One Mindanao - August 14, 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

DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

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

Western

Northern Southern

Sibugay holds PPOC meeting; vows to fight crimes

PhilHealth to conduct orientation on National Health Insurance Act of 2013 in Caraga

New DAR project kicks off in Caraga

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In GenSan, Baldoz releases P1.91-M in grants to three entrepreneur groups; urges beneficiaries to sustain their livelihood

COMELEC’s move to lease new optical mark reader machines aims to fulfill its mandate—Palace

Santiago wants Senate to probe Lumads displacement in Mindanao

Diskwento Caravan 2015 to serve CDO Fiesta

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By: Rhea Grace A. La Plana

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

Cover Story

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By: Joie L. Ceballos

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OUR COVER

C o n t e n t s

Davao LGU welcomes big rave parties for Kadayawan

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39 DAR-N. Cotabato attains 99.4% rating in CARP compensable landsBy: DEDoguiles

Caraga

SOCCSKSARGEN

National INFOCus

Western

Northern Southern SOCCSKSARGEN

National INFOCus

Boys scouts jamboree participants need parental consent

By: RG Alama

31 ZamPen is the only region with IDD problem, says DOH-9By: Franklin P. Gumapon

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Caraga

4 August 14, 2015One Mindanao

5August 14, 2015 One Mindanao

Cover Story

In GenSan, Baldoz releases P1.91-M in grants to three entrepreneur groups; urges beneficiaries to sustain their livelihood

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday assured beneficiaries of the DOLE’s Integrated

Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) in General Santos City that the livelihood program reforms the Department implement does not end in the grant of financial awards to beneficiaries, but continues—through monitoring and evaluation, as well as through technical assistance—to ensure that grantees sustain their livelihood, generate employment, and lead to transformed lives.


Speaking at the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the Regional Tripartite Industry Peace Council and Awarding of Region 12 Productivity Olympics Winners, Service Quality, Seal, and Livelihood, Baldoz assured the officers and members of the Sarangani Agricultural Co., Inc. Workers’ Union (SACIWU); GPC Workers’ Association; and Rang-ay Association of Natural Farming for Innovative Agriculture of the DOLE’s continued support to ensure sustainability, productivity, and employment generation. The three entrepreneur

groups had received from the DOLE, through Secretary Baldoz and DOLE Region 12 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, livelihood assistance grants under the DILEEP amounting to P1.912 million for their various income-earning activities. SACIWU received a check of P599,360.94 for its consumers’ store. The union, which operates in Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani, has 284 member-beneficiaries. It was represented in the award ceremony by Rogelio Cordua, union president, and Ernie Gulane and Ariel Rosales, members. To the GPC Workers’


Association, Secretary Baldoz handed a check of P918,280 to association president JenissaArcenal and two representatives from the Office of the Vice Mayor of Gen. Santos City. The amount will be used for the purchase of livelihood starter kits for use of the unemployed wives of the members who will engage in handicraft-making, carinderia/eatery, fabric conditioner-making, and kalan-making. The association has 92 members. Finally, Baldoz awarded a grant of P395,000 to Patricio

Leal, vice president of the Rang-ay Association of Natural Farming for Innovative Agriculture, and his fellow officials, namely, Esther Leal, secretary, and Helen Fajardo, treasurer. The association, based in Banga, South Cotabato, will use the grant to upgrade its technology on banana chips production with the assistance of the DOST. The Association has 25 members. Baldoz said the DOLE’s support to grant recipients under the DILEEP include technical assistance on business management, productivity and



innovation, and occupational safety and health. “The difference of our livelihood assistance programs with those of past administration is that we will monitor your progress and coordinate with our convergence partners, namely, Department of Trade and Industry for marketing and packaging; Department of Agriculture; Department of Science and Technology; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training, certification, and assessment; and local government

units through the Department of Interior and Local Government, on further interventions that are needed to make your enterprises sustainable,” she said. “Our memorandum of agreement with these agencies on technology-based and resource-based sustainable livelihood will make it very easy for you to manage the project. Please continue to work and cooperate with our regional office. I want you to be models in sustainable livelihood development in this region,” Baldoz added.


