One Mindanao - May 19, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

VENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northern Mindanao

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

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

LAYOUT ARTISTS

EMMANUEL D. TAGHOY, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

DAISY JANE APIT, PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

NFA bares El Niño mitigating measures for SurSur

SOCCSKSARGEN Public OFW desk officers undergo training on office productivity

Over P10M worth of infra projects to benefit villages in Kabacan

TNHS launches Brigada Eskwela 2015

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Hibok-Hibok’s finest coffee blend up for grabs

DepEd, educ partners kick off Brigada Eskwela nationwide

DepEd launches the first Tboli Senior High School

PNVSCA announces 2015 Search for Outstanding Volunteers

Personal remittances post double digit growth in March 2015

Personal remittances post double digit growth in March 2015

DOLE-ECC, DA introduce ‘SYOBE’ to persons with work-related disabilities

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By: Greg Tataro Jr

By: Oliver Rivera

By: Shahana Joy Duerme

By: Glen Pacot

By: Franklin P. Gumapon

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

Cover Story

CARAGA NORTHERN

WESTERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGENSOUTHERN

NATIONAL

24 DILG trains youth on disaster in WEmboree

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Contents

By: Jorie C. Valcorza

By: Joey Sem Dalumpines

4 MAY 19, 2015One Mindanao

Cover Story Hibok-Hibok’s finest coffee blend up for grabs

Sourced from the island’s naturally thriving coffee beans in the foothills of MountHibok-Hibok is a new rich blend, much-admired by coffee lovers.

By Jorie C. Valcorza

5MAY 19, 2015 One Mindanao

Mt.Hibok-Hibok Brew is Camiguin’s first try to market its own coffee brand, benchmarking on other successful products from the province, as well as on the rich volcanic soil that made marks in producing the sweetest lanzones fruit in the country. It is made of wild Robusta coffee beans, roasted at its best to offer a unique blend. The brand will come out later with a mix of Robusta and Arabica variety to provide both the aroma and bite that coffee lovers can’t resist.

Support to local farmers behind this coffee brand is the PAGAMA people’s organization organized by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) in 1994 for the Community Based Forest Management Project (CBFM) in Alga, Catarman. Barangay Alga is one of the upland areas under PRRM that shows good potential in coffee production. Revving up the market, PRRM directly buys freshly harvested beans from the farmers to pump up the local economy by producing and ensuring a market for Mt.Hibok-Hibok Brew. Since the island is new to coffee trade, the technology for roasting and packaging of the product is accessed outside the province. Buying this also means supporting the local farming folk. Hibok-Hibok brew wasmade available in the market early this year and is sold only in ground form of250 gram vacuum sealed packs in various resorts and pasalubog centers around Camiguin. Partner NGO PRRM being a partner NGO of Dienst voor InternationaleSamenwerming ann OntwikkelingProjecten (DISOP) Philippines or the International Cooperation on Development


Project aims to help local farmers and stimulate the local economy in the area. Mt. Hibok-Hibok Brew is a social enterprise project Funded under DISOP’s Integrated Sustainable Livelihood Alternative (ISLA) Camiguin. PRRM Area Manager for Camiguin Raymundo C. Agaton said they are helping to create a market for coffee as well as encouraging the farmers to plant. “The bigger picture is to generate small enterprise and income for the farmers, we have the product now, and we are pushing to improve the coffee’s production and marketing,” he said. PRRMis

also linking with the Philippine Coffee Alliance network for inputs in technology and production. “We are positioning the product as a pasalubong (take home present) for visiting tourists and guests,” Agaton added. To date, PRRM is looking for other areas to tap with presence of the peopleorganizations (Pos) they organized, to be able to complement the demand for the coffee.


SMEs vulnerable to disasters; cooperation for supply chain resilience in APEC pushed

MANILA -- Enhancing the capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to resist, absorb, and recover from the effects of natural disasters in a timely and efficient manner is key to achieving inclusive growth in the APEC region.


