One Mindanao - January 29, 2014

Pag-IBIG Gensan to hold Valentine’s wedding for 100 member-couples PG FruylanCentral Mindanao

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 109

President Aquino calls on the Outstanding Filipinos for 2013 to continue their endeavors to create an equitably progressive society

NATIONAL

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OUR COVER

Today’s news...

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CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

NorthCot gov lauds peace panels on the signing of the Normalization Annex

North Cotabato gov’t turns over water facility to remote village

PopCom inks partnership with ANHS for establishment of youth center

Phil’s longest tramline inaugurated

DOH-CHDZP deploys 200 nurses under NDP 2014

DSWD plans to help DavOr in buying relocation sites

Ozamiz City CS SPED Center, Most Outstanding in Region 10

DOST website is top government site

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Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Angie Balen- Antonio

Angelica A. de Leon

VMSSiano

Claro A. Lanipa

Jeanevive D. Abangan

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

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Pag-IBIG Gensan to hold Valentine’s wedding for 100 member-couples

OUR COVER

COVER STORYPag-IBIG Gensan to hold Valentine’s wedding for 100 member-couples

The Pag-IBIG Fund here is set to hold a “Kasalan ng Bayan” or

a free wedding solemnization for a maximum of 100 member-couples on Valentine’s Day. Engr. Domingo Cania, Assistant Manager for Operations of Pag-IBIG Fund GenSan explained that the program dubbed as “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-IBIG” is now on its second year of celebration here in the city by giving unwed couples, who have been living in together but could not afford even a simple wedding ceremony, the opportunity to get married for free.Cania urged unwed Pag-IBIG Fund members to visit the office of the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) for the marriage requirements and have their names

listed so that they will be included in the list of beneficiaries of the February 14 mass wedding. Mayor Ronnel Rivera will be the solemnizing officer of the Valentine’s Day wedding which will be held tentatively at the Veranza Mall beside the waterfalls to make the occasion more romantic said Pag-IBIG Fund GenSan information officer, Ritchelle Lorilla.

“The wedding ceremony for the 100 couples will start at 8:00 am until 12:00nn of February 14. Pag-IBIG Fund in general, is targeting 7,000 unwed couples nationwide to be solemnized on that date,” he explained. Lorilla earlier explained the importance of a union to be officially binding to avoid legal

By PG Fruylan

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implications in marriage especially during claims such as death of a member. Meanwhile, Cania said that aside from the free wedding rite and the free foods and wedding cakes for the reception, the newly-weds will also be given the chance to win minor and major prizes and will be treated with a lot of other surprises. “Last year Pag-IBIG Gensan had given away grocery items and raffled off household appliances as minor prizes while the nationwide major prize was a house-and-lot

package won by a couple from Cagayan de Oro City,” he disclosed. With a minimal budget this year, Cania expressed optimism that the celebration will still be very memorable with the help of their sponsors and other stakeholders. “We have a limited budget this year as Pag-IBIG donated it to the victims

of Typhoon Yolanda. Nevertheless, we pushed through with this event to give opportunity to our less fortunate couples to get married for free.” The program, “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-IBIG on Valentine ’s Day, which is now on its third year, was conceptualized by Pag-IBIG Fund President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe as part

of the financial institution’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 6

Palace: Admin’s high satisfaction ratings show people united with government in rising from calamities

The Aquino administration’s continued high ratings in the fourth quarter of 2013 show the Filipino people’s unity

with the government in helping the nation rise from calamities, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Across the Nation

In a statement, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said the continued high ratings show the people did not fall for the “concerted efforts” by some groups to paint the picture of people dissatisfied with the government.

“(The Filipino people) remain one

with their government as we continue to work, as a people, to help those affected by the calamities of the past few months to get back on their feet and reassume authorship of the next chapters of their lives,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda was referring to the Social


Weather Stations’ fourth quarter survey conducted December 11 to 16 showing the gross satisfaction with the Aquino administration stayed strong at 71 percent.

He added that in spite of the efforts “of a few” to convince the public that most people are dissatisfied with how the national government has performed amid last year’s challenges, “these results show that the Filipino were not misled.”

