rRegional Development Council (RDC) IX convened its 146th Regular Meeti ng on March 5, 2014 at Roderic’s Resort, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Almost 100 parti cipants were present, united by the common goal of supporti ng the vision of Zamboanga Peninsula as the “Southern Agri-Fisheries Corridor of the Philippines.”

Dir. Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Acti ng RDC IX Chairperson and NEDA IX Regional Director, expressed her grati tude to the members for their acti ve parti cipati on in all RDC IX acti viti es supporti ve of the Regional Development Plan 2014-2016. Likewise, highlighti ng the celebrati on of “Women’s Month,” she emphasized the support for Gender and Development as one of the prioriti es in the FY 2015 budget of all regional line agencies (RLAs) and state universiti es and colleges (SUCs).

ASec. Earl Pioquinto Saavedra, Commissioner representi ng Mindanao of the Nati onal Youth Commission, gave a short message on the acti viti es being undertaken by the youth, as well as, its role and contributi on to the society for development.

Prior to the presentati on of the Region’s proposed budget to the Council, the various proposals from RLAs and SUCs underwent rigorous review by the Sectoral Committ ees and the Council’s Executi ve Committ ee, with the parti cipati on of the private sector and the local government units. This eff ort was undertaken to ensure that resources poured in to the region are aligned with the development prioriti es enunciated in the Zampen Regional Development Plan. The Council approved a total of P47.03 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2015 as proposed by 21 RLAs and 6 SUCs in the region. This is 82% higher than the budget of P25.72 billion for FY 2014.

Sectoral concerns that impede the promising growth of the region’s economy were also discussed. The Council passed a total of 45 resoluti ons, including the endorsement of DAR IX’s reducti on of Local Government Unit counterpart for Agrarian Reform Communiti es Development Project (ARCDP) II.

Likewise, the Council deliberated on issues with implicati ons to regional development such as the creati on of the Philippine Rubber Industry Development Authority; conversion of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquati c Resources into a Department; compliance with provisions of NCIP AO No. 3 s. 2012 “Revised Guidelines on Free and Prior Informed Consent and Related Processes;” updates on Nati onal Greening Program; Listahanan: Nati onal Household Targeti ng System for Poverty Reducti on (NHTS-PR); Guidelines for Linking Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning with Service Delivery Network; Technical Vocati onal (TechVoc) Policy implicati ons of the K-to-12 Enhanced Basic Educati on; creati on of Regional Task Force on ASEAN Integrati on 2015; Nego-Tour '14; among others. The Council also agreed on the immediate conduct of a round table discussion to address the issues on disclosure of income and high school fees charged by one of the state universiti es in the region. (Ceselle C. Harina, NEDA 9)

RDC IX Approves P47.03 Billion for 2015 RDC IX Approves P47.03 Billion for 2015 Programs and ProjectsPrograms and Projects

RDC IX members deliberate and discuss on issues and concerns relati ve to regional development.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFTeresita Socorro C. Ramos

ASSOCIATE EDITORSSusan C. Valerio, OIC-ARDRenato C. Herrera, PDIPBDNorman Jose E. Ramirez, DRDManolett e Jude M. Mercado, PFPDLeti cia O. Lobren, PMEDRonald Von D. Rivera, FAD

PUBLICATION COORDINATORVilma M. Julian

DESIGN AND LAYOUTLloyd E. DuhaylungsodMichel R. Tulog

CONTRIBUTORS

NEDA 9Graebert S. EchinCeselle C. HarinaVilma M. JulianIdzmhar L. IsmaelJordan B. Sali

OTHER AGENCIESMD, DA 9Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI 9Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan, DOLE 9Maria Luisa S. Lumioan, DOSThtt p://www.fo9.dswd.gov.ph

The RDC Communicator is pub-lished quarterly by Regional Development Council (RDC) IX. The Editorial Board reserves the right to choose the arti cles to be published due to space limitati on. Arti cles and pictures will become property of RDC IX. Comments and suggesti ons are welcome. Contact:

The Editorial BoardNEDA Regional Offi ce IXProvincial Government CenterDao, Pagadian CityTel. No. (062) 945-0049nedapagadian@yahoo.com

Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco-Salazar, together with Acti ng Chairperson of Regional Development Council (RDC) IX and Regional Director of NEDA IX Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, awarded plaques of recogniti on to Ms. Debra Ann M. Ponce, Ateneo de Zamboanga University high school student and Mr. Adriel Earl A. Toribio, a college student of the same insti tuti on. The awarding ceremony was held on February 24, 2014 at Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City during the RDC IX Expanded

RDC IX Confers Recognition to 2013 Bagong Rizal Awardees

Executi ve Committ ee Meeti ng. The awards were given in

recogniti on of the exemplary academic achievements and performance of Ms. Ponce and Mr. Toribio as nati onal awardees of the 2013 Search for Mga Bagong Rizal: Pag-asa ng Bayan Award.

The search is held every two years in commemorati on of the works and achievements of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Only seventeen (17) students emerged as Nati onal Awardees for 2013. The awardees are recipients of various trainings and capacity building acti viti es being conducted by the organizer, the Philippine Center for Gift ed Educati on Inc., an NGO based in Manila.

