One Mindanao - May 8, 2014

Tagum holds 1st Investment ForumLouie LapatSOUTHERN MINDANAO

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 174

Conditions in typhoon-hit Eastern Visayas beginning to normalize, Social Welfare Secretary says

NATIONAL

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CENTRAL MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

ARMM

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Talaingod Ata Manobo avail free birth, marriage registration

PAT members conduct Search forBest Performing Barangay

N. Cotabato prov’l gov’t delivers P3.1 M infra projects in Carmen town

AFP calls all Filipinos to join the Navy

Fisherfolk Directors Program highlights Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month celebration in ARMM

DA strengthens engagement with youth sector

Comelec modifies 5-day work week to accommodate more voter registrants

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Information to Empower Filipinos

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CARAGA REGION

PIA-Caraga intensifies advocacy on gender equality 16 Jennifer P. Gaitano

4ID

Danilo E. Doguiles

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Brian Jay Ceballos

Michael Uy

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Tagum holds 1st Investment Forum

In a bid to strengthen the city’s image as an investment hub, the local government tapped experts to share their insights on the latest investment trends and opportunities during the 1st Tagum Investment Forum held last May 7, 2014 at Molave Hotel.

Citing his administration’s goal of luring more businessmen to pour their investments in the city, Mayor Allan L. Rellon shared this event aims to capacitate the concerned LGU officials and personnel in the strategies and techniques in packaging the city to become investor-friendly, as well as listening to the plights and concerns of the city’s business sector. Among the topics that were discussed touched on promoting investments, business opportunities and tourism branding that were discussed by DTI Provincial Director Edwin Banquerigo, Board of Investment Chief Gil Dureza, Assistant Secretary Art Boncato, Jr. of the Department of Tourism and Malaysian Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, respectively. The Mindanao Development Authority represented by Miss Pauline Ferrero also gave the Mindanao perspective in terms of strengthening

trade a n d industries that gave a preview of emerging and promising industries in the region. Mr. Ivan Cortez of the Davao

by Louie Lapat

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City Investment Promotion Center also shared the notable experiences and strategies of the regional capital that equated to the boom of business investments in the de facto capital of Mindanao. Mayor Rellon expressed the insights of the invited speakers are essential in the capacity-building of the bureaucracy in formulating effective strategies to invite potential investors to try Tagum, as well as strengthening the city government’s policies and direction towards development. The City Investment Promotion Office (CIPO) also launched its investment promotion campaign dubbed as “inTAGUM,” which described the city as a place for businesses to triumph, advance, grow, uplift and maximize.

The said campaign kicked-off the CIPO’s

home-run towards more investments for the benefit of Tagumeños, according to CIPO Chief Jasmin Angco. Her office is closely coordinating with the 6th City Council for the passage of the Tagum City Investment Incentive Code, mainly sponsored on the floor by Councilor Fernand Bordios, chair of the trade, commerce and industry committee of the city’s highest policy-making body. The provincial DTI office is also supporting the legwork of the said legislation. Among the salient points of the said code is the expansion its incentive coverage, which included pioneering and distressed enterprises. Harmonized in the same code passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte, the said legislation also integrated support on corporate social responsibility, gender and development, among others.

The said code also clearly defined the incentives so as to achieve

minimal effect in the tax collections of the local government. It is hoped that the city council will pass the said code sometime this month. Once signed into law,

Mayor Rellon said the city could expect the influx of

businesses in the city that will in turn provide more jobs for

Tagumeños.

6 MAY 2014 | PAGE

Across the NationRehabilitation ‘on track’ six months after ‘Yolanda’: Lacson

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Lacson, who was accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, said the Philippines, compared to other nations which suffered natural calamities, has recovered in just six months.

“Kung ibabase natin sa international

experiences, ‘yung experience ng ibang countries: ‘Katrina’ fully recovered after eight years; Banda Aceh fully recovered after eight years; Haiti four years after, has yet to see their road to recovery. Tayo, six months after, marami na pong nangyari doon sa ‘Yolanda’ avenue, and considering the vastness of the area and

Six months after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated central Philippines, government rehabilitation work on affected

communities is on track, Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday.

