One Mindanao - August 13, 2014

Kaamulan Festival — Nurturing the culture of unity and peaceRuby Leonora R. BalistoyNORTHERN MINDANAO

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 240

Palace: Palparan arrest a ‘positive development’

NATIONAL

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NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

WESTERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

DILG reiterates guidelines in posting full disclosure documents

Tagum vies for Special Award of Excellence in Literacy

DepEd encourages student to participate in ‘Yes for Peace’ campaign

DILG 13 leads child friendly local governance audit in Caraga

Townsfolks support NGP; plant 1,000 trees in Tukuran town

NorthCot pupils excel in international competitions

329 OFW dependents in ARMM to take OWWA scholarship exam in September

Tourism body to tackle garbage concerns

ARBOs to supply DCCs’ feeding program

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40 41

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Information to Empower Filipinos

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Louie Lapat

Venus L. Garcia

Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

Gideon C. Corgue

Shahana Joy Duerme

Oliver Ross V. Rivera

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Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Mary May A. Abellon

Kaamulan Festival — Nurturing the culture of unity and peace


In the flourishing homeland of Bukidnon’s seven hill tribes, Kaamulan Festival is given the utmost significance because it fosters unity and

peace. This year’s “Kaamulan” reeled off here 1st of August through splendour of cultural rituals, songs, dances and colorful presentations seen only in this part of the country. Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr, said “this year’s ethnic festival showcases what makes us matchless as we also commemorate the centennial year, which marks Bukidnon’s 100-year history.” The much-awaited heart beating street dancing will be on August 30 and 31, while all other festive activities just started early this week and will culminate on September 1st, this year. “Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul” which means “to gather.” It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribes’ people

f o r a purpose. It can mean a “Datuship,”

a ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put

by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

COVER STORY

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by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

together. To mark the importance of this rich heritage, Bukidnon provincial government spearheads the annual celebration of the month-long “Kaamulan” cultural festival, where local and foreign tourists flock to witness the popular street dancing and tribal wedding. Russel Aquino, chief, Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Affairs Office, said as the event starts, there is always a solemn prayer to give thanks to the “Magbabaya (deity)” for the year’s bountiful harvest and blessings, thus, a ritual is usually afforded. “Ikat-ikat Ta Dalanen” (Dancing in the Streets) During the Kaamulan street dancing, folks from seven hill tribes will gather to dance, chant, and perform ancient rituals in the streets. They will wear their “Saliyaw (bronze trinkets)” and intricately woven headdresses and costumes studded with trinkets, amulets, anklets, earrings, and necklaces. This is a gathering and merry-making typically done while walking

along the thoroughfare to give thanks to God for godsends and blessings.

The Tribal Wedding As prelude to nuptial rites, the courtship counts in the entire woman’s family in wedding traditions of the hill tribes. Tribal families then come together with the “Datu” (chieftain) as the emissary and make the best of whatever is presented to him, while everybody listens. Marked by a highly developed sense of democracy and love for peace, they settle disputes through unwritten treaties. If they agree, wedding procedures begin. The following are short

descriptionsof tribal nuptials and wedding traditions done during the “Kaamulan” solemnized by the chieftain, accredited by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR): The “Kagen” and “Taltag” — A pre-wedding ceremony where the man begs for the parents’ approval. Dowry is offered and agreed upon by both families. The “Pamalas” — Solemnized by the “Datu,” the “Kagsalu Hu Salungana” (union of physical and spiritual aspect), starts with the ritual to ward off evil spirits and cleanse the couple of their sins. Chastity and sexual modesty were also very highly valued. Applied primarily to women, these values were not only tied to family honor but were held to be a religious obligation as well. The Wedding Dress and Costume Dressed with an intricately embroidered outfit called “Pinaksoy” and “Sinulaman,” the bride faces the groom--in “Tangkulu (beaded turban)”--the traditional festivity costume of the hill tribes. The bright colors of the costumes are in sharp distinction to the green of the surroundings. The women cover themselves with jewelry and decorated headdress called “Panika.”

The Ceremony All against the background of traditional tribal music, the couple exchange vows and eat a hand-mold of

r i c e with boiled pork and chicken

to symbolize life‘s sweetness and fruitfulness. Merry-making includes refreshments of spring water, eating of grilled and boiled pork and chicken with hardboiled chicken eggs. The “Datu” and “Bai” (woman leader) lead the dances and songs. Bright festive colors surround the ‘Tulugan’ (tribal hall), which functions much like a barangay hall, except that it may house a whole clan. The Kaamulan Festival is the ideal occasion to showcase tribal wedding traditions in the Philippines and the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon’s seven tribes namely, the Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon, Bukidnon, and Umayamnon.

