One Mindanao - August 29, 2014

Danilo E. Doguiles SOCCSKSARGEN Region

NGO releases storybooks for IP children in S. Cotabato, Sarangani

COVER STORY

Claimant countries must work to reduce tension in West Philippine Sea, says President Aquino

DOST-SEI scholarship exams set on Sept. 21

OWWA Caraga organizes EDT for displaced Caraganon OFWs

DPWH allots P1.5B to complete all main roads in SurSur by 2016

by Emmanuel D. Taghoy

by Jean Mary G. Ronquillo

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NATIONAL

Information to Empower Filipinos

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WESTERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

SOCCSKSARGEN REGION

Dads accredit MASICAP in local special bodies

Bayog women groups receive livelihood assistance from DOLE

Malaria research to cover Tboli, Lake Sebu

Tagum to rediscover history culture

by Claro A. Lanipa

by Danilo E. Doguiles

by Jeanevive Abangan

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

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by Greg Tataro, Jr.

by CdeOSP

DILG upscales SG Housekeeping to Local Governance following “3 plus 1” principle 29by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

NGO releases storybooks for IP

children in S. Cotabato, Sarangani

Pailyn Tan, communications officer of Save the Children said these books are written in the children’s respective mother-tongues and deal on topics that are distinctive to their culture

and traditions. Scheduled for launching as a highlight of the NGO’s “Public Talk on Incorporating Early Literacy and Numeracy in Writing and Illustrating Children’s Books” at

the Phela Grande Convention Center, are the storybooks: “I Katagah Abuh” for Blaan children, “Kmô Ktool Lieg Mimet” for Tboli children, and “Pangapog” for Tagakaolo children.”

Global children’s welfare advocate Save the Children releases three storybooks for Blaan, Tagakaolo, and Tboli children, specifically kids ages 0 to 3 years

old, in an event here Friday, August 29.

by Danilo E. Doguiles

NGO releases storybooks for IP

children in S. Cotabato, Sarangani

These books are produced under Save the Children’s First Read Project in partnership with the Prudence Foundation for early childhood care and development. Tan said the books were produced to address the extreme shortage of reading materials for kids in the early childhood

stage. “Reading books among children 0 to 3 years old are not very popular in the Philippines; it is a common thinking that reading is not yet important for children this young. “And if there available storybooks, these are often not appropriate to their ages and culture, for example, Snow White and Cinderella, which do not suit the local cultural context and written in language that is not their mother tongue,” she elaborated. This situation, she noted, is extremely pronounced among children of the indigenous communities. “There are no storybooks in Blaan, Tboli and Tagakaolo for children 0 to 3 years old” she said, and if there are books

written in their native language, these are the Bible and books on stories of wars and conflicts,” she stressed. It is in response to this concern that the First Read Project developed the three storybooks, she said. These books, she explained,

“celebrate what are popular in their respective tribes, things in their tribe that they can be proud of: bead-making among Tbolis, cooking a local delicacy for Blaan, and thanksgiving for harvest for Tagakaolo.” Also highlighted in the three books is the importance of parenting as a role that mothers and fathers should take responsibility together. I Katagah Abuh” (Cooking Abuh) tells the story of an entire family preparing a delicacy, Abuh, known among Visayans as gabi, a rootcrop. To cook this viand, Blaans boil rolled green gabi leaves tied with gabi stalks, and spices such as ginger, lemon grass, tomato, kamias in a pot or bamboo. Cooking is usually done by women but other members of the family help in preparation. “Kmô Ktool Lieg Mimet” (Making a Necklace) is a story of a Tboli mother teaching her little son and daughter how to make a “lieg mimet” or bead necklace, which is a distinctive ornament

among Tbolis. “Pangapog” is a Tagakaolo term for thanksgiving. The story summarizes entire planting season from planting to harvesting with family members working together and culminating in the family offering thanksgiving for a good harvest.

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Tan said 1,000 copies of each title have been printed. These highly illustrated, 16-page books printed in sturdy glossy paper will be distributed to households with 0 to 3 year in 15 Blaan and Tagakaolo communities in Alabel and Malungon municipalities in Sarangani as well as in 15 Tboli communities in Tboli and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato where Save the Children has presence. Copies will also be provided to day care centers and kindergarten schools in the identified areas, she said. “The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Education as well as provincial and municipal governments may also negotiate with Save the Children for the reprinting of these books for use in the early childhood care and education of IP children in their areas.” First Read Project began the development of the three storybooks last April with the creation of book development committees for each IP group.