APEC urged to adopt disaster risk reduction framework

MANILA -- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are urged to adopt a framework on disaster risk reduction that will be proposed by the Philippines in an upcoming APEC meeting.


“The Philippines will formally push adoption of APEC on operations framework for disaster risk reduction in September,” said APEC 2015 National Organizing Council Undersecretary Ferdinand B. Cui Jr., at the briefing of the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education held here on Thursday. Cui, who is also the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Vice Chair, mentioned that science and technology as well as higher education are fundamental enablers to develop disaster risk reduction capacity among APEC economies. He also said that disaster risk reduction and management is crucial for the Asia Pacific region with the recent typhoons, disasters, and other calamities that battered Asia Pacific countries.

“We need to respond in this

global reality,” Cui said. The Philippines, after experiencing one of the strongest typhoon in history -- Typhoon Haiyan, is in the forefront of the framework, according to Cui. He added that science and technology through higher education will help in mitigating risks brought by disasters and calamities. “We see science and technology, innovation, and of course higher education at the forefront of the APEC discussion,” he said.

Cui emphasized that disaster risk reduction is common to Asia Pacific countries, thus member countries should respond as a whole.

“We are hoping that APEC economies will adopt the framework which we’re going to propose,” he added. (PCOO/PNA (kc)


COMELEC’s move to lease new optical mark reader machines aims to fulfill its mandate—Palace

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has decided to lease new optimal mark reader machines to ensure the conduct of orderly and credible elections next year, a Palace official said on Thursday.


“The Commission on Elections’ decision to lease new optimal mark reader machines for the 2016 elections is in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate to ensure the conduct of orderly and credible elections,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement. Coloma noted that according to COMELEC Chairman Andres

Bautista, this decision took into account timely delivery, adequate time for testing the new machines, and the need to address problems encountered in the past two elections.

“Citizen vigilance and support will go a long way toward enabling the COMELEC to fulfill its mandate,” Secretary Coloma said. (PCOO/PND (jm)


Santiago wants Senate to probe Lumads displacement in Mindanao

MANILA -- Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Thursday called on her colleagues to investigate the continued displacement of some 700 indigenous peoples (IPs) in Mindanao allegedly due to military and paramilitary activities in the area.


In a press statement, Santiago said she set to file a resolution based on recommendations made by Dr. Chaloka Beyani, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, who visited the country from July 21 to 31.

“We cannot ignore the plight of indigenous peoples (IPs), who are the ultimate victims of skirmishes between the military and rebels. What is more alarming is that now we are being told that the military or their operatives are the ones terrorizing these communities,” Santiago said.

She particularly pointed to the IP community now seeking shelter at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) compound in Haran, Davao City amid the presence of armed entities in their ancestral lands.

Some government agencies, however, insist that the evacuees have been deceived by militant groups who are now holding them at the church compound against their will. There have even been controversial attempts to “rescue” the displaced IPs.

Santiago’s statement came hours after Beyani slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for distorting his pronouncements to make it appear that he believed the IPs at UCCP Haran had been displaced by human trafficking and not by militarization.

“The military is in bad faith if indeed it is twisting the report of the UN special rapporteur to spread false information about the situation in Davao City,” the senator said.

Amid conflicting claims, Santiago said the Senate probe must determine whether the armed groups who forced the IPs out of their homes are government troops, communist rebels, or members of paramilitary organizations.

The senator also raised concern over alleged paramilitary activity in Mindanao. Beyani said IPs complained about forced recruitment into these organizations, particularly Alamara, an anti-communist group founded in 2002 and which is now believed to be working with the AFP.


“The Senate must investigate allegations that the military perpetuates the operations of paramilitary groups, whose activities displace and destroy communities not only in Mindanao, but also in other parts of the country,” Santiago said.

She added that the Senate must also consider the recommendation of the UN special rapporteur that specific provisions on the rights of IPs be included in Senate Bill No. 2785, also known as the Rights of Displaced Persons Act, which President Aquino considers a priority. This is not the first time Santiago urged the Senate to investigate alleged military abuse in Mindanao.

