one mindanao - february 9, 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 ARTISTSEMMANUEL TAGHOY, 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

Farmer associations receive P24-M worth of agri support

Cover Story

By: Rhea C. Abao

today’s news

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Baldoz optimistic SoKor will hire more Filipino workers through EPS

Comelec to hold mock elections in Zamboanga del NorteBy: Alfonso T. Ruda

Peace process in Mindanao to continue with or without BBL passage – DEPADev

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DSWD spearheads 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

NPA rebels burn DOLE’s boom sprayer truck in Bukidnon

Diwalwal mining site eyed for tourismBy: RG Alama

25 More ARB entrepreneurs in Sultan Kudarat benefit from DAR-DTI convergence

By: Greg Tataro Jr

By: DTI-Surigao del Norte

By: Mitzie S. Santiago

By: Lorenzo B. Siobal Jr

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SurSur COMELEC: Common poster areas in place

DTI conducts briefing on local competitiveness in Surigao Norte town

SOUTHERN SOCCSKSARGEN

CARAGA

INFOCUS NATIONAL WESTERN

NORTHERN

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4 February 9, 2016One MindanaoBy: Rhea C. Abao

COVER STORY


5February 9, 2016 One Mindanao


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T he Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga turned-over various farm equipment, and certified seeds amounting to P24 million last January 29 at Brgy. Taguibo, this

city. DA Caraga regional director Edna M. Mabeza led the turn-over ceremony assisted by city mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to 17 farmer associations in the city.

“DA continuously extends pre and post-harvest equipment and production support to qualified farmer groups, associations and cooperatives. A mechanized farming will help our farmers increase productivity,” said Mabeza.

The support on farm mechanization does not stop on the provision of equipment to eligible farmer groups. The department also conducts training on farm machine operation, troubleshooting and management. This helps the farmer recipients to operate and manage properly the

equipment.

DA’s intervention to farmer associations was based on requests given by farmer groups. The local government unit would then assist these farmers in complying with the requirements necessary in the granting of these interventions.

“We are happy that our request to have a rice transplanter was granted. This equipment will help my fellow rice farmers make farming easier and ensure efficiency in transplanting. Manual planting need more time, but through this equipment, we now have additional time for our other farming ventures,” this was the statement of Sulpicio Dumaboc, Chairperson of Sunrise Irrigators Association.

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The P24 million worth agri support was composed of one unit corn mill, six pump and engine set, one unit rice transplanter, two units floating tiller, one unit rubber creeper, 10 units knapsack sprayer, 380 bags of certified seeds, and assorted vegetable seeds.

Farmer groups who received the intervention include: Upper Dumalagan Farmers Association, Basag Irrigators Association, Butuan-Agusan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lemon-Basag Farmers Irrigators Inc., Lemon Integrated Farmers Association, Baan Integrated Farmers Association, Bobon Integrated Farmers Association, Mahay Integrated Farmers Association, Tagpulangi-Lilo Farmers Irrigators Association, Bancasi Farmers Association, Km7 Farmers Producer Cooperative, Sunrise Irrigators Association, Bitan-agan Farmers Association, San Mateo RIC, Badiangon Farmers Association and Irrigators Association, Pigdaulan Farmers Association, and Bitan-agan Rice Farmers Association.

One Mindanao8 February 9, 2016

Palace reminds public to scrutinize candidates running for gov’t positions

“Ang botante ang mamimili dahil pagdating sa panahon ng kampanya ‘yan ang panahon ng pagsusuri, pag-aaral,

pagdedebate at pagtatalakay ng mga isyu na hinaharap ng ating bayan at ng ating lipunan,” Undersecretary Manuel Quezon

MANILA -- A Palace official advised the public to watch debates, read newspapers and other information materials to know the personalities of those running for public office as the official campaign season starts today.


III said when asked to comment on the start of the campaign period.

President will lead the campaign kick-off of the Liberal Party today in the Visayas region. He vowed to campaign vigorously for Liberal Party bets whom he said will continue his “Daang Matuwid” agenda.

Asked to comment on the use of government money during the campaign, Quezon said: “I think we should be very aware of one

thing na hindi naman ito parang chaleco or hat na pwede mong tanggalin tapos suotin, tapos tanggalin-suotin. The President is the president wherever he goes and whatever he does.”

The President is cautious on spending government money and will not waste resources on things

that are not of public interest, Quezon said.

