One Mindanao - July 3, 2014

Edal: A lowly farmer now a person to look up to Mary May A. AbellonWestern Mindanao

THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 212

Palace joins prayers for Senator Santiago’s recovery

NATIONAL

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Page 4

CARAGA REGION

CENTRAL MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

WESTERN MINDANAO

AgNor town launches RMC award

Surigao Norte guv calls on Surigaonons to avail scholarship in medicine

DAR, SRA strengthen sugarcane production in N. Cotabato

ARMM modifies office hours during Ramadhan

Dingdong Dantes stirs up DavNor anniversary as keynote speaker

PNP-10 awards exec for campaign against illegal activities in Ozamiz

Lanao del Norte celebrates 55th Founding Anniversary

Army expects more rebels to surrender

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32 34 36

26 27

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Information to Empower Filipinos

7Christine Magsayo

Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise-Punzalan

Danilo E. Doguiles

Oliver Ross V. Rivera

Michael Uy

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Lorry V. Gabule 10

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Ivonnie B. Dumadag

Edal: A lowly farmer now a person to look up to

Our strength does not come from winning; our struggles do. When we go through hardships and

decide not to surrender - that is strength!

Human needs and struggles are what inspire and excite individuals to continue moving forward, as life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but it’s about learning to dance in the rain.Like Edralina C. Sumabad, “Edal” to her relatives and friends, has proven that a dream does not come true by magic but through sweat, hard work and willpower.

Weathering difficult times Edal, 49, was married to Rolly Sumabad in 1988. The couple strove hard to feed their growing family of nine children.Edal recalled that her family was wallowing in despair and anguish, sending anyone to tears when her story is told. She would remember those times

when her family had nothing to eat and the pangs of hunger wrenching their stomach. Their meager harvest from their farm was not enough to feed the family of 11.

by Mary May A. Abellon

COVER STORY

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Sometimes if they could no longer endure the gnawing pain of hunger she would serve her family with “kubong”, a root crop, which could be poisonous if not properly cooked. The family lived in Barangay Sitog, an interior village of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte with farming as their main source of living.

Losing 5 children Edal recalled that scarcity in life - no delicious food, no fancy clothes – did not break heart. But she felt her life totally devastated when she lost her five children to malnutrition. That was a heart-wrenching and saddest part of her life that, at some point cutting up her heart to pieces, knowing not when it would piece together. But with the help of her family, she remained strong and ready to mend her broken heart.

Struggle preludes success Edal believes that education will be the answer to their long struggle with poverty. She made sure that her remaining children could attend school. Her eldest son, a Criminology graduate, is now serving as a police officer in Tanay, Rizal with a photo processing business in Manila. The other three children are still in their primary and intermediate studies. Although Edal managed to

complete a degree i n Education, she failed to get her diploma because she was not able to pay her school fees. Nevertheless, she got a “contractual job” at the municipal government unit of Katipunan, assigned at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). She is working in said office for 15 years now. Her assignment at DAR has opened an opportunity for her sister, who now works in Department of Agriculture (DA), to be a recipient of the President Diosdado Macapagal Agraryo Skolar Program (PDMASP).“Our journey to obtain education taught us the value of hard work; it also made our character stronger,” Edal shared.A model farmer In 1994, Edal was awarded with three-hectare agricultural land under

P r o c l a m a t i o n Number 2282 of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). As a CARP beneficiary, she got training on how to improve farm productivity through modern farm technologies conducted by DAR. Edal now earns P15, 000.00 per harvest from her fruit and vegetable farm. From the family earning, her family has been able to improve the house and furnish it with furniture and appliances. The family is also operating a mini-store, fishpond and piggery. Her feat in farming and livestock makes her a model farmer in her community. She also shares not only her knowledge and skills in farming, but also planting materials with her neighbors. “Farming has something to do with our daily lives. It’s a big relief that we had overcome the greatest turmoil and hardships in our life,” she narrated.

