One Mindanao - April 23, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

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

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

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

OWWA-12 hails 5 new scholarsOliver Ross RiveraCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, April 22, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 169

page 4

President Aquino’s attendance to 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei Darussalam make Filipinos feel the government is taking care of them

8

World Vision conducts voters’ education 14

President Aquino leads groundbreaking of Col-lege of IT building in Marawi City

PCF-funded eco-tourism pool in Alicia town is 90% complete, says DILG-IX

Search for outstanding private employees launched in Dipolog 13

21Mary May A. Abellon, Western Mindanao

OWWA-12 gathers scholars for a two-day conferenceOliver Ross V. Rivera, Central Mindanao

LGU-Agusan del Norte, Caraga Region

ADN conducts 3rd Province Wide Rabies and Animalandia Quiz Show18

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

Mary Nathalie Soldevilla, Northern Mindanao

Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

TESDA 12 to conduct skills training in 5 CCT areas Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

3122

32

6 10 12 16 20 26

Tuesday, April 23, 20134

Two qualified for the EducationforDevelopment Scholarship Program(EDSP) while three others are forthe Congressional Migrant WorkersScholarshipProgram(CMWSP). The EDSP passers are GabrielleFaithT.GloriaofSanLorenzoAcademyin Polomolok, South Cotabato andKrystiannePaulDePedroofKoronadalNationalComprehensiveHighSchoolinKoronadalCity. Meanwhile,CMWSPscholarsareKarlT.BetitaofMatutumViewAcademyinBanga,SouthCotabato;MaryGraceM. Necor and Elena B. Taluyan, bothfromTulunanNationalHighSchool inNorthCotabato. In their recent courtesy call toOWWA-12 Dir. Abdulghani Umag,the scholars and their guardians allexpressed their gratitude for the

privilegegiventothembyOWWA. Wordscannotexpressthefeelingof OFW Evangeline Gloria when shefoundoutthatherdaughterisoneofthenewscholarsoftheOWWA. Evangeline has been working inDubaiforalmost8yearsandherhardwork paid off when the news brokethatherdaughterranked21stamong105 passers of the Education forDevelopment Scholarship Program of

OWWA-12 hails 5 new scholars

Five OFW dependents from the Soccsksargen region passed the

qualifying exams for two scholarship programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

CoVer StoRy

By Oliver Ross Rivera

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 5

OWWAacrossthecountry. “Indeed,itisaverybighelpsincemydaughterplanstotakeArchitectureatUPDiliman.” theproudmothersaid. Inhismessage,Dir.Umagencouragedthenewscholarstomake their parents proud andcontinuetoexcelintheirstudies. Umagalso reminded themto takegood care of their hardearnedscholarshipandsaid that theyareluckybecausefromthethousandsofexamineeslastNovember2012,theywereabletomakeittothelist. Another notable new scholar isKrystiannePaulDePedroofKoronadalCity.He ispartof the teamthatwonthe 5th Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) Quiz RegionalCompetition held in Phnom Penh,Cambodia. HeplanstotakeBSinAccountancyatMindanaoStateUniversityinGeneralSantosCitythiscomingJune. Under the EDSP, scholars willreceivefinancialassistanceamountingtoP30,000persemester;theyarefreetochooseany4-5yearcourseatanyCHEDaccreditedcollegeoruniversity. Senioryearhighschoolstudentscould apply for EDSP scholarshipbeforeendofAugustinpreparationforthequalifyingexamconductedbytheDepartmentofScienceandTechnology,usuallyheldinNovember. An Applicants should be a

dependentofanactiveOWWAmemberOFWandintendstoenrollinafourtofive-year baccalaureate course in anyCHED accredited college or universityoftheirownchoice. Beneficiariesshouldnotbemorethan21yearsold,andmustbeingoodhealth. Meanwhile, CMWSP, isopentoinactiveOFWsnotmorethan45yearsor their children not more than 21yearsoldwhowishtotakeupscienceand technology courses at any CHEDaccreditedschoolwithintheregion. This grant includes tuition feeandother school feesofP10,000persemester, monthly stipend of P3,500,bookallowanceofP1,000,andclothingallowanceofP500. ThescholarshipgrantsarepartofthecontinuedeffortsoftheOWWAandthegovernmenttolookafterthewelfareandconditionoftheOFWsandprovidethemwithsupportinrecognitionoftheirvaluable contribution to the country’seconomy.

OWWA-12 hails 5 new scholars

6Tuesday, April 23, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino administration welcomes reports the Philippine Stock Exchange index broke 7,000 mark

The Aquino administration welcomed reports that the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) broke the 7,000 mark on Monday for the first time in history, a Palace official said.

