One Mindanao - December 18, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDExecutive 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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Officer-in-charge, PIA Caraga Region

ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr. Zener R. Dumaguing Recthie T. Paculba

Senior Layout Artists : Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Adviser :

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)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]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Cover Story

ZAMBASULTA is vulnerable to tsunami – PHIVOLCS

Felipo David MalcampoWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, December 18, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 87

page 4

Aquino government expresses belief that it can maintain good relations with Japan after Prime Minister Noda conceded defeat in parliamentary elections10

Sheryll Jane B. Sanico, Southern MindanaoDSWD extends P3.7-M burial assistance 20Army pursues search and retrieval on areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo 21 Joey Sem G. Dalumpines, Southern Mindanao

POEA, OWWA intensify anti-illegal recruitment campaign

Dipolog City PNP plants 11,555 trees

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

LGUs in NorMin able to manage response to Typhoon Pablo 24 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

Comelec to amend firearms ban in the 2013 elections Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao25

Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

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Koronadal cleans up City’s road-right-of-way, installs decors along main thoroughfaresAida Agad, Central Mindanao29

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DA 12’s ‘Usapang Palay’ gathers farmers in Norala townDani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

DTI organizes 13 Diskwento Caravans in 2012 DTI-13, Caraga Region32Phil Red Cross Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter reports monthly accomplishments Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

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Tuesday, December 18, 20124

Labayog, who is station chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Zamboanga City, made the statement when asked to make an assessment of their aggressive information and educational campaign

on earthquake and tsunami. Listening to his lectures in several occasions, Labayog would point out to his listeners that the major earthquake generators in the region are the Mindanao and Zamboanga fault lines

(on the dry land), and the Sulu and Cotabato trenches (under the sea).Quoting from records, Labayog said that the August 17, 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake at the Cotabato trench was the worst natural disaster to hit Mindanao in terms of casualty and property. This was due to the 20-

ZAMBASULTA is vulnerable to tsunami – PHIVOLCS

If there is one important message that we

have brought across with our audience in various engagements this year, it’s that - the Zamboanga Peninsula Region is vulnerable to tsunami, and so with the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi,” says Engr. Allan Rommel Labayog.

by Felipo David Malcampo

Tuesday, December 18, 2012 5

foot tsunami wave that inundated the coastal areas of Southern Mindanao. On the other hand, he said, the Sulu Sea earthquake and tsunami at the Sulu trench in September 21, 1897 reported a 6-meter tsunami that struck the coastal towns of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. During the observance of Disaster Awareness month last July, an inter-agency team conducted several forum and symposium with different sectoral groups and schools. The team was spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-9), with PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric and Astronomical Service (PAGASA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The following month, PHIVOLCS conducted 3 batches of training-workshops on tsunami with 150 teachers (50 per batch) who are based in the east and west coasts of Zamboanga City. By October, PIA assisted PHIVOLCS in the conduct of the same training to 90 participants in Tawi-tawi and Basilan. In these trainings, teacher-participants were provided with software reference materials – for their comprehensive

unders tand ing on the subject, and visual aids on tsunami for their classroom teaching. With the year about to end, PIA contacted some of these participants for short interviews. Highlighted below are some of the feedback gathered from them. Neil P. Enriquez, a Master Teacher at Patalon Elementary School in the west coast of Zamboanga City said the children characters in the visual


aids were very appropriate for their pupils. He added that the team of teachers who attended the training have s u c c e s s f u l l y re-echoed the course with other teachers in their district during the semestral break last October. It was learned that other school districts did the same. Dr. Isabelo L. Brillantes, Education Program Supervisor in DepEd Basilan, said that teachers in the island district became more conscious of their responsibility towards their pupils after attending the training. In addition, Brillantes said that there was

a realization on their part that grade schoolers, young as they are, should be empowered to educate other children (and even their parents) on how to manage themselves in times of disaster.