These committees include parents and tribal leaders and elders who have comprehensive knowledge of their respective cultures and traditions. Each committee convened to recall stories told to them by their parents and elders. First Read assisted the committees in the identification of stories that are most appropriate to their pre-school children. Selected stories were then subjected to illustration and prototyping, which were later returned to the committees for evaluation and validation. First copies were printed about five months after the organization of the book committees. The three storybooks comprise the second batch of books that the Save the Children in South Central Mindanao has produced and released books through the First Read Project. In December, 2013, First Read Project launched three books documenting the traditional games and another three books on the songs, rhymes and lullabies of Tbolis, Blaan, and Tagakaolo.

AUGUST 2014 | PAGE 8

Investment in people, social protection to sustain economy, says President Aquino

In an exclusive interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines on Wednesday, the President said he believes that the country’s greatest resource is its people, thus the government has been investing heavily on its citizens, especially in terms of education and health. He said the focus on empowering the people is manifested by the expansion of the conditional cash transfer program to enable children of beneficiary families to finish high school to enhance their employability. He also mentioned the 300 percent increase

in the health budget to broaden the universal health coverage to include catastrophic illnesses. The Chief Executive said he has also directed the Cabinet to work with a sense of urgency in clearing the administrative bottlenecks that brought about a slowdown in government spending during the first half of the year. According to Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic Development Authority, government disbursements in June increased by almost 45 percent and the administration is confident that the government will catch up on its work program for the year. PND

The continued growth of the Phil ippine e c o n o m y will be

sustained by the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n through intensified programs on people development and social protection, President Benigno S. Aquino III has said.


Claimant countries must work to reduce tension in West Philippine Sea, says President Aquino

“Sana talagang magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag sa Ingles na ‘sense’ mula sa kanila na talagang nakatutok sila sa pagbababa ng lahat ng tensyon at pagreresolba ng lahat ng naayon sa tinatawag na international law at pakikipag-ugnayan ng mahusay sa mga karatig na bansa,” President Aquino told Bombo Radyo Philippines in an interview on Wednesday. The President said he is worried about intelligence reports saying that the rocks and features of the area have been reclaimed and turned into islets. This would change the legal boundaries in the area, especially as the country pushes its claim through legal means, he said. “Nababahala tayo sa lahat ng mga kilos na ito, na baka magkakaroon pa tayo ng report na hindi na lang sa ibang mga bansang meron silang... sabihin nating dispute, hindi na lang tubig ang pinag-uusapan, meron na ring land claims,” he said. The President said he has received reports about two hydrographic ships deployed to Recto Bank to do mapping operations.

Recto Bank is 80 miles from Palawan and within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone of the country, he noted, adding that he wonders what the two ships were mapping inside Philippine territory. The Philippines is concentrating on two initiatives to resolve the issue --- through arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), and by pushing for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The country has filed an arbitration case to compel China to clarify its claims in the South China Sea. China however has refused to participate in the arbitration. The Philippines wants to craft a Code of Conduct in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that, once approved, will ask China to also adopt the binding code. The ASEAN tried to craft a Code of Conduct in 2002 but only produced the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The declaration is non-binding. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are laying claim to the South China Sea. PND

Claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) must have the

“sense” to settle the dispute peacefully and must work together to reduce tension in the contested territory, President Benigno S. Aquino III has said.


President Aquino hopes to forward draft Bangsamoro

Basic Law to Congress soon

President Benigno S. Aquino III said a lot of issues in the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law have been resolved that it could soon be submitted to Congress.

“Mukhang maisusulong na natin o maihahain na sa Kongreso, sana sa lalong madaling panahon, ang isang panukalang batas na sinasangayunan ng lahat ng stakeholders,” he said during an interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines on Wednesday.

