and entrepreneurial starter kits as support to generate sustainable income while they are in the process of recovery.
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
Moreover, business consultant Dr. Francisco “Dean Pax” E. Lapid, coached the beneficiaries on handling business mindset and managing opportunities in business spotting, seeking and selection. Lapid further imparted that all business should start with a dream that comes from the heart. CEO of V Cargo Paulo M. Tibig engaged participants in his topic on product development and marketing. Lead Financial Literacy Advocate Armand Bengco of Colayco Foundation trained the beneficiaries on financial
1-15 February 2018 literacy while Jake Santos discussed the franchising opportunities. Jade Montero shared the loans care of Small Business Corporation (SB Corp). DTI, meanwhile, informed the beneficiaries on the government’s micro-financing loan programs. The agency also extends zero-percent (0%) interest microfinance loans worth P2.19 million. Recently, DTI turned-over the loans from the Small Business (SB) Corporation to internally displaced persons (IDP) beneficiaries that will provide micro-financing assistance to the siege victims. Over 146 IDPs were awarded P10,000 loan assistance from DTI’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program. 95 of them are public market vendors. The loans are part of the P100 million that the DTI-attached agencies –(direct lending by SB Corp.) allocated for Marawi entrepreneurs under (P3) program that targets smallenterprises, emerging industries, and technology innovators. “The P3 is designed to bring down the interest rate at which microfinance is made available to micro enterprises,” Lopez added. Sec. Ramon Lopez and SB Corp facilitated the awarding during the presidential visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in ‘Biyaya ng Pagbabago’ Transitional shelter in Brgy. Sagonsongan, Marawi City. Apart from the Bangon Marawi budget provision on mobile rice mills,
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
tricycles, vehicles, and the construction of a public market for the residents. DTI has also allocated P50-million this year account to fund Shared Services Facilities (SSF) projects, providing Maranao entrepreneurs with facilities, services, and information based on beneficiary’s business needs. The TFBM sub-committee on business and livelihood headed by the DTI continuously contributes to the capacity building efforts for Marawi resident through livelihood training and marketing assistance to strengthen the economy, improve the livelihood activities of the returning communities in the war-torn city. Member-agencies are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and other international and local national organizations (INGOs/NGOs) and civil society organization (CSO).(LJLK/ PIA-ICCC)
8
1-15 February 2018
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
BIR-RR16 unveils 2018 tax campaign theme, logo CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region (RR) 16 unveiled on February 12 its annual tax campaign theme and logo to boost tax collections.
Dubbed “Salamat Sa ‘Yo,” this year’s BIR campaign theme focused on recognizing the contributions of taxpayers in nation-building. BIR RR-16 Regional Director Hermeno Palamine said the theme is a way of thanking the taxpayers for their taxes are of great help in the
9
government’s continued operations. The tax campaign logo, on the other hand, reflects a ripple effect. “The ripple symbolizes that no matter how small the contribution is, as long as it is correct, it will go a long way,” Palamine further said. BIR will run the tax campaign
1-15 February 2018 for the entire year to drive home its mandate to collect much-needed revenues for the government. The tax collection goal of BIRRR16 for this year is pegged at P15 billion, 20 percent higher than the P12.87 billion goal last year. Palamine said the new goal is a big challenge for them but they will double their efforts to make sure they meet their target. “We hit our assigned goal in January this year but we are still apprehensive on the effects of the TRAIN law,” he added. Meanwhile, Palamine lauded the personnel of BIR RR-16 for their efforts which resulted to a positive tax collection performance of the region in 2017. Despite of the difficulties, like the Marawi siege, we are still able to hit our assigned goal of P12.87 billion because the taxpayers responded to your gallant efforts, he told them during the unveiling of the tax
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
campaign theme. BIR RR-16 collected P13.03 billion in 2017 surpassing its assigned goal by 1.25 percent. The 2017 collections was also higher by 4.65 percent compared to the P12.4 billion collections posted in 2016. BIR RR-16 covers the Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 98 in Cagayan de Oro City was the biggest collector in 2017 sharing 58 percent or P6.93 billion to the regional total. RDO No. 99 in Malaybalay City contributed 15 percent or P2.01 billion followed by RDO 101 in Iligan City with 13 percent share or P1.73 billion. RDO No. 100 in Ozamiz shared nine percent at P1.16 billion while RDO No. 97 in Gingoog City and RDO No. 101 in Marawi City shared the remaining nine percent at P522 million and P662 million, respectively. (APB/PIA-10)
CSWDO launches PWD online ID registration CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) introduces its newest innovation on enlisting Persons with Disability (PWD) through online registration.
