One Mindanao - May 25, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

VICTORIANO VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE APIT, PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

DTI spearheads Halal advocacy campaign in Dipolog

17

28

30

24

25

37

39

Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge 2015 moves up

APEC 2015 Senior Officials Report to Trade Ministers recommends steps to inclusive growth

NNC 12 organizes regional media group

Camigun tourism bill gets house approval on final reading

Distribution of 50K Philhealth ID cards starts

ARMM features rich culture and traditions in reopening of cultural villages

14

By: David M. Suyao

By: Shahana Joy Duerme

By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Cover Story

CARAGAWESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

43

179

22 27

OUR COVER

Contents

By: Julius R. Paner

42

SNCAT trains DepEd teachers in Surigao Norte

Peace Caravan set in AgSur town

By: Robert E. Roperos

Youths join training on disaster mgmtBy: Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

By Alfonso T. Ruda

35

By: Jorie C. Valcorza

Bizmen urged to invest in peace and development in the Bangsamoro region

DavNor guv expresses supports for BBL38

40

4 MAY 25, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge 2015 moves up By: Julius R. Paner

Nonato was joined by Juanito Mahinay in racing, with Arvin Doroche as logistic crew.

The team finished the racein 12:56:48 hours beating the old record last year.

Nonato used to be a member

of last year’s 2nd Runner Up winner in the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge which is undoubtedly the longest race in the Philippines in terms of distance.

It is a 24-hour race to the peak of Mt. Apo using four disciplines, namely mountain

Moving up was lead racer Dexter Nonato of this year’s winning team Tri-Buddies of Tagum City, in the Open Elite category of the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge, an annual event of the local government of Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur province.

5MAY 25, 2015 One Mindanao

biking, trekking, white water tubing and road running.

For this year, the total race distance was 120 kilometers: 47.8 km of biking, 53.5 km of trekking, 5 km of water tubing, and 13.7 km of road running.

The grand champion Tri-Buddies team was awarded P150,000 as cash prize.

Team Wals, composing of Jayrald Daraydo, Ireezbone Barrientos and Hilario Ladra, was declared the First Runner-Up after finishing the race in13:36:34 hours. The team received P100,000 cash prize. The Second Runner-Up was Team Kaizo with members Romeo Mascardo, Jr., Dioscoro Genunsalao, Jr. and Nere Jhun Florentino who completed the race in 14:03:20 hours. The team was awarded a cash prize amounting to P75,000. For the All-Male Relay, nine teams took the challenge, with Team Edge Outdoors declared as champion.

Excited to meet their challengers next year was the sole team participant to the


All-Female Relay category. Team PNP-URCD composing of members Gigi C. Gore, Salome T. Zamora and Jean R. Tuvilla reached the finish line in 23:05:44 hours. For eight years now, the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge has been the highlight of the annual “Pista sa Kinaiyahan” (Feast of Nature), an event anchored on the advocacy of Sta. Cruz LGU to protect and save Mt. Apo.

The competition happens every last weekend of April. A team is composed of two racers and a logistic crew. This year, 14 teams competed in the boulder race. Apart from the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge, the Pista sa Kinaiyahan 2015 also featured Duaw kay Apo Clean Up Drive, an organized climb to Mount Apo via Sibulan Trail, which took place prior to the Boulder Challenge. The participating mountaineers conducted clean up activity within the Sibulan-Colan-Tinikaran-Summit trail in Sta. Cruz. Another activity was the mangrove growing held at Barangay Zone 2 which was headed by the Municipal Agriculture Office and participatedby all cause-oriented groups and volunteers in the municipality.


Also part of the Pista was a symposium on anti-human trafficking. The Department of Tourism Davao and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI were partner agencies of the LGU during the Pista sa Kinaiyahan. The event was supported by severalprivatefirmswhichoperatebusiness in Sta. Cruz, such as Aboitiz, A Better Future, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Mountain Hardware, Franklin Baker and Sea Oil.


Photo credits to Julius R. Paner,


DSWD completes 7,531 community projects

QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) completed 7, 531 community projects that were undertaken from 2011 to April 15, 2015, involving the communities themselves.


