One Mindanao - September 12, 2011

2 ONE MINDANAO Monday, September 12, 2011

C O N T E N T SNATIONAL

• Navy’s “Fleet Marine” team all set peacekeeping mission in Haiti• DA proposes P61.7B budget for 2012• Phl to host ASEM Conference on Nov

Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN)

• DBFTA boon to Region 12’s exports• BFAR director visits Lebak, commits support for fisheries dev’t support• Tagalog News: Mga residente sa Tantangan, pinaalalahanan na huwag kumain ng karne ng daga • Tagalog News: P57-M Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital binuksan sa publiko• Tagalog News: IRA ng S. Cotabato inaasahang bababa sa susunod na taon

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

• Clean Ground, Zero Waste program, a demonstration of Butuanons’ unity for environmental protection, says official• City dad envisions Butuan to be one of Phl’s cleanest cities• First batch of OFWs from Libya receives NRCO livelihood grant• 8 LGUs complete 2-day orientation on disaster risk reduction mngt, climate change adaptation• KAP Medical Assistance Program reaches Surigao Norte

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

• PNP 9 crime lab receives 4x4 vehicle from city• City Health cautions public on leptospirosis• ARMM officials hit ‘rehashed disinformation’ campaign on unaccounted funds • PRO 9 Crime Lab, only one in country funded by US gov’t• Cebuano News:BFAR padayong nagpasidaan batok sa pagkaon sa kinhason

Northern Mindanao

• Iligan city mulling on the establishment of cultural heritage park at Bayug Island• Cag. de Oro SP backs extension of services of DepEd Exec• Iligan Business Month celebration gains support from stakeholders• Misamis Occ solon supports DSWD’s request for higher budget• COWD reminds senior citizens to renew discount privileges

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

• Hot logs now used for school chairs• Davao as retirement haven• Davao obstetricians intensifies information drive on RH in communities• Tagum City to focus on shelter for poor, displaced families• Civil Service set to improve government efficiency

OUR COVER:

LAKE SEBUSouth Cotabato’s

premiere touristdestination.

EDITORIAL STAFF

An Electronic News Magazine published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

Mindanao Clusters

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

Associate Editors ……....... OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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 Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

PHOTO CREDIT: Danny E. Doguiles

3ONE MINDANAOMonday, September 12, 2011

T he Armed Forces of the Philippines is all set as the first ever all-Navy “Fleet Marine” delegation to go in a peacekeeping mission to Haiti.

Navy’s “Fleet Marine” team all set peacekeeping mission in Haiti

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Eduardo Oban said that the AFP has gained a lot in peacekeeping. “Even though we have our own concerns of internal security, our country remains stead-fastly supportive of the commitment for world peace, and continues to join other democratic countries in this ven-ture,” Oban said. Marine Colonel George S. Fernandez will be leading the 155-strong contingent, with 143 enlisted personnel and 12 officers. “I will success-fully accomplish this noble mission by em-ploying our most im-

portant assets who are specialized, disciplined, competent, and high-ly trained personnel to perform administrative and logistics services,” said Fernandez. He added that he will strictly ensure that his men and women will adhere to the AFP’s code of conduct during their six months peace-keeping operations and humanitarian relief in Haiti. The 14th Philip-pine Contingent to Haiti will leave on Tuesday, September 20. They will ensure the protec-tion of human rights in the area, participate in conflict mitigation mea-sures, and prepare ar-

eas for humanitarian aid. This is the second time the AFP is send-ing a core unit coming from one major service to act as peacekeepers. Last May, the members of the 76th Infantry “Victrix” Battalion from the Philippine Army were deployed as core contingent to Liberia. The deployment of contingents to oth-er countries is AFP’s contribution to the United Nations as it continues to perform its role in advocating international peace and solidarity. (AFP/PIA-NCR/RJB/JEG)


DA proposes P61.7B budget for 2012

According to Agri-culture Secretary Proce-so Alcala, the proposed amount is 60 percent more than this year’s al-lotment. Alcala said their agency is asking for a higher budget as it will ‘frontload’ investments in irrigation (P27.1B), post-

harvest and other agri-fishery infrastructure (P11.28B), production support (P4.86B), and research and extension (P4.75B). The official said that with the budget, the Aquino administra-tion will be on track in attaining food security

and sufficiency in rice and major staples by end of 2013. He said this amount would also help them increase rural incomes, and achieve other major agri-fishery sector goals set by the agency. (DA/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking for a P61.7 bil-lion budget for next year during the 2011 deliberation of the proposed 2012 budget at the Senate of the Philippines over

the weekend.

Phl to host ASEM Conference on Nov.

The Philippines will be hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on the Harmonization of Biofuels Stan-dards and Application to Vehicle Technologies on November 10 to 11 this year.

President Benigno Aquino III signed Adminis-trative Order No. 19 man-dating the DFA and DOE to organize and carry out the activities in connection with the Philippine hosting of ASEM conference. Under AO, an Execu-tive Committee will be cre-ated, to be headed by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs department and the Secre-tary of Energy department, or their duly designated rep-resentatives. “The Executive Com-mittee shall closely coordi-nate the integrated assis-

tance by obtaining technical, financial and administrative support from other relevant agencies and local govern-ment units where the con-ference and other related activities will be held,” the AO stated. The Executive Com-mittee is tasked to “formu-late a work program and budget plan for the hosting of the conference and oth-er related activities; imple-ment the work program, and supervise and monitor all activities.” It is also tasked to “call upon any official, agent

employee, agency or instru-mentality of the government for any assistance that may be necessary to ensure the success of the Philippine hosting of the conference and its related activities.” The Executive Com-mittee will also “engage the support, assistance and cooperation of inter-national, intergovernmen-tal and non-governmental organizations and private sector and entities in the preparations and conduct of the conference.” (DFA/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)


6

DBFTA boon to Region 12’s exportsby Nelly Nita Dillera

KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The 2011 first semester exports from Region 12 pegged at US $ 423.36M posted a 44% increase compared with the 2010 first semester data of US $293.282 M. Total 2010 exports of US $ 632.23 M grew by 29% than the 2009 data of US $489.98 M.

