One Mindanao - March 20, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: 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]

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

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 & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

Koronadal to plant 500,000 seedlings on June 29DEDoguilesCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue... Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 149

page 4

Aquino government vows to continue providing more scholarship programs for the poor 8

Rene V. Carbayas, Western Mindanao

Basilan enlists 500 volunteers to build 30 homes in Bayani Challenge16DepED-Dipolog chief pushes for responsible media

BIR Region 16 to roll-out mobile collection system

Comelec extends liquor ban from May 9 to May 13

15

21 Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

ComVal to host a weeklong National Bayani Challenge

Lanao del Sur solon calls for peaceful resolution of Sabah issue Apipa P. Bagumbaran, ARMM

Southern Mindanao2629

DOST-12 hurdles 2nd surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2008

BFP in S. Cotabato town intensifies fire safety awareness campaignShahana Joy Duerme, Central Mindanao

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao3334

7 10 13 19 23 26

Wednesday, March 20, 20134

Koronadal to plant 500,000 seedlings on June 29

Half a million seedlings will be planted on two

mountain ranges surrounding this city on June 29, 2013.

CoVer StoRy

Koronadal City environment officer Augustus Bretaña confirmed that for the Tree Growing Festival 3 (TGF 3) the city government has aimed at planting at least 500,000 seedlings in 2,000 hectares within Roxas and Quezon Mountain Ranges, sites of the first and second tree-growing festivals in 2011 and 2012, respectively. According to plans, 60% of the seedling would consist of various fruit tree varieties while the remaining 40% would be high value crops such as coffee, cacao, and coconut. Last year, the city government began a scheme where owners of

the lands to be planted with these seedlings sign a memorandum of agreement with the city government before their areas are actually included in the tree-growing area to make sure that the planted seedling are cared for until the mature. Under the agreement, farmer-cooperators are required to take care of the trees in their respective areas and earn from them once these are already productive; they are not required to repay LGU for the seedlings nor share the produce with the city government. Bretaña said, budget for the TGF 3 was reduced from Php 6 million in 2012 to only Php 4 million this

By DEDoguiles

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 5

year. He explained

that he proposed lower amount despite the wider area to be planted to give more emphasis to volunteerism in taking care of the environment, explaining further that such duty is not the sole responsibility of the local government unit but also that of every responsible individual. To address the need for planting materials and in support of the project’s austerity measures, the City Environment and Natural Resources has put up a nursery within the city government center compound for the production of seedlings. With a seedling nurserY, the official said, they are able to reduce the cost of planting materials from around Php 30 per seedling when these are bought to Php 10 when these are produced by the LGU. Until the end of this month, the City ENRO aims to produce more than 300,000 seedlings . In line with their initiative

to promote voluntarism, Bretaña explained that since February 19 they have been accepting volunteers to help in the bagging and preparation of the planting materials for the TGF 3. To complete the requirements, he said, the nursery should be able to plant at least 7,500 plantlets daily. For this, city government employees have been given assigned days to work at the nursery. Several other groups have also sent their members for the activity. Among the early volunteers included Army reservists and police officers 1 undergoing field training program at the city PNP. Students of Marbel School Science and Technology (MSST), Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC), and King’s College of Marbel were among the first schools that rendered their voluntary help to undertake nursery activity. Students from Bacongco


N a t i o n a l High School, Sarabia National High School and other schools have also extended assistance. Because the city needs more hands to help with the preparations, Bretaña is appealing for public support, particularly from national government agencies with regional base here, schools, business establishments, organizations, civic societies, and concerned individuals. The nursery is open for volunteers daily, including Saturday’s and Sundays. In a press conference early this year, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12 regional executive director Tungko Saikol described Koronadal City’s tree-growing festival “a laudable activity worth emulating.” He said they have included the city LGUs efforts

in their report to the DENR Central Office as a commendable approach and that they have incorporated the city’s tree-growing activity in their plans for 2013. The official also promised augmentation for planting material requirements of the city LGU’s tree-growing festival. Koronadal City’s annual January 29 Tree-Growing Festival was started in 2011, following reports that the city’s forest cover has reduced to merely 150 hectares of only second-growth trees. In 2011, the activity was able to plant more 131,000 trees in over 522 hectares in Roxas Mountain Range with the support of more than 24,000 participants. Last year, the city government with the support of almost 30,000 individuals planted about 250,000 forest and fruit trees in 1,000 hectares within Quezon Mountain Range.


ACROSS THE NATIONMalacanang says government hopes to achieve rice self sufficiency by 2014

The Aquino government expressed optimism that it would be able to achieve its goal of not importing rice by 2014, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang that the Department of Agriculture, under the helm of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, has remained firm on its efforts to attain 100% rice self sufficiency by next year. Lacierda said Alcala reported that the Philippines attained an increase in the productivity of rice since President Benigno S. Aquino III assumed

his post in 2010.According to Lacierda, Alcala cited the

rice self-sufficiency program and overall growth in the crops subsector as the main growth drivers in attaining the agriculture growth.

