one mindanao - july 10, 2012

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

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Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

Cover Story

Mindanao’s first Cinematheque

Rudolph Alama Southern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 297

page 4

Aquino leads awarding of top BJMP personnel 9

David M. Suyao, Caraga Region24 ASESDC recommends immediate stoppage

of illegal mining operation in Agusan del Sur

30 Claro A. Lanipa , Western MindanaoNAPOLCOM holds PNP entrance, PNP promo exams

DILG-10 to hold Cagayan de Oro river basin confab33Council drafts 4-year nutrition action plan34Ana Celeste W. Felisilda, Northern Mindanao

Dani Dogules, Central Mindanao15 South Cotabato LGU to partner with Yuchengco Group in surgical mission

16Shahana Joy Duerme, Central Mindanao

Text2Teach Program to be implemented in primary schools in Surallah, So. Cotabato

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

DOE safety policy to ensure health program for renewable energy facility workers36 Carina L. Cayon, Southern Mindanao

Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, Caraga Region25 Bislig City LGU intensifies local DRRMC

7 11 13

22 32 35

18

27

4 Tuesday, July 10, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StoryMindanao’s first Cinematheque

The facility was realized through a 50-year usufruct agreement signed by the FDCP and the City Government of Davao, where the City Government offered the former Department of Education property along Palma

G i l Street (adjacent to the

Peoples Park). The FDCP converted the former DepEd facility into a small movie theatre which could screen Filipino classics and World Cinema and also could host film-related workshops. A Memorandum of Agreement was also sealed by the local government of Davao City and the FDCP, its terms would be the basis in the running of the cinematheque. The FDCP is an agency under

Finally Dabawenyos and cineastes in the region will

get the chance to watch cinematic classics from the great golden ages of Philippine cinema and other seminal films from international cinema with the opening of the Davao Cinematheque.

by Rudolph Alama

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

t h e Office of the President of the Philippines mandated to promote and support the development of the Philippine Film industry. and one of its current thrusts is to promote cinema and filmmaking across the regions thru the holding of regional film festivals, film workshops and the establishments of cinematheque and film clubs. In a traditional definition, the cinematheque is a small movie theater showing classic or avant-garde or arthouse films. However according to FDCP chair Briccio Santos the cinematheque is aimed as an accessible, affordable or a free venue for the public to watch movies which are not commercially shown on regular movie theaters. The first cinematheque was in the world was built in 1935

in France when cineastes Henri Langlois and Georges Franju founded a film club (“Cercle du cinéma”) to screen old films. Cercle du Cinema became the Cinémathèque Française in 1936. The first FDCP cinematheque in the country was built in Baguio and was opened in 2011. Davao City is the second of its kind in the country and the first in Mindanao. More cinematheques are to be built in Marawi, Zamboanga City and Iloilo. The structure is a 120- seater theatre it is also a public-private partnership as the projector is donated by SM Malls. The old 35mm cinema projectors were donated by the largest chain of mall cinemas as they are currently upgrading into ultra-modern D ig i ta l


Cinema Projectors. According to chairman Santos local filmmakers can also screen their films in the cinematheque, in the process is the appointment of a FDCP point person in Davao that could run the facility. Davao City has a rich indie film tradition as it annually hosts the Mindanao Film Festival, one of the country’s continuous longest running film festival. Just like any FDCP cinematheque, the facility will include a bronze statue great Fiipino filmmakers, Davao’s Cinematheque had the statue of the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka made by Filipino sculptor Jonas Roces. The opening of the festival was graced by chair Briccio Santos and Mayor Sara Duterte, who are children of former City Mayors, with chairman Briccio being the son of former City Mayor Luis T. Santos and current Mayor Duterte the daughter of former Mayor and current Vice- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Mayor Duterte and Chairman Santos were joined by French Ambassador to the Philippine

Gilles Garachon, 2009 Cannes Best Director awardee Brillante Mendoza and Danny Brocka, brother of Lino Brocka and who represented the Brocka family during the unveiling of the statue. Currently the cinema hosts a showing of films from the Czech Republic, Spain, France and Italy plus a retrospective feature of selected Lino Brocka films like Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim and Jaguar. The opening of the cinematheque is one of the highlights of the Sineng Pambansa or the National Film Festival which is also being hosted by Davao City.


