one mindanao - july 26, 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

Northern MindanaoGraces’Building,AntonioLunaStreetCagayandeOroCity9000TelefaxNo.(08822)72-66-83Telephoneno.(088)856-8178/729-594Cellphoneno.0928-52043050917-3084969E-mail:[email protected][email protected]:www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/FKantoMotorsBldg.,QuimpoBlvd.,NewMatinaDavaoCity8000Telephoneno.(082)297-0991/301-8580Telefaxno.(082)297-0992/304-2044Cellphoneno.0917-7053606/0918-9202950E-mail:[email protected]

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

Filipina surfing sensation to compete in int’l tilts

Roel N. CatotoCaraga Region

Today’s issue... Thursday, July 26, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 309

page 4

Comelec has ample savings to proceed with automated elections, Palace says 7

Aida Agad, Central Mindanao

10th Davao Business Conference to propel economic and tourism development of the city

2219

Danilo S. Makiling, Caraga Region

NSO to conduct forum on family reg’l health survey data dissemination

Country’s Honor Awardees as active advocates of good governance23

Income taxes remain as top revenue earner of Region 10 in 1Q 2012

CdO connectivity with Iloilo boosts local tourism, says local official

3233

Caraga Region

13 Fire-hit school in Davao City gets new chairs from Tagum

Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Tacurong City offers business, investment opportunities in 3rd Business Week

Tabak commander, ZamboSur police chief give “10” rating to Aquino’s SONA 28Gideon C. Corgue, Western Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Jorie C. Valcorza, Southern Mindanao

Photo Credits:by Roel N. Catoto and http://surfingmalaysia.blogspot.com/

6 9 11 15

20 24 30 34

17

ARMM law scraps district impact funds37 ARMM

4 Thursday, July 26, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StoryFilipina surfing sensation to compete in int’l tilts

After she

successfully captured the two international crowns in separate surfing tilts, Blancada has carved a name in the surfing circle as one

of the more competitive surfers from the Philippines. She won the international surfing competition last May in this town while she

I n tip-top shape, Filipina surfing

sensation Nilbie Blancada is preparing herself to compete for upcoming international competitions this year and the following year in other parts of the world.

by Roel N. Catoto

Thursday, July 26, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

garnered her first outside-the-country surfing tournament in West Java, Indonesia in June. Born and raised in this surfing mecca of the country, Blancada was spotted by this writer doing her usual routine in her home break in Cloud

Nine. She was practicing difficult tricks which she was perfecting for her next competitions. Before she bagged awards in past international tilts, the local lass also swept national competitions held last year like in Cantilan in Surigao del Sur; Baler in Aurora; Samar in Leyte; and in La Union province. “I’m doing my constant practice as usual and do other tricks which I have not yet shown,” she said. She will join the next international surfing competition in September this year in Thailand and in Bali, Indonesia. Turning 20 this fourth of

August, Blacanda said she is also preparing for the competition in Australia on February 2013. “I will do everything for these upcoming competitions and hope for the best like I had shown in the past and recent competitions,” the petite lass said.


ACROSS THE NATION

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday that the Philippines hopes to reach a “mutual and diplomatic solution” as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is in the process of drafting a Code of Conduct

on the West Philippine Sea.“China has also voiced preference for

a mutual and diplomatic solution so we hope that even while we are drafting the code of conduct, we can exhibit restraint between the two nations and we are going to maintain a peaceful and diplomatic stance

Malacañang sees no armed conflict in West Philippine Sea

Despite the escalating tensions between neighboring nations laying claim to the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines remains confident that a resolution to the issue will be settled

diplomatically.


t o w a r d s the resolution of conflicts

involving the Panatag Shoal,” Lacierda said.

He added that the Philippines will continue to maintain a policy of “de-escalation” to diffuse tensions in the area.

“We are nowhere on the brink of armed conflict. We have continued to conduct a peaceful discussion with our Chinese counterparts and we have done it through diplomatic means and we will continue to maintain a policy of de-escalation,” Lacierda said. (rck)

Comelec has ample savings to proceed with automated elections, Palace says

Malacañang maintained on Wednesday that the Commission on Elections has enough resources to proceed with automated elections in 2013.


Presidential Spokesperson said the election-governing body can tap into its vast savings to augment its regular budget and hold the automated counting of election returns in next year’s midterm elections.

“I think Comelec should look into their savings. I think they have substantial savings in their budget,” Lacierda said.

He added that during his discussion with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on the issue recently, the Budget Chief informed him that Comelec had ample savings.

“They have enough savings. That should not be a problem. The automated elections (in 2013) will continue,” Lacierda said.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes raised a howl over the drastic cut in budget allocation the Commission may receive in the 2013 General Appropriations Act that was slashed from P24-billion to P8-billion.

