One Mindanao - March 14, 2012

Cover Story

Siocon women embark on bottled sardines making

Franklin P. GumaponWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 213

page 4

Electric coops share solutions to Mindanao power crisis Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

Five SoCot towns cited on solid waste management implementation15Fruto Sumagaysay Jr, Central Mindanao

Bangsamoro Week of Peace and Solidarity sinimulan na

19MCDayaan, Central Mindanao

Surigao del Sur fortunate as Kalahi-CIDSS beneficiary 20Greg Tataro, Jr., Caraga Region

Malacañang says E-VAT on oil stays 8

Preparation for 2012 Balangay Festival underwayEldie N. David, Caraga Region

DA and DTI join for Rubber Stakeholders Forum23Western Mindanao

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Bangsamoro, indigenous peoples of Mindanao to re-affirm kinship relations 26Apipa P. Bagumbaran , Northern Mindanao

Tangub city receives Seal of Good Housekeeping Award from DILG28 Pat Nano, Northern Mindanao

CHED-IX spearheads ZPHERA confab 24 Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

16

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PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

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

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

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

Layout Artists ……………... Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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4 Wednesday, March 14, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

A group of women from

Barangay Sta. Maria of this town are now engaged in bottled sardines making as their livelihood.

Cover StorySiocon women embark on bottled sardines making

These women, who are mostly housewives of small fishermen, were fresh fish and dried fish vendors before they underwent training on

bottled sardines processing conducted for free by the

Dipolog School of Fisheries (DSF)

with funding

assistance from the TVI Resource Development Phils., a mining firm operating in Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo of this town. Manuela Canonayon, 48, president of Sta. Maria Women’s Association, said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) some 50 women

by Franklin P. Gumapon

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

had participated in the training, but presently only 15 of them are directly involved in the processing and production of bottled sardines. Canonayon recalled that her group, which is composed of Christian and Muslim women, never thought of embarking on bottled sardines making as they lack training and some capital to start with. Her vice president, Nahala Salman, 50, a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also said the group was incapable of procuring cooking utensils and other equipment to be used in processing bottled sardines. But all these were met through the help of TVI. TVI shouldered the training expenses and bought the group cooking utensils and equipment needed for the purpose. The company shelled out more than P100,000 for this project. Canonayon disclosed that the

pressure cooker alone bought by TVI for the group already

amounted to P32,000. Her group was also given

other cooking utensils like

stainless

s t r a i n e r , big basins, weighing scales and others.

The group labeled its Spanish-style sardines in oil as “Mananam,” a

Tausug word which means delicious. It processed 142 bottles during its first production and another 177 bottles lately. Social development program When asked why TVI has been extending help to Sta. Maria Women’s


Association, Julma Esmali-Villanueva of TVI’s Community Relations and Development Office (CREDO) said “it is part of the social development management program of the company” to provide sustainable livelihood to the host community particularly the marginal groups. Aside from the Sta. Maria Women’s Association, TVI has also extended assistance to the fishermen of Sitio Busikong in Sta. Maria, the Subanens at Sitio Canatuan in Barangay Tabayo and provided scholarship grants to poor but deserving students. A certain Cynthia Comisas Lacpao, who is now a company nurse, was one of the successful TVI scholars. Her parents are Subanens.

Empowering the women

“Giving the women livelihood opportunities is one way of empowering them,” said Julma Esmali-Villanueva.

Villanueva said the members of Sta. Maria Women’s

Association were plain housewives before

and they tried to help

augment their family earning by selling fresh fish or dried fish. “They really lived hand to mouth,” she stressed. As these women are now engaged in bottled sardines making, they are hopeful that their living condition will get better in the days ahead.


ACROSS THE NATIONMalacañang assures contingency measures are ready in the event transport strike takes place on March 15

Malacañang assured the people that necessary contingency measures will be in place to address the possible effects of the looming transport strike on March 15.

During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the government has been tapping the various concerned government agencies to provide assistance to the riding

public in the event that a transport strike takes place.

