One Mindanao - December 3, 2012

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao

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

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

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

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

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Adviser :

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover Story

Important Things to Know About Illegal Recruitment

Dani DoguilesCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue... Monday, December 3, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 75

page 4

Alcala confident PHL fisheries to rebound in 2013 12

David M. Suyao, Caraga Region

Caraga RDC passes resolution to include the DOJ and PCA as members of the PICO21DAR participates in PDRRM contingency planning for Surigao del Sur22 Myra Q. Yu, DAR-SDS, Caraga Region

DA 12 fast tracks livestock reporting system

DOH 12 notes 45% increase in dengue cases

Shahana Joy Duerme , Central Mindanao

Mindanao communicators convenes in Davao City 26 Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

Mindanao Communicators push 12 resolu-tions during confab Jeanevive Abangan, Southern Mindanao

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Pops Gumana Fruytlan, Central Mindanao

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CdeO inks pact with DOST, PAG-ASA for flood control centerAPD/CdeOSP, Northern Region32SP declares Dec 17 as day of mourning, remembrance in CdeO LCR/CdeOSP, Northern Region

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Monday, December 3, 20124

Sessions on the first day wereparticipatedinbyprosecutorsandlawenforcementofficerwhiletheseconddaywasintendedformembersofthemediainKoronadalCityandneighboringplacesaswellaslocalgovernmentofficialsandnon-governmentorganizations. Thelasttwodayswerespenttravelingtoschoolsacrosstheregion,specifically in the cities of Cotabato,Tacurong,KoronadalandGeneralSantos,toreachoutandeducateespeciallythegraduatingcollegestudentsandpreparethemagainsttheillegalrecruiters. Followingaresomeoftheimportantpoints repeatedly underlined in thecampaign.

What constitutes illegal recruitment? Sectoin6ofRepublicAct10022,anact amending RepublicAct 8042,otherwiseknownasTheMigrantWorkersand Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995says:“Illegalrecruitmentshallmeananyactofcanvassing,enlisting,contracting,transporting,utilizing,hiring,orprocuringworkersand includesreferring,contractservices, promising or advertising foremployment abroad, whether for profitornot,whenundertakenbynon-licenseeornon-holderofauthoritycontemplatedunderArticle13(f)ofPresidentialDecree

Important Things to Know About Illegal Recruitment

Very recently, a team of legal officers

from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) visited Koronadal City for a four-day campaign against illegal recruitment and trafficking in person.

by Dani Doguiles

Monday, December 3, 2012 5

No.442,asamended,otherwiseknownas the Labor Code of the Philippines:Provided, That any such non-licenseeor non-holder who, in any manner,offersorpromisesforafeeemploymentabroadtotwoormorepersonsshallbedeemed so engaged. It shalllikewise include the followingacts,whethercommittedbyanyperson,whetheranon-licensee,non-holder,licenseeorholderofauthority.” “Illegal recruitment existsalonglegalmigrationandmaybeperpetratedbyanon-licensedorlicensedagency,”alegalofficerfromPOEAinRegion11said. “Illegalrecruitersmayeventakeadvantageofanannouncedvacancy to dupe applicants,” shewarned. How Do They Recruit Victims? Handouts distributed at theseconferences defined the commonmodusoperandiofillegalrecruiters. 1.TouristWorkerScheme.Thisis one of themost common meansthatillegalrecruitersemployswherevictims leavethecountry inaguiseatouristsbutareactuallylivingforemploymentabroad.Thisschemeisusually resorted to inorder tosupplymanpowerrequirementsbyblacklistedandnotoriousforeignemployers.

2. EscortS e r v i c e s .Workers are“escorted”attheairportsandseaportsandallowedtoleaveevenwithoutther e q u i r e d

t r a v e ldocuments. 3.BackdoorExits.Workersleavethroughthesouthernportsofexitwhereimmigrationcontrolislax.Theareusuallytransportedonboardcargoshipsoronboats. 4.AssumedIdentity.Workersleaveunder another name or an assumedidentity. They obtain passports usingbirthcertificatesandotherdocumentsbelongingtootherpersons.Minorsareusuallydeployedthroughthisscheme. 5. Student-worker Scheme.Workersarerecruitedanddeployedasstudents under a traineeship programforhotels,hospitals,andotherbusinessestablishments abroad but eventually


