One Mindanao - August 24, 2015

AgSur elementary school receives additional classrooms from ASELCO-Aboitiz CSR

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“We have a lot of success stories to tell,” says ZAMSURECO manager

New BOC rules on balikbayan boxes not meant to target OFWs—Palace

Plans for ARMM employees during

Bangsamoro transition ready

DSWD 11 assures the availability of standby fund for calamities

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

InFocus

Southern

By: ASELCO

By: Loraine C. Brillantes

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

By: Catherine T. ApelacioO

UR C

OV

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‘Pisay’ reminds Grade 6 pupils of 2015 NCE application deadline

City Vet to pet owners: Vaccinate your dogs

108 Tagbina farmers get land titles from DAR

Food Innovation Center to raise safety, quality standard - DTI

contents

19

Volume 5 * Issue No. 1

By: Joie L. Ceballos

By: Alma L. Tingcang

10

25

Maluso folks join earthquake-tsunami drill42Western

By: Rene V. Carbayas39

28 YesPinoy Foundation searching for scholarsBy CMICruz

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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]

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTS GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 August 24, 2015ONE MINDANAO

“We have a lot of success stories to tell,” says ZAMSURECO manager

Cover Story

By: Alma L. Tingcang

5August 24, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Many writers dream of writing from a young age. But are we born with a literary gift, or is it a skill honed over many years?


Surely for good writers, words would just flow perfectly from brain to page with effortless grace. And when we read the amazing books of our favorite authors, we wonder how we can ever be that good.

The writeshop

ZAMSURECO-I General Manager Jose Raul A. Saniel said electric cooperatives in the Zamboanga Peninsula region have various programs that need to be disseminated to the public.He particularly mentioned the Sitio Electrification and Barangay Line

Enhancement Programs, which were given priority by President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III as part of his administration’s social contract with the Filipino people.

“We have a lot of success stories to tell to the people. Thus, we need information officers to write press releases and disseminate these stories to the public,” Saniel said.

Tapping the Philippine Information Agency-9 as partner to hone the skills of info officers, a 3-day Journalistic Workshop was sponsored by ZAMSURECO


I which was attended by info officers of electric coops in the ZamPen region.

“I am grateful to ZAMSURECO I General Manager Jose Raul Saniel for initiating this activity. We may not be like the PIA writers but surely we have learned the important tools. Hopefully, this will not be the end of gatherings and trainings like this but this will only be the beginning. I am also glad that we were able to organize a core group for information officers of electric coops in ZamPen,” Paul James G. Jauculan of ZANECO quoted.

ZAMPEN Electric Coops Press Corps

Elected officers of the newly organized ZamPen Electric Cooperatives Press Corps were : President - Azucena S. Lagura; Vice President for Print - Engr. Clifford Ferolin; VP for Broadcast - Paul James Jauculan; VP for Social Media - Jenalyn D. Catada; Secretary - Mary Ann T. Padilla; Treasurer - Mary Lioness R. Sabado; Auditor - Phil Adams G. Briones; PIO - Bjorn Pittsbie C. Macalua; and Business Managers - Jovito Pingca and Madelaine Lao.

Engr. Jose Raul Saniel


was grateful to the Philippine Information Agency IX for the partnership. “I am a very happy man, extremely satisfied with the turnout of this training,” he declared during the closing ceremony of the 3-day workshop held at the ZAMSURECO Heroes’ Hall.

Impressions

Ms. Azucena Lagura, one of the participants thanked the management of ZAMSURECO I and the ever supportive GM who encouraged them to join the

workshop.

“This training is very important, just what we need for the information, education and communication advocacy campaign to make people understand the real situation regarding power curtailment and other problems of our coops,” she declared.

Lagura added that in spite of the state of the art and high level gadgets they possess, its use is not maximized and the pivotal role of social media in information


dissemination among members/consumers is not amplified.“It’s not in the age, and it’s never too late to learn, but good for the young ones now because they learned about these things at an early age, they have been taught the techniques. And we have learned so much from this training which we can put to good use in our work,” Lagura stated

Verna D. Etoquilla of ZAMSURECO I said the concepts and steps in writing, photography tips, methods to observe and follow, choosing your subject to be able to get nice pics are simply useful in their work.

A Mass Communications graduate, Irish Jada C. Bernal found the writeshop very exciting and challenging. “The most important learning in this workshop is writing from your heart, not just from your head. The challenge is - let us be responsible writers and use the learnings for the good of our electric coops,” she emphasized.

