One Mindanao - November 16, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features

Money in Corn Husk

litters

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

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region

Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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 Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo Credit:dailyridge.com

In ThisIssue...

Wednesday, Vol. 1 No. 94

Cover StoryCover StoryMoney in corn husk litters

15NBE/P. Lontua, PIA Region IX

Sibugay solons approve P676,000 for war-displaced families

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

BFAR readies for closed fishing season implementation

Info from civilians help 58IB troopers win against the rebels

Mambajao teachers get free make-over as early Christmas treat

DOST XI will launch “Juan Time” during inventors meet

DTI assures Davao commodity prices manageable

Padlocked tunnels in T’boli, So. Cotabato re-opened

Mahigit 200 bags ng illegal na nakuhang copper ore nai-turnover sa SoCot PENRO

DAR turns over water system to Tubod

PSWD continues to implement its various programs

4CMO, PIA Region X

DOST-11, PIA Region XI

Joie L. Ceballos, PIA-Caraga

Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton, PIA-Caraga

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX

Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X

Carina Cayon, PIA Region XI

Dani E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII

Ac Agad , PIA Region XII

16

18

19

21

22

26

2729

30

page 14

page 17

page 20

page 23

page 28

by Cathy Apelacio

Nat

iona

l

Aquino confers Order of Lakandula on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ...............................

09Philippines, US seals partnership for growth initiative .............................. 11

4 Wednesday, November 16, 2011ONE MINDANAO

Money in corn husk litters

Cover Story

First they are found in lit-ters. But most of them now have found their way in artworks. They

are turned into decorative crafts showcased in different shelves at homes, offices and stores.

by Cathy Apelacio

Corn husks are everywhere!

5Wednesday, November 16, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Money in corn husk litters

Most of these corn husk litters can easily be turned into fat money. Corn husks can be made “into dolls, twine, corn ma-che, apparel, bags, slippers, wedding giveaways, artificial flowers, table organizers, placemats, baskets, home and Christmas decors, and even fashion accessories.” Trendy items made of corn husks have become a rewarding alternative liveli-hood among people in Gen-eral Santos City, according to Mrs. Rue Rivera-Ramas, president of the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers in General Santos City. Ramas, an agri-busi-nesswoman who founded

Corn Husk Association of the Philippines (CHAP) even de-scribed it then as “sunrise industry.” According to her, CHAP has conducted a study on the many uses of the “balat ng mais” in order to come up with a variety of de-

signs. The association aims to boost the income of family using corn husks and other corn parts. Ramas said other parts such as tassels, corn silks, stalks, and roots can also be


turned into lucrative gains. She said that “it only takes creativity and imaginative mind” to make a good living out of corn husks. Those who are creative enough and want to set a trend in the fashion world have even dared to turn corn husk into a fashionable gown “that won an award in the Philippine Fashion Design

Competition in 2005.” “You know, the corn husk industry is strong in corn-producing areas such as Regions 10, 11, and 12. It’s booming fast, with many people interested to learn the craft,” Ramas quipped, stressing that General San-tos City’s proximity to these regions makes it as viable hub for corn husk industry in SocCSKSarGen. Cornhusk crafters pro-duce different items in bulk and sell them to local buy-ers, which in turn export them to Australia, Japan, Germany, and even in some parts of Asia, Europe, and

the USA. Ramas expressed the highest confidence that the


business will ultimately be carving its own niche in the global market especially with exporters and buyers abroad demanding more corn husks products. Supporting it is the Corn Husk Business Center launched here in Jan 2006 which rationalizes corn husk business activities in this most livable city in the Philippines. C o r n husk busi-ness hopefuls also believe that success for this indus-try is never far-fetched because the

city government supports and appreciates the initia-tives the industry keeps on undertaking as it helps boost government’s income and generates job for the mea-ger Generals. In essence, the associa-tion in its little way has also contributed to government’s improved economic growth and job creation for the coun-try, as a whole. So the next time you’ll find corn husk litters in the streets or in your backyards do not throw them away, pick them up for money surely lurks in it to save or spend for the rainy days.


Aquino set for bilateral talks with fellow leaders during the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali

President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to discuss regional issues and programs that will further strengthen the decades-old diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand in a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

during the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which formally opens on Thursday, November 17 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, here.


