One Mindanao - November 16, 2015

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

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 Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

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]

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

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSVICTORINAO B. VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

Surigao Norte town receives P1M for Pasalubong Center

Indigent amputees receive prosthetic legs

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Malanyaon named as one of PH best Governors

Academic collaboration could prop up innovation, says foreign expert

NGCP seeks military assistance to secure transmission towers

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By: Susil D. Ragas

Cover Story

SOUTHERN

SOCCSKSARGEN CARAGA

INFOCUS

NORTHERNWESTERN

NATIONAL

700 fisherfolk receives free boats

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UR C

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By: Ferdinand Zuasola/RG Alama

Contents

By: IJLagare

Solon reminds public to observe law on washing of vehicles on the road

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30PHL to pursue peaceful means to resolve sea row with China

24 SurSur town up for 13th Surfing FestivalBy: Greg Tataro Jr.

By: Franklin P. Gumapon

36 3 Mindanao mayors dismissed from service, 3 more face criminal charges

4 November 16, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story Malanyaon named as

one of PH best GovernorsBy: Ferdinand Zuasola/ RG Alama

For being the “best prime mover of government programs deemed worthy of emulation and recognition,” Davao

Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon is among this year’s Outstanding Governor of the Philippines awardees.

5November 16, 2015 One Mindanao

Malanyaon named asone of PH best Governors


The ceremonies for the prestigious Outstanding Governorship Awards 2015 was held in Makati City last October 28, 2015, it was conferred by the award-giving body Superbrands. Only six of the country’s provincial governors have

qualified for the awards. Aside from Governor Malanyaon, this year’s awardees are Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado of Bulacan, Governor Faustino Bojie Dy III of Isabela, Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Governor Maria Imelda Imee


Marcos of Ilocos Norte, and Governor Miguel Luis Migz Villafuerte of Camarines Sur. “Your success and remarkable achievements as a public servant has been recognized not only by this organization. We are proud to have you in our list of honorees and we hope you continue your sincere dedication and commitment in all your future endeavors,” says Harry Tambuatco, president and chief executive officer of the Superbrands Marketing International Incorporated, an award-giving body engaged in consumer and service products. In her acceptance speech, Malanyaon, who earlier bagged this year’s Seal of Good Local Governance Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government, stated: “When I was elected as governor of the province of Davao Oriental eight and a half years ago, back in 2007, I knew then that the path I would take will be filled with challenges that would put to test my desire and commitment to serve my fellowmen, the best way I could.

Malanyaon cited that the award was the fulfillment of a vision she had nurtured of helping and seeing Davao Oriental attain a degree of sustainable development that would harness the potentials of its God-given resources as well as the innate skills and abilities of its people.

“I encountered numerous and varied development concerns ranging from health, malnutrition, education, peace and order, environment, agricultural productivity, infrastructure, disaster and risk management, governance and a lot more. Duty-bound, all these I have to confront head-on, but for me, always with passion. “ the Governor said. According to the Governor the same challenges in Governance presented opportunities which she seized, opportunities to introduce change, to innovate, to educate and capacitate, to build, to make things better, to empower and to make a difference.

“As I take stock of what I have done together with my


people and partners for the three consecutive terms of service as governor which will soon end in a few months from now, I find fulfillment in the knowledge that I will be leaving behind a legacy of trailblazing accomplishments in various aspects which our people can also be proud of. “ she said The Governor cited among major accomplishments placing Davao Oriental in the global map having been recognized as host to a world heritage site, the Mount Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary. She also mentioned the process of rebuilding from the devastation of super typhoon

Pablo creating better and stronger communities and municipalities. “We significantly increased our agricultural productivity and garnered awards on agriculture and fisheries for several consecutive years. We established excellent health facilities especially for our poor constituents. We successfully embarked on peace and development efforts. We put in place tourism facilities and edifice to showcase the province’s natural beauties and cultural heritage. And more importantly, we instituted policies and mechanisms to serve as foundations for development and good governance.” The


G o v e r n o r said in her speech. “We have a shared vision and together with my people and partners, we worked in concert and as a team. I lead by inspiring and empowering people. It is therefore with pride and honor that I accept this Outstanding Governorship Award and recognition bestowed upon me by the Superbrands and to belong in the circle of best provincial government leaders in this country. I hope that we can share and disseminate our stories of leadership, of challenges and

of successes. And for our stories to serve as models and inspire more. For indeed, the Philippines need more good leaders who will lead not just with their heads but with their hearts.”

