one mindanao - june 19, 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

South Cotabato leads Region 12 in campaign against illegal drugs

AEWs from NorthCot win Gawad Saka National Awards 2015

PHIVOLCS warns Mt. Apo remains potentially active

17

30

31

27

433638

Ensuring the future with clean, safe water for Basilenos

DTI to boost PH startups at Slingshot MNL

Mindanao sees an uptrend in renewable energy projects

DOST IX announces conduct of PSHS scholarship exams

Peace advocate gets 250 arm chairs from DENR

Tandag City gears up for 8th Charter Day celebration

14

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Shahana Joy E Duerme

By: MinDA

By: Emmanuel D. TaghoyBy: Eric Herson F. Gallego

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

2224

Bukidnon town hosts Info Caravan 2015

Peace, order in MisOcc continues to be “manageable,” says PNPBy: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Kim Namocatcat By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

1712

34 42

25 21

29

OUR

CO

VER

By: Rene V. Carbayas

Contents

4 June 19, 2015One Mindanao

Cover StoryEnsuring the future with clean,safe water for Basilenos By: Rene V. Carbayas

Water comprises seventy-five percent of the world, only a fraction of it is fresh water, and little less than how much it is for safe drinking water.

5June 19, 2015 One Mindanao

Ensuring the future with clean,safe water for Basilenos

Water comprises seventy-five percent of the world, only a fraction of it is fresh water, and little less than how much it is for safe drinking water.


Science tells us that a number of factors and entities are involved in the life of water. The sun shines. In the heat, moisture from the surroundings and on the grounds evaporates. Many of them carried into the atmosphere and form clouds, which becomes heavier as more moisture is gathered. Then rain occurs and the forests and trees on the ground absorb the water, some contains the water, the others are sieved through the ground and go down the water table and become the source of fresh drinking water.

With the booming population, increased human activity and needs have reduced significantly the earth’s natural

resources, particularly the trees and forests. The dwindling of the forests has also reduced the capacity of the soil to hold more water.

At the forum on environment and septage management recently conducted by the Basilan Communicators Network Inc. (BASCOMNET) with the Isabela Water District (ISAWAD), Melchora Mangubat of ISAWAD said that trees, as important element in the water cycle is losing in the equation, and thereby dwindling the quality of fresh drinking water of the island province.

Moreover, human population is increasing. This means


that more human wastes are produced and more septic tanks are needed. Unfortunately, some communities in Basilan do not practice proper sanitation practices on human waste disposal. And a substantial percentage of the population still lack access to proper sanitation.

Most residential and commercial buildings use septic tanks for primary treatment of sewage, but many of these septic tanks have open bottoms, are not regularly dislodged, and simply discharge their waste in drainage canals that eventually end up in water bodies. This situation has resulted in E. coli contamination of groundwater and surface water, which has led to economic losses due to higher health costs, as well as losses in fisheries production and tourism. This has also affected already scarce sources of water supply and has increased the cost of treatment of water supply with increased water pollution which was one of the reasons why the Philippine Clean Water Act was passed in 2004.

USAID Be Secure Project

The USAID Water Security

for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project is a four-year activity that seeks to promote good governance and build capacity for long-term water security, improve access to water and wastewater treatment services, and build more resilient communities. It focuses on delivering two intermediate results: (1) Increased sustainable access to water supply and wastewater treatment services; and (2) Increasing resilience to climate-related water stress and hydrologic extremes.

The project started in July 2013 and operates in five focal areas: Basilan, Iloilo, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental Provinces and Leyte Province. It targets to assist 1.2 million people in gaining access to improved drinking water, and 400,000 others obtaining access to improved sanitation facilities. Two of Be Secure’s tasks are to strengthen the enabling environment for a sustainable wastewater treatment service delivery and to strengthen the capacity of wastewater treatment service providers.


Septage Management Program in Isabela City, Basilan

Be Secure is supporting Isabela City in the development of a city-wide septage management program which ISAWAD has been pursuing since 2009. The program will ensure that septage will be regularly collected from septic tanks and properly treated to protect the environment and people’s health. Technical exchanges and study visits to successful septage treatment plants were organized for the water district, barangay council

members and local city officials of Isabela City.

Be Secure, in collaboration with the Isabela City and the ISAWAD also supported the public hearings and negotiations to obtain public support for the project. The Project’s ongoing support contributed to the finalization and passage of a city septage management ordinance in Isabela City. The passage of the septage ordinance is landmark legislation in Mindanao. It is expected that this will open up opportunities for more water supply and sanitation-related


Scale model of the septage management program of ISAWAD in Isabela City, Basilan.

policies and programs to be introduced in the near future in this part of the country. Be Secure will also provide support in the design of the fee system, capacity building for operation and management and construction of the Isabela City Septage Facility which will benefit 47,000 people.

