One Mindanao - August 27, 2015

DTI conducts consumer education seminar for seniors, PWDs

SurSur guv assures capitol employees of PEI

BSP launches credit surety fund in Bukidnon

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Kids at RSCC get surprise goodies from ‘Titas and Titos’

World Bank conducts review on DA’s rural development projects

Gov’t launches second Peace

Caravan to help poor,

underprivileged communities

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Cover Story

National

Caraga

Northern

SOCCSKSARGEN

InFocus

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Angelo A. Devero

OUR

CO

VER

Japanese Gov’t remains committed to peace and development efforts in Mindanao - JICA official

DTI advises consumers, read and study product labels

GSP holds encampment in Sibugay

contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 6

By: Susil Ragas

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

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Labangan mayor lauds 1st CAV squadron for gallantry, dedicated service 38Western

By: Rhea Grace Laplana 36

26South Cotabato village gets 24/7 water supplyBy: Oliver Ross Rivera

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By: Perlita B. Changco

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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]

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTS DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 August 27, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Kids at RSCC get surprise goodies from ‘Titas and Titos’

Cover Story

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

Children at the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), a state-run orphanage operated by the Department of Social Welfare

and Development in Zamboanga City had a blast on Sunday, Aug. 23, when they were surprised by a group of individuals who brought food, entertainment and other goodies.

5August 27, 2015 ONE MINDANAO


The activity was organized by a group of social workers that belonged to the 2006 Social Work class at the Western Mindanao State University’s College of Social Work and Community Development.

Jenny Samson, a member of the class who now works in Vietnam said that she wanted to share her blessings with the children. “We were once immersed at the RSCC when we were still social work students, and we really want to share our blessings with the children since they need to have fun and be happy, and feel love,” she said.

Karenne Añover, a social worker with the DSWD and also a member of the class said that

they are “happy to be part of such an endeavor, and it gives us fulfillment not because we are social workers, but because we just want to make the children feel our love for them.”

The RSCC, located in barangay Talon-Talon, this City is the home and haven for abandoned children. It is run by social workers from the DSWD. The DSWD is tasked to eventually find qualified and dedicated foster parents locally and abroad to provide the children with the love and care that they need to grow up as responsible adults in society.

Interested adoptive families may contact the DSWD at (062) 991-6030 for more information on legal adoption.


DTI: Stronger ties with Spain will boost PH economy

BALER, AURORA —Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to forge stronger bilateral relations with Spain during the 13th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and the 116th Anniversary of the Historic Siege of Baler recently held in Baler, Aurora.

“A stronger partnership between Spain and the Philippines will allow us to advance our respective development goals,

expand our markets, and improve the quality of life of our people. We are urging Spain and our friends in Latin America to seize


opportunities in Asia through the Philippines,” said Cristobal.

Cristobal joined former Senate President Edgardo Angara, who authored the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Act (Republic Act 9187), and members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the business sector and officials from the country’s cultural agencies in commemorating the year-long siege of Baler and Philippine-Spanish relations.

“Spain is potentially an important trade partner of the Philippines- we can be Spain’s gateway to Asia. Our common heritage forged many centuries ago is a sound basis to increase trade and investments that will sustain the robust pace of growth we have been experiencing,” explained Cristobal.

The Philippines is currently one of the fastest growing economies in this dynamic

region, growing at an average of 6% every year for the past four years and financially, in firm footing. The country improved dramatically in competitiveness rankings since 2010 – moved up from the 85th place in 2010 to the 52th in 2014.

Meanwhile, Spanish Ambassador Luis A. Calvo said that the Philippines, as the only country in ASEAN to be granted inclusion in the European Union’s General Scheme of Preference Plus (EU-GSP+)1, is attracting a significant number of Spanish companies who are interested in doing business in the country and contributing to its modernization. Ambassador Calvo explained that Spain looks forward to the establishment of an FTA between the Philippines and the European Union (EU).

He adds that, until such a time, Spain will continue to take advantage of the rapidly


improving economic environment prevailing in the Southeast Asian region, particularly in the Philippines.

The EU-GSP+ is an enhanced tariff scheme that allows the Philippines to export 6, 274 products to any of the 28 members of EU at zero tariffs. This makes products produced in the Philippines more competitive

in EU compared to other ASEAN countries. (DTI)


World Bank conducts review on DA’s rural development projects

QUEZON CITY -- A team from the World Bank (WB) will visit several sub-projects implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) to assess the progress of the Project and address issues and concerns in implementation.


