One Mindanao - August 19, 2015 (4th Anniversary Issue)

Celebrating Kadayawan 2015

Government agencies sign joint manual of operations providing assistance to Filipino migrant workers

Palm oil farmers, industry players

gather in GenSan for 9th national gab

DOST-9 installs OL trap in schools vs dengue mosquitoes

Amidst heavy rains Kadayawan 2015 opens

Fun walk steps up public awareness on environment protection

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

InFocus

Western

Southern

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Elaine O. Ratunil

By: ALMira

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

By: B Paoyon

By: Gideon C. Corgue

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CO

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Training, seminars sked at Negosyo Center in SurSur bared

DTI MisOcc warns public of companies offering investment products without receipts

21,000 students, teachers eyed for vaccination in Sarangani

PSA reports economic performance of Caraga region

Expo highlights 21st crime prevention week in NorMin

contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 1

By: PSA - Caraga

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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]

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTS GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

5August 19, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

6 August 19, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

Celebrating


Dubbed as the Festival of Festivals, Kadayawan is Davao City’s window to the world, showcasing a diverse mix of melting pot culture and a land

blessed with natural wonders and abundant resources, lying within the food basket of the country.


Derived from the word “Madayaw” meaning good or beautiful. It originated in olden times when the indigenous peoples living in the foothills of Mt. Apo would converge to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

In the 1970s Mayor Elias B. Lopez, the first Mayor of Davao City with indigenous blood (Bagobo) initiated tribal festivals featuring the lumad and muslim tribes in the city.

Later in 1986 a program called the Unlad Proyekto Davao was organized aimed to unite the Dabawenyos after the turbulent Marcos era. The festival was called “Apo Duwaling” a name created from the famous icons of Davao: Mt. Apo, Durian and the Waling-Waling touted as the queen of orchids.

It was renamed as Kadayawan in 1998 to celebrate the bountiful harvest of fruits, flowers and produce.

The main Kadayawan weekend will be held this August 22 and 23. WhereTwo of the major highlights will be held Indak Indak sa Kadalanan (Street Dancing) and Pamulak sa

Kadayawan (Floral Float Parade). Other significant Kadayawan actvities includes Hiyas ng Kadayawan an annual search for that distinctive indigenous maiden which epitomizes native culture and wisdom. Then there are Sayaw Mindanaw (a dance competition) and Tunog Mindanaw (music competition), Kadayawan Street Party among many others.

Security

The police is all set for the coming Kadayawan with the deployment of 1,387 personnel from the police and the army which will secure the downtown during Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan.

About 1,723 policemen will also secure the floral float parade.

Police forces from other regions are also prepared to support the Davao City Police Office in case of emergency.

Aside from police and military, traffic enforcers from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office will be ready to manage the flow of traffic.


Private Sector

Aside from the government initiated festivities the private sector particularly private event organizers are coming up with large scale parties.

Lisette Marques, OIC City Tourism Office said that they are encouraging the private sector to mount these events as to give variation to the Festival.

There are two major electronic dance music (EDM) events which will be held in the city, Arcadia Electronic Music Festival (AEMF) will be held this August 22 at the 26 –hectare D’ Leonor Resort in Barangay Communal.

The massive party will have three thematic stages is touted to be the largest EDM party to be held in the city.

On August 21, major party organizer Spectrum is partnering with Mati City-based party organizer

Frolicfox to bring Kadayawan Invasion 2015 at the Crocodile Park Grounds, this is a follow-up to the successful Invasion party held also in Kadayawan last year.


Marques bared that another EDM or rave party is being organized which will be held at the Matina I.T. park and is sponsored by a telecom giant, it will be a carnival themed affair.

She said that these parties are bringing in tourists and visitors to the city, currently Davao City has about 6,000 hotel rooms ready for visitors coming in for Kadayawan and these events.

