One Mindanao - December 23, 2015

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 ARTISTSVICTORINAO VILLACRUZ, 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 AgencyEXECUTIVE 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

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ARMM

DILG-ARMM, NAPC hold BuB confab, 97 patrol cars turned-over

34 ARMM sues private firms for failing to complete school buildings

NORTHERN

DTI enables business environment in MisOr

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DTI Camiguin Negosyo Center boosts SME capacity

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36

11th Mindanao Film Festival

Debt-to-GDP ratio improves as of September 2015

Mindanao brigade has new commander, outgoing chief lauds stakeholders’ cooperation in bringing peace

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Cover Story

SOUTHERN

INFOCUS NATIONAL

Davao City to extend financial help to typhoon Nona affected areas

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Contents

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By RG Alama

OUR COVER

Panlabuhan Manobo leader inspires Mindanawons

22By: Susil Ragas

CARAGA

40 21

By: Joey Sem Dalumpines

Inmates receive presents from LGU Gensan execs

19

SOCCSKSARGEN

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4 December 23, 2015One Mindanao

11th Mindanao Film FestivalBy RG Alama

N ow on its 11th year, this year’s Mindanao Film Festival held its annual theatrical screenings of

participating films at the Gaisano Mall Cinema 6 from December 9 to December 15.

The festival opened with the Mindanao premiere of the feature-length film “Iisa” (As One) helmed by Chuck Gutierrez the film was one of the finalist in this year’s Quezon City International Film Festival. It was shot in Compostela Valley province and the plot deals with an indigenous community in the aftermath of a vicious typhoon.

There were 46 films entered in the festival competed for various awards. The awards night was held at Davao Cinematheque where another short film by Cagayan de Oro filmmaker Bernard Jay Mercado “The Man in

the Cinema House” was screened. Mercado’s short won as best film in the 2015 University of the Philippines Film Institute as Best Thesis Film.

The organizers had filmmaker/film editor Chuck Gutierrez, film director Benjie Garcia and regional film primemover/ humanities professor Katrina Ross Tan as the jurors in the event.

“Pakot,” a film about a city-born teacher serving in a remote indigenous community of Compostela Valley won as best film. It also got the award for

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6 December 23, 2015One Mindanao

best production design.

“Pagsalig” a short produced by the Davao del Norte Provincial Information Office about a reluctant faith healer in Talikud Island got numerous awards including the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Sulyap Kultura Award, Best Screenplay, Best Production Value (for a workshop film) and Best Guerrilla Filmmaking Workshop Film).

The NCCA Sulyap Kultura Award which comes with a P10,000 cash prize is given to film which effectively showcases traditional or local culture in the film.

Tami-aw, a film about a 4Ps recepient was given as special jury citation while Dangatan, a film about two women trying to break free from their fate of misery was cited for Honorable Mention. Here are the other awardees

BEST ACTRESSMae Bornillo for the film Dangatan

BEST ACTORJeff Sabayle and Ferdinand

Mesias for the film Abi

BEST SOUNDBagane Fiola and Maki Serapio for Kaon Durian

BEST MUSICAL SCOREAidx Paredes and Thea Pitogo for the Merry Joy Show

BEST EDITINGBagane Fiola for Kaon Durian

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHYArbi Barbarona for Singgit sa Hilom na Tubig

BEST DIRECTORBagane Fiola for Kaon Durian

BEST STUDENT FILMPuloy of the Davao City National High School Special Program for the Arts

BEST DOCUMENTARYThe Little Me

BEST FILM-A-THON FILMMerry Joy Show

The film festival is organized by the Mindanao Film and TV Development Foundation and the Davao Autism Intervention Center Foundation Inc. with the support of the National Commission for


8 One Mindanao December 23, 2015

the Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The MFF is also helped with the assistance of various partners such as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), City Government of Davao, Canon Philippines, Population Commission, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), Gaisano Mall Cinema, Southspot, Taters, Filipino Comfort Food (FCF), Kusina sa Subli, Louworks Studios, FilminDavao, Muzika del Sur, Genesis 88, Hiyang Organic Soap, Pudols and State of Mind Productions.


