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==Maguindanao to stage maiden Sagayan Festival==
==PO summit in Soccsksargen first in Mindanao==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611328414677
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611336799662
*Sunday 5th of February 2012
*Saturday, May 12, 2012
:by (DEDoguiles- PIA 12 with report from LMSalvo-DA RAFID 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 12 (PIA) -- The Regional People’s Organization Congress on May 3 here was not only the first in the entire Soccsksargen Region but also the first PO gathering in the history of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in Southern Philippines, DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said.
 
More than 300 individuals attended the summit. Among two-thirds of them were chairmen and members of POs; other participants included local chief executives, CFAD focal persons, municipal and provincial project management implementing units in the region.
 
“The presence of our mayors is a manifestation of their support to MRDP,” Datukan said.
 
She added that the collaboration between the POs and their respective local government units assures the success of the implementation of MRDP initiatives.
 
DA 12 Regional Technical Director and MRDP Regional head Dr. Jimmy Olivo said “the regional PO summit was designed to prepare the region for the forthcoming Mindanao-wide gathering of POs.”
 
DA-MRDP’s 1st Mindanao PO Congress is slated on May 14 in Davao City where POs in the six regions in the entire Mindanao will convene to share developments of projects granted to them by the program and to discuss issues and concerns affecting them.
 
Participants of the regional summit here passed Resolution No. 01, series of 2012 requesting Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III to augment the existing funds of MRDP. They also appealed to local chief executives in the region to expedite the implementation of the program in their areas.
 
They also recommend the formation people’s organization that caters specifically to Muslim communities.
 
The resolution will be presented during the Mindanao PO congress where Pres. Aquino is expected to come.
 
During her presentation of the general updates of MRDP projects, MRDP CFAD coordinator Shiela Siago pointed out that of the six regions in Mindanao, Soccsksargen has been a consistent top performer with regard to implementation of project implementation.
 
“Region 12 gets almost a billion from the World Bank where a lion’s share of the amount funded the region’s rural infrastructure projects,” she said.
 
Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal City, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
 
RTD Olivo said, “looking at the map of Central Mindanao, it is already half-filled with MRDP projects.”
 
Before the summit here ended, a raffle was drawn where the top prizes included two rice threshers, two corn mills, four carabaos, ang laminated sacks (trapal).
 
At least one thousand banana suckers were also raffled off along with seedlings of mangosteen, marang, guyabano, rambutan, and jackfruit. Provided by AgriPinoy Rice, Corn, High Value Crops and Livestock programs of DA.
 
Formal turn-over of these items is slated on May 31, along with the awarding of Gawad Saka regional winners.
 
MRDP is a medium term development intervention that addresses poverty reduction designed and implemented by DA. The program is funded by the World Bank with the national government (DA), and the LGUs which provide an equity share.
 
The program has four components: Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), Rural Infrastructure (RI), Natural Resources Management (NRM), and Investment Governance Reform (IGR).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==148 OSYs complete LGU-sponsored skills training==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611336718120
*Friday, May 11, 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 11 (PIA) -- Some 148 out-of-school youths in nearby Tampakan town recently completed a four-month skills training sponsored by the local government unit in partnership with the mining firm Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
 
Of these, 15 completed training in carpentry, 15 in masonry, 45 in plumbing, 22 in electrical installation and maintenance, 28 in welding and 23 in beauty care.
 
Efren Villarina, community affairs officer II, said the training of OSYs was implemented under the Educational Livelihood Program of Mayor Leonardo Escobillo in accordance with two of his three-fold thrust, namely: education and livelihood. The third thrust is health.
 
For the training of the out-of-school youth who come from the different barangays of the municipality, the LGU provided for the venue while SMI provided the training equipment and tools and honorarium of the trainors provided by TESDA.
 
At the graduation ceremony on April 25, TESDA-South Cotabato Director Leonora Guiloreza encouraged the trainees “to make of the skills you have acquired from the training course.”
 
“Believe in yourselves, hone your skills and never let them wane,” she challenged them.
 
Meanwhile, Mayor Escobillo assured that them that help from the local government unit would not end with the graduation rites.
 
“We have more dreams for the residents of Tampakan. This will not end here, he said. “I assure you that we will continue to develop and enrich what you have learned for the benefit of the entire municipality.”
 
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr, who was guest of honor at the graduation rites saluted the LGU for spearheading the education and livelihood program for the OSYs and for giving emphasis on skills training as a solution to poverty.
 
“These youths can make use of the knowledge they gained to get jobs. And if they have jobs they have sources of income and could help improve the lives of their families,” the governor said.
 
==DOLE 12 pushes for voluntary compliance with labor laws thru ICP==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336621727
*Thursday, May 10, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 10 (PIA) -- In line with its advocacy to promote industrial peace in the entire Soccsksargen Region, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-12) pushes for more voluntary compliance by companies and establishments to labor laws and standards.
 
Charmaine Dawn Ladot-Sonsona, labor communications officer of DOLE 12, said through the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP), they are encouraging establishments to abide by occupational safety and health standards, labor standards, and labor-management dispute resolution among others
 
“ICP encourages voluntary compliance first by giving recognition and incentives to a company’s initiatives to voluntarily comply with labor laws or having implemented a much higher standard and second by assisting a non-compliant company through training and technical assistance to enable the company to comply with the requirements,” Sonsona explained.
 
Incentives for these companies include a tripartite (management-labor-government) Seal of Excellence for their establishments which should also be carried on their products, she added.
 
In Region 12, nine establishments have already been enrolled in the ICP.
 
These are Dole Philippines Inc (Dolefil Inc.); Sagittarius Mining Incorporated, and South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. in South Cotabato; ALSONS Industries; Notre Dame of Tacurong College in Sultan Kudarat; Cotabato Light in Cotabato City; and Energy Development Corporation-MDGP and Stanfilco - North Cotabato Operation in North Cotabato.
 
She said, before these companies could be awarded with the Tripartite Seal of Excellence, they should have abided with the following criteria: Tripartite Certificate of compliance on Labor Standards, Gawad Kaligtasan and Kalusugan, Certificate of Child Labor Free Establishment, National Productivity Olympics Award or its equivalent, and Outstanding LMC Awardee for Industrial Peace.
 
On April 20, 2012, Tripartite Certification Committee (TCC) met to discuss the results of the assessment done by the social auditors, which is composed of labor representatives Francis Gales and Mr. Ronnie Mondragon, Regional Tripartite and Industrial Peace Council vice chair for management Carlito Uy and management representative Norlan Yap.
 
Based on the audit results, Sonsona said, the enrolled establishments will submit necessary documents for remediation where compliance gaps are addressed and corrected.
 
DOLE 12 management aims to nominate the company or companies who will qualify based on criteria set forth by Department Order No. 011 , series of 2011 for the National Recognition Awards, she said.
Meanwhile, during the April 20 meeting of the TCC-ICP, Dolefil Inc., released a check amounting to P1.7 million for the payment of the balance for the rice benefits of its employees.
 
The ICP guideline (Department Order 115-11, series of 2011) states: “promotion of voluntary compliance with the involvement of workers and employers is a complementary approach to a) imbed a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws; b) ensure fair, expeditious and non-litigious settlement of disputes; c) enhance workplace productivity; promote decent work; and increase the level of Philippine competitiveness.” (DEDoguiles- PIA 12/DOLE-12
 
==DA 12 assures dispersed machineries to farmer groups were of high quality==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336537753
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 9 (PIA) -- DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan refuted earlier report of a TV station in nearby General Santos City that the farm machineries distributed to farmers in Soccsksargen Region on March 30 were defective.
 
Datukan said, it came to her attention that a news report in one of the local TV stations in Gensan had the headline, “Ilang makinang natangap ng mga magsasaka sa DA, depektibo.”
 
The report was based on an interview with some farmers in Surallah town.
 
Although some units had minor defects, Datukan explained, those found with some flaws were not released to the beneficiaries pending compliance by supplier to the request of DA 12 to conduct proper quality checkup and to come up with necessary adjustments before these will be finally awarded to the recipients.
 
“The defect is only at the mounting and spindle part of the hand tractor and thresher, respectively,” Dir. Datukan pointed out.
 
During the interview with the TV reporters, some of the recipients, like the members BINTIKO extended their gratitude for receiving a number of farm machines including one thresher, one 4-wheel drive tractor, and one hand tractor but also said that their thresher was held by DA pending further quality check because of a minor factory defect in their unit.
 
Unfortunately, Datukan said, the words “factory defects” were highlighted in the news report.
 
BINTIKO Chairman Jonathan Javelosa called up the DA Regional Office and told Regional Technical Director Jimmy M. Olivo that such comment in no way intended to undermine or discredit the Department of Agriculture.
 
“The DA stands for quality assured equipment and ensures that any fabrication defects must be replaced by the supplier, since these are under the one-year warranty and service after sales agreement,”Dir. Datukan said.
 
Starting immediately, Dir Datukan promised that all units will undergo thorough and careful quality inspection instead of random and sampling check only.
 
Meanwhile, Chairman Arnulfo Beltijar of San Felipe Irrigators Association in Tantangan, South Cotabato said that the farm machinery they received were in good performing conditions.
 
“We will take good care of these sets of farm machinery given by the DA,” Beltijar said.
 
The P21-million worth of farm machinery was distributed to various farmer groups in Region 12 to further improve their area’s agricultural productivity.
 
The project is part of the Agri Pinoy Rice Program’s Mechanization that enables to mobilize productive farming in the region.
 
Dir Datukan reiterated that these agricultural machines and equipment were procured through RA 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act directing the Bids and Awards Committee to be responsible in the bidding process therefore these machines are of high quality considering that the winning bidders provided the farmer’s preferred brands, “Kubota” and “Yanmar.”.
 
For the next awarding of farm equipment, Dir Datukan ordered the one-on-one checking on the unit to reassure that these were in good working condition before these are awarded to the intended beneficiaries. (DED - PIA 12/DA-RAFID 12)
 
==South Cotabato police to lay down anti-drug strategies==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336448265
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 8 (PIA) -- Police officials in South Cotabato will meet Friday, May 11, to craft strategies against illegal drugs and drug abuse.
 
Eduardo Siason, permanent representative of the governor to the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) said, “the action planning would require municipal and city police stations to focus their activities on drug problems in their respective area.”
 
Invited to the anti-drug strategic planning workshop are the chiefs of police of 10 municipal police stations, and lone city police office, along with one investigator involved in drug cases from each station, as well as agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assigned in in the province.
 
Highlight of the activity would be the presentation of each police station's anti-drug action plan; PDEA will also present its anti-drug action plan.
 
 
“Members of the panel will be there to clarify each police station’s strategic plan such as how this will be implemented, sources of fund, and other concerns,” Siason said.
 
After these plans are presented and discussed, he said, each police station will revise their plans according to the suggestions by a panel and present these for approval to Police Provincial Director P/SSupt. Randolph Delfin, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., and PDEA 12 Regional Director Aileen Lovitos.
 
Siason said, the action planning is necessary after the provincial board approved Gov. Pingoy’s request for this year’s supplemental budget no. 1, which include P500,000 additional allocation for PADAC operations.
 
“We want to make sure that the funds that Gov. Pingoy has given us will be spent on the purpose these were intended for,” he said.
 
Also with the approval of the supplemental budget, Siason expects the PADAC and its partners would be able to intensify its advocacy projects against drugs, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and its campaigns in the communities.
 
He also announced that the provincial government will hold search for outstanding municipal and barangay anti-drug abuse councils, where one of the criteria for judging pertains to the implementation of the strategic action plan.
 
“The awarding will coincide with the celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week in November,” Siason said. (DED-PIA 12)
 
==School supplies on sale on May 16- 18, says DTI–South Cotabato==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336361509
*Monday, May 7, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 7 (PIA) -- Parents will receive support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as they try to look for low-priced school supplies of their children with the opening of classes on June 4.
 
Elbert Capecio senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-South Cotabato said they are now preparing for the staging of the three-day “Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” where school supplies such as notebooks, pens and pencils, coloring tools, and many others, as well as uniforms, bags and shoes, will be offered on discounted prices.
 
Capecio said, the Balik-Eskwela Caravan in South Cotabato will be held on May 16, 17, and 18 in Koronadal City “Instead of the usual practice of gathering producers, manufacturers, and other participants in one place, the school supplies will be sold inside the participating malls, and stores.”
 
He identified the participating stores as KCC Mall of Marbel, Ace Centerpoint, Gaisano Grand Mall, and Starbright Store.
 
The decision not to gather the participating entities in one place, he explained, was in response to some concerns like pilferage and additional effort and expenses to install booths.
 
Capecio added that based on their monitoring, there has not been changes in the prices of school supplies in the province.
 
