One Mindanao - January 31, 2012

2 Tuesday, January 31, 2012ONE MINDANAO

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESWestern 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 Bliz

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ 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)

2/F 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

Today’s issue... Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 170

2 DavNor cities now implement BPLS

Gensan pushes for efficient tax collection measure

DepEd Regional Secretary starts reforms in DepEd-ARMM

More than 300 incoming freshmen in Zambo Norte avail early registration

57 cases of dengue in 22 days - Zambo City Health Office

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

Jen Mendoza, Southern Mindanao

Pops Gumana-Fruylan, Central Mindanao

Perlita Changco, Central Mindanao

1516

JFC sees 6% growth for Phl in 2012 20

‘Elevate public discourse, empower people’, Coloma tells communicators 10

Piliin ang mga produktong may Sangkap Pinoy Seal

Victor J. Alfonso, Jr., Caraga Region

ARMM government beefs-up security inside compound21

DPWH to complete high impact tourism projects in Siargao Island

Michael O. Conte, Caraga Region

13

18 Health programs more felt under PNOY-RDR23

8Aquino government to exert extra effort to achieve 2012 economic growth target 12

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 and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

EDITORIAL BOARD

Cover Story

DENR-13 exceeds 2011 targets for

national greening and anti-illegal

logging programs

Eric F. GallegoCaraga Region

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 170

2 DavNor cities now implement BPLS

Gensan pushes for efficient tax collection measure

DepEd Regional Secretary starts reforms in DepEd-ARMM


Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

57 cases of dengue in 22 days - Zambo City Health Office

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

Pops Gumana-Fruylan, Central Mindanao

Perlita Changco, Central Mindanao

2427

28

page 4

JFC sees 6% growth for Phl in 2012 Danielle Venz, Northern Mindanao

‘Elevate public discourse, empower people’, Coloma tells communicators


Victor J. Alfonso, Jr., Caraga Region

32

ARMM government beefs-up security inside compound

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

DPWH to complete high impact tourism projects in Siargao Island

Michael O. Conte, Caraga Region

31

22

2925

Health programs more felt under PNOY-RDRRG Alama, Southern Mindanao

Aquino government to exert extra effort to achieve 2012 economic growth target


Cover Story

DENR-13 exceeds 2011 targets for national greening and anti-illegal logging programs

While 2011 saw parts of Mindanao devastated by tropical storm Sendong—and brought to the fore the extent of environmental

degradation in the island—the year also saw successes in government efforts towards protecting the environment and people from further harm.

by Eric F. Gallego

5 Tuesday, January 31, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said that, during his first year as head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office 13, the agency’s accomplishments were above-par, especially in two major programs: the National Greening Program (NGP) and anti-illegal logging campaign. The NGP (or Executive Order No. 26) seeks to plant some 1.5 billion trees all over the country from 2011 to 2016. This will cover 1.5 million hectares of the public lands such as forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations. Caraga Region’s target in 2011was to plant trees in 1,272 hectares in five prov-inces: of Agusan del Norte, (145 ha.), Agu-san del Sur (550 ha.), Surigao del Sur (410 ha.), Surigao del Norte (147 ha.) and the Dinagat Islands (20 ha.) By the end of 2011, the region was able to plant trees in 1,300 hectares of de-nuded areas. In support of this endeavour, the different nursery centers of the Region produced a total of 746,312 seedlings,

including 182,669 for fruit trees, and 454,350 for forest and mangrove. Mangrove seedlings were also planted at the coastline covering a total of 60 hectares in Tagaanan, Tubajon in Surigao del Norte; Lumbucan in Butuan City, Punta, Nasipit, Magallanes and Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Barangay Sibaroy, Bislig, San Agustin, Bayabas,Carmen, Carasscal, Madrid, Lanuza and Cantillan in Surigao del Sur which are being managed and supervised by the local officials, private organizations , women organization, the Bantay Dagat and fisherfolk. On February 2, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No.23 imposing a total log ban in natural and residual forest. The said Order also prohibited the DENR from issuing and renewing contracts and tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forest. The ban, however, allowed tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to IPRA law but this is subject to strict compliance with the DENR guidelines. DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje then organized the Environmental Law