With the passage of the ordinance, ISAWAD commemorated the start of the septage management program in the designated site in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan during Earth Week on April 21, 2015. Simultaneously, on the same day, Barangay Captains

all over the city will orient key members of their barangay communities on the need for better sanitation service, maintaining the right septic tanks, the city septage ordinance, and things that an ordinary household can do to manage wastewater, using a flipchart tool that Be Secure developed for this purpose.

The campaign for clean water source

The establishment of the septage management still has a long way to go and ISAWAD is soliciting all the support from the BASCOMNET in the campaign to


encourage the public to support the program. With member-agencies and organizations having their own distinct clients and beneficiaries, ISAWAD has appealed to all members to promote the program to their clients.

During the forum on June 10, 2015, as part of the observance of Environment Month in June, the BASCOMNET were given

orientation on the program. Given the importance of the project, the communicators realized the value of the program and expressed support to the project. Moreover, ISAWAD’s septage management focal person Analie S. Serrano has urged the household, starting from the members to check and perhaps fix their septic tanks,


especially in correcting its construction. Immediately after the forum, the communicators, who are coming from the different government line agencies and non-government organizations in Basilan, proceeded to the ISAWAD Wastewater Enhancement for Environmental (WEE) Care Plant site in Tabiawan, Isabela City to plant some 50 seedlings.


DA pushes for nationwide soil health mapping

QUEZON CITY - The Department of Agriculture on Thursday said it is pushing for a nationwide soil health mapping to properly assess the condition of farmlands in all regions.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the Bureau of Soils and Water Management

will spearhead this endeavor under the leadership of Director Silvino Q. Tejada.


“This will help us come up with right decisions regarding food and agribusiness investments,” Alcala said.

The Secretary has already tasked all regional field offices (RFOs) to use their savings to fund the activity.

In fact, the RFOs have already started soil health mapping. RFOs 2 and 5 have already completed their activities and will come-up with a report thereon.

According to Alcala, Filipino farmers are expecting the BSWM will continue and broaden its programs and services, among them the Water Resources Management Program.

The said program covers the implementation of Small-Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIPs) such as Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs), Diversion Dams (DDs), Small Farm

Reservoirs (SFRs) and Shallow Tube Wells (STWs).

Among the major accomplishments of the BSWM in 2014 is the National Master Plan for Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, CY 2014-2022, which includes the Watershed Management Component.

“We focus on the development of small irrigation systems not only because they are cheaper to build and manage, but also as part of our commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,” Alcala said.

He added, 100 agro meteorological stations have already been established nationwide, which enables us to use gathered data on rainfall, temperature, wind speed and direction, sunshine duration and soil temperature and moisture in daily decisions that have to made in the fields, especially in preparing for calamities. (DA)


DTI to boost PH startups at Slingshot MNL

MANILA - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Philippine startup community have organized Slinshot MNL, a conference featuring top international figures in the field of startups as part of its advocacy to bring small businesses in the front and center of global and regional trade.


“Equitable and inclusive growth can only be attained when an enabling environment promotes the full participation of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in global trade,” DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said.

Domingo, as the chair of the recent APEC 2015 Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) have steadfastly advocated for MSEs as integral parts in the country’s pursuit to enhance regional economic integration and in the attainment of equitable and inclusive growth.

Domingo noted that when MSEs, which comprise the bulk of manufacturing and commercial establishments, are effectively sidelined, equitable and inclusive growth becomes a myth.

“In organizing Slingshot MNL, we aim to gather promising startups in the region and present them potential mentors, investors, and business partners,”

DTI Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr. said.

Manalo added that through this event and continuing efforts to back micro and small enterprises, DTI is confident to establish and develop the next generation of world-changing companies in the Pacific Rim.

SlingshotMNL will take place on from July 6 to 7, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila. This two-day conference will feature discussions with leading figures in the international startup community like Startup Chile founder Nicolas Shea, Hugh Mason from leading Asian investment firm JFDI Asia, and Professor Richard Dasher from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

The conference will also display the products and services of local startups. Apart from plenary sessions, workshops, and fireside chats, it will also feature a


pitching competition and a lineup of local startup exhibitors.

The conference will also be attended by heads of industry, startup incubators, business accelerators, investment and venture capital firms from the United States, Latin America, and Asia, as well as successful startup businesses such as UBER, GrabTaxi, Ashoka, Rags2Riches, and AirBnb.

The startup label is currently used to describe young companies with cultures centered on growth, dynamism, and innovation, and business models designed to quickly expand their market. Despite the sheen of technology and innovation, startups are still small businesses faced by the challenges of other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES).

SlingshotMNL is set to cover a variety of topics to help startups engage meaningfully in international trade. These topics

include understanding hubs of innovation, opportunities in tech startup investing, redefining scale in the global market place, impact entrepreneurship; startup ecosystem support, and the role of universities in the startup community.

