One Mindanao - April 6, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

VICTORIANO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTSJapan funds school building construction in Kidapawan City

DOST 12 succeeds surveillance audit for 2nd round of ISO accreditation

DTI advises consumers to test the product before buying

Artists, cultural educators, workers meet to push for cultural dev’t agenda in PH Dev’t Plan

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Women’s role in military organization recognized

PH government evacuates 99 Filipinos from Yemen

Mindanao’s first Catholic Cardinal asks for prayers for success of Citizens’ Peace Summit

36IB seeks public support in condemning NPA on habitual use of landmine in SurSur

DTI MisOr turns over P1.9M to Magsaysay for Coco Sugar production

CDO, MisOr vets urge pet owners to have dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies

By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

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By: Danilo E. Doguiles

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By: Rene V. Carbayas

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

20 Davao Oriental hailed Outstanding Rice AchieverBy: Analyn Padullon and KL Deloso

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4 APRIL 6, 2015One Mindanao

Women’s role in military organization recognizedBy: Gideon C. Corgue

Since the time the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) opened its doors to the women, the military organization is no longer an exclusive domain of the men, recognizing the women’s right to serve the organization.

5APRIL 6, 2015 One Mindanao

This has encouraged Private Raniene Jane Hamillian, 21, an enlisted lady soldier to continue working for the AFP.

Hamillian, who has been in the military service for more than a year now, told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in an interview that women are “treated as equals inside the camp.” She is one of three lady soldiers – an officer and two enlisted personnel - working in the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, First Mechanized Infantry Division in Camp Col Jacobe Zobel, Upper Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

At first, Hamillian said, it was not her dream become a soldier because she found it very difficult to compete with men. But an uncle pushed her to enter the military service, as he

noticed that she had potentials to become a good soldier.

“Nadasig ako sa awhag sa akong Tito nga mosulod pagka-sundalo tungod kay iyang nakita nga taas akong height ug nagtuo siya nga mahimo nako ang mga gimbuhaton

sa mga lalaking sundalo. Ako usab nakita nga adunay babaye nga sundalo nga ang ilang height average lang,” Himilian explained.

(I was inspired by my uncle to enter the military service because I have my height and he believes that I can do what the men can and I have also noticed that the height of other female soldiers is only average.)

“Usa usab ka butang nga dili nako malimtan ni Tito nga dihang giingnan ko niya, ‘You will be somebody someday’,” Hamillian quoted her uncle as saying.

(I cannot also forget what my uncle told me “You will be somebody someday.”)

After she graduated from her two-year course of Information


Technology in Iligan City, she decided to join military service.

A dancing soldier With her dancing prowess, Hamillian leads the officers and men of the 1st Cavalry Squadron in their Zumba session every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 a.m.

Hamillian said she feels proud that she was given the opportunity to lead the officers and men in their weekly Zumba session. “Wala gyud ko magdahum nga mangulo sa among Zumba session tungod kay kaniadto dinha ra ko sa atbang

duol sa entablado ug inanay gihimo ko nga usa sa mangulo sa

maong session sa among battalion”, Hamillian proudly said.

(I did not really expect that I would lead the Zumba dance session because I only used to stay in front near the stage. But, eventually they ordered me to lead the session in our battalion.)

Hamillian said aside from her office work, she is also actively assisting her male counterparts during medical and dental civic action programs (MEDCAPs) in the different barangays within the area of responsibility of the unit.


Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola said the unit is recognizing the vital role of women in our society adding that “they (women) can lead the organization well.”

B a t a y o l a congratulated the enlisted women for they are faring well in their tasks and duties.

In the 1st Cavalry Squadron, Batayola said, female officers and enlisted women became Gold crosser and combat awardees, a solid proof that they can be deployed in the combat areas.

“With the government’s implementation on Republic Act 9710 otherwise known as The Magna Carta of Women, they (women) can now fully assert their rights as persons in our society,” he added.

“Unlike before, Filipino women lacked access to decent work and faced occupational segregation and wage gaps; they were only allowed to perform household chores. But with the law, they are now empowered.

Civil and political rights enjoyed by men are also enjoyed by our women,” he added.

“Inside the camp the tasks given to men are capably handled by the women,” stressed Batayola adding, “We treat women with respect.”

He also emphasized, “our government has acknowledged that development is not going to happen without the full involvement and active participation of women.”


