one mindanao - july 31, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

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

COPY EDITORS

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

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northern Mindanao

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

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

BFP-Sibugay conducts fire, first aid simulation drills

PMA entrance exam in Butuan set on August 2

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Baliangao celebrates ‘Dagatnon’ festival

The Philippines at the forefront of landmark IT trade deal

BBL remains top priority of Aquino administration 11

By: Rhea Grace A. La Plana

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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SKSU’s nutri-food center to start production soon -- DOST

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By: Kevin Christian J. Chua and Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Contents

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

Out-of-school youths groomed to be modern-day farmers

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By: Michael Uy

24 Registration for Kalivungan Festival 2015 street dancing, showdown competition now openBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

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DTI advises consumers on pawnshop transactions29By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

26 38 DSWD celebrates 41st Nutrition Month 2015 in Northern MindanaoBy: Rechel Grace Ceniza

PRDP’s P39.5M irrigation system boosts ‘Managok’ farm yields

36 GSIS trustee graces NGA Convergence Forum in SibugayBy: Alma L. Tingcang By: Jay M. Rosas

4 July 31, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

5July 31, 2015 One Mindanao

Baliangao celebrates ‘Dagatnon’ festivalBy: Kevin Christian J. Chua and Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Baliangao, Misamis Occidental celebrated the‘Dagatnon’ Festival, in honor of its patron, “Our Lady

of Mt. Carmel,” last July 16, as it also considered how widely dependent the municipality is on the sea, that surround it. “So-called the seafood destination of the province, Baliangao shows its dependence on

deeply rooted customs, way of life and history of its residents, as many of them are fishermen or have means of livelihood that depend on the sea,” Mayor Agne V. Yap, said.

However, the name “Baliangao” is derived from locally concocted stories owing to the richness of its marine environment, which is very abundant with fish and sea products since the olden times and its reference to flies.

People from Siquijor and other adjacent islands in the Visayas came to settle in the area in order to find certain source of livelihood, and since they could not contain the vastness of the said marine products, they had to make “bulad” or dried fish and even leave some fishes and shells dead by


the shore.

These circumstances attracted groups of houseflies, plaguing all over the area, which might had been the start of calling the place “balay salangaw (house of flies),” and the story has been handed down for generations.

On the other hand, Father Edward Tabada, the Town’s Parish Priest, who hails from Barangay Landing, this town, tells of another version: The name of the

place came from the words “bali,” a Siquijor term for “many” and “langaw,” whichevolved into the present name “Baliangao.”

It does not put the langaw into pedestal, butstresses on the richness of natural resources this town has been gifted by the Divine Providence since time immemorial (Naval, 2014).

Meanwhile, activities of this year’s DagatnonFestival were focused on the theme:


“KinaiyahanAmpingan, Para sa Kalambuan (Let’s Take Care of the Environment for Progress).”

These activities started with the nine-day novena or petitions and a mass, field demonstration and program, raffle draw and fellowship, town parade, oath of sportsmanship for the inter-barangay basketball and tennis, one-man band and search for Ms. Baliangao 2015.

Free fasting blood sugar

testing, agriculture, trade and industrial fair, sponsoring national, provincial and municipal agencies’ night and Search for the“Voice of Baliangao,” fluvial procession, mass baptism, boat-raising, cheer dance and drum corps competition.

Early dawn serenade or “Diana” around town,street dance, hip-hop dance contest and fireworks display, and “Binulagan” or culmination party, awarding of prizes to winners in all the contests, closing program, and disco dance.


Canada to provide P 240-million assistance to women’s health and child care in the Philippines

MANILA- The Government of Canada has announced it will provide Cad$ 7.1 million (approximately PhP 240 million) in development assistance to improve women and children’s health in the Philippines.


“Canada remains committed to taking a leadership role in addressing the challenges faced by women, children and newborns, and further achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said.

Canada’s assistance to the Philippines will be allocated to the following organizations and their projects:

ADRA Canada - The Cad$20.1-million Enhance Mother, Newborn and Child Health in Remote Areas through Health Care and Community Engagement (EMBRACE) initiative aims to reduce preventable stunting and maternal-child mortality in hard-to-reach targeted regions of Cambodia, Philippines, Burma and Rwanda. It will help increase the consumption of nutritious foods and supplements by mothers, pregnant women and children

under the age of five by raising awareness of nutrition issues and providing supplies and training on how to grow healthy and diverse foods in household gardens. It will also train midwives, nurses, traditional birth attendants and community health volunteers on safe birthing practices. The initiative will be implemented through a consortium led by ADRA Canada in partnership with the Hincks-Dellcrest Institute and Youth Challenge International. Of this amount, ADRA Canada will allot Cad$4.8-million (approx. PhP 163-million) to the Philippines, focusing on the province of Camarines Sur.