The Festival

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Street dancing and tribal wedding are just few of the much-awaited cultural activities lined-up for the festival. Since its soft opening few days ago, tourists here visit the gift shops for genuine, handmade native crafts, jewelries, and other indigenous products made in Bukidnon. Authentic woodwork, beadwork, patchwork, basket weaving, paintings by tribal artists, including indigenous musical instruments and Bukidnon artifacts are on display. Visitors will also be able to taste authentic local cuisine and delicacies. Grand events include Kaamulan Rodeo, motocross, centennial wall climb competition; shoot fest, football festival, and school band competition. Likewise, livestock and poultry show, all fish show, agri-fair, flower garden show, foodfest and Kaamulan bazaar aims to create a platform for investors. The Search for “Laga ta Bukidnon” (Miss Bukidnon), “Piniliyapan hu Bukidnon (a glimpse of Bukidnon),” and the night of music with Bukidnon artists from seven ethnic groups will also highlight the month-long event. The festival was first celebrated as part of the town fiesta of Malaybalay in 1974. Since then, it was celebrated during the first Friday of September. In 1999, it was moved to March 10. Last year, however, the provincial legislative body passed a resolution supporting

the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ (NHCP) findings that the province’s founding date is September 1, 1914 under Commission Act 2408, not on March 10, 1917. Governor Zubiri said this year’s Kaamulan festival would be splendid in terms of events and activities, which everyone should look forward to, as the province’s biggest tourism event in 100 years. The province’s 20 towns and two cities will compete in the street dancing, the governor said. Mindanao’s food basket, Bukidnon, is home to a wide diversity of religions and cultures. Therefore, you can find great variation in traditions that made “Kaamulan” known as the only authentic and genuine ethnic festival in the country.

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President Aquino confers Order of National Scientist on four academiciansPresident Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday conferred the Order

of National Scientist on four academicians during a ceremony in Malacañang Palace.

The President gave recognition to Gavino C. Trono, Ph.D. (Marine Botany), Angel C. Alcala, Ph.D. (Biological

Sciences), Roman C. Barba, Ph.D. (Horticulture), and Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D. (Marine Biology) for their outstanding

Across the Nation

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President Aquino confers Order of National Scientist on four academicians

Across the Nation

contributions in their respective fields.The four were endorsed to the President

by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL).

Dr. Trono paved the way for the implementation of 45 research projects and the identification of 25 new species of marine benthic algae. He was first to report the occurrence of “ice-ice” disease among seaweeds, his field of focus.

Dr. Alcala is an advocate of marine “no-take zones”, which established marine reservation areas. He served as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from 1992 to 1995 and as chairman of the Commission on Higher Education from 1995 to 1999.

Dr. Barba pioneered the induction of flowering and fruiting of mango, which made mangoes available all year round from being a seasonal fruit.

Dr. Gomez steered the world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs, which brought widespread concern over the status of coral reefs worldwide. His effort led to the creation of the Global Coral Reed Monitoring Network and other institutions.

Assisting the President during the ceremony were Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and NAST PHL President William Padolina.

The Order of National Scientist is the highest recognition given by the President of the Republic of the Philippines to Filipino men or women of science who have made significant contributions in one of the different fields of science and technology.

The award was created under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A on December 16, 1976. Since 1978, the Order of National Scientist has been given to 41 Filipinos, 16 of whom are still living.

Palace: Palparan arrest a ‘positive development’ Although long overdue, Malacanang on Tuesday said the arrest

of retired army general Jovito Palparan Jr. is still a positive development.

“Ang pagkadakip ni dating Heneral Jovito Palparan ay magbibigay daan upang siya ay sumailalim sa mga proseso ng katarungan sa ilalim ng batas (The arrest of former General Palparan will

give him a chance to face the court and undergo judicial process),” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Herminio “Sonny” Coloma in a press briefing in Malacanang.

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“Patuloy na sinisikap ng ating mga alagad ng batas na tugisin at mahuli ang iba pang pinaghahanap ng batas -- ‘yung mga high-profile suspects (Authorities are continuously going after those who are on wanted list, especially those high profile suspects),” he added.

Palparan was arrested by the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division in a rented house in Sta. Mesa around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

He is facing kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges before the regional trial court in Malolos, Bulacan for the abduction and subsequent disappearance of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, in a press conference at the NBI headquarters where the retired army general is temporarily detained, said Palparan would be arraigned on August 18, when he will also be presented to the court trying his case.

His two co-accused -- Army Colonel Felipe Anotado and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio -- were earlier denied bail by the court. Another co-accused, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, is still at large.

“Matagal-tagal na rin naman siyang pinaghahanap at maramiraming mga

usapin na naihain na naghahanap ng paliwanag at naghahangad din ng katarungan ang mga sangkot na pamilya at indibidwal. Kaya ito ay positibong development na sana’y humantong sa pagtatamo ng katarungan,” said Coloma.

“Matibay ang determinasyon ng ating Pangulo (Benigno Aquino III) na iharap sa hukuman at panagutin ang mga mayroong usapin sa paglabag ng mga karapatang pantao at sa paglabag ng batas. Isang mahalagang bahagi ng mabuting pamamahala ay ‘yung pag-iral ng rule of law at ng batas. Isa rin ‘yan sa pinakamahalagang aspeto ng plataporma ng Pangulo ‘nung siya ay kumandidato sa pagka-pangulo -- ‘yung paggawad ng pantay-pantay na hustisya, paggawad ng katarungan sa ating bansa,” he noted.

