One Mindanao - February 13, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

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]

LAYOUT ARTISTS DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

Butuan City Division strengthens inclusive education

1st Cavalry Squadron holds gift giving for poor residents of Tukuran town

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20Davao del Sur provincial government underscores importance of infra projects By: Nilda S. Aniñon

Palace asks for public vigilance after report of country’s first MERS-CoV infection

2015 Palarong Pambansa to highlight peace

DTI warns public on malpractices of vehicle dealers

Gingoog exec cites Pag-IBIG’s “I do, I do” strengthens families

PhilHealth assures DSWD to fast track processing of health benefits of Pantawid Pamilya grantees

By: Marie Joy M. Intong

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By: HTEstacion

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15DSWD, LGU build houses for families in danger zone

By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Jennan E. Montealto

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERNINFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

36 Comval to prepare also for Palarong PambansaBy: Rudolph Ian G. Alama

By: Oliver B. Inodeo

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4 FEBRUARY 13, 2015One Mindanao4 FEBRUARY 13, 2015One Mindanao4

Davao del Sur provincial government underscores importance of infra projects

Some of the projects have started last year covering 46 barangays in 12 municipalities, while several other projects have been completed.

Other towns have yet to receive their slice of budget when provincial funds will be downloaded to local government units.

IN ORDER to enhance relations in many areas through political will, the provincial government of Davao del Sur has intensified its implementation of infrastructure projects benefiting

barangays in Digos City and in the 14 municipalities of the province as well as the newly-created Davao Occidental province.

By: Nilda S. Aniñon

5FEBRUARY 13, 2015 One Mindanao

About eight barangays in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental have been allocated P6.9 million for their various projects. Sarangani town’s six barangays received their share of P8.9 million in the last quarter of 2014. Sarangani island is also one of the five municipalities under the newly-created Davao Occidental province which is still under the administration of Davao del Sur Governor Claude Bautista until 2016. One of the completed projects is the concreting of Tacul-San Isidro Provincial Road in Magsaysay with a project cost of P3.5 million. Another completed road projects are the concreting of Magsaysay-Tacul Road San Isidro Section worth

P300,000 and the concreting of Digos-Capitol Parallel Road Tiguman Section in the amount of P5 million. The Provincial Engineers Office which handles the road projects has also completed the concreting of Padada-Kiblawan (Tanwalang Section Provincial Road) which reached a cost of P5.1 million. Other towns and barangays have yet to receive their budget for infrastructure projects, and some are undergoing document processing such as bidding process that includes the P12.6 million funded under the Special Education Fund. For calendar years 2013- 2014, Barangay Poblacion Dos of Bansalan town gets its share of P3.5 million for the construction of a two-storey Multi-Purpose Building.

Barangay Savoy in the municipality of Matanao has been given P1 million for the construction of a two-storey Multi-Purpose Building. In the municipality of

Magsaysay, multi-purpose buildings

6 FEBRUARY 13, 2015One Mindanao

and health and day care centers amounting to P3.4 Million will be constructed in the barangays of San Isidro, Malongon, Bacungan and Tagaytay. Digos City has been allocated with P800,000 for the construction of a Multi-Purpose Building in barangay Zone 1. Multi-purpose buildings have also been given to the municipalities of Hagonoy with P2 million funding, Padada (P5.3 million); Kiblawan (P8.5 million); Sulop (P13.5 million); and Malalag (P3.4 million). The following towns of Davao Occidental have been provided with Multi-Purpose Building projects: such as Malita (P10 million); Don Marcelino (P8.2 million), Sta. Maria (P10 million) and Jose Abad Santos with P2.5 million funding under the Infrastructure Development Program. Davao del Sur Governor Claude Bautista is also bent on giving the constituents greater access to health care services, and this can be realized when

the proposed mini hospitals be constructed in the near future to also address congestion in the provincial hospital. Some 21 barangays from eight municipalities in the province would soon become fortunate recipients of a P63 million budget for this laudable undertaking. The eight municipalities are Sta. Cruz, Bansalan, Matanao, Magsaysay, Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos. Through these infrastructure efforts, Gov. Bautista is emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation from among local chief executives of the government units in the entire province. The governor believes that true and fruitful developments can only happen when there is concerted effort that paves the way for a transparent, sustainable and fast implementation of programs and projects in Davao del Sur.