Besides the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan next week, DTI-South Cotabato is also preparing for a major discount during South Cotabato province’s T’nalak Festival in July. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
 
==Tampakan issue triggers FB word war between military and militant group==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/05/06/tampakan-issue-triggers-fb-word-war-between-military-and-militant-group/
*Sunday, May 6, 2012
:by Bong S. Sarmiento
 
 
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/05 May) –  Exchanges between the military and a militant group have lately turned nasty due to the Tampakan copper-gold project issue, with both sides resorting to name-calling via the social network, Facebook.
The 27th Infantry Battalion based in Tupi, SouthCotabato branded Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) –SOCCSKSARGEN spokesperson Ryan Lariba as “liar.” In turn, Bayan-SOCCSKSARGEN called the 27th IB “berdugo,” or butcher or executioner.
The harsh labeling, done via Facebook, originated from the April 22 Earth Day incident when groups supporting the Tampakan project allegedly blocked the solidarity mission of militant, religious and indigenous peoples’ groups from proceeding to the mountains.
In a Facebook post dated April 24, the 27th Infantry (Action) Battalion called Lariba a “liar and wished that his soul burn in hell.”
“You are the one violating the human rights of the members of 27th Infantry Battalion. You know you are making false accusation in public,” the post reads.
“You were there. We were not. You are fabricating stories that are designed to malign the reputation and honor of the men in uniform. You are misleading the general public with your hallucination.” it added.
On Thursday, the Facebook account of Bayan-SOCCSKSARGEN tagged the 27th IB as “berdugo” and alleged protector of Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
It said the mine site had become militarized since news broke out in March that several tribal communities had set up barricades against the Tampakan project in protest to the relocation plans of the mining company.
Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, 27th IB commander, himself labeled Lariba as a “liar” over a local radio station during the futile attempt of the militant groups to go up Bong Mal district last April 22.
Bong Mal is the boundary between Tampakan town and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur that serves as a crucial artery in  the mines development site.
Blaan communities opposing the Tampakan project have set up several checkpoints in Bong Mal.
At the time, Lariba accused Sagittarius Mines and the 27thInfantry Battalion as behind the efforts to stop them from going to Bong Mal to express their solidarity to the tribesmen opposing the mining venture.
Bravo explained then that those who blocked the solidarity mission were groups supportive of the Tampakan project and that he ordered his troops to stay in their detachments and be prepared as reaction forces in case an accident would happen.
 
Portions of the way to Bong Mal have steep inclines accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles.
Members of the solidary mission were on board jeepneys, elf trucks and multi-cabs.
The Tampakan project is touted as the largest known undeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia.
The estimated contained copper at Tampakan in total resources has risen from 13.9 million metric tons to 15 million MT while estimated contained gold has risen from 16.2 million ounces to 17.9 Moz, according to the latest company study.
In January, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources rejected Sagittarius Mines’ application for an environmental compliance certificate, citing the unresolved open-pit mining ban imposed by South Cotabato province.
The company filed a motion for reconsideration but the Environment department has yet to announce a decision. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)
 
==DOLE-12 to hold more confab on new wage order==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336026419
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles




KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 5 (PIA) -- After a successful symposium on Wage Order RB XII No. 17 here last May 1, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) have slated a series of meeting with stakeholders on the new wage order.
RTWPB 12 Board Secretary Jessie dela Cruz said the activities are intended to encourage public awareness of Wage Order 17 that became effective last April 18.
He said that wage symposiums will be held in Tacurong City for Sultan Kudarat area on May 4 (Friday); in Cotabato City on May 17 and in Kidapawan City for North Cotabato province on May 24.
“Wage clinics for General Santos City and Sarangani province area is tentatively scheduled on May 11. We aim to cover the entire Soccsksargen area before the end of May,” he said.
Through these wage clinics, DOLE 12 and RTWPB 12 explain how the board - which include among others labor and management representatives - arrived at the decision to order an additional P10 to 14 to the daily cost of living allowance (COLA), decide on the salient features of the new wage order, as well as penalties for non-compliance and provisions regarding exemptions.
The activities are also venues where stakeholders can clarify issues regarding the provisions of the wage order and implementation of the same.
During the symposium in Koronadal City on Tuesday, dela Cruz said the board decided to pass the new wage “motu proprio” after a series of public consultations, and based on the socio-economic data provided by the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture.
“We would like to clarify the wrong notion that only DOLE fixes the wage in the region, he said. “Both the labor and management sectors are equally represented in the board.
Simplicio Villarta Jr of the Federation of Free Workers and Jomarie Angeles of the ALO-TUCP sit in the board as labor sector representatives while Atty. Eugenio Soyao and Warren Gregorio Manilay represented the management sector, dela Cruz said.
The board is being chaired by the DOLE regional director.
Dela Cruz said that the board decides to raise the minimum wage based on the following criteria: needs of the workers and their families; capacity of pay of the employee or industry; comparable wages; and requirements for national development, investment, and employment generation.
Other factors considered were changes in the prices of the basic commodities and services, inflation rate, and poverty threshold.
“As of February 2011, poverty threshold level in Region 12 is at P226.62 per day for a family with five members,” he said. “If we consider, our lowest minimum wage was already P234 before the implementation of the new wage order.”
Wage Order RBXII No. 17 orders the integration of the P15 COLA ordered in the previous order into the basic pay, which dela Cruz pointed out also increases the bases of computation of the 13th month pay and other benefits and bonuses of the laborers.
The wage clinic in Koronadal City was attended by more than 200 participants from labor and management groups, payroll officers of establishments, nongovernment organizations, media, private schools, and other stakeholders.
Dela Cruz also pointed out that so far they have not received any petition or formal complaint against the implementation of the new wage order. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
==NDRRMC: Whirlwind hits Bukidnon, flash floods hit South Cotabato==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/257072/news/regions/ndrrmc-whirlwind-hits-bukidnon-flash-floods-hit-south-cotabato
*Friday, May 4, 2012
:by  KG, GMA News


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- Red won’t be the color of Valentine’s Day in Maguindanao Province. Instead, it will be a beautiful mix of colors of the Muslim culture as the local government, private sector, and residents celebrate their first Sagayan Festival.
 
At least one house was destroyed while 12 others were damaged after a whirlwind hit a residential area in Valencia City in Bukidnon Thursday afternoon.
   
   
Organizers said the staging of the five-day Sagayan Festival, which will start on Friday, Feb. 10, is a move to boost this Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao province’s ecotourism.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the incident occurred at 3:30 p.m. at Purok 1-A in Lumbo in Valencia City.
   
   
It is also geared to promote a better image for Maguindanao.
It cited initial information indicating 13 families were affected, although no one was reported hurt.
   
   
Although all 32 towns of Maguindanao will be participating in the festival, all Sagayan activities will be held at the interim provincial government seat, Buluan town.
A local disaster risk reduction and management team was sent to the area to assess the damage, the NDRRMC said.
 
South Cotabato
   
   
Raquel Magalona, overall festival coordinator, said the opening day would be highlighted by a civic parade, opening of the agri-trade fair and a grand kanduli and thanksgiving banquet.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC also said a flash flood hit two villages in South Cotabato Wednesday.
   
   
At the kanduli, Muslim delicacies and dishes made from tilapia, one of Buluan town’s primary products will definitely be served.
Citing belated initial reports, the NDRRMC said the incident occurred between 2 and 3 p.m. at Lambingi and Kusan villages in Banga town.
   
   
Medical and veterinary services, livelihood trainings, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority demonstrations and social welfare services will also be given on Friday and will last until Feb. 14.
It said 26.7 hectares of corn fields were damaged in Lambingi, while properties and infrastructure were damaged in Kusan.
   
   
Other activities include Carabao race, horse fight, drum and lyre competition, rubber and palm oil technology forum and cultural presentations.
At least 12 farmers from Lambingi and two families from Kusan were affected.  
   
   
Saturday, Feb. 11 is exclusive to two important festival competitions such as Sayagan Dancing and Kulintang competion.
The estimated damage to property was pegged at P200,000.
 
A street dance, a showdown and a tribute program will highlight Feb. 14.
==JICA president vows continued support to Upi, Maguindanao==
   
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611336013275
Sagayan is a Muslim war dance traced from both Maguindanao and Maranao tribes. It depicts the steps of their hero Prince Batugan from wearing his armaments, the war he fought in, and his victory. Dancers carry a shield with shell noisemakers on one hand and a kris (double-bladed sword) on the other. (DED/PIA12)
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by  (Dani Doguiles and Hannadi PIA/-Upi LGU) 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 3 (PIA) -- The new president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterated the international donor agency’s commitment to help in the development efforts of Upi town in Maguindanao.
 
“In behalf of JICA, I promise you that we would continue to work closely with you in the coming years," Dr. Akihito Tanaka told Upi Mayor Mayor Ramon Piang Sr., Vice Mayor Alexis Platon, SB members, and heads of offices.
 
Tanaka, along with some members of the International Team and officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Social Fund Project (ASFP), visited Upi yesterday as part of their monitoring of the implementation of JICA projects in the area.
 
These projects include several school buildings, heavy equipment, and solar dryers as well as goat raising project in support of efforts to promote Halal industry in Maguindanao province.
 
The visit was the first trip of the 56-year old official to Upi and Mindanao. Tanaka , which JICA Newsletter described as “a renowned academic of international relations” began his role as JICA president on April 1, 2012.
 
Tanaka is vice president of the Tokyo University. He replaced Dr. Sodako Ogata.
 
“I am quite impressed with the mayor’s leadership and the cooperation of local officials to realize good governance in the implementation of projects,” he said.
 
He also congratulated Mayor Piang “for his vigor and dynamism.”
 
On his part, Mayor Piang thanked JICA for its support to the development of the underprivileged Upi town through construction of roads, improvement of the level of education in the municipality, assistance to local farmers.
 
==N. Cotabato hands P5.9 M worth of infrastructure to Arakan LGU==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335926114
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
:by (DEDoguiles – PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 2 (PIA) -- North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza and officials of the provincial government recently turned-over to the municipality of Arakan, P5.9 million worth of infrastructure projects .
 
In a press release sent to PIA 12 yesterday the Information and Development Communication Division (ICDC) of the provincial government reported that the turn-over ceremony was held at the opening program of the Gov. Lala 2nd Summer Kids Peace Camp in the municipality on April 23.
 
Infrastructure projects turned-over to the LGU include multi-purpose covered court worth P3,483,800. This, according to the ICDC report was as an incentive for its successful implementation of the 1st summer kids peace camp last year.
 
The provincial government also turned over P2.47 million worth of improvement which upgraded the Arakan Rural Health Unit as a Basic Emergency Management Of Obstetrics Cases (BEMOC) facility. The project was funded by the European Commission.
 
With the upgrade, the BEMOC facility in Arakan can now provide delivery services for pregnant women. It is also seen to improve accessibility, utilization, and quality of services for the treatment of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
 
With Gov. Mendoza during the turn-over ceremony were 2nd District board members Cristobal Cadungon, Airene Claire Pagal, Onofre Respicio, and Noel Baynosa.
 
The lady governor promised more incentives to the municipality depending on the success of the summer kids peace camp.
 
The summer kids peace camp, is an annual program of Gov. Mendoza and intends to inculcate among Grade V pupils of the province leadership skills in the context of peaceful co-existence among the lumads, Muslims and Christians inhabitants of the province.
 
School children are also taught important moral values such as respect for others’ cultures and beliefs and are honed to become the provincial government’s young ambassadors of peace to their respective communities.
 
Some 25,000 Grade V pupils are expected in participate in this year's summer kids camps in the 17 municipalities and lone city of North Cotabato.
 
==40 Midsayap fisherfolk to receive tilapia fingerlings, fish pond==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335824833
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles -PIA 12/Roderick Bautista-1st District NCot Congressional Office) 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 1 (PIA) -- Some 40 fisherfolk in confict-affected village in Midsayap, North Cotabato are set to benefit from tilapia fingerlings distribution and turn-over of nine units of fish ponds from the government.
 
Plan for the fingerlings dispersal and fish pond turn-over in the remote village of Olandang is being finalized by the office of North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus Sacdalan and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and officials of the local government unit.
 
Dominador Aspacio, congressional district office staff, said the fingerlings will be dispersed free to help residents begin a sustainable livelihood.
 
Aspacio also said fish ponds were built through Food for Work of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These will be turned-over to the fisherfolk to provide them with facility where they can raise the dispersed tilapia.
 
Earlier, BFAR personnel conducted a series of lectures on the cultural management of tilapia with the beneficiaries to prepare them for the implementation of the livelihood project.
 
Barangay Olandang is situated along Rio Grande de Mindanao and Liguasan Marsh, which make the village an ideal location for the tilapia raising.
 
==Adults, OSYs in Upi, Maguindanao finish literacy and numeracy course==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335764418
*Monday, April 30, 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles-PIA 12, with report from Hannadi Guiamad-Upi LGU)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 30 (PIA) -- Hundreds of adults and out-of-school youth in Upi town, Maguindanao have completed a three-month literacy and numeracy course, recently.
 
On Saturday, at least 400 adults and out-of school youth learners received their certificates of completion from the Literacy for Peace and Development (LIPAD) Project, where they learned how to write, read and do simple computations. The ceremony was held at the Upi municipal gymnasium on Saturday.  
 
Learners were from barangays Kibleg, Ganasi, Nangi at Borongotan.
 
In her message, LIPAD Project director Prof. Pilar A. Bautista said they aim to provide underprivileged individuals, especially adults and out-of school youth, the opportunity to learn basic writing, reading and counting.
 
This is necessary for them, she said, to learn these very important skills, which they can use in daily affairs and in simple transactions such as those involved in doing business with others.
 
LIPAD is a project of the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the promotion of literacy, poverty alleviation, as well as peace and development founded by former Senator Santanina Rasul in the 1960s.
 
The project is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
 
It aims to raise the basic and functional literacy level among adults and out-of-school youth in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
 
Besides Upi, LIPAD project is also being implemented in the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, and Talayan for Maguindanao province area.
 
Some of the graduates were emotional when they received their certificates of completion because they did not expect to have been given the chance to learn to read, write, and do simple computations despite their age.
 
Barangay Borongotan chairperson Irene Galanto, in her message, thanked the learning facilitators for their diligence in helping the participants learn these basic and important skills and for being patient in going to remote areas to reach the under served residents.
 
