One Mindanao - June 23, 2014

DENR Caraga initiates tree planting, coastal clean Maria Catherine M. GonzagaCARAGA REGION

MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 204

Food prices to stabilize, says Malacanang

NATIONAL

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NORTHERN MINDANAO

ARMM

WESTERN MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Local council files resolution to be declared “Gateway to Mt. Malindang”

ARMM settles P1B unpaid GSIS remittances of teachers

DSWD prepares Tawi Tawi LGUs for 2nd NHTS assessment

OCD-ARMM holds DRRM summit in Lanao del Sur

JRMH inaugurates P20.5-M infra projects,medical equipment

NFA Bukidnon intensifies ‘palengke watch’

SurSur-sponsored ‘mobile processing’ of PRC licenses, passports yields 400 clients

AgNor implements over P342M infra projects

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Information to Empower Filipinos

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Venus L. Garcia

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Alfonso T. Ruda

Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

Greg Tataro Jr.

DENR Caraga initiates tree planting, coastal clean

In celebration of the World Environment Day, June 5, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office headed

by regional director Nonito Tamayo initiated a tree planting and coastal clean-up activity at Barangay Caloc-an, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte with the theme focusing on Small Islands and Climate Change.

The activity with the slogan, “Raise Your Voice Not the Sea Level” began with a caravan from Libertad Sports Complex to the Centennial Beach Resort at Barangay Caloc-an, Magallanes, which was participated by more than 200 individuals including the DENR personnel, national government agencies, private sectors, local government units, non-government organizations, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and young volunteers.

A total of 500 Talisay seedlings were prepared by the DENR for the said activity. Tamayo said that the small islands were the ones most vulnerable to climate change even though they contribute the smallest percentage of carbon emission in the atmosphere and Philippines is equally vulnerable to these islands thus we need to take action now. “Let’s patronize the wood products,” he said.

by Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

COVER STORY

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The use of woods is preferable than plastics and steels because wood stores carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which traps heat near the earth surface contributing to global warming. “Trees play a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through the natural process of photosynthesis and store carbon on their leaves, branches, stems, barks and roots. Stored carbon on woods manufactured into tables and chairs contributes zero carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Burning them would greatly increase the level of CO2 in the atmosphere making the earth warmer,” Tamayo said. He stated that based on scientist findings, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased last century from 284 parts per million in 1832 to about 387 parts per million in 2009. Tamayo said that we are

experiencing hot weather condition due to greenhouse gases trapped

in the atmosphere. Tamayo directed the PENROs and CENROs to intensify activities on the National Greening Program. “Let us plant more trees

and preserve our natural resources for our children and

the generations to come,” said Tamayo.

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Across the Nation

Enough supply of NFA rice until next harvest season, say Palace

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that there is 2.4 million metric tons of NFA rice in supply.

“Ito ay sapat para sa susunod

na 72 araw o hanggang sa unang linggo ng Setyembre na kung kailan inaasahan ang resulta ng unang pag-ani o harvest season,” said Coloma.

He argued that there should be no reason for the prices of NFA rice, whether well-milled or regular milled,

There is enough supply of National Food Authority (NFA) rice until the next harvest season, a Palace official said on Sunday.

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to rise and anyone found manipulating its value will be dealt with severely.

“Ayon sa NFA, we are advising the public that they will implement the full force of the law on those who divert, hoard, and overprice government or NFA rice,” said Coloma.

The price of the regular milled rice is P27 per kilo while the well-milled rice is at P32 per kilo.

The Communications Secretary gave an update on the importation of an estimated 800,000 metric tons of rice.

“Ang update mula sa NFA: Nai-deliver at natanggap na ang 193,000 metric tons bago magtapos ang Hunyo. May karagdagang delivery na 274,250 metric tons at sa buwan ng Agosto ay ang balanseng 332,350 metric tons. Nagbigay ng abiso ang NFA sa mga supplier na tingnan ang posibilidad na mapabilis o mapaaga ang delivery,” said Coloma.

Coloma also reported the outcome of the meeting of the National Price Coordinating Council last June 18, where all the stakeholders came up with a program called “Dagdag Alokasyon, Dagdag Outlet, Dagdag-Bantay, at Walang Pagtataas ng Presyo” or DDDW.

