One Mindanao - June 18, 2014

DOH: Beware of the W.I.L.D. diseasesDanilo E. Doguiles CENTRAL MINDANAO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 201

Government reaffirms commitment to recover ill-gotten wealth

NATIONAL

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WESTERN REGION

NORTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

DTI, PhilFIDA spearhead stakeholder’s forum for Abaca Industry

MisOr to host province-wide career, job fairs

DENR 12 emphasizes NGP to combat climate change

Plastic, styrofoam ban up on Ramadhan trade fair

NorMin WATSAN Hub signs pact to strengthen water, sanitation governance

Gates commends PHL Supreme Court for upholding RH Law

DOLE Caraga awards Certificate of Compliance to 14 companies of Butuan City

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33 34

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16 14

Information to Empower Filipinos

10 7 12

Nora L. Molde

Emmanuel D. Taghoy

MisOr PIO

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Ana Celeste W. Felisilda

Nora L. Molde

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 201

DOH: Beware of the W.I.L.D. diseases

The rainy season is here, declared the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Along with this, the country’s weather bureau warned, is increased possibility of typhoons, flash floods, landslides and

others the public should be aware of and prepare for.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) also cautioned the public that rainy days also being with them health problems. Through an advisory, DOH’s National Epidemiology Center warned the public of the threats of the four “WILD” diseases, namely: water-borne diseases, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue.

Water-borne diseases Water-borne diseases, like diarrhea, may be on the rise during rainy season due to contamination of drinking water from the pipes and other sources. Infection, however,

may not only come from drinking water contaminated with bacteria and other microorganisms but may also be contacted through bathing, washing, and through improper preparation and consumption of food. According to World Health Organization estimates, about 88 percent of water-borne diseases are unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Thus, Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, health officer of South Cotabato advised: “When in doubt about the source, boil drinking water for at least 15 minutes. Regularly wash

by Danilo E. Doguiles

COVER STORY

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your hands too.”

Influenza R a i n y season may also bring a rise in the cases of influenza, commonly called “flu”. Flu is a viral disease primarily affecting the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis. Flu is easily transmitted from person to person through droplets sprayed when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be spread by hands contaminated by the flu virus. For protection, it is best to refrain from places of public convergence. Influenza vaccination is the most effective means of prevention.

Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria belonging to genus

Leptospira that affects both humans and animals. Although

commonly associated with rats, Leptospirosis bacteria may also be present in urine of cattle, buffaloes, horses, sheep, goat, pigs and dogs. The bacteria enter the

body through cuts or abrasions on the

skin, or through the mucous m e m b r a n e s of the mouth, nose and eyes.

Symptoms include include

high fever, severe headache, muscle

pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, haemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes. Risk of infection is reduced by avoiding contact with animal urine, infected animals and urine-contaminated environment. Risk of infection is minimized by avoiding contact with animal urine, infected animals or a contaminated environment. Wearing protective clothing and boots, covering skin lesions and wounds with

waterproof dressings, avoiding wading or swimming in potentially contaminated water, and washing and cleaning clothes are advised.

Dengue Although considered a non-seasonal disease, dengue usually flourishes during the rainy season. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that sometimes causes potentially fatal complications. The virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. For prevention and control of dengue, DOH repeatedly reiterated its advocacy reminding communities to take responsibility through “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue.” This requires r e g u l a r community efforts to e l iminate mosqu i to b r e e d i n g sites. It also r e i n f o r c e s r e l i g i o u s a d h e r e n c e to 4 o’clock habit of searching

and destroying breeding sites by replacing water in flower vases, covering buckets and other water containers, and cleaning stagnant waters in roof gutters. Persons experiencing symptoms of the viral infection are advised to immediate seek medical attention.

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Across the NationPhilippines will stick to diplomatic, legal options in resolving territorial row with China, says Palace

“We prefer to focus on diplomatic, political, and legal options that lead the way towards the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr said in a press briefing in Malacanang.

“At ang nais natin ay humantong ito sa mapayapang resolusyon ng mga

pagkakaiba ng posisyon ng iba’t ibang bansa na mayroong claims doon sa maritime entitlements in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

At the same time, he said, the government is doing what is necessary to continue asserting its sovereignty in the contested areas.

He noted that the Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippines will focus on diplomatic, legal and political tracks in pursuing its claim in the West Philippine Sea, even without

China’s cooperation in the arbitration case filed by the Philippine government, the Palace said on Tuesday.