MANILA - Malacanang said it supports a United Nations initiative raising awareness on disasters to make vulnerable communities much safer.

Philippines backs United Nations iniative in raising safety awareness against disasters

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction head, Margareta Wahlström, have urged disaster-prone countries like the Philippines to

make “disaster risk reduction” a household word.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Presidential Communications Operations


Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said such an initiative is already being done by the Aquino administration.

Disaster risk reduction has been the priority of the Aquino government and has incorporated it in the pillars of its Philippine Development Plan.

“Kaya nga po hanggang sa pinakamataas na antas ng pamamahala, mayroon po tayong climate change Cabinet cluster na binubuklod lahat ng mga ahensya na mayroong responsibilidad para harapin ‘yung mga hamon ng climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Coloma told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Among the government agencies involved in the initiative include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Climate Change Commission.

The President heads the Climate Change Commission and is being supported by Secretary Lucille Sering, its vice chairperson.

“At sa loob po ng administrasyon ni Pangulong

Aquino ay nakapaglatag na po tayo ng pambansang istratehiya para harapin ang mga hamon ng climate change adaptation at mitigation, at ito po ang pinanggagalingan ng mga programa sa disaster risk reduction and management ng ating bansa,” Coloma explained.

The government has also implemented the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, he said noting that the Aquino government is the first administration to implement such law.

One of the law’s provisions is the conduct of review of government initiatives after five years with a main objective of creating a national organization and infrastructure for disaster risk reduction, Coloma stressed. The President heads the hierarchy of responders from national to local levels to get everyone involved, according to Coloma.

The objective is to inculcate a culture of safety to communities and make them more disaster-resilient during calamities, he noted. (PCOO/PND (as)


PH government evacuates 99 Filipinos from YemenMANILA - The Crisis Management Team (CMT), led by Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago, along with officials and personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, successfully evacuated ninety-nine (99) Filipino nationals from Yemen. This group is composed of 54 men, 43 women and two infants. The Department of Foreign Affair said, the group traveled on a convoy of two buses. They left the western Yemeni city of Hodeidah at 7:00 a.m. (Saudi time) on April 05 and arrived at the Tuwal border crossing of Saudi Arabia at 11:00 a.m. on the same day. The journey was generally safe even though the group had to pass through several checkpoints along the 215 kilometer route.

Embassy and Consulate General personnel are now assisting the evacuees in

Jizan, providing them food and accommodation, as well as arranging their onward travel to the Philippines.

The CMT will again undertake another land evacuation today from the capital city of Sana’a via Hodeidah. The DFA is strongly urging Filipinos who are still undecided about leaving the country to join the land evacuation by contacting CMT personnel in Movenpick Hotel Sana’a through the following contact details:

Phone number #1: +967 73 0194 165Phone number #2: +967 73 742 6292

E-mail address : [email protected]


Mindanao’s first Catholic Cardinal asks for prayers for success of Citizens’ Peace Summit

COTABATO CITY - Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo on Sunday asked the Catholic faithful to pray during Easter for the success of the Citizens’ Peace Summit that President Benigno S. Aquino III has called to be convened to conduct a public discussion of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and submit findings to Congress to assist in its consideration of the law.


Cardinal Quevedo said the Peace Summit is a laudable move by the President in response to the crisis of public support for the BBL. He said the group of five prominent personalities invited by the Chief Executive to convene the Peace summit need public support in carrying out their mission to make Filipinos understand the Mindanao peace process better and assist Congress so it could act decisively on the BBL. “The work of the Peace Council initiated by the President is most laudable. Such effort needs our prayers and support and may the Lord bless their work for peace,” Quevedo said in a message sent to the Mindanao Media Bureau (MMB) of the Office of the Presidential Adviser to the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Cotabato City.

The five personalities asked by President Aquino to convene the Peace Summit are Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, former Ambassador Howard Dee, businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Muslim youth leader Bai

Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

Cardinal Quevedo, who is the first Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church to be chosen in Mindanao, said the five personalities “are people of integrity and credibility.”

Quevedo added that: “To conduct a sober and objective analysis of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, identify provisions that may be contrary the Constitution, propose a refinement of them, ensuring that the self-determination long aspired for by Moros does not become an empty word.”