Interpares - The Cad$2.3-million (approx. PhP 78-million) Innovation in Reducing Maternal Mortality in the Philippines initiative aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality in impoverished urban communities (Malabon, Manila and San Jose


del Monte) and typhoon-ravaged communities in Eastern Samar. It will help improve the delivery of basic health services such as family planning, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and newborn care. The initiative will also establish an integrated network of four trusted, non-profit maternal and child health clinics to deliver essential health services and outreach to benefit mothers, pregnant women/girls, newborns and children.

Funding for these two projects is part of the Government of Canada’s June 2015 announcement of Cad$ 421-million to humanitarian organizations’ initiatives that focus on strengthening maternal, newborn and child health in 40 eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Philippines is among the eligible countries and one of Canada’s countries of focus in terms of development assistance. “We look forward to working closely with the Philippine government, our civil society partners, and local officials in implementing these important new projects,” Ambassador Reeder added.(Canadian Embassy inthe PH)


The Philippines at the forefront of landmark IT trade deal

MAKATI CITY- The World Trade Organization (WTO) has eliminated the tariffs on a total of 201 products being manufactured under the information technology sector. The abolishment follows an accord reached by 54 WTO members last July 18, and was confirmed in a meeting held last July 24 at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.


Officials of the Department of Trade and Industry hailed the accord, which they said will greatly benefit the Philippines, Trade of IT products have been pegged at a hefty US$1.3 trillion, according to DTI Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal. “Philippine trade of these products in 2013 amounted to US$ 26Billion, with exports reaching more than US$14 billion,” he said.

Among the products covered under this accord are new generation semiconductors, static converters, video games, and parts of automated electronic component machines of which the Philippines

happens to be part of the regional and global production chains.

The Philippine electronics sector stands to benefit from this Agreement in terms of increase in market access on their export products due to elimination of tariffs on targeted export markets such as USA, Japan, EU, Korea, and Chinese Taipei, says Cristobal.

“Moreover, almost all imported raw materials and intermediate inputs and capital equipment requirements can be imported duty free. Once the ITA expansion is entered into force, it will provide


the Philippines with access to over 90 percent of global IT trade. Furthermore, it will create jobs through increase in FDIs and will help to boost GDP growth for our country,” he added.

Under the terms of the agreement, the tariffs will be eliminated on these products within three years, with reductions beginning in 2016. By the end of October 2015, each of the participating members will submit to the other participants a draft schedule which spells out how the terms of the agreement would be met. Participants will spend the coming months preparing and verifying these schedules. The objective is to conclude this technical work in time for the Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December.

The agreement also contains a commitment to work on non-tariff barriers in the IT sector, and to keep the list of products covered under review to determine whether further expansion may be needed

to reflect future technological developments.

The agreement this month is an expansion of the 1996 Information Technology Agreement, which involves 81 members. The Philippines became a party of the IT Agreement in 1997. In 2012, members recognized that technological innovation had advanced to such an extent that many new categories of IT products were not covered by the existing agreement. Negotiations began in 2012 to expand the coverage of the accord. (DTI)


BBL remains top priority of Aquino administration

MANILA -- President Benigno S. Aquino III in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), trumpeted the Bangsamoro peace process as one of the successes and legacies of his administration and renewed his call on Congress to pass into law the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “May mga batas na nais kong ilapit upang maipasa sa loob ng kasalukuyang Kongreso. Pangunahin dito: ang Bangsamoro Basic Law (There are legislative measures which I want to put forward to the current Congress. Foremost of

these is the Bangsamoro Basic Law),” said Aquino.

The BBL, which was based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) -- the peace settlement signed by the Philippine government and the


Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) -- aims to establish a parliamentary political system that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

He challenged critics of the BBL to offer an alternative that could be passed into a law. Otherwise, the President added, the critics only mean to preserve the current status in Mindanao where armed conflict plagues its citizens’ lives and its economy.

