One Mindanao - August 21, 2012

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Officer-in-charge, PIA Caraga Region

ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region XRegional Desk Editors Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

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

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

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

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.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)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

Cover Story

South Cotabato’s pride, the T’nalak

Dani DoguilesCentral Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Vol. 2 No. 4

page 4

Ochoa extends condolonces to Interior andLocal Government Secretary Robredo’s family 8

Alfonso T. Ruda, Western Mindanao

Dipolog City, ranks best among LGUs in region 9, says DILG LGMPS report

2119

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

DOH calls for LGUs’ action in HIV/AIDS control

Deadline of submission of project proposals for NCCA grants is Aug 30 22Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

15 DSWD, OPAPP to meet LGUs for peace confab

Noel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

Reg’l Police slams rebels for the ambush of 3 tribal chieftain guards

Study on dayok, amahong, sisi for hypertension wins prize26Southern Mindanao

Keneath John O. Bolisay, Caraga Region

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PhilHealth, LGU GenSan intensifyanti-fraud campaign28 Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

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4 ONE MINDANAO Tuesday, August 21, 2012

South Cotabato’s pride, the T’nalak

In fact, despite the fame Lake Sebu and its extreme adventure site, the Seven Falls zipline, has gained as a tourist destination, this traditional cloth has remained the unparalleled cultural symbol of the province. T’nalak weaving is an art form perfected by generations and generations of practice by the indigenous people T’boli mostly inhabiting the mountainous towns of T’boli and Lake Sebu. The fabric, which could easily claim the distinction as the country’s most well-known traditional cloth, is made exclusively within the context of T’boli superstitions and beliefs.

It is made from abaca stripped into fiber and dyed using the ikat method, in which the threads are dyed selectively before weaving. It is done by tightly binding groups of threads together so that they will take up color when the threads are dipped in the dyebath. In the T’boli tradition, cream colored abaca threads are dyed red, brown or black. One by one these threads are woven exclusively by T’boli women into an intricate canvass without the help of a drawn pattern. Tradition says, Tnalak designs are given to the hand weavers

Nothing represents the province of South

Cotabato and its culture more aptly than the T’nalak cloth.

By Dani Doguiles

Tuesday, August 21, 2012ONE MINDANAO 5

through dreams by the spirit of the abaca, Fu Dalu. This gave the T’boli weavers the moniker, Dreamweaver. Motifs are mostly based on natural surroundings resulting in designs based on leaves, plants, arrows, clouds, butterfly, lizards and many others. T’nalak is an important property in the T’boli tradition; it is used as dowry in marriage and as a covering during childbirth to ensure safe delivery. This T’boli fabric has achieved cultural significance that Lang Dulay, a weaver in Lake Sebu, has been named National Living Treasure (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The recent years has also seen the traditional T’nalak increasingly invading the modern world. South Cotabato’s annual search for the Mutya ng South Cotabato,

features a segment solely devoted to T’nalak haute couture featuring creations of local designers. T’nalak was also the featured fabric during the Moda Mindanaw in Davao City on August 19. Moda Mindanaw is an annual fashion and floral design competition among Mindanaon fashion and floral artists. It is also being prepped for the global market. Last month, the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology released the packaging design for the South Cotabato’s T’nalak in line with DOST’s project for country branding of selected eight Philippine products, which should help boost the marketability of these products in the international market. With such packaging, the T’nalak cloth could be proudly displayed in specialty shops in hotel and airports, as well as in exhibits, displays, and trade fairs -- proudly made from South Cotabato for the world.

6 Tuesday, August 21, 2012

ACROSS THE NATIONSecretary Coloma mourns passing of DILG Secretary Robredo

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary

Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. is one with his colleagues in mourning for the passing of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo whose body was recovered Tuesday morning.

In a message relayed to Malacañang reporters, Coloma conveyed that Robredo would be a great loss to the Philippine government given his excellent traits as a public servant that inspired many of them who were able to work with him in the Aquino administration.

