One Mindanao - February 26, 2012

Cover Story

The bounty of Gold in Compostela Valley

Jeanevive Duron-AbanganSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 196

page 4

Zanorte Provincial Government gives electric water pump to Brgy. Sinaman Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

NFA-ZamboSur has enough stocks of rice- officialClaro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

RDC, Reg’l leaders expresses satisfaction over developmental gains as Caraga turns

24Noel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

ANTRECCO orients gov’t agencies on the advantages of cooperatives26Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

Cost of assistance for Sendong victims in NorMin reaches P84.11-M 28Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Military and Police beneficiaries of housing program laud Aquino10Brownout sa Gensan nagpapatuloy17 Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Adventists conduct three-day medical, dental and surgical mission29V.Labial and L.Rosario, Northern Mindanao

1921

9 13 15

PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

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 and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

EDITORIAL BOARD

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephoneno.(062)215-1480/925-0038Cellphoneno.0908-8843404E-mail:[email protected]@yahoo.comBlogspot:www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook:PIAWesMinInfoBliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’Building,AntonioLunaStreetCagayandeOroCity9000TelefaxNo.(08822)72-66-83Telephoneno.(088)856-8178/729-594Cellphoneno.0928-52043050917-3084969E-mail:[email protected][email protected]:www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/FKantoMotorsBldg.,QuimpoBlvd.,NewMatinaDavaoCity8000Telephoneno.(082)297-0991/301-8580Telefaxno.(082)297-0992/304-2044Cellphoneno.0917-7053606/0918-9202950E-mail:[email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.KoronadalCity,SouthCotabato9506Telephoneno.(083)520-0249Telefaxno.(083)228-9736/228-9739/520-0100Cellphoneno.0921-6873373/0928-5204307E-mail:[email protected],[email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)ViceMayors’LeagueofthePhilippinesBldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephoneno.(085)341-5285/360-1239Telefaxno.(085)341-2370Cellphoneno.0917-7188834Email:[email protected],[email protected],phBlogspot:www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook:PIACaragaUpdates,PIAAgusandelNorte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

18 22 27

4 Sunday, February 26, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

The province this year embarks on its 14th year after its separation

from Davao del Norte by virtue of Republic Act 8470 made into

law on January 30, 1998. Its eleven towns

are enjoined to join the celebration,

what with the common mineral resource that majority of them have: Gold. Provincial Governor Arturo T. Uy has revealed in a presentation, that nine of the 11 towns in Compostela Valley treasure gold, and most of them have other metallic minerals such as copper, lead, manganese and silver.

GOLD so much of it gives Compostela Valley Province a great reason to celebrate

the Bulawan Festival in time with its founding anniversary on March 8.

Cover Story

The bounty of Gold in Compostela Valley

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

Sunday, February 26, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

These towns are

Monkayo, Pantukan, Maco, New Bataan, Mabini, Nabunturan, Compostela, Maragusan and Mawab. Based on data gathered from the Mines ang Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) XI, Compostela Valley keeps so much gold reserve estimated at 181,745,339 metric tons (MT) and copper reserves at 481,775,616 MT, not to mention the volume of silver that can be taken from

gold. If computed at about P2,500 per gram of gold, the result would

be a mind boggling amount of gold reserve which

can be extracted in Compostela Valley.

Major player in mining No doubt, Compostela Valley becomes the major player of the mining industry in Davao Region where mining is tagged by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI as the emerging economic growth driver. NEDA XI Assistant Regional Director Bonifacio Uy reveals the mining industry as among the 11 priority industries under the Industry Clustering Strategy in 2007. The industry keeps its status under the Davao Region Development Plan covering year 2011 to year 2016. NEDA XI is projecting the mining industry to grow by 5.5 percent in 2013. It attributes such favorable growth to the industry’s dynamic economic performance in previous years, with gold production at its lead. Uy said mining and quarrying sub-sector gained three percent growth in 2009 from a negative 8.7 percent “due primarily t o improved gold


