One Mindanao - September 4, 2015

SurSur guv seeks swift justice vs. suspects on slay of “IPs” school director, 2 civilians

Kahimunan, celebration of good harvests –DTI

Application for CSC clearance goes online

PH gov’t pushes for completion of Tripartite

Review Process for MNLF peace deal

DA-XI outlines El Niño mitigation strategies

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

Southern

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat

By: Noel T. Provido

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

By: Felipo David G. Malcampo

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

OUR

CO

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DTI awards best products in NorMin

Agrarian reform beneficiaries in South Cotabato receive Php10.5 machineries

Zambo PWD athletes to compete in Nat’l Para Games Mindanao Leg in Pagadian

SSS concerned over possible P2,000 monthly pension increase

Plastic wastes destroys reefs in PHL waters

DTI turns-over machines under SSF program to Kolambugan town

contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 11

By: Eric Gallego

By: Maria Lourdes S. Tiongco

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTS EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 September 4, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

Kahimunan” is a Manobo term which means Creations of Northern Mindanao.

5September 4, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story


The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) region 10 during an interview on 19 August 2015 explained that they started using this name in 2007 and has been registered in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Thus, “Kahimunan” has become a brand event. The Kahimunan Trade Fair, which runs from 22 - 30 August 2015 in time of Higalaay Festival, Cagayan de Oro City Fiesta, is an annual event organized by DTI to gather Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), local food processors and cooperatives to showcase products from all over Northern Mindanao. This time though, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) have been included and they have their own booth. Over 40 SMEs and 24 booths are displayed at the Atrium of SM City mall, this city.

According to Linda O. Boniao, DTI regional director that products in trade fairs are those that are new in the market and are not commercialized. These are also products supported by DTI and are compliant with the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration (BFAD). DTI assures that these products are good and screened by DTI provincial offices. For Misamis Oriental, one product that is becoming a household name is the Coconut (Coco) Sugar. One huge impact


of this product to consumers is its health benefits, especially those who would like to maintain their sugar level or those diabetics who would want healthier sugar intake. Among the products that are truly from Misamis Oriental are banana chips, Salvadore Wine and now the growing and exporting of pekin duck. Another product that is coming back is the Stoneware Pottery. Present are also the members of Food Processors Association of Northern Mindanao (FOPANORMIN) where food products have complied with FDA and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), and where packaging and shelf-life are determined by proper government agencies. In terms of business permits, these SMEs are legitimate business owners in the region.

Boniao said that sales have really increased in the past years. The reason being that product has improved therefore improved sales. Further, DTI has also categorized output indicators not just direct sales/cash but negotiated sales wherein buyers from big companies especially from the Hotel and Restaurant sector have made a deal with local producers for further production and delivery of goods in their stores or outlets. SME Development There are two main goals for this Kahimunan. One is to promote SMEs and their products; and second is generating sales. SMEs can benefit from this because they will gain experience in dealing with clients and foster professionalism. Now that these trade fairs are held in malls,


Boniao said that SMEs coming from the provinces can really experience how it is to sell to a more demanding market. SMEs can benefit into transmitting products to sales. About 70% of SMEs in the trade fair are into food. Boniao said this is a marketing event where the products are visible to possible bigger markets in the area. In terms of marketing assistance, DTI has also provided several trainings and seminar to these SMEs. In fact, they underwent to screening before they were allowed to display their products in the trade fair. Boniao said they determine the readiness of these SMEs before they can go into trade fairs especially with quality of products and business registration. The trade fair would have negotiating tables for buyers who intend to order by bulk. They will look into the quality of the product among others. In terms of pricing and costing, DTI assures that these SMEs have undergone training on how to put a right price on

their product. No such thing as born entrepreneur There is no such thing as born entrepreneur, according to DTI. Boniao said that products in Northern Mindanao are resource and market driven. First is if you have the resource and then if you have a market for your product. In most cases, she said especially in the ARBs, where clients are usually farmers, projects provided are usually collaboration of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, DTI and the local government unit. As of 2013, DTI has provided 71 Shared Service Facility (SSF) projects to beneficiaries all over Northern Mindanao. From 2014-2015, DTI has approved 88 SSF projects and 10 more that are yet to be approved. SSF is for upscale production and productivity. This means to increase production through SSF by providing equipment needed by cooperative farmers or women association, among


others. One successful SSF is the coco coir. The equipment from SSF is free. Provinces that have benefited from this include Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin. Farmers in these areas convert coco coir to Geonets where it can be used to prevent soil erosion where 30% is coconut husk and 70% is pit. In Bukidnon, one SSF equipment DTI has provided is for coffee production. The equipment costs P3.5 Million. According to Boniao, the SSF is to transform a community through upgrading their production and accessing the markets. She said they still train these beneficiaries, monitor and match markets. These SSF beneficiaries also display their products in the Kahimunan Trade fair.