Valte said that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is ready to monitor the situation and will b e

coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide trucks that will convey the passengers who will be affected.

“Ang paghahanda po natin is making sure na kung sakali po talagang

8 Wednesday, March 14, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Malacañang says E-VAT on oil stays

Despite calls to bring down the expanded

value added tax (EVAT) on oil to 10 percent to help ease the burden of the Filipino people, Malacañang on Wednesday said that the tax on oil will remain at its current state of 12 percent.

makulangan ng mga pampublikong sasakyan ay handa po ang MMDA, at yung mga truck po ng AFP, PNP para po mai-deploy kung sakali man na magkakaroon ng ma-stranded na pasahero,” Valte said.

She added that Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Energy (DOE) Secretary Jose Rene Almendras were in constant communication

with the transport groups to discuss the concerns of the transport sector.

“Sa akin pong pagkakaalam ay palagi po silang (transport groups) may koordinasyon kay Secretary Mar Roxas at kay Secretary Rene Almendras,” Valte noted.

Recent reports revealed that a threat of a nationwide mass protest scheduled on March 15 led by the transport sector and some leftist

solons as they launched a signature campaign asking the government to scrap or suspend the value-added tax (VAT) on oil as a means to bring down prices of gasoline and other petroleum products.

The tax on petroleum products would provide the government at least 47 billion pesos in revenues that could subsidize social services for the Filipino people. (JCL)


P r e s i d e n t i a l Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in his regular press briefing that the income generated by the EVAT on oil is needed to fund the various pro-poor programs of the government.

“…the taxes (on oil) are really needed. While the circumstances at that time when it was imposed are different now, we need it to continue to fund our programs,” Lacierda said.

He countered criticisms that these

government programs, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, do not need funding from the EVAT on oil as these have separate funding from foreign sources.

“On the Conditional Cash Transfer, we just like to state for the record that we have—we are now servicing three million family beneficiaries. Out of the three million family beneficiaries, 900,000 family beneficiaries are funded by the World Bank-ADB (Asian

Development Bank) loan. So 2.1 million (family beneficiaries) are funded by our GAA (General Appropriations Act),” Lacierda explained.

“But even then, that foreign loan ultimately babayaran rin natin ‘yan eh. So babayaran ng gobyerno ‘yan so talagang pera rin ng pamahalaan ‘yung pambayad doon,” he added.

Lacierda also cited the statement of Finance Secretary Purisima who underscored the need for the EVAT on oil as part of the government’s revenue base.

“We need to continue to build a revenue base rather than go backwards. This way, our cost of borrowing will continue to go down creating more space for social investment. ‘Yan po ang reasoning ni Secretary Purisima,” Lacierda said. (RCK)


LGUS urged to have workable tourism masterplan by RG Alama

A private sector-led tourism group has urged local

government units in Mindanao to come up with viable tourism master plan in their localities. “There are many LGUs that have really beautiful places but they lack technical knowhow on product development, marketing and promotions.” says Jonallier Perez, member of the board representing Davao Region for the Mindanao

Tourism Council. Perez cites an example, a breathtaking waterfalls is often marketed to retirees or elderly people. Their strategy should target young people who could go up mountains to experience those watefalls.” He cites that among the pitfalls of ill-advised tourism marketing plan is that their promotions target the wrong audience. The Mindanao Tourism Council, a Davao City-based private organization of major tourism players in Mindanao provides technical expertise to LGUs in making tourism masterplan.“We provide the medium, the participants provide the content.” Says Perez, the building of tourism masterplan is itself a participative approach where the LGUs tell them what they want. “We do not dictate to them what is to be done; we provide technical assistance to help them come up


with a workable tourism master plan.” Among LGUs who have seek MinTC assistance is the municipality of Glan in Sarangani Province, famed for its white sand beaches the town has drafted a 5-year tourism masterplan with the help of MinTC. The plan is in phase-2 under the implementation phase. Under the masterplan Glan is promoted as a tropical beach paradise and is being packaged as a resort convention center. Aside from beaches the town is promoting secondary tourism products such

as its colonial houses and also the fourth landing site of Spanish explorer Miguel de Villalobos, famous for christening the country as The Philippines in the 16th century. Glan has also revisited its local revenue code to spur tourism investment in the town, among these are tax holidays, discounts for tourism establishments and tax reduction on corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Another program being implemented is the development of tourism infrastructure in the municipality.