A rainbow after storm Edal serves as a living testimony

that, sometimes, we just have to make

peace with our past in order to keep our future from becoming hostage to the previous pains and struggles. Because of her

success in life, Edal became a respected leader in her c o m m u n i t y. She has served as Barangay Chairman for 13 years. She also served as Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) chairman for three years and now an active member of Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOMM). Definitely, Edal is a woman with fortitude and willpower to vanquish life difficulties. “Remember, God sometimes takes us into troubled waters not to drown us but to cleanse us,” she quipped.

Across the Nation

7 JULY| PAGE

Across the Nation

Palace renews support for reinterpretation of Japan’s ConstitutionMalacañang has renewed its support for Japan’s move to

reinterpret its Constitution to make it more attuned to current global security situations.

8 JULY 2014 | PAGE

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said any Asian country that promotes regional peace and stability would support Japan’s move to revisit its Constitution.

“I think everyone who has a stake in regional stability would certainly support any action that would move towards promoting peace in the region,” Lacierda told reporters.

“Clearly, our belief is that Japan, by revisiting its Constitution, enables it to meet its international obligations, that is -- in the case of the South China Sea issue -- to promote and to ensure peace and stability in the region.”

Both the Philippines and Japan have territorial rows with China.

The Palace official reiterated President Aquino’s statement that he supports Japan’s extended role in ensuring global security and stability.

During his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week, President Aquino said he supports the idea of Japan revisiting its Constitution to fulfill its international obligations more effectively.

The President also said the Philippines

is looking at forging a stronger military cooperation with Japan, similar to the Enhanced Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US, so that the Philippines could benefit during times of emergencies and disasters.

Japan made a historic step away from its post-war pacifism on Tuesday by ending the ban on exercising collective self-defense or aiding a friendly country under attack.

The ban has kept Japan’s military from fighting abroad since 1945 after the US defeated it during World War II.

The change is a dramatic policy shift, which will allow Japan’s armed forces to be more aligned with the militaries of other advanced nations in terms of its options.

The Japanese government said however that it would be wary of putting soldiers on the ground in multilateral operations, such as the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Prime Minister Abe said on Tuesday that his administration pushed the changes to make Japan more responsive to the increasingly tough security environment. PND

9 JULY| PAGE

Palace joins prayers for Senator Santiago’s recovery

The Palace said it joins the people in praying for Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s recovery from lung cancer.

“We are one with the people in praying for the health and recovery of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a text message to members of the Malacañang Press Corps on Wednesday.

Senator Santiago earlier announced in a press briefing that she has been

diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.She said she will undergo six weeks

of chemotherapy to battle her cancer.Coloma praised the senator

for her unwavering devotion to her work as a stateswoman.

“Despite her condition, she has devoted herself to the performance of her duties as legislator and public servant,” he said. PND

10JULY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

DSWD livelihood project benefit 60,000 poor families from ARMMThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said

Wednesday that about 63,335 poor families in Autonomous Regions in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are benefiting from its livelihood projects.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, the livelihood projects are being implemented under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Soliman said that, at present, the SLP implementation is on-

going in Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

She added that the total budget allocated for the SLP in these provinces amounts to P623.35 million to ensure that the people from ARMM


DSWD livelihood project benefit 60,000 poor families from ARMM

will be empowered in participating to sustainable livelihood projects to achieve the goal of inclusive economic development where no one is left behind.

She added that the said funding comes from P1.6 billion allocation to DSWD as one of the agency implementing existing socio-economic development projects in the said region.

“Reducing poverty in ARMM is on top of the Aquino administration’s road map for countryside development. With this, the national government infused funds for its comprehensive development to be undertaken by different government agencies,” she added

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the socio-economic status of program beneficiaries. It employs a Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) which equips beneficiaries to actively contribute to production and labor markets by making use of available resources.

The program has two tracks from which beneficiaries have the option to choose from after undergoing capacity building activities - the Micro-Enterprise Development Track and the Employment Facilitation Track.

Under the Micro-Enterprise Development Track, program participants may avail of seed capital assistance from DSWD, while Employment Facilitation Track facilitates access to employment opportunities based

on their qualifications.According to the DSWD

chief through SLP, the dream of the poor beneficiaries to put up a sustainable business is being realized because they can access employment opportunities as they earn a sustaining income for their families.

