The RDC Communicator
RDC IX Conducts Reorganizational Meeting
F
ollowing this year’s local elections, the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Council underwent reorganization after the new set of national and local government officials assumed their respective offices on July 1, 2013. The event was conducted on August 28, 2013 at the 1st Infantry Tabak Division in Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur with Division Commander BGen Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad, Jr AFP as the gracious host.
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Teresita Socorro C. Ramos
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Ronald Von D. Rivera, FAD Renato C. Herrera, PDIPBD Vicente S. Fabian, PMED Susan C. Valerio, PFPD Norman Jose E. Ramirez, DRD
PUBLICATION COORDINATOR
In preparation for the reorganization, briefings were conducted by the Secretariat for the newly elected local chief executives in the region to keep them abreast with RDC priorities, activities and updates; the Regional Development Plan; Official Development Assistance; Regional Project Monitoring Committee and other advocacies of the Council. Private Sector Conventions were also conducted for the selection of the Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) pursuant to EO 325, s. 1996 and the approved Guidelines on Private Sector Representative (PSR) Selection. The following PSRs of RDC IX for the term 2013-2016 were confirmed by the Council during the meeting and immediately took their oaths of office before Hon. Joel G. Vercide, Court Judge, MTCC Branch 1: PSRs
Sector/Area
Organization
Vilma M. Julian
Jose J. Suan
Labor Sector Regionwide
President Philippine Integrated Industries Labor Union and Vice-President, TUCP
Victoria M. Cajandig
Ma. Pilar C. Dayaganon Vilma M. Julian Ardi Abril T. Layugue Norman Jose E. Ramirez
Indigenous Peoples Sector, Regionwide
Executive Officer Pikhumpongan Dlibon Subanen, Inc.
Paulino G. Gudmalin
Dipolog City
President Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
OTHER AGENCIES
Miriam L. Suacito
Isabela City
Executive Director Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc.
Mercedes Lourdes S. Quisumbing
Pagadian City
President Pagadian City – Zamboanga del Sur Chamber and Industries Foundation, Inc.
George G. Ledesma
Zamboanga City
President Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Inc.
LAYOUT AND DESIGN Lloyd E. Duhaylungsod Michel R. Tulog
CONTRIBUTORS NEDA 9
I. Cabeguin, DA 9 DAR 9 Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI 9 NSCB Social Marketing Service-DSWD Dr. Lea U. Laput, WMSU-PAO
The RDC Communicator is published quarterly by Regional Development Council (RDC) IX. The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose the articles to be published due to space limitation. Articles and pictures will become property of RDC IX. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact: The Editorial Board NEDA Regional Office IX Provincial Government Center Dao, Pagadian City Tel. No. (062) 945-0049 nedapagadian@yahoo.com
Pedro Rufo N. Soliven Zamboanga City
President Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.
Nestor R. Carbonera
Ipil
Executive Director Xavier Agricultural Extension Service/Xavier Science Foundation
Fr. Enrico V. Montano, VF
Zamboanga del Norte Executive Director Zamboanga del Norte Center of Social Concerns and Development
Manuel V. Silla
Zamboanga del Sur
Member Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Zamboanga del Sur Chapter
Eugenio D. Sinoy
Zamboanga Sibugay
Executive Director Coalition for the Development of Sibuguey
DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of RDC IX. PHOTO CREDITS DTI 9 WMSU Internet
During reorganizational meeting, the Council also endorsed to the President the nominees from whom he will choose the Council’s Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for the term 20132016. Endorsed were Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar of Zamboanga City and Mayor Evelyn Uy of Dipolog City from the government sector. Four PSRs were also endorsed namely Jose J. Suan, Fr. Enrico V. Montano VF, Pedro Rufo N. Soliven and Paulino G. Gudmalin. BGeneral Felicito Virglio M. Trinidad, Jr., Commander of the 1st Infantry Tabak Division gave a Briefing on Peace and Security in Zamboanga Peninsula; while NSCB IX Regional Head, Dr. Mewchun Pamaran briefed the body on the GRDP of Zamboanga Peninsula for CY 2012. Also in attendance during the meeting were Governors Antonio Cerilles, Roberto Uy, and Wilter Palma, of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay respectively; and Mayors Romeo Pulmones, and Eldwin Alibutdan, of the city of Pagadian, and the municipality of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, respectively. RDC IX member-agency representatives also attended the meeting that was presided by the Council’s Acting Chairperson, Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos of NEDA IX. (Vilma M. Julian, NEDA 9)
3
RDC IX Conducts Sectoral Planning Workshop on RDP Assessment
R
egional Development Council (RDC) IX conducted one of the major activities in the updating of the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Plan, 2014-2016 thru a Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) Workshop on the assessment of said plan on July 18, 2013 at Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City. Around fifty-one (51) technical staff from the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) participated. NEDA IX Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos explained the purpose of the workshop and encouraged the participants to actively contribute inputs during the workshop. The guidelines for the updating of the ZamPen RDP, 2014-2016 and the mechanics of the workshop were presented by Mr. Manolette Jude M. Mercado, OIC Chief of the Policy Formulation and Planning Division.