Electric coops share solutions to Mindanao power crisis

DAVAO CITY– Electric cooperatives in Mindanao are standing firm in refusing to contract out expensive load power capacity from power barges, unless the government plays fair in obliging not just electric cooperatives to contract out but also industrial customers. In yesterday’s press conference, Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives Inc (AMRECO) President Sergio C. Dagooc explained that the refusal of these electric cooperatives to tap power from barges is brought about by “jealousy”. Dagooc said it is quite unfair for

ECs to be blamed for the worsening power crisis in Mindanao. “They are saying that it is because we refused to buy costly power from barges that these blackouts are happening in most areas in Mindanao . The Department of Energy assessed that some ECs and distribution utilities have not been contracting enough power supply for their actual needs which then causes problems in the grid. The DOE recently instructed the National Grid Cor poration of the Philippines (NGCP) to turn the curtailment process from voluntary

by Mai Gevera Macapagat


to mandatory. NGCP was then given the power to disconnect distribution firms and ECs of electricity if they withdraw power beyond what is contracted. AMRECO, composed of 33 ECs with 27 of which are connected to the main grid, cried foul as mandatory purchase of power from barges would mean increased electricity cost that will be shouldered by the consumers. However, AMRECO yesterday announced its willingness to cooperate by providing both short and long term solutions to the crisis. Dagooc said that the AMRECO is expecting the DOE to act as

the police in making sure that all entities involved, not just ECs, are giving their fair share to ease out this problem. “ We hope that the DOE would task the National Power Corporation to issue a daily bulletin or a profile of daily capacity and the daily dispatch of the NGCP.”, he said. Electric cooperatives believed that this power crisis being experienced in Mindanao is not “artificial”. However, they have estimated 110-120 megawatt present power deficiency and not 240 MW as declared by the NGCP. (PIA/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)


Solon distributes coffee seedlings to farmers in remote barangayby Dani Doguiles and Roderick Bautista

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Farmers in the upland barangay of Alamada, North Cotabato recently received coffee seedlings intended to boost farm family income.

On Friday, North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus Sacdalan dispersed more than 8,000 seedlings of Arabica coffee to farmers in Barangay Dado as part of his Agri- Pangkabuhayan Para Sa Kapayapaan Program that aims to provide needed support to farm families in the entire district.

Jun Eruela, political affairs assistant of the congressman, said the coffee seedlings dispersal was implemented in coordination with the Agri-Pinoy High Value Crops Development

P r o g r a m of the Department o f Agriculture.

C o f f e e seed l i ngs w e r e s o u r c e d from the DA-12 upon a p p r o v a l by Regional Execut ive D i r e c t o r A m a l i a J a y a g -Datukan.

Said seedlings were given free to farmers on condition that they will plant these and will take care of the plants,

which are also for their benefit. Farmers are likewise assured of technology support for the productive cultural


management of the crops.

Roderick Bautista, another staff of the congressional district office explained, Sacdalan would like to provide more lucrative source of income for farmers in the area in lieu of growing seasonal corn commodity.

He added that the effort was also in accordance with the congressman’s climate change mitigation initiatives and is a means to protect the

A lamada-L ibungan watershed.

Eruela added that agriculture experts have specifically advised them planting of Arabica coffee species in the upland areas because these places are conducive to production of coffee. This variety also commands better prices in the market.

Besides coffee, Agri- Pangkabuhayan Para Sa Kapayapaan Program distribution of other high value

crops like coconut, rubber and fruit trees to other places in the congressional district, depending on the suitability of crops and needs of the target beneficiaries.