F r o m Bongao, Tawi-tawi, Nursiba M. Dionga, Science High School principal, admitted that she never knew about the historical tsunami in the region until she attended the

training. Her own inquisitive children, she said, were the first ones to learn from her. She added that earthquake and tsunami will be central to the up-coming science encampment, where some 115 students are expected to join. On the other hand, Prof. Jamrun H. Ebbah reported that the software and visual aids he received from PHIVOLCS


are now part of the valuable reference material in the school. Ebbah is Chairman of the Fisheries Department of the Mindanao State University, Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO). While elated with encouraging feedbacks, the PHIVOLCS station chief and his lone team mate Engr. Eduardo T. Lauron believe that there is still so much more to be done. “The destructive tsunami that struck our region in the past was definitely not the last. And as to the question if and when will another quake in the trench would occur followed by a tsunami, definitely, no one knows,” Labayog said.

Concurring to the chief’s statement, Lauron added: “As in all natural disasters, we cannot prevent these from happening, but we can do mitigating measures to prevent or lessen the destruction of lives and properties

during disaster by educating our people.” “Hence, expect PHIVOCS to continue with its information drive on earthquakes and tsunami next year,” Labayog declared. “In partnership, of course, with other agencies and stakeholders,” he added.

8 Tuesday, December 18, 2012

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino government lauds passage of Responsible Parenthood Bill

The Aquino administration lauded the legislators for the passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill, paving the way for the Filipinos to raise their respective families in a

manner that is just and empowered, a Palace official said.


Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following the passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill on 3rd reading at the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday night.

“The passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill signals not only a new chapter in our agenda of inclusive growth; it also begins a process of healing for the wounds that may have been opened by an often feisty democracy,” Lacierda said.

The Aquino administration expressed confidence that positive and meaningful engagement among the different branches of government will continue, Lacierda said.

Lacierda said the administration thanked the legislatures who made a historic vote on Monday and successfully passed the Responsible Parenthood Bill.

“We are particularly grateful to

Speaker Sonny Belmonte; Majority Floor Leader Boyet Gonzales; Congressman Edcel Lagman who authored this bill and shepherded it through for more than a decade; Senator Pia Cayetano, who waged an equally difficult battle in the Senate; and every legislator who voted for this measure,” Lacierda said.

“They have made it even clearer ---that the people now have the government on their side as they raise their families in a manner that is just and empowered,” he said.

“As President Aquino asked, our representatives voted according to conscience. Discussions regarding this bill were heated and did not lack for passionate advocates from either side,” Lacierda noted.

Lacierda stressed that the legislators fulfilled their duties with honor when they crafted a law that can truly address the needs of the people. PND (js)

10 Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Aquino government expresses belief that it can maintain good relations with Japan after Prime Minister Noda conceded defeat in parliamentary elections

The Aquino government expressed strong belief that it can maintain good relations with Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda conceded defeat in parliamentary elections on Sunday,

signaling the return to power of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).


Aquino government expresses belief that it can maintain good relations with Japan after Prime Minister Noda conceded defeat in parliamentary elections

“As a strategic ally and partner, we can work with any government in Japan. And certainly we can work with the new leadership, the LDP leadership. We look forward to having a continued warm relation with Japan,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.

Prime Minister Noda pledged to step down as party president after exit polls showed that the opposition

LDP has won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections.

The move of Noda paves the way for the return to power of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the current leader of the conservative-leaning LDP.

Last year, President Aquino visited Japan in a bid to further strengthen and cement the special bonds of friendship cultivated by both countries over the last 55 years. PND (js)


As both Upper and Lower Houses of Congress approved Monday the passing into law of the

Reproductive Health (RH) bill, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) caretaker Governor Mujiv Hataman inked on same day the region’s own version of the RH law in accordance to Muslim practice.

Hataman: ARMM RH law responds to Muslim tradition on multiple marriages


Hataman: ARMM RH law responds to Muslim tradition on multiple marriages

Muslim tradition allows males to marry four times as long as he can well provide for the basic needs of his families such as food, clothing, shelter and education to children.

”The ARMM RH law has been deliberated lengthily with the Darul Ifta, supreme assembly of Islamic religious leaders, and has been approved by various sectors,” Sulu 2nd District Assemblywoman Irene Tillah, author of the new law, said.

Tillah added that the regional version of the RH law also corresponds with Muslim couples intimacy practices as it safeguards the preferment of natural family planning.

“We see no problem with Muslim males having multiple wives as long as couples abide with proper birth spacing of their children to enjoy comfortable lives,” she added.

