One Mindanao - March 20, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

Executive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

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Cover Story

Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park braces for the tourists, this summer and beyond

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob Northern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 219

page 4

Academe opens opinion survey center Frances Gevera Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

Hataman commits P3M for Polloc Freeport improvement, facelift13 Perlita B. Changco, Central Mindanao

So. Cotabato Prov’l Hosp. nagtalaga ng 2 bed para sa mga atleta ng CRAA 2012

16Ac Agad, Southern Mindanao

Surigao City joins Earth Hour 2012 20 Annette P. Villaces, Caraga Region

Coloma cited PIA’s role in disaster management 7

DTI Caraga hosts BETP’s “Doing Business in FreeTrade Areas” Ramil J. Leongas, Caraga Region

ARMM chief visit brings P1-B worth of projects to Sulu23 Western Mindanao

10

Governor visits Baliangao on International Women’s Day with medical and dental team 28 Pat Nano, Northern Mindanao

NSO set to update list of establishments 24 Western Mindanao

14

BSP approves consolidation of Mis. Occ., Davao Sur and Surigao Sur Coop banks27Isagani Daba, Northern Mindanao

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9

11

15

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4 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Eat all you can, consisting mostly, of fresh sea foods. Spacious function rooms and dormitories plus an

abundance of sea breeze that brings a form of relaxation to people away from the maddening crowd of a busy city life.

Cover StoryMisamis Occidental Aquamarine Park braces for the tourists, this summer and beyond

These are only some of the food and service packages that the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP), this province, have offered to tourists, both domestic

and foreign who visit the area, anytime of the year.

Located in Barangay Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban

town, MOAP, with its surrounding

m a n g r o v e t r e e s ,

spells of

peaceful and natural environs that had become a favorite to both government agencies and non-government organizations for them to hold their seminars and other team-building activities. It is also the gateway to the so-called Dolphin Island that serves as a rehabilitation center for dolphins which seek refuge in the coastal areas after being hurt by fishermen who wanted to hunt them. In fact of the more than 10 bottle-nosed dolphins which were nurtured back to health, only three (3) have remained, because the others

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

have been released

back to the sea, Manolito V. Yap, Project Manager of MOAP, said. He said, so far, the wooden walkway to the Governor Herminia M. Ramiro Wharf has now been renovated and concreted for the ease and safety of the people who want to go to the Dolphin Island and want to commune with nature by feeding the remaining dolphins in the center. Meanwhile, Yap said MOAP’s Php6.53 million income in 2011, is expected to double, this year, after

the bookings for their function rooms and dormitories have

started early for 2012, compared to the year

before when the bookings were

made only in the second

semester due to

the

renovation of some of its facilities in the first half of the year. Owned by the Misamis Occidental Provincial Government, MOAP, with its restaurant, a grouper or lapu-lapu fish, shrimps, bangus and hito hatcheries and mini zoo, is described as a tangible manifestation of its vision to promote aqua-marine production,

environmental protection and eco-tourism. Geared towards the provision of livelihood opportunities to the Misamisnons, the project was started by then Governor Leo Loreto S. Ocampos, who is now the Congressman of the 2nd District of the province supported by then Congresswoman Herminia M. Ramiro of the said district, who is now the Mis. Occ. Provincial Governor. It also gained financial support from Sen. Francis Pangilinan and then Senators Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. and Richard Gordon, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism when the MOAP was opened to the public.

6 Tuesday, March 20, 2012ONE MINDANAO

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino meets Czech Republic First Deputy Prime Minister

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Czech Republic First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg during a courtesy call in Malacanang on Tuesday morning.

Schwarzenberg is currently on a scheduled visit to the Philippines and Vietnam. This visit to the Philippines is expected to forge stronger economic and trade relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic that both countries have been enjoying for more

than 50 years.In 2004, relations

between the two countries deepened after the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004 and also its entry to Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in October 2004.

Both events opened

the door for Philippine business community into the Czech Republic and to all members of the European Union.