SMEs are considered engines of growth and employment in the APEC region. Over 97 percent of businesses in APEC are SMEs, providing jobs to more than half of the workers in the Asia-Pacific region. However, APEC member-countries are prone to intense natural disasters. APEC’s 21 member-economies, which account for 52 percent of the earth’s surface and 59 percent of the world’s population,

experience over 70 percent of global natural disasters. According to Marife Ballesteros, senior research fellow at state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), disasters can compromise capital, supply chains, product markets, and labor, and in turn, business continuity and recovery. In her presentation at the

2015 APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference titled “Building Philippine MSMEs’ Resilience to Natural Disasters”, Ballesteros noted that “SMES are more vulnerable (than large enterprises) because they have limited coping mechanisms. SMEs usually have no or limited disaster insurance and limited access to credit, and most of them have no business continuity, emergency management,


or disaster preparedness plans.” Ballesteros cited the case of the Philippines, where approximately 98 percent of all enterprises are micro to small. She noted that the country has a well-developed policy framework and action plans for DRRM. However, this disaster response strategy has not been effectively translated into local and business plans. “The DRRM plans of the Philippine government are operationalized primarily for search, rescue, evacuation, and relief operations. Restoration of economic activities is handled only in the medium to long term as part of the rehabilitation efforts. There is also no strategic programs to operationalize action plans for SMEs and no small business development centers to address disruption and needs,” she explained.

In addition, she pointed out the insufficient recovery funds for farm-based and urban-based small industries such as the availability of loan and grant for these businesses.

Another issue highlighted by Ballesteros is the absence of specific policies for workers’ protection in times of calamities. She emphasized the importance of the people side of business during disaster. “Resilient supply chain begins with resilient citizens and employees and it is a concern of both business and government,” she stated. She cited the business continuity plan of Albay Province as a model for implementing DRRM for SMEs. Albay’s model covers both households and local businesses. It encourages local businesses to develop contingency plans based on vulnerability and hazard maps as well as land use zoning. This


kind of local initiatives should be scaled up and replicated in other localities. At the national level, Ballesteros recommended the establishment of key transport hubs and strategic communication systems that take into consideration extreme weather events.

She also highlighted the need for predisaster agreements as disruption of public sector operations and services can occur during times of calamities. One of these is the creation of networks or partnerships between national and local, and public and private entities, and the adoption of flexible regulations on labor as well as laws on importation and exportation.

In addition, government must support the development of financial security instruments such as catastrophic insurance,

micro insurance, or a business disaster fund. She also suggested the integration of DRRM in the Magna Carta for SMEs and BMBEs as well as in the MSME Development Plan. In the APEC region, Ballesteros called for cooperation to strengthen supply chain resilience. She proposed that “SMEs should continue to build partnerships with other multinational organizations inside and outside of the APEC region, especially in the areas of information sharing and promotion of regional resiliency assessment programs. APEC member-economies can also have dialogues, capacity-building activities, and cross collaboration in resource and technology sharing such as in hazard mapping and information technology infrastructure”. The APEC Study Centers Consortium Conference 2015 was


held on May 12-13 in Boracay, Aklan Province, as part of the Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings of APEC 2015. It was organized by PIDS and the Philippine APEC Study Center Network in collaboration with the Ateneo de Manila University and the Asian Development Bank Institute. The annual conference provides academics and scholars from the different APEC study centers with a venue to discuss and exchange ideas on the APEC themes and

to identify areas for research collaboration. The output of the conference discussions may serve as inputs to the different APEC working group discussions and may be integrated in the Leaders’ statement.(PIDS)


PASIG CITY-- The Department of Education (DepEd) jumpstarted this year’s Brigada Eskwela at Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, simultaneous with all the public schools in the country. With the theme Tayo Para sa Kalinisan, Kaligtasan at Kahandaan ng ating mga Paaralan, the week-long school maintenance practice aims to prepare schools for the coming school year and to promote volunteerism among the members of the community.

DepEd, educ partners kick off Brigada Eskwela nationwide

Photo by: Camille Ante


“The Philippines is the biggest country, if not, the only country in the world that gathers and prepares the schools for the coming school year.” said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC to the volunteers of Numancia Central Elementary School (CES) in Siargao Island. He also said that the invitation to help out in schools is “extended to all volunteers who are willing to contribute their time, effort,

and resources for the preparation of public schools.”