Marques said that the City Government is making sure that these parties are compliant with City ordinances particularly the anti-smoking ordinance and the 1 am liquor ban. Kadayawan Opening

Last August 17, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte led the opening ceremony of the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw though it was cut short due to a heavy downpour. He called on the visitors and residents to give importance to the culture of the IPs and the Muslim which will take center-stage in the annual celebration. Duterte said the people of Davao await the various cultural presentations that will be featured

this year. “The rain might have interrupted the program but all other activities set for the celebration will go on,” he said. Duterte also welcomed the Ips and the various tribes of the Muslim community. He recalled that the Kadayawan Festival was preceded by the Apo Dualing in the mid-80s by which had a meager budget. Duterte said back in the time when he was the officer-in-charge-vice mayor, he stood for a simple cultural celebration, at the time when the city was poor and recovering from the urban warfare between the government forces and the sparrow unit of the New People’s Army. He suggested to lower its budget from P500, 000 to P800, 000 instead of the Two Million Pesos as requested by the executive department. Duterte said that despite the rain all other scheduled activities of the Kadayawan Festival must go on. (with reports from Rudolph Alama, Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


NYC, NDRRMC sign agreement to include youth representation in disaster mitigation system

QUEZON CITY -- The National Youth Commission (NYC) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council under the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-NDRRMC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Tuesday to institutionalize the participation of youth in disaster risk reduction and management system (DRRM).


“This MOA manifests the two agencies’ serious intent to harness the skills and potentials of young people before, during, and post calamities beyond volunteering to pack relief goods,” NYC Commissioner and showbiz actor Dingdong Dantes said in a statement.

He added that the agreement aims to establish a “culture of preparedness” among the youth, its representation at the local level in terms of disaster response.

Dantes also cited NYC’s role as a policy-making body when it comes to youth representation, highlighting the importance of providing young people with a legal mandate to actively participate in activities and programs to mitigate the impact of disasters and calamities whether natural or mandate.

The institutionalization of

youth representation in DRRM councils at the national and local levels, has been reflected and sought after in several bills, such as the Senate Bill No. 2789 or the Youth Participation Risk Reduction and Management Act. The Senate has already approved this bill on third and final reading while the bill’s counterpart at the Lower House is still with the Committee on National Defense. Meanwhile, NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama said that the agreement


signifies the commitment of the National Council and the Filipino youth to collaborate in undertaking DRRM initiatives and in building safer, adaptive and resilient communities nationwide.

“We have seen how the youth can be mobilized to meet the challenges of disasters not just

in this country but even around the world. From the simple act of educating other youths about hazards and disasters, participating in relief efforts, and the organization and mobilization of young people that involve major DRRM activities,” USec. Pama said. (PIA-PND)


Government agencies sign joint manual of operations providing assistance to Filipino migrant workers

MANILA -- A Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas was signed on Tuesday by the secretaries and representatives of several government agencies. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of these agencies toward overseas Filipinos.


Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario; Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz; Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, represented by Undersecretary Parishya Taradji; Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin, represented by Assistant Secretary Gerardo V. Bayugo; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac; and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Head Rebecca Calzado signed the Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas, the document that outlines the roles and responsibilities of their respective agencies and overseas

offices to effect a cohesive, seamless, efficient, and effective delivery of government services to overseas Filipinos, particularly to those who are in distress.

“Above all, we are deeply grateful to our modern-day heroes, the overseas Filipinos. This Joint Manual is for you: to honor your heroism, your sacrifices, and your contributions. Thank you for putting your trust and faith in us. We will continue to do our best to assist you not only in addressing your needs but also, and more importantly, help achieve your dreams,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Del Rosario said.

“The challenge that lies


before us now is to implement this Joint Manual with utmost consistency, efficiency, and professionalism. I am confident of the success of this Joint Manual as everyone here has the interests of our overseas Filipinos at heart. It will enhance the Philippines’ reputation as a model for migration governance. It is proof-positive of our collective commitment for our overseas Filipinos,” he added.

Moreover, Del Rosario said that Filipino migrant workers today are in a more complex situation because of the ever-changing geopolitical conditions in many parts of the world. In addition to this, the pervasive cultural differences among societies continue to bring difficulties in the lives of Filipinos living and working overseas. “It is, therefore, imperative for us in government and for our private sector partners to be more purposive and cohesive

in our approach in dealing with work realities and problems of our overseas Filipinos,” DOLE Secretary Baldoz said.

The Joint Manual, which has obtained the endorsement and approval of the House of Representatives through the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, is comprehensive in its breadth and depth, and covers almost every conceivable situation migrant Filipinos may find themselves in, while abroad. It provides clear and concise step-by-step processes, lines of accountabilities, modes of reporting and coordination, and even specific timelines and sharing of resources and obligations. The Joint Manual, which immediately takes effect upon its signing, shall be jointly reviewed and revised after three years and every three years thereafter. (DFA)


Palm oil farmers, industry players gather in GenSan for 9th national gab

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Hundreds of foreign and local palm oil farmers and industry players will gather here on Wednesday to discuss fresh strategies in sustaining the thriving industry’s growth as well as expansions within the next decade.