“In other words, you can be sure that public funds are not going to be used for partisan or political purposes of the party,” he noted.

“May sariling pondo ang partido, ang koalisyon ay mayroon sariling logistics, and the President will only use what is required for his position.” (president.gov.ph/AVS-PIA)


MANILA-- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Friday expressed optimism that more Filipinos would be allowed to work in South Korea under the government-to-government Employment Permit System (EPS).

Baldoz optimistic SoKor will hire more Filipino workers through EPS

She said that Philippines, through DOLE’s Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, has set in motion several measures to reduce the

number of overstaying Filipino workers in the said country and to fast-track processing of EPS workers’ documents, including the “introduction period”.


“I have high hopes that our quota of workers for South Korea will increase because our EPS performance has been consistently good,” Baldoz said during a meeting she held with Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin of the Republic of South Korea.

Newly assigned Ambassador Kim paid the Secretary a call the other day and he assured the Secretary he will convey her wish of an increased quota to his government in Seoul, particularly to the Ministry of Labor.

Baldoz, who pioneered the PH-Korea EPS in 2004 when she was still POEA administrator, said the PH-Korea EPS memorandum of agreement, which is valid for two years, is up for renewal and the Philippines has started early preparation for the negotiations in April.

“The Philippines is scheduled

to renew its EPS with South Korea on April of this year. Since 2004, the Philippines and Korea have renewed the EPS agreement four times,” said Baldoz.

She added that the factors South Korea considers in the renewal are labor market trends, level of labor shortages, and economic conditions.

The Philippines is one of the original six countries that signed in April 2004 the EPS memorandum of agreement with South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor.

The Korean government adopted the EPS to introduce non-professional foreign workers in its small and medium enterprise sector under a transparent and efficient process of selecting, sending, and receiving foreign workers through a government-to-government arrangement.


As of 27 January 2016, a total of 45,619 OFWs have been deployed to South Korea under the EPS in 491 batches since 2004. Of this number, 44,313 workers sent in 438 were regular EPS workers, while 1,306 workers sent in 53 batches were sincere workers, or those who returned to the same employer since 2002.

According to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Korea, Filipino EPS workers are in 6,692 workplaces in 17 provinces. EPS workers were deployed in the

manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors. Other employment-based visa holders are professors (89); researchers (32); arts and performance (3,490); professional employment (26); and special occupations (652).

Baldoz said to improve the ranking of the Philippines for 2016, POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac has committed to undertake several measures to decrease the number of overstaying Filipino workers. (DOLE)


Peace process in Mindanao to continue with or without BBL passage – DEPADev

MANILA– Despite apparent setbacks in legislation pushing for a Bangsamoro entity, proponents of peace in Mindanao believe efforts for political reform in this Philippine region should continue.

Atty. Benedicto Bacani, Executive Director of the Cotabato City-based Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), said peace in Mindanao is much larger than the legislation

of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, and that lawmakers and socio-political groups should continue their work in pushing for political reform.

14 One Mindanao February 9, 2016

Bacani said this during the launch of the Democratic Party Development (DEPAdev), a project being undertaken by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Philippines Office (KAS) with the IAG to prepare the future autonomous Bangsamoro for a meaningful autonomy. DEPAdev aims at contributing to the establishment of a pluralistic political landscape in southern Philippines.

Funded by the European Union, the DEPAdev project specifically aims to empower Muslim, Christian, Indigenous and other underrepresented groups for active political participation under a parliamentary system through the formation of political parties.

Benedikt Seemann, KAS Philippines Office Resident Representative, affirmed that “this 18-month project is a non-partisan approach in which seminars and training activities will be implemented for existing political parties, members of civil society groups and members of both, religious and non-religious groups throughout Mindanao”.

“We, at KAS and IAG, with the support of the European Union,

support the building of political parties to empower civil society in what will be the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. The empowerment of civil society groups is the key to success [of the peace process] regardless of the precise design of any basic law,” Seemann said.

“We will continue to advocate for political reforms that will be conducive to the development of political parties that I think is key also to finding a political solution to this very, very long conflict in Mindanao,” Bacani added. Ambassador Franz Jessen, ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, said the EU will remain supportive of this advocacy.

