One Mindanao - January 28, 2014

RPC III in South Cotabato assures quality postharvest services, profit for farmers Danilo E. DoguilesCentral Mindanao

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 108

Lacson eyes separate office for disaster rehabilitation, recovery

NATIONAL

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OUR COVER

Today’s news...

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CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Dolefil turns over police assistance center to S.Cotabato town

NorthCot LGU inaugurates two new concrete roads

PopCom grants IT support to LGUs

Stakeholders sign MOU on computerization of accounting transaction in CdeO

BFAR issues Red Tide advisory for Zambo Sibugay, other areas

City’s Demolition unit undergoes mixed martial arts training

First round of DILG’s BNEO training kicks off in Sibugay

MisOr PDRRMC ensures immediate gov’t action, response

DOST-DOLE partnership to open more technology-driven jobs for disaster-devastated communities

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Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Angie Balen- Antonio

Framelia V. Anonas

CIO

Alma L. Tingcang

RG Alama

Emmanuel D. Taghoy

Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

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OUR COVER

COVER STORYRPC III in South Cotabato assures quality postharvest services, profit for farmers

Once fully operational, the Rice Processing Center III in South Cotabato would

assure rice growers in the area access to reliable postharvest services even during unfavourable , an official of a local cooperative said.

Jaime Junsay Jr., chairman of the Firmus Farm Services Cooperative (FFSC), the local cooperative authorized to operate the facility, said more than provision of a state-of-the-art facility, the RPC III would assure quality products and better income opportunities, not only for landed rice growers but also landless rice farm laborers, who are members of the cooperative. On January 17, Agriculture

Secretary Proceso Alcala visited South Cotabato to formally launch RPC III in Barangay Ambalgan, Sto. Nino, this province. “Only you have such facility in Region 12,” Secretarytold local farmers attending the launching of the facility which was built out of P32-million government funding. Junsay, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency,

explained that the RPC III is comprised of a 777 sq m warehouse, a mechanical dryer with biomass fuelled furnace, and a multi-pass rice mill. “The mechanical dryer, composed of two silos with capacity of at least bags each, can accommodate more than 1,000 bags per 10 hours

By Danilo E. Doguiles

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of drying operations,”Junsay said, “while the rice mill is capable of milling at least 1.5 tons per 1 hour operation.” Considering these capacity alone, he said, “RPC III could address very important concerns of rice growers, especially during peak harvest season and during rainy

days,” “It could also serve as a neutralizing factor for some traders who would likely take advantage of adverse conditions affecting farmers such as oversupply of palay in a particular area because farmers could store their produce while waiting for better prices.” Workers of the facility will be the pool of landless rice farm laborers in the

area hired by the cooperative to do farm chores from land preparation to postharvest. Junsay further explained that the RPC III would also offer better prices for rice farmers who would patronize the services of the FFSC.

Besides providing farm laborers who would “maintain” rice production areas from land preparation to postharvest activities at very reasonable fees, he elaborated, FFSC as a cooperative is also involved in purchase of rice growers for its export business on aromatic long-grain rice. “FFSC buyspalay from local farmers at P1.50 higher than the prevailing price being offered by traders. These farmers also get shares from the cooperative’s profits,” he elaborated. “At the end of each year, 3 percent of the profit from the facility and export businesses will be given back to the farmer-patrons as patronage refund,” he continued. Initially, Junsay said, FFSCis targeting 2,000 hectares service area within a 50-kilometer radius of the RPC III, including the municipalities of Sto. Nino, Norala, Surallah in South Cotabato, and other neighboring areas. In 2013, FFSC was able to export 31 metric tons of aromatic long-grain rice to Singapore. “In 2014, we are aiming at achieving at least 100 metric tons export of aromatic long-grain rice,” he said. Moreover, figures could improve more in the coming months as more facilities will added to the RPC III’s current components.

During the official launching of RPC III, Secretary Alcala

announced that DA, based on request of the cooperative, will provide color separators, packing machine as well as a truck for transportation. Sec. Alcala explained the color separator and packing machines “would assure that the milled rice produced in facility are export quality.” Currently, the RPC III management board -- comprised of representatives from the municipal government unit, provincial government, irrigators, association, DA, and FFSC – is establishing the implementing rules and guidelines, including the sharing of profits from the processing center.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014 7

Sec. Lacson: Construction of vertical structures to go full swing in Yolanda-hit areas soon

With roads and bridges no longer a major problem in areas hit by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Presidential

Assistant on Reconstruction and Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson expects the construction of “vertical” structures to go full swing soon.

