One Mindanao - May 15, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA 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 EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

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 BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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]

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ 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 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

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]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

GIDEON C. CORGUE, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CSC accepts nominations for the outstanding public servants, HR practitioner, Ulirang Kawani

DSWD-Caraga strengthens implementation of MCCT-IP on GIDA

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4Ps proves poor can excel in school

3,320 government job vacancies posted online

Investors raise concern on the adverse effect of weak BBL on investment in ARMM

BSP warns public on text scam

Dipolog conferred PGS proficiency medallion

DTI intensifies conduct of law enforcement in MisOcc

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By: Venus L. Garcia By: Franklin P. Gumapon

Cover Story

CARAGAWESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

22 DavNor guv hopes Samal bridge FS to be done before his retirement

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Contents

By: Gideon Corgue

By: Michael Uy

Mindanao cultural educators, artists urge MinDA to fortify culture,

41By: Rene Carbayas

4 MAY 15, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story 4Ps proves poor can excel in school

What has the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) accomplished since its implementation in region 9?

By: Gideon C. Corgue

Answers to this question may vary – negative or positive – depending from which group the answer would come. But, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-9 has always the best answer to this question.

5MAY 15, 2015 One Mindanao

Lately, Ivan Eric Salvador of DSWD-9, Zamboanga City paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 in Pagadian City to seek PIA’s help in the media coverage of the mass graduation activity to be attended by 4Ps beneficiaries who finished their secondary education with honors from all over the region.

One of the highlights of the said activity was a talk show with four high school valedictorians from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City, sharing their success in school as

4Ps beneficiaries.


Human development program According to Salvador, 4Ps or simply called “Pantawid” is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily children aged 0-18 years old.

“This year 2015, the program has produced more than 300,000 high school graduates nationwide,” Salvador said adding “this occasion is considered a memorable milestone not just for

the program but most especially for the beneficiaries who are a step closer to a better life.”

In region 9, a total of 23,354 Pantawid beneficiaries had finished high school last March, broken down as follows: Zamboanga del Norte – 7,098; Zamboanga del Sur – 8,222; Zamboanga Sibugay

– 4,487; and Zamboanga City – Isabel cluster – 3,547.

Academic achievers The data released by DSWD-9 showed that 1,171 or 5.01 percent of the 23,354 Pantawid high school graduates finished with flying colors: 109 as valedictorian, 81 as salutatorian and 981 as honorable mention. During the talk show, Keith Jasper S. Guantero of Zamboanga del Norte, Crisjane A. Mandawa of

Zamboanga del Sur, Elmer R. Gumabo of Zamboanga Sibugay and Ronie Giap of Zamboanga City-Isabela Cluster were one in thanking the government for giving them financial support for their studies. The four, who graduated valedictorian, said they were able to cope with their studies because of the monthly allowance

they regularly received from the DSWD through the 4Ps. They said their monthly allowance had enabled them to buy their needs in school especially their projects and to spend for their extra-curricular activities, which comprise 30 percent weight in computing the grades of honor students in high school.


“Without that financial assistance, we could not have competed with our fellow bright students who were economically better-off,” Guantero pointed out.

Best resource A government official, who requested not to be named, was frank in telling this writer that at first he thought the Pantawid was a waste of people’s money that it would only make the poor more dependent on dole-outs. But now he has realized that the government was right in implementing such as a program to improve the country’s human resource.

“The 4Ps has really helped the poor students

pursue their studies. What will happen to these poor but bright students? It is only proper that they be given the needed support by the government to improve on their lives, for human resource is the best resource any government can ever have,” he pointed out. (FPG/PIA9)


Malacañang congratulates Social Welfare Secretary Soliman for World Bank

MANILA - The Palace congratulated Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman, who was recently recognized by the World Bank for her anti-poverty work and people empowerment. “We congratulate DSWD Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman for being one of six leaders from government, civil society and the private sector worldwide, who were given recognition by


the World Bank for their work ‘in promoting social accountability as a means to eradicate poverty and promote inclusive growth in their respective countries’,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement issued on Thursday.

This is the first time that the World Bank-Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) gave the regional awards and a lifetime award for social accountability.

According to World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi, Secretary Soliman “translates the practice of social accountability and transparency into concrete strategic activities, which she implements with great commitment and passion.”

“Amid dissenting voices and criticisms, she opens the door for collaboration, participation and dialogue, inviting people to voice

and discuss their concerns,” said Konishi.

