One Mindanao - June 4, 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

EMMANUEL TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE APIT, PIA Caraga Region

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

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BFP-GSCCFS hosts 1st Barangay Fire Olympics

Philippines cautious about joining Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Tourism council, city gov’t intensify greening drive

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By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

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15

OUR COVER

Contents

By Catherine T. Apelacio

37

DAR hands land titles to 113 farmers

GPH and MILF undertakes Brigada-Eskwela Program

Deles welcomes former rebels as peace, dev’t partners

RAGCOM continues to strengthen presence through activities, programs

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Tree planting highlights Youth Eco-Peace Camp in Basilan

23By: Jasper Marie O. Rucat

By: Joie L. Ceballos

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Lady foresters dare danger to get crucial data about forest land useBy: Eric Herson Gallego

By: Rene V. Carbayas

DepEd Tangub to do Baseline Nutrition Assessment of schoolchildren in JuneBy Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Danilo Doguiles

4 June 4, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story

BFP-GSCCFS hosts 1st Barangay Fire Olympics

T he Bureau of Fire Protection-General Santos City Central Fire Station (BFP-GSCCFS) hosted on Saturday (May 30) the 1st Barangay Fire Olympics for fire volunteers in the city.

The event aims at “promoting unity, camaraderie and oneness among Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigades.”

GSCCFS Fire Marshal, Chief Inspector NailynBelonio described the Olympics as “a friendly tussle” where participants are given the opportunity to display their firefighting prowess to hurdle

By Catherine T. Apelacio

5June 4, 2015 One Mindanao

the different stages required in the competition.

During the contest, Volunteer Fire Brigade from Barangay Tambler displayed a solid performance, which resulted in the group’s capturing the overall championship crown, sweeping out other competing barangays.The competition was participated in by eleven Barangay Fire Brigades here.

Out of the three categories (Bucket Relay, Fire Extinguisher Relay and Busted Hose Replacement), Tambler put up a steady show maintaining then their position within the top three ranking.

In the 20-point score Bucket Relay category, Tambler got third place while Barangay Tinagacan (1st) ruled the game along with City Heights (2nd).

Barangay Tambler also came next to Fatima in the Fire Extinguisher Relay event (20 percent equivalent points) followed by Conel (3rd).

The Busted Hose Replacement category which has the biggest equivalent points of 50 percent was dominated by Barangay Conel but Tambler trailed along at second place ahead of Bawing at third.

In overall standing, however, Barangay Tambler emerged as overall champion, followed


by Barangays Conel and Bawing, respectively.

Also, Tambler clinched a

Fire Olympic berth in the provincial level that will take place in Koronadal City sometime in June. The group will represent General Santos City.

Tambler barangay councilor Rabaiya Saydala said they were very happy to become the overall champion of the competition.

“We did not expect to be the champion but we are very happy joining this event, we are also thankful to the BFP


for hosting an event like this,” Saydala said. “We will also do our best to prepare our team in our upcoming participation in the provincial level of Barangay Fire Olympics.”

Saydala also said: “We learned a lot that was the most important part of this activity, so that when we go back to our respective barangays, we are prepared to response fire incidents or any calamities.”

Meanwhile, Belonio hailed the overwhelming participation of the newly organized Barangay Fire Brigades in the city while also thanking the local government

units for their all-out cooperation and support.

“I really appreciate the support of all the participants in this Barangay Fire Olympics,” C/Insp. Belonio said. “To the winners, congratulations! We do hope that next year, all barangays

in the city will participate in this event,” she told participants. (FO2 Philip C Chan/CTApelacio)


President Aquino says regional stability necessary to attain continued growth in Asia Pacific

MANILA -- President Benigno S. Aquino III said Wednesday he believes regional stability must be maintained to attain continued economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.


In his message during the Nikkei 21st International Conference on the Future of Asia, held at the Hotel Okura, Japan the president said maintaining an open sea lane in the South China Sea, which facilitates about 40 percent of global trade, is very important to regional growth.

