Twenty-eight Local GovernmentUnits (LGUs) in Region XIII-Caragawere awarded PhP64.5 M for being re-cipients of the Performance ChallengeFund (PCF) and Sagana at Ligtas naTubig Para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG)Program implemented by the Depart-ment of the Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG) during the Region-WideTAPATAN on Disaster Preparedness onJune 26, 2012 at Almont Hotel’s InlandResort.

The TAPATAN activity of theDepartment of the Interior and LocalGovernment (DILG) Region XIII –Caraga is focused on DisasterPreparedness of which DILG DirectorLilibeth A. Famacion, CESO IV is theVice-Chair of the Regional Disaster RiskReduction and Management Council(RDRRMC).

Turn to page 4 … (Awards to LGUs)

Director’s Notes 2

Seal of DisasterPreparedness 2

RD Famacion SupportsEnvironment

3

Butuan City’s Drainage .. 3

3 Patrol Cars to BCPO 3

PAMANA-DILG Fund ... 4

Caraga’s TAPATAN 5

Feature: San Agustin’sFlow of Potable Water

6

Feature: Lantawan Eco-Park’s Tourist Influx ...

7

SILG Jesse M. Robredo 9

LTIA Awards 10

Change Agenda 11

ARTA Implementation 10

Legally Speaking ... 8

“Matagal ko na pong sinasabina itinaas na natin ang antas o sukatng pamamahala. Hindi sapat na tayoay mahusay dahil hindi lahat nangmahusay ay matino. Hindi lahat nangmatino ay mahusay. Ang hinahanappo nating pamamahala ay mahusay atmatino upang karapat dapat tayongpagkatiwalaan ng mga tao lalo na sapera ng bayan”, famous words of thelate Department of the Interior and LocalGovernment (DILG) Secretary Jesse M.Robredo.

With his untimely death, the DILGRegion 13 mourned for loss of a nobleleader who is always on the “go” wheneverimportant issues arise anywhere in thecountry. He was known for his sincerity inpublic service and he led the interior andlocal government sector with vigor in put-ting into action the mandates of the De-partment.

Secretary Robredo was known asthe “Man in Action” and a “Man in Service”.It could be remembered that he came toCaraga Region to personally conduct anocular inspection to the illegal logs thatwere confiscated in Brgy. Amparo, ButuanCity. He had Turn to page 8 … (DILG 13 Mourns)

RD Lilibeth A. Famacion and SILG Jesse M. Robredo award PhP2.5 M to Municipal Mayor Romeo Constantino L. Vargas of Tubajon, Surigao del Norte and Governor Sol F. Matugasof Surigao del Norte for being a recipient of SALINTUBIG Program during the TAPATAN on Disaster Preparedness at Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City on July 26, 2012.

The late Secretary of the Interior and LocalGovernment Jesse M. Robredo has just launched the Sealof Disaster Preparedness during the Region-WideTAPATAN on Disaster Preparedness.

The Seal of Disaster Preparedness is to recognizeand incentivize local government performance ininstitutionalizing disaster preparedness and to assessperformance gaps to policies of program interventions aswell as monitor improvements on disaster preparedness.

Secretary Robredo in his speech said that seventy-seven percent (77%) of the LGUs within Caraga Regionhave already preparedness plans and organizationalcapability.

In fact, he is concerned with the region’s miningand logging activities which poses a threat to flood-relateddisasters.

He emphasized that the powerful public officialsshould be made accountable to the public. “Walangkapangyarihan na walang pananagutan”, he said.

“Walang saysay ang pagsulong sa DisasterPreparedness kung hindi natin bigyan pansin angpangangalaga sa kalikasan”, he added.

“Gagawa tayo nang paraan on DisasterPreparedness!”, his resolute and firm remark.

“We do not ask LGUs to procure sophisticatedequipment but we ask them to be ready operationally. Thisis measured in terms of having basic equipment, disasterevacuation plan and alert system,” he added.

The Seal will cover two levels of assessments.Level 1 is on the Local Government Unit’s disasterpreparedness, which is a test of a local government capa-bility to address the potential effects of a disaster to hu-man life. Level 2 is on disaster preparedness-responsewhich will test the LGUs capability in ensuring basic surviv-al and subsistence needs of the affected population basedon acceptable standards during a disaster.

Thus, an LGU that passes Level 1 assessmentreceives a Certificate of

SILG Robredo with RD Famacion unveils the “Seal of Disaster Preparedness”with DRRM Compendium and Manual of Caraga RDRRMC and other IEC

Materials for Disaster Preparedness.

Page 2

The way towards “Tuwid naDaan” requires vigor, willpower and

commitment. One needs to endure thepressure in the performance of government service.

With the sudden loss of a great leader of thisDepartment, it is undeniable that the late Secretary ofthe Interior and Local Government Jesse M. Robredohas done outstanding and exceptional things. Knownto all to be a champion of good governance, heimplanted an amazing seed, which will remain as hislegacy to continue the call for service. As what healways say,”Dapat nating bigyang saysay ang atingmga ginagawa para ang lahat ng ito’y magingmakabuluhan”. He left a mark for us to persevere inour line of work in the service of others. He was aservant leader. In fact, he taught everyone in thedepartment to be always on the “go”. According tohim, there must be visibility and action intertwined.

The Department, in an effort to produceproductive and dynamic result, is walking the extramile in bringing good governance to our communitieson the ground in order to improve the quality of lifefor all. This is done through programs that the publicis now beginning to see as a powerful weapon toensure accountability of local government officials.With the chain of reactions from people in an attemptto exert positive change in the society, an empoweredcitizenry is formed. People’s participation is the crustof democracy. But democracy without integrity will notwork. In order to move forward, there must bededication and passion similar to what the late SILGRobredo has exemplified.

