Cover story:

Davao City’s 911, localized world-class emergency response

Time to ‘walk the talk’ on climate pact – CCC chief

GSIS allots Php539M in emergency loan for 3 VisMin areas

PH hits all time high average 6.2% GDP

LGU-Tacurong gets assessed for Seal of Good Local Governance

DOLE 114th Labor Day Job Fair posts 6,000 vacancies

Over 400 young people receive summer job in Tacurong City

1,00O Zambo. Norte studes to benefit SPES

DA lauds movers in NorMin rice sector

PhilRice Midsayap feted best station in PHL

New night markets in Davao City eyed

CHED offers K-12 Transition Program, aids academe

DavOr adjudged anew as Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Awardee

Zambo. Norte police vow to stay nonpartisan

DOH to deploy nurses in voting centers on May 9 polls

Comelec official to voters: Come to the polling precincts early

South Cotabato hospital declares Code White Alert for May 9 polls

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PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCYSouthern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor Kanto Motors, Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000

Telephone no. (082)297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 - 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950Email: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com

Efren Elbanbuenacluster head, pia Mindanao

Our Dear Valued Readers,

First of all we apologize for the sudden stoppage of our publication for almost two months. We were surprised by the unilateral and arbitrary decision of our previous managing editor in informing us that One Mindanao electronic magazine would cease to circulate effective March 31, 2016 without the courtesy of explaining to the members of the editorial board why the magazine, which has been published for five years, would be out of circulation.

However, due to persistent demand from our valued readers, the editorial board which is composed of the Regional Directors of PIA Mindanao Cluster: Noemi B. Edaga, Region 09; Thelma Oliver, Region 10; Olivia T. Sudaria, Region 12; and yours truly the Executive Editor, decided to pursue the publication of the electronic magazine with its new name, “PIA Mindanao.”

Hence, this maiden issue. It has been our aspiration to come up with an electronic magazine featuring top stories of Mindanao that need to be disseminated not only to the Mindanawons but also to Filipino readers especially those who are living abroad and as well as to other reading public.

We assure you, our dear readers, that we will feature more news and information about Mindanao (by region) that will generate more interests and enthusiasm.

Once again, thank you very much for your valued support and encouragement that challenge us to continue with our mandate.

Davao City’s 911, localized world-class emergency response

In 2013, my father suffered a stroke, out of instinct we immediately called 911. The operator after the on-phone triage relayed first-aid instructions while we waited for the ambulance. In 10 minutes the ambulance and the paramedics

arrived and promptly delivered him to the hospital. That scene would be repeated again when he suffered another stroke, with the 911 coming in providing immediate assistance We were perhaps one of the half-a million emergency calls since the emergency dispatch center was launched in 2002 with the help of the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) which donated the Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch which pinpoints locations of emergency callers using the light posts of the DLPC.

By Rudolph AlamaN early everyone here in Davao have an experience in

contacting Davao City’s Central Communications and Emergency Response Center or more known as Central 911.

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Originally intended as a police hotline to respond to criminal incidents, the 911 can now be called upon to respond to any emergency. Among these capabilities include; emergency medical services, urban search and rescue (USAR), fire auxiliary and K-9 units. It can also be called upon to report any nuisance and disturbance. A few years ago, we were a receiving end of a 911 call, spending a rowdy karaoke party in a friend’s house, an irritated neighbor called up 911 and it dispatched a police mobile which eventually told us to tone down. The heart of the 911 is the Public Safety Command Center compound in what used to be an under-utilized

public market in Sandawa, Matina. Inside there is a call center manned by 24 call takers and 16 dispatchers. One of its foremost feature is it integrated the city government’s emergency response resources into one call center facility. In pre-911 you either have to know the number of the police which usually uses a hotline number 166 for police cases and another number for medical emergencies, most of the time, the victims are bought to the hospital by the family, friends’ or relatives often times the victim or patient is mishandled because of lack of competent first-aid training. A typical 911 ambulance is outfitted with state-of-the-art basic