While the bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries is not limited to the investments of private companies, the


Coloma cited PIA’s role in disaster management

The role of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as disseminators of timely and accurate information in the event of calamities was the highlight of the message delivered by Secretary Sonny Coloma during a forum on

disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation held Friday.

government of the Czech

Republic has been granting

the Philippines official development assistance particularly for infrastructure projects.

Czech Republic also supports the Philippines in areas of sanitation, agriculture and energy.

The Philippines on the other hand exports to the Czech Republic electronics components including garments, furniture, tropical fruits and agricultural products.

A c c o m p a n y i n g S c h w a r z e n b e r g were Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar,

Section of the Foreign Ministry Dir. Gen. Katrina Weissova and Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dir. Gen. Vit Kolar.

Also present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn Austria-Garcia. (AS)


T h e

Presidential Communication

O p e r a t i o n s Office (PCOO) chief

recalled that during the onslaught of Typhoon Pedring in 2011, the PIA acting on the emergency advisory of the Office of the Civil Defenfense in Central Luzon, prepared a message alerting residents of the area on the impending flash flood that was broadcasted to all mobile subcribers in the area. Coloma said that through the timely PIA alert message, evacuation to higher grounds were made and lives were saved from the flood that ravaged numerous areas in Central Luzon. Coloma along with Australian ambassador Bill Tweddel graced the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila area (GMMA) organized by Senator Loren

Legarda. L e g a r d a , chairperson of the Senate committee on climate change, has partnered with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) in organizing this initiative. Other partners include the Quezon City Government, the Presidential C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Operations Office (PCOO), the Manila Observatory (MO), the UN International

Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the Asia Pacific Institute for Green Development, and the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF). The forum is a gathering of local government units, national government agencies, n o n - g o v e r n m e n t organizations, academe, youth, media and private sector from the National Capital Region (NCR), and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal that aims to facilitate the integration of disaster mitigation in local development plans.


DOF brings microinsurance literacyto Davao by Frances Gevera Macapagat

Fhe Department of Finance (DOF) and the Insurance

Commission (IC) are currently training forty Dabawenyos from March 20 to 22 at the Apo View Hotel, this city for the microinsur-ance literacy campaign. The training is aimed to push for a wide acceptance of microinsurance among the informal and low income sectors. A nationwide campaign, this literacy program is anchored on developing advocate-partners in promoting microinsurance among key stakeholders. Both DOF and the IC are implementing various initiatives on microinsurance such as projects supported by the Asian Development Bank-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and the German International Cooperation. Aside from the 3-day

training, the same team will conduct the Magpaseguro Para Protektado: Advocacy Seminar on Microinsurance on Friday (March 23). This one-day event will provide basic information on the current initiatives on microinsurance and the roles of government, the private sector and development partners in promoting micro-insurance. It is during this event that a presentation will be made on the establishment of appropriate policy and regulatory environment that will encourage and facilitate safe and sound provision of microinsurance products and services. Participants will look at the salient features of the National Strategy and Regulatory Framework for Microinsurance as it promotes increased access by the low income and informal sectors to affordable and simple insurance products.


Academe opens opinion survey centerby Frances Gevera Macapagat

DAVAO CITY – An academic institution, the University of Mindanao (UM), formally launched today the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO), an opinion survey center that is aimed to provide timely, relevant and scientifically-drawn survey results. Primarily, it focuses on timely issues that relate to the popular concerns of the people of Davao. IPO Director Dr. Maria Linda Arquiza claimed that it is the pioneering institute in Davao that makes use of the academe as a reliable and impartial source of information on public opinion. “We want this opinion known and available to governmental policy makers, news media, special interest groups, and concerned social

scientists.”, she said. Priority issues that the IPO plans to conduct a survey on are those in the fields of trust rating, peace and development social integration, governance and government service, health, environment and climate change. The center will provide survey results that can contribute in crafting policies, law and

ordinances, as well as in evaluating risks of investment for businesses that need to employ analysis from opinion surveys. “ The results that we will be releasing may not directly influence decisions of policy makers but they surely carry weight and consideration in policy design.”, she added. The center is composed of research professors, and trained enumerators from the said academic institution under the Research and Publication Center .Although it focuses on issues affecting Dabawenyos, the center may also undertake surveys outside the scope of Davao City upon request by stakeholders. (PIA/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)


Koronadal City to build class “AA” slaughterhouseby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- A Class “AA” compliant slaughter-house or abattoir will soon rise in Koronadal City, an official of the local government confirmed today.


