One Mindanao - May 27, 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

DOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE APIT, PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

NorMin ready for K to 12 senior high school program

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DOST OPENS 3RD LEG OF “SCIENCE NATION TOUR’ IN CARAGA REGION

Lower prices of oil, raw materials reduce imports in March 2015

DA boosts farm mech drive

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By: Gideon Corgue

By: Vanessa Sanchez

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERNNORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

1710

36OUR COVER

Contents

30DepEd readies for Oplan Balik Eskwela, bats for no collection policy

Lapuyan town completes ICS training

By: Emmanuel Taghoy

28K school kids in S. Cotabato eyed for catch up immunizationBy: Danilo Doguiles

By: Jasper Marie Rucat

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House Committee on Ways and Means approves Bangsamoro bill

Operation Blessings gives free wheelchairs

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Coop leaders, officers gather for 1st ARMM Successful Cooperative CongressBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

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DTI-Misamis Occidental launches SME Roving Academy

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By: KDeloso

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Caraga stakeholders participate in DOST’s S&T roadshow, forumBy: Jennifer Gaitano

4 MAY 27, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story DOST OPENS 3RD LEG OF “SCIENCE NATION TOUR” IN CARAGA REGION

5MAY 27, 2015 One Mindanao

With the aim to make science “felt” by the average Filipino, the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST’s) nationwide roadshow dubbed “Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam” made its next stop in Caraga Region, which started on Wednesday, May 27 and will run until Friday, May 29, 2015.


DOST Caraga hosted the third regional leg of the Science Nation Tour to promote the agency’s programs, projects and services.

DOST Sec. Mario Montejo arrived in the city Wednesday morning as keynote speaker of the Science and Technology (S&T) Forum attended by some 300 participants from the partner stakeholders of the region, members of the Caraga Regional


Development Council, local officials, representatives from other line agencies, students and local media.

“Today is the best time to express our gratitude to everything good that is happening to us in our city through the DOST. As this forum includes the researches’ outcomes and other topics, the people of Butuan will be more aware of the effort of the government in its innovations for the benefit of the city and the region in general,” relayed Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven as he read the message of Butuan City mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. during the opening of the S&T Forum.

DOST Sec. Mario Montejo, in his keynote speech, said that the Science and Technology department is continuously doing innovations for inclusive growth. “We build-up our ‘know-how’ and capabilities to come up with innovative solutions to directly address the concerns, problems of the people in the community,” he said.

“As we prepare ourselves for the future, technology will also help us. Through it, our

planning, decision making will be more definite because we have basis,” Montejo added.

Other highlights during the S&T Forum were the presentation of Early Warning Devices and Site Installations; Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing with Governors and City Mayors; Presentation and launching of Eastern Mindanao Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Alliance for Development (EMIEERALD); Presentation and Commitment Signing of Caraga Food Safety Team, and press conference.

Right after the forum, Sec. Montejo led the launching and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of STARBOOKS or the S&T Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations at the atrium of Robinson’s Place Butuan. This new academic resource for students and researchers is equipped with key access portals in strategic areas in the Philippines.

Users can have access to the latest data and information contained at DOST (SciNeT), Philippine eLib project sources, freely-


available online resources, and subscribed databases.

Montejo likewise visited ‘Ang Tindahang Pinoy’ store located at the second level of Robinson’s Place. The store showcases local products under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) project.

He also visited the Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 projects located at the Caraga State University campus in Brgy. Ampayon, this city. Phil-LiDAR 1 also called “Flood Hazard Mapping of the Philippines Using liDAR: Caraga Region” is one of several projects under the “Phil-LiDAR-1 Hazard Mapping of the Philippines using LiDAR” program funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development – Department of Science and Technology (PCIEERD-DOST).

Phil-LiDAR 1′s purpose is for the state universities and colleges to undertake researches on the utilization of LiDAR technology to generate flood hazard maps of their assigned project areas.


CSU’s Phil-LiDAR 1 in particular will generate flood hazard maps of the river basins and watershed of Caraga Region. While, Phil-LiDAR 2 aims to produce detailed maps using LiDAR for various applications: production of high value crops; irrigation assessment; aquaculture production; forest protection; and discovery of renewable energy sources.

After his brief visit at CSU’s Phil-LIDAR, Montejo was then toured at CSU’s responsible mining laboratory.

During the evening, DOST Caraga spearheaded a night of music and dance with DOST Scholars (Phil. Science High School Students, Parents and Science Education Institute scholars) and awarding of science ambassadors.