Parents, teachers, students and all other education stakeholders are encouraged to volunteer from May 18 to 23 for the Brigada Eskwela. Now on its 12th year, the program ensures that all public school facilities are ready come School Year (SY) 2015-2016. During this week, all volunteers will aid in repainting

classrooms, fixing damaged school furniture, repair broken windows, among others. Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito expressed his gratitude for those who were present during the kick-off at Numancia CES. “Brigada Eskwela is for everyone.” he said. Reminders for the week-long school maintenance were


reiterated by Usec Deriquito to all the volunteers present in the National Kick-off.

After the initial start of the Brigada Eskwela at Numancia CES, various activities like tree planting, cement mixing, repainting of walls and fences, repairing of school chairs, and tilling of school grounds were held at Del Carmen National HS, Cancohoy ES, Katipunan ES, Mahayahay ES, ang Oguing Navarro Memorial NHS of which were participated in by Sec. Luistro and Usec. Deriquito along with the local government officials.

Some of the volunteers expressed their support in program and said, “Malaking tulong po ito para sa mga anak namin, kaya kami sumasama sa pag-aayos ng mga klasrum. (This is a big help for our children that is why we are volunteering in this program.” Some of them

even said, “Pumupunta po kami ditong mga magulang para makiisa sa pag-aayos ng mga paaralan. Kapag may libre kaming oras, pumupunta kami at kahit anong oras, kahit anong petsa man, kapag kailangan naming tumulong sa paaralan, tutulong kami. (We parents come here to be one with those who are volunteering to fix the schools. When we have free time, we go here and if we see that there are things that need our assistance, whichever date, whenever time that might be, we will be here to help.)”

Luistro also commended Siargao Island for having 22 schools which will offer Grade 11 come June 2016. He said, “Our target is to have one Senior High School per municipality but if we already have 22, that would already be a minimum of two SHS schools per municipality in Siargao.”


Luistro then encouraged everyone to register under the Abot-Alam Program, of which booths are in every school, for those out-of-school youth or for those who would want to finish

high school.

Ultimately, the opening at Siargao Island gathered different volunteers – parents, students, teachers, local government employees and officials, individuals, and the private sector and are still expected to grow in number by the end of the week. The opening of classes will be on June 1 which will also see the introduction of the new curriculum for Grades 4 and 10. (DepEd)


DepEd launches the first Tboli Senior High School

Lake Sebu, South Cotabato—After extensive consultations and planning with the indigenous peoples’ community, local government, and education partners, the Department of Education (DepEd) established the first Tboli Senior High School.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “This is the first of its kind. We endeavored to make sure that the curriculum as well as its [senior high school] offerings are in line with Indigenous Peoples culture and language. Ang eskwelahan dapat ang link between culture

and development.” He said, “Ito po ang kauna-unahang Senior High School na sinikap ng DepEd—kasama ang Ateneo de Davao—na kunsultahin at pakinggan ang mga hinaing at mga pangarap ng ating mga katutubo.”


He emphasized the need of the education system to be inclusive and centered on the needs and context of the learners, saying, “We are a nation in search of who we are. Until we are able to return to the roots of our indigenous peoples, we will never be able to find our soul.” “If we are serious about being learner-centered, we should also be serious about being culturally sensitive,” Luistro added. Luistro also dedicated the launching of the Tboli Senior High School to the late Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Lang Dulay, saying that “we need to understand and to nurture of our culture so that the works of Lang Dulay will not be lost with her and that we can pass on her dreams and arts to the next generation.” Tboli Senior High School (TSHS), which will be initially lodged at Lake Sebu National High School with approximately 45 students for its early implementation of Grade 11 in SY 2015-2016, will be offering technical-vocational track, focusing on Sustainable Community Resources Management with two options:

Agriculture and Ecotourism. Active engagement of the indigenous community Datu Benito Blonto, chair of the Municipal Tribal Council of Lake Sebu, said that proper consultations and coordination with the parents and students in the Tboli community, Lake Sebu NHS, and other education stakeholders have been crucial in creating the program. Through consultations with Tboli elders, teachers, parents, students, and other education stakeholders, TSHS came up with its aspirations for its students that seek to uphold, preserve, and promote the Tboli cultural identity through an inclusive, participative, environmentally-friendly, and quality culture-based education. Blonto said the program will be beneficial to the students, adding, “Pagkatapos nila sa K to 12, makakapasok sila sa employment dahil may skills and qualifications na sila. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, ide-develop natin ang skills ng mga estudyante base sa kultura. Sasanayin sila sa ecotourism at paggamit ng resources na


mayroon sa lugar.” The program intends to create graduates who are capable of developing and managing their own resources, creating sustainable livelihood and opportunities for the Tboli community, where the school is situated. Through the program, graduates will be equipped with entrepreneurial and management skills to prepare them for small-scale business ventures or communal

cooperative management. The development of the TSHS is an initiative being undertaken by DepEd in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University, particularly in the areas of curriculum development, teacher training and mentoring, and research.

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Halal Advocacy Caravan spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 has been launched here yesterday, May 18, at Casa Mea Hotel.

Halal Advocacy Caravan kicks-off in Sibugay

By: Emmanuel D. Tahoy

V a r i o u s consumer groups composed of selected student councils and teachers from Sibugay Technical Institute,

Incorporated (STII) and Marian College; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are engaged in food servicing; national


government agencies; and the media attended the event. The Halal advocacy campaign hopes to educate and sustain the awareness of the participants on the Halal concept and promote Halal food products. Halal is an Arabic term that is defined as lawful or permitted by Islamic Law, but to the Muslim people the word holds a deeper meaning. In cultural context, the Muslim people consider Halal as a religious duty. And in Global context, it is understood to be a growing market segment that is gaining more popularity and demand from consumers around the world notwithstanding

religion. “Halal is pure, clean, good and healthy, and hygienic food, and it is for everyone” said Ustadz Gaspar Amain of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 Halal technical working group. Amain discussed to the participants the Halal Islamic Perspective. Other

topics in the symposium include Overview of the Halal Program, Halal Auditing and Certification, Important Role of National Meat Inspection Services, and Importance of Promoting Halal Products, among others. The Halal Advocacy Caravan will continue until May 21 in Dipolog City, Pagadian City, and Zamboanga City covering all areas in Zamboanga Peninsula region.


The SOV, which is a yearly highlight of the National Volunteer Month celebration every December, is open to individuals and organizations providing volunteer assistance in the country. The search seeks to recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to services of Filipino volunteers across the nation in building strong communities and empowering lives. “It also serves as a platform for promoting and nurturing volunteerism as a time-enduring tradition and a significant component of the Filipino way of life,” the PNVSCA announcement said. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.pnvsca.

gov.ph and for region 9 the duly accomplished nomination forms shall be submitted to the regional office of NEDA-9 at Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Government Center, Dao, Pagadian City on or before June 30 2015. It could be recalled that in the 2014 SOV, a certain Mark David O. Cerezo together with his Pinoy Malikhain team emerged as national winner for the individual youth category for conducting stress debriefing to the youth-victims of typhoon Yolanda in Samar and Leyte provinces. Other winners for the individual category were Datu Lamberto Delfin of Kidapawan City for his outstanding achievements as a culture master and peacemaker and

PAGADIAN CITY – Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-9 has announced that the Philippine National Volunteer Services Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) is now accepting nominations for the 2015 Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV).

PNVSCA announces 2015 Search for Outstanding Volunteers

By Franklin P. Gumapon


Manuel P. Vallejo of Davao City for his continuous compassion and commitment in volunteering for the youth despite being unreciprocated. For the “Organization Not-for-Profit” category, the winners

were the Kapisanan ng mga may Kapansanan ng Nueva Viscaya, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod of the University of Philippines-Manila and Muntinlupa Junior Rescue Team.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Persons with work-related disabilities here were introduced to SYOBE, or the Start Your Own Business Enterprise, which is a livelihood program initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA)-9, during a social preparation orientation held last April 12.

DOLE-ECC, DA introduce ‘SYOBE’ to persons with work-related disabilities By Dominic I. Sanchez

DA-9 Regional Technical Director Peter Andalahao introduced the beneficiaries of the program to the SYOBE, encouraging them “to spread this information among others who are still working, but disabled,” adding that the DA will provide training through convergence with

other agencies such as meat processing, packaging and marketing. In an interview, Anabell Madraso of DA said that the agency would provide materials to help its beneficiaries start with their business subject to monitoring and evaluation to ensure sustainability.


