One Mindanao - August 18, 2014

Jeanevive Duron-AbanganSOUTHERN MINDANAO

Waging Critical Awareness on Climate Change

COVER STORY

Malacanang: Bangsamoro Basic Law a priority

ComVal receives P12 Million check for its water system project in Laak

Caraga RCWC gears up preparation for 2014 Children’s Month celeb

DAR SurSur to train agrarian coops on basic accounting

by Mary May A. Abellon

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

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Page 4

NATIONAL

Information to Empower Filipinos

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SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Sibugay PPOC beefs up CLIP implementation

Baldoz lauds DOLE 12 for its Online SPES System

San Fernando communities benefit from ‘potable water’ project under GPBP

Bonifacio, MisOcc poverty-reduction projects under BUB 2013 set at P12.4M

by Danilo E. Doguiles

by Ana Celeste Waban Felisilda

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

WESTERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

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Almost three decades have passed but the phrase “global warming and climate change”

still has to create real significance in the minds of the Filipino majority. Climate Change Commissioner Vice Chairperson Lucille Sering noted this in her talk in August last year during a seminar on “Building Critical Mass Awareness of Climate Change – engaging Media, Advertising and Entertainment Sectors”. While

Discussions on Climate Change first came up in late 1980s when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was created in 1988. The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations

Environment Program (UNEP) set it up to prepare for mitigation strategies addressing the adverse impact of climate change. (https://www.ipcc.ch/organization/organization_history.shtml).

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan


some Filipinos had been affected by the catastrophic impact of adverse weather conditions due to climate change, a portion of the Philippine population still failed to fully understand climate change (http://www.eco-business.com/news/c l imate-change-philippines-biggest-awareness-campaign/). This concern is being addressed by the Philippine Information Agency which has embarked into massive information and education campaign on climate change. Together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), it endeavors to shake the consciousness of every Filipino to understand and to prepare for the adverse impact of climate change on the lives of their families. PIA Davao Region has been into this drive since 2010 and it even pushes disaster

preparedness at the household level. But this year, PIA Davao Region has leveled up its efforts to make global warming and climate change, a buzz word of adaptation and a push button for preparedness of every Dabawenyo household. In tie-up with DENR, this year PIA Davao Region started off its grassroots climate change information drive with local government information officers and with information officers of key national government agencies at the provincial level. It conducted the Orientation/ Briefing on Climate Change for Government Information Officers from June 19 to 21 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. T h e event presented an opportune time for Retired Brig. General Loreto Rirao, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI to discuss “The Role of Information Officers in the Incident Command System”.

The information officers took a side trip to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Compostela Valley where they were briefed on “Communication and Information System of Comval PDRRMC”. The Davao del Norte PDDRMO also took time discussing with them the Oplan ANDAM (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management)-- the key disaster risk reduction management program of the provincial government. On August 05, local chief executives and local chief representatives in the Davao Region signed a pledge of commitment to advance the advocacy on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Attending the Public Advocacy on Climate Change for Local Chief Executives, they signed the “LakasLikasan Pledge of Local Chief Executives” which stated their vow of commitment to go an extra mile of safeguarding the environment. The signing of the pledge wrapped up the one-day forum on climate change for LCEs organized by the Regional Task Force on Public Advocacy on Climate Change and held at the Social Hall of the University of

Southern Philippines (USEP) Bo. Obrero Campus, Davao City. The Task Force is spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI. Among its members are the regional offices of the departments of Agriculture, Health, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) XI and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI. On August 13, PIA XI further waged its climate change information and education campaign to one of the most vulnerable sectors--- the Indigenous Peoples (IPs). It forged a strategic partnership with the municipal government of Sto. Tomas which at that time, was celebrating its 55th year founding anniversary.

