One Mindanao - February 21, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern 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

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, 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 Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

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

Cover Story

Siargao Island hailed as one of world’s best surfing spotsBeauty of the PhilippinesCaraga Region

Today’s issue... Thursday, February 21, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 130

page 4

Malacañang says no politics involed in public service efforts of the Aquino administration 8

Joie L. Ceballos, Caraga Region

Army lectures youth of role in peace and development in Tubod, Alegria 18

More Kalahi CIDSS projects turned-over to barangays

P28-M farm-to-market road benefits 5 barangays in Agusan del Norte

M’lang Tulabong Fest,’ a celebration of the flight from hopelessness to hopefulness

Western Mindanao14

2026

Gil E. Miranda, Caraga Region

Aida C. Agad, Central Mindanao

Injured seafarer receives social benefit from OWWA-12 27

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Use of red plate vehicles for election campaign of candidates is illegal – Comelec

33DavNor eyed as educational tourism hub Noel Baguio, Southern Mindanao

30Oliver Ross V. Rivera, Central Mindanao

Jasper Marie O. Rucat, Northern Mindanao

CHED 10 now accepting scholarship ap-plications for SY 2013-2014 34

6 10 12 16 24 28

Thursday, February 21, 20134

Siargao Island hailed as one of world’s best surfing spots

Siargao in Surigao del Norte is well known as

“The Surfing Capital of the Philippines” and recently, CNN ranked Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines as the 8th best surfing spot in the world.

CoVer StoRy

Cloud 9 has one of the best known surfing waves on Siargao known for its thick, hollow tubes. It is the only wave easily accessible without a boat.CNNGO’s 50 best surf spots called out the famed Cloud 9 spot in Siargao, Surigao del Norte, as a “dramatic and powerful reef break” that should be experienced by daring surfers. While warning that the coral-fringed waters may injure inexperienced and less careful surfers, the travel site said the reward is worth it for those who dare to take on Siargao’s waves.

By Beauty of the Philippines

Thursday, February 21, 2013 5

“Those who do will experience a slice of paradise, or magic mushroom-like hallucinations, as the wave wraps over them like a Cornish pasty shaped cocoon of water,” the blog said.Siargao placed the Philippines as the second Southeast Asian country, next to Indonesia, that was included in CNNGO’s top 10 surfing spots. Indonesia’s Uluwatu and Kuta surfing spots shared the top 3 spot. This is how CNN described this surfing wonder. “This dramatic and powerful reef break, which crashes onto shallow razor sharp coral, offers right and left death rides to those who dare. Those who do will experience a slice of paradise, or magic mushroom-like hallucinations, as the wave wraps over them like a Cornish pasty shaped

cocoon of water. Don’t slip, or your skin and bones will be ripped to shreds by the ocean bed.Getting there: Fly in to Manila and get an internal flight with airlines such as Cebu Pacific to Siargao for as little as US$30.”

6Thursday, February 21, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino attends launching of Mactan Newtown in Cebu

HoPresident Benigno S. Aquino III attended Wednesday the grand launching of the Mactan Newtown of the Megaworld Corp. as he assured investors that his administration will continue to level the

playing field for businesses.

In his message during the launching ceremonies of the project, the President expressed his gratitude to Megaworld for trusting the government and putting one of its investments in Lapu-Lapu City.

“Since assuming office, we have made a point to make it easier for companies to set up shop here, or to expand, as you are doing today,” the President said.

“We are making sure that we


provide competitive incentives to those investing in our priority sectors; and we are making sure that the keys to success in our country are hard work and innovation, and not simply a willingness to connive with crooks,” he added.

The Mactan Newtown is a valuable gauge for the government to know that it has been making progress, he said adding that this kind of project is helping to grow the economy in ways that can be felt by ordinary people.

Once the project is completed, many of the businesses that will be established in Mactan Newtown will create tens of thousands of jobs for the local community both direct and indirect, the President said.

One of the major beneficiaries of Megaworld’s project is Cebu’s tourism sector, according to the President. The project will provide the rooms for the government to reach its target for domestic and international tourists.

The Department of Tourism has raised the 2016 domestic tourism target to 56.1 million travellers. By that time, the President said he

expects that the country will need more than 37,000 additional rooms in its destination clusters, including Cebu.