As of August 14, 2015 the Project has already allotted over P12 billion (B) in funds for the implementation of various sub-projects which include farm-to-market roads, bridges, potable water system and production, processing, and marketing support activities envisioned to boost the value chain of agricultural commodities in the rural areas.

Of the amount P10.96-B has been approved for infrastructure projects funding under the Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) component, while P1.62-B is allocated for production, processing, and marketing activities of agri-fishery products under the Enterprise Development (I-REAP) component.

A total of 10 infrastructure projects worth P297.61-M are now ongoing-implementation and are over 50% complete,

while 33 other infrastructure projects worth P2.02-B are below 50% in progress. Sixteen sub-projects worth P616.85 million (M) have been approved for implementation, through the issuance of No-Objection Letter 2 (NOL-2) and 124 sub-projects amounting to P8-B have been approved for funding and have been given NOL-1. Under the I-REAP component, 10 sub-projects worth P78.65-M have been approved for funding. Among these is the calamansi marketing and trading project of the Naujan Farmers’ Association in Oriental Mindoro which recently received P700, 000.00 worth of cheque from the PRDP. Last June, the PRDP also transferred P20-M worth of checks to the Polo Samahang Nayon Cooperative to jumpstart their cassava granules production and marketing project.

As PRDP moves to boost


the economy in the rural areas through financial grants to rural development projects, it continues to capacitate the LGUs in planning and implementing sub-projects.

“Together with local governments, the academe, the business sector and other grassroots stakeholders, we

have endeavored to develop the right tools to determine the right investments for the development of commodities produced by our farmers and fishers,” DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said.

The PRDP has also introduced modern tools to help identify, validate, and monitor sub-projects under the Project.

“We have instituted reforms in planning among local government units using scientific and ev idence-based tools that ensure d e v e l o p m e n t initiatives on

agriculture are responsive to the needs of specific localities. Through these reforms, we contribute to the eradication


of patronage politics that perpetuates corruption and hampers delivery of services to areas where these are needed most,” Alcala added. The Expanded-Vulnerability and Suitability Assessment (E-VSA) Tool for instance, a user online tool takes account of socio economic indicators to help target interventions under the Project.

The Applied Geotagging (AGT) on the other hand is used to validate and monitor progress of sub-projects under the PRDP. Through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in smartphones, photographs of proposed and implemented sub-projects can be laid out in Google Earth and be viewed online.

With AGT identifying the


exact location of projects, ghost and overlapping projects will be avoided.

“Certainly, the PRDP has become an avenue to foster participation, an indispensable element of good governance that this administration promotes. Through the PRDP, we have been able to further mainstream our good governance agenda,” said Alcala.

The DA-PRDP has also strengthened the protection of beneficiaries and people affected by project implementation through the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

Through the GRM, the Project is ready to accept and address grievances, complaints, and suggestions of the public in relation to the better implementation of the sub-projects.

Prior to the visit of the WB

officials to PRDP sub-projects, a kick-off meeting was held on August 24, 2015 at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall in Quezon City. The team from the WB was be led by its Task Team Leader for PRDP Mr. Samik Sundar Das.

Officials from WB and DA-PRDP will visit projects in Palawan for South Luzon cluster, Isabela for North Luzon cluster, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte for Mindanao cluster, and Bohol for Visayas cluster. (DA)


Gov’t launches second Peace Caravan to help poor, underprivileged communities

MANILA -- The government launched this week the second Peace Caravan aimed at delivering basic services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. announced on Tuesday.


Jointly organized by the Local Government Units (LGUs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the caravan, composed of a high-level team that includes Cabinet secretaries, travelled on Monday and Tuesday (August 24 to 25) to Andap Valley, Surigao del Sur province, Secretary Coloma said in a statement.

“The Peace Caravan is part of the government’s inclusive growth agenda; it ensures that communities that are prone to exploitation by lawless elements and have thus been relegated to the margins due to intermittent conflict will gain access to the services that they deserve as Filipino citizens,” he said. According to Coloma, the caravan will also be a venue for consultation between the community and the government on various issues, alongside presenting the menu of available government programs and

services.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and Agrarian Reform Secretary Gil de los Reyes are part of the caravan, along with undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, directors, and staff of various agencies, among them the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace, and the Office of the Political Adviser. Also included in the caravan are officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Mindanao Coordinating Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Human Rights, the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Education. (PCOO/PND (as)


Youth unemployment rate in CDO to decrease thru Jobstart Phils

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Labor Force Survey in April 2015 showed that half of Filipino Youth contributes to the total 2.68 million unemployed Filipinos which translate to 1.35 million unemployed youth aged 15 to 24 years.

