one mindanao - september 7, 2015

By: RG Alama

Congress deliberates on Fortun’s tourism bill

Davao Oriental’s happy home, interventions for rebel returnees benchmarked

Philippines co-chairs in ASEAN regional forum on Mongolia’s nuclear weapon-free status

Mindanao Barangay Captains Pledge

Support for Daang Matuwid

MinDA, PIDS inks MOA

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

Southern

By: Lawig Katawhan

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: IJLagare

By: Jocelyn P. AlvarezO

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CDSM athletes must meet age requirement says DepEd Official

17th Tuna Fest honors unsung heroes of the sea

CSC 9 awards 4 government agencies with Seal of Excellence

Tandag City set for 393rd Fiesta Celebration

Research, technology vital to sustain farms in Bukidnon

contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 12

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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]

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTS VICTORINAO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 September 7, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

Davao Oriental’s happy home, interventions for rebel returnees benchmarked

5September 7, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Members of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) committees from all over the country, together with their respective

Department of Interior and Local Government regional directors, have recently visited here to benchmark Davao Oriental’s successful CLIP implementation, mainly on the establishment and operation of the Happy Home – a halfway house for rebel returnees, which has been gaining the attention of different LGUs and agencies for its best practices.

The delegations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, arrived in batches within a series of three-day benchmarking period last August 25-27, learned how the Provincial Government manages to push for the establishment of the Happy Home which helps former rebels transition to civilian life.

A brainchild of the Governor

Corazon N. Malanyaon, the Happy Home was inaugurated in April 2013 when the Philippine Army officially declared Davao Oriental as development-ready. The facility was established as part of the Provincial Government’s thrust to firmly install the pillars of shared peace and prosperity in the province.

The facility’s major goal


is to provide a transition home that offers enabling services for total healing, rehabilitation and preparation of former rebels for complete integration into mainstream society and to motivate them to become productive and law abiding citizens. To ensure effectiveness of the facility, the strategy basically involves the implementation of various initiatives and activities that covers the areas of values formation, community integration, capacity building, skills development, and empowerment through education, among many others. These goals and strategies are being met through the provision of various services such as counseling; psychological and psychiatric services; spiritual enrichment services; educational, health and

employment services. Aside from that, livelihood assistance and conduct of sports development and therapy sessions and workshops to the residents are also provided. In addition, the facility also offers a site intended for the development of livelihood projects and related skills.

Happy Home Manager Evelyn Vallar said that in order to accomplish such holistic rehabilitation aimed for their clients, a convergence and collaboration of agency programs and services were pooled together. For instance, crop production, livestock raising, fish culture was facilitated by the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Department of Agriculture, skills development of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);techno-transfer and


value adding of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), entrepreneurship of the Department of Trade and Industry; Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education, and other related services of the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Labor and Employment, among other agencies of the government.

On top of these trainings that would prepare them in their subsequent integration to the mainstream society, other benefits are also given, particularly cash assistance under the CLIP of the DILG. This financial assistance intends to help them start anew and mainstream in the community. The Happy Home, being the first and only of its kind in the whole country, was conceptualized by the governor. It was funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process through the DILG – Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (DILG-PAMANA) and is now being managed by the Provincial Government.

As Davao Oriental now

basks on its relative peace, Gov. Malanyaon attributes this achievement to the strong partnership between the Provincial Government and all stakeholders involved in peace and development. She highlighted the role of the Philippine Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program in winning the hearts and minds of the people by helping provide basic services to the communities.

701st Brigade Commander Col. Bienvenido Datuin, Jr., said the military here is ‘indeed fortunate for being under a leadership that is very supportive and with a vision’. He further vowed for the continued military efforts to sustain the gains so far achieved in terms of peace and development.


All-time low inflation, result of sound microeconomic management—Malacañang

MANILA —Malacañang on Sunday has attributed the all-time low inflation of 0.6 percent last August, to the government’s sound microeconomic management. “Masasabi nating magandang epekto ng overall sound

macroeconomic management ng ating pamahalaan, at pwede


nating ipagmalaki na sa buong rehiyon—maaaring sa buong mundo pa nga—tayo ay mayroong pinakamababang inflation rate,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. This rate has brought the year-to-date headline inflation to 1.7 percent, which is below the target range of 2 to 4 percent set by the government for this year.

