One Mindanao - March 1, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

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

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

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

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 & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

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

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

TIMMULCO helps improve living conditions of farmers, micro-entreprenuers Gideon C. CorgueWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Friday, March 1, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 136

page 4President Aquino leads inaugural drive-through of Plaridel Bypass Road Project in Bustos, Bulacan 10

Jerome R. Soldevillan, Northern Mindanao

Enhancing Filipino workers global competitiveness tops PMAP Agenda17

Dad inks new infra projects for Lanao del Norte

PNP chief visits Caraga Police Regional Office-13

MGB-Caraga streamlines MRFC, MMT, CTWG anew

Lovely A. Rosario, Northern Mindanao16

2223

NOEL B. NAJARRO, Caraga Region

Marx Rev A. Buenavidez, Caraga Region

OWWA releases P220-T in death, burial benefits to the family of OFW died in Kuwait29

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Co-op in S. Cotabato town completes P1.5-M MRDP project 34

DPWH District Office bares GenSan’s 2013 hard impact projectsCatherine T. Apelacio, Central Mindanao

32Mary Jane Amarado, Western Mindanao

Jeanevive Abangan, Southern Mindanao

Rice standoff at DSWD-XI resolved peacefully 36

8 12 15 19 27 31

Friday, March 1, 20134

TIMMULCO helps improve living conditions of farmers, micro-entreprenuers

No one would ever think that a multi-

purpose cooperative in a remote and interior municipality of the second district in Zamboanga del Sur has helped transform the lives of the poor.

CoVer StoRy

The Timbermines Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TIMMULCO), which was established in 1992 based in Poblacion, Bayog, Zamboanga del Norte, had initially 10 members composed of municipal officials and employees with a seed capital of P4,100. The coop was registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on September 12, 1995. Catalyst for economic development

TIMMULCO manager Marilyn F. Mananay said the coop serves as a catalyst for economic development, providing capital to its borrowers at a very low interest rate. It also offers technical assistance, value formation, and capability-building activities.

Peddling soap

The coop began by selling imported

By Gideon C. Corgue

Friday, March 1, 2013 5

TIMMULCO helps improve living conditions of farmers, micro-entreprenuers

soaps to help augment its capital. Its members also helped in selling the product in the neighborhood. From select type membership, TIMMULCO’s board of directors decided to open its membership to non-LGU personnel particularly those coming from the marginalized sector who wished to improve their lives. To better serve its members, a state-of-the art two-storey building worth P3.7 million was constructed on February 8, 2011 at the heart of municipality. “This building symbolizes the coop’s strength, stability and progress, make every member proud of,” Mananay stressed.

Programs and services

On the same year the coop building was completed, TIMMULCO launched the Pinoy Coop ATM which gives its members access and convenience to withdraw their money twenty four hours a week. With this facility, ATM card

h o l d e r would no longer go to Pagadian City

to withdraw cash thus protecting them from robbers lurking in the highways. It also provides mortuary assistance of P50,000 to the legal beneficiary of any member who passes away. The coop also strongly supports the National Greening Program (NGP) of President Benigno S. Aquino III by donating P25,000 to the municipality’s NGP efforts. It likewise supports Republic Act No. 9003, popularly known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Program and many others.

Membership

Anyone who wants to join the coop shall pay P200 as his lifetime membership fee. He/she then is entitled to avail of the coop services and privileges such as savings, credit and mortuary. Because of its dedicated and


honest service, TIMMULCO’s membership increased rapidly from 41 founding members to 2,802. These members are mostly are farmers and micro-entrepreneurs of Bayog and the neighboring towns of Buug, Diplahan, Siay, Malangas and Zamboanga Sibugay.

The beneficiaries

Alma Tagatac, 45, said in an interview with this writer, TIMMULCO has greatly helped her in putting up a bakery business. Tagatac, who has four children, said that in 2007 she started selling bread to help augment her family income. Now, she owns a bakeshop. “Nagbaligya ko ug pinutos nga pan sa sa merkado apan ang akong abot dili paigo nga mosuporta sa akong pamilya. Dihang akong nadunggan nga ang TIMMULCO nagtanyag ug savings ug credit services sa mga kabus, wala ako nagduha-duha pag-apply ug loan sa kantidad nga P100,000 (I was selling bread in the market but my income was not enough to support my family. When I heard that TIMMULCO was extending credit services to the poor, without any hesitation, I immediately applied for a loan amounting to P100,000),”Tagatac recounted.

Tagatac has availed herself of a loan in the amount of P300,000 from the coop which she used to buy baking equipment like electric bakery ovens, tables and chairs, and for the repair of her store. Nalipay ko kaayo tungod kay wala nako damha nga akong napadako ang panederia ug miuswag ang akong inadlaw-adlaw nga abot. Tungod niini, nakapalit ana ko ug usa ka pampasaherong van nga nagbili sa P120,000 ug nakatukod na usab ako ug sangang tindahan sa Zamboanga City(I am very happy because I did not expect that I could improve my bakery


and my daily income. Because of this, I have bought a passenger van in the amount of P120,000 and I was able to put up another bakery in Zamboanga City.), Tagatac added.