Despite mixed reactions from different sectors to the Peace Summit, the five convenors recently issued a statement accepting the challenge to look into the provisions of the BBL with collective views and recommendations.

“We would like to emphasize that we are not a pressure group or a political movement; but rather, we are a group that would like to provide an avenue for dialogue between independent-minded citizens who believe in the importance of understanding the BBL and


to discuss its implications for peace and development in our country at a fair and reasonable manner,” the five convenors said in statement issued last week.

The statement added that they have no intentions “to go beyond our self-imposed task of helping ourselves and our fellow citizens understand the importance of the peace issues at hand.”

The five convenors also said

that they will soon announce the names of those that they will invite to participate in the peace summit.

“To make this a more meaningful dialogue, we have also agreed to consolidate all the out put of our consultations, discussions, learning and insights in a report that we will share with our fellow countrymen, the President, the legislature, and the judiciary, who we believe are critical stakeholders for peace,” the convenors said. (PPMB)


BOC urges victims of injustice to file claims

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Board of Claims under the Department of Justice (BOC-DOJ) encourages those victims of unjust imprisonment or detention of violent crimes to file a claim of an amount not exceeding to P10,000 through the Victim’s Compensation Program which was created in 1992.

By: Recthie T. Paculba

During the information dissemination drive of the program on March 26, here, regional prosecutor Jaime L. Umpa shared that the activity is conducted to recognize and honor the valuable human rights of every individual as well as it aims to bring immediate


economic relief to the victims. To further explain the program, Alexander Q. Suarez, BOC Evaluator, provided a short lecture on Republic Act 7309 and related laws. He said that those who were unjustly accused, convicted and subsequently acquitted by a court, unjustly detained and released without being charged, arbitrarily or illegally detained by the authorities as established under a final court judgment, and those who are victims of violent crimes may apply for the compensation. Victims can apply and get an application form from the nearest Office of the Regional Prosecutor. Suarez also added that the claim should be filed within six months after release from imprisonment of detention or after the crime was committed. For deceased or incapacitated victims, BOC said that claim may be filed by the victim’s surviving spouse, children, natural parents, brother and/or sister, in that order. Meanwhile, Severino H.

Gaña, Jr., Senior Deputy State Prosecutor and Board Member of BOC said that the professing of claims will not take long since the program is administrative in nature. As of February 2015, BOC has already released about P398M to 48,351 processed claims but according to Suarez, the number does not reflect the knowledge of the public about the law thus, they are conducting series of information dissemination drive to eventually diminish the suffering of the victims. For more information, victims and their heirs may visit the Regional Prosecution Office, Region 10 at 2nd Floor, IBP Building, Capitol Road, Cagayan de Oro City.


DTI MisOr turns over P1.9M to Magsaysay for Coco Sugar productionCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry – Misamis Oriental (DTI-MOR) turned over on March 31, 2015 a check worth P1,958,000.00 to the local government of Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental in the implementation of its Coco Sugar Processing and Production.


Received by Magsaysay chief executive Rey Buhisan, the check represents the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) project funds for the implementation in accordance with the work and financial plan, the cash program and the implementation schedule on the approved GPB project, Coco Sugar Processing and Production. According to mayor Buhisan, Coco Sugar Production will bring long-term benefits for his constituents. Based on the study of the municipality of Magsaysay, they have a viable market and enough number of experienced coconut climber “mananggiti” that are ever ready to be trained to sustain the program. DTI-MOR provincial director Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore, in their part will provide regular supervision and guidance towards the successful and attainment of

the project; provide technical assistance; initiate on-site inspection and consultative meeting the local government; and monitor and evaluate the project. Meanwhile, the Magsaysay local government will implement the project and must submit monthly liquidation and status report and convene a quarterly consultative meeting with DTI, recipient group and other stakeholders, among others. Mayor Buhisan said that this GPB project is really a big help to the various groups in his town particularly the farmers group. “We are very thankful to the national government for this GPB program for giving local government an opportunity for projects such as this Coco Sugar Production. This will provide livelihood to the women’s group and farmer’s group in Magsaysay.”


