One Mindanao - June 29, 2012

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

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/F Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

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

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

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

9

Cover Story

SEA-K changing lives, improving homes

Franklin P. GumaponWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue...

Friday, June 29, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 290

page 4

Aquino inaugurates $200-M port facility in Manila 7

Felipo David G. Malcampo, Western Mindanao17 Philippine Red Cross calls for more blood donors

21 Lorry V. Gabule, Northern Mindanao

PRC observes July as Blood Donor’s Month

RG Alama, Southern Mindanao

NCDA, JICA to hold forum on non-handicapping environment 22Lessons and apologies a year after flooding and punching incident25PAGASA trains Sarangani DRRMCs on automated weather station28

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

CT Apelacio, Central Mindanao

Arturo Cruje Jr., Caraga Region12 Water soon to flow in waterless taps

in Surigao del Norte

13Gervacio Dauz, Jr., Caraga Region

Mining company empowers community thru training

6 9

11

15

19

23

26

31

DTI-South Cotabato deploys interns under gov’t internship program30Aida Agad, Central Mindanao64th IB spearheads turn-over of renovated school building33 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Armm

4 Friday, June 29, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StorySEA-K changing lives, improving homes

Social Welfare and Development Team (SWADT) leader Alex Sabal brought the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) recently to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Self-Employment Assistance-Kabuhayan (SEA-K) project at Minlasag, Sibutad Zamboanga del Norte to see how the recipients have benefited from it. Negotiating the rough roads to this interior town, the PIA staff came to interview some SEA-K beneficiaries especially those who had received financial assistance under the basic shelter component of the program. Upon reaching the place, Thelma Montano, the former president of the Minlasag SEA-K Association, met and ushered the group to the Sari-Sari store

put up and managed by the association since 1994. Right there the interview between the beneficiaries and PIA staff was held. It all started with the question, “What prompted them to form an association and put up a sari-sari store?” Montano and her colleagues bluntly told the PIA: “We were all plain housewives and jobless.” A lively interaction ensued covering a variety of information – related and unrelated ones interspersed with laughter and sober talks. Tita Garcia, the current president of the association, said the Minlasag SEA-K Association is composed of housewives belonging to the poorest of the poor. The group started its sari-sari store business

by Franklin P. Gumapon

Definitely shanties are no decent homes

by any standard. But these are common sights in the countryside.

Friday, June 29, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

i n 1994 with a seed

capital of P20 thousand loaned from the municipal government of Sibutad. In 1996, the DSWD also extended a loan assistance ofP150 thousand to augment the association’s working capital. Individual members, on the other hand, have also availed themselves of some loan assistance called “seed capital” payable within two years for their livelihood projects. Those who were able to manage well their seed capital funds with some savings from their earning would be qualified to apply for another loan assistance under the SEA-Kabayan in the amount of P35 thousand of which P25 thousand would be used for home improvement and P10 thousand for livelihood projects. Four of the 21 members of the Minlasag SEA-K Association have already built decent homes and one of them was Hermocilia Andog, 63, who together with her family was once living in a dilapidated one-room nipa hut that served as their living, dining and sleeping room. With the help of SEA-K, Andog is now living in a two-bedroom concrete house complete with kitchen and comfort

room. A hardworking Andog is engaged in camote (sweet potato) farming and her produce is more than enough to pay for her loan and to answer her basic needs. Thelma Montano, on the other hand, also expressed her gratitude for the SEA-Kabayan project that enabled her to improve her abode. Besides, she also got to finish her education degree through SEA-K’s livelihood assistance. She is now an elementary teacher of Minlasag Elementary School. Today, the Minlasag SEA-K Association continues to operate its sari-sari store and a copra buying business with a working capital of more than P1 million. All of its 21 members also continue tending their respective livelihood ventures knowing that nobody can best help them but themselves.


ACROSS THE NATION

The President led officials, employees and guests of ICTSI led by its president Enrique Razon, Jr., in pouring champagne on the facility’s marker formally opening the ICTSI’s Berth 6’s operations to the public.

