One Mindanao - June 15, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone no. 0928-5204305, 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

Farmer group receives rubber processing facility

Sta. Cruz celebrates 117th Philippine Independence Day

15

28

24

4333

36

Coastal clean-up caps Coral Triangle Day celebration in Malangas town

MILF starts decommissioning of weapons, combatants despite delay in BBL

Philippine Eagle given flight to freedom in Mt. Hamiguitan

Bantay Bayanihan undergoes orientation on community policing in Basilan

Naliyagan Festival finally opens; Independence Day celebration highlights the event

AgNor celebrates 117th Phil. Independence, 48th Anniv

12

By: Danilo E. DoguilesBy: Rene V. Carbayas

By: David M. Suyao

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

Cover Story

CARAGA WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

1921

From student to teacher

Sports activities of P4.15M tops list of SEF expenditures in MisOcc

By: Oliver Badel Inodeo

1510

30 41

22 18

27

OUR

CO

VER

By: Alma L. Tingcang

Contents

By: Julius Paner

4 June 15, 2015One Mindanao

Cover StoryCoastal clean-up caps Coral Triangle Day

celebration in Malangas town

5June 15, 2015 One Mindanao

Background

The town of Malangas, a coastal municipality in Zamboanga

Sibugay province was originally called “Kulaka”, a Subanen term for paddling. About two kilometers from this place was a small waterfall, which was called “Malangas” meaning “noisy” or “noisy brook” and that was how the place got its name.

In the early part of the year 1900, Christians from Zamboanga City, the Chavacanos began to migrate to this fertile and promising land in the Sibuguey Valley, nestled by the rich fishing ground of Dumanguillas Bay. The vast coal deposits attracted other people from Luzon, Visayas and other parts of Mindanao.

Malangas is located on the north-west portion of Zamboanga Sibugay. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Diplahan, on the northwest by Imelda, on the northeast by Buug, on the south-west by Alicia, and on the south by the beautiful Dumanquillas Bay.

On July 23, 1951, by virtue of Republic Act 654, Malangas was created into a municipality from a mere barrio of Margosatubig, comprising 25 barangays.

Coral Triangle Day

“Ang Kinabuhi sa Kadagatan, Kinabuhi sa Katawhan.” (Life of the Ocean, Life of the People)

Thus said Mayor Alfredo A. Atilano of Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay on the celebration of the Coral Triangle Day on June 9, 2015. He was awed by


Coastal clean-up caps Coral Triangle Day celebration in Malangas town By: Alma L. Tingcang


the overwhelming cooperation of the different sectors in the community and thanked them for their participation in the coastal clean-up activity.

“It is our goal to bring to light the importance of oceans in people’s lives and the need to protect them and to highlight the preservation of work being done by coral triangle partners in the region to protect it. We also aim to provide a regional platform to promote national/local marine conservation work in each coral triangle country,” the good mayor said.

Community support

People from all walks of life came to support the clean-up drive including the local government unit (LGU) officials and employees, Western

Mindanao State University, Malangas National High School, Malangas Elementary School, Malangas Institute, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coastguard, DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS and other concerned individuals.

Mayor Atilano recalled that during the previous year, they conducted mangrove planting in barangay Dansulao. “This year, we opted to do coastal clean-up and gather all the garbage that we have collected and weigh them. This is one of the strategies to help clean the ocean.”

All garbage collected were weighed to measure the amount of trash gathered from the coastal areas within one hour. Students were eager to do the work and contribute to the preservation and protection of the environment.

A similar activity was done simultaneously in Zamboanga Peninsula covering 6 municipalities namely: Lapuyan, Margosatubig, Vincenzo Sagun, and Kumalarang in Zamboanga del Sur, Buug and Malangas in Zambonga Sibugay.

“If the ocean is clean, then



we will have abundant supply of fishes and other marine resources while if it is dirty and polluted, the fishes will die,” Atilano quoted. The clean-up lasted for an hour, starting at 7:25 am and ending at 8:25 a.m.

Coral Triangle Initiative

Coral Triangle Day activities include beach clean-ups, sustainable seafood dinners and exhibitions, bazaars and beach parties, among others, all

carrying the message of ocean conservation under the overall banner of “shared waters, shared solutions.”

The Coral Triangle is a geographical term so named as it refers to a roughly triangular area of the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste that contain at least 500 species of reef-building corals in each eco-region.


It is also called the “Amazon of the seas” and covers 5.7 million square kilometers of ocean waters. Its biological resources sustain the lives of over 120 million people.

The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security was launched in 2007 as a multilateral partnership of the governments of the 6 countries.

