One Mindanao - March 21, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

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

Cover Story

GenSan mayor’s SOCA attributes partnership as driving force for success

Catherine Apelacio Central Mindanao

Today’s issue... Thursday, March 21, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 150

page 4

Malacanang elated over latest Pulse Asia survey showing President Aquino’s continued high trust and performance ratings11

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

DOLE-10 to conduct hands-on training on Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System21

Pagadian dad says women have equal rights and opportunities with men

Committee meets to map blueprint for inter-agency environmental campaign

DSWD 12 updates day care workers on ECCD concerns

18

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Tacurong’s Sucaldito among the Ten Out-standing Councilors of the Philippines

BIR’s Tax Campaign 2013 kicks-off in ButuanJennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

2225

All Aboard: NYC looking for del-egates to Youth Goodwill Ship!

Rabies in IGaCoS: A Public Health ConcernSouthern Mindanao

NYC, Caraga Region3037

8 13 15 20 23 28

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Western Mindanao 2926

Thursday, March 21, 20134


Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio on Friday (March

15) reported to her constituents the State of the City Address (SOCA) taking pride of her many accomplishments in the last three years.

CoVer StoRy

Garbed in a Filipiniana-inspired garment, the radiantly-looking local chief executive enumerated vital undertakings that have helped spur the city’s economic growth under her leadership. Custodio said she was reporting the state of the city with confidence and in celebration with the Generals, a term used to refer to the residents of General Santos City, being her greatest partners in pushing forward reforms and policies and working hard toward achieving success. “The state of the city is a product of unyielding collaboration between

the public and private sectors. It is the result of steadfast cooperation among individuals who believe in the collective resolve. Hence, the state of your city is a result of all our combined efforts,” Mayor Custodio told media, government and private sectors and the ordinary member of the civil society who came to attend and listen to her report at the Oval Plaza Covered Court here. She said her administration from the very start endeavored to maintain and ensure the people of GenSan’s livability as envisioned by its forefathers.

By Catherine Apelacio

Thursday, March 21, 2013 5

“Our forefathers have envisioned a prosperous

and livable city where constituents live in a decent and contented state. Our programs on social welfare ensure that this vision lives on from generation to generation of Generals,” she said. On education, Custodio believes that it is still the most potent tool in alleviating poverty in the country. Last year, she said, “we challenged the Dept. of Education to address the declining rates of participation, retention, and completion of our children in formal education.” But on her Friday’s SOCA, the mayor congratulated the agency “for the notable increase in the net enrolment rate, cohort survival rate and completion rate for both elementary and secondary.” Custodio takes pride of the many young talents the city has honed and produced over the years and who have now shone both in the local and international front in the area of academics, journalism, and sports.

Equally important, she said is the parallel enhancement of the Madaris program for Muslim youth serving 3,800 students in 32 Arabic schools implemented in 15 barangays here with 135 Arabic teachers. The mayor also acknowledged the important role of the city government’s initiated SHEEP Computer Literacy Program (CLP) for continued education and skills development of students, out-of-school youth and even senior citizens. By the second half of 2013, she said the CLP will go on wheels to bring computer literacy to remote communities. The mobile CLP, dubbed as SHEEP mobile laboratory will have 12 computer workstations housed in a medium-sized truck. On health, Mayor Custodio, former congresswoman of the 1st District of South Cotabato emphasized her administration’s continuous reforms on General Santos City Hospital to improve its health



services. She said the hospital has been undergoing “reforms in processes, improvement of infrastructure and upgrading of equipment” in order to “provide quality service at the most affordable cost.” Custodio also announced that the GSC Dialysis Center has already begun construction. “Patients from lower social economic classes can now have access to affordable tertiary treatment,” she stressed. To complement health service, she revealed that a new hospital with initial funding of P35 million will soon rise in barangay Calumpang.

Groundbreaking of site was already done last month. In addition, a one unit mobile hospital worth P13.9 million equipped with laboratory, dental, operating and diagnostic rooms is due for delivery by April, she said. Alongside these announcements, the mayor whose speech reaped several applauses, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and other volunteer groups, both local and international for their untiring assistance and partnership on various city government undertakings. “Rest assured that we will not stop building partnerships with various organizations who want to serve. After all, public service is not a government monopoly but a shared responsibility.” Custodio’s speech also highlighted the crusades and feats of the city gov’t on environment protection and preservation where she emphasized that “care for the environment as a program and advocacy is actually a partnership in action.” She said it is important that all climate change plans undertaken at the barangay levels must be attuned to disaster risk reduction in anticipation of greater disaster incidents and weather disturbances.