“At the heart of every successful startup is a great idea. Slingshot MNL will be a showcase of the greatest of those ideas –a showcase of the incredible things that have already been achieved by startups, and of all that we can still achieve together,” Earl Martin Valencia, co-founder and President of IdeaSpace Foundation, an accelerator for Philippine tech startups.

Registration for SlingshotMNL is free. Slots are limited and priority is given to startups and relevant stakeholders in the startup ecosystem. Interested parties may register at http://www.slingshotmnl.org/. Updates will be posted onhttps://twitter.com/slingshotmnl. (DTI)


Mindanao sees an uptrend in renewable energy projects

DAVAO CITY - Applications for renewable energy (RE) projects in Mindanao posted a 25.64 percent increase which showed a growing interest for clean energy investments in the island-region. The One Stop Facilitation and Monitoring Center (OSFMC), which handles the fast tracking of pending RE projects in Mindanao received 59 new applications adding to a total of 290 applications for RE projects with a combined capacity of almost 3,000 megawatts (MW).

In May this year, the center reported 231 applications with a combined capacity of 2,419.17 MW. The additional RE project applications will have a combined capacity of 578.92 MW if completed and fully operational.

“The projects are spread


across hydro, geothermal, solar, and biomass. The bulk of the pending RE power project applications however are hydropower with a total of 242 projects and a combined potential capacity of 2,147.71 MW,” said Romeo Montenegro, director for Investment Promotions and Public Affairs Office of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

Montenegro who also oversees the operations of the OSFMC said majority of the hydropower projects are located in Northern Mindanao.

At the recently concluded Energy Investment Briefing held here at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Montenegro announced that Mindanao’s power supply mix will shift in 2017 to 45 percent RE and 67 percent non-

renewable energy from the current 55 percent RE and 33 percent non-RE.

“The OSFMC ensures that facilitation and the fast-tracking of these energy projects are given utmost importance in order that Mindanao will continue to enjoy an affordable, reliable, and clean energy source,” he said. An initiative of MinDA, the Department of Energy, and USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) Project, the OSFMC is aimed to help address Mindanao’s power supply deficit by fast-tracking the approval process of RE projects.

Among the top pending hydropower projects include the 140 MW Davao Hydroelectric Power Project of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc. in Davao City; the 110 MW Kabulnan 2 Hydroelectric Power Project of Philnewriver Power Corp. in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; the 50 MW Lake Dapao Hydroelectric Power Project; and the 50 MW Maltling River Hydroelectric Power Project of the AQA Global Power Inc. in Lanao del Sur.


The OSFMC recorded 28 pending projects for solar energy with a combined potential capacity of 427.25 MW. Among the top projects include the 35 MW Darong Solar Power Project of the PhilNewEnergy, Inc. in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; 35 MW ICOM Solar Power Project of the Local Government Unit of the Islamic City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur; and the 20 MW Kirahon Solar Power Project of the Kirahan Solar Energy Corporation in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

Geothermal energy projects accounts for eight with a potential capacity of 278.48 MW. Many of the geothermal projects are those of the Energy Development Corporation like the 40 MW Lakewood Geothermal Prospect in Zamboanga del

Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay and their 30 MW Ampiro Geothermal Power Project in Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Biomass energy projects recorded by the OSFMC have a combined capacity of 144.65 MW. Some of the projects include the 23.50 MW Woody Biomass Power Plant Project of the Eastern Petroleum Corporation in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; 15 MW Price Husk-fired Biomass Power Plant Project of the Lamsan Power Corporation in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao; and the 12 MW Multi-feedstock Biomass Power Plant Project of the Misamis Oriental Bio-Energy Corporations in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.


Montenegro also underscored the importance of having a diversified energy mix so that Mindanao will not rely solely on one source of energy, which has been proved ineffective when the island only relied on the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Power Complexes.

Aside from the monitoring of the pending renewable energy projects, the OSFMC also facilitated a number of prospective and existing power investors since it was launched in October last year.

One on the projects facilitated is the 68 MW Manolo Fortich Project of Hedcor, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power, in

Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The center facilitated in the fast tracking of the tree-cutting permit and the NWRB Water Rights Permit. The company has recently held a ground breaking ceremony earlier this year and is expected to be completed by 2018.

“With the OSFMC we hope to fast-track more renewable energy projects, which is also in line with our Mindanao 2020 goals of having a 50-50 energy mix of renewable energy and non-renewable energy,” Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, chairperson of the MinDA, said. (MinDA)

48,800 grandparents to benefit govt social pension

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – More than 48,800 senior citizens in Northern Mindanao will be benefiting from the Social Pension given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for this year.

by Charmaine Suzette Leonore P. Tadlas

This after 29,499 senior citizens were validated as an addition to those qualified to the program which provides a subsidy of P1,500 every quarter to augment their needs such as medicine and food.