MANILA - Malacañang has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow the health advisories of the Department of Health (DOH) on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) after a Filipina nurse from Saudi Arabia tested positive for the disease.

Palace asks for public vigilance after report of country’s first MERS-CoV infection

In a statement issued on Thursday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said 10 individuals have been admitted to the Research Institute

for Tropical Medicine (RITM), six of whom had contact with the nurse during her confinement at a private hospital.


“The laboratory results of the 10 individuals are expected to be released by 10 p.m. today,” he said.

Coloma said that according to the DOH, the nurse afflicted with the MERS-CoV remains in stable condition and doctors at the RITM are continuously monitoring her condition.

The government is intensifying its efforts to prevent the spread of MERS-CoV, he said, adding that 63 of the 224 passengers of Saudi Airlines Flight SV860, which carried the MERS-CoV patient, have been

contacted by the DOH. “Contact tracing is still ongoing to locate the remaining passengers,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). (PCOO/PIA)


Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday that Senator Sergio Osmeña III has filed a counterpart measure to the House

of Representatives resolution pertaining to the passing of the emergency power.

“Ang huli nating nabalitaan hinggil diyan ay nag-file na ang

Palace hopes emergency power to deal with possible power shortage still on track

MANILA - The Palace remains hopeful that the emergency power it has requested from Congress to deal with a possible energy crisis during the summer months is still on track, an official has said.


komite ni Senator Osmeña ng kanilang counterpart measure na itatapat doon sa House resolution,” Coloma said.

According to reports, Senator Osmeña and Senate President Franklin Drilon have introduced a joint resolution that seeks the implementation of the Interruptible Load Program in Luzon.

The House resolution authorizes the President to generate additional energy through the Interruptible Load Program, the fast-tracking of committed projects, and plants for interconnection and rehabilitation.

Asked if the Palace thinks that the emergency power still has a chance to be approved, Coloma said, “Hinihintay pa rin natin ito.”

He said there is still time, considering that the summer season has yet to start.

“Ang alam natin ang summer

season sa ating bansa ay March, April, hanggang May pa nga. Ang regular na kapanahunan sa ating bansa, nag-uumpisa lang naman ang tag-ulan pagkatapos na ng Mayo,” he added.

Power consumption is at its peak during the summer months.

Coloma assured the public that the Department of Energy is working to avert the power shortage.

“Habang hinihintay ang pagkilos ng lehislatura ay ginawa ng ating Department of Energy ang kanilang bahagi sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa pribadong sektor; inihanda ang kanilang partisipasyon sa Interruptible Load Program. Tinututukan din ang status ng mga power plant para maging alerto tayo sa mga possible shutdowns at supply deficiency para matugunan agad ito,” he noted.

Experts have projected a power shortage in the Luzon grid from March to July this year. (PCOO/PND (ag)


PASIG CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, the host for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2015 in Tagum City.

2015 Palarong Pambansa to highlight peace

With the theme, “Breaking borders, Building Peace,” DepEd and the partner LGU aim to highlight the importance of sports and solidarity in pursuing and inculcating peace among young

Filipinos. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that, “Davao del Norte is known not only for promoting peace and development within their region but of the whole of Mindanao.


That is why when people ask, ‘Is it safe to do the games in Mindanao,” we answer, ‘Why not?’” Luistro extended his gratitude and congratulations to the host region and said, “We are pleased that the winner of the bidding, as host for the coming games, had come from Mindanao. We thank the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte for taking charge of Palaro 2015.” The Palarong Pambansa houses thousands of student athletes participating in various sporting events. Host region Davao del Norte will be providing the facilities for the events, the billeting quarters for the sports officials and technical staff, and the transportation of all participants, among other things. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario highlighted the

importance of this competition, not only for the region but for the whole nation. He said, “With this great privilege, comes a big responsibility of advancing both physical and social significance of the national games – particularly in promoting the ideals of harmony, solidarity, and tolerance.” He also mentioned that for the coming national games they will “show the world that sports may be a tool to achieve peace.” DepEd Assistant Secretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary General Tonisito MC Umali, Esq. highlighted the importance of the national games and said, “Napakahalaga nitong Palarong Pambansa 2015 dahil una itong pagkakataon na isasagawa ang Palaro sa ilalim ng bagong batas na na nagngangalang Palarong Pambansa Law.” Luistro then challenged the congregation and said that “This event is a perfect avenue to promote peace. There is no other perfect way to do that but through sports, where most of our student athletes will live out and dialogue with other players, not necessarily through words but through deeds, gestures, and actions which show that peace is possible, that peace is here and now.”


TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Feb. 13 -- Its Business One-Stop Shop last month has earned for the city government unit of Tacurong City P9,467,852.21, a report the LGU announced.

Tacurong City earns P9.47 M from Business One-Stop ShopBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

Report from the Office of the City Treasurer indicated that the collection came from 1,179 business establishments that sought fresh business permit or renewed old business permits.

The amount is already 61% of the LGU’s P15.5 million target collection on business taxes for the fiscal year 2015, it says.

Opened from January 5 until January 20, LGU-Tacurong’s BOSS provides a more convenient and expeditious processing of business permits and renewal as offices involved in the procedure put up their interim offices in one place.

Offices that installed offices inside the city gymnasium included: Office of the City Mayor (License Inspection Services Section, and Economic Enterprise Management and Slaughterhouse). City Engineering Office, City Planning and Development Coordinating Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office for City Health Services, City Treasury Office, and City Administrator’s Office.

National line agencies including Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry, PAG-IBIG, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation


(Philhealth) were also in the same venue.

This year, LGU Tacurong further shortened the process of permit re-newal from three steps to only two, namely: Step 1 - Submission of re-quired documents to the License Sec-tion where the business data are en-coded, and Step 2- Submission and payment of their tax assessment at the Treasury Office where they im-mediately receive the permit.

In response to the report, May-or Lina O. Montilla congratulated the BOSS team and thanked the agencies that regularly join the program every year.

She also noted that BOSS’ success manifests businessmen’s trust in the LGU.

“This shows that the business-men in Tacurong support the LGU. We can feel that the they have trust on the city government,” Mayor Montilla said.

“Rest assured that the taxes we collect will be spent where they are intended. No amount will go to waste. These will be spent not by few people but on projects,” Mayor Montilla promised.

In 2012, when Tacurong was still following the three-step business re-newal process, it ranked 8th in the national ranking of LGUs with short-est procedures for business permit renewal/registration. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from LGU-Ta-curong Ciy Information)


MAITUM, Sarangani, Feb. 13 -- Some 31 indigent families in Barangay Mabay, Maitum, Sarangani are now out of danger, thanks to the houses built for them by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government unit.

DSWD, LGU build houses for families in danger zone

Prior to the this, the families were living in an area storm surges and flash floods.

“The beneficiaries of the housing project are those who were living in flimsy shanties located in an area identified as danger zone that their lives are usually put into risk during heavy rains and high tides,” said Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD-12 regional director.

Built at a cost of P3.36 million, the housing project was implement-ed through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-A Comprehensive and In-tegrated Delivery of Social Service (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the agency’s programs aiming for an empowered local communities to achieve im-proved access to services and to par-ticipate in more inclusive local plan-ning, budgeting, and implementation.

“In principle, the houses were built through community bayanihan, uti-lizing the community-driven devel-opment strategy that empowers the citizenry to have stake in the devel-opment initiative of the community,” Taha said.

While the project is being carried out, the community, especially the beneficiaries underwent trainings, se-ries of participatory community con-sultations, assemblies and other ac-tivities.

Juanita Calo, 55 and mother of eight, one of the beneficiaries, says she never expected to have a house like in a subdivision after living for 20 years in their dilapidated house that anytime could be washed away by floods and tides.

“There were instances during night time that we have to evacuate es-pecially when the water began ris-ing,” Calo said, who is also one of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the area.

Of the 31 household beneficiaries, 15 of them, including Calo are also beneficiaries of the 4Ps.

Aside from safety, Calo, with other beneficiaries, is ecstatic living with their new houses bursting with fresh colors, a far cry from their rusted and tattered with iron and plywood houses. (HTEstacion-DSWD-12/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


PhilRice promotes Rural Transformation Movement for farmers

BUTUAN CITY - The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Agusan is promoting its Rural Transformation Movement (RTM) for the welfare of the community farmers not only in the province of Agusan del Norte but in the entire Caraga region.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


In an interview over Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga in this city, Marilyn Amoin, Science Research Specialist 1 of PhilRice Agusan bared that its Rural Transformation Movement is intended to make the farmers more diversified and integrated.

