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Volume 1, No. 5 30 April - 6 May 2016

Lobster Culturefor Better Future

PNP Caraga to deploy 3,000 cops for election duties

BFAR Caraga joins celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks MonthOWWA expands coverage of its Seafarers Upgrading Program

GSIS allots P539M in emergency loan for 3 VisMin areas

President Aquino signs into law bill on promoting the creation of green jobs

Palace assures monitoring of peace, order in election hot spots

AgNor PPO deploys troops for election duties

70 AgSur ARBs participate in fundamentals of cooperative training

DAR AgSur hosts FDA-LTO regional writeshop

Surigao Norte launches childrens summer festival

Expired firearms renewal and registration yields substantial results in SurSur

PENRO SurSur, 36IB participate in greening Tandag Ecopark

SurSur COMELEC assures readiness on May 9 polls

DOLE AgNor hosts 2016 Labor Day job fair; 12,367 job vacancies offered

DAR AgNor conducts financial management seminar to farmer-groups

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CONTENTS

Regional NewsCover

Provincial News

Mindanao News

National News

Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos, Butuan City Bishop said that politics is a way of life. He emphasized that people should follow their heart & conscience as they will cast their votes on May 9, 2016 elections.

As of May 5, 2016, the Dept. of Agri. Caraga has recorded an estimated loss of P453,281,954.96 damage in agriculture due to dry spell & emerging pests/diseases due to El Nio.

Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office headed by PSSupt Ronelo D Jaurigue has deployed 167 police personnel for election duties to the 10 municipalities & 1 city of the province. The personnel deployed will perform their election duties starting May 2 to May 13, 2016.

30 individuals composed of personnel from 36IB, dependents & civilians successfully completed the 25-day Automotive Electrical Assembly NC II Training held at the 36IB Headquarters, Brgy Dayoan, Tago, Surigao Sur on May 1, 2016. The graduates had also passed the assessment conducted by Rohel Divinagracia of TESDA- Surigao Sur Provl Office.

Cigarette smoking is prohibited in all voting precincts on the 9 May 2016 National and Local Elections, which will be located in schools, universities and colleges.

News Briefs

4 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

530 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

By: Fretcher D. Magatao

T he island of Siargao in the Province of Surigao del Norte has been known as attractive place for tourists. Its gorgeous white beaches, enchanting lagoons, caves, sand bars, coral reefs, bizarre rock formations, exotic wildlife, different crops and rice fields, waterfalls and a large mangrove forest reserve create a longing to every adventurist.

Cover Story

Lobster Culturefor Better Future

6 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

Not known to many, Siargao is also a home of great farmers and fishers. Aside from earning through the visits of the local and foreign tourists, residents also rely heavily on agriculture and fisheries as their source of income.

One of the towns frequently visited by tourists is the Municipality of Del Carmen. Hidden in its area is the longest contiguous mangrove stand in the Philippines, spreading to over 4,000 hectares. The local government headed by Mayor Alfredo Coro II, in partnership with government agencies and private sectors, have gradually converted the small municipality to an eco-town to help the residents cope with financial challenges and the effects of climate change.

Del Carmen is greatly challenged among other municipalities. The only way to move up is through partnership-driven programs. We may be a fifth-class municipality but we act like first-class citizens, Coro said during an environmental and climate change workshop.

Faced with trials, the local government endeavored to coordinate with government and non-g o v e r n m e n t

organizations to educate and equip its residents on livelihood activities to suffice their needs.

Earning support from the government

The municipality is rich with natural resources that are ready to be utilized. Such is its much supply of spiny lobsters which can be found anywhere in its tropical waters.

Since there are available juvenile lobsters and most of the fishers can make a catch when they cast their nets for fishing, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of the locality thought of teaching them about lobster fattening using nets for cage culture. We thought of starting a lobster fattening project after seeing its benefit as additional source of income for the fishers, said Vicente Comandante, Municipal Agriculturist of Del Carmen.

The knowledge gained by the fishers made them decide to start an association named Del Carmen Fisherfolk Association (DELCAFIA) in 2011 with 54 members. Its main line of business is lobster fattening and selling its produce onspecial occasions or when the demand is high.