ACROSS THE NATION

In his speech keynoting the 21st Anniversary of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology held at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, the President said all Filipinos had to pitch-in to ensure that the correctional system can bring true rehabilitation to the lives

of our inmates languishing in jail for their crimes.

“Tungkulin nating baguhin hindi lamang ang sistema ng koreksyonal ng Pilipinas, kundi pati na rin ang pagtanaw ng ilang mamamayan sa kanilang kapwa Pilipinong nasa loob ng bilangguan,” the

Aquino underscores need to improve penology system

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of improving the Philippines’ system of caring for its inmates saying it was the responsibility of all Filipinos to effect a lasting

change and improvement on the country’s penology system.


President said.“Hindi nagtatapos ang

hustisya sa parusa; hindi maitutuwid ang kamalian sa pagyurak sa karapatan ng mga kapwa natin sa bilangguan. Bilang mga responsableng gabay ng mga bilanggo, gawin nating tunay na lunsaran ng pagbabagong-buhay ang ating sistemang koreksyonal,” he added.

He said that in the two-years that his administration has been in existence, improving the BJMP’s ability to care for inmates, through upgrading the agency’s infrastructure and equipment, was on top of his priority list.

Among these upgrades include: the construction of an additional 47 prison buildings to house 69,735 inmates around the country and the computerization of jail records under the National Inmates Monitoring System (NIMS).

“Sa paraang ito, mas mabilis at mas epektibo na ang pag-track sa mga kaso, sa haba ng sentensya at impormasyon tungkol sa mga bilanggo. Sosolusyunan po nito ang kaso ng mga presong tapos na ang sentensya, nananatili pa rin sa kanilang selda. Tutuldukan nito ang

mano-manong paghagilap ng datos, at ang magulong sistema na kulang na lang ay isulat sa tissue paper ang pangalan ng mga bilanggo,” the President said.

He added that P500-million has already been allocated to construct 2,000 housing units for the personnel of the BJMP and the Bureau of Fire Protection while retired employees will be able to withdraw their pensions through their bank accounts via ATMs (automated teller machines).

He called on the BJMP to join government efforts to rid the bureaucracy of corruption through its various reforms being implemented and become true instruments of change.

“Tunay nga pong mayroon na kayong gobyernong kumakalinga sa inyo. Ang pakiusap ko lang po --- pangalagaan natin ang magagandang bunga ng ating reporma; iwaksi natin ang kaisipang wang-wang, at maging instrumento ng tunay na pagbabago. Patibayin po natin ang ating bayanihan tungo sa bayang sakdal-laya at puspos ng ginhawa,” the President said. (rck)


Aquino leads awarding of top BJMP personnel

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding of top Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel in ceremonies held during the BJMP’s 21st Year

Anniversary in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday.The President also led the

awarding ceremonies for the top local government units who have been long-time partners and allies of the BJMP in the performance of its mandate task of caring and rehabilitating its inmates.

The awardees are: Senior Superintendent Julian Mangomoc

– Regional Director of the Year; SSupt. Rex Delarmente – Senior Officer of the Year; Supt. Rinco Montaus – Staff Officer of the Year; Senior Inspector Socrates Nicart – Junior Officer of the Year; Chief Inspector Wilson Banasen – Provincial Administrator of the Year;


CInsp. Bermar Adlaon – District Warden of the Year; CInsp. Renante Rubio – City Warden of the Year; Senior Inspector Jose Esquinas – Warden, Imus, Cavite; Inspector Lawrence Rosales – Municipal Warden of the Year; Senior Jail Officer Cecilia Madianda and Senior Jail Officer Richard Recososa.

The Special Awardees are: Elder Cho Sung Hun – PHL-KHOR Mission Center; Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian – Valenzuela City; Marissa Dumagat-Carilla – Sanguniang Bayan, Burayen, Leyte; Mayor Ronaldo Aquino – Calbayog City; Mayor Vilma Abaya-Dimacuha – Batangas City; Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi – Imus, Cavite; Mayor Michael Fariñas – Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta – Batac City, Ilocos Norte; Jail Chief Inspector Ilna Rita Maderzo – OIC-HSU; JCInsp. Joyce

Simplicia Yuchingtat – OIC-Deputy for Comptrollership; Jail Senior Inspector Rammel Bonavente – Chief, Moral and Welfare Division; and JInsp. Xavier Solda – OIC-CRS.

