One Mindanao - August 13, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

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

COPY EDITORS

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

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

LAYOUT ARTISTS

DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

Western

Northern Southern

Lamitan engages youth in disaster preparedness

DTI-Surigao Norte intensifies consumer education

OWWA organizes OFW Family Circle in Claver; provides orgl devt trainings

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DOH XII shores up fight against TB

ASEAN holds One ASEAN,One Response roadshow in Manila

Gov’t welcomes Marcos sponsorship of BBL, sets record straight on issues

DepEd Ozamiz embarks on mapping of schools

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By: By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

By: Susil D. Ragas

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

Cover Story

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35

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

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OUR COVER

By: Catherine T. Apelacio

C o n t e n t s

DSWD provides cash grant to 997 senior citizens in Davao Sur tow

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40 Php19.9-M marketing center for farmers soon to be operational in Sultan KudaratBy: Aida C Agad

Caraga

National INFOCus

Western

Northern Southern SOCCSKSARGEN

National INFOCus

Lanao del Norte team bags Regional Rescue Olympics 2015 championship title

45 RSC 12 endorses four nominees for SOV 2015- National levelBy: Perlita B. Changco

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SOCCSKSARGEN

32 FDA reiterates warning on banned food supplement “Sehat Badan” powderBy: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

By: Anthony S. Allada

4 August 13, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

DOH XII shores up fight against TBBy Catherine T. Apelacio

This is the theme of this year’s “Lung Month” which is poised to raise the level of awareness of people about Tuberculosis (TB).At a press conference over the weekend, Dr. Francisco Mateo, assistant regional director of Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office XII revealed the long-term goal of DOH, and that is for TB “not to be a public health problem anymore” by 2035.

“That’s why we would like to instil in people’s mind the importance of TB management so we can prevent its spread,” he said thanking the members of the press for helping them and their partners in the campaign.

Stop TB! Hanapin, Gamutin,

Pagalingin.

””

5August 13, 2015 One Mindanao



According to DOH data, every year, there is an estimated 9 million new TB cases and three million of these were not either diagnosed, not treated, or diagnosed but not registered by national TB programs (NTPs).Mateo said major efforts are still needed to close the gap.

“This time we are bent to find, treat, and cure all people with TB and accelerate progress on TB so we can end this disease by 2035,” Dr. AmebellaTaruc, regional NTP coordinator stressed. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Tuberculosis as contagious but “curable and preventable” disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.It said TB is spread from person to person through the air. Among the common symptoms of TB are cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss that may be mild for months resulting in “delay of seeking care and in transmission of the bacteria to others.” Through close contact, it can infect 10-15 people over the course of a year.When asked to further explain, Dr. Taruc said the disease can be transmitted when a person with TB cough, sneeze or spit since

these actions will propel the germs into the air.

She said an individual needs only to “breathe in a few of the TB germs to become infected.” According to WHO, “about one-third of the world’s population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with disease and cannot transmit the disease....Without proper treatment up to two thirds of people ill with TB will die.”

DOH XII records show there were 11,940 or 97 percent of people in SOCCSKSARGEN treated out of the 12,336 target in 2014. Of the number, 1,560 were children aged 15 years old below. Along with this, the agency mobilized 59 TB-DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Strategy), that is, three hospitals and 56 Rural Health Units (RHUs). For the first quarter of 2015, Dr. Taruc reported 3,976 TB cases. Of these cases, 3,699 were considered new, 190 relapse, and 87 previously-treated.

Statistics also indicate that


4 out of 10 people that showed symptoms of TB consulted a hospital. TB is the leading cause of hospital admissions and deaths, DOH XII said.

Urging people not take TB for granted, Dr. Mateo emphasized that TB can be treated by religiously following the proper dosage of medications. He also emphasized that there is a “treatment partner” for every TB patient undergoing medications whose task is to ensure the patient takes his/her daily dose of medicine, monitor

his/her progress, and provide health education. The partner could be a family member, health worker, or anyone from the community. In Soccsksargen, there are a total of 28 public hospitals that are offering TB-DOTS. Out of the 77 private hospitals, 10 of them are also into TB-DOTS. DOH XII also cited specific services of few hospitals in the region. It said the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center is DOTS provider and a Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant


(DR) TB Treatment Center for the region. The Doctors Clinic Hospital, Inc in Korondal City is the private TB Culture Laboratory in Region XII while the General Santos City Hospital is a newly-engaged Satellite Treatment Center for Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis launched in March 23, 2015.

