One Mindanao - June 10, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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]

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

BSP offers lecture, briefing on demonetization program

5 barangays in Gensan prone to landslide

DepEd rescues students affected by non-renewal of private schools

14

36

37

33

19

40

42

The legendary mover

NAIA on heightened alert following Mers-Cov

Canada announces additional P54 million to assist displaced people in Mindanao

Barangay San Pedro placed under state of calamity

DOH-Caraga offers HI-5 for improvements in health outcomes

Female police officer, PNCO commended for anti-drugs campaign

11

By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

By: SVillacastin

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Daisy Jane M. Apit

By: Noel B. Najarro

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN NORTHERN ARMM

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

23 2824 29

The saleslady is now owner of company

Proposed BBL will address weaknesses, imperfections of ARMM

Baliangao supports DAR land distribution program

ARMM Halal congress set in August

By: Teresita Baluyos SuperioridadBy: BPI-ARMM

By: Canadian Embassy Manila

By: Arnold V. Quicoy

148

39

16

31

22 26

35

OUR

CO

VER

By: Marie Angela A. Conde

Contents

4 June 10, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

The legendary mover

What does it take to become an “Outstanding Multi-grade Teacher” and an honorary school Principal?

By: Marie Angela A. Conde

5June 10, 2015 One Mindanao

The legendary mover

“From small dream come great realization,” says the dreamer with the promising passion to lead and become someone big. Passion, honesty, perseverance, hard work and faith are few of the ideals that ma’am Robina O. Agan possesses to become an ideal teacher and a model Principal at M.L. Pineda Memorial Elementary School at Florida, Butuan City.

Despite her bitter past from struggling to finish her primary until tertiary education, poverty never weakened her faith. She strived to graduate in college of her dream course – BS in Elementary Education at C a r a g a

State University formerly NORMISIST. It is such a leap of faith to make a dream come true and for Ma’am Robina, if one believes in the power of his dreams, he will never wander rather will find happiness and passion.

With her guts and determination, she served and shared her expertise in teaching as a multi-grade teacher in grades one and two at West Tungao Elementary School for eight years. Her ardor to serve the children opened a more challenging journey towards


excellence as she was awarded second runner-up outstanding multi-grade teacher.

Becoming a teacher is just the start of the journey. The award she received awakened her to dream bigger and so with her guts and prime knowledge she composed her confidence and search for greater opportunities. Leadership was what she targeted so she enrolled her Masters degree in Elementary Education major in Teaching English as Second Language at Cebu Normal University and completed her academic requirements.

Conquering your fears is simply fighting for your dreams and that is what ma’am Robina exactly did. A big crowded city of Cebu did not even move her to fear. She fought the challenges, she tried and made the best to learn in the long road way forward to success. Her dream and passion led her to the executive ladder as head teacher and not long was hailed as Principal.

Becoming a principal is like becoming the mother of the school and she portrayed what an ideal mother does for her children. Thus, a good mother does not

only focus on her children’s good (Teachers and Students) instead she should also be able to manifest good character and relationship to her neighbors (the people in Florida and the Barangay Officials). For most teachers under her, residents and Barangay Officials in Florida, she was notable for her honesty, kindness, ingenuity and sociable character.

Few of her remarkable works and projects were remembered and talked about, as such she repainted the school building, cemented the school fence (boundary) and posts. Her ingenuity has added beauty to the school and to the principal’s office with her stimulus in encouraging


the parents to donate and raise money for the beautification of the school. Thus, she successfully purchased a sofa set and grass cutter machine for the school year 2011-2012.

Apart from planning and implementing school programs and projects, she never fails to observe classes, check lesson plans and evaluate the teacher’s performances in teaching. She also never misses to give advises to students, teachers, parents and even barangay officials. In addition, she is very keen from

keeping the school clean. All these works are commendable and will always be remembered by everyone she served.

Her influence to the school and to the community is noteworthy, from a dreamer, teacher and up to becoming a principal, her service is winning. It is ideal to say that a person who shares her highest attainment for the good of all is a legendary mover. Thus, for ma’am Robina as a teacher and a principal she affected goodness and will never stop inspiring.


Unemployment rate in April 2015 declines

MANILA - The country’s unemployment rate significantly decreased to 6.4 percent in April 2015 from 7.0 percent of the same month in 2014, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday. This translates to 495,000 more employed Filipinos and reduced the total number of unemployed to 2.7 million, PSA said.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

attributed the reduction in the country’s unemployment and underemployment rates in April 2015 to the continued strength of the economy.