“Unang-una, Dagdag Alokasyon. Increase of allocation from 12,500 bags per day to 25,000 bags per day—doble na po. Ang ikalawa ay dagdag outlet from 1,018 to 1,120 outlets. Initially ay 10 percent increase para isama na rito ‘yung mga talipapa at mga smaller market. At ang pangatlong ‘D’ ‘yung dagdag bantay. Increase in monitoring teams at ‘yung paghimok sa ating mga kababayan na i-ulat o i-report sa NFA sa pamamagitan ng kanilang operations center sa teleponong 454-1214…At ang ikaapat ay Walang Pagtataas ng Presyo ang NFA rice,” Coloma explained.

The National Price Coordinating Council is made up of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, National Economic Development Authority, and one representative each from the consumers’ sector, agricultural producers’ sector, trading sector, and manufacturers’ sector. PND

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Food prices to stabilize, says Malacanang

Malacanang said on Sunday that food prices are expected to stabilize as factors that affect its increase have started to

normalize.In a press conference over radio

station dzRD Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said the meeting of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) last week disclosed reasons for the

increase of prices of sugar, pork, poultry, garlic, and other food staples.

Coloma said the Sugar Regulatory Administration during the meeting reported that prices of sugar reached as high as P52 per kilo, but after the agency started their monitoring it is now down to P49

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and they issued a suggested retail price (SRP) of P50 per kilo.

The hog raisers reported that there were cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in the country that affected the piglets, adding that these cases of PED were now under control with vaccinations being administered, and prices are expected to improve.

“Nag-request po ang mga hog raisers na huwag namang masyadong pababaan ang mga presyo para naman ma-recover din nila ‘yung kanilang mga losses. So sinusubaybayan po ito,” Coloma said.

Poultry raisers reported that the high temperature last summer affected the growth of chickens that resulted to prices ranging to P130 to P140 per kilo.

“Ibig sabihin mababa ang kanilang timbang kaya ito po ang isa sa mga sanhi ng temporary shortage. Pero nag-i-improve na rin po ang supply situation at sa kasalukuyan ang umiiral ay 90 percent locally

supplied chickens ang ating ginagamit,” Coloma explained.

For their part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that garlic prices increased since we primarily imported garlic from abroad. Coloma said to counter the garlic price hike, the said agency deployed rolling stores around Metro Manila to sell local garlic at P100 to P200 per kilo depending on its size.

Coloma assured the public that the government is monitoring everything, including other factors that affect the prices.

“Isa po sa mga factor din na tinitingnan ay ‘yung epekto ng truck ban. Pero tinitingnan po kung paano kaagad ito mareremedyohan dahil hindi naman dapat ito maging sanhi ng pagtaas ng presyo. Kaya sa kabuuan ay masinsing tinututukan ng pamahalaan ang galaw ng supply at presyo sa lahat ng mga pangunahing food items,” the Communications Secretary noted. PND

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NDRRMC: Damage caused by continuous rains in Northern Mindanao estimated at P2.5-MFloods and landslides caused

by 10 days of continuous rains in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) caused nearly P2.5 million in damage to property while more than 4,000 people were affected, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday.

In its report, the NDRRMC said continuing rains from June 1 to 10 caused several landslides and flash floods in Kibawe, Bukidnon which affected a total of 906 families or 4,683 persons.

Damage to properties was estimated at P2,390,115, including P1,297,000 in infrastructure facilities and P1,093,115 in agriculture.

The report said three houses were totally damaged with estimated cost of P44,000, while the road connecting Barangays Balintawak and Marapangi was damaged along with the Kibawe National High School and Magsaysay Road.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

(MDRRMC) Operations Center conducted damage assessments and needs analysis in the affected areas.

The local government of Kibawe facilitated the manual clearing operations of debris and manual filling of soil, limestone and other filling materials.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 10 continues to coordinate with the Bukidnon PDRRMC for further information on the landslide and flooding incidents.

Meanwhile, the MDRRMC Resolution No. 10 dated June 14, 2014 recommended to the Sangguniang Bayan the declaration of state of calamity in the town. (PNA)


PyD country rep acknowledges POs role in gender equalityBy Nora L. MoldeBUTUAN CITY - “You have an important role representing your communities’ needs and voices,” said Paz y Desarrollo (PyD) country representative Antonio Gonzalez to the peoples organization (POs) involved in formation of the Alliance of Gender Advocates in Caraga (AGAC) during its formal launch on Thursday in one of the convention centers here.