Enforcement Task Force Pagbabago led by a retired Maj. Gen.Renato P. Miranda . During the initial operation, the task force confiscated 2,300 pieces of illegal logs in several tributaries of Agusan River particularly in San Luis, Talacogon towards Loreto in Agusan del Sur. The operation has been sustained thereafter. According to RED Sibbaluca “all eyes” are focused on the Caraga Region in regards to the anti-illegal logging operations considering that the region contributes about 90 percent of total confiscation nationwide. As of December 2011, DENR records show that a total of 4,132 cubic meters of illegal logs and 315,567.75 board feet (747.45 cu.m) of flitches and lumber have been confiscated by the task force during its 48 weeks operations in 2011. In 2010, the anti-illegal logging operation netted only 11,687.74 cu.m. of confiscated forest products. A total of 1,994,360.32 board ft. of lumber materials from confiscated products have been do-nated by the DENR to the Department of Education through the Technical Skills and Development Au-thority (TESDA ) Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trade in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. More than 10,000 arm chairs for elementary pupils have been manufactured by the TESDA as of November 2011 which will be sent to the different public schools in the country. The DENR is still awaiting the nod of the DepEd for the turn-over of more than 7,242 cu-bic meters of confiscated forest products which are slowly deteriorating due to exposure to natural ele-ments at the different DENR-authorized depository sites in the region. The other sectors of DENR 13 have their respective accomplishments in 2011 include: 1) The Land Management Services headed by Regional Technical Director Atty. Paquito Rosal reported that a total of 6,697 residential free patents and 6,778 patents have been issued under the regular fund and 8,501 patents have been issued under the


Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program under the “Handog Titulo ng Pangulo” program; 2) The Forestry Sector headed by RTD Musa Saruang reported that it conducted watershed rehabilitation assessment covering 30 kilometers at the Mt. Magdiwata , San Francisco, Agusan del Sur and at Wawa Watershed covering 57,225 hectares in Bayugan and part of Agusan del Norte; 3) A total of 567 kilometers of forestland boundary lines have been assessed last year generating about 136 jobs; 4) The Ecosystem Research and Development under RTD Virgilio dela Cruz conducted rehabilitation of mangrove area of 60 hectares. It also produced 11,538 pieces of seedlings for the National Greening Program.

Programs for 2012 According to RED Sibbaluca, the major programs of DENR 13 for this year will focused on the implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act, Philippine Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. The DENR will likewise continue the reinforcement of EO 23. The boundaries of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary shall also be demarcated to protect the endangered mamal and bird species in the area. It shall also formulate 12 forest-land use plans, intensify the protection an development of established Protected Area such as Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape, and the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary; intensify the implementation of Integrated Coastal Management Program pursuant to EO 533; establish an operation center for the NGP, issuance of 6,627 patents for residential under the Residential Free Patent Act 10023 and 8,500 patents under CARP among other major programs.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino to lead Philippine Information Agency’s 25th Anniversary celebration Wednesday

President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead in a series of events on

Wednesday in line with the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the lead agency which serves as the direct link of communication between the government and the people as well as a dais where the citizens could express their opinions, views and beliefs to the highest official of the land.

Upon his arrival, the Presi-dent will be received by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. and PIA Director General Jose Fabia.

Topping President Aquino’s activities are the launching

of the agency’s n e w e s t

technological approach in efforts to better serve the Filipino people, the PIA’s New Website and SMS portal.

Following the launch, the Chief Executive will also witness the turn-over of the symbolic discs by Fabia to Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III. The discs are

PIA’s collection that will be handed to the Presidential Museum and Library under the PCDSPO.

Culminating the President’s attendance to the PIA event will be the viewing of the PIA Exhibit and Art Gallery.

The Philippine Information Agency was created by virtue of Executive Order No.


100 issued December 24, 1986 in accordance with revolutionary legislative powers of then President Corazon C. Aquino under the 1986 Freedom Constitution.

Upon its creation, the PIA was envisioned to provide a free flow of accurate, timely and relevant information that will assist the people in decision-making and identification of opportunities to improve quality of life. It also enables the citizenry to participate meaningfully in the democratic processes.

Its tasks include the establish-

m e n t

and maintenance of selected regional/provincial informa-tion centers on community needs for use in planning communications programs and provide basic informa-tion of government and on areas of particular interests to the community it serves.

The provision of technical assistance to other government agencies on the communication component of their programs; initiate the planning and implement the information programs of national scope; assessment of information needs of the people through opinion

polls and surveys to be used to systematically obtain the public’s needs and views on government programs and to plan information programs; lead in the conduct of research studies for policy formulation and the evaluation of information program effectiveness; and the upgrading of skills of government information officers, rural broadcasters, communicators, journalists and other communications personnel through training services and/or consultancy, among others. (JCL)


Mass media practitioners have a major role in elevating public discourse as well as empowering the people towards national progress and reform, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said before the

graduating batch of journalism students of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication in San Juan City on Monday.

“In the context of the present day Philippine realities what are your responsibilities as citizens and scholars? I want to

suggest that to be truly relevant

citizens-

scholars must work purposively to become instruments for liberating our fellow Filipinos from the shackles of poverty and ignorance.