Starting from six cages, the business grew and its produce has been sold and known in the island and Surigao City. Then on, the association added more juvenile lobsters for fattening to meet the demand of the market. Since there is a great demand during Christmas and New Year,

730 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

especially Chinese New Year, all of our harvest will be sold out, said Domingo Cortes, Chairman of DELCAFIA.

An average sales of P 60,000 to P 80,000 is recorded per harvest during the early years of its operation from 2011 to 2013 with the usual harvest of twice a year depending on the demand of the consumers.

Considering the need for expansion, the association searched for opportunities which they can access fund for additional cages, staff house, boat and capital for the purchase of juvenile lobsters and its food.

Through the effort of the association and the support of MAO, DELCAFIA has accessed fund amounting to P 250,000 through the DAMindanao Rural Development ProgramCommunity Fund for Agricultural Development (MRDP-CFAD) in 2013.

The support from MRDP has allowed the association an additional staff house, eight cages, motorized boat and additional working capital. These translated to a better business such as an additional 200 juveniles and a boat for the transportation of their lobsters to the buyers or the market.

This years Chinese New Year has allowed us to earn P 150,000 for one harvest, equivalent to lobsters weighing to a total of 60 kilos with a selling price of P 2,500/kg. We got better harvest and earning through the

8 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

intervention from the government, said Cortes.

Better profit from every harvest has inspired the members of DELCAFIA. Since the business has expanded and been making better sales, the members of the association have been contributing wasted fish for the lobsters food in order to hasten its growth, said Arlon Donoso, Vice Chairman of the association.

MRDP is a program implemented under the Department of Agriculture jointly funded by the World Bank

and the Local Government Units. The successful implementation of the projects in Mindanao inspired the government to level up its scope through the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) today.

PRDP as the upscale version of MRDP introduces innovations to address current and emerging challenges and make rural development more effective. It is a six-year national government platform for an inclusive, value chain-oriented and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. (DA-Caraga)

930 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

Department of Agriculture - Caraga RegionPress Conference

Goat2geder Hotel and Restaurant, Butuan City6 May 2016

Photo Gallery

Regional Reintegration Network andMemorandum of Agreement SigningLJ Mega Convention Center, Butuan City5 May 2016

10 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PNP Caraga to deploy 3,000 cops for election duties

BUTUAN CITY -- The Caraga regions top cop announced on Thursday that Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) will deploy more than 3,000 uniformed personnel to ensure the successful conduct of 2016 National and Local Elections on May 9.

By: PO2 Ryan C. Cagula

PRO-13 regional director PCSupt. Rolando B. Felix said that personnel from different PNP units will

be deployed as additional forces to the municipal and city police stations region-wide.

photo: Bayugan Cps Pcr

1130 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

REGIONAL NEWS A total of 2,662 PNP personnel will be deployed in the polling areas while more than one thousand cops will comprise the Quick Response Force (Regional and Provincial Level) and Quick Response Team (Municipal/City level). Personnel assigned to the Regional Headquarters and National Support Units including those who are

undergoing schooling and training will be deployed as well as the troops from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 13 and Provincial Public Safety Companies. The ceremonial send-off of PNP personnel is set on Monday, May 2 at Camp Rodriguez, Libertad, this city. (PRO 13)

BFAR Caraga joins celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga region joined the nation in this years celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month and the implementation of the fisherfolk directorship program this whole month of May.

The celebration will highlight the implementation of the fisherfolk fdrectorship program with the theme, Mangingisdang Direktor Para sa Mas Matatag na Balikatan. The conduct of the month-long activity is pursuant to Department of Agriculture (DA) Special Order No. 88 series of 2005, to give due recognition and tribute to farmers and fisherfolks as constant valuable partners of the government and recognize their efforts

as the countrys backbone in poverty alleviation and food security program. The celebration kicked-off on Monday, May 2, 2016 with a grand motorcade around the city followed by an opening program then, installation of the regional fisherfolk director and a press conference held at Hotel Tavern, this city. This years fisherfolk regional director (FRD) is Renito B. Mendaa, a

By: Susil D. Ragas

12 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

REGIONAL NEWSfisherfolk leader from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. The kicked-off activity was attended by all personnel of BFAR

Caraga, representatives from different government offices, national line agencies, farmers and fisherfolks stakeholders and agricultural technologists involved in fisheries.