Her children also helped her in managing her business. A certain Mamerta Alboria, retired teacher and pharmacy owner, also shared her story that she able to put up her business through a loan from the coop. She ventured in putting up a pharmacy when she got sick and financially hard up.

“I got a loan of P100,000 from TIMMULCO to start with a drugstore. That money was used to buy medicines and display cabinet, etc. and I let my youngest daughter, who is a licensed pharmacist, to manage the pharmacy,” Alboria disclosed. Like Tagatac, Alboria was allowed to renew her loan for being a good payor. Dako gyud kaayo ang among utang kabubut-on sa TIMMULCO kay siya man ang nagpahulam nako ug puhunan sa akong negosyo. Kung wala siya dili gyud ko makatukod sa pharmacy (I owed a lot from TIMMULCO because no other lending institution that allowed me to borrow a capital for my business. Without this coop, I couldn’t have put up a pharmacy), Alboria declared. Alboria has bought 2 passenger vans to be used in her business operations. “Ang salapi nga akong gipalit sa mga sakyanan mao ang katas sa

TIMMULCO (The money that I used to buy these vehicles is but the fruit of my loans from the coop.),” Alboria proudly said. Tagatac and Alboria were some of the coop members who received recognitions for being good payors and for actively supporting TIMMULCO .

8Friday, March 1, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONPalace renews appeal for Kirams of Sulu to persuade followers to leave Sabah

Malacanang once again appealed to the family of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu on Thursday to order its people in Lahad Datu town in Sabah to end the two-week standoff with Malaysia Authorities by

returning to Mindanao.Early this week, President Benigno

S. Aquino III appealed to the Sultan of Sulu to persuade his followers holed up in Sabah in Malaysia to peacefully end

the standoff there to avoid possible bloodshed. The Sulu Sultan and his followers have been pressing their land claim in Sabah.


Palace renews appeal for Kirams of Sulu to persuade followers to leave Sabah

The Kirams expressed their concern on the plan of the government to investigate them through the Department of Justice.

But in a press conference in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government is doing everything to have a peaceful resolution to the ongoing standoff.

“Paulit-ulit naming sinasabi sa kanila na hindi tayo maaaring magkaroon ng isang sitwasyon na posibleng lumala habang meron kayong mga armadong tao sa Sabah,” Lacierda told reporters during the press conference.

“Whenever there is an armed group, there is a potential for violence. So what are we trying to do? What the government has been asking them to do is: Let’s take out that potential by asking your armed people to come home.”

Lacierda said the government believes it’s a reasonable request on the part of the state for them to leave Sabah. At the same time, he said the government has sent emissaries to speak to them to address the issue.

“Let’s defuse the tension in Lahad Datu. The Kirams would like to speak to us. What we’re saying is: Let’s do it in a way where the tense situation has been resolved and we can discuss in an objective, prudent atmosphere and talk to you,” he said.

On the issue about some personalities inciting people to pursue the Sabah claim, Lacierda said he can’t disclose some information because of the sensitivity of the issue. But he added that the government has been looking at people who may be collaborating with Filipinos involved in the standoff.

The Philippine government is trying to protect its national interest as well as to prevent possible eruption of violence, he said.

The Kirams want the Philippine government to negotiate with Malaysia, Lacierda said while their followers remain in Lahad Datu. The government is anxious about this situation because if those people don’t get the conditions they wanted violence may erupt. PND (as)

10Friday, March 1, 2013

In a simple ceremony held in Barangay Malamig, Bustos, Bulacan, the Chief Executive on board an open-type pick up was joined by Public Works and Highways (DPWH) staff led by Undersecretary Alfredo G. Tolentino and other local officials.

The new bypass road, constructed by the DPWH, is funded under a loan

agreement between the Philippines and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Plaridel Bypass Road Project, as envisioned, involves a total length of 24.61 km of road, 2.40 km access and 10 bridges. The road project traverses the municipalities of Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos

President Aquino leads inaugural drive-through of Plaridel Bypass Road Project in Bustos, Bulacan

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inaugural drive-through to formally open the Plaridel Bypass

Road project which was constructed to decongest the traffic at the Pan-Philippine Highway ((PPH) by 40 percent.


and San Rafael in Bulacan.The project is part of the upgrading

of the Inter-Urban Highway System along the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (PHJL) that will ease the serious traffic congestion in the vicinity of core urban areas along the Maharlika Highway leading to the Cagayan Valley Road in Bulacan.

The project is being implemented in two phases with the first involving the construction of contract packages I and II starting from North Luzon Expressway via a new interchange in barangay Burol, Balagtas town.

The First Phase is composed of 14.65km road, 2.40km access road, and seven bridges that were completed by November 25, 2012 under the JICA Loan No. PH-P236.