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life support and life-saving equipment manned by competent paramedics.From 2011 to 2014 it has responded to 38,032 emergency cases helping around 39,000 patients. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who built one of the three 911 emergency response systems in the world (aside from Canada and the United States) constantly invests in improving the system and the center. In 2014 the city government infused P150-million worth of emergency and rescue equipment like ambulances, fire trucks, protective suits and sophisticated rescue equipment. One of these is the P2-million Hyperspike Acoustic Hailing Device (AHD) in the country which is worth P2-million. The AHD is a specialized highly-directional speaker designed to focus sound in a narrow beam. AHDs are ideal for crowd control, military and police operations and emergency response. In 2013 it acquired its mass-casualty incident vehicle it is equipped with top-of-the-line medical facilities

and emergency equipment for rescue operations and can accommodate 15 patients at a single time or it can be operated as an operating room of the hospital. Aside from benefiting Dabawenyos it is also dispatched to different localities in the country to render assistance, a 911 team was dispatched to Tacloban City in 2013 in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan. The advent of the 911 system has empowered citizens in Davao City to be vigilant and to trust the system by calling the 911 in any type of emergency. With its quick response it prevents or minimize the situation lessening loss to lives and properties. The GPS enabled mobile patrol units is integrated to the 911 allowing the efficient deployment of policeman to respond to distress calls or calls of concern. Apart from calls, the PSCC has a network of 170 CCCTV cameras to monitor safety, disaster, traffic and crime. This is part of the IBM-powered Intelligence Operations Center that

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aims to improve the response capability of the city. In one incident, a motorcycle riding snatcher was pursued by policemen in a major thoroughfare, thinking he outsmarted the cops, the snatcher rode away not knowing that the CCTVs have been watching him and had anticipated his intended route, the snatcher came smack into the police blocking force. The City Government of Davao is not resting on its laurels, under the leadership of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The center is always in the flux of upgrade in the form of facilities, people, vehicles and equipment. For example, satellite offices have been created in Toril, Panacan, Calinan to help cover far-flung locations. Last year developer Alsons Development and Investment Corporation donated a 2,200 square meter property and constructed the satellite office of 911 in their Northtown development in Cabantian, Buhangin which will provide 911 services to the northern part of the city. With sustained investments and improvement, the city government leaves no stone unturned in keeping a safe and peaceful city for its constituents. (RG Alama with photos by H. Tacio)

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Time to ‘walk the talk’ on climate pact – CCC chiefMANILA - Following the signing of the historic Paris deal on climate change on Friday, Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said it is now time for the signatories to “walk the talk” and work toward the goals of the agreement. “We cannot afford any more delays in carrying out concerted action to combat climate change and its impacts,” he said in a statement after 175 countries signed the agreement. “The 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature cap is not simply a number or goal. It is a matter of survival for billions of people; it is a matter of survival for highly vulnerable nations like the Philippines,” he added. The climate deal was the first

legally binding global agreement on climate change. The signing paved way for the country-signatories to ratify the deal in their respective countries and integrate environment and climate change programs in their specific national development policies in order to deliver commitments. “To limit global temperature rise to stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial to reducing disaster risk

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and achieving our sustainable development goals,” he said. “Our country will face greater difficulty to address poverty incidence, hunger and food security, health issues, security issues, among many other societal and economic concerns, if we go business as usual about dealing with climate change. Everyone must participate and work together because all of us are in danger, all of us will be affected,” he added. De Guzman and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje led the Philippine delegation to the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York. De Guzman earlier urged Filipinos to help the government in its efforts to deal with climate change and its impact. “Climate change affects people, natural resources, livelihood and lives. We are all part of the ecosystem. Everything and everybody in its path is affected. Ecosystems, infrastructure, economies and cities are all in danger,” he said. The CCC earlier rolled out the Communities for Resilience initiative, which involves partnerships with grassroots communities within the 18 major river basins in the country. Through the project, the CCC said it intends to promote deeper understanding of climate and disaster risk especially in communities identified to be more vulnerable to disasters caused by climate change. It also seeks to strengthen the technical knowledge and capacity of local government units in developing the Local Climate Change Action Plan through a series of convergence consultations and training. (CCC)

