One Mindanao - August 6, 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 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 ……… 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 Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

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Cover Story

IPSP Bayanihan—the army’s inspiring way of winning peace

Ruby Leonora R. BalistoyNorthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Monday, August 6, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 316

page 4

Malacañang welcomes US State Department Country Report on Terrorism citing Phl as ‘critical partner’ in Anti-Terrorism campaign 9

Carina L. Cayon, Southern MindanaoHedcor remains committed to IPs welfare

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Aida Agad, Central MindanaoInspection, certification of motorcycle helmets extended

DOST-12 exec urges junior college students to avail S & T scholarships 24

Butuan vice mayor urges businessmen to invest in Butuan

Philhealth starts subsidy on kidney transplant

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Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

15 NHCP holds tobacco control strategy forum in CdO

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

DSWD-10 calls on 4Ps beneficiaries to notify change of address

Surigaonon cop competes for 2012 Search for Model PNP Families27 Fryan E. Abkilan, Caraga Region

Eldie N. David, Caraga Region

Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

Jorie C. Valcorza, Northern Mindanao

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4 Monday, August 6, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Cover StoryIPSP Bayanihan—the army’s inspiring way of winning peace

But today, he said, with the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), a soldier’s work is best measured on how peacekeeping and peace building is being managed in the

army’s respective areas. “AFP’s IPSP Bayanihan opens up space for the involvement of the people in defining, shaping, and ensuring peace and security in a community because peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be

Brig. General Romeo L. Gapuz

of the army’s 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade (403rd InfBde), here, said great historic warriors rule that fine soldiery is best measured by firing the guns of war and counting bodies of dead enemies or firearms recovered in combat.

by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

Monday, August 6, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

achieved by understanding,” Gapuz explained. The 403rd InfBde has increased cooperation since it acknowledged the contribution of each government agency, civil society organization, and even local community, as evidenced by some 276 former members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) surrendered in Bukidnon since July 2010. One group belonged to Benjamin “Kumander Nonong” Salusad accordingly with 79 members, and turned in 25 high-powered firearms to 8th Infantry Battalion in Maramag town, last November 15.Another rebel identified as Johnny Boy Andin-o or “Rebong” under NPA’s Guerilla Front 6 also surrendered, along with five others. The group surrendered an M16 rifle, two Garand, two Carbines, an improvised M14 and a caliber-45

pistol. After tough few months of peaceful negotiations, another rebel group under Gevion Balanban or “Oto” and “Salin Ubod” surrendered with 14 members under the Mamerto Bagani Command from Northern Bukidnon, including Upper Pulangui. The provincial government reported the turnover of 30 assorted firearms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the group. Also, Rene Mansaylo-ay Dal-anay or “Taruc” and “Yoyoy” also surrendered with a group of 10 others. The army said they belonged to the Boyboy Roa Command. The group was reported to have surrendered a Carbine rifle, a Garand, and unidentified number of IEDs. While lauding the army’s achievement, Governor Alex P. Calingasan has shelled out a

total of P3.4 million for the


reintegration of the former rebels, with the latest, the surrender of 45 persons reported to be NPA members formally turned over to the provincial government.After authentication and validation, the provincial government provides P30,000 financial assistance to each identified rebel returning with firearms. The governor also said former rebels have been enrolled in the Provincial Livelihood Program.

The IPSP Bayanihan

approach, Gapuz said is winning the

peace not just crushing the enemy through education of out-of-school youths and adults in the hinterlands where insurgency thrives. “We can work as groups, or as an individual right where we are, undertaking specific peace projects, commending and strengthening the good wherever we find it,” Gapuz said.


ACROSS THE NATION

In a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Legislative Liaison

Office (PLLO) chief Manuel Mamba asked lawmakers to pass the bill because of its significance to the

Palace says Responsible Parenthood Bill will help the country economically

Malacañang asked the public to support the Responsible Parenthood Bill being pushed by the Aquino administration saying the proposal is good for the country particularly to the economy.

8 Monday, August 6, 2012

nation. Mamba’s statement

came as the Catholic Church and its supporters gather in EDSA Shrine to hold a huge prayer rally against the Responsible Parenthood Bill.