It recognizes the need to safeguard the coastal and

marine resources of the seas that surround these countries, which together constitute a uniquely diverse and economically important region.

The ultimate objectives of this plan are to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods for all residents of the Coral Triangle, and to protect the region’s unique ecosystems and the marine species that inhabit them in perpetuity.


Malacanang invites Filipinos to watch documentary regarding West Philippine Sea

MANILA - Malacanang on Sunday invites Filipinos to watch and disseminate the documentary regarding the maritime dispute in the West Philippine and its impact to small fishermen and the maritime ecology. “Malugod naming inaanyayahan ang lahat na panoorin at i-share ang video na pinamagatang “Kalayaan: Karapatan sa Karagatan” upang

lubos na maunawaan ang usapin hinggil sa West Philippine Sea. Maaaring matunghayan ito sa Facebook page ni Pangulong Aquino na nakapaloob sa


<president.gov.ph>, said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in an interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The 21-minute long documentary hosted by Lourd de Vera, features an aerial tour of the Bajo de Mansinloc (Panatag Shoal), as well as testimonies of local fishermen who were harassed by the Chinese Coast Guards, and interviews with maritime experts.

In the documentary, Atty. Henry Bensurto, Jr., Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, USA and the Head of the Legal Team on West Philippine Sea Issues of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), explained the history of the maritime dispute which first was only between Vietnam and China and how it reached the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

He noted that in the 1990’s

China began building structures in the Mischief Reef which is 124 nautical miles from Palawan and about 800 nautical miles from the Chinese island of Hainan.

Bensurto also said that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) must be observed. This law said a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources including energy production from water and wind, which stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles from its coast.

While Undersecretary Asis Perez, the National Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said China’s reclamation activities has destroyed the aquatic life, much of which are classified as endangered species.

This is the first of a three-part documentary regarding the disputed maritime territory, which was released last Friday


MILF starts decommissioning of weapons, combatants despite delay in BBL

MANILA - The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will kick off on Tuesday the first phase of the decommissioning program which aims to put the arms and forces of the rebel group beyond use as agreed by the Parties under the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

(June 12) coinciding with the celebration of the 117th Anniversary ofthe Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The first episode will continue to be aired on PTV-4 every 5:30 p.m. from June 15 to 19, with a replay every 10:30

p.m. While the second and third episode will be aired in late June and early July, respectively.

The documentary was made possible by the coordination of the Department of Foreign Affairs and PCOO. (PND (ag)

photo: www.philstar.com


In simple ceremonies dubbed “Ceremonial Turnover of Weapons and Decommissioning of the MILF Combatants” to be held at the old provincial capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, the MILF will undertake the registration and turning-in of 75 weapons to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB).

Also, 145 Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) combatants will be registered and processed to formally commence their return to full civilian lives.

MILF panel chair Mohagher Iqbal described the decommissioning process as “one of the most difficult decisions...[of the] MILF” but noted that “for the sake of peace,

for the sake of having real peace in Mindanao and for the sake of the need for normalization [of] the lives of the people including the combatants, we have to undertake decommissioning and put them [arms and forces] beyond use. The public event will be attended by no less than President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Legislators from both chambers of Congress, the international community, among others were invited to witness the historical event, which will be held at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay Crossing, Sultan Kultarat.

The turnover ceremonies will likewise be attended by MILF Chair Murad Ebrahim, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, members of both peace panels and other stakeholders.

The IDB is headed by Turkey’s former ambassador


to NATO, Haydar Berk. Its other members are Jan Erik Wilhemsen from Norway, Maj. Muhammad Aiman Syazwi Bin Haji Abdul Rahim from Brunei, and local experts, AFP ret. Lt. Gen. Rey Ardor, Dr. Mario Aguja, Von Al-Haq and Janati Mimbantas. GPH chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer noted that there will be several steps that will be followed during the decommissioning process on Tuesday.

“Prior to the actual decommissioning process, there will be an initial registration of MILF combatants and weapons at Camp Darapanan. The combatants will be filling out forms with the supervision of the IDB local expert from MILF,” she said.

“On June 16, the weapons will be transported to the Old Provincial Capitol, the event site for the actual registration process and verification.”

“After processing, the decommissioned weapons will be transported to a mutually-agreed upon Weapons Storage area located inside Camp Iranun (Abubakar) in Sitio Bombaran, Brgy. Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao. The secured area will be monitored by 30 members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) who will be supervised by the Joint Verification and Monitoring Team (JVMT) ) of the IDB,” Coronel-Ferrer said.

