One Mindanao - December 16, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WeMin Info Blitz

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

DavSur coco syrup

makes waves in the export

market

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Carina L. Cayon,Southern Mindanao

Today’s issue...

15

Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 Vol. 1 No. 124

Aquino signs General Appropriations Act for 2012 into law

Elaine O. Ratunil, Northern Mindanao

Fires caused by firecrackers rising – BFP

Lorry V. Gabule, Northern Mindanao

DILG-10 holds KM audit for LGRC in NorMin

Mai Gevera Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

DOE conducts Energy Industry Consumers Empowerment confab

Three outstanding R-XI coops to be feted

pbchangco, Central MindanaoCotabato City to receive P25-M from DILG’s LGU Support Fund

Surigao Norte DRRMC braces for Tropical Storm “Sendong” FEAbkilan, Caraga Region

TS Sendong strands passengers in Nasipit port Nora CL Molde, Caraga Region

DOLE-9, LGU-Isabela distribute Kabuhayan starter kits Rene V. Carbayas, Western Mindanao

15 sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal drug violation Michael Vincent A. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

13

29

17

20

21

23

342527

31

33

36

37

18

22

4 Friday, December 16, 2011ONE MINDANAO

DavSur coco syrup makes waves in the export market

Cover Story

MANY AMERICANS may not be aware of it that their favorite pancakes and waffles in restaurants are topped with a healthy syrup made from tuba, or fresh coconut saps,

extracted from coconut trees grown in the Philippines.

by Carina L. Cayon

5 Friday, December 16, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

DavSur coco syrup makes waves in the export market

And that the latest products in the US to adapt to the Philip-pine coco syrup product, a healthy alternative to cane sugar, are the chocolate bars. The syrup topping is organi-cally processed in a small plant located in the middle of a once-barren five-hectare farm, nine ki-lometers from poblacion Bansalan, Davao del Sur. In 2009, the Donnabelle coco syrup was the first coconut sweet-ener in the world to be exported to the US, with ten drums containing 2000 liters of the honey-like prod-uct as the first shipment, accord-ing to its owner Benjamin Lao. Aside from the US, the coco syrup is being sold to Australia. The popularity of the coco syrup is phenomenal in the US, Lao told the Philippine Information Agency, citing increasing demand for it. Shipment now averages 56 drums every 60 days. Lao earns an average gross of P2.5 million every shipment. Less the overhead cost, the profit from the coco syrup contributes much to the earning of his small-scale business firm, the Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. which presently keeps P10 million worth of asset. Apart from pancakes, waf-fles and chocolates, the Donna-

belle coco syrup is being used as sweetener for other food products in restaurant and for industrial and pharmaceutical purposes, both lo-cally and internationally. Aside from the coco syrup, the Lao Integrated Farms also manu-factures the Donnabelle coco sug-ar which is being patronized locally


by the Dragon Recipe Choice and Prangels Snack Inn, both in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The Donnabelle brand is tak-en from names of Lao’s daughters Donna Rosalyn, a nursing graduate and Belle Janine, a BS Psychology student. Both coco sugar and syrup products are also being consigned at the stores of the New City Com-mercial Corporation (NCCC) and Bios Dynamis Foundation in Davao City; and in the major malls in Bo-hol and Samar in the Visayas. Two hospitals in Cebu, the Mt. Blessings and Bio Integrated Health, are supporting and patron-izing the products. These are also displayed at the air-ports. Lao currently maintains an of-

fice in Manila to facilitate market-ing, promotion and to handle or-ders here locally and abroad. Health benefits Organically-processed and with low glycemic index of 35, Lao claimed that coco syrup and sugar are safe for persons with diabetes, hypertension and goes well for the health conscious individuals. The index is a measure of the effect of carbohydrates in the person’s sug-ar level and the tolerable level is below 100. Lao personally attests to the efficacy of the coco sugar, saying that constant use has lowered hy-pertension incidence. His neighbors and other regular users of the coco sugar from the other barangays in Bansalan have also expressed sim-ilar accounts.


“My blood pressure has be-come stable, and I’m not taking medicines anymore,” he said. Lao also discloses that South-ern Philippines Adventist College in Matanao, Davao del Sur is con-ducting a study on the therapeutic benefits of coco sugar and syrup among diabetics and hypertensive persons. Value-addingand organic farming Ten years ago, Lao started improving the five-hectare unpro-ductive land in Barangay Eman, Bansalan, an inheritance from his parents. Starting with goat-raising un-der coconut trees, the farm soon planted with fruit trees, and using organic inputs, including the ma-nure from goats and other farm animals. To this date, the farm is into inter-cropping of various fruit trees, such as rambutan, mangosteen and durian, aside from the coconut trees. Production of coco sugar and syrup products just came in three years ago. It started with a capital of P2,800 and tedious capability-building and transfer training from Mt. Carmel Rural Life Center in Bansalan, North Cotabato. Inspired by the value-adding

concept in the production of coco-nut sap-based products like coco-nut sugar and coconut syrup, Lao also began producing cacao with coconut sugar, ginger brew (sala-bat), and sweet and spicy season-ing.