In June last year, the President signed Proclamation No. 407 declaring the Mactan Newtown as a mixed-use special economic zone for information technology, tourism and retirement under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

The township, consisted of luxury residential condominiums, office towers, and world-class mall, is inspired by the “live-work-play” lifestyle concept that Megaworld has pioneered in the Philippines.

Megaworld Corp., one of the country’s real state giants, said it is investing P20 billion within the next five to seven years for its more than 20-hectare township development in Lapu-Lapu City.

The company said its cyberpark at Mactan Newtown is expected to generate employment for 25,000 full-time business process outsourcing (BPO) workers within five to seven years. PND (as)

8Thursday, February 21, 2013

Malacañang says no politics involed in public service efforts of the Aquino administration

There is no politicking involved in the

acceleration of the Aquino administration’s public service programs coming into the election period as claimed by other sectors, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“Insinuations that the Aquino administration and its allies have been distributing PhilHealth cards and rice, and “rushing” the implementation of public works projects, as part of the election campaign, reeks of a malicious, anti-people mindset that aims to cast aside our people’s welfare for the sake of a few soundbites,”

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

According to Lacierda, the PhilHealth cards were delivered to the beneficiaries of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as part of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, which was launched recently by the government, “as a gesture to build


good will and sustain the forward momentum of the peace process.”

Lacierda said PhilHealth never sanctioned the release of benefits in the alleged campaign activity of administration bets in Bohol and no representative from the said agency was present during the supposed distribution of health cards which, upon investigation, were not even from PhilHealth.

He also added that the national government was never involved in the release of rice by local executives in Bohol and that the infrastructure projects, which are being funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), are being accelerated precisely to ensure that their economic benefits reach our people before the election ban takes place.

“At no instance—whether during this election period, or during the two years and eight months of the Aquino administration—were these services,

or any government-funded initiative, rendered in exchange for political favors from voters or constituents. It is simply government doing its job – a job that must be done regardless of the political climate,” Lacierda stressed.

Lacierda said the public service agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III will not be held hostage by such remarks motivated by electioneering as he called on everyone to exercise vigilance upon reporting and receiving such misinformation.

“We call on the citizenry to be vigilant of the motivations behind such insinuations; the media to present the facts fairly, completely, and accurately; and the candidates and their allies to participate in the democratic process in a manner that is honorable, and does not sacrifice public welfare upon the altar of politics,” concluded Lacierda in his statement. PND (hdc)


Gov’t program to deliver better services, upgrade Mindanao backbone to IP-based network

Government initiatives through iGovPhil

will bring significant changes with the way government functions, interface with each other and deliver its services to the Filipino people.

This was said by Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre, executive director of the Information and Communication Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ICTO) during the launching of Smarter Philippines held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday with his topic “Closer to the Ground: Addressing Infrastructure and Security”.

Smarter Philippines is the umbrella program that will encompass the DOST’s

S&T initiatives on various fronts such as disaster mitigation, governance, health care, agriculture and transportation.

The program was launched in Davao City as explained by Casambre because “Davao itself recently embarked, quite on each own, its Smart City program”.

The launching was graced by Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo, Cristopher E. Roilo, Country Program Manager, United Nations-HABITAT Phils, Reed Aeschliman, Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency


for International Development (USAID), Marial Beck, Vice President, European Chamber of Commerce Philippines, Lizabel G. Holganza, Chairperson, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP).

With the iGovPhil (Integrated Government Philippines Project), Casambre said, it would bring together information technologies of the DOST-ICTO, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Office of the President (OP) and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) as well as the Medium-term Information and Communication Technology Harmonization Initiative (MITHI), thus delivering better service to the public.

Casambre who admitted that iGovPhil is an ambitious project, said that they will establish the essential ICT infrastructure for government to address government’s need for interconnectivity and more efficient and transparent public service.

He cited that their Metro Manila wider fiber optic network received criticism for being Manila-centric even as he said that in the first year of implementation it was in Metro Manila because 70 percent of expenses of the national government are there.

“But even then national connectivity has always been on the agenda,” he said.

He added that only due to practical constraints, they are now into the early implementation stages of upgrading the existing government

telecommunications backbone in the Visayas to a modern IP-based facility capable of 500 Mbps along with fiber optic connections in Cebu where the 2nd integrated national data center will be located.