production.” When it comes to gold

production, Compostela Valley is the main source, as it is where gold veins richly find their path underground. Gold production data as revealed by Regional Director Edilberto Arreza of MGB XI shows Compostela Valley to have produced 836.45 kilos of gold in 2011 with a corresponding value of P1.82 billion. Arreza looks at such gold

production in 2011 as a little bit higher by 34.85 kilos only, from

801.60 kilos produced in 2010. He attributes

the corresponding increase in value

by P394

m i l l i o n from P1.42 billion in 2010, to high market prices of gold in 2011. MGB XI monitored that the gold price was pegged at P1,774.92 per gram in 2010 based on the average dollar-peso exchange rate and the average London metal price. Gold price went up in 2011 to P2,417.48 per gram. Along with increased gold production was the dynamic exports of gold in 2011. NEDA XI said that gold in semi-manufactured form, remained among the region’s top export, and that its export performance in 2011 grew by 56 percent over its 2010. Consequently, it upgraded its export rank to 5th from 7th place, posting an export value of US$18 million in 2011 from US$11.8 million in 2010.

Small-scale mining

The gold production performance of Compostela Valley as well as the gold export value of Davao Region could have been much higher if data counted in the volumes extracted by small scale miners (SSM) who comprise a big chunk of those directly earning a living from gold mining. Arreza bared the MGB XI data on gold production to have shown figures from the Apex Mining and from JB Mining Corporation, only.

Sunday, February 26, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 7

Aside from the two gold mining entities which have reported their gold production to MGB XI, small scale miners are extracting gold in various mining areas of the nine Compostela Valley towns where gold deposits can be found. Gov. Uy has revealed that SSM areas in Maragusan are in barangays Pamintaran and Tupaz; Monkayo, in Diwalwal (Balite and Buenas Tinago) and in Pasian; New Bataan, in Camanlangan, Andap and Marunigao; Compostela, in Ngan; Nabunturan, in Inupoan, Saraban, Tagnocon and Mainit; Mawab, in Andapon, Andili; Maco, in New Leyte, Panoraon, N. Barili, Teresa, Mainit and Masara; Mabini, in Golden Valley, De Oro, and Mascareg; Pantukan, in Gumayan, Tiogdan, Araibo, Lumanggang, Panganason, Diat, Lit-ag, Biasong, Limatukan, Pulang Lupa and in Boringot. Recognizing mining as a major source of income among its constituents, the provincial government of Compostela Valley has declared seven people’s small-scale mining areas, called Minahan ng Bayan, which cover a total land area of 506 hectares. Maco town has three Minahan ng Bayan; Pantukan, three; and Nabunturan, one.

Uy said that about 30,000 people in his province were found directly

earning a living from mining excluding those who were

drawing income from sub- industr ies .

Such number of jobs

generated c o i n c i d e d with the figure registered by NEDA XI which said that 36,000 were employed in the mining industry in 2009. Compostela Valley Board Member Augusto Blanco Jr who serves as the action officer of this year’s Bulawan Festival celebration, notes well how the local economy has enlivened along with the growth of the mining industry. Aside from jobs, trade and commerce has become vibrant which can be directly attributed to gold mining. Even people from neighboring provinces are joining the small scale mining venture in Compostela Valley. The sad state is that some of them join the list of casualties of landslide incidents in SSM sites. The latest of which was in early January this year in sitio Diat, Pantukan. Aside from landslide occurrences, other issues and concerns arising from SSM industry in Compostela Valley include destruction o f settlements, siltation of rivers


and waterways, below standard safety mining operations, crude gold processing procedures, unhealthy and unsanitary conditions in the mining areas. Other than these, there are also issues on policies mostly related to revenue shares of local government units from the mining industry.Greening efforts To address these concerns, the provincial government of Compostela Valley has mapped out initiatives and interventions on regulating the mining industry, on environment protection, rehabilitation and management, and on social and economic concerns. Gov. Uy places the Provincial Greening Program (PGP) at the top of the list of interventions on environment protection. This is in line with the National Greening Program of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, under which billion trees are targeted to be planted. Facing a great challenge on environment protection, the provincial government of Compostela Valley focuses this year’s Bulawan Festival celebration on greening, on top of its thanksgiving for the bounty of gold. Some 500,000 forest trees such as

