One Mindanao - September 14, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDExecutive 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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Officer-in-charge, PIA Caraga Region

ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, 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 Adviser :

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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)Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

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 Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Cover Story

Balingasag town: “Coco sugar” capital of Misamis Oriental

Oro ChamberNorthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Friday, September 14, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 22

page 4

Malacañang hopes other South China Sea claimants respect Aquino’s Administrative Order No. 29 otherwise known as ‘naming the West Philippine Sea of the Republic of the Philippines’ 9

Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

DOLE 12’s livelihood aid benefits 27 in North Cotabato22Microfinance program to benefit poor families in Cotabato City 24Perlita Changco, Central Mindanao

14 DOH-10 launch healthy lifestyle campaign

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern MindanaoCHED identifies Centers of Excellence, Dev’t in Region 10

Four day care centers subject for turn-over to respective barangays this month 27David M. Suyao, Caraga Region

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

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DSWD welcomes partnership with Australian gov’t. for CDD projects28Social Marketing Unit, Caraga Region

DILG, LGA to conduct Knowledge Management Audit for External Stakeholders31Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

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PH to observe Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 32 Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao 26

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2012 Investment Priorities Plan covers hospital services, iron products 34Carina Cayon, Southern Mindanao

4 ONE MINDANAO Friday, September 14, 2012

Balingasag town: “Coco sugar” capital of Misamis Oriental

Joy Aster Gamolo, product consultant of Sphyte Global Enterprises, is at the forefront of that aspiration. She heads the group of coconut farmers whose product the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has chosen as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) for Balingasag. It was this group that was identified by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation to be its winning product for its Creation of Opportunities and Resources Management for Enterprises (CORE) Project. Coconut sugar is produced from the sweet, watery sap that drips from cut flower buds or inflorescence of the coconut tree, better known as the source of tuba. The sap is collected each

morning and afternoon by tappers (known locally as mananggete who were tuba gatherers in their previous incarnation) and boiled in huge works known locally as calja until only the coco sugar remains. Each tappers can produce two to four liters a day per coconut tree and the four under the supervision of Merlyn Padua of the Linabo Coconut Planters Association can produce up to eight gallons of sap daily. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region 10 Manager Luis G. Cruz said tests which show a Glycemic Index (GI) of 35 for coconut sugar holds great potential for coconut farmers and investors who can successfully parlay this finding into a successful marketing campaign in the booming

Natives of the town of Balingasag, Misamis

Oriental boast of another moniker as the “Coco Sugar Capital” of Misamis Oriental, if not the Philippines.

by Oro Chamber

Friday, September 14, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

health and wellness industry in the U.S. Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad, Scientist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology and her research team said in a press conference hosted by the PCA those foods with low GI are good for the proper control and management of diabetes mellitus and have been shown to lower cholesterol. It is also good for weight maintenance. GI is the glucose response of an individual from food relative to a standard glucose solution. The Philippines has the 10th highest incidence of diabetes worldwide. An estimated six million Filipinos know they have diabetes

and another estimated six million who have diabetes but don’t know they have it. Health experts

believe many more have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and are prone to diabetes. Manager Cruz coconut has great potential as a natural and cheaper alternative for synthetic sweeteners now in the market such as Splenda and Equal and the even more expensive

sweeteners such as Shugr and Stevia which claim to have been derived from “natural” ingredients. Sugar and corn sweeteners, particularly high fructose corn syrup, continue to dominate the overall sweetener market, accounting for over 95 percent of demand in volume terms and more than 85 percent of dollar demand. However, the

6 ONE MINDANAO Friday, September 14, 2012

market for alternative sweeteners has reached $1.1 billion and continues to increase its share of sweetener consumption. In Asian markets, coconut sugar is already available in India and Thailand although they are used primarily as confectionary sugar for making sweets and desserts. At present, a kilogram of coco sugar requires around two gallons of coconut sap while a gallon of the so-called coco honey calls for around seven gallons of sap. Present production output from some two hectares of coconut land owned by her family and planted to around 300 hybrid coconut varieties has reached 3.5 metric tons of coconut sugar and