“We have been facing a lot of challenges from our member consumers. But

what is important is that we are able to provide them with what is truthful. This should serve as an impetus for us and for the management to do something so that we will improve our image although this is not a panacea to the problems that we are having as regards our image to the member consumers,” Saniel stated.

“What you have now, the basic concepts, techniques, these are potent tools for you and for your respective coops. To the PIA team, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Let us continue improving ourselves. Learn more, excel in everything that you do. Let us not stop learning,” he emphasized


New voluntary SSS retirement fund attracts P1-M savings from over a hundred enrollees

QUEZON CITY -- Even with the nationwide rollout still a few weeks away, the Social Security System’s (SSS) new retirement savings program for local workers has already drawn over 100 enrollees, with total investments now past the P1-million mark since its limited launch in ten SSS branches in Metro Manila last May 2015.


SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration, Agnes San Jose, said a total of 163 members to date have invested P1.4 million in the SSS Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) Fund, a voluntary provident program enabling local workers to save for retirement in a tax-free facility with guaranteed earnings. “Since regular SSS contributions only cover a maximum income of P16,000, members with the capacity to save more now have an additional option to augment their retirement savings thru the SSS PESO Fund program. It is a risk-free investment that offers better returns as compared with bank deposits,” San Jose said. SSS branches that began accepting PESO Fund applications last May 5, the date of the program’s soft launch, include SSS Diliman, Cubao, San Francisco del Monte, Pasig-Shaw,

Mandaluyong, Taguig, Makati-Gil Puyat, Alabang, Legarda and Pasay-Roxas Boulevard. All SSS branches nationwide will implement the program by the end of September 2015, coinciding with the anniversary month of the SSS. San Jose said nearly 40 percent of current PESO Fund enrollees belong to the 31-40 bracket, while the youngest 21-30 age group has the least number of savers at only 15 percent. About 24 percent were from the 41-50 age group, and the oldest eligible age bracket of 51-54 accounted for 23 percent.

“Results of our soft launch so far have been encouraging. It is heartening to see members even from the young age bracket already starting to prepare for their retirement, as well as for future contingencies, on a voluntary basis thru the SSS O Fund program,” San Jose added


The SSS PESO Fund is open to local workers aged 54 and below who are registered as regular employees, self-employed, voluntary members or household helpers. To qualify, a member must have at least six monthly contributions in the 12-month period right before the month of PESO Fund enrollment, and has no final SSS claim such as retirement or total disability. “PESO Fund savings are safely invested in government securities, and the SSS provides tax-free and guaranteed earnings based on 5-year Treasury bond and one-year Treasury bill rates.

The excess income that remains after the guaranteed earnings are credited to individual PESO Fund accounts every year will also be shared among the enrollees, so their savings further grow,” San Jose said.

SSS PESO Fund savings may be used for retirement, medical, and general purposes such as education and housing. The SSS Flexi-fund, a similar SSS program for overseas Filipino workers launched in 2001, currently has over 45,000 OFW enrollees and a total members’ equity of around P485 million. (SSS)


New BOC rules on balikbayan boxes not meant to target OFWs—Palace

MANILA -- The Palace said on Saturday, that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is not singling out overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with its tighter rules on balikbayan boxes and it is serious in going after smugglers.

picture from pinoy-ofw.com


OFWs complained about a new BOC rule on balikbayan boxes saying the government should focus its attention on going after big smugglers.

“Unang-una, hindi naman sa ‘napag-iinitan’ sila. Ang hinahabol ng Bureau of Customs ay ang mga malalaking smuggler,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday.

Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the BOC implemented new rules because there have been some concerns when it comes to balikbayan boxes being sent by OFWs. There are instances where smugglers used balikbayan boxes as a way to ship unauthorized goods and then reassemble them here. “Yun lang din ang gustong matigil ng Bureau of Customs ...

nagagamit ang mga balikbayan boxes,” she said. “Hindi po tina-target ang ating mga OFWs and ang atas lang naman sa BOC ay siguraduhing malinis at mabilis ang proseso,” she said. The process will not cause any hold up in the release of the balikbayan boxes and that the property inside should be respected as well, she noted. BOC has to be very conscious about handling balikbayan boxes because it’s a show of respect to the owners who legally sent items through the balikbayan boxes. She also advised OFWs to send feedback to the BOC it they have concerns in sending balikbayan boxes to their families in the country. (PCOO/PND (as)


Plans for ARMM employees during Bangsamoro transition ready

MANILA -- The government gives utmost importance to the protection of rights and the welfare of civil servants in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and systems have been put in place to ensure these rights would be protected when the Bangsamoro is established, says the Coordination Team for the Transition (CT4T) from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the Bangsamoro.