Our purpose in the Department and ingovernment service is a battle to do the right thingagainst the wrong. It is a fight for winning the truthand saving the hallmarks of integrity and upholdingtruth and democracy for all. It is all about beingalways ready to face the struggle of achieving goodgovernance rooted on the principles of participation,accountability, efficiency, responsiveness andtransparency. In the end, it is all about being preparedto an “On Call for Service.”

Turn to page 9 … (SILG Robredo)

Page 3

Lilibeth A. Famacion,OIC-Regional Director of theDepartment of the Interiorand Local Government (DILG)Region XIII - Caraga in hermessage during the

Environmental Governance(IEG) in Father Saturnino Uri-os University (FSUU), wel-comes the new partner ofthe department in capac-ita ng local govern-ment officials to carry outenvironmental laws and di-

The launching of the

Governance in FSUU on April18, 2012 is in coopera-

Public Interest Environmen-tal Law Office.

Director Famacionsaid that the DILG as an ena-bler for service-providers likeFSUU believes the partner-ship and teamwork of stake-holders, including Civil Socie-

Tanggol Kalikasan, will set

approach in addressingenvironmental concerns inthe region.

“The establish-

Environmental Govern-ance (IEG) will supplementour capacity development(CapDev) programs in are-as where we don’t havemastery like the adjudica-

and its remedies, such asthe Writ of Kalikasan andthe Strategic Lawsuit

by Director Famacion.She also shared

the region’s current status

environmental interven-

ners, donors and otherstakeholders. She promis-es to highly recommend tothe Local GovernmentAcademy (LGA), which isthe training arm of thedepartment that futureCapability Development

of the IEG is to effect sus-tainable development andcapacitate local govern-ment officials in the execu-

laws. This is a strategicresponse to the ever-increasing demand forcapacity building of LocalGovernment Units (LGUs).

The City Governmentof Butuan, as a recipient of theSeal of Good Housekeeping(SGH) was granted with PhP60

government’s Local Govern-ment Support Fund (LGSF)through the Department of theInterior and Local GovernmentRegion XIII – Caraga (DILG XIII).

The PhP60 M fundreceived by the citygovernment will be used toaugment the Internal RevenueAllotment (IRA) of the city in

Projects, Programs and

The main target for the

drainage project in the city in

consequently put an end to therecurring flood problem. Beingthe catch basin of the flow ofwater in the region, the city isprone to flooding, which causes

displacement of residents. Theflooding is aggravated as thecity has no proper drainagesystem.

The city under theleadership of MayorFerdinand M. Amante, Jr., M.D.promised its share of PhP37,723, 917.67 from the citygovernment funds making thetotal project cost to PhP 97,723, 917.67 and placed under

contract with Equi-Parco

The project whencompleted will contain about50 % floodwaters in the city.This is according to the citygovernment’s engineeringdivision who is responsible forthe project’s supervision andground works.

The Drainage Projectwill be implemented along T.Sanchez St. – –Villa Kananga Creek and JCT. T.Calo – Villa Kananga Creek inthe city. It will include the

-cloggingof the creeks in the targetareas.

DILG XIII OIC-RegionalDirector Lilibeth A. Famacion,during the groundbreakingceremony of the Butuan CityDrainage Project said that thebiggest chunk of the LGSF isgiven to Butuan City amongother local government units inthe Caraga region. She hopesthat this project will improve

City in terms of its tourismindustry. (FFJr.B)

More so, the benefitsof the drainage project willredound to all the Butuanons.

Director Famacion with Butuan City Mayor Amante, during thegroundbreaking ceremony of Butuan Drainage System on April 18, 2012.

The three (3) Patrol vehicles were provided tothe BCPO through the initiative of Congressman Jose“Joboy” S. Aquino II of 1st District of Agusan del Norte,Butuan City and the Municipality of Las Nieves. Thethree (3) units 4 x 4 Suzuki Multicab converted to Pa-trol cars were already provided Turn to page 5 …(Turn-over)

Turn to page 10 …(LGSF)

Page 4

From Page 1

The Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) is anincentive fund to LGUs in the form of counterpart fund-ing to high-impact capital investment projects in theAnnual Investment Program (AIP) and funded out of the20% Local Development Fund consistent with nationalgoals and priorities. The fund prioritizes low-incomeLGUs and those with high poverty incidence. In Caragaregion, there are 28 LGUs composing of two (2) prov-inces receiving PhP7 M each, five (5) cities receivingPhP3 M each and twenty-one (21) municipalities receiv-ing PhP1 M each. The following are the recipients:

Meanwhile, the SALINTUBIG is one of the flagshipprogram of PNOY’s Administration in line with the commitmentof the National Government to achieve the targets set in thePhilippine Development Plan as well as the Millennium Devel-opment Goals (MDGs) to provide people with access to watersupply and sanitation in areas of the country where water isnot accessible. During Caraga’s TAPATAN, three (3) WaterlessMunicipalities of Talacogon, Trento and Veruela, Agusan delSur received PhP 3.5 M for the Potable Water System.