“For 2014 (2013 if I had my way) we are proposing to likewise upgrade the antiquated telecommunications backbone in Mindanao to a more modern IP-based network,” he said.

He said “Smarter also extends beyond its technology and application”.

Smarter Governance is certainly an apt title for MITHI which is a joint program of DBM and DOST which objective is basically to be smarter at how national government leverage ICTs by leveraging shared services, common infrastructure, interoperability and accessibility to data.

He said, however, that Smarter e-Governance should not stop with the executive branch. The local government units need to take in moving forward. As the citizenry populates the cyberspace, so should LGUs, he added.

“Websites, Facebook and Twitter pages are not enough. It should go beyond that. It is time to rise to the next level,” he said.

He said these things already exist and what they wanted people to do is utilize it and they are asking the people to change the mind set by applying it and leverage from it as ICTs are enabler.

He said in today’s Smarter age, physical interaction has been minimized while productivity, maximized. (PNA)


http:/ /www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

[email protected] piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

Newly-weds thank Pag-Ibig, city government for the “Libreng Kasalan ng Bayan”By Gideon C. CorguePAGADIAN CITY - Some 129 couples have expressed their gratitude to the Pag-Ibig Fund and city government of Pagadian for the free mass wedding held on Feb. 14 at the City Commercial Centrer here.


Newly-weds thank Pag-Ibig, city government for the “Libreng Kasalan ng Bayan”

Dubbed “I Do. I Do, Araw ng Pag-Ibig,” the free mass wedding was designed to give couples living out of wedlock an opportunity to make their union legal. Eduardo Miligan, 54, and Leah Villanosa, 50, of barangay Lenienza who were living together for 10 years said in an interview: “Wala kami magpakasal sulod sa pipila na ka tuig sa among panagtipon tungod sa kakulangon salapi nga sarang ikagasto sa among pagkasal. Apan dihang among nadungog ang balita sa radyo nga ang Pag-Ibig Fund ug kagamhang lokal naglusad sa libreng kasalan sa adlaw sa kasing-kasing ning tuiga wala kami magmakuli pagpahimulos sa kahigayonan pagpahimulos sa programa.” (We did not marry in our years of cohabitation due to lack of money to fund our wedding. But when I heard over the radio that Pag-Ibig Fund and city government would be holding a free mass wedding during Valentine’s Day, we did not hesitate to grab the opportunity to avail of the program.) They have two children. Miligan further said, “Dako gyud kaayo ang among kalipay nga gibati ilabi na gayud kay kini usa ka dalaygon ug talagsaon nga kalihokan sa kagamhanan. Unang higayon kini sa among tibuok nga kinabuhi uban ang 128 kaparisan nga kinasal nga naka-martsa sa pula nga carpet, gisaksihan ang among kasal sa mga halangdong opisyal sa kagamhanan, libre ang tanang gasto lakip na ang venue ug pagkaon ug naa pa gyud mga gipanghatag giveaways.” (We are extremely happy because this is

laudable project of the government. It was the first time in our life that we, along with the 128 couples walked down the aisle on a red carpet, witnessed by key officials of the government, and all expenses paid including the venue and food as well as giveaways.) Meanwhile, Mayor Samuel Co, the solemnizing officer expressed elation for the active participation of the newly-wed couples in the annual mass wedding program. Co said with the “Kasalan ng Bayan (town wedding), these couples who were living together without the benefit of marriage because of poverty are now legally married.” He also expressed his thanks to Pag-Ibig Fund in partnering with the city government through the City Local Civil Registrar’s Office in the successful conduct of the mass wedding. The “Kasalan ng Bayan” was Mayor Co’s initiative since he assumed as the city mayor in 2003.


More Kalahi CIDSS projects turned-over to barangaysBy Bernadine Astillero-Gabawan

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur - More projects under the Kalahi-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon were turned-over to five barangays of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur last week.

Said projects were answers to the “felt needs” of the barangay folks since they were the ones identifying them. Projects implemented were 1.74-kilometer road concreting at Barangay Lamare, 226-meter sectional road concreting on critical slope at Barangay Supon, 550-meter concreting of critical slope at Barangay Matun-og, 220-meter sectional road concreting at Barangay Kanipaan, and 120-meter concreting on critical slope at Barangay Camp Blessing.

