one mindanao - november 23, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

2/F 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]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Provincial Capitol Compound 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]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features

Butuan by the River,Newest Attraction

in the city

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

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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

In ThisIssue...

Wednesday, Vol. 1 No. 101

Cover Story ‘Butuan by the River’, a place where Butuanons get together for fun and entertainment

14 Bureau of Immigration lists 6 undesirable aliens in NorMin

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Gov. urges key banana players to save industry from Fusarium wilt

Malaria cases in South Cotabato down by 99.66% 23

UNICEF horses ensure better early learning services in Sarangani

Anti-illegal drugs symposium set in Bislig City

2nd Visayas Blogging Summit 2011, all set for Nov. 26

Zambo. Norte maritime cops seize unregis-tered motorized boats

Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, Caraga Region

Caraga Region

Franklin P. Gumapon, Region IX

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Region X

Noel Baguio, Region XI

Dani Doguiles, Region XII

Beverly Paoyon, Region XII

19

23

25

29

3034

page 14

page 18

page 20

page 27

page 32

Jennifer P. Gaitano

Nat

iona

l

Philippines adopts National Climate Change Action Plan ................................ 10

page 4

Luzon investment conference slated on Nov. 24.......................................................... 12

17 DENR-NorMin’s illegal-logging campaign pays off

Region X

Gov’t hospi acquires high end P13.5M TB diagnostic machine

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Region IX35

4 Wednesday, November 23, 2011ONE MINDANAO

‘Butuan by the River’, a place where Butuanons get together for fun and entertainment

Cover Story

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

The city government of Butuan led by Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. is putting up a venue where Butuanons will truly enjoy the provincial ambience while having fun with the things that

will relief them from stress.

5 Wednesday, November 23, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

‘Butuan by the River’, a place where Butuanons get together for fun and entertainment

This was also an answer to the city government’s prob-lem on the cluttered sidewalk vendors. But this problem has long been forgotten ever since the Butuan by the River has been put in place. It was indeed a solution at the same time. Butuan by the River is a venue where Butuanons en-joy the trade fair; ukay-ukay; film showing; videoke; and other entertainment.

Creation of Butuan by the River The conception of Butuan by the River came about when the City Economic Enterpris-es Department (CEED) was

in a dilemma of how to or-ganize and where to relocate the cluttered sidewalk ven-dors around the city (Ukayan from the Market Sidewalk, Otis Sidewalk, Barbequehan from Montilla Boulevard). With this, CEED believed that the ultimate answer to this problem is to relocate the sidewalk vendors to Freedom Park area. Since the area is idle, they thought it was a suitable and safe place for them to be relocated. Alongside is the goal to relive the trading industry in this area and to showcase the splendor of the Mighty Agu-san River, as well as provide Butuanons a place where


their families enjoy the bond together. Then on, hand in hand with the effort of May-or Amante together with the head of CEED Ma. Ruth N. Ju-gao and staff, City Engineers Office Head and personnel, the construction of the path-ways and the lounging area was established. They also conceptualized the “Freedom Park Night Mar-ket/Ukayan sa Dakbayan”, area covered from the Post Office towards the Coast Guard area that also cov-ers barangays Leon Kilat and Humabon. The former Freedom Park is also the activity area (now known as The Butuan by the River) the assigned area for Masseurs (Massage), Cosme-tologist (Manicure and Pedi-

cure), Hair Cut, Plant Vendors, Food Stalls and a Scheduled “Live Band” Performances every Friday Night. Butuan by the River was officially opened to the Pub-lic on December 1, 2010, in time of the opening of the Christmas festivities of the ‘Light Up Butuan’ activity.

Butuan By the River today At present, Butuan by the River is the home for different age brackets from youngsters


and to those who are young at hearts. During daytime Butuan by the River is a place where family, barkadahan (Clicks) and children can gather to-gether, lounge around and enjoy the scenic view of Agu-san River. For those who loved the nature (experience the cool

breeze of the River and its Tranquility) suitable for Pic-nics and even for those who enjoy the fishing activity. This place also has the

children’s playground where children can play around safely. Butuan by the River is a WIFI Hotspot fit for those who are Internet Savvy. At night, Butuan by the River is place fit for those people who loves to Chill-out. Enjoy the crowd of Party-lov-ers, drinks and food and Live Band Performances at a very affordable rate. And for those who love “Ukay-Ukays” then the out-side area of ‘By the River’ along G. Flores Avenue is the Night Market open from Fri-day Night ‘til Sunday Night. Meanwhile, Police Chief Supt Reynaldo S. Rafal, Re-gional Director of Police Re-gional Office 13, said police security in the area is round-the-clock for the safety of tourists, both foreign and do-mestic as well as Agusanons and Butuanons.