“Ito po ay napakagandang batas, basahin ho natin ng husto, makikita natin na ang gusto ng batas na ito ay meron tayong mas magandang kinabukasan sa ating mga anak at sa sambayanang Pilipino sa darating na araw,” Mamba said.

“Isa pa ’yung ekonomiya natin kailangan makasabay sa paglaki ng ating populasyon, sa sobrang paglaki ng ating populasyon, kahit pa kailan hindi makakasabay ‘yung ating ekonomiya. Gusto natin ng magandang kinabukasan para sa mga taon natin, let’s pass this bill,” he added.

With regards to statements saying the bill is pro-abortion, Mamba said it is not contained in the bill and it is an attempt to

misinform the public.“’Yung pangamba ng simbahan

na may mga abortion dito, hindi po totoo ’yon. Let us not misinform our people,” he said, adding the government has an obligation to give the people choices about the size of their families.

At this time, Mamba said they have enough representatives in both house of Congress who are supportive of the bill as he expressed confidence on its passage.

The Palace official also asked the people and lawmakers not to politicize the issue, saying it’s not about politics but about the future of the country.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the EDSA shrine Saturday afternoon for what church leaders had described as a massive prayer rally to show Congress most Filipinos were against the bill pending in the legislature for years. (as)


Malacañang welcomes US State Department Country Report on Terrorism citing Phl as ‘critical partner’ in Anti-Terrorism campaign

Malacañang welcomed the US State Department’s Country Report on Terrorism citing the Philippines as a “critical partner” in its Anti-terrorism Assistance program

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the Philippines remains committed in strengthening efforts to combat terrorism “on a global front.”

“…(since) terrorism is not just a concern of the Philippines but is the concern of most of the countries in the world, we continue to push on

with our efforts to help fight terrorism on a global front,” Valte said.

In a release dated August 1, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the US State Department had released the results of its 2011 Philippine Country Report on Terrorism recognizing the Philippine Government’s progress in the fight against terrorism.

It said that because the Philippines

10 Monday, August 6, 2012

maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States by providing tactical and investigative training to support the transition in the southern Philippines from military to civilian counterterrorism authority in Mindanao, “the Philippines remained a critical partner nation in the State’s Antiterrorism Assistance program.”

The report noted that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Administration’s implementation of the the 2011-2016 Internal Peace and Security Plan contributed to the progress in the fight against terrorism.

The Internal Peace and Security Plan adopts a “whole of nation” approach to achieve lasting peace, security, and economic d e v e l o p m e n t , including the transfer of internal security functions from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to

the Philippine National Police (PNP). The US State Department also

highlighted institutional improvements directed towards addressing terrorism such as the creation of joint military and police task forces and interagency operations cells in in Zamboanga, Sulu, and Basilan; formation of anti-kidnapping-for-ransom group in Marawi with military and police participation; and the establishment of the PNP’s national Crisis Action Force that combined ground, air, and maritime units into a unified terrorist/crisis first response unit. (rck)


Japan to invest more in agri, PPP in Mindanao

Japanese investors will pour in more investments in the country, especially in Mindanao, in support of the

Philippine government’s public-private-partnership (PPP) program.

This was learned during the second day of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference held at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here.

The said business conference runs from August 2 to 4, 2012, with invited business leaders from the Philippines and other

countries. “We found Mindanao rich in

agriculture, in terms of banana and asparagus production and many others, and we want these exported to Japan,” according to Ochiai Naoyuki, member of the Embassy of Japan International Monitoring Team and first

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


secretary/senior advisor for reconstruction and development of Mindanao.

Naoyuki said they are conducting a study in Mindanao considering the issue on power shortage. He also welcomed the opportunity to help the government by putting up investments for

existing hydropower plants in the Philippines.

Naoyuki also explained that Japan, as a policy direction, aims to provide assistance to other countries in order to help them uplift their economic stability.

“We usually provide assistance in terms of infrastructure under our community development projects like irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and many more,” Naoyuki said.

The Japanese government is also giving out information to other partner countries about the Philippines and its rich resources, and also encouraged business sectors to open investments in the Philippines.


P69-M infra damaged in Camiguin due to flashfloods by Jorie C. Valcorza

Recent flashfloods which hit four (4) towns in Camiguin, reportedly,

damaged P69.7 million worth of government infrastructure facilities, leaving some roads inaccessible.