Presidential Spokesperson EdwinLacierdaissuedthestatementafterthePSEi

closedonMondayat7,120.48points.“Thismarksthe88threcordhighin34


Aquino administration welcomes reports the Philippine Stock Exchange index broke 7,000 mark

monthsoftheAquinoadministration,andthe27threcordhighthisyear.Thisstandsasamanifestationofcontinuedconfidenceintheprospectsofoureconomy,notonlyfromtheinternationalcommunity,butalsofromFilipinoswhoareraisingtheirstakeinourcountry’ssuccess,”Lacierdasaid.Reportsshowedthat thePSEisurged

2.35% or 163.38 points to settle at7,120.48,afreshrecordcloseandintradaypeak.“Thisisbutoneamongmanyindicators

ofaresurgentPhilippines.Wemustnowensurethatourprogressissustained,andevenaccelerated,”Lacierdasaid.Lacierda stresses that the Aquino

governmentcontinuestofocusitseffortsinmakingsurethattheeconomicrevitalizationembodiedbythePSEinumbers impactsthewidestpossiblesegmentofsociety.“Empowering our people remains

amongtheprioritiesofourgovernment;we are committed to the vision of atrulydynamiccitizenrythatcantakefulladvantage of the opportunities openingupinthiseraofnationalrenewal,”hesaid.PND(js)

8Tuesday, April 23, 2013


Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here are upbeat and excited over the attendance of President Benigno

S. Aquino III to the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that will be held from April 24 to 25, 2013.



A well-known and respected Filipinamanager of a Singapore-based “helideck”(short for helicopter decks installed onhigh rise buildings and off-shore oil rigs)manufacturerwitharegionalofficeheresaidonMondaythatthePresident’svisitshowshis genuine concern for his kababayansworkingoutsidethePhilippines.Josephine Jasa, a 17-year resident of

BruneiDarussalam, isoneof twoFilipinosworking at Aluminium Technologies, acompany that designs and manufacturesheavy-dutyaluminiumstructuresfortheoilandgasindustryaswellasotherclientsallovertheworld.Acertifiedpublicaccountantbyprofession,

JasasaidFilipinoshereareeagerlyawaitingthePresident’sarrivalonWednesday.“OfcourseeverytimeourPresidentvisits

us,itelevatestheFilipinosonceagain.Hisvisit shows thePresident cares forusandthatheislookingafterourwelfare.Sowefeelsoproud,”Jasasaid.SheaddedthatthePresident’svisitgives

theOFWsan“edge”overothernationalitiesworking and living here as it shows thatthereisapersonalbondbetweentheChiefExecutive and the simple hardworkingFilipinos.“Evenifthereareamultitudeofpeople

fromdifferentnationalitiesworkinginBrunei– there are Malaysians, Bangladeshis,Singaporeans,andEuropeans,youdon’tsee

theirPresidentvisitingthem,”Jasasaid.“ThatshowsthatOFWsandFilipinosare

taken cared of by their government,” sheadded.ShecalledonallFilipinostoinstillwithin

themselves thedesire toexcelandbe thebest that they canbe in anyandall theirfieldsofendeavorasthisiswhatittakestosucceedinlife.

“Youalwayshavetogotheextramile.Youhave toworkmore thanwhat isexpectedofyousothatyouremployercanseehowgoodyouare,howdedicatedyouareandtheywillcontinuetotrustyouandcontinuetoemployyou,”Jasasaid.She said the Filipinos are world class

and should work hard at maintaining thisdistinctioninordertoremainaheadintheglobalcompetition.Thereareanestimated21,028Filipinos

inBruneiDarussalamasofDecember2012,with temporary migrants comprising thebulkoftheseOFWs(19,501outofthetotal).Semi-skilled workers comprise 31 percentof the totalnumberofOFWs, followedbyhousehold workers (23 percent), unskilledworkers (15 percent), and skilled workers(12percent).Full diplomatic relations between the

Philippines and Brunei Darussalam wereestablishedinJanuary1984.PND(rck)


President Aquino leads groundbreaking of Mindanao State University Information Technology building in Marawi City

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P45-million Information Technology building of the Mindanao State University (MSU) as he expressed hope that

the project would empower the youth in Mindanao for the benefit of the entire region.“Oras na matapos ang proyekto,

makikinabang ang mga estudyanteat komunidad ng pamantasan sa masmodernong computer training center,bagong teleconferencingatmultimedia

room, at mas maraming silid-aralanat laboratoryo para sa pagtuturo nginformation technology,” the Presidentsaid in his message during thegroundbreakingriteshereonMonday.