DOH XII also revealed 381 people screened with drug-resistant TB; 40 confirmed DRTB are having ongoing treatment; and four were cured since DRTB started operation in the region in 2011.

Dr. Mateo said people infected with TB have increased risk of falling ill but those with compromised immune

systems, such as HIV, diabetes, malnutrition or people that smoke tobacco, have a much higher risk of getting sick.

WHO added: “Since 2000 more than 37 million lives have been saved through effective diagnosis and treatment. Active, drug-sensitive TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. The vast majority of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly.”

Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol and Streptomycin are the drugs of choice for lung TB.


Nationwide population count begins

MAKATI CITY -- The nationwide population count has begun with census enumerators visiting every household and institutional living quarter (ILQ) in all barangays.

About 90 thousand friendly enumerators (ENs) will ask basic information about the household members or ILQ residents, such as their age, sex, marital status,

religious affiliation, highest educational attainment, and usual activity/occupation. The interview will take about 15 to 30 minutes. They will be wearing


officially-issued ID card, bearing the signature of Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA is primarily responsible for the nationwide conduct of the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015), pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625 (Philippine Statistical Act of 2013).

The main purpose of the mid-decade census is to update the population count in all barangays nationwide, in compliance with Executive Order No. 352 (Designation of Statistical Activities That Will Generate Critical Data for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector).

PSA needs the cooperation of the nation’s entire citizenry to ensure its success.

Earlier, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 1031 declaring August 2015 as National Census Month. He called on the citizenry “to support and cooperate in the POPCEN 2015 by providing complete and correct information to census enumerators.”

Section 25 of RA 10625 provides that “respondents of primary data collection activities such as censuses and sample surveys are obliged to give truthful and complete answers to statistical inquiries”.

All enumerators, team supervisors, census area supervisors, as well as PSA employees involved in the POPCEN 2015 are required to keep in strict confidence any information obtained during the census that pertains to any particular household or person.

This is in accordance with Section 26 of R.A. No. 10625,


which stipulates that “individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses of the PSA shall be considered privileged information and as such shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding”.

The PSA will release data gathered from the undertaking only in the form of summaries

or statistical tables. As such, no information about an individual or institution will be revealed.

Population counts by province, city/municipality, and barangay will be submitted to the Office of the President for proclamation as official for all purposes. (PSA-NSCB)


ASEAN holds One ASEAN,One Response roadshow in Manila

MANILA -- The ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) Centre conducted the Manila-leg roadshow Tuesday at the Manila Hotel bringing together stakeholders to promote and advocate its thrust and vision of “One ASEAN, One Response”.

The roadshow was attended by the different members of the

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council


(NDRRMC) led by its executive director Undersecretary Alexander Pama.

“ASEAN member states have learned so much from the experiences of the Philippines on disaster. This time, we want to promote the feeling of “we” in ASEAN. If one member needs help, we as ASEAN community will be there to respond”, said Said Faisal, AHA Centre Executive Director.

Faisal recognized the established protocols and policies of the NDRRMC on disaster risk reduction and management.

“The NDRRMC’s situation report that they provide is very comprehensive. The council also conducts preparedness meetings. This roadshow is one good opportunity for us to work together during disaster”, Said added.

During the roadshow, the

role of the AHA Centre was comprehensively discussed. The centre was established to facilitate cooperation and coordination among ASEAN member states and with the United Nations and international organizations for disaster management and emergency response.

The centre serves to facilitate regional cooperation for disaster management, operationalise regional coordination mechanisms for emergency preparedness and response, and facilitate joint response. The centre provides information about hazards and disasters through its Disaster Monitoring and Response System (DMRS), a multi-hazard monitoring system that allows for near real-time notification of impending disaster, gathering of essential elements of information, and comprehensive situational awareness for operational decision-making.


Gov’t welcomes Marcos sponsorship of BBL, sets record straight on issues

MANILA -- Both the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the government panel that negotiated the peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Thursday said they welcome Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sponsorship of his version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the Senate. At the same time, the OPAPP and the government peace panel clarified several issues raised by the senator in his sponsorship speech of the BBL, where he

emphasized the importance of inclusiveness and raised several questions regarding the Bangsamoro peace process.


“Certainly we welcome this development in the Senate, especially because it means the plenary debates in the upper house (of Congress) will begin at last,” government negotiating panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said.

OPAPP Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles echoed Ferrer’s sentiment, saying that “we are happy because the Senate is finally catching up with the House of Representatives in terms of this process, and because we are another step closer to the passage of the BBL.”

