One Mindanao - August 1, 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],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII THELMA B. OLIVER Regional Director, 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 Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, 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

Luxury, affordable stay at Big 8 Hotel in Tagum CityJeanevive Duron-AbanganSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Thursday, August 1, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 239

page 4

Palace says it’s well-versed about corruption in the Bureau of Customs 9Kapatagan Provincial Hospital soon to rise in Lanao del Norte 18Pablo-hit LGUs realize need to prepare better

DOST bares interventions for SMEs 16 25

Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

Vincent N.Labial, Northern Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Safety of disaster, calamity-affected areas, first among Ozamiz CDRRMC concerns19

Jeanevie Abangan, Southern MindanaoAnnette Villaces, Caraga Region

37

Surigao City, BFAR to step up ECOFISH program

Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

DTI to launch ‘Shared Service Facilities’ Project in Butuan23

NCIP educational assistance benefits Zambo. City indigenous studentsFelipo David Malcampo, Western Mindanao39

7 11 1317 21 35

4

That’s the assurance that General Manager Roxanne Obregon gives to its customers, debunking the common belief and impression on posh hotels such that of Big 8. She bares Big 8 to offer flexible package “that can cater to

your needs.” “They can afford it,” she said with certainty. Big 8 offers a bit lower room rates compared with other hotels of its kind, especially now that the management is still at its marketing stage. Its distance

can also be considered as a competitive advantage. When travelling either on business, commercial, academic or networking purposes in Davao del Norte-Compostela Valley-Davao Oriental areas, Big 8 offers the most accessible, convenient as well as affordable hotel rooms to stay. People in these provinces need not look far nor go far to

Luxury, affordable stay at Big 8 Hotel in Tagum City

GLIMMERING AND TOWERING, Big 8 Hotel stands as the

only hotel in Tagum City that can comparably meet the four star standards in terms of facilities and amenities. It’s classy but it offers affordable rates without sacrificing the quality of its services.

CoVer StoRy

By Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

5

experience the luxury of an elegant hotel. Travelers need not traverse a 52-kilometer distance to Davao City just to look for a facility of such standard. Big 8 is within easy reach. As its name implies, Big 8 rises up to 8th floor from its basement. It stretches in a 1.6-hectare land area in Visayan Village, Tagum City (in Davao del Norte) along a strategic portion of the national highway traversing the heart of the City. It’s considerably near leading malls of Tagum City. Located just few feet away from a bus stop, it’s quite

very accessible and visible from the national highway. Having formerly worked with high class hotels in Davao City, Obregon is surprised to meet some walk-in clients who come in to get a room to stay overnight, without bothering about booking in advance. She also notes some clients on their slippers, alighting from their service vehicles. They come in to dine with their families.

Noting such, Obregon has come to clearly understand the wisdom of Big 8 proprietors who firmly believe in Tagum City’s economic development potential. It’s at the right place in Tagum which is a convergence point of travelers from Butuan City, Compostela Valley Province, and from Mati City in Davao Oriental. The soon-to-be-opened Davao del Norte-Bukidnon Road will be bringing traders and travelers directly to Tagum City. The dynamic agriculture and mining activities in the neighboring

areas make Tagum City a potential commercial and business center. The growing government disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) concerns in the nearby provinces and in Davao del Norte, qualifies Tagum City as a place to stay while traveling on duty. Big 8 is there to serve the travelers, the traders, the executives: the hotel where to dine, to enjoy their nights and to stay over, while on business. Big 8 has enough rooms for them, and even

Luxury, affordable stay at Big 8 Hotel in Tagum City

6

f o r locales who want to experience

luxurious stay in a hotel. It has 56 standard rooms, 36 de luxe, 18 superior and nine executive rooms; one executive suite and one presidential suite. The

proprietors have also envisioned Big 8 to serve small group meetings and large-scale events. They’ve made the hotel designed to hold a boardroom meeting of 10 persons as well as accommodate a function of 1,500 people. “We are the first in Mindanao with the largest ballroom and the first hotel in Tagum City of this standard,” Obregon said referring to the four-star competitiveness of Big 8. Aside from capturing clients for meetings, weddings, workshops and room-stays, Big 8 is looking at bringing in walk-in customers to spend swimming, take a coffee

break, dine with friends and families, and while away a moment at the bar. Obregon explains this as a move of Big 8 to provide optimum delightful services to visitors and locales of Tagum City.