The bilateral talk between the two lead-ers will take place after the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Summit which will be followed by a plenary session. Yingluck is Thai-land’s 28th Prime Min-ister after assuming of-fice last August. She is Thailand’s first female Prime Minister and is the youngest Prime Minister of Thailand in over 60 years. Apart from Prime

Minister Shinawatra, President Aquino will also meet with United States President Bar-rack Obama on Friday. The two leaders share several advocacies that are mutually beneficial not only to their people but also to those in the Southeast Asian re-gion. The President is also expected to present the advocacies of the Philippines with lead-ers of the other ASEAN-

member states. Also in atten-dance in the annu-al event will be the leaders of ASEAN dialogue partners led by President Obama, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Australian Prime Minister Ju-lia Gillard, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshi-hiko Noda and Unit-ed Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, among others. (JCL)

Aquino confers Order of Lakandula on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred Order of Lakandula with rank of Bayani on visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Malacanang on Wednesday.


In receiving the award, Clinton thanked President Aquino and For-eign Affairs Albert del Rosario for ex-tending a warm welcome for her visit to the Philip-pines. “I’m grateful for the people of the Philippines for the Order of Lakandu-la. This is an honor that I will always treasure,” she said in thanking the President and the Filipino people. The Order of La-kandula is an or-der of political and civic merit award-ed in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to the respon-sibilities of leadership, prudence,

fortitude, courage

a n d r e -

solve in the service of one’s people. The Order of La-kandula is conferred upon a Filipino or for-eign citizen who has demonstrated by his life and deeds a ded-ication to the welfare of society and has a life that is worthy of emulation by the Fil-ipino people. The Grand Cross or Bayani rank con-ferred on Clinton is being given to in-dividuals who have devoted their lives to the peaceful reso-lution of conflict and to individuals whose lives are worthy of emulation by Filipi-nos. It is also being awarded to a crown prince, vice presi-dent, Senate presi-dent, speaker of the house, chief justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of cabi-net rank, ambassa-

dor, undersecretary, assistant secretary, or other person of a rank similar or equiv-alent to the forego-ing. Clinton, who arrived in Manila Tuesday, had a bi-lateral meeting with President Aquino Wednesday and signed the Part-nership for Growth (PFG), an economic partnership agree-ment between the Philippines and the United States. Clinton also joined Wednesday the commemora-tion of the 60th anniversary of the US-Philippines Mu-tual Defense Treaty (MDT) highlighted by the signing of the Manila Decla-ration with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on board the USS Fitzgerald in Manila Bay. (AS)


Philippines, US seals partnership for growth initiative

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed Wednesday the signing of the Partnership for Growth (PFG) between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Malacanang.

The sign-ing ceremony on Wednesday of the PFG official-ly launched the implementation phase of the eco-nomic initiative. President Aqui-no and Secretary Clinton had a bi-

lateral meeting on several issues prior to the PFG signing. In her mes-sage, Clinton said Filipino lead-ers have laid the ground work for the implementa-tion of the PFG by

making reforms to improve transparency and tax col-lection and create more i n c l u s i v e prosperi-ty in the coun-try.


“The United States wants to support these pro-growth re-forms and help unlock the Phil-ippines’s best economic poten-tial to improve the lives of your own people, to drive regional prosperity, and to create more high-paying jobs so fewer Filipi-no citizens have to travel distant countries to sup-port their fami-lies,” Clinton said explaining the PFG. After the signing, a team from the US will come to the Phil-ippines to work with

Filipino o f f i -

cials t o

help improve the Philippine econom-ic landscape, to make it attractive to investors, and to strengthen the rule of law as well as to fight corrup-tion. “Together, we hope to deliver an array of benefits to the people includ-ing more foreign investments to create new jobs, a more streamlined court system that can deliver justice and protect local businesses, better services and more resources to fight poverty,” she said. The PFG initia-tive is a joint Philip-pine-US undertak-ing promoting and supporting broad-based economic growth of emerg-ing markets like the Philippines. It aims to as-

sist selected coun-tries to achieve higher and sus-tained economic growth through a more transparent, predictable, and consistent legal and regulatory re-gime. PFG also sup-ports a more open and competitive business environ-ment, assists coun-tries to strengthen their rule of law that is grounded in an efficient court system as well as supporting their fiscal stability. The Philippines is the only one in Asia to be included in the PFG initia-tive and one of the four pilot partner countries selected by the US. The selection of the Philippines as a PFG partner country in January


