One Mindanao - February 28, 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

Glupa Gulian Agro-Tourism Park: A landfill turned paradise

Claro A. LanipaWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Thursday, February 28, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 135

page 4President Aquino welcomes top officials of leading management consulting and business process outsourcing company 10

Joanne L. Olson, Northern Mindanao

National Year of Rice Info Caravan to highlight rice self-sufficiency16

Phl hits desired economic gains to match population growth rate - Popcom

DOST-Caraga to hold Science & Technology Summit in Surigao City

One dies, 49,000 persons affected by recent floods in Agusan del Sur

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao15

1920

RJennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

David M. Suyao, Caraga Region

DENR-IX strengthens its information arm26

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Modified CCT covers 12,164 households in Soc-csksargen Region30

PCAB to conduct AMO Orienta-tion Seminar in Cebu CityMiriam Fe E. Jacinto, Western Mindanao27H. A. Ascura, Western Mindanao

Aida C. Agad, Central Mindanao

LGU declares 58 public schools as “School of Peace”32ARMM

BEAM-BRAC gears to establish hundreds more learning centers in ARMM remote communities34

9 12 14 18 24 29

Thursday, February 28, 20134

Glupa Gulian Agro-Tourism Park: A landfill turned paradise

Glupa Gulian,” which was once an open pit dumpsite,

is now called a land of paradise!

CoVer StoRy

Situated on a hilly portion of Sitio Quibranza, Barangay Kahayagan, some five kilometers away from the municipal seat of government and commercial center of this town, this dumpsite has metamorphosed into an agro-tourism park now frequented by visitors from other towns, cities and provinces. Glupa Gulian is a Subanen term which means “land of paradise,” as “glupa” means land and “gulian” denotes paradise. Hence, the place is named “Glupa Gulian Agro-Tourism Park,” one of the tourist spots in the municipality as it looks more of a park than a place of rubbish. An array of plants abounds in the

place where you can feel the serenity and quietness on a panoramic site where you will have a full view of the beauty of Sibuguey Valley that beckons all and sundry. Once visited there, you would always long to come back and savor its beauty again.

RA 9003 With the advent of Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” the municipal government had decided to close its open dumpsite, which was found hazardous to public health and environment. The law mandates the state to

By Claro A. Lanipa

Thursday, February 28, 2013 5

adopt a systematic, comprehensive ecological solid waste management program that ensures the protection of public health and of the environment. In an interview with Mr. Carlito Matias, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), he said: “to comply with the new law, the municipal government sought the assistance of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to help us find a place to relocate our dumping site. After inspecting the area, the EMB recommended a portion of the then Western Mindanao Livestock Development Center (WESMILDEC) as a suitable place for the dumping site. Then, we transferred our dumping site there and closed the old one.”

Sanitary landfill “To give us an idea on how to effectively and efficiently manage or

operate a sanitary landfill, we conducted a

series of ‘Lakbay-arals’. We went to Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, which was considered as one of the models in solid waste management. We visited the place twice together with the barangay chairmen, and local officials headed by Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr.,” the MENRO said. From their study tours, the municipal officials and barangay chairmen were able to observe and learn how to implement a solid waste management program that they wish to replicate in Bayog. “After implementing it in our municipality, we have realized that we can even do more or improve more than what Sto. Tomas has been doing. Our location (Glupa Gulian) is much better than Sto Tomas,” Matias proudly said. What we did, Matias narrated, “We called a meeting with the business sector and municipal constituents purposely for the implementation of a


solid waste management program that is sanctioned by a municipal ordinance with emphasis on solid waste segregation at source.” Since the area is too wide, covering 900 hectares of forest land, the municipal government thought of making it an economic enterprise. So, it requested the DENR to set aside 300 hectares of the total land area of WESMILDEC for rubber plantation.

Pet project The project got the nod of Mayor Leonardo L. Babasa Jr., giving it his all-out support. “In fact, we made the “Agro-Park” one of the priority thrusts of the municipal government, calling it a pet project of the mayor,” Matias said.With the implementation of the government’s National Greening Program (NGP), the Agro-Park received some 48 thousand of assorted seedlings such as rubber, lanzones, narra and other species. In support of the NGP, the municipal government has committed to utilize 90 hectares for the greening program alone. It also encourages other stakeholders, such as fraternities, sororities, peoples organizations, cooperatives and barangay officials to support the project. When asked if there was any civic organization that responded to the call, Matias said the fraternities and barangay officials were the first groups to come and ask for their areas to plant and maintain. Planting materials were also provided to these groups.

