One Mindanao - February 24, 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

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, 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

73 of 78 Caraga LGUs pass DILG’s Good Financial Housekeeping 2014

Zambo. Sur board members roll up sleeves vs cutting of mangrove trees

12

15

2021

32

PIA Caraga mobile app achieves greater leverageBy: Venus L. Garcia

Farmgate price of hogs down-DA

Paje: ‘TreeVolution’ a big step towards restoring Mindanao forests

Metrobank opens 2015 search for outstanding police officers

1.65km farm to market road opens in Ozamiz City

Total crime volume up 16.70% in Tangub in 2014

By: Ray Gregory F. Jaranilla

10

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

30

26 Over half of Philhealth members in SOCCSKSARGEN are indigents, official says

By: PO3 Darlin Cabalinan-Migulllas

By: Franklin P. Gumapon

By: Vanessa Mae S. Siano

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

Cover Story

CARAGAWESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERNNATIONAL

23 Panabo extends help to differently-abled By: Mark Anthony G. Gellor

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25 28

We donate blood because we care for our people, says military official17By: Gideon C. Corgue

4 FEBRUARY 24, 2015One Mindanao

In keeping a maximum advantage of providing a unique

communication and information dissemination tool, the ‘PIA Caraga’ mobile application introduced by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga has gain a number of users and reaped much support from different private institutions; government, public and business sectors shortly in just a quarter of year since it was made available on smartphones and tablets.

By: Venus L. Garcia

PIA Caraga mobile app achieves greater leverage

5FEBRUARY 24, 2015 One Mindanao

The content and other infographics of said app provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant activities, developmental news, weather forecasts and current status during natural disasters, and other significant updates in the region.

As positively responded by partner agencies to participate in advocacies in promoting community resiliency, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-13 in particular has issued a regional memorandum circular to all provincial governors, municipal mayors and punong barangays encouraging them to maximize the utilization of the mobile app

and to promote the same to all their constituents. “Likewise, all DILG-13 provincial/city directors and city/municipal local government operations officers (LGOOs) were already directed to cause the widest dissemination of the issuance in each respective area of responsibility. All DILG-13 personnel were also instructed to gain access to the app,” bared DILG-13 regional director Lilibeth Famacion.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga headed by officer-in-charge Dr. Rebecca V. Delapuz has issued a directive to all schools division superintendents in the region encouraging to run the application on their mobile devices and


cascade the same to all teaching and non-teaching personnel and students.

During a recent visit also of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) secretary Luwalhati Antonino in Caraga region, PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga personally introduced to her this new platform. Sec. Antonino lauded PIA Caraga for taking the lead in optimizing its services through this mobile app as a gateway to provide information in a mobile environment nowadays.

Likewise, Butuan City mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba who were present in that same event had greatly appreciated the localized updates and information contained in the app that are more relevant to the interests of all Caraganons.

“PIA Caraga mobile app is also performing well in the racecourse in light of the booming economy of the city wherein aggressive strategies to hype public awareness are crucial,” said mayor Amante.

Apart from the usual support of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) by promoting the app through its electronic billboard, Jinglong Enterprise also offered to include the PIA Caraga mobile app in the loop of its advertorials for free via its wide electronic billboard situated in one of the busiest intersection


in the city to attract more people from downloading the app.

In this city alone, the Robinsons Place Butuan (RPB), one of the largest and most successful chain of malls in the country today, is in fact performing its contribution in capturing a wide audience of merchants and shoppers who are target users of said app. “Aside from maintaining a legacy of world-class standards in terms of services and facilities, we also value our indispensable corporate social responsibility and noteworthy advocacies such as bringing awareness to the public the significance of ‘PIA Caraga’ mobile app by setting up tarpaulins in conspicuous areas within the mall announcing its applicability and practicability when downloaded,” mentioned Dinah Jamero-Pasok, mall operations manager of RPB. Also, a short infomercial video will soon be viewed at the Robinsons Movieworld to inform moviegoers

about the app.