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Rehabilitation ‘on track’ six months after ‘Yolanda’: Lacson

Conditions in typhoon-hit Eastern Visayas beginning to normalize, Social Welfare Secretary says

Conditions in Eastern Visayas are beginning to normalize six months after the region was devastated by super

typhoon “Yolanda,” Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said Wednesday.

the extent of devastation, ay mukhang hindi naman talaga nahuhuli, at sinisikap pa nating mas madaliin,” Lacson said.

He said the Philippines took a “clustered framework approach,” which formed five clusters, each headed by a Cabinet Secretary, to expedite the formulation of plans and programs for rehabilitation.

“The infrastructure cluster is headed by Secretary (Rogelio) Singson of DPWH, social services cluster headed by Secretary (Dinky) Soliman of DSWD, resettlement cluster headed by Vice President (Jejomar) Binay, in his capacity as HUDCC chairman, support services cluster co-chaired by

Secretary (Butch) Abad of DBM and Secretary Arsi Balisacan of NEDA, and the livelihood cluster that is headed by (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo,” Lacson said.

“They will submit to my office their respective action plans and programs, and then, we will consolidate and that will form part of the master rehabilitation plan na isusumite kay Pangulong Aquino,” he added.

He said the initial rehabilitation plan has already been submitted to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and that they are just waiting for the President to convene a full Cabinet meeting so they could present the plan to him. PND

The government has so far released P1.4 billion for the rehabilitation of the affected areas in Eastern Visayas, Soliman said during a press briefing in Malacanang.

She said that of the amount, P467.3 million came from the government’s calamity fund, P764 million from cash donations and P131.3 million from an Asian Development Bank (ADB) grant.

The fund has been used for core shelter efforts; the cash-for-work

program; the provision of pedicabs and motorized bancas, as well as kitchen sets; supplemental feeding; livelihood assistance; and the provision of toys for children, she said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to distribute family food packs, Soliman said, noting that in the first three months following the calamity, the department regularly provided

8 MAY 2014 | PAGE

Mindanao partially gets back lost power supply

each family three to six kilograms of rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, and sugar. The government spent P4,340,059 for this effort, she said.

A total of 3,455 families have already moved to bunkhouses, while 10,795 families have received building materials -- corrugated iron sheets, nails, common wire nails, hammers and handsaws -- distributed by the DSWD and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DSWD has also extended emergency shelter materials to 571,206 households, trained 2,552 carpenters, and given cash to 26,972 households, she said.

“Ito po ay galing sa gobyerno at sa mga NGO and international organizations,” she said.

Soliman further noted that the government has spent P2,534,431 for the cash-for-work program, that benefitted 7,367 individuals who agreed to help in food preparation and repacking, as well as those who did hauling and cleaning work.

Starting February, the DSWD carried out the cash-for-assets program, handing out cash to 186,080 individuals who cleaned canals, irrigation and farmlands, Soliman said, adding that the program was worth P531million.

She reported that schools are preparing to reopen in June.

School authorities in Leyte, Samar and Panay are focusing on repairing classrooms instead of constructing new ones so they would be ready next month, she said.

They are also assessing the need for teachers, she added.

Soliman said the government is drawing up a list of students who want to go to college and is helping those who want to enroll in state universities.

The Budget Department has readied funds for the repair of damaged university facilities, she added. PND

9MAY2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Mindanao partially gets back lost power supplyThe Mindanao grid partly got back 105 megawatt of power

supply after the Unit 2 of STEAG State Power Inc.’s(SPI) twin generators resumed operations about 8:55pm Wednesday, ahead of its self-imposed May 8, 2014 deadline.

”We are happy to announce that SPI has added up to 105MW to the grid and we hope this will provide some relief in the precarious power

supply condition in Mindanao,” SPI Power Plant Manager Dr. Carsten Evers said in a statement Thursday.

The said generating unit was


earlier scheduled to resume operations last May 4 but Evers earlier said they have to delay it a bit to give the company “more time to ensure that the unit is in excellent condition prior to commissioning and synchronization to the Mindanao grid.”

The Plant Manager said they are continuously working to fast-track

the repair of the Unit 1 to bring it online on or before June 1, 2014.

”We recognize the necessity and urgency of bringing the units back on line and rest assured that we are doing our best to restore our full capacity the soonest possible time,” he said.

The Misamis Oriental-based power plant provides 20 percent

of the country’s second largest island group’s power requirements.