He said Japan has been steadfast in demonstrating its solidarity with the Philippines as it advocates freedom of navigation and the rule of law in the face of China’s unlawful territorial claim.

“We are united in the belief that the continued growth of Asia necessitates an environment where freedom of navigation is uninterrupted, and where the rule of law is respected by all, with no exception,” President Aquino said. He noted that all parties have expressed their desire to resolve the South China Sea issue through peaceful means

under international law.

The Philippines, in particular, has pursued arbitration to clarify maritime entitlements, and has pushed for the expeditious conclusion of a legally binding ASEAN Code of Conduct, he added.

The President also thanked Japan for supporting the Philippines’ peaceful, lawful, and principled approach in resolving the dispute.

He said that his current state visit to Japan solidifies the country’s commitment with its friendship with the regional ally.

The President’s four-day state visit here is his sixth trip to the Asian neighbor. (PCOO/PND (as)


Philippines cautious about joining Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

MANILA -- The Philippines is cautiously studying whether or not to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) amid the country’s huge need for more infrastructure, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday.

“The Philippines, like any other country, has tremendous infrastructure needs,” the President said during the question-and-answer portion of the Nikkei 21st International Conference on the Future of Asia, held at the Hotel Okura in Tokyo, Japan.

He specified the country’s need for an improved mass transportation system in the capital region.

“We have not indicated that we are ready to join also. We are actually under the stage—at the stage of studying the proposal to join this particular new entity,” he said.

The President said the country had a bad experience on concessional loans after his predecessor was allegedly given such a loan facility.


“The drawdowns from these loans were demanded very, very early that potentially could have led us to a cross-default, and we are studying the invitation to join the AIIB. We have to determine whether or not it is a net positive or not,” he explained.

The Philippine government, he said, is also looking into the governance structure of the AIIB and is trying to determine whether its economic assistance will not

be subjected to the vagaries of politics between the Philippines and China, the lead proponent of the AIIB.

The President clarified that the Philippines has not declined to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) being spearheaded by the United States.

So far, the Philippines has not been formally invited to join the TPP, he noted.


LORETO, Agusan del Sur—The President’s peace adviser welcomed last week the return of some 150 former communist rebels to normal, civilian life, and hailed them as peace and development partners in their respective communities in a ceremony at Loreto in Agusan del Sur.

Deles welcomes former rebels as peace, dev’t partners

“Nais naming ipaabot ang respeto at pagkilala sa inyong malalim na pagsusuri at malayang pagpapasya na

magbalik sa buhay na mapayapa at sibilyan at talikuran ang armadong pakikibaka—hindi dahil naresolba na ang lahat


ng problema ng lipunan, ngunit kinikilala na sa dami ng ating problemang kailangan harapin, mas mabuti nga na mag-partner tayo, magtulungan, pag-usapan ang mga problema, at sama-samang maghanap ng solusyon,” said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles. (We wish to extend our respect and recognition for the deep consideration and free decision to return to the peaceful, civilian life, and turn your backs to armed revolution—not because we have already solved all problems in the society, but in recognition that, given the extent of problem that we have to face, it is better to be partners, to help each other, to talk about the problems, and find solutions together.)Also present in the event were Undersecretary Manny Bautista of the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace;

Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza; Loreto town Mayor Dario Otaza; and other officials from the different agencies, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The former rebels also surrendered automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns, and stock ammunitions during the program.

Beyond the immediate assistance given, Deles noted that there will be consultations between the former rebels and representatives from the government in the coming days to settle the best means to help them in their return to civilian life. The said program also coincided with the two-day peace caravan in the barangays of Kauswagan and Manawe meant to address the peace and development issues in Eastern Mindanao, and


affirm the administration’s commitment that no conflict-affected communities would be left behind. Pooling in efforts from the national and local governments, as well as the private sector, the caravan served around 3,000 residents providing medical and dental care, technical and livelihood training, legal consultations, health insurance registration, provision of educational kits, and distribution of certificates of land ownership awards among others.

