One Mindanao - February 19, 2012

Cover Story

MSU-IIT’s Sendong Dynamic Response Team: the Unsung Heroes!

Lorry V. GabuleNorthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 189

page 4

Mayor gives high marks for Task Force chief13Southern Mindanao

Mga LGU katuwang na ng PEMO sa pagbibigay ng quarry permits17 Central Mindanao

PNP-Zambo. Norte supports ‘National Greening Program’ 20Franklin P. Gumapon , Western Mindanao

RPOC-IX Chair: Security is everybody’s concern21Mimi G. Bern-Edaga, Western Mindanao

Textbook distribution to be implemented 24Eldie N. David, Caraga Region

Double voters’ registration can be traced through the NLRV - Comelec25Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

68 more villages in NorMin upfor electrification29Jerome R. Soldevilla, Northern Mindanao

Aquino inaugurates P594-million Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler 10

Dolefil, labor group settle dispute16 Charmaine Ladot, Central Mindanao

Mis. Occ. towns conduct assessment and analysis onflashflood-affected barangays

27Pat Nano, Northern Mindanao

912 14

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18 22 26

4 Sunday, February 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

It’s an opportunity for all of us, Christians and Muslims alike, to show that we are united in

helping our fellow citizens who are in distress.”

Cover Story


by Lorry V. Gabule

Sunday, February 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

Thus said Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol, Chancellor, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) who promptly allowed the use of gymnasium as temporary shelter for the Sendong survivors, knowing their plight from the ravaging waters that hit Iligan City, leaving hundreds dead, while many are still missing in barangays that are hard to reach. In the early morning of December 17, 2011, around 300 families, all wet and muddy, took refuge to the institute’s multitude arena. There came the first volunteers from the faculty with Prof. Ernesto E. Empig, Prof. Darwin J. Manubag, Dr. Rhodora Englis, Dr. Dave Almarez and Prof. Venus R. Parmisana, to respond to the call for help. They were the first to guide and assist the evacuees inside the gym giving them food and managing the operations. Certainly the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor Polaus Bari were there to attend to the evacuees coming in to the gym. The gymnasium was already filled with hundreds of survivors queuing along the tables set by the City Social Welfare Office (CSWD) personnel who

were interviewing and listing the particulars of the evacuees.

Information was gathered for family cards

to document and code a “your-life-

inside-the-e va cua t i o n -center” ledger which facilitated the distribution of goods and kept track of all engagements between the relief operations and the beneficiary.



Relentlessly, there came evacuees mostly

from the hardly hit Barangays of Hinaplanon, Bayug and Santiago, sought accommodation to the gymnasium, one of the huge evacuation centers in the

city. A core group was formed

composed of faculty and student team leaders for

the operation of the Evacuation/Relief

Center.

The relief team tagged Sendong Dynamic Response Team, or the SDRT, composed of 12 faculty or adult volunteers, among them: Chancellor Tanggol (Overall Coordinator of MSU-IIT Evacuation Center), Prof. Ernesto E. Empig (Operations Manager), Prof. Darwin J. Manubag (Donations and Linkages Coordinator), Dr. Rhodora Englis (Media and Public Relations Officer), Karen Veloso (Medical Team Asst. Coordinator), Prof. Enrique Batara (Public Address Officer), Vice Chancellor Polaus Bari, Dr. Dave Almarez, Donald Carupo and wife Lorda (volunteers), Prof. Jo Bokingo (volunteer), and Prof. Venus R. Parmisana (Disbursement and Documentation Officer). It started with 17 dynamic student volunteers and more came in from IIT as well as students from other schools, out-of-school youth, adults, concerned individuals, who felt they are part of the team, to extend service to Sendong-affected families. Close to 11,000 individuals arising from 2,500 families were at the evacuation center, with almost 600 volunteers offering services on a daily schedule, said Empig, the operations manager. We do it by cluster, with a student team leader and his members to take charge of the documentation, distribution of relief goods, receiving