Mahogany, Falcata, Narra, Acacia Manguim, among others will be

planted simultaneously on March 6 in all towns of the

province. Respective barangays of each

town are tasked to identify

t h e

planting sites. Fruit trees will also be among the seedlings to be planted along with high value commercial crops particularly coffee and cacao. Blanco said the provincial government endeavors to go green in the light of calamities particularly landslides in the mountains where much gold ores are deposited. Such effort is pronounced in this year’s Bulawan Festival theme, “Comval Shines at 14, Going Green” aimed to shout out its bid to strike a healthy balance of maximizing its gold resources and protecting the environment.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino to formally announce enactment of Kindergarten Law

President Benigno S. Aquino III will formally announce the enactment of Republic Act No. 10157, otherwise known as the Kindergarten Education Law, in ceremonies to be held in Malacañang on Monday.

The President will make the announcement by presiding over the Presentation of Signed Documents of the Kindergarten Law that will be led by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Education Secretary Armin

Luistro at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Republic Act 10157 “An Act Institutionalizing the Kindergarten Education into the Basic Education s y s t e m a n d

Appropriating Funds Therefore” provides for a free and compulsory kindergarten education beginning school year 2012-2013.

The law, which was signed by the President last January 20, underscores the

10 Sunday, February 26, 2012ONE MINDANAO

importance of Kindergarten education “to the academic and technical development of the Filipino child for it is the period when the young mind’s absorptive capacity for learning is at

its sharpest.”Under the law, children

aged five will be required to take up a year in Kindergarten in preparation for entry to Grade 1.

This, the Department of

Education said, will improve a child’s performance in grade school and stem the incidences of early dropout. (RCK)

Military and Police beneficiaries of housing program laud Aquino

Beneficiaries of the Aquino government’s housing program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel expressed their profound thanks and sincere gratitude

to President Benigno S. Aquino III and the various concerned agencies of the government for the opportunity given them to have their own housing units, which provided them and their respective families a decent and better standard of living.


The men and women soldiers and policemen who were recipients of the housing units echoed their sentiments of gratitude and appreciation to the President during the “symbolic turnover of the 1,500 Houses for the AFP and PNP personnel in Ciudad Adelina 2, Barangay Luciano, here on Friday.

Staff Sergeant Edwin Gumela, who has served the country for 27 years under the Philippine Army, said that the housing program of the Aquino administration not only boosts their morale but significantly serves as a huge support especially for him who is residing in Mindanao.

“Para sa akin ay talagang napakalaking tulong nito lalo na ako taga Mindanao pa ako, bibisita na lamang ako doon sa Mindanao at dito na ako titira,” Gumela said.

The 53-year-old liaison officer from the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Bonifacio further said that through his newly-acquired housing unit he can now

save a lot of money that can be used for the needs of his family.

“Noong araw nangungupahan ako sa Malibay, Pasay City… noong una ang bayad ko 2,800 pesos lang tapos pataas na ng pataas hanggang naging 3,900 na depende pa sa konsumo ng tubig at kuryente, kaya nga dito na talaga ako titira,” Gumela said.

“Napakalaking bagay nito, nagpapasalamat ako sa mahal nating Pangulo at binigyan kami ng ganitong opportunity, at least malaking tulong para sa amin ito… sa aming lahat na mga kawal na Pilipino,” he added.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rey Sarcon, for his part, thanked the Chief Executive for the housing project saying that instead of allocating a large part of his salary to pay their house rental, he could now give more for his wife and children.

“Ako po ay natutuwa kasi po sa ngayon ay

nabigyan kami ng bahay… may mauuwian na po at may permanenteng bahay na di katulad ng dati na nagre-renta lang po kami,” Sarcon said.

“Ang apartment po nasa seven thousand po na malaking kabawasan sa kinikita namin… so instead na magbabayad pa ng renta ay makadadagdag na po yun sa panggastos para sa araw-araw na pangangailangan at sa pag-aaral ng mga bata… at may maitatago pa sa bangko,” he added.

