One Mindanao - December 8, 2011

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.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ 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] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

2/F 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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features

Divine Mercy Hills

in El Salvador,

Misamis Oriental.

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 ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

In ThisIssue...

Thursday, Vol. 1 No. 116

Cover StoryThe Divine Mercy Hills, a Holy Place of Worship and Devotion

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGIONBFAR issues Shellfish Bulletin No. 26

Army official cites impact of a secure environment to development

13 out of 75 OTOS scholars in region 10 come from Mis. Occ

Irrigation, better postharvest to boost rice sufficiency bid

MinDA to Mindanao communicators: tap new media for social change

Noel T. Provido, Region XI

Edwin Fernandez, Region XII

Alma L. Tingcang, Region IX

Apipa Bagumbaran, Region X

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Region X

23

26

27

31

page 15

page 19

page 23

page 28

page 32

Elaine O. Ratunil

Nat

iona

l

Aquino says government doing its best in case United States, Europe fall into deep recession............................................................

11

page 4

18 Diarrhea outbreak declared in Surigao City barangay

FEAbkilan, Caraga Region

General Santos City increases flightsOlivia Sudaria. Region XII36

Only DSWD has the sole authority to remove or add 4Ps beneficiaries

Alfonso T. Ruda, Region IX21

34

17 SCAA should not be assigned to city streets – PNP chief

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

SSS pensioners to receive ‘13th month pension’ ....................................................... 13

4 Thursday, December 8, 2011ONE MINDANAO

The Divine Mercy Hills, a Holy Place of Worship and Devotion

Cover Story

Nestled on the tranquil hills in El Salvador (The Savior), Misamis Oriental is the Divine Mercy Hills, a Holy Place of Worship and Devotion

by Elaine O. Ratunil

5 Thursday, December 8, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

It serves as a beacon of hope for weary souls and a foun-dation of respite for all people.

Vision The Divine Mercy Hills will feature complete retreat and seminar facilities. Places for re-flection and meditation such as Mary’s Rosary Garden and the Stations of the Cross will sprawl over the 9.8 hectare area. At the center of the devel-opment is a 50 foot Statue of Jesus Christ of the Divine Mercy. The base of the statue houses a healing chapel, while the heart holds a chamber of adoration.

History

For years, the intercessory prayer group of the Divine Mer-cy Foundation Mindanao (Philip-pines) Inc. in Cagayan de Oro re-ceived a message from the Lord: to build His church of Mercy with the vision of the Lord, standing on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. The whole project is funded by donations from individuals. The Lord moved hearts to help build His place and has prom-ised to bless the families of those who respond. The project developer, Ar-chitect Felino Palafox Jr. and the statue’s sculptor, Nick Reyes both world-renowned in their fields were likewise handpicked by the Lord. This awesome shrine is about 18 kilometers west of Ca-gayan de Oro City, close to the


shores of Northern Mindanao, the Philip-pines. The shrine has a 50 foot statue of the Divine Mercy Christ. It serves as a pilgrimage site for the Divine Mercy devotees. As a pilgrimage and sacred site, visitors are not allowed to wear shorts and other reveal-

ing clothing. Those who do so will be forced to cover themselves with a blue cloth provid-ed by the shrine administrators.

Meanwhile, aside from erecting a 50-foot statue of the Divine Mercy, the Foundation in-tends to build a church—to be known as Divine Mercy Church--of the Divine Mercy Mindanao. Also to be developed are stations of the cross, Mary’s garden, field altar, parking area,


reception and administration building, giftstore, restrooms and coffeeshops. Testimonies of healings, conversions and petitions an-swered are continually report-ed.

The Devotion From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The mes-sage is nothing new, but is a re-minder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is mer-

ciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and for-giveness. But in the Divine Mer-cy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understand-ing that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone — es-pecially the greatest sinners.



Coloma urges civil servants to prioritize efficient and quality service to Filipinos

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. urged civil servants to live the spirit of accountability by prioritizing efficient and quality service to the Filipinos

as shown by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his priority programs for the people.