Alfredo Montecillo, president of the Philippine Palmoil Development Council, Inc.

(PPDCI), said Tuesday around 600 industry stakeholders have confirmed to attend the two-day


9th National Palm Oil Congress, which slated Aug. 19 to 20.

He said the gathering, which will be held at the KCC Events and Convention Center, will focus on the theme: “Promoting Inclusive Growth in the Expanding Palm Oil Industry.” Montecillo said most of the confirmed participants are farmers and industry players in Mindanao, and investors who have signified interest to go into the oil palm business. He said they invited industry leaders from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia to share the latest techniques and technologies in the management of oil palm farms. Malaysia is presently the world’s biggest exporter of palm oil, with Indonesia and Thailand ranking next. “This congress would be a great venue for local players to learn from the experiences of these countries,” he said.

Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security and agricultural

modernization, will keynote the congress’ opening.

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Romulo Arancon will discuss the agency’s direction in promoting the country’s palm oil industry while Dr. Rolando Dy, vice president of the University of Asia and the Pacific, will tackle the strategies to inclusive growth in the industry. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, will present MinDa’s initiatives in support of the industry while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will introduce the local government’s support programs.

In a briefer, organizers said the congress is an important gathering for oil palm industry stakeholders as it provides information on the international trends, development initiatives and breakthroughs, advance technologies, investment opportunities, available banking and financial support concerning oil palm.

Success stories, particularly


among local government unis, on using oil palm as a tool in overcoming poverty and promoting prosperous communities are shared, it said. Aside from the congress, various exhibits will open at the venue regarding emerging technologies in oil palm.

The annual congress is organized by the PPDCI and co-sponsored by the Kenram Palmoil Industries, Inc. based in

Sultan Kudarat province, Agusan Plantations, Inc. Group of Companies, A Brown Energy and Resources Development, Inc., Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc., Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Agriculture.

It is supported by the departments of Trade and Industry, Agrarian Reform, Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Board of Investments and PCA.(PNA)


Pagadian holds tsunami commemoration day

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The city government here on Monday led the commemoration of the Aug. 17, 1976 tsunami wrought by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake from the Cotabato trench - sweeping up the coastal barangays that left 1,440 people dead, 7,701 injured, 909 missing and 49,848 homeless.

By: Claro A. Lanipa


Prior to the commemoration program, an earthquake and tsunami drill was conducted with participants from nine elementary and secondary schools situated along the coastal area, namely, Sta.Lucia Elementary School, Sta.Lucia National High School, Dumagoc Elementary School, Santiago Elementary School, San Pedro Elementary School, San Pedro National High School, Kawit Elementary School, Zamboanga del Sur School of Arts and Trades and the White Beach Elementary School. In his message, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H. Cerilles encouraged the Pagadianons to cooperate with the local officials, adding, “we can have a healthy and prepared

environment if everybody cooperates.” The governor disclosed that the city government is now in the process of implementing the so called Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) particularly in the coastal areas as a preventive action should another tsunami happen to avoid the loss of lives and damage to properties. “With the onslaught of climate change that we are presently experiencing, the Philippines is considered one of the most vulnerable country in the world. Because we have 7,100 islands and once the sea level will rise by one meter, almost half of these islands will be below sea level,” Cerilles said.


“This is our problem, that is why everybody has to cooperate and everybody has to plant more trees so that we can sustain life,” the governor stressed. Meanwhile, Ms Luz Yanez, a retired DepEd-9 official who was then residing with her parents at Lacturan, San Pedro shared her unforgettable experiences during the 1976 destructive earthquake and tsunami to which she lost her mother and younger brother aged 3 years old. Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones, on the other hand, conveyed his gratitude to all the guests, national and local officials and employees, the police and the

military, teachers, students, barangay officials and local residents for their participation and cooperation in the conduct of said activity. He said, “we really need to be prepared for any eventualities especially our coastal barangays in line with the government’s disaster preparedness program.”“We in the city government together with Sangguniang Panglungsod headed by Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu are looking forward and seeking your utmost cooperation particularly the coastal barangays to avoid a repeat of the 1976 disaster,” Pulmones urged.


