One Mindanao - February 27, 2012

Cover Story

Pomelo growers eye more profitable ventures on integrated pomelo processing

Bai Tagitican and Dani Doguiles Central Mindanao

Today’s issue...Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 197

page 4

ARMM, pribadong sektor pipirma ng kasunduang pang-repormaCentral Mindanao

P30-M pirated DVDs, gambling equipment destroyedSheila Covarrubias, Western Mindanao

US envoy inaugurates 2 school buildings in Basilan18Rene V. Carbayas, Western Mindanao

DENR13 urged residents to plant trees to avoid landslides20Eric F. Gallego, Caraga Region

Breakwater named Best Publication22 Ramil S. Barquin, Caraga Region

Aquino to keynote Congress of Private Educational Associations 8No wage hike yet for labor force in Region 12 11Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Inmates venture on computer desks-making25Jeza Mae Sarah Sanchez, Northern Mindanao

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DSWD’s SEA-K program benefits more than 2,000 from four LGU’s of Mis. Occ.

26Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Dabawenyos learn how to do business with the UN28Mai Gevera Macapagat, Southern Mindanao

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4 Monday, February 27, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

At least 39 pomelo growers in this town also expressed gratitude

that they were armed with the knowledge to produce bottled

pomelo juice and candies, among others.

They are members of the

Pomelo Growers Association in M’lang, a group slated to receive funding from the local government unit to pursue an integrated pomelo fruit processing venture. M’lang Mayor Joselito Piňol pledged to allocate P100,000 for the group as an initial capital following the

Pomelo growers learned this in a recent training initiated by the Department of

Science and Technology-Region 12 (DOST-12), where they were taught how to turn the peelings into healthy capsules and tea.

Cover Story

Pomelo growers eye more profitable ventures on integrated pomelo processing

by Bai Tagitican and Dani Doguiles

Monday, February 27, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

integrated pomelo processing

training conducted by the Industrial Technology and Development Institute (ITDI), an attached agency of the DOST. At the training here last February 7 to 8, the growers were also taught about Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to make their products safe and acceptable in both the domestic and international markets.

“We are amazed of these very promising DOST technologies. We

can now be more profitable not only by selling fresh

pomelo fruits but

g a i n i n g much income from its peelings which we used to throw away,” said Angel Porras, the association’s vice president. Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director, said that growers who will process the pomelo fruit stand to earn additional income with more consumers becoming health-conscious nowadays. Pomelo, an exotic fruit known for its juicy flesh, is widely grown in North Cotabato. It is rich in vitamins and a good source of folic acid and potassium. The fruit also has therapeutic values that help fight cancer, prevent osteoporosis, reduce high cholesterol, and aids digestion. It can also help lose weight, clear arterial deposits and fight infections. Maria Elsa Falco, from the Food Processing Division of ITDI-DOST, served as the resource person during the training. The first day focused on lectures and


demonstration and the second

day on the actual production by the participants. They were able to produce pomelo juice concentrate, pomelo peel capsule and tea, and pomelo wine. The others were pomelo candy, chutney (condiment) and jam. Laidan urged the pomelo growers to avail the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading (SETUP)

program, the umbrella project of the DOST with a nationwide

implementation to assist micro, small and medium

enterprises become technologically

competent. A s i d e from training support, the other assistance includes product standardization thru laboratory testing and analysis, packaging and labeling, and consultancy services through the Consultancy For Agricultural and Manufacturing Improvement (CAMPI) and Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX). Laidan noted that these development initiatives could enhance the potentials of pomelo growers and MSMEs to penetrate local and international markets.


ACROSS THE NATIONAquino underscores importance of kindergarten education in child’s school and adult life

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of kindergarten in a child’s life, saying this “first step” in the education process would better prepare him for the next levels of schooling and thus provide him vast opportunities to

improve his life.In his speech during the

formal presentation of the Kindergarten Education Act in Malacañang on Monday, the President said that it is imperative that a child undertake a year of kindergarten as it is at this

point in a child’s life where his mind is at its most active.