Brillantes warned that with this cut, the Comelec may have to revert to manually counting ballots in next year’s elections. (rck)


Mindanao infrastructure budget focused on improving road connectivity

Mindanao, which currently has the lowest ratio of paved roads to overall road infrastructure among

the country’s regions, is now set to get a larger allocation from the national government’s proposed annual budget for infrastructure.

This was reported by Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), at a roundtable discussion among business leaders and senior officials on Mindanao infrastructure policy held

recently at the Traders Hotel. The roundtable was organized by

the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) with support from the U.S. Agency for


International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is implemented under the oversight of MinDA.

“Sixty-nine percent of national roads in Mindanao are unpaved. Mindanao has the lowest paved road ratio,” said Secretary Singson. “It is clear that Mindanao should get a bigger share of the budget.”

Under the proposed FY2013 budget, Mindanao will receive PhP27.62 billion, or 26.1 percent of the national infrastructure budget, up from PhP20.4 billion the previous year.

Infrastructure budget allocations for the other regions are as follows: Northern Luzon - 24.1 percent; Southern Luzon - 20.4 percent; the National Capital Region - 14.6 percent, and Visayas -19.4 percent.

“Our objectives are to improve the country’s attractiveness as an investment destination by enabling seamless connectivity, and to lower the costs of communication and transportation,” said Angelito Colona, PCCI vice president for transportation and logistics.

Secretary Singson also pointed out the bottlenecks in implementing road infrastructure projects in Mindanao, including right of way and security issues, shortage of cement suppliers in parts of the region, the practice of truck overloading which results in faster road deterioration, and the need to integrate

ports and airports with road systems. The meeting included a presentation

by the Philippine Inter-Island Shipping Association, on issues affecting freight rates in domestic shipping, focusing on Mindanao.

The roundtable was part of the run-up to the 21st Mindanao Business Conference, or “MinBizCon,” which will be held August 2-4 in Butuan City. The highlight of the annual conference is the presentation of the Mindanao Business Policy Agenda to President Benigno Aquino III.

The formulation of the agenda began with broad-based regional policy consultations held in Mindanao’s major cities to identify and address bottlenecks that hold back trade and investment, and to clarify government rules, regulations and timelines.

Drawing on the outputs of these consultations, a draft policy agenda was compiled by MinDA in collaboration with PCCI. The draft listed the most urgent policy concerns, as well as required government actions and private sector commitments.

The regional consultations were followed by high-level roundtables focusing on specific sectors, including infrastructure, which were held in Manila on July 3-4 with MinDA and Cabinet officials and private sector representatives for a thorough review of the draft policy agenda, and for government to formulate appropriate responses.


Newly designated Depat-ment of Environment and

Natural Resources Regional Direc-tor Joselin Marcus Fragada, said he would be establishing safety nets to curb smuggling of forest resources from Region XI. “We’d like to find a way to regulate the shipment of logs from the region.” Fragada said during his

guesting at Club 888 Media Forum held last Wednesday (July 25) at the Marco Polo Davao hotel. Among the moves is the reduction of anti-illegal logging checkpoints to curb corruption. He says those checkpoints left standing should be honest-to-goodness checkpoints. Other plan is the closure of illegal sawmills in the region particularly in Davao Oriental. Those sawmills with no supply contracts would be the first

to go. According to DENR-XI data, there are about 158 wood processing plants in the region of which 70 are still operating. He said the DENR is eyeing to reactivate the Port Integrated Clearance Office (PICO) which is composed of different government agencies including the

New DENR exec to nip log smuggling in R-XI


DENR to check the shipments before they are loaded into the ships. Last June 29, about 55 container vans laden with P16-milliom worth of illegal forest products from Davao were seized in Manila’s Pier 16, the port of origin. The seizure led to the relief of various regional DENR officials led by then Regional Director Jim Sampulna. In his defense, the former regional head said that the forest goods were inside a closed container van and had no probable cause to warrant the opening of the said vans, Warrantless searches on closed container vans is a power vested upon the Bureau of Customs alone and not with the DENR. Under the proposed set-up container vans should first get permits from the DENR thru the PICO. Fragada said that they are initializing the establishment of PICO inside the Davao Port. They are also identifying three local government operated ports

and one private port in the region where the PICO could be set-up. For private ports the DENR-XI head said would need the permission of the port owner. They are also anticipating the acquisition of walleye imaging systems which are hand-held x-rays that could see through solid container vans. Using this technology Fragada says will not necessitate the opening of container vans. He said that the DENR is in the process of acquiring the Walleye and said that they are expecting two units to be given to the region.Another strategy is making shipping lines accountable and liable for the contraband they transport. This will make the carriers become more responsible in checking what cargoes they are transporting. Fragada said that with these safety nets they are confident that no illegally cut lumber will be shipped out of the Davao (PIA/RG Alama)

facts and figures...The number of wood processing plants in Davao Region of which only 70 are operational.158


