regional development updates | 2nd qtr issue 2014

RDC XII Conducts 46th Regular Meeting Amidst Cotabato Empire’s Centennial Celebration

The Official Publication of Regional Development Council XII Volume 12, Issue No. 2: April - June 2014

Editor-in-ChiefRD ARTURO G. VALERO

Associate EditorARD NOEL E. QUIRATMAN

Contributing Editors JULIE ESPERANZA B. CHUNG

PHLORITA A. RIDAOMARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO

ROSA D. LEMANAMA. LULU E. VALENCIA

RDU Focal PersonsHELEN L. VESTAL

LALAINE M. SAJELANEDEN F. RIDAO

LIBERTY B. ARUMPACAPOLLO Y. MANLAWE

Photographers APOLLO Y. MANLAWE

ROMEO A. SALAC

Layout Artist APOLLO Y. MANLAWE

ContributorsPIA XII

DOLE XIILocal Government of Cotabato City

EDITORIAL BOARD

The Regional Development Updates (RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII with editorial office at the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office XII, 2nd and 3rd Floors, RML Building, Jose Abad Santos Street, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, with Telephone No.: (083) 520-0009, Fax: (083) 520-0007. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit the manuscript for reasons of space and clarity. RDU assumes no responsibility on the unpublished and unsolicited materials.

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Do you have questions, comments or suggestions? Send your letters with complete name and address to our editorial office mentioned above, or email us at [email protected] or [email protected].

The Official Publication of the Regional Development Council XII

Contents


DPWH XII is best performing public works and highways office in the PH

RPMC XII Recommends Solution to GSC Circumferential Road Issues

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RPMC XII Monitors Projects Implemented Based on the GPB Approach

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SOCCSKSARGEN is 2nd top corn producer in the Philippines8

DOLE South Cotabato Kalayaan Job Fair records 22.70% HOTS9

SOCCSKSARGEN Records Sterling Economic Performance, GRDP growth 8.4%

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About the CoverOn our cover is the 46th Regional Development Council Meeting held at the Provincial Capitol, Kidapawan City on June 25, 2014. The meeting was hosted by the Provincial Government of Cotabato led by Governor Emmylou “Lala“ Taliño-Mendoza. Thereafter, the Centennial Celebration followed with singer/composer Maan Millan and Miss Universe Philippines 2014-Mary Jean Lastimosa in attendance.

2 Inventions from SOCCSKSARGEN Qualify in National Tilt

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Vol. 12, Issue No. 2: April-June 2014

2 | Regional Development Updates | April-June 2014

55th Araw ng Cotabato ends with a Grand Celebration12

RDC XII Conducts 46th Regular Meeting Amidst Cotabato Empire’s Centennial Celebrationby Apollo Y. Manlawe, DRD/NEDA XII

The Regional Development Council (RDC) XII held its 46th Regular Meeting on

25 June 2014 at the Provincial Capitol, Amas, Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province, with Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza as host.

In her welcome remarks, Gov. Mendoza thanked the Council members for attending the meeting in her province which is leading the celebration of Cotabato Empire’s 100 years. The empire encompasses the area now subdivided into the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani, and the cities of Cotabato and Gen. Santos.

An orientation on the salient features and the significant milestones of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was given by Atty. Armi Beatriz Bayot, member of the Legal Team of Government of the

RDC XII . . . page 4

Philippines (GPH) Negotiating Panel, during the early part of the meeting. This was followed by a briefing of the Development Academy of the Philippines on its Public Management Development Program (PMDP), an intensive program that provides comprehensive and multi-modal learning opportunities for public managers to foster careers in government and promote stability in the bureaucracy by producing a corps of public managers that embody competence, integrity and commitment. The development thrusts and directions of Cotabato Province were likewise presented.

RDC XII passed a total of 26 resolutions which included the endorsement of support to the 23rd Mindanao Business Conference on September 1-3, 2014 in Gen. Santos City and the conduct of the Region XII Summit on Governance in the 3rd week of September, in time for the RDC Week celebration.

The Council also endorsed the DRR/CCA-enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) of Cotabato Province to the Board of Commissioners of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) for ratification, the first in the region to reach that level. The body also recommended

In picture (L-R): Congressperson Jose I. Tejada of Cotabato Province 3rd District, RDC XII Acting Chairperson Arturo G. Valero of NEDA XII and Governor Emmylou J. Taliño-Mendoza during the 46th RDC XII Meeting on June 25, 2014 at the Cotabato Provincial Capitol, Kidapawan City.