“Kalayaan po ang pinag-uusapan natin dito,” Coloma said in his commencement

message.To achieve this goal, Co-

loma cited three imperatives – that the graduates serve as channel for the propa-gation of communication for development or C4D, that

‘Elevate public discourse, empower people’, Coloma tells communicators


they should work together to elevate the quality of public discourse, and that the students, being mas-ters of their craft, serve as teachers, mentors and artists of encouragement.

Explaining the C4D as a dialogue or a social process, Coloma said this is where communities express their aspirations and concerns and community members participate in decisions that relate to their environment.

The role of media practitioners is to empower people in their communities to engage them in shaping their own destiny, Coloma said.

“Kailangan po nating bigyan

n g

pagkakataon ang ating mga mamamayan na isaad ang kanilang saloobin, iparating ang kanilang mga hinaing at bigyang-tinig at kahulugan ang kanilang mga pangarap. Iyan po ang layunin ng Philippine Development Plan ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III,” he said.

According to Coloma, President Aquino wants that even the poorest Filipino benefits from the inclusive growth achieved by the country through government economic endeavors.

The media has tremen-dous role in raising the awareness of the people on many issues, particularly cli-mate change and disaster response, Coloma added.

To raise the quality of public discourse, Coloma suggested that media prac-titioners must also focus on developmental form of re-portage instead of delving too much on politics and controversies.

In concluding his mes-sage, Coloma urged the graduates to take on their roles as masters and men-tors with vigor and dedica-tion.

“Sana po ay maglingkod at magsilbi tayong lahat bilang tagapaghatid ng bagong pag-asa at tagapagtaguyod ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas,” Coloma said. (AS)


Aquino government to exert extra effort to achieve 2012 economic growth targetMalacañang said

the Aquino government will exert its best

efforts to achieve five to six percent gross domestic product (GDP) this year based on the instruction of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

“We will certainly be exert-ing our best efforts to meet the target. And, as such, the President has already made several pronouncements on this and we will be follow-ing… the concerned agencies will be following suit,” Depu-ty Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Valte was responding to reporters’ questions whether the government considers achieving the five to six percent GDP target an uphill fight for the Aquino administration.

Valte also defended the economic growth of the

country during the initial years of the Aquino

government

saying that while figures are a bit lower compared to the previous administration, more Filipinos benefited from the achievements of the present government.

“Mas maganda naman yung inclusive growth. Katulad ng sinabi ng Pangulo, while you see numbers that is to the liking of some of our economists, mas maganda naman po na mas marami sa atin ang nakakaramdam of the growth that we have had now,” she said.

At the same time, Valte reiterated the government thrust of a more aggressive spending this year to boost the country’s economy par-ticularly in infrastructure de-velopment and agriculture.

While there are some criticisms about the lacklus-

ter spending of the govern-ment that affected the coun-try’s economic growth last year, the administration said external factors have con-tributed to slower economic growth.

Among these factors in-clude the financial woes in Europe, the slowdown of the US economy, the disas-ters that hit Japan, and the political uncertainties in the Middle East.

The Philippines, being an exporter of semiconductors and electronic products as well as agricultural products and human services, was affected by the recent developments in the global economic environment. (AS)


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WESCOM sets direction for Civil Military Operations by Rene V. Carbayas

The Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) gathered the different officials in a workshop to set new direction for its Civil Military

Operations (CMO) in Palawan.


The Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO, AFP, RADM Miguel Jose S. Ro-driguez , along with his staff con-ducted a three-day CMO Direction-Setting Workshop at the WESCOM Headquarters. The said workshop was held on January 18-20, 2012. The 6th Civil Relations Group of the AFP reported that the CMO Direction-Setting Workshop aims to formulate CMO parameters, syner-gize action plans for the organic, op-erationally controlled and operation command (OPCON/OPCOM) units of WESCOM. The workshop also intended to develop a report format for routine and special projects to quantify and qualify CMO parameters in the province of Palawan. The Palawan Provincial and Puerto Princesa City Police Community Relations Officers attended the activity to further align their civil relations works. RADM Rodriguez stressed that it is high time for the CMO activities of all units in Palawan to be more coordinated and to move in one

direction towards achieving the ultimate goal--“wining the peace” of Oplan Bayanihan (IPSP). Oplan Bayanihan is the counter-insurgency strategy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in winning the peace and not just defeating the enemy. The IPSP has four specific elements: good governance, delivery of basic services, economic reconstruction and sustainable development, and security sector reform to ensure the protection of the state and the people. The three-day workshop was attended by all CMO officers of Western Command (WESCOM), 570th Composite Tactical Wing (CTW), Naval Forces West (NFW), Joint Task Force Peacock (JTFP), Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTFM), 6th Civil Relations Group of CRSAFP (6CRG,CRSAFP), Palawan CAA Ad-ministrative Unit (PCAU), Naval Re-serve Center (NRCEN), 4th Air Force Reserve Center (ARCEN), and Pala-wan Civil Defense Center (PCDC). ( J P A / 6 C R G A F P / R V C - P I A 9 ZBST)