“We take things step by step and we will see how things develop next week. We have a long-term commitment to the peace process and our support will continue as has been going on for years in the past,” Jessen said. Since 2007, the EU has invested more than P650 million in programs that contribute to the peace process in southern Philippines. (PPMB)


Zambo mayor orders law enforcers to ensure “no spillover” violence from neighbor towns

By Dominic I. Sanchez


The mayor said “authorities should remain aggressive in its campaign against any and all violators of the law, particularly the gun ban as well as people who intend to sow terror in Zamboanga.” According to reports, Mayor Jasper Que of Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi was shot and severely wounded by unidentified gunmen in Baliwasan, this city while in his car. He was admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital, but was later out of the ICU. Mayor Climaco-Salazar emphasized that “Zamboanga City should not be made a battle ground for conflicts or feuds that emanate from other areas.” She ordered the police and military to be on their toes to help ensure that peace and security will prevail in the city, especially during the election period. Meanwhile, for his part, Task Force

Zamboanga (TFZ) commander Col. Juvy Max Uy in a television interview earlier said that he has already mobilized troops to patrol areas in the city. In a recent peace and order council meeting, security officials disclosed the presence of Abu Sayyaf and other lawless groups here, and emphasized that they have done certain measures to avert any possible threats to security in the city. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) also said that he ordered armored vehicles to conduct regular patrols here.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In light of the recent shooting of a Tawi-Tawi municipal mayor in the city, Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar ordered security forces here to tighten their measures to ensure that “no spillover violence” from the neighboring areas will occur here.


Comelec to hold mock elections in Zamboanga del Norte By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will hold mock elections in two separate areas in Zamboanga del Norte this week.

In a telephone interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA), outgoing Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor (PES), Atty. Ellis Miguel said the mock elections with be conducted in the clustered precincts of Dipolog City and Sindangan on February 13. In Dipolog City, it will be held at Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School and in barangay Sinaman. However, he did not mention the specific area in Sindangan. Miguel said that the choice of Dipolog City and Sindangan as pilot areas for the mock elections was pre-determined by its Comelec Central office. The mock election aims to test the efficiency of the voting and counting machine to be used in the coming national and local election on May 9, 2016 as well as address all probable hitches that may happen during election day.

The activity will be open to the public with proper authorities controlling the area to avoid overcrowding at the polling precincts. Meanwhile, Miguel reiterated his appeal for the candidates to adhere to Comelec guidelines on campaigning such as posting of standard size campaign ads in designated areas and respect the checkpoints established along different areas in the province. He likewise urged the public to scrutinize the personalities running for various positions and exercise their right to vote freely. The campaign period starts on February 10 for national positions and March 25 for local positions. “However, campaign period for local candidates officially starts on March 26 as March 25 falls on “Good Friday” which is declared as a holiday, Miguel concluded.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Xavier Stage (TXS), a resident repertory company of Xavier University, closes their Advocacy Theater on Peace, Good Governance and Positive Discipline – the company’s 5th theater season – with Rody Vera’s Pinatay si Mayor, in celebration with the National Arts Month.

By: XU Communications Office

University to play advocacy theater on peace, Philippine politics

TXS previously staged GamutinAng Bayan – a twinbill

production on peace and Philippine politics – on September 2015, and


DSWD spearheads 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against WomenTUBOD, Lanao del Norte – With this year’s theme, “End VAW Now! It’s Our Duty! Gains and Ways Forward,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development recently spearheaded the 18th Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and their Children and International Day Against Trafficking. Some of the activities conducted in line with the celebration included a motorcade, TV guestings, advocacy forums on various Laws related to

anti-violence against women and children. Highlights of the week long celebration were the active

By: Mitzie S. Santiago

Istoryahi Lang Ko – a musical which shares on positive child discipline - on December 2015 with re-staging last January. Rody Vera’s Pinatay si Mayor is a musical satire about voters’ education and Philippine elections. For what seems to be a promising future for the townspeople of Talon Pikit, their newly elected mayor was murdered before he could assume office. Until now, officials could not point out the motive or the killer. Could it be that the murder is linked to a political motive or a personal issue? Is the killer one of the townspeople of Talon Pikit, or a political rival? In line with their Advocacy Theater, the Xavier Stage hopes to share the message: Vote wisely and be vigilant after elections. The musical satire features Muriel Lomadilla, as the incumbent

Mayor Vangie Palaban, one of the suspects in the murder. The ensemble cast is mixed with experienced and new actors from the TXS resident pool of artists. The play premiers 7:30 p.m. on February 22, 2016 at the Xavier University Little Theater. Ticket prices are at P100.00 for the premier and at P 75.00 for regular shows. Playdates are as follows: February 22, 2016, 7:30 p.m. - Premier, February 23, 2016, 7:30 p.m., February 24, 2016, 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., February 25, 2016, 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., February 26, 2016, 7:30 p.m., and February 27, 2016, 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. Should you wish to reserve seats, please contact Ken Francisco 0915 934 9199 or Ms. Oya through 858 -3116 local number 2059.