“Habang mababa ito ay napakainam para sa ating ekonomiya, dahil ibig sabihin lang napoprotektahan o napre-preserve ang purchasing power of the peso, at ito ay senyales ng mahusay na pagmamaneho ng ekonomiya,” Coloma said. “Kapag mababa ang inflation, ibig sabihin naipapagtugma nang mahusay ang mga elemento ng supply doon sa elemento ng demand. Hindi nagkakaroon

ng mga artificial shortage dahil ang ganyang mismatch between supply and demand ang lumilikha ng inflationary pressure; at kapag hindi maayos ang takbo ng ekonomiya, pangkaraniwan na resulta ang inflation,” he added. When asked if the Philippines seems to be shielded from China’s economic slowdown, Coloma said this was not the case. “Hindi ganoon kalaki ang dependency ng ating ekonomiya sa economy ng People’s Republic of China kaya’t hindi naman tayo gaanong naaapektuhan ng binanggit mo na external shocks mula sa bansang iyon,” said Coloma. Last August, China’s stock markets plunged and its currency has been devalued, which caused a domino-effect in the world economy. China is the world’s second-largest economy. (PCOO/PND (ag)


Philippines co-chairs in ASEAN regional forum on Mongolia’s nuclear weapon-free status

MANILA —The Philippines, represented by Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jesus Domingo, co-chaired the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Mongolia’s Nuclear Weapon Free Status, with Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Damba Gankhuyag on September 03 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The two-day workshop, initiated by Mongolia and

supported by the Philippines in the framework of the ASEAN Regional


Forum, highlights Mongolia’s unique experience in establishing a Nuclear Weapon Free Status and its continuing efforts to promote its status. Officials of the Mongolian government shared the history of Mongolia’s initiative to declare itself a nuclear weapons free country arising from the imperative of its peculiar geographical location between two nuclear powers, Russia and China, and the status of its pursuit of international recognition of this initiative.

Other participants exchanged ideas on reinforcing existing Nuclear Weapons Free Zones (NFWZs), news ways of promoting nuclear non-proliferation in non-traditional cases, and examined the current

practice of NWFZs like that of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ). In examining the next steps, both strategic and operational issues that can advance NWFZs in the wider context of non-proliferation were discussed.

In his closing remarks, Assistant Secretary Domingo said the Philippines looks forward to continue working with Mongolia on issues on non-proliferation under the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Speakers from government, civil society and the academe participated in the three panel sessions of the Workshop, including Assistant Secretary Jesus Domingo, Dr. Jargalsaikhan

12 September 7, 2015ONE MINDANAO12 September 7, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Enkhsaikhan of Blue Banner, Mr. Yuriy Kryvonos of the United Nations Regional Center for Peace and Development (UNRCPD), Deputy Director Dashdorj Bayarkhuu of Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Col. Dorjjugder Munkh-Ochir of Mongolia’s Ministry of Defense, Mr. Jamiyandagva Adiyasuren of the Institute of Strategies

Studies of Mongolia, and Ms. Usana Berananda of the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thirty-nine (39) participants from 14 ARF member states namely, the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Lao PDR, Canada, Russia, Korea, Viet Nam, and the United States took part in the workshop. (DFA)


Mindanao Barangay Captains Pledge Support for Daang Matuwid

Barangay officials of Mindanao took the opportunity to make a collective pledge to Daang Matuwid as they gathered at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila for a three-day congress, under the theme “Learn, Improve, Govern, Act to ensure Disaster Resilient Barangays.” Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas joined the more than 200 Barangay officials of the Liga Ng Barangay (LNB): Mindanao Chapter in yesterday’s event (September 2). He was accompanied by

LNB National President Edmund Abesamis, LNB Vice President for Mindanao Gerard Ramiro, and Misamis Occidental Governor Germinia Ramiro. Part of the Barangay officials’ pledge reads: “Kaming


mga kasapi ng Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas-Mindanao Chapter ay nagpapahayag ng aming pagsuporta sa adhikain at paninindigan ng Pangulong PNoy at ni Sec. Mar upang labanan ang katiwalian at tiyakin na ang pondo ng bayan ay makakarating sa aming mga kabarangay,” the officials read from their pledge entitled “Panata ng Barangay Laban sa Katiwalian Para sa Daang Matuwid.” Addressing the officials, Roxas, mentioned the importance of continuing the programs of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) such as Bottom up Budgeting (BUB),

where citizens can identify and choose projects for their welfare; the Pangtawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the distribution of patrol jeeps, and projects for disaster preparedness. “Kailangan po nating depensahan itong programang ito,” he stressed as he thanked the barangay officials for supporting the programs of, and for believing in Daang Matuwid. “Alam po ninyo na mas maganda na lahat ng inyong mga kababayan ay makakatanggap ng serbisyo kaysa lumang sistema na iilan lang, pinipilian lang, at sa ganoong paraan, hindi pantay ang progreso ng isang komunidad.”