Upi Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. and some members of the Sangguniang Bayan attended the completion ceremony.
 
The affair was highlighted by presentations of learners, who showed their talents in cultural singing and dancing.
 
Aside from the certificate of completion, those who have completed the course, also received reading materials featuring indigenous stories, which they can use to hone what they learned.
 
Awards like Best in Reading, Best in Writing, and Best in Numeracy were also given to graduates who excelled.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==SPES-TWSP convergence program to cover 21 LGUs in Region 12==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335511112
*Sunday, April 29, 2012
:by Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 29 (PIA) -- A total of 21 municipalities in three provinces of Soccsksargen region will benefit from the initial implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Convergence Program on poverty alleviation.
 
The program brings together DOLE’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) to provide training and employment opportunities to the marginalized sector of the society, especially the out-of-school youth (OSY).
 
Based on a list provided by the office of DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla last Friday, the SPES-TWSP Convergence Program will cover 11 municipalities in North Cotabato, eight in Sultan Kudarat, and two in Sarangani.
 
In North Cotabato, beneficiary OSYs should come from Aleosan, Midsayap, Tulunan, Alamada, Arakan, Banisilan, Kabacan, Libungan, Magpet, Matalam, and President Roxas.
 
Interested and qualified OSYs in Kalamansig, Bagumbayan, Colombio, Esperanza, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, and Senator Ninoy Aquino municipalities of Sultan Kudarat may also avail of the training and employment program.
 
On May 1, the program will be launched in General Santos City for the municipalities of Malungon and Alabel in Saragani Province where the first 42 scholarship grantees come from.
 
Director Mantilla said more municipalities may be included in the coming months.
 
“We have requested for the inclusion of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato,” Director Mantilla said, adding that they are now awaiting approval of this by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
 
Under the program, beneficiary OSYs who “may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment or child labor,” will undergo mandated 20 to 52 days of technical vocational training in TESDA-identified institutions.
 
As in the original SPES program, DOLE will pay each beneficiary 40 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the region for every day of training.
 
The amount, according to the program guidelines, may be used as a training allowance or as capital to purchase the OSY’s starter kit.
 
More than 400 scholarship slots may be opened in Soccsksargen Region this year for OSYs interested in techvoc trainings that will be identified by TESDA 12. The program is open to OSY’s between 15 to 25 years old, whose family income (including his, if any) does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six, as determined by the National Economic Development Authority.  
 
Applicants should have reached high school level to be able to participate in the program.
 
Interested individuals need to submit to the nearest DOLE or TESDA office the needed documents. For more information, you may refer to the nearest DOLE Field Office or Public Employment Service Office or provincial/district office of TESDA. (DED-PIA 12)
 
==Cotelco GM says AboitizPower, TMI did not refuse delivery of power to coop==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335511112
*Saturday, April 28, 2012
:by (DED-PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 28 (PIA) -- AboitizPower and Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) did not refuse to deliver power to Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) nor did they impose P16.11 per kwh rate on the cooperative, Cotelco General Manager Godofredo Homez said.
 
Last Wednesday, several radio stations and newspapers reported that negotiations between Cotelco and TMI for a 8-MW supply of electricity have stalled because the latter would charge Cotelco P16.11/kwh of power supplied, as well as require them a P4-million security bond and P14-million advanced payment.
 
“In summary, we want to clarify that AboitizPower and TMI did not refuse to deliver power to Cotelco,” Homez said in a letter sent to the Department of Energy and PIA-12.
 
“AboitizPower and TMI did not impose P16.11 per kwh rate on Cotelco,” he added.
 
Homez also pointed out that the prepaid agreement was not imposed on the electric cooperative, adding that the rate is more or less P9.00 per kwh, which is the same rate charged to all electric cooperatives under contract with all TMI.
 
“It was an agreement discussed between two parties in consideration of the immediate need for power by Cotelco and the need of TMI to be protected for the costs they will incur in delivering power, especially fuel costs,” he explained.
 
Homez confirmed that Cotelco wrote to AboitizPower last April 12 to ask for a 8-MW supply from TMI in anticipation of the huge deficit in power supply during the month-long rehabilitation of Pulangi IV hydropower plant.
 
Aboitiz power, he said, expressed availability of 8 MW.
 
“But following rules of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), our transaction must be governed by at least a provisional authority (PA) from the ERC,” he said. PAs, he explained, are usually issued 30 days of publication of the draft power supply agreement.
 
Homez explained that since they could not wait for a provisional agreement, they wrote to ERC asking that they be allowed to receive delivery of power from TMI without the required authority.
 
On April 19, he said, ERC approved Cotelco’s request to get power from TMI but not less than the prevailing NPC-Time of Use Rate or P.90 per kwh.
 
Regarding the P4-M security bond, Homez pointed out that this is a standard in all financial contracts. About the advanced payment, he explained that “without a provisional agreement, Cotelco cannot legally impose the new rates to its consumers; following this is the risk that TMI will not be paid for its fuel and overhead costs. Thus a proposal for a prepaid system was discussed.”
 
Cotelco’s service area at regularly experiences up to 8 hours of rotational brownout after the Pulangi IV plant was closed for maintenance works last week.
 
Before Pulangi IV was closed, Cotelco imposed 3 to 5 hours of rotational brownout. Cotelco, as well as the city government of Kidapawan and the provincial government of Cotabato, have been asking for the retention of 25 percent of the power generated by the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant owned by the Energy Development Corporation.
 
The present 8-hour-per-day power outages in North Cotabato could persist until May 17, the date set for the completion of the Pulangi IV rehab, if Cotelco cannot buy supply from TMI.
 
==Opportunities await OSYs in DOLE-TESDA convergence program==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335504092
*Friday, April 27, 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 27 (PIA) -- More help will soon be made available to out-of-school youths in Soccksargen Region as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) joined together two of their flagship programs.
 
DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla yesterday announced they will launch on Labor Day (May 1) in General Santos City the DOLE-TESDA Convergence Program on Poverty Alleviation.
 
“The program joins together the Special Program for the Employment of Students of DOLE and the Training for Work Scholarship Program of TESDA,” Mantilla explained. “This will be called SPES-TWSP Convergence Program.”
 
Under the program, qualified OSYs undergo the SPES program but instead of employing in an establishment for a specified duration should instead undergo technical-vocational training.
 
Forty-two OSYs from Malungon and Alabel towns in Sarangani province are scheduled to receive scholarship grants during the ceremonial launching at the KCC Convention Hall in Gensan.
 
At least 400 SPES-TWSP scholars are expected to benefit from the program this year.
 
According to the DOLE-TESDA Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2012 dated March 23, 2012, “the implementation of the SPES-TWSP convergence program will be nationwide, prioritizing the poorest areas in the 16 regions.”
 
In region 12, it will be implemented in 21 poor municipalities in the provinces of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
 
Mantilla said, they are still requesting for the inclusion of at least three municipalities in South Cotabato, which was not included in the initial list.
 
For an OSY to qualify, he or she should be 15 to 25 years old and whose parents’ combined income does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six.
 
“An OSY may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment of child labor,” the circular noted.
 
Based on the existing SPES guidelines, the training program in which the beneficiary can enroll should be for a minimum of 20 days (160 hours) to a maximum of 52 days only.
 
DOLE will pay for 40 percent of the applicable minimum wage after completion of the training program for the training allowance or starter kit of the OSYs.
 
The agency will also provide guidance and necessary technical support to capacitate the OSYs to engage in self-employment after the training.
 
TESDA handles the selection of the OSYs who will undergo the training program and become beneficiaries as well as identification of technical education and skills development institutions where the scholars will enrol.
 
Interested OSYs may file application and required documents at the Public Employment Service Office or TESDA Provincial/District Office nearest them.
 
Required documents include duly accomplished SPES Application Form and TESDA Trainee Profile Form; copy of birth certificate or any document that shows his or her date of birth, latest report card (Form 138), income tax return of parents or certification issued by BIR or barangay chairperson indicating that they are exempted from paying taxes, and certificate of good moral character from authorized barangay official.
 
==8 DAR scholars in So. Cotabato finish in Agri-tech course==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46744-South-Cotabato-cops-note-improved-operations.html
*Thursday, April 26, 2012
:by (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/MTVQuimsing/DAR-SoCot)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 26 (PIA) -- Eight scholars of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in South Cotabato under the Programang Agraryo Iskolar yesterday graduated their course at the Surallah National Agricultural School (SUNAS), in nearby Surallah town.
 
Ma. Theresa Quimsing, information officer of DAR-South Cotabato said, the scholars completed all requirements for a Diploma in Agricultural Technology.
 
The new graduate are Josephine Areza, Mery Chris De Joseph, Ernest John Eucare, Ramilyn Lasig, Jayren Mandeoya, Ryan Plenciano, Lovelyn Joy Retuyan, and Rosa Santerva.
 
For two years they received financial support for tuition fees, books, and personal allowances from DAR.
 
The “Programang Agraryo Iskolar” is part of the support services given to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
 
Under the program children of ARBs are given the opportunity to finish a college degree related to agriculture.
 
The knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies should help them become agents in developing their awarded lands and spur progress in their community in general, Quimsing added.
 
==South Cotabato cops note improved operations==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46744-South-Cotabato-cops-note-improved-operations.html
*Wednesday, April 25. 2012
:by .(PNA)
LAP/AVE/AC
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Operations of police units in South Cotabato province significantly improved during the first three months of the year as they cleared over 73 percent of the crime incidents that occurred in the area.
Senior Supt. Randolph Delfin, South Cotabato police director, said they achieved a crime clearance efficiency rating of 73.33 during the first quarter, which increased by 20 percent from last year’s records.
Crime clearance efficiency refers to the percentage of cleared cases out of the total number of crime incidents handled by law enforcement agencies for a given period of time.
In terms of crime solution efficiency, he said they slightly improved their rating from 25 percent last year to 27.33 percent this year.
“Out of the 793 crime incidents that we handled, 494 were so far cleared and 218 have been solved,” Delfin said.
The police official said among their major accomplishment for the period was the recovery of 15 of the 23 motorcycles that were stolen within the province’s 10 towns and lone city.
He said they filed six cases on Monday against several identified carnapping or motorcycle theft suspects.
Delfin maintained that the province has remained generally peaceful and orderly as shown by the area’s crime statistics.
He said the average crime rate in the area during the first quarter of the year has gone down to 31.9 percent from the 35.7 percent in the same period last year.
In terms of illegal drugs, Delfin said they have so far arrested 33 suspects and launched 18 major operations in the area.
He said these operations have led to the recovery of some P5M worth of illegal drugs, specifically mehtamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" and marijuana.
The police official said they were able to arrest 75 persons with pending arrests warrants, including 18 who were facing illegal gambling charges.
Delfin added that they apprehended 12 suspects and recovered 18 high-powered arms in separate operations in Tantangan and Banga towns.
 
==LGU, Army to gather youth in leadership summit==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335246693
*Tuesday 24th of April 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 24 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army and the local government are organizing a four-day leadership summit on May 13 where more than 200 young people from Tampakan town are expected to attend.
 
Gricelda Pacano, social welfare and development officer of Tampakan said the local government and the 27th Infantry Battalion are collaborating to hold the Youth Leadership Summit (YSL) 2012 to increase awareness among young residents of their responsibilities and help achieve lasting peace in their respective communities.
 
Pacano said, the activity will be held at the Rock Ridge Resort in Barangay Lambayong, Tampakan and will be attended by young people from the municipality’s 14 barangays.
 
She said, the summit specifically aims to develop leadership potential of the young people, increase their knowledge of peace and development, educate them on the effects of illegal drug use, and improve their understanding of patriotism and cooperation with their communities.
 
Activities shall include lectures and workshops on interpersonal communication, disaster risk reduction and management, dangerous drugs awareness, gender and cultural sensitivity, values formation, social responsibility, environmental awareness, threats to national security, knowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and government plans for the youth sector.
 
Other activities include film viewing, contests on logo and poster-making, extemporaneous speech, mural painting, and Search for Mr. and Ms. YLS 2012.
 
Youth participants are also expected to organize their community action plan and pass a manifesto or oath for peace on the final day of the summit. (DED-PIA 12, South Cotabato)
 
==Army troops join Earth Day clean-up drive in Tacurong City==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335164680
*Monday 23rd of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 23 (PIA) -- Troops of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade based in nearby Tacurong City on Saturday joined different sectors in a clean-up drive, which was part of the city’s celebration of the Earth Day 2012.
 
Civil military operations officer Cpt. Alex Escalante, explained the Unifier Brigade’s participation in the “Limpyo Kalog” (cleaning of canals) was to encourage people to participate in environmental preservation and protection.
 
Other participants of the activity were member of the Philippine National Police, employees and officials of the local government units, academe and the transports groups.
 
Non-government organizations, civil society and the private sector also joined in the activity.
 
Clean-up focused on cleaning of the city’s canals of wastes, debris, plastics and other materials that could clog the drainage during heavy rains as well as clearing of the grasses along the national highway.
 
After the clean-up drive, participants converged at the City Hall Ground for a short program
 
Unifier Brigade commander, Col. Edmundo Pangilinan reminded the participants: “Earth Day is every day, so let us work together and better care for our natural environment.
 
Tacurong City councilor Psyche Sucaldito, Tacurong , chairperson of the committee on environment also expressed appreciation to all participants for sharing their time and effort to care for Mother Earth.
 