Sunday, February 19, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 7

the donations (cash or in kind), teams/groups on packing, clothing, sanitation, food distribution, the medical team, the secretary and social manager, and the over-all head student volunteer anchored by Renie A. Somontan, explained Empig. “One source of instruction has to come from the operations manager,” expressed Empig. At the end of the day a coordination meeting follows, with the core group, the CSWO team leader, City Health Office representative, to discuss observations in manning the center, recommendations as regards to the needs of the operation, and render financial report, money received and money disbursed. Disbursement Officer Venus Parmisana said all cash donations are directly received by her and acknowledgement receipt is issued to donors to be able to account all financial assistance received. Pamaskong Handog to Sendong victims About 60 student volunteers spent their Christmas holidays caring for the Sendong survivors and living with their own stories to share to the generations

to come. Prof. Parmisana said together

with the core group thought of spending the

Christmas with the survivors at the

gym, and

on the succeeding days before December 25, a volunteer Santa Claus during midnight where everybody already fall asleep, was bringing a pack containing toiletres, etc., for mothers with infants/pregnant, lactating women, and senior citizens. As they wake up in the morning, they are amazed to see on the space where they sleep the pack of canned/powdered milk, diapers/sanitary napkins, baby lotion/powder, juice and some chocolates for the children. And children learned to say ‘thank you’ to this extent. Every time they received something, parents taught them to be grateful of the blessings. A Christmas


Party took place in the

evacuation center with everybody joining the singing and dancing, if not, leaving all the tragic experience behind oblivion.

Sendong survivors doing Hataw

Empig find survivors to stretch and do some exercise, and every morning during their stay at the evacuation

center, they enjoyed the ‘Hataw’ with student volunteers doing

the lead onstage. Children have

shown their prowess on dancing and

acting like the real

d a n c e r s on stage performing. The parents, men and women did the same to the tune composed by the operations manager himself. Empig observed survivors seemed to enjoy and they include the morning stretch a part of their day activity already. Dynamic volunteers

It’s all because of dynamism, a process of mechanism responsible for the development or motion of a system…has made all the volunteers’ vigor, energy and force tending to produce continuous advance/change for the Sendong survivors to be able to move on with their life, expressed Empig. We have the technology, ‘slides viewing’ on what to do for Sendong survivors to follow rules for a systematic and organized evacuation center, said Empig. We continue to distribute relief goods to affected areas though survivors have left the evacuation center, we still accept donations and distribute it as soon as the volunteers have it packed, Empig added. The real essence of volunteerism came all the way, the Sendong Dynamic Response Team became a family that signifies the ‘Walang Iwanan’ tag. Thus, they are all heroes in the eyes of the survivors and the Iliganons.


ACROSS THE NATIONTeachers to undergo sign language training

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to conduct a series of training programs on sign language across the country to upgrade teachers’ competence in teaching learners who have hearing impairment, a statement posted on the official gazette said.

“This is in line with our thrust to make education truly inclusive of all learners especially those who have difficulty understanding lessons due to hearing impairment,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro said.

The training program is organized by DepEd’s Special

Education Division and the Bureau of Elementary Education in coordination with LINK Center for the Deaf and in partnership with the Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship.

The training seminar for Luzon will be on May 15 to 2 4 , 2012 a t

Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City to be attended by selected public school teachers from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A (CALABARZON), 4-B (MIMAROPA), 5, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). For the Visayas, it will be on April 15 to 24 at DepEd Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City to be participated

10 Sunday, February 19, 2012ONE MINDANAO

in by public school teachers from Regions 6, 7 and 8. The Mindanao leg to be held at DepEd RELC in Cagayan de Oro City is on April 25 to May 4 where public school teachers from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and CARAGA are set to take part.

Luistro explained that DepEd intends to strengthen teachers’ skills in the teaching of sign language in preparation for the inclusion of pupils with hearing impairment in regular school.

“It is our duty as educators to provide equal opportunities to children and youth with special needs so that they can lead productive lives,” Luistro added.

The program is composed of sign language training and seminars in Special Education (SPED) as well as formal sign language evaluation in the basic and intermediate levels by the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID). It is also meant to provide teachers with competencies in establishing and maintaining SPED programs.

Expected to participate in the second phase of the training are teachers who attended the first phase of the seminar last year. Attending the first phase of the training is a new batch of 15 new attendees per region who are regular public school teachers.

Aquino inaugurates P594-million Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler

President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated Sunday the newly constructed Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH) in this municipality to improve the medical services of the government to the

residents of Aurora province.