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has been conducting periodic patrols in those areas and is assisting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in its research and monitoring work.

The Philippines is also encouraging its ASEAN allies to pursue the crafting of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, he said.

The government has called for a moratorium on actions that contradict the principles of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct that have already been agreed upon by the ASEAN in 2002.

Meanwhile, UP Prof. Harry Roque said China’s refusal to participate in the arbitration filed by the Philippines in the international arbitral tribunal is “a serious and belligerent violation” of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which China is a signatory.

Speaking at the 5th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of International Law held at the Chuo University Law School in Tokyo last Sunday, Roque said that as party to the Convention, China has agreed to refer all matters involving interpretation and application of the UNCLOS to the Convention’s compulsory and binding dispute settlement procedure.

Roque, who is also Director of the UP Law Center’s Institute of International Legal Studies, said that the international community took a very long time to agree on the provisions of the UNCLOS because all countries of the world wanted the Convention to be the “constitution for the seas”.

In agreeing to the UNCLOS, the world community believes that the adoption of all of its provisions would do away with the use of force and unilateral acts in resolving maritime disputes, he said.

He noted that more worrisome is China’s recent resort to the use of force in bolstering its claims to the disputed territories.

It was reported that China has been building artificial islands in Johnson South Reef, expanding its artificial island in the Fiery Cross Reef, and deploying its naval forces to ward off any opposition.

“These constructions are happening in the face of China’s snub of the arbitral proceedings, which precisely impugns China’s legal rights to do so. Clearly, China’s conduct is not only illegal, as prohibited use of force, but is also contemptous of the proceedings,” Roque said.

Roque also belied China’s claim that the waters within the nine-dash lines are generated by land territory and hence, the controversy cannot be resolved under the UNCLOS.

The Philippines has filed a case at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea to have China’s nine-dash line declared as illegal since it is not sanctioned by the UNCLOS.

The Philippines is also asking the Hague-based arbitral tribunal to declare rocks that are only visible during low tide as part of the country’s continental shelf and that waters outside the 12 nautical miles of the Panatag shoal be declared as part of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. PND

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Government reaffirms commitment to recover ill-gotten wealth

The Philippine government remains committed to recovering illegally acquired wealth despite facing numerous challenges, a

Palace official said Wednesday.Presidential Communications

Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr said during a press briefing that he is aware of Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Andy Bautista’s statement that, given its experience in running after the Marcoses for the past 30 years, the Commission is likely to encounter challenges in recovering the wealth that alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles has amassed illegally.

“Ipinunto niya (Bautista) na simula pa ‘nung 1986, na halos 30 taon na ang nakalilipas, ay nagsisikap ang pamahalaan na ma-recover nga, ‘yung alleged ill-gotten wealth,” Coloma said.

“Bagamat mayroong mga hamon at

balakid, katulad ng kanyang isinalaysay, determinado pa rin ang pamahalaan na pairalin ang batas,” he added.

The government will continue to pursue the recovery of ill-gotten wealth regardless of who the culprits are, Coloma said.

According to state witnesses, Napoles has deposited millions of dollars in US banks and has made huge investments in US properties.

In the records of key whistleblower Benhur Luy alone, Napoles’ dollar remittances ranged from $30,000 to $100,000 almost every week in 2011.

She and three senators are facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan. PND

10JUNE2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Mindanao shipping confab tackles corruption in BOC

Streamlining operations and cutting of corruption in the graft-ridden Bureau of Customs (BOC) is the focus of the day-long

Mindanao Shipping Conference that reels off in an upscale hotel here Wednesday.

With stakeholders in the government Department of

Finance (DOJ) and in the import-export industry, the conference


tacklec various issues that involve accreditation for importers and brokers, shipping requirements and the computerization of all transactions at the local port here.

Lawyer Agaton Teodoro Uvero, deputy commissioner for the BOC’s Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, said that the new BOC administration has rolled out a number of policies aimed at rationalizing operations and addressing loopholes that give rise to corrupt customs and trade practices.

He said that one of the policies is the Department of Finance requirement for accreditation of all importers and customs brokers at the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Under the newly enacted rules, all importers and customs brokers will have to secure the BIR importer’s clearance certificate or BIR customs broker’s clearance certificate from the BIR head office in Quezon City, Uvero said.

He said that a separate accreditation from the BOC is also required for importers and customs brokers to transact with the customs agency.