2011 was based on the country’s track record in partner-ing with the US government and its potential for con-tinued economic growth. The PFG ini-tiative is an effort to put into prac-tice US President Barack Obama’s presidential policy directive on global development. Clinton, who arrived in Manila on Tuesday, also

joined the com-memoration of the 60th anniver-sary of the US-Philippines Mutu-al Defense Treaty (MDT). She signed a Manila Declara-tion together with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also on Tuesday. The visiting US Secretary of State thanked Presi-dent Aquino for his warm welcome and extended the

greetings of US President Ba-rack Obama and the Amer-ican people. Clinton’s vis-it is her sec-ond trip to the Philippines as a US Secre-tary of State, the first was during the Arroyo ad-m i n i s -trat ion. (AS)


PHL Gov’t returns 7 confiscated Vietnamese fishing boatsIn consideration to the close diplomatic relations

between the Philippines and Vietnam, the Philippine government has ordered the release of confiscated

Vietnamese fishing boats back to Vietnam government.

The 6th Civil Rela-tion Group of the AFP re-veals that in a letter is-sued to WESCOM by Undersecretary Ronaldo A. Geron, dated November 09, the Office of the President has ordered the release of the seven fishing vessels used by the 122 Vietnamese nationals who were caught earlier this year illegally fishing within the territorial waters of the Philippines off the south-ern part of Palawan. In its decision dated August 26 this year, the Regional Trial Court of Pal-

awan and Puerto Princesa City Fourth Judicial Re-gion Branch 51 awarded

the ownership of the said fishing vessels to the Phil-ippine Government after it has found the Vietnam-ese fishermen guilty of the crime of violation of Sec-tion 87 of R.A. 8559.

But “as an act of goodwill and liberality on the part of the Philippine

Government,” it has transferred “by way of donation” the owner-ship of the fishing ves-sels—five of which are under the custody of the Provincial Govern-ment of Palawan while the other two under the Western Com-mand (WESCOM)—to Vietnam by virtue

of a Deed of Conveyance signed by Executive Sec-retary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. and Vietnam Ambassa-dor to the Philippines, His Excellency Nguyen Vu Tu on October 25, 2011.


PHL Gov’t returns 7 confiscated Vietnamese fishing boats

The agree-ment aims to “further deepen and invigorate the relations between the two countries.” Both countries are claimants to the inter-nationally disputed Spratly

Archipelago which is believed to hold vast reserves of oil and gas. The Office of the President has directed WESCOM Chief LTGen Juan-cho M. Sabban AFP to coordinate with the Vietnamese Em-bassy in the Philip-pines on the immedi-

ate release of the fishing vessels. The seven Viet-namese fishing vessels in question were confiscated

after Philippine authorities arrested 122 Vietnamese nationals fishing about two nautical miles off the coast of Tamburok Island in the municipality of Balabac on May 30 this year. RTC Palawan sen-tenced the accused to collectively pay a fine of US$100,000 for each group in each vessel but they were relieved of the obligation after the court subsequently granted a motion to declare them in-solvent. (JPA/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)

Sibugay solons approve P676,000 for war-displaced families by Paulnazer LontuaProvincial Social Welfare and Development Office

(PSWDO) Chief, Cherlita Garate, submitted a request for financial support to the members of the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan (SP) for the recently war-affected families in Zamboanga Sibugay and the latter approved it during its recent Regular Session.