OWWA expands coverage of its Seafarers Upgrading Program

BUTUAN CITY -- As part of its commitment to regularly update and improve its programs and services for Filipino seafarers to meet International Maritime Organizations (IMO) competency standards, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has added more courses to the list of trainings offered under the Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP).

In its series of consultation-meetings with representatives from the labor and manning groups of the sea-

based sector, the following courses were included in the SUP in compliance with the prescribed maritime training

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REGIONAL NEWS

Agusan del NorteProvincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC)

Provincial DRRM Contingency and Planning WorkshopProvincial Training Center, Butuan City

May 3 to 6, 2016

courses of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW) Convention 2010 Manila Amendments: 1. Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas tanker Cargo Operations (ATLGT)2. Ships Catering Services NC 13. General Operators Certificate for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System The courses were added to the existing list of Deck Courses, Engine Courses, Specialized and Safety Courses, and Culinary, Galley and Steward Department offered under the program. However, the following courses shall no longer be offered under SUP as

they have been replaced by updated and advanced versions in compliance with the STCW requirements/competencies:

1. Specialized Training in Chemical Tanker2. Specialized Training in Liquefied Gas Tanker3. Specialized Training in Oil Tanker4. Messman Course SUP is a training assistance for member-seafarers for short-term maritime courses, approved by Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to ensure their competitive advantage in the global maritime industry. (OWWA)

Photo Gallery

14 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

DAR AgNor conducts financial management seminar to farmer-groupsRTR, Agusan del Norte -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte conducted a two-day seminar on financial management to two farmer-organizations in the province last April 25-26 at Philrice Training Center, here.

Thirty board of directors and officers from Avancena Beneficiaries and Farmers Multi-Purpose

Cooperative (ABFMPC) and Taguibo Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMPCO) attended the seminar.

By: Gil E. Miranda

1530 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS ABFMPC is now operating a grain center project while the TIMPCO is managing a communal irrigation system project and production and marketing of organic rice and fertilizer as businesses. The said farmer-groups are fast growing organizations in the province that need to be trained on finances to ensure the success of their agribusiness enterprise operations. The activity was aimed to enhance the skills of the participants in basic accounting, bookkeeping and preparation of financial statement through presentation and financial exercises. Participants were challenged to understand critical role in handling organizational financial problems

through the use of proven tools. Weve learned useful technique on business financial management to improve our organizations financial condition, Constancio Dalanon, ABFMPC Vice-Chairperson said. Meanwhile, Preciosa A. Espirito, TIMCO Board of Director, said that the inputs from the training is really a great help in improving their financial system. We will use it as a tool to make our organization productive, Espirito added. DAR is mandated to provide necessary technical assistance to strengthen the capabilities of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations through the provision of institutional capability building. (DAR-Agusan del Norte)

DOLE AgNor hosts 2016 Labor Day job fair; 12,367 job vacancies offeredBUTUAN CITY -- The Agusan del Norte Field Office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE AdN-FO) hosted the 2016 Labor Day Job fair on May 1, 2016 held at the Robinsons Place Atrium, this city offering 12,367 job vacancies for the Caraganons.

By: Olga Virginia A. Demata

Representatives from 23 different local employers and five overseas employers are invited to the said job fair. From the local employers, these are: Bachelor Express, Inc., Toyota Butuan, E-Performax, Happy Enterprise, LBC Express, Big Daddy Ribs To Go, Robinsons Retail Group, L.C. Ting Construction, Ventura Plywood,

Goldilocks, Romarate Group of Companies, Wing-on, Inc., Agusan Lending Corp., Valdeemer Resources, Motor Star, ACLC Butuan, DBest Value Products, Celebes Group of Company, Convergys, Amaries Bakeshop, Reliance Transcriptions and Infotech Corp., Richmond Plywood Corp. and Globe MYNT/Globe Work Experts and