Constructed at a cost of $200-million, Berth 6 adds 300 meters of additional port area and 12 hectares of container storage space to the existing

facility thereby expanding operations and services at MICT from 1.9-million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a measure used for capacity in container transportation, to 2.5-million TEUs.

With Berth 6, MICT now has 1,600 meters of berth which can accommodate five to seven container vessels at one time.

To help move around more

Aquino inaugurates $200-M port facility in Manila

President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated the newly constructed port facility of the International Container Terminal Services, Incorporated (ICTSI) located at the Manila

International Container Terminal (MICT) in Manila on Thursday.


ACROSS THE NATIONcontainers

efficiently, MICT’s container handling equipment has also been upgraded to include 12 quay cranes and 45 rubber tired gantries.

Joining the President for the inaugural ceremonies

were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim,

Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Juan Sta. Ana.

ICTSI is a leading port management company involved in the operations and development of 23 marine terminals and port projects in 17 countries worldwide. (rck)

Container port operation remains upbeat due to country’s bullish economic performance

An international container port operator has expressed to President Benigno S. Aquino III his company’s bullishness on the Philippines due largely to the good

economic performance of the country, brought about by the clear cut governmental reforms despite the global downtrend affecting bigger economies.


Enrique Razon, Jr., chairman and president of the International

Container Terminal Service, Incorporated (ICTSI) also told President Aquino that ICTSI remains upbeat on the Philippines

despite the company’s large-scale and full blown expansion activities overseas.

“Amid the global financial crisis, the Philippines continued to grow in a period of economic contraction across the globe,” Razon, Jr. said in his message welcoming the President and his delegation to the inauguration of ICTSI’s Berth 6, a $200-million e x p a n s i o n project of the container port’s facilities in Manila on Thursday.

He added that the 6.4 percent growth rate the Philippines achieved in the

first quarter of 2012 surpassed that of most Asian countries.

He said that ICTSI welcomed this positive development as it concretely defined that the country was attracting more foreign investment and international trade was improving as evidenced by the increased volume of container traffic in the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

“Despite our expansion overseas, we remain bullish on the Philippines and it will always be our priority,” Razon, Jr. said.


Sarangani Energy raises capital stock, sets start of 200-MW coal plant project

The Alcantara-controlled Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) has increased its capital stock to P4.5 billion as it moved ahead

with the construction of its US$ 450 million coal-fired power plant in nearby Maasim town in Sarangani province.

The increase in capital stock will mainly cover for the equity in the development, construction and operation of the 200-megawatt (MW) coal power plant in the coastal village of Kamanga in Maasim that was targeted to go on stream by 2015, the company said in a statement emailed Thursday to the Philippines News Agency.

It said SEC’s capital stock, which was raised from an initial declared capitalization of P5 million, will be divided into 4.25 billion shares with a par value of P1 per share.

SEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) – the publicly-listed holding company of the Alcantara Group.


The coal plant project is a joint venture between the Alsons and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. or EGCO.

With the increase in its capital stock, SEC said it gave the go-signal to Korean contractor Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. to proceed with the engineering and construction of the Sarangani coal plant project’s first phase.

Daelim, which is considered as one of the biggest construction and engineering firms in South Korea and with projects moving in over 24 countries, was earlier contracted by SEC to handle the project’s engineering, procurement and construction aspects.

Daelim executives and engineers recently flew in from its Seoul offices to conduct an ocular inspection of the site, signaling the start of the detailed design and engineering works that will run through the fourth quarter of the year.

Oscar Benedict Contreras III, Alsons Power Business Unit manager for communications and stakeholder relations, said the actual construction of the coal power plant is targeted to commence by the third quarter of the year.

He said the completion of the project’s detailed design and engineering will lead to the actual erection and installation works of the power plant.

The power plant project is a two-phase complex of two 100 megawatt plants each. The second phase will commence within 18 months of the start of the first phase.

Maasim Mayor Art Lawa, who earlier met with the Daelim and SEC executives, expressed full support to the coal plant project, which is so far the biggest investment venture in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.

The mayor expressed optimism that the SEC power plant would put an end to the worsening power supply shortage in Southern and Central Mindanao.