Thursday,August 1, 2013 7

ACROSS THE NATION

President Benigno S. Aquino III has enjoined all heads of departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned-controlled

corporations, local government units, and state colleges and universities to extend full support for the 1st ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering on September 24-26 in Manila.

The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 52 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on

July 19. With the theme “Integrating Agricultural

and Biosystems Engineering in the ASEAN

President Aquino enjoins support for first ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in Manila

8Thursday,August 1, 2013

for Food Security, Climate Change Mitigation and Global Practice,” the conference will lay the initial groundwork for the development of harmonized qualifications and standards necessary for the mobility of agricultural engineering services in ASEAN Region which will help achieve long-term competitiveness of ASEAN’s food, agriculture and forestry products/commodities.

The Board of Agricultural Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council-Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization Committee, in coordination with the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services, is set to conduct the First ASEAN

Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering this September.

In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education and the Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association, the organizers will hold the three-day event at the Manila Hotel.

Agricultural engineers of various government agencies are encouraged to participate in the said ASEAN Conference, subject to the approval of their respective heads of offices, and in accordance to the regular procedures for leaves of absences and availability of funds.

The President directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to extend assistance in coordinating with concerned officials and embassies of all ASEAN countries to encourage the participation/attendance of their agricultural engineers, agricultural and biosystems engineers and concerned officials to the said ASEAN conference. PND (js)

Thursday,August 1, 2013 9

Palace says it’s well-versed about corruption in the Bureau of Customs

Malacanang said it has enough information about the severity of the corruption in the Bureau of Customs and

knows the scope of the overhaul needed to reform the bureau.“Part of the process of instituting

reforms is to know the battlefield. It is safe to say that we know the battlefield and we know the lay of the land; and so, what the reforms are will be in response

to the lay of the land,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in the press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday.

Pressed by reporters if the President has solid evidence to prove Customs

10Thursday,August 1, 2013

personnel who are involved in smuggling, Lacierda said the Palace can’t divulge at this time the measures to be carried out to reform the bureau.

“You will know our reforms. We don’t want to telegraph our measure. If I answer you one way, there will be a lot of implications or consequences —unnecessary consequences or unintended consequences. So the safest answer is to say: you will know,” he said.

In his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 22, the President lashed out at BOC personnel for not collecting more than P200 billion from the smuggled goods.

The President said that instead of

collecting the proper taxes and preventing contraband from entering the country, those officials permitted the smuggling of goods, drugs, arms and other items into the country.

Customs personnel who could not do their job don’t deserve to remain in office, he said.

Senator Francis Escudero, the Senate finance committee chair, on Tuesday filed a resolution directing three committees to investigate the padrino system in the BOC.

Escudero’s resolution mandates his committee as well as the Senate blue ribbon and ways and means committees to spearhead the investigation of a rumored patronage system in the customs bureau. PND

Thursday, August 1, 2013 11

SMEs to get insights on global markets at the Mindanao Exporters Congress

The small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) of Mindanao will be given the opportunity to look at ways to enter the

global market.PhilExport president of Davao

Region Ferdinand Y. Maranon said during the Davao Business Forum held on Tuesday here, the first ever Congress for Exporters will allow the SMEs to get a better

perspective on how to go about exporting in the global market.

He said it is high time that our producers also must explore other markets given the ability to go global.

However, he cautioned that there

Thursday, August 1, 201312

were steps that must be followed and requirements to comply.

He said the PhilExport was doing this in order for our SMEs to move up to the next level.

Although he admitted that there are concerns that must be acted by government agencies but we would also help our producers to level up.

Issues and concerns will be raised during the Congress through resolutions that will be submitted to the government even as Maranon said that there are Cabinet Secretaries who will be joining the event.

Resource person Rick D. Quinn of Food and Drug Administration or FDA Imports, at the same forum, said it would be easy to enter the United States if you have the right market.

Quinn who will talk on “How to Export Foods and Beverages to the USA” during the Mindanao Exporters Congress said integration of product development with regulatory compliance is absolutely the key.

“Although people will learn the hard way, they will not go wrong when they are compliant,” he said.