Under Soliman’s leadership, civil society organizations have been involved in the implementation and monitoring of the conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the DSWD and more than 50 civil society organizations have entered into a budget partnership agreement to monitor the budget of the department, he added.

In a statement, the World Bank said that as Chair of the Philippine Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Soliman helped promote collaboration among government agencies for poverty reduction.

These include the bottom-up budgeting approach where 300 to 400 of the poorest municipalities developed their own community-


level poverty reduction and empowerment plans.

These plans were subsequently included in the rural development and conditional cash transfer budgets of six national agencies: the departments of social welfare, education, health, agriculture, agrarian reform, and environment, the World Bank said.

Soliman also mobilized regional development councils to work with local government units in ensuring the registration of the poor in the government’s national household targeting system database, it added.

In his statement, Coloma reported that last month, some 14,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program graduated from high school in the National Capital Region.

These students were the first batch of high school graduates covered by the program.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is one of the programs initiated by the government to sustain inclusive growth and uplift the lives of poor Filipinos.

The other recipients of the World Bank GPSA award were from Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, Bangladesh, Morocco, and Moldova.

The recognition was given during an official ceremony at the World Bank headquarters, which was hosted by Sanjay Pradhan, World Bank Vice President for Change, Leadership and Innovation. (PCOO/PND (as)


3,320 government job vacancies posted online

MANILA - Encouraging more young Filipinos to join the civil service and widening the reach of government recruitment, the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and Department of Tourism (DOT) have posted 3,320 vacancies online.


As of Thursday, 3,320 vacancies have been posted at Kalibrr.com, a jobs matching site, in partnership with the Bagumbayani Initiative, a program by Young Public Servants (YPS) that aims to promote positive change and integrity in the government by sustainably recruiting young people into the civil service. Bagumbayani Initiative started with a group of friends who come from different government agencies, and who decided to meet every Wednesday to talk about their experiences and stories in the civil service.

Of the 3,320 vacancies, 3,211 entry-level positions are from the BIR, 41 positions from the DOF, 31 positions from the DBM, 33 positions from the DOTC, and 4 positions from the DOT. Since the vacancies were published in an initial soft launch in April, the DOF has received 244 applications, BIR - 154 applications, DBM - 152 applications, DOTC - 18

applications, and DOT - 59 applications.

Applicants can now view the government agencies’ Kalibrr accounts through the Bagumbayani Initiative’s Facebook page, and through the following links:

1. DOF - https://www.kalibrr.com/c/department-of-finance/jobs; recruitment.dof.gov.ph2. BIR - https://www.kalibrr.com/c/bureau-o f- in terna l -revenue/jobs3. DBM - https://www.kalibrr.com/c/department-of-budget-and-management/jobs4. DOTC - https://www.kalibrr.com/c/dotc-npmo/jobs; https://www.kal ibrr.com/c/department-of-transportation-and-communicat ions_ppp_implementation/jobs5. DOT - https://www.kalibrr.com/c/department-of-tourism/jobs


Heads of these agencies have shared their thoughts encouraging young Filipinos to enter government service.

“To ensure the sustainability of President Aquino’s good governance initiatives, we need a

constant flow of young, talented Filipinos entering government

with a critical eye and a hopeful heart. I had the privilege of meeting the late Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore a few years ago, and I agree with him when he says that the only way to change government is from within. To young Filipinos: your country

needs you. We hope that you respond to this call to service,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares on the one hand believes the country needs “a critical mass of young, honest Filipinos who love the country to join the BIR. The 3,211 vacancies we have posted are around a

fifth of the Bureau’s workforce: this is our chance to transform


the Bureau into a vibrant organization that can respond to the changing times and demands of the modern taxpayer,”

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch”

Abad said the presence of young people in government has opened new spaces for innovation in the agencies. “The natural skill and creativity of so many young Filipinos has already contributed

much to nation-building, and we now call on our youth to join us in our pursuit of crucial budget reforms. We can all play a more active role in public leadership and service, and there’s no better place to kick-start positive

change than in government itself.”

“There is much to be hopeful for in public transportation. As one transport expert said, the true test of a developed country is not when the poor get to ride cars, but it is when the rich take public transportation. We encourage the youth to come aboard ‘daang matuwid’ and help us prove that even transportation can be more fun in the Philippines,” said Secretary of Transportation

and Communications Joseph Emilio T. Abaya.