“The favorable market condition in April 2015 follows a


similar trend in the January 2015 round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) where unemployment and underemployment also declined,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“It is noteworthy that the improvement in the employment situation appears to be broad-based. Thirteen out of seventeen regions, including the National Capital Region or NCR, exhibited a decline in unemployment during the survey period,” the Balisacan said. “NCR continued to post the highest unemployment rate at 9.3 percent, while ARMM recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 3.2 percent,” added Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

Underemployment also improved to 17.8 percent from the 18.2 percent registered in the same period in 2014. This accounts for the 44,000 Filipinos who are no longer

underemployed, reducing the total number to 7.0 million employed persons who want more work for the period.

“Looking at the characteristics of the underemployed, improvements were observed across all classes of workers, except for the self-employed without any paid employee, those who worked with pay in their own family-operated farms, and workers in government or government corporations,” he said.

Moreover, majority of the labor force who are employed in more remunerative and stable work increased by 1.9 percent, reaching 22.6 million in April 2015. They now comprise 57.8 percent of total workers, slightly higher than their 57.5 percent share from a year ago.

“If these developments are sustained for the rest of the year, the full-year average will likely surpass the Philippine


Development Plan target of 6.6 to 6.8 percent for the unemployment rate and 18.0 percent for the underemployment rate in 2015,” said Balisacan.

Meanwhile, total employment also grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year in April 2015, which means that an additional 495,000 Filipinos were able to get jobs during the period.

“While this period’s employment rate is slower than the posted growth in April 2014, the situation has generally improved as services and industry sectors continue to lead in jobs generation,” the NEDA official said.

The slight setback was mainly due to the El Niño phenomenon that impacted the agriculture sector, which accounts for about one-third of total employment.

“To ensure that the gains in

employment are sustained, the government must continue its interventions in the agriculture sector and pursue adequate infrastructure spending to boost economic growth and employment,” said Balisacan.

In agriculture, he stressed the need to implement disaster risk management strategies and other precautionary measures


NAIA on heightened alert followingMers-CovMANILA - The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) heightens its health alert at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) against the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) in Manila following official guidance from the Bureau of Quarantine today.

against drought, floods, and rain-induced landslides in hazard prone areas. This is to mitigate as well as prevent any further adverse effects of natural disasters on the country’s economy, especially on employment.

“To continue the gains, we need to speed-up the implementation of key reforms such as public infrastructure development, reducing investment restrictions, increasing competition, reducing the cost of doing business. If implemented, these can help lift the key constraints to sustained, job-generating growth,” he concluded.

The PSA notes that the labor and employment data for the April 2015 LFS round still excludes Leyte. Due to large number of households displaced in the province by the typhoon Yolanda, a new sampling frame for the province of Leyte has to be created for it to be included in the survey. The old listing of households for Leyte used as sampling frame for the 2003 Master Sample is no longer usable, according to the PSA. (NEDA)


“We are glad that attention is being given to this encouraging report, as it highlights the dividends of the government’s investment in the Filipino people,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing in Malacañang. The report, based on research conducted by

the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), showed that the rate of out-of-school children to the total number of children between the ages of 5 and 15, was reduced to 5.2 percent in 2012 from 11.7 percent in 2008.

The report attributed

photo: www.philstar.com


the significant decrease in the number of out-of-school children to the passage and implementation of mandatory kindergarten and the K to12 Law; the increasing budget the Department of Education has obtained from the national government; and the expansion of the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which requires families to send their children to school.

According to the report, national funding commitments to education have increased by more than 15 percent annually since 2010.

“As a share of the national budget, education expenditures grew from 12 percent in 2009 to 14 percent in 2015, in view of the expanding Philippine economy,” it said.

It stated that the government’s decision to increase the Department of

Education’s budget, coupled with the investments in the CCT, is “clearly paying off with growing evidence of considerably improved participation of children in primary education.”

The report stated that these human resource investments should continue, so that “no one, whether poor or non-poor, male or female, is left behind in education attainments as the country pursues a path of growth, prosperity, and development.”

The results of the research were reported in the Global Initiative on Out-of-School Children Philippine Country Study published by the UNICEF, and presented by the PIDS and the UNICEF in a recent seminar. (PCOO)


Canada announces additional P54 million to assist displaced people in Mindanao

MANILA - The Government of Canada has announced it is providing an additional Cad$ 1,500,000 (approx. PhP 54 million) in humanitarian assistance funding for internally-displaced people (IDPs) affected by conflict in Mindanao.

By: Canadian Embassy Manila


The funding will be channeled to international organizations already working in the area to address the humanitarian needs of thousands of IDPs living in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

“One of the agreements announced when Prime Minister Harper and President Aquino met in Ottawa last month was the commitment of additional funding to help those displaced by conflict in Zamboanga City and other parts of Mindanao,” Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said.