Hataman said that with the approval of the new law, the ARMM government would kick off soon its RH and family planning assistance to its constituents.

“We just want ARMM mothers and children the right to live healthily,” the governor said.

Without giving specifics, the governor noted that the ARMM has one of the highest mortality rates in the country. (PNA)


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DOE conducts energy forum in Zamboanga del Sur, Zambo SibugayPAGADIAN CITY –- To raise the level of awareness on government rules and regulations and its top priority programs of ensuring welfare and protection of consumers, the Department of Energy (DOE) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted an energy forum with stakeholders at Hotel Guillermo here.

By Alma L. Tingcang


The forum is part of the scheduled activities in observance of the 2012 National Energy Consciousness Month anchored on the theme “Achieving Energy Sustainability.” Speaking before the group of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dealers, local government unit officials, academe, consumers, non-government organizations, media practitioners and concerned citizens, DOE Mindanao Field Office head Engr. Nilo Geroche said participants were informed on topics such as LPP and LPG products safety and consumer tips, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies and other related issues. Geroche thanked the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the invaluable assistance extended to the DOE by inviting stakeholders from the 26 municipalities of the province including Pagadian City and for making the forum a resounding success. He said DOE tapped the services of DTI, their regular program partner saying that they have no office in Pagadian. They only have one Mindanao Field Office in the region located in Davao which covers the Mindanao area including the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The DOE team conducted a similar forum on December 6 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay at the Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel.


In a press conference during DOLE’s 79th Anniversary on December 7, POEA-9 Officer in Charge Ms. Marietta Bellotindos said they will come up with more information dissemination activities to help warn the public on illegal recruitment. “We have a marching order from

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz to intensify our campaign against illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons. We are presently conducting seminars in schools. Next year, we will go municipal and provincial-level with all sectors in the community to really help inform the public especially those in far-flung areas

POEA, OWWA intensify anti-illegal recruitment campaign

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Workers Welfares Administration (OWWA) in Zamboanga Peninsula continue to intensify their campaign against illegal recruitment and trafficking in person as ordered by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz.

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao


who are more vulnerable to illegal recruitment,” Bellotindos said. She pointed that this will all materialize as there is already a budget for this campaign. Aside from this, POEA is also conducting Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) for Overseas Filipino Workers set to go out of the country. “We also invite our OFWs to our in-house Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar to properly inform them on illegal recruitment where we include anti-illegal recruitment modules”, she added. Bellotindos said there are easy ways to identify illegal recruiters. “Legal recruitments are conducted in the official business addresses of recruitment agencies, or in our office. Anything outside these mentioned places like malls, house-to-house schemes, and similar activities are deemed illegal. When we go out, it’s in the form

of jobs fair where we have all the concerned agencies in one place,” she explained. OWWA-9 Administrative Head Angeles Engalla also added that part of their job is to make sure that Filipinos leaving for abroad are safe and protected from illegal recruiters. “Before our OFWs leave, we give them Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). We also advise them to visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) to know the veracity of their job orders if these are really from jobsites,” Engalla said. POEA has also announced that Saudi Arabia and Japan are presently hiring nurses, with no required placement fees. Caregivers are also needed in Japan. Other hiring includes factory workers in Taiwan and South Korea. Interested applicants are advised to go the nearest POEA office in their area.


Dipolog City PNP plants 11,555 trees

DIPOLOG CITY - The Philippine National Police has proven once again that maintenance of peace and order is not their only concern but it is also an active partner of the government’s National Greening Program. Recently, members of the Dipolog City Police Office (DCPO) have planted varieties of seedlings in the different barangays here. SPO4 Victoria Amora said since the National Greening Program was implemented by the national government, DCPO personnel have already planted more or less 11,555 various seedlings. National Greening Program is one of the programs of the PNP with its guiding theme, ”Pulis Makakalikasan, 10 Milyong Puno Pamana Para sa Kinabukasan.” Amora said under the program, every policeman/policewoman is mandated to plant six (6) trees a month or seventy-two (72) trees a year. To ensure religious compliance

to the program, Amora pointed out that every personnel is required to maintain a Tree Planting score card duly signed by the Barangay Chairman where the tree-planting activity is conducted. “Participation to the tree-panting activity also serves as a basis for promotion,” Amora said. The effort of the local police force has earned the recognition of the City Government of Dipolog as Mayor Evelyn T. Uy vowed her all out-support to their tree-planting activity. Uy sees DCPO’s tree-planting initiative as a major contribution to the government’s efforts to preserve our environment and lessen the impact of climate change.