The JVMT is headed by a foreign, independent expert with a member each from the government and MILF. Three JVMTs will take turns administering the site round the clock. Meanwhile, the JPST is made up of 15 members from the government army and police, and an equal number from the MILF. Teams of 10 JPST persons each will be on guard duty at all times. (OPAPP)


Philippine Eagle given flight to freedom in Mt. Hamiguitan

MATI, Davao Oriental - After nearly three years of intensive rehabilitation, the Philippine eagle named ‘Pamana’ was released back into the wild on Friday. Led by the Philippine Eagle Foundation in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and other

partners, the iconic raptor was freed at the buffer zone of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Brgy. La Union in


San Isidro town.

PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador said they chose Mt. Hamiguitan as Pamana’s ‘forever home’ considering it is a sprawling protected area covering about 32,000 hectares of vast tropical forest.

More importantly, he said, that while the area has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the site makes it even more ideal to become haven for the eagle without human disturbance.

He added that the communities’ heightened level of awareness, the local wildlife protection enforcement as well as the commitment of the local government makes the site an ideal and safe home for the eagles.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon welcomed the release of Pamana here as a new addition to the growing Philippine Eagle population soaring over the vast forests of the Mount Hamiguitan.

She said there are about 10 pairs of Philippine Eagle nesting in the forests of Davao Oriental.

“The presence of the Philippine Eagle in practically all towns of the province is an indicator of the richness of biodiversity in the area,” she said.

In terms of protection, the governor said that the local government is doing the necessary steps to scale up protection efforts by regulating the entry of people to the heritage site as well as strictly prohibiting mining and logging operations within the area.

San Isidro Mayor Justina Yu said that communities surrounding the mountain range covered by her town are doing continuous and extensive awareness campaign not only to protect the mountain itself but to safeguard all flora and fauna thriving there.

She said her town alone has 12 registered ‘bantay gubat’ or forest ranger who had also undergone training from the PEF.

In addition, the locals are also actively supporting the local government’s cause of protecting their town’s natural heritage.

Pamana is a female raptor


that was rescued as an eaglet in the mountain range of Gabunan in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte after suffering two gunshot wounds. Now nursed back to health, the PEF said they are confident the eagle with thrive in her own.

PEF said that since Pamana is not a native in the area, her release here is a good prospect for the local population of eagles since there will be a ‘maintenance of gene flow’ which otherwise can only be disrupted when eagles of same parents breed.

To monitor Pamana’s reintegration to the wild and his movement patterns, the PEF installed satellite and radio transmitters to the eagle’s body.

PEF said satellite transmitters allow them to monitor the bird remotely while radio transmitters let them track the bird and gauge how well it is adjusting to its new environment.

The PEF said the release of Pamana in time for the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence marks a symbolic and historic event for the

Filipinos. PEF added that as the eagle represent resilience and hope that Filipinos inherently possess, Pamana’s release on this day not only drums up Filipino pride but also brings national attention for the protection of this critically endangered national bird.

Johnson Ongking, Vice President of the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Phils, Inc. said this eagle aptly named Pamana or Heritage should ignite Filipinos desire to ensure that ‘we pass this natural heritage to the future generations’.

Other major stakeholders for this ‘Flight to Freedom’ effort include the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Phils, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Inc., Globe Telecom, UNESCO Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Tourism (DOT). (PNA)

DepEd MisOcc reiterates age qualification of kindergarten pupils

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Education, Division of Misamis Occidental (DepEd MisOcc) has reiterated the age qualification of kindergarten pupils for school year (SY) 2015-2016.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

“As stipulated in DepEd Order Nol 15, s. 2015, children who will turn 5 years old by June 2015 are accepted in Kindergarten for SY 2015-2016,” Dr. Jonathan S. Dela Peňa, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd MisOcc, said. Children who will turn five years old on or before October 31, 2015, must show proof of completion of Early Childhood Education, such as attendance in day care/learning center. They shall be accepted after the teacher/principal has assessed their readiness to take Kindergarten education using appropriate development tools, such


From student to teacher

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Evelyn Caballero, 39 of Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro city marched on stage along with her husband and daughters during the graduation ceremony of the Philippine Institute of Skills and Development (PISAD), April 27.

