one mindanao - april 20, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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]

Northern Mindanao

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

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

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]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

VICTORIANO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

LGU Gensan turns junk shops into MRFs

Dev’t partners commend DSWD-Caraga’s advanced Kalahi-CIDSS implementation

Dipolog gets above ideal functionality level on children’s protection and welfare

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Davao in 2 days

DA, DOE work to address concerns over dry spell

OIC renews support to Mindanao peace process

TESDA-Caraga is ISO 9001:2008 certified

Safe Motherhood’ program launched in Lanao del Norte

BFAR to lead removal of illegal fishing structure in Panguil Bay

By: Eunice G. Montaos

By: Robert E. Roperos

By: OPAPP

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By:Catherine C. Apelacio

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By: Mary May A. Abellon

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Vincent N. Labial

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERNINFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

38 DSWD-XI readies for 2nd round of poor household enumerationBy: Carina L. Cayon

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4 APRIL 20, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

At an expansive 2,443 square kilometers and the gateway and jump-off point to other destinations, Davao City has a myriad of things to offer to those wanting to take a worthwhile summer break.

5APRIL 20, 2015 One Mindanao

At an expansive 2,443 square kilometers and the gateway and jump-off point to other destinations, Davao City has a myriad of things to offer to those wanting to take a worthwhile summer break.

in 2 days


If you are given two days to wander around Davao City and its peripheries here are some of the places to go Day 1

Breakfast at the beach. One can have an early morning swim and enjoy a hearty breakfast at Paradise Island Park Beach Resort in Samal. Its main attraction is the family friendly white sand shoreline, the restaurant along the beach offers specialty dishes great to gorge on after a swim.

Paradise Island is the most convenient and perhaps the nearest beach resort in Samal Island from Davao City proper, it will take just 7 minute passenger boat road from their jump off point at Depot in Sasa.

After a breakfast dip at Paradise one can proceed with a Downtown tour. Davao City has parks and museums and other urban destinations within the central business district area.

D’Bone Collector Museum – located in a narrow road in Bucana, a few meters away from


t h e Davao City Recreation

Center (Almendras Gym), D’Bone Collector Museum has about 1,500 bone specimens spread in a display area of 750 square meters. Among the museum’s showcase include the only complete Houtili Beaked Whale skeleton in the world then there is the 41-foot sperm whale skeleton, one of the four known assembled sperm whale skeletons in the country.

You are in great luck if museum founder Darrell Blatchley will be your tour guide. Darrell, who is also dedicated environmentalist will enthrall every visitors with very informative details about the bone specimens and other anecdotes which he enthusiastically shares to touring visitors.

Museo Dabawenyo - after D’Bone, you can proceed to nearby Museo Dabawenyo located along Magallanes Street. The museum gives you a dose of Davao City’s colorful history.

D a v a o C i n e m a t h e q u e /

Pasalubong Center – The Davao Cinematheque is one of the four cinematheques established by the Film Development Council of the Philippines across the country, it aims to expose the public to various films curated from Filipino film industry, the burgeoning indie film movement and also from world cinema. If your visit coincides with a screening schedule you can watch never-before seen movies free of charge at the cool confines of the 120-seater theater.

Outside the theater is a bronze statue of the great film director the late national artist for film Lino Brocka sculpted by Jonas Roces.Just beside Cinematheque is the Davao City Pasalubong Center where you can find locally-made gifts and souvenirs.


Lunch at Majid

Kabab or J. Palermos - For a bit of curiosity, these two food establisments are owned by retired cinema actors. Majid Kabab at Rizal Street is owned by former stuntman/character actor Majid Jadali who was active in the 1980s appearing mostly in Pinoy action movies and Hollywood B movies shot in the country. The walls of Majids are adorned with photos of his former work a virtual museum of a bygone era when the Filipino movie industry was producing about 250 films a year. Of course his kebabs has been a hit among locals.