NPA rebels burn DOLE’s boom sprayer truck in BukidnonBy: Lorenzo B. Siobal Jr

CAMP OSITO BAHIAN, Malaybalay City – Five fully-armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned the boom sprayer truck of DOLE North Skyland while conducting spraying operation within DOLE Banana Plantation, sitio Gabunan, Casisang, Malaybalay City at 4AM, February 1. Truck driver Roland Selitona, and helper Jimer Altamera, said the bonnet-wearing armed men flagged them down and held them for 10 minutes before setting the truck on fire. Selitona said one of the NPA rebels ordered them to stay away from the scene because their (NPAs) targets for destruction are trucks only; and that the truck driver heard them saying in dialect “Wala mo’y apil, ang truck ra among gusto (We will not harm you, we will destroy trucks only)”. It can be recalled that the same truck was riddled with eight gunshot holes by five unidentified armed men before dawn of January 30, 2016 in nearby village.

Colonel Jesse A. Alvarez, 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) brigade commander of the Philippine Army said troops are now deployed to track down the rebels. He denounced the violence saying “they are anti-development and anti-democratic groups who just use some issues on labor and environmental protection as disguise to their extortion scheme.” “When companies will be closed because of their sabotage, many workers will become unemployed resulting to more poor families, which is one of the CPP-NDF-NPA’s goals so they can easily persuade people to join in their terroristic actions,” Col. Alvarez said.

participation of members of the Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere and other government member-Agencies of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children. The event was aimed to promote public awareness in the observance of the event and give emphasis on

how far the government agencies and other stakeholders have gone in terms of programs and projects that address violence against women and children. Protecting and upholding the rights of women and children has been one of the major initiatives of the DSWD.


Davao City provides Newcastle virus vac-cine to poultry

NDV (Newcastle Disease Vi-rus) is an airborne highly conta-gious disease which affects do-mestic and wild bird species it is caused by the Newcastle Virus. About 41,000 chickens have died in Central Luzon because of the virus. Gay Pallar, Veterinarian II of the City Veterinarian’s Office said that there have been no re-ports of affected Newcastle poul-try here in Davao City. Pallar said that vaccination is the best treatment for the vi-rus. “We have technicians all over the city conducting vacci-nations.” She said. Currently the City Vet has 20 vials of vaccine good for 20,000 heads of chicken. Vaccinations of livestock and poultry is one of the programs of the city govern-ment. Pallar said that Newcastle

virus is deadly to poultry among its symptoms include swelling of eyes, difficulty in breathing and backward gait. “In some cases these chick-en will roost in the trees then will just drop dead.” She added. Aside from Newcastle virus, vaccinations are also given by the City Vet for rabies, hemor-rhagic septicemia, hog cholera and fowl pox. (PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY- The City Veterinarian’s office is providing vaccinations to poultry to prevent the spread of the Newcastle Virus to chickens.


Diwalwal mining site eyed for tourism

The National Task Force Di-wata (NTFD) has identified sev-eral tourism sites in the 8,100 hectare mineral reservation area popularly known as Diwalwal. Alex Palero focal person of the Program Monitoring Coordi-nation Center (PMCC-NTFD) said developing the tourism aspect of the area is considered as part of the masterplan by the Regional Development Council. He said that the area should not rely on mining alone. With decreasing gold production in Di-walwal, agriculture and tourism are being eyed as alternative livelihood. Gold deposits are now found deeper in the mountains escalating the costs of extract-ing the gold for miners, many of which are engaged in small-scale mining. At 1,200 meters above sea level the mountain area boasts of a cooler climate just like Ba-guio plus the presence of scenic waterfalls and small lakes in the area makes it a promising desti-nation for tourists. Hollywood actor Josh Hart-nett who shot a film in Diwalwal in 2007 described the place as a

gorgeous part of the world. He was enamored with the water-falls he found in the area. Palero said the waterfalls which Hartnett saw is planned as a future tourism site however the dumping of mine tailings into the waters must be stopped. The falls is located below the mining sites. As a start NTFD is develop-ing a four-hectare site as a bio-diversity area where they will be planting various species of trees including the giant bamboo. The plan to develop Mt. Di-wata as a tourism site is not new, six years ago the provincial gov-ernment of Compostela Valley has considered developing and promoting the mining industry of Mt. Diwata to visitors similar to Australia’s mine site tourism. (PIA/RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY- The Mt. Diwata Mining Reservation Area is being eyed as a tourism spot.