Its twin turbine-electric generating units, which both have a capacity of 105 megawatt (MW), went offline on February 27, 2014 after these were affected by the Mindanao-wide power outage.

The Energy department earlier said its investigation showed that the island-wide power failure started when the breaker of the more than 20-year old Agus 1 hydro-electric power plant in Marawi City, Lanao del Sure malfunctioned at around 3:53 am last February 27.

Relatively, the Department of Energy (DOE)

on Thursday reiterated its call to the public to help in power conservation even as one of STEAG SPI’s generating units is back online.

It “appeals to the public to conserve electricity and power to be able to sustain the water elevation needed in operating the hydropower plants in the region.” (PNA)


DavNor steps up Palaro hosting bid

STA. CRUZ, Laguna—A year after Davao del Norte went national about its intention to host the 2015 Palarong Pambansa, the province has stepped up efforts to reiterate the same. In this year’s Palarong Pambansa held here, Davao del

Norte once again grabbed the opportunity to declare its intention to host the national sports competition in 2015. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario first expressed such willingness of the provincial


government to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2013 when such national sports event was held in Dumaguete. At the opening ceremonies of one of the country’s biggest sporting event held here Monday, the Region XI delegates were ushered into the Laguna Sports Complex with the resounding intent to host the event next year. Before 11,000 delegates, an inviting statement echoed inside the complex getting the Palaro crowd briefly introduced to the premier province of Davao del Norte branded not only as a Banana Capital of the Philippines but also as the Sports-Tourism Capital of Mindanao. “With its world class sports complex sprawling in a land that is easily accessible from different points and ports nationwide, stable peace and order, playing venues in close proximity and billeting areas offering comfort and safety, they successfully hosted the recently concluded 2014 PRISAA National Games and are more than ready to host Palarong Pambansa 2015,” the opening program host said. “The province of Davao del Norte invites you to come and experience the warmth and hospitality that’s uniquely Dabaonon; and be one

among to say: it’s more fun in Davao del Norte,” the host added. Gov. del Rosario once said in an interview, “The province has all the qualities of a perfect venue for Palaro. Just name it and Davao del Norte has it.” To further express sincerity in its hosting bid, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members led by Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. were in full force to witness the conduct of this year’s Palaro. When asked, Suaybaguio approved of the hosting to improve the province’s economy and further sports development. Del Rosario also sent all his department heads to observe and benchmark the Palarong Pambansa hosting of Laguna known as the country’s Resort Capital. The officials and executives graced the solidarity meeting, governor’s night, and the opening ceremonies. They extended support to the Davao Eagles (the collective name of Davao Region’s contingent) and checked on all playing venues and billeting sites to bolster its preparations for the much-awaited and first-ever Palaro hosting. (Mera Grace E. Apuya/DavNor PIO)


Talaingod Ata Manobo avail free birth, marriage registrationDAVAO DEL NORTE - More than 300 Ata Manobos in the municipal-ity of Talaingod availed the free registration on birth and marriage. This was revealed by Merlyn Enriquez, provincial director of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) based in the province. Enriquez said that the project was done in partnership with the civil registrar’s office of the municipality since most of the indigenous peoples (IPs) had not known of the importance of civil registration. The registration, which started on December 3 of last year ended last May 6 with an exit conference with the local civil registrar and the NCIP. Further, Enriquez said that

due to the Indigenous People’s Rights Act or Republic Act 8371, the tribal weddings were also recognized by the civil registrar; nevertheless, their solemnizing officers must get certification from the Philippine Statistics Office. Enriquez also said that IPs, who have corrections of their birth certificates, also availed of free notarization services from the NCIP legal office. Hoping that all indigenous people will have birth certificates, Enriquez added that the free registration services will also be extended to other local government units in the province in the coming months. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)


57 individuals finish incident command system in Surigao CityBy Susil D. RagasSURIGAO CITY - Fifty seven individuals have successfully completed the Incident Command System (ICS) Basic Course Training Workshop conducted on April 28 to 30, 2014 at the City Cultural Center, this city.


The said participants who successfully completed the ICS basic course are the members of the City DRRMC, Barangay DRRMC chairpersons and city department heads. They will be constituted as the core member of the soon to be organized Incident Management Team (IMT).