Inclusivity of BBL

Ferrer said the government panel also lauded the efforts of Sen. Marcos to make his substitute bill even more inclusive, noting that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace agreement that served as the basis of the proposed legislation, was already the product of more than 550 consultations done by the OPAPP, in addition to consultations also done by the MILF panel. Aside from this, according to Ferrer, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which drafted the bill, and both chambers of Congress have also conducted

their respective consultations.

While more than 550 consultations were done by the OPAPP, the House Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL held 51 public hearings and consultations while its counterpart in the Senate, chaired by Sen. Marcos, conducted 12 public hearings and one briefing.

“The BBL also has numerous provisions to ensure inclusiveness, especially in terms of guaranteeing the rights and encouraging the participation of sectors like women, indigenous peoples, and so on. This, in addition to the number of consultations we made, shows that the BBL is inclusive both procedurally and substantively,” Ferrer noted.

Ferrer said that from the start, the original draft of the BBL already conceived the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to be inclusive and multi-sectoral. Article XVI, Section 2 of the original BBL draft states that “the BTA shall be composed of fifty (50) members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President; provided that, non-Moro indigenous communities, women, settler communities and other sectors shall have


representatives in the BTA. Nominations may be submitted to the office of the President for this purpose.”

The BTA shall be the interim government or the governing body in the Bangsamoro during the transition period from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Transparency

Deles, for her part, said that the entirety of the process leading to the crafting of the BBL has always been open and transparent.

“The processes we went

through were really open and transparent,” Deles stressed. “Not many people were very interested in the peace process then, but those who have always been closely monitoring its progress would recall that we always have media sessions after the talks to update the public on the state of the process.”

In recognition of the crucial role of Congress in the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace pact, Deles said that several lawmakers were invited to join during the conduct of the peace talks in Malaysia. Among others who participated were Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senator Teofisto


“TG” Guingona III.

At the same time, consultations and briefings with members of both chambers of Congress were also done while peace negotiations were ongoing. In the Senate, said meetings were convened by the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation and were attended among others by Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II, Sen. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes

IV, and then Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

As for Malaysia’s involvement in the peace process, Deles stressed that Malaysia has been the third-party facilitator in the peace process that started during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with the Philippine government asking Malaysia to participate as an impartial third-party facilitator.


DOH launches Hi-5 in Surigao CityBy: Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte- The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga recently launched its High Impact 5 or Hi-5 program on Monday morning at the Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH), this city.

DOH Caraga assistant regional director Dr. Cesar Cassion said the program seeks to ensure the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals of universal health care such as reduction of infant and under-five mortality rate, reducing


maternal mortality rate, halting HIV-AIDs cases, and increasing the service delivery networks in poor communities and far-flung areas. “The launching of this program is also aimed to intensify and increase support from the private and government sectors of the region,” Cassion said. Other activities during the whole day event were lecture on the importance of breast feeding, synchronized breast

feeding, free new born screening for indigents, free HIV screening and counseling, free drug testing, free anti-rabies injection, blood letting, anti-smoking campaign, hand washing and tooth brushing demo, lecture on Tuberculosis, and Hataw Exercise. Present during the launching were CRH officer-in-charge Dr. Cheryl Gotinga, DOH Surigao del Norte team leader Erwin Pingal and other hospital and DOH officials.


BUTUAN CITY -- Persistent with the drive to equip its members with ample and beneficial skills through organizational development, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office Caraga steered the way for the formation of Claver Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Family Organization (COFO).

OWWA Caraga regional director Samuel S. Madrid emphasized the amplified opportunity that an organization could attain together as opposed to dispersed individual efforts.

The newly elected president of COFO, Nolito V. Neri, a seaman, shared his visions and plans for the organization which included their aspiration to avail of the Mobile Information Technology

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

OWWA organizes OFW Family Circle in Claver; provides orgl devt trainings


Training on top of other techno-transfer programs that the agency may provide. Participated in by some 35 ex-OFWs and beneficiaries, the event became a perfect avenue to campaign the programs and services of the agency and explain the advocacy for the welfare and interest of its member OFWs. Acknowledging the difficult life treaded by workers abroad, the agency carried out the values reorientation seminar that aims to re-instill the essential Filipino values especially towards family and relationships. DSWD training specialist Anafe Lecciones addressed the individual characteristics and capabilities of each family member and their potential contribution in maintaining stronger family ties notwithstanding the distance that separates them. Encompassing the innate traits the participants already possessed, the values on money was also discussed by a representative from DTI Surigao del Norte Lyza D. Trapal which tackled the skills in efficiently managing family finances. Basic practices on minimizing

expenses through wise use of resources and the importance of saving was given emphasis by Ms. Trapal. The recently conducted two-day activity on July 28-29, 2015 was made possible through the support of the local government unit of Claver. Municipal Administrator Ernesto P. Sulapas extended the government’s support in empowering the OFWs in their locality. “We are looking forward to implementing programs and projects intended to support the OFWs and in helping them elevate from being ordinary home-makers to becoming contributors to the improvement of the community as a whole,” Sulapas said.


