One Mindanao - November 28, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features theFour Queens

ofPagadian

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

In ThisIssue...

Monday, Vol. 1 No. 106

Cover StoryFour queens, one best place to stay in Pagadian

14 MBLT-12 rescued group of women believed victims of trafficking

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

RDC-X endorses Php1.838B proposal of R-10 eco-sector agencies for FY 2012

City of Iligan inks MOA with PICE, TESDA, GK for joint construction of 300 houses

TESDA eyes industry visits in Mindanao

South Cotabato implements version of seal of housekeeping for barangays

DOLE Kabuhayan starter kit inspires visually impaired person

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy Region XII

Region XII

Region IX

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob Region X

Melvin T. Anggot / Virgilio C. Garcia Region X

Carina Cayon, Region XI

16

17

20

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page08

page 16

page 21

page 26

page 27

Gideon C. Corgue

Nat

iona

l

Pres. Aquino tells PIA Weather Watch, ‘good job’..................................................... 8

page 4

15 DCCII Facilitates carwash and vulcanizers’ organization in Dipolog City

Alfonso T. Ruda, Region IX

DepEd observes 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women

Jennifer P. Gaitano Region Caraga 29

LGU-Hinatuan moves closer to people

Gemma S. Millan Region Caraga 28

4 Monday, November 28, 2011ONE MINDANAO

Four queens, one best place to stay in Pagadian

Cover Story

by Gideon C. Corgue

To provide guests a calm, modest, charm and cozy ambiance, a well-refurbished hotel was opened to serve its customers from remote places here.

5 Monday, November 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Four queens, one best place to stay in Pagadian

The Four queens resort is situ-ated in barangay Bulatok, with 1,700 sq. meters area. It has two (2) elegant and fully-air conditioned function halls, swim-ming pool, green house (a garden wedding and reception venue), and a videoke bar. The hotel was named ‘four queens’ after the owner and her three daughters: Princess, Vanessa, and Paulline. It has superior, comfortable, el-egant, clean and fully-air conditioned rooms with flat screen cable televi-sion and hot-and cold water shower rooms where some rooms have pri-vate balcony, with spectacular view of the pool area. All rooms are at afford-able rates. To provide an ideal venue for conferences, training, seminars, and assessment meetings, the Empress hall equipped with an LCD projector, a state-of-the art audio visual equip-ment and Wi-fi internet access which can accommodate 100-200 persons, is ready to serve. It has also Duchess hall, an open air hall beside the pool fully equipped with audio-visual facili-

ties and wireless internet connec-tion which can house comfortably 50-100 persons. Civil engineer Jocelyn P. Hinogu-in, the owner said she did not expect that a resort will be con-structed in the area saying that her original planned was to put up a building for the regional offices to rent but she opted to launched a profitable and long-term busi-ness -- a resort. Hinoguin said the existing build-

ing was converted into a hotel on July 2008 and completed on October this year. The facade and traditions of the building were kept intact but the in-terior was redesigned to give travel-lers the kind of comfort they’d expect . Hinoguin said renovation project costed about P20-M. “I did not spend so much more money because it was me who per-sonally supervised the construction of engineering aspects of the building,” Hinoguin said who has been engaged in construction of buildings with his late husband and contractor Paul Hi-noguin for more than a decade.


Hinoguin said what is unique in the hotel is that they will offer and serve to all its hotel guests an exqui-site Mediterranean cuisine, one of the world’s great cuisines. “The food will be prepared by chef hired from Cebu City, who is an expert in preparing the cuisine,” Hinoguin added. “We offer an unforgettable expe-rience to all our guests with the staff’s great hospitality,” Hinoguin said say-ing that it’s not only the delicious food that would attract the visitors but the Filipino’s warm hospitality that is deeply embedded by them. Another special features from the resort are the beauty of the lush

garden and the beautiful and natural swimming pool for an outdoor wed-ding celebration which have never been conducted in any of the hotels in the city, Hinoguin proudly said. A wedding package of free ho-tel accommodation and bridal car will be offered to those who would plan to hold the wedding reception party at their resort. A free, safe, secure and conve-nient parking space will be offered also to their guests for the duration of their stay. Hinoguin said the existence of their establishment now has offered employment opportunities to the res-idents of the city, since it did not give competitive salaries and benefits yet to their employees because it oper-ates for less than a month. At present, the resort has a to-tal number of 26 employees some of whom are hotel and restaurant man-agement graduates and graduates of 4-year courses. “The good quality of foods and excellent services are our trademarks that we can be proud of in attracting travelers and visitors who will visit the new tourism-related establishment in the city,” Hinoguin concluded.