GSIS allots Php539M in emergency loan for 3 VisMin areasMANILA - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) allotted Php539 million in emergency loan to active members and old-age pensioners in the El Niño-affected General Santos City in South Cotabato and the provinces of Guimaras and Sarangani. The loan is open to 17,235 active members who are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas, are not on leave of absence without pay, have updated premium contributions, and have no unpaid loan amortization in the last six months. The 2,052 old-age pensioners in the said areas may also apply for the loan. Active members borrowing for the first time may apply for a Php20,000 loan. Those with an existing emergency loan may borrow up to Php40,000, from which the outstanding balance will be deducted. The loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments with an interest rate of six percent per annum computed in advance. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise, provided the loan repayment is up to date. Active members may apply through any GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; 27 Robinsons Malls; and SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and SM Aura in Taguig. Old-age pensioners must file their loan application over the counter. If they are also active GSIS members (when they reentered government service), they may avail of this emergency loan only once. The deadline of application for the loan is May 4, 2016 in Guimaras, May 5 in General Santos City, and May 7 in Sarangani. Loan proceeds are electronically credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card. For inquiries, qualified borrowers may email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747. (GSIS)

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PH hits all time high average 6.2% GDPDavao del Norte - The Philippines reached 6.2% average in Gross Domestic Product for the span of six years.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo bared recently during the Negosyo Konsyumer at Iba Pa in SMX Convention Center, Davao City that growth rate for 2010-2015 is the highest that the Philippine economy has attained for over four decades. USec Rodolfo also emphasized that the structure of growth has changed. “If in the past, the growth of the economy has been driven more by OFW’s (Overseas Filipino Workers) remittances and consumer spending; right now we can see surging in BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry and investments in the manufacturing sector,”Rodolfo said. He cited that the average investment in manufacturing has

increased from 2.4% on 2005-2009 to 8% on 2010-2014. Rodolfo added that the gross fixed capital formation has also improved from 0.4% on 2005-2009, which was considered the lowest in the ASEAN, to 12.7% on 2010-2014. He also highlighted that the foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown from $1-billion in 2010 to an average of $6-billion for the past two years. “Malaki pa rin ho ang kailangan natin habulin kompara sa mga nakukuha ng ating mga kapitbahay, kamukha ng Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand at Singapore. Pero tumaas na rin ho ng di hamak ang ating investments dito sa Pilipinas.” (PIA11, Michael Uy)

Department of Trade and Industry

Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo

emphasized the growth of the

Philippine economy in the present

administration during the opening

program of the Negosyo Konsyumer

at Iba Pa at SMX Convention Center,

Davao City.

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PH hits all time high average 6.2% GDP

LGU-Tacurong gets assessed for Seal of Good Local GovernanceTACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat - The City of Tacurong has undergone evaluation for the 2016 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). Held last April 20-21, the assessment was carried out by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12’s regional assessment team composed of Engr. Ester Valdez, team leader; Maria Alma Engcong, regional focal person, and Carlito Uy, president of the South Cotabato Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Accompanied by the different heads of offices, the assessment team visited the different areas and offices of LGU-Tacurong that are involved in the criteria being validated. They inspected three full disclosure policy compliance boards located in conspicuous areas in the

city, namely, the public terminal, SP building, and the lobby area of the Tacurong city hall. Also, they visited the sanitary landfill and materials recycling facility of the city in Brgy. Upper Katungal and the early warning system of Kapingkong river located in Brgy. Rajah Muda. At the city hall, the team assessed the express lanes for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women and the hand-rails and grab bars at the entrance, exit, and restrooms of the city hall building. Once qualified, the entry of LGU-Tacurong will be submitted to the national level where winners will

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DOLE 114th Labor Day Job Fair posts 6,000 vacanciesBy Mildred E. Dablio

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 10 has announced that some 6,481 jobs were made available during 114th Labor Day Job Fair on 1 May at SM Event Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

