One Mindanao - January 18, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

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

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

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

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

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

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

Cover Story

Siargao Escape – falling in love the sands of general luna

Dandee MontonCaraga Region

Today’s issue... Thursday, January 17, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 105

page 4

President Aquino inaugurates Austal Philippines shipyard operations in Balamban, Cebu 7

Recthie Tolinero-Paculba, Northern Mindanao

TESDA accepts Skills Training Program applicants anew12Capitol employees throws full support to rebuilding efforts14Southern Mindanao

DBM creates positions for 61,500 new teachers

DOST accepts proposals for funding of energy-related researchDani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

N. Cotabato town to hold a prayer rally for slain vice mayor Shahana Joy E. Duerme, Central Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

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DOH-Caraga posts 1.05% dengue fatality in 2012Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region23

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ADN Conducts Youth CongressMSMonoy, Caraga Region26

29 Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

180 registered nurses, midwives set for deployment in ZamboSur

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31 Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

Local filmmakers to release docu film on the lives of DSWD beneficiaries

Thursday, January 17, 20134


The series continue when going to Siargao Island

as I jumped from one place to another. This time focus myself in the town of General Luna, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte. It was such a lovely place for hideaway takers far from the bustle and hustle of the city.

CoVer StoRy

by Dandee Monton

General Luna not only endowed with beautiful surfing sites, islands and islets, rock formations, snorkeling, diving but the beach itself. It was just an opposite character of Mabua Peeble Beach where stones ruled and became endemic. While here it is not. Just a pure powdery white sands and became a hotspot for anyone who loves the sands and the seas. The coastlines were white, an inborn gift of rising paradise inCaraga. When I’m in Butuan City, if someone talks about General Luna, the thing that bolsters my mind was the pristine white sands that are stretching for miles in the coastlines, and of course this is how Siargao Island became famous (but Siargao has many beautiful spots to offer aside from the sands). General Luna is one of Siargao

gifted son. The Coastlines, Islands And The Sands Everywhere in the shorelines of General Luna was a luscious white line that symbolize of being a white achiever in the sands that makes me fall in love with white. I can see in my naked eyes while in the beach, in front of it, was the sweet Guyam Island that is drawing near with white line. In the near distance of Guyam Island was much bigger Dako Island in which half of it was a neat white line in the right side. Closer again was the white Bikini Island, all white and nothing else, it was called in other name as naked island because it’s a pure white sands getting naked and unleashed from nowhere – almost no green thing you can see and no dark spots

Thursday, January 17, 2013 5

at all. Closer again was another hot spot, the silent Corregidor Island. The farthest was a group of islands called La Januza, and spent your time there in a far away place that have never been touched and kissed by wild vacationers. When I see the pictures of La Januza in Balanghai Hotel in Butuan City, I could not believe of what I saw. The tantalizing world of curve white beach formation, and the romantic sunset in one of the islands, will put your soul in a calm and serene place. The pictures itself speak a worry-free and stress-free human world. Walking in a distance, I usually drained my naked feet in this pure white sand beach making them smooth rubbing and tickling, and even, dancing and jumping for a moment. Even you take it for miles, you will never feel the strain because of smoothness of powdery white sands that completely startled your feet, and the joy of making it. You will be surprise of the revelation taking some steps, it seems you are just floating in a window of heaven where you are surrounded with white

things, everything is clear and clean. Your eyes became watchful but for the love of nature that surrounds you. Of course, the refreshing cool winds follow you with sweet embrace, and gaze the never ending horizon in the sea.

The Surfing Greats

General Luna was a home of the best international surfing site called Cloud 9. But there was another water breaks that gaining fast ground for neophyte surfers which is Dako. In the new era of surfers, you can choose of which way to go, and mark your name as the best surfer in the world. You will never forget in your life you have been part of General Luna’s priceless possession – world class surfing sites. In times like this, you should take all the opportunities and exploits everything that may come on your way. Show how your body energize and activates your sense of being, unleash the wildest part of you, like a soul in an ageing body and feel young again (but I’m not that old, huh!). This is the way I blend with nature in my

days with General Luna. When I’m come back to my birthplace, Butuan City, it is surely a missed thing to do of my entire life.


