One Mindanao - February 15, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESWestern 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.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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]: 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

Today’s issue... Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 185

PhilHealth goes “online”

DENR recommends bamboo for flood control

Gender Advocates to hold mental health, psychosocial dynamics confab

Land distribution ‘on target,’ Malacañang says

LGU intensifies drive against illegal quarries

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

Elaine O. Ratunil, Northern Mindanao

8

12Massive Caraga tree planting set 16

DOST unveils project to boost productivity of agri, manufacturing sectors11

Ona visits Pagadian attends executive conference

Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

Alert level 1 raised in Surigao City, Surigao Norte, Dinagat Islands due to LPA17

Residents commemorate Maco Massacre in its 1st year

Southern Mindanao

8

11

14

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 ……………... Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

EDITORIAL BOARD

Cover Story

The Ozamiz City Public

Mall, a public market

with the “Bag-ong

Ozamiznon” brand

Elena PelareNorthern Mindanao

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 185

PhilHealth goes “online”

DENR recommends bamboo for flood control

Gender Advocates to hold mental health, psychosocial dynamics confab


LGU intensifies drive against illegal quarriesDani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

20

25

26

page 4

Massive Caraga tree planting set MUC, Caraga Region

DOST unveils project to boost productivity of agri, manufacturing sectors

OL Abo, Central Mindanao

Ona visits Pagadian attends executive conference

23

Alert level 1 raised in Surigao City, Surigao Norte, Dinagat Islands due to LPA

FEAbkilan, Caraga Region

Residents commemorate Maco Massacre in its 1st year 29

19

23

28

4 Wednesday, February 15, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StoryThe Ozamiz City Public Mall, a public market with the “Bag-ong Ozamiznon” brand

Thirty-six (36)- year old Rosella Ramos said she seems to be getting inside a private commercial

mall, each time she gets inside the public market of the city. But that is what it is really being called the “Ozamiz City Public Mall.”e waves.

by Elena Pelare

5 Wednesday, February 15, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

The spacious market contains the following sections for the ease of the buying public: mini-grocery, dry goods, fruits, grains, food court, vegetables, fresh meat, fresh fish, dried fish, grinder, beauty parlor, tobacco, and the popular “ukay-ukay” or used clothing. Constructed to replace the old public market which was destroyed by fire, the Ozamiz City Public Mall was envisioned for a better image and better lives to go with the brand of “Bag-ong Ozamiznons,” of the former Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. The Vicente T. Lao Construction accepted the bid for its rehabilitation and improvement

for Php153.60 million and for the execution and completion of such works and the remedying of any defects thereon, in conformity of the provisions of the agreement with the local government unit (LGU). An initiative of the LGU thru the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), funds for the construction was sourced out from a loan with the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-Mindanao Basic Urban Sector Services (MBUSS) Project and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and approved on June 14, 2006 with the following terms and conditions: About Php138.24 million or


90% of the term loan of Php153.60 million will be financed by ADB while Php15.36 million or 10% will be financed by LBP payable in 12 years, inclusive of two (2) years grace on the principal while the interest rate of both the ADB and LBP funds is fixed at 11% for the term of the loan. Any amount due not paid on their respective due dates, shall be charged a penalty of 24% per annum, to start on the day after the due date of loan amortization/credit accommodation up to the date of settlement. Likewise, the principal is payable in 120 equal amortizations, to start at the end of the 25th month from date of initial release while the interest is payable in 144 monthly amortizations, to start at the end of the 1st month from date of initial release.


ACROSS THE NATIONDepEd to train teachers in handling children with hearing impairment

The Department of Education is set to conduct a series of training programs

on sign language across the country to upgrade teachers’ competence in teaching learners who have hearing impairment.

“This is in line with our thrust to make education truly inclusive of all learners especially those who have difficulty understanding lessons due to hearing impairment,” said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC.