Top Region 12 products are canned tuna, canned pineapple, crude coco oil, fresh & frozen whole tuna and fresh pineapple. The top five markets are Euro-pean Union, USA, Japan, Canada and China, DTI 12 director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel dislosed in a recent press conference for the roadshow on Do-ing Business in Fair Trade Areas (DBFTA). Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Direc-tor Senen Perlada said that exports figures of

Region 12 are expected to even more increase as more opportunities are offered as benefits gained from Free Trade Areas (FTAs) will make our export products more competitive. The benefits of the FTAs were the focus of all the presentations during the information campaign on DBFTA in General Santos City on September 8, which was attended by more than 200 exporters and po-tential exporters. There are six ex-

isting Free Trade Agree-ments of the Philippines – ASEAN Free Trade Areas, ASEAN-China FTA, ASEAN-Korea FTA, ASEAN Australia-New Zealand FTA, ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Phil-Ja-pan Economic Partner-ship. This covers major export sectors like Mo-tor Vehicle Parts and Ve-hicles, Minerals, Food, Garments and Textiles, Construction & Related Materials, Homestyle,


and IT/BPO and other services. Most of the men-tioned products have zero tariff when exported to the FTAs. But it is im-portant to know the cor-rect tariff rate and have a Certificate of Origin for the products, Perlada said. DTI-International Trade Group Asst. Sec-retary Ramon Vicente T. Kabigting along with officials from the Tariff Commission, Bureau of Customs, Tuna Canners Association of the Philip-pines and Monde Nissin

Corp shared the neces-sary information as well as the experiences they have had in engaging business at FTAs. Kabigting explained to the media that while zero tariff would mean lesser income to the government, the bene-fits that the country will gain will be more than what the country will suppose to earn. The gains are nu-merous if a country has dynamic and vibrant economy, gains from the business taxes, tax-es from salaries, the

employment generated, among others as exports flourish. He also noted that should raw materials be unavailable here, pro-cessors can always im-port them from other countries, process them here and export again. It is imperative however that our gov-ernment should look into the infrastructure requirements, the tech-nology, product quality and safety to become competitive, Kabigting concluded. (DED/PIA 12/DTI-SK)

BFAR director visits Lebak, commits support for fisheries dev’t supportby Omar Sabal and Jane Christine Balayo

KORONADAL CITY, Sept.12 (PIA) -- Atty. Asis G. Perez, the national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re-sources (BFAR) personally immersed with the fisherfolk and local leaders in a recent visit to the coastal tow of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat. Perez said that this trip was an oppor-tunity to reach out with the fisherfolk who are sometimes deprived of the services which the

government offers. “This is my third time to come to Lebak but my first time as a Director and visiting the actual project location

is my way of bringing closer the government to our clients, the small and marginalized fisher-folk,” Perez said. Perez’s itinerary

DBFTA boon...from page 5

7


include among others speaking engagements in different activities, proj-ect site visits, and a man-grove planting activity. Upon arrival, he im-mediately paid courtesy call to the community leaders of Barangay Datu Karon where he commit-ted to allocate funds for the procurement of ma-terials specifically mono-line requirements for the expansion of existing seaweed farm and provi-sion of two units of stilt dryers. He also approved in principle the proposed establishment of Php 400,000.00-worth bak-lad, a passive fishing gear, in the area subject to the verification of costs. His next stop was in Barangay Tibpuan where he led a ceremoni-al launch of eight units of Fish Aggregating Device (FAD), locally known as payao, and distribution of 15 units diesel engines for target recipients. The materials and accessories for the payaos were joint investments of

BFAR and the Local Gov-ernment Unit to increase catch of the fisherfolk. The engines, on the other hand, were given to complement existing boat hulls to enhance their efficiency to fish or to report to authorities il-legal fishing activities. Perez committed eleven more diesel en-gines for each of the fish-erfolk associations that are based in the munici-pality. Then he led a mass oath-taking and a dialogue with fisher-ies stakeholders at Alm-irante’s Garden in Ba-rangay Poblacion. The mass conver-gence served as venue to clarify and resolve issues that hamper de-velopment of fisheries in the municipality. The following day, the director spearhead-ed a mangrove planting activity at Sitio Kumala-wit in Barangay Taguisa which was participated by more than a hundred individuals from various sectors including local

officials and personnel, provincial reprenta-tives, fisherfolk leaders, Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs), commercial fishing op-erators, the Philippine Marines, the Philippine National Police, BFAR personnel, and guests from the private sector. Two thousand propagules were ini-tially planted and more planting activities are expected to happen in the coming days to real-ize the goal of planting 100 million mangroves nationwide. The people of Leb-ak were very thankful for the presence of Director Perez and guests from partner institutions. No less than Mayor Dionesio Besana award-ed plaques of apprecia-tion to Perez and local BFAR management for their untiring efforts to plan and implement projects for the fisheries development of Lebak. (DED/PIA 12/BFAR 12)

BFAR director...from page 6


Tagalog News: Mga residente sa Tantangan, pinaalalahanan na huwag kumain ng karne ng dagaKORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 12 (PIA) -- Muling nagpaala-la ang pamunuan ng Provincial Agriculturist Office ng South Cotabato sa mga mamamayan, partikular na sa mga barangay ng bayan ng Tantangan na tigilan muna ang paghuli, pagluto at pagkain ng mga daga. Ito, ayon kay pro-vincial agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste, ay dahil sinimulan na nila ang acute baiting o pa-glason ng mga daga sa lugar gamit ang zinc phosphite nitong na-karaang Setyembre 8. Paliwanag ni Le-gaste agarang pag-kamatay ng daga ang resulta ng lason na ka-nilang ginagamit ngay-on. Aniya pagkatapos makakain ng isang daga ng naturang lason ma-mamatay na ito nang hindi pa nakatatakbo ng dalawang metro. Subalit sa mga susunod na linggo, magsasagawa na sila ng sustained baiting kung saan ang gagamiting la-son para sa mga daga

ay mas matagal ang epekto. Aniya, maar-ing umabot ng anim na oras bago eepekto ang lason na kanilang gagamitin sa sustained baiting na mas delikado sa mga residente dahil mas mahirap itong obs-erbahan kung nalason o hindi. Kaya payo ni Le-gaste, mas mainam na tigilan na lang muna ang paghuli, pagluto at pag-kain ng dagang-palay. Samantala, nilinaw ni Legaste na hindi lang bayan ng Tampakan ang kanilang pinagtutuunan nila ng pansin sa rat campaign. Aniya nag-sasagawa rin sila ng rat campaign sa mga bayan ng Lake Sebu, Polomolok at iba pang

bayan na posibleng at-akehin rin ng mga pes-teng daga. Kabilang sa mga lugar na mas pinagtu-tuunan nila ng pansin ay ang Barangay Ned sa Lake Sebu dahil lumalala ang pananalasa ng mga pesteng daga sa mga pananim doon. Simula noong Enero hanggang Hu-lyo nitong taon nasa P36 milyon na ang dulot na kasiraan ng mga daga sa pa-nanim, ayon kay Le-gaste. Mas mataas umano ito kung ikuku-mpara sa danyos da-hil sa pesteng daga sa buong taon ng 2010 na nasa P19 milyon lamang. (DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)