According to Dr. Benjie Resma, Misamis Oriental provincial veterinarian, this year they have changed their strategy. For the entire month of March, they conducted simultaneous rabies vaccination to 11 municipalities and assigned one technician per municipality every day. They also provided the vaccine and technician to monitor. In three weeks time, they have vaccinated 11,000 dogs in 11 municipalities. Their target is to vaccinate 80% dog population. In 2014, the province of Misamis Oriental was second nationwide as to provinces with highest animal rabies cases. Dr. Resma said that last year, the province submitted 27 heads of dogs wherein 16 were positive. Out of these, 93.75% unvaccinated and 75% were provoked bites. They

have averaged that each dog at least two persons were bitten. Meanwhile, 81.25% were stray dogs. And, out of 27, 10 were negative with rabies. Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) veterinarian Dr. Perla Asis also emphasized that although CDO was number one in highest animal rabies cases among cities nationwide last year, it also means that people are vigilant and are submitting religiously heads of dogs that are suspected with rabies. CDO has the most heads of dogs submitted to the office of the Department of Agriculture Diagnostics Laboratory in Luna St., Cagayan de Oro City. Last year, a total of 63 were submitted wherein 32 were positive. However, Dr. Asis said that in terms of target of dog vaccination of 80% dog population, last year

CDO, MisOr vets urge pet owners to have dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The veterinary office of Cagayan de Oro City and province of Misamis Oriental, during their guesting in Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA’s) radio program dubbed Lambo Dyes on March 20, 2015 urged pet owners to be responsible and have their dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies.



they have surpassed the target to 89%. They are doing all they can right now to reach the target or surpass target of dog vaccination this year. She said that eventhough rabies incidence on animal is high, the average for the past five years have been 31 to 35 positive cases per year. The good news is that there are no human deaths because of rabies in the city for the last two years. This is also the result

of Information Education Communication (IEC) initiatives of the city wherein people already know what to do in case they see a rabied dog or get bitten by a dog. Last year, they conducted their IEC on 11,000 students in the barangays. There is no cure to rabies once it gets to the head. Through dog vaccination, rabies virus can be avoided, said Dr. Asis.


R-XI to have P14-billion infra projects for 2015

DAVAO DEL NORTE – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement around P 14-billion projects in the different parts of Region XI this year 2015. DPWH XI Regional Director Ramon Alquiza revealed during their regular monthly press conference on Friday (April 3) held at the Davao del Norte District Engineer’s Office that the region has identified 723 projects for completion

this year. “Our priority this year is in line with the priority of DPWH Secre-tary Rogelio Singson that is to pave all national roads,” RD Alquiza said. Alquiza said that the region has a total of 1,668 kilometers of national road, which is composed of 844 kms. of primary roads and 824 secondary roads.He said that among the primary roads were 329 kms. north-south back-bones and 133 kms. of east-west laterals. He said that for


Davao Oriental hailed Outstanding Rice AchieverDAVAO ORIENTAL –The Depart-ment of Agriculture hailed the Province of Davao Oriental as one of the top ten outstanding prov-inces in the country in terms of rice production during the recent awarding ceremonies for the 2014 AgriPinoy Rice Achiever’s Award (APRAA). Held in Resorts World Perform-ing Arts in Pasay City on March 26, 2015, Davao Oriental Governor Cora-zon N. Malanyaon accepted a plaque and P4 million pesos intended for rice-related projects. This recognition was mainly at-tributed to the overall rice production of Davao Oriental hitting a total of 63,769.79 metric tons in 2014. Aside

from that, the province has also achieved 4.47 MT/ha production, surpassingthe 4.27 MT/ha ‘national production target. In addition, Davao Oriental’s advocacy to achieve a hundred per-cent rice sufficiency level through the construction of the Cateel Irrigation Dam, one of Mindanao’s biggest ir-rigation projects, had even bolstered the province’s rice production. Gov. Malanyaon, who strongly pushes for programs on food suffi-ciency, had intensified the Rice Suf-ficiency Program here in the province not only ensure sustainable rice pro-duction but also to generate produc-tive employment for the poor. Meanwhile, two other provinces

the period of January to March, only 2.95% of the projects have been ac-complished. He disclosed that out of the 723 projects, one project was completed, 183 already started and 539 had not yet started. “We only have a minimal ac-complishment for now since this year, we have plenty of projects and most of the projects have been bid out from January to March,” he said. He disclosed that unlike on 2014 with 358 projects costing around P 8-billion, most of the proj-