The Search is on for Agri – Pinoy Rice Achievers 2013
T
his year’s increase in rice production was made possible through the joint effort of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units (LGUs), the Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) Irrigators Associations (IAs), and Small Water Impounding System Farmers Association (SWISA). Through this exemplary support, the administration is awarding those who have rendered great service and exceeded the production target for the year 2013 as part of DA’s interventions and incentive system.
Prior to the workshop, the participants were divided into the four (4) sectoral committees of the RDC, which shall act as the Regional Planning Committees and were joined by NEDA IX staff as facilitator/secretariat. In the workshop, the participants assessed the performance of their respective sectors by comparing the a) baseline data in 2010 as against the actual accomplishments in 2012 and the b) 2011 and 2012 targets as against actual accomplishments based on the RDC-approved Results Matrix. The groups were also requested to review the region’s current vision. Workshop outputs were presented by the Chairperson of each committee in the plenary.
Last year, Zamboanga del Sur, under the leadership of Gov. Antonio H. Cerilles, received P4 million. The municipality of Bayog under the direction of Mayor Leonardo l. Babasa Jr., and the municipality of Mahayag under Mayor Lorna S. Espina received P1 million each while 17 AEWs received P20,000 each.
In closing, Dir. Ramos emphasized that additional inputs from government agencies can be submitted to NEDA IX for inclusion in the sectoral performance assessment by July 26, 2012, in preparation for the Regional Strategic Development Framework (RSDF) workshop in October 2013.
The 2013 awards shall cover the Sept 16, 2012- March 15, 2013 dry season and March 16 - September 15, 2013 wet season. AEWs include provincial extension workers and extension workers in the municipality/city LGUs on contractual or job order basis who have rendered at least three years of service.
(Maria Pilar C. Dayaganon, NEDA 9)
4
For the provincial and municipal LGUs to qualify in the search for 2013 Rice Achievers, the criteria will be based on production, yield and performance increment over 2012 target, number of rice related projects initiated and funded by the LGU including the number of farmers benefited, and high quality seed utilization. Additional selection requirements for provincial LGUs include high quality seeds utilization of at least 50 percent, attainment of the average yield target for 2012 under the Food Staple Sufficiency Program (FSSP) of four metric tons per hectare, an updated FSSP roadmap, and endorsement by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The basis for the selection of Outstanding AEWs are the following: production and performance increment over the 2012 target, number of farmers assisted, Farmers' Field School conducted, number of trainings attended and reports submitted.