“We want to help the farmers earn more by venturing into other products and livelihood. We want to see them improve their lives through different strategies,” said Amoin. Amoin also said that the pilot area for its Rural Transformation Movement is in Brgy. Basilisa, RTR, Agusan del Norte. “We are encouraging the community farmers to avail of this opportunity and be a millionaire. We call this Movement because we wanted to see our farmers experience the changes in their lives while they are into this program of PhilRice.

We should act and move forward to achieve this goal,” she added. With the said movement, farmers are encouraged to produce other products such as livestock raising, vegetable production and byproducts. “Together with PhilRice personnel from our central office, we are still on the process of conducting social diagnostic and mapping in Brgy. Basilisa, as well as in other communities where we can identify qualified farmers for the Rural Transformation Movement, which we are promoting. We are also looking into and assessing the needs of the farmers and on how we can better improve their present livelihood,” shared Arbutante. As to the criteria on how community farmers can avail of the PhilRice’s RTM, Ginalyn Arbutante, Science Research Assistant of PhilRice Agusan also revealed that they are still finalizing the criteria and will soon release it to the public. “It is an advantage on the part of the farmers who are also land owners because they have big chances to expand their livelihood,” she said. Arbutante further disclosed that PhilRice is also promoting technology development for the farmers to improve their


Butuan City Division strengthens inclusive education By: Marie Joy M. Intong

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan City division is giving access to Children With Disabilities (CWD) in all schools.

production and increase their income. The institute also produces quality seeds available for the farmers. “For inquiries about our Rural Transformation Movement, the public can send

it along with their other concerns thru PhilRice’s Text Center at 09209111398. We will be very glad to accommodate them,” highlighted Arbutante. Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.


For several years, inclusive education and empowering teachers to handle Children with Disabilities in all schools were given less attention, thus every family with a child that needs special education enrolls at Butuan City Special Education (SPED) center since it is the only school having proficient and skilled teachers whose educational background is specializing in SPED. Consequently, series of orientations were initiated in 2013 and up to the present to prepare district supervisors, principals, kindergarten and elementary school teachers in embracing inclusive education in schools. This advocacy is also shared to private schools in the city since they are also accepting children with special needs. The topics include SPED: Foundation, Philosophies and Principles SPED Programs and Services, Inclusive Education, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Children with Intellectual Disability Children with Autism, and Children With Learning Disability. The orientation on inclusive education to the different districts brought change in the perspective of teachers in accepting children with special

needs, clouds of confusion and queries about the program were addressed. The teachers disclosed that they had been accepting and teaching children with special needs but they were not capacitated on how to deal with them and where to start. Having the heart to teach not just CWDs, the SPED Center teachers were also very kind to offer their extra time to teach teachers from other schools on strategies, sign language and class observations that will enhance their learning on SPED. With the strong advocacy on inclusive education, some central schools are implementing the SPED programs namely Libertad Central Elementary School, F.R. Sibayan Central Elementary School and some of non-central schools which accepted children with Autism, learning disability, intellectual disability, and hearing impairment. A total of 222 CWDs


(Hearing impairment – 41; Visual impairment – 7; Intellectual Disability – 47; Autism – 29; and Learning Disability – 98) are currently enrolled in the SPED Center and other inclusive education implementing schools. It is the ardent hope of the city division that all families having children with special needs will avail of the special education

and inclusive education that the schools are offering since they promote and advocate the Millennium Development Goal of the DepED on ‘No Child Left Behind.’ For more information, you may call 341-0022 (205) Deped Butuan City Division or 341-2881 Butuan City SPED Center.

DTI warns public on malpractices of vehicle dealers By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry warns the public to be cautious on transacting business with vehicle dealers especially those handling reconditioned units.


In a recent case that was brought to the attention of the agency, it was learned that there are dealers who do not fully explain the terms and conditions of purchase of reconditioned vehicle units and if ever they explained to the buyers, these are not put in formal document. Buyers should see to it that what is being said and promised by the dealers must be expressly written in the contract of sale or any documentary instrument relative to the transaction especially on the matters like warranties. Among others, insurance coverage and vehicle registration, cost of repairs, repair or replacement of defective vehicle unit, terms and mode of payment in the case of products purchased on instalment basis should be clear on the part of the buyer. The most common consumer complaints reaching the DTI office include the delay of release of certificate of registration of the vehicles including motorcycles and defective engine units that require recurring repairs. Having valid documents – contract and receipts – of such transactions will help the buyer and in certain degree help concerned government authorities to facilitate the

resolution of particular complaints. Buyer should read, fully understand and totally agree on the terms and conditions before signing the document prior to making initial payment. He/she should secure a copy of the fully signed contract or purchase agreement. Refusal of dealers to provide copies of signed purchase agreement detailing terms and conditions should provide alarm signals of potential customers. For more information about consumer complaints mechanism, interested parties may visit the local DTI office or call at telephone number (086) 826-6129.





