One Mindanao - November 23, 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 ARTISTSEMMANUEL TAGHOY, 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

Butuan preschoolers enjoy books and toys at city library

Tacurong builds up rescue team

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Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN marks first anniversary

ASEAN inks anti-human trafficking agreement

Coloma urges info officers to help persevere peace in Mindanao

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By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

Cover Story

SOCCSKSARGEN

CARAGA

INFOCUS

NORTHERN

WESTERN

NATIONAL

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OUR COVER

Contents

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

Hero soldier of Gingoog city released

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34 38

28Airport Transfer to decongest city; PPP as window to realize transferBy: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

22 DTI AgSur monitors sale of Christmas lightsBy: DTI-Caraga

36 Watershed council pushes plan for ecosystem sustainability in CDO

By: Carina L. Cayon

32 1FAB plants 1,500 mahogany seedlings in Tukuran townBy: Gideon C. Corgue


Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN marks first anniversary

Cover Story


5November 23, 2015 One Mindanao

November 23, 2015One Mindanao

Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan led the DA 12 family, along with hundreds farmers and fisherfolk, in commemorating on November 16 the 1st Anniversary of the Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN, which she described as “the only

TV program of produced by a DA regional field office that features successes in the agriculture sector not only in SOCCSKSARGEN Region but also in other parts of the country.

In the past 12 months, Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN has

I Agri Tayo SOCCKSARGEN, a magazine TV show produced entirely by the Department of Agriculture Field

Office 12 has turned a year old.


aired 49 one-hour episodes

featuring successful farmers and farmer groups, activities of the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies, technologies and developments in the field of agriculture in SOCCSKSARGEN Region as well as other places in the country.

Its production staff travelled to Cavite, Laguna, Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte for features regarding state universities and colleges, Agri-Pinoy trading centers, and successful agricultural ventures.

Locally, they went as far as villages in the coastal towns of Lebak and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat province for an episode that highlighted the fact that the government’s development

e f f o r t s extend even to

extremely remote villages.

“Through the TV program, the DA Regional Field Office 12 would like to disseminate to our primary clients — the farming and fishing families — and other stakeholders even those that are not directly reached what the agency is doing,” said Director Datukan, who is also the show’s executive producer.

Along with the communication efforts via radio, print and social, the TV show has helped the public be informed and educated of the interventions and projects that the government has implemented for the agriculture sector.

“This TV program has proven that DA is not all talks,” she emphasized.

November 23, 2015One Mindanao

Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN airs every Saturday at 9:00 to 10 a.m. over the

following cable TV stations: Brigada TV GenSan – Channel 46; JVS Star Cable – Channel 2; Marvel Cable – Channel 30; Makilala Cable – Channel 10; NCTVN – Channel 14; My FM TeleRadyo – 101.1; Lyk FM TeleRadyo – 96.7 and Cotabato Cable – Channel 10.

Episodes may also be viewed via Facebook and YouTube.

In his message, Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said he is an avid viewer of the Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN.

“I would like to congratulate DA 12 because of all the government agencies here you are the only one that has produced such a TV show,” Mayor Miguel said, noting that the Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN is much better produced compared to the programs produced by a national TV station.

Because of Agri Tayo


SOCCSKSARGEN, he is encouraged to also produce a similar TV program where the city government could emphasize organic farming.

The city government of Koronadal has an organic farming initiative in which the city government pays a peso for every kilo of organic product produced including rice, fruits, vegetables, livestocks and others.

Agri Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN’s first anniversary celebration on last week was accentuated by the graduation of the radio school-on-the-air on farm mechanization, ASEAN Integration and climate change.

Over 600 farmers and fisher folk completed the three-month radio course.

Competitions on essay writing, extemporaneous speaking, fruit and vegetable carving, and brown rice cooking with students, out-of-school

youth and women as contestants were also conducted.

The Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Section (RAFIS) of DA12 headed by Nelly Ylanan manages the production of Agri-Tayo SOCCSKSARGEN.

One Mindanao10 November 23, 2015

Palace thanks Filipinos for helping make the country’s APEC hosting a success

MANILA -- Malacañang expressed its gratitude to millions of Filipinos nationwide who helped make the country’s recent hosting of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting and other related summits a huge success. Speaking over Radyo ng Bayan, Sunday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said this particular accomplishment would not be possible without the tremendous support and cooperation of the general public.