“Ilang buhay pa ang kailangang ibuwis para magising ang lahat sa obligasyong baguhin ang sirang status quo sa Muslim Mindanao (How many lives have to be offered for everyone to see the obligation to change the broken status quo in Muslim Mindanao)?” asked Aquino during his speech.

Aquino has been pushing for the Bangsamoro peace process since he assumed office in 2010. It would be remembered that one of his first steps into forging the CAB was a meeting between him and MILF chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim in 2011.

The President also lauded OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos

Deles and GPH Peace Panel Chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and thanked them for their efforts in working toward a peaceful country.

For her part, Deles noted: “Mula sa simula ng administrasyong ito, talagang pursigido ang ating Pangulo sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan at seguridad para sa Mindanao at sa buong bansa. Kaya patuloy tayong nagpapasalamat sa suporta ng taumbayan sa adhikaing ito. At nagpapasalamat din ho tayo sa suporta ng liderato ng Kamara at Senado.(Since the start of this administration, the President has been resolute in his quest for peace and security for Mindanao and the entire country. That is why we continue to thank the Filipino public for their support in this endeavor. We also thank the leaderships of the House of Representatives and the Senate for their support.)”

“Sana’y tuluyan na ngang maipasa ang BBL para tuluyan na nating makamit ang kapayapaan na matagal nang hinahangad ng ating mga kababayan sa Bangsamoro (I hope the BBL will be passed soon so that we can achieve the peace that our people in the Bangsamoro have


been hoping for),” she added.

BBL to determine 2016

In a televised interview prior to the President’s SONA, government chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer discussed the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in connection to the legacy of President Benigno S. Aquino III, adding that the peace process could spell the difference between winning and losing for 2016 hopefuls.

“Mga tatlong milyon ‘yan (sa Bangsamoro) na inaasahan natin na voting population. May ganyang bilang tayo na mga tao na sumusuporta dito. At make or break yan kung sino man tatakbo sa Senado, sino man tatakbo

sa Presidential election kung ganyang klase na pagsuporta na makukuha sa mga tao na s u m u s u p o r t a dito sa pagtatayo ng Bangsamoro Basic Law (We have at least 3 million people (in the Bangsamoro) who are eligible to vote. We have that kind

of support. That could make or break whoever is running for Senate, whoever is running for the Presidential election if that kind of support can be secured from the people who are supportive of the Bangsamoro Basic Law),” explained Ferrer.

Four years into Aquino’s presidency, the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the historic negotiated peace settlement that aims to respond to the legitimate historic socio-political grievances of the Bangsamoro people by establishing a parliamentary government that will replace the current Autonomous Region in


Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Bangsamoro political entity, furthermore, introduces significant structural and operational changes to the ARMM that will provide the regional government with more fiscal and political autonomy. “Malaking bagay iyan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran dito sa bahagi ng Mindanao. Sana makita iyan ng lahat ng tatakbo sa Presidente. Ayaw naman siguro nila na pagdating ng 2016 ay mamana nila ang problema. Mas maganda kung mamana na nila yung solusyon (That is a big deal to achieve lasting peace and development in that part of Mindanao. I hope that is clear to all aspiring would-be presidents. I think they don’t want, come 2016, to inherit problems. It would be better if they would inherit solutions).”

Improvements from past agreements

Ferrer pointed out that the various provisions in the BBL reflected President Aquino’s instruction to the panel since the start of negotiations to “learn from the lessons of the past”. “[A]ng talagang gusto nating

mangyari dito ay magkaroon ng tunay na empowerment yung mga tao through parliamentary system na magtutulak sa kanila na magtayo ng political parties nila na lalahok sa regional elections dito sa Bangsamoro (What we really want to happen here is for people to have genuine empowerment through the parliamentary system that will compel them to establish political parties that will compete during the regional elections in the Bangsamoro).“Hindi yan magiging batayan ng patronage na nanggagaling, halimbawa, sa national government papunta sa regional government; kung hindi isang free and fair election na maaaring makalahok lahat: MILF ka, MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) ka. Hindi dahil ikaw ang pinapaboran ng kung sino mang Presidente, ikaw na ang maluluklok diyan. (That will no longer be the source of patronage, for instance, from the national government to the regional government; but a free and fair election wherein everyone can participate: regardless if you are MILF or MNLF. And not because you are being favored by whoever is the President, you will be automatically elected),” added Ferrer. (OPAPP)