J. Palermo on the other hand is owned by Juliana Palermo, the sexy film and TV actress who retired from showbiz in 2008. Juliana (real name Alvi July Juanico) who is a pure-blooded Dabawenya. If lucky you can meet the still comely Juliana who often comes by her resto located along Circumferential Road. Even if you don’t meet Juliana, her dishes offered is still a welcome lunchtime treat.

By the afternoon you can proceed to Davao Crocodile Park at the Riverfront Corporate Center along Diversion Road about 20 minutes from


downtown.

Aside from crocodiles you can find other exotic animals such as tigers, snakes, wild boars,monkeys, deers, various bird species. Some of the animals can be petted. The park is the home of currently the largest crocodile in the world- Lolong

There is also a butterfly sanctuary within the compound. During late afternoon shows artists perform death-defying stunts in the presence of the fearsome-looking crocs.

Located beside the Crocodile Park is the Tribu

M’Mindanawan Cultural Village which presents the culture of Mindanao’s indigenous tribes. The tribal houses located in the village were built by authentic indigenous people, on weekends you can watch cultural presentations and fire dances staged at the amphitheater.

Dinner Kusina Sa Subli or White House Fusion Cuisine. The place to go during dinner time depends upon your palate and budget. If you want a dash of fine dining proceed to White House Fusion Cuisine located along the Camella Northpoint property along JP Laurel.


White House used to be the former Ker Mansion, named after Robert Ker a Scottish abaca plantation owner. One of the few remaining heritage structures in the city, the pine trees planted by Camella in the surroundings gives you a colonial hill station ambiance minus the cold weather.

The fine-dining resto is perhaps the only one in Davao offering degustation or multi-course meals with servings in smaller sizes. The dishes is a fusion of Japanese, French, Italian and American cuisine. It was featured in the ABS-CBN late morning show Kris TV with Kris Aquino personally visiting the house to

partake of its specialties.

If you are going budget meals, I recommend going to Kusina Sa Subli, located within a residential neighborhood in Suburban Davao, their tuna belly is a must-try. It also offers familiar seafood grilled specialties such as grilled panga and pusit.

For a nightcap, one could go to Mono Bar located at the Peak in Gaisano Mall. The bar has a panoramic view of Davao City’s downtown area. For clubbing one could proceed at Echelon Bar which is separated by a wall from Mono, Davao City’s top DJs churn out wicked beats of Electronic Dance Music and if you are again

in luck you


can catch celebrity DJs spinning their music at the club.

If you have time to bar-hop (note that Davao has a 1 am liquor ban ordinance) you can still go to Acropolis Superclub, reopened last year after more than a decade of hiatus, You can bump and dance with friendly party-loving locals amidst dance friendly mixes churned out by Acropolis’ posse of DJs.

If dance is not your thing, you can go to Huckleberry Southern Kitchen and Bar, located at the ground floor of the Casa de Oboza another heritage structure. Huckleberry’s American south inspired dishes paired with its signature alcoholic concoctions and cocktails is a hit among locals and tourists.

Day 2

If you want some highland adventure proceed to Calinan where several destinations await visitors and locals alike.

The Philippine Eagle Center is currently the home to 36 Philippine Eagles alongside several avian species like hawks, hornbills, pigeons etc. The center is made to simulate a forest ecosystem which is the dwindling habitat of these noble fliers. The PEC is located in Malagos within the watershed maintained by the Davao City Water District.

After PEC you can proceed to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Tamayong Prayer Mountain. The 8-hectare center is named as The Garden of Eden Restored. Entering the facility is like entering a sprawling landscaped flower-filled garden with palatial


houses painted in yellow, blue and pink colors. It was formerly the homestead of Pastor Quiboloy’s physical parents, who were migrants from Pampanga. This is the place where Pastor Quiboloy trained spiritually for 5 years before embarking on building his growing church. The compound was built in 1999.

The Prayer Mountain accepts visitors and is open to all religions however before visiting you may book your visits to the office of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by calling these numbers 304-0647 or 234-2866 local 123.

You can go for lunch at the Martha’s inside the Prayer Mountain or you might want to try the several eateries along Los Amigos in Calinan which serve Hito or catfish in different dishes.