Implementation of the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program With the full implemen-tation of the ‘Clean Ground,


Zero Waste’ Program of the city government this month, the Butuan by the River and Butuan City in general is cleaner and reflects better atmosphere while Butuan-ons are also becoming more disciplined and productive by constant proper waste seg-regation. From the segregat-ed wastes, Butuanons also learned to convert it into money by selling the recy-clable materials to the shops, as well as converting wastes into organic fertilizers which has started to uplift the mo-rale and the life of Butuan-ons. These small and great things which Butuanons now enjoy truly changed their life-style into a more progressive city.

It can be recalled that the city government has launched said program last September 11, 2011 and had its full-blown implementation on November 11, 2011. With these developments, the city government is invit-ing tourists to visit Butuan by the River, not only to enjoy the historic scenic spots but also to enjoy the hospitabil-ity, courteousness, and gen-erosity of Butuanons.


Malacanang assures Congress of early disbursements of funds that will benefit FilipinosMalacanang

assured Con-gress of early disbursements

of government’s funds in programs that will directly benefit the people and empower them to become pro-ductive citizens, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

“We can assure the legislature that we’ll be spending much, much ear-lier. Compared to this year when we started spending only in June, we will start spending come January,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a regular press briefing in Malacanang. The Aquino govern-ment, through the Depart-ment of Budget and Man-agement (DBM), allocates funds for next year’s pri-

ority programs to improve the business climate, de-velop infrastructure, ac-celerate agricultural in-frastructure, and increase investments in health and education. Acknowledging the importance to disburse the 2012 budget as early as possible, Lacierda said the government came out with corrective measures to avoid delays in the im-plementation of programs next year.

“Basically last year was a period that was spent in assessing the in-frastructure with respect to disbursements. As you know, for instance, in the Department of Pub-lic Works and Highways (DPWH) we’re looking at mechanisms by which we can correct the system. It was addressed by Sec-retary Rogelio Singson. We will have no problem spending as early as Janu-ary,” Lacierda said. (JS)


Philippines adopts National Climate Change Action Plan

President Benigno S. Aquino III convened the Climate Change Commission to adopt the National Climate Action Plan in compliance with the country’s international commitments especially to the United Nations Framework for Climate

Change Convention.

President Aqui-no chairs the Climate Change Commis-sion, an indepen-dent and autono-mous body that has the similar status of a na-

tional gov-e r n m e n t

agency. Albay

Gov.

Joey Salceda, who met President Aquino at the Palace Tues-day, said the plan is about adaptation to climate change and mitigating its impact particularly on the economy. The action plan will also become the basis of any assis-tance that will come

from industrialized countries in Europe and the US, which are being blamed for global warming be-cause of massive use of fossil fuels in their industries. “It’s a critical balance, but I think in the case of the Phil-ippines, it is biased towards adaptation.


Philippines adopts National Climate Change Action Plan

Adaptation being that you fight the impact of climate change. Mitiga-tion, because you fight climate change itself,” Salceda said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday prior to his meeting with the Presi-dent. Asked by report-ers how prepared is the Philippines about changing weather pat-terns, Salceda said the country is one of the most well-prepared countries in the world putting in place legis-lations and guidelines that address climate change. “Isa tayo sa pinakahanda. Pero hanggang kailan tayo tatagal, iyon na lang po ang diperensya. Kasi kung tataun-taunin ka ba naman na 3 per-cent ang tatangga-lin sa ekonomiya mo, iyong pinag-ipunan mo laging nawawaldas sa wala. You keep re-building, you need to earn the same amount of gross value added

in the economy, you have to keep investing on your gross domestic capital formation,” he said. On the average, Salceda said, the coun-try is losing to climate change about 0.31 per-cent of the gross do-mestic product (GDP). It may look insignifi-cant but some provinc-es like Albay is hurt by the impact, he added. The national action plan will be presented to the climate change conference to be held in Durban, South Af-rica, and it will be the basis of compensato-ry measures that rich countries have com-mitted to pay. “Ang national cli-mate action plan is a requirement so that the EU and Japan, Australia will know just where—kung saan sila papasok para iyong kanilang kino-commit para po sa climate change ay puwedeng gamitin ng Pilipinas,” he said. Included in the

national plan are the guidelines and framework on how the country can use the assistance once it is approved in Durban. The Philip-pines will join other countries in push-ing for financial assistance to fight climate change as the country’s ne-gotiators leave late this month for Dur-ban. Last Decem-ber, negotiators agreed to create a green climate fund that could be ac-cessed by vulner-able countries like the Philippines. They are ex-pected to tackle in the Durban meeting the way to get the money once the fund is ap-proved. (AS)


Luzon investment conference slated on Nov. 24

To further boost investment opportunities in Luzon, the first ever Luzon Investment Conference (LICON) 2011 will be held on November 24, 2011 at the New World Hotel in Makati City.