DAVAO CITY- Infor-mation and Commu-nications Technology stakeholders shared their various opinions on President Aquino’s SONA which he deliv-ered last July 27. Belle Torres, IT edu-cator, focal person of De-partment of Science and Technology’s Tech4Ed, said she hoped the Pres-ident on his SONA could mention the proposed Department of ICT. “We really need an institution to focus on the different ICT require-ments of the public and private sectors.” Torres said. Currently in the Senate is the Senate Bill 2686 which proposes for the creation of the De-

partment of ICT authored by Senator Ralph Recto. Current-ly the agency for ICT mat-ters is under the Department of Science and Techno logy ’s Information and

Communications Tech-nology Office (DOST-IC-TO) Eric Manalastas, president of the BPO (Business Process Out-sourcing) Association of Davao, said he also hoped that SONA tackled Micro, Small Medium scale En-terprises (MSMEs) par-ticularly in the access to capital. Manalastas said that many BPO compa-nies are also considered as MSMEs. Department of Trade and Industry Sec-retary Gregory Domingo said that despite the ab-sence of MSMEs in the SONA, the administra-tion is fully committed to supporting MSMEs. One of the programs is

Davao IT players voice opin-ions on SONABy: RG Alama


Out-of-school youths groomed to be modern-day farmers

the creation of industry roadmaps to enable MSME’s to participate in the supply value chain of industries. Meanwhile Wit Holganza, for-mer president of ICT Davao said she hopes that specific support for BPO industry in the government’s Training-for-Work program would return and continue. Holganza said that the program specific for the

BPO sector was discontinued after 2012. “This is really important since in the last two years we are con-cerned with developing the talent level in our BPO sector.”

DAVAO DEL NORTE- - After com-pleting the Academic and Techni-cal Integrated Training Program (ATI-TP), 154 out-of-school youth from eight regions were consid-ered to be modern day farmers. The out-school-youth from farming villages of Regions 6, 8-13 and ARMM received on Friday (July 24) at ACES Polytechnic College Gymnasium, Panabo City their cer-tificate of completion on the three-month training program. The training program is an ini-tiative of the Department of Agricul-ture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) that integrates the basic academic knowledge in formal edu-cation and technical learning focused on organic agriculture. Sen. Cynthia Villar, who was the graduation’s guest speaker, said that graduates were the new generation of farmers in the country.

“You are the future of the Phil-ippines being an agricultural coun-try,” Senator Villar said. Villar lauded the program of the ATI and the ACES Polytechnic Col-lege, since it taught natural farming methods. “With this methods, mas liliit na ang inyong mga gastosin kasi hindi na kayo bibili ng iinputs; kayo na mismo ang gagawa ng inyong inputs (your expenses will be lessened be-cause you will no longer buy farm in-puts, you will make your own inputs. And at the same time, you promote the development of the environ-ment,” she said. Villar urged the graduates to apply their learning in their own farms and villages. “You can now help your fam-ily and the agriculture industry with the technology that you learned from this training,” she added.

By: Michael Uy


Php230-M road projects underway in N Cotabato By:Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY. South Cotabato, July 31 -- Two major road projects are currently being implemented in the hinterlands in North Cotabato, according to the Depart-ment of Public Works and Highways 12

DPWH 12 Regional Director Reynaldo S. Tamayo, told Philippine Information Agency that the road projects involves paving of portions of the Magpet- Nowa- Doruluman-Greenfield Road in Magpet town.

Director Tamayo said the two projects have a combined length of 10.789 kilome-ters of national secondary road.

The first road upgrading project covers 3.683 km in Barangay Basak while the sec-ond one – 7.115 km in length is located at


Barangay Badiangon. Tamayo noted that these proj-

ects are very important since the road serves as alternate route from Kidapawan City and nearby municipalities of Pres. Roxas, Matalam and Kabacan in SOCCSKSARGEN Region to Di-gos City, Bansalan and Davao City in Davao Region.

“Farmers and entrepreneurs from remote areas of North Co-tabato will benefit from a shorter travel time and convenient trans-portation of their produce and goods,” Tamayo said.

Concreting this road would also mean easier access to and delivery of government ser-vices in hard-to-reach villages in the area.