The approved budget reached the amount of P676,000 based on the estimated initial needs of the displaced families of the municipalities of Alicia, Payao and Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay. According to Garate, food and livelihood are the twin problems that currently beset the

displaced families here. Garate underscored that the support and aid of the provincial government is very much essential in such times. “We really need to ask the support of our provincial government during these times because we are the frontlines of making

sure that our people, though displaced, are sustained to survive”, said Garate. A total of 2,167 displaced families from Payao, Alicia and Talusan municipalities fight for daily survival. On October 16 at around 9:00 o’clock in the evening, an encounter between government


BFAR readies for closed fishing season implementation

photo courtesy of pinoyprogress.com

troops and lawless elements transpired in Sitio Talaib. The tragedy started the number of encounters between the government troops and lawless elements

that resulted in the evacuation of families to safer grounds. To date, many displaced families temporarily stay at designated evacuation

centers and Local Government Units (LGUs), while few decided voluntarily to return to their homes . (NBE/P. Lontua)

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to strictly implement the closed fishing season on sardines starting December 1 this year until March 1,

2012.

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

During the three-month closed fishing season, there will be no catching of sardines on the specified months.

Any person, association or corporation caught catching sardines in the conservation area will be subject to fines and penalty. Conservation areas include East Sulu, Basilan

Straight and Sibugury Bay The imposition of a closed fishing season is to allow the fish species to spawn. BFAR said December to March are the months when mature sardines reproduce. To ensure compliance of the regulation, BFAR has dispatched three vessels

to guard the concerned conservation areas. Atty. Asis Perez of BFAR said penalty for violators include imprisonment of 6 months and one day to 6 years or fine of P6,000 and confiscation of the catch and cancellation of fishing boat and gear license. (JPA/PIA-ZBST)


Bukidnon’s top NPA leader surrendersBy Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy A top New People’s Army

(NPA) rebel leader operating in Bukidnon

has surrendered to Gov. Alex Calingasan inside the headquarters of 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), 3rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (403rdBde), Philippine Army, based here, Nov. 15.

Gov. Calingasan announced that Salusad has decided to give up, together with 80 of his regular and mass-based members, because he wants to live a normal and peaceful life with his family. “Salusad’s surrender would entitle him to avail of the provincial livelihood program, aside from

the Social Reintegration Program (SRP) of the national government,” the Governor said. Meanwhile, Col. Romeo Gapuz, 403rd Brigade Commander, said Salusad, alias “Kumander Nonong” is the Commanding Officer of the Provincial Operational Command (POC), Guerilla Front (GF) 6 of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) operating in the Northeastern part of Mindanao. On the other hand, Lt. Col.

Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commander 8IB, said Salusad’s surrender would be a big blow to the communist movement in the area and shows the worsening situation among the rebel leaders and the ranks in the underground movement. “Salusad’s surrender is the


result of the efforts of the Bukidnon Provincial Government and the Army’s sincerity in the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” endeavor that has attracted not only the low key armed components but

also top ranking leaders,” Cuerpo said.This is the 17th NPA surrender event to 403Bde and the biggest number of members who returned to the fold of the law in 2011.

Info from civilians help 58IB troopers win against the rebelsGINGOOG CITY, Misamis Oriental - Information from residents and other concerned individuals in the community led to the successful conduct of combat operations against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, here, Nov. 14.

This community endeavor led the troopers from the 58th Infantry “Di Malulupig” Battalion (58IB), 3rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (403rdBde), Philippine Army, to engage some 20 fully armed NPA rebels in Barangay San Miguel, this city, at 5:45 a.m. Believed to be members of Guerilla Front (GF) 4B, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the NPA rebels were conducting extortion activities in the area. Lt. Col. George Banzon, 58IB Commander said the scout platoon led by 2Lt. Karl Jan S Devaras, responded to reports coming from the civilians, who claimed that they were victims of the enemy’s extortions, themselves, and have gotten tired of the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front/NPA (CNN’s) evil deeds in their community. After the firefight between the government troops and the rebels, one (1) unidentified CNN rebel was killed while two (2) claymore mines,

one (1) hand grenade and one (1) laptop, each, and other subversive documents were recovered from the encounter site. The body of the rebel killed in the encounter was already brought to the Gingoog Funeral Parlor for proper disposition and identification, as of press time. Elements of the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the same city are now collecting evidences and other information that will support the investigation and proper filing of cases against those rebels involved in the encounter. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, 4ID Commander, thanked the civilians for their help in feeding information to the government troopers. These civilians said that it is about time that they should do something to stop the rebels from taking undue advantage over people like them who are weaker and incapable of defending


themselves against these fully armed goons in the countryside. He also encouraged other civilians to take an active part in putting an end to our fight against insurgency and assured the people that 4ID will keep the identity of these civilians and treat this information with utmost confidentialityHe asked our other brothers and sisters to cooperate with the soldiers and to

give our operating troops relevant and timely information that could be helpful in pursuing the rebels.Furthermore, he instructed all unit commanders of 4ID to intensify all efforts to end insurgency in its area of responsibility (AOR) and to put additional security to the communities to prevent the rebels from conducting any more atrocities in the area. (4CMO)