Across the Nation

Lacson said at a media briefing in Malacañang the “horizontal” structures like roads and bridges are no longer a problem, and the private sector could now set up the vertical structures.

“We hope in the coming weeks mag-full swing ang mga vertical. Sa ngayon walang problema sa horizontal, ang roads

and bridges. But ang vertical, as soon as possible, we are egging the private sector especially development sponsors to put up structures already (We hope in the coming weeks, the construction of vertical structures will go on full swing. We now have no problem with horizontal structures like roads and bridges. But we


are egging the private sector especially the development sponsors to put up vertical structures soonest),” he said.

Lacson noted rehabilitation work has started moving in areas hit by Yolanda, and the affected areas had been divided into 24 areas of intervention.

He noted there have been many from the private sector who agreed to be sectoral sponsors.

Also, he said his office has suggested to private companies to “adopt” and start constructing structures in affected areas.

“They are top corporations... Some of them are already deep in their planning at saka may timetable na susundin para magsimula ang

rehabilitation (Some of them are deep in their planning and have a timetable to follow in rehabilitation work),” he said.

So far, Lacson said the biggest challenge for his office is coordination, though he noted that corporations have a social responsibility to the people.

He added these corporations will likely remain involved in rehabilitation work even after President Benigno Aquino III’s term ends on June 30, 2016.

“Iiwanan namin sila and they will just carry on. Even beyond 2017 naroon pa rin sila, continue ang rebuilding efforts (We will leave them and they will carry on. Even beyond 2017 they will still be there to continue rebuilding efforts),” he said. PND

Presidential Assistant on Reconstruction and Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson may recommend the creation of a

permanent office focusing on rehabilitation and recovery from calamities.

Lacson eyes separate office for disaster rehabilitation, recovery

Lacson, in a briefing at Malacañang on Monday, said this is due to the country being visited by an average of some 20 cyclones a year.

“We’ll be hit by calamities at least 20

times a year, depende sa magnitude (It depends on the magnitude). We might as well have an institution that will focus on dealing with rehabilitation and recovery,” he said.


He said the proposed office would be different from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, which has its own mandate.

Besides, he said such an office could help ensure continued help for affected areas if a calamity hits another country and the international community’s attention is diverted.

“Once another calamity of similar magnitude tatama sa ibang lugar...iiwanan tayo ng multilaterals, that’s my biggest nightmare (Once another calamity of similar magnitude hits

another country, we may be left behind by m u l t i l a t e r a l agencies. That’s my biggest nightmare),” he said.

Meanwhi le, Lacson assured they are thinking of ways to accelerate the rebuilding of Tacloban City, which he said is

the hub of economic activities in the region.

But he also stressed the structures there should meet minimum requirements, including being able to withstand winds of up to 250 kph and quakes of up to Intensity IX.

Hospitals should be able to convert into communication and command centers, with their own power generator facilities and continuous supply of food, water and medicines. PND

10TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014

Palace says signing of annex on normalization on Bangsamoro manifests government commitment to lasting peace in Mindanao

The signing of the Annex on Normalization and Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and

the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels manifests the unshakeable commitment of the Aquino government to achieve a genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao, a Palace official said.


Palace says signing of annex on normalization on Bangsamoro manifests government commitment to lasting peace in Mindanao

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the signing of the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four Annexes to the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last Saturday.

“This was the culmination of a process that Secretary Teresita Deles described as one characterized by “painstaking deliberation,” and “discussion and internal consensus-building.” According to her, this process was “grounded on extensive consultations with concerned local government units, religious and civil society leaders, and communities especially in the conflict-affected areas,” Lacierda said.

“The news was met with an outpouring of good wishes for the Philippines. Advocates of peace here at home and abroad greeted this news with optimism.” the Presidential spokesperson said.

He said the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, and international bodies such as the European Union and the United Nations, praised the

Philippines for this achievement.“This milestone gives the entire

nation confidence that the next steps in the peace process are on track. The work does not end here. In particular, we look forward to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission is also working on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which our legislators will enact, moving forward,” Lacierda said.

The Framework on the Bangsamoro, signed on October 15, 2012, serves as a roadmap for the creation of a Bangsamoro entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and lays down the groundwork to achieve lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao.