6 Thursday, January 17, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino to confer Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander on Dellosa

President Benigno S. Aquino III will confer the Presidential Legion of Honor with the

degree of Chief Commander and citation on outgoing Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Jessie D. Dellosa in ceremonies to be held at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

The conferment rites will be simultaneous with Dellosa’s retirement and turnover of command of the AFP to his successor Lieutenant General Emmanuel T. Bautista.

Upon his arrival, the Chief Executive will be accorded full military honors with 21 gun salute.

During the conferment ceremonies, the President will be assisted by Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and Dellosa’ s wife Mary Rose. After the presentation of the award to Dellosa, the change of command ceremony will immediately

follow.The President will then deliver his

keynote speech before an estimated 600 guests composed of former Presidents, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Cabinet Secretaries, Senators, Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices, Foreign Armed Forces Attaches, former secretaries of the Department of National Defense, former Chiefs of Staff of the AFP, officials of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine National Police, Quezon City local government officials, veterans,


Aquino to confer Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander on Dellosa

and members of the AFP Affiliated Organizations and the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979.

Dellosa served as the 43rd Chief of Staff of the AFP following the retirement of General Eduardo Oban, Jr. on December 13, 2011.

Dellosa, a former aide-de-camp to the late former President Corazon Aquino, is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Matapat” Class of 1979.

Prior to his appointment, he was the commander of the Northern Luzon

Command.A decorated Army Scout Ranger officer,

he also received the Distinguished Service Star, two Wounded Personnel Medals, two Gold Cross Medals, 39 Military Merit Medals, six Bronze Cross Medals, Long Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge Expert, and Outstanding Achievement Medal.

Born in Bacon, Sorsogon in 1957, Dellosa is married to former Mary Rose Fernandez with whom he has three children. PND (js)

President Aquino inaugurates Austal Philippines shipyard operations in Balamban, Cebu

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the grand opening of the Austal

Philippines’s shipyard operations here on Wednesday as he envisioned the shipbuilding company to further expand in the future for the benefit of the Filipino people and the country as a whole.

8 Thursday, January 17, 2013

“Today, we have the honor of formally welcoming to our country yet another company that will accelerate the growth of this sector: Austal Philippines. At the moment, you may still be a growing company in our country, but I cannot overstate the impact of your arrival in the long run,” the President said in his message during the opening ceremonies.

The President told Austal Philippines that his administration will continue supporting the ship building industry to make it easier for companies like Austal to build world-class ships.

For instance, as of the end of 2012, the President said, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certified around 95,000 welders in its registry, many of whom may be applying at Austal.

“And I assure you, we will continue to make certain that you will have access to a highly skilled Filipino workforce,” the President said. Adding that the “government will not betray your trust, and neither will our people.”

Austal made the right choice when it invested in the Philippines, he said, noting that if the company treats its Filipino work force well, they will not only perform their duties well, but they will take it upon themselves to propel Austal to even greater heights.

The Philippines is currently the fourth largest shipbuilding nation in the world and

the President said he envisions the country to be the leading shipbuilder in the future given the skills and talent of Filipino workers and with the investments being poured by companies like Austal.

As one of the leading shipbuilding country in the world, the Philippines posted $638 million in ship exports in 2011, a 57.9 percent increase from the previous year.

Around 45,000 Filipinos make their livelihoods working for shipbuilding companies, the President stressed.

Austal has already finished the construction of one ship for export and it is expected to complete four more ships before the end of the year, which will bring in a total of $70 million in export sales, and give jobs to nearly 300 Filipinos.

The company, which started its shipbuilding operations last year, committed $15 million to develop world-class manufacturing facilities in the Philippines. It also has an additional $4.8 million investment to improve its Balamban shipyard.

Austal is a global defense prime contractor that designs, constructs and maintains revolutionary naval platforms.

The company has facilities in Henderson, Western Australia; Mobile, Alabama; and in Balamban, Cebu. Austal also provides vessel support services from its facilities in Australia, US, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East. PND (as)


President Aquino ‘happy’ to be back in Zamboanga City

President Benigno

Aquino III on Wednesday said he is “happy to be back here” in this southern port city.

He issued the statement during his speech before heads of universities and colleges from the different parts of Mindanao.