One Mindanao10 December 23, 2015

“With this budget, we have doubled the national budget since 2010 and we are providing the largest sectoral allocation to

social services. This budget also caps the administration’s record of enacting the budget in time for a perfect six straight times,”

QUEZON CITY -- The President signed Tuesday the P3.002 trillion 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA), setting a record for the administration in creating a budget that is vastly different from the budgets that were created before President Aquino’s term.

Aquino signs P3-T national budget; social services to get largest allocation


said Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad.

Abad said the 2016 GAA, higher by P396 billion (15.2 percent) than the P2.606-trillion 2014 national budget, continues the administration’s commitment of focusing on social services that directly benefit individual citizens, such as education and health, both with increased budgetary allocations at P436.5 billion and P128.5 billion, respectively.

Social services, which also cover housing, livelihood and community-driven projects, account for P1.106 trillion (36.8 percent) of the budget, while economic services covering areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, transport and communications account for P829.6 billion (27.6 percent).

General public services will take in P517.9 billion (17.3 percent), while defense and security will receive P129.1

billion which stands as the lowest allocation among sectors at 4.3 percent. Still, the allocation reflects a raise of 11.5 percent from 2015, to address the budgetary needs of AFP modernization, in light of the West Philippine Sea territorial disputes.

Meanwhile, only 14 percent of the budget will go to debt interest payment, the lowest-ever debt payment allocation that the government has set in ten years, further underscoring how the budget favors poverty alleviation through people empowerment.

“For six straight years, the administration consistently focused the budget on programs that have great impact on the needs of the poorest communities, while being aware of the need to ensure that the allocations for services also function as long-term investments towards lasting inclusive growth,” said the budget chief. “A case in point would have to be education, taking on the


largest sectoral allocation and marking a growth rate increase of 16 percent.”

According to Abad, for every P100 of the 2016 budget, around P64 will be spent on social and economic services. “This clearly shows how the government is wisely investing on its people, with the foresight of supporting services that will keep serving their needs long into the future,” he said.

The Department of Education led the top ten agencies

receiving the largest budget at almost P437 billion. The rest of the top ten departments are: public works and highways (P400.4 billion); national defense (P175.2 billion); interior and local government (P154.5 billion); health (P128.5 billion); social welfare and development (P111 billion); agriculture (P94 billion); transportation and communications (P48.5 billion); finance (P33.2 billion), and; environment and natural resources (P24.8 billion). (DBM)


MANILA-- As of September 2015, the General Government debt to GDP ratio improved to 36.8% from 37.2% in Q3 2014. The General Government debt was listed at P4.8 trillion, a 5.1% increase from the P4.6 trillion recorded during the same period last year.

Debt-to-GDP ratio improves as of September 2015

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima remarked, “We still function in a very uncertain global environment. Keeping this ratio down is part and parcel of our commitment to keeping the Philippines resilient. We can expect the downtrend to persist further.”

The General Government debt was listed at P4.8 trillion, a 5.1% increase from the P4.6 trillion recorded during the same period last year. This can be attributed to the P238.0 billion addition in outstanding National Government (NG) debt (net of


the Bond Sinking Fund holdings). Domestic borrowings rose by 4.9% while foreign debt, which comprise 38% of NG debt stock went up by 4.5% reflecting the impact of peso depreciation.

General Government debt consists of the outstanding debt of the NG, the CB-BOL, Social Security Institutions, and the Local Government Units less intra-sector debt holdings of government securities including those held by the BSF.

Furthermore, Local Government debt slightly increased by 1.4% to P69.4 billion compared to last year’s level of P68.5 billion due to higher loan availments. Tranche releases are based on project accomplishments. Social Security Institutions such as the GSIS and the SSS did not add to the debt stock but raised their holdings of Government Securities by 1.2% or P5.9 billion from last year’s level. (DOF)



Mindanao brigade has new commander, outgoing chief lauds stakeholders’ cooperation in bringing peace

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- A veteran Army colonel who spearheaded his brigade to various successful operations against lawless elements in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat has relinquished his position to a younger officer Tuesday.

filephoto: luisliwanag.asia

Colonel Melquiades Feliciano, 601st brigade commander, turned over the leadership of the Army unit to Colonel Cirilito Sobejana in simple ceremonies held in Barangay Kalandagan,


Tacurong City. Melquiades steered his unit to become “Best Brigade of 6th Infantry Division” for two consecutive years from 2014 and 2015.

Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division commander, presided over the turnover ceremonies witnessed by local officials and representatives from peoples organizations. “Colonel Feliciano contributed both in the peace and development efforts of the government and in the campaign against lawlessness and terrorism in his area of assignment,” Panganiban said.

Felic iano served the Brigade for one year and nine months from February 28, 2014 until his relief.

“I would like to expressed gratitude to the local government officials and all the officers and men of the 601st brigade who contributed much in our desire for peace,” Feliciano said in Filipino.

“Without you, we could not have reached this far -establishing peace in our area of operation and preventing the commission of lawlessness,” he added.

In his assumption speech, Sobejana assured his predecessor he will continue the best practices the brigade has started particularly the collaboration and cooperation with the stakeholders in promoting peace, security, and development in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

Sobejana assumed the position as the 23rd Commander of 601st Infantry Brigade.

Prior to his designation as the brigade commander, he was the former Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 of the Philippine Army.

Sobejena belonged to PMA “Hinirang” Class of 1987.

Feliciano is temporarily assigned at 6th ID headquarters in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao.


Tacurong City receives Php5M incentive

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Dec. 23— The city government of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat province was handed an incentive worth Php 5 million for efficient implementation of the Bottoms-Up-Budgeting program (BuB).


A report from the local gov-ernment said, Budget Secre-tary Florencio Abad came to Tacurong City on December 17 to personally turn over the Php 5 M incentive.

With him at the ceremony were Regional Director Akmad J. Usman of DBM 12 and Asec. Maxine Tanya M. Hamada of DBM Monitoring and Evaluation.

“The Daang Matuwid is diffi-cult. That’s why the government makes it a point to recognize hard work,” Sec. Abad stated at the event.

Tacurong was lauded for its prompt, efficient and transpar-ent implementation of more than 50% of its BUB projects slated for 2015.

Only two LGUs in the country were awarded the incentive, the other one being Ilagan City of Isabela Province.

The said incentive was an-nounced during the Union of Local Authorities of the Philip-pines (ULAP) meeting, which Hon. Lina Montilla attended on December 2.

The turn over ceremony at Palm Bistro, Tacurong City was attended by Mayor Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechon-sito, members of the Sanggu-niang Panlungsod, the different

barangay captains of the city, and the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team.

In her acceptance speech, Mayor Montilla thanked the DBM and the national government for repeatedly recognizing the city’s efforts in ensuring good public service to the constituents by way of awards and incentives.

Receiving such an incentive, she added, serves as a motiva-tion to keep on working hard for the benefit of all Tacurongnons.

“We firmly assure you that every single peso will be put to good use and will be consciously turned into rational programs that will benefit those who be-long to the lower bracket of the society as they are the ones who need it most,” she stated. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with re-port from LGU Tacurong Infor-mation)


Inmates receive presents from LGU Gensan execs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY Dec 23 – Female inmates received Christ-mas presents from executives of the local government unit here Thursday.

Beneficiaries of the gift-giv-ing activity of Mayor Ronnel Ri-vera and heads of the different departments were the 164 fe-males inmates of General San-tos City Jail at Lanton, Barangay Apopong.

Gifts consisted mainly of

goods for women as well as clothes gathered from dona-tions. Medical check-up and medicines were also provided free to the female inmates.

Leah Tolimao, Human Re-source Management and Devel-opment Office (HRMDO) head,


said “this is a program for our department heads every Christ-mas. We want to extend our blessings by searching for areas we can do outreach.”

In 2014 the LGU officials gave gifts to wards of or-phanage facilities in the city.

On his part, Mayor Ronnel Ri-vera, aside from delivering his goods also promised the in-mates that he will do his best to expedite the resolution of their cases.

“I know that many of you here want to go out already. That is why I will try to bring back our Justice on Wheels program so that we can roll your cases,” Mayor Rivera told the group.