You might want to spend the afternoon shopping Pasalubong at the Aldevinco Shopping Center in C.M. Recto, the stalls in the area sells traditional souvenir items.

For a shopping adventure proceed to Davao City Chinatown District where several strip malls sell Chinese

goods ranging from fashion apparel to electronic goods. Within the periphery of the Chinatown is Magsaysay Park, outside the park are stalls which sell durian, the iconic fruit of which the city is famous for.

For dinner and nightcap proceed to Matina Town Square where there are several restos like the Stairwell, Jickongs, Juno Churrasco Brazilain Steaks. After dinner one would opt for halo-halo at Aling Fopings, you might also want to try their famous chili con carne of which is said to be the personal favorite of President Noynoy Aquino.

Taboan also at Matina Town Square features live performances from local showbands, indie bands or cultural ensemble depending on the schedule.

These are just some of the few place where you can go to experience Davao. If you want to catch more, perhaps book a flight and schedule perhaps a much longer sojourn in this city.


Health department focuses on aggressive info campaign to combat HIV-AIDS

MANILA - The Department of Health aggressively conducts information campaign to raise awareness about human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) that is becoming a concern in the country. The DOH said it is alarmed by the rising number of infections each year that if continued

may be difficult to control. The department said infections are high among males having sexual


contact with males.

“Tungkol muna doon sa HIV cases, bilang pagtugon diyan, pinaiigting ng Department of Health ang pagsasagawa ng kampanyang pang-impormasyon upang maging maingat ang mga mamamayan laban sa mga sanhi o pinanggagalingan ng pagkakaroon ng HIV virus,” Presidential Communications

Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a radio interview on Sunday.

“Naghahatid din ng serbisyong HIV testing at counseling ang DOH bilang tulong sa mga mamamayan,” he told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan when asked about government’s response against the disease. (PCOO/PND (as)

DA, DOE work to address concerns over dry spell

MANILA - The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy are both working to address the concerns in their respective sectors brought about by the onset of summer.


Some provinces are asking government assistance because of the impact of the summer on their farmlands that threaten their production.

“Kaya’t patuloy po ang pagtutok ng Department of Agriculture at mga ahensya nito sa sitwasyon ng tagtuyot na napansin sa iba’t ibang lalawigan, at ang pokus ng kanilang mga ginagawa ay tulungan ang mga magsasaka,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said a radio interview Sunday.

Among the DA’s initiative is providing seedlings as well as introducing alternate crops to farmers who want to remains productive even during the summer months.

“Doon naman sa mga lugar na mayroong maitutulong na patubig o irrigation resources ay nagde-deploy din ng tulong ang ating Department of Agriculture at iba pang mga ahensya,” he said in the interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.

With regards to the power shortage in Mindanao that is feared to also affect Metro Manila, Coloma said the DOE is already addressing the problem.

“Ginagawa ng Department of Energy ang lahat ng nararapat na hakbang upang maagapan at matugunan ang anumang maaaring kakulangan sa supply ng kuryente,” he said. (PCOO/ PND (as)


OIC renews support to Mindanao peace process

MANILA - Iyad Bin Amin Madani, the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led an eight-man delegation for a four-day visit to the Philippines to reaffirm its long support to the Mindanao peace process. On Friday, April 17, Madani met with Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on

the ongoing peace processes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front, respectively.


Deles said the visit of Madani shows OIC’s firm commitment to help in the current peace efforts in Mindanao.

“OIC has contributed so much to the peace process since the Tripoli accord and now more than ever, Filipinos both Muslims and Christians look to you for guidance and support to open a new era of social peace and progress in Mindanao,” she told Madani during the meeting.

Madani expressed the OIC’s full support and commitment to the Bangsamoro peace process.

He said their mission is to boost their role in the peace process, saying that the OIC has long been involved in the effort to address the conflict in Mindanao and secure the welfare of Muslims in the country.

Prior to his arrival here on Thursday, Madani had a three-

day visit in Malaysia where he met Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.

