One Mindanao - February 26, 2016

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

SOCCSKSARGEN RegionBautista 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)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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSGIDEON CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERSSEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

Bamboo industry booming in MisOr town

Cover Story

By: Jayson N. Jamaca

today’s news8

14 19

23

DTI sustains APEC advocacy on growing global MSMEs

NGCP turns over educational facilities in Mindanao

14

33

35

Opportunities for Newbies: JobStart Philippines

MOPEMA sets targets for 2016 Employment Facilitation

DTI commences competitiveness survey in DavNor

21 P2.1-M worth of livelihood kits given to marginalized residents of Tacurong

By: Rhea C. Abao

By: Lei Garrett I. Miraflor

25 Mobile dental clinic to serve Agusanon

SOUTHERN

SOCCSKSARGEN CARAGA

INFOCUS NATIONAL

NORTHERN

1611

32

By: Danilo E.Doguiles

By: Judecia H. Ponio

By: Aimee B. Sienes

27 P11M hanging foot-bridge links farm to market By: Caryn Rose D. Escobido

Poll body to remove illegally posted election propaganda materials

18By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

4 February 26, 2016One Mindanao

The municipality of Naawan in Misamis Oriental painted the nature green, not with colors but with bamboo as one of the municipality’s main natural resource.

Bamboo industry booming in MisOr townBy Irwin Jayson N. Jamaca

The municipality of Naawan in Misamis Oriental painted the nature green, not with colors but with bamboo as one of the municipality’s main natural resource. For most municipalities, economic development has been the main drive since it provides direct employment and provides enabling

business environment to the area, but for the municipality of Naawan, it has become a balance of the economic and societal development while protecting the nature through its bamboo industry development. The bamboo industry development has been one of Naawan’s development strategy to

5February 26, 2016 One Mindanao

uphold and promote the general welfare of its citizens. Concordia Dete Acosta, a senior trade and industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental, Naawan has made holistic approach through development of a nursery and plantation to support the livelihood identified by its constituency, the bamboo node and hub operations. She said, this clearly demonstrate the strengthened and proactive support of the local government unit of the municipality of Naawan to the Bamboo Industry Cluster of Northern Mindanao in its three fold plight namely Climate Change Mitigation, Disaster Mitigation, and Poverty Alleviation.

Overview To ensure that a sustainable supply will be made available in the future, even if the demand would increase, the development of a municipal-based nursery is a seen necessity. The municipal-based nursery then will supply propagules to the bamboo farmers necessary for the plantation. Since bamboo propagules, by nature, is very sensitive. Thus, labor for its care and maintenance is intensive. At present, the municipal agriculture office has already established a bamboo nursery which approximately has 1000 propagules and they expect to grow more propagules in the coming months. An account and visit of the


Bamboo Nursery at Naawan was

done. Temporarily, the Nursery was housed near the Goat’s Milk Center at Naawan. Plantation Area scanning would prove that vast tracks of land are still available to accommodate additional plantation for bamboo in many other barangays in Naawan. With proper plans laid out, growing of bamboo for three years needed for bamboo to fully grow and be ready for harvest would be efficient and scheduled harvest would be sufficient to cover possible demand. This endeavor may be best implemented by looking into and

include such in the Barangay land use plan to better marry the program with the other projects that is of great priority to the immediate community of Naawan. Furthermore, since the municipality is one of the refuge areas during the onslaught of Typhoons Sendong and Pablo, it is already but high time to establish the barangays’ first line of defense few meters from the river banks, through the establishment of Bamboo plantation to eliminate possible risk brought about by typhoons.