About 10 beneficiaries were present during the orientation and Jerrick Go of the ECC is expecting that more will avail themselves of the program in the future. According to ECC regional advocacy focal person Cerna Ahmad, the program beneficiaries may come from both the government and private sectors, persons who have been disabled while performing their work. In addition to SYOBE, the beneficiaries are also entitled to other compensation benefits afforded to them such as physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Meanwhile, Madraso

urges those employees with physical disabilities to avail of the services given them by the government. “Even those who have disabilities can still be very productive and earn a good business,” she said. On the other hand, DOLE-9 Assistant

Regional Director Yahya Centi encouraged the beneficiaries to “change their mindsets to become more successful.” “We have to be more positive in our mindsets for us to be more competitive. Learn new skills, acquire new knowledge,” he said. (with reports from Shiela May Aquino)

Dabawenyos urged to avail City Health’s HIV-AIDS test

DAVAO CITY- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte urged the residents to take advantage of the HIV-AIDS tests being of-fered by the City Health Office at a cheaper price. He issued the call as he cited the migration to work in other coun-tries as primary reason for the spike in the num-ber of persons afflicted with Human-Immuno-Virus that causes Anti-Immune Deficiency Syn-drome (AIDS). Duterte also took into consideration the population ratio, that as the number of people in-creases in the urban cen-ter, there will more peo-ple afflicted, compared to the barangays where there is lesser social con-tact. “Attributing the in-formation from health of-ficers, people must take precautionary measure by using condom,” he said.

Duterte also wel-comed the people af-flicted with HIV-AIDS for coming out in the open by submitting them-selves to the medical authorities. He said that the government can help ex-tend the lives of persons with HIV-AIDS with the availability of retroviral drugs. “Just tell that you are an HIV-AIDS victim and you will be treated accordingly,” he said. Health authorities recorded a total of 1,169 persons with HIV-AIDS in the country and a total of 79 deaths as of 2015. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Da-lumpines)


DILG trains youth on disaster in WEmboree

DAVAO DEL NORTE- The Depart-ment of Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG) – Davao del Norte trained starting earlier today (May 19) until May 20 around 100 youth in a disaster resiliency camp dubbed as WEmboree. DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan emphasized the word ‘WE’ during the opening program at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan because as he said that in times of disasters and calamities, everyone has a respon-sibility, especially the youth who has the strength physically and in num-bers. “We should prevail in this jam-boree because in unison, we can ef-fectively develop a community that is disaster resilient.”

Roldan said that they fo-cused on youth for the WEmbo-ree because the most of them lost connection to their commu-nities. “With the advent of infor-mation technology, the connec-tion of the youth goes to chat rooms, Facebook, twitter or in texts. Most of these connec-tions do not exist in their own community,” he said. Roldan pointed out that connectivity should promote cohesiveness and effective co-operation among its people.

He stressed that the youth has a big role in moulding a progressive community, which they are living in. “The youth should understand that they are not living in a virtual world like the computer games they are playing but in a real world, which will define their future,” he said. The WEmboree gathered youth from all the local government units of the province to be trained on pa-triotism, disaster management, ba-sic life saving techniques, basic rope course and firefighting. (PIA 11, Mi-chael Uy)

Cotabato City to implement city-wide campaign against pests, dengue

COTABATO CITY, May 19 – In a bid to control disease carrying mosquitoes and other pests, the city government of Cota-bato is set to launch a city-wide vermin control project.

By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

According to Cotabato City Health Office OIC Dr. Julkarnain Abas, the Sangguniang Pan-lungsod recently approved the budget re-quested by their office.“The city council approved the proposed P497, 000 budget which will be used for spraying to eradicate breeding sites of mos


SOCCSKSARGEN Public OFW desk officers undergo training on office productivity

quitoes and other pests such as rats”, Abas said.The project will be implemented in the all of the city’s 37 baran-gays this month before the rainy season comes.Abas meanwhile advised the public to maintain and ensure the cleanliness of their sur-

roundings by removing collected waters in old tires, empty cans, gutters, bottles, bottle caps and other containers.Dengue and malaria is a viral disease transmitted by mosqui-toes usually during rainy sea-son. (ORVRivera-PIA12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 19 – Some 41 Pub-lic OFW Desk Officers (PODO) from the SOCCSKSARGEN Region recently attended a two-day office productivity en-hancement training courtesy of the Overseas Workers Wel-fare Administration.