The recent review of the draft law focused on the details to make sure that they are in line with the specifications of the law, the President said, adding that a meeting has been scheduled on Thursday


(August 28) to discuss the draft. “Talagang masusing inaaral bawat isang section at bahagi nitong Bangsamoro Basic Law dahil hinahabol nga natin ang isang panukalang batas na maibibigay sa ating mga kapatid sa Bangsamoro iyong kanilang inaasam-asam at binibigyan din naman ng kapanatagan ng loob iyong mga kapit-bahay nila na maapektuhan nitong batas na ito,” he said. Asked about the timetable on passing the Bangsamoro Law, he said this would depend on the discussions in Congress. The government however wants the transitional authority to have at least one year and a half to promote why the proposed system is more suitable for the Bangsamoro, he said. “Hinahabol natin na magkaroon ng plebiscite by the end of this year, kung pupwede, at depende nga ito sa talakayan ng Kongreso doon sa batas dahil ang hinahabol natin magkaroon ng one year and a half man lang na maipakita ‘nung transitional authority

kung bakit mas angkop ang sistemang iminumungkahi nila sa pagpapatakbo ng Bangsamoro,” the President said. Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles recently said that both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels have already agreed on significant issues, and that is why they decided to forward the draft to the President. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law was submitted to President Aquino on Wednesday last week. Once the draft law is approved by Congress, a plebiscite will be held and a transition authority will be created in preparation for the conduct of an election in the Bangsamoro in 2016. President Aquino has vowed to push for the conduct of a fair and democratic poll in the region before he leaves office in 2016.

Surigao City to celebrate 44th charter day anniv

SURIGAO CITY - The city government here will commemorate its 44th charter day anniversary celebration on August 31, infront of the City Hall with the theme, “Padajon na Pagtinabangay para sa Kalamboan nan ato Syudad.”

This year’s celebration will kick-off with the 1st Surigao Marathon dubbed as “Jagan para sa Dakbayan” that will start at 1:00 a.m. followed by a Thanksgiving Mass

at 6:30 a.m. to be held at the City Cathedral. The formal opening of the celebration will start at 8:00 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem to be led by the City Chorale


Sixty-six (66) displaced OFWs coming from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, this region, participated in the said training. OWWA Caraga Family Welfare Officer Lorie Ann Hilongos served as the facilitator of the activity. The one-day training session tackled concept of entrepreneurship, financial literacy

and writing a business plan. The participants likewise underwent a Potential Entrepreneurial Competency Test (PECT). Hilongos said, the PECT contains self-rating questionnaires which involves 10 characteristics that are most likely possessed by an entrepreneur. “We conducted the Potential Entrepreneurial Competency Test in order to evaluate the entrepreneurial capabilities of

OWWA Caraga organizes EDT for displaced Caraganon OFWsby Jean Mary G. Ronquillo

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte- The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN) recently joined the 2014 Mindanao Trade Expo held at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City.

Ensemble then the raising of the Philippine Flag to be led by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas, governor Sol F. Matugas, vice mayor Danilo C. Menor, vice gov. Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr, all city councilors and provincial board members. During the celebration, Shuley Mine Incorporated will turn-over one unit ambulance to the city government’s rescue unit, while the THPAL Mining Corporation and Taganito Mining Corporation will hand-over a check worth

P2.5 million as their donation for the construction of the city Philippine National Police building. The last part of the celebration is the charter anniversary grand parade at around 3:00 p.m. to be followed by the awarding of prizes for best float, best marching band and best marching cadet. The city was establised pursuant to Republic Act No. 6134, it was then converted to a chartered city on August 31, 1970 with Pedro Espina as its first city mayor.


the participants,” said Hilongos. Moreover, OWWA RWO Caraga OIC regional director Eduardo Bellido encouraged the participants to be creative in selecting the kind of business they will venture in such a way that they can really gain profit. Bellido suggested to the OFWs to initially identify the basic necessities of the target customers prior to the establishment of an enterprise. “Let us be sensitive kung ano man ang pangangailangan ng ating community, so that if you will intend to venture in a sari-sari store alam n’yo na kung ano ang ititinda at paano magpepresyo,” shared Bellido. Bellido added, that the OWWA is willing to conduct techno skills training for the displaced OFWs to provide more livelihood opportunities that will generate a sustainable source of income. One of the participants, Marlon Guion, a displaced worker in Libya, expressed his gratitude to be able to join in the said training which accordingly has given him new