The OIC said the two sides “discussed the status of the peace agreement on the Southern Philippines. The Secretary General stressed the need for all parties to remain committed to the peace agreement.”

Malaysia, being a member of the OIC, has been facilitating the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF which concluded in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014.

Madani also made courtesy calls to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, as well as to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, who was joined by Representatives Rufus Rodriguez, Bai Sandra Sinsuat A. Sema, and Sitti Djalia Hataman. He also met with the Senate Peace, Unity and Reconciliation Committee Chair Senator Teofisto Guingona III. Madani noted during these meetings the current legislative work on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.


The OIC secretary general will also meet top leaders of the MNLF and MILF to strengthen the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum, which was created by the OIC to harmonize the two Moro fronts.

Together with Madani are Sayed El-Masry, OIC Special Envoy for Peace in the Southern Philippines; Maha Mostafa Akeel, director of the OIC Department of Information; Dr. Hassan Ahmad Abdein, Head of the OIC Department of Muslim Communities and Minorities; Saidu Dodo, Liaison Officer for OIC Special Envoy for PCSP; Mohammed Adoum, Personal Assistant to the OIC Sec-Gen; Mohammed Naghi, Protocol

Officer; and Ahmad Madani.

Madani is expected to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III, and Senate President Franklin M. Drilon before flying back to Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization, next to the United Nations, composed of 57 member-states spread over four continents. (OPAPP)


Mamasapano incident is an opportunity to move forward -- ARMM GovBy:Shahana Joy Duerme

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Apr. 20 (PIA)—The January 25 Mamasapano inci-dent opened doors for the government to push harder on implementing projects that would uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people, said Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman.

Hataman made the statement in a dia-logue and project proposal presentation for the Kabulnan River Irrigation System


(KRIS)- Mamasapano Exten-sion Project in Barangay Tukan-alipao, Mamasapano, Maguin-danao Thursday, April 16.

“The death of the 67 individu-als in this area paved the way for us to see the real situation in Barangay Tukanalipao,” the ARMM governor said adding that the national government gave assurance that assistance will be extended in the area.

Meanwhile, Engr. Ali Satol, acting regional manager of the National Irrigation Administra-tion of the ARMM presented the

KRIS- Mamasapano Extension Project which will benefit thou-sands of farmers not only in Ma-masapano but also in neighbor-ing towns.

“The irrigation project with a fund of P50 million is set begin on May 4 and is expected to be completed on December 31 this year,” Satol stated.

Hataman encouraged the resi-dents particularly the irrigators’ associations to advance with their endeavor and to always remember the struggles of the past generations to achieve de


LGU Gensan turns junk shops into MRFs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 20---- The Waste Management Of-fice (WMO) here is doubling its effort to reduce the city’s waste collection by 30 percent.

By:Catherine C. Apelacio

velopment.The official also expressed

optimism that the project will accelerate progress and foster peace and order in Barangay Tu-kanalipao.

Aside from the officials of the autonomous government, the dialogue and project proposal

presentation was also graced by Engr. Florencio F. Padernal, administrator of the National Irrigation Administration and Sec. Francis ‘Kiko’ N. Pangilinan of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization. (SJ-Duerme-PIA12)

Currently, WMO collects at least “91 tons of waste per day.”

WMO’s public services officer III Johnduane Hitalia said they hope to start waste reduction by putting up a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) with the help of junk shops.

He said they are converting viable junk shops into MRFs to cut down mounting solid wastes collected and disposed at the city’s dumpsite.

According to him, the facility shall be responsible in receiving biodegradable and non-biode-

gradable wastes as well as sort-ing and designating storage for recyclable waste.

As of now, he said his team has been providing technical as-sistance to junk shops for the establishment and operation of MRF.

Hitalia disclosed that pres-ently there are six junk shops in Barangay North acknowledged as MRFs with 15 barangays fol-lowing suit.

He also explained the mecha-nism from which MRF operates.

During the facility’s segrega


tion process, the non-biode-gradable waste will be kept in the cubicle storage while the biodegradable waste will under-go composting, he said.