Mambajao teachers get free make-over as early Christmas treatBy Jorie C. ValcorzaMAMBAJAO, Camiguin – Some 300 teachers in Mambajao received early Christmas treat as the local government’s “Makanunayong Serbisyo Alang sa Katawhan” (MSAK) program reaches out to honor them. Both public and private school teacher gets free dental and medical care, as well, as undergone cervical screening at the provincial convention center, here, with a free make-over to totally complete the treat. Mayor Maria Luisa Romualdo feels that teachers deserve such kind of appreciation and attention, and she hopes that the activity gives them the needed boost. The early Christmas treat also serves as a tribute for the teachers in the recently concluded world teachers day celebration. Romualdo intends for this program to go on every year and become an integral part of the of its

outreach services. The MSAK is a regular delivery of basic services from one (1) priority barangay to another and its name can simply be translated as a continuing service for the people, especially the poor, as its services are tailored to its clients’ needs in the area. Aside from the medical dental outreach the local government also facilitates the late registration of new born babies, feeding, and the distribution of seeds or fingerlings to the farmers and fisher folks. At present, the scheduled outreach is down to the Sitio level in order to ensure that its services reach right at the poor man’s doors.


Sec. Alcala to lead harmonization of DA-LGU engagementThe Department of Agricul-

ture (DA) is eyeing to fur-ther improve its partnership with the local government units. Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Al-cala is set to lead the department’s harmonization of systems and proce-dures as it engages with its partner, the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the delivery of agriculture and fishery services. The joint meeting of Regional Executive Directors and banner program coordinators from across the country aims to institutionalize a system that promotes a greater transparency in the implementa-

tion of DA’s programs and services. The activity will be held at the Marco Polo hotel today, November 15, 2011 to lay down strategies to improve delivery of services based on model programs. The model program seen to achieve such objectives are the pro-cess flow and procedures of the de-partment’s Mindanao Rural Develop-ment Program (MRDP). MRDP, the poverty-alleviation initiative of the DA in Mindanao joint-ly funded by the World Bank, the national government and the local government units, aims to provide agribusiness opportunities and im-prove incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk and other vulnerable sec-tors of society. The department has noted on the improvement of LGU and DA re-lation in terms of delivery of services and rural development objective in the past years of the programs im-plementation. MRDP Program director Lealyn A. Ramos said she is happy that the department has noticed the great impact the Program has done in


terms of creating improvements in rural development with strong part-nership with the LGUs. “Incorporating some of the pro-gram’s process flow and procedures would greatly enhance the current manner of DA-LGU engagement as partners of development while up-holding stronger LGU participation, greater transparency and account-ability,” said Ramos who is also the regional executive director of DA – regional field unit in Northern Mind-anao (Region X). In the span of four years since its launch in 2007, MRDP has intro-duced innovations efficient project and financial documentation, stron-ger information and advocacy drive, geotagging and in gaining broad-

based support to rural development. Part of the discussions during the meeting will be on the proposed Central Philippines Rural Develop-ment Program (CPRDP). The multilateral financing insti-tution World Bank (World Bank) has agreed to set aside $200 million to fund CPRDP that seeks to assist the government in implementing de-velopmental projects in five regions in Southern Tagalog, Bicol and the Visayas. Sec. Alcala said the CPRDP calls for implementing developmental projects in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Cen-tral Visayas. (Sherwin B.Manual/MRDP)

DOST XI will launch “Juan Time” during inventors meetDAVAO CITY- What time is it? Is your time the right one? Is it the standard time? The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. XI will launch the Philippine Standard Time (PST) dubbed as “Juan Time”

during the opening of the 1st Re-gional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) on November 17, 2011 at the Ground Floor Activity Area of NCCC Mall, Matina, Davao City. DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony C. Sales said that the re-gional launching of “Juan Time” will change the “Filipino Time” mindset of the people. “With “Juan Time,” Filipino time will come to mean “on time” and nobody will be late,” Dr. Sales added. The promotion of the use of the PST will set one common time among Fil-ipinos across the archipelago’s more than 7,100 islands.