by Oliver Badel Inodeo

PISAD is the partner of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao in training Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) beneficiaries under the Sustainable Livelihood Program technical-vocational skills training. Evelyn finished the Beauty Care Course of PISAD and passed the NC II accreditation by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). After more than a month, Evelyn is now teaching the clients of Haven for Women of DSWD here.Happy to share Happiness to see others developed their skills in beauty care matters most to Evelyn. “Gusto ko ma-improve ang skills nila ug gusto ko nga daghan ang matabangan (I want to improve

their skills and I want to help more people),” she said. Evelyn will be teaching the clients of DSWD on manicure, pedicure, make-up, foot massage and spa, among others every Tuesday and Wednesday until July 2015. Haven for Women Center Head Rosanel Pague said DSWD utilized the expertise of Evelyn because she has been into training with DSWD clients for several years. Evelyn has a parlor in Balulang then. But, in December 2011, Tropical Storm Sendong ravaged all her beauty tools. She was left with nothing. Persevere in dreaming to finish tech-voc course After more than three years Sendong hit this city and in Iligan, Evelyn’s prayer for beauty care kit has been answered. PISAD gave beauty care kits to

as, the Early Childhood Education and Care Development (ECCD) Checklist. Meanwhile, qualified for Grade 1 are Kindergarten completers, who are at least six years old by October 2015.

Also qualified for Grade 1 are children who have completed the Kindergarten Catch-Up Program and deemed ready for Grade 1 based on the School Readiness Assessment Tool, Dela Peňa added.


30 Pantawid Pamilya graduates under the SLP skills training program in coordination with TESDA. Evelyn, president of the class, said her family has a brighter future because of DSWD. Before, Evelyn disclosed that she has been into training by private institutions in beauty care but it is not accredited by TESDA. “Lahi ra jud sa SLP kay TESDA accredited man gud. Dili lang mi basta graduate, tinud-anay jud nga graduate (SLP skills training is different because it is accredited by TESDA. We are not a mediocre graduate, but an excellent graduate),” she said. Under the SLP skills training program, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are helped to become productive and gainfully employed through skills training, job search assistance, and provision of cash allowance for transport and food. Majority of the beneficiaries are children and dependents of recipient families of the DSWD Cash Conditional Transfer (CCT) also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. TESDA, through its 126 administered training institutions, is responsible for the skills training and development component of the project. The six-month training includes skills assessment and certification and entrepreneurship development activities. The skills training program has two components: training for wage employment and training for self-

employment.Parlor re-opens For Evelyn, she is interested in re-opening her parlor in Barangay Balulang. She doesn’t want to go abroad for employment because she wants to focus on guiding her daughters who are in school. Evelyn’s elder daughter Christine Mae is taking up social work course, Flynda Jane Leizl is a Grade 10 of Balulang National High School, and Christie Liza, a Grade 4 of Balulang Elementary School here. With the re-opening of her parlor, Evelyn claims that, “nakatawid na jud ko (I have overcome poverty).” Before, she said, her family could hardly support the education of their children.Thankful to PNoy and DSWD With the national government’s intervention through DSWD’s conditional cash transfer to improve the plight and condition of the poor families and to empower them through skills training, Evelyn is thankful to the program. “I thank President (Benigno) Aquino and DSWD for giving us the chance to live out of poverty,” she said in vernacular. “It really helped me and millions of Filipinos who, before, don’t have the opportunity to improve their quality of life. But, now, we are all enjoying all the interventions,” Evelyn said. Evelyn said she will never cease dreaming of an abundant life, adding she is determined to live out of poverty


Sports activities of P4.15M tops list of SEF expenditures in MisOcc

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - Sports activities, amounting to P4.15 million, topped the list of expenditures under the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the province of Misamis Occidental, last year. The amount actually represents 46.83 percent of the P8.86 million SEF provided to the Provincial School Board (PSB) in 2014, Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, Chairman of the PSB, said. Ramiro said the PSB budget was prepared by the following: Dr. Jonathan S. Dela Peňa, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Division of Misamis Occidental (DepEd MisOcc) and PSB Co-Chairperson, and Simplicia Neri, Vice-Chairperson, Committee on Education. Edgar B. Adlaon, President, Misamis Occidental Parents and Teachers’ Association (MOPUSTA), Alfonso T. Tare, Jr., President,

Division Federated Parent-Teachers’ Association (PTA), Elma B. Gula, Provincial Treasurer and Wilson Marcellana, President, Employees Association. Meanwhile, the SEF expenditure for sports approved by the PSB included the following: Provincial, regional and national sports activities, P3.1 million, incentives to winning athletes, P300,000, and assistance to training of athletes, P200,000. Assistance to the division-based training of athletes for the 2014 Palarong Pambansa, P150,000, assistance to host municipality for the 2014 Palarong Panlalawigan, P300,000 and assistance to the Special Program for Sports, P100,000. (RCA)

through education. “It’s only in education that I can reach all my dreams for myself, to my husband, and to my children,” said she. The Pantawid Pamilya program is the national government’s social development program that provides conditional cash grants to poor families with children aged 18 years old and below. A household could receive a maximum of P1,400 a

month for their health, nutrition and education provided that they comply with conditions of the Program. These conditions include availing of regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines, maintaining at least 85% school attendance, and regularly attending family development sessions. To date, Northern Mindanao has 259,797 active beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya.