Earth Day is an annual global celebration, spearheaded by the Earth Day Network. It is geared toward bringing awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.
 
This year, the Earth Day Network expected at least two billion people worldwide joining the Earth Day celebration and helping “Mobilize the Earth.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Peace Council objects to establishment of MILF camps in the So. Cotabato==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611335053963
*Sunday 22nd of April 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 22 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Governor Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy Jr. during its second quarter meeting on Wednesday passed two resolutions objecting the putting up of two camps in the province by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
 
Senior Board Member Jose Madanguit, who was the proponent of the two resolutions, disclosed that the acts of the MILF was in violation of the present ceasefire agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF.
 
The first resolution specifically objected to the putting up of a camp at Tudok, T’boli, while the second resolution also objected the putting up of a satellite camp at Sitio Lampakpak, Lampari, Banga.
 
Both resolutions also called for the immediate dismantling of the two camps.
 
The move was prompted after the presentation of Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in the town of Tupi, confirming the presence of the MILF to set up camps in the province.
 
“The MILF 107th Base Command with a strength, more or less, of about 200 fully armed combatants, was responsible for setting up the camp in Tudok, T’boli,” Bravo added, ”but the camp is currently maintained by members numbering between 30 to 40 only.”
 
In Sitio Lampakpak, Lampari, Banga, the military has monitored around 11 fully armed members staying in the satellite camp.
 
Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo and Banga Mayor Henry Ladot, who were present during the meeting and whose municipalities bordered the MILF satellite camp, expressed their respective concerns regarding the situation and appealed for intervention, especially in the dismantling of the camp.
 
The satellite camp was previously occupied by the MILF, but dismantled about five years ago, which raised questions among PPOC members why the said group occupied it again.
 
In an interview with a radio station here today, MILF vice chairman Gadzali Jaafar confirmed that they have several camps in South Cotabato and the neighboring provinces of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
 
He, however, cannot confirm the presence of the camps that were identified in the PPOC resolution.
 
Jaafar emphasized that residents in South Cotabato need not be concerned about the camps in the province because they respect the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government. (DED-PIA 12/ FS-SoCot-PIO)
 
==DTI’s SME Caravan 2012 focuses on upgrading enterprises==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334961208
*Saturday 21st of April 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Southern Mindanao April 21 (PIA) -- Once again, Sultan Kudarat province’s Department of Trade and Industry will gather micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Soccsksargen Region to help boost local enterprises.
 
This time though, preferred participants to the SME Caravan 2012 at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium in Isulan town on April 25 to 26 are those who have existing enterprises and are looking for means to improve their businesses.
 
Sultan Kudarat Trade & Industry Provincial Director Nelly Dillera said the SME Caravan 2012 aims to provide the local entrepreneurs with first hand information on entrepreneurship – from improvement of product to capacitating entrepreneurs.
 
“This year’s SME Caravan in Region 12 would help the growing number of entrepreneurs learn how to manage their businesses, access funds, maintain high level of product quality for food and enhance their awareness on sensing the right and legitimate local and international market opportunities,” Dillera said.
 
“There shall also be a topic on Tourism Product Identification and Development to aid the tourism officers and even landowners in identifying potential area for tourism development.”
 
Among the resource persons invited for the breakout sessions include Roberto Castañeda and Euclid Cezar.
 
Castañeda, who will share his knowledge on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and surviving pitfalls of small businesses, is the founder of the Don Roberto’s Winery, producer of the world’s first mango wine. Besides, its green mango and sweet mango wines, his company also produces brewed coffee wine.
 
Cezar, a professor of San Beda College – Manila, is a well-known business coach and host of “Super Entrepinoy” program. He is the owner of Ink More which sells ready-to-use ink cartridges.
 
“We want to benchmark what these entrepreneurs have done to be able to inspire our ‘kababayans’ to aspire to attain what these entrepreneurs have achieved,” Dillera said in an interview with a local radio station.
 
Other resource persons include Engr. Menandro Ortego, OIC Testing and Inspection Division of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), who will discuss food safety assurance system; and Dennis Monong, assistant vice president for Mindanao operations of People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) who will teach MSMEs how to find best financing for their businesses.
 
Side events such as trade fair of Region 12’s best products, market matching, product evaluation, design exhibit, online business name registration, and plant visit and assessment for the acquisition of Food and Drug License to Operate.
 
Dillera said preferred participants are entrepreneurs involved in the region’s priority industries like processors of coffee, muscovado, banana, coconut, bangus/fishery, crafts, bamboo, pangasius, rubber, palm oil, mango, ICT-BPO.
 
Dillera reported that number of new businesses in Sultan Kudarat has increased 84 percent, from 959 newly registered businesses in 2010 to 1,770 in 2011. Last year, 121 new entrepreneurs were created, which is 74 percent higher than the 107 new entrepreneurs in 2010.
 
This is a two-day activity for free but reservations must be made for pre-screening. Contact the nearest DTI office for details and reservations. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
==South Cotabato generally peaceful -- PNP==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611334888702
*Friday 20th of April 2012
:by  (Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr./DED-PIA 12/SoCot PIO)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 20 (PIA) -- “The peace and order situation in the province is generally peaceful, under control,” Police Senior Superintendent Randolf Delfin, South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO) Provincial Director, during the 2nd quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held on Wednesday in Koronadal City.
 
For the first quarter of the year, Delfin said, the province’s total crime volume was 793. Of this number 494 were cleared and 218 were solved.
 
PD Delfin said that the province’s crime rate in the first quarter of this year have reduced compared to last year in the same period.
 
Data indicated that the crime rate for the first quarter of 2012 averaged 31.9% versus 35.7% in the first quarter of last year, he reported.
 
Crime solution efficiency, he continued, increased from 25% in 2011 to 27.33% in 2012; crime cleared efficiency also increased from 53.33% in 2011 to 73.33% in 2012.
 
The SCPPO scored big in its campaign against illegal drugs with 33 persons arrested out of 18 operations conducted, and confiscating in the process illegal drugs (both marijuana and shabu) with an estimated DDB street value of more than P5 million .
 
In its campaign against wanted persons, 75 persons with warrants of arrest were apprehended while 18 financiers, coordinators or ushers were likewise arrested in its campaign against illegal gambling.
 
he SCPPO report further indicated that they were able to recover IEDs at Lamba, Banga and Magon, Tantangan early this year, and 18 low-powered and high-powered firearms which resulted in the apprehension of 12 suspects.
 
In their anti-carnapping campaign, the SCPPO were able to recover 15 motorcycles out of the 23 incidents reported, in which six cases have been filed in court.
 
==RDRRMC, LGUs in Soccsksargen region discuss RA 10121==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611334810706
*Thursday 19th of April 2012
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 19 (PIA) -- Local chief executives and LGU officials involved in disaster risk reduction and management across Soccsksargen region gathered here yesterday to discuss issues pertaining to the two-year old RA 10121 otherwise known as "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010".
 
Jerome Barranco, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 12, explained that the regional consultation organized by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 12 was called to clarify issues regarding RA 10121.
 
He said there have been “varying interpretations of the new law resulting in either immediate or delayed establishment of the local DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management ) councils.”
 
“The latter was due to the hesitation or fear of violating audit and budget rules,” he continued.
 
He added that they brought together governors and mayors as well as chairpersons of local DRRMs and budget officers of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos City basically to increase local awareness on the DRRM law.
 
Objectives include orienting the LGUs on civil service guidelines pertaining to the establishment of DRMM offices and budgetary and audit guidelines on the allocation and utilization of the local DRRM funds.
 
Regional officials of the Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and Management, and Commission of Audit were present to discuss the aforementioned issues with the LCEs and other LGU officials.
 
It was also a venue for the LGUs and local DRRM councils to learn from the successful experiences of some locally established DRRM offices, including South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and Tupi municipality, Barranco further explained.
 
Tupi’s Barangay Poblacion’s DRRM Council of is a Gawad Kalasag National Awardee for its excellent implementation of disaster risk reduction and management plan and humanitarian assistance.
 
“The importance of disaster preparedness cannot be relegated to the backseat,” South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said during his presentation of his provinces DRRM efforts.
 
He emphasized that the LGUs are primarily tasked with a great responsibility of protecting its inhabitants.
 
This is why, the said, South Cotabato LGU is set to organize disaster response teams from the grassroots.
 
At least 44 volunteers per barangay will be trained to improve the capability of the villages to respond to disasters and calamities, the governor added.
 
In 2011, South Cotabato’s provincial board passed SP Resolution 99 s. 2011 for the establishment of the provincial DRRM office, now being headed by the provincial administrator with initial designation of employees from the Disaster Management Section of the Disaster and Crisis Management Division of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office along with some employees under the Provincial Administrator’s Office.


“This was resorted to because there were no clear-cut guidelines covering the staffing requirements for the PDRRMO,” Gov. Pingoy reasoned.


As per section 21 of the RA 10121, “not less than five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources should be set aside as Local DRRM Fund.”


Seventy percent of which can be allocated for “pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities, and for payment of premiums on calamity insurance.”


“The remaining 30 percent shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or standy-fund for relief and recovery programs.”


However, Pingoy pointed out, that the same law has not been clear about the 70 percent pre-disaster allocation.


“There have been discussions whether we are allowed to purchase rescue vehicles out of this fund.”


“We are happy to hear that we have with us DBM and COA,” he said. “Hopefully we will be enlightened on this problem.”


Meanwhile, Director Ronald I. Flores, civil defense executive officer of the Office of the Civil Defense central office who came here as guest of honor announced that the national government is on the final stage of putting up a guideline on the utilization of the Local DRRM Fund.


==Koronadal LGU brings offices closer to villagers==
“In due time, the national council, especially the financial community of the national government will come up with a guideline on the utilization of the Local DRRM Fund,” Flores said.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611328335296
*Saturday 4th of February 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


“What is stipulated in the implementing rules and regulations related to RA 10121 is that the money can be used for preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation,” he said.


“This allows for a wide interpretation by the local government units, including the Commission on Audit which looks into out financial transactions.”


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 4 (PIA) --  Residents of  the 27  barangays  in this  city  can  expect  services of  the city local  government unit  to be more accessible.
However, Flores assured that in the guideline that the national government will issue soon will be specific as to where these funds can be allocated.  
This  after the city LGU  launched  its “Programang  Bayanihan para sa Mamamayan,”  which  begins this month.
Mayor Peter  B. Miguel  explained through the  bayanihan, basic  services  will be brought  closer  to the  residents  by  bringing the city  offices  to each barangay  for a day.
He also  hopes to establish closer  ties  between  offiicials  and  citizens  through a fellowship.
Besides the office of the city mayor, other departments  such as civil registrar, environment  and natural  resources, engineering, veterinary, population, social welfare and development, assessor, nutrition, cooperative, Comelec, business permits and licensing system, cooperative and information  will set up offices  in the target  barangays  for  one  day.
The activity  will be  a  one-stop shop  where needs  of villagers  could  be  attended  to.  This would  also  be time for locals  to  settle  their accounts with the city  government, the mayor said. 
Among the services  that residents  can avail of include: real  property  tax, assistance  and consultation regarding  organization of  cooperatives, medical  and  dental  services, lectures on  family planning and responsible  parenthood, free  registration of live birth, payment of  taxes, and many others.
There  will also  be free  haircut and  sharpening  of  tools.
Just  recently,  Mayor  Miguel called  on  barangay captains  to actively  support the activity. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==LGU padlocks 94 stalls in public market==
He said the guideline is being prepared by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, DBM, Department of Finance, and OCD. Preparations for the said guideline, he added, was started after RA 10121 became a law on May 27, 2010.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611328256579
*Friday 3rd of February 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==NIA-12 honors outstanding irrigators in 34th anniv==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611334716951
*Wednesday 18th of April 2012
:by Danilo E. Doguiles




KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato Feb. 3 (PIA) --   Some 94  stalls  inside the  Koronadal City  Public Market  were  padlocked yesterday  following an  order  from the  Office of the City  Treasurer.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 18 (PIA) -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-12) celebrates its 34th founding anniversary this week with a lineup of several activities culminating in the awarding of outstanding irrigators’ associations, officials, and employees.  
Owners of these  stalls,  according to  acting city treasurer Marluon Gumbao – majority  from the  meat section --  have  been  remiss in renewing their  business  permit  and  rental despite repeated  notices and  reminders.
A composite team  from  the Office of the City Treasurer, City Administrator’s Office, City Security Unit, Koronadal  City PNP, and Office of the Market Supervisor implemented the  closure of stalls.
Gumbao said, this is  to show that the  city government is  bent on implementing  its campaign against delinquent stall  business  operators.
He  added  the treasurer’s office was serious  when  he  promised that  they will publish the names  of delinquent  stall owners  and padlock their  stalls  if they refuse to settle their accounts.
Generally, he  said, except  for  minor altercations, stall  owners  had  not  reacted violently to their implementation of the closure orders.
“They know that  we have regulatory powers and that  we  have not  exceeded  our authority,” he explained.
“I am thankful that the  stall owners  inside  the public market  understood  us. Although  some  of them  did not  expect  that  we will actually  execute our promise,” he said.
Gumbao  they will  continue with their campaign.


Eveyln Bragasin, information officer of NIA-12 said activities of the three-day celebration, which started yesterday, include sports competitions in volleyball, dart, badminton, and table tennis. She added that there shall also be cultural dance and choir competitions and Search for Miss NIA-12.