In his message during the 36th Na-tional Conference on Public Personnel Administration of the Personnel Officers As-sociation of the Philip-pines, Inc. (POAP) at the Philippine Infor-mation Agency main office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, Secre-tary Coloma under-scored the importance of accountability, par-ticularly for those who are in government service, in pushing for programs beneficial for the people. He cited the Presi-dent’s accountabil-ity to the people, which is founded on the mandate that he received from them in May, 2010 to lead the nation towards reforms and change and

to achieve a shared

and in-c l u -

sive economic growth. “I think this is one of the best ways of de-fining, appreciating, un-derstanding and living the spirit of account-ability… i-memorize po natin yan at ilagay sa harap ng ating work table so that we will re-member it all the time… ‘public office is a public trust’… hindi po puwe-deng kina-career na-tin yan para yumaman tayo, hindi po pwedeng ganon… that is not ac-countability,” Coloma said. “Ang sabi ng tao kay PNoy…mamuno ka sa reporma at pagba-bago, we can derive this from the mandate that he (President Aquino) received from the peo-ple… bawasan ang ka-hirapan at wakasan ang korapsyon,” he added. Coloma noted that these targets will be achieved through the Aquino administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016. “Hindi po biro ka-pag sinabi natin na ba-

wasan ang kahirapan – napakalawak po ng kahirapan – kaya po mayron tayong Philip-pine Development Plan for 2011 to 2016 na ang motto ay shared and inclusive economic growth,” Coloma ex-plained. He said that the President’s definition of accountability in gov-ernance lies on his fa-mous one-liner which was derived from Ar-ticle 2, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Consti-tution. “Simple lamang po ang definition ni Presi-dente Noynoy (Aquino) on accountability, one sentence lang, ‘kayo ang boss ko’… ano po ang ibig sabihin nito? We can take this from the Philippine Constitu-tion, Article 2, Section 1, which says ‘sovereignty resides in the people and all government au-thority emanates from them’,” Coloma said. The PCOO chief said that the gov-ernment is bent on


eradicating corruption through various efforts that include strengthen-ing of the country’s jus-tice system. “One of the most important manifesta-tions of the commitment to take the straight path is to strengthen the jus-tice system in our coun-

try,” Coloma said. The conference, anchored on this year’s theme of “Trailblazing Towards Public Account-ability: My Role,” is orga-nized by the POAP which is an organization of hu-man resource manage-ment officers, adminis-trative officers and other

human resources-related practitio-ners in the govern-ment bureaucracy. Some 300 POAP members and other HR practitio-ners in government from Ilocos to Jolo attended the annual event. (JCL)

Aquino says government doing its best in case United States, Europe fall into deep recession

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Wednesday that the government is doing its best to prepare for any eventuality once the economies of the United States and

Europe entered into a possible deep recession as reported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).


“We are pre-paring as best as we can,” President Aquino said during an interview with re-porters following the 2011 Lupong Tagapa-mayapa Incentives Awards ceremonies in Malacanang. The President also said that the government will improve the

country’s var-ious indus-

tries, in-cluding

agri-

culture, and find new markets for Philippine export products. “So ‘pag sinasabi ko ngang hindi tayo naninirahan sa isang vacuum, syempre maraming domestic spending, ‘yung ac-celerated spending, at saka ‘yung pru-dent spending with the attendant safe-guards help us,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, the GDP especially for ex-ports—‘yung semi-

conductors, for in-stance, since 60 percent ang total na-tin dropped growth from markets that are in a very volatile state,” he said. “So we will do everything we can. We will improve so many sectors includ-ing agriculture but the reality is it’s a global phenomena” the President added. The Asian De-velopment Bank (ADB) has forecast a slowdown in eco-nomic growth for the Philippines and other Asian economies this year and in 2012. The ADB said that that the Philip-pines may grow by only as much as 4.2 percent if the United States and Europe fall into a deep re-cession


SSS pensioners to receive ‘13th month pension’ by Jomie Jean O. Apostol

Social Security System Vice President for Public Affairs and Special Events Marissu Bugante announced Tuesday that SSS pensioners and their dependents will receive a 13th month pension to be

released in the first week of December.


The 13th month pension is given ev-ery December to re-tirement, disability, death pensioners and their dependents, and those under the Em-ployees’ Compensa-tion Program. The Employee’s Compensation Pro-gram provides both public and private sector employees and their dependents with income and other benefits in case of a work-connected inju-ry, sickness, disability or death. They can re-ceive compensation in the form of a cash in-come benefit, medical and related services or rehabilitation ser-vices. Meanwhile, Vice President for Benefits Program Management Agnes San Jose said SSS has already re-leased P10 billion for December to fund the regular pensions and the 13th month pen-sion for the 1.6 mil-lion pensioners of the agency. Bugante said