The DPWH had started the procurement process for the implementation of the Second Phase, composed of Contract Package 3 with a length of 2.22 km and 1.12 km bridge, spanning Angat River; and Contract Package 4 with a length of 7.74 km under the JICA Loan No. PH-

250 signed in March 2012.The completion of the bypass road

from Burol, Balagtas to San Rafael, will save travel time of about 45 to 50 minutes while the travel distance will be shortened by about five kilometers. About 15,000 vehicles will be diverted to the Plaridel Bypass, decongesting the traffic at PPH by 40%.

With the completion of Contract Project II, the travel time will be reduced to about 20-23 minutes using the completed sections of the bypass road (Contract Projects 1 & II) with the Alejo Santos Road as access to Pan-Philippine Highway.The towns of Balagtas, Bustos, Baliuag, Pandi, Plaridel, San Rafael and Angat will benefit from the project.

The opening to traffic of the completed Phase I of Plaridel Bypass (Contract Projects I and II) eases up the congested traffic at Plaridel town section of Pan-Philippine Highway and creating an alternative route to Angat, Balagtas town proper and Pandi, Bulacan (bypassing Sta. Maria town via Bocaue exit). PND (js)


DSWD-ARMM launches biometrics payout for 4Ps in Maguindanao

As part of the government’s safety nets in the implementation of anti-poverty flagship program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department of Social Welfare and

Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) has launched the first ever Biometrics Payout of Pantawid beneficiaries in Upi town in Maguindanao.

“Our biometric system is a way to ensure that the beneficiaries are the ones receiving the cash grants,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-

Soliman said.The biometric system uses

fingerprint recognition to counter the reports of fraud and


misrepresentation.According to Sec. Soliman, it

addresses the numerous complaints that there are grant claimers who are not beneficiaries of the program.

The system also aims to safeguard the program from the reports of “baklas” or tampered IDs and barangay officials or other people holding beneficiaries’ ATM cards.

Under the new system, Soliman said that the identification and giving of grants to the beneficiaries will be more efficient.

The system immediately displays the photo of the beneficiary and the amount of cash grant to be received after the identification.

“Pantawid Pamilya launches the biometric system to ensure fraud-free CCT [Conditional Cash Transfer] implementation,” said Hadja Bainon Guiabar-Karon, ARMM OIC Regional Vice-Governor and concurrent DSWD-ARMM regional secretary.

Karon said that the verification is also faster because the system is connected to the Compliance Verification System where the Department of Education and the Department of Health monitor attendance of children and Rural Health Unit (RHU) checkups.

“Isa sa mga tuntungan ng pamahalaan ngayon ay ang

matuwid na daan. Bahagi po ito ng pagsisigurado na nasa matuwid na daan tayo, na ang tunay na nangangailangan ang siyang tumatanggap sa tamang pamamaraan (One of the foundations of our government now is the matuwid na daan framework. This system is to ensure that we are following matuwid na daan, that the real disadvantaged are the ones who are receiving the grants in the right way),” Soliman said.

To ensure effective implementation of the project, Soliman said the program is also in partnership with parents and local and national government.Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. of Upi town said they were honored by the trust that the DSWD had given them in launching the first Pantawid Pamilya biometric payout in their municipality.

He appealed to all 4Ps beneficiaries that they should honor and use that trust in a proper and right way.

Piang said that the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Upi is closely coordinating with the school board, health board, school supervisors, doctors and health workers in RHU to check the compliance of enrolment, attendance in schools, and health


checkups.Piang said that they also have

cluster health teams to supervise the pregnancy tracking system in barangays.

Despite challenges, Soliman reported that the program implementation has been getting better every day since DSWD-ARMM is looking for different ways to directly help the deserving.

She attributed the increase in enrolment rate, health checkups, and number of children in attendance to the DSWD’s efforts to ensure CCT goes to the deserving.

She said the biometric system is empowering not only the beneficiaries but also the youth like the scholars who adapted the system to identify beneficiaries.

Argie Abedejos, 18, one of the Income Creating Opportunities

Thru Technology Project (ICOTP-ICT) scholars who developed the system, said his team aims to create and maintain a biometric system that is able to a u t h e n t i c a t e

individuals reliably which will streamline processes and address compliance.

Gilbert Carilla, Abadejos’s supervisor in project development, also revealed that they are working towards enhancing the features of the system despite the challenging cases in Maguindanao, particularly in the database side.

To date, there are about 156,188 targeted beneficiaries in Maguindanao and some 17,554 out of 80,177 targeted beneficiaries in Lanao del Sur have already registered in the biometric system. (PNA)


Gender advocates celebrate Women’s Month 2013by Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Gender Advocates and Women in Government Service in Region 10 (GA WINGS 10) will celebrate Women’s Month this March through several activities.