DTI holds fish and fish products industry cluster forum in DipologBy: Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – Bottled sardines manufacturers and processors as well as dried fish suppliers were gathered at the Top Plaza Hotel here Wednesday for a forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the fish and fish products cluster.


Assistant Regional Director Joseph Florig of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-9 presented to the participants the benefits from selling fresh fish rather than dried fish.

Florig also asked the fish industry stakeholders not to catch small white sardinella locally known as “tamban” fish explaining that the fish vendors could have more supply if they would wait for the right time.

In the same gathering, industry cluster regional coordinator Engr. Rolando G. Acuna presented the 2015 Industry Cluster Development Plan 2015.

He also said: “DTI plans to conduct personal financial literacy and management seminar workshop for the stakeholders in fish industry and that part of the development plan is the creation and administration of a facebook

page in order to advertise and market their fish products.”

Moreover, the action plan also provides the stakeholders with strategies and policies as well as access to finance and market to improve productivity and efficiency, and to strengthen the business management.

“The government is here to finance your trainings and seminars, all you have to do is to sit down, absorb, internalize, adopt and put into practice what you have learned,” Acuna stressed.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also attended the said forum.


1st Cavalry Squadron holds gift giving for poor residents of Tukuran townBy: Gideon C. CorgueTUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur – Poor residents of Barangay Manlayag have received food packs, used clothing and slippers from the 1st Cavalry Squadron, Mechanized Division, Philippine Army (PA) in a gift giving recently.

Dubbed “Love Drive Program,” the gift giving was held in coordination with the 1st Field Artillery Battalion aimed at bringing the government closer to the people.

The 1st Cavalry Squadron executive officer Major Francis Balan said the team with its sponsor, Nancy Sanchez of Zamboanga City, distributed 100 food packs

containing 3 kilos of rice, 2 cans of sardines, 2 packs of noodles, sachets of coffee and used clothing to selected poor families.

Two hundred new pairs of slippers, candies and supplemental feeding were also given to children.

“Ang ating mga kasundaluhan at


civic organization ay nagtulong-tulong na ma-share ang basic services sa mga maralitang tao upang makapagbigay sa kanila ng kaligayahan,” Balan said.

(The troopers and civic organization have extended help to the poor to make them happy.)

“Ang mga natanggap ninyo ngayon ay initial pa pa lamang yan dahil ang aking kaibigan na US philatropist ay personal po na magpunta rito sa inyo sa buwan ng Marso at magbibigay na naman ng karagdagang gifts na tiyak na ikakaligaya naman ninyo,” Sanchez told the recipients.

(What you have received now is just an initial one because my friend, a US philanthropist, will personally visit here in March and will give additional goods for you.)

Sanchez said: “Manlayag is just one of the recipient-barangays that received gifts from her friend in Mindanao and Visayas next to Iligan City and Palo, Leyte, respectively.”

Punong Barangay Cerelo Halang expressed his gratitude to the 1st Cavalry Squadron for spearheading the gift giving activity saying, “It is the first time we have received such a program.”

Cyndi Baguio, 38, said she was thankful for receiving the food packs.

“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako nga nakadawat ko aning food packs gikan sa mga nagpasiugda. Medyo lisod gyud mi sa pagpangita sa among pagkaon tungod kay ang akong bana wala nay trabaho ug nagsalig lamang kami sa pagtanom ug kamunting kahoy,” Baguio said while holding an infant baby in her arms.

(I am very grateful to have received the food packs from the organizers. It is really hard for us to find food since my husband has no job. We just depend on planting cassava.)

“Malipayon ako nga usa sa mga nakadawat ning maong mga pagkaon gikan sa 1st Cavalry. Nakatabang ni namo tungod kay kami na lang duha sa akong ang mga tawo nag-uban sa balay. Ang akong napulo ka mga anak pulos minyo na ug mibulag na sa amoa. wala nay motabang mo pagpangita sa among pagkaon,” Eleuterio Luardo, 78, said after receiving the food packs.