The President underscored theimportance of information age notingthat the new facility will improvethe quality of training in the field oftechnologyandmoderncommunication.This will eventually pave the way forbigger opportunities for the people ofMindanao,hesaid.The construction of the new MSU

facilityispartofthegovernment’sthrustto strengthen the strategy to invest inpeoplethrougheducation,thePresidentsaid.Partofthisinitiativeisthelaunchingof

theKto12Programofthegovernmentthat will prepare Filipino graduates tobecome competitive with their foreigncounterparts.Also,thegovernmentiscarryingout

the Industry-based Training for WorkScholarship Program of the TechnicalEducation and Skills DevelopmentAuthority having more than 76,300scholarsundergoingtrainingforIT.ThisisinadditiontothePublicHigher

EducationRoadmapoftheCommissiononHigherEducationaimedatenhancingthefacilityandteachingmethodsinthecountry’sstateuniversitiesandcolleges,thePresidentsaid.The President pointed out that the

Department of Education was able toeliminatethetextbookbackloglastyearandaddingthatitisworkingtoaddressthe66,800shortageinclassroomsbeforetheendof2013.“Malinawponawalangibanghangarin

angatingadministrasyonkundigawingabot-kamayangmgapangarapnadati’y

hindimanlangnatinmatanaw.Hindinatinmasisikmurang isugal ang kinabukasanngatingkabataan,lalopa’talamnatingsilaangsusunodnamagtitimonsaatingbansa,”hestressed.“Anggusaling itoay tagumpayhindi

lamangngMSU,kundingbuongbayan.Buhat ito ng ating pagbabayanihan atpagkakaisaparaisulongangmagandangbukasparasasusunodnahenerasyon.Angpundasyonnitoaysimbolongatingpaninindigannaisulongangkapakananat interes ng kabataang Pilipino,” thePresidentsaid.ThePresidentexpressedhisgratitude

to the MSU administration for honingskillfulandtalentedgraduates,whichhesaid,madethestateuniversityamajoracademicinstitution.AccordingtothePresident, theMSU

has posted a high average of board-passers in medicine and mechanicalengineering and has been leading inchemistry, nursing, and other science-relatedcourses.With the current development in

Mindanao, the President expressedconfidencethattheregionwillsoonhavelasting peace and continuing progress.HealsoforeseesMindanaotoexperienceaninfluxoftouristsandinvestorsinthenear future and eventually become ahubforcommerceandtrade.AmongthosewhojoinedthePresident

during the event were Transportationand Communication Secretary JosephEmilioAbaya,EnergySecretaryJerichoPetilla, Senator Franklin Drilon, andARMMGovernorMujivHataman.


PNoy visits Misamis Orientalby Mark Anthony Dedoyco

BALINGASAG, Misamis Oriental -- President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental on April 22 to tell the public of the vast improvement of Mindanao through the projects done under his administration.

The President was happy to note that one of these projects was the accomplishment of the Laguindingan international airport which will open on June 15 this year.

He said this will greatly contribute to the economic development of Mindanao particularly in the province of Misamis Oriental. The road in Laguindingan which


was originally two lanes has become six lanes because of this project. From an initial budget allocation of about P90 million for the development of the airport, bidding was approved to P80 million. The savings gained will now be intended for other projects lined up by the government. Further, Aquino stressed the implementation of 18 farm-to-market roads in the province and 27 irrigation projects which will benefit farmers in Opol, Manticao, Claveria, Sugbongcogon, Naawan, Alubijid, Jasaan, El Salvador, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro. He also pointed that about 4,500 housing units are already built for the

victims of typhoon Sendong and they are still opting to build more as the target is 8,600 housing units in CDO resettlement sites. Apart from this, the government has also allocated P12 million for the Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran as well as P23 million for Cash-for-Work program. The stock market index increased from P4, 000.00 to P7, 050.00 today which shows good impression of our economy towards the investors, the President said. According to the Department of Education (DepEd) there will be no insufficient number of classrooms before 2013 ends, Pnoy announced.

President Aquino leads groundbreaking of College of IT building in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - President Benigno S. Aquino III led yesterday the ceremonial groundbreaking of the College of Information Technology (CIT) building of the Mindanao State University (MSU), here.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The President was joined by MSU President Macapado Muslim, CHED Commissioner Ruperto Sangalang and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman in the capsule laying rite that paves the way for the construction of the three-storey building. “Ang gusaling ito ay tagumpay hindi lamang ng MSU kundi ng buong bayan. Buhat ito ng ating

pagbabayanihan at pagkakaisa para isulong ang magandang bukas para sa susunod na henerasyon (The building is not only the success of the MSU but of the entire nation. This is the product of our cooperative endeavor and unity to advance the good future of the next generation),” President Aquino said. The President said the project


World Vision conducts voters’ educationby Mary Nathalie Soldevilla

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - World Vision Foundation, Inc. in partnership with several civic organizations conducted a Voters’ Education for Good Governance training with the theme, “Hatid ng Boto ko, Pagbabago” to community-based organizations, interfaith organizations and community leaders here, April 18-19.