He added that all children from age five will now enjoy the

benefits of kindergarten with the passage of this law.

“Ngayon po, sa pagsasabatas natin ng Kindergarten Law, tinitiyak na nating hindi malalampasan ang

8 Monday, February 27, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Aquino to keynote Congress of Private Educational Associations

President Benigno S. Aquino III will keynote the 4th National Congress of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) that will be held at the Quadricentennial Pavillion of the University of

Santo Tomas on Tuesday, February 28.

napakahalagang hakbang na ito. Bahagi na po ng ating basic education curricula, o ng ating K to 12 Program, ang Kindergarten,” the President said.

“Ibig-sabihin, lahat ng mga mag-aaral sa mga pampublikong paaralan, simula sa darating na School Year 2012-2013, ay kailangan nang dumaan sa preschool bilang panimula ng kanilang pormal na pag-aaral,” he added.

He stressed that the government’s advocacy to

provide education for all remains a top priority of his administration, as this will provide the people’s ability to improve their lives.

“Kaya naman, asahan po ninyo: patuloy na maglalatag ang pamahalaan ng makabuluhang reporma upang higit na maiangat ang antas ng edukasyon sa bansa. Katuwang ang DepEd, patuloy nating isusulong ang mga hakbang sa pagsasakatuparan ng K to 12 program,” the President said.

Republic Act No. 10157, otherwise known as “An Act Institutionalizing the Kindergarten Education into the Basic Education System and Appointing Funds Thereof,” makes kindergarten an integral part of the basic education system of the country.

Beginning school year 2012 to 2013, kindergarten education shall apply to the elementary school system being the first stage of compulsory and mandatory formal education. (RCK)


The President will be joined by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva and COCOPEA chairperson Jose Paulo Campos.

COCOPEA is comprised of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU), Catholic Education Association of

the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) and the Technical-Vocational School Associations of the Philippines (TEVSAPHIL).

This year’s congress with its theme “Reforming Philippine Education: Issues,

Challenges and Solutions,” aims to examine current reform initiatives in Philippine education, scrutinize the legislative agenda of the 15th Congress, and identify priority issues and challenges of these reforms.

Participants also hope to develop actions and strategies to effectively respond to these priority issues and challenges. (RCK)


Soccsksargen remains top rice-producing region in Mindanaoby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 has maintained its position as the top rice producer in Mindanao in 2011.


National Statistics Coordination Board-12 (NSCB-12) Regional Director Herlita Caraan, said Region 12’s total palay production in 2011 reached 1.244 million metric tons thereby reinforcing its status as the top producer of palay in Mindanao. Last year’s production is 5 percent higher compared to the 1.185 million MT production in 2010. Caraan added that Soccsksargen Region ranks fifth in palay production last year Other top producing regions in 2011 were : Central Luzon (2.616 million MT), Western Visayas (2.245 million MT) , Cagayan Valley (2.145 million MT) and Ilocos Region with 1.602 million MT.

Across the region, Caraan said, North Cotabato harvested 481,000 MT of palay or 38.7 percent of the regional production. She added that North Cotabato was 8th top producer in the entire country. Across the region, Caraan said Cotabato Province remained as the biggest palay producer last year with 481,000 MT, accounting for 38.7 percent of the region’s total palay yield. She said Cotabato ranked 8th among the top rice-producing provinces in the country in 2011 while Sultan Kudarat took the 11th spot with 404,200 MT Citing the same report, Caraan said, Soccsksargen Region also scored positive in corn production with

a total yield of 1.170 million metric tons (MT), 10 percent higher that the 1.064 million MT production in 2010. Last year, the region ranked third in corn production in the entire country, after Cagayan Valley with 1.602 millon MT and Northern Mindanao with 1.212 million MT. ARMM ranked fourth in corn yield with 797,000 MT while Sultan Kudarat took the 11th spot with total production of 404,200 MT. S o c c s k s a r g e n Region includes the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

No wage hike yet for labor force in Region 12by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Soccksargen’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-12) has confirmed workers in the private sector in the area could not expect increase in their salary soon.