In June, she proposed Senate Resolution No. 1392, calling for an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported closure of Lumad schools in Davao del Norte. (PNA)


Agnor solon named as finalist in 6th RAFI Triennial Awards By: Lawig Katawhan

BUTUAN CITY -- Rep. Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun of the First District of Agusan del Norte has been chosen one of the three finalists in the 6th Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) Triennial Awards for Exemplary Individuals.

The RAFI Triennial Awards are conferred every three years to honor those men, women, and organizations, who, through their efforts and


selfless commitment bring about change in the lives of the less-privileged in various groups and communities in the Philippines. About 300 have been nominated for the award. Fortun was chosen as finalist for his work in organizing lawyers and other volunteers to go to remote communities to extend free legal and related services for the registration of births of children and also adults who lack birth certificates. This outreach program, which he started about seven years ago, has now served not less than eight thousand individuals who have not been able to obtain birth certificates due to poverty and distance. At the Leaders of Change Forum in Cebu City recently where he was a speaker, Fortun expressed disappointment in the current civil registration system that “actually penalizes the poor for being poor.” He said “poverty is, almost always, the reason for a parent’s failure to register the birth of his or her child, and by imposing fees for delayed registration, the state is actually penalizing the poor.” “Aside from the application fee which local civil registrar requires, an application for late birth registration has to be

supported with two affidavits, namely, an affidavit of delayed registration and a joint affidavit of two disinterested persons who will attest to the fact of birth. This makes delayed birth registration too cumbersome for the less-privileged,” Fortun said. Fortun emphasized that the right to identity is a most fundamental human right. “Before we even talk about other human rights, we have to start with, first and foremost, recognizing the existence of the human being,” he pointed out. The young legislator also said, “Without that basic document, that is, the birth certificate, one’s existence is not known and for that reason, he or she cannot exercise his or her rights as a citizen.” He also asserted, “this is actually a human rights issue because there can be no greeter violation of human rights than not recognizing the existence of the human being.” Fortun’s efforts inspired other lawyers who later on joined him in visiting remote barangays to extend free legal services for birth registration. The city government of Butuan has also been moved by his initiative as the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed an ordinance providing for free


at least one day of every month where the local civil registrar facilitates free late registration for indigents. Fortun, however, said that while this is a welcome development, it still does not address the problem on a long-term basis. He said, “the lack of mechanism for birth registration right in the community makes this an endless cycle.” For this reason, Fortun brought his advocacy to the halls of Congress and principally authored a house bill known as The Civil Registration Act of 2014 to institutionalize a Barangay Civil Registration System to once

and for all address the concern. The bill has been approved by the Committee on Population. For this consistent and persistent advocacy to assert the poor’s right to identity, alongside with efforts for the environment and grassroots sports development, Fortun has been hailed one of the three finalists for the RAFI Triennial Awards for Exemplary Individuals. Other finalists are Father Carmelo Diola of Cebu City and Anita Castillon of Lake Sebu, Cotabato. Father Diola is into good governance advocacy aimed at achieving “faith-impelled social change by working with and


BUTUAN CITY -- The Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) kicks off in Caraga with an Action Planning Workshop held on August 10-12, 2015, this city.

New DAR project kicks off in CaragaBy: Joie L. Ceballos

through companions, by helping public servants, elected officials, government officials, voters and the youth translate good intentions into good actions.” Castillon, more known to the people of Lake Sebu as “Nanay Anita,” is an educator and community organizer who worked to establish a school

for T’boli children who have no access to formal education due to distance and poverty. The three will be honored in a fitting ceremony on the Awards Night on August 14, 2015 at the Cebu Convention Center where the 6th RTA Awardee will also be announced.


