One Mindanao - November 13, 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]: hnb_r9pia

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]

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 (SOCSKARGEN)

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],ph

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

Tree Planting in Panigan, joining

the NGP

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

Associate Editors ……....... OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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 Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, 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

Vol. 1, No. 91 NOVEMBER 13, 2011

N A T I O N A L

contentsCover Story :

Tree Planting in Panigan, joining the NGP

Aquino says American company to start developing natural gas field in northern Philippines next year

contents

14

Aquino says Phl employing new tact in handling food security concerns

Aquino debunks claims that Phl government has not been nice to the ‘Big Brother’

1210

4

10

WESTERN Mindanao

29Gobyerno mipasalig sa supisyenteng pondo para sa mga OFWs

29

CARAGA Region

Butuan City officials, business-men, professionals to invite investors in Tokyo

DILG, DTI and AECID capaci-tate LGUs on Local Investment Incentives CodeCity official cites importance of morality to achieve peace and order

Hot lumber seized in Surigao del Sur; illegal sawmill dis-mantled

Provincial Health Office to conduct synchronized posting of IEC materials

2224

2627

22

NORTHERN Mindanao

32

Wheelchair/Walk for a Cause highlights Int’l Day of PWDs on Dec. 3

15 FMR sites to open in Cami-guin this year

PWDs receive 80 wheelchairs as early Christmas gifts

Bukidnon pilots integration of DRR, CCA in local plans to ease LGU disaster response

31

RA 9679 mandates membership in Pag-Ibig Fund

33

31

34

CENTRAL Mindanao

No sufficient reason to adjust wages – DOLE 12

Budget ng South Cotabato inaasahang maipapasa bago ang Disyembre 15

South Cotabato Gov’t handa nang mamili ng palay 21

20

19

19

SOUTHERN Mindanao

Davao del Norte Sports complex to rise at par with international standards

Rep. Apsay determined to push Comval State College 17

16

25

16

4 Sunday, November 13, 2011

Iwas not able to join the office’s tree planting schedule under the National Greening Program. To make up for it, I joined the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group-XI tree planting

activity in Sitio Panigan, Calinan District, a far-flung area in Davao City.

Tree Planting in Panigan, joining the NGP

Cover Story

5Sunday, November 13, 2011

Stio Panigan is located atop a 2,000 feet above sea level mountain, the tree-plant-ing area is a Community-Based Forest Management Area or what we call the CBFMA. It took me more than an hour to climb the back-break-ing trails of the mountain. We were joined by PAF person-nel, PAF reservists, ROTC ca-dets and personnel from the DENR. It involved river-cross-ing, steep trails, spectacular vistas and forest hikes until we reached the top of our destina-tion, where we planted seed-lings like rubber trees and ma-hogany.

National Greening Program The launching of this flag-ship environment program of the President Benigno Aquino III’s administration is a land-mark forest management imi-tative. This was spelled out in Executive Order No. 26 signed by the President in February of 2011. The NGP is geared towards attaining sustainable develop-ment for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity con-servation and climate change mitigation. It seeks not just to plant trees or create forests but also to give livelihood opportunities to upland dwellers particularly


with the planting of fruit trees and other agro-forestry spe-cies like rubber, narra and ma-hogany. The President’s goal is to plant a billion trees all over the country in six years time.

NGP in the Region The Department of Envi-ronment and Natural Resourc-es in Region XI has a target of 2.757 million tree seedlings to be planted in 5,514 hectares for 2011 alone. By succeeding years will have another set of targets.

As of September the DENR-XI with the support of different sectors has planted 2.2 million seedlings mostly Falcatta, Ca-cao, Coffee, Rubber, Narra, Ma-hogany and Molave tree spe-cies in an area estimated to be about 4,900 hectares. This is 80% of the target for the year and the DENR is confident in meeting and surpassing their replanting targets. The tree planters in the re-gion are mostly composed of Community-Based Forest Man-agement (CBFM) beneficia-ries and other volunteers both


coming from the public and the private sectors particularly the students. Aside from the 2.2 million seeds another 450,000 seedlings were also planted along roadsides, riverbanks, timberlands and watershed ar-eas. By 2012 new areas had been identified for replanting which would now total 9,500 hectares. These sites are most-ly ancestral domain and pro-tected areas which means the planting locations are farther away from the previous ones.

