one mindanao - february 3, 2016

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

SOCCSKSARGEN RegionBautista 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)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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSVICTORIANO VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERSSEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

Midsayap, N. Cotabato celebrates 28th Halad Festival

Cover Story

By:Oliver Ross Rivera

today’s news

DOH: “4S” key against Zika virus11

28 Dipolog tops in 2015 Cities and Municipalities Index of ZAMPENBy: Grace Montallana

Power agencies to discuss transmission issues in Davao meeting

14

32 DSWD sends food packs to victims of tribal feud in Bukidnon

35 9 bidders for Little Tokyo conceptBy: RG Alama

38 Kidapawan City LGU to implement P300 PTA subsidy on SY 2016- 2017By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

By: PIO-DInagat Islands

By: Greg Tataro Jr

By: Charmaine P. Tadlas

19

21

DOF declares Dinagat Islands as special top achiever’s awardee

DOH-PHT in SurSur sees feat to hit higher thru mopping up operation for National School Deworming

SOUTHERN SOCCSKSARGEN

CARAGA

INFOCUS NATIONAL

WESTERN NORTHERN

8 1418

26 31 36

30 OWWA holds 2015 Year-end Annual Performance AssessmentBy: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

33 Energy firm hydro construction helps local micro business prosper in BukidnonBy: Loyd Revilla

4 February 3, 2016One MindanaoPhotos from: Sarah Faye Togonon

5February 3, 2016 One Mindanao

By: Oliver Ross Rivera

Midsayap, N. Cotabato celebrates 28th Halad Festival

Thousands of devotees flocked the streets of Midsayap in North Cotabato to join in the celebration ofHalad Festival, one of the region’s most colorful religious

festivals. For 28 years, the Halad Festival has been a traditional celebration held every third Sunday of January to honor the Sto. Niño or child Jesus. The festival is characterized by a parade with many groups dressed in colorful costumes, finding their way through the streets of downtown Midsayap while dancing.

Chants of “Pit Señor” and “Viva Sr. Sto. Niño” echoed around town as residents and visitors showed their unity and devotion as an offering and thanksgiving to Sr. Sto Niño.

It is fundamentally a celebration through street dancing and singing praises for Sr. Sto. Niño in gratitude for the bountiful harvest and blessings

they received.

The word “Halad” is a Cebuano and Ilonggo term which means “offering”, and “HaladsaSto. Niño” means “offering to Sto. Nino”. With the celebration’s evolution, the Halad Festival has become a week long tradition and innovated through the years.

Various activities prepared by the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sr. Sto Niño and the local government includes the novena mass, Midsayap Color Run, , cultural night presentations, Dog Fun Run, 4x4 Off Road Challenge, Halad Motocross, Mutya ng Midsayap, Dance-O-Rama Contest, Fashion to Fame Fashion Show, Street Party and Halad

6 February 3, 2016One Mindanao

Basketball Tournament and amateur boxing tournament.

The most-awaited feature, nevertheless, is the IndakansaKadalananstreet dancing competition.

Thousands of people turned up to watch as participants from different parts of Central Mindanao danced along the streets of Midsayap and during the showdown held at Notre Dame of Midsayap College grounds.

Aside from the traditional drums accompaniment, the Halad Festival 2016 allowed the use of pre-recorded music and audio speakersfor the local category.

Ten groups from different schools and church based organizations donned their colorful costumes and vied for the local category.

Dilangalen National High School was declared as champion in the local category and bagged the P75,000 prize.

For the open category, Linao National High School

bested two other groups and went home with P150,000

The Halad 2016 organizers thanked the participants for their efforts and showcasing their talents and the municipal LGU and sponsors for their undending support to make this year’s fiesta successful.

One Mindanao8 February 3, 2016

Joint memorandum circular addressing child labor signed

“The Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) is being issued to provide policy guidelines and procedures in the implementation of the HELP ME Convergence

Program to Address Child Labor,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said after the signing of the JMC at the joint meeting of the Human

MANILA-- The government’s fight against child labor, particularly its worst forms, has leveled up with the signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines in the implementation of the H.E.L.P. M.E. Convergence Program to Address Child Labor.


Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster and National Economic and Development Authority Board-Social Development Committee.