The CT4T issued the assurance following the release of a statement from Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr, chair of the Senate committee on local government, saying “[t]he new government under the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should give preference to displaced workers of the [ARMM] in hiring new civil servants.”

In his statement, Senator Marcos said among those the new Bangsamoro should give priority are public school teachers who comprise majority of the 30,000 civil servants in ARMM. In fact, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels and

ARMM executive officers activated the CT4T in November last year to facilitate the generation and sharing of necessary information related to the transition such as the inventory of personnel, programs, properties, assets, and receivables, said Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, who sits in the CT4T. The CT4T is the primary mechanism to facilitate a smooth transition leading to the installation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which will bridge the period between the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro and the elections for the Bangsamoro parliament. “We ensure that the welfare


of the ARMM employees will not be shelved during the transition period from ARMM to the Bangsamoro,” said Montalbo, who is joined in the CT4T by ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia and one other OPAPP and ARMM representative each, and another five from the MILF.

“We are working on a blueprint on what will happen to our ARMM employees as early as now, and that includes plans for the thousands of public teachers in the autonomous region. This is being crafted by the CT4T with the help of other concerned agencies such as the ARMM, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” Montalbo explained.

According to the original version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), as well as to the House and Senate version known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), the BTA will be established upon the ratification of the law

leading to the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election in May 2016.

“Proponents of the Bangsamoro peace process had the foresight to establish the CT4T because they understand that it is crucial for the Bangsamoro government to hit the ground running once it is established,” Usec. Montalbo said.

Moreover, everything will be done in accordance with the law in government reorganization, as far as benefits and processes for those who might be adversely affected, Montalbo added.

Members of the CT4T recognize the social, development and political cost of a massive displacement of existing ARMM employees once the Bangsamoro Government replaces the existing ARMM. “We need to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible in the delivery of basic services, especially education and health, during the transition period,” Montalbo added.

“In addition, we need to


recognize that many of the competencies required to run the new Bangsamoro Government already reside in many of the ARMM employees, and to replace them wholesale will not make sense. Any changes in personnel will consider protecting the security of tenure of ARMM employees, guarantee continued and improved delivery of services, and fairness and transparency in all processes involving these employees in ARMM,” concluded Montalbo.

The proposed BBL contains a repealing clause that will deem the ARMM and all of its offices abolished once the law has been ratified.

The Senate is expected to finally conduct its first day of deliberations on the basic law today. (OPAPP)


Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center now ready to serve

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After several years of study, planning and preparation, the Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center (NMFIC) has now opened its doors to all food processors with special priority to the micro enterprises.

By: Loraine C. Brillantes

NMFIC is located at the 2F NMFIC Building, Mindanao

University of Science and Technology (MUST), National


Highway, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. The project is a collaboration of the different agencies composed of MUST, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Office of 2nd Congressional District of Cagayan de Oro and the Food Processors Association of Northern Mindanao. MUST will host, manage and operate the center. The following services is now offered, Provision of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – aligned facilities and production area, Packaging and Labelling Design, Laboratory Testing, Provision of food processing and packaging facilities, Training, Product and Process Development Services, and Consultancy / Advisory Services. Furthermore, the following equipment are available for short-

run production, research and development and others, Convection Drying Cabinet/Machine, Cabinet Steamer, Cold Extrusion Machine, Continuous Band Sealing Machine, Desktop Cup Sealing Machine, Flour Milling

Machine, Foot Operated Impulse Sealer, Stainless Steel Grain Grinding Machine, Induction Sealing Machine, Octagonal Mixing Machine, Shrink Packaging Machine, Spray Dryer, Vacuum Fryer, Vacuum Packaging Machine, and Vertical Granular Form Fill Packing Machine. All stakeholders are hopeful that the facility will address the many limitations of the local food sector especially in the research and development and packaging aspect. DTI Misamis Oriental Provinical Director Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore said one of the purposes of the facility is to equip local producers in coming up with novel and commercially feasible food products, at the same time enable manufacturers to further improve existing products.