By: City Information Office

According to the Department of Labor and Employment


(DOLE), it can take 18 months to two years before new college graduates can land a job while high school graduates can take up to four years. To address this problem, DOLE launched the JobStart program on May 2014 with the funding from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank. As one of the recipients of the JobStart program, Cagayan de Oro City, under the administration of City Mayor Oscar Moreno, signed the Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) together with Bureau of Local Employment Division chief Ruth Rodriguez, DOLE- 10 regional director Raymundo Agravante and Marie Jessamine Mitra of ADB.

DOLE- 10 assistant regional director Albert Gutib and Public Employment Service Office- 10 (PESO-10) manager Kathleen Kate Sorilla served as witnesses of the MOU signing. Among those who are qualified to benefit from the Job Start program are the youth aged 18-24, at least high school graduate, those who have no work experience or have no more than one year experience, currently not employed or not enrolled in school or in any training and actively seeking for work. The program is composed of three cycles--life skills training, technical training, and internship.

DTI conducts consumer education seminar for seniors, PWDsILIGAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Lanao del Norte Provincial Office in partnership with the Iligan City Mayor’s Office (CMO) has enlightened senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) on their rights, privileges and responsibilities as consumers.

By: Angelo A. Devero


This was carried out during the holding of series of Barangay Consumer Education Seminars in Suarez and Dalipuga, Iligan city, last July 2015. The same seminar was also conducted in Barangay Poblacion, Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte this month of August. “It is really appropriate that senior citizens and PWDs should be aware of the benefits and privileges accorded to them by law as they certainly deserved it,” said Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan of DTI Lanao del Norte Provincial Office. In the seminar, paralegal Brando S. Domecillo of the City Mayor’s Office discussed on Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. In this social welfare legislation, senior citizens are entitled to discount and privileges, free services, exemptions, incentives, government financial assistance, and priority in express lanes. Discounts include 20 percent off to medicines, fares, medical and other professional services, and five percent to basic necessities and prime commodities. Other perks involve a monthly social pension of P500 for indigent senior citizen, and death benefit assistance of P2,000.

Domecillo also presented the benefits of persons with disability as mandated by Republic Act 9442, an act amending RA 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Persons With Disability. “Since PWD has the right to live the same way as any other human being, his or her disability should not be a hindrance to live a fruitful and fulfilling life,” said Paclipan. Aside from the benefits and privileges presented, younger PWDs who meet minimum admission requirements get educational assistance for primary, secondary, tertiary, post tertiary, as well as vocational or technical education, in both public and private schools, through scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives. This may also include support for books, learning materials, and uniform allowance. Other topics discussed in Barangay Consumer Education Seminar include the Eight Consumer Rights and Five Consumer Responsibilities, Consumer Act, Price Act, and other Fair Trade Laws.


The Malaybalay CSF was launched on August 24, at Loiza’s Pavilion, Malaybalay City while the Valencia CSF is launched today, August 25 at Jocel’s Garden Venue, Valencia City. Both launching was highlighted by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement among stakeholders headed by Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri, Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas, participating cooperatives and partner institutions, and BSP Monetary Board Member Valentin A. Araneta. The CSF Program was initiated by BSP in August 2008 to improve the creditworthiness of cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that cannot access bank credit due to lack of acceptable collaterals and credit information. It is a trust fund set

up from pooled contributions of participating cooperatives, local government units and other partner institutions. The CSF, through the issuance of a surety agreement, allows cooperatives and businessmen with viable business plans but have limited capital to obtain loans from banks even in the absence of hard collaterals. As of 30 June 2015, the total accumulated loans approved by banks covered by the CSF amounted to P1.8 billion, of which P1.5 billion have already been released to 14,591 beneficiaries. The CSF Program also has a training component to ensure the sustainability of the Fund. The training was designed to enhance the capabilities of the participating cooperatives and MSMEs in

BSP launches credit surety fund in BukidnonBy: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) formally launched the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia in Bukidnon to help cooperatives and micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gain easier access to the credit facilities of banks at relatively lower costs, even without acceptable collaterals.