More than 40 heads and administrators of universities and colleges are attending a three-day forum on “Schools Serving Society: Top Level Action Agenda of Higher Education Institutions for Mindanao Peace and Development.”

The forum, initiated by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), started Wednesday and ends on Friday.

The arrival Wednesday of the

President here is his first visit as the country’s chief executive after winning the 2010 presidential election.

It can be recalled that the President went here for a spiritual retreat and sought spiritual guidance at the Carmelite Monastery before he officially announced his candidacy for president.

After his keynote speech, the President met closed-door with the local government officials.

After the meeting, the President visited the Carmelite Monastery before returning to Manila. (PNA)


Lanao Norte all set for 5th participation in Sinulogby Vincent N. Labial

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- Arriving in the Queen City of the South on January 15 for its fifth consecutive participation in Sinulog Festival, the Lanao del Norte contingent is all set to showcase the colorful “Sarimanok Festival” of Kolambugan town.

Collectively known as “Tribu Sarimanok,” this is the biggest contingent this fast-rising province is sending to the annual festival here in Cebu City. “We have about 370 people comprising our contingent. This year, our performance is filled with lots

of surprises that will surely excite the Sinulog audience,” Provincial Tourism Head Minda Regis said. After months of backbreaking rehearsals and creation of intricate props and costumes, everything finally adds up to another epic competition for both local and out-of-


DBM creates positions for 61,500 new teachersby Rutchie C. Aguhob

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the creation of these items had been prioritized for the multi-grade schools and elementary schools still offering multi-grade classes due

to lack of teachers positions. Included are the school annexes or newly-opened schools to which the items had been deployed. Secretary Luistro said he has

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has granted the creation of 61,510 new Teacher 1 positions in the Kindergarten, Elementary, and Secondary levels of the Department of Education (DepEd) for School Year (SY) 2013-2014 .

town contingents. In Sinulog 2013, Lanao del Norte will again be competing in the Free Interpretation category which is considered by choreographers and Sinulog devotees as the most competitive category in the annual festival. The Land of Beauty and Bounty contingent has consistently won in both the Sinulog Showdown event and Street Dancing category making them one of the crowd favorite in the competition. “Our main purpose in joining this highly-anticipated festival is to show to the Philippines and even the whole world that Lanao del Norte is a peaceful and a beautiful province,” Governor Khalid Dimaporo enthused. Lanao del Norte is known as the “Motocross Capital of the Philippines” after hosting numerous international motocross competitions and freestyle

motocross events. The province has also been identified by the Philippine Basketball Association as the “Home of the PBA” in Mindanao. “We have a very unique contingent this year, because some of our dancers and propsmen are Muslims but they are very passionate in their performance. This shows that Muslims and Christians in Lanao del Norte are united because we respect each other’s culture and religion,” Information Officer Lyndon Calica added. In this year’s festival, a total of 41 contingents will be competing in the Sinulog-based and Free Interpretation categories. Two contingents are from out-of-town in the Sinulog-based while there are six contingents in the Free Interpretation. The head choreographer for Tribu Sarimanok is Mark Barry Luchie.


given instructions for the DepEd division offices to evaluate and identify qualified applicants for the one-half of the division allocation based on the Old Registry of Qualified Applicants (RQA) by December 31, 2012. Recruitment, evaluation, and selection process for the second half of the division allocation will start in January 2013, to have a new QRA which must be completed in March 2013. Thus, all qualified teacher applicants will be made available for assignment to schools not earlier than April 1, 2013 and not later than May 15, Luistro said. Meanwhile, 3,248 or 5.28 percent of the total Teacher 1 positions had been allocated to Region 10, of which 870 are for kindergarten teachers, 889 for elementary teachers, and

1,480 for secondary teachers. Of Region 10’s five provinces, Bukidnon got the highest allocation of 1,261 positions, followed by Misamis Oriental with 1,219; Misamis Occidental, 363; Lanao del Norte, 302 ;and Camiguin, 17. Per legislative district, the distribution of the Teacher 1 items are as follows: Bukidnon First District, 342; Second District, 556; and Third District, 363. Misamis Oriental First District, 335; Second District, 442; and Cagayan de Oro City First District, 181; Second District, 261. Misamis Occidental First District, 141; Second District, 222; and Lanao del Norte First District; 110, Second District, 192. Iligan City lone district, 86; and Camiguin, also a lone district, 17.