“The funds will support the work of these experienced partners in meeting priority humanitarian needs, including to enhance the nutritional and emergency food status of displaced people, improve emergency shelters, support emergency preparedness efforts and protection services and to help restart lost livelihoods,” Ambassador Reeder added.

“This additional funding demonstrates Canada’s continuing commitment to build on our strong ties with the Philippines,” he said.

The funding’s implementing partners are the following:

Int’l Committee of the Red Cross - Cad$750,000 (approx. PhP 27 million)

Int’l Organization for Migration - Cad$250,000 (approx. PhP 9 million)

Action Against Hunger - Cad$500,000 (approx. PhP 18 million)

Since last year, and including this announcement, Canada has allocated a total Cad$ 3.5 million in humanitarian funding to displaced populations in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Canada designated the Philippines as “a country of focus” for international development efforts in June, 2014.

GSIS-Pagadian holds consultative meeting; updates members on reforms, policies implementedBy Franklin P. Gumapon


Invited to the said gathering were the officers or representatives of government workers’ unions both from the national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) as well as retirees and pensioners. In his presentation, Atty. Dionisio C. Ebdane Jr., senior vice president for Visayas-Mindanao group, emphasized that the GSIS now is more consultative, transparent and member-focused to regain the trust of its members. Ebdane also presented the reforms undertaken by the present GSIS management like the restoration of survivorship benefit (which was suspended in 2009), no more ARAS (annual

renewal of active status) for pensioners, increased minimum basic pension to P5 thousand, payment of proportionate pension, choice of loan amortization schedule for pensioners, no more suspension of employees of suspended agencies, re-engagement with Land Bank of the Philippines, partnership with agencies to avoid overlaps in functions, and reduction of interest rate at 6 percent for emergency loans, among others. He also disclosed that the GSIS was able to reduce the volume of inaccurate statements of accounts from P30 billion in 2010 to P2.4 billion in 2014.

PAGADIAN CITY, (PIA) – Active members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have converged here Monday for the third consultative meeting, tackling the reforms and policies currently pursued by the agency.


With the reforms implemented by the agency, the number of suspended agencies has also gone down from 315 in 2010 to 92 in March 2015. Under the present leadership, Ebdane said, the GSIS has been able to earn a net income of P139 billion in 2014 from P63.91 billion in

2010 and its total assets now account for P910 billion from P506.19 billion in 2009. To sustain these gains, Ebdane has appealed to all members to stay vigilant and actively participate in consultative dialogues to protect the state workers’ money with the GSIS.


By Gideon C. Corgue

Barangay San Pedro placed under state of calamity

PAGADIAN CITY, (PIA) – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has declared barangay San Pedro under a state of calamity, thus authorizing the release of funds for mitigating measures. Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones said in a special session on Tuesday morning, June 2, the SP discussed the recommendation of the Crisis Management Committee and

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to declare barangay San Pedro under state of calamity.


The CDRRMC, chaired by the good mayor, made the recommendation in view of the damage brought about by the massive fire that broke out Monday morning in barangays San Pedro and Santiago, causing an estimated P20 million damage. The 4-hour fire gutted 1,500 houses, killed a 60-year old resident, and forced majority of residents to leave the area.

“We declared barangay San Pedro under a state of calamity to expedite the government’s rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in barangay San Pedro which was greatly devastated by the fire,” Pulmones said during the press conference. Pulmones said he approved the release of “quick response fund” for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help the victims. Financial


assistance of P1,500/family was immediately extended by the city government for their immediate needs. He assured that the city government will give additional cash assistance to fire victims for them to rebuild their houses. “Mohatag pa kita sa dugang nga cash assistance apan gihimo pa sa kagamhanang lokal ning dakbayan ang makuti nga pagsusi sa ngalan sa mga biktima sa sunog aron malikayan ang double entry,” Pulmones added. (We will give additional cash assistance but the city government is doing a thorough assessment on the names of fire victims to avoid double entry.) Pulmones said an initial P5-M was spent by the city government on the day of the fire to provide immediate

needs of the victims especially food, water and other basic necessities. He revealed that a technical team had already been dispatched in the area to speed up survey, for the lot owners to immediately rebuild their houses. We will do everything within our means to help the fire victims,” Pulmones concluded.

Nutrition council identifies 10 common sources of iodine

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – At least 10 common sources of iodine have been identified by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in its campaign for “Saktong Iodine sa Asin (Adequate Iodine in Salt).”

