One Mindanao - August 13, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDExecutive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

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Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/FKantoMotorsBldg.,QuimpoBlvd.,NewMatinaDavaoCity8000Telephoneno.(082)297-0991/301-8580Telefaxno.(082)297-0992/304-2044Cellphoneno.0917-7053606/0918-9202950E-mail:[email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

Cover Story

The plight of the Philippine Eagle

Rudolph AlamaSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Monday, August 13, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 321

page 4

Aquino assures flood victims families of Manggahan floodway that government will provide them housing projects to ensure their safety 10

Junesther Jean S. Iway, Caraga Region

Local gov’t, civil society organizationshold outreach program

2624

Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa, Caraga Region

DILG partners with OCD in disaster reduction activities in Caraga

Study reveals a third of the world’s childrenis iodine-deficient29

DSWD-X accepts donations for ‘Gener’ victims 34

Alma L. Tingcang, Western Mindanao

15 DTI-Davao announces schedule of helmet sticker application

Dani Doguiles, Central MindanaoN. Cotabato’s newest ARC to benefit over 3,500 families

DTI-10 adopts number coding scheme for ICC stickering, helmet inspections33Atty. Fel Lester G. Brillantes, Northern Mindanao

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

JenMendoza, Southern Mindanao

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4 Monday, August 13, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StoryThe plight of the Philippine Eagle

Jorito hit the eagle with a bamboo stick while the two other men placed the stunned eagle in a sack. The Eagle’s carcass was found in a creek nearby its head and feet missing. The dead Philippine Eagle was Hineleban, one of the two rescued Philippine Eagles released by the Philippine Eagle Foundation in the forests of Bukidnon. The other released eagle Kalabugao was also killed and made into bird soup. Hinelaban killers with the help of Jorito who turned into a police witness were put to jail and so were the killers of Kalabugao who last May 23 made sentence by the court to pay a P100,000 fine. The two eagles were fitted with radio transmitters their carcasses

yielded the tracking devices still attached to them. These eagles are

Jorito, Ruben and Aljon were upland farmers in Bukidnon.

One day after a drinking session the three friends went to the house of a certain friend, on their way they chance upon a Philippine Eagle

by Rudolph Alama

Monday, August 13, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

actually rescued eagles from captivity; intensively rehabilitated they were released to the wild in 2008 only to meet their fateful end. The cases of Hinelaban and Kalabugao epitomizes the current plight of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle under threat from hunting and habitat loss. The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, endemic to forests in the Philippines particularly in the islands of Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte and Samar.It was discovered by Western science in 1896 by English explorer John Whitehead and who gave the scientific name, the binomial name taken from John’s father Jeffrey.With an average size of 86–102 cm (2.82–3.35 ft) long it is the second largest eagle in the world second to America’s Harpy’s Eagle. It’s natural habitat are in primary dipterocarp forests in steep terrain at altitudes of 700 meters to 1,200 meters above sea level. An opportunistic hunter although it is named as a monkey-eating eagle much of its diet are flying lemurs and civets found abundant in Philippine forests. A territorial raptor, a pair of eagles need at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forests as nesting territory to raise a family. It is a monogamous bird. The breeding cycle lasts every

two years, It is estimated that only 400 pairs are remaining. Conservation efforts started In 1965, during the logging boom when Mindanao’s forests- the bird’s habitat were felled to supply a booming forestry industry. Dr. Dioscoro Rabor, a noted Filipino scientist alerted the world of the bird’s endangered status. Ignored by most of his compatriots, he was able to elicit the support of the famous aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh who helped champion the cause. In 1969, the Monkey-Eating Eagle Conservation Program was established. Interest in pursuing the program soon diminished with the death of Charles Lindbergh in 1974.


During this period, work on the eagle was sustained through the initiatives of Peace Corps volunteers in cooperation with the Philippine government’s Parks and Wildlife Office. In 1977, one of the Peace Corps volunteers, Robert S. Kennedy returned to the Philippines to study the eagle further. He also successfully lobbied for the Office of the President to change the species’ name from “Monkey-eating Eagle” to its present name, the Philippine Eagle. In 1987, government support halted and the project started operating as a private institution known as the Philippine Eagle Foundation. Financial constraints did not hinder the staff from pursuing its mission. In 1995, through Proclamation No. 615 signed by the President Fidel V. Ramos the Philippine Eagle became the country’s national bird, replacing the pint-sized Black-headed Munia popularly known as the Maya. Today the Philippine Eagle Foundation is the sole entity dedicated to saving this majestic bird of prey. However, the foundation are barely making ends meet as the PEF is heavily involved in different conservation programs particularly; conservation and breeding at their Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos in Davao City, field research, conservation-based initiatives and conservation education. According to Rolando Pinsoy,