the areas of financial and risk management, entrepreneurship and business management and credit appraisal and monitoring. Meanwhile, the City Government of Malaybalay committed to contribute P5.0 million, while nine cooperatives in the province committed P2.2 million to the Malaybalay CSF. On the other hand, the Valencia City Government pledged P2.0 million to match the aggregate P2.2 million contributions of 12 cooperatives that signified their intention to join the Valencia CSF. The partner institutions, represented by the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund,

Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines, have also expressed strong support to the CSF Program by way of their contributions which will eventually augment the Fund. Malaybalay and Valencia CSFs are expected to stimulate more economic activities in their respective localities and will usher in job opportunities to increase household income. The two Funds serve as the 42nd and 43rd CSFs created in the country, respectively.


8 SOCCSKSARGEN LGUs conferred good governance seal By:Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 27-- Seven municipal and one provincial local governments in SOCCSKSARGEN Region were awarded Seal of Good Local Governance in a ceremony here Tuesday.


Interior and Local Govern-ment Secretary Mar Roxas led the granting of the seal and cer-emonial turnover of Performance Challenge Fund checks to to the recipients at FB Hotel, this city. Municipal LGU awardees are Magpet, M’lang and Tulunan in North Cotabato; Kiamba in Sarangani; Sto. Nino in South Cotabato and Bagumbayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.South Cotabato was the lone provincial government granted the good governance seal.In his message to the award-ees, Sec. Roxas underscored the important role of the local government units as provider of frontline services of the national government. “Your success is the national government’s success,” he em-phasized. DILG Regional Director Rey-naldo Bungubung revealed that the recognition was based on 2014 evaluation of LGUs using data and accomplishments in 2013. The evaluation, Bungubung explained, was anchored on three core areas, namely: good financial housekeeping, so-cial protection and disaster pre-paredness plus peace and order,

environmental management and business-friendliness and com-petitiveness. “The award provides these LGUs access to the Performance Challenge Fund of the Depart-ment of the Interior and Local Government that they can use to implement projects of their choice,” he said. South Cotabato will receive Php 7 million while the mu-nicipal governments will receive Php3 million each. The funds have been down-loaded at the DILG regional of-fice, awaiting submission of doc-uments by the recipient LGUs, he added. “Apart from the PCF, the LGU grantee of the Seal of Good Local Good Governance may also be granted easier access to other government projects such as the Salintubig project and the Bottom-up Budgeting Program,” Bungubung said. M’lang Mayor Joselito Pi-nol told Philippine Information Agency 12 that they are cur-rently finalizing a plan of work for the concreting of a farm-to-market road leading to an agrar-ian reform community in Baran-gay Nueva Vida. Although the fund could be only cover about 300 meters


COTABATO CITY, Aug. 27– The Japanese government remains true to its commitment to support the peace and order efforts in Mindananao, an official of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

of the 7-kilometer road stretch, the project would be sufficient to kick off of what he described as an important development initiative in the area, Mayor Pinol said. On the other hand, Tulunan Mayor Lani Candolada said they will use the PCF to complete the construction of the munici-pal gymnasium. This is the third good gov-ernance seal that LGU Tulunan

has received from DILG. “The Seal of Good Local Gov-ernance is an honor and rec-ognition that we are on the right track toward our municipality’s progress,” Mayor Candolada said.After the awarding ceremony, Roxas proceeded to nearby Tupi town to inaugurate a water system project. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

By: Perlita B. Changco

Japanese Gov’t remains committed to peace and development efforts in Mindanao - JICA official

JICA President Akihiko Tanaka made this pronouncement dur-ing his visit here on Monday to turnover a two-classroom build-ing to Kibleg Elementary School IN North Upi, Maguindanao. The construction of said school building was funded through the JICA and implement-ed by the Bangsamoro Develop-

ment Agency (BDA). Tanaka was accompanied by JICA Chief Representative in the Philippines Noriaki Niwa, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal, Upi Mayor Ramon Piang, Bangsamoro Development Agen-cy (BDA) Exec. Dir. Mohammad Yacob, and Inter