The projects were implemented through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the Department’s poverty alleviation programs.

“It is interesting to note that the program has tremendously altered the perspective of our beneficiaries. Before, people inthe communities are only aiming

on how to survive daily. Now, they are contributing and involving themselves in the improvement of their communities,” DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said.

Around 1.8 million households are now reaping the benefits of the communityprojects implemented through Kalahi-CIDSS.

Projects include:

Kalahi-CIDSS Additional Financing, which expanded the first phase of Kalahi-CIDSS,covering 176 municipalities in three years. Under this project, a total of 2,329 community projects have been completed, benefiting 595,582 households.The project ended in May 2014. Kalahi-CIDaSS Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)


Project, funded through a $120 million grant from MCC. With the funding, Kalahi-CIDSS was able to expand its reach to additional municipalities in Luzon and Visayas. Australian Grant project from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which aims to improve access of targeted poor communities to early childhood learning and development activities by supporting the construction or rehabilitation of day care centers and classrooms in areas which have Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programpartner-beneficiaries. DFAT provided two grants to Kalahi-CIDSS. The first,amounting to P405 million, which ended last May 2014, was used for the construction of 626 classrooms. This was

immediately followed by the second grant, which amounted to P487 million, which was used to support the construction of 468 classrooms and daycare centers. Japan Social Development Fund-Livelihood for Vulnerable Urban Communities (JSDF-LVUC) Project, which aims to improve the employment and livelihood opportunities of 3,750 households in 75 targeted urban poor communities in and around Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. This project funded three types of community projects: livelihood and enterprise development, training for employment and small infrastructure, and cash-for-work. Kalahi-CIDSS-Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, a


project in partnership with the OfficeofthePresidentialAdviseron Peace Process (OPAPP), aims to improve access to quality basic social services and responsive, transparent and accountable local government in conflict-affected barangays (CABs). Fromitsfirstimplementationin2011, PAMANA has constructed 2,782 community projects. Kalahi-CIDSS Bottom-up Planning and Budgeting is a process which has the component of the government’s anti-poverty strategy. It is an approach to make planning and budgeting in local and national governments more participatory through the involvement of grassroots organizations and communities. As of April 2015, a total of 234 community projects have been completed.

Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) aims to alleviate the plight of the poor by rebuilding the infrastructure and sources of livelihood, providing access to emergency support and early recovery systems and ensuring resilience during future disasters. A total of 399 barangays in 13 municipalities in the province of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte are covered by the JFPRProject.

National Community-Driven Development Program Last year, DSWD expanded Kalahi-CIDSS into a national scale with the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP). It aims to empower communities in targeted poor and disaster-affected municipalities


to achieve improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting, implementation, and disaster risk reduction and management. As of April 2015, a total of 668 municipalities with 16,091 barangays located in 57 provinces across 14 regions are already covered under the program. The total allocation for the

expanded Kalahi-CIDSS is P43.9 billion, sourced from World Bank and Asian Development Bank loan assistance, and national government funding. It will be implemented from 2014 until 2019, covering a total of 19,647 barangays in 847 municipalities located in 58 provinces and 14 regions to benefit 5.3 millionhouseholds. (DSWD)


BORACAY -- At the opening of the Ministers Related to Trade (MRT) meeting, APEC 2015 Chair of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Undersecretary Laura Q. Del Rosario reported on the results and recommendations of SOM on inclusive growth.

APEC 2015 Senior Officials Report to Trade Ministers recommends steps to inclusive growth


In her report, Del Rosario connected the dots from the APEC 2014 Beijing Mandate, which the Philippines as 2015 host inherited and continued, to ongoing efforts to bring about inclusive growth through the APEC 2015 priorities: Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda, Fostering MSMEs’ Participation in Regional and Global Markets, Investing in Human Capital Development, and Building Sustainable Communities. The report on the Senior Officials’ and working groupmeetings from May 10 to 21, collectively known as SOM2, outlined the recent gains on the 2014 mandate on work

towards: the realization of a Free Trade Area for the Asia-Pacific(FTAAP), APEC Connectivity by 2025, and Economic Growth through Innovation. Del Rosario noted economies’ progress in physical infrastructure development, work on the Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to the Realization of the FTAAP, as well as the widening of APEC’s discussions to cover Urbanization, the Internet Economy, and inclusive economic opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

Del Rosario’s report included recommendations to Trade Ministers on the 2015


priorities on inclusive growth. Recommendations include: to welcome the pursuit of an APEC Services Cooperation Framework aimed to provide a coherent and strategic direction to APEC’s crosscutting work on services; and to consider APEC’s current work on Structural Reform as the necessary ingredient to keep growth in APEC sustainable and dynamic.