North Cotabato’s first district includes the municipalities of Aleosan, Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Carmen, and Kabacan. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12 with report from Roderick Bautista)


Five SoCot towns cited on solid waste management implementationBy Fruto Sumagaysay Jr

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato- Five municipalities in South Cotabato recently received recognition from the national government for sustained and good performance in the implementation of Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Cited for their accomplishments were the local government units of Banga, Polomolok, Sto. Nino, Surallah and Tampakan.

The municipalities of Lebak and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat province and Alabel in Sarangani also received the same award.

The awarding was held during yesterday’s flag-

raising at the regional office of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR-12), this city.

Signed by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, the recognition award cited the municipality-awardees for their segregation at source, segregated collection, establishment and operationalization of

material recovery facilities and having appropriate residual management.

E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management Bureau – 12 Director Datu Tungko Saikol of DENR-EMB 12 welcomed the guests, including municipal mayors or their representatives to the activity. EMB is the lead agency in

In his message, DENR 12 Regional Technical Director for Lands Ernesto Lezada and concurrent DENR 12 Officer-in-Charge emphasized that “one environmental problem is the problem of all.”

He emphasized that solid waste management should be a “shared responsibility” among the local government units.

Present during the awardeeds were Mayor Romulo Solivioof Surallah Antonio Damandaman of


Sto. Nino, Rolando Garcia of Kalamansig. Other municipality awardees were represented by their municipal administrators and MENROs.

The awardees were unanimous in their respective response, in thanking DENR for the recognition and in their commitment to sustain the

efforts they started in their solid waste management implementation.

In June last year, Surallah LGU opened the first cluster sanitary landfill (SLF) in South Cotabato in a bid to strengthen its solid waste management with the other LGUs it shares the facility with.

Other LGUs using the cluster SLF are the

municipalities of Banga, Norala, T’boli, and Lake Sebu. It has become a model facility and a popular destination of educational tours of local government officials all over Mindanao, the latest of which are the officials of Mati City, Davao Oriental. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/FRSumagaysay/SoCot PIO)

Bangsamoro Week of Peace and Solidarity sinimulan naCOTABATO CITY– Sinimulan na kahapon ang Bangsamoro Week of Peace and Solidarity na itinataguyod ng pamunuan ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao sa pakikipagtulungan ng ilang ahensiya ng pamahalaan tulad ng DSWD-ARMM, DOT-ARMM, ORG, MNLF, MILF, Bureau of Cultural Heritage-ARMM at ibang peace advocates.

Sa isang pulong balitaan sinabi ni Atty. Anwar Malang, executive secretary ng Office of the Regional Governor, ARMM na nararapat lamang na gunitain ang mga kaganapang may kinalaman sa mga kaguluhang naganap noong mga nakaraang panahon at ang kasalukuyang natatamong kapayapaan sanhi ng pagpapatuloy ng peace process sa pagitan ng gobyerno at ng Moro

Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Nakatuon ang aktibidad sa pangangalaga ng kasalukuyang usaping pangkapayapaan at gawin ang lahat upang hindi na maulit muli ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao noong mga nakaraang maraming taon.

Tampok sa isang linggong aktibidad na ito ay ang paglulunsad ng kauna-unahang Bangsamoro Youth Summit upang mapag-

usapan dito ang papel ng kabataan hinggil sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran.

Ang Bangsamoro Week of Peace and Solidarity ay magtatapos sa March 18 ng taong kasalukuyan.

Bago ginanap ang naturang pulong balitaan nauna nang inihayag ni ARMM OIC-Governor Mujiv S. Hataman na sinusuportahan niya ang nasabing aktibidad. ( M C D a y a a n / P I A Cotabato City)


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OCD-Caraga facilitates DRRM Plan workshop by April Sanchez

The Office of Civil Defense-Caraga Regional Center conducted the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Strategic Action Planning Workshop for the Municipal

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Marihatag, Surigao del Sur and Tubod, Surigao del Norte and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Surigao del Sur.