Meanwhile five (5) Waterless Barangays of the three(3) municipalities, namely: Brgy. Bugsukan and Buntalid ofCantilan, Surigao del Sur; Brgy. Remedios of Esperanza, Agu-san del Sur; and Brgy. Sta. Cruz and Mabini of Tubajon, Suri-gao del Norte were also provided with funding for theirPotable Water System Project. (FFJr.B)

LGU Recipients of Performance Challenge Fund (PCF)

Provinces – P7 M1. Surigao del Norte (SdN)2. Agusan del Norte (AdN)

Municipalities – P1 M

Cities – P3 M1. Cabadbaran City2. Tandag City3. Surigao City4. Bislig City5. Bayugan City

1. Buenavista, Agusan del Norte2. Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte3. Nasipit, Agusan del Norte4. Bunawan, Agusan del Sur5. Esperanza, Agusan del Sur6. La Paz, Agusan del Sur7. Loreto, Agusan del Sur8. Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur9. Rosario, Agusan del Sur

10. San Francisco, Agusan del Sur11. San Luis, Agusan del Sur

12. Sibagat, Agusan del Sur13. Talacogon, Agusan del Sur14. Trento, Agusan del Sur15. Veruela, Agusan del Sur16. Claver, Surigao del Norte17. Cantilan, Surigao del Sur18. Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur19. San Miguel, Surigao del Sur20. Tagbina, Surigao del Sur21. Tago, Surigao del Sur

Governor Erlpe John M. Amante of Agusan del Norte receives PhP 7 M asPerformance Challenge Fund from DILG.

In order to strengthenpeace-building, reconstructionand development in conflict-affected areas, the PAMANA –“Payapa at Masaganang Pa-mayanan” Program, as em-bodied in the Philippine Devel-opment Plan for 2011 to 2016was launched to complementthe government’s peace ne-gotiation efforts.

For the year 2012, PhP958 M has been appropriatedunder the Department of theInterior and Local Government(DILG) budget. This shall beprovided to eligible LocalGovernment Units (LGUs) in theform of fund subsidy under thePAMANA-DILG Fund. The fundshall cover seven geograph-ical zones in the Philippines,which are vulnerable areas.

In Caraga Region,thirty-four (34) Local Govern-ment Units (LGUs)–composedof two (2) cities and thirty-two(32) municipalities are coveredby PAMANA. These identifiedconflict-affected areas arethose which results from thepresence of Communist Partyof the Philippines (CPP), NewPeople’s Army (NPA), and Na-tional Democratic Front (NDF).

The priority programsand projects covered by PA-MANA-DILG for C.Y. 2012 im-plementation are the Munici-palities of Prosperidad,Sibagat, Sta. Josefa and Ve-ruela of the Province of Agu-san del Sur; Municipalities ofBuenavista, Carmen, Jabon-ga, Kitcharao, Las Nieves,Magallanes, Nasipit, RTR, Santi-ago and Tubay of the Prov-ince of Agusan del Norte; Mu-nicipalities of Bayabas, Hinatu-an, Marihatag, San Agustin,Tagbina, and the Cities ofBislig and Tandag of the Prov-ince of Surigao del Sur; Munici-palities of Alegria, Mainit, Mali-mono and the City of Surigao

of the Province of Surigao delNorte including the Municipal-ities of Burgos, Dapa, Del Car-men, General Luna, Pilar, SanBenito, San Isidro, Sta. Monica,and Socorro of Siargao Is-lands.

The PAMANA as aframework for intervention invulnerable areas is anchoredon three complementary stra-tegic pillars that define coreinterventions to achieve last-ing peace. Pillar 1 focuses oninterventions that support theestablishment of the founda-tions of peace and the build-ing of resilient communitiesthrough policy reform anddevelopment. Pillar 2 targetsmicro-level interventions topromote the convergent de-livery of services and goodsfocused on households andcommunities by both nationaland local projects. Lastly, Pillar3 provides for meso-level inter-ventions that address regionaland sub-regional develop-ment challenges, which willcontribute to peace building.

Pillars 1 and 2 are tobe implemented by the De-partment of Social Welfareand Development (DSWD)and Department of AgrarianReform (DAR).Pillar 3 is imple-mented through a partnershipbetween the Department ofthe Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG) and Office ofPresidential Adviser for PeaceProcess (OPAPP).

PAMANA Program isaimed at achieving the fol-lowing objectives: (1) Reducepoverty and vulnerability inconflict-affected areas, (2)Improve Governance and (3)Empower communities andstrengthen their capacities toaddress issues of conflict andpeace through activities thatpromote social cohesion.(FFJr.B)

“Did you know?” The first municipal election in the Philip-pines was held in Baliuag, Bulacan under the supervision of Ameri-can military governor general Arthur MacArthur on May 6, 1899.

Anchored on thethemes: “Preparedness SavesLives” and “Kaluwasan sa Kat-alagman Kinahanglan Pangan-daman”, the Department ofthe Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG) Region XIII – Cara-ga on June 26, 2012 resolutelypush Local Government Units(LGUs), Regional Line Agencies(RLAs), and other stakeholdersfor readiness in times of disas-ters, particularly water relateddisasters. This was held at Al-mont Hotel’s Inland Resort,Butuan City.

DILG Caraga’s Tapatanon Disaster Preparedness high-lights the presence of Secre-tary Jesse M. Robredo for hisCall to Action in disaster readi-ness and response and thesigning of thePledge of Com-mitment by the participantsemphasizing the urgency andsignificance of placing disasterpreparedness on top of thepriority development agendafor LGUs as mandated underDepartment Circular 2010-143dated December 9, 2010. Thesaid circular also aimed atstrengthening LGU capability,particularly the Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Councils(DRRMCs).

This is also pursuant toRepublic Act 10121, otherwiseknown as the Philippine DisasterRisk Reduction and ManagementAct of 2010.

The event is also markedwith the distribution of twenty-eight (28) Performance ChallengeFund (PCF) and six (6) SALINTU-BIG checks to recipient LGUsamounting to PhP 64.5 M. Anoth-er significant part of Tapatan isthe MOA Signing of recipientLGUs in the waterless municipali-ties and barangays which wereable to access the fund for theprovision of potable water sys-tem under the SALINTUBIG orthe Sagana at Ligtas na TubigPara sa Lahat Program.