The SOM Report to Trade Ministers closed with the SOM endorsement of The Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, for adoption by Ministers. Del Rosario conveyed the SOM message of strong support and commitment to the realization of the Action

Agenda’s goals to expand the opportunities available to MSMEs by lowering barriers in customs, financing and capitallending, and in infrastructure requirements.

Senior Officials will againreport to Trade Ministers at the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting (Foreign Affairs and Trade) during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November in Manila. (DFA)


Bizmen urged to invest in peace and development in the Bangsamoro region

MANILA -- Over 80 participants from the government, the country’s top corporations, development agencies, and the international community gathered recently at the Bangsamoro Business Forum at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati to discuss solutions and strategies that can help the private sector bring in the much-needed investments to contribute to peace and development in the Bangsamoro region.


In a rare meeting with officials of the BangsamoroDevelopment Agency and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, business leaders and heads of development agencies talked about pressing needs, security concerns,

jobs generation, investment opportunities, and current initiatives being undertaken by government, development partners and businessmen in the region. The roundtable discussion on investment opportunities for peace and inclusive development in

Mindanao was organized by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the World Bank (WB).

Motoo Konishi, WB country director announced that they are currently in talks with the Japan

In te rna t i ona l C o o p e r a t i o n Agency (JICA), the Department of Finance and the Land Bank for the d e v e l o p m e n t of a loan facility that will be offered to interested investors in M i n d a n a o , and in the B a n g s a m o r o region.

With this opportunity, John Perrine, chairman of Unifrutti Group Philippines and one of the biggest investors in Mindanao, revealed that more and more businessmen are now ready to invest in the region which for a long time has shied away potential business opportunities


due to the peace and order situation especially in the ARMM.

He reported that a number of companies have already expressed interest to invest over $300 million for banana, cacao, coffee, and pineapple plantations. The project which will be funded by WB and JICA, is expected to generate 22,000 jobs in Mindanao. Apart from this, there are also contract-growing programs for cacao, coffee, and abaca that will also provide employment for the people there.

“What we have are hard commitments from a number of companies that will total up to about $340 million worth of investments that would be in bananas, pineapple, coffee, and cacao. That’s the initial project cost and it would generate 22,000 jobs, direct employment. That’s not counting the contract growing programs for cacao, coffee and abaca that will also come on stream. So I think some fears that people have, that no one will go, no one will invest, these are people who are ready to invest today, now, without waiting any longer and as soon

as the fund is available,” Perrine said.

For his part, Richard Bolt, country director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the Philippines also revealed that ADB is currently working on a project involving 500 kilometers of road repair and upgrades in western Mindanao and the provision of rural employment. The road repair is expected to begin early next year. But while there seems to be an ongoing influx of public


and private investments in the Bangsamoro region, stalwarts of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) underscored the need for its passage to help provide a better and safer business climate for investors as well as usher in genuine and continuous development in the region.

“If you want inclusive growth, you must invest in the Bangsamoro, otherwise it will not grow. The mechanism for special development plans is tied up to the passage of the BBL,” said Senen Bacani, a member of the Government Peace Panel for talks with the MILF.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, echoed the

call of Bacani, saying that “development is liberation from political domination, economic exclusion and abject poverty…and it requires genuine political autonomy which includes transparency and accountability; greater access to economic opportunities; and social protection for the most vulnerable members of our community, especially those who suffered from the wrath of war.

He added that “without genuine political autonomy and social protection, economic development will not happen.”

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, head of the economic cluster of the National Peace Summit said that his group (the economic cluster) perceives the BBL as an economic opportunity and not a problem.