A total of 15 farmers were provided with 551 ready for planting bamboo propagules. Node operations are necessary support to the bamboo industry cluster value chain. Node operations will pre-process the harvested poles from the plantation and deliver them to established bamboo hub for treatment and preservation, and further processing into various products. Furthermore, Node operations will carry necessary tools and equipment needed for the bamboo pre-processing. Node operators will deliver dried bamboo slats to either of the three bamboo hub operators: two in Iligan; New Central Woodcrafts and

7February 26, 2016 One Mindanao 7

HOMEBIZ, and one in Misamis Oriental; Axent Resources Corporation. Should the bamboo hub operations at Naawan commence, an additional hub will be made available at Northern Mindanao where bamboo slats maybe delivered to be further processed. The bamboo hub will process, treat, preserve and customize the finish products according to standards and requirements of the general market. It is the bamboo hub that will connect to the market to dispose the finished products, from handicrafts to e-bamboo. The bamboo hubs are expected to produce marketable products as engineered bamboo. Engineered Bamboo or commonly known as e-bamboo is a product manufactured by processing the bamboo poles commonly done by laminating or gluing two or more layers of crushed, split or veneered bamboo. This is then further utilized into floors, walling, claddings, handicrafts, chopping boards, table tops, and furniture. To ensure that the bamboo hub that is to be established at the Naawan, Misamis Oriental could take a smooth take-off, a benchmarking activity was conducted at Ilo-ilo City last 23-27, 2015. Also, the

project was further subsidized with a P2.6M budget under the Bottom-up Budgeting. This was participated by the Naawan stakeholders and the project implementers. A look-see of the different processing companies which has took off in terms of the production of the handicraft items and wood tiles was done to encourage and enflame the passion of the industry players in the municipality. An interview with the project coordinator of DTI-Misamis Oriental was also done on the details of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project which was granted to Naawan. As per Acosta, the very reason why the town was selected to be the grantee of the two projects was because that the area has good account of the ready resources that may be utilized in the production of engineered bamboo. The only identified markets for now are the following: AXENT Resources—the company currently buys pre-processed sticks for it to process further into engineered bamboo. It is currently located at Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental; HOMEBIZ Crafts—the most accessible for the manufacturers since it is located at Luinab, Iligan City. Training were even given to the suppliers to ensure compliance to standards.

One Mindanao8 February 26, 2016

PNoy encourages youth to study the history of the EDSA revolt

MANILA-- President Benigno S. Aquino III has told the country’s youth to know the history of the EDSA People Power Revolution to avoid a repeat of the dark years of Marital Law. In his speech during the 30th anniversary celebration of the EDSA revolt on Thursday, the President recalled the hardships during martial rule when

the government suppressed freedom as former president Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies committed abuses and engaged in corruption.

file photo of http://www.interaksyon.com/


“Ngayon po, ang hiling ko sa kabataan: Alamin ninyo ang nangyari noong EDSA,” he said, addressing young Filipinos.

“Meron tayong museo na bahagi ng ating pagdiriwang: Ang EDSA People Power Experiential Museum, kung saan sa bahagya ninyong mararanasan ang kalupitang ipinatupad noong diktadurya, sulitin sana ninyo ang pagkakataong itong makita kung gaano kahalaga ang kalayaan at

demokrasyang nasa sa inyo nang mga kamay.”

The President said he believes that today’s young generation appreciates the sacrifices made by their elders, especially those who fought Martial Law.

Young Filipinos can reap the fruit of the reforms sowed today in decades to come, he said.

Quoting the words of his


mother, the late president Corazon Aquino, he said, “The problems we face are our generation’s making. It is our generation that has to correct them. Your role is to prepare yourselves better to avoid making the same mistakes.”

Today’s young people are free to dream, have careers and nurture their own families, things that were difficult to do during the Martial Law years, he said.

“Kayo ang pinakamakikinabang kung mapapangalagaan ang ating kalayaan, kaya’t nawa’y maunawaan ninyo ang tangan ninyong responsibilidad. Nawa’y mag-ambagan tayong lahat, upang hindi na kailanman muling manaig ang kadiliman sa Pilipinas,” he told the youth.

“Nawa’y ang kalayaang kay tagal nating minithi ay hinding-hindi na mababawing muli.”

Present generations of

Filipinos must stand firm because there are groups that remain loyal to the Marcoses, who want to erase the abuses and excesses of the past.

These people want the public to believe that the country benefitted from the dictatorship, calling the Martial Law years the golden days of the Philippines, the President said.

