One Mindanao - December 2, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

2/F 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]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Provincial Capitol Compound 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)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features theDPWH IX

infra projects

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

In ThisIssue...

Friday, Vol. 1 No. 110

Cover StoryDPWH IX implements P3.2 B worth of infra projects; remains top implementer nationwide

12 Caraga DRRMC calls on public to prepare for Yuletide season

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Iligan city to rehabilitate slaughterhouse

BJMP-10 fills up 86-m tunnel

Gov’t Information Officers urged to maximize info tech in governance communication

AFP joins 2011 Mindanao Week of Peace

TESDA Davao hits high employment rate 6 of 10 graduates get jobs

Region IX

Region XI

Nora CL Molde, Caraga Region

Melvin T. Anggot and Virgilio C. Garcia, Region X

Jeza Mae Sarah C. Sanchez, Region X

Rene V. Carbayas, Region IX

19

20

2223

26

page 11

page 18

page 21

page 25

page 29

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Nat

iona

l

Aquino expresses alarm over judicial uncertainty in the country........................... 9

page 4

15 Paje pushes for reforms in mining industry

Eric F. Gallego, Caraga Region

Rescued geckos in Gensan released into the wild

Dani Doguiles Region XII32

Palace considers high optimism among Filipinos an inspiration to work even harder.................................................................. 10

Engineer from South Cotabato wins invention tilt for start-up companies

Bai Tagitican and Dani Doguiles Region XII34

4 Friday, December 2, 2011ONE MINDANAO

DPWH IX implements P3.2 B worth of infra projects; remains top implementer nationwide

Cover Story

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

The Department of Public Works and Highways IX has im-plemented 320 infrastructure projects amounting to P3.2 B as of third quarter this year, remaining as top project im-plementer among all DPWH Regional Offices nationwide.

5 Friday, December 2, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

DPWH IX implements P3.2 B worth of infra projects; remains top implementer nationwide

Chief of Monitoring Section Engr. Leddie A. Estanislao said as of September 30, Region IX has maintained its grasp of the top spot on project implementation nationwide for CY 2011-2009 Current Year and Carry-Over Projects with 69.41% accom-plishment rate. He said there are still 54 other ongoing projects and 16 more in pre-construction stage. For this year alone, the department has completed 32 major projects, six of which, cost P20 M each. These are the Sindangan-Liloy Road, Dipolog-Oroquieta National Road, Liloy-Ipil Road, Phases 4 and 5 of the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Multi-Purpose Build-ing in Dapitan City, all in Zam-boanga del Norte Province, and the Lanao-Pagadian-Zamboan-ga City Road, Imelda Section in Zamboanga Sibugay Province.

Thirty six projects are still ongoing, and seven in pre-con-struction stages. DPWH 9 Regional Director Jorge Sebastian, Jr. credited his office’s success to all employees who have worked hard to serve the public. “This accomplishment is a result of the collective efforts of the men and women of DPWH 9 focusing in the department’s mission and vision, in coordina-tion with the national and local officials and leaders in various communities”, Sebastian said. He added that they are com-plying with Secretary Rogelio Singson’s advocacy of 3-R Poli-cy (Right Project, Right Cos and Right Quality), in pursuit of good governance as part of President Benigno Aquino III’s “Matuwid na Daan” slogan. Meanwhile, as part of next year’s project, DPWH has al-ready endorsed the proposed


P310 M by-pass road project in the city for initial funding. The project will cut across the city’s highlands to connect the eastern and western coasts

directly linking the city’s indus-trial and commercial centers. It is also seen to solve peren-nial traffic problem in the city as it will help open alternative routes for motorists. More important, this proj-ect will boost socio-economic activities in the region, and the whole of Mindanao. As for the remaining unfin-ished projects this year, DPWH vowed to fast track its com-pletion before the year ends.


Aquino leads Christmas Tree lighting in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III reminded the Filipinos of their instinctive concern for others through honest and transparent service, as embodied by the government’s programs towards the nation’s sustainable progress

and development, especially now that the season of giving has just started.


In his brief but meaningful message during the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremo-nies at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Mal-acanang Palace on Thursday, President Aquino said that the event symbolizes the tradition of giving and sharing among the Fili-pino people as exempli-fied by the real meaning of the yuletide season. “Ngayon nga pong sinindihan na natin ang ating Christmas tree at mga Christmas lights dito sa Malacañang, ipinapahayag na rin po natin sa bayan ang isa pang simbolo, isa pang tradisyon. Ito po ang tradisyon ng taos-pu-song pagbibigay sa kapwa na ipinamalas sa atin ni Hesus,” the President said. He said that the newly-lit Christmas tree