She also commended the police force for keeping GenSan and its entire constituents safe and secure, saying that the city’s total index crime for the period 2011 to 2012 has dropped by 19%. But despite this, she strongly urged the community to continuously get involved citing “community involvement is still a driving force in crime prevention and control.” Boasting on the city’s premier infrastructures, Mayor Custodio described these as major and important component in the city’s continued progress and development. She said from June 2010 to December 2012, the city government was able to complete key infrastructure projects amounting to P375.5 million while the Dept of Public Works and Highways poured in a total of P477 million also worth of infra projects. With pride, the mayor

characterized the almost complete circumferential road projects, which President Benigno Aquino III visited recently, as significant milestone that “will disperse development to the rural barangays.” Considering all these and other undertakings in the pipeline, Custodio is confident that GenSan’s economy at the present is stable and robust and its future promising. “Investments in the city have significantly surge in the last five years, with accumulated value of almost P8 billion.” She was also certain that GenSan’s three world-class frontline infrastructures—Fishport, Makar Wharf, and Airport- being now developed as special economic zones will have a vital role in drawing more local and foreign direct investments into the city.

8Thursday, March 21, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino signs bill into law ‘revitalizing’ People’s Television Network

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law a Bill that will “revitalize” the operations of government television station PTV-4 (People’s Television Network, Incorporated) to be at par with global standards with

programming relevant to the times Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.

Coloma, in a press conference held at Malacanang on Wednesday, said that the

President signed into law Republic Act No. 103901 or An Act Amending Republic Act


President Aquino signs bill into law ‘revitalizing’ People’s Television Network

No. 7306, entitled “An Act Providing for the Establishment of the People’s Television Network, Incorporated, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Providing for Its Sources of Funding and for Other Purposes” last March 14, 2013.

“Ikinagagalak ko pong ibalita sa inyo na, noong ika-14 ng Marso, nilagdaan ng Pangulong Aquino ang batas na ngayon ay alam natin na Republic Act 10390, an Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network. Ang original title po niyan ay an Act Amending the Charter of People’s Television,” Coloma said.

He pointed out that the new law addresses two main problems of the government-run television station: the “financial hemorrhage” marked by the depletion of the station’s capital and the lack of a stable source of income.

“So that was the situation and President Aquino directed the crafting of a proposed bill, later on, this bill was included in the priority list of the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council). And so we worked on the Senate and the Congress to pass a new charter for People’s Television that had two important features: number one, infusion by government of fresh capitalization in the amount of P5-billion; and, number two, giving the network

authority to collect commercial revenues,” Coloma said.

He noted that out of the P5-billion, P3-billion would be sourced from the General Appropriations Act in the next three years (P1-billion/year) while the remainder will be sourced from revenue generated from advertising and airtime sales.

“So it was important that the new law provided for new capitalization and permitted the network to generate commercial revenues, so that there will be a stable source of sustenance for the network,” Coloma stressed.

Aside from addressing these problems, Coloma said that the new law will introduce reforms relevant to the dispensing of PTV-4’s operations through the nomination of an advisory council “to advise the network on relevant programming that will bolster the character of PTV as a public service broadcasting network” and the shifting of focus towards a “new global best practice of public service broadcasting which means that government television becomes an active partner or an active instrument for promoting the public welfare.”

“So, with the enactment of the new PTV law, we hope to broaden the participation of the citizens in having a network that will mirror their aspirations. We want to


invite the various sectors to give concrete suggestions on programs that will be beneficial to the community and to society. That is the rationale for the formation of an advisory council,” Coloma said.

With regards to content, Coloma said that programs on PTV-4 would allow block time programming (the scheduling of similar television programs back-to-back) “provided that it is focused on education, history, propagation of Philippine culture and quality entertainment.”

He added that the majority of programs would focus on “news and public information” and will not “compete directly” with private station’s programs.

“We do not intend to produce entertainment shows like the telenovela of the type that they have produced. Perhaps we can have a telenovela featuring the heroism of our Medal of Valor or Gold Cross awardees, or of the Dangal ng Bayan awardees of the civil service, or outstanding public school teachers, outstanding policemen, soldiers,” Coloma said.

“Telenovelas that will edify the nobility of the Filipino public servant, that will be our orientation, not the telenovela that is commercially available at present. So it is farthest from our intention to compete

directly with private media,” he added.He said that the new law will “also

enable the network to keep abreast with latest technological developments” such as digital television and transmission upgrades to improve signal quality.

“We all know that by 2015, the ASEAN standard will be digital television. We have made some acquisitions of basic digital equipment in our studios now but we need to do more. Of course, we are still awaiting the promulgation of official policy on digital television but we’re confident that we can keep abreast with the rest of ASEAN and with the commercial broadcasting industry,” Coloma said.

“Because when digital transmission is fully in place, we will also be able to multiply the channels of government television—from one free TV station to at least two more cable stations—and we may be able to dedicate the cable stations to educational programming or cultural programming. There are also those who say that we should have programs on Philippine history and culture,” he said.

RA 103901 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3316 and House Bill No. 6703 passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on January 21, 2013 and December 19, 2012, respectively. PND (rck)


Malacanang elated over latest Pulse Asia survey showing President Aquino’s continued high trust and performance ratings

The Aquino administration expressed elation over the latest Pulse Asia survey showing that President

Benigno S. Aquino III continues to enjoy high trust and performance ratings, a Palace official said on Wednesday.


Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang following the release of the Pulse Asia’s February 2013 Nationwide Survey on the Performance and Trust Ratings of the Country’s Top Government Officials and the Trust Ratings of Key Government Institutions.

Based on the firm’s latest survey released Wednesday, President Aquino has a 68% approval rating, up by 2 percentage points from the January 2013 survey result (66%). His “undecided” rating went down 4 percentage points, while his disapproval rating is still at 6%.

According to the survey, the Chief Executive got a 70 % trust rating.

“Yes, we are certainly happy that despite all the concerns, the people continue to repose their trust in the President. This is an affirmation of the governance of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Lacierda said.

The President has consistently received the highest ratings since he assumed his post in 2010.

The survey fieldwork was conducted from February 24 to 28, 2013 using face-to-face interviews.

According to Pulse Asia, some of the major events that occurred during the survey period were election-related events such as mock elections and the start of

the national campaign period, the Sabah standoff, the release of the report on the Atimonan incident, the salvage operations for the USS Guardian in Tubbataha Reef and the 27th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution.

A total of 1,800 registered voters aged 18 years old and above formed the pool of respondents, coming from across the country. The nationwide survey has a +/-2% margin of error at the 95% confidence level, the Pulse Asia said.

The Aquino administration continues to pursue its relentless pursuit of reform towards positive change. PND (js)


Group lobbies for creation of Mindanao Power Corporation

The Association of Mindanao Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) on Wednesday urged stakeholders to support the creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation to take care of hydropower plants in

Mindanao.Sergio Dagooc, president of

AMRECO, said that a bill authored by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro city was pending in Congress.

He said power and energy stakeholders in Mindanao forged an

agreement to support the bill and lobby for the amendment of Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9136) also known as EPIRA Law.

Unknown to many, the EPIRA Law


has brought more problems since one of its provisions allows the privatization of the Pulangi and Agus hydropower plants in Mindanao, Dagooc said.

He said the EPIRA Law should be amended to rescind the provision on privatization and thereby allow the creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation.

Dagooc said that AMRECO is not amenable to privatizing power and energy in Mindanao since it would

mean an increase in power rates detrimental to Mindanao consumers.

AMRECO also lashed at the National Power Corporation for saying that the government cannot maintain the hydro power plants apart from its costly rehabilitation.

The problem is not with the facilities, but with the officials who have a personal interest in the privatization scheme, Dagooc added. (PNA)


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World renowned artist stages “Art for Peace”, a call to halt Sabah conflict

ZAMBOANGA CITY – His call for peace never ceases as evidenced by his works. A result of being a war victim himself, Rameer Tawasil once again used art to convey his call to put a stop on the ongoing Sabah crisis.

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao


“This conflict should stopimmediately. Most of those caughtin between the two warring sidesare women and children. This justhastostop”,Tawasilsaid. He said there should be apeaceful resolution to this problemand that to achieve this, thegovernment of the Philippines andthe Malaysian Government shouldlook deeper into the historical andlegalaspectsoftheconflict. “Itwouldbeforthebenefitofeveryone, including the PhilippineGovernment and all concernedpartiestorevisitthehistoryofSabah.Bythen,wecanbeassuredthatanymove,particularly,bythePhilippineGovernment, will be appropriateincluding the peaceful resolutionof the ongoing carnage in Sabah”,Tawasilstressed. TheArtforPeace,whichwasheld

lastMar.14,wasalsoinpartnershipwith the Western Mindanao StateUniversity - Center for Peace andDevelopment (WMSU-CPD) headedby Dr. Marcelina Carpizo, togetherwith the Muslim Youth Movementbased in the city, and high schoolstudents of WMSU who voluntarilyjoinedtheactivity. Dr. Carpizo echoed Tawasil’ssentiment saying, “The victims inthiskindofconflictarethecivilians,withwomenandchildrenbeingthemost vulnerable that’swhywearecallingfortheimmediatehaltofthisconflict”. Carpizo,whosegrouphasbeenactivelyparticipatinginanti-humantrafficking, said if this conflictcontinues, many Filipino maybecomevictimsofabuseinMalaysia,especiallythoseundocumented. “IhavebeentoSabahtovisit


prisonsandcheckhowFilipinosaretreated.Clearly,Filipinoswhowereapprehendedthere,especiallythosewithout proper documents, werenottreatedproperly.Ihaveseenitpersonally”,shepointed. Aside from these concerns,Tawasil also pointed on the hugeeffect of this crisis to the city’seconomy,andtheeconomiesofthe

three island provinces of Basilan,SuluandTawi-Tawi. “If there will be massiveevacuation and deportation ofFilipinos, we will be the first oneto be affected since ZamboangaCity is the economic center of theregion.Foodsupplydefinitelywillbeaffected,andeverythingfollows.It’sadominoeffect”,hesaid.