Acting city treasurer Marlon Gumbao said, public bidding for P4.7-million abattoir is underway; bids are expected to be opened this week.

“Construction of the slaughterhouse could begin in April if the project is awarded to the winning bidder next week,” he said. This should be completed before 2012 ends.

The plan to put up a class “AA” slaughterhouse is in accordance with Mayor Peter B. Miguel’s move to improve safety and quality of meat products processed in the city as well as improve the LGU’s revenues.

The drawing up of the specific plans for the abattoir was done in close coordination with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture to make sure that the facility and its equipment will be compliant with “AA” classification standards, Gumbao said.

Once the abattoir is completed, the city government will apply for its AA accreditation.

According to Executive Order No. 137 series of 1993 providing the implementing rules and regulations governing the devolution of certain

powers and functions of then National Meat Inspection Commission to LGUs class “AA” abattoirs are “those with facilities and operational procedures sufficiently adequate that the livestock and fowls slaughtered therein are suitable for sale in any market domestic or international.”

“With a class ‘AA’ abattoir, we can expect four to five times increase in our revenue from the abattoir operations,” Gumbao said because local meat producers and processors could be required to have their livestock and poultry prepared in the facility.

“Unless we have ‘AA’ classification we cannot compel local businesses and meat producers to have their livestock and poultry processed in our slaughterhouse.”

Gumbao, however, clarified, having an AA facility would not necessarily mean an increase in fees “because such would need passage of an ordinance by the city council.”

“Mayor Miguel has


also ordered our office to find all means to

improve our collection efficiency before

increasing standing fees,” he said.

Hataman commits P3M for Polloc Freeport improvement, faceliftby Perlita B. Changco

COTABATO CITY -- ARMM OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman has committed to allocate P3 million for the upgrading of port facilities and beautification of the Polloc Freeport in Parang, Maguindanao to attract more cargo vessels and passenger ships to dock at the region’s premier port.

During the Polloc Freeport 2nd year anniversary on March 15, Hataman vowed to support the improvement of its facilities and beautification to promote investment and tourism industries for the region’s socio-economic development. The celebration’s theme

was “Kapit-bisig para sa Pag-angat ng Polloc Freeport”

Polloc Port Manager Kahal Ibay said, the amount would be utilized for the purchase of sixty-four pcs.100-ton Mooring Bollard (Tee-head) replacing some dilapidated ones, 22 pcs. rubber fenders

and beautification and maintenance of the port area.

Ibay said, as a self-sustaining facility, 14 cargo vessels dock at Polloc Port on a regular basis with P30,000 docking fee per vessel, and for February. this year, the port has recorded docking of 16 cargo vessels.

To ensure sustainability, Ibay said, negotiations are underway for the relocation of some 334 houses inside the port to Barangay Sarmiento, Parang, as part of the facility improvement, e n h a n c e m e n t and beautification programs to cater to the convenience and comfort of tourists and


travellers.It maybe recalled

that in August 28, 1998, former President Fidel Ramos issued Executive Order 435 that transferred supervision and management of Polloc Port from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

(ARMM) through the creation of the Regional Ports Authority (RPA).

Then in 2002, RPA was reorganized to Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) by virtue of executive order No. 2 signed by then ARMM regional governor Parouk Hussin.

In 2010, Port Management Office-Polloc was detached

from the RPMA pursuant to Declaration No. 1 issued by former ARMM Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong, declaring Barangay Polloc as Special Economic Zone and further declaring and designating a portion of barangay Polloc as Polloc Freeport. (pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City)

So. Cotabato Prov’l Hosp. nagtalaga ng 2 bed para sa mga atleta ng CRAA 2012KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato --Upang masiguro ang agarang pagtutok sa mga pangangailangang medikal ng mga atletang kalahok sa Cotabato Re-gional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet, naglaan ng dalawang hospital beds ang South Cotabato Provincial Hospital kung sakaling may ng mga emer-gency cases mula sa palaro.