Coloma said the Aquino administration has been pursuing for an effective criminal justice system in the country.

“Ang nais natin ay isang epektibong criminal justice system na kung saan mayroong certainty of outcome. Sabi nga ng ating Pangulo -- na kung ang isang tao ay walang sala, tiyak na mapapawalang sala; at kung meron namang kasalanan, tiyak na magagawaran ng kaparusahan,” he said quoting President Aquino. (PNA)

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Almost 30 % of DPWH budget for 2015 allocated to MindanaoAlmost 30 percent or Php63.12 Billion of the Php287.826 Billion

of the 2015 proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is allocated to Mindanao.

During the department’s budget hearing in Congress on Tuesday, Secretary Rogelio Singson reported that the total Php63.12

Billion (29.5 percent) budget for southern Philippines is divided to five regions, which aims to construct undertakings including


the Mindanao Logistics Network and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Infrastructure Program.

The allocation for the said regions are as follow: Region IX (Php11.81 Billion), Region X (Php18.33 Billion), Region XI (Php13.73 Billion), Region XII (Php8.89 Billion) and Region XII (Php10.36 Billion).

Singson noted that the allocation is part of their regular budget, excluding the rehabilitation of Zamboanga City which has been included in last year’s allocation.

“It does not include the calamity and Bangsamoro funds, so this is part of our regular budget,” he said.

Northern Luzon got 23.3 percent or Php49.73 Billion of the total budget, distributed to CAR (Php10.18 Billion), Region I (Php11.30 Billion), Region II (Php8.28 Billion) and Region III (P20.00 Billion) while Southern Luzon was given P43.84 Billion or 20.5 percent, Region IV-A (Php17.16 Billion), Region IV-B (Php12.48 Billion) and Region V (Php14.20 Billion).

The DPWH chief said the department will pursue investments for next year in upgrading quality and safety of roads and bridges, better access to Tourism Destinations, Airports, seaports and RORO Ports and Food Production Areas and flood risk reduction program and structure resilience, resiliency and

disaster risk management projects.For the Visayas, Php37.85 Billion

or 17.7 percent will be given to three regions, Region VI (Php13.96 Billion), Region VIII (Php13.04 Billion) and Region VIII (Php10.85 Billion).

Singson noted that the budget for the region for next year does not include the Yolanda Rehabilitation/ Reconstruction budget amounting to Php22.7 Billion.

The National Capital Region (NCR) got the smallest amount at Php19.29 Billion or 9.0 percent.

He added that the total capital outlays for 2015 is at Php269.71 Billion, 64 percent or Php173.51 Billion is allocated to the construction and rehabilitation of highways (roads and bridge) nationwide.

Meanwhile, Singson reported that a total of 4,106 kilometer of newly paved national roads were completed comprising 88 percent by the end of 2013.

He is targeting to make all temporary bridges along national roads by 2015.

Out of the 13,839 lms (length) of temporary bridges on national roads from July 2010 to May 2014, the department has made permanent 10,858 lms of temporary bridges.

A total of 33,583 lms out of the 355,643 lms (total length as of 2013) were rehabilitated, constructed and widened. (PNA)


Yes for Peace campaign calls for concrete commitment nationwideby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) calls for Filipinos nationwide to support the Bayanihan Yes for Peace campaign, Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran, Kasaganhan to have concrete commitment in attaining peace in the country.


During the media forum ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ today, Rosita P. Yburan, Education Program Supervisor DepEd region 10 said that as of July 27, 2014, there are 9, 278,129 signatures gathered in support for this purpose. The objective for this campaign is to document and pursue the call and support of at least 10 million Filipinos for: permanent ceasefire between the government and all armed groups instead of the traditional Christmas and Holy week cessation of hostilities; conduct of peace talks anywhere in the Philippines instead of outside the country to enable the Filipino people to witness and monitor these; and collective involvement and participation of Filipinos for the implementation of all policies, programs and projects to address the roots of the armed conflicts that may be agreed upon by the negotiating

panels. Yburan said that the campaign started in 1991 with a goal to encourage p e a c e - l o v i n g Filipinos to speak as one; and provide a democratic people’s mandate for a c o m p r e h e n s i v e peace process. Meanwhile Dr. Edwin German Solis of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) region 10 said that August 12 is also the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law

(IHL) Day. He said that IHL is also known as the law of armed conflict wherein it regulates the conduct of armed conflicts. He said that there are also limits to war. It was on August 12, 1949 in the Geneva Convention that this law was created as basis in times of war whether internal, inside a country and international from one country to another. In the country, he said that the most important thing is to have concrete steps to attain peace in terms of governance, peace, accountability, planning, programming in Local Government Units (LGUs). Solis said that in order to attain peace, the needs and rights of the people must be addressed from the basic level from the barangays and