The country is still recovering from the effects of calamities in late 2013, including:

- the failed siege of Zamboanga City by followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman

Nur Misuari in September- the magnitude-7.2 quake

that devastated Bohol and parts of Central Visayas in October

- super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), which devastated the Visayas and Southern Luzon in November

Under President Benigno Aquino III, Lacierda said the administration derives its strength “from this unbreakable union of purpose with our people; and it is ultimately your continued belief and participation that gives us strength, and accelerates our country’s journey on the straight path.” PND

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the awardees of the “2013 The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL)” to continue

demonstrating integrity, passion and excellence to elevate their fields, promote public welfare and fuel national development.

President Aquino calls on the Outstanding Filipinos for 2013 to continue their endeavors to create an equitably progressive society

In his speech during the TOFIL Awarding Ceremonies which has for its theme “Building Legacies” at the Insular Life Auditorium, Insular Life Corporate Center, Filinvest Corporate City,

Alabang, Muntinlupa on Wednesday, the Chief Executive urged the TOFIL awardees to continue their endeavors to help the government create an equitably progressive society.


President Aquino led the 2013 TOFIL awarding ceremonies, honoring scientist Arsenio B. Ella, Forester of the Department of Science and Technology for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development; Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, scientist and Executive Director of the Nationwide Operational Assessments of Hazards (Project Noah) for Geology and Earth Science and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson for Governance and Public Service.

The President said the awardees have greatly contributed to the advancement of the country and fellow Filipinos.

“Imbes na magdahilan o magsulong ng pansariling interes, ginusto nina Ginoong Arsenio Ella, Dr. Alfredo Mahar, at Kalihim Rogelio Singson na maglingkod sa kanilang mga kapwa Pilipino. Gumawa sila ng paraan upang makiambag sa pagpapabuti ng ating lipunan. Karapat-dapat nga po talaga silang matawag na ‘Outstanding’ ng mga Pilipino,” the President said.

The President acknowledged Singson’s contribution for preventing

corruption and implementing efficiency in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Nagpasimula siya ng isang panibagong kultura ng propesyunalismo at katapatan. Dahil po dito, hindi bababa sa 19 bilyong piso ang natipid ng kanyang ahensya mula Hulyo 2010 hanggang Nobyembre 2013,” he said.

“Ito po ay nagmula sa pagsasaayos ng mga proseso ng bidding. Isipin lang po natin sandali kung ano ang katumbas niyan: ang isang classroom po, tinatayang 800,000 piso ang halaga. Sa ganitong kwentahan, 23,750 classrooms pa ang katumbas ng natipid ng DPWH sa pamumuno ni Secretary Babes,” the President noted.

President Aquino said Lagmay devotes most of his time conducting research on geological hazards in areas hit by disasters.

“Si Dr. Mahar Lagmay naman ang nagpakita sa atin kung paanong magagamit ang teknolohiya upang mapangalagaan ang mamamayang Pilipino. Hindi po kalabisang sabihing ‘rebolusyunaryo’ ang kontribusyon ng Project NOAH, na nabuo dahil sa


pagsusumikap ni Dr. Lagmay, sa ating kakayahang maghanda, tumugon, at makabangong muli kapag tumama ang kalamidad,” he said.

“Para po talagang isang high-tech na People Power ang Project NOAH. Pinagtagpu-tagpo nito ang kaalamang hawak ng mga eksperto, local government unit, at ahensya ng gobyerno, upang magkaroon ng pakinabang sa kalakhang lipunan,” the President said.

The President lauded Ella for his wood anatomy expertise at the Forest Products Research Development Institute.

“Samantala, si Ginoong Arsenio Ella naman ang nagturo sa atin kung paano balansehin ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan at ang pagtugon sa mga praktikal na pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan,” he said.

“Sa isa sa maraming pananaliksik ni Ginoong Ella, nakahanap siya ng paraan para maparami ang ani ng resin sa mga puno ng almaciga nang hindi nagreresulta sa agarang pagkamatay

ng mga puno. Dahil mas marami ang ani, mas malaki ang halagang naiuuwi ng ating mga kababayan. Bukod pa dito, nakatulong din ang pamamaraang dinisenyo ni Ginoong Ella sa preserbasyon ng mga punong almaciga,” the President.