The turnover ceremonies were attended by Mayor Leonardo L. Babasa, Jr. together with municipal councilors Celso Matias and Saturnino Amor, and the barangay chairmen. “With these projects, farm products of the residents will have an easy access to market,” said Mayor Babasa. On the other hand, two other projects were turned-over last Jan. 31, a water system (gravity type) and a health center for Barangays Damit and Dipili, respectively.



Reg’l Dev’t Council spearheads Caraga’s 18th Anniversary celeb

BUTUAN CITY -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) is spearheading the annual commemoration of the establishment of Caraga.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


Reg’l Dev’t Council spearheads Caraga’s 18th Anniversary celeb

Caraga Region was created on February 23, 1995 through Republic Act 7901. This year, residents are celebrating its 18th anniversary with the theme “Celebrating the Indigenous Peoples’ Culture in Caraga.”

The theme for this year highlights the rich culture and tradition of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Caraga while promoting the protection of the rights and well-being of the IPs due them with regards to their customs, beliefs, and institutions as espoused in Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

RDC Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas said that a calendar of activities has been drawn for this year’s month-long celebration.

“Apart from the agency-led activities, the RDC in partnership with the various regional line agencies and local government units has organized a series of activities on February 22, 2013 as the highlights of the celebration,” said Matugas.

The celebration will start with a parade from the city hall going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Covered Court, this city, where

the thanksgiving mass and program will also be held.

Matugas added that one of the highlights of the day’s activities is the Cultural Show at 4 p.m. at the Las Nieves Hall, Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here.

“During this event, traditional dances and songs of the Indigenous Peoples will be featured. We will also recognize outgoing and retiring regional directors for their dedicated service and invaluable contributions to the development of Caraga,” explained Matugas.

It was also learned that the Caraga anniversary celebration is also in time with the launching of the National Year of the Rice 2013 to be spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture.

Along it is the conduct of the following activities: Press Conference, Exhibit of Agri-Products, Quiz Show, Poster-making Contest, and Farmers’ Forum. Each will be held in different venues of this city.

The RDC also hoped for the full support and participation of the Caraganons for this celebration.


The symposium focused on the roles and responsibilities of youth in peace and development; it also included lectures and interactive discussion on leadership development, moral values enhancement, interpersonal

communication, drug prevention and security awareness.

The Speakers’ Bureau likewise introduced the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines called “Bayanihan” as part of the effort

by Joie L. Ceballos

Army lectures youth of role in peace and development in Tubod, Alegria

SURIGAO CITY -- The Speakers Bureau Team of the 30th Infantry (Python) Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army conducted recently a series of symposium to high school students of Tubod National High School, Timamana National High School and Alegria National High School, Surigao del Norte.


Army lectures youth of role in peace and development in Tubod, Alegria

to let the audience understand the current thrust of the Army in winning the peace, instead of winning the war against insurgency.

The activity also gave the Speakers’ Bureau Team an opportunity to invite the 4th year high school students to take the scheduled Philippine Military Academy Entrance Examination this coming August 25, 2013 and become one of the cadets of Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.

In his message, 30th IB, PA Civil Military Operations Officer Capt. Steve Mangabat said that the school symposium is a continuing program of the 30th Infantry Battalion Civil-Military Operation focusing on the youth, which is one of the most important and dynamic sector of the society.

He also said that youth are catalysts of social transformation as they have high ideals, they are dynamic, and they have untainted social perceptions. It is to this effect that all stakeholders that are concerned with youth development should make it a personal commitment to be “youth keepers” by

mentoring the youth away from wickedness and wrongdoings.

All stakeholders should guide the youth to become more disciplined and responsible, and encourage them to participate in community peace and development activities that will truly benefit the schools and communities where they belong, Mangabat added.

Around 620 high school students participated during the said event headed by the 30th IB Phil. Army headed by Capt. Steve L. Mangabat and PA Charlie Company Commanding Officer 1LT Benjamin T. Depay in cooperation with Alegria Municipal Police Station led by PSI Richelu B. Alucila, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development led by Municipal Officer Norberta Sepria.