“We will work make sure that those who could be released from the jail will be freed,” the mayor promised.

Ana de Lapaz, one of the longest-staying female inmates responded, saying: “Alam ko Mayor na marami ka na tala-gang naitulong sa amin. Kahit nung konsehal ka pa, tinutulan-gan mo na kami. Naaalala mo pa ba Mayor yung three thou-sand (pesos) na ibinigay mo sa amin para makapagsimula kami ng livelihood? Tingnan mo ngayon, lumago na (I am aware Mayor that you helped us

many times already. Even when you were still a councilor, you are helping us already. Can you still remember Mayor the three thousand pesos you gave us so that we can start a livelihood? Take a look now; it has grown already),” De Lapaz narrated.

Senior Jail Officer 2 Aileen Sanchez, assistant warden of the female dormitory, also shared her testimony to the generosity of the current mayor of Gensan.

“Mayor Rivera shoulders the gasoline of our vehicles. In the past, we were really struggling with our travels and logistics because we don’t have sufficient budget for gasoline. Every year, the total expense of our gaso-line is around P70,000 so I am really thankful to his initiative,” Sanchez said.

Inmates are also provided free hospitalization through the zero-balance billing program, she added.

At present, LGU Gensan is constructing two cell buildings at the General Santos City Jail.

The gift-giving is also part of the celebration of Paskuhan sa Gensan 2015. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)


DENR sees no relax of duty on anti-illegal log monitoring on Christmas

BUTUAN CITY – Department of Environment and Natural Resourc-es (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo has in-structed personnel involved in the monitoring of log movements in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to further tighten the watch on unscrupulous individuals who would attempt to smuggle undocu-mented logs during the yuletide season.


“There are two hotspots of illegal logging in the region which are being monitored by the DENR field men in coordination with the Philippine National Police,” DENR Caraga assistant regional director Roberto Olivares said. He said those involved personnel in the anti-illegal logging operation have been told to maintain round-the-clock monitoring this Christmas Season particularly during long vacation periods. “Personnel on duty who are requesting for vacation leave during this season are advised to inform their respective CENRO officers to ensure those assigned on duty at the monitoring station are always kept posted by somebody relieving them,” Oliveros said. Meanwhile, the DENR has

noted the apprehensions and seizures of illegal lumber and flitches have steadily declined since 2014. According to records released by the Enforcement Division under the Technical Services Office, the apprehensions and seizures of undocumented lumber have dipped further to 833,944 board feet in the 3rd Quarter of this year as compared to the combined apprehension and seizures made in the 1st and 2nd quarter of this year of 478,448.65 board feet. In 2014, the DENR made an apprehensions and seizures of illegal lumber to 1,931,303.84 board which is lower that than the previous record of 2,677,184.77 made in 2013. (Herzon F. Gallego, DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Panlabuhan Manobo leader inspires MindanawonsBUTUAN CITY -- Datu Boyet Reyes, Sectoral leader of Manobo Tribe, Panlabuhan Floating Village in Agusan Marsh inspires the participants during the recently held 1st Mindanao River Basin Or-ganizations Conference at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. Datu Boyet was chosen as one of the resource speakers during the conference. He highlighted his positive intentions for the marsh and his extreme desire to protect the natural resources and

wildlife within the area. This Manobo sectoral leader was only able to finish grade 3, he cannot speak in English or Filipino, leaving him with no choice but to deliver his message


using the Visayan dialect. He inspires most of the participants as he narrates his story giving emphasis on the marsh being a part of his everyday life. “I may not have much and I lack education but I assure all of you that I will protect the Agusan Marsh to the best of my abilities. This is the only thing left to me by my grandfather and it has been the sanctuary of my family for so many years. As a sectoral leader in our community, I promote environmental protection and conservation. I commit do this advocacy till the last drop of my blood,” Datu Boyet said. Agusan Marsh is a special feature of the Agusan River Basin which serves as the catchment area for waters flowing from the headwaters in Regions X

and XI. It has been named as a Ramsar site being a wetland of international importance with a total area of about 658 km2. The marsh is one of the most important biodiversity sites in the country, being the habitat of endemic animals and plant species, most especially the Philippine crocodile. Datu Boyet together with the other Manobo people depends on the marsh for survival. They consider it as their home in which their floating houses are situated. The message of Datu Boyet ended with a deafening sound of applause from all the participants in the conference. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)





Negosyo Center, roving academy increase support to MisOcc MSMEsAs Misamis Occidental continue to be on top for the Bagwis

award or seal of excellence with five silver and five bronze awards, the launching of Negosyo Centers and the conduct

of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy maintain its support for the expansion of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in their province.