Ms. Ponce and Mr. Toribio are inspirati onal models to the youth of Zamboanga Peninsula as they demonstrate Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s academic excellence, patrioti sm and leadership qualiti es. (Idzmhar L. Ismael, NEDA 9)

3

DSWD-NHTU IX conducts household assessment orientationA total of 200 parti cipants all over Zamboanga Peninsula att ended the orientati on on Listahanan in preparati on for the

2nd round nati onwide household assessment.The orientati on conducted by The Nati onal Household Targeti ng Unit (NHTU) or Listahanan of the Department of Social

Welfare and Development-Field Offi ce IX was done from March 10 to 21, 2014. Parti cipants included Local Chief Executi ves, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offi cers and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators of the diff erent municipaliti es and citi es in the region.

The series of orientati on kicked off at Pagadian Bay Plaza Hotel for Zamboanga del Sur parti cipants, followed at Dipolog City’s Bamboo Garden Hotel for Zamboanga del Norte-Batch 1 and JKC Hotel in Liloy for Zamboanga del Norte-Batch 2 parti cipants respecti vely. The last leg of the orientati on was conducted at Roderic’s Resort in Ipil for the citi es of Zamboanga and Isabela to include all municipaliti es under Zamboanga Sibugay.

In his message, Mr.Al-Raschid K. Nandu, Regional Field Coordinator for Listahanan Region IX, expressed his grati tude to the parti cipants in behalf of DSWD IX Regional Director Zenaida L. Arevalo. He requested them to convey his message of thanks to their local chief executi ves for sending them to the orientati on on Listahanan. Municipal Mayors of Kumalarang, Sibutan,Dinas, Tukuran, Muti a, Magasalay and Sergio Osmena also showed support by gracing the event.

Mr. Nandu underscored the importance of the local government units (LGUs) in the implementati on of the said project. He discussed the purpose of the orientati on to enlighten LGUs on the next family assessment. He also informed them of their duti es and functi ons in the implementati on such as to provide the department with municipality spot map, fare matrix and assistance in identi fying pockets of poverty in urban areas. He also raised the need to support program partners, and data users parti cularly the LGUs as they will become the frontliners during the conduct of the assessment.

The orientati on covered signifi cant and comprehensive topics to strengthen the recall and appeal of Listahanan as the new brand name of Nati onal Household Targeti ng System-Poverty Reducti on including its objecti ves and legal bases, and the uti lizati on of the generated data for identi fying clients of poverty reducti on and social protecti on programs, among others.

Nati onal Project Coordinators Ms. Maria Antonett e Lucero and Mr. Euberto Gregorio of the Listahanan -Nati onal Project Management Offi ce (NPMO) also joined the NHTU staff in the conduct of the said orientati on. They discussed policies, plans, procedures and system for the upcoming assessment and presented some updates.

Region IX will have a total assessment coverage of 688,495 households both from rural and urban areas, namely, Dapitan City (15,025 Households); Dipolog City (22,917 households) ; Isabela City (21,250 households); Pagadian City (37,083 households); Zamboanga City (149,253 households) ; Zamboanga del Norte (161,215 households); Zamboanga del Sur (162,113 households) and Zamboanga Sibugay (119, 639 households).

DSWD is looking forward to the conduct of the 2nd Nati onwide Household Assessment in the 2nd quarter of the year. (htt p://www.fo9.dswd.gov.ph)

Ms. Debra Ann M. Ponce (3-L) receives the Plaque from Dir. Ramos (3-R) and Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar (2-L) with Ponce’s family and Bro. Jeremy of ADZU.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar (L) congratulates Mr. Adriel Earl A. Toribio (2-L) as witnessed by Dir. Ramos (R) and Toribio’s family.

RDC IX and JRMSU Tackle Issues on Tuition and Other School Fees

4

Sec. Baldoz Graces Launching of DOLE’s Programs and Projects in Region IX

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz visited Zamboanga City on March 19, 2014 to personally witness the grand regional launching of DOLE’s programs and projects held at the Conventi on Center of Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

The launching was att ended by more than 300 guests composed of partners from the local government units, Regional Coordinati ng Committ ee, nati onal government agencies, academic insti tuti ons, civil society organizati ons, intermediaries, benefi ciaries of the livelihood programs, emergency and internship projects, and DOLE staff who witnessed the unveiling of the package of services to be off ered by the Department.

The grand event paved the way for the Labor Secretary and Labor Communicati ons Offi ce (LCO) Director Nicon F. Fameronag to grace various acti viti es in the region to include the inducti on of Educati on Industry Triparti te Council, signing of Voluntary Code of Good Practi ces in Educati on, release/awarding of checks for livelihood projects, roll out of approved Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) pledges, signing of Memoranda of Agreement on DOLE-DOST Convergence Program and DOLE-LGU Zamboanga City employment project in support to the emergency employment, signing of Memorandum of Understanding with SRN Fast Seacraft s, Inc. (owner of Weesam Express) and Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc., and awarding of certi fi cates of appreciati on to the partner agencies that helped in the advocacy of the Labor and Employment Educati on Services (LEES).