Speaking before the people of Aurora during the inauguration, the President said the construction of the P594-million hospital signifies the strong ties between the Philippines and Japan. He noted that despite the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year, the Japanese government continued to fund the project.

He thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for helping the Philippines for several decades that strengthens the friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

“Today, I’m certain that this project will only strengthen our strategic partnership and foster deeper cooperation and friendship between our nations. Again our very sincerest thanks,” the President said.

The President also encouraged the people of Aurora to remember the legacy of the former first lady Dona Aurora Quezon and draw inspiration from her.

“Bukod-tangi po ang ospital na pinapasinayaan natin ngayon at hindi lamang nito taglay ang pangalan at alaala ni Dona Aurora Quezon, isa ring itong kongretong hakbang sa pagsusulong ng kanyang adbokasiya upang mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga kababayan,” he said.

“Isa rin itong simbolo ng kaunlaran para sa inyong probinsya. Isang patunay sa lalong umiigting ninyong kakayahang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng inyong mga nasasakupan.”

The President also thanked Sen. Edgardo Angara and Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo for

working hard to construct the new hospital for the benefit of the people of Aurora. The President vowed to contribute to the hospital’s operations by providing medicines and other equipment.

The new hospital could accommodate 800 patients a year with its 50-bed capacity. According to the Provincial Health Office, AMH could treat a wide range of diseases from the current 7,000 patient-days to 13,000.

Hospital officials said upgraded facilities and equipment in addition to the deployment of medical specialists could enhance diagnosis of patients and medical care especially in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology.

The new facility also has equipment for dental services, physical therapy, radiology, laboratory, central supply and sterilization room, emergency room and for an eye-ear-nose-throat (EENT) unit. The hospital is also hiring anaesthesiologists, surgeons, gynecologists, pediatricians and general physicians to augment its medical team.

Aside from providing medical services to the people of Aurora, the AMH leadership tied up with the University of the Philippines-Manila for the training of medical and nursing students.

Joining the President during the inauguration include Sen. Edgardo Angara, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Health Sec. Enrique Ona, and Japanese Ambassador

to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe. (AS)


Tagum revs up for Asia Pacific Choral competition with 2012 MusikahanbyRudolph Ian Alama

Tagum City is preparing to host the prestigious Asia Pacific Choral Competition

with this year’s staging of Musika-han sa Tagum. The music festival which is on its 11th year is holding one of its main events the Himig Handog Choral Competition and Festival which will showcase participating groups’ prowess and mastery in harmony and confidence in the delivery of classic, contemporary, sacred as well as folk or traditional music.

Alma Uy, chairperson of Musikahan 2012 said that they will be using the guidelines of the Asia Pacific Choral competition so that the city and also the choral groups can prepare for the festival which will be held in June this year. Participants expected in the Musikahan choral competition would include school and community-based choirs from children to adult who will take part in the open competition and an honor’sclass choral competition wherein only those who were past winners in the previous Musikahan

choral competition or those who already gained internationally-competition experience or were winners or finalists in these international competitions are allowed to join. This competition is also open to official choirs from other countries. The open competition will perform compulsory pieces- Children’s Category: Ang Lahi Ko’y Dakila by Felipe P. de Leon. Youth Category A & B: Obar Obar A Tambis (Maranao Folk Song) adapted and Arranged by Frank


Englis. Adult Category: Mamayog Akun (Muslim Folksong) by Fabian ObispoThe Champion competition choral entries will compete in four compulsory pieces; folk/traditional, sacred, contemporary and classic. A panel of seven (7) international adjudicators will judge the Champions’ performances and the best competing choirs will be awarded with either a “Gold Nomination” or a “Platinum Nomination”. Aside from the choral competition

other notable events include the Rondal Awit (Rondalla and Solo Singing Competiton and Festival) Avenida Musika (Marching Brass Band Competition and Festival), Battle of the bands contest and Drum, Lyre and Bugle Competition. The Choir with the highest number of nominations for each four categories shall be declared as the Musikahan sa Tagum 2012 Himig-Handog Grand Prize Winner. Musikahan sa Tagum will be held on the 21st to the 26th of February.