PhilRice recommends El Niño-ready varieties, technologies to farmers

QUEZON CITY -- To help farmers cope with and mitigate the extreme impact of El Niño, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) encourages them to plant drought-tolerant varieties and use El Niño-ready technologies on rice production. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

(PAGASA) recently reported that the ongoing El Niño condition is likely to continue until early 2016


with chances of strengthening toward the end of the year.

For irrigated lowland, farmers may consider planting several early-maturing varieties such as PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan), NSIC Rc130 (Tubigan 3) and NSIC Rc152 (Tubigan 10). Pagsanjan matures in 106 days with a maximum yield of 7.5t/hectare (ha). Tubigan 3 matures in 108 days with a maximum yield of 7.6t/ha while Tubigan 10 matures in 109 days with a maximum yield of 8.7t/ha.

Farmers may also plant NSIC Rc134 (Tubigan 4), an early-maturing variety (107 days) with a maximum yield of 9.8t/ha and NSIC Rc160 (Tubigan 14) also an early-maturing variety (107 days) with a maximum yield of 8.2t/ha.

For rainfed lowland, farmers may choose from NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia).

Sahod Ulan 1 matures in 106 days with a maximum yield of 5.5t/ha. Rio Grande matures in 110 days with a maximum yield of 6.1t/ha. Sacobia matures in 116 days with a maximum yield of 4.4t/ha. These varieties are also known for their drought-tolerant properties preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst.

Drought-tolerant varieties for the uplands include PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and NSIC Rc23 (Katihan 1). Pasig can yield up to 8.7t/ha and matures in 112 days. Apo matures in 119 days with a maximum yield of 5.6 t/ha while Katihan 1 matures in 108 days with a maximum yield of 7.6t/ha.

Farmers can also use water-saving technologies such as controlled irrigation or alternate wetting and drying (AWD), aerobic rice, drip irrigation, and reduced tillage technology. (DA)


Application for CSC clearance goes online

QUEZON CITY -- As part of efforts to improve its services, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has made the application for clearance more convenient through online application. The CSC clearance is a document certifying that an

individual has no pending administrative case with the


CSC and is used mostly for employment, promotion, transfer of office, or retirement.

Starting August, applicants for a CSC clearance may download a digital form from the CSC website (www.csc.gov.ph). The form should be filled out and submitted via e-mail to [email protected].

If the applicant prefers to receive the clearance through mail, he or she must send a Postal Money Order payable to CSC in the amount of P100 together with a self-addressed and stamped envelope.

If the applicant opts to personally pick-up the clearance, he or she must proceed to the CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, pay P100 to the cashier and pick up the clearance from the Public Assistance and Complaints Desk.

The shift to online application would especially benefit clients with special needs such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

It must be emphasized that the allotted time for verification and preparation of clearance certification is 20 minutes per individual. In case of bulk applications, the processing time would be 20 minutes multiplied by the number of individuals included in the request. (Example: If five employees from the same agency filed a single request for clearance, it will take 100 minutes or 1 hour and 40 minutes to process all five applications.)

The CSC processes an average of 50 requests daily, which are received through mail or from walk-in clients. (CSC)


PH gov’t pushes for completion of Tripartite Review Process for MNLF peace deal

PASIG CITY -- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, in a meeting Tuesday with foreign dignitaries whose countries are members of the Peace Committee of the Southern Philippines (PCSP) under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called for the completion of the Tripartite Review Process on the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The OIC-PCSP is a body created by the OIC to oversee the implementation of the 1996 peace pact and is currently composed of Egypt, Indonesia,

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Brunei Darussalam, Turkey, Pakistan, Libya, Senegal, Somalia, and Bangladesh.


“As a lasting solution, we are pushing for the completion of the Tripartite Review Process. The Philippine government is fully committed to an inclusive and comprehensive approach on the quest for a just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” Deles said.

Deles challenged the OIC to “complete the review, otherwise, they will stay with the review process and will not implement anything.”