and lights sig-nify a fresh

hope for t h e

country and the indi-vidual role everyone plays in pursuing prog-ress for the nation. “Ito po ang sim-bolo ng liwanag na kaya nating ibigay para sa bayan. Ang indi-bidwal po nating mga gawain—ang sari-sarili nating pagbubukas-pal-ad, pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, tapat na serbi-syo, at pagkilos tungo sa interes ng ating mga kababayan—lahat po ng ito, kung susumahin, ay sapat upang talaga na-mang isulong ang ating minamahal na Pilipinas,” President Aquino said. The Chief Execu-tive also stressed the im-portance of cooperation and unity among peo-ple in order to achieve the common goal of overcoming any trial in favor of the nation. “Gaya nga po ni-tong mga ilaw na sin-indihan natin ngayon: Maaari pong ang ba-wat maliit na bumbi-lya ay hindi kayang tu-manglaw ng daan kung mag-isa siya, ngunit

kung magsasama-sa-ma at mag-aambagan, makabubuo ito ng isang dakila at dambuhalang liwanag na hindi kay-ang paandapin ng ka-hit anong kadiliman,” the President said. President Aquino led in lighting the 6.6 meters high Christmas tree made from re-cycled steel and gar-land. It was decorated with 125 lanterns and 32 sets of LED lights. Also present dur-ing the event were other high-ranking gov-ernment officials led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., De-fense Secretary Vol-taire Gazmin and Presi-dential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Delez, among others. Prior to the Presi-dent’s speech, perfor-mances were rendered by the Office of the President Chorale, the Philippine Marine Drum and Bugle Team and the children of the Children’s Joy Foundation. (JCL)


Aquino expresses alarm over judicial uncertainty in the country

President Benigno Aquino III expressed concern over judicial uncertainty in the country noting the highest court is apparently

not working in harmony with other branches of the government.

“My task as Chief Executive is clearly spelled out to uphold and defend the consti-tution; implement its laws; do justice to every man; and consecrate myself to the service of the people. You know that even before I was president, I was puz-zled, even alarmed, by the behavior of the Su-preme Court,” the Pres-ident said in his speech at the 30th anniversary of the Makati Business

Club (MBC) in Makati City Thursday evening. The government is established to uphold public good and the President said that as the chief executive he needs clarity of rules and consistency in inter-pretations to effectively implement his plans. But the President said he wonders how he can fulfill his man-date as chief executive given the current be-havior of the Supreme

Court, contradicting it-self and issuing deci-sions not serving the interest of the public. The high court’s reversal of its deci-sions in the past has cast a cloud of uncertainty in the Philippine judicial system, he said. The P r e s i d e n t cited SC’s d e c i -sions


on the status of Dina-gat Island as a prov-ince, confusing its constituents after the high court reversed itself several times. Because of the system of checks and balances in the gov-ernment there should be interplay between the branches of gov-ernment, he said. The SC is sup-posed to be the des-ignated arbiter when disagreements arise but the President doubted the objectiv-ity and nonpartisan-ship of the high court. The President par-ticularly mentioned the issue on the temporary restrain-ing order (TRO)

for Mrs. Arroyo, saying he’s confused why the SC just relied on argu-ments of the former president’s lawyers de-spite the inconsisten-cies of her travel plans. Justice is the bed-rock of progress, the president said adding every Filipino must be treated equally under the law. Also he un-derscored the impor-tance of interplay of all sectors and institu-tions of society in real-izing national progress. “A weak and cor-rupt government affects the state of the econo-my. We have seen so of-ten in different countries all over the world how political instability has done nothing but harm

business operations, and ultimately, eco-nomic stability,” he said. “And, worst of all, these redound directly to the lives of our coun-trymen -- in government programs and initiatives that do not, or cannot truly help the people because of a corrupt leadership; in lack of jobs and opportunities to take stock of their lives; and ultimately, in a poor and vulnerable Philippines,” he added. Aside from grac-ing MBC’s the 30th an-niversary, the President also joined the unveil-ing of its new logo, ac-knowledging the role of the organization for the development of the country. (AS)

Palace considers high optimism among Filipinos an inspiration to work even harderMalacanang said it shares the high

optimism of most Filipinos for the coming year adding it would use the renewed public confidence to

achieve national reform and progress.


A survey conduct-ed by Social Weather Stations (SWS) in June showed that Filipinos re-main optimistic about their quality of life and expect positive changes in the country’s economy in 2012. “We share your op-timism, to everybody who feels optimistic about 2012. We also likewise feel opti-mistic and we will use that optimism to keep putting our noses to the ground at tuloy lang po yung ating pagta-trabaho,” Deputy presiden-tial spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday. “Natutuwa po kami na patuloy po yung op-timism and yung confi-dence ng ating mga ka-babayan,” she added. The high optimism, as showed by the recent SWS

survey means two things for the government, Valte noted. First, the adminis-tration will use it as further motivation “to keep doing what needs to be done to see those numbers go up.” “And secondly, also for our fellow citizens, that hindi tayo nawawalan ng pag-asa that we will see better days up ahead ,” Valte continued. The SWS survey said 36 percent of Filipinos ex-pect their life would im-prove, while nine percent expect their life to get worse, resulting in a “high” net personal optimism score (optimistic minus pessimistic) of +27 points. This figure is 3 per-centage higher compared to the “high” net personal optimism score in March of +24 (35 percent optimis-tic, 11 percent pessimis-

tic), according to SWS. The SWS asked 1,200 respondents nation-wide, “In your opinion, what will be the quality of your life in the coming 12 months?” in the survey conducted on June 3 to 6. The survey also found that Filipinos see the economy to improve in the future, with 29 percent of respondents saying it would get better in the next 12 months. Sixteen per-cent said it would get worse, result-ing in a net eco-nomic optimism score of +14 points. (AS)


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UP Open University to host 1st Int’l Confab on Open, Distance e-Learning by Robert E. Roperos

The 1st International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) will be held on Ferbuary 22-24, 2012 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila Philippines.