SEC had forged a power supply deal with the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (Socoteco II), which serves this city, the entire Sarangani province and parts of South Cotabato.

The power sales agreement covers the provision of 70 MW to the electric cooperative. It is still up for review by the Energy Regulatory Commission.


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The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte – Butuan City Chapter is now preparing for the conduct of the 8th Biennial

Chapter Assembly on July 27, 2012 here.

Preparations underway for Red Cross 8th Biennial Chapter Assemblyby Danny Makiling

The event, which is anchored on the theme: Philippine Red Cross @ 63: 24/7 in service to Humanity, will highlight the conduct of the election of the PRC Board of Directors. According to Tedoro Cairo, PRC Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter President,

candidates must have attained, by virtue of demonstrated, distinctive leadership, and managerial ability and/or position in his field of endeavor (preferably in business, industry, banking and finance, education, government, socio-civic activity, military service, religious community) such a stature


Water soon to flow in waterless taps in Surigao del Norteby Arturo Cruje Jr.

SURIGAO DEL NORTE -- No more dry taps anymore. Governor Sol Matugas announced that the province received a water supply grant intended for waterless municipalities and barangays here.

as would give directors and/or contribute to the accomplishment of the Philippine Red Cross mission in the form of expertise, influence or funds. They must also have a previous notable accomplishment or involvement in social work and related activities or service, or he must have demonstrated noteworthy interest in or concern with such work and activities. Also, the candidates must believe in the cause as well as in the fundamental principles of the Red Cross, and must be

interested in the board and willing to serve without material compensation. Further, they must be generally available for direct or actual participation in board meeting and other official activities, i.e his state of health present position(s), ETC, must generally allow such participation, and must be regular and contributing member of the Red Cross. With these developments, Cairo is calling those who are interested to run for the positions to get in touch with their office for further details on the activity.


Water soon to flow in waterless taps in Surigao del Norte

Dubbed 2012 Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program, the project will provide safe and potable water for waterless municipalities and poorest barangays with high level of waterborne diseases, resettlement areas, and rural health units/birthing clinics with no access to safe water. The program shall be executed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Office of the Project Development Services (OPD) in partnership with DILG regional

office and the provincial government as implementing partners. The governor said she had already received the guidelines from the DILG on the said project which will cover the upgrading/expansion of level 3 water supply systems and construction/rehabilitation/expansion/upgrading of level 2 and 1 water systems. The policy guidelines are now available at the Provincial Planning and Development Office and DILG-Provincial Office.

Mining company empowers community thru trainingby Gervacio Dauz, Jr.

MRL Gold Philippines, Inc. has provided training and helped people find jobs since it began operations in 2006, said Ms. Jesalyn A. Guingguing, Environmental Manager and OIC for Community Relations.


The company has organized training on solid waste management, coastal resource management, marketing, among others. Among the sectors that attended these were indigenous people, farmers, fisher folks, women, youth and children. The said trainings were conducted in partnership local government units, academe, and national government agencies. As of 2012, at least 679 stakeholders have graduated from these trainings. Of the total, at least 55 were employed by the company, 15 were employed in other establishments, 115 became entrepreneurs, and 6 took higher education courses with MRL support. Among the beneficiaries were: Bernie S. Nanoy, 29, and president of the DOLE-registered Coro Mamanwa Community Organization – said that with the help of MRL and the LGU, his group was able to secure a settlement area. They also availed of livelihood

trainings and exposures, and started entrepreneurial activities like selling bags and slippers with the use of hyacinth and other indigenous materials, plus fishing and agricultural pursuits for a living. Ms. Ailyn B. Lasutan of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, was one of those who graduated in MRL’s Mobile Computer Literacy Program (MCLP). Shortly after graduation, she was absorbed by MRL as Assistant Trainer for MCLP. Ms. Zaiton N. Sumpo, Lead Trainer of MCLP, revealed that Ms. Lasutan was hired because she is diligent and a fast learner. Mr. Avelino A. Buyo – another Assistant Trainer, 26 years of age, of pure Mamanwa descent, and who is on regency status as a seminary graduate – is not a product of MRL’s development intervention. But because of his capability and credentials, plus the fact that he is a native in the community, he was absorbed by MRL to help in mentoring trainees under the MCLP.