This was reiterated by Sanivier G. Patoc, provincial director of DILG-Misamis Occidental during the recent Provincial Summit on FDP and Disaster Consciousness Congress attended the Barangay Captains from the First and Second Congressional Districts of the province. Issued by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas on Dec. 3, last year, the circular calls on the Provincial Governors, City/Municipal Mayors, the Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and all Regional Directors of DILG to follow the Implementing Guidelines on the

Full Disclosure of the Local Budget and Finances, and Bids and Public Offerings. These guidelines have set the type of annual reports to be posted in at least three conspicuous places in the Provincial Capitol, City/Municipal Hall and government-owned facilities, such as, the social center, gymnasium, auditorium, manpower development and training centers, transport terminal, public market, public school, health station or/and hospital. Meanwhile, Patoc said MC 2013-140 prescribes the posting and the period of posting of the following

DILG reiterates guidelines in posting full disclosure documentsby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - All documents on the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) will follow the guidelines set in Memorandum Circular No. 2013-140 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), effective Jan. 1, this year.

local government units (LGUs). These rights include right to health, right to education, right to water, and right to food, among others. This should be inclusive participation, he said. To sign up for Yes for Peace or for more information, you may

log on to yesforpeace.yolasite.com, www.facebook.com / yes for peace bayanihan para sa kapayapaan or google Google/Yahoo search : “yes for peace --bayanihan para sa kapayapaan.”


reports: Annual Budget, on or before January 20 of each year or not later than 20 days after its approval by the local Sanggunian, and the Statement of Debt Service (SDS), 20 days after approval by the Local Chief Executive (LCE) of the SDS Annual Report. Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (SRE), 20 days after

approval by the LCE of the SRE Annual Report, Annual Procurement Plan or Procurement List, on or before January 31 of each year and the Annual Gender and Development (GAD) Accomplishment Report, not later than the end of January of the ensuing year.

Tourism body to tackle garbage concernsby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The City Advisory Council (CAC) for the Philippine National Police Performance and Governance System (PNP-PGS) of the Ozamiz City Police Station (CPS) has vowed to cooperate and help prevent crimes in the city.

Councilor Lourdes Candy R. Darimbang, chair of the committee, said it is necessary to maintain clean surroundings and ensure proper waste disposal. “Gikinahanglan nga adunay kalimpyo sa syudad kay usa kini sa makadani sa dumuduong ug sa mga bisita labi na kay nagsingabot na ang pangilin ni Sr. San Agustin,” she said. Darimbang added that the cleanliness of the surroundings is

necessary and important in order to prevent the public from any disease and to free the city from dengue. “Kinahanglan usab nga adunay kalimpyo aron malikayan ang mga sakit ug kinahanglan gayod nga maatiman ang mga basura ug mahakot kini sa mga gitugyanan aron mahipos sa madali nga panahon ug malikayan ang pagkatag sa kadalanan,” she stressed.


CSC Caraga ready to embark on COMEX system By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY –The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga is glad in informing the public that the Computerized Examination (COMEX) System will be finally launched here on Thursday, August 14, 2014.


COMEX is a new system de-signed to unite all existing stand-alone examination processes into a single examination system that would run though wide area network environment where the regional testing centers shall be connected to the central server located at the cen-tral office, revealed CSC Caraga re-gional director Resurreccion Pueyo. The COMEX automates and integrates each step in the ad-ministration of computerized examination making the en-tire process faster and easier. Aside from these, the COMEX

system will be activated under these features: Allows applicants to apply and reserve a slot for an ex-amination 24/ online; links to CSC’s existing database that allows for more accurate cross-checking of in-formation; permits an examinee to complete the examination process from application to results genera-tion, all on the same day; ensures reliability of the conduct of exami-nation; and uses up-to-date soft-

ware that meets the specifications of modern computers and servers. Pueyo is advising applicants to take note of the five impor-tant steps of COMEX process: Step 1: Examination Account Registration (EAR) – Individuals reg-ister to create a user account; online registration via CSC-COMEX web-site; provide personal information Step 2: Examination Slot Res-ervation (ESR) – Notification of online offerings on the type of ex-amination, number of slots, date and time of appearance, date and time of examination, and exami-

nation venue; registered user re-serves an examination slot online Step 3: Examination Slot Confirmation (ESC) – Confirma-tion of application; completion of remaining stages of application (verification of applicant’s iden-tity, payment of examination fee and capturing of applicant’s photo, biometrics and digital signature) Step 4: Actual Test Pro-gram (ATP) – Assignment of each


DepEd encourages student to participate in ‘Yes for Peace’ campaign By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY - In sustaining its institutional support for the “Yes for Peace - Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran, Kasaganahan (KKK)” campaign, the Department of Education (DepEd) is maximizing the collective involvement and participation of pupils and students (10 years and older) in the continuing process for an end to the armed conflict.

examinee to a test form and a testing computer; authentica-tion of examinee’s biometrics; examinee takes the actual test Step 5: Test Result Process-ing (TRP) – Processing of ex-amination results; generation of examination reports; exam-inee gets the test result online. According to Pueyo, the online registration will be available with a

fee of P600 after it is being launched. It was also learned that CSC Caraga has a new testing center in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in addition to the existing three in cit-ies of Tandag, Surigao and Butuan. The COMEX system launching will be graced by CSC Commissioner Robert Martinez. There will also be a press conference at 2:00 p.m. on the same day at the CSC HRD Center.