Latest Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-10 flashflood progress report shows that the municipality of Sagay was left with most number of structures damaged, both in transportation facilities and water system.

Aguran Bridge, Bonbon-

Kilon-ac provincial road, Bacnit spillway, and Alangilan-Aguran boundary were among the hard hit structures. Most structures affected were


protection dikes, bridges, spillways, culverts, sea walls, roads and foot bridge. For the water system, more than P2 million intake boxes and pipelines have been partially damaged by the flood. To date, only in the town of Sagay whose supply of water has not been fully restored yet. Sagay Municipal Planning and Development Chief, as well as, MDRRC Action Officer, Engr. Alex Dagaraga said major pipelines in the poblacion were fully restored as of yesterday. He however said that there will still be areas in the town which will be left waterless as some pipelines were totally carried away by floods or barangays with totally damaged

intake box. Dagaraga explained that they are not dependent to single water source only, some barangays have their own water system, while the municipal water works supplies most of the concessionaires in the poblacion and others were also served by the Camiguin Integrated Water System Cooperative.


NHCP holds tobacco control strategy forum in CdO by Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - The Department of Health (DOH) National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) convened tobacco control stakeholders and the media for the National Tobacco Control Strategy (NTCS) dissemination forum here last August 2.

The NTCS reflects the government’s political commitment to strengthen national capacities to address rising incidence, developmental challenges, the social and economic impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as reflected in the United Nations Political Declarations on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, and to move for the complete implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to protect public health from the devastating effect of tobacco use. Participants were oriented on the rudiments of tobacco control through the Sin Tax and tobacco advertising ban. NCHP director Ivanhoe C.

Escartin encouraged local government units to resume the graphic health information strategy. “If it cannot be printed in cigarettes packs we can still opt to posting pictures on the ill effects of smoking around the community,” he said. Escartin also noted that a National Tobacco Control Coordinating Office is now formed through the Bloomberg Initiative Project OC-401, whose goals are to consolidate the Philippines’ effort in tobacco

control through sector-wide participation and involvement, and implementation of the NTCS. It is lodged under NCHP to synchronize all tobacco control efforts of the DOH as well as other government and non-government organizations.


DSWD-10 calls on 4Ps beneficiaries to notify change of addressby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 has called on beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to inform the agency if they are going to transfer residences to ensure receipt of their cash grants.

The DSWD field office noted that a number of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries have stopped receiving their cash grants due to transfer of residences. The DSWD-10 appealed to the moving/transferring beneficiaries to contact Francis Alcoran, beneficiary update system focal of DSWD-10, through his mobile phone 0917-7941102 or through the DSWD-10 hotlines 858-

6333, 858-8184 or 726-394. They can also directly contact their municipal/city link or to any social welfare office in their locality. Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of DSWD-10, said this is also in accordance to the massive updating of beneficiaries’ data being undertaken by the DSWD to ensure coverage of all intended beneficiaries of the program.


DOST backs establishment of innovation & technology support office in Davao City

Entrepreneurs, businessmen, and inventors spend large

amount of money for research and development. Spending large amount on a new technology can be risky if that technology is ex-pensive to develop and is very easy to copy. Hence, there is a need to protect your processes, technologies, and products. But how can you be protected? Patents are a great way to do that. Patents are a boost to small businesses as they give time-limited

monopoly on an idea. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) finds this important for the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region. On March 11, 2012, DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and IPO Philippines Director-General Ricardo R. Blancaflor jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSOs) in the different parts of the country including Region XI. ITSO is a flagship program of the IPO Philippines in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology. Fortunately, the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) represented by its President, Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin also signed the MOU together with the DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony C. Sales and other representatives from Benguet State University (BSU); Western Visayas