Mayor Vicente Emano said among the courses offered are beauty care, bread and pastry production, commercial cooking, massage therapy, food processing and dressmaking. The training program is initiated by the City Local Government Unit

together with the supervision of TESDA. The Program is in line with the LGU’s efforts in giving opportunities to the underprivileged for them to acquire skills that they could use for livelihood.

TESDA accepts Skills Training Program applicants anewby Recthie Tolinero-Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - he Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the Cagayan de Oro City local government, has announced the ongoing application for free short-term courses on Livelihood Skills Training Program.


DAVAO CITY- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is working on providing a Core Shelter Assistance to victims of typhoon Pablo whose homes were totally devastated. DSWD-XI Regional Director Priscilla Razon said that the project is expected to be started after six months as they are still identifying suitable

sites for resettlement with the help of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). “We are awaiting recommendation for safe resettlement sites from the MGB.” Razon said during her guesting at the Club 888 media forum at Marco Polo Davao held last Wednesday (January 16). Razon said that the CSA are for permanent structures and hopes that the sites being prepared must not be prone to

geo-hazards. She said a beneficiary of the Core Shelter Assistance will receive P125,000 with P70,000 coming from the DSWD and P55,000 coming from the National Housing Authority. For the moment the DSWD is constructing bunkhouses for families affected by the Typhoon which

DSWD’s Core Shelter Assistancein the works


Capitol employees throws full support to rebuilding efforts MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL– With a membership of 615 regular members, the Provincial Govern-ment Employees Association of Davao Oriental (PGEA) is throwing its full support to the rebuilding efforts of Davao Oriental under Governor Corazon Malanyaon. Nenito Bandigan, PGEA President, said that the association is giving all out support to the moves of the provincial government even providing volunteer effort for the relief drive. “We gave our little contribution for the typhoon victims. We help in the packing and distribution of relief goods. We feel their needs and we also witnessed how the provincial government implement measures to ensure relief goods are delivered to the victims,” he explained. In the “Dedication Day” of Davao Oriental intended for Pablo victims, Governor Malanyaon was emotional,

as she expressed her sentiments with what happened, with the wreckage brought by the typhoon, and how it affected the entire province. “Sometimes, I asked myself why this happened in the province. But as am convinced that everything happens for a purpose, this is reality that we have to accept. We have to help each other. We have to make the anguish lighter for them. The aftermath of the typhoon pained me as it did to the victims,” she said.Bandigan disclosed that many from the audience were teary-eyed listening to the Governor. “We felt the Governor was holding back her own tears. We understand she was only trying to be strong for her people. It was one fleeting moment of pouring her heart out,” he stressed. One important part of the Dedication Day was the ecumenical prayer, where leaders of different

ravaged the region last December 4. About 60 bunkhouses are being built in Davao Oriental of which 20 have already been turned over. About 21 bunkhouses will be built in Compostela Valley Province. Each bunkhouses will temporarily host 10 families, Razon said each room can accommodate a family of five it will have a community kitchen,

four comfort rooms (two male and two female toilets. Aside from the bunkhouses the DSWD is also planning to provide Emergency Shelter Assistance to those victims whose houses can still be repaired, a beneficiary of an ESA can receive P10,000 as housing assistance. (PIA XI/RG Alama)


denominations unanimously prayed for recovery and resurgence. Davao Oriental was at the peak of all its endeavors in different fields before the typhoon made a twist in history. Bandigan recalled PGEA’s moments with the Governor, their meetings, as well as consultations that contributed to the kind of relationship they have now with the Local Chief Executive of the province. “We commended her for listening to us. She is a good listener, and she said her piece on matters raised. The

association is aware that we cannot have everything we want instantly, but that we perfectly understand,” he furthered. Earlier, Gov. Malanyaon emphasized that she is not difficult to talk with, she listens, and she explains, and that she does not hinder anything that is for the welfare of the employees. “But my challenge to them is always show me the right work attitude. I know how to see the efforts of my employees. My direction is very clear.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Sarangani’s 140 barangay captains would imple-ment their respective action plan for health, crafted during the two-day pro-vincial health summit held here recently, within a six-month period.