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chair and City

Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas, in his message delivered by CDRRM Officer Atty. Manuel G. Coro commended the patience and efforts of all the participants for staying and surviving the very tough and rigid seminar, he also commended the effort of the very competitive and knowledgeable resource speakers for sharing their knowledge and skills.

“May I remind all of you who have successfully completed the ICS basic course that you are now the city government’s frontline responders of any incidents, calamities, and other adversities, and please always bear in mind that safety and protection of our constituents will always be our number one priority,” Matugas said.

The three-day ICS training workshop was spearheaded by the city government of Surigao through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in cooperation with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Region.


PAT members conduct Search for Best Performing Barangay BUTUAN CITY-- The Agusan del Norte Provincial Assessment Team (PAT) which comprises of personnel from the PNP – Agusan del Norte, DepEd, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte recently started the search for Best Performing Barangay 2014 in the province last May 5.

The regular implementation of the Search for the Best Performing Barangay is an effective program for the realization of the provincial government’s thrust in empowering the barangay units with the end in view of Accelerating to New dimension in Good governance and Excellence in Local leadership.

Currently, the province is composed of ten municipalities and a component city, with a total of 167 barangays all over.

The mayors from all municipalities/city were advised to submit one nominee barangay for Rural Category and one nominee barangay for Urban Category. Each nominee for each

category will be the official entry which will compete for the first, second and third place.

The criteria for this years search is - 30% for the Executive/Administration/Legislative Function, 40% for the Environmental Protection/Clean and Green, 15% for the Resourcefulness/Initiative in Programs, Project, Activities (PPA) Implementation and 15% for Community Mobilization.

The adjudged Best Barangay for this year will be awarded with recognition and cash incentives and will be proclaimed come June 2014 in the province’s upcoming founding anniversary.

By Brian Jay Ceballos

PIA-Caraga intensifies advocacy on gender equality

BUTUAN CITY-- As an active gender advocate, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by regional director Abner Caga is intensifying its gender sensitivity and equality advocacy among men and women in the region.

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


On behalf of RD Caga, operations chief Nora Molde, concurrent information center manager of PIA-Agusan del Norte expressed the agency’s continued support and commitment to personnel of Paz y Desarrollo (PyD) during the Seminar on Media and Gender Equality held at Caraga State University (CSU) here.

“Promotion of gender equality is part of our priority in our information dissemination. We will continue to utilize our platforms for our advocacy on gender equality since we believe that peace and development will be sustained if gender equality is present in the community,” bared Molde.

PIA has been disseminating information through its Short Messaging Service/textblast, press and photo releases, One Mindanao Electronic News Magazine, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the Power FM.

“We have been an active partner of the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee chaired by Commission on Human Rights

Caraga regional director Atty. Marylin Pintor. PIA is constantly supporting and documenting all the gender-related activities of the committee,” added Molde.

Meanwhile, Arjay Arellano,

Communication and Advocacy Officer of PyD extended his thanks to PIA for being an active partner-advocate. “This ‘Female Forward’ program of PyD, along with gender equality program is just a five-year implementation but we believe that with your help, this advocacy will continue as the PIA being the information arm of the government has also its mission to sustain lasting peace and development,” he remarked.

PyD Philippines is working on the implementation of the “Female Forward! Stand Up, Step Up, Speak Up!” communication and advocacy plan. The plan foresees not only basic awareness raising activities but also capacity building trainings and workshops on Gender Sensitivity for Media.

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

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


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Unlike in previous times, the start of the voter registration here Tuesday cannot be described as uneventful.

In fact, city election of-

Hectic Day 1 of voter registration welcomes Comelec officialsBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

ficer Emma Uy, noted that before 8:00 a.m., many residents – new voters, deactivated voters, vot-ers asking for transfer or correction of records, and senior citizens -- have already lined-up in front of the city Commission on Elections (Comelec) office.

Norma Ramat, a se-nior citizen and one of the early registrants, said she came to Comelec on the first day to avoid the hassles of the final days of the voter registration.


“Very few people come to Comelec on the first days and transactions are faster,” Ramat said. “Most Fili-pinosonly come to Comelec on the final days, which often result in con-gestion, she observed.”

Ramat had her middle name cor-rected.