Sarcon who is assigned to the Makati Police, is now on his tenth year of service.

SPO1 Sarcon’s wife, Maritess echoed her husband’s sentiments of thanking President Aquino whom, she said, gave them an opportunity to have an investment for the future of their three daughters.

“Salamat po kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino para po dito sa pino-provide niyang bahay para sa PNP at sundalo… makaka-save na kami at ito ay talagang malaking tulong,” Mrs. Sarcon added.


The turnover ceremony was part of the series of events that were lined up for the 26th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

It commemorates the collaboration between civilian and military forces during the non-violent revolt of the Filipinos against dictatorship in 1986.

The housing program was being implemented under Administrative Order 9 “Directing the

National Housing Authority to Formulate, Implement and Manage a Housing Program for the Military and Police Personnel”, which was issued on April 11, last year.

In the first five years, beneficiaries need only pay P 2 0 0 a

month for a standard row house that will gradually increase to P809.53 during the 26th to the 30th year allowing them to use and allot more of their income for the other needs of their families including education, health, and other similar concerns. (JCL)


Manila-based housing developers extend P5-M assistance to TagumAt least two relocation sites

and one village developed by the City Government of Tagum received cash assistance amounting to FIVE MILLION THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (5,030,000.00) from two Manila-based subdivision developers which will be utilized for the improvement of the sites’ drainage system and concreting of roads. STA. LUCIA REALTY and DEVELOPMENT, INC. donated Php 1, 762, 500.00 to the City Employees Village in Purok Durian, Barangay Magugpo East for the concreting of its drainage system while the Iga Uy Village located in Purok 9, Barangay Madaum, will also receive the same amount for the concreting of its roads. AMAIA LAND CORPORATION also donated Php 1,505,000.00 for the concreting the roads of the Laureta Homes in Purok 8, Barangay San Miguel. City Mayor Rey T. Uy welcomed

the two developers’ “corporate social responsibility,” saying that public-private partnership is vital in the development of socialized housing for the urban poor. As of this writing, the said financial assistance was already downloaded to the Trust Fund of the Local Government. Republic Act No. 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development Housing Act of 1992 requires developers of subdivision projects to develop an area for socialized housing equivalent to at least percent (20%) of the total subdivision area or total subdivision project cost. The Local Government of Tagum City was chosen by the two developers since they found out through the internet that the City Government has more LGU-initiated programs on housing resettlements, Mr. Michael Ang, head of city’s task force on resettlement and anti-squatting, said in an interview. (Tagum CIO)


regional gallery

SNAPSHOT photo of the CITY EMPLOYEES VILLAGE in Purok Durian, Ba-rangay Magugpo East, one of the three recipients of assistance coming from the Manila-based housing developer STA. LUCIA REALTY and DE-VELOPMENT, INC. who donated Php 1, 762, 500.00 for the concreting of its DRAINAGE SYSTEM.


NGO helps local govt provide cheaper medicineBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – More health services are coming to indigent residents of South Cotabato with another partnership forged between the provincial government and non government organization.

According to the provincial government’s official website, Mahintana

Foundation Inc., a foundation funded by the Dole Philippines, has agreed to provide at least P1.7 million worth of surgical and medicine packages intended for poor residents in the area.

These packages are available at the Health Plus Shop in a Shop (HPSIS) inside the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, in this city.

Provincial health officer Dr. Rogelio Aturdido said, the

initiative aims to give better health services for poor patients who often lack financial resources to pay for

surgical resources. Initially, available

packages with complete set of medicine at the HPSIS are for surgical


cases of appendectomy, caesarean section, and delivery and obstetrics.

“We hope that we can cover 22 more surgical cases in the next months,” Aturdido was quoted as saying.

These packages are priced much lower than those available in most pharmacies in the area.

But patients who are beneficiaries of local government –sponsored Philhealth indigency program would not need to pay a single centavo to avail of the surgical and medicine packages because the cost will be charged against their Philhealth insurance.

