Cover Story CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has turned-over nine computer units of Science and Technology Academic ResearchBased Openly Operated Kiosk Station (STARBOOKS) to rural schools in Misamis Oriental that will help beneficiaries to have access to digitized science and technology resources.
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Dubbed as the first Philippine Science Digital Library developed by DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) is a stand-alone information source designed to bring S&T information to the grassroots. Information Resources and Analysis Division (IRAD) Chief Alan C. Taule of DOST said STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information source
designed to bring S&T information to the grassroots. It is a library in a box; the information is in digitized form and they are in software and can be installed in a computer. According to him, reports show only 12 percent of all schools have internet connection. Hence, 88 percent are the clients of STARBOOKS. The STARBOOKS contains thousands of local and foreign
S&T resources in various formats such as books, journals, scientific research papers covering topics on different branches of science. It also features DOSTkarte livelihood videos, interactive science and math courseware, disaster mitigation, DOST technologies, educational videos, among others. DOST Region 10 Director Alfonso P. Alamban highlighted the importance of reading and encouraged the public to continue reading as it is essential in promoting basic education and improving the lives of the people. He also said STARBOOKS is K+12 compliant and it can be utilized in far-flung areas as it does not need
internet connection. Further, Alamban said more than a hundred STARBOOKs have been rolled in northern Mindanao. Balingoan town Mayor Aaron Paul Unabia, meanwhile, welcomed the STARBOOKS saying it will help students who have no access to internet. For his part, Libertad Mayor Leonardo Uy Jr vowed to take care of the digital library as this will not only benefit schools in their municipality but nearby towns as well. Municipal Planning Officer and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officer of Binuangan said this would help in providing information on disaster
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1-15 March 2018 preparedness and reducing risks. Frietchie L. Virtudazo of Medina noted the STARBOOKS would hasten the learning of students. Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Randolph B. Tortola, a science educator, says STARBOOKS would aid in inspiring school children to learn science and in achieving quality education. He also underscored the importance of cooperation of stakeholders in achieving excellence in teaching and learning in the province. The turn-over ceremony was also highlighted with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding and STARBOOKS Orientation with DOST’s recent partner, UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the recipient
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schools—Kabalantian National High School, Manticao NHS, Libertad NHS, Medina Comprehensive High School, Binuangan NHS, Portulin NHS, Mantangale NHS, Don Gregorio Pelaez NHS and Binuangan Central School. Bringing forth disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in school system, UN World Food Program (WFP) assists Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in enhancing capacity in risk management, focusing on preparedness and response to reduce the impact of natural disasters on livelihoods and to contribute to a long-term solution to malnutrition as part of the non-food component, said WFP Senior National Programme Office Juan Glenn Huelgas.(EOR/PIA)
TESDA MisOcc kick-off National TVET Enrolment Day in Ozamiz OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Misamis Occidental Provincial Office together with other national government agencies kicked off the National Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Enrollment and Jobs bridging program at Public Mall, Ozamiz City on 28 February 2018.
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The TVET Enrollment began on 27 February 2018 at the municipal auditorium in Plaridel town and continues in Ozamiz City for the second day with the TVET scholarship enrollment and jobs bridging. TESDA Provincial Director Mariluna Baje-Lopez said that the enrollment and jobs fair aims to step up the advocacy of the different programs and services of TESDA to its clients in the different regions, especially those in the grassroots or barangay levels, for them to avail of the agency’s scholarship programs. She also encouraged the pubic to take part in the national TVET enrolment and jobs bridging event. The TVET enrolment and jobs fair is done simultaneously nationwide in different provinces, and municipalities at such locations as capitols, municipal auditorium and other easily accessible public places. For the enrollees to tech-voc
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courses, they should bring an identification card, such as a PSO Birth Certificate, and 1x1 ID pictures, while job applicants can present their updated biodata and TESDA certificates. “Another purpose of this activity is to recruit qualified TVET graduates, most specially for constructionrelated jobs, such as electricians and plumbers, which are in great demand now that the administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program is fast gaining momentum,” added Lopez. “We are inviting everyone to avail of this opportunity that we will be bringing almost to your doorsteps. Likewise, this will be a perfect chancefor our industry partners to enlist the services of the most qualified tech-voc graduates for their vacant positions,” stressed the TESDA provincial director. Meanwhile, the on-going Barangay Skills Mapping Program also seek to strengthen and ensure the public that no one will be left out in the skills training program particularly those in the provinces.(Shaine Mae R Nagtalon/PIA MisOcc)
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Grade 8, 9 Mambajao students join Consumer Forum
CAMIGUIN – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camiguin Provincial Office conducted a consumer forum with Grade 8 and 9 students in four schools in the municipality of Mambajao.