HELP ME stands for the following: H – for health, nutrition and medical services; E – for education and training; L – for livelihood opportunities to parents of child laborers; P – for prevention, protection and prosecution; M – for monitoring; and E – for evaluation. It engages several government agencies to deliver services and assist in the promotion of child rights to child laborers and their families to combat child labor.

The Help Me Convergence Program is aimed at implementing a community-based, sustainable, and responsive convergence program to address child labor in the Philippines by providing focused, converged, and synchronized strategies to effectively address the child labor

problem.

Its beneficiaries include children engaged in child labor and family members of child laborers needing appropriate services. It shall be implemented in all regions, but priority will be provided to barangays identified by the DOLE and its partners to be transformed as child labor-free. The joint issuance states that the DOLE shall provide overall coordination of activities of the Help Me Convergence Program in the areas of policy, program and strategy formulation and implementation, as well as in program monitoring and evaluation.

DOLE shall promote expansion of the alliance towards provision of direct services such as, but not limited to, health, education, welfare and legal assistance to child labor victims and provision of viable economic


opportunities to parents of child laborers. Under the joint memorandum circular, a Help Me Program Management Team (PMT) will be created which shall act as the coordinating and monitoring body in the implementation of the said convergence program activities and shall be composed of technical staff from the member-agencies.

The PMT is tasked to assess and evaluate the attainment of the Help Me objectives, prepare, coordinate and monitor the implementation of the HELP ME work plans, ensure that the activities of the HELP ME Program stakeholders are synchronized and well-timed, discuss issues

and concerns of members of the PMT before elevating to the NCLC, and provide NCLC with recommendations relating to the overall directions of the HELP ME Program.

The Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster approved the HELP ME Convergence Program during its joint meeting with the NEDA Board – Social Development Committee in November 8, 2012.

Baldoz signed the Joint Memorandum Circular No.1, together with Secretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, NEDA, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Justice, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Council for the Welfare of Children, and the National Commission on Indigenous People. (DOLE/Melissa Fernandez-OJT/PRC-PIA)


MANILA-- The Health Department addresses the public to remember and use ‘4S’ against Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

DOH: “4S” key against Zika virus

The 4S means Search & destroy mosquito breeding places, use Self-protection measures, Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than 2 days, and

Say yes to fogging when there is an impending outbreak.

“The first step to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is


within our homes. We should not only remember the information being delivered by DOH to the communities. Instead, let us make it a practice and instill cleanliness in our surroundings. It is not only your family that will benefit from this habit, but the entire community as well.” Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin said.

This January, there were reports from different countries regarding a disease caused by Zika virus. Zika virus causes a influenza-like disease with concurrent conjunctivitis. Some cases are asymptomatic (does not manifest any symptoms) and it can be acquired when bitten by an

infected Aedes aegypti mosquito – the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue, Chikungunya, and yellow fever. Symptoms of Zika virus infection usually begin 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Other symptoms are muscle pain, headache, and vomiting. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for 2-7 days. Hence, it is very important to clean the surroundings in order to prevent the breeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that serve as the vector of the said virus.

Health authorities are currently investigating a potential link between Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly (a rare condition where a baby has an abnormally small head). Until concrete evidences are verified, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take extra care to protect themselves from mosquito bites.


DOH advises that pregnant women who are experiencing symptoms of Zika virus disease should seek early consultation. Currently, there is no available vaccine to prevent Zika virus, and there is no available medicine to treat the infection. However, the symptoms of Zika virus disease can be treated with common pain and fever medicines, rest, and plenty of water. If symptoms continue to occur after 2 days, consultation in the nearest health facility to seek medical advice is recommended.

In the Philippines, a documented case of Zika virus infection was traced in Cebu City in 2012. A 15 year old boy was reported with symptoms of fever, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, muscle pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. The said patient recovered fully after 3 weeks of continuous bed rest and medication. After yielding

negative from tests on dengue and Chikungunya, the patient’s serum was tested positive for Zika Virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) still does not recommend the imposition of any travel, trade, or screening restrictions related to Zika virus disease. However, it is advised that travelers going to and coming from countries with known Zika virus cases maintain a high level of vigilance and self-care.