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DENR 9, LGUs inks MOA on PRS92 “Adopt-a-Mojon” project By Claro A. Lanipa

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) signed a memorandum of agreement on the

Philippine Reference System (PRS 92) “Adopt-a-Mojon’ Project on Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Anastacia Pensionne House, this city.


PRS92 is a homogenous national network of geodetic control points (GCPs), marked by survey monuments or mojons, that have been established using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. GPS is an all-weather, high precision, global satellite positioning system that revolutionized navigation and surveying operations. By virtue of Executive Order 45, PRS92 became the standard reference system for all surveying and mapping activities in the Philippines. The order also mandated that all surveys and maps shall be referred to the new network and all old surveys shall be integrated into it. DENR 9 Regional Executive Director Arleigh Adorable said, “with the implementation of the unified PRS92 we will be able to establish control points in the whole country for all surveyors and everybody else who may use it as the only reference point. This is the reason why these mojons are very important to all of us.” Director Adorable further said “with the implementation of PRS92, we will be able to perhaps know the exact political boundaries of a certain province, city, municipality or barangay. These monuments are very vital in the preparation of a comprehensive land use plan, no matter how big is your municipality. Setting aside areas for agriculture development , commercial or residential sites and other related purposes, these mojons will be made available as

reference point in every municipality and that will be cascaded down to the barangays.” DENR will also establish control points down to the barangay level. With the GPS, we can also


determined where in the barangay are hazard prone areas, so this is a very important piece of stone that we have to take care and protect, Adorable challenged the chief executives, he added. Adorable also urged the municipal mayors to help and assist DENR in protecting and guarding these mojons, as stipulated in the rationale of the agreement. He also asked the chief executives to pass an ordinance to adopt these mojons and even perhaps put some penalties for those who will tamper or destroy the mojons. And come up with a campaign to disseminate the information to the barangay officials the importance of these mojons, and that they have to protect it. Adorable expressed optimism

the agreement will signal the start of the lasting partnership between the DENR and LGUs. “All of us will be benefited from this project including other government agencies who engage in survey activities.” The MOA signing was entered into between the DENR 9 represented by RED Arleigh Adorable, Mayor Allan Damas of Kumalarang, Canuto Enerio of Lakewood and Ace William Cerilles of Dumalinao all of Zamboanga del Sur, Payao Mayor Joeper Mendoza and Richard Tiu, Sr. of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay. After the MOA signing a certificate of appreciation were also given to the five municipal mayors for their invaluable support to the program. (NBE/CAL/PIA9)

Philippine Red Cross calls for more blood donorsZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Zamboanga City Blood Bank Manager Dr. Kelly Geronimo called on the public to donate blood to ensure regular supply for those in need.

by Felipo David G. Malcampo

In an interview with Dr. Geronimo during the PIA Media Forum, he said there is a need for more blood donors to effectively serve the public as blood demand increased dramatically after Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga City was declared the Regional Blood Bank. “We noted an increase in the demand for blood since we now also serve Sulu, Basilan, and Zamboanga Sibugay, our three big neighboring

provinces. Actually, the demand has tripled. The challenge here is how to meet the demand, and so we are reaching out to others for more donation”, Dr. Geronimo said. However, Dr. Geronimo clarified that there is enough supply in the blood bank. “We have enough supply of blood. But we need to have consistent blood donation to make sure we can serve those in need. Our advocacy


is for more people to

donate blood”, he said. PRC-Zamboanga City Administrator Vic Liozo said they have intensified their education campaign on blood donation. “We are going to barangays to educate the public on blood donation. In fact, we assigned a Donor Equipment Officer whose sole function is to encourage people to donate blood”, Mr. Liozo said. As a result of their advocacy, PRC noted an increase in the number of voluntary blood donation in the city. “From, 2010 to 2011, and even up to the first half of this year, we have noted an increase in the number of voluntary blood donation here. It’s actually a good improvement, and we hope to sustain this momentum”, Dr. Geronimo said. Mr. Liozo added that their