In her message, Sec. Baldoz emphasized the need to advocate DOLE’s programs and projects for public awareness. She further stressed that DOLE stands to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises to improve producti vity. “May kuwento ang bawat kwenta ng DOLE sa daang matuwid,” she said.

During the event, she personally turned over 4 million worth of livelihood grants to 422 benefi ciaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and Grassroots Parti cipatory Budgeti ng (GPB), and to 44 grantees under the Nati onal Reintegrati on Center for OFWs (NRCO).

Sec. Baldoz together with the DOLE 9 offi cials and family of agencies, witnessed the viewing of the LEES videos at M/V Stephanie Marie, a vessel of Aleson Shipping Lines Inc., plying the route of Isabela City – Zamboanga City and vice versa. The LEES is an infomercial craft ed to further intensify the campaign and cascade all the programs and services of DOLE and its family of agencies to the grassroots level.

DOLE-9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano disclosed that a total of P28 million under SPES was already committ ed by government and private employers to employ 14,000 students. He added that a total amount of more than P7 million was already approved and released to various partners to fi nance diff erent individual and group livelihood projects of 1,239 benefi ciaries composed of women, displaced persons, rural workers, returning and undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers, rank and fi le workers, and home-based workers.

Dir. Cano added that funds for livelihood projects were taken from the General Appropriati ons, GPB, and NRCO. (Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan/DOLE 9/htt p://www.ro9.dole.gov.ph)

Regional Development Council (RDC) IX and the Board of Regents (BOR) of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) held a Round Table Discussion (RTD) on March 14, 2014 at Ariana Hotel, Dipolog City.

The RTD focused on issues raised by selected RDC IX members on the high tuiti on and other school fees of JRMSU as well as on the appeal of RDC IX to reduce the said fees.

Commission on Higher Educati on (CHED) Commissioner Minella Alarcon, who is the Chairperson-Designate of JRMSU BOR, expressed her appreciati on for the RTD as avenue for venti lati ng issues and concerns, as well, as identi fying measures to resolve these issues. The initi ati ve could also aid in sustaining a good relati onship between RDC and JRMSU.

Acti ng RDC IX Chairperson Dir. Teresita Socorro Ramos, stressed the importance of making quality and relevant educati on available and aff ordable to students. Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy reiterated RDC IX’s request to reduce the school fees to make higher educati on less expensive and more accessible especially for students in Zamboanga del Norte, being one of the poorest provinces in the country. Fr. Enrico Montano and Mr. Nestor Carbonera, RDC IX Private Sector Representati ves likewise expressed strong support to the reducti on of some fees such as the energy fee and development fund, considering that the said fees may be susbsidized by JRMSU from its income on various income-generati ng projects.

JRMSU President Dr. Edgar S. Balbuena responded that high tuiti on and other fees are imperati ve to deliver quality educati on programs to produce globally-competi ti ve graduates in the light of the full implementati on of ASEAN Integrati on in 2015. These fees likewise address the cost of energy and building repairs, faculty development, and sustain the operati ons of physical plants and faciliti es of its main campus and its extension service units in Kati punan, Tampilisan, and Siocon. Nevertheless, JRMSU agreed to further study its tuiti on and other school fees in considerati on of the appeal of RDC IX; and fi nd other possible sources of funds to support its goal of levelling up the quality of educati on that it off ers.

Also present during the RTD were DOST IX Dir. Brenda Manzano, DBM IX Dir. Annabelle Echavez, CHED IX representati ve Ms. Teresita Pinili, Mr. Emmanuel De Guia representi ng Senator Pia Cayetano, Att y. Marlon Mercado representi ng Cong. Roman Romulo, and Att y. Septon dela Cruz of CHED Central Offi ce as moderator/facilitator. (Vilma M. Julian, NEDA 9)

(L-R) Att y. Septon dela Cruz, Com. Minella Alarcon, Mayor Evelyn Uy, Dir. Teresita Socorro Ramos, Dr. Edgar Balbuena, and Att y. Marlon Mercado, during the RDC/JRMSU Round Table Discussion

The Regional Land Use Committ ee (RLUC) IX and NEDA Regional Offi ce (NRO) IX in coordinati on with NRO X conducted a three-day Training-Workshop on the Formulati on of Disaster Risk Reducti on /Climate Change Adaptati on (DRR/CCA) – Enhanced Regional Physical Framework Plan (RPFP) on 25-27 March 2014 at Chandler Suites, F.S. Pajares Avenue, Pagadian City.

As a pilot NRO which already integrated DRR and CCA in their updated RPFP, NRO X personnel were tapped as resource persons.

The training team was spearheaded by Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., Chair of RLUC X and Regional Director of NRO X, and was joined by his competent staff , ARD Fe D. Domingo, Engr. Rosalyn R. Yparraguirre, Al’Gemregy B. Cuerquez and Engr. Mezlaine Jay S. Pacana.