“Let’s go back to basics; we always say that prevention is better than cure. Prevention should start from our home. Make 4S a regular habit and participate in cleaning activities initiated in our community. Kalinisan at kalusugan. Makiisa sa kalinisan ng ating komunidad, ang kalusugan ay responisibilad ng bawat isa.” Garin concluded. (DOH)

14 One Mindanao February 3, 2016

Power agencies to discuss transmission issues in Davao meeting

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Top officials of the country’s power sector will be meeting in Davao City, Thursday to thresh out concerns surrounding power transmission and to find long-term solutions to issues on the right-of-way (ROW) and easements of the transmission lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in the island-region of Mindanao.


The meeting, to be held at the conference room of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will also tackle the security incidents that involved more than a dozen transmission towers. “Through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), we will convene the top officials of the power industry’s key players in a bid to resolve these problems and mitigate the possible impacts to the grid,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of MinDA and co-chair of the MPMC. Created in July 2012 through Executive Order No. 81, the MPMC is tasked to coordinate the efforts of national and local governments as well as the power industry stakeholders in efforts to improve the power situation in Mindanao. The Department of Energy (DOE) and MinDA co-chair the committee composed of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), the

Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA) and the NGCP. Antonino explained that although Mindanao is currently enjoying a steady supply of power for the first time in about 10 years, but the prevailing issues affecting the transmission towers in Mindanao could hamper this positive supply outlook. “We must immediately address issues on ROW and easements to further prevent unwarranted power disruptions and ensure the steady supply of power in the grid,” she said while adding that “the local government units together with the land owners must be willing to cooperate in resolving these issues and in guaranteeing the protection of the transmission towers.” In January this year, NGCP reported that 18 towers experienced security attacks, with the latest incidents involving towers No. 19, 20, 21, 13, 25 and 50 of the Agus 2-Kibawe 138 KV transmission lines. Transmission tower No. 4 of the Baloi-Agus


2 138 KV transmission lines and the transmission tower No. 63 of Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat 138 KV transmission lines also experienced security attacks. “The recent attacks on towers No. 20 and 25 created a dent in the power supply of Mindanao, which isolated the Agus 1 and 2 hydropower plants that produce about 260 megawatts (MW),” Antonino said. To date, the two towers have not yet been repaired due to issues of land ownership. The isolation of the hydropower plants has also caused rotational power interruption in different franchise areas in Mindanao. In addition to the attacks, issues

on the ROWs and the hesitance of the land owners to cooperate are seen to further aggravate the problem. Currently, there five lines that are out of operation due to the unwillingness of landowners to cooperate and the growing vegetation under the lines. These include the Baloi-Agus 2 138 kV lines 1 and 2; the Baloi-Agus 6 69 kV line; and the Kibawe-Agus 2 138 kV lines 1 and 2. “The hesitance of the landowners to cooperate in solving the problem is also becoming a serious drawback as NGCP’s personnel cannot enter the area of the damaged towers or lines,” Antonino said.


She said transmission problems have dire consequences in Mindanao like isolating power plants from the grid, rotational and island-wide brownouts, and hampering operations of various industries. Aside from updates on the repair of the transmission lines and towers, the principals’ meeting will also discuss mitigation measures, ways forward, immediate solutions, and other initiatives. “This meeting is crucial as it will allow us to craft plans and initiatives that will mitigate and prevent similar transmission-related problems in the future,”

she added. The energy officials will also discuss other issues revolving around the power sector of Mindanao like the contracting of distribution utilities, updates of incoming power projects, the impacts of El Niño to the grid, and the rehabilitation of the Agus and Pulangi hydropower plants, among others. “The government is doing as much as it can to solve these problems but we also urge the public to help us in our efforts in addressing these by being more vigilant and by reporting suspicious activities in critical areas,” she added.


Agnor SP backs scholarship grants for barangay officials By: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Agusan del Norte recently asked the Committee on Education of the House of Senate and House of Representatives to ensure the fund alloca-tion of the Scholarship Grants Program for barangay officials and their beneficiaries. The SP passed and approved a resolution requesting the House of Congress for the

inclusion of fund allocation in the General Appropriations Act for the sustainable implementation


DOF declares Dinagat Islands as special top achiever’s awardee SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands- The provincial government of Dinagat Islands received recently the special top achiever’s award on real property tax efficiency collection and collection on taxes, fees and charges and economic enterprise awarded by the Department of Finance (DOF) Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).