“In 2010, we imported 2.4 million metric tons; in 2011, it was reduced to 860,000 metric tons; in 2012, it was further reduced to 500,000 metric tons; and in 2013, we

8Wednesday, March 20, 2013

are only importing 187,000 metric tons. By 2014, we will not be importing any metric tons,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda noted that the Philippines is more focused on improving productivity in its rice sector to meet its rice self-sufficiency targets.

“Now, we’re just importing 8 percent of the 2.4 million metric tons in 2010, so you’ve seen the considerable increase in our own production, and the gradual lesser importation and by 2014, we will not be importing. This is according to Secretary Proceso Alcala,” Lacierda said. PND (js)

Aquino government vows to continue providing more scholarship programs for the poor

The Aquino government vowed to continue providing more scholarship programs for the poor but deserving

students, saying that education remains one of the priorities of the government to help support the country’s economic growth.


Aquino government vows to continue providing more scholarship programs for the poor

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers various scholarship programs aimed at providing better opportunities for the Filipinos, especially the youths.

“For instance, we’ve got scholarships for bright Filipino students whose general weighted average is 90 percent and above. The financial benefit is P30,000 per annum. We grants-in-aid for bright Filipino students whose general average is 85 to 89 percent and the grant is P15,000 per annum,” Lacierda said.

“Then, we also have national integration study grant program for members of the cultural minority groups; selected ethnic group education assistance program for the members of the hill tribes,” he said.

“Meron po tayong OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process)-CHED study grant program intended for former rebels and the legitimate and legitimized dependents which expands access to college education opportunities,” Lacierda stressed.

The CHED offers Grand-In-Aid or “Tulong-Dunong”, under the DND-CHED-PASUC (Department of National Defense-Commission on Higher Education- Philippine Association of State Universities and

Colleges) Study Grant Program, which is intended for dependents of killed-in-action (KIA), battle-related Complete Disability Discharged (CDD), and Combat and Active Military Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The commission gives education benefit to children of KIA-CDD-Combat in order to contribute to the well-being of the country’s soldiers by ensuring their children’s education.

The CHED also provides the Student Loan Program with the component of Study-Now-Pay-Later Plan (SNPLP), according to Lacierda.

The program is designed to promote democratization of access to educational opportunities in the tertiary level to poor but deserving students through financial assistance in the form of an educational loan.

“Then, we have study grants for poverty alleviation. We have the Bangsamoro special grant-in-aid program and other CHED programs,” he said.

The CHED is mandated to provide these scholarship programs pursuant to RA 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994.”

Lacierda said the government vows to implement more reforms in education by increasing the budget. PND (js)


Legarda pushes for more services for people of Mindanao

For re-electionist Senator Loren Legarda, the election campaign is not all about wooing voters but knowing what services are needed to finally bring the much-awaited progress in Mindanao.

”Mindanao is very important in our campaign because a lot of services of our government should be brought to our poor countrymen,” Legarda said in media interview after the campaign rally here Tuesday night.

Aside from attending two campaign rallies here, Legarda personally conducted multi-sectoral consultations specially with indigenous people being the chairperson of the Senate


Legarda pushes for more services for people of Mindanao

committee on cultural communities.”What I’m doing is to present to

them that we have these laws and they were shocked that we have universal health care, that 25 million Filipino families are covered, they don’t know that there is people’s survival fund to be used for environmental projects,” Legarda said.

Legarda said she will be using the remaining half of the 90-day election campaign in reaching out to more people at the grassroots level not to boost his no. 1 spot in the survey but to inform the people about the achievements of ‘Tuwid na Daan’ reform programs of President Benigno Aquino III.

”And that’s why in giving information in our political rallies, we don’t talk

about politics, we talked about building our nation. A lot of issues here should be addressed,” she said.

Legarda said consultation with different sectors is very important “because it’s like conducting committee hearing.”

“It is very important to touch base,” said Legarda, who was voted No. 1 senator both in the 1998 and 2007 senatorial elections.

The lady senator said if the government will be able to address poverty problem, even the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels would stop their arm struggle.

”The solution in the increase of rebels groups is giving livelihood at the grassroots, bringing the government closer our poor countrymen. If we will


be able to do these, I think our nation will become peaceful specially here in Caraga region,” Legarda said.

To boost her campaign drive in the rural areas, Legarda has launched her ‘Loren sa bawat barangay (Loren in every village)’ program which also brings awareness of the laws she passed in the Senate.

”We have to create livelihood opportunities to raise employment nationwide. I informed them that we passed laws on job matching, agri-agra for our farmers and fishermen, livelihood for every barangay training through TESDA and micro and small enterprises through DTI,” she said.

”If we will inform our countrymen in the rural areas about these laws, I’m sure both our national and local economy will improve and we will have prosperous life,” Legarda added.