Meanwhile, the Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (BHFHI), a non-government organization working on a mission to provide decent and durable shelters to disaster-affected families, made known to them the significance of the app. BHFHI vice president Engr. Heddy Sumalpong said that more Habitat beneficiaries are now using the app, “keeping them abreast of the latest weather reports and other news,” she added.

Included in the nifty menu of the app is the Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network, the agency’s information and advocacy station live streaming 24/7, where disaster management tips, interviews and discussions on significant issues can be heard. The app also allows users to navigate on features such as the


directory of government offices, maps, news releases, textblast messages, e-magazine, list of contacts for emergency and quick response, photo sharing and more. “With the infinite details needed in our everyday lives, the team took the challenge to employ for a purpose the “brain”

in your smartphones by providing a unique tool for everyone to gain access to sources of information through PIA Caraga mobile app. This is how we prepare for the future considering the fast-paced technological advancements. Let’s increase one’s involvement for a more resilient community,” underscored regional director Caga.


As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), the Philippines will focus on activities that will help raise awareness about the adverse impact of climate change on vulnerable countries in order to strengthen cooperation among the most affected countries and further rally international support for action against climate change.

PH chairmanship of Climate Vulnerable Forum to help raise global awareness about climate change

This was announced by Climate Change Commission Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering during a meeting with representatives from CVF member-states that was held in Geneva on February 12. The

Climate Vulnerable Forum is a group of 20 countries that face the greatest challenges from climate change, with diverse membership ranging from coastal states prone to flooding and those affected by severe drought.


Farmgate price of hogs down-DA

Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reaño said, from P115 per kilo, the price has gone down to P113 in Rizal to as low as P97 in Mindanao.

He added, the said prices are still profitable for the hog raisers, since the price of feeds these days is also low.

QUEZON CITY - The Department of Agriculture said Monday that farmgate prices of live hogs have gone down recently.

Among the activities that the Philippines will pursue are the strengthening of partnerships with expert bodies, like the World Meteorological Organization, to enhance local skills and knowledge as well as exchange information and experiences among countries in similar situations; the engagement of other sectors, including finance,

in addressing climate change; and the tightening of linkages with other areas of cooperation affected by climate change, such as disaster preparedness and response.

The Philippines assumed chairmanship of the CVF from Costa Rica during the UN Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru in December 2014.

Other members of the CVF are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam. (dfa.gov.ph)


According to Reaño, pork kasim and other parts, except liempo, have gone down in public markets but for unknown reasons some private markets, prices still go up. The suggested retail price for liempo is still P185 per kilo but high demand pushes up its price in markets. “Ang liempo kung talagang sa suki mo ka pupunta, mabibili

mo ng 180, pero sa retail, naroon pa din sa P190 hanggang P210. Kasi nga in demand,” Reaño said. He added, the suggested retail price for chicken remains at P135 per kilo, but in some markets, chicken is sold for as low as P120 per kilo. Earlier, the DA said it targets to lessen pork imports by 20 million kilos in 2015. (DA-OSEC)


MANILA - Department of Environment and Natural Reources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has lauded the record-breaking “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNow” as a big step forward in restoring Mindanao’s rapidly dwindling forest cover and fighting climate change.

Paje: ‘TreeVolution’ a big step towards restoring Mindanao forests

“More than setting the now-confirmed world record, we will always consider TreeVolution as a big step taken by Mindanao residents themselves in re-greening their landscape to help mitigate climate change

and protect themselves against its adverse impacts,” the DENR chief said.

Records tally-keeper Guinness World Records recently confirmed Mindanao, through


the TreeVolution – a massive tree-planting activity held in various locations in the region in September last year – as the new title holder for the most number of trees planted within an hour.

Paje congratulated the DENR’s partner organizers, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) led by its Chairman Lualhati Antonino, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and those who actively participated for the success of the activity.

“We are hoping that this move will inspire others, as collaboration and unity among stakeholders is the key to address the adverse impacts of climate change,” he said.