Jessie dela Cruz, board secretary of RTWPB-12 said the board during its meeting on February 15 decided that economic data provided by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) do not warrant a review of Wage Order XII-16 that became effective on October 31, 2010.

The board also considered in the discussion of the board were the results of public consultations held in Kidapawan City on January 25 and in

General Santos City on January 26, dela Cruz added.

Participants of the public consultations were members of the labor and management groups and other stakeholders.

He said based on the data provided by NEDA and DTI there are no supervening conditions that would require a review of the wage order.

S u p e r v e n i n g conditions, he explained, includes among others a constant escalation of prices of basic commodities and

services in the area. “Although there was

decrease in palay and corn production in some areas and increase in the prices of canned sardines and canned milk, there remains stable prices particularly in the agricultural products,” he said.

“If we summarize the report of NEDA, prices of basic commodities in Region 12 remains stable.

Region 12 includes the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos.

The next meeting of RTWPB-12 has tentatively been scheduled later in March.

Thus, based on Order XII-16, daily wage of laborers in the private sector in the area remains at P260 for non-agriculture workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for non-


plantation workers, P240 for retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers and P234 for retail and service establishments employing less than 10

people.Although the wage

order’s prescriptive period ended on October 31 last year, RTWPB-12 has yet to receive any petition for an increase in wages

from labor groups. However, dela Cruz

pointed out, lack of petition does not mean that the RTWPB 12 cannot order another wage hike. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

ARMM, pribadong sektor pipirma ng kasunduang pang-reporma KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Nakatakdang pipirmahan ngayong Martes, Pebrero 28, ni Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao acting Governor Mujiv Hataman at mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang nongovernment organization at mga civil society organization sa rehiyon ang mga “social contract” para sa pagsulong ng reporma sa lugar.

Ayon kay Hataman na layunin ng kontrata kasama ang iba’t ibang mga pribadong organisasyon sa ARMM ang mailatag at gawing hatag ang mga tungkulin ng bawat isang nongovernment organization at civil society group at lokal na pamahalaan upang mas mapapabilis ang pag-unlad ng buong ARMM.

P i n akamaha l aga aniya, sa pamamagitan ng social contract mas mapapalapit ang

pamahalaan sa mga mamamayan na dapat nitong pagsilbihan at mahihikayat ang partisipasyon ng pribadong sektor sa pagsulong ng mga pagbabago at kaunlaran dito.

Sakop ng mga kontrata ang mahahalagang isyu na hiniharap ng autonomous region. Kabilang dito ang pangangalaga at proteksyon sa kapaligiran, pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan at

k a t i w a s a y a n , m a b u t i n g pamahalaan, paglago ng ekonomiya at pagtatayo ng k i n a k a i l a n g a n g imprastraktura sa rehiyon.

Dagdag pa ni Hataman, nais din niyang sa pamamagitan ng naturang mga social contract mas mapapalaganap ang mga programa ng pamahalaan sa mga lokal na pinuno at mga mamamayan. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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PCCIFI holds successful Tax ForumBy Alma L. Tingcang

T he Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (PCCIFI) successfully held the first Pagadian Tax Forum on

February 23, 2012 at Kamayan sa Pagadian.


Ms. Mercedes Lourdes S. Quisumbing, president of PCCIFI said almost 30 businessmen attended the seminar which was very informative and enlightening, equipping participants with knowledge and appreciation of the taxes we pay to the government. Paying the right taxes translates to better roads, bridges, schools, etc. as well as better health services for the people. It is the lifeblood of the economy. In her welcome remarks, Ms. Quisumbing said, “PCCFI believes that the key determinant to national progress and development is taxation. We supported the clamor and request of chamber members to apprise them on proper accounting and bookkeeping procedures.” The tax forum also aimed to orient the business community with the new forms from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in preparation for the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) in April, 2012. Ms. Amor T. Palma, president of the Philippine Institute of

Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) discussed accounting and bookkeeping principles as well as the things which should be entered into the new form of the ITR. “Accounting is an art. It can either make us or destroy us, so we need to practice proper accounting in handling our businesses,” Ms. Palma explained. Meanwhile, Atty. Nasrollah B. Conding, BIR Revenue District Officer said, “Top performer tayo ngayon in the entire country. When I assumed as RDO Chief, our goal was only more than P300M, then P400M. Last year ginawang P500M and this year, it is P611M, so every year, tumataas ng P100M ang goal ng Pagadian, soon nasa billionaire’s


P30-M pirated DVDs, gambling equipment destroyed By Sheila Covarrubias

club na ang Pagadian. The growth of Pagadian is really unstoppable.” Atty. Conding said, ‘‘by the year 2015, that is barely 3 years from now, we will have a goal of P1B or we could exceed the target. At ito ang dream natin, to make collection and the business community in Pagadian grow,” he explained. Ms. Myrna Maslamama, BIR Assessment chief said “taxpayers

are vital partners in nation-building.” She discussed the basics of taxation, tax updates and gave an overview of Revenue Regulation 18-2011 dated September 12, 2011, giving sanctions to taxpayers who failed to comply with existing regulations to bill separately the 12% VAT in their respective invoices or receipts. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - To show the city government’s campaign against DVD piracy including gambling activities, mayor Celso Lobregat and top officials from the Optical Media Board (OMB) yesterday destroyed several pirated DVDs and gambling paraphernalia worth over P30 million.


The DVDs and the gambling equipment were seized in a series of raids but the bulk of the items crushed and shredded were yielded from the March 19, 2011 raid downtown, said to be the biggest haul in Visayas and Mindanao over the last few years. Over 400,000 DVDs were shredded while 25 video carera machines were seized. OMB Executive Director Atty. Cyrus Valenzuela, representing board chairman Ronnie Rickets, commended the city government for its strong and firm advocacy against counterfeit optical media and cited the Zamboanga LGU as an example in the OMB’s anti-piracy campaign. The destruction was spearheaded by Mayor Lobregat and Atty. Valenzuela through the use of a roller compactor and shredder machine in full public view in front

of City Hall. The mayor personally took the wheel of the roller and demonstrated how the pirated goods were crashed and destroyed to prevent these from finding its way back to the market. Atty. Valenzuela and OMB agents together with Councilors Percival Ramos, Rudy Lim and Nonong Guingona, City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. and Assistant Administrator Elmeir Apolinario assisted the mayor during the shredding and crushing procedure. Mayor Lobregat said the city government will continue its campaign against pirated DVDs including pornographic materials as well as the anti-gambling advocacy. DVD piracy causes financial damage to the film industry and to related industries. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA-ZBST)

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US envoy inaugurates 2 school buildings in Basilan By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan - US Charges d’ Affaires Leslie Bassett led the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of two-classroom buildings in Basilan recently. The Department of Education in Isabela said the project was funded by Petron Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills 2 (EquALLS2) program. One school building is situated at the Malamawi Central Elementary School in Malamawi Island, Isabela City where the formal turn-over ceremony took place last February 3. Likewise, a symbolic turn-over was held for the two-classroom building located at Port Holland Elementary School in Maluso town, some 30 kilometers west of Isabela city. Bassett presented the symbolic key on behalf of USAID and Petron Foundation to Port Holland Elementary School principal, Amelia Jalani. She was joined by local officials in the ceremony. Basilan Governor Jum Akbar said that the efforts of USAID, Petron Foundation, as well as the military forces are important because such are done so that “people can make a dent in their lives, in their lifelong

learning.” She also acknowledged the efforts of the engineering team from the Philippine Navy and the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the school buildings, saying that they provide “our students the opportunity to have an environment more conducive to teaching and learning.” In a talk with school representatives, Bassett acknowledged and reminded grateful education and school officials present that while “the classroom is important, the teachers and students are more important.” The event was also attended by USAID Office of Education Head Robert Burch, Isabela City Division Schools Superintendent Hilda Babon, Task Force Basilan Commander Col. Ramon Yogyog, US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines commander Col. Francis Beaudette, and Petron Foundation’s Rex Alenton. (JPA/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

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KKK project in Surigao del Sur barangay gains support from local officialsby Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

The implementation of the Kasanayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran (KKK), facilitated by the 29th Infantry Battalion under Col Henry Robinson, Jr. and in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

(TESDA) led by Dir Rey Cueva, gains support from the Local officials here.