The Lao Integrated Farms has produced other commercial prod-ucts using coco sugar such as mor-inga tea, mangosteen tea, lemon grass tea, turmeric tea, ginger tea and tawa-tawa tea. The coconut syrup is used in the firm’s guyaba-no product. The business has ventured into ice cream-making with choco-late and durian flavors, and the lat-est with malunggay, all with coco syrup sweetener. In all these activities, Lao said the health benefit and sustainabili-ty of his products are several times enhanced by organic farming prac-tice, proudly stated that he uses in-digenous and biological inputs and control. Apart from saving a lot in terms of inputs, Lao said attractiveness of his products is multiplied in export market if the products are organi-cally produced. “This is why our products are accepted in the US,” he said, say-ing that the US Department of Ag-riculture has, in fact, certified his products as organically produced. Beyond money matters, the farmer-entrepreneur emphasized that organic farming greatly helps in protecting and preserving the environment, and ensuring the sustainability of his production. The farm’s processing plant

technology is also considered en-vironment-friendly, with the Verus-USA issuing the certification that the plant is carbon-neutral. “The trees surrounding the plant have also helped lessen the carbon emis-sion,” he stated. Further, the farm’s seasoning product made of coco sugar and syrup with vinegar is Halal-certi-fied, Lao said. Gawad-Saka Awards

For his steadfast practice and advocacy on organic farming, Lao just received his second national Gawad Saka Award from President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang on December 13 this year. This year’s annual Gawad Saka Award given by the Depart-ment of Agriculture to outstanding farmers in the country cited Lao


the Outstanding Organic Farmer. He also received Presidential tro-phy and citation with a cash prize of P100,000. Lao bagged his first national Gawad Saka award as the Out-standing Coconut Farmer that earned him a P120,000 cash prize. He invested it construction of a mini-processing plant for the coco sugar and coco syrup products. Job generation

The increasing demand of coco syrup in the US, and coco sugar in the local and international markets subsequently called for additional manpower in the farm. When he began producing the coconut sap-based products in the last quarter of 2008, Lao had only a handful of workers, with one cook and two coconut harvesters. With a full blast operation in

2009, the number of personnel rose to 15 - five regular staff and ten harvesters. Since 2010, the farm has 35 employees and 86 co-conut harvesters. Lao said that his coconut har-vesters or toddies are earning be-tween P6,000 to P20,000 a month depending on their harvest. He said the harvester earns per liter of the syrup output from the tuba harvest. “The farm has changed the lives of the coconut toddies here,” he stated, citing the boost of moral and improvement of income that enables the lowly farmers to send their children to school. He added that most of his em-ployees have acquired their own motorcycles. Lao’s additional workforce come from three neighboring farms which the Lao Integrated Farms have leased to augment coconut sap supplies. Lao is now getting the coconut sap supplies from a total of 30 hectares including from his own farm. The present workforce is pro-ducing an average of 600 liters of syrup per day. Aside from the salaries of the regular employees and income for indirect toddies, all the farm’s workers enjoy an equal share from the a 10% net income that Lao dis-


tributes from time to time. Role model in rural development Aside from the Gawad Saka Award and a citation as a farmer-scientist, Lao recently gained recognition from the De-partment of Science and Tech-nology. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo has tossed up Lao In-tegrated Farms to be one of the country’s role models to DOST’s flagship program in countryside development. During a site visit in October this year, Montejo commended the

small-scale enterprise for bring-ing in improvements at the rural areas in this part of the province,


using appropriate technology inno-vations. Montejo said that the farm epitomizes DOST’s countryside de-velopment program as an effective and equitable strategy in realizing President Benigno Aquino’s goal for an inclusive economic growth. He explained that the coun-tryside development covers the program of developing appropri-ate technology, improving existing products to be world-class prod-ucts and generating jobs around the area. He said that the enterprise “clearly exemplifies” this, citing the present employment that the firm

has provided for the rural folks in its surroundings. “The Lao Integrated Farms is a very, very good example,” he stated, adding “It is a perfect mod-el in the middle of the countryside helping people and creating world-class products.” “We hope that the company would permit to become a model of the program,” Montejo said dur-ing his visit to see the impact of the DOST-assisted projects under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The DOST-SETUP provided the Lao Integrated Farms a finan-cial assistance of P660,000 with


no interest and payable for three years. The amount was used to pur-chase double jacketed steel pas-teurizer and rotary dryer project which improved production pro-cess and quality of coconut syrup to comply with the export market standards. “Living in the rural area is not

a hindrance to dream big and strive hard to bring farm products in the export market, and compete glob-ally,” Lao expressed. Lao said he would expand his export market to Germany and oth-er European countries by February next year. He said that negotiations with Japan buyers are going on.


Ceasefire declaration shows government’s sincerity in attaining peace, Palace says

Malacañang expects the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to respond to the government’s declaration of an 18-day holiday ceasefire in the spirit of the

Yuletide season.