200 give gallon ‘carboys’ of coconut honey which are all snapped up by a buyer in Manila which exports the entire batch. Another product from the same production area is 200 carboys of coconut vinegar which are used by a domestic processing firm in Manila to wash bangus (milkfish) exported to Filipino expat communities in the Middle East. Gamolo says she has been developing the production technology for a couple of years now, starting from the technology available for the PCA where she is a liaison officer for the Misamis Oriental towns of Balingasag, Lagonglong and Salay. However, to be able to deliver an increased volume of hygienically


acceptable products to her buyers in Manila, Gamolo has set up a processing facility in her residence at Old Road, Waterfall in Balingasag. In anticipation of increased demand following the latest PCA findings on the suitability of coconut sugar as a cheaper, natural alternative to more expensive synthetic sweeteners, she is now packaging the coco sugar in easy to use sachets like those available in hotels, restaurants and airlines. The potential for the product looks great. Gamolo says there are over 30 farmers associations she can immediately tap to increase production if needed. PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes has announced a 92.78 percent increase in 2011 exports volume of coco sap sugar with 70,000 kilograms compared with 36,310 kilograms for 2010. Earlier figures showed a tremendous leap of 224.20 percent increase in exports volume from a low of 11,200 kilograms in 2009 compared with 2010 figures. ‘The increase in coco sap sugar exports was driven by global health concerns specifically diabetes and obesity,’ the PCA Administrator bared. The World Health Organization (WHO), 2011 statistics revealed that 346 million people are diabetic worldwide. ‘We are anticipating that these people are the possible users of coco sap sugar,’ he added. Based on the studies

conducted by FNRI, coco sap sugar has a low glycemic index (GI) of 35 compared to regular cane sugar, thus it can be recommended for diabetics. Administrator Forbes said that coco sap sugar is now being exported to 11 countries namely: Japan, USA, Middle East, Korea, Hongkong, Norway, Canada, Switzerland, France, Australia and New Zealand. Among these countries, USA ranked as the number one exporter. The Administrator said that coconut sap sugar has a great potential as natural and cheaper alternative to more expensive sweeteners in the market. With the growing awareness for health foods and the increasing demand for coco sap sugar, we can project an increase to 100,000 kilograms in the volume of coco sap sugar exports for this year.

8 Friday, September 14, 2012

ACROSS THE NATIONPalace condemns killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya

Malacañang condemned on Thursday the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya that killed American ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other US citizens.

Asked by Palace reporters in a press conference on the reaction of Malacanang on the said attack, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said: “They cover the international law. We condemn any violence on any person especially the Ambassador,

so it’s something that we are certainly concerned with.”

Lacierda also reported that based on the information received by the Palace from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), no Filipino was killed or hurt during

Friday, September 14, 2012 9

ACROSS THE NATIONPalace condemns killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya

the violence in Benghazi. The DFA is also expected to issue an update on the Libyan situation Thursday afternoon, Lacierda said.

Stevens and the other Americans were killed after Islamist mob attacked the US consulate and a safe house refuge in Benghazi on Tuesday night. The attackers were blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.

As violence erupts in Libya, another

assault was mounted on the US embassy in Cairo. Protesters including Islamists tore down and burned a US flag.

US President Barack Obama called the killing of Stevens and three other Americans an “outrageous attack.” He vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the incident and ordered carrying out tighter security measures to all US diplomatic missions worldwide.(as)

Malacañang hopes other South China Sea claimants respect Aquino’s Administrative Order No. 29 otherwise known as ‘naming the West Philippine Sea of the Republic of the Philippines’

Malacañang said the other claimants to the disputed West

Philippine Sea shouldn’t view an administrative order signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as provocative because the Philippines isn’t claiming the territory in its entirety.

10 Friday, September 14, 2012

Early this month, President Aquino signed Administrative Order No. 29, entitled “Naming the West Philippine Sea of the Republic of the Philippines, and for other purposes.”

The order renamed South China Sea waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as West Philippine Sea.

Taiwan has opposed the move, and observers said other claimants might also view this as antagonistic on the part of the Philippines.

“They shouldn’t be,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press conference in Malacanang on Thursday when asked by reporters about the possible implications of the new order.

“The terming of the West Philippine Sea covers those parts of the exclusive economic zone. I am certain that those who are signatories of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea would recognize that the portions only covered by the EEZ were called the West Philippine Sea. We are not claiming the entire South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. That was made very, very clear yesterday and also in the AO itself.”

Other claimants shouldn’t be

threatened, Lacierda said, because the Philippines is just covering its exclusive economic zone which is provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

Lacierda said that other claimant countries such as Vietnam called the portion of the South China Sea as the East Sea.

Asked by reporters what prompted the government to issue the Administrative Order 29, Lacierda said that since the term West Philippine Sea has been frequently used in discussions in the Cabinet and foreign affairs, Malacanang felt that it should be formalized through an AO.