Religious, academe, NGA involvement One of the biggest contingents that visited the area was the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) with all its members of one district. The group voluntarily planted 3,000 seedlings of rubber trees in six hectares for a day only. All students of the JH Cerilles State College-Bayog campus, on the other


hand, are also required to plant at least 10 seedlings every year or five trees every semester. “Also, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recently granted us P833 thousand – purposely for the construction of a bio-reactor and a shredder machine for garbage composting and solid waste management respectively,” Matias disclosed. “One purpose of getting the bio-reactor is we want to educate our famers to engage in organic farming. At present majority of our farmers are still using inorganic fertilizers,” Matias added.The national government and the

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) also pledged to provide P400 thousand and P25 thousand per year for three years, respectively, for the maintenance of the area and the nurturing of the trees planted.

Employment generation Matias further disclosed that around 26 workers who belong to the poorest of the poor were hired to maintain and take care of the trees planted in the area. Mrs. Dulcita Paluray, 50, of barangay Matun-og, Bayog is one of the hired workers in the park. When asked if the Agro-Park had helped her, she replied: “nakatabang kaayo sa among kalisod sa panginabuhi, nakabalo mi unsaon pagtrabaho sa mag-uuma” (it really helps us in our livelihood and we learn how the farmers work). On the other hand, Mrs. Pelinia Apog, 42, of Kahayagan said, “dako kaayo ikatabang namo tungod kay unang una naa mi suweldo ginagmay tapos naka-experience pud mi unsaon pagtanom,pagpadako sa tanom ug naa pud nakuha panginabuhian namo sa ngadto ngadto” (It is of big help to us, because, first of all, we are being paid, then we have also experienced how to plant and nurture the plants. We also earn a living.)


“To sustain the workers daily income, we did an intercropping by planting corn in the rubber plantation, we provide the seeds – the income of it will be given to the workers. And as the years go by, the numbers of workers will be increased to cope with required maintenance work of the project,” Matias explained.

Income generation ”If the area will be completely planted with rubber trees and become productive in seven to ten years from now, a big revenue can be generated from the project, and this will help generate employment for the locals particularly the less-privileged sector of our society,” said Matias. “We have also put up a function hall in the area where seminars, meetings and conferences by private or government groups will be held. This is to showcase the area and to show to the people what we have done for the environment,” said the MENRO.

Essence of the project Matias said the very essence of the project is to contribute to the efforts of the national government to help mitigate the effects of climate change, generate employment,

particularly among the displaced and underprivileged people, and, at the same time, total compliance with RA 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Program.” Glupa Gulian Agro-Tourism Park has been also endorsed by DENR as one of the lead LGU-initiated projects in region 9 in support of the NGP. “If one may look back and see how Bayog chartered its course through the years, especially those pioneers who settled here as early as 1950s, they would certainly feel greatly elated to see that their dreams have come true.”


ACROSS THE NATIONMalacanang vows commitment to intensified tax collection efforts

PresiThe Aquino government reiterated its commitment to intensified tax collection efforts by running after tax evaders after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected P1.058 trillion in 2012.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday that the BIR has stepped up the filing of cases against tax evaders as part of the Aquino government’s commitment to tread daang matuwid or the straight and righteous path.

The government has stepped up the

filing of cases against tax evaders with 28 new cases filed since November 2012.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), 11 new cases were filed under the Run after Tax Evaders (RATE) program, while 17 new cases were filed under the Run after the Smugglers (RATS) initiative.

The DOF and its attached agencies are

10Thursday, February 28, 2013

working with the Department of Justice and the judiciary for the swift resolution of the cases.

With the various reforms initiated by the concerned government agencies, the government succeeded in increasing tax revenues last year.

The DOF had reported that the BIR increased its tax revenues by almost 15

percent to P1.058 trillion last year from P924 billion in 2011.

The DOF said the collections from BIR operations amounted to P1.017 trillion last year from P890 billion in 2011, while collections from non-BIR operations amounted to P40.95 billion from P33.65 billion in 2011. PND (js)

President Aquino welcomes top officials of leading management consulting and business process outsourcing company

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed global outsourcing company officials who expressed

confidence in the local market in Malacanang on Thursday.


Accenture Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Nanterme paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive at the Music Room of Malacanang Palace. He was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer Jo Deblaere and Country Managing Director Manolito Tayag.

Also in attendance was Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo.

Nanterme reinforced Accenture’s confidence in the the local market and the world-class capabilities of Accenture’ Philippine workforce who provide innovative information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions and services to top global clients.

Accenture Philippines is the country’s leading management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 30,000 employees working in 16 facilities in its Manila and Cebu delivery centers.