Sa isang panayam ng mga lokal na media, sinabi ni Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr, na kaniya ng inabisuhan ang ospital ng lalawigan na maglaan ng dalawang hospital beds upang kaagad na mabigyan ng lunas ang mga atletang magkasakit o maaksidente sa panahon ng isinasagawang palaro, kung saan host ang lalawigan ng South Cotabato.

Ayon kay Aturdido, ang kasalukuyang

naiibang pabago-bagong panahon na nararanasan ng lalawigan ay maaari umanong maging dahilan ng pagkasakit ng mga atleta mula sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Rehiyon Dose na naiiba ang klima sa South Cotabato.

Naglaan na rin ng sapat na pondo ang South Cotabato Provincial Health Office para sa mga gamot na gagamitin sakaling mayroong mga atleta

na mangangailangan.Kaugnay nito, pinag-

iingat din ni Aturdido ang lahat ng mga delegasyon na kalahok sa apat na araw na 2012 CRAA Meet na seguruhing mabigyan kaagad ng lunas ang mga atletang makaramdam ng anumang sakit.

Samantala, isang ambulansya rin ang itinalaga ng Integrated Provincial Health Office sa South Cotabato Sports Complex .(Ac Agad PIA12)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 15www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

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45 injured, 28 houses damaged by 5.9 magnitude quake - Caraga DRRMC

Fhe Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) of Caraga reported that at least 45 persons were injured and 28 houses are

damaged from the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte Friday afternoon, March 16.

by Susil D. Ragas


According to RDRRMC’s report out of 45 injured, two persons are currently admitted at the Miranda Family Hospital, two at the Surigao Medical Hospital, one at the Caraga Regional Hospital and 40 persons were outpatients. Around 24 houses were totally damaged

in Brgy. Roxas, and four houses partially damaged in Brgy. Imee, Basilisa in Dinagat Islands. Initial damaged assessment to infrastructure amounted to P828,440 in San Jose, Dinagat Islands. D a m a g e d infrastructures include partially damaged multi-purpose staged and wharf in Basilisa, minor

cracked municipal and sangguniang building in Cagdianao and minor cracked gymnasium and elementary school in Libjo. The quake was centered two kilometers (1.2 miles) off Dinagat Islands near which was tectonic in origin and with a depth of 16km. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga has already coordinated and instructed the local DRRMCs to continuously monitor the situations in the area. As of this posting, no aftershocks and casualties have been reported.

DTI Caraga hosts BETP’s “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas”by Ramil J. Leongas

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Bureau of Export Trade Promotion widens its nationwide information campaign dubbed “Doing Business In Free Trade Areas” (DBFTA) to encourage Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to trade with countries where the Philippines has already inked a Free Trade Agreement.


The Caraga leg of the caravan held on March 13 at Dottie’s Place, JC Aquino Ave., Butuan City was attended by more than 100 MSMEs from all over the region. In her message, which was delivered by PD Rene L. Negapatan of DTI Surigao del Norte Provincial Office, OIC-Regional Director Lolita I. Dorado told Caraga MSME’s --- “do not limit your market within your respective regions; the world is yours for the

taking --- Let’s do business in Free Trade Areas”. In his keynote address, Mr. Jason T. Lao, Director III of the Product Research and Strategy Group directed the participants to the salient points of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2011-2013…”The global export environment is evolving opportunities for the Philippines (PHL) to grow exports of merchandise and services by forty

percent (+40) in the next three years (2011-2013) and double the prior-period average in 2016. By 2016, total Philippine exports will exceed one hundred twenty billion US dollars (US$ 120B). This is achieved by building on the current business for the period 2011-2013 and developing Key Export Sectors that have high potential for growth. In the subsequent three years (2014-2016), growth is attained by