Residuals will then be dis-posed in the landfill located in Barangay Bawing.

Biodegradable waste includes food leftovers commonly like fruits, vegetables, fish, animal meat, cooked rice while the non-biodegradable materials are leather shoes, plastic bags, fab-rics, Styrofoam, among others.

Some of the biodegradable and non-biodegrad-able wastes can be recycled, reuse, and sold anew.

Composting or re-use of biodegradable waste like food and garden wastes is also called recycling. Oth-er recyclable materi-als include scrapped papers, plastics, glasses, metals, tex-tiles, and electronics.

Hitalia said that even before turning junk shops into MRFs, they have already been doing it before, calling it “functional MRF.”

With the recently-signed memorandum of agreement be-tween junk shop operators and WMO, Hitalia is confident that solid waste in the city will be properly managed and reduced.

The MRF is enforced by virtue of General Santos City Ecologi-cal Solid Waste Management Or-dinance of 2008 and R.A. 9003 otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. (CT Apelacio/PIA-12 General Santos City with reports from Lipsy Grace Carayo)


AgNor holds provincial orientation on HIV/AIDSBy: Lacheln O. Rafallo

BUTUAN CITY - The province of Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) held a one-day orientation on Human Immonudeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) on Friday at the Provincial Training Center here. It was learned that the orientation was held in response to the Memorandum Circular sent by DILG Department Secretary Mar Roxas on the purpose of “strengthening local responses toward more effective and sustained responses to HIV and AIDS”.


Dev’t partners commend DSWD-Caraga’s advanced Kalahi-CIDSS implementationBy: Eunice G. Montaos

BUTUAN CITY - “This is the place that we have seen so far with the most advanced Program implementation,” disclosed World Bank (WB) consultant Patricia Fernandez during the exit conference held recently at Dotties Place, this city for the 3rd joint WB-Asian Development Bank (ADB)-Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) implementation support mission.

On the orientation, a general report on HIV/AIDS was discussed showing an increase of 1,038 percent in new HIV cases in six years (from 2008 to 2014). “With this alarming situation, we are obliged to trigger local actions. This is everyone’s concern,” said Board Member Rey Jamboy, chairperson on Health and Sanitation. Topics on HIV/AIDS 101, the legal bases or the salient features of Republic Act 8504, the creation and functions of the local

HIV/AIDS councils, and related programs, celebrations, program partners and best practices were discussed to “create awareness and kick-start the combat against HIV/AIDS,” said Jamboy. The event was attended by the local officials from the different municipalities and non-government organizations in the province in support to the strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of HIV/AIDS in the locality.


The members of the mission team, which was divided into two, simultaneously visited on April 9, 2015 the municipalities of Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur which are implementing DSWD’s Kalahi-CIDSS program or the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted by the teams with the members of the municipal inter-agency committee (MIAC), municipal/barangay local government councils, and community volunteers. “The main objective of the mission is more on support to the implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS in the context of recovery and rehabilitation from the Yolanda experience,” said Corinne Canlas, WB consultant.

With the dialogues facilitated, the team lauded the proactive regional team of the program in Caraga. They had also observed the support of the local government units to the Department’s social protection programs and services. The strategies developed to mentor and coach new field staff were also appreciated by the development partners. Furthermore, it was observed that significant amount work was done at the municipal level on disaster risk mapping facilitating site selection for sub-projects DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli said it was a very interesting visit since the development partners were able to get firsthand information from the frontline implementers of Kalahi-CIDSS at the local and community level.


TESDA-Caraga is ISO 9001:2008 certifiedBy: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY - Together with the 16 regional offices nationwide, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Caraga is now an ISO 9001:2008-certified government agency of the Philippines.

Other members of the support mission team are Leonardo Paat, Rene Manuel, Romulo Romero of WB and ADB respectively. National Inter-Agency Program Implementation Team (NIAPIT) representatives namely, Rizalde Mediavillo, Oscar Victor Lizardo, and Arvin Chua also participated the mission. The workers of the national and regional program

management headed by Kalahi-CIDSS deputy national manager Alex Glova and regional program manager Mita Lim respectively escorted the visitors during the visit. Kalahi-CIDSS is an anti-poverty program of the national government implemented by the DSWD. It is funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.