“The peace dividend that the BBL offers can assure private sector investments in the region. The BBL offers an opportunity to test out a more efficientgovernance structure that can be replicated actually in many other areas of the Philippines.”


He also urged the Manila-based business community to extend a more practical dialogue with the Bangsamoro people,

andnotjustitsofficials. PBSP chairman Manuel V Pangilinan, meanwhile, called on his colleagues in the business sector to be bearers of peace in Mindanao by contributing to the collective effort of bringing sustainable peace through investments, jobs creation and livelihood development.

“This approach can be a new paradigm we might call “investing for peace.” I know we all share a common vision that while political empowerment is key to sustainable peace, improvement of lives through

jobs and livelihood are indispensable elements that will complete the circle of welfare. Peace and development

go hand in glove, one is neither sequential to, nor independent of, the other. As businessmen, we can also be bearers of peace. It is indeed time for deliverance for Mindanao, from its perils and poverty,” Pangilinan said.

Other speakers in the forum were Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Agency who gave an

overview of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP); Motoo Konishi, country director of the World Bank; and Noriaki Niwa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

PBSP, led by its executive director Rafael Lopa, is planning to organize more dialogues between the business sector, the government and Bangsamoro officials to jumpstart concrete initiatives that will bring in inclusive growth for the region and its people. (PBSP)

DAR – S. Cotabato completes PhP3.9 M worth of PAMANA projects

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 25 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in South Cotabato has recently completed PhP 3.9 million worth of peace and devel-opment projects in nearby Tupi munici-pality, an official of the agency reported.

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

Felix Frias, provincial agrarian reform of-ficerII,toldPhilippineInformationAgencythat these sub-projects -- 13 in number -- were constructed under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn - Agrarian Reform Areas (PAMANA-ARA).


Twelve of these were com-pleted be fore the cele-bration of the Holy Week.

Frias said these projects in-clude multi-purpose buildings in Barangays Palian, Poblacion, Lunen, Crossing Rubber and Kalkam; rehabilitation of potable water systems in Simbo, Kablon, Acmonan, Linan, and Cebuano.

Other projects include installa-tion of a new water system in Bu-nao, road concreting in Bololmala, and a satellite market in Tubeng.

Each project costs PhP300,000, Frias added.

Apart from the aforementioned, two more projects are being im-plemented by DAR in the area.

These include construction of a ramp pump public wa-ter system in Barangay Mia-song that has not yet started because of unavailability of a specialist technician and a pub-lic water system in Polonuling, which is nearing completion.PAMANA is a flagship pro-

gram of the national govern-ment and a framework for peace and development for isolated,


NNC 12 organizes regional media groupBy: Shahana Joy Duerme

hard-to-reach,conflict-affect-ed communities in the country. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report

from KDSespeñe-DAR South Co-tabato)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 25-- In a bid to advance the promotion of good nutrition in Region 12, the National Nutri-tion Council 12 (NNC 12) organized yesterday, its regional media group.

Labeled as the Nutrition in Development Organization of Social Educators in SOCCSK-SARGEN or the Nutri-DOSE, the group is expected to carry out strategies for better information dissemination.

Arceli M. Latonio, regional nu-trition program coordinator said that with the support of differ-ent media entities in the region, the advocacy on increasing the awareness of the general public on nutrition could be promoted.

“Despite the four community radio stations that we have, we still need the support of other media groups to cater a wider range of audience especially those in far-flung areas,” Lato-nio stated.

According to her, with the new-ly organized media group, nutri-

tion issues of the people partic-ularly those vulnerable groups could be addressed.NutriDOSE’ssetofofficersin-

clude: Agnes Myra Piñol, station manager of the NDBC Radyo Bida Koronadal as the president; Annaliz Cabrido, information of-ficer of the provincial govern-ment of South Cotabato as the vice- president; Robert Herbilla, Jr., Sangguniang Bayan secre-tary of President Roxas, North Cotabato as the secretary; Mer-lyn Aznar, news editor and writer of the Mindanao Express as the treasurer; Derlie Espera, broad-caster of the Radyo Kahiusa in Tupi, South Cotabato as the au-ditor and Shahana Joy Duerme, informationofficerofthePhilip-pine Information Agency 12 as the PIO.