To support the replanting efforts, the DENR Clonal Nurs-ery in Tagum City has been beefed up. The clonal nursery in Madaum Tagum supplies about 80% of the planting re-quirements for the NGP. Other planting sources are sourced from CBFM beneficiaries who scour their areas for mother trees where they can source their seedlings.

City Government of Davao initiatives In line with the NGP, the


City Government of Davao is also envi-sioning an ambitious agro-reforestry pro-gram to be spear-headed by the City Agriculturist Office. It aims to cover 105,000 hectares of identified agro-forestry areas ac-cording to City Ag-riculturist Leo Avila, an initial funding of P8-million was al-

located to jump-start the program in 2011. The fund-ing will be spent for seedling and farmer trainings. The city has also developed a 5-hectare central nursery in Malagos and eight satellite nurseries in differ-ent barangays locat-ed within watershed areas. These would produce seedlings of

agro-forestry trees like cacao, coffee, rubber, abaca and coconuts. The plan as enunciated by May-or Sara Duterte in her recent State-of-the-City-Address is aimed for upland rehabilitation and to address poverty in the hinterland ar-eas.



Aquino debunks claims that Phl government has not been nice to the ‘Big Brother’

President Benigno S. Aquino III debunked claims that the Philippine government has “not been nice to the Big Brother,” referring to the People’s Republic of China.


“If you look at tourism, we sent about 800,000 Filipi-nos out of our popu-lation of 95 million to China. China recipro-cates by sending us 200,000,” the Chief Executive said in re-sponse to reports enunciated by a Chi-nese national to the President that the Philippines was not very nice to the Big Brother during the Panel Discussion on Commodity Security for Economic Growth on Friday (November 11, Honolulu time) at the Sheraton Waikiki here. “So in terms of balance of trade and tourism we’ve sent a lot more than China sends to us. In terms of direct investments, we have 2.5 billion dollars in direct in-vestment to China; we get 600 million so far from China. So I think we have invest-ed more in China than

China has invested in us, although China’s economy is way, way beyond ours,” the President said. According to the President, it would be unfair to say that the Philippines has not been a good broth-er to the Big Brother adding that “I think we have demonstrat-ed time and again.” The President noted that as a gov-ernment, “we’re tasked not to look at the short term but rather the longer term and lay the ground-work for future inter-ventions.” He said that while “we agree that China is a very domi-nant economic player in the world’s stage play but there’s a saying that says don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” “China does have to fund its purchases also by its own trade with the rest of the

world, and there-fore anything that redounds to grow in the world’s economy should be something that the Philippines is... into doing and actual-ly doing something about,” he added. The President also said that the gov-ernment is focused on really maximizing the utility from vari-ous advantages, chief of which is human re-source capital. “We will invest further and further in improving this lot and we participate in global forums like APEC primarily be-cause we do believe that the problems have a commonality, and a common solu-tion is necessary if we are to effect long-term solutions to all of us,” he concluded. (RSDA)



President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed that the Philippines under his helm is employing a totally different orientation in all fields especially on food security which, he said, is part of the

“transformative character of our administration.”



The Chief Execu-tive made this state-ment in response to a question fielded to him by the moderator at the panel discus-sion on commodity security for econom-ic growth. How has he addressed food security and how far has his government gone in that path? The panel discus-sion was held at the Sheraton Waikiki Ho-tel here on Friday. “In terms of food security, I’m very pleased to note that our agricultural min-ister has already giv-en us a guarantee, number one, that there is no need for further importation of rice,” the President said. “With the next harvest which is due January, we will have an excess over that

which is mandated as strategic reserve in terms of rice. And what was done was not radical changes but rather just doing what was necessary,” he stressed. He cited as ex-amples the govern-ment’s move in pro-viding certified or genuine seeds, of-fering basic inputs that would help up-land farmers in their marketing campaign and in not making it profitable to import. The concern was to control dependence on imported rice and in the process guar-antee food produc-tion and security. According to the President, all these basic steps have led to the “three quarters of bumper harvest that gives us that measure over and

above that which is necessary for the first quarter of 2012.” The President also described as “truly encouraging” that there are neigh-boring countries that have signified so much interest in participating in the country’s agricultural sector. In closing the President empha-sized that “we are trying to become a country that is ex-tremely business friendly, that will maximize the poten-tials inherent to our country and most of all something that is geared towards our people, who we be-lieve is the greatest resource we have.” (RSDA)


Aquino says American company to start developing natural gas field in northern Philippines next yearPresident Benigno S. Aquino III announced on Friday here

that a United States company will start developing a natural gas field in the northern part of the Philippines next year.