She cited as an example Zenaida Singh Guiamalon, 44, a resident of Barangay Datu, Saudi Ampatuan of Maguindanao province who dreamed of putting up a wallet-making business to help her family and to put her skill to good use came true through SLP.

“Today, with the help of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Zenaida is a budding entrepreneur producing at least 1,000 wallets a month,” she added.

She added that the woman already had two sewing machines prior to the assistance she received from SLP, but they were not able to start a business for lack of enough capital.

“When they qualified for the livelihood program they availed SLP’s capital assistance amounting to P10,000 which began their venture to business,” she said.

The DSWD believes that SLP is an effective way in achieving peace and development in ARMM because the beneficiaries are engaging themselves in small business that has the potential to flourish and enable them attained self-sufficiency level to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty.


Zambo. City solon tackles Bangsamoro issues with city council By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Zamboanga City first district Representative Celso L. Lobregat emphasized that there are certain issues in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that need to be scrutinized and made known to the public prior to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress.


Zambo. City solon tackles Bangsamoro issues with city council

Lobregat, who was invited to speak on his position on the Bangsamoro agreement during the city council’s regular session yesterday (July 1), emphasized several issues including the assertion that “there is no provision affirming or recognizing the Philippine Constitution.” “However, there is a provision specifically in Part 7 that states the function of the [Bangsamoro] Transition Commission… to work on proposals to amend the constitution for the purpose of accommodating and entrenching in the Constitution the agreements of the parties,” Lobregat pointed out. “It is the reverse – instead of the agreement being within the realm of the Constitution, baliscat (it is the other way around).” Lobregat furthered that the twelve documents comprising the CAB “have no references to the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, the Constitution of 1987 and the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF of 1996.” Furthermore, he stressed the presence of the “opt-in anytime” provision, which in essence means that a municipality or province may vote itself to be included in

the Bangsamoro. “This will cause chaos and instability. It may cause a never-ending expansion of the Bangsamoro.” Another issue that Lobregat presented is the “preferential rights” to be given to Bangsamoro people, particularly over fishery, aquamarine and other living resources in the Bangsamoro waters. “What about the equal protection clause?” he remarked. However, in spite of the issues that he enumerated, Lobregat recognized the efforts of the national government in working out a solution to attain lasting peace in Mindanao. “I thank President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for the sincere efforts in trying to finalize the peace agreement and implement it within his term. Indeed he is going the extra mile in pursuit of peace and justice in entire Mindanao,” said Lobregat. He added: “We are for long and lasting peace, and we want the CAB to be acceptable, feasible and consistent with the constitution and existing laws. But it is very important that our constituents be intelligibly informed on the issues involved.” Meanwhile, the members of the City Council have reaffirmed the City’s stance against being included


Army expects more rebels to surrenderBy Christine Magsayo

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – With the Gun for Peace Program of the government now, the Philippine Army has expressed optimism that more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels would surrender to avail themselves of the incentives. Under this program, any NPA member who will surrender shall receive cash incentives for the firearms they will bring along. It was learned that for M-16 , the government will pay P58 thousand and for 1 AK, P48 thousand.Lt.Col. Alvin Luzon, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion based in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, said the local government units of Zamboanga Peninsula are very responsive and supportive of the program. “In fact they offer an area for the members of the NPA that will surrender to start their livelihoods.”102nd Brigade Commander, Col. Ignacio Obligacion, who visited the 53rd Infantry Batallion Headquarters to personally meet the returnees,said “the government will surely support the request of the returnees to go

back to school.”He also expressed his happiness that the rebels hadvoluntarily surrendered without “exchanging fire with the armies.“Alam naman natin na nahihiwalay lang silang landas, pero kung tutulungan natin sila papunta sa tamang landas No need for fighting which is better kaysa sa mag-away-away tayo,” he said.(We all know that the rebels were just strayed in the wrong way, but if we will help them to be in the right path, then no need for fighting which is better than clashing with each other.)NPA rebels are reportedly operating in the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay in region 9.

in the Bangsamoro. Invited to hear Lobregat’s manifestation were local and national government agencies, heads of offices, the police and military, the

business and religious sector, academe, and other local stakeholders. Local officials from neighboring Isabela City were also present.