Qualified senior citizens are those considered to be indigent, and are aged 66 years old above and are not beneficiaries of any

pension such as Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), among others.

Bukidnon town hosts Info Caravan 2015

OROQUIETA CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL -- In coordination with Regional Association Government of Communicators (RAGCOM) region 10, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) region 10, an Information Caravan 2015 was conducted in the municipality of Don Carlos, province of Bukidnon on 16 June 2015.

by Kim Namocatcat

PIA Regional Director Thelma B. Oliver emphasized the importance of the activity. She said that there are a lot of good news and government services that the communities ought to know. These are some highlights underscored in the information caravan. Research Specialist of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dexter Demafeliz announced the replacement of banknotes or demonetization schedule. He said that the all old series with old logo of BSP will only be effective in 2015. From January to December

2016, old banknotes must be exchanged to any Central Bank of the Philippines branch. Only the new design series with new logo of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas are only allowed in the year of 2017. Meanwhile, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) representative Erwin Casicas discussed about GSIS scholarship grant that will be given to 200 beneficiaries. Scholars who will enrol in a four or five year course will have P20,000 for tuition fee every semester and P2,000 stipend per month. The scholarship will be given to dependents of government employees having


lowest salaries. There was also update of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) represented by Rose Marie Bajao. She said that their latest activity is on the empowerment of the communities in helping PDEA anti-illegal drugs program. She encouraged that the Local Government Units (LGU) must activate their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council. She added that the information must not only be delivered to the municipalities but most importantly to the barangays. Also, volunteers from 8IB, 403rd Brigade, 4ID, Philippine Army participated in the caravan through “Libreng Gupit” or free hair cut to boys in the area. A total of 15 boys got new hair cut during the caravan and even said they wanted to be in the Military someday. On the other hand, PHILHealth Information Officer and President of RAGCOM Merlyn Ybanez said that pregnant women can access PHLHealth benefits regardless of the number of children and that everyone can avail PHLHealth benefits even if non-member. Further, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded everyone to have their biometrics

done at the COMELEC offices before the deadline on 31 October 2015 to be able to vote in time for elections next year. She said those without biometrics will not be allowed to vote. The caravan was also participated by different national agencies in Northern Mindanao and its provincial counterparts including, Civil Service Commission (CSC), Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Housing Authority (NHA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Commission on Population (POPCOM), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Housing Land Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and also attended by barangay officials and communities.


Peace, order in MisOcc continues to be “manageable,” says PNP

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The peace and order situation in Misamis Occidental has continued to be “manageable” said the Philippine National Police (PNP), in the province, during the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Meeting, here.Tubod.

This assessment came from Police Sr. Supt. Archival Diokno Macalam, Director of the MisOcc Provincial Police Office (MOPPO), who said, this situation could be due to the conduct of regular weekly inspections done on the lower units. “It could also be due to the massive implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) of positioning checkpoints in strategic places, using the Geographic Information System Based Crime Analysis (GIS-BCA), that records crime accurately,” Macalam said. November, last year, MisOcc has been declared a “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready (CMDR)” province, during the 1st Mindanao Congress of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) Presidents, held in the city. Such declaration expects

the tourism industry to thrive in the province and attracts more local and foreign investors, thus creating more jobs for the people and elevating the economic and social status of the province. Likewise, the declaration expects to create a positive psychological effect for the people, therefore, encouraging them to put up their own commerce without any threat to their security or the stability of their businesses. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) represented by the 55th Infantry Division of the 101st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army and the MOPPO, with the guidance of the local government units (LGU’s), will jointly address any peace and order situation, in the province, Macalam also said.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

DOH-XI Hi5 caravan deliv-ers maternal care to DavSur residents

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – More than 3,000 residents in the prov-ince mostly mothers, pregnant women and senior citizens have benefited from the various health services offered during the High Impact Five caravan of the Department of Health Region XI. The stakehold-ers from the towns of Hagonoy and Magsaysay and Digos City trooped on Wednesday (June 17)

to the gymnasium beside the city hall of Digos to avail of the Hi5 caravan services focused on ma-ternal health care. Among the services provided include pre natal care, ultrasound services, breast exams, basic laboratory tests, dental services, fam-ily planning counseling, and lectures on maternal health care. The senior citi-zens availed of the eye screening and pneumo-coccal vaccination. Also