Sarangani barangay captains to champion health servicesBy Beverly Paoyon


The summit advocated barangay captains to be the champion in health services in their own barangays.

Governor Migs Dominguez told summit participants: “Aminin natin na ang health, ang kalusugan ay responsibilidad pala nating lahat.”

“Dili ra diay r e s p o n s i b i l i d a d sa doctor, health workers, mayor o sa municipal health officer. Dili diay na solo. So ibig sabihin, tayo palang lahat ang may responsibilidad sa pagpapalaki ng bawat bata in a very healthy way. So, it takes a village to raise a healthy child,” the governor said.

Health summit participants were municipal mayors, barangay chairs and their councilors, planning and health officers, and local health workers.

The action plans sought to align with the national benchmark specifically complying with the Millennium

Development Goals (MDG) and universal health care.

Purposely for MDG 4 (reduction of child mortality), provincial health officer Antonio Yasana said that it will be “mostly likely achieved by the Philippines if the current trend of decreasing infant mortality rates and child mortality rates proceeds as is.”

However, he also pointed out that MDG 5 (improvement of maternal care) “will likely not be achieved unless radical reforms are made at the barangay level to ensure all mothers have access to pre-natal care, safe births, emergency obstetric care, post-natal care and family planning services.”

n Sarangani, maternal mortality rate has decreased from 2.18% in 2011 to 1.12% in 2012 from every 1,000 livebirths.

Meanwhile, infant mortality rate also reduced from 5% in

2011 to 2.56% in 2012.

U n d e r - f i v e mortality recorded 75 deaths in 2011 and only 48 in 2012.

The summit was held to address these concerns as Yasana told barangay captains to be “on top of the situation in the barangay. That’s the only way for you to be able to address health problems, concerns, issues” in their barangay.

As the Aquino Health Agenda on the universal health care which targets all Filipinos to be enrolled in Philhealth, Sarangani also takes the challenge “to make all the municipal level hospitals Philhealth-accredited.”

Yasana added “all barangay health stations must have a seal of excellence from the Department of Health” as well.


DOST accepts proposals for funding of energy-related researchBy Danilo E. DoguilesKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Science and Tech-nology (DOST) in Soccsksargen Region has announced the opening of ap-plications for research and development (R&D) funding on matter of energy and emerging technology.

Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof-Laidan, regional director of DOST 12, said submitted propos-als will be sent to the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology for Research and De-velopment (PCIEERD), which will fund ap-proved R&D projects and programs.

The call for propos-als, she added, is also in support to the na-tional research agen-da.

PCIEERD is an agency under the DOST tasked to perform functions for the development of national competence in R&D strategic areas of industry, energy and emerging technology sectors in the country.

Laidan further em-phasized that propos-als must focus on re-

search activities under the following thematic areas of interest: sus-tainable energy, ap-propriate technologies for industry competi-tiveness, harnessing emerging technologies for national competi-tiveness, and climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduc-tion.

Implementation of approved R&D projects will begin in 2014.

“Top priority for funding are those R&D programs and projects that harness the po-

tential of the emerg-ing technologies and expand technology de-velopment and inno-vations involved in the industry and energy sectors,” she pointed out.

Applications from state colleges and uni-versities, government research and develop-ment institutes, and non-profit S&T net-works and organiza-tions involved in sci-ence and technology research and develop-ment in the country.

The complete pack-age of the call for pro-posals and proposal forms may be viewed and downloaded at http://www.pcieerd.dost.gov.ph.

The deadline for sub-mission of Proposals to DOST-PCIEERD is on February 4, 2013


through the regional office of DOST in ORG Compound, Cotabato City,

Interested individu-als and may call the

following numbers for more information: (064)421-6908 and (064) 421-2711.

They may also send e-mail to Director

Laidan through [email protected] or [email protected]. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato--The local government of Kabacan in the province of North Cotabato conducted a prayer rally today as a way of call-ing for justice on the brutal death of vice mayor Policronio Dulay.