One Mindanao10 November 16, 2015

PH public institutions set up as models for anti-corruption and good governance in APEC

MANILA -- Twelve public sector institutions who were declared last month as the Philippines’ first “Islands of Good Governance” (IGG) were presented to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials Friday night as beacons for anti-corruption and good governance in the region. According to Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jess Estanislao their stories of transformation through good governance are

available for others to look at and possibly learn from.

The first IGG include the cities of Balanga in Bataan,


Mandaue in Cebu, Talisay in Negros Occidental, Butuan in Agusan del Norte, and Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte; the Philippine Heart Center, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The five city governments were cited for their endeavors to improve economic wellness in their locales through programs promoting knowledge-based businesses, agro-forestry, sports and recreation, high-quality manufacturing, and retiree-friendly zones, respectively.

The Philippine Heart Center, on the other hand, was praised for its desire to improve heart health status for the less fortunate.

DTI was cited for its commitment to increase the country’s competitiveness

by 2016 from lower third to upper third rank in the World Economic Forum (WEF) global competitiveness report. It has heightened consumer awareness from 66 percent in 2012 to 80 percent this year.

The AFP was recognized for increasing operational readiness of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) national response units from 64 percent to 80 percent in 2015, while the Philippine Army was hailed for its initiative to craft functional personal scorecards for 100% of the Philippine Army’s non-commissioned officers or 60,000 men and women.

The Philippine Navy was commended for successfully achieving its breakthrough commitments as a Standard of Excellence, Bastion of Innovation, and Sentinel of the Sea, guided by its strategic Sail Plan 2020.

The NEA was credited for being well on its way to attaining 100 percent sitio energization,


thus serving an additional 1.4 million consumer connections, and providing P5 billion financial assistance to electric cooperatives.

The only banking institution on the list, the BSP was awarded for continuously being top-ranked globally in policy and regulation and for being the first central bank in the world to establish an enabling environment for financial inclusion.

All were put through a rigorous two-year selection process, including audits by respected firms the Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines (IIA-P), KPMG and R.G. Manabat & Co. and Deloitte and Navarro Amper & Co.

In a speech delivered during the ABAC luncheon with APEC Senior Officials at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, Dr. Estanislao stressed that the award demands that they should “continue to give good example and inspiration to all other institutions.”

“They are to be re-certified every 3 years: for their observance of the Code of Ethics and Integrity; their practice of solidarity and promotion of entrepreneurship in social enterprises; and their governance outreach proving that social responsibility has been embedded into their transformation program,” he said.

“Even as they share good governance practices, we implore our Philippine public sector institutions to learn from the best anti-corruption and good governance practices from the entire APEC community,” added Estanislao. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)


Academic collaboration could prop up innovation, says foreign expert

MANILA-- Greater collaboration between colleges and universities will make new ideas being developed to reach more people and eventually turning innovation to produce profit, a researcher and a member of the New Zealand private sector, said on Friday. During the APEC Business Advisory Council’s (ABAC) special session entitled “Dialogue with APEC Voices of the Future

Delegates”, the issue of getting accessed to research output and innovation was raised. ABAC was asked to

photocredit: http://taiwantoday.tw/


recommend specific initiatives that colleges and universities should undertake to facilitate the development of a young population who can contribute greatly to innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

As a response, Anthony Nowell, a research leader from New Zealand, said the key is forging collaboration between academic institutions involved in research with the government acting as regulator.

“I think that the word collaboration is a very important word when it comes to getting the best innovation, what is out there at the moment,” Nowell told the delegates that are mostly composed of young people from different APEC economies.

“We don’t see quite enough frankly. We talk about institutions, thousands of institutions around the world because the founding mechanisms institutions have tend to be competitive.”

However, these academic institutions do not usually share their ideas and Nowell said he believes giving governments authority to facilitate much more collaboration between institutions and get the ideas flowing across the border would be a great help.

He also said the this collaboration must not be limited by boundaries or borders, adding ideas should flow freely whether these are national or internal borders.

For instance, in the Philippines, there must be tie ups between UP and Ateneo, he said.

“How do you get the innovation flow occurring? That is a very important issue to my mind,” he said.

Although there are many people who have bright ideas, their research outputs are often left sitting on library shelves without seeing the light of the day, he said, noting this is


actually the real problem.

Also, Nowell raised the issue on inaccessible big data that could aid people to innovate.