“Sana ang pagkakataong ito ay mauwi sa isang selebrasyon ng pag-asa—na dito sa pagbabalik loob, sa pagbabago ng pamumuhay, ay talagang makakapanaginip nang muli ng mas magandang kinabukasan, lalung-lalo na sa mga bata at mga sususnod na henerasyon (Hopefully, this opportunity leads to a celebration of hope—that in the change of hearts and way of life can we truly dream again of better days, especially for the children and future generations),” Deles stressed.(OPAPP)


DOST Caraga releases P1.8M to del Rosario Rice Mill

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga intensified the Innovation System Support (ISS) under its flagship program, Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in the region.

By: MGSabuero


One of its beneficiaries was Del Rosario Rice Mill which received P1.8M for the procurement of equipment and fabricated parts for the construction of a multi-pass rice milling facility. From the use of a single pass rice mill with a capacity of 10 sacks per hour, the firm was able to upgrade its rice mill facility which undergoes a multi-stage process wherein rice passes through different operations and machines producing whole white rice kernels that are free of impurities. The installation and test run of equipment was completed last February 27, 2015 in its site at Pongtud, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. On its first month of operation with the S&T intervention, Del Rosario’s milling capacity increased by 35 to 40 sacks per hour. It generated over P756,000.00 in revenue, created seven jobs, increased clients by 50 percent, and was able to serve wider market. Aside from provision of equipment, the firm also gained consultancy services through Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program. Del Rosario Rice Mill, owned and managed by Ritchie M. Del Rosario, is the first rice milling

firm in the province able to innovate its system through SETUP – ISS. Del Rosario, in his testimony, expressed his gratitude to the department and inspired other firms, “To my fellow entrepreneurs, let us continue to learn and open for new technologies. After me, it will be your time to boost your productivity and competitiveness,” he said. SETUP is the core program of DOST which provides technology interventions to upgrade business ventures engaged to production and manufacturing of goods. It includes provision of the cost of equipment which is collateral-free, zero interest and proposal driven funding by the department.


DAR hands land titles to 113 farmers

BUTUAN CITY, -- A total of 113 farmers from Loreto, Agusan del Sur received land titles from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) covering 189 hectares during the Peace Caravan last May 28-29, 2015.

By: Joie L. Ceballos

The area covers five barangays namely, Binucayan, Johnson, San Mariano, Sta. Teresa, and Sto. Tomas, all of Loreto, Agusan del Sur. DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang, asst. regional director Daylinda Narisma and provincial agrarian reform officer II Paysal Tumog led the distribution.

Ragandang, in her message, reminded the beneficiaries to cultivate and maximize the potential of the awarded lands as not everybody are opportune and privileged to own one. Anselma Bulibuli, recipient of a land award said that she is very thankful to DAR because she has been dreaming of this time. “I am now very secure that


Lady foresters dare danger to get crucial data about forest land use

BUTUAN CITY-- It takes lady foresters of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional Office to cross danger lines inside forest jungles in Agusan del Sur to get crucial data on forest land use needed in management

By: Eric Herson Gallego

the land i am cultivating is really mine,” she added. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP)-led caravan was attended and participated by various national

agencies, the local government of Agusan del Sur and other non-government organizations.


“We spend lot of hours hiking in the forest jungle without minding the danger that lurks somewhere to assess the forest resources particularly about the National Greening Program (NGP),” Forester Marlyn delos Arcos said. Arcos is assigned at the Conservation and Development Division, Technical Service of the DENR 13 where data and information about the status of the planted seedlings and the tree stands are constantly monitored to guide the top management in making decisions. “We go to places where men dare not owing to critical security condition,” Arcos said. The lady forester was referring to the presence of the armed rebels who patrol the forest apparently evading the pursuing government troops. “We avoid the conflict as possible,“ Arcos said. “We’re not afraid facing an NPA cadre if the situation

warrants although most often they understand our job,” she added. Arcos said the Forest Resource Assessment (FRA) is so important in the forest land use. Its activities involve collecting, managing and analyzing data and information about forest resources. Information from sample plots and tracts, the measurement of biophysical properties and feedback from forest users are very crucial in the management of tree resources. “We focus in particular about the changes in land use and the existing vegetation inside a forest area,” Arcos added. She said 26 sample tracts in Caraga Region are currently being assessed and evaluated by the DENR team.