He noted how in recent years Mindanao had been battered by strong typhoons and huge floods in what could only be attributed to climate change impacts, and said that the sheer number of trees planted under the TreeVolution program, if properly cared for to maturity, would benefit the people of Mindanao and the environment.

Paje cited the sequestration of carbon, which greatly contributes to global warming and climate change; recharging of aquifers; stabilization of the soil; food security; and livelihood creation as only some of the benefits that the project would bring to surrounding communities and the environment.

During the TreeVolution, more than 122,000 participants simultaneously planted 2.29 million seedlings, across 29 locations in Mindanao on Sept. 26 last year, surpassing the previous record of 1.9 million trees planted by India in 2011.

Paje lauded the commitment of Mindanao’s local government units who contributed five hectares each for the planting sites, through a resolution passed by the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal League Presidents of Mindanao or Confed-Mindanao.

He reiterated that the TreeVolution was in support of the government’s National Greening Program, which aims to cover 1.5 million hectares with trees by 2016. (PNA)


Assistant City Information Officer Leonor R. Rabino told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that aside from the cash prize, the city also received a

trophy, tarpaulin and posters declaring the city a hall of famer after successively winning the said search since 2011 until 2014. The city won the Pink Orchid

DIPOLOG CITY – The city government here has received on Friday, Feb. 20, P500 thousand from the Department of Health (DOH) at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City for winning the 2014 Red Orchid Awards.

Dipolog bags 2014 Red Orchid AwardsBy: Mary May A. Abellon


Zambo. Sur board members roll up sleeves vs cutting of mangrove treesBy: Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Alarmed by the reported destruction of mangrove trees at Barangay Pisaan in Dinas town Zamboanga del Sur, a special session has been held today by the provincial board to address the problem.

award in 2010. “This cash prize will be used for our anti-smoking advocacy campaign, trainings and the formulation of our database of smokers,” Rabino said. The Red Orchid award is designed to recognize tobacco-free provinces, municipalities, cities, government offices, government hospitals and health centers to prevent smoking-related illnesses in pursuance of Republic Act 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. It can be recalled that the country’s anti-smoking campaign follows the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which recommends certain measures against exposure to smoke in indoor workplaces, public

transport, indoor places, and other public places.WHO used the red orchid in its 2001 World No Tobacco Day advocacy as a symbol of tobacco-free world. Aside from Dipolog, there were other 15 local government units adjudged hall of famer in the 2014 Red Orchid awards. Meanwhile, special awards were also given under the national search for barangays with Best Sanitation Practices awards, Disease-Free Zone Awards, National Sandugo Awards and Good Practice Awards. DOH is enjoining other local government officials to make health a priority in their respective areas to make their constituents healthy, productive members of the country.


In his privilege speech at the start of the session, Board Member Eduard Pintac of the province’s second district said some individuals have harvested mangrove trees to be made into wood charcoal particularly in Barangay Pisaan where rampant cutting of mangrove trees was discovered by both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the provincial government. Pisaan has a total land area of 759.257 hectares of which 564.178 hectares classified as mangrove area. Today more or less 10 hectares have been denuded due to illegal cutting of mangrove trees which were made into charcoal by the locals for their livelihood, said Provincial Assessor Ramon Rodrigo who personally went to the area to assess the extent of the damage to the mangrove area. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Meryline Locson, one of the resource persons invited to shed light on the Pisaan problem, reported that 80.29 percent of

the 137 households there are only earning from P1,000 to P3,000 a month, way below the poverty threshold of P8,883 set by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) for Zamboanga del Sur in 2012. Locson added that fishing is the main occupation of the residents of the said barangay. On the other hand, Vice Mayor Ricky Chavez of Dinas town informed the board members that the persons responsible for cutting the mangrove trees at Pisaan are transient, as they only come to the area to cut the mangrove trees to make charcoal. Most of them, he said, come from the neighboring town of Dimataling and some are coming from Cotabato. Enforcing environmental