Pursuant to DepEd Advi-sory No.391, s.2013, the Yes for Peace campaign aims to en-courage peace-loving Filipinos to speak as one and to provide a democratic people’s mandate for a comprehensive peace process. To attain the target 10 mil-lion responses to the campaign, regional directors, schools divi-sion/city superintendents and district supervisors are requested to monitor and oversee the activi-ties of both public and private ele-mentary and high schools in their respective areas of jurisdiction. School heads or principals of participating schools are re-quested to submit the Yes for Peace questionnaires and re-ports on or before September 15, 2014 to enable to announce additional regional summaries on September 19, 2014 during the celebration of the International Peace Day, said DepEd Under-secretary for Legal and Legisla-tive Affairs Atty Alberto Muyot.

“We aim to inculcate Baya-nihan spirit to every Filipino, make them effective advocates for the campaign, and there-by help restore confidence in a transparent and participa-tive peace process,” said Muyot. Meanwhile, Yes for Peace lead organizer Ernesto Alcanzare announces that “to catch public attention to our silent campaign and to assert our individual right to peace, we are now organizing simultaneous press conference through the Philippine Informa-tion Agency (PIA) Kapihan in all re-gional centers at 10 a.m., August 12, 2014, which is also an Inter-national Humanitarian Law Day.” The Yes for Peace guidelines, questionnaires and report forms are downloadable at http://www.yesforpeace.yolasite.com. As of July 31, 2014, there are 9,278,129 number of participat-ing KaBayanihans already that now reached 92.78% of the goal.


Six cities and 67 municipalities were assessed using the CFLGA tool to gauge their performance in de-livering children and youth-specific social services in the community. The CFLGA is an audit system that assesses the delivery of social welfare services on child and youth. It is a result-based assessment tool and a mandatory audit designed to identify the results of the interven-tion. The Council for the Welfare of Children has adopted the audit as a major tool in assessing LGU per-formance and uses its result as in-puts in the Conferment of the Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance. Results of the assessment were transmitted from the city/munici-

pal level to the provincial level and to the regional level. The Regional Audit Team (RAT), chaired by the DILG and co-chaired by the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and Devel-opment (DSWD) together with the Department of Education (DepEd) validates the results and prepares the consolidated regional overall rating for submission to the Region-al Subcommittee on the Council for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC). The department supports the realization of children’s rights and building a “Child-Sensitive and Child-Friendly Society,” in accordance with the country’s commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

DILG 13 leads child friendly local governance audit in Caraga By Florian Faith Jr. P. BayawaBUTUAN CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office 13 leads in the conduct of Child Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) in the region.


RDC XI chair calls on gov’t info, media partners to communicate dev’t plan

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- In launching the Regional Develop-ment Council (RDC) XI Press Brief-ing, RDC XI Chairperson Rodolfo P. de Rosario, governor of Davao del Norte, yesterday called on pub-

lic information officers and private media partners to help communi-cate the development directions framed by the Council. In his opening statement during the Tagum Biz Talk at Big

by Jeanevive Abangan


8, Del Rosario enjoined media partners both in the government and in the private sector to widely convey to the public the goals and targets embodied in the Updated Davao Regional Plan for 2014 to 2016. He expected the regular RDC Press Briefing to reach out to more people whom he expected to “become active participants in our development efforts.” The RDC Press Briefing is backed up by members and officers of the Communication for Development (C4D) Network composed of public information officers and representatives of local government units, national line agencies and government owned and controlled corporations. Meanwhile, Del Rosario briefed the media of the development thrusts of the Council pursuant to the Updated Regional Plan implementation. Noting Davao Region to have headed its way towards becoming the “Nation’s Global Frontier”, he revealed that the overall goal for the region has been geared towards achieving a “sustained high and inclusive growth by 2016”. He was optimistic that such goal can be achieved through building up the competitiveness of the region’s industries for them to cope with the “rapidly liberalizing economy”; building and nurturing

healthy and skilled human capital; ensuring more productive and competitive agriculture and fishery sectors; and improving the resiliency of communities to disaster, climate change and conflicts. He also believed that a sustained high and inclusive growth can also be achieved by increasing the levels of family income “as a result of abundant livelihood opportunities and high growth in productivity”. Del Rosario looked at reformed governance in all sectors as the key through which the outcomes leading towards the achievement of the regional development goal. He believed that the outcomes can be pursued by providing “a stable security environment, stable natural resource base; science, technology and innovation driven-economy; and improved quality, adequacy and accessibility of infrastructure facilities and services”. The outcomes are discussed in details in the 10 chapters of the Updated Davao Regional Development Plan which puts together the region’s development thrust summed up in the slogan, “PRO Davao!” PRO Davao pushes productivity, resiliency and opportunities for all people in the Davao Region, Del Rosario explained. (PIA 11/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