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)is granting scholarships to IP youths to help them pursue their college education through a financial assistance dubbed Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

EAP is for deserving IP youths, says NCIP

By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

Speaking before some 30 IP college student-participants in a journalistic writing workshop, AbdurasidBuddick,

regional EAP focal person of NCIP-9 said “you are very lucky to avail of this program. H u w a g n ’ y o l a n g


kami bibigyanngrason at pagkakataonnatanggalin kayo sa master list (don’t give us a chance to strip you off from the master list.)” Buddick advised the grantees to maintain their weighted average of 80 to be able to keep the scholarship until they graduate.“huwagnahuwagbababaanggradonyong 80 sa general average, kahitna1 point, or else I’m sorry, you will be out (Never let your general average be lower than 80, or else, you’re out.)” Buddick also challenged the IP youths to have a grade of 92 or above for them to be accelerated to merit list and enjoy the benefit of a full scholar. “If you are going to have a good grade of 92 and above, I can accelerate you to merit list, a full scholarship, so you will be

receiving 25,000 per semester.” Regular EAP scholar receives o n l y P 1 0 , 0 0 0 p e r semester while full scholar gets 25,000 per semester. “Normally,the grant is only good for four years. However, if you are enrolled in a five-year course, we will give you

until your fifth year so long as you can maintain your weighted average,” Buddickemphasized. Buddick informed that the NCIP’s new system when it comes to the releasing of scholarship funds/allowance, it allows NCIP to pay directly to the school of the IP-grantee and any excess (allowance) will be deposited directly to the grantee’s account. “That is why we need your bank account details and for those nawala pa, you need to open one.” Poor but deserving members of the Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) who are high school graduates or college level within or covered by the jurisdiction of NCIP Regional Office may avail of the EAP.


ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Ahead of the observance of World Environment Day on June 5, some 160 young people from Basilan planted 200 mahogany seedlings by the river banks and about 2,000 mangrove propagules along the shores of Barangay Tairan in Lantawan, Basilan, recently.

Tree planting highlights Youth Eco-Peace Camp in Basilan

by Rene V. Carbayas

Selected youth leaders from the municipalities of Lantawan, Maluso, Akbar and the cities of Lamitan and Isabela have secured their future with the

tree planting activity which highlighted the four-day Youth Eco-Peace Camp 2015 in Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan on May 21 to 24.


During the camp, young people acquired knowledge and appreciation of the concept of ecology and climate change adaptation and mitigation with inputs from the Philippine Information Agency-Basilan. PIA stressed and challenged young people to secure their future by demanding from their elders and parents to protect the environment and to aggressively fight those who seek to destroy it because of plain greed and callousness. Young people themselves need to do their share to protect the environment, the PIA added, challenging the youth to make

the Camp’s theme, “Kabataan: sa iyo ang Kalikasan, Kumilos Ka (Young People, the nature is yours, move now)” a reality. PIA also handled the session and forum on understanding the Bangsamoro and the peace process on the fourth day of the camp, where young people got a glimpse of the peace process through the historical perspective of Mindanao.

Miriam Suacito, Nagdilaab Foundation Executive Director said during her lecture on solid waste management that the world is facing a society that is producing a lot of wastes, stressing


that this culture of wastes would lead to self-destruction. She challenged the youth to “be conscious of what we consume and use only those that we need.” “Even though we do not plant trees much, we can always practice the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Kailangan nating bawasan ang basura sa mundo,” she said, urging young people to share what they have learned from the camp and translate this learning into action no matter how small it may seem. At the closing ceremony, LtCol Glen F. Villaflor, Battalion Commander of the 4th Special Forces, Philippine Army said that he was delighted seeing young people gathering in an event to tackle important issues that affect the current generation. “You are very lucky that at your young age, you are given the opportunity to attend seminars like this, to educate yourself for the protection of the environment in order to secure your future and your children’s future, because what we do today is what we become tomorrow,” he said. For his part, Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, 104th Brigade Commander, Philippine Army