The event will be hosted by the Uni-versity of the Philip-pines Open University (UPOU), UPOU Foun-dation, Inc. (UPOUFI) and the Philippine So-ciety of Distance Learn-ing (PSDL) in support of the Philippine Develop-ment Plan (PDP) of the Aquino administration. The conference is anchored on the theme “Creating Spac-es and Possibilities.” It aims to provide a fo-rum for distance edu-cation and e-learning scholars, practitioners and policy makers to

share and reflect on experiences, and col-laboratively create and explore spaces and possibilities for open, distance and e-learn-ing for development. The activity also focuses on the con-vergence of philoso-phies, pedagogies and technologies in ODeL, as well as the issues and challenges aris-ing from practice of ODeL in various con-texts, including among others, public service and development.Interested participants may contact the sec-

retariat at +63 49 536-6001 to 06 local 420, 220 and 710 or email at [email protected]. The country aims to attain its education targets under the Mil-lennium Development Goals (MDGs) to im-prove quality, access and efficiency of edu-cation. The country has been cited as a “partic-ularly striking example of under-performance” in educational reforms in the 2010 Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report.

Caraga DRRMC calls on public to prepare for Yuletide season by Nora CL Molde

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga region through its chairperson calls the public to be prepared this yuletide season.

According to Caraga DRRMC Chairperson and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) regional director

Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, Filipinos may experience a wet Christmas season this year based on

PAGASA’s prediction. Gobenciong said that from December 2011 to January 2012,


there is a strong chance of above normal rainfall in the tropical western Pacific, including the Philippines and the northeast monsoon will be dominant wind system which will result to cool and wet season. Thus, Gobenciong said that this year’s ob-servance of Christmas season requires pre-emptive actions on the part of the RDRRMC to avert any potential di-saster in order to ensure peaceful celebration of this yuletide season. Also, Gobenciong advices and warns the public on situations that

has something to do or that relates in celebrat-ing the season, like the traditional use of Christ-mas lights and buying of affordable toys with toxic chemicals. The public should take note that sets of Christmas lights without ICC mark are products that pose danger to its users. The traditional prac-tice of using firecrackers/fireworks or “paputok” and other pyrotechnic devices in celebrating Christmas Eve and in welcoming the New Year should also be avoided and/or be given extra attention and care

especially to children. Gobenciong further said that the RDRRMC Operations Center would maintain its 24/7 opera-tion to closely monitor incidents arising during the period, which may result, to exposure of people to various hazards that can contribute more vulnerability to disasters. The call is in line with the Climate Change Mitigation and Adap-tation Program of the Aquino Aquino adminis-tration as among those featured in the Philip-pine Development Plan.


Paje pushes for reforms in mining industryby Eric F. Gallego

SURIGAO CITY – In support to the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino Administration specifically on the Con-servation, Protection and Rehabilitation of the Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary Ramon Paje announced Tuesday that reforms are being worked out by the DENR to improve revenue collections of the local government from mining operations.

“We will start the mining reforms in Zam-bonga del Norte,” Paje told the local newsmen shortly after the conclu-sion of the Environment Summit initiated by the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Norte Sol

F. Matugas in this min-ing capital of the Philip-pines. He said the local government must get a good share of income from the mining compa-nies particularly in areas where they have active

operations. “It has to be remitted directly to the LGU” he said adding that he is “ personally cam-paigning for that with the Department of Bud-get and Management , the Department of Fi-nance and the Bureau of


Internal Revenue for the implementation of this policy reforms in tax re-mittances”. “I am proposing that the government must get additional 5 percent (%) from the mining companies of which 40 percent of that goes to the LGU” he said. “We expect an additional revenues of P 16 bil-lion to the government coming from all the min-ing companies actively operating in the coun-try”, the DENR Secretary said. “Imagine this rev-enues that will be used by the LGU for building roads, school buildings, government hospitals, water systems and other

infrastructure projects”, Paje said. Secretary Paje was the keynote speaker of the one-day Environ-ment Summit held at the Provincial Convention Center, Provincial Capi-tol in Surigao City. This was the second Environ-ment Summit held this month in Caraga Region aimed at strengthening the social mobilization and awareness of the people on the need to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources in the coun-try. Before he went to the summit, Secretary Paje made a brief aerial inspection of the Tagan-