15September 7, 2015 ONE MINDANAO 15

CIOFF to assess Piyesta Kolon Datal By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Sept 7 -- Whether Koro-nadal City’s Pyesta Kolon Datal last August 9-18 was actually successful will be determined in October, a city official here an-nounced.


Mayor Peter Miguel announced he will attend the CIOFF 45th World Congress in Arequipa, Peru on October 10 to 18, 2015 where among the activities will be the evaluation of the Pyesta Kolon Datal or CIOFF Koronad-al International Folklore Festival held here last August 9 to 18.

“Those who have come to Koronadal City to participate in the international folklore festival here will be asked to answer a questionnaire that would rate our performance,” he elaborated.

That assessment along with other factors will determine “whether Pyesta Kolon Datal and the Philippines will remain as an associate member or will be elevated as a full member,” he emphasized.

Koronadal City’s Pyesta Ko-lon Datal became an associate member and Philippines’ rep-resentative to the Internation-al Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) only in October 2014 when Mayor Miguel joined the CIOFF 44th World Congress in Bautzen, Germany.

In an earlier interview, Mayor Miguel noted that it was during the 44th Congress that leaders of the UNESCO-backed council challenged the City of Koronadal

to host an international folklore festival, “something that a for-mer Philippine representative to CIOFF was not able to do.”

That dare led to the Pyesta Kolon Datal on August 9-18; it was the country’s first ever in-ternational folklore festival.

It was participated by 10 countries including Russia, Slo-venia, Poland, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, and the Philippines.

Philippines was represent-ed by the Koronadal Hinug-yaw Cultural Dance Troupe and Blaan residents, Philippine Ba-rangay Folk Dance, UP Filipini-ana Dance Troupe, ECD Dance Company, PNU Kislap Sining, Bukidnon State University Dance Troupe and Zamboanga del Sur National High School Melengas Dance Troupe.

Regarding the upcoming eval-uation, Mayor Miguel expressed confidence that Koronadal City would get favorable results, considering the positive reac-tions particularly from the for-eign performers.

Leticia Bulotano-Wheeler, Northern American representa-tive to CIOFF, who observed the ten-day festival, applauded the local government for what she described as “unprecedented


success of Pyesta Kolon Datal.”“Pyesta Kolon Datal is incom-

parable. I have been to CIOFF festivals all over the world. It is the first time that an organizer has surpassed all our expecta-tions,” Wheeler said in an inter-view with the local press at the closing ceremonies last August 19.

She also appreciated the ea-gerness of local audiences to witness the performances and learn the culture of other na-tions.

“We have never seen crowds such as you have here, 5,000 to 7,000 viewers in one venue,” she said. “This has never hap-pened anywhere.”

Over the 10-day event, per-formances were held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center at 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Rizal Park in Ko-ronadal City from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (later the evening shows were transferred to the South Cotabato Gym due to rain) as well as venues in Isulan and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat Province, Alabel in Sarangani and the municipalities in South Cotabato.

Performances were also held inside KCC Mall of Marbel, Gaisa-no Grand Mall in Koronadal and

Veranza Mall and SM in General Santos City.

Wheeler assured Koronadal City’s evaluation will be posi-tive.

“Catherine, the Chinese Taipei organizer has approached me and asked me to recommend to the council to bypass all the in-ternal regulations of CIOFF Fes-tival in favor of Koronadal be-cause nobody has surpassed what the City of Koronadal has done.”

One of the CIOFF these, she explained, is a three-year regu-lation before an associate mem-bers could become a national (full) member.

CIOFF has 68 national mem-bers and 12 associate members.

Along with the Philippines, the other associate members are Antigua and Barbuda, Be-lize, Egypt, Gabon, Iran, Ireland, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tahiti.

CIOFF website states: “asso-ciate members are expected to develop open contacts with other folklore organizations, festivals and groups in order to become more and more representative of the traditional culture of their country and, doing so, to fulfill the conditions to apply for full membership.”


17th Tuna Fest honors unsung heroes of the sea

CIOFF is a UNESCO recog-nized council that works for the safeguarding, promotion and diffusion of traditional culture.

Among others it aims to pro-mote intangible heritage through

forms of expressions such as dance, music, games, ritu-als, customs and other arts and serve the objectives of UNESCO. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept 7 – The 17th Tuna Festival has be-gun with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera paying tribute to the unsung heroes of the city’s fishing industry.