We donate blood because we care for our people, says military officialBy: Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur – A total of 27,900 units of blood of different types were collected by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter from 62 blood donors during the bloodletting activity initiated by municipal government here in partnership with 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB) on Friday at the Covered Court, Special Education (SPED) Center this town.

laws is also hampered by the presence of lawless elements and rebel groups in the area, the vice mayor disclosed. The vice mayor’s revelation on the presence of lawless elements has not dampened the provincial government’s resolve to protect the mangrove

areas in the province, as Local Environment and Natural Resources Officer Richard Ligan recommended that a comprehensive information campaign on the importance of mangrove trees along coastal areas be conducted in partnership with the DENR.

Mayor Francisvic Villamero said “the bloodletting activity is a regular project of the municipality aimed at helping the people especially the Tukuranons who are in need of blood in treating their ailment.” Villamero said the project, which started in 2012, is being conducted in every quarter each year in support of the PRC’s blood

donation campaign. “Donating blood is a social obligation and responsibility of everyone to show our genuine love and care for our neighbors. When we share our blood, we are saving lives,” said Villamero who has already donated blood four times. “Blood donation is an incredible act of kindness that


an individual takes out of their busy schedule to give a piece of themselves to help a neighbor,” the mayor added. 1FAB battalion commander Lt. Col. Sonny Sales together with his men also came to donate blood to PRC. “We donate blood not because we are invited, but because we care for our people and it is our duty to save lives in our own little way. This is your army, and the blood we donated is for peace and prosperity of Mindanao,” Sales said. Sales was raring to donate blood since the last time he did was 10 years ago when he was still assigned in Kalinga Apayao. Sales said the 1FAB is very much willing to support the blood donation program of the PRC and

LGUs within its area of operations to help save lives. Municipal health officer Dr. Catherine Cabrido, on the other hand, said the LGU is actively pursuing the program to ensure adequate supply of blood. “In our birthing clinic, we need blood especially for women who experienced blood loss during pregnancy,” she explained adding “there were already lives saved through the blood donation program initiated by the LGU,”

Cabrido concluded. The bloodletting activity was successfully held with the technical support and expertise of the PRC-Zamboanga del Sur chapter headed by Teodora M Ortiz, 53rd Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lieutenant Roderick Alcantara, Tukuran Rural Health Unit and the civil society stakeholders.


Interfaith service highlights the 67th Araw ng Calamba

CALAMBA, Misamis Occidental - An interfaith-thanksgiving service highlighted the week-long celebration of the 67th ‘Araw ng Calamba,’ here, from Feb. 9-14, this year.

By: Nora Bagundol

Focused on the theme “Tungod sa Gugma ug Panaghi-usa, Nagpadayong Nilambo ang Calamba (Because of Love and Unity, the Development of Calamba Continues),” the activities started last Feb. 9, with the flag/banner-raising of the different barangays of the municipality. After the ceremony, people belonging to the different religious affiliations proceeded to the Municipal Gym for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with the procession led by the Municipal Officials headed by municipal mayor Ezel T. Villanueva,


vice mayor Jesus C. Enerio, and the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members. Meanwhile, ministers of the following religious groups participated in the inter-faith service: Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Church, ABEA, Seventh Day Adventist, Bible Baptist Temple, Grace Gospel Church of God, ILBC, ATWOC Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), PGCAG, AAD, Cathedral of Praise, Philippine Independent Church and Assembly of God. The liturgy of the service consisted of readings from the bible, inspirational messages, and praising songs by the various groups with each Minister assigned to recite a prayer for: thanksgiving, country, widows,

senior citizens, government officials, livelihood, family, youth, education, health, Subanen Community, law-makers, and peace and order. “In song, prayer and words, the ministers were able to bring the people together despite the differences in religion and the service gave them the opportunity to give back and to praise God for the blessings He showered to all the Calambahanons,” mayor Villanueva said. Sponsored by the Religious Coordinating Team, the activity brought people from all walks of life and from different faith to pray together for the success of the 67th Araw ng Calamba, the mayor added.