media officer of PEF, the foundation needs at least P20 million to sustain its operations. He said that for this year (2012) about P10-million has been raised by the foundation mostly from grants and donations. With the lack of budget, the foundation would be forced to scale back operations among which is the community-based initiatives where identified communities with Philippine Eagle sightings are given livelihood assistance in the course of habitat protection like in the case of Bukidnon’s Mt. Kitanglad and in Arakan North Cotabato. According to Pinsoy about 70% of the donations come from local sources


while 30% are from foreign institutions and individualsPhilippine Eagle Center PEF operates and maintains an 8-hectare Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos. There are 35 eagles in the center most of which are adopted or being offered for adoption to concerned individuals- about 25 eagles are now adopted by private entities. An entity has to shell out P150,000 for each eagle in the adoption program. This would involve the eagle’s food (an eagle consumes and average of 300 grams of meat per day), veterinary expenses, upkeep of cages and salaries for his caretaker. One of the newest adopters is the Aboitiz Power which recently inked a five year adoption agreement for a single Philippine Eagle. The company shells out P150,000 per year. The company provides the funds on a yearly basis rather than giving it in a five-year lump sum, this enables the company to monitor the progress of the eagle’s

upkeep. The City Government of Davao has also been a consistent donor. During the term of Mayor Sara Duterte the city government has been allocating P500,000 for the PEF a five hundred percent increase prior to her term of office. The Philippine Eagle has been a distinctive symbol and icon of Davao City since its forests is the known habitat of the eagle though the bird-of-prey. This majestic image adorns nearly every marketing and promotional collateral of the city. The PEC features a four-hectare aviary and mini-zoo where the eagles and other endemic birds are kept along with some reptile and native mammals. The other 4-hectares are off limits. Where only the eagles and their caretakers are allowed. The PEC has become a major tourism attraction in Davao City, the center receives 100,000 visitors annually providing a much-needed additional revenue source for the PEF at the same time providing educating the visiting public of the eagle’s plight. Pinsoy said that the PEF still hopes the national government could be active again in supporting the country’s national bird. Just this year the PEF has submitted a P2-million request for President Benigno Aquino III that would enable it to fund more conservation projects.

8 Monday, August 13, 2012

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino acknowledges efforts of volunteers in helping out prepare family food packs for flood victims

President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed on Sunday his deepest gratitude on behalf of a grateful nation to the hundreds of students and professionals who willingly volunteered their time and industry

by re-packing and distributing family packs to help families displaced by the recent floods.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino acknowledges efforts of volunteers in helping out prepare family food packs for flood victims

Speaking before some 700 volunteers busy in re-

packaging various food products that would soon be distributed to the flood victims at the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, the President said it was time to acknowledge these volunteers who, through their efforts, have made their less fortunate brethren feel loved and not alone.

“‘Yung lahat ng natulungan nating mga kababayan…‘pag natatanggap po itong mga relief packs na hinanda niyo, nadarama nila ang pagmamahal ng kapwa nila Pilipino. Nadarama nilang hindi sila nag-iisa, may kadamay sila sa trahedyang ito,” the President said.

“Ako naman po, sa mga volunteers, gusto ko lang i-acknowledge kayong lahat,” he added.

Among these volunteers are members of Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines; University of Perpetual Help, Las Piñas campus; Samahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Antipolo City; Federation of Student Government of Makati; Asian

Institute of Management; Philippine Star; Gatos and Reyes family; Philippine Air Force; Union Transport Incorporated Shared Services;

Camp Crame Police Community Relations; University of Makati; Globe; Kababaihan Truly Cares; Our Lady of Airways Parish Church; Life Faith in Jesus Ministry; Office of Pasay City Hall; Civil Defense Action Group and the I-Serve Quezon City; Calixto Forever Movement; Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of Barangay 196 Parañaque; Salsatrends Urdaneta Makati; Don Bosco, Muntinlupa; and 7-11.

The President said that according to the DSWD, the volunteers have already repacked a total of 129,170 food packs with some 101,338 already distributed to the victims.