During the awarding ceremony held Monday at Malacañang Palace, TESDA Sec. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva received the certification together with Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and other TESDA officials in the presence of President Benigno S. Aquino III, making all regional offices and 81 provincial offices internationally-certified. In a press statement of TESDA Media Affairs Office, the agency’s major regulatory mandate of program registration and assessment and certification have been certified by a German-affiliated company – the TUV-SUD PSB Philippines, Inc., an external and independent quality management agency, and the agency’s third party certification body. With this certification, TESDA becomes the second agency under the executive branch which has a nationwide ISO Certification. The Department of Health was the first agency that received the prestigious status on December 18, 2013. It is the first and only education agency which was ISO certified. On October 23, 2014, an Auditor from TUV SUD PSB has audited TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office and during

the closing meeting later that day, the provincial office was recommended for Certification. With the international certificate that the agency has received, Dir. Sunico has instructed personnel from all Operating Units of the region to improve the delivery of services to the clients, saying that the public are now expecting more from TESDA. “Because of this international certificate we had with ISO, the people are expecting much from us. Thus, we should have to live to their expectations,” Dir. Sunico said. Meanwhile, Braulio B. Dela Peña of TESDA-Agusan del Sur has sworn-into office as the full-fledge Provincial Director before Sec. Villanueva at the Malacañang Palace on the same day when the ISO Certification was awarded. Prior to his appointment, Dela Peña was the Chief of the Regional Operations Division (ROD) in the Regional Office.


Addressing the audience comprising some city government officials, provincial officials, Congressman Victor Yu, Philippine

PAGADIAN CITY – As the regional center for region 9 has been transferred from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 has inaugurated on Friday, April 17, its new regional office building erected at the President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government Center in Barangay Balintawak this city.

New DENR-9 regional office building inauguratedBy Franklin P. Gumapon


Information Agency (PIA)-9 staff, DENR-9 regional office staff as well as personnel from the different Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENROs) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) throughout the region, Undersecretary Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr. said the construction of the new regional office building here in the city is a proof of “DENR-9’s commitment to support the transfer of the regional center to Pagadian City” as mandated under Executive Order No. 429 issued by former President Corazon C. Aquino.

Undersecretary Ignacio was sent to deliver the speech of Secretary Ramon JP. Paje, who was in South Korea attending the World Water Summit.

“It is almost 40 years since DENR-9 constructed a regional office building. To have an office that gives us the dignity we deserve, the new regional office now stands on a 1.4-hectare lot donated by the city government of Pagadian within the newly

created President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government Center,” Secretary Paje said in his message as read by Ignacio.

Paje also reminded the DENR personnel that their agency “is primarily tasked to manage, conserve, protect and sustain the environment and natural resources, serving as the forefront in implementing programs and projects that can directly reduce poverty, strengthen food security, mitigate impact of climate change, protect biodiversity, geo-hazard mapping, pollution control, stimulate economic growth and establish political stability.”

On the other hand, Congressman Victor Yu of Zamboanga del Sur’s first district has commended the DENR for immediately complying with the order to transfer its regional office to Pagadian City. In fact, he said, DENR-9 was the first agency to construct its regional office at the regional government center.

Other agencies which have started constructing their regional


DIPOLOG CITY – The city government here got an above ideal level of functionality in the protection and welfare of children, according to the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force on the functionality of the Local Council on the Protection of Children (LCPC).

Dipolog gets above ideal functionality level on children’s protection and welfareBy Mary May A. Abellon

The task force led by LGOO Jaber Jamani of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 on Wednesday was here to conduct an assessment to the provincial government on its programs and projects for the protection of children.

The LCPC, which is composed of the DILG, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is a council organized at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels, serving as the umbrella organization for all children’s concerns that advocates child’s rights and the implementation children’s programs at the local levels.