“If there will be no problem at the project site, these projects will be completed earlier than the scheduled completion date,” he said.

He also expects more road up-grading projects to be undertak-en in these areas as DPWH aims to achieve total connectivity in the region.

Per July 15 Accomplishment Report of the monitoring unit, the projects have accomplished 46.95% and 45.54%, respec-tively.

The physical accomplish-ments are way advanced by 10% against the planned or expected output, same report indicated. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with repor from DPWH Information Unit)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 31 -- The complementa-ry food processing center at the Sultan Kudarat State University based in Tacurong City could soon begin manufacture of nutri-tious food products, according to an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

SKSU’s nutri-food center to start production soon -- DOSTBy:Danilo E. Doguiles

Dr. Zenaida Hadji-Raof Laidan, DOST 12 regional director, told Philippine Information Agency that the DOST earlier granted the state-run university over Php 5 million worth of large-scale food processing equipment for the establishment of a Comple-mentary Food Processing (CFP) Center.

SKSU, in return provided the building in its extension site in nearby Isulan town to house the equipment.

Laidan said that SKSU is one of the five recipients of the pro-gram to roll out complementary food production. Other CFP fa-cilities are located in Cordillera Autonomous Region, MIMAROPA Region, Zamboanga Peninsula and CARAGA.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Food and Nu-

trition Research Institute (FNRI) of DOST and DOST-CARAGA as the lead region.

Laidan explained that the project aims to commercialize three FNRI-developed comple-mentary food technologies in-volving blending of rice with mongo and/sesame.

Products for developed for popular adoption and commer-cialization and are set for production in the CFP center are rice-mongo curls, rice-mongo baby food blend, and rice-mon-go-sesame baby food blend.

These products are called BigMo, short for “bigas at mon-go,” she said.

The BigMo Rice-Mongo blend is an instant baby food that is enough to meet 10.8 percent of energy and 21.4 percent recom mended protein intake for chil-


drenages 6 to 12 months old.On the other hand, BigMo Rice-

Mongo-Sesame blend is a ready-to-cook baby food that provides essential fatty acids for the grow-ing kids.

BigMo Rice-Mongo curls, a nu-tritious, crispy snack can provide 12.3 percent of recommended energy and 11.8 percent recom-mended protein intake of children ages 1 to 3 years old.

Laidan elaborated further that the project is a component of the DOST- Package for the Im-provement of Nutrition of Young Children (PINOY) of the High Im-pact Technology Solutions (HITS) of the DOST.

DOST PINOY, she said, is a nu-trition intervention strategy in-tended to lessen the impact of the persistent problem of malnu-trition among young Filipino chil-dren six months to three years old.

Beside the complementary food products, the project also includes health and nutrition ed-ucation of mothers and caregiv-ers.

From July 13 - 15, DOST and FNRI conducted training on tech-nology transfer on production of complementary foods as well as test run and training on ma-chine operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the food

processing machines, necessary for the eventual operation of the center.

Laidan disclosed that the cen-ter at SKSU is capable of pro-cessing and packing 120 kg of complementary food in one hour.

“We are very fortunate to have this facility because our region has bounty of agricultural re-sources for the raw materials to be utilized for the complemen-tary foods production. The chal-lenge to effectively manage the processing plant and sustain its productivity and competitiveness now lies in our hands,”

Dr. Rolando Hechanova, presi-dent of SKSU in his message during the training.

After the equipment installa-tion, commissioning and train-ings, launching and start of op-eration could be ordered soon, Laidan said.

The local government unit of Isulan has committed P200,000 as initial support for feeding pro-gram in 17 depressed barangays of the municipality, where the BigMo complementary foods will be used. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DOST 12)


Registration for Kalivungan Festival 2015 street dancing, showdown competition now openBy Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, July 31- Registration for one of the highlights of the Kalivungan Festival this year, the street dancing and showdown competition is now open for entries.


“As a major event, people look forward to see the colorful costumes and the magnificent performance of the Kalivungan street dancers and because of this, we want this year’s anniver-sary to be more memorable and impressive,” said Josephine M. Abellana, head of the Provincial Governor’s Office - Public Affairs Assistance Tourism, Sports and Development Division.

She also noted that the tech-nical working group of the fes-tival proposed a province-wide competition. In connection local government units and schools divisions are encouraged to send contingents to join the Kalivun-gan street dancing and show-down competition.