The Palace official also said that Malacanang believes that renaming the South China Sea doesn’t require legislative action and an AO is sufficient to rename the portions of the exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea.

Portions or the entire South China Sea are being claimed by several countries like the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and other ASEAN-member countries. The area is a major sea lane for international trade and commerce and is believed to be rich in mineral and oil resources. (AS)


Alcala sees bumper corn harvest this year

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday reiterated its appeal to the livestock industry to take advantage of lower corn prices in

the domestic market to ease the effects of soaring prices of soya and other feed input in the global market.

At the same time, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala assured that pork prices would remain stable ahead of the holiday season, noting that they expected record-high corn production for this year.

“Based on reports from our

field units, corn production is expected to reach record high this year…the highest level we achieve since we started planting corn,” Alcala said.

“Because we have enough supply of corn, we don’t expect prices to pickup anytime soon,”

Friday, September 14, 2012ONE MINDANAO 12

he said.The DA chief was reacting

to calls by LPG Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA) Partylist Rep. Arnel Ty for the agency to look into the supply-demand equation of milled soya amid the worst drought that hit the United States in years.

Ty, who is also a member of the House committee on trade and industry, said that pork producers have complained of difficulty in securing vital feed input at fair prices.

The lawmaker also said that milled soya prices had surged to as high as P36 per kilo from P27 per kilo in August, and from only P22 per kilo in July.

A rich source of protein, milled soya accounts for 25 percent of most swine feed.

“The Philippines does not grow soya beans, and is totally dependent on a handful of milled soya importers. Should milled soya prices continue to climb, this surely impact local swine growers, and ultimately adversely affect pork consumers,” Ty warned.

Ty also urged the National Food Authority to allow extra shipments of milled soya to address the “potential” shortage

in feedstock.But instead of milled soya,

Alcala encourages swine raisers to stock up on corn now, saying that expectations of a bumper harvest have kept local corn prices stable despite rising prices for alternative feedstock in the global market.

“The most viable option for them [livestock industry] is to buy local corn since it is much cheaper than other grains,” the DA chief said.

Alcala also said that local corn farmers would be encouraged to replant bigger areas for corn in order to keep up with the demand of feed millers.

The Philippines expects corn production to hit a record of 7.819 million metric tons this year, and about 8.450 million next year.

On top of record corn supply, the DA expects no shortage in feedstock as local feed millers have already placed orders for some 1.4 million metric tons of feedwheat, which are scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2012.

Feedwheat is also an alternative ingredient used for making animal feeds.


FNRI to hold forum on 2011 Nat’l Nutritional Survey resultsby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The Food and Nutrition Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) will hold a regional dissemination forum of the “2011 Survey on Updating of the Nutritional Status of Selected Filipinos” here in the Cagayan de Oro City.

The activity is scheduled on September 28 and is set to assemble some 45 participants coming from the members of the regional development council (RDC), the regional nutrition program coordinator, provincial

nutrition action officer and representatives from nongovernment organizations in the region

involved in food, nutrition and health. FNRI Director Mario V. Capanzana said the forum aims to update key stakeholders on government and private sectors and to solicit possible


DOH-10 launch healthy lifestyle campaignby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Northern Mindanao kicked off yesterday the revitalized healthy lifestyle campaign dubbed as “Healthy Lifestyle (HL) to the Max.”

The DOH announced that the campaign is part of its bid for the National HL Awards 2012. On September 23, a simultaneous walk and “Hataw sa Northern Mindanao” will serve as the highlight of the region’s entry. Eight cities such as Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City, Malaybalay City, Valencia City, Ozamiz City, Oroquieta City, Tangub City and Mambajao, the capital town of Camiguin will participate in the event. “Hataw” is a physical activity guide approved by the health department. This year, dancers will do the new Hataw exercise developed by the UP College of Human Kinetics for Filipinos.

Other initiatives undertaken include series of healthy lifestyle orientation around the region targeting national government agencies, colleges and universities. The same information drive will also be initiated in print, television, and radio. The campaign is designed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 2015 target by way of raising people’s consciousness on healthy lifestyle habits that can

action points for applications of the results in the local policy-making and program planning. The FNRI will also present high-impact technology solutions (HITS) relevant to the nutritional status of Filipino children.

Participants are expected to draft the regional action plan during the forum proceeding, which will then be presented to the body by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, also the current chair of the RDC 10.


prevent and control risk factors in developing non-communicable diseases and to encourage decision makers, government officials and law makers to provide environment supportive to healthy lifestyle. DOH 10 Assistant Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna Jr. admitted that while infectious diseases in the country was not fully illuminated (but was significantly minimized), records in the region also presents an increase in the number of non-infectious diseases, such us, heart problems, cancer and diabetes mellitus.