P28-M farm-to-market road benefits 5 barangays in Agusan del Norteby Gil E. Miranda

SURIGAO CITY -- Caraga representatives to the Lower House is in full support of the proposed modernization of Caraga Regional Hospital located in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

More than 11,000 residents in barangays Tagbongabong, Basilisa, Balangbalang, Poblacion II, and San Antonio Agrarian Reform Communities (TAGBABAPSA ARC) benefited from the project with 989 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) including hundreds of residents

from neighboring barangays. The road project provides better

accessibility to three barangays, from national road junction in Poblacion II traversing Brgy. Balangbalang to San Antonio.

DAR Caraga Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, Andre B. Atega also of DAR, and Mayor


Nilo D. Soliva led the ceremonial ribbon cutting and unveiling of the marker.

Mambuay said, “This project is expected to improve lives and reduce poverty level of agrarian reform beneficiaries, farmers and residents in the community.”

Atega said the project will increase household income and change the way of life among the residents. He asked the local officials as well as the residents to take care of the project to prolong its service.

Mayor Soliva lauded government initiatives like DAR’s interventions that dramatically increase productivity and boost economic condition which change not only the landscape but positively ease in commuting and lessen transport cost.

“This road brings rapid growth that lead to the prosperity of my constituents,” Soliva added.

Jeanda Agao, one of the recipients, said the project indeed, is a dream come true to the residents, who endured years of bad road condition, but now, they have an accessible road that greatly improve the mobilization of agricultural products.

“Ang maong proyekto dako og tabang kay dili na kami maglisod sa pagdala sa among produkto

ngadto sa kamerkadohan (the project greatly helps because we can easily bring our products to the market),” Jeanda said.

Witnessing the said activity were Vice Mayor Eleuterio R. Enriquez; Denia Jabagat and Virgie Batosalem of DAR; Danilo E. Versola of DPWH; District Engineer Salvador E. Montil Jr., San Antonio Brgy. Chairman Diosdado Enriquez; and some local residents.

The project is jointly funded by government and by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) implemented under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project, Phase III (ARISP III).


For the list of Philippine holidays in 2013 through Proc. No. 459, just visit the PIA-Caraga Blogspot at www.piacaraga.blogspot.com for the copy of the said proclamation...


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Rev. Donald Soriano, director of the Bethesda Ministries International yesterday turned over to the provincial government of South Cotabato P98 million worth of drugs and medicines.

Church group donates P98-M worth of medicines to South CotabatoBy Danilo E. Doguiles


Soriano visited the province to check out the progress of the feeding program the ministry has recently implemented with the provincial LGU and personally deliver the medicines which were shipped from the US to Cagayan de Oro.

The shipment consists of medicines for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, edema, ulcers, allergies, and many other illnesses. It also included antibiotics, medicines to prevent organ rejection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and others.

The donation, he explained, was facilitated and donated charity organizations by the Universal Aide Society based in Vancouver, Canada and Hilfe Weiltweit E.V. (Helping Hands) in Bonn, Germany.

Some of the medicines, Soriano said, are set to expire within April to October, this year.

“Considering the number of individuals in need of these medicines the provincial government has ample

time to complete the distribution of these to the intended recipients.”

How the provincial government would identify the recipients would not matter to the donor agencies, he said.

“Our only request is for the recipient local government unit is to account for each of the medicine by filling out the forms shipped with the delivery.”

Rev. Soriano informed the provincial government employees present in the ceremony that South Cotabato is the first province that has received donations for medicines, “even ahead of my own province (Benguet).”

At the turn-over ceremony at the covered court inside the Provincial Capitol compound,

boxes of the medicines were handed to the local government units of Norala, Tampakan, Tantangan, Banga and Surallah.

Provincial nutrition action officer, Ma. Ana Uy, said the first beneficiaries of the medicines are the families of the pre-school kids covered by the provincial government’s feeding program with Bethesda Ministries.

To ensure that the medicines would be used before their expiration dates, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. told the reverend that he will canvass the departments of the provincial government as well as the regional government offices for employees in need of such medicines. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY,South Cotabato -- The local government of M’lang re-cently launched the week-long celebration for the first Tulabong Festival to promote the Central Mindanao Airport in Barangay Tawan-tawan which is nearing completion.