On the second day of the tour, the launching of the Smarter Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) in Jabonga in the province of Agusan del Norte will be conducted followed by the inauguration and blessing of the Complementary

Food Manufacturing Plant in Gigaguit, Surigao del Norte.

A stakeholders’ night will also be held on Thursday and the Launching of the Better Mines Project of the Field Testing of the Gold and Copper Processing Plant without the use of cyanide and mercury in Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City and a site visit to the new Philippine Science High School site in Butuan City on May 29.


PH to strengthen construction ties with European Free Trade Association

MANILA -- The Department of Trade and Industry through Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) conducted a consultation meeting with the stakeholders from the construction industry to formulate requests and offers lists particularly in the construction sector.


This is for the on-going negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Free Trade Association (PH-EFTA). Speakers from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) were invited to give background on the PH-EFTA FTA, areas of expertise of the EFTA, construction opportunities in the EFTA Member States, updates on the existing laws and regulations on renewable energy.

Undersecretary Prudencio M. Reyes, Jr., the Supervising Undersecretary for Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) supports

the endeavors of POCB and NEDA, FTSC and DOE to link with EFTA member states and seize business opportunities in construction and energy infrastructure development.

The following initial request list to the EFTA Member States was formulated at the end of the meeting: General Construction Work for Buildings; General Construction Work for Civil Engineering; Installation and Assembly Work; Building Completion and Finishing Work; Pre-Erection Work at Construction Site; Foundation Work, concrete work, steel bending and erection; Special Trade Construction Work; Architectural, Engineering, Integrated Engineering, Urban Planning and Landscape


Architectural Services.

Engr. Sonia T. Valdeavilla, Officer-in-Charge of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), an attached agency of the DTI, proposed to include also in the request list for the construction sector the following: consultancy, management, design, engineering services, and skilled workers.

POCB requested for the removal of restrictions and improved commitment in general construction work for buildings, general construction works for civil engineering installation and assembly work, building completion and finishing work, and site investigation and demolition works in the initial

request list.

“The aim of the consultation/workshop is to improve the deals that the Philippines could request and offer in its trade agreement with EFTA Member States as well as to the possibility of conducting construction outbound missions.” said Undersecretary Prudencio Reyes, Jr.

The consultation meeting was participated by owners, officers, representatives from the Construction Industry, Consultancy, Management, Design, Contractors, Materials, Suppliers industry and Professional organizations. (DTI)


MANILA – Merchandise imports decreased by 6.8 percent in March 2015 as lower payments primarily for mineral fuels, lubricants, and raw materials were recorded in the period, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Lower prices of oil, raw materials reduce imports in March 2015


According to a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority, total import payments fell to US$5.1 billion in March 2015 from US$5.5 billion from the same period last year. The decline came after a 10.2-percent rebound in February 2015 and a 10.8-percent annual growth in March 2014.

Most trade-oriented economies in East and Southeast Asia, except for Viet Nam, posted a decline in merchandise imports in March 2015. The reduced

value of imports primarily from PR China, South Korea and Singapore contributed to a drag on imports during the period.

Lower crude oil prices and the lower demand for non-oil mineral products reduced the value of imported mineral fuels and lubricants by 47.3 percent, to US$681.3 million in March 2015 from US$1.3 billion from the same period last year.

“The low oil-price condition remains favorable to the current balance of trade, particularly for trade-in-goods of the country as global oil prices continue to hover way below US$100 per barrel at US$51.6 for the first quarter of 2015,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“The low price of oil prompted an increase in the overall volume of imported crude by


47.8 percent. It is expected that the increase in energy demand during the summer season will further drive imports of petroleum products,” he added.

Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General, emphasized that the low price of imported oil bodes well for the industrial sector, particularly for manufacturing and utilities sub-sectors given their high reliance on oil-based inputs.

Payments for raw materials and intermediate goods also fell slightly by 1.1 percent, to US$2.09 billion from US$2.11 billion in March last year. This was reflected in the strong decline in the imports of semi-processed raw materials (-6.2%).

“The drop in the imports value for semi-processed raw materials can be attributed to decreasing prices of raw materials, a trend which has been occurring for

five consecutive months since November 2014,” Balisacan said.

On the other hand, the value of imported capital goods increased by 16.6 percent while that of consumer goods increased by 2.8 percent. These increases partly mitigated the drop in imports. “The growth in the imports of major commodities, particularly capital goods and consumer durables, shows that the confidence in the economy continues to be strong and bodes well for growth this year and next,” said Balisacan.

He attributed the strong growth in capital goods imports in the last two months to the continuing brisk business activity.