The project will cover four agrarian reform community clusters, one each from Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang said that there are four priority commodities to be assisted by the project. These are the abaca of municipalities of Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao and Santiago of Agusan del Norte; rice of the municipalities of Veruela, Trento, Bunawan and Sta. Josefa of Agusan del Sur; coffee of the municipalities of Barobo and Tagbina of Surigao Sur and coco coir of the municipalities

of Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag and Placer of Surigao del Norte.Ragandang also said that the project covers the product development and enhancement, institutional development, provision of equipment and infrastructure component like farm-to-market roads, to help the beneficiaries in marketing their produce and eventually improve their quality of life. The project will be implemented from 2015-2020 and is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations.


Johnny Sychua, PhilHealth Caraga Regional Office vice-president, said in his letter dated August 3, 2015 to invitees that

the undertaking, in coordination with their office, is intended for “local media, information officers of National Government

PhilHealth to conduct orientation on National Health Insurance Act of 2013 in Caraga

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – An orientation on the National Health Insurance Act of 2013 is set to be conducted on August 18, 2015 by the PhilHealth’s Social Health Insurance Academy (SHIA) at 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Almond Hotel Inland Resort in Butuan City.

By: Greg Tataro Jr.


Agencies, Employers, Academe and Civic Organizations,” citing “Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES)” as part of SHIA’s purpose. The Caraga PhilHealth chief also pointed out that the holding of such event “aims to orient the target participants on the important roles they play in promoting the PhilHealth program.” “ C o m p r e h e n s i v e information and updates on ‘The

National Health Insurance Act of 2013; New and Enhanced PhilHealth Benefits; Membership Programs;’ and ‘The Role of Media and Information Officers in Advocating the National Health Insurance Program’ are going to be provided by PhilHealth officers from the Head Office and PRO Caraga,” Sychua stressed. Meanwhile, Ethel Chua, PhilHealth Field Office chief here, reminded that said activity is going to push through as set.


By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H. Cerilles on Wednesday awarded five rebel returnees with P15 thousand each to help them live normal lives again.

Zambo. Sur guv hands financial assistance to rebel returnees

C e r i l l e s personally handed the checks to the rebel returnees during the declaration of

Zamboanga del Sur as peaceful and ready for further d e v e l o p m e n t province at the


Amusement and Event Center, Capitol Compound this city. The awarding of checks to the rebel returnees was witnessed by Western Mindanao Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Tabak commander MGen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr., PRO9 Deputy Director for Operations PSSupt. Randolf Delfin, 102nd Brigade commander Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr., Board Member Ernesto Mondarte and Provincial Director Vernell Virgel Jayme of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The names of the rebel returnees were not divulged for fear of reprisals by their comrades in the communist movement. The financial assistance is part of the national government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program

(CLIP) administered by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), which was transferred to the provincial office of the DILG since May 15, 2014. Cerilles said “it is the goal of the government to extend help to those who

have left the arms movement to have something to start with for their families.” “Let’s join hands together to make Zamboanga del Sur’s development sustainable by living in lasting peace,” Cerilles added. On the other hand, Tabak commander MGen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr. congratulated the beneficiaries for deciding to trust the government again. He also thanked the provincial government for keeping true to its commitment to help the rebel returnees in Zamboanga del Sur return to the folds of law. Barrientos said the 1st Infantry (Tabak) division had beefed up its efforts at licking the insurgents and, at the same


time, opening its other hand to welcome those who wanted to go back to the mainstream society. Barrientos said a day before the declaration of Zamboanga del Sur as peaceful and ready for further development province, eight regular members of CNN had surrendered to the military. The Tabak commander also said the unit would continue to intensify its engagement with all stakeholders in their area of responsibility in implementing

the Bayanihan Team activities such as The Bayanihan sa Barangay, Bayanihan sa Kalusugan, Ugnayan Lingkod Bayan, Ugnayan sa Paaralan, Brigada Eskwela, Sagip Kalikasan, Youth Leadership Summit, Balik Loob Program, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management to ensure that the Philippine Army is always ready to help in case a disaster happens in the province.


IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Members of the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Peace and Order (PPOC) have met Wednesday at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall here to discuss the province’s peace and order situation.