The search for 2013 Rice Achievers is open to all provinces, municipalities, IAs, SWISAs, and AEWs including the 2012 awardees. This is the Aquino Administration's way of thanking the rice farmers and producers for heeding the call of Food Staple Sufficiency Program. (I. Cabeguin, DA 9)
ZamPen tops 2012 economic growth among regions
Z
amboanga Peninsula’s economy soared high to 12.4 percent in 2012 from 0.1 percent in 2011. This was the fastest growth in 2012 among the country’s 17 regions. The impressive economic performance of the region was brought about by the accelerated growths of the Industry and Service sectors. Among the sectors, Services accounted for the largest share of the region’s total economy at 42.7percent in 2012, followed by the Industry sector with 34.8 percentage share and AHFF with 22.5 percent. While the percentage share of the Industry sector increased over the period 2010 to 2012, the percentage shares of Services and AHFF sectors decreased.
Industry surged to 31.6 percent in 2012 from 1.5percent in 2011 due to the accelerated growths in all its subsectors. Manufacturing, which accounted for 27.4 percent of the region’s total economy, grew remarkably by 35.2 percent in 2012 from 5.9 percent in 2011. The doubledigit growth was attributed to a high increase in production of canned sardines. Construction rebounded from negative 12.3 percent in 2011 to 28.5 percent in 2012 due to the increase in both the public and private construction. Mining and quarrying and EGWS, likewise, turned around from negative 14.4 percent in 2011 to 0.6 percent in 2012 and negative
0.3 percent in 2011 to 4.0 percent in 2012, respectively.
Services expanded by 8.3 percent in 2012 from 6.0 percent in 2011. The growth was due to the increase in all its subsectors except the Other Services which decelerated from 11.0 percent in 2011 to 7.0 percent in 2012. Public Administration and Defense (PAD) rebounded from negative 0.1 percent in 2011 to 5.6 percent in 2012. Financial Intermediation grew from 4.4 percent in 2011 to 11.7 percent in 2012, Trade from 3.4 percent to 10.5 percent, Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities (RERBA) from 6.1 percent to 7.0 percent, and TSC from 8.0 percent to 8.2 percent. Growth in the AHFF sector improved from negative 9.7 percent in 2011 to negative 2.6 percent in 2012. Fishing, which accounted for 7.8percent of the region’s domestic output, improved from negative 23.5 percent in 2011 to negative 7.3 in 2012. Agriculture and Forestry, on the other hand, decelerated to 0.1 percent in 2012 from 0.6 percent in 2011. Industry was the largest contributor to the region’s overall economic growth in 2012 with 9.4 percentage points, followed by the Service sector with 3.7 percentage points. The AHFF sector, however, pulled down the region’s growth by 0.7 percentage point. (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru9/2013/ FactSheet/Factsheet6.html
DAR – LGUs turn – over concrete farm to market road
A
concrete 1.95 kilometer Purok Jupiter to Purok Venus – farm to market Road (FMR) costing P12 million was turned over after the Blessing and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur on August 29, 2013. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – AR Communities Project Phase II (ARCP2) Provincial Director/ Zamboanga del Sur - OIC – Provincial AR Program Officer (PARPO) II Arturo N. Soria disclosed that this FMR is part of the P773.4 million-59 ARCP2 infra projects approved for Zambo. Sur.