reiterated Dr. Jose Rizal’s famous line that “the youth is the hope of the nation,” exhorting the participants to live up to this expectation and prove beyond lip-service. “This is the challenge for you young people of today to prove to Gat Jose Rizal that he is right, that indeed one could declare that I am the hope of the nation,” he said, adding that society has been witnessing a number of young people deviating from this call as some were drawn to illegal drugs or lured and recruited for criminal or terrorism activities. The four-day camp was made possible through the initiative of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. in partnership with the ZABIDA, Manos Unidas, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-ARMM, Philippine Army, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM, the local governments of barangay Tairan, and the towns of Lantawan, Maluso, and Akbar, among others.

Pantawid Pamilya capacitates beneficiaries to work overseas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To further improve the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) created the Technical Vocational Skills Training Program (Tech Voc), one of the approaches of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in upholding its mission to improve socio-economic well-being of every beneficiary.

by Erika Carmela B. Inovero and Recthie T. Paculba


One of the recipients of the training program is Aida May Jangao, 34, who recently completed the Household Services skills on May 8, 2015. Prior to opening the door of opportunity to work abroad, Aida makes a living through selling fruit salad while her husband Felix Jangao Jr., 34, raises the family through retailing goats and pigs. Together, the couple earns around P2,500 to P3,000 per month. Residing in Purok 3, Lagtang, Alubijid, the couple is blessed with one child, Mark Gabriel, 6, an incoming grade one pupil. Thus, with their meager income and a son to raise, they became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya since 2010. Upon knowing that the Tech Voc is implemented in their area, Aida immediately enlists herself and took up the training program’s Household Services-National Certificate II where she was trained for 25 days, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during Saturdays and Sundays. “Maayo kaayo ang training kay daghan ko natun-an. Labi na ang saktong pagtrabaho sa balay, aha sugdan ang paghinlo, unsa’y gamit sa panghinlo ug daghan pa. (The training was really good because I have learned a lot.

They taught me how to clean the house properly; the areas that should be handled first, the equipment that should be used and a lot more),” Aida shared. Recently, Aida has been planning and preparing to work as a domestic helper either in Middle East or Hong Kong on October this year. However, she also noted that the pros and cons of making the decision are in a constant see-saw as to which outweighs the other. Though high salary and good benefits are enticing, she still has security issues and uncertainties of being a wife and mother if she works abroad. She intends to transfer the conditional cash grant to her husband’s name and send her son to her parents in Bohol after he finishes his study this school year. Though leaving her family seems to be a very tough decision to make, Aida is very positive that her absence along with the issues that may come with it will be endured by the family. DSWD however assures Aida the continuous monitoring, counseling, updates and assistance for her family’s social welfare whenever she finally decides to brace a better economic opportunity.


One of the matters carried in the meeting was the presentation and discussion of Communication Planning. It emphasized the use of S-M-C-R-E method (sender-

message-channel-receiver-evaluation.) Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director Thelma B. Oliver said in her

RAGCOM continues to strengthen presence through activities, programs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Regional Government Communicators (RAGCOM) Northern Mindanao held a meeting recently to discuss upcoming events and programs of the year that would strengthen the group and its presence to the people in communicating their various programs and projects.

by Nica Rochell B. Gabay

“Pasalamat kaayo ko nga ang ila gyung giimplement na programa kay nakatabang financially sa amo. Dili lalim pero paningkamutan nako na matarong akong trabaho. I- manage pud nako among kwarta ug i-negosyo (I am really thankful that they implemented a program that financially helped my family. This is not easy but I will try my best to do good in my job. I will also manage our money carefully and put up a business in the future),” Aida said. Pantawid Pamilya is a

poverty reduction strategy of the DSWD that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly of children aged 0-18. Through providing incentives for poor families, they invest in the future by also ensuring that mothers and children can avail free healthcare as well as free education. Hence, it aims to give monetary aid to poor beneficiaries with the hope that these investments in human capital would lessen the great financial divide among Filipinos.