“Secretary Jesse Robredo served our people selflessly and honorably.

He was an exemplary public servant, a pathfinder in implementing innovations in governance. He inspired all those with whom he worked by dint of his enthusiasm and devotion to duty. Our thoughts and prayers go with his family,” Coloma said.

In a separate interview with the state-run PTV-4, Coloma added that he

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 7

ACROSS THE NATIONwas deeply

amazed by Robredo’s style of leadership at the Department of Interior and Local Government which, he said, has been at the forefront of transparency, openness, and accountability.

“Sa lahat po ng kanyang nakadaupang-palad, siya ay nagsilbing inspirasyon sa pamamagitan ng kanyang masigla at masipag na paglilingkod kaya ‘yan po ang kanyang handog sa ating bayan. At sana po, sa ating pag-alala sa kanya ay ipagpatuloy natin ‘yung kabutihang ipinakita niya para sa bayan at para sa Sambayanang Pilipino,” Coloma said.

All hope that the Local and G o v e r n m e n t chief would survive the fatal crash but were soon dashed out as it was reported that Robredo’s body was found lifeless inside

the wreckage of the Piper Seneca plane by a British volunteer technical diver at a depth of roughly 180 feet below the sea.

The remains of pilots Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese Kshitiz Chand were likewise found in the same area.

Prayers and messages of condolences through various social networking sites continue to pour for the soul of Robredo and his companions as the national flag in Malacañang and other government offices were hoisted in half-mast. (hdc)

8 Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. joined his colleagues in the Aquino Cabinet as well as the whole nation in mourning for the passing of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse

Robredo who died in the plane crash on Saturday. Pilots Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand also died in the accident.

“Secretary Robredo was a dedicated

Ochoa extends condolonces to Interior and Local Government Secretary Robredo’s family


Tuesday, August 21, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 9


public servant and a champion of good governance whose track record in public service has been an inspiration to all those who believe in government as an instrument for positive change,” Ochoa said in a statement.

“Our prayers go out to the families of Secretary Robredo and his companions, as well as to his constituents in Naga and the officials and employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who lost a leader who tirelessly worked and contributed greatly to President Aquino’s campaign for good governance as a means to improve the lives of our countrymen.”

Divers have recovered the body of Robredo Tuesday morning, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel

Roxas said. Robredo’s body was found 800 meters from the shore at a depth of 180 feet at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Roxas said.

Recovery efforts were difficult as the fuselage had overturned, Roxas said, adding however that the retrieval operations for the bodies of the two pilots will continue.

President Benigno S. Aquino III flew to Masbate Tuesday morning upon receiving information that Robredo’s body was recovered. From Masbate, the President will then proceed to Camarines Sur to turn over the remains of Robredo to his family waiting at Pili Airport.

The remains will then be brought to Naga City where Robredo served as mayor for many years. (as)


Robredo was a harbinger of transformational leadership—Antonino

Mindanao Development Authority chair

Luwalhati Antonino said on Tuesday she is saddened by the loss not only of a good friend but also a colleague in Cabinet who devoted a great deal of effort helping national government pursue Mindanao’s progress and transformation.

“Secretary Jesse was a true harbinger of transformational leadership and his passion for good governance has reverberated as inspiration to many of our young leaders in Mindanao,” Antonino said in a statement.

The MinDA chair recalled how Robredo has showed determination in vigorously pursuing initiatives designed to effect genuine governance reforms in the Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Robredo, along with Antonino and

Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles comprise the core group of Cabinet members overseeing the implementation of President Aquino’s ARMM Reform Agenda.

“In pursuing public service, he has long dedicated his life to something greater than himself. He will deservedly be remembered for a long time”, said Antonino.