“Marami po tayong ginawa

rito at nagpapasalamat po tayo sa kooperasyon ng ating sambayanan. Tagumpay po ito ng ating sambayanang Pilipinas. So maraming salamat sa ating mga kababayan sa isang matagumpay na pag-ho-host po ng APEC,” Lacierda said.


What made the country’s hosting even more noteworthy, Lacierda said, is that we managed to hold such international event without major complications, especially in terms of security, in light of the recent terror attacks in Paris.

“I know we have pleaded for understanding but this is a once and a lifetime opportunity for us to show our best foot forward and considering the difficulties, considering the recent situation on the Paris attacks, the security concerns, we were able to successfully host not just the APEC Leaders’ Summit, but huwag natin pong kalimutan sa buong taon po ang ating ginawang hosting nitong APEC. Ang nakikita lang po natin siguro [ay] ‘yung nangyari po nitong APEC Leaders’ Summit last week,” Lacierda said.

The Philippines hosted the yearlong APEC summit, since December last year. Overall, 44 meetings were held in nine cities across Luzon and Visayas, including Manila, Clark, Subic,

Tagaytay, Bacolod, Boracay, Bagac, Iloilo, and Cebu.

The annual gathering of individuals to promote trade and other economic policies culminated in the just concluded APEC Leaders’ Meeting held in Manila on November 18 and 19.

Twenty heads of government including US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other representatives from APEC member economies participated in the event with Colombia as guest observer.

Throughout the year, Lacierda noted, the country played host to 13,402 delegates, 9,607 meeting participants and delegates, and 2,678 foreign media delegates who were served in 21 major hotels.

Security proved to be the major challenge in the Philippines’ hosting, especially during the APEC Leaders’ Week, as the government was forced to close major thoroughfares and


issue no-fly zones in the airports to ensure the safety of arriving world economic leaders.

As the Filipinos are known for their trademark hospitality, Lacierda thanked the public for bearing with these security procedures and enduring all the hardships just to make sure our guests are treated well throughout their stay in the country.

“Nakita po nila ‘yung world-class hospitality ng ating

mga kababayan. Hindi talaga [maikakaila] ang galing ng ating kababayan sa pag-welcome sa ating mga foreign guest, sa mga foreigner,” Lacierda said.

“We really go beyond the extra mile to make sure that our guests are treated well and for that we thank the entire Filipino people for the hardship, for the support, for the cooperation that (they extended) for this whole year of hosting APEC,” he added. (PCOO/hdc)


ASEAN inks anti-human trafficking agreement

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia-- All 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an agreement yesterday to stamp out human trafficking in the region. The signing of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP), establishes the legal framework for the region to address the issue and establish a mechanism to protect victims of trafficking. The Leaders stressed that victims of trafficking, mainly vulnerable women and children,

have a fundamental right to be protected in accordance with international law and relevant international conventions.

ACTIP demonstrates the political will and commitment of the ASEAN Member States in protecting victims of trafficking and preventing and combating trafficking in persons within the


region. The objectives of ACTIP, among others, are: to effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children; to ensure just and effective punishment of traffickers; protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons, with full respect for their human rights; and to promote cooperation among the relevant parties in order to meet the objectives. Recognizing the need and urgency to address the issue of trafficking in persons in the region, the ASEAN Leaders during the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011 tasked the Ministers in charge of Transnational Crimes to consider an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons. ACTIP is the second convention for ASEAN following the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism, which was signed by the ASEAN Leaders in Cebu, Philippines on January 13, 2007.

The signing ceremony was led by ASEAN chairman, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Najib then handed over the signed convention document to Asean secretary-general Le Luong Minh. ASEAN has 10 member states including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. (PCOO/PND)

15One MindanaoNovember 23, 2015

Coloma urges info officers to help persevere peace in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma has urged the government information officers to help persevere building peace in Mindanao, saying that “peace is the foundation for economic opportunities and growth.”

By: Carina L. Cayon

16 One Mindanao November 23, 2015

Coloma raised this call in his video message during the 13th Mindanao Communicators Network Congress recently held in Cagayan de Oro City, which bannered the theme “Investment Opportunities in Mindanao Towards ASEAN Integration.” Related to peace and security endeavors, Major general Oscar lactao, the commanding general of the 4th infantry division of the Philippine army has a message during the Mindacoment Congress.

Timely with the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila this week, the PCOO Secretary also underscored the importance of the participation of the country to this very significant

event.