Secretary Robredo unveilsthe Seal of Disaster Preparedness(SDP) to formally launch the Sealin Caraga Region. Robredo saidthat the Seal of Disaster Prepar-edness focuses on both opera-tional and institutional capacity.This was followed with the Inter-facing of the participants.

with accessories such as tie wrench, Jack,horn and blinker ready to be used by policeofficers for the Balanghai Festival tomorrow– May 19, 2012. The said units were valuedat one hundred sixty-seven thousand pesos

(PhP 167,000.00) each, a total of Fivehundred one thousand pesos (PhP501,000.00) for the three patrol vehi-cles.

During the turn-over ceremony,Congressman Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino IIsaid that he wants to see policemen allaround Butuan for the peace and securi-ty of the city. This is the reason why heallocated funds for the procurement ofpatrol vehicles. He also said that he isgoing to provide budget for the nextround of four (4) multicabs to BCPOthrough DILG XIII.

From page 3 ...BCPO PSSUPT Pedro U. Obal-

do, during his welcome remarks, saidwith emphasis that Butuan deserves tobe a peaceful city. He also said that thethree (3) patrol vehicles will surely helpin the city’s peace and order. (FFJr.B)

Page 5

DILG Director Lilibeth A. Famacion said, “It isnot Batman or Superman who will save us in times ofdisaster but our readiness and preparedness to face it.”She said that being prepared for disasters prevents theeventuality of damaged properties and loss of lives.

Atty. Anthony P. Vitor, Legal Officer IV of DILG13 discussed Executive Order No. 66, otherwise knownas “PRESCRIBING RULES ON THE CANCELLATION OR SUS-PENSION OF CLASSES AND WORK IN GOVERNMENT OFFIC-ES DUE TO TYPHOONS, FLOODING, OTHER WEATHER DIS-TURBANCES, AND CALAMITIES”. He stressed the signifi-cance of the EO so that the Local Chief Executives at thesame time the local community will know the guidelinesand mechanism for the automatic suspension or cancel-lation of classes in their locality.

Exhibits of DILG Caraga’s IEC materials werepositioned on the event area showcasing Caraga re-gion’s initiatives on Disaster Risk Reduction and Man-agement and Climate Change Adaptation with its anti-poverty programs and projects. This was accompaniedby exhibits of Office of Civil Defense, Municipality ofEsperanza, City Government of Butuan, Ama ComputerLearning Center, Philippine Red Cross and the Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources. (FFJr.B)

Page 6

Feature Storiesby: Redgy V. Panilan, LGOO II

San Agustin, Surigao del Sur - At least three barangaysbenefitted from the construction of Ground Water System inBarangay Sto.Nino, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. The wa-ter system caters 1,084 aggregate households in BarangaysSto. Nino, Hornasan and Puntod, estimated to be 31% ofthe total households in the municipality.

GRATEFUL BENEFICIARIES

The completion of the water system project createda positive impact in the lives of the residents of the threebarangays.

“Gidungog ang among mga pag-ampo. Madayawna gayud ang amo tubig. Sa pagkakaron, wala pa hinuonkami niinom bisan ug tin-aw na kay wala pa may announce-ment nga pwede na imnon. Pero, pwede nami magshower-

shower kay kusog na ang agas. Karon mamintinar na ang kalimpyo sa among panimalay tungod kay dili na maghakot-hakot ug tubiggamit sa panghugas sa plato ug para sa CR”( Our prayers are heard, we now have plenty of water. For now, we don’t drink it yet be-cause there’s no instruction yet to do so, but we used it for bathing and washing. We don’t fetch water anymore”), Mr. and Mrs. Gonza-lo Kulao, a resident of Metro Sto. Niño gladly stated.

Sto. Niño Punong Barangay Mr. Alex de Guzman, out of gratitude and appreciation, gave his commitment for the maintenanceand safekeeping of the waterlines. “Adunay tubig sa una pero sige ug kawala. Kung moagas man, murag tsokolate ang color. Apankaron, tin-aw na ang tubig ug kontento gayud ang mga katawhan sa serbisyo niini. Busa amo gayud kining ampingan ug i-mintinar kaydugay na namo kining gihandom. Amo kining palamboon”(“we have available water supply before but of bad quality, the color of whichis similar to that of a chocolate. Since we have access to clean water now, we really have to develop and take good care of it”).

“Kapin kon kulang mga 5 years na nga walay maayo nga tubig diri sa among lugar. Sa una, aduna tuod linya sa tubig peropirmi walay agas. Duha ang source sa una, sa tanke ug sa sapa mao na grabe kalubog ang tubig labi na kung mag-ulan. Ang pagka-karon, maayo ang source nga nakuhaan sa tubig kay deep well man. Pwede na mainom kay tin-aw na. Mismo ako ug ang akong pami-lya, moinom na sa tubig sa gripo sa pagkakaron”(“We waited for at least five years to obtain good water supply. We have water sourcebefore but it yeilds cloudy water especially during rainy days. The water quality, at present, is better because it is sourced from thedeep well. My family drinks water from the faucet now”), Hornasan Punong Barangay Mr. Agapito E. Lubrico said.

GOOD GOVERNANCEUnder DILG’s incentive scheme for compliance, the Local Government Unit of San Agustin accessed the Php 1 million Perfor-

mance Challenge Fund because the Municipality was awardee of the Seal of Good Housekeeping for two years in a row (2010 and2011). The Seal of Good Housekeeping is conferred to Local Government Units without COA adverse findings and compliant to theFull Disclosure Policy.

STIMULUS FOR DEVELOPMENTBeing a SGH recipient, the Local Government of San Agustin invested Php 1.89 million as project counterpart to the Php 1

million cash incentive from DILG. “This cash incentive program of the DILG is an inspiration and motivation not just to the Municipalityof San Agustin but to all LGUs”, Mayor Honulolo Go commented as he proudly shows the two (2) SEAL OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGmarkers mounted in the walls of the municipal hall. “We are work-ing hard and hoping for the third seal this year. But we do hopethere will be an increase in the PCF enough to fund a project with-out the LGU counterpart”, he said.