By Alfonso T. Ruda


DAVAO CITY- Cateelenos from all over the world are pitching in to help their townmates devastated by typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4. Olan Emboscado one of the key persons behind Help Cateel relief group said that donations from various Cateelenos based in the country and in overseas are help fuelling the private sector led relief operations which has reached to Cateel’s 13 barangays.

Cateel was one of the east coast towns of Davao Oriental hardest hit by Typhoon Pablo destroying houses, infrastructure and productive farmlands. Emboscado said that the relief drive began from the social networking site Facebook when concerned Cateelenos were mobilized to help form a unified group in order to raise awareness about the situation in Cateel, thus the group Help Cateel was born.

He said that they immediately created a logo where members would place it as their Facebook profile picture, within hours and days they were able to get much needed assistance from the members of the group. According to Emboscado as of December 17, cash donations totalled P233,000. In 12 days they were able to send 10 trucks of relief goods reaching 13 out of the 16

Townmates pitch in to help stricken DavOr town by Rudolph Alama


DSWD extends P3.7-M burial assistance DAVAO City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ensures that relief oper-ations are continuous, timely and consistent to the needs of the affected families, emphasized Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soli-man during a recent visit in the ‘Pablo’ hit areas in the region. To respond to the immediate needs of the families affected, DSWD provides P 10,000.00 burial assistance for every deceased household member. At present, the Department has disbursed a total of P 3,730,000.00 to the families of ‘Pablo’ casualties in Davao Region. Laureana Quinto, 75, of Brgy. Poblacion Monkayo, lost her husband due to cardiac arrest during the ‘Pablo’

scare. “First time gyud ni nga nahitabo diri sa Monkayo. Hadlok kaayo gyud. Dako kaayo nga tabang ang diyes mil nga gihatag sa DSWD. Magamit namo ni nga kwarta sa pagpalubong sa akoang bana unya ang mabilin mapalit namo og sin para sa amoang balay (This is the first time that this has happened in Monkayo. It was really scary. The P10,000.00 burial assistance that DSWD gave will really help us in the burial of my deceased husband. The remaining amount will be used to purchase GI sheets for our house).” In the municipality of Monkayo a total amount of P 750,000.00 burial assistance has been disbursed to the 75 casualties due to the devastation brought by Typhoon ‘Pablo’ morn of

barangays in Cateel. Several Cateelenos from Japan, Dubai, Canada, United States, Germany, United Kingdom have bonded into groups to help the cause. Emboscado cited a Cateeleno priest based in Hawaii who have initiated second collections from his church which will be donated for the relief efforts and a Cateeleno from South Korea also gave P20,000 just the other day. The relief drive is helped manned by youth volunteers and is currently based at the Destiny Christian Church in Davao City, Emboscado said that these volunteers are college students

from Cateel who are currently studying in Davao City. He said that the young volunteers are in dire straits themselves as financial allowances from their typhoon-affected family and relatives have been abruptly stopped. Some of them even have no more money to spend for food in the city. Emboscado said he is worried about the continued education of these young volunteers as livelihood of the residents in the town has been entirely wiped out. Emboscado hopes that some kind-hearted Samaritans can help sponsor the young volunteers’ scholarships for their continued education.


December 4th. All 21 barangays in Monkayo was devastated by ‘Pablo’ with 25,570 actual number of affected families and 12,882 damaged houses. DSWD Social Workers deployed in the area administers the General Intake Sheet (GIS) for profiling of affected households. The GIS will also reflect what other interventions can be extended to the family. To claim the burial assistance

from DSWD, the family with a deceased member must (1) be interviewed by a DSWD Social Worker and GIS must be administered; (2) present a copy of the Death Certificate and (3) Certificate of Indigency. For queries, clarifications and updates on DSWD’s relief operations, contact any of these text hotlines 0917-6429366 (Globe), 0928-8681532 (Smart) and 0922-7710061 (Sun). (DSWD/Sheryll Jane B. Sanico)