DOST-9 installs OL trap in schools vs dengue mosquitoes

The OL Trap, which was designed and developed by the DOST-Industrial Technology and Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) in 2010, aims to fight dengue by decreasing the dengue vector itself, thus lowering the disease incidence especially among schoolchildren. Ms. Thelma Diego, regional information officer of DOST-9,

said OL trapping complements other methods of controlling the growth and proliferation of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which carry the dengue virus. “More importantly, it is a method that encourages inter-agency and community participation in dengue prevention,” she said.

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – For months now, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 has been monitoring dengue-carrying mosquitoes through its Ovicidal / Larvicidal (OL) Trap installed in various schools here and in other parts of the region.

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy


DOST-developed Mosquito OL Trap is composed of a black cup, a lawanit paddle, and pellets. According to Ms. Diego, DOST-9 provided a one-year supply of pellets to the participating schools. “Most of the recipients of the project are public schools since most private schools are capable to purchase OL traps,” Diego said. In Zamboanga City, around 10 public schools were recipients of OL traps. In addition, a Dengue Vector Surveillance Website (DVSW) has been developed by the Philippine Council for Health Research and

Development (DOST-PCHRD) in 2013 to help in OL trap’s second purpose as a surveillance tool. “By displaying the OL indices which are recorded weekly in schools, the DVSW enables concerned parties to provide immediate action and interventions to schools with high OL indices,” Diego explained. Presently, DOST-9 has been intensifying its information and education campaign in public schools and communities, distributing along with the kits various materials designed to increase awareness on the OL Trap and its proper use.


Briefings were also conducted by DOST staff to school teachers and students informing the dangers of dengue virus and how to mitigate if not completely eliminate the disease especially with the rainy season just along the corner. “The fight against dengue requires both public will and education among residents and students,” Ms. Diego stressed. OL traps has been

distributed nationwide through DOST’s Regional Offices under the Nationwide Dengue Vector Surveillance Program since 2011 and were installed to public schools with the help of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) by virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement on Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD).

Fun walk steps up public awareness on environment protection

By Gideon C. Corgue


MAHAYAG, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – Member-consumers of the Zamboanga del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO-1) as well as the members of Multi-Sectoral Electrification Advisory Council (MESEAC) participated in the fun walk dubbed “Baklay sa Kinaiyahan (Walk for Mother Nature)” held here Tuesday to drum up public awareness on environmental issues.

C o m p u t e r - g e n e r a t e d slogans bearing messages that call for protecting the environment were hung on their necks as they yelled “save mother earth.” The eight-kilometer fun walk was one of the lined-up activities in commemoration of ZAMSURECO-1’s 43rd foundation anniversary come Aug. 25 with the theme, “ZAMSURECO-I @43: Good Governance + Commitment + Teamwork+ Innovation=Excellence.” The event commenced at 6 a.m. at ZAMSURECO-I “Bayad Center” in Mahayag town to the “Bayad Center” in Molave municipality. The participants said they joined the event to show their love and care for mother earth. John Dedeus Alcala, 21, of Blancia, Molave town, won first place in the member-consumer (male) category, while Mariane Llagono, 21, of Pagadian City also won first place in the female category.

Alcala was a consistent first placer in the fun walk during the electric cooperative’s founding anniversary. It was his fourth time to win the event since he joined it in 2012. “Nalipay ko nga sa ika-upat nga higayon akong naangkon ang dungog sa pagka-unang mananaug ning maong fun walk. Tungod niini, akong gipasalamatan ug dako ang kadumalahan ang ZAMSURECO-I tungod kay gitugutan sa gihapon ko nila nga mosalmot ning maong kalihokan,” he said. (I am happy that for the fourth time that I won first place in this fun walk. With this, I would like to thank the management of ZAMSURECO-I for still allowing me to join the event.) Llagano was also happy to bag first place, saying that it was her first time to join the race. “Ako nalipay ug garbo nga ko nga nakasalmot sa fun walk tungod kay akong nakauban ang mga empleyado sa ZAMSURECO-I ug mga member-


consumers nga nagtabang pagpalapnag sa kasayuran kalabot sa pagpanalipod sa atong kinaiyahan. Nadasig ko pagsalmot ani nga event tungod kay ang tanan nga mga partisipante nagdala sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga slogans nga nag-awhag sa katawhan pagpanalipod sa atong Inahang kalikupan,” Llagono said. (I am both happy and proud to participate in the fun walk because I am with ZAMSURECO-I employees and member-consumers who help raise public awareness on environmental protection. I am inspired to join the event because all the

participants, with their slogans, are encouraging the public to preserve our mother earth.) Both Alcala and Llagono received a cash prize of P3,000 each during the awarding ceremony held at Molave Bayad Center in Molave. The fun walk winners said they would use their prizes to pay for their tuition fees.