MOBILIZING COMMUNITY FOR PROJECT SUSTAINABILITYThe project recipients were encouraged to manage the

water resources for better services and ensure sustainability ofwater supply. Regular water analysis is also pushed to maintainsafe and potable water in order to prevent water-borne diseases.

In the end, the water system facility mirrors the govern-ment’s continuing efforts to improve public service and accounta-bility of resources to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.(Engr. Redgy V. Panilan, LGOO II, Province of Surigao del Sur)

-Poverty Projects of DILG

Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte – Behind the serene dis-play of forest-protected area of Brgy. Crossing in theMunicipality of Kitcharao, province of Agusan del Norteunveils the captivating beauty of Lantawan Eco-Parkthat captures the exhilarating scene of Lake Mainit.

Yet the existence of this fascinating landscapehas been hidden beneath forest covers slowly dissipatinginto oblivion. While residents contain the extant pano-ramic view within themselves, the tourists and outsiderswished to catch a glimpse of the rich forest life. The lackto road accessibility and at the same time, the absenceof tourism facilities at Lantawan Eco-Park makes it aconcealed tourist hot spot despite of its natural and at-tractive scenery.

This dismal situation ended when the Municipali-ty of Kitcharao passed the Seal of Good Housekeeping(SGH) and became a recipient of the Performance Chal-lenge Fund (PCF) worth PhP1 M. The PCF grant was re-ceived by the municipality on October 13, 2011. Afterreceipt and compliance to all the requirements for itsutilization, the fund was used to establish the Tourism-Support Facilities in Lantawan Eco Park. The project in-cludes construction of access road, installation of potable water facilities, electric power supply, setting-up ofpublic toilet and the construction of kiosks to improve the area. The Municipality of Kitcharao provided PhP1 Mas LGU counterpart for the Tourism-Support Facilities. The implementation started on February 16, 2011 andfinally reached its completion on April 30, 2012.

Just barely two (2) months after the project completion, a record of 2,680 tourists already surged andrushed to the place. With the continuing increase of tourists in Lantawan, it is expected to generate income tothe LGU and is projected to abet its fiscal condition. While the figures are increasing, the Municipality ofKitcharao is positive that it will provide revenues arising from the profits of Lantawan Eco Park’s income-generating tourism facilities.

With the conferment of the SGH, the Municipality of Kitcharao received the PCF as an incentive and wasable to provide an answer to its depressing situation. The SGH is a form of recognition given to local govern-ments that accord primacy to the principles of accountability and transparency. It is conferred to a performingLGU that has no adverse finding by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding its financial transactions and hasposted the same in conspicuous places or in websites to notify the public of such information. This is pursuantto Memorandum Circular No. 2011-95 dated July 1, 2011 of the Department of the Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG), which ensures that good governance is implemented by the LGU.

“This is a manifestation that a performing LGU, lodged in the foundation of good governance with thetime-honored principles of transparency, accountability, responsiveness and participation will truly be rewardedby an incentive of the national government”, Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion of DILG 13 remarked.

Presently, the Lantawan Eco-Park rests on top of the mountain overlooking the exhilarating view ofLake Mainit. Roberto R. Calubag, Jr., OIC-Municipal Planning and Development Officer (MPDO) of the Municipal-ity of Kitcharao has requested the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) to install

by: Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa, LGOO II

The exhilarating view of Lake Mainit from the overlooking peak ofLantawan Eco-Park at Brgy. Crossing, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Page 7

Turn to page 8 …

Page 8

From page 1...

a power transformer at the Lantawan Eco-Park to stabilizethe 220 volts power supply required for the submersiblepump and other tourism infrastructure facilities in the area.In view of the operation and management of Lantawan EcoPark, the Municipal Tourism Coordinating Council is on theprocess of formulating the Comprehensive Tourism MasterPlan.

The Sangguniang Bayan is likewise on the process ofcreating “AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING ECOTOURISM DE-VELOPMENT FEE AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONTHEREOF IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KITCHARAO, AGUSANDEL NORTE.”

Truly, this accomplishment reveals the anti-povertyflagship programs under Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino IIIimplemented under the Department of the Interior and LocalGovernment (DILG) on its purpose of achieving “Tuwid naDaan, tungo sa Bayang Maunlad”. (FFJr.Bayawa)

From page 6...

an interface with the Indigenous People’s, the LGUs and the media toconvince that illegal logging be stopped. Undaunted, he also gavemarching orders to relieve the composite team of monitoring stationsof PNP and DENR personnel where the illegal logs passed through. Infact, several officials in the PNP and DENR were placed in the sack tobe accountable for their lapses.

"Secretary Jesse M. Robredo is a champion of good govern-ance. In fact, he looks into the results of our work but at the sametime placed emphasis on the output of what we do. He looks at per-formance with integrity. For him, the programs of this Department isachieved when it produced an impact in the community level,” sharedby DILG Region 13 Director Lilibeth A. Famacion.

Constantly, Secretary Jesse M. Robredo was always remind-ing local government officials and his DILG personnel to be committedin the performance of government service. He believes that in merit-based system, performance and compliance is easily achieved. Thiswill, according to Sec. Robredo, improve the scale of governance andpave the way for positive change. He believes that there is an incen-tive for compliance. “This should be a dynamic instrument because ifthere is one thing we’d like to bring, it’s making sure that we do per-formance at the same time prudence and compliance of rules in so faras the use of government money is concerned,” according to him.