Tagalog News: P57-M Cotabato Sanitari-um Hospital binuksan sa publikoCOTABATO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- Halos apat na taon din ang ginawang pagsasaayos at papagpapalawak ng Cotabato San-tarium Hospital na matatagpuan sa barangay Unab sa bayan ng Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. Sa ginawang pa-sinaya noong Sept 9, 2011, sinabi ni Dr. Abdullah Dumama, regional director ng Department of Health-Center for Health De-velopment, Region XII (DOH-CHD XII) na ta-ong 2007 na sinumulan ang rehabilitasyon at expansion ng naturang pagamutang pampub-liko sa pamamagitan ng P57 million pondo mula sa Health Facil-ity Enhancement Pro-gram (HFEP) ng DOH. Ayon kay Duma-ma, kasama sa ginas-tors sa rehabilitasyon at expansion ng 10-bed ospital ay mga makabagong kagami-tan. Suplay ng gamot at mga duktor at iba pand health personnel

upang magbigay ng serbisyong pangka-lusugan sa publiko. Ang Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital ay dating leprosarium na nagsilbing pagamutan at kanlungan ng mga maysakit na ketong sa loob ng kumigit kumu-lang tatlong dekada. Sa pagbubukas ng Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital, maiiwasan na ang pagsisiksikan ng mga pasyente sa Co-tabato Regional Medi-cal Center o CRMC na matatagpuan sa lung-sod ng Cotabato, ayon kay Dumama. “Ito’y napakalak-ing tulong para sa Cota-bato Regional Medical Center para mababa-wasan ang pagsisikip ng mga maysakit lalo

na sa mga pasyenteng hindi naman malubha o minor ang karamda-man o di kaya pangan-ganak, ani Dumama. Tiniyak ni Duma-ma ang pagsasaayos ng mga papeles upang maging Philhealth ac-credited ang Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital sa susunod na buwan sa-bay hikayat sa publiko na magpa-miyembro na sa Philhealth. Sa panig ni Magu-indanao 1st district Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, sinabi nitong patuloy nitong isinusulong ang pagkakaroon ng ospi-tal ang bawat mun-sipyo sa rehiyon na siyang magbibigay ng serbisyong pangka-lususgan ng mga ma-mamayan.

10


Nangako ng kanyang patuloy na suporta ang kon-gresista na nag-

bigay ng P50,000 paunang tulong pinansyal sa ospital kapalit ng maayos

at tapat na serbi-syo sa taumbayan.( p b c h a n g c o / P I A Cotabato City)

Tagalog News: IRA ng S. Cotabato inaasahang bababa sa susunod na taonKORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 12 (PIA 12) – Inaasahang ba-baba ang internal revenue allotment (IRA) ng pamaha-laang panlalawigan at mga local government units ng South Cotabato sa taong 2012 dulot ng tuluyang pag-kakadeklara ng Korte Suprema ng 16 na bayan sa buong bansa bilang mga lungsod ilang buwan na ang nakaraan.

Sa datos na na-kalap mula sa pama-halaang probinsyal ti-natayang bababa ng P104 milyon ang IRA ng lalawigan sa susunod na taon. Mula sa ma-higit P2.21 bilyon na IRA ng buong lalawigan ngayong 2010 inaa-sahang bababa ito ng P2.1 B sa 2012. Aabot umano sa P104 mily-on ang mababawas sa IRA ng lalawigan sa susunod na taon. Hinahanda na ngayon ng pamaha-laang panlalawigan ang

mga hakbang para ma-punan ang mababawas sa IRA ng provincial LGU na aabot sa P36 milyon. Kabilang na dito ang paghahanap ng ibang mapagkuku-nan ng pondo. Tinatayang maba-bawasan naman ng P20 milyon ang IRA ng lungsod ng Koronadal at P47 ang kabuuang mababawas sa IRA ng 10 bayang nasa-sakupan ng South Co-tabato. Maaring mas maapektuhan umano

ang budget sa main-

tenance and other

operating expenses

(MOOE) ng mga LGU.

Sa buong bansa,

aabot umano sa 4.8

porsiyento ang ka-

buuang mababawas

sa IRA ng may 43,000

na LGUs dahil sa pag-

kaka-reclassify bilang

mga lungsod ng 16 na

bayan. (DEDoguiles/

PIA 12)

Tagalog News: P57-M...from page 9


Clean Ground, Zero Waste program demonstrates unity among Butuanons, says officialBUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – Citing the importance of environ-mental protection, Vice Mayor Atty. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun on Sunday said the Clean Ground, Zero Waste program of the local government is a demonstration of Butuanons’ unity.

by Robert E. Roperos

In his speech be-fore the jam-packed 3,000-seater Father Sat-urnino Urios University (FSUU) gymnasium dur-ing the launching of the program, Vice Mayor Fortun said the activity is a demonstration of the

Butuanon’s capacity to unite and work together for a common cause. “We must be able to sustain that unity and cooperation to be successful of what we are doing,” Fortun said. Vice Mayor Fortun

also negates the notion that the forefathers have popularized. He added it is not true that the Filipino people are fond of practicing “nin-gas kugon” or ma-ñana habit mentality. 12


“It is not true that we Filipinos are fond of this habit. Looking back at the history when our forefathers fought and risk their lives to achieve freedom and democracy, they have achieved it af-ter a long period of war and were able to sustain their momentum until they have achieved it,” Fortun said. He added, the Fili-pinos have the capacity to fought hard, work to-gether and sustain unity. The Clean Ground, Zero Waste program

aims to facilitate social transformation processes among residents to man-ifest the desired behavior of segregating waste at source, cleaning the sur-roundings and convert-ing wastes into money. It also aimed to achieve massive conver-sion of waste into organ-ic fertilizers (biodegrad-ables) by the organic fertilizer production facil-ities and useful materials (non-biodegradables). The framework for change involves the in-tegration of social trans-

formation strategies with economic transformation strategies. This entails continuing community ed-ucation, reinforcing and recognizing good behav-ior, intensifying enforce-ment of ordinances and mobilization of eco-mar-shals and community vol-unteers. It also includes the establishment and op-erations of organic fertil-izer production facilities to convert waste into organic fertilizers. (PIA-Caraga)

City dad envisions Butuan to be one of Phl’s cleanest citiesBUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. asked Butuanons’ support in its quest to be one of the cleanest cities in the country.

by Robert E. Roperos

Clean Ground, Zero...from page 11

13


During the launch-ing of Clean Ground, Zero Waste program of the city government on Sunday, Mayor Amante pointed out the signifi-cance of having an en-vironment that is con-ducive to obtain good health. Amante said if Bu-tuanons will give their all-out support to the program, the city gov-ernment can save in as far as budgeting for health and social con-cerns of its people. “Instead of put-ting up big budget for our medical facilities in our government hos-pital and investing too much for our constitu-ents’ health, we should solve first the causes of health problems… and that is by ensuring a clean environment,” Amante said.