Among the partners of World Vision who helped in the training were Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), Malamboong Katawhan sa Katilingban sa Misamis Oriental (MAKSAKA MO, INC.) and Christian Convergence for Good Governance The training highlighted the basic steps on how to respond on election violations by knowing the election laws and concrete actions they could take such as the skill on writing an affidavit. It was attended in by 30 participants coming from the different

sectors in the community like NGOs, church leaders, teachers, and young people in Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Surigao del Sur. Ryan Tampus, Project Officer for LENTE Mindanao said that the ultimate goal of their partnership was for them to reach out to the community and increase awareness on electoral process among the lay. Aside from promoting peaceful and clean elections, the training also motivated the participants to influence voters to consider children when voting, and to choose leaders

has an allocated budget of P45 million to be taken out from the P2.6 billion budget of MSU for the year 2013.Once completed, he said, students and communities of the university will benefit from the modern computer training center, new teleconferencing and multimedia room, and more classrooms and laboratories for teaching information technology which are very important in today’s information age. The three-storey building will house classrooms and computer

laboratories; computer training center; teleconferencing and multimedia room; server farm; Information Systems, Computer Studies, and Support Services and Training departments; personnel offices; and library for IT books/holdings, among others. The construction of the CIT building plays a vital role for MSU’s quest for excellence. It signals the kick-off for the construction of a series of infra facilities development projects to make MSU of global quality by 2020.


who can stand and fight for children’s rights. “Third ang mga bata sa sector na nagkalisud gyud and sila ang pinakadagko’g population nga nagkinahangla’g services sa government, pero tungod kay dili sila maka botar, dili siya priority sa candidate ang concerns ng mga bata.” (The children are considered as the third poorest sector and they have the biggest population that needs government services but because they could not vote yet, candidates do not prioritize the concerns of the children) Maricel Vina Villar, Program Advocacy Specialist for World Vision said. The organizers expect that out

from the training, the participants will be able to relay the message and re echo it to their respective organizations and communities. The team will be in Saranggani and South Cotabato next week to conduct the same training and modules. Launched last May 2010 Elections, “Hatid ng Boto ko, Pagbabago” is a program advocacy that seeks to promote clean, honest and credible elections, as citizens participate through an informed choice. With this, the advocacy is active in equipping people and communities in the different parts of the country on their role and responsibilities as empowered citizens during the elections.


FSUU-Policy Center initiates Candidates’ Forum in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY -- The Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Policy Center here initiates today’s Candidates Forum for the congressional, mayoral, vice mayoral and candidates for councilor of this city. It will start at 4:00 p.m at the FSUU Gymnasium

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


FSUU Policy Center Executive Director Josefe Sorrera-Ty said environment, good governance, sustainable development are but a few of the most persisting and relevant issues of Butuan confronting the 2013 mide-term election.

“Responsive to these challenges, we at Father Saturnino Urios University strongly believes that the fulfillment of a meaningful democracy begins with our judicious exercise of the right to information. That only through active participation and conscious choice can we bear meaning to our role as a responsible citizen of a nation dedicated to the cause of our environment and people,” Ty emphasized.

“In this light, we are very pleased to once again facilitate the access to the information

needed for the conscious and responsible exercise of the right to suffrage by providing an avenue for the presentation and discussion of the views, aims and plans of actions of our local candidates for the May 2013 election,” added Ty.

The FSUU-Policy Center in partnership with the Butuan City Commission

on Election hoped to successfully achieve its aim as they look forward to the presence of the candidates and voters who will manifest their commitment to a free, meaningful and honest elections in this affair.


The Quiz Show was participated by the different secondary schools in the province. A poster making competition contested by students from the different elementary schools was also conducted alongside the quiz bowl.

“These annual competitions serve as one of our strategies in effectively implementing the provincial government’s efforts to curb down and eliminate Rabies in the province,” Dr. Belen M. Aruelo, the Provincial Veterinarian quipped. “These contestants will act as magnifier of Rabies information to their fellow students in their school in particular, and in their community in general”.