Mayor gives high marks for Task Force chiefDAVAO CITY - Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte gave a rating of 9.5 to outgoing Task Force Davao head Colonel Ray Leonardo Guerrero. The lady mayor said that as with the other heads of Task Force Davao the success of their stint will be measured after his assignment. Duterte said that she was satisfied with Col. Guerrero’s stint in the Task Force Davao particularly by keeping the city free from terrorist threats. The army unit was organized in 2003 after the twin bombings that rocked Davao International Airport and the Sasa seaport that killed 38 people. Its mission has been to thwart any terrorist threats in the city.

Col. Guerrero the fifth TF chief will relinquished his post to incoming TFD head Col. Norman Flores this February 25. Meanwhile Mayor Duterte reiterated her support for the Davao City Police Office particularly under the new city police director Senior Superintendent Ronaldo dela Rosa . “The City Government will always be supportive to them (DCPO).” The mayor said. During an interview with members of the Davao media right after the PAL interclub press conference held last February 15 at Marco Polo Davao the mayor said that the City government would be willing to assist as to what the DCPO would need. (PIA 11/RG Alama)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- For the second year in a row, the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet will be held here and will be hosted by the provincial government of South Cotabato.

S. Cotabato to host 2012 regional athletic meet by Dani Doguiles


Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said he has approved request from Department of Education-12 to host the regional meet after North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño –Mendoza begged off hosting the activity for lack of appropriate sporting facilities among other reasons.

“Besides the home-court advantage this would give our athletes, the event will also provide business opportunities to establishments and entrepreneurs in Koronadal City,” Pingoy said.

“This would also be an opportunity for the provincial government to upgrade the facilities of South Cotabato Sports Complex in preparation for our plan to bid for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2014.”

Last year, CRAA was held here after the Sarangani provincial government said, it was not ready for the hosting job.

Provincial sports coordinator Florentino Perez in a press conference on Wednesday confirmed,

the provincial LGU has allotted at least P1 million for rehabilitation and upgrading works in the province’s sports venues in preparation for the meet and other purposes.

He said the governor has directed sports complex management and the Provincial Engineering Office improve the lighting and repair the comfort rooms inside the sports complex, repair the basketball court and purchase fibre glass backboard, and purchase vacuum filter for the swimming pool among others.

“Within 15 days, repair works should be completed,” he said.

Over 5,000 athletes, coaches, and chaperons are expected to flock the city for the four-day event. Thousands more are expected to witness the games.

Events include athletics, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, gymnastics, swimming, arnis, badminton, sepak-takraw, football, archery, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, boxing and

chess. As in the previous

year, delegations from the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani including the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato and Tacurong will be billeted in public elementary and secondary schools in the city and nearby barangays, Pete Dajay, physical education and sports supervisor of DepEd South Cotabato District said.

Security will be provided by the Philippine National Police, provincial security unit, and barangay peacekeeping action teams. Coordination with the 27th Infantry Battalion is also underway for possible augmentation of the security force, he said.

Dajay and other sports officials in Soccsksargen region met in Kidapawan City on Thursday to finalize the plans for the sporting event.

CRAA Meet is a prelude to the region’s participation to the Palarong Pambansa in


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- After more than a year of negotia-tions, pineapple giant Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) recently awarded to members of the labor union their unpaid benefits.

Pangasinan. Gov. Pingoy

announced during his radio program “Gov Dodo ug ang Katawhan”

announced South Cotabato will be bidding to host the Palaro in 2014.

South Cotabato

hosted the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 and 2007. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Dolefil, labor group settle disputeBy Charmaine Ladot

Report from the Department of Labor and Employment 12 (DOLE 12) said Atty, Rene Almero who represented Dolefil handed to Jose Teruel , leader of AK-NAFLU–KMU (AMADO Kadena NAFLU -KMU) on February 10 a check amounting to P1, 113, 363.34, as part of the resolution agreed by the parties pertaining to the settlement demands of the workers.

Present also during

the ceremony were the members of the tripartite committee including DOLE-12 represented by Assistant Regional Director Yahya A. Centi, Jimmy Marquez and Gelse Lanzaderas; National Conciliation and Mediation Board- 12 Director Feliciano Orihuela , Jr.; AK-NAFLU-KMU representative and Lead.PH.