Regional Development Updates | April-June 2014 | 3

Atty. Armi Beatriz Bayot, member of the Legal Team of Government of the Philippines (GPH) Negotiating Panel received the Plaque of Appreciation from RDC XII Acting Chairperson Arturo G. Valero, witnessed by Congressperson Tejada.

RDC XII Acting Chairperson and NEDA XII Regional Director Arturo G. Valero and Cotabato Province Governor Emmylou J. Talino-Mendoza awarded the Plaque of Recognition to DPWH XII Regional Director Reynaldo Tamayo for its exemplary performance as the Best Performing DPWH Regional Office in the Country for the Construction of Region-Implemented Projects.

RDC XII . . . from page 3

the proposed Integrated Economic Development for Regional Trade project of Gen. Santos City for funding.

The rest of the resolutions passed by the Council were endorsements/approval of actions recommended by its sectoral and affiliate committees on various development issues/concerns, particularly those that pertain to macroeconomy, finance, development administration, infrastructure and utilities development, social/economic development, land use, and project monitoring and evaluation.

Aside from taking action on important development issues and concerns, the Council also awarded a plaque of recognition to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII for its exemplary performance as the best performing DPWH Regional Office in the country for the construction of region-implemented road projects for the months of March, April and May 2014.

NEDA XII Regional Director Arturo G. Valero, acting RDC XII Chairperson, presided over the meeting, which was also graced by Hon. Jose Tejada, Congressperson for the 3rd district of Cotabato Province.

After the meeting, Council members were invited by Gov. Mendoza to the Governor’s Night, an important event that ushered in the Cotabato Empire Centennial celebration. The activity, which was attended by at least a thousand guests in Filipiniana attire, was a dance and music showcase of the history and rich culture and tradition of various tribes of the erstwhile Cotabato Empire. Ms. Mary Jane Lastimosa, the reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas-Universe, who hails from Tulunan, Cotabato Province graced the occasion.


The Department of Public Works and Highways in SOCCSKSARGEN

Region (DPWH XII) remains the country’s best performing regional unit of the agency.

Engr. Reynaldo Tamayo, Regional Director of DPWH XII, announced during a recent meeting of district engineers and key officials of Region XII at the Conference Hall of the Sarangani District Engineering Office that the region has maintained its achievement as the leading project implementer in the country.

Citing a report from DPWH Central Office, RD Tamayo said that as of May 31, 2014 the region has completed 16.04% of the total number of projects of the Calendar Year (CY) 2014. Its completion rate of the CY 2014 Infrastructure Program has already reached 85.84%.

These ratings, he noted, has placed DPWH 12 at the topmost position in terms of accomplishments, besting 15 DPWH regional offices.

DPWH XII is best performing public works and highways office in the PHby Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

He added that the region’s ranking as number 1 implementer in the first quarter of this year was also announced during a recent meeting of the DPWH regional directors in Iloilo City.

In the first semester of 2013, DPWH was at number 15 in the accomplishment rating but was named best performer by year end.

“Extend my congratulations to everyone in your respective offices especially those who are in the frontline of every undertaking,” he told officials of DPWH XII during that meeting in Sarangani.

“Working together as a team has resulted to a remarkable leap in our accomplishment. I am very happy that we were able to work together for success. If there is somebody who will do good for our region, it should be us because this is our home,” he added.

He also expressed optimism that the DPWH XII will be able to maintain its place not only in the competition but also in leading

SOCCSKSARGEN Region XII towards economic success and social justice through infrastructure development.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region or Region XII straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Tamayo said he is very confident that the program to pave the national primary roads will be completed in the second quarter of this year.

He added that DPWH XII

will also be able to complete secondary roads in 2016 as scheduled because the region’s current accomplishment has reached 65%.

“We should be expecting

more roads to pave because a lot of proposed road openings and tourism roads were already approved and scheduled for completion before President Aquino’s administration ends in 2016,” he said.


The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XII, chaired by

RD Arturo G. Valero of NEDA XII, recently convened to resolve problems that have delayed the implementation of critical road and bridge projects in Gen. Santos City (GSC), particularly those that are along the city’s Circumferential Road project.

RPMC XII recommended for City Government of Gen. Santos and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII to jointly address the road right-of-way (RROW) problems of the concreting of the northern section of the GSC Circumferential Road project, the construction

RPMC XII Recommends Solution to GSC Circumferential Road Issues

The newly constructed houses at the river bank of Silway River are directly within the centerline of the proposed Silway Bridge II.

by Apollo Y. Manlawe, DRD/NEDA XII

The Lower Apopong Bridge II Along GSC Circumferential Road (Northern Section).


of Silway Bridge Phase I, and the construction of the Lower Apopong Bridge II.