The opening day of Tuna Fes-tival Tuesday (September 1) be-came a day of sad remembering as Mayor Rivera unveiled a me-morial shrine for some 300 fish-ermen who went missing during the height of Typhoon Pablo in 2012.

These fishermen were mostly from General Santos City and Sarangani.

The shrine is rectangular in shape and was made of black marble. A golden anchor was mounted beside it to symbolize the city’s steadfast support to the fishing industry.

The names of the missing fish-ermen were engraved in a gold-plated metal that was attached to the shrine. An epitaph for them was written on the opposite side.

Families and relatives of these fishermen were also present dur-ing the unveiling of the shrine which is located inside Plaza Hen-eral Santos. Many of them cried, others emotional, while narrat-ing the sad plight of their miss-ing family member.

One of them was Marisol Atil-lo, 43, a resident of Buayan and currently an employee of the


City Social Welfare and De-velopment Office. Her husband, Edwin, went missing when he was still 42 years old. He was as-signed to one of the boats of the LPS Fishing during the typhoon.

“It was really a saddening ex-perience. I just don’t know what to do that time. We couldn’t even mourn because we didn’t have his body. We didn’t know where to go,” Atillo lamented.

“We are now comforted that a shrine for my husband and the rest of the missing fishermen were constructed. We have now a place to go to remember and pray for them,” she stated.

The construction of the me-morial shrine was made possible through the venture of the city government and the fishing firms that the missing fishermen had been employed with. The shrine cost P130,000.

Mayor Rivera said that it is nec-essary for the city to give value to the industry that placed Gen-san in the map as the Tuna Capi-tal of the Philippines.

“The fishing industry of Gen-san is the undisputed economic backbone of the city. Imagine if it did not arrive to us, do you think that General Santos would grow as it is right now?” Mayor Rivera said.

“That is why the Tuna Festival this year will give focus on giving appreciation on the industry as well as the people that working for it,” the mayor stated.

Mayor Rivera is a scion of the Rivera family, owner of RD Fish-ing which is a subsidiary of the conglomerate RD Group of Com-panies.

The tuna boom in General San-tos broke out in the mid-1970s as Japanese traders arrived to look for new supplies of sashimi-grade yellowfin tuna. The hefty price commanded by sashimi-grade tuna in the SJapanese market encouraged investors to finance tuna fishing ventures in the city. The tuna boom also at-tracted fishers from neighbor-ing provinces. IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


Caraga tobacco control network creates TWG to strengthen smoke-free region campaign By: Daisy Jane Apit

BUTUAN CITY - The Regional Tobacco Control Network (formerly known as Caraga Anti-Smoking Team) has created a technical working group (TWG), which will serve as the “brains” of the network during their consultative meeting held last Thursday, September 4 at Hotel Luciana, this city.


“To produce a dynamic and empowered multi-sectoral organization committed towards a 100 percent smoke-free environment in the region, the TWG shall be the core members and direct overseers of all our plans and projects,” Armando D. Ardanas, Mindanao coordinator of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP). The TWG members are the Foundation for the Development of Agusanon, Inc. (FDAI), Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Governance (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), Department of Health (DOH) Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA),

Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Ardanas also emphasized that the vision and mission of the RTCN shall promote awareness, influence policy and behaviour changes in the local government units (LGUs), businesses, government agencies, civil society organizations, and academe towards smoke-free environments through active networking with the different stakeholders, sound fiscal management of its resources and good governance. To strengthen the network’s main objective of ensuring a smoke-free Caraga, RTCN also encouraged all the stakeholders especially the LGUs and public hospitals regionwide to coordinate and support their planned activities.


Congress deliberates on Fortun’s tourism billBy: Lawig Katawhan

QUEZON CITY -- The deliberation on the proposed House Bill 4823, a legislative measure declaring Butuan City as a heritage tourism zone, continues as Agusan del Norte representative Lawrence Lemuel Fortun presented before the House Committee on Tourism last week.