Raf Vlummens, founder of Entrepreneurial Coach who will discuss “Doing business in the European markets” also said “the market will judge your product.”


Statistics agencies to be merged with onset of new law

DAVAO CITY- If ever it becomes a law, the proposed Philippine Statistical Act will merged differ-ent statistical agencies under one body. National Statistical

Coordinat ion Board (NSCB) S e c r e t a r y General Dr. Jose Ramon Albert said the proposed law which has been approved by the Senate and is just waiting for the signature of the President will merge NSCB with the National S t a t i s t i c s Office (NSO), the Bureau of A g r i c u l t u ra l

Statistics of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BAS) and the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-BLES)

by Rudolph Alama


under one statistical body- the Philippine Statistics Authority which will be headed by the National Statistician. The proposed law aims to reorganize the Philippine Statistical System by centralizing in one body the statistics-generating agencies of the government. The body will be attached to the National Economic Development Authority for policy coordination. “There will only be one who will release official data or official statistics in order to ensure quality statistics.” says Gervacio Selda, executive director of the Statistics Research and Training Council (SRTC). under the act the SRTC would be constituted as the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI) which would conduct an independent review of statistics released by the PSA. Carmelita Ericta, NSO administrator said under the law the positions of the head of offices of the NSO, NSCB, BAS, BLES will be abolished. She said the PSA can post its staff in government agencies when their expertise is needed. She also said the law can answer the issues of the agencies being undermanned, of the present 70% of the NSO positions are filled while 50% for the NSCB. The proposed law which began as House Bill 6229 was certified as urgent by President Benigno Aquino

III and was passed by the Senate under the 15th Congress last June 6. Meanwhile regional statisticians are welcoming the anticipated passage of the law. “We wholeheartedly welcome it.” says Jaime Paller, Regional Director of NSO-XI. It will also address the dual personalities of statisticians working for the line agencies under DA and DOLE who are torn between the mandate of their mother departments and being part of the Philippine Statistical Association. One of the key essence of the law was to separate data-gathering and data-vetting function from the regular functions of these Departments. This would result in a more accurate and reliable statistical data which contributes to the formulation of policies and programs that addresses the country’s social and economic development issues The heads of the country’s statistical bodies were in Davao City last week as they graced the presentation of the 2012 Economic Performance of the Davao Region, an annual tradition held by the National Economic Development Authority in conjunction with the regional statistics-generating offices. The presentation was held last Thursday (July 25) at the Department of Social Welfare and Development-XI conference hall. (PIA/RG Alama)


Pablo-hit LGUs realize need to prepare better

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte- Ty-phoon Pablo-hit Local Government Units (LGUs) have realized the serious need to strengthen their preparedness for disaster and to adapt to extreme weather condi-tions to survive. At the close of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Summit held in Tagum City in Davao del Norte, local chief executives of Typhoon Pablo-hit provinces of Davao

Oriental and Compostela Valley and selected municipal and barangay governments shared life changing lessons learned from super typhoon Pablo experience. They all shared the realization to prepare even better. Davao Oriental Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon acknowledged “preparedness” as necessary to survival. “Climate change is real. Hence, preparedness to disaster, calamity

by Jeanevie Abangan


and extreme weather conditions is a must and the need to adapt to this change is necessary for survival,” she said in giving learning experience before participants of the Regional DRRM Summit held at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan ng Davao del Norte. Malanyaon also viewed changes to lifestyle as requisite to readiness to disaster as she asked people to be more receptive to warnings and signals “of impending event that might affect the lives, security and property of the community.”Citing the front location of Davao Oriental to the Pacific Ocean, she further called for a change in attitude among her constituents whom she wanted to build a more resilient community of people who possess moral and spiritual strength. “Resilience to calamity lies not only on physical preparedness but also on moral and spiritual strength. If the affected people are willing to help themselves, support shall come and calamity can be surmounted,” she pointed out. Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) executive officer Raul Villoceno admitted the need for the province to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response capability.