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

Allied Services, Inc. The private recruitment agencies which offered overseas employment includes: Pisces International Placement Corp., OTG International Placement Agency, Lead Source Management Corp., 99 Manpower Services Corp. and Jenerick International Manpower Inc. According to DOLE AdN-FO, the most number of the job vacancies offered were in the field of call center agents, bus conductors, bus drivers, tour agents, admin clerks and store managers. A one-stop-shop was also provided for the jobseekers during the job fair event which included the services from the DOLE-Regional Coordinating Committee

members such as the Overseas Workers Welfare and Administration (OWWA), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). This years theme for the labor day celebration is Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng Trabaho. (DOLE-13)

1730 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

BUTUAN CITY -- The Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (ADN-PPO) headed by provincial director PSSupt Ronelo Jaurigue has deployed 167 police personnel for election duties.

AgNor PPO deploys troops for election dutiesBy: SPO1 Darlin Cabalinan-Migullas

Three Police Commissioned Officers (PCO) and 164 non-commissioned officers were deployed to the 10 municipalities and one city of Agusan del Norte. The three PCOs will serve as over-all augmentation supervisor, area supervisors of the Eastern and Western part of the province. During the send-off ceremony held on Monday, provincial director Jaurigue reminded them to uphold the sanctity of ballots, remain committed to their duties and responsibilities, never be involved in any partisan political activity and stay apolitical and non-partisan.

The personnel deployed will perform their election duties starting Monday, May 2 and it will end on May 13. The additional troops will complement the stations with depleted personnel and will surely boost the security measures in ensuring the conduct of secure and fair elections. The augmentation came from the personnel of regional headquarters, National Support Unit Regional Training Center 13 and personnel who are under schooling at the Regional Training Center 13. (PPO-Agusan del Norte)

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur -- Seventy (70) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from the three Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - assisted organizations have recently availed the free training on fundamentals of cooperative held in this province.

70 AgSur ARBs participate in fundamentals of cooperative trainingBy: Cyrene Tajonera and Hazel Hope V. Bautista

The event was conducted simultaneously in barangay Johnson and San Isidro, both considered far-flung barangays of the municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur (ADS). Aiming to instill a much deeper knowledge on the Implementing Rules and Regulations on Cooperative Management in accordance with RA 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, the said activity was conducted to old and new members of Johnson Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative (JOFACO), Tambo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association

(TARBFA) and San Mariano Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association (SMARBFA). Salamat sa inyong pagpakabanasa among kasamtangang kahimtang (Thank you for attending to our present situation), said Ronnie Encallado, an ARB and member of TARBFA, when asked about his feelings after attending the training. He added that, it is overwhelming that the DAR Provincial Office took time to visit barangay San Isidro to conduct the training despite the distance and the issue on security.

1930 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur-- This is just the beginning.

DAR AgSur hosts FDA-LTO regional writeshopBy: Cyrene Flor Tajonera

A lecture-discussion has been the primary method of imparting facts to the farmer beneficiaries. An open forum was also conducted every after topic to clarify statements and solicit additional inputs from the participants.

Various issues on basic cooperative guidelines were also tackled, correcting misconceptions and emphasizing cooperativism as a way to alleviate poverty thru active participation of united members. (DAR-Agusan del Sur)

This was the statement of Arlen H. Labitad, Regional Information Marketing Assistance Officer (RIMAO)

in her closing message during the three-day Regional Writeshop on Food and Drug Administration - License to

20 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Operate (FDA-LTO) held recently at Sarnimian, Inland Resort, Rosario, this province. The participants were composed of the following: Veruela Volunteer Health Workers Federation Inc. from Agusan del Sur (VVHWFI, ADS), Tagbina REC Producers Cooperative from Surigao del Sur (TAGRICCO, SDS), Trinidad Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative from Surigao del Norte (TRIFAMCO, SDN), Garcia Fish folks and farmers Credit Cooperative, Surigao del Norte (GAFFARCRECO, SDN) and RAM Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi Purpose Cooperative, Agusan del Sur (RARBEMCO, ADS). The three-day activity was aimed to analyze and give recommendations

