One Mindanao - August 20, 2015

13

26

21

Del Monte OFW family org elders train in IT

Updates on national school deworming and school-based immunization campaign

ARMM OKs PHP3.7-B banana

plantation project in Maguindanao

Petilla lauds Davao Sur electric coop’s continued success

10

2932

1819

24

15

22

Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

InFocus

Southern

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Buboy Pabi

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

By: Anthony S. Allada

By: IJLagareO

UR C

OV

ER

SurSur guv cites gains in SOPA

PSHS-CMC intensifies info dissemination for NCE 2015

Youth sector gets representation in Gensan CDRRMC

DAR Surigao Norte personnel undergo 2-day risk management seminar

Gingoog, Army, PNP to parade for peace

contents

17

Volume 5 * Issue No. 1

By: Daryll M. Tumbaga

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

8

23

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

4 August 20, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Del Monte OFW family org elders train in IT

Cover Story

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones

5August 20, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in its pursuit to promptly respond to the eager aspiration of its members for organizational

development, rolled off the 4-day Information Technology (IT) Training for the Del Monte Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Families Organization (DMOFO) on August 10-13, 2015 at the Barangay Hall of Del Monte, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.


In the vision to familiarize the basic commands in operating a computer and gradually be able to utilize the advent of technology in bridging the gap between their loved ones abroad, some 18 members with ages ranging from 40-60 participated in the information technology training conducted by OWWA.

Having seen the need to cope up with the fast advancement of technology, Ariel N. Arreza, the president of the organization, shared his gratitude for having been afforded with the training that will help them in the necessary preparations for the

realization of their organizational visions. He also added that it is never too late to keep up with the information age.

More than just the orientation to the social media and the internet as the main use of computers, Vincent B. Mahinay, IT Instructor of OWWA Regional Welfare Office Caraga discussed five modules which included the computer fundamentals 1 and 2, the internet and Microsoft Office i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

The graduation program, which was attended by the barangay


councilors of Del Monte and the municipal PESO Manager of Talacogon, Engr. Remigio Remidio, paved way for the introduction of the ideals of the organization in continuously enhancing their livelihood and in amplifying their contribution to the economy through utilization of the lush soil of the locality.

Furthermore, the newly elected officers of the Talacogon OFW and Dependents Association (TODA) from

Poblacion, Talacogon also joined the program for their induction ceremony.

In order to keep abreast with the very competitive world of today, OWWA Caraga regional director Samuel S. Madrid stressed the importance of coordination to maintain cohesiveness among the Talacogon OFW organizations to be able to create a more intensified influence and yield a better outcome.


Asean GDP grows by 4.6%

JAKARTA -- The latest data from ASEAN Statistics revealed that ASEAN economies remained resilient in 2014 amidst uncertainty in the global economic environment.

The real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.6 percent to reach US$ 2.57 trillion. The sustained growth in GDP led

to an increase in the GDP per capita from US$ 3,908 in 2013 to US$ 4,130 in 2014. The services sector continued to be the biggest


contributor to growth at 50.1 percent of the region’s total GDP in 2014. In the case of ASEAN6 (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand), all countries except Malaysia have experienced a slowdown in their growth, leading to a decrease in the averaged GDP growth from 5.1 percent in 2013 to 4.3 percent in 2014. In contrast, the real GDP growth of CLMV countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam) advanced by 6.6 percent in 2014, higher by 0.4 percentage point compared to the 2013 level.

In terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) on the one hand, ASEAN’s GDP reached PPP$ 6.64 trillion in 2014, constituting 6.1 percent of World GDP in PPP. On the other hand, ASEAN’s GDP per capita stood at PPP$ 10,677 which is equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the World GDP per capita of PPP$ 15,189.

As one of the fastest growing regions in the world, the share of ASEAN GDP in the world has increased from 3.18% in 2013 to 3.33% in 2014. The size of the ASEAN GDP in 2014 stood at approximately 15% of the US economy, compared to only 7% in 2004. (ASEAN)


Updates on national school deworming and school-based immunization campaign

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday discloses its progress on its coverage on National School Deworming and School-Based Immunization Campaign.

The National School Deworming campaign, “Oplan

Goodbye Bulate” which was launched last July 29, 2015 aims to


deworm approximately 14 million school aged children enrolled in public elementary schools in a day. While “Bakuna para sa Kabataan, Proteksiyon sa Kinabukasan”, a free immunization program was initiated last August 3, 2015, and given to Grades 1 and 7 students in public schools nationwide.