President Aquino made the announce-ment during a panel discussion on commod-ity security for eco-nomic growth at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel here in Honolulu, Hawaii. The President is here in Hawaii for a three-day working vis-it to join the other 20 APEC leaders for the APEC Economic Lead-ers’ Meeting to discuss relevant issues, includ-ing growth and jobs, regulatory reform and competitiveness, and

energy efficiency and energy security. “In terms of en-ergy, we are second to America in exploiting geothermal resourc-es. We have managed to have several other countries sharing the expertise that we do al-ready have,” the Presi-dent said in a response to a question fielded by a moderator during the panel discussion. “There is a new field that is going to start next year by an American company in the northern portion of the Philippines. There’s substantial gas depos-its that we believe are

already on the proven scale that will dwarf the existing Malampaya oil fields,” he added. The President said that some of the fields are part of the disput-ed areas and that the Philippines is current-ly working on steps to determine if these are consistent with the United Nations Con-vention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Aquino also expressed hope that all the signatory-countries will adhere to UNCLOS, which pro-vides that a state’s ex-clusive economic zone extends to 200 miles


Aquino says American company to start developing natural gas field in northern Philippines next year

from its continental shelf. “We are hoping that all the signato-ries of the United Na-tions Convention will adhere to the stipula-tions of the convention

and among them are the 200-mile exclusive economic zone,” he said. The President also said that there are also “various mechanisms” to settle the issue on

the disputed areas “once and for all” and to have the resources benefit not only the Philippines but neigh-boring countries as well. (CO)



Jean Duron-Abangan

Davao del Norte Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario

believes that the Provincial Sports Complex will rise through con-struction works at par with stan-dards though the project bid is P7 million lesser than the original estimated cost. During the groundbreaking cer-emony Friday, del Rosario bared the original construction cost at P250 million but the winning bidder took the project in a turn-key arrange-

ment at P243 million. “We develop the specs and the design of the sports complex. The specs come from our engineering department,” he said in pointing out that the contractor, Young Builders Corp., would just have to construct the sports facility based on specifica-tions set by the provincial govern-ment. Young Builders Corp. has a track record of turn-key arrangement in constructing the Tagbilaran City Hall and Quirino Gen. Hospital



in Bohol. It constructs buildings first before it gets paid. Set to get done on Dec. 12, 2012, the Davao del Norte Sports Complex would have a main grandstand of 1,712 square meters with approximately 3,000 seating capacity. It will also have an oval track of 8-lane running tracks, outdoor play-ing courts, olympic size swimming pool with a warm-up pool. Its roads and drainages includ-ing its electrical works are set to get done at par with standards of a sports complex capable of hold-ing national and even international sports events. Meanwhile, Del Rosario has also seen substantial economic benefits which can be drawn out of operating the sports complex. Once ready to host a Pala-rong Pambansa, the sports complex would be further developed through funds from the national govern-ment which usually allots budget for sprucing up of sports facilities in the Palarong Pambansa site. Del Rosario also wants a com-mercial complex to rise that would add up to avenues of generating economic enterprises within the 11-

hectare sports complex area. Though athletes are free to use the facilities within the sports com-plex, he expects fees to be charged for public use especially of the swim-ming pool. On the other hand, Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy is pleased with the construction of Davao del Norte Sports Complex as this would pri-marily benefit Tagum City. He is looking at the prospect of more people coming into Tagum City, creating more income in terms of transportation and sales receipts. Tagum City can also share with the mileage that the provincial gov-ernment would get out of holding big sports events at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex. However, he suggested that sports/ athelete associations be involved in the management and maintenance of sports facilities with-in the complex. “Politico mi. Usahay dili ta makabalibad.” (We are politicians, we sometimes can’t say no) he said. (PIA-11/ Jean D Abangan)

Facts and Figures...P6,000.00 The monthly salary of a member belonging to the-

Davao City Anti Crime Task Group. Organized to compliment the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in anti-crime, peacekeeping and disaster response operations.