to the outputs of the participants on sketch maping, master plan and floor plan with Global Positioning System (GPS) Plotting and other documents needed for the FDA-LTO. Jason Balacuit, the resource speaker, shared about good manufacturing practices (GMP) agendas such as Contamination, General Employee Hygiene and Food Handling Practices in the hopes that the ARBOs will be knowledgeable about the appropriate practices. These practices were required to conform to guidelines recommended by agencies that control authorization and licensing for manufacturing and sale of food, drug products and active pharmaceutical products. The attendees were also taught how to prepare the technical and documentary requirements needed in the licensing. Kami sa RARBEMCO gapasalamat gayud sa departamento sa Agrarian Reform kay kini daku kaayo nga tabang para sa amoang kooperatiba. Salamat sa DAR sa permi nila nga pag giya sa amoa sa mga angay namong pangbuhaton para mopasar mi sa FDA licensing ug molambo ang amoang organisayon (We in RARBEMCO is thankful to the Department of Agrarian Reform for the huge support given to our cooperative. We thanked DAR for guiding us always to be able to pass the FDA licensing for our organization to prosper), said RARBEMCO chairman Juel Jayuma.(DAR-Agusan del Sur)

2130 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- The provincial government of Surigao del Norte has launched the Childrens Summer Festival during the Monday morning sharing and convergence meeting on May 2, 2016 held at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.

Surigao Norte launches childrens summer festivalBy: Susil D. Ragas

The activity is anchored on the theme, Bata, Bililhon Ka, Yawe Ka sa Kalambuan (Child, youre important. You are the key to development). It aims to give the children an educational activity that will enhance

and develop their growth and learning ability during summer vacation. The said activity was participated by children of the provincial capitol employees ages 5 to 12 years old. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

22 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The License To Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) caravan held at the Police Provincial Office (PPO) in Surigao del Sur on April 14-15 has yielded substantial results.

Expired firearms renewal and registration yields substantial results in SurSurBy: Greg Tataro, Jr.

photo: newsinfo.inquirer.net

According to the After Activity Report released by P/SSupt. Romaldo Bayting, acting PNP provincial director, a total of 151 LTOPF applicants had

availed of the caravan services. The activity was intended to facilitate the renewal and registration

2330 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWSof firearms licenses to all expired firearms license holders of the province of Surigao del Sur to include PNP personnel and other Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) in the whole province, the provincial police chief pointed out. Topping the list of applicants were civilians at 85, followed by PNP members at 64, and then LEA at two.

The LTOPF was carried out primarily by PNP personnel from Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) assisted by its Regional Health Service Office (RHSO) as well as Regional Finance Service Office (RFSO) personnel and the PNP Provincial Crime Laboratory Office (PCLO) staff here. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag)

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- In celebration of the Earth Day, workforces of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Surigao del Sur and 36 Infantry Battalion (36IB) jointly participated in greening the City Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Ecopark at Barangay San Jose, this city.

PENRO SurSur, 36IB participate in greening Tandag EcoparkBy: Johny S. Natad

24 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

PENR officer-in-charge Raul A. Rosales led the tree planting and commended the 36IB and DENR-PENRO SurSur personnel who joined the activity. He urged all environmental partners to continue intensify, step-up and deliver green environment campaign in saving the planet Earth from all types of environmental violations against the environment and natural resources especially in forest and watershed areas while calling every Surigaonons to support environmental initiatives in celebrating the month of the Planet Earth. With the Earth Day 2016 theme Trees for the Earth. Lets get planting, Rosales appealed everyone to participate in the Earth Day celebration by planting trees and support environmental advocacies. We encourage everyone to continue support the National Greening Program (NGP) by planting and caring more trees and adopt-a-tree program to help mitigate climate change and save our planet Earth, he said. Everyone can be part of our environmental effort in stopping illegal logging, banning kaingin or slash and burn farming and other environmental crimes against