Meanwhile, underscoring the improvement of the country for the past years that Filipinos


can be truly proud of, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. encourages the youth to join government service saying “Tourism has now become a national industry, generating billions in terms of revenue and creating millions of jobs for our people. And although we have achieved where we are now, this is only the beginning. The biggest responsibility of the youth is to ensure the future. We invite our young people to join the public service and help continue the story of our country’s success,”

“Kalibrr is excited at the opportunity to partner with government to help them fill their vacancies with the best talent the Philippines has to offer. With Kalibrr’s technology and social media reach, we’re confident we will help the government achieve its national recruitment goals,” says Kalibrr Chief Executive Officer Paul Rivera. Kalibrr is the sole Philippine-based startup

that aims to solve recruitment in the Philippines. The company is backed by Y Combinator – the Silicon Valley giant behind tech giants AirBnB, 9Gag, Reddit and Scribd. Other strong patrons of the firm include EBay’s Pierre Omidyar, and Globe Telecom’s Kickstart Ventures. With only six months of full operations, Kalibrr has already provided over 1,500 jobs to seekers and has gained the trust of almost 4,000 companies.

“Young Public Servants is proud to take part in the Bagumbayani Initiative, and we support its mission of bringing the best and the brightest young Filipinos to directly take part in nation building through the civil service. Good governance lives because of the hope and energy of our youth,” Natalie Cristine Jorge, Lead Convenor of Young Public Servants said.(DOF)


Investors raise concern on the adverse effect of weak BBL on investment in ARMM

COTABATO CITY - Registered firms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have expressed fear that a diluted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) could bring forth a weak “autonomy” and undermine the investment climate in the region, an investment official said Thursday.

The group tackled the possible effects of the passage of the BBL to the current investments in the region in a meeting on Tuesday,

12 May, of the Promotion of Investment Sustainability Organization (PISO), a newly created advisory body composed


of registered firms in the ARMM and headed by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI).

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI chairperson and managing head, said “if there will be changes to the BBL, it should not lessen the ARMM ‘autonomy’ but should seek to improve the investment-friendly environment of the region.”

He further said that “the only way to have stability of investment policy for private sector development in the region is to make sure that the level of autonomy currently being experienced in the ARMM is not lessened or reduced by the proposed changes to the BBL.”

Mastura urged both houses of Congress not to lose sight of the ease of doing business in the ARMM.

He said new measures that will be introduced in the region must encourage more private sector development and not unduly burden them.

Investors in the ARMM currently enjoy the convenience of getting their permits, licenses, approvals, administrative

consents and their regulatory framework directly from the Autonomous Regional Government without the need to go national agencies in Manila or to their regional administrative offices.

The ARMM has recorded a steady influx of multi-billion investments since 2013. The RBOI registered PHP1.46 billion worth of investments in 2013 and the number doubled the following year with PHP3.86 billion total investments.

In the first quarter of 2015, RBOI registered PHP863 million. The agency is expecting to sustain or even exceed last year’s investments.

Mastura said the increasing trend in investments in ARMM is largely attributed to the favorable outcome of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the continuing governance reform of the region under the present administration. (PNA)FFC/RCK/NYP/EOF

TESDA 10 to host 1st Mindanao Zonal Dual Training Partnership forumCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) region 10 will host the 1st ever Mindanao wide Zonal Dual Training Partnership forum on 26 May 2015 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

Kotie R. Bax, TESDA chief of Regional Operations Division said during a press briefing that they are expecting about 400 participants from all over Mindanao including Industries, Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) and 40 chambers of commerce including the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce. Bax said that they aim to get the commitment of Industries and TVIs to


implement the Republic Act 7686 or Dual Training System (DTS) which was approved on February 1994. This is an act to strengthen manpower education and training in the Philippines by institutionalizing the DTS as an instructional delivery system of technical and vocational education and training, providing the mechanism, appropriate funds therefore and for other purposes. Basically, she said that compared to On-the-Job-Training (OJT) during summer, this DTS combines two places of learning: school and company. The school provides theoretical exposure while the company provides practical exposure. Ratio is 40:60. Bax said that in Cagayan de Oro, Xavier University is already implementing this through their Center for Integrated Technologies (CIT). Their CIT has partnered with various industries such as Nestle Inc., and BMW among others to let their students go to school for two days and the other three days in the company for practical exposure. DTS is partnership between employment and educational systems, learning by doing, depends on private-sector