provided for free was the digital exam for the male parts. DOH-XI assistant regional direc-tor Dr. Annabelle Yumang said the caravan was part of the advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the Hi5 strategies centered on providing services aimed at reducing maternal mortality, infant and child deaths, stopping HIV/AIDS cases and estab-lishing service delivery network. Yumang said the event was in-tended to inform the Davao del Sur residents that the maternal health services offered during the caravan are already available in their respec-tive municipality. The province was chosen as the first stop of the DOH-XI caravan series this year given the need of improvements in its maternal health care program. DOH Davao del Sur Provincial officer Dr. Anthony Araneta lament-ed that maternal mortality rate is not favorable for the province, and that its achievement rate on having skilled birth delivery workers is low. Araneta said that aside from elaborating on the Hi5 strategies, DOH is also pushing its advocacy en-deavor urging the local government units to make an ordinance prohibit-ing birth deliveries at home and en-ticing pregnant mothers to deliver at accredited facilities with professional health workers. “This is to ensure that no moth-ers die in childbirth,” he stated, adding that DOH-XI has conceptual-ized Team D Champs with the bat-

tlecry “Walang Nanay at Sanggol ang Mamamatay Dahil sa Panganganak.” Dr. Lady Jedfeliz Molleno, DOH-XI coordinator of the Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) program, bared that there were seven maternal deaths report-ed last year in Davao del Sur with the highest (6 deaths) from Malita and one from Digos City. Molleno said that DOH-XI is emphasizing on quality maternal ser-vices which include pre natal check up, basic laboratory tests, and ultra-sound services. She said that health personnel in municipalities with no ultrasound services will be trained on the basics of handling ultrasound equipment in August this year. The municipalities of Hagonoy and Magsaysay are among those with no ultrasound services as of the moment, Molleno added. Said towns along with Digos City are also the pilot areas for the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASSAP). (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)


PHIVOLCS warns Mt. Apo remains potential-ly activeDAVAO CITY-A government ge-ologist revealed that Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country re-mains potentially active for the past 20 since its classification was changed from being dormant. Speaking in the I-Speak Forum, Engr. Janila De Ocampo, science re-search specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seis-mology based in Davao City said the classification of Mt. Apo was changed in 1995 along with other ten ac-tive volcanoes in Mindanao following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991. She explained that in the past, active and dormant were the classifi-cations given to the country’s volca-noes. However, De Ocampo said po-tentially active is added to the list of classifications. “Volcanoes are considered dor-mant if they do not have records of eruption while the active ones are those that erupt every now and then with a given record of eruption” De Ocampo said. She said that Mt. Apo is clas-sified as potentially active because, even with the absence of historical records of eruption, there are indi-cators that it might go off, based on the assessment given by geologists.

De Ocampo said that in the ab-sence of a hazardous volcanic activ-ity, the PHILVOCS through the local government units surrounding Mt. Apo cannot impose restrictions on the activities of the people surround-ing the area, unlike in Mt. Mayon in Legazpi City where a six-kilometer danger zone is highly observed. She said that before a volcanic activity is manifested months before its actual eruption, consequently, forewarning the residents. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

“MILF freely chooses the right road that leads to attaining just and lasting peace”- IqbalBy: Perlita B Changco

COTABATO CITY, June 19 – Some 145 Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BI-AF-MILF) combatants have registered manifesting intention to formally join the decommissioning under the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III together with some cabinet members, legislators, GPH-MILF peace panels, local officials, religious and security sectors and other stakeholders graced the ceremonial turnover of weapons and decommissioning of the MILF Combat-ants on Tuesday at the Old Provincial Capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Decommissioning is a process that in-cludes activities aimed at achieving a smooth transition for the BIAF members to productive civilian life. The MILF shall un-dertake a graduated program for the de-commissioning of its forces and turn-over of weapons so that these are put beyond use.

According to MILF peace panel chair Mo-hagher Iqbal: “We are at the crossroad after 17 years of hard and long negotiations and now through a strong partnership between the GPH-MILF we are here working for


peace.”Iqbal explained that there are

two roads wherein we have to choose the right one because it will lead us to attain the just and lasting peace.

“The first road will lead us to dark Bangsamoro area where there is no hope, no peace and no justice while the second road leads us to a Bangsamoro area that is happy, peaceful, prosper-ous and free,” he said.

He added the MILF had made a choice. Choosing a Bangsam-oro that is happy and peaceful, with security over insecurity, free-dom over war, devel-opment over poverty – that is our choice, we choose it freely, we choose it for the Bangsamoro and we choose it for all Filipi-nos who seek peace.

“This is the hope and aspiration of the Philip-pine government under H.E President Benigno Aquino III and the MILF led by chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim – this is also the hope and sincere expecta-tion of the Malaysian government as third

party facilitator,” Iqbal said.The MILF peace panel chair

said, this decision is one of the most difficult decisions they have done in their years of struggle for self determination.

“We want to show to the world that the MILF will always comply the congregations set for the peace agreements,” he stressed.