be selected, indorsed, and approved by the secretary of the DILG. Final selection will be in August 2016 and announcement of winners will be in September 2016. Also known as Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal, the SGLG award and incentive program aims to encourage and challenge all the provinces, cities, and municipalities in the country to achieve excellence in their performance and service delivery across core areas of financial administration, disaster preparedness, and social protection; and, any one of the essential areas, namely, business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order, and environmental management. “This award is for all of us, so, give your effort and talent, not only to your respective offices, but also to others because this recognition will be for the city and for the region,” encouraged City Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the exit briefing of the 2-day assessment. (YRobles-LGU-Tacurong Information/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Of the confirmed job vacancies solicited, Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante said that around 3,773 were available for local employment from 64 participating private companies and government agencies. Meanwhile, the DOLE-10 said around 2,708 job vacancies were available for overseas employment from 10 recruitment agencies, as processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Top job vacancies include Customer Service Representatives (700 vacant positions); Factory Workers (600); Welder (200); and Business Transcriber (80). The rest of the occupations are Service Crew (50); Bus Conductor (50); Tour Attendant (50); Bus Driver (50); Collection Officer (40); and Accounting Assistant (40). Most of the overseas manpower services job posts are in the Middle East countries and Malaysia. DOLE was joined by members of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) comprising the DOLE attached agencies--Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), National

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DOLE 114th Labor Day Job Fair posts 6,000 vacancies

Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RWTPB), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and POEA bringing their services in the One-Stop-Shop Desks provided during the Job Fair. Together with the DOLE Provincial Field Offices, the different provincial, city, and municipal local government units, through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), various Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils (TIPCs), and other allied-partner agencies also simultaneously celebrated the event in the respective provinces of the region. Participating jobseekers have availed themselves of various pre-employment services such as issuance of birth certificates, clearances, and PhilHealth Cards from the DOLE’s partner agencies--Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Director Agravante, said the jobseekers should be prepared when they participate in the job fair. “I told our jobseekers to participate in the Job Fair and ready themselves with their proper business attire, bring multiple copies of resumes, school credentials, certificates of employment, clearances, photos, passport (for overseas applicants), and other pertinent pre-employment documents needed by employers,” Agravante said. To expedite registration, applicants were advised to prepare ahead of time the National Skills Registration Program Form, downloadable thru the DOLE-X website (http://ro10.dole.gov.ph) Downloadable Forms button or thru the link, http://ro10.dole.gov.ph/fndr/mis/files/NSRS%20Form%201%20-%20Registration%20Form.pdf. Please present duly filled-up forms to Registration in SM City. This year’s month-long Labor Day celebration in the region was anchored on the theme, “Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng Trabaho.”

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Over 400 young people receive summer job in Tacurong City TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat - Some 435 students and fresh graduates have gotten short-term jobs from the city government of Tacurong and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12. Of this number 390 are beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). So far, this is the largest number of SPES grantees by the city LGU. Also, this summer, the city LGU has employed 45 fresh graduates under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers-Government Internship

Program (TUPAD-GIP). These job recipients were oriented on April 19 at the Tacurong City Sports and Cultural Center, prior to their deployment to their respective assigned offices. At the said event, Mayor Lina Montilla presented the beneficiaries to DOLE 12 OIC Director Albert Gutib. Montilla and Gutib also signed a memorandum of agreement for the

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Over 400 young people receive summer job in Tacurong City

1,00O Zambo. Norte studes to benefit SPES DIPOLOG CITY - A total of 1,000 students in Zamboanga del Norte are set to benefit this year’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Ms.Megajane S. Ligutom said 684 of the SPES beneficiaries are coming from the municipalities of the first and second congressional districts and the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, while the other 316 are coming from the third congressional districts. The first and second batches of SPES beneficiaries underwent an orientation at Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center here in the city last April 28 and 29, respectively. The SPES beneficiaries will start reporting for work today, May 2. SPES is a joint undertaking of the DOLE, Department of Education (DepEd) Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Finance (DOF). The programs aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their studies by providing employment during summer, Christmas vacation and/or year-round. Under the program, the concerned establishment or LGU shoulders 60 percent of student’s salary while the DOLE will take charge of the remaining 40 percent. This year, Zamboanga Peninsula region’s SPES allocation is P45,661,000, with Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte getting P12,785,080 each; Zamboanga City P10,958,620; Zamboanga Sibugay, P7,762, 370, and Isabela City P1,639,830.