Army expects more rebels to surrender

Disaster consciousness month celebration in Caraga kicks off in Hinatuan town By Nida Grace P. BarcenaHINATUAN, Surigao del Sur- The local government here was chosen among the 70 municipalities in Caraga Region to lead the kick off celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month from July 1 to 31.


In a simple ceremony held Wednesday at Hinatuan gym, Su-rigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pi-mentel, chair of the Provincial Disas-ter Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said that is very much appropriate that the kick-off celebration will be held here be-cause the town was already a win-ner of the Gawad KALASAG in 2013. “Aside from being a nation-al Gawad KALASAG awardee last year, this town is also role mod-el in disaster preparedness in the entire province,” Pimentel said. The opening ceremony was graced by Hinatuan mayor Can-delario Viola and Office of the Civil

Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Car-aga regional director Dominga Mal-longa, Provincial DRRM officer Abel de Guzman, and some local officials. Meanwhile, the local DRRM coun-cil of Hinatuan conducted various activ-ities as part of the kick-off celebration such as the Fire Drill and Fire Olym-pics; Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in different schools; observance of Earth Hour, Rescue Exhibition with different scenarios and symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-CCA).

AgNor town launches RMC awardBy Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise-Punzalan

CARMEN, Agusan del Norte- The local officials here recently awarded the outstanding barangays and district officials during the opening celebration of the 65th Araw ng Carmen on July 1, 2014. The award known as the RMC Award stands for ‘Responsableng Mamumuno at Mamamayan ng Carmen’ which recognizes good performance not only among the barangay officials but also the people in the community.


AgNor town launches RMC award The RMC award was conceptualized through the efforts of the local officials and functionaries of the local government unit in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Carmen. It was aimed to encourage not only the barangay officials but also the people in the community through their respective districts to strive hard and do their part in attaining excellence in local governance.

Carmen municipal mayor Ramon M. Calo said that good governance is a shared responsibility of the officials and the people in the community. He believes that giving incentives to those performing barangays and districts will encourage the community to participate in matters of public affairs which defines the real meaning of governance.

The criteria of the said award focused on the areas of Governance,

Administration, Social Services, Economic and Environmental protection underscoring the importance of disaster prevention and mitigation.

The winners of the said award are the following, for the Barangay Category: 1st Place - Brgy Tagcatong with Plaque of Recognition and Php80,000 worth of project; 2nd Place - Brgy Poblacion with Plaque of Recognition and Php60,000 worth of project; 3rd Place - Brgy Rojales with Plaque of Recognition and Php40,000 worth of project.

For the District Category: 1st Place - District Rosas, Tagcatong with Plaque of Recognition and Php20,000 worth of project; 2nd Place - District 12, Poblacion with Plaque of Recognition and Php15,000 worth of project; while the 3rd Place went to District Mangga, Rojales with Plaque of Recognition and Php10,000 worth of project.


Surigao Norte guv calls on Surigaonons to avail scholarship in medicine

SURIGAO CITY - Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas is calling on those who are interested to avail of the scholarship program in medicine that the provincial government is offering. This is in anticipation of the need for medical specialists for the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital located in Brgy. Bad-as, Placer, this province.

“We are calling interested individuals especially Surigaonons to avail of this scholarship,” said Gov. Matugas.

Those who will qualify for the scholarship should be graduates in the fields of Nursing, Physical Theraphy and other related courses. Medical students who are already enrolled in medicine proper may also avail of this scholarship after passing the screening process.

The need for medical practitioners and specialists is imperative within the Level 2, 50-bed Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital, which is already set to open by the end of the third quarter.

“We have right here, at the heart

of the province, a state of the art hospital which we envision to be the finest government hospital in the region, and we are also looking at the possible partnership with the MVP Group of Companies, owner of the best hospitals in the country, to provide us with assistance in personnel trainings, referral system and access to facilities and services of medical specialists that our provincial hospital cannot yet provide,” she added.

No less than His Excellency, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, has been invited to grace the inauguration of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital in the last week of September.