By: PIO-DInagat Islands

of the said scholarship grants as provided for under Section 393 B (4) of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. Pursuant to Section 393 B (4) of RA 7160, it mandated that the punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary and their legitimate dependent children, and the sangguniang kabataan officials attending state universities or colleges (SUCs) shall be exempted during their incumbency from paying tuition to the schools they enrolled. In adherence to the said provision, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued Memorandum Order Nos. 62-1997 and 15-2009 to provide guidelines for all SUCs on the said scholarship grant. However, a problem ensued as the scholarship program is not

honored by SUCs because there is no assurance of fund allocation from the national government and there is no existing clear-cut mechanism as to where they can obtain the payments or reimbursements of the tuition or matriculation fees incurred by the beneficiaries. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental and Marinduque expressed the same concerns on the matter and were soliciting the support from the SP of Agusan del Norte to request the national government to adopt a clear-cut mechanism that will ensure the fund allocation of the program and payment to SUCs. The SP of Agusan del Norte strongly supported the move and immediately passed and approved a resolution requesting the House of Congress to address the said problem.


The treasury and assessor’s offices achieved impressively the 381.30 percent collection efficiency in Real Property Tax and an average collection efficiency rating of 1,152.51 percent in the collection of taxes, fees and charges and economic enterprise thereby ranking no. 1 among the provinces of the entire Caraga Region. On the other hand, governor Glenda B. Ecleo duly represented by vice-governor Benglen B. Ecleo and board member Norberto Sarita also received the plaque of recognition and appreciation award in recognition of her invaluable support to the Tax Administration and Revenue Generation Program which contributed to the province’s

tax collection efficiency in real property tax and business tax, fees and charges and economic enterprise of the province. Provincal Treasurer Annabelle Naluan cited how the provincial government succeeded in attaining the recognition. “We made plans and strategies in the collection of real property taxes and conduct a massive tax information drive, property auction sale, and we incessantly convinced the mining companies to pay the soil depletion tax,” she said. “I was so thankful that they heed my request and likewise to the entire staffs of the local treasury, assessor and mining companies for being so supportive,” added Naluan.


DOH-PHT in SurSur sees feat to hit higher thru mopping up operation for National School Deworming

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – After a “mopping up operation” schedule to be carried out this first week of February, the Provincial Health Team (PHT) office under the Department of Health (DOH) in Surigao del Sur has envisioned a better result for the second round of the National School Deworming day conducted last January 27, 2016.

The PHT headed by Dr. Helen Caño has to go back to some multi-grade public schools to do the same since teachers during that time were out on a training-seminar, it was learned.

Meanwhile, the DOH Caraga under Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., regional director, had already come out with the initial accomplishment, citing 72.62 percent region-wide. For Surigao del Sur, Bislig

By: Greg Tataro Jr

Photo credits: Rodrigo Gordo/PH0-SDS


City, and Tandag City DepEd divisions, the percentages of accomplishment were posted at 80.54; 90.86; and 50.62, respectively. However, the breakdown per province was reported as

follows: Agusan del Norte—75.08 percent; Agusan del Sur—80.22 percent; Surigao del Norte—55.87 percent; Surigao del Sur—79.34 percent; and Dinagat Islands—47.68 percent. Except for a single case

of “erratic worm migration,” no adverse event following the deworming had been noted. On related d e v e l o p m e n t , Harmonized Mass Drug Administration (HMDA) also came out a success for two pilot barangays in Bislig City—Cumawas and San Isidro. School children were said to have been given the combined drugs of Albendazole and Praziquantel, both anthelmintic or anti-worm medication. Jointly held with the DepEd, the National School Deworming program is aimed at treating kinder up to Grade 6 school children from worm infestation.


OWWA’s P2B Reintegration Loan Program inspires OFW

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Jamira now finds herself enjoying the fruit of her labor after years of working as an OFW in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The strong-willed Jamira became an OFW at the young age of 23 but decided to go back to her native placeafter 5 years of serving as a nurse in a government hospital in KSA.