Edna Avenido, treasurer of Marketsite barangay expressed that while they may be happy that their barangay was chosen as the site for the launching of the Child Labor-free Barangay in the city, having one with high incidence of child laborers in the city is something not to be proud of. She said that with limited resources, the barangay welcomes all the help extended to them. Edmund Alay, chairman of

barangay committee on protection of children urged his constituents to take good care of these children and raise them to become responsible members of the barangay in the future. “Let us help these children achieve their dreams,” he said. With its proximity in the market place, the barangay has several children selling goods—vegetables, fresh fish, and local food delicacies to help in the family income that

Child laborers exchange work tools with education packageBy Rene V. Carbayas

Fifteen child laborers in this city

exchanged their work implements with educational package as part of the Department of Labor’s (DOLE) campaign for a child-labor free barangay, recently.


their opportunity to go to school and lose the chance of a better future, says Albert Gutib of the labor department. “Let us not allow child-labors to thrive in our barangay and in the city of Isabela as they reflect incompetency of the LGU and a violation of the Philippine Law on child labor,” he pointed out. DOLE-Isabela City officer-in-charge Engr. Westley Tan reminded parents that it is their primary responsibility to see to it that their children, in spite of the hardships in life, will not end up becoming child laborers, as the government is only instrumental to help eradicate child labor in the barangay. Moreover, City Administrator

Ramon Nuñal Jr. reminded parents of an existing law that could jail parents for violation of the child labor law, especially when the kids are expected to be in school. With the vision of a child labor-free Philippines, the Philippine Program against Child Labor works to transform the lives of child laborers, their families and communities, towards their sense of self-worth, empowerment and development. The PPACL, a network of mutually enabling social partners, works towards the prevention and progressive elimination of child labor through protection, withdrawal, healing and reintegration of child workers into a caring society. (NBE/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)


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DENR-EMB Caraga to spearhead activities in support of R. A. 9512by Jennifer P. Gaitano

The committee had been reconstituted to ensure continuing integration and implementation of environmental awareness and education programs in all levels of school curricula and

capacity-building programs. As stipulated in the act, the committee in the regional level is chaired by the regional executive director of DENR while co-chaired by the regional director of the Environmental

Member-agencies of the Environmental

Education Committee, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga, planned activities for the coming months in support of Republic Act No. 9512 or the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.


Management Bureau (EMB). EMB-Caraga officer-in-charge Ester Olavides said the committee will be spearheading the Regional Ecological Solid Waste Management Summit on September 12 with invited speakers to talk on environmental issues and concerns and other related topics. “In this Regional Summit, no only the local government units in the region are invited but also the government agencies, academe, and other sectors, since this is everybody’s concern,” Olavides said. Along with the summit is the memorandum of agreement between the Materials Recovery Facility with the junk shops and commercial establishments. Also, September is a Coastal Clean-up Month - on September 21, the DENR and EMB will be conducting

a coastal cleanup activity at the coastal areas in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. The activity is also in time with the observance of the International Coastal Clean-up Day on September 22. Several government agencies have already expressed their commitment to support and participate in all the activities set by the committee.


This is to prepare staff and local government units (LGU) for the second cycle implementation of PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan). Participants of the five-day workshop are the LGUs from La Paz, Esperanza, and Veruela in Agusan del Sur; and Tagbina and San Miguel in Surigal del Sur. These areas were selected by OPAPP and identified as conflict affected areas (CAAs). The workshop also aimed at integrating the principles of Bridging Leadership and Do No Harm in

conflict analysis and assessment. PAMANA employs the community-driven development strategy of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in implementing sub-projects that will be identified by the communities. The DSWD is implementing Pillar 2 of PAMANA in the delivery of basic social services and goods focused on households and communities.

DSWD, OPAPP to meet LGUs for peace confabby Keneath John O. Bolisay

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will conduct a five-day basic orientation and workshop, August 22-26, this city.