Outstanding irrigators’ associations, irrigation management office managers, operation and maintenance chiefs and employees will also be given awards on April 19 at the Notre Dame of Midsayap College Gymnasium in Midsayap, Cotabato. NIA administrator Antonio s. Nangel will be the guest of honor and speaker in the awards program.


Major awardees this year include Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik of North Cotabato as most outstanding Irrigation Management Office Manager, Engr. Gina L. Lozano as most outstanding operation and maintenance chief; Bulacanon IA, Inc. of North Cotabato as most outstanding irrigators’ association under the communal irrigation systems category and Napal-Conel Road IA, Inc. of General Santos City as most outstanding irrigators association for the national irrigation systems category.


Outstanding awardees for operation and maintenance are Engrs. Edna C. Bantala, irrigation superintendent of Libungan River Irrigation System; Flora May D. Respicio, principal engineer A of Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System; Rory F. Avance, principal engineer A of Kabacan River Irrigation System; Orlando A. Tibang, principal engineer A of Marbel-Banga Rivers Irrigation System; Julio L. Antenor, principal engineer A of Ala River Irrigation System and Cesar D. Agduma, principal engineer A of Lambayong/Tacurong River Irrigation System.


Mary Grace S. Gonzales of Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System will also receive recognition as outstanding senior water resource facilities technician.


NIA-12 will also honor irrigators' associations who have shown exemplary performance in the past year.


For its Club 100 Award, NIA-12 will honor 13 irrigators associations (IA) from the national irrigation systems and for the communal irrigation systems, 19 from North Cotabato area, 9 from Sultan Kudarat, 1 from Maguindanao and 9 from Sarangani.


“The Club 100 Award is given to IAs of national irrigation systems which has attained 100 percent collection efficiency for both wet and dry seasons with an average programmed area of 80 percent of the service area, average irrigated area for wet and dry seasons is 80 percent of the programmed area and the benefited area for dry and wet seasons is 80 percent of the irrigated area,” Bragasin explained.


It is also given to, “IAs of communal irrigation systems which have attained 100 percent or more Current Amortization Payment Efficiency with no back account or have fully paid their back account due.”


==Labor attaché to Rome assumes post as DOLE-12 chief==
Four IAs in North Cotabato, two in South Cotabato, two in Sarangani and one in Sultan Kudarat have qualified for the Golden Star Award.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611328063229
*Wednesday 1st of February 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles


Moreover, Silver Star Awards will be given to two IAs in Maguindanao and one in Sultan Kudarat.


Bragasin explained that Golden Star Award is given to IAs from the national and communal irrigation systems which garnered the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Outstanding Rating) while Silver Star Award is given to IAs from both national and communal irrigation systems with the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Very Satisfactory Rating).


KORONADAL CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) --   Chona Mantilla,  labor attaché  to Rome,   today  begins her new  assignment  at the Department of Labor  and Employment  in Soccsksargen Region (DOLE-12).
Buluan-Pigcawayan Irrigators Association, Inc. of North Cotabato will receive a special award for being a Hall of Famer in the Highest Functionality Survey Rating.  
Mantilla  takes the place of Atty. Ma. Gloria  Tango, who  is re-assigned  as  regional director of  DOLE  in Central Visayas in accordance to the  order of Labor and Employment  Secretary Rosalinda  Baldoz for the  department-wide reshuffling of regional  directors and  assistant  regional  directors to strengthen the delivery of services  and to maintain transparency in all DOLE offices.
Assistant  Regional Director  Joel  Gonzales  is also transferred as ARD Caraga  Region (Region 13). In his lieu,  former  Zamboanga Peninsula  ARD Yahya  Centi now  serves as  ARD of  DOLE-12.
Mantilla,  a  graduate  of  AB Journalism and  Bachelor of Laws  from Silliman University  and Master of Social Sciences  from  the University of Tasmania  in  Australia,  was  labor attaché to Rome  from 2009 to 2011.
She  was  regional  director of DOLE in Caraga Region  from  2005  until  2009.
During the turn-over ceremony on  Monday,  Mantilla  said, she is ready to  immediately  begin  with  her  new assignment.
“I am  very fortunate because I am ushered  into  a  regional office with  veteran leaders  like RD Tango and  ARD Jong (Gonzales),”  she  said.
One of her  most  immediate  activities, she added,  is to  look into the  work and  financial plan  prepared  by the regional  staff under the  leadership of  Director  Tango.
“We will try to continue  what has  been  done  before  and with the  help of  the regional  staff,  as  well as  our partners in the agency, our  private partners  and the media we will be  able to work  out  more development for the region,”  she  said.
She  assured  that she  will continue the  agency’s  focus on  employment  facilitation,  labor relations, and  welfare of the labor force.
“I would also like  to  strengthen  relationship with local government  units as well as  our private partners,”  she said.
Immediately after the  turn-over ceremony,  Mantilla scheduled a meeting with  the  Regional Coordinating  Council,  provincial  heads  and  division  chiefs  to  validate  plans  and programs.
She said she  will  also meet  with local officials  in  Soccsksargen Region, which  covers the provinces  of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato and the cities  of  Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos.
Regarding  her  predecessor, she said,  Atty. Tango  has  been  her  role model. “An institution,” she described. 
“Mahirap  pantayan ang  previous  leadership, talagang  crème dela  crème,”  she said.
In her stay as  chief of  DOLE  12,  Tango was credited  for  leading in the promotion of industrial  peace  in the  region  as  evidenced  by zero strike in her entire five-year stint here. It was  also  during her leadership that DOLE 12  achieved ISO 9001-2008 certification for its  quality management system. 
Mantilla  is  confident that  her administration  will succeed  with the  help of the regional team  and the network of  partners.
“Let us help one another,”  she asked the participants  of the turn-over ceremony.
Meanwhile, Carlito  Uy,  vice chairman for management of the  Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace  Council said  Director Mantilla  can  expect  full  support  from their group.
“We are  ready  for  whatever program  that  she will introduce in line with  labor and management relationship,”  he said  “especially  in the promotion of industrial  peace.”
“I am  sure,  given her  experience as  regional director  of Caraga and as  labor attaché, she knows what would be best  for both labor and management,” Uy added. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) 
Tags:  [ information on Department  of Labor and Employment ][ DOLE-12 ][ Chona  Mantilla ][ Gloria Tango ]


==South Cotabato LGU hands more chairs, tables to public schools==
This year’s celebration theme is “Samahang NIA, IA at LGU Patuloy na Pagtibayin Upang Makamtan Sapat na Pagkain ng Pamayanan.”
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=74351
*Tuesday, January 31, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles


According to the agency’s website, NIA-12 “formally started its operation as a region on April 10, 1978 with its office based at Villarica, Midsayap, North Cotabato.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- In line with its continuing efforts to help the Department of Education (DepEd) address its problems, the provincial government of South Cotabato donated chairs and tables to 11 public schools.
“That time, it was composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat. It had only four operational national irrigation systems, namely: Libungan, Kabacan, Mlang, and Malasila River Irrigation Systems.”  
In a ceremony at the covered court at the provincial capital here just recently, Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr. handed 49 tables, 790 arm chairs and 351 kiddie chairs to school heads.
These were made possible with help from the local government unit’s private partners including Mahintana Foundation Inc., Dole Philippines, and Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), in response to DepEd report that the province lacks at least 15,000 chairs for government elementary and secondary schools.
“So far, we have already distributed 4,000 to 5,000 chairs,” Gov. Pingoy said.
Recipients of the latest batch of chairs and tables were Tampakan Central Elementary School, Tampakan SPED Center and Lampitak National High School in Tampakan; Lamba Central School and Liwanay Elementary School in Banga; Carpenter Hill Day Care Center and Marbel 1 Central Elementary School in Koronadal City; Surallah Central Elementary School in Surallah; San Miguel National High School in Norala; Silway 7 Elementary School in Polomolok; and Cebuano National High School in Tupi.
Rudy Jimenea, chief of staff of the Office of the Provincial Governor, explained these schools were earlier identified by DepEd report as those lacking in chairs and tables.
He explained the tables and kiddie chairs were intended for use by kindergarten classes in public elementary schools in support to the implementation of the department’s K+12 program.
The provincial government, Gov. Pingoy said, has allocated P1.5 million from the province’s special education for the fabrication of chairs and tables.
“Normally, we spend about P750 for the fabrication of each chair,” Gov. Pingoy said, “but with the partnership, the provincial government paid only about P150 per chair.”
Mahintana, Dolefil, and SMI also allocated funds for the fabrication of chairs and tables, the governor said, “as part of their social responsibilities to help provide education for children.”
Gov. Pingoy said, the project was also made possible with the assistance of the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that allowed use of illegally cut logs confiscated from illegal loggers in South Cotabato as materials for the production of chairs and tables.
Materials used were taken from the 12,987 board feet of cut lumber confiscated in raid a remote village in Lake Sebu town in May last year.
Government Pingoy also saw the distribution of chairs and tables as an opportunity to push for the provincial government’s greening program.
“For every chair that we give, the school is required to plant ten trees,” he said.
The provincial government has yet to implement the tree-growing component of the project because this will be done simultaneously in one event.
He said, part of the program is to solicit the commitment of the schools to make sure that the seedlings that will be planted will be cared for. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==Another fish kill hits Lake Sebu in South Cotabato==
At present, NIA 12 covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat as well as the province of Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/42577-Another-fish-kill-hits-Lake-Sebu-in-South-Cotabato.html
*Monday, January 30. 2012
:by  (PNA)
LAP/FFC/AVE/HST


Among the guests expected to attend the awarding ceremony are North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan, DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia J. Datukan, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza, Midsayap Mayor Manuel M. Rabara, Libungan Mayor Manuel T, Dela Serna, Pigcawayan Mayor Roberto S. Blasé and Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Ramil B. Dilangalen, Al Haj and Mr. Gerardo R. Barrientos, president of the Regional Confederation of Irrigators Association president. (DED-PIA 12)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Fishery officials advised local consumers Monday to refrain from buying dried Tilapia from Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato following another fish kill in the area over the weekend triggered by “kamahong,” a phenomenon marked by a rise in the lake’s
water temperature.
Rex Vargas, provincial fishery coordinator, said they received reports that some 46.05 metric tons (MT) of Tilapia were killed as of last Friday.
He said another 2.5 MT were added to the reported damage Monday based on a report submitted by Lake Sebu municipal fishery coordinator Oding Kunan.
“Consumers are advised not to buy nor consume dried Tilapia from Lake Sebu because of the fish kill,” he said.
Lake Sebu town is a major producer of fresh and dried Tilapia in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.
Tilapia products from the area are sold in wet markets in the region, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Cotabato, Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato and Kidapawan.
Vargas said a total of 48 fish cage owners were affected by the fish kill, which were so far valued at P3.8 million based on Tilapia’s market price of P80 per kilo.
“The accounted damage was only those inside the fish cages. Those outside were not yet accounted for,” he said.
Vargas said the provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, is closely monitoring the fish kill, which was the second incident recorded in the area since July.
Kamahong, which usually occurs from September to February, was mainly traced to the rise of sulfuric acid in the lake’s waters.
“It occurs when cold rainwater, which is heavier than warm water, settles at the abyssal zone of the lake. This causes the water upturn or updwelling of warm water carrying silts, sediments, and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulphur and methane gas produced by the decomposing organic matter such as fish feeds,” Vargas explained.
In July last year, the occurrence of “Kamahong” affected seven fish cages in Lake Sebu, destroying around 13 MT of Tilapia worth P1.04 million.
The provincial government earlier acquired some 500,000 fingerlings of Tilapia from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to replenish the damaged fish stocks.
Vargas said their office submitted another request to BFAR on Monday for the acquisition of an additional 2.5 million Tilapia fingerling worth P625,000 for distribution to affected fish cage owners.