2016 elections need voters’ biometrics – COMELEC

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In preparation to the 2016 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) region 10 has been encouraging and conducting satellite registrations for new voters and validation for registered voters.

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

During the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) region 10 radio program dubbed Lambo Dyes, Atty. Reynato Magbutay,

regional director of COMELEC said that the primary activity of their office is really the registration. This is what the voters need


to be able to participate in the 2016 elections. This includes registration for new voters at the same time validation for those who have registered before but without biometrics such as their photo, signature and thumbprint. Magbutay said that biometrics started in 2003 however not all were able to avail. Some have participated in the general registration in 1997 wherein COMELEC only took the demographics of the voters, excluding biometrics. These voters need to come to the COMELEC offices so they can be validated. In region 10, there are 140,000 registered voters without biometrics from 250,000 last year. If they will not get their biometrics, they will not be able to vote. In fact, COMELEC conducts voters registration in barangays wherein in there is a one day in a week (Saturday) for off-site/satellite registration and validation. However, this satellite registration is up to September only. October will be back to the offices. Atty. Magbutay also said that there will be no extension of voters’ registration and validation and will be up to 31 October 2015 only.

As of 20 June 2015, there are total of 2,458,222 registered voters in region 10. Last election, it was just around 2.3M. For new voters, those who will turn 18 years old on or before 2016 elections, they can apply for registration. They must simply bring their school ID, driver’s license or any ID with their particulars. Magbutay emphasized that voters’ registration is for free. Although there is online application today at their website, but applicants must personally go to election offices for biometrics. Election in 2016 will be automated. We started automated elections in 2010, second was in 2013, Magbutay said. Further, it is in the law that national and local elections must be automated. In the country, we need 100,000 units of Optical Mark Reader (OMR) or PCOS machine. Presently there are 83,000 units of OMR however COMELEC will not use it unless machines are refurbished so it is certain they will function on election day. However the problem is that no one is bidding for its refurbishment. So COMELEC’s solution is to lease 73,000 units plus 23 planning to purchase to


cover the needed machines on election. There are 250,000 established precincts nationwide however government cannot

afford one OMR per precinct so that is why they are clustered. OMR units are reduced to 83,000. There are 200 voters per precinct and 800 voters in one cluster.

DTI MisOcc warns public of companies offering investment products without receiptsOROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Department of Trade and Industry, here (DTI MisOcc) has warned the public against companies offering investments but do not give a receipt or proof of payment.

These receipts are very much needed to support complaints against companies/ business groups offering investment products, if any, Maritess B. Alcampado, Head, Consumers’ Welfare Division (CWD) of DTI MisOcc said. Meanwhile, she said consumers should keep all proofs

and records of transactions, such as, receipts, contracts, agreements or certificates of investments and other documents of similar nature. On the other hand, Alcampado advised the consumers never to divulge, if asked to give their personal information, such as, bank account, credit card and personal information numbers (PIN) and passwords.

For more information and complaints regarding pyramid and other scams, the consumers may go to the nearest DTI or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) office, Alcampado added. (ALMira/DTI/RCA/PIA-Misamis Occidental)


Expo highlights 21st crime prevention week in NorMinBy: Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Anchored on the theme “Krimen ay Tuldukan, Karapatan ay Igalang,” a Fair will highlight the 21st National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) in Northern Mindanao set on Sept. 1-7.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 461, dated August 31, 1994, the weeklong celebration aims to promote crime prevention and community public safety with the support and involvement of every citizen, said Ramon M. Rañeses, regional director, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), region 10. The Fair, set on September 3, will feature the firepower

capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP), film showing on crime prevention tips, crime investigation p a r a p h e r n a l i a , information drive on PNP recruitment, gun licensing and a n t i - c y b e r c r i m e a d v o c a c y , distribution of IEC materials, and COPs on the ramp which

will showcase the different PNP uniform. Simultaneous to the Crime Prevention Fair is the conduct of bloodletting activity. To foster awareness of the celebration, streamers will be hanging in strategic places. Meanwhile, the celebration will kick off with a Holy Mass and motorcade on September 1.