There is a huge amount of data coming out of researchers that is not being accessed or used, he said.

“I think once again, finding the right mechanism to get access to big data is going to open up a whole new world of innovative ideas from the work that has been done before,”

Nowell said.

ABAC has hosted the dialogue with young people from across different APEC economies to prepare them to become future leaders and innovators in the region in the coming years. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

16 One Mindanao November 16, 2015

NGCP seeks military assistance to secure transmission towers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– Officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) are seeking the assistance of the military to secure dozens of transmission towers in Mindanao. Elizabeth Ladaga, NGCP’s corporate communication head, said on Thursday that unidentified culprits tried to topple down

another transmission tower in Patani, Marawi City, in Lanao Del Sur last Tuesday.

17One MindanaoNovember 16, 2015

According to Ladaga, the incident caused power interruptions in some parts of Mindanao, which was restored in the afternoon of Nov. 9, after NGCP implemented temporary measures to transmit power produced by Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydropower plants to the rest of Mindanao.

She said that the incident took place eight days after three NGCP towers were filled with explosives in the same area.

While the explosion did not topple the tower, the damaged it sustained caused it to lean, putting the transmission facility in a more critical condition, Ladaga said.

She said that the NGCP has issued a public appeal to help monitor the safety of the towers

so that transmission services remain uninterrupted.

Sometimes the restoration of transmission services to affected areas were likewise hampered by uncooperative landowners who are preventing NGCP from conducting much needed vegetation clearing activity, she said. The NGCP has also repeatedly appealed to the government and the Philippine Army for assistance in resolving the escalation of security problem and right-of-way issues in Mindanao.

Ladaga said that elements of the Philippine Armed Forces are currently assisting NGCP in entering the properties of the uncooperative landowners to expedite restoration. (PNA)


Gensan village gets water system from NGCP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 16 – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has put up a water system in one of the rural barangays here.


Indigent amputees receive prosthetic legs

Batomelong, a far-flung agri-cultural vilage, received a water system from NGCP as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The water system was inau-gurated on October 28 and was received by Batomelong Baran-gay Chirperson Aserin Ngilay.

City Mayor Ronnel Rive-ra, Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas Nograles, and other local offi-cials witnessed the ceremony.

“I do not know what we did to deserve this project. They just asked us to comply with the requirements before they con-structed the water system. We complied and they gave us a water system,” Ngilay said.

Engr. Bonifacio Colipano, NGCP Mindanao District 6 head, said the water system in Batom-elong was the first in Gensan

and indicated that NGCP is plan-ning to construct more in the coming days.

Colipano, however, did not reveal the cost of the water sys-tem as it is part of the CSR.

Mayor Rivera stated that the project in Batomelong will aid the constituents in the area in accessing potable and sufficient source of water.

“Batomelong is one of the far-thest areas in Gensan. Although there are already irrigations here, potable drinking source is still a problem. The water sys-tem from the NGCP will be a big help in solving this problem,” Mayor Rivera said. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 16- Indigent amputees in General Santos City have a chance to receive new prosthetic legs with help from a German charity group Wir-helfen Foundation.

Wir-helfen Foundation, in partnership with the Prosthesis Center of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSW-

DO) began its charity work of giving free prosthetics to select-ed amputees here in 2012.

As of October 26, some 75


indigent amputees in Gensan have already benefited from the medical services of Wir-helfen.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Wir-helfen’s program has great-ly aided the city government in giving additional service to per-sons with disability (PWDs).

“The cost of an artificial leg is around $5,000 to $10,000. Sophisticated artificial legs cost more than that. As much as we want to, the budget of the city is very limited to give our indi-gent amputees artificial legs so we are very thankful to the Wir-helfen Foundation for their kind-ness to us,” Mayor Rivera said.

The foundation also operates in neighboring areas such as South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani Province.

Leo Cambongga, 30, one of the beneficiaries of the program, narrated how the free prosthesis helped him get back his “normal life.”

Cambongga was involved in a vehicular accident which cost him his right leg. Also because of the accident, he was coma-tose for five days.

“Sa umpisa hindi ko matang-gap na putol na ang isa kong paa at sana namatay na lang ako yan ang sabi ko sa sarili ko noon. Sa tulong ng asawa at

anak ko, nabuhayan ako ng loob ( I could not accept that my leg has been amputated and wished that I had just died. But with the help of my wife and child, my hope came alive),” Cambo-ngga narrated.