land jobs in the host country underexploitative/substandardconditions. 6. Reprocessing “repro” throughtie-up.Unlicensedrecruiterstie-upwithlicensedagencies to recruit workers.Worker’s documents are processedusingthejoborderofalicensedagencyfor non-existent work, work differentfromactualoverseaswork,orworkwithdifferentemployer,whetherregisteredornotwiththePOEA. 7.VisaAssistanceorImmigrationConsultancyScheme.Entitiesoperatingundertheguiseofconsultancyorofferingservicesforvisafacilitationareactuallyengaged in recruitment by offeringplacement abroad on immigrant visa.Somealsooperatethroughtheconductoforientationseminarswhichareactuallyrecruitmentactivities. 8.IrregularDirectHiring.Workersarerecruitedthroughdirecthiringbythe foreign employer without passingthrough the POEA processing, and adeployedeitherasatouristorthroughillegalmeans. 9.Non-VisaCountry.Workersareenticedtoworkincountriesthatdonot require visa, particularly ASEANcountries.Althoughworkingvisasmaybeissueduponreachingthejobsite,theemploymentconditionsareinferiorandexploitativeorsubstandard. 10. Camouflaged participants/representatives in seminars/sportsevents.Workersleaveasparticipantsin

seminars, sportsevents,entourageinconcertsabroadbut actually intend to work in hostcountries. 11.MailOrderBride. Marriage isarranged by brokers between Filipinowomen and foreigners. The Filipinowife ends up as domestic helper tohis husband and his family or beingexploited. 12.BlindAds. Advertisement foroverseasemploymentpublishedinthedailiesdonotindicatethenameoftherecruiterbutprovidesaP.O.Boxtowhichtheapplicationsmaybesubmitted.P.O.Box addresses areusually leased byillegalrecruitersusingfictitiousnamesinordertoavoidprosecutors. 13.ByCorrespondence.Interestedapplicantsareencouragedtosubmittherequirementsforapplicationthroughthemail togetherwithaseeminglyminimalfee. 14.Internetscam.Lately,illegalrecruiters use the internet to solicitapplicants,askingthelattertotosendmoneytotravel agenciessupposedlyarrangingthetraveldocument.Othersusemobilephones,emails,andsimilarmeans. Usually, illegal recruiters arepromptatrequiringplacementfeesorsimilarpaymentswithoutissuingofficialreceipts,promiseimmediatedeployment,


requiremedicalexaminationortrainingwithoutclearemployerorcontract. Mostoftentheytransactinpublicplacesinsteadofanoffice,gohouse-to-housetorecruitapplicants,donotgivesomuchinformationaboutthesupposedjobbutclaimtobeindirectcontactwiththe employer but advises themnot togo to POEA. Theymay also promiseimmediate deployment but under atourist or visit visa but cannot showemploymentcontractorworkingvisa. Theywouldalsoclaimtheyarefrom legitimate agencies but are notlistedwithPOEAorclaimtobeconnectedwitha travelagency or trainingcenterthatcandeployworkersabroad.Theywould usually ask new recruits torecruitothers. Usually,theywouldnotdisclosesufficient information about theirnames,address,andothers.Theywouldalso promise to personally facilitatedocumentation with POEA to processandgetexitclearance. What To Do? Thus, to avoid beingvictimizedbyillegalrecruiters,thePOEAadvisesapplicationsnottoapplyonlyinagencieslicensedwithPOEAandnottodealwithagencieswithout approved job orders nortransactwithanypersonwhoisnotanauthorizedrepresentativeof

anagency. Applicantsshould alsonottransactoutsideoftheregisteredaddress of the agency. If recruitmentis done in theprovinceor townsor injobfairs,theymaycheckiftheyhaveSpecial Recruitment Authority or JobsFairAuthority. Placementfeesshouldbeequaltoonemonthsalary only,anyamounthigherisnotallowed.Also,noplacementfeesarerequiredfordomesticworkers,seafarers,andcountriesthatprohibitthe charging of such fees. Placementfeesshouldalsobeissuedwithofficialreceiptsatalltimes. Furthermore, they should notbe fooled byattractive joboffers viatheinternetnorbeenticedbyadsorbrochuresrequiringapplicantstoreplyto a P.OBox and to enclose certainamountasplacementfee. Importantly, they should neveracceptoverseasjobsusingtouristor

visitvisa.

8 Monday, December 3, 2012

ACROSS THE NATIONGovernment says the most effective means to fight HIV is by actively raising awareness about the disease

The most effective way to fight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the Philippines is by actively raising awareness about the disease, Malacanang said last Saturday as

the world observes the World AIDS Day.“In the observance ofWorld AIDS

Day, ang importante sa atin is ‘yungimpormasyon.Kasi,kungtutuusinpo,wearealreadyintheinformationage,”

Deputy Presidential SpokespersonAbigailValtesaid inaradio interviewover government-run radio stationdzRBRadyongBayan.