The training program is organized by DepEd’s Special Education Division and the Bureau of Elementary Education in

coordination with LINK Center for the

Deaf and i n

partnership with the Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship.

The training seminar for Luzon will be on May 15 to 24, 2012 at Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City to be attended by selected public school teachers from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A (CALABARZON), 4-B (MIMAROPA), 5, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). For the Visayas, it will be on April 15 to 24 at DepEd Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City to be participated in by

public school teachers from Regions 6, 7 and 8. The Mindanao leg to be held at DepEd RELC in Cagayan de Oro City is on April 25 to May 4 where public school teachers from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and CARAGA are set to take part.

Luistro explained that DepEd intends to strengthen teachers’ skills in the teaching of sign language in preparation for the inclusion of pupils with hearing


impairment in regular school. “It is our duty as educators to provide equal opportunities to children and youth with special needs so that they can lead productive lives,” Luistro added.

The program is composed of sign language training and seminars in

Special Education (SPED) as well as formal sign language evaluation in the basic and intermediate levels by the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID). It is also meant to provide teachers with competencies in establishing and maintaining SPED programs.

Expected to participate in the second phase of the training are teachers who attended the first phase of the seminar last year. Attending the first phase of the training is a new batch of 15 new attendees per region who are regular public school teachers.


Malacañang assured farmer beneficiaries that the Department of Agrarian Reform was expeditiously

working towards distributing land to them as mandated by the Comprehensive Agrarian Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law.

In a press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte gave the assurance a day after farmers conducted a lightning rally in front of Malacañang’s Gate 3 on Tuesday to protest the slow pace of the agrarian

reform program.She said

t h a t

DAR had already distributed 56 percent or 113,196 hectares of targeted land holdings to farmer beneficiaries in 2011 as opposed to the 41 percent claimed by the protestors.

She added that a significant amount of land area was set to be distributed for 2012.

“…for 2012, we have 25,933 hectares in the advanced stage of

acquisition targeted to be distributed or delivered by March 2012,” Valte said.

“We have 28,857 hectares at the middle stage of acquisition to be delivered after June 2012,” she added.

“So the DAR is on target to deliver and distribute the land holdings,” Valte said. (RCK)


S. Cotabato launches riparian zone re-vegetation program

by Fruto Sumagaysay Jr.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- At least 425 bamboo seedlings were recently planted along riverbanks in Barangay BS Aquino Jr. in Norala, South Cotabato to kick off the riparian zone re-vegetation (RZR) program of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).


Acting PEMO chief Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, who led the launching on February 7, said the province’s RZR program aims to help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

The program was a joint collaborative of the municipal LGU, barangay LGU, Norala National High School and the landowners and claimants in the area.

Tita Faciolan , Norala’s municipal environment and natural resources officer and Laarni Fabiano who spoke for the national high school expressed commitment to support the program.

Fabiano narrated that their initial plan was to plant the bamboo seedlings inside the

school’s premises, but later decided to plant these along riverbanks as part of their community service.

Earlier, PEMO’s Forest and Inland Water Division conducted an information drive with community stakeholders at Brgy. BS Aquino Jr. barangay hall where re-vegetation of riparian zones was emphasized.

Discussions centered on the use of bamboo for riverbank stabilization. Economic benefits of bamboo were also covered in the discussion.

A signing of a memorandum of agreement that define and stipulate responsibilities of stakeholders followed the bamboo planting

activity.Farmer/landowners

and beneficiaries likewise signified their commitment and support to sustain the program through a pledge of commitment officiated by Engr. Flaviano.

Barangay Kagawad Cyril Cancel, representing Punong Barangay Leonar Vincent Lida, acknowledged the participants and expressed their gratitude in choosing their barangay as recipient of the RZR program.

In an earlier interview with a local radio station, Engr. Falviano pointed out that the activity is part of their massive program to protect embankments of rivers in the province.

Besides being an important plant to protect riverbanks from erosion, the provincial government also sees bamboo as a major source of income for farmers.