GA 10 President Clarissa C. Rosales said a mass will be held Friday, tomorrow, 7:30 a.m., at the Camp Alagar grounds in Lapasan, Cagayan

de Oro City, to kick off the celebration. It will be followed an opening program and “Hataw.” A meeting will also be called for all members of the Board of


Dad inks new infra projects for Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Three coastal towns in this province are set to benefit from infrastructure projects after Governor Khalid Dimaporo signed the memorandum of agreement last February 18 here.

by Lovely A. Rosario

The projects are from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Makamasang Tugon Program and the Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Four barangays will benefitfrom risk-reduction projects like construction of drainage canals and a potable water system. Meanwhile, projects that mitigate the effects of natural and man-made calamities are prioritized for the municipality of Bacolod. The Makamasang Tugon Program is government’s anti-poverty strategy aimed at reducing poverty and empowering the community through

Community Driven Development (CDD). “We are happy with the support of the national government. After being one of the best implementers of Makamasang Tugon, we are again rewarded with another set of projects that will help improve the life of our constituents,” Dimaporo said. Dimaporo also signed a memorandum of agreement for the municipality of Sapad and Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) on the same day. Two day-care centers are set to be constructed in Sapad while seven school buildings will be built in Sultan Naga Dimaporo under the AusAID program implemented through

Trustees after the program. A gift-giving activity and a medical mission will also be conducted on March 8 at 8:30 a.m. for 100 typhoon Sendong victims at the Berjaya Relocation Site in Camaman-an. The celebration, themed: “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan,” (Women: Guide in

moving towards the straight path) aims to highlight the importance of strengthening the mechanism and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation. The theme also emphasizes women’s leadership role and participation in governance to enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance.


DSWD. “We are privileged to have AusAID as our partner. Eight hundred thousand is allotted for each building constructed in Sapad and SND,” Provincial Social Welfare Head

Anabelle Mendez said. The mayors of the three towns, barangay captains and members of the Municipal Interagency Committee attended the MOA signing.

Enhancing Filipino workers global competitiveness tops PMAP Agendaby Jerome R. Soldevillan

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Increasing the competitiveness of Filipino workers amidst the fast-changing global economy and the growing demands for highly skilled and productive workforce remain the top priority of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).

PMAP National President Evelyn Grace Sorongon echoed this call to all Human Resource (HR) practitioners and people managers during the First General Membership Meeting (GMM) and InductionRitesof2013Officersof PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter held recently at the Seda Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter

2013 officers and directors includeIndividual Member Aida May de Guzman, President; Dr. Wilma Magdale (STEAG State Power Inc), Vice President; Ma. Alva Espiritu (Del Monte Phils. Inc. ), Secretary; Priscilla Capitan (Polymedic Medical Group), Treasurer; Jocelyn Gogo (PROIS Intl School), Auditor; Atty. PanfiloParacuelles (Cepalco), Norwena Acharon (Synnex Concenrix Corp), Dr. Dulce Corazon Esperon (Minergy), Marycris Go (Sacred Heart of Jesus Montesori School), Ma Soledad Amir ( Ateneo de Cagayan University-Xavier University), and Suzette Caeline Maandig (Bright Rock School) as Board of Directors. President Sorongon emphasized to all PMAP CDO Chapter officersand members to ensure that global


standards on people management are met and Filipino people managers’ capabilities are at par or even better compared to their counterparts in the region, if not globally. In her speech, she also posed a challenge to the new setofofficerstoexpand,ifnotdouble,the chapter’s membership this year. She further encouraged all people management practitioners to look beyond the HR discipline and to take calculated risks in exploring new ideas.Sheemphasizedthesignificantrole of HR practitioners in charting, designing and implementing new strategies and approaches amidst some radical changes in the country’s work environment. Meanwhile, outgoing president Precy Capitan paved the way of the challenge to the newly inducted set of officersanddirectorsasshelaudedthemembers and guests with her euphoric valedictory address highlighting the chapter’s 2012 remarkable accomplishments during the turnover ceremony. In deep gratitude of her leadership milestones, she awarded two member companies that extended their all- out support to the chapter during her term as chapter president. These companies are STEAG State Power Inc. and Del Monte Phils. Inc. Accepting her leadership role, newly installed PMAP Cagayan de Oro Chapter President Aida May de Guzman expressed the chapter’s commitment to align its programs and activities with the current strategic direction of the national association. She also underscored the strategic role of PMAP in creating and nurturing a community that fosters the development of the

Filipino human capital and in blazing new trails as thought leaders. “As the local arm of PMAP in Cagayan de Oro City and neighboring areas, we will continue to pursue the implementation of programs and projects that fulfill PMAP’smandate of helping companies and organizations especially the small and medium enterprises (SME’s) achieve effectiveness and greatness through sound people management, effective leadership and continuing human capital development” de Guzman said. She also expressed confidencethat with the continued support and cooperation of all officers andmembers, the PMAP CDO Chapter will sustain its reputation as one of the outstanding PMAP chapters in the country. PMAP-CDO Chapter has been awarded six times since 2000 as best chapter in the Philippines. This year’s induction rites and first GMM was also graced with thepresence of the past presidents, the Junior PMAP officers, executivesand officers from the differentbusiness sectors and the academe. PMAP Chapters Committee Director In-charge Dr. Josephine Go and Chapters Committee Chair Louisa Mila Echevarria also guested the occasion topresentthenewsetofofficersandto charge them, respectively. The occasion culminated with a fun-filled fellowship dinner flavoredwiththesponsoredheartyraffleprizesfrom the member companies and the discovery of the members’ hidden talents in singing the different genre of songs.