Comelec officer Uy said that al-though they had quite a number of residents to serve, the process had been smooth, noting that process-ing the registration of a voter could only take up to 5 minutes with prop-erly filled out form.

Before 5:00 p.m. yesterday Comelec Koronadal had already processed registration of over 100 voters, she added.

In a separate interview, South Co-tabato election supervisor Atty. Jay Gerada stated that all Comelec of-fices under his supervision have reported that considerable number of residents have come for registra-tion.

This, he said, is proof that their campaign to encourage voters to register earlier has been success-

ful. The voter registration will run un-

til October 31, 2015.It covers registration of new vot-

ers, reactivation of registration for those who were deactivated for failing to vote in the last two regu-lar elections, transfer of registration from one place to another, and cor-rection of entries of voter records.

For the continuing voter registra-tion, Comelec offices are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday to Thursdays.

Earlier, Gerada warned that vot-ers without biometric data -- digi-tally captured ID photograph, fin-gerprints, and signature -- cannot vote in the 2016 elections.

According to Republic Act 10367, otherwise known as the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013, voters who fail to submit for valida-tion prior to the May 2016 elections shall be deactivated from the voters’ list and shall not be allowed to vote. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

CARMEN, North Cotabato-- In line with its efforts to further realize its goal of delivering basic services to its constituents, the provincial govern-ment of North Cotabato implemented infrastructure projects for residents of Barangays Pebpoloan and Simone in Carnen town.

N. Cotabato prov’l gov’t delivers P3.1 M infra projects in Carmen townBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme


In Pebpoloan, the provinicial government recently turned over P1.3 million worth of two-classroom building to the Pebpoloan Elementary School; the classroom could benefit at least 400 pupils in the said school.

At the ceremony, district supervisor Bellale dela Cruz and Carmen municipal councilor Delfos Manampan, in behalf of the local residents as well as students and teachers of the school thanked the provincial government for the assistance.

“We are thankful to the provincial government for the construction of the two-classroom building which is highly essential in giving quality education to the students,” dela Cruz said.

Meanwhile, Governor Emmylou Mendoza emphasized that along with agriculture, infrastructure, livelihood, tourism and other developmental programs, her administration also gives utmost priority to education.

“Currently, the provincial government has almost 1,500 scholars under its Provincial Scholarship Program (PSP) in both private and public schools in different state colleges and universities,” the governor noted.

On the other hand, a footbridge retrofitting project in the village of Simone in Kabacan town was also turned over by the provincial government.

The 150-meter long footbridge costs P1.8 million and connects the village of Simone to the adjacent Pebpoloan village of Carmen.

Barangay Simone chairman Ondungan Sudang expressed gratefulness for the implementation of the project as according to him, the footbridge is used by hundreds of families especially the students who travels at least eight kilometers from the village to the national highway. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz&VBacarat-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- In line with its efforts to beef up interest among young people on the benefits of agriculture as well as enlighten them on their sector’s contributions in achieving national prog-ress, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 has continues its engage-ment with the youth sector.

DA strengthens engagement with youth sectorBy: Danilo E. Doguiles


Just recently, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), an attached agency of DA, gathered over 200 young people from different parts of SOCCSKSARGEN Region at the provincial capitol of Sarangani Province in Alabel town for a regional summer youth camp.

The summer camp, held on April 28 – 30, aimed at showcasing the participants’ skills, creativity and intelligence in various contest areas that anchored on agriculture and fishery.

ATI 12 Center Director Abdul Daya-an said, the activity provides young ones the opportunities to harness not only their potentials but also to revitalize their interest in agriculture and inform them about their contributions to achieving national progress.

“By actively participating in various contests, our youth could definitely rebuild camaraderie with fellow young people and they may be encouraged to pursue what they love to do that will help them in meeting global competitiveness,” Daya-an added.

After the regional competitions, North Cotabato delegation was proclaimed overall champion.

Regional winners from said province included Joemar Anaclito for corn production technology, John Harvey Deita for banana preservation and processing, Jaypee Candido for novelty items making using livestock and poultry and its

by-products, and Relmie Tiamson for winning the quiz bee.

South Cotabato delegation, on the other hand, was declared first runner-up with the following wins: Czar Subang for on-the-spot canvass painting, Kristianne Pau de Pedro for extemporaneous speaking, Mikee Opena for OPM vocal solo singing contest; and April Jun Sajonia for rice production technology.