“We believe that this achievement signals the unshakeable commitment of the Philippines to all stakeholders in the country, as well as people of good will in the world: that this process will come to fruition, and that lasting peace and development in Muslim Mindanao are at hand,” he said. PND


COTABATO CITY --Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said it is preparing for a smooth transition to the new Bangsamoro govern-ment with agency’s addressing the issue on classroom gaps by 2016.

ARMM hopes to address classroom shortage by 2016By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera


TUPI, South Cotabato --As part of the company’s road safety advocacy, the Dole Philippines Incorporated, has turned over recently a Community Police Assistance Center (ComPAC) to this town.

“There are 400 school-less communities around the region. Initially, we were able to build 1,110 learning centers in these areas while we are evaluating the possibility of constructing additional school buildings,” said ARMM Education Secretary Jamar Kulayan

“Hopefully by 2016, the issue on lack of classrooms will be addressed,” he said.

Kulayan also noted that of the target 1,032 new classrooms for 2012, close to 700 are now 100-percent completed or around 65% of the target.

For 2013, he said, there are ongoing 1,000 classroom rehabilitations and 500 new classroom constructions.

Kulayan said the purging of ghost teachers and pupils has helped curb the problem on teacher and classroom shortage and allowed resources to be spent accordingly.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan where 800,000 students trooped to various schools in the region. (ORVRivera-PIA12/BPI-ARMM)

Dolefil turns over police assistance center to S.Cotabato townBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Atty. Melquiades L. Hernandez III, Dolefil’s corporate affairs division director, said that the establishment of the ComPAC is in-line with their plan of expanding road safety measures and mitigation in South Cotabato province this year.

The community police assistance center is installed at the Cebuano-Linan road junction in the national highway.

Meanwhile, Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. noted that the creation of the facility is due to the alarming number of road accidents in the town for the past years and recorded the highest with 208 on 2012.

He stated that with this, he sought help from the Dolefil to ensure public

and road safety.“I can’t afford that road accidents

will further continue. Apart from our plan of procuring speed guns, I am also tasking the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) to create an ordinance that facilitates the speed limit of every passing vehicle most especially in slope areas,” Tamayo said adding that he is thankful for the additional help from Dolefil.

Meanwhile, police supt. Marvin Fontalva, Tupi PNP chief is hopeful that with the presence of the ComPAC, police authorities can now extend immediate response and police assistance to nearby barangays. (SJDuerme-PIA12/Tupi LGU)


KABACAN, North Cotabato --The provincial government of North Cotabato has inaugurated two road concreting projects in this town on January 21 and 22 in the villages of Katidtuan and Dagupan, respectively.

NorthCot LGU inaugurates two new concrete roadsBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

The newly constructed Katidtuan concrete road is about 500 meters long and connects to the nearby village of Dagupan.

Costing P5 million, said road project also includes a box culverts at it halfway section a

“The road here used to be rough and the condition was bad especially during heavy rains,” Bienvenido M. Ticbe, Jr. chairman of Katidtuan village said.

He noted that with the completion of the project, more than a thousand residents especially the farmers will be benefited.

On the other hand, residents of Dagupan village can now also benefit from the same project which was funded P21 million.

The 1.7-kilometer road connects the mentioned village to the nearby barangay of Aringay.

The road concreting project is under the Soccsksargen DA-Area Development Project (DA-ADP), a subsidiary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) where the provincial government made a counterpart of P3.5 million.

Engr. Gina Cachuela, project

coordinator of DA-ADP elaborated that the project is among the infrastructure projects of DA-ADP which aims to provide project assistance to local government units.

“It is important for us to partner with provincial and local officials so they themselves can identify what kind of project will benefit them the most,” Cachuela added.

Meanwhile, North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza said that the provincial government is serious in implementing infrastructure projects particularly those lined up by the Office of the Provincial Engineer.

“In line with the ‘Serbisyong Totoo’, advocacy, my administration would like to ensure the full implementation and on time completion of infrastructure projects,” Mendoza noted.

On the other hand, Kabacan Mayor Herlo Guzman, Jr. vowed to continuously support the programs and projects of the provincial government. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


Freedom to launch ‘flag donation’ advocacyBUTUAN CITY -- The Foundation for Rural Enterprise and Ecology Development of Mindanao (FREEDOM), Inc., a non-government organization based in Mindanao, is set to launch a flag donation advocacy dubbed “One Flag, One Country, One People, One Freedom” to the far-flung communities in the country.