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

These sources are mostly food that come from the sea and found to be very rich in iodine,” Marissa Navales, NNC Program Officer, said. Navales said iodine is a mineral that is an essential component of the thyroid hormones that is necessary for development and metabolism and supports growth in stature and bone maturation processes.


This is what happened to a former saleslady who was not satisfied with working for others and wants to be her own boss. Merofe Suico used to work as saleslady but was not satisfied with her salaries, worrying about her growing family. She resigned from her job and started her own business—cooking native foods (kakanin). She observed, however, that her ‘kakanin’ products’ shelf-life is too short, perishable, thus, she looked for other food products to venture on. She tried peanut processing like peanut turon and

pinato and has since successful in marketing her peanut products. Through the endorsement from the Provincial Cooperative Office and the Provincial Trade and Industry Office of Lanao del Norte, Merofe learned about the SETUP assistance being extended by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). She was confident that through DOST’s assistance she would be able to upgrade her business’ production facilities and comply with the food safety standards. She also expected an increase in production volume without

The saleslady is now owner of company

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Dissatisfaction could sometimes lead to a fortune.

by Teresita Baluyos Superioridad

The lack of iodine or the iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) can result in a variety of abnormalities, such as goiter and reproductive failures, like miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also result in congenital anomalies, like deaf-mutism, squinted eyes, poor growth, and mental retardation,” she said. Meanwhile, these sources of iodine are as follows: Seaweeds,

golden snail, crab, mussel, freshwater snail, minute shrimps, Spanish Mackerel, mudfish and red snapper fish. Navales said a person needs only one teaspoon of iodine, everyday, in a lifetime, and that two (2) pieces of crabs, or a half-cup of skinless shrimps is already enough to meet the daily need of iodine.


sacrificing the quality of her products. Because of the technology intervention from DOST’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), Fhe Sweet Products quality was improved and production capacity doubled. The intervention included the provision P197,820 GMP-compliant equipment (two units stainless tables with bottom shelf, roasting machine, continuous band sealer, gas baking oven, peanut grinder and stainless rack). DOST also extended to Fhe Sweet Products the following: capacity-building/training on the production of quality product such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Cleaner Production Assessment (CPA), and consultancy services

on appropriate plant layout. Other assistance included microbial and chemical analysis of their products. Today, the business firm employs 18 regular workers, 50% of them are women, mostly from the neighborhood. When it started it only had four workers. Its gross sales increased from .6M in 2012 to 3.18M in 2014. There is also a 100% increase in production volume and a 92-93 recovery rate from 86-88% before the DOST intervention. Also, to maximize the use of the oven, she developed other product lines like coated and roasted peanuts and otap. Now this former saleslady is her own boss and continues to dream big.

Baliangao supports DAR land distribution program

BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental -- Baliangao Municipal Government and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) disttibuted Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 368 farmer-beneficiaries. The distribution of land titles which covers an area of 125.3658 hectares was held recently at the Baliangao Municipal Gym.

by Arnold V. Quicoy


The subject landholding was formerly owned by Richard Griffith containing an area of 210 hectares located at Barangay Landing, an agrarian reform community (ARC) in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental. An idle and abandoned land, the landholding was previously awarded to Baliangao Local Government Unit thru escheat proceedings and was subsequently turned-over to DAR under Executive Order No. 407/448 for distribution to qualified farmer-beneficiaries. During the distribution ceremonies, Municipal Mayor Agne V. Yap Sr. underscored the local government unit (LGU) continuing support to the ARCs and urged the farmers to make

their land more productive. Elsa Jumalon, a beneficiary who gave her impression during the program, wholeheartedly expressed her gratitude to the DAR and LGU-Baliangao for the land distribution efforts. “Nagpasalamat

kamig dako nga human sa daghang katuigan, nadawat na gayod namo ang titulo sa maong yuta,”( We are very thankful that after a long time, we finally have the land title in our hands), she said. In his speech, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Alibasa G. Andig, who is also the newly appointed DAR Provincial Officer of Misamis Occidental, lauded the support of the local government of Baliangao in the land distribution program. He encouraged the farmer-beneficiaries to strengthen their organizations so that they can easily access support services from the government.


400 Mindanao youths join in first Bangsamoro Youth Hope Conference

Approximately 400 youths from different parts of Mindanao are taking part in the first Bangsamoro Youth Hope Conference hosted jointly by the Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) and the Gawad Kalinga (GK) in Cotabato City.