Rep. Apsay determined to push Comval State CollegeDAVAO CITY-Compostela Valley Province 1st District Representa-tive Maria Carmen Zamora- Ap-say will continue to pursue the establishment of a state college if the planned regional state college would not have a branch in the province. Guesting in a media forum in Davao City, Apsay revealed that Bukidnon State College has its branch in Compostela Valley Province but the province has no independent tertiary school that it can call its own. “Mas maayo pa ang Zamboango Sibugay (Region 9). It has its own state college, “ she said. Apsay bared having filed a bill creating a Compostela Valley Prov-ince local state college that is al-ready approved in the third reading,

and is currently being lodged at the Education Committee in the Senate. But discussion of such bill for final approval has been pending due to plans of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) to establish a re-gional state college out of the exist-ing state colleges in the Davao Re-gion. She suggested CHED to put up a branch of such regional state col-lege in Compostela Valley so stu-dents in the province would no longer have to travel far from their homeplace. “If that would mean our stu-dents have to travel to Davao City then I would still push through with the Comval State College,” she said referring to the planned regional state college. (PIA 11/jmdabangan)

Did you know... That the lworld’s largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rou-sette Fruit Bats (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus) is found inside the Monfort Bat Cave in Babak district, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). the distinc-tion is already recognized by teh Guinness World Book of Records.

by Jean Duron Abangan


No sufficient reason to adjust wages – DOLE 12By Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Nov 13 -- Wage adjust-ment in the private sector is not yet nec-essary, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of Soccsksargen region (RTWPB 12) has decid-ed in its recent meet-ing.

Ma. Gloria Tango, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment said, the wage board met on Wednesday, among their agenda was to review regional eco-nomic factors and de-termine whether there is enough reason for a wage adjustment, considering that the present wage order is already past the one-

year prescriptive period. “Based on the data

on the prices of basic commodities we have gathered from the De-partment of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Depart-ment of Agriculture and data on prices of fuel from the Depart-ment of Energy, the board has found no sufficient basis to ad-

just the minimum age in the region.”

Despite these, Tan-go ordered contin-ued close monitoring of prices of the com-modities across the region in the next two months.

Earlier, RTWPB Sec-retary Jessie dela Cruz explained that the board has not yet received a single peti-tion asking for a review


of Wage Order No. 16 or an increase of the basic wages, although the ban for filing a petition has expired last month.

Wage Order No. 16, approved on Octo-ber 31 last year, in-creased the daily cost

of living allowances of workers in the private sector by P15.

Thus, the prevail-ing minimum daily wage of workers in the region is P260 for non-agricultural work-ers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for agri-

cultural non-plantation workers, P240 for re-tail and service es-tablishments with more than 10 employees and P234 for retail and service establishments with less than 10 em-ployees. (PIA 12)

Budget ng South Cotabato inaasahang maipapasa bago ang Disyembre 15KORONADAL CITY, Nob 13 -- Balak ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato na maipapasa ang budget ng lalawigan bago ang Di-syembre 15.

Ayon kay Board Member Jose Mad-anguit, chairman ng committee on on ap-propriations ng SP, hindi sila mahihirapan na talakayin ang bud-get dahil halos mag-kasinglaki lang ito ng budget ng lalawigan noong 2010.

Ani Madanguit, nasa P859 milyon lang ang budget na isinumite ng pamahalaang panlala-wigan para sa 2012.

Hindi na aniya sila mahihirapang maghanap kung saan babawasan ang budget

dahil lahat ng depar-tamento ay nagbawas nan g kanilang budget alinsunod sa kautusan ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr na pagtitipid lalung lalo na sa mainte-nance and other oper-ating expenses bunsod ng malaking kabawasan sa internal revenue allotment ng LGU.

Base sa notisyang kanilang natanggap ilang linggo ang na-kalipas, aabot sa P36 milyon ang mababawas sa IRA ng pamaha-laang panlalawigan sa susunod na taon, da-

hilan para tipirin ang gastos sa office sup-plies, gasolina, oil and lubricants, telepono, tubig, at marami pang iba.

Subalit nilinaw ni Madanguit na hindi maapektuhan sa pagti-tipid ang suweldo ng


mga kawani ng pama-halaang panlalawigan, Sa katunayan aniya, kalakip sa panukalang

budget ang humigit-kumulang P30 mi-lyon para sa ikatlong bugso ng salary stan-

dardization III na dapat maibibigay sa kanila sa Enero. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

South Cotabato Gov’t handa nang mamili ng palayKORONADAL CITY, Nob 13 -- Handa na ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng South Cotabato para mamimili ng palay sa mga susunod na linggo kung sakaling bababa ang presyon ng palay sa mga commercial traders kasabay ng biglaang pagtaas ng ani sa susunod na buwan.