implementing an agro-industrial resource-base export development program.” To achieve the goals set by the PEDP 2011-2013, BETP shall focus on the core market strategies i.e., 1) Maximize benefits of Free Trade Agreements, 2) Target high-growth emerging markets, and 3) Attract the migration of supply chain nodes to the Philippines. As such, the nationwide

information campaign on DBFTA that started last year was brought to Caraga. For 2012, Caraga’s export target is pegged at US$35M, tall order as it is, but DTI Caraga is very optimistic to achieve this target. After a thorough discussion on the overview of the DBFTA as well as the PEDP 2011-2012, as series of lectures were delivered by the different discussants with their corresponding

topics as follows: ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) by Ms. Ester Rosario, STIDS, ASEAN Division, BETP; ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Agreement (AANZFTA) by Ms. Rafaelita Castro, Assistant Division Chief, Japan/Austrasia Division, BETP; Japan Free Trade Agreement (AJFTA) by Ms. Norma O. Quilantang, Chief, Japan/Australia Division, BETP; ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-China Free Trade


Agreements (AKFTA/ACFTA) by Ms. Carlota Claveron, BIS; ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) by Ms. Ester Rosario, STIDS, ASEAN Division; and Getting the Certificate of Origin For your Product by Ms. Rosario Acosta of the Bureau of Customs. The DBFTA nationwide campaign will not be possible without the participation of the local Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In his message, Mr. Jospeh Omar O. Andaya, President of Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (BCCIFI) expressed optimism on the benefits DBFTA will bring to the country’s economy, however, he also threw caution in the air considering the possible threats DBFTA might cause the country’s prime exports such as sugar, coconut oil, and other agricultural products. To give the participants a deeper understanding of the different Free Trade

Agreements, Tariff Line, and Certificate of Origin discussed by different personalities from BETP, Philippine Trade Training Center, Bureau of Customs, and Tariff Commission of NEDA, an open forum then ensued with Ms. Arcily Cabanilla-Gonzaga, STIDS-DTI Caraga at the helm as moderator. One of the issues raised was how can the Philippines be the next Singapore. Mr. Jason Lao responded with conviction that Singapore and Philippines have different business models---while Philippines is abundant in natural

resources, Singapore definitely knows what it doesn’t have and built it strength on it. It works its way to become the best logistic provider (for flow of goods) and as a contracting bridge for other ASEAN countries, something that the Philippines can work on. Finally, a breakaway session for the Fresh/Processed Food and the Homestyle/Gifts, Decors and Housewares sectors was carried out for a more detailed and in-depth discussion on issues and concerns of producers from the respective sectors.


Surigao City joins Earth Hour 2012

SURIGAO CITY -- The City Government of Surigao will once again join the global community for the launching of Earth Hour on March 31, 2012. City Mayor Ernesto Matugas is encouraging all Surigaonons to switch off or dim their non-essential lights, signages and key monuments, landmarks and building signages from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Uniting People to Protect Planet”. Matugas is also urging business establishments to hang

s t r eamer s /pos t e r s /tarpaulin as an expression of their support for earth hour and display the same in highly visible locations and document their own earth hour event to showcase endeavors to celebrate earth hour 2012 around the country. Earth Hour is an activity worldwide by World Wide Fun for Nature or WWF which is the world’s largest and most

experienced conservation organization, operating in over 100 countries through the support of over 5 million people worldwide. The event aims to help communities adapt to climate change, secure food and water sources, conserve local ecosystems and species, minimize ecological impacts development and promote renewable sources of clean energy.

by Annette P. Villaces


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DOLE gives P490K assistance to DDPKaROMA by Alfonso T. Ruda

The Department of Labor and Employment in region IX has recently handed over P490,000.00 assistance to the alliance of the Dipolog-Dapitan, Polanco, Katipunan, Roxas

and Manukan (DDPKaROMA) Development Council chaired by Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes.