It is part of the information and education campaign to inform consumers, at an early age, of their rights so that consumer laws and regulations gets implemented accordingly. The four schools that participated in the forum Tupsan National High School, Mambajao National High School, Kuguita Integrated School
and Mambajao National High School. The forum was spearheaded by the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of DTI to emphasize the importance of consumer protection and consumer empowerment among the youth. Consumers have the right to basic and prime commodities at affordable prices and of good quality, to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life, to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling, and to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services, among others. (DTI-10/PIA-10)
Groundbreaking of P3M multi-purpose building highlights 6IB 45th anniversary
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MARAWI CITY Lanao del Sur – In celebration of the 45th Founding Anniversary of the 6th Infantry Battalion (6IB) of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman led the groundbreaking of a multi-purpose building/covered court in Barangay Matling, Malabang town on March 1.
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Hataman was assisted by 6ID Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega and 6IB Commander Lt. Col. Ruben G. Aquino in the ceremony that marks the start of the construction of the building. The P3 million project is under the ARMM Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) program which is seen to benefit residents of Malabang and nearby areas. The groundbreaking was followed by a short program where Hataman briefly discussed the importance of the presence of the military in maintaining peace and security.
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He also noted the significance of the military, local government units and the residents working together to sustain long lasting peace in the region. Gen. Dela Vega, on the other hand, reiterated the importance of abiding the rule of law including Mindanao Martial Law instructions. Also present during the event were mayors and barangay officials from the municipalities of Malabang, Sultan Gumander, Balabagan, Kapatagan, and Marogong.(Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)
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BFP 10 urges partnership with community on fire prevention CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A strong partnership between government and community is the perfect formula to attain a fire safe nation, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) region 10 stated in an episode of Talakayan sa PIA on 1 March 2018.
SSupt Lindy Lauzon, BFP regional director said one of the major challenges of the Bureau is public apathy in terms of fire prevention. In fact, based on statistics, there had been more than 700 fire incidents in region 10 in 2017 however, around 500 of those incidents were accidental. According to Lauzon, these are caused by human error, such as faulty electrical wirings in residential areas
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and the likes. Although there is a downtrend of fire incidents in northern Mindanao from 1,600 fire case in 2016 to just 700 in 2017, Lauzon explained that there is a need to analyze the causes of these fire and still, majority is accidental or human factor. He added that they are now concentrating on educating the people because fire prevention campaign
1-15 March 2018 would be useless unless there is cooperation from the public. He emphasized that fire prevention is a way of life and has to be practiced day in and day out. In Cagayan de Oro City, Fire Marshall Supt Richard Arbutante said they have strengthened their inspection and has assured that the inspectors are trained to spot any deficiencies that violate the fire code of the Philippines. He said that the fire prevention month is to renew our consciousness on fire safety. In the city, fire prevention is round the clock that is why the participation of the community and the media are needed. In terms of modernization, BFP equipment are undergoing
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modernization. Lauzon said this year alone about 214 firetrucks will be distributed nationwide including personal protective equipment for the fire officers. Right now, he said northern Mindanao has a total 133 firetrucks. Ideally, the ratio of persons per firetruck is 14 persons but reality is only seven per firetruck. However, he said that the Bureau is undergoing modernization in terms of equipment and will be hiring additional personnel within the year. BFP also assures that personnel are highly trained and undergo skills enhancement to address new challenges of fire protection and safety. (JMOR/PIA10)
Anti-trafficking council reactivates local counterparts to mainstream programs, policies CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To protect the rights of women and fight for injustice for the victims of modern-day slavery, child pornography and violence as well as to highlight the National Women’s Month celebration, the Regional InterAgency Committee Against Trafficking- Violence Against Women and their Children (RIACAT-VAWC)-10 held the Regional Conference for the Creation/Reactivation of Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) on March 1-2.
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Northern Mindanao Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Nestor Ramos said that the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies in advocating and implementing the laws on trafficking and providing interventions in protecting children and women against pornography, exploitation, trafficking and violence is significant to address the increasing number of trafficking cases. He further said that the conference was conducted to reactivate the functions of the LCAT-VAWC in response to laws created to protect and prevent trafficking and violence
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against women and children. For her part, Councilor Edna Dahino shared that she actively advocates for protecting the rights of women. She also said that she will lobby with the LGU to create a Gender and Development Center since this will provide a holistic approach in protecting the rights of our women and their children. To further strengthen the antitrafficking councils, the RIACATVAWC emphasized the composition of LCAT-VAWC such as the Provincial Committee Against Trafficking, Child Pornography and VAWC which is composed of the local chief executive (LCE) or governor, local deputy chief
1-15 March 2018 or vice governor and the Local Social Welfare and Development Office as the chair, co-chair and secretariat respectively. For the City/Municipal Committee Against Trafficking, Child Pornography and VAWC, the local chief executive or mayor, local deputy chief or vice mayor and the Local Social Welfare and Development Office will respectively become the chair, co-chair and secretariat of the committee. The LCAT-VAWC in every area should ensure the strict implementation of all laws related to trafficking, child pornography and VAWC. Ramos also said that LCAT-VAWCs should formulate policies through local ordinances and resolutions, and develop programs that will prevent and respond to human trafficking,
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child pornography and VAWC. LCAT-VAWCs should also strengthen their systems on surveillance, investigation and rescue to ensure effective and efficient coordination, undertake information, education and advocacy campaigns on trafficking, conduct regular coordination meeting, ensure establishment and monitor functionality of VAW Desk in every barangay, and submit quarterly report to the office of the chairperson of the regional council. LGUs may use respective funds such as Gender and Development (GAD) budget and other sources or grants applicable to activities, programs and initiatives related to anti-trafficking, child pornography and anti-VAWC.(RTP/PIA10)
ARMM kicks-off Women’s month celeb MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through its Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women (RCBW-ARMM), officially started the celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month (NWM) through a parade, on March 5, inside the ARMM compound in Cotabato City. The parade, followed by a short employees of the region’s different program, was attended by officials and line agencies and offices.