“The net positive consumer sentiment based on the latest round of consumer expectations survey is expected to continue to drive consumption goods


imports in the second quarter,” said Balisacan. He therefore recommends that the government further improve the confidence of investors and consumers to induce more expansion and investment in capital goods. “Also, as the government

continues to monitor areas affected by the intense heat due to El Niño, careful planning and timely importation of food products particularly rice is critical to ensure stability of food prices especially in anticipation of an extended dry season,” Balisacan added. (NEDA)


House Committee on Ways and Means approves Bangsamoro bill

The House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means approved with amendments provisions in the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region specific to taxation and wealth-sharing.


The committee, chaired by Marikina City Representative Romero Quimbo, acted on the proposed measure after it was referred by the House Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) last week.

GPH chief peace negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and panel member Senen Bacani were present to serve as resource persons. Also present were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Ging Deles and Commissioners Hussein Munoz and Timuay Melanio Ulama of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

During the discussion on the share of the Bangsamoro in the national taxes that will be collected in its territories, Bacani clarified that the shares of the local government units (LGUs) in the Bangsamoro cannot be diminished.

“Of the 70% share under Republic Act 9054, 35% are enjoyed by local government units therein while the other half is retained by the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). The percentage the LGUs are getting cannot

be diminished as stipulated in the proposed BBL,” explained Bacani.

Under the proposed measure, the current 70% share of the regional government will be increased to 75%.

Also represented in the deliberation were the Department of Finance (DOF); the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); and the National Tax Research Center (NTRC).

Bacani also explained to the members of the Ways and Means committee the formula used for the annual block grant. “The amount is equal to 4% of the 60% of the BIR net collection three years detached from the fiscal year. When you compute that for 2016, that is roughly P27 billion — just a little over what the ARMM received for 2015.”

Members of the committee also discussed the income taxes filing of businesses operating in the Bangsamoro. “There are businesses operating in the Bangsamoro which have main offices outside and that is where they pay their taxes,” Rodriguez mused.


“That is unfair for the Bangsamoro when you think about it. The business, manpower, and the income are all from the Bangsamoro. I proposed that taxes should also be filed in the Bangsamoro so that they become subject to the 75-25 arrangement,” he continued.

Sulu Representative Habib Tupay T. Loong agreed and added that “the kind of taxation being proposed is not only fair to the Bangsamoro but is also practical for the businesses operating therein.”

The committee also clarified some provisions of the bill to better reflect its intent such as the tax incentives to be given by the Bangsamoro are only applicable to taxes devolved to it; and that capital gains tax both refer to sale of real properties and shares of stocks.

Some representatives expressed reservations to the amendments saying they would continue their questioning at the plenary level which is expected to begin tomorrow.

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – In keeping with Republic Act 10644, otherwise known as “Go Negosyo Act”, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Office has led on Monday the launching and blessing of the Negosyo Center at the DTI provincial of-fice compound, Capitol Site this city.

DTI launches “Negosyo Center” for Zambo. Sur


DTI-9 Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain lauded Provincial Di-rector Maria Socorro Malate-Atay and her staff for establising the said center, making Zamboan-ga del Sur the first province in Zamboanga Peninsula to cmply with RA 10644. The establishment of “Ne-gosyo Center” in all provinces is one of the salient features of the Go Negosyo Act. Jain said this Negosyo Cen-ter would serve as the nerve center for our assistance for the Micro, Small and Medium Enter-prises (MSMEs) in the province.“In here, aside from business name registration, all technical assistance in the form of entre-preneurship development, prod-uct development, marketting,

coaching, product design, exhib-it, consultancies, handholding, mentoring the entrepreneurs will happen in this Negosyo Center,” Jain explained, as she urged all MSME’s in the province to make use of the center. Four more Negosyo Centers will be established in the region this year, one in Zamboanga Sibugay on May 29; in Zamboan-ga del Norte by next month and in the cities of Zamboanga and Isabela by July, Jain said. Go Negosyo Act was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III on July 15, 2014 and it seeks to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create more job op-portunities in the country.


DepEd readies for Oplan Balik Eskwela, bats for no collection policyBy Emmanuel D. Taghoy

In a press conference, Dr. Rosalio Conturno Jr., chief edu-cation supervisor and the divi-sion’s officer-in-charge said his office had organized a monitoring committee that would respond to problems encountered during enrolment.

Doctor Cunturno empha-sized the guidelines that every public school must adhere dur-ing enrolment, particularly the DepEd’s “No Collection Policy.”