Dipolog City reportedly got 102.5% rating, which is above ideal on the level of functionality based on the assessment conducted this year on its 2014 accomplishments on programs and projects for the protection and welfare of children.

Moreover, LCPC is responsible for planning and spearheading programs for children in the city to make it child-friendly.

It can be recalled that Mayor Evelyn T. Uy presented during her latest state of the city address a hall of fame award for Dipolog City as child-friendly city, the only city to receive such an award in the whole of Mindanao.

DILG-9 also emphasized that the 1% of the total Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) received by a certain LGU is a mandatory allocation for the protection and welfare of children.

offices there are the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of the Treasury, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the National

Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

Some agencies are still renting while a few have already constructed their regional offices in their own lots here in the city.


DENR, PIA distribute Broadcaster’s Manual on Climate Change

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Copies of the Broadcaster’s Manual on Climate Change were distributed to various media outlets in the city through a dissemination forum conducted with a theme, “Nagbabago Na Ang Panahon; Panahon Na Para Magbago.”

by Jose Angelo Lorenzo S. Gomos

The manual serves as reference material on the National Greening Program, Geo Hazards, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management, and was made by the collaborative efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Region 10. The local dialect was used in the manual to ensure a common understanding. Included are information about climate change, its causes, effects,


Safe Motherhood’ program launched in Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - More than 4,000 participants joined the launching of the ‘Safe Motherhood’ program initiated by the provincial government, at the Mindanao Civic Center gymnasium, Tubod, Lanao del Norte on April 15.

by Vincent N. Labial

and ways to prevent it. “We believe that media are a potent force in the advocacy campaign,” said DENR region 10 Chief Regional Public Affairs Office Lina D. Calvez during her welcome message. She stressed on the role of the media in disseminating information and help prepare communities to adapt mitigation measures in response to climate change.

Calvez and Elaine Ratunil, PIA Misamis Oriental Information Center Manager distributed the manual to the representatives of all media outlets present.One of the forum’s main highlights was an overview on the DENR-PIA Climate Change Advocacy Campaign, presenting the activities and programs conducted with the collaborative efforts of the two agencies.

Lanao del Norte is the first local government unit (LGU) to launch this kind of health initiative that will support national government’s goal of achieving Millennium Development Goals five (improve maternal health) and six (reduce child mortality). The province-wide event was participated by the 4Ps beneficiaries, Provincial Volunteer Health Workers (PVHWs), barangay health workers, health professionals, provincial employees and municipal mayors.“The experience I had during the four pregnancies of my wife made

me realized the importance of this program (safe motherhood),” expressed Governor Khalid Dimaporo. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla who was the guest of honor for the ceremony shared the importance of fully functional birthing clinics in different communities of Leyte province. Petilla was Governor of Leyte province for three consecutive terms since 2004 before he was appointed as DOE Secretary. Professor Ernesto Garilao of the Zuellig Pharma Foundation was


also on-hand to provide technical support to the provincial government in helping achieve the zero maternal death target of Governor Dimaporo by year 2016. After the launching ceremony, expectant mothers and toddlers availed of the free medical services extended by the provincial government through its Provincial Health Office (PHO) and provincial hospitals. The governor, along with Prof. Garilao, was escorted by the provincial

health and medical team for a rounds to all stations installed in the gym, and witnessed the services offered to all mothers present from the 22 towns, this province. Among the services offered were Immunization (Station 1), New-Born Baby Screening (Station 2), Pre-Natal (Station 3), Blood Typing (Station 4), Ultrasound (Station 5), Family Planning Counseling (Station 6), and Sub-Dermal Implant(Station 7).