The TOFIL Award is a project of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines and the Insular Life Assurance Co., Limited. Conceived in 1988, the institution honors the country’s men and women who have made significant contributions to the advancement in his/her field of expertise, public welfare and national development.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Vicente Ayllon, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Insular Life and John Enerio, Junior Chamber International Inc. (JCI) Senator and National Chairman 2013 TOFIL Executive Committee also attended the event. PND

10WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

MILF works with gov’t to secure communities in Mindanao, says Palace official

With help from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the national government is convinced that it has enough capacity to prevent

rebel groups from wreaking havoc in Mindanao.


MILF works with gov’t to secure communities in Mindanao, says Palace official

After the signing of the final annex of peace agreement with the MILF last Saturday, members of its splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were reported to have attacked Maguindanao, alarming civilians.

While the military and the police are conducting joint law enforcement operations to serve arrest warrants against BIFF members, a Malacanang official said Tuesday that the MILF has already been of assistance.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a Palace briefing that with the MILF’s help, there is now “enough capacity to respond to the challenge coming from the BIFF.”

“According to the Philippine Army, the MILF are part of the operations to secure their communities and prevent entry

of BIFF elements,” Coloma said.“They (MILF) are the ones

conducting the patrol, they are the ones looking for suspects with warrants of arrest when there was an encounter,” he added, this time in Filipino.

He also said that according to reports, one of the goals of the MILF was to impede the entry of BIFF in MILF communities.

“We are being proactive so that there will be no more worsening of the situation,” Coloma said, assuring that parties involved could continue to ensure peace and order.

He explained that was still the primordial duty of the national government to maintain law and order.

“(The) government’s efforts are on winning the peace in Mindanao,” the PCOO chief said.


Jobsfit and CHED Scholarship ProgramKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan 29 -- Over 1,000 students of the Koronadal Na-tional Comprehensive High School here participate in a forum on the Department of Labor and Employment’s JobsFit Project and the Commission on Higher Education’s Scholar-ship Program. The forum was an activity of the Philippine Information Agency 12’s Cam-pus Development Communication Network.


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato —North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Men-doza praised the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels for the successful signing of the Annex on Nor-malization as well as the Addendum on the Bangsamoro Maritime Jurisdic-tion on Saturday.

NorthCot gov lauds peace panels on the signing of the Normalization AnnexBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

“We commend both peace panels for their untiring work and unwavering commitment to forge the final annexes in order to move forward on the road to achieve lasting peace,” Gov. Mendoza said.

Mendoza said the signing of the last annex bring to completion the formal but difficult part of the peace deal.

“There is much work to be done to implement the provisions of the agreement and bring about real life changes,” Mendoza explained.

The governor emphasized that the comprehensive agreement should translate into positive changes in the lives of the people in the Bangsamoro and the rest of the country.

Although the conclusion of these final annexes may not immediately bring the ideal conditions of peace, Mendoza believed that this would allow the movement towards the next stages of the implementation of the peace agreement.

Meanwhile, the local chief executive said that the provincial government of North Cotabato and all the peace-loving people of the province are all in solidarity with all the stakeholders

in ensuring that the next and more difficult stages of the implementation would come to pass so that peace could finally be achieved.

On this regard, Mendoza reiterates cal for the public to continue their commitment and effort in strengthening the collaboration among the Bangsamoro people, Christians and Indigenous groups in pushing for lasting peace in Mindanao. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSTa.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


MATALAM, North Cotabato – The North Cotabato provincial government turned over a water system project to a remote barangay in Matalam town Monday.

North Cotabato gov’t turns over water facility to remote villageBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Gov. Emmylou Mendoza led the ceremonies attended by local officials and residents of Purok 1, Brgy. New Bugasong.

Brgy. New Bugasong Chairman Rodolfo Valdestamon thanked the provincial government for their intervention.

Valdestamon said the water project is essential to their community because they now have safe potable water to prevent water-borne diseases.

The P600, 000 worth project includes an education component that teaches residents about how important clean water in their lives, water conservation and the connection between clean water, health and hygiene.

Meanwhile, during her message, the governor reminded the recipients to take good care of the facility.