ects were bid on December of 2013. “I must admit that we are quite late in starting the projects this year. Because of the number of projects, we were having a hard time catching up with the program of works, esti-mates and preliminary surveys,” he said. Alquiza said that he augmented two more survey teams in the re-gional office to fast track the mate-rialization of the projects. (PIA11, Michael Uy)


in Davao Region also made it to the top ten rice producing provinces in the country. These include the prov-inces of Davao del Sur and Compos-tela Valley. According to DA XI Regional Ex-ecutive Director Remelyn R. Recoter, Davao Region, altogether, was able to hit an ‘all-time’ high production of 19.97 million metric tons in 2014. She added that this performance was attributed to the production growth of 2.87% and 3% yield improve-ment. Also given recognitionduring the APRAA was the Municipality of Banaybanay in Davao Orientalwhich was hailedOutstanding Municipality. BanaybanayMayor AdaliaTambuang received a plaque and P1 million cash prize. Already on its fourth year, the APRAA annual search was imple-mented by the DA National Rice Pro-gram to recognize excellent perfor-mance of provinces, municipalities, cities, Irrigators Association, and Ag-ricultural Extension Workers in their contribution as important stakehold-ers in the National Food Self Suffi-ciency Program. Moreover, this scheme alsoen-courages commitment and excellent performance of LGU stakeholders in terms of implementing programs that promote rice production and food sufficiency. In addition, it also envisionsLGUs and the national gov-ernment to work together in achiev-ing 7 to 10% increase on the annual

rice production over a period of 5 years. Rotchie M. Ravelo, Head of the Provincial Agriculture Office, thankedthe department for honor-ing its partners and stakeholders in achieving the rice production targets with the annualAgriPinoy Achiev-ers Award Program.”It was indeed a wonderful affirmation of ourhard work,” Ravelo said. To date, the Provincial Govern-ment of Davao Oriental through its Provincial Agriculture Office aspires to continue its goal to achieve 100% food sufficiency and security in the whole province through its continu-ous implementation of intensified programs on agriculture.(Analyn-Padullon and KL Deloso/PIO DO)


NorthCot farmers get livestock from OPVetBy: Shahana Joy E.Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Apr. 6-- Around 46 farmers from Alamada and 34 from Midsayap obtained farm animals from the recent livestock dispersal led by the Of-fice of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet).

Dr. Rufino Sorupia, Acting Provincial Vet-erinarian said the recipients in Alamada came from the villages of Bao, Kitacubong, Mapurok, Paruayan, Pigcawaran, Polayagan and Upper Dado where a total of 24 heifers, 15 cara-heifers, two carabaos, five JB cara-bulls were dispersed.

In Midsayap, the recipients were from the villages of Agriculture, Ilbocean, Kiwanan, Lower Glad, Palongoguen and Poblacion 6 where a total of 575 female ducks and 115 male ducks were also distributed.

Dr. Belinda Gornez, veterinarian II, dis-closed that the cattle dispersed to farmers were monitored as to health and weight be-cause this is essential to tracking the prog-ress of each animal and to ensure the farm-ers can utilize them well in the farm.

“The OPVet makes sure that the cows and carabaos are in good condition before giv-ing to beneficiaries and that the cattle are free of disease or sickness,” Dr. Gornez said adding that the animals were continuously supplemented with vitamins.


Under the program, a Memo-randum of Agreement (MOA) between the OPVET and the beneficiaries is signed serving as a guideline for handling the animals properly.

The MOA requires the ben-eficiaries to do their part in the program and that is to take care of the farm animals and use them mainly as part of their livelihood as farmers.

“The provincial government wants the Animal Dispersal Pro-gram to really help the farmers by uplifting their living condi-tions. In the same way, we want them to be responsible partners by doing their part as

recipients,” Sorupia emphasized.Meanwhile, he noted that the

OPVet is strengthening its ser-vice to the public. He stated that last month, the OPVet suc-cessfully conducted the “Sagip Hayop” program in several evac-uation centers in Pikit where the farm animals of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) where given medications and vitamin supplements.

Barely a week after the activ-ity, their office also distributed carabaos and cows to around 40 small farmers based in Alamada and Midsayap.