ito Mining operation in Claver, Surigao del Norte where he saw some silt-ation along the coastal areas but nevertheless expressed satisfaction of the forest condition in the area. “ I have been in many parts of the coun-try and I can say that Caraga is still the green-est part”, he said. The DENR chief was met at the airport by his field officers headed by Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca,and his staff including the Regional Technical Directors of Forestry Musa Saruang, Atty. Paquito S. Rosal of Land Management, Ma-rio Eludo of the Protect-ed Areas and Wildlife, Coastal Zone Manage-ment and Virgilio dela Cruz of the Ecosystems Research and Develop-ment, Director Alilo En-somo of the Mines and Geo Sciences Regional Office and Ester Ola-vides, director of the En-vironment Management Bureau regional office. In his speech, Sec-


retary Paje has chal-lenged every Filipino people to” do their share and responsibility on en-vironment protection”. He said that the Phil-ippine is the 6th most threatened countries vulnerable to climate change. The polar ice are melting ( owing to increase global warming caused by heavy con-centrations of carbon dioxide and other harm-ful substances on the earth’s ozone layer), the sea level rises which will definitely affect the 90 percent of the Philippine communities that are situated in this areas. He said that the trend in the world is that the poor and population go together”. Under this situation, he said that as the population increas-es the natural resourc-es is always suscepti-ble to exploitation and therefore,result to en-vironment degradation, low productivity and more poverty which be-comes a vicious cycle”. “We must prove to

the world that in this part of the country, develop-ment and conservation go hand-in-hand.” Surigao del Norte, Paje said, can become a laboratory of “Green Mining “ . “ We can show the world that the sus-tainable development principle can work out in this part of the country” he said. He said that the DENR is very much fo-cused on greening through reforestation ef-forts, clean air and clean water which are “funda-mental human rights”. He said that by 2015, it is the objective of the government of Presi-dent Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III that “ every Filipino must have direct access to clean water”. Secretary Paje later has stood witnessed to a Memorandum of Agree-ment entered among the DENR, DAR, DA, DepEd, the Provincial Govern-ment of Surigao del Norte and the City Gov-ernment of Surigao City that seeks to harmonize

all greening efforts in re-habilitating the environ-ment. Under the MOA, the Provincial and City Gov-ernment of Surigao del Norte and SUrigao City shall lead in the prov-ince-wide tree planting activities with legislative support for the mainte-nance and protection of each area. The DepEd shall conduct the infor-mation ,education and communication to all students and immediate communities to enhance environment awareness while the DENR,DA and DAR identify potential and suitable areas for the implementation of the National Greening Program. Secretary Paje also distributed more that 700 free patents under the Handog Titulo Pro-gram of President Aqui-no to the different ben-eficiaries through their respective Mayors. Most of these beneficiaries are from the Dinagat Island province. (DENR-13)


Cagayan de Oro hosts Doing Business in FTAs confabby Mila Aguilar-LasquitesCagayan de Oro City will again

host an information session dubbed “Doing Business

in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA II) Program – A Sectoral Approach for Homestyle, Coconut and Fresh and Processed Food,” on December 8, here.

The session will discuss the benefits of free trade agreements between the Philippines and the ASEAN countries and Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and India. There will also be sessions on market opportunities, tariffs, rules of origin and customs procedures pertaining to these countries. The FTAs the Philippines is currently implementing include one (1) Bilateral FTA - the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA); and six (6) Bilateral FTAs, namely: ASEAN Free Trade Area, and ASEAN Regional FTAs – ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand

FTAs including ASEAN – India. The ASEAN-India FTA is due for implementation this year, according to the DTI. To be discussed also, are market opportunities for the Homestyle, Coconut and Fresh and Processed Food Sectors in Free Trade Areas to include industrial snapshot, world demand, Philippine exports in FTA markets, shares of Philippine exports to world imports, consumer trends, lifestyle/social changes. The DBFTA info session is part


of the activities of Northern Mindanao during the Exporters’ Week which is celebrated during the first week of December 2011. The activity will be conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Tariff Commission (TC) to present benefits and opportunities on FTAs to

business people, academe, concerned government agencies and local government units, customs brokers, traders, distributors and freight forwarders, at the Mallberry Suites, Limketkai Compex. For interested participants, you may call or visit any Provincial Office within Region 10. (DTI-10)

Iligan city to rehabilitate slaughterhouseby Melvin T. Anggot and Virgilio C. Garcia

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - One of the top 10 priority projects in the draft of the Comprehensive Development Plan of Iligan is the P29 million rehabilitation of the slaughterhouse.

Architect Gil Balondo, City Planning and Development Coordinator presented the plan to several barangay officials and local businessmen in the city. The amount is the same as what the Economic Enterprise Manager Orlando Maglinao said to rehabilitate the slaughterhouse back to its original status in 1996 as a triple A facility. It may be recalled that when Maglinao appeared in the regular session of the city council, he explained that many portions of the slaughterhouse needs repair and replacement such as the scalding vat, opal cleaning area, overhead by pass transporting slide, roofing and others. Aside from the rehabilitation of the slaughterhouse, included in the top 10 priority projects of Iligan in

the proposed CDP are the Iligan River and Mandulog Flood Control, drainage improvement, farm to market roads, integrated gymnasium and convention center, new Pala-o Public Market, city hospital improvement, construction of nearly 300 public school classrooms, to sustain the Reverse 47-74+1 Education Program and construction of Mahayahay-Tambacan Bridge.