==SP studying proposal to declare Tampakan a protected watershed==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/01/29/sp-studying-proposal-to-declare-tampakan-a-protected-watershed/
* Sunday| January 29, 2012
:by  Bong S. Sarmiento




BANGA, South Cotabato—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of South Cotabato is studying the proposal of the local Catholic Church to declare the mountains in Tampakan as a protected watershed, a senior official said on Saturday.
Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa confirmed the provincial board has received the letter of Fr. Gillarme Joy Pelino, Social Action Center director of the Diocese of Marbel, asking to declare the mineral-rich mountains of Tampakan as a protected watershed.
“We have discussed the proposal and came to an agreement that it should be studied carefully,” Tolosa told MindaNews at the sidelines of a tree planting activity here.
Once the Tampakan mountains will be declared a protected watershed, any forms of mining and other environmentally-destructive activities will eventually be banned in the area.
Sagittarius Mines, Inc., which is backed by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper, has been pursuing the Tampakan project, touted as the largest known undeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia.
But the bid to bring it on commercial stream suffered a major blow early this month after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources rejected its application for an environmental compliance certificate.
An ECC is one of the requirements before a mining venture is allowed to proceed to commercial phase.
The denial of Sagittarius Mines’ ECC was due to the open-pit mining ban imposed by South Cotabato.
“We are returning herewith the application documents with instruction to deny the same, without prejudice to resubmission, until the issues and concern on the use of open-pit mining method shall have been clarified and resolved by the company[SMI] with the provincial government of South Cotabato,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said in a memorandum dated last January 3.
With the ECC rejection, SAC’s Peliño urged the board members to continue protecting and upholding the environment code and pass an ordinance for the declaration of the mountains in Tampakan as a protected watershed area.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez separately wrote South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy, Jr to facilitate the declaration of the mountains in Tampakan as a protected watershed area and to stand firm in banning open-pit mining method in the province.
“Do not be afraid. We are strongly behind you. We have these resources: enlightened voters and the praying nuns [namely] the Trappistines, Poor Clares and Passionists,” the bishop said in his letter.
Board members Jose Madanguit, vice chairman of the environmental protection committee, said he favors the declaration of Tampakan as a protected watershed.
“If that will happen, mining will be disallowed there,” he said in a radio interview.
Madanguit was chairperson of the committee on environmental protection of the previous SP that approved the environmental code that bans open-pit mining method in the province.
But as a whole, the SP has no common stand yet as to the request of the religious leaders to declare to mountains in Tampakan as a protected watershed area, Vice Gov. Tolosa reiterated. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)


==Finnish firm develops organic mining==
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/finnish-%EF%AC%81rm-develops-organic-mining/#.TyTj8sX9nJd
*Jan 28th, 2012
:by  Marvyn N. Benaning




Anti-mining advocates should jump with joy at the success of a Finnish firm called Talvivaara Mining Co. Plc. that experimented in 2005 on the use of air, water, and bacteria to recover metals imbedded in low-grade ores with nickel and zinc, copper, and cobalt from its mine in Sotkamo, Finland.
This process holds promise for such operations as the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) in South Cotabato and other mining ventures nationwide since it eliminates the use of substances perceived to be harmful to the environment.
Since the soil-based bacteria gobble up the ore, what remains are the metals that can be recovered quickly, the developers of the technology said.
Under the Talvivaara system, the ore is extracted, crushed, and stacked inside of a heap pad, bacteria are sprinkled onto the ore, and low-pressure fans are used to supply the bacteria with air from outside. Water is then sprinkled to ensure the bacteria would wash into the ore.
As bacteria gobbles up the ore, the chemical wastes they release liquefy the remaining metal, and the solution is then collected in a pond outside the heap and sent to a plant where the metals are recovered.
The solution is recycled and applied to the heap to allow the bacteria to consume the ore anew.
“The Talvivaara polymetallic deposits, Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi, comprise one of the largest known sulphide nickel resources in Europe with 1.121 billion tons of ore in measured and indicated categories, sufficient to support an anticipated production for several decades. Production at the mine started in October 2008 with the precipitation of the first metal sulphides,“ the company said.








==South Cotabato fetes scholar graduates==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46390-South-Cotabato-fetes-scholar-graduates.html
*Tuesday, April 17. 2012
:by (PNA)
DCT/LOR/AVE/HST




GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato recently honored at least 115 student-beneficiaries of its Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program (KPSP) who have graduated from various colleges and universities in the area.
Alex Basco, KPSP executive officer, said the local government feted the graduates in recognition of their hardships and perseverance in pursuing their studies in the past several years.
He said the scholars received certificates of completion for completing the degree and non-degree programs they pursued.
Of this year’s graduates, seven were from batch three and 26 from batch four of the degree category while 75 were from the sixth batch of the non-degree category.
“Most of the graduates under the degree category took up courses in education, nursing, business administration, accountancy and engineering. For the non-degree category, most of the scholars took up computer-related courses,” Basco said.
The official said the scholarship program has so far produced 41 four-year degree holders and 128 non-degree or ladderized program graduates.
Basco said they have advised the program’s incoming scholars to take up courses or programs that have high employment demands such as mechanical engineering and electronics, agriculture, medical technology and pharmacy, among others.
He said they dissuaded them from taking up courses that have been placed on moratorium by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), among them the nursing degree.
The provincial government, which has institutionalized the scholarship program, has set aside an annual budget of P15 million for its implementation.
Such budget is on top of its P9 million annual allocation for the grant-in-aid program for tertiary, secondary and elementary students as well as for short or modular courses for the out-of-school youths.
Aside from the KPSP graduates, the local government also gave recognition to its six scholars who have completed their two-year Midwifery ladderized course at the University of the Philippines-Manila School of Health Sciences extension campus in Koronadal City.
As part of the program, the six graduates will be taking a brief break to serve their communities before proceeding to the nursing course and medical degree later on.




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==P1-B cash grant for Soccsksargen, some ARMM areas==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=74113
*Friday, January 27, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles




KORONADAL CITY, January 27 (PIA) -- The national government has spent P1,075,479,100 for conditional cash transfer to poorest of the poor families in the Soccsksargen Region (Region 12) and portions of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Department of Social Welfare and Development 12 Regional Director Zorahayda Taha said, this amount was used as cash grants for 148,660 household-beneficiaries of the Philippine government’s premiere anti-poverty initiative, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
This funds were directly given to the beneficiaries, she said.
“To date, we are covering 44 towns and six cities. Just recently, we expanded our coverage to 15 more in Region 12. The government is concern with the condition of our poor and fortunate people,” Taha said.
Localities included in the recent expansion include Kidapawan City and the towns of Kabacan, Libungan, Makilala, Midsayap, and M’langin North Cotabato; Tacurong City and Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat Province; Koronadal City, Norala, Polomolok, Surallah, Tampakan, Tantangan,and Tupi in South Cotabato.
DSWD 12 aims to enlist at least 96,695 households from these expansion areas, Taha said.
Through the conditional cash transfers program, the national government provides subsidies to the poorest of the poor households in the country identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
These cash grants are subject to conditions, including requiring children to go to school regularly, mothers to visit their local health facilities, and attendance to meetings of community organizations.
Under the CCT program each household-beneficiary received a monthly allowance of P500 for basic food needs. Additional P300 is also given for every child (up to 14 years old) who goes to school; a maximum of three children can get the allowance.
In his visit to the Philippines late last year, World Bank Group president Robert B. Zoellick has backed proposals to expand the government’s food subsidy program for the lowest-income Filipino households, saying that economic growth should benefit the poor.
He described the government’s CCT as a prudent safety net for poor families, especially in these tough economic times. Around 40 other countries supported by the World Bank implement a conditional subsidy program for the poor.
Just recently, Director Taha announced that DSWD-12 has delisted 11,367 household –beneficiaries from 4Ps in line with their efforts to cleanse the list of beneficiaries with unqualified grant recipients.
Among those removed were government employees, teachers, barangay officials, even overseas Filipino workers who were included in the list because of errors in the encoding of NHTS-PR. (PIA)


==LGU helps upgrade state U’s laboratory facilities==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=73958
*Thursday, January 26, 2012
:by  PIA Press Release




KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region’s largest state university would soon be upgrading its mobile laboratories with help from the provincial government of North Cotabato.
Just recently, Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza and Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije, president of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), which has its main campus in Kabacan town, North Cotabato signed a memorandum of agreement for the upgrading of the latter’s Mobile Vet Clinic and Agriculture Mobile Laboratory.
With the MOA, the provincial commits to give P4 million to the state university for the enhancement of the said laboratories that would guarantee low cost neighborhood health clinic for animals and livestock as well as expert technical assistance for farmers.
The mobile veterinary clinic, managed by USM’s College of Veterinary Medicine is equipped with state-of-art amenities. It is being upgraded to become an outreach facility of the college and its students throughout the province and shall offer convenient ambulatory clinic that provides health care services to animals, pets, livestock, and poultry.
It will also be furnished with necessary tools, supplies, and equipment for animal and livestock outpatient services.
Once upgraded, the clinic will have improved capacities to provide free physical exams, vaccinations, dental care, parasite control treatments, as well as diagnostic procedures including ultrasound, blood, urine and fecal testing for animals with the same high quality and complete healthcare as in a complete veterinary clinic.
USM’s agriculture mobile laboratory program intends to provide diagnostic services for the nutritional management of oil palm, rubber and other crops.
Besides offering technical assistance to farmers regarding interpretation of laboratory analyses results, it shall also educate farmers on the appropriate fertilizer requirement of high-value commercial crops in different soil types.
The mobile laboratory will also provide procedural instructions about the production technology of crops included within the program.
While all other services shall be given free of charge, laboratory analysis shall be paid based on prevailing charges of the university.
Half of the amount, which will be charged against the provincial government’s 20% General Funds, will be used for the veterinary clinic while the remaining P2 million will used for the agri laboratory.
Unless earlier revoked, the agreement binds both parties into a partnership in providing relevant services for three years.
USM is a premiere state institution of learning with a regular enrolment of 9,000 to 12,000 students.
Besides providing instruction services, the university is also known for its research, extension and production services being home of two national research and development center: the University of South Mindanao Agricultural Research Center and the Philippine Industrial Crops Research Institute.
It conducts research, development and extension services on agricultural crops such as rice, corn, fruit crops, rubber, palm oil, coffee , root crops and many others as well as on poultry and livestock. (PIA-12)


==Police undergo training on responding to crime incidence==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=73769
*Wednesday, January 25, 2012
:by  PIA Press Release


==No extension for filing of ITR – BIR==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334554779
*Monday 16th of April 2012
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Investigative and tactical capabilities of police force in the Soccsksargen Region are being enhanced with a training on responding to crime incidents.
PSupt Resty Damaso, information officer of the Police Regional Office 12, said, some 43 police personnel from the provincial and city police offices in Region 12 are undergoing a ten-day Police First Responder Course at the US Naval Training Facility Bldg. in Tambler, General Santos City.
“The primary objective of the training course is to further enhance and develop the knowledge and skills of First Responders in the administration of first aid and basic life support,” Damaso said.
It seeks to enhance the investigative and tactical capability of the police force in responding to crime incidents and other emergency situations, he added
“The training also provides police officers, especially those tasked to perform patrol duties, knowledge and skills necessary upon arrival at a crime scene as well as different tasks a police officer needs to perform in aid of investigation.”
The training also gives basic life support system to crime victims and other emergency situation.
Damaso said, included in the modules that police trainers are expected to learn cover procedures on handling specific incidents such as bombing and bomb threats, shooting incidents, robbery, and hold-up.
They are also taught proper ways of moving and extricating the victims involved in different situations as well as tactical moves to protect the responders against hostile environment was being taught, he added.
During the opening program on January 23, P/SSupt Norberto Batislaong, OIC of PRO-12’s Regional Directorate Staff, emphasized, “being a first responder is not only our duty as police officers, but also our duty as a citizen of this country. We don’t know as to when we will be confronted by accidents or events that need an immediate response, thus, it is our advantage that we know what should be done during such times.”
“We are the frontliners in terms of public safety, thus, people look upon us in every untoward incident. We cannot afford to appear incapable in their eyes, because we cannot afford to lose their trust. It is in their trust that we attain efficiency in our work, without their trust, our sworn duties and responsibilities to serve and protect the public would be futile,” he reminded them.
The training course will end on February 3. (PIA12)


==Mining firm backs greening campaign==
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/mining-firm-backs-greening-campaign/#.Tx7T46X9nJd
*Jan 24th, 2012
:by  MARVYN N. BENANING


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , April 16 (PIA) -- Taxpayers only have until 12 midnight today, April 16, to file their income tax returns (ITR) and their will be no extension, an official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue here said.


Manila, Philippines – The plan of local officials to ban large-scale mining in South Cotabato may be offensive to Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) but the company is backing to the hilt the campaign to reforest the largely denuded province.
Aileen Punzalan, assessment section chief of BIR Revenue District 111 (Koronadal City/South Cotabato), said, like other BIR offices across the region, their office will be open from 8:00 am in the morning until 12:00 midnight to cater to taxpayers who have waited for the deadline to file their respective ITRs.  
SMI has actually produced 600,000 seedlings of indigenous forest trees and commercial trees in its nurseries located at the Liberty Core Farm in Tampakan, South Cotabato and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur and had supported the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) since its inception in May 2011.
Ironically, the mining company also launched a reforestation drive in Marbel, South Cotabato, center of opposition to the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project, in the second half of 2011.
The city has lost much of its forest cover and SMI is supporting the greening campaign to help mitigate the impact of flooding.
Flooding has been a scourge to as many as 80,000 people in the lowlands of South Cotabato, which has more than 200,000 hectares of land planted to pineapples and other high-value crops like bananas and papaya.
However, the water from the creeks and rivers in the Tampakan uplands is not known to swirl down to the lowlands of the province and the water quality in mineralized areas is generally not good for agricultural use.
The mining firm is also engaged in planting trees in an area around the General Santos Airport, a vast tract of land said to be around 2,500 hectares that Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala wants to be transformed into plantations of garlic and onions.
SMI corporate communications manager John B. Arnaldo said the company is mandated by environmental laws to reforest the equivalent of the areas it would develop in the uplands of Tampakan but it has also engaged in propagating the traditional “tuai” tree, which is sacred to the B’laan communities in the town.


==DA-12 chief wants to win back trust of farmers, public==
BIR RD 111, along with other revenue district offices under BIR Revenue Region No. 18, last month began an information drive to urge taxpayers to pay their taxes ahead of the April 16 deadline.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=73552
*Monday, January 23, 2012
:by  PIA Press Release


“But we expect overcrowding in our office today,” she said, “which is why we extend office hours until midnight.”