When asked about her secret for consistently keeping the No. 1 spot in the surveys, Legarda said she just works hard and let people know that she cares for them with the pro-poor bills she authored and sponsored in the senate.

”My secret? Ask my staff. I send email to them even at 2 a.m. I’m a working senator even when I’m campaigning” Legarda answered.

Legarda said multi-sectoral consultation is her another secret formula for keeping rating high in the pre-election surveys.

When you are in a rally, you’re on stage and people are watching you but if you do multi-sectoral consultations, you were able to talk to the people as if you’re conducting committee hearing about my laws,” she said.

As the campaign for local candidates starts on March 29, Legarda vowed to work harder as she expects invitations from local government units to flood her office.

”In the second half of the campaign, I would just have to continue the good things I’m doing but I should work harder because the local election campaign will start soon,” Legarda said.

Legarda joined fellow Team PNoy candidates Bam Aquino, Jamby Madrigal and Jun Magsaysay in the campaign sortie here attended by Senator Franklin Drilon and Butuan City mayor Ferdinand Amante.

On the other hand, candidates Riza Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, Aquilino Pimentel III, Grace Poe and Sonny Angara sent proxies.

The Caraga sortie marked the third visit of Team PNoy here in Mindanao since the campaign for national candidates started last Feb. 12.

The first Mindanao campaign sortie covered Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon while the second trip covered the General Santos, Tacurong, Davao and Tagum. (PNA)


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It kicked off with a volleyball tournament held at the City Hall Ground. About 200 members of the Local Council of Women (LCW) participated in the Women’s Forum at barangay

Miputak. Atty. Jasmine Pinsoy clearly and elaborately discussed the Magna Carta for Women to give them guidance and empowerment as to their rights and obligations. In line with the celebration,

Dipolog celebrates Women’s Month

DIPOLOG CITY - The city government here conducted several activities to celebrate women’s month with the theme, “Kababaihan:Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.”

By Mary May A. Abellon


Barangay Olingan won the Best Livelihood Project for several livelihood projects they have embarked on: the Olingan Relocation People’s Organization (ORPO) Bakeshop which is an eight-year joint project of DOLE and the LGU of Dipolog; the LCW Convenience Store which has acquired more capital for the business; the Sewers Group; Handicraft and many others. On the other hand, Barangay Dicayas won the second place for their Green Valley Bakery with nine years of existence. In a brief program held at Plaza Magsaysay. local officials led by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, former Mayor Roberto Y. Uy welcomed the guests, senatorial candidate Grace Poe and Timi Aquino, wife of senatorial candidate Bam Aquino who was the guest of honor.

Highlighting the event was the selection of Gng. LCW Dipolog with candidates coming from the 21 barangays of the city. Lorna H. Pableo of barangay Sta. Filomena was hailed as the Gng. Dipolog 2013 and runners-up were as follows: Candida Olarte of barangay Biasong, Mila Nimfa Viadnes Gallenero of barangay Miputak, Mrs. Alma Gonzales of barangay Central and Mrs. Emelila Oliva of barangay San Jose. Barangay Biasong won the folkdance contest and barangay Olingan as the biggest contingent. The Women’s Month Celebration of Dipolog City was capped with activities such as: free haircut and manicure/pedicure; “tabo sa boulevard”; and free medical/dental check up.


DepED-Dipolog chief pushes for responsible mediaBy Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – City Schools Division Superintendent Victorina G. Perez has called on the media practitioners here to be responsible in exercising their profession. Speaking during the 48th induction program of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC), Perez recalled that she was once maligned in a news article written by a media man whom she did not know personally. After that story saw print, the guy came to her in the guise of getting her side and was asking how many copies of his paper she would order. “I felt so bad about it,” said the lady superintendent. Since that time her trust in the press eroded until a certain media man came, got her side and published the whole story without asking any favor from her.

For Perez, every media practitioner must uphold the highest standards of journalism to stay credible so that he/she could not ruin the image and reputation of other people. Perez served as guest of honor and speaker in the oath-taking rites of the newly elected officers of the club on Saturday with the theme, “Promoting peace through responsible media.” The ZNPC officers led by their president Rosemarie Patangan-Miranda were sworn in by Judge Pio D. Velasco, also a club


Basilan enlists 500 volunteers to build 30 homes in Bayani Challenge By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The provincial government of Basilan and partner organizations are expecting some 500 volunteers to converge at Matarling in Lantawan, Basilan for the nationwide simultaneous Bayani Challenge 2013 where 30 houses will be built.

member. The other officers are Engr. Eduardo de la Cerna -Vice President, Vicente Hernani Carreon-Secretary, Crispin Garcia-Treasurer and Ruben Enoy-Auditor. Composing the members of the board are Atty. James Cyril O. Ruiz, Atty. James Verduguez, Czarito

B. Zamora, Franklin P. Gumapon, Elmer Elmedulan, Samuel Amatong, Maynard Baes, Edwin Bation, Rhey Davie Magdayao and Elmer Razo. ZNPC was founded in May 1965 with the end in view of promoting unity among local media practitioners regardless of political persuasions and religious affiliations.