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More than 250 IPs from the communities of Ata-Manobo, Mansaka, Dibabawon and those resettling from Agusan attended the Climate Change Orientation/Briefing which formed a major part of the Indigenous People’s Day that the municipal government lined up as part of the town’s 55th Founding Anniversary celebration. PIA XI Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena deemed it fitting to hold a discussion on climate change with IPs noting that most of their communities were found vulnerable to disaster due to their locations. A research paper entitled “Indigenous People’s and Climate Change Adaption in Asia” published by the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact (AIPP) in 2012 noted that IP communities were usually residing either in low-lying areas, high mountainous areas, flood plains or in temperate forest zones at risk of “climatic uncertainties and unpredictability” of extreme weather conditions such as cyclones, floods and prolonged droughts. On top of this situation, most members IP communities can be considered lacking of

critical mass awareness on climate change because they live in far-flung communities that can hardly be reached either by traditional or modern means of communication. Same with the LCEs, leaders who attended the Briefing/Orientation on Climate Change also signed a commitment to help agencies of the government spread awareness on the adverse impact of climate change. They also vowed to stay true to their commitment to nourish the environment. The PIA Davao Region will continue taking strides to bring down to the community and even at the household levels, its information drive on climate change. It strives to make people fully understand climate change, moving them to prepare for the adverse impact of the new normal weather conditions.

AUGUST 2014 | PAGE 8

Palace pleased with the repatriation of 766 Filipinos from Libya

“Ikinalulugod naming ibahagi ang ulat ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hinggil sa maayos na pagbabalik ng 766 na Pilipino mula sa Libya,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a press briefing over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday. According to Coloma, the repatriated Filipinos where first brought to Malta via chartered ship, then flew to Manila via Philippine Airlines through the cooperation of the DFA, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. He added that the government is committed in bringing home Filipinos from Libya as the heavy fighting between rival militias continues.

Data from DFA shows that the total of repatriated Filipinos now have reached 2,727. The government continues to urge Filipinos in Libya as well as their relatives in the country to coordinate with authorities to bring them home safely. “Nananawagan muli ang pamahalaan sa lahat ng mga Pilipino na nananatili sa Libya na makipag-ugnayan sa embahada sa Tripoli at magparehistro na para matulungang makabalik sa bansa sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Coloma. Contact details of the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, Libya are as follows: (00218) 918-244-208 / (00218) 914-370-399 / (00218) 945-348-481 with email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]. PND

Malacañang has expressed its satisfaction over the repatriation of 766 Filipinos

from Libya.


Malacanang: Bangsamoro Basic Law a priority

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., told reporters in a press briefing over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that Malacanang will submit the draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law to Congress the soonest possible time. “Bibigyan ito ng Pangulo ng prayoridad na atensyon upang maihain sa Kongreso ang draft Bangsamoro Basic Law sa lalong madaling panahon, alinsunod sa timetable,” said Coloma. The government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) both issued a statement that they will submit the draft to Malacanang on 18 August 2014. Based on the timetable, there is still ample

time for ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress, in time for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transitional Assembly and a plebiscite in 2016. “Bagama’t may pagkaantala sa pagbubuo ng draft BBL, hindi natitinag ang determinasyon ni Pangulong Aquino hinggil sa pagkumpleto ng prosesong pangkapayapaan na maghahatid ng pangmatagalang estabilidad at kaunlaran sa Bangsamoro,” said Coloma. The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed on March 27. The agreement ended the decades-long conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of people in Muslim Mindanao. PND

Malacanang said on Sunday that President Benigno Aquino III will give due priority to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) once it reaches his office.


2,000 youths join þrst national youth confab in CDO

About 2,000 youths from all over the country are attending the first national youth convention Saturday and Sunday in this seaport capital of Northern Mindanao, organizers said.

Paula Atienza, the convention program director, said the two-day gathering is aimed at exploring the potentials of the young generation as future leaders of the country. The participants are composed of high school and college students, along with young professionals, Atienza said, adding that 16 resource speakers who are experts in their own fields and industries have been invited to share their insights and expectations with the future leaders. Atienza said the participants would be exposed to various activities that would, hopefully, awaken their creativity and ingenuity in the handling of various

situations. “There would be a lot of contests and competitions among the youths who bring with them a wealth of regional cultures and traditions,” Atienza said. She said that the organizers have chosen Cagayan De Oro City as the venue of the historic meeting of the country’s future leaders because of accessibility and neutrality. Among the prominent invited guests are Senators Francis Escudero and Loreen Legarda, and television news presenter Corina Sanchez, Atienza said.