“Sa ngalan ng sambayanan, maraming-maraming salamat po. Kapag may trahedya doon natin nakikita ang kagalingan ng Pilipino...kung saan ang kapwa nagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Ulit, sa ngalan po ng bansa, sa ngalan po ng ating mga kababayan, talagang malaking-malaking pasasalamat po sa bawat isa sa inyo,” he concluded. (rck)

10 Monday, August 13, 2012

In his message to the residents of Cainta, Rizal who were temporarily residing in the evacuation centers in the municipality, the Chief Executive announced that there are plans to clear the Manggahan floodway of informal

settlers to ensure their safety.President Aquino visited the

displaced residents at the Kabisig Elementary School in Barangay San Andres in Cainta, Rizal. He also led the distribution of relief goods to the

Aquino assures flood victims families of Manggahan floodway that government will provide them housing projects to ensure their safety

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that government will provide housing projects for families residing in the Manggahan floodway to ensure their safety from massive floods triggered by heavy rains.


Aquino assures flood victims families of Manggahan floodway that government will provide them housing projects to ensure their safety

residents who were affected by Habagat 2012. The residents in Maggahan Floodway and other low lying areas in Barangay San Andres were evacuated to the Kabisig Elementary School and other evacuation centers

The President said the Manggahan floodway was built to prevent massive floodings in Metro Manila but it was not able to serve its full function as a key drainage infrastructure during the times of storms and heavy rains due to informal settlers. The Manggahan floodway serves parts of Marikina City, Pasig City and the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal.

“Nung patungo dito, nakita ko ang Maggahan spillway at may mga bahay sa loob.....Sa spillway po dadaloy ang tubig palabas... at tapos tinitirhan ang daanan ng tubig. Medyo hindi yata tama ang nangyari diyan at makikita po natin pag lumipad sa helicopter na maraming nakatirik na bahay diyan. Pag nagtirik na ng bahay diyan sigurado masasalanta,” he said.

The President said he discussed with Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III that one of the solutions to massive flooding is the construction of a 100-kilometer dike at the Laguna de Bay. The National Greening Program is also

part of the flood mitigation program, according to the President.

President Aquino said the residents living in the Manggahan floodway will be transferred to government housing sites in other places. He said he is deeply concerned about the plight of the residents who preferred to stay in the floodway because of the proximity to their workplace.

“Siguro i-subsidize natin ang transportation expenses... pag-aaralan natin ang concerns nila. Kailangan magsakripisyo tayo at ito namang sakripisyo natin ay may patutunguhan at safe tayo. Hindi natin magagawa iyan kung walang cooperation,” he said.

The President lauded the local officials of Rizal Province led by Governor Ynares, Rizal 1st District Representative Joel Duavit and Cainta Mayor Mon Ylagan for their immediate response to the needs of the affected families.

The total number of families affected in Cainta is 4, 679 families or 28,334 residents, according to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman. The displaced families are termporarily residing in 42 evacuation centers in the municipality. (js)


Former peace panel member hopes GPH, MILF will sign peace accord soon

A former member of the government peace panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

(MILF) expressed hopes on Sunday that a final peace accord will be forged soon and not allow spoilers to derail the ongoing peace talks.

“I hope and pray that the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF will be able to sign a final peace agreement soon,” retired Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, erstwhile member of the government peace

panel, told the Philippines News Agency when asked about his view on the just-concluded 30th exploratory peace talks in Kuala Lumpur.

Garcia agreed with the joint statement issued by the government


Former peace panel member hopes GPH, MILF will sign peace accord soon

and the MILF that spoilers should not be allowed to derail the peace process and find a genuine and lasting solution to end the long-drawn Mindanao armed conflict.

He said the peace panels of both parties are in the right direction in the ongoing peace negotiations that could lead to the signing of a peace agreement.

The four-day 30th exploratory talks -– the longest so far as previous talks were held only for three days -– made some progress and consensus reached by the peace panels of the GPH and MILF.

During this round of talks, the two parties organized their respective technical working groups that will tackle on power-sharing and wealth-sharing.

The two panels issued a joint statement after the exploratory talks signed by Marvic Leonen and Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the GPH and MILF peace panels, respectively.

The joint statement was also signed by Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed, the Malaysian facilitator of the GPH-MILF peace talks.

Tengku cited the strong commitment of both the GPH and MILF to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao problem.