State University (WVSU); Visayas State University (VSU); and Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) on the establishment of ITSOs in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). Hence, ITSO in Region XI is located at USeP as the host institution at Barrio Obrero, Davao City. ITSOs will facilitate quicker, more efficient search and application process for patents in the region. It shall function as a patent search facility and library for patent information. USeP shall provide training, information, and advisory services regarding patenting and intellectual

property to interested individuals from Region XI. It shall provide a ready pool of competent science and technical experts to conduct patent search and drafting. Moreover, it shall also assist in the IP-capacity building interventions of IPO Philippines as well as of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).Furthermore, the University shall also facilitate the patenting of its technologies ITSO in Region XI will be launched on August 6, 2012 at the R&D Conference Room, USeP Dormitory, USeP, Bo. Obrero, Davao City. (DOST-11)

Hedcor remains committed to IPs welfareSTA. CRUZ– Hedcor President Rene Ronquillo reiterated the firm’s commitment of consider-ing and respecting the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribal traditions and beliefs while establishing hydro-power projects in this town. Ronquillo reassured this commitment during Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremonies and unveiling of powerplant perspective for the construction of the seven-megawatt Tudaya Hydropower 2 Plant at Barangay Astorga in Sta. Cruz. “We’ve remained committed as we’ve shown before during the (establishment) of the Sibulan 42.5MW Sibulan Hydropower Plants,” he told officials and representatives from

the local government units, national government agencies and members of the indigenous peoples from the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe. He said the company needs the support of the host communities and the local government units for the realization of its vision of generating two billion kilowatt-hour of clean energy by 2020, and to particularly assure sufficient supply of power in the province. “We explain to the local communities that the run-of-river projects are beneficial projects,” Ronquillo said of how they get consent from the residents. Datu Carolino Ruiz, Sta. Cruz Municipality tribal leader of the


Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe, vouched for the gains that the hydropower projects have provided to the ethnic group. Ruiz said that with the entry of Hedcor projects, the tribe’s members residing in the project site have been benefiting from the annual royalty shares of one cent per kilowatt hour of the electricity sales generated from the hydropower plants as mandated by the law. He told the media that through the indigenous peoples group Kapiid Ka Banua, the royalty shares go directly to the programs in education, medical assistance, livelihood, and infrastructures. Last year, the tribe received P950,000 as a royalty share from AboitizPower’s wholly owned subsidiary Hedcor Sibulan Inc. On top of this, basic social services such as health, infrastructure such as roads, livelihood projects and scholarship program for the children have also been given through Hedcor’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Ruiz said some 100 IPs with skills have been employed mostly as drivers during the construction and up to the operations of the plants, adding that this is in accordance to the Memorandum of Agreement giving priority to the IPs in terms of employment. The Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe is the major ethnic group in Sta. Cruz comprising the 45 percent of the total population of the municipality, he said. Ruiz told the media that the IP

host communities of Hedcor facilities in the barangays of Sibulan, Astorga and Darong, Sta. Cruz are part of the 40,733-hectare ancestral domain of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe covering the areas of Makilala, North Cotabato to Davao City. Ronquillo said the more than P1 billion worth Tudaya Hydropower 2 Plant would open more than 400 employment opportunities to locals and will bring more benefits to the host communities through its CSR programs. Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. would soon start building the facility which is expected to generate 40.5 gigawatt-hours annually to Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DASURECO) which Hedcor said could power more than 7,000 homes. The plant’s generated carbon neutral electricity is seen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, Ronquillo said. The plant will be registered under the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project that will sell certified emission reduction units (CERs) to industrialized countries, he added. Aside from this project which is estimated to be completed by early 2014, the company is also preparing for the construction later this year of Tudaya Hydropower 1 Plant to give an additional 7-MW power in the province. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)


regional gallery

Maidens representing the 10 tribes of Davao await their turn to be presented as Hiyas ng Kadayawan finalists during the opening ceremonies of Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2012 held last August 3 at Davao City’s Peoples Park.


GLAN, Sarangani – Glan Mayor Victor James “Tata” Yap Sr. started his State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) Thursday by underscoring the significant increase of local tax revenues collected from July 2011 to July 2012 compared to the same period in the past fiscal year.

Glan mayor reports higher tax collectionby Beverly C. Paoyon


The local government unit (LGU) generated a total of P14 million from local taxes this year while only P11 million was recorded for June 2010 to July 2011.

In his address, Yap continued urging his staff to pursue tax collection “more vigorously but in the most judicious and equitable manner.”

He reported that from the LGU’s total income of P165 million sourced out from both the local revenues and the Internal Revenue Allotment, only P149 million was spent for the 55 programs and projects implemented which generated for the LGU a P16.3 million surplus.