Fire-hit school in Davao City gets new chairs from TagumDAVAO CITY-The Local Govern-ment of Tagum City flexed its social responsibility anew as it crossed border just to deliver new school furniture to a fire-ravaged school here last July 25, 2012. Mayor Rey T. Uy personally went to Alejandra Navarro Elementary School in Lasang, Davao City to officially turn-over the 170 pieces of desks, 100 kiddie chairs and 6 rostrums fabricated through his brainchild project dubbed as the Care for School Chairs (CFSC) Program. A fire destroyed nine of the classrooms in the said school last July 13, 2012, damaging at least 500 school chairs, according to the school principal. Tagum’s local chief executive was joined by Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who hailed Tagum’s CFSC Program and thanked Mayor Uy for readily extending assistance to the school even if it does not include in his area of responsibility. Duterte then assured Uy that he will speed-up the transfer to Tagum of a sizable volume of confiscated logs stored in a container van in one of the ports of Davao.

“Ako na ng ipadala kang Mayor Uy kay controlled iyang sistema ug kinasing-kasing ilang trabaho didto,” stressed Duterte. This was welcomed by Uy who expressed that this should be done as soon as possible for the logs to be exposed and to be air-dried to prevent possible decay. After a short program, Duterte gave Uy an aerial tour around Davao City using the vice mayor’s chopper before heading back to Tagum. Meanwhile, the CFSC Program also went to the Municipality of Bansalan in the Province of Davao del Sur last July 24, 2012 where 260 pieces of armchairs and 100 pieces of kiddie chairs were given. Bansalan Mayor Edwin Reyes accepted the donated school furniture from Mayor Rey T. Uy. As of July 25, 2012, a total of 58, 202 pieces of school furniture consisting of armchairs, desks, tables, kiddie chairs, computer tables, bookshelves, rostrums were already made and delivered by LGU Tagum through the Care For School Chairs Program since August 2011. (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum)


MALUNGON, Sarangani - Mayor Reynaldo Constantino and Emmeline Versoza, executive director of Philippine Commission on Women, cut the ribbon as witnessed by (from left) Gov. Migs Dominguez, Councilor Armand Guilley, Perfecto Corpuz from United States Department of Agriculture and Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit Wednesday, July 25, during the opening of Malungon Dairy Processing Plant in barangay Malalag Cogon along the Gensan-Davao Na-tional Highway. The milk processing plant is a component of Sarangani Province Dairy Zone project by Land O` Lakes Foundation Phils., Inc. (LOLPI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Provincial Government of Sarangani, Municipal Local Government of Malungon, Department of Agriculture RFU 12 and USDA. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Malungon Dairy Processing Plant opens

Photo Release


Bamboo hub for production of engineered bamboo to rise in So. CotabatoBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- A hub where bamboos will be made into engineered products will soon rise here courtesy of the provincial government of South Cotabato.

A report from the Provincial Information Office said purchase of the machines and equipment for the bamboo hub is now underway.

The list includes the following: thickness planer, joint planer, laminating table, air

compressor, single spindle molder, wide belt sander, circular saw sliding table, band saw, bench drill, grinder planer knives, and sharpening circular saw.

Once operational, the hub is capable of manufacturing of tiles, planks and other

products that may be used for the construction of engineered bamboo products such as chairs, tables, panels, and many others.

In an earlier interview, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr, said the establishment of bamboo hub, which will temporarily be located


inside the PROTECH Center along Alunan Avenue, this city, form part of the campaign of the provincial government to promote South Cotabato’s bamboo industry.

Along with the establishment of a hub here, several “bamboo nodes” will also be created in strategic locations.

Bambooo nodes, Forrester Mary Jane Manlisis of the Provincial Environment Management Office,

explained, are facilities where raw b a m b o o s are cut, s l i c e d , treated and dried. From these nodes processed b a m b o o s will be sent to the b a m b o o hub where the final processing into finished p r o d u c t s takes place.

A bamboo node is e q u i p p e d with a b a m b o o

pole cutter, two twin rip saws, and a treatment splitter, she said.

Creation of bamboo nodes was made possible with P350,000 assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – South Cotabato through its Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotions Programme (RuMePP).

Recently, members of the Banga Kawayan Arts Association have underwent skills training

and capacity-building on bamboo node operation in Barangay San Vicente, Banga town where a bamboo node was also installed.

Along with the establishment of bamboo nodes and hub, the provincial government has also intensified efforts to campaign for the planting of bamboos in rural communities as well as along riparian zones not only as a means to earn income but also as protection of river banks and landslide-prone areas.

This is coupled with establishment of community-based nurseries where bamboo seedlings are reared.