pensioners need not contribute an addi-tional amount to get this extra-month pen-sion because it is the agency’s way of help-ing their pensioners. Further, the bo-nus will also be given to those availing par-tial disability pensions, provided that their pension dates include December. Partial dis-ability pensions given only while the pen-sioner is still afflicted with a disability. “For example, if their pension is for six months, January to June, December is not included so they will not be given the 13th month bonus,” Bugante said. In addition, pen-sioners who have ad-vanced their 18 months’ worth of pension can look forward to receiv-ing their 13th month bonus next week. The said pensioners took a lump sum on the ini-tial pension and would have to wait for the 19th month to resume receiving their pen-

sion. To get a retire-ment pension, the member has to be at least 60 years of age if he or she is not work-ing, and 65 if he or she still working. More importantly, he or she should have contribut-ed at least 120 months or 10 years’ worth of contributions. However, Bu-gante said the 10-year period is only the mini-mum requirement and that it would be better to contribute to SSS for more than 10 years so the pensioner can re-ceive a higher pension for retirement. Bugante and San Jose were guests at the program “Talking Points” sponsored by the Philippine Com-munication and Oper-ations Office (PCOO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Philippine Broadcast-ing Service (PBS). The program was simul-taneously aired over People’s Television (PTV-4) and Radyo ng Bayan.


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18,000 school desks set to be assembled as part of P-Noy’s Bayanihan Programby David M. Suyao

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec. Emmanuel Villanueva is set to visit Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) today for an inspection of the materials to be used

in assembling 18,000 school desks. This is part of the P-Noy Bayanihan project in Caraga Region.


P-Noy Bayanihan project is an agree-ment between the DepEd, TESDA, Pag-cor and DENR to pro-vide school desks in the region. The AS-

SAT was chosen as the production site. Materials used in production were confiscated logs which the DENR turned over to the

DepEd. These were then sawn at ASSAT using the equipment provided by the Phil-ippine Amusement and Gaming Corpo-ration (Pagcor) for production of school desks. The project re-gion-wide has an es-timated cost of P10 million, including la-bor cost, according to Norberto Dorado of TESDA. “For three weeks now, we have been training out-of-school youth and people who are un-employed,” Dorado said. The training is being held at ASSAT. Involved in the pro-duction are the 50 to 100 carpenters.

According to Do-rado, there are still logs ready for sawing at the ASSAT sawmill ground. The said logs could be made into 2,000 school desks.


This is the reac-tion of the PNP chief after the city govern-ment here has pro-posed to deploy some 125 SCAA members within the city to aug-ment the police of-ficers, in an effort to uphold peace and se-curity in the city es-pecially during Yule-tide Season.

Bartolome said the city government should adhere to what is stipulated in law, where it is stat-ed that these SCAA members should only be assigned to far-flung areas where there are no available police officers. “This means that only police officers

are given author-ity to maintain peace and order in the city whatever occasions that the city is under-taking,” Bartolome said. However, in an interview with a local radio station here, City Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima said that base on SCAA

SCAA should not be assigned to city streets – PNP chief by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY – Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General PCSupt. Nicanor Bartolome recently said members of the Special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (SCAA) should not be assigned in city streets, like the police officers.


Diarrhea outbreak declared in Surigao City barangay by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO CITY – An outbreak of diarrhea disease was de-clared in Barangay Sukailang, this city, following the mas-sive manifestation of its symptoms in hundreds of residents here.

memo and guide-lines, they can be assigned in vital in-stallations in the city such as the city hall, motor pool, terminal, ports and other areas where properties of the city are need to be secured.

Culima explained what the PNP chief is pointing out is that SCAA members should not intervene and do police matters like apprehending suspects for robbery, stabbing, rape, hold-up and other crimes.

Bartolome was here Friday when the Department of Health (DoH) Center for Health Develop-ment (CHD) Caraga turned-over the new P10-million hospital to the management of PNP-Caraga.

Dr. Emmanuel Plandano, assistant city health officer, said that at least 117 resi-dents from the said

barangay were already affected by the dis-ease since December 1, of which two were rushed to the Caraga

Regional Hospital for immediate treatment. Patients were experiencing severe stomachache and