During the said seminar, participants were also briefed on the technique of identifying quality products and the basic procedures to lodge their complaint at the consumer welfare desk of the business

establishment in the event that they can purchase items with factory defect. The participants were made to understand that considering their limited income level, they need to be responsible in making

DTI-Surigao Norte intensifies consumer educationBy: Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - A total of 68 residents of this city learned their basic consumer rights during the Consumer Education Seminar conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Barangay Sukailang Multi-Purpose Hall here on August 4, 2015.


wise purchasing decision to be able to save money. They were also reminded that in making purchases they have to carefully check on the exact product specification as well as the quality and quantity they need. This is because they cannot just return the products to the seller for the reason that they have changed their mind, they dislike the color or not sure of the exact dimensions. Hence, consumers also have to assume responsibility in making a very informed decision while making

purchases. The DTI Team encouraged the group to continually find ways to learn and educate themselves not only on consumerism but also on livelihood and business development aspects to improve their socio-economic condition. The DTI Team who provided consumer educational inputs to the participants is composed of Rodrigo R. Matabaran, Supervising Trade and Industry Development Specialist, Josephine D. Gabutin and Lourdes A. Chua, both Trade and Industry Development Specialists.


By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A synergy of traditional and digital library to suit the need of the entre-preneurs and would-be’s, students and teach-ers fit to their distinctive needs, is one innova-tion the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 recently launched.

DOST opens STIC special library


This special library called Science and Technology Information Cen-ter (STIC) is a combination of both the physical and the virtu-al library that offers stimulation and excitement to the clients.STIC is one venue for Knowledge sharing and knowledge exploita-tion as strategic instruments for business benefits and science- related references are available.DOST has revolutionized its ser-vice to would be- entrepreneurs or those who are already engaged in business by establishing the STIC that offers “available easy to follow how-to guides to jump start livelihood or business proj-ect,” Thelma Diego, DOST-9 in-formation officer said.“If you are shopping for new business ideas then the STIC is the right venue to assist you,” she added.This special library not only offers physical books but also digital references vastly stored in Sci-ence and Technology Academic and Research-based Openly Op-erated Kiosk Stations (STAR-BOOKS), the first ever science digital library in the country.Diego said: “The STIC also main-tains a wide range of collections of Science and Technology (S&T) books, journals, CDs and other references which are very rel-evant and appropriate for edu-

cational research of students, professionals, inventors, out-of-school youths and the general public.”

S&T film screening is also avail-able for requesting students, teachers and other interested parties.Physical business guide books readily accessible in this special library include: Affordable Bak-ery Products; Alternative Medi-cine; Aroma Candles; Candles and Potpourri; Children’s Wear; Chocolate Candy Making; Christ-mas Decors; Christmas Food Giveaways / Goodies; Commer-cial Baking and Decorative Can-dles.Also available are guides to Fash-ion Accessories making; Fish and Other Seafood Products; Food Products from Coconut and Soya; Fruit and Vegetable Carving; Hair Accessories; Home bakeshops (breads and cakes); Landscap-ing; Novelty Items; Pinoy Merien-da Favorites; Promo Items; Soap making; Soymeat and Vegetable Dishes; Aroma Candles; Dimsum Delights; Direct Selling and Net-work Marketing; Fish and other seafood products; Fish


By Rene V. Carbayas

LAMITAN CITY – The city government here through its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) recently gathered some 40 youth from vulnerable coastal areas for a community-based disas-ter preparedness orientation.

Engr. Jay Dompol, disaster risk reduction management officer said that the local government wants to tap young people and engage them in disaster pre-paredness especially those living along coastlines.

Through lectures, demonstra-tion, and workshops, the youth acquired basic knowledge and skills on disaster preparedness and response.

Rene Mabilog and the team from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-

Lamitan engages youth in disaster preparedness

Processing; Food and Beverage Services; Medicinal Plants; Juic-es, Jams, Concentrates and Pick-les; Nutritious Snacks; Food Re-tailing; Raising Native Chicken,

Quail and many more. STIC is open Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services are free of charge.