He emphasized that if one


South Cotabato leads Region 12 in campaign against illegal drugs

wants peace, prepare for peace. This is the start of MILF’s preparation for peace time in the Bangsamoro by taking this decommissioning - it is the first of the many slides towards the achievement for peace.

A total of 75 weapons consist-ing of garand rifles, carbines, M-203 armalite rifles, caliber 50 barrel rifle, rocket propelled grenade launchers, caliber 50 machine guns, 81 mm mortars

and 60mm mortars were turned over to the Independent De-commissioning Body (IDB) led by Turkish Ambassador Haydar Berk with Norway and Brunei as well as GPH and MILF represen-tatives as members.

The weapons have been transported to Camp Abubakar for storage under close security by government and MILF forces. (IEroy/PBChangco/PIA Cotabato City)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 19 -- South Co-tabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO) tops SOCCSK-SARGEN Region in the volume of illegal drugs confis-cated in the past five month, a police official reported.

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

Police Regional Director PCSupt. Lester Camba in his presentation during the Re-gional Anti-Illegal Drugs Sum-mit here on Tuesday noted that SCPPO, in coordination with other agencies, has re-covered a combined volume of 949.056 grams of met-amphetaminehydroclhoride or shabu from January 1 un-

til May 31. These have a total market value of P11.2 million

In the same period, authori-ties in SOCCSKSARGEN Region have recovered 1.9 kg of shabu valued at P23.2 mil-lion.

Reports came from the po-lice provincial offices in South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sul-tan Kudarat, and Sarangani


AEWs from NorthCot win Gawad Saka National Awards 2015By: Shahana Joy E Duerme

and the city police offices in General Santos and Cotabato.

In a separate interview, PSSupt Jose Arnaldo Briones Jr., South Cotabato police pro-vincial director, said in past five months they were able to conduct 53 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted in ar-rest and filing of cases of 88 individuals.

Most notable of these was the February 24 operation in Barangay Ambalgan, Sto. Niño, this province, where the oper-atives recovered 562.95 grams of shabu valued at P6.64 mil-lion.

Briones attributed the suc-cess of their operations to the strong partnership between the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other partners and support from lo-cal government units and the communities.

On Tuesday, June 16, over 500 local government officials, law enforcement officers, law-yers and other stakehold-ers gathered at The Farm@Carpenter Hill, this city for the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Summit.

South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, chair-person of the Regional Peace and Order Council 12, said the summit was held to give emphasis to the challenges that the implementing agencies face in terms of drug preven-tion, law enforcement, prosecu-tion and conviction, and reha-bilitation.

Its ultimate purpose, she elaborated, is to mobilize LGUs to step up their campaign to eliminate illegal drug and for the LGUs to be united in the pursuit for a drug-free re-gion. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, June 19 —Technically trained farmers and agriculturists based in the municipalities of Tulunan, M’lang, Midsayap Kabacan and Pigcawayan were named outstand


ing agricultural extension workers (AEWs) during the Department of Agriculture 2015 Gawad Saka Awards Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards.

The awardees for this year who have contributed in the campaign for food sufficiency and security of the province through applica-tion of the latest technological farming skills were Marina La-bado, Salvacion Yata and Remin Peñafiel of Tulunan; Ildefonso Saligumba, Edgardo Grade, Ro-dolfo Dulos, Gloria Limos, Myrna Abogadil, Jovy Joy Bred, Merlie Solangoy, Alicia Calvo, Joseli-to Untal and Ofelia Limjuco of M’lang; Emma Pagarigan, Lorna Mapanao, Tessie Nidoy, Lorna Mapanao and Aida Doong of Ka-bacan; Cesario Carcosia, Efren Rosagaran, Nora Henry, Letecia Gaspar, Rosario Ibesate, Jocelyn Falloran, Jessie Ducusin and Rey Ygay of Midsayap and Engr. Dani-lo Bueno of Pigcawayan.

All awardees received plaques of appreciation and cash incen-tives from the DA.

Engr. Eliseo Mangliwan, provin-cial agriculturist said the award-ees have worked hard in their respective municipalities to put in more proficiency in farming par-ticularly in rice production.

He cited the resilience of the farmers and the extension work-ers in the province who devotedly

exerted their efforts to improve rice production despite the effect of drought in the last summer.

“Our AEWs’ continued efforts in ensuring adequate supply of rice and making certain that rice pro-duction goes well in the province even in the midst of adverse situ-ation to the point that they were even recognized by the DA for their performance,” Mangliwan stated.

Just recently, four Cotabate-ños, comprising of a young farm-er, an agricultural researcher, an agricultural scientist and a sugar cane grower were awarded with the DA’s Gawad Saka Agri-Rice Achievers Awards Regional Level for 2014.

Grateful of the awards reaped by the 27 AEWs and other top performing individuals in the ag-riculture sector, Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said the agricultural programs and projects imple-mented in the province, especial-ly in remote villages, in the last five years have centered signifi-cantly on providing help and as-sistance to the farmers.