August last year, Rep. Fortun filed the said bill in Congress, and was then subsequently referred to the Committee on Tourism. Rep. Fortun in his explanatory note has elucidated that “Butuan City has a vibrant history and rich cultural heritage. Before colonization, it was called

the Kingdom of Butuan and was known for its metallurgic industry and sophisticated naval technology.” Exigency of the bill is anchored on Section 15 of Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution, which reads: “The State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well


as artistic creations,” and also in Section 16 of the same article: “All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasures of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition.” Butuan has been the discovery site of the first wooden watercraft excavated in Southeast Asia, the Balangay Boat, believed to rule Southeast Asian waters as early as 320 AD. The utilization of these boats to maintain trade relations with neighboring islands and empires prove robust commercial activities in the area. Numerous archeological artifacts have also been excavated – gold jewelry, death mask, weighing scales and porcelains – beefing up Butuan’s claim as then center of trade and commerce in the region. Numerous historical accounts show that on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Ferdinand Magellan ordered the celebration of a mass in Butuan. “In remembrance of this important historical Christian event that is claimed to be first in the country, the Bood Promontory...was built,” Fortun added. Butuan is also the host of Banza Church Ruins, a church built by Spanish friars in 1625 and believed to be the first

Christian Church in Mindanao. Way older than the mentioned historical and cultural treasures are the Bequibel and Bitor shell middens in Brgy. Bonbon, supporting claims of human habitation and activities of early thriving civilization in Butuan – as early as the Neolithic Age or about 7,000 years ago. Once the bill is passed, Butuan will be accorded with priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the National Historical Institute, the National Museum and other concerned government agencies. It will also recognize areas of potential for historical and cultural tourism development, such as historical and cultural landmarks, rivers and mountain resources, indigenous communities, among others.


Tandag City set for 393rd Fiesta Celebration

Mayor Roxanne Pimentel had already sent out all invitation program bannering “Sangkaan Festival 2015” as main feature, it was learned. With the theme “Kalambuan nga Naangkon, Tandaganon. . . Ipalig-on!,” the grand parade will signal the opening day at 7:00 a.m. on September 8 to be followed immediately by the opening program. The guest speaker is DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. Also, during the succeeding two days, important events are lined up to highlight the affair.

These include the Agri-Aqua Trade Fair at VLP Boulevard on September 8-9; Kasalan sa Parokya at the San Nicolas De Tolentino Cathedral at 2:00 p.m.; Sunugda’n (Sinugbahay sa Da’n) at VLP Boulevard at 4:00 p.m.; and, Sangkaan (Street Dancing) on identified points—City Plaza, Brake Center, Boulevard, and Bongtud; in addition, a theatrical showdown is going to be held at the City Gymnasium at 1:30 p.m. Celebrities are likewise set to hold entertainment programs and concerts on September 9 and 10.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The three-day activity is all set for the 393rd Fiesta celebration of this city in honor of San Nicolas de Tolentino, its patron saint.

By: Greg Tataro Jr.


GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur – At least three (3) regular members of the New People’s Army from the Natarang Guerilla ng Kara (NG-KARA) of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) on Saturday, September 5, decided to return to the folds of the lawand live normal lives.

More NPA rebels will yield to gov’t, says military officialBy: Gideon C. Corgue


The rebel returnees were identified as ErmeElnas, alias “James,”22 years old, a member of SandatahangYunitPampropaganda;Anselma Perez Quijano, alias “Jelly,” 26 ; and Lodovico Jordan Nadal Jr.alias “Jay-Ar,” 26,voluntarily surrendered to Lt.Col. Alvin Luzon, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion at its headquarters at Camp Sabido, this municipality. Elnas yielded KG45 sub-machinegun with defaced serial number and Quijano a caliber 45 pistol 1911-A1 with serial number 973124 to Col. Luzon. The military chief said based on the initial debriefing, the sustained combat operation of government forces and the dwindling mass support were the reasons for their surrender. Luzon said their successful surrender was made possible through the joint efforts of the intelligence platoon of 53rd IB; Special Mission Platoon of 1st Military Intelligence Battalion and Police Intelligence Branch of Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office. He said a total of 19 former NPA rebels have surrendered to the government. Five (5) former NPA rebels

surrendered to the headquarters on May 25, another eight (8) rebels surrendered in the evening of August 11, and three (3) surrendered during the declaration of Zamboanga del Sur as Peaceful and Ready for Further Development province on August 12, at the Amusement and Events Center, Provincial Capitol compound where the former rebels were given P15,000 each under the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). Luzon said the gradual increase of NPA rebels who surrendered to the government arethe fruits and success of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan campaign. He is thankful to our brothers who have returned to the folds of the lawand abandoned the


ZAMBOANGA CITY - To recognize the agencies which excel in frontline service delivery, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) 9 conferred on Thursday, in a short but fitting ceremony, four government agencies in region 9 the 2014 Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence award for obtaining an excellent rating in the 2014 Anti-Red Tape Act-Report Card Survey (ARTA RCS).