BASULTA led the orientation with the introduction of the youth to disaster risk reduction manage-ment. Through video presen-tations young people acquired basic understanding of disaster risk reduction management con-cepts.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-ARMM introduced the par-ticipants to the basic fire safety through video presentation. The video provided basic tips on how to prevent fire at home and also how to respond when fire occurs. This was followed by basic water safety and responders’ rescue activity at the beach with dem-onstration provided by the per-sonnel from BFP.

FO3 Joey Jacinto said that the public must understand the sci-ence of fire so that one can pre-vent the occurrence of disaster due to uncontrolled fire.

“The three main ingredients to produce fire are fuel, heat, and oxygen. The absence of one will prevent fire from occurring. This is important for the youth to know in order to understand fire and how to control and extinguish it by mantling (removing oxygen), starving (removing fuel), and

cooling (removing heat),” Jacinto explained.

FO Vincent Martin, meanwhile, explained the safety consider-ation of rescuers, underscoring the importance of the rescu-ers’ consciousness and alertness about the risks that one is fac-ing when removing victims out of the water.

Held at the Maarena Beach Re-sort in Calugusan last July 22, the orientation highlighted the understanding of sea level rise and storm surge with the Philip-pine Information Agency in Basi-lan as resource person.

The PIA underscored the need to understand the science of sea lev-el rise and storm surges at fam-ily level in order for communities and households to effectively re-spond to disaster situation dur-ing extreme weather events.

The PIA also lauded the efforts of the city in engaging the youth in disaster preparedness, saying that young people’s energies and idealism need to be harnessed and redirected toward positive action and change to increase


community’s resiliency from di-sasters and calamities.

During workshops, each baran-gay discussed some measures on how to prepare and respond to disasters before, during, and after they happened focusing on how the role the youth will un-

dertake during these periods.

The orientation was made pos-sible through the support of the USAID ENGAGE program and the city government.

FDA reiterates warning on banned food supplement “Sehat Badan” powderBy Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Amid reports that a banned food supplement, SEHAT BADAN, has been sold back in the market, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned the public anew to avoid buying and using it.

FDA Advisory No. 2014-056 has reiterated a prior public health warning, FDA Advisory No. 2014-006, after it found that the un-registered Sehat Badan powder is still available in several places in the country particularly in the Mindanao area.

An FDA official said the product is available in some areas of Zam-boanga City particularly in the

Barter, Barangay Canelar and in some areas of Barangay Zone IV.

Sehat Badan is advertised online as an herbal drink that “promotes and enhances general well-being and treats various diseases such as asthma, urinary stones, al-lergy, impotence, rheumatism, toothache and ulcer.” These claims, however, are


not yet proven since the product has not been approved nor reg-istered with the FDA.

Distributors, retailers, hospitals, pharmacies and clinics are in-structed by the FDA to discontin-ue further distribution, sale and use of Sehat Bedan product.

Moreover, field FDA regulation officers are ordered to confiscate all unregistered food supple-ments particularly Sehat Badan found in the market or in posses-sion of individuals.

FDA requests the support of all

local government units and law enforcement agencies to ensure that these products are not sold or offered for sale in their locali-ties or area of jurisdiction.

To check if a product is regis-tered with FDA, visit their web-site at www.fda.gov.ph and type the name of the product in the search bar. To report any unreg-istered health product, email at [email protected]. Consumers may also email FDA at [email protected] for queries or additional information.


DTI urges consumers to use Timbangan Ng Bayan ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged consumers to use the Timbangan ng Bayan facility to verify the grams or kilograms of goods bought from vendors, and business establishments.

by Angelo A. Devero

This, as the DTI in Iligan City/Lanao del Norte Provincial Office has been receiving a number of verbal complaints from consumers on purchases involving the utilization of weighing scales within the public markets’ premise, this city. “The Timbangan ng Bayan Project has been established to ensure that consumers are protected from unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices, and that they get the


best value for money,” Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan said. He further said DTI has already turned over four units of Timbangan ng Bayan facility to the local government unit of Iligan since 2014. These facilities were installed at Pala-o Public Market and at the Wet Market in Barangay Poblacion. A unit of Timbangan ng Bayan facility comprises of stainless steel hanging weighing scale, casing / housing and sets of duly calibrated standard test weights. Paclipan also said they

encourage the city government through its Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (EEDMO) to adjust the service hours of Timbangan ng Bayan to accommodate early morning and late evening buyers. Service hours of Timbangan ng Bayan facilities are usually from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Also, consumers have asked EEDMO to re-consider relocating other units of Timbangan ng Bayan to a more conspicuous place for easy access by the buying public, disclosed Paclipan.