advocacy program now extends even to elementary pupils. “We are inculcating in the minds of these young children the importance of donating blood. We tap them to recruit blood donors. It can be their parents, brothers or relatives who are qualified to donate blood”, Liozo said. Since July is Blood Donors’ Month, the Red Cross has scheduled lots of blood-letting donation for the entire month in schools and other offices here. “We have lined up blood-letting activities for the whole month of July. This will ensure that we will have enough, or even excess supply of blood in our bank. There will be simultaneous blood-letting activities in the entire country. There will be saturation of blood-letting activities next month”, Liozo said. (FDM/PIA-ZBST)


3,254 households qualify for 4Ps expansion program by Jorie C. Valcorza

A total 3,254 new set of household beneficiaries here qualified for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The new set is under DSWD’s expanded program, covering the towns of Mambajao, Catarman, and Guinsiliban, bringing the total number of family beneficiaries to 4,895 for the whole province. Camiguin Provincial Social

Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Agnes A. Bohol said a team of 4Ps provincial staff were also installed in the province recently to facilitate the needs of the beneficiaries as well as to monitor the implementation at a higher level of effectiveness and


evaluation. Gilmar Yamba, 4Ps provincial link officer, disclosed that program beneficiaries in the province were able to achieve 95 percent compliance rate in education and 94 percent on health. The 4Ps awards five-year term cash grants to qualified families among poorest households while at the same time, encourages them to invest in education and health by requiring regular attendance of children in school or submission to government health programs. Each household receives P6,000 per year or P500 per month for health and nutritional expenses. Another P3,000 per year or P300 per month is given for every child in a 10-month period for every year, to a maximum of three children for educational expenses or a total of P1,400 per month for a family with at least three children in school.


PRC observes July as Blood Donor’s Monthby Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Iligan City Chapter, joins the country in celebrating the Blood Donor’s Month in July.

On the occasion, PRC Iligan has called on individuals in attaining an all-out voluntary blood donation, this city, through the conduct of a Mobile Blood Donation on July 1, Sunday, at the Iligan City Public Plaza. This will be a whole day activity, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., said Genevieve C. Amodia, chapter administrator, PRC Iligan. “Along this line, we sent out letters and humbly ask the support of at least five or more possible donors from the respective offices,” expressed Amodia. She said they inspire and emulate men and women to freely and voluntarily donate to help those in need of blood and its components. She added that they also acknowledge selfless individuals and unpaid volunteers who donate their precious blood.

The month of July has been declared as Blood Donor’s Month under Presidential Proclamation No. 1021 issued last June 9, 1997. Anchored to this year’s theme, “Every Blood Donor is a Hero,” it reinforces the urgent need for more people to become life savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly. For more queries, donors may call the provincial Red Cross Office at telephone number 223-1065.


NCDA, JICA to hold forum on non-handicapping environmentby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be holding a forum on non-handicapping environment (NHE) on July 4 and 5 at the Dynasty Court Hotel, here.

The two-day forum, anchored on the theme, “Making a Path to Non-Handicapping Environment,” aims to orient and advocate NHE to local government units (LGUs) for their adoption and to introduce to them the concept of Universal Design (UD) relative to NHE. Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Akiie Ninomiya, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony. The local chief executives (LCEs) of New Lucena in Iloilo province and Opol in Misamis Oriental will also be sharing their experiences

and achievements as NHE-pioneer municipalities, along with some testimonials on the impact of NHE by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the said two towns. Expected participants are LCEs, municipal social welfare and development officers (MSWDO) and presidents of PWD Federation of the LGUs candidate for NHE expansion, as well as, representatives from related line agencies, chairperson of the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA), representatives from people’s organizations, and other NHE stakeholders. These participants will also be treated to a study tour in Opol town on the morning of July 5.