These 500 volunteers in Basilan were part of the race for the 100,000-strong Army of Hope Builders who will enlist for the 8th Bayani Challenge scheduled on March 23-27, 2013. A new kind of

People Power will be manifested in 37 sites of 33 different provinces, as volunteers from across the nation will work together to ensure that no Filipino will be left behind in the national pursuit for progress and


sustainable development. Started in 2006, Bayani Challenge is touted to be the biggest volunteer movement in the country after successfully mobilizing 10,400 volunteers last year in the spirit of the quintessential Filipino trait of bayanihan. Driven by this year’s theme Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan, volunteers sign-up in teams of fifteen (15) for a 5-day test of courage, endurance and love for country as they engage in varied nation-building activities that include the construction and refurbishment of homes and schools, education sessions for children, tree-planting, clean-up drives, and health missions. Interested volunteers may sign-up either individually or in groups of 15 by visiting the official Facebook page of Bayani Challenge: www.facebook.com/bayanichallenge. Most of the Bayani Challenge Volunteers are youths who seek to counter the apathy and materialism prevalent in our society by instilling lasting hope and concretizing compassion into sustainable, positive action. Past volunteers have attested that through this experience, they carried with them insights about how today is the best time to be a Filipino. Their generation seeks to prove to the nation that volunteerism is the key to the permanent dismantling of the unjust structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice in the Philippines. Serving the Nation will prove to be more fun in the Philippines as well with the inclusion of marathons, a Master Kusinero cooking competition,

sports competitions and Laro ng Lahi games. These activities aim to foster nurturing relationships between volunteers and the members of the empowered communities. Bayani Challenge is a multi-sectoral partnership spearheaded by Pilipinas Natin (the flagship volunteer program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office). The vast network of private companies, organizations and other government agencies includes Gawad Kalinga, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education, National Youth Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, TESDA, PAGCOR, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of Provinces, EDSA People Power Commission, Housing and Urban Development Council, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Radyo ng Bayan, LBC Foundation, BERJAYA Corporation Berhad, Globe Telecom, People’s Television and many others. Just as millions of people gathered at EDSA to achieve social change, Bayani Challenge will be a revolution against poverty by building healthy, humane and nurturing communities. The event is a challenge to every Filipino to put a halt to bickering and complaining and grab the opportunity to be part of the solution and become a modern day hero.


F.A.N. Day nationwide roadshow for PWDs goes to Iliganby Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte -- The campaign to get more Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to participate in the coming May elections had their last stop in Iligan City on March 14 and 15, 2013.

Dubbed Fully Abled Nation (F.A.N.) Day, the nationwide roadshow aims to make the elections easier and more convenient for the PWDs. The roadshow forum also aims to strengthen the engagement with the identified audience of the campaign -- the PWDs through the Disabled peoples organizations (DPOs) as well as agencies and groups that may facilitate their participation in the 2013 Midterm Elections. Aside from creating awareness and building constituency for PWD concerns, the roadshow provides opportunity for local issues to

be discussed and addressed. On the first day, March 14, the F.A.N. Advocacy Campaign was presented by Emil Tapnio, assistant program officer of The Asia Foundation (TAF) to participants from various


national government agencies, civil society, local government unit, and other groups in attendance. It tackled the conduct of a Disability-Sensitivity Workshop for government personnel, media and other stakeholders. This was to gain support from other stakeholders for PWD registration and participation in the May 2013 polls. While Atty Joseph Hamilton Cuevas, provincial election supervisor for Lanao del Norte discussed the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) own Disability-Inclusive Program, conducted on March 15, followed in by updates from the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) by its Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga. An actual demonstration on the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine was shown by Zainab Arumpac of Comelec Lanao del Norte. PWDs were made to do hands-on execution of the machine. Among other issues raised during the open forum were requests for special polling booths for PWDs, that would minimize the hassles and difficulties of exercising their right to vote, and their transportation in going to precinct center, especially at the far-flung areas where clustering is implemented. Capping the day’s activity was the Citizen Journalism Workshop conducted by Inday Varona of ABS-CBN Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo. This would encourage citizens to report on air the issues/problems which the community is at stake and that leaders in the community to take immediate action, and also reports showing the goods deeds done by a ‘Pinoy’ in their

community. Nationwide, the project areas identified with high number of DPOs based on the NCDA’s database are the following: Manila, Cities of Legazpi (Albay), Cotabato and ARMM, Davao, La Union, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Zamboanga, and Iligan. Among the F.A.N. roadshow components include: voter’s education for PWDs; facilitation of dialogue between DPOs, LGUs and other concerned government agencies; presentation and distribution of F.A.N. campaign materials including instructional audio-visual presentations and radio infomercials; Disability-Sensitivity Workshop for government personnel, media and other stakeholders; press conference with DPOs, school officials and leaders; and publicity and media coverage. F.A.N. is spearheaded by TAF, with support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and conducted in partnership with the COMELEC and the DPOs. Fully Abled Nation is a part of a three-year program that seeks to heighten voter awareness among PWDs. The F.A.N. national roadshow is in collaboration with the Foundation for Communication Initiatives, Inc. (FOCI). Established in 2000, FOCI was set up specifically to assist non-profit and development organizations, large and small, to effectively deliver message, brand their advocacies, create innovative ways to reach their audience and win over the public to their cause.