This, after Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued DepEd Order No. 4-2012, declaring January 28, 2012 as “Early Registration Day” in all public elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. Ms. Editha M. Acabal, Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) Guidance Counsellor III said, more than 300 upcoming Freshmen have availed of the early registration. Five percent of the registrants were either drop-outs or out-of-school youth. The registration was conducted at its main campus in Estaka, Dipolog City


DIPOLOG CITY - Hundreds of incoming Grade I and First Year High School students, including out-of-school youths and drop-outs excitedly went to schools Saturday to register early for the school year 2012-2013.

by Alfonso T. Ruda


ZAMBOANGA CITY - Cases of dengue ascended to 57 for the past 22 days announced City Health Office (CHO) here.

City Health Officer Rodelin Agbulos said though the figure is lower compared to 70 dengue cases recorded same month, last year, the public should not be complacent as far as cleanliness is concern. Agbulos advised public to keep

57 cases of dengue in 22 days - Zambo City Health Officeby Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Acabal said, they are now pre-paring the report to be submitted to the DepEd Central Office. Based on the data, DepEd will make a plan to address resource gaps and implement necessary intervention programs. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the early regis-tration will help education officials, local government officials and other sectors to prepare for the opening of classes in June, especially concerning the resources. DepEd wants all children age five and six to be enrolled in Kindergarten and Grade I respectively, next school year. Likewise, it also wants to enroll out-of-school children and youth aged five to 18 in formal education or the

alternative learning system. Incoming Grade I pupils and First Year high students next school year will already be covered by the new 12-year basic education cycle. The K to 12 Enhanced Basic Ed-ucation Program is a new curriculum that mandates children to go to kin-dergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. The DepEd said the program would improve students’ competen-cies in subjects especially in English, Math and Science and make them pre-pared for college and globally skilled for local and foreign employment. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)


their surroundings clean and free from possible breeding grounds of mosquitoes that may be carriers of the dengue virus. Agbulos said public should practice search and destroy strategy; search for possible breeding grounds and destroy the same as a way of containing the number of mosquitoes that may be carriers of dengue. He said to avoid storing water in open containers, regularly change water in flower vases, or check old and unused tires that have stagnant water in it. In a way, this is already ridding off of an opportunity to breed. As mosquito -carrying dengue

virus thrives on clear, stagnant water, Agbulos urged public to clear and avoid having stagnant water in their surroundings. The health officer informed, as of this time, no fatalities were yet recorded as against two fatalities registered same month of last year. As there is no vaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites. CHO noted 9 barangays where dengue is prevalent: Talon-Talon, San Roque, Tetuan, Tumaga, Guiwan, Putik, Rio Hondo, Sangali and Tugbungan. (JPA/ PIA-ZBST)


P-Noy earmarks P1.3-billion for rural electrification in MindanaoPresident Benigno

Aquino III has approved recently

the release of P1.31 billion for rural electrification program in Mindanao.

This was announced before the 1st Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development

(MinCARED) organized by the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) here Thursday, by Administrator Edita Bueno of the National Electrification Administration (NEA). Bueno said that the program shall benefit 100 barangays and 1,320 sitios in the island-region. She said that the government shall provide for the distribution system including the supply of kilowatt-meter to beneficiaries. She added that beneficiaries from the sitios will receive

P2,500.00 subsidy from NEA. The amount is enough for them to buy two bulbs and two outlets as


well as pay for the installation fee according to Bueno. “It is rather difficult for people from the sitios to cash out for the said materials and pay for the installation fee,” she said. Bueno said, however, that the beneficiaries are capable of paying the monthly bill which would amount to P75.00 at the minimum. “The new lines shall be turned over to electric cooperatives in the long run”, she said. As of November 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported that in terms of barangay electrification, Mindanao is already 99.84% connected. The rural electrification program is hoped to generate jobs and stimulate small businesses in the country side which are among the priorities of President Aquino’s social contract with the Filipino people. While the rural electric cooperatives in Mindanao welcome this development, AMRECO President Sergio Dagooc said that the rotating brownout as a result of load curtailment by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is a major blow to their customer service. Mindanao is now confronted with “red alert” status since the start of the year as a result of supply shortfall by 100 MW which prompted South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) to implement 45 minutes to one hour rotating brownouts within its franchise area: the whole of Sarangani, Polomolok and Tupi in South Cotabato. “Power consumption in Mindanao