To strengthen the call for en-tries, the TWG in cooperation with the Department of Educa-tion- Cotabato Schools Division are currently sending invitation letters and registration forms to schools and LGUs.

Abellana stated that the win-ner of the said contest will re-ceive prizes and will have the chance to participate and repre-sent North Cotabato to the Sinu-log Festival in Cebu and Aliwan Festival in Pasay City.

For more information, inter-ested parties may call 064-521-

8080 local 1125 and look for Ralph Ryan Rafael, focal per-son of PGO Media Affairs or they may visit the Provincial Gover-nor’s Office-Media Center locat-ed at the ground floor of the Pro-vincial Capitol Building, Amas, Kidapawan City.

For her part, Governor Emmy-lou Mendoza emphasized the es-sence of celebrating the Kalivun-gan Festival slated on the last week of August. According to her, the event depicts the unity and harmony of the Tri-People in North Cotabato.

“We give high regards to the Kalivungan Festival because this is the foundation of every Co-tabateño and therefore we are proud to celebrate it despite our differences,” the governor said. (SJDuerme-PIA12 with report from North Cotabato Media Cen-ter)


DA-13 turns over P1.179 M worth of livestock to Surigao Norte farmers

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit 13 recently turned-over 15 native chickens, 25 carabaos, four cattles, 26 goats and five swine amounting to P1.179 million to the 19 farmer individuals and three farmer associations of the province of Surigao del Norte.

By: Fretcher Magatao

“This dispersal program of DA truly helps us traditional farmers in our daily farming activities. Entrusting these animals surely motivate us to


do better,” said Jerson Calamba, farmer-beneficiary from Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Meanwhile, Gov. Sol Matugas said that DA 13 has been their partner “in helping the farmers and achieving food sufficiency not only in our province, but also to the whole region.” She added that the animal dispersal program is geared towards sustainable increase in livestock and poultry production and productivity in the province. “Beneficiaries must be responsible in raising these animals in order to sustain the program and produce another

batch of like beneficiaries in the future,” said provincial veterinarian Dr. Life Shiela Laugo. Recipients were coming from the different municipalities of the province including the farmers from the island municipalities of Siargao and Socorro. The turn-over ceremony was spearheaded by the officials from DA-13 headed by Dr. Joey Ronquillo and Gov. Matugas assisted by Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, provincial board members, and municipal agriculturists.

BUTUAN CITY – This year’s entrance examination for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here is set on August 2, 2015 in time with the city’s charter day or Adlaw Hong Butuan celebration.

PMA entrance exam in Butuan set on August 2By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

“Being a PMA cadet gives an individual a noble privilege in serving the country. One is able to avail of a free college education with a well-rounded curriculum, as well as receive monthly pay and allowances. After graduating from the Academy, one is guaranteed

a progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force,” disclosed Capt Ferdinand Quiocho of the Philippine Military Academy during his interview on Tuesday over PIA-Caraga’s 107.8 Power FM/Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System


(AFEBS) Network, this city. Quiocho also revealed that applicants must at least 5’0 inches in height both for male and female, natural-born Filipino citizen, physically fit and of good moral character, single and has never been married, at least high school graduate, no administrative/criminal case, must pass the PMA entrance examination. “We are inviting interested young ones to join us in the Philippine Military Academy by taking the entrance examination on Aug. 2, 2015, 7am at the Agusan National High School in Butuan City,” said Quiocho. Also, according to the good captain, addressing one of the major issues that usually

deters interested applicants from entering the Academy, the PMA has made a firm stand on its policy against maltreatment in the Cadet Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines. “PMA advocates ‘Zero Tolerance to Maltreatment.’ The Academy is aggressively implementing a ‘No Maltreatment Policy’ among the cadets. PMA adheres to the respect of human rights, and observance of the principles of International Humanitarian and the rule of law,” he added. It was also learned that successful applicants will compose the PMA Class 2020 who will be officially received in the Academy in an Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites on April 1, 2016.


DTI advises consumers on pawnshop transactions By: Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Norte advises consumers who will be dealing transactions with pawnshops to carefully read and study the agreement they will sign.