The parti cipants were the technical staff of NRO IX and Technical Working Group members of the Regional Line Agencies and Local Government Units to RLUC IX. They were trained on the concepts and methodologies relati ve to land use planning, and mainstreaming of DRR / CCA to formulate the DRR/CCA – Enhanced RPFP.

The acti vity culminated with a workshop. The parti cipants were required to craft a vision from 2014-2040. They also worked on the four major components of land use: Sett lements, Protecti on, Producti on and Infrastructure.

ARD Domingo commented that the parti cipants produced quality outputs despite the limited ti me. NRO IX presented as well the indicati ve work program for the preparati on of updated Zamboanga Peninsula DRR/CCA-Enhanced RPFP. (Graebert S. Echin, NEDA 9)

RLUC IX and NEDA X Conduct Training-Workshop on the Formulation of DRR/CCA-Enhanced RPFP

5

NEDA IX Dir. Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and NEDA X Dir. Leon M. Dacanay together with parti cipants and NEDA X resource persons/staff .

NEDA X Dir. Dacanay kicks off the 3-day training-workshop with his discussions on DRR mainstreaming and Land Use and Physical Framework to the parti cipants.

The RPMC IX through its Technical The RPMC IX through its Technical Working Group conducted ocular Working Group conducted ocular inspecti on of a total of thirty three inspecti on of a total of thirty three (33) programs and projects (PPs) in (33) programs and projects (PPs) in the region implemented by DPWH, the region implemented by DPWH, DOST, DENR, DA and NIA among DOST, DENR, DA and NIA among others. Nineteen (19) of these were in others. Nineteen (19) of these were in Zamboanga del Norte area including Zamboanga del Norte area including Dipolog City, while 14 projects were in Dipolog City, while 14 projects were in Zamboanga Sibugay. RPMC is tasked Zamboanga Sibugay. RPMC is tasked to monitor programs and projects of to monitor programs and projects of diff erent implementi ng agencies in diff erent implementi ng agencies in the region being the monitoring arm the region being the monitoring arm of the Regional Development Council of the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX.(RDC) IX.

The fi eld Monitoring in The fi eld Monitoring in Zamboanga del Norte was conducted Zamboanga del Norte was conducted on June 3-7, 2013. Among the projects on June 3-7, 2013. Among the projects monitored were the Small Enterprise monitored were the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program of Technology Upgrading Program of DOST, Nati onal Greening Program of DOST, Nati onal Greening Program of DENR, Mindanao Rural Development DENR, Mindanao Rural Development Program of DA and Regular Infra-Program of DA and Regular Infra-Projects of DPWH. Projects of DPWH.

Equally signifi cant projects were Equally signifi cant projects were monitored in Zamboanga Sibugay monitored in Zamboanga Sibugay on December 4-6, 2013 which on December 4-6, 2013 which include farm to market roads under include farm to market roads under

In 2013, the Regional Project Monitoring Committ ee (RPMC) IX with more vigor pursued its mandate to facilitate smooth In 2013, the Regional Project Monitoring Committ ee (RPMC) IX with more vigor pursued its mandate to facilitate smooth implementati on of programs and projects in the region.implementati on of programs and projects in the region.

Regular Monitoring Acti viti es the Mindanao Rural Development the Mindanao Rural Development Program of DA, Communal Irrigati on Program of DA, Communal Irrigati on System of NIA and Regular Infra System of NIA and Regular Infra Projects of DPWH. Several projects Projects of DPWH. Several projects with negati ve slippage were also with negati ve slippage were also followed through and revisited by the followed through and revisited by the Monitoring Team.Monitoring Team.RPMC Meeti ng cum Problem Solving Sessions

Special Monitoring Acti viti es

The RPMC IX also conducted The RPMC IX also conducted quarterly meeti ngs which double quarterly meeti ngs which double as Problem Solving Sessions (PSS). as Problem Solving Sessions (PSS). It is a venue where fi ndings and It is a venue where fi ndings and observati ons as well as issues and observati ons as well as issues and concerns of problemati c projects concerns of problemati c projects are presented to the Committ ee for are presented to the Committ ee for resoluti on and appropriate acti on. resoluti on and appropriate acti on. Representati ves from the diff erent Representati ves from the diff erent implementi ng agencies were required implementi ng agencies were required to be present to answer queries to be present to answer queries relevant to their respecti ve projects relevant to their respecti ve projects during these sessions. Projects with during these sessions. Projects with certain issues and concerns that certain issues and concerns that were resolved through PSS were the were resolved through PSS were the Zamboanga West Coast Road Project, Zamboanga West Coast Road Project, Siphon Crossing Project, Lower Siphon Crossing Project, Lower Labrador FMR and Titay-Asuzano CIS, Labrador FMR and Titay-Asuzano CIS, among others.among others.

On specifi c concerns raised by On specifi c concerns raised by the members of the RPMC IX, RDC the members of the RPMC IX, RDC IX or from private individuals or Non IX or from private individuals or Non Government Organizati ons (NGOs), Government Organizati ons (NGOs), special data gathering and monitoring special data gathering and monitoring acti viti es were undertaken. acti viti es were undertaken.