The President extended his warmest regards to the awardees for their dedication and to the BJMP officials and employees for this milestone they and their agency has achieved.

“Binabati po natin ang bawat guwardiya, warden, at ang lahat ng bumubuo sa BJMP sa inyong ika-dalawampu’t isang anibersaryo,” the President said.

“Congratulations din po sa ating mga awardee ngayong araw na ito. Salamat sa marangal at masigasig na paglilingkod hindi lamang sa mga bilanggguan, kundi pati na rin sa kalakhang lipunan,” he added. (rck)


Deles says ‘time for peace is now’; cites P-Noy’s efforts and ‘whole-of-government’ approach for peace in Mindanao

The time for peace is now,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles declared, emphasizing the

‘whole-of -government’ approach of the P-Noy administration in pushing for peace.

In her speech during the Moro Leaders’ Assembly held over the weekend in Camp Darapanan, Secretary Deles cited the clear directives from President Aquino to all departments and agencies to contribute to ongoing efforts to fast-track peace and development in Mindanao.

In what was probably the most emotional and inspiring moment of peace advances in southern Philippines, thousands of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members with their families and other Moro leaders repeatedly chanted in unison their “takbirs” of “Allahu Akbar!” (God is the Greatest), as Presidential Adviser

by Eric Gallego


DPWH allots P27B to pave Mindanao national roads in 2013, says MinDABy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The national government is pouring in roughly P27 billlion to pave Mindanao’s national roads in 2013, the Mind-anao Development Authority (MinDA) said.


A statement from the office of MinDA Chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson announced the budget at the recent top-level policy roundtable discussion in Manila jointly organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MinDA and the USAID Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program. The amount is P7 billion higher than the 2012 budget.

Singson noted that Mindanao has the least length of paved roads in the entire country, with 69 percent of the region’s national roads still unpaved.

He said, “It is very clear that Mindanao should get bigger share of the budget.”

He added that for the past three years, the Department of Public Works and Highways has been allocating 26 percent of its budget for Mindanao. Moreover, this year, the department has allocated additional

P2.8 billion solely for roads development in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Antonino said Mindanao still lags behind in terms of its transport networks, which affects efficient flow of goods in the island-region.

“Despite the positive performance of Mindanao economy, a lot still needs to be done in our road networks, especially because these are essential in promoting our role as the country’s food basket,” she said.

M i n d a n a o ’ s accelerated growth and economic take off is possible once the island achieves full physical integration and interconnectivity, she added.

Singson noted the need to address i m p l e m e n t a t i o n hurdles such as peace and security in some areas, as well as the road right-of-way problems. He said such issues are not only causing delays but are

also adding undue cost to the road projects.

“We believe that the national road network is one of the most important aspects of economic development. The national agencies alone cannot achieve the needed development without strong governance and support from the local level,” said Singson.

The roundtable discussion on transport and logistics was conducted to discuss and recommend policy actions to improve efficiency and lower the cost of transport and logistics in Mindanao.

The Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework being pursued by MinDA envisions Mindanao to have all national roads paved and in good condition by 2030, as well as the establishment of limited but operational rail transport services system. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/MinDA)


South Cotabato LGU to partner with Yuchengco Group in surgical missionBy Dani Dogules

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The provincial government will hold a surgical mission in South Cotabato in partnership with the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation Inc. (AY Foundation) on July 28 to 31, this year.

Leonilo Tinquinto, AY Foundation’s project coordinator for the surgical mission, said they will be bringing in at least 25 medical specialists for surgical mission.

“The team of medical specialist will include general surgeons, anaesthesiologists, ob-gyns, and EENTs. They

are members of the umbrella organization Philippine College of Surgeons,” he said.

Patients with goiter, sebaceous cysts, lymphoma, hernia, and cleft lip/palate as well as those suffering from gallstones, will benefit from the mission.

“Operations will be free of charge. Patients

will also be provided with medicines” he said.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, head of South Cotabato’s Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) said that provincial government’s counterpart in the surgical mission covers food and accommodation and transportation of the medical team, as well as the use of the facilities of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital where the operations will be conducted.

He said that screening of candidates for operation will be held at the IPHO outpatient department on July 20 and 21. Nine to 10 doctors from AY Foundation will be coming to South Cotabato specifically for this purpose.


IPHO will be assisted by municipal health offices in inviting and registration of candidates for the screening from barangays and towns. Others may also register at the IPHO.