has been steadily increasing at an average annual growth rate of 4.7% from 2002-2009,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson during the second day of the congress. She added that in the second quarter of 2010, the average and peaking capabilities of the hydro power plants at 982 MW dropped to 771 MW and 860 MW respectively, resulting to 4-6 hours of daily brownouts in several areas during that year. Antonino emphasized that the demand would increase by an average of 4.6% annually over the next 10 years. “To meet and sustain this demand, at least 1,000MW new capacities must be installed over the next decade and still another 1,500MW from 2021 to 2030,” she said. Antonino said that there is a need to ensure a dependable power supply in Mindanao and install a reliable power generation system that maximizes renewable energy and efficient distribution mechanism. The Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020) being pursued by MinDA has pointed to diversification as a recognized strategic move to cushion the impacts of supply shortfalls. “However, this must veer more towards increased use of clean, renewable and indigenous sources of power to minimize costs attendant to importation, foreign exchange risks, and environmental impacts,” Antonino added. She sa id that M inDA wi l l


continue to do its share of making the necessary representation before the national government in collaboration with Mindanao LGUs, private sector and industry stakeholders. Signed into law on February 17, 2010, MinDA is mandated to advocate for polices that will foster Mindanao’s integrated and balanced development. MinDA aims to accelerate the socio-economic growth of the island-region by increasing its trade and investments, encouraging private enterprise and advancing efforts

towards peace and development. “All these years, energy and power infrastructure plans, programs and projects were largely prepared and decided upon in the national capital,” said Antonino. Along this line, MinDA will ask the House of Representatives through the House Special Committee on Mindanao Affairs and Committee on Energy to investigate the power shortage which gained strong backing from the Mindanao electric cooperatives. (MinDA)

JFC sees 6% growth for Phl in 2012

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) is optimistic that the Philippines will post an economic growth of six percent in 2012 due to higher

investments. John Casey, president of the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said the additional effects of the now fast-tracked rollout of government spending programs and public private partnership (PPP) program can also boost the economy. “We must pick up the pace of foreign direct investment (FDI) to sustain the historically high economic growth in 2010. The Philippines has never achieved the levels of FDI that Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam have achieved,” he said during the Arangkada forum on Thursday. Casey expresses hope that last year’s high level of Board of Investments (BOI) approvals and the record inflow of $1 billion in foreign funds into the Philippine Stock

Exchange in the last two months are indicative of increasing levels of FDI in 2012 and in the coming years. He said developing the identified seven big winner sectors can also generate more investments to the country. These sectors are infrastructure, agribusiness, business process outsourcing, creative industries, manufacturing and logistics, mining; and tourism, medical travel and retirement. The JFC believes that developing these seven key sectors can generate $75 billion in FDIs and ten million jobs over the next ten years. “The Asian Century is well underway, and the Philippines must elevate its position to benefit from the foreign investment opportunities in the Seven Big Winners industry


sectors. This also comes at a time when the impacts of multiple free trade agreements are starting to be felt across participating economies,” he said. For his part, Hubert d’Aboville, president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said they are hopeful that the record high levels of over $8 billion new investments approved last year will be realized in construction and job creation in 2012. He also cited the allocation for economic services to support the administration’s drive for inclusive

and sustained economic growth. The JFC listed several factors in attracting more FDIs into the country. These include good infrastructure, sound economic and pro-business policies, internationally competitive costs and corrupt-free governance and commercial practices. Apart from long-term high levels of FDI, robust economic growth in the Philippines also requires an open international trade for both exports and imports, and transfer of technology that comes with FDI and international trade, it noted. (Danielle Venz/PNF)

ARMM government beefs-up security inside compoundMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Intelligence and Security Services (ISS) of the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is beefing-up its security measures following bomb scares inside the ARMM compound.

The Bureau of Public Information (BPI) disclosed that starting February, the ISS will be implementing the “No sticker, No Entry” policy in line with the directive of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman to strengthen the security inside the compound. According to the BPI, ISS Director Abdulrashid Ladayo bared during the “Tapatan sa ARMM” program that some 500 stickers were already distributed by the ISS. These stickers were given for free to car owners who are working inside the compound, Ladayo further

said. The ISS Director advised those who always have transactions inside the compound but don’t have stickers yet to visit the ISS office at the ORG building and bring with them a photocopy of their OR and CR. Aside from the “No sticker, No entry” policy, CCTV cameras will likewise be installed inside the ARMM compound. Ladayo said they will be setting-up more or less 35 CCTV cameras inside the ARMM compound starting March.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran


DOH urges massage therapists to maintain professionalism by Carina CayonAn official of the