14 Friday, December 16, 2011

In a press brief-ing at Malacanang on Friday, Presiden-tial Spokesman Ed-win Lacierda said Thursday’s declara-tion of the ceasefire with the communists shows the Aquino ad-ministration’s sincer-ity in pursuing peace in the country. “It shows our sincerity for the pur-suit of peace that however doesn’t stop us from defend-ing ourselves,” Laci-erda told reporters. “If the soldiers are attacked they will defend themselves. This is a declaration of ceasefire and we would expect in the spirit of the season

for the other side to also declare a cease-fire to allow the reb-els to be with their families at this time,” he said. President Benig-no S. Aquino III de-clared the ceasefire that will take effect Friday, December 16 and ends on January 2 next year. The Chief Executive made the announcement dur-ing an interview af-ter the ceremonial signing of the 2012 Budget at the Agui-naldo State Dining Room in Malacanang on Thursday. “There will be suspension of military operations starting Friday until January

2, on the advice of both the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the De-partment of National Defense,” the Presi-dent said. The President directed the military to suspend their of-fensive operations for the period cov-ered by the cease-fire and be on the defensive mode and just respond if pro-voked. The government panel was instructed by the President to remain focused in pursuing the path to peace towards a just and honorable settle-ment of the decades-old conflict. (AS)


Aquino signs General Appropriations Act for 2012 into law

President Benigno S. Aquino signed into law the P1.8-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2012 in ceremonies held on Thursday in Malacañang.

In the presence of legislators from both Houses led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Bel-

monte by his side and government officials, employees and media, the President signed what he calls the “Re-sults-Focused Budget

of 2012” that aims to allow his administra-tion to fulfill its Social Contract with the Fili-pino people. To achieve this,

16 Friday, December 16, 2011

the President said that the Social Ser-vices sector, will re-ceive 31.3 percent or P568.6-billion of the total budget. “Patuloy po nat-ing binibigyang-prayoridad ang mga serbisyong makapag-aahon sa mga kaba-bayan natin sa kahi-rapan. Nakalaan ang mahigit tatlumpung porsiyento ng pang-kalahatang Budget natin sa Social Ser-vices Sector, na nag-kakahalaga ng 568.6 billion pesos,” the President said. “Bahagi nito ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, na pinaglaanan natin ng 39.5 billion pesos upang maabutan na-tin ng conditional cash transfer ang tatlong milyon sa pinakama-

hihirap na pamily-ang kababayan natin. Katuwang nito, patu-loy tayong nagpupun-dar sa kakayahan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. The President also said that the Ed-ucation sector would receive the largest ap-propriation of P238.8-billion to allow the agency to hire 13,000 teachers and build some 43,000 more classrooms; while the Health sector would receive P44.4-billion to fund the Health In-surance Subsidy for 5.2 million beneficia-ries and hire 13,000 more medical person-nel. The Infrastruc-ture and Agricultural sector, the President

s a i d , would each be allocat-ed P255.2-billion and P53.3-billion, respec-tively, for the construc-tion of roads, bridges, airports, ports and ir-rigation systems; and to ensure the coun-try’s goal to be rice-sufficient by 2013. The President as-sured the Filipino peo-ple that every peso of the National Budget spent would be used wisely. “Ang bawat pi-song ating gugugulin sa susunod na taon ay sisiguruhin nating magdudulot ng kong-kreto at masusukat na resulta na mapapaki-nabangan ng mahihi-rap nating mga kaba-bayan,” the President said. (RCK)


Fires caused by firecrackersrising –-- BFPFires caused by

pyrotechnics are on the rise based on data from the Bureau of

Fire Protection (BFP), according to Superintendent Joselito Cortez, OIC of the Directorate for Operations of the BFP.

by Phres A. Evardone

Cortez said that in 2009, there were 44 re-ported pyrotechnic-re-lated fire incidents. This went up slightly to 50 re-ported cases in 2010. As of October 2011, how-ever, there were already 34 pyrotechnic-related fire incidents reported to the fire bureau. With preparations for the New Year’s Eve celebration coming at

full throttle, Cortez said this year’s pyrotechnic-related fires may exceed the 2010 level. To stem this up-ward trend, the BFP spearheaded the cam-paign dubbed “Oplan Paalala,” a fire safety awareness and preven-tion information drive nationwide. The said campaign will have BFP personnel

going around commu-nities to explain safety tips, using a public ad-dress system. Cortez was the guest at the program “Talking Points” aired over People’s Television (PTV-4) and Radyo ng Bayan, and sponsored by the Presidential Com-munications Operations Office and the Philippine Information Agency.


Recognition of partner-agencies highlights Pag-IBIG Fund Coordinators Conferenceby Apipa BagumbaranAgencies who were

supportive to the programs and projects

of the Home Development Mutual Fund, otherwise known as the Pag-IBIG Fund, were given plaques of recognition by the Pag-IBIG Fund - Cagayan de Oro Branch.