Pagadian dad says women have equal rights and opportunities with men By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – “Women have equal rights and opportunities with men.” Thus declared Mayor SamuelS. Co during the Women’s Monthcelebration recently held at thecoveredcourthere. Speaking before a crowd of2,500womenfromdifferentgroupsof the Local Council for Women,Co said that “we have to showrespect, gratitudeandappreciationtowards women and at the sametime acknowledge their economic,political, and social contribution tooursociety.” Heemphasizedthatrespectofwomen’srights isclearly imbeddedin Republic Act 6949 declaringMarch 8 of every year as workingspecial holiday to be known asNational Women’s Day”, whereall heads of government agenciesand instrumentalities, includinggovernment-owned and controlledcorporations as well as localgovernment units are mandatedto observe and celebrate women’sday. Thecitygovernmentcelebratedwomen’s month by showcasingthe dancing and singing skills ofparticipantsmakingitanenjoyableandentertainingoccasion. Co said women who were

victims of discrimination, violenceand oppression and other abusiveactsarenowemancipated. With the advent of that law,he said many women today areaccomplished. “In fact, we havealready two lady presidents, thethen Corazon Aquino and GloriaMacapagal-Arroyo, we also haveladygeneralsintheAFP,commercialpilots, and a representative of the2nddistrict,AuroraEnerioCerilles,”Coannounced. Meanwhile, singer-actressSheryl Cruz, who represented hercousin Grace Poe-LLamanzares ,a senatorialbetofTeamPnoywashappyforthewarmwelcomegivenbytheLCW. CruzinformedtheLCWmembersthat Poe has a great concern forwomen by citing her personaladvocacyontelevisiondubbed“Onebillionwomenand children againstviolence”. Her advocacy aims toshow full respect on the rights ofwomenandchildren.



CdeO, Bukidnon ink MOA for protection of river basinby Rochelle D. Dagang

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The city government of Cagayan de Oro and the province of Bukidnon are set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to undertake harmonized measures on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management/Climate Change Act on March 21.

SpearheadedbytheDepartmentoftheInteriorandLocalGovernment(DILG) in region 10, the parties tothe MOA shall agree to undertakeclimatechangeadaptationmeasuresanddisasterpreparednessactivities;pursue advocacy, monitoring and

data banking usingup-to-datetechnologyandcommunity-basedapproaches; createlegislative action andpolicy support; andprovide budgetarysupport as to allowlocal governmentsthe flexibility tooperationalize theprograms/projects/activities towardsdisasterriskreduction,p r e p a r e d n e s s ,mitigation and

rehabilitation,amongothers. Further, Baungon, Talakag andLibona towns in Bukidnon will alsoparticipateintheMOAsigning. Meanwhile, the aftermath of


CdeO, Bukidnon ink MOA for protection of river basin

the devastation brought about byTyphoonSendonginDecember2011necessitatesthatthecity,municipalitiesand barangays traversed by theCagayan deOro river shall enhancetheircollaborativecapacitytobemoreproactivelyinvolvedandfullyengagedinaddressing the threatsofdisasterandclimatechangeadaptation.

Bukidnon Governor Alex P.CalingasanandCagayandeOroCityMayor Vicente Y. Emano are amongthesignatoriesintheMOA. Other signatories are MayorPedroR.AlvarezofBaungon,MayorLeonardo Genesis T. Calingasan ofLibonaandMayorNestorB.MacapayagofTalakag.

Lawyer Johnson G. Cañete,DOLE-10 Regional Director, said theone-day activity aims to improvecollaborationanddatasharingamongpartnersandadvocatesofchildlaborprograms. The CLKKS is an informationtechnology tool for sharing relevantreal-timedata,fostercommunication,

improve program monitoring andautomatechildlaborcasereferrals. It could be used in monitoringtheprogramsofthepartneragencieswith an inventory of services beingimplemented by various serviceproviders,hesaid. The DOLE-10 hopes that thisweb-basedsystemwillprovidesomeofthebasicstepsthatwillenablethemandpartneragenciesrealizethevisionofa“ChildLaborFreePhilippines”asembodied under the new PhilippineProgramAgainstChildLabor.

DOLE-10 to conduct hands-on training on Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 will conduct an orientation seminar and

hands-on training on Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System (CLKKS) on March 26 at Dynasty Hotel, here.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran


Committee meets to map blueprint for inter-agency environmental campaignby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Regional Interagency Steering Committee on Environmental Education (RIASCEE) here has started threshing out sectoral action plans to boosts environmental awareness campaign.

Asidefromthememberagenciesindividualactionplan,thecommitteehas agreed to visit and showcaseprocessing plants adopting the zerowastemanagementprogram,aswellas,pilotonecommunityintheconductofaspecialenvironmentalevent. The team is now currentlymatching up the integration of theenvironmentaleducationactivitiestoits individualprogramsandprojects,ensuring widest audience reach as

possible. Engr. Dovee Cherry Geollegue,regional Solid Waste Management(SWM)SectionChiefoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources-Environment Management Bureau(DENR-EMB), meanwhile, explainedthat RIASCEE is created with thepassageofRA9512otherwiseknownas the “National EnvironmentalAwareness and Education Act of2008.”