The said event is being organized by the Department of Trade and Indus-try (DTI), through its

Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG), and the Board of Invest-ments.

The conference seeks to promote projects that are funding-ready and backed by potential

by Phres A. Evardone


Luzon investment conference slated on Nov. 24

investors and appro-priate markets, said DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz. Cruz said 51 funding-ready proj-ects open to inves-tors will be show-cased during the said conference. Twenty-eight (28) of these are listed as investment priority projects and 23 as private-public part-nership (PPP) proj-ects. The 51 projects were classified into ten industry sectors, to wit: agriculture, agri-business, en-ergy, fishery, green projects, housing, infrastructure, in-dustrial park, manu-

facturing and tour-ism. The tourism sec-tor has the highest share with 17 proj-ects identified by the DTI. Nine projects were listed under in-frastructure sector, and six (6) projects each for agri-busi-ness and industrial park sectors. In a DTI press release, Region IV-A listed 13 projects. This was followed by Region V with nine projects, Region II listed eight projects, both Regions I and III has 7 projects, the Cordillera Ad-ministrative Region (CAR) has 4 projects, Region IV-B has two

projects and NCR listed one project. With the theme “Making it BIG (Busi-ness, Investments, and Growth)!” LICON 2011 the investment conference also aims to forge strategic alli-ances for investment cooperation among Luzon regions, indus-try organizations and the business sector. The Trade and Industry Department have organized simi-lar conference in Min-danao in 2008 and a same conference will also be organized in the Visayas soon. Cruz was to-day’s guest at the Communication and News Exchange Fo-rum (CNEX) spon-sored by the Philip-pine Communication and Operations Of-fice (PCOO) and the Philippine Informa-tion Agency (PIA) and aired People’s Television (PTV-4).


Indigenous tribes, LGUs meet in Cagayan de Oro Cityby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Representatives from the four indigenous tribes and local government units (LGUs) in Abra, Romblon, Bukidnon, and Compostela Valley have gathered last Nov. 21 for a weeklong

conference to mainstream the participation of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in local governance.

Facilitated by the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), the conference which brings together the Maeng tribe in Buasao Watershed and

Mt. Poswey in Abra; the Sibuyan Mangyan Tagabukid tribe in Sibuyan Island, Romblon; the Bukidnon-Higaonon tribe in Pulangi


Indigenous tribes, LGUs meet in Cagayan de Oro City

Watershed, Bukidnon; and the Mansaka-Mandaya tribe in Mt. Kampalili-Putting Bato-Tangub Range in Compostela Valley; and LGUs representatives in their respective areas was held at the Gardens of Malasag, this city. Lawyer Marlon Manuel, ALG Coordinator, said the conference will provide awareness on the current situation of IPs in these four areas and enhance their knowledge on the relevant laws and policies which will help fulfill, protect and promote their rights. These include the implementation of the Mandatory Representation of IPs in Policy-Making Bodies and Other Local Legislative Councils pursuant to Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 and with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-119. It will also help in crafting ordinances and programs that will integrate the provisions of the IPRA Law on the Local Government Code to mainstream IPs development agenda, he further said. Moreover, sample ordinances crafted and proven effective in other areas will be presented and some best practices will be shared for possible replication by other tribes, he added. The conference was

organized by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) with the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID) and funded by the European Union (EU) and Fundacion Desarollo Sostenido (FUNDESO) under the project “Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples’ Participation in Environmental Governance (MIPPEG).” MIPPEG project recognizes the threats against IPs communities and the need to mainstream their concerns as they are the frontliners in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The four-year project aims to improve the IPs quality of life in selected ecologically-important sites by upholding their rights to self-governance and self-determination, as well as addressing poverty by looking for sustainability mechanisms in terms of interventions and resource management.


Bureau of Immigration lists 6 undesirable aliens in NorMinby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – At least six (6) foreign nationals have been included in the list of undesirable aliens of the Bureau of Immigration, region 10 (BI-10), as of Oct. 31, this year.