Two Negosyo Centers were launched in the same day by the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) Provincial Office on 30 June 2015. One is situated at Ozamiz city, the other is placed in Oroquieta city. These two Negosyo Center intend to promote ease in doing business and facilitate access to services for MSMEs. In developing MSMEs to become competitive in domestic and international markets, the province has targeted 20 trainings/seminars. SME Roving Academy has reached the above target having 34 trainings and seminars this year in which 11 were managed in Ozamiz, 15 in Oroquieta and 4 in Calamba.

Another milestone of the province was the establishment of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Ozamis Chapter which agenda is to increase competitiveness of the Filipino workers in the global economy set up. Through PMAP, it can give enormous benefits in the city and also served as a venue to attract local business magnates and will contribute to the


DTI enables business environment in MisOrCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In attracting trade and investment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Misamis Oriental continued to increase number of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through Negosyo Center and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Roving Academy to help building business environment in the province.

Having the first established Negosyo Center in the country, a total of 150 trainings were conducted with a minimum of 2, 576 trainees educating them on Negosyo Center Coaching Sessions and Roving Academies. The implementation of Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program also flourished in the province aiming to increase productivity and

competitiveness of industries. This leads the introduction of new suitable technologies to the beneficiaries of the said program. Forty six (46) SSF were provided and maintained to 41 proponents including the establishment of Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental Business Advisory Council (MOBAC) was organized to pursue interest and advocate for the issues for the development of the industry. To boost the promotion of local products to local and foreign buyers, DTI has involved SMEs into trade fairs and market matching activities including three

market expansion for the MSMEs. Further, longest training in rubber production technology took place at Oroquieta Agro Industrial School (OAIS) considering the first for National Certification (NC) 2 assessment in Northern Mindanao. A total of 14 farmers and technicians across Oroquieta city graduated from the training.

The launching and turnover of Shared Service Facility (SSF) for sweetened banana processing equipment was done in support to COSIBA ARC MPC in the province. Also, a groundbreaking and MOA signing of UNIDEBA processing center has completed in partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). (Mariel B. Urdaneta/PIA10)


international trade fairs namely: International Food Exhibition, SIAL Paris Food Innovation Exhibition and Manila FAME, the country’s premiere design and lifestyle event. This year, DTI also facilitated the streamlining of business permits and licenses of the 25 cities and municipalities to make an easy passage in doing business.

Further, the Consumer Welfare Division remains in educating, protecting and empowering consumers with their rights and responsibilities. It has conducted Consumerism Forums across Misamis Oriental to widen the campaign for consumer empowerment. (Mariel B. Urdaneta/PIA10)

DTI Camiguin Negosyo Center boosts SME capacityCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The establishment of Negosyo Center known as the Municipality of Mambajao, Negosyo Center continued to assist a total of 225 Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) for 2015 in the province of Camiguin.

This Negosyo Center facilitates and expedites the business application process of MSMEs. It also provide assistance in availing of technology transfer, production, training programs and other related services. Fifty (50) trainings were conducted with over 1, 500 beneficiaries in the areas of Entrepreneurial Development Skills, Techno trainings and adoption and productivity measures which all valuable for improving efficiency among MSMEs. To make MSMEs more competitive and improve the quality of their product, the implementation of Shared Service Facility was done

to also boost investments. The DTI provided the MSMEs with equipment that will enable the creation of more job and production of better income. in 2015, 12 established projects under SSF program have accomplished by the DTI in the whole province of Camiguin including the approval of the two SSF projects namely, Corn Brew Processing Equipment at Sagay and Camiguin and Mobile Abaca Decorticating Machine at Agoho Mambajao, Camiguin. (Mariel B. Urdaneta/PIA10)


Hundreds of residents in Ganassi town receive free services

Hundreds of residents from the town of Ganassi in the province are thankful to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

government for the free services offered during the Provincial People’s Day last December 8, 2015.