According to PARPO II Soria “ARCs are made up of contiguous barangays where a significant number of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) live and where integrated support services are focused and delivered.” DAR-ZDS Chief ARP Officer for the Beneficiaries Development & Coordination Division, Engr. Joy Sisican stressed that the other ARCP2 projects in ZDS include communal irrigation systems, post harvest facilities / multi-purpose centers with solar dryers, health stations, bridges, day care centers, school buildings, water systems and tribal halls. She said that the newly turned-over FMR benefits close to 200 ARBs, 1,526 barangay populace and the residents of Culo, Miligan and neighboring communities in the area. Molave Mayor Ireneo Glepa said that the FMR will result to the speedy delivery of the farmers’ produce, and preserve the freshness and lengthen the lifespan of their goods. Meanwhile, the responsible operation and maintenance of the FMR was assumed by the barangay LGU through Captain Junjie Tanio-an. He committed to pass an ordinance to sustain the FMR’s viability. (DAR 9)
5
DSWD provides P92M, prepares for rehab stage, installs stronger security in ZC
Houses razed to the ground in the affected barangays (Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina) as gunfight continued between government forces and MNLF rebels. Source: FB, Internet
A
total of P92.22 million worth of assistance has been provided to the Zamboanga evacuees as of September 27, 2013. Of this amount P88.88million was for food assistance, P2.79 million for non-food items, P302,750 for financial assistance and P247,500 for the cash-for-work program provided in more than two weeks to augment the resources of Zamboanga City Local Government Unit. Meanwhile, the Aquino government approved the P3.89 billion Rehabilitation Plan to rebuild Zamboanga City. Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that relief operations will continue with the provision of assistance to families affected by the armed conflict staying inside and outside the evacuation centers. She also said that the DSWD and the LGU are now in their transition stage in the provision of food for the 18,225 families or 101,131 persons still staying in evacuation centers. The Secretary added that the affected Badjaos who are staying along CawaCawa shoreline have articulated their preference to eat their staple food; hence, social workers have provided them with cassava and dried fish. In consideration of the special needs of women and children, DSWD also set up special Day Care Centers and Child and Women-Friendly Spaces in the evacuation centers.
6
As of September 26, a total of 2,945 children were provided with supplemental feeding and engaged with Supervised Neighborhood Play. The provision of psychosocial and critical incident stress debriefing interventions also continue. To date, DSWD professional staff debriefed a total of 1,178 evacuees and 193 released hostages who were eventually reunited with their families. For its part, TESDA set up a massage therapy center at the skills training tent to conduct massage sessions and beads making. Towards rebuilding Zamboanga City, DSWD is also preparing for the rehabilitation stage of the disaster operations. The rehabilitation plan amounting to P3.89 billion was already drafted that includes the relocation, housing, shelter, livelihood, and other assistance for the affected families. In a recent press briefing, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle ClimacoSalazar thanked Sec. Soliman and the entire DSWD workforce for their continuous relief efforts and relentless assistance to help build a better Zamboanga. She likewise expressed gratitude to the President and the different government agencies for being with Zamboanga City in times of great need. Meanwhile, DSWD with the Philippine
National Police, strengthened security measures in the JFE Sports Complex, the biggest evacuation center in Zamboanga City. A Gender-Based Grievance Desk is established inside the evacuation center to handle all reports on gender-based violence. It is located beside the Welfare Inquiry Desk. As a result of the partnership with the PNP, additional police personnel are assigned inside the evacuation center to regularly patrol and monitor the area. Additional lights were installed to ensure that no areas of the JFE Sports Complex can be used in any dubious or criminal acts. DSWD Assistant Secretary Camilo G. Gudmalin encouraged the media, other sectors in society, and the evacuees to immediately report any incidence of violence for immediate validation, and appropriate response. He assured that the Department’s primary concern is the safety and welfare of the affected families. He appealed to all sectors of society not to take advantage of the vulnerability of the displaced persons. He encouraged unity among society, and the local and national government in rebuilding Zamboanga City. (Social Marketing Service, DSWD, Quezon City)
D