The President mentioned the achievements of the reformed government under “Daang Matuwid”, such as the 4.4 million Filipinos benefitting from the Pantawid Pamilya Program, the 92 percent of the population who were beneficiaries of PhilHealth, 40 percent of the poorest of the poor having access to free medical care in government hospitals and the recorded lowest unemployment rate in the past 10 years. (PND/PCOO)


MAKATI CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo, together with officials of the DTI and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), will represent the Philippines at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) First Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) scheduled March 3-4, 2016 in Lima, Peru.

DTI sustains APEC advocacy on growing global MSMEs

file photo of apec2015.ph


As APEC 2016 host, Peru has chosen the theme of “Quality Growth and Human Development,” focusing on the advancement of regional economic integration and quality growth, enhancement of the regional food market, modernization of MSMEs, and human capital development. “We will build on our work last year and continue our advocacy to mainstream micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Asia Pacific trade. The Peru meetings will give us the opportunity to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Boracay Action Agenda among APEC member economies,” said Rodolfo who is the Philippines’ SOM1 Lead.

Last year, the Philippines led APEC member economies in the ratification of the Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs (BAA-MSMEs) and its implementation plan. The Action Agenda aims to strengthen APEC actions to

harness opportunities presented by open and increasingly integrated markets, allowing as well these enterprises to participate more significantly in global trade. The implementation of the Action Agenda calls for initiatives that utilize trade facilitation, trade finance, and e-commerce as a means to build globalized MSMEs.

In Peru, the Philippines will propose a reporting template for APEC committees, working groups, and sub fora to assess and monitor the progress of the implementation of the BAA-MSMEs from 2016 until 2020. A stock-taking and midterm review of member economy initiatives in support of the BAA-MSMEs is scheduled in 2018.

Rodolfo said that the Philippines will also encourage member economics to update and explore ways to expand available information of the APEC Trade Repository (APEC TR). The APEC


TR, a single online reference point containing members’ trade and tariff information, was launched in the Philippines last year.

“Transparency through enhanced information sharing is a priority. The development of the APEC TR aims to expand available information making it more useful and relevant to businesses, regardless of its size,” added Rodolfo. The DTI said that the Philippines will continue to advance regional cooperation in services through theAPEC Services Cooperation Framework (ASCF). The ASCF will support the DTI’s ongoing work to build the competitiveness of the local enterprises in the services sector, particularly among SMEs. Services SMEs provide legal services, accounting, engineering, and other technical services that are vital inputs in the global value chains (GVCs).

“Concrete measures, pressing for greater participation of MSMES in regional and global markets either as direct exporters or as providers of vital support and complementation to larger enterprises, will strengthen the foundation for balanced, sustained, and inclusive growth inour country,” concluded Rodolfo.

In the Philippines, MSMEs are considered the backbone of economic development and key stakeholders in regional economic integration, whether as direct exporters or participants in GVCs. MSMEs account for over 99 percent of businesses and employ more than 50 percent of the country’s workforce. (DTI)

14 One Mindanao February 26, 2016

NGCP turns over educational facilities in Mindanao

MANILA -- Power-grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) provided has turned over educational facilities to three public schools in Mindanao According to a statement from the NGCP, Pedro Molde Elementary School in Aurora, Zamboanga del Norte was granted a multi-purpose hall; Dalama Elementary School in Tubod, Lanao del Norte was

given a two-classroom building and Maria Cristina National High School was provided with a three-classroom building.

The three areas hosts NGCP’s facilities, which received it in

file photo of http://www.mindanaodailynews.com/


separate ceremonies this week.

Barangay Cabilinan hosts the Aurora Substation, which provides transmission services to Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental and some parts of Lanao del Norte.

Barangay Tubod, on the other hand, hosts parts of the Baloi-Aurora 138-kiloVolt (kV) transmission line that sources the capacity of the Agus 1 and 2 power plants to the Mindanao grid.

Further, Maria Cristina, Iligan City also serves as the location for NGCP’s regional office in Mindanao.

NGCP stressed it considers the most urgent needs of public

schools and the facilities are a way of giving back.