The Committee also suggested to the City Government of Gen. Santos to cover the said projects in the regular monitoring of the city’s project monitoring committee and to furnish RPMC XII a copy of its monitoring findings and recommendations. It also urged DPWH to closely monitor the project contractor’s work, particularly in ensuring the provision of adequate manpower and equipment in the project site.

In response, GSC Planning and Development Coordinator Nael Joseph D. Cruspero informed the Committee that the city has created a team to assist the DPWH in resolving these problems.

The recommended actions of RPMC XII were based on the findings and recommendations of its composite field monitoring team. The team noted that the upgrading of the northern section of the GSC Circumferential Road from gravel to concrete surface was not completed on October

13, 2013 as scheduled because of compensation issues with the owners of properties that are affected by the project. Adding to the long delay in its completion was the failure of the project contractor to provide adequate manpower and equipment. The project had an overall physical accomplishment of 91% but with negative slippage of 9% as of May 15, 2014.

The team also found out that Silway Bridge project was still unfinished on its target date of completion on March 14, 2014 due to RROW problems. As of May 15, 2014 or about two (2) months later, the project had an overall accomplishment of 94% but with a negative slippage of 6%. The Lower Apopong Bridge II, particularly at the bridge project’s Approach A,was also delayed due to RROW problems. The project was 83.5% complete as of May 15, 2014, but the project contractor had incurred negative slippage of 16.50%. This bridge project is considered highly critical to the completion and opening of the northern section of the GSC Circumferential Road.

The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XII monitored 33 projects which

were identified based on the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) Approach in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Sarangani and South Cotabato, and in the cities of Tacurong, Cotabato, General Santos and Koronadal in April and May 2014.

The monitoring team visited the organic trading posts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) XII; tourism development projects of the Department of Toursim (DOT) XII; projects under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH) XII; and road, bridge and school building projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII and its concerned District Engineering Offices.

One of the observations of the team was the absence of activities in the constructed organic trading posts in the municipalities of Midsayap and Tulunan in Cotabato Province and in Tacurong City. Despite the completion of the buildings in the trading posts, it was found out that there were problems related to the organization and capacity building of farmers and other beneficiaries that hampered the operationalization and sustainability of these projects.

The completed Organic Trading Posts of the Department of Agriculture XII. In picture (L-R): The Php1.5 Million Organic Trading Post in Barangay Poblacion, Tulunan and the Php1 Million Trading Post of Poblacion 5, Midsayap, Cotabato.

RPMC XII Monitors Projects Implemented Based on the GPB Approachby Apollo Y. Manlawe, DRD/NEDA XII

Mayor Lani Candolaba raised her concerns on the GPB Project of Tulunan, Cotabato Province during the RPMC XII Meeting on June 19, 2014 in Koronadal City.

RPMC XII recommended that DA XII fast-track the release of the remaining funds for the trading posts and closely monitor the implementation of the project. In particular, the Committee directed the agency to assist the concerned LGUs in the organization and capacity building of the farmer beneficiaries to ensure the operationalization and sustainability of the projects.

RPMC XII also recommended that for the Tacurong City trading post, DA XII review the guidelines for the establishment of the project and explore the possibility of allowing the LGU to manage the facility, while the Management Team is still being determined. The Committee also suggested to DA XII to consider changing the project title from “organic” to ‘’naturally grown” trading post so as not to be constrained by the stringent provisions under the organic farming policy.

All findings and recommendations of RPMC XII were confirmed by RDC XII through Resolution No. 62, Series of 2014. These findings and recommendations were subsequently transmitted/referred to all government agencies concerned for their information and appropriate action.


SOCCSKSARGEN is 2nd top corn producer in the Philippines

SOCCSKSARGEN Region is now the second top corn producing region in the Philippines.

Citing corn production performance of the region in 2013, Department of Agriculture XII Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan disclosed that Region XII has climbed a notch higher from rank 3 in 2012.

Data from the Bureau of

Agricultural Statistics (BAS) indicate that SOCCSKSARGEN recorded a total corn production of 1,305,607 metric tons (MT) from over 444,000 hectares of corn production areas in 2013.

“The region’s corn output last year represented 18.4 percent of the country’s total production and 32.5 percent of production in the entire Mindanao,” she said.

Cagayan Valley topped the country with 1,713,674 MT corn production.