To date, 11,470,245 out of 14,740,075 or 80% of enrolled students were dewormed nationwide. Most of the regions in the country accomplished more than the recommended target by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is 75%. Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin reiterated that soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) can cause poor physical growth, poor intellectual development in children and can result to anemia and malnutrition not only in children but also among women of child bearing age. She emphasized that abdominal pain, vomiting, and dizziness are

normal symptoms associated with deworming. Furthermore, all medicines given by DOH to the public were recommended by WHO and inspected by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

On the other hand, the School-Based Immunization Program, which is on its third week, already vaccinated 199,426 out of 2,507,038 or 8% against Measles-Rubella (MR) to Grade 1 students and 191,792 out of 1,863,624 or 10% of enrolled Grade 7 students. In addition, 270,618 out of 2,507,038 or 11% of enrolled Grade 1 students and 191,735 out of 1,863,624 or 10% of enrolled Grade 7 students were vaccinated against Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD). The said campaign is continuously being implemented to Grades 1 and 7 students this August in public schools nationwide. “The immunization will be given to students with parental/guardian consent. We highly encourage parents to let their


children be vaccinated. These medicines will provide life-long immunity against tetanus and diphtheria and will help reduce sickness and death due to measles and rubella. The DOH uses vaccines approved by WHO which are safe, effective, and used worldwide.” Garin said. Last August 14, DOH collaborated with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strengthen its community and school-based health programs during the National Health Summit. Among the priority commitments in the summit are the School-Based Health Stations and Dental Health Bus which aim to reach the underserved, especially those in remote areas. “The success of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan relies heavily not only with DOH but more importantly on the support and actions of the attached government agencies, non-

government organizations, developmental partners and the local government units. With the DOH as the lead, DepEd as the venue and DILG as the implementers, health programs will be available and accessible to all. “Mararamdaman, mararanasan, at makakarating sa lahat ang Kalusugan Pangkalahatan.” Garin added.

The National School based Deworming Day will be done yearly every July and January to reduce the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthiasis among school children while the School-based Immunization will be done every August of the year. (DOH)


NorMin exporters join in SIAL 2015

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-- Four local food exporters took part in the leading international food exhibition network, Salon International de I’Agroalimentaire (SIAL).


SIAL started in Paris in 1964 and has now six major exhibits every year targeting big markets or trade blocs such as Europe, Brazil, China, Canada, Middle East and the newest and equally promising SIAL-ASEAN.

The Philippines is honored to be once again the venue for the 2nd edition SIAL-ASEAN at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila last June 17-19, 2015.

Siezing this great opportunity, the Department of Trade and Industry facilitated the participation of B-G Fruits and Nut Manufacturing Corporation, producer of banana chips and virgin coconut oil; Linabu Agrarian Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Tropical Organic Harvest Philippine Corporation, who are both a manufacturer of coconut sugar; and Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corporation, a poultry integrator and producer of duck meat and duck eggs.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shouldered the cost of booth and booth dress-up.

Through the event, trade leads were established with

Global Organic and Wellness Corporation and Ochiba Trading Corporation who are interested in coconut sugar. A Korean buyer, Bae Minsuk also took interest in the products of B-G Fruits and Nuts Manufacturing Corporation.

The DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office continues to support exporters in accessing international market thru business matching, participating in trade fairs, organizing trade fairs, organizing outbound trade missions and a lot more.

This is the 2nd international trade event that DTI took part in. In the following months, the agency is expected to facilitate two more international trade fairs.

The first trade event is the Philippines Festival 2015 in Japan scheduled in September 19-20, 2015. The last one will be focused on fashion and home furnishings which is the Manila FAME slated on October 15-18, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.


ARMM OKs PHP3.7-B banana plantation project in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY-- Entrepreneurial strategists of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao approved on Wednesday the registration of a PHP3.7-billion Cavendish banana plantation project of Al-Sahar Agri Ventures Inc., in Maguindanao.

photo from Philstar

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman and managing head of the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), described the Al Sahar

trade venture as the biggest in the region’s history.

The project would have a


total land area of 2,600 hectares in the municipalities of Talayan, Buldon, Barira, and Mangudadatu.

The new plantation in Maguindanao is expected to create up to 3,900 jobs for local residents.

“Our company is here in ARMM to help uplift the lives of the people and help propel economic development in the region,” Ed Bullecer, director of Al-Sahar, said.