DepEd Ozamiz embarks on mapping of schools

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Education, Division of Ozamiz City (DepEd-Ozamiz) has embarked on a “MAPaaralan Project! School Mo, I-Pin Mo!,” this year.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

An initiative of mapping all public and private schools, the project aims to plot the location of all schools in the division using the Google Map or the Bing Map, Rebonfamil R. Baguio, Schools

Division Superintendent of DepEd-Ozamiz, said. Meanwhile, Baguio has required all private schools in the Division to submit to DepEd-Ozamiz a printed image and the


longitude and latitude of their school location in earth/satellite view. These schools are the FMC Ma School and Tuturial Services, Inc., Firm Foundation Christian Academy, La Salle University Integrated School, Lighthouse Christian Academy and Medina College Science High School.

Also asked to submit the above-cited requirements are Misamis Institute of Technlogy High School, Misamis Union High School, Misamis University High School, Ozamiz Montesssori Center and La Salle Universiy Night High School, Baguio added.

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- The 7-man rescue team from Lanao del Norte bagged over-all champion in the recent Regional Rescue Olympics dubbed as ‘2015 Benchmarking on Basic Life Support and Standard First Aid’ – LGU Category (Local Government Unit).

Lanao del Norte team bags Regional Rescue Olympics 2015 championship title

The Lanao del Norte (LDN) team is composed of Winco Tomimbang, Arvin Antonio, Roy Joseph Secuya, Doroteo Andrin, Charlie Gabawa, Arwin Miquiabas and Joel Karl Malinao. “We only followed what we did in our trainings especially when we conduct training also to the different municipal emergency response units in our province. We’re happy to represent Lanao

del Norte,” Team Leader Winco Tomimbang said. The Lanao del Norte Emergency Response Team was also declared as Best in Bandaging, Best in Lifting, and Best in Team Work. Emergency responders from the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, as well as provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon were the participants


to the Rescue Competition. Participating teams were divided into two categories – Hospital and local government unit (LGU). Teams were judged according to proper execution and speed. Representatives from the Philippine Air Force, Office of the Civil Defense - Region X, Philippine Red Cross, and Bureau of Fire Protection were tapped as judges for the competition.

This year’s Rescue Olympics was organized by the Research Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit of DOH-Region 10, held at Pearlmont Hotel and Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City, last July. The Lanao del Norte responders received trophies, medical and rescue equipment including a tent worth P75,000 for their rescue unit. (VNL & LAR/PIO-LDN/PIA-10 LDN)


Coast Guard tightens eye on foreign vessels calling at Davao port

TAGUM CITY- The Phil-ippine Coast Guard is tightening its watch on foreign vessels calling port in Davao as part of its effort to strengthen security. Guesting during the recent Tagum Biz Talk at Big 8 Hotel, Commo-dore Joselito Dela Cruz cited the foreign vessels as “possible sources” of outside threats to Davao City’s relatively peaceful situation. “Davao city is a peaceful city, but of course, the threat could be coming from the out-side. As mentioned the foreign vessels coming

in, we do not know, could be in the guise of transport-ing goods,” he said. Projecting worst case scenario, he said foreign vessels could be carry-ing “hazard-ous materials

or weapons of mass destruction”. Because containerized, foreign vessels can hardly be de-tected carrying harmful cargoes, he said. Dela Cruz cited this situation as a ma-jor challenge for PCG in Southeastern Mindanao which covers the Davao Gulf along which local economies are growing, expanding and venturing into exports industry. “In Davao Region, the economic activities are progressing. We also have to take a look at the security aspect of the progress,” he said. Meanwhile, Dela


Cruz revealed moves of coordinating with agencies of the national govern-ment protecting the Philippine wa-ters particularly the Philippine Navy to come up with a maritime security plan for Davao Region. He looked at the security plan as complementary to the growing economy of the Davao Region which has also become a major trans-ship-ment point of foreign vessels calling at the Davao Port to pick up banan-as, the major export product of the region, and other goods. The focus on security aspect of the Davao Port also stems from the concern raised by the Mindanao De-velopment Authority (MinDA). Dela Cruz revealed that Min-DA had received an advance info sent through email from the United States Coast Guard which conveyed its plan “to blacklist the port of Davao”. “Pag galing ang vessel dito di ka basta makakadaong sa port sa US; you have to undergo inspection,” he said referring to Port of Davao. He, however, viewed the US Coast Guard “advance info” relayed informally as just “a plan” and that “we still have time to rectify the (port security) deficiencies”. He said such deficiencies were noted by the US Coast Guard “when they came here early this year to inspect the port of Davao”. The US Coast Guard imple-ments the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code which “we should adhere to,” Dela Cruz said. “When they came here, they

had findings on deficiencies in (Davao) port; may chance pa na-man na i-correct ito (There is a chance to correct this.),” he said. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