Sta. Cruz steadfast to boost economic enterprise

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur – The municipality of Sta. Cruz is in the process of fi-nalizing its Local Economic Enterprise strategic plan which is expected to boost the existing local enterpris-es of the municipality. In a recent two-day workshop at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, all unit personnel of the local economic enterprise offices had presented their respective operation plans. Mayor Joel Ray Lopez said that the operation of economic enterprises is crucial to the overall economic development of Sta. Cruz as this will eventually generates more local revenue to the municipality. “While we recognize that local government is basically to provide services to the people, there is also

a need for us to craft a mechanism to allow the LGU to gain local income and one way to make it workable is to enhance the operation of local economic enterprises,” the mayor stated.

Part of the workshop output was the presentation and discussion of the proposed rental fees of the economic enterprise units, as well as the draft of the proposed Local Economic Code of Sta. Cruz. Sta. Cruz is presently operating seven economic enterprises namely: Public Market, Public Transport Terminal, Municipal Slaughterhouse, Municipal Cemetery, Municipal Training Center, Municipal Waterworks and Operation of Heavy Equipment. (CDIO-Sta. Cruz/Julius R. Paner/CLC, PIA-11)


ComVal receives P12 Million check for its water system project in LaakCOMPOSTELA VALLEY PROV-INCE-----The province of Compostela Valley received a P12 Million worth of check from the national government through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the “Expansion of Potable Water System Proj-ects” in Brgy. Kapatagan and Poblacion Laak. It is from the PAMANA (Payapa at Masagananang Pamayanan) Program which is part of the Peace-Building Initiatives implemented by the government through the Department of National Defense (DND). On July 21, 2014 at the Capitol Lobby, a ceremonial turnover of the said check was done with the presence of DILG Region XI Director Wilhelm Suyco and DILG Provincial Director Liborio Diana. Comval Governor Arturo T. Uy expressed his gratefulness

and appreciation for the various programs and projects implemented by the national government in Compostela Valley. According to Assistant PAGRO Chief Manolo Serafin Cayme, the Team Leader for Special Projects Implementation in ComVal, the given check is just the 80% of the P15 Million budget for such mentioned water system projects in Laak as allocated to Brgy. Poblacion- P9.3 Million and Brgy. Kapatagan- P5.7 Million. He further said that this year, implemented PAMANA projects in ComVal has reached to P75 Million allocation by the Palace through the DILG. The P60 Million of it is used for the on going road rehabilitation in Bukal-Panoraon Farm to Market Road (FMR). (Grace Almedilla, IDS-Comval)


regional gallery

An indak-indak (street dancing) participant breaks out a smile during a break at the indak-indak sa kadalanan. one of the major events of Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival (photo by Rudolph Alama)

CSC-COMEX system launched in Caraga regionby Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY - Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga has finally launched the Com-puterized Examination (COMEX) System here on Thursday and anyone interested to get a Civil Service Eligibility can now apply online.


CSC-COMEX system launched in Caraga region

The CSC-COMEX is designed and developed to unite all previous stand-alone examination process into a single, automated examination system. Basically, CSC-COMEX is a replacement of then Computer-Aided Test (CAT). “With CSC-COMEX, we are actually giving people the option of how they want to undergo the test depending on their personal preference, either in written or though COMEX. They can get the advantage of faster and easier process in this innovative system,” bared CSC commissioner Robert Martinez in a press conference. Martinez said that CSC-COMEX works on five modules: 1st: Examination Account Registration (EAR); 2nd: Examination Slot Reservation (ESR); 3rd: Examination Slot Confirmation (ESC); 4th: Actual Test Program (ATP); & 5th: Test Result Processing (TRP). The CSC-COMEX examination

will be conducted quarterly and examinees with consecutive failed results may opt to retake provided that he or she have taken the same level of exam within the last three months, announced Martinez. Meanwhile, CSC Caraga regional director Resurreccion Pueyo said that while others are hesitant to the savvy way of taking an eligibility examination, COMEX system proves to be simple and user-friendly. “It is an integration of modern facilities with secured data storage and is tamper-proof,” assured Pueyo. CSC Examination, Recruitment and Placement Officer (ERPO) director Fernando Porio explained that the sets of testing materials are pre-tested. He said, examinees get a mixed of easy, moderate and difficult levels of questions in the test questionnaire and that they follow a particular test specification. At CSC-Caraga testing center, there are 20 computer units available for the CSC-COMEX exam. P600 will be charged for the examination fee and P80 for photo generation, a total of P680. As mentioned by Porio, CSC-COMEX can cater around 50,000 examinees per year in the entire country when fully operationalized. “As of this time, there are five remaining regions that have yet to formally introduce CSC-COMEX. These are regions III, XI, IX, NCR and ARMM,” he said. Applicants shall create a user account in the COMEX website