PyD country rep acknowledges POs role in gender equality

According to Gonzalez, PyD as a gender oriented non-government organization in its advocacy work has been promoting the synergies and the capacities for linkaging among the program stakeholders. Public officers and representatives of several POs from the fourteen barangays of Agusan del Norte that are included in the program, decided to take a step forward and enhance their participation in local economical and political processes.

Gonzalez told the POs representatives that as gender advocates, both men and women should be represented in every messages and actions that they are going to make and take. “Keep in mind the values of your organization and always be reminded that as members of AGAC, you are pursuing for equal opportunities, equal access to resources and equal exercise of rights for men and women,” he said.

The alliance according to Gonzalez is a result of a Partnership L e a r n i n g Consortium (PLC) workshop, an activity carried out within the framework of the Female Forward Program of PyD, with

the support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and in collaboration with its local partner in Agusan del Norte Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) Mindanao which is promoting gender equality in political participation since 2011.

With the launching of AGAC, Gonzalez said they will be able to offer a common space for dialogue, interaction and exchange of experiences and good practices that will allow the organizations involved to actively participate in policy-making bodies in their respective areas and to promote women empowerment and gender equality.

“AGAC will provide you the tools and space to raise the voice of the people you represent,” Gonzalez said. PyD will provide advice and assistance if needed, Gonzalez added.


AgNor implements over P342M infra projects By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY - Accessibility for farm products, among others, and maintaining their freshness as they reached the market and the consumers were the primary reasons why the province of Agusan del Norte (AgNor) has implemented 64 various infrastructure projects amounting to P342,071,923.92M.

These projects include roads, bridges, port improvements and disaster mitigating infrastructure structures. The national government incharge of public works also contributed by implementing six major projects amounting to P185,475,000.

Agusan del Norte governor Ma.

Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba admitted that the figure does not include the P50M allocation for two tourism related projects at the municipalities of Carmen and Remedios T. Romuladez (RTR).

Related to this, Matba said that the growth of cargo shipments by 25.22 percent or 4,905,315 MT,


notably in exports, is attributed to the improved port facilities. Passenger traffic also grew by 14.08 percent.

“This shows that we continue to be the preferred gateway in the region,” underscored Matba.

In addition, Matba confirmed that P44M worth of irrigation projects serving a total of 500 hectares in Las Nieves, Nasipit, Buenavista, Jabonga, Kitcharao and cabadbaran were introduced. Some have been completed already.

She further described that this has resulted to increase productivity of rice which reached 53,739 MT or 4.0 metric tons per hectare during the year in review. Similarly, corn productivity

has reached to 7.0 metric tons per hectare in some areas.

It was learned that the other benefit that these irrigation projects brought was the generation of about 320 jobs. This was on top of the 1,332 jobs generated from other industries that

were reported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We strongly support the strategy of President Benigno Aquino on inclusive growth because we recognized that the benefits that our nation is enjoying would have lesser effect if the poor does not enjoy these benefits,” emphasized Matba.



TANDAG CITY-- Some 400 clients have been served by Surigao del Sur-LGU-sponsored “mobile processing” on renewal of passports under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and work licenses under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) over the weekend.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico, who was tasked by Governor Johnny Pimentel to take charge of the said undertaking held on June 14-15 at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) which also houses the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), being its concurrent provincial manager, almost 100 have availed of the services under the PRC; while, nearly 300 have sought the assistance of the DFA.

Surigao del Sur gets an average

of about 400 clients everytime such services are conducted, he added.

Quico also noted the presence of both Caraga DFA Regional Director Gangco Punginaguina and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Regional Director Julie Sabalza.

The provincial sponsorship of mobile processing forms part of the 54th Araw Ng Surigao del Sur anniversary celebration on June 17-19.

By Greg Tataro Jr.



NGCP turns-over 2-classroom building to Bagocboc ES in Opoldby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) turned-over Tuesday, June 17, two-classroom building to Bagocboc Elementary School (ES) in Opol town, Misamis Oriental.