“Water conservation is everybody’s business, learn to conserve it, for example, in brushing your teeth, you should use a cup of water instead of letting water flow

freely from the faucet,” Mendoza said.

It is now the local government’s part to take responsibility of the facility’s maintenance which also includes paying for the electric cost every month.

Also present during the event is Matalam Mayor Oscar Valdevieso who also expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the provincial government. (ORVRivera-PIA12)


Caraga RCC member agencies give updates on their programs, services BUTUAN CITY -- The Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) chaired by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga regional director Atty. Johnson Cañete with the presence of the regional heads and representatives from its attached agencies reported each of their offices’ plans, updates on its programs and services, as well as job opportunities, during its first press conference for this year held on Wednesday at DOLE’s regional conference room here.

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


Atty. Johnson Cañete, DOLE-Caraga regional director and RCC chair said that their agency is focused to provide a more technology-driven and resource-based livelihood wherein beneficiaries are really able to sustain the programs.

“Among other existing programs, DOLE-Caraga is also implementing the Emergency Employment Program which include during disasters. We hired people to work for a specific task for a maximum of 30 days and we give them the minimum wage,” added Cañete.

Board Secretary Earl dela Victoria of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga reported that

the wage board is continuously conducting Productivity and Service Quality Trainings to personnel and management of the business establishments in the region.

“We also conduct Wage Clinic in the provinces of Caraga,” he added.

Olga Virginia Demata, representing Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) in Caraga relayed that they have just established last year its office in Butuan City and is continuously coordinating with other government agencies and media to intensify its networking/convergence. “To our media partners, please help us on our advocacy for the employees that they be properly informed of their rights and benefits.

Also, National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Caraga regional director Atty. Ligaya Lumbay announced a zero percent strike incident in Caraga last year, 2013. “This is because of the convergence efforts of the DOLE and its attached agencies thru its harmonious relationship with the labor and management sectors. We continue to aim for this year to achieve a 0 percent strike rate in the region,” she stressed.

Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) Caraga regional director Florencio Sunico Jr. also revealed that the implementation of its Special Training Employment Program is ongoing. “As to our bottom-


up-budgeting, P13-M is inserted into the budget of TESDA for the 25 local government units in Caraga that have submitted their project proposals to us. We also have the New Scholarship Fund with a P1.2-B budget,” he added.

“We are calling on the families of the Overseas Filipino Workers who are left behind to take advantage of the OWWA’s Tulay Program, wherein they will be oriented and trained on the use of computer and internet and they could continuously communicate with their loved ones abroad,” said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga regional director Petrona Bergado.

Bergado further bared that they are conducting orientation

and training on its pre-departure program wherein workers to be deployed abroad learn the ethics and culture of the country which they will be working with, as well as the conduct of lectures on basic Arabic language, among others.

Meanwhile, Amalia Paquibo, LEO II of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Caraga encouraged the public especially the unemployed to participate in the Jobs Fair on February 1-2, 2014 to be sponsored by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, and on Feb. 22 at the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gymnasium.

For labor and employment concerns, Cañete called on the public to visit their office at Nimfa Tiu Building, J. Rosales Avenue, this city or call at (085) 342-9503; 342-9606. “If you have issues and concerns to our attached agencies, just let us know and we will be glad to bring it up to them or you may visit their offices as well,” he said.


PopCom inks partnership with ANHS for establishment of youth centerBy Angie Balen- Antonio

BUTUAN CITY - Alarmed on the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy, the Commission on Population (PopCom) entered into an agreement with Agusan National High School (ANHS) recently on a project entitled Establishment and Operationalization of ANHS Youth Center in this city.

The partnership is concretized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio A. Perez III and ANHS Principal, Dr. Eduardo G. Corro.

PopCom regional director Alexander A. Makinano said that the project is a joint initiative of PopCom and ANHS in addressing high incidence of teenage pregnancy in the region.

The ANHS Youth Center will serve as focal point for providing services and information on health and sexuality for the youth through workshops, counseling, alternative recreation activities including sports, and training that will promote the self-esteem of young people.

The PopCom official is hoping

that with the operationalization of the ANHS Youth Center will help promote behavior change among the teenagers to be more responsible in their sexuality.