“Some of the schools here started the enrollment last week

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd)-Zamboanga City Schools Division announced on Monday that all is set for the opening of classes on June 1 and it is strictly implementing the “No Collection Policy” in all public elementary and secondary schools in the city.


up to this coming Friday.They are not allowed to collect any amount and must follow the policy,” he said.

Based on the guidelines of DepEd Order No. 41 series of 2012, no fees shall be collected from schoolchildren enrolling in pre school up to Grade 4 during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year.

The prohibition shall not cov-er the authorized but voluntary contributions such as Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) Fund and Parents-Teachers Asso-

ciation (PTA), among others.

Moreover, for grade and year levels beyond Grade 4, no collec-tion of any type should be under-taken during the enrolment peri-od and the first month of classes. Starting on the second month of every school year, contributions may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis.

“Schools will start the collec-tion of fees that are authorized by DepEd on the month of Au-gust which are purely voluntary and not compulsory,” said Dr. Cunturno.

Lapuyan town completes ICS trainingBy Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY - Elected municipal and barangays officials, department heads, representatives from business and religious sectors, and peoples organization of Lapuyan town completed the 3-day Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training held last May 18-21 at Four Queens Resort here.

The ICS is a standard, on-scene all hazard incident man-agement system that enables various response groups to ef-

ficiently and effectively manage a single or multiple incidents or even a non-emergency or planned events. It allows users


to adopt an integrated organi-zational structure to match the complexities and demands of any situation without being hin-dered by agency or jurisdictional boundaries.

Engr. Angelito Casinillo, training officer of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD9) said the training sought to provide the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Council (MDRRMC) with the necessary skills in managing emergencies to ensure that disaster risks and impacts are minimized, if not prevented, including natural and human-induced disasters.

Casinillo said the training comprised lectures on the ICS, its organization and staffing, ICS facilities, organizing and man-aging incidents and events, and other related topics and issues.

Mayor Daylinda Sulong in her message said “ICS training is very important saying that their municipality is vulnerable to nat-ural disaster.”

“Importante gyud kaayo nga kaming mga opisyales ug kawani mopailawom ning maong pag-bansaybansay tungod kay ang

among lungsod dali ra matan-dog sa mga kalamidad. Adunay duha ka mga suba nga naglatas sa mga barangays. Kung walay hunong ang pag-ulan moawas ang suba ug mokatag ngadto sa ubos nga mga barangay, Sulong explained.”

(It is very important that the officials and employees will un-dergo this training because our municipality is vulnerable to di-sasters. There are two bridges that traversed the barangays. During heavy rains, the river will overflow and spread to the low-lying barangays.)

“We should be ready at all times because our municipality has experienced flooding, dry spell, landslides, earthquake and human-induced disasters like massacre, and piracy, and oth-ers,” Sulong added.

Sulong made sure that the concepts and principles of ICS would be applied in their baran-gays and the same training be cascaded to the 26 Barangay DRRMCs and other emergency responders in the municipality.

DOH-10 recognizes Lanao Norte zero open defecation awardees

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Two barangays from the coastal town of Baroy received plaque of recognition for achieving Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) by the Department of Health Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City.

by Provincial Information Office

Receiving the award from DOH-10 were barangays Princesa and Lower Sagadan. The regional awarding ceremony was held at Pearlmont Hotel, in Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. The outstanding barangays also received P8,000 worth of gift certificates from DOH as incentive in achieving a ZOD-certified barangay. ZOD is a program of the Department of Health as one strategy of achieving the Millennium


Development Goal (MDG) for sustainable sanitation. The program aims to encourage and empower the community to have sanitary toilet in each household to improve sanitary conditions in the community. In the implementation of ZOD, the community themselves are involved in the making of toilet bowls with direct supervision by personnel from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Rural Health Unit (RHU)-Baroy.

RHU–Baroy was also recognized by PhilHealth Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City for its exemplary performance in delivering quality health care services. Baroy Health Officer Melania Abad-Untao also received another recognition from PhilHealth-10 as one of seven health care facilities in region 10 with exemplary quality service performance.