She also hoped that the review process started in 2007 will be put to a close before the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“If we can accomplish the review process, we can proceed to the implementation of agreements achieved in the review through the mechanisms under the single framework which is the Bangsamoro and the backbone of the single framework is the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” she stressed.

The peace process chief laid down the timeline for the enactment of the BBL

and assured the OIC that the “government, especially the leadership of both chambers of Congress, is fully committed (to) its passage.”

Under the BBL framework, Deles explained that the engagement of the government and the MNLF will continue through the 42 consensus points now included in the BBL, the participation of MNLF in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and Bangsamoro Government to be established and the inclusion of the MNLF economic agenda in the Bangsamoro Development Plan.

The Administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos signed in 1996 the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF which resulted in the expansion of areas covered by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the integration of MNLF members into the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police and the establishment of transitory mechanisms and special agencies for the development of Mindanao. (OPAPP)


Rebs in disarray after Parago’s death-AFPDAVAO CITY -- The military believes that the rebels under the Pulang Bagani Command 1 remain in disarray following the death of their leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago and the arrest of his underlings. Colonel Ricardo Nepomuceno, commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade said the leadership vacuum in the rebel group is a big blow to the rebel movement. He said the group still has the capability to launch harassment activities but they are not felt in the communities and even with the security forces. “Their influence is no longer felt within the Paquibato area,” Nepomuceno said. Paquibato District has been known as the lair of the rebels in Davao City. June 12, 2013, the military declares the area as development ready, despite the presence of the PBC 1 of the rebels under Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago, one of the oldest rebel leaders in Mindanao. June 28, 2015, soldiers

engaged and killed Parago and his companion in an encounter in Barangay Panialum, Paquibato District. He also assumed that the recovery efforts of the rebels will be done in Calinan District. Nepomuceno assured that the military is prepared to handle the situation. He said the soldiers are aware that the rebels are hiding in the boundaries of Kitaotao, and San Fernando, Bukidnon and Davao City where the focused military operation is conducted. “We are trying to isolate the whole of Davao City and Davao del Norte from infiltration that is why our efforts are on the boundaries,” Nepomuceno said. He also revealed the marching order of the new 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Rafael Valencia


for all the soldiers to continue working with all stakeholders for the realization of peace and development. “The government and non-government organizations can only realize their tasks if the

soldiers assist in providing security in the area. If we do this, the services of government will reach the people in the countryside,” Nepomuceno said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

DA-XI outlines El Niño mitigation strategiesDAVAO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has outlined interventions to cushion the impact of El Niño in the region.

DA Regional Director Remelyn Recoter in a consultative meeting with provincial agriculturists and veterinarians held yesterday (September 3) said her office is proposing P95-million to fund the regional El Niño mitigation action plan. The proposal is based on the weather bureau’s forecast that the region might experience near normal rainfall condition from August to November 2015 while below normal condition is expected from November 2015 to January 2016. “December and January will be our critical period as the forecast says the region will

expect lowest rainfall pattern particularly in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur,” Recoter said. Among the strategies identified include installation of 200 Open Source Pumps (OSPs) for irrigators’ associations (IAs) under rice program. Another 25 units of OSPs will be installed through the provincial local government units (PLGU) under the corn program. For high-value crops program, the region is proposing the establishment of small-scale irrigation projects such as spring development and water pump rehabilitation. The program will


also provide vegetable seeds including mungbean and soya beans. Other interventions for crop sub-sector include buffer stocking of seeds for farmers to immediate plant and recover after the dry spell. “We will also provide pesticides and rodenticides as pests outbreak is expected during droughts,” Recoter said. For livestock sub-sector, the DA regional office will be providing vitamins and antibiotics and will ensure buffer stocks for forage seeds and train farmers on silage making. Compostela Valley Provincial Agriculturist Rolando Simene said DA and LGUs should also look into pooling of water resources among IAs and prioritize irrigating the severely affected areas. “Our province will have an inventory of existing shallow tube wells [STWs] and possible areas for installation. We will tap our existing drilling project to help rehabilitate STWs,” he said. Recoter said part of the proposed regional funding is to conduct four Cloud Seeding Operations (CSO), at P3-million per activity. CSO is a method of inducing rain clouds to produce

rainfall by dispensing salt to rain-bearing clouds. Cloud seeding will only be conducted if the affected areas is at least 1,000 hectares with existence of standing crops at critical growth stage,” Recoter clarifies while referring to the guidelines from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM). Other criteria include critical water level in reservoirs, no adverse effects on other crops, and presence of seedable clouds in the area including peace and order condition. If the requesting party is the provincial LGU, it must submit letter of request to BSWM through the DA region with attached Sangguniang Panglungsod resolution while for private entities, it must submit board resolution from its governing body. Recoter said DA Secretary Proceso Alcala has issued an order for regional offices to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives in agriculture. These include disaster risk management training and redesigning of climate-resilient infrastructure. (Noel T. Provido/DA-XI)