The Government and MILF peace panels said they would not allow spoilers to disrupt the ongoing peace talks, referring to the attacks by the breakaway group of Ameril Umbra Kato who launched a series of

coordinated attacks on government forces in Maguindanao and North Cotabato last week. The attacks were repulsed by the Philippine Army.

In their joint statement, the GPH and MILF peace panels said: “The Parties condemn the senseless attacks of the so-called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF-BIFM), as well as the violent acts of the lawless elements in several areas in Mindanao. The GPH and MILF denounce these aggressions of dirty spoiling by groups who will do everything to derail the peace process. The Parties will work together to ensure these spoilers will not succeed as the Parties continue to push forward to bring about just and lasting peace to our people and communities.”

It may be recalled that the GPH-MILF negotiations started in 1997 and the talks have been marred by off-and-on fighting the past 15 years, including the 2000 all-out war.

Another heavy fighting broke out in 2008 between government forces and MILF rebels following the aborted signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

However, back-channeling negotiations continued during this period until exploratory talks resumed in late 2009 and made steady progress to date.


The City Government of Davao is pitching in to help 40 towns

and cities devastated by floods in Metro Manila and Luzon by al-locating P7.3-million for the relief efforts. Cash assistance has been pegged at P5,560,000 together with 7,000 grocery packs valued at P1,050,000. The city will also

be shouldering air freight costs of P611,000. The aid will be taken from the city’s calamity fund. “Ang total na magamit nato sa calamity fund (The amount we will allocate from the calamity fund) is P7,311,000 atoa na siya i r e c o m m e n d sa (we will

recommend it to the) City Council for authority to use the calamity funds. City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said during a press conference last August 9. According to Mayor Duterte the total balance for calamity funds in Davao City this August is P200,915,137, with trust fund

Davao pitches in P7-million for Manila flood victims

by RG Alama


calamity fund (unused previous year funds) P104-million. The Mayor said that they will start with giving grocery packs to those localities identified by the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) as still submerged in floodwaters as financial checks takes time to be released and also the financial amount given will still need an authority from the recipient local government unit so that it can be used for disaster relief. The Mayor said that the funds

will be given to areas outside the National Capitol Region (NCR ) as the NCR can be easily reached by assistance and help as compared to other areas outside Metro Manila. Big cities such as Davao city which is a highly-urbanized city, dako pud kaayo na sila (they have really big) amounts of calamity funds available to them unlike small cities and municipalities na gamay pud na ang (with small) disaster funds so they rely on donations and assistance. (PIA/RG Alama)

DTI-Davao announces schedule of helmet sticker application

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has encouraged motorcycle owners to strictly follow the schedule for applica-tion of stickers for helmets and visors to ensure smooth imple-mentation. DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said the agency really needs the cooperation of all motorcycle owners in order for the application for Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers for helmets and visors to be organized. “We really have adopted this system so that we can avoid long queues which will somehow give the applicants some discomfort


especially that rainy season has already started,” she said. The issuance of stickers is pursuant to Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009. Effective last August 6, DTI accepts application for helmet/visor stickers based on the last digit of motorcycle plates. The motorcycle riders/owners are requested to follow the following schedule: 1 and 2 – Monday; 3 and 4 – Tuesday; 5 and 6 – Wednesday; 7 and 8 – Thursday; and 9 and 0 – Friday. As requirements for application, the following have to be submitted: two copies of filled up request form; photocopy of government-issued identification card such as driver’s license, postal ID, and voter’s ID; photocopy of the motorcycle’s Certificate of Registration; and the motorcycle helmets.Those who have recently purchased helmets with ICC stickers in it, as provided by the store/establishment where they have bought the said item

must submit the Official Receipt to the office. Loreto said the motorcycle riders must take advantage of the opportunity that application is still for free until December 31 this year.“The payment of P101.25 for the processing fee and sticker has been waived by virtue of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and DTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1:2011. This is the two departments’ move to further encourage registration of helmets,” she said. List of helmet brands and specific features are posted in all DTI offices in the region. The public is enjoined to visit the said offices before their registration schedule for proper guidance. Loreto further said that strict enforcement of the helmet law wil l be fully implemented by January 1, 2013 by DTI and LTO. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)

Facts and figures

P100,000The amount of fine which convicted eagle killer Bryan Bala-on must pay. He was sentenced to pay the amount by the Regional Trial Court 10 after killing a Philippine Eagle last July 10, 2008.