Sibugay holds PPOC meeting; vows to fight crimes

By: Rhea Grace A. La Plana

In his opening statement, Governor Wilter Y. Palma, PPOC chair, emphasized that his administration is determined to lessen if not eradicate all forms of criminalities in the province. Lt. Leo A. Diaz of the 102nd Infantry Brigade briefed the participants on the threats posed by rebel and terror groups in the area. He, however, assured the public of the brigade’s efforts at quelling the “enemies of the state.” S i b u g a y Police Provincial Director PSSupt. Celso L. Bael also apprised the council members of the police’s campaign against kidnapping, drugs, illegal gambling and other forms of

criminalities to protect the lives and properties of people in the province. Representatives from civil society groups have expressed their appreciation to the military and police for their pre-emptive actions against untoward incidents. They, however, asked the police to continue running after the kidnap-for-ransom groups, drug pushers and illegal gambling operators that are


ZamPen is the only region with IDD problem, says DOH-9

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY –A long stretch of coastlines teeming with iodine-rich foods has outlined the landscape of Zamboanga Peninsula but the region is now battling the problem of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) that is affecting a number of schoolchildren aged 6-12 years old.

victimizing innocent civilians. For his part, Governor Palma vowed to pursue good governance in his watch.“I vehemently condemn red tape and graft tainted administration,” the governor said. He also called on the political leaders in the province

to cooperate and support good governance. The PPOC meeting was participated in by the heads of the different national line agencies, religious leaders, civil society groups, media, municipal mayors, military and police officials.

Nutritionist Evelyn Capistrano of the Department of Health (DOH)-9 told the members of the press here in a media forum Tuesday that the results of the 2013 IDD survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) had revealed that Zamboanga Peninsula is the only region in the country with IDD problem, registering a

prevalence of 41.1 percent for 6-12 years old schoolchildren. Among the three provinces in the region, Zamboanga del Norte has the highest IDD prevalence of 55.5 percent, followed by ZamboangaSibugay with 40.7 percent and Zamboanga del Sur with 31.2 percent. Isabela City of Basilan


province, which remains part of region 9, has an IDD prevalence of 45 percent. Reacting to this report, Ernie Rojo, investment promotions officer of Dipolog City said on Facebook: “It is very ironic for Zamboanga Peninsula to have the highest rate of iodine deficiency considering that the region is the agri-aqua corridor of Mindanao.” The IDD problem in the region, Capistrano said, could be traced to the following reasons: most households in the region are using ordinary salt; iodized salt is not available in stores or out of stock; and iodized salt ismore expensive than ordinary salt. Capistrano also cited

a certain JunreyBalawing, now in his 20s, of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte who was named the shortest man on earth in 2011 by the Guinness World Records, as a living proof of cretinism

resulting from iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential micronutrient for the body’s growth and metabolism and for the development of the central nervous system during fetal development. Insufficient iodine intake among pregnant women may result in miscarriage and stillbirth. A teenager and adult should consume 150 micrograms while a pregnant woman must consume 200 micrograms of iodine each day. With this, the DOH is seeking the support of the media practitioners to encourage the public to use iodized salt or eat iodine-rich foods to prevent ailments that go with IDD.


CDO barangays present 5-year dev’t plans to partners, stakeholders

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The priority programs and projects of 20 barangays here including the needed interventions were presented in a Stakeholders Forum on August 12, to get the commitment and support of partners and other stakeholders.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

The forum was organized by Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) to strengthen synergy and collaboration for the realization of the five-year Barangay Development Plans (BDPs) and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans (BDRRMPs) of their


partner-barangays. These barangays have collectively looked at their community problems, assessed and appreciated their local resources, and came up with solid and concrete plans. They are now calling on us to fill the gaps and give concrete and solid commitments to shape their future, said BMFI President and Chair Emeritus Charlito Manlupig. According to BMFI, each of the barangay underwent community consultations, focus-group discussions, and situational analysis to come-up with their respective BDP. The BDP included priority programs and projects on agriculture; eco-tourism; economic, social and enterprise development; environment and disaster risk reduction

and management; infrastructure; land tenure; advocacy; and institutional building and capacity development. The five-year BDP was packaged through the help of BMFI, together with the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and City Department of