Women’s participation in governance now a reality – CHR 13 Director

BUTUAN CITY -- In line with this year’s Women’s Month celebration, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional Director Marylin Pintor is spearheading various activities for the month-long celebration.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

by Jennifer Gaitano


The 2013 Women’s Month Celebration is pursuant to: 1) Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 declaring the first week of Marcheach year as Women’s Week and

March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day; 2) Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 providing for the observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month; and 3) Republic Act 6949 s. 1990 declaring March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day.

As the celebration kicked-off on Friday, members of the GADCC from the government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, and other stakeholders were grouped in four sub-committees wearing shirts colored green, purple, red, and pink during the Fun Walk activity. The subcommittees are: VAWC, Institutionalization of GAD and Gender and Governance, Gender and Health Environment, and Gender and Poverty.

Pintor expressed her warm thanks to all government agencies and partner-stakeholders for their full support and participation to Women’s Month activities. She also said that President Aquino recently highlighted the milestones of women’s participation in the Bangsamoro Agreement. “We are now

assured that more women are already involved in the political arena and peace-making. Women’s participation in good governance is


now a reality,” she said. Pintor also announced that the

“Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan” is set on March 8 at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City, and the Candidates Forum on March 14. Other GAD-related activities will also be conducted by different government agencies for the month-long celebration.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan (Women: Guide Towards Straight and Narrow Path).” It underscores the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance.


PNP chief visits Caraga Police Regional Office-13by NOEL B. NAJARRO

BUTUAN CITY -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Director General Alan LM Purisima arrived at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, the regional headquarters of Police Regional Office-13 Thursday morning for his first regional visit after assuming his post.

Purisima and his group arrived at Camp Rodriguez at 10:15 a.m. and was afforded with an arrival honor by a “battalion-sized” police formation. The country’s top cop was welcomed by the top regional andprovincialpoliceofficialsledbyCaraga PNP chief CSupt. Getulio P. Napenas.

The police chief then proceeded to give awards to some deserving police commissioned and non-commissionedofficers,assistedbyNapenas and other senior police officials.

Purisima gave his guidance to the officers and personnel of PRO-13right after the arrival rites where

he emphasized his administration’s program under the Police Patrol 2030 dubbed as the “CODE-P.”

He called on the police force to be “competent, organizationally developed, disciplined, excellent and professional” (CODE-P).

He also ordered the police to be prepared and to implement the necessary measures to ensure secure, free and credible elections on May 13.

The police chief then viewed and inspectedtheseizedfirearmsfromJanuary and then had a “closed-door conference” with the top regional and provincial police officials andnational support units


PNP chief visits Caraga Police Regional Office-13

The activity, in coordination with the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Inc., was held at Gateway Grand Convention, this city on February 21-22, 2013 and graced by Surigao del Norte Vice-Governor Arturo Carlos A. Egay, Jr.

Anchored on the theme, “Responsibility and Accountability: Keys toward a progressive mining industry and a prosperous community,” the event drew the participation of various stakeholders from local government units (LGUs),

national line agencies, active mining tenement holders, non-government organizations (NGOs), civic groups, academe and the religious sector.

In his welcome remarks, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. said that responsible actions should contribute in the attainment of sustainable growth that should meet the needs both of the present and future generations.

On the other hand, MGB-13 Regional Director Roger A. De Dios gave the rationale of the activity and stressed

MGB-Caraga streamlines MRFC, MMT, CTWG anewby Marx Rev A. Buenavidez

SURIGAO CITY-- Seeing the need to further improve the roles and responsibilities of the Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC), the Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT), and the multi-sectoral Community Technical Working Group (CTWG), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Caraga recently conducted a two-day reorientation and capacity enhancement workshop attended by some 300 participants.


thattheOfficewillinstitutionalizeandestablish protocols pertaining to the membership and functions of MRFC, MMT and CTWG.

He added that the two-day activity will delve on the intent of Mine Rehabilitation Fund Committee to materialize the programs and projects of SDMP and EPEP, the purpose of MMT and how CTWG works.

Based on RA 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, the primary task of MRFC is to engage in preliminary assessment on the mining company’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) and “to clarify proposals and to discuss the adequacy of environmental control rehabilitation measures” through the conduct of quarterly meetings or special meeting if deemed necessary. The committee is composed of the MGB Regional Director who sits as the Chair, the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as Co-Chair, the Regional Director of Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) as member, representative from LGU as member, representative from local NGOs/community organizations which include People’s Organizations, church or civic organizations as member, and representative of the mining contractor/permit holder as member.

Meanwhile, the MMT, as deputized monitoring arm of MRFC, consists of a head representative from MGB Regional Office and one memberrepresentative each from DENR, EMB, mining contractor/permit holder, affected community(ies), affected

Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), if any, and environmental NGO.