Government says the most effective means to fight HIV is by actively raising awareness about the disease

“Importante na lahat tayomerongsapat at tamang impormasyon kungpaano maiiwasan na makakuha ngganitong klaseng sakit at nandiyanangDOH(DepartmentofHealth)paraibigay‘yungimpormasyonnaito,”sheadded.Based on the latest report issued

bytheDOH,oneout10FilipinoshasHIV.Healthexpertswerealarmedbythe

risingnumberofHIVinfectionsinthePhilippines describing it as “fast andfurious.”Theyurgedthegovernmenttoaddressthecountry’sHIVepidemic.StatisticsfromtheDOHshowthat

young people aged 20 to 29 are athigherrisksofHIVinfection.In 1988, the World Health

Organization established the WorldAIDSDay to fight the spread of thedisease whichwas first observed intheearly1980s.The World AIDS Campaign is the

leading international organizationwhich plans and implements theobservance. PND (as)


Alcala confident PHL fisheries to rebound in 2013

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala expressed confidence that the Philippines’ fisheries sector will recover in the first semester of 2013 as government intervention to replenish

fish populations in key marine biodiversity in the country.


Although the Philippine economyregistered a 7.1 percent growth inthe third quarter this year, bestingother Southeast Asian economies,agriculture also fared better in thethirdquarterthaninthefourpreviousquarterswithincreasedriceandcornoutputs but recorded weak in thefisheriessector.Philippine fisheries production has

shrunkovertheyears,withthedeclinehitting0.68percentlowerinthethirdquarter of 2012 compared with therecordinthesameperiodin2011.Municipalfisheriesandaquaculture

productionwentdownby1.52percentand 1.79 percent, respectively. Onlythe commercial fisheries increasedwith2.77percentmoreinoutput.Issuessuchaspollution,overfishing,

environmental degradation, andclimatechangehavenegativeimpactonPhilippinefisheries.Toaddressoverfishing,Alcalasaid

he ordered a “closed season” forsardines, herrings, and mackerelsin the Visayas Sea from November15, 2012 to February 15, 2013, the

fish species’ spawning season, toenable the fish to regenerate andpropagate.

Furthermore, he said, the UnitedStates Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID) and theDepartmentofAgriculture-BureauofFisheriesandAquaticResources(DA-BFAR)alsolaunchedanewprojectthatwill help improve the managementof the country’s marine and coastalresources.The Ecosystems Improved for

Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH)Project is a five-year technicalassistance project designed toprotect and manage eight marinekeybiodiversityareas(MKBAs)inthecountry -- the Calamianes Group ofIslands inPalawan,LingayenGulf inPangasinan,TicaoPass-LagonoyGulf-San Bernardino Strait in Bicol andSamarregion,DanajonDoubleBarrierReef in Bohol and Leyte, SouthernNegrosOccidental,Surigaoprovinces,the Sulu Archipelago and the VerdeIslandPassage inBatangas,andthe


Mindoroarea.ECOFISHaimstoconservebiological

diversity, enhance ecosystemproductivity, and restore profitabilityof fisheries using ecosystem-basedapproaches to create broadersocial, economic and environmentalimpacts.

ThePhilippinescurrentlyranks8thin total fisheries production globally.Recent national stock assessmentreport, however, stated that two-thirdsofthe12majorfishingbaysinthe country are overfished. There isalsoindicationthatthecatchratesofreeffisheriesasamongthelowestin

theworld,partlyduetotheuseofdynamiteandcyanideinfishing.UnderECOFISH,thegovernment

hopes to reverse the trend byestablishing and implementingtechnical training programs,supporting local governments inimprovingmanagementofmunicipalmarine waters, and facilitatingcollaborationbetweengovernments,institutions, and private sectorpartners.Theprojectwillalsoestablishand

enhance inter-municipal governmentalliances,establishanationaltrainingprogram for local and nationalgovernment personnel involved infisheries,undertakeprogramsthatwillresult to increase in fish population,identify opportunities for fishingcommunitiestogainemploymentandimprovetheirlivelihood,andgeneratepublic-private sector partnershipto support sustainable fisheriesmanagement.On the other hand, seaweed

production also went down by 3.95


percentor12,859.28metrictons(MT)asaresultofcontinuousattackofice-icedisease.To pump-prime the country’s

seaweed industry and regain itsdistinctionastheworld’stopseaweedandcarrageenanproducer,Alcalasaidhehasallocatedan initialbudgetofP265millionin2013.Hesaidbulkofthebudgetwillfund

the provision of input assistance toseaweed farmers, consisting mainlyof quality and disease-free seaweedplantletsorpropagules,worthP232.7million.Therestwillbespentforinfrastructure

and post-harvest facilities (P22.3million), and establishment andmaintenance of seaweed nurseries(P8.6million).The DA-BFAR also partnered with

seaweed farmers andother industrystakeholders for the expansion ofseaweedhectarage--fromthecurrent56,600 hectares, which is merely23percentof totalpotential areaof