The free services offered include medical check-up such as blood pres-sure taking, blood sugar testing and dental check-up. The Department of Health-ARMM in cooperation with the Department of Education-ARMM and Integrated Provincial Health Office-Lanao also distributed medicines and vitamins. The PAMANA Program of the DSWD-ARMM also turned-over post-harvest facili-ties to farmer beneficiaries of Ganassi town. C h e c k s worth more than P1,000 each were fur-ther distributed to 171 indigent

senior citizens as social pensioners of DSWD Lanao. Similar Provincial People’s Day are being held in all provinces of the ARMM. It is part of the continuing ef-forts of the Hataman administration to bring direct services closer to the public. (BPI/PIA-10)


DILG-ARMM, NAPC hold BuB confab, 97 patrol cars turned-overMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Stakeholders of Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gathered for a two-day summit in Cotabato City to further enhance the program and strengthen government and basic sector partnership.

Dubbed ‘ARMM BuB Summit,’ the activity started on December 16 until December 17. It was convened by the region’s Interior and Local Government department (DILG-ARMM) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). Over 90 local chief executives and 111 representatives from civil society organizations from different towns and provinces, officials of regional line agencies such as Departments of Health, Social Welfare and Development, and Education, as well as representatives from national oversight agencies participated in the BuB activity.

“This program seeks to increase citizen’s access to local service delivery through demand-driven budget planning process, and to strengthen government accountability,” Anwar Malang, ARMM’s secretary of Interior and Local Government said. Meanwhile, Jose Eliseo Rocamora, NAPC secretary said the BuB Summit also covered the current implementation of the

program in the ARMM, generate solutions to problems identified in the implementation and lay-out fundamental agreements on the proposed direction for BuB in 2017. A total of P20 billion will be allocated for BuB 2017 program nationwide. Bottom-up Budgeting is an approach in formulating budget proposals of national government agencies, taking into consideration the development needs of poor cities, or towns, as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans. Such plans are formulated with strong participation from basic sectors and


civil society organizations. Among the BuB-funded projects implemented in the region are provisions of community water supply systems and new health centers, and initiatives on gender and development. From 2013 to 2015, a total of 119 projects under BuB have been completed and 144 more projects are on going. Meanwhile, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman formally received 97 brand new patrol cars as part of BuB program for the region. DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento led the turnover of the patrol cars, which would be distributed to the different police offices in the region. Hataman said the patrol cars will boost the region’s law enforcement

capability specifically at local government level. The Police Regional Office-ARMM headed by Chief of Police Ronald Estilles and other officials were present during the turnover ceremony. Local government units in the ARMM have been part of the BuB program implementation since it started in 2012. The reform program is implemented by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the national government with the objective of attaining the Philippine Development Plan’s goals of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, and to promote good governance at the local government level. (BPI/PIA-10


ARMM sues private firms for failing to complete school buildingsMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government has filed at least three cases against contractors who have failed to complete the construction of school buildings four years after the contracts have been signed.

Cases are set to be filed against a total of 16 firms to ensure the completion of school building projects as specified in contracts signed last September 2011 with the regional government, which was then under acting governor Ansaruddin Adiong. “School building projects do not take years to accomplish,” said Amir Mawallil, ARMM spokesperson.“Based on the contracts, a school building is a one story building with just two to three classrooms. Surely it doesn’t take four years to finish one school building given this specification. We have previously met with these contractors and informed them in several meetings that their negligence is unacceptable.” Mawallil said running after contractors who failed to fulfil their contracts is the regional government’s way of affirming its commitment to effect meaningful reforms and end corruption in the region. The Hataman government has previously identified the regional Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways as the two most corrupt agencies in the ARMM during the past administrations.