San Isidro receives Cacao tablets processing facilities

DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA) - A group of Cacao farmers in the municipality of San Isidro, Davao del Norte received re-cently Cacao tablets (Tableya) processing facilities from the Department of Trade and Indus-try (DTI). DTI Region XI Director Ma-ria Belenda Ambi turned over on Thursday (August 13) to Choko-late de San Isidro, Inc., Shared Service Facilities, specifically Cacao bean roaster, colloid mill and tempering machine worth P 730,000. According to the data from DTI, the equipment will double the monthly production volume of the company from two tons to four tons. Director Ambi said that the CSI has been one of the pillars of the Cacao industry in the coun-try.

“As of today, 80% of the Ca-cao production in the country comes from Mindanao and most of it from Davao Region, where CSI is one of the biggest produc-ing company,” Ambi said. CSI Vice President Theodore Delfin Garcia said that their com-pany is exporting Cacao products to Netherlands and Germany. “We are also expanding our market to Japan and Australia soon,” Garcia said.

By: Michael Uy


Amidst heavy rains Kadayawan 2015 opens

DAVAO CITY, Aug 18 (PIA) May-or Rodrigo Duterte led the open-ing ceremony of the 30th Kaday-awan sa Dabaw 2015, a cultural festival for the Indigenous Peo-ples and the nine Muslim Tribes in the city which was cut short due to a heavy downpour. He called on the visitors and residents to give importance to the culture of the IPs and the Muslim which will take center-stage in the annual celebration. Duterte said the people of Davao await the various cultural presentations that will be fea-tured this year. “The rain might have inter-rupted the program but all other activities set for the celebration will go on,” he said. Duterte also welcomed the Ips and the various tribes of the Muslim community. He recalled that the Kaday-awan Festival was preceded by the Apo Dualing in the mid-80s by which had a meager budget. Duterte said back in the time when he was the officer-in-charge-vice mayor, he stood for

a simple cultural celebration, at the time when the city was poor and recovering from the urban warfare between the govern-ment forces and the sparrow unit of the New People’s Army. He suggested to lower its budget from P500, 000 to P800, 000 instead of the Two Million Pesos as requested by the exec-utive department. D u t e r t e mulled on pursuing the opening program of the Kadayawan 2015 on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 pm at the San Pedro Street. He said that despite the rain all other scheduled activities of the Kadayawan Festival must go on. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Da-lumpines)

By: Joey Sem G. Dalumpines


Solar plant could attract foreign investors to S. Cotabato -- Gov. FuentesBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug. 19 — More foreign in-vestors could be enticed to pour in capital in South Cotabato following the construction of a solar power plant in Surallah town, Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said.


Fuentes believes the 5-mega-watt (MW) solar power plant would help ease problems on insufficient power supply and protect the province from high-cost electricity.

On August 12, nv vogt Phil-ippines Solar One Inc with the provincial government of South Cotabato and the municipal government of Surallah broke ground at the 8-hectare site in Barangay Centrala, Surallah to signal the start of the instal-lation of 23,000 solar panels and eventual linking of the facility to the South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1).

“This is an investment with a foreign capital involved. It should signal other foreign in-vestors that South Cotabato is a favorable place for invest-ments,” Gov. Fuentes said in an interview.

What is important, the local chief executive added, is for the management of nv vogt to be impressed with the province.

“If we are able to make a good impression on these inves-tors, they themselves will en-courage others to consider put-ting in capital in our place,” she said.

Reynaldo Casas, president for projects of nv vogt Philippines

told the local press that the solar power plant is capable of generating 9 million kilowatt (kWh) of electricity annually or 175 million kWh of power over the next 20 years.

“It is expected to begin com-mercial production in Novem-ber,” Casas said.

A month prior to the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednes-day nv vogt began installation of a 7-kilometer power line that would link the solar plant to the grid via the Dajay station of SOCOTECO 1, he added.

“nv vogt is spending US$12 million to establish the 5MW Surallah solar power plant,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, SOCOTECO 1 Gen-eral Manager Santiago Tudio estimated that 80 percent or 4 MW of the power generated from the facility will be allocated to SOCOTECO 1.