Sultan Kudarat fisherfolk to showcase skills in 1st Bangus FestBy Aida Agad

KORONADAL CITY – The 1st Sultan Kudarat Provincial Bangus Festival will give local fisherfolks a venue to showcase their skills as it widens doors for business opportunities, a trade and industry official said.


While busy in the preparations for the first-ever bangus festival in the province, Department of Trade and Industry- Sultan Kudarat (DTI-SK) provincial director Nelly N. Dillera said, individual skills and group agility of bangus fisherfolks will be put to test in different activities, such as the Bangus culinary competition, Bangus “Pinaka” contest

and Bangus fastest deboner.

Dillera said, the festival was conceptualized in an effort to provide folks with technical assistance to improve their technology, for them to acquire new processing techniques and eventually for better productivity.

Part of the event is the technology training on fish cracker

production, fish polvoron production, patis (fish sauce) making, quality bagoong making and dried fish processing.

At the three-day festival, a forum will also be conducted wherein experts in the bangus industry will discuss on the Bangus Industry Situation and Technology Updates to include Bangus Value Chain and Export Market Opportunities for fresh and processed bangus.

Fisherfolks will also be given lectures on the Bangus Industry situation and direction in Region 12, Business opportunities in Fingerlings production, Proper pond management, growing bangus using commercial or supplemental feeds, and post harvest handling technology.

The 1st Provincial Bangus Festival on August 15-17, 2012 will be held at Salaman Institute of coastal town Lebak of Sultan Kudarat province.

Sultan Kudarat province produced as much as 11,787.28 metric tons of aquaculture products


in 2010 which is 48% of the Region 12’s total production for the period pegged at 24,452.87.

After the event, an investments worth P6.0 Million from the expansion of bangus production and bangus

processing is expected by organizers , Dillera added.

Sultan Kudarat’s 1st Bangus Festival is a collective effort of DTI-SK, BFAR, SKSU- Kalamansig Campus, DOST, 2nd

Congressional District of Sultan Kudarat, LGU-Lebak as host municipality and other different industry associations in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. (ac agad PIA12/ DTI-SK)

N. Cotabato’s newest ARC to benefit over 3,500 families By Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY – At least 3,561 families or 16,883 individuals in 12 barangays of Makilala, North Cotabato are expected to gain from gov-ernment development efforts with the recent launching of the Makilala Southwest Agrarian Reform Community program.

According to a report from the Information and Development C o m m u n i c a t i o n Division of the Office of Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza sent to PIA 12 today, the ARC program aimed at raising the average income and improving the living conditions of the beneficiary households, whose average annual income was only P P37,536.

D e v e l o p m e n t projects envisioned for the ARC

communities include fruit trees production, draft animal dispersal and establishment of an agri-enterprise project.

Infrastructures such as health stations, potable water supply, bridges and post harvest facilities were also indicated in the development plan.

The ARC program, which was launched on July 18, covers the barangays of Santa Felomina, Bato, Guangan, Cabilao,

Luayon, Villaflores, Rodero, Malungon, Malabuan, Kawayanon, New Bagiuo, and Sto. Niño involving at least 13,564 hectares.

Municipal Agrarian Officer Engr. Rodolfo Vinluan explained the municipal agrarian reform office in cooperation with the land management sector of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) began the assessment of the 12


barangays in 2007. At the launching

Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan thank Gov. Mendoza for allotting P30 million for the construction of several infrastructure projects in different barangays of Makilala.

In response, Gov. Mendoza said the implementation of the ARC program in Makilala was a result of the positive rating that the province has been receiving, which she emphasized was largely due to the strong cooperation between the provincial, municipal and barangay

officials. “Modesty aside,

Cotabato province is performing very well and I am happy to announce that next year, there will be an additional 130 Million for health because the Dep’t. of Health observed that the health centers they funded were utilized properly,” the governor said.

She also advised the new ARC beneficiaries to perform well to receive more projects in the future and reminded them that project implementation is being closely

monitored. Thanking both

the provincial and municipal officials for the implementation of ARC program in theit area New Baguio chairperson Noel Ladaga, is confident the ARC program means a brighter future for the community.,

Makilala Southwest ARC was approved in December 2011; it is the 33rd ARC in North Cotabato and the 4th in the Makilala. (DEDogu i l es -p ia 12/SGJH-IDCD-PGO Cotabato)


Lanao del Sur health office to reduce infant mortality in ARMMby Apipa P. Bagumbaran The