The workshops were designed to assess issues and problems encountered by the Local Government Unit and to explore strategic interventions that will improve disaster risk reduction at the local level. It also aimed to know the disaster risk reduction in the Philippine perspective and to understand the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010).

Moreover, the workshops by the respective LGUs were designed to formulate a five-year plan of disaster risk reduction and management program for action. The workshop objectives were reached through the learning inputs and exercises. Group outputs were presented after each exercise. These were processed and enhanced by way of discussion in plenary. Marihatag SDS had its DRRM Planning

workshop held at Tree Park Resort in Marihatag last February 7-9, 2012 while the planning workshop for the Municipality of Tubod was conducted on March 8-10, 2012 at Prince Hotel in Butuan City. The DRRM Planning Workshop for the Province of Surigao del Sur took place at La Entrada Resort and Restaurant in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur last February 15-17, 2012. The workshop of the mentioned municipalities and province were participated by heads and representatives of the government and non-government agencies who are part of the Municipal/Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council led by their Local Chief Executives. Mayor Leo Navarro for Marihatag, Mayor Christina Hemady Arcillas for Tubod and Governor Johnny Pimentel for the Province of Surigao del Sur.


Preparation for 2012 Balangay Festival underwayby Eldie N. David

The City Tourism Council, which is headed by Atty. Rema D. Erigbuagas-Burdeos, will be authorized under the MOA to conceptualize, organize and manage the difference events, programs and activities in connection with the celebration of the Balangay Festival Silver Year.

The council is tasked

to market and promote the said calendared activities and to find ways and means to raise funds to be used for this purpose and other tourism-related activities of the City for the year 2012.

The City Government will likewise extend a financial assistance in the amount of P1 million for the year-long festivity and its

promotion, subject to additional funding from the City Government upon its sole discretion and when justifiable.

This year’s Balangay Festival will be on is 25th year and is expected to be more highlighted with a lot of activities.

An official logo for this year’s celebration was already unveiled March 12, 2012.

BUTUAN CITY -- In order to promote tourism industry in the country, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has recently approved a resolution authorizing City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to enter into and sign in behalf of the City Government of Butuan a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City Tourism Council for the latter to organize and manage the Balangay Festival silver celebration.


TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The province of Surigao del Sur has been fortunate for being a beneficiary of Kapit-Bisig laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Surigao del Sur fortunate as Kalahi-CIDSS beneficiary by Greg Tataro, Jr.

According to Engr. Merlyn Baure, chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) here, the World Bank has already granted the province the total amount of P 1 6 2 , 2 6 4 , 0 1 2 . 6 2 under such program by funding the implementation of various infrastructure

projects. These projects are in the form of water supply system, school buildings, drainage canals, farm-to-market roads (FMRs), hanging and bailey bridges built in 113 barangays in the towns of Bayabas, Cagwait, San Miguel, San Agustin and Marihatag in the First

District and Tagbina as well as Hinatuan in the Second District. Meanwhile, Baure said, under the Aquino administration, five of the municipalities mentioned have been, again, listed back as beneficiaries of the upgraded program now dubbed Kalahi Makamasang Tugon.


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Naval Forces West adjudged cleanest, greenest at 8th Balayong festival

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Naval Forces West was adjudged as the Cleanest and the Greenest among the military and PNP camps in Puerto Princesa City recently at the

occasion of the 8th Balayong Festival last March 3, 2012.


One of the highlights of the festival was the City Government’s “Oplan Linis” Program and the Clean and Green Awards for 2012. Adjudged as the Cleanest Military Camp was the Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST) followed by the Western Command (WESCOM) for the second place and the Philippine National Police for third. The activity is in line with the City Government’s annual competition among government and non-government institutions and facilities which focuses on the Oplan Linis Program of the City. As one of the military camps in Puerto Princesa City, NFW regularly conducts beautification and camp-greening projects to suit the image of Puerto Princesa City as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines.