NorMin ready for K to 12 senior high school program

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) region 10 is ready for the opening of senior high school program of K to 12 for the academic year 2016-2017.

by Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

According to Dr. Ninian A. Alcasid, Senior High School program coordinator of DepEd during Philippine Information Agecncy’s (PIA) radio program dubbed Lambo Dyes over DXIM Radyo Ng Bayan on 22 May 2015, the Department has been preparing for the K to 12 program. In fact, she said that 304 public schools all over region 10 will open Senior High School meanwhile they have

granted select private schools permit to operate. The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, or Republic Act No. 10533 signed on 15 May 2013 or K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of Basic Education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School (SHS) to provide sufficient time for mastery of


concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment and entrepreneurship. Dr. Alcasid said that through series of internal and external assessment including consultations, Senior High School Program is designed to produce productive and knowledgeable students with tracks according to the interest and needs of the community. She said that there are four tracks that a student can select when they reach SHS. These include Academic, Technical-Vocational Livelihood (tech-voc), Sports and Arts and Design. Based on their survey in region 10, most students still prefer the track for Academic; next is Tech-Voc followed by Arts and Design and lastly Sports. However, Alcasid clarified that not all schools can offer SHS because they want maximum utilization of their resources. She added that minimum of nine teachers will be needed for the SHS program and assured that schools in far flung areas have SHS program. Even teachers for tech-voc have enrolled themselves in tech-voc schools to get a National Certificate (NC) from the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

On the other hand, Dr. Alcasid said they have minimum provision of 60% absorptive capacity while the 40% will have the option to choose the school they would like to study for their SHS. Dr. Alcasid said that through DepEd’s Voucher Program, Grade 10 completer students from public or private Junior High School may select a private/state college or university or tech-voc school to continue their SHS with subsidy from the government. The Voucher Program however depends on the location. For example, she said that P22,500 is allocated per student in the National Capital Region (NCR) meanwhile in Cagayan de Oro, P20,000 per student is allocated. She added more schools will be built in the city and the region. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already approved the funding requirements and the implementation will be through the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH). Dr. Alcasid said that we are the last in Asia and one of the three countries (including African countries Angola and Djibouti) in the world that only implements 10-year pre University cycle. She said that K to 12 is a change needed for development and education is not just for DepEd but for the whole community. She quoted “It takes a whole village to teach a child.”


DTI-Misamis Occidental launches SME Roving AcademyOROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - At least 20 trainings have been lined-up by the Department of Trade and Industry, Misamis Occidental (DTI-Mis. Occ.), under the Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA) in the province.

To be conducted from the months of May until September, this year, foremost of these trainings will be the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration and Food and Drug Authority License To Operate seminars held last May 14, at Liga ng Barangay Hall, in Jimenez town “The SMERA is a continuous learning program for the development

of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become competitive in the domestic and international market,” Delia M. Ayano, Provincial Director of DTI, said. Its main strategies include the integration of the business development services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the national and local levels, establishment of the provincial, regional, and national entrepreneurship development networks and management of an inclusive

promotion program. Among its partner agencies are the Business Development Services (BDS) providers, local government units (LGUs), training institutions, chamber, academe, and financial institutions, trade and industry associations and other government and non-government organizations (NGOs), Ayano added. (DTI)

With opening of classes, campaign against gangs intensified

DAVAO CITY-The Davao City Police Office will clear the campuses and streets of gangs in preparation for the opening ohe school year. Speaking at the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing at the Royal Mandaya Ho-tel, Senior Inspector Mil-grace Driz, spokesperson of the DCPO said the proliferation of street-corner gangs is one of the concerns raised in the consultation conduct-ed by the police with the parents and children. She said the cam-

paign will in-volve not only the police but all govern-ment func-tionaries on the grassroots like the ba-rangay police aux i l i a r i e s , barangay offi-cials, parents and the City Social Welfare

and Development Office. “It is a social con-cern that we have to ad-dress as a community,” Driz said. She assured that the local government has a shelter and a reform pro-gram for children-in-con-flict-with the law.Driz said youthful offend-ers will be given a chance to change for good. “The police precincts in Talomo and San Pedro have a tie up with an edu-cational institution where CICL can acquire qual-ity education,” she said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Da-lumpines)


Operation Blessings gives free wheel-chairsDAVAO ORIENTAL- One hundred forty patients suffering from dif-ferent diseases that made them unable to walk recently received custom-fit wheelchairs from the Operation Blessings Foundation Philippines, Inc. These newly turned over wheel-chairs, said the foundation,not only intend to help patients, as well as their care givers, in making their ac-tivities of daily living easier but will also provide patients more fulfilling and productive lives. Patients who received the wheel-chairs includes those who suffer from diseases such as stroke, cerebral pal-sy, birth abnormalities, and other dis-abilities that keep them from walking. Operation Blessing Team Leader Gino D. Agban said the organization is a worldwide mission to help bring vital social services to communities, especially to the impoverished sector of the society. He said the wheelchairs are do-nations from different countries that pooled their resources together to reach out and touch lives of the poor. In becoming an eligible recipi-ent of a wheelchair, families of the patients were required to submit ba-rangay clearance, a photo, social case studies, and medical abstract that prove the patient’s worthiness to re-ceive a wheelchair.