Isa Tom del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said the three-day conference, which started Tuesday and will culminate today, 04 June, will equip the participating youths with the knowledge to be prime movers of the nation in the future. He said activity will help them prepare “to build peace and a future full of hope for the next generation.” The conference is a joint project of the ARMM and GK with participants coming from the regions of the ARMM, Socksargen and Davao, the province of Lanao del Norte and in Zamboanga Peninsula. GK is a nongovernmental movement that aims to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity among the poor. It is currently active in over 2,000 communities nationwide and has been recognized as 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and 2012 Skoll Awardee for Social Entrepreneurship. Luis Oquinena, GK executive director, said the conference will provide the participants with knowledge in nation-building, poverty eradication, and on the means to contribute to peace and development in Mindanao. “Young as you are, we are inviting you to have the courage to dream for a better future. Being successful is helping others succeed,” he said. Among the participants is Nurfaisa Hasalal, a 20-year old Yakan from Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan. She said the conference helps “awaken the minds of the youth about the role we hold in the peace and development

of Mindanao.” Hasalal, a fellow of the Basilan Young Leaders Program (BYLP) – a program backed by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, said it also widens their understanding about the youth’s role in nation building and in poverty eradication. “Kahit kabataan, may maitutulong. Maliit man o malaki ang kontribusyon natin, magiging opportunity pa rin ito para makatulong tayo sa ating bansa (We can help even if we’re young. Great or small our contributions may be, it will still become an opportunity to help our country),” Hasalal said. The participants will draft the Bangsamoro youth declaration that will serve as their commitment and action plan to apply what they learn in the conference in their respective communities upon their return. Dayanara Aming, 21 and an active member of the Tawi-Tawi Youth Network, said the guiding principle of the conference helps educate and build hope for the youth. “Napakaganda ng guiding principle ng conference kasi naeencourage niya ang mga kabataan na gumalaw para sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa (The guiding principle of the conference encourages the youth to contribute to the development of our country),” Aming said. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/APB/PIA-10)


Proposed BBL will address weaknesses, imperfections of ARMMMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will address the weaknesses and imperfections of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a regional official said.

“We are supporting the passage of BBL as we underscore the need for a Bangsamoro that is stronger than the ARMM, a new government that will bring our people a life of greater opportunities and deliver the promises of a lasting peace,” said Governor Mujiv Hataman. The current regional government’s structure has not been responsive to the needs of the people, he said, noting this has an adverse impact on efforts aimed at uplifting the lives of ARMM residents. Those imperfections, he added, led to the rising incidence of poverty, and unstable peace and order. Hataman underscored how

the government’s gains in recent years including those achieved by the peace negotiations have not been effective in the autonomous region’s governance due to the system’s limitations in addressing Bangsamoro issues. However, he noted how peace and order in the ARMM, promoted largely by strides in the southern peace process, yielded positive results in the

region’s governance. It should be noted that after the government pursued the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, there was no major breakout of conflict in the region and other parts of Mindanao. “The condition of peace provided the people a respite from the never-ending cycle of violence, giving them the time to start their lives anew, dream, and hope once again,” he said. According to him, it also allowed the regional government to focus its attention on building roads, bridges, classrooms, farm facilities, community


ARMM Halal congress set in AugustMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - To help propel the region’s bid to get a slice of the multi-billion global halal market, the Department of Science and Technology in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) will conduct a Halal Congress in August this year.

DOST-ARMM Secretary Myra Mangkabung said the highlight of the congress will be the launching of the ARMM Halal Ecosystem (AHE), an inter-agency body that will oversee and coordinate the region’s efforts to become the hub of the halal industry in the country. She said the congress is expected to draw in participants from all stakeholders including various government agencies, local and foreign businesses, and foreign dignitaries particularly from Malaysia. Halal products from different manufacturers will also be exhibited

during the congress. Halal products are those considered to be permissible in

health centers, markets, and homes. Resources spent for infrastructures and services these past years, he noted, would have been used to buy medicines, food, as well as building makeshift homes for people displaced by the conflict had the peace process not moved forward. “ARMM extends its sincerest appreciation to President Benigno Aquino III for his trust and confidence.” Hataman said. The region’s recent achievements, including passing Good Governance Conditions, are proof that reforms

are felt by the people and that Moros govern well. “We are also thankful to the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for sharing our vision for the region. In 26 years, for the first time in history, ARMM received its biggest budget of P24.3 billion,” he added. Hataman said the increase in budget meant more projects and projects with greater and wider impacts. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)