The awarding highlighted the Fund Coordinator’s (FC) Club Conference on December 15, 2011 at Pearlmont Inn in Limketkai Drive, this city. Awarded are the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

(POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for their assistance in the registration of the Filipino Overseas Contract Workers, and the Landbank of the Philippines, Velez branch, for helping improve

the Fund’s services thru its Cash Card system. The Philippine Information Agency, region 10, also received an award for its communication support during the


Recognition of partner-agencies highlights Pag-IBIG Fund Coordinators Conference

conduct of Pabahay Caravan last September 26-27, 2011 at Dynasty Court Hotel, here. The caravan was the 10th of the series of housing events organized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and its attached agencies, including the Pag-IBIG Fund, aimed at reorienting local government units on the various government housing programs available. Other awardees are the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National

Economic Research and Assistance Center (NERBAC) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), as well as, the city government of Valencia and the municipal government of Gitagum. Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch Department Manager III Juliano Banghal, said updates on the latest programs implemented by the Fund was also be tackled during the FC club conference. These include the online registration for employers and members, LandBank cash card and e-collection, among other programs and services. The FC Club conference is part of the many activities lined-up during the month-long celebration of Pag-IBIG Fund 31st anniversary.


DILG-10 holds KM audit for LGRC in NorMinby Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – Identifying valid interventions to strengthen the Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC), baseline information on how knowledge management (KM) is important.

Thus said Euly Q. Enrique of Local Government Academy (LGA) during the conduct of an Orientation Workshop on KM Audit for Local Governance Resource Center (LGRC)-10, Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10. Pablio L. Benitez, DILG-LGSD, Northern Mindanao said the LGRC is a dynamic, interactive and virtual program that contributes to building DILG as a knowledge centric organization or KCO and builds learning communities that pursue local governance excellence through knowledge sharing and innovation. Benitez further said the LGRC is based on the belief that there is no monopoly of knowledge and that information should be shared and used to promote efficiency, effectiveness, learning and innovation in local governance.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Nilo P. Castañares, DILG-10 said the results of the audit based on the workshop output will provide the current state of LGRC’s operation and will direct the kind of interventions that would strengthen the operation of the Center. LGRC basically has a reservoir of books, manuals, documents and an interactive library on local governance, administration, national programs and best practices of various local government units for reference and perusal by students, academe, local officials and the civil society.


DOE conducts Energy Industry Consumers Empowerment confabby Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte — The Department of Energy (DOE)-Mindanao Field Office (MFO) has organized and sponsored the Energy Industry Consumers Empowerment Seminar in selected cities in Mindanao, including Iligan City, December 12.

The activity was in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Lanao del Norte Provincial Office. We conceptualized the activity based on the key policy area of the national government which underscores “Energy Access for More” as the guiding vision to mainstream access of the greater majority to reliable and affordable energy services, said Edmar A. Derla, assistant chief, Energy Inspection and Monitoring Division, DOE-MFO, who represented Director Manuel M. Llaneza, DOE-MFO, based in Davao City. In celebration of the National Energy Consciousness Month in December, DOE has attuned and harmonized the (topic) presentations with the chosen theme, “Bright Now! Do Bright, Do Right,” which is aimed at empowering and enhancing the level of awareness and consciousness of the consumers on the different energy services. Speakers presented and discussed the household energy conservation and efficiency tips; fuel safety and ‘tipid’ tips; salient rules and regulations of DOE and DTI; Basic Consumer Rights and Responsibilities; updates on Mindanao power situation, including pertinent issues and concerns that are currently confronting the energy industry.

We would like to challenge the industry players, being one of the prime movers of the economy to adhere to government rules and regulations and maintain good business practices that ensures the safety and welfare of your customers/consumers, said Derla. He expressed we wish to have this year’s celebration to become instrumental in increasing the consciousness and vigilance of the consumers as well as the industry stakeholders on the different energy services, and likewise helps the government in its drive towards its efforts of attaining energy security and self sufficiency that will ensure a stable and dynamic economy. Further, he said “We also hope that through this seminar, we would be leading you towards a more bright future by adopting “Energy Conservation and Efficiency, A Way of Life.” We really appreciate the response from the non-government organizations, plant industries, gasoline station owners, professionals group, government line agencies, and the local government units, this city and from the province, by way of sending their representatives for this purpose, Derla said. “Let us join our hands and support in establishing a brighter and flourishing energy industry,” Derla concluded.


Tagum City distributes school furniture in IGACOS

City of Tagum Mayor Rey T. Uy spent the whole day of

December 13, 2011 touring dif-ferent public elementary and sec-ondary schools here to distribute 952 pieces of school furniture, the biggest ever number so far to be distributed in just one day. Aside from being the big-gest, this is also considered to be the most dramatic distribu-tion yet judging by the quality of the school armchairs used by students in an annex school in Kaputian District. In Diosdado Alorro, Sr. High