The selection process of the pa-tients also involved tapping the help of Barangay Health Workers who vali-dated the patients’ eligibility to re-ceive. This procedure is deemed vi-tal as the organization discourages patients who still have the capacity to walk from becoming dependent to wheelchair use. In partnership with the Provin-cial Government and the Philippine Army who gave counterpart in terms of mobilization and coordination, the 140 wheelchairs were directly distrib-uted to patients throughout the prov-ince in several rounds of distribution. During the hand over, members of the Operation Blessing Team dem-onstrated the proper use and mainte-nance of the wheelchair to extend its life. Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon thanked the Operation Blessing for their benevolent works for her con-stituents, saying these blessings sym-bolize hope for the recipients. The Operation Blessing Philippines, Inc. became a frequent partner of the Provincial Government as they were one of the first few organizations to come to the province’s aid when Ty-phoon Pablo struck in 2012.(KLDelo-so)

Over 14,000 individuals benefit from NorthCot-IPHO’s medical-dental missionsBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, May 27--- A total of 14,167 barangay folks from different municipalities in the province re-cently benefited from the series of medical and dental missions conducted by the Inte-grated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

Dr. Eva C. Rabaya, officer-in-charge of the IPHO said that the beneficiaries include resi-dents of the barangays of Sangat, Magallon, Bialong, Poblacion 1 and Inas in M’lang; Bu-lacawon and Renibon in Pigcawayan; Central Malamote and Manupal in Matalam; Magsay-say, Ilomavis, and Binoligan in Kidapawan City; Kisante in Makilala; Poblacion 4, Sadaan, Amado Diaz Hospital in Midsayap; Bao and Sitio Badak, Dado in Alamada; Po-blacion in Pikit; Nabundasan in Tulunan; and Kitubod in Libungan.

The IPHO recorded a total of 9,917 indi-viduals who availed of free medical checkup, 2,608 for free dental services and 1,642 for free circumcision.

Rabaya said the continuing outreach mis-sion is part of the year round activity of the IPHO and its partners in providing free medical and dental services including basic checkups, tooth extractions and free dis


tribution of medicines and vi-tamins.

Among the IPHO’s partners are the 602nd Brigade Medi-cal Team, 57th IB, 40th IB and dental teams from different local government units.

Rabaya also disclosed that the IPHO formed a medical and den-

tal team for each district of the province to effectively conduct the outreach programs.

Ed Cadungog, Chairman of Ba-rangay Sadaan, Midsayap said he was grateful to IPHO for coming over to their barangay.

“It was like an answered prayer because many individuals


28K school kids in S. Cotabato eyed for catch up immunizationBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

here could hardly see a doc-tor or a dentist and now they benefited from the outreach pro-gram,” Cadungog stated.

Having similar circumstances with Barangay Sadaan, many vil-lagers of Manupal, Matalam also availed of the free medical-den-tal services of the IPHO.

“I am grateful that the IPHO and its partners are here to check

on my constituents. The medi-cal and dental services are really needed in our village to address the health needs of the children and the elderly,” said Teofila Enate, chairwoman of Manupal, during the medical and dental mission conducted in their area. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 27 -- At least 28,000 public school children and adolescents in South Cotabato are being targeted for catch up immunization in August this year.

Ludgeria Larong, provincial im-munization coordinator, said the activity is part of the nation-wide school-based immuniza-tion that would involve children in Grades, 1, 3 and 7.

“The Department of Health come up with a routine immuni-zation plan for these mentioned population groups to ensure high levels of protection,” Larong said.

Larong explained further that target children will be given

measles and rubella and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccines.

Approximately 16, 000 Grade 1 pupils and at least 12,000 Grade 7 students will be vaccinated in South Cotabato.

Female Grade 3 pupils in North Cotabato and Sarangani provinces, she added, will also be given vaccines against cer-vical cancer in addition to the aforesaid vaccines.


Coop leaders, officers gather for 1st ARMM Successful Cooperative CongressBy: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Based on the DOH guidelines, all school children enrolled in Grade 1 shall receive at least two doses for measles and rubella vaccine and one dose of Td.

Grade 7 students, on the oth-er hand, shall receive one dose each of measles-rubella and Td vaccines on the same immuniza-tion schedule.

Marifort Rafael, health edu-cation promotions officer-in-charge, said vaccination has been proven to be the most ef-fective public health intervention that protects the individual and the family members as well.