N. Cotabato town to hold a prayer rally for slain vice mayorBy Shahana Joy E. Duerme

The activity was pushed by Mayor George Tan after an emergency peace and order council meeting he called on Monday.

Meanwhile, Kabacan PNP chief Supt. Leo Ajero said that they will further conduct a thorough and deep investigation on the case of the vice mayor. Ajero is calling those who had witnessed the crime to go out and work with them.

It can be noted that Kabacan PNP already formed “Task Force Dulay” which is tasked to do fact finding.

Aside from this, Tan has ordered Kabacan PNP to subject all security guards to a training that would alert them on what to do in cases similar to the Dulay incidence.

This was in reaction to te report that security personeel present at the crime scene were unable to respond to the incident.

Tan and the local council issued a cash reward amounting to P200,000 each to those who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Dulay’s vacant post is temporarily handled by Councilor Jonathan Tabara in accordance to the rule of succession stated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The vice mayor was was shot by the assassin around 3 p.m., Friday, while he was about to board his scooter.

He was rushed to Kabacan Medical Specialist but was declared dead on arrival.

At present, flags in the entire town are raised in half mast as a sign of sympathy to the bereaved family.


Caretaker gov’t accelerates livelihood dev’t, poverty-reduction in ARMMby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The caretaker government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continues to work towards lifting the economic status of its constituents through the implementation of livelihood projects and other poverty-alleviation programs, ARMM Officer-in-Charge Mujiv Hataman said.

In his first State of the Region’s Address (SORA), Hataman cited the “Fish for Peace” program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) where 5.52 million species of tilapia fingerlings and 679,000 pieces of carp fingerlings were distributed to 2,698 beneficiaries throughout the region. He said the BFAR was able to provide gillnets, hook and lines, fishpots, motorized and non-

motorized bancas, and fish corals to 10,101 fishermen and 105 fisherman-associations under program. A total of 1,525 fishermen were also benefitted from the 61 units of Payao distributed by BFAR, he further said. Hataman also bared that 70 percent of the ARMM coastlines were placed under the protection of BFAR through the program’s Bantay Dagat component that resulted to the saving


Caretaker gov’t accelerates livelihood dev’t, poverty-reduction in ARMM

of five bundles of black coral, 52 hawksbill turtles, and 600 kilograms of hammerhead fish declared as endangered species. More than P214 million capital seed fund were meanwhile given to 2,500 associations in line with the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD). The Governor said the region was also allotted a total of P625 million Micro Livelihood Enterprise for capacity building of women under the Transition Investment Support Plan or Stimulus Fund. “We were able to release P691 million to 18,900 beneficiaries of the Cash for Work Program in addition to the P215 million for the 21,530 Sustainable Livelihood Program beneficiaries,” he added. According to him, the caretaker government has constructed 209 modified shelters for internally-displaced persons in Maguindanao, Sulu and Basilan while the construction of additional 140 units is still on-going. Hataman further said the regional recipients of the Indigent Senior Citizens Social Pension reached 8,836 while the Pantawid Pamilya Program has a total of 317,733 family-beneficiaries.


SP urges GSIS to grant one-year moratorium on employees’ loansby Junesther Jean S. Iway

BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here will request the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in behalf of the employees of the local government who were badly affected by the recent flooding, for a one-year moratorium in the payment of outstanding GSIS loans of said employees.

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


In a resolution passed by the SP recently, it was pointed out that a suspension or a break would be a good pause from all the calamities that the city had experienced and still experiencing. The appeal was to give government employees enough time to repair and fix the damages incurred during typhoon Pablo.

Through the approval of the

resolution, GSIS members will be given a chance to have breathing space.

The resolution was unanimously approved by all members of the SP led by Vice Mayor Law Fortun.

Fortun said that if their request is granted, it will significantly ease the plight of these employees who were victims of the typhoon.

DOH-Caraga posts 1.05% dengue fatality in 2012by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Caraga Region has recorded a 1.05 percent dengue case fatality rate in 2012 which is slightly above the national figure of less than one percent.


In a press statement, the health department in the region said a total of 22 deaths out of the total number 2,090 cases were recorded in the region last year.

The DOH officials said the 2,090 suspected dengue cases were admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2012.