1.65km farm to market road opens in Ozamiz City

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - With the government’s fervent effort in attaining its goals on inclusive growth and poverty reduction, the Department of Agriculture - region 10 (DA-10) headed by field operations division interim chief and BuB-LPRAP focal person Carlota S. Madriaga turned-over three farm-to market road segments to barangay local government units in Ozamiz City.

By: Vanessa Mae S. Siano

The intervention which amounted to P16.5 million is a collaborative effort of the DA-10 through the Bottoms-up-

Budgeting-Local Poverty Reduction Action Program (BuB-LPRAP) and the local government unit (LGU) of


Ozamiz City. The three road segments which are located in barangays Trigos, Guingona and Abordo have a total length of 1.65 kilometers which will benefit 1,350 farmers tilling an area of 732 hectares of corn, 285 hectares of rootcrops, 250 hectares of banana, 115 hectares of vegetables and 1,250 hectares of coconut. With better roads, agricultural producers find hauling of produce to the nearest market and transporting farm inputs easier as it helps them save time and tapers off hauling expenses and labor cost.

Meanwhile, residents and public officials in the area collectively commit to take care of the project as it will provide opportunities for farmers in obtaining better market access which will serve as a catalyst in bringing about social and economic development in the area. Also present during the turn-over ceremony were Ozamiz city mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. and the chairpersons of the recipient barangays: Victor Z. Perez of barangay Guingona, Nestor O. Jalan of Trigos, and Danilo Y. Carzano of Stimson Abordo.

Of this number, 196 crimes or 36 percent were index crimes while 349 or 64 percent were non-index crimes, police chief inspector Surki A. Sereňas, chief of TCPS, said. Compared to 2013, index crimes declined by 131, from 327 to 196 or down by 40.06 percent. However, non-index crimes increased by 209, from 140 to 349 or 149.28 percent, Sereňas said.

As to crime frequency distribution of the index crimes, physical injury posted the highest with 40 percent, followed by theft, 30 percent, and robbery, 10 percent.Carnaping, eight percent, murder, five percent, homicide, three percent, rape, two percent and cattle rustling, one percent, Sereňas also said.

Total crime volume up 16.70% in Tangub in 2014

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - A total of 545 crimes was reported by the Tangub City Police Station (TCPS) in 2014, up by 78 or 16. 70 percent, compared to 467 crimes in 2013.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


Duterte calls for peace in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Feb 23 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte asserted that those who are calling for war in Mindanao are detached from reality. He said that as a Mindanaoan, he has to speak that people here aspire more for peace than trouble Duterte maintained that he is going around to tell the country of things to do to promote peace particularly in Mindanao. Duterte said Mindanao remains a distant star to the rest of the country and has very serious problems in the

peace and order. “If you lose Mindanao, it will be a tragedy in the same manner like losing one or two lives. Manila is very far from Mindanao, which is often the battleground,” he pointed out. Duterte said he is not yet on the

track of considering the presidency. He said he needs to come to terms with himself since the presidency has not yet sunk in his mind. “I am going around promoting federalism. If the situation is not handled properly, there will be chaos again,” Duterte said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


Panabo extends help to differently-abled

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Panabo City, February 23, 2015 - Some 14 members of Panabo City Association of Differently Abled Person have recently received a leg prostheses and hearing aid grant amounting to about P360, 000 on February 9, 2015 at New City Hall Lobby. The City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has been helping the needy and distribution of the assistive device through the grassroots participatory budgeting project known as the Bottom-up Budgeting Projects or BUB. The program has continually implemented the project with Jubilee Foundation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO) Region XI to strengthen the thrust of the city’s assistance to differently abled person. CSWDO explained that BUB hauls a menu of services that focuses on the poorest of the poor, people’s participation and empowerment and rationalization of poverty reduction programs. Qualified beneficiaries were been assessed and measured under the said office. Rico Belleza, Fishermen from Brgy. Cagangohan, is one of the