Tagum holds flag-burning ceremony

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte —In time for the 117th Philippine Independence Day, the City of Tagum burned old and worn-out flags in a fitting ceremony dubbed as “Huling Pa-rangal sa Watawat ng Pilipinas” pursuant to the provision of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Jointly spearheaded by the City Historical and Cultural Commission and the Tagum City Coun-cil of the Boy Scouts of

the Philippines, the said ceremony was attended by city officials, DepEd personnel, teachers and some students held at Rizal Elementary School. A total of 105 flags were burned at the fall of dusk, collected by the commission from the dif-ferent public schools in the city. In return, the commission gave away free Philippine flags to those schools that sur-rendered old flags to the commission. The ceremony is a first in the history of


Tagum, in compliance with Repub-lic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which states that worn-out flags should be sol-emnly burned to avoid misuse or des-ecration. This highlighted Tagum’s soli-darity with the nation for the 117th anniversary of the declaration of Phil-ippine Independence, which was also observed with a flag-raising ceremo-ny, wreath laying and a 21-gun sa-lute to the flag followed with a sim-ple program at 8 AM at the City Hall, which was adorned with the colors of the flag. Event’s guest speaker DepEd Regional Director Atty. Alberto Es-cobarte cited corruption as a major roadblock for Philippine development,

saying that it continues to grip the country despite its independence. Escobarte urged Tagumenyos to live a life for others, respect oth-ers and do away with greed which, he saud, was the characteristic of those who once enslaved the Filipinos. On his part, Mayor Allan L. Rel-lon rallied on Tagumenyos to unite. “Sa araw-araw, ating sikapin na supilin ang pwersa ng hidwaan at ating yakapin ang kapayapaan at kaun-laran. Sa ganitong paraan ay sigura-dong makakamit natin ang Tagumpay ng ating bayan,” he said. Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum

did you know...

That the battle of Ising in present-day Carmen Davao del Norte (May 3- May 10 1945) pitted 1,500 Filipino guerillas against 3,000 Japanese troops.


STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, June – The Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur celebrated last Friday (June 12) the 117th an-niversary of the Philippine Inde-pendence Day. The celebration was widely participated by all sectors in the municipality including the na-tional government agencies, ba-rangay functionaries, non-gov-

ernment organizations and the private sector. The celebration kicked off with a motorcade early morn-ing today along the major roads of Poblacion Zone 3, Zone 2 and Zone 4. The 39th Infantry Batal-lion of the Philippine Army head-ed the wreath-laying ceremony

Sta. Cruz celebrates 117th Philippine Inde-pendence Day


which included the offering of fresh flowers to Jose Rizal Monu-ment and a 21-Gun Salute. First District Provincial Board Member Atty. Lani Gabutero, who graced this year’s commemora-tion as keynote speaker, empha-sized the essence of the celebra-tion saying “Independence Day is a celebration of Life. Without freedom, there is no life.” The legislator pointed out that there are two major national symbols that should be integrat-ed in Independence Day – the Philippine Flag and the Philippine National Anthem. Gabutero said the singing of the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” should be internalized every time it is sung as it mani-fests every Filipino’s patriotism. Sta. Cruz Mayor Atty. Joel Ray Lopez stated that our coun-try’s fight for freedom dated back during the time of Philippine he-roes like Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacin-to and Andres Bonifacio. The mayor said “up to this

very moment, we still have our fight for freedom but not against foreign domination anymore.” “Our fight for freedom today is focused on our fight for free-dom within ourselves; against poverty, hunger, fear and wor-ries.” Lopez also underscored the national government’s fight to eliminate poverty through the social protection program like the Pantawid Pilipino Program or the 4Ps program which he said is a very successful initiative in alleviating poor people from pov-erty. However, he pointed out several challenges to 4Ps bene-ficiaries who were urged to also fight for themselves not to be to-tally dependent to such kind of program. He said the government would only help people and that people should also help them-selves. (CDIO-XI/Julius R. Paner)

South Cotabato to enlist disaster response volunteers on Independence DayBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 15 -- South Cotabato’s Provincial Disas-ter Risk Reduction and Management Of-fice (PDRRMO) in partnership with the 27th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army is strengthening the province’s community-based disaster action teams by enlisting volunteers on Independence Day.

Divine Siang of the PDRRMO said, the registration of Barangay Disaster Action Team (BDAT) volunteers was held right af-ter the 117th Independence Day program of the local government units.

“The registration of volunteers is part of the institutionalization of the National Ser-vice Reserve Course and its integration of the Barangay Disaster Action Team,” Siang said.