Al Sahar is an affiliate of the Unifrutti Group that manages other companies in ARMM such as

La Frutera Inc., Wao Development Corp. and Mount Kalatungan Agri Ventures Inc.

ARMM has been the location for several successful ventures of Unifrutti conglomerate.

Prior to Al Sahar’s entry, investments in the region were recorded at PHP1.8 billion.

Current projects in the ARMM includes a PHP1.3-B oil palm plantation; a PHP400-million Napier grass biomass fuel production project; and a PHP200-million modern cassava starch factory. (PNA)


RSCC entrusts children to adoptive parents

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – For the third quarter of 2015, five children from the Reception and Study Center for Children were finally entrusted to their respective adoptive parents through Inter-country Adoption and Domestic Adoption.

By: Faith M. Sabulana

Adoption is defined as a socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child whose parents have voluntarily or involuntarily relinquished parental authority over the child. The entrustment ceremony marked the most memorable

moment for the children to finally meet and be united with their dear parents. Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field


Office 10 in her welcome message said, “Your long wait is over now, finally you can embrace with love the child that you have prayed for. You can dispose the parental obligations that you wished to do for a long time. We are very happy that finally our child will have a family that can provide her one-on-one care, a family she can call her own to share happiness, tears and experiences in life that would make her a better person in the future.” Karst Kolk , one of the adoptive parents from the Netherlands thanked the RSCC staff and the people of DSWD for taking good care of their adopted daughter even before they met her. He assured the staff that , they will always be there to guide, care and love the child much more than they have valued their

daughter. The Hegedius couple, overwhelmed the moment they got in touch with their adopted twins, consider the day as the most memorable day of their lives as their prayers have been granted with the two adorable girls that will fill their home with happiness. Presidential Decree No. 603 “The Child and Youth Welfare Code” on the rights of the child states that “Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care and understanding, guidance and counseling, and moral and material security. DSWD, which is tasked to provide assistance to interested couples, assist them in complying with the requirements and undergoing the tedious process of adoption.

PSHS-CMC intensifies info dissemination for NCE 2015OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Philippine Science High School, Central Mindanao Campus (PSHS-CMC) has intensified its campaign for this year’s National Competitive Examination (NCE).

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob


This, as some of its personnel had recently visited the elementary schools of the city for an NCE information dissemination and orientation, Dr. Rebonfamil R. Baguio, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Department of Education, Division of Ozamiz City (DepEd-Ozamiz), said. To be conducted this coming October 3, the NCE is open to all incoming Grade 7 students, who wants to apply for the Department of Science and Technology-PSHS Systems’ Scholars for School Year (SY) 2016-2017. Eligible to apply are Grade 6 pupils from a duly DepEd-recognized school, who meets the following criteria: Have a final grade of 85 percent or better in

Science and Mathematics, as evidenced by the pupil’s report card. If a pupil’s grade in Science or Mathematics is below 85 percent, then he/she must provide evidence that he/she belongs to the upper 10 percent of the class. Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country, born on or after July 1, 2001, with good health, fit to undergo a rigorous academic program. Have at least a satisfactory rating or its equivalent in his/her Character Rating in his/her SY 2014-2015 report card, and not have taken any NCE in previous years, Baguio said.

Gingoog, Army, PNP to parade for peaceBy: Buboy Pabia

GINGOOG CITY – Waving the theme “Ihunong na ang Kagubot, Hatagi’g Tsansa ang Kalinaw,” the city government of Gingoog has joined hand in hand with the 58th Infantry Battalion “Dimalulupig” of the Philippine Army (58th IB-PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stage and invite Gingoognons to convene from the People’s Playground and parade along the city’s main thoroughfares then culminate at the Pahayahay sa Pantalan Area on August 18, 2015.


Being the keynote speaker, Mayor Marie Guingona has been voicing out that peace and order is everyone’s primordial concern. “Let us always strive to attain peace as an essential element for our soaring economic development and citywide progress. Let us continually regard ourselves as messengers and keepers of peace. Let us share about our local government unit’s (LGU) programs, projects, plans and accomplishments for the general welfare to our brothers and sisters who opt for armed struggles so that they will know that our advocacies are for everybody’s goodness and societal development,” the mayor said. The chief executive has initiated the well-collaborated

event which reiterates the challenge to live in peace and love peace for Gingoognons’ safety, security, prosperity and well-being. Mayor Marie has been very grateful to the Army stationed in some barangays in the city for always patrolling for the people, environment and government.