Aquino to keynote 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress

President Benigno S. Aquino III will keynote the 2nd Asia-Pacific Community-Based Rehabilitation Congress that will take place at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila on Tuesday (November 29).


The Congress, which is being held under the auspic-es of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), aims to promote multi-sectoral partnerships for the implementa-tion of the United Na-tions Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD). The UNCRPD re-quires participating countries to take ef-fective and appropri-ate measures, includ-ing peer support, to

enable persons with disabilities to attain and maintain maxi-mum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability and full inclu-sion and participation in all aspects of life. The Philippines became the 23rd country to ratify the UNCRPD in 2008 and fully supports its pre-scribed policy through the Community-Based Rehabilitation, the best strategy to address the needs and promote the rights of

people with disabili-ties worldwide. This year’s Con-gress, which will run for three days until December 1, has a general theme “CBR: Building Communities for Everyone,” and a sub-theme “Main-streaming Disability in the Development Agenda.” Joining the Pres-ident will be Social Welfare Secretary and NCDA Chairper-son Corazon Soliman. (RCK)

Pres. Aquino tells PIA Weather Watch, ‘good job’President Benigno S. Aquino III commended the

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the effective use of its ‘Weather Watch’ Facebook Fan Page in boosting government’s disaster

preparedness and response.

9Monday, November 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

P r e s i d e n t Aquino was in Legazpi City, Albay over the weekend, to inaugurate the Climate Change Academy togeth-er with Governor Joey Salceda--the lead initiator of the academy, Environ-ment Secretary Ramon Paje and Presidential Com-munications and Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma. “Congratula-tions on a good

job!”, Betty Lou Penera, PIA plan-ning director, quoted President Aquino as saying after he viewed the PIA Weath-er Watch booth which was part of an exhibit inside the lobby of the academy based at the Bicol Univer-sity campus. The FB Weath-er Watch site re-lies on the popu-larity of the social networking site to operate on

the framework of ‘Problem-Infor-mation-Action’ or another acronym for the PIA. It was conceived and launched by PIA Director Gen-eral Jose Fabia at the height of Typhoon Juan in October, last year in coordination with the C e n t r a l C o m -muni-c a -


tions Desk of the Presidential Com-munications Op-erations Office (PCOO). Earlier, Fabia said this other acronym for the agency signifies the free and con-tinuous flow of timely and ac-curate disaster-related infor-mation to the National Di-saster Risk Reduc t i on

M a n a g e -m e n t

Council a n d

other agencies to help people in need and save lives. W e a t h e r Watch has served

as an internet and t ex t i ng -based tool of the nation-al government for early warning and response in times of natural disasters. In ad-dition to reports monitored from private media on a 24-hour basis, Weather Watch also uses situa-tion reports gath-

11Monday, November 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

ered from the field by PIA staff from 16 regions and 58 provinces across the country. Likewise, the web page also in-forms the public, particularly those who have relatives and friends, about the weather situa-tion in disaster-hit areas. “To put it sim-ply, Weather watch uses new media as a tool in saving lives through disas-ter preparedness,” Penera said, as she described the page that provides not only real-time weather updates, but flooding situa-tions, information on road conditions and even school and work suspen-sions related to bad weather. Penera said

that among the no-table contributions of weather Watch was the immediate rescue of at least 9 families from a landslide that hit St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte on Jan. 2, 2011; the prompt rescue of about 50 pas-sengers from pos-sible drowning on Oct. 1, 2011 when their truck became stranded after the river in Brgy. Tuec in Camiling, Tar-lac overflowed due to Typhoon Quiel; and the real-time updates and warn-ing on evacuation efforts as well as observations in the country during the March 11, 2011 Japan tsunami in-cident. C u r r e n t l y , Weather Watch has gained a total of