“With the medicine packs in place, our poor patients no longer need to purchase medicines outside the hospital and then wait for PhilHealth’s reimbursement that usually take 45 days to two months to process,” Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said in an interview with local reporters at the project launching.

“We need all the help that we can get and we are very thankful to

have Mahintana helping us out in our aim to provide better and quality health services to the poor,” he added.

M a h i n t a n a Foundation has been a partner of the provincial government in many of its initiatives for the poor

in the area; among these projects are supplemental feeding for day care children and the poorest of the poor and construction of chairs and tables for public elementary and high school in the area.

Rey Gabaldon, project


manager of Mahintana Foundation said will continue to help in uplifting the lives of the poor in the province.

He said the HPSIS inside the provincial hospital will be opened 24 hours. They also plan to replicate the

surgical and medicine package project in other provinces. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Brownout sa Gensan nagpapatuloyKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, – Dahil sa kakulangan sa suplay ng kuryente mula sa Mindanao grid, nagpapatuloy ang nararanasang rotating brownout sa lungsod ng Heneral Santos City, bahagi ng South Cotabato at lalawigan ng Sarangani.

Base sa power advisory na inilabas ng South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II), noong Miyerkules sinimulan ang bagong yugto ng pagpapatupad ng “load shedding” mula alas diyes ng umaga hanggang alas-otso ng gabi sa nasasakupan ng kooperatiba.

Ayon kay Socoteco II general manager Rodolfo Ocat nangangahulugan ito ng tig-iisang oras na brownout bawat araw hanggang Marso 4.

Wala aniyang magawa ang kooperatiba kundi magpatupad ng load shedding dahil binawasan ng National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) ang alokasyon ng kuryente

sa kooperatiba ng 32 megawatts simula pa noong Enero.

Dahil dito, umaapela si Ocat sa mga konsumidor na intindihin ang sitwasyon ng kooperatiba na hindi naman nila ito kontrolado.

Hiniling din niya sa mga miyembro na magtipid sa paggamit ng kuryente, lalung lalo na mula alas diyes ng umaga hanggang alas otso ng gabi kung kailan mas maraming

gumagamit nito. Base naman sa

taya ng NGCP noong Huwebes, umaabot sa 130 megawatts ang kakulangan sa kuryente ng buong Mindanao. Ayon sa naturang ulat nasa 1,117 megawatts ang system capacity ng Mindanao grid habang umaabot sa 1,247 naman ang kailangang suplay ng kuryente ng isla sa mga peak hours. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

Coco sugar , syrup are promising alternative sweeteners says FNRI-DOSTBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

“Coconut sap, the fluid from coconut flowers that are cut systematically can be turned into sugar or syrup and that the resulting sugar has a low Glycemic Index (or GI)” informed the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in its press statement.


DIPOLOG CITY -The Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte through the Provincial Identification Fund(PIF) has recently donated an electric water pump worth P500,000 to the farmers of Barangay Sinaman, this city.

Zanorte Provincial Government gives electric water pump to Brgy. SinamanBy Alfonso T. Ruda

FNRI’s statement said that low GI from commonly consumed carbohydrates food is good for diabetics who have to monitor their blood glucose level and also for health buffs who watch their weight. “This has made coco sugar and syrup popular alternative sweeteners among a growing number of diabetics and health buffs, but health and nutrition experts still advise consumption of cocosap sugar and syrup be done in moderation under their supervision,” the statement reads. Glycemic index is a number

representing the increase in the level of blood glucose when we eat food with carbohydrates. (JPA/SRS/FNRI-DOST/PIA- ZBST)