leadership, cost-sharing and has legal basis. However, Bax said that some companies or institutions have not implemented this because companies accepting students for DTS will pay 75% of the minimum wage. But overtime, there have been adjustments on the payment depending on the agreement set by the institution and companies. Companies in return will benefit because the workers are trained according to the company’s specific needs, highly productive workers and therefore long term growth and bigger profits and savings on production cost through tax incentives. She said that this is more so needed now because of the implementation of the K to 12 wherein Junior High School students will have to choose their path whether tech-voc, sciences, sports or arts. She adds that one National High School in Cagayan de Oro, 70% of students prefer tech-voc path. They need to link industries and TVIs in preparation for K to 12, Bax said. During this event, there will be a signing of social contract and partnership between TVIs and industries.


BSP warns public on text scamsCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warns the public on the various text scams that continue to persist and are being proliferated through the use of mobile phones.

Such recurring text scams declare that the receiver has won in a purportedly electronic or mobile number-based raffle/lottery, allegedly sponsored by the BSP or any of its official/representative. The receiver is then instructed to deposit a sum of money or send a prepaid load to the sender’s account to claim the

prize money. The BSP reiterated that it does not sponsor or engage in any games of chance, lottery or raffle of such nature. Thus, BSP is reminding the public to remain vigilant about these scams and other fraudulent schemes to avoid any financial loss or damage.(BSP)


DTI intensifies conduct of law enforcement in MisOccOROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its monitoring and enforcement activities in the province. he Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lauded the local chief executives (LCE’s) of Tangub and Ozamiz Cities for their efforts in cleaning Panguil Bay.

Foremost in these activities is the implementation of the Philippine National Standards (PNS) under the mandatory certification of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), DTI Provincial Director Delia M. Ayano said. Among others, the monitored products include the electrical and wiring devices, electrical appliances, building and construction materials and consumer and chemical products. Also included in the monitoring activities of DTI MisOcc is the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act to safeguard the interests and safety of consumers and to maintain fair trade in the market. Meanwhile, Ayano said a monitoring and enforcement activity was conducted in Tangub

City where DTI MisOcc enforcers were fielded to do the actual assessment in the existing firms. Covered by the activity were several types of business establishments classified as hardware, retailers, wholesalers, service and repair shops, Ayano added.(DTI)

DavNor guv hopes Samal bridge FS to be done before his retirement

DAVAO DEL NORTE - I hope the feasibil-ity study of the Samal bridge will be complet-ed before I’ll retire. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said recently during the Biz Talk at Big 8 Hotel that before he steps down as the pro-vincial governor of Davao del Norte on 2016, he wanted to ensure that the feasibility study for the Samal bridge is done and approved. “For now, I am still requesting the NEDA (National Economic De-velopment Authority) to fund the P90-million for the feasibility study or to source it out,” Gov. Del Rosario said. “Obviously, the con-struction will start on the next administration.” Del Rosario pointed that if the study is pre-pared and completed within his term, then his successor will just have to pursue the project. “Whether it will be located in Panabo City or

Davao City, the best lo-cation will be determined by the technical persons that will work on the study,” he said. He said that the study will show which place is more feasible, yet he added, “but since there is still no study, I am suggesting to put it in Panabo because ba-sically Samal is part of Davao del Norte.” Del Rosario said that most of the people thought that Samal is part of Davao City be-cause as of now, it is the main gateway to the island. The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) more known as Samal City is a component city of Davao del Norte, to-gether with Panabo City and Tagum City. “I want it to be lo-cated in Panabo City to connect Samal to its home province,” Del Ro-sario said. (PIA11, Mi-chael Uy)


DILG XI to intensify assessment on LGUs’ child-friendly projects

DAVAO CITY- With the recent con-ferment received by the city as the Most Child-Friendly 2014, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI will inten-sify its assessment on the perfor-mance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the delivery of social services and manifold landmark projects that promote and uphold the welfare of children. According to DILG City Direc-tor Merilo Q. Limbaro, DILG plays a vital role in the conferment of the Presidential Award, stressing that they are thoroughly assessing every