13 million post views, 13,786 feedbacks and 4,570 online “likes.” Pen-era said FB us-ers need only to “like” the Weather Watch page to have a reliable 24/7 source of Phil-ippine weather updates. Penera was part of a PIA team led by Deputy Direc-tor General Vir-gilio DC Galvez and PIA Bicol Regional Di-rector Ed de Leon which covered the p res iden-tial visit in L e g a z p i City.


ZamboSur PNP chief extols everyone to respect human rights and promote peace

I‘f everyone uphold the fundamental principle of human rights and promote the spirit of unity, respect, understanding and cooperation, peace will be finally

achieved’.

This said Zam-boSur PNP provincial director P/Sr. Supt. Jose Bayani L. Gucela during the Mindanao Week of Peace press conference organized by the interfaith fo-rum for solidarity and peace (IFFPS) held recently at the UCCP conference hall, here. Gucela said we need to uphold and respect human rights and faith of our people regard-less of their creed and race in order to achieve a total and

realistic peace in Mindanao. The provincial director said that the problem of peace

that we are having is not the fight be-tween the Christians and Muslims

by Gideon C. Corgue


but it is a fight between good and evil. The Philippine Na-tional Police and Armed Forces of the Philip-pines, Gucela said are the primary agencies of the government that help maintain peace and order in our coun-try. “We feel ourselves present wherever there are activities for peace like this,” Gucela said. Gucela lauded the IFPS for promoting peace and harmony between and among Christians, Muslims, and Lumads saying that it is only thru the group that would show to the world and ex-plain to the people that we have no problem on faith and religion. The IFFPS is com-posed of religious and civil society groups based in Pagadian City created in 2005 which help promote peace, justice, and solidarity among the tri-people of our society. On the 1st day of MWP celebration, Gu-cela said there were no major incidence hap-pened in the province, a manifestation that

the stakeholders are supporting the law en-forcement operations of the PNP and AFP. Meanwhile, G7 chief Lt. Col. Samuel Leria said that the 1st Infantry Tabak division is strongly supporting the MWP celebration by conducting peace-related activities in the area of responsibility of the division. Leria said the in the ‘ride for peace’, the opening salvo of the 2-week MWP celebra-tion, no less than the 1st Infantry division commander MajGen. Noel Coballes has ac-tively participated the event and led the bik-ers group of Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace members, KARANCHO Zamboan-ga del Sur Chapter, Philippine National Po-lice-Police Provincial Office and 1st Infantry Tabak Division where he has also the guest speaker of the short program held at Plaza Luz. The 104th Infantry (Sultan) brigade and Task Force Basilan led by Col. Ricardo Visaya with the Magdilaab Fo-

dundation conducted a peace caravan in Basilan and the Task Force Makalintad led by Brigadier Gener-al Roland Amarille in partnership with the Makigdait Foundation in Iligan City have con-ducted similar activity in support to the MWP celebration, Leria ex-plained. The G7 chief said the MWP is in anchored on the Internal Peace and Security Plan or IPSP Bayanihan, the new military anti-in-surgency campaign under the Aquino ad-ministration which encouraged all stake-holders including the local chief executives to strongly support the anti-insurgency cam-paign. MWP steering committee chair Sul-tan Abdulmaguid Mar-uhom thanked the gov-ernment agencies, civil society groups, media, and other stakeholders for actively supporting the activities that IF-FPS is launching from November 28-Decem-ber 10. Maruhom said the celebration is aimed


MBLT-12 rescued group of women believed victims of trafficking

The Philippine Navy rescued a group of women, believed to be victims of human trafficking, attempting to illegally enter Malaysia through the

backdoor in Palawan.