Interior and Local Government (DILG). Balay Mindanaw is a Mindanao-based organization primarily engaged in promoting equity-based development and sustainable peace. It started its barangay-based work in Cagayan de Oro City after Typhoon Sendong hit the city in 2011. On February 2014, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the City Government to help build empowered, peaceful and resilient communities in Cagayan de Oro City. Meanwhile, copies of the BDPs were formally handed-over to the 20 BMFI-partner barangays, CPDO and City DILG during the Stakeholders Forum. It was witnessed by City Mayor Oscar Moreno.


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- As the “Higalaay Festival-Cagayan de Oro city fiesta” is fast approaching, the Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental Provincial office- DTI-MOR, in cooperation with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board- RTWPB, and the local government of Cagayan de Oro, has set to launch a Pre-Fiesta Diskwento Caravan to cater to the fiesta needs of the locals.

Diskwento Caravan 2015 to serve CDO Fiesta

Set to run on August 14-15, 2015, Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Magsaysay Park, Divisoria, (near Dunkin, Greenwich) Cagayan de Oro City, this Pre Fiesta Diskwento Caravan holds the theme “Diskwento - Presyong Panalo Para sa Mamimiling Pilipino.” This is expected to serve a bigger number of the consuming public especially the marginalized sectors. Manufacturers and distributors have been invited to ensure that enough products are available to consumers during the caravan. Over 25 companies are to participate in the event offering a variety of basic goods and assorted-for-sale-products at discounted rates and prices. The list includes: Beehive Distribution Inc., BFAR supported groups, Butuan Goodyear, (EQ) JS Unitrade/Golden Century Mktg., Gama Foods, Highland Fresh, Julie’s Bakeshop, Manhu,

Nature’s Spring, NFA, Novo, Orogrande (Procted and Gamble), Ororama, Purefoods, Montosco/Romarck, Robinsons, Shopwise, SM, Suvisco (Unilever), Virginia, Wellamde, HNS Distribution Inc., Rustans, Slers, and Zest-o. The public may enjoy unique premium offers on grocery items (buy one take one, freebie or give-away items) or deep discount slashes ranging from 10-50% off for dry goods and other basic and prime commodities such as RTWs: basic apparel (bags, shoes, slippers, towels, pants, shirts), dry goods: tissues, pads, diapers, bath and detergent soaps, groceries: canned goods, noodles, rice, bread, juice, coffee, cooking oil, processed fish and meat, condiments, milk, hotdogs, and water. This flagship project of DTI is conducted in the different regions across the country to provide very


affordable and quality goods and products to Filipino consumers.The consuming public is urged to

avail themselves of the affordable quality items at the Diskwento Caravan. (DTI-MOR)

Boys scouts jamboree participants need parental consent

TANGUB CITY, Misamsis Occidental -- Participating boys scouts to the 9th Western Mindanao Regional Scouts Jamboree on Aug. 19-23, 2015, are reminded to submit their parent’s consent/permit, before they will be allowed to attend the event.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

This reminder came from Victoria V. Gazo, Ph. D., Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Division of Tangub City, who said those who cannot present such requirement will be prevailed from attending the jamboree, set to take place at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Focused on this year’s theme of: “Peace and Development through Scouting,” the jamboree will feature “high adventure activities and outdoor events that aim to provide wider opportunities for participating scouts to develop and enhance their potential as responsible citizens and future leaders,” Gazo said.

Meanwhile, Gazo said the participating scouts must be currently registered as Scout with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), and at least 13 years old, but not over I7 years old, and the adult BSP leaders, as adult leader, also with the BSP, who have maturity and clarity about his/her role as adult leader. Both participating scouts and adult leaders must also be physically fit as certified by a physician, and equipped with camping gears, as all participants will fix and sleep on their own tents, which they should place, together with their personal belongings, in their camp bags for safety, Gazo added.