Every February, the provincial government also holds Kawayan Festival which showcases the useful contributions of bamboo to the province’s people, culture and development. It also highlights bamboo products designed by local entrepreneurs. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/Fruto Sumagaysay Jr.-SoCot PIO)


Beginning Monday, July 30 until August 3, the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (PSMEDC) will hold the third Sulong Business Week. Events will be held at the Tacurong City hall grounds.

Sulong stands for “Sustaining Unlimited Livelihood Opportunities by Nurturing Growth of SMEs.”

DTI Provincial

Director Nelly Dillera, head secretariat of the PSMEDC said, Sulong Tacurong seeks to boost business and investments in the city as well as in the entire province.

Highlights include investment forum, producers’ and young entrepreneurs’ and barangay agro-industrial fair, entrepreneurial seminars, skills training, awards and

recognition, Market Matching, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) field day, culinary competition, Diskwento Caravan and the barangay day celebration.

The centerpiece of the celebration shall be the investment forum where the Local Investments and Incentives Code shall be presented by Tacurong City Investment Assistance Center (TIAC) Manager Dave Salazar.

The local tax code provides for tax holidays and real property tax holidays for investors in priority areas of Tacurong City.

These include livestock production; processing of sugarcane, coffee, oil palm, banana; oil palm and

Tacurong City offers business, investment opportunities in 3rd Business WeekBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Investment, business opportunities, skills enhancement and resources mobilization will once again take center stage in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.


rubber plantation and nursery development; business process outsourcing services like call center, medical transcription; tourism facilities like hotels, function rooms, leisure facilities and souvenir items production; fresh pond development; engineered bamboo; commercial buildings; and housing facilities.

Producer’s fair shall feature local entrepreneurs of roasted and ground coffee and muscovado that have become successful and are now selling their products in other parts of the country and abroad.

Other products that will be featured are the twined and braided water hyacinth made into bags and other innovative items. These were presented during last years’ National Trade Fair in Manila and will be displayed in the Mindanao Trade Expo in Davao City later this year.

Scheduled seminars are good manufacturing practices, good h o u s e k e e p i n g s t a n d a r d s , e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l

mindset, pricing and costing, basic bookkeeping and packaging and labeling aimed at educating and assisting newly established businesses.

In partnership with Tacurong Investment Assistance Center- LGU Tacurong a series of technology training is also slated to enhance and broaden businessman’s existing business horizon while serving as eye opener for the new entrants.

The local resources, skills and marketability were considered in identifying the training to be conducted, Dillera said. Among these are powdered vegetable production, essential oil production (for spa and massage), healthy bakery foods production and feeds production

using banana.Local entrepreneurs

who have made significant contributions to the economic development of the city shall be acknowledged. Awards will be given to outstanding b u s i n e s s m a n , o u t s t a n d i n g entrepreneur and outstanding market vendor.

Activities during the Tesda Field Day include skills competition on fruit carving and table skirting, t e c h n o p r e n e u r s h i p program, awarding of tools and kits, and awarding of scholarship.

A culinary competition on native delicacies that celebrate the many skills and resources of the city shall cap the five-day event. August 3


is also the Tacurong City Barangay Day.

Sulong Tacurong is staged by the PSMEDC chaired by the Local

Chamber and composed of LGU-Tacurong, DTI-SK as secretariat, DOST, City Tourism, Tesda, DOLE and the various

industry associations in the city. (DED-PIA12/Arianne Apatan-DTI-SK)

Libreng edukasyon patuloy na isinusulong sa Makilala, Cotabatoni Aida AgadKORONADAL CITY -- Edukasyon ang nais niyang maging pamana para sa mga mamamayan ng bayan ng Makilala, Cotabato ayon kay Mayor Rudy S. Caogdan.

Sa ginawa niyang pakikipagpulong noong Lunes, Hulyo 16, 2012, sa mga lokal na opisyal ng bayan at mga opisyal ng Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), sinabi ni Caogdan na pag-iibayuhan ng kanyang administrasyon ang pagsusulong ng libreng edukasyon sa lahat ng elementarya at mataas na paaralang pampublikong sakop ng bayan.

Binigyang-diin din niya na ang pagkolekta ng PTA fees sa mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral ay boluntaryo at patuloy nitong pinaninindigan ang “no mandatory collection” sa mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral.

Sinang-ayunan din ng iba pang mga PTA officials ang panukala

ni Caogdan hinggil sa voluntary collection ng PTA fees dahil kailangan ito ng mga paaralan upang suportahan ang iba pang pangangailangan gaya ng pagbabayad sa mga bayarin para sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kalinisan ng mga paaralan.

Upang masiguro ang maayos na operasyon ng mga paaralan, ipinangako niya ang paglalaan ng augmentation fund para sa maintenance and other operating expenses ng bawat paaralan sa bayan base sa computation na P100 bawat estudyante.