The Accenture Philippines works with an international client base in Europe, Asia and North America. It plays a strategic role in Accenture’s

ASEAN growth strategy.The officials reaffirmed their

commitment to partner with government in its advocacy to provide more jobs and spur economic growth through its commitment to invest in the Philippines. PND (js)


Malacañang assures ‘Pablo’ victims in Mindanao of continued all out support

Expressing concern for the victims of typhoon “Pablo” (international codename: Bopha) that struck the eastern portion of Mindanao last December, Malacanang assured that “all out”

support and aide would be accorded to them as soon as possible.In a press briefing in Malacanang on

Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government, particularly the Department of Social

Welfare and Development was working to expedite the immediate release and distribution of food packs to the victims of Pablo which devastated a


Malacañang assures ‘Pablo’ victims in Mindanao of continued all out support

wide portion of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley in Mindanao.

“Patuloy ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa kanila (victims),” Lacierda said adding, “We have spent hundreds of millions of pesos on them and we continue, let me emphasize, we continue to assist the typhoon victims.”

“The DSWD is proactive in providing assistance. This government has been proactive in providing assistance not

only to those who we can reach but also those in hard to reach areas,” he added.

He called on all “not to resort to violence” and be patient as “this government will go all out to help those affected.”

“All the victims, we will reach them and we will reach out to them. We will provide all that we can,” Lacierda said. PND (rck)


PNoy: P7.9-B airport will boost econ of MisOrby Jasper Marie O. Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- President Aquino said the opening of the Laguindingan airport in April can bring progress to Misamis Oriental as it will further promote tourism.

“The Laguindingan airport will ferry tourists who want to visit the island of Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan,” the President said today

during his visit to Cagayan de Oro. The project was funded through a P5.1-billion loan provided by the Korean Import Export Bank on


PNoy: P7.9-B airport will boost econ of MisOr

Phl hits desired economic gains to match population growth rate - Popcom

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Philippines has attained more than the 6 percent ideal economic growth rate to match the population growth.

by Jorie C. Valcorza

Commission on Population Executive Director Tomas Osias said in a statement that there is no specific formula in determining a certain population

growth consistent with or ideal for a sustainable economic growth, but if population data in relation to economic growth is analyzed, the ideal growth

2007 and a GOP counterpart of P2.9 billion. Costing P7.9 billion, it was approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board on September 18, 2007. The airport is expected to be fully-operational and inaugurated on May 2014. The President added that with the new airport, more than 460,000 tourist arrivals in the city as tabulated in 2011 can be expected and can reach up to 2.5 million foreign and domestic tourist arrivals in 2016. The Laguindingan Airport Development Project (LADP) aims to establish an international-standard airport in Laguindingan town, Misamis Oriental to replace two airports in the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC), namely the existing Cagayan de Oro (Lumbia) Airport and Iligan (Balo-i) Airport. Both airports have terrain and weather restrictions that limit the safe operation of a wide-body commercial aircraft.

The airport is ready for Visual Flight rules: no navigation aid installed with airport traffic to be handled/advised by the ground crew and flight service station personnel). Further, civil works for the airport is 98.66 percent completed as of February 18 and is expected to be fully completed by September 30. It can accommodate aircraft such as the A-319, A-320, and A-330. The airport can handle four flights (arrival/departure) per hour using the Visual Flight rule while 6-9 flights (arrival/departure) per hour using the Instrument Flight Rule. This airport is built based on international standards on a 3.93 sq. km of land in Misamis Oriental. It has a projected passenger capacity of 1.6 million for 2020 and will serve Northern Mindanao, particularly the province of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro city.


analyzed, the ideal growth rate for economic development should be 6 to 8 percent. Osias added that population growth should stabilize to less than 1.9 percent, otherwise, the country’s economic gains will be consumed by the social services that are required by the growing population. He said a slower population growth could open a window of opportunity for the public to enjoy the benefits of the so-called demographic dividend. A demographic dividend occurs when a decline in the population growth rate changes the age distribution of the country’s population so that the government can allocate more resources for

investment in economic activities and family welfare than to the needs of its young population who are mostly dependents. Osias said if there is high population growth, the dependency burden is also high, meaning a productive member of the population has to work double time to support two or more members of the family. The country’s population is now estimated at 97.3 million, up by 5 million from the 2012 figure of 92.3 million. Osias says there is a need to moderate the population growth rate of 1.98, as it would mean the country’s population will double in about 35 years.

National Year of Rice Info Caravan to highlight rice self-sufficiency by Joanne L. Olson

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional field office 10 is set to lead a region-wide information caravan on the 2013 National Year of Rice.