The objective of this year’s celebration is to emphasize the important role of the child within the Filipino Family and in nation building. The month-long celebration will kick-off on October 4 with a Thanksgiving Mass at 5:30 a.m., to be followed with a Fun Walk activity from the city’s Guingona Park going to

the Provincial Capitol Covered Court, where the program proper will be held. According to Aldie Mae Andoy, RCWC focal person of DSWD-Caraga, the fun walk activity is dubbed “Awareness Walk on Children’s Rights.” “It will be held simultaneously at the national and regional levels

Caraga RCWC gears up preparation for 2014 Children’s Month celeb by Jennifer P. Gaitano BUTUAN CITY - The Regional Committee for the Welfare of Chil-dren (RCWC) led by the Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD) has stepped up preparations for this year’s National Children’s Month celebration in October.

www.comex.csc.gov.ph/user. For further queries, you may contact CSC Caraga COMEX in-charge

at telefax (085) 815-9459; 815-3370; 342-6089; 225-6097; or email at [email protected].


Caraga RCWC gears up preparation for 2014 Children’s Month celeb

through the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children and at all local government units in partnership with the Liga ng mga Barangay, Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines and the Vice Governors’ League of the Philippines,” relayed Andoy. Andoy further bared that in Butuan City, participants of the walk are the student leaders in high schools; street children; children in conflict with the law; victims of child labor; and the Pantawid children. During the short program, DSWD Caraga regional director Minda Brigoli will deliver her welcome remarks while inspirational messages will also be given by Agusan del Norte 1st district representative Lawrence Lemuel Fortun; Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba; and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. Also, the Department of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG) will be awarding the eligible local government units (LGUs) in Butuan and Agusan del Norte for the Child Friendly Local Governance while other LGUs will be awarded simultaneously by the Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) of their respective areas. Meanwhile, the member-agencies also agreed to conduct the following: 1) Regional Children’s Congress; 2) Forum with Legislators; and 3) TV/Radio guestings, among others. Said celebration is anchored on the theme, “Bata Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga!” It highlights the children’s rights to participation and encourage stakeholders to promote and advocate for children’s participation in decision-making process at all levels specifically at home, family and community.


According to DAR-Surigao Sur information officer Myra Yu, the said training aims to give additional knowledge and enhance capabilities of the cooperative members and officers who are in-charge in the preparation of financial statement and other related transactions. The training will be divided into two batches to be held separately in Tandag City and the municipality of Barobo. Expected participants are the Treasurers, Bookkeepers and Audit Inventory Committee of the cooperatives. Speakers are from VICTO National Cooperative Federation and Development Center in Cebu City.

Accordingly, this is also one of the requirements during the conduct of Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) Level of Development Assessment (ALDA) in evaluating the maturity and stability of the cooperatives. Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Benjamin Mataksil believes that this training will improve the literacy of the cooperative members in handling their financial operations. It was learned that the said endeavour is part of the various support services in empowering the farmer beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.


TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - The Department of Agrarian Re-form (DAR) Provincial Office of Surigao del Sur will spearhead a week-long training on Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants to the 22 assisted cooperatives of the province on August 18 – 23, 2014.