255,000hectares.OftheP74.1billionproposedbudget

of theDA in2013,AlcalasaidsomeP3.66billionwill beallocated to thefisheriessectortoassistthesectortoenhanceproduction.“With the various government

interventions being implemented tohelpthefisheriessector,itsproductionwill have a ‘positive’ record by thelast quarter of next year,” henoted.(PNA)


24 areas in Mindanao, Visayas under storm warning signal

At least 24 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were placed under storm warning signal Monday.

Stae weather forecaster Samuel Duran said Surigao del Sur and the northern part of Davao Oriental were placed under storm signal no. 2.

These areas are expected to experience 61 to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) winds within the next 24 hours.

Storm signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) is hoisted over Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Dinagat Is., Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,

the rest of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte including Samal Island, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Siquijor, Bohol, Biliran, Camotes Island, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Eastern Samar and Western Samar.

However,Typhoon Pablo has slightly weakened as it moves west northwestward, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical


and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA adivised residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 2 and 1 to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal 2 must be on alert for big waves or storm surges generated by the typhoon.

Duran said that as of 6 a.m. Monday, the eye of typhoon Pablo was located at 645 km southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (6.7°N 132.4°E) with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

Duran said that typhoon Pablo is expected to make landfall in Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur by Tuesday morning around 8 a.m.

After it made landfall, he noted that Pablo is expected to weaken but it will not dissipate and will only move towards Palawan then exit towards the West Philippine Sea by Thursday evening.

The weather agency said those areas within its 600-km diameter are expected to experience rainfall of 20 to 30 millimeters per hour, which is classified as “heavy to intense.”

Duran said it will be rainy in the eastern part of Mindnao and the Visayas by Monday afternoon then on Wednesday or Thursday,

Luzon including Metro Manila will experience rain.

PAGASA said typhoon Pablo is forecast to move west northwest at 24 kph and is expected to be at 175 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Tuesday morning; then 80 km South of Iloilo City by Wednesday morning; and Thursday morning at 280 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City.

PAGASA also warned fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao due to effect of the typhoon.

In its advisory, PAGASA said Surigao Del Sur and the northern part of Davao Oriental will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. Northern Mindanao, the rest of Caraga Region, Davao Del Norte, the rest of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Eastern Visayas, Bohol, Camotes Island and Siquijor will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas.

The regions of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos and CAR will have cloudy skies with light rains while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to north will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas. (PNA)


2,762 more indigent seniors in Region 12 to receive government pensionBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Co-tabato -- Some 2,762 indigent senior citizens in Soccsksargen Region could soon be added to the list of beneficiaries of the government’s social pension, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) 12 said.

Lavinia Bañez, focal person on the social pension program in the region, said they recently received directives from DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman to begin the process of identifying the new set of pensioners in Region 12 as provided by Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens’ Act of 2010.

Section 5 (h) of RA 9994 provides that “indigent


2,762 more indigent seniors in Region 12 to receive government pension

senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to Five hundred pesos (Php500) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens….”

Indigent senior citizens, the Act defines are those elderlies who are frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension or regular source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his/her relatives to support his/her basic

needs.“With this number,

social pension program beneficiaries in Soccsksargen Region would increase to 10,588,” she said.

Bañez explained, identification of the pensioners is based on the results of the 2009 National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

To make sure that the senior citizens are eligible pensioners, she

added, they will conduct assessment, validation, and verification in cooperation with the local government units where they are located.

Region 12 or Soccksargen Region consists of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.

DA 12 fast tracks livestock reporting systemBy Shahana Joy Duerme

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 through the Unified National Insemination Program (UNAIP) gathered provincial and city artificial insemination (AI) coordinators and report offi-cers of local government units (LGUs) in the region for an Electronic Report Training.

The training held recently at General Santos City targets to fast track reporting system and to obtain accurate AI data coming in from the field.