South Cotabato LGU has been pushing for the establishment of bamboo hubs where engineered bamboos can be produced.


DOST unveils project to boost productivity of agri, manufacturing sectors

COTABATO CITY-- Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in agricultural and manufacturing sectors in Soccsksargen Region have more opportunities to strengthen their business courtesy of the Department of Science and Technology - Region 12 (DOST-12).

by OL Abo

Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director, said they launched recently the “Consultancy For Agricultural and Manufacturing Improvement” (CAMPI) program to boost the productivity of MSMEs to become competitive in the domestic and international markets.

CAMPI has two components, namely: Consultancy

for Agricultural E n h a n c e m e n t Program” (CAPE) and the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program(MPEX).

“By availing these CAMPI projects, we are confident that the beneficiaries will attain higher productivity that will be favorable to their businesses,” Dr. Laidan said.

DOST hopes that with these projects

MSMEs can turn into big players both in the local and international markets to help sustain the economic growth in the countryside, she added.

CAMPI is funded by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), an attached agency of the DOST.

The orientation for the CAMPI beneficiaries was held in General Santos City, where DOST-12 also signed a memorandum of agreement with the program’s consultants.

Witnessing the event were Engr. Edgar I. Garcia, TAPI director, and Dr. Virginia Novenario-Enriquez, chief of RITDD, Philippine Council for Industry and Emerging Technology Research and Development or


PCIEERD-DOST.Consultants for

CAPE component are: Prof. Arlyn A. Mandas, an aquaculture expert from the Mindanao State University in General Santos City who will handle the fish-farm beneficiaries in Sarangani and General Santos City; Prof. Ben G. Bareja, a horticulture expert from MSU-GSC, for the horticulture farms in South Cotabato and Gensan and Gemma Constantino and Dr. Victorino Laviste of Sultan Kudarat State

University (SKSU) who provide consultancy services to the prawn farms in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat and tilapia ponds in South Cotabato.

Ms. Baby R. Lim, of the Summit Consultancy and Research Services, a DOST accredited consultancy firm based in Mandaue City, was chosen as consultant for the MPEX component.

Initial beneficiaries of the program include 15 firms that qualified for the MPEX component and 22 farms for the CAPE

component. CAMPI program is a

component of DOST’s umbrella program, Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP).

Other components include technology trainings, laboratory services, packaging and labeling, and technical assistance.

For more information about SET-UP, kindly visit the Provincial Science and Technology Centers nearest you. ( O L A b o / D O S T - 1 2 /DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

LGU intensifies drive against illegal quarries by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Illegal quarry operators beware. The local government unit of North Cotabato has beefed up its efforts to protect its quarry resources from illegal quarry operations.

Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza said she is willing to give a P50,000-reward for every illegal quarry operator reported to her office.

Gov. ” Taliño-Mendoza made the declaration during a recent dialogue-

consultation with barangay officials, quarry operators, and officials National Irrigation A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other line agencies.

She said she is “dead serious” in

the campaign against illegal extraction of quarry materials in the province.

The P50,000.00 cash incentive per illegal operator, she explained, will be given to the first barangay who can report any firm or individual utilizing qua r r y ma te r i a l s


from privately-owned lands and/or public lands within the territorial jurisdiction of Cotabato without permit, or operating with expired permit, or quarrying and mining outside their specified permit area.

She also promised to conduct random checks on various quarry sites in the province to personally monitor if there is any unlawful utilization of Cotabato’s mineral resources.

She also warned operators that the provincial government will not hesitate to enforce sanctions or legal action against anyone violating Provincial Ordinance 410 adopting the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato.

During the said forum, quarry operators were briefed on the provisions of the said ordinance pertaining to “Tax on of Sand, Gravel, and Other Quarry Resources” and “Quarry Operations” of the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato.

As she urged the

barangay leaders to help protect the province from illegal quarry operations, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also explained how the barangay will benefit when required quarry taxes and fees are properly collected.