Army pursues search and retrieval on areas hardest hit by typhoon PabloDAVAO CITY The military has changed the focus of its on-land procedure from search and rescue to search and retrieval operation on the areas hardest hit by storm Pablo. Speaking at the press briefing at the Inter-Agency Relief Operation Center at the depot of the Department of Public Works and Highways XI, Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said the soldiers continue to search for the missing bodies particularly in the barangays of New Bataan, Compostela Valley, where a flash flood drowned several people and trapped them in the debris of huge rocks, and uprooted trees. Obligado based on the reports from the Office of Civil

Defense XI said that as of 11:30 pm Monday, a total of 435 people were recorded missing, 2,211 injured and 951 dead. He said that among the towns affected New Bataan in Compostela Valley registered the most number of casualties with 408 dead, 390 missing and 149 injured. Obligado said that Cateel, Davao Oriental had 165 dead and 783 injured while Baganga had 156 dead, 459 missing and 459 injured. He said the effort on the sea remains at search and rescue with focus on the look for the missing fishermen. The Eastern Mindanao Command reported that of the 51 boats missing during the storm, 2


boats sank while four boats were recovered.Captain Severino David, spokesperson of the East Mincom said of the 430 missing fishermen from Sarangani and General Santos, 15 fishermen are so far rescued by authorities. Constancio Maghanoy, Jr., regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture said that their agency moves to provide rice and corn seeds to the affected farmers through the local government units. He said the DA has programmed to give one sack of rice and corn seeds per hectare to farmlands affected by the storm. Maghanoy said they will also deploy farm equipment to affected

areas to fast track the cultivation of lands so that the residents can immediately plant fast-growing crops like vegetables that can easily grow and be harvested in a short time. “All seeds will be given out by our agency through the local government units,” he said. Maghanoy pegged the total damage of typhoon Pablo at P107-Million for rice affecting 13,684 hectares and P362-Million for corn affecting 15,965 hectares in the whole Davao Region. He said totally affected is the banana industry where a total of 13,884 hectares of land or P5.084 Billion was damaged by the storm. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


DTI holiday season tips for consumers by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-- The Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has come out with shopping tips for the holiday season.

Basic rule in buying Christmas lights is to check the Import Commodity Clearance stickers to ensure that they have passed the mandatory safety tests of DTI. Genuine ICC stickers are foil-like hologram bearing the ICC seal, serial

number and year of certification. The latest are from 2010 to 2012. Packaging must have the complete name and address of the importer or distributor. Avoid connecting multiple sets of Christmas lights


LGUs in NorMin able to manage response to Typhoon Pablo CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Local government units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao are able to manage the response within their resources and capacities during typhoon Pablo, according to the results of the rapid needs assessment (RNA) conducted by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

‘No return, No exchange’ policy in stores is strictly prohibited. Consumers can demand refund or replacement of the item if purchased products are defective. Defective products are those that have factory defects, or imperfections due to negligence of the seller but not mishandling of the buyer. Price tags should have clear print of price of the commodity per unit. Erasures or alterations are only allowed in price reductions sales promotion campaign. Moreover, the price on the tag should be similar to the price appearing at the cashier. If the price differs, buyers must pay the lower price. Double price tag is prohibited. If there is more than one price tag, consumers will pay the lesser amount. Prior to buying noche buena products, carefully check the expiry or best before date and price tag of the products. Check and compare weights of competing brands to get

the best value for your money. Verify as well Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) of these products to avoid buying overpriced goods. Credit card surcharge is strictly prohibited. Consumers should only pay the amount indicated on the price tag. You may demand for a refund of the surcharge by writing to the bank with proof receipts.Since July 1, 2012, all gift checks with expiry date are prohibited. Following this date, consumers should be able to redeem gift checks or certificates until they are used up. Lastly, all advertised promo airfares are for one-way trip only. Promo advertisements do not reveal the exact amount payable to the promo. Consumers must be aware of additional charges such as 12 percent VAT, Travel Tax, Fuel Surcharge and Web Admin Fee/Service Fee (for online booking). Read terms and conditions. If you have questions, call the airline company concerned.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director and