The ceremonial turn-over of the financial assistance was personally done by DOLE-IX Regional Director Sisinio Cano during the Forum on Collaboration for Local Economic Development at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center, spearheaded by DDPKaROMA. It was attended by Country Program Manager Mr. Luke Myers and First Secretary for Development, Ms. Way Wong, all of Canadian International Development Agency(CIDA), and was witnessed by

DOLE-Zamboanga del Norte head, Mr. Henry Tianero, Gov. Yebes and forum participants. The assistance is intended to improve the livelihood of the six barangays of Dapitan City. The recipient barangays are Ilaya for bayong-making, Burgos for food, Owaon for bamboo-craft making, and TAMSUYA (Tamion, Sulangon, and Oyan floor shell-craft making. The funds was acquired through the cooperation of the private sector, non-government organizations, and Local Government Units to improve the local economy through the assistance of the Canadian International Development Authority(CIDA), Local Government Support Program-Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED). Yebes said he feel proud that

the province now has something to be proud of and he is happy about the realization of these projects. Myers in his part, lauded the unity of the DPPKaROMA members and is thankful to the Provincial Government for the warm accommodation extended to his group. Meanwhile, during the occasion, a book entitled “Ang Blugto,” a Subanen term for rainbow was launched by Jose Rizal Memorial State University, under the


ARMM chief visit brings P1-B worth of projects to SuluISABELA CITY, Basilan - The momentum of development in Sulu under Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan got a big boost recently upon the visit of the new chief of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Mujiv Hataman.

OIC Provincial Information Officer Sonny Abing III said that the new ARMM chief, who is a staunch advocate of the PNoy’s “Tuwid na Daan,” brought with him a new

outlook in governance and a new lease of opportunity for progress in the province. Abing reported that Hataman brought with him some P1-billion

leadership of Dr. Evelyn Campiseño, in coordination with the DDPKaROMA Development Council, DILG Regional Office, LGSP-LED, and the whole JRMSU in Zamboanga del Norte.

It is the first Subanen publication that portrays the Subanen in Zamboanga del Norte. The book was personally handed to Gov. Yebes. (ATR/PIA-ZamboNorte/MBMontederamos)


worth of programs and projects allocated for Sulu under the Investment Support Program (ISP) for ARMM Priority Projects under Stimulus Funds for FY-2011, also called the Mini-Marshall Plan. The plan includes high impact projects like improvement of national roads, school buildings, agricultural support, and improvement of health services and level of education in the province. Gov. Tan and ARMM Gov. Hataman awarded seedlings, poultry production projects, agri-fishery implements to jumpstart agricultural productivity in the province. In addition, Gov. Hataman lead the inauguration of the newly-constructed ACC road at the Capitol Site linking the PNP-ARMM headquarters to the main road. The groundbreaking of the road construction at Brgy. Kandayuk in Panamao, highlighted the visit. In his message, Hataman conveyed the message of PNoy that he wants positive change to happen in Sulu. “President Aquino wants all

high impact projects finished before my term ends and he will personally inaugurate these projects once it is completed,” Hataman said. He also praised the Sulu Coffee Processing Center for its vision to market and to improve the quality of the coffee industry in Sulu. He promised to donate P5 million to further improve the facilities of the center to cater to a wider range of coffee producers. Gov. Tan thanked the President for his unwavering support to the people of Sulu and OIC Gov. Hataman for personally coming to Sulu and for having a definite plan of action for economic opportunities, social services and security concerns. Tan also acknowledged the presence and the unity of political leaders, saying “the presence of my colleagues is an inspiration and this expression of unity and solidarity will surely propel the province to greater heights because when people are united, anything is possible,” Tan emphasized. (NBE/Sulu PIO/RVC-PIA-9 ZBST)