By Ivonnie B. Dumadag


Capitol to launch new health, social services program by PIO

MISAMIS ORIENTAL - The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is set to launch its new healthcare and social services program, July 7 to 11 this year.


Misamis Oriental Care System or MisOr CareS is the new health and social service program of the province which has more and better benefits to avail on. According to Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, this is the answer to problems of financial incapacity when emergency arises. “It pains me to see poor people being denied access to health and social service program benefits thats why I am more eager to implement MisOr Cares to better serve the people,” the Governor said. MisOr CareS, basically will provide health services such as free hospitalization in all the eight

provincial hospitals, free laboratory services and free medicine. Further, social services provide the four-in-one scheme, free embalming, free coffin, free tents, and free transportation within the province, calamity assistance, and scholarship assistance. The launching will kick-off on July 7 at Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital (MOPH) - Initao and Manticao; July 8 at MOPH - Alubijid and Balay Nenotchka, Tagoloan; July 9 at MOPH-Claveria and Balingasag; July 10 at MOPH - Talisayan and Gingoog; and July 10 at MOPH -Magsaysay.

PNP-10 awards exec for campaign against illegal activities in Ozamizby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Philippine National Police, region 10 (PNP-10), has given mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr., a Plaque of Appreciation for his campaign against all forms of illegal activities in the city and for his unwavering support to the City Police Station (CPS). The awarding was done at the PNP-10 headquarters in Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City by deputy police director general Marcelo Poyaoan Garbo, Jr. and police chief superintendent Isagani Francisco Genabe, Jr., regional

director of PNP-10, recently. Parojinog was credited for the administrative and operational accomplishments of the CPS, from January to May 2014, “which would have been limited or might not have been possible without the


unwavering support of the mayor,” police superintendent Michael Cadiongan Bawayan , Jr., CPS Chief, said. Bawayan said upon his assumption as CPS Chief, the mayor has given his marching orders and solicited the full support of the local police in his drive against the proliferation of illegal drugs, particularly “shabu,” in the city. “There is an on-going influx of investors in Ozamiz City, being the center of economy, transportation and communication in Misamis Occidental. It is high time that we stop this social menace so that the investors will not be cowed by crimes being perpetrated as a direct or indirect result of the illegal drugs trade,” the mayor told Bawayan.

”Aside from this, there is a need to protect the city from the insurgency problems being experienced by neighboring cities and municipalities. There is a need to arrest the problem of the proliferation of loose firearms and the need to preserve the environment by protecting Mount Malindang thru the operations against illegal logging,” the mayor also said. Meanwhile, Plaques of Appreciation were also given by PNP-10 to mayor Michael Guttierez of Lopez-Jaena town and Atty. Philip T. Tan of Tangub City for their continued support to the local police for maintaining peace and order in their repective areas.

Lanao del Norte celebrates 55th Founding Anniversaryby Lorry V. Gabule

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte - Capping this year’s theme in celebration of the 55th Araw ng Lanao del Norte come July 4 is “Lanao del Norte: Sustaining the Gains of Peace and Development.”

Various activities have been lined up for the weeklong celebration of its Charter Day. The opening salvo of the annual festivities started on June 27 with the Agri-Aqua, Livestock and One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) Fair, at the Agora Complex, Barangay Sagadan, Tubod, this province. In coordination with the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PAO), and 22 local municipal government units (LGUs), the event kicked off with a grand parade around the arena where booths are installed for the product display followed by a program and the first judging of Booth Contest. Further, nightly activities


such as Midnight Order (Diskwento Caravan) at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) Agora were held. The First Tribal Music Competition was set in the evening. June 28 celebrated the Environment Day at the Tubod town warf, the activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Office, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-PENRO). Also, the morning activity had the presentation of 11 candidates for Miss Lanao del Norte 2014, with their Hawaiian attire. A mangrove planting followed in the afternoon, at Aloha mangrove area, Poblacion, the provincial government’s culminating activity in the observance of Environment Month in June. Also on the evening, a boxing match dubbed ‘ENGKWENTRO 2 sa Lanao del Norte,’ the provincial hero from the municipality of Kapatagan, and current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Super Flyweight champion Marlon ‘d Bulldozer’ Tapales defended his belt against Tanzanian fighter Fadhili Majiha at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) gymnasium. On the other hand, a two-day Mindanao-wide Motocross event is scheduled on June 28-29 at the MCC Sports Complex racetrack, with the Provincial Community Affairs Office as the committee chair. Other event also includes soccer. On June 29, a Run for Life 2 - a 1K, 2K, 3K, & 5K - Run for a Cause started at 5am at the MCC oval grandstand. This activity should benefit the Philippine Red Cross Lanao del Norte Chapter. Proceeds