Tagum vies for Special Award of Excellence in Literacy

TAGUM CITY—After clinching the Hall of Fame Award in Literacy three years ago, Tagum City is now being considered to be ac-corded the Special Award of Excel-lence in Literacy by the National Literacy Coordinating Council which is considered to be the high-est recognition for any local gov-ernment unit in the field of litera-cy. A five-man validation team recently visited Tagum City to assess the sustainability of the city’s literacy programs,

its impact to the community and the beneficiaries as well as to know first-hand the expanded and new programs being jointly operated by the City Government and the Department of Education. In the exit conference after the two-day ocular visit and validation held last August 6-7, Dir. Emelyn Libunao of the Presidential Communication Operations Office noted how every program initiated by the


local government is deeply attached to the Tagumenyo people, making them as co-owners of the program and not just mere beneficiaries. Director Libunao chairs the national validation team with Atty. Allen Quimpo, the president of Northwestern Visayan Colleges and Atty. Lilia Garcia, professor of the Philippine Normal University as members. This year’s entry to the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy is anchored on the ten-point development thrust of the local government under the leadership of Mayor Allan L. Rellon dubbed as EAGLE WINGS. Each component in the pet program is infused with literacy programs which are either labeled as trailblazing, sustained or new programs. The E-Learning component of the Palengkeskwelahan tops the list in the trailblazing literacy programs, along with the Alternative Delivery Mode, Balik Paaralan para sa Out-of-School Adults, Balik Aral sa Selda, the Cultural Education Programs for

the city’s indigenous peoples and Muslim communities. Identified as sustained programs are the city’s scholarship programs, the skills training program and health education campaigns. New programs introduced last year are the Farmers’ Field School, the Vermiculture Project, Capability Building for Security Officers, Disaster Responders and Cooperative Leaders, Values Enhancement Seminar and the Tabang Eskwela Program. Tagum got the Hall of Fame Award back in 2011 after winning the first prize in the said awards in 2001, 2008 and 2010. It was also in 2011 when the city got its first international award through the UNESCO’s King Sejong International Literacy Prize. The Special Award of Excellence the city aims to get this year will be announced on September in a fitting ceremony in Baguio City in time for the 2014 National Literacy Conference sponsored by DepEd. | Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum


Zambo City greets ‘K-peace’ celebrity Lee Man Hee By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - While the K-pop (Korean pop) phenomenon has been sweeping the country in music and popular culture, a “K-peace” movement is now emerging among the youth of Zamboanga.


By Dominic I. Sanchez

Last Monday, Aug. 11, hundreds of students carrying handwritten signs bearing peace messages together with other groups joined South Korean peace advocates Lee Man Hee and Kim Nam Hee in the International Peace Walk here. Lee, chairman of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international group aimed at pursuing treaties in promoting world peace and Kim, chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) were cheered by the youth as they walked together from City Hall towards the Paseo del Mar. Lee claims that he is a descendant of Korea’s royal Joseon

dynasty.“Chairman Lee! We want peace!” cried numerous youth peace supporters as the 82-year-old Lee and his companions giddily danced during the walk. In a press conference held at the City Hall in the morning, Lee emphasized the importance of involving everyone in the quest for lasting world peace, especially the youth. “In order to attain peace, everyone’s duty is important,” said Lee in Korean. “Every one of us should be a peace advocate.” “We only have today for this, there is no tomorrow,” he added, implying that there is no time for


passivity and procrastination if the world is soon to achieve peace. Lee, who has been traveling the world and meeting with politicians and leaders, pointed out that “peace is a responsibility.” He has been appealing to government leaders to put premium on peace since future generations will reap the results of what they are doing now, whether it is peace or the opposite. However, in spite of the wars that have been raging Lee is still positive on the attainment of peace be it in Mindanao or in other parts of the world. “I still believe that we can achieve lasting world peace if everyone desires it,” he exclaimed. After the walk, local peace advocate Fr. Angel Calvo said that walking and working for peace is a “long and painful effort,” but through it “we exercise solidarity with all groups and those who are in need,

displaced by violence and victimized by injustices.” After the program, local government leaders like Tawi-Tawi Governor Nurbert Sahali, inter-faith leaders, and other sectoral representatives signed a peace covenant with Lee and Kim, signifying their all-out support to Lee’s call for peace. The peace walk, according to Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar “aims to send a very strong message of the city’s desire to attain peace in Zamboanga and in other parts of the world”. “Mr. Lee’s visit and the walk for peace is part of month-long activities leading up to the September 9 anniversary of the siege. We want to commemorate it through healing and confidence-building,” said Mayor Climaco-Salazar.


Civil-military operations officer Capt. Ronnie Madriñan said the activity was one of the highlights of thebbattalion’s 38th founding anniversary on Aug. 16 with the theme, “Sustained dependability, preparedness and professionalism moving forward to be a world class combat unit.”