NSO set to update list of establishmentsPagadian City – The National Statistics Office (NSO) will start the updating of the List of Establishments (LE) in the country in less than two months. The LE is a database of all establishments in the Philippines. An establishment is defined as an

economic unit, which engages, under a single ownership or control, in one or predominantly one kind of


economic activity at a single fixed physical location. As of 2011, the NSO database contains information about 800,000 establishments including employment in 17 geographic regions in the country. Updating the LE involves the following: (1) capture and listing of the characteristics of “new” establishments; (2) updating of the status and characteristics of “old” establishments or those that have already been included in the database; (3) de-listing of “closed” establishments; and (4) identification of out-of-scope units. An updated database of establishments will provide the NSO a reliable sampling frame for its business and industry sensuses and surveys. The data that will be collected also serves as (1) guide to government planning, policy making and monitoring, (2) basis

of marketing plans, opportunities and prospects, and (3) input to evaluation, market research and comparative studies. Thus, the agency looks forward to the full cooperation and support for the undertaking not only from national and local government agencies but also from the private sector, particularly the business associations. Starting May 2, 2012, NSO field staff and select trained interviewers will do a comprehensive door-to-door canvassing of establishments. The conduct of relevant training is on-going and will continue until next month. NSO officials assured their respondents that all information furnished to the NSO will be kept strictly confidential. (NSO/PIA9/CAL)


BIR intensifies initiatives to increase revenue collectionsby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is stepping-up its

taxpayer service, automation and enforcement initiatives to improve taxpayer compliance and increase its revenue collection.

Thus announced Reymarie Dela Cruz, chief of the Bureau’s Taxpayer Information and Education Division (TIED), during the kick-off program of the 2012 tax campaign in Northern Mindanao.

As part of the BIR taxpayer service, he said, the bureau is trying to clean-up its database and update its registration information records emphasizing that a clean database helps taxpayers comply with their

obligations without any inconvenience or hassle. “We are also trying to re-engineer our processes in our revenue direct offices particularly our business registration process in consonance with our quest to have a better quality management system,” he said.


BSP approves consolidation of Mis. Occ., Davao Sur and Surigao Sur Coop banksby Isagani Daba

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Monetary Board of Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved the consolidation of the Misamis Occidental Coop Bank (MOCB), the Coop Bank of Davao del Sur (CBDS), and the Coop Bank of Surigao del Sur (CBSS), during its meeting last Feb. 16.

After almost four years of follow-ups, submission of requirements, revisions and additional requirements, the three coop banks will now become a single entity under the name Consolidated Coop Bank (CCB). CCB will have three offices: main office in Digos City and branches in Mangagoy, Bislig City, and Oroquieta City. It also aims to transfer its main office to a major city in Mindanao, most likely Davao City, as it also plans to open more branches in 2012, in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Surigao and Tagum. Closed by the BSP in 2003, MOCB was reopened, on the promptings of then Director Manuela Pelaez of the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA), Region 10, on April 26,

2007. The new coop investors believe in cooperative effort among coops, which was actually replicated in Davao del Sur when seven cooperatives in the province joined forces to save CBDS in 2003 and the bank’s turn-around was hastened when First Community Coop (FICCO) joined them that year. (ID-FICCO)

The TIED chief also disclosed some programs to support their enforcement activities such as the computer audit system tools and techniques, which will speed up the process of auditing, verifying and examining taxpayer’s books of accounts. Other automation

initiatives to facilitate transactions with the BIR included that of the Document Processing Division. He said this is to systematize and rationalize the processing of tax returns and other declarations that taxpayers file with BIR.


Governor visits Baliangao on International Women’s Day with medical and dental teamby Pat Nano

BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental - Governor Herminia M. Ramiro celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day by visiting the people of Baliangao with a medical and dental outreach mission.

To be conducted in four days, starting on March 8, 9, 10 and 15, the outreach mission is expected to benefit some 3,000 families with 15,000 members from the town’s 15 barangays. The governor holds barangay consultations in these areas and brings the medical and dental outreach team to the serve the people, especially those who are sick, but has no time

and money to go to a doctor and buy the needed medicines. A continuing program of the governor, the medical and dental outreach team already visited and served the residents of Bonifacio town last January and February. The first to benefit from this service in 2010 were the people from the 18 barangays of Concepcion, followed by those from the 28 barangays of Lopez Jaena, during the months of February and March of 2011. Next were the 19 barangays of Calamba in June and the 28 barangays of Sapang-Dalaga in October last year. (PIO)

One Mindanao - March 20, 2012

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Transcript of One Mindanao - March 20, 2012