Department of Health has called on the Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) in the region to practice their profession within the scope of the law to ensure public safety. Dr. Josephine Hipolito of DOH-Manila told the newly-sworn in LMTs to take care of their profession and the industry, following a strength-ened advocacy in professionalizing the massage therapy as a career and as an industry. “Our purpose is for the public to

be safe in your hands,” stated Hipolito who administered the oath-taking of 40 LMTs from across Davao Region on January 27 at the Grand Menseng Ho-tel, Davao City. In a bid to professionalize the massage therapy industry in the country, the DOH has intensified its information and dissemination cam-paign on DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 of 2010 stipulating the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for the operations of mas-sage clinics. Under the revised IRR, Hipoli-to said that all massage clinics and sauna bath establishments are re-quired to have their therapists take and pass the Licensure Examination within three years. “So that by 2014, all massage therapists in spa establishments must be licensed,” she stated. In an interview, Ma. Corazon Mendez of DOH Region XI explained the need to regulate the industry fol-lowing the proliferation of massage establishments that made massage


services as front to prostitution or the offer of “extra service”. The initiative of the DOH to strongly push and campaign for pro-fessionalizing the massage industry aims to eradicate this specific con-cern, stated Mendez, chief of DOH-XI human resource development unit. “DOH believes that as LMTs, you do not practice extra service,” Hipolito told the new LMTs during her keynote message at the oath-taking rites. She said that titles such as mas-seurs, masseuses and attendants are no longer used, as they are replaced by the term therapist which she said is more proper. In the new regulations, aspiring massage therapists are required to

enroll and complete the Course Work for Massage Therapy which has five major subject areas such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology and Massage Therapy. “Enrolling in the Course Work for Massage Therapy is like going to college because the accredited training institutions are using this manual,” Hipolito stated. Presidential Decree No. 856 of 1975 or the “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines” mandates the operations of massage establishments under Chapter XIII entitled “Massage Clinics and Sauna Bath Establishments” of which IRR has been revised in 2010.

Health programs more felt under PNOY-RDR

DAVAO CITY - The health programs is now more felt by local government units under President Benigno Aquino’s term. According to Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario the bud-

get for health programs particularly in the rehabilitation and development of local health system now passes through the local government. According to del Rosario, past allocations went straight to region-al level and the implementation of these projects were made without the knowledge of the provincial gov-ernment thus were not felt. “Parang ngayon lang nakatikim na dumaan sa LGU ang budget.” (it is now that we experienced that the budget has passed through the LGU). Del Rosario said. It is only now under the administration of President Aqui-no that these things have been done


the Governor added. According to the Governor the national government has downloaded P78-million for the rehabilitation of the three district hospitals in the province; namely the Carmen District Hospital, Samal District Hospital and the Kapalong District Hospital. Another P250-million was also released for the cancer center of the

Tagum City-based Davao Regional Hospital. As for the rehabilitation of the district hospitals, Governor del Rosa-rio said that they are planning to ex-pand the hospitals, 25 bed hospitals can be added to become 50 bed hos-pitals while existing 50 bed hospitals would be expanded to 75 bed facili-ties. (RG Alama)

2 DavNor cities now implement BPLSDAVAO CITY - Two cities in Davao del Norte are now implementing streamlined business processes in their quest to lure more investors. Panabo City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) have greatly improved the implementation of their respective Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) in 2011 and as early this year. The BPLS is a joint undertaking of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with various local government units (LGUs) throughout the country. It aims to improve the business registration system and thereby enhance the country’s business climate and competitiveness. DTI-Davao del Norte Officer-in-Charge Engr. Vedastito C. Galvez said that with the BPLS initiative being implemented, the number of processes involved in getting a business permit was successfully trimmed down to two steps from five in Panabo City for most of the

businesses which were visited by its Joint Inspection Team (JIT). The visits were made during the third and fourth quarters of last year. In IGaCoS, aside from trimming the processing procedures to three steps, the Licensing Office has also adopted the suggested BPLS one form and no longer requiring notarization of the same. Apart from the local government units (LGUs) of the cities of Panabo and Samal, Tagum City and New Corella municipality also underwent a training-orientation on BPLS. Such will initially equip them in the imple-mentation of their respective BPLS. After a series of orientations and workshops conducted by the Regional Offices of DTI and DILG, the 20 LGUs committed to streamline their BPLS by using the unified/standard application form, reducing processing steps, time and number of signatories, and implementing other reforms such as one-time assessment, one-time payment, and joint inspection.(DTI11/JenMendoza)


PNP promotes 860 Soccsksargen police officersby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- The Philippine National Police conferred new ranks to 860 police officers in Soccsksargen Region in line with the Philippine National Police’s “Second Phase of Regular Promotion Program” that took effect last December 31, 2011.

Police Superinten-dent Resty Damaso, head of the Police Re-gional Office-12 (PRO-12’s) Public Informa-tion Office said, 99 police inspectors were promoted to rank as police superintendents while 761 police with ranks of police officer 2 (PO2) were promoted to rank as senior police officer 4 (SPO4).