M’lang Tulabong Fest,’ a celebration of the flight from hopelessness to hopefulnessBy Aida C. Agad

The festivities on February 16 was highlighted with exhibition flights of two ultra-light planes which wowed residents, most of whom witnessed for the first time the actual flying of aircraft at very close distance.

The festival was also

spiced up with a sky-diving exhibition; after the air show, residents were also entertained with a motorcycle and tricycle drag race at the stretch of the 1.2-kilometer (km) runway.

M’lang Mayor Joselito Pinol said with the

launching of the first Tulabong Fest, the final works on the airport will also follow and will start this month.

Pinol said the c o n s t r u c t i o n works will include the extension of the concrete runway to about 2 km from the existing 1.2 km. and the construction of the control tower

and the fire station building.

These last phases of construction works, Pinol said, will take off with the release of an additional P154 million which was approved recently by President Aquino.

The Tulabong Festival, Pinol said, is a reminder for residents to back up local government’s efforts always, as it hopes to develop the town into world-class investment and tourist destination.

“Tulabong” is the native Philippine name for white heron, often seen in the wide ricefields feasting on insects and small frogs. Oftentimes, the bird is seen perched on the back of the carabaos. (ACA-PIA12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Last July 20, 2012, seafarer Larry Yangyang, a deckhand of the Orient Star LLP suffered from an injury in his left index finger which resulted to his immediate repatriation.

Injured seafarer receives social ben-efit from OWWA-12By Oliver Ross V. Rivera

In an i n c i d e n t report, Kier Bremer, a skipper of the Orient Star LLP said, “Larry was watching and making sure the net will not be broken. As he was trying to pull the net, his left index finger was accidentally caught in a net drum which resulted to its injury.”

After being pulled out from his workplace, Yangyang was confined on July 11, 2012 at Sagrada Corazon Medical and Allied Services Center, Inc. in Ermita, Manila.

Dr. Gerardo R. Wenceslao, general and cancer surgeon, said that Yangyang, “In the

meantime, he is not yet fit to work,” in a medical report dated October 18, 2012.

Since Mr. Yangyang was able to update his membership in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, he was qualified to receive Disability and Dismemberment benefit under Social Benefits Service of the agency.

Under this, the seafarer was able to receive a check amounting to

P7,500 representing social benefit from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 12.

An OWWA member OFW may receive disability/dismemberment benefit of up to P100,000 for injuries while working abroad. (ORVR-PIA12/Giovanni Docusin- OWWA-12)


DAVAO CITY – The Business Coun-cil of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Inc. has accepted Gawad Kalinga’s challenge of a five-day volunteer-ism of building new homes for the flood survivors in Sta. Cruz town. Through its president, Jose B. Villaflor, the Council expressed acceptance and commitment of support to GK’s 2013 Bayani Challenge which included the

municipality of Sta. Cruz as among the 39 municipalities and cities in the country as sites for the heroic five-day event engaging volunteers to build houses in calamity-devastated areas. “The challenge is acceptable and workable,” Villaflor said as the business sector’s response to the challenge presented by Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel

Ray Lopez who urged the private companies based in his town to help the LGU to provide safer homes for his constituents who were left homeless by the flashflood incidents in 2011 and 2012. He told the Philippine Information Agency that the Business Council initially

Sta. Cruz DavSur biz council to build homes for flood survivorsby Carina Cayon


to pour in financial aid to Bayani Challenge, adding that it is up to the company-members to decide on their individual contribution. Villaflor, who represented Sta. Cruz-based Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, said the firm is initially pledging technical workers and vehicles to transport volunteers. “This is not a showcase of popularity. This is a challenge of generosity and work of heart, and a showcase of unity among the government, business sector and civil society organization,” he emphasized in his message during a Dinner for a Cause held Tuesday night at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city. PIA Director General and GK Bayani Challenge Event head Jose Mari M. Oquiñena raised the relevance of strengthening partnership with private firms, saying “this is the best way to achieve industrial peace.” “The Bayani Challenge is beyond building houses, and it has become a way of creating possibilities,” Oquiñena emphasized in his message also during the Dinner for a Cause where he was guest of honor.He said he is hoping that involving in the Bayani Challenge will become a lifestyle for many