DepEd Tangub to do Baseline Nutrition Assessment of schoolchildren in June

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidentalx -- A mass weighing and height monitoring of all school children, both elementary and secondary levels, will be conducted by the Department of Education, Division of Tangub City (DepEd-Tangub), during the first week of this month.

This is in collaboration with the Division Health and Nutrition Unit in order to come up with a

Baseline Nutritional Assessment of school children for school year 2015-2016, Dr. Victoria V. Gazo,

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

presentation that the sender is the one who sends the message through a channel (the medium that is used in sending or receiving the message) that will be then received by the receiver who will then evaluate how effective the message is through his/her understanding. The communication planning will help the agencies to properly organize their exchange of information for a productive work. Also, the group discussed about a tour with the local media at Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) in Claveria on June 2, 2015, a bloodletting activity to be

held in Provincial Capitol Ground, and a talk on RAGCOM corner. There was also a question and answer portion to clarify queries about the upcoming events. A discourse on an information caravan that will be held on 16 June 2015 in Bukidnon was also carried on the event. Before the meeting ended, the agencies had the chance to present updates about the activities of each of their department that they will be holding this year. The event was spearheaded by PIA Regional Director, Thelma Oliver and RAGCOM President, Merlyn Ybañez.


Schools Division Superintendent (SDS), said. Thus, in her memorandum to all the school heads, the SDS Gazo has directed all the selected trained school personnel of the World Health Organization-Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS) to take charge of such activity within the division. Particular groups of pupils to undergo the assessment in the elementary level are those enrolled in the pre-elementary, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Multi-grade and Special Education (SPED), while those in the secondary

level are those enrolled in 1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year and 4th Year. Data to be gathered are the pupils/students’ names, birthdays, ages as of the date of weighing, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), which can be derived by dividing the weight, in kilograms over the height, in meters. Also to be gathered are their nutritional status to see who among the pupils/students are normal, overweight, obese, wasted and severely wasted, Gazo said.

DavNor grants tech-voc scholarships

Davao del Norte - One hundred two (102) stu-dents recently received at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, certificates of scholarship from the provincial government of Davao del Norte for the school year 2015-2016.

According to the cer-tificate, the scholarship entitles the student, two related technical-vocation courses that they will take within the school year in any Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reg-istered institution in the province. Provincial Public

Emp loyment Services Of-fice Manager Gloria Excelsa Pamugas dis-closed that the students were chosen through ex-amination and interview from more than 400 applicants in the Provincial

Scholarship Program. “As scholars, the provincial government will shoulder their school tuition and miscellaneous fees; the students’ coun-terpart are their uniforms, books and allowances,” she said. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that the scholarship program of the province started even before his term as gover-nor but it is good for bac-calaureate degree stud-ies. “When I started as a governor, in the Minimum Basic Needs, we discov-ered that there are a lot of young people that needs to be assisted in terms of


GPH and MILF undertakes Brigada-Eskwela Program

DAVAO CITY- Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front continue to move forward towards normalization by spear-heading the “Brigada-Eskwela,” program in the former war-strick-en camps in Central Mindanao.

Brig. General Carlito Galvez, chair of the government’s Com-mittee on Ceasefire and Cessa-tion of Hostilities is joined with his counterpart in the MILF, po-lice and the Department of Ed-ucation to prepare the public

education and employment,” he said. Gov. Del Rosario said that they redirected the scholarship program from baccalaureate degree to techni-cal and vocational courses. “This is so because we want to provide our youth the opportunity of learning and opportunity for employ-ment; and if they take baccalaureate,

it will take them awhile to finish,” he said. Del Rosario added that after they earn their certificate of compe-tency to TESDA and land a job, they can now earn and eventually proceed to baccalaureate degree if they deem so. (PIA11, Michael Uy)