Also, extensively reaching as many farmers in the three dis-tricts, the governor noted that


the Office of the Provincial Ag-riculturist (OPAg) keeps a close coordination and support to the agriculture stakeholders especial-ly in implementing downloaded projects from national agencies.

The governor stated that the AEWs in the province possess admirable capacity and ability to help improve farming condi-tion. In terms of technology and farming expertise, she said the agriculture stakeholders in the province have notably improved through trainings, seminars and other capacity-building activities.

Moreover, Mendoza said that as a highly agricultural province, the farmers in North Cotabato deserve to gain from every es-sential help coming from the pro-

vincial government.“In order to provide them with

the necessary assistances, the OPAg executes distributions of seedling, fertilizers and finger-lings as well as skills and agri-cultural technology trainings, livelihood projects among others including calamity assistances,” the governor emphasized.

She believes that by improv-ing the capacity and living condi-tion of the farmers, the outcome would be tremendously beneficial such as good production of agri-cultural products, food security and sustainability, economic de-velopment, more jobs and more stable peace and order. (SJDu-erme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cota-bato Provincial Government)


Guv unveils AgSur’s picture in 2015 SOPABy: David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Governor Adolph Edward Plaza unveils the picture of Agusan del Sur in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) based on the eight-point program of government that the provincial government has laid down as framework of his administration. In his SOPA held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, he opened his report with the profound insight of a famous poet Victor Hugo saying “The future has several names. For the weak,


it is impossible. For the faint hearted, it is unknown but for the valiant, it is ideal.” Basing his report on the eight-point program of governance as the bible of of Agusan del Sur for development namely, Economic and Infrastructure Development, Peace and Order, Social Development, Agriculture and Food Productivity, Health and Sanitation, Education, Environment Protection and Moral and Spiritual Renewal, Gov. Plaza said his administration has formulated a singular objective and that is to reduce poverty incidence in the province by 12.6 percent from 38.6 percent to 26 percent in 2016 based on the National Statistical Coordinating Board. “This objective prompted us to develop the Provincial Development Framework, in which one of the core principles is deliberately targeting the poor,” Gov. Plaza said. Being on top of the eight point-program of governance, Gov. Plaza said that his administration considers the road projects as a major component to development saying the province is fortunate enough to have accessed external sources of funds like the Payapa

at Masaganang Pamayanan - Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process thru the Department of the Interior and Local Government (PAMANA – OPAPP thru DILG) that addresses the issue on Peace and Security that hampered the development of conflict affected areas. “Based on one of our principles to deliberately target the poor, it made me decide to embark on a flagship program, with development that cut across the economic, infrastructure, social, environment, public safety and security and transforming bureaucracy. This program is what we call the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development (USAD), and the funds that we sourced out from external sources like the PAMANA- OPAPP thru DILG and the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) address big part the infrastructure requirement that our people from remote areas need. And through the 49 provincial road projects funded by the provincial government, PMANA and PRMF, some 44,000 households benefitted and with the total provincial road length of more than 630 kilometers, 40.52 or more than 256 kilometers were rehabilitated/ improved


and maintained,” Gov. Plaza said. On agriculture and food production, Gov. Plaza said presently the province has planted an area of 92,260 hectares of rice with a production of 326,510 metric tons with an average yield of 3.64 metric tons per hectare and, corn with 23,157 hectares with a production of 90,674 metric tons with an average yield of 3.9 metric tons per year. “To date, we have provided

118 units of other pre and post harvest facilities jointly funded by the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture with 1,120 farmer recipients. This is the reason why Agusan del Sur was recognized for good agricultural practices from production to harvesting and post handling and awarded among the top five in the National Quality Corn Achievers Awards by the Department of Agriculture,” said Gov. Plaza.

BUTUAN CITY -- The Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) headed by Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos of the Diocese of Butuan has received the donation of 250 armchairs from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at a simple turn-over ceremony held at the Father Saturnino Urios High School in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, June 17.

Peace advocate gets 250 arm chairs from DENR By: Eric Herson F. Gallego


The donated armchairs, which are manufactured by the Nasipit Vocational School Trade Art students, shall be distributed to that school by the CCPD as part of the PNOY Bayanihan Program of the government. “The DENR leadership headed by Secretary Ramon JP Paje has preferred to convert the confiscated illegal logs into chairs so that the school children may benefit from them,” DENR Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo said during the ceremony. “The CCPD has been contributing support to the anti-illegal logging campaign and we thanked the DENR leadership for donating the chairs,” Bishop Pueblos said. The donation rite followed

the blessing ceremony of the newly-constructed rooms of the FSUU High School building in that town administered by Bishop Pueblos. According to Bishop Pueblo, CCPD has a program of helping the less fortunate people and the donated

chairs can help the students who are mostly indigenous people in their studies. Also present at the ceremony are the Director of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Wilson Trajico, OIC, CENRO of Nasipit Norman Asugan, DENR Conservation Development Chief Maritess M. Ocampo, among other officials. The armchairs were made of premium wood materials from the confiscated illegal forest products. It has been the arrangement that confiscated forest product shall be turn-over by the DENR to the Department of Education to manufacture chairs so that public schools particularly in depressed areas can benefit from it.