The 6th Civil Re-lations Group of the AFP reported that the Marine Battal-ion Landing Team 12 (MBLT-12) rescued 14 persons at Brgy. Mangsee last No-vember 22. The res-cue took place as a result of information received that a group of women is in North Mangsee and waiting to be transported to Malaysia through the backdoor.

At around 5 o’clock in the after-noon of November 22, 2011 and upon receiving the report, MBLT-12 personnel stationed at Mangsee together with baran-gay captain Pistoh Hamjah, verified the presence of unidenti-fied women allegedly attempting to illegal-ly enter Malaysia via the said barangay. The team was able to confirm the report

and rescued the said persons. The 13 wom-en were believed to be victims of human trafficking. They were brought to WESCOM hospital together with their guide today No-vember 25 for medi-cal examination and debriefing before they will be turned over to proper authorities. (JPA/6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

strengthening the rela-tionships between the Muslims, Christians, Lumads and build clos-er cooperation with the government agencies in promoting peace, harmony and solidar-ity. The line up activities for the cel-ebration include: Nov.

25, civil society-gov-ernment dialogue; Nov. 26, forum on women’s rights; Nov. 27, radio guesting at dxBZ and dxPR; Nov. 28, com-munity-based dialogue between the PNP,AFP, civil society organiza-tions, and community leaders on the promo-

tion and protection of human rights; Nov. 29, RH Bill symposium and forum on ecol-ogy and mining; De-cember 9-10, ‘panaw alang sa kinabuhi’; Dec. 10, rally for life and press conference. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pa-gadian)


MBLT-12 rescued group of women believed victims of trafficking

DCCII Facilitates carwash and vulcanizers’ organization in Dipolog City by Alfonso T. Ruda

The Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., has recently facilitated the meeting of all carwash and vulcanizing operators in the city.

It was held at Oc-tave Music Lounge and Sports Bar, Tomas Clau-dio St., Dipolog City on November 22, 2011. Mr. Michael Malac-ca, DCCII President said, the meeting aimed to discuss pertinent issues affecting the operation of carwash and vulcaniz-ing services in the city. It was called to remind the carwash and vulcanizing shop operators of the requirements of the City Government. Malacca reminded the carwash and vulca-nizing shop operators to comply the requirements set by the City Govern-ment to facilitate the is-suance of their business permits. At present, Mal-acca admitted that most of the carwash and vul-canizing shop operators in the city have not com-

plied with the require-ments, thus their op-eration is deemed illegal as they operate without business permit. Dipolog City Assis-tant City Planning Offi-cer, Engr. Ervin Bael dis-cussed the city zoning ordinance concerning the requirements for the operation of carwash and vulcanizing shops in the city. He assured that the City Government will is-sue the business permit once the requirements and standards set by the City Government is met. Meanwhile, Depart-ment of Trade and Indus-try Representative Ms. Maridel D.Palpagan also discussed the carwash and vulcanizing shop op-erators about Republic Act 9178 of 2002, oth-erwise known as the Ba-rangay Micro Business

Enterprise (BMBE) Law and the benefits of the said law. In another devel-opment, during that meeting, the carwash and vulcanizing shop operators have initially organized themselves into a group called Di-polog Carwash Station and Vulcanizing Shops Association(DCSVSA). Mr. Boy Belarmino was elected as President; Ms. Lourdes Pialago, Vice President; Mr. Michael Malacca, Secretary; Yo-landa Arcoy, Treasurer; and Ricky Loculan, Audi-tor. The group will again meet on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 to finalize its Constitution and By-laws and for-mulate plans for their operation. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)


DENR seizes total of P4.1-M forest products in North Mindanaoby Jumalyn J. Picato A total of P4.1 million

worth of logs and lumber were

confiscated here in Northern Mindanao from February up to the first half of this month.