Rafael said the DOH will pro-

vide the necessary vaccines and other immunization logistics while the Department of Educa-tion will determine the most ap-propriate schedule of immuniza-tion sessions and ensure each eligible student and pupils will be vaccinated.

Local government units will take the lead vaccination in col-laboration with schools, hospitals and other partners within the catchment area. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from ACabri-do- South Cotabato Provincial Information Office)

COTABATO CITY, May 27 – Officers and leaders of cooperatives in the autonomous region have converged here for the 1st ARMM Successful Cooperative Congress.

The two-day activity that start-ed Monday and spearheaded by the Cooperative Development Authority of the Autonomous Re-gion in Muslim Mindanao (CDA-ARMM) aims to promote the via-

bility and growth of cooperatives in the region.

CDA-ARMM Administrator Dim-natang Radia said about 200 par-ticipants from ARMM’s five prov-inces Maguindanao, Lanao


del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi – are participating in the congress.

Radia said the congress is filled with activities as well as re-markable ideas that can be used in successfully managing a coop-erative.

“Successful cooperatives share their practices – specifically new management techniques, good governance and entrepreneurial activities – to newly established cooperatives,” Radia said.

The official also added that the congress forms part of the benchmarking program of the CDA-ARMM and enables small and micro cooperatives to be in-spired by the best practices of the successful ones.

Throughout the congress , in-

ternational agencies such as the World Bank and Japan Interna-tional Cooperation Agency (JICA) as well as national partners led by the Land Bank of the Philip-pines and the National Commis-sion on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) will present programs, projects and services that the region’s co-operatives may avail of.

CDA-ARMM has registered around 4,600 cooperatives from 2010-2014, the highest number among regions in the country.

The congress also serves as a venue to showcase the services and goods of ARMM’s successful cooperatives. (ORVRivera-PIA12 with report from Bureau of Public Information-ARMM)


Science Nation Tour connects, interact with people, says DOST Caraga chief

BUTUAN CITY – “Science Nation Tour connects and interacts with various stakeholders in the academe, the government, the media and industry,” says Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga during the Science and Technology Forum held Wednesday here.

By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde


Director Mallonga also acknowledged all participating agencies, students, partners, heads of agencies and state universities and the contribution of the members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) during Wednesday’s kick off ceremony. “The Science and Technology

(S & T) Forum is part of the larger activity of DOST which is the Science Nation Tour dubbed as Agham na Ramdam - Science which is felt by a larger mass of people in Caraga region,” said director Mallonga. Director Mallonga said that the tour is not just a mere caravan of DOST services but a roadshow where we inform, disseminate, communicate and share with the public about research initiatives. New technologies, programs and projects with Science, Technology and Innovation content will be shared so that more students, the youth, the micro and medium enterprises, local government units, civil society organizations, communities and the general public will come to appreciate and be inspired by what

they hear, see and experience, bared director Mallonga. “Through the Science Nation Tour we connect and interact with the people and will also create substantive partnerships that could provide opportunities towards joint undertakings and scientific and technological


collaborations that can harness the power of science for the benefit of our regions and the country as a whole,” said Mallonga. She added that the Science Nation Tour is a process of providing an avenue for inspiration, technology demonstration for engagement and results for conversion. The roadshow provides Information, Education and Communication (IEC) which inspire, engage and convert people to adopt Science, Technology and Innovation as a way of life. The S & T respond to the needs

of society and both are game changers. Significant reductions in poverty and improvements in the quality of life are made possible through advances in scientific and technological knowledge and applications, Mallonga said. During the S & T Forum, research and development initiatives of state universities/colleges and various teams are being discussed. Also, director Mallonga acknowledged the very important role of the media in helping DOST bring the good news to the people.


Caraga stakeholders participate in DOST’s S&T roadshow, forumBy: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – Heads/regional directors of government agencies, representatives from public and private sector, students and media actively participated during the kick-off program of the roadshow dubbed as “Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam” by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga held on Wednesday at Samping Avenue, this city. At around 6:35 a.m. on the same day, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, the event’s guest speaker, together with undersecretary for regional operations Carol Yorope, Climate Change and Disaster