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) -- “We want to win back farmers; and public trust to the Department of Agriculture,” Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan of the Department of Agricultur e (DA)-12 told a group of farmers in North Cotabato.
This, she said, is also the subject of a directive from BIR Central office to all revenue district offices to hold office until midnight to be able to accommodate all taxpayers.  
In a recent dialogue with farmers at DA-12 facility at Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CMIARC) in Amas, Kidapawan City,Datukan admitted the DA’s image was tarnished by several anomalous transactions in the past such as the fertilizer scam and many other issue of corruption.
She, assured the participants that DA-12 has been working hard to regain the trust of the Filipinos, especially the farmers.
Nelly Escote-Ylanan, head of the Regional Agriculture and Information Division, said that after assuming office in February last year, Director Datukan introduced drastic institutional reforms in DA-12 including re-composition of the bids and awards committee and by closely monitoring projects, making sure that no ghost projects are allowed. She also made sure that only quality materials and services are delivered to their clients.
“The changes felt inside and out of the DA organization now is an answer to her battlecry, not to fail the people who entrusted her the responsibility to lead change and development in the agriculture sector of Soccsksargen Region. The quest for reform in DA in all parts of the country now brings back hope and confidence,” Ylanan said.
“We are now proud to be identified with DA, and confident to face people” Datukan told the dialogue participants, citing that latest in social network survey revealed that DA is no longer included in the top corrupt agencies of the government.
Also during the dialogue, Datukan reported that DA was able to perform well in the food staple production which resulted in the decrease of the country’s rice importation from 2 million metric tons in the previous in 2010 to 860,000 metric tons in 2011.
Region XII contributed 7.44 percent of the annual national production last year, she said.
Lesser import our country, means an advantage to the farmers, she added.
“Farmers will never be successful if people in DA, including other key players in agriculture sector are not sincere in the implementation of all the programs and projects,” she said.


==DA chief urges farmers to help achieve food sufficiency==
“Commissioner Kim Henares has already announced that there will be no extension of the filing of the ITR,” Punzalan pointed out.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=73504
*Sunday, January 22, 2012
:by PIA Press Release


In 2011, BIR in Soccsksargen Region collected a total of P4.4 billion and surpassed its annual target of P4.167 billion by 6.1 percent or P254.09 million.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- Farmers should be in the forefront of making sure that the government efforts to attain food sufficiency would be successful, an agriculture official said. Department of Agriculture Region 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan expressed his challenge to farmers during a recent dialogue with farmers at Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Amas, Kidapawan City. Some 894 bags of certified seeds were distributed to farmers of Kabacan, Pikit, Carmen and M’lang towns affected by recent floods. “Do not leave us alone in this. Join us in the Food Staple Sufficiency Program because this is for the Philippines, the farmers and the citizens of the country,” she told farmer-recipients. She also encouraged them to be positive, enthusiastic and honest in implementing the department’s programs. “I don’t entertain failures. There is no such thing as failure. We’re just challenged by time,” she said, adding that it is difficult to work with people of negative outlook. As front liners in rice production, the farmers should take their role more seriously for the achievement of self-sufficiency in rice and other staple crops in the country, she said. Datukan clarified that the turn-over of bags of palay seeds is not a seed subsidy program of DA but only calamity assistance. She explained that the seed subsidy program was terminated because the department is pursuing long-term projects such as the construction of farm-to-market roads and the acquisition of postharvest facilities, farm machineries and support irrigation facilities. As a reminder, she told farmers, local and provincial agriculture employees to submit their project proposals for the regional office to determine and to confirm which among these would be a significant undertaking for immediate implementation. With regard to the submission of project proposals, she encouraged reinvigoration of farmer’s organizations and communal farmer’s alliances to present a group project proposal. Datukan is looking forward to more enthusiastic, more participative and relatively successful farmers in North Cotabato. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/LMSalvo/DA 12)
BIR RR-18 regional director Rozil Lozares confirmed that 70 percent of these come from the taxes withheld from the income of local employees.  


==South Cotabato eyes P30-M mining revenue for 2012==
This year has started well for the regional revenue with the five revenue district offices collecting P794.225 M or 12.11 percent higher that their period target of P708.463 M.  
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/governance/revenue-generation/2012/01/21/south-cotabato-eyes-p30-m-mining-revenue-for-2012/
*Saturday| January 21, 2012
:by  Bong S. Sarmiento


Considering this performance of the revenue district office, Lozares said, exceeding the P5.126 billion 2012 target is most likely.


==DA releases P6.9-M farm equipment to South Cotabato farmers==
*Source: http://positivenewsmedia.com/blog/2012/04/da-releases-p6-9-m-farm-equipment-to-south-cotabato-farmers/
* Apr 15, 2012
:by  (PNA
FFC/jfm/AVE/HST


KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/20 January) –The provincial government of South Cotabato is expecting to generate P30 million this year from the small-scale mining industry players in the area, officials said.
Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said they are confident of reaching the target as the provincial government has been “enforcing its political will” to flush out illegal small-scale mining activities.
In a statement, he noted that because of the intensified drive against illegal mining activities, the province’s collection from the industry rose to P9.2 million last year from P6.6 million in 2010.
Of the industry revenues last year, P3.5 million came from mining fees and P5.8 million from quarry fees, the Provincial Information Office reported.
Last year, Pingoy ordered a crackdown on small-scale tunnel miners and gold processors in T’boli town operating without permits, which he noted had denied the provincial government the rightful income from these sectors.
The crackdown was pursuant to provincial Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2003, known as “An ordinance levying taxes, fees, charges and other impositions on small-scale mining, mineral processing operations, and transporting of mineral ores within the province of South Cotabato and providing the rules and regulations thereof.”
Late last year, Pingoy estimated the illegal small-scale miners operating in T’boli town to reach 300 and 200 for the ball mill or gold processors.
In October, the provincial government shut down 300 gold tunnels in the gold-rich municipality for lack of permits.
Several others were later on allowed to resume operation after getting clearances from the provincial government.
This after they have been given notices to comply with the requirements.
For his part, Siegfred Flaviano, chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office, said the campaign against illegal mining and ball mill operators will be the key to reach the P30-million revenue target for the mining industry this year.
Flaviano said they have also set up checkpoints to monitor illegal quarrying activities in the province.
In T’boli town, the PEMO recently set up closed-circuit television cameras to help in the fight against illegal mining activities there.
Pingoy said the projected rise in revenues from the small-scale mining industry players would be a big help to the provincial government.
This is due to the expected P20 million Internal Revenue Allotment cut this year due to the conversion of 16 more municipalities into cities. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)


==South Cotabato to sign sales deal with Petron for opening of refueling station==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/42073-South-Cotabato-to-sign-sales-deal-with-Petron-for-opening-of-refueling-station.html
*Friday, January 20. 2012
:by zambotimes.com


GENERAL SANTOS City, April 15 (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released some P6.9 million worth of farm equipment to farmers’ groups in South Cotabato in a bid to further improve the area’s agricultural production.
Amalia Datukan, DA Region 12 director, said the assistance was part of the ongoing implementation of the agency’s rice mechanization and post harvest facility assistance program, which was availed by irrigators associations and cooperative in the area.
Datukan said it was also in line with the Agri Pinoy food staple sufficiency program pushed by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.
“President Benigno S. Aquino III had endorsed this program as one of his administration’s top priorities,” she said.
Under the program, Datukan said South Cotabato received an allocation of 32 hand tractor units worth P3.95 million; 10 units of rice threshers worth P1.13 million; one unit of four-wheel drive tractor worth P761,117; and, nine units of multi-purpose drying pavement worth P1.125 million.
The recipients were the Parbangon Irrigators Association of Barangay San Felipe in Tantangan; farmers group Komatiku of Barangay Sto. Nino in Koronadal City; Lower Tampakan Creek Irrigators Association of Barangay Concepcion in Koronadal City; SANISCA Irrigators Association Inc. of Barangay San Isidro in Koronadal City; PAGMACE Irrigators Association of Barangay Cabuling in Tantangan; Magic Flower Irrigators Association of Barangay GPS in Koronadal City; BINTIKU multi-purpose cooperative of Barangay Dajay in Surallah; SOCOSEPCO of Koroandal City;
The Rice Field Irrigators Association of Barangay Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City; Country Folks Irrigators Assocaition of Bo. 3 in Banga; Modern Farmer Irrigators Association of Barangay San Isidro in Koronadal City; Siok Communal Irrigators Association of Koornadal City; Cabuling Agricultural Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Cabuling in Tantangan; and, San Felipe Irrigators Association of Barangay San Felipe in Tantangan are also beneficiaries.
Datukan said the beneficiaries availed of the farm equipment through a cost-sharing scheme.
She said the agency shouldered 85 percent of the costs while the beneficiaries contributed 15 percent as counterpart.
The DA’s share for the total cost of the farm equipment was P6.09 million while the recipients’ share was P877,787.
Datukan said the newly-released farm equipment was part of the P20 million worth of farm machineries earlier allocated for Region 12.
Aside from South Cotabato, she said the agency also released 33 hand tractors, 11 threshers and two four-wheel drive tractors to beneficiaries in North Cotabato.
They have allocated 34 hand tractors, 10 threshers and two four-wheel drive tractors to Sultan Kudarat as well as nine hand tractors and four threshers to Sarangani Province.


==Motorcycles accidents on the rise in South Cotabato, neighboring areas==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46284-Motorcycles-accidents-on-the-rise-in-South-Cotabato,-neighboring-areas.html
*Saturday, April 14. 2012
:by  (PNA)
FFC/AVE/AC


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato is set to sign a sales agreement with Petron Corporation for the establishment of a refueling station in nearby Koronadal City.
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Thursday the agreement, which would pave the way for the opening of a Petron Bulilit Station in the area, is mainly aimed at addressing the local government’s problems on the lack of stable fuel supplies for its motor pool.
The governor said he recently met with representatives of Petron to finalize the details of the agreement and plans for the operationalization of the refueling station, the construction of which is slated by next month.
“The agreement will not only solve our fuel needs but at the same time generate some income for us,” he said.
Under the agreement, Pingoy said the Petron refueling station will mainly serve the provincial government and other government agencies in the area.
He said the other government agencies may avail of the refueling station’s services through a formal request to the local government.
Pingoy said the provincial government will provide the site while Petron will shoulder all the costs for the construction of the refueling station, which will be established in Barangay Morales in Koronadal City.
Through the refueling station, he said the fluctuation of fuel prices will no longer be a problem for the local government since Petron will be selling its products at the dealer’s price.
He said the provincial government stands to earn a profit of P2 per every liter of fuel that would be dispensed by the refueling station.
“Based on our estimates, we’ll be earning around P2.4 million annually,” the governor added. (PNA)
LAP/AVE/HST


==South Cotabato extends food aid program for poor households==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=399401
*January 19, 2012, 10:31 pm
:by (PNA)
RMA/LAP/AVE/KZT


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Health authorities have expressed alarm over the rising road or vehicular accidents involving motorcycles in South Cotabato province and the neighboring areas.
Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, South Cotabato health officer, said their records showed that 256 road accidents had occurred in the province during the first three months of the year.
He said 211 cases involved single motorcycles, 22 tricycles while the rest concerned four-wheeled vehicles.
He said the victims comprised 218 drivers, 109 passengers and 87 bystanders who were either killed or sustained serious injuries.
Of the injured victims, 153 sustained abrasions, 68 with lacerations and 17 with bone fractures.
“The trend is currently going up and what is alarming here is that most of the drivers involved in these accidents were under the influence of liquor or alcohol,” Aturdido said.
The official said 103 cases or 64 percent of the recorded road accidents in the province in the last three months took place in Koronadal City, South Cotabato’s capital and regional seat of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.
He said 52 road accidents were recorded in the city in January followed by 21 in February.
In the first two weeks of March, Aturdido said the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital already recorded a total of 30 accidents in the area.
He said reckless driving, over speeding, distraction from cellular phones and substance abuses were among the main causes of accidents that involved teenage drivers.
Late last month, five people were killed while two others were injured when a multicab passenger van collided with a trailer truck along the national highway in Koronadal City.
To help address the problem, Aturdido said they have sought assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government to ensure the strict enforcement of road safety regulations in the area.
He said they have also linked up with the Regional Development Council’s social development committee for the conduct of orientation-seminars on proper driving behavior among teen drivers in the area.


==Shutdown of major dams in So. Cotabato to last only 3 months -- NIA==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334297283
*Friday 13th of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 19 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has extended the implementation this year of its food assistance program for poor households in the province.


Ma. Ana Uy, provincial nutrition officer, said Thursday they were set to launch anew the initiative later this month, focusing on 915 selected marginalized households within the province’s 10 towns and lone city.


“The governor (Arthur Pingoy Jr.) approved our request to continue with the project and we hope that this year we could include more beneficiaries,” she said.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 13 (PIA) -- Shutdown of one of Soccsksargen region’s largest irrigation system will push through as planned starting May 1 but the National Irrigation Administration Office here announced that the closure would be shorter than what was originally planned.  


The initiative, which is a component of the local government’s hunger alleviation program, involves the rehabilitation of severely underweight pre-school children in the province through the provision of food packages for at least a month.
In January, NIA-South Cotabato chief Engr. Ramon Bugacia and provincial agriculturist Reynaldo announced that the two dams of the Ala River Irrigation System (RIS) could be closed until end of August or September for major repairs intended to restore the crop watering system’s efficiency.  


The food packages comprise five kilos of rice, half a kilo of mongo, half a kilo of whole milk, half a kilo of brown sugar, ferrous sulfate and other multivitamins.
Yesterday, in an interview with a radio station here, Engr. Bugacia said, “NIA has made adjustments with the construction schedule” after a series of consultations with affected irrigators’ associations, Department of Agriculture – 12, provincial and municipal agriculture offices, and other stakeholders.  


“We’re hoping to meet again our target this year in terms of the lowering our malnutrition prevalence rate, especially in the remote areas,” Uy said.
“So from the original plan of four months, total shutdown (of the operations of Ala RIS) has been reduced to three months,”  


The local government earlier launched the program to help effectively address the province’s malnutrition problem among pre-school children.
The two dams of Ala RIS, namely: Dam 1 in Colonggolo, Surallah in South Cotabato and Dam 2 in Bai Sirafinang, Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat, have a combined coverage area of 12,046 hectares.  