schools for the new school-year, in Camps Mader and Camp Abu-bakar in Barira, Maguindanao Thursday. He said the Brigada Eskwela was initially launched Wednesday in Camp Rajamuda, Buliok Complex, Pikit, North Co-tabato and Camp Busra in Lanao del Sur, conflict-affected areas in the war during 2003. Galvez said the last venue of the activity will be in Camp Bilal in Lanao del Sur. “Government and the MILF have agreed to convert these camps into social entity by trans-forming them into progressive communities,” he said. Galvez said the Brigada Es-kwela in the MILF camps reaches out three schools per camp. He said 20 skilled-carpenters from the military and 20-MILF counterparts are participating in conducting repairs of the school-buildings while the respective local government units and rep-resentatives from the DepEd con-duct medical-dental activities on school-children and the immedi-ate residents in the area. Galvez explained that with the eventual decommissioning of the MILF forces, their respective camps will receive social packag-es for them to improve the qual-ity of life.

He said the Bangsamoro will be provided with livelihood train-ing, individual and community competence building to pursue life anew, equipped with the pre-cise means to pursue life. Galvez said the govern-ment spends P100-Thousand per school, while the MILF provides 20 to 50 additional skilled work-ers. I am glad to be back here. This area was a war-front in the conflict back in 2000s,” he said. Abdulkadir Manimbal, dep-uty commander, national guard brigade of the MILF welcomed the new cooperation between the government and their orga-nization. He said the activity sends the sign of peace especially for the immediate families who as-pire that their children go back to school. Manibal affirmed that a fire razed the school during the 2000 conflict. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Tacurong City, 4 other LGUs named Champions for Health GovernanceTACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, June 4-- Trailblazers in the field of public health. This was how the organizers of Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards described this year’s national winners.

Tacurong, the only city among the five awardees, is joined by four other municipali-ties of del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Ipil in Zamboaga Sibugay, Jimenez in Misamis Occidental, and Cervantes in Ilocos Sur. No-tably, four of the winners came from Mind-anao. The winning Local Government Units (LGUs) received their prizes during the awarding rites held at the C3 Events Place in Greenhills, San Juan on May 29. Apart from the plaques, each winner re-ceived cash prizes amounting to P100 Thou-sand plus P500,000 worth of medical sup-plies and materials. Mayor Lina Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph Lechonsito, and City Health Officer Giovanni Deles received the award. Aside from subscribing to the principles of participatory governance and universal health care, Tacurong’s innovations on health governance paved way for its becoming a champion. Tacurong’s ‘City Hall sa Barangay’ Project, which aims to bring the services of the LGU right at the doorsteps of constitu-


ents of even the remotest ba-rangays, is a practice that made health services accessible to the poor. Meanwhile, the ordinance requiring pregnant women to give birth to health facilities re-sulted to the absence of mater-nal and child mortality in the last four years. The legislation providing se-curity of tenure to the communi-ty volunteer health workers and giving them second grade civil service eligibility after five years of continuous service also boost-ed Tacurong’s case to get a spot in the Top 5 national winners. Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the event’s keynote speaker, congratulated the outstanding health programs of the award-

ees. “For me, if somebody would ask what is the most important thing in life, the answer should be health; because if you’re not healthy, you cannot live a mean-ingful and productive life”, Sena-tor Guingona said. “But being healthy and stay-ing healthy is not cheap and easy; social disparity is appar-ent when it comes to health. I’m very glad that we have LGUs that are in the forefront of promoting health.” CHG Awards, already in its second run since its debut in 2013, aims to recognize cities and municipalities for their excel-lent health governance and pro-grams that contribute to achiev- ing universal health


ing universal health care for all Filipinos, particularly in meet-ing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing mater-nal and child mortality and the burdens of infectious diseases. The CHG Awards is orga-nized by the global pharmaceu-tical company of Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Kaya Natin Move-ment for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, and the Jesse Robredo Foundation in collabo-ration with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG). Participating LGUs are judged based on the effective-ness and innovativeness of their health programs, management of health resources, community engagement, local leadership, and transparency and account-ability. Each LGU should also have no adverse report from the Commission on Audit. Sixty (60) LGUs submit-ted entries for this year’s search but the road to being declared champions had not been easy. Each entry had to go through the long and arduous screening pro-cess. Of the 60 applicants, only 25 entries survived the eligibility screening. The Top 25 underwent an-