Dr. Paul C. Limson, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry

and UNAIP national coordinator said the purpose of the electronic report system is to unify and simplify report systems.

C o n s e q u e n t l y , paper reports will be converted to electronic report system. All analysis uses macros,

special commands in Microsoft excel (MS Excel).

On the other hand, the new system uses Breeding Data Input Form designed by the UNAIP.

This would enable uniform filing and submission of reports


by LGU through the Office of the Provincial and City Veterinarian to DA Regional Field Office 12 and to the UNAIP.

Meanwhile, DA 12

Regional Executive Director Amalia J. Datukan emphasized that the training would be an advantage to analyze animal data easily and in detail.

“We need to fast track these data so as to generate accurate details to sustain production support to livestock industry,” Datukan further said.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- The Department of Health (DOH) 12 noted on Tuesday that dengue cases in the region now reached 3,726 from January 1 to November 24 this year; a 45% increase compared to the 2,575 cases for the same period last year.

By Pops Gumana Fruytlan

“Dengue cases reported to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU)

12 revealed that more than half or 53% of the cases were male with Dengue Hemorrhagic

Fever (DHF) or 56% was the most type reported,” DOH 12 information officer Jenny Ventura



explained.In a press conference,

DOH 12 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar called on the public not to be complacent against dengue and to continue with the clean-up campaign to destroy possible breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes.

She also urged parents especially the mothers to take care of their children and not to expose them to mosquitoes by letting them wear “self-protected clothing.”

“We are on the alert level, and we need to be vigilant with our environment,” Convocar

emphasized.Out of the 3,726

dengue cases, the DOH 12 recorded a 1.15% Case Fatality Rate (CFR) in the region or 43 deaths with General Santos City leading the list with 2.5% CFR or 19 fatalities out of the 767 cases.

“North Cotabato recorded 1,235 dengue cases with 13 deaths; Cotabato City has 427 cases with 0 deaths, South Cotabato with 825 cases and 6 deaths, Sarangani province with 269 cases and 4 fatalities; and Sultan Kudarat province with

203 cases and 1 death,” Ventura disclosed.

Convocar said most of the death cases were attributed to the failure of the patients to seek immediate medical attention despite the onset of fever.

“We need to refer our children to the nearest health facility for 2 days of fever, she reiterated.

Meanwhile, Ventura said the health department in the region is conducting weekly monitoring to address the increase since the allowable CFR is only 1%.

“Fighting dengue is a concerted effort and we need the cooperation of the community to do this,” Covocar clarified.

The DOH described “Dengue as a disease caused by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquito.”

“The disease is characterized by headache, fever, muscle and joint pains and skin rashes. In extreme cases, bleeding of the gums and nose may occur.” (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan)


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RCDC, CDA finalize preparations for the ‘Cooperative Advocacy Run’ 2012by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY -- The Regional Cooperative Development Council (RCDC) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) finalized its preparations for the upcoming ‘Cooperative Advocacy Run’ slated December 12, 2012.


RCDC, CDA finalize preparations for the ‘Cooperative Advocacy Run’ 2012

Participants of the fun run willassemble at 4:30 a.m. The run willstartatexactly5a.m.at theFatherSaturnino Urios University (FSUU)GymnasiumandwillendattheAgusandel Norte Provincial Covered Court,ButuanCity. A ‘Hataw’ exercise and shortprogram along with the awardingceremony for the outstandingcooperatives of the year will thenfollowatthevenue. CDA-Caraga Regional DirectorManuela Pelaez said the year 2012ismonumental for cooperatives, notonly locally but internationally. TheUnitedNation,initsResolution64/136hasproclaimedtheyear2012astheInternational Year of Cooperatives(IYC). “With this year’s celebration, itisourfirsttimetoconductafunrun

activityinButuanCity.Wearehopingthat thiswill bewell-participated bythe coop members in the region,government agencies, and privatestakeholders.Noregistrationfeewillbe asked from the participants, it isforfreeandforfun,”Pelaezsaid It is considered one of theways depictinghow the coop sectorconcretizes the theme of the IYC:“Transformative Cooperatives forPeople, Planet, Prosperity andPeace”. “We want to continue thismomentum and to continuouslyadvocatetothepeopletoalsopromotecooperativism,andbeamemberofacoop,”Pelaezadded. Pelaez bared that there arealready160coopsinButuanCitywith50 government agencies who arealreadyactivemembers.