national Monitoring Team (IMT-10) Head of Mission MGen. Datu Sheikh Mokhsin Bin Sheikh Has-san. Said school building is among the 20 ongoing Quick Im-pact Projects (QIPs) jointly iden-tified by the JICA and BDA in support of the peace process in Mindanao to help boost inclusive development in the region. “This is financed through a QIP which is a small scale low cost project being implemented in a short period of time which addresses immediate community needs,” Tanaka said. According to Tanaka, aside from working with local commu-nities throughout the region, JI-CA’s QIP also includes multi-pur-pose halls, warehouses with solar dryer and renovation/expansion of school building/classrooms in 20 sites in the provinces of Ma-guindanao, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Basilan, Sulu, Sarangani, Tawi-Tawi, Sul-tan Kudarat, Compostella Valley, Davao Oriental and Zamboanga Sibugay. These communities are iden-tified as among the most affected by armed conflicts. He added that after the sign-ing of the Comprehensive Agree-ment on the Bangsamoro last

March 2014, he met with MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim where they both agreed to start the implementation of QIP as part of trust and confidence building between and among the stake-holders of the peace process. Tanaka said, both JICA and the MILF counterparts believed that QIPs would be a great way for the Bangsamoro communi-ties to feel immediate peace divi-dends for people to remain hope-ful on the benefits of the peace process. In 2013, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and JICA started the Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CCDP-B) undertook cooperation activi-ties include assistance in public consultations for drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), support in drafting the Bangsam-oro Development Plan (BDP), hu-man resource development, ca-pacity building and seminars in Tokyo to know more about Japan system of governance, and the implementation of QIP, Tanaka said. He said, for the past 17 years, the peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the MILF had experienced sev


eral challenges including the breakdown of MOA-AD in 2008, Mamasapano incident of January 2015 and the prolonged deliber-ations of the BBL. However, he said, the Japa-nese government and JICA have remained steadfast in their com-mitment in supporting the peace process and promote develop-ment in the Bangsamoro area.

As this developed, Tanaka encouraged the students and school children to study hard and always listen to their parents and teachers citing education is one of the greatest things parents can give their children to ensure bet-ter future and personal growth.(IEroy/PBChangco-PIA Cotabato City)

South Cotabato village gets 24/7 water supply By: Oliver Ross Rivera

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug. 27 – In the past, resi-dents of Barangay Polonuling in nearby Tupi town only got drinking water three times for a combined total of three hours daily.

“With our old system, wa-ter was only available 1 hour in the morning, one hour at noon time and 1 hour at night time,” said barangay chairman Roberto Lambino.

He recounted that residents would have to strategize to store water for drinking and other purposes such as washing clothes and bathing.

Thanks to the Department of the Interior and Local Gov-

ernment’s Salintubig Program, residents of the said village are now experiencing a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week supply of clean and safe drinking water.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Rox-as led the inauguration of the Php500,000 Salintubig potable water project in the area.

The visit came after the inte-rior and local government sec-retary led the awarding of Seal


of Good Local Governance to 7 municipalities and 1 pro-vincial government in SOCCSK-SARGEN Region in a hotel in Ko-ronadal City.

Lambino told the Philippine In-formation Agency that the new water system is a Level III fa-cility, meaning, households are connected to the water source via pipe lines direct to privately owned faucets.

“Initially, more than 500 households have benefited from the Salintubig project,” he dis-closed.

Salintubig stands for “sagana at ligtas na tubig sa lahat.”

Salintubig is a major program of the DILG geared toward pro-viding safe and clean drinking water to communities that lack sufficient supply of potable wa-ter.

It also aims to improve ac-cess to sanitation services and reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases.

“In behalf of the residents of Polonuling, I thank the nation-al government and the DILG for giving us the water system, which we have long prayed for. Life has become easier for our residents,” Chairman Lambino said.

The water system’s reser-

voir was constructed in an area donated by Mr. and Mrs. Roque Amelista.

Construction began in Febru-ary this year and was com-pleted in April.

It is being managed by the Polonuling Waterworks and Sani-tation Association Inc.

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said the water system was only one of the many beneficial projects they received from the national government through the DILG.

Just recently, LGU Tupi was a recipient of a brand new fire truck and a police patrol ve-hicle. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


PhilHealth Caraga updates media on its 1st semester accomplishments By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – In time with the orientation on Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInE) - the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7875 as amended otherwise known as National Health Insurance Act of 2003, held recently in one of the local convention centers here, the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation Caraga briefs the partner

stakeholders and media on PhilHealth membership, as well as its accomplishments for the first semester of 2015.