BFAR to lead removal of illegal fishing structure in Panguil Bay

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - Ceremonial removal or dismantling of illegal fishing structures in Panguil Bay, particularly, filter nets or “sanggab” is set to be conducted in the city on April 17.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

The activity will be witnessed by Atty. Asis G. Perez, Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Director-General of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Visa Tan-Dimerin, director of BFAR, region 10. This will be done after PBDC’s This full council meeting, in the morning of the same day, at the Naomi’s Botanical Garden in Baňadero, Ozamiz City, after which, they will be ferried to the “sanggab” sites in Tangub City, by the BFAR patrol boats, Dimerin said. Dimerin said the ceremony will

also be witnessed by the local chief executives (LCE’s) and their Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDO’s) and Municipal Agriculture officers of local government units (LGU’s), who are members of the Panguil Bay Development Council (PBDC). These LGU’s include those of Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala and Kapatagan, in Lanao del Norte, Bonifacio, Clarin, Tangub and Ozamiz Cities, in Misamis Occidental and Aurora and Tambulig in Zamboanga del Sur, Dimerin added.


Participating businesses to be promoted during Visit Davao Fun Sale

DAVAO CITY- Partici-pants of the Visit Davao Fun Sale are assured of good promotion as a guarantee to their par-ticipation in the sum-mer event to boost the tourism here. Christian Porras, a member of the executive committee of the VDFS, a program being supported by the Department of Tourism said that persons with pass-ports are encouraged to visit these establishments to en-joy the food, drinks and fun. He explained that pass-port holders will be entitled discounts once they visit these establishments. Porras said discounts may vary depending on the offer of the establishments. “In return to the estab-lishments, VDFS will assure their promotion in the list of destinations where they visit,” he said. Porras welcomed the impact of the VDFS to the participating establishments due to the surge of patron-age and bookings of visitors going to Davao City. He believes that book-ings will convert to patron-age of hotels and restaurants

once visitors come to the city. The Visit Davao Fun Sale runs up to May 7, 2015 after it was launched in April 3 with seven of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers offering great premium bar-gains for as much as 80% discount. Porras also assured that the activities go on smoothly with compliance to its nationally-known or-dinances like the Smoking Ban on Public Places and the Liquor Ban at 1:00-5:00 am. Karla Singson of the Mice, Organizers, Ventures Davao, the official events as-sociation of Davao City said the closing program of the VDFS will be summer-end party on May 16, 2015 at the Matina Town Square Pavillion featuring disc jockeys from Manila and Davao City. “This is free black light party for everyone who owns VDFS passport,” she said. Singson said the VDFS passport can be availed in the participating stations in the malls or can be down-loaded in the android phone with an app, visit davao city life beat. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


DSWD-XI readies for 2nd round of poor household enumerationDAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region has launched the second round of enumeration of poor households who may be en-listed as new set of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya or assis-tance program for the poor from the other organizations and agen-cies. Through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduc-tion or the Listahanan information-management system, DSWD-XI tar-gets almost 800,000 families in the entire region to be covered in the enumeration which will commence in May this year. “This is to identify who and where the poor are. We have to be careful in identifying our beneficia-ries this time. Kelangan na masala ng mabuti,” stated DSWD-XI Region-al Director Priscilla Razon. Aside from DSWD, other gov-ernment agencies may also use the database as basis for their planning or policy formulation and in identify-ing potential beneficiaries of social protection programs and services, she said. Razon said the agency has been preparing for the conduct of enumer-ation including the hiring and train-ing of around 2,500 field personnel who will be deployed across Davao

Region. She assured that the enumera-tion will reach the remote areas in the region including the Geographi-cally Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), even in rebel-infested areas. DSWD-XI has been coordinat-ing with the local government units, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army to ensure a peaceful conduct of the enumeration and for the safety of the field personnel. Part of the campaign is the call to all potential households to submit to an interview in their re-spective homes during the enumera-tion period. Along with the launching of the second round of Listahanan, DSWD-XI has also initiated the posting of advocacy stickers in public utility vehicles and grievance hotline tar-paulins in various areas in Davao Re-gion in coordination with the partner agencies. The public is urged to ask que-ries or report complaints to DSWD-XI through its Grievance Hotline at 0918-9122813, by texting Panta-wid Pamilya <space> your name <slash> address <slash> complaint/question. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)


regional gallery

Summer Getaway

Babusanta beach at Talikud Island part of the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte

one mindanao - april 20, 2015

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