The caravan, slated from February 26-28 and March 7 in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin aims to attain the country’s goal of rice self-sufficiency. Two thousand participants are expected to join the event themed:

“Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas.” The caravan is a social marketing and advocacy campaign which seeks to attain the three-fold goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency in the country, promoting better health among rice consumers and improving the productivity and income of rice


farmers. The activity includes a briefing on the 2013 National Year of Rice, which was declared by President Aquino under Proclamation 494 signed on October 18, 2012. There will be an open discussion between farmers and the DA on topics such as rice varieties for adverse conditions,

community seed banking and farm machineries and equipment assisted by the region. The department’s attached agencies, including the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. will also be at the caravan. They will discuss additional production support, post-harvest and farm mechanization assistance, market development services and insurance coverage. The DA 10 anticipates to enlist more agricultural stakeholders, including farm-producers, the public and policymakers to have higher regard and increased productivity among rice farmers as well as be healthier rice consumers. The department also counts on the reduction of rice wastage and importations in finally realizing rice self-sufficiency when the year

2013 closes. Last year, Northern Mindanao produced 637,347 million metric tons of palay. This is 4.31 percent higher compared to 2011’s rice production, also registering a 74 percent sufficiency level.


CSU to aid City gov in updating its comprehensive land use plan

BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod has recently approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to enter and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in behalf of the city government with the Caraga State University (CSU) for the Comprehensive Land Administration and Information Management of the city of Butuan using a Geographical Information System, the output of which is very necessary in updating the Comprehansive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of the city.

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


CSU to aid City gov in updating its comprehensive land use plan

The partnership is very much necessary in updating the city’s CLUP as it would lead to a more accurate projection and preparation of the city’s disaster risk reduction plan and climate change adaptation program. One of the requirements in updating the CLUP is the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projections and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) programs. As indicated in the MOA, it is necessary to quantify the risk coverage in the localities of the city to achieve an effective priority-setting of resources in mitigating risks during calamities. The combination of the Real

Property Units (RPUs) and its basic information laid over the base map of the city is an effective strategy in containing the DRR and CCA requirements of the CLUP.

According to Vice Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun, this MOA between the city government and CSU is very vital as the city government is embarking on updating its CLUP over a three-year period. Fortun added that the CLUP of the city government is very important especially in attracting investors to the city as this is one of the aspects being looked into before an investor will come in.

DOST-Caraga to hold Science & Technology Summit in Surigao City by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, in partnership with the Regional Development Council (RDC) and the provincial government of Surigao del Norte will be conducting the S & T Summit on March 14 at the Provincial Convention Center, Capitol Compound, Surigao City.


DOST-Caraga Regional Director Dominga Mallonga bared that the S & T Summit is anchored on the theme, “Harnessing Science and Technology for Caraga’s Sustainable Development.”

“The summit aims to bring together various development stakeholders in the region in order to formulate a Science and Technology Roadmap that can be used as a planning framework for development focused on fishery,

agro-forestry, minerals, and eco-tourism,” said Mallonga.

Partner stakeholders in government are also enjoined to participate in the forum and share their ideas and insights on the gaps and challenges in science and technology on the following sectors: S & T Education, Eco-Tourism, Mining and Environment, Agro-forestry, Food industry, Metals and Engineering, Aquamarine, ICT for governance and Climate Change.

One dies, 49,000 persons affected by recent floods in Agusan del Sur by David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur -- One person died by drowning while 49,073 persons or 10,599 families were affected by the recent floods that hit Agusan del Sur since last week due to continuous rains, according to partial report by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office here.


Iped Manligayan, a four-year-old boy from San Luis, died by drowning, while consolidated partial report from six municipalities reveal that 45 barangays were affected.

As of February 26, the municipality of Veruela had the highest number of barangays affected with 12 barangays with 12,125 persons but the second highest in barangays affected which is San Luis with 11 has the highest number of persons affected with 19,577.

Sta. Josefa ranked third with 10 barangays affected with 1,500 persons; La Paz with eight barangays with 10,250 persons; Prosperidad with three barangays affected with 5,000 persons; and Loreto with only one barangay

and 621 persons. Three municipalities also

reported damages on agricultural crops, mostly rice.

In Sta. Josefa, 395 hectares planted with rice were damaged, Veruela with 441 hectares of rice field damaged, and Esperanza with 494 rice fields and two hectares of corn fields were damaged.

The municipality of La Paz has already released 120 relief packs to affected families, where each pack contained two kilos rice, one tin sardines, and two sachets noodles.

The PDRRMC and the MDRRMCs are already conducting actual assessment on the extent of damages brought by the recent floods.


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...