will go to the proposed Blood Bank that would address supply of blood to the people of Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, the Sinulog Scholars’ Presentation Show or the Y4D Nite was set in the evening. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte (AFP, PNP, PGLDN) Goodwill Games is scheduled on July 1, a whole day sports event at the MCC Sports Complex. This is also the Youth Day, with competition on Cheer Dance, Hip-Hop, and Dance Sport, at the MCC gym. In the afternoon of July 1 is the judging of Photo and Painting Contest, all artworks will be displayed at the MCC Media Center. July 2 will be the Tourism Day of the province, the busiest day for the week, with activities like Kite Festival and Parade of Festivals and Tourism Organizations followed by Showdown of Municipal Festivals at the MCC grandstand. In the afternoon will be the 2014 Sagayan Festival competition at the same time, awarding of Photo and Painting Contest is scheduled in the afternoon. The highly anticipated event is the Coronation Night for Miss Lanao del Norte 2014 on July 2 at 7pm, MCC gymnasium, with widely known celebrities like Bobby Yan and Dimples Romana as host. Early 5am of July 3 would be the Zayaw Lanao del Norte or the Zumbathon at the MCC sports complex oval. Highlighting the day would be the MKD (Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo) Serbisyo Sigurado starting 8:30am,


dubbed as People’s Day which provides the following services such as special recruitment activity, medical/dental, National Government Agency Services (DFA, PhilHealth, NBI, NSO, GSIS, Pag-ibig, LTO), mass feeding, non-government-organization services, and legal services. The Gov. Kids Day is set at 2pm. Further, a business opportunity seminar would also be conducted on this day and a Back 2 Back Concert (Yeng Constantino and Rivermaya) at 7pm. After the concert, there will be a Fireworks Display (Ilaw ng Lanao del Norte) at 9pm, July 3. A Maranao Night celebration follows and final judging

of the Booth Contest at 9pm. On July 4, a civic parade around the MCC oval converging at the MCC gym will be conducted with participants from the provincial government, the 22 municipalities, and the different national government line agencies. And a program culminates the day’s event at the MCC gymnasium. The series of events aim to showcase the peace-loving people and quality indigenous products of the province. The partnership would further promote Lanao Del Norte as the preferred sporting destination in Mindanao.


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato— A pre-world war II school building in Midsayap town was recently conferred the Centennial Edifice Award for the search for oldest structure in Cotabato province.

Pre-World War II school building, heirlooms in NorthCot recognizedBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme


The Gabaldon Building of the Midsayap Pilot Elementary School (MPES) which was built in 1936 and made of lumber and G.I. sheets was named after Isauro Gabaldon, representative of Nueva Ecija that time, who sponsored a bill for the construction of uniform school buildings in the country.

Erected a year after the election of Manuel L. Quezon as President and Sergio Osmeña as Vice President of the Philippine Commonwealth on November 11, 1935, the Gabaldon building of the MPES became a center of education in Midsayap until the war broke between Filipino-American

soldiers and Japanese Imperial Army in 1941.

The war forced the school to close and all its school records were either destroyed or lost. When World War II ended in 1946, the MPES was reopened.

Gabaldon Building has survived the atrocities and perils of war and remains in use at present.

These accounts became the basis for Crisanto B. Lustre, restoration architect of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), to confer the Centennial Edifice Award to Gabaldon building.

“Still a very much recognizable


KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato -- Agrarian reform beneficiaries in North Cotabato are expected to gain more from sugarcane production with the implementation of the Sugarcane Block Farming Convergence Pro-gram of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Sugar Regulation Administration (SRA), an agrarian reform officer said today.