Qualifiers of the 2015 NCE, which is administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will form the list of PSHS Systems’ Scholars for the next school year (SY) 2016-2017, Dr. Rebonfamil R. Baguio, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Department of Education, Division of Ozamiz City (DepEd-Ozamiz), said. Baguio said “Pisay,” operates under one system of governance and management, that aims to provide scholarships to students with high aptitude in Science and Mathematics (S&M) and the development of well-rounded individuals and prepares its students for careers in Science and Technology (S&T). Eligible to apply for the NCE are Grade 6 pupils from a duly DepEd-recognized school, who meets the following criteria: Have a final grade of 85 percent or better in S&M, as evidenced

by the pupil’s report card. Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country, born on or after July 1, 2001, with good health, fit to undergo a rigorous academic program, have at least a satisfactory rating or its equivalent, in his/her Character Rating for SY 2014-2015 report card, and not have taken any NCE in previous years. Application requirements include the following: fully accomplished Application Form in two copies, two identical recent 1” x 1” ID pictures, non-refundable test fee of P100 for private schools, free for public schools, copy of SY 2014-2015 report card. However, if the final grades in S&M are below 85 percent, certification or proof that the child belongs to the upper 10 percent of the class, is required, Baguio added.

‘Pisay’ reminds Grade 6 pupils of 2015 NCE application deadlineOROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Philippine Science High School (PSHS), commonly known as “Pisay,” has reminded the incoming Grade 7 pupils of the August 24, 2015, deadline for applications for the National Competitive Examination (NCE) on October 3, 2015.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


According to DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore, with NMFIC, DTI hopes that local food processors will raise their bar of standards in safety and quality; and that they will be more competitive than the rest of the world. Local food processors can now avail of NMFIC, which was launched during the Science Nation Tour of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This is a center for food research and development and packaging and labelling equipped with technologically competitive food processing and packaging facilities; with a pool of professional and technical experts, is open to all micro, small and medium enterprises who wants to improve their products or wants to execute a product idea. They also accept label

design, short run processing and toll-packing. The following equipment can now be used for a minimal fee: Convection Drying Cabinet/Machine, Cabinet Steamer, Cold Extrusion Machine, Continuous Band Sealing Machine, Desktop Cup Sealing Machine, Flour Milling Machine, Foot Operated Impulse Sealer, Stainless Steel Grain Grinding Machine, Induction Sealing Machine, Octagonal Mixing Machine, Shrink Packaging Machine, Spray Dryer, Vacuum Fryer, Vacuum Packaging Machine and Vertical Granular Form Fill Packing Machine. NMFIC is a collaboration of different agencies composed of MUST, DTI, DOST, Office of 2nd Congressional District of Cagayan de Oro and the Food Processors Association of Northern Mindanao. It is located at 2F NMFIC Bldg, MUST, Cagayan de Oro City.

Food Innovation Center to raise safety, quality standard - DTIBy: Loraine C. BrillantesCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The newly launched Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center (NMFIC) at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Cagayan de Oro City on 21 August 2015 is hoped to raise standards in safety and quality of local food processors and be more competitive internationally.


Philippine Eagle Foundation to press charges against Eagle killer

DAVAO CITY, August 20 (PIA) An official of the Philippine Eagle Foundation vowed to press charg-es against the shooter of Philip-pine Eagle Pamana which was gunned down in August 10 a kilo-meter away in Barangay La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. Dennis Joseph Salvador, execu-tive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation expressed concern over the killing of the Philippine Eagles by people.

He said laws must be enforced in protecting the eagles as the situ-ation calls beyond mere education of the communities. “Education alone, clearly cannot right away help this situation,” Salva-dor said. He said the perpetrator remains unidentified. Pamana did not last 59 days since it was released to the forest of Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental in June 12.


DSWD 11 assures the availability of standby fund for calamitiesDAVAO CITY (PIA) An officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development assured that Davao Region has enough contin-gency fund for any calamity. Priscilla Razon, director of the DSWD 11 and vice chair for disaster response of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 11 said that currently an amount at P1.4Billion is on standby to be used once a destructive storm or an earth-quake hits Region 11. She said the DSWD 11 has been pre-positioning all the relief goods for any eventuality. Razon said that a series of train-ings has been conducted for all Pan-tawid Pamilyang Pilipino Porgram im-plementors on disaster response. “The training has been going on since two weeks ago. Another one week training is slated at Eden in Toril where 628 implementors in the whole region are undergoing training on di-saster response, one week per prov-ince,” she said.