insights about business. “Daghan jud ko nakat-unan sa training nga mahimo nakong giya sa pagnegosyo (I learned a lot in the training which can serve as my guide in starting my business),” Guion said. Guion has worked in Tripoli, Libya as a Plumber Technician for only eight (8) months. Fearing for his life in strife-torn state, he went home on April and took chances to avail of the livelihood assistance from OWWA. As provided for in Memorandum Order No. MD-110-468 dated December 13, 2013, OWWA is responsible for preparatory activities to qualified beneficiaries for livelihood fund assistance with priority given to distressed OFWs who have returned to the Philippines for not more than three (3) years. The EDT is a primary requirement in order to avail of OWWA’s livelihood assistance dubbed as “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” Program that grants livelihood starter kits amounting to P10,000.00 to the displaced OFWs to serve as a startup business.

DPWH allots P1.5B to complete all main roads in SurSur by 2016 by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY- All main roads in Surigao del Sur are set to be com-pleted by 2016, according to Governor Johnny Pimentel.


“Next year, under the DPWH General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget, Surigao del Sur will receive P1.5 billion of projects,” which Pimentel also tagged as “the biggest allocation that will be released for the province. . .” so far. He announced that this amount, as relayed to him by DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo, will have to be divided between the two districts here with P750 million apiece. Gov. Pimentel stressed that the said budget includes the concreting of roads leading to tourist sites like the Enchanted River-P140 million (Hinatuan); Tinuy-an Falls-P100 million (Bislig City; and, Britannia Islands-P50 million (San Agustin).

As additional information, he also mentioned that Surigao del Sur-Surigao del Norte boundary road has already been allocated with P63M for the remaining portion of 1.9 kilometer stretch. Besides, the four kilometer stretch left for concreting in Bislig-Trento road section (from Surigao del Sur to Agusan del Sur) has gotten another allocation of P100 million, he added. All roads “from Surigao del Norte boundary up to Agusan del Sur boundary and Davao Oriental,” will be completed by 2016, Pimentel assured. The bidding schedule is set in November, this year, it was learned.

1st Sumisip Youth Leadership Summit draws commitments for peace, environment protectionBy Rene V. Carbayas

SUMISIP, Basilan – Young people here have committed themselves to working for peace and development as well as for environmental protection during the first Youth Leadership Summit held last August 22 to 24 at Tumajubong this town. This historic event served as a venue for the youth to speak out their minds on the current issues affecting their town and express their take in the overall peace and development of Basilan. On the first day, Nagdilaab Foundation


1st Sumisip Youth Leadership Summit draws commitments for peace, environment protection

Executive Director Miriam Suacito led participants to self-discovery sessions. The Philippine Information Agency, meanwhile, handled the second day with sessions on leadership and Climate Change Advocacy activities. The PIA-ZBST-produced 30-minute video documentary was shown as basis for discussion. Through role playing the youth illustrated the impact of climate change on the community. An Ustadz and a priest were also present to share views on inter-faith dialogue. The Municipal Social Welfare Office also presented government programs and interventions to address poverty. At the culmination activity, young people drew their

vision of peace and development in their community. Through the initiative of the 64th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Tumajubong, Sumisip, some 140 youth coming from 22 of its 29 barangays for the first Youth Leadership Summit at Tumajubong National High School. Lt. Col. Melisan Raymund N. Recaido INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 64IB,1ID expressed his gratitude to Mayor Gulam S. Hataman and all those who supported and helped make the event possible. “Our aim of this activity is for the youth to develop their potentials to become responsible citizens of the community and that the youth


will become our partner and [be] the catalyst of our pursuit for peace and development of Sumisip,” Recaido told participants. The youth underwent three days life skills seminar on personhood, leadership, communication skills, peace and development, and Climate Change Resiliency Advocacy. Mayor Hataman cited the efforts and role of the 64th IB Philippine Army in maintaining the peace of the municipality. He also lauded the contribution of the 104th Brigade in TARBIDCI cooperative when it faced certain problems. In his message, Col. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 104Bde, 1ID, PA recalled Gat Jose Rizal’s famous line that “the youth is the hope of the fatherland” as he posed the question whether the participants still look at themselves as they are expected to be. “Do we still believe in this? Let us not forget this. Malaking challenge ito sa ating mga kabataan kung paano nila ipapakita at mapapatunayan na sila ay pag-asa ng bayan (This is a great challenge to our youth to prove that they are truly the hope of the fatherland),” Bautista said. He said that this activity also sought to empower the youth to become leaders who, at the same time, mobilize their peers. He stressed that a leader who works with his/her team must show respect for the members to emulate, and that leaders must encourage collective decision so that there is a sense of ownership. “I urge the youth to lead by example,” he concluded.