“When all fees due to the barangay are collected, this would mean more projects for your barangay…more services to your constituents,” she said.

Based on the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato, proceeds of the tax on sand, gravel and other quarry resources shall be shared: 30% to the provincial government, 30% to the LGU where the materials are extracted, and 40% to the barangay where the concession area was located.

She then appealed to the barangay officials to help in monitoring quarry activities in their respective area of responsibility and to ensure that the quantity of extracted quarry or sand and gravel resources is declared accurately by the permit holder.

To further guarantee that rightful fees go to the coffers of the government, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also dared barangay officials to report scrupulous tax collector who conspire with quarry operators or truckers. For every collector proven to have illegal transactions with quarry operators, the governor is willing to give another P50,000. (LQG/IDCD/PGO N.Cotabato/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

PAL cancels Manila-Butuan-Manila flights today by Robert E. Roperos

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Manila-Butuan-Manila flights have been cancelled today due to zero visibility.

The announcement was made by PAL Butuan Manager Paolo Diaz De Rivera in a text message sent to PIA-Caraga this

afternoon. Rivera said flights PR477 and PR478 were cancelled due to terminal weather, causing a “zero

visibility”. He added affected PAL passengers were provided with a special flight that is scheduled


to depart from Manila on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. and is expected to arrive here at around 10:55 a.m. Same aircraft will depart Bancasi Airport here at around 11:25 a.m., and will arrive at Manila at around 12:55 a.m. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific has also canceled their flight for Manila this afternoon while their morning flight has already departed at 8:00 a.m. bound for Cebu. In a related

d e v e l o p m e n t , according to Philippine A t m o s p h e r i c , Geophysical and Astronomical Services A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (PAGASA), as of 8:00 a.m. today, the active low pressure area was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400 km East of Mindanao (5.5oN, 130.0oE). Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms

with widespread rains over Easter Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with light rains. PAGASA also reported that moderate to strong winds blowing from the East over Luzon and coming from the East to Northeast over Visayas and Mindanao will prevail, while coastal waters through the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

At 2:00 a.m. today, the Active Low Pressure Area (ALPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400 km East of Mindanao (5.5°N, 130.0°E).


Massive Caraga tree planting setBUTUAN CITY -- The National Greening Program (NGP) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) is stepping up its activities and targeting the planting of 1.4 million seedlings of fruit trees, both indigenous and premium species, this year.

Members of non-government organizations, the academe, schools, various youth organizations, various church organizations, local government units, all line agencies of the government and private companies have been tapped in the effort to green all watershed areas and vacant lands in the five provinces and six cities in the Caraga region. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-Caraga Region 13), along with private tree seed growers, will produce the targeted tree seeds, in an objective to hit the target.

Per instruction of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, Region XIII DENR Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca has already mobilized senior forest officials, the four provincial and 13 community environment and natural resources officers (PENROs, CENROs), in the five provinces and six cities of Caraga region to prepare large-scale seedling production for massive tree planting this year. During a meeting here held recently, Regional Technical Director of the Ecosystem Research and Development (ERDS)

Virgilio dela Cruz at the DENR Training Center in Butuan City was tasked to handle the procurement and production of seedlings for the NGP. He also has submitted a detailed program on the production and procurement of quality planting materials for 2012 with a total cost of P22.5 million. Sibbaluca said there are about 13,290 hectares of denuded forest lands and tree parks that were identified and prepared as potential sites for tree-planting activities in the different areas this year. He said the production


of seedlings will likewise be initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA), which is expected to contribute about 2 million pieces of fruit tree seedlings. Among the kind of tree species that will

be planted are bamboo, banaba, bangkal, coffee, cacao, dao, ilang-ilang, ipil, kamagong, lanipao, lauan, mahogany, molave, rubber, and some of the vanishing species like bitaog, balat-buaya, bitanghol, sagimsim,

agoho and lanutan. Last year, the DENR 13 has planted fruit tree and indigenous tree seedlings on a 5,000-hectare unproductive forest land spread over the different areas of the region.(MUC)