With this, the chief executive of the city said, “by sustaining this program, we may be able to be included in the list of the clean-est cities in the Philip-pines”. True to its mission to seriously implement the program, awarding of “Clean Seals” as a be-havior change strategy to households, puroks, barangays, classrooms, stall, and business es-tablishments will be conducted regularly. The city govern-ment will also be de-ploying 38 Eco Marshals to different barangays, as well as to mobilize of existing community volunteers and employ strategies. The program also entails waste conver-sion to organic fertiliz-ers (with national, re-

gional and local policy and financial back-up) by setting up commu-nity-based organic fer-tilizer production facili-ties. Meanwhile, the program will serve as a venue for the conver-gence and multi-sec-tor mobilization such as barangays, regional line agencies, national government agencies, businesses, academe, provincial government, media, and the like. Moreover, the pro-gram is integrating with other community “felt” concerns such as den-gue and anti-rabies campaign. It also en-couraged meaningful community participa-tion and massive com-munity actions. (PIA-Caraga)

City dad envisions...from page 12


First batch of OFWs from Libya receives NRCO livelihood grantBUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- Twelve OFWs repatriated from Libya, and four distressed OFWs from Middle East received checks worth 10,000 pesos each as a livelihood grant of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs. This was done in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Department of Labor and Employ-ment and was held September 5 at the OWWA-Caraga Training Hall.

by Ritchel M. Molero

To date, OWWA-Car-aga had released a total of 160,000 pesos to 16 Car-aganon OFWs under the NRCO Livelihood Grant. By the coming months the agency is expected to re-lease another 240,000 pe-sos for the remaining 15 Repatriated OFWs from Lib-ya and 9 distressed workers from Middle East . OWWA-Caraga OIC Marieta A. Lumawag said the 10,000 livelihood grant will allow the OFWs to fi-nance their preferred busi-ness enterprise and will augment their income. Prior to the awarding of the check, Regional Wel-fare Office- Caraga in part-nership with TESDA, DTI, DA-ATI, and with full sup-port from DOLE Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, conducted series of Enter-prise Development Train-

ing and Business Liveli-hood Skills Training such as Mushroom Culture, Lemon Grass Farming, Pangasius Production, Modern Swine and Native Chicken Rais-ing, etc. for the recipients of the grant. Technological Dem-onstration on Cologne and Perfume Making, Detergent Powder Making, Dishwash-ing Liquid, Fabric Softener Making and others were also conducted to produce well-informed and well-equipped OFWs before starting a business. The first batch of the NRCO Livelihood Grant was thankful to the Philippine Government for its contin-uous support for the OFWs. One of them was Mr. Oliver T. Plaza, who expressed his deep gratitude to DOLE & OWWA for the help he re-ceived during his repatria-

tion and even in his struggle to establish his construction business. “This ten thousand will be of great help in my endeavor of raising bigger capital for my newly estab-lished construction busi-ness,” Plaza said. OWWA-Caraga also distributed Certificate of Participation to 42 OFWs who successfully com-pleted the 3-day Entre-preneurial Development Training on August 10. The Certificate of Par-ticipation is one of the primary requirements of the Landbank of the Phil-ippines and Development Bank of the Philippines in processing the 2 Bil-lion Reintegration Loan Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Admin-istration. (OWWA-Cara-ga/PIA-Caraga)


8 LGUs complete 2-day orientation on disaster risk reduction mngt, climate change adaptation

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – Citing the importance of environBUTUAN CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – Eight local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region have completed the two-day Basic Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Climate Change Adaptation for LGUs recently at the Al-mont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

The eight LGUs were the city of Su-rigao and the mu-nicipalities of Dapa, Gigaquit and Socorro in the province of Su-rigao del Norte, the city of Bislig and the municipalities of San Agustin and Barobo in the province of Su-rigao del Sur and the municipality of San Jose in the province of Dinagat Islands. Participants from each LGU were com-posed of the Mayor, Administrator, Plan-ning and Development Coordinator, Social Welfare and Develop-

ment Officer, Health Officer, Agriculturist, Engineer, Budget Of-ficer, Liga President, NGO representative, DepEd Supervisor and the Local Government Operations Officer. The activity was conducted by the Lo-cal Government Acad-emy (LGA) of the Department of the In-terior and Local Gov-ernment (DILG) under the project “Strength-ening Local Govern-ments in the Philip-pines” funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Interna-cional para el Desar-

rollo (AECID). It aimed to en-hance LGU’s capacity to better understand the concept of disas-ter risk reduction and climate change adap-tation. It also aimed to familiarize DRRM Act of 2010 (RA 10121) and CCA Act of 2009 (RA 9729) including the different local and international frame-works, tools and tech-niques to facilitate planning and devel-oping local DRR/CCA actions. (DILG-Car-aga/PIA-Caraga)

by Ray Gregory F. Jaranilla


KAP Medical Assistance Program reaches Surigao NorteSURIGAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- In line with his advocacy to improve public health nationwide, Senator Ramon Bong Revil-la, Jr. today provided help to the indigent patients of the province through his Kalusugan Ating Pangalagaan (KAP) medical assis-tance program. From his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Revilla allo-cated half a million pesos as medical assistance fund for the needy patients in the province. The granting of medical aid was formal-ized through a memoran-dum of agreement (MOA) which was signed by the senator and Dr. Ponciano Limcangco, medical di-rector of the CARAGA Re-gional Hospital in Surigao City in a simple ceremony held on Friday, September 9 at the said hospital. Surigao del Norte 1st District Representa-tive Francisco Matugas, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Guillermo Romarate, Jr., Surigao del Norte Gover-nor Sol Matugas and Su-rigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas witnessed the signing. According to the

senator, Filipino families usually ignore their health needs due to financial problems, which leads to worsening of ailments. “This is the reason why I see to it that a signifi-cant portion of my Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF will go to medicnal assistance,” he said. To avail of the medi-cal assistance, indigent patients in the province can go or send a repre-sentative to the Office of Congressman Matugas or Congressman Romarate, Provincial Capitol of Su-rigao del Norte or Office of the Surigao City Mayor. The medical assis-tance will be given as a guarantee letter where the amount that the patient can avail under the pro-gram is indicated. “Nan-dito lang ang ating mga guarantee letters. Inaalay

ko ito sa mga mamama-yan ng Surigao; nakah-anda para makatulong sa kanila,” Revilla said. Aside from the med-ical aid program, Revilla also regularly conducts medical-dental missions and blood letting activi-ties. These are all under his KAP medical assis-tance program. He also filed health-related bills which include the institutionalization of a pre-hospital emergen-cy care system, the es-tablishment of a special hospital for Overseas Fili-pino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents, and the granting of compensation, reimbursement for hospi-talization expenses, and other benefits to civilians caught in the crossfire between rebels and the military. (Office of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


PNP 9 crime lab receives 4x4 vehicle from city by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - To boost mobility of the Philippine National Police’s Regional Crime Laboratory personnel and contribute to the enhancement of service to public, the city government turned over to PNP Crime Lab a 4x4 vehicle yesterday.