RDRRMC Chairperson Ana Cañeda said in a media forum Thursday that


Comelec to amend firearms ban in the 2013 electionsby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled that during the election period, from January 13-June 12, 2013, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons outside his residence or place of business.

the assessment indicates that the response requirements are being capably provided at the LGU levels and that no gaps have been identified. Cañeda, who shared the latest report on the region’s typhoon Pablo post-disaster situation, further said that LGUs have continued to provide basic services to the affected communities. The report shows that a total of 36 barangays in Cagayan de Oro and 37 barangays in Iligan City, four municipalities and two cities in Bukidnon, five municipalities in Camiguin, five municipalities in Lanao del Norte, 14 municipalities and three cities in Misamis Occidental, and 18 municipalities and two cities in Misamis Oriental were affected during the typhoon. Typhoon Pablo made landfall over Baganga in Davao Oriental last December 4 and traversed to Bukidnon and over the vicinity of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City as it continued to

move to Southern Negros Oriental area heading to Northern Palawan. However, a total of 51,386 families or 243,325 persons were pre-emptively evacuated in 220 centers in the region which resulted to only 49 casualties, 35 of which were injured and 14 dead. The report further shows that 3,901 houses were partially damaged while 682 were totally damaged. Other damages reported include a total of 19,768.51 hectares of rice, corn, bananas, papaya, mango, and assorted vegetable crops with an estimated cost of P143,177,000 and P91,245,000 worth of infrastructure/facilities. Key infrastructure and transport networks including airports, ports, road network and public transport; lifelines; utility service and other services across the region are operational as of this report, Cañeda added.

Such prohibition is also applied in public places including any buildings, streets, parks, and private vehicles or

public conveyances, even if the person is licensed to possess or to carry the same.


These amendments have been promulgated by the Comelec per Resolution 9561-A dated December 4, 2012 signed by Comelec Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., together with its six Commissioners, namely: Rene V. Sarmiento, Lucenito N. Tagle, Armando C. Velasco, Elias R. Yusoph, Christian Robert S. Lim, and Ma. Gracia Cielo M. Padaca. As defined in existing laws, rules and regulations, “firearms” include airguns, airsoft guns, and replicas/imitations of firearms in whatever form that can cause an ordinary person to believe that they are real. On the other hand, deadly weapon includes bladed instrument, hand grenades or other explosives, except pyrotechnics, Atty. Cirilo E. Nala Jr., election supervisor of Comelec in Misamis Occidental, said. A bladed instrument, however, is not covered by the prohibition when possession of such is necessary to the occupation of the possessor or when it is used as a tool for legitimate activity. Meanwhile, Comelec Resolution 9561-A also prohibits candidates for public office, including incumbent public officers seeking election to any public office, to employ, avail himself of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such bodyguards are regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), or other law enforcement agency of the government. It likewise prohibits the transport of firearms and/or its spare parts and,

explosives and/or its components, by those who are engaged in the manufacture, importation, exportation, purchase, sale of firearms and/or its spare parts and explosives and/or its components, except with prior written authority from the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP). This is on condition that within the period stated in the authority, the firearms and/or its spare parts be immediately transported directly to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), Civil Security Group (CSG), PNP, and the explosives and/or its components be immediately transported directly to the owner’s of explosives magazine/storage facility. However, the transport or delivery of the raw materials used in the manufacturing of firearms and/or its spare parts, explosives and their components, may, with prior written authority from the CBFSP, be allowed, provided the same are immediately transported by the authorized dealer, within the period stated in the authority, directly to the explosives magazine/storage facility of the licensed manufacturer.

planet.infowars.com/guns/obama-to-set-pass-gun-restrictions


40 farmers in Maitum, Sarangani complete rubber production courseBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Efforts to develop the potential of Mai-tum town in Sarangani for massive rubber production have continued.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12, said that last week at least 40 local farmers completed a season-long farmers’ field school on rubber production technology and management geared toward building the capacity of the industry’s manpower in said town.

The FFS was conducted by DA 12 in partnership with attached agency, Agricultural Training Institute from September this year. Graduation ceremony was held on Tuesday.

Rolando Delcano,

FFS- rubber facilitator said farmer-trainees were trained in an actual rubber farm on the cultural management of rubber. Most importantly, they were trained on the

proper time and method of tapping the rubber tree’s trunk for its latex.