DOST-SEI scholarship exams set on Sept. 21By Emmanuel D. TaghoyIPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 announced recently that it is now accepting applications for the 2015 DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) Undergraduate Scholarship Examination until Aug. 29, 2014. “We have been given a directive by our DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, that slots provided for each of the municipalities in provinces be filled-in,” said Ms. Francis Melanie T. Temonio, science research specialist of DOST-Sibugay. DOST-Sibugay currently has 18 scholars under the DOST-SEI Program for 2013. “Out of the 16 municipalities that we have, three municipalities with scholarship slots were not filled in last year,” Ms. Temonio disclosed.The DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship is open to high school students with high aptitude in science and technology. There are two types of scholarship programs being offered by DOST: R.A. 7687 Undergraduate S&T Scholarship and Merit scholarship programs. “The R.A. 7687 scholarship reaches out to poor, talented and deserving students desiring to pursue baccalaureate degrees in science and technology along identified priority areas in selected higher education institutions in the country, whereas, the Merit scholarship programs is the precursor of all S&T scholarships of DOST,” explained Temonio. Scholarships in BS degree

programs will be awarded to qualifiers planning to pursue priority fields in basic and applied sciences, engineering and science teaching. Among the scholarship privileges include tuition and other school fees up to P 10,000; book allowance of P10,000 per year; monthly living allowance up to P 5,000; PE uniform allowance; round trip transportation allowance; group health and accident insurance; and post-graduation clothing allowance. As of this writing, a total of 249 high school graduating students coming from Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte were listed as registered applicants. The nationwide qualifying examination is scheduled on September 21, 2014. Application form and brochure on the scholarship can be downloaded at http://www.science-scholarships.ph. For more information, you may visit DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center of Zamboanga Sibugay at 2/F Faundo Bldg., National Highway, Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay or contact them through telephone and cell phone nos. (062) 955-0825/09067391926 and look for Ms. Jeyzel A. Aparri.


Bayog women groups receive livelihood assistance from DOLEBy Claro A. LanipaBAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-9) through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) distributed on Tuesday production supplies, utensils and equipments to two Women Empowerment Movement-Rural Improvement Club (WEM-RIC) groups here. Damit WEM-RIC with 90 registered members received an initial of P114,750 worth of production supplies. The group’s budgetary requirement is placed at P340,000 and will venture in “bagoong making.” While Depore WEM-RIC was given a total of P42,100worth of utensils and equipment whose budgetary requirement was pegged at P149,000 and would engage in banana chips making. PESO Manager Cerilo Carcueva disclosed that these two projects were being funded under DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program with a counterpart from the municipal government. Carcueva said the LGU of Bayog through his office would

closely supervise and monitor the implementation of these projects. The project management staff will also undergo the needed training to ensure sustainability of the program. PESO will be tapping government agencies in the conduct of such training like the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), he said. “Through these projects, housewives from low-income families would find employment opportunities,” the PESO manager said. (with report Bernadine Gabawan/PIO-Bayog)

Bayog women groups receive livelihood assistance from DOLE

DAR turns over first community potable water supply in LdNby Florence A. Ramos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 10 turned over the first community-managed potable water supply sanitation and hygiene (CPWASH) project in barangay Maliwanag of Maliwanag, Cabasagan, Tinubalan and Manan-ao agrarian reform community (MACATIN-AO ARC) in Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

The facilities included two iron removal filters (IRF), one biogas digester, two rain water collectors with one IRF inside and four bio-sand filters were turned over to the Maliwanag Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The total project cost amounted to P160, 000

http://www.hyfluxmembranes.com/potable-water.html


which covers the construction of water and sanitation facilities as well as trainings for selected members and para-engineers. About 210 households in the barangay benefited from this project, of which 132 households are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). During the turnover ceremony, Baroy municipal mayor Rosa Olaffson expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the DAR for choosing barangay Maliwanag as the pilot site of the project. Chief Agrarian Reform Program

Officer (CARPO) for Provincial Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) Alex Lomondot urged the members to properly maintain the facilities so it will continue to provide them with safe and clean drinking water. He said this could be the beginning of more projects to come. CPWASH was conceptualized by the DAR to install low-cost water supply technology and sanitation systems that primarily address the requirements of safe, clean and potable water for the ARBs and non-ARBs in the agrarian reform communities.