KKK is a Bayanihan project conducted by the Philippine army under the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the Aquino Administration. It aims to bring the basic and relevant services of the government direct to the people particularly to the remote areas with insurgency problem. The first implementation of the

program was held in three barangays in Marihatag last year. And just recently the program was implemented in Anahao-Daan, one of the interior barangays in Tago town. During their mass graduation ceremony on February 25, 84 graduates received Driving NC II certificate; 41 graduates - Culinary Arts and 35 graduates-

coconut processing/coco by product. According to Allan Millan, supervising TESDA Specialist, the program implementation was realized through the support of Governor Johnny Pimentel with the “Jobs through Tech-voc Program (JTP), Congressman Philip Pichay, and LGU Tago under Mayor Henrich Pimentel.

DENR13 urged residents to plant trees to avoid landslides by Eric F. Gallego

Slash-and-burn is an agricultural system in which a forest is cut, the debris is burned and the land is then

used to grow crops. DENR13 Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said that forest

clearings through the “kaingin” method of farming “greatly contributes to deforestation which can

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 13 have suggested that people living in the upland barangays may have good chances of avoiding landslide incidents by planting trees rather than converting their lands to farms using slash-and-burn techniques.


destabilize the soil in the long run and can trigger landslides and destructive floods during strong typhoons and heavy rains.” “Our chances of survival from disasters like landslides are limited in areas where there are forest destructions and denudations,” Sibbaluca said. He said with unpredictable weather condition in the Philippines which is becoming more powerful and disastrous owing to climate change, the people should help the government’s actions in taking aggressive stance to fight this modern-day threat to humanity. “It is an advantage to the people when President Benigno S. Aquino III declared a logging moratorium of logging activities in natural

and residual forest areas nationwide through the imposition of Executive Order No. 23 on February 2,2011,” he said. He said the people should realize that instead of cutting trees, they should plant more trees to mitigate climate change. The forests, he said, are good mitigation approach to climate change. “Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen so that we can breathe clean aid,” he added. Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje said the National Greening Program of the government, which is being carried out throughout the country, is expected to increase forest cover. Paje said that P6 billion has been set aside for NGP in 2012 alone. “We have doubled our target of planting tree

seedlings on 200,000 hectares of denuded lands for 2012,” Paje said. The DENR secretary is optimistic that his agency can surpass the accomplishment made last year in which 69.37 million tree seedlings have been planted in 117,688 hectares of open and denuded forestlands which is above the 100,000-hectare target for 2011. There were about

567,324 individuals who took part in planting the seedlings last year. Paje said, “That the DENR’s accomplishment in 2011 reflects a very positive scenario for this year’s NGP target as all indication points to positive results since the program went into full swing by the second quarter of 2011 following the issuance of Executive Order 26 by President Aquino last February 24.” The NGP targets to plant 1.5 billion tree seedlings in 1.5 million hectares nationwide from 2011 to 2016. Priority areas for planting include mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domain areas, civil and military areas, urban areas under the greening plan of LGUs, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and all other suitable lands for reforestation.


by Ramil S. Barquin

Breakwater named Best Publication

BUTUAN CITY -- Breakwater was named Best Publication – Magazine Category in the 2011 PAWD Best Publication Award, given during the Awards Night of the 33rd PAWD National Convention held recently at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