ARMM features rich culture and traditions in reopening of cultural villagesBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

The media group has already planned different activities in support to the endeavor of the NNC 12 of increasing the aware-

ness of the people on good nutrition.

Among the ac-tivities set are in-formation drive, linkages to nutri-tion partners and media orientation.

Meanwhile, Pi-ñol called for an active and col-lective efforts among the mem-bers of the me-dia group to sus-tain its purpose.

“As media prac-titioners, we have a great role in shaping the minds of our au-

diences,” Piñol emphasized noting that it is the media’s responsibility to also help in pro-moting good nutrition. (SJD-PIA12)

COTABATO CITY, May 25 – The rich culture and traditions of seven major tribes in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be showcased in the reopening of ARMM’s Cultural Villages next month.


ARMM Tourism Secretary Marites Maguindra said the vil-lage exhibit will run for 100 days also in time for the holy month of Ramadhan.

The reopening of the cultural villages will allow the people to understand better the culture, history, and way of living in various provinces in the region, said Maguindra.

The seven major tribes cov-ered in this event are Magu-indanaon, Tausug, Sama, Ma-ranao, Yakan, Iranon, and Teduray.

Each village will feature tra-ditional living, culture and arts, and would depict the people and their products on a landscape consistent with those of tribal communities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Aside from the cultural vil-lage, the regional government also prepared various activities such as free tour, a children’s day, and an indigenous arts and handicraft exhibit, zumba, ha-

taw, and yoga sessions.A competition among partici-

pating tribes and their villages is also part of the event where-in the winning village would be announced during the closing program, or after 100 days. The Tausug village was recognized as the best in last year’s event.These cultural villages first

opened to the public in Novem-ber last year as part of the cel-ebration of the 25th anniversa-ry of ARMM. It was viewed by at least 100,000 visitors from different provinces in Mindanao not just from the ARMM.

The reopening of the mock villages will carry the theme, “100 Days of Journey in under-standing the culture and histo-ry of the Bangsamoro towards peace and development,”. (OR-VRivera-PIA12 with report from Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)

DTI: School supplies in SurSur remain within SRPBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Following the conduct of price monitoring on school supplies last week, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Sur headed by Provincial Director Romel Oribe, declared products remain to be sold within the suggested retail price (SRP). Manny Disca, consumer welfare division chief, pointed out that they were particularly concerned about monitoring writing pads, ball-pens, and notebooks, such being


classifiedasprimecommodities. Disca went on to say there are a lot of these products for consumers to choose from, citing several brands. Other school supplies like crayons, bags, and the like are not classified asprime commodities under the

product standards, he clarified. Meanwhile, Disca disclosed that before classes begin, DTI is again poised to make another round of price monitoring to ensure that prices are going to stay within the SRP.

SNCAT trains DepEd teachers in Surigao NorteBy: Robert E. Roperos

SURIGAO DEL NORTE -- To address the shortage of qualified teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd) who will teach subjects pertaining to skills development in line with the K to 12’s full implementation in 2016, the Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT) trains teachers from different municipalities of this province.


SNCAT, which is located at Magpayang, Mainit, this province is administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), teachers from the Division of Surigao del Norte were able to avail of free trainings in different skills qualifications,aimed to be at par excellence with other neighboring ASEAN countries in preparation for the ASEAN integration, Under Cookery NC II, 39 teachers have participated the training. In the Agricultural Crop Production NC I, 20 teachers have availed the scholarship. Meanwhile, 20 teachers from DepEd Siargao Island Division were able to avail free training in the Cookery NC II which was held in Dapa, Siargao Island. In other development, SNCAT is also providing free services and assistance to the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga.

Among these are the regular conduct of Entrepreneurship Training and Seminar and the Asexual Propagation particularly in grafting and marcoting which was held in Matin-ao and Tolingon, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. As part of the Community-Based Training Program, the TESDA-administered school has also offered free training to Barangay Volunteered Worker in Barangay San Isidro, Surigao City in the following short-term courses in MicroSoft Word application, MicroSoft Excel application, and Asexual propagation. According to Ma. Hydee Relliquete, the school’s officer-in-charge, as long as there are individuals or groups of people who will ask assistance from them, they will extend their free services in the service of the Caraganons and the Filipino people.