School, twin sister of Kaputian National High School , students lament over the poor condition of their armchairs which their par-ents made from materials such as used plywood, coconut lumber or big branches of trees - and it comes in different sizes. Leslie Ann G. Ecarma, the school’s student council presi-dent, could only sigh. “We have no other choice but to make use of our armchairs. We are very thankful to Mayor Uy and to all of those who helped in delivering these armchairs to our school. At last, we really can concentrate on our studies,” she said in vernacular, smiling. Ecarma further stressed that the yellow color painted on the school furniture impressed her. “It’s cool to the eye.” From color blue, Mayor Uy ordered that new armchairs should be painted yellow to add brightness inside the


classroom, especially in dark class-rooms in the provinces. The local chief executive has been advocat-ing that DepEd should change the color of its desks armchairs from brown to yellow, a thing he hopes Sec. Armin Luistro could consider. Before proceeding to the dif-ferent schools, Mayor Uy briefly met with Mayor Ananio P. Antalan at IGACOS City Hall where the lat-ter expressed gratitude for Tagum’s “borderless public service.” Mayor Uy’s team which includes Vice Mayor Al David Uy, IGACOS Federation Association of Barangay

Captain President Vincent Florien-do and City Administrator Cleto B. Gales, Jr. and the Tagum City Asse-sor’s Chief Alfredo H. Silawan, also went to Adecor Elementary School , Tagbintan-ag Elementary School , Aundanao Elementary School and Samal National High School . As of this writing, more than 12,000 pieces of school furniture fabricated by LGU Tagum from con-fiscated hot logs were already dis-tributed to the schools in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley , Davao del Sur and Davao City . (by Louie Lapat/Edwin of CIO – Tagum)

Three outstanding R-XI coops to be fetedby Mai Gevera MacapagatDAVAO CITY – Three cooperatives in the Davao Region are set to be given the FOCCUS Gold Achieve-ment Award as they elevated one notch higher from silver to gold status. Obtaining higher level of in-dicators set by FOCCUS or the Fi-nance Organizations achieving Cer-tified Credit Union Standards, the Samal Island Multi-Purpose Coop-erative, Tagum Cooperative, and Panabo Multi-Purpose Cooperative are the three that have passed the stringent standards set by the FO-CCUS trademark. “ These cooperatives have achieved more strict quantitative and qualitative international Pru-dential Standards in its operations. This is a guarantee that these coop-eratives are safe, sound, and sus-

tainable.”, said FOCCUS executive director Rhoda Pillerin. Several cooperatives will also be receiving a renewed brand rec-ognition namely: USPD Savings and Credit Cooperative, Pantukan Chess Club Cooperative, Nabunturan In-tegrated Cooperative, Mediatrix Multi-Purpose, Kapalong Coopera-tive, First Community Cooperative, Bansalan Cooperative Society, and Agdao Multi-Purpose. This recognition signifies that these cooperatives have main-tained the International Predential Standards for 2010-2011. FOCCUS is a brand awarded by the Model Cooperative Network (MCN) to cooperatives attesting to the financial organization’s accom-plishment of the Model Coopera-tive Building (MCB) guidelines and


International Prudential Stan-dards. Achieving these standards in-dicate that a FOCCUS cooperative is financially stable, able to safe-guard its member’s money and will be sustainable in the years to come. FOCCUS has accredited a total of 14 cooperatives that bring this trademark. FOCCUS started as a project of the USAID and is now be-ing sustained by the member FOC-CUS cooperatives. Unique in Davao and in Mind-anao, some cooperative leaders in Manila and Cebu are eyeing to rep-licate this trademark or branding system in their areas seeing the progress exhibited by the member cooperatives. Antonio Apique of the Samal Island Multi-Purpose Cooperative narrated that the cooperative’s as-

set was just below P10 million be-fore it became a FOCCUS-accred-ited. In less than seven year, the cooperative became and awarded as century cooperative in Davao del Norte. “ Right now, we are operat-ing on a P250 million asset. Having complied and followed the stan-dards set by FOCCUS has really contributed to the growth of the cooperative.”, Apique said.The cooperative has invested in two gasoline stations in Samal and has intensified and strengthened its lending mechanism to help its members. Apique enjoins other coop-eratives in the region to affiliate themselves to FOCCUS so as to experience a similar growth that these member cooperatives have undergone and achieved this far. (Mai Gevera-Macapagat)

regional gallery

An abaca farmer in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur (photo from Hedcor pr)


Authorities stop transport of 75 sacks of gold oreby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Personnel of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) of South Cotabato have seized 75 sacks of gold ore illegally transported from mineral-rich Barangay Kematu in T’boli town on Tuesday.