BJMP-10 fills up 86-m tunnelby Jeza Mae Sarah C. Sanchez

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Misamis Oriental - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Northern Mindanao is currently filling-up the 86-meter tunnel facility to prevent further harm to the people.

This is after the agency successfully prevented recently a supposed unprecedented escape of inmates from the Cagayan de Oro City Jail facility through the tunnel, found intricately done. “Because of the frequent greyhound/search for contrabands operations conducted by our jail personnel inside the cells and the very stringent perimeter security we are implementing, one would necessarily find it difficult if not impossible to stage a daring escape,” said Jail Senior Superintendent Abraham P. Lintao, Regional Director, PNP, Northern Mindanao. “Maybe that’s the reason why they decided to dig up from the outside a hundred-meter away from our facility and concealed in such a way as not to arouse any suspicion from any passers-by,” he added. The BJMP is also conducting its separate investigation in order to pinpoint who is behind the dig-up. “As of now, we are still uncertain as to who is behind this, but one thing we are certain of, they are well-organized and well-funded,” Lintao said.

He stressed the discovery of the tunnel leading to the facility had once again proved that the government agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and BJMP could be very well effective in implementing our mandate if the community is willing to be involved. It is like a symbiotic relationship. We are willing to offer our services to the community other than the usual safekeeping and development of inmates and the community is willing to be of help, he emphasized. (BJMP-10)


Sardines manufacturers in region 9 buck fishing ban circularSardines manufacturers in region 9 including the

bottled sardines makers of this city have recently expressed objection to a circular jointly issued by

the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the implementation of closed fishing season starting December 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012.

Regional Development Coun-cil (RDC)-IX private sector representative Jose Suan said during

the recent RDC meeting here that the imple-mentation of the fishing ban would ad-versely affect the sardines manufactur-ers and their

workers in the re-gion. Suan cited the economic losses to be incurred for three months if the govern-

ment would insist on implementing such a circular. Dipolog mayor and RDC chair Eve-lyn T. Uy also said the bottled sardines man-ufacturers here are opposed to the fishing ban, which also falls during their produc-tion period from Octo-ber to May. Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1-2011 stipulated

by Franklin P. Gumapon


that the closed fishing season shall be from December 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012. In response to the points raised by Suan, DA-IX Execu-tive Director Eduardo Hoyohoy disclosed that “the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is still awaiting the final issuance of a fishery

administrative order. The Department of Labor and Em-ployment (DOLE), on the other hand, has come up with “Sag-ip Tamban” program to provide alterna-tive employment for displaced workers should the fishing ban be implemented. This program will be implemented in part-

nership with BFAR, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Sci-ence and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Develop-ment Authority (TES-DA). (JPA/FPG)


Communication and information officers from government and non-government institutions were encouraged to become innovative and more creative

in gaining knowledge on information technology to effectively inform the people on government activities.

At least a hun-dred communication and information of-ficers converged in General Santos City for the 9th Congress of the Mindanao Com-municators Network (MCN) coming from

Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and ARMM with the theme: “Strength-ening Governance Com-munication through the New Media”. Speaking on be-half of the City Mayor Darlene Custodio, City

Councilor Elizabeth B. Bagonoc stressed that “technology has altered the landscape of com-munication and society.” She said that the theme truly represents the need of the time and that the information communication tech-

by Rene V. Carbayas



nology, in all aspects, has provided vast op-portunities that has increased affordabil-ity and productivity, thereby accelerates socio-economic de-velopment. Recognizing its potentials, Bagonoc said the city has maximized the use of the technology and launched sev-eral websites of the city council, including that of 26 public high schools in General Santos City, claim-ing it to be the first in the country. This, she said, will provide people with the op-portunity to get in touch with their lead-ers (including that of the mayor) on-line, anytime and any-where. “This will help ensure transparency and accountability in making government truly responsive to the people and exer-cise the highest stan-dard of governance,”

she said. Regional Direc-tor Olivia T. Sudaria of the Philippine In-formation Agency-XII said that it has been some 11 years since the Mindanao Communicators Net-work was organized in 2000 whose mem-bership now extends to communication officers, public rela-tions officers, etc. from the NGOs, pri-vate sectors, and the academe. “The goal is sim-ply excellence in gov-ernance communica-tion with the vision to promote excellence in governance com-munication among members by creating a venue for learning, initiating, and con-ducting of learning activities for mem-bers,” Sudaria said. She underscored that the MCN takes the role of develop-ing and enhancing the knowledge and

skills of government information officers, needed for promot-ing government pro-grams to the general public and its part-ners. She said the MCN serves as the um-brella organization that synchronizes lo-cal efforts and plans to that of national ef-forts and programs, particularly for Mind-anao. Through the years, the MCN has been supportive of the national advo-cacy programs for peace and develop-ment, socio-econom-ic programs, and fight against corruption, among others with the Aquino III’s ad-ministration concept of “Daang Matuwid.” The 9th MCN Congress is held from November 28 to 30 with the election of new set of officers.