our forest and watershed which are some identified causes of Climate Change. Everyone can be part also in Earth month celebration by showing and applying best practices in solid waste management. Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse the garbage, he added. Meanwhile, Eddie G. Duhaylungsod, Supervising Environmental Management Service Specialist (SEMS) and Protected Areas Biodiversity Ecosystem Section (PABES) chief of PENRO SurSur revealed that the trees planted at the City ESWM ecopark once fully matured in the future would help reduce heat as a result of climate change, help stabilize the landscaping in the area, and help contained the unpleasant smell in the garbage management operation. Every month of April is declared as the Month of Planet Earth in the Philippines per Presidential Proclamation No. 1482 dated April 10, 2008. The country also joins the world in celebrating every April 22 as the Earth Day per Proclamation No. 1276 series of 2007 and Proclamation No. 1481 series of 2008. DENR support this years Earth Day by spearheading various environmental activities nationwide like tree planting, fun run, environmental concert, youth camp, environmental forum among others which adopts an environmental campaign slogan Step Up and Deliver, #GreenEnvironmentGawingForever. (PENRO-Surigao del Sur)

2530 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Atty. Raquel Limbaco, provincial election supervisor (PES), said that everything would be ready until complete delivery of all vote counting machines (VCM), ballots, and ballot boxes to their respective destinations, adding that it would just be a matter of time. She likewise indicated that the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Education, and all other stakeholders were all geared up to carry out their respective roles for the same elections. Meanwhile, Atty. Limbaco advised state workers not to engage in any partisan political activities, citing the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), Civil Service Commission, and other related statutes in this regard.

On apprehensions that official vote receipts could be seen or known by others, the provincial polls chief clarified that nobody but only the voters themselves could take a look at the contents of such, also saying that taking home the receipt is an election offense. Likewise, she reminded the public that poll precincts would start to serve at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. Moreover, Atty. Limbaco said that an express lane would be provided for those who had to be given priority to cast their votes like members of the press, election workers, and others holding similar tasks. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag)

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), this province, has assured the public they will be all set come May 9, 2016 polls.

SurSur COMELEC assures readiness on May 9 pollsBy: Greg Tataro, Jr.

26 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

Agusan Norte Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) MeetingPENRO Conference Room, Tiniwisan, Butuan City

5 May 2016

Photo Gallery

Agusan del Norte Crisis Management Committee MeetingDILG Agusan del Norte Conference Room, Butuan City

5 May 2016

2730 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

MANILA -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) allotted Php539 million in emergency loan to active members and old-age pensioners in the El Nio-affected General Santos City in South Cotabato and the provinces of Guimaras and Sarangani. The loan is open to 17,235 active members who are who are working or residing in the calamity-declared areas, are not on leave of absence without pay, have updated premium

contributions, and have no unpaid loan amortization in the last six months. The 2,052 old-age pensioners in the said areas may also apply for the loan.

GSIS allots P539M in emergency loan for 3 VisMin areas

28 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

MINDANAO NEWS Active members borrowing for the first time may apply for a Php20,000 loan. Those with an existing emergency loan may borrow up to Php40,000, from which the outstanding balance will be deducted. The loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments with an interest rate of six percent per annum computed in advance. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrowers demise, provided the loan repayment is up to date. Active members may apply through any GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; 27 Robinsons Malls; and SM City branches in North EDSA, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and SM Aura in Taguig. Old-age pensioners must file their loan application over the counter. If they are also active GSIS members (when they reentered government service), they may avail of this emergency loan only once. The deadline of application for the loan is May 4, 2016 in Guimaras, May 5 in General Santos City, and May 7 in Sarangani. Loan proceeds are electronically credited to the borrowers GSIS eCard

or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card. For inquiries, qualified borrowers may email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747. (GSIS)

2930 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

Ecumenical Local Candidates Forum 2016& Covenant Signing for HOPE Butuan

Robinsons Butuan Atrium3 May 2016

Photo Gallery

People Power Volunteers Reform (PPVR) Caraga

Motorcade & Prayer Rally

Butuan City, 1 May 2016

30 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

The President signed last April 29 Republic Act No. 10771, or the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016, which shall apply to establishments engaged in the production, manufacturing, processing, repacking, assembly, or sale of goods and/or services, including service-oriented enterprises.