New ranks were for-mally awarded to them during the oath-taking and pinning of ranks ceremony on Friday at PRO 12’s regional

headquarters in Baran-gay Tambler, General Santos City.

Police Chief Superin-

tendent Lester Camba, deputy regional direc-tor for administration exhorted the newly


promoted officers to “stand by the respon-sibility of your current rank.”

“Please do your jobs as officers of PRO 12, do your share and al-ways remember what you have pledged,” he continued.

He also reminded them to make the pro-motion as a challenge to the junior commis-sioned officers and non-commissioned of-ficers “so that by mere looking at your rank, they will be inspired to follow your tract.”

At the same ceremo-ny, PRO-12 also gave honors and recognition to retiring members through a program

tagged “Salamat Kap-atid.”

Damaso said the ac-tivity for the retirees is a “ fitting recognition for the long years of dedicated and invalu-able service rendered to the organization as well as to the country.”

“They truly deserve the honors and recog-nition for spending the best years of their lives in serving and protect-ing the country, he said.

In response, SPO4 Edison C, Sibal, most senior among the re-tirees, said: “I am very happy because I have achieved successfully my retirement age with pride and honor.

Sibal has been in police service for 33 years.

“I have done a lot of sacrifices in the dis-charge of my duties and responsibilities and this time, as I reap the fruits of my labor. I say that I have done a good fight especially in the quest towards inte-grated transformation,” he said.

Also awarded Meda-lya ng Paglilingkod as retirees were SPO3 Josue Lacuata; SPO2 George S Almeria; SPO2 Samson Cabato; SPO1 Noralito D Dionio ; PO3 Marvelo D Catolico; and PO2 Armetio D Carpio Jr.(DEDoguiles)


Gensan pushes for efficient tax collection measureby Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY– The city government here is pushing for the establishment of a computerized integrated tax administration system, an efficient measure expected to boost local income.

City Administrator Atty. Jose Mariano Gon-zales said efficient tax collection measure is one of the administra-tion’s moves to ensure the continuous delivery of basic services to the people and enhance the city’s capability for business opportunity despite the cut in the Internal Revenue Al-lotment (IRA) made by the Department of Bud-get and Management (DBM) this year.

Gonzales revealed that the computerized integrated system is now “on bidding” and is expected to be awarded by the first quarter of this year.

“The computerized system is expected to increase local revenue collection that will cov-er up the lost portion of the IRA,” Gonzales said.

On Thursday, the City

Treasurer’s Office has recorded an amount of P89,159,757.24 as total collections for business taxes and fees for the first 26 days of January alone.

It said this is 54 percent of the P164,730,183. 99 total assessments for year 2011, and is expected to upsurge before the year ends.

Gonzales said the re-markable increase in

the revenue collection was attributed to the orderly system imple-mented by both local and national offices in-volved in the process-ing of permits.

Meanwhile, City trea-surer, Gloria Castellano revealed that they have improved the system of transaction this year taking into consider-ation their experiences last year.

“The bottleneck last


year was the tracking of papers, so this year we adapted a unified number for clients to fast track their papers easily,” she said

Castellano revealed that there is really a need to computerize

the system for an organized and faster transaction considering the growing economy of the Tuna Capital as depicted by the proliferation of business establishments here.

The computerization

will encourage more tax payers to pay on time as this will not only cut the trans-action time, but will manage and monitor collections accurately, Gonzales said.

Dep Ed Regional Secretary starts reforms in DepEd-ARMMBy Perlita Changco

COTABATO CITY -- The newly appointed head of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao DepEd-ARMM) vows to push needed reforms in support of OIC-regional governor Mujiv Hataman’s reform agenda for the region.

Atty. Jamar Kulayan who was recently ap-pointed by Hataman as DepEd-ARMM regional secretary assured to pur-sue reforms to address and resolve the peren-nial problems hounding the agency in order to improve the quality of education in the region.

Kulayan said initial steps being undertaken are the inventory of teachers and school buildings, review of their qualifications, and compulsory preparation of lesson plan, among others.

“Hindi sila gumagawa kundi bumibili ng lesson plan at ang danger diyan hindi tugma sa school curriculum, dahilan upang makumpromiso ang kalidad ng pagtuturo so we are pursuing a uniform lesson plan,” ( They (teachers) buy ready made lesson plans instead of preparing it. The danger in this is that it does not conform to the curriculum set thus comprising the quality of teaching,

so we are pursuing a uniform lesson plan), Kulayan said.

Kulayan said, he will issue guidelines and schedule for the submission of requirements including the Daily Time Record to avoid unnecessary delay in the release of salaries assuring regular open dialogue with school officials and teachers in a bid to improve and enhance implementation of DepEd’s programs and services in the autonomous region.