Integrated Provincial

Health Office (IPHO) here will continue to work hard to further lower the infant mortality rate in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This was the response of IPHO Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang to the results of the 2011 Family Health Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) which showed that ARMM surpassed the international standard of 19 deaths for every 1,000 live births by the end of 2015 set under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

According to the survey, ARMM posted the lowest

infant mortality rate of 18 deaths for every 1,000 live births among the 17 regions in the country. “With this development, the challenge for us in the ARMM is how to maintain this status or even bring down the rate to 15 deaths by 2015,” he said. But Minalang is optimistic that


they can meet the target by stepping-up efforts on educating the Muslim population on maternal and child health. He said one of the reasons that led to lower infant mortality rate in Muslim Mindanao was the intensified health education campaign that they have conducted which resulted to more

infants delivered at health facilities by skilled health attendants. The training of health workers as well as the increasing number of accredited health facilities and emergency maternal obstetrics centers (EMOCs) which improved access to maternal and child health services were among the contributors of low mortality rate in the region, particularly in the province.


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The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will conduct a series of seminar on supervisory development course (Module 1)

Enhancing personal effectiveness on August 16-17 and revised rules on administrative cases in the civil service (RRACCS) on August 23-24 at the CSC Human Resource Development Center, Doongan Road, this city.

CSC to conduct series of seminars this August

CSC-Caraga Regional Director Adams Torres, said that the first seminar, Module 1 is designed for division

chiefs and officials who compose the critical mass in operationalizing the plans and programs of

by Danilo S. Makiling


their respective organization. He also said the seminar will enable participants to learn managerial supervision and administrative skills and techniques. Furthermore, Torres said the second seminar, the RRACCS, will contribute to the effectiveness of the participants in dispensing administrative justice in the agency; apply new rules (RRACCS) in both disciplinary and non-disciplinary cases that may be lodged before the

agency; understand and appreciate the procedural guidelines that govern the disposition of civil service cases. The registration fee of the first seminar is P2,500 which include the lunch/snack and the training kit while for the RRACCS is P2,700 to include the lunch/snack and the training kit. For more information, CSC-Caraga regional office can be reached at telephone numbers: (085) 225-6097 or 342-6089.

Local gov’t, civil society organizations hold outreach programby Junesther Jean S. Iway

BUTUAN CITY -- The local government has conducted an outreach program 2,054 residents in the city.


The ‘Programang P a n g k a t a w h a n , Gasa Pasalamat’ was organized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the Office of the Vice Mayor Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun, government

agencies, private sector groups and non-governmental organizations. The outreach program has been implemented for almost five years now. This year’s program provided medical services, including eye, dental and blood pressure check-ups; blood tests, legal services and free haircut among others. The outreach program was also made possible through the support and cooperation of the following individuals and agencies: Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand “Jun Amante, Jr; Hon. Virgilio Nery, Jr; Atty. Yvette Samper; Atty. John Gil Unay; Mr. Ferdinand Nakot; Dr. Federico O. Caniga; The Punong Barangays of

Diego Silang, J.P. Rizal, and Rajah Soliman; The Butuan Medical Center; City Health Office; City Civil Registrar’s Office; Department of Health – Caraga Regional Office; PAMET – Agusan del Norte Chapter; Public Attorney’s Office; Agusan National High School; The Philippine Dental Association; Youth Leaders Forum; The Philippine National Red Cross; Captain Barber’s Shop; Eye Browse; Bombo Radyo-Butuan; and 95.1 Love Radio.


DILG partners with OCD in disaster reduction activities in Caragaby Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY-- With the end view of increasing people’s resilience and enhancing their capacities from threats and impacts of disasters brought climate change, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) have conducted activities to mark National Disaster Consciousness Celebration last July. These activities included a coastal clean-up at Barangay Masao, Butuan City with the participation of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC). Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, together with selected regional line agencies, headed the DILG staff in clearing out the coastal shoreline of Masao. Director Famacion, during the program proper at Brgy. Masao

covered court said that the community should always be on the lead to be vigilant of what is happening in their surroundings such as the maritime ruin of the coastal areas resulting from improper waste disposal. “This is one of the many ways in order to mitigate the harmful effects of environmental degradation,” she added. Director Famacion encouraged the local DRRMC and Barangay Officials to