city and municipality in the region to gauge their performance in deliver-ing children and youth-specific social services in the community. “Our core responsibility here is to conduct the mandatory Child Friendly Local Governance Audit or CFLGA. With this, we are very resil-ient lalo na sa pag-iikot and we meet with Punong Barangays para masigu-rado na lahat ng concerns at proyek-to na kailangan para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng bawat bata ay existing talaga,” Limbaro said. The award for the Child-Friendly municipalities and cities was initiated by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) pursuant to Execu-tive Order No. 184 entitled “Estab-lishing the Presidential Award for the Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cit-ies” issued on December 13, 1999. “We assess LGUs based on the set of criteria like reduction in the deaths among children below 5 years old; reduction in the number of chil-dren below normal weight; absence of child labor or percentage reduc-tion in child labor cases; and per-centage reduction in the number of child victims of violence, abuse, ne-glect and exploitation. Ilan lang yan sa tinututukan natin,” Limbaro ex-plained. He also stressed that the as-sessment criteria shall use as bench-


marks and a scale system in mea-suring the results and performance of LGUs consistent with national standards, averages or targets. For this year’s national search, Davao highlighted its various land-mark projects creating a sustainable child-friendly milieu toward protect-ing the rights of the child to survival, protection, development and par-ticipation. Some of the key projects include the Halfway House for IPs in Brgy. Datu Salumay in Marilog Dis-trict, Balay Pasilungan Project, AL-IMA Development Center for street children, Mobile Registration Pro-gram, and the Child Minding Center in Magallanes, anti-drugs and anti-crime campaigns,supplemental feed-ing program, scholarship program, among others. “In accordance with the coun-try’s commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we support the realization of children’s rights and building a “Child-Friendly Society,” he said. According to Limbaro, DILG Regional Office “will intensify our as-sessment on the delivery of social welfare services on child and youth hindi lang para sa award kundi para sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” adding that the DILG ensures organization and assist in the strengthening of Barangay Council for the Protection of Children in all barangays. Davao City’s recent award included a trophy and a cash amounting to PHP500,000 plus a

PHP50,000, for being a national fi-nalist. The award was presented by CWC headed by Social Welfare Sec-retary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman in a ceremony held at Philippine Interna-tional Convention Center in Manila last May 8, 2015. The city had also been honored with the same award for two consecutive years from 1998 to 1999 and won the regional award in 2012. This year, it is eyeing for the “Hall of Fame” award pushing itself further to remain in the category title as the most child-friendly city for 2015. [DILG XI-CPNaig]

BIR clarifies issues on eFPS, eBIRForms implementation By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – In time with the second quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council – Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) meeting held on Thursday here, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Caraga has clarified issues and concerns on the implementation of the Electronic Platform in Filing Tax Returns under eFPS or eBIRForms for filing Income Tax Returns for Calendar Year 2014. Edelwesa Patubo, Client Support Unit acting assistant head of BIR-Caraga reiterated that the BIR is committed to collect taxes for nation-building through excellent, efficient and


transparent service, just and fair enforcement of tax laws, uplifting the life of every Filipino. “In connection with the implementation of the Electronic Platform in Filling Tax Returns under the eFPS or eBIRForms especially for those who filed for filing and payment of Income Tax Returns for Calendar Year 2014 which was due last April 15, 2015, the Circular No. 19-2015 was issued to provide answers/resolutions to frequently asked questions in addition to those already posted in the eFPS/eBIRForms Systems available in the BIR website,” Patubo bared. Patubo also explained that the online eBIRForms is a filing infrastructure that accepts tax returns submitted online and automatically computes penalties for tax returns submitted beyond the due date. When asked who are those mandated to use the eFPS, Patubo disclosed that these are the following: Taxpayer Account Management Program (TAMP) Taxpayers (Revenue Regulation No. 10-2014); Accredited Importer and Prospective Importer required to secure the BIR-ICC and BIR-BCC (RR No. 10-2014); National Government Agencies (RR No. 1-2013);

All Licensed Local Contractors (RR No. 10-2012); Enterprises enjoying Fiscal Incentives (RR No. 1-2010); Top 5,000 Individual Taxpayers (RR No. 6-2009); Corporations with Paid-Up Capital Stock of P10 million and above (RR No. 10-2007); Corporations with Complete Computerized Accounting System (RR No. 10-2007); Procuring Government Agencies with respect to Withholding of VAT and Percentage Taxes (RR No. 3-2005); Government Bidders (RR No. 3-2005); Insurance Companies and Stock Brokers (Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 71-2004); Large Taxpayers (RR No. 2-2002, as amended); and Top 20,000 Private Corporation (RR No. 2-98, as amended). Also, for those who are mandated to use eBIRForms and eFile are the following: Accredited Tax Agents/Practitioners and all its client-taxpayers who authorized them to file in their behalf; Accredited Printers of Principal and Supplementary Receipts/Invoices; One-Time Transaction taxpayers; Those engaged in business, or those with mix income (both compensation and business income) who shall file a “No Payment” Return (exception under RMC No. 12-


2015); Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations; Local Government Units, except barangays; Cooperatives, registered with National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Local Water Utilities Administrations (LWUA).