Coloma gave emphasis on the efforts of the government to attain the aim for “Inclusive Economies and Building Inclusive World: which is the theme of the APEC summit this year.

“This theme underlines our own country’s strategic objective to attain inclusive economic growth and progress. No one is left behind, walang maiiwan sa daloy ng progreso, kaunlaran at pag-unlad,” he told around 250 information officers from various government agencies, local government units and GOCCs from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and ARMM.

APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific


Rim member economies that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Coloma upheld the government’s efforts during the past five year particularly on prioritizing the equalization of opportunities through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, saying “We have endeavored to promote the wellbeing of the least of our brethren.”

He also mentioned the continuing efforts in ensuring the education of grade school children and making certain that “they are kept healthy and well-nourished they will not drop out of school.”

The World Bank commended our country for having one of the best social protection programs,” he added.

Coloma called on the communicators to level up and contribute their best talents and energies in mobilizing people to participate in peace and development initiatives of the government.

He also urged them to continue working together in a bayanihan spirit to promote the health and well-being of all Filipino people.

Meanwhile, Major General Oscar Lactao, Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, emphasized the shared responsibility of all citizens in keeping peace and security in Mindanao.

“It’s not only the job of the Police and the AFP, but also the responsibility of all citizens. All are affected if peace and security is not in order. It is a major responsibility of all,” he said during the Mindacomnet Congress.

Mindacomnet is a network of public information and relations officers of national government agencies, local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations in Mindanao, being led by the regional offices of the Philippine Information Agency in Mindanao.

The 14th Mindacomnet Congress will be held in Butuan next year.


New school building soon to rise in Siar-gao Island

DEL CARMEN, Surigao del Norte - Students and residents of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte cannot hide their joy and excitement during the groundbreaking event held November 05, 2015 at the campus of Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) here.

By: Danny Escabarte


A one-storey two-classroom school building will soon rise in this part of the island. The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company has bankrolled the construction of the new school building that will house high school students who shared classroom space among college students of the school. The classroom construction project will be implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in partnership with the administration of SSCT and the Parents Teachers Employees Association or PTEA. In her speech before parents, teachers and students of SSCT, Evelyn M. Del Rosario- PLDT Head /Consultant for Community Relations emphasized the value of education in shaping the future of children in this island. “It is heartwarming to know that you are taking active involvement and participation in this undertaking. Your presence show how much value you put to education for the children in this part of the archipelago. Your presence already defines your commitment in addressing education issues and concerns that your province faces,” Del Rosario stressed. “PLDT who is a member company of PBSP is a strong corporate partner supporting

government’s efforts to respond to classroom needs across the country. The implementation of K to 12 with its worthy intention of preparing our children and youth to be better and productive citizens of this country, has led to the realization of the different stakeholders of the enormous needs particularly in terms infrastructure,” she added. Included in the construction package were 90 student chairs, two teacher’s tables, two teacher’s chairs and two blackboards. Present to grace the event were Del Carmen mayor Alfredo M. Corro II, PBSP Mindanao regional manager Garibaldi Alvin Enriquez, SSCT campus director Dr. Carlos Donoso and Randy Petallo- PTEA president. Students and stakeholders were on hand to witness the groundbreaking event, made memorable with the blessing given by Rev. Fr. Manuel Quiban, DCS, parish priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Del Carmen, Siargao Island.


For the said celebration, the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) spearheaded several activities like day camp, literary and musical contest and outdoor events that promote and develop children’s social, emotional, language, physical, and cognitive aspects.

According to Fe Labitad, day care worker of GAD Resource and Learning Day Care Center here, the preschoolers’ visit at the city library featured exploration, exposure, experience and discovery as a way of learning, enabling them to develop confidence, creativity, literacy, art and critical thinking.

BUTUAN CITY– In time with the National Children’s Month celebration, the preschoolers together with their parents/guardians and teachers gathered and visited on Friday the city library here and enjoyed reading books and playing toys.

Butuan preschoolers enjoy books and toys at city library By: Jennifer P. Gaitano


“We are very happy to bring our children here at the library so they can read a lot of books, see pictures and play with the available toys. Their genuine smiles and laughter during the puppet show were priceless,” expressed Labitad. City librarian Luz Dumanon welcomed all the preschoolers, parents and teachers and toured them inside the library. She also let the children witness the dance presentation of a mascot named “Book-Book.” “Our city library has a room for you children where you can read, see pictures and videos of stories and play with toys as well. Do come here more often and you are always welcome,” remarked Dumanon. Also, Maria Ruth Jugao, officer-in-charge of the Butuan CSWD encouraged the preschoolers from the different Day Care Centers to give more time for reading aside from playing. She further emphasized that children must be patient in doing school researches and to use books instead of relying in technology. “Every time you (children) are inside the library, you should respect others who are reading silently and never make noise.