This is pursuant to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2013-70 and Article 64, Rule XIII of the Rules and Regulations implementing the 1991 Local Government Code. MASICAP program coordinator

Madonna Galang informed the vice mayor that the foundation has been implementing the Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program since September 2002. The foundation provides technical assistance to micro, small and

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Through Resolution No. 11750-2014, the City Council during its regular session Monday presided over by vice mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas accredited the MASICAP MSME Development Foundation Inc. for purposes of its membership in the Local Special Bodies.

Dads accredit MASICAP in local special bodiesby CdeOSP


DILG upscales SG Housekeeping to Local Governance following “3 plus 1” principleby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has scaled up the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) to the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), starting this year.

The SGLG will replace the SGH in the recognition of good performance of provincial, city and municipal governments, not only on financial housekeeping, but also on other areas that directly benefit the people, Sanivier G. Patoc, provincial director of DILG-Misamis Occidental, said. Meanwhile, Patoc said to qualify for the SGLG, the LGU must possess the “3 plus 1” principle, meaning it must pass the first three, plus any of the other 3 of the following six core areas/criteria, which vary by local government unit (LGU) level and income class: Good financial housekeeping, formerly the SGH, that exhibits

compliance with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations. Disaster Preparedness for disasters that include being an awardee of the Gawad KALASAG for Best Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or having structures, plans and systems in place for disaster preparedness. Social Protection that shows sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable sectors like women, children, senior citizens, indigenous peoples and persons with disability (PWD), among others. Business-friendliness and competitiveness that demonstrates

medium enterprises in different cities and provinces in Mindanao, through preparation of project feasibility studies and business proposals to obtain grants from financial institutions. The resolution was favorably

endorsed by the committees on trade, commerce and cooperatives and on laws and rules chaired by councilors Edna Dahino and Ramon Tabor, respectively.


good performance in business promotion as a result of having a simplified business processing and licensing system. Peace and Order that shows considerable efforts in maintaining peace and order in the community by adopting a Local Anti-Criminality

Action Plan or Peace and Order Council Action Plan. Environmental Management that displays substantial efforts in safeguarding the integrity of the environment with the initial focus of compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Tagum Mayor to tap household support to curb crimes

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte--- Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon banks on the support of every household to curb cases crimes in the city as he admit-ted that enforcement personnel would not be enough to fully check them. In a recent interview, Rellon admitted that his genuine peace and security development agenda came as the greatest challenge to his administration but he eyed to tap every household and every individual to become allies in preventing criminal do their evil work. Following reports of increasing crimes in the city, Rellon has made strides to strengthen the city’s security, warning the city’s police

force to shape up and make significant steps to secure the city. He has also tapped the support of civic organizations such as the Karancho group as force multipliers to augment local police efforts to check commission of street crimes. He has created the “Special Task Force Tagum’s Finest” composite team of police, force multipliers, and members of traffic management on top of the regular police patrol team, while at the barangay level, he said members of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team (BPATs) are monitoringthe puroks. As criminals usually operate in the absence of authorities,



the threats to households and individuals persist, he said. “I think it is high time that we focus on activating the households’ involvement; how we can educate every home that they have a role to play; and if we can muster their support, we can achieve this genuine peace and security,” he said. Rellon called on every household to come up with defense mechanisms, to be on guard against criminals and to use modern means of communication such as texting, to inform police and government authorities of any crime witnessed as committed. While, he was looking forward for every Tagumenyo to take

part in preventing crimes, he also reminded them to keep themselves at the safety of their respective homes when going around the city would not be necessary. “Extra careful,” he said as he explained the state of vulnerability of Tagum City to crimes citing its central locations at the crossroads of highways and access roads to and fro other towns, cities and provinces. He revealed seven major entry and exit points in the city particularly in Magdum and New Balamban in the north; Madaum and Apokon in the east; Mankilam and San Miguel in the west; and Carmen in the south. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