Inaaasahan kasi ang mahigit 12,000 ektarya na aanihin sa lala-wigan sa Disyembre na maaring dahilan ng padausdos pababa ang presyo ng palay.

Ayon kay Provin-cial Agriculture Offi-cer Reynaldo Legaste nakikipag-ugnayan na sila sa isang maaasa-hang seed cooperative para ilatag ang proseso para sa pagpapatupad ng proyekto na popon-dohan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan.

Subalit nilinaw ni Legaste na hindi na-kikipagkumpitensiya ang provincial LGU sa mga commercial trad-ers. Nais lang daw makatulong ng pama-halaang panlalawigan

para mapigilan ang la-bis na pagbaba ng pre-syo ng aning palay ng mga magsasaka.

Dagdag pa ni Le-gaste, ang palay na malilikom sa proyekto ay ipapagiling at ang bigas na makukuha ay gagamitin naman sa supplemental feeding program ng pamaha-laang panlalawigan.

Sa ganitong pa-mamaraan, aniya, makatutulong na ang pamahalaang panlala-wigan sa mga magsa-saka , makatitipid pa ito sa gastusin para sa gagamiting bigas sa supplemental feeding program. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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

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Butuan City officials, businessmen, professionals to invite investors in Tokyoby Robert E. Roperos

Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun led the Butuan delegation composed of city officials, professionals from the academe and private

businessmen as they flew to Tokyo, Japan Saturday to invite Japanese investors.


During the send-off press conference held Friday, Mayor Amante said the main purpose of their five-day trip is “to sell Bu-tuan.” Amante said that what he meant by selling Butuan is that they will serve as Am-bassadors of Goodwill and they invite Japa-nese investors to pour in investments here. The city’s chief executive also said this is in response to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the national govern-ment which is one of the priority programs of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The hardwork-ing mayor of the city pointed out that he will be presenting 11

of his priority projects to the Japanese coun-terparts in Toyo Uni-versity in Tokyo and discuss the matters that will make the said projects into a reality. Amante said the partnership with the Toyo University started during the construc-tion of the Diosda-do Macapagal Bridge here where Japanese contractors handled the multi-million proj-ect. “One of the Jap-anese contractors of that project prob-ably fell in love with the City of Butuan as he helped in recom-mending the city to visit the said univer-sity in Tokyo to dis-cuss matters pertain-ing to infrastructure development of the

city,” Amante said in Cebuano dialect. Meawhile, May-or Amante explained that as per instruc-tion of the national government, only his fare and with that of Vice-Mayor Fortun will be shouldered by the local govern-ment. The rest of the officials will be charged to them per-sonally. Amante said those who came from the academe and business sectors will also shoulder their expenses. The official also called the support of the Butuanons by praying for their safe travels and success in their transaction with the Japanese investors.


BUTUAN CITY-- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Agusan del Norte, in partnership with the Educational Discipline in Culture and Arts for Development and Services - Health Promotion Project (EDCADS-HealthPRO), will conduct a synchronized posting of information, education and communication (IEC) materials on November 14.

Provincial Health Office to conduct synchronized posting of IEC materialsby Nora CL Molde

Provincial health officer Dr. Elizabeth N. Campado said the part-nership of EDCADS-HealthPRO and PHO in promoting health has benefited the communi-ties in the province.

He also said the health programs are implemented and sus-tained in the province by the 11 rural health units (RHUs) including its five hospitals. The health pro-

grams include Family Planning; Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health and Nutrition program; and Safe Motherhood. The unveiling of IEC materials’ posting on Monday will be held


Hot lumber seized in Surigao del Sur; illegal sawmill dismantled

BUTUAN CITY - Some 2,000 board feet of government banned hardwood species Lawaan estimated to be worth P85,000 were confiscated recently in Barangay Tigao, Cortes town in Surigao del Sur province, police said.

at the Nasipit, Agusan del Norte Municipal Hall ground at 7:30 A.M. It is considered as first in the province and Nasipit was chosen as the pilot

municipality for the pro-gram. The activity is in line with the Aquino ad-ministration’s Univer-sal Health Care or “Ka-

lusugan Pangkalahatan” (UHC KP) program with the aims of improving the quality of health care services in the country.