The technology may be advanced but we should all remember that books are still more useful and it give us the value of patience in looking/finding for the answers to our school researches,” stressed Jugao. Meanwhile, representing regional director Abner Caga of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan bared that the aim of the National Children’s Month is to recognize Filipino children as the most valuable assets of the nation and their vital role in nation-building. “In every society, there is much emphasis placed on the care and proper welfare of children. This is because children are obviously the hope of the future. Without them, the future of any society or nation would be questionable. After all, who would take over the reins of leadership if not the very same children that we have today? They are the ones that will continue our traditions or start new ones. Hopefully, they will find solutions to problems that we have been unable to master… There is so much that reading children’s stories aloud to our kids can do for them. Let’s start reading together today!” expressed Abkilan.


DTI AgSur monitors sale of Christmas lights By: DTI-Caraga

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur Provincial Office has monitored 10 business establishments selling Christmas lights in San Francisco town, this province.

During the monitoring, it was noted that the Christmas lights offered for sale by these establishments bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers with the corresponding

ICC certificates. The monitoring was done to ensure that uncertified Christmas lights will not proliferate in the market. Staff from the Municipal Market and


License office representing the Local Price Coordinating Council of San Francisco joined the DTI monitoring team. Before the distribution to retail outlets, Christmas lights shall first passed the mandatory safety tests conducted by the Bureau of Philippine Standards, once successfully complied with standard requirements, a corresponding ICC certificate and ICC sticker will be issued. In San Francisco, the brands that are commonly sold in the market are North Star, Yuletide Fantasy and Mabuhay. These are also found in the list of the issued valid import Commodity

Clearance Certificates. For this year, Christmas lights/lighting chains valid for selling are only those with ICC Certificates issued from January 2013 up to the present. DTI Agusan del Sur will continue its monitoring on Christmas lights in Bayugan City, Esperanza, Trento, Sta. Josefa, Bunawan, Rosario, Talacogon and San Francisco in November to December this year. The monitoring activities aim to protect consumers from hazards due to use of substandard products which may cause damage loss of property or life.






ZAMBOANGA CITY – Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hernando Delfin Carmelo A. Iriberri has named Major General Mayoralgo M. Dela Cruz as new commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), replacing Lieutenant General Rustico O. Guerrero, who has retired after 38 years of military service.

AFP chief installs new WesMinCom commander

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy


Airport Transfer to decongest city; PPP as window to realize transfer

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The proposed transfer of Zamboanga City International Airport (ZIA) from its present site to Mercedes “will decongest the city,” this according to Engr. Rodrigo Sicat, City Planning and Development Coordinator during the Zamboanga Peninsula Airport Development Summit conducted recently.

In the change of command ceremony on Saturday, November 21, held at Camp Basilio Navarro, Iriberri lauded Guerrero for his counter-terrorism operation, particularly against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu. Among the accomplishments of WesMinCom under Guerrero’s stint are: the neutralization of 804 enemy personalities; recovery of 232 assorted firearms and 145 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and materials; seizure of 44 enemy camps; and the surrender of six personalities through the integration program. The AFP Chief said Dela

Cruz, who has been serving the military for more than 30 years in various command and staff positions, will continue Guerrero’s mission in fighting the Abu Sayyaf. Iriberri ordered the new WesMinCom chief to enhance the military’s offensive against lawless elements and other enemies of the state. Dela Cruz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, was the chief of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division. He vowed to continue the efforts laid down by Guerrero to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.