other thorough screening process aimed at trimming down the en-tries to twelve. All twelve finalists went through the site evaluation and validation from the whole month of April up until the first week of May. The last step before choosing the five champions was the panel interview in Manila. During the interview, each final-ist had a fifteen-minute presen-tation and another fifteen-min-ute question-and-answer portion with regard to health programs and best practices. “Through the CHG Awards, we wanted make sure that the trailblazing activities and efforts of the champion LGUs will be recognized and eventually repli-cated all over the country”, said Harvey Keh, co-convenor of Kaya Natin Movement who also host-ed the awarding rites. “Imagine if all LGUs would be able to im-plement their public health pro-grams properly, then I’m sure our health indicators including our MDGs will be easily met.” Congresswoman Leni Robre-do, chairperson of the Jesse Ro-bredo Foundation, said that the CHG Awards is in support to the Foundation’s aim of promoting development through empower-ing local communities.


Tourism council, city gov’t intensify greening drive

“Jesse believed that the progress of our nation depends on the local government units”, Congresswoman Robredo said while addressing the awardees. “ “Aside from appreciating and giving a reward for all the ef-forts that you did, we hope that

through this award, you will be able to inspire more mayors and more local government officials to do the same.”. (AFreno-LGU Tacurong City Information/DE-Doguiles-PIA 12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, June 4 – The Gensan Tourism Council (GTC) and the city government have intensified the city beautifi-cation campaign through a greening drive by planting mangroves in a coastal community here.

Launched on May 24, the campaign, which is called #Go-GreenGensan, is the first clean and green initiative between the GTC and the city government to ensure that the city will be cli-mate change-adaptive through planting of trees, specifically on the highways and pocket areas of the city.

#GoGreenGensan also aims to protect the coastline and marine life of the city as a way to pre-vent hazardous natural phenom-ena such as the massive coastal subsidence that took place in Pu-

rok Tinago, Barangay South.This campaign was officially

launched at the shoreline of Pu-rok, Minanga, Barangay Buayan —one of the city’s coastal com-munities — where 3,500 man-grove shoots were planted.

About half hectare of coastal land in Minanga was covered by the mangrove planting.

The activity was participated in by around 1,500 individuals from different agencies and or-ganizations such as the South Cotabato Filipino Chinese Cham-ber of Commerce Inc. (SCFC


CCI) Fire Volunteers, numer-ous Notre Dame alumni batches, and media organizations such as ABS-CBN, Bombo Radyo, and Brigada News.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Re-sources (DENR), the said man-grove planting is the biggest they have seen in the city.

GTC head Jane Gollon-Rivera, wife of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, was one of the most active par-ticipants of the greening activ-ity—having more than 20 shoots planted on her own. She was ac-companied by Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles who also did her share in planting mangroves.

Rivera said the mangrove planting is just the start of the intensified campaign to “green” the city to mitigate the effects of climate change and the on-going dry spell.

“We will continue to do this every two months—in here and then other coastal communities in the city. We will also plant trees

in our highways and to the city’s pocket locations so that we can give a little coolness to our city,” Rivera said.

The mangrove planting will cov-er 37 hectares of coastal lands of the city. Gensan has nine shore-line barangays.

“These mangroves, when they will grow, can also be a possible tourist attraction in the city. I have visited places where they put coastal roads or pathways along their mangrove areas so that people can enjoy seeing them,” Rivera said.

Vice Mayor Bañas described the environmental campaign as very timely especially that the effects of hot weather is already manifesting.

“Gensan is one, or perhaps, the hottest place in the coun-try right now. We have to do our part to alleviate the extreme heat and planting of trees is one of the best ways to do that,” Bañas stated. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

One Mindanao - June 4, 2015

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