“Building schools and supporting the public education system, is our way of giving back. We want to help ensure the future of the youth by providing them with facilities conducive to learning and growth,” the power firm said.

NGCP won the concessionaire to operate and develop the transmission facilities of the country, with the government retaining ownership of the facilities.

The transmission company is a consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp. and the State Grid Corp. of China. (PNA)

file photo of http://adserver.bworldonline.com/


DTI commences competitiveness survey in DavNorDAVAO DEL NORTE - The De-partment of Trade and Indus-try – Davao del Norte Provincial Office started the implementa-tion of 2016 Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) Validation and Cities and Munic-ipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Survey for all the 11 mu-nicipalities in the province. The survey began last Feb-ruary 1, 2016 and will conclude on April 29, 2016. The BPLS validation sur-vey is conducted to assess the implementation of the stream-lining program which the agen-cy, in cooperation with DILG, launched last 2011 for the pur-pose of unifying and hastening the process of business permit issuance among the local gov-ernment units. Target respondents are the new and renewed business permit registrants of the LGU composed of single proprietors,

partnerships, corporations and cooperatives. Survey questions will be largely based on the re-spondent’s BPLS customer ex-perience. On the other hand, the CMCI survey will focus on the local government units through its different offices and focal persons. The data gathered will be used for the annual com-petitiveness ranking of Philip-pine cities and municipalities developed by the National Com-petitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Devel-opment. The ranking shall be based on the three pillars namely eco-nomic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure. It shall also be classified according to the city/municipality’s catego-ry: highly urbanized cities, com-


ponent cities, all cities, 1st and 2nd class municipalities, 3rd to 6th class municipalities, all mu-nicipalities, and all provinces. To qualify for the “Most Competitive Province”, the combined popu-lation of all participating LGUs under the province should con-stitute at least 60% of the total provincial population. This index ranking can be used as a diagnostic tool by lo-cal government officials to as-sess the competitiveness of their city or municipality and identify areas for improvement and col-laboration. These data can also provide insight for policy mak-ing, development planning and formulation of investment pro-motion strategies. For this year, the province of Davao del Norte which previously ranked as 22nd most competitive

province is eyeing for a signifi-cant improvement by garnering the support and commitment of its local government units for this endeavor. To achieve this, DTI initiated a convergence of the LGU’s Busi-ness Permit and Licensing Offi-cers (BPLOs) and Local Economic and Investment Promotion Offi-cers (LEIPOs) at the DTI-Davao del Norte Provincial Office on February 15, 2016. The award for most compet-itive province, city and munici-pality shall be given during the 2016 Regional Competitiveness Summit set to be held this July. These surveys are also con-ducted simultaneously through-out the country. (Judecia H. Ponio, Information Officer-Designate DTI DavNor)

did you know...That Chavacano a Spanish-based creole has a variant in Davao called Castellano Abakay or Chavacano de Davao with words taken from Cebuano, Chinese and Japanese. It is spoken in some areas in Davao Region.


Poll body to remove illegally posted election propaganda materialsDAVAO CITY- An official of the Commission on Elections in Davao Region warned they will conduct clean up on the city thoroughfares to remove local campaign materials posted on trees and line posts. Atty. Marlon Casquejo, as-sistant director of the Comelec XI said election propaganda ma-terials must be seen only on des-ignated poster areas. He said the poll body will start the removing of election propaganda materials first from the national roads and will go on towards the city, town and pro-vincial roads. Casquejo said posting on non-designated areas like trees and posts, oversized tarpaulins are already violations of election rules. “We have entrusted this job to the personnel of the Depart-ment of Public Works and High-ways to remove everything as long as they are posted on trees and electric posts,” he said. Casquejo said all parties are already informed of the location of the common poster areas in

the city.He said local poster areas are lo-cated at the barangay halls with vacant space, but not the baran-gay hall building in itself. Casquejo said the barangay gymnasium can also be used as a common poster area. He said the poll body is care-ful not to tinker political posters in private property paying respect to the right to private property. “However, we can sue the owner of the house if the politi-cal propaganda material is over-sized,” Caquejo pointed out. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalump-ines)


Gov’t delivers PhP2.5 B agricultural interventions to farmers, LGUs in Region 12 By: Danilo E.Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 26 — Close to PhP2.5 billion worth of development interventions for SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s agriculture sector was delivered to farmer groups and local government units Tuesday (February 23).