“In Caraga region, we have a total of 2,540,920 PhilHealth beneficiaries, 984,774 of which are members while 1,556,146 are dependents. Our beneficiaries had availed of the inpatient, outpatient, Z benefits, and MDG related benefits,” says Johnny Sychua, regional vice president of PhilHealth Caraga. PhilHealth has also released some P850,856,267.49 claims reimbursements while P55,975,575.00 for the primary care (capitation). Some 94,460 members also have been paid with their claims. “The law mandates national agencies and local government units to require proof of PhilHealth membership before doing business or issuing professional or business license or permit,” adds Sychua. The National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) was established to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available and accessible health care services for all citizens of the Philippines. It shall serve as the means for the healthy to help pay for the care of the sick and for those who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot. It shall initially consist

of Programs I and II or Medicare and be expanded progressively to constitute one universal health insurance program for the entire population. The program shall include a sustainable system of funds constitution, collection, management and disbursement for financing the availment of a basic minimum package and other supplementary packages of health insurance benefits by a progressively expanding proportion of the population. The program shall be limited to paying for the utilization of health services by covered beneficiaries. It shall be prohibited from providing health care directly, from buying and dispensing drugs and pharmaceuticals, from employing physicians and other professionals for the purpose of directly rendering care, and from owning or investing in health care facilities (Article III, Section 5 of RA 7875 as amended).


SurSur guv assures capitol employees of PEI

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The wait of capitol employees here for announcement of the release of Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) bonus was over.

By: Greg Tataro Jr

Governor Johnny Pimentel told employees during the regular flag ceremony program on Monday that much that he wanted to grant a 100 percent

PEI, equivalent to a month salary for every permanent employee, but the province does not have enough funds in its coffers. “Actually, naningkamot


gayod kami na makahanap nan pondo but P21 million di gayod nato kaya. So, ato nalang kini himay-himayon, actually naay akong gitago na pondo na para untana ‘ni sa mga infrastructure projects. So we came up with the figure of P15 million, so amo na lang gi-compute... so we will release 75 percent of your salary,” he explained in a mix of English and local dialect.

Most, if not all of the Capitol employees here, have already been so eager to hear any word that has something to do with the PEI, it was learned. Meanwhile, provincial administrator Efren Rivas said that it might take some time before PEI can be released, citing the process the “supplemental budget” has to undergo at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

DTI advises consumers, read and study product labels By: Susil Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) advises consumers to read and study product labels before making a purchase of consumer products.

There is a need to look into the ingredients and chemical compositions among others, if these are safe for their personal and family use, especially if they have allergies to certain elements. It would be better for the buying public to avoid product without adequate labels and those written in languages they don’t understand like some imported products.

Labeling is a powerful marketing tool in convincing consumers to buy products. Therefore, responsible business owners are making the label information clear and relevant to the needs of consumers. Labeling, clearly, is indispensable to consumers in the exercise of their rights to information and choice, and to business enabling them to cater to their market’s needs and to


promote their products well. But, labeling has a far more important function than merely contributing to sales; it is a double edged sword with the equal ability to misinform as much as it can provide the right information. According to a Global Online Consumer Opinion Survey conducted by AC Nielsen in 2005, which polled 21,261 respondents form 38 countries form the Asia pacific, North and Latin Americas, Africa, and Europe, half of consumers worldwide only partially understand the nutritional labels on food packaging. Yet, in spite of this partial understanding, 20 percent of consumers would always check labels while 40 percent of consumers worldwide would check the labels when buying

a product for the first time, the Philippines coming out among the top 10 countries whose consumers would do so. The study also showed that nearly 30 percent read the labels whenever they would buy certain food types. Consumers were most likely to check for fat, calories, and sugar content, as well as preservatives, coloring and additives. While 21,000 survey respondents would hardly be a representative sampling of the world’s billions of consumers, the study does say something important to businesses and consumers are looking for adequate information to guide them during purchase and product information labels and packaging is becoming a key factor in determining whether a product will be bought or not.


DepEd-9 gears up for teachers’ month celebs By: Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) –The Department of Education (DepEd) here is now gearing up for activities in commemoration of the National Teachers’ Month which will be held from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5, this year.