Islam, which are entirely free of pork, alcohol and, in case of poultry and livestock, slaughtered in accordance with what is prescribed in Islam. Mangkabung said the event will allow stakeholders to discuss the latest updates on halal industry development in the region. “The ARMM aims to be the center hub of the halal industry, not only in the Muslim Mindanao but the entire country,” she said. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman has assured his full support for the conduct of the activity and the region’s halal industry. The development of the region’s halal industry is among the top economic agendas of the present ARMM administration. Apart from enforcing policies encouraging investment in and the development of halal ventures, the ARMM has put up a Regional Standards and Halal Testing Laboratory located at the DOST-ARMM

regional office in Cotabato City. The testing lab is manned by highly-competent Muslim chemists, who undergone rigid trainings on halal laboratory procedures. It aspires to be the center of credible halal certification in the country. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

WW2’s Battle of Ising im-portance to the young cited

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- War vet-eran Torcuato Cirpo cited the dominance of American authors who wrote and gave the highlights of the con-quest of the American soldiers in the Second World War in the Phil-ippines, consequently brushing aside the ef-forts of the Filipinos guerrillas like the Bat-tle of Ising. He said there was no Filipino scribes then

who would write about the Filipino experience of the war. Speaking at the Biz-talk at Big 8 Hotel, Cirpo recalled the Battle of Ising located in Carmen, Davao del Norte was a turning point in the Sec-ond War in Mindanao in May 3, 1945, when the Japanese forces were held at bay by the Filipi-no guerrillas as they at-tempted to run towards Agusan in Northern Min-danao as the American forces were closing in


Davao Region from Parang in the Empire Province of Cotabato. “The spirit of gallantry and pa-triotism was very much alive among us, Filipino soldiers, despite being undernourished, living only through root crops and cooked banana,” he said. Cirpo recalled there were no American soldiers around when they engaged the Japanese forces. He joined the war at 18 to avenge the death of his father who was killed by the Japanese soldiers. Cirpo is now 89 years old. Armando Medina, head of the research team on the Battle of Ising stressed that much must be learned by the youth from the historical event.

He said patriotism must be taught in schools for the young to realize the importance of the love of country. “We must respect the reasons of history,” Medina said. Marlene Alastra, president of the Tagum City Tourism Council cited the ongoing effort to write the his-tory of Tagum City. She said the effort now is to listen to the anecdotes of the people who are still alive but have experi-enced the war and Davao del Norte as it is now. Local leaders highlighted the discussion on the Battle of Ising as the country commemorates the In-dependence Day on June 12. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


DAVAO DEL NORTE, June 8 (PIA) - - “Kami ang bahala sa mga bata. Magpadayon ang paghatag ug ed-ucation services para kanila. (We will take charge of the children. Educational services will continue to be provided to them). People need not to worry. Government will do its responsibility in those areas concerned.” Department of Education XI Je-nielito Atillo said that the department will rescue the students affected by the private schools, who did not re-new their government permit to op-erate for the school year 2015-2016. According to the records of DepEd XI, around 25 institutions of-fering basic education in the region failed to renew to DepEd their gov-ernment permit to operate for the school year 2015-2016. Atillo emphasized that the DepEd already institutionalized a program for the affected students depending on the situation and con-ditions of the area. He disclosed that the depart-ment will employ any of the following system: integrated school system, multi-grade system or combination classes. He explained that the integrat-ed learning system will be set up if

the need of the area is an elemen-tary school and there is an existing secondary school or vice versa. “This is like setting up an el-ementary school in an existing sec-ondary school or vice versa,” he said. He added that the multi-grade system will have two or more grade level in one classroom administered by one teacher while the combi-nation class will have two classes in one classroom with one by one teacher. “Our target for them to start classes is on or before July 1,” Atillo bared. He said that they have already identified the teachers, schemes to employ for the smooth opening of classes. “We should not be worry about the period. We are already late.

DepEd rescues students affected by non-renewal of private schools

More farmers to benefit from South Cotabato remains malaria-freeBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 10 -- South Cotabato remains on track in its bid to attain a status as malaria-free province in 2016 despite recent reported cases, an official here announced.

Jose Barroquillo Jr. , mosquito-borne diseases coordinator, announced in a press conference that two cases of ma-laria infection were confirmed recently in the municipalities of Tantangan and Sto. Niño.

“These confirmed malaria cases are not indigenous to South Cotabato,” Barroquillo emphasized.

He narrated that during the province’s celebration of World Malaria Day on April 27, they were informed about suspect-ed malaria cases in Barangay New Iloilo, Tantangan and Barangay Ambalgan, Sto. Niño.

“Based on our investigation, both ma-laria cases are imported, meaning the patients were infected in other places before coming back to South Cotabato,” Barroquillo said.