Risk Reduction assistant secretary Raymond Liboro, and representatives from Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and Ateneo de Manila University arrived at the Bancasi National Airport. The group


was welcomed and received by DOST-Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga. During the program proper, Surigao del Norte Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson Sol Matugas delivered her welcome remarks to all the participating agencies and partners. “We are very optimistic that your presence in this science forum will strengthen our ties as partners and will enhance our learnings, programs and services in the field of science and technology. Thank you very much for your participation and we look forward to our future endeavors,”

expressed Matugas. Matugas recognized the valuable efforts of DOST thru regional director Dominga Mallonga. “I congratulate regional director Dominga Mallonga for being so active in the promotion of science and technology in the region,” she expressed. Also, on behalf of Butuan City mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, Engr. Pierre Anthony Joven read his message. He stressed that technology has made various developments for the city. “Today is the best time

to express our gratitude to everything good that is happening to us in our city through the DOST. As this forum includes the researches outcomes and other topics, the people of Butuan will be more aware of the effort of the government in its innovations for the benefit of the city and the region in general... We are also glad that the Philippine Science High School is accommodated at the Caraga State University Campus. I am confident that students will do their best just to be enrolled at Pisay to learn and develop their skills in science and technology... May this activity


today lead us to another significant innovations and developments,” he relayed. Director Mallonga also acknowledged all the participating agencies, heads of government offices, students and partners and their contribution to the different projects of the government in the field of science and technology. “Today’s activity is not just a forum but a roadshow

to really create meaningful outcomes/results by catering to people everything that we have in science and technology,” she said. Dir. Mallonga also recognized the vital role of the media in bringing the good news to the community. Meanwhile, Sec. Montejo encouraged more Filipinos to become technology self-reliant, being able to identify what type of technology to use in a project, suitable to social

and economic conditions of the geographic area in which it is to be applied. It should be appropriate and environmentally s o u n d . “We, in the Science and T e c h n o l o g y department is c o n t i n u o u s l y d o i n g innovations for inclusive growth. We build-up our ‘know-how’ and capabilities to come up with innovative


solutions to directly address the concerns, problems of the people in the community,” bared Montejo. Montejo further reiterated that the government is strongly supporting Climate Change Adaptation efforts. “We seek to improve the level of our preparedness for us to be more prepared in the future... As we prepare ourselves for the future, technology will also help us. Through it, our planning, decision making will be more definite because we have basis,” he disclosed. Aside from the press conference, the participants also witnessed the presentation of Early Warning Devices and Site Installations; Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing with Governors and City Mayors; Presentation and launching of Eastern

Mindanao Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Alliance for Development (EMIEERALD); and Presentation and Commitment Signing of Caraga Food Safety Team. Sec. Montejo also led the presentation, launching and MOA Signing of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station, also known as Starbooks at Robinsons Place’ Atrium. The secretary with other officials also visited the Tindahang Pinoy at the Robinsons Mall; Caraga State University (CSU); and CSU-Phil LIDAR and Responsible Mining Laboratory. The DOST and RDC Caraga have prepared various lined-up activities for the second and third day of the roadshow.


DA boosts farm mech drive By: Vanessa Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY -- In its quest to attain food security and sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XIII (DA-RFO XIII) intensifies its promotion of the Farm Mechanization Program by reaching out to farmers level.

This, after the DA-RFO XIII in coordination with the Philippine Center for PostHarvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) conducted a five-day information caravan on farm mechanization recently. The week-long caravan was conducted in rice producing

areas in the city of Bayugan, municipalities of Esperanza, San Francisco, Rosario and Trento, all of Agusan del Sur, and Tago, San Miguel, Madrid and Cantilan, all of Surigao del Sur. The caravan was attended by farmers and people’s organization leaders. Experts from PhilMech and DA-RFO


13 discussed about the farm mechanization program of the Department and entertained queries from the participants. “We are here to reach out to you and bring the good news. We want you to know about the programs of the Department so you will be guided on how to avail of these services,” Emmylou T. Presilda, DA Information Section Chief, told the participants. Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, chief of the Applied Communications Division of PhilMech, discussed about the benefits of farm mechanization. Foremost of which is to lower production cost and postharvest losses. He also allayed concerns expressed by the farmers about the displacement of labor with the rise of mechanization. He said that DA is now encouraging farm laborers to group together and organize a Farm Service Provider (FSP). To enhance their farming skills, technical and capability trainings will be conducted for them to be equipped as they in turn can then be tapped by other farmers in need of their services. In addition, as an organization, they can also avail farm machineries and equipment from DA.

The participants responded positively to the activity saying that with the information they gained, they will no longer be left out. “We appreciate the Department for conducting this activity because many of us farmers have limited awareness of the DA’s programs, but now it is being brought closer to us and we feel that the government is really looking after us,” said Edilberto Mungcal, a farmer from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The farm mechanization program, which is a major component of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), is part of the DA’s move to modernize agriculture in the country and aims to increase the productivity and income ofl farmers.




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