Committee meets to map blueprint for inter-agency environmental campaign

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Labor and Employ-ment (DOLE) in Soccsksargen Region is appealing to local government units and private partners to support the implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES.

P31-M budget set for SPES in Soccsksargen RegionBy Danilo E. Doguiles

DOLE 12 regionaldirector Chona Mantillatold members of themedia here that thenationalgovernmenthasallotted P31 million fortheprogramthatwould

provide short-termemploymentto“poorbutdeserving”students.This budget, she

said, is double theamount assigned toSoccsksargen Region in

2012 “which was onlyabout P15 million to P16million.”But this amount, she

said, could only coverfor DOLE’s 40 percentcounterpartintheSPES


beneficiaries’salary.Sixty percent of the

paymustbeshoulderedbythepartners,includinglocalgovernmentsunitsand government officesand private sectorsupporters such asbusinesses, academes,organizations,chambersof commerce, and thelike.“At present, DOLE

is on the process oforganizing, settingcommitments andaskingpossiblepartnersto pledge support,” shesaid, “because withouttheseemployerspledgingcommitmenttopaytheirshare of the salary, wewould not be able toachieveourtargets.”Although they have

yet to finalize the listof partners, Mantillaconfirmed that severallocal government unitsand private sectorcollaborators acrossSoccskargen Regionhave already signifiedtoemploystudentsandout-of-school youthundertheprogram.S o c c s k s a r g e n

Region or Region 12includes the provincesof South Cotabato ,North Cotabato, SultanKudarat and SaranganiandthecitiesofGeneral

Santos, Koronadal,Tacurong, Kidapawan,andCotabatoCity.“PerreportofourPESO

(Public EmploymentService Office) officersacrosstheregion,morestudents have enrolledfor the program thisyear,”shesaid.PESOsaredesignated

to accept applicationdocuments and screentheir applicants for theprogram.SPES is a program

of DOLE geared towardassisting poor butdeserving studentspursue their educationby encouragingemployment.Mantilla said, that

SPESisopenanytimeoftheyear,butaspractice,most SPES programsareimplementedduringsummervacations.The program is open

to high school, collegeandvocational-technicalstudentsaswellasout-of-schoolyouth,15to25yearsold.Combinednetincome of both parentsshould not exceedthe regional povertythreshold. They shouldalsoable to showproofofpassingaveragegradeduring the last schoolyearortermattended.To apply, they may

submit to the nearestPESO office thefollowing documents:duly accomplishedSPES Application Form(SPESForm1);copyofbirth certificate or anydocument that showshis/her date of birth;certification by theSchool Registrar as tohis/her last enrolmentand average passinggrade(oracopyof theoriginal class card orForm 138); and copyofthelatestincometaxreturn (ITR) of his/herparents or certificationissued by BIR that theparents are exemptedfrompaymentoftax.Out-school-youths

also need to presentcertificateofgoodmoralcharacter issued by theauthorized barangayofficial where the OSYresides.Mantilla reminded

applicantstomakesurethat these documentsare complete becauselack any could causedelays in the releaseoftheirpay.SPES beneficiaries

could work for 20 to22 working days andearndaily salary of notless than the prevailingminimum wage.(DEDoguiles-PIA12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Some 60 officers of day care workers’ organizations across Soccsksargen Region recently underwent capability building training on early childhood care and de1velopment (ECCD).

DSWD 12 updates day care workers on ECCD concernsBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Covered in thetraining, accordingto DSWD 12 trainingspecialist RemediosGabriel,werecapabilitybuilding pertaining toECCD emergencies,implementation ofsupplementaryfeedingprogramandguidelinesontheaccreditationofday care centers andworkers.“Thetwo-dayactivity

is one of the seriesof capability building

trainings among daycareworkers intendedto update them onhandlingemergencies,disasters andevacuation centers,”Gabrielsaid.Sheemphasizedthat

childrenshouldgettheprimary concern intimesofemercies.In her message

to the participants,DSWD 12 RegionalDirectorBaiZorahaydaTaha emphasized the

importanceoflearningthe guidelines onhandling ECCD onemergencies.“Weneed toensure

that we are equippedwith the proper andsufficient knowledgeto be able to respondto emergencies.Learning these ruleswillequate tosecuredand disaster-preparedchildren,”DirectorTahasaid.Meantime,DSWD


standardsunitheadJuanita Fiel, said thatpart of the trainingwas learning theimportanceofplay,useofindigenoustoysandchild-friendlyspaces.Fiel pointed out

that in the aftermathof disasters and anyemergency situations,daycarecentersshouldfind child-friendlyspacestoresumetheirsessions after theoccurrenceofdisastersandemergencies.“These response

mechanisms andp s y c h o s o c i a linterventions areeffective strategiesto handle ECCDs inemergencies,” shesaid.