Of this figure, Agusan del Sur had the most number with 576; followed by Butuan City, 398; Surigao City, 286; Surigao del Norte, 214; Bislig City, 147; Surigao del Sur, 138; Agusan del Norte, 108; Bayugan City, 105; Cabadbaran City, 51; Tandag City, 38; and the province of Dinagat Islands, 29.

The clustering of cases were noted in different barangays. For Surigao City, residents in barangays San Juan, Taft, and Washington were recorded to have dengue cases. Barangays 1 and 9 were recorded in Cabadbaran City.

In this city, the barangays of Ambago, Baan Km. 3, Libertad, San Mateo, San Vicente, Tungao and Villa Kanangga were included in the list. Meanwhile, three barangays in Bayugan City were also noted to have been affected. These were the Poblacion, Hamogaway, and Maygatasan.

Further, Barangay Urbiztondo in Claver, Surigao del Norte; Barangay Poblacion in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and Barangay 5 in San Francisco, Agusan del Norte were

also recorded by the agency to have been affected by the virus.

Health officials in the region explained that clustering is defined as two or more cases in a week in a certain area or barangay. Ages of cases ranged from less than one month old to 86 years old where 41 percent belonged to 0 to 10 years age group. More males, 53 percent were affected than females, 47 percent.

In a related development, the DOH-Center for Health Development (CHD)-Caraga has conducted several activities to address the concern on the increasing number of cases.

The agency reported they have been conducting close coordination with local government units, hospitals, and Epidemiology and Surveillance Units (ESUs) to generate updated report.

DOH also disseminated surveillance report to all provinces, cities and municipalities with clustering of cases, as well as issuing of advisory and information materials.

Moreover, the DOH said pre-positioning of insecticides and larvicide in affected provinces and cities was also conducted, and in collaboration with LGU concerned, they conducted preventive fogging in areas with clustering of cases.


ADN Conducts Youth Congressby MSMonoyBUTUAN CITY- To give proper guidance to the youth from drug addiction, pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), the province of Agusan del Norte, in coordination with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), conducted the Provincial Youth Congress last October 29-30, 2012 at the Provincial Training Center.

With the theme “Responsableng Kabataan Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan”, the youth of the province, particularly the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen, were made to attend the 2-day seminar/ workshop to address their issues and concerns and update them with what’s going on around the community.

“If you want to be leaders in the province of Agusan del Norte, then you should have the information with what is happening in the world. Information is power!”, said Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante during his inspirational speech for the said event.

To provide inputs on specific subject matters, Mr. Florencio C. Mirafuentes, Information Officer-I of the Commission on Population discussed about the Adolescent Reproductive Health, Ms. Lucita Tagudin, a Public Health Nurse and Regional Youth Coordinator of the Department of Health discussed the situation of adolescents (age 10-19) and the youth (age 10-24)

in the Philippines, Ms. Agnes Garcia and Ms. Fladelita dela Peña, health educators from PHO, talks about HIV-AIDS/STD Infections Prevention and Control, Ms. Myrian Balbada, Chief, Preventive Education and Community Involvement Division of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency discussed the Ill Effects of Drug Abuse, Ms. Ormela Mae M. Beluan talked about the duties and responsibilities of the SK and Ms. Gloria Pabillore about the Children’s Rights.

As the President of the Provincial SK Federation, Board Member Ronica P. Chung led the recitation of the Pledge of Commitment in empowering the youth to make a difference in his/her community and be a responsible leader.

Gracing the said event were BM Daniel O. Racaza, BM Ernie M. Ceniza, PIO-III Edgar M. Palarca, Jr., Provincial Youth Coordinator Mary Grace E. Wang and Ms. Eleanor “Bing” Tupaz of the PPDO.


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 – “With a more active participation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on our crusade towards a peaceful and progressive Mindanao, we have greater confidence in the inevitable success of our people,” said President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Top Level Forum of University Presidents in Mindanao held here yesterday.