“ N a g p a p a s a l a m a t kami, ako at aking mga kasama sa ginawa ng

DOLE, lalong lalo na kay (DOLE 12) Director Chona M. Mantilla para sa pagpaunlak na Ibigay ngayong araw ang tseke. Gayun din sa Dolefil na umintindi sa mga prinsipyo na hinahawakan naming,” Teruel said after receiving the check.

Furthermore, he advised the other unions to be open to dialogues and to settlement.

“Dialogue is better than litigation,” he said.

Mesawhile, Atty. Almero said Dolefil is thankful to DOLe 12 and to the members of TRICOM for the time and effort of being with them in settling the issues between Dolefil Inc. and the workers.

“Credit should be given to DOLE and the TRICOM. Candidly speaking, if not for the committee, the case should have been


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Katuwang na ng Provincial Environ-ment Management Office (PEMO) ng South Cotabato ang mga munisipali-dad sa probinsiya sa pag-isyu ng mga quarry permit.

forwarded for litigation and will cost both parties more money and effort,” Almero said.

Dolefil Tripartite Committee was created last January 2011 in compliance to Administrative Order No. 08, creating a Tripartite Committee at Dole Philippines, issued by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

The committee is composed of the two contending unions: AK- NAFLU-KMU and Lead.PH, DOLE 12, NCMB 11 and NCMB 12, and representatives from CHR, Army, PNP, LGU of Polomolok, and Dolefil Inc.

At the onset, the committee signed a social accord that aimed to maintain the peace

and the integrity of the forthcoming certification election of Dolefil Inc., by mutually binding themselves to safeguard the rights of the workers before, during and after negotiations.

ARD Centi citing the success of the committee said that “settlement in the industry is very vital in gaining social justice.”

Mga LGU katuwang na ng PEMO sa pagbibigay ng quarry permits

Ayon kay acting PEMO Engr. Siegfred Flaviano bago pa man makapaghain ng aplikasyon ang isang quarry operator para mabigyan ng commercial quarry permit kailangan muna nilang dumaan sa kanilang mga munisipalidad upang kumuha ng permit na irerepresenta sa PEMO.

Ang naturang sertipikasyon ay dapat magpapatunay na nakapagtanim ng mga puno ng Madre de Cacao at kawayan sa gilid ng

mga ilog kung saan sila magsasagawa ng paghuhukay ng mga quarry resources tulad ng sand and gravel.

Ang pagtatanim ng mga puno ay kasama aniya sa corporate social responsibility ng bawat quarry operator.

Aniya kailangan ding makakuha ang isang operator ng Environmental Compliance Certificate mula sa DENR bago makapag operate sa isang lugar.

Inihayag din ni

Flaviano, batay na rin sa direktiba ni South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. hindi na sila nagbibigay ng special permit para sa mga quarry operator maliban na lamang kung special occasion tulad ng may pinadadalian na proyekto o kinakailangan na talagang hukayin ang isang bahagi ng ilog dahil bumababaw na ito. Ang operasyon para sa special occasion ay ilang araw lamang ang itatagal. (KJNavecis/ PIA12)


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WESCOM trains soldiers to embody IPSP

Philippine soldiers of the Western Command (WESCOM) recently underwent a training program that would enhance their peace-building capacities and embody the principles

of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the country.

By Rene V. Carbayas


WESCOM Commander, Lt. Gen Juancho M Sabban (AFP), presided over the opening ceremonies of the Small Unit Combat Operation Training (SUCOT) last February 1, 2012 at the WESCOM Officers’ Club House in Palawan. “SUCOT’s main mission is humanitarian in nature. They can function according to the task given them. Though they are small in number, they will be fully equipped and can help the civilian populace achieve peace and development,” Sabban said. The 6th Civil Relation Group of the AFP revealed that SUCOT is a mix of classroom and field operation training. About a hundred members from the Operation Control and Operation Command (OPCON / OPCOM) units took part in this on-going training and were divided into small groups – which would comprise of not more than ten (10) individuals. The training focuses on developing and enhancing the participants’ peace-building capabilities and in implementing the objectives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) OPLAN BAYANIHAN by following its four strategic concepts: Contribution to the Permanent and Peaceful Closure of all Armed conflict, Conducting Focused Military Operations, Supporting Community-based Peace and Development Efforts and last is Carrying Out Security Sector Reform (SSR); which adheres to the Whole-of-Nation Approach and People-