Alert level 1 raised in Surigao City, Surigao Norte, Dinagat Islands due to LPA

An alert level one was raised early today, Feb. 15 in the city, and the provinces of Surigao del Norte

and Dinagat Islands following continuous rains brought about by an active low pressure area (ALPA) in East of Mindanao.

by FEAbkilan

In a radio announcement, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of Surigao City said an alert level one was hoisted upon recommendation from the local PAGASA. “A suspension of classes in the pre-school and elementary levels both from private and public will be enforced as the ALPA is fast approaching to Eastern Mindanao,” it said. Surigao del Norte Vice Gov. Carlos Egay, Jr., in an announcement sent to PIA, said an alert

level one was also hoisted in the entire province including Siargao Island upon recommendation from PAGASA. “But the suspension of classes will only be for Pre-school following the new guidelines (EO 66) which was recently signed by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III.” Egay, however, said to those flood/landslide prone elementary schools, “the principal concerned can implement a localized cancellation or suspension of classes.” On the other hand, Dinagat Islands PDRRMC

through Provincial Administrator Benglen Ecleo has also raised an alert level one in the entire province. Ecleo advised all his constituents situated at the steep slope and low lying areas to take precautionary measures for possible landslides and flashfloods. He also directed the local MDRRMCs to take preparedness action on this concern. Latest PAGASA bulletin, as of 5am today, revealed that the ALPA was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400km East of Mindanao (5.5degN, 130.0degE).


piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

By Alfonso T. Ruda

Zam Norte is 2011 Galing Pook Awardee

Zamboanga de Norte has been adjudged as one of the ten Galing Pook Awardees for the year 2011.


The award was personally handed by President Benigno Aquino III to Governor Rolando E. Yebes in a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang last January 30, 2012. Zamboanga del Norte’s (Empowering the Subanen) award was in recognition of the various programs implemented by the Provincial Government through the Provincial Indigenous People’s Coordinating Unit (PIPCU) to address the needs of the Subanen and the Lumads in the province, which in the past were only given little attention by the previous administrations. Yebes said during his nine-year term as Governor of the province, he has given equal opportunity to the Subanens and the Lumads to be involved in all government initiatives. Zamboanga del Norte and 9 other awardees were chosen from among the 137 entries submitted this year- 55 coming from Luzon, 33 from

Visayas and 49 from Mindanao. Last year, Zamboanga del Norte was also a Gawad Galing Pook awardee because of the successful implementation of the High-Green Program in the province. Initiated on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook awards is a pioneering program that recognizes innovations and excellence in local governance. The awardees are chosen from a national search of local governance programs, evaluated through a rigorous multilevel screening process based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program service delivery. Beyond the awards, winning programs become models of good governance promoted for adoption in other communities. They provide useful insights and strategies to find innovative solutions to common problems. More importantly, they affirm the community and the local government’s commitment to good governance. Since its inception, at least 230 programs of 152 local governments were awarded the Galing Pook. These awardees became very important advocates in stimulating and inspiring other local governments to introduce innovative practices and provide a fertile environment for the replication of successful reforms. In his speech before fellow public servants, guests and awardees, President Aquino said


that through good governance as a result of constant cooperation from the national government and local governments with the unwavering support from the people, the country will undoubtedly attain sustainable progress and development. Other 2011 Galing Pook awardees are Sarangani Province (Justice on Wheels), Misamis Oriental (Turning red to green), Upi, Maguindanao (rural community e-Center), Limasawa, Southern

Leyte (poor municipality can eliminate malnutrition), Alimodian, Iloilo (bringing high schools closer to home), Bohol Province (rabies prevention and elimination), Maribojoc, Bohol (LGU-led cadastral survey), Albay Province (health strategy for MDG attainment) and Real, General Nakar, Infanta and Panukulan in Quezon Province (community-based mental health management). ( J P A / A T R /PIA9-Zambo Norte)

Ona visits Pagadian attends executive conference by Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona on Friday, February 10, 2012 visited his home town and attended the executive conference with Zamboanga del Sur officials headed by Governor Antonio Cerilles and other regional and provincial health officials held at the Subanen Hall, Farmer’s Haven, Provincial Government Center, Dao, this city.