“Now, more than ever,” he pointed out the “need to make every effort to build on our local revenue sources to make up for the reduction in the IRA accruing to local government units because of the big shortfall in the national revenue collection in

2011.”“This year, our

IRA amounted to only P146,115,528 compared to P154,346,432 in 2011 and P142,538,963.40 in 2010,” Yap reported.

However, he disclosed as “good news” the P4-million monetary incentive from winning in the good governance, transparency and accountability program of the Department of Interior and Local Government dubbed as the Seal of Good Housekeeping which will supplement half of the P8 million that was deducted from their IRA.

This is the second SOMA of Yap where some data were reported in comparison of the LGU’s previous achievements which also covered various sectors like health, social welfare, anti-poverty, education, agriculture, infra, tourism, environment and peace and order.

Yap said Glan was fortunate to have acquired the Internet-

Based Community Health Information Tracking System from the United Nations Children’s Fund where the rural health unit could monitor the illnesses and pregnant women recorded for each barangay.

For now, there are 18,000 Philhealth enrolees in Glan and Yap anticipated the remaining 3,000 of the 21,000 households would also be enrolled by January 2013.

In education, Yap reported 28,765 LGU scholars from kindergarten to high school which, according to him accounted for “roughly 30 percent of our total population” and a total of 1,002 scholars in college sent to the different colleges and universities in Glan and General Santos City. Around P14 million was sliced up from the LGU funds for the scholarship.

Further, he said their “infrastructure plan has for its main planks the construction of facilities designed to make life easier for our people, enhance their physical


and social mobility as well as improve their productivity.”

“We have undertaken from various sources some P115 million worth of programs and projects for our

constituents across the length and breadth of our municipality,” he added.

Also, he said the damage wrought by floods and other calamities that hit

Glan can be abated by “getting people out of harm’s way and moving them elsewhere where it would be safe for them to build their respective houses.”

Inspection, certification of motorcycle helmets extendedby Aida AgadKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Motorists have now up to the end of this year to have their helmets inspected and certified with PS or ICC (Phil-ippine Standards or Import Commodity Clearance) markings of the Bureau of Product Standards.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) South Cotabato provincial director Flora Gabunales said, this came after their agency’s request for extension has been granted by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Gabunales said, the extension would only run from August 1 to December 31 for them to complete the markings of PS and ICC with the standard protective motorcycle helmets, the ones required to be used by motorcycle riding individuals.

With the said extension, DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas also

ordered the personnel of the Land Transportation Office to defer the strict

implementation of its law enforcement functions stipulated under RA


10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.

The LTO has also been directed to remind drivers of motorcycles on the provisions of the Helmet Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

Gabunales also explained that after the extension order on December 31, 2012, motorists not complying with the Helmet Law will

be issued citation tickets and dealt with appropriate penalties under RA 10054.

Motorists (drivers and back riders) caught not wearing the standard protective helmet will be fined P1,500 for first offense; P3,000 for second offense; P5,000 for third offense, and P10,000 plus confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.

Any person who also

uses, sells, and distributes substandard motorcycle helmets or those which do not bear the PS mark or ICC certificate will also be meted with penalties imposed under Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

DTI South Cotabato is presently conducting market monitoring of helmets sold by local distributors in the area. (ACA-PIA12)

DOST-12 exec urges junior college students to avail S & T scholarshipsBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY,South Cotabato — Regional Director Zenaida Hadji Raof-Laidan of the Department of Science and Technology Region 12 today urged third year college students enrolled in science and technology (S&T) courses to grab the scholarship opportunity offered by the agency.

Laidan announced DOST’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has opened the application for the Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) with the deadline for filing set on August 24, 2012.

“By availing the scholarships, students will not only help ease the financial burdens of their parents but

they are also given the foundation to succeed later in life,” Dr. Laidan said.

The DOST-SEI offers two JLSS programs: the Republic Act 7687 otherwise known as Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994) Scholarship and the Merit Scholarship.

RA 7687 provides scholarships to talented

students whose family’s socio-economic status does not exceed the set values of certain indicators as approved by the advisory committee on S&T scholarships while the Merit Scholarship Program grants scholarships to deserving students whose socio-economic status exceeds the said indicators.