Centered Approach to attain lasting peace and continuous progress in the country. In this training, their mission-essential capabilities will be improved. Individual skills and unit cohesiveness will be developed. Continuous honing of each soldier’s war-fighting skills and warrior spirit will also include inculcating in each soldier the principles of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Rule of Law. Aside from their capability on war fighting requirements, non-traditional capabilities shall also be enhanced to improve their ability to pursue collaborative efforts with other internal peace and security stakeholders. This shall involve the development of skills necessary to catalyze, motivate and facilitate the active participation of all stakeholders. And lastly, the development of the soldier’s capacity to engage in peace-building efforts was emphasized. They will be more proactive players in facilitating initiatives to preempt and manage armed violence such as conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution. (JPA/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)


ZNPPO strongly supported the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Aquino administration that seeks to improve water quality in rivers and irrigation for farmlands, reduce the potential for flooding, soak up carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and lay the foundation for an expanded wood-products economy. It can be recalled that President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III issued Executive Order (EO) 26 on February 24, 2011, declaring the implementation of the NGP as “a government priority program to reduce poverty, promote food security, environmental stability and biodiversity conservation and enhance climate change mitigation

and adaptation.” Under this program, all government agencies and institutions, including local government units, should support the program not only in tree planting but also in the production of quality seedlings and mobilization of all government employees and the private sector for the purpose. Students from Grade 5 to college level are also enjoined to participate in the greening program. Chiefs of police from the different municipal police stations in the province also participated in the said tree planting activity. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

PNP-Zambo. Norte supports ‘National Greening Program’

DIPOLOG CITY – Around 3,500 assorted seedlings of forest trees have been planted Wednesday by the members of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO)headed by PSSupt. Ulpiano Lopez along the riverbanks of Layawan River at barangay Sangkol in this city.

By Franklin P. Gumapon


PAGADIAN CITY - Newly installed Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC 9) Chair Mayor Celso Lobregat during his acceptance speech emphasized that peace and order of Region 9 is everybody’s responsibility. He charged the regional directors, mayors, and officers and men in the police and military to contribute collectively so that the Council could achieve what it set out to do in terms of peace and order and development.

Convening for the first time with Lobregat, the Council discussed matters such as updates on peace and order situation and public safety, anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaign and election of component city mayor representative and issues as pressing as the kidnapping in Zamboanga Sibugay and the sea piracy in Zamboanga del Sur. In its maiden session, the RPOC 9, together with the Regional Development Council 9 headed by its Chair, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy of Dipolog City proposed to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo that they be involved in the GRP-MILF Peace Negotiation. Robredo, in turn, gave his full

support to the proposal made by Uy that RDC and RPOC are made part of the stakeholders on the ongoing peace process. Robredo hopes to work on this proposal with OPAPP, saying the two councils should also be consulted regarding the negotiation. Robredo who is the National Peace and Order Council Chair nominated Lobregat as chair of RPOC 9 which President Benigno C. Aquino, Jr. approved of. By virtue of his authority as National Peace and Order Council Chair, pursuant to the provisions of EO 773-2009, issued Lobregat’s appointment papers on November 28, 2010. (NBE/PIA9)

RPOC-IX Chair: Security is everybody’s concernby Mimi G. Bern-Edaga


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RPOC serves as venue for those who wants peace, DILG chief saysby Robert E. Roperos

Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo said the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) will serve as venue for those who want to achieve peace in the region.