(I am happy to receive this food pack from the 1st Cavalry. It really helped us because only the two of us are left in our home. All our 10 children already got married and they are living separately. Nobody would help us in our food.)

The 1st Cavalry troopers also held a comedy show during the said activity to the delight of the children.


SSS opens another branch in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Social Security System (SSS) has expanded its presence in northern Mindanao as it opened another branch in the city.

By: Julla Columba Celerina M. Pagaduan

The new branch located at the ground floor of Agora Market City Building in barangay Lapasan was inaugurated today by top SSS officials led by its President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio De Quiros, Jr. De Quiros said SSS has been very aggressive in opening branches and service offices to bring its services closer to members.


Gingoog exec cites Pag-IBIG’s “I do, I do” strengthens families

GINGOOG CITY - Pag-IBIG Fund is not just a depot of our funds but also a sanctuary of love which facilitates couples to be united.

By: Jennan E. Montealto

He said SSS has many good programs that need to be communicated to the public and opening branches is one of the solutions to better serve the needs of its members. “Rest assured, we will continuously improve our services so that our members can say “buti na lang at may SSS!” he added. Valentine Viajar-Aunzo, head of the newly-opened branch, said the Lapasan Branch is strategically located because its proximity to the Agora Public Transport Terminal makes it accessible to members in ten municipalities in the eastern part of Misamis Oriental and some parts of Bukidnon province.

“We are spreading our coverage throughout the province and we hope to reach more vulnerable sectors as well as job order and contractual workers of local government units with the best service they deserve,” she further said. The SSS Lapasan Branch is the second SSS branch office in Cagayan de Oro. The inauguration ceremony was also graced Cagayan de Oro City mayor Oscar Moreno and other local chief executives of the municipalities that will be served by the newly-opened branch.

Thus said mayor Marie de Lara Guingona as she supports the agency’s program dubbed as “I Do, I Do. Araw ng Pag-ibig” (I Do, I Do. Day of Love) that invites and caters civilly married persons to enter the sacrament of matrimony to be solemnized at Santa Rita Parish church in the love-month of

February. The city’s chief is now on the go to assist some needs requested by marketing and sales division chief Allan Abas of Pag-IBIG Cagayan de Oro Branch with his team who coordinated with the city government about Pag-IBIG’s event to be held at the city’s Tatak Center.


Mayor Marie has been coordinating with her assistant department head John Venice Ladaga to keep in touch with Abas and with local members’ desk of Pag-IBIG stationed in the city. In a radio interview over DxRG-Radyong Bayan, Abas said that the concept of this yearly program has been conceptualized by its chief executive officer, Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, who intends to substantiate more the word “pag-ibig” not only with houses, funds but also love to couples who dream to build a house and establish a happier home founded on sacramental love. He further invited everyone who wishes to become a member of Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) to save and contribute for personal premium in order to avail multi-

purpose loan, housing loan and other services regularly rendered by Pag-IBIG. The mayor’s office has been informed by the division chief that everything is almost free to couples during this “4th Libreng Kasalan” (free wedding) with a thrilling raffle draw to own a house and lot. Mayor Guingona recognizes Pag-IBIG’s intent to hold this mass wedding at the city’s Catholic church under Rev. Fr. Medallo Valmoria, SSJV and to celebrate its reception at the city’s landmark. This affair will once again promote our captivating Tatak Center and other city’s tourism potentials to the world, the mayor said.

PhilHealth assures DSWD to fast track processing of health benefits of Pantawid Pamilya grantees

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Regional Office of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) here has promised the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) northern Mindanao that it will fast track processing of health benefit claims of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) grantees.

By: Oliver B. Inodeo


Chief social insurance officer of PhilHealth Region 10, Ian Alfredo T. Magno, said health benefit claims submitted by accredited hospitals will be processes immediately, as long as Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries will present the authentic and official identification card issued by DSWD northern Mindanao. Magno, along with Social Insurance Officer Fatmah Guiling and Social Insurance Assistant Remea Vera Dacut, visited DSWD northern Mindanao to discuss issues and concerns relative to hastening the processing of claims. Pantawid beneficiaries are covered by PhilHealth as Sponsored members. They are issued their Member Data Record and PhilHealth Identification Number which will serve as their pass when availing of health care benefits at any accredited facilities in the country. As Sponsored members, they are entitled to full benefits including the recently introduced case rate payments for 23 medical and surgical cases wherein they no longer need to pay in excess of the PhilHealth set benefits in government facilities. They can also avail of the ‘Z’ benefit package for catastrophic illnesses such as childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia, breast and prostate cancer, and kidney transplant, with financial coverage of P210,000, P100,000 (each), and P600,000 respectively. PhilHealth has initially partnered with selected reference and contracted government hospitals nationwide to