Qualifiers shall be selected on the basis of their performance in the 2012 JLSS scholarship examination to be administered on 22 September this year.

In Region 12, the designated testing center is the Notre Dame of Marbel University in Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City.

Both cholarships are open to regular third year college students for School Year 2012-2013 who are enrolled in the identified S&T priority courses at any of the state colleges and universities and accredited Centers of Excellence of the Commission on Higher Education.

An applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen; has a general weighted average of at least 83% and has no failing grade in his/her 1st and 2nd years; not a recipient of any other government or private scholarship; has no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country; resident of the municipality for the last

4 years; and of good moral character and in good health.

Privileges that JLSS scholars will receive include free tuition fee, book allowance, monthly stipend and post-graduation clothing allowance. T r a n s p o r t a t i o n allowance will also be provided to those studying outside their home province.

Applicants for the JLSS scholarship programs must submit to the nearest DOST Regional Office or Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) the following documents:1) DOST-SEI Information Sheet2) Certificate of Year Level3) Certificate of Good Moral Character4) Statement of parent that applicant has no pending application as immigrant to any other country5) Health Certificate from a qualified physician6) Two recent (1”x1”) pictures7) Photocopy of Birth Certificate

8) Certified True Copy of Grades or Transcript of Records.

JLSS-RA 7687 applicants must also submit certificate of residency; family information questionnaire; parent’s 2011 Income Tax Return/W2 / Employment Contract / BIR Certificate of Tax Exemption / Barangay Certification of Non-Employment; and three consecutive months of electric bill for 2012.

Interested students may call the DOST-12 Regional Office at (064) 421-6908 or (064) 421-2711.

They may also get in touch with the nearest provincial S&T centers at (083) 554-7997 (SarGen); 083-228-2342 (South Cotabato); (064) 200-3521 (Sultan Kudarat); and (064) 248-2112 (North Cotabato).

They may also check the DOST-SEI website at www.sei.dost.gov.ph and www.science-scholarships.ph. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/Babai K. Tagitican-DOST 12)


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A total of 247 graduates received certificates from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

(TESDA) during the closing ceremony of the Kasanayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran (KKK) on August 1 at the 36th Infantry Battalion Headquarters, Dayoan, Tago this province.

247 graduates receive certification from TESDA

Spearheaded by TESDA, the said training is under the flagship program of Gov. Johnny Pimentel through the Jobs thru Tech-voc Program, aimed to reduce out-of-school youth

and unemployment in the province. KKK, through JTP, was initiated by the Philippine Army and was first implemented by the 29IB in identified conflict areas under their area of responsibility.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan


This time, beneficiaries are members of the 36IB Philippine Army and some of them were troop wives. For meat processing, 28 graduates were conferred, 93 for defensive driving, 28 for coconut by products, 70 for automotive servicing and 28 for personal computer operations. Lieutenant Col. Joseph Pasamonte

expressed his gratitude to the governor. He said the skills acquired by his troop are a big help to their operation especially in the field of Driving and Automotive skills. The activity was in line with the celebration of the 38th founding anniversary of the 36IB, where series of activities were already conducted since July 25.

Organized by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and PNP, the model family search was first launched last year to highlight policemen as family men. Police Insp. Elsa Montenegro, public information officer and chief of Police Community Relations (PCR),

was chosen as one of the top six finalists in the solo parent category. Despite being a single mother and active in her police duties, Montenegro is also doing community outreach and enrichment activities. She was nominated by Willie Gan, president of Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the only

Surigaonon cop competes for 2012 Search for Model PNP Familiesby Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY -- TA Surigaonon police officer is a finalist in the Search for the Model Philippine National Police (PNP) Families.


contender from Surigao del Norte and entire Mindanao. Other finalists are from Bulacan, Baguio, Eastern Samar, National Capital Region and Iloilo. On Wednesday, the validation team for the search arrived in the city to conduct an onsite visitation of the finalist, interview the nominator and individuals associated with the finalist. The validation team is led by Ellen Gran of Crusade Against Violence with Ma. Theresa Santiago of Foundation for Crime Prevention,

Donna Lyn Caparas of NAPOLCOM, Police Chief Insp. Ely Lumbao of PNP Directorate for PCR as members.