2013 A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR RPMC IX6

Zamboanga Peninsula: Southern Agri-

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On January 15-16, 2013, a TWG On January 15-16, 2013, a TWG undertook a data gathering acti vity in undertook a data gathering acti vity in regard to the perennial fl ooding of Titay regard to the perennial fl ooding of Titay Valley. The resulti ng Rapid Assessment Valley. The resulti ng Rapid Assessment report served as the initi al eff ort for the report served as the initi al eff ort for the craft ing of the Titay Valley Flood Control craft ing of the Titay Valley Flood Control Masterplan, by DPWH IX. Masterplan, by DPWH IX.

On July 30-31, 2013 a 2-day fi eld On July 30-31, 2013 a 2-day fi eld inspecti on and site validati on acti vity inspecti on and site validati on acti vity of the Zamboanga West Coast Road of the Zamboanga West Coast Road (ZWCR) Project was undertaken by (ZWCR) Project was undertaken by RPMC IX with the technical assistance RPMC IX with the technical assistance of the Department of Public Works of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Offi ce IX and and Highways Regional Offi ce IX and its District Engineering Offi ces in its District Engineering Offi ces in Zamboanga del Norte. The primary Zamboanga del Norte. The primary purpose of the said visit was not only purpose of the said visit was not only to inspect and validate the current to inspect and validate the current conditi on of the ZWCR but also to conditi on of the ZWCR but also to consider its potenti al contributi ons consider its potenti al contributi ons to the economic growth of the to the economic growth of the

Capacity Building and Retooling Acti viti es

Sibuco-Sirawai-Siocon and Baliguian Sibuco-Sirawai-Siocon and Baliguian (Triple SB) area. Findings and (Triple SB) area. Findings and recommendati ons were forwarded to recommendati ons were forwarded to the Committ ee for appropriate acti on. the Committ ee for appropriate acti on. For this reason, a Special Meeti ng on For this reason, a Special Meeti ng on PSS was held on October 10, 2013 to PSS was held on October 10, 2013 to address the issues emanati ng from address the issues emanati ng from the fi eld monitoring acti vity ZWCR the fi eld monitoring acti vity ZWCR Project. Certain issues and concerns Project. Certain issues and concerns were addressed and cleared. Ways were addressed and cleared. Ways and means were also established to and means were also established to revitalize the economic acti viti es in revitalize the economic acti viti es in the Triple SB municipaliti es.the Triple SB municipaliti es.

To strengthen further its To strengthen further its capabiliti es and technical experti se in capabiliti es and technical experti se in monitoring and evaluati on, the RPMC monitoring and evaluati on, the RPMC IX embarked on a benchmarking IX embarked on a benchmarking visit to NRO VI in Iloilo City on June visit to NRO VI in Iloilo City on June 17-21, 2013. Sharing of experiences 17-21, 2013. Sharing of experiences and best practi ces between regions and best practi ces between regions took place, as well as, actual visits to took place, as well as, actual visits to big ti cket projects in Iloilo City such big ti cket projects in Iloilo City such as the Panay Energy Development as the Panay Energy Development Corporati on Coal-fi re Power Plant, Flo-Corporati on Coal-fi re Power Plant, Flo-Water Resource Bulk Water Project, Water Resource Bulk Water Project, Megaworld-Iloilo Business Park, as Megaworld-Iloilo Business Park, as well as several DPWH Infrastructure well as several DPWH Infrastructure

projects located within the city. projects located within the city. A series of orientati ons on the A series of orientati ons on the

Regional Project Monitoring and Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluati on System (RPMES) was Evaluati on System (RPMES) was held to strengthen and capacitate held to strengthen and capacitate the LGUs and the RLAs about the LGUs and the RLAs about the system. The fi rst was the the system. The fi rst was the Reorientati on on RPMES for RLAs Reorientati on on RPMES for RLAs on May 7, 2013 in Zamboanga City. on May 7, 2013 in Zamboanga City. The acti vity was parti cipated by 11 The acti vity was parti cipated by 11 major RLAs in the region, namely: major RLAs in the region, namely: Nati onal Irrigati on Administrati on, Nati onal Irrigati on Administrati on, Civil Aviati on Authority of the Civil Aviati on Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority- Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority- Zamboanga, Land Transportati on Zamboanga, Land Transportati on Offi ce, Department of Educati on, Offi ce, Department of Educati on, Department of Health, Department of Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Department Labor and Employment, Department of Environment and Natural of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Science and and Department of Science and Technology. The orientati on aimed to Technology. The orientati on aimed to introduce RPMES to newly designated introduce RPMES to newly designated project monitors or project data project monitors or project data encoders of each agency. They were encoders of each agency. They were oriented on diff erent RPMES input oriented on diff erent RPMES input and output forms used in monitoring and output forms used in monitoring and evaluati on (M&E) of projects by and evaluati on (M&E) of projects by the Committ ee. the Committ ee.