To pay respect in honor of Secretary Robredo, the DILG Re-gion 13 offered a Misa Requiem in the office last August 22, 2012.The Department also extends its deepest sympathy to the family ofSecretary Robredo. The Philippine flag was already hoisted in halfmast. This August 23, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., a mass will be offered at St.Joseph Cathedral, Butuan City to be attended by different agencies inthe region together with all the mourning public.

As always stressed by Secretary Robredo, “Dapat natingbigyang saysay ang ating mga ginagawa para ang lahat ngito’y maging makabuluhan."

For DILG Region 13, what Sec. Robredo has started will becontinued. The legacy he has left behind will always be etched in thehearts of the Department personnel. (Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa)

Legally Speaking…

Authority of a PunongBarangay to cancel /

suspend classes in theabsence of typhoon

Issue: Can a PunongBarangay declare thecancellation / suspensionof classes in the absenceof typhoons?Held:YES. Executive Order No.66, Series of 2012, other-wise known as“Prescribing Rules OnThe Cancellation Or Sus-pension Of Classes AndWork In Government Of-fices Due To Typhoons,Flooding, Other WeatherDisturbances, And Calam-ities” provides that:

“Section 2. Lo-calized Cancellation orSuspension of Classesand Work in Gov-ernment Offices. In theabsence of typhoon sig-nal warnings from PA-GASA, localized cancel-lation or suspension ofclasses and work in gov-ernment offices may beimplemented by local

chief executives, as chairmenof the Local Disaster Risk Re-duction and ManagementCouncil(LDRRMC) concerned, in co-ordination with PAGASA andthe NDRRMC, specifically inflood-prone or high risk areas.”

The Executive Orderdid not specify whether theterm “local chief executives”refers to governors and mayorsto the exclusion of the punongbarangays. Following the max-im that if the law did not qualify,then there’s no need to qualifywould render the term “localchief executives” to have in-cluded the punong barangaysfor purposes of E.O. No. 66.

The Local Govern-ment Code states that thepunong barangay is the chiefexecutive of the barangay (Sec.389-a). “The punong barangayis the head of the barangaydevelopment council which alsofunctions as the head of thebarangay risk reduction andmanagement council (Sec. 107-a, R.A. No. 7160 in relation toRule 5, Sec. 1, IRR of R.A.10121.

Thus, a Punong Ba-rangay can declare the cancel-lation / suspension of classes intheir area of responsibility(AOR), being Chairperson ofthe Barangay DRRMC pursu-ant to Sec. 2 of E.O. No. 66.

“Integrity is best seen inthe actions of a man.”

What is true joy? Is itpossible to experience a true andabiding joy even in the midst ofhard times and sorrows?

Sometimes we feeldisappointments or depressions,we are discouraged to moveforward. But in this world, weexperienced not only good butalso bad things. So what are wegoing to do when such heart-breaking moments happen?

In the prayers of Da-vid found in the Book of Psalm32:11, he said “Good people,rejoice and be happy in theLord. Sing all you whose heartsare right.”

As always, God comesto our rescue. He has always allthe answers for us in our pray-ers.

by: Lucia B. Garrido - OIC Chief AFD

In the Bible, this isone of the most beautifulprayers of King David to theLord which is found in theBook of Psalm 51: 10-12; “Create in me a pure heartOh God, and make my spiritright again. Do not send meaway from you or take yourHoly Spirit away from me.Give me back the joy of yoursalvation. Keep me strong bygiving me a willing spirit.”

With that, we hopeto be like David in our dailyquiet time with God.

Our crying maylast for a night but joycomes in the morning.PRAISE GOD!

by Atty. Anthony P. Vitor,

by: Lucia B. Garrido - OIC Chief AFD

Recognition to be sent through official correspondence from theSecretary of the Interior and Local Government. Passers of level 1and 2 assessments will receive the Seal and a Disaster Manage-ment Fund or Disaster Equipage. (FFJr.Bayawa)

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Page 9

Six Local Govern-ment Operations Officers(LGOOs) II of DILG RegionXIII had finally completed thePhase 1 Component 2 CenterTraining at Cagayan de OroCity on May 14, 2012.

During the training,they were equipped with theprinciples and concepts oflocal governance in order toprepare them for field immer-sion through which they per-form and put into actual prac-tice the functions of a fieldofficer.

In field immersion,the trainees were assigned atdesignated Local GovernmentUnits (LGUs). LGOO IIs Er-nie Y. Gultiano, Marichelle O.Gultiano and Jane G. Morenowere assigned at the Munici-pality of San Francisco, Agu-san del Sur; while LGOO IIsJason Ryan R. Lam, Charles

V. Lim and Mary AnthonetteM. Salise were assigned atthe Municipality of Carmen,Agusan del Norte.

The LGOO II train-ees were required to producethree (3) Major Outputs: (1)State of Local GovernanceReport (SLGR), (2) Systemson Competency Assessmentfor Local Governments(SCALOG) and (3) CapacityDevelopment Agenda of theLGUs where they were as-signed.

The field immersionwas designed to enable thetrainees to reinforce theirlearning they acquired duringtheir Center Training by serv-ing as an apprentice LGOOsin the actual operation of alocal government unit.

There are indeed many public serv-ants in the country but seldom do we know aperson who is a “true servant of the public.”

The late Secretary Jesse M. Robredowas an epitome of a servant leader who didn’tdwell on his words but acts on them, instead.He believes that the true measure of integrity is

which according to him should be felt by thosewho are at the community on the ground. Instrictest sense, the programs of DILG must haveimpact to those it should address. This has

mile so that good governance will wipe out

that dawn upon our system of government. Thisis what we call as “Walk the Talk..”

Fortunate are the local governmentofficials, the local government sector and theInterior such as the Bureau of Jail Management

leadership.