By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY - Amid the hectic schedule of the province due to the five-day 55th Araw Ng Surigao del Sur celebration, the city on the other hand is also preparing for the activities lined-up for the 8th Charter Day celebration on June 22-23, 2015.

With the theme “Pahinumdum Ug Pagpasalamat,” the office of Mayor Roxanne Pimentel deemed it wise to come up with a fitting two-day affair; the last day will culminate with her “Executive Report” otherwise also known here as State of the City Address (SOCA) at 1:30 p.m. at the city gymnasium. However, Vice-Mayor Ruel Momo is set to deliver his Legislative Report ahead. Meanwhile, on the opening

day, a lot of activities lie in store for the public to see starting at 5:00 a.m. until nighttime—Zumbaruga, Karahikas (motorcade), Laguboh (Drums & Lyre competition), LGUlympics, Sinugda’n (Sinugbahay sa Dan), and LGU Band concert. Activities are going to continue the morning after, which will begin at 7:00 a.m. featuring Karahikas (Foot Parade), Misa Pasalamat, and Kumusta ‘Lo ug ‘La (Medical/Dental Check-up/Free Haircut for Senior Citizens).

Tandag City gears up for 8th Charter Day celebration

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Re-elected Zamboanga City Press Club, Inc. president Jayvee Francisco has expressed his gratitude to government agencies and other private entities that have been instrumental in the group’s many social endeavors and projects.

Zambo press club grateful for partners’ support to outreach activities By Dominic I. Sanchez

“Bien alegre gad kame cay talli ostedes para suporta canamon na maga actividades

del Press Club (We are very happy for your support to the different activities


of the Press Club),” Francisco said during their annual general assembly and election of officers held last Saturday (June 13). For the past year, the press club officers and members conducted several outreach projects particularly for the internally displaced persons and senior citizen inmates at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center. Moreover, to better equip local broadcasters in their duties as stewards of public information, the Press Club had also conducted a Broadcast Journalism refresher course. Early this year, the Press Club has been made an official part of the Zamboanga City Public Safety Advocacy Group, organized through the efforts of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Engage project.

Local media practitioners have partnered with the government communication entities as well as the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). “This avenue opened up a new opportunity for the media to help address the peace and order problem here,” Francisco said. In addition, the USAID-Engage has also pledged to augment equipment at the Press Club office, after a project proposal will have been drafted for funding support. On Women’s Month this year, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here had partnered with the Press Club to provide lady media practitioners an opportunity to share their experiences on the job, to better improve their services to the people.

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

DOST IX announces conduct of PSHS scholarship examsZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 is now calling all interested applicants for the PSHS scholarship for school year 2015-2016.


The applicants must be graduating grade six pupils who belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class of SY 2015-2016 as certified by the school principal, or those with special aptitude in Science and Mathematics, as supported by a report card and letter of recommendation. The applicant must be born on or after July 1, 2001, must be a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant in any foreign country and must have at least a satisfactory rating (or its equivalent) in Character Rating in the report card. Moreover, the applicant must be in good health and is fit to undergo a rigorous academic program. PSHS scholars will receive privileges such as free tuition fee, free loan of textbooks, and monthly stipend. Uniform, transportation and living allowances are also provided according to the scholar’s financial need. Deadline for filing of application is on August 24, 2015. Qualifiers shall be selected on the basis of their performance in the Philippine Science High School National Competitive Examination (PSHS-NCE) to

be administered on October 3, 2015. PSHS is the first science high school under the Department of Science and Technology that rears students to become scientists and technologists in the future and has a curriculum designed to prepare the scholars for careers in science and technology. Application forms and scholarship brochures can be obtained at the DOST-9 office located at Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City; and at the Provincial Science and Technology Centers in Poblacion, Ipil; Upper Turno, Dipolog City; and San Francisco District, Pagadian City. The information on the PSHS-NCE is also available at the PSHS System website, www.pshs.edu.ph. For inquiries, interested applicants may visit DOST-9 office at Pettit Barracks or call telephone numbers: (062) 991-1024 or (062) 992-1114 or call the Provincial S&T Centers (PSTC) at (065) 908-0117 (Dipolog City), (062) 925-1838 (Pagadian City) and (062) 955-0825.

one mindanao - june 19, 2015

Documents