By Fryan E. Abkilan


FREEDOM executive director Antonio Peralta said that one of the components of the advocacy is that they will be giving several Philippine flags to the identified communities whose flags are already tattered, faded or worn-out.

“We wanted to create a nationalistic awareness to the community and that flag is not only a symbol but an expression of pride. Showing respect to our national flag is an act of patriotism as it is the fruit of our heroes’ sweat and blood,” he said.

Peralta said that FREEDOM shares in the belief that the Philippine flag should be viewed more than just embellishment but as a living symbol of our country and our freedom, an agent of nationalism and social transformation.

“We wanted them to be proud as Filipinos, no matter what because we only have one flag, one country, and one freedom,” he said.

Peralta said they will primarily focus the far-flung rural schools, sitios and barangays in Caraga region.


PopCom grants IT support to LGUsBy Angie Balen- Antonio

BUTUAN CITY - The Commission on Population (PopCom) awards a set of brand new IT equipment to local population office recently in a ceremony made in one of the establishments here in the city.

The turn-over ceremony in time of the Regional Assessment and Planning-Workshop is one of the concrete support of PopCom to local government units in the implementation of the Philippine Population Management Program.

PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio A. Perez III represented PopCom in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Population Offices.

The population program workers expressed their appreciation to PopCom for recognizing their contribution particularly in the implementation of Responsible Parenting-Family Planning

Program (RP-FP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) and Population and Development (POPDEV) integration.

PopCom regional director Alexander A. Makinano pointed out that the IT equipment are just part of the supports extended by PopCom to the Local Population Office aside from the financial and technical assistance.

The official further mentioned that with the aid of the new sets of IT equipment, the conduct of various IEC/advocacy activities along RP-FP, AHYD and POPDEV from the province/city down to the barangay level will be more intensified.


“We do not only aim to rebuild communities,” said Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo, “but also to enhance the resilience of our communities with the aid of technology.”

The program, also in collaboration with the trade and agriculture departments, will have several components, including the establishment of community-based enterprises, business incubators, business and technology centers, innovation and knowledge centers, and promotion of climate change mitigation to increase community disaster resiliency.

Said component programs, according to Sec. Montejo, are built upon the “Filipino’s spirit of self-reliance, resilience, and ingenuity.”

Business and technology incubators will provide a package of support services to start-up enterprises while business and technology centers will serve as alternative sites and technology terminals to create new or revive enterprises. Innovation and knowledge centers, meanwhile, will provide relevant information on

science, technology, and innovation. As well, the Department of Labor

and Employment will provide working capital in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs; trainings on skills and entrepreneurship, and organizational development, as well as on productivity, safety and health; and facilitate entrepreneurs’ enrollment to micro-insurance.

Agreed responsibilities of said agencies are sealed in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on Jan. 23 this year at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City attended by the heads, regional directors, and key officials of the involved agencies.

Within the next 30 days, DOST and DOLE regional offices will conduct consultations with possible beneficiaries and come up with a detailed action plan.

Priority technologies for livelihoodDOST’s priority technologies to be

included in the livelihood program include indigenous handicraft making, fiber glass bancas, foldaway shelter, ceramic water pot filter, bakery products, charcoal briquetting, vegetable noodles, waste recycling,

By Framelia V. Anonas

DOST-DOLE partnership to open more technology-driven jobs for disaster-devastated communities

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga regional director Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte lauded the efforts and zeal of Surigao del Norte Division on its 3rd Reading Encampment with the theme, “Nasa Pagbasa ang Pag-asa” in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, recently.


and complementary foods for babies. For the fishery sector, livelihood

packages include smokehouse kits, fish canning and bottling, fish and squid drying, vacuum packing, fish fillet, and minced fish.

While DOST will provide appropriate technologies and livelihood training, DOLE will handle the employment aspect. The Department of Trade and Industry will take care of the market side, and the Department of Agriculture will manage the agriculture and fishery aspect.

Joint forces to help Yolanda victims

This program is a convergence of government agencies, said Sec. Montejo, to maximize resources and ensure sustainability.

This is echoed by DOLE Sec. Rosalinda J. Baldoz who said that the four agencies, all in the livelihood, employment and commerce cluster, have forged this program in the cabinet level.