Reg’l Police slams rebels for the ambush of 3 tribal chieftain guardsby Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY -- The regional police strongly condemned the rebels for staging an ambush against the three guards of an ancestral domain claim of a tribal chieftain located at the hinterlands of a southern province in the region, noontime Tuesday. In a press statement signed by PSupt Martin M. Gamba, Caraga Police regional information officer quoted the new police acting regional director Chief Supt Carmelo E. Valmoria as saying that “The whole force of Police Regional Office 13 slams the recent atrocity of the CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) as it create an atmosphere of fear to the populace and put their lives at risk.” The same statement quoted the newly-assumed police regional director as calling the human rights advocates to conduct an investigation on the incident and to condemn also such acts of treachery. Police reports said the guards of tribal chieftain Calpito Egua also known in the locality as Datu Calpit in Brgy. Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, identified as Dodoy R. Perez, Lating R. Brital and Erpe Bucales were on board

a Honda TMX Motorcycle and were traveling on their way to Brgy. Sta. Irene, when a group of rebels under Guerilla Front 19A of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) set up an ambush by placing an improvised explosive device (IED) along the guards’ route, blasted it and subsequently fired high-caliber firearms at their direction. The guards who were then thrownout off their motorcycle due to the impact of the blast, were still able to regroup and to fight back. The firefight according to police reports lasted for over an hour until the rebels withdrew back towards their mountain lairs. Perez who was wounded during the firefight was rushed to D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital at Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. His companions were said to be unharmed.


Reg’l Police slams rebels for the ambush of 3 tribal chieftain guards

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City health officer Dr. Noel A. Ceniza, in an interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) staff said P2.5M newly constructed BEmONC centers are located in barangays

Lala and Lower Sibatang will soon be inaugurated after the birthing facilities will be released from the Department of Health (DOH-CHD), regional office in Zamboanga City.

DOH-CHD9 established 2 new BEmONC centers in Pagadian By Gideon C. Corgue

After the new city health center was inaugurated on August 3 at the city government complex, another two (2) Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) centers

are expected to be inaugurated this year and will soon be in full operation.


Provincial health team leader Wilfredo Casas said the project which costs at P1,250,000 each was funded in 2011 by the DOH-CHD and was completely constructed in June this year. “The is a project of the DOH and supported by the city government,” Casas announced. Ceniza said the goal of these facilities is to help reduce

or eradicate maternal and child mortality rate. The facility with complete equipment will provide services to women and children specially for those pregnant as well as lactating mothers,” he said. Ceniza said BEmONC is not limited for birthing home. It will also provide pregnant mothers with sufficient and affordable basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, and encourage pregnant women deliver their babies in health centers and hospitals as birth delivery outside a health facility is commonly practiced especially in far-flung areas. Pagadian City has another 2 BEmONC centers, one in Barangay Sta. Lucia and another in San Pedro which served pregnant women more than a decade already. (NBE/GCC/PIA9)


This was disclosed by Zamboanga del Norte DILG Provincial Director Arnel Gudio during the Dipolog City Sangguniang Panlungsod’s LGPMS exit conference last August 8. Gudio said, based on the LGPMS Report or State of Local Governance Report as summed up in its Overall Performance Index of the DILG, the Dipolog City LGU got 96.69% in 2011, the highest rating in the region. According to some DILG officers who accompanied Gudio during the LGPMS exit conference, the rating qualifies Dipolog City for the national level competition for DILG’s “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi” Award. In the 20 indicators adopted by DILG to gauge Mayor Evelyn T. Uy’s Local governance of the city, she came out outstanding in the 13

indicators. These are in the fields

of local legislation; resource allocation and utilization; customer service-civil applications; human resource management and development; health services; support to education services; support to housing and basic utilities; entrepreneurship, business and industry; forest ecosystems management; freshwater ecosystems management; coastal ecosystems management; participation of civil societies and other sectors; and transparency. Dipolog City Sangguniang Panlungsod Atty. Cyril Ruiz hoped that the city’s highest rating (96.69%) on Local Governance Performance Management will silence the critics of the City Government on the alleged mishandling of city’s finances. Ruiz stressed that the LGPMS Report is the best judge of Mayor Uy’s efficient governance of Dipolog City. (JPA/ATR/PIA9)

Dipolog City, ranks best among LGUs in region 9, says DILG LGMPS report

DIPOLOG CITY - Dipolog City got the highest rating among the Local Government Units in Zamboanga Peninsula region, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government’s(DILG) Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) Report.