Dr. Valeria Fides Corteza, education supervisor, Curriculum Implementation Division, DepEd - Zamboanga City Schools Division, said the division office had already finalized the schedule of activities for the month-long celebration.“We have prepared activities that aim to highlight teachers’ role not only in education, but in nation-building as well,” Dr. Corteza said. She added that many of the activities will bring out the talents of the teachers as well in other areas such as singing, dancing and others.The celebrations will officially kick off on September 4 with a motorcade, followed by the following: September 5 – Teachers’ Fun Run, September 3-30 – Selection for Most Outstanding Teacher and Most Outstanding School Head, September 7 – Medical and Dental Mission, September 12 & 19 – Sports Activities, September 28-30 – Expo on Innovative Teaching Materials, September 28 – Amazing Teachers’ Challenge,

October 2 – Teachers Got Talent, My Voice, October 3 – Creative Zumba, October 4 – Mass / Pagdua-a in all parishes and mosques and Gala Night at the Garden Orchid Hotel. October 5 is celebrated as World Teachers’ Day.According to Dr. Corteza, the teachers’ month celebration is in pursuance of Presidential Proclamation 242 signed on August 24, 2012 by President Benigno S. Aquino III.The objectives of the celebration are to give emphasis on the crucial role of teachers in developing globally-minded citizens, revitalize the image of teaching as a vocation, take the occasion as an opportunity in building the image of teaching as an attractive and fulfilling profession and express gratitude to the teachers.“This is the best avenue to share the very important role of teachers in society, and we are very happy to be part of this,” she said.


Labangan mayor lauds 1st CAV squadron for gallantry, dedicated service

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) – The 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army on Saturday was lauded by the municipal officials for its gallantry in ensuring pubic safety through “its highly efficient and competent force.”


Mayor Marlon Valenzuela in his message during the 39th founding anniversary of the unit at Camp Jacobo Zobel, Upper Pulacan on Friday said the men of the 1st Cavalry are considered the “living heroes for displaying their exceptional courage and professionalism.”

Valenzuela said “the 1st Cavalry Squadron’s anniversary is a celebration of the unit’s continued existence after 39 years of dedicated service.”

“This celebration is an event

which can help the unit achieve its goals, such as promoting peace, boosting soldier’s morale, and encouraging stakeholders participation,” Valenzuela added.

The mayor also pointed out that “the unit’s founding anniversary reminds us on the good memories and accomplishments of the organization in attaining pace in Zamboanga Peninsula area.”

“Kayo ang mga magiting na bayani nagtatanggol ng ating Inang


GSP holds encampment in Sibugay

Ms. Minerva T. Carballo, school principal, said teachers conducted a short briefing to students during the first day of the encampment. They eagerly participated in all the activities aimed to enhance and challenge their skills. Friendship Circle with Friendship Wishes was an activity that encouraged the young girls to value friendship with their

classmates. A candle lighting ceremony was held on the second day which enlightened the students to hold on and never lose hope in every circumstance that each has to face. The Girl Scouting Program is an action plan covering an environment of fun, adventure and challenges where girls

Bayan at kayo rin ang ang mga buhay na bayani na kailanman hindi mabubura sa isipan at damdamin ng mga Pilipino (You are the brave heroes that helped protect our motherland and you are the heroes that we will never be forgotten in the minds and hearts of the Filipinos),” Valenzuela stressed.

He then urged the soldiers

by saying “Dahil kayo ay ‘Tagapanguna’ Squadron, kayo rin ang tagapanguna sa pagpapatupad ng pagbabago upang makamtan ang tunay at wagas na kapayapaan ng ating bansa (Since you are Tagapanguna Squadron, you are are also in the lead in the implementation of change to achieve true and lasting pace in our country.)”

By Rhea Grace Laplana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (PIA) – Ipil Heights Elementary School (IHES) recently concluded a three-day school-based Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) encampment here last Aug. 21-23.


working alone or in small groups live the Girl Scout Promise in a democratic framework and develop themselves in self-reliance, self-esteem and service with the guidance of the adults. Ms. Carballo, with the support of the teachers handled various activities like camp fire, treasure hunting, hiking, zumba, egg cooking and ramp modelling, providing the students the right avenues to put their knowledge and skills, and use their common sense.The young girls also learned about

the challenge for preparedness which underscores the importance of survival in different situations. They took the challenges into real action not only at home, but also in school and in the community. The students actively participated and showed enthusiasm to learn the basic principles of scouting which embody meaningful, responsive, relevant, contemporary and time-tested activities that would adequately prepare the Filipino girls and young women of today to face and cope with the changing times.

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One Mindanao - August 27, 2015

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