Tirelessly, Sec. Robredo always re-minded the local government officials to begenuine in their service. He enforced the com-

countability, responsiveness and most of all

transparency. Thus, in order to empowerLGUs, he introduced performance-basedprograms such as the Seal of Good House-keeping (SGH), which is being awarded toLGUs that comply to Full Disclosure Policy

ings from the Commission on Audit. Thisstrategy stresses performance of LGUs as thegauge in determining which LGU deserves

LGUs are making the leap to access the Per-formance Challenge Fund (PCF) through qual-ifying the SGH. Because of these, LGUs arenow trekking the “Tuwid na Daan.”

Ban

Undaunted, Sec. Robredo conduct-

paro, Butuan City on June 11, 2011 for theconfiscated illegal logs. In fact, a compositeteam of DENR officials and PNP were relievedbecause of the undetected illegal logs that

On Novo Fire Incident

Sec. Robredo assessed the remainsof the building on the Novo Fire incidentwhich claimed the lives of seventeen (17)

er is already facing charges. The three (3) survivors

tance. As a result of the assessment, Sec. Robredo

compliance and monitoring and a stricter implemen-

Words may not be enough to prove theworth of a person, but what SILG Robredo did was far

(Florian Faith Jr.P. Bayawa, LGOO II)

Desiree S. Bajan LGOO II Province of Surigao del Sur

Ian Reigh M. Elimanco LGOO II Province of Agusan Norte

Lorjezza S. Quimzon Admin. Aide IV Regional Office

Joselito E. Ramos Admin. Aide IV Regional Office

Maryjean L. Panchito Admin. Aide IV Province of Agusan Norte

Arvin R. Silvosa LGOO II Regional Office

Roche Lynn L. Cunanan Accountant II Regional Office

In its advocacy of pur-suing excellence in local gov-ernance, the Department of theInterior and Local Government(DILG) Region XIII has recentlyconcluded the Anti-Red TapeAct (ARTA) Report Card Survey(RCS) Roll-out on May 24-25,2012 at Almont Hotel’s InlandResort, Butuan City.

The Report Card Sur-vey (RCS) is a participatory sur-vey that provides quantitativefeedback on user perceptionson the quality, adequacy andefficiency of public services,particularly in the delivery offrontline services, which exactspublic accountability.

The conduct of RCS isin adherence to Republic Act9485, otherwise known as the

Anti-Red Tape Act of2007, Section 10, whichprovides: “All offices andagencies providing front-line services shall be sub-jected to a Report CardSurvey (RCS)… to obtainfeedback on how provi-sions in the Citizens Char-ter are being followed andhow the agency is per-forming.” The survey willalso obtain a feedback onthe existence and effec-tiveness of Local Govern-ment Units (LGUs) of theircompliance to Citizen’sCharter.

All the Provincialand City Directors, Pro-gram and Outcome Man-agers, City and Municipal

Local Government Opera-tions Officers (C/MLGOOs) and the tech-nical personnel assignedin the Regional, Provin-cial and City Offices weretrained to serve as ARTA– RCS Researchers fordata collection in the Re-port Card Survey. A sim-ulation exercise wasmade in answering theInspection Checklist andthe Survey Question-naires in order to providethe trainees with themechanisms on the con-duct of the field survey.Moreover, a workshopwas conducted by LGOOV Mary Ann S. Tomate onthe use of the EncodingTool where data is storedafter the data collection.This was done on an in-dividual hands-on exer-cise by the participants toensure that every ARTA –RCS Researcher is knowl-edgeable and capacitatedto perform the survey aswell as the data encodingRCS software.

Part of the con-duct of the training wasthe presentation on Con-

tinuing Legal Education ofAtty. Anthony P. Vitor, Per-formance Challenge Fund(PCF) 2012 of LGOO V Loli-ta Savaria, Gawad Pamanang Lahi, Scaled-up Seal ofGood Housekeeping (SGH)and Seal of Disaster Pre-paredness (SDP) byLGMED Chief LGOO V RayGregory Jaranilla. This is inline with the Department’sadvocacy to popularize theprojects implemented bythe DILG.

Data collectionhas been administered inall the cities and municipal-ities of this region througha cross-posting scheme ofdeployment for reliabilityand validity of the resultsby the DILG Field Person-nel within the month ofJune, 2012.

The Report CardSurvey has specifically fo-cused on the following are-as of assessment, to wit:(1) Posting of the Citizen’sCharter, (2) Existence ofan Anti-fixer Campaign, (3)Wearing of IdentificationCards, (4) Establishment ofa Public Assistance andComplaints Desk (PACD),

Page 10

The Department ofthe Interior and LocalGovernment (DILG) RegionXIII – Caraga genially laudsthe regional winners of theSearch for OutstandingLupong Tagapamayapa forthe period covering 1st to 4th

Quarters of C.Y. 2011 onApril 11, 2012 at the LocalRegional Resource Center(LGRRC), this department.

The Regional winnerof the Highly Urbanized Citycategory is Brgy. San Vicenteof Butuan City.

For the ComponentCity category, the Regionalwinner is Brgy. Telaje ofTandag City, Surigao del Sur;while, Brgy. Mabini ofCabadbaran City, Agusan delNorte and Brgy. Canlanipa ofSurigao City, Surigao delNorte bagged the 1st and 2nd

BarangayPoblacion of Barobo,Surigao del Sur was theRegional winner for the 1st

to 3rd Class Municipalcategory; while, Brgy. Ata-atahon of Nasipit, Agusandel Norte and Brgy.Zamora of Talacogon,Agusan del Sur emerged asthe 1st runner-up and the2nd runner-up of the samecategory.

The Regionalwinner for the 4th to 6th

Class Municipal category isBrgy. Quezon of Mainit,Surigao del Norte, whilethe first runner-up went toBrgy. Poblacion of Carmen,Agusan del Norte.