CSC 9 awards 4 government agencies with Seal of ExcellenceBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

armed movement. “In a span of just about 3 months, we were able to convince NPA rebels to surrender to the government,” Luzon happily announced.

“With the significant increase of number of surenderees this year, I am optimistic that more NPA rebels will return to the folds of the government,” Luzon concluded.

Results of the 2014ARTA Survey in region 9revealed that theHome Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund –Zamboanga City Branch; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) –Zamboanga City; Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)-Dipolog Branch and Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Ipil District bested all other offices in Region 9. No less than CSC Commissioner Nieves L. Osorio led the awarding rites. The awardees were conferred a wall-mountable glass seal bearing the “Seal of

Excellence” logo to symbolize the achievement of excellence, as well as a cash reward amounting to PHP100,000.00, to be utilized specifically for improving their compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act. “To the government agencies we are awarding today, you are proof of the efforts of the CSC, leading to our national objective of the Philippine Bureaucracy to become Asia’s Best by 2030,” the lady commissioner said. She expressed confidence that the Philippine Bureaucracy will finally find itself amongst countries in Asia or even the


world, as a leading center in human resource and organization development. Commissioner Osorio however emphasized that excellence does not end in the recognition or reward as she said, “this is the start or if not, the renewal of a strong service culture in our government.” “Let us all live up to being a Lingkod Bayani, a real one. One that honors God and country by being excellent and by serving with utmost integrity to one’s fellowmen,” she was quoted saying. The Commissioner called on all state workers to be part of a courteous civil service, a truly honorable government, one that sincerely cares for its people and takes pride in the nobility of such a task.

The ARTA Survey

ARTA Report Card Survey is an annual survey conducted by the CSC to evaluate theeffectiveness of the ARTA law. The Survey is conducted among the clients of high density, most complained of agencies, as determined by the Contact Center ng Bayan data. It is an award given to

government service offices that have demonstrated exemplary frontline service delivery as manifested by the Excellent rating in the ARTA Report Card Survey and has no valid and unresolved ARTA-related complaint based on the Contact Center ng Bayan data “Service offices that garnered excellent rating in the survey are subjected to another round of validation to verify if they are indeed consistent in providing excellent service to their client,” said CSC Regional Director Macybel Alfaro-Sahi. RD Sahi also informed that all four office-awardees have retained their excellent rating as per ARTA survey recently conducted for 2015. “For the others, may you be challenged and motivated to aspire and achieve the Seal of Excellence Award,” the CSC RD said. The award aims to promote service delivery excellence in the bureaucracy, to acknowledge the hard work of civil servants in providing responsive, efficient and customer-centric services, and to drive competitiveness within and between government agencies.


RTWPB confirms region 10 wage hike

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) region 10 confirms the P12.00 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector in Northern Mindanao.

By: Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board

This is effective July 3, 2015 by the issuance of Wage Order No. RX-18 on May 12, 2015 and

published on June 18, 2015 at the Goldstar Daily, a local newspaper distributed in the entire island of


Mindanao. The corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), approved by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Atty. Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on August 17, 2015 was published on August 19, 2015 at Goldstar Daily in Northern Mindanao, confirms the said wage order. A copy of the IRR is available in all DOLE Region 10 Office and Provincial Field Offices and RTWPB 10 offices. The new minimum daily wage of workers for the non-agricultural and agricultural sectors in Northern Mindanao for Wage Category 1 is now P318.00 and P306.00, respectively (covering the Cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and the Municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva); Wage Category II is P313.00 and P301.00 for non-agricultural and agricultural sectors, respectively (covering the Cities of Malayabalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador and Ozamiz and the Municipalities of Maramag, Quezon, and Manolo Fortich). Meanwhile, rates in Wage Category III are P308.00 and P296.00 for non-agricultural and agricultural workers, respectively

(covering the Cities of Oroquieta and Tangub; and Municipalities of Lugait, Opol, and Mambajao). While rates in Wage Category IV are P303.00 and P291.00 for non-agricultural sector and agricultural sectors, respectively covering all areas not mentioned in the other wage categories. For establishments employing 10 workers or less, rates in Wage Category III shall be used regardless of location of their businesses. Wage Order No. RX-18 is a product of an in-depth study and evaluation of the RTWPB-10 based on the criteria required by RA 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1992 since the effectivity of the previous wage order on June 2013. Wage fixing requires careful evaluation/monitoring of: socio-economic conditions, capacity of the employers to pay, demand for living wages, and the needs of workers and their families. In view of the wage reforms undertaken by the DOLE – National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), the new wage order encourages enterprises to adopt productivity improvement schemes such as time and motion studies, gain-sharing programs, and others. Introducing the