CTWG is MGB’s initiative in consonance with DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-16 dated May 7, 2001, that institutionalizes the counter-partnership of the civil society action network in DENR programs and projects. As a community relations arm, CTWG is a multi-sectoral social impact team to actively participate and monitor the company’s social development activities and projects under the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP). Aside from MGB, DENR and the company, the group is unanimously composed of LGUs and local civil society groups.

“Although some functions of the MRFC, MMT and even the CTWG have negated, we will endeavor to implement the specific guidelines ofSDMP and EPEP and professionalize the composition and roles of each panel,” RD De Dios said.

RD De Dios further mentioned that MGB will strive that the programs and activities of SDMP will certainly give impact to the host and neighboring barangays by molding them to be self-reliant and resource-based communities.

“Upon the issuance of MGB Regional Memorandum Order 2012-001, we are aiming to prevent the emergence of ghost towns in this region by prioritizing livelihood and income generating projects. So that if a mine closes, there will still be economic bustle and societal growth in the locality,” RD De Dios emphasized.


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Congressman Yu urges 2013 ZPRAA meet athletes to show skills in competitions focusPAGADIAN CITY – Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Representative Victor J. Yu has challenged the athletes participating in the 2013 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet to give their best shot.

By Claro A. Lanipa


Speaking during the grand opening of the 2013 ZPRAA Meet on Tuesday at the CYC Oval, Provincial Government Center, Dao, Pagadian City, Cong. Yu called on the athletes/players to show their skills and apply the same focus and intensity in the actual competitions as they did in their training. Yu also expressed his full appreciation to the athletes despite thedifficultiestheyhadencounteredin their preparation for the athletic competitions, and their “willpower in climbing the ladder of challenges to reach this point in their life.” “Consider this day as your moment, the days you’ve been waiting for where you can reap the result of your trainings and hard works. This is the day for you to test and appreciate the product of how far you’ve gone in your practice,” Yu said. “Set your goal with full determination, and persevere up to the last second of the race, striving to win,” advised the congressman. He further said: “have faith in

yourself,beconfident,conditionyourmind that you can achieve it. Always give your best and remember that every time you do your best, better things will happen and victory or success will follow.” “I assure you that once you develop and acquire this attitude, you not only be a winner in this competition, but all of life’s endeavors. The mental skills you use in achieving success in sports can be used to achieve success in other areas of your lives,” Yu added. Meanwhile, Governor Antonio Cerilles urged all the participating contingents “to try our best to improve the level of our sports in the region. So that when the time will come, when we will host the Palarong Pambansa, we will be the champion,” the governor quipped. Liberal Party senatorial candidate and PNoy’s cousin Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino was the guest of honor and speaker during the opening of the 2013 ZPRAA Meet, which is anchored on the theme, “Re-engineering Sports: Making


OWWA releases P220-T in death, burial benefits to the family of OFW died in Kuwait

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) IX Regional Director Hassan Gabra Jumdain has released the amount of P220,000 in death and burial benefits to the family of the late OFW Ailyn Tagarda Hidalgo, 30 of Coloy Coloran, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay. Hidalgo’s body was found inside the drainage system at the basement of her employer’s residence at Yarmouk, State of Kuwait on November 27, 2012. Hidalgo’s remains arrived in Zamboanga City on January 25, 2013 via Air Philippine Express and was brought to her hometown. OWWA and the local government unit of Siay facilitated the airport transfer and extended humanitarian assistance to the victim. Last February 25, Director Jumdain personally handed the check to Mrs. Marlina Hidalgo, mother of the victim who very much appreciated OWWA’s effort and assistance given to her family. Director Jumdain disclosed that families of OFWs who were OWWA members at the time of their death willreceivedeathandburialbenefitsof P120,000 in case of death due to natural cause or P220,000 in case of

death due to accident. On the other hand, the families are also eligible to avail of the OWWA’s Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), scholarship grant for qualified dependent, and livelihoodassistance in the amount of P15, 000 to the surviving spouse. The late OFW is the eldest among six siblings and the family’s breadwinner. She is survived by her eight-year old daughter. Based on POEA database she was deployed by Malorata International Manpower Agency as domestic helper on November 13, 2005 and her foreign agency was Nadia Suleiman Malallah Housemaid RecruitmentOffice. Forher secondcontract, she was deployed by Mirben International Manpower Services on May 16, 2008 and her foreign agency was Mohd Al-Aid Recruiting Agency/MahdAyedSaedAlRashidiOffice.

By Mary Jane Amarado

Good Citizens, Building Better Communities.” Participants to the ZPRAA Meet are the eight schools divisions in the region representing the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian

and Zamboanga and the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and the host-province, Zamboang del Sur, with more or less 5,000 athletes, coaches, trainors andathleticofficialsinattendance.



KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato --The Department of Public Works and Highways has affirmed its support to 10 priority road projects that the Re-gional Development Council (RDC-12) approved during the Region 12 Road Summit in General Santos City last year.