For more details visit us: DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph

Best PDRRMC in Region 12 is SaranganiGENERAL SANTOS CITY - Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) accepts the award for the 2014 Gawad Kalasag in provincial level within Region 12 following the Search for Excel-lence in Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Humanitarian Assistance held at Sun City Suites Friday, August 15. Also in photo are Sarangani Board Member Elmer De Peralta (extreme left); Minda Morante (2nd from left), chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council; regional vice chairman for disas-ter preparedness Reynaldo Bangubung (3rd from right), and Rene Punzalan (2nd from right), Sarangani PDRMMO. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - Labor and Employment Secretary Ro-salinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has ordered the replication of the agency’s first Internet-based Quality Management System (IQMS) developed by its re-gional office in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

Baldoz orders replication of DOLE 12’s pioneering Internet-based QMS

Baldoz, who visited the DOLE 12’s field office in General Santos City heaped praises on the DOLE 12, headed by Regional Director Ofelia Bautista-Domingo, for implementing this management innovation that eliminates 75 percent of paperwork requirements, enhances transparency, simplifies DOLE transactions, and enhances the region’s services delivery capability.

“This is a first in the DOLE which all DOLE offices should already replicate,” said Baldoz.

She then issued a directive to DOLE Assistant Secretary Katherine Brimon to take a look at the IQMS of the DOLE 12 for adoption in other offices of the department nationwide.

Baldoz noted that even the auditors of the Certification International Philippines, Inc. which is the ISO-certifying body of the DOLE 12, has observed the improvements.

“There are commendable improvements already done and planned to update and improve the services and functionality of the IQMS processes . . . These improvements, if benchmarked and institutionalized in all DOLE regional offices, will further improve the delivery of services and programs and make information

readily accessible,” the CIPI said in its August 2014 audit report.

A brainchild of Director Domingo, the IQMS was developed by in-house IT staff after attending after attending a series of training conducted by an external provider in April 2013

It became operational in November with Secretary Baldoz leading the launch.

The IQMS is based on the Google Cloud system application, which means all transactions for public consumption can be accessed.

Since it is interactive, it allows regional personnel to input, update, edit, and view data online and in a click of a computer mouse, or even hand-held Android mobile devices, such as phones and tablets.

“With our IQMS, our clients can have easy access to and control of relevant information on their DOLE transactions. For our staff, it will increase--and indeed, it had increased productivity,” said Director Domingo as she described the IQMS to the Secretary.

She said the IQMS has a portal which houses various documents, such as the regional office’s quality and operations manuals which outlines the organizational profile,


scope, applications and definitions, mandatory processes, core processes, support processes, and review and improvement processes.

It also houses various cloud systems, such as the DOLE XII Online Databank e-Reports, Record Registry Tracking System, Human Resource Information System, Labor Case Tracking System, Online Special Program for Employment of Students, and the Online Registration of Worker’s Association.

“This will clearly enhance our services, increase productivity, and promote transparency in governance,” Baldoz remarked during the briefing-

orientation.“Since this system is paperless, it

should be adopted to increase our productivity. But we need to add a very effective monitoring and evaluation system in the IQMS structure to measure the progress of the transformation of our beneficiaries,” she added.

The IQMS was one of the management innovations and best practices presented by the Internal Affairs Cluster at the DOLE 2014 Mid-year Performance Assessment held in Iloilo City last week. (DOLE 12/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Baldoz lauds DOLE 12 for its Online SPES System By: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Although only 12 of the 79 Pub-lic Employment Services Offices (PESO) in SOCCSKSARGEN Region have been institutionalized, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 12) comes first in innovating the agency’s the Special Program for Employment of Students with its trailblazing Online SPES.

Online SPES is an internet-based system, developed by DOLE 12 to fast track all the processes involved in DOLE’s flagship program which provides short-term employment to poor but deserving students.

The same has gained the praise of Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in her visit in General Santos City Tuesday.

Regional Director Ofelia Domingo guided Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz though the Online SPES, which

is one of the four systems in DOLE 12 Portal that connects and houses the systems in the regional office’s Internet-based Quality Management Systems (IQMS).

“The main objective of the Online SPES is to fast track the payment of the forty percent share of the DOLE in the wages of SPES beneficiaries,” Director Domingo told the secretary.

“But more than that, it also seeks to fast track SPES registration, create an accurate database of SPES beneficiaries,


make transparent SPES pledges, and monitor overall SPES implementation.”

The region’s Online SPES is an automated process developed by an external provider in March 2014 and became operational in May 2014.

As a system, the Online SPES provides for registration of students or out-of-school youths, pledging of employer and placement, filing of application, submission of requirements prior to employment, preparation of terminal reports and payroll system after the employment, and monitoring and payment of wages of the beneficiaries.