Ang pamahalaang lokal na rin ang nagbabayad ng mga regular na bayarin ng lahat na mag-aaral sa pampublikong paaralan tulad ng BSP, Red Cross

at iba pa. Kailangan lamang na ipakita ng mga magulang ang kanilang community tax certificate.

Batay sa datos ng Makilala Department of Education, mahigit 23.3 porsiyento ng mga kabataang nasa edad pang-elementarya ang hindi pumapasok sa eskuwela habang 45 porsiyento naman ang nasa edad pang-high school.

Sa pasukang taong 2011-2012, ang survival rate sa elementarya ay umabot sa 44 porsiyento.

Kahirapan, 47.1 porsiyento poverty incidence ng bayan, ang itinuturing na dahilan ng mababang school participation at survival rates. (DED/ACA/PIA 12)


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The municipal government of Esperanza recently conducted a refresher training for enforcers on Smoke-Free

Ordinance no. 113, series of 2011 to fully and strictly implement the said ordinance, as well as to protect the environment.

Esperanza LGU conducts enforcers’ refresher training on smoke–free ordinance

Esperanza is known to be the environmental champion in the province of Agusan del Sur and in the entire region because of its environmental protection programs specifically on its Ecological Solid Waste Management

Program (ESWMP). The second enforcers’ training was initiated by the municipal health office and the Sangguniang Bayan office with representative from the Department of Health regional office and coordinator

by David M. Suyao


on healthy lifestyle Delma Legaspi. Esperanza has been implementing the Anti-Smoking Ordinance for several years and is recognized as White Orchid Awardee by DOH on May 31, 2011 during the tobacco day, with the Municipality of Veruela, which received the Red Orchid Award, and is one among the top awardees in the country. On June 18 this year, Esperanza received the Red Orchid Award from DOH, handed to Mayor Leonida Manpatilan thru Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Chairman of the Committee on Health Nestor Corvera and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Joel Esparagoza. During the training, Municipal Vice Mayor Apolonio Layugan thoroughly discussed Municipal Ordinance No.113-2011, entitled “The Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.” According to Layugan, the ordinance covers any person smoking or allowing smoking in public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles or any other means of public transport for passengers and accommodation and entertainment establishments, public buildings, public places, or any enclosed areas outside of one’s private residence, private places of work within the jurisdiction of the municipality. Layugan added that prohibited

acts include the following: smoking in any of the places enumerated; smoking while inside a government-owned or public utility vehicle, whether moving or stationery or while soliciting passengers is ongoing or while the vehicle is waiting for passengers; selling of cigarettes or tobacco products by piece or more commonly referred to as “menudo” that is not from the typical suggested retail or packages of cigarette or tobacco product manufacturer; knowingly allowing, abetting or tolerating smoking in establishments; selling or distributing tobacco products in school, public playground or other facility frequented by minors; selling or distributing tobacco products to minors; purchasing or obtaining tobacco products from minors; placing cinema and outdoor advertisements of tobacco products; and placing, posting, or distributing advertising materials of tobacco products. Aside from municipal and barangay officials who pledged to be leaders in the implementation of the nonsmoking ordianance, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Ma. Theresa Cacal also called on community leaders and stakeholders to be partner implementers in order to reach the municipal vision for both environmental protection and healthy lifestyle community.


The forum aims to raise awareness of stakeholders and data users on the importance and relevance of the survey data, said Ricardo Galarse, regional director of NSO-Caraga OIC. The forum will also tackle fertility, family planning, maternal and child health. Galarse added that among the forum objectives are: to determine the contraceptive prevalence rate and contraceptive method mix; to determine the reason for non-use

of family planning methods; and to measure percentage of births where mothers and their children are subject to elevated risks of morbidity and mortality. The event will be participated in by different government line agencies, civil societies, non-government agencies, religious organizations, women’s group, academe, media and the local government units in Caraga Region.

NSO to conduct forum on family reg’l health survey data disseminationby Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY -- The National Statistics Office (NSO) – Caraga Region is set to conduct a forum on 2011 Family Health Survey (FHS) Regional Data Dissemination on July 31, 2012 at Prince Hotel, Montilla Blvd., Butuan City.


Country’s Honor Awardees as active advocates of good governanceBUTUAN CITY -- Tapping Honor Awards Program (HAP) awardees to be Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) partner in the implementation of its programs, projects and activities is reflective of the CSC’s commitment to its core mission of “Gawing lingkod bayani ang bawat kawani.”