Razon also shared that Davao Region has been assigned to augment the government response on the East quadrant of Metro Manila once the Marikina fault shakes, side by side with Region II. She said different regions were already given their assignments on the East, West and North of Metro Manila. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalump-ines)

A team from the PEF tracked the eagle and found its body a kilometer away from where it was released. Its body bore a five millime-ter hole on the right breast with its shoulder blade broken based on the necropsy result. The shooting of the eagle is a

violation of Administrative Order No. 235, s. 1970 which prohibits wound-ing, taking, selling, exchanging, and/or exporting, processing and killing of the Philippine Eagle. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


ARMM registers record-breaking P3.7 B investmentBy:Danilo E. Doguiles

COTABATO CITY, Aug 24 — The Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved Tuesday the registration a Php3.7 billion investment, the largest single investment the regions has received.


RBOI-ARMM, told Philippine Information Agency in a state-ment that the newly-endorsed project was that of Al-Sahar Agri Ventures Inc. for the es-tablishment of 2,600 hectares of cavendish banana in the mu-nicipalities of Talayan, Buldon, Barira, and Mangudadatu in Maguindanao.

Said project is expected to generate 3,900 jobs.

The Al-Sahar Agri Ventures Inc. is an affiliate company of Unifrutti Group of Companies. Unifrutti also manages other companies like La Frutera Inc., Wao Development Corporation and Mount Kalatungan Agri Ven-tures Inc. (MKAVI), all operating in ARMM.

According to Ed Bullecer, di-rector of Al-Sahar, their compa-ny is here in ARMM to help uplift the lives of the people and help propel economic development in the region.

With the addition of the Al-Sahar investment, RBOI has now recorded a total of P5.5 bil-lion worth of investments since the beginning of the year.

In the same statement, RBOI noted the increasing demand in the world market for cavendish bananas particularly in the Mid-dle East and China postz a great

challenge and business oppor-tunity for agri investors like the Unifrutti Group of Companies.

ARMM has been the location of several of Unifrutti’s success-ful agricultural ventures. The company has considered the region as the best agri-related investment destination in the country due to its fertile and vast lands, low cost of doing business and strong support of the local leaders despite secu-rity issues.

Lawyer Ishak V. Mastura RBOI chairman, said,“RBOI has been assisting investors in their plans of investing in the region. We provide them advise on business opportunities and information on doing business in ARMM. We inform them about the require-ments and processes of RBOI registration and if projects are approved, they get to benefit fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.”

He added that the agency en-sures that investors are being taken cared of during the pre- application stage and even after they register. Having full knowl-edge of their privileges and re-sponsibilities will help sustain good partnership between in-vestors and the ARMM govern-ment.

As a result of the agency’s


City Vet to pet owners: Vaccinate your dogs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug 24--- The City Veterinary Office (CVO) here urged dog owners to have their pets vaccinated with anti-ra-bies.

By:Catherine T. Apelacio

City Veterinarian Dr. Emil Gar-garan insisted that this vaccine can be availed at CVO for free.

He said the number of dog bites in the city has been quite alarming with 3,315 cases re-corded on the first semester of the year. Of these, 10 were pos-itive of rabies.

Statistics show that there are 468 dog bite cases in January, 486 in February, 604 in March, 625 in April, 604 in May, and 528 in June.

Gargaran said that it is the stray dogs that are causing the number of cases to rise, tell-ing pet owners to restrain their pets from wandering around the streets and the communities.

“We are advising them na

ang aso di dapat gumagala (We are advising them that dogs should not be straying),” Garga-ran said.

In line with this campaign, the CVO are also conducting house to house information drive on anti-rabies vaccination aside from the services they usually give during the city hall sa ba-rangay.

According to him, pet owners may also visit the CVO should their pets are sick assuring them that “we will do whatever we can for your pets.”

The City Vet also continues impounding stray dogs so as to prevent people from contacting rabies through their infectious bites.

pro-active engagement with investors, timely information dissemination and business advocacy, RBOI was recently

awarded by the Bangko Sen-tral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as one of their Outstanding Partners for 2015. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


As of the first semester, CVO was able to impound a total of 473 dogs, 360 of them had been euthanized already.