Barroquillo explained that the patient in


New Iloilo was an overseas Filipino worker who was em-ployed as a chainsaw operator in a logging concession in Pap-ua New Guinea, where malar-ia is prevalent.

“Two weeks after he ar-rived here, malaria symptoms manifested.”

He elaborated further that the malaria patient in Ambal-gan does not reside in the said place but spends more time in Talayan, Maguindanao where he works as a motorcy-cle driver. Talayan, he added, has reported malaria cases.

Barroquillo also noted that both patients have been in-

fected by Plasmodium falci-parum parasite, which he de-scribed as a “deadly parasite as compared to Plasmosium vivax or Plasmodium malariae.”

Both patient have been pro-vided malaria medications and hospitalization support, he said. Their family members have also been subjected to malaria test; results came out negative of malaria parasite.

“This means that South Co-tabato is still on the track in attaining malaria-free status next year,” he emphasized.

“For the past four years, we have been in elimination stage. For four years, South


BSP offers lecture, briefing on demonetization programBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Cotabato have recorded zero indigenous malaria cas-es,” he said.

Activities in the provinces relative to malaria are now fo-cused on case finding as well as special activities such as border operations in villages near boundaries with Saran-gani and Sultan Kudarat prov-inces, he added.

Accroding to the World Health Organization, malaria “is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through bites of infected mosquitoes.”

In 2013, malaria caused ap-proximately 584,000 deaths worldwide, mostly African chil-dren. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 10 -- In order to forward information on the demonetization program, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in General Santos City announced it is conduct-ing free lectures and briefings intended to inform the public of the demonitizatin of the old bills.

Engr. Arlene Quintero, senior research specialist of the BSP said that their office is steadfast in informing the public of the demonetization program.

“We offer briefings, lectures and information campaigns which are free of charge to agencies,” Quintero stated add-ing that they also include in their lectures the security fea-

tures of bank notes.According to her, these activi-

ties aim to inform the public why there is a need to demon-etize and to guide them of the timeline until the New Design Series (NDS) bank notes are no longer usable.

Quintero noted that among the reasons why BSP demon-etize money are to safeguard


5 barangays in Gensan prone to landslide

the integrity of the Philippine bank notes and to withdraw from circulation the NDS bank notes and be replaced by the New Generation Currency (NGC) which started its circulation on December 2010. Based on the BSP’s timeline, NDS can only be used until December 2015.

Starting January 1, 2016, NDS can no longer be used to pay for goods and services. With this, people are encouraged to exchange NDS bank notes to NGC at the Cash Department of the BSP or to any BSP autho-rized agent bank.

Starting January 2017, the NDS bank notes are considered demonetized and can no longer be used in day-to-day transac-tions and can no longer be ex-changed in any bank.

Quintero also said that gov-

ernment institutions failed to return the old banknotes with the prescribed period will have to request in writing to the BSP Cash Department for a special exchange arrangement.

“For Filipinos abroad, who have old banknotes which could not be exchanged within the prescribed period, may regis-ter online starting October 1 to December 31, 2016 through BSP website for assistance,” she stated.

For further details, Quintero noted that they may contact BSP General Santos Branch at telephone numbers (083) 552-1903 local 204, Fax no.: 552-8865 or the Currency Analysis and Communication Division at (02) 988-4834 / 352-1485. (SJ-Duerme-PIA12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, June 10 -- Five barangays located in lime-stone areas have been identified as potentially dangerous due to landslides.

During the recent Rapid Community Response Program (RCRP) seminar-workshop

here, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) said the baran


gays of Upper Labay, Olym-pog, Conel, Mabuhay and Siguel are vulnerable to landslides.

CDRRMO action officer Bong Dacera said “limestone, or cor-alline when in sea, is unstable and easily break down. Sub-jecting it to extreme heat or ex-treme precipitation causes it to be unstable.”

Dacera emphasized that al-though these villages have no such history, these have po-tential that landslide would occur.

He reported that in one of the limestone areas in Barangay Conel, a minor landslide has al-ready occurred.

It was just fortunate that no-body was hurt during the inci-dent, he added.

In the same seminar-work-shop, Conel delegates identi-fied other risk and hazards that could hit their area such as dry spells and man-made fire.

The awareness to any risk or hazard was being highlighted in the workshop.

“We could prepare so that when such incidents happen, we would already know what to do,” he said.

Other barangays officials who participated also identified haz-ards in their area such as flood,

man-made fire and shooting incidents.

These barangays, which be-longed to the fifth and last batch of the seminar, consisted of Da-diangas East, Dadiangas West, Dadiangas South, Conel, Batom-elong and Upper Labay.