Blandina L. Florante, BIR-RR16 Collection Division Chief, said the MRCOS is an automated and integrated system that provides for mobile receipting of tax payments, immediate issuance of official receipt for the captured tax payment data, and automatic generation of collection reports. It comprises of a handy printer and a wireless device with internet connection and GPRS access. According to her, the system is capable of providing real time

collection information from RCOs and facilitates the efficient and faster reconciliation of the tax payment of taxpayers with the remittances of the RCOs. While it will afford immediate service to the taxpayers, the MRCOs will also enable RCOs to focus on their primary responsibility of accepting tax payments. It will unburden the RCOs of the manual process of preparing collection reports and accountability reporting of receipt booklets, she said.

BIR Region 16 to roll-out mobile collection systemCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue Region (RR) 16 will soon implement the Mobile Revenue Collection Officers System (MRCOS), a system that immediately captures tax payments made by taxpayers.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

Comelec extends liquor ban from May 9 to May 13by Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has resolved to extend the period of the liquor ban from two to five days - from May 9 to May 13, Monday, Election Day.

This decision was arrived at during the Feb. 26 meeting of the Comelec attended by Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., and Commissioners

Lucenito N. Tagle, Elia R. Yusoph, Christian Robert S. Lim, and Maria Gracia Cielo M. Padaca. As recalled, pursuant to


Resolution No. 9582 issued in December 18, 2012, the Comelec has decreed that the liquor ban shall be enforced effective on the day before the election, May 12 and on election day, May 13. However, the extension was made on the request of Atty. Francis N. Tolentino, chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who said that the two-day liquor ban is inadequate in addressing the problems related to the taking of intoxicating drinks. In his letter to the Comelec, Tolentino said the unfettered consumption of alcohol beverages nationwide, especially during these periods do not aid in the intelligent discussion of election issues by our citizens. He also said records of the MMDA indicate large number of road accidents, causing deaths, injuries, and damage to properties due to intoxicated drivers - there were 59 in 2010;146 in 2011; 95 in 2012. With the election fever and

the house-to-house campaigning of candidates, consumption of alcoholic drinks is common fare and this situation does not augur well in areas where rivalries for some positions or even party rivalries are heated, Tolentino said. The gun ban, which started on January 13, will lasts for the rest of the election period, and applies to licensed gun owners who are a small

percentage to the alcohol imbibing citizens. Given the deleterious and far-reaching effects of alcohol, it stands to reason that the liquor ban should be in effect for a longer period, just as the gun ban. Meanwhile, the Comelec has taken into account the economic impact of the liquor ban, and decided that the exemption granted under Section 3 of Resolution 9582 should remain as is. Section 3 of the said resolution exempts hotels and other establishments and duly certified by the Department of Tourism as tourism-oriented and habitually in the business of catering of foreign tourist. This is provided they serve a prior written authority from the Comelec upon showing that only foreigner tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishment are exempted from liquor ban.


Davao Region gets huge chunk of tourism roads infra

DAVAO CITY- The Davao Region is getting the biggest chunk of the tourism roads project for 2013. Based on Department of Tourism (DOT) figures Region XI was allotted P1.4 billion from the P11.8 billion Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP). It got the biggest

s h a r e among other regions. T h e P rov inc ia l T o u r i s m O f f i c e r s , P rov inc ia l P l a n n i n g O f f i c e r s h a v e submit ted m a n y proposals, we vetted it and submitted it to Manila.” Art Boncato,

regional director DOT-XI said of the huge share the region got from the first convergence project between the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways. “The DPWH has also been very good in evaluating our projects.”

by Rudolph Alama


Boncato cited the support given by the DPWH office in the region. The TRIP aims to build and develop road networks which connect to various tourism products and destinations. In Davao for 2013, there had been 16 road projects of which five are completed and 11 are still on-going. In Davao City among the TRIP projects include the Quezon Boulevard widening and improvement, the thoroughfare connects Magsaysay Park to the City’s downtown area, the Mamay and Bacaca Road widening and improvement improves accessibility to the Davao International Airport and the Barrio Obrero streets improvement aims to complement the nearby University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP)

gymnasium as a MICE destination. MICE stands for Meetings Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions. In the region other notable TRIP projects include the Island Garden City of Samal circumferential road network, the improvement/concreting of the Panabo Coastal Road, the improvement of the Suaon-Sambajon road in the towns of Kapalong and San Isidro in Davao del Norte and the Mt. Apo circumferential road network which will connect the highland resorts located in the foothills of Mt. Apo in the province of Davao del Sur. Boncato said that in 2014 they will be submitting 34 road projects for the TRIP with an estimated budget of P2-billion. (PIA/RG Alama)

Facts and Figures

200 mega wats power produced by the two power barges by Therma Marine of the Aboitiz Group for the Mindanao Grid.