Diarrhea outbreak declared in Surigao City barangay loose bowel move-

ment, which are the usual symptoms of di-arrhea. To date, a total of 65 patients were already consulted by the city health author-ities while 52 others are seeking with other medications. Gorospe Menor, Communicable Dis-ease Cluster coordina-tor, narrated that upon receipt of the report, their office immedi-ately dispatched their surveillance team in the area and conduct-ed a study and ocular

inspection to identify the cause of the dis-ease. Menor theorized that the cause of the diarrhea outbreak has something to do with their drinking waters, which is believed to be contaminated. The coordina-tor said their office has already launched an advocacy to some 80 residents at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the barangay aimed to minimize or eradi-cate the incidence in the area. “We discussed the

importance of envi-ronmental sanitation, proper food prepa-ration, importance of using the toilet, proper handwashing and proper storage of drinking water,” she said. Menor also said that they have also conducted a random rectal swab for Typhoid fever examination and the results will be re-leased a week after. “We also conduct-ed a routine stool ex-amination to some 13 patients, eight were diagnosed for Amoeba infections,” Menor add-ed. Menor said they have also coordinated with the Surigao Met-ropolitan Water Dis-trict (SMWD) for tech-nical assistance for the installation of chlori-nation device at the water reservoir, “as recommended by the team of Sanitation In-spectors of the office.”


T he City Health Office (CHO) here headed by Dr. Cecilio Siglos is going to hold a series of two-day mobilization training on community health for midwives, Barangay

Health Workers (BHW), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and parent leaders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P) starting Dec. 5-15.

Dipolog health workers to undergo mobilization training by Franklin P. Gumapon


The first leg of said training started yesterday until today at Barangay Estaka. This will be followed by Barangay Miputak on Dec. 7-8, Central Barangay on Dec. 12-13 and back to Barangay Estaka on Dec. 14-15. According to Dr. Siglos, the participants especially the 4P parent leaders would be taught about community health process, health risks and others. It can be recalled that the 4P is requiring the family-beneficiaries to have their children completely immunized and sent to school. For its part, the city government has

also urged all the 4P beneficiaries to religiously comply with the conditions set by the program in order to enjoy the full benefit of it. Although Dipolog is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Norte, the

country’s poorest province, the city has the lowest percentage of poor families in the entire province. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

Only DSWD has the sole authority to remove or add 4Ps beneficiaries by Alfonso T. Ruda

Only the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has the sole authority to remove or add beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash

Transfer Program, popularly known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), say the 4Ps Provincial Grievance Officer in Zamboanga del Norte.


In an interview, Zambo Norte 4Ps Pro-vincial Grievance Officer Resty Ragas pointed out that only the DSWD has the authority to remove or add 4Ps beneficiaries and no other politician. Ragas issued the clarification in reaction to the news report pub-lished in the local news-paper implicating Di-polog City Mayor Evelyn Uy and Zamboanga del Norte Second District Representative Rosendo Labad-labad on their al-leged involvement for the removal of 7 4Ps beneficiaries in Gulay-on, Dipolog City who are supporters of Zamboan-ga del Norte Governor Rolando Yebes. According to Ra-gas, the only reason that a 4Ps beneficiary is removed from the list of beneficiaries is his/her failure to comply with the conditions set by the program and not his/her failure to support a par-ticular political leader. The children should spend 85% of their time attending to their classes; that they are regularly given medical check-up at the baran-gay health center; and

that the mother regu-larly attend Responsible parenthood session con-ducted for the purpose. Ragas admitted that 7 family-beneficia-ries of 4Ps in barangay Gulayon, this city were not able to receive their June allocations after they had been inadver-tently reported as hav-ing not complied with the 85% required children’s attendance in school. The 7 4Ps benefi-ciaries who have not re-ceived their June allo-cations are Joeselyn L. Cagas; Ellen B. Monop-olio; Charina Velasco; Mamerta C. Baranquita; Lisil G. Diniay; Susana C. Gingoyon; and Moises Sagan, Jr. Ragas assured that 5 of the 7 4Ps beneficia-ries who have a perfect attendance in school will receive their June alloca-tion and its payment is

now being processed by the DSWD Regional Of-fice. Michael Diniay (son of Lisil Diniay) and Eloisa Mae D. Sagan(daughter of Moises Sagan, Jr.) have failed to comply with the required 85% school attendance, thus making them ineligible to receive their benefit. Under the program, every household is enti-tled to receive a P300.00 monthly cash assistance for their children aging below 14 years and an-other 500 for the fam-ily or a maximum of P1,400.00 per month. The assistance is primarily for the basic health and education needs of the family. How-ever family beneficiaries have also to comply with the conditions set forth by the program. (JPA/A T R / P I A 9 - Z a m b o Norte)