DAR, SRA strengthen sugarcane production in N. CotabatoBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

structure, the Gabaldon Building still possesses 80% of its structure which has remained intact all these time. The building itself speaks of its antiquity and authenticity through its design and features,” Lustre noted.

With the award, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the school administration of the MPES will received a cash prize of P50,000 from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Cotabato (SP).

Meanwhile, at least 28 heirlooms ranging from kitchen wares, musical instruments, lamps, spears, pots and daggers to paper bills went through rigid validation by Dr. Antonio Montalvan, former chairman of the National Committee on Museums of the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

The heirlooms were submitted as entries by many families from different municipalities in Cotabato.

Montalvan, the managing director of the work-in-progress A. Brown Museum in Cagayan de Oro City will submit his complete report as to the verification of the entries.

He will select the best and oldest heirloom based on the criteria which include: Filipino creativity, bears exceptional testimony to the culture and tradition of Cotabato, illustrates the significant stages in history, associated with traditions, ideas, beliefs of the people, exceptional natural beauty, represents exceptional contribution in the stages of Philippine history and represents significant ecological and biological processes.On the other hand, the provincial government extends its appreciation for the warm response of the families who submitted the precious things handed from one generation to another.The awarding of prizes and recognition for the Search for Centennial Edifice and Heirlooms will be headed by Governor Emmylou Mendoza on September 1, 2014 as part of the culmination of the 100th founding anniversary of the province of Cotabato. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cotabato Provincial Government)


Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Marion Abella said the DAR-SRA partnership aims to improve the farm productivity of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries engaged in sugarcane production through block farming.

Under the convergence initiative, projected cane yield could increase from average of 49.8 tons of per hectare to 75 tons per hectare.

“Sugarcane block farming encourages ARBs to group their farms into an aggregate area of 30 to 50 hectares which will make their production more cost-efficient and more profitable,” Abella said.

“What’s good with this block farming is that the ownership of each small farm is still maintained and respected, thus giving the landowners a share in the profit or earnings in using the land for sugarcane production,” she added.

Abella noted that DAR has already established to two sugarcane block farms in the province consisting of 30 hectares in Barangay Palma Perez, M’lang and 31 hectares in Barangay Kibudoc, Matalam.

“ARB sugarcane block planters are assisted and monitored by DAR under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Program,” she said.

Abella added that DAR is supervising 30 hectares and 31 hectares of sugarcane block farms in M’lang and Matalam,

respectively, which are also recipients of the sugarcane farm mechanization project under the ARCCESS Program.

Meanwhile, Emelita Mayol, Program Beneficiaries Development Division chief, emphasized help for the ARBS will not be limited to improving production process but will also cover training to help them become entrepreneurs.

“DAR has the vision for farmers to upgrade their living condition through the provision of support services interventions such as the ARCCESS program,” Mayol said.

DAR, she explained further, provides production aid to ARB organizations through the Agricultural Production Credit Program (APCP), a transition credit program to prepare the latter to become credit conduits and help address credit needs of their members.

Under the scheme, an ARB may avail of loan amounting to P50,000 per hectare for newly planted sugarcane or P40,000 per hectare for ratoon sugarcane as recommended by the ARB organization.

A sugarcane planter can avail of loans for 3 hectares.

In line with the program implementation, DAR gathered at least 40 sugarcane farmers from M’lang and Matalam for a 3-day Outreach Program of the


COTABATO CITY – The ARMM government has fixed new office hours for em-ployees observing the holy month of Ramadhan.

Sugar Industry (OPSI) seminar on sugarcane production.

They were also oriented and enlightened on the challenges and implications of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) to the sugarcane industry by 2015.

SRA Chief Agriculturist Dina Fernandez said sugarcane is one of the important industries in the Philippine that could contribute around P76 billion to the economy annually.

“With the AFTA implementation by 2015, small-scale sugarcane planters especially those that are

not farming profitably could hardly survive due to the influx of imported goods in the market,” she said. “That’s why we are forming them into block farms to expedite the expansion of sugarcane areas and to coach them how to manage their farms more efficiently.”