On the other hand, sixty-seven (67) entries from the local inventors, researchers, and students will vie for the six invention contest catego-ries: 1) Invention Category (Tuklas Award); 2) Utility Model Category; 3) Industrial Design Category; 4) Creative Research Category (Likha Award); 5) Student Creative Re-search Category (Sibol Award) for High School; and 6) Student Cre-ative Research Category (Sibol

Award) for college. The 1st Regional Invention Con-test and Exhibits (RICE) theme is “Imbensyon at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Pag-unlad.” A cash prize rang-ing from P10,000.00 to P20,000.00 awaits the winners of each category.First prize winners of each category will represent the region to the Na-tional Invention Contest and Exhibits in July 2012. (DOST-11)

DTI assures Davao commodity prices manageable by Carina Cayon

DAVAO CITY– An official of the Department of Trade and Industry here assured that prices of basic commodities in Davao are man-ageable so far, saying that DTI keeps a tight watch on price move as the holiday season is fast com-ing. DTI regional director Mari-zon Loreto said of this assessment based from her monitoring as of Tuesday night where she noted a downward trend of prices in al-most all products. Loreto attributed the price decrease due to the competition among traders who are mostly selling same products. She said that local traders are in fact offering their products in sets or packages that would ben-efit a customer a free item, which she said is a form of product pro-motions that every Filipino antici-pate especially during Christmas season.

Loreto said that DTI monitor-ing teams have been vigilant in keeping an eye on the prices not only of the basic goods, but also of Christmas items and construction materials. In the implementation of the suggested retail prices (SRPs) as of November 03, 2011, Loreto clarified that SRP only covers No-che Buena products such as hams, cheese, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, elbow and macaroni pasta and spaghetti sauce. The DTI official said that if an increase would be effected, the mark up would be minimal at the rate of P5 to P10 to cover for the promotion and freight costs. Loreto said that DTI has not received so far any report of local traders violating the SRP. She as-cribed this as due to DTI’s vigilant monitoring and intensified infor-mation drive.


ALABEL, Sarangani --- A jeepney-turned-science laboratory has started un-locking new ideas for grades five, six, and first year high school students in five public schools in Sarangani.

JeepneEd drives thru Sarangani schools

By Beverly Paoyon


JeepneED, a mobile science laboratory that runs on used vegeta-ble oil, is an engag-ing outdoor learning area equipped with 10 netbooks, 3G hub for internet connectivity, and basic science ma-terials.

Sarangani is Jeep-neED’s pilot site for this first-ever science mobile and technol-ogy laboratory in the country.

Governor Migs Dominguez said Jeep-neED had rightly chosen Sarangani as its pilot site because communities (here) are “hungry for inno-vation, hungry for de-velopment, and most importantly hungry for new opportunities that come their way.”

The governor said JeepneED is “not only to deliver opportuni-ties through a labora-tory on wheels. How-ever the real message here is, we have to continuously inno-vate.”

Shaina Tantuico, JeepneED co-found-er, said the project sought to address gaps of science teach-ing methods in public schools where teach-ers usually resort to

lectures only due to unavailability of re-source materials and other exposure activi-ties.

The mobile labora-tory, Tantuico said, would stir students’ interest to discover new things from in-digenous materials. She pointed out these learning activities “can be integrated into (the students’) lessons in schools.”

Launched on Mon-day (November 14), the JeepneEd has started serving Ma-landag Elementary School in Malungon, Alegria Elementary School in Alabel, Rogaya Integrated School and Mangelen Integrated School in Maasim.

Lamlifew Elemen-

tary School is also among the pilot com-munity sites.

JeepneEd would ini-tially drive thru these five schools and plans to expand to other schools in Sarangani.