BFAR issues Shellfish Bulletin No. 26by Alma L. Tingcang

Based on the latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and local government units (LGUs), shellfishes

collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; and Bataan coastal waters (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal) are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

en.mercopress.com


Also declared in the Shellfish Bulle-tin No. 26 signed by BFAR Director Asis G. Perez is that all types of shellfish and Ac-etes sp. or alamang gathered from the above-mentioned ar-eas are NOT SAFE for human consumption. Fish, squid, shrimps and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and in-ternal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cook-ing. The following areas continue to be FREE from toxic red tide : coastal waters of Cavite, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Navotas, and Bulacan in Ma-nila Bay; coastal wa-ters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto bays in Puerto Princesa City, and In-

ner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pon-tevedra, Panay, Roxas City; Ivisan and Saplan in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Pon-tevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda,

and Villareal Bays in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Or-moc, San Pedro, Can-cabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran prov-ince; Hinatuan, Bis-lig and Lianga bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Ori-ental; and Taguines La-goon in Benoni Mahi-nog, Camiguin Island. (BFAR/PIA9-ALT/Zambo Sur)


Task Force Pawikan releases 147 newly-hatched marine turtles in Magsaysay townby Madridano-Thiam

Task Force Pawikan recently

released 147-hatched marine turtles in barangay Kandiis, in Magsaysay town, Misamis Oriental.

This was done during the recent gathering of the task force held in Magsaysay which focused its discussion on the capability enhancement of its members, through an educational trip to Morong, Bataan to observe and learn from the marine turtle nesting site management in the area. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD), took the opportunity after the release to inspect the newly-established marine turtle hatchery in the area.

The hatchery is jointly funded by the DENR and the Municipal LGU of Magsaysay. Task Force Pawikan, meanwhile, was organized by DENR through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD). This is to assist in the protection of the endangered marine turtles and the preservation of marine turtle nesting along the beaches in Magsaysay town, Misamis Oriental.

http://pinoylife.jp/img/news/p.%20hatchlings%20release.jpg


Army official cites impact of a secure environment to developmentby Apipa Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - An army official has underscored the important contribution of a secured environment to development.

BGen. Roland C. Amarille, assistant division commander of the army’s 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division and head of Task Force Makalintad, said security fuels business confidence and encourages investments that in turn provide jobs to the people. He said tourism which is a vital sector of the country’s economy is virtually dependent on the level of security that can be provided to tourists adding that the success of security operations of the

government is an important factor for the consistent upswing of tourist arrivals in the country. Thus, he gave assurance that the Tabak troopers will continue to play its role of providing a secured environment conducive to development. Likewise, he emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is guided by the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino administration and as enumerated

The recent gathering, on the other hand, was presided by City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Felipe Carollina, Jr. of Gingoog City and joined in by the Local Government Units

(LGUs) of the coastal barangays, representatives of the Gingoog Bay Alliance, Green Mindanao, Philippine Coast Guards and other concerned organizations. (DENR)


on the provision of peace and security, the promotion of peace of process shall be the center piece of the AFP’s internal security program as a testament of the government’s commitment and policy on reconciliation and reunification. Thus, the AFP has launched its Internal Peace and Security Plan called Oplan Bayanihan which is anchored on two thrusts, namely, the whole-of-nation approach and the people-centered security, to shift its operations in support to the national government’s policy. This is significant to the current mission of the AFP to transform its troopers into peacemakers and peacebuilders, he further said. Henceforth, our policy is directed on the supremacy of the peace process, winning the peace, promotion of human rights and rule of law, focused military operations and commander’s accountability, he added. Meanwhile, Amarille disclosed

that the government has launched the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program as a complimentary track of the peace process. He said the PAMANA is the government’s peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building and development in conflict-affected areas. In Mindanao alone, the local monitoring teams (LMT) of the GPH-MILF Joint Ceasefire Committees have identified 4,032 conflict-affected barangays, he further said. Amarille further disclosed that at present the national government is completing the unserved benefits of former rebels for the social integration program. The national program for unification and development has also allocated funds to support rebel returnees and have processed amnesty certificates for 65 rebels this year, he further added.

13 out of 75 OTOS scholars in region 10 come from Mis. Occ.by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – At least 13 out of 75 or 17.33 percent of Northern Mindanao’s “One Town, One Scholar” (OTOS) grantees for School Year 2010-2011 come from Misamis Occidental.