r. Milabel Enriquez Ho welcomes collaborative efforts with the government and private institutions in facing new challenges aimed at resolving the Mindanao power crisis. The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) together with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and its attached agency the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) hosted a seminar forum on July 9, 2013, on the long-standing issue of power outage in Zamboanga City. Present during the activity were NEDA IX Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos; PIDS President Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, and Director for Research Information Dr. Sheila Siar; WMSU officials; and representatives from various government and private agencies. In her inspirational talk, Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar urged the community to stay vigilant of their right to participate in the efforts to address problems of electricity in the city. Stakeholders are encouraged to work closely to ensure that their interests are protected and policymakers are guided in decision making. She raised the need to prioritize the
end consumers and said that any obligation must be acceptable and affordable to an ordinary consumer. A policy paper on increasing the baseload generating capacity in Mindanao was presented by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, a PIDS Senior Research Fellow, validating issues most participants claimed to have been aware of for the past years. For instance, the insufficient baseload generating capacity of power plants has always been a problem in Mindanao with only 37.31% as compared to Luzon grid at 63.94% and the Visayas grid at 71.88%. The paper indicates an imbalance in the capacity mix in terms of power generated from the traditional technologies like hydro power plants due to drought, deforestation, river siltation and the rehabilitation of Angus and Pulangi hydropower plants. The lack of commitments among power suppliers is another problem. Power supplies are only 38 MW in 2013 and 120 MW in 2015 indicating that these cannot meet the increasing power demands. Medium and long term policy responses cited in the paper include government privatization of services to which one discussant Mr. Pedro Ruffo Soliven,
President, Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., clearly opposed for reasons he claimed are inequitable to end consumers. Dr. Frede Moreno, Dean of the College of Public Administration and Development Studies and Mr. Sherwin Mañada, the General Manager of Zamboanga Electric Cooperative also contributed as discussants. The discussions facilitated by Dr. Ederlinda M. Fernandez, WMSU Vice President for Planning, Administration and Finance, generated aggressive reactions from concerned citizens and government employees who were well-versed on the issue. The partnership was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between WMSU and NEDA-PIDS during the launching of the “PIDS Corner” at the university library. The public is invited to engage in an innovative knowledge exchange in policy research online by visiting the PIDS corner and its website SERP-P (Socio-Economic Research Portal of the Philippines). (Dr. Lea U. Laput, Director, WMSU-Public Affairs Office)
WMSU partners with NEDA, PIDS
WMSU inks MOA with NEDA-PIDS (foreground center) Dr. Milabel Enriquez Ho accepts partnership with PIDS president Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto at the launching of the PIDS corner. At the background are: (L-R) Ms. Salud Laquio, University librarian, Atty Jules Marcos University legal officer, Regent. Myl Johann R. Amsid BPI manager, Dr. Adorancion M. Navarro and Dr. Sheila Siar, PIDS delegates.
7
DTI turns over shared service facilities to nine coops in ZC
The nine cooperators with their members and with DTI RD NazrullahManzur and PD Rolando Acuna after the SSF MOA signing
N
ine agri-based cooperatives and urban poor women associations in Zamboanga City were the first batch of beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry’s shared service facilities (SSF) project in Region 9. The turning over of the various tools, machineries and equipment totalling P3.171 million to the nine beneficiary organizations followed shortly after the ceremonial launching of the SSF project at the Holy Rosary Family Center in Zamboanga City on August 13, 2013. The SSF, according to DTI IX Regional Director Nazrullah Manzur, is a banner project of the DTI aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those that fall under the DTI’s priority industry clusters. The SSFs, in the form of machineries, equipment and tools are given to qualified co-operators such as registered cooperatives, associations, even local governments and the academe for their use free of charge for as long as they are used as intended and as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement between them and the DTI. “SSFs are meant to address the common problem of MSMEs which for lack of capital, cannot acquire by themselves the necessary machineries and equipment to increase their quality and productivity in production,” Dir. Manzur said. He also said that for 2013, DTI targets 67 SSFs
8