beneficiaries. He said the hearing device help him move or go about their daily activities thus pursue an active lifestyle. “Nabungol ko tungod sa pressure sa tubig. Perminti man gud ko naga dive para manguha ug isda. Pasalamat ko kay nahimo kog usa sa mga benepisyaryo niini,” Belleza said. Meanwhile, CSWDO and DSWDO Region XI also partnered the Davao Jubilee Center is a charitable rehabilitation facility in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines which has been a provider of various treatment services for disabled people in Mindanao. (Mark Anthony G. Gellor – City Information Office)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb 24 -- What is taking place in Purok Tinago, Barangay South in General Santos City is a case of “coastal subsidence” and not the feared sinkhole, an official of the city government said.

Reported sinkhole in Gensan, a case of coastal erosion – CDRRMOBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

Dr. Agripino Dacera Jr., CDRRMO action officer, clarified during a public meeting at the Irineo Santiago National High School on Friday that it was not a sinkhole but an underwater soil erosion.

“Only the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) can declare if that is the sinkhole. But as of now, based on our assessments, it is a coastal subsidence,” Dacera said.

“Few meters from the shores of Tinago, there is an underwater precipice (steep cliff) around 25 meters deep. Throughout the years, the movement of the sea has eroded parts of this cliff, thus causing the erosion,” Dacera explained.

If compare to a surface phenomenon, what happened there is definitely a landslide, Dacera explained.

Three engineers from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 12 -- Engrs. Roger Tamayo, Clarita Carido and Benedict Ekwey – conducted a preliminary mapping and assessment in the area on February 16, a day after the incident was reported.

Based on their initial investigation, the MGB 12 team concluded that “the cause of the ground movement may have been triggered by sea


Aerial photo by Ronald Velasquez

undercurrent/wave action that slowly scoured the seabed.”

“Another point of view is the fact that General Santos City is located at the southern edge of the Cotabato Basin made up of alluvium and with the capacity to contain vast amount of ground water.

“The dark coloration visible in Google Map seems to indicate strong discharge of ground water located undersea. The underground flow may have eroded/scoured portions of the seabed triggering its eventual collapse as indicated by the observed bubbles and ground movement,” the report continued.

The team, however, recommended a detailed assessment of the area using ground penetrating radar to determine the lithology (rock formation and characteristics) and presence of subsurface structures and a survey with the assistance of divers equipped with underwater camera to determine the current seabed profile.

Dacera said, a team of geologists from the national office of MGB will dive any moment this week at Tinago to inspect and assess the erosion.

The results will also be used by the city government and the


CDRRMO for disaster-proofing of Barangay South and nearby coastal communities.

Sinkhole or not, the risks are still high and looming for the residents of Tinago.

It was for this reason that City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all the residents of Tinago.

Thirty-seven families will be transferred to the relocation site Promise Land in Barangay Mabuhay. These families are those living nearest to the coastline of Tinago.

Moreover, the rest of the residents of 9A Tinago and 9B Tinago will be relocated to a three-hectare land in Purok Lanton, Barangay Apopong.

Mayor Rivera promised the residents that he will do his best that they will be relocated within three months.

He also disclosed that each of them will be given 75 square meters per house.

The mayor also approved the request of some bigger families to do house sharing with structures.

“Actually this is hard task but since this is very immediate, I have to make arrangements so that residents in Tinago can be relocated and be moved away from danger as soon as possible,” Mayor Rivera said.

Rivera has already tasked related local government unit’s departments to do land banking for the purpose of relocation and/or, if possible, for socialized housing.

These residents of Tinago will no longer be required to seek Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA) certificate for easier relocation.

The erosion, if it gets wider, could affect 1,000 more families and even nearby villages such as Purok Islam.

The office of Philippine Information Agency in General Santos City is also located in the area.

Rivera has already declared Tinago as a “no-build zone” to restrict anyone from erecting any form of house or establishment there. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from IJMLagare-Gensan CPIO)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 24 -- Six in every 10 members of Philhealth in SOCCSKSARGEN Region are enrolled in the “poorest of the poor,” sectors, a high-ranking official of the government-owned health insurance agency here announced.