“South Cotabato is very blessed for having been included in the surgical mission of the AY Foundation,” he said.

The AY Foundation Inc. is a social arm of the Yunchengco Group of Companies, with a goal to uplift lives of Filipinos through medical missions.

“Our mandate is to conduct at least six surgical missions per year, two each in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon, especially in the poorest provinces,” Tinquinto said, adding that they have already visited Samar, Masbate,

Maguindanao and other provinces for the same activity.

“We have chosen South Cotabato because of the presence of indigenous peoples like T’bolis and B’laans, as well as Muslims,” he said.

For the four-day surgical mission, AY Foundation is targeting 100 cases of cysts, 20 cases of goiter, 40 cases of hernia, 20 cases of cleft lip/palate, and 10 cases of myoma.

He, however, pointed out that not all those who undergo screening will be assured of operation.

“I would like to emphasize that surgical missions are different from medical mission. We have to follow a certain process including screening for conditions such as heart and lung

diseases and diabetes to avoid endangering the patients,” he said.

He also said that they will usually limit the ages of candidates for operation from 2 to 65 years old.

In September last year, about 400 indigents underwent operations from a surgical mission that the South Cotabato local government unit (LGU) has conducted with the Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc. based in Davao City.

Another medical–surgical mission is also being planned by the provincial LGU with Belgian nationals sometime in October this year. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr said 5,000 to 8,000 residents could benefit from that mission. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Text2Teach Program to be implemented in primary schools in Surallah, So. CotabatoBy Shahana Joy Duerme

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The municipality of Surallah in South Cotabato is set to implement the Text2Teach Program in its six primary schools to enhance the quality of education in the said municipality.


With this desire, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the municipal mayor and local school board Chairman Romulo O. Solivio, the Department of Education(DepEd) and the Ayala Foundation on July 5.

Text2Teach is an educational program headed by Ayala Foundation and DepEd which aims to promote multimedia educational materials like videos, pictures and audio clips in teaching through mobile technology.

School beneficiaries of the program are the following: Centrala Cental District, Surallah Central, Shri-Visaya, Moloy, Duengas and Laureano Escovidal Elementary School.

Each school will be given one mobile unit, and their ICT coordinators will also be provided with the same mobile unit for monitoring and evaluation.

According to Ayala

Foundation for GILAS Mindanao Senior Manager Archie Velasco, through Text2Teach Program, the children will be exposed to modern technology as a means of learning.

“It is also intended for teachers, particularly by enhancing their capacity in teaching since trainings will be conducted for them to learn how this kind of system operates,” Velasco added.

To support the program, Solivio allocated P292, 385 as counterpart for the technology to be used in the six primary schools.

Solivio believes this program will somehow help raise the mean percentage of student performance particularly in the National Achievement Test. (DED/SJD/PIA 12/RSucion-Surallah LGU)


29th Lami-Lamihan Festival: keeping the culture alive in Basilan By Rene V. Carbayas

The peoples’ way of life that passes through the test of time manifests the peoples’ dream and aspiration to keep one’s culture alive amidst obstacles and challenges of life.


For the 29th year, the Lami-Lamihan Festival in Lamitan City, Basilan showcased once again the uniqueness and vibrancy of the rich culture of Lamiteños. Anchored on the theme “Getting Better through the Preservation of Culture despite Obstacles”, this year’s festival celebrates the successes and achievements of Lamiteños through the years, while preserving its culture and confronting the many challenges underway. Lamitan has all the reasons to celebrate this year as it fought for its cityhood and finally got the nod of the Supreme Court in 2011. As one of the 16 newly created cities, whose legality was questioned by the League of Cities of the Philippines and the shifting decisions of the High Court in favor or against its cityhood, Lamiteños finally celebrated its first year anniversary for the second and final SC declaration last June 18, 2012. The upgrade from a municipality

t o a city early on gave Lamitan the opportunity to boost infrastructure that paved the way to accelerate its economic activity, while

engaging people to participate in governance and the


practice of transparency. This public trust and confidence was left unnoticed as the city was recipient of a Civil Service Award for Good Housekeeping. Civil Service Assistant Commissioner Atty. Rogelio C. Limare said that after passing the two stages of the validation process, the city government of Lamitan in Basilan obtained a numerical rating of 93.21 with a descriptive rating of excellent in a survey conducted on September 28-30, 2011. In a ceremony last June 19, City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay received the seal of excellence award and cash reward of some P75,000.00 from Atty. Limare and Director Resurreccion P. Pueyo, as witnessed by members of the city council, city hall employees, military, police and ARMM officials