“May isang person with dis-ability na nakapagsabi sa akin na may foundation (Wir-helfen Foundation) na tumutulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng artificial leg sa mga katulad ko na mahirap. Ngayon yung dati kong ginagawa ay nakakaya ko na uli sa tulong ng artificial leg na binigay sa akin. (A fellow person with disability told me that there is a certain founda-tion that helps poor amputees like me by giving artificial leg. Now, I can do the things that I used to do, thanks to the artifi-cial leg they gave me.),” Cam-bongga added. (IJLagare-Gen-san CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)


DOH-Caraga strengthens campaign to eliminate filariasis, malaria By: Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) - Caraga has strengthened its campaign to eliminate mosquito transmitted-diseases by declaring the month of November as filariasis and malaria consciousness month.

It was declared through the Executive Order No. 369 and Presidential Proclamation No. 1168, respectively. November shall also be the month for the annual mass treatment against filariasis.

“The annual mass treatment is an approach which involves the entire community in killing microscopic worms and


controlling mosquitoes,” DOH-Caraga assistant regional director Cesar Cassion said. In the region, three provinces have already been declared filaria-free: Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Whereas, only Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands were declared as malaria-free provinces. “This is actually the global campaign to eliminate the said diseases. Prioritizing the vulnerable population, we will

never stop our efforts to combat the diseases until the entire region is declared free of such,” Cassion said. Filariasis is an infection caused by microscopic, thread-like worms called filarial worms and is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito which develops into adult worms. It causes great damage and overwhelming swelling known as lymphoedema. The best way to prevent lymphatic filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites. While, Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. And to prevent and reduce Malaria transmission, vector control is the main tactic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends protection for all people through the use of mosquito nets or insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying. To date, DOH Caraga is on the verge of preventing and controlling the mosquito-transmitted diseases until its region wide elimination.


Surigao Norte town receives P1M for Pasalubong Center By: Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The local government unit (LGU) of Claver of this province recently received P1 million check from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the implementation of their Pasalubong Center project under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) Program. The Pasalubong Center is expected to benefit the local producers that will be displaying and selling their local products. The local government is helping the micro-entreprises and farmers cooperatives in various productive endeavors producing handicrafts, processed food and souvenirs items hence they proposed the aforesaid

project. Claver mayor Eddie P. Gokiangkee was grateful to DTI Surigao del Norte headed by provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan for the support in facilitating the release of the said project fund that will be used to support local micro-entrepreneurs in the said municipality.


DTI supported Claver LGU initiatives under the BUB program considering the town’s flourishing local businesses and increasing visitors’ arrival. The check was handed to mayor Gokiangkee by Rodrigo R. Matabaran, Supervising Trade and Industry Development Specialist during the simple turn

over ceremony held recently at Claver Municipal Hall. Witnessing the released were Trade and Industry Development Specialist - DTI BUB technical staff Ninebeth Romo, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Eva B. Casido, and Claver BUB Coordinator Jason D. Buhion.

SurSur town up for 13th Surfing Festival

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Lanuza town, 43 kilometers north, this city, is already set for the holding of 13th Surfing Festival at Doot-Poktoy Surfing Paradise on November 23-28, 2015.

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

Based on the official program of invitation, the activity will be held simultaneous with the 7th Agri-Aqua Trade Fair plus a

lot more of side occasions like the inter-school beach dancing contest, fun run, coastal clean-up, old-fashioned volleyball,

file photo: http://www.expatch.org/


indigenous vegetable cooking contest, boat racing, “photo ko, like mo contest,” search for Ms. Surfin’ Lanuza, and more. However, the main event for the six-day affair will always be the open surfing competition for men and wahine on short- and longboards alike. Surfing participants are expected to arrive at least two days ahead of the opening day due to the registration schedule as well as briefing. The said town does not only take pride of other famous eco-tourism destination and attraction such as Mangrove Forest, Campamento Caves, Magkawas Falls, Herrera

Ancestral House, Lanuza Agsam Craft, Sanctuary Café, Sanctuary Guardhouse, and Rafflesia but it is also proud of its amiable folk. The Provincial Tourism Office here headed by Caridad Rosina Ronquillo had already been tapped for the usual support. Michelle Pareja, assistant provincial tourism chief, said that the host locality was asking for P500,000 financial assistance from the provincial government. However, Governor Johnny Pimentel has yet to give his word on the matter, according to Marjorie Pagaran, secretary to the governor.

file photo: http://www.retireinthephilippines.info/






ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Government communicators and information officers urged the national government to provide permanent (plantilla) positions to information officers in government agencies and local government units (LGUs).