Other regions in the list are:

Northern Mindanao, 1,185,036 (MT); ARMM, 667,104 MT; Ilocos Region, 447,503 MT; Western Visayas, 345,527 MT; Bicol Region, 258,115 MT; Cordillera Autonomous Region, 242,074 MT; Central Luzon, 227,765 MT; and Davao Region, 227,013 MT.

by Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

The Regional Development Updates can also be viewed online through the NEDA RO XII website (http://nro12.neda.gov.ph/products-and-services/publications/).

This publication is also uploaded in slideshare.net (http://www.slideshare.net/neda12webmaster/), a website that shares presentations, infographics, documents, videos, PDFs, and webinars.

In 2012, Region XII corn

production was 1,201,579 MT which accounted for 16 percent contribution to the country’s overall corn production performance.

Noting this huge success of

the corn sector, DA XII’s Agri-Pinoy Regional Corn Program Coordinator Zaldy Boloron said the region is dedicated and even more driven to maintain its present standing and aims to be the top corn producer in due time.

This year, he said, DA has

allotted PhP180.160 million for corn programs in Region XII, higher by 45.8 percent to the 2013 allocation of PhP123.426 million.

“Out of this total budget

allocation, 47 percent is earmarked for postharvest facilities development services like the establishment of village-type corn-on-cob dryers, and corn mills, among others,” he said.

For 2014, DA XII has set the

corn production target at least 1,368,615 MT or 5 percent higher than the 2013 harvest.

The region’s corn output last year represented 18.4 percent of the country’s total production and 32.5 percent of production in the entire Mindanao.


The Official Publication of Regional Development Council XII Volume 12, Issue No. 2: April - June 2014



A total of thirty seven (37) jobseekers were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) in

this year’s Kalayaan Job Fair spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) South Cotabato Field Office in coordination with Gaisano Grand Mall and the Public Employment Service Office of Koronadal City.

DOLE XII Regional Director Ofelia Domingo disclosed that, a total of 208 job applicants registered in the one-day job fair, with 163 qualified for the various job vacancies.

“The 22.70 percent figure on HOTS is 5.5 percent higher than the target of 15 percent,” RD Domingo said.

She added that the essence of celebrating Independence Day

is not just through exercising freedom of speech but freedom to choose and land a good and decent job. Employment, she said, brings a lasting mark of a progressive nation.

In his message, Koronadal City Mayor Peter B. Miguel said that everyone should be proud to be a Filipino. He added that job applicants for this year’s Kalayaan Job Fair will form part of today’s history by serving the country through employment.

This year’s theme dubbed as “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago” (Following the Footsteps of Great Filipinos, Towards Widespread

and Lasting Change) is indeed a challenge not only to jobseekers but to all Filipinos.

RD Domingo expressed her gratitude to all participating agencies/companies, Gaisano Mall of Koronadal and also to the DOLE’s attached agencies, such as the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Koronadal City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), DOLE TSSD Chief Edna P. Sales and South Cotabato Field Office Head Arlene R. Bisnon who spearheaded the activity.

DOLE South Cotabato Kalayaan Job Fair records 22.70% HOTSby Kathleen Turnos, DOLE XII


SOCCSKSARGEN recorded a remarkable economic growth in CY 2013 as

it registered a 8.4% growth of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) over the previous year. Socio-economic performance may be measured in terms of the following indicators: gross regional domestic product (GRDP), inflation and employment.

The Services sector contributed 37.6% of the total economic output in 2013, slightly higher than its 37.3% share in 2012. The Industry sector posted an increase of 1 percentage point, from 32.8% in 2012 to 33.8% in 2013. AHFF contributed 28.6% of the region’s total economic output in 2013, lower by 1.3 percentage points compared to its share in 2012.

Inflation measures the change in prices of goods and services. The Regional Development Plan targets less than 5% for the year. So far inflation rate for all items was estimated at 3.7% which is 1.1 percentage points higher than the preceding year’s level at 2.6%.

By commodity group, alcoholic beverages and tobacco registered the highest inflation

SOCCSKSARGEN Records Sterling Economic Performance, GRDP growth 8.4%

rate at 42.1% which was largely attributed to the sharp increase in prices of tobacco by 76.5%. The steep 38.5 percentage points rise in the inflation rate of alcoholic beverages and tobacco was due to the implementation of RA 10351 also known as the sin tax law.

In contrast, the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages, where majority of an average Filipino family income is spent, was estimated at 2.6% which is only 0.5 percentage point higher than the previous year.

The October 2013 Labor Force Survey showed that the region’s employment rate slightly declined to 95.1% from 95.8% a year ago. This translates to a reduction of employed persons by 5,740. Actual employment rate fell short of the region’s

target of 96.4% for CY 2013. Nonetheless, the region’s employment rate was higher by 2.4 percentage points compared to the national average of 92.7%.