JeepneED is a Philippine-based non profit program that partnered with Quality Education for Saran-gani Today (QUEST) and Condrado Alcan-tara Foundation, Inc. to address deficiencies of science laboratories and teaching methods in Sarangani.

All activities gener-ated from the mobile laboratory would be based on the compe-tencies of teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd). JeepneED only sup-ports teachers by


providing appropriate resources to be inte-grated in their curricu-lum.

Based on research, Tantuico noted “that the very small solu-tion can really affect students’ performance throughout time,” which she linked to access of books and internet and a men-tor to make education relevant, and a really good support system.

“How we can make these solutions to as many students as possible and the easi-est answer was to put it on wheels,” Tantuico said.

She explained sci-ence was chosen be-cause it “connects us to something both academic and voca-tional, something that

is book-based but also creative and it also connects mathematics and literacy and with all that in a truck that runs on used vegeta-ble oil.”

The mobile labora-tory runs an average of eight kilometers per one liter of used veg-etable oil.

Erika Pineda, anoth-er co-founder of Jeep-neED, calculated that the P5 per week fee from a student would cover the cost of ma-terials for repairs and future upgrades of the mobile laboratory. “The five pesos allows us to build a system for sustainability so hopefully next year with 2,000 students at five pesos per week a simple JeepneEd will run without any out-

side donors.” With the help of

QUEST and DepEd, “we will be able to reinvest our resources in making more in-terventions for qual-ity education,” Pineda said.

DepEd superinten-dent Allan Farnaso said JeepneEd is “one ingenuity-thinking in-novation and effort that serves us Saran-gans and that we can do better than what we have already ac-complished.”

Farnaso admit-ted that most of the schools in the prov-ince “lack equipment for laboratory.”

Jenielyn Lariosa, JeepneED facilitator, said “one good thing about having hands-on activity is that stu-dents have this reten-tion.”

“When we first had this experiment and then we came back a week after, the stu-dents still remember what they did and what they learn. With that retention makita natin yong learning sa mga activities that they do.” (PIO Sa-rangani/PIA Gen-eral Santos City)


Padlocked tunnels in T’boli, So. Cotabato re-openedBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Mining tunnels in Barangay Kematu T’boli, South Cotabato, which were padlocked on October 27, are back in operation.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., who also chairs the Provincial Mining Reg-ulatory Board (PMRB) yesterday led the cer-emonial opening of at least 50 tunnels in the 21-hectare Minah-ang Bayan, after their operators were issued permits to operate in the gold –rich moun-tain.

The tunnels are part of about 300 tun-nels that Gov. Pingoy ordered closed last month until the opera-tors have sorted out their conflict with the Maguan Clan on land claims and the issu-ance of Free and Prior Informed Consent and until they have secured from the provincial the necessary permit to operate.

Engr. Siegfred Fla-

viano, acting provincial environment manage-ment officer, con-firmed that operators of the tunnels opened yesterday have finally complied with the re-quirements and have been issued permit to operate.

“Stoppage order remains in effect for the more than 200

tunnels whose owners have yet to secure permits to operate,” Flaviano explained.

More tunnels cov-ered by the closure order are expected to open in the next few weeks with other tunnel operators now processing necessary documents to be able to legally operate in


gold-rich mountain. Gov. Pingoy expects

the provincial govern-ment to earn P5 – P10 million in annual rev-enues from once op-erations of the 300 tunnels in the Minah-ang Bayan in Barangay Kematu are made le-gal.

“Hopefully income from the small-scale mining can help in-crease provincial rev-

enues especially with the reduction of our IRA (internal revenue allotment) next year,” he said.

In 2010, the provin-cial government only earned about P250,000 from the Minahan ng Bayan, Pingoy said in an interview before the implementation of the closure order.

To monitor activities in the mining site, the

provincial government is putting up a de-tachment in Barangay Kematu.

The 21-hectare Mi-nahan ng Bayan in Kematu is part of the 85-hectare gold and silver mining site be-ing developed by the Tribal Mining Corpo-ration and its part-ner, the Canadian firm Cadan Resources Corp.