RD Makinano underscored that the Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program (AHYDP) aims to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancies, early sexual involvement, early marriages, and other reproductive health problems.

It can be recalled in the 2011 Family Health Survey, teenage fertility in Caraga has increased from 7 percent (7 teenage mothers in every 100) in 2006 to 15 percent (15 in every 100) in 2011, thus ranking the region number 1 throughout the country.


As of January 23, 2014, www.dost.gov.ph ranked number 113 out of the top 500 sites in the country and number one among local government websites.

The top keywords driving traffic to the site from major search engines for the past six months are pagasa, pagasa weather forecast, pagasa weather update, phivolcs, and project noah. One of DOST’s frontline projects, NOAH stands for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards for timely and accurate disaster prevention and mitigation. Of these five keywords or key phrases, pagasa sent the largest percentage of search traffic at 20.92 percent over the six-month period.

Of the website’s subdomains, pagasa.dost.gov.ph garnered the largest percentage of visitors over the past month at 75.83 percent, followed by phivolcs.dost.gov.ph at 12.65 percent. Other subdomains which attracted the most number of visitors include noah.dost.gov.ph, dost.gov.

ph, pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph, and fnri.dost.gov.ph. The two latter subdomains are those of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute respectively, both of which are agencies under the DOST system.

Aside from the Philippines, site visitors to www.dost.gov.ph also include those located in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada.

In February 13, 2013, www.dost.gov.ph ranked 288 in the Philippines, claiming the second spot in terms of popularity among local government sites.

According to www.alexa.com, “The rank by country is calculated using a combination of average daily visitors to this site and pageviews on this site from users from that country over the past month. The site with the highest combination of visitors and pageviews is ranked #1 in

By Angelica A. de LeonDOST website is top government siteMANILA -- The website of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), www.dost.gov.ph, is the most popular government site in the Philippines, according to data by www.alexa.com, a leading provider of free web metrics which tracks 30 million sites all over the world.


that country.”DOST is the country’s main

hub of science and technology activities including research, policy formulation, and program formulation for national development.

Aside from Project NOAH, the agency’s other flagship projects include Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, the Advanced Device and Materials Testing (ADMATEL) Laboratory for local semiconductor and electronics firms, Smarter

Philippines which leverages information and communications technology for better products and services, the Philippine Standard Time which synchronizes all timepieces in the country, the Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap (O/L trap) to fight dengue, and the Automated Guideway Transport or AGT – an elevated and automated transportation system currently at its pilot testing stage in University of the Philippines Diliman.

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph


Bailey bridge in Lanao Norte completed now open to trafficby Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte – Barely ten working days that the construction of Larapan bailey bridge in the nautical highway connecting Linamon and Kauswagan municipalities in Lanao del Norte was completed and open to traffic on January 27, 2014.


This temporary bridge located at Barangay Napo, Linamon, Lanao del Norte has gross loading capacity of 20 tons only, said District Engineer Rey Peter B. Gille of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH Lanao del Norte 2nd Engineering District. It allows light vehicles only, thus, all are advised to unload excess cargoes to be able to pass through the bridge, Gille explained. We have installed a traffic light both ends, allowing only 15 cars to pass in one end, in a 15-minute interval, through this ‘one-way lane’ bridge, added Gille. Also, we intend to put up a portable weigh bridge the soonest we can acquire the unit. Good weather has finally permitted us to open the bailey bridge amounting 15 million pesos within its target date. During the construction, men and women on the project site were on a 24/7 working schedule despite occurrence of intermittent rains (heavy and light), and we have to wait for the arrival of some materials purchased from Manila. With the assistance of our experts from DPWH Misamis Oriental, it greatly fast tract the construction. We are controlling the flow of

traffic especially those 10-wheeler delivery trucks which have been on standby for a week in both ends of the bridge, waiting to proceed to its destination. As regards to maintaining peace and order of the site, we acknowledge the security measures exerted by the police force of Linamon and Kauswagan, through our local government units and the provincial government, as well as the Philippine Army assigned in the area, said Gelli. We have submitted the project proposal amounting 107million pesos for the construction of a new permanent bridge replacing this 57 year old bridge, revealed Gelli. If approve, it may take 365 days to finish, depending on the design of the bridge, said Gelli. The old Larapan bridge collapsed on January 13, 2014 due to strong river currents brought by torrential rains onslaught typhoon depression Agaton. The Larapan bridge is part a vital national highway passing through Lanao del Norte then across Panguil Bay via ferry boats. One has to pass through this bridge to reach the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte including the cities of Ozamiz, Tangub, Pagadian, Dipolog and Zamboanga, unless otherwise if there would be other alternate routes DPWH has to recommend for motorists to consider.