By Alfonso T. Ruda


CdO fire station is now a fire districtby Lorebeth C. RequirosoThe Cagayan de Oro fire station has now been converted into a

fire district, as the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo gave the “go signal” for

this development.

Mayor Vicente Emano said this conversion of the fire station will greatly help the city. Last December 1, 2010, the 16th city council, headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, adopted a resolution highly endorsing and supporting the move. Upon the recommendation of the committees on police, fire and public safety and on laws and rules chaired by councilors Ian Mark Q. Nacaya and Ramon G. Tabor, respectively, this was reiterated through Resolution No. 11084-2012. This is in line with the intention to provide a more dynamic and efficient fire-fighting unit in the city that can answer all calls of emergencies, calamities and disasters. This conversion transforms existing substations into regular fire

stations and activates additional fire stations within the city. With this, requests for additional equipment from the national office can be fully justified. The establishment of a fully functional emergency medical assistance services and special rescue units, among others also come with this development.


DOH calls for LGUs’ action in HIV/AIDS controlby Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The regional aids assistance team, led by the Department of Health (DOH), appealed for local leaders’ cooperation to eradicate human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Jun Galban, DOH-10 information officer, pointed out the need for local government units’ (LGUs) action during the recent media health advocates group’s third quarter update held in the city on Wednesday. This call is also in line with the increasing trend of HIV/AIDS in the region. “I hope the LGUs will not wait for cases to start counting before they decide to act on it,” Gaban said. He likewise urged compliant LGUs to sustain their move and release the allocated funds for their respective local AIDS council to fully function. Galban noted that the DOH is still initiating all the moves and the nudging to sustain the activities of the local AIDS councils, providing funds thereof. To date, only four cities in Northern Mindanao (Malaybalay, Valencia, Cagayan de Oro and Ozamiz) and one province (Lanao del Norte)

were able to establish their local AIDS council. Twenty-two municipalities were also reported to have enacted HIV/AIDS-related ordinances and policies. (PIA 10)

Under the provision of Republic Act 9263, a city fire station shall be headed by a city fire marshal with the rank of chief inspector. it is now headed by Shirley Teleron, district fire marshal.

At the regular session last Tuesday, August 14, legislators welcomed her to the city. The new district fire marshal presented the programs and objectives of the conversion move. (CdeOSP)


Deadline of submission of project proposals for NCCA grants is Aug 30by Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental - Interested individuals or groups wanting to avail of assistance from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Grants Program have until August 30, 2012, to submit their project proposals for implementation in 2013.

This announcement came from Felipe De Leon, Jr., chairperson of NCCA, who said the proposals may be submitted under the NCCA grants and institutional programs, particularly, the NCCA Outreach Program, Resource Persons’ Bureau and Technical Assistance Program of NCCA. De Leon said the NCCA provides assistance, through the National Endorsement Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), to the artists, arts organization, non-government organizations (NGO), public organizations (PO) and national government agencies (NGA). He said the NCCA Board of Commissioners, in coordination with its four sub-commissions, composed of 19 national committees, defines

its thrusts and priorities anchored mainly on the NCCA vision of “Filipino culture as the well-being of national and global well-being.” The grants are aimed at establishing culture as a pillar of sustainable development to advance creativity and diversity of artistic expression to promote a strong sense of nationhood and pride of being Filipino through culture and arts, De Leon said. The proponents of the grants include the NGOs, POs, indigenous peoples’ groups/cultural communities/IP organizations, individuals/local government units/government organization/institutions, state universities/colleges and public schools. However, project proposals