Mahigit 200 bags ng illegal na nakuhang copper ore nai-turnover sa SoCot PENROKORONADAL CITY – Mahigit 200 bags ng illegal na nakuhang copper ore ang kasalukuyang naka-imbak sa tanggapan ng South Cotabato Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) kasunod ng pagkahuli ng pag-tatago nito sa Barangay Liberty sa bayan ng Tampakan.

Ang nasabing ba-rangay ay bahagi ng pinagmiminahan ng dayuhang kompanyang Saggitarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

Subalit ang kompa-nya ay mayroon lamang hawak na permit para sa exploration ng mina at wala para sa pro-duction at extraction ng copper at ginto sa bayan ng Tampakan, ayon sa opisyal ng Mu-

nicipal Environment and Natural Resources Of-fice.

Binigyang diin din ni Eillen Estrada, MENRO ng Tampakan na walang na-isyung “production permit” ang MENRO o PEMO sa alinmang kompanya o indibidu-wal para sa extraction ng copper at ginto sa bayan ng Tampakan.

Ang SMI, ayon pa kay Estrada, na mayroong

“rights” sa mineral re-sources ng bayan ay mayroon lamang um-anong hawak na “explo-ration permit.”

Ito na umano ang pangatlong pagkahuli ng malaking volume ng “illegally extracted cop-per ores” mula sa mga bundok ng bayan ng Tampakan, ayon sa mga awtoridad. (ac agad PIA12)


EMB, DENR spearhead Nat’l Environmental Awareness celeb in Butuan

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

[email protected][email protected]

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

In line with the National Environmental Awareness Month celebration, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga will spearhead river

clean-up and tree planting activities on November 18, 2011, 6:00a.m. at the Marcos Bridge, Barangay Libertad, this city.


DAR turns over water system to Tubod

According to EMB-Caraga OIC-Re-gional Director Ester Olavides, the activ-ity is pursuant to Re-public Act No. 9512 otherwise known as the “National Envi-ronmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008,” an act to pro-

mote environmental awareness through environmental educa-tion. G o v e r n m e n t agencies, non-gov-ernment organiza-tions, academe, and partner stakeholders will be participating in this activity.

Dir. Olavides called on participants to bring their own cleaning and planting materials during the activity. The EMB-Caraga office can be reached at telephone numbers (085) 341-3826; 342-5332.

by Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY-- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over Tuesday a potable water supply system to Brgy. San Isidro in Tubod, Surigao del Norte.

Costing P3.34 mil-lion, the project which includes installation of 34 units of communal faucets will provide clean drinking water to about 248 house-holds of Tubod Agrar-ian Reform Community (ARC). The project is un-der the Agrarian Re-

form Infrastructure Support Project-Phase III (ARISP-III) of the Department of Agrar-ian Reform (DAR) and the Japan Internation-al Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Local Govern-ment Unit of Tubod, Surigao Norte. DAR Regional Di-

rector Faisar Mambuay expressed his gratitude to all partners --- Hon. Congressman Guiller-mo Romarate Jr., Hon. Gov. Sol Matugas, Hon. Mayor Cristina Arcillas for the support in re-alizing this project for the agrarian reform beneficiaries.


PSWD continues to implement its various programs by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

PSWD Officer Gloria L. Pabellore revealed that one of their priority pro-grams today is the launching of medi-cal outreach into the far flung barangays of the province. This initiative aims to promote a healthy life by giving free health services

to the poor people. The official add-ed that the Agusan del Norte PSWD is also constantly giv-ing financial assis-tance to the pover-ty-stricken residents of Agusan del Norte through the imple-mentation of Inte-grated Social Devel-opment Assistance

Program (ISDAP). However, the official said that it is inevitable that some people who are not residents of Agu-san del Norte will ask for assistance. But the Agusan del Norte PSWD cannot refer such cases to the DSWD Regional Office.

BUTUAN CITY-- The Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Office in Agusan del Norte is continuing its efforts in implementing various programs.

PSWD continues to implement its various programs

One Mindanao - November 16, 2011

Documents

pia surigao

pia agusan

pia caraga region nora

pia caraga region richard

pia caraga updates

pia region ximanaging

pia region ixsibugay

pia caraga regioncopy