“This trend shows the double burden of diseases in the Philippine Public Health System,” he noted. “The hope here is that we can still control or delay the complications of these diseases, what’s important is for people to take care of bodies,” citing further the need to follow the seven healthy lifestyle habits, to include the following: avoidance to smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs; low salt, low fat, high fiber diet; prevent hypertension; doing physical activity; and good stress management.

CHED identifies Centers of Excellence, Dev’t in Region 10by Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - Seven higher education institutions (HEI) in region 10 have been identified as Centers of Excellence (COE) and Centers of Development (COD), during school year 2011 to 2012.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized these HEIs to serve as models of excellence and resource centers for the HEIs in the region, CHED-10 Regional Director Zenaida G. Gersana said. These COE’s and COD’s receive support from CHED by way of provision for student scholarships, faculty development, library and laboratory upgrading and research and extension services. These HEI’s, which also receive support for the development of

their instructional materials and implementation of networking and linkaging activities from CHED, are as follows: Central Mindanao University (CMU), Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon, COE for Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and Forestry and COD for Biology and Mathematics. Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City, COE in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Teacher Education and COD in Civil Engineering,


Information Technology and Physics. Capitol University (CU), Cagayan de Oro City, COE for Teacher Education and COD for Criminology. Xavier University (XU) Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City, COD for Agriculture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Teacher Education and Electrical Engineering. Cagayan de Oro College (COC), Cagayan de Oro City, COD for Criminology, MSU-Naawan, COD in Marine Science and Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Cagayan de Oro City, COD for Electrical Engineering. Gersana said XU was also given the Award of Distinction for its Autonomous Status signed by CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan that started in 2010 and will end in 2014. On the other hand, Liceo de Cagayan University (LCDU), Cagayan de Oro City, was granted an Autonomous Status starting 2009 and will end in 2012, Gersana added.


Abing, in a press statement said the MIPM project is under the PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program, which is the national government’s peace and development

P25M PAMANA public market project in full swing By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The P25 million-worth Maimbung Integrated Public Market (MIPM) inaugurated recently is now in full swing as it takes full operation in Sulu, this according to Sulu Provincial Information Officer Sonny Abing III.


framework for empowering conflict-affected areas in the country. He said that although the project was just inaugurated last July 18, this year, the current activities in the new market attested to what Office of the Presidential on the Peace Process Secy. Teresita Deles remarked at the inauguration then that the market will be “a place of convergence and will showcase the abundance of potential for economic enterprise of Maimbung and the province as a whole”. The market according to Sec. Deles is also a way of the people realizing the benefits from government going down to the people and to send the signal that

government is serious in making peace a reality in conflict prone areas. During the inauguration, Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan expressed his gratitude to Sec. Deles and President Aquino for taking cognizance of the needs and aspirations of the people of Sulu, and taking action “by funding projects like this public market which will help improve the lives of our people.” Gov. Tan also asked stall occupants to maintain cleanliness and conduct business in an orderly manner, to make the marketplace conducive for good economic enterprise. The inauguration ceremony


last July 18 was attended by Mayors of different municipalities of the province, the provincial board members, heads of the different agencies of government, provincial officials, NGO’s and other organizations. In his speech, Cong. Habib Tupay Loong, Reprensentative 1st district of Sulu, lauded Maimbung Mayor Samier A. Tan, Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Sec. Deles for this land mark accomplishment. Cong. Loong reiterated his support for development projects in Sulu. For his part Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, thanked Sec. Deles for making this project possible, and also to Gov. Tan for the support extended to the project and to Cong. Loong for contributing some P3 million to help fund the construction of the market. “The project is a way to improve the lives of our people. This is a big step in pursuing improve economic activities in this municipality,” said Mayor Tan. Sec. Deles pointed out that government funds are made

available for the people’s need due to the principle of “Tuwid na Daan”. “God willing we will reach our goal of peace and development,” Deles said. Gov. Tan and Deles had also inspected other on-going projects in the province, such as: the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council and Site of the New Textile Building in Jolo, Core Shelter project and Timbangan Market in Indanan, Multipurpose Gym, Children’s Park and Water project in Maimbung. Gov. Tan informed Sec. Deles that PAMANA Projects are being implemented in the entire province. Gov. Tan also mentioned the upcoming construction of a hospital and creation of a municipal cemetery in Brgy. Bualo to provide a special place for our departed love ones in the Municipality of Maimbung. The governor highlighted the fact that communication connectivity in the municipality has improved due to Globe Telecom’s newly installed cell site. He also hinted on the possibility of putting up a Jollibee fast food store in the foreseeable future, all of this in Maimbung Municipality.