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Agusan del Sur to implement “Tingog 2015”

The province of Agusan del Sur

will soon implement the “Tingog 2015” (Voice 2015): A citizen’s action for governance, after two program coordinators conducted an orientation here recently.

by David M. Suyao


National program coordinator of joint program on youth and migration Ruth Honculada said, the “Tingog 2015” is a project designed for people to directly send their concerns and feedback to national officials of government on the effect of government programs that focus on the youth and migration through text messages. “With the implementation of the Medium Term Development Goal, we are expecting people’s participation thru their feedback in the process, in order that the government can deliver their real needs that have great impact in their lives,” Honculada

said. According to Milennium Development Goal (MDG) campaign and advocacy specialist Dulce Marie Saret, only two in the entire country were chosen to implement the program and Agusan del Sur is one and the other one is Tabaco in Albay. Dulce Marie Sarit said, Agusan del Sur was chosen because the province is an MDG champion. It has alsoa complete and updated community based monitoring system data and a United Nations priority area. Dynamic media presence is also observed and above all, Agusan del Sur has an empowered citizenry.

According to Ruth Honculada, c o m m u n i c a t i o n s equipment will be installed at the provincial capitol with the capacity to receive feedback from the people through text messages. In this manner, Honculada added, the government will know if the government programs and projects that deal with the youth and migration really reached and benefitted the right beneficiaries. “Its very simple and easy for the people to send their messages thru text. They just text the message or report and send them to 2015. That’s how simple it is,” Honculada said. According to Dulce Marie Saret, the MDG is a government program designed to reduce poverty, environmental protection, malnutrition, protection on the rights of women and many others, where Philippines is one of the signatories among 189 countries that aims to fulfill the dream for a better life.


DPWH to complete high impact tourism projects in Siargao IslandSURIGAO DEL NORTE – In support of the government’s thrust in developing the tourism industry through provision of quality infrastructure facilities leading to major tourist hubs in the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured the completion of high impact tourism projects in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte which recently ranked 8th in CNN:Go’s Top 50 World’s Best Surf Spot.

Among the high impact projects are the concreting of Junction Osmeña-Pilar road (P155.3 million), Junction Del Carmen-Sta. Monica-San Isidro road (P152.4 million) Dapa-Union-General Luna road (P137.4 million), Junction Cancohoy-Pilar road (46.4 million), and Socorro-Nueva Estrella-Pamosaingan road (P23 million). “Of the total 153.036 kilometers of National Secondary Roads in Siargao Island and Bucas

Grande Island, 66.85 kilometers were concrete paved during past years (2010 and back years) or 43.68% paved,” said DPWH-Siargao District Engr. Salvador E. Montil, Jr. “This past year 2011, an additional 3.675 kilometers were paved by end of December, thru the implementation of CY 2011 projects. Also under the 2011 DPWH Stimulus Funds/ Additional Priority Projects another 8.014 ki-

lometers will be concrete paved however during the CY 2012,” Montil added. For the CY 2012 Regular Infrastructure Projects, 18.66 kilometers of National Secondary road is already funded for implementation amounting to P429.5 million. Siargao Island is un-der the 1st Legislative Dis-trict of Surigao del Norte represented by Cong. Francisco T. Matugas. (DPWH-Siargao)

by Michael O. Conte


Ito ay ayon sa 7th National Nutrition Survey na isinagawa ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology (o FNRI-DOST). Tandaan, pag bu-mibili ng processed foods, laging hanapin ang tatak ng Sangkap Pinoy. Ang Sangkap Pinoy Seal (o SPS) ay tatak na ibinibigay ng Department of Health bilang katunayan na ang mga produktong mayroon nito ay nakapasa sa tamang

antas ng food fortification o dagdag sustansiya gaya ng bitamina A, yero (o iron) at yodo (o iodine). Makakamit ang tamang nutrisyon sa abot-kayang presyo sa mga produktong pagkain na may SPS. Ngunit tandaan na ang pagkain ng iba’t-ibang uri ng pagkain ang siya pa ring tuntunin sa tamang nutrisyon at ka-lusugan. Ang impormasyong ito ay hatid ng FNRI-DOST, ang pangunahing ahensiya ng gobyerno

sa pananalilsik sa pagkain at nutrisyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, FNRI-DOST sa kanyang email address: [email protected], [email protected] o sa telepono bilang 837-2934/837-3164 Maari ding bisitahin ang FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnr i .dost.gov.ph (FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service: Info Bits)


Alam ba ninyo na sa mga kabahayan na nakasama sa surbey ukol sa mga produktong pagkain na may Sangkap Pinoy Seal (o SPS), walo sa bawa’t 10 sa kanila ang bumibili ng produkto na may SPS?

by Victor J. Alfonso, Jr.

One Mindanao - January 31, 2012

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Transcript of One Mindanao - January 31, 2012