By Alfonso T. Ruda

implementation of TUPAD-GIP in Tacurong. In her message to the grantees Mayor Montilla urged the young people to grab the opportunity to experience working for the government and serve the constituents. Out of the 390 SPES grantees, 150 are funded by Bottom-Up Budgeting while 240 are funded by DOLE and LGU-Tacurong. Each grantee will receive Php6,000 as salary for the duration of their summer employment. The grantees are assigned to

different offices of the local government of Tacurong City and its barangays. Some grantees work at the different national line agencies in the city such as the National Food Authority, DILG, and Commission on Audit. Others were accepted to the business establishments such as Tacurong Fit Mart, Kimsan Plaza, and Swana Mercantile. (YRobles-LGU-Tacurong Information/DEDoguiles-PIA12)

Receiving P1 million project grant as hall of famer of the outstanding rice producing municipality is Lala, Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte received consolation prize amounting to P500, 000 each as outstanding rice producing provinces. Proponents shall submit their project proposal to the DA Central Office as requirement for the release of their respective awards. On the other hand, there were 17 AEWs and 1 LFT recognized and awarded with cash prize amounting to P20,000 each. The awardees include Remedios Sarzuelo, Rachelle Organiza, Florencia Mutia, Anita Macabugto,

Deofel Omagap, Aida Cambel, Generosa Saraos, Pinky Napiñas, Kristina Soria, Josie Rulida, and Ma. Lilith Turan from Bukidnon; Elizabeth Talam, Melissa Sinconigue, Virginia Namocatcat, and Agnes Gracia Sue Butalid from Misamis Occidental; and Juanita Saporno and Pura Abadies of Lanao del Norte while Julieta Ebio of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon was awarded as outstanding LFT. The 2015 APRAA awardees were chosen based on their contribution to the increase in rice yield per hectare by encouraging rice farmers to use high yielding rice varieties and modern technologies that honed them to be climate-change resilient; number of

DA lauds movers in NorMin rice sectorBy Mary Grace B. Sta. Elena

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Now on its fifth year, the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Award (APRAA) is bestowed to the country’s top rice producing provinces, cities/municipalities, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and Local Farmer Technicians (LFTs), outstanding Irrigators Associations (IAs) and Small Water Impounding System Associations (SWISAs) for their exemplary contribution in attaining the agency’s twin goal of food security and sustainability.

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DA lauds movers in NorMin rice sector

PhilRice Midsayap feted best station in PHL MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato - PhilRice-Midsayap is the best station of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in 2015. A report on the PhilRice website that the declaration was based on the annual internal competition of PhilRice’s seven branch stations on the country. PhilRice Midsayap, a 94-hectare station in Bual Norte, Midsayap town was specifically citted for its very informative farmers’ field day and forum in September 2015 which gathered over 700 farmers from southwestern Mindanao and the good governance of its Acting Branch Director Dr. Sailila E. Abdula. PhilRice- Agusan and PhilRice-Batac won 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Abdula attributed the achievement to the capacity-building efforts of the station’s 112 personnel who manage the station’s research and development initiatives. Meanwhile, Dr. Eduardo Jimmy Quilang, deputy executive director for research and project leader of the contest, said, “the Best Station Award shows our culture of continuous improvement that reflects innovation, invention and discovery.” Quilang also noted that the award is a means to demonstrate PhilRice’s initiatives to promote integration,

intensification, and diversification in rice and rice-based farming systems to help increase farmers’ income. The stations’ performance in R&D comprised 60 percent of the criteria, mainly on their adoption and promotion of the Intensified Rice-Based AgriBioSystems (IRBAS) Program that seeks to increase farm productivity and address food security. Organization and management comprised the remaining 40 percent. Abdula emphasized that PhilRice-Midsayap is focused on partnerships and infrastructure development. “As a research institution, we want to develop and give direction to a biotechnology center for Mindanao,” she said. This year, PhilRice-Midsayap is expected to complete construction of a molecular laboratory. Prior to this recognition, the local government of Midsayap recognized PhilRice-Midsayap for its contributions to the development of the farming communities in the area. DA has feted Midsayap as among the top rice-producing municipalities in the country. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

farmers assisted; budget devoted to rice projects, among other initiatives. The honoree received their award at the Resorts World, Pasay

City on April 20, 2016 with Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Undersecretary Edilberto M. de Luna, gracing the event.

