The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
MONDAY, JULY 18, 2016
EU, Oxfam turn-over P4-M worth of medical equipment to ARMM
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The European Union (EU) and international aid agency Oxfam turned-over P4-million worth of medical equipment to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to boost the quality of reproductive health services in the region.
The equipment was received by ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia and Dayang Sangkula Jumaide of the region’s Department of Health on Thursday, July 14. Justin Morgan, Oxfam country director, said the medical equipment will help improve the delivery of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services to 14 cities and municipalities in the region. Among the items turned over are fetal dopplers, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, examination tables, delivery tables, and pediatric stethoscopes. EU funded a program dubbed Improving Availability of Reproductive Health Services in the ARMM, or
ARCHES which seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and improved wellbeing of the population in the region through better and more equitable access to health services. ARCHES is a joint undertaking between Oxfam and four women’s rights organizations working with local communities in the region namely Al Mujadilah Development Foundation, Inc. in the province of Lanao del Sur; Pinay Kilos in Sulu and Basilan; Tarbilang Foundation Inc., in Tawi-Tawi and United Youth of the PhilippinesWomen in Maguindanao. The assistance will also help build the capacity of local governments to deliver SRH services. “We believe in the importance of
protecting the rights and welfare not only of women but also the families they raise and support, and we recognize that there is a need to ensure that reproductive health services are made available for all, especially for the disadvantaged,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said. In October 2012, a landmark legislation known as the Reproductive Health Care Act of 2012 for the ARMM was signed. It created and established a reproductive healthcare program for families in the region that promotes natural family planning method and focuses on strengthening child
healthcare facilities. “It is in the spirit of upholding the Bangsamoro’s right to health that we welcome and accept with gratitude the medical equipment that Oxfam and their partner organizations are donating to the ARMM in order to ensure that local governments can provide better reproductive health services,” Gov. Hataman added. He also said the regional government is looking forward to continuously working with them towards a healthy Bangsamoro for all the women, children, and their families. (BPI-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)
OCD rallies youth leaders towards gender DRRM CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Office of Civil Defense Region 10 spearheaded the conduct of the Mainstreaming Gender and Development in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to the second batch of youth leaders in northern Mindanao. This is in line with the observance of this year’s National Disaster Consciousness Month with the theme: Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa (Readiness and response to crisis: Everybody’s duty). OCD Regional Director Ana C. Cañeda believes that “positive youth
exuberance, energy and passion will go a long way towards fresh influence in ownership of the plans, programs and policy development in the direction of a more gender-sensitive, humane and relevant community empowerment and resilience.” “The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
acknowledges the important role of the youth in mainstreaming gender into DRRM and climate adaptation programs. Further, the youth are not only partners during response efforts as force multipliers, but also, as potential partners in preparedness and even disaster prevention activities,â€? CaĹˆeda added. The workshop emphasized that mainstreaming gender into DRRM requires focused intervention on both men and women concerns and
deliberate efforts to include the gender framework in the design and implementation of plans and projects. The seminar workshop held July 11 to 13, 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City was participated by youth leaders coming from the different youth organizations in the region accredited by the National Youth Commission (NYC). (Melanie Jel A. Gamat/OCD10)
DA revitalizes rice processing center CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now pushing for the revitalization of Rice Processing Center (RPC) to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers by increasing their productivity and income. The intervention is seen to increase post-harvest efficiency by reducing post-harvest losses. The RPC is equipped with modern machineries and equipment, storage, drying and other handling/processing system that helps in the minimization of postharvest losses and improving the quality of rice produce. As the implementing agency, DA-RFO Region 10 and its partners from the municipal local government units of Lala town in Lanao del Norte province and Maramag in Bukidnon
and the operators have recently convened for an orientation seminar on the RPC. Region 10 has two RPCs located at the municipalities of Lala, Lanao del Norte handled by Lower Multipurpose Cooperative and Maramag, Bukidnon and will be operated by Maramag Credit Cooperative. The group reviewed the various operational and business frameworks; RPC organizational structure, functions and responsibilities; procurement, processing and marketing; and
record, bookkeeping and accounting procedures. Carol T. Bajarla, senior agriculturist of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division expressed her gratitude to the participants as they are now acquainted with the program, thus, looking forward for its successful implementation. The RPC II component includes rice milling facilities worth P12.5M composed of three sets multi pass rice mill with a capacity of 1.2 tons per hour with a minimum output capacity; a 550 square meter warehouse; a
1-ton capacity weighing scale; and a portable moisture meter. It is funded under the Rice Program with a total budget of P16M through 85:15 cost sharing scheme, wherein 85% of the total project cost (P15,000,000) is shouldered by the government while the 15% (P100,000) is the counterpart of the proponent. Included in the funding is the supplemental cost for the operational capital of P2M and an administrative cost of P500, 000. (SVA, DA RFO-10/ PIA 10)