The P500,000 electric water pump is a support project of Governor Rolando E. Yebes to the farmer-beneficiaries of the High-Green program implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist . The turn-over of the electric water pump was done as other offices of the Provincial Government also conducted their respective outreach activities in barangay Sinaman under the “Tabang ni Lando sa Comunidad” program . “Tabang ni Lando sa Comunidad” is a regular program of the Provincial Government aimed to alleviate the plight of the residents of the province, specially those in the far-flung barangays through various assistance. The Provincial Health Office conducted free medical consultation, dental services and gave free medicines. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office conducted supplemental feeding to the children; the Provincial Nutrition Office gave free soap and slippers to the mothers while the personnel of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist distributed vegetable seeds to the farmers and the Provincial Veterinarian Office also conducted free immunization to the working animals of farmers in the area. Zamboanga del Norte Vice-Governor Francis Olvis, together with Second District Board Member, Atty. Allan Ranillo and PIF Representative Raymund Lacaya formally turned-over the water pump to the farmer-

beneficiaries through Lando Bibo and local officials of Barangay Sinaman in a simple turn-over ceremony held last Tuesday, February 21, 2012. In his message during the short program, Vice-Gov. Olvis appealed to the farmer-beneficiaries of Sinaman to take good care of the water pump as he acknowledged the moral obligation of the Provincial Government to provide its people with appropriate programs. In response, the local residents of Sinaman through Lando-Bibo Coordinators Rosalita Sedrome and Celso Enoy assured their commitment to properly maintain the electric water pump as they expressed their thanks to the Provincial Government for the support and all the programs implemented in their barangay.(with report from Rose Ann C. Icalina/ALT/ATR/PIA9-ZDN)


NFA-ZamboSur has enough stocks of rice- official By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The Provincial Office of the National Food Authority (NFA) here assured that they have enough and comfortable stock inventory of rice in their “bodegas.”

NFA Provincial Manager Regino Delfin was pleased to inform the people in the province, that as per latest inventory made by their office, there are some 300,000 sacks or rice and 120,000 bags of corn stored in the different bodegas. Manager Delfin said, that 60 percent of the rice inventory was bought during last quarter of 2010 – September to December. He assured the public that the present stocks inventory of rice would last for 72 days or more than two months continuous supply for the province. If for instance, the province will encounter a shortfall in its

normal production, NFA can provide the necessary supply needed for consumption. NFA is ready to come in and provide in the overall rice requirements of the province, Delfin added. Moreover, he said, last year they received some 500,000 sacks of rice from NFA-Zamboanga City and another 200,000 from NFA-Cebu.With the present supply, Delfin assured the Zambosurians that base on the daily consumption requirements of the province at 5,600 sacks per day, our stocks can still stand for more than two months. (JPA/CAL/PIA-Zambo del Sur)


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

[email protected][email protected]

GSIS explains policy revision in granting survivorship benefitsby Robert E. Roperos

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) explained why they revised the existing policy on the grant of survivorship benefits.


During Monday’s stakeholders’ dialogue with top officials of the country’s premier state insurer, President and General Manager (PGM) Robert G. Vergara emphasized that the existing policies on the grant of survivorship benefits were revised by the management with the end in view of granting equitable benefits to survivorship pensioners. Given the said revisions, Vergara added the members and pensioners are secured of their future benefits in the GSIS without compromising the financial viability of the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). Vergara also explained under the new policy, all primary and secondary beneficiaries residing in the Philippines or abroad who are existing survivorship pensioners or claiming for survivorship benefits.

The official added those who were receiving survivorship benefits but the payment of which was suspended when the policy on the same was amended and implemented in August 2009 are also covered in this new policy. Further, Vergara stressed those who applied for survivorship benefits but whose applications were disapproved due to the issuance/approval of Management Implementing Guidelines (MIG) 01-2009 dated October 22, 2009, which took effect as early as August 2009, and MIG 04-2010 dated April 26, 2010. The GSIS chief clarified that when a member or pensioner dies, the primary beneficiaries or the surviving legal spouse and dependent children, or the secondary beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to

the applicable survivorship benefits. According to the official, primary beneficiaries are the legitimate spouse, until he/she re-marries, cohabits, or engages in a common-law relationship. He also said dependent legitimate, legally adopted or legitimated children, including the illegitimate children, who have not reached the age of majority, or have reached the age of majority but incapacitated and incapable of self support due to a mental or physical defect acquired prior to age of majority. Meanwhile, secondary beneficiaries shall be the dependent parents and, subject to the restrictions on dependent children, the legitimate descendants. He added the secondary beneficiaries shall only be entitled to survivorship benefits if there are no primary beneficiaries. Vergara said when then surviving spouse remarries, cohabits, or engages in a common-law relationship or when the dependent children reach the age of majority, they will be disqualified from receiving the survivorship pension.