ComVal to host a weeklong National Bayani Challenge

NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VAL-LEY PROVINCE - Simultaneous with the other 33 provinces na-tionwide, ComVal will be hosting a weeklong National Bayani Chal-lenge on March 23-27, 2013 at Barangay Osmeña, Municipality of Compostela. There will be 50 duplex-type Gawad Kalinga (GK) houses to add the existing SOP Kahiusahan Uswag GK Village, tapping as beneficiaries those poor families still living at the evacuation centers due to

fully damaged houses caused by Typhoon Pablo. National and international teams are expected to join the local teams during the bayanihan. Part of the Build are daily and nightly events set to empower the team builders such as Fellowship Nights, Children’s Hour, Bayanihan Games, Bayanihan sa Paaralan, Empowerment Talks, Green Walkathon, Tree Planting, Paraisong Pambata Kids’ Day, and Parangal sa Mga Bayani. There will be special events also like Palm Sunday Mass and Rosary Walk where builders will proceed to typhoon-devastated Barangay Andap in New Bataan to offer prayer, flowers, and light candles for the departed souls. More volunteer-builders signify their intention to be part of this noble event. Presently, there are 40 registered team builders with a minimum of 15 members per team. During the actual build, skilled workers are to be provided by the provincial and local governments to each team with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) through their Cash For Work intervention. (grace almedilla, ids-comval)


ARMM passes free birth registration law

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - A law allowing for easier birth registration has been passed in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman signed into law l the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy (MMA) Act 293 otherwise known as the “Free

Birth Registration Act of ARMM.” The new law enhances the usual process of birth registration in the region, including late registrations,


Army helps settle family feud in Lanao del Surby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The 51st Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army facilitated a rido (feud) settlement between warring families in Malabang town, this province.

removing the accompanying fees that often discourage parents from securing birth certificates for their child. It also calls for the promotion of the importance of registering births among ARMM residents. The law was authored by Assemblywoman Rahima Datumanong Alba of the 2nd district of Maguindanao, who said MMA Act 293 is part of the commitment of the ARMM government to the country’s millennium development goals (MDG). “We want this law to be instrumental in securing some of the principal rights of every child in the ARMM,” she said. It is also expected to help address problems that resulted from lack of authentic birth certificates among a considerable number of residents in the ARMM to allow the regional government to get a good evaluation of its population. Governor Hataman said in the past, a previous policy allowed

a number of employees in the regional government who are believed to have reached or are beyond retirement age to continue in the service. “We hope the law will address problems like this in the coming years,” he said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the United Nations Higher Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) supports the free birth registration in the region. Trevor Clark, chief of Unicef’s Cotabato City Field Office, said they have provided and will continue to provide technical assistance to the ARMM government on the free birth registration. He said they will support the agenda being championed by the ARMM government that gives more rights to children. (armmcommgroup)


Lt Col Ceasar Marlon M Yadao, commanding officer of the 51st IB, said the Battalion was able to convince the clans of Kadir Bilao, Sanal Torayas and Asraf Montaner Taog to put an end to their dispute and settle their personal differences. He said both parties agreed to settle their dispute at the 51st IB headquarters in Barangay Matling, Malabang town. The parties also signed a covenant and took oath before the Holy Qur’an as a gesture that they have already settled all their misunderstanding, Yadao added.

The reason for their dispute was about a tenant failing to remit payment that resulted to heated discussion and a gun fight. The settlement was attended


Lanao del Sur solon calls for peaceful resolution of Sabah issueby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY - A congressman in Lanao del Sur has appealed to the national government to exhaust all means necessary to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Sabah.

Representative Pangalian M. Balindong of the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur in a statement said the only way to resolve the Sabah issue is through

a peaceful and diplomatic approach. He added that this should be the first priority of the national government. He urged the Sultan of Sulu and his followers to return to Sulu and continue the struggle for Sabah

through peaceful and diplomatic initiatives. “I humbly urge the Sultan of Sulu to command his followers to end the standoff and prevent unnecessary bloodshed and damage to regional peace,” he said. Balindong said the use of force will resolve nothing. “This act of provocation and aggression by our brothers neither advances a viable resolution regarding historic claims on Sabah nor does it push forward our collective yearning for lasting peace in Mindanao,” he said. (APB/PIA10)

by the families and relatives of both parties and witnessed by traditional and religious leaders, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders from Malabang. Also present were some personnel from 4th Maneuver Platoon of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office (LSPPO) stationed at Camp JAS in the said town. According to Yadao, the rido settlement was made possible in partnership with the Mindanao