The law also grants incentives to encourage business enterprises to generate and sustain green jobs, as certified by the Climate Change Commission. The Department of Finance shall administer the granting of incentives, such as special deduction from the

MANILA -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law the bill on promoting the creation of green jobs, or employment that contributes to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment, be it in the agriculture, industry or services sector.

President Aquino signs into law bill on promoting the creation of green jobs

3130 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

NATIONAL NEWStaxable income equivalent to 50 percent of the total expenses for skills training and research development expenses which is over and above the allowable ordinary and necessary business deductions for said expenses under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended; and tax and duty free importation of capital equipment, provided that the capital equipment is actually, directly and exclusively used in the promotion of green jobs of the business enterprise. According to the Act, it is the declared policy of the State to affirm labor as a primary social economic force in promoting sustainable development; afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full and productive employment and equality of employment opportunities for all; and promote the rights of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Section 2 of the Act provides that the State shall identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train and certify workers for jobs in a range of industries that produce goods and render services for the benefit of the environment, conserve natural resources for the future generation, and ensure the sustainable development of the country and its transition into a green economy. In recognition of the participation of individuals and

business enterprises in jobs creation, the State shall provide incentives therefor, the section reads. Republic Act No. 10771 also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to coordinate with other government agencies in formulating a National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan on the development, enhancement and utilization of the labor force, both in the private and public sectors. The plan shall have the primary objective of enabling and sustaining the transition into a green economy and the generation of green jobs towards more employment and equal opportunities and the promotion of social justice and workers welfare. It shall include programs, projects, and activities pertaining to basic, higher and technical-vocational education and training, database that identifies and links green job opportunities with private and public entities, and information on knowledge and skill requirements of a green economy. The DOLE, in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority, shall maintain a database of green careers, professions and skills, as well as a list of emerging business enterprises, which generate and sustain green jobs. It shall facilitate skills training assessment and certification, career advocacy, provide productivity and livelihood training, and extend technical assistance to enterprises to ensure

32 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

NATIONAL NEWSlabor law compliance. Other agencies involved in the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and

Industry, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Tourism, and Department of Public Works and Highways. The amount necessary to implement the Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. (PND)

Palace assures monitoring of peace, order in election hot spots

MANILA -- Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. assured Sunday the security forces are continuously monitoring peace and order in election hotspots around the country.

photo: www.philstar.com

3330 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

NATIONAL NEWS Patuloy na tinututukan, pinagtutulungan at inaasikaso ng pambansang kapulisan at ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas at lahat ng ating mga pwersang pangseguridad ang pagpapatatag sa mga hakbang na pangseguridad lalo na sa mga lugar na maaaring pagmulan ng kaguluhan dahil sa eleksyon para pangalagaan ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga guro at iba pang mga kawani ng pamahalaan na magsisilbi sa pagdaraos ng pambansang halalan sa Mayo 9, he said in a radio interview Sunday. The Palace official also noted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have tapped augmentation forces to secure the safety of the public during the national elections on May 9. Bukod sa kanilang mga territorial

units, ang AFP at PNP ay gumagamit din ng mga augmentation forces mula sa kanilang mga operating units para magbigay ng kaukulang proteksyon sa ating mga guro at sa mga mamamayan na magtutungo sa ibat-ibang presinto ng halalan, he said. The Secretary further disclosed the security forces have prepared assistance desks for polling centers nationwide. Coloma added the PNP and AFP are continuously preparing to ensure a safe and orderly elections. Kaya tuloy-tuloy ang paghahanda ng PNP at AFP upang matiyak ang pagdaraos ng matiwasay at maayos na halalan, kung saan ay mayroong mahalagang bahagi ang ating mga guro at mga kawani ng pamahalaan, he said. (PND)

34 30 APRIL - 6 MAY 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

ONE MINDANAOMOBILE APP

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ACROSS THE NATION

MINDANAO INFOCUS

In an interview with reporters here, the President said the farmers quest for government support in the midst of a severe drought in Mindanao should not have resulted in violence. Siyempre, nakikiramay muna ako doon sa namatay. Awang-awa ako sa lahat nang nasaktan, he said.