Agriculture Secretary Pro-ceso Alcala came to Alabel, Sa-rangani and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato for the 1st Grand Ulat sa Bayan of the DA regional office for 2016 and turn over of aids from DA, special projects and attached agencies.

Assistance packages handed out included farm machineries, farm inputs, facilities, farm-to-market roads and fund transfers to local government units with a combined value of PhP2,465,530,178.62.

“The activity is part of the continuing outreach initiatives of the government particularly the Department of Agriculture to rural communities,” said DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan.

Of the said amount, PhP2.52.3 million was allo-cated through DA’s Agri-Pi-noy Rice Program, PhP170.3 M through Agri-Pinoy Corn, Php15.2 M through PhP High Value Crops, PhP3 M through Agri-Pinoy Livestock, PhP87 M through Agri-Pinoy Fisheries and PhP749,000 through Organic Agriculture Program.

Alcala also turned over funds for special projects, includ-ing PhP302.3 M for Bottom-Up

Budgeting projects, PhP304.6 M for Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA).

SOCCSKSARGEN- Area Devel-opment Project also distributed PhP514.8 M worth of projects.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Rural Development Program, the country’s biggest for-eign -funded program imple-mented under the DA, re-leased PhP791 M of projects. Of the said amount, PhP629 M was allotted to Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces and PhP191.5 M to North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

These interventions, Sec-retary Alcala emphasized, proves that the administration of President Benigno Aquino III has not left out Mindanao with regard to development efforts.

“Since 2011, more or less 30 percent of the budget of the Department of Agriculture is allotted for Mindanao,” Sec. Alcala said.

In her report, Director Datu-kan noted that the 2016 bud-get of DA 12 is at PhP2.33 B, 3.53 times larger compared to its 2011 budget of only PhP660 M.

DA 12’s budget was P2.99 B in 2014 and PhP2.80 B in 2015, which included funds download-


P2.1-M worth of livelihood kits given to marginalized residents of Tacurong By: Danilo E.Doguiles

ed to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

In response, Sarangani Gov-ernor Steve Solon thanked the President Aquino and Secre-tary Alcala for the develop-ment assistance to the prov-ince.

“This is a once-in-lifetime event in Sarangani,” said Gov. Solon. “Sarangani is receiving PhP605 million worth of ce-mented roads. Of these, Php543 million worth of farm-to-mar-ket roads funded by the PRDP are approved and ready for bid-ding.”

Farm-to-market roads, such as the PhP49.9 M five-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road to Barangay Kinam in Malapatan would definitely ease transport

of agricultural products in hard-est-hardest-to reach barangays.

“For the first time, Baran-gay Kinam in Malapatan will be opened. This could bring investors to the area. Another the farm-to-market road from Calabanit to Barangay E. Alega-do, which could be the remot-est village in Glan,” Gov. Solon said.

After meeting almost 4,000 farmers from Sarangani and South Cotabato at the Alabel Provincial Capitol Gymnasium. Secretary Alcala with RED Da-tukan proceeded to Kidapawan City for another Ulat sa Bayan with farmers and local govern-ment officials in Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato. (DEDogu-iles-PIA 12)

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Feb. 26— Some 235 marginal-ized residents here recently received livelihood assistance pack-ages courtesy of the city government and the Department of La-bor and Employment (DOLE).

Turned over in a ceremony at the Tacurong City Cultural and

Sports Complex on February 19 were PhP2.1 million worth of


Kabuhayan Starter Kits, ac-cording to a report for the City Information Office.

Present during the event were City Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, City Council-ors Rodrigo Jamorabon, Psyche Sucaldito, and Wilson Ferrer, CLGOO Alberto Sero and DOLE-Sultan Kudarat Field Office Head Arlene Bisnon who represented DOLE XII Regional Director Ofe-lia Domingo in the turn over the livelihood kits.