10
1-15 February 2018
11
The PWD sector of Cagayan de Oro is advised to register so that they can take advantage of the free services and programs initiated by the city government. Qualified to register online are those people who are blind and deaf, and those who have ortho, development and psychological disabilities and chronic illnesses. The PWDs may also visit the CSWD office at City Hall if they have difficulty in online registration. To register, PWDs may scan
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
the requirements which include birth certificate, barangay certificate of residency, 1x1 picture, medical certificate confirming the client’s disability and signature. One may log on to http://services.cagayandeoro. gov.ph/pwd/. (GOF/RTP/PIA10)
1-15 February 2018
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
Barangay, SK elections to push through in May says Comelec OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Ozamiz City confirmed, in a press conference, the conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on 14 May 2018 based on a new calendar of activities released.
It assured preparations for the May 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections are on time. “We’ve actually started preparing for barangay last year…We just continue our preparations… But there’s already a template how we should do things and we are still on time,” Comelec Officer Roselin Smith
said. Atty. Smith added, ’’the Comelec really aims for the election and let us mentally condition ourselves that the election is to come and let’s us prepare.” She also said that the sealing of list of voters will be this March 17 and that the Commission decided to really
12
1-15 February 2018 pursue the election except for Marawi City. Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10-26, the election period will begin on the 14th and will end on the 21st of May. Candidates can file their certificates of candidacy from April 14 to 20, while the campaign period will begin on the 4th of May and will end on the 12th of the same month. Further, campaigning will be prohibited on May
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
13, the day before the election. “We call on you, our friends in the media, to help us in rallying for reform bottom-up, from barangay and SK officials,” Smith said. She also encouraged the media to be a partner in moving the Filipino voting public to go to the polling precincts and exercise their right to vote.(Shaine Mae Nagtalon/ PIAMisOcc)
Juvenile justice cmte inspects detention facilities, youth homes in MisOcc MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – To ensure the observance of international standards of child protection in detention facilities and youth homes, the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC)-10 conducted a monitoring visit/spot inspection in Misamis Occidental on February 6-7.
13
Hacelyn Barrero of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 said that the monitoring has been religiously conducted by the council to recognize the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, crudely and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.