“Primary targets for registration were graduates of National Service Training Pro-gram (NSTP) Civic Welfare Training Ser-vice (CWTS), Leadership Training Service (LTS), and Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC),” she added.

Siang, however clarified, that the regis-tration of BPAT volrneers is provinvce-wide and an ongoing activity.

In Koronadal City, the registration was


held at the Rizal Park right after the Independence Day program.

“A staff of the 1204th CDC Re-served Battalion was also be there to register individuals who would like to sign up as reservists,” she noted.

Municipal DRRM Offices also installed registration booths in their respective local govern-ment units.

New recruits , she elaborated, will undergo a series of trainings that would build their skills and capacities as members of BDAT.

Trainings include basic first aid techniques, orientation on the Republic Act 10121 (also known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), and other train-ings that would improve their capacity as disaster action vol-unteers.

As members of BDAT, the volunteers are the first re-sponders during disasters and calamities. They will also serve support team in the disaster preparedness programs


Farmer group receives rubber processing facilityBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

and initiatives of their respec-tive barangays.

Meanwhile, Major Michael Mortejo of the 27th IB, said military troops and local re-serve command help in the dissemination of information regarding the registration and coordination with schools and graduates of CWTS, NSTP and ROTC.

The 27th IB also deployed personnel to assist PDRRMO staff in the registration of volun-teers.

“The registration of BDAT vol-unteers is a continuous activ-ity. In the future, registration of volunteers may be conduct-ed in barangays,” Mortejo add-ed. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, June 15 (PIA) -- A DAR-assist-ed farmer association in Tulunan Town in North Cotabato recently received rubber processing facility amounting P100,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry, a high ranking official of the Department of Agrarian Reform here said.

Marion Abella, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer said that the New Caridad Unit-ed Farmers Association (NCUFA) received 1 unit Rubber Sheeter Machine for Smallholder Village Level Processing Project from the DTI.

“The project is a big help to the agrarian reform beneficiaries in the area by gaining more income through converting raw rubber

(latex form) into processed rub-ber form such as Dried Sheets or Smoked Sheets using the simple processing equipment,” Abella said.

Abella also said that DAR will continue to look into the strength-ening of the organization by pro-viding capacity development trainings through its program beneficiaries division.

Meanwhile, Anthony Bravo,


DTI-North Cotabato Provincial Director said that DTI Rubber In-dustry Cluster Group has been advocating for policies, programs and projects that would make the Philippine Natural Rubber Indus-try competitive.

“The provision of Rubber Sheeter Machine is one of the interventions of DTI to increase farmers productivity along the value chain from production, processing and manufacturing of rubber based products,” Bravo said.

“The association should now be responsible to make the proj-ect operational and that it can be expanded in the future if the results are positive in terms of

impact on the income of the members,” Bravo said.

Bravo also challenged the beneficiaries to fo-cus on the quality of the produce in order to compete in the world market.

Shirley Montano, Chairman of NCUFA thanked DTI for its sup-port through training and equipment for their association can start a small rubber processing project.

“We are confident on the success of the proj-

ect because of the support of DTI and DAR who will assist us in the marketing of the processed rubber sheets. We also want the project to be replicated so that more rubber growers in the ba-rangay will be benefited.”

The New Caridad United Farm-ers Association is also a propo-nent of corn production, milling, and marketing sub-project of the DAR-Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Project. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from ROrejudos-DAR North Co-tabato)


Butuanons celebrate 117th Philippine Independence Day

BUTUAN CITY - In celebration of this year’s 117th Philippine Independence Day, government officials, employees, veterans, students, partner stakeholders and media gathered early morning on Friday for a short program at the Guingona Park, this city.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


The said celebration started in solemn prayer, thanking for the blessing of independence for the beloved nation Philippines, for the bravery and leadership of our heroes. City mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, together with other officials led the flag raising ceremony. He also bared that it was agreed that all cultural and traditional celebrations shall be hosted with the Department of Education (DepEd) in coordination with the local government unit. “Let’s think of what we can do to give value this hard-earned independence that we are enjoying. We may be far from the 1st world country but we are starting to feel the effects of the developments in our city... Caraga region is also gaining momentum. Finally, our region is now one of the fastest growing regions in the country. We already reached the one million tourist target for 2014,” underscored Amante. Amante further encouraged all the Butuanons to continuously acknowledge the independence that all are experiencing today, and to acknowledge those

unsung heroes. “We honor the sacrifices of our heroes and the liberty that we are enjoying now. It is our task to preserve this hard earned freedom. Indeed it cannot be denied that we are experiencing development but the challenge is how to sustain this in order to achieve an inclusive growth. Now that we are on our way to reach the seal of good governance, Caraga region is gaining momentum because our region is gaining the attention for being the fastest growing region. However, we cannot claim that we are truly free until our people is free from poverty. Let us remember that this is not just to honor our valiant heroes but for us to become modern heroes as well,” Amante shared. Also, Butuan City vice mayor Angelo Calo revealed that this is an annual celebration honoring the heroic deeds of our ancestors for us to enjoy this freedom. The significance of independence is not only for the society’s liberation but also based on combating the problems of poverty and climate change. “Let’s do something today for the sake of our tomorrow…