MINDACOMNET seeks to institutionalize IO plantilla positions in gov’tBy Rene V. Carbayas


At the 13th Mindanao Communicators Network (MINDACOMNET) Congress in Cagayan de Oro City on November 11-13, government information officers raised the concern that most, if not all, of the government information officers are either designated or appointed only by their respective agencies. To date, the position of information/communication officers in most government agencies and LGUs are optional and either designated or appointive positions. This status, according to MINDACOMNET participants has created problems of sustainability in information work and disrupted communication activities. And sometimes, designated personnel are not even equipped with necessary skills to do communication work, which hampers information dissemination. A participant who raised the concern said that this only shows that government is not very serious and does not put much value on the role of communication and information work in respective government institutions. “We tend to react only when situations arise, like crisis communication,” said a participant

who requested anonymity, adding that the proactive stance of higher authorities in communicating government programs and policies are not translated into concrete policies like the institution of permanent positions for information officers in all levels in government. Outgoing MINDACOMNET President and Philippine Information Agency-XI Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena recalled that MINDACOMNET has passed a resolution sometime before 2012 in Davao at the time when Senator Gringo Honasan was the chair of the committee on public information. He, however, did not explain what happened to the resolution. “Since it is election time, we need to wait for the next Senate committee chair on public information to act on the matter,” Elbanbuena said. He said that Honasan explained that three other committees will handle the resolution. One is the committee on local government since certain provision of the local government code will have to be amended because the position is optional and co-terminus with the appointing authority. Then there is the committee


on civil service who shall recommend the need for the said position not only in the local but also in the national government. He also looked forward that information officers’ positions at the Philippine Information Agency will also be expanded. Elbanbuena said that in his region, there are only ten permanent positions catering to several provinces and cities. He underscored the arduous efforts to convince legislators to pass a

law on the matter. Elbanbuena and the MINDACOMNET remain hopeful that the next administration will give attention to this concern. More than 200 communicators and information officers convened at Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City for the 13th MINDACOMNET Congress with the theme “Investment Opportunities in Mindanao towards ASEAN Integration.”


PHL to pursue peaceful means to resolve sea row with China By Franklin P. Gumapon

MANILA – Assistant Secretary Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a press briefing on Friday at the International Media Center (IMC) here that the Philippines would pursue peaceful means to resolve China’s overlapping claims over the South China Sea.

www.dailymail.co.uk

“China’s action is expansive and has no basis of international law. Hence, the Philippines has resorted to arbitration to find enduring solution to the problem,” Jose explained in response to a question raised by a foreign media delegate. China is said to have claimed almost the entire resource-rich sea that straddles Southeast Asia. Hundreds of foreign media delegates from the 21 APEC member-economies are now covering the country’s hosting of the 27th APEC leaders’ summit this week.

President Michelle Bachelet of Chile arrived here yesterday for a state visit and the APEC meeting. Prime Minister Peter O’ Neill of Papua New Guinea, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos and officials from Chinese Taipei and Hongkong are also arriving today. Colombia joins the APEC summit as an observer, as she is not yet a regular member. This year’s APEC meeting is anchored on the theme, “Building inclusive economies, Building a better world.”


Communities aid in validating list of poor householdsCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- To ensure transparency and to correct errors in the list of poor households it generated, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to accommodate error issues filed by families and communities regarding the initial list of poor households posted in their barangays as part of the Department’s validation phase.

The list of poor households is generated through the DSWD’s “Listahanan” or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, which shall become the basis in identifying qualified beneficiaries for social

p r o t e c t i o n programs and social services in the country. The list can also be used by other national g o v e r n m e n t agencies, and providers of social protection programs and services. Earlier this month, the

DSWD posted the initial lists of poor households in strategic areas in the barangays to give an opportunity for the communities to give feedback on possible errors such as inclusion, exclusion, correction of entries and misspelled names.


Solon reminds public to observe law on washing of vehicles on the roadCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Chair of the City Council committee on health and sanitation reminds the public of Chapter 101 of the 1994 Codified Ordinance of Cagayan de Oro on the washing of vehicles and overnight parking in the city.