The 17th founding anniversary of the region, which was commemorated under the theme: “Ensuring Food Security Thru Sustainable Resource Utilization,” kicked off with a parade from Butuan City Hall to Agusan del Norte covered court where a holy mass was celebrated. It was

attended by the employees of all government agencies and instrumentalities spearheaded by the DepEd Caraga and the DA-RFU 13. Gracing the affair were Matugas and former Cong. Charito Plaza, who authored the house bill which eventually became

RA 7901. The act was signed by former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on February 23, 1995, transforming the cities of Butuan and Surigao and the four provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to compose the 13th region in the Philippines into what is

BUTUAN CITY -- Regional Development Council Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas and other regional leaders expresses satisfaction over developmental gains as Caraga Region turned 17-years old on Thursday.

RDC, Reg’l leaders expresses satisfaction over developmental gains as Caraga turns 17by Noel B. Najarro


now known as the Caraga Region. Other prominent personalities present were Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Rep. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casino, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.; Agusan del Norte Vice-Gov. Enrico Corvera (representing Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante); Butuan City SB Member Jo Marticion-Salise (representing Cong. Jose S. Aquino II), Cabadbaran City Mayor Dale Corvera and the regional directors and officials of the government agencies and instrumentalities operating here in the region. Giving their

respective messages during the opening program were Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.; Vice-Gov. Enrico Corvera; Rep. Teddy Casino, RDC Chair Sol Matugas and Former Cong. Charito B. Plaza. The reading of RA 7901 was done by Mylah Fe Aurora V. Carino, ARD, NEDA-Caraga and RDC Secretary. The opening rites was followed by an “Agri-Fair” held at the DA Compound RFU XIII. RDC Chair Matugas and other guests present did the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The “Agri-Fair” showcased the various agricultural and fisheries products of the region. A luncheon came

next at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort highlighted by more messages from RDC Chair Sol Matugas, SB Member Jo Marticion-Salise (representing Cong. Jose “Joboy” II), Rep. Teddy Casino of Bayan Muna Party-list and Hon. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba. Among the program highlights was the recognition and giving of awards to the officials and offices which have contributed to the progress, growth and development of the region. A press forum followed where the RDC leadership and other LGU leaders present interacted with the local media on the regions developmental gains and progress as well as the challenges after 17 years and onward. The celebration will culminate at 3:00 p.m. today at DA-RFU XIII Compound. In a related development, the 15th Caraga Tourism Council Assembly was held at Balanghai Hotel on February 21-22 and Caraga Culinary Live Show Competition was also held at CSU Main Complex at Ampayon, Butuan City.


by Jennifer P. Gaitano

ANTRECCO orients gov’t agencies on the advantages of cooperativesBUTUAN CITY -- As way of giving opportunities to Agusanons to avail the benefits they can get from a cooperative, the Agusan del Norte Teachers, Retirees, Employees and Community Cooperative (ANTRECCO) continuously conducts orientation to government employees on the advantages of being a coop member.

According to ANTRECCO Marketing Officer Liezel Aspe, out of the 340,000 cooperatives of the country, ANTRECCO is one of the 10 nominees of the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives (PFCCO) to become an ACCESS Brand. ACCESS stands for A-1 Competitive Choice for Excellence in Service and Soundness which is the Cooperative’s Global Standards for Excellence. “This recognition from the PFCCO deepened our commitment to obtain the main principle of the cooperative movement which is “People Helping

People Especially the Have less Ones,” said Aspe. Also, it was learned that recently, ANTRECCO is the 3rd place awardee of the Gawad Parangal conducted by Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as Outstanding Cooperative for large scale category – Mindanao Island. ANTRECCO is adding new services to its members which are the ANTRECCO Medical Assistance, Mortuary Aid System, Residential Fire Assistance, and among others. Aspe also expressed that ANTRECCO would like

to reach the grassroots of our society through the assistance of highly educated individuals like the teachers and other professionals who can explicitly share the benefits one can derive of being a coop member. Meanwhile, Aspe clarified that they conduct the orientation as per approval and availability of the government agency/office. For inquiries, information on ANTRECCO’s services, they can be reached at telephone numbers: (085) 342-8176; 341-2408; 341-2675.