and other constituents. The Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence is an award given by the Civil Service Commission for agencies adherence to the requirements of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which include the drawing up of a citizen’s charter and the posting of information of their frontline services in billboards at the main entrance and other conspicuous places. In spite of these achievement, development seems too slow to accomplish in this part of the country. Observers say the stigma of Basilan as conflict area and under the “problematic” autonomous region of ARMM may have hampered the needed progress of Lamitan. Many visitors who witnessed


the Lami-Lamihan Festivals recently and in the past would agree on the vast potentials that Lamitan has to offer in terms of tourism, which was even featured recently in a national daily paper. The local government is being challenged to perform more and develop Lamitan as front-runner in progress, development, and peace in ARMM with the growing attention that the national government and the regional government of ARMM is giving to the city. In this year’s 29th Lami-Lamihan Festival, OIC ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman gave tribute to the Furigays as initiators of the Lami-Lamihan festival, and whose offspring have continued the tradition without let-up. Gov. Hataman underscored, however, that the Yakan culture paved the way for the annual celebration of Lami-Lamihan that inspired the elder Furigays to preserve and keep the culture alive through the years. He encouraged young Lamiteños to get to know and emulate local Yakan artists recognized for their passion in the preservation of local culture and arts. He specifically gave

tribute to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ Gawad Manlilikhang Bayan recipient Uwang Ahadas for his contribution in keeping the Yakan traditional music alive in Lamitan and made known to the world. Saddened that Yakan artists are not promoted nor even given recognition by most locals, Hataman cited the role of government and good governance as vital to cultural development. He, however, appealed to politicians, “huwag lang gamitin ang kultura at pananamit [the Yakan traditional attire] sa politika.” Sound policies on tourism development and local security are seen as key elements in attracting more investors and tourists in Basilan. However, all these will not be viable without the strong participation of the community and the local government units. With all the support and help coming in to Lamitan from both the national and regional governments, the colorful and unique Yakan culture as showcased at the annual Lami-Lamihan Festival will be assured of its place in the coming years. (RVC/PIA9-ZBST)


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The flash flood that hit this city on midnight of Sunday caused P2.4 million damages in infrastructure and

agriculture, officials of the city engineering and agriculture departments here said.

Damage of flashflood in Butuan City amounts to P2.4M, officials sayby Robert E. Roperos


In a text message sent by Jennifer Michelle Divinagracia of the city’s public information office to PIA-Caraga, the estimated cost of damage caused by the flash flood on July 8 reached P2 million in infrastructure according to Engr. Lorden Vismanos, officer-in-charge of the city engineering office here, while OIC City Agriculturist Alberto Buca estimated the damage to agriculture at P400,000. Earlier report of the city PIO here said 42 households were affected by the flash flood in the city’s internal barangays of Salvacion, Lemon and Camayahan. Of the total houses affected, eight were totally washed out. Two

school buildings were also flooded. In Barangay Camayahan, two hanging bridges were washed out, while one steel bridge was damaged, making it impassable to vehicles. The city PIO however said no casualties were reported. On Sunday evening, 38 families were evacuated to barangay halls and covered courts because of the flash flood that occurred midnight after heavy rains fell early in the evening and ceased at dawn on Monday. Personnel from the city mayor’s office together with the city Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) immediately responded in the area and attended to the victims. City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. is scheduled to visit the area and distribute some relief goods to victims.

The Butuan Search And Rescue Team (BuSART) is on its 24-hour operation in attending to the needs of the victims and in clearing the debris on highways of said barangays.


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Abaca industry in ZamPen boomingby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Region 9 is now becoming one of the major abaca producers in the country as production and interest from farmers to plant continue to improve.