Based on the draft customs administrative order, the load port survey on containerized shipments will also be implemented within the

third quarter of the year, Uvero added.Other conference speakers include

former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Dr Cayetano Paderanga, Jr, who will discuss economic prospects for Mindanao; Dr Adora Navarro, whose presentation will focus on the benefits of ASEAN integration on the logistics industry; and PIE-MO Industries Association president Augustus Adis who will point out the needs of Mindanao shippers and cargo service providers.

Mindanao Shipping Conference 2014 is supported by Smart Infinity (Gold Sponsor); Soonest Global and Phoenix Petroleum (Silver Sponsors); Fast Logistics, Petron, Seda Centrio and Smart Communications (Bronze Sponsors); and Avida Land Corp, Isuzu, Jentec Storage and Sun Cellular (Exhibitors).

Conference partners are the Cagayan De Oro Chamber of Commerce, Phividec Industrial Authority, PIE-MO Industries Association, Philippine Exporters Confederation (Regions X and XII), Philippine International Sea Freight Forwarders Association, Cargo Data Exchange Center, Mindanao International Container Terminal Services, Inc., BusinessWeek, Davao Today, Sun Star Cagayan De Oro and Mindanao Daily News. (PNA)


Duty-bearers, private sector join hands for this year’s Arbor Day celeb By JenniferP. GaitanoBUTUAN CITY - In time with this year’s Philippine Arbor Day celebration, the government officials and employees who serve as duty-bearers, together with the private sector will join hands for the tree planting activity set on June 25, 2014 at the Bood Promontory Eco-Park in Barangay Pinamaculan, this city.


Duty-bearers, private sector join hands for this year’s Arbor Day celeb

“The Proclamation No. 643 amending Proclamation No. 396 dated June 2, 2003, enjoins the active participation of all government agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations, private sector, schools, civil society and citizenry in the tree planting activity on June 25, in celebration of this year’s Philippine Arbor Day,” recalled DENR Caraga regional director Nonito Tamayo.

Tamayo added that this activity is in coordination with the local government of Butuan, as it aspires to become the “Premier Forest City” by 2020.

“Our assembly time is 5:00 a.m. at the Sports Complex in Barangay Libertad while the tree planting activity will start at 6:00 a.m to 8:30 a.m. Afterwards, a short program will follow at the same venue,” Tamayo bared.

Also, during the program, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. of Butuan is expected to deliver his message.

Meanwhile, said activity will culminate with a community singing by all the participating agencies and companies.

“Protecting and taking care of our environment is tantamount to saving our lives.”


DOLE Caraga awards Certificate of Compliance to 14 companies of Butuan City By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment Caraga (DOLE) regional office awarded 14 companies of the city as recommended by the DOLE Agusan del Norte provincial office during its Regional Coordinating Committee monthly press conference on Wednesday, June 11.

Atty. Johnson G. Canete, DOLE regional director led the awarding of Certificates of Compliance to companies that complied with the General Labor Standards (GLS) and Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS).

To determine if the company conformed to what is mandated and stipulated in GLS and OSHS, an LLCO will visit and monitor the

company/s if they complied with the standards. Documents and/or standards to be monitored include the giving of basic pay, overtime work pay, other employees’ benefits such as Philhealth, Pag-ibig, SSS contributions and remittances, said Atty. Cañete.

The awarded companies are: Mercury Drugstore – A. D. Curato Branch; Mercury


DOLE Caraga awards Certificate of Compliance to 14 companies of Butuan City

Drugstore – South Montilla Boulevard Branch; Mercury Drugstore – Montilla Boulevard Branch; Butuan Glass Supply – North Montilla Boulevard; ED Ting Builders and Construction – Barangay Buhangin; Manila Auto Care – Libertad; Five Star Agro Machineries – Langihan; Radio Corporation of the Philippines – Villa Kananga; RP Maquiling and Company, CPAs – J. C. Aquino Avenue; YHL Sales Corporation – San Jose Street; R. Express Lending House Corporation – R. Calo Street; Cititect Microsystems Corporation – Lopez Jaena Extension; Cabadbaran Shell Service Station – Cabadbaran City; and Weegol’s Grill House – Cabadbaran City.

Meanwhile, on the issue of Child Labor in the region, Atty. Cañete said child laborers are still present

and one of the problems in the region but DOLE is continuously addressing the problem by giving livelihood assistance to the parents/family. Most of the child laborers recorded in the region are from the province of Agusan del Sur, he added.

Also, Nancy Jacinto of the National Reintegration Center of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bared that since 2011, a total of 247 OFWs were already given a livelihood assistance in the amount of P10,000 each.