SOCOTECO 1 serves the City of Koronadal and the municipal-ities of Tampakan, Banga, T’boli, Lake Sebu, Surallah, Norala, Sto. Nio, and Tantangan in South Cotabato and Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat.

Gov. Fuentes also pointed out that once the power plant will start production South Cotaba-to’s will gain stronger safeguar


against insufficient power supply.

“With several sources of elec-tricity, such as hydro, diesel and now solar power, we will as-sured that we will not experi-ence as much power interruption as other provinces.” she said.

Solar power should also “pro-vide cushion against fluctuation of cost of electricity because we will have a healthy mix of sources,” she said.

At present, SOCOTECO 1 de-pends mostly on diesel and coal-powered sources to pro-vide at least 32 MW of electric-ity required by its member-con-sumers.

With the reduction of power allocation from the hydropow-er sources in Northern Mindanao due to limited production, SO-COTECO 1 was forced to de-ploy the entire 12 MW capacity of the modular generator sets the cooperative rented from the Alcantara Group-controlled Ma-palad Power Corporation.

The Surallah solar power plant will help address the power supply shortage in South Cota-bato, Tudio said.

nv vogt, a German firm, is headquartered in Singapore and is involved in developing solar plants in the Asian region with

initial focus in the Philippines and India. It also eyes expansions in Thailand, Indonesia and Ma-laysia.

To come up with the solar power project in Surallah nv vogt had to comply with over 150 permits, Tudio disclosed.

According to Casas, the lengthy process has not deterred nv vogt to pursue the solar pow-er plant project.

In fact, he pointed, the power firm is considering establishing another 5MW solar power plant in a nearby area.


21,000 students, teachers eyed for vaccination in Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani, Aug 19 - Around 21,000 school children and teachers throughout Sarangani are being immunized this month against measles rubella, tetanus-diptheria and human pap-illomavirus (HPV).

With the P100 million the De-partment of Health (DOH) has al-located for the school-based im-munization program, millions of school children belonging to the top 20 poorest provinces in the country would obtain the booster vaccines for free. Sarangani be-longs to this group.

However, the provincial gov-ernment augmented a P1-million budget to cover the first 100 fe-male teachers belonging to the 22 to 30 years old age bracket for their HPV vaccine as one compo-nent in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon explained this as a Sulong Kalusugan scheme of the provin-cial government to have health safety precaution for kids and teachers.

Solon appreciated the inter-vention that DOH rolled out in public schools that gives immu-

nity of these children “to diseas-es like measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus that have been noted to be cause of deaths among children.”

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro, however, re-ported no cases of outbreaks in Sarangani on the mentioned dis-eases.

He said HPV was the second leading cause of deaths among the general population in the Philippines.

Dr. Alejandro said studies showed HPV was the primary cause of cervical cancer for fe-males aged 14 to 44 years old. He pointed out that this group belongs to the sexually active population.

“The moment you are sexually active then the risk of having hu-man papillomavirus is also high,” he said. Immunization would be a preventive action to protect


this group from the virus.The combined measles rubella

and tetanus-diptheria vaccina-tion cover Grade 1 to Grade 7 while Grade 4 pupils with ages 9 to 13 will be given HPV as an in-tegral immunization strategy.

This would eliminate measles and tetanus and control mumps, rubella and diphtheria alongside the prevention of cervical cancer.

Several years from now, these children will reach their productivity stage “hence they should be vac-cinated with HPV. Dapat healthy sila all through-out,” Dr. Alejandro said.

The National School-Based Adolescent Im-munization covers school children and adolescents during the whole month of August.

In Sarangani, the pro-gram kicked-off with a cer-emonial provincial launch-ing on August 3 in Barangay Malandag where a number of children and teachers got vaccinated.

Some 4,100 Grade 1 pu-pils, 10,000 Grade 7 pupils and 10,000 Grade 4 pupils in Sarangani are the target beneficiaries of the immu-nization program.

This intervention, Dr. Alejan-dro said, is steered towards the provincial government’s goal of “achieving 95% coverage among target school children for a bet-ter health outcome.” (B Paoyon- Sarangani Information Office/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


PhilHealth officials recognize media, govt IOs as partner health advocates By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY– “Media’s task is to report and ours is to provide content. Media relay our members’ concerns and we address them.”