Over half of Philhealth members in SOCCSKSARGEN are indigents, official saysBy: Danilo E. Doguiles


Regional Vice President Dr. Miriam Grace Pamonag, in her presentation during the latest Kapihan sa Rehiyon Dose noted that as of December 2014, Philhealth has 2,308,489 members. Of these, 800,490 are enrolled under the indigent sector while 599,334 are enrolled under the sponsored program.

“The indigent program is funded by the national government out of the sin taxes. They are those identified through the NHTS-PR (National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction).

“On the other hand, the sponsored program is subsidized by partner local government units and other private sponsors. Both programs enroll the poorest of the poor,” Dr. Pamonag explained.

Pamonag disclosed further that the 2.3 million members in the region translated to a combined total of 2,952,770 dependents.

Of the dependent population, 1,994,489 were dependents of the members in the two “poorest of the poor” sectors – 1,239,569 supported by the national government and 745,557 sponsored by LGUs and private donors.

“ The societal trend has not changed -- those in the most vulnerable sector have the most number of children,” she said. “I believe we need to support massive campaigns on responsible parenthood.”

Pamonag noted that at present, they have already covered over

4.13 million (91%) of the 4.53 million estimated population of SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“We have initiatives to further improve our coverage rate,” she assured.

As to their collection efficiency, Pamonag reported that Philhealth 12 collected a total of P1.2 billion in 2014.

“We fell short of our 2014 target by more than 10 percent, even as our total collected increased by 14.3 percent against our 2013 accomplishment,” she admitted.

“There is, however, no need to worry about this because since the start of our operations our annual collection escalation rate has been very high. In fact, the 14.3 percent escalation rate in 2014 was one of the highest we have achieved,” she emphasized. The highest collection increase reached 17 percent, she elaborated.

“Our accounts monitoring as well as the individual paying member textblast to remind our members on payments and deadlines are working,” she added. “We expect that in 2015 we could further improve our collection rate. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12).


2015 CRAM in SurSur starts with a bang!

TANDAG CITY - For the second time around, Surigao del Sur, being the host province, has started the 18th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) with a bang on Sunday, February 22.

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

It can be recalled that last year, during the 17th CRAM, the opening day was indeed spectacular! And true to the expectations, the opening salvo for this year’s regional competition has been all the more remarkable.

Photo by: Dhonmars Sy


A dazzling lineup of 12 athletic delegations clad in their uniform each with prescribed color have paraded toward the Surigao del Sur Provincial Sports Center at past 3:00 p.m. followed by the ribbon-cutting, program, and playground demonstrations. After which, the fireworks display went on blazing at around 7:30 p.m. signaling the formal opening of the regional games. Former Surigao del Sur 1st district congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. was the keynote speaker. Pichay, chairman and president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and a sports enthusiast, stressed that constant practice is always the key to become a successful athlete. “There is a great future in sports,” he said, citing Manny Pacquiao as “one of the greatest Filipino athletes that the Philippines has ever produced.” Pichay added, “And Manny Pacquiao, as everybody knows, is a billionaire!” The former solon likewise cited the values of “will, dedication, and focus” in order to become “a very, very good athlete.” Pichay then posed a challenge to the athletes to aim

high not only in the regional or national sports competition but in the Olympics to set a record-breaking feat—to win the first ever gold for the country. He said that the Philippines, with 100 million population, has yet to win a gold in the Olympics. “After this tournament, if you can be chosen to represent the region in the Palarong Pambansa, you have to practice to excel, you have to practice to break the records not just in the region but in the national or even the Olympic records. If you can break these records you may become the first Olympian to get a gold (medal) for the Philippines,” Pichay went on saying. Moreover, he said, “And I think we can be proud… that the first gold was actually garnered by somebody from Caraga.”