enhance their DRRM Plan and to fully operationalize their DRRM offices. OCD Chief Blanche T. Gobenciong encouraged the community to be conscious with climate changes and the threats of disaster. She said that it is important to have knowledge with the how to’s and the correct responses to disasters in order to prepare the community for unforeseen calamities. Part of the said activity was the distribution of hygiene kits to recipient families and school children. This was handed over by OCD Chief Blanche Gobenciong and assisted by DILG Director Famacion. With the initiative of OCD, a dental and medical mission with free consultation and tooth extraction from the provincial and city government of Butuan were also undertaken to the residence of Brgy. Masau and neighboring barangays. In connection,

free medicines were distributed and vitamins were also given to infants. A bloodletting activity was also conducted with supervision from the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). Simultaneous to this was the community viewing of multi-media presentations from OCD and DILG to inform and likewise educate the local community in readiness to face disasters and how to prevent it. Other agencies involved in the activities were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).


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Valesco who chairs the Committee on Tourism said, once completed, the Eco-tourism directory

will give people simple and trouble free listing of all tourism destinations in the city.

Eco-tourism directory up for completionBy Jocelyn P. Alvarezlocals and visitors will soon have easy access to all eco-tourism

attractions in the city as the comprehensive “Eco-tourism directory is almost done said Councilor Gerky Valesco in a statement.


This was the declaration made by International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency

Disorders (ICCIDD) Director and Country Representative Dr. Teofilo L. San Luis, during the communication

Study reveals a third of the world’s children is iodine-deficient

By Alma L. Tingcang

TAGAYTAY CITY – “A third of the world’s children is iodine-deficient. A child born to an iodine-deficient mother has an IQ lower by 13.5 points.”

Expected to be included in the directory are the city’s waterfalls, caves, rivers, lakes, beaches, trekking sites, mountains and many others. “Manada Zamboangueños nusabe cosa-cosa mga natural wonders tiene kita aqui na ciudad, specialmente el maga bisita o turista , mas malo nuay sila idea,”( a lot

of Zamboangueños are not aware of the range of natural wonders we have here, specially the visitors, the more they do not have any idea) commented Jennifer Ybanez, a full blooded Zamboangueña. “Grande ayuda ese lista de eco-tourism destinations, mas facil para canatun escuhi donde kita kiere anda o recomenda na diatun maga bisita,” (it’s great help to have the directory on eco-tourism destinations as this will give us various choices of destinations where we want to go or recommend to our visitors) Ybanez added. “Puede yo abla na mas facil ya iyo ayuda na promotion del diatun turismo porcaosa unrato ya lang iyo puede recomenda maga eco-tourism destinations si tiene ya kita directory de ese,” (I can say that it will be easier for me to help in the tourism promotion coz it will be simpler for me to recommend eco-tourism destinations once we have this directory.) she said. (JPA/PIA9-ZBST)


planning workshop on the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) held in Tagaytay City on August 7-10. The workshop gathered together salt producers, representatives of local government units with low utilization of iodized salt, Department of Education (DepEd), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Philippine Information Agency and key officials of the Department of Health (DOH) to discuss communication gaps, issues and problems encountered in the implementation of the NSIP. Dr. San Luis cited the importance of a child having sufficient iodine nutrition to build a strong mental infrastructure. Short-term solution to iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) may be iodine supplementation and long-term would be salt iodization. According to Dr. San Luis, if a mother is deficient in iodine, the development of vital brain structure is impaired. Iodine deficiency in women translates to mental retardation in their children. And goiter is only a tip of the IDD iceberg. The challenge

for everyone is to think beyond – that there is a bigger problem which confronts iodine malnutrition. IDD is identified as one of the 4 clear global risk factors for impaired child development. Acting on the findings of the recent study on the knowledge and utilization of iodized salt in selected regions of the country which was conducted by PIA, the group formulated a communication plan that would address the gaps and problems encountered during the SIP implementation. Meanwhile, according to reports, only 72% of the 414 salt producers and traders/importers claim to produce iodized salt. Mr. Johnny Khonghun of Salinas Corporation, a top local salt producer aired his appeal to support the local producers that are being displaced with the entry of importers. Iodized salt should be kept away from heat, stored in a dark container, properly covered because iodine is volatile. (JPA/ALT-PIA9)

Photo by: Carlo P. Gonzaga


Government imports 1,205 dairy animals to boost dairy industryby Debbie De San Miguel

Two shipments of 1,205 dairy animals from New Zealand arrived in Cagayan de Oro City on June 18 and July 30, 2012, which are now being quarantined at the Feedlot of Del Monte Philippines,

Inc. in Manolo, Fortich, Bukidnon.