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The ARMM celebration bears the theme ‘Meaningful change for Bangsamoro women can happen,’ which is anchored on the national theme: ‘We can make change work for women.” During the program, ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud Alamia said, Bangsamoro women can make meaningful change happen. “Kapag hindi kikilos ang mga babae, walang meaningful change ang mangyayari,” Secretary Alamia said emphasizing the importance of women working in the government. According to her, more than 50 percent of the teachers, educators in the ARMM are women and almost 3,000 of the employees of ARMM are
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also women. The observance of Women’s month is pursuant to Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 that gives due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in the society specifically to inform and engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services; to create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development (GAD); and to inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/PIA-10)
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Reinvent women, inculcate change, city solon says CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – “Let us reinvent ourselves by trying to check where we spend our 24 hours in a day and increase our sensitivity by checking where we are good at and can be of help to others,” said chairperson of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee for Women and Family Relation in Cagayan de Oro.
To celebrate the International Women’s Day, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro held a mass, motorcade and program that highlighted testimonies of women from communities on how the government have helped them in bracing change in their lives. Aside from citing various programs and projects for women
including the P4 million Women’s Crisis Center to be built in the city, Councilor Edna Dahino stressed that the real change in society should come from one’s self and that women should be the change they want the world to be. As a response to such call, Alice Bangcong, solo parent from Barangay Bulua, said that being an abused
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1-15 March 2018 wife and a mother of six children is never easy but with the aid of the government’s Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, she was able to change her life as she received livelihood development and counseling services from the city government. She stressed that she became a better person upon acquiring counseling services that focus on the resolution of personal relationship and role conflicts. The activities of the women’s group in their barangay also helped her in gaining friends where she can freely express herself. For the women with disability, Eliminea Changco of Barangay Tignapoloan said that even if she has been living all her life with a disability she has learned how to tend to her family’s needs but as the City Government of Cagayan opened doors of opportunities for persons
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with disability (PWDs), she became more inspired to do and go beyond her responsibilities as a mother. “Ang barrier sa paglambo gyud pirmi kay ang attitude diin makita ang disability dili ang ability pero sa pagka-PWD-friendly sa City Hall, wala mi nakafeel nga we are treated indifferently (The barrier in developing the sector has always been the attitude of others wherein they only see our disability and not our ability but with City Hall’s being PWD-friendly, we no longer feel that we are treated indifferently),” Changco shared. Hearing the testimonies of the two women, Dahino encouraged more women to fight for their rights, become one of the empowered women who can serve the community and make a big change in the world by imbibing good disposition as such will reflect on how one sees the others.(RTP/PIA10)
DSWD-10 highlights awardees, partners in 67th anniv
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the theme, “DSWD@67: Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian ang Paglilingkod nang Tapat sa Bayan (true public service with no space for corruption),” the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 celebrated its 67th anniversary by giving recognition to their partner organizations and loyal employees on March 9, in Cagayan de Oro.
1-15 March 2018 “The theme emphasizes the principles of efficiency, honesty, and professionalism among its employees and underscores the importance of protecting and promoting the integrity of the Department and all its staff,� says DSWD Regional Director Nestor Ramos. To recognize partners and stakeholders who have been helpful in providing assistance to the various activities of the DSWD especially during disaster and emergency response operations, implementation of protective and promotive programs and services, capacity-building activities, and other means of support to assist the marginalized and poor sectors of the society, the DSWD also held the 2018 Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan) Awards. Among the regional awardees
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for this year include Canitoan Health Center, Mallberry Suites and Business Hotel, Citizen Watch for Good Governance and Multi Star International Inc. Furthermore, to recognize the people who have been helping the department to work doubly hard to ensure that DSWD’s resources, as channeled through its programs and services, are used for the public good and not to benefit the interest of only a few, loyalty awards were given to deserving DSWD personnel. The loyalty awards as shared by Ramos is given to individual employees who serve as sources of inspiration and motivation to other employees and in recognition of their unwavering commitment in delivering excellent results in their long years of public service.(RTP/PIA10)
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