under the 2013 NCCA Grants, including the accreditation requirements received after the deadline and/or with incomplete requirements will not be processed and will be returned by the NCCA to the proponents. On the other hand, De Leon said requests for travel and air fare assistance for participation in international events focused on culture and arts are in the following amounts: for individuals, within Asia, P30,000, outside Asia, P50,000, and for groups, within Asia, P100,000, outside Asia, P200,000. Requirements for travel/air fare assistance include the

letter-request detailing the event addressed to the NCCA chairperson, letter of invitation from the organization, work to be done/performed, background of the event and curriculum vitae of the grantees. For inquiries on the NCCA Grants Programs, please get in touch with the Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD) at the following contact numbers: Direct line, 527-2214 or trunkline no. 5272192, SCA (local 502), SCCTA (local 501), SCH (local 500), and SCD (local 511). You may contact email address: [email protected] or [email protected], [email protected].


Davao City is set to host the 9th Asian Magic Association Con-

vention this September 14-17 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. This is the first time the

Philippines is hosting the gathering of Asia’s top magicians alongside award-winning illusionists from Australia, France and the United States.

Davao City to host Asian magic confabby RG Alama


Cris Castro AMA Convention chair said that they will be expecting around 350 to around 500 magicians with 200 foreign delegates coming from 17 Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, China and Iran. “It would be great opportunity for Dabawenyos to watch world-class magic. You don’t have to go to Las Vegas or the European countries to catch these great magicians, you can watch it here.” Castro said. One of the sidelights of the convention is the Star Magic Show at the University of Mindanao Gymnasium in Matina which will feature world-class magicians performing for the public. Beneficiaries of the show will be the Kids of Hope of the Davao Children’s Cancer Fund. Among those slated to perform is the 2006 Grand Prix Champion for Stage Magic Germain Pilou from France, American magic performer Danny Cole and 19-year old South Korean sensation Yu Ho Jin who was the 2011 and 2012 Grand Prix champions in the World Championship of Magic (FISM). James Infiesto, one of the Davao organizers and a renowned local magician said that Mayor

Sara Duterte personally wrote the bid letter to the AMA assuring the participants and guests of their security in Davao City, one of the most peaceful cities in the country. The Mayor’s letter paved the way for the country’s hosting of the event. Cris Castro said that delegates from China has qualms about the event being held in Manila with the tragic bus hijacking in Luneta fresh from their minds and at the same time the current territorial row in Spratly Islands and the Scarborough shoal. “With the holding of the convention we want to help the tourism department erase the negative perceptions of foreigners in the country, Castro said. He added that 60% of the AMA delegates are Chinese where magic is a revered craft. Meanwhile Infiesto said that the City is very supportive of the event and in fact will be hosting the opening and closing programs of the convention, which he says will present the Dabawenyo culture to the guests. Aside from magic shows there will be lectures by world class conventions and a dealers booth showcasing the latest magic gadgets. (PIA/RG Alama)


Study on dayok, amahong, sisi for hypertension wins prize DAVAO CITY- The research paper titled “Inhibition of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) by Indigenous Fermented Foods” won First Prize in the Poster Competi-tion, Professional Category of the 6th Philippine National Health Re-search System Week celebration organized by the Philippine Coun-cil for Health Research and Devel-opment (DOST-PCHRD). The study authored by Dr. Dulce M. Flores, Kristine Mae Y. Abao, and Mitchell Rey M. Toleco of the UP Mindanao Department of Food Science and Chemistry (DFSC) addresses the disease of hypertension, or high blood pressure. The study targets the Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE), a membrane-bound enzyme that converts benign Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor. Inhibiting the ACE will stop the conversion, and the study explores the potential of indigenous fermented foods “dayok”, “amahong”, and “sisi”