Implemented under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), the liveli-hood package worth as much as PhP10,000 is given to each beneficiary to help them begin a small business such as rice trading, salon, meat process-ing, welding, dressmaking, hair-dressing and others.

Beneficiaries consisted of 35 returning OFWs, 30 persons with disabiliti, 22 househelps, graduates of the skills training program of the City Social Wel-fare and Development Office, and qualified walk-in applicants.

Kabuhayan Starter Kit pro-gram is a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers.

It aims to enable the unem-ployed poor, seasonal, and low-waged workers to start an in-dividual livelihood, or collective enterprise undertakings.

The Php10,000 start-up capi-tal is used solely for the pur-chase of raw materials, equip-ment, tools and jigs, and other support services necessary in setting-up the livelihood.

Beneficiaries are not bound to repay the government for the assistance provided.

The KABUHAYAN Starter Kit program was funded under the Bottom-Up Budgeting worth Php1.4 million and Tacurong-LGU’s counterpart worth Php700 thousand.

The applications for this first batch of beneficiaries were re-ceived in 2015.

Applications for the next batch are ongoing and will be approved subject to several requirements set under the DILEEP program. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from LGU Tacurong City Information


28 displaced Caraganon OFWs train in financial literacy, entrep development By: Jean Mary Ronquillo

BUTUAN CITY -- To equip its beneficiaries with vital learning on entrepreneurship which will eventually aid in their reintegration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) spearhead-ed an Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) and Financial Literacy to the first 2016 batch of Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! applicants on February 22. The Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! Program grants a non-cash livelihood assistance of P10,000 to provide immediate

relief to displaced member-OFWs due to various adversities abroad.


The target beneficiaries who were displaced by hostilities, wars/political conflict in the host country, victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking who were repatriated before finishing their contracts may avail of the program only once, provided they apply within one year after return to the country. Jean Mary G. Ronquillo, in-charge for the Reintegration Program, emphasized that the techno-transfer aims to capacitate the beneficiaries with necessary business understanding that will greatly aid them in the planning, setting up and operating a livelihood undertaking. During the training, the OFWs are assisted in generating a successful, but realistic and viable business venture adhering to the priority projects including, but not limited to, health and wellness, house repairs, food processing, handicraft, goods under the One Town, One Product

(OTOP) scheme and agriculture-related projects. Further, the training also aims to inculcate the concepts of efficient budgeting, management and finance which could guide them towards the continuance of their business venture. Gemma Guinanas, an OFW repatriate in 2015, expressed that the training provided her with technical knowledge that she could apply to her currently-engaged buy and sell business. “The assistance will also be a big addition for my capital which will help in the eventual expansion of my market reach,” she added. The Certificate of Attendance to the Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) is one of the requirements for the program application. The participants must also provide proof of repatriation or return to the country such as passport or travel documents and airline tickets. Moreover, after they have completed the training and submitted all the necessary requirements, the beneficiaries are then advised to keep in contact with the agency for the processing and procurement of their starter kits.


To address the prevalence of dental diseases in the country, the DOH is implementing the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) by providing mobile dental clinics with equipment to provinces and other local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accessibility of quality dental health services to all Filipino citizens, especially those

who are underprivileged. DOH studies reveal that the prevalence of dental diseases nationwide continues to be high in the country starting from childhood but the ratio of dentists to patients remains relatively low with the figure 1:48,000-50,000. Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba will sign the Deed of Donation by

Mobile dental clinic to serve AgusanonsBy: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY-- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is set to receive a Mobile Dental Clinic including its equipment from the Department of Health (DOH) to augment public dental health services in the province.


and between the province and the DOH for the provision of the mobile dental clinic. Under the Deed of Donation, the province will ensure that the mobile dental clinic is utilized in accordance with its purpose; ensure the availability of dentists and other health personnel, drugs, medicines and supplies, utilities and other operational expenses; ensure the rational use of the mobile dental clinic within the province to maximize its benefit to the residents needing quality dental care and services; ensure the proper maintenance, out of its own resources, of the said mobile dental clinic; and designate the Provincial Health

Officer as the focal person who will be coordinating with the DOH Caraga Regional Office for purposes of program monitoring and evaluation. Provincial Board Member Rey G. Jamboy, chairman of the Committee on Health and Nutrition, pushed for the passage and approval of Sanggunian Resolution No. 050-2016, authorizing Governor Amante-Matba for the said signing who believed that the mobile dental clinic will give quality dental treatment to Agusanons who may otherwise have a hard time in accessing essential healthcare.