Army official recommends special courts in Lanao del Sur by Apipa P. BagumbaranAn army official has underscored the need for special courts to

improve the security in the province.

The establishment of special courts is one of the recommendations raised by Col. Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of the 103rdInfantry Brigade during the recent Lanao del Sur People’s Consultative Assembly. Lucero, who presented the updates on peace and security

situation in the province, said the fear of local judges and law enforcers on rido (family feud) is one of the major stumbling block in imposing law and order in this part of the country. The special courts will help insulate our judges from rido, he said. Although there is a significant improvement in terms of security in the province but more has to be done, he stressed. Aside from the setting-up of special courts, Lucero also

recommended the assignment of a representative from the Department of Justice in the Joint Task Force Ranao. The brigade commander also reiterated the need to aggressively serve standing warrants of arrest.


Cost of assistance for Sendong victims in NorMin reaches P84.11-Mby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - A total of P84.11 million in cost of assistance to the typhoon Sendong victims in Northern Mindanao have been noted by the Food and Non-Food Items (F/NFI) Cluster of the Post Sendong Operations Center, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), Region 10, as of Feb. 14.

Of this amount, P55.40 million came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P26.21 million from other government and non-government organizations (GO/NGO) and P2.5 million from the local government units. Meanwhile, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of DSWD-10 and head of the F/NFI Cluster said the Cash for Work Program (CWP) for Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City funded and managed by DSWD amounted to P14 million, while the CWP for Iligan City amounted to P11.88 million. Meanwhile, Solamillo said a revised flash appeal was prepared by the humanitarian teams that aim to ensure continued provision of goods and services for immediate needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) while addressing issues on shelter and livelihoods restoration. In a related development, Solamillo said DSWD regularly

provides family food packs good for two days to internally displaced persons (IDPs) inside evacuation centers (ECs) and inside temporary resettlement sites. Distribution of family food packs to IDPs outside the ECs who are not yet served, on a one-shot distribution per area, and procurement of “Paba-on” for IDPs inside ECs who moving out are on-going. Kitchen kits are now ready for distribution to all IDPs inside the ECs, the first beneficiaries of which will be those in the CDO City Central School and West City Central School, Solamillo added.


Adventists conduct three-day medical, dental and surgical missionby Vincent N. Labial and Lovely A. Rosario

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Close to 50 doctors and nurses belonging to the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) Alumni Association Eastern North America Chapter (EASNAC) visited Lanao del Norte for a medical, dental, and surgical mission on February 13 to 15, 2012.

The AUP medical team came to this fast-rising province after the Dimaporo family and Representatives Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo (1st District) and Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (2nd District) personally invited the group during their visit at the Philippine Consulate-General based in New York City last year. “Despite the impression of insecurity and danger, we decided to take on the challenge and come here in Lanao del Norte to prove that this is a peaceful place,” AUP Alumni Association President Jedd Villanueva declared. The three-day medical mission included minor surgeries like removal of cysts, cataract operation and even major operations for goiter, hernia and patients with hair lip. Indigent patients who qualified for the free surgical operation have been pre-screened by personnel from the provincial health office (PHO) and provincial hospitals a week earlier. At the end of the three-

day medical mission, the AUP group decided to extended for half a day their medical services to allow patients from the interior municipalities to avail of the free medical and dental services. On February 16, 2012, the AUP Alumni Association-EASNAC also turned-over more than 100 surgical tools to PHO for distribution to the provincial hospitals. The medical, dental, and surgical mission was conducted at the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, Kolambugan Provincial Hospital, and Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital situated in the town of Baroy. (PIO)

Date post:	25-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	pia-mindanao
View:	221 times
Download:	4 times