DOST 12 lauds Gensan’s 1st Robotics training-workshopBy Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 12 lauded the local government’s initiative of conducting the 1st Robotics training-workshop for high school students in the city last week.


DOST 12 Regional Director, Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan said the activity, which she described as the first of its kind in Region 12, underscored the “growing importance of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

“I salute your hunger and value for technology (that) ultimately paved way to making GenSan a progressive city,” she said.

Laidan noted the efforts made by Mayor Darlene Anton ino-Custod io particularly in leading the implementation of a “promising and development-oriented Computer Literacy Program (CLP)” which is attuned to the programs of the agency’s Commission on Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Technology (CICT).

“This city’s Computer Literacy Program is a step closer to achieving a high level of technology-literate population in support of the Philippine Digital

Strategy for 2012-2016 program of the Office of the President,” she emphasized.

The 1st Robotics training-workshop is one of the level-up trainings of the SHEEP-CLP to empower high school students in the city about innovative technologies.

SHEEP-CLP is one of the major development thrusts of the present administration to prepare the city for effective domestic and global engagements, as envisioned by former Mayor Adelbert Antonino.

SHEEP stands for Social Transformation, Human Empowerment, E c o n o m i c D i v e r s i f i c a t i o n , Environment Security and Regeneration, and Participatory Governance and Transparency.

Through robotics the participants learned “technical knowledge on electronics hardware design, computer programming, and system-based design” as explained by Engr.

Franz Duran, the t ra in ing-workshop facilitator.

Duran is the owner of the home-grown RapidSignal Electronics (RSE), the first robotics company in GenSan.

Some 34 public and private high schools joined in the month-long activity which culminated last week, SHEEP-CLP head Percival Pasuelo said.

“Teacher-student tandem from 20 public and 14 private high schools in the city participated in the basic robotics, wireless technology and microcontroller hands-on workshop,” he said.

During the training, Pasuelo explained that participants were taught how to make a program that can trigger the movement of a toy car through light emitting diode or LED.

Duran revealed that the training modules were simplified, mostly through hands-on activities, to stimulate the learning interest


high school students as these will prepare them for a possible career related to science, engineering, and technology.

“We believe that science and technology, per se, need not be too serious a subject matter especially for high school students. Thus, in the DOST we

venture into science-oriented activities that capitalizes on the youth’s enthusiasm and interest,” Laidan said.

Meanwhile, Jessica Clavero, a participant from New Era University High School is thankful to the SHEEP-CLP for her newly-acquired knowledge on robotics.

Clavero expressed confidence that her training gave her a future advantage especially in achieving her dream to become an engineer.

“Other students have yet to learn it in college, but we have it while still in high school,” she said in Filipino.

DOLE 12’s livelihood aid benefits 27 in North CotabatoBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- At least 27 unemployed individuals in North Cotabato have been given assistance that would provide them with opportunities to earn a living.


Through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Kabuhayan Project, 14 ambulant vendors were given Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart) while 13 were provided with DOLE Kabuhayan (DK) starter kits.

Information from DOLE 12 said the livelihood assistance were distributed in coordination with an accredited partner, the Read Data Access Computer College, Inc. (RDACC) in Kidapawan City.

R D A C C P E S O M a n a g e r Ernie Mallada said they facilitated the acquisition of vending carts, l i v e l i h o o d tools and e qu i pmen t as well as the provision of working capital for the procurement of raw materials and other inputs.

D O L E -12 North C o t a b a t o Field Office

(DOLE 12-NCFO) head Edna P. Sales together with Cotabato 2nd Distirct Rep. Nancy A. Catamco and RDACC President Dr. Simelisa Eñola turned over the business kits to beneficiaries who are from Kidapawan City, Makilala, Alamada, Tulunan, Libungan, Pres. Roxas and Pigcawayan on August 29.

They are the fourth batch of DOLE Kabuhayan Project beneficiaries in the area.

Sales said, the nego-karts which cost a total of P182,045 and starter

kits amounting to P61,264 were given free to beneficiaries.

In her message, Sales challenged the recipients take good care of the implements and manage the businesses given to them.

While thanking DOLE and RDACC for the livelihood assistance, Rep. Catamco, encouraged the beneficiaries to engage in livelihood undertakings that will provide them source of income.