An RPMES Retooling Workshop An RPMES Retooling Workshop for the PPMC/LPMC of Zamboanga for the PPMC/LPMC of Zamboanga del Norte was also conducted on del Norte was also conducted on December 10, 2013. A total of 15 December 10, 2013. A total of 15 parti cipants were present to include parti cipants were present to include Governor Roberto Uy of Zamboanga Governor Roberto Uy of Zamboanga del Norte. An actual monitoring del Norte. An actual monitoring fi eld visit was conducted aft er the fi eld visit was conducted aft er the workshop to introduce parti cipants workshop to introduce parti cipants to the applicati on of RPMES on the to the applicati on of RPMES on the ground. ground. (Jordan B. Sali, PMED)

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7

Fisheries Corridor of the Philippines

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The Regional Project Monitoring

Committee IX is chaired by NEDA IX Regional Director, co-chaired by DBM

IX Regional Director, with DILG IX Regional

Director, PMS-OP Head, 1 RDC-PSR and

2 nonRDC-PSRs as members.

NEDA IX NEDA IX Conducts Conducts Ground Breaking Ground Breaking for its New Buildingfor its New Building

Aft er 40 years since its operati ons in Zamboanga Peninsula, a new offi ce building of NEDA Regional Offi ce IX will fi nally be constructed in Pagadian City, the Regional Government Center of Region IX.

Headed by NEDA Deputy Director General Margarita R. Songco, the ground breaking ceremony was held at the Regional Government Center in Balintawak, Pagadian City on January 14, 2014.

Present during the memorable event were Congressman Victor Yu of 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur representi ng Governor Antonio H. Cerilles, Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones of Pagadian City, DPWH IX Dir. Jorge Sebasti an, PIA IX Dir. Noemi Edaga, DENR IX Dir. Arleigh Adorable, TESDA IX Dir. Lorenzo Macapili, Tabak Division Commander Gen. Felicito Virgilio

Trinidad, Jr., among others.Congressman Yu expressed

appreciati on for NEDA being one of the leading agencies to construct its offi ce in Pagadian City, along with DENR and Offi ce of the Civil Defense (OCD). Cong. Yu recognized the eff ort of the Nati onal Government of helping NEDA in the new building. “I hope aft er NEDA IX constructed its building in Pagadian city, other government agencies will also follow,” he stressed.

The 3-storey NEDA offi ce building, costi ng around P45.79 million, will be constructed by Jamari Constructi on on a 3,490-square-meter lot donated by the city government of Pagadian. With assistance from DPWH IX Regional Director Jorge Sebasti an and staff , the modern design of the building is inspired by green architecture, overlooking the picturesque view of Illana bay.

NEDA’s new building shall serve as an inspirati on for its staff to deliver and discharge its mandate as a planning and oversight agency in the region.

The constructi on of NEDA’s building is made possible through the initi ati ve of its Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and support from the Offi ce of the President and NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan. “With a thankful heart, we will move forward,” Dir. Ramos assured.

At long last, the new building of NEDA IX will fi nally boost the focus of its staff to push forward the regional vision of becoming the “Southern Agri-Fisheries Corridor” of the Philippines. (Idzmhar L. Ismael, NEDA 9)

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The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) trailblazing projects for the health sector took the spotlight at the First Philippine eHealth Summit held on February 4, 2014 at Sofi tel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City to pave the way for smarter healthcare by maximizing informati on and communicati ons technology (ICT).

During the event DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said that ICT for health, also known as eHealth, is envisioned to transcend the constraints brought about by the country’s archipelagic setup and limited budget. DOST projects for smarter healthcare include the RxBox, eHealth Technology Assisted Boards for LGU Effi ciency and Transparency (e-TABLET), and the Philippine Health Informati on Exchange (PHIE).

DOST Pushes eHealth Technologies for Smarter Healthcare

Developed by the University of the Philippines Manila-Nati onal Telehealth Center and DOST, the RxBox is a medical device that enables health workers in remote communiti es to consult with medical experts in urban areas, thus providing bett er access to life-saving healthcare services in isolated and disadvantaged communiti es nati onwide.

It has built-in medical sensors for monitoring blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, assessing the strength of contracti on of the mother’s uterus, as well as electrocardiogram and fetal heart monitor. The data acquired by the sensors are stored in the device and may be transmitt ed to a specialist as the need arises and upon the pati ent’s consent. The RxBox is currently deployed in 21 sites in the Philippines.

RxBox:Connecti ng medics

e-TABLET: Managing medical records

Managing medical records. The e-TABLET, on the other hand, is a tablet-based electronic medical record system developed by Ateneo de Manila’s Insti tute of Philippine Culture and Ateneo Java Wireless and Competency Center. Apart from being a platf orm for health workers to input and manage pati ent records, e-TABLET is also a decision-making tool for local government units which are given access to summarized simple medical data in the tablet. Armed with real ti me informati on, LGUs can make decisions such as allocati ng resources and manpower to respond to a certain medical situati on in their locality.

e-TABLETalso features a messaging system between the mayor and the municipal/city health offi cer. The tablet is currently deployed in 10 sites, namely San Jose Buenavista, Anti que; Alcoy, Cebu; Sta. Rita, Pampanga; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Paombong, Bulacan; Anilao, Iloilo; Lal-lo, Cagayan; Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur; Guimba, Nueva Ecija; and Dinalupihan, Bataan.