In his report to the Regional Law Enforcement a n d Coordinating Committee ( R L E C C ) , F l o r e n t i n o

G. Diputado, Alien Control

Officer of BI-10, said two (2) of these undesirable aliens are Swedish nationals Emil Andrea Solemo and Bo Stefan Sederholm, who were convicted for Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Republic Act No. 9208. Diputado said Judge Jeoffre W. Acebido of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41, here, rendered a decision convicting, both Solemo and Sederholm, of the said crime together with five (5) other Filipinos and sentenced them to suffer the penalty of Life Imprisonment and to pay Php2.0 million pesos. Likewise, two (2) of the undesirable aliens are Chinese nationals, namely: Lin Junxiong, a.k.a. Peter Yu So and Li Yong Le,

a.ka., Jack Dy Chua, who were accused of violating Sec. 89 and Sec. 5, Article II of RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2006. Judge Arthur L. Abudiente of RTC Branch 25, Cagayan de Oro, convicted Li Yong Le for violation of RA 9165 and sentenced him to Life Imprisonment while he is made to pay the fine of Php10 million but acquited Peter Yu So. However, there is another case involving the same Chinese nationals pending before RTC Branch 44 in Initao, Misamis Oriental for the discovery of their drug laboratory in nearby Alubijid town, Diputado said. Again, two (2) American nationals, namely: James Edler and Robert Naquin were charged for violation of Sec. 10 and Sec. 15 of Article II of R.A. 7610, otherwise known as the Anti-Child Abuse Act, respectively. Diputado said warrants of arrest were already issued against the two (2).

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http://talakayanatkalusugan.com

DENR-NorMin’s illegal-logging campaign pays offCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The intensified campaign on the implementation of the logging moratorium in natural and residual forests of Northern Mindanao, has paid off.

This, as 424.59 cu. m. of illegally cut forest products were confiscated by the anti-illegal logging task force. Of this, about 172.36 cu. m. were donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the school repair and construction of tables, chairs and office fixtures. The DENR also donated confiscated forest products to the local government unit (LGU) of Gingoog City and Regional Trial Court in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Regional Executive Director (RED) Corazon B. Galinato said DENR-10 has been initiating moves to encourage people’s participation in environmental protection and natural resources conservation in the region. “We are thankful that various sectors of society have become more responsive to our call for partnership in our quest for sustainable development,” she said. The DENR 10 has established strong partnership with LGU’s and other sectors in the implementation of programs on mining, forest management, pollution control and prevention, land management, climate change mitigation and adaptation and solid waste management. Moreover, various sectors of society are involved in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC), chaired by no less than Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD with DENR 10 RED Galinato as co-chairperson.

Organized last year, the council is gaining ground and is expected to go full blast in the protection and conservation of Cagayan de Oro River Basin which is considered the lifeline of Northern Mindanao. As for biodiversity conservation, Galinato disclosed that DENR 10 has deputized 271 Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEO’s) composed of personnel from other government agencies, Philippine National Police (PNP), media and the LGU’s. Through intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign local residents have been instrumental in the turn-over of wildlife consisting of 14 birds, four (4) mammals and 10 reptiles. Financial assistance on the conservation and management of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park and Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park is provided by the Provincial Government of Bukidnon and concerned municipal governments. “We are hopeful that the positive rating given to DENR, as cited in the survey conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will translate into a more sustained efforts in the conservation and management of our natural resources and protection of environment in region 10,” Galinato added. (DENR)


Exporters told to target LOHAS market in Japan by Mai Gevera Macapagat

Exporters in the region are en-couraged to tap the LOHAS

market or the Lifestyles of Health And Sustainability market, com-posed of about 30 percent of the adult population in Japan. Speaking before Davao export-ers and brokers, Organic Producers and Trade Association of the Phil-ippines executive producer Girlie Sarmiento introduced this particular market for Filipino exporters to take advantage of in exporting products to Japan. The LOHAS market needs goods and services focused on health, en-vironment, social justice, personal

development and sustainable living. Sarmiento described this de-mand as a potential window for Phil-ippine export since the country is rich in organic products. Japanese con-sumers prefer environment-friendly goods and services. The LOHAS market is catego-rized as personal development like zen and tea ceremony; alternative healthcare like aromatherapy and food education; health lifestyles like natural organic food; ecological life-style like energy saving products; and sustainable economy like re-newable energy. Sarmiento said this is the char-acteristic of the Japan market that Filipino exporters should consider and focus on. She added that consumers are generally well educated and discrim-inating, thus, the need for intensive study and research for Filipino ex-porters before trying out the said market.


“The Japanese are also particu-lar in the aspect of product quality. There may be many suppliers in the market both from abroad and from within the country but quality prod-ucts command a good price,” she said. Japan has a total of US$ 693 bil-lion total merchandise imports from the world making it the fourth larg-

est importer of goods in the world. Philippines holds a bilateral economic agreement with Japan through PJEPA. Considered the most comprehensive agreement of Japan with another country, this agreement covers trade and goods, services, in-vestments, intellectual property and others.