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) chief on forest protection Virgilio N. Batocail said of the total figure, lumber accounts to more than half of the total confiscation, followed by fitches with Php 1.3 million and logs amounting only to Php 670, 000. From the existing 13 conveyances in custody for the period, another additional two (2) units 10-wheeler truck were seized by the Pangantucan Community Environment and

Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Bukidnon. Batocail presented this development before the members of the Regional

Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC), on its regular monthly meeting, at the Philippine Ports Authority office in Macabalan. He clears that the anti-illegal logging task force started only in February this year when Executive Order No.23, declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating


the anti-illegal task force was signed. Confiscated forest products were donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) to be utilized for construction of school chairs and other infrastructure facilities

of some/identified schools. With the approval from the DENR Secretary, other local government units (LGUs) and government office likewise benefited from the confiscated woods.

RDC-X endorses Php1.838B proposal of R-10 eco-sector agencies for FY 2012by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – A budget of Php1.838 billion for fiscal year 2012 from the seven (7) economic sector regional offices in Northern Mindanao, had been endorsed by the Regional Development Council, region 10 (RDC-X), during its full council meeting, here, last June. Of this amount, PhpP736.6 million or 40.07 percent was budgeted for personnel services (PS), while Php855.66 million or 46.55 percent was budgeted for maintenance and other expenses (MOOE) and Php245.93 million or 13.37 percent for capital outlay (CO). Mandated to coordinate and set the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region, RDC-X, through its secretariat, reviewed the agency budgets focusing on the proposed programs/projects based on the 2012 priorities supportive of Pres. Aquino’s Social Contract and its 16 areas of transformational leadership. These priorities are reflected in the national/regional development goals and targets, and strategies in the Medium Term Philippine Development

Plan (MTPDP) and Medium Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP) for FYs 2011-2016. The agency programs/projects were reviewed within the context of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Organizational Performance Indicator Framework (OIPF) and the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach. Meanwhile, of these agencies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had the highest proposed budget of Php447.54 million. The amount, however, does not include the Pph2.4 million-worth of the Government of the Philippines (GOP) counterpart for the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Project. The proposed budget of the other agencies were as follows:


of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Php591.88 million and Department of Agriculture (DA), Php534.217 million. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Php114.914 million, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Php68.46 million and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Php67.776 million. Department of Tourism (DOT), Php14.12 million, excluding, programs and projects endorsed for the Tourism Industry Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other funding sources in the amount of Php68.2 million. Two (2) of these agencies, DAR and DOT, however, did not

have proposals for capital outlay, Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority, region 10 (NEDA-X) said, Meanwhile, Dacanay said these proposed budgets were given due consideration for inclusion in their respective central office’s 2012 budgets. The accompanying RDC-X endorsement letters have been provided to the Department Secretaries and Undersecretaries for Finance and Administration of the concerned agencies for their action, Dacanay, who is also the Vice-Chairperson of RDC-X, said.

City of Iligan inks MOA with PICE, TESDA, GK for joint construction of 300 housesby Melvin T. Anggot / Virgilio C. Garcia

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte – Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Gawad Kalinga (GK) for a joint cooperation in the construction of not less than 300 houses for the poor.

This is in connection with the GK Bayani Challenge on April 2012 for the identified “poorest of the poor” beneficiaries. About 4,000 volunteers are expected to arrive here from the different technical and vocational schools of the country for the GK Bayani, a priority program of TES-DA to provide TESDA scholars of

the province of Lanao del Norte and Iligan city job opportunities. Secretary Joel Villanueva of TESDA, on the other hand, is the over-all Chairperson of GK Bayani Challenge of the nation. Meanwhile, Mayor Cruz has designated First Lady Gina Maca-payag-Cruz to head the project in Iligan City.


Davao City to hold X’mas lights contest

A citywide Christmas lights contest along the façade of

barangay halls, schools and busi-ness establishments will be one of the major events in Davao City’s multi-sectoral Pasko Fiesta (Christmas Festival) celebrations. According to Orly Escar-illa, Pasko Fiesta spokesperson, the event dubbed as “Kahayag sa Pasko” (Light in Christmas) will be a contest for the best Christmas lighting display and is divided into two categories.