Phil’s longest tramline inaugurated

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - With the aim of providing ease in transporting agricultural produce from remote farm areas to the nearest market, the Department of Agriculture through the High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP) and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) inaugurated the 2,211-meter Agricultural Tramline System (ATS) connecting barangays Luna and Malagana in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

by VMSSiano

Engr. Roxana H. Hojas, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations together with PhilMech Director Raul R. Paz, PhilMech Mindanao Cluster Head Edgar B. Testa, Claveria Mayor Redentor N. Salvaleon and Vice Mayor Meraluna S. Abrogar led the inauguration of the P6.1M bi-cable tramline system which is the fourth ATS established in Region 10 and is now considered as the longest in the country. It has a 350-kilogram capacity and serves as an alternative transport system for agricultural products such as corn, upland and lowland rice and other high value crops such as vegetables, root crops, coffee, abaca, banana and peanut produced by 1,939 farmers with a total production area of 1,538 hectares. The tramline also helps the farmers in maintaining the quality of their farm produce as it offers efficient and convenient hauling, which in turn allows them to demand better price in the market. The ATS also cuts down more than 50% of the usual 2-hour travel time to and fro Malagana and Luna on a draft animal or the 2-hour travel from

Malagana to the nearest market at the Poblacion via barangay Mat-i on a jeepney which costs P500 per person, exclusive of the transportation cost per bag or sack of farm produce. Now, farmers only have to spend 28 minutes to and fro Malagana and Luna in hauling their produce which in turn reduces transportation cost by 50%, increases their income and allows them to save time. In line with the said intervention, the DA-HVCDP also established a packing house in barangay Luna which will operate soon and offer more market opportunities for the local farmers. With the completion of the tramline, the Local Government Unit of Claveria and the barangay officials of Luna and Malagana commits to continue the proper maintenance and operation of the facility to sustain the project. “Pagasuportahan namo kini ug maghimo sa ordinansa aron maprotektahan ug molungtad ang maong proyekto (We will support the project by crafting an ordinance which will protect the facility and prolong its usage),” said Luna Barangay Captain Rene Fullo.


Likewise, Randy E. Saligan of the Division of Ozamiz City, was declared Most Outstanding SPED Teacher for the Gifted and Talented and Fremalyn P. Paglinawan of the Division of Tangub City, for the Visually Impaired. The Regional Search for Outstanding SPED Teachers and SPED Centers in the region, aimed to recognize the dedicated and excellent services of teachers and administrators in the field of SPED, Dr. Ingrid D. Racoma, Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd), region 10, said. In a memorandum, Racoma thanked the different Schools Division Superintendents and the Division SPED Coordinators who have screened and indorsed their nominees in the different categories of the search.

On the other hand, declared Most Outstanding SPED Teachers in the other fields of SPED and the schools division where they come from are: Fely J. Mustard, Cagayan de Oro City, for the Hearing Impaired, Ma. Theresa A. A?asco, Misamis Oriental for Autism, Feliciano Sante, Bukdinon, for Intellectual Ability, and Susan T. Aparejo, Gingoog City for Receiving Teacher

SPED. Runners-up of the search are as follows: Visually Impaired, Floramae D. Ya?ez, Iligan City, 2nd place, Eleanor R. Agan of Bukidnon, 3rd place, and Eda A. Abellano of Misamis Oriental, 4th place. Hearing Impaired, Erwin N. Casi?o, Misamis Oriental, 2nd place, Margie N. Valdez, Bukidnon, 3rd place, and Fe C. Gannaban, Iligan City, 4th place. Autism, Leonardo Campilan, Cagayan de Oro City, 2nd place, and Intellectual Ability, Lerma P. Jamesolanim, Misamis Oriental, 2nd place, and Receiving Teacher SPED, Eva O. Masalig, Oroquieta City, 2nd place.