The Employees Compensation Commission is intensifying its

awareness campaign per direc-tive from Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Atty. Jonathan Villasotto, deputy e x e c u t i v e -director of ECC said that the awareness campaign is part of the reforms instituted by the Labor secretary who noticed the small number of Employees Compensat ion (EC) claims. EC claims are benefits which are to be received by workers or

employees who suffered work-related injuries and sickness and are on top of compensation from SSS/GSIS and those given by employers. Contributions to the EC

Employees Compensation Commission intensifies promo drive


claims are born solely by the employers, the funds are called State Insurance Fund where EC benefits are sourced. The Funds for private workers are handled by the Social Security System (SSS) while the Government Social Insurance System (GSIS) handles the EC funds for public sector, these funds are not comingled. A worker suffering from work-related injury or sickness can file within a prescriptive period of three years from date of accident in the SSS/GSIS for EC benefits. The SSS/GSIS will determine if the injury or sickness is work-related, if approved he will be entitled to receive his EC benefit. If the SSS/GSIS disapproves his application, the affected worker can file a motion for reconsideration in the ECC. Decisions by the ECC favourable to the worker are final and executory. According to Villasotto the ECC has processed more or less 250 ECC cases from both the GSIS and SSS claims for the past year. The information campaign was started in Regions 3, 5 and 11 and

is aimed to cover all regions with multiple campaigns. “ T h i s is not a one-time affair, we will be back again in Davao City for another round of information campaign.” Villasotto said.DOLE-XI Regional Director Joffrey Suyao said that the regional office is planning to put up a ECC desk in the Davao region. Suyao said that having an ECC representative is very important as he or she provides an advisory role on EC benefits to workers in the region. Another role of the ECC representative is that it can provide regionalized rehabilitation services for workers who suffered total/ partial disability. Among these services include skills retraining and prosthesis. Villasotto said that in the past these rehabilitation services were only available in the National Capital Region. “Within this year we are hopeful that we can sign an agreement with the ECC where we can provide an ECC desk in the region.” Suyao said. (PIA11/RG Alama)

facts and figures

250 cases of Employment Compensation claims handled by the Employees Compensation Commission from private and public workers.


Lessons and apologies a year after flooding and punching incidentDAVAO CITY- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said that city is now more well-prepared to handle ca-lamities particularly deadly flash floods in the same magnitude which struck Matina Pangi last year. Guesting yesterday (June 28) at I-Speak, a weekly press conference held at the City Hall the City Mayor said that they have instituted early warning measures in risk areas particu-larly during the onset of rains. “Katong nakapuyo didto sa areas (Those who lived in those areas), if they were warned ear-lier, the evacuation would have started earlier.” The Mayor said recalling the fateful event. “They were warned only when the flood-ing started.” The Mayor added. The catastrophic flood oc-curred in the evening of June 28, along the Matina Pangi River killed 32 persons and displaced 2,000 people. Millions of prop-erties were also destroyed in the worst flooding which hit the City. Duterte said that the morn-

ing after the flood saw the city ill-prepared to handle the calamity. “Karon, maski gamay ang ulan, (Now even with the slight rains) we are ready.” The anniversary of the flood was marked by a mass and a me-morial ceremony led by the City Social Services Development Of-fice (CSSDO) in the area worst hit by the flood, Matina Pangi. Two days after the flooding, the Mayor was also involved in a controversial incident where she rained punches onto court sheriff Abe Andres over disagreements in the manner of squatters’ de-molition in Agdao. The incident was caught on TV cameras and became a viral sensation in the internet. The Mayor expressed her apologies to the sheriff and also to his family who were also hurt by the incident though they were not physically present. She also asked forgiveness from her con-stituents over the incident. “It was an unfortunate event, it will not happen again.” The Mayor said. (PIA 11/RG Alama)


S. Cotabato beefs up NFA’s corn procurement with P4-M fundBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato will in-ject P4 million into the procurement budget of the National Food Authority -South Cotabato for a program aimed to safeguard corn farmers from losses due to low buying price of their produce.


The program dubbed Corn Marketing Assistance Program for Industry Producers , Users and Local Government Units aims to stabilize the price of corn in the province especially during the peak of the harvest season that begins this month, Provincial Agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste said.

On Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved a resolution re-aligning P4 million from the special project fund to the program.

Early this month, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., incorporated the same amount in his proposed second supplemental budget but the province’s finance department reported that that the identified source of fund has been spent on other expenditures, which led the SP to defer its deliberation until a source of fund has been determined.

“The funds will be used by provincial office of NFA to buy corn stocks at a price higher

than the prevailing gate price being offered by commercial traders,” Legaste said.

Results of their monitoring indicate that buying price offered traders has remained low and has been fluctuating at around P12 to P13 per kilo, which he said surely leaves the farmer at the losing end.

“In the event that the support price of NFA levels with or gets lower that the prevailing market price, the provincial government comes in with incentives,” he said.

The program, the official explained is patterned after the Palay Assistance for Legislators and Local Governments Units (PALLGU) program.

Of the P4 million allocation, P2 million will be utilized to purchase corn produce from walk-in farmers while the remaining P2 million will be set aside for the produce of farmers who were recipients of farm machineries granted by the Department of Agriculture.

Like the PALLGU program, Legaste said, the provincial government will offer a subsidy of additional P2.50 per kilo to local corn farmers on top of the prevailing buying price of P13 per kilo.

“The P15.50 per kilo buying price is very reasonable considering the increases in farm inputs and other production materials,” he said.

Board Member Jose Madanguit, chairman of the committee on appropriations, said they approved the allocation of the said amount considering that “this would be of great help to the local corn farmers.”

He, however, pointed out that they have yet to invite the management of NFA-South Cotabato and Legaste for deliberation regarding the program before they will finally allow Gov. Pingoy to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the government grains procurement agency. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


PAGASA trains Sarangani DRRMCs on automated weather stationBy CT Apelacio

ALABEL, Sarangani -- The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) trained local government staff on the use of Automated Weather Station (AWS) Tuesday, June 26, at the Capitol Compound here.

The training centered on “the details of accessing data” from the AWS.

The AWS was installed and made operational at the PDRRM Office in December last year, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) officer Buenaventura Solarte said.

The AWS has the capability to monitor “real time weather changes taking place in specific locality” and is expected to boost “PAGASA’s weather forecasting facilities” deployed around the country.

Solarte also said the gadget helps synchronize the drumming up of a weather report, processing and facilitating it as soon as

it is necessary.Solarte told PIA

General Santos City that the AWS forms part of the 152 networks installed across the country to equip local DRRMCs with the capability to keep an eye on potential weather changes and abnormalities in their respective areas of responsibility.

“AWS is an instrument to measure weather-related information like wind velocity and direction, temperature, rainfall volume, humidity, pressure among other related issues,” he explained.

He added that the gadget “helps local people especially the PDRRMO frontline personnel easily access data related to weather system and possibly

forecast local weather situation.”

Aside from its different features, Solarte said that “it’s a gadget installed permanently with solar-powered energy that can transmit data to DOST-PAGASA central information system on real time via internet.”

PAGASA GenSan officer-in-charge Danny Arriola said the modern instrument is in keeping with PAGASA’s vision and President Aquino’s order to make the agency updated on advanced science and latest technology in order to address real time weather condition brought about by climate change.

Governor Migs Dominguez is happy with newest addition to the province’s disaster


instruments, as recently flood and storm hit some barangays of Glan, one of the seven municipalities of Sarangani.

Sarangani is one of those provinces in the country that is vulnerable to flash flood, landslide, and storm surge or tsunami.

Dominguez said real time information to raise public awareness and instilling consciousness on disaster preparedness among his constituents

top the province’s list.

With the AWS, “we can alert the communities when possible rain is about to come and the possible causes of damages, so we can react,” S a r a n g a n i I n f o r m a t i o n Office quoted Vice Governor Steve Chingbian Solon.