19September 4, 2015 ONE MINDANAO 19

South Cotabato grabs double 2015 Galing Pook Awards By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , Sept 4 -- Two of the ten winners of the 2015 Galing Pook Awards are entries from the provincial government of South Cotabato.


Declared Galing Pook Award-ees in a ceremony at the SMX Convention Center on Tuesday evening were South Cotabato’s Minahang Bayan, A Small Scale Mining Program and the Friend-ly Drugs: A PPP on Health Plus Project.

Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes made the final presentation of the two development pro-grams prior to the awarding.

Health Plus Project, also called Health Plus Shop in a Shop is a partnership between the provincial government of South Cotabato and the Mahin-tana Foundation Inc., a corpo-rate social responsibility arm of pineapple giant Dole Phil-ippines.

Started in 2007, Health Plus Shop increases access, espe-cially of indigent residents, to essential drugs and medicines in provincial government-run hospitals including the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, the Norala District Hospital, and the Polomolok Municipal Hospi-tal.

Said project has been rec-ognized as a an effective re-sponse to perennial problem of unavailability of medicines in government hospital phar-macies thereby reducing ex-

penses, especially among poor patients.

Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former DOH Secretary and one of the evaluators who assessed the impact of the Health Plus pro-gram praised the nobility of the initiative.

“I have long heard of Mahin-tana Foundation, I have been visiting South Cotabato sev-eral times, the Health Plus Pro-gram is not new to me as I have heard of it implemented and eventually failed in other prov-inces throughout the country. I have long heard of how success-fully this is being implemented here in South Cotabato and I am surprised why it took this long for the program to be sub-mitted as an entry to the Galing Pook” Dr. Tan said during the program presentation at the Farm@ Carpenter Hill in July.

South Cotabato’s Minahang Bayan is located in the gold-rich Tboli town where small-scale mining is a major eco-nomic activity.

Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, chief of the Provincial Envi-ronment Management Office explained that the provincial government has strengthened efforts to keep the smallscale mining in the area sustainable.


For its initiatives to promote responsible mining, the pro-vincial government strictly en-forced permit and license reg-ulations in the area.

All smallscale mining work-ers are also required to un-dergo a series of seminars and trainings on basic first aid and safety, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, solid waste management and many others relevant to the in-dustry.

In partnership with the non-government organiza-tion BanToxics, the provincial government has initiated mer-cury-free mining in the place along with efforts that promote environmental protection.

The provincial LGU is also promoting jewelry making as an industry among the villag-ers and workers.

At the evaluation in July, Dr. Tan lauded the South Cotaba-to’s unique approach to small scale mining.

“We have small-scale mining in different areas in the country, particularly “Diwalwal,” Com-postela Valley in Mindanao, but your Minahang Bayan concept is different and the first of its kind in the country,” Tan.

South Cotabato’s two entries

were among the 153 submit-ted for consideration by the Gal-ing Pook this year.

Besides winning two Galing Pook Awards, South Cotabato’ Land of the Dreamweavers was also adjudged as having the the Best Booth at the Galing Pook Governance Fair held on August 30 to September 1.

In 2014, South Cotabato also received a Galing Pook Award for its Surallah Clus-tered Sanitary Landfill.

Barangay Poblacion in Tupi town got the award in 2012 for its Laging Listo ang Baran-gay Ko program.

The Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AV-LADA), a collaboration of led by the provincial governments of South Cotabato and Sul-tan Kudarat with several LGUs, national government agencies and private sector was also declared Galing Pook winner in 2009.

Spearheaded by the Galing Pook Foundation, the Galing Pook Awards recognizes inno-vative practices of local govern-ment units that have translated into improvements in the lives of the beneficiaries.