Villoceno pointed out the need to reduce vulnerability and exposure of communities to all hazards by relocating families to safer locations and mitigating the impact of future disasters through dredging river banks. He saw the need to increase the level of awareness of the community to the threats and impacts of hazards, risks and vulnerabilities. Along this line, the provincial government of Compostela Valley hatched the plan to train and organize a team of facilitators to conduct disaster risk reduction management at the community level in all barangays. Preparedness has to go down to the community level so folks would come to understand and realize the risks that they are confronting “and decide what they can do to minimize the impact of disasters” he said. To better prepare the communities, Villoceno said setting up early warning system, identifying evacuation sites, formulating disaster preparedness and response plan, conducting micro mitigation activities, doing drills and simulation exercises, and organizing first responders at the community level are necessary measures. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)


154 poor families in Tuburan, Pagalungan gets electricity from Moresco-1by CdeO Info Network

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After enduring inconvenience due to the absence of electricity for the past many years, 154 poor families at six far-flung sitios in barangays Tuburan and Pagalungan this city finally have electricity in their homes.


This after 1st District City Councilor Roger Abaday, who represented in Mayor Oscar Moreno, Misamis Oriental Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Moresco)-1 board president Bernard Benavidez, 1st District Congressman Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy’s representatives, Tuburan and Pagalungan barangay officials led on July 25, the ceremonial switch-on of the sitio Electrification Program, a rural electrification project of President Benigno Aquino III. Happiness and excitement is written all over the faces of 99 recipient-families coming from sitios Buracan, Lirupan, Araw-Araw and Tubalon in barangay Pagalungan; and another 55 families at sitios Benone and Calole in barangay Tuburan when

they gladly received their respective Certificates of Membership from Moresco-1 during the turnover ceremony. The implementation of the rural electrification program came into reality after Mayor Oscar Moreno exerted efforts to lobby the eventual release of the P71 million funding from the Disbursement Accelerated Program in Congress which will benefit 15 hinterland barangays in Cagayan de Oro City under Moresco-1 franchise. Part of the benefits enjoyed by the recipient-consumers include free installation of electrical wiring, service drop wire, meter box, meter and labor expenses, costing around P5,300.

This modern 100-bed capacity hospital is another flagship project of Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo as he continues to improve the healthcare services in the province.

It was learned during the coordination meeting between the provincial government and representatives from the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) and the Department of Health

Kapatagan Provincial Hospital soon to rise in Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - The highly anticipated Kapatagan Provincial Hospital will soon be serving its residents and nearby towns of Lala, Salvador, Sapad, Sultan Naga Dimaporo and Nunungan, this province.

by Vincent N.Labial


(DOH), that more than 20 percent of the project has already been completed. “We assure everyone that men at work be in a 24/7 basis just to finish the project which we target to have it done by October this year,” according to Rudolph Tamula of RRMD Construction and Supply.The construction started middle year of 2012. RRMD Construction and Supply is the winning contractor of this P180-million Kapatagan Provincial Hospital. “With this new health facility, we shall be able to give better healthcare services to our people especially those in need and ultimately improve the general health condition in Lanao del Norte,” Kapatagan Chief of Hospital Medel

Tomada said. Meanwhile, Kapatagan town Mayor Benjie Baguio describes this new hospital to be the province’ and the town’s land mark as the facilities and amenities would be like that of a hotel, and there would be space provided for clinics of private physicians to cater patients according to the doctor’s own field of expertise. So, no need for our residents here to travel to other cities for a check up especially on cases with special attention, Baguio added. It would also be a tourism-hub destination-like for those patients from nearby areas reached by our town, because economic-wise, their coming here for check up would be local government’s additional income, disclosed Baguio.

Safety of disaster, calamity-affected areas, first among Ozamiz CDRRMC concernsby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – Safety must be guaranteed to the typhoon disaster-affected areas before the evacuees return to their respective homes.

This was emphasized in the after calamity protocol formulated by the Ozamiz City Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) relative to typhoons, floodings, landslides and storm


surges. In this third phase of the typhoon disaster preparedness, response and after calamity protocol, there should also be a continuing provision of relief assistance, including medical and psycho-social counselling to individuals-in-need of such services, after the calamity, Mark Vincent E. Israel, CDRRM Officer. Israel said the other things that should be done in this phase are the following: Establish a direct Emergency Response Team for Search and Rescue in the disaster-affected areas and a continuous information dissemination drive on the after calamity developments, such as healthy tips, thru radio, television, internet, etc. Waste collection and total clean-up, as well as cleaning of water ways

and sewerage system within 24 hours after the calamity and price monitoring and freezing on basic commodities. Conduct a rapid disaster assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) within 24 hours and convene the members of the CDRRMC to recommend the declaration of the state of calamity in the disaster-affected areas, if necessary. Apparently, this protocol and SOP of the Ozamiz CDRRMC worked during the occurrence of Typhoon Pablo in December, last year, Israel said. Coupled with the strong political will of then Mayor Princess Nova E. Parojinog-Echavez, who ordered the forced-evacuation of residents in the flood-prone areas, the “zero” casualty objective of the CDRRMC was realized, Israel added.