“The farmers including the residents in our barangay are very grateful for the newly constructed hanging foot-bridge. This project will help us farmers to reduce the transportation cost of our agricultural products at least at one peso per kilo. The residents in Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Kioya were also relieved as the bridge will give us easier access in times of calamities and emergencies,” said Fe M. Sarabia, chairperson of Taguyango Multi-

Purpose Cooperative. The said project implemented by DA 13 was made possible through the partnership between the local government unit (LGU) and the civil society organization (CSO). LGU-Sibagat gave P2 Million as counterpart in establishing the project. “BUB is a concept from bottom-to-top planning and budgeting. It aims to achieve community empowerment by encouraging citizens from

P11M hanging foot-bridge links farm to marketBy: Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY– The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) Program officially turned-over the Farm to Market Road (FMR) with 200m Hanging Foot-Bridge worth P11 million t Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Tagoyango, Sibagat Agusan del Sur last February 17.


grassroots to take active roles in the community by articulating their needs to the government and determining what projects are responsive to their needs,” explained Edelmira Luminarias, DA 13-BUB focal person. The newly constructed hanging foot-bridge from Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Tagoyango is now an artery that links farmlands in the poblacion to the national highway. It is the result of the convergence of plans and priorities as projects are harmonized through DA’s program and allocated budget. “In our personal counterpart as one of the beneficiary of this project, we are now planning to make a local ordinance in our barangay to regulate the usage

and protect the hanging foot-bridge from the abusive locals in the area. This will be our actions to ensure sustainability of government projects and show value to the intervention we have received,” said Tagoyango barangay captain Julieta A. Sotto, Brgy. Captain. Today, DA-BUB FMR with hanging foot-bridge project serves a total of 1,560 farmers from barangays Poblacion, Tagoyango, and Kioya. The said project helps the farmers and also the constituents of the three barangays gain easier access of transporting farm produce and also provides access to more opportunities as well as the basic social services in the community.



31February 26, 2016 One Mindanao 31


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In a travel advisory issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT) region 10, the municipality of Quezon in the province of Bukidnon will celebrate one of the biggest ethnic culture and traditions in the region dubbed “Sunggod Ta Kamanga 2016” from 22-23 February, this year.

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

DOT announces ‘Sunggod Ta Kamanga 2016’ festival in Bukidnon


A series of activities are set for the festival and will be highlighted by the street dancing and tableau competition, Paratuan Ritual (installation and recognition of New Ethnic Leader), Padtungan Ta Kasal Ritual (A Tribal Wedding Ceremony), Search for “Laga Ta Kiokong 2016” and Traditional Ethnic Sports participated by all tribes of Bukidnon. DOT Regional Director Catalino E. Chan III stated in the advisory that this festival is a showcase of the Manobo tribe. In fact, it is a thanksgiving celebration of the Manobo of the municipality of Quezon which started in 2009. Further, it is about a “traditional ethnic ritual” held prior any land preparations and other farming activities participated by the dominant

ethnic clans from the 22 baranagays in the municipality. They are the Manobo-Pulangihon (those living near Pulangi river) and Matigsalog (those living in the highlands). According to Chan, this is celebrated in a grand scale through varied presentations of different tribal rituals, songs and dances and the popular ethnic sports of the said tribes. Rich culture and tradition define events and festivities in the country. For details of the festival, you may call or visit DOT region 10 at (088) 856-4048, (08822) 726394 located at ground floor, Pelaez Sports Center, Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City. You may also call the municipal tourism office of Quezon Bukidnon through 0917-722-1304.