Elijeo Llatuna Bancale


The turn-over ceremony was graced by Nelson F. Cabangon, Head of NGCP’s Corporate Affairs Department and Pedrito H. Baculio, OP Consultant & PR Adviser to the NGCP President. Also present was Engr. Rico Baiño, Municipal Administrator who represented municipal mayor Maximino B. Seno. Beth A. Ladaga, regional corporate communications and public affairs officer of NGCP’s Mindanao Corporate Communications Department, said the donation is in response to the letter request of Amy C. Dagondon, Head Teacher III of Bagocboc ES for NGCP to put up a classroom to accommodate the additional enrolees and to replace the already dilapidated makeshift building of the school that

may collapse anytime. NGCP has been providing development assistance to communities that are currently hosting and are targeted to host its major transmission lines through its corporate social responsibility program. Brgy. Bagocboc hosts NGCP’s Baloi-Tagoloan and Lugait-Tagoloan 138KV lines. General Parents-Teachers Association (GPTA) President Ramil D. Salvan meanwhile expressed appreciation to NGCP for the new 2-classroom building. With the new structure, he said parents will no longer worry on the safety of their children inside their classrooms.

Local council files resolution to be declared “Gateway to Mt. Malindang” by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

JIMENEZ, Misamis Occidental - The Sangguniang Bayan (SB), here, has filed a resolution requesting the Department of Tourism (DOT), region 10, to declare Jimenez as the “Gateway to Mt. Malindang.”

One of the oldest, most progressive and most peaceful among the province’s 14 municipalities, Jimenez is centrally located between the cities of Ozamiz and Oroquieta, the provincial capital of Misamis

Occidental, Mayor Rosario K. Balais, said. Geographically, the mountainous and rolling land stretching in the forested area at its interior barangays culminates at the Mt. Malindang


Mountain Ranges Natural Park (MMRNP) with its highest peak at 2,411 meters and the lowest, at about 1,700 meters above sea level. An inventory in MMRNP’s seven ranges in 2004 revealed a total of 1,284 species, 472 genera and 187 families of plant species. Of these, 873 were considered as angiosperms, 20 as gymnosperms, 85 as byrophytes, 25 as lichens and 280 as pterodophytes, representing 44.30 percent of 632 pterodophyte species found in Mindanao. “We are very much interested and willing to be declared as the ‘Gateway to Mt. Malindang,’ considering our mountain trail with its natural design and scenic attractions that will provide travelers with a serene environment conducive to leisurely travel and enjoyment while affording insights into the beauty, history and culture

of the first settlers of the province,” Balais said. Meanwhile, Jimenez will be celebrating its 155th Town Fiesta on June 24, this year, in honor of its patron “San Juan” highlighted by a Eucharistic Mass at the St. John, the Baptist Church and a procession around town to be participated by the Catholic devotees. Among the activities lined-up for the occasion is the nine-day novena (prayers/petitions) that culminates on the feast day, itself, and the traditional “Salu-Salu (foodfest)” in the respective households on June 23. However, since this is a religious celebration, the San Juan Fiesta is not a holiday in Jimenez and all government services in town will continue during the day, as usual, Balais added.

NFA Bukidnon intensifies ‘palengke watch’by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - National Food Authority (NFA) Bukidnon said it is continuing tight monitoring of rice in the province’s major markets to ensure that prices are reasonable and affordable during the lean season.

In an inquiry before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Agriculture and Food, NFA Provincial Manager Juliet A. Obeso said commercial rice prices

may increase during months of July, August, and September because this is planting season, and traditionally, rice traders take advantage of this lean harvest time of the year to rake


in more profit. “Hence, ‘Palengke Watch’ teams have been mobilized to keep track of the supply and prices in the market and safeguard government rice against unscrupulous traders,” she said. NFA rice in various accredited sales outlets province-wide is sold at P32.00 per kilo. In targeted barangays, however, P27.00 per kilo of NFA rice is also available. This intends to give options to those who want it at cheap price, as specified in NFA Targeted Rice Distribution Program (TRDP), Obeso said. The agency regularly coordinates with barangay and municipal government in doing rounds of visiting public markets to ensure that subsidized government rice gets to the intended beneficiaries. Monitoring teams should reflect in their reports the lowest, modal, and highest prices of commercial rice.

Accredited retailers must sell it at the prescribed price set by authorities and never resort to short-weighing or mislabelling, she said. The “Palengke Watch” teams also check whether every licensed grains retailer and wholesaler complies with NFA rules and regulations.NFA advised every licensed grains trader to implement the prescribed facilities and equipment such as duly calibrated weighing scales, storage space, and white-painted rice boxes. There should also be a display of prescribed signboards on the exterior wall of grains establishment bearing the name of the licensee, the NFA control number and the words “Licensed Grain Retailer” or “Licensed Grain Wholesaler.” Grain retailers are reminded to abide by these requirements. Violators of NFA Rules and Regulations shall be meted the corresponding penalty.