Speaking before members of the RPOC in Caraga during its meeting on Friday in one of the local convention centers here, Sec. Robredo said the region is in the middle of being poor and rich. Robredo explained peace and order will never be achieved because there are natural resources that are deemed valuable by both government and the leftists. He added these resources are considered blessings but at the same time a problem. “’Yung problema sa katahimikan, malinaw na hindi siya matatahimik dahil may likas na yaman siyang pwedeng pakinabangan na maraming nagkakainteres… may interes ang pamahalaan, may interes ang negosyo, subalit meron ding interes ‘yung mga masasabi nating iba ang pananaw sa ating pamahalaan.. at dahil meron tayong likas na yaman, ito’y isang biyaya at isang problema,” Robredo said. (In terms of peace

and order problem, it is clear that peace and order is hard to a c h i e v e because of the natural resources w h e r e m o r e p e o p l e

will have interest on it… the government is interested as well as the business sector, but those who have different perspectives towards our government also showed their interest… and since we have these natural resources, we can consider this a blessing, at the same time a problem). To counter this problem, Robredo said the Filipino people and the government should find ways to combat poverty, as well as the government should be firm and strong. He explained these must be undertaken because he believed that part of the problem in attaining peace is not poverty but the people who are taking advantage of what they can get from the natural resources. “Dalawang pananaw ang dapat nating itulak… ang unang pananaw ay sugpuin po natin ang kahirapan… ang pangalawa ay dapat

maging matatag at malakas ang ating pamahalaan dahil ang kalahating bahagi ng ating problema ay hindi naman kahirapan kundi pagsasamantala dahil may likas na yaman ‘yung lugar,” Robredo said. (We have to push for two perspectives… first is to combat poverty… the other is for our government to be firmed and strong because half of our problem is not because poverty but the people who are taking advantage because the area is rich with natural resources). Robredo further said even if poverty will be resolved, it does not guarantee achieving peace in the area. He added because of this, the RPOC will also serve as venue to strengthen the government by intensifying the local government units, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Furthermore, Robredo said if the government is firm and strong, everybody will respect its capability, thus minimizing the insurgency problems in the region. Sec. Robredo was also here in the city to administer the oath-taking of Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. who was appointed as chairman of the RPOC in Caraga Region.


Textbook distribution to be implemented

BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Butuan has approved a resolution authorizing City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to enter into and sign in behalf of the City Government of Butuan a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Children’s International Philippines, Inc. and the Butuan City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office for the implementation of the textbook distribution of the city government. The Children International Philippines, Inc., represented by its Chief of Programs Rebecca J. Fuellos, is one of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affiliated with Children International, duly licensed by the DSWD to operate as an auxiliary social welfare and development agency.

The Children International has a textbook distribution program aimed at providing opportunities to enhance learning of the youth in schools and barangays within the Philippines. To do this, the Children International and the CSWD have partnered in facilitating access to quality reference second-

hand books that will help promote the interest and youth in reading. The resolution was jointly authored by all the councilors led by Councilor Erwin L. Dano, the chairman of the Committee on Education of the SP and Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun.

by Eldie N. David


BUTUAN CITY -- Voters who have registered more than once even in different places can now be traced by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through the National List of Registered Voters (NLRV), a computer-based system whose centralized database is stored in COMELEC Central Office, Manila.

According to Jeffrey Callo, computerized voter’s technician of COMELEC-Agusan del Norte, a qualified voter who will register in their office will be registered after verifications were made through the system. “Ang National List of Registered Voters o NLRV usa ka system kung diin atong ma-trace ang mga nagparehistro nga doble bisan og sa laing lugar sila nagparehistro (The National List of Registered Voters or NLRV is a system

where we can trace double registration even voters will register from one place to another.),” Callo said. He added the name of the voter will be entered into the system and the program will determine if said voter had already registered. Through this, Callo said the system will trace and warns the user should the name entered is already stored in the database. The official said after verifications found that said

voter had really registered twice or more, COMELEC will advise the voter to transfer his/her registration, or his/her current application for registration will not be considered. The NLRV is a solution to double registration as experienced by the commission during the previous conduct of national and local elections. This will also deter flying voters who are allegedly rampant during the previous elections.(Robert E. Roperos)

Double voters’ registration can be traced through the NLRV - Comelec


Electronic-to-mobile system for exports eyed for adoptionby Danielle Venz

Exporters could benefit from reduced cost and time of doing business as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) targets to implement

the automated export declaration system (AEDS) in all customs territories starting next month.

The AEDS, a component of the Bureau’s electronic-to-mobile (E2M) system, eliminates the need for signatures in the processing and approval of export declaration (ED). The approval is in the form of a barcode printed in the approved ED as the authority to load.