RTWPB board secretary Earl dela Victoria said LLCO of Caraga region are continuously monitoring companies for the implementation of Wage Order No. 12, to give a minimum wage intended to employees in the region.


Gates commends PHL Supreme Court for upholding RH Law BUTUAN CITY-- Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the wife of Bill Gates, Melinda Gates congratulates the Philippine Supreme Court for upholding the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law.

The passage and enactment of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law is a testament to your courage and to your unwavering support and commitment to women’s health and empowerment,” Gates quoted in her letter to President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Gates said that through the law and the sustained efforts of the national and local Filipino governments, women’s reproductive health needs will now be met with available, accessible, voluntary, and quality reproductive health care services.

Gates also expressed the deep commitment of the Bill and

Melinda Gates Foundation in ensuring women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to have access to quality reproductive health information, services, and supplies that are consistent with their beliefs and culture. “We are proud to stand in support of your government’s continued efforts on this issue,” she said.

“This law has the broad support of the Filipino people,” Gates said. It is critical to broadening and strengthening reproductive health programs to reduce maternal and infant deaths, and can improve adolescent health in the Philippines, she added.

By Nora L. Molde

Gates commends PHL Supreme Court for upholding RH Law

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


DAR-Zambo. Norte holdsbusiness plan trainingfor ARBs By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Zamboanga del Norte through the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is giving workshops on Basic Business Plan preparation to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the entire province.


DAR-Zambo. Norte holdsbusiness plan trainingfor ARBs

DTI, PhilFIDA spearhead stakeholder’s forum for Abaca IndustryBy Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – To address the concerns of the Abaca Industry and come up with an action plan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) here spearheaded a provincial stakeholder’s forum last June 13 at the Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel, this municipality.

This training is made available to ARBsupon request of their respective Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). “This is a continuous undertaking of DAR to provide better opportunity to ARBs by enhancing their knowledge and skills in business planning,” said ShaniePacatang-Jacinto, DAR-ZNinformation officer. It was also learned that the training has beendesigned to teach the identified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) to devise and work on their own business for them to comply with the loan documentary requirements of financing institutions.

A total amount of P31million has been allocated by the APCP for the benefit of 1,112 ARBs in the province. The workshop would also teach the beneficiaries the key steps in using the business plan as a management tool with which they will learn about business finance, sales and marketing, cash flow, as well as profit and loss. “Planning is an essential part of successfully running the business. Through this workshop, DAR will enable to plan effectively and trade with their products profitably,” Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Moh Dassan J. Adju said.


Some 115 participants attended the activity composed of abaca farmers, harvesters and strippers, classifiers and sorters, processors, manufacturers, traders, exporters, and several other abaca industry players from the 13 abaca producing towns of the province. Also present during the said activity, were the 13 High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) technicians. According to Mr. Ferdinand C. Lazo, provincial fiber officer of PhilFIDA-Sibugay and concurrent OIC station superintendent of Zamboanga Fiber Regional Experiment Station & Seedbank (ZFRESS) of PhilFIDA, the HVCDP is one of the banner programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA). He said Abaca is considered a high value crop and one of the champion commodities of Zamboanga Peninsula Region (ZamPen), getting funding support from the DA like the provision of postharvest facilities.

Other stakeholders of the industry like Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), Local Government Units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and some national government agencies (NGAs) also participated in the event.Topics discussed in the forum were: Status of the Abaca Industry, its prospects and opportunities; Status and Prospects of the Abaca Industry: End User’s Perspective; and the Presentation and Validation of the Value Chain Analysis on Abaca, its Upgrading Plan and Marketing Aspects. The Abaca industry is one of the country’s major contributors to the economy in terms of employment generation and foreign exchange earnings, sustaining more than 1.5 million Filipinos who directly or indirectly depend on it for a living. It is one fiber that has made the Philippines known all over the world.


One town one product store opens in CDO mallby DTI-MOR

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental (DTI-MOR) provincial office announces the opening of One Town One Product (OTOP) store in SM mall Cagayan de Oro on June 15, 2014 in time for the celebration of the City Charter Day.