A report from Car-aga Police Regional In-formation Office headed by Supt. Martin Gamba said the seizure of the illegal lumbers also led to the discovery of a local wood processing plant in the area alleg-edly processing illegally cut logs unnoticed.

The police report said the joint operatives of the 1st Company of 13th Regional Public Safety Battalion, Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR’s) Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and Presidential Anti Orga-nized Crime Commission

conducted the operation against the illegal log-ging in Barangay Tigao, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, recently. Confiscated La-waan lumber and saw-mill equipment were turned over to CENRO Tandag City. (BS/PIA-Caraga)


DILG, DTI and AECID capacitate LGUs on Local Investment Incentives Codeby Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise

BUTUAN CITY –- In accordance with the recently issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2011-01 dated October 12, 2011, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry Region XIII, in partnership with Agencia Española de Cooperacion para el Desarrollo (AECID) under its Strengthening Local Governments in the Philippines (SLGP) Project, conducted a Local investment Incentives Code Formulation Workshop for selected local government units recently at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

The activity aimed to capacitate the participants on the formulation or revi-sion of their invest-ment incentives code to enhance the competitiveness of the investment cli-mate in their local government units. This was par-ticipated by the cit-

ies of Bayugan, Su-rigao and Tandag and the municipali-ties of Buenavista and Carmen, Agu-san del Norte, San Francisco and Es-peranza of Agusan del Sur, San Jose of Dinagat Islands, Mainit of Surigao del Norte and Mari-hatag, Surigao del Sur. The partici-pants of each city and municipality were the Sangguni-an Member Chair on Trade and Com-merce, Secretary

to the Sanggunian, Local Economic and Investment Promo-tions Officer (LEI-PO, Assessor, Trea-surer and Planning and Development Coordinator. The main speakers of the ac-tivity were: Lourdes Ellen N. Kionisala, officer-in-charge of


the Board of Invest-ments (BOI) Ca-gayan de Oro City Office and Nemesio Maceren, assistant regional director of the Bureau of Lo-

cal Government Fi-nance (BLGF) Re-gion XIII. The two-day activity ended with the presentation and critiquing of

their action plans on the formulation and revision of their investment incen-tives code.

City official cites importance of morality to achieve peace and order

BUTUAN CITY-– Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun of this city said Wednesday that uplifting morality of the people will lead to achieving peace and order.


Speaking be-fore the participants of the 2011 Na-tional Moral Recov-ery Program Con-gress held in one of the local conven-tion centers here, Fortun pointed out that in achieving peace and order in the community, it should start with the basic founda-tion in the family for which moral up-bringing of an in-dividual should be considered. Fortun also said that prosecuting

and enforcing le-gality that will put criminals to jail is the last solution to all the crimes that have been happen-ing. “The most im-portant is the moral values which ema-nate in each fam-ily,” Fortun added. Inspite of this, the official said the city government through the police force is doing the best they can in or-der to solve, if not, to minimize crime incidence in the

city.It can be recalled that series of rob-bery, holdups and even murders hap-pened in the past days here which alarmed the peo-ple of Butuan put-ting the Philippine National Police on a heightened alert status. M e a n w h i l e , some 237 partici-pants from the gov-ernment and private sectors attended the congress host-ed by the city gov-ernment here.


Gobyerno mipasalig sa supisyenteng pondo para sa mga OFWsby Alfonso T. Ruda

Taliwala sa kontrobersya kabahin sa giingong “lump sum” funds, ang gobyerno mipasalig nga walay nakuha bisan usa ka dako sa 100 ka milyon ka pesos nga Legal Assistance

Fund (LAF) nga alang sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) diha sa proposed budget sa Department of Foreign Affairs sunod tuig.


Sumala pa ni Cebu Represen-tative Eduardo Gullas, kini tun-god kay ilang gi-lantaw ang LAF nga mohatag ug tukmang pana-bang-legal sa nagakadaghang mga OFWs nga posibling makasi-nati ug problema o kaha makahimo ug kalapasan ba-tok sa balaod did-to sa nasod nga ilang adtoan. “Samtang na-gakdaghan na ang mga Filipino ang moadto sa ubang mga nasod aron manarbaho, po-sibli na usab nga m a g a k d a g h a n ang mga OFWs nga posibling magkaproblema. Kining LAF gami-ton lamang gay-od para isuporta sa maong mga OFWs sa pag-

panalipod kanila sa kasong ilang atubangon,” ma-tod pa ni Gullas. Sa proposed General Appro-priations Act of 2012, ang goby-erno nagbutang ug bag-ong 30 milyones ka pe-sos sa proposed DFA budget aron magpabilin ang LAF nga 100 ka milyon ka pesos. Ang LAF unang na-establisar sa balaod nga 100 ka milyon ka pe-sos, diin 50 mi-lyones ka pesos kuhaon gikan sa Contingency Fund sa Presidente; 30 milyones ka pe-sos gikan sa So-cial Fund sa Pres-idente; ug 20 milyones ka pe-sos gikan sa Trust Fund sa Overseas Workers Welfare Admin is t rat ion