Receiving cash prizes and trophies, the winners of the said contests were the following: 3rd Province Wide Rabies & Animalandia Quiz Show Champion - Caraga State University-Cabadbaran

City Campus Krisha Alaiza C. Soria and

Merryfaith Ariane B. Lopez with Ms. Lady Dianna D. Garbo (coach); 2nd Placer - Mindanao Institute-Cabadbaran City Justine R. Palubon and Karen Rissel T. Labe with Ms. Joselyn P. Parcon (coach); and 3rd Placer - Buenavista SPED-IS Lyle Adonis A. Alegado and Karl Adrian A. Taganas with Mr. Cesar B. Magaro (coach)

For the Rabies Awareness Poster Making Contest: Champion - Buenavista SPED-IS Raffy P. Reyes with Ms. Maricel C. Buena (coach); 2nd Placer - Tubay Central Elementary School Lemuel R. Duroy and Ms. Epifania Cultura (coach); and 3rd Placer - NORCACES-Cabadbaran City Paule Steven Famador with Ms. Lorelie Ortega (coach).

ADN conducts 3rd Province Wide Rabies and Animalandia Quiz ShowBUTUAN CITY -- The Quiz Show was participated by the different secondary schools in the province. A poster making competition contested by students from the different elementary schools was also conducted alongside the quiz bowl.

by LGU-Agusan del Norte


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Zamboanga island brgys receive pump boats from city gov’tBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Eight island barangays of Zamboanga City recently received motorized pump boats from the city government to help improve mobility from the island to the mainland.


PCF-funded eco-tourism pool in Alicia town is 90% complete, says DILG-IXBy Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Using its P1 million prize from winning the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the municipality of Alicia has embarked on building an eco-tourism swimming pool to promote tourism in the municipality and, at the same time, to generate some income.

DILG-IX Information Officer Lemuel Mejares said in a press release the swimming pool, which is 25-meter x 10-meter in size and five feet deep, is about to be finished based on the recent assessment by DILG-IX regional monitoring team. “This is not only an avenue to promote our tourism but also an income-generating project of the LGU,” said Alicia Municipal Mayor Richard V. Tiu Sr. Mayor Tiu together with Municipal Engineer Edmund A.

Tan and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Silverio O. Panes walked the monitoring team to the eco-tourism pool built near the municipal hall. The project cost totaled 2.8 million of which PI million came from Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) received by the municipality from winning the SGH. This PCF is an incentive fund to LGUs that passed the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH). The fund can be used to construct school buildings,

City Information Officer Sheila Covarrubias in a press statement said the pumpboats will not only enhance mobility but can also “be used during emergency situations, for patrol purposes or even to ferry teachers to and from the islands.” Covarrubias said the pump boats given to the eight island villages were in addition to the multi-cab vehicles already given to the same barangays early this year. “Costing P146,000 each, the motorized pump boat has twin

engines with 16 horse power and made of Honda Mega brand,” the city spokesperson said. Covarrubias disclosed that Mayor Celso Lobregat himself led the turnover of said pump boats to concerned island-barangay beneficiaries, held recently at the Paseo Del Mar. “Lobregat during the turnover asked the barangay chairmen to make proper use as well as to take good care of the watercrafts,” she said.


rural health units, tourism facilities, flood control projects, solid waste management facilities, etc. Funds are still coming from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to complete the project with counterparts from the municipality. “We are now working on the excavation for the pipelines that will

supply large volume of water to the pool,” Engr. Tan said. Tan believed the pool would be fully operational within the year. Mayor Tiu, on the other hand, recalled that there was a time the municipality had produced a “Palaro” champion in swimming and he aims to produce another champion with the town’s new swimming pool.

Search for outstanding private employees launched in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) in partnership with the city government of Dipolog, Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) Zamboanga del Norte field office and sponsors from private sectors launched on Saturday the 2013 Search for Outstanding Employees in the private sector.


The search seeks to recognize deserving workers in the city aimed at promoting strong morale and efficiency of workers. “We are here to recognize ordinary but important members of the society,” said Nellie R. Saberon, TIPC Vice-chairman for Management Sector. “There are three sectors given importance in tripartism. We have the worker, employer and the government,” explained Angelita S. Collyer, head of the Livelihood and Skills Development Enhancement Center (LSDEC). The search has five categories, namely, the sales clerk category sponsored by the Dipolog Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), utility worker category sponsored by Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. (RTMI), tricycle driver category with TVI Resource Development Inc. as sponsor, food attendant category sponsored by Rural Bank of Rizal, and the household service worker or kasambahay sponsored by city government of Dipolog. Awardees shall receive P5,000.00 and a plaque of recognition. All nominations will be accepted until May 6, 2013 and the winners will be awarded on May 30, 2013 during the “Pasidungog ug pasalamat (Tribute to the Workers) night,” which is the culminating activity of