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez


Karen Claire Grafia, Labor Communication Officer- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-IX recounted how Jamira became a beneficiary of OWWA’s P2B Reintegration Loan Program. Jamira drew her entrepreneurial inspiration from her very own father, who is himselfengaged in business. “During her stay in KSA, her father advised her on putting up a business of her own when she returns to the country.Heeding her father’s advice, Jamira banked on her family’s already established business – a water refilling station,” Grafia narrated. “Upon returning to the country, Jamira, together with her father immediately attended OWWA orientation on the P2B Reintegration Loan Program,” Grafia recalled.

Business opportunity from OWWA Jamirabecame part of OWWA’s Reintegration Program, and was granted a loan to start her own business.

Upon the release of the fund, Jamira and her family constructed a small building for their planned business. The establishment was built just beside their residence at Barangay Cabaluay. After the construction, the family then franchised “Water Market,” a water refilling station. After years of operation, Jamira and her family will soon finish paying in full the loan. “Sa 2017, mababayaran na namin ng buo ang loan namin sa Land Bank,” proudly said Jamira’s father Omar. “As of now, the Water Market Refilling Station caters customers from Teacher’s Village, Barangay Cabaluay and nearby barangays as it opens at 7 am. In the future, Mr. Omar and his daughter plan to set up another branch if given the chance to apply for a re-loan,” Ms. Grafia proudly spoke of their client-beneficiaries.

OWWA’s P2B Reintegration Loan Program

The 2 Billion-Peso Reintegration Program is


Dipolog tops in 2015 Cities and Municipalities Index of ZAMPENBy Grace Montallana

DIPOLOG CITY – Dipolog City bagged the award as top city in the Zamboanga Peninsula Component Cities Category during the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI). Mayor Evelyn T. Uy received a plaque of CMCI 2015 from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director

and Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC) 9 Chairperson Sitti Amina M. Jain. The formal awarding at the

a business loan where an OWWA member or their legal dependents can avail of Php 300,000.00 to Php 2 million loan for their preferred business. The loan is payable at a low interest rate of 7.5% per annum. The program aims to provide economic opportunities

for OFWs and their families by helping them establish viable, income-generating livelihood activities. The P2B Reintegration Fund for enterprise development is a loan facility in cooperation with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.


office of the mayor on January 27 was witnessed by DTI Assistant Regional Director Noel Bazan, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director Ceferino Rubio and Engr. Victoriano Miranda. City Information Officer Lorenzo A. Aseniero revealed that CMCI is developed by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) which measures the annual ranking of cities and municipalities for regional competitiveness and to encourage more trade and

livelihood. Before CMCI was created, the local competitive indicators were not measured and consolidated thus, the interested capitalist finds it difficult to compare and evaluate different locations to establish businesses. NCC aims to improve the nation’s standing in international ranking and move the country from bottom third to the top third in 2016.


OWWA holds 2015 Year-end Annual Performance AssessmentZAMBOANGA CITY – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-9 recently conducted its annual Year-End Performance Assessment (YEPA) here to evaluate each employee’s performance in the delivery of welfare services and benefits to OFWs for the year 2015.

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain of OWWA-9 together with the heads of Programs and Services Division (PSD) and Administrative and Finance Unit (AFU) assessed the agency’s programs and services based from the 2015 accomplishment reports and program plans and calendar of activities for the year 2016 presented by its Family Welfare Officers (FWOs). “We endeavor to hold this annually to assess and plan better programs in serving and promoting the welfare of the OFWs in the region,” said Jumdain. He explained that the activity will build the staff’s confidence especially in preparing and presenting reports. PSD Head Angeles Engalla

said the targets set for the beginning of year 2015 were “successfully achieved and will continue to do so.” She urged all personnel to stay focused on the job and to work as a team. Also present during the activity were the OFW Family Circles who had actively participated in the open forum. The event also served as venue to address issues and concerns that hindered the agency’s efficient delivery of services to clientele; identify success indicators that contributed to the accomplishments; and allow every employee to renew their commitment to render excellent customer service.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Forty solo parents from barangay Carmen will receive sewing materials on January 30 from the city local government unit and National Housing Authority (NHA).