Philip Waye Mappala of the DSWD also says that the validation phase enables families who were not visited by the DSWD enumerators to appeal and be assessed. “This is also the time when they can lodge their complaints and grievances to the Local Verification Committees,” Mappala said. The members of the Local Verification Committees include the municipal or city mayor, the local government unit’s planning officer, social welfare and development officer, and members from the civil society organizations. The DSWD shall serve as the secretariat of the committees. Furthermore, Mappala shared that the complaints filed shall be elevated to the Local Verification Committees and shall be resolved within five days from filing. The

DSWD, through its area supervisors, shall also update those concerned regarding the status of their issues. The Listahanan validation phase is targeted to run within the month of November 2015 before the finalization of data of poor households nationwide. The DSWD encourages the public to participate during the validation process to ensure that the list of poor households in the region will be accurate, correct and viable.(Mitzie S. Santiago/DSWD/PIA10)

Photo credits: https://pianormin.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/communities-aid-in-validating-list-of-poor-households/

“I have seen on several occasions that car washing is done in city streets. Though it can be a source of income of bystanders, it should not


3 Mindanao mayors dismissed from service, 3 more face criminal chargesThe Office of the Ombudsman on 5 November 2015 has ordered the dis-missal from service of three mayors and 27 other local officials from all over Mindanao for Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

Dismissed from service are Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Mayor Vicente Fernandez of Matanao, Davao del Sur and Mayor Mamintal Adiong of Ditsa-an Ramain, Lanao del Sur. They were also perpetually barred from holding public office. Three other mayors, four vice-mayors and 30 other local officials in Mindanao were also criminally indicted last month for various charges ranging from violation of R.A. No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Malversation, failure to liquidate cash advances and irregularities in the procurement process, among others. Those who had been criminally

indicted include former CDO Mayor Vicente Emano, Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel and Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. In a decision approved on October 06 by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Mayor Moreno was found to have committed Grave Misconduct for entering into a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines prior authorization from the SangguniangPanlungsod in violation of R.A.No. 7160 (The Local Government Code). The agreement allowed Ajinomoto to pay P300thousand instead of its original local business tax deficiency of P2.9 million.

be tolerated,” Councilor Dante Pajo said. Section 460 of the codified ordinance, prohibits the washing of vehicles, motorelas and tri-sicads along the city streets or portion thereof to avoid the collection of mud and dirty water on the side streets. Further, Section 461 requires all operators or owners of public utility

cars and taxis to have their own garage so that there will be no more overnight parking in the city streets and where washing of these units shall be made at streets. (ELB/CdeOSP)Photo Credits: http://cdeo-sp-info.blogspot.com/2015/09/committee-meeting-on-health-and.html


The Office of the Ombudsman ruled that the approval of the agreement by the court cannot, in any way, legitimize the acts of Moreno. Dismissed together with Moreno was Glenn Bañez, officer-in-charge of the Treasurer’s Office. Ombudsman Morales also approved on October 05 the dismissal from service of Mayor Fernandez for Grave Misconduct. Fernandez, who is facing criminal charges for the murder of a journalist, was found to have been discharging his functions as mayor even while in detention. These functions include issuing office orders, business permits and appointments, and signing official documents, among others. He was also criminally indicted for violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (Usurpation of Official Functions). Meanwhile, in a Decision approved on September 17, Mayor Adiong was found guilty of Grave Abuse of Authority, Grave Misconduct and Oppression for ordering the burning of a truck owned by JERA General Construction. The firm was hired by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) to install concrete electric posts and distribution lines in the municipality. Several witnesses positively identified Mayor Adiong as the one who gave the order to burn the truck. On September 22, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict former CDO Mayor Emano for his willful refusal to implement a final and executory decision of the Civil Service

Commission (CSC), in violation of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Administrative Assistant III Leonor Esparcia who was transferred and detailed to the City Library as watchman, which resulted in the diminution of her rank or status. Aggrieved, Esparcia challenged her transfer before the CSC which ruled that she should be restored to her original position. Emano failed to file an appeal and refused to implement the CSC directive. Mayor Pimentel of Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, on the other hand, was charged with violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), for his refusal to pay Mario Cuartero, a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the total amount of P 485,369.24 representing the latter’s salaries, allowances and bonuses for the period July 2010 to June 2011. (Office of the Ombudsman) Also criminally charged was Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat for violation of Sections 3(e) and 3(f) of R.A. No. 3019 for willfully and deliberately refusing to implement the return to work order, issued by the CSC in favor of Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Elias Segura, Jr. in March 2014. He was found to have acted with manifest partiality and evident bad faith in refusing to implement lawful orders from competent authorities without justifiable cause.