Gov. urges key banana players to save industry from Fusarium wiltTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte– Governor Rodolfo del Rosario asked key players of the banana sector to be resolute in protecting the top export of Davao del Norte from the onslaught of Fusarium wilt. As a pioneer of the industry, Gov. del Rosario appealed to banana growers and farmers to shield their plantations from Fusarium infection, which threatens to wipe out the number one source of revenue for the province. “It is important for us to protect our ba-nana farms from the disease, as this will directly affect the economy of the province,” the governor told the stakeholders during the recent provincial forum on Cavendish banana, adding: “You cannot imagine if our banana industry in Davao del Norte will be wiped out.” Commonly known as Panama disease, Fusarium wilt infection has already affected more than 600 hectares of banana plantations in the Davao region, endangering the $720-M industry of Southern Mindanao , according to the Depart-ment of Agriculture (DA). As a leading producer of the export com-modity, Davao del Norte devotes about 39,000 hectares for Cavendish bananas, or close to 50 percent of the total banana production area of Re-gion XI. The DA reported that some 75 hectares of

banana farms in the province are already infested with the blight. As there is no known cure yet for the Pan-ama disease, del Rosario enjoined the plantations to set up strict quarantine measures and employ footbaths, while following other preventive actions recommended by authorities in order to stop the disease from spreading to other farms. He has also directed the Provincial Agricul-turist Office (PAGRO) to launch a massive early detection and prevention campaign, as the best way to fight the dreaded banana disease. PAGRO Chief Dominador Encarnacion Jr, said his office has already started conducting in-formation and education campaign to let the public know more about the soil-borne fungal infestation that has begun to spread in banana plantations across the province. He specifically recommended five necessary steps that should be followed by banana farms and individuals in order to curb the spread of the Fusarium wilt fungi. These include: strict quarantine measures within the farms; burning of infectedareas within 24 hours, preferably using rice hull burning method; and setting up footbaths in road networks going and inside the farms. The other two steps are preventing unau-thorized persons and animals to loiter within the plantations, and enactment of laws and local or-dinances to institutionalize ground rules and regu-lations on preventing the spread of the virulent banana plague. (PIO-DavNor/Noel Baguio )


Senior citizens gather to show talents

by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- “Di ka ba nahahabag habang binabaybay niya ang daan tungo sa kanyang katandaan, kung minsa’y binubulyawan, nilalait, pinagtatawanan. Pakiwari ng iba siya’y laos na at wala nang silbi sa ating lipunan. Ngunit ako’y narito at aking pinabubulaanan, sariwang-sariwa pa rin ang aming mga katangian,” recited Jose Cabradilla, 69.


Cabradilla’s poem entitled Nakatatanda Bayani Ka won first prize in the poem reci-tation contest at the 3rd Regional Senior Cit-izen Got Talent of the Samahang Nakatatan-da sa Rehiyon Dose, a peoples organization formerly called Federa-tion of Senior Citizens Association of the Phil-ippines (FSCAP).

Cabradilla, a retired assistant manager of the local electric coop-erative, father of three and grandfather of five, wrote the poem him-self. Despite his age, he recited the poem in perfect rhythm without missing a single word.

“Kung minsan ako’y nanghihinayang sa ta-glay niyang dunong at malawak na karanasan, hindi nabibigyan ng sa-pat na pagkakataon,” his poem continues.

Cabradilla was one of the more than 3,000 senior citizens from entire region gathered at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultur-al Center along Alunan Avenue, this city for the contest.

Elda Grace Balaro, focal person for senior citizens of the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and Development-12, said besides the con-tests, the activity was also an opportunity for the elderlies to so-cialize and exchange experiences for the

development of their organizations.

Other contests in-clude Kundiman sing-ing contest, folkdance, ballroom dancing, and Gandang Lola beauty pageant.

Contestants came from nine contigents including senior citi-


zens’ groups repre-senting the cities of Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato City and General Santos and the provinces of Sarangani, South Co-tabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

Isabelo Isla, presi-dent of the regional federation of senior cit-izens, although already on wheelchair, attended the activity. He capped the contest with a ren-dition of an impromptu poem.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., who was guest of honor during the activity, said senior citizens are im-portant part of the his-tory of their communi-ties.

“What we have and enjoy in the present are part of what these peo-ple have toiled in the past,” Pingoy said.

Pingoy also reiter-ated the commitment of his administration to the continued implementa-tion of programs and projects for the bene-fit of the senior citizens and assured them that he will coordinate with

the DSWD and the lo-cal government units for the proper imple-mentation and monitor-ing of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.