the Labor Month celebration. The nominees will be judged based on their work performance, impact of their behavioral performance and character, social responsibility, and promotion of good labor and management relations. Mr. Roberto P. Reyes of Dipolog Chamber of Commerce & Industry was acknowledged for his brilliant idea to include the “kasambahay category in the search.” When asked to give a statement, Dr. Dino Joey Cordova of the Rural Bank of Rizal said that the said search would keep the workers motivated and be on the right track of righteousness, integrity and productivity. Mayor Evelyn T. Uy expressed her deep gratitude to all sponsors

for always being supportive of the activities pursued by the city government. “Employers and employees are just like family wherein they grow together,” Mayor Uy declared. She shared that her three original employees when she started her business in the 80’s are still with her until now. “I have the confidence entrusting to them the management of my business even if I’m always out of town,” Mayor Uy added. Chief Labor Employment Officer Mr. Henry P. Tianero of DOLE Zamboanga del Norte field office was also commended for his initiative and active role in the promotion of gainful employment opportunities throughout the province.


Basilan completes 8 PAMANA projects, 3 more on-goingISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has turned-over completed PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) projects in Basilan last April 13.

By Rene V. Carbayas


At least eight projects were completed and turned-over to the local government units, each amounting to P1.5 million. OPAPP officials also said thirteen more projects are ongoing. Hadzer Birowa, OPAPP project assistant for PAMANA projects said the projects started in 2012 and the ongoing projects are already 79% to 90% complete. “There are two categories in our PAMANA projects here in Basilan—those projects under PAMANA PDC (Peace and Development Communities) which are for MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) communities and under PAMANA Pillar 3 projects,” Birowa said. He explained that PAMANA framework is anchored on three complementary strategic pillars that

define core interventions to achieve lasting peace. He said that under the Pillar III component, the projects are designed to address sub-regional challenges, including constraints to regional economic development and economic integration of developing areas with the more progressive areas, and inter-regional connectivity improvements, which includes investing on agri-industrial enterprises, coastal development initiatives, and infrastructure (e.g. road networks, electrification, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads). The other components of PAMANA are Pillar I (Laying the foundation for peace through policy reform and legislative action) is where development interventions are pursued like housing, ancestral


domain, banking, and in other areas (e.g. IDP shelter assistance, mining/timber licensing agreements in IP areas). Pillar II (Facilitating delivery of basic services at the community level through community driven development and community livelihood interventions) shapes families and communities by concentrating on health, education and livelihood programs (e.g. community driven development [CDD) programs, such as Kalahi CIDSS, DAR-ARC). Birowa said that 80% of the P36 million total costs of the projects under Pillar 3 for PDC areas were already released to the local government. The completed projects are community learning centers at Canibungan in Lantawan, Tuburan proper in Mohamad Ajul, Bohe Basa in Tipo-Tipo, and at Bohe Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan; rock coast way construction at Samal Village in Maluso; and improvement and road rehabilitation projects at Pamucalin in Lantawan and Lower Sinagkapan in Tuburan. The ongoing projects are the following: Bohelebbeng Core Shelter, Parangbasak water system, Bato Lamitan mini ice plant, Lubukan multi-purpose hall, Upper Sinangkapan learning center, Tapiantana learning center, Cabcaban water system, Taberlongan learning center, Bubuan water system, Upper Mahayahay learning center, Kuhun Lennuh road rehabilitation, Calang Canas multi-purpose hall, and Materling multi-

purpose hall. During the turnover ceremony, OPAPP’s Bangsamoro office Undersecretary Atty. Jose I. Lorena said that meaningful autonomy is possible in the ARMM, especially under the leadership of the President Benigno S. Aquino III. He disclosed that the Bangsamoro office has already released more than 650 million pesos for various projects in the ARMM. Tahira Ismael-Sansawi, provincial administrator was emotional when she cited the role of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, saying that all the projects the province is benefiting today was realized as fruit of the sweat and blood of former fighters who fought for the Bangsamoro people. She explained that the process of selecting projects in various areas in the province underwent consultations with stakeholders to include the MNLF, local leaders, and the communities. Provincial Engr. Tahir I. Latip said that the objective of the PAMANA projects is to create resilient and self-reliant communities, mostly in conflict-affected communities in Basilan. “This is a national program to uplift the living conditions of the people, hoping to contribute to the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao,” he said. Local government officials are optimistic and hoping that the PAMANA projects will boost economic activity and capacity of the people towards working for building peaceful communities in Basilan.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- At least 10,596 jobs will be available to job seekers in Soccksargen Region in fairs in line with the celebration of the Labor celebration Day on May 1, according the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12.

Over 10,500 jobs available in Labor Day fairs -- DOLE 12By Danilo E. Doguiles


DOLE 12 regional director Ofelia B. Domingo said the number of vacancies was based on the report of jobs available submitted by employers who have signified participation in the fairs being organized by the agency.