“Aside from the payment for SPES beneficiaries, the online system also monitors and documents progress of SPES ‘babies’ and strengthens our linkages with PESOs, employers, and beneficiaries,” Domingo explained further.

“It also allows the DOLE regional finance unit to process payroll of SPES beneficiaries efficiently, thus eliminating delay, enhancing transparency in all transactions, and increasing collaboration among and between stakeholders,” she added.

Another special feature of the system is its provision for posting of vacancies and announcements related to SPES as well as on-line generation of SPES-related reports.

It is also linked to the websites of the DOLE Central Office, DOLE Regional Office No. 12, PhilJobNet, as well as other social networking sites, such as Twitter and YouTube.

Through the Online SPES, Domingo continued, beneficiaries can be provided with unique identification and and access.

She said it has a modern and user-friendly interface, touch screen feature, and mobile responsive design.

It even has a Facebook site which allows SPES “babies’ to submit and post their experiences and success stories.

After the briefing, Baldoz praised DOLE 12 for this initiative, which she said makes the SPES accessible to many DOLE clients.

“The Online SPES should be replicated in other DOLE regional offices to resolve delays on the payment of the wages of SPES beneficiaries and to reduce voluminous paper work,” Secretary Baldoz said.

She also commended the regional office for signing an agreement with remittance giant, MLhuillier Financial Services, which serves as payment center for the wages of SPES beneficiaries.

Baldoz directed Director Domingo to present the Online SPES at the forthcoming PESO Congress.

She also instructed DOLE Undersecretary Rebecca Chato to draft an order defining other forms of payment that can be considered as education vouchers.

“PESOs nationwide, as well as DOLE regional offices, should benchmark their SPES systems with the Online SPES of the DOLE 12,” she said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOLE 12)

UN-OCHA to honor Zambo ‘humanitarian heroes’ on Aug. 19By Dominic I. SanchezZAMBOANGA CITY – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and other UN agencies in the city will honor five local “humanitarian heroes” who have served during and after the September 2013 siege on World Humanitarian Day tomorrow, Aug. 19.


UN-OCHA Zamboanga Hub head Ben Pickering told the media Thursday, Aug. 14, that aside from honoring five local humanitarians, the event further seeks to trigger more discussions on humanitarian work especially among the youth. “The point (of the activity) is to start an awareness (on humanitarian work). This is just a start (to get the discussions going),” Pickering explained. According to Pickering, students from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and the Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) were engaged to nominate five persons who, from their perspective have demonstrated outstanding performance in humanitarian work

for the internally displaced persons here. Criteria for selection include the four principles of humanitarian work: neutrality, humanity, independence and impartiality. Asked why only students were engaged considering the possibility of partiality and biases for their nominations, Pickering replied that “this is a modest activity, one that we can actually manage”. However, he stressed that they welcome disagreements over the nominations, since this is an indication that people would have become more interested in humanitarian work. Pickering believes that through this first-time event in Zamboanga, the interest and discussions would spread especially in the social media. World Humanitarian Day has


been celebrated every year in commemoration of the 2003 bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad where 22 people were killed. “It is a day to honor humanitarians who have lost their lives helping others and to those who continue to serve,” Pickering explained. In 2013, fifty million people were displaced as a result of violence and other disasters. This is six million more compared to 2012. Thousands were displaced in Zamboanga alone last year. “We need to reach out and gain more supporters for humanitarian work since the need

for them continues to increase,” Pickering furthered. He pointed out that humanitarians work in extremely difficult conditions, and many are subjected to violence themselves. “The spotlight is on the humanitarians on August 19. We honor them and recognize the very important work that they do.” Pickering invited netizens to join the online discussions and use the following hash tags “#TheWorldNeedsMore #HumanitarianHeroes” in social media, which is also this year’s World