Mayor Celso Lo-bregat personally turned over the vehi-cle to PNP Crime Lab Director PCSupt. Lorlie Arroyo and Regional Crime Lab Chief PSupt. Solomon Segundo. In a press state-ment, City Information Officer Sheila Covarru-bias said the donation of the vehicle forms part of the city govern-ment’s commitment to aggressively continue support and assistance

to law enforcement agencies primarily aimed to sustain peace and security. Covarrubias said the reconditioned ve-hicle cost the govern-ment close to P400, 000.

“A few months

back, the city govern-

ment also turned over

three 4x4 jeeps-all off

road vehicles that are

capable on and off

paved or gravel sur-

face to police stations

in barangays Vitali,

Curuan and Sangali,”

Covarrubias said.

C o v a r r u b i a s shared “Lobregat vowed to continuously assist and support the needs of the police and other law enforcement agencies for the pur-pose of ensuring a sus-tained peace and order in Zamboanga.” (JPA/

PIA 9-Zambo City)


City Health cautions public on leptospirosis by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - The City Health Office (CHO) called on public to be wary of flood water-borne disease such as Leptospirosis which per CHO report has already affected 20 individuals since January of this year, of which three have died. Richard Aliangan, City Information Officer in a press statement said this bacterial in-fection has affected at least four of the city’s barangays-Labuan, Recodo, San Jose and Limpapa. Aliangan said, City Health Officer Rode-lin Agbulos warns the public on the threat of the disease which can lead to kidney dam-age, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress and worst, can even lead to death if not detected and treat-ed early. Although the dis-ease is far from the epi-demic level, CHO advis-es public to be cautious especially during rainy season.

Leptospirosis can be acquired through exposure to water con-taminated with animal urine infected with bac-teria of the genus Lep-tospira. “Although rodents are the most known carriers, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and wild animals can also be source of the bacteria if infected,” the health officer said. The press state-ment reads: “often re-ferred as “occupational disease” since it usu-ally victimizes persons whose work requires exposure and contact to animals and wet en-vironment like farmers,

sewer workers, veteri-narians, fish workers, dairy farmers or mili-tary personnel, bacte-ria can be transmitted to a person or animals through mucosal sur-faces such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin like wounds.” Person infected with the disease may exhibit symptoms like high fever, severe headache, chills, mus-cle aches, vomiting and jaundice or in layman’s description-yellow skin and eyes. Other symptoms include red eyes, ab-dominal pain diarrhea and rashes. (JPA/PIA 9-Zambo City)


ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept. 12 (PIA) – Incumbent officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) lament-ed on the recurrence of the ‘rehashed disinformation’ cam-paign on alleged unaccounted funds. The Bureau of Public Information re-veals that ARMM exec-utive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo deplored on Monday the resurrec-tion of a special audit report on some P2.6-billion unaccounted funds in the region in the past which some media reports recently insinuated to be a re-sponsibility of incum-bent officials. “The so-called P2.6-billion fund mess purportedly unearthed by a special audit in the ARMM’s financial transactions in 2008 to Sept. 2009 was made to appear in a recently published report as an anomaly in 2010,” Si-narimbo said. Sinarimbo said

the same fund mess had been used by na-tional officials as a rea-son to file plunder cas-es against past ARMM officials. “Why should the present ARMM leader-ship be dragged into such mess? Our ad-ministration has been subjected to special and regular audits but nothing irregular of such magnitude has been discovered,” said Sinarimbo, one of in-cumbent officials ap-pointed in December 2009. Incumbent ARMM officials cried foul over what they lamented as recurrence of “re-hashed disinformation” campaign allegedly meant to exagger-

ate justifications for a “false need” for a care-taker regional leader-ship at the expense of currently governing elected leaders. Recently, three groups of petitioners questioned the con-stitutionality of R.A. 10153, which the Con-gress passed last June to postpone and syn-chronize the Aug. 8, 2011 ARMM elections with the 2013 midterm national and local elec-tions, and allow the President to appoint OICs to administer the ARMM affairs for some 21 months. “The President should cease and de-sist from naming OICs in ARMM until after the SC shall have resolved

ARMM officials hit ‘rehashed disinforma-tion’ campaign on unaccounted funds

20


some petitions chal-lenging the constitu-tionality of the law that postponed the election in the Muslim region and synchronized it with the 2013 national elections,” said lawyer Romulo Macalintal in a memorandum submit-ted to the High Court. Macalintal, one of the petitioners, prayed that in case the OICs have been appointed prior to the resolution of the petitions, the SC should issue an order “directing such OICs to cease and desist from assuming such posi-tions and allow the incumbent elective ARMM officials to per-form their functions until further order by the court.” The two other pe-titioning groups are the PDP-Laban party led by former Senator Nene Pimentel and a convergent of Muslim lawyers led by Basary

Mapupuno of Lanao del Sur. These groups had asked the Supreme Court (SC) last Mon-day to stop President Aquino from appoint-ing officers-in-charge (OICs) to govern the affairs of the Autono-mous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for some 21 months af-ter the term of office of the elective officials expires on Sept. 30. A search Commit-tee formed by Presi-dent Aquino on July 28 is reportedly finaliz-ing the shortlists from among almost 200 as-pirants and nominees for OICs to the position of regional governor, vice governor and 24 members of the ARMM legislative assembly. The President is ex-pected to appoint from

among the nominees at least 10 days before Sept. 30, reports said. Macalintal and Pi-mentel said in a report in one of the national dailies, the postpone-ment of the ARMM polls “violates the ba-sic right of ARMM elec-torate to choose their elective officials.” They also asserted that appointing OICs is another arbitrary since “Section 18, Article X of the 1987 Constitu-tion mandates that the executive depart-ment and the legisla-tive assembly of the ARMM shall be elective and representative of the constituent politi-cal units.”(JPA/AGM-B P I A R M M / R V C -PIA9 BaSulTa)

ARMM officials...from page 19


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - The newly turned over crime laboratory building here is the first and only crime lab building funded by the United States government, this said Police Regional Office (PRO)- 9 Crime Laboratory Head Supt. Solomon Segundo.

Segundo said that of the 16 Police Region-al Offices nationwide including the National Head Quarters in Camp Crame, it is only in PRO-9 that the US govern-ment poured funds for its construction coupled with complete crime lab equipment. Segundo further said, the funds does not only limit to the physical construction of the crime lab building but goes out to the purchase of mod-ern crime laboratory

“gear” and the training of police personnel and technicians who will be assigned for the mainte-nance of the crime lab. The Crime Labora-tory Head revealed, the funds from the US gov-ernment will be released in three batches. The first batch was already released that resulted to the comple-tion of the construction of the crime lab build-ing which was recently turned over to PRO9. Second release will

be for the for the setting of the fallowing sections in the crime lab such as chemistry section, mac-ro etching examination section, section for evi-dence for DNA test and the purchase of needed crime laboratory equip-ment. Third and final re-lease will be used for the training of person-nel and technicians who will be assigned for the maintenance of the crime lab. (JPA/PIA 9-Zambo City)

PRO 9 Crime Lab, only one in country funded by US gov’t by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

DIPOLOG CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - Dili pa gihapong luwas kan-on ang mga kinhason gikan sa Murcielagos Bay nga nahimutang sa Zamboanga del Norte ug Misamis Occidental.