This is the 13th batch of animal importation spearheaded by the National Dairy Authority (NDA) to dramatically increase dairy production

and address the urgent demand for milk and dairy products in the country. The first shipment comprised


of 800 pregnant dairy heifers with Holstein Freisian - Sahiwalbloodline, while the second shipment includes 405 breedable dairy heifers of Holstein-Jersey bloodline. These dairy breeds are tested to be adaptable to the Philippine condition and are good milk producers under desirable dairy management practices. The animals are quarantined for one month, the period regulated by the government to observe if the said animals are free of any health conditions and also to provide them to acclimatize to the new environment. During quarantine, the animals are subjected to tests to include

pregnancy diagnosis, and blood sampling for common diseases in cattle such assurra, tuberculosis, and blood parasites. This is to ensure that the animals are clinically free from any diseases that they may carry from their country of origin. The animals were vaccinated against tick fever and sprayed with Bayticol, a pour on solution to prevent animals from contacting ticks which is a prevalent pest parasite among livestock in the country. To complete the Batch 13 animal importation, a last shipment of 915 dairy animals consisting of 500 pregnant Holstein Jersey heifers, 405

breedable Holstein Jersey, 6 pure Holstein bulls and 4 pure Jersey bulls are expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro from Australia on August 25, 2012. This year’s importation of 2,120 dairy animals marks the last in NDA’s animal procurement program and also the biggest in number and multi-dairy breed with two countries as source of dairy stocks. The inclusion of dairy bulls is planned to sustain production of superior quality dairy breed which will be turned over for semen collection and processing to the National Artificial Breeding Center (NABC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City. The recipients of the said animals are the Dairy Multiplier Farms (DMF) organized by NDA in the different regions. The DMF partners are individuals, coops, institutions, state colleges and universities and


local government units (LGUs) which are capable to manage an average of 25 dairy animals. The DMF can serve as dairy breeder farms that will be the source of dairy stocks in the future. The animals are covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation’s (PCIC) animal insurance program for one year,and the DMF recipients may continue the

insurance for the succeeding years. At present, 544 animals of the first shipment have already been dispersed to DMF partners all over the country. The remaining quarantined cattle will be dispersed to other target DMF partners as soon as these are certified by the Regional Quarantine Officer to pass the regulatory requirements. (NDA)

DTI-10 adopts number coding scheme for ICC stickering, helmet inspectionsby Atty. Fel Lester G. Brillantes

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-10) has been accepting applications for inspection and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker marking on motorcycle helmets based on the number coding scheme or the last digit of motorcycle plates since August 6.

The DTI said motorcycle plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 shall be processed every Monday; 3 and 4, Tuesday, 5 and 6, Wednesday; 7 and 8, Thursday; and 9 and 0 on Friday. DTI-10 reminds the public that the application form is provided for free and is not for sale. Motorcycle owners can go to the nearest DTI office and submit their helmets for inspection and validation until December 31. The DTI reiterates that motorcycle owners should first secure a photocopy of their motorcycles registration (official receipt/certificate of registration) and government-issued identification card (ID) such as driver’s license before visiting DTI. Under the DTI-Bureau of Product

Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme, all manufacturers and importers of motorcycle helmets shall secure a Philippine Standard (PS) license or an ICC certificate prior to sale and distribution of their products. Only those manufacturers and importers whose products comply


with Philippine National Standard (PNS) requirements are issued with products comply with Philippine National Standard (PNS) requirements are issued with the PS License and ICC Certificate and are authorized to use the PS mark and place the ICC sticker on their products.

DTI has already warned business establishments in Region 10 that they may face serious administrative case should they be found dealing, selling and/or offering for sale motorcycle helmets without PS Mark or ICC stickers. (DTI)

DSWD-X accepts donations for ‘Gener’ victims by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Field Office X is now accepting donations for individuals and families in Luzon that were displaced by typhoon “Gener.”

Donations, whether in cash or in kind, may be brought to the DSWD-X office at Masterson Avenue in Brgy. Upper Carmen, this city. Attorney Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of DSWD-X, said donations will be forwarded to the DSWD Central Office, which manages and distributes relief goods to displaced families in the various provinces in Luzon. To date, there are 7,339 houses damaged due to flood waters

in Luzon, with Region III having the most number of affected individuals and families at 428,720 and 99,518, respectively.

Documents

One Mindanao - August 13, 2012