Tagum to rediscover history cultureTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Aug. 28 (PIA)--- Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon has created Tagum City Historical and Cultural Com-mission to document the city’s history and culture. During the City’s celebra-tion of the National Heroes’s Day, Rellon pinned on this commis-sion the realization of the city government’s aspiration to un-earth the city’s past, generat-ing information about the city’s early people: the indigenous peoples, the Muslims and the early settlers. He said the commission will also look into the history of the early settlers who have grown dominant in numbers today as Tagum City has become a melting pot being located at the crossroads of highways going to various provinces, other cities and towns. “They will reach out to descendants of the Muslims and

the IPs. They will capture all these to come up with Tagum History,” he told the media of the tasks of the Commission. The commission is also expected to know the early mode of transportation, music and dances and other facts about how life ran about during the early days of Tagum. Rellon hoped to educate the present generation of the past and to establish oneness among various peoples in the city through the work of the Commission which will take as its secretariat, the City Information Office (CIO). “We will include history and culture in setting a balance of the development agenda we are setting,” Rellon said. “We also hope that Tagum will become part of the itinerary of travel of people to want to see historical sites,” he added. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 29 -- Over 400 informal workers and unemployed in-dividuals shall soon be given income-generating projects courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12 and the provincial gov-ernment of South Cotabato.

S.Cotabato, DOLE 12 to distribute livelihood kits to 400 unemployed, informal workersBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

Regional Director Ofelia Domingo, representing DOLE 12, recently turned over to the provincial government a check amounting to P3,464,447 through DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Program (DILEEP).

The project would provide livelihood starter kits to 432 unemployed and informal workers and engage them in sustainable self- employment through easy to learn livelihood projects

Beneficiaries will be identified and screened by the LGU.

Vice Governor Cecil Diel received the check in behalf of the local government unit.

While expressing gratitude, Diel noted that the assistance would ensure that poor but deserving South Cotabateños are given the opportunity to uplift their family’s situation.

“We continue to be grateful to DOLE Region 12 for its continued funding, we also hope that beneficiaries will value this opportunity to


change their lives for the better,” Vice Governor Diel said.

On her part, DOLE 12 Regional Director Domingo appealed to beneficiaries not to waste the chance given by the government to improve their present situation.

“We challenge the beneficiaries to take care of the livelihood kits that DOLE 12 would give them and work to upgrade these and improve their livelihood,” Director Domingo said.

Approved DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits include manicure sets, food processing, carenderia,

carpentry, plumbing and household services, vulcanizing, computer repair and programming, Balut Maker, Barbecue making, etc.

During the turn-over ceremony at the covered court of the provincial capitol building the

Adventure’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Barangay Cannery, Polomolok, South Cotabato also received an amount of P 1,305,980 from DOLE12 for its proposed Retailing of Consumer Goods and Commodities project. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOLE 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- A research project on surveillance of malaria will be conducted in the municipalities of Tboli and Lake Sebu, a report from the information office of the local government unit of Tboli.

Malaria research to cover Tboli, Lake SebuBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

The project entitled “Applying novel nucleic acid surveillance to malaria elimination in the province of South Cotabato, “ will be implemented in Barangay Kematu and Laconon in Tboli as well as Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu.

These barangays have previous cases of malaria in the province.

Dr. Mary Grace Dacuma, a B’laan professor at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna leads the research project , which is being funded by the the Malaria Eradication Scientific Alliance (MESA).

On August 22, Dacuma briefed municipal health officers barangay health officers, barangays chairmen and councils of the target villages municipalities.

South Cotabato has reported zero case on malaria infection bases on tests conducted by the Department of Health using microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT).

Dacuma explained her study will use a new technology called the Loop-mediated isothermal amplification or LAMP, where genetic testing of the blood samples will be done to detect possible strains of malaria infections.

In the event that a patient is found positive during the testing, she explained further, that person shall be given immediate treatment by the concerned LGU.

Results of the research shall be made transparent to all participating LGU, provincial government of South Cotabato and the Department of Health for appropriate actions, she added.

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease that may be fatal. According to the World Health Organization, in 2012 malaria caused infection in 207 million people and killed 627,000. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from BLugan-LGU Tboli)

Documents

One Mindanao - August 29, 2014