Caraga RDC passes resolution to include the DOJ and PCA as members of the PICOPATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur -- The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) passed a resolution requesting the amendment of Memorandum Circular No. 129 (S. 1991), establishing the Port Integrated Clearance Office (PICO) in all major ports in the country, to include the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as members.

by David M. Suyao


DuringtherecentRDCfullcouncilmeeting here, National EconomicDevelopment Authority (NEDA) Asst.Regional Director Mylah Faye Carinopresentedtheresolutiontohastentheissuanceofcourtordertoopensealedcontainer vans suspected of carryingillegalitems. “Inaddition,theRDCDevelopmentAdministration also proposed theinclusion of the Philippine CoconutAuthority asmember in order to lookafter possible illegal shipment of

naturally grown trees which maybemixed together with coconut lumberin the container vans,” Carino said.“ThepresenceofthePCAinthePICOwouldalsotightenthemonitoringandchecking of the shipment of coconutlumberandseedswithoutpermitfromthePCA,”Carinosaid. Afewmonthsago,millionsworthof logs and flitches were seized inButuanCityalongtheAgusanRiverbytheauthoritiesinButuanCity.

DAR participates in PDRRM contingency planning for Surigao del Surby Myra Q. Yu, DAR-SDS

BUTUAN CITY --The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has participated in the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) Contingency Planning Formulation for Surigao del Sur particularly on flood emergency response held here recently.


DAR participates in PDRRM contingency planning for Surigao del Sur

TheactivitywasconductedafterthePDRRMcouncilfounditnecessaryto address the problems on floodexperiencedinseveralmunicipalities,andtoformulatesolutioninpartnershipwithnationalagencies. According to Pagasa Hinatuan,startingendofOctoberuptomonthof March, Surigao del Sur and therest of the provinces in the regionwillexperiencewetseasonthatmayresulttofloods. AsmemberofthePDRRMcouncil,DAR took part in the contingencyplanningoftheprovincialgovernmentof Surigao del Sur. Through thiscollaboration,theagencyismanifestingits support to the local government

for disaster risk preparedness andresponse. Thetwo-dayworkshopwasalsoparticipated by other provincial andnational government agencies suchas theDepartments of PublicWorksand Highways, Health, Education,Trade & Industry, Provincial HealthOffices (PHO), National IrrigationAdministration (NIA), PhilippinesInformationAgency (PIA),PhilippineNational Police (PNP), ArmedForcesofthePhilippines(AFP),andthePhilRedCross(PRC). Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga Regional Director BlancheGobenciongwastheresourcespeakeroftheevent.


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This year’s theme is “Journeying toward Sustainable Peace in

Mindanao”, fittingly depicting the recent success of the Government

Thousands parade for the 14th Mindanao Week of PeaceBy Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of individuals coming from all sectors in the city showed unity for sustainable peace in Mindanao by participating in the parade conducted recently, officially kicking off this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace -November 29 to December 5.


of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in coming up with a Peace Framework Agreement. The Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), the lead organization of the Week of Peace, issued a statement expressing joy and fulfillment knowing that its peace building activity for the past 14 years is finally bearing fruit and has helped both the national government and the MILF to seriously consider peace, thus, the signing of the peace framework last October 15. Peace Advocate Zamboanga (PAZ) said around 30,000 individuals from the government and private sectors, the academe, and other non-government and civic organizations have earlier signified their support to join the parade.

From its inception in 1997, pioneered by PAZ, Zamboanga City has registered the biggest numbers of participants with 2009 saw a record-breaking 30,000 participants all marching and calling for sustainable and lasting peace in Mindanao. Some foreign media members who covered the event were overwhelmed at the people’s response saying it was the longest parade for peace that they saw. In support to the 14th Mindanao Week of Peace, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat issued Executive Order No. CL 483-2012, an Act Declaring the period of November 29 to December 5, 2012 as Mindanao Week of Peace”, and enjoining all sectors within the city to throw all support and participate in all lined activities.


By Claro A. Lanipa

Mindanao communicators convenes in Davao City

PAGADIAN CITY – Close to 200 public information and relations officers attended the “2012 Mindanao Communicators’ Congress” held at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Lanang, Davao City on November 28-30, 2012.