The regionalassessment for the Search

“When Butuan City isinundated with floods, there is aripple effect. People will be dis-

the economy is greatly affected.Floods make people poor anddesperate,” she added.

The city drainage projectof Butuan is the result of its ad-herence and compliance to thebanner program of President Be-

nigno S. Aquino III in pro-

accountability in the local and

DILG.

It once again proved

local government units thatadhere to development pro-

in the country. (FFJr.B)

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Turn to page 11..

Turn to page 11..

of Outstanding LupongTagapamayapa was conductedby the Lupong Tagapamayapa

(RAC) of DILG Region XIII -Caraga.

The Lupons wereassessed through theirperformance andaccomplishments by the

regional, provincial andmunicipal levels on the basis ofthe following criteria, to wit:

Katarungang Pambarangay

and resourcefulness ofmediators.

The Regional winnerswill be endorsed to the

(NAC) as regional nominees for

C.Y. 2012. (FFJr.B)

From page 10..

“Pursuing the De-partment’s Change Agen-da: Crossing Over to Per-formance, Accountability,Responsiveness & Trans-parency in Local Govern-ance (P.A.R.T II) was thenoteworthy theme duringthe three-day seminarworkshop of DILG Region

Butuan City on April 23-25, 2012.

the changes on structure,culture, processes andsystem of the departmentbrought about by the“Change Agenda”, rea-ligning of individual roles,accountability and re-sponsibility towards

ty was providing technicalassistance to the DILG

the State of the Local

Government Report(SLGR).

A total of 152 par-–

and technical personnelcoming from the regional,provincial and city fieldoffices were present dur-ing the gathering. Thefirst day provided for the

The concept of the de-partment’s “ChangeAgenda” was also intro-duced as it sets the inputsand workshops’ parame-ter. It was stressed outthat future managementdecisions are aligned withthe said changes and out-

be used as guide in imple-

Topics presentedwere: 1) Change Leader-

self; 3) Fostering Team

third workshop was onCluster planning on thedepartment’s PPAs basedon the five programmeoutput. The workshopgenerated the idea thatplans within the cluster as

discount individual com-petency and specializa-

In brief, the semi-nar workshop generated

of laying down theground works towardsthe department’s changeagenda.

Approach; 4) Building HighPerforming Team; 5) Man-aging Performance and 6)Cluster Strategic Planning.These inputs were cus-tomized to lay the individ-ual and cluster/ organiza-

brace change and mini-mize its impact along theprocess. Three work-shops were conducted tothresh out individual andgroup dynamics towardsthe proposed changes.

The first workshop

Individual Roles” as tech-

staff. The second work-

mindsets that they needto replace with new mind-sets in order to produce

and new results. The

Page 11

(5) Adherence to the “NoLunch Break” Policy, (6) Personal dispositionof an employee directly involved in a front-line service, (7) Quality of the frontline ser-vice, and the (8) Physical working conditionin the frontline service area.

“We should walk the extra mile andthink out of the box. We need to be changeagents,” remarked DILG OIC-Regional Direc-tor Lilibeth A. Famacion. She said that the

ARTA implementation is part of the upscaleof the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH)so that LGUs will qualify for the Silver SGH.For this reason, RD Famacion calls to ac-tion the DILG personnel to monitor, assistand equip LGUs to be recipients of the Sil-ver Seal of Good Housekeeping, which willopen the access to obtain funds as incen-tive for good performance in local govern-ance. (FFJr.B)

From page 10...

Editorial Board

Regional Director:LILIBETH A. FAMACION, CESO IV

Asst. Regional Director:DONALD A. SERONAY

Members:Atty. Anthony P. Vitor, MDRPD Romeo A. SolisPD Arleen Ann R. SanchezPD Pedrito P. AlacabaPD Domingo E. BulabogCLGOO John Reyl L. MosquitoCLGOO Olivia P. Bagasbas

Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa (FFJr.B)Managing Editor/RIO-designate

Jose Miguel Siao, ITOLay-out Artist

Advisers:Lucia B. Garrido, OIC-Chief, AFDRay Gregory F. Jaranilla, OIC-Chief, LGMEDCharissa T. Guerta, OIC-Chief, LGCDD

Contributor: Arvin G. Silvosa

Provincial Information Officers:Dulce Amor M. Moran, Butuan CityEllen Vee P. Chua, Agusan del NorteFerdy Benigo R. Avila, Agusan del SurMary Ann S. Tomate, Surigao del NorteRedgy V. Panilan, Surigao del SurIan Jun A. Gesta, Dinagat Island

LGRRC Administrator: Lolita H. Savaria

Unsa kaha ang sunod nga mahitabo?? Atangi ang sunod nga isyu sa TI-MON !!!

against disaster and finance projects that help ensure the safety

The DILG is stepping up efforts to prepare local govern-

change.This is done through the Seal of Disaster Preparedness

awards, a performance-based mechanism to prepare local gov-ernments in dealing with disasters. To qualify for the SDP, LGUsmust create disaster risk-among others.

LGUs are also trained to use funds responsibly and

disasters.Pursuant thereto, DILG Region XIII develops a “komiks”,

equip the community on the ground with the necessary infor-

lect is used as a medium in order to cater the reading public.

Freezing the TIME, Capturing the SCENES...

Personal Assessment conductedby the late SILG Robredo to the

NOVO fire incident on May12, 2012.

At the Butuan City Hall Con-ference Room, 3rd Floor for theInterface with Lumads repre-sented by Victoriano S. Vidal,Sr., Technical Consultant ofTribal Coalition of Mindanao(TRICOM), DENR representedby DENR Regional TechnicalDirector for Forest Manage-ment Service Musa C. Saruang,City Mayor Ferdinand M.Amante, Jr. and PNP ChiefRafal. Same day, SILG had aPress Conference at the CityMayor’s Office.