According to Suropia, the OPVET is set to conduct more


Japan funds school building construction in Kidapawan CityKIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Apr.6 -- The Japanese gov-ernment is bankrolling construction of two classroom buildings that would benefit children in a Muslim village here.

animal dispersals in different villages targeting small farmers and other interested and quali-fied beneficiaries to help them

start simple livelihood. (SJDu-erme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cot. Provincial Government)

Mayor Joseph Evangelista confirmed that he has signed a grant contract with the Em-bassy of Japan in Pasig City last week for the said devel-opment project.

Evangelista added , the build-ings will be constructed inside Patadon Elementary School in Barangay Patadon, a village mostly populated by Muslims.

The grant, he added, is provided under the Japan- Bangsamoro Initiatives for Re-construction and Development through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects or GGP.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) served as host for the contract signing event.

Under the contract, Kidapawan City will receive the

amount US $92,785 assistance from the Embassy of Japan, equivalent to more than PhP4 million as fund for its implemen-tation.

LGU Kidapawan City will un-dertake the necessary bidding and implement the project as stipulated in the contract.

The new school buildings will be composed of two classrooms each, the City Engineering Of-fice said.

Since the fund is already available, the City General Ser-vices Office can now schedule the public bidding for the proj-ect.

As soon as the public bidding is completed and the project awarded, the construction will immediately commence. It is expected to be completed in time for the opening of classes


DOST 12 succeeds surveillance audit for 2nd round of ISO accreditation

KORONADAL CITY, April 6 -- The Department of Science and Tech-nology (DOST) in SOCCSKSARGEN Region has recently passed 1st surveillance audit on its second round of application for the Inter-national Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008, an of-ficial of the agency confirmed.

in June, according to the City Engineering Office. (IOasay-

LGU Kidapawan/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

Dr. Zenaida P. HR Laidan, regional director of DOST 12, said the surveillance audit was conducted by the Certification International Philippines, Inc.

(CIPI) on March 16.It covered DOST-12’s busi-

ness processes such as the pro-vision of scientific technology transfer services, science


promotion S&T information dissemination, and S&T scholar-ship and the systems and pro-cesses on customer satisfaction, customer feedback.

It also reviewed the agen-cy’s internal audit, corrective/preventive action, management review, validation of scope of certification, and use of Certifi-cation International (CI) Logo.

DOST 12 first acquired ISO 9001: 2008

Since then, Dr. Laidan said, DOST 12 has continuously implemented improvements to comply with the standards set by the ISO 9001:2008 - Qual-ity Management System (QMS) which has been sustained by the regional office and its four Provincial Science and Technol-ogy Centers (PSTCs).

“This is a validation of DOST-12’s continued implementation of the international QMS stan-dard as an instrument to further enhance the office’s competi-tiveness and to meet the needs and expectations of the people,” she said.

At the exit conference, CIPI’s lead auditor Arnel Guevarra confirmed that “the sustained performance of the office on its effective and efficient imple-mentation of quality manage-

ment systems was demon-strated by the effectiveness of the links between the require-ments of the standards and the achieved functional objectives.”

The first reassessment au-dit on the DOST 12’s QMS was conducted by CIPI on November 10-11, 2012 during its 3rd year of acquisition of the prestigious certification.

The agency achieved its first surveillance audit on ISO 9001:2008 in March 2011.

ISO 9001:2008 specifies re-quirements for a QMS where an organization needs to demon-strate its ability to consistently provide product and services that meet customer and appli-cable regulatory and statutory satisfaction.

Moreover, it aims to continu-ally improve client satisfaction through effective application of a system, including processes for continual improvement.

CIPI is duly accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation System (UKAS). It is one of the best ISO 9001:2008 standard certifiers, both in the country and abroad. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with re-port from DOST 12)


NIA continues to expand irrigation services in SurSur

NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY - The Provincial Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) in Surigao del Sur under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) continues to address the need for irrigation service expansion in the entire province. Engr. Dexter Sablaon, PIMO acting division manager, bared in his latest monthly progress report the status of all irrigation projects for the last three years since CY 2012. A sum total of P1,227,037,362.52 has been poured in Surigao del Sur for the particular period mentioned up to 2014, he said.