Sibugay PPOC beefs up CLIP implementationBy Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) here convened on Wednesday, Aug. 13, for its 3rd Quarter Meeting whose main agenda was strengthening the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) implementation for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Retired CSupt. Miguel A. Bernante, Executive Assistant for Peace and Order and Public Safety presided over the meeting


which started with a security briefing and orientation on the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN) organizational structure by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Regular members of the NPA who have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of society including their spouses, partners, children (legitimate or illegitimate) parents or siblings can apply for the program. “Enrolment to the CLIP will not exempt former rebels from criminal and civil liabilities,” said Ms. Cherlita A. Garate, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer. The CLIP is a locally-driven government initiative that seeks to contribute toward achieving the goal of permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state

armed groups. It aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of former rebels as productive citizens. Arnel F. Gudio of DILG-Zambo Sibugay said RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, mandates LGUs to provide social welfare services which include programs and projects for rebel returnees. The activity ended with the creation of the Provincial CLIP Committee who shall oversee and monitor CLIP implementation in the province as well as ensure convergent efforts in the delivery of identified services of the program. Also present during the PPOC Meeting were Col. Ignacio A. Obligacion, commanding officer of 102nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, PSupt Kenneth H. Mission of the PNP, and other members of the PPOC.

Misamis Oriental turns over another seven emergency response vehiclesby PIO MisOrMISAMIS ORIENTAL - The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has turned another seven emergency response vehicles to barangays of the first district on Thursday, August 14.


San Fernando communities benefit from ‘potable water’ project under GPBPby Ana Celeste Waban Felisilda

SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon - Two remote villages in San Fernando municipality are now benefiting from the potable water system project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Mayor Levi C. Edma said the two barangays are Cayaga and Matupe. He said the projects namely ‘Cayaga Potable Water System’ and ‘Matupe Potable Water System’ received P2.5 million and P2 million respectively. It was allotted through the DILG’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB), now known as Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP). The budget process originates from the actual needs of the people, thus insuring that funds are spent wisely for priority projects. To ensure full implementation

of the water system projects, San Fernando local government also allocated P450,000 as minimum required equity. “Today, with the realization of the projects, the communities were empowered to safeguard and give utmost importance of their water system,” the mayor said. Bruce A. Colao, DILG provincial director, meanwhile, said despite the bounty of springs and abundant water sources in Bukidnon, still we are facing problems on gaining access to clean and safe water supply

This is part of Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano’s goal of providing emergency response vehicles to all barangays of the province. “Ako gayud isiguro nga sa panahon sa emerhensiya, adunay magamit ang mga tao nga sakyanan aron magdala kanila, ehemplo paingon sa mga balay tambalanan,” (This is to ensure there is a vehicle that can be used by the residents in emergencies

and bring them to health facilities) the Governor said. Beneficiaries are barangays of San Juan, Dansuli, Quezon, Kibanban, and 1, Balingasag and barangays of Valdeconcha and Mabini, Binuangan. As of press time, Capitol has turned over 34 emergency response vehicles to 34 barangays of the first district.


Bonifacio, MisOcc poverty-reduction projects under BUB 2013 set at P12.4M by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental - Some P12,400,000 have been allocated to the local government, here, for implementation of poverty reduction projects, under the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) Process, last year.

sometimes due to apathy in terms of water conservation efforts. He explained that the GPBP program involves the civil society organizations (CSOs) in project identification and planning process, thus communities realize that partly, they also own it. In a press release, DILG said the GPBP program aims

to accelerate progress of the Millennium Development Goal by supporting efforts of the national government, local authorities, and citizen’s groups to tackle poverty and inequality, which is in line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s program on inclusive and sustained economic growth.

This actually represents 7.37 percent of P168,100,000, the total amount of BUB projects for Misamis Occidental in 2013, undertaken by six national government agencies (NGA’s), in the municipality. Listed under the 2013 BUB project implementation were 20 projects, all aimed to reduce poverty in Bonifacio, Sanivier G. Patoc, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), said. Meanwhile, Patoc said of these projects were undertaken by six national government agencies (NGA’s): Department of Agriculture (DA), which had the highest

allocation of P5,750,000 for six projects. This was followed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P2,100,000, for five projects and Department of Education (DepEd), P2,000,000, for one project. The other NGA’s had the following allocations: DILG, P1,400,000, for four projects, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), P850,000, also for four projects and Department of Agricultural Reform (DAR), P300,000 for one project, Patoc added.

Documents

One Mindanao - August 18, 2014