Fiber Industry Development Authority 9 Regional Director Olimpio Macarayan said their agency has noted an increasing trend in the production of abaca from 2010 to 2011, and even in the first half of this year. In a comparative data released by FIDA-9, last year’s regional production reached 3,236,431.20 Kilogram compared to the 2,647,328.1 Kilogram in 2010. Dir. Macarayan said the figures include production from Sulu, where most of the bulk comes from. “Although Sulu is an ARMM province, it is still under the

jurisdiction of our office. It is actually the biggest producer for region 9, followed by Zamboanga Sibugay”, Macarayan said. “We even noted a high rate of production from January to May this year. It’s really very promising”, he added. Macarayan also pointed that the industry in the region has improved as more and more famers venture into abaca propagation. “The status of our abaca industry is booming. There are now many farmers who want to plant abaca and it’s a very good sign”, he said. The shift of interest of farmers

to abaca is credited to its shorter maturity period compared to other high value crops like rubber, where region 9 also excels. “Farmers can harvest abaca within 18 months to two years. After that, they can harvest every 3 to 4 months in one year”, Dir. Macarayan said.


However, FIDA said in as much as many farmers would want to plant abaca, the lack of capital of small famers has somehow affected the full take off of the abaca industry. “There are many farmers who really want to plant abaca, but the problem is the lack of capital of our small farmers”, he explained. According to Macarayan, FIDA has come up with assistance program to help these farmers start with their venture. “Before, we tried to help them by providing them with planting materials. But it’s very limited. We can only give 1,000 seed pieces per individual. Although we give cooperatives seed pieces good for about 5 hectares. But with the help of the Department of Agriculture, under its High Value Commercial Crops Development Program, we were granted an initial P1 M for the procurement and distribution of abaca planting materials, and the establishment of open-type nurseries, after we submitted a proposal, as this is a proposal-based assistance”, Macarayan explained. He said they have already started with the project although they have yet to fully implement it. Seeing the vast potential of the industry, Macarayan said DA Sec. Proceso J. Alcala has again granted FIDA 9 another P9 M for the expansion of their proposed project. Macarayan said the grant is not only to help expand abaca industry here but also it is part of the National Greening Program of the national government. This program also

encourages the planting of rubber trees where it is suited. The expansion program will be implemented next year. Macarayan, however, said the farmers’ problems do not end there. He said the biggest problems of abaca farmers are disease infestation and the lack of harvesting equipments. He said they are implementing measures to prevent the entry of diseases through the use of insecticides. In case the disease has already infected the crops, Macarayan said the only way to stop its spread is to remove all infected plants or poison those with herbicide, killing the plants and the cause of the disease. Macarayan also pointed that most farmers cannot afford to buy stripping machines. “Unfortunately, FIDA has no budget for this. As of the moment, we depend on grants from financing institutions, other government agencies, and political leaders like our congressmen and the LGU executives. We have the technology, but we do not have the resources to produce the machines and distribute it to our farmers”, he said. It is this problem that makes the farmers vulnerable to unscrupulous people, Macarayan said.

“Since they can’t afford the machines, they resort to custom harvesting where third party groups do the harvesting for them. However, there are some of these who employ wrong method of harvesting, affecting young abaca plants not yet due for


harvest. This practice results in a poor quality of fiber and low pulping recovery, and it doesn’t stop there. Some of these custom harvesters ask for a 60/40 sharing, with the 60% going to them. Worse, they also act as buyers of the farmers’ produce, buying them at a very low price”. To counter this exploitation, FIDA launched massive information dissemination among farmers against this practice. Macarayan also said they are now trying their best to provide machines for abaca associations or cooperatives to lessen their burden. Macarayan pointed that the national government is really pushing for the improvement of the abaca industry as the country can monopolize abaca trade all over the globe. “Abaca is endemic only to the Philippines. We are the only natural producer of it in the entire world. The only other country producing abaca is Ecuador, and it’s not even native there. The specie from Ecuador came from Davao. It was brought there by a Japanese abaca grower who once owned a farm in Davao. If we can

improve this industry, think of the big markets that will depend on us”, he stressed. Macarayan said the country’s major markets are Japan, Europe, India, United States, the Middle East, and Korea. He however, said the biggest emerging market for abaca is China. As of the moment, 85% of the world production comes from the Philippines, with region 9 contributing 15% to the total national production. Macarayan, however, is optimistic that the region’s share can increase up to 20% within two years. “With the help of the Department of Agriculture on the expansion of abaca industry, we can easily achieve our target of 20% within the next two years. It’s very achievable”, Macarayan stressed. He also said that the unique qualities of the region have produced pure, unadulterated abaca fiber. “We are very lucky here in Zamboanga Peninsula because we have prolific variety of abaca due to the fact that our soil here is fertile and suitable for any abaca variety, and also the suitable micro-climate condition”, he said.