AFTA lowers tariffs imposed on imported goods to five percent to even zero which will give farmers a hard time and tough competition from ASEAN competitors. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with ROrejudos-DAR North Cotabato)

ARMM modifies office hours during Ramadhan By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

ARMM employees will work in their offices from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to ease themselves from fatigue and stress during the month-long fasting season. The adjusted work schedule which will last until the Eid’l Fitr or the culmination of Ramadan is pursuant to Civil Service Commission No. 81-1277.

ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Alamia, by the authority of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, has released memorandum order no. 280, series of 2014 directing all offices and departments under its jurisdiction to abide by the allowable work time adjustments. This is to allow fasting

employees to go home early in time for their buka, or first meal after a day-long fast.

However, employees who are not fasting are not entitle of the modified official time and shall observe the usual working hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “five pillars” of the Islamic faith, which include the belief in Allah, the giving of zakat or alms to the poor, praying five times daily facing Mecca, and for those who can afford, joining the haj, or pilgrimage to Mecca even just once in a lifetime. (ORVRivera-PIA12)


Del Rosario eyes Samal as ideal location for airport DAVAO DEL NORTE - Governor Ro-dolfo del Rosario declared Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) as the best location for an interna-tional airport. Gov. Del Rosario said in an interview that IGACOS, specifically the Babak District, posed the highest potential as an alternative location for the expansion of the Davao International Airport. Del Rosario said that Babak District still has vast land that could accommodate at least 1,000 hectares, a requirement for an international airport. He also cited that the Babak District is just facing the Davao International Airport and with the Samal bridge that he will also push, it would be advantageous to place the airport in the area. Del Rosario said that since he recently assumed as the chairman of the Regional Development Council, the construction of an airport shall be one of his priorities projects to be revived.

“As the chairman of the RDC, the council will be assessing all the proposals passed in the last two decades that have not been implemented and will push through with the projects that are needed to develop Davao region,” Del Rosario said. However, Del Rosario said that if Samal City is not yet prepared, the province also has another location that has been placed during his administration in a private company. “TADECO already has a strip that was used to land the plane of Imelda Marcos during their regime,” he said. Del Rosario said that it has a kilometer runway and considered in the map of the Civil Aviation Administration of the Philippines as an alternative runway. TADECO is a Cavendish banana producing company located in Brgy. AO Floirendo, Panabo City. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)


Dingdong Dantes stirs up DavNor anniversary as keynote speaker

DAVAO DEL NORTE- - - Assistant Secretary Jose Sixto Dantes III popularly known as Dingdong Dantes brought enthusiasm to the exhausted crowd from the Alay DavNor Walk, as he entered the Davao del Norte Sports and Tour-ism Gymnasium yesterday (July 1) during the culmination program of 47th Araw ng Davao del Norte. Dingdong Dantes, a known versatile and consummate actor in the country, graced the culmination program as the commissioner at-large of the National Youth Commission (NYC) delivering the keynote speech. Yells and screams filled the gymnasium as Dantes was introduced by Congressman Antonio Raphael del Rosario of District 1 through a powerpoint presentation showcasing his competence and accomplishments as an individual and as an actor.

In his speech, Dantes stressed on reminiscing the history of the province, expressing gratitude over countless blessings and rediscovering everyone’s commitment to the development of the province. Dantes said that being a province with vast agricultural produce, the farmers and fishermen should be remembered as living heroes of the

nation. He said that in the hard work and dedication in their field, they brought food in our tables and sustenance in our community. Dantes also encouraged the Dabaonon to dedicate their lives to the country to pave way for more development and progress. “Higit pa sa mamatay para sa bayan ay ang mabuhay para isulong ang kanyang kaunlaran, mabuhay nang may dakila sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa,” he said. (Greater than dying for the country is living to push for its progress; living with nobility in mind, in words and in actions.) Appreciating the energy and intensity of the crowd and of the program, he ended his speech by taking selfies with audience. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)

One Mindanao - July 3, 2014

Documents

children edal

growing family

remaining children

struggle preludes success

broken heart

lowly farmer

rmc awardsurigao norte

davnor anniversary