She shared that in her visits to Yolanda-hit areas, she found out that employment is now the top need of communities. “People in the devastated regions are already looking for jobs,” she bared.

This is why the agencies came up with this convergence program, she said, which is a part of the RAY or Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda.

Technology-driven, resource-based, sustainable

“The use of technology (in the livelihoods) will create value,” Montejo stressed. “The convergence of agencies ensure that there will be markets, and value-adding through technology ensure the program’s sustainability.”

On resource-based livelihoods, he explained, “Whatever we find in a certain area, we will create a product out of it using technology, add value to it, and find market for it.”

As an example, he shared that in his meetings with the local officials in Jaro, Leyte, they planned to package their local lechon (roasted pig) as “Yolanda-brand” and find market for it in Manila. In Basey, Samar, meanwhile, their abundant root crop camote (sweet potato), can be processed into chips, and appropriately package it to make it competitive in the market, he told.

“President Benigno S. Aquno III’s instruction is clear: All initiatives must be sustainable so that we will see better communities in the future,” Sec. Baldoz told. “The reforms pushed by the President are not great changes but reform on how we do things—that these initiatives will go on even after this administration.”

The programs, being technology-based, make us confident that these will be sustainable, according to her. “Sustainability ensures the transformation of beneficiaries to better families, communities and country, leading to inclusive growth.”

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph


DOT 10 to hold Pasundayag NorMinby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aimed at promoting Northern Mindanao as a great local destination in the country, the Department of Tourism Region 10 (DOT-10) will travel to IloIlo on February 16 to 22, to hold its annual promotion project entitled ‘Pasundayag’ Northern Mindanao.


‘Pasundayag’ is the yearly major regional promotion project of the Department of Tourism Region 10 together with the Northern Mindanao Regional Tourism Council (NMRTC) since 2003, according to DOT-10 Carlston Maglangit during the Philippine Information Agency 10 (PIA-10) weekly radio program Lambo Dyes at DXIM radio Ng Bayan on Friday. “This is its first time in the Visayas and we specifically selected Iloilo City due to the growing interest of the milieu and our objective of capturing the market,” Maglangit said. With the theme this year is “Bridging Cultural Diversities Amid Challenges,” he explained that this was the theme chosen since recent disasters and natural calamities in Visayas and Mindanao proved to be a huge challenge in gaining tourists. But, despite these unfortunate events, we do not stop from promoting and pursuing travelling especially in local tourism. Further, this activity should promote domestic tourism, effect increase in arrivals, focus the potentials of key destinations, integrate value of the region’s cultural endowments in tourism promotion, and continue the yearly conduct of the project,

he said. They have already gathered participants for this event including Local Government Units (LGUs) of Northern Mindanao, private sector such as local producers of food products, handicrafts, accommodation, transportation and hospitality services, exhibitors particularly in the cities and provinces of Northern Mindanao and Cultural Performers from Schools, Colleges and Universities. In the end, this activity intends to achieve its goal in business matching with partners from Region 10 and Region 6, increase tourist arrivals, utilize tourism products, create goodwill to both Regions creating Tourism Competitiveness in terms of services, product developments and possible increase of Job Opportunities, strengthen the Cagayan de Oro City – Iloilo City Route and create of new tour packages.


Stakeholders sign MOU on computerization of accounting transaction in CdeO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The city of Cagayan de Oro will embark on the computerization of accounting transaction in the barangays.

by CIO

Cagayan de Oro through City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among partners Xavier University represented by President Fr. Roberto C. Yap; Mr. Ermin Pimentel, director of Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana and Nestor Banuag, program officer of Collaborative Service Learning Program; Department of Interior and Local Government city director Engr. Jane J. Docallos; Association of Barangay Captains represented by barangay #15 chairman Lucilo Legaspi and barangay chairman Pedro D. Balite of pilot barangay Kauswagan for the implementation of the “Updating and Computerization of Barangay Accounting Transaction Project.” With the technical expertise services from XU’s KKP-SIO and its College of Computer Studies and School of Business and Management, the project basically aims to update the barangay financial records, enhance the competence of barangay personnel (barangay treasurers and records keepers) in the implementation of barangay accounting system as mandated by Commission on Audit. It also intends to establish websites for accounting transaction to respective barangays.