Sablaon broke down the projects in annual amount as of recent from the previous years together with their corresponding physical and financial accomplishments, to wit: For CY 2014 projects with a total project cost of P184,854,000, physical and financial accomplishments have been posted at 60.06 percent and 48.77 percent, respectively; CY 2013 projects with a total cost of P337,640,000, physical and financial accomplishments have been listed at 91.22 percent and 63.38 percent, respectively; while CY 2012 projects with a total cost of P704,543,362.52, physical and financial accomplishments have been entered at 77.24 percent and 67.30 percent, respectively. At the same time, Sablaon bared the respective status of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) project intended for the repair of the damages brought about by Typhoon Pablo as well as status of the CY 2012 Project Needing Clearance and CY 2012 Variance Projects. As far as the first QRF item is concerned, which direct cost was posted at P50,000,000, physical accomplishment has been placed already at 100

percent completed while the financial part was indicated at 86.32 percent; also, the other item, which amount was listed at P3,621,000, physical accomplishment was posted at 100 percent completed while corresponding financial side was recorded at 77.51 percent. On project needing clearance with a direct cost of P23,038,000, physical and financial accomplishments were respectively posted at 100 percent and 97 percent completed. On variance projects, which total amount was listed at P41,911,132.81, physical and financial accomplishments have been reported at 43.99 percent and 25.30 percent, respectively. As to all the current status, further clarifications were provided by the PIMO chief through corresponding remarks on each and every particular project for the information and guidance of all concerned. The irrigation service area of the PIMO in the entire province has been reported at 14,649 hectares based on the potential irrigable area of 26,778 hectares or equivalent to 54.705 percent, it was learned.


DTI advises consumers to test the product before buyingBy: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY - It is advisable that buyers must be able to test and be sure of the functionality of the item they will purchase before paying for it, especially on electronic gadgets and appliances.

Being sure that the products will serve its intended purpose is what consumers must do before spending their hard earned money. This is what Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan most often stressed as he discussed issues concerning consumer welfare. This must be done specially or customers whose residence is a distant away from the commercial centers, such as those residing in island towns and barangays. At this time that the local market is flooded with various consumer products and electronic gadgets, consumers has to take precautionary measures while doing purchasing transactions. For persons not very familiar of some technical specifications

of a particular gadget, it would be better to bring along someone who does that can help in choosing the product they need from among different brands. This is to ensure that the quality of the product they are paying for is worthy of the amount paid. In buying cellphones, DTI Consumer Welfare Desk Officer Josephine D. Gabutin advised consumers to look for mobile phones that passed the quality standards of the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC). The mark of NTC quality standards usually reflected at the side part of this cellphone logo of NTC that can easily be seen when battery is taken out. While for other products like electrical appliances, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc, the product quality mark or


stickers of the Bureau of Products Standards is usually placed on these items or in packaging. For imported products, Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker is placed instead. For more information on product standards related

information and consumer education concerns, interested parties can visit the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the 2nd Floor, Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city or contact at telephone number 826-6129.

Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, battalion civil military operations (CMO) officer, aired anew their grievances last week while mourning for the death of their two fellow soldiers, a civilian, and the wounding of six others, one of whom, another plain citizen. The ambush took place at around 9:00 p.m. on April 1, Holy Wednesday, somewhere in the vicinity of Sitio Ban-as, Barangay Mahayag, San Miguel town, 31 kilometers south, this city, he said. Pueblas did not give much detail but said elements of the 41st Division Reconnaissance Company and the 4th Field

Artillery Battalion were waylaid by NPA rebels while passing along the road in the place mentioned on board four army trucks. The CMO officer stressed that NPA rebels indeed do not mind whether it is Holy Week as long as they get an opportunity. Pueblas claimed what happened was another violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). Meanwhile, he said that the entire battalion has expressed sympathy especially for the bereaved family of all the victims, most particularly the civilian.

36IB seeks public support in condemning NPA on habitual use of landmine in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY - The 36th Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio, Jr. under the 401st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) has urged the people of Surigao del Sur to join them in condemning the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in what it called a habitual use of landmine in furthering their cause.




PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged the local government units (LGUs) to prepare for natural disasters.

LGU takes an active role in climate change adaptation, says DILG officialBy Gideon C. Corgue

In his message during the operation “Listo” provincial convergence and launching ceremony of disaster preparedness manual at Hotel Guillermo here, Provincial Director Verner Virgilio Jayme of DILG-Zamboanga del Sur said the LGU takes an active role in


Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM).

“The LGUs are mandated to take an active role in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to ensure safety of families and communities in times of disasters,” Jayme pointed out.