Although pawnshop operation is under the regulatory supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), DTI issues this advice to let the public understand the importance of being fully clarified on the loan transaction they will execute with pawnshops in the light of the recent issue on the interest rate presented to the DTI Consumer Welfare Desk by a consumer having a transaction with one of the pawnshops operating in the city. In case of disputes on the interest rates and related concerns, the regular courts have

the vested power to determine the reasonableness and legality. It is for this reason that consumers should first look into and compare the rates and fees imposed of different pawnshops in a locality before making any decision to enter into any transaction. Consumer needing guidance on this related matter can visit the DTI provincial office located at the 2nd Floor of Simtoco Business Center, Burgos Street, this city or call at telephone number 826-6129 or 09195971199.


By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – High school students partic-ipating in the essay writing and poster-making competitions held by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-9 here yesterday have shown that they have adequate knowledge about disaster pre-paredness.

OCD-9 holds easy writing, poster-making tilts


Twenty-one students from the schools divisions of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Paga-dian City came to join the said competitions with 12 for the poster making and 9 for the es-say writing.

The participants were asked to portray and/or expound on the theme of this year’s observance of the National Disaster Con-sciousness Month: “Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa.”

Judging from their outputs, the student-contestants have been able to express their ideas on how the families and communi-

ties should prepare for any disas-ter to cushion its adverse effects on the people’s lives and proper-ties, one of the judges said.

The winners of the essay-writing contest were Jacob Benjamin A. Parulan of Pagadian City Science High School – first place, Vinz Sweety M. Lagahit of Molave Technical Vocational School, Mo-lave, Zamboanga del Sur – sec-ond, and Al Team Soon of Co Tek Chun National Trade School, Pa-gadian City – third.

Sistine S. Gallo of Zamboanga del Sur National High School, Pagadan City also emerged as champion in the poster-making competition, followed by Mario


By Rhea Grace A. La Plana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – To enhance disaster risk reduction and management skills of the Department of Education (DepEd)- Ipil di-vision personnel, fire and first aid simulation drills were conducted by the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) last July 24 in Barangay Pangi here.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Engr. Lloyd I. Pranza said it is very important that ev-

eryone should learn and undergo training on the basic knowledge about disaster management and mitigating measures.

BFP-Sibugay conducts fire, first aid simulation drills

Pasague Jr of Ipil National High School, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Jamaeya M. Sabijon of Zam-boanga Sibugay National High School, also in Ipil town.

Ms. Emilia Vasquez-Julhajan, OCD-9 chief, has expressed her gratitude to the students and their coaches for their participation in

the said competitions as well as to the panel of judges composed of representatives from the De-partment of Education (DepEd), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and OCD.


The simulation fire and first aid drills were held in observance of the National Disaster Conscious-ness Month with the theme “Pam-ilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katu-wang sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan.”

The employees were divided into groups. Each group has its own scenario to be played during the drills. The BFP personnel thor-oughly explained details as to the simulation steps and encouraged each one to consider the neces-sary time element before, during and after any real life situations.

“It is important to think about safety precautions, rescue op-eration, and evacuation mea-sures. One must be alert in order to gain focus to search, evacu-ate, rescue and give immediate first aid to injured patients dur-ing emergency,” the BFP-Sibugay chief stressed.

The drills served as an effective training for the participants to be more ready and active to respond to any unexpected and danger-ous situations, he concluded.


GSIS trustee graces NGA Convergence Forum in SibugayBy Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Professor Mario J. Aguja, trustee of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) graced the National Government Agencies’ Convergence Forum held at the municipal covered court here on July 25.

About 700 supervisors, prin-cipals, teachers, health work-ers and LGU personnel attended the forum which was part of the 66th Founding Anniversary cel-ebration of Ipil town. Leading the DepEd participants was OIC Schools Division Superintendent

Felix Romy L. Triambulo.

Mayor Eldwin M. Alibutdan in his welcome message lauded the presence of Trustee Aguja and representatives from PhilHealth led by Dr. Raymond Alea, to en-lighten and update government


workers on the benefits that they could avail and pave the way for a dialogue and consultation with these institutions.

In his welcome message, May-or Alibutdan said that gradually, they have achieved their vision of progress and development for Ipil. “Progress does not only mean roads and bridges or any infrastructure. Development is a holistic approach, to include people’s participation and total human development to improve their lives,” the mayor quoted.

“GSIS takes care of your retire-ment up to the time na kunin na kayo ni Lord,” Aguja told the crowd in jest, citing that this is an important initiative which could be replicated by other LGUs.