AFP joins 2011 Mindanao Week of Peace

The Armed Forces of the Philippines joins 2011 Mindanao Peace

of Week which was launched last week in Zamboanga City through a civic parade from Petit Barracks to Don Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Complex.

Troops from Western Mindanao Command, 530th Air Wing Divi-sion, Task Force Zam-boanga and 4th CRG, CRSAFP marched in support to the desire of the Mindanaoans for peace together with the Philippine National Police, Phil-ippine Coast Guard, various government agencies, non-gov-ernment organi-zations, and local government units, among others. Lt Colonel Gamal S Hayudini, Group Commander of the 4th Civil Relations

Group, Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philip-pines said that the 2011 Mindanao Week of Peace is an effort worthy of laud from the headship of the Peace Advocate of Zamboanga through the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace. More so, the unity and participa-tion shown by the people from the dif-ferent walks of life, races, and religion in this Week for Peace is a manifestation of genuine will that Min-

danaoans wants nei-ther conflict nor war but Peace alone, he added. The 2011 Mind-anao Week of Peace is observed from 24 November to 01 De-cember with different activities showcasing primarily on “Peace.” Other activities participated by the military are the art exhibit in Garden Or-chid Hotel and Con-cert for Peace on 01 December at Paseo del Mar. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)


PIA chief tells gov’t communicators to explore news thru SMS by Jeanevive Abangan

The communication challenge is to fit messages into the cell-

phones of every Filipino. Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Jose A. Fabia posed the challenge for government information officers to “produce con-tent that can fit in every cellphone holder in the country.” “I said this because I believe that the future of communication lies on how well we develop messages that can fit into the cellphone of ev-ery Filipino,” he said in a message de-

livered by MindaComNet past presi-dent Olivia Sudaria of PIA 12 during the 9th Mindanao Communicators’ Network (MindaComNet) Congress, held from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30, 2011 in General Santos City. Fabia encouraged government information officers to maximize the use of new media as means of com-municating and of transmitting in-formation. Aside from cellphones, gad-gets to access the internet are also called the new media through which information can directly be passed on to readers and listeners in a fast-and-easy way. The internet offers various social media accounts such as Face-book, Youtube and Twitter, through which one can gain multiple links to share information. Fabia said the social media “is a very powerful, yet inexpensive tool for creating content and disseminating


information to the citizenry.” Though he did not discredit the traditional radio, print and television media which communicators mostly relied upon in the past, but he raised the question on their effectiveness, and their value for money. Noting the mass ownership of cellphones, and laptops to some, Fabia said the new media of in-formation have emerged, referring such as “scud missile”. “Why scud missile? Because, we can now directly hit the targeted audience anytime we want and with the right kind of information,” he said Fabia cited the new media as reasons for PIA to create innovative news programs such as the Weather Watch which helps the National Di-saster Risk Reduction and Manage-ment Council (NDRRMC) in saving “lives and property.” Fabia made the MindaComNet participants aware that the Weather Watch lodged in Facebook, had been

used and viewed by more than 17 million visitors, and had been cited as a reliable source of disaster re-lated information by the United Na-tions, since its launching in October 2010. He also talked about One Min-danao, an electronic magazine cop-ied by PIA offices in the Visayas and Luzon where One Visayas and One Luzon are also produced, respec-tively. “The day will come when One Mindanao, One Visayas and One Luzon will have more readers here and abroad compared with all the newspapers in the Philippines com-bined,” Fabia said. Fabia also informed partici-pants how PIA has delivered timely information, in an inexpensive way, to countless recipients through “text blast.” Like a scud missile, the infor-mation is delivered to our recipi-ents cellular phones,” he said.

TESDA Davao hits high employment rate6 of 10 graduates get jobsDAVAO CITY- Six out of 10 graduates of vocational courses of the Techni-cal Education and Skills Develop-ment Authority (TESDA) in Davao region were able to land jobs this year, buoying up the shares of skilled workers in the various industries in the country. TESDA Region XI (Davao Re-

gion) reported that 15,760 out of the total 25,272 trainees who com-pleted their respective courses this year found employment after grad-uation. The number of graduates was culled from the total number of en-rollees which reached 35,653. Of