The conference was highlighted with a presentation of “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” Implementation Plan, a Millenium Development Goals Breakthrough Strategic Plan

for 2012 of the province, presented by Provincial Administrator Anthony Frederick Padayhag in behalf of Governor Antonio Cerilles who was on official travel to Manila.


In his presentation, one of the new approaches made by the provincial government to attain the MDG, is the investment of P250-million by way of loans to improve its hospital, formerly the 50 authorized bed capacity provincial hospital into a 350-bed capacity Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center of which 250 of these are private rooms. The provincial government under Gov. Cerilles envisioned to make ZDSMC a fully-equipped hospital that will serve not only the residents of the province but also the neighboring provinces and cities as well. To achieve this, the local government will enter into a partnership with DOH to acquire the necessary equipments and facilities that will make the Medical Center a fully-equipped hospital, Padayhag explained. In his message Sec. Ona said, Kalusugang Pangkalahatan was launched by DOH as an answer to the demand of President Benigno S. Aquino III. “When we first met, President Aquino asked me what can I do to answer to the clamor and statistics that about 30% of our people die or get seriously ill and eventually die without seeing a doctor,” he said. Ona merely


answered, “Mr. President, maybe your figures are not true, it may not necessarily be a doctor but maybe they are seen by a health worker like a nurse or a midwife.” He disclosed that some 5.2 to 5.5 million Filipino families are considered poorest of the poor, with an average family members of five (father, mother and three children) that will total to 25 million Filipino people. “These families are earning less than P3,500 per month/family based on general statistics and these are the very people who are not enrolled with Philhealth,” Ona said. And that’s exactly the reason why we are having the so-called “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan,” Ona said. For 2011 when we started with the Aquino administration, he was able to ask the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) with the approval of the President, P3.5 billion to enroll these 5.2 million

Filipino families to PhilHealth. “This year, 2012, the premium was increased from P100 to P200 per month amounting to P12-Billion. There will be no share coming from the local government units, the national government will assume payment of all the premiums. And for the first time, we were able to enroll 25 million more or less Filipino families to Philhealth,” Ona further said. On the other hand, DOH Regional Director Dr. Aristides Tan in his closing statement said that this gathering is an opportunity to strengthen further the partnership between Zamboanga del Sur and DOH. With the aim to achieve the three strategic thrusts namely: to ensure financial risk protection thru enrollment with PhilHealth especially for the poor ones and to improve the access to quality health services in the different health facilities through the facility health enhancement entered in order to achieve the health-related MDGs. That is to reduce malnutrition, reduction in the maternal and child deaths or mortality, improvement in the access to family planning commodities with the observance of responsible parenthood (couples choice), improvement in the immunization coverage of infants as well as taxes to save potable water and sanitary toilets. All these MDGs have to be realized by 2015. “With the good partnership between the province and DOH, nothing is impossible,” Tan concluded. (PIA9/CAL)


PhilHealth goes “online” By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - To boost the government’s health insurance program campaign of an increased membership in the country, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) opens online registration for prospective members.

Philhealth Vice President for Mindanao Romeo Alberto said this new registration process is the insurance corporation’s way of reaching netezins out there who are not yet Philhealth members. Alberto said with the advent of Philhealth online registration, a faster membership process is expected as the insurance corporation envisions a 100 percent coverage in the entire region in three years time. He expressed optimism that for this year 2012 , more people will realize the importance of Philhealth membership and coverage specially now that registration is made even more easy with its “online” registration. He encouraged the public to enroll with Philhealth to be able to avail of health benefits.