concept of Performance Based Incentives Scheme in wage fixing gives focus to productivity and quality that emphasizes good harmonious relations and worker-employer partnerships. Thus, the giving of monetary incentives and bonuses to good performing workers pushes for productivity and quality service characterized by negotiation capacities based on agreement of workers and employers. The scheme not only promotes productivity among workers but also allows employment and income security and improved competitiveness of enterprises increasing business’ net worth. Distressed establishments, new business enterprises and establishments adversely affected by natural and human-induced calamities may file applications for exemptions on

or before November 2, 2015 to the RTWPB-X, or at the DOLE-Regional and Provincial Offices in Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte/Iligan, Bukidnon and Camiguin or emailed to: [email protected], subject to documentary evaluation/review, deliberation and final approval by the Wage Board. Copies of Wage Order No. RX-18 and its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations may be accessed from the offices of RTWPB-X, DOLE-X Regional and Provincial Offices or can be requested through email or downloaded from facebook page: RTWPB Northern Mindanao. Queries may be directed to telefax numbers: 088-880-3920; 08822-745547; mobile number: 0917-793-6825.

CDSM athletes must meet age requirement says DepEd Official

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The cut off birth month and year of athletes participating in the City Division Selection Meet (CSDM) on Sept. 4-5, 2015, shall be January 2003 and thereafter, for the elementary, and January 1998 and thereafter, for the high school.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


“This means that the elementary athlete is not more than 12 years old and the high school athlete is not more than 17 years old,” Dr. Rebonfamil R. Baguio, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Department of Education, Division of Ozamiz City (DepEd-Ozamiz), said. Baguio said all coaches were required to submit photocopies of the birth certificates, Forms 137 or report cards and medical clearances of the athletes as proofs of qualifications to participate in the CDSM. Meanwhile, about 151 school personnel of DepEd-Ozamiz will serve as game officials, during the CDSM), which will hold its opening program, at the Ozamiz City National High School (OCNHS) on Sept. 4, at 7:30a.m.

On the other hand, the different sports events will be played during the CDSM in the following locations of the city: Archery and Arnis, boys and girls, and Sepak Takraw and Sipa Takraw, boys, OCNHS. Track and Field/Athletics,

boys and girls, Football, boys, Futzal, girls, and Softball, girls, La Salle University (LSU) Oval, Baseball, boys and girls, Basketball, boys, LSU and Misamis University (MU) Covered Courts and Taekwondo, boys and girls, LSU and Taekwondo Club, Badminton, boys and girls, LSU Covered Courts and Ozamiz City Central School (OCCS) Gym. Chess, boys and girls, MU High School, Swimming, boys and girls, MU Swimming Pool, Table Tennis, boys and girls, MU and OCCS, Lawn Tennis, boys and girls, OCCS and City Engineer’s Office, Special events, Visually Impaired and Mentally Challenged, OCCS SPED Center, and Volleyball, boys and girls, MU Covered Courts and OCNHS.


Fernando Villarino, agriculturist and farm manager at Valley Fresh Garden Farm in Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, province of Bukidnon said during an interview on 3 September 2015 that their biggest problem is the sudden change of climate wherein there is too much heat and also too much rain. He says too much rain ruins the crops and ultimately affects production. Valley Fresh Garden Farm started in 2001. They produce high valued crops such as salad tomato, cucumber, strawberries, lettuce and their bread and butter, the bell peppers, which are sold to traders in Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cebu. According to Villarino, they simply had open field in the past but because of heavy rainfall brought about by climate change, they adopted the technology of

a shelter house. It’s not exactly a greenhouse, he said, but just enough to protect the crops from heavy rainfall and insects or pests. These shelter houses are made of bamboo, a material that is cheaper compared to metals that are used by other farms in the country but is also sturdy and high quality. There are many considerations to maintaining a farm. Villarino said that they rely mostly on trial and error. In terms of the variety of crop they produce, they don’t really have the specific variety of a certain crop; they simply try what works and see if it can sell. This is also true with their shelter houses; they had trial and error first and finally came up with a good shelter house for the crops. Villarino said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) region 10 helped them through provision of 3,000sqm shelter

Research, technology vital to sustain farms in BukidnonBy: Jasper Marie O. RucatCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – An agriculturist and farm manager in Bukidnon admits that climate change is indeed felt and affecting crop production that is why research, technology and development is needed for sustainability.