Clean-up drives, planting of fruit-bearing trees and ornamental plants and waste segregation are among the regular activities of NFW making the camps environment-friendly. NFW also participates in the City’s tree and mangrove planting activities, coastal clean-ups and other environmental protection activities. The award was received by the Deputy Commander of NFW, Capt. Giovanni Carlo J Bacordo PN (GSC), in behalf of the Commander, Naval Forces West, with Maj. Ereneo G. Paiton PN (M), the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Carlito Cunanan. Military units in Palawan joined the festivities as Puerto Princesa celebrated the “Balayong Festival” commemorating the City’s Founding

Anniversary which started on February 29 to March 5 2012. The 6th Civil relations Group said the Western Command (WESCOM) showcased what it has to offer in a civil-military parade last March 3 that was playfully dubbed as “Araw ng Kalinisan at Ganda”. In keeping with the festive spirit of the Balayong Festival, the WESCOM Band, widely known for their exceptional skills with their instruments, also entertained the audience with their own rendition of pop music and military marching songs and anthems. (JPA/RVC/PIA-9 ZBST)


The Department of Agriculture RFU9 and Department of Trade and Industry jointly conducted a forum to gather rubber stakeholders and rubber processors for consultation to finalize the regional Value Chain Map for Rubber Crumb. During the opening program, RED Eduardo Holoyohoy said that rubber is an important commodity and a priority commodity under the DA- High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), where “we are expecting more lands to be planted with rubber.” “Rubber is one of the best alternatives to reforestation.” he said. The forum, held in coordination with other agencies presented Updates of the National Greening Program (DENR), Rubber market-opportunities, investment priority plans (Board of Investment), Rubber Roadmap (DA) and the Value Chain Map Analysis (DTI). Topping the issues and concerns yet to be resolved is the widespread use of “battery solution” as coagulant that makes inferior quality rubber.

Despite the passing of the Provincial and municipal ordinances in the total banning/ stop usage on the use of Battery Solution in rubber, there is still the need to correct this malpractice of rubber farmers. Moreover, the Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) will open a special course on Rubber Tapping, where rubber tappers will be properly trained and given license and certification. Among those present in supporting for the maintenance and sustainability of the rubber industry in Zamboanga were DTI Asst. Dir. Sittie Amina Jain, DA-AMAD Chief Ferdinand Gamorot, Regional Rubber Research Coordinator Engr Roger Bagaforo, DTI Provincial Director Edito Lumacang, Dante Oporto (DENR), Engr Nestor Arcansalin (BOI), Ferdinand Lazo (FIDA), Mr. Bonnie Tan (Makilala, Cotabato), Mr. Jun Calmohoy, Mr. Orlando Sta. Teresa, Mayor Joel Maturan and other representatives from DA, TESDA, and DOLE. (DA9/PIA9/ALT)

DA and DTI join for Rubber Stakeholders Forum

IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY - Over 100 participants attended the regional rubber stakeholders’ forum held recently in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.


In a press release, Dr. Jhamie Tetz I. Mateo of CHED-IX disclosed that a total 141 participants attended the organizational meeting held recently at the Astoria Hotel in Zamboanga City. Dubbed “Zamboanga Peninsula Higher Education Research Association (ZPHERA),” this organization will strive to provide its members with capability building programs and activities in research, mentoring program, research dissemination on various fields of disciplines through fora, symposia, workshops and conferences, assistance in the conduct of quality researches for publication and utilization, and support for patent application/intellectual property rights. CHED-IX Regional Director Emmylou B. Yanga also expressed optimism that the birth of ZPHERA would “develop the culture of research in the region” and that through this association, “high quality researches for publication and utilization will come up.”