Cebuano News:BFAR padayong nag-pasidaan batok sa pagkaon sa kinhason ni Alfonso T. Ruda

Kini human nga padayong nagpasidaan

ang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

kon BFAR batok sa pag-kuha ug pagkaon sa

22


mga alamang, tahong ug uban pang matang sa mga kinhason gikan sa kabaybayonan sa Mind-anao, Eastern Samar ug Zambales. Pinasikad sa Shell-fish Bulletin numero 18 nga pinitsahan ug Agosto 23, 2011, positibo sa para-lytic shell poison ang mga sampol nga tahong ug alamang gikan sa Duma-quillas Bay sa Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay sa Zamboanga del Norte ug Misamis Occidental ug Masinloc Bay sa Zambales. Positibo gihapon sa Red Tide Toxin ang mga kin-hason gikan sa Matarinao bay sa Eastern Samar. Nakaangkon ug lu-mot ang dagat. Dunay mga lumot o phytoplank-ton nga nahimong pag-kaon sa mga nilalang sa dagat sama sa tahong, ug uban pang matang sa kin-hason, isda, pasayan ug bisan mga kasag. Dunay mga delika-dong phytoplankton; usa niini mao ang demoflagel-lates nga naghatag ug hilo nga gitawag ug saxitoxin

nga maoy hinungdan sa paralytic shell poisoning. Usa sa dinoflaggelate mao ang Pyridium Baha-mese Var. Compressum. Kon modaghan ang Pyrid-ium, mopula ang kolor sa dagat mao nga gitrawag kini ug red tide. Usa sa mga timail-han sa paralytic shell poi-soning mao ang pagkaluya sa lawas, pagpalipong ug pagsuka-suka. Pero, giklaro sa BFAR nga mahimo pa gihapong kan-on ang mga isda, nu-kos, pasayan ug kasag gi-kan sa mga nasangpit nga lugar basta kuhaon lang ang sulod sa ginhawaan niini, sama sa hasang ug tinae sa di pa kini lutuon. Sa pagkakaron, su-mala pa sa BFAR, walay red tide ang Manila Bay nga misakop sa Cavite; Las Piñas; Parañaque; Navotas; Bulacan ug Bataan; mga kabaybay-onan sa Bolinao; Anda; Alaminos; ug Bani sa Pangasinan; Milagros ug Mandaon sa Masbate;

Juag Lagoon sa Matnog ug Sorsogon Bay sa Sor-sogon; Bai ng Honda ug Puerto sa Puerto Princesa City; Inner malampaya Soiund sa Taytay, Pala-wan. Wala usay Red Tide sa mga baybayon ng Pi-lar, President Roxas, Pon-tevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan ug Sapian sa Capiz, mga baybayon sa EB Magalona, Ponte-vedra, Pulupandan, Val-ladolid, Talisay CIty, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinig-aran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City ug San En-rique, Negros Occidental; mga bai ng Irong-irong, Maqueda ug Vilareal sa Samar, Ormoc, mga bai sa San Pedro, Cancabato ugCarigara ng Leyte; ka-tubigan ng Biliran, Biliran, mga bai sa Hinatuan, Bislig ug Lianga sa Su-rigao Del Sur; Balite bay sa Mati, Davao Oriental; ug Taguines Lagoon sa Benoni Mahinog, Cami-guin Island.(JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)

Cebuano News: BFAR padayong...from page 21


Iligan city mulling on the establishment of cultural heritage park at Bayug Islandby Melvin T. Anggot/Virgilio C. Garcia

Architect Gil Balo-ndo, City Planning and Development Coordina-tor, said the plan is in-cluded in the second draft of the Compre-hensive Land Use Plan Updating which will be presented in a series of public consultations

next month. Balondo said the plan is to establish this Cultural Heritage Park in the vicinity of Bayug Is-land, composed of stat-ues representing impor-tant personalities, telling the history of Iligan for the next generation.

As Chairperson of the Committee on Histo-ry, Culture and the Arts, Kagawad Michelle Sweet of the Sangguniang Pan-glungsod (SP) has en-tertained and supported the idea and vowed to work for its realization. (CIO/PIA-10)

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The adminis-tration of Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz is mulling over the idea of establishing a cultural heritage park at Bayug Island in Baran-gay Hinaplanon in this city.

24

Cag. de Oro SP backs extension of services of DepEd Exec by Lorebeth C. Requiroso

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The 16th City Council headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, on Tuesday, requested President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to extend the appointment of Dr. Myrna S. Motoomull as Division Superintendent of the Cagayan de Oro City Schools (CDOS). Kagawad Adrian Barba of the Sangguni-ang Panglungsod (SP), Chairperson of the Com-

mittee on Education, said Motoomull is sched-uled to retire on Decem-ber 27, this year.

A 4-month exten-sion is being sought so that projects that have been launched this


school year can be sus-tained, he said, as he lauded Dr. Motoomull for her performance and ac-complishments. Barba said the Ca-gayan de Oro Teach-ers and Employees As-sociation (COPTEA) has also called for this citing that Motoomull is cur-rently working and ad-vocating the program on K+12 in support of the government’s vision to improve the quality of

education of students in the city and to improve the achievement rate of secondary schools. Under the leader-ship of Motoomull, all Physics teachers are now trained in Learn-ing Physics as One Na-tion (LPON) and that the CDOS is the only Schools Division in the whole country that implements the program. Another achieve-ment of Motoomull is the

total computerization of the recording and evalu-ation of achievement in cooperation with Digi-tal Information Systems and Technology, the first among all public schools in the country, the reso-lution cited. The extension will allow her and partner stakeholders to appreci-ate the outcome of the initial implementation of these projects, Barba added.(CIO/PIA-10)

Iligan Business Month celebration gains support from stakeholdersby Melvin T. Anggot, Virgilio C. Garcia

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 12 –- Different groups of businessmen, national government agencies, institutions and offices, here, have expressed support to the Business Month celebration in October. This was manifested during the first stakehold-ers meeting held at the Sangguniang Panglung-sod (SP) Session Hall, re-cently. A yearly event, the celebration will give a boost and spur business in the city with focus in business fora, conventions, confer-ences and trade exhibits, among others, to help the development of the busi-

ness sector in the city. Also known as “Asen-so Iligan,” the Business Month celebration is one of the projects of Kagawad Frederick Siao of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP), Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Com-merce and Industry sup-ported by Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz. It is the desire of the local government to make

this as an institution through a resolution passed to the council authored by Siao jointly with Kagawads Rud-eric Marzo, Michelle Sweet and Marlene Young. Among the groups which expressed their sup-port to Asenso Iligan were the following: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan, Iligan Bay Chamber of Industries, Iligan Hotel-Restaurants