“For the first time in South Cotabato, the pro-vincial government has allocated P200,000 as

assistance to the senior citizens organization in the province,” he said.

Balaro said, Gov. Pin-goy allowed the use of the provincial gymna-sium and cultural center for the whole-day ac-tivity free of charge.


Malaria cases in South Cotabato down by 99.66%

KORONADAL CITY -- Massive information drive and other control measures have resulted in 99.66 percent drop in malaria cases in South Cotabato, a local health official said.

Jose Barroquillo, ma-laria program coordinator of the Integrated Provin-cial Health Office of South Cotabato, said only two malaria cases were record-ed this year,which is 99.66 percent lower than the re-ported cases in 2005.

Cooperation of the lo-cal government units and increased knowledge of residents regarding the mosquito-borne disease, re-sulted in this achievement, he said. This, he said was a result of a widespread information drive aimed at controlling the disease and preventing the population that could be affected by the disease

Some 743,500 residents of South Cotabato, accord-ing to Barroquillo, could be exposed to the disease considering that malaria has been reported in nine mu-nicipalities and one city in the province.

Only the municipality of

the Sto., Niño has so far been free of the disease.

This population, he ex-plained is their objective in the distribution of long lasting insecticide treated anti-malarial bed nets un-der the Global Fund to Fight Malaria in partnership with Pilipinas Shell.

He said, they have al-ready distributed a total of 124,421 anti-malarial mos-quito nets.

Among the areas where they have concentrated efforts in the distribution of nets and in their infor-mation and education cam-

paigns include the munici-palities of Lake Sebu, T’boli, Polomolok, and Koronadal City.

Barroquillo also reported that since 2007 South Co-tabato has not recorded any death due to malaria. Data from IPHO showed that the province had one death due to malaria in 2004, four in 2005 and two in 2006.

Data from the Depart-ment of Health-12 (DOH 12) show that Soccsksargen Region has a total of 124 malaria cases this year.

Of this number 64 were


reported from Sultan Ku-darat province, which is adjacent to South Cota-bato.

For residents to be pro-tected from malaria, DOH recommends use of insec-ticide-treated nets, imme-diate blood test especially when experiencing symp-toms like fever, chilling and sweating, and complete treatment, which can be availed free from the near-est rural health unit.

Residents who have not received anti-malarial nets may bring their mosquito nets to the rural health

unit where they can have their bed nets treated with insecticide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is caused by a par-asite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosqui-toes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.

Symptoms of malaria in-clude fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually ap-pear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite.

If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital or-gans. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medi-cines.

Key interventions to con-trol malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combina-tion therapies; use of insec-ticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spray-ing with insecticide to con-trol the vector mosquitoes. (Dani Doguiles)


UNICEF horses ensure better early learning services in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has do-nated additional 13 horses to ease transport in holding home-based pre-school education in the hinterlands of Sarangani.

by Beverly Paoyon

This is the second batch after the distri-bution of 10 horses in February this year for the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the province.

Home-based edu-cation for 3-5 year old

children is commonly patronized in Saran-gani in relatively rural and upland communi-ties where pre-school facilities are lacking be-cause of geographical distance.

The use of horses is a strategy in Sarangani

to increase the partici-pation rate of children, from 63 percent in 2010 to the 70 percent target this year.

Racquel Panal, as-sistant provincial so-cial welfare and devel-opment officer, hoped this would also increase


the number of children to benefit especially in remote communities “wherein services are very mean already at halos hindi na maabot ng ating mga ser-vice providers (barely reached by service pro-viders).”

Supervised Neighbor-hood Play (SNP) work-ers usually take a half-day walk just to reach these communities.

Panal also lamented the minimal honorarium the SNP workers receive that could barely suffice for the daily fare.

Mila Labuan would take a four-hour mo-torcycle ride everyday to reach the site of her assignment in sitio Am-litos, barangay Kihan in Mapalatan. With the horse given her now, she said it would be easier for her to reach the site and can attend whenever there would be meetings at the Po-blacion.

“Karon nga naa na ECCD materials, pat-uonon gyud nako ang mga bata kay naa na sila magamit (Now the kids have ECCD materi-als to learn from),” be-cause before she would

just make her own im-provised learning mate-rials for the 60 children she is teaching.

“Some of our workers are already serving five years.” With the ECCD on horse, she said they would be able to deliv-er the “best services to the children in the com-munities.”

The total 110 SNP sites established at far-flung barangays in Sa-rangani cater to more than 4,000 disadvan-taged children mostly from the indigenous people.

The horses were turned-over with com-plete accessories like saddle, nylon rope and native horse back-packs where SNP work-ers would use to carry ECCD package for their classes like toys, read-ing and art materials, musical instruments, toothbrush, and uten-sils.