Dynamic Culture of Peace (MIDCOP) Inc., a non-government organization committed in promoting peace-building in conflict-affected areas. The occurence of rido has been one of the major peace and order problems that hampered development in the province. It has caused unnecessary loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of innocent civilians.(51st IB)


BETTER ROADS AND BRIDGES IN THE ARMM. Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman (center) andDPWH-ARMM Sec. Emil Sadain (2nd from left) ink and award on Thursday, March 14, three infra packages with combined worth of P168.4 million to three winning bidders. The infra projects underwent rigid bidding process which posted a P1.7 million savings for DPWH-ARMM. The packages include three bridges and the concreting of a total of four kilometers of road in the province of Basilan.(ARMM Comm Group/JoHenry)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, -- Since its implementation in October last year, “Usapang Palay” has directly reached at least 1,947 rice farmers across three provinces in Soccsksargen Region.

DA 12’s “Usapang Palay” reaches over 1,900 farmersBy Danilo E. Doguiles


Usapang Palay, an i n i t i a t i v e of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 12, b r i n g s discussions of issues and farmer e d u c a t i o n right in communities where the rice growers reside.

Experts from DA 12 visit rice-producing communities to talk with farmers; employing focus group discussion methods, these technicians discuss how the latter could improve in their production with appropriate technologies.

Besides technology dissemination and exchanges of ideas such gatherings also provided opportunities for farmers to voice their concerns and problems.

Data from the Usapang Palay team, indicated that in the

past six months, they have already reached 1,007 rice farmers in Sultan Kudarat province, 499 in South Cotabato, and 441 in North Cotabato.

Usapang Palay FGDs primarily consider rice farmers who have not undergone any farmer field school nor received any relevant training from DA 12 as well as rice growers whose farm yield is below 3.8 metric tons per hectare.

DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, said she thought of this initiative for farmers

and technical persons to come together for the improvement rice farming and production in the region.

Through this approach, she added, farmers are encouraged to share with DA and its agricultural technologists the problems that affect them.

“Main objective of the project is to enhance the interest and enthusiasm of the farmers to learn and appreciate the best farming practices to achieve high yield on rice production in their communities,” she


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato March -- For the second time, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 has recently passed surveillance audit for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008, an official of the agency confirmed.

DOST-12 hurdles 2nd surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2008By Danilo E. Doguiles

Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director, said they have shown continuous improvements in the Quality Management System (QMS) of the regional office and its four Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) to comply with the standards set by the ISO 9001:2008.

The Certification I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) conducted the surveillance audit on the DOST-12, which

first acquired the ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2008.

“This is a validation of DOST-12’s continued implementation of the international QMS standard as an instrument to further enhance the office’s competitiveness and to meet the needs and expectations of the people,” Dr. Laidan said.

CIPI lead auditor Arnel D. Guevarra, meanwhile, noted

said.For this activity,

DA is being assisted by other agencies, including Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS), Philippine

Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the local government units.

Usapang Palay project team leader Soraida Bangon, disclosed that most farmers who participated in the

meeting are more concerned with control and prevention of pests and diseases affecting their farms.

“Farmers should take the opportunity to attend Usapang Palay discussions


that the organization continues to demonstrate effective and efficient implementation of quality management systems compliant to ISO 9001:2008 standards.

“This was demonstrated by the effectiveness of the links between the requirements of the standards generally established based on the achieved functional objectives for the year,” he added.

The surveillance audit covered DOST-12’s business processes such as the provision of scientific technology transfer services, science promotion S&T information dissemination ,and S&T

scholarship.Audit also covered

systems and processes on procurement, customer satisfaction feedback, internal audit; corrective/preventive action, management review; and validation of scope of certification.

The first reassessment audit on the DOST 12’s QMS was conducted by CIPI last November 10-11, 2012 during its 3rd year of acquisition of the prestigious certification .

The agency achieved its first surveillance audit on ISO 9001:2008 in March last year.

ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a QMS where an organization needs to

demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product and services that meet customer and applicable regulatory and statutory satisfaction.

Moreover, it aims to continually improve client satisfaction through effective application of a system, including processes for continual improvement.

CIPI is duly accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation System (UKAS). It is one of the best ISO 9001:2008 standard certifiers, both in the country and abroad. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato--The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of the municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato strengthens its campaign for fire safety awareness.

BFP in S. Cotabato town intensifies fire safety awareness campaignBy Shahana Joy Duerme

This is in connection to the Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A setting the month of March as the Fire Prevention Month.

In line with this, Tupi-BFP pushes forward massive information d i s s e m i n a t i o n and distribution of educational materials

to households in the community. Also, it conducts ocular inspection to houses as well as to business establishments.


Meanwhile, fire marshal S/Insp. Maysael Wenceslao encourages everyone to take part in preventing fire incidents in the municipality.

He said that when everyone is working hand in hand, properties

will be saved and lives of every individual will be spared.

Highlight of the month-long activity is the distribution of the fire safety lecture books to different schools in the town which will be headed by Berong

Bombero, the BFP mascot.