Aside from the PDRRMO staff as participants and facilitators, representatives from the municipal DRRMCs and other key government and non-government organizations also attended the one-day orientation-seminar. (DED/CTA/PIA 12-General Santos C i t y / W i t h report from S a r a n g a n i I n f o r m a t i o n


DTI-South Cotabato deploys interns under gov’t internship program

By Aida Agad

KORONADAL CIT -- As part of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s commitment to the administration’s Expanded Government Internship Pro-gram (EGIP), the South Cotabato branch has hired four interns to beef up its monitoring team, conducting enforcement activities of the department.

The EGIP provides fresh college graduates and out-of-school youth a firsthand experience of government in action as it implements programs and services to strengthen youth participation in nation-building, expose them to government service, train them to develop their skills that help contribute to their economic well-being.

D T I - S o u t h C o t a b a t o p r o v i n c i a l director Flora Gabunales hired the services for six weeks of four interns namely Dhollyn Clear V. Pajardo, Iris M. Dela Cruz, John Rod A. Villanueva, Juliane Isabelle

A. Enate.They will primarily be

involved in market and business establishment monitoring and price and supply data-base build-up activities, as well as in the promotion of Product Standards (PS), she said.

As an added function, they will also serve as data gatherers and researchers.

Mobilization of the interns will cover the 10 municipalities and the lone city of South Cotabato.

Their deployment activity concerns consumer goods being monitored by the DTI such as those identified under the categories basic necessities, p r i m e c o m m o d i t i e s , c o n s t r u c t i o n supplies, vehicle parts particularly for jeepneys and buses and other consumer goods, G a b u n a l e s said. (ac agad P I A 1 2 / D T I -SoCot)


Peoples’ Council cites urgency of raising awareness on electoral reformsby Apipa P. BagumbaranR ecognizing

that an informed and

engaged citizenry is a crucial component of

ensuring an honest, orderly, and peaceful

elections, stakeholders in the province has

cited the need to intensify efforts to

raise public awareness on new electoral

policies.

Massive awareness on electoral reforms was one of the recommendations pushed by members of the Lanao del Sur Peoples’ Council during a consultative meeting on Wednesday with officials of the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headed by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Nasib Yasin. The meeting was held after

the Senate and the House of Representatives in a Joint Resolution resolved to annul the book of voters of the municipalities and cities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and directed the COMELEC to immediately conduct a new general registration of voters in the region. During the meeting, the council


also urged the COMELEC to engage the participation of the religious sector or the Ulama in the information campaign. Another recommendation was to augment the current police and military forces in the province to provide security during the registration period which according to Yasin is scheduled this coming July 9 to 18. The setting-up of checkpoints

in strategic areas to avoid flying registrants was likewise pushed during the consultation. Meanwhile, Yasin told the group that he has directed all Election Officers in the province to submit the list of clustering areas adopted during the last local elections to serve as guide, and that if there are some changes to be made in the clustering for some justifiable reasons, it should

be specified in the report. He further disclosed that during the general registration, each cluster area will be provided with voters’ registration machine at the ratio of 1,700 expected applicants per machine. The Provincial Election Supervisor also emphasized that the conduct of general registration is another step towards the clean and honest elections.


64th IB spearheads turn-over of renovated school buildingby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The 64th Infantry Battalion (64th IB) of the Philippine Army spearheaded the turn-over of the newly renovated school building that was burned down last May.

The three-classroom building, including school chairs, were turned-over to the school administrator of Pantar Primary School in Barangay Pantar, Piagapo town here last June 26. The turn-over ceremony and inauguration was participated in by local officials and leaders, as well as parents and teachers aiming for the resumption of peaceful living in the said barangay. Lt.Col. Dario Bucawit, commanding officer of the 64th IB said the renovation and turn-over was a joint undertaking of the 64th IB and municipal government of Piagapo. “Helping in the renovation of the building showed our firm commitment to give the best service to the local folks in our areas of operation in support to the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or Oplan Bayanihan,” he said. Asnawi Bato, municipal vice-mayor,

and the incumbent Association of Barangay Councils President Ambroussi Macatanong reiterated the importance of education in improving the lives of their constituents. They also gave assurance to the local folks that they will do their best to bring the perpetrators who burned down the building of the unlawful act to justice. (With report from 64th IB)

Documents

One Mindanao - June 29, 2012