DavOr launches UBAS to strengthen governance in barangaysDAVAO ORIENTAL –Tapping the active participation of the religious sector in strengthening the culture of transparency and good gover-nance at the barangay level, the Provincial Government on Monday, November 9, 2015, launched the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan Program (UBAS).

UBAS is a partnership pro-gram between the barangays and the church to pool resources and harmonize efforts in the advoca-cy of good governance, transpar-ency and the pursuitof projects and services for community de-velopment. Among the stakeholders in-volved in this partnership pro-gram include the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Liga ng mga Barangay, and faith-based organizations – regardless of religion and de-nomination. UBAS Executive Director Atty. Mariness L. Ledesma said that aside from fostering peo-ple’s participation and conver-gence among stakeholders, the program also aims to make the

barangay a center of develop-ment. She emphasized the pro-gram’s major areas of engage-ment that include among others the creation of an environment that encourages people’s par-ticipation in the implementation of DILG projects and harness-ing community participation in upholding transparency and ac-countability measures. In addi-tion, it also covers the monitor-ing ofprojects covered by DILG’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB). Other areas of partnership for the program include peace and order, disaster risk reduc-tion, social protection, employ-ment and livelihood, leadership formation, and grassroots participa-tion process. DILG Provincial Director Yvette


T. Sunga said this program is essential in gaining the trust and confidence of the people. She reminded the barangay offi-cials to nurture the local government as they are ‘an integral component of our nation and are vital to our overall development’. “The local community are the source of our sustenance, our identityand our strength,” she said, noting to further enrich the baran-gays by deepening its faith and unit-ing them as a people. An advocate of convergence, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, dur-ing the launching ceremony at the Provincial Capitol, assured the DILG, the Liga ng Barangay, and the reli-gious sector of her full support to this partnership program. She said she is optimistic that it will spur more de-velopment in the barangays as it en-

courages more members of the com-munity to take active part in the local development. For its part, the church, repre-sented by Rev. Fr. Edito Baño, Apos-tolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mati, also signified the religious sec-tor’s commitment to the program, noting it as an apt venue to render service to the people and the com-munity. He lauded the program as it inspires people’s sense of ownership towards local programs and develop-ment. Also present among the religious sector’s group are Pastor Reuben Col-mo of the CSO Lifeskills and Board Member Lito Macatabog representing the Muslim Community. (PIO)

facts and figures

85 number of anti-trafficking cases filed from 2004 to the present in Region XI


700 fisherfolk receives free boatsPROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL– A total of 700 fisherfolk from across the province have received free fishing boats for the year 2015, says the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI). A joint project of the Provin-cial Government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Program, the turn-over of fishing boats is part of the long-term interventions of the gov-ernment for the victims of typhoon Pablo which severely devastated the province in 2012. PAGRI said that out of the 700 boats provided, 300 were motor-ized while 400 were non-motorized. Felipe Montera, Chief of the Fisheries Section of the PAGRI, during the latest turnover ceremo-ny to 111 fisherfolks in the coastal town of Baganga, said that around 192 additional boats funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will soon be distributed across the typhoon-hit coastal towns of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, and Caraga. The fisherfolk beneficiaries ex-pressed their gratitude towards the efforts of the government, particu-larly the Provincial Government, for giving them an opportunity to im-prove their means livelihood. They said that with these new boats they could certainly make a real catch. Aside from the fishing boats, other interventions for the fishery

sector in the typhoon-hit areas in-clude mangrove planting, distri-bution of fishing implements, and support to high-value aquaculture, among many other livelihood inter-ventions. Governor Corazon N. Malany-aon, who led the turnover ceremo-ny, told the fisherfolk to take care of these boats as these are their primary means of livelihood. She also reminded them, par-ticularly the Bantay-Dagat to take care and guard the province’s ma-rine resources against illegal fish-ers. She further urged the benefi-ciaries to continue their support to the various development programs of the Provincial Government bent at boosting the socio-economic de-velopment of the province, particu-larly on the emerging eco-tourism development in their areas that holds the promise of further local economic improvement. Gracing the turnover ceremo-ny are Board Member Niño Uy and First District Representative Nel-son L. Dayanghirang.(By KLD/PIO DavOr)

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