CSC regional offices (CSCROs) are enjoined to encourage HAP awardees to take a more active role in regional events and/or make their presence felt in the regions by inviting them to deliver inspirational messages during flag-raising ceremonies, share best practices, among others. They may also be tapped to assist in promoting the 2013 Search and act as resource persons on the documentation of accomplishments and packaging of nominations of prospective HAP nominees. The CSC Honor Awards Program Secretariat has prepared an updated database of past and present awardees of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Award or Dangal ng Bayan, and the Civil Service Commission Pagasa. This was given to CSCROs nationwide to facilitate coordination with the awardees within their respective

geographical jurisdictions. Thus, the Lingkod Bayan Network (LBNet) was established per OM No. 44, s. 2012 dated April 25, 2012. The LBNet is established in answer to the challenge of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 2011 HAP awarding rites, who was represented by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa. CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III urged the country’s crème-dela-crème to mobilize and actively advocate the tenets of good governance. He also pledged support to the undertakings of the LBNet when a total of 55 honor awardees signed a manifesto calling for support from concerned government agencies for the full implementation of the incentives and rewards of honor awardees in accordance with Executive Order No. 508, series of 1992 and Republic Act No. 6713, last May 28, 2012 during the LBNet Forum and Fellowship held at the PNP multipurpose hall, Camp Crame.


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About 250 elementary, high school and college student officers of Marian College attended the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Symposium

conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency.

OCD, Phivolcs and PAGASA conduct Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Symposium in IpilBy Alma L. Tingcang


Ms. Cynthia H. Ortega, Principal of Marian College said that they felt so grateful that they were chosen to be the venue of the symposium and encouraged students to listen intently to the speakers. PIA Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga stressed the role of PIA in giving timely, relevant and accurate information to the Filipino people by facilitating and bringing the expertise of capable speakers during the symposium. She likewise underscored the importance of information to save lives during calamities. OCD 9 Regional Director Adriano V. Fuego, Chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) identified the hazards in Region 9 such as flooding, landslides and tsunami-prone areas although Ipil is not included. Tsunami-prone areas include Buug, Lapuyan , Vincenzo Sagun, Margosatubig, San Pablo, Tabina, Dumalinao, Pagadian, Labangan,


Talusan, Mabuhay, Olutanga, Sirawai, Sibuco, Siocon and other coastal municipalities. Fuego said, “the challenge for us is the capability to respond. We should stay out of harm’s way. Do not live along river banks, near bodies of water.” He said the Philippine Red Cross, AFP, other agencies of the government and rescue groups risk their own lives to save others. The activity is part of the collaborative efforts of government agencies not only in celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month but a continuing effort to promote awareness on what to do in times of disaster and calamities, more so, being prepared at all times. Fuego said although we cannot stop disaster, we can prevent damage and evacuate before the waters reach an alarming level in times of flood. The best defense against disaster according to him is prayer, believing that God is in control of everything. Meanwhile, Ms. Maribel “Hasanah” G. Enriquez of PAGASA explained the different hazards such as lightning, flood, flashfloods, landslides, tornado, drought, storm surge and tropical cyclone. PAGASA issues official weather forecast, provides typhoon and flood warnings and other specialized services primarily for the protection of life and livelihood. It is a component of the 128-member World Meteorological


Organization. Engr. Eduardo T. Lauron of Phivolcs said the key to disaster prevention is planning. The conduct of earthquake drill would be very helpful to teach students how to properly respond to such a situation. The Duck, Cover and Hold practice was taught to them. “The Philippines is a hazard-prone country because it is geographically located at the Pacific ring of fire,” Lauron said. As such, we are prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Before the conduct of the drill, Engr. Lauron gave a briefing for the teachers saying that evacuation routes in the school should be identified. Emergency exits must be established so the students will know where to go. Pre-identified evacuation areas should also be determined and the building lay-out of the school posted on the bulletin board. About 1,200 students actively participated in the drill which will eventually prepare and capacitate

them in learning t h e proper response during times of disaster. Mark Anthony Diaz, president of the Marian United Students Association (MUSA) also expressed his thankfulness for the valuable learnings that have been imparted by the different speakers. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)


Cruz, who along with his officers and men spent time at the division headquarters to watch the President’s speech said this year’s SONA was more

convincing than the previous years saying that the President sincerely reported the accomplishments of his administration.

Tabak commander, ZamboSur police chief give “10” rating to Aquino’s SONABy Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – 1st Infantry (Tabak) division commander BGen. Ricardo Rainer Cruz III hailed President Benigno Aquino III on his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.