The activity, Madriñan added, was also in support of the government’s priority program - the National Greening Program (NGP) – which seeks to lessen the impact of climate change on the communities. “The activity is in compliance with the Executive Order No. 26

Townsfolks support NGP; plant 1,000 trees in Tukuran town By Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, ZamboSur – In an effort to address climate change, the 1st Cavalry Squadron Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) has spearheaded here on Saturday, Aug. 9, a tree planting activity which was participated in by barangay officials, teachers, students and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.


ARBOs to supply DCCs’ feeding programBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) and other farmers association in Zamboanga del Norte will soon supply rice and vegetables for the feeding program of the 47 Day Care Centers (DCCs) in the city.

declaring an interdepartmental convergence initiative for a national greening program and Presidential Decree No. 1153 that calls every Filipino citizen to help, as duty and obligation, to conserve and develop the resources of the country,” Madriñan explained. Madriñan said 1,000 grafted seedlings of Mahogany, Narra and other fruit-bearing trees were planted by the stakeholders in the area. Punong Barangay Leoncio Osores said he was happy that the 1st Cavalry Squadron battalion had chosen barangay Navalan as the pilot area for the tree planting activity. “Aron nga maseguro nga ang tanan nga seedlings mabuhi, ako ang nagmugna sa ‘Bantay Kalikasan’ nga gilangkuban ug lima ka mga tawo aron maoy mosusi ug mo-alima sa mga tanom.” (To ensure that all seedlings will grow, I have created ‘Bantay Kalikasan’ which is composed of five persons to inspect and care for the trees.) Pantawid beneficiary Margie Gansan said she joined the tree planting activity because she wanted to contribute something for the

environment. “Nadasig ako nga misalmot sa pagtanom ug mga kahoy tungod kay gusto ko nga makatabang sa atong kinaiyahan. Nagtuo ako nga sa atong hiniusa nga paningkamot pagpananom ug mga kahoy mapugngan ang dautang epekto nga gidulot pag-usab sa atong klima”. (I was inspired to join the tree planting activity because I want to contribute something to our environment. I believe that in our collective efforts in planting trees, we can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.) Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 Regional Director Noemi Edaga lauded the efforts made by all stakeholders in planting trees saying that “the impacts of climate change are persistent and are already being felt everywhere in the world.” Edaga, who was one of the participants, hoped that the stakeholders would not only plant trees but also commit in the nurturing the trees. “In that way, we are protecting not only the environment but also ourselves,” Edaga concluded.


ARBOs to supply DCCs’ feeding program

“We are encouraging the ARBOs to produce more rice and vegetables. And if we have good support from ARBOs we can reduce hunger and poverty in our community,” ARCP II National Project Coordinator Director Herman Z. Ongkiko said during a convergence meeting of DAR-DSWD-DA-FAO-WFP on Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) held here recently. Assistant Regional Director Agnes Y. Maata of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-9 expressed her agency’s commitment and support to the program. A consultative meeting with the members of the Dipolog-Polanco Irrigators’ Association (DPIA), Day Care workers and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries was also conducted at Barangay Olingan, Dipolog City to apprise them of the PAHP program, which aims to create a food supply hub for DCCs’ feeding program. “This program aims to fight

against hunger and poverty by producing more high value products which will supply the DCCs’ demands, as the outlet market of farmers aside from their regular market,” Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Consultant Flavio Luis Mazzaro De Freitas said. Meanwhile, during the consultative meeting, DSWD officials asked Day Care workers to add in their menu in the feeding program more vegetables. DSWD’s Protective Services Bureau Director Margarita V. Sampang told the Day Care workers that along this program “they can have organic and fresh vegetables for their menu if they will directly buy from ARBOs.” Maata also stressed that ARBOs play an important role in PAHP wherein they are not only farmers but entrepreneurs as well, benefiting their own families and the community in support of the fight against hunger and poverty.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes underscored achievements in the province’s tourism sector in her first state of the province address (SOPA) Monday, August 11.

Gains, prospects in tourism highlighted in Fuentes’ 1st SOPABy: Danilo E. Doguiles


Gov. Fuentes also laid down in front of thousands of South Cotabateños who attended the event at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center the prospects of the tourism sector as she reported accomplishments on economic development.

“Total tourist arrival in 2013 was 236,636. From January to June of this year, we have already recorded 200,863 tourists,” Fuentes announced.

“Our marketing and promotion efforts are bearing results,” she continued, attributing the increase to the effective use of social media, attendance to investment and tourism forums and participation in good governance conferences.

She also expressed confidence that the screening of Cinemalaya entry “K’na The Dreamweaver” would also draw more tourists to Lake Sebu.

“K’na the Dreamweaver” which won special jury prize and best production design was shot fully in Lake Sebu town. The feature film’s dialogues were also delivered in Tboli language.

“The interest to see our province that was generated right there in the CCP premiere made us realize the great challenge before us to prepare not only Lake Sebu but also the whole province for the influx of artistically and culturally inclined tourists,” the governor said.

Fuentes, along with several local government officials and artists,

attended the movie’s premiere on August 2.