Engr. Siegfred Flavia-no, acting provincial en-vironment management officer said, the ore were sequestered at the PEMO checkpoint in Ke-matu around 6:00 p.m. on December 13 after those who transported the materials failed to present ore transport permit and delivery re-ceipts. He said they have already identified the name of the suspected owner of the confiscated ore but refused to dis-close the identity of the suspect pending inves-tigation. “Aside from these we have also confiscated a total of 10 sacks of gold ore transported via motorcycles in the re-

cent weeks,” Flaviano added. PEMO has intensi-fied monitoring of il-legal transport of ore from the mining areas in T’boli some tunnels there were re-opened following issuance of permit by the provin-cial government. On October 27, the provincial government padlocked about 300 tunnels in the Minahan ng Bayan in T’boli af-ter they failed to secure permits to operate from the provincial govern-ment. On November 15, at least 50 tunnels were allowed to oper-ate again after they have complied with the requirements. Along with the re-

opening of the mining tunnels, South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. has also ordered strict monitoring of the mining activities in the area. “We have installed two checkpoints, one at the Poblacion and another at the mining village’s xit point,” he said. “Gov. Pingoy has even prom-ised to install CCTV camera in the area to further ensure that ille-gal transport of ore from the area is curtailed.”Flaviano said, the 85 sacks of ore confiscat-ed from T’boli, along with 92 sacks of gold ore recently confiscated from Tampakan town, are stored in PEMO’s stock room. “We are coordinating with the provincial legal officer and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the possi-bility of processing the confiscated ore and sell-ing them in favor of the provincial government,” he said. He explained South Cotabato’s provincial


board has yet to pass a resolution regarding disposition of seized ore. According to esti-mates, Flaviano said, the provincial gov-ernment could earn around P3 million from the 92 sacks of gold ore from Tampakan if these are processed

and sold. Flaviano added, since their issuance of per-mits to operate in November and imple-mentation of stricter monitoring of the area, their office has been “flooded” with appli-cations for permits to operate. The number of ap-

plications to run ball mills has also increased after Gov. Pingoy or-dered dismantling of il-legal gold ore proces-sors in the area. Pingoy has given ball mill operators in mining areas until January 15 to secure permits from the provincial govern-ment, Flaviano said.

Cotabato City to receive P25-M from DILG’s LGU Support FundCOTABATO CITY - The city government is expecting the release this month of the P25-million allocation under the LGU Support Fund (LSF) of the De-partment of Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to Cotabato City Administrator Cynthia Sayadi.


Sayadi said, the amount forms part of DILG’s LGU Support Fund to all local gov-ernment units through-out the country for the implementation of projects and programs to boost development initiatives of LGUs. The P25 million support fund, Sayadi said is a big help for the implementation of various projects cit-

ing the reduction of the city’s Internal Rev-enue Allotment (IRA) by more than P23 mil-lion starting 2012 due to the creation of 16 new cities and towns in various parts of the country. She, however, said that so as not to hamper the implemen-tation of various proj-ects and programs, the city government

is geared towards in-tensified tax collection campaign and explore other possible sources of revenue. The fund will be used to fund projects including evacuation center, rehabilitation of the city plaza, disas-ter equipment, hous-ing, slaughter house among others, Sayadi said. (pbchangco)

Gov. Pingoy hiniling ang suporta ng opisyal ng barangay, SK laban sa iligal na droga KORONADAL CITY -- Hiniling ni South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. sa mga opisyal ng barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan sa buong lala-wigan ang kanilang aktibong pakikilahok sa laban ng pamahalaang panla-lawigan sa iligal na droga.

Partikular na hiningi ni Gov. Pingoy sa mga opisyal na tulungan si-lang tustusan ang pag-sasanay ng mga Drug Abuse Resistance Educa-tion (DARE) officers. Ginawa ng guber-nador ang panawagan sa year-end evaluation ng Provincial Anti- Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) kahapon. Paliwanag ni Gov. Pingoy, mayroon lamang tatlong aktibong DARE

officers ang South Cota-bato na nagsasagawa ng anti-illegal drugs educa-tion sa mga mag-aaral sa Grade 5 at Grade 6, tig-iisa sa mga bayan ng Tupi at Tantangan at sa lungsod ng Koronadal. Limitado na rin ang bilang ng mga mag-aaral na pinalalahok sa education sessions dahil kulang na rin ang mga workbooks na maaring magamit sa programa. Binigyang-diin ni

Gov. Pingoy na kung mag-bibigay ng tig-P1,000 ang bawat isa sa 199 na barangay sa SK sa buong lalawigan, mala-ki ang maitutulong na magkakaroon ng DARE officers sa labing-isang LGU South Cotabato. Kung mangyayari ito, mas maraming ka-bataan ang maliliwan-agan hinggil sa usap-in ng iligal na droga, ayon kay Gov. Pingoy. (DEDoguiles)


Gov. Pingoy hiniling ang suporta ng opisyal ng barangay, SK laban sa iligal na droga

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

Caraga Region is ready for tropical storm “Sendong” – DRRMC by Robert E. Roperos

The region’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) is ready for typhoon “Sendong” which is expected to make landfall this afternoon.”