“I am recommending for its implementation first week of March since the issues related to the system can be handled,” said Nomie Gonzales, chief of the BOC’s Systems Management Division. In a meeting of the Export Development Council Networking


Committee on Trade Policy and Procedure Simplification (NCTPPS), Gonzales said the only problem they encounter is that some exporters do not apply for accreditation and registration because it is not still mandatory. Under the AEDS, only exporters, customs brokers and customs forwarders registered under BOC’s Client Profile Registration System may lodge export declarations electronically through its accredited value-added service providers (VASP). Gonzales said that the system does not allow amendments but instead, exporters have to lodge a new export declaration. However, the “unused” export declarations have to be cancelled within 15 days. “Every modification in ED entails (shipment) delay, thus we are discouraging amendments. Cancellations should pass through the office of BOC District Collector,” she said. Moreover, Gonzales said that the payment of duties, taxes and fees can be made at the Landbank BOC branch,

the BOC’s Export Division Office or Cashier Division. Guillermo Parayno, president of E-Konek Pilipinas, earlier said that the system developed by the Unisys has the pre-payment component as an alternative payment scheme. E-Konek is an accredited VASP of the Customs for its E2M computerization project. Gonzales said the BOC will conduct information campaign among stakeholders to ensure they are ready for implementation of AEDS. The E2M is part of the full computerization of BOC geared towards the realization of the National Single Window (NSW) which initially aims to computerize and integrate all Philippine government offices issuing permits and licenses nationwide. This will later on be connected with the ASEAN window. (PNF)

Mis. Occ. towns conduct assessment and analysis on flashflood-affected barangaysby Pat Nano

TUDELA, Misamis Occidental - The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) in Misamis Occidental is currently conducting a damage assessment and needs analysis of the barangays that were affected by the flashfloods that occurred last Feb. 10.


Brought about by the previous night’s heavy rains, the floods affected Barangays Sebac, Basirang, Pan-ay Diot, Yahong, Locso-on, Bara, Cabol-anon, Centro Napu, Taguima, Nailon ug Tigdok, all of Tudela, and those of Barangays Dolores, Pan-ay Daku, Lupagan, and Dela Paz in Cllarin, a neighboring town. Immediately, the provincial government through the provincial administrator, Henry Regalado, sent the provincial dump truck to evacuate the affected residents to higher grounds for their safety. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council with the assistance of the Misamis Occidental Search and Rescue Team and the Quick Response Team of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Health Office were in hand in the evacuation of the residents to the designated evacuation centers. Despite the occurrence of the

flashfloods in other areas of the province, the provincial government focused its attention on Clarin and Tudela because they had the most damage and the most number of affected families. However, the MDRRMCs of both Tudela and Clarin towns have not yet submitted the total number of the affected

families, as of press time. The provincial governor’s extension office headed by Bernadette Pusod has immediately distributed emergency food packs consisting of rice, instant noodles, and canned goods to the families affected by the flashfloods. Meanwhile, the Provincial Government has thanked the officers and men of the 55th Infantry Battalion headed by its new Commander, Lt. Col. Rommel Almaria, based in Camp Burgos, Lopez Jaena, for their help in the evacuation of the affected residents. They also thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Agriculture, and the municipal and provincial governments for their continuous monitoring of the situation of the flashflood victims in both towns. (PIO)


68 more villages in NorMin up for electrificationby Jerome R. Soldevilla

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental - More villages in Northern Mindanao will soon have access to electricity.

This developed after the Department of Energy (DOE) approved the energization of 68 more villages in the region following the allocation of some P24.6 million earmarked from the electrification fund of energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI). While DOE indicates that 99.84 percent of Mindanao is already connected in terms of barangay electrification as of November 2011, the sitio level energization is still much in need. “This electrification project hopefully will help generate jobs and stimulate small businesses in the countryside” said Steag Comrel Manager Ghaye Alegrio. Once completed, the project will be able to energize 84 villages in the region using SPI’s electrification budget since 2007. So far, P31.9 million have been earmarked by SPI as contribution to DOE’s electrification program. Target communities for this project include 11 villages in Cagayan de Oro City, 50 in Misamis Oriental, and seven in Misamis Occidental. Project will be implemented in partnership with power utilities operating in the area. (JRS/SPI)

Documents

One Mindanao - February 19, 2012