Pres. Aquino lauds HEIs role in Mindanao development; calls for more participation in community and nation buildingMichael Vincent D. Cajulao


Visiting the city for the first time as the highest official of the country, Pres. Aquino bared that his “administration remains true to its pledge for peace, education, opportunities, and a better life for the people of Mindanao.” “After two years and six months of our unity, we cannot deny the big difference of Mindanao then and now, which we take pride of,” Aquino stressed. The country’s Chief Executive said: “Gone is the negative image of Mindanao torn with corruption, conflicts, and violence,” adding, “the negative image of Mindanao before was due to conflicts and violence, and corruption of officials and the neglected quality of education and learning of the people.” Aquino said there was little learning in Mindanao because of corruption.

The President said emphatically: “How can our constituents learn to read, write, and think when they have to pass through ‘ghost bridges’ to look for ‘ghost schools’ and to be taught by ‘ghost teachers?’ If this is continued, our people will inherit ghost future.” He then underscored the critical role of HEIs in community development and nation building by citing a research work on coco coir conducted by a certain Prof. Justino Arboleda of Bicol State University, which had helped improve the quality of life in his area and the national government in saving billions of pesos for slope protection and soil erosion control program. “Instead of using expensive technologies for these programs, Prof. Arboleda’s coco coir net proved to be much effective and very cheap which helped the government save


billions of pesos intended for the program. This became possible because of the dedication of a person setting aside his personal gains, and instead made sure that his research impacted the lives of the people,” the President said. The research has opened job opportunities for the people with the increasing number of community-based processing centers from 16 in 2011 to 50 in 2012. Mr. Aquino challenged the university officials in Mindanao to be “more instrumental in community

development,” assuring them of the national government’s unwavering support. He concluded his speech by calling on everybody to be part of the positive change in the country, saying, “There is no limit to where we can go to, so long as we continue to dream and believe in our collective capacity to take care of each and everyone. That is the essence of where we have to go, and how we get there. We are all responsible for each and everyone.”

180 registered nurses, midwives set for deployment in ZamboSur By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – Some 180 registered nurses and midwives are set to be deployed this month in the different communities in Zamboanga del Sur under the RN HEALS program of the Department of Health (DOH).


DOH-9 Regional Director Teogenes F. Baluma said his office has scheduled a pre-deployment orientation for these nurses and midwives on January 17-19, 2013 at Hotel Guillermo this city. RN HEALS, an acronym for Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service, is expected to address the shortage of skilled and experienced nurses in rural and un-served or underserved communities for a period of one year. The project seeks to make essential health services available to all Filipinos by training and deploying unemployed nurses in communities identified by the DOH in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD). While on deployment, they will be given a monthly allowance of P8,000 by the DOH while the local government unit (LGU) where they are assigned shall supervise them, ensure their safety and security, and provide modest board and lodging. LGUs are also encouraged to provide additional allowances and benefits worth at least P2,000 for these nurses, Baluma said. Meanwhile, DOH-CHD Team Leader for Zamboanga del Sur Engr. Wilfredo Casas said, the 180 accepted nurses represent Batch 4 for the Rural Health Team Placement Program (RHTPP) cum training for deployment in the province this month.


Local filmmakers to release docu film on the lives of DSWD beneficiariesBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

PAGADIAN CITY - Social Welfare Department for the first time goes “docu-film” (documentary film) on its Pantawid Pamilya, and Kalahi-CIDSS community-driven development project and Sustainable Livelihood Program beneficiaries, said Jayson Ellias, Pantawid Program Information Officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9. “We have documented the impact of DSWD’s anti poverty programs to the lives of its beneficiaries, but this is the first time that it is captured on film,” Ellias said. He said the film takes a look at the lives of the beneficiaries as it exemplifies how “struggling” families challenged themselves to rise from poverty with the social welfare department’s intervention. ‘The film will surely inspire you as it illustrates how these beneficiaries (in spite of their poverty,) coped with their diverse daily difficulties,” Ellias said. The 15-20 minute documentary film will be launched come Jan. 23 as

DSWD celebrates its anniversary. “The department will distribute copies of the docu-film to its partner agencies, stakeholders,” Ellias informed. The film shot on location in Ipil, R. T. Lim and Tungawan municipalities was directed by Zurich Chan of CineSur, writer and director of Teoriya, a film starring Alfred Vargas, an entry to the Cinemalaya 2011. Documentary film is a factual, non-fiction film which is dramatic, provides opinion and specific message along with the facts it presents.


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One Mindanao - January 18, 2013