The sessions alsoincluded review ofthe implementationof the agency’ssupplementaryfeedingProgram.D S W D ’ s

supplemental feedingis a 120-day feedingprogram for childrenages0to5yearsindaycare and supervisedneighborhood play(SNP)centers.In Soccsksargen

region, the programregularly coversapproximately100,000children inover3,000day care and SNPcenters.SoccsksargenRegion

includes theprovincesof South Cotabato,North Cotabato,Sultan Kudarat, and

Sarangani as well asthe cities of GeneralSantosCity,Koronadal,Tacurong, KidapawanandCotabato.Participants also

learned the guidelinesondaycareworkersandcentersaccreditation.Fiel said that, “we

have the regulatoryfunctions, weset standards today care serviceimplementation.”Accreditation is

required to ensurequalityservicedeliveryand to ensure thatcenters comply withall the appropriateand necessaryconditions,sheadded.(DEDoguiles-PIA 12/DSWD12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Tacurong City Councilor Psyche M. Sucaldito recently received recognition as one of The Outstanding Coun-cilors of the Philippines (TOCP) for 2012.

Tacurong’s Sucaldito among the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the PhilippinesBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Theawardwasgivento her by the JuniorChamber InternationalPhilippines (PhilippineJaycees) with thePhilippine CouncilorsLeague (PCL) and theOfficeofSen.EdgardoJ.

AngaraSucaldito, along with

theothernineawardees,receivedatrophyandcashincentive worth Php 1.5millionduringtheTOCPawarding ceremonieson March 7, 2013, SMX

Convention Center, MallofAsia,PasayCity.SucalditoisTacurong’s

no. 1 elected citycouncilorduringthe2010elections.

She is known


for pioneeringe n v i r o n m e n t a lactivities inthecity.One of these is theLimpyo Kalog (LinisKanal)whichgathersall sectors in thecommunity to cleananddesiltcanalsanddrainagestopreventflooding in the city.She also authoredthe IntegratedSolidWaste ManagementOrdinance andthe landmark 10-year Solid WasteManagementPlanoftheCity.Forthepresentthree-

year term,sheauthoredthe Anti-Trafficking inPersons Ordinance;Ordinance ProhibitingtheNailing,Posting,andHanging of Streamers,Posters, Banners,Political Ads, and OtherAdvertising Materialson Trees; OrdinanceDeclaringMay19ofEveryYear as Blood Donors’Day;Ordinance Providing

GuidelinesfortheIncreaseof Monthly Honorariumof Day Care Workers;Ordinance RegulatingSmokinginPublicPlacesand Prohibiting SmokingforMinors;andOrdinanceEnactingtheGenderandDevelopmentCodeofthe

City.According to the

TOCP award citation,Sucaldito’s “remarkableachievementsandsterlingtrackrecordcoupledwithher talent, dedication,and sincere passion toserve the people of theCity of Tacurong areclear indicators of hercompetenceasalegislatorandleaderofimpeccableintegrity.”“My accomplishments

are products, not onlyof my own hard work,but of cooperation andunity of the officials,employees, and thepeopleofTacurong,”saidSucaldito.“IassureTacurongnons

that this recognition willbenefit them through aprojectthatwillbefunded

through the Php1.5million cash incentive Ireceived,”sheadded.TOCP was

conceptualized torecognize excellencein legislation outputand participation inthe conduct of localgovernment programsandprojects. Theawardisnowonits3rdyearofimplementation.This year’s TOCP

was divided into twocategories: MunicipalCategorywithsixwinners( two from Luzon, fVisayas,andMindanao);and City Category withfour winners ( oneeach fromNCR, Luzon,Visayas, Mindanao).( D E D o g u i l e s - L G U -TacurongInformation)


All set for Semana Santa celeb – PRO 13

BUTUAN CITY -- Security plan for the celebration of the Holy Week 2013 or Semana Santa in Caraga region is now set, an official said.

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

According to Police RegionalOffice(PRO)13publicinformationofficer PSupt Martin M Gamba,policemenintheregionarenowready for deployment for thecelebrationof theHolyWeekon

March25toApril1.Gamba said, starting Holy

Monday(March25),PRO13willdeploy policemen to seaports;airports and bus terminals asinfluxofpassengersareexpected

By Nora L. Molde


All set for Semana Santa celeb – PRO 13

during that time to ensure ameaningful and safe celebrationofthe“SemanaSanta”.Meanwhile, the Land

Transportation and TrafficManagementOffice(LTTMO)and

the Department of PublicWorksandHighwaysarenowreadyfortheweek-longcelebrationthroughthe activation of the “OplanSemanaSanta”.