Barangay Halls and Schools category winners will receive a total of P140, 000 in cash prizes with the first placer getting a cash prize of P50,000. The Commercial and Busi-ness category will have two subcategories Large Catego-ry (a decorated façade sized more than 40ft x 40 ft in area) and Small category (decorat-ed façade less than 40 ft x 40 ft in area.)Winners in this large category

would stand to receive P500,000 in cash with the champion receiving P200,000 in cash while those in the small category would have a prize allocation of P275,000 with the champion set to receive P100,000 in cash prize. The criteria for the selection of winners are: Christ-centered concept/symbolism-30%; Clarity of message-25%; Complexity and creativity of design- 25%; Vi


sual appeal- 20%. These criteria will make up 70% of the entries’ grade. Online text voting will also be utilized to determine the winners. Online and text polls will constitute about 30% of the ratings. According to Escarilla those who would want to join the con-test can fill-out an application form from the Pasko Fiesta secretariat at the City Hall. Participants are encouraged to have their lights ready by De-

cember 1 in time for the traditional Christmas lighting ceremony at the City hall an event dubbed as “Pailaw sa Pasko.” However for the contest proper, the entries are mandated to have their lights up on December 9, in time for the grand opening of Pasko Fiesta. The participants are also man-dated to strictly adhere to safety measures and that their materials particularly the lights are quality-tested, safe and durable. (PIA/RG Alama)

TESDA eyes industry visits in Mindanaoby Carina Cayon

DAVAO CITY- The Technical Edu-cation and Skills Development Au-thority has mulled over visiting the industries in Mindanao next year in a bid to address the perennial concern on job mismatch. Tesda regional director Gaspar Gayona said the visit would firm up job opportunities for the technical and vocational graduates with the private companies from all the in-dustries in the island. “Many available job seats were not filled up because the graduates of educational and training institu-tions do not have the competencies required by the workplace,” Gayo-na admitted as he emphasized the need for the industry visits and re-searches. Gayona said part of the visit would identify the needs, and job

standards and manpower require-ments of the industries for the next five years. He said that this will “serve as inputs to policy and program devel-opment and alignment with the in-dustry requirements.” The Tesda official said the out-put of this undertaking would be the basis of evaluating its curriculum, and for the Technical Vocational In-stitutions to be guided as to the re-quired jobs of the industries. Gayona said the industry visit would be the subsequent endeav-or after Tesda conducted the TVET Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) and Industry Forum on November 25 in Davao City. The forum gathered industry captains of the 11 industry clusters of Davao Region, human resource managers of key industries and


other national government agencies who engaged in focus group discus-sions and workshop that aimed at generating information on the in-dustry-driven competencies. According to Gayona, the work-shop will provide Tesda and the Pri-vate Technical Vocational Education users the information on the man-power requirements of the indus-tries for the next five years.

The Department of Trade and Industry has identified the following 11 industry clusters in Davao Re-gion such as the sectors of banana, coconut, mango, seaweeds, woods, construction, information and com-munications technology, livestock and poultry, machineries, tourism and mining industries.

Regional landmarks

Digos City Hall, Digos City, the capital of Davao del Sur province. A first-class city with a population (2010 census) of 199,832 people.


200 megawatt power plant groundbreakingMAASIM, Sarangani - Provincial officials headed by Governor Migs Dominguez, municipal officials headed by Mayor Jose Zamorro, barangay of-ficials headed by Barangay Captain Dranreb Macagcalat and executives from Alcantara Group headed by their president and chairman Tomas Alcantara move ceremonial gravel at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 200 mega-watt coal-fired power plant Friday, November 25, at its construction site in barangay Kamanga. (Cocoy Sexcion)


200 megawatt power plant groundbreaking

Region 12’s largest irrigation project to resume construction

By Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Construction of the Malitubog - Maridagao Irriga-tion Project (MMIP) could resume soon, according to the provincial gov-ernment of North Cotaba to.