Panal said all these learning materials are intended to hone these children “for their total development.”

Board Member Herm-ie Galzote said this strat-egy (ECCD on horse) would be an effective

motivation in providing “services to our chil-dren particularly to the lumads (IPs).”

Daan Suyan baran-gay councilor Fatima Hidalgo said the horse is a big boost in edu-cating the children be-ing the future leaders of our nation.

“Ang atong gobyerno naga tan-aw gyud diay sa kalisod sa atong lu-gar labi na sa mga bukid nga lugar. Dili nato ika-lilong, kinahanglanon nato ni siya ilabi na sa atong mga bata nga gataas ang quality sa education karon (The local government is in-deed sincere in poverty alleviation especially in the hinterlands. It can-not be denied that we need such programs for quality education),” she said.

The horses that were turned-over on Monday (November 21) bene-fited barangays Paraiso and Pag-asa of Alabel, barangays Daan Suyan, Lun Padidu, Kihan, Ki-nam, and Libi of Mala-patan, and barangay Panamin of Malungon. (Sarangani Informa-tion Office)


PIA-Caraga chief underscores media’s role to educate public on clean, green environment

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Regional Director and Northeastern Mindanao Information Cluster Head Abner Caga emphasized the role of media in educating the public towards a clean

and green environment.

by Robert E. Roperos


During Tuesday’s fo-rum and orientation on Clean Ground, Zero Waste program of the city government, Caga said broadcast and print media’s role is very crucial in ad-vocating people to be responsible in every-thing they do. “Your role plays very significantly in continuing community education on the pro-gram,” he said. Caga added that the global call for Cli-mate Change adapta-tion and disaster risk reduction provided added impetus. With this, Caga said it is necessary that people must do their share in an effort

to mitigate the impact of climate change. Furthermore, he stressed that this is the reason why the city government through the able leadership of Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. is pushing each and every Butu-anon to take part in this cause. “This endeavor will benefit our children, and the next genera-tions,” Caga said. The Clean Ground, Zero Waste program is initiated by the lo-cal government of this city. It was conceptual-ized due to the urgency to develop a set of al-ternative, complemen-tary, comprehensive

and systematic strat-egies and approaches to address the issues related to solid waste management to spare the city from the finan-cial, social, economic and environmental im-pact of waste. The program was launched on Septem-ber 11, 2011 at Father Saturnino Urios Uni-versity (FSUU) gym-nasium and as of No-vember 11, the city government has fully implemented the pro-gram in a ceremony conducted in one of the local hotels in this city. The program aims to facilitate a social transformation pro-cess among residents to manifest the desired behavior of segregat-ing waste as source, cleaning the surround-ings and converting wastes into money. It also aims to conduct massive con-version of waste into organic fertilizers (bio-degradables) by the organic fertilizer pro-duction facilities and useful materials (non-biodegradables).

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. stresses a point during the Media Forum and Orientation on “Clean Ground, Zero Waste” Pro-gram of the city government.


Anti-illegal drugs symposium set in Bislig City by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SURIGAO DEL SUR – The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) will conduct a symposium on anti-illegal drugs on Wednesday, November 23 at Andres Soriano Institute, Mangagoy, Bislig City.

In partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the activity primarily aims to disseminate an In-formation and Educa-tion Campaign (IEC) on the harmful effects of the dangerous drugs to human health. Said IEC is part of

the “JYes Kontra Dro-ga” program imple-mentation of the pres-ent administration. Accordingly, the symposium aims to make people aware of what such dangerous drugs can do. Meanwhile, the Provincial Govern-ment here is the first

province to create the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, and was an awardee of the “Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in Caraga” dur-ing the culmination of the PDEA-Drug Abuse Prevention & Control Week, held recently in Butuan City.



BUTUAN CITY – After months of preparation, the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit 2011 is now set and ready.

The biggest social media gathering across the Visayas region will take place on Nov. 26 at Trade Hall 1 of SM City Cebu. On-site registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Pro-gram will begin at 8:30 a.m. Participants can en-ter via Entrance 5 across Radisson Blu Hotel. For participants with cars, they can park near and enter via the Cinema B entrance. With the theme,