“The team is here in Surigao to validate if the documents submitted to NAPOLCOM are authentic and accurate,” Gran said. Gran said the winners will be awarded with a plaque of recognition and cash incentives during the kickoff ceremony of the National Crime Prevention Week on September 3.

Butuan vice mayor urges businessmen to invest in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY-- The vice mayor of Butuan City has urged delegates of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference to invest in Butuan through the public-private partnership (PPP).

by Eldie N. David


Butuan City has already put in place all the policies and the necessary legislation that would cater to PPP projects, vice mayor Lawrence Fortun said during the opening ceremonies of the conference on August 2 to 4 in a hotel and convention center in this city. One of the major aspects in the city government’s preparation is the passage of the ordinance laying down the guidelines for PPP projects dubbed the “PPP Code of Butuan City,” which was authored by Fortun. Fortun said Butuan City became the first city in the Philippines to craft such ordinance and is now ready to accommodate PPP projects in the city. “Contained in the ordinance are the guidelines as well as the 16 modalities of PPP projects and the

eligible projects that are offered to the private investors,” Fortun said. Fortun added that these initiatives of laying down the foundation of PPP projects and joint venture undertakings is a clear manifestation of the cohesive and

healthy partnership within the local government of Butuan under the leadership of Mayor Ferdinand “Jun” Amante. He also mentioned in his speech the several projects in the pre-implementation stage for which some of these projects is expected to be implemented within the year such as the mini-hydro power plant and the biomass fuel generation which will be undertaken between a local company Equi-Parco Construction Co. and Japanese investors. It is expected that the coming in of investors that would be willing to partner with the local government and invest in several projects would redound to the benefit of the people of Butuan in terms of jobs and other indirect livelihood.


Road upgrading in Zamboanga Sibugay 75% complete By Claro A. Lanipa

The Imelda- Bayog - Kumalarang -Lapuyan-Margosatubig Road, categorized as national secondary road, is the only access in going to and fro the 19 hinterland barangays in the municipalities of Imelda,

Diplahan and Siay. The road network is vital in the delivery of farm products to the markets centers in the municipality of Imelda. DPWH Region 9 Director George Sabastian said the P50-million project, funded under the CY 2012 Regular Infra Program, involves upgrading of road pavement from gravel to concrete. The project started in January and is expected to be completed by September 2012. (DPWH9/CAL/PIA9)

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-9)

reported that construction of the 2.007 kilometers Imelda-Bayog-Kumalarang-Lapuyan-Margosatubig Road in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay has already posted 75 percent completion.

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Philhealth starts subsidy on kidney transplantZAMBOANGA CITY – Good news to all Philhealth members! The government’s premier health insurance institution started subsidizing kidney transplantation that will drastically reduce its costs.

Dr. Michael Abutazil, chief nephrologist of the Western Mindanao Medical Center (WMMC) said Department of Health Secretary and now concurrent Philhealth Chairman Dr. Enrique T. Ona announced that they will provide funds to subsidize costs of kidney transplantation in a meeting last April 13. “We’re very glad that effective June, we will be receiving P628,000.00 subsidy coming from Philhealth for each transplanted kidney”, Dr. Abutazil said. Abutazil explained that the subsidy will cover at least 70% of the total costs of the operation, making

it extremely affordable for patients to undergo renal transplant. “In our area, the Western Mindanao Medical Center, the cost of the package is P850,000.00. If there is a subsidy of P628,000.00, then roughly, the patient will just be shelling out about P160,000.00 including the medications to be used for the transplantation”, he said. Abutazil also stressed that this is part of the national government ‘s efforts to make renal transplantation accessible to the Filipinos. “The Department of Health, together with other partner agencies, is really putting this into a reality, making treatment for our renal patients more accessible”, he furthered. Dr. Abutazil led the group of nephrologists in successfully conducting the first-ever kidney transplantation in Western Mindanao, October of last year. Another patient was operated just this March, with two more scheduled operations in line. “We are happy to inform you that so far, our patients are on their way to full recovery. They are still under observation but everything is doing well so far”, Abutazil said. (MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

One Mindanao - August 6, 2012

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