implemented all over Region 9 out of the P27 million SSF funds allocated for the region this year. DTI-Zamboanga City Office/ Provincial Director Rolando Acuña, who spearheaded the launching ceremonies, disclosed that his office targetted 25 SSF projects, for implementation this year. He said that the nine that were just turned over to co-operators on August 13, 2013 are just a part of the 25 projects this year. He also mentioned that three of the nine beneficiary organizations - Latap, Lapaz, and Bandera Dulian Abaca Growers’ Associations, received portable abaca fiber stripping machines for a more efficient mechanized abaca fiber production. The MAPZACARA Coop of Patalon, TugbunganWomens’ Association, AGAPE, and Pasobolong Women of the Holy Rosary received various cooking tools and equipment including stainless tables and accessories. On the other hand, the Tulungatung Women, and GK Womens’ Associations received high speed sewing machines and other equipment for their slippers, bags, and handicraft production projects. In closing PD Acuña said “We are confident that through these SSF facilities, our MSMEs will become more competitive, productive, producing better quality products and hopefully, they become better equipped to face the challenges of the ASEAN economic integration in 2015. (Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI 9)
NEDA IX Undergoes Orientation on BEEP and Earthquake Drill The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) IX conducted an orientation on Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) and Earthquake Drill at the NEDA Regional Office IX, located in Dao, Pagadian City on July 12, 2013. The activity was in line with the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, every July with the theme “Maunlad na Bayan, Ligtas na Pamayanan.” Ms. Emilia V. Julhajan of OCD IX gave a brief orientation on the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS). as well as the country’s disaster risk profile. According to Ms. Julhajan, around 60 percent of the recorded earthquakes in the country were in Mindanao and that the region is bounded by three major earthquake generators, namely: the Sulu Trench, the Cotabato Trench and the Mindanao Fault System. Ms. Kornessa L. Paras also of OCD IX discussed the BEEP. She highlighted the four major stages of emergency planning, particularly on the organization of a Disaster Management Committee or Disaster Control Group , the importance of developing the Emergency Evacuation Plan, orientation of the final evacuation route, area and backup plans to leaders and occupants of the building and the phases of the earthquake drill. She also emphasized the execution of the duck, cover and hold procedure to protect oneself during the shaking. The earthquake drill was then conducted and facilitated by the OCD with the NEDA staff actively participating. Ms. Julhajan and Ms. Paras gave a positive rating on the over-all conduct of the drill and identified some minor findings for the staff to avoid repeating, during future drill or during actual emergency. (Maria Pilar C. Dayaganon, NEDA 9)
I
NEDA IX Conducts Nutrition Outreach Activity
n support of this year’s nutrition theme "Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!", National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) IX conducted the launching of its potted garden and corresponding nutrition outreach activity.
Children at Diwalwal Rotary Inner Wheel Village Elementary School, during the NEDA IX Nutrition Outreach Activity
This year’s celebration of the nutrition month in July, once again inspired NEDA IX to select a recipient area for its outreach activity. Purok Diwalwal in Barangay Dao, Pagadian City, was selected based on the number of severely malnourished children thereat. On July 30, 2013, NEDA IX staff, led by its Office Caretaker, Ms. Gemma Mendoza, who represented Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos, proceeded to Purok Diwalwal. They were welcomed by Dao Barangay Captain Joseph Guillar, who expressed his deep appreciation over the conduct of the activity. In a short program, Mr. Norman Jose Ramirez, of NEDA IX, informed the students of Diwalwal Rotary Inner Wheel Village Elementary School, faculty, and parents, about the nutritional benefits of Nutribooster – a nutritious cereal that is used to supplement the food intake of children, particularly four years old and older who are severely malnourished. Twenty four boxes of Nutribooster were distributed to the family of six identified severely malnourished children in the area. Vegetable seeds, cups, face towels, and ballpens were also distributed. NEDA IX with the assistance of barangay officials and barangay nutrition scholars also provided some nutritious snacks to the children and their parents during the activity. It was indeed a heartwarming activity seeing the excitement and happiness on the faces of the school children, parents, faculty, and the community, as a gesture of thankful recognition over the conduct of the activity. (Vilma
Two ZamPen Students Emerged as National Awardees of Mga Bagong Rizal Award
A
teneo de Zamboanga University students Ms. Debra Ann M. Ponce (secondary level category) and Mr. Adriel Earl A. Toribio (tertiary level category) are among the seventeen National Awardees of the Mga Bagong Rizal Pag-Asa ng Bayan Award 2013.