DSWD provides cash grant to 997 senior citizens in Davao Sur town

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has con-tinued to provide a monthly cash grant to 997 Social Pension ben-eficiaries in the municipality. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) here facilitates the provision of the cash assistance which usually takes place on the second week of the month. This time, the 22 barangays are divided into three groups to avoid overcrowding at the MSWD office. “The pensioners coming from the first seven barangays – Dalawi-non, Kanapolo, Kasuga, Mabini, New Opon, Upper Bala, and Blocon -- are advised to come on August 11 while the schedule for the other seven barangays will be on August 12 and the remaining six barangays will be on August 13,” Zaldy Bueno, Senior Citizen focal person said. Social Pension is a government program that provides Php500-monthly stipend to indigent se-nior citizens aged 77 years old and above. The National Household Target-ing System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), also known as “Listahan-an,” is an information management system that the government uses in

identifying who and where the poor are. The NHTS-PR aims to address poverty through a scientific and tar-get-focused strategy. Identification of social pension-ers was based on the Listahanan da-tabase and listing submitted by the Local Social Welfare Officers, and the Federation of Senior Citizens in the various localities. The Social Pension for indigent senior citizens is one of the provi-sions under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citi-zens Act of 2010. (CDIO-Magsaysay/Anthony S. Allada)


Solar power plant in S. Cotabato to begin operation in NovemberBy:Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 13 (PIA) -- The first solar power plant in South Cotabato is expected to start com-mercial operations in November, an official of the nv vogt Group announced.

On Wednesday, Aug 12, nv vogt Philip-pines Solar Energy One Inc., and the lo-cal government units of Surallah town and South Cotabato province and other part-ners break ground at the 8-hectare site in Barangay Centrala, Surallah to kick off the construction of the 5 megawatt solar harvester in the area.

“The Surallah solar power plant will generate 5 megawatts of electricity,” said Reynaldo Casas, president for projects of nv vogt Philippines.

The power plant will be connected to the grid via the South Cotabato 1 Electric Co-operative (SOCOTECO 1) substation in Ba-rangay Dajay.

Casas noted that the plant consists of 23,000 solar panels capable of generat-ing 9 million kilowatts (kWh) of electricity in one year or 175 kWh over the next 20 years.

In addition, the plant will also offset


100,000 tons of carbon di-oxide, he pointed out.

“We expect the plant to run commercially by November,” he stated. “In November it should already augment the power shortage in South Cotabato.

Aside from generating elec-tricity, Casas added, the solar power harvesting facility, being the first in South Cotabato, could easily become a tourist destination particularly for lo-cal and foreign students who


would like to study solar power generation.

Meanwhile, Santiago Tu-dio, general manager of SO-COTECO 1, emphasized the project would benefit all the residents of South Cotabato as the area is expected to experi-ence longer power interrup-tions until 2016 due to reduced capacity of the hydropower plants in Northern Mindanao.

Tapping on solar power, he added, would address this power supply shortage and reduce the cooperative’s de-pendence on diesel and coal-powered sources.

“About 80 percent or around 4 MW of the electric-ity generated by the Surallah solar power plant will be al-located to SOCOTECO 1,” he said. This will be used at peak hours during day time.

nv vogt Philippines, Casas elaborated, has already in-stalled a 7-kilometer transmis-sion line that would link the plant to the SOCOTECO 1 sub-station.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, the power develop-ing firm will immediately install the ground-mounted solar panels.

An engineer of the project

assured they will be able to complete installation of the 23,000 solar panels in only three months.

nv vogt is headquartered in Singapore and is involved in developing solar plants in the Asian region with initial focus in the Philippines and India. It also eyes expansions in Thai-land, Indonesia and Malaysia.

To come up with the solar power project in Surallah, nv vogt has to comply with over 150 permits, according to SO-COTECO 1 General Santiago Tudio.

Casas disclosed that nv vogt spends US$12 million to es-tablish the 5MW Surallah solar power plant.