provide the Z benefits. Pantawid beneficiaries also enjoy primary care benefits such as consultations, regular blood pressure monitoring, and promotive health education on breastfeeding and counseling on lifestyle modification and smoking cessation. Medicines for diseases like asthma and acute gastroenteritis with no or mild dehydration, upper respiratory tract infection/pneumonia and urinary tract infection are also provided for by accredited healthcare providers. To ensure access, PhilHealth has automatically accredited all DOH licensed hospitals as Centers of Safety. Guiling emphasized that PhilHealth will only honor untampered ID. In case of lost, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries can present certification duly signed only by either the Regional Project Coordinator (RPC) or Provincial Link (PL). Pantawid Pamilya RPC Kenneth Haze Sanchez disclosed that municipal links are not allowed to issue certification for PhilHealth benefit claims.


Malita fisherfolks received motorized boats project

MALITA, Davao Occidental– Some 100 fisherfolks from the ten coastal areas in the municipality of Malita, Davao Occidental received Thursday motorized boats from the provincial government’s livelihood assistance project. The project dubbed as Banca Loan Program has given each of the fisherfolk-beneficiaries in said town the chance to own a motorized boat (small fishing boat) or banca in the vernacular, which is worth P30,000 per unit. Under this special loan window, a fisherfolk-recipient is required to pay for the unit at least PhP50 pesos a day, and to have it fully paid in 18 months. Through the Banca Loan Program, the Davao del Sur provincial local government unit is also providing the beneficiaries in Malita the

opportunities to avail of the Philhealth scholarship program and food processing technology. The barangay captains and the fisherfolks have committed to take care of the livelihood project and abide by the rules and responsibilities given them as project recipients. On the part of Malita LGU, Mayor Benjamin Bautista, Jr. has also vowed to ensure that the livelihood assistance will be sustained. Bautista assured that 200 additional motorized banca will soon be awarded to another batch of beneficiaries in the municipality. The Banca Loan Program is part of the provincial LGU’s agriculture and fishery program, one of Governor Claude Bautista’s major programs, aiming to upgrade the livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolks in Davao del Sur and Davao


Occidental. The program started implementation late 2013 with a total of 160 fisherfolks from Digos City, and municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Sta. Maria already benefiting from the project. After Malita, 150 fisherfolks in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental are also expected to receive motorized boats this year from the same program. Gov. Bautista has announced last year that not less than 2,500 fishing boats will be distributed to coastal

areas in the province until 2016. (CDIO-Malita/Alona Estrella/PIA-XI, CLC)

facts and figures

P330-million budget of the five road projects under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Pro-gram (TRIP) which will be implemented in Compostela Valley this year.


Comval to prepare also for Palarong Pambansa

DAVAO CITY- The province of Compostela Valley is also preparing for the holding of the Palarong Pambansa which will be held this May 3-9 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. According to Compostela Valley Board Member Tyron Uy, they have already informed the seaside towns of Maco, Mabini and Pantukan who are the towns nearest to Tagum City for the spillover of visitors converging in the capital of Davao del Norte. Uy said the original plan was for the three schools in Maco to be used as billeting facilities for the athletes during the Palaro however

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario ditched the idea when he learned that another memorandum of agreement has to be signed between the Philippine Sports Commission and the province of Compostela Valley. The Palaro Pambansa one of the biggest sporting events in the country will involve about 18,000 to 20,000

student-athletes and visitors. Uy said this will have a huge impact on tourism particularly the beaches of the province near Tagum City. He said the province is planning a tourism project for the event which they will be finalizing. Uy also added that the Palaro Pambansa will fortunately coincide with their summer beach festival hosted by the coastal municipalities. The towns of Maco, Mabini and Pantukan hosts several white sand beaches and other coastal attractions. They are very accessible from Tagum via the Surigao Davao Coastal Road. (PIA/RG Alama)


Documents

One Mindanao - February 13, 2015