Launched in 1993, the award serves as an “incentive to im


Agrarian reform beneficiaries in South Cotabato receive Php10.5 machineries By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Sept. 4 -- Two agrarian re-form beneficiary groups in South Cotabato recently received machineries with a combined cost of Php10.5 million intended to boost their production and profit.

prove local governance, in-spire government workers to continue to innovate and en-courage best practices devel-

opment in marginalized and poorly funded regions.” (DE-Doguiles-PIA 12)

Report from the Department of Agrarian Reform in South Cota-bato identified the beneficiaries as the Glamang Communal Irrigators’ Association (GCIA) in Polomolok town and the Banga Agrarian Reform Community Co-operative (BARCCO) in Banga town.Provincial Agrarian Reform Pro-gram Officer Felix Frias dis-closed that the GCIA was giv-en two 90 horsepower Massey Ferguson tractor and one corn sheller with accessories and tools. These have a total value of Php 6.3 million.Meanwhile the BARCCO re-ceived a 120 horsepow-

er Massey Ferguson tractor amounting to Php4.15 million.Representatives of the recipient Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) grate-fully welcomed the free farm machineries that the govern-ment granted them.“We’ve waited for the promised tractor for almost three years, which came to a point that we thought there is no hope this would be realized,” said Romeo Balleras, BARCCO chairman.“Now that the we have finally received this tractor from DAR, we are delighted because we have in our hands machineries that would definitely promote


improvements in the lives of our members and other ARBOs in our area,” he added.Meanwhile, Godofredo Diot, chairperson of Barangay Gla-mang and chairman of the GCIA, pledged they will be watchful of the upkeep of the machines they received.“We assure the Department of Agrarian Reform that we will always be true to Trust Agree-ment on which we have prom-ised to properly manage the machines so that these would bring forth more blessings for our cooperative. More power to

DAR and its programs.The machineries were turned over to the associations as common service facilities un-der the DAR- Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).ARCCESS aims to promote livelihood of the ARBOs through the dispersal of services that could help develop the liveli-hood of the agrarian reform beneficiaries and their family. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from KDSespeñe-DAR SoCot)


Caraga stakeholders gather for Interfaith Dialogue on Climate ChangeBy: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY- The Climate Change Commission (CCC) together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga gathered some 200 representatives from government agencies, religious sector, academe, non-government organizations, and media for the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change held on Thursday at Dotties Place Hotel, this city.


DENR Caraga regional director NonitoTamayo recalled that the Interfaith Dialogue was first convened by former senator Heherson T. Alvarez of the Climate Change Commission in 2010, which promotes action on environmental protection and sustainability based on religious teachings. “Interfaith environmental conferences are bringing in-depth focus on environmental issues among faith-based groups that are allied with NGOs, and young Filipinos deeply concerned about the future of the earth. They are guided by the teachings of the world’s greatest religions,” he said. “The Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change will help us broaden our knowledge and understanding on climate change issues, among religious leaders, laity and their communities; support programs of various religious communities promoting environmental protection and conservation; help connect and strengthen interfaith environmental advocates across the country in a wider process of coordination and cooperation; address the issues of profligate consumption and wasteful use of resources; raise public

understanding of responsible stewardship in the management of natural resources; and enhance the citizenry’s ethical outlook by stressing moral responsibility and our obligations to future generations,” Tamayo added. On behalf of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) Officer Grace Espere delivered the message to all the participants. “We have been implementing laws in the protection of our environment and enabling the people to be responsible and active advocates by participating in the different environmental activities in their respective community,” she said. Also, Evangeline A. Evarolo, advocacy and capability building program officer shared her experiences working with the farmers who are also affected by the effects of global warming and climate change in the Agusan province. “Through human activities, we are contributing to the causes of global warming and climate change. That’s why if we want to effectively see the change we want for our environment, we must first start within ourselves. As we do proper hygiene, let us also avoid using materials,


equipment that are harmful to our environment,” she stressed. Commissioner Alvarez emphasized in his message that people should avoid too much use of carbon dioxide. “If we don’t reduce carbon sufficiently enough, our Earth will become hotter than what we are experiencing today. Our seas will also be affected and corals will die,” he cited. Alvarez disclosed that the results of the interfaith dialogue will be submitted to the higher level and will form part of the Philippine report to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France come November 2015. The good commissioner

further pointed out that people must change their lifestyle if they want to see the change they opt to experience in the environment. “As much as possible we must avoid cigarette smoking for it also contributes carbon in our environment. Instead, let us all promote healthy living through proper exercise like walking/jogging, riding bicycle, among others. We should also promote the use of alternative energy like solar and other potential sources of energy that do not emit too much carbon,” he said. Belinda Formanes, general secretary of Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP) reiterated during today’s Interfaith Dialogue on Climate