Peace Caravan set in AgSur townBy: David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - The Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS), in collaboration with the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process - Whole of Nation Initiative (OPAPP-WNI) in coordination with the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) is initiating the Local

Government Unit (LGU)-led Peace Caravan on May 28-29, 2015 in the nine barangays of Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

The caravan will be participated by various government agencies who will bring government services, support to livelihood, advocacy and information on government offers, legal consultation and distribution of school supplies and materials to students. Among the agencies expected to participate in the Peace Caravan and in-charge in the medical mission

are Department of Education (DepEd), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Provincial/Municipal Health Offices. They are expected toperform circumcision (tuli), dental, medical prenatal vaccination and consultation. The Department of Health, which will provide around 50 health practitioners, is expected to extend Pangkalahatang


Pangkalusugan Roadshow Showcase specifically thematernal health advocacy, family planning counseling and subdermal implant, vaccination for senior citizens, immunization of missed children, HIV advocacy and testing, blood donation activity, distribution of jerry cans, distribution of hygiene kits to identifiedclients, and will give augment medicines for the province. To address the agricultural needs, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Agriculture Office(PAO) are expected to distribute 10 bags of corn seeds, 50 bags of rice seeds, 100 bags of upland rice seeds with 600 pcs. of rubber seedlings in support to the Upland Sustainable Agro-forestry Development (USAD) as Governor Adolph Edward Plaza’s flagshipprogram,fivekilogramsof vegetable seeds and 600 pcs. of banana planting materials. The PAO will also distribute production technology guide on rubber, banana, cacao, coffee, upland rice, corn, vegetables, tilapia and African Hito. Distribution of farm inputs and equipment will be shouldered by the MLGU while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will turn over the timbangan ng bayan to Loreto LGU. Other services that the Peace Caravan will extend are

animal disease consultation, infrastructure like water system and day care centers, birth registration, mass wedding and health insurance. The PNP, AFP and the LGU will offer free haircut. Land title distribution (Certificate of Land OwnershipAgreement-CLOA) will be done by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) while the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will discuss on DOST and TESDA scholarship and community-based training and competency assessment processing. The DTI will openly demonstrate kalakat waving and other technologies as part of their technology transfer program. Other agencies that will be joining the Peace Caravan are: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Social Welfae and Deveopment (DSWD), National Commissionon Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

1st Cavalry Squadron joins Brigada Eskwela 2015By Gideon C. CorgueLABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army actively participated in the annual school maintenance activity dubbed “Brigada Eskwela 2015” to help ensure that public secondary and elementary schools will be ready for the school opening on June 1.

The “Brigada Eskwela 2015” was conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) on May 17-21 with the theme, “Tayo Para sa Kalinisan At Kahandaan ng ating mga Paaralan.” 1st Cavalry Squadron commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlemagne Batayola Jr. said the troopers along with


education stakeholders had contributed their time and effort in ensuring that public school facilities are ready for the forthcoming school opening. As volunteers, the troopers in working clothes helped in cleaning the surroundings and classrooms of Tabak Elementary School and Upper Pulacan Elementary School, respectively. “In Tabak Elementary School we painted the classrooms, 250 tables and chairs , repaired furniture, dug compost pits, built perimeter wall and cleaned up the school grounds while in Upper Pulacan Elementary School, we have painted 200 tables and chairs and one multi-purpose hall, repaired 15 classrooms, and provided cleanliness, orderliness, and beautification in the school grounds,” Batayola reported.

He added that the units of 1st Cavalry Squadron in Basilan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Jolo also conducted the activity in support of DepEd’s annual Brigada Eskwela. Batayola appealed to the school children to take care and ensure safety of the school facilities. “Sa mga mag-aaral pananatilihin ninyo ang kalinisan ngg inyong paaralan at huwag kayong gumawa ng bandalismo sa lamesa, upuan, pader at iba pa para magamit ninyo ang pasilidad ng inyong paaralan ng matagalan,” Batayola urged. (To the students, keep your school clean and avoid vandalism in your table, chair, wall and etc. so that you can use the facilities longer.) Batayola encouraged the


DTI spearheads Halal advocacy campaign in Dipolog By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY – A Halal advocacy caravan has been recently held here at the Top Plaza Hotel by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with various consumer groups, national government agencies (NGAs), local press as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in food servicing in attendance. The campaign aims to educate and promote public awareness on Halal concept from Islamic perspective.