The gathering is an annual event of the Mindanao Communicators Network Inc. (MINDACOMNET) in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). This year’s theme is “Communicating Mindanao’s Opportunities and Best Practices.” Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio in her welcome message during the opening program read by Robert Alabado, City Planning Officer said the media/ information officers play an important role in this country in delivering accurate messages. “May I ask you to utilize your talents to promote harmony and peace in our region,” Mayor Carpio urged. “Your words are your weapons, therefore, utilize your way with words to promote our Mindanao. Be heralds of good news, highlight the talents and the diversity of Mindanaoans,” the lady Mayor emphasized. “Talk about the beauty of our land, about the works of business and tourism opportunities that abounds

here in the island of promise,” she added. Together, let us do our part to advance peace and development and usher in a better Mindanao for all of us, the city Mayor concluded. On the other hand, Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma in his keynote address said that the biggest opportunities in Mindanao today is “peace”. It is not only peace but peace dividends. Secretary Coloma was referring to the recent signing of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He said leaders around the world, heads of state, hail the signing of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement as a very significant note. “With peace we can open up the bountiful resources of all of Mindanao to as far as Tawi-Tawi. Our nation is very rich in natural and human resources, but there is a lot more to be done,” Coloma said.


Mindanao communicators convenes in Davao City

DAVAO CITY- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has placed the all personnel of the Emergen-cy Response Center Central 911, police, military and all volunteer groups on standby alert in prepa-ration for the onslaught of the tropical storm Pablo. She said these functionaries

are ordered to prepare fifty percent of its personnel to respond to emergency situations brought about by the bad weather.Duterte-Carpio also ordered the barangay functionaries to conduct pre-emptive evacuation to safer grounds once rivers and

Davao Region braces for typhoon Pabloby Joey Dalumpines


other tributaries swell due to heavy downpour. She said barangays vulnerable to flashfloods must monitor the amount of rainfall and be prepared to evacuate the residents it the threat is imminent. “We must be ready to respond even in other parts of the region if the need arises,” she said. Duterte-Carpio said the suspension of classes might be declared as the need arises only on areas affected by floods caused by the swelling of rivers. She said even if the city is away from the path of the storm, still authorities are monitoring the rivers of Calinan, Talomo and Davao and the communities along these tributaries. Governor Arthur Uy of Compostela Valley has ordered the immediate evacuation of all miners and settlers along big rivers in the province. He said displaced families must seek refuge in the nearest

gymnasiums and schools away from the possible disaster areas. “All the mining areas should be evacuated,” Uy said. He identified the rivers of Manat, Batoto and Agusan rivers as highly vulnerable to flashfloods. Uy urged the residents along the river and the shoreline to follow the call of government to vacate dangerous grounds. “We have been warning them as early as Saturday,” Uy said.Governor Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte said his government is prepared to meet any disaster brought about by Typhoon Pablo. He said about one hundred strong volunteers are ready to respond to calamities. Del Rosario said Davao del Norte is prone to flooding since many of its municipalities are under sea level. He said the school authorities have been given the go signal to suspend classes if the situation worsens.

facts and figures

16 the number of typhoons that have visited the country this year, typhoon Pablo being 16th and hopefully the last for the year.


Mindanao Communicators push 12 resolutions during confabby Jeanevive Abangan

DAVAO CITY- The recently con-cluded 2012 Mindanao Communi-cators Congress yielded 12 reso-lutions seeking to institutionalize information offices, to widen net-work and collaboration among communicators, and to thank sup-porters of the event. Presented during the plenary session on the last day of the 3-day congress, the resolutions gave spirit and amplified support towards the realization of this year’s theme, “Communicating Mindanao’s Opportunities and Best Practices.”

The first resolution urges the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass the bill on Freedom of Information or People’s Ownership of Government Information in support of the transparency and good governance program of

President Benigno S. Aquino III. The second resolution requested Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Information to institutionalize the position of Public information officer in various national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and in state universities and colleges. The third resolution requested Senator Honasan II to make


mandatory the position of public information officer in all local government units (LGUs) by amending Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code. The fourth resolution expressed support to the Department of Agriculture in its public advocacy campaign promoting the adoption of Biotechnology in Mindanao while the fifth resolution also supported the public advocacy campaign of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to inform, educate, and communicate the Framework Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Both resolutions 5 and 6 extended thanks and gratitude to co-sponsors such as the Philippine Information Agency through Secretary Sonny Coloma, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) through Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, Provincial Government of Davao del Norte through Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, OPAPP through Secretary Teresita Deles, the Sagittarius Mines, Inc, and Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II for their full support to the holding of the 2012 Mindanao Communicators’ Congress and Workshop. Resolution 7 had the same tone as it extended thanks and gratitude to Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao through General Manager Rouel Guanzon for providing affordable