Filipinos. For Mayor Lopez, considering Sta. Cruz as one of the sites of the 2013 Bayani Challenge which bears the theme “Isang Bayani, Isang Bayanihan” is an honor and a privilege for the municipality. He said the partnership with GK through the Bayani Challenge is helping the LGU to efficiently achieve its program of removing the constituents out of the danger zone and flood-prone areas, and relocating them into a safer place. Sta. Cruz Councilor Fernando Ugd oracion said the Bayani Challenge targets to build ten houses with lower cost at Luway in Barangay Zone 2 during summer from March 23 to March 27, 2013, which will also engage volunteers into tree planting and health mission. Ugdoracion bared that the two-hectare area in Luway is one of the two areas acquired by the LGU as relocation sites intended for the residents affected by flood incidents and infrastructure projects, and those living in danger zone areas.He said they would still undergo the process of screening and identifying qualified beneficiaries. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)


DavNor eyed as educational tourism hub

TAGUM CITY – The province is be-ing eyed as the next educational tourism hub in the region, with the launch of a local academy run by the provincial government. Philippine Councilors League – Legislative Academy (PCL-LA) Executive Director Hilario Caminero bared the emerging potential of the province for this type of tourism upon the inauguration of the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI). Caminero, who conceived the highly specialized learning system that now allows public servants around the country to earn college degrees through the PCL-LA, hailed Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for initiating the Capitol institute. He said the province has become an alternative educational destination for local government officials and employees and barangay fuctionaries, both within and outside the Davao region. “DNLI will also cater to

the needs of employees of the local government units in other provinces both in and outside the Davao region,” the Kapalong Councilor said, after signing the tripartite agreement marking the start of the academy. Caminero on Monday joined Gov. del Rosario and Dr. Jonathan Bayogan, President of the Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), in signing the memorandum of agreement forged between the three

entities for the operation of the institute. Del Rosario saw the great potential of the partnership in providing college education to undergraduate Capitol employees, including health workers, daycare workers and barangay captains. He even opened the door for the special baccalaureate programs of the academy to disaster response and sports officers in various communities. The institute initially offers the special program on public administration using the PCL-LA modules in governance, with 31 employee-students from the Capitol commencing their classes on February 23, 2013. “This is the start of professionalizing our human capital in line with our six-point agenda called P.E.O.P.L.E.,” the governor said. (Noel Baguio-DN Info)


Massive forest rehabilitation for Kalabugao Plainby Irene Joy Dayo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources–Region 10 (DENR-10) revealed parallel project of massive forest rehabilitation all throughout Kalabugao Plain as commitment to the Bantulaay: Peace and Development Convergence Program in Brgy. Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on Feb. 14.


The Bantulaay, a venue for programs/projects validation and stakeholders’ forum, was conceptualized with the primary objective to secure the support and commitment of the concerned LGUs, NGAs, NGOs and other stakeholders of Kalabugao Plan toward successful implementation of the convergence program. Meanwhile, the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-10 Technical Working Group (TWG) has conceptualized the Peace and Development Convergence Program for Kalabugao Plain that aims to develop Kalabugao Plain (center point of tri-boundary) into an economically, environmentally and culturally developed community. According to the present Ancestral Domain Sustainable Protection Plan (ADSPP) and Barangay Development Plans (BDP) in Kalabugao, one of the sectors that should be addressed is the environment. Activities and programs like tree growing and reforestation is one of the major needs of the community since the land also has rivers and water shed. Ferdinand E. Dagulo, officer-in-charge (OIC) of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) based in Manolo Fortich town, Bukidnon presented a reforestation initiative called National Greening Program (NGP). NGP is a massive forest rehabilitation program of government that seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land nationwide. The conduct of the said program is within a period of six years, from 2011