Technical Working Group Member Ustadz Hadji Gaspar Amain of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 said Halal is an Arabic term, which means lawful and permitted under Islamic Laws.

But in the Muslim community, it carries a much deeper meaning as Halal is considered as part of their religious duty.

According to Amain, Halal and Islam are two inseparable words. “Halal is pure, clean, good and healthy, hygienic food

everyone.”

The role of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Halal Auditing and Certification, marketing opportunities and the importance of promoting halal products were also tackled in the said activity.

In his lecture, Mr Aliazer Abdurajim stressed the importance of promoting halal products due to its huge market in the nearby Muslim countries.

Aside from Dipolog City, the Halal Advocacy Caravan 2015 was also held in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City and Zamboanga City.

education stakeholders to continue showing their untiring dedication and support to the program for the children to attain quality education. “Naniniwala po ako na ang dekaledad na edukasyon ay makatamtan kung mabigyan

natin na magandang facilities ang mga mag-aaral ng kabataan,” Batayola concluded. (I believe that quality education can be achieved if we can provide good facilities for our school children.)

P2M worth of illegal drugs in Gingoog City burnedGINGOOG CITY -– Illegal drugs and paraphernalia with a total valued at P2,003,631 were razed on May 20 in a public destruction held at the Gingoog City Hall Grounds.

by Erika Carmela B. Inovero

The destroyed drugs consisted of 5,954.54 grams Marijuana plants, fruiting tops or seeds and 181.69 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. Gingoog City Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the destruction of the dangerous drugs after being presented as relative evidence


to the 28 decided cases of anti-illegal drug operations from 2004 to 2014. The event was spearheaded by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Gingoog, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in region 10 which were led by City Mayor Marie L. Guingona; PCSupt David Y Ombao, regional director, Police Regional Office(PRO Caraga); PCSupt Lyndel A Desquitado, regional director, PRO 10; and PDEA-10 Regional Director Wilkins M Villanueva. PCSupt Desquitado challenges stakeholders in shaping a drug-free Mindanao and uphold respective task in fightagainstdrugs. Meanwhile, Director Villanueva relates salient feature

of Republic Act 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 such as Article 2, Section 21 on the custody and dispositionofconfiscated,seizedand/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment. For her part, City Mayor Guingona reminds the Gingoognons: “Kinahanglan maghiusa kita og mulihok kontra droga, kontra krimen (We need to unite and act against illegal drugs and crimes)” for she believes that - together with the people, police, army, government, religious sector, civil society and Almighty God - they can overcome anything.

Camigun tourism bill gets house approval on final reading

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin -- House of Representatives unanimously approved on May 19 the third and final reading of HB 5576 otherwise known the Camiguin Tourism Development Act.

by Jorie C. Valcorza


The policy will serve as a vehicle for job creation and economic growth and development in the province. It endeavors to provide proper mechanisms and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development as well as promote and develop potential sitesidentified. Tourism development areas identified in the bill includesMount Timpoong - Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, White Island, Katibawasan Falls, Tangub Hot Spring, Sa-ay Cold Spring, and Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring in the municipality of Mambajao. For Mahinog town, areas identified are Magsaysay Island,popularly known as Mantigue Island, Tanguines Lagoon, Macao Cold Spring, and Queobe Eco Park.

Sto. Niño Cold Spring, Bura Soda Water Spring, Sunken Cemetery, Church Ruins, Walkway to Mount Vulcan Daan or to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross, and Tuasan Falls are likewise listed a priority under the municipality of Catarman. The new rising tourist attraction sites in Sagay like Binangawan Falls, Langojanan Ki Inggoy, and Pamunglo Spring are also included, together with the Moro Watch Tower and Mount Ilihan in Sagay town. Once enacted the Camiguin Tourism Council shall be the primary policy-making, planning and coordinating the development of tourism in Camiguin and administration of the tourism development areas.