price and wholesome stay of the participants during the three-day duration of the 2012 Mindanao Communicators Congress and Workshop from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30. Other resolutions presented during the plenary session requested all local government executives in Mindanao to allocate travelling allowance so information officers can annually attend the Communicators’ Congress; sought assurance that members of the Mindanao Communicators Network (MINDACOMNET) would be invited to attend the 2013 Mindanao Development Forum to be organized by the MinDA; requested all government line agencies to send their information officers to the annual MINDACOMNET Congress; sought to extend membership of MINDACOMNET to academic institutions in Mindanao especially those offering Communication degrees; and sought the establishment of MINDACOMNET Facebook account to sustain collaboration among communicators of government line agencies and LGUs. This year’s Mindanao Communicators Congress and Workshop is hosted by the Davao Region with PIA Regional Director Efren F. Elbanbuena at the helm of organizing the event being the concurrent president of the MINDACOMNET.


Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of Project NOAH said during the one-day training of Project NOAH last November 27 that this project is directed locally. This development of tools and high-tech weather forecasting instruments are all aimed to make regional, provincial and city levels accessible to weather information in

their own locality and respond quicker in times of hazards. The specialized map found in NOAH website is localized, to give people the right information at the right time, especially during disasters, Dr. Lagmay emphasized. There are Doppler Radars, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), Automated Rain Gauges and Automated

Cagayan De Oro’s weather update, a click away via Project NOAHby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Residents of Cagayan de Oro can now view and search the city’s weather updates, rainfall probabilities or chances of typhoon in real time through NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment on Hazards) website noah.dost.gov.ph.


CdeO inks pact with DOST, PAG-ASA for flood control centerby APD/CdeOSP

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The local government of Cagayan de Oro City will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) for the establishment of a Flood Forecasting and Warming Center (FFWC) for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. This, after the City Council during its regular session on Nov. 27, approved Ordinance No. 12471-2012 for the purpose.

Under the MOA, the city shall provide the lot for the CDORFFWC, which will serve as the hub for all flood forecasting and warning activities for

Weather Stations in various river basins and key areas in the country to detect potential water levels and rainfall about to come. The DREAM component of NOAH has allotted P1.6 Billion for these automated and advanced technologies. In order to reduce risk of disasters though, an early warning system must be followed said Raymund Ordinario of PAGASA. He explained that the six key elements needed are: technology to detect and monitor hazard; communication systems to alert public; local leaders trained to make right decisions; a public that is educated to react appropriately to warnings; and lastly response protocols such as evacuation plans prior any threat. The mission of various national government agencies, government owned controlled corporations, local government units, tri-media and new

media and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) now is to disseminate information to the public. One of the major components of NOAH is the establishment of mobile information brigade. It has partnered with Smart communications and launched Project NOAH Mobile Application October this year. Registered members are able to report a flood, get information of any typhoon or calamity in the country and view the map itself through an android phone. Project NOAH is the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) response to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III for more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines.


the Cagayan de Oro River Basin and all its tributaries and allied rivers. DOST-10 shall assist in all the activities such as the site survey, hydrographic survey and the conduct of information and education campaign. It shall also assist in the conduct of monitoring and evaluation of the impact of hydrometeorological hazards in the city. PAG-ASA-DOST on the one hand shall design and identify strategic location of the monitoring facilities such as the Automatic Weather

Station, Rain Gauge Stations and Water Level Monitoring Stations and install the monitoring facilities. It shall also provide information packages such as weather, flood and climate flood advisories and bulletins, astronomical information to the city, among others. The project is in line with the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), which is focused on the mitigation of natural disasters to prevent the loss of lives and properties.

SP declares Dec 17 as day of mourning, remembrance in CdeOby LCR/CdeOSP

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Starting this year and every year hence, the city of Cagayan de Oro will commemorate the tropical storm Sendong tragedy, which caused devastation, rendered thousands of families homeless and claimed lives.

The City Council, during its regular session Tuesday, presided over by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas declared Dec. 17 and every year after as a Day of Mourning and Remembrance in the city and authorized the holding of a fitting commemorative program for the purpose. Legislators, likewise, authorized the putting up of markers in the entrance of the different relocation sites established by the city government, engraving the names of the various benevolent donors of such relocation sites. The design, materials, text and

other details including the names of the donors will be approved by Mayor Vicente Emano. City Councilor Ramon Tabor is the proponent of the resolutions. Preparations are now ongoing for the first anniversary of the Sendong calamity. Councilor Alexander Dacer, chair of the executive committee created by Mayor Emano to prepare and implement a fitting program for the commemorative program, said this will be finalized soon.

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One Mindanao - December 3, 2012