Breakwater is the official publication of Butuan City Water District (BCWD). For five years now, the magazine has been unbeatable by maintaining its position as one of the Top 3 publications of water districts in the country. It was adjudged 2nd Best Magazine in the 2007 PAWD Best Publication Award; 1st in 2008; 3rd in 2009; 2nd in 2010; and 1st in 2011. Circulating for thirteen years now, Breakwater informs the public the latest developments in the water sector, updates in the water district operation, watershed and environmental concerns, and information related to water supply services. Since its maiden issue, Breakwater focuses its editorial policy towards the

attainment of BCWD’s goals and objectives. The PAWD Best Publication Award is an annual national search of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) for the best water districts’ publications. This award encourages more water districts to produce their own publication and recognize the effort of those water districts that are already producing their publication. Moreover, this award aims to elevate the publications of the water districts to the highest quality and standard of print media production. It has two categories – Magazine and Newsletter. Entries for both categories are judged according to relevance, content, style, form and originality. Other winners in the

Magazine Category include Tubig San Joseno Magazine of San Jose Del Monte Water District, 2nd place; and Spring of Quezon Metro Water District, 3rd place. For the Newsletter Category, Tuburan of Metro Iloilo Water District won 1st place; Tubig San Joseno Newsletter of San Jose Del Monte Water District, 2ndplace; and Danum Agus Ning Bie, 3rd place. The entries were evaluated by Liana M. Barro, an Associate Professor post at the Far Eastern University; Maria Carmencita S. Alfonso, Media Relations Officer and Admin Head Department of Transportation & Communication’s Media and Communications Group; and Romulo P. Villanueva, Jr., English professor at the Far Eastern University.

Butuan City Water District (BCWD) general manager Anselmo L. Sang Tian poses with the trophies received by BCWD during the 33rd PAWD National Convention held on February 8-10, 2012 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.


4ID celebrates its 42nd Founding Anniversary

The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division celebrated its 42nd Founding Anniversary here today, Feb. 24.

With the theme: “Team Diamond: 42 Years of Service and Commitment,” the celebration is primarily to honor the sacrifices of the soldiers and to take in what the soldiers and the Division have accomplished in the past year. The celebration started with the

fun games competition last Feb. 21, followed by the conduct of wreath laying, awarding ceremony, cocktails and socials. During the awarding ceremony, the units and individuals were recognized for their excellent performance of


their duties and responsibilities: 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, Best Brigade; 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, Best Battalion; 1Lt. Henry A. Pang-ay, Best Junior Officer of the Year; Sergeant Sixto E. Duyan, Best Enlisted Personnel of the Year; Citizen

Armed Force Geographic Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) Jesson J. Bungaos, Best CAA of the Year; Julieta S. Mama, Model Civillian Supervisor of the Year; and Violeta M. Felias, Model Civillian Employee of the Year. (4ID)


Inmates venture on computer desks-makingby Jeza Mae Sarah Sanchez

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Two jail facilities in Northern Mindanao now make computer desks for internet shops.

Some of the inmates at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) jail facilities in Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay are engaged in computer desk making. One of the inmates who was employed to do carpentry works has never been so proud in showing off his P500 bill he earned for producing one set of desk. “May na lang, naa koy ikahatag sa akong pamilya kung mudalaw

nako dinhi sulod(Good that I have something to give to my family every time they visit me here),” he said. Inside BJMP facilities, inmates are being provided with a variety of livelihood skills training through the IWD which is made in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS), said


DSWD’s SEA-K program benefits more than 2,000 from four LGU’s of Mis. Occ.by Rutchie C. Aguhob

LOPEZ JAENA, Misamis Occidental – More than 2,000 beneficiaries from four (4) local government units (LGU’s) of the province, recently, received financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

These beneficiaries came from the LGU’s with the high incidence of poverty rates from Lopez Jaena, Bonifacio, Plaridel and Tudela. The financial assistance was given under DSWD’s Self-Employment Assistance- Kaunlaran (SEA-K) to families who have experienced extreme poverty and had no regular income, through the Provincial SWD Office. Like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya), it is hoped that SEA-K would help the poor to improve thier lives.

It is also hoped that this year, more families will benefit from the SEA-K through the recommendation of the Municipal SWD Office of the entire province.