Distribution of 50K Philhealth ID cards starts CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The City Health Insurance Office (CHIO) will distribute 50,000 Philhealth identification cards cards for the 80 barangays of Cagayan de Oro starting May 20. The City Health Insurance Office (CHIO) will distribute

50,000 Philhealth identificationcards cards for the 80 barangays


of Cagayan de Oro starting May 20. City Health Insurance Officer-In-ChargeDr.Ma.LourdesS. Gaane said the Philhealth ID cards distribution on May 20 will cover four barangays, with the following schedule: Bayabas (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.); Bonbon (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon); Kauswagan (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.); and Patag (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). On May 21, the same activity was conducted at FS Catanico (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.); Gusa

(10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon); Cugman (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.); and Tablon (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Dr. Gaane added that the Philhealth ID cards distribution will continue from May 27 until June 11, 2015. Philhealth Sponsored Program is one of the priority programs of Mayor Oscar Moreno to ensure that card holders and their qualified family memberswill not be burdened paying high-cost of medicines and expenses uponhospitalconfinement.(CIO)

DavNor guv expresses sup-ports for BBL

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario Thursday expressed support for the Bangsangmoro Basic Law (BBL) cit-ing it as a means to wield “lasting peace in Mindanao.” In an interview af-ter the Davao del Norte Peace and Order Coun-cil (PPOC) meeting, Del Rosario was optimistic of the greater opportu-nity to establish lasting peace in Mindanao once BBL would be passed into law. Citing the explana-tions and discussions of Atty. Jose Melvin A. La-manilao, executive di-rector of Paglilingkod Batas Pangkapatiran Foundation, Inc., the governor said “support forBBLisjustifiable”.“Ifor one will support the BBL,” he said. However, the Gov-ernor viewed it as proper for the Supreme Court to settle issues on Constitutionality. “If it becomes a law

and anyone who wants to question its Consti-tutionality, they can bring it to the Supreme Court. It is only the Su-preme Court which can come up with a decision whether it is Constitu-tional or not,” he said. Del Rosario was also positive about the favourable economic re-turns of investing sup-port for the BBL viewing it as a factor of conse-quently enticing people to come, see and invest in Mindanao especially once peace is estab-lished. He was particularly looking at maximizing the opportunities cre-ated by the Association of Southeast Asian Na-tion (ASEAN) economic integration which would open up economies of member countries in Southeast Asia. “How can we ex-pect the ASEAN coun-tries to come here and sort of invest in Mind-anao if there is no peace in Mindanao,” he said. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Du-ron-Abangan


Youths join training on disaster mgmt

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, - About 100 youths from 10 lo-cal government units of (LGUs) in Davao del Norte recently joined a gathering of youths tapped to become stakeholders in disaster management. Called WEmboree: A Disas-ter Resiliency Camp—“Changing the Mindset from Me to We”, the gath-ering was designed to integrate the youth back to community . “This was conceptualized by the DILG (Department of Interi-or and Local Government) and the Local Government Academy of the Philippines because of the obser-vation that many of our youths are no longer connected with their own communities,” Davao del Norte DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan said. Roldan referred to modern-day communications technology that seemingly set the youth apart from their fellows in the community. “Given that the country is fac-ing several disasters so why don’t we use this as an entry point for their involvement of the youths so that they can reconnect themselves to the community?,” Roldan said. Held at the Bulwagan ng Lala-

wigan and at its grounds, the two-day youth camp re-oriented par-ticipants on patriotism, and trained them on Disaster Management Basic Life-Saving Technique, Basic Rope CourseandFire-fighting. “What we do is to rediscover their connection,” Roldan said while emphasizing the message that “We should prevail not Me”. DILG intended to organize a core group of youths that can be tapped by LGUs and organizations to assist especially on disaster re-sponse. DILG got the cooperation of the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Provin-cial Disaster Risk Reduction Manage-ment Division and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as resource speakers of the youth camp. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Documents

One Mindanao - May 25, 2015