Conveniently located in front of Penshoppe, the OTOP store will feature more than 50 local products from all over Misamis Oriental including meat products, pastries, native sweets, concoctions, beverages, bags and other creations. The outlet was conceived to help promote local produce and to provide venue for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products. “Our local products are excellent but most of them are not accessible in the groceries. We are proud to bring them to SM Cagayan de Oro. It is time for us to experience and patronize our

very own,” said DTI provincial director Ma. Eliza A. Pabillore. The opening and ribbon cutting will be led by city mayor Oscar Moreno together with DTI assistant regional director Linda O. Boniao, SM Mall manager Clara G. Elizaga and Vjandep owner Eleanor P. Jose. Further, the store is still open to accept locally made products for display and selling particularly from neighboring provinces Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental. For more information you may contact DTI-MOR at (08822) 722291 / 712473 or (088) 8574034.

MisOr to host province-wide career, job fairsby MisOr PIO

MISAMIS ORIENTAL - The provincial government of Misamis Oriental will host province-wide career and job fairs on June 25 and 26.

According to Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, it is aimed to facilitate not only employment throughout the province and to neighboring provinces but also for career guidance and career clinics. “This will not be just an ordinary job fair but we added schemes on orientations for career guidance and skills demonstration to effectively funnel our job seekers if their skills match the available jobs and that they will be properly guided,” the Governor

said. The career guidance pursues to counsel the senior high school students on courses they will take up in college with supplements on their skills assessment. Moreover, the career clinics will showcase different courses and programs of schools with skills demonstration and exhibition of their respective specializations which will promote depth learning for employment opportunities, which


MisOr to host province-wide career, job fairs

might fit the skills of the students. The provincial public employment services office will partner with the human resource management to ensure effective input to further empower our students for employment. Jonafe Rodas, provincial public employment services officer, said they have invited schools like SMI, Pilgrim Christian College, Tagoloan Community College, The New El Salvador College, Opol Technical School and many others for the career guidance and clinics. “For the job fair, we have invited

Del Monte, Optimo, LCG, SM, Dynasty Court Hotel, Prycegas, Graphics, Mandaue Foam, RTMI, Hyundai, Minergy Inc. and many more, and we are still waiting for the confirmation of other exhibiting companies,” Rodas added. Governor Emano further thanked the companies who will participate in exhibits and the schools for their support as this will help the unemployed be employed and will guide students to choose their career path.

NorMin WATSAN Hub signs pact to strengthen water, sanitation governance by Ana Celeste W. Felisilda

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Northern Mindanao Regional Water and Sanitation Hub (WATSAN HUB) is formalizing a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on June 16, at the DILG Regional Office, Local Governance Resource Center Room, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

The Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) through the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC), as the operations platform of the Regional WATSAN HUB will initiate the MOU to strengthen capacity development interventions for the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program and Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP) Provision of Potable

Water Program. It will be attended by the representatives from new partner agencies namely: Rio Verde Water Consortium, Inc., Safer River Life Saver Foundation, Inc., Group Foundation, Inc., Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and SEEWAY, Inc.


The purpose of MOU is to strengthen the cooperation between and among the Partner-Implementer in the spirit of mutual assistance and collaboration to achieve the objectives of the Regional Hubs such as: to assist the National Government in the delivery of the capacity development programs intended for the participating municipalities covered by the SALINTUBIG and GPBP-Water Programs; and to strengthen local water and sanitation governance by facilitating institutionalized multi-sectorial participation in water and

sanitation. The DILG, as stipulated in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and Philippine Development Forum, is the lead agency for the capacity development of municipalities and barangays that are without access to basic services for water and sanitation under the SALINTUBIG and GPBP Programs. The newly forged partnership will ensure quality and effective implementation of water and sanitation projects in the region.

http://www.worldvision.com.au/Issues/WaterSanitationHygiene.aspx?lpos=top_drop_1_Watersanitationandhygiene


MSMEs convene in GenSanGENERAL SANTOS CITY - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins entrepreneurs in the first Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Regional Congress at KCC Convention Center Tues-day, June 17. Rivera encouraged businessmen and entrepreneurs to rise in the challenge of globalization and strive towards smart innovations. He also thanked MSMEs in the rural areas for making use of labor-intensive production processes which create employment opportunities. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)


TBOLI, South Cotabato– No tourists. mountain climbers and other visitors will be allowed in the vicinity of Lake Holon, a prime destination in Tboli town for about a year as the local government here ordered the tempo-rary closure of the area.

Lake Holon closed to visitorsBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

T’boli tourism officer Rodel Hilado said the ‘total shut down’ of the the 304-hectare crater-lake is being implemented to ensure the proper implementation of its comprehensive rehabilitation and development program of the eco-tourism site.

This is in preparation for the influx

of tourists in the area as the South Cotabato provincial government aims to promote Lake Holon as one of the premiere tourist destinations in the province, he said.