By: City Information Office

Solo parents to receive sewing materials

Currently, there are 553 solo parents listed in the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) who will be recipients of medical and

educational assistance in Cagayan de Oro. According to Apple Tabafa, CSWD focal person on solo parents,


According to Romeo Fernandez of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10, the first tranche of more than 800 food packs were sent to the tribe last December as its assistance to the victims. The DSWD is mandated to augment resources to the local government units in assisting victims of man-made or natural disasters. It helps ensure that the LGUs are able to provide food packs, temporary shelters, and early recovery and rehabilitation for all families affected

by disaster. The DSWD has a standby calamity fund of P1,000,000.00 and 30,000 family food packs should local government units request for immediate augmentation.

DSWD sends food packs to victims of tribal feud in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A second tranche of more than 500 family food packs and 50 sacks of used clothing were sent to the Higaonon families in Malaybalay City on January 22, after a tribal feud took place sometime in November last year affecting more than 70 Higaonon families, and resulting three casualties, and injuring two individuals.

By: Charmaine P. Tadlas

their office continuously registers solo parents in the city so they can be helped or assisted by the local government. Based on republic act 8972,

solo parents should be assisted by the government and must be given opportunities so they can raise their child or children with their own means.


Energy firm hydro construction helps local micro business prosper in BukidnonBy: Loyd Revilla

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – The P12.5-billion hydropower project of Hedcor in the province of Bukidnon has a ripple effect in its host communities.

Some of the Higaonon families are taking advantage of the on-going construction as they earn through selling food during break time of more than 400 locals working in the area. Lilibeth Inigo and Cherry Mae Aroyal, both residents of Barangay Guilang-guilang, Manolo Fortich are just a couple of those who are selling meals, drinks, snacks and coffee. According to Lilibeth, they have been earning up to P5,000 every month for the past six months due to the hydro construction of Hedcor. “I started to peddle goods for my neighbors who are working here.

I started selling food with only P1,500 as my capital. Then, I realized that I am earning better amount every day. So, I decided to build a small “kubo (shed)” and continue my small business. I couldn’t thank enough to Hedcor for building this hydro plant in our area,” Lilibeth said in dialect. Hedcor is a wholly-

owned subsidiary of AboitizPower that specializes in generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems. Hedcor’s ground-breaking last year marked the project’s construction on Guilang-guilang village in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon. The project is now on track being 34 percent complete. Today, Hedcor is operating 22 hydropower facilities in Benguet, Mt. Province, Davao and Ilocos Sur with a total installed capacity of 185 megawatts.


Gov’t offices dialogue with Monkayo Lu-madsTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- - Government agencies under the Information Task Group of the Project Monitoring and Coordinat-ing Council for the National Task Force Diwalwal (PMCC-NTFD) conducted on Friday (January 29) a forum with the indigenous people in Brgy. Upper Ulip, Monkayo, Compostela Valley. Dubbed as Makigsayod sa Kinaiyahan, the forum was at-tended by around 150 residents of the barangay including the in-digenous people from the neigh-boring barangays. DavComVal Information Center Manager Jeanevive Aban-gan of the Philippine Information Agency stressed that the forum intensified the range of informa-tion dissemination to the baran-gay level by bringing different government agencies to interact with the people. Among the issues raised during the dialogue were drugs, rebel infestation and the IP share on Diwalwal mining. Monkayo Chief of Police Supt. Jay Dema-ala said that ac-cording to their monitoring, Up-

per Ulip has become a trade cen-ter of drugs to Diwalwal. “Last month, we intercepted a shabu shipment worth P1.2-million, which was going to be disposed to Diwalwal,” Supt. De-ma-ala emphasized. Dema-ala urged the partici-pants to fight against drugs since it is reason for crimes in the area. “90% of the crimes commit-ted are drug related,” he added. Meanwhile, Col. Gilbert Roy Ruiz of the 66th Infantry (Kaba-likat) Battalion underscored that the forum was an indication that government is always supporting and assisting its residence. Col. Ruiz encouraged the resi-dents never to allow their family members to be recruited by lawless rebels since they only bring cha-


os to the community. Ruiz reiterated that only when there is peace that the community will progress. On the IP Share on mining, the members of the Info-Task Group indicated to bring the matter to the PMCC meeting and concerned agencies.