Jail Supt. Clint Russel Tangeres, Cagayan de Oro City Jail Warden. “Aside from helping inmates acquire skills that will be of much use to them once they are released, this program also aims to inculcate positive attitude amongst them while staying inside,” he further

explains. Two weeks after they started their first production, Cagayan de Oro City Jail and Malaybalay City Jail have already produced a total of 60 wooden computer desks for two internet shops in Cagayan de Oro.


LGUs urged to invest in fire trucksbyRudolph Ian Alama

Local Government Units were urged to invest in fire trucks

that can respond to fire incidents in the respective jurisdictions. According to Fire Inspector Nestor Jimenez, Chief Fire Safety, Intelligence and Investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection XI, there are some municipalities in the region without fire trucks or whose fire trucks have not yet been turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection. Among these town include

Caraga, Boston, Tarragona in Davao Oriental, Mawab in Compostela Valley, San Isidro and Braulio Dujali in Davao del Norte, Jose Abad Santos, Kiblawan, Malalag, Don Marcelino, Sta Maria in Davao del Sur. Jimenez said that there is no capital outlay for this year allocated to BFP for new fire trucks. The program to acquire new fire trucks which is aimed to be distributed to towns without fire engines has been delayed with problems over procurement.

Jimenez said that a brand new fire truck costs around P5 million to P9-million a unit. While surplus reconditioned fire trucks is priced around P1.5 to P2-million. Jimenez said that Talaingod a far-flung town in Davao del Norte was able to purchase a reconditioned fire truck. He also advised LGUs not to buy small fire trucks since they are just fit as first responders adequate only for small fires. Aside from having fire trucks,


the LGU would also invest in a garage to house the fire engine. Some municipalities have bought lots where fire stations were built with garage for their fire trucks while poorer LGUs just park their fire engines in their municipal government motorpool. Jimenez said that some lots allocated for fire stations are far off town, he says it is advisable that fire stations must be near or adjacent to police stations since policemen are usually also deployed during fire incidents to clear traffic for fire trucks. When fire trucks are turned over to the BFP, they would supply the needed fireman that would man the truck. Ideal ratio is 14 firemen for

one fire engine. Some municipalities Jimenez said have only five firemen for one fire truck. An average fire station size in the region about eight firemen (including the station commander) for one fire engine. He said that LGUs can help augment the personnel of the fire station like fire truck driver can be under the employ of the LGU, Compostela town for instance augments the personnel of the fire station. Meanwhile the BFP XI recorded 35 fire incidents in January of 2012 which is an increase from the same period of last year which recorded 28 fire incidents. (PIA/RG Alama)

Dabawenyos learn how to do business with the UN by Mai Gevera Macapagat

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry XI initiated a seminar on doing business with the United Nations for Dabawenyos to learn and be part in the UN procurement of goods and services. UN Secretariat Procurement Division Chief Toshio Mikami talked to potential vendors and suppliers from Davao Region last Friday (February 24) at the Grand Men Seng Hotel after being invited by the national government to explain the process of conducting business with the UN. “ There is a total procurement volume of $14.5 billion for the

entire UN system that Filipino businesses could avail and be part as a vendor or supplier.”, he said. Data showed that in the past years, only 44 Filipino vendors or suppliers applied and only four were accepted as vendors. “We want Filipino companies to be aware of the big marketplace that the United Nations provides. That is the reason why we are here to explain and encourage potential suppliers.”, Mikami said. Each UN organization like the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Food


Programme (WFP) has its own specific requirements for goods and services. Major items procured by the UN system are food, pharmaceutical supplies, computers and software while it also looks for services like outsourced personnel, security, and engineering. The UN representative explained that the reason for the low turn out of Filipino participants doing business with the UN is the lack of awareness on the part of

Filipino suppliers. In the seminar, Mikami explained the process from the pre-registration up to the final step in the application. It is the first time for the UN representative to hold an information dissemination seminar to Davao suppliers as previous seminar was only conducted in Manila in 2008. (PIA/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)

regional gallery

A culinary student prepares a durian soup at the Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC) during the Davao Cookfest a culinary competion in time for the 75th Araw ng Dabaw festivities

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One Mindanao - February 27, 2012

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