She has been lauding the efforts exerted by the police led by P/Supt. Michael Bawayan, Jr. in deterring crimes and eliminating proliferation of illegal drugs in cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). She sincerely acknowledged the collaboration of priests, religious leaders from the faith-based groups, Gingoog Evangelical Pastors Association (GEPA) and other members of Gingoog Movement Against Immorality and Drug Addiction (GMAIDA) who read her letter request for peace caravan to churchgoers and for their wide dissemination regarding the upcoming affair which definitely attracts massive participation.


Gov urges public to use provincial hospitalsDAVAO DEL NORTE - Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is urging ev-ery Dabaonon to take advantage of the three provincial hospi-tals for speedy delivery of basic health services. The governor stressed the Davao del Norte hospitals, par-ticularly the Samal, Carmen and Kapalong zones are now equipped to cater to the medical needs of the people. He said that basic health concerns that do not yet need specialized care can be covered by the provincial hospitals to avoid overcrowding of the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City. Del Rosario revealed that with the impending conversion of DRH into a medical center, pri-mary health care should be left to the rural health centers and the provincial hospitals. “When DRH becomes a med-ical center it should only offer highly-specialized medical ser-vices like cancer treatment and major surgeries, among others,” he said.

The hospital only has a 200-bed capacity but is currently ad-mitting more than double the number since they cannot turn down the admission, particularly of poor patients seeking medical treatment. The governor said normal pregnancies and other outpatient cases can be treated outside the hospitals. “Kailangan dumaan muna sila sa mga series ng mga health providers natin at yung hindi na kaya, dalhin na sa mga hospital natin,” the governor said. As he puts it, this will mini-mize mortality rate and conges-tion in the hospitals towards ef-fective and efficient dispensing of needed medical services. Del Rosario pushed for fur-ther improvement in the capa-bility of the rural health centers and the provincial hospitals to advance services. He said DavNor hospital Car-men Zone is prepped up to be-come a “mother and child” facil-ity, equipped to serve pregnant


Petilla lauds Davao Sur electric coop’s continued successDIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur– Former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla was all praises for the continued successes achieved by the Davao del Sur Electric Co-operative (Dasureco), the lone power distributor in the prov-ince. “Dasureco is well run, and with that we become progres-sive,” said Petilla, who was the guest speaker during the recent-ly-concluded 3rd Barangay Cap-tains Forum on August 12-13, 2015 at Crisbel Crown Center here with a theme: “Dasureco and LGUs: Partners in Driving True Inclusive Growth”. He said that the electric co-operative has been very success-ful in providing the people with enough power supply even in the remotest part of the province. The Dasureco has been re-cently rated for the three consec-utive years Triple A performance by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) during the 22nd NEA-Electric Cooperatives Consultative Conference held at

the Manila Hotel on August 5, 2015. During that event, all elec-tric cooperatives under NEA were given performance assessment for the year 2014 and Dasureco has been rated as a Triple A Elec-tric Cooperative with a 100 per-cent perfect score in all aspects of operation. The highest rating of AAA will be given to power coops which are compliant to all four parameters: Financial, Institu-tional, Technical and Reportorial Requirements. Meanwhile, the forum at-tended by 314 barangay cap-tains from Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental was described to be one of a kind since only Da-sureco all over the Philippines is the only electric cooperative to conduct such event. Also in attendance were Hagonoy Mayor Ret. Gen. Fran-co Calida, Sta. Cruz Mayor Atty. Joel Ray Lopez and Digos City Mayor Atty. Joseph Peñas. (Anthony S. Allada)

women in the province. He likewise disclosed the current upgrading of the Samal Zone hospital to reduce maternal

and infant mortality in the Island Garden City of Samal. (Lunesito Gorgonio/PIO DN)


Over 200K NorthCot villagers reached in medical-dental missionsBy: Shahama Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Aug 20-- A total of 201,541 in-dividuals from some 494 villages in the three districts of the prov-ince benefited from the series of medical and dental activities con-ducted by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug 20– The youth in General Santos City can now actively participate in making the city disaster resilient.