Also present during the event were representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Commis-sion on Indigenous People, Phil-ippine Mining Development Cor-poration and information offices of Monkayo and Compostela Val-ley province. (Michael Uy)

9 bidders for Little Tokyo conceptDAVAO CITY- The Tourism In-frastructure and Investment Zone Authority (TIEZA) is evalu-ating the bids of nine bidders for the concept and study of the Little Tokyo heritage site in Mintal district. According to Lisette Marques, OIC City Tourism Operations Of-fice they met with TIEZA board member Roberto Teo during the Asean Tourism Forum in Manila last week where he informed her of the number of bidders for the concept of the heritage site. Estimated budget for the concept and study for the devel-opment of Little Tokyo is P12-million. This is separate from the budget of the actual develop-ment. Formerly known as the PTA (Philippine Tourism Authority) TIEZA is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) whose mandate include develop-ing, managing and supervising tourism infrastructure projects

nationwide. Little Tokyo is referred to the site in Mintal where Japanese mi-grants settled during the Ameri-can colonial period. During that time the Japanese built a hos-pital, school, monument, ceme-tery, hydroelectric plant, houses and other structures. Currently a few remnants of these structures from a by-gone era remain. Among them the Japanese cemetery, a mon-ument, an artesian well and a small hydro-power plant. The City Government had wanted to develop Little Tokyo for its tourism value particularly in enticing Japanese tourists. Ac-cording to Marques, Davao re-ceives around 13,000 Japanese visitors annually. In 2014 it sub-mitted a detailed blueprint to TIEZA for the heritage site proj-ect. (RG Alama)


Electrification project to benefit 2,000 families in Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Feb 3 — Some 2,000 indi-gent families in 39 villages in Kidapawan City will soon have electricity as beneficiaries of a program of the Department of En-ergy (DOE).


City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the local government unit has partnered with the DOE for the implementation of the National Intensified Household Electrification (NIHE) project in the city a as a pilot site.

NIHE is a stepped up proj-ect of the DOE in line with its effort to achieve its target of providing power to 90 percent of households in the county by 2017, giving priority to the poorest families.

n May 2015, the DOE signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the identification of the poten-tial beneficiaries based on the latter’s Listahanan, originally, the National Household Target-ing System for Poverty Reduc-tion (NHTS-PR).

Based on the 2011 NHTS PR list, 2.6 million poor households nationwide do not have electric-ity.

NIHE will prioritize 450,000 poor households in 46 selected provinces. These households are also recipients of the Panta-wid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program.

In a her message posted at the DOE website, Energy Sec-

retary Zenaida Monsada said around Php114 million have been allocated to 22 partner electric cooperatives in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to ener-gize 32,512 households.

“By 2016, we hope to electrify 100% of all unenergized sitios across the country,” Secretary Monsada said.

Mayor Evangelista confirmed that last December DOE re-leased P7.5 million for the implementation of the NIHE project in Kidapawan. Proj-ect beneficiaries are families whose houses are not yet connected to the power line.

Last week, the local chief ex-ecutive and personnel from the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (COTELCO) gathered beneficia-ries from Barangay Manongol, Perez, Birada, Mua-an, Meohao, Ginatilan, Balabag and Iloma-vis for a COTELCO membership seminar and orientation on the NIHE project. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from the Kidapawan City Information Office)


By:Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Kidapawan City LGU to implement P300 PTA subsidy on SY 2016- 2017

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Feb. 3--- The city government here is set to implement the Php300 Parents Teachers Associa-tion (PTA) subsidy to all public elementary and secondary schools starting on school year 2016 – 2017.

With the program, each pu-pil or student will get a Php300 subsidy for the PTA fee.

This also works for fami-lies with one or more pupils or students enrolled in a public schools.

City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said that this could help par-ents on their finances in sending their children to school. Aside from this, the program helps in the City Schools Division’s aim of decreasing the drop out rates in public schools.

Further, the PTA subsidy is also a good way in helping the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Pro-gram (4Ps) beneficiaries in mak-ing sure that students attend school as attendance is among the conditions to maintain the 4Ps assistance.

The PTA subsidy started on 2014 with P100 allotment for

each student or pupil and was doubled this school year.

Evangelista emphasized that this program is among the ini-tiatives of the city government in pushing for a zero collection fee schools in Kidapawan. (SJ-Duerme-PIA12)

39February 3, 2016 One Mindanao 39

one mindanao - february 3, 2016

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