“Not all taxpayers are required to file electronically. Only taxpayers enumerated in items no. 5 and 6 of the RMC No. 19-2015 are required/mandated to file electronically. Other taxpayers such as Micro Small Medium Enterprises who are filing their own returns and have tax payment due are not required to file electronically. However, nothing prevents them to voluntarily enroll and file using either the eFPS/eBIRForms electronic platform of the BIR. Thus, the existing procedures on Manual Filing shall still apply,”

Patubo emphasized. Patubo further clarified that only those taxpayers enumerated under item no. 6 of same RMC (as mentioned under RR No. 6-2014) are mandated to use and enroll in the eBIRForms System. Individual and non-individual taxpayers who do not fall under those categories may still file manually using the printed BIR Forms or file using the generated form from the Offline eBIRForms either manually or electronically by online submission or e-filing. Meanwhile, as to the penalties for failure to file returns under electronic systems of the BIR by taxpayers mandatorily covered by eFPS or eBIRForms, Patubo stressed that all taxpayers mandated under the existing issuances, who fail to do so, shall be imposed a penalty of P1,000 per return pursuant to Section 250 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. “In addition, the taxpayer, shall also be imposed civil penalties equivalent to 25 percent of the tax due to be paid, for filings a return not in accordance with existing regulations, thus, tantamount to wrong venue filing pursuant to Section 248 (A) (3) of the NIRC of 1997, as amended,” added Patubo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


CSC intensifies PRIME-HRM among government employees

This was the statement of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga regional director Resurreccion Pueyo, during the Regional Development Council – Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) second quarter meeting held here recently. “As mandated, the CSC shall

also strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all human resource development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize a management climate conducive to public accountability,” said Pueyo. In line with this mandate, Pueyo revealed that the CSC shall

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – “We shall continue to establish a career service among government workers and adopt measures to promote their morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy in the civil service.”


also serve as model for all public institutions, and there is a need to develop standards which will be the guide in the formulation of programs/systems, provision of developmental interventions, and assessment and rewarding of excellent human resource management programs, systems and practices in the public sector. “The Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) is a program of assessment, assistance and recognition of HRM excellence using global HR standards. It supports the attainment of the Commission’s vision of becoming Asia’s Center of Excellence in Human Resource (HR) and Organizational Development (OD) by 2030,” Pueyo disclosed. It was learned that under the PRIME-HRM, CSC HRM assessment, assistance, and award are envisioned to be more strategic, as it shifts from merely monitoring of compliance with regulations and guidelines, to establishing globally accepted HR maturity level indicators/standards. These indicators/standards will be used in searching for best practices, providing interventions, and recognizing agencies that excel

in formulating and implementing strategic HR programs, practices, and standards. The maturity level indicators serve as a yardstick for assessing, assisting, and celebrating/awarding HR excellence that would create a positive impact on public service delivery and citizen satisfaction. “The program also aims to: serve as a search mechanism for best practices in human resource management; serve as a venue for exchange and development of expertise in the area of human resource management between and among government agencies; empower agencies in the performance of human resource management functions; and promote and reward excellent human resource management practice,” emphasized Pueyo. The program covers all national and local government agencies, including government- owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charter, state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as regional offices of agencies with HR offices/units. PRIME-HRM shall involve all HRMOs, heads of agencies, supervisors and rank and file employees. Accreditation under PRIME-HRM is a recognition of an agency’s performance in terms


of its HRM implementation. It empowers an agency to become self- managed in human resource management and development and confers on it certain rights, privileges, and responsibilities in recognition of its passing PRIME- HRM assessment based on established HR maturity level standards. Under PRIME-HRM, agencies are classified as follows: Regulated (Level I) - The agency HR systems, competencies, and practices are assessed as Maturity Level I (Transactional). It has not fully demonstrated readiness to exercise delegated HR functions and needs to be subjected to regular monitoring/assistance by the Commission. Accredited (Level II) – The agency HR systems, practices, and competencies are assessed as Maturity Level II (Process-defined). It has demonstrated readiness to exercise delegated HR functions. The Commission grants Level II Accredited agencies the authority to take final action on appointments.