This was the as-surance made by Of-fice of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga Opera-tions Chief Amado Po-sas in a radio interview this morning. He said public stakeholders are aware of their respon-sibilities in times of ca-lamities and disasters. “With the series of trainings and disaster preparedness seminars they have attended, I am sure that they al-ready know their re-sponsibilities when ca-lamities and disasters happen,” Posas said in

Cebuano dialect. Posas also said the local chief executives in all the provinces in the region have been coordinating with their office to give the lat-est updates of typhoon Sendong. Water level in all rivers and other water systems, as well as landslide-prone ar-eas have been also monitored. “Kadtong mga ta-ong nagpuyo labi na duol sa water systems, magbantay sa kanunay. Kung adunay ilang ma-matikdan nga pagtubo

sa tubig, mubalhin na dayon sa labing safetly nga lugar,” Posas said. (Those who are living near water sys-tems must be watch-ful at all times. If wa-ter level is rising, they must leave the area and secure to a safer place.) The official also advised fishermen to temporarily cancel fish-ing activities while the typhoon is approach-ing the coastal areas in Caraga Region this af-ternoon. Travelers are also advised further to postpone the trip. In a related devel-opment, morning flight of Cebu Pacific bound for Metro Manila has been cancelled as of 10 am. Since last night, most parts of the re-gion have been experi-encing continuous light to moderate rains.


SURIGAO CITY – The provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) in the province convened today to prepare for Tropical Storm “Sendong” which is expected to make a landfall early this afternoon over Davao Oriental.

Gov. Sol Matugas, the council chair, called on all Surigaonons to be on alert and urged them to make pre-emp-tive evacuations when necessary particularly those areas vulnerable to flooding and land-

slides. She also called on the municipal and ba-rangay officials to take precautionary measures on the possible effects of the typhoon in their respective localities. The entire province in-

cluding Siargao Island is now placed under signal number 2. PDDRMC Action Of-ficer Engr. Marilyn Pono said that as of press time, they have not yet received any report on flooding and landslide in

Surigao Norte DRRMC braces for Tropical Storm “Sendong”by FEAbkilan


the municipalities. “But we have al-ready alerted the local DRRMCs since yester-day to give us updates in their respective AORs.” Latest report from the Philippine Atmo-spheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PA-GASA) revealed that at least 21 areas in Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Storm Sig-nal No. 2 Friday as trop-ical storm “Sendong” (Washi) has slightly in-

tensified as it moves to-ward Davao Oriental. PAGASA said “Sen-dong” was estimated at 180 km east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 10 a.m. In its 11 a.m. advi-sory, PAGASA said “Sen-dong” packed maximum winds of 75 kph near the center and gusti-ness up to 90 kph. Ar-eas under Storm Signal No. 2 include: Southern Leyte, Bohol, Southern Cebu, Southern Negros and Siquijor Island, Su-

rigao Del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao Del Sur, Dinagat Prov-ince, Agusan Provinces, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Samal Island, Lanao Provinces, Mis-amis Provinces, Zam-boanga Provinces, North Cotabato, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Cami-guin and Maguindanao. Meanwhile, 16 ar-eas were also placed under Storm Signal No. 1. They include: Pala-wan including Cuyo Is-land, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, North-ern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Northern Negros, Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, and Guimaras Province, Davao Del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sa-rangani Province, and Basilan Province. PAGASA reminded those living in coastal areas to be alert against big waves or storm surg-es generated by “Send-ong.”


Under Storm Signal No. 2, no vessel will be al-lowed to travel. Stranded passengers are being accommodated at the passengers’ port terminal, according to Ar-mando Balbutin, clearing officer of the Nasipit Port, in a radio interview this morning. Meanwhile, PAGASA also warns Agusanons to take precautionary mea-sures as ‘Sendong’ is ex-pected to landfall this af-ternoon.

Likewise, residents in low lying and moun-tainous areas under public storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone. Areas having public storm warning signal no. 2 include: Leyte Provinces, Camotes Island, Bohol, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur,

Dinagat Province, Agusan Provinces, Misamis Orien-tal, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Compos-tela Valley, Samal Island, and Davao Oriental. While the areas of Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Masbate, Samar Provinc-es, Biliran Island, Panay Island, Guimaras, Negros Provinces, Cebu, Siquijor Island, North Cotabato, Northern Davao del Sur, Lanao Provinces, Misamis Occ., Zamboanga Provinc-es are under signal no. 1.

TS Sendong strands passengers in Nasipit port

BUTUAN CITY – As public storm signal no. 2 is raised in Agusan Del Norte, around 100 passengers are stranded at the Nasipit port in Agusan del Norte due tropical storm Sendong.

by Nora CL Molde


piazampen.blogspot.comPIA WeMin Info Blitz [email protected]

After 5 mos. ordeal, kidnapped American free at last

Kevin Eric Lunsmann, the 14-year old Filipino-American, is free at last after 5 months of captivity in the jungles Basilan.