He admitted that they could not have been successful in this initiative without the aid of the provincial government led by Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes and 2nd District Rep-resentative Ferdinand Hernan-dez, Surallah Mayor Antonio Bendita and the endorsement of SOCOTECO 1.

nv vogt Philippines plans to expand the project with anoth-er 5MW solar plant in a nearby site if ensuing conditions will be favorable, Casas added. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


Php19.9-M marketing center for farmers soon to be operational in Sultan Kudarat By:Aida C Agad

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat, Aug 13 – A Php19.9-M information and marketing facility will soon be operational in Sultan Kudarat prov-ince.

The Agrarian Information and Marketing Center (AIM-C) is expected to help farmers with their information and marketing needs.

Located in Barrio 2 in Ta-curong City, AIM-C is a project under the Agrarian Reform In-frastructure Support Project III (ARISP III).

It is funded by the Japan Banking International Coopera-tion (JBIC) and implemented by the Department of Agrarian Re-form (DAR) in coordination with local government units.

The total project cost of AIM-C is Php 19,875,076.00. About 30% of which or a total of Php 5,884,346.00 is from ARISP III and the other 70% amounting to Php 13,990,730.00 is from the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Sultan Kudarat.

Portion of the PLGU coun-

terpart includes site devel-opment works amounting to Php 1,556,857.00, right-of-way costs amounting to Php 4,500,00.00 and 10-year op-eration and maintenance cost amounting to Php 6,000,000.00. Other costs also include pre-en-gineering, supervision and ad-ministrative costs.

According to Rodolfo Alburo, Provincial Agrarian Reform Pro-gram Officer II, the construction of the building is already com-pleted. He, however clarified that some works, such as the construction of the perimeter fence and site improvements have yet to be performed by the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat as portion of their coun-terpart to the said project.

Alburo said that as soon as the fencing and site improve


COTABATO CITY, August 13—Consistent with the national gov-ernment’s thrust of improved quality of life of many Filipinos, the Commission on Population, Region XII (POPCOM XII) in collabo-ration with the provincial and city population offices and program partners continue a relentless information campaign to further

POPCOM XII pursues family planning and responsible parenthood campaignBy:Perlita B. Changco

ments are completed the turnover will be scheduled.

Meanwhile, Engr. Farhad Cor-dero of the Provincial Engineer-ing Office said that they are now finalizing the Program of Works (POW) for the construction of the perimeter fence and for oth-er improvements.

He added that their office will commence with the construc-tion as soon as the POW is ap-proved.

AIM-C is equipped with office space, conference room, store room, display room for products of member-organizations, ware-house for storage of consolidat-ed farm produce, motor poll for farm machineries and informa-tion database for all products in the province.

PARPO Alburo said that the

facility will be operated and managed by Sultan Kudarat ARB Network (SKARBNET), a provin-cial federation of ARB organiza-tions.

He added that with the fea-tures of AIM-C, SKARBNet is expected to operate and help its members better particularly on the information and marketing needs, as well as to improve the quality of services extended to its member organizations.

Alburo revealed that on the date of AIM-C turnover to SKARBNet, DAR will also turn over heavy-duty farm machiner-ies to the same ARBO to maxi-mize its potential in bringing change to the lives of farmers in the province. (JJB Dael, DAR-Sultan Kudarat/ACAgad PIA 12)


In line with the celebration of Family Planning Month, the re-gional PopCom office is working closely with LGUs and program partners in the region to provide critical information on different family planning methods and responsible parenthood through responsible parenthood pro-gram, pre-marriage counseling seminars, family development sessions and other related pro-grams and activities.

Based on the 2013 Nation Demographic Health Survey, 15.6 percent of currently mar-ried women in Region XII have unmet needs for family planning of which 7.6 percent need birth spacing while 8.0 percent need limiting births.

Further, 57.5 percent of wom-en in the region have met needs for contraception, presently us-ing a method.

Data indicated that 15.2 percent use contraception to delay next birth and 42.3 per-cent want to stop childbearing; 73 percent of women expressed satisfaction on the demand for family planning intervention.

According 2013 NDHS, un-met needs for family planning

refer to fecund women who are not using contraception but who wish or interested to postpone or delay the next birth (spacing) or stop (limit) childbearing alto-gether.

Anchored on the theme “Ang Pamilyang Pilipino: Kapag Pla-nado, Panalo” RPO XII assures enhanced partnerships and fur-ther strengthen program imple-mentation in addressing the unmet need for family planning and enables parents to delib-erately and responsibly decide their desired family size based on informed choices based on their social and economic capac-ity. (EVI-RPO XII/PBChangco-PIA XII)

raise the level of awareness focusing on the importance of family planning and responsible parenthood.

Documents

One Mindanao - August 13, 2015