http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/countries/asia/philippines


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Butuan City wins regional “Gawad KALASAG Award” from NDRRMC

BUTUAN CITY -- Butuan City won the Regional “Gawad KALASAG 2013” for the highly urbanized city category, during culmination program of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NCDM) regional awarding ceremony.

by Noel B. Najarro


The awarding of the annual search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance was held Wednesday afternoon at the LJ Mega Convention Hall, Saint Joseph Subd., this city.

Councilor Virgilio Nerry, chairman of the city council on environment and natural resources and the health and sanitation committees, received the award representing Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr.

Nerry said the prestigious recognition is a very welcome gift to the 63rd “Adlaw Hong Butuan” celebration of the city.

In an exclusive interview after the program, Nerry said that although Butuan City has no contender on the award, it still has to come up and pass the required standards set forth by the National Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in order to win.

Butuan City passed the 85 points

required, making it to the top three contender of the said award in the national level. Nerry disclosed that the national evaluators from the NDRRMC had already been to Butuan on Tuesday for the national evaluation. The result Nerry said, will be known in October.

The other recognition which the city received recently was from the prestigious National Competitive Council (NCC) as 4th among the 10 “most competitive cities” of the country.

“We are just doing the best of our efforts, and having been a recipient of these awards and recognitions, we already are winners,” Nerry said.

The “Gawad Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing sa Kaligtasan” (Gawad KALASAG) is an initiative of the national government to protect or shield high risk communities against hazards by encouraging the participation of the various stakeholders in designing and implementing disaster risk management programs.

Initiated in 1998, the “Gawad Kalasag” is NDRRMC’s current thrusts in its search for excellence in disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance.


DTI to launch ‘Shared Service Facilities’ Project in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY-- In time for the 63rd Adlaw Hong Butuan celebration, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga will be launching the “Shared Service Facilities” (SSF) Project on August 2 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

The project, according to DTI-Caraga Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran, aims to improve the quality and productivity of microenterprises and small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMSEs) by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry

clusters through the provision of processing machines/equipment for their common use.

“The Shared Service Facilities Project will enhance the competitiveness of the priority industry clusters through the use of quality and productivity enhancing machinery and


equipment and will develop priority and market-driven industries in support to the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Program,” Pagaran said.

In this project, the department will provide machines/equipment to microenterprises and SMEs in identified industry clusters to give them access to technologies needed to improve productivity and product quality. Machines/equipment will include, but not limited to, packaging machines, retort, kiln driers, dye vats, slicers, thickness planners, and hand blooms.

Pagaran also relayed that as to the monitoring and evaluation of the project, an assessment of its impact will be undertaken

using the following indicators: 1) number of microenterprises and SMEs assisted; 2) number of jobs generated; 3) sales generated; and 4) investments generated.

Among the criteria for identification of SSF, the proposed facility must address processing and manufacturing gaps or bottlenecks of the industry cluster brought about by any of the following: absence of the needed facility; lack of capacity of an

existing facility; and cost of services of an existing facility is not afforfable. It also has an eligible cooperator.

Some local officials, government employees, and partner stakeholders from the non-government organizations and business sector are expected


SURIGAO CITY -- The Surigao City Agriculture Office and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) planned to strengthened the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) program.

Surigao City, BFAR to step up ECOFISH programby Annette Villaces

During its meeting held recently at the CMO-Conference Room, City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said he issued a Memorandum Order for the suspension of permit for the hauling and banning the harvest of brown seaweeds locally known as “samo.”

Plans to be implemented in order to strengthen the ECOFISH program include the monitoring of illegal fishing, registration of local

legitimate fisherman, and provide training for sustainable fishing.

The ECOFISH program is implemented by the Department of Agriculture through BFAR with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to protect the coastal marine resources and improved livelihood through sustainable fishing.