ComVal guv forms investigat-ing team, offers rewards for Monkayo killings

Compostela Valley - Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy declared yesterday dur-ing a press conference at his office that he will create a special inves-tigating team and give reward to anyone who can lead to the capture of the perpetrators of the killings in Monkayo. “I will create a spe-cial investigating team to look into the kill-ing of (Fortunato) Pe-doy and other killings in Monkayo,” Governor Uy stressed. Pedoy, commu-nity affairs development coordinator and acting deputy mayor of the mu-nicipal government of Monkayo, was killed by unknown men on August 6, which led to an indig-nant rally in the munici-pality attended by Mayor Joselito Brillantes, Jr. Uy emphasized that the declaration was an answer to the call of

Mayor Brillantes in local television to solve the killing of Pedoy. He said that he did not act immediately be-cause he wanted the municipal government to make its move first for the security of their area. “But since I was challenged by the mayor, then I gladly accept the challenge; and I am hap-py to serve my constitu-ents in Monkayo.” Uy said that he will take the matter to the Provincial Peace and Or-der Council and request Police Provincial Director PS/Supt. Ignatius Ferro to lead the investigating team. He said that the team will be initially composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detec-tion Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Gov. Uy said that he will give the team one month to come up with a result.


Uy also underscored that aside from Pedoy, the team will also in-clude in its investigation the killing of a certain Merculito dela Cruz that happened in Monkayo Public Market last May 3; the fire arms found at the house of Mayor Brillantes during the raid of the New People’s Army last April 19; and the private armies in municipality. Uy also declared that he will offer an initial reward of P300,000 each for the cases of Pedoy and Dela Cruz.

He also urged Mayor Brillantes to double the amount to show its sincerity in solving the cases of the killings in the municipality. He also dared the mayor and Vice Mayor Manuel Brillantes to take a leave of absence during the inves-tigation. “They are implying that the kill-ing was politically motivated. I sug-gest that they would take a leave of absence so as not to influence the investigation.” (PIA11, Michael Uy)

facts and figures

6,000 hotel rooms in Davao City


Davao LGU welcomes big rave parties for Kadayawan

DAVAO CITY- The City Govern-ment of Davao is welcoming big rave parties which will be held this August in time for Kadayawan Fes-tivities.Lisette Marques, OIC City Tourism Office said that they are encour-aging the private sector to mount these events as to give variation to the Festival. There are two major electronic dance music (EDM) events which will be held in the city, Arcadia Electronic Music Festival (AEMF) will be held this August 22 at the 26 –hectare D’ Leonor Resort in Barangay Commu-nal. The massive party will have three thematic stages is touted to be the largest EDM party to be held in the city. On August 21, major party or-ganizer Spectrum is partnering with Mati City-based party organizer Frol-icfox to bring Kadayawan Invasion 2015 at the Crocodile Park Grounds, this is a follow-up to the successful Invasion party held also in Kaday-awan last year. The event will feature interna-tional DJs from Australia and Norway along top local DJs. Marques bared that another EDM or rave party is being organized

which will be held at the Matina I.T. park and is sponsored by a telecom giant, it will be a carnival themed af-fair. She said that these parties are bringing in tourists and visitors to the city, currently Davao City has about 6,000 hotel rooms ready for visitors coming in for Kadayawan and these events. Rave or EDM parties are being recently organized in Davao City and are known to draw in thousands of partygoers. Marques said that the City Gov-ernment is making sure that these parties are compliant with City ordi-nances particularly the anti-smoking ordinance and the 1 am liquor ban. (PIA/RG Alama)


Day care centers exempted from paying water bills

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug 14 -- Day care centers in General Santos City are now relieved from paying monthly water bills.

This after the General Santos City Water District (GSCWD) approved an earlier re-quest of the city government to exempt the early childhood care and development facilities from paying water bills.

The approval is backed by GSCWD Board of Director Resolution No. 38 series of 2015 indicating support to Mayor Ron-nel Rivera’s request for a special consider-ation to the day care facilities.