In a flag raising ceremony held on 18 January 2016, the Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), represented by Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Albert E. Gutib, turned over two personal computers, laptop with a printer, and an internet router to

Mayor Oscar S. Moreno, witnessed by the Job Placement Bureau Head Rey Tagotongan and DOLE-10 Technical Support and Services Division (TSSD) Chief Atheneus VAsallo at the City Hall. “These equipment will be used to expedite registration of applicants,

ILIGAN CITY – The Local Government Unit (LGU), of Cagayan de Oro City is ready for Jobstart Philippines.

Opportunities for Newbies: JobStart PhilippinesBy: Caryn Rose D. Escobido


job matching, and drafting of reports,” ARD Gutib encouraged. Further, he invited the youth to avail the program and register with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-CDO for training/internship with some partner private establishments in the city. Likewise, DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante strongly promotes Jobstart Philippines to the applicants. “This is an internship program in collaboration with Asian Development Bank and the Government of Canada, and likened to the current Government Internship Program (GIP) with field of exposures as distinction,” he said. Unlike GIP, Jobstarters get their work experiences from private companies, while the GIP furnishes the young professionals with rounds of public service exposures. Thru Jobstart, employers will benefit on the technical trainings and coaching provided to interns by scouting competent personnel to work in their company. Moreover, employers will only pay stipend equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage, and demonstrate corporate social responsibility. The youth, on the other hand, will be provided with career guidance and employment coaching, access to labor market information and public employment services, life skills training, technical training and stipends, workplace experience, and certification from the DOLE for the

completion of the program. Agravante also revealed that applicants must be 18-24 years old, at least high school graduate, and has 0-12 months work experience, currently unemployed, not enrolled in school or in any training, and is actively seeking work. Employers at the same time must be registered as a business operating in the surrounding area of a participating PESO, has the capacity to provide internships of up to three months with commitment to pay at least 75% of the minimum wage in the area and holds a certificate of compliance with labor standards from DOLE. Just like a mother training a child, JobStart will also provide the necessary information on job hunting from trained career guidance advocates. These will be inclusive in the 10-day interactive life-skills training program. Employers will have flexibility in designing the training plans. With the growing economy comes a growing work force. Newbies in this field should not feel inferior and lose hope because with every closed door a window opens; an opportunity one should always consider. And this is an opportunity the youth needs --- JobStart Philippines.


Set on 26 January 2016 at Punta Meriam Resort and Spa, Misamis Occidental, the event was hosted by the Municipality of Panaon in coordination with Municipal Mayor Francisco T. Paylaga and their newly designated PESO Manager Lucille J. Marapao. Some 13 PESO Managers and their staff from the academes and local government units (LGUs) in the province attended. DOLE-10 Mis. Occ. PFO Head Leonardo G. Rodrigo emphasized the crucial role of the PESO Managers in accomplishing the targets, “One indispensable component of program implementation is planning. And planning requires team cooperation. The DOLE Mis. Occ., PESO Managers, guidance counselors, etc., we are a team. We must leverage our strategies and core competencies in order to complete specific deliverables within the allotted time. Regular meetings and follow-ups are equally important

in the process,” he underscored. Lopez Jaena PESO Manager and MOPEMA President Filma T. Maghinay presided the activity and focused its discussions on its 2016 targets, particularly on Labor Market Information (LMI), PESO Referral and Placement (R&P), Career Guidance and Employment Coaching (CGEC), and Job Fair. Furthermore, DOLE Mis. Occ. PFO shall continuously implement a monitoring system to check the individual targets set by every PESO. On illegal recruitment, emphasis was on the proper procedure of Special Recruitment Activity (SRA), including the submission of all its documentary requirements. The SRA shall be issued only to licensed recruitment and manning agencies who wish to conduct recruitment activities of any form outside of the business address stated in the license of the agency or branch offices.

MOPEMA sets targets for 2016 Employment Facilitation

PANAON, Misamis Occidental – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), through its Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office (Mis. Occ. PFO) spearheaded this year’s first Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Meeting cum Core Planning and Target Setting attended by the Misamis Occidental PESO Managers (MOPEMA).

By: Lei Garrett I. Miraflor


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One Mindanao - February 26, 2016