To further enhance the country’s healthcare delivery system, DOST and the Department of Health are also setti ng up the PHIE system by the end of 2014. PHIE will provide centralized database of health and medical records nati onwide, allowing a pati ent to retrieve his medical records from anywhere in the country. With

PHIE: Centralized medical records

this system, pati ents can save ti me and eff ort, and avoid expenses from unnecessary or duplicate examinati ons.

Enhancing eHealth via TV White Space (TVWS)

Enhancing eHealth via TV White Space (TVWS) connecti vity. To ensure that the full benefi ts of eHealth can be realized, the DOST through its Informati on and Communicati on Technology Offi ce (ICTO) is working to expand internet connecti vity in far-fl ung areas. In parti cular, DOST-ICTO is tapping into the potenti al of TVWS, or unused frequencies between broadcast TV channels, to provide an extremely cost eff ecti ve means for internet connecti vity and data delivery in areas underserved by telecommunicati ons companies. Aside from eHealth, DOST-ICTO also aims to maximize TVWS technology for applicati ons in environmental sensor networks, educati onal content delivery, and government informati on systems. (Maria Luisa S. Lumioan, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

The e-TABLET is primarily a pati ent record system where health workers input and manage pati ent informati on. Individual pati ent informati on (above) remains with the att ending doctor. Meanwhile, the summarized data in graphical form, such as the number of dengue cases, can be viewed by the local chief executi ve in his dashboard.

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo (center) listens to Dr. Kristi ne Magtubo (left ) of the University of the Philippines Nati onal Telehealth Center as she explains the features of RxBox during the First Philippine eHealth Summit. With them are Congressman Victor Yu, chairman of the Congressional Committ ee on Science and Technology and 1st District representati ve of Zamboanga del Sur; and Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, president of the Union of Local Authoriti es of the Philippines. (Photo by Henry A. de Leon, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

9

Postharvest losses and consumpti on are among the issues criti cal to rice producti on in the country. To address these issues, the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted a massive campaign through radio.

A total of 631 graduates made it to University On-the-Air (UOA) on Postharvest Producti on and Consumpti on graduati on out of the 751 who were offi cially enrolled. It was recently held at the Provincial Capitol Atrium in Zamboanga Sibugay Province.

The UOA sought to create awareness on how to reduce postharvest loses including responsible rice consumpti on. It was spearheaded by the DA’s Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Informati on Division (RAFID) headed by Maria Melba B. Wee in coordinati on with the Offi ce of Provincial Agriculturist with farmcaster Rex Lagasca, Chief, Support Service Division.

Eleven students were declared outstanding and each received a medallion, trophy and radio transistor from the DA, and cash award and certi fi cate from the Provincial Agriculturist Offi ce of Zamboanga Sibugay. First honor was Mary Paul P. Soberano; 2nd Bamafe D. Sioti ng; 3rd William D. Dionio; 4th Joey H. Fernandez; 5th Evelia B. Bernaldez; 6th laura L. Acuesta; 7th Junelyn S. Matrinito; 8th Marycel S. Pao; 9th Mary Ann D. Milmao; 10th Ireneo A. Abajar, Jr and 11th honor Vicente D.

Bedonia. DA Assistant Regional Director

Dennis H. Palabrica noted that most of the graduates were females and he was very happy over the involvement of women in farming. He said that farm machineries are now user-friendly and easy to operate, and were designed in such a way that women can also use them. To address the high losses in postharvest producti on, the government adopts farm mechanizati on that is seen to decrease wastage from 37% to 10-15%.

Provincial Governor Wilter Y. Palma expressed his grati tude to the DA for the assistance to his province and to his people who parti cipated in the program and showed their willingness to learn. He also expressed strong support to the farmers and said that his offi ce is always open to anyone who needs the corresponding services. He urged the farmers to sustain and share their farming technology to others.

Committ ee Chair on Agriculture, SB Joel Ebol encouraged the farmers to create a group, an organizati on or an associati on and registered it to Securiti es and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment, or Cooperati ve Development Authority so they can avail of the farm mechanizati on program of the DA. He emphasized that one way of measuring success is through achieving food security.

The UOA class started in July,

631 Farmers Complete UOA Course

2013 and ended in January, 2014. Lectures were aired through Radio Stati on 94.3 DXIR FM from 5:00 to 5:30 in the morning, Mondays-Fridays.

During the graduati on rite 3rd honor William D. Dionio expressed his appreciati on and gladness over the opportunity of availing the UOA that taught the graduates the proper way of farming especially the right preservati on of harvest straight to consumpti on, which the rest of the graduates affi rmed.

One of the graduates, Rosita Arti sing, 67 and a resident of Solitan, Sta. Clara, Naga said that together with her husband, they have been joining this program many ti mes because they learned a lot. They thanked DA for introducing the program that reached far- fl ung areas and is open to all. She said that for as long as UOA conti nues, they will never stop enrolling.