Tons of flying fish grilled in Bangsi Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani, Feb. 9 – Visitors and local folks feasted over two tons of flying fish grilled along the town’s main street when it culminated the 9th Bangsi Festival highlighted with the longest Bangsi grill.

Bangsi, the local term for fly-ing fish, is Maitum fisher folk’s valued yield and best eaten

when marinated and half-dried.Through time, marinated

Bangsi became Maitum’s OTOP


(One Town, One Product) that has been a good source of in-come for households and small enterprises here.

In an inspirational speech read by councilor Jess Bascua on Friday (January 29), former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas said “I am delighted that your celebration revolves around promoting Bangsi,”

In a resolution, the Sang-guniang Bayan passed for the creation of the festival. It cited dried marinated flying fish (lo-cally referred to as “bulad sa Maitum” as “highly significant to the municipality because it

is one of the top producers of marinated flying fish and other fish by-products within SOCSAR-GEN (South Cotabato-Sarangani -Gensan) area.”

Bangsi Festival is annually cel-ebrated every last week of Janu-ary as a tribute to its fisherfolk.

Thousands of households here depend on the fishing industry as primary source of livelihood.

Aside from the abundant catch of fish, the local skills in fish processing and unique tech-nology on marinating Bangsi be-ing practiced by residents have complemented to pose high eco-nomic potential for this town.


More ARB entrepreneurs in Sultan Kudarat benefit from DAR-DTI convergence

Fishing Bangsi is done year-round but its peak season is noted during September to May.

(BCPaoyon-Sarangani Infor-maton Office/DED-PIA12)

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat Feb 9 – More has been done to help local entrepreneurs as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pooled their resourc-es in delivering support services to agrarian reform areas in Sultan Kudarat province, officials said.

Rodolfo Alburo, provincial agrarian reform program officer II in Sultan Kudarat said, this is realized in the DAR-DTI syn-chronized plan for 2015 which they used in helping the devel-opment of micro, small and me-dium enterprises (MSMEs) in the rural sector.

The DAR-DTI synchronized plan focused on capability en-hancement, value adding, and product and market devel-opment intended for various agrarian reform beneficiary organizations in the towns of Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, President Quirino, Lam-bayong, Lebak, Columbio, Espe-ranza and Palimbang, the official said.

“About 502 individuals bene-fited from the said joint endeav-or. Three hundred of them were agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs),” said Alburo.

Several activities were imple-mented under the DAR-DTI syn-chronized plan for 2015 which aimed to promote and develop micro, small and medium enter-prises (MSMEs) in the rural sec-tor.

Mary Joy Labanero, DAR point person for DAR-DTI partner-ship also said, trainings on good manufacturing practices (GMP) for productivity enhancement were conducted in Lebak and Bagumbayan.

“The training enhanced the awareness of participants on


proper handling and process-ing of their food products,” La-banero said.

She added that alongside GMP training was also the processing of documentary requirements for Food and Drugs Administra-tion License to Operate (FDA-LTO) registration of MAFACGA (Masiag Farmers and Coffee Growers Association) of Bagum-bayan town.

Moreover, value chain analy-sis in rubber production was also conducted which resulted to the identification of problems encountered by rubber grow-ers and producers, especially the discouraging price and poor quality of rubber cup lumps.

Also conducted were capabil-ity enhancement seminars and workshops such as strategic planning, financial literacy and organizational strengthening.

Said trainings developed and enhanced the managerial and entrepreneurial capabilities of the beneficiaries to efficiently and effectively manage their re-spective organizations, projects and businesses.

Aside from trainings, seminar and workshops, several market promotions and development activities were also facilitated under the plan.