Having Philhealth coverage is an assurance that any time a member gets sick or hospitalized, he/she is assured of government health care benefits. It can be recalled Nadzmir Sajili of PhilHealth, said, members of PhilHealth will have additional health benefits and wider medical coverage, this goes along with the 100 percent hike in Philhealth contributions starting this year. Sajili said the increase in premium contribution will benefit the members as the office will sway out wider medical coverage extending to outpatient benefits, maintenance medicines for diabetic and hypertensive patients and other additional benefits such as PhilHealth packages and a lot more. (JPA/ PIA –ZBST)


Soldiers donate blood for surgery of indigent patientsby Lovely A. Rosario

Fifteen soldiers from the 35th “Makamandag”

Infantry Battalion donated blood in a bloodletting activity conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Feb. 7, at the MCC complex, Brgy. Sagadan, in the capital

The 15 bags collected contain 500 cc of whole blood, which will be used in the upcoming medical, dental, and surgical mission organized by the Lanao del Norte local government unit and Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) group on February 13-15, 2012. “We are thankful to AUP for partnering with us in providing the people of Lanao del Norte especially

our indigent residents with quality healthcare services,” Information Officer Lyndon Calica said. “Patients who will undergo surgical procedure will also save thousands of pesos because everything has already been taken care of including their post-operation medicines,” Calica added. The free medical mission will be simultaneously conducted in


three provincial hospitals situated in the towns of Kolambugan, Baroy, and Kapatagan. Although there were more than 20 soldiers screened to be blood donors, only 15 passed after some were found to be hypertensive, diabetic, and suffering from ailments. All donated blood have been tested by provincial health employees for malaria, syphilis,

hepatitis B and C, and HIV 1 and 2. “We are very strict in the screening process to prevent any transmission of communicable diseases,” National Voluntary Blood Services Program Coordinator Julie Soria said. Another bloodletting activity will be conducted by PHO on the months of May and June 2012, according to PHO head Melania Untao. (PIO-LDN)

DENR recommends bamboo for flood controlby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - Authorities has started mapping riverbanks in upland communities to ready possible areas for rehabilitation.

Felix S. Mirasol, Jr., chief of Bukidnon Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office

(PENR) and protected area superintendent for Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park said this

during the “Cagayan de Oro Watershed Conference” held in the city recently. M i r a s o l r e c o m m e n d e d planting of bamboo trees along river banks as is it proven to withstand strong wind or water surge. “If we can propagate two lines of bamboos along the riverbanks, we are assured that the water that goes


to the river bed does not carry any debris. Bamboo has a very good characteristic of screening debris that goes to the system,” he said. Cutting of trees has remained a challenge to regulatory agencies, and since most riverbanks are inhabited, bamboos can serve as the best alternative for upland communities to be able to harvest and earn without necessarily cutting the natural vegetation. He further stressed that among the tributaries, the Batang-B in ingco l -Bay lanan-Sangaya-Sagayan in Talakag, Bukidnon, which passes through the municipalities of Lantapan and Pangatucan, has the longest catchment area, contributing about 21.56 percent of the whole system. “Efforts undertaken to protect CDO should consider looking into these areas,” he noted.

The chief likewise encouraged the cooperation of other sectors especially in areas outside the timberlands to create a mechanism that would empower communities become an active partners in environment protection. “We have to tap the communities and make them economically grow in such a way they will also realize that they are the best force in forest protection,” he added. Bukidnon PENR is calling on groups who want to make a significant role in the restoration of the watersheds to visit their office and assess which of the river areas they are willing to cover. To date, they now started mapping the areas and doing coordination with the local government units and upland communities to prepare it for the takers.