(OWWA). Ang pondo padaganon sa Legal Assistant for Migrant Work-ers sa DFA nga maoy respons-able sa paghatag ug kinatibuk-ang k o o r d i n a s y o n para sa mga le-gal aid services sa mga OFWs ug uban pang mga Filipino nga tua sa gawas sa na-sod. Lakip sa mga gastong gamitan sa LAF mao ang professional fees sa mga lang-yawng abogado nga mo-repre-sentar sa OFW sa kaso; bayad sa piyansa; ug uban pang gastong may kalabutan sa kaso. (JPA/A T R / P I A 9 -Zambo Norte)


Wheelchair/Walk for a Cause highlights Int’l Day of PWDs on Dec. 3by Rutchie Cabahug-AguhobAn “Alay Tulak-Lakad Para sa May Kapansanan” will high-

light the celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) in the city on Dec. 3, this year.

The activity is actually a “Wheelchair Walk for a Cause” for our brothers and sisters who have disabilities of all sorts, Milagros M. Maquiling, President of the Differently-Abled Women Network (DAWN) and the Cagayan de Oro Federation of PWD’s Association (CAFEDPA), said. The walk will start at Gaston Park, near the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral at exactly 7:00 a.m. and will end up at the Provincial Capitol Grounds where a short program and different PWD competitions will be conducted. “This is also an advocacy campaign of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWD’s (UNRPD) which is held, simultaneously, throughout the world,” Maquiling said. As an added attraction, a Wheelchair Race for those on wheelchairs and Marathon for the Blind, as well, as Marathon for the Deaf, where prizes are at stake, will be held starting, this year. “That’s why we have asked for a registration fee of Php150 per participant which entitles them to a token marked for the occasion,” the CAFEDPA President said.

M a q u i l i n g said the proceeds of the activities will be translated into some livelihood projects for the sector, not only here, in the city but also in the whole region, in the coming years. She also said CAFEDPA welcomes the donation of old or new books and toys for distribution to the Children with Disabilities (CWD), as well, as to the children of PWD’s, themselves, during the general assembly and pre-Christmas Party which will happen after the Wheelchair Walk for a Cause. Meanwhile, Maquiling had requested the registration fees to be forwarded to CAFEDPA ahead of time, so they will have an estimate of the number of participants for the token. For more details, please text or call Martin Gadrinab at his mobile phone no. 0935-909-8771 or Maquiling at 0917-702-9554 or contact the land line number 309-8269 of the DAWN Office located at District 4, Legaspi St., Barangay Consolacion, this city.


PWDs receive 80 wheelchairs as early Christmas giftsby Elaine O. Ratunil

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Persons with disability (PWDs) and polio victims in the province received their early Christmas gifts from the provincial government here.

Governor Herminia Ramiro, in cooperation with the Children International Philippines Incorporated (CIPI), donated 80 wheelchairs primarily for them. “These wheelchairs would ease the lives of the beneficiaries, make them productive and be able to contribute to the development of the province,” Ramiro said. She also encouraged the beneficiaries to take good care of the wheelchairs and send a thank you letter to the donor as a gesture of gratitude. Ramiro expressed her deepest gratitude for the generosity of CIPI, a humanitarian organization dedicated

to easing the burdens of poverty of poor children around the world through sponsorship and donation, mainly, in the areas of education and health. Meanwhile, the wheelchairs were distributed to the beneficiaries from the cities of Tangub, Ozamiz and Oroquieta and the towns of Clarin, Sinacaban, Lopez Jaena, Plaridel, and Sapang Dalaga. Other recipients were the Provincial Farmers Cultural Training Center (PFCTC), the Misamis Occidental Aquarine Park (MOAP) and the Misamis Occ. Provincial Medical Rehabilitation Center; for the use of the PWDs and polio victim visitors.