Ozamiz City CS SPED Center, Most Outstanding in Region 10by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Ozamiz City Central School (OCCS) Special Education (SPED) Center has been declared Most Outstanding SPED Center in Region 10, for School Year 2013-2014.


PIA conducts Communication Research training By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

QUEZON CITY - Selected personnel of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) from the 17 regions are now attending a four- day seminar-workshop on Communication Research being held at the PIA Central Office in Diliman this city starting Jan. 27-30.


The activity aims to provide the participants with knowledge and skills in conducting Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and survey as well as processing, organizing, gathering, analyzing and interpreting survey data for these two modes of research. Main resource speaker cum facilitator to the four day training is Dr. Violeda Umali, an associate professor handling communication research at the University of the Philippines (UP). The activity focuses on two research methods which are the FGD and the survey. During the first day, Umali gave an over view of what an FGD is and its importance. She gave a step-by- step pointers in conducting FGD and specific group requirements for a free flowing FGD. The lady research expert pointed out that the required number of participants /informants to an FGD is between six and 12 to ensure a smooth flow of discussion. She also emphasized that each participant should be a complete stranger to one another to avoid influence of ideas, opinions or sentiments.“Ideally, informants should be strangers to each other so as not to influence the dynamics of the discussion,” Umali said. There should also be no experts or professional informants in the group as this may intimidate others or worst, the group members would end up consulting the “expert” participant.

“Halimbawang ang FGD ay tungkol sa family planning, huwag po kayong kukuha ng informant na doctor or yung expert sa family planning, kasi most likely siya yung mag do-dominate ng discussion at baka yung mga ibang informants ay ma intimidate at ayaw ng magsalita or others would start consulting na,” she explained. (If you are going to hold an FGD on family planning, don’t get an informant who is a physician or anybody expert in family planning because he/she is likely to dominate the discussion and the other informants would get intimidated.) She also emphasized the importance on having a good moderator in an FGD , saying a successful FGD depends on the moderator on how he/she will handle the flow of the discussion. Umali said an effective, good moderator directs the group without taking over or manipulating/dominating the group discussion; encourages participants to express their sentiments, opinions, draws out their emotions on the topic, flexible and neutral, ensure that discussion stays on the topic and controls the allotted time. The four-day training is equally loaded with workshops and lectures including a mock survey where the participants were actually deployed in barangays/communities for the conduct of said activity.


DOH-CHDZP deploys 200 nurses under NDP 2014By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Health-Center for Health and Development Zamboanga Peninsula (DOH-CHDZP) has recently deployed 200 nurses under the DOH’s Nurse Deployment Project 2014 to the 26 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur including this city.

DOH-CHDZP officer-in-charge Ulysses Jose Briones said this project aims to improve the local health system that will support the country’s attainment of the Universal Health Care better known as “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan.” “The implementation of this project is also in response to the employment needs of nurses in the

countryside,” Briones added. Briones said these nurses underwent recruitment and selection process conducted by his office. Nurses who are graduates of the RN Heals project were given priority and those who are residing in the locality where the recipient Rural Health Unit (RHU) or Health Facility is located. The nurses were hired on a contract of service status with an item of Nurse I, salary grade 11, with a monthly salary of P18,549. Their contract is good for six months and can be renewed based on a very satisfactory performance for a maximum of two years. After their satisfactory completion of services to the community, the nurses shall be awarded with a Certificate of Employment, Briones explained. This project is being implemented in partnership with other agencies and organizations like the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Nursing (PRC-BON), Philippines Nurses Association (PNA) through its regional and provincial offices and the local government units (LGUs).

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DOH-CHDZP deploys 200 nurses under NDP 2014

A Doppler radar is a specialized radar that makes use of the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance. It does this by beaming a microwave signal towards a desired target and listening for its reflection, then analyzing how the frequency of the returned signal has been altered by the object’s motion. This variation gives direct and highly accurate measurements of the radial component of a target’s velocity relative to the radar. Doppler radars are used in aviation, sounding satellites, meteorology, police speed guns,[1] radiology, and bistatic radar (surface to air missile).