Dr. Eva Rabaya, officer-in-charge of the IPHO said the number of beneficiaries included those served in events from 2010 to August 5 of this year.From the said number, Rabaya noted that 153,665 individu-als availed of medical checkup, 34,198 benefited from dental services while 13,678 young boys were circumcised.Aside from medical checkups, tooth extractions and circumci-sions, the IPHO, together with other partner agencies and or-ganizations also distributed free medicines and vitamins to pa-tients especially to senior citi-zens and young children.This achievement was real-ized after Governor Emmylou Mendoza mandated the IPHO to conduct year round medical missions and visitations to vil-

lages including those that are located in the remote areas.This, according to the governor, is to enable the provincial gov-ernment to deliver basic servic-es to the people especially the poor families which are the main target of the province’s, “Serbi-syong Totoo” advocacy.“There are many individuals who are sick but would not go to hospitals or see doctors for different reasons and some of these are the long distance of travel from barangays to the hospitals and lack of money to pay doctor’s fee and others,” said Gov. Mendoza adding that the initiative is also aimed at bringing the provincial govern-ment closer to the people. (SJ-Duerme-PIA12/NorthCot Media Cent

Youth sector gets representation in Gensan CDRRMC

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera signed Executive Order (EO)

No. 23 on August 12 giving the youth sector mandatory repre


sentation in the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

The signing took place dur-ing the International Youth Day Celebration. It was witnessed by thousands of high school stu-dents who participated in the event.

EO 23 amends Section 1 of EO No. 10-A Series of 2013 or the “Executive Order Re-organizing and Expanding the General San-tos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (GSC-DRRMC).”

Section 1 of the said EO spec-ifies the organization and com-position of the GSCDRRMC.

The Youth Affairs and De-velopment Office (YADO) will supervise the selection of the youth representative to the GSCDRRMC. Every youth civil society organization may submit its nomination to the YADO.

Rivera said the participation of the youth in every civic organi-zation and activity of the city is necessary for the nation-build-ing process.

“Of course, we want to include our youth in every activity in the city. We want to ensure that they have active participation in our programs here in the city government,” Mayor Rivera said.

He pointed out that the youth sector always takes important role in the affairs of the city government.

“I believe that they have the capacity to share their ideas, especially in disaster prepara-tion,” he said.

Currently, the GSCDRRMC’s action officer is Agrapino Dacera while its head is the local chief executive.

The city government con-tinuously engages the youth in proactive activities through pro-grams such as the Gensan Sum-mer Youth Festival.

The YADO, City Population and Management Office and the Sports Division of City Hall are offices that handle various youth programs of the city. (IJL-agare-Gensan CPIO/DEDogu-iles-PIA 12)


Caraga RPAB endorses P711 Million worth of subprojects to PRDP By: Emmylou T. Presilda

BUTUAN CITY-- After the two-day deliberation held on August 11-12, the Caraga Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approves and endorses around P712 Million of Infrastructure Projects proposed by the different Local Government Units for 2016 funding under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).


PRDP is a P27.5-billion World Bank project implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the national government and local government units (LGUs). It is a six-year program (2013-2019) designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. Considering the immense demand from LGUs nationwide and that funding is on a first come first serve basis, DA Regional Project Coordination Office (DA-RPCO) has assisted PLGUs to fast track submission of PRDP proposals for inclusion in the 2016 allocation of the Project. Under the Intensified Building up of Infrastructure

and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) or infrastructure component, Caraga is endorsing to PRDP the following subprojects approved by RPAB: Two Farm-Market-Roads (FMR) from Surigao del Norte totaling to P272.5 Million; Road concreting of Mabuhay – Bagumbayan FMR in the Province of Dinagat Islands amounting to P50.5 Million; Agusan del Norte’s Concreting of Bay-ang – Mahaba FMR with bridge in Cabadbaran amounting to P156.1 Million; Surigao del Sur FMR projects from Cortes amounting P170 Million and San Agustin amounting P33.3 Million; and, Rehabilitation of Culit Communal Irrigation Project of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte amounting to P29.3 Million.


The said projects will be endorsed to the Program Support Office Mindanao Cluster for review to see to it that every project adheres to the criteria set by the Project. Afterwhich, subproject proposals will be endorsed to the National Program Coordination Office for further review and approval. A No Objection Letter (NOL1) shall be issued thereafter if said proposals are found eligible for PRDP funding. “We are scrutinizing the details of the proposed subprojects because its approval would ultimately lead to the development of the agriculture sector in our region. We have to make sure that every monetary investment of the government through PRDP would lead to

economic gains and sustain agricultural growth even after the project has ended,” DA Caraga regional director and RPAB chair Edna Mabeza said. Following the Value Chain approach, the approval of the seven sub-project would support to the development of various agri-fishery enterprises such as Coconut, Abaca, and Cassava.