10,000 Lanao del Sur teachers receive early payby: Apipa P. BagumbaranAbout 10,000 public school teachers from this province flocked

to the provincial capitol gymnasium Sunday, June 15, to receive their June salaries.

The distribution of checks for the salaries of teachers from Lanao del Sur and Marawi City Schools Division was led by Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional governor Mujiv Hataman and assisted by regional vice governor Haroun

Alrashid Lucman Jr. and provincial governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. Hataman said the release was made earlier in preparation for the Ramadhan or the fasting month. Aside from the awarding of checks, the regional governor also relayed


ARMM settles P1B unpaid GSIS remittances of teachersMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) signed today a supplement memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to finally settle the P1 billion unpaid remittances of teachers in the region.

to the teachers that they can now avail of higher loanable amounts and retirement benefits from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). He said the GSIS, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the ARMM government has recently signed and sealed a tripartite agreement to settle the premiums-in-arrears of almost 26,000 DepEd-ARMM employees. Hataman said DepEd-ARMM and GSIS will soon issue guidelines on the requirements especially for those employees who have retired but have not received their retirement benefits. With this development, the regional governor urged the teachers to also do their share and protect the interest of school children. “We are doing our best to protect your interest kaya sana gawin din ninyo ang lahat

upang matuto at protektahan ang interest ng mga bata sa loob ng eskwelahan.” Meanwhile, 82 recipients of ARMM’s “Iskolar ng Bayan” scholarship program, from the province also received their stipend for one semester on Sunday. Under the scholarship program, full scholars will receive P10,000 while those with partial scholarship will receive P5,000 each per semester. According to Department of Education in the region, the scholars were selected after undergoing one-on-one interview, comprehensive examination and careful deliberation.


The DBM will pay state pension fund GSIS almost P1 billion in unpaid premiums, effectively adjusting the GSIS benefits of almost 26,000 teaching and non-teaching workers in ARMM. DBM will pay GSIS about P900 million in cash, 30 days after the signing of the supplemental MOA, with the remaining P100 million to be paid over a period of one year. ARMM Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan said the MoA supplements an earlier agreement signed in March 2004 to settle the

unpaid premiums of 15,715 DepEd-ARMM employees. With the payment, around 26,000 DepEd-ARMM employees can now expect higher loanable amounts and retirement benefits “We have freed our teachers in service as well as those who already retired from the uncertainty of the full entitlement of their retirement benefit,” said ARMM Governor Mujiv

Hataman. Hataman said the teachers can now look forward to a more comfortable retirement package from the GSIS. “We have made clear to the teachers that this administration is fully dedicated to the promotion of their welfare with the expectation that this will increase their drive and determination to enlighten every Abdul and Fatima in every classroom in the region,” the region’s chief executive added. (Bureau of Public Information)

OCD-ARMM holds DRRM summit in Lanao del Surby: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Office of the Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) conducted a two-day summit on disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) for local chief executives (LCEs) of the province.


OCD-ARMM holds DRRM summit in Lanao del Sur

The two-day summit kicked-off June 10 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall and concluded June 11 with LCEs and local DRMM officers as participants. O C D - A R M M Director and Regional DRRM Council Executive Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena said the summit aims to provide a venue for consultation on the major challenges and gaps in the implementation of DRRM system among local governments in the ARMM. “ARMM has long struggle with problems on poverty, and poor places are considered the most vulnerable to disasters. We should not forget that ARMM is unique because we are not only affected by natural disasters but also with man-made disaster,” he said. Ochotorena said the summit highlighted the roles and responsibilities of LCEs to enhance their capacities on DRRM system to establish more resilient communities amid imminent threats

of disaster due to climate change and those that are man-made. Also, the implementation of the Memorandum Circular on the allocation and utilization of Local DRRM fund was discussed in the summit. Lectures on earthquake and its hazard, Project NOAH, weather causing phenomena affecting the country, and climate change adaptation were also presented in the summit. The first day of the summit was highlighted by the signing of declaration on the strengthened commitment on DRRM system among local government units (LGUs). Workshops on reporting of

actions regarding declaration of commitments to DRRM provincial level and 2015 DRRM plan and budget preparation were further conducted during the second day of the summit. There was also sharing on the lessons learned from past disasters as well as of DRRM best practices and challenges.