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Zamboanga City District 2 Elections Officer Joseph Ian Tria said PCOS experts from COMELEC-Manila are now here in the city for the regional trainers training. “These trainers will impart their

knowledge to our board of election inspectors (BEIs) and technicians on the use of the PCOS machines in a series of trainings which we will be conducted within March, and hopefully we can finish before April,

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

COMELEC conducts trainers’ training on PCOS machine

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In preparation for the 2013 midterm elections, the Commission on Election (COMELEC) is now conducting a training for a pool of trainers in Zamboanga Peninsula on the use of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines.


COMELEC conducts trainers’ training on PCOS machine

By H. A. Ascura

DENR-IX strengthens its information arm

PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX, recently conducted a three-day orientation workshop and action planning on its CY 2013 priority programs for information, education and communication (IEC) campaign for designated information officers region-wide held at the Bay Plaza Hotel, this city.

Representing Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable during the opening ceremonies, Administrative Division Chief Benjamin A. Rubia encouraged participants to develop their communication skills and acquire a comprehensive understanding of the Department’s program thrusts. “As information officers, the alignment of DENR programs

towards President Benigno C. Aquino’s societal goal, integrity in the environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation must be clearly spelled out by you to the people” Rubia added. Earlier, RED Adorable said the activity was undertaken in line with the Department’s mandate to conduct IEC advocacy campaign to all stakeholders and the general

just in time for the May elections,” Tria said. He added that if time warrants, they will also conduct trainings for the different concerned agencies and sectors for familiarization with the use of the machine. As for some known glitches on the use of PCOS machine in 2010 elections, Tria stressed that these were already addressed by COMELEC to ensure a better election this year. “According to our COMELEC main office, those glitches were already addressed, and we think we will have a more successful automated elections this time,” Tria ended.


public. “As technical personnel and now newly designated information officers, there is a need to orient them on the different priority programs and projects and to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in order for them to be fully functional information officers,” Director Adorable said. Aside from the orientation on the 2013 priority programs and projects of DENR, the participants also took a basic course in news writing and on photojournalism. Towards the end, they formulated and submitted their IEC action plan for implementation in their respective Provincial or Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices. Topics discussed during the

three-day activity include: Strategies in Communicating DENR’s programs and projects; Adopt-An-Estero & Solid Waste Management; Public Land Titling under Land Patents; National Greening Program; Forest Land Use Planning; Philippine Reference System of 1992; Adopt-A-Mojon Program; Web Media Management, Biological Diversity Conservation & Sustainable Development; Geo-hazard and Responsible Mining; and Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies. The news writing course was handled by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) IX Assistant Regional Director Franklin P. Gumapon, while photojournalism was tackled by Zamboanga del Sur Information Center Manager Claro A. Lanipa.


By Miriam Fe E. Jacinto

PCAB to conduct AMO Orientation Seminar in Cebu City

PAGADIAN CITY - The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) in coordination with Cebu Contractors Association, Inc. is inviting stakeholders of the construction industry to undergo an Authorized Managing Officer (AMO) Orientation Seminar on March 11-12, 2013 at Baseline Restaurant and Recreation Center, Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City. All contractors, sub-contractors, and utility contractors are required to undertake the AMO seminar as it is a mandatory requirement effective CFY 2012-2013. The PCAB will not release license registration whether new or renewal if the contractor has not attended said seminar. The sixteen (16)- hour AMO course covers laws and regulations relevant to the construction industry on the National Building Code, the Build–Operate-Transfer Law and the Local Government Code. Ms. Ma. Socorro M. Atay, Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry here said members of the construction industry in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur are enjoined to take the AMO orientation seminar to comply with PCAB’s requirement in line with the registration and renewal of their contractor’s license. Interested parties may take note of the following conditions for attendance to said seminar, to wit: registration will be on a “First come First Serve basis (limited slots only);Registration Fee is P3,500.00/pax to cover cost of materials, lunch,

snacks & other expenses relative to the training. Deadline for registration is on March 8, 2013. Checks should be made payable to CEBU CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION INC. with Account Number: 2920109126 at BDO branch. No on-site registration will be entertained. Participants who wish to cancel their reservations prior to to the event will be charged a cancellation fee of P2,000.00. In the event of a “NO SHOW”, participant is obliged to pay the full registration fee. To complete your registration, please fax/email Registration form & validated deposit slip to the CCA Secretariat. During the seminar, please bring with you Proof of Payment – ORIGINAL validated deposit slip and one (1) 2x2 or 1x1 photos. For more inquiries, interested parties may call CCA Secretariat: Fe Escaño – 0922-786-2681 / 0917-310-1326; Aileen Agravante – 0917-629-2005 / 0922-4530740; Joy Inocencio – 0917-310-1363/ 032-231-8501.



KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Soc-cksargen’s Regional Development Council (RDC-12) has recently endorsed P32.3 bil-lion worth of priority programs and projects for implementation in 2014.

Soccsksargen Region pushes P32.3-B worth of investments for 2014By Danilo E. Doguiles

RDC 12 chair and General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio said these programs and projects were gathered from investment plans proposed by 41 regional line agencies, five state colleges and universities and three government-owned and controlled


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The number of recipients of the Modi-fied Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pili-pino Program (4Ps) in Soccsksargen Region has reached 12,164 households.

organizations in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12.

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

Antonino added, these priority programs and projects will be incorporated in the region’s CY 2014 Annual Investment Program (AIP).

She said, the endorsement by the RDC’s Executive Committee came in response to the favorable recommendation of the council’s sectoral committees in an earlier review of the

proposals.During these

committee reviews, representatives of the proponent agencies affirmed the relevance of the national government priority programs, projects and activities (PPAs) in their respective areas.

They were also provided opportunity to propose priority PPAs for consideration by the national government, she said.

Antonino further explained that the review process generally focused on the AIP of RLAs/SUCs and GOCCs.

This is in consonance with RDC’s mandate as provided for in Executive Order No. 325, and in compliance with the directives contained in National

Budget Memorandum No. 115 dated 28 December 2012, she said.

A summary of the investment plan indicated that the P17.01 or 52.66 percent of the total amount is intended for basic social services.

This is followed by investments for agricultural and industry development and infrastructure support, amounting to P9.65 billion and P3.71 billion, respectively.

The council also endorsed P1.14 billion worth of PPAs for sustained peace, development and security; P504.6 million for good governance; and, P287 million for environmental greening. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Modified CCT covers 12,164 households in Soccsksargen RegionBy Danilo E. Doguiles

“Registration of families for inclusion in the MCCT

is on-going,” Nabilah Lao, focal person for MCCT at

the Department of Social Welfare and Development


(DSWD) 12, told reporters at the launching of the “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign on Saturday.

At present the program has covered General Santos City and Cotabato City as well as the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato, Lao said.

“Beneficiaries of the MCCT are families in need of special protection,” she said. “They are not covered by the regular 4Ps.”

Such families include those that were displaced from their homes due to various circumstances including human and natural calamities, indigenous people migrant families, informal settlers and families with children in need of assistance.

Children with special needs are those involved in child labor, children with disabilities, street children, as well as abandoned and abused children and those subjected to other forms of exploitation.

Lao said the MCCT was implemented “to maximize the reach of 4Ps program to cover all indigent families across

the country.”DSWD 12 assistant

regional director Gemma Rivera, said these beneficiaries receive the benefits that regular 4Ps cash grant recipients get. They must also comply with the conditions to sustain the assistance received.

Under the 4Ps program, households receive P500 month cash grant plus P300 per child (up to three children) under 15 years old or a maximum of P1,400 a month.

Conditions that must be complied with include pre- and post-natal care for pregnant mothers, attendance of parents to the Family Development Sessions, regular preventive check-ups and vaccination of 0 to 5 year old children, attendance to day care or pre-school classes at least 85% of the time by 3 to 5 year old children, and enrolment and 85 percent attendance of 6 to 14 year old children to elementary or high school as well as compliance to the twice-a-year deworming of 6 to 14 year old children.

“Families registered

under the MCCT were not covered in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR),” ARD Rivera said.

She added that DSWD implements the modified version with partner civic society organizations and non-government organizations accredited by the DSWD as providers of social welfare and development services.

Partner CSOs recommend the those who may be enrolled in the MCCT.

“As a requirement these partner CSOs must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and must have at least 3 years of experience as a service provider and must have a facility that serve as its center.”

“Like the regular 4Ps beneficiaries, MCCT beneficiaries also get monthly stipend directly from the Land Bank of the Philippines. Funds are not coursed through the DSWD nor through the partner CSOs,” Rivera said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The local government of Makilala de-clared 42 public elementary and 16 secondary schools located in its 38 ba-rangays as “School of Peace.”

LGU declares 58 public schools as “School of Peace”By Aida C. Agad

This effort is part of its continuing partnership with local residents working for peace in the area.

The launching held in January also calls for the integration of peace values and practices in the regular teaching lessons for all public schools in Makilala, a report from the local government said.

To qualify as schools of peace the involved schools should integrate the use of the locally-formulated “peace education teaching module” in their curriculum.

Formulation of this peace education module was completed through series of workshops by the Makilala public school

head teachers, and assisted by personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) here Region 12. The Royal Norwegian Government (RNG) grant-support for peace constituency building project in Makilala was the source of fund to this initiative.