“These kinds of tourists will demand better accommodations, better quality service, and a more authentic cultural environment,” she said.

Besides, the feature film, other recent developments such as the filming by the Galing Pook Foundation of the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) experience, the selection of South Cotabato as a pilot site of the “Partnerships for Integrity and Job Creation – Local Governments and Civil Society Cooperate for Integrity and Transparent, Effective Small Business Registration and Promotion Procedures (Project I4J)” of Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the establishment of a weaving facility for a woman’s group in Lake Sebu with assistance from Senator Loren Legarda would also expected to draw in more tourists to the area.

The Department of Tourism 12 is currently developing the Upper Valley Cluster including the municipalities of Tboli, Lake Sebu and Surallah.

Another tourism cluster involving the LGUs of Polomolok, Tupi and Tantangan is also being formed.

With these expected boom, Gov. Fuentes challenged LGUs to bond together for efforts in tourism development.

She also announced that the provincial government has hired tourism consultants to help LGUs


develop their tourism industry.South Cotabato government also

expects to complete several tourism projects by next year, including the 7-Falls Circumferential Road, the Lake Lahit Tourism Facility, Canopy Walking and Cable Cars at 7-Falls and Lake Shore Boulevard at the main lake in Lake Sebu, Small-scale Mining Tourism Leg in T’boli, Fruit Park ng Tupi, and the Biodiversity Corridor in Tampakan and Tupi towns.

Gov. Fuentes also reported that in 2013, South Cotabato recorded 1,988 new and 9,754 renewed investments.

“This influx comes from a wide range of sectors, from hotels, resorts and tourism establishments, to land development such as subdivision development and leasing dwellings, to restaurants and to other recreational facilities,” she noted. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KIDAPAWAN, North Cotabato—Two students from the province brought home awards from international competitions they recently participated in.

NorthCot pupils excel in international competitionsBy Shahana Joy Duerme

Sophia Helen Gador, Grade 4 pupil of Midsayap Pilot Elementary School (MPES) won bronze medal of the In-ternational Mathematics Competition (IMC) held in Singapore on August 1-4.

Gador is among the Filipino students who brought home a total of 155 med-als consist of 22 gold, 44 silver and 89 bronze medals.

Over 1,000 students joined the IMC this year. The Philippines placed second to China which garnered 193. Malaysia was third with a total of 92 medals and Indonesia was fourth with 75 medals. Meanwhile, Singapore which hosted the IMC placed fifth with 67 medals.

On the other hand, Jesse Uriel Anu-lao, elementary pupil of the Notre Dame of Kabacan, Inc. (NDKI) got the silver medal in the 200-meter medley relay

and bronze in the 200-meter relay of the 4th Singapore National Swimming Championships in Singapore on August 2 - 3.

Uriel is now qualified to join another international swimming competition in Bangkok, Thailand in November this year.

With these achievements, Governor Emmylou Mendoza congratulated the two pupils for bringing pride and honor to the province.

“The provincial government is sup-portive in all the endeavors of the youth in North Cotabato,” Mendoza stated.

It can be noted that Gador and Uriel received financial assistance from the provincial government prior to their travel abroad. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz&VBacarat-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


COTABATO CITY– A total of 329 OFW dependents from the Autonomous Re-gion in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are set to take the Overseas Workers Wel-fare Administration (OWWA) qualifying examinations on September.

329 OFW dependents in ARMM to take OWWA scholarship exam in SeptemberBy Oliver Ross V. Rivera

OWWA-ARMM OIC Habib Malik said this year a total of 210 dependents will take the exams for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and 119 for the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP).

The province of Maguindanao has the highest number of applicants with 116 for the EDSP and 61 for CMWSP, followed by Basilan with 28 for EDSP and 30 for CMWSP. Tawi-Tawi has 29 for EDSP and 9 for CMWSP and Sulu has 28 for EDSP and 9 CMWSP examinees while Lanao Del Sur has 12 for EDSP and 10 for CMWSP.

Malik added that they have already forwarded the final list of examinees to the OWWA central office last week.

The official said that they will contact the examinees weeks prior to the exam for the test permits and designated testing centers in the region.

Malik also noted that they will conduct free review classes before the qualifying examination on

September 21 is administered by the DOST-SEI.

Majority of applicants are 4th year high school students who are OFW dependents.

EDSP is offered to qualified dependents of active OWWA-member OFWs who intend to enroll in a four to five-year baccalaureate course in any CHED accredited college or university of their own choice.

A financial assistance of P 30,000 per semester or a maximum of P 60,000 per school year shall be given covering the scholar’s tuition fee and other school expenses.

CMWSP, on the other hand, is entitled for inactive OFWs not more than 45 years or their children not more than 21 years old who wish to take up science and technology courses at any CHED accredited school within the region.

This grant includes tuition fee and other school fees of P10,000 per semester, monthly stipend of P3,500, book allowance of P1,000, and clothing allowance of P500. (ORVRivera-PIA12)

Documents

One Mindanao - August 13, 2014