This was the statement of Maria Sophia Varlez, Senior Manager of Corporate Communication Department in the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation during the one-day Orientation on Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInE) for Caraga region held on Tuesday in one of the local convention centers here. “We are expressing our thanks and gratitude to our partner media, as well as the information officers in the government for their strong support and for continuously disseminating vital information to the public especially our health programs and services so that the most vulnerable sector in the remote community will be aware and can avail of the government’s health programs,” added Varlez. The said official also recognized the effort of the information officers in the government sector for religiously promoting the welfare of the

people and co-workers and letting them know about their benefits in PhilHealth. “Media uphold their stake as members while we in the government service live up to our mandate,” she stressed. “PhilHealth has its action center which provides immediate response to e-mails, SMS, phone calls, letters and assistance to walk-in clients. The media interviews also enable us to respond directly to our public’s concerns. We also do referrals to concerned regional offices to generate immediate action on complaints/queries,” disclosed Varlez. Varlez further emphasized that PhilHealth and the media shall continue to work closely together to uphold principles of social solidarity and Bayanihan spirit; advance heightened awareness and appreciation for benefits; and promote the National Health Insurance Program for the benefit of every Filipino.


Training, seminars sked at Negosyo Center in SurSur bared

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Sur has bared recently the list of training and seminars being conducted at the Negosyo Center located at its office here.

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

Romel Oribe, DTI provincial director, told media that aside from regular ones, particular training or seminar is also offered per request. The regular training or seminars for that matter and

its respective schedule include: Good Manufacturing Practices at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm. every last Tuesday of the month; Packaging and Labeling at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. every Wednesday afternoon; Pricing and Costing


at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. every Thursday afternoon; and, How to Start a Business at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. every last Wednesday of the month. Both Business Expense Saving Training Game and Dishwashing Liquid Making are conducted for two days with a

minimum of 15 participants upon request, the DTI chief clarified. Moreover, the conduct of Mentoring: Bookkeeping-BIR-Compliance is open at anytime provided a request is likewise sent to set a scheduled date.


Caraga’s economic growth slowed down from 8.1 percent in 2013 to 7.8 percent in 2014.

The slowdown was attributed to downturns in Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing

By: PSA-Caraga

PSA reports economic performance of Caraga region

BUTUAN CITY -- The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office of Region 13 (PSA-RSSO13) conducted a news conference on the report of the Economic Performance of Caraga Region last July 30, 2015 at Big Daddy Hotel and Restaurant, this city. The report highlights the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Caraga Region. GRDP is usually reported in terms of growth rate in real terms or at constant prices.


(AHFF) and Services. Services accounted for the biggest share to the region’s GDP at 45.7 percent. Industry and AHFF’s shares were at 34.7 percent and 19.6 percent, respectively. Services decelerated to 8.7 percent in 2014 from 9.1 percent in 2013. The deceleration was due to slowdown in the following subsectors: Finance, from 11.5 percent to 6.0 percent; Other Services, from 6.5 percent to 1.9 percent; and Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities (RERBA), from 6.5 percent to 5.4 percent. Transportation, Storage and Communication (TSC) however grew by 16.6 percent from 14.0 percent. Trade and Public Administration and Defense (PAD) posted faster growths from 6.4 percent to 7.9 percent and from 4.1 percent to 5.0 percent, respectively. Industry accelerated to 11.1 percent in 2014 from 7.3 percent in the previous year. Construction and Mining and Quarrying (MAQ) expanded from 8.7 percent to 23.5 percent and from 7.1 percent to 7.9 percent, respectively. Manufacturing rebounded from negative 2.2 percent to 12.7 percent. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply (EGWS) however plummeted to 6.6 percent from

24.7 percent in the previous year. AHFF decelerated to 0.6 percent in 2014 from 7.2 percent in 2013. Agriculture and Forestry eased off from 10.0 percent to 0.6 percent. Fishing however recovered from negative 6.1 percent in 2013 to 0.5 percent in 2014. Services and Industry contributed 4.0 percentage points and 3.7 percentage points to the region’s GRDP, respectively. AHFF added 0.1 percentage point. The event was graced by the presence of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga regional director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, PSA Central Office - Management and Corporate Planning Unit (MCPU) Interim Director Candido J. Astrologo and Regional Statistics Committee member agencies.

One Mindanao - August 19, 2015 (4th Anniversary Issue)

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