It can be recalled, in the technical proposal for the Zamboanga City Master Development Plan (ZCMDP) presented by U.P. Planning and Development Research Foundation, Inc submitted sometime in 1996, it says that population is heavily concentrated in the urban area and its vicinity leaving a relatively sparsely populated hinterland. The existing road network is inefficient for the requirements of the city. The roads in the central commercial business district are narrow, and the main thoroughfares linking the different districts of the city proper have limited interconnection thereby causing congestion in major

intersections. The proposed transfer of ZIA to Barangay Mercedes will ensure safety and allow expansion, as it will free prime commercial lots within the central business district. Engr. Raphael S. Lavides, Division Chief, Air Transport Planning, DOTC said the department

will procure within the year - services of a consulting firm for the conduct of a feasibility study (FS) to revalidate the previous FS warranting the need to transfer the Zamboanga Airport to the proposed site in Barangay Mercedes. “In the last FS, it showed that by 2020, the air traffic -passenger volume will reach its peak, and would have reached the requirement for the transfer,” Engr. Sicat said. This means, we must already act now for the transfer because gestation period from the actual funds programming would take about 5 years. Zamboanga‘s airport is the third busiest airport in Mindanao with almost a million


passengers (901, 041 to be exact) recorded in 2014.

PPP as avenue to pursue airport development

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is one window that the airport project can be implemented and the city is lucky enough to have received investment intentions from business magnates like former Senator Manny Villar and Robinsons Land Corporation, among others. On November 11, 2014, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) wrote DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya expressing intention and willingness to venture in a commercial development in the City of Zamboanga. Engr. Sicat said the letter of Robinsons expressed the real estate company’s willingness to invest and construct the new airport in the proposed site in Barangay Mercedes, which leaves the government “no exposure”- monetary wise.

Why the need for transfer

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the current airport poses an impediment to the vertical development of the surrounding commercial areas; there is limitation –expansion wise due to its proximity to the Central Business District (e.g., 3km to City Hall); non compliant to international standards (International Civil Aviation Organization –ICAO and International Air Transport Association –IATA) such as its Runway Strip-securing the 300 meter wide runway strip would entail realignment of an existing city road and demolition of several residential and commercial establishments ; Runway-a road and a cemetery prohibit the provision of a runway safety; Passenger Terminal Building- the location of the terminal facility is too close to the runway that parked jet aircraft become obstacles to the transitional surface. It also prohibits the development of a future parallel taxiway. With increased demand for flights due to increase in the number of travelers both in domestic and international


flights, air emissions and noise pollution are certain to wage a great impact on the surrounding communities not to mention the hazards due to those residing immediately at the airport property boundary. Another huge reason why the need to transfer is the flooding due to overflowing, in times of heavy rains of San Roque River that flows under the runway. Box culverts cross underneath the runway channeling two streams across.

The New Airport

The development of the new airport for Zamboanga will involve approximately 175

hectares of land acquisition, including the areas for glide slope, future runway extension and parallel taxiway and 30-meter road right of way for the access road and diversion of existing barangay road. The project components will include: construction of new terminal that will accommodate more passengers; construction of 6 jet bridges, construction of new 3,440 meter long runway to accommodate more and bigger planes; construction of new taxiways and aprons; and construction of a new modern control tower. Once completed, it could accommodate up to 8 million passengers per year.

1FAB plants 1,500 mahogany seedlings in Tukuran town

By Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army on Saturday planted 1,500 mahogany seedlings during the tree planting activity conducted in barangay Tinotongan.


1FAB commanding officer LtCol. Hubert S. Acierto in his message said the activity was in partnership with the local government unit of Tukuran and Barangay Tinutongan which carries the theme “Kaabag sa Kalinaw ug Kalamboan ngadto sa maayong Kaugmaon.” (Partner of peace and development towards a brighter future) Acierto said the activity was in support to the National Greening Program (NGP), a massive forest rehabilitation program of the government which seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of six years, from 2011 to 2016. “With this program, we can restore our denuded forest back to its original state,” he said saying that trees are very important and valuable to our very existence. “The trees that we have planted today will help prevent the occurrence of natural calamities such as floods, landslides, among others,” Acierto said. On the other hand, Vice Mayor Michelle Rota said the LGU enacted and

implemented ordinances that build local resilience action plans to address climate change disaster. “We have enacted ordinances to protect our environment,” Rota said. She encouraged everyone to participate in tree planting activity because it does not only give benefits to our environment but it also provides livelihood opportunities to residents. “As simple as planting trees can help stop climate change,” she stressed. Meanwhile, Acierto also thanked the active participation of the Mutual Benefits Association Incorporated, barangay officials, barangay response emergency team (BERT), and local residents for making the activity successful.


Camiguin named outstanding province in nutritionCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 19 (PIA) – Camiguin province was

named outstanding province in northern Mindanao for the effective and efficient implementation of their local nutrition programs.