“Blogging and Beyond”, the 2nd Visayas Blog-ging Summit will feature reputable speakers in the field of social media. The event’s key-note speaker is Chris Ducker, founder of Li-ve2Sell Group, a busi-ness process outsourcing firm working with clients around the world, as well as chief executive offi-cer of Virtual StaffFinder.com. Other speakers in-clude Janette Toral, au-

thor of several books and research reports on so-cial media and the Inter-net, who will talk about social media responsibil-ity; Joanne Apat, direc-tor of Online Marketing & eBusiness Consulting at Gwion Limited Hong Kong and Globe’s Social Media Manager Coy Ca-balles, will share basic tips in using social media for business; and blog-ger s Vernon Joseph Go and Evanjohnn Mendoza will talk about personal



blogging. More than 250 blog-gers from the Visayas are expected to attend the summit. Bloggers from Luzon and Mindanao are also invited to partici-pate. The Visayas Blog-ging Summit, which was first organized by the

Iloilo Bloggers, is a gath-ering of bloggers in the Visayas to talk on issues and concerns related to blogging and discuss how to further make blogging an effective tool for com-munity development. This year, the Visayas Blogging Summit will highlight the value of

blogging as a potent tool in community develop-ment and in encouraging community participa-tion. For more informa-tion on the 2011 Visayas Blogging Summit, or to register, please visit www.vbs2011.cebublog-gers.com. (CBSi)


Capacity building training for parent leaders in Labangan and RM concluded

The 3-day capacity building training for parent leaders (PLs) of Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) in Labangan and Ramon Magsaysay was already completed over the weekend.

Provincial link Envangeline Poquita said the training for the PLs of said munciplaities conducted on November 15-18 at pringland Resort, here. Poquita said the training was the last batch under set 4b municipalities. The training aimed at capacitating the PLs as partners of municipal links (MLs) in the implementation of the program in the municipal level, Poquita

explained. The participants were equipped with the knowledge on the 3 systems, namely: the

grievance, compliance and monitoring ,and update system,” Poquita admitted that with the large

by Gideon C. Corgue


Capacity building training for parent leaders in Labangan and RM concluded

numbers of 4Ps beneficiaries in the province, MLs had the difficulty of supervising and monitoring the compliance of the beneficiaries on the conditionalities of the program. “The role of the PLs, is indeed very vital in the successful implementation of the program,” Poquita added. However, the provincial link said there will be another set of training scheduled this year for those PLs who were absent saying that they immediately

replaced PLs who failed to attend said training. It has been the policy of the agency to train the untrained PLs for them to effectively assist MLs in the implementation of the

program, Poquita added. To date, the total number of trained PLs reached to 3,419 where 1,081 of whom from 1st district and 2,338 from the 2nd district. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)


Zambo. Norte maritime cops seize unregistered motorized boats

Members of the Maritime Mobile Unit (MMU) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Zamboanga del Norte have confiscated three

unregistered motorized boats in Dapitan City recently.

The arresting team led by SPO1 Maria Delilah Re-luya reported that the owners of the seized fishing boats were identified as Diosdado Lacquio and Jonas Lacquio of Barangay San Vicente, and Ernie Jorolan Pon of Ba-rangay Sto. Niño all of Dapitan City.

Their fishing boats have been turned-over to the City Agriculturist’s Of-fice (CAO) for ap-propriate action. Reluya also disclosed that the MMU would contin-ue conducting sea patrol to monitor the fishing activi-ties and to ward off sea pirates in the area. The lady cop has also urged all motorized boat owners to register their fishing boats with the Bureau

of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) or with the CAO so that they could go fishing without fear of get-ting apprehended. The MMU is now intensifying its campaign against sea pirates and ille-gal fishing activities in the province to protect legitimate fishermen and en-sure steady fish supply in the prov-ince. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

by Franklin P. Gumapon


Gov’t hospital acquires high end P13.5M TB diagnostic machine

State owned hospital-Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) now makes better if not best service when it comes to Tuberculosis (TB)

detection and TB drug administration as it boasts of its newly acquired P13.5 Million TB diagnostic machine.

The state of the art machine called GeneX-pert MTB/RIF is capable of identifying bacteria causing Tuberculosis and can screen the sputum in just a matter of two hours and can give fast and accurate result. The high end ma-chine has the capability to detect whether the bacteria is resistant to first line of anti-TB drug-Rifampicin. “Patients found to have Multi Drug Resis-

tant (MDR) or those re-sistant to Rifampicin will immediately be given the second line of TB drugs,” explained Dr. Marcelino Medina, Head, Program-matic Management Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT), ZCMC. Medina shared, the machine was acquired through Global Fund and is worth P13.5 Million. It is the first and the only in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Medina also assured that aside from the “high tech” TB diagnostic ma-chine, ZCMC has com-plete and enough anti TB drugs which is given for free to patients. Medina said the government spends so much money in the aid of TB patients and stressed that information dis-semination, early detec-tion and early treatment is needed to combat TB.(JPA/PIA-ZBST)

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

one mindanao - november 23, 2011

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