Presently, one of the significance of independence is our long fight against poverty. We are also the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and the last to do something about it. Having said that, we already had initiated activities to adapt to the changes... Be with us in doing missionary works for our environment. Your small acts count. At the end of the day, what matters most is the seed

you plant to grow,” expressed Calo. To show the value of freedom, the Caraga State University (CSU) cultural dancers perform an interpretative dance which caught the attention of the participants for its meaningful presentation of how courageous the Filipino people are. Meanwhile, the celebration concluded with the releasing of freedom balloons. (JPG/DJAVLG/NCLM)


Naliyagan Festival finally opens; Independence Day celebration highlights the event By: David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - The 23rd Naliyagan Festival 2015 finally opens with colors highlighted by the celebration of the 117th Independence Day Celebration.

Igniting awareness and re-minders to people around the Naliyagan Cultural Center, joyful music fills the air as early as 4:00 a.m. of June 12, 2015. Wow! The most awaited mother of all fes-

tivals in Agusan del Sur finally starts as the early dawn breaks.

Clad in Filipiniana and barong tagalong, government employ-ees started to gather at Saint Vincent Parish while Agusan na-


tives, clad in their costumes with combined colors of red, white, yellow and black gather at the the main stage of the Naliyagan Cultural Center (NCC) to perform the “Panawagtawag,” a native ritual of calling the good spirits, to bless and harmonize the cel-ebration.

After the concelebrated mass, Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Ed-ward Plaza escorted by 401st Bri-gade Commander Col. Alexander Macario, together with First Con-gressional District Representa-tive Maria Valentina Plaza, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. mem-bers of the Sangguniang Panla-lawigan, mayors of the 13 towns and the lone City of Bayugan and other provincial and munici-pal officials march towards the Rizal monument for the wreath laying as the initial ceremony for the celebration of Independence Day.

While marching towards the main stage of the NCC, Gov. Pla-za, together with various govern-ment officials drop by the new Heritage Center just across the Rizal monument for the blessing and turn-over ceremony. Then the program proper for the cel-ebration of the Philippine Inde-pendence Day and the opening of the Naliyagan Festival started.

The Philippine Flag was first

raised by Gov. Plaza with Cong. Plaza, DILG Provincial Director Arleen Ann Sanchez and Col. Macario, while the Provincial Flag was raised by Vice Gov. Cane and the members of the Sanggu-niang Panlalawigan, followed by the city/ municipal flags hoisted by their respective mayors and the Naliyagan flag.

In his welcome address, Vice Gov. Cane defined festival as cel-ebration for unity and prosperity, while Philippine Independence Day celebration means “recollec-tion of the struggles of our race to gain freedom and Indepen-dence.”

For her part, Cong. Plaza said “We are privileged to be gath-ered here at the Naliyagan Cul-tural Center in order to recall and honor our forefathers who pour their blood to gain freedom with dignity and pride. We should therefore repay them with love, cooperation and being responsi-ble and productive so that in our own way, we will bring our fel-lowmen to progress and better living. And as we open the 23rd Naliyagan Festival we can proud-ly raise our heads up for having rich culture and tradition as we display our products and skills for the world to see.”

Referring to the target of the provincial government to reduce


poverty incidence in the province and the unity of the public offi-cials, Gov. Plaza said Agusanons must be very proud to be part of the struggles that lift the eco-nomic condition of the province.

“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the gift of our fore-fathers to us, our independence and freedom, and at the same time celebrate the Naliyagan Festival, the time when we gath-er together to celebrate our suc-cess as Agusanons through the years of our struggles to lift up our economic condition. We must be proud that we have time to be together and share the joy that the festival will brings for all of

us. Therefore by the power vest-ed in me, I formally declare the Naliyagan Festival open.” Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza said in his message.

After the governor’s mes-sage, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Edward Plaza Mellana presented the 449 scholars for the school year 2015-2015 which Gov. Plaza confirmed.

Then the merry making of the 23rd Naliyagan Festival begins with the flying of the balloons symbolizing the week-long fes-tivity and the fleeing of doves symbolizing freedom.