The province received the rec-ognition during Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) held in Cagayan de Oro city on November 6. Mayor Joanne Marie Rubin of Guinsiliban town received the award in behalf of the province. The Guinsiliban LGU was also Camiguin’s provincial

green banner awardee. Regional Nutrition Program Co-ordinator Marissa DM Navales said the Green Banner Award is given to a municipality, city, or province, which has shown very satisfactory perfor-mance


Hero soldier of Gingoog city released

The hero of barangay Alagatan in Gingoog City, Cpl Adones Jess M Lupiba, who was kidnapped by lawless New People’s Army four months ago was finally released, November 20.

This is through an active third party advocates at barangay Kaulayanan, Sugbongcogon town in the province of Misamis Oriental.Cpl Lupiba was released through the help of Bishop Felixberto Calang of Iglesia Filipina Independiente and Governor Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi”

Emano of Misamis Oriental. It can be recalled that Cpl Lupiba sacrificed his very own freedom in exchange of the civilians used by the NPA bandits as human shield during the encounter at Alagatan on July 11, this year. The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes which resulted to the wounding of two civilians caused by the indiscriminate strafing

of the NPA, death of one soldier (Cpl Bairula), and one kidnapped (Cpl Lupiba). We thank the people who helped us for the safe release of our soldier especially Bishop Calang and governor Emano. We also thank the peace-loving people of Misamis Oriental who

in implementing nutrition program. An area awarded the Green Banner for three consecutive years as outstanding regional winner auto-matically is awarded for the Consis-tent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award. Last year, the province has noted a drop on its malnutrition rate from 7.15 percent in 2012 to only 5.88 percent in 2014. This is based on the

weighting results done twice in a year to children 0-71 months old or below six years old. Various interventions were initi-ated by the LGUs to bring down the malnutrition prevalence from learn-ing sessions to feeding programs, and livelihood assistance to priority fami-lies with identified malnourished chil-dren. (JCV/PIA)


Watershed council pushes plan for ecosystem sustainability in CDOPresent and future generations in Cagayan de Oro brace to a

healthy and balanced ecology in the city.

The Executive Committee of the Agusan-Cugman Cluster of Watersheds Management Council (ACCWMC) has endorsed on 18 November 2015 the proposed Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) interventions of the Balubal Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association (BISFFA). Forester Samuel M. Jumawid, technical editor officer of DENR’s Regional Project Coordinating Office (RPCO), said theproject intends to increase economic condition of the upland communities and forest cover within Agusan-Cugman Watershed through agroforestry and reforestation, with a cumulative area of 61 hectares

proposed to be implemented with Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) support in three-year period or until year 2018; He further said the government recognizes the vital role of various stakeholders in the protection, rehabilitation, development, management, and utilization of the natural resources in watershed and river basins; hence the crafting of the proposal has involved the participation of national government agencies (NGAs), non-government organization (NGOs), religious sector,academe, local government units (LGUs), security group,

offered their prayers for his release, said Col Jesse Alvarez, commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade. As recognition for his distinct act of heroism, the 4th Infantry Division will give a hero’s welcome followed by the ceremonial pinning of rank insignia as Corporal. Cpl Lupiba will also undergo medical and physical examination to include stress debriefing at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital. Meanwhile MGen Oscar T Lactao, commander of 4th Infantry Division lauded Lupiba for his bravery and act

of heroism.

Lactao said, “I congratulate Cpl Lupiba for saving the people of Alagatan. For the people in Northern Mindanao, this is the kind of soldier who are serving you. Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Rule of Law are deeply ingrained in each soldier. Likewise, we are ready to protect you just to ensure that no threat would disrupt your peaceful communities.” (4ID/PA)


Indigenous People (IP), peoples organizations (POs) and business sectors, and other stakeholders. BISFFA, comprising a total of 121 households are the actual occupants of the area which possess tenure security over the area covered by Community Based Forestry Management Agreement (CBFMA) with total area of 250 hectares where ENRM subprojects shall be implemented. Pablo M. Bactong, BISFFA president, said they are very glad for the favorable action to their proposal. This is not only benefit the Balubal’s officers but also to all the direct 121 household beneficiaries. Among the direct benefits identified come from participation of members to do labor work and harvesting agricultural and timber products. The implementation of the subproject seen to increase the likelihood of attracting additional possible markets for the people’s organization goods and services. Meanwhile, ACCWMC was