Of this number, eight (8) come from the First Congressional District while five (5) others are from the Second Congressional District of

the province. Of the 75 scholars, however, only 74 were able to enjoy their financial benefits for the 1st and


2nd semesters of the school year, Dr. Natalie Egot, OTOS Coordinator of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), region 10, said. The OTOS Scholarship Program is offered to poor but deserving incoming first year college students who belong to the top 10 high school graduates from public high schools in the municipalities of the country with an average grade of not less than 85 percent. It is offered by the government per the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 04, series of 2009, otherwise known as the “Implementing Guidelines for the OTOS Scholarship Program.” Such memo provides that the local chief executives will identify the OTOS qualifiers in their respective towns and CHED will take charge of the financial benefits of the scholars. But out of 85 municipalities of region 10, only 75 were able to recommend for the OTOS program, Egot said. For 2010, all the Education Supervisors of the Department of Education in the region, helped in doing the follow-up with all the Municipal Mayors in the region to submit names for the OTOS scholars. Meanwhile, the OTOS scholars from the First Congressional District of Mis. Occ., the schools where they enrolled and the courses they took

are the following: Emily Cagas, Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED), Daiza Kim J. Dura, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BS Chem Engr’g), and June Francis B. Maldo, MSU-IIT, B.S. Mathematics. April D. Masalig, MSU-Marawi City, BS Math, Grace Ann M. Matildo, MSU-IIT, BEED, Sharmela D. Pasco, MUST, BEED, Imee Marie Ramos, MUST, BEED, Riza Mae Serino, La Salle University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA). Those from the Congressional District 2 are: Arnulfo Adlaon, Jr., MSU-IIT, BS Eng’g, and Revellyn N. Cuizon, Northwestern Mindanao State College (NMSC), BSED. Michelle B. Gonzaga, Misamis University (MU), BEED, Joven P. Panoncillo, La Salle University, BS in Business Administration (BSBA), and Cris M. Tapuyao, NMSC, BEED.


Kamindanawan to honor 11 Mindanao women achievers by Carina Cayon

Kamindanawan, a celebra-tory gathering of Mindanao

women leaders, is set to honor tomorrow some 11 Mindanawon women and one man who have “broken silences, barriers and new ground for women.” The Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) will give honor and recognition to the Mindanawon achievers in time for MCW’s 10th anniversary on December 8 when the Kamindanawan event will take place. Among the honorees are Min-danews editor Carol Arguillas; Is-lamic scholar Prof. Hamid Barra; re-nowned Moro woman leader Hadja Bainon Karon; and peace activists Raissa Jajurie, Myla Leguro, and Obo-Manobo tribal chieftain Bo-i Era Espana. The other honorees are na-tional artist for dance Agnes Loc-sin; Davao-based obstetrics-gyne-cology specialist Dr. Regina Dela

Paz-Ingente, and Betty More who is executive director of the Kaba-bayen-an Alang sa Teknolohiya nga Haum sa Kinaiyahan ng Kauswa-gan, Inc. (KATAKUS). Also set to be recognized are Major Rosa Ma. Cristina R. Manuel, the first female battalion execu-tive officer of the 10th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and Chief Inspector Grace Taculin of the Davao City Jail. Director Zenaida Hadji-Raof Laidan of the Department of Sci-ence and Technology in Region 12 is also among the Mindanao achiev-ers. Laidan initiated the establish-ment of the only existing halal lab-oratory in the country. According to MCW press state-ment, the recognition was based on the achievements of the honor-ees from the three categories set by MCW. The categories are: those who


broke the silence (i.e. spoke of is-sues not openly discussed), barri-ers (i.e. engaged in fields tradition-ally dominated by men), or new ground (i.e. introduced innovations and breakthroughs). MCW chair emerita and chief executive officer Irene M. Santiago said, “MCW believes that it is only fitting that we give recognition to these persons at this year’s Kamin-danawan.” Santiago said that the occasion will center on the theme “Women. Seriously!,” anchored on MCW’s slogan and goal: “for women to be taken seriously.” Santiago said that MCW has “tremendously advanced the sta-tus of women in Mindanao since it was established on December 8, 2001.” She admitted though that “much still needs to be done.”Maria Ressa, author-in-residence of The International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, will grace the celebra-tion as the keynote speaker. Ressa will discuss on “Social Media for Social Change.” She was formerly head of the ABS-CBN News and Public Affairs. Another resource person is ex-ecutive director of Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP) Jean Enriquez who will tackle on “The Scourge of Human Trafficking.” Meanwhile, program manager Myla Leguro of the Catholic Relief Services Peace and Reconciliation