The DOLE Kabuhayan project aimed to provide decent livelihood opportunities through to the marginalized workers in the informal sector.

DK Starter Kits are package of equipment and tools that could help beneficiaries immediately begin a livelihood undertaking, such as p e d i c u r e - m a n i c u r e business, massage therapy, and others.

Through Nego Karts, marginalized workers, especially ambulant workers , are provided with vending cart packages with accessory tools that ease their preparation and peddling their products.


Microfinance program to benefit poor families in Cotabato CityBy Perlita Changco

COTABATO CITY --The local government of Cotabato City ventures in a mi-crofinancing program to help poor families engage in productive activities to uplift their quality of life and further boost economic growth, a city official here said.

Aniceto Rasalan, secretary to Cotabato City Mayor Japal “Jojo” Guiani, Jr. said, financial assistance shall be extended to poor families who wish to engage in small scale business ventures and to those who need additional seed capital.

Rasalan noted the increasing number of city residents who are into small business such as sari-sari store, carinderia and eatery operation, fish/fruit/ and vegetable vending, among others as family’s main livelihood and source of income.

Extending financial assistance under the microfinance program

would discourage poor borrowers to resort to lending institutions and loan sharks who charge high interest rates of ten percent or even higher, Rasalan said.

Rasalan said the city government’s m i c r o f i n a n c e program, financial loan ranging from P2,000 up to P10,000 with 5% interest rate is made available as part of the efforts strengthening health, education and livelihood programs giving priority to marginalized sectors.

“We are accessing easy financial loans as we have noted na karamihan sa ating mga kababayan sa

lungsod ay umaasa sa pagtitinda, may mga sari-sari store, at iba pang maliliit na negosyong pangkabuhayan at kapit-patalim sa malaking interes na pautang na pangkapital,” Rasalan said.

He added that beneficiaries will undergo screening and basic training on small-scale business entrepreneurship to ensure sustainability of their business ventures adding that interested applicants must apply directly with the Community Affairs Office of the Office of the City Mayor here to avail of the program.


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Butuan’s homegrown university features environmental advocacyby Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY -- Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), the first and only homegrown university, will feature environmental advocacy in time with the university’s Foundation Week celebration from September 11-15. The university pays homage to mother earth as it celebrates its years of academic excellence and community service. Celebration is

anchored on the theme “Sustaining Academic Excellence, Achieving Ecological Welfare,” the FSUU foundation anniversary Advocacy

Photo Credit: Erwin Mascarinas


Committee Head Ivy Flores said. One of the events lined up is the fun run, dubbed “Run and Row for M.E. (Mother Earth),” which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. It will be capped with the witnessing of the first friendly dragon boat race participated in by Agusan Colleges, Butuan Doctors College, and FSUU. Flores further said the main objective of the activity is to increase environment awareness along with two physical recreations. “With such activity, we enjoin everyone to be conscious of the things that matter most in life – like health and our environment by running and keeping fit whilst bearing in mind that the same discipline must be afforded for our Mother Earth,” Flores said. Further, Flores said the friendly dragon boat race will show how passion and strong will of many can move the people in the region to achieve greater things while also featuring the majestic Agusan River for better appreciation of nature. “As an academic institution, the university takes on the responsibility of sharing the knowledge and building each one’s consciousness on the importance of caring for and protecting the mother earth,” Flores said. FSUU was founded in 1901 by the Jesuit priests led by Father Saturnino Urios. The name of the school then was Butuan Parochial School.

In 1935, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart took over the missionary work from the Jesuits, and in 1939, the high school was opened. In 1990, two concrete buildings were constructed in the main campus. The four-storey building is where the Engineering and Technology and Nursing classes are held and the two-storey houses the faculty center and chapel. Another four-storey concrete building was constructed in 1997 that is occupied by the high school during the day and the college in the evening. It has 32 classrooms and 15 spaces for laboratories, library and offices. Adjacent to it is a gymnasium, which can accommodate 3,000 persons. In 2006, Father Urios College was converted into a university status and was named Father Saturnino Urios University, named after the Jesuit priest.


This is a joint project of Cong. Maria Valentina Plaza of the First Congressional District, the provincial and municipal governments and the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation- Integrated Development Center, Inc. (JPIC-IDC). According to report of Melvin Osorio, JPIC-IDC project coordinator, these day care centers are in Barangays Sto. Nino, Bayugan City, Mt. Olive also in Bayugan City, Batohon in the municipality of Esperanza and Kauswagan, Talacogon. Last month, three day care

centers were turned-over in Barangay Tag-oyango in the municipality of Sibagat and barangays Gamao and Mabuhay in Bayugan City. Being a joint project, the fund for the construction of the 30 day care centers were taken from the priority development fund of Cong. Maria Valentina Plaza who shares 67 percent or P17 million, the provincial government with 12 percent or P3 million, the municipal government with 10 percent or P2.5 million and the JPIC-IDC with another 12 percent or P3 million shares.