Change held in the city that the CCCP is a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and community-based coalition of organizations, individuals and communities pursuing the struggle against catastrophic climate change within the context of asset reform and social justice. It was formally founded in November 2009. Moreover, Tamayo cited the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last year between DENR and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the effective promotion and implementation of climate change advocacy programs in Caraga region. He considered it one of the significant accomplishments of the department with partner

agencies. Meanwhile, participants from different sectors were able to ask questions and raised their issues and concerns related to climate change. The Climate Change Commission is tasked to help undertake pioneering projects that advance renewable energy technology in the Philippines, reduce all forms of pollution, and enhance the environment. It is also the sole-policy making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs of the government relating to climate change. It is an autonomous body with the status of a national government agency.


SurSur guv seeks swift justice vs. suspects on slay of “IPs” school director, 2 civiliansBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

photo credit: MindaNews

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel has sought the immediate arrest of the suspects behind the killings of an indigenous people’s (IPs) school chief—Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) Executive Director Emerito “Emok” Samarka, Dionel “Onel” Campos, chairman, Malahutayong Pakigbisog alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU), and Orello Senso, native of Barangay San Isidro, Lianga town. The incident took place in Km. 16, Sitio Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga town, 90 kilometers south, this city at around 5:30 a.m. on September 1, according to the Provincial

Police Office (PPO) here. The governor told members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in an emergency meeting he called at the Provincial Governor’s


Office (PGO) conference room Wednesday morning that all suspects must be “arrested, disbanded, or disarmed.” Attended likewise by Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, among others, the said meeting was intended to plan out what actions to take on the evacuees estimated to have already breached a thousand mark at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex. He even said that such is expected to swell to more than 2,000 individuals. Meanwhile, P/Supt. Noguerra, representing Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, has initially named three suspects positively identified as certain Bobby Tejero, Loloy Tejero, and Garito Layno, who are going to face raps of multiple murder, including arson since the said ALCADEV School was also deliberately burned down.

Also, for his part, before saying what actions to take, 402nd Brigade Commander Col. Isidro Purisima condemned the acts of the perpetrators. “We condemn the act of violence committed by this group,” he stressed. On the other hand, the brigade commander vowed the army “will not condone this act and they have negated all our peace initiatives here in the area, led of course by the governor, and they have destroyed actually what we have started for the past months to have a peaceful resolution of our context here in the province.” The 402nd Infantry Brigade has been established in the province since April, this year. However, Purisima said they are one with the PNP in observing “due process” to address the case. Moreover, Governor Pimentel wanted the charges to be filed ASAP with the Prosecutor’s Office. As a result of the “senseless killings,” people from the area have deserted their respective dwellings en masse to Surigao del Sur Sports Complex, this city. Since the evacuees arrived, Pimentel bared initial needs have already been addressed, citing relief goods and other priorities.


Plastic wastes destroys reefs in PHL waters

Tamayo said the plastic wastes thrown into the seas indiscriminately by individuals are considered harmful on all the living things living on the oceans. “It severely affect the coral reefs where fish feed and thrive so that we can have food on our table,” he said. “We need to protect the oceans,” he added. The UNESCA Greenpeace ASEAN Center for Biodiversity said about 40 percent of the coral reefs in the 86,205 square kilometers span of ocean in the

Southeast Asia have been lost due to destructions caused by the humans including the throwing of plastic wastes materials. He said it is alarming to note that plastics remain a top contributor to the pollution of oceans. These plastics are more than just an eyesore. They caused animals to get entangled or trapped. Worse these marine pollutants kills marine species. He said it takes about 1,000 years for plastics to breakdown in water.

BUTUAN CITY – “Filipino people must refrain from throwing plastic wastes in the seas and oceans to protect the coral reefs and preserve the fish inorder to fully enjoy life with healthy oceans and environment,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo.

By: Eric Gallego





Dipolog hosts 24th Mindanao Business Confab

DIPOLOG CITY – Business groups not only from Mindanao but also from Visayas and Luzon together with local leaders and stakeholders have converged here last Sept. 2-3 for a two-day Mindanao Business Conference (MINBIZCON), which tackled the region’s competitiveness and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) integration.