Deregulated (Level III) – The agency has distinguished itself as “excellent” in all or some areas of human resource management and the core HR systems, practices, and competencies are assessed as Maturity Level 3 (Integrated). On top of the authority to take final action on appointments, deregulated agencies may establish and implement their own HR mechanisms without prior approval of the Commission. The CSC has been an active member agency of the RDC-DAC and has been getting involved in the efforts for the welfare of government employees. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


This project under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was created for the Indigenous People (IP) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA. MCCT-IP as a program is driven with its three main goals; (1) to empower, (2) to

promote, (3) and protect from any unavoidable adverse effects caused by the development process. On its implementation, MCCT-IP uses the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) strategy but with modifications in terms of processes in targeting,

DSWD-Caraga strengthens implementation of MCCT-IP on GIDA

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program strengthens the implementation of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP).


conditionalities, package of benefits, interventions and modes of implementation. The project also employs holistic approach of community organizing. “This project requires close coordination with the tribal chieftains to ensure that cultural integrity remains while the project is implemented,” said DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli. On the identification of potential beneficiaries, community facilitators consider the following; Indigenous peoples living outside or inside their ancestral domains particularly those with no or limited access to social services, IP families with children aged 0-18 years old and/or pregnant member of the family at the time of selection, and IPs who are vulnerable and disadvantaged based on the assessment done by the community facilitators. “Because IP plays a significant part in our community. Like those partner-beneficiaries belong to the regular CCT, MCCT-IP-beneficiaries deserve to receive equal opportunities. And we do it by giving them support services interventions like working hand in hand with them on livelihood activities, capability building training, promotion of IP rights,

or any collective engagement that will enhance self-determination, and through community family development sessions,” Brigoli added.

MCCT-IP for GIDA is arranged with the following institutions, DSWD with the Department of Health, Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Anti-Poverty Commission and qualified civil society organizations. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga).

GSIS Pagadian intensifies home visits to old age pensionersBy Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - To better serve its pensioners aged 90 years old and above, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Pagadian branch has intensified its home visits to prevent suspension of monthly payments.

Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS Pagadian branch manager said as an old-age pensioner, one must renew his active status yearly, on his birth

month. “Home visits are done for old-age survivorship pensioners who cannot travel to the nearest GSIS office,” he explained.


Manuel said for 2015, the GSIS has identified 50 old-age pensioners scheduled for home visit. As of today, there are only 8 pensioners who have not been visited by GSIS. According to Engr. Manuel, no less than GSIS Senior Vice-President Atty. Dionisio C. Ebdane Jr., commended GSIS Pagadian for the highest percentage of home visits done in the Visayas-Mindanao area, during the recent Managers’ Conference held in Dumaguete City last month. In the Zamboanga Sibugay area, GSIS recently conducted

home visits and delivered UMID card to 90-year old Eulalia Sajulga of Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay; Marietta Junsay, 93 years old, also from the town of Imelda; and Agripino M. Santos, 91 years old of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay. Aside from the home visits, GSIS personnel Marvic Joy T. Ababol and Sherwin Duran also turned-over a check amounting to P50,000 to Mayor Julius T. Acosta Sr. of Siay, this province, representing his Personal Accident Medical Reimbursement.


The GSIS Personal Accident Insurance dubbed as My Shield covers individuals aged 3 to 80 years old and offers the cheapest yet the widest accident insurance coverage in the industry today. It has a wide array of insurance products that will protect your future at the lowest premium. My Shield offers a minimum coverage of P50,000 to a maximum protection of P5 million. GSIS continues to strive

for the improvement of its services driven by integrity, professionalism, and a culture of public service, promoting an efficient organization that is fully-automated and member-focused.


Dipolog conferred PGS proficiency medallion By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – Having put in place the transformation toward good governance, the city government here has successfully passed the proficiency stage of the Performance Governance System (PGS) under the auspices of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).

In a public governance forum held on May 4 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in

Pasay City, a PGS proficiency medallion was awarded to Mayor Evelyn T. Uy.