Jayme also said the role of the local chief executives as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (LDRRMC) is very important in making the local communities prepared for typhoons and floods.

Jayme said the government is embarking a very important program dubbed “operation listo” to enhance the capabilities of LGUs to be at the forefront of the government’s initiative to adapt, mitigate and prepare for climate change and disasters.

Jayme said the disaster preparedness manual distributed to the 24 municipalities and a city will help them formulate their respective plans and allow them to assess/determine their level of readiness including their needs to meet the minimum requirements for readiness.

“It also assists them in planning for disaster response. They can also ask from DILG to reinforce them long before any typhoon arrives,” Jayme said.

The manual contains three critical preparedness actions: Alpha (Yellow), Bravo (Orange), and Charlie (Red).

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Pedro Cuevas in his message said the public should be prepared in the event of any natural disaster. “We should not be complacent and rely upon just the prayer, instead we should be proactive,” Cuevas urged.


ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Cultural workers, educators and artists who are members of the subcommittees of the Sub-commission for Cultural Dissemination (SCD) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have recently met to push for cultural development agenda in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

Artists, cultural educators, workers meet to push for cultural dev’t agenda in PH Dev’t PlanBy Rene V. Carbayas

Cuevas also said “disasters and calamities may strike at any place or time, as we have already experienced and witnessed how these disasters affected the lives of many Filipinos.”

In support of the said

program, the local chief executives and government officials joined the ceremonial signing of “Listo Ako” commitment to symbolize their united vow of gearing up local communities for disaster preparedness.”

Marichu G. Tellano, NCCA’s chief for plan and policy formulation and programming division said that the gathering hopes to give new inspiration and new insights to the members of the different committees under the SCD, essentially to provide the national committee members and the sub-commissions a platform

to discuss local cultural concerns and issues.

She added that the workshop intends also to identify local cultural genius and treasures vis-à-vis its role in local and national development.

All these, she said will be manifested when the sub-commission


completes the crafting of a two-year development plan that defines priority programs of the sub-commissions in each island cluster like the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, which takes into consideration the NCCA outcomes.

Tellano further explained that the March 23-24 planning workshop at the Century Park Hotel in Manila was the first level planning involving the inter-committee within the sub-commission grouped according to regional representation.

The second level planning will be the island cluster consolidation of the plans of all the groups and or committees from the different sub-commissions to complete the plan and programs for the particular island cluster across the four sub-commissions of

NCCA, namely: Sub-commission on the Arts, Sub-commission on Cultural Heritage, Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination, and Sub-commission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts.

In his message, NCCA Chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr. said that the “lack of pride in being Filipino results in lack of commitment to the nation and, consequently, a low level of achievement or even mediocrity, the ‘pwede na ‘yan’ mentality,” which was the result of years and years under colonial rule.

“Rather than become innovators, entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, producers and manufacturers, Filipinos, including graduates of elite schools, are just too happy to

find employment, especially


overseas,” he said.

He added the colonial experience has developed the negative programming of the Filipino psyche that resulted to the “cult of smallness” (anything small like the ‘bahay kubo’ and the maya bird became a national pride), “the celebration of defeat” (examples are the Fall of Bataan and recently the Fallen 44), and “the Doña Victorina syndrome” (the mestiza complexion and or doubt in the Filipino capacity for achievement).

“The underdevelopment of Philippine society is fundamentally rooted in this chronic loss of Filipino self-esteem due to centuries of colonization and miseducation,” de Leon stressed.

De Leon further observed that up to the present time, the country’s educational system remains colonial rather than culturally appropriate, causing a great loss of cultural energy.

“Our country has been spending valuable public money for the education of Filipino professionals in the arts and sciences and many other fields. But since the cultural sources of their education are Western, it is inevitable that the expertise they acquire will be more applicable or appropriate to a Western industrialized society than to the rural, agricultural setting of most Philippine provinces. So a great number of our graduates will end up migrating to rich Western or Westernized countries,” he said.

For Chairman de Leon, promoting the arts primes a people for development, saying that promoting and developing the arts or cultural identity of a people inevitably inspires, brings about, and leads to all other kinds of development.

Also during the worshop, Edgardo Aranjuez II of NEDA presented the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.


Documents

One Mindanao - April 6, 2015