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Yusop Jimlani, head of the City’s Drainage and Demolition Unit (DMDU) said that night markets are being planned in Toril, Agdao, Ilustre Extension and Sta. Ana Avenue. Jimlani said probable sites would be in Toril and Agdao since these places are already crowded with vendors. The night market in Toril would be located near the market and Agdao would be in Lapu-Lapu Street. He added that the plan would have to wait as Jimlani said he will be retiring this June, the new head would be given the plan to implement the nigh markets. Apart from additional night markets, Jimlani is planning improvements at the present site at the Roxas Avenue. These include decorative lighting, uniform signages, beautification and nightly band performances. Meanwhile collections from rentals in night market stalls breached the P1-million mark in

the month of January to February 2016. Jimlani said he is confident last year’s revenues of P5.5-million will be surpassed this year. Vendors pay P25 per night to rent out a 1.5 meter by 1.5 meter space. P15 goes to payment to electricity while P10 goes to the space. Jimlani said that strict collection of stall rentals is one of the reason for the improving collections. He said they have demolish 10 stalls in the night market due to non-payment of revenues. Currently there are 690 vendors in the night market. Vendors selling accessories number 180, food vendors about 160, ukay-ukay vendors number about 350. From a desolate street during night time, the Roxas Avenue night market established via a City Council ordinance in 2013 has become an evening destination for locals and tourists alike.

New night markets in Davao City eyedDAVAO CITY - The City Government is eyeing to expand its night market in different places across Davao City.

By RG Alama

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CHED offers K-12 Transition Program, aids academeCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers K to 12 Transition Program to faculty and staff who will be deloaded because of the new curriculum in basic education as presented during the orientation on the Implementation/Availment of Instruction, Research and Sectoral Engagement (IRSE) on April 27, here. CHED designed development packages with the perception of not only restraining the detrimental effects of the transition but also in upgrading higher education in the Philippines. Since the new curriculum will highly affect the higher education sector as senior high school is rolled out across the country this 2016, the low enrollment in college and universities until the year 2021 is already foreseen. CHED, for its part, created development packages to aid the academe and the deloaded faculty and staff through providing them opportunities, hence, improve their skills. Among these packages is the IRSE Grants that aim to improve the faculty’s skills by engaging them in work outside the classroom. IRSE is composed of three components that include the Instruction Grants, which allow faculty to receive retraining and updating of teaching strategies in view of the current context; Research Grants where faculty

can receive research training, to do research, and engage in creative work, and Sectoral Engagement Grants that focus on complementing knowledge with practice and application in partnership with sectors such as government, industry and civil society. The development grants aim to provide support to retained full-time personnel, including 27,000 faculty, 12,000 staff, and 4,000 HEI Faculty transferring to Senior High School in the country. “We already oriented the Higher Education Institutions about the IRSE, mostly on research but of course, they were also informed about sectoral engagements,” says Dr. Zenaida Gersana, CHED Region 10 Director. Moreover, Kevin Ross Nera, CHED Senior Government Engagements officer, expressed that “given the availability of faculty members, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the expertise, skills and competencies of people in the academe through IRSE Grants.”

By Marwellen Agcopra

New night markets in Davao City eyed

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DavOr adjudged anew Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever AwardeePROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL - For its sustainable increase in rice production, the Province of Davao Oriental has been adjudged anew as one of the top five provinces in the country named asAgri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Awardee (APRAA) by the Department of Agriculture.

By RG Alama

Davao Oriental - In order to efficiently implement sustainable set of measures to ensure that filariasis and malaria will continually be eliminated as a public health problem here in the province, the DOH has turned over to the Provincial Government a total of P 2 million cash grant for filariasis and malaria control which will further boost the province’s disease-control programs. (PIO)

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DavOr adjudged anew Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Awardee

The awarding ceremonies was held in Manila on April 20, 2016 where Davao Oriental received recognition along with other provinces with outstanding performance in rice production for the year 2015. Department Head of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI) Rotchie Ravelo, who received the award in behalf of Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, said this is yet another feat for the province after successfully winning the same recognition last year. “Despite being hit by two major calamities -- the Super typhoon Pablo in 2012 and Low Pressure Area ‘Agaton’ in 2014 -- Davao Oriental’s rice production has steadily increased,” he said. Based on the Provincial Rice Production Performance Data, Davao Oriental’s average yield rose from 4.47 MT per hectare in 2014 to4.58 MT per hectare in 2015, which exceeds the national average of only 4.08 MT per hectare. This increase has also boosted Davao Oriental’s rice sufficiency level to 84 percent this year from 67 percent in the previous year. In addition, the completed Cateel Irrigation Project is expected to boost the province’s rice production as it is set to irrigate additional 2,200 hectares of rice fields. Ravelo said that this significant improvement is attributed to the