By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

The participants were com-posed of PODOs from North Co-tabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saran-gani and South Cotabato.

OWWA-12 Dir. Marilou Suma-linog said the training is de-signed to reinforce the com-petency of their PODOs and provide them with additional learning in terms of technolo-gies and innovations.

“We are establishing a strong link and coordination with our

PODOs because they serve as the voice of OWWA in the ground,” Sumalinog said.

Sumalinog also lauded the big contribution of Public OFW desk officers in assisting the OFWs and their families in their re-spective areas.

Through our PODOs, we are able to bring OWWA’s programs and services right at the door-step of our clienteles, in part-nership with the Local Govern


ment Units.” the official said.“For years of worthwhile part-

nership with our PODOs, it has always been overwhelming to know that our relationship keeps getting stronger,” she added.

Since 2012, all local govern-ment units in the region have established a help desk for OFWs.

There are a total of 54 OFW help desks in Region 12. This covers 4 provinces, 5 cities and 45 municipalities.

The training was held at Mi-crotel Hotel, General Santos City on May 14-15, 2015. (ORVRive-ra-PIA12 with reportfrom OWWA 12)

KABACAN, North Cotabato, May 19—Over P10 million worth of infrastructure projects is set to be turned over next month to beneficiary villages here in the municipality.

Over P10M worth of infra projects to benefit villages in KabacanBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Based on the records of the Municipal Engineering Office, some of the projects were fund-ed under the PAyapa at MAsaga-nang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) of the Department of Agrarian Re-form while others were funded by the local government unit.

The projects include: four so-lar driers worth P300,000 each for the villages of Katidtuan, Kil-agasan, Sanggadong and Sim-buhay.

Moreover, five multi-purpose

buildings funded with P300,000 each are set to be turned over to the villages of Bannawag, Cuyapon, Dagupan, Upper Paatan and Malamote.

The DAR in cooperation with the local government unit has also implemented the Barangay Sanggadong- Bangilan- Pisan farm-to-market road worth P5,800,00.

Meanwhile, projects funded under the economic develop-ment fund (EDF) of the LGU


include: Barangay Bangilan Barangay Hall Renovation with fund allocation of P446,959.20; Barangay Dagupan Perimeter Fence funded with P487,013; Barangay Salapungan Hang-ing Bridge worth P300,000; Barangay Lower Paatan Solar Drier with P300,000 fund and Barangay Malamote Barangay Hall Renovation amounting to P300,000.

Kabacan Municipal Engineer Noel Agor said that most of the projects were already completed while others are close to their completion.

On the other hand, he not-

ed that the LGU, through its EDF will be implementing another infrastruc-ture projects this month.

This projects are: road rehabilitation in Jose Abad San-tos St., Kalye Putol with fund allocation worth P1,260,000; road rehabilitation in Malvar – Bonifa-cio, Aniñon St. with an allocated fund of P830,000; solar drier in Barangay Magatos with fund allocation worth

P300,000; and a basketball court in Barangay Kayaga an al-located fund of P300,000.

With these projects, Mayor Herlo Guzman Jr. emphasized that the local government unit is doing its best in advancing progress in the town through the implementation of necessary projects that could benefit the people.

Guzman is personally moni-toring the status of ongoing projects to ensure that these will be completed on target time. (SJDuerme-PIA12/DXVL News)