Meanwhile, labor force participation rate decreased by 1.0 percentage point from the 66.4% estimated in October 2013 while the number of people in the labor force increased by 6,890. Indicators point to the inability of the economy to fully address the employment needs of the additional individuals seeking work; hence, the decrease in employment rate.

by Rosa D. Lemana, DRD/NEDA XII

GROSS REGIONAL DOMESTIC PRODUCTYear on Year Growth Rate, 2010-2013

Two inventions presented during the recent Regional Invention

Contest and Exhibit (RICE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently held in General Santos City have qualified for the national contest or the NICE.

Dr. Sittie Shayma Zenaida P. Hadji Raof- Laidan, DOST XII Regional Director identified the regional winners as Mr. Dennis Bialen of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and the group of Mr. Jason Cole, Mr. Rafael Tan and Mr. Kent Soler, students of the General Santos City National High School.

Mr. Bialen won the regional tilt for his “3-D Eco-Solution (Crop Vaccine),” which was declared outstanding creative research (Likha Award).

As a regional winner, Mr. Bialen received a plaque and cash prize amounting to PhP25,000 from the Provincial


55th Araw . . . from page 12

Government of Sarangani and DOST XII.

Meanwhile, Cole and his group were also named winners in the student creative research category (Sibol Award – High School Level) for their entry, ”Nutgrass (Cyprus rotondus) Habit as Alternative Indigenous Materials.”

For their win, Cole’s group received a plaque and PhP35,000 cash prize, also from Sarangani LGU and DOST XII.

Both were recognized during the culmination of the 2014 RICE held at Phela Grande Convention Center in Gensan on May 29.

Their inventions will be presented during the National Invention Contest and Exhibit in Manila in July.

“The RICE is an undertaking of the DOST primarily aimed at providing opportunities for inventors to exhibit and

present their inventions and breakthroughs in line with the national efforts to promote inventiveness pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7459 or the “Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines,” Director Laidan said.

Forty-two researches and inventions were exhibited in the two-day event.

Dr. Edgar Garcia, Director of DOST’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) urged inventors to develop more products that can help the country move forward and become a major player in the global S&T community.

Supported by the DOST-TAPI, RICE serves as the qualifying round for NICE, and is open to amateur and professional inventors in SOCCSKSARGEN Region who wish to highlight their ingenuity and craft through their research and locally developed creations.

2 Inventions from SOCCSKSARGEN Qualify in National Tiltby Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

“I hope we can continue the cooperation that we are giving our Barangay officials and also to our local authorities as we fight against all the illegal activities in the city“, said Guiani.

Hundreds of Cotabateños also enjoyed the performances of invited singers who were finalists in a talent show on national television.

“It has been one of our traditions to invite local artists to entertain everybody on this

remarkable event. This is just one of our gifts to our citizens. Sana po ay nag-enjoy sila and we hope to see everybody again in next year’s celebration,“ said City Administrator Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Simultaneous with the program at the city plaza, the first International Business Forum was also conducted. Investors from Malaysia, Jordan, and other parts of Asia attended the event had exploratory talks and business matching with our local

businessmen during the round table discussions.

Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. President Dr. Danda Juanday is positive that this will open doors for more investments in Cotabato City that will surely alleviate the lives of many of our citizens with the job opportunities that will come.

The culminating program of the 55th Araw ng Cotabato on June 20 was laden with the most festive

and fun-filled activities during the week-long celebration.

The day started with a sky diving

exhibition by the Philippine Air Force and followed by a civic parade from the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College grounds all the way to the city plaza led by City Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr., other city government officials, heads and staff of regional line agencies, and representatives of the private sector.

In his speech, Mayor Guiani thanked all the citizens of Cotabato City for their support to all the programs of the government, and stressed the importance of cooperation of everybody in battling crime and other deterrents to the city’s progress.

55th Araw ng Cotabato ends with a Grand Celebration

Malaysian investors, together with Cotabato City Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr., local businessmen and officials of the city’s neighboring municipalities at the first International Investment Forum held on June 20, one of the highlights of the City 55th anniversary celebration.

by Halima K. Satol-Ibrahim, City Information Officer, Cotabato City

City officials headed by Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr. and Vice Mayor Abdullah A. Andang, together with officers from the City PNP and the Special Forces, pose with the guests during the celebration of the Araw ng Cotabato. The city has invited singers from a big national television company to grace the occasion.

photo from https://www.facebook.com/pop.salahog

55th Araw . . . page 11

regional development updates | 2nd qtr issue 2014

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