This peace education module is based on various directives such as Executive Order 570 s. 2006 which mandates “ Ins t i tu t i ona l i z ing Peace Education in Basic Education and Teacher Education,” DepEd Memorandum 339 and 469 of 2008 “ Ins t i tu t i ona l i z ing Peace Education in Basic Education Curriculum,” and Memorandum No.14

of January 2013 mandating “DepEd Peace Movement in Mindanao.”

The school of peace initiative, the report said, is based on the Municipal Peace Declaration presented by mayor Rudy Caoagdan to both the peace panels of the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in an open dialogue held in the municipality last year.

Said dialogue was attended by around 1,500 sectoral and community leaders.

The 12-pages peace declaration specifically mention in the 3rd Article that all public schools all over the town be declared “schools of peace.” (ACAgad PIA12)


COTABATO CITY-- ARMM OIC-Vice Governor and regional secretary BaInon Karon of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the autonomous region cautions politicians against using the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program or “Pantawid Pamilya” for their political advance-ment.

DSWD-ARMM official cautions politicians against using the CCT programBy Perlita D. Changco

DSWD-ARMM has launched recently its version of “BAWAL ANG EPAL DITO” anti-Epal regional campaign in an effort to protect and safeguard the program against attempts by some politicians to use it as a propaganda

in their political campaign.

Karon said, as the campaign period for local candidates nears, politicians should avoid dragging the government’s CCT program during the campaign period to

advance their interest to the detriment of the thousands of the beneficiaries.

This is in compliance with a directive of DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman issued sometime in September 2012


urging agency officials and employees not to engage and participate in any partisan politics dragging the program in favor of any political candidate, Karon said.

The memorandum, Karon said, provides sanctions such as suspension from work against any personnel who will be proven to have violated the directive, Karon said.

As a precautionary measure, she said, display of tarpaulins or any campaign materials bearing the picture of politicians during significant events and celebrations is banned by the agency, adding

the Pantawid Pamilya program is not a campaign vehicle to gain political leverage.

Contrary to claims by some quarters that they have a hand in identifying for inclusion or exclusion of “Pantawid Pamilya” beneficiaries, Karon emphasized the authority solely lies with the DSWD.

“DSWD-ARMM will prepare and distribute advocacy materials that will indicate that nobody can remove or add to the list of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries since it’s a national program,” Karon said.

In ARMM, 300,000

households are provided cash grants under the program. Enrolled families get a monthly cash grant of P500 to cover healthcare costs and education of children below 14 years old on the condition that beneficiaries send their children to school and submit them to regular medical check-up.

Based on the proposed 2013 national budget, more than P44 billion is allocated to the CCT program, up from P39 billion in 2012. (pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City-Gilmahar Lao/DSWD-ARMM)

COTABATO CITY -- Working closely with the Department of Education, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) Philippines through its Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) Project supports government efforts to address lack of access to basic education in remote communities.

BEAM-BRAC gears to establish hundreds more learning centers in ARMM remote communitiesBy Perlita D. Changco

ADM Project is Component 4 of the Basic

Education Assistance for Mindanao-ARMM (BEAM-

ARMM) that provides catch-up education


opportunities targeting remote areas with large number of out-of-school children and absence of public schools are priority beneficiaries from 2012 to 2016.

Mr. Nazrul Islam, Country Representative, RRAC Philippines and ADM Project Director said, with a grant agreement of US $30 million for the first three years with Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid), BRAC through its ADM Project in partnership with local non-government organizations (NGOs) would establish learning centers in poor and school-less barangays that cater to pre-school and elementary education beginning with Grade 1 in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu.

Identified NGOs and institutions partnering with BRAC in the implementation of the ADM Project include the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), Social Services for Grassroots and Community Development (SSGRCD), NotreDame University (NDU)

and Kapagawida Development Services Association, Inc. (KDSAI)for Maguindanao; MARADECA, Kalimudan Foundation, Tapukan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TFMPC), Lanao Young Educators Civil Alliance for Progress, Inc. (LYECAP) and Community Family Services Internation (CFSI) for Lanao del Sur and Marawi City while the Muslim Upliftment Foundation of Tawi-Tawi, Inc (MUFTI), Mahardika Institute of Technology (MIT) and Integrated Learning for Moslems and Highlanders ILMOH) Foundation for Tawi-Tawi.

Based on its report, from July 2012 to April 2013, a total of 410 BRAC learning centers (1 classroom structure for 30 pupils) consisting of 289 for pre-school and 121 for Grade I have been established in Maguindanao with 110, Lanao del Sur-200 and Tawi-Tawi-47 with a total of 11,868 learners.