NAPOLCOM announced that the PNP entrance examination is open to all Filipino citizens who possess the age, height and educational requirements, as well as to Police Officer 1 (PO1) whose appointments are temporary for lack of appropriate eligibility. On the other hand, the promotional examination is open exclusively to all qualified uniformed member of the PNP who meet the minimum qualification in terms of rank and eligibility as provided. This examination is intended for Police Officer, Sr. Police Officer, Police Inspector and Police Superintendent. On-line scheduling for both examinations is set on July 9 – 20,

2012, while the period for filing of applications is on July 23 – August 31, 2012. For Region IX, said examinations will be conducted in Pagadian City on October 14, 2012. Interested applicants may get a scheduled appointment for filing of application for the examinations, just log on the NAPOLCOM official website at www.napolcom.gov.ph click on the ONLINE EXAMINATION APPLICATION SCHEDULING SYSTEM, fill out the mandatory fields and submit the same thru the email. Walk in applicants without the confirmed scheduled appointment shall not be accepted or entertained. (JPA/CAL/PIA9)

PAGADIAN CITY - The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) conducts two sets of police examinations twice a year, one for those who are in the police service (promotional) and another for those aspiring to enter the Philippine National Police (PNP entrance examination).

NAPOLCOM holds PNP entrance, PNP promo exams By Claro A. Lanipa

Macarayan challenged abaca farmers to produce quality products and they should also think of the sustainability of the industry. “Farmers and harvesters should strictly follow the good agricultural practices for abaca so that

sustainability will prevail, and that the standard of living of the farmers will also be uplifted. We achieve this, then we can command higher price for our product because we are sure that we have the highest quality”, he ended. (ALT/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)


Pantawid Pamilya grantees in NorMin to enjoy PhilHealth benefitsby Oliver Badel InodeoThe 226,899 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries

in Northern Mindanao can now benefit from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth.

The national government provided P12.028 billion as subsidy for health insurance premium of indigents enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), as well as indigents under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In 2010, PhilHealth passed Board Resolution 1417 adopting the means test protocol of the NHTS-PR, being the source of all indigent families to be enrolled under the sponsored program of the NHIP. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman has hailed the issuance of PhilHealth’s Circular that provides entitlement of all Pantawid

Pamilya beneficiaries to NHIP benefits in any health care providers accredited by PhilHealth. She said that qualified beneficiaries of the PhilHealth’s sponsored program are those identified Pantawid Pamilya household


DILG-10 to hold Cagayan de Oro river basin confab by Ana Celeste W. Felisilda

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 10 will hold the “Regional Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation: A Collaboration Workshop for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin” on July 19 at the Grand Caprice Restaurant, this city.

This is in coordination with the Local Government Academy and in partnership with the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo and Senator Loren Legarda “We will be inviting around 350 multi-stakeholders participants from the academe, non g o v e r n m e n t a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s , national government agencies, private sectors, indigenous peoples, and from governance like governors, city/municipal mayors, punong barangays,

Sanggunian members and local functionaries of the municipalities of Baungon, Libona, Talakag of Bukidnon and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan,” Regional Director Atty. Rene

head beneficiaries, their legal spouse as reflected in the NHTS-PR list, their children below 21 years old and their parents 60 years old and above. To avail of NHIP benefits, Pantawid Pamilya primary beneficiary-member-patients need only to present their Pantawid Pamilya ID card. Soliman said that Pantawid

Pamilya beneficiaries, including their qualified dependents are entitled to primary care benefits that include consultation, diagnostic services and medicines from health care providers by PhilHealth. They are also entitled to inpatient and outpatient care services. (DSWD-10)


K. Burdeos said. Burdeos said the event aims to raise awareness among local governments and communities in the target river basin on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation as well as mobilize political support for the engagement of multi-stakeholders for local level disaster

risk reduction and management initiatives. The activity will be highlighted by the presence of Senator Legarda, who will be discussing key challenges and issues related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation at the local level. (DILG)

Council drafts 4-year nutrition action planby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The regional nutrition council members converged for a two-day workshop for the drafting of the 2012-2016 Regional Nutrition Strategic Action Plan (RNSAP)July 5 and 6.