Provincial Government’s flagship program on agriculture, particularly the Pagkain at Kita and Agri-Business Development Program and Food Intensification Program which has largely helped in addressing the province’s food security. “Gov. Malanyaon, who strongly pushes for programs on food sufficiency, has intensified the province’s rice programs which has not only ensured sustainable rice production but also helped in generating productive employment for the poor,” said Ravelo. To date, Davao Oriental is rated as the biggest producer of hybrid rice seeds in the Philippines and one of the top producers of good quality rice in different varieties which includes the widely promoted “Banaybanay Rice” commonly known as 7-Tonner. Ravelo said that the Provincial Government through its Provincial Agriculture Office assures to continue its goal to achieve a hundred percent food sufficiency level through the continuous implementation of intensified programs on agriculture. Meanwhile, other provinces that received the APRAA award include Davao del Norte, Occidental Mindoro, Nueva Viscaya and Ilocos Norte. (KLD/PIO)

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Zambo. Norte police vow to stay nonpartisanBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – As the May 9, 2016 national and local elections are drawing near, the members of the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (ZNPPO) have vowed to stay apolitical and to help make the balloting honest, peaceful and credible. P/SSupt. Edwin Buenaventura Wagan, ZNPPO acting provincial director, led the police officers in signing the Oath of Non-Partisanship on Monday after the flag raising

ceremony at Camp Hamac, Sicayab this city. Members of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and the Special

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Zambo. Norte police vow to stay nonpartisan

Action Force (SAF) also joined the said event. In an interview with the local press, Wagan emphasized that all PNP members should not engage in any partisan political activity. Instead, they must render a 24/7 duty in their respective areas to ensure the success of the May 9, 2016 political exercises. In a related development, the

Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Zamboanga del Nortte has disclosed that its preparations for the national and local elections are going on and that the final testing and sealing of vote-counting machines (VCM) will be held on May 5 in all polling centers. The registered voters of Zamboanga del Norte including those of the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan account for 605,151.

DOH to deploy nurses in voting centers on May 9 pollsPAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) will deploy 150 registered nurses to man health stations in voting centers in Zamboanga del Sur on the My 9, 2016 balloting to look after the voters. In an orientation given to the nurses on Friday at Guillermo Hotel here, Maxel Bermas, cluster head of the Department of Health (DOH) - Health Emergency Management Staff, said Chairman Andres Bautista of the Comission on Election (Comelec) and

Health Secretary Janette Garin had signed a memorandum of understanding last March 7 for the DOH to provide free first aid, essential medicines and access to emergency medical help for the voters, election workers and volunteers on May 9.

By Gideon C. Corgue

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Comelec official to voters: Come to the polling precincts earlyKORONADAL CITY, South Cobato - “On May 9, if possible come to the polling precincts early,” Atty. Kendatu Laguialam, provincial elections supervisor appeals to the voters in South Cotabato. This way, he added, voters can avoid the congestion in the voting area which usually happens in the final hours of the election day. Voters are also advised to write down on paper the names of the candidates who they will be voting for instead of encoding these on their mobile phone because the use of smartphones and similar devices are prohibited inside polling places. Voting precincts will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.. “Those who will be in the queue 30 meters from the polling precincts at 5:00 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their votes,” Laguialam explained. Including General Santos City, South Cotabato has over 724,000 registered voters. (DEDoguiles-PIA12)

The agreement provides that the health stations be put up in voting centers with high density populations and with the biggest number of persons with disability (PWD) and senior citizen voters. Bermas said the registered nurses would be manning about 32 health stations in Zamboanga del Sur, and each health station will have five health workers. “They (nurses) will be stationed in the different schools selected by the Comelec and establish a health booth where they will provide free first aid, medicines, and access to emergency medical services,” Bermas explained. Accordingly, the health workers will be paid P400 each for their service on May 9. “This is the first time in the history of our elections that we will be deploying health workers on election day” the HEMS cluster head said. Dr. Agnes Fernando, DOH-Zamboanga del Sur head, said “the DOH is giving opportunity to the NDP recipients to help the government by offering their services on election day.” “We asked you to help the government not as ‘campaigners’ but as first aiders,” Fernando urged. Meanwhile, Atty. Ellis Miguel, provincial election supervisor, said the nurses play a vital role in the upcoming elections, as they will be attending to voters who will experience dizziness, high blood pressure, fever, fatigue and other ailments at the polling precincts. He also urged the nurses to exercise their duties and responsibilities faithfully and impartially.