as sources of ACE inhibitors. “Dayok” is a mixture of different fermented fish intestines. “Amahong” is made from meat of mussels (tahong) sea shells, and “sisi” is also made from the meat of rock oysters. A number of synthetic ACE inhibitors have been produced such as captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril; however, these have been found to have side-effects. In the same competition, a research poster on “Food Safety Assessment of Different Types of Street Foods in Davao City, Philippines” presented by the Dept. of Science and Technology-XI and the German International Cooperation won 3rd Prize in the Poster Competition, Professional Category. The researchers in this study were UP Mindanao BS Food Technology students Mary Jane Roldan and Ann Yngente, for whom the study served as their thesis, with Assoc. Prof. Virginia P. Obisoma and Asst. Prof. Jackie Lou J. Tagubase of DSFC as thesis advisers. (pr)


Village gets P4-M irrigation projectMALUNGON, Sarangani -- A Communal Irrigation System (CIS) worth P3,932,718 at Upper Biangan village was turned over by the Silway-Buayan Regional Irrigation System/Sarangani Province during a program last week.

By Jenny Rose De Guzman


The local irrigator’s association accepted the project for operation and maintenance from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

I r r i g a t o r ’ s association Pres. Juralde Deposo and Brgy. Captain Reumero Geonson received the project while Gov. Migs Dominguez, Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit and Engr.

Gina Lozano, acting chief of office of Silway-Buayan RIS/Sarangani Province, led the turnover ceremony to the recipient barangay.

The project is one of the newly-completed irrigation projects of the NIA to rehabilitate, restore and construct various irrigation projects in the country.

The CIS project at Upper Biangan includes the construction of 290-meters lined main canal and 2,320-meters lined lateral canal. The construction started March 14, 2012 and was completed on August 14. (Jenny Rose G. de Guzman/ PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)

PhilHealth, LGU GenSan intensify anti-fraud campaignBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- PhilHealth-12 and the city government of General Santos have intensified their campaign against health care fraud by distributing member data records (MDRs) with the family picture of sponsored program members and their qualified dependents.

At a recent MDR distribution attended by General Santos Local Health Insurance Office head Nol Valila and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Rebecca V. Magante, 712 sponsored program members listed under the National Household Targeting System-Poverty Reduction

(NHTS-PR) gathered at Brgy. San Jose, General Santos City.

Said members brought their spouses, children and parents aged 60-years-old and above to have their pictures taken and printed on the MDRs.

Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag, Field Operations Division chief

of PRO 12 said that this initiative will “put a face” to the MDR and ensure that only the intended beneficiaries will be able to use the MDRs for purpose of claiming PhilHealth benefits in any accredited hospitals and non-hospital facilities.

On the lower portion of the MDR this words are: “Ako ay miyembro


ng PhilHealth na may benepisyong pangkalusugan. Sakop ng aking benepisyo ang aking asawa, mga anak na may edad 20 taon pababa at magulang na may edad 60 taon pataas. Wala kaming babayaran sa mga pangunahing operasyon at karamdaman kung m a g p a p a - c o n f i n e kami sa ward ng mga pampublikong ospital. Sagot ng PhilHealth ang konsultasyon, laboratory at ilan pang serbisyo

ng aking pamilya mula sa aming health center. Kailangan ko lamang ipakita ang aking Health Insurance Card o Member Data Record kapag gagamit ng benepisyo.”

This message should also remind the MDR of his responsibility as a PhilHealth member.

To properly distinguish PhilHealth MDR from other documents, this is printed in a light yellow A4 size paper.

Further, PRO 12 urged all accredited health

care providers to access the list of NHTS-PR members from http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/sponsored/nhts-pr_list.html to verify their status and eligibility.

PhilHealth Cares nurses assigned in selected hospitals in the region can also assist in the verification process through their Customer Service Information System (DED-PIA 12/ Amor Sequito, PRO 12)

One Mindanao - August 21, 2012

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