For better latex production, Delcano explained, tapping should be done between


6 a.m. to 7 a.m.Care on the depth of

the cut is also a major concern in rubber tapping so as not to injure the cambium layer that produces the tree’s wood and bark.

ATI director Abdul Daya-an said Region 12 ranks second in the country in the production of rubber. Its production in 2011 was 157,701.56 metric tons (MT), which was higher that its 2010 production of 149,964.88 MT. The bulk of the region’s rubber production came from North Cotabato.

Data from the Sarangani provincial government in May this year, indicated that the entire province had a total of 5,914.06 hectares devoted to the crop, of these 5,602 ha were in the municipality of Maitum.

But the same record indicated that at least 19,375 ha in the entire province has the potential for rubber production.

Also in May this year, the Maitun Rubber Growers Association (MARUGA) and the Rubber Industry

Cluster Development Team in partnership with the provincial government, the municipal LGU of Maitum and the Department of Trade and Industry - Sarangani spearhead the 1st Sarangani Rubber Forum to discuss the development direction of the rubber in the province.

At that forum, Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett said she is confident Maitum would soon become one of the leaders in the country’s

rubber industry.Meanwhile, center

chief Felix Amancio of the Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CEMIARC) in Aroman, Carmen, North Cotabato announced that DA 12 has a rubber budwood garden where local farmers could avail of quality rubber seedlings.

“Farmer groups only need to submit a project proposal for them to avail of rubber seedlings,” he said.


Koronadal cleans up City’s road-right-of-way, installs decors along main thoroughfaresKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The city government demolished illegal structures along the city’s road-right-of-way and installed in their stead glit-tering Christmas decors that light up the city’s main street at night.

By Aida Agad

City Mayor Peter Miguel in an interview confirmed demolition of at least 46 illegal structures constructed along the General Santos drive road-of-way earlier this month.

The demolition was conducted smoothly, the mayor said, this, despite minor resistance from some affected stall owners, which was successfully

handled by demolition team.

A number of other affected occupants, however, personally dismantled their structures prior to the team’s arrival, he added.

Miguel said the clean-up drive also goes along with his administration’s effort to make Koronadal City truly reflective of its slogan “Kanami

Koronadal.”He also hoped that

the clean-up activity would provide a fair business playing field with businessmen regularly complying with the city’s requirements as well as regulating illegal vendors who are constructing unsightly illegal structures along the city’s main thoroughfares.

DA 12’s ‘Usapang Palay’ gathers farmers in Norala townBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- To educate farmers in Soccsksargen Region and boost their production, the Department of Agriculture - Region 12 (DA - 12) last week held activity where discussions are conducted right at the community where farmers reside.


The project, “Usapang Palayan (Rice Talk),” employs focus group discussion in rice-producing communities where DA brings experts who will talk to farmers and find out what their problems and concerns are.

On Wednesday, Dec 19, DA-12 brought Usapang Palay to Purok Manga, in nearby Norala town.

DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, Through this activity, farmers will have the opportunity to meet with technical person on rice production and find a solution to their problems in rice production.

It is also a time for sharing information on rice and technology updates.

“Main objective of the project is to enhance the interest and enthusiasm of the farmers to learn and appreciate the best farming practices in order to achieve high yield on rice production in their communities,” Datukan said.

During these

gatherings, Usapang Palay team leader Soraida Bangon said, “Farmers should take the opportunity to attend Usapang Palay discussion in their respective communities because they will learn much from these gatherings and help the department implement appropriate actions.”

Bangon said Usapang Palay FGDs will primarily consider rice farmers who have not undergone any Farmer Field School nor received any relevant training from DA 12.

Aside from this, target farmers are those whose farm yield is below 3.8 metric tons per hectare.

Local farmer

technicians (LFTs) that DA trained to become alternate technicians have important roles in the Usapang Palayan FGDs.

One of the issues discussed at the Usapang Palayan in Norala last week was the control of rice black bug. An LFT in the area explained to his fellow farmers how water management could help control black bug infestation.