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South Cotabato hospital declares Code White Alert for May 9 pollsKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - The South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH)is placed under Code White Alert in line with the May 9 elections.

By Marwellen Agcopra

Dr. Condrado Brana, SCPH chief, said this means that all hospital personnel are on standby for any emergency while the alert status is in place. “This means that all hospital should keep their communication lines open at all times so that they could be contacted and could immediately respond to any eventually in relation to the conduct the national and local elections,” Brana said. Code White Alert, according to the Department of Health (DOH), “refers to the readiness of hospital manpower

like general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, opthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists, to respond to any emergency situation. “Also during Code White Alert, emergency service, nursing and administrative personnel residing at the hospital dormitory shall be placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization.” SCPH’s Code White Alert, Dr. Brana noted, will be extended 1 week after the May 9 polls. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

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CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Various government agencies gathered for the final regional coordinating conference on April 29 to ensure a secure and fair 2016 national and local elections in northern Mindanao. The activity emphasized the evaluation on the preparations of government security forces in ensuring a secure and fair 2016 National and Local Elections (NLE). During the conference, the operations officers of different agencies presented the security updates of their respective concerns, as well as the actions they have undertaken in implementing Commission on Elections (COMELE) rules and regulations for 2016 NLE.

To cap the activity, a joint COMELEC-PNP-AFP strategic plan was signed by the different regional heads to conduct clean, credible, free, honest, orderly and peaceful elections come May 9, 2016 in Region 10. Presided by the COMELEC, the activity was participated by the 4th Infantry Division, Police Regional Office (PRO 10), Department of Education, and Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). (PRO10)

Govt assures secure, fair elections

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - To ensure a clean and safe election, the Philippine National Grid Corporation (NGCP) is prepping up measures to prevent shortage of power during the May 2016 polls.

NGCP readies contingency plan for election by Gerson R. Nob

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Govt assures secure, fair elections

NGCP Head for the Regional Communications Division Nelson S. Bautista presented the contingency plan to the media, together with other key agency partners on 28 April 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City.Bautista said the Mindanao’s current -13MW gross reserve (the difference between the available capacity and the actual demand) can be bridged, especially on the height of the elections, by tapping the embedded power plants which are expected to contribute to about 216 MW.NGCP will also harness the cooperation

of the establishments with relatively large stand-by generators in their buildings or plants to use it during the polls, to be able to augment the generation capacity in the grid through the Interruptible Load Program (ILP).Repair and preventive maintenance of the existing plants were also initiated while Mindanao is waiting for additional capacities this year, such as committed projects in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental in June 2016 and the San Miguel Power Corporation coal fire plant in Malaybalay in July 2016.

NGCP readies contingency plan for election

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines conducts a contingency briefing on preparations for the May 2016 Elections in Cagayan de Oro city, attended by key government agencies and the media on April 27.

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte - Soldiers from the 15th Infantry Battalion have exercised their rights of suffrage thru local absentee voting at the headquarters based in Barangay Bagumbayan, Kauswagan town, Lanao del Norte from April 26-29, 2016.

LtCol Leomar Jose Doctolero, 15th IB commander, said some 300 soldiers including those from the far-flung detachments were able to cast their votes. Doctolero said, we voted for candidates at the national level only, and we can assure the political candidates in the province of Lanao del Norte that we are apolitical come election day, thus, maintaining our

non-partisan stance specially at the local level. Further, we have our mandate which is to help ensure a credible and peaceful elections on May 9, 2016, said Doctolero. “We wish all the candidates the best of luck, let the voice of the people of Lanao del Norte be heard,” said Doctolero.

15th IB soldiers cast thru absentee votingBy Lorry V. Gabule

15th IB soldiers cast thru absentee voting