A press release from the Office of Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza announced that based on a presen-tation of the infrastruc-ture committee of the Regional Development

Council 12, a budget of P305 million has been approved for the re-habilitation and comple-tion of the Stage 1 of the MMIP. Of this amount, P169 million is allocated

next year and P136 mil-lion for 2013. The National Econom-ic and Development Au-thority has also approved a proposal amounting to P6.1 billion for the MMIP Stage II, of


which P405 million has already been released. MMIP is the larg-est irrigation project of the National Irrigation Administration-12 (NIA-12). At completion of first stage of the project it is supposed to have provided enough wa-ter supply to 10,840 hectares of farmlands in across the North Cota-bato and Maguindanao

Provinces. Stage II will expand the irrigation system’s cov-erage to 16,957 hect-ares. In October, Gov. Taliño-Mendoza asked the Commission on Au-dit to conduct a thor-ough investigation how the funds of Stage I was used because only 2,578 ha have been ac-tually been irrigated.

In ensure proper imple-mentation and comple-tion of the MMIP, RDC 12 passed Resolution No. 109, series of 2011 creating the implemen-tation, monitoring and advisory group (IMAG for MalMar) under the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). IMAG for MalMar has suggested that the remaining works for the MMIP will be implement-ed in nine packages by contracts, and through aid of the provincial gov-ernment of North Cota-bato. IMAG has re-quested the National Ir-rigation Administration Central Office (NIA) for a P31-million budget to compensate the farmers whose areas have been submerged in Carmen, Cotabato brought about by the construction of the MMIP. A request has also been forwarded to His Excellency President Be-nigno Simeon C. Aquino III to allocate funds for the improvement and completion of the Goco-tan, Pikit portion of the irrigation project.


South Cotabato implements version of seal of housekeeping for barangaysKORONADAL CITY -- Some 100 barangays in South Cotabato will be given seal of housekeeping in 2012 in line with the provincial government’s im-plementation of a local version of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s program.

Josephine Leysa, in-terior and local govern-ment provincial direc-tor, said “one hundred out of the 199 baran-gays of South Cotaba-to will receive awards and cash prizes from the provincial govern-ment if they pass the standards set.

Besides the seal of housekeeping, Ley-sa added “the top six barangays will be awarded cash prizes of

P500,000, P400,000,, P300,000,, P200,000, P100,000, and P75,000, respectively.

Other barangays -- up to 94 in number -- that will qualify based on cri-teria set, will also receive P50,000 each.

Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. launched the project during the Liga ng Mga Barangay celebration on October 7 and the eval-uation will begin in the first quarter of 2012.

“The top six baran-gays will be recognized during the Tnalak Festi-val in July while the remaining 94 baran-gays that will pass the criteria for the seal of housekeeping will be named during the Liga Day next year.”

Leysa explained that although the local seal of housekeeping was pat-terned after the national program, the the local version will be wider in


scope. “Since we have

been implementing ba-rangay performance management system for eight years, our criteria

will not focus on orga-nization and creation of bodies but will deal much on the functionality of theses bodies,” she said.

Without giving de-tails on the criteria for

evaluation, she said, “the local version of the seal of housekeeping will give emphasis on total barangay governance.”(Dani Doguiles)

DOLE Kabuhayan starter kit inspires visually impaired personGENERAL SANTOS CITY — DOLE’s kabuhayan starter kit has become an inspiration to Timoteo Labasa, 56, a visually impaired person caused by a vehicular accident few years ago, to go on earning a living despite his dis-ability.

Before his encounter with the program, La-basa, thought that his future would remain dim because he was incapacitated to earn for his four children.

His affliction did not last long.

With an endorse-ment from the Public Employment and Ser-vice Office (PESO) of General Santos City, he received a DOLE kabuhayan starter kit for a mini- carenderia located at Silway Mar-ket, Dadiangas West, General Santos City. The project is DOLE administered and man-aged by the beneficiary

and his family.The initiative was

also in line with the “White Cane” program which promotes recog-nition and acceptance of white cane as a sym-bol of the need of the blind for specific assis-tance and reminds that it is the duty of every citizen to care for and accord due respect for visually impaired per-sons.

With this program, DOLE aims to give iden-tified visually impaired individuals equal foot-ing with all others in the society, by achiev-ing economic indepen-dence through modest

financial assistance to their home-based live-lihood.

At present, Mr. Laba-sa plays an active role in his community as president of the Gen-eral Santos City Fed-eration of PWD Associ-ations and as a purok chairman in Barangay Silway.