Besides the contests, the camp was also highlightes with lectures and discussions on disaster preparedness, organic farming and gender and development.

Gawad Saka 2013 Outstanding Agricultural Scientist Dr. Cayetano Pomares, vice president for research and extension services of the University of Southern Mindanao called on the young participants to choose agriculture so that they may experience the vast opportunities that it can offer.

Meantime, DA 12’s Operations Division Chief Zaldy Boloron conveyed the congratulatory message of Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan to all young individuals who have shown their willingness and interest in engaging in agriculture.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region is set to host the National Summer Youth Camp slated on May 28-30 in General Santos City. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from CFMuñez & LMSalvo – DA 12)


Volunteers train for basic nutrition courseby Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin - To ensure achievement of their goals and effect improvement in the nutrition situation in the province, the barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) here train for the three-day basic nutrition course.

The topics covered include the rationale of the BNS program, legal mandate, roles and functions, down to the basic concepts in food and

nutrition. It likewise prepared and equipped the BNSs in performing their role and functions better by enriching their communication and advocacy skills, documentation and report keeping, time management ability, organizational and coordination skills. Another important input, according to the Provincial Health office (PHO), was the emphasis in contextualizing the barangay nutrition program in

the local development system. The training team includes the members of provincial nutrition


Volunteers train for basic nutrition course

AFP calls all Filipinos to join the Navy by 4ID

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - The Philippine Navy is now accepting and processing male and female applicants for Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC) and Basic Seaman Course (BSC) starting on May 9-11, 2014 at the Southern Philippine College (SPC), Licoan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Qualified applicants must be natural born Filipino citizen with good moral character, unmarried and without child and at least 5 feet in height. Applicants must not have more than two false teeth, physically and mentally fit and has no pending case in any court. They must comply with all documentary requirements. For Naval Officer Candidate Course; must be a graduate of four year baccalaureate degree, preferably technical courses such as BSEE, BSME, BSIT, BSECE, BSCS, BSA, BSME, OBSMT, BSCE, BSNA and Bachelor of Law with ages from 21 to 28 years old on the start of training. They must pass the Armed Forces of the Philippines Aptitude Test Battery (AFPATB), Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Special Written Examination. For Basic Seaman Course;

they must also have at least two years course in college and/or those who completed training Naval Course II, he or she must possess a special skill needed in the military service and certified by TESDA preferably in the field of electronics and communication aviation, aircraft maintenance, electricians, mariners, welders, plumbers, mechanics for gas, diesel turbine and heavy equipment. Interested applicants must pass the AFPATB, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) with ages from 18 to 23 years old on the start of training. The procedure of acceptance for Naval Officer Candidate Course and Basic Seaman Course applicants shall depend upon their qualification and evaluation by the Philippine Navy Mobile Recruitment Team. Interested applicants are

committee (PNC): Telesfora Madelo, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer; Aida Chan, district nutrition program coordination (DNPC); Lilibeth E.

Marines, Municipal Action officer for Catarman and other members from the DILG namely Ernie Sanchez and Vic Agcopra.


Comelec modifies 5-day work week to accommodate more voter registrantsby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will operate on a modified five-day work week, starting Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from May 6, 2014 to October 31, 2015.

This is in connection with the resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters, validation and updating of registration records relative to the May 9, 2016 Synchronized National, Local and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Elections. The modified schedule will give the voting public the convenience to go to the Office of Election Officers

(OEO) in the cities and municipalities to undertake the voters’ registration by having their photographs, fingerprints and signature or biometrics processing, Atty. Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said. “The biometrics registration is very important because full computerization in the voting process of the 2016 elections will be

advised to bring along with them their original copy of Transcript of Records, original copy of their NSO Birth Certificate and original copy of their TESDA certificate. Furthermore, qualified applicants are advised to proceed now at SPC, Licoan, Cagayan de Oro City to undergo the stages of processing for applicants. A Naval Officer Candidate while on training will receive Pay and Allowances each month. Once commissioned into the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a rank of Ensign

or 2nd Lieutenant, they will receive a monthly salary of around P27, 425.00 with insurance and healthcare benefits, billeting and housing privileges, job security, leadership and other skills trainings, opportunity for career advancement based on performance, opportunities for studies both within the country and abroad, and will enjoy the opportunity and privilege of serving in the Navy for the country. Likewise, the Basic Seaman will also receive the basic pay of around P11, 265.00 a month.