those who graduated, 20,510 un-derwent assessment, and 17,573 were issued certification as TESDA Specialista. TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said the figure was very encouraging as this clearly indi-cates that the agency is success-fully achieving its mandate to train for jobs and to produce graduates that industries need. “We are slowly coming to grips with the problem of mismatch between education choic-es and the skills required by busi-nesses,” Villanueva said, adding that “at the end of the day, it’s above all an issue of quality.” Graduates cannot just apply for jobs without taking and passing the competency assessment. More and more companies require job seekers to show proof that they possess the knowledge and skills they require. A technical vocational gradu-ate, who passes the assessment, is issued a certification. The TESDA certification attests the competen-cies of the qualification and that he has earned the right to earn the badge of excellence, that of being a TESDA Specialista. This serves as a kind of quality assurance for TESDA graduates be-fore they plunge in to the real world of work, said Villanueva, who was in Davao recently for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Industry Forum. The forum aimed to provide the framework for evaluating the needs

of the captains of the 11 industry clusters in the region. These are the prime movers of the economy in-volved in sectors such as banana, coconut, mango, seaweeds, woods, construction, information commu-nication technology, livestock and poultry, machineries, tourism and mining. TESDA officials in the region are aiming for an 80 percent em-ployment rate for their graduates. Davao Region is composed of Davao City and four provinces – Compostela Valley, Davao Orien-tal, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. There are a total of 248 institu-tions providing technical vocational and training, including public and private schools, private enterprises and community-based centers in the region. Trainers in the region number to a total of 1,468 while accredited assessment centers total to 175. As of November 18 this year, TESDA has released scholarship vouchers for the region worth about P30 million. TESDA provides scholarships through its two main programs namely, the Training for Work Schol-arship Program and the Private Ed-ucation Student Fund Assistance (PESFA). At least P2.3 million is still due for release to Davao City, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur under the PESFA scholarship.


MAASIM, Sarangani – Barangay Kabatiol Chairman Noel Tapan extends his appreciation being the recipient of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) Bangka Project. The Kabatiol Fishermen’s Association received six new motorized bangkas worth P250,000 funded by World Bank, the Department of Agriculture thru MRDP and the Local Government of Maasim Monday. Fishing is the main livelihood of the barangay. (Maasim News Central/Abner Arzaga)

Villagers thank World Bank for Bangka Project

Photo Release


Villagers thank World Bank for Bangka Project

Mountaineers advocate tourism, education, and environmentby Ariel Lalisan

ALABEL, Sarangani – In the early morning of November 26, more than a hundred people gathered at the James L. Chiongbian Provincial Capitol building.

That day was a big day for Sarangani Prov-ince as it celebrates its 19th Foundation An-niversary and 9th Mu-naTo Festival.

But those who gath-ered at the Capitol lob-by that morning did not come for the festivities.

They came for three important causes: tour-ism, education, and en-vironment.

From as far as Davao and North Cotabato and from the neigh-boring cities of General Santos and Koronadal and the province of

South Cotabato, moun-taineering enthusiasts participated in the 1st MunaTo EcoTrek to At-nayan Waterfalls in sitio New Canaan, barangay Pag-asa in Alabel.

The sun shone bright-ly as we rode three dump trucks from the


Capitol compound.Looks like God an-

swered our prayer, I told myself. Our biggest fear is for heavy rain to pour down because, as per experience, when it rains, the water level in the river can rise in no time and begin to inun-

date the riverbanks. So it was a blessing that the sky was clear that morning.

The mountaineers couldn’t hide their ex-citement as we started rolling. They got even more spirited as we were nearing barangay

Pag-asa, where their eyes feasted on a pan-oramic view of the val-ley. They even enjoyed it when the trucks start-ed to cross the river, thus the ride became all bumpy.

After more than an hour of balancing stunts, we reached our jump off point for the trek. The books and seed-lings were distributed to each participant. The books were wrapped in plastic to prevent them from getting wet.

God had been very good to send us low-lying clouds when we started the trek. All through the trek, it did not get very hot for the trekkers.

The participants crossed the river 23 times and traversed hills to reach sitio New Ca-naan. Not only did they have to endure the dis-tance and the difficult trail, each of them car-ried additional weight due to the books and the seedlings.

Three-and-a-hal f hours later, we were al-ready at sitio New Ca-naan, where the moun-taineers built a tent city


at our camp site. Af-ter which, we started planting the seedlings we brought.

There were Acacia, Mahogany, and Span-ish cedar.

We did not want our efforts to go to waste; we chose an area where the locals can take care of the newly-planted trees.

Barangay Kagawad Diansing Sampayon of Pag-asa assured us that he will see to it that the trees we planted will survive.

During the welcome night, representatives from each participating mountaineering group were very thankful to have been given the chance not only to visit a new place but to also serve others by deliver-ing books to the school and by planting trees.

They said that they found the activity very meaningful.

When I and my fel-low Team Bundol Moun-taineers conceptualized the activity, we empha-sized that it should not just be a trekking to see the Atnayan Waterfalls. My team wanted to do a sort of an outreach

activity. So, we set our objec-

tives that included pro-moting tourism, sup-porting the National Greening Program, and the Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan program of the local government of Sarangani, and even-tually, facilitating prog-ress in the area.

The 1st MunaTo EcoTrek was hosted by Team Bundol Moun-taineers, in cooperation with Madyaw Alabel Mountaineers Associa-tion (MAMA), and Magu Sarangani Mountain-eers.