NSCB intensifies establishment of Regional Statistical Coordination Committee By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY) – The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) has intensified establishment of Regional Statistical Coordination Committee which includes Caraga region. It was thru Resolution No. 1 series 1992 where the NSCB has created the RSCC to provide direction and guidance to regional/local statistical development activities in


support to the decentralization thrust of the government. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga interim regional director and Regional Statistics Committee (RSC) vice chairperson Rosalinda Celeste-Apura bared that the RSCC is chaired by the regional director of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and co-chaired by PSA, and its members included the regional director of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), regional agricultural statistical officer of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), representatives from the NSCB, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), provincial planning and development coordinator, city/municipal planning and development coordinator and two representatives from the private sector while the NSCB Regional Statistical Coordination Units provided technical and secretariat services in regions with NSCB offices, and other offices designated by the NSCB in regions without NSCB offices. “The RSCC was tasked, among others, to oversee the implementation in the regions of policy decisions by the NSCB and the adoption of

prescribed statistical standard methodologies and classification systems,” said Apura. The vice chair also emphasized that the RSC shall be established in the regions by the PSA Board to provide direction and guidance to regional/local statistical development activities. “It shall serve as the policy making body on statistical matters and shall serve as the venue for discussion and resolution of statistical issues at the local level. The PSA Board can create an RSC should there be a new regional groupings,” she added. It was also learned that the RSCs shall supersede any statistical committee/subcommittees in the regions. Existing provincial statistical committees shall be recognized by the RSCs. Funds that may be needed for the operations of the RSC shall be sourced from the PSA. Also, the RSC will convene for a meeting on May 22, 2015, right after the meeting of the Regional Census Coordinating Board (NCCB) in the city.


NFA bares El Niño mitigating measures for SurSurBy: Greg Tataro Jr

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Surigao del Sur bared recently the “El Niño mitigating measures” being implemented to lessen the impact of such severe climate disruption. According to May Sara Atomar, NFA provincial manager, they are more focused on stepping up their palay procurement program, especially in San Miguel town, 31 kilometers south, this city. The said town is also known as the rice granary of the province. The NFA official however admitted that farmers in the locality are so used to selling their harvests to private traders.

On the other hand, during the past weeks, palay price has gone down to only P15.00 per kilo—a situation NFA, which offers a much higher buying price of P17.00 per kilo, can come in and take advantage of. Meanwhile, Atomar said that NFA here has ample stocks of rice, citing some 90,000 bags in their warehouses.


TNHS launches Brigada Eskwela 2015By: Glen B. Pacot

BUTUAN CITY– The Taligaman National High School (TNHS) located at Barangay Taligaman here led on Monday the weeklong conduct of the Brigada Eskwela 2015 also known as the National Maintenance Week from May 18 to 23, 2015.

According to Dr. Marygold C. Silao, Principal - II of the TNHS, this year’s school maintenance effort is inspired by the theme, “Tayo Para sa Kalikasan, Kaligtasan at Kahandaan ng Ating mga Paaralan.” It engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources in ensuring that public school facilities are prepared in time for the forthcoming school opening. Dr. Silao spearheaded the opening program at the school’s Multipurpose Hall where she emphasized the rationale of the weeklong activity. After the opening program, everyone went to their assigned areas to work hand in hand

to make the school disaster-prepared, ecologically conscious, clean and conducive to learning. “The first day was well participated by parents, students, volunteers, supporters and concerned individuals and it is expected that more and more supporters will offer their skills, share their time and provide their in-kind support in the coming days,” said Dr. Silao. Together with this enormous task were Homer P. Munda, General PTA President; Flosie B. Omes and Wilfreda J. Payosalan, Head Teachers; Glen B. Pacot, Faculty President; SSG Officers, parents, teachers, and students.

Lanao Norte joins Pasundayag 2015

LANAO DEL NORTE -- The province of Lanao del Norte, along with the nine cities and four provinces of Northern Mindanao joined the Department of Tourism (DOT)-led ‘Pasundayag sa Clark 2015’.

By Vincent N. Labial

The DOT event opened to the public on May 11 until May 18. ‘Pasundayag’ is held at the SM-Clark Activity Center with the theme, “Networking towards a stronger tourism industry.” “We are happy to showcase the best of

Lanao del Norte here in central Luzon. We are excited to see that many Pampangeños are very interested to know more of the rich culture and traditions of our peaceful province,” said Provincial Tourism Head Minda Regis. Part of the Lanao del


This was the highest monthly growth registered in 15 months, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said. As a result, growth in cumulative remittances for the first quarter of 2015 accelerated to 5.1 percent from

2.1 percent in the first two months of the year bringing the cumulative remittances level to US$6.4 billion. The BSP said the continued increase in personal remittances during the quarter was driven by robust inflows from both land-

Personal remittances post double digit growth in March 2015CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 18 (PIA) -- Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) rose by 11 percent in March 2015 reaching US$2.3 billion.