Four day care centers subject for turn-over to respective barangays this monthby David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur -- Four day care centers will be turned-over this month in District 1 of Agusan del Sur. This is part of the 30 day care centers programmed for completion and turn-over this year.


“The paintings of the day care centers are not included in the program of work undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways. We are therefore lobbying to the barangay councils where the day care centers are constructed that they shoulder the

painting of the building,” Osorio said. The five municipalities and barangays where the 30 day care centers are located and under construction are Sibagat with three barangays, Esperanza with five, Bayugan City with five, Prosperidad with six, Talacogon with five and San Luis with six.

DSWD welcomes partnership with Australian gov’t. for CDD projectsby Social Marketing Unit

BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte -- - International development aid continue to pour into Caraga region as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) enters into a partnership with the Australian government through its overseas aid program AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development) for community-driven development (CDD) projects.

Provision of infrastructure projects for local government units (LGUs) that submitted project

proposals favoring education such as elementary and high school buildings and day care centers


will receive funding from AusAID. AusAID is setting a fund limit of P800,000 for each project proposal submitted by 88 barangays who will receive this grant. The program will focus on the non-prioritized barangays of DSWD’s anti-poverty project Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) or those that didn’t receive funding for their proposed educational facilities during its three-year cycle implementation. The same Kalahi-CIDSS-World Bank procedures will be adopted by AusAID in implementing the program in a manner that the

beneficiary communities themselves will prepare the financial documents and the subsequent construction of the infrastructures through a group of volunteers in the barangay. Sixteen municipalities in Caraga region that went on to become champion areas of Kalahi-CIDSS for the past eight years will be named once the performance assessment will be done. Community-driven development (CDD) is an approach adopted by Kalahi-CIDSS whereby participating communities are given the power to choose, prioritize, plan, co-finance, implement, monitor and maintain their development projects.


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The orientation was aimed at providing stakeholders with information on the system and how it works. Jimmy Francis Schuck of DSWD explained the program concept, design and processes of Pantawid Pamilya saying GRS aims to “hear” and address complaints efficiently

and immediately. He said GRS was created to provide a venue for Pantawid Program beneficiaries and the public at large to articulate their issues and concerns including suggestions that will contribute to the programs’ improvem The purpose of GRS’s

DSWD orients multi-sec group on Pantawid Grievance Redress System By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9 recently conducted a two-day training-orientation on Pantawid Pamilya Grievance Redress System (GRS) to Non-Government Agencies (NGAs), Faith Based Groups (FBGs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). DSWD9


DSWD orients multi-sec group on Pantawid Grievance Redress System

is to provide fast and due process in resolving complaints and grievances related to the Pantawid Program implementation; capture data on vulnerabilities in the project implementation to effect refinements and improvements and empower communities and civil society to oversee and ensure accountability in program implementation. GRS also serves as a reference for implementers and partners who are involved in the implementation of the Pantawid Program, on how to carry and address grievances that emerges, Schuck explained. GRS is anchored on the Principles

of simplicity and accessibility; transparency; empowering and participatory; timeliness; right of appeal; confidentiality and pro-community. The GRS orientation was attended by representatives from Kasangyangan Mindanao Inc., Rubber Farmers Association, AKBAYAN, Masidlakon Center Development and the Center for Social Concerns and Development. It can be recalled that only program stakeholders coming from DSWD, DepEd, DOH and DILG used to participate in these meetings.

DILG, LGA to conduct Knowledge Management Audit for External Stakeholders

Pagadian City – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office IX in coordination with the Local Government Academy (LGA) will conduct a two-day Knowledge Management Audit for External Stakeholders on September 20-22, 2012 in Zamboanga City.

By Claro A. Lanipa

DILG-IX Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said, this activity aims to identify the knowledge gaps and the need to support the overall organization, community or network goals and individual and team activities of the members of the Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Committee (MSAC) of the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) of DILG Region IX.

LGRRC is a program than enhances DILG’s role for the mobilization and coordination of the application of resources for local governance for local governance capacity development in partnership with the various national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academe and other stakeholders, collectively known as MSAC.