Gargaran explained that “eu-thanasia” which is provided for in the city ordinance is a pro-cess of disposing infectious dogs.

Also the city pound can’t sus-tain anymore the number of dogs crowding on daily basis, he said.

Meanwhile, City Councilor

Rosalita Nunez advised CVO to strengthen their information campaign to raise the level of awareness of people especially pet owners on how to care for dogs and other pets.

“E-educate ang owners sa iro. Ug di kaya mag-alaga ug iro, ayaw pag-alaga (Educate the owners of dog. If one is unable to care for dog, then don’t own one), Nunez said. (CT Apelacio/With Lipsy Grace Carayo, PIA-12 General Santos City)

ALABEL, Sarangani, Aug 24 – YesPinoy Foundation (YPF) has launched in Sarangani its scholarship initiative Project 888 as part of the search for eight young deserving young people within eight months in eight provinces

YesPinoy Foundation searching for scholars

Actor Dingdong Dantes, founding chairman of the YPF and a commissioner of the Na-tional Youth Commission vis-ited Sarangani on August 8 for the launching of the project that aims to fully fund the ed-ucation of 8 young people.

Sarangani is the second province that Dantes visited since they initiated the Project 888 in July.

YPF is hoping that through the

success of Project 888, it would be able to invite more partners for the coming years.

Aiming to inspire the young to strive and work for a better Phil-ippines, speakers Homer Nieve-ra, Michael Fua, Joyce Pring and Mark Lozano conducted lec-tures intended to stir interest among Sarangan youth.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, in his speech, empha-sized that each Sarangan youth


should be able to finish college.“Our partnership with YesPi-

noy Foundation paves way to opportunities in the form of scholarships and volunteer trainings,” Solon said.

Another program of YPF is the Volunteer Program in which vol-unteers are tapped for climate action and disaster risk reduc-tion management.

At the same event, the provincial government launched its its official Sulong Sarangani theme song.

The two-minute and 16 sec-ond song was composed and ar-ranged by local artist-composer Densho “Champ” Biala.

More than 2,000 Sarangan high school students joined the Project 888 launching.

YesPinoy is an advocacy championed by Dantes, with the support of his industry associ-ates, friends in government and people exposed in social move-ments.

“We have to give the service back to our community, families and schools. This is my chal-lenge to all the young people, let us use our knowledge to help our community,”Dantes told the students. (CMICruz-Sarangani Information Office/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


DOH brings ‘High Impact Five’ scheme to Marihatag local residents By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

SAN ISIDRO, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur– The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga joined in the Peace Caravan (Serbisyo Caravan) on Monday spearheaded by the Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) together with other government agencies bringing their newest scheme dubbed as “High Impact Five.”


“In pursuit of peace, justice and sincere commitment to the provision of direct and improved health services to target areas in the region, the Department of Health is here participating in the Peace Caravan for the benefit of our locals in Marihatag today and Lianga, Surigao del Sur by tomorrow,” said Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr, regional director of DOH-Caraga. Llacuna stressed that the Peace Caravan is only a segment of the Whole of Nation Initiative which is a wide-scope strategy to maintain peace and order to target communities while giving

them proper services related to livelihood, agricultural, educational and most of all their health needs. “The continued dynamism of the department has improved with our newest scheme – the ‘High Impact Five.’ This scheme supports the Whole of Nation Initiative to allay the effects of armed conflict areas, specifically in some municipalities of the region. This mechanism also aims to provide specific, direct and enhanced health services in terms of Maternal, Infant and Child Care, HIV Counseling and Testing and a finer Service


Delivery System,” disclosed Llacuna. Llacuna added that the services groomed does not only revolve in these areas because the locals in target communities deserve a broader coverage of health and health-related services, “which is why notwithstanding from the five main services declared, the DOH regional office will cater medical consultation, dental services, blood donation services, immunization for senior citizens, and distribution of family and hygiene kits, toilet bowls, Jerycans, visual aids and advocacy materials.” “We will never stop giving you (residents) the services you deserve. As we promote peace and order, we also promote good health and healthy living. Continue to support us and make use of our free services in the Peace Caravan today,” Llacuna added. The good director further emphasized that to further bring and emphasize the accessibility of these services, instead of the people going to health facilities, the DOH will also bring these services to the people by means of a customized bus called “Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Bus,” that will serve as multi-channeled tool and

health services in congruent to the government’s health reform agenda of universal access to health care. “As a whole, the DOH led by Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin is expanding all opportunities and all our best efforts to maintain and improve mediocre health status and health care system especially to the farthest areas of local communities. With the intensified programs of the agency and the helpful hands from partners, a better quality life is envisioned not just by Caraganons but for all Filipinos,” Llacuna underscored. The DOH has a vision of a global leader for attaining better health outcomes, competitive and responsive health care system, and equitable health financing. Its mission is to guarantee equitable, sustainable and quality health for all Filipinos, especially the poor, and to lead the quest for excellence in health.