Norte contingent are members of the Lanao del Norte Cultural Dance Troupe and Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 1 Top 5 finalist Sherwin Baguion.

One of the highlights of Lanao del Norte’s booth is a miniature ‘Torogan’ or Sultan’s palace of the royal Maranao tribe. The Torogan is the center of the community’s social activities and celebrations like grand weddings, thanksgiving rites, enthronement and even vigils for the dead. The Lanao del Norte contingent hosted on May 14 the Pasundayag event and showcased the rich culture and traditions of the Maranao tribe. The theme of ‘Lanao del Norte Day’ was ‘The Best of Lanao del Norte’ and highlighted the world class talents of

the province as well as its creatively crafted festival gowns made of indigenous materials. Present during the ‘Lanao del Norte Day’ were Provincial Administrator Joselito Quibranza, Information Officer Lyndon Calica and Vice-Governor Ma. Cristina Atay. Lanao del Norte First District Representative Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo also visited the Lanao del Norte destination booth to help invite local and foreign tourists to visit the province. “Northern Mindanao is such a beautiful and peaceful region of Mindanao. I invite the people of Central Luzon to explore more our country and visit Northern Mindanao in their future vacations,” said DOT Region 3 Director Ronaldo Tiotuico.


based workers with work contracts of one year or more (5.3 percent), as well as sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year (6.1 percent). Cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks increased by 11.3 percent year-on-year to US$2.1 billion in March 2015. For the first three months of the year, cash remittances reached US$5.8 billion, 5.5 percent higher than the level posted in the comparable period in 2014. Cash remittances from land-based (US$4.4 billion) and sea-based (US$1.4 billion) workers expanded by 5.3 and 6.1 percent, respectively. Primary sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada. Remittances remained strong partly on account of sustained demand for skilled Filipino manpower

overseas. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that approved job orders reached 243,045 for the first quarter of 2015, of which 31.2 percent were processed job orders that were intended mainly for service, production, and professional, technical and

related workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Taiwan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Likewise, the POEA reported that a total of 519,029 contracts were processed for the first quarter of 2015. Similarly, the initiatives of banks and non-bank remittance service providers to expand their international and domestic market coverage through tie-ups abroad as well as the introduction of innovations in their remittance products continued to provide support to the steady flow of remittances. As of end-March 2015, commercial banks’ established tie-ups, remittance centers, correspondent banks and branches/representative offices abroad reached 4,840 from 4,771 in the comparable period in 2014. (BSP)


Foreign portfolio investments post US$31-M net outflows in AprilCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY --Transactions in foreign portfolio investments for the month of April resulted in overall net outflows of US$31 million, slightly higher than the US$22 million net outflows recorded in March.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said this may be attributed to profit taking, as the first two months of the year yielded a total net inflow of US$1.8 billion. Registered foreign portfolio investments during the month declined to US$1.9 billion or by 7.1 percent from US$2.1 billion last month. However, a slight improvement of 3.3 percent was noted year-on-year. A total of US$2.0 billion outflows recorded for the month, 6.6 percent lower compared to the U$2.1 billion for March 2015 but 27.0 percent higher than the US$1.5 billion posted in the same period last year. About 74.3 percent of investments registered during the month were in PSE-listed securities mainly pertaining to holding firms; banks; property companies; food, beverage and tobacco companies; and telecommunication firms. The rest of the investments were in Peso GS (24.2 percent) and other peso debt instruments (OPDI – 1.5 percent). Transactions in Peso GS and OPDIs yielded net inflows of US$112 million and U$30 million, respectively, while those for transactions in PSE-

listed securities resulted in net outflows of US$172 million. The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Luxembourg were the top five (5) investor countries for the month, with combined share to total of 80.0 percent. The United States continued to be the main destination of outflows, receiving 84.6 percent of total. Registration of inward foreign investments with the BSP is voluntary under the liberalized rules on foreign exchange transactions. The issuance of a BSP registration document entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on his investment but the foreign exchange will have to be sourced outside the banking system. (BSP)

One Mindanao - May 19, 2015

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