It was almost an impossible dream for Team Bundol Moun-taineers to organize such an activity given our limited resources, skills, and connection.

We are thankful to MAMA, under the leadership of Narciso Grafilo IV, for render-ing service by setting up the trail, acting as marshalls, and provid-ing security and safe-ty for the participants, and to Magu Sarangani Mountaineers, led by Alma Corazon Gabuat, for linking us to the

MunaTo Festival orga-nizers and for helping provide transportation and logistical support.

The activity turned out to be an over-whelming success.

Furthermore, we owe a lot from Quality Education for Saran-gani Today (QuEST) for providing the books. We are also indebted to the provincial gov-ernment of Sarangani, tourism office, office of the provincial engi-neer, environment and natural resources of-fice, and the municipal government of Alabel, especially to Vice May-or Vic Paul Salarda.

If there is only one way to measure the success of the activ-ity, it would be the mountaineers shaking hands with you and personally telling you how grateful they are to have been involved in the activity.

For me, there is not greater success than to inspire others to also start doing good things for the Earth and for other people.


Rescued geckos in Gensan released into the wildby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Some 1,600 geckos rescued in a raid in General Santos City are now back into the wild.

SSupt. Albert Igna-tius Ferro, regional di-rector of the Criminal Investigation and De-tection Group (CIDG-12) in an interview with a local radio station here said personnel from

the Department of En-vironment and Natural Resources and CIDG released the geckos (tuko) in an area near the famous Seven Falls in Lake Sebu, South Co-tabato on Wednesday.

The area is part of the 102,305-hectare Allah Valley Protected Landscape.

The geckos were seized on Tuesday in the compound of Mind-anao Development


Venture and Trade in barangay Lagao, Gensan in a raid conducted by members of the CIDG, DENR, National Bureau of Investigation, and other police units af-ter confirming reports that the company is engaged in buying and selling of geckos.

Geckos were placed in boxes, crates and cages and were re-portedly ready for transport to Metro Ma-nila when the team raided the com-pound.

Charges have been filed against suspects

Mario Legazpi, Maricel Cayetano, Wesley Sali-ban and Gilbert Men-doza -- all officers of the company -- for vi-olation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conserva-tion and Protection Act have been formally filed against the sus-pects.

Ferro believes the geckos were collected from different parts of Mindanao, particularly around Marawi City.

He said t he compa-ny have been buying geckos at P2,000 to

P5,000 depending on the sizes.

Trading of wild-life, including geckos is prohibited by law. Collection of wildlife is allowed by law but only after securing permit from DENR.

Demand for geckos in the Philippines has intensified in the re-cent months after re-ports that the reptile can fetch millions of pesos because of its supposed capability to cure many diseases, including HIV-AIDS.


Engineer from South Cotabato wins invention tilt for start-up companiesby Bai Tagitican and Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- An engineer from South Cotabato was recently named one of the five winners of the 2nd Filipinnovation Award being sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Filipinnovation Award is DOST’s search for five best inventions by start-up companies in the country.

Engr. Benjamin B. Hurtado Jr., resident of barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City was hailed for his invention, the Daikkha Dehumidifier Mechanical Dryer, which has potential in helping farmers reduce cost and losses during post –har-vest.

In his search for an ef-ficient alternative equip-ment, Hurtado, being an owner of a fabrication company, perfected a dehumidifier mechanical dryer after a series of ex-periments.

His machine has a dehumidifier or heat ex-changer that removes water vapor in hot air produced from a rice hull oven before the hot air is diverted to the rice/corn bin for subsequent drying process.

With its capacity to provide drying services in any weather condition, it can produce food grade

quality products at a significantly lower opera-tional cost.

The Daikkah Mechani-cal Dryer can dry 700 sacks or 35 metric tons of newly harvested palay in four processing cycles lasting a total of 16 hours only.

Hurtado’s invention uses rice hull to create heated air for drying, and consumes only 144 kilo-watts for 16 hours of dry-ing.

Other winners of the 2nd Filipinnovation Award were: Ahcil Laboratories, Inc., Barbalite Technolo-gies, Crisologo Concrete Precast Enterprise, and Filimagineers, formerly Mayad-Web 3D.

The Filipinnovation Award seeks to recog-nize and promote local innovative technology development by start-up

companies involved in biotechnology, informa-tion and communications technology, electronics, robotics/mechatronics, material science, nano-technology or combina-tions thereof.

Plaques, cash prizes and gift packs were giv-en to the winners during the awarding ceremonies held on November 25 at the Bayanihan Center, United Laboratories, Inc. in Mandaluyong City dur-ing the 4th anniversary celebration of the Filipin-novation.

DOST 12 regional director Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan said Engr. Hurtado’s mechani-cal dryer was among the winners in the 2011 Re-gional Invention Contests and Exhibition (RICE), which highlighted the re-gional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in Gen-eral Santos City in Au-gust.

Documents

One Mindanao - December 2, 2011