A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measure-ments taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direc-tion, and precipitation amounts. Wind measure-ments are taken as free of other obstructions as possible, while tem-perature and humidity measurements are kept free from direct solar radiation, or insolation.

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Dabawenyos urged to join another Guinness record attempt

DAVAO CITY- The public is invited to another attempt at a Guinness World Record that will be held this February 28 at Almendras Gymna-sium. This involves breaking the

world record for people registering to become organ donors, aside from Davao City it will be simultaneously be held in San Fernando, Naga, T u g u e g a r a o , Manila (PUP Campus) and Marikina . The advocacy is a campaign conducted by the Department of Health Network for Organ Sharing and the Philippine

Information Agency. The attempt seeks to break the Guinness record for single-site registration at 4,135 done in Gudjarat India last year


and also one hour single site registration record of 2,755 held in Ahmedabad, Gudjarat, India last Sept. 17, 2013. The multiple site world record also done by India last year was pegged at 10,450 registrants which the DOH-PhilNOS team also aims to break. Dr. Antonio Paraiso Project Manager of the Feb. 28 event said that the event aims to educate the people about the benefits of organ donation, allay misconceptions and help create an organ registry. During the I-Talk Media Forum at SEDA Hotel in Davao City held today (Jan. 28) Dr. Paraiso said that the Philippines has a very low organ donation rate of .03 per million people. In contrast Spain has about 34 donors for a million people. With a high rate of accidental and violent deaths the country can provide organs for transplant particularly to half of the 22,000 dialysis patients in the country which are suffering from End-Stage Renal Disorder which are suitable transplant candidates. Paraiso said that there is a

misconception on deceased organ donation as donations of organs by healthy living persons is still preferred. He said that the coming February 28 in Davao they will be very particular in following Guinness World Records rules so that there would be no problem in validation. Paraiso cited that popular Torotot Festival where the city broke the world record for the biggest number of simultaneous toy horn blowers held last New Year’s Eve is having problems in validation. Paraiso is hoping that many Dabawenyos will be joining the said event and become organ donors or a“lifeline” a term created to become more acceptable to the public which is wary of the term organ donor. Paraiso said that with the lifeline, a donor helps extends the life of another person. He cited that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is an organ donor having registered during the World Kidney Day Celebration held in the City last year. (PIA/RG Alama with photo from Lovely Carillo)


DSWD plans to help DavOr in buying relocation sitesDAVAO CITY- The Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) is looking into pos-sibilities of helping the provincial government of Davao Oriental purchase land as relocation sites of areas identified in geo-hazard lane. DSWD Asst. Sec. Camilo G. Gudmalin Friday revealed asking Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon to send a proposal to DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman to formally ask assistance on purchase of relocation sites. “If that is a viable option, then we can bring it to the attention of DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” he said In an interview with media practitioners after the 63rd DSWD Anniversary program during which Gudmalin was invited as the keynote speaker. He revealed having initial discussion with Malanyaon about the need for relocation sites to transfer barangays centers hit by flooding, landslides and flash-floods due to incessant raining brought about by the recent low pressure area.I n a separate media forum, Malanyaon appealed assistance on acquisition of lands where to transfer residents and barangay government

centers saying the provincial government already had a dearth of funds for this purpose. Malanyaon explained the PLGU took charge of the relocation sites of families hit Typhoon Pablo. It could no longer fully shoulder the cost of acquiring the same with the latest wave of disaster due to the LPA “considering the number of barangays that will have to be relocated .” “Acquire the lots; we will build the houses and gradually we will undertake the land development of the sites. Kulang na kami talaga dyan. (We really are in need of this.),” she said in a separate interview of PIA. After making rounds to LPA-affected areas to assess the general situation, Malanyaon revealed that four barangays in the municipality of Boston, including the Poblacion, “need to be relocated,” indicating that government centers and settlements in those barangays were identified as “vulnerable to all possible hazards.’S he cited as the “hardest hit town,” the Municipality of Cateel which had seven barangays which were deeply submerged with houses flooded up to their rooftops, at the height of LPA-induced downpour. “There is a need to relocate their barangay sites and settlements,” she said.(PIA XI/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)

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One Mindanao - January 29, 2014