house. He said the cost of a bamboo shelter house presently is P500/sqm. Right now, they are into drip irrigation wherein, water is delivered to the crops through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. Fertilizer is also mixed with the water and allows it to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone. Villarino called it “fertigation” a combination of fertilizer and irrigation. He said this system saves water and fertilizer and less labor. Meanwhile, pesticide or insecticides are only sprayed once every 15 days or if deemed necessary. He said they also review chemicals. They need to identify what kind of insect has penetrated the crop and start from there. He explained that one hill of a bell pepper will produce three kilos per harvest. He said there are about 1,500 hills in a 500sqm shelter house. The harvest is twice a week. Right now, he said that cost of bell pepper per kilo range from P100 to P120 depending on market supply. However, he said that the hill of the bell pepper is normally replaced after three months since the start of its first

harvest. The farm is 16 hectares in total however only three hectares are used for vegetable production. Villarino said they also grow organic pig, horses and chickens. Meanwhile he emphasized that the good temperature for vegetable is 16-27 degree Celsius. He added that there is a need for research and development especially from the Department of Agriculture because the seed that they buy for their produce have to be ordered and bought from Thailand and Europe. A seed costs P10-P15 each. And they buy this for trial and error. How will you know you are buying the right seed? He said that this is where research and development should come. The farm employs 30 workers, 90% of which are locals of the barangay. Villarino said that now there are more children enrolled in school because the natives have found regular income and have now a sense of direction. Before, Vilalrino said that the place was famous for theft and drunken riot among others.


No railway discussions during her term as RDC chair- SaraDAVAO CITY-Former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio clarified that there was no clear discussion yet with regards to the plan to ra-tionalize the transport system in the city by coming up a railway sys-tem for passenger trains that will cater to the residents from Toril to Lasang and Vice Versa.

She issued the statement during the Kapehan sa NCCC Mall Davao. “There was no discussion about the railway system even before and during my term as chair of the Re-gional Development Council 11,” Duterte-Carpio said. The railways system is looked forward by development planners in preparation to avoid traffic congestion as the city progresses in the future. Duterte-Carpio also welcomed the support expressed by residents for her to take the city leadership dur-ing the national and local elections in 2016. She called the expression heart-warming and a big boost to her en-thusiasm to serve the people again. “They showed me their love and support and it will boost my inter-est to serve the community because of their trust and confidence in me,” Duterte-Carpio said. She revealed that she has a lot

of development concerns for the city. However, Duterte-Carpio clari-fied that the direction of her leadership will depend on the issues, concerns and projects left by her predecessor. She also formally announced her assumption as ambassadress of the NCCC Mall Davao. Duterte-Carpio said the mall shares with her the values of being close to the people. “I look forward to working with the NCCC and working with the com-munity by delivering both the shared-values of the mall and its products to the residents,” she said.(PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


MinDA, PIDS inks MOADAVAO CITY- The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) have formalized their development partnership with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA).

The signing was made between PIDS president Dr. Gilbert Llanto and MinDA chair Secretary Lualhati Antonino today (Sept. 4) in Waterfront Hotel Davao. The MOA will facilitate and promote policy research and knowledge sharing particularly in dissemination , holding of public fora and dialogue in support of Mindanao’s development needs. The MOA also enables access to policy studies and materials produced by higher education institutions (HEI) in Mindanao and also establish the Mindanao Knowledge Research and Policy Center (MKPRC). MinDA executive director Usec. Janet Lopoz said that in the past there has already been exchange of mate-rials between MinDA and PIDS. The MOA Lopoz says will go beyond just the exchange of research materials. “We see MinDA as an excellent partner in promoting evidence-based policymaking at the local level and in increasing the relevance of our policy studies Llanto said of the MOA. Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente Lao lauded the partnership as he said that policy research can help influence policy makers in crafting laws that may be favorable to Mind-anao. Lao said that most of the policies tend to be biased agains the region.

He said that policy research can ben-efit the main driving economic sectors of Mindanao which is agriculture and tourism. He cited the cabotage law which prevents foreign-flagged vessels from directly transport goods to their final port of destination resulting in exorbi-tant shipping fees which is said to be the highest in the world and greatly impacting Mindanao businesses. Policy research has led to the amendment of the cabotage law which has relaxed the restrictions.The MOA signing is an opportune time as the country is celebrating the 13th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) which carries the theme “Ef-fective Regulations for sustainable growth.” (PIA/RG Alama)

one mindanao - september 7, 2015

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