He said at the time of their ap-pointment when President Be-nigno S. Aquino III assumed the presidency in 2010, GSIS was beset with many problems and some benefits have been trimmed down.

The 9 board of trustees then in-stituted reforms to gain back the trust and confidence of its mem-bers and pensioners. The reforms have paid off and GSIS services

are now member-focused.

To date, Aguja said there are 1.8 million members of GSIS with 1.4 who contribute actively, 264,000 old age pensioners and 136,000 survivorship pensioners.

He said some pensioners previ-ously received less than P1,000 a month. Starting 2013, the GSIS had increased the monthly pen-sion to P5,000 benefitting 65,000 of pensioners nationwide.

Aguja also reminded the pension-ers to report to GSIS every year. “Dapat magreport kayo sa GSIS para sabihing buhay pa kayo. If not, your pension will be cut off.”

Previously, GSIS charges 8 per-cent interest for emergency loan in times of calamity. Aguja an-nounced that interest rate have been lowered to 6 percent with no service charge.

Earlier, the unveiling of the 13th kiosk under the GSIS Pagadian branch office located in front of Ipil Municipal Hall was officiated by trustee Aguja together with Mayor Alibutdan to better serve its members and pensioners in Zamboanga Sibugay.


Simultaneous school deworming held

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some 6,635 school children at the West City Central School joined the nation today in the simultaneous nationwide administration of deworming tablets.

by Jorie C. Valcorza

The school played host today in the ceremonial opening of the national school deworming day (NSDD) graced by Department of Health 10 (DOH-10), local officials, civil society representatives and other partners. DOH regional director Aristides C. Tan conveyed the importance of deworming into the health of the children as well as to their academic performance. He said the tablets will make children more responsive to nutrients. Tan also reminded mothers and teachers


to imbibe to the children the habit of regular handwashing and wearing of sleepers as the gastrointestinal parasites is acquired only through skin contact or ingestion of contaminated food. The distribution of deworming pills is held twice in year or every

six months to all public school children from kindergarten to grade 6 to address high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among children which may lead to cognitive impairment and malnutrition, among other complications.

Activities that were conducted involved the DSWD clients to cooking contests, outdoor activities for physical fitness, quiz bees, poster making contests, lectures on basic nutrition and importance of healthy diet, proper hygiene and sanitation. The “10 Kumainments” was

promoted during the Monday Convocation of all the employees in the DSWD here with the distribution of advocacy materials to the staffs coupled with a lecture on Healthy Weight Management. The Field Office employees are challenged that despite the pressures at work, they have to

DSWD celebrates 41st Nutrition Month 2015 in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here together with its four centers: the Regional Haven for Women, Home for Girls, Rand the Rehabilitation Center for Youth recently conducted celebratory activities in line with the Annual Nutrition Month which focuses on addressing overweight and obesity. This year’s theme is “Timbang Iwasto, sa Tamang Nutrisyon at Ehersisyo!”

by Rechel Grace Ceniza


make positive decisions towards consumption of healthy diets and be physically active to prevent non-communicable diseases as a

result of overweight and obesity. The DSWD is an active advocate on proper nutrition for all sectors of the society.

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon -- More than 200 farmers are now benefited of the P39.5-million irrigation system constructed under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)- Mindanao.

PRDP’s P39.5M irrigation system boosts ‘Managok’ farm yields

Samuel dela Torre, president of Managok Irrigators Association in barangay Managok, Malaybalay City, said their harvest remained unproductive before PRDP constructed the dam due to lack of water supply for their rice fields. “Farmers here have long depended on manually developed earth canals and brush dams from the nearby Balungkot Creek and other tributaries as source of their irrigation,” he said. But, last year, with the irrigation’s construction in barangay Managok, farmers’ harvest went up to 200 sacks per hectare, Dela Torre said.

Likewise, rice farmer Emmanuel Patricio, said that the irrigation contributed significantly to improving their rice production. “Before, I used to harvest around 100 sacks of rice, but now it has reached around 200 sacks in one cropping season only.” City Agriculturist Remedios Sarzuelo said the irrigation project enabled farmers to cultivate for two cropping seasons and increase their income and production. Hence, with increased production, the irrigation facility will support rice self-sufficiency in the city,” she said.

by Jay M. Rosas

one mindanao - july 31, 2015

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