BIR-Caraga Regional DirectorAtty. Norberto Vitug welcomedthe different sectors from theprovincesofCaragawhoattendedthe kick-off ceremony. Dir.Lucita Rodriguez, BIR AssistantCommissioner for TaxpayersAssistance Service is the guestspeakerofsaidactivity.Dir.Vitugurgedallindividualsto

filetheirtaxesbeforethedeadlinewhich is on March 15 while forthebusiness/corporatesectoronApril15.Vitugalsostressed the

importance of paying taxes. “Itwillbenefitusall,”hesaid.Also, Dir. Rodriguez cited that

peoplearepayingtheirtaxesbutnot all are declaring andpayingthe correct amount. She alsoemphasizedthattheywillrunafterthetaxevadersandcontinuouslyimplementingits‘OplanKandado’to establishments/industriesthat do not comply with therequirements.Rodriguezalsobaredthatwith

thisyear’sTaxCampaigntheme“I

BIR’s Tax Campaign 2013 kicks-off in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY-- An estimated crowd of 600 convened recently at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here for this year’s Tax Campaign of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


LovethePhilippines,IPayTaxesCorrectly,” she explained thatthelogoforthisyearshowsthatFilipinosareproudandarepayingtaxesforthedevelopmentofthenation.During the program, all the

participating-taxpayersexpressedtheir commitment to supportanduphold thevarious tax lawsandregulationsandtobeactive

participants in the government’squesttomaketaxationapotentfactor in economic developmentofthecountry.TheyalsosignatthetarpaulincopyofthepledgeofcommitmentandsupporttoBIR.On the same day, the BIR-

Caragaalsoconductedthe3KFunRun with the theme “Run AfterTaxEvaders”.

All Aboard: NYC looking for delegates to Youth Goodwill Ship!

BUTUAN CITY-- The National Youth Commission (NYC) is inviting qualified Filipino youth, between 18 to 30 years old as of April 1, 2013, to apply to become one of the 28 participating youth to represent the Philippines in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).


All Aboard: NYC looking for delegates to Youth Goodwill Ship!

The SSEAYP is an annualyouth cultural exchangeprogram between ASEANmember countries and Japan.Nowon its 40th year, SSEAYPcontinuestopromotefriendshipand goodwill among youngpeople of Southeast Asiaand Japan. The program issponsored by theGovernmentofJapanandisimplementedinthePhilippinesbytheNationalYouthCommission.“This is one way of honing

theskillsofourFilipinoyouth;SSEAYP provides our youththe opportunity to showcasetheir unique talent and truly

becomeglobalambassadorsofgoodwill,” said CommissionerErwin Andaya, 40th SSEAYPNationalOrganizingCommitteeChair.Delegates to the program

embark on a 52-day voyageacrossSoutheastAsiaandJapanaboard the Japanese OceanLinerNipponMaru.Thecoutryprogram for the Philippines isscheduledonDecember6to9,2013.Applicationformsareavailable

onNYC’swebsiteatwww.nyc.gov.ph. Application perioddeadlineisonApril12.

21


Peaceful settlement on framework agreement and Sabah claims urged

DAVAO CITY- Peace advocates supporting the peace process urged the government to pursue the peacetalks with the Moro Is-lamic Liberation Front anchored on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and not to be distracted by the Sabah claim es-poused by certain sector. Speakingtoreporterspriortotheholdingapeacerallysupportingthe government-MILF peace talks

lastMarch21,Atty.Mary Ann Arnado,convenor of theMindanao People’sCaucus said thepeacetalksbetweenthe governmentand the MILF mustcontinue especiallythat the peacepanels of bothparties are almostnearthefinish line,with the crafting ofthe contents of the

FABresumingonMarch25inKualaLumpur,Malaysia. She observed that recentdevelopmentsinSabahsidetrackedthepeaceprocesswiththeMILF.“Regardless of the merits anddemeritsoftheSabahissue,letusnotlosesightofourmainstruggleforpeaceinMindanao.Mindanaoansare themost benefitted once thetalksbringalastingpeace,somust

by Joey Dalumpines


pursue the negotiations,” Arnadosaid. She said the current state ofthepeacetalksissimilartothelaststretch of a marathon where thefinishlinecanbeseenandalmostnear.Arnadosaidanyattempttodisruptandderailthetalksisdeplorable.She said calls like going to warwith Malaysia are not wellthought of, especially that thePhilippines renounces war as aninstrumentofnationalpolicy. “The Philippines adheres topeaceful dialogue and resolutionof conflicts and does not supportpeople who stick on to violentmeans,”Arnadosaid. Shesaidindividualswhohaveclaims on Sabah must bring thisissuetotheproperforumpeacefullyand not to call for bloodshed intheseareas. Arnado chided groups whoseagendaistoderailthetalksusingtheSabahclaim. She also lauded PresidentBenignoSimeonAquinoIII’sstance

to pursue the peace talks despitecalls to focus also on the Sabahclaim.“Weneed tofinish the frameworkagreementsothatwithinMindanaoitselfwecanestablish thekindofgovernance for the Bangsamorobefore entertaining at looking atotherareas,Arnadosaid. She saidwhile theremay behistoricalbasisfortheSabahclaim,anypetitionermust establishfirstthelocationofitsleadership. Arnado said claimants mustnotlosetheopportunityofferedbythe framework agreement whichinvitesthemtogovernthemselvesfirst as Bangsamoro instead ofmakingclaimsonSabah. Jehan Abubakar, chair of theMuslim Youth said even with theFABalone,peaceisalreadyfeltinmanyareasinMindanao. She hoped that any effort tosabotage the talks through theSabah claim will not derail thepeaceprocess.(RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)

Facts and Figures

P1.4 billion budgetallocatedforRegionXIfortheTourismRoadsInfratructureProgram(TRIP)covering16roadprojectsallovertheregion.