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Dumalinao town culminates Nutrition Month with a big bangBy Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY - About 1,250 kids of Dumalinao Regional Pilot School (DRPS) in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur enjoyed the activities culminating the celebration of Nutrition Month with the theme, “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-sama Nating Wakasan.” Dr. Evelyn L. Reyes, DRPS principal disclosed that local government officials and employees, DepEd officials, academe and

concerned individuals participated in the Nutri-Walk and Hataw held Tuesday at the municipal gymnasium.


Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles lauded everyone for the all-out support which made the activity not just a jolly and enjoyable but also a meaningful one. “I encourage the parents to give a variety of nutritious foods to their children and to practice a healthy lifestyle. Give them plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat go, grow and glow foods everyday,” advised the young mayor. He was grateful to the parents for bringing fruits and vegetables grown from their own backyard and farm, showcasing the vast agricultural potential of Dumalinao. On the other hand, the mayor’s ever supportive and lovely wife Junaflor “Sweet” S. Cerilles, who personally negotiated with San Miguel Foods, expressed her gratitude for

the company’s positive response by providing the schoolchildren with nutritious snacks like Purefoods Tender Juicy hotdogs, Magnolia juice drinks and Chocolait. She was grateful for the opportunity given to DRPS pupils, while everyone enjoyed the snacks and had a great time playing games and taking pictures with the TJ Mascot. “As it is said, children are our future so we should invest much of our time and effort in them,” the first lady explained. “To the kids, my advice is, please never eat junk foods. To the parents, you should be ‘hands on’ in ensuring your kids eat the right kinds of food. Good and proper nutrition is very important for growing kids. Have a healthy lifestyle,” she concluded.


By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – To encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations, the Department of Science and Technology is now pursuing a program dubbed “Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)” throughout the country.

DOST bares interventions for SMEs

In region 9, the DOST has assisted SMEs operating in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur as well as those in the cities of Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga. DOST-9 Regional Information Officer Thelma Diego told a group of media practitioners in a recent press conference here that the “interventions” usually extended to the SMEs include equipment acquisition, system improvement, process improvement, plant layout, manpower development and others. The Montaño Foods Corp.,

which is based in Dipolog City and whose main product is the Spanish-style bottled sardines, is one of the SETUP beneficiaries in the region. DOST-9 assisted the company in process improvement


through technical consultancy on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance, technical assistance in plant layout and product testing, and equipment acquisition. As a result, the Montaño Foods Corp. has been able to maintain the US seafood export standard on bottled sardines, increase production capacity by about 20 percent, and employ 20 full-time and 135 part-time workers. Other SETUP beneficiaries in the region are Bongbong Mechanical Shop of Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay, Deli Food Line of Molave, Zamboanga del

Sur, Marc’s Balut of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pimentel Creative Builders of Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur, Wood Tech builders of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, Polyfruits Inc. of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, Jun-Ge Enterprises of Dipolog City, Goodies Milk Products of Dipolog City, Zambo Tropical of Zamboanga City and Nutri-Booster Foods Philippines of Pagadian City. It can be recalled that DOST-9 celebrated the Science and Technology week last July 16-19 in this city. The weeklong celebration has for its theme, “Science, Technology and Innovation: The Road to a Smarter Philippines.”


Engr. George T. Jocutan, caretaker of the NCIP office here, pointed out that NCIP has been implementing the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) and the Merit-Based Scholarship Program (MBSP), which provide grants to students until they finish their respective undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses. Whichever program they belong, Jocutan said, these students are entitled to grants of P5,000 or P10,000 per semester for their educational expenses either in

private or public universities. “A prospective grantee must, however, pass a set of criteria to qualify, and must maintain and comply with academic requirements and conditions to be able to continuously avail himself of the assistance from NCIP,” Jocutan added. The NCIP in Zamboanga City has allocated P490,000 for this school year’s 46 grantees. Last school year, there were 62 grantees with an allocation of P620,000.

By Felipo David Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)-9 has extended educational assistance this school year to 46 college students from this city belonging to indigenous cultural communities such as Kalibugan, Sama, Bajaus, Subanon and Yakan.

NCIP educational assistance benefits Zambo. City indigenous students

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One Mindanao - August 1, 2013

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