Program will talk on “Peacebuilding from Below” during the event. Santiago said that the celebra-tion slated on December 8-9 will kick off with opening rituals at 8:30 a.m. at the People’s Park. This will be followed by a short parade to the Royal Ballroom of Royal Mandaya Hotel for the formal opening and recognition ceremo-nies. Aside from Santiago, MCW chair Margie Moran Floirendo and MCW vice-chair Dr. Melchora Am-balong will also take the lead in the occasion. Minister counselor for Devel-opment Cooperation Program Titon Mitra of the Australian Agency for International Development (Au-sAID) is also expected to honor the celebration. MCW was formed and institu-tionalized ten years ago by Muslim, Christian and indigenous women leaders of Mindanao. The group aims to “influence public policy and public opinion by incorporating the women’s perspec-tive in peace and development with the goal “For women to be taken seriously.” During a gathering of Mindan-ao’s young women leaders in Octo-ber this year, Santiago has stated: “For if women are taken seriously, I have no doubt that the challenges of our era for human security and peace will be resolved with a combi-nation of good sense, compassion, and boldness which are hallmarks of women’s leadership


Irrigation, better postharvest to boost rice sufficiency bid

DAVAO CITY- Agriculture Secre-tary Proceso J. Alcala said that the country’s rice sufficiency can be attained after 2013 with irrigation projects on its way in Mindanao. Alcala recently expressed his confidence that the Aquino admin-istration will attain sufficiency in rice as the Department of Agricul-ture (DA) will allot at least P500 million next year to establish na-tionwide hundreds of small irriga-tion projects (SIPs). The SIPs are considered more cost-efficient, faster to construct, and easier to maintain and man-age. One project now in the works is the construction of Cateel Ir-rigation Project in Cateel, Davao Oriental with a total project cost of P255million and contract dura-tion of 580 days.

The said project is being fund-ed by the Department of Agricul-ture’s – Mindanao Rural Develop-ment Program (DA-MRDP). Cateel is an east coast town that boasts an area of 22,952 hect-ares devoted to rice production. The said irrigation project aims to provide sustainable irrigation wa-ter for approximately 1,600 hect-ares of suitable lands covering 11 barangays. “Gusto po nating tumaas ang rice production natin kahit sa tag-init. (We would like to increase rice production even during dry season). (With this,) we would be expanding the areas that will be irrigated and we will be safe and secured in the coming years de-spite calamities,” Alcala said. In the same forum, World Bank operations officer Ferliz-ardo Virtucio, Jr. stressed that in meeting rice sufficiency target, the agriculture sector should also improved postharvest practice particularly its milling recovery. “The Philippines only has a 62% recovery rate in the rice mill-ing process. So if the country can bring that up to 70%, it will help boost total production and farm-ers’ income,” Virtucio said. “We are appealing to the pri-vate sector to invest in modern-ized rice mills that can increase the rice recovery,” he added. (DA-MRDP/Noel T. Provido)


CAMP LIRA, General Santos City – Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez answers a question from a reporter in a press conference Wednesday, Dec. 7, about the arrest of Baserin Tongan alias “Palos”, a suspected bomber of the convoy of the governor in April 2010. With the ar-rest, police and military authorities discovered the existence of Bansamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front cell involved in extortion and bomb-making activities. Authorities said it was the first time evidence is recovered pointing to the BIFF being a terrorist organization. Also confiscated in a raid in two safehouses on Dec. 3 were a firearms cache, improvised explosive device (IED) components and bomb-making para-phernalia. (Cocoy Sexcion/)

Photo Release

Police, military uncover terrorist group


Mindanao media meet in a summit in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY,-- Environment situation in the country will be the focal theme for the 7th Mindanao Media Summit (MMS) as it opens today, December 8.

by CT Apelacio

The summit will also look at how media could help raise the lev-el of public awareness on the state of environ-

ment and how people can serve as vanguard for environment protec-tion and preservation thru the media.

The event is be-ing held at the Anchor Driving Range here with the theme “Environment Watch: Mindanao.” The 3-day Mindanao Media Summit will end on De-cember 10. Amalia Cabusao, convenor for the event, said: “Our theme for this year is ‘Environment Watch: Mindanao’ which will talk about the sta-tus of the environment in our island, the threats that we face and the op-portunities available to harness our resources.” “We are expecting about a hundred edi-tors, station managers and media personalities to attend the summit,” she said. The event is orga-nized by the Mindanao Media Forum, a group established in 2002 as a result of the first Min-danao Media Summit, with Mindanews as the secretariat.