“This is also a way to make sure that there are no minors detained in detention facilities and if in case there are presence of minors in such place, we will aid in the facilitation of transfer of the minor to youth homes or Bahay Pag-asa,” Barrero said. In Misamis Occidental Bahay Pag-asa, Jenefer Tanguamos of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said
1-15 February 2018
that there are 13 children in conflict with the law (CICLs) stating in the facility. She also shared that from this number, 10 children are detained with pending cases and most of the reported cases that they were involved with include drugs, rape and robbery. As for the four detention facilities inspected by the committee, only one facility has reported to have a minor detainee. The minor was involved with illegal drug usage and was not able to present her birth certificate when she was brought to the facility. “Minors should not be accepted nor undergo diversion in detention facilities. For this case, the committee will do its best to coordinate with the authority to get hold of the child’s birth certificate so she can be immediately transferred to Bahay Pag-asa,” Barrero
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
explained. Diversion refers to an alternative, child-appropriate process of determining the responsibility and treatment of a CICL on the basis of his/her social, cultural, economic, psychological or educational background without resorting to formal court proceedings. “The RJJWC is committed to regularly monitor these facilities to make sure that the CICL is treated with humanity and respect in a manner which takes into account the needs of a person of his/her age,” Barrero said. Thus, the RJJWC-10 urges every citizen to immediately report any mishandling of CICLs and reminds the public that no minor should be present in a detention facility.(RTP/PIA10)
14
1-15 February 2018
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
DA,CMU launch solar-powered irrigation project to boost rice production MARAMAG, Bukidnon – The Department of Agriculture 10, in partnership with Central Mindanao University (CMU) put on ground the solar-powered irrigation system (SPIS) which will showcase Solar-powered Irrigation Technology to boost rice production in most rainfed and water-scarce rice-growing areas. Department of Agriculture 10 Regional Director Carlene Collado said that the irrigation system is the first DA-academe partnership project on solar-powered irrigation in Visayas and Mindanao. A similar prototype solar-
15
powered irrigation project was also established in M’lang, North Cotabato sometime in February 2017. The facility is expected to contribute for the promotion and adoption of rice, particularly of
1-15 February 2018 hybrid varieties and its production technologies. “Inspite of the high yield performance of hybrid rice—at a maximum of 16-17 tons per hectare, compared to the traditional rice varieties with only 6-7 tons per hectare—still hybrid rice utilization remains low. Only 20% of rice farmers plant the hybrids in Region 10,” Collado said. He said there is a need to increase productivity, not only sufficiency in the region’s rice production. “For this, we need to push for the promotion and adoption of technologies in hybrid rice production. These, among others, include irrigation technologies which are important in rice production,” Collado said. The SPIS shall be showcased as a mechanization component that
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
shall address the need for irrigation water in most rainfed rice production areas. Engr. Romil Espanola of DA-10 Engineering Division, meanwhile, reported that the solar-powered irrigation system has the capacity to pump an average volume of 1,000 cubic meters in every 6-8 hours period, thereby can ably irrigate 10 hectares of rice lands per day. The solar-powered irrigation facility project in CMU started this January and is expected to start operations in the middle of June 2018. Six more units of the facility are also in the pipeline to be established in different project pilot areas in Region 10 for 2018. (Mae Odimyrl A. Morales, DA-10/PIA-Bukidnon)
4Ps in Ozamiz receive cash assistance, rice subsidy from DSWD OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Ozamiz City received the monthly of P1,400 cash assistance and P600 rice assistance/subsidy for the month of October and November on 25 January 2018 at Hilarion Ramiro Gym, Ozamiz City.
16
1-15 February 2018
17
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the people that the agency is using the most efficient and economical options in distributing cash grants to poor families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). San Jeeve Tan, officer of DSWD Ozamiz, said that the Rural Bank in Dipolog has already released P4 million for the 1,250 beneficiaries of the 4Ps in 51 barangay of Ozamiz City. He said the adjustments in the mode of payment are being fasttracked so that the beneficiaries would receive their grants. The Pantawid Pamilya maximum grant package per household amounts
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
to P1, 400 a month, where P300 is paid for every child who complies with the required 85 percent school attendance for the month, which could be given to a maximum of three children per household. The family will also be entitled to an additional P500 per month for complying with health and nutrition conditions. The amount of the grant is based on the number of children per household and compliance to program conditions. The rice subsidy will be given in the form of cash and treated as an additional cash grant. The rice subsidy will be on a per household basis, and it will be given on top of cash grants to
1-15 February 2018 beneficiaries every period. For newly registered households, the subsidies will be provided on top of their initial cash grants. Tan explained that the total rice subsidy amount for each family will be P7, 200 per year, or P600 a month. It will be given to compliant households using the same schedule followed by the program in the processing and releasing of education and health grants.
REGIONAL NEWS | NORMINPlus
The military in Misamis Occidental provided security to personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Rural Bank in Dipolog who distributed cash assistance under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps to poor families. (Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA MisOcc)
18