Recipients of the award were chosen based on their interests and skills represented by Gardner’s multiple intelligence in the linguistic, logicalmathematical, visual-spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal and naturalistic intelligence. Awardees will participate a series of leadership skills trainings and project planning events to acquaint them on the life and efforts of Dr. Jose Rizal, the ideal example of a good Filipino citizen and the impeccable model to the Filipino gifted. The Search for “Mga Bagong Rizal: Pag-asa ng Bayan” started in 2011 during the 150th birthday celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal and conducted every 2 years. It is organized by the Philippine Center for Gifted Education (PCGE), a non-profit organization devoted to raise public awareness about giftedness and to discover the children and youth who exude exemplary performance in their own fields at the elementary, high school, and college levels. Of the seven nominees endorsed by the Regional Search Committee under the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX, Ms. Ponce and Mr. Toribio were chosen due to their exemplary academic performance, leadership traits and extensive community services. Both were consistent honor students and were actively involved in public and private humanitarian engagements. (Norman Jose E. Ramirez, NEDA 9)
M. Julian, NEDA 9)
9
R
egional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) IX Chairperson and NEDA IX Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos spearheaded the monitoring team composed of DILG IX Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, RPMC IX-Technical Working Group, and assisted by DPWH IX and Zamboanga del Norte District Engineering Office Technical Staff for the ocular inspection of the Zamboanga West Coast Road Project on July 30-31, 2013. The team inspected critical portions of the 155.565-kilometer road project which traverses through the municipalities of Labason, Gutalac, Baliguian, Siocon, Sirawai, and Sibuco of Zamboanga del Norte up to the Zamboanga City boundary in Barangay Limpapa. The Gutalac-Baliguian side of the Zamboanga West Coast Road stretch was visited on the first day, while the Limpapa-Sibuco side was inspected on the second day. It costs a total of P3.93796 Billion which already includes Road Right of Way costs. It involved several project components namely: concrete paving, which was mostly done at the Gutalac-Baliguian Section; improvement and gravelling works in the Siocon-Sirawai sections and some parts of Sibuco; and road opening primarily at Sirawai-Sibuco section, as well as, construction of bridges and spillways mostly in several barangays in Sibuco. It took almost five years to complete the project starting from around April of 2007 up to its completion in September of 2012. RPMC IX observed that the occurrence of landslides caused several serious damages to the existing infrastructure in the ZWCR. Consequently, clearing operations entail additional funding for equipment and manpower. The Committee suggested benching and/or bio-engineering works to landslide-prone areas, as well as, additional funds for MOOE. Although the project itself has already been completed, there are still critical works that need to be undertaken, such as construction of additional bridges and spillways, principally in
10
RPMC IX visits Zamboanga West Coast Road
RPMC IX inspects the starting point of the ZWCR Project (Gutalac side) Landslides in Gacsod, Gutalac
the municipality of Sibuco. DPWH IX reported that a total of 13 bridges are proposed for construction in order to fully connect the Zamboanga del Norte province to the City of Zamboanga. As an offshoot to the field inspection, the RPMC IX conducted a special meeting cum problem-solving session (PSS) on October 10, 2013 at DPWH Regional Office IX, purposely to present its monitoring report to the stakeholders of the project. The meeting was attended by DPWH IX, DENR IX, local chief executives of the affected areas and representative from the Office of Congressman
Isagani Amatong of the 3rd district of Zamboanga del Norte. The meeting further discussed and addressed issues and concerns impeding the project. Based on information provided, it needs P2.9 Billion to make the ZWCR network completely passable which includes construction of additional bridges and slope protection works. Moreover, DPWH IX Regional Director Jorge U. Sebastian, Jr. shared that the IFMA road portion of the ZWCR will only serve as alternate route once the Junction Diculum, Baliguian- Sta. Maria, Siocon Section Coastal Road is constructed. (Ardi Abril T. Layugue, NEDA 9)
Huge scouring of the road in Togbongan, Baliguian Sta. 2034 + 500
Outlet of a culvert pipe was washed away due to recurrent landslides in Siocon
Outlet of a culvert pipe was washed away due to recurrent landslides in Siocon
Residents living on the other side of Brgy Malayal need special hired transport to cross the said river. If the current is not strong, the river can be traversed with a modified motorcycle.DPWH IX plans to put up the Malayal Bridge.
11