awallil said that delayed completion of projects is clearly unacceptable and is a disservice to the people of ARMM. The latest case was filed last December 15 against Unayan Builders and Construction Supply (UBCS) which failed to finish six school buildings in Lanao del Sur. “Out of the six school buildings it committed to build in 2011, not one building was finished,” said Mawallil. Following the investigation of the regional government, it was found that a number of school building projects have been pending completion in different ARMM provinces for years.Mawallil said that the ARMM regional government is committed in going after the negligent contractors responsible for these unfinished projects. “We are also currently reviewing past contracts to see if there are any more cases that require us to file cases of specific performance to compel contractors and make sure they fulfill their duties, as agreed upon with the regional government,” Mawallil added. (BPI)


Davao City’s environment champion passes awayDAVAO CITY- Davao City lost one of its staunchest environ-mental advocate when incumbent City Councilor Leonardo Placido Avila III passed away last Sunday (Dec. 20) due to medical complications after suffering from stroke in Sep-tember of this year.Avila is known for authoring and co-sponsoring landmark city leg-islations that tackled environ-mental and agricultural issues among these include Watershed Code of 2007, Marine Protect-ed Ordinance (2007) the Aerial Spray Ban (2007), Rainwater Or-dinance of 2009, Organic Farm-ing Ordinance (2010) and the Bi-cycle Ordinance (2010). As the city’s Agriculturist Of-fice OIC in 2011, Avila initiated an expedition in the city’s remote hinterland district to discover in-digenous rice varieties. The team discovered 88 upland rice variet-ies cultivated by Ata and Matig-salog farmers. He also championed the pro-tection of threatened Hawksbill turtles (pawikan) that are nesting

in city’s coastal barangay named Punta Dumalag. The area be-came known as a pawikan sanc-tuary and which was declared as a marine protected area. Councilor Avila started out as a FM disc jockey in the 1970s. Known for his DJ moniker Happy L.A. he became one of the most sought-after FM DJs in the 1980s parlaying his radio popularity into politics by winning a City Coun-cil seat in the 1988 elections. He was councilor till 1998, and from 2001 to 2010, then returning again in 2013. Apart from environmental concerns he was also known for being a champion of children’s rights by authoring the Davao City Children’s Code of 1994. He is also involved in legislations ad-


vancing arts and culture among these include the authorship of the Davao City Film Development Council resolution. Aside from political positions Avila was an active member of several organizations. He holds

the rank of commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Southeastern Mindan-ao he also headed the Save the Davao Gulf Foundation Inc. and the Davao City Gulf Management Council. (PIA/RG Alama)

Davao City to extend financial help to ty-phoon Nona affected areasDAVAO CITY, Dec 22 (PIA) Mem-bers of the Sangguniang Pan-glungsod ng Dabaw today passed a resolution to enact an ordinance granting P11-Million-financial as-sistance to the municipalities of Sorsogon and Oriental Mindoro which were hardest hit by ty-phoon Nona. The ordinance was acted im-mediately by the city councilors fol-lowing the special session sought by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for com-ing up with a legal basis to provide financial help to areas where ty-phoon Nona wreaked havoc. Councilor Danilo Dayanghi-rang, chair of the committee on fi-nance said the ordinance authoriz-es Mayor Duterte to use a portion of the 30 percent quick-response fund out of the five percent disaster risk reduction and management calam-ity fund of the city government of Davao for calendar year 2015 in the total amount of P11-Million to extend assistance to the victims of

typhoon Nona. The typhoon hit the municipal-ities of Barcelona, Bulan, Bulusan, Casiguran, Castilla, Donsol, Gubat, Irosin, Uban, Magallanes, Matnog, Pilar, Getoguias, Sta. Magdalena and Sorsogon City. He said the assistance is also intended to the seven municipali-ties of Oriental Mindoro namely, Baco, Calapan, Gloria, Mauian, Pinamalayan, Pola and Victoria. Dayanghirang said based on the ordinance every town cited will receive P500,000 each subject to the existing government budget-ing, accounting and auditing rules and regulation of the Department of Budget and Management, the Commission on Audit and the Pro-curement Law. “We simply came out with a legal basis for the mayor to extend help to the towns and provinces placed under the state of natural calamity due to the typhoon,” he said. (Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

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One Mindanao - December 23, 2015