DPWH backs RDC-12 proposed priority road projectsBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Carmelino Tizon of the DPWH Feasibility Studies Project Management Office recently camehere to attend the organizational and consultation meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Road Summit.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, who earlier manifested support to the priority road projects and promised to assist in the packaging of project proposals, has sent Tizon here to help the TWG in the preparation of the full-

blown proposals for these.

Alfredo Bronx P. Hebrona, chairperson of Infrastructure Committee of RDC 12, said these priority road projects were among those endorsed by the council for the implementation in


GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- Hard infrastructure projects for this city and some of the municipalities in South Cotabato are in the offing, according to De-partment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

accordance with the Soccsksargen Region’s development plan.

These were developed for i m p l e m e n t a t i o n starting this year until 2018.

The 10 priority projects are: Tinimbacan-Malapag Road in Banisilan and Carmen, Cotabato; Quezon Boulevard National Highway – Magsaysay National Highway in Kidapawan City; Lutayan – Columbio - Davao del Sur Boundary (Kiblawan) Road in Lutayan & Colombio, Sultan Kudarat.

Junction National Highway (Makilala-Allah Valley Road) Datu Paglas-L u m u y o n - M a y o -Poblacion Columbio

Road in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; Brgy. San Rafael-Tina-D’Ledesma-San Emmanuel-San Pablo-New Carmen Road in Tacurong City; Banga – Norala Road Banga & Norala, South Cotabato.

Junction National Highway (Marbel-Makar Road) Koronadal-Lutayan Road in Koronadal City; Junction National Highway (Digos-Makar Road) Malungon (Malandag) to Tupi (Miasong), South Cotabato Road in Malungon,Sarangani & Tupi, South Cotabato;

Datu Udtog Matalam-Don Andres Alonzo-Don T.V. Juliano St.-Mabini St.-SK Pendatun Avenue Road in Cotabato City;

and Circumferential Road in Gen. Santos City (Portion of the Northern By-Pass and Part of Western By-Pass).

In October last year, RDC 12 conducted the Region 12 Road Summit to generate and endorse a list of road projects or networks that are of strategic and economic importance for development or conversion into national roads.

The summit generated at least 122 road project proposals amounting to overall total of P3.2 billion.

Included in the list are roads that link to major tourist destinations and primary agriculture areas. (DED-PIA 12)

DPWH District Office bares GenSan’s 2013 hard impact projectsBy Catherine T. Apelacio

DPWH district engineer Pio Lumongsod

said more than P600 million worth of

infrastructure projects will be implemented


in the areas. Fund sources include the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of First District of South Cotabato Representative Pedro Acharon Jr.

“These projects will take off right away, thanks to the blessing from the President himself,” he said.

Lumongsod opined that Acharon and Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, being allies with Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III may have played a big role in the quick approval and funding of these projects.

The projects for 2013, he bared are comprised of road widening and c o n c r e t i n g of national highways in the municipalities of Tupi and barangay Sulit, P o l o m o l o k , S o u t h Cotabato, which cost P40-M and P50-M respectively.

Aside from General Santos City, the firstdistrict of South Cotabato also includes the

municipalities of Tupi and Polomolok.

Same project will also be undertaken for barangays Katangawan, Lagao and Baluan here which amounts to P25-M.

The DPWH-District Officewillalsoprioritizethe construction of circumferential road connecting GenSan City International Airport to City Fishport with P100-M in store.

It is also due to spend P150-M to complete the circumferential road traversing barangay Katangawan all the way to Silway River.

Aside from these, P180-M is also in stash for the construction of a

bridge on Silway River that would connect the circumferential road in barangay Mabuhay to Barangay Apopong.

He said these are just some of the impact projects for this year in addition to the P70 million worth of multi-purpose buildings, barangay road concreting, building of water system and barangay halls, among others.

The district engineer also lauded the efforts of theCongressionalOfficethru Mayor Acharon “for cornering these milestone projects.” (CT Apelacio/PIA-12 General Santos City/Chris Sulit/CPIO)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 1 -- A credit cooperative in nearby Banga town has received a certificate from the local government unit and Department of Agriculture 12 for completing its project dubbed “Pre-and Post-harvest Facility Intervention.”

Co-op in S. Cotabato town completes P1.5-M MRDP projectBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Organized in September 2010, Rang-ay Credit Cooperative in Barangay Rang-ay officially got the P1.5-million worth of livelihood project from MRDP’s Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component.

At present, the co-op is composed of 33 members whose main source of income is derived from corn farming.

The cooperative proposed the project in order to shorten the time in shelling and drying operations of their produce.

They used the fund to purchase one unit each of hand tractor with trailer and corn sheller as well as constructed a warehouse and a solar dryer.

In a turn-over ceremony, Banga Mayor Henry L. Ladot conferred the certificateto cooperative chairman

Jonathan G. Castillo. “We have waited for

this project to come to realization. Finally, now we call this really out own,” teary-eyed Castillo said in his response speech. Thank you so much to LGU, DA and the MRDP,” he said.