According to the aforementioned resolu-tion, all day care centers in the service area of GSCWD will be exempted from penalties and payments if their monthly consumption is within 0 to 5 cubic meters.

Data from the GSCWD indicated that the average monthly water consumption of a day care center is around 3 to 4 cubic me-ters, which could mean that all day care centers are free from disbursing funds to defray water bills.

The GSCWD board has also reallocated P100,000 for the service connection program of day care centers that are within their ser-vice area.

In a recent GSCWD survey, 28 centers are


qualified for service connec-tion. All these centers will be a recipient of free water service connection with free labor in-stallation.

There are 177 day care cen-ters in Gensan. Some 124 of these are within the GSCWD service area, while 13 out of the 124 have active service connec-tion.

Mayor Rivera’s administration focuses on reforming three service areas, namely: educa-

tion, health and social services.Mayor Rivera created the AK-

LAT Division (Alay sa Kabataan Lahat ng Alaga at Talino) to manage all of his educational programs such as the Commu-nity Teach, Early Childhood Care and Development Initiative, and TESDA and government scholar-ships.

According to AKLAT Division head Philip Pabelic, the free wa-ter grant was due to the appeal of Mayor Rivera to the GSCWD


to give discounted rates to day care centers of the city.

Pabelic said Mayor Rivera wanted to reduce water bills and other expenditures as they somehow strain the monthly op-erations of day care centers.

“Nakiusap kasi si mayor sa water district na kung pwede, babaan yung singil sa tubig sa mga day care centers na-

tin. Ayun, naka receive tayo ng resolution na aprubado ang kan-yang request (The mayor has pleaded to the water district if it can decrease water rates to our day care centers. There, we receive a resolution that his request has been approved),” Pabelic said. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Aug. 14 – The provincial of-fice of the Department of Agraria Reform in North Cotabato has achieved 94.4 percent passing rate on CARP compensable lands.

DAR-N. Cotabato attains 99.4% rating in CARP compensable lands

This, according to a report from DAR-North Cotabato was based the joint field inspection on total claim folders recently conducted by the Land Bank of the Philippines and DAR of

Marion Abella, provincial agrarian reform program of-ficer II, reported that during the province-wide assessment, 327 out of 329 land holdings inspected were rated passed by LBP’s Agrarian Affairs Special-

ists.“Compensable lands are

those private agricultural lands (PALs) wherein the land valua-tion is determined by LBP and for distribution to agrarian re-form beneficiaries,” Abella ex-plained.

“The AAS together with DAR Municipal Office’s Personnel con-ducted the JFI to determine the value of the land covered by the program,” he elaborated.


Land valuation is done to determine the annual amortiza-tion payment of the beneficia-ries to the LBP and land owners’ compensation.

“This will be enforced through the issuance of the memoran-dum of valuation by the LBP to DAR,” he added.

Abella also shared that DAR North Cotabato have still pipe-lined 181 land holdings with 1,297 hectares for joint field inspection in August.

“We are confident that we can hit the target because LBP has heeded our request for addition-al agrarian affairs specialists to be assigned in North Cotabato considering the volume of land-holdings for valuations,” he said.

In response to DAR’s request for additional manpower from LBP, six specialists from the regional office were deployed to no North Cotabato to facilitate the field inspection.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for field operations Jose Grage-da commended CARP partner agencies such as the Registry of Deeds (ROD), LBP, and the De-partment of Environment and Natural Resources-Land Man-agement Service (DENR-LMS) for their active support in de-livering compensable lands to

North Cotabato.“I have to thank and com-

mend the ROD, LBP, and DENR-LMS as our active partner agencies in delivering our com-mitments in CARP Implementa-tion,” Grageda said.

“Without their help, we can-not deliver our targets,” he said.

Last year, DAR North Cota-bato was cited as the top per-former in the nationwide PAL distribution and ranked fourth in terms of volume in hectares in the Land Tenure Improvement component of CARP. (DEDogu-iles-PIA 12 with report from ROrejudos-DAR N Cotabato)

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One Mindanao - August 14, 2015

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