These job opportunities will be available to applicants in five job fairs, which will start late this week, she said.

Individuals seeking employment could start the search at the fair on Friday , April 26, inside Gaisano Grand Mall in Koronadal City; they may also prefer to go to four job fairs scheduled on May 1.

Applicants in Cotabato City and neighboring areas may proceed to the South Seas Mall in Cotabato City. Another job fair will be held at the Kidapawan City Gym for applicants in North Cotabato area while those in Sultan Kudarat area and nearby places may go Tacurong City Gym.

Expecting bulk of job seekers in SocSargen (South Cotabato –

Sarangani – General Santos City) area, DOLE decide to hold the jobs fair in two locations, namely: KCC Mall and SM.

Over 200 companies offering jobs for local and overseas employment will participate in Labor Day events, she added.

Domingo advised applicants to bring multiple copies of résumé, certificates of trainings, and certifications of employment. She explained applicants who would bring more copies of these documents could apply for jobs in several companies.

She also advised fresh graduates to seek for positions that would fit their qualifications.

Besides vacant jobs, job fairs across the region will also feature skills demonstration and free certification assessment by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 12 for those who have undergone National Certification (NC) 2 trainings.

Domingo also announced that the Labor Day celebration on

May 1 will kick off with an opening ceremony at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center along Alunan Avenue, this city where employee groups and labor unions are invited.

The ceremony will be highlighted by the awarding of livelihood to beneficiaries as well as the launching of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) Advocacy Center

M e a n w h i l e , beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) in Sultan Kudarat province will also participate in the Labor Day celebration with a cleanup drive called “Operation Tinlo.”

This year, the country celebrates the 111th Labor Day as a tribute to the nation’s workers and to their significant contribution to the country’s development and to highlight their achievement as a major socio-economic pillar of the Philippine society. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with CDMLadot-DOLE 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Driven by a strong urge to help schol-ars improve their individual academic performances and personality, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 12 gathered its educa-tional program beneficiaries in a conference at EMR Center, Koronadal City on April 18 and 19.

OWWA-12 gathers scholars for a two-day conferenceBy Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Seventy scholars from the entire region participated in the event: 12 from North Cotabato, 19 from Sarangani and General Santos, 5 from Sultan Kudarat, and 33 from South Cotabato.

A training on time, stress and crisis management as well as fun-filled activities were designed for their self-development and to encourage camaraderie and interaction among scholars.

In his message, OWWA-12 Dir. Abdulghani Umag reminded the scholars of the privilege and opportunity they have as “iskolar ng bayan” and reminded them to take good care of their hard-earned scholarship.

“You should be proud of yourselves. Having children as scholars is a a great honor to parents,” Umag said.

Umag added that the scholars relieve their parents the burden of looking for money for their education.

He also encouraged the scholars to make their parents proud and continue to excel in their studies.

The scholars were engaged in a meaningful and active exploration of themselves and the issues facing their challenges as students and as individuals.

Rose Carmen Sustiguer, VP for Marketing and Development of Green Valley College, served as the resource speaker and imparted

knowledge to the scholars on how to be responsible and successful students.

After the training, the scholars were given time to practice for their group presentation for the fellowship night, a night of games showcase of talents. Special awards were also given to outstanding scholars.

Scholars went on educational tour to General Santos City on the second day.

The two-day conference was carried out under OWWA’s learning support mechanism program to support and guide scholars not only in their studies but also other aspects of their student lives. (ORVRivera-PIA12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato–- More income-generation and employ-ment opportunities are being offered to Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiearies in Soccsksargen Region.

TESDA 12 to conduct skills training in 5 CCT areasBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Zeus Ampuyas, regional director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 12, said the agency will provide technical vocational education in May to recipients of the national government’s conditional cash transfer.

Ampuyas said priority for the techvoc trainings are beneficiaries in Maasim and Malapatan in Saranggani, Lake Sebu and Tboli in South Cotabato and Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat.

“We will start the cash for training or C4TP program as soon as we receive the endorsement of DSWD 12 identifying priority beneficiaries to be provided with

trainings,” he said.All schedules,

training venues and training requirements must be released and complied with before the end of April for the trainings to start in May, he said.

“Our program is addressed to the poor and marginal groups, those who cannot access, or are not accessible by formal training provisions. They have low skills, limited management abilities, and have few economic options. They have no access to capital – most of them are unqualified for formal credit programs,” he explained further.

Zorahayda Taha, during a recent meeting with TESDA regional office assured

that the list of potential beneficiaries to be given training will be submitted as soon as this week.