The temporary closure will last for about nine months or until March 2015.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato—One of the most effective ways to coun-ter climate change is the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP), an official from the environment department stated.

The provincial government of South Cotabato already allocated an initial amount of P5 million for the construction of various tourism facilities such as the construction of cottages and a lakeside view deck to give the visitors an extraordinary view of the lake.

This also includes the improvement of its camping site and introduction of additional tourism activities in the area.

Lake Holon, formerly known as

Lake Maughan, nestled in the crater of Mt. Melebingoy is a favorite camping destination in the province of South Cotabato.

Meanwhile, Hilado said that while Lake Holon is closed, visitors can try other tourist destinations in T’boli.

These includes the Bakngeb Cave in Barangay Laconon, Lamhaku Hot Spring in Brgy. Lamhaku , and Hidak Falls and Hikong Kemebel in Brgy. Kematu. (ORVRivera-PIA12)

DENR 12 emphasizes NGP to combat climate changeBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

DENR 12 regional Executive director Datu Tungko Saikol, during the Climate Change Forum for Communities conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 12) emphasized the importance of tree growing as means to lessen the effects of climate change.

“The NGP of the national government as the biggest national project for reforestation is one of the steps to solve climate change,” Saikol said.

The official also added that the national greening program, as

an intensive campaign for tree planting is an effective adaptation and mitigation initiative to global warming.

Saikol also disclosed that the DENR 12 is making all efforts to contribute to the national government’s goal of planting 1.5 billion trees to 1.5 million hectares.

Meanwhile, EMB 12 regional director Maria Socorro Lanto expressed her all out support to the endeavor of contesting climate change.

“We have to preserve and protect the environment,” Lanto told the


COTABATO CITY –The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government will roll out a ‘no plastic, no Styrofoam’ policy during the month-long Ramadhan trade fair.

Plastic, styrofoam ban up on Ramadhan trade fairBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

According to a memorandum order signed by ARMM executive secretary Laisa Alamia, the use, selling and distribution of non-biodegradable plastic as secondary packaging material and non-biodegradable Styrofoam as food and beverage containers are strictly prohibited

during the trade fair.Consumers and traders are advised

to use environment friendly materials such as paper bags, biodegrable plastics and reusage green bags.

For one month, a trade and food exhibit will be launched within the ARMM Complex in Cotabato City.

The trade fair will feature stalls showcasing various products and items that are unique to the ARMM provinces.

M e a n w h i l e , the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-ARMM is tasked to place sufficient number of trash cans and receptacles around the compound to ensure proper waste management. (ORVRivera-PIA12)

participants of the forum adding that everyone should raise their voices to help the present situation of the surroundings.

To strengthen the drive towards

altering the adverse effects of climate change, both officials called for support from different stakeholders particularly the community. (SJDuerme-PIA12)


Army to focus on info drive to win peace

CAMP PANACAN, Davao City- A top officer of the 10th Infantry Aguila Division ordered the newly-designated commanding officer of the 10th Civil Military Operations

Battalion to focus more on the information operation as one com-ponent in winning the peace in the region. Major General Ariel Bernardo,

by Joey Dalumpines


commander of the 10th ID said information operations is best realized as the soldiers continue to engage with all stakeholders in the delivery of basic services to the communities. He said the people must know the efforts of the Armed Forces to reach out to them side by side with the local government units and the stakeholders. He recalled that the latest Serbisyo Caravan in Barangay Paquibato Proper last June 12 brought in a realization coming from a barangay chair who shared that if the activity was done in the area several years before, peace and order could not be a problem in the area. “The convergence for peace and development through a whole of government approach is very important in addressing the people’s concerns on the grassroots level,” Bernardo said. He said that is relevant for all government agencies side by side with the local government to deliver the needed services to people. Bernardo said information operation can do a lot of things

in managing the expectations of the people. “We can manage the people’s reactions, even their problems and grievances as long as we provide them the right information,” he said. Lt. Colonel Norman Zuniga, newly installed commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion admitted that the benchmark left by Lt. Colonel Jacob Thaddeus Obligado is indeed very high especially on his effort to take a-whole nation-approach in addressing the communication campaign against insurgency. He said he is willing to take the challenge especially with the support coming from all sectors of the society. “I believe we can go and carry on with the challenge,” Zuniga said. Zuniga took the reins of the 10th CMO Battalion from Lt. Colonel Obligado after his three year stint as commander of the unit with flying colors and great reviews from all stakeholders and his commanders. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)