Aside from providing food packs, the program requires beneficiaries to establish backyard vegetable gardens, attend community nutrition and health classes and maintain proper sanitation in their homes.
He said, adjustments were made considering the effect of the total shutdown of the irrigation system on the livelihood of the farm families who will lose water supply while the dams are out of operations. According to a report from DA-12, at least 8,850 families are being served by the Ala RIS.  


Uy said their office is currently documenting the program’s best practices, which they would later showcase among other local government units in the area for their replication
Bugacia explained the dams need to the totally shut down effective May 1 until July 31 because major repair and rehabilitation works will focus on the main diversions (dams) as well as the main canals.


==DA urges farmer groups to avail of seeds, seedling assistance==
He added, some repair works that would not require closure of the dams have begun.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=73083
*Wednesday, January 18, 2012
:by Dani Doguiles


Data from NIA indicated that P138,225,000 has been allocated by the national government for the rehabilitation of the Ala RIS.


“This is the first time that such amount was allotted to a project NIA-South Cotabato,” he said. Previously, he added, they only received P3 million to P6 million for irrigation development projects.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- Officials of the Department of Agriculture in Soccsksargen Region (DA-12) are encouraging farmer groups to take advantage of the assistance the department’s is offering under its high value crops development program.
This would also be the first time that Ala RIS undergoes repair since its opening in 1972.  
Non-government organizations, local government units, cooperatives, civic organizations, and other such groups may also submit project proposals, Danilo Centillas, DA-12’s high value crops coordinator, said.
Centillas told reporters Region 12 has P48 million funds for interventions that include, planting materials, farm tools, farm equipment, and machineries.
“They only need to submit project proposals,” he said.
Interested groups may get project proposal forms from the nearest local agriculture office or from the regional office in Koronadal City.
Based on a report paper that Centillas distributed during a recent press conference, DA-12 aims to distribute 100,000 seedlings of coffee, 100,000 seedlings of rubber, and 50,000 seedlings of cacao.
They have also allocated planting materials for 50,000 assorted fruit trees and 20,000 banana (saba).
Seeds slated for distribution this year include 500 kg of lowland vegetable (eggplant, squash, ampalaya and other “pinakbet” vegetables), 65 kg of upland vegetables (cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, etc.), and 20,000 kg of soya beans.
Although they have already scheduled this week a writing workshop to finalize submitted project proposals, Centillas said interested groups may still submit project proposals through their municipal agriculture office for endorsement by the municipal mayor to the provincial agriculturist.
He said, they have received only 59 project proposal from the entire Region 12, “most of these from North Cotabato.”
“We have only received only 11 proposals from South Cotabato,” he added.
With the expected shutdown of the Ala River Irrigation System which is due for rehabilitation in May this year, affected farmer groups , including irrigators’ associations, are urged to avail of DA’s assistance.
A total of 12,000 hectares covering four municipalities (Surallah, Sto. Niño, Banga and Norala) in South Cotabato and two municipalities (Bagumbayan and Isulan) in Sultan Kudarat province may be deprived of water supply for one cropping; about 8,850 farm families may have to shift to other alternative crops while the two dams of Ala RIS are closed.
Besides planting materials, part of the fund is allocated for 35 power sprayers, 200 knapsack sprayers, 1 tractor, 10 small farm equipment, 20 draft animals, and 20 small farm implements.
They also planned for the establishment of 30 rain shelters, 5 screen houses, 8 nurseries and 1 seed storage facilities.
Regarding the preparation of the proposals, Centillas advised proponents to make their proposals simple.
“But we are more concerned with the sustainability of their projects,” he said, such that benefits may be gained by their members beyond the first year of implementation.
He added, it is important to have proposals endorsed by the local government unit so that officials are made aware that such projects may be implemented in their area or may be re-aligned to agree with local programs. (PIA-12)


==Provincial LGU distributes vehicles for better health services, police visibility==
Repair works in the 40-year old dam, according to Bugacia, would cover protection works on the dams, repair of the mechanical systems that take care of the closing and opening of the water gates, rehabilitation of the main canals, and construction of additional structures and check structures that would extend the coverage area of the irrigation system.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72854
*Tuesday, January 17, 2012
:by Dani Doguiles


In an earlier interview, provincial agriculturist Legaste assured residents and farmers of South Cotabato that the shutdown of the Ala RIS will result in food shortage in the province.


He explained that farmers in the province were able to immediately replant in January and February which assures of an earlier than expected harvest.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- In a bid to improve delivery of basic health services in remote barangays and increase police visibility along the national highway, the provincial government of North Cotabato recently distributed six vehicles and twelve refurbished motorcycles to several recipients.
Also, of the 9,000 hectares in South Cotabato that would lose water supply, about 2,000 hectares can still be cultivated because they have alternative water sources.  
The vehicles, all multicabs, were given on January 9 to barangays in the second district of the province, primarily for use in transport of indigent patients to nearest rural health unit or hospitals.
Among the recipients were of Barangay Kadingilan in Pigcawayan, Poblacion in Libungan and Simbuhay in Kabacan. These were received by their respective chairmen, namely: Kasamad Kamid, Cresencio Yu, and Abdullah Macaibel.
“This is part of our one barangay, one project policy where each far-flung barangay in the province will be given one multicab to facilitate medical needs especially of the indigent patients,” Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza said.
The other three vehicles were turned over to fisheries section of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the Civil Security Unit of the province, and the Cotabato Task Force for use in line with their respective objectives and responsibilities.
On the other hand, the motorcycles were handed over to the Provincial Police Office through P/SSupt Cornelio Salinas for the purpose of intensifying highway patrol operations and prevent street crimes in the entire province.
During the turnover ceremony, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also disclosed that the Partylist Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has added P 15M to the provincial government’s existing budget of P10M for its multicab project.
“The assistance from the TUCP will enable us to purchase 75 units of multicabs. This means 75 more barangays will be assured of a more accessible health service,” she said.
On the same occasion, Taliño-Mendoza expressed her gratitude to the partners of the provincial government including the department heads and employees who helped ensure that funds of the provincial government will be used judiciously.
“This project is the result of our efforts of spending public funds prudently, I hope that we will all have the same commitment in the coming years for this will mean more projects and programs for the people of Cotabato,” she said. (PIA 12/OZG/IDCD-PGO North Cotabato)


Contingency plans have also been prepared for those who could not plant rice; these include planting of corn in coordination with hybrid corn companies as well as temporarily shifting to other crops such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and vegetables like okra, squash, upo, patola, and ampalaya.


Bugacia said rehabilitative works of Ala RIS are also set for implementation next year, but these would not require closure of the dams.


==Local officials expect positive results from power summit==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334214874
*Thursday 12th of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)






KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 12 (PIA) -- Officials in South Cotabato hope tomorrow’s Energy Summit in Davao City would end with solutions that would address the power crisis in Mindanao.


South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, and South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1) General Manager Santiago Tudio said they will be attending the summit.


South Cotabato First District Representative, Daisy Avance-Fuentes has earlier announced in a radio interview that she will join the event.


==Major irrigation system in S. Cotabato to shut down in May; agri sector braces for production loss==
Gov. Pingoy said, the presence of President Benigno Aquino III during the summit is a positive indication since he could personally join the discussion of the Mindanao energy shortage as well as the proposals to address the power crisis.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72722
*Monday, January 16, 2012
:by Dani Doguiles


“Several proposals and measures will be presented. Hopefully, we will be able to take these up with the president,” he said.


In preparation for the summit, Mayor Miguel has asked city information officer Judith Amido, who also sits as a member of SOCOTECO 1’s board of directors for an in-depth discussion of the power situation particularly in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Around 12,000 hectares of farmlands in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces are expected to lose water supply for at least four months with the shutdown of Ala River Irrigation System (RIS), the biggest irrigation system in the area, in May this year.
He, however, pointed out that he has reservations regarding the suggestion of former Pangasinan Fifth District Representative Mark Conjuangco to put up a nuclear power plant in Lake Sebu.  
Engr. Ramon Bugacia, irrigation management supervisor of National Irrigation Administration- South Cotabato, announced operations of the two dams of Ala RIS, namely: Dam 1 in Colonggolo, Surallah and Dam 2 in Bai Sirafinang, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat will be closed effective May 1 until September or October to give way to several rehabilitation projects intended to restore the efficiency of the irrigation system.
“The program of work for Ala [RIS] is mainly focused on the main diversion, which requires total shutdown of the dams,” Bugacia said.
A report from NIA-South Cotabato shows that P138,225,000 have been allocated for the rehabilitation works of the dam this year.
Additional P8.6 million is allocated for rehabilitation projects in the Isulan, Sultan Kudarat portion of the irrigation system.
Bugacia said, the P138-M is intended for protection work on the dams, repair of the mechanical systems that take care of the closing and opening of the water gates, rehabilitation of the main canals, construction of additional structures and check structures that would extend the coverage area of the irrigation system.
P40 milion fund have been downloaded to the regional office of NIA, which should be released soon pending submission of a program of work by NIA-South Cotabato, Bugacia added.
Bugacia appealed to the affected farmers -- around 8,850 farm families -- “to make the necessary sacrifice for few months” while the dams are undergoing repairs.
“In the long run, we will all benefit if the efficiency level of the dams is restored to its original capacity,” he said.
South Cotabato Provincial Agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste said, areas in south Cotabato that will be affected by the closure include upper valley towns of Surallah, Sto. Niño, Banga, and Norala involving an estimated 9,000 hectares.
About 2,000 hectares of these could still be cultivated for rice production using other water sources.
Loss in rice production in South Cotabato is estimated at around 23,000 metric tons, equal to about three months of consumption of the entire province, he said.
In Sultan Kudarat province, areas that will experience loss of water supply are the towns of Bagumbayan and Isulan.
As per directive by Department of Agriculture-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, provincial agricultural offices are now preparing interventions to help farm families who will be affected.
Legaste said, they have proposed three measures to mitigate expected production loss, namely: introduction of upland crops as alternate to rice; seed subsidy by the provincial government for about 2,000 hectares and another seed subsidy for 2,000 hectares by DA-12; and 90-day buffer stocking by the National Food Authority.
Alternative crops that farmers may grown in lieu of rice, Legaste explained, include corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, and vegetables of okra, squash, upo, patola, and ampalaya.
“We will meet with hybrid corn companies and link them with IAs (irrigators associations) for possible opportunities and other programs the companies could offer to the farmers,” he said.
“DA (12) is also willing to give assistance for white corn production. We will allocate 1,000 hectares of white corn,” he added.
OPAG assured they will arrange market for white corn with Cebu, with whom South Cotabato has recently signed sisterhood agreement.
Engr. Bugacia added, some of the affected farmers could also be hired as laborers during the project implementation.
Rehabilitative works in Ala RIS will continue until 2013, he added, but projects next year would not require shutdown of the dams. (PIA 12)


==NIA allots P472.3M for S. Cotabato, Gensan irrigation projects in 2012==
“I did some research and talked with some Japanese regarding nuclear power plants,” he said.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72540
*Saturday, January 14, 2012
:by Dani Doguiles


“I am not in favor of the proposal,” he said, “because even Japan, which is a First World Country, has experienced radiation leaks due to the recent earthquake and tsunami.”


He said lives of millions of Filipinos could be compromised if a disaster like that in Japan occurs in the Philippines.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- A staggering P472,347,000 worth of irrigation projects are scheduled for implementation in South Cotabato and General Santos City this year, the provincial office of National Irrigation Administration announced yesterday.
Meanwhile, GM Tudio said, SOCOTECO 1 supports the move of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) to oppose the privatization of the Pulangi Hydropower plants.  
Engr. Ramon Bugacia, irrigation management supervisor of NIA-South Cotabato said, this is so far the largest allocation they have received for irrigation development.
"In the previous years we only received allocations of P30 million to P40 million," Bugacia noted.
The largest portion, amounting to P138,225,000, is intended for massive repair and rehabilitation of the Ala River Irrigation System, which is scheduled to begin in May.
Implementation of the project would mean shutdown of the entire operation of the Ala RIS and consequent loss of water supply for an estimated 11,000 hectares of farmlands in South Cotabato and neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat, Bugacia said.
Ala RIS may be out of operation until October, he added.
Department of Agriculture-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan has ordered provincial agriculture offices, NIA, and National Food Authority to plan out interventions to help affected farmers.
Interventions being considered include temporary shift to alternate crops such as corn and vegetables as well as increasing NFA’s buffer stock to 90 days, instead of the regular 30 days.
Besides Ala RIS, 23 other projects including repair and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems, extension projects, and small irrigation projects are set for implementation in South Cotabato this year.
These include P27.18 million for extension of Banga RIS and Marbel#1 RIS and P11.68 million rehabilitation works for Banga RIS and Marbel #1 and Marbel #2 RISs.
Nine projects are also slated to be carried out this year in General Santos City area, Bugacia said.
Biggest among these is the lined item for Buayan-Tinagakan RIS amounting to P85.8 million.
Four expansion projects amounting to P16.98 million and another four repair projects amounting to P8.04 million will also be implemented in the area.
Bugacia said, these irrigation development projects are in accordance with the national governments' thrust toward rice self-sufficiency to "limit or discourage rice importation."
"Recently an initial P40 million fund have been downloaded to NIA regional office," he said, adding that