to 2016, he said. In Kalabugao, NGP plantations were already established in the years 2011 and 2012 through the help of various People’s Organizations (POs) and representatives. According to him, the proposed project for 2013 is composed of plant seedlings with contract cost that amount to P4, 525,000. Locations which serve as beneficiaries include Kaanibungan and Calampigan of Barangay Kalabugao and Barangay Sayawan, Hagpa and Dumalaguing. In 2011, about 50,000 seedlings were already planted in a 101-hectare land in Impasug-ong which amounted to P287,163.200 and generated 364,088 jobs from producing seedlings for the program and from plantation establishment. Moreover, a total of 89.6 million seedlings have been planted in 128,558 hectares nationwide in the mentioned year. In 2012, 296,000 trees of various kinds were planted in 483 hectares part of Impasug-ong. The amount released for this plantation amounted to P3, 579,825. The trees planted included Brazilian, Bagras, Rubber, Rambutan, Durian, Mango, Mahogany, Kupang, Falcata, Gemelina and Bamboo as well as Endemic species like Almaciga, Bitan-ag, Kalingag, Bitanghol, Ulayan, Sagimsim, Coffee, and others. Indigenous species were also included in the plantation. According also to Dagulo, NGP also has limitations for it will not include those titled land areas. NGP is a convergence initiative of DENR which is supported by all


Use of red plate vehicles for election campaign of candidates is illegal – Comelec

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The use of red plate vehicles for any election campaign or for any partisan political activity is illegal.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

“This is clarified in Section 261 of Republic Act No. 9006 otherwise known as the Fair Elections Act,” said Atty. Stalin A. Baguio, Provincial Elections Supervisor of Commission on Elections (Comelec) in this province. Section 261 of RA No. 9006 prohibits the use of any equipment, facility, apparatus, paraphernalia or vehicles owned by the government or by its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for any election campaign or for any partisan political activity. The provision also prohibits the use under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, of any printing press, or television station or audio-visual equipment operated by the government or by its subdivisions,

agencies or instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations for such activities. However, the same provision penalizes any operator or employee of a public utility or transportation company operating under a certificate of public convenience who refuses to carry official election mail matters free of charge during the election period. Meanwhile, all transportation companies engaged in the operation of transportation facilities during the election are required to report within 30 days following the day of the election, the use, rental or hiring of their facilities by any candidate, political party, coalition of political parties, or groups or organizations in connection with the election campaign. The report will include the amount paid for such use, rental or hiring, which report shall be submitted to

government agencies. The project is also part of the government’s climate change mitigation, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity conservation programs. It was established by virtue issued on Feb. 24, 2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III. “Kini nga programa, nagtuo

ako nga pinaagi sa inyong suporta, atong makab-ot kay kung dili nato kini buhaton, kinsa pa man? Ug kung dili karon, kanus-a pa man kini nato buhaton (I believe that this program will be realized through your support. If we will not do this, who will? If not now, then, when?” Dagulo ended.


CHED 10 now accepting scholarship applications for SY 2013-2014by Jasper Marie O. RucatCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 10 is now accepting applications for Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) for the School Year 2013-2014.

Dr. Zenaida G. Gersana of CHED 10 said interested applicants should submit documentary requirements including an accomplished StuFAPs application form, two copies of duly certified high school report card for third year students and grades for the first three grading periods for fourth year students, three copies of the latest BIR Income Tax Return (ITR)/Certificate of Tax Exemption of parents and four copies of certificate of good moral character from the high school principal or guidance counselor. CHED will prioritize courses on health sciences, information technology, agriculture and related fields, engineering, teacher education, science and math. Scholarships include the Full Merit Program amounting to P15,000 per semester and the Half Merit Program which is P7,500 per semester and which also covers Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Meanwhile, the “Tulong Dunong” grant-in-aid program provides P6,000 per semester and covers cultural

minority groups, members of the hill tribes, solo parents and their children and senior citizens. For those who want to avail Study Now Pay Later (SNPLP), P7,500 per semester will be allocated. Gersana said qualified applicants must be a Filipino citizen of good moral character; must be a high school graduate or a candidate for graduation from high school; must have at least 80 percent general weighted average (GWA) based on Form 138, combined gross annual income of parents must not exceed Php 300,000; must not be more than 30 years of age at the time of application except for rebel returnees and senior citizens and should be entering freshmen and/or college student in any curricular year level. Application period is January 1 to March 31, 2013. For more details, applicants may visit CHED 10 at the HEDC Bldg., Archbishop James Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro City or call at their number (08822) 711-231 or email [email protected].

the Regional Election Director of the region, who in turn shall submit the

same to the Law Department of the Comelec in Manila.

Documents

One Mindanao - February 21, 2013