Mayor Ladot encouraged the members of the coop to sustain the project so that gradually they could generate income which they could utilize in trying other ventures.

The local chief executive also thanked the national government through the DA-MRDP for providing such livelihood assistance to his constituents.

“We thank the national government for the help extended to improve the lives of residents in Banga, the local executive chief said.

“Once the Philippine Rural Development

Program, we hope more people from our town would benefit from theprogram.”

After the turn-over ceremonies, Rey Ylanan, a staff from the MRDP, oriented the chairmen of the different people’s organizations in the municipality regarding the significance of POaccreditation.

“We encourage all POs to seek an accreditation from the regional office for thiswill be animportant requirement before the POs and other farmers’ groups can avail of projects from the DA,” Ylanan emphasized.

MRDP is a medium-term poverty-alleviation initiative which is implemented by the national government through the DA and funded by the World Bank with the LGUs providing an equity share. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/LMSalvo-DA 12)


Co-op in S. Cotabato town completes P1.5-M MRDP project

Tourist arrivals in R-XI reach 1-million markby Rudolph Alama

DAVAO CITY- Visitor arrivals in Region XI has reached the one-million mark. This according to Department of Tourism Region XI Officer-in-Charge Eden Larano-David basing the numbers on hotel booking figures. David said that visitor arrivals

have grown 20% from the previous years, a large percentage of the tourists are business travellers particularly those in MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) related events, David estimates that 40% of the visitors are on MICE related travel. The DOT and the region’s tourism industry is gearing up to promote Davao as a MICE destination, the

opening of new convention facilities such as the SMX Convention center in Davao City has made the southern metropolis capable of hosting large conventions and gatherings. One of these conventions is the MICE Conference 2013 (MICECON) which will be held this March 6-9 at the new SMX. Aside from MICECON


DAVAO CITY- The Department of Social Welfare and Development XI and a coalition of progressive groups came up finally with a compromise agreement resolv-ing the stand-off on the release of 10,000 sacks of rice for the al-leged unserved survivors of ty-phoon Pablo in Compostela Valley after more than one hour meeting Wednesday night. The signing of the memorandum of agreement between officialsof the DSWD XI and the Barug Katawhan was witnessed by the Balsa Mindanao, Provincial Welfare OfficeofCompostelaValley,policeand representatives from the nationalofficeoftheDSWD. The seven-part compromise agreement states that Barug Katawhan, Balsa Mindanao,

the provincial government of Compostela Valley, local government units and barangay officials will validate togetherindeed there was lack in the delivery of relief goods since December on certain barangays down to the sitio and purok level; immediate identification of areas that needmore relief goods; to continue the relief operation for six month since December 2012; to expedite the validation where Barug Katawhan provides the list on persons that need more relief goods and the provision of 100 sacks of rice for those joining the protest action by which the number of sacks will be deducted from the 10,000 sacks of rice sought earlier; no filinglegal action by authorities against Barug Katawhan or the progressive

Davao City has been chosen to host the Ad Congress later this year and is being eyed to host one of theeventsintheAPEC(AsiaPacificEconomic Cooperation) Summit next 2015. Meanwhile Gene Bangayan president of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) said that the one-million visitors do not fully reflect the true number of peoplewho visited Davao. She said that

thefiguresdidnotincludevisitorswho stayed in houses and other accommodations which were not recorded in the data. “It may be more than one-million.” Bangayan said referring to the gaps in reporting the number of tourist or visitor arrivals in Davao. Also according the Eden Larano David, the list of hotels and inns which submitted their arrival data just comprised 70%

Rice standoff at DSWD-XI resolved peacefullyby Jeanevive Abangan


groups against the DSWD; and that any further discussions on the agreement will be tackled only by Carlos Trangia, Cirila Andino and Grace Curso of Barug Katawhan, Rev. Timplado, Sister Noemi Degala of Balsa Mindanao, Environmentalist Francis Morales, Assistant Secretary Camilo Gudmalin and Priscilla Razon, director of the DSWD XI. Assistant Camilo Gudmalin of the DSWD said the validation will be done immediately especially on areas cited by the Barug Katawhan as wanting in the delivery of relief goods. He said that after the validation, the relief goods will be distributed immediately. “The validation will be done immediately after we have signed this agreement together with the Barug Katawhan, DSWD and the local government units,” Gudmalin

said. He assured that the DSWD will provide the needed relief goods on areas validated as lacking in relief distribution. Gudmalin said that the posture of government is to offer a hand of reconciliation especially to the poor who were affected by the typhoon. He said that the Barug Katawhan also asked for apology for the series of melees that happened prior to the dialogue, merely as brought about by high emotion, warm temperature and the eagerness to go home with the needed relief goods. Trangia said they will divide among the people the first onehundred sacks of rice for them to at least feel contented that they bring rice as they go home. (RGA/JSD/PIA XI)

facts and figures

3,000 estimated number of protesters who barricadedtheDSWD-XIofficeinDavaoCity last Feb. 26.

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