implemented to cleanse the voters’ list and do away with double and/or multiple registrations,” the PES said. This means that the biometrics of voters who will vote must match with the data that the voting machines have captured, without which, they will not be allowed to vote, Nala added. Meanwhile, Nala said voters who were registered without their biometrics captured by the voting machines have been urged to validate their registration by undertaking the biometrics process to ensure their participation in the 2016 elections. Application for validation may be filled personally, beginning May 6, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2015, during office

hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, from Sunday to Thursday, at the OEO of the city/municipality where the applicant resides. Meanwhile, the following will be accepted by the OEO’s during the period: Applications for transfer of registration records, change/corrections of entries in the registration records, reactivation of registration records, inclusion of registration records and reinstatement of name in the list of voters. Updating of records of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens and members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) or Indigenous Peoples Communities (IPs).


Peace advocates in Lanao join rally to push for Bangsamoro Basic Lawby: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Thousands of peace advocates in the two Lanao provinces joined the massive peace rallies Sunday, May 4, in support to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

As early as 7:00 a.m., peace supporters in Marawi City started walking to Plaza Cabili in Banggolo for the program. Participants from various

parts of Lanao del Sur also flocked to the plaza, on board jeepneys and trucks, to join the appeal for the swift passage of BBL.


Peace advocates in Lanao join rally to push for Bangsamoro Basic Law

Peace advocates in Lanao del Norte, on the other hand, staged the rally in a madrasah in Zapacan, municipality of Balo-i. The rallies were organized by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP), an organization of different civil society groups in Mindanao, to call on Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law as soon as possible. Duma Mascud, vice-chair of the MAP, said the rallies which they dubbed as “The People’s Popular Ratification of the BBL” were meant to show their support to the proposed BBL. He said the mass actions were aimed to appeal to the Congress to fast-track its deliberation and approve it without undue delay. To show their support to the call, the Ranaw Confederation for Peace issued a statement urging all peace advocates, whether individuals, national or international organizations, to help them in calling on the Congress not to deprive the Bangsamoro and the Filipino people

of a peaceful and prosperous co-existence. They also expressed their appreciation to those who helped in the negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front all the way to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Meanwhile, similar rallies were also held in the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Isabela, Tacurong and provinces of Sulu and North Cotabato. (APB/PIA-10)


Fisherfolk Directors Program highlights Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month celebration in ARMMMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - A seaweed grower and trader from the island of Tongsibalu in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, Al-Hasil Nahul, will serve as ‘Mangingisdang Direktor’ or Fisherfolk Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the whole month of May as the bureau celebrates this year’s Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month. BFAR-ARMM director Janice Musali said they are hoping to give Nahul a good insight of the workings of BFAR as he performs the functions of being the agency’s director for a month, although on a limited one. Musali will go to Nahul’s province to stay in a fishing village in the coastal town of Languyan for an immersion program. The seeming role reversal known as BFAR’s Fisherfolk Directors Program is one the highlights of the yearly celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month. “It aims to strengthen the partnership between fisherfolk and the government as embodied in the Department of Agriculture Special Order No. 88 and BFAR Officer Order No. 080,” Musali said. With this year’s theme “Mangingisdang Direktor tungo sa Mas Matatag na Balikatan,” BFAR-ARMM will work with Fisherfolk Director Nahul to bring the advocacy on the sustainable use of aquatic resources and promote the Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) program to wider audience. Nahul is set to do radio guesting, market and fish landing tour, and take

part in the national congress of fisherfolk directors. Nahul said he is elated to have been chosen as this year’s ‘Mangingisdang Direktor’. “Di ko inaasahan na ako na laging babad sa init, nakababad sa alon, andito ngayon sa opisinang naka-aircon,” a candid Nahul said. He said he will do his best to be helpful to both the BFAR and his fellow fisherman. “I hope I can inspire everyone to work even more and encourage further cooperation between fisherfolk and the government,” he said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)

Fisherfolk Directors Program highlights Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month celebration in ARMM

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One Mindanao - May 8, 2014