Under the project’s component, necessary hardware/facilities needed and training expenses will be shouldered by the city, while the software shall be provided freely by the Xavier University students. Mayor Moreno strongly pushed the project as he sees the need to enhance the proficiency of barangay officials and personnel in performing their mandated tasks and responsibilities and equip them with the necessary tools and practices in running the day to day affairs of the barangay. The City Government is also cognizant on the urgent need to update barangay records and computerization of accounting transaction in order to be more accessible in government websites and to preserve the integrity of the transaction. City accountant Atty. Beda Joy Elot, city budget officer Atty. Percy Salazar, Hapsay Dalan chairman Atty. Jose Edgardo Uy, city personnel officer Ma. Dulce Potenciano of the human resource management office, city social welfare and development officer Teddy Sabuga-a and city information officer Ma. Cecilia C. Rivera witnessed the MOU signing at the City Mayor’s Office on January 22, 2014.


Through the partnership of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), Research Institute for Mindanao Cultures (RIMCU) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Cinemagis ensures that film making programs are sustained and talents here are nurtured. Further, it aims to harvest and complement filmmaking frontiers that capture the voices, aspirations, stories and lore of Northern Mindanao. According to Hobart P. Savior, director of XCCA that films, like any other forms of art, are essential media for learning and for liberal education. He added that this year, Cinemagis curate films that have social relevance. There are films that reflect on climate, women, gender, peace and development, food health and sanitation, social prejudice, self-awareness and respect, he said. Official entries to this festival for professional category include “Panamilit” by Tat Soriano, “Lugdang” by Gray-em Erezo, “Estrella” by Mark Gio Amoguis, “Hello” by Kevin Nico Surposa and “Ika-3 Putahi” by Joeromer Bacus.

Meanwhile student category entries include “Lugos” by Christine Pulgo of Mindanao University of Science and Technology, “Perla” by Angel Frances Borres of Xavier University High School, “Wa Ko Kakita” by Eastine Charles P. Taneo of Liceo de Cagayan University, “Kaon Ta” by Richard Mars Caberte of Xavier University, “Ceasefire” by Jamela Bato of MSU-IIT, “Unawa” by Kristel Hypa Magallanes of MSU-IIT, “The Perfect Girl” by Janine Banday of Xavier University and “Binibining Kanser” by JS Legara of Xavier University. Nominations included Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Story, Best Editing, Best in Sound Scoring, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Short Film. On January 25, winners were declared at SM City Cagayan de Oro. “Ika-3 Putahi” (Recipe No. 3) was declared Best Short Film- Professional Category. It also garnered six other awards: Best Art Direction, Best Story, Best Editing, Best Sound Scoring, Best Director for Joeromer Bacus and Best Actor for Rusty Quintana. On the other hand, the Best Student Short Film went to “Wa Ko

NorMin indie films compete in 6th Cinemagis film festival by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of 13 entries from student to professional category competed in the 6th Cinemagis film festival, a digital short film festival in Northern Mindanao on January 23 to 25.


Kakita” (I Haven’t Seen It) by Eastine Charles Taneo from Liceo de Cagayan University (LdeCU). It also won three other awards: Best Story, Best Director for Taneo and Best Actor for Ray

Anthony Vacalares. These winners will represent region 10 to Cinema Rehiyon, a national film festival organized by NCCA on February 18-22.

Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy

Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy


Interfaith groups welcome progress of GPH-MILF peace talks By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Interfaith leaders in the city welcomed the progress in the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after the two signed the normalization annex last week.


Interfaith groups welcome progress of GPH-MILF peace talks

BFAR issues Red Tide advisory for Zambo Sibugay, other areasBy Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - “For the first time, Zamboanga Sibugay has experienced red tide occurrence.” This was the statement of Provincial Fishery Officer Estrella C. Macapobre, who said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has issued a Red Tide advisory, warning the public to refrain from eating, gathering or harvesting, and marketing shellfish

from Sibuguey Bay. The BFAR issued the Shellfish ban advisory on Jan. 13, 2014 after a series of tests on shellfishes from the island municipality of Mabuhay where the agency first received a report of sea water discoloration in Dec. 2013.

Interfaith prime mover and Silsillah Movement head Italian Priest Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra said: “It’s still early to talk about what it (peace talks) may bring, but it is a good start especially with the recent developments.” Fr. D’Ambra said they support all the initiatives being undertaken to achieve peace in Mindanao. “Anything for peace, we support it,” he said, although he pointed out that “it’s not yet a done deal.” “We see some problems that will come. In fact we have already seen some problems happen due to the peace negotiation, but we are expecting these. It’s a difficult but challenging times for us,” he said. Fr. D’Ambra said there is still one thing that bothers them about the ongoing negotiations.