To Mr. Labasa, the assistance provided by DOLE created a posi-tive outlook: despite disability there is still a bright future waiting for him and his children. (PL Blanza/ TAlim/DOLE SARGEN/DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)


DOLE Kabuhayan starter kit inspires visually impaired person

Green Summit to save Taguibo Watershed set in Butuan

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

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Partners and stakeholders in the protection and preservation of Mother Earth will convene in a one-day Save Taguibo Watershed: Green Summit on December 2, here.

by Nora CL Molde


According to Rev. Fr. John Christian U. Young, lead convenor of the Save Taguibo Watershed Net-work (STWN), the sum-mit aims to share and consolidate environmen-tal programs/projects/activities (PPAs) of the different agencies, orga-nizations, and institutions and pooling of resources in relation to the protec-tion and preservation of Taguibo River Watershed. Young also said the

event is a venue for the stakeholders to share rel-evant stories and experi-ences in the implemen-tation of PPAs related or similar to the Taguibo River Watershed for bet-ter appreciation and pos-sible replication of good practices and strategies. The summit will also present the concept of the proposed pilot com-prehensive project in the Taguibo River Watershed area and enjoin the stake-

holders to take part in its realization, he added. The one-day activity will be done at the mini-theater of Fr. Saturnino Urios University Arch-bishop Carmelo Morelos Campus, Libertad at eight o’clock in the morning. The STWN was or-ganized in 2009 to pro-tect the Taguibo Water-shed Forest Reserve from illegal logging and mining and to help rehabilitate the deforested areas.

LGU-Hinatuan moves closer to peopleby Gemma S. Millan

Considered as first in the history of the municipality of Hi-natuan, this reach-out program is an initiative of Mayor Candelario J. Viola Jr., to bring the government closer to the people and to en-

sure that constitu-ents are not deprived of basic services due to them. Health services, civil registration, sol-emnization, dental ser-vices, tax assessment and collection, agricul-tural and social welfare

services, among oth-ers, are made available to the people at their own turf. Viola, who heads the SIBP Team, con-ducts mass wedding and direct consultations with residents in each

Residents of barangays outside the poblacion of this municipality availed the services of the local

government unit right straight at their area through the Serbisyong Ipaabot sa Barangay Program (SIBP).


visit. “We recognize the additional expenses and inconvenience of barangay residents to travel to the poblacion proper for such pur-pose.” “Having the SIBP would save time, money, and effort of our people, particu-larly, those from far-fetched areas who have limited access

to government ser-vices,” said Viola. Under the SIBP, key LGU service de-partments hold si-multaneous one-day offices in each baran-gay until all the ba-rangays are visited. Along with making government services more accessible to the barangays, SIBP also aims to expose LGU

personnel to different realities in the baran-gays, in the process, enhancing their fore-sight and capacity to respond to people’s problems. Today, baran-gay officials and local residents request for more visits and for an expanded range of services by the mu-nicipal government.

DepEd observes 18-day campaign to End Violence Against Women

The Department of Education (DepEd), in cooperation with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children (IACVAWC),

is observing the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with the theme “Unite: Stop VAW, Now!” from November 25 to December 12, 2011.

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


The campaign focuses on informa-tion dissemination on violence against women (VAW), es-pecially the services of government agen-cies and non-govern-ment organizations to address the needs of VAW victims and survivors. It also highlights the worldwide call to unite and end VAW.

With DepEd’s Memo-randum No. 265, se-ries 2011, the schools and offices are ad-vised to hold the fol-lowing activities for the campaign: 1) si-multaneous blowing of whistle on VAW advocacy as a sig-nal to halt VAW in DepEd offices and schools on Decem-ber 12, 2011 at 8:00 a.m.; 2) conduct of

the Anti-VAW Forum for awareness-build-ing among students, teachers and person-nel; and 3) posting of campaign stream-ers in front of schools and offices. DepEd, PCW and IACVAWC are opti-mistic that with this yearly observance/campaign, more and more.

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