organized to promote the formulation of policies and programs in consultation with the stakeholders. Further, it shall ensure that all projects submitted by participating agencies and peoples organizations for funding under the project are consistent with the overall environmental conservation and management framework of the concerned LGUs and watershed management plan. It shall carryout also periodic monitoring and evaluation of projects being implemented by partner agencies, and keep track of progress of INREMP implementation within the Agusan- Cugman Cluster of Watersheds. INREMP, on the other hand, is a seven-year-project that focuses on watershed as a management unit or area of operation. This is implemented through community-based approach with inter-agency supportive mechanism. Likewise, this project is covered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which aims

to reduce and reverse degradation of watershed, provides incentives to local communities, and enables improvement of natural resource management by generating sufficient and tangible economic benefits. The government has adopted integrated watershed management as a national strategy for sustainable development per DENR MC 2008-05, Series 2008. (Nelia C. Quijano/ PIA)


Gensan opens doors to aquaculture industry

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 23– Gensan is taking first step to-wards the next big industry.

Aquaculture, which was de-scribed by a United Nations

Food and Agricultural Organiza-tion study as the “big future”, is


now gaining ground in Gensan with the city’s hosting of the 10th National Shrimp Congress on November 11 – 13.

Philippine Shrimp Industry Incorporated (PHILSHRIMP) President Roberto Gatuslao, the organizer of the event, said this was the first time that the Na-tional Shrimp Congress was held outside of Visayas.

General Santos City is a good place to hold the congress as it has areas and near to areas that are suitable to culture prawns and shrimps, he added.

Gatuslao also said that the number of interested investors

in the shrimp industry is found in Mindanao, especially in agri-cultural regions such as SOCC-SKSARGEN.

In an interview, City May-or Ronnel Rivera said the city is open for new investments and businesses, especially in the fields of agro-industry and aquaculture.

“Gensan has been for decades known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. My direction is to take it beyond the Tuna Capi-tal. We want General Santos City to have a strong economic activity through diverse busi-nesses,” Mayor Rivera said.


“We can present opportunities and advantages for investors when they will choose Gensan. First, we have our airport and water port to provide access and trade to other regions and places. We are also improving our support facilities such as the water and power supply to cater the demands of our investors. And doing business here in Gen-san is easy because of our new investment code.”

He also assured help to small investors and cooperatives that would like to grow farms of shrimps.

To prove that there is profit in growing shrimps, Director Asis Perez of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that in the Philippines, the annual income generated by the indus-try is already P10 billion, which translates to is already gener-ating 60,000 to 70,000 metric tone of catch.

This statement was supported by Senator Cynthia Villar who attended the congress. Villar revealed that aquaculture now constitutes almost half of the water catches of the Philippines.

For years, the Philippines has been heavily dependent on the fishing industry and “wild catch-es”.

Villar also confirmed that the Senate is now amending the Fisheries Code of the Philippines to increase the regional protec-tionism of national waters.

“If we can’t preserve and pro-tect our waters, our seas will be virtually become deserts in the next 35 years. We should create balance between our resources so that we will not lose one of it,” Villar followed,” Villar em-phasized.

With this, Mayor Rivera was hopeful that many would take interest in entering the shrimp business.

“I am very confident that the industry itself has a good future here in our region if we can en-courage, help, and teach our people how to be successful in culturing shrimps,” Mayor Rivera said.

The 10th National Shrimp Congress focused on the new innovations in the industry as the new face of aquaculture. Discussions on grown-out farm-ing, hatchery operations, feed milling, processing and export-ing, and input supplies were also elucidated during the con-gress. (IJLagare-Gensan CPIO/DEDoguiles-PIA12)


By: Danilo E Doguiles

Tacurong builds up rescue team

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Nov. 23— More individuals are joining Tacurong City’s rescue teams.

Just recently, 20 new res-cuers from Barangay EJC Montilla completed a five-day training on Basic Search and Rescue on Flooding and Land-slide Incidents.

Trained members will com-prise the EJC Rescue Team with Benedicto Ortizon Jr. as team leader.

Tacurong City Responsive Assistance and Coordinated Search and Rescue (TRACER) team conducted the training that covered basic first aid,

map reading and land naviga-tion, rappelling and extrication, swimming techniques, and one-mile swim among others.

EJC Montilla is the fifth vil-lage in Tacurong City that con-ducted search and rescue train-ing and organized a search and rescue team, which is en-couraged by the city govern-ment considering that many villages here prone to flooding. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from(LGU Tacurong City Infor-mation)

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One Mindanao - November 23, 2015

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