Cag. de Oro SP...from page 23

25


and Resorts Association, and Department of Trade and Industry.Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Educa-tion, Philippine Information Agency, MSU-Iligan Institute

of Technology including the College of Business Adminis-tration and Accountancy.City Agriculture Office, Iligan In-vestment Promotions Cen-ter, City Information Office, Drugstore Association of the

Philippines-Iligan Chapter and others Kagawad Siao also plans to create a commit-tee that will manage the Business Month Celebration. (CIO/PIA-10)

Misamis Occ solon supports DSWD’s request for higher budget by Charmaine P. TadlasOROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- Con-gressman Loreto Leo S. Ocampos of the 2nd District, this prov-ince, is supporting the Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment’s (DSWD) proposal for a Php39 billion budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2012. The Congressman said that he supports Sec-retary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and sees the need to cover more households for the Program. “I go for the ap-proval of the higher bud-get of Pantawid Pamilya for 2012, since many poor families can actually ben-efit from it,” he said. The Pantawid Pami-lya is the conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme of the national government which provides a maxi-mum of Php1,400 to poor households for their chil-dren’s educational and health needs. In exchange for the subsidy, each household shall comply with their co-

responsibilities, such as, ensuring that their chil-dren are sent to school and have regular check-ups and that household heads and their spouses shall also attend to Family Development Sessions of the Program. Cong. Ocampos saw that the DSWD’ Program has improved the quality of life of many families, thus, his support for Pan-tawid Pamilya. He emphasized how-ever that the implementa-tion of the Program needs fine-tuning in terms of its list of recipients, the speedy delivery of the cash assistance, and to strengthen the monitoring of the beneficiaries’ com-

pliance of their co-respon-sibilities in the Program. He also mentioned that the DSWD should also strengthen its coordina-tion with the congressio-nal offices believing that the latter can share their part in reinforcing Pan-tawid Pamilya’s objectives in helping the poor. Meanwhile, benefi-ciaries of the Program are also voicing out their sup-port to Secretary Soliman for an increase in budget to P39 Billion for 2012. The Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment is currently providing cash subsidy to 200,569 households in Region 10 alone.(PIA 10)

Iligan Business....from page 24


COWD reminds senior citizens to renew discount privileges by Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) is reminding its senior citizen-beneficiaries to visit their office and renew their discount privileges upon the expiration of their annual cover-age. The remind-er was sounded by Ladele Sagrado, COWD’s Public Re-lations/Information Division Manager, citing that the appli-cation for the avail-ment of the five per-cent (5%) discount on monthly water consumption is sub-ject to renewal, ev-ery year. This is embodied in the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which grants addi-tional benefits and privileges to the el-derly sector of the society, she said. Senior citizens

can apply for renewal starting this month since we begun im-plementing the dis-count, September of 2010, Sagrado said. She disclosed that some 810 senior citizens in the city have benefited from the monthly discount during its first year of implementation. Sagrado also advised other regis-tered senior citizens who want to avail of the monthly water discount to apply per-sonally at the COWD office. If a senior citi-zen is incapacitated, he/she may apply through a duly-au-thorized representa-tive, she added.

To qualify for the discount, the month-ly water consumption of the senior citizen should not exceed 30 cu.m. and the me-ter registration of the utility should be in his/her name for a period of one (1) year. If the senior citi-zen has many resi-dential properties, the privilege can be availed of only through the water connection of his ac-tual residence, Sa-grado explained. She further ex-plained that the priv-ilege will be granted per household regard-less of the number of senior citizens resid-ing therein. (PIA10)


by Apipa Bagumbaran

Hot logs now used for school chairsDAVAO CITY Sept. 12 (PIA) - Confiscated logs of about P3.4 million in value are donated to the Department of Education, Compostela Valley Province after seized at Sitio Baotohon, Laak, Compostela Valley Province .

The said logs will be processed and made into chairs, tables, and desks to fillinschoolresourcesgapsexperienced in the said province. The donation of confiscated logs is statedunder the Executive Order 23 or a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests in the country. In order to ensure that confiscated logs are putinto good use, the DENR is instructed to donate those to the DepEd and have them made into school tables and chairs. Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENRXI)officialClyde Jumaoas reported during the Kapihan sa Dabaw yesterday (September 12) accomplishments of the the Task force Illegal Logging

campaign headed by the DENR Secretary. Since the effectivity of EO 23 last February 1, 2011, DENR was able to confiscate 20,436 piecesof logs, with a volume of 3,060cubicmeters,andanestimated value of almost P9.5 million. DENR shares this accomplishment with the other members of the task force, claiming that it would be impossible for the agency to catch violators without the help of the local government unit, the Philippine National Police and other agencies. Jumaoas bared that the Province of Compostela Valley remains as the area where most of violations are detected. A decline in the number of violations was

observed in the Province of Davao Oriental since there are plenty of Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA), Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA), Community-BasedForestManagement (CBFMA)projects in the province. Aside from confiscating illegally cutlogs, the DENR is also prohibited from issuing/renewing tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide, except for clearing of road right of way by the DPWH, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from the said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal. (PIA-XI)

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat


Davao as retirement havenDAVAO CITY Sept. 12 (PIA) --The Philippine Retirement Authority in Region XI sees Davao as a retirement haven as it has continually met its targets par-ticularly in the number of retirees settling in the region. JaimeLlanes,PRA-XIhead said that last 2010, they had processed 120 retirees who had settled in Davao more than their target of 100 retirees. This year the PRA had set again the target of 100 retirees for the region. As of this year the region has attracted 70 retirees with 12 more foreigners waiting for the processing of needed documents. “Weareconfidentofagain meeting our targets for this year.” Llanes said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum held at Café Rhysus, SM Davao yesterday (Sept. 12). Davao City’s Region

XI is the top retiree’s choice here in Mindanao with Region X particularly Cagayan de Oro. Llanes said that misimpressions about Mindanao are immediately corrected when the retirees began settling here. “Sabi nila hindi pala totoo ang masasamang balita.” (they say that the bad news are not that true) Llanes tells of the retirees reactions when they began moving here. He said these retirees are in fact selling and promoting the region to their fellow countrymen. “I hadn’t heard a retiree who told me they didn’t like Davao. This place

is very likeable.” Llanes recounts their feedbacks. Chinese constitute the biggest number of retirees followed by the Koreans, Japanese, Americans and Europeans. The youngest retiree livinginDavaoisa35-yearold Chinese while the oldest isaJapaneseretireeat94years old. Llanes said that as of the moment there are no retirement villages in Davao, the retirees are living in houses scattered around the Davao City and nearby provinces. (PIA/RG Alama)