by Michael Vincent Cajulao


After 5 mos. ordeal, kidnapped American free at last

Kevin, was kid-napped with her mother, Gerfa Yeatts-Lunsman, and his cousin Romnick Jakaria last July 12, by armed men hours be-fore their scheduled flight to Manila, back to the U.S. Gerfa, accordingly escaped last October 2, while Romnick also es-caped just last month. According to Lunsmann, he escaped from his captors last Thursday after sens-ing that his kidnappers were not around. He narrated that he ran following a river as his guide, which fortunate-ly led him to the sea. After two days of wandering, some ba-rangay officials of Bul-ingan, in Lamitan City, Basilan spotted him. But Kevin ran for fear that those people are also

kidnappers. The ba-rangay officials chased him and explained to him that they are going to help him. Kevin was then fetched by local police and was turned over to the 32nd Infantry Bat-talion of the Philippine Army before he was brought to the 104th Brigade in Tabiawan, Isabela City. Lamitan City May-or Roderick Furigay and Zamboanga City Police Chief Col. Edwin De Ocampo immediately went to fetch Kevin. As a protocol, Kev-in underwent a medi-cal check-up before he was airlifted to Zam-boanga City, and was again checked up upon arrival at Western Min-danao Command Head-quarters. Attending Physician Supt. Dexter

Bubuli of the Philippine National Police IX found Kevin in good health with a few bruises on his elbows and legs. It was not clear whether the Lunsmanns paid ransom, but local authorities earlier said that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the Phil-ippines Harry Thomas extended his gratitude to the Philippine gov-ernment for the tireless efforts in recovering Lunsmann to safety. He, however, stressed that the es-cape of Lunsmann is not the end of the case. He said the U.S. government is look-ing for the speedy in-vestigation of the case and prosecution of all involved. (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)


Turned over to the beneficiaries were equip-ment, tools, utensils, and paraphernalia needed by the latter to start a liveli-hood activity. Isabela City mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar reminded beneficiaries to value and to take good care of the things and livelihood that was given to them. “I wish that we val-ue what was given to us,

especially the support that we acquired from DOLE to start a livelihood for ourselves, given the limited resources of the city,” Mayor Akbar said, addressing the benefi-ciaries as she thanked DOLE-9 for the assis-tance. Wesley Tan, head of DOLE Isabela City said there are 78 beneficia-ries in the city where 60 individuals are from the

regular program of the Kabuhayan starter kit and 18 are people with disabilities (PWD). The number was intended to commemorate the 78th founding anniversary of DOLE this year. He told beneficiaries that “it is in their hands” and all now depends on them and their passion to grow their business and the livelihood assistance given to them by DOLE.

DOLE-9, LGU-Isabela distribute Kabuhayan starter kitsISABELA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment in Region-IX and the local government unit of Isabela City recently distributed Kabuhayan starter kits to some 78 beneficiaries in the city.

by Rene V. Carbayas


Moreover, Tan said that a turnever of cheque in the amount of P201,750,00 was also released to the Kasambuhan As-sociation of fisher folks with Alternative Center for Organizational Re-forms and Development (ACORD), Inc. as its conduit and or accred-ited co-partner. DOLE-IX Region-al Director Ponciano M. Ligutom said that the unemployment prob-lems of Basilan and Isa-bela City in particular is spurned out of the chal-lenges of the peace and order condition, saying that without peace there will be no investments, and therefore, no jobs. Thus, he said “the option

is self-employment.” The assistance giv-en to fisher folks is part of DOLE’s commitment to provide employment and livelihood assistance to be funded under the DOLE Integrated Liveli-hood Program (DILP)—Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement of the Fisher Folk (ISLA) designed to assist the fisher folks in making their existing livelihood undertakings grow into viable and sustainable business, thus improv-ing their income to a level at par with that of the minimum wage earners. Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Gemma Paculio for People with

Disabilities (PWDs), Jau-jan Emlan for Kasambu-han association of fisher folks, and Jenny Cruz for regular starter kit pro-gram—all thanked the DOLE for the assistance acquired. Paculio challenged her fellow PWDs to prove to= DOLE that “we are worthy to receive the livelihood assistance given to us” and hope that the next help that DOLE can provide is al-ready employment for the handicapped per-sons, whom she believes has the skills worthy of a job at par with the rest of “normal” individuals. (JPA/ RVC/PIA9-ZB-ST)

15 sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal drug violationby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Fifteen persons were sentenced to life imprisonment for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency IX Regional Director Adzhar Albani said.


This was the result of the 19 convictions scored by the agency as it intensifies its campaign against illegal drug, as ordered by President Benigno Aquino III. According to Alba-ni, most of the suspects violated Section 5 of RA 9165, stating that “the sale, trading, adminis-tration, dispensation,

delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs, con-trolled precursors, and essential chemicals” is punishable with life im-prisonment. The sus-pects are also liable for violating Section 11, or illegal drug possession, also punishable with life imprisonment, Albani added. Dir. Albani proudly said that his office has the highest number of cases filed nationwide, resulting to convictions. “Dito, may convic-tions tayo, at hindi ito gaya ng dati”, pointing to the 15 sentenced vio-lators.

Albani lauded their part-nership with the court for this success. “The office attained several convictions be-cause of compliance with the procedure. Be-fore the court hearing, we meet with the fiscals to further strengthen our case. We comply with the requirements of the law”, Albani stressed. To ensure continu-ous success against il-legal drugs, Albani also said that his office will file charges against law enforcers who neglect drug-related cases han-dled by them. (JPA/MVC/PIA-ZBST)

mang1pinoy.wordpress.com

Documents

One Mindanao - December 16, 2011