“They were saying that the Bangsamoro entity is for everybody, regardless of religion and ethnicity, and that is actually the essence of it. But our apprehension is that the projection of the ongoing talks is only for Muslims. We hope it’s not,” he said. Although Zamboanga City is out of the proposed Bangsamoro area, D’Ambra said they are still doing their share to cultivate the culture of peace here. “We have already created the Interfaith Council of Zamboanga composed of groups from civil societies, non-government and organizations, and the different religious leaders here to help us reach the people and avoid misinformation that may stem from the peace talks,” D’Ambra explained.


Macapobre said the advisory might take several months or even years to be in effect until such time that shellfish toxicity level shall have gone down below the regulatory limit. To this end, BFAR will launch an orientation on red tide occurrence come Feb. 11-13, leading to the creation of a Task Force for the 16 municipalities of Zamboanga Sibugay province. The three-day orientation, which will be attended by Ipil Provincial Fisheries Officers (PFO), local government units (LGUs) technicians and personnel will have actual field work and establishment of sampling points in Sibuguey Bay, as well as the signing of MOA by the municipal mayors. Macapobre said that this initiative of the BFAR is part of their continuing Information, Education and Communication campaign (IEC),

adding that “updating the public is vital especially in cases like red tide because it involves human life.” “If there would be large quantity intake of shellfish which is positive for paralytic poison, it might cause death depending on the person’s body resistance,” Ms. Macapobre explained. In addition, she said that fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. The shellfish advisory also includes Dumanguillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Bataan coastal waters of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal which tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.


The BNEO 2013 of the DILG is a term-based program that tackles the whole gamut of barangay governance. It provides guidance in ensuring smooth transition, conduct of orientation course, planning, citizenship building, performance management, specialized courses, and awards and incentives. Its objective is to facilitate the smooth transition of power and authorities from the outgoing to the incoming barangay officials, enhance the competencies of barangay officials in performing their mandated tasks and responsibilities and harness the participation of citizens as major partners in local development. The methodology of the orientation includes, Radio Aralan, Face to Face Training, Webinar and Coaching Mentoring. DILG Provincial Director Arnel F. Gudio in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) said the very objective of the program plays a big role in the development and progress of every barangays wherein the outgoing officials would be able to turn-over

their on-going projects, long term plans to the incoming officials to secure continuous development. At the last day of the training, the participants were required, as their outputs, to formulate their respective Barangay Agenda for Governance and Development (BAGAD). Gudio said the barangay officials from far municipalities like those from the three island municipalities would be housed in the venue. “The venues should supposedly be in their respective municipalities but since some municipalities don’t have enough space for the venue, we conduct the orientation here in Ipil,” Gudio explained. He also pointed out that the orientation has been a consistent activity of the DILG over the past years after each election. As of this writing, an orientation has been going on for the barangay officials of Buug town. The three-day orientation-workshops will run until March 2014 to cover all barangays in the entire province.

First round of DILG’s BNEO training kicks off in Sibugay By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Newly elected barangay officials as well as barangay secretaries and treasurers from Mabuhay town in Zamboanga Sibugay have undergone Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) orientation conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Zamboanga Sibugay at Roderic’s Hotel and Resort here on Jan. 22-24.


About 290 student leaders from the different high schools in Isabela City participated in a two-day

event organized by the Association of Supreme Student Government Advisers (ASSGA) in cooperation

Isabela City DepEd holds 1st Division Leadership Training for student leadersISABELA CITY, Basilan – High school student leaders gathered at Begang National High School this city for the first Division Leadership Training for Supreme Student Government (SSG) leaders on Jan. 24-25, 2014.