Ms. Annie O. Ty, area vice president for Mindanao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and chair of the 24th MINBIZCON told the press that big businessmen had come to share their best practices and “models” of business with the delegates. “We are promoting inclusive growth in business focusing on micro and medium enterprises,” Ty stressed. The MINBIZCON, which is being held annually, serves as the platform of the Mindanao business community to discuss their issues and concerns to be integrated in the “Mindanao Business Policy Agenda,” a set of policy resolutions submitted to the national government for action. The past conferences, Ty said, had resulted in the improvement

of connectivity between and among the places not only in Mindanao but in theVisayas and Luzon as well. She cited the establishment of the nautical highways with the roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) ports and vessels as one of the gains of the MINBIZCON. Because of the RO-RO ports, agriculture and marine

products from Mindanao can now easily enter the Visayas and Luzon markets. Moreover, Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who served as the closing plenary speaker told the delegates that peace and progress feed off each other. “We cannot attain peace without progress and we cannot have progress without peace.” Roxas also challenged the Mindanaoans to discern whether to rally behind the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), adding “the Mindanaoans have everything to gain and everything to lose in the passage or non-passage of the BBL.” It could be recalled that the MINBIZCON was also held in Dipolog City in 2008. This year’s MINBIZCON has for its theme, “Winning


Zambo PWD athletes to compete in Nat’l Para Games Mindanao Leg in Pagadian

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eighteen Zamboangueño persons with disabilities (PWD) athletes are set to compete with over 300 others in this year’s Para National Games for the Mindanao leg come Sept. 10-14 in Pagadian City.

Teddy Kahil, president of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled (PhilSPADA) said that Zamboanga athletes have consistently ranked third overall standing for the past three years in the National Para Games. “The athletes include students and professionals, ages ranging from 17 to 52 years old,” Kahil said, adding that the athletes have been consistently undergoing training to hopefully win more gold medals this time. “The athletes include those who are hearing and visually impaired, paraplegics and intellectually disabled,” he shared. Kahil said that the games

are similar to the Olympics with sports that include 100/200 meter run, running long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, table tennis, chess and others. The Para Games started in 1997, and was founded by former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Michael Barredo. The local Para Game team was initiated by Kahil, with the support of the local government and Edwin Caliolio of Southern City Colleges (SCC). The players have been garnering wins for the city in the local and national games. The National Para Games will be held sometime in February, 2016.

the ASEAN, Gaining the Global Market.” Next year’s MINBIZCON

will be held in Surigao City with Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry as host.


SSS concerned over possible P2,000 monthly pension increase

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – As the proposed bill granting a Php2,000 across-the-board increase in retired Social Security System (SSS) pensioners had passed deliberations in the Senate Committee level last month, SSS officials here expressed apprehensions if this bill becomes a law.

In a press conference held here Tuesday, SSS Commissioner Ibarra Malonzo said if the bill is passed, “that can mean a shorter life span for SSS.” He added, “President Aquino has to make the hard decision.” Earlier, SSS President Emilio de Quiros Jr. emphasized that fund life will be shortened from year 2042 to until 2029 only, if the bill is approved. One remedy, according to SSS officials is to increase current members’ contribution. “The millions of SSS members may have to increase their contribution,” SSS Assistant Vice President for Western Mindanano Atty. Rodrigo Filoteo reiterated. Last month, Senator Cynthia Villar justified the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprise’s decision, saying that “we are able to subsidize the poor through the conditional cash transfer; I don’t see why we

cannot allocate for the subsidy to our SSS pensioners.” Villar emphasized that the pensioners, who worked for years to contribute to the SSS are very deserving of the increase. The SSS currently has 32.1 million members today, who are workers in the various industries. There has been a 4 million increase in members since 2010. Atty. Filoteo said that the number of members continues to increase due to their intensified campaigns and programs that enable even workers from the informal sector such as trike drivers, fish vendors, and even jail inmates to contribute. The SSS has also entered into partnerships with government agencies and local government units to provide membership to job order and contractual workers who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).


DOE inspects gas stations, LPG stores in CDO, MisOr

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) during their joint focused inspection in gas stations and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outlets from 3 to 7 August 2015 in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental looked into the quantity and quality of liquid petroleum being delivered to consumers.