CHED-IX’s Technical Division Chief Teresita A. Pinili also stressed that “everyone’s involvement in the association must be sustained in order for the group to grow.” The gathering wound up with the ratification of the association’s constitution and by-laws, and the election of the board of directors. Elected as directors were Dr. Teresita G. Montaño of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Dr. Chona Q. Sarmiento of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Prof. Bonifacio Andabon of Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZSPC), Dr. Evelyn Campiseño of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), Dr. Edenizer Santander of Andres Bonifacio College (ABC), Dr. Al-Basser S. Sappayani of Basilan State College (BSC), Dr. Amina Sarip of the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Buug, Dr. Melrose A. Sali-ot of J.H. Cerilles State College and Dr. Nora Agustero of Saint Columban College (SCC). (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

CHED-IX spearheads ZPHERA confabBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – In keeping with the mandates of higher education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-IX has initiated the organization of researchers’ association to be composed of school administrators and faculty from the different private and public colleges/universities in the region.


Northern Mindanao youth completes Youth Leadership Seminar

The Youth

Leadership Seminar (YLS) conducted by the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army through the 4th Civil-Military Operation “Kasaligan” Battalion culminated.

This activity is in line with the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” to help our youth become responsible, productive, and well-informed members of our society. A total of 82 youth coming from the different provinces under the 4ID

Area of Responsibility specifically: Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon in Region 10; and Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur all in CARAGA Region participated in this leadership seminar. A series of lectures, workshop,


and sharing of experiences designed to address the issues, challenges, and aspirations of the youth of today were conducted to meet the set goals of this YLS. These lectures, workshop and sharing of experiences were carefully selected to achieve the specific objectives set for the day which will gradually lead to the attainment of the purpose of helping our youth become responsible, productive, and well-

informed members of our society, thus, preparing them to become good leaders in the future. This also provided an avenue for the youth to become the government’s active partner in nation-building to achieve a just and lasting peace that is conducive to a sustainable development. Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City graced the closing ceremony as the guest of honor who commissioned all the participants who successfully completed the seminar as pioneer youth facilitators that shall replicate the same activity in their respective provinces. MGen. Victor A. Felix, Commander, 4ID said with the successful completion of this YLS, we hope that all the participants were able to internalize the importance of their role as the future leaders of our country. (4ID)


Bangsamoro, indigenous peoples of Mindanao to re-affirm kinship relationsby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - A ritual to re-affirm the kinship between the Bangsamoro and the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Mindanao was held at the Talaandig Ancestral Territory in Sungko, Lantapan town, Bukidnon province on March 7 and 8.

The ceremony on the re-affirmation of kinship among the non-Islamized natives and the Bangsamoro of Mindanao is designed to help facilitate the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Organized by the Mindanao Peoples Caucus and the Consortium of the Bangsamoro Civil Society, the re-affirmation ceremony will involve the 18 major groups and subgroups of non-Islamized Indigenous Inhabitants of Mindanao

and the 13 ethnolinguistic groups of the Bangsamoro. According to the organizers, the descendants of the peace pact holders who are living witnesses of the boundaries of the traditional territories, will be directly involved during the preparation and execution of the reaffirmation ceremony. Also, the peace panels of the government and the MILF, members of the International Contact Group, the International Monitoring Team, diplomatic community, United Nations agencies, key government officials, political leaders, civil society, and the media were invited to witness to the re-affirmation ceremony.

Photo Credits: PeaceBuildersCommunity


Tangub city receives Seal of Good Housekeeping Award from DILGby Pat Nano

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) to Tangub City for 2011.

The award was given after the city government was able to follow the guidelines set by the DILG in the implementation of the open disclosure policy in tax collection and Sound Fiscal Management in the use of public funds. Along with the SGH Award was the cash amount of P3 million, which has helped the city so much in adding up to its development projects. Meanwhile, Mayor Philip Tan thanked Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, on the occasion of the city’s 44th Charter Anniversary, recently, for the financial subsidy that Tangub received during her administration. The Mayor also acknowledged the help of the Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), headed by Vice-Governor Henry Oaminal for their continued support for development projects of the city. One of these projects was the drainage improvement in one of the streets of Tangub and the P3.0 million that the Governor gave to the city in a congratulatory bid after it won the 2011 SGH Award. These subsidies which the city government of Tangub has been using for its development projects have

been much appreciated, Mayor Tan added. (PIO)

One Mindanao - March 14, 2012

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Transcript of One Mindanao - March 14, 2012