By Rene V. Carbayas


Isabela City DepEd holds 1st Division Leadership Training for student leaders

with the city school division. Two personnel from the Philippine Information Agency - Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (PIA-ZBST) Information Center were key speaker-facilitators during the event. Information Center Manager Felipo Dave G. Malcampo lectured on Communication and Decision-Making as important life skills in leadership. He focused on the development of personhood and values clarification as vital components for effective communication and sound decision-making skills. On the other hand, PIA-Basilan Field Officer Rene V. Carbayas led participants through workshops and structured learning activities to appreciate their roles as leaders in their respective schools, and their greater responsibility towards creating a society that is just and peaceful. He discussed the basic concepts of leadership and all other skills necessary for a young leader to develop. The two-day training was participated in by the following

schools: Basilan National High School, Isabela City National High School, Begang National High School, Tandung-Ahas National High School, Basilan National Nigh High School, Kumalarang National High School, Malamawi National High School, and Geras Integrated National High School. Ibnutaha A. Abdurajak, DepEd EPS for Araling Panlipunan, said that the training aims “to lay down the groundwork for unity, cooperation, and harmony among schools, students and other stakeholders in the division.” “This hopes to provide a venue where the participants can improve their leadership abilities to become quality members of the society where they belong, and to equip them with ideals and principles toward participative democracy,” he said. The training also hopes to develop the student leaders’ skills to achieve quality education and leadership excellence as an ultimate tool in restructuring idling society.


DSWD enabled to tap P40-billion calamity fund

DAVAO CITY-On top of its quick response fund (QRF), the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD) can dip into the P40-billion national calamity fund that Congress has approved, DSWD Asst. Secretary Camilo G. Gudmalin said.

In an interview with the media after the recent 63rd A n n i v e r s a r y program of DSWD XI, G u d m a l i n revealed that the Department of Budget and M a n a g e m e n t (DBM) had allowed DSWD to tap the P40 billion fund on top of its P662 million QRF for disaster

response. “Dswd can have a share of that calamity fund if we shall have exhausted our QRF, depending on the needs,” he told media practitioners.He cited as an instance the P3


billion rehabilitation fund given this year to DSWD for Typhoon Pablo -hit areas in Davao Oriental and in Compostela Valley aside from the P662 million QRF. “Depending on the needs, sabi ng DBM (DBM said), whatever is the need to rehab damaged communities and families, we can ask augmentation from DBM,” he added. Despite the latest calamities in Eastern Visayas and in Bohol, DSWD will see to it that commitments made by the government to previously-hit areas by typhoon Sendong and Pablo will be accomplished. “Sabay natin ito gagawin (We will simultaneously do this) as the

President (Benigno S. Aquino III) made a commitment that we will not forget areas stricken by past calamities,” he said. He recalled the President making rounds in December last year in Compostela Valley, in Zamboanga and in Tacloban to assess the government response to disaster-hit areas. Gudmalin said DSWD still continued its shelter projects in Iligan City and in Cagayan de Oro City where typhoon Sendong left devastation and DSWD set to complete this year the construction of 17,000 shelter units in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

facts and figures

P40-million amount of calamity fund the DSWD can tap. This is the amount of calamity fund approved by Congress for 2014.


City’s Demolition unit undergoes mixed martial arts trainingDAVAO CITY- The personnel of the Davao City Demolition (Sidewalk) Unit are undergoing mixed mar-tial arts training to better defend themselves during sidewalk clear-ing operations. According to Yusuf Jimlani, the personnel are undergoing four days or eight sessions of training mostly on stick-fighting, they are also trained on mixed martial arts techniques like kick boxing and street fighting. The martial arts sessions started last January 25. The training are focused mostly on stick-fighting combining Okinawan, Chinese, Chinese and Filipino styles and techniques. Jimlani says there are plans to train the personnel on arming and disarming as most of the resisting sidewalk vendors carry weapons. The demolition unit is in the midst of intense sidewalk clearing operations to enforce the city’s “one-third, two-third policy” wherein street vendors should only occupy one-third of the side-walk allowing two-thirds of the path for pedestrians.

Yusuf declined to mention how many are those in training citing it as classified information, “The sessions aims to give them the confidence in light of several threats against us not to mention one of them was killed last December 2010.” Jimlani said. The City Demolition Unit lost a member during a clearing operation in the busy Bankerohan Public Market in 2010. Meanwhile the City is experimenting on using the wide Roxas Avenue as a night market for vendors affected by the policy. The three-month period will have vendors occupying a portion of the avenue for their night market from 7 p.m to 3 a.m. Jimlani said based on his observation people are coming to the night market and business there is brisk. He cited that the intensified demolitions has prompted the public to visit the area as there are no more places where street vendors can congregate except for the night market. (PIA/RG Alama)

One Mindanao - January 28, 2014

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Transcript of One Mindanao - January 28, 2014