Davao obstetricians intensifies information drive on RH in communitiesDAVAO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) – Davao’s Philippine Obstetrical and Gyneco-logical Society has conducted rounds of information drive in the grassroots communities here to enlighten the households on the benefits of the repro-ductive health concerns. POGS official forSouthern Mindanao Dr. Geraldine dela Victoriasaid that in line with their

stand to support the RH Bill, the group has beencascading lay lectures in the barangays to

scientificallyexplainaboutthe health issue and to counter misinformation. Dela Victoria said that

by Carina L. Cayon

29


POGS in the region hasdecided to take favorable stance on RH Bill whichwould signify their firmposition and advocacy on “no to abortion.” “The RH Bill is notan abortion bill,” she stressed refuting claims of theanti-RHgroupswhichshe alleged are providing misinformation to the public. Out of about 150 membersofPOGSinthecity, Dela Victoria bared that only one or two have sidedagainstRHBill.Shesaid there are around 170 POGSmembersinDavaoRegion. In the RH health forum held at the community level,membersofPOGSin Davao Region would make corrections on misinformation and would urge the households not to believe on hearsays. “They (households) should ask the health providers instead who could provide the right information,” Dela Victoria stated in a press conference held recently

in the city. She said that during the barangay forum, the obstetricians would reiterate that RH Billprovides options for the couple to choose from the natural means of family planning or the modern way. “We explain the appropriate contraceptive that is best for each woman,” the lady physician stated, adding “each woman has her own kind of contraceptive that is suitable for her.” Dela Victoria countered misinformation on taking artificialcontraceptives particularly on pills, saying “mas maraming namamatay sa panganganak ng marami kaysa sa nag-take ngpills.” She bared that contraceptive pills which she said are recommended for women in their 20’s to 30’s, are now recommended for low doses “just enough not to get pregnant and not to have side effects.”

She stressed that the group would also want to make known thatRHBillis not just concerned on family planning but is also looking at the reproductive health rights and programs for the adolescents and elderly female and male at the menopausal stage. Aside from the RH health forum, Dela Victoria said that POGS is alsohelping the government in providing maternal health care services at the barangay for free such as family planning orientation and ligation. She said the group is conducting annually the “Buntis Day” whereall pregnant women are gathered in a forum and given health care services for free. POGSwasamongthe RH advocates in Davao City who joined the recent launching of the Purple Ribbon Campaign to intensify the call for legislators to swiftly act on the RH Bill pending at theCongress. (PIA-XI)

Davao obstetricians....from page 28


Tagum City to focus on shelter for poor, displaced familiesTAGUM CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- To sustain noteworthy accomplishments for children and education, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy is focusing on provid-ing decent homes for urban poor and displaced families. In an interview, Uy revealed efforts on properly relocating some 2,000 families who will be displaced due to expanding commercial ventures at the urban centers. A 30-hectare lot isnow being prepared to accommodate those who will be affected but he assured that the relocated families willfindthenewareaamuchbetter place they will be living in than where they previously live. All weather dirt road will lead to the relocation site which will be installed with drainage system including septic tanks, power connection and water supply. “There’s no reason for them to complain. Kita diri kulitonkanus-amanminimoibalhin mayor. “ (They are the ones urging us when they will be relocated.) he said referring to those who will be relocated. Uy is also making it sure that displaced families due to commercial center

expansion will not be deprived of access to their means of livelihood. “Naa ra sa sentro (it’s just in the city center) three kilometers lang from the commercial district,” he said of the relocation site. Uy said that he wanted to properly transfer those affected by commercial expansion because they are the homes of the drivers, the laborers, the sales assistants and other ordinary workers whom he called as “our economic drivers.” “Those who have less in life should have more of government services,” he said during the interview. Meanwhile, Uy revealed that this year, he placedP4millionfundfortheShelter Assistance Program dubbed as “Lingap Pinuy-anan” aimed at renovating dilapidated houses of poor families. Implemented starting late last year, the Lingap Pinuy-ananhasmadehomesmuch better for 500 families but Uy wants to reach out to

2,000 families more before his term ends, through such shelter program. Under Lingap Pinuy-anan, the City government employees are being tapped as volunteers to help in construction work during their off hours either on Saturday or Sunday. Tagum City has featuredLingapPinuy-ananShelter Program as among its major accomplishment forthebenefitofthechildrenin its bid for the Presidential Child-Friendly Awardcomponent city category. Tagum City has been a consecutive regional winnerof thechild-friendlyaward, and this year, it hopes to grab the national recognitionaschild-friendlycity. Aside from championing children’s cause, the city is also being recognized this year as the national literacy winner and that it grabs an international award on literacy given by UNESCO. (PIA XI/ jeanevive duron-abangan)


Civil Service set to improve government efficiencyDAVAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 12, (PIA) -- Inefficiencies in government offices are seen to be addressed now that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has leveled up the standard of quality in rendering government service.

Guest ing in theKapihan sa Kapi to lyo, CSC Davao del Norte Provincial Director Ma. Fai th Presbi tero said th is year ’s theme in celebrat ing th is month the Phi l ippine Civi l Service 111th year advances the thrust of CSC to wield a much better way of providing government services. This year’s Civil Service celebration banners the theme: “Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service at Full Speed, which brings a message of building a responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service. Presbitero believes that with the R.A.C.E. principle of public service, the government will be gaining the trust and confidenceofmorepeople.“Wala na tong mahadlok nga moadto sa opisina sa gobyerno,” she said. The memorandum circular of CSC signed

on July 22, 2011 by CSC Chairperson Francisco Duque III states that this year’s Civil Service celebration is anchored on President Benigno S.Aquino’s call for “reform, daang matuwid, and on his pledge to implement change in government,” and that it aims to “showcase and celebrate reforms and milestones of government agenciesastheyfulfilltheirrespective mandates.” “The theme urges civil servants nationwide to respond to call for change and be servant-heroes,”Duque said. CSC has lined up suggested activities at the national level such as conducting the Honor Awards Program (HAP) rites for the 2011 Presidential LingkodBayan,Dangal ngBayan, and CSC Pag-asaAwardees. It also sets to organize R.A.C.E. to Serve Fun Run, and contests on photography, chorale,

essay writing and graphic designing. At the provincial level, the Provincial Governmentof Davao del Norte through the Provincial Human Resource Management Office has also lined upactivities in line with the Philippine Civil Service 111th anniversary. PHRMO department head Monica Salido said there will be training and seminars on stress management, communication skills, personality development, nutrition for elders. Activities on physical development of provincial government employees will include the Pinoy Biggest LoserDavao del Norte Capitol Edition and Capitolympics 2011. There will also be free health care services and a talent search activity dubbed as Capitol DavNorGotTalent2011.(PIA XI/ jeane duron-abangan)


Documents

One Mindanao - September 12, 2011