PIA, DENR bat for climate change advocacy By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 have called on the public to support climate change advocacy campaign.


DSWD prepares Tawi Tawi LGUs for 2nd NHTS assessment By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - To prepare the local government unit (LGU) of Bongao, Tawi Tawi for the second nationwide household assessment, the National Household Targeting Unit-BaSulTa cluster of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently conducted an orientation on the second nationwide household assessment and training of Area Supervisors and Enumerators for the conduct of the Special Validation for Social Pension Beneficiaries in Bongao, Tawi Tawi Province. In attendance were mayors, Social Welfare Officers, Planning and Development Officers and concerned national government agencies (NGAs). The activity served as venue for the introduction of the new brand name of NHTS-PR to Listahanan (Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailangan).

Topics on Proxy Means Test, Barangay Community Characteristics, Data Sharing Protocols were also discussed during the orientation. Tawi Tawi Province holds a target of 73,872 households for the second assessment. Back to back with the NHTS

In a media forum held here Tuesday, PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga said the PIA is now working closely with the DENR in climate change advocacy campaign, which seeks to weaken public’s apathy to the weather phenomenon. She said the campaign would go with the theme, “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na para Magbago” aimed at popularizing and strengthening adaptation and mitigation measures in response to climate change. “This campaign aims to inspire and motivate active cooperation and participation and to facilitate partnerships with public and private communities such as the youth, academe, LGUs, civic organizations

and others,” the PIA-9 chief said. “It’s not just about protecting the environment; it’s about protecting ourselves by protecting our environment. It is time to care, it is time to do our share,” she stressed. Meanwhile, PIA-9 Assistant Regional Director Franklin P. Gumapon lauded the city government of Dipolog for religiously implementing laws relating to environmental protection like sanitation, no plastic and anti-smoking ordinances. The climate change thematic brand logo and slogan will be launched in Dipolog late this month or early next month by the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Information Center.


assessment orientation was the conduct of training on Special Validation for Social Pension Beneficiaries. The activity was conducted to equip the workers to take a full grasp on the project’s objective and prepare them in conducting proper assessment. Part of the activity was the

conduct of a mock household interview at Barangay Sowangkagang, a nearby community outside the venue. Listahanan is set to cover 15.2 million households nationwide this year with more than 300 thousand target households for ARMM-Basulta cluster for the second cycle.

JRMH inaugurates P20.5-M infra projects,medical equipmentBy Alfonso T. Ruda

DAPITAN CITY -The Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital(JRMH) here has inaugurated its newly built health facilities worth P20.5 million and sets of medical equipment on Thursday, July 19, in keeping with the 153rd birthday of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Its newly completed infrastructure projects include the covered pathway and concrete pavement, motor pool, laundry building, warehouse, parking area and rehabilitation of concrete perimeter fence, improvement/rehabilitation of Water supply system, and expansion/improvement of dormitory building. Dapitan City parish priest, Fr. Enrico Montano,officiated the mass and blessing of all the health facilities inside the hospital compound as well as the medical equipment consisting ofa portable X-Ray machine and anesthesia machines. In her message, Dr. Maria Dinna C. Viray-Parinas, JRMH chief of hospital, thanked Regional Director Dr. NimfaTorrizoof the Department of Health (DOH)-9 for gracing the occasion. Director Torrizo, on the other hand, congratulated the JRMH management and personnel for their united effort

to extend quality health service to the people. “The theme, “KP TUNGO SA KP: KADAKILAAN AT PAGKAKAISA TUNGO SA KALUSUGAN AT PANGKALAHATAN,” is the framework of the implementation of the Aquino health agenda in response to his social commitment to fight poverty within the means of good governance, transparency and accountability,” Torrizo said. The P20.5 million health facility project was implemented at P19,738,409.22, which resulted in P861,590.78 savings owing to proper bidding process. For his part, Dapitan City Vice Mayor Ruben Cad urged the JRMH management and staff to measure up to its name, Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital, by extending quality health services to the people as exemplified by the national hero during his stay in Dapitan.

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One Mindanao - June 23, 2014