Together with the local government of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP), DOE inspected using a calibrating bucket the delivery of


liquid petroleum. Per dispensing pump, perfect calibration must be zero; meanwhile tolerable delivery is up to -50ml. Aside from quantity, DOE also took samples of the liquid petroleum of gas stations especially on biofuels where adulteration of the product is a prohibited act. According to Engr. Renante M. Sevilla of DOE during their Information Education Campaign (IEC) in Cagayan de Oro on their last day of inspection on August 7, 2015, there are 6,000 gas stations and 200 auto LPG outlets in the country. He said, in a gas station there must be warning signage, price board and fire extinguishers. He also campaigned against illegal trading such as bote-bote, wherein gasoline are put in Coke Litro bottles and sold on the sidewalk. He said that we must help each other especially with the local government unit (LGU) to resolve this issue. On the other hand, he also discussed LPG industry rules specifically the illegal refilling of cylinder. He says consumers cannot refill cylinders, only authorized companies. Meanwhile consumers must take note of fake seal or no seal on LPG.

Sevilla said that because of the Oil Deregulation Law, prices of gases depend on international market. However, he emphasized that DOE is far beyond oil pricing but further lends to gasoline station through Financial Assistance Program. DOE is also into the Energy Reform Agenda, Initiatives for Cleaner Air with objectives to shift to cleaner alternative fuels and improve petroleum fuel quality. Meanwhile, Nilo Geroche of DOE Mindanao Field Office said that LGUs have very important role in terms of business licenses. He discussed Industry malpractices and urged players to know the ins and outs of the business. Some give under delivery of gas in stations because they don’t want to know the rules and regulations, he added. In terms of LPG, Geroche encouraged consumers to look for DOE weighing scales to weigh the cylinders when buying for the home. He also reminded consumers not to store LPG cylinders in enclosed kitchen cabinets and keep LPG cylinders six feet away from electrical points and other sources of fire/ignition. And buy only LGP in cylinders with Philippine National Standard (PNS) markers.


DTI awards best products in NorMinCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) region 10 awarded best products in Northern Mindanao during the closing program of ‘Kahimunan’ Trade Fair held from 22 – 30 August 2015 at SM mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

According to Irwin Jayson Jamaca of DTI region 10, this is to stir competitiveness and encourage the value of excellence among Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Categories for best products included: Best Product Design for Housewares & Furnishings, Best Product Design for Fashion Accessories and Most Innovative Food Product. For Best Product Design for Housewares & Furnishings, the award went to Hombiz Crafts of Lanao del Norte with engineered bamboo; meanwhile, Kibalang Abaca Native Crafts of Bukidnon took Best Product Design for fashion Accessories with jewelry boxes made from Abaca, (fiber from species of banana, native to the Philippines). Lastly, Most Innovative Product went to Linabu Agrarian Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMPCO) of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental for their Coco Sugar, (sugar from coconut sap) which

has low glycemic index for those who are health conscious. These winners took home certificates and will be provided by DTI, 50% subsidy of Participation Fee/Booth Rental for Kahimunan 2016 and Promotion through Press Releases. Criteria for selection best product designs include: 1) Design which composes Aesthetic and functional appeal, such as Design (balance, proportion, visual impact, ergonomics), Function (structure, durability, versatility) and Market Potential and 2) Quality and Workmanship as a design element and Materials which comprise sustainability with local value added. Meanwhile criteria for Food Innovation product include Originality and ingenuity of the product, Creative utilization of available raw materials, Product quality: taste and appearance and Market Potential. Also, packaging innovation was considered such as Functionality



Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan led the turning-over of the facility to Barangay Chairman Manuel P. Chiong, Jr., who represented Municipal Mayor Lorenzo Mañigos of Kolambugan. It was then followed by a skills training on multi-fiber twisting and twining machines operation and rope making to around 28 handicraft weavers of Barangay Libertad, and are beneficiaries to this program. SSF Project, meanwhile, is one of the priority projects pushed by the Department of

Trade and Industry. The program aims to increase the quality, productivity and efficiency of microenterprises and small medium enterprises (SMEs) by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters, through the provision of processing machines/equipment for the common use of the Microenterprises and SMEs within the said industry clusters all over the country.

DTI turns-over machines under SSF program to Kolambugan townBy: Maria Lourdes S. TiongcoKOLAMBUGAN, Lanao del Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Lanao del Norte Provincial Office handed over two sets of multi-fiber roping machines under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program of the government to the local government unit of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte

of the packaging material used, creativity/ingenuity of the design, placement of information and clarity of information. Further, plus factors included FDA License to Operate, Organic certification, Halal Certification,

HACCP Certification, Export potential, health and wellness, and has 100% local ingredients. Judges were Francis Manaloto of Studio 8 CDO and Nicole Cabanlet of CDO Handmade Paper.

Documents

One Mindanao - September 4, 2015