This, after identifying ongoing nutrition efforts and actions addressing prevailing nutrition problems among children and pregnant mothers. The workshop process included the presentation of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2011-2016 and the Northern Mindanao Nutrition Report 2012, lectures, small group workshops, and plenary discussions. Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Zenaida T. Tondares said the action plan will serve as guide for the Regional Nutrition Council 10, federation of nutrition action officers, district/city nutrition program coordinators, barangay nutrition scholars, and other nutrition partners

in addressing significant nutritional problems. Two post-workshop activities and three drafting schedules are set to complete the RNSAP 2012-2016. This move is expected to contribute to the total economic growth and development of the region and of the country as well.


The Provincial Disaster Risk Re-duction Management Council of

Davao del Norte now has a Swiss-made automatic rain gauge that is also capable of weather, giving the local government unit information on local weather situation. PDRRMC Research and Planning incharge Eric Rosillo said

the automatic rain gauge which is a product of M e t e o m e d i a O rgan i z a t i o n of Switzerland, is also equipped with a n e m o m e t e r to measure wind speed, air pressure, humidity and ultraviolet rays. The rain gauge transmits data to the server

of Weather Philippines Foundation with which Meteomedia Organization has tied up in showcasing such type of rain gauge. But the LGU has direct access to the weather readings because it is designed with a local monitoring screen which records the data it is sending to the server in Manila.

Davao del Norte has Swiss-made rain gauge by Jeanevive Abangan


Rosillo said Davao del Norte is one of the 25 first batch of provinces where Meteomedia Organization has entrusted a unit of automatic rain gauge. The rain gauge is worth US$2,500 if purchased but Meteomedia Organization is distributing free units in the Philippines which it has chosen as a testing and showcasing site in Asian market. Meteomedia Organization has already produced as many as 480 units of such rain gauge in Switzerland and has produced

about a hundred for Germany, Rosillo said. The provincial government is interested to install such units in all towns in the province in its bid to strengthen early warning system. Rosillo explained that purchasing more units of such rain gauge to be stationed in all towns will complement with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather monitoring as such provides local weather situation. (PIA-11/Jeanevive D. Abangan)

DOE safety policy to ensure health program for renewable energy facility workers

DAVAO CITY– A proposed safety and health policy to be imposed in all renewable energy (RE) fa-cilities would ensure protection program for the workers.

The health program and services for workers in RE facilities will be encapsulated in the Occupational Health Requirements under the impending Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations or RESHERR. The Department of Energy is putting in place the finalization of RESHERR to be required in all RE exploration, development, utilization and system operations in the

country. Atty. Marissa Cerezo, DOE assistant director for Renewable Energy Management Bureau


(REMB), said RESHERR serves as policy guideline for RE operators, developers and contractors in ensuring safety and healthy environment and operations in the workplace. Rule 6 of RESHERR specifies the Occupational Health Requirements that mandate every employer to provide health program and services for the employees. The health program covers health examination, management and treatment of occupational injuries and diseases, immunization programs, health education and counseling, keeping of medical records, and other relevant health program. The program also includes health surveillance with biological monitoring, medical surveillance and symptoms injury, inspection and examination activities. For the health services, the employer shall ensure the provision of necessary medical and dental services and facilities in accordance wit the requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) by the Department of Labor and Employment. The employer shall also maintain necessary additional emergency medical supplies and medicines as recommended by the employer’s medical personnel. Vital sanitary and welfare

facilities in the workplace should be provided by the employer as required under Chapter VII of Presidential Decree 856 or the “Sanitation Code of the Philippines.” Under the health services, the employer shall also ensure that suitable transport facilities are readily available, and sufficient number of persons are adequately trained and readily available to render first aid in the absence of a clinic or hospital near and/or in proximity to the workplace. DOE has gathered views, comments and recommendations from RE developers, contractors and other stakeholders in a series of public consultations held last month in Baguio, Iloilo, Davao and Manila. Cerezo said they have a month to consolidate all views, comments and recommendations before they could finalize the policy for approval by DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. The promulgation of RESHERR aims to guarantee adequate safety and protection against hazards to health, life and property as well as pollution of air, land and water from RE operations. It is pursuant to Republic Act No. 9513 or the “Renewable Energy Act” of 2008 and RA No. 7638 or the “Department of Energy Act” of 1992. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

one mindanao - july 10, 2012

Documents

pia surigao

pia caraga region nora

pia caraga region richard

pia caraga region officer

pia region ximanaging

cellphon pia agusan

pia region x rudolph

edaga regional director