The two-day seminar-work-shop also highlighted the basics of disaster preparedness and mitigation skills of the constitu-ents of each barangay.

This is a part of the advocacy of Mayor Ronnel Rivera to attain environmental security and re-habilitation through disaster risk resiliency.

The RCRP was held in cooper-ation with the Integrated Baran-gay Affairs, CDRRMO and City Social Welfare and Development Office. (SVillacastin-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


DENR Caraga calls support of stakeholders vs illegal logging By: Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito N. Tamayo said that the department is expecting the active support of the people in the all-out campaign to slow down if not eradicate the problem of illegal logging in the regional areas of concern.

“I believe that the media, armed forces, the stakeholders are with us. This is our commitment. So if not zero level, with all the support coming from the different sectors we will


hit our aim,” Tamayo said during the press briefing held on June 5 in time with the celebration of the World Environment Day and the Environment month at the DENR Caraga Regional Training Center, here. Tamayo also bared that it was already recorded and confirmed that illegal logging statistics is decreasing in the region. “Out of 31 illegal logging hotspots in the country, 17 are in our region. With all sincerity and honesty, we were able to neutralize six out of those 17 hotspots,” Tamayo added. Tamayo and his senior staff and field officials vowed to neutralize illegal logging activities in the remaining hotspot areas. The covenant was formalized at the recently concluded Special Management Conference where 35 officials including five Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs) and

10 City Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs) signed the agreement. It was also learned that couple with the signing of commitment, however, is the risk of being removed from their post and a setback to be demoted from their post should they fall short of the commitment. Meanwhile, Tamayo also revealed that they have already established three additional forest monitoring checkpoints in Davao and Caraga. The checkpoints are part of their actions in strengthening their campaign to bring down the illegal logging and timber poaching incidence by the end of June 2015. “It’s a tall order to all DENR regional directors to bring illegal logging incidence down to zero level at least by the end of June this year,” he said.

DOH-Caraga offers HI-5 for improvements in health outcomesBUTUAN CITY - The Department of Health (DOH) - Regional Office XIII introduced a new strategy called the Universal Health Care High Impact Five (HI-5) to produce extensive improvements in health outcomes and on the priority, vulnerable population focusing on the five critical Universal Health Care (UHC) interventions.

By: Daisy Jane M. Apit


According to DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., the program shall focus on reducing maternal, infant, and under-five mortality; reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS; and establishing service delivery networks. The mentioned strategy would intensify the regional operations through health-related services and converge in priority poverty programs. It would also be implemented within 15 months, from April 2014 to June 2015. It is also geared towards the health department’s commitment of continued and improved UHC, moreover, as an action taken in response to the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Additionally, all major activities shall be synchronized

to occur nationwide and at key specific dates so as to have a greater impact on the target population. HI-5 shall also focus on the poor population and prioritize direct service delivery and other direct interventions to ensure that HI-5 is

a tangible health care strategy. It was learned that the HI-5 Summit, also part of the HI-5 activities will be held on June 10, 2015. At the same time, a Kalusugan Pangkalahatan HI- 5 Caravan shall take place together with Buntis Congress as both nationwide synchronal initiatives on June 23, 2015. Both include the provision of direct health services and commodities, and information and dissemination. “The Department of Health is more than just a hub, it is the core of health services towards an exceptional health care system. We want to ensure that the health programs and services of the agency are not only seen and felt but relished for a better health of all Filipinos especially the Caraganons,” said Dr. Llacuna.


Female police officer, PNCO commended for anti-drugs campaignBy: Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY - A female police officer and a police non-commissioned officer were made recipients of a Philippine National Police (PNP) commendation medal for a successful anti-illegal drugs campaign. Awarded the “Medalya Ng Papuri” (PNP Commendation Medal) were Police SInsp. Marisan L. Estrada and PO3 Elizalde Suarez for the successful implementation of search warrant and arrest of two suspects of dealing illegal drugs at Purok 7, Brgy. San Ignacio, this city for violation of the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive anti-illegal drugs law) on January 14, 2015. The police action resulted to the confiscation of suspected shabu with a total weight of

1.7351 grams and an estimated value of P20,474.00 and assorted drug paraphernalia. Pinning the medals to the awardees was Jessie P. Omamalin, assistant vice president of the Development Bank of the Philippines (Butuan) who was also the guest of honor and speaker during the Monday Flag-raising rites assisted by Caraga PNP chief PCSupt David Ombao and PSSupt Ronelo Jaurigue, chief of the Regional Headquarters Support Group.

One Mindanao - June 10, 2015

Documents

Transcript of One Mindanao - June 10, 2015