Gender Advocates to hold mental health, psychosocial dynamics confabby Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Gender Advocates-Women in Government Service (GA-WINGS) in Northern Mindanao, in cooperation with the Philippine Mental Health Association-Cagayan de Oro City/Misamis Oriental Chapter, is spearheading the conduct a Trainors’ Training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Dynamics here.


Clarissa Calingin-Rosales, President, GA-WINGS, said the training aims to equip the participants the necessary skills and knowledge about mental health and psychosocial dynamics. Expectedly, they are to echo to their respective agency what they have learned from the training, said Rosales. She added the participants are hoped to extend the services to their community and those who are in need, especially those individuals and families affected by tropical storm Sendong. The recent disaster that strongly slapped Northern Mindanao claimed many lives, lost properties and most of all, left thousands traumatized. The psychological reactions are commonly and are fairly

predictable. Many international and local humanitarian organizations, schools/universities and other NGOs have initiated stress debriefing and psychological activities for the affected individuals and families of typhoon Sendong. The ratio of volunteers against those who need these psychological interventions, however, is lopsided and a number of communities and individuals still need of kind-hearted individuals trained to do stress debriefing and psychological support intervention. Hence, this training, stressed Rosales. We look forward of working together for the early psychological recovery of our brothers and sisters who are survivors of Sendong, she said.


Davao City eyes pumping stations, flood gates by Mai Gevera Macapagat

The City Engineering Office sees the need for engineering

interventions like the construction of flood gates and pumping sta-tions to mitigate flooding problem in the city. Engineer Alan Tibor bared in Monday’s Club 888 that these are the immediate needs in the city given that are plenty of low-lying areas that

suffer severe flooding.“Big part of the city are now below sea level”, Tibor said. City consultant Danny Dayanghirang cited the Candaba flood project as a potential solution for Davao’s case. “We would definitely be needing billions but this is what we really need. A flood gate that we can close during high tide and we can turn open when water volume is low.”, Dayanghirang said.

The city, as observed by experts, often experience heavy rainfall with heavy water volume that usually results to flooding in most parts of the city. Tibor explained that Davao has total of 25 outlets like creeks, natural water ways, canals and rivers. However, most of the rivers are no longer functioning normally. Instead


of directing the water from canals to the sea, water often goes back to the source as they get blocked along the way. Consultants now push the city to require industries to put up their own water impounding system. This way,

high volume of water are temporarily impounded when there’s too much of it and use it later by the industry instead of having it flow down the streets and cause massive flooding.(FMGM/PIA 11)

Residents commemorate Maco Massacre in its 1st year

MONKAYO, Compostela Valley Province - One year had passed and the family and relatives of the victims of Maco Massacre are still in pursuit of justice for their beloved. Today, residents of Brgy. Libay-libay, Maco, Compostela Valley Province converge for the “Unveiling of Marker” in commemoration of the first year of the inhumane killing of their brethren on the eve of Valentine’s Day, February 13, 2011. The event was spearheaded by the barangay officials of Brgy. Libay-libay, in cooperation with the 71st Infantry Battalion and PNP ComVal,

headed by S/Supt. Timoteo Pacleb. Civilians became the casualties of said incident that blatantly killed Nicolas Paquingan, Angelito Cumayas Jr. and Juanito Cabarobias while wounding four others including two government troops. “Nasubo ko kay hangtod karon wala pay nadakpan sa mipatay sa akong asawa, ug dako ang akong kalagot sa rebeldeng NPA nga maoy nagbuhat ani. (“I felt dejected until now because after one year, still no one is held responsible

for the death of my husband. I disgust the rebel NPAs who did this to him.),” Mrs. Merciditas Paquingan said. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Camilo Ligayo, Battalion Commander of 71st IB, challenged human rights groups to help the family of the victims in finding justice for their death. “The heroism of these three victims will always be remembered and we hope that the advocators of human rights, as they claim, will work hand in hand to continuously seek justice for them”, Lt. Col. Ligayo said. (10th ID)

Documents

One Mindanao - February 15, 2012