AgSur elementary school receives additional classrooms from ASELCO-Aboitiz CSR

AGUSAN DEL SUR -- After a year of preparing and constructing, the San Isidro Elementary School Teachers and Students can finally use the two classrooms turned over to them last August 17, at Barangay San Isidro by the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. in cooperation with the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO) being one of Aboitiz’ clientele in its energy services.

By: ASELCO

The turn-over program was attended by various individuals from the public and private

sectors. A year ago, San Isidro Elementary School run short


of classroom and could not sufficiently cater the increasing number of students enrolled in the institution. “We received a call from Aboitiz in the person of Roy Renconada asking us of the possibility of having these classrooms. We, right there and then, prepared the requirements in a snap and e-mailed it. From then on, this project commenced,” Jimuel V. Quejada, SIES school principal narrated. These 1.7 million classrooms were the first to be constructed as project of Aboitiz in Mindanao Area. “We give you the idea that Aboitiz is not only after of marketing energy. It is also duty bound to take progress into the place we get in as a way of giving back to the people through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),” Bisnar explained. ASELCO has signed with Aboitiz through Therma South

Inc. (TSI) for the power supply in the next 25 years. With this, the cooperative’s partnership with Aboitiz will continue in the long term and is projected to have all the places especially education institutions in Agusan del Sur as beneficiaries of Classroom Projects. “Charity begins at home. Since ASELCO is a resident of Barangay San Isidro, we took the initiative of having the first project initiated here. After all, this is no better way than starting everything in the roots,” ASELCO general manager Emmanuel Galarse proudly said. The Classroom Project and Computerization Program are joint CSR of Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. in the province of Agusan del Sur.


By: Joie L. Ceballos

108 Tagbina farmers get land titles from DAR

BUTUAN CITY– A total of 108 farmers from Brgy. Quezon in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur received land titles from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) covering 214 hectares last August 19, 2015.

Margarita Caindoy, 67, one of the recipients, expressed so much joy receiving her parcel, along with eight other members of her family. “I have been a farmer all my life. Thanks to DAR, now I have a land I will call my own,” she added. The distribution ceremony, which was attended by Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, Tagbina Mayor Generoso Naraiso, DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang and Provincial

Agrarian Reform Officer II Benjamin Mataksil, is part of the 1st Araw ng Brgy. Quezon celebration. Governor Johhny Pimentel said that this distribution of land title is a proof that the government under the Aquino administration is doing its job. Tagbina Mayor Generoso Naraiso said, that indeed, the 1st celebration of the Araw ng Brgy. Quezon in Tagbina is a celebration of joy.


PHO-ZN assures safety of SIP on childrenBy Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - The Provincial Health Office of Zamboanga del Norte (PHO-ZN) has assured the parents of the safety of their Grades 1 and 7 schoolchildren who would be subjected to the School-based Immunization Program (SIP) starting yesterday, Aug 17. During last Sunday’s Kapihan sa Dipolog radio program, Ms. Fely Ortega, provincial immunization

coordinator, assured that the vaccines to be used are safe, effective, not exposed or expired


and approved by the World Health Organization(WHO) and to be administered only by trained health workers coming from the concerned Rural Health Units and the PHO. Health and Promotions Officer Wilma Bulahan, on the other hand, said the implementation of the program was delayed in province to give way for the massive information and dissemination on the possible reactions/effects of the vaccines on the children. Bulahan admitted that the Department of Health (DOH) had learned a lesson from the lack of massive information dissemination during the nationwide deworming activity, which caused panic among

schoolchildren when some experienced stomach pains after taking the deworming pills. “We delayed the implementation of the program to Aug. 17 instead of the original schedule of Aug. 3 to first meet with various stakeholders like the municipal and barangay officials as well as Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs). Moreover, the DOH has also issued an advisory for students, teachers, parents and guardians on the conduct of SIP. The students should eat before getting vaccinated and never massage the injection site after vaccination. They are also advised to go to the nearest health center should symptoms of side effects persist.