Further, BFP will hold a Fire Olympics which will be participated by its personnel. Also, it will conduct an open house activity inviting children from different schools to visit BFP vicinity to educate the young generation on the equipment and materials that firemen are using during fire incidents.

The fire prevention month is anchored with the theme, “Sunog at Sakuna ay Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan”.

The celebration which will commence on the first day of April is under the initiative of the local government unit (LGU) of Tupi in coordination with different public and non-government organizations in the municipality. (SJDuerme-PIA12/ Tupi LGU)


DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain (extreme left) presents the status of implementation of projects covered in the region’s “Public Works Act of 2012” at a hearing Thursday, January 17, called for by the Committee on Public Works of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA). ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman approved on March 09 Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 294 known as the “Regional Public Works Act of 2013” that was enacted five days earlier by the 7th RLA. (ARMM CommGroup/JoHenry)


Pamana: Beyond delivery of basic services

BUTUAN CITY -- The people should know that the gains of Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) [Peaceful and Resilient Communities” is beyond the delivery of basic services to the community,” an official of the Pamana said.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

Speaking before the information officers during the training held in one of the local hotels here today, Mr. Johnnel Raneses, Pamana

Central Mindanao Manager pointed out that the government, through the designated information officers should let the people

By Robert E. Roperos


understand that the program is the national government’s peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction and development in conflict-affected areas (CAAs).

“This is not only a matter of delivering the basic services to the people, but more importantly, this is the government’s peace strategy aimed to bring all armed conflict to a permanent closure through peaceful means,” Raneses said.

In a related development, Ms. Imelda Bonifacio, Project Development Officer of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and concurrent Area Manager of Pamana in Samar Island sited three pillars of the program, as follows: 1) Building foundation for peace; 2) Establishing resilient communities; and 3) Addressing regional developments.

Bonifacio said Pamana regularly conducts dialogues, policy and program interventions to address peace issues. She also said the program addresses environment and mining issues thru policy institutions reforms.

To establish resilient communities, Bonifacio said

program also gives priority to community-driven development program and conduct Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs and support to individual in need.

The official further said Pamana is supporting sustainable livelihood and employment generation by implementation of peace and development projects. n addressing regional development, Bonifacio stressed the program initiates the conduct of sub-regional economic development, connection and integration, as well as providing support services for farmers and farm workers.

The three-day training dubbed “Communicating the gains of Pamana: Capacity Building for Government Information Officers,” will serve as a venue for government information officers to learn how to communicate the progress and results of the program through the strategic use of different media communication channels or distribution networks.

As an output, the participants will craft communications plan together with the trainers and undergo a three-month of supervised implementation or coaching thereafter.


The NSO is mandated by law as the sole agency to undertake economic census, among others, Director Estela de Guzman of the NSO-Industry and Trade Statistics Department said.

De Guzman also said that the objectives of the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI) are as follows: 1) to collect information on the levels, structure and trends of economic activities of the formal sector of the economy; and 2)

to gather data on employment, compensation, income, expense, total assets, capital expenditures and inventories and produce indicators from these variables.

When asked what are the uses of the 2012 Census of the Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI), Dir. De Guzman pointed-out that the data collected from the CPBI will constitute bases upon which the government and the private sector can formulate policies and economic development plans.

NSO readies 2012 CPBI in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY-- National Statistics Office (NSO) Caraga has geared-up preparations for the conduct of the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI) in the region in the month of April this year.

By Jennifer P. Gaitano


“Specifically, the census results are used in: 1) Measuring and comparing national, regional and provincial economic growth; 2) Planning and policy formulation; 3) Determining performance and contribution of MSMEs; 4) Providing benchmark data on trade in services; and 5) Market research, industry studies and other economic analysis,” said De Guzman.

NSO Regional Director Rosalinda Celeste said the questionnaires for the 2012 CPBI will be delivered personally to sample establishments and enterprises by the NSO field men during the period April 1-30, 2013.

Collection of the questionnaires will start 10 days after the distribution. Establishments and enterprises can also respond through web-based questionnaire at www.census.gov.ph/itsd,” explained Celeste.

Celeste further emphasized that the respondents in the 2012 CPBI are assured by Sec. 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 591 that all information provided are kept strictly confidential and shall not be used as evidence in court for purposes of taxation, regulation or investigation; nor shall such data or information be divulged to any person except authorized

employees of the NSO, acting in the performance of their duties; nor shall data be published except in the form of summaries or statistical tables in which no reference to an individual, corporation, association, partnership, institution or business enterprise shall appear.

The 2012 CPBI is one of the designated statistical activities undertaken by the NSO which aims to collect and generate information on the performance, levels, structure and trends of economic activities of the formal sector in the entire country for reference year 2012.

The 2012 CPBI is the 15th in the series of economic censuses conducted in the Philippines. The last economic census was the 2006 CPBI conducted in 2007.

One Mindanao - March 20, 2013

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