73 of 78 Caraga LGUs pass DILG’s Good Financial Housekeeping 2014By: Ray Gregory F. Jaranilla

TANDAG CITY - The Department of the

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII announced recently that there are 73 out of 78 local government units (LGUs) in the region that passed the assessment of the CY

2014 Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH)

under the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

The GFH, a component of the SGLG, is formerly known as the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which the Department initiated in 2010. GFH and SGH apply the same minimum criteria, namely: Unqualified or Qualified COA Opinion and Compliance with the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP). For an LGU to be a recipient of the SGLG, it should pass all three core assessments namely GFH, Disaster Preparedness and Social Protection. It should also pass one

of the three essential assessments namely Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Environmental Protection and Law & Order and Public Safety. DILG 13 regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the assessment was conducted on July to August 2014 through cross-posting method by the Regional Assessment Teams (RATs) composed of DILG Field Officers, representatives from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and


National Government Agencies (NGAs). The DILG field officers together with the members of the assessment teams were assigned in other LGUs to avoid biases during the assessment. After the assessment, it was calibrated by the DILG provincial and regional directors before submitted to the DILG Central Office for national calibration. The assessment is finally completed and the list of passers can be accessed in the DILG Central Office website www.dilg.gov.ph and DILG 13 website www.caraga.dilg.gov.ph. Such will be the basis for the issuance of the GFH Certification for loan purposes and accessing other national program windows, subject to specific guidelines. “The GFH Certification is a requirement for local governments in accessing loans pursuant to Local Finance Circular No. 1-2012, and in accessing national program

windows like the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) Program and the SALINTUBIG Program pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-066,” Famacion said when asked on the importance of the GFH. LGUs that failed to pass the GFH should not lose hope. If a failure is due to FDP, they have the opportunity to comply with the FDP and avail of the “After Assessment Compliance” pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2014-13 dated February 6, 2014 to secure the GFH Certification without waiting for the next assessment period. However, if failure is due to COA Opinion, the LGU has to coordinate with COA to settle the negative findings in order to secure either Unqualified or Qualified COA Opinion for the next COA Audit Report.


BUTUAN CITY - Nominations are now being accepted for the Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country’s Outstanding Public Officers in Service (COPS), an award dedicated to police officers who have actively mobilized, been involved in and organized the community for peace and order.

Metrobank opens 2015 search for outstanding police officersBy: PO3 Darlin Cabalinan-Migulllas


Since 1993, Metrobank Foundation Inc. has provided support to programs benefiting the personnel of the Department of the lnterior and Local Government (DILG) of their invaluable role in nation building. This support took the form of grants that benefited primarily the Philippine National Police (PNP). In partnership with the Rotary Club of New Manila East (RCNME), PSBank and the PNP, the search seeks to honor the men and women of the police force who share this view and have actively implemented programs that allows for and motivates the community to become partners in ensuring peace and order. While the emphasis is on community partnership, this does not mean that only policemen and women assigned to police-relations have a chance of winning in the competition or that it is only open for police officers assigned in Police-Community relations. During the flag raising ceremony on Monday at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Grandstand here, COPS chairman Christopher Ponce discussed the search for COPS to heighten the awareness of the PNP uniformed personnel on the conduct of the annual event and to increase the

number of nominees from this region. “Through the Search for COPS, the civilian sector - the community is given the opportunity to stand and applaud the men and women in uniform for keeping us all safe,” he said. The speaker added that now on its 12th year, each COPS awardee will receive P400,000.00 cash prize, COPS Trophy and Metrobank Foundation Medallion. All commissioned officers with the rank of Inspector up to Senior Superintendent and Non Commissioned Officers with minimum of 7 years in service are eligible to join the Search. After the flag raising ceremony, it was followed by a formal information campaign at PRO 13 Conference Room, attended by all Chiefs of Police, Station Commanders, Provincial and City Executive Senior Police Officers. PRO Caraga regional director PCSupt David Ombao expressed his full support to the competition and inspired the men and women in uniformed to always render their duties with utmost dedication, courage and served to raise the level of performance among the PNP ranks.





Documents

One Mindanao - February 24, 2015