Photo Release


We have a good line up of speakers and topics that would be of interest to the media, Cabusao told PIA Gen-eral Santos City. Dr. Romulo A. Viro-la will discuss the State of the Environment in Mindanao while Ms. Lily Gutierrez’s topic will deal on Climate Change and Clean Energy Program, she revealed. Gracing the event’s opening day is Sec. Lu-walhati Antonino, Mind-anao Development Au-thority (MinDA) chair, who will speak on Inte-grated Green Mindanao

Program. Meanwhile Prof. Gemelino Bautista of the Ateneo de Manila Uni-versity and Atty. Mario Maderazo, anti-mining campaign project offi-cer, Philippine Misereor Project, Incorporated will both discuss on “The Economics of Mining in the Philippines.” Cabusao said local journalists “could help educate their readers,” but first they need to be intensively informed, ed-ucated and trained to be able “to understand the language of science.”The event is supported

by The Asia Foundation, the United States Em-bassy in Manila, Mind-aNews, the Voice of Min-danao, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Aboitiz Power, among others. The program start-ed at 1:30 in the after-noon with a welcome note from former Press Sec. Jesus G. Dureza. Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez will be the event’s keynote speaker, whose speech focuses on “Sarangani Experience on Coral De-struction.”

MinDA to Mindanao communicators: tap new media for social changeKORONADAL CITY - Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Sec-retary Luwalhati Antonino has called on some 200 government information officers and communicators to capitalize on the expedience of new media in their work as agents of change.

Antonino made her call during the 9th Min-danao Communicators Network (MindaComNet) Congress held over the weekend in General San-tos City.

She stressed that with the new media changing the playing field in communication, use of new tools and media tech-nology will give communi-cators a new leverage in

governance communica-tion. “Your individual roles extend beyond mere bea-cons of information. New media enables you to be-come harbingers of


social change, develop-ment, and public welfare,” Antonino told the partici-pants, mostly from local government units and various agencies across Mindanao. The MinDA chair’s call stems from the chal-lenge of communicating the real story of Mindan-ao in the light of typical news stories on conflict and strife as reported by national and international media outfits, portraying Mindanao as perennially plagued by war and vio-lence. Antonino also urged the congress delegates to wipe away this miscon-ception and deliver sto-ries that bear the good news about Mindanao, by seizing the opportuni-ties afforded to them by new media, such as the Internet, social networks like Facebook and Twit-ter, text messaging, blogs and others. “The wealth of infor-mation presented in this congress has afforded everyone a better under-standing of the power of new media and how all of you can capitalize on this platform to trigger change

and transformation,” said Antonino. Meanwhile, anoth-er speaker Jay Jaboneta, founder of Philippine Fund for Little Kids and for-mer head of the new me-dia team at the Office of the President, also spoke of how new media has changed the way infor-mation is spread and its interactive forms. His topic, “Social Media for Social Change” related how a single post on his Facebook page led to the creation of a foun-dation that helps young children in Zamboanga City. This highlighted the new media as a game changer that allows Min-danao communicators to paint a more positive pic-

ture of the island based on stories of good news that normally do not see print in traditional media. New media also en-ables anyone to create and modify content and share it with others us-ing tools that are either inexpensive or free, and this interactive form takes away the exclusive power of traditional media over what comes out in the news. With the theme “Strengthening Gover-nance Communication through the New Media”, the 3-day congress was organized by MindaCom-Net, in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency and MinDA. (Ed-win Fernandez/PNA)


General Santos City increases flightsby Olivia Sudaria

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- This city is now being served by five flights daily covering Manila- General Santos City and General San-tos City-Manila route which used to be only three .

The additional two flights are provided by Cebu Pacific and AirPhil Express which com-menced third and fourth week of October.

Allan Punay, of-ficer-in-charge of the Civil Aviation Author-ity of the Philippines (CAAP), General Santos City who was the guest of the “Meet the Press” program jointly spon-sored by the Philippine Information Agency and

radio station DXCP dis-closed that two of the original three flights are provided by Cebu Pacif-ic and the other by the Philippine Air Lines.

Another much in demand route, accord-ing to Punay, is Cebu-GenSan and GenSan-Cebu which is being served by a daily flight of Cebu Pacific.

Punay said that from January to De-cember, 2010, the to-

tal number of incoming flights was 1330 with the corresponding out-going flights of 1330. He further said that in the current year from Janu-ary to October, 2011, GenSan incoming flights total 1,260 with likewise corresponding outgoing flights of 1,260.

General Santos City airport is one of the ten international airports of the country which is managed by CAAP.

Documents

One Mindanao - December 8, 2011