Rabies in IGaCoS: A Public Health Concern

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL- More than 200 hundred under-graduate students of Holy Cross of Babak Inc.(HCBI) gathered for the Rabies symposium as part of Ra-bies Awareness Month Celebration at Babak school campus, Babak District, Island Garden City of Sa-mal last March 15, 2013. Forabettergraspofrabiesviruscontamination, a film showing onRabiesCaseatHCBIsocialhallandactualrabiesvaccinationwasmadeby the staff of the City VeterinaryOfficeattheircampus. ThesymposiumwasfacilitatedbythecitygovernmentthroughtheCityVeterinaryOffice,RabiesControlCommitteein partnership with theDepartmentofEducation,DavaodelNorte Hospital Samal Zone andincoordinationwiththemanagementofHCBI.

Dr. Catherine MancioValera,DavaodelNorteHospital-Samal Zone Head presentduringtheoccasionemphasizedcontrolandpreventionofrabiesandurgedstudentstobecomeresponsiblepetownersinorderforSamaltoachievetherabiesfreeIGaCoSin2015. “Ang tao ang pinaka-smart sa tanan animals , sokailanganweareresponsibleforour pets, atong pabakunahanangatongiro, liguanugtalian

para dili makapaak”(The humansare smartest among animals, soletusberesponsiblewithourpets,submit them for vaccination, bathand leashed them so they cannotbite),RenzAllanS.Lacorte,Grade7(Firstyear)ofHCBIurgedhisfellowstudents. The students assuredcooperation to disseminateinformationtoothersasresponsiblepet owners and help the citygovernment’s campaign for freerabiesIGaCoS. As per report fromDavao delNorte Hospital Samal Zone, Samalgot zero canine and human rabiescase and294 cases of animal bitecases from January to December2012. In 2011 data, IGaCoS hadzerorabiescasebutregistered226animalbitevictims,adifferenceof


68casescomparedto2012. “AnincreaseinanimalbitewasobservedbutthiswasprobablyduetotheintensifiedadvocacycampaignregularlymadeinthebarangayswiththehelpoftheBRAVESTeamwhereinthepeoplebecameknowledgeableof the program and readily reportcasestotheconcernedauthorities”,Dr.EdunelSala,IGaCoSVeterinaryOfficersaid. “Ourtargetondogvaccinationforthisyearis10,000dogsandwearegladtosaythatinthefirstquarter(January2013–present),wewereable to vaccinate a total of 2,723headsofdogs,anexcessof223toour2,500targetinthefirstquarter,”Salaadded. Rabiesvaccinationwasregularlyconducted in the barangays byBarangayRabiesControlTeamknownasBRAVES.TheBRAVESTeamwasorganizedbytheCityVeterinaryOfficeafteraBarangayRabiesAwarenessand Vaccination EnhancementSeminar was conducted in theBarangay. The Team was trainedonproperrabiesvaccination,givenpre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) forrabiesprotectionandtoalsoperformother tasks in eliminating rabies intheirrespectedareas. One rabies casewas reportedbut as per investigation the puppycontaining the rabies virus waspurchasedinDavaoCitycomingfrom

anunknownsource.Thepuppydiedduetorabiesinthreedaysafterbitingtheownerfortunatelytheownerwassafe after he underwent completeanti-rabiesvaccination. The City Veterinary Officecontinuously conducts dogregistration, vaccination andinformation campaign in thebarangays.Theyalsoimpoundstraydogsinmajorthoroughfaresthoughsometime they were restrainedby necessary resources needed toconducttheactivities. Sala appealed for a concertedeffort in attaining rabies free city.He urged the cooperation andparticipation of all the stakeholdershereinSamalwhichisknowntobeatourismdestinationinMindanao.City Mayor Aniano P. Antalanpersistentlyaskedforcooperationandsupporttotheprogramemphasizingitsenormouseffectontourismandits great impact to the economicdevelopmentofthecity. Samal City is aiming for afree rabies city by 2013 in closecoordination with the Departmentof Health –Center for HealthDevelopment, Department ofAgriculture,DepartmentofEducationandothernationalandlocalagenciesin intensifying the campaign andimplementation. (Melrose SAMALCIO)

Documents

One Mindanao - March 21, 2013