Officials and employees of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte headed by Governor Ma. Rosedell

Amante-Matba, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan

BUTUAN CITY – In time with the celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence Day, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte also marked on Friday the opening of the weeklong celebration of its 48th anniversary or Araw ng Agusan del Norte with the theme “Kinaiyahan Amomahon, Kulturang Agusanon Tagdon, Katawhang Lumadnon Panggaon.”

AgNor celebrates 117th Phil. Independence, 48th Anniv By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


City Chapter gathered at the capitol grounds early morning on Friday for the flag and wreath-laying ceremonies and short program. Gov. Matba with vice governor Ramon Bungabong and other officials led the hoisting of the provincial, city and municipal banners at the same venue. Right after the ceremonies, a Thanksgiving Mass was

also celebrated at the Capitol Covered Court. The celebration was indeed solemn and peaceful. Gov. Matba expressed her thanks to all her constituents for their active participation and support. She further encouraged Agusanons to participate in the lined-up activities for the weeklong celebration of the 48th Araw ng Agusan del Norte.



Amended BBL ensures Zambo City’s exclusion – Usec. Lorena By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The amendment done by Congress to the “opt-in anytime” provision of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), now known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will ensure the city’s exclusion to the Bangsamoro.

Thus, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Jose Lorena declared, “this forecloses the possibility of Zamboanga City to be included.”


Recently, Congress made certain amendments to the draft BBL, which maintains that contiguous Bangsamoro areas should only cover land, and not sea. Zamboanga City Congressman Celso Lobregat has been pushing for this and other amendments with regards to the opt-in anytime provision. Had the amendment not been made, the city could anytime be made a part of the Bangsamoro through a plebiscite since it is contiguous to the nearby island provinces of Basilan, which is also part of the Bangsamoro. Many Zamboangueños have been concerned over the original provision, given that they have constantly expressed not to be part of the Bangsamoro now or anytime in the future. According to Usec. Lorena, only three provinces are now contiguous areas after the amended provision which includes Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Meanwhile, he said that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is still very optimistic on the passage of the bill. However, in the event that the bill will not be passed anytime soon, “the MILF will not be going back to ‘one’”. “The MILF and the Bangsamoro Development Authority has already engaged the European Union, Norway and other countries for trade,” he said, which is an indication of their commitment to promote peace and development in the region. “The South is a gateway to the ASEAN,” Usec. Lorena said, “that is why we must ensure that there is peace and stability in the region.” He had emphasized that presently, Mindanao has already attained a level of peace, and the primary purpose of the BBL is to ensure a “long lasting peace” in the region. “We hope that what will come out is a good law, a genuine autonomy,” he said.


Bantay Bayanihan undergoes orientation on community policing in BasilanBy Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Basilan Bantay Bayanihan, a multi-stakeholder group that monitors the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Program (IPSP) Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines underwent an orientation on community policing, recently.

Around thirty participants coming from the different civil society groups, non-government organizations, some government line agencies, the military, police and other security sectors, including women, youth, and religious sectors were gathered

for the baseline study on community policing held at the Querexeta Formation Center, this city.

The Security Reform Initiative (SRI) who serves as the national secretariat for Bantay Bayanihan spearheaded the study with the


support of the British Council, and funded by the United Kingdom Government’s Golden Thread Community Policing Program.

Maribel A. Dano of SRI said that the project was conceptualized to increase the public’s knowledge on community policing and come up with a community policing strategy. It added that the project uses a “bibingka approach” emphasizing that a top-down approach should not be imposed to communities but rather the communities should be on board at the start of developing the community policing strategy.

She explained that community policing is a method of policing based on the joint effort of the community and the police in working together, identifying and understanding problems, coming up with solutions to alleviate the

problems, and implementing the solution.

“Community policing is not only about crime, it is about the quality of life of the community because there are issues (like poverty, access to education, poor health service) that surrounds community policing. It rests on a shared understanding of the community and the culture, concerns, and priorities of the community,” Dano said, stressing that it requires the active participation of the community from the initial stages as well as in implementing the plan of action.

Through dialogue and workshops, the participants shared their collective understanding of community policing. Each agency and organization also shared the programs and activities implemented to address issues related to peace and order.

The orientation-workshop was the first of the three waves that the project will unfurl, said Dano, which is awareness, consultation and feedback.

The SRI has tapped Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. as its local partner for the conduct of the community policing project in Basilan. SRI is also conducting the same to the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Sulu.

Date post:	22-Jul-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	pia-mindanao
View:	240 times
Download:	11 times

One Mindanao - June 15, 2015

Documents