In the same occasion, Mayor Uy also she presented the city’s accomplishments and gains to attain its vision to be the center of outdoor sports of the South by the year 2020. Dipolog is gearing up for hosting various outdoor sports competitions and events in the next five years. “We are happy that our efforts to transform our city through good governance is gaining grounds and is now being recognized. We will continue to push forward until we fully realize our dream and

vision for Dipolog,” the lady mayor said. Before the awarding of the PGS proficiency medallion, Dr. Jesus Estanislao, ISA chair and forerunner of PGS in the country told Mayor Uy that he admired “how Dipolog was able to make Vision Aligned Circles (VACs) work and make transformation inclusive.” “You can proudly say that in Dipolog, even street sweepers and garbage collectors are part of good governance,” Estanislao added.


In a public revalida, Mayor Uy satisfactorily responded to all queries posed by the panelists led by Guillermo Luz, private sector-co-chair of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). Other members of the panel were Anabelle Ochoa, chair of the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Atty. Jose Luis Gomez, commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Alfredo Reyes, vice president of the Philippine Women’s University, and Atty.

Jasmine Oporto, senior vice president of Aboitiz Equity ventures.

Mindanao cultural educators, artists urge MinDA to fortify culture, arts agenda in Mindanao 2020 By Rene V. Carbayas

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – Cultural workers, educators, and artists of Mindanao have pushed for the strengthening of cultural, arts and heritage agenda in Mindanao 2020.


From the output of the recently concluded integration workshop of the different Mindanao-based sub-commission members of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) here, Carly Sereso of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) thanked the NCCA for brining to MinDA’s attention the agenda of the cultural artisits and workers and he admitted that MinDA and the Mindanao 2020 plans lack the very “soul” of Mindanao in direct reference to culture, arts, and heritage. MinDA said the present plan is largely focused on

security, social, and economic development. MinDA is Mindanao’s lead agency in coordinating and integrating development efforts to bring about accelerated socio-economic development in the area by encouraging the active and extensive participation of all sectors in the development process. “We consider very important our socio-cultural aspect because if we try to look at the development aspect is purely economic, knowing that there diverse cultures in Mindanao,” Sereso said. MinDA further said


that there are four areas of intervention to incorporate culture, arts, and heritage agenda in Mindanao 2020: 1) study the roadmap in the light of the Philippine Development Plan and that of Mindanao and endorse it to partner agencies and institutions, 2) identify aspects in the roadmap for implementation in the MinDA level, 3) identify resources and partners for development opportunities and collaboration of MinDA and NCCA and other partner agencies, and 4) identification of gaps for culture and arts future planning and programming by NCCA and other agencies or with MinDA. Fr. Albert Alejo of the NCCA Sub-Committee on Literary Arts said that MinDA should distinct itself from NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) and challenged MinDA to be a culture-based body. “MinDA could exist and

be distinct as a body if it is very familiar with the soul and culture of Mindanao, otherwise we contend with having NEDA,” Fr. Alejo said, challenging MinDA to embrace the culture of Mindanao. Cultural workers, artists, and educators from the different parts of Mindanao met at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City last April 21 to revisit the plans that each sub-committees have prepared in previous meetings and consolidate them to become a one Mindanao plan that will serve as the roadmap of Mindanao Culture, Arts, and Heritage Indicative Action Plan: Period 2016-2017. “This is not a program planning. We are planning for results. We are planning for impact outcomes,” workshop facilitator Nestor T. Horfilla stressed, hoping to make the consolidated plan be more


implementable. In her opening remarks, Marichu G. Tellano, Chief of NCCA Plan/Policy Formulation and Programming Division, said that the meeting was in response to the clamor that while each committees meet and create programs and activities respectively, there was no opportunity to get-to-know one another and more importantly to harmonize the plans and programs so these may have greater impact to the communities NCCA is serving. In her message, NCCA Executive Director Adelina M. Suemith said that NCCA has been engaging lots of sectors in consultation activities in order to improve its services to the people and saw the need to find new ways in planning and sharing of resources in view of the challenges posed

by the Aquino Administration.“In this way, the NCCA empowers the regions to dream for themselves and achieve these dreams at their level. NCCA hopes to see an improved sense of identity among the diverse peoples of Mindanao,” she said. The collective Mindanao Region Culture-and-Arts Action Plan was set for a two-year period starting 2016 until 2017, and intended to harmonize the Culture-and-Arts strategic directions in Mindanao with the three sub-sector development outcomes, namely: 1) established culture as pillar for sustainable development, 2) advanced creativity and diversity of artistic expression, and 3) promoted strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and arts.

One Mindanao - May 15, 2015

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Transcript of One Mindanao - May 15, 2015