SurSur guv cites gains in SOPA

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Summing up the feat his administration has achieved for the past year 2014, Governor Johnny Pimentel cited “UNITY IN GOVERNANCE” in a 27-page State of the Province Address (SOPA) as the “operating guide” that brought Surigao del Sur to its current pedestal.

By: Greg Tataro, Jr.

He bared before the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan members assembled on Monday during its 102nd Regular Session at the Capitol Seminar Hall joined in by the cross section of the society that becoming “more closely-knit in the face

of challenges and adversities…has been the key to our strength and adherence to the principles of good governance that has become the laid foundation for our progress.” In his discourse, Pimentel pointed out seven significant


areas of triumph—Food Sufficient Province; Enhanced Small and Medium Enterprise Livelihood Activities; Expanded Health, Social Services and Education; Wider Infrastructure Projects Implementation; Promoting Peace for Surigao del Sur; Environmental Protection, Conservation and Wise Utilization; and, Efficient Tax Collection—where his administration had posted a significant leap, citing the reduction of poverty incidence and the maintenance as well as improvement of ecology as the two most important developmental objectives. “Allow me to present my humble accomplishments last year that I earnestly believed have contributed to sustain Surigao del Sur as a vibrant province constantly moving forward to desired progress and growth capable of confronting challenges even in trying times guided and embraced by a competitive and responsible leadership,” he stressed. Among the seven areas mentioned, three of which—Food Sufficient Province; Expanded Health, Social Services and Education; as well as Wider Infrastructure Projects Implementation—have been

lengthily presented. On Food Sufficiency Province, Pimentel made mention of the “Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever’s Award” given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) that the province had bagged in 2012 along with other nine others in the league due to numerous achievements. He said that “Production area increased by 4 percent or 421.56 hectares for irrigated and by 25 percent or 2,768 hectares for rainfed which translated to a total increase of 11,640.42 metric tons of palay harvested in 2011; Yield also increased by 1.4 percent in irrigated and 1.6 percent in rainfed areas; and, Posted 85 percent self-sufficiency in rice in 2013, a dramatic increase from 72 percent level in 2010.” “Despite natural calamties, which thinly spread-out limited resources to various areas of concern, the agriculture sector in our province remained steadfast and posted significant gains in 2014,” Pimentel remarked.

Under Health, Social Services and Education, the governor stressed “I lead the bureaucracy in undertaking effective, responsible and appropriate social services. These are strong and continuing


programs on health and nutrition, social welfare and education.” He then cited “Alay ng Probinsiya Scholarship Program” allotted with P2 million; Jobs through Tech-Voc Program (JTP) with TESDA; full implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); and Health support and sponsorship programs. On “Wider Infrastructure Projects Implementation,” Pimentel had recited in particular a litany of priority projects implemented aside from regular rehabilitation and maintenance of roads and bridges amounting to a total of P105.844 million on provincial funded projects. Before embarking on a more than an hour and 15 minutes

delivery of his SOPA, he first expressed deep gratitude to the key political leaders in the province and everybody else including employees of all National Government Agencies (NGAs) for what he described as “consistent support for the realization of numerous government projects and programs that have benefited our people and sustained our developmental efforts for our beloved province of Surigao del Sur.” In closing, Pimentel, speaking in local dialect, urged his fellow leaders to continue the valuable sense of unity that empowers them to generate more projects that are essential to the people now and in the coming future.


By: Daryll M. Tumbaga

DAR Surigao Norte personnel undergo 2-day risk management seminar

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte (DAR-SdN) conducted recently a two-day seminar with drill exercise on Risk Reduction Management to its 50 office-based personnel held on July 29-30, 2015 at the provincial office here.

The said activity was aimed to prepare its personnel in times of disasters as it joins the entire country in the observance of Disaster Consciousness Month. The expertise on disaster risk management of SFO1 Jimson E. Esnardo of the Bureau of Fire Protection Surigao City and Leonardo C. Go of Surigao City Environment and Natural Resources Office was tapped to discuss and present to the participants the risk of the disasters and how to manage those disasters. The discussions on the two-day seminar were focused on natural and man-made

calamities like earthquake, fire, typhoon, flood and bio-chemical outbreaks. Upon conclusion of the two-day seminar, the participants underwent the earthquake and fire drills. Some participants also performed fire control of an LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) tank on fire by manually turning off the tank regulator and with the use of a fire extinguisher. The participants were grateful that they gained additional knowledge in disaster management like the “duck-cover-hold” response technique during earthquake.

One Mindanao - August 20, 2015

Documents

Transcript of One Mindanao - August 20, 2015