“I have instructed my field staff and the project development officers in the identified area to submit a list together with their training needs assessment,” Taha said.

She added that while DSWD provides the TNA to TESDA, the agency will also provide the identified families with a list of technical trainings and short-term vocational programs that can be availed from TESDA like cooking, welding, and others.

Director Taha also discussed the possibility of providing


referral system to various establishments for employment of Pantawid beneficiaries after completion of their training program.

Only recently, DSWD 12’s community driven enterprise development officer Ibrahim Sangcupan, external relations officer Lorraine Blanza, regional convergence coordinator Florentino Fiel with TESDA officials recently discussed draft memorandum of

understanding along the efforts to bring together national government agencies in delivering services to 4Ps beneficiaries.

Signing of the MOU is tentatively scheduled on April 29.

The municipalities of Maasim and Malapatan are two towns identified by National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and Small Area Estimates (SAE) as the poorest of the poor in Region 12.

Currently, a total of 2, 253 and 3, 664 households are being served by Pantawid Pamilya in Maasim and Malapatan, respectively.

4Ps also serve 4,166 in Lake Sebu and 3, 850 in Tboli, in South Cotabato and 2,757 in Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with DGDomingo II – DSWD 12)


Google calls on volunteers for precinct-mapping project

DAVAO CITY- Google Philippines is calling for volunteers to contribute to its Map-Your- Precinct Project 2013. The Map-Your-Precinct project aims to help Filipino voters to find their precincts or voting centers using Google maps. The system entails the help of mapping volunteers which inputs details of the locations of precincts to Google mapmaker. The project started in 2010 was conceptualized with the entry of automated elections which made changes in precincts due

to clustering thus causing confusion to many voters. “We thought this would help and being able to empower citizens to help out their fellow citizens to find their precincts. Aileen Apolo-De Jesus, Google head for outreach Southeast Asia said in a television interview. De Jesus said that

potential volunteer mappers must know their own neighborhoods. They can go to findyourprecinct.ph and enter a city or locality which are familiar to them and look for unmapped precincts then locate the precincts and pin it on the map. She said that a volunteer doesn’t need to be expert in Google mapmaker as the site and its tools makes it easier for laymen to map their precincts. De Jesus said that map-ups have already been conducted in Arakan in North Cotabato and in General Santos. One can join roving map-ups or


AFP chief of staff wants impartial military during polls

just plot the precincts within the comforts of their homes. The Google executive said that they needed more volunteers since there are only a few precincts being mapped. On election day, the information given by the volunteer mapper can help voters. The site gives exact address of the precinct complete with maps and details with the searching voter inputting just his precinct number The Map-Your-Precinct project was developed by Google IT engineer Dan Cedric Delima who

wanted to help fellow Filipinos find their voting centers, he said that based on experience growing up in Davao City, some schools are located in the interior and are difficult to find particularly for new voters. De Jesus said that millions of Filipinos uses Google everyday to search for information and the company sees the mapping project not just an answer to Filipinos’ information needs but also to empower and equip them to contribute to nation-building. (PIA RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY-A top military of-ficer ordered the soldiers to be impartial at all times in view of the May 13, 2013 national and local midterm elections. General Emmanuel Bautista, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told reporters that the primary guidance for this election is to help the poll body conduct peaceful elections side by side with the police. Bautista said soldiers must be non-partisan in the whole electoral process. He said they still awaiting for

by Joey Dalumpines


instructions from the Commission on Elections on the finality of the election watch list nationwide. “We are still awaiting guidance from the poll body on the final watch list but my order to the soldiers is to stay impartial all the time while we provide security to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process and the safety of the people,” Bautista said.Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, new commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command echoed Bautista, stressing the need for all his soldiers to be non-partisan. He stressed that need to provide all security services equally to all parties who seek assistance from the military. Cruz also vowed to pursue the Internal Security Plan: Bayanihan.

He said he wants all units under the EastMinCom to adopt the Bayanihan-team operation in order to deny the communist rebels the opportunity to penetrate the communities. “We will fill in the vacuum left by the local government. The people in the countryside will feel the presence of the government initially through the soldiers and then we transfer whatever established project to the local government units for them to continue,” he said. Cruz took over the command from retired General Jorge Segovia, who relinquished his command as he celebrates today his 56th birthday, the mandatory age of retirement for military officers. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

did you know...

That Camp Manuel Yan, headquarters of the 10th infantry Division in Mawab, Compostela Valley Province was the site of a former New People’s Army encampment, captured by government forces in tjhe 1980s it was transformed into a brigade headquarters in the 1990s.

One Mindanao - April 23, 2013

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Transcript of One Mindanao - April 23, 2013