PH to observe Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week

NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga said the celebration aims primarily to raise public awareness about cerebral palsy throughout society. Cerebral palsy is an abnormality of motor function (as opposed to mental function) and postural tone that is acquired at an early age, even before birth. Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy usually show in the first year of life. Studies proved, that the cause of cerebral palsy is usually prenatal and not related to events at time of delivery, in most instances it is related to events that happened during the pregnancy while the fetus is developing inside the mother’s womb. Premature birth is a risk factor for cerebral palsy. The premature brain is at a high risk of bleeding and when severe enough, it can result in

cerebral palsy. Medical experts revealed that children prematurely born can also develop serious respiratory distress due to immature and poorly developed lungs. This can lead to periods of decreased oxygen delivered to the brain that might result in cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy affects approximately one to three out of every thousand children born. However, it is much higher in infants born with very low weight and in premature infants. Director Zubiaga urged all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government including local government officials and other organizations to extend full support and cooperation by conducting fitting activities for the celebration to attain its goal.

PAGADIAN CITY – anchored on the theme “Sa Karapatang Natutulan, Tanaw Na ang Magandang Kinabukasan,” the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will spearhead this year’s celebration of the 9th Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection (CPAP) Week set on September 16-22.

By Claro A. Lanipa


DAVAO CITY- The Department of Foreign Affairs opened today its Regional Consular Office in Davao City at SM City Davao. Described as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between SM chain of malls and the DFA, this is the second DFA satellite consular office opened in an SM Mall. In August 31 the National Capital

Region East passport office was opened in SM Megamall. The former RCO was located in a rented building in Jacinto Street in Davao City. Ms. Flora Belinda Bacosa OIC of the Regional Consular Office in Davao City said that the former location is nearly equal in size with the new SM office but is much sleeker and better designed with larger space for clients than

in the previous office. Bacosa said they used to entertain 300 clients per day in their former office, now they are expecting 400 clients a day in their modern comfortable office. According to SM Mall president Annie Garcia, the office is rental free for a period of 10 years plus

DFA opens office in Davao mallby Rudolph Alama


the construction of the office was borne by SM, the mall also provided DFA Davao with a brand new Toyota van. She said that the Department will gain P1.04 billion worth of savings for the next ten years under the MOA with SM. She said that the move to have a DFA office in SM is an innovation in customer satisfaction where the mall is envisioned to be a one-stop shop for the public.

DFA Undesecretary Rafael Seguis said that part of the DFA commitment to improve consular services and bringing DFA services to the public. Seguis said that by 2013 another service will introduced in the mall offices- the authentication of documents. Seguis said that if the office can now authenticate documents, clients would no longer have to go and send their documents in Manila.

2012 Investment Priorities Plan covers hospital services, iron products

DAVAO CITY – Hospitals and medi-cal facilities, and iron and steel products have been listed as part of the 13 preferred areas in the 2012 Investment Priorities Plan, to be eligible for incentives. The establishment and operation of primary and secondary hospitals and the development of iron and steel businesses are two additional features in this year’s IPP which was presented in a roadshow activity today at the Apo View Hotel, this city. BOI Governor Oliver Butalid said covering the new categories in the priority areas to be entitled of incentives was based on the need for infrastructures to provide medical

treatment services, and to improve the iron and steel production in the country. The 13 preferred areas for investments would address the main IPP goals for job generation, enhanced delivery of social services, competitiveness and climate change mitigation and adaptation, Butalid told the media in a press conference during the BOI Investment Roadshow. The 2012 IPP was presented to more than 80 officials and representatives from the local government units, national government agencies and private companies of Regions 11 and 12,during the roadshow.

by Carina Cayon


Among the 2012 IPP list includes the agriculture/agribusiness and fishery which covers commercial production and commercial processing of agricultural, herbal and fishery products. Other areas are: creative industries or knowledge-based services such as business process outsourcing (BPO) activities and information technology activities; shipbuilding; mass housing such as low cost housing; and energy such as exploration, development and utilization of energy sources with environment-friendly technologies. Infrastructure, research and development, green projects such as manufacture and establishment of energy-efficiency related facilities,

motor vehicles, strategic projects, and disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery projects also form part of the priority sectors. The 2012 IPP was approved by President Benigno Aquino in June this year, saying that this “further strengthens last year’s investment generation agenda, ensuring that our new initiatives will address present economic challenges and effectively establish sustainable gains.” “The 2012 IPP is a commitment to the business community that my Administration is steadfast in sustaining a predictable, reliable, and efficient Philippine investment landscape,” the President has stated.

Documents

One Mindanao - September 14, 2012