The army chief said he was grateful for the continued and unparalleled support to the modernization and capability upgrade of the AFP. “I am very grateful that President Aquino gave his unrelenting and full support to the modernization and capability upgrade of the AFP . Providing soldiers with modern equipments and giving them good benefits will further motivate them to perform better and deliver effective and efficient services to the people, which is their obligation to our country,” Cruz said. He added that the AFP’s modernization program will certainly provide bright future for the soldiers and help solve insurgency problem in our country. “With the implementation of low cost housing program of the AFP and PNP, it greatly helped ease the soldiers’ financial burdens,” Cruz opined. On a scale of 1-10, Cruz gave the President an excellent grade of “10” cognizant of the president’s achievements in a span of more than two years. Zamboanga del Sur police provincial director Sr. Supt. William T. Manzan was elated and satisfied to hear what the President mentioned in his SONA, on strengthening the entire country’s police force by providing 74,600 guns to bring down crime rate. Manzan said the President indeed, brings good news to the PNP saying that the organization needs firearms in protecting the citizens and in the implementation of peace

and order especially in the remote areas. “The acquisition of firearms will help the police to effectively reduce crime rate and improve their performance,” Manzan said who is optimistic that mobility as an essential police equipment, will also be included in the bidding by the PNP national headquarters. Manzan was pleased that the problem was given immediate attention by the government. “We will wait for the time when these firearms will be issued to the policemen,” Manzan said. “I admire the President for having a heart for the PNP. I gave him a grade of 10,” Manzan announced. Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian Press Club, Inc. (ZPPI) president Vic del Pilar praised the administration of Aquino for instituting reforms and for his “personal” fight against corruption but said he failed to give the updates of his anti-corruption campaign. Del Pilar cited the president for building sufficient infrastructure projects generating substantial job opportunities for Filipinos specifically the upgrading, expansion and modernization of airports in which he mentioned Pagadian City airport as one of the 12 airport projects in his SONA. “I thank the President for mentioning Pagadian airport. With this, I am confident that our city will now be included in the country’s map of development,” he said. Del Pilar gave the president a rating of “7”. (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)


OSHC conducts national safety and health congress by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The Occupational Safety and

Health Center (OSHC) will hold the 13th National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Congress on October 24 and 25 this year.

NOSH Congress is a biennial event that aims to bring together OSH specialists and practitioners from the government, non-government organizations, academe, management and labor sectors to share novel information on OSH, which can be used in the formulation of policies, guidelines,and programs, said OSHC Executive Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco in a press

conference held last July 19 here. She said the congress will provide a venue for the exchange of OSH

best practices through research papers, video presentations, documentary films or other OSH product/material exhibits. With the theme “Ensuring Enterprise Competitiveness Through Occupational Safety and Health,” she said this year’s plenary session will focus on integrating OSH to enhance


productivity, incentivizing good practices, green productivity and promoting healthy lifestyle. “ P a r t i c i p a n t s of the congress are expected to tackle OSH in priority industries such as in construction, mining, shipbuilding, t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , a g r i c u l t u r e , manufacturing, and business process outsourcing services,” she said. Also up for discussions are OSH for small and medium enterprises and vulnerable workers, as well as disaster preparedness. OSHC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment with a dual mandate of protecting Filipino workers against accidents and illnesses and promoting worker’s welfare through effective programs that enhance productivity, workers well-being and afford social protection to its client sector.


Income taxes remain as top revenue earner of Region 10 in 1Q 2012by Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - Income taxes remained as the top revenue earner for Northern Mindanao, earning a total of P846.61 million for the region in the first quarter of the year.

The amount is higher by 30 percent compared with P650.51 million in the same period of 2011, Lawyer Alberto S. Olasiman, regional director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region 16 (BIR-RR16) said. The area of responsibility of BIR RR16 covers all five revenue districts (RDs) 97 to 101 of Northern Mindanao, plus RD 102 of Lanao del Sur from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), due to its proximity to Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), where its regional office is based. Olasiman said the highest increase in percentage of income taxes came from RD 99 of Bukidnon with its collection of P148.20 million or an increase of 37 percent, compared with P108.03 million in the first three months of 2011. This was followed by RD 100 of Ozamiz City which posted an increase of 35 percent, RD 101 in Iligan City, 29 percent, RD 98 of Cagayan de Oro City, 28 percent and RD 97

of Gingoog City, 23 percent. The value-added taxes collected in the region during the period also increased, from P295.94 million to P354.92 million or 20 percent, with RD 97 of Gingoog posting an increase of 51 percent, followed by RD 99 of Bukidnon, 43 percent, RD 100 of Ozamiz, 24 percent, RD 101 of Iligan, 17 percent, and lowest in RD 98 of CDO, 11 percent. Excise taxes during the period also increased from P99,866.94 to P384,059.55, or 285 percent, with RD 101 of Iligan posting the highest increase of 1,754 percent, followed by RD 100 of Ozamiz, 568 percent, RD 98 of CDO, 114 percent and RD 99 of Bukidnon, 92 percent. The excise taxes in Gingoog


CdO connectivity with Iloilo boosts local tourism, says local officialCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The opening of new flights connecting Cagayan de Oro with Iloilo City is an added boost to the city’s tourism industry.

Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas said this noting reports that the thrice a week flights between the two cities provided by Cebu Pacific Air has carried 14,600 passengers in just five months. The vice mayor, who chairs the city council committee on tourism, expressed optimism this figure will continue to increase. He expressed gratitude to the airline company for this development as he expressed hope more new routes will be opened connecting Cagayan de Oro with other cities in the country. Starting October 14, 2011, the

Cagayan de Oro-Iloilo route is Cebu Pacific’s 78th domestic route utilizing an Airbus A319 aircraft. (CdeOSP)

however, declined or went down by 66 percent, Olasiman said. The “other” taxes, to include the documentary taxes, capital gains taxes, etc., also increased from P122.56 million to P159.13 million or a 30 percent increase, with RD 101 of Iligan posting the highest collection, from P16.22 million to P35.73 million or 120 percent. This was followed by RD 98 of CDO Cagayan de Oro with 20 percent, RD 97 of Gingoog, nine percent, RD 99 of Bukidnon, seven percent, and RD 100 of Ozamiz, one percent. Overall, a total revenue of P1.43 billion was collected by BIR RR16

from Northern Mindanao during the first quarter of the year, higher by 26 percent compared with P1.14 billion in the same period of 2011. Posting the highest percentage of overall collections was RD 99 of Bukidnon, with 34 percent, followed by RD 100 of Iligan, 32 percent, RD 97 of Gingoog City, 26 percent and RD 101 of Ozamiz City, 21 percent. The increase in revenue collections has been attributed to BIR RR16’s continuing information tax campaign and intensified tax mapping of business establishments, Olasiman said.


WFP to extend assistance to Lanao del Sur until 2014 by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The province will continue to receive assistance from the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) until 2014.

This was announced by UN-WFP Deputy Country Director Asaka

A. Nyangara during the ceremonial launching of the Protracted Relief

Thursday, July 26, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 35All rights reserved by staticgoast

and Recovery Operations (PRRO) at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall Monday, July 2. Nyangara said the two-year program aims to support g o v e r n m e n t in recovery activities in food-insecure and conflict-a f f e c t e d communi t ies in Central Mindanao. He said it is also expected to contribute to the government’s peace-building initiatives by i n c r e a s i n g resilience of

affected communities to shocks. According to him, more than 900,000 beneficiaries in M a g u i n d a n a o , Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Z a m b o a n g a peninsula, and the two Lanao provinces are set to benefit from the program. The PRRO launching, as well as the symbolic turn-over of UN-WFP Food Support to the provincial

government, was one of the many activities highlighting the 53rd Araw ng Lanao del Sur celebration. In his keynote message,


Nyangara mentioned some of the assistance extended to the province by the WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. He said the WFP has supported efforts to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children, aging between six to 23 months with ready-to-use food supplements. With the hope that schoolchildren in the province will be encouraged to return to school and in the process help establish a sense of normalcy in their lives, Nyangara said the WFP also

extended support to schoolchildren through its emergency school-feeding activities. WFP likewise supported local government units and communities in various livelihood initiatives with the end goal of empowering and achieving self-sufficiency in the communities, he added. Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. expressed his appreciation to the UN-WFP Deputy Country Director for gracing the anniversary celebration of the province and thanked the UN-WFP for the numerous interventions extended to the province.


ARMM law scraps district impact fundsMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - Lawmakers of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will effectively waive their powers over the region’s version of “pork barrel,” a privilege of allocating funds for pet projects among members of Congress in the national government.

ARMM officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman met all 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) last Tuesday when he signed into law the Muslim Mindanao Act 229 or the region’s Public Works Act. Hataman said the law scraps district impact funds (DIP), the uses of which were normally left to full discretion of RLA members, and were said to be a huge source of corruption, just like its national counterpart, the Priority Development Fund to some members of Congress. MMA 229 provides for the utilization of the P2-billion infrastructure fund program that the national government annually transfers to the ARMM, as required under Republic Act 9054, the Expanded Autonomy Act that serves as the region’s charter. The DIP provision in the annually passed regional public works law has been adopted by all past administrations

since 1993, he said. Instead of the regional lawmakers determining their districts’ priority projects, community needs for infrastructure programs and projects were established based on assessment and evaluation made by the ARMM public works department, the local civil society organizations (CSOs), and people’s organizations as well as the local government units (LGUs), Hataman said. “The bidding process will be made open to the public, with representative observers from the civil society and media. We will also determine if some LGUs are capable of implementing their own infrastructure projects on a localized bidding process, or by administration, if they have the necessary equipment, or with the help of the Army Engineering Battalion in some cases,” he added. Women Sector Assemblyperson

Samira Gutoc-Tomawis said it would be most welcome for the Filipino people for members of Congress to also waive their privilege over PDF provisions of the national budget, under the annual General Appropriations Act.(BPI-ARMM)

one mindanao - july 26, 2012

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