15 FMR sites to open in Camiguin this yearCAMIGUIN -- A P25 million worth Farm to Market Road (FMR) project will benefit several poor farm families in far flung towns of Camiguin.

Of the fifteen sites to be opened this year, four (4) FMR constructions are already on-going. Provincial Governor Jurdin Jesus “JJ” M. Romualdo however assures that the remaining proposed sites will be started within the year.Jang-Tacangon FMR, San Miguin FMR, Butay FMR, and Bura FMR were among

the first set of FMRs who are given priority. Aside from the provision of access roads, the government has also distributed twenty five (25) sets of water pumps to protect farm produce during dry season and constructed one multi-purpose drying pavement last year.

by Jorie C. Valcorza


Some sixty two (62) women beneficiaries’ likewise received livelihood assistance through the Plant Now Pay Later (PNPL) program.

It further extended trainings and educational tours to women and rural-based organizations in the island province.

Bukidnon pilots integration of DRR, CCA in local plans to ease LGU disaster responseby Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

In a briefing with concerned local and national government agencies at the provincial planning and development conference hall, NEDA 10 assistant regional director Allan Olavides said there is really a need to include the DRR and CCA in the local planning for in-depth study of the disaster risk formula that includes hazard analysis, risk estimation, evaluation, and risk prioritization. Economic Development Specialists (EDS) Candido Balaba, Rio Yonson, Mezlaine Pacana and Al’Gemregy Cuerquez, all of NEDA 10, explained the components of integrating DRR/CCA project, such as the ‘risk formula’ that involves determining and monitoring hazards that threaten an area and their vulnerability, geographic extent, the expected annual number of lives and cost of property damage when disaster strikes. “Risk prioritization is aimed to determine which areas should be given attention considering the degree of risks

in the area as quantified through risks estimates”, Balaba stressed. Likewise, NEDA chief economic development specialist on plan and policy formulation, Leonila Cajarte, detailed on the guidelines in local planning expenditure management emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming framework and DRR-Enhanced Settlements Land Use Planning. Meanwhile, Rebecca Capistrano of Bukidnon Provincial Planning and Development Office responded and informed the group that Executive Order No. 33 has been crafted mandating all concerned agencies in Bukidnon to compose the DRR/CCA provincial core team. “The Climate Change Act of 2009 or R.A. 9729 articulates: ‘An Act Mainstreaming Climate Change into Government Policy Formulations, Establishing the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change.’ Thus, this project is essential in LGU policy formulations,” Capistrano said.

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Governor Alex Calingasan, through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) region 10, declared Bukidnon as a pilot province for the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) project, which will focus on integrating said scheme into local development planning and decision-making process of the Local Government Units (LGUs).


RA 9679 mandates membership in Pag-Ibig Fundby Wilmer M. Carabanes

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental -- Republic Act 9679, otherwise known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 mandates the membership registration of all employees, including their respective employers, coverable by the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), regardless of employment status or nature of appointment. This includes employees who were not previously covered by the Fund due to their monthly compensation of less than Four Thousand Pesos (P4,000.000) which affected on January 1, 2010. Pag-IBIG Fund members shall contribute monthly to the Fund a minimal percentage of their monthly compensation with a certain rate. For those whose monthly compensation P1,500 and below a contribution rate of 1% for the employee and 2% for the employers’ counterpart.

For compensation over P1,500, a contribution of 2% from the employee and 2% for the employers’ counterpart.

Employers shall deduct the contribution and remit the same together with the required counterpart to the Fund. Said contribution shall be credited to the member’s Total Accumulated

Value (TAV), which shall be released to them upon maturity and termination of membership.

Pag-IBIG Fund members will also enjoy the other benefits: Tax Free Earnings, the dividend earning of the Members’ credited TAV shall be exempt from any tax payments, fees, or interest charges, said Pag-Ibig Fund Vice President for Northern Mindanao Group Fermin A. Sta. Teresa, Jr.

The member may also avail of the loan benefits such as multi-purpose, housing and calamity loans provided the member meets the corresponding eligibility requirements of the program.

Whether the member transfers from one employer to another, or eventually become self-employed, the member can carry with him his TAV.Lastly, the government of the Philippines guarantees the solvency of the Fund.

RA 9679 mandates membership in Pag-Ibig Fund


Documents

One Mindanao - November 13, 2011