These include selling missions, participation in trade fairs and market matching that resulted to cash and booked sales of Php 0.30-M for the ARBOs and con-tinuing orders of 2 schools and 2 restaurants in Isulan town.

Felisa A. Sinobago, Officer-in-Charge of DTI Sultan Kudarat, said it is crucial that inter-agen-cy collaborations is being under-taken to fully maximize the ef-fectiveness of the interventions as well as strengthen links with other government agencies.

She added that as public ser-vant, one should sincerely push for the improvement of the lives of our clients by working to-gether. (AC Agad PIA12 with JKDavid-DAR-SK)


Caraga gov’t agencies, NGOs intensify advocacy campaign on National Adoption Consciousness Day By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY– Pursuant to Proclamation No. 72 which declares the first Saturday of February of every year as Adoption Con-sciousness Day, the government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Caraga region had intensified advocacy campaign on the said celebration through conduct of various ac-tivities.

photocredit to: davaotoday.com


The acitvity aims to raise the awareness of the public on adoption through various activities highlighting this year’s theme “Legal na Ampon Ako: Anak na Totoo” with English caption – “A Child Finds Worth in Legal Adoption.” It was learned that the theme emphasizes the following: 1) There is no distinction between an adopted and a biological child because their rights are the same; 2) Proactive approach to the prevention of direct entrustment of children for adoption; and 3) Discouraging prospective adoptive parents to through independent entrustment/

placement only to come later on for the legalization of adoption. The provisions of illegal/inappropriate adoption is stipulated under the provisions of Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act) and Republic Act 8552 (Domestic Adoption Act of 1998). Meanwhile, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga is also tapped by other government agencies and partner NGOs for information dissemination through its known platforms which include the agency’s 107.8MHz Power FM/ Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS).

SurSur COMELEC: Common poster areas in place By: Greg Tataro Jr

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur- Simultaneous with the start of the campaign period for national candidates, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Surigao del Sur stressed that common poster areas had already been identified here a week ago. Atty. Ernie Palanan, provincial election supervisor, expressed belief that nobody would be going to make mistake in pinpointing areas where campaign posters should be placed since COMELEC staff at city and municipal levels had earlier done the rounds of

duly marking them on. In Tandag City, Atty. Risa Constantino, election officer, confirmed about carrying out such job. Moreover, the COMELEC provincial chief said close coordination with other


stakeholders, citing the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Public Work and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and more, had already been done for this undertaking. Palanan hoped candidates would be cooperative enough in this respect. Meanwhile, the same COMELEC official here assured they would always be ready to remove and tear down all unlawful election propaganda/

materials and at the same time file appropriate charges if need be.

DTI conducts briefing on local competitiveness in Surigao Norte town By: DTI-Surigao del Norte

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office, upon the request of the local government unit (LGU) of Claver, conducted recently a briefing on local competitiveness held at the municipal mayor’s conference room in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

The activity aims to provide understanding on the different level of competitiveness and the purpose and mechanics of the cities and municipalities competitiveness index (CMCI). The briefing was attended

by the local competitiveness sub-committee members under the Economic Development Committee of the Municipal Development Council of Claver which include private sectors and the mining industry stakeholders.


The competitiveness sub-committee was organized by virtue of the Executive Order issued by Mayor Eddie P. Gokiangkee aimed to institutionalize the municipal government competitiveness enhancement efforts. Senior trade specialist Rodrigo R. Matabaran started the briefing by explaining why the briefing has to be conducted and then proceeded on presenting the purpose and mechanics of CMCI being conducted yearly by the National Competitiveness Council. He stressed that the competitiveness measures focused on economic dynamism, infrastructures and government efficiency of the particular LGU territory. During the said activity the attendees were also informed on the ranking of Claver and how it fared compared to other LGUs in the province and the Caraga region. Claver was ranked at the 50th place among the 462 first and second class municipalities throughout the country. Matabaran also stressed that the challenges and tasks ahead is for Claver to remain at the top 50 or even improve it on

the succeeding rounds of CMCI. He pointed out that the effort would not only be in the data generation required in CMCI survey but actually in the undertaking of various programs, projects and initiatives that will result to the significant improvement in infrastructures and efficiency in government service delivery as well as the levelling up of various economic activities of different sectors. The local competitiveness sub-committee members present agreed to conduct a follow through meeting to discuss further relevant issues and prepare action plan to improve competitiveness of the municipality.

one mindanao - february 9, 2016

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