Under the ADM Project, each BRAC learning center accommodates 30 children aged 5 years old enrolled in preschool while another 30 aged

6 to 9 enrolled in Grade 1 with lessons anchored on DepEd’s school curriculum/instructional materials and required number of school days including the K+12 program.

For school year 2013-2014, ADM Project will cover the island provinces of Basilan and Sulu targeting to establish another 400 learning centers in addition to the existing and operational 410 sustaining an aggressive effort to attain its objective of helping to improve access to and quality basic education and contribute to the the overall goal of BEAM-ARMM geared towards poverty reduction and attainment of peace and development in the autonomous region.

Within the five-year implementation period, ADM as a community-based project is targeting about 80,000 children to have access to formal basic education through the BRAC learning centers that translates to improved socio-economic of the villagers and the communities, Islam said(PBChangco/PIA Cotabato City)


Tagum to focus on people services as it turns 15 by Rudolph Alama

DAVAO CITY-The City of Tagum is turning 15 on March 7, 2013 and the local government under Mayor Rey Uy has prepared a variety of services that will make life a little better for Tagumenos during the week-long celebration. “The first week of March will be a red-letter day for Tagumenos not only because it is the 15th Araw ng Tagum (on March 7) but because

of the many services the city government has prepared for them,” Tagum City Information Officer Cromwell Bonghanoy said during a press conference at Marco Polo Hotel’s Club 888 Wednesday. On March 1, Friday, the City of Tagum will conduct a Jobs Fair, Libreng Tawag, National Statistics Office

(NSO) Authentication, Issuance of Clearance for NBI, Police and Barangay as well as verification and registration for Philhealth, Social Security System and Pag-Ibig, all at the Trade Center. Bonghanoy said Tagumenos can also avail of Civil Registry Services including birth, death, marriage certificates and late


Tagum to focus on people services as it turns 15

TAGUM CITY– More than win-ning the games, the delegates to this year’s Davao Regional Ath-letic Association (DAVRAA) meet have come to demonstrate their strength of character and spirit. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the indomitable fortitude of the athletes comes into play as the best in the region compete in 18 sporting events during the weeklong competitions. According to him, such mettle, combined with youthful energy, can help the ravaged

region rise up from the ruins of Typhoon Pablo and the succeeding low pressure areas.The Governor hailed the strong-mindedness of the young athletes, who had to leave some pain and nightmares behind in order to take part of the games. He noted their courage has inspired the denizens of the Davao region to bounce back. “Storms may have shattered our lives, but never our will to rise,” declared the Governor, as he led the opening ceremonies

registration of birth also on the same day at the Trade Center. The city also offers Free Legal Services and Oplan Bigay Lunas at the same venue. “These provision of these services is our way of giving back to the people and a way of thanking for the many blessings that Tagum City has reaped over the years,” he said. Uy, who is no longer running for reelection this May 2013, has changed Tagum City’s landscape for the past several years that he was its mayor, Bonghanoy said. “Up to four-fifths of Tagum City’s 15 years of existence can be attributed to Mayor Uy,” he said. Bonghanoy said Tagum’s

infrastructure has improved a lot in the past years. Even the environment has improved, he said, thanks to the tree and mangrove planting activities of the local government. “Tagum City is being developed simultaneously so even the skyline is changing---daghan na pud buildings diri ug malls karon (there are many buildings and malls in the city now),” he said. Uy’s goal of decongesting the city, he said, is starting to be realized with the public market already relocated away from the city center. He added that once the local government offices are transferred to the New City Hall, then traffic in the city center would be decongested.(lovely carillo)

Athletes display true grit at DAVRAA 2013


the new Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center (DNSCC) on February 25, 2013. Over 7,000 participants, officials and spectators attended the grand kick off rites, which was graced by Senator Pia Cayetano, and top officials of the region. The triathlete senator carried the torch around the oval before passing it on to champion athletes for the torch relay before the lighting of the cauldron. The Governor named the lady senator as the “Sports Darling of the Province”, after she graced the unveiling of the prospective plan of the sports center years back. In his keynote speech, 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario also urged everyone

to get inspiration from the victims of “Pablo”, who struggled to reclaim their lives instead of sulking in misery. “Take it from them who have lost so much yet displayed such remarkable resiliency,” he said. Congressman del Rosario, who is a moving example of indomitable spirit himself after he overcame cancer, bared his bill establishing the Davao Sports Academy is now pending at the Senate. He said the sports academy, which will be located at the DNSCC, will nurture the young athletes “into becoming world-class athletes”. ( (Noel Baguio, PIO Davao del Norte)

facts and figures

1-million number of tourist arrivals in Davao Region for 2012, the re-cord only collates data from ho-tel bookings.

Documents

One Mindanao - February 28, 2013