In line with the said event, 81 farmers who successfully completed the Farmers Field School in Rice and Corn Producti on joined the 631 farmer-students in receiving their certi fi cates of completi on. During the ceremony, three farm machineries were raffl ed. Two farmers, Linda Yanga received 1 unit Thresher while Alodia Dongguines received 1 unit hand Tractor with Trailer, both from Mirangan Farmers Associati on in Siay. Edgardo Sioti ng of Upper Pangi Farmers Associati on in Ipil received 1 unit Collapsible Dryer.(MD, DA9)

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According to Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain, OIC-Regional Director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) IX, DTI has allocated P46 million for shared service facility (SSF) projects in the region for 2014. This showed an increase of roughly 70% over the P27.12 million allocati on in 2013.

The budget allocati on will be able to help more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region which are in need of government support in acquiring needed equipment, tools or machinery to improve their producti on.

SSFs are not given to individual persons or businesses but, as its name implies, are given to registered associati on of SMEs, farmer groups, etc. for their shared or common use. DTI is targeti ng big-ti cket SSF projects in 2014, especially those that would have a bigger impact on jobs creati on such as the proposed village-type rubber processing projects in Zamboanga del Norte. SSF would entail small rubber producers to produce more value added products like ribbed smoked sheets that fetch higher prices by-passing middlemen when the farmers’ groups export the products.

Dir. Jain stressed that many SSF projects will be the priority for funding this year. As stated in the selecti on criteria, “poverty alleviati on through jobs creati on is paramount in view of this government’s commitment for inclusive growth.”

Last year, nine SSF projects were launched in Zamboanga City while several more are to be established this year regionwide. Once the projects are established, the monitoring acti vity and progress documentati on shall be

done accordingly to ensure that the delivery of services really benefi t the benefi ciaries as planned.

Meanwhile Dir. Jain emphasized that if there is one thing that the business sector should be upbeat about in the coming days, it should be the much anti cipated integrati on of the 11-member nati ons of the Associati on of Southeast Asian Nati ons (ASEAN) into a single market and producti on base in 2015.

She said that defi nitely, there will be challenges but just like a coin, there are two sides to it. Along with the challenges are the vast opportuniti es lying in wait for those who prepare and plan to seize them. When asked just what exactly an ASEAN Economic Community

(AEC) and its 2020 Vision mean and its implicati ons, Dir. Jain quoted former ASEAN Secretary General and Ambassador Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr. in his arti cle enti tled “An ASEAN Economic Community by 2015”, as “a stable, prosperous and highly competi ti ve ASEAN Economic Region in which there is a free fl ow of goods, services and investments, a freer fl ow of capital, equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socio-economic dispariti es.”

The ASEAN Concord II, according to Amb. Severino, reiterated this defi niti on and refi ned it as “a single market and producti on base,” a phrase that found its way into the new ASEAN Charter as one of the associati on’s purposes.

The AEC 2015 Strategic Schedule, according to the same arti cle calls for the: eliminati on of non-tariff , as well as tariff , barriers to intra-ASEAN trade; promoti on of transparency of all acti ons in internati onal trade transacti ons; simplifi cati on, harmonisati on, standardisati on and automati on of customs processes; adopti on of nati onal “single windows” for customs

transacti ons; implementati on of common regimes for the sectors agreed upon, including those for cosmeti cs, electrical and electronic equipment, pharmaceuti cals and medical devices; removal of “substanti ally all restricti ons on trade in services;” implementati on of mutual recogniti on of professional credenti als that have been agreed upon, including those in architecture, accountancy, surveying, and medical and dental services; reducti on or eliminati on of investment restricti ons; harmonisati on of capital-market standards; harmonisati on of quaranti ne and inspecti on procedures for food, agriculture and forestry products; implementati on of the ASEAN agreements on multi -modal transport, goods in transit, inter-state transport, and civil aviati on; implementati on of regional measures to extend connecti vity and access between ASEAN countries via high-speed networks; and harmonisati on of the legal infrastructure for e-commerce.

Dir. Jain noted that simply, there are just so much opportuniti es when all these will have been in place in 2015. Complementati on, joint venture arrangements, access to a much bigger market, even job opportuniti es in the services sector for our graduates, and many other good things are expected to open up once the ASEAN integrati on fully takes off . She is urging the SMEs and exporters to prepare, if they sti ll have not started. They should have a clear roadmap for their businesses so they can bett er positi on themselves when the ASEAN integrati on will have been implemented.

Dir. Jain said that for its part, DTI will have an intensifi ed info campaign on the AEC this year in all citi es and in other growth centers in the region, to bett er inform and prepare SMEs for this eventuality. (Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI 9)

DTI Earmarks P46 Million for SSF Projects,Tells Businessmen to Prepare for AEC 2015

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;simplifi cati on, harmonisati on, standardisation and automati on of customs processes; adopti on of nati onal “single windows” for customs

yother growth centers in the region, to bett er inform and prepare SMEs for this eventuality. (Lowell S. Vallecer, DTI 9)

AEC 2015