“If one faints due to fear of injection or sight of blood or having not eaten prior to immunization, let the student lie down until he/she regains consciousness and to bring to the nearest hospital if still not conscious after 15 minutes. On swelling, or pain or redness on injection site or fever, warm compress using clean cloth and water and give paracetamol every four hours. Rashes are just a normal reaction of the body to vaccines,” Ortega said. Dr. Eduardo Luayon, provincial health officer, also urged the parents to send their children to school during the scheduled SIP in their school to avail of free health services from the government. The vaccination would cost as high as P3,500 with private clinics.

Department Memorandum Order No. 0148 issued by DOH on May 15, 2015 has mandated the conduct of SIP every August in collaboration with Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the different Rural Health Units (RHUs). The SIP is a follow up to Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) immunization for under five years old children to interrupt current measles transmission in the older population. Ortega said the overall objective of the campaign is to protect the targeted population from the consequences of measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria and human papillona virus infection.


The scenario of the simulated earthquake-tsunami drill was: at 9:50 a.m. an 8.3-mangnitude earthquake with 50 kilometers depth location at southwest source of Sulu Trench. The Municipality of Maluso felt 7.9 intensity with secondary hazards possibly will occur like fire, landslides, and with 10 meters high tsunami. In five minutes the Tsunami will hit Barangay Shipyard Main and the rest of the coastal areas.

At the sound of the siren, the participants executed the “drop-cover-hold” position and after a few minutes, the participants moved to the Shipyard Elementary School as the evacuation site. This signaled also the convening of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Council that mobilized member-agencies to assess the situation and provided response and rescue efforts. The municipal hall was

Maluso folks join earthquake-tsunami drillby Rene V. Carbayas

MALUSO, Basilan – Residents of Barangay Shipyard Main of this town participated in the recently held earthquake-tsunami drill.


identified as staging area with Maluso Police Chief Edwin Placio was designated Incident Commander and Municipal Planning Officer Joey Patrimonio was staging manager. Meanwhile, the Maluso DRRM office was identified as Emergency Operating Center (OEC) manned by DRRMO and Municipal Administrator Jojo S. Camlian with the personnel from the Office of the Civil Defense-BASULTA. Security was provided by the combined forces of the local police and the 14SFC of the 4th Special Forces of the Philippine Army led by TSgt. Romeo Toribio. Rescue and response teams were provided by the Philippine Red Cross, the Bureau of Fire-

ARMM, and some community volunteers, among others. The simulated victims of drowning tested responders’ ability to respond quickly in cases of earthquake-tsunami events. At the debriefing session after the drill, the participants expressed their observations. “Maganda and experience at ngayon alam na namin kung ano ang gagawin kung may tsunami (The experience is good and now we know what to do when tsunami strikes),” Alpiya, a resident of Shipyard said. The Maluso DRRMC members identified the lack of communication equipment, which hindered the full flow of information and communication


between and among rescuers, responders, and incident command center, as one of the major gaps in the drill. Maluso DRRMO Camlian said that they would look into this gap and other concerns to strengthen their ability to respond to situations. He also told the participants that worst thing could happen in the actual event compared with the drill. He asked the residents to take the drill seriously and keep in mind all the learning acquired during the drill. The social welfare office, meanwhile, asked the residents to share all relevant information whenever asked by social workers when one becomes an internally displaced person (IDP). “The data are important. We ask you to be patient with us whenever we have a lot of questions when we interviews IDPs in order for us to provide the appropriate help to the victims,”

Lolita Bello, Maluso social welfare officer said. Dionisio Mondejar of OCD thanked the participants and congratulated the barangay officials for the successful conduct of the drill. He further encouraged the local DRRMC to consider the gaps identified during the drill. Moreover, the Philippine Information Agency in Basilan explained the need and value of disaster preparedness at personal and family level since possible responders and rescuers could not immediately provide assistance whenever disaster strikes in the community. The tsunami drill was the first in Maluso. The activity was made possible through the Provincial DRRMC, LGU-Maluso, BLGU-Shipyard, and OCD-BASULTA with the support from MSWDO, BFP-ARMM, Red Cross, PIA-Basilan, the Philippine Army and the local police, among others.

Documents

One Mindanao - August 24, 2015