The Usapang Palay in Norala was the fourth of the eight FGDs slated for said town. Similar activities are also being conducted in the Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

Cooperative movement in Caraga region is ‘vibrant,’ says CDA Director

BUTUAN CITY -- Cooperative movement in Caraga region is ‘vibrant,’ says CDA Director

by Noel B. Najarro

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Caraga Regional Director Manuela Pelaez said this Tuesday in a press conference here.

After delisting inactive cooperatives last November, the CDA identified 1,102 re-registered and active cooperatives (out of 2,000


DTI organizes 13 Diskwento Caravans in 2012

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga regional and provincial offices organized 13 Diskwento Caravans from March to November this year with total sales amounting to P1.7 million and benefitting an estimated 7,000 consumers/households all over the region.

by DTI-13

cooperatives in its list). This number can be broken down per province, thus: Agusan del Norte, 295; Agusan del Sur, 251; Surigao del Norte, 189; Dinagat Islands, 124 and Surigao del Sur lists 243. Pelaez said the delisting of the inactive cooperatives began two years ago by virtue of RA 9520 (otherwise known as the Philippine Cooperative Code), which mandated the CDA to require all existing cooperatives at that time to re-submit their reports

to show whether they are still in operation. Out of the more than 2,000 originally registered cooperatives in the region, only 1,000 cooperatives submitted their reports. She also said only 50 percent of the co-ops complied with all the necessary legal requirements. But their office, she said is determined to help the others who had exerted their best efforts to comply. “The CDA is not only a regulatory body, but we are also developmental.”


DTI organizes 13 Diskwento Caravans in 2012

The Diskwento Caravan program, which was launched by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2011, aims to give consumers the joy of buying basic necessities, prime commodities and, other household and personal commodities at prices much lower than the prevailing prices in major stores, groceries and supermarkets. Products are sold at a discount of P1 to P10 pesos per item compared to regular prices. The agency has partnered with Butuan- and Cagayan de Oro-based distributors as well as major wholesalers of products including noodles, canned sardines, biscuits, cooking oil, soy

sauce, vinegar, toilet soaps, detergent bars and powders, and canned meat products which are the most saleable items as product inventories are high and available brands are varied. For the month of June, school supplies were added to the inventory to benefit the school children and their parents. DTI-assisted local producers also participated in the activities and sold their products at factory prices. In order to sustain the program, the agency will be networking with additional distributors and major wholesalers within and outside of the region to increase the number of suppliers and products in future Diskwento Caravans.

Phil Red Cross Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter reports monthly accomplishmentsby Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter chaired by City Prosecutor Felixberto Guiritan bared its accomplishments for the month of November 2012, held Tuesday during its meeting at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.


The Disaster Management Services Committee of PRC reported that they conducted two sessions on 143 volunteers Mobilization and Basic Disaster Management training Course producing 65 graduates from Agusan National High School (ANHS) as part of the school’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. It was learned that there is 629 units of blood collected in the month of November including those acquired from the bloodletting activities with partner stakeholders. There is also 368 patients from different hospitals served by the chapter. The Safety Services Committee also reported that they have conducted five classes on Tailored First Aid Training Course producing 104 graduates from Shell Cabadbaran, ANHS’ Math and English Clubs, Barangay Gosoon volunteers and Butuan City School of Arts and Trade (BCSAT) Senior Red Cross Youth (SRCY) Council. The RCY Committee said that they conducted training on Youth Volunteer Orientation Course; Leadership Formation Course; and Basic Leadership Training for Libertad National High School Senior

RCY Council held at the PRC RCY Development Center producing 16 newly trained SRCY members. The Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter - RCY Department in partnership with Father Saturnino Urios University College Department – RCY Council meanwhile conducted a symposium on HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention last November 28, 2012 with the theme “YOUth as an Advocate towards the road to HIV/AIDS free generation; Getting to Zero.” Meanwhile, chairperson Guiritan also cited that the chapter will be organizing a ‘Million Volunteer Run’ on February 10, 2013 from the city’s Sports Complex going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Covered Court. “Students who will join will have to pay a registration fee of P100 while P200 for the workers, and P500 for the business sector. All registered runners will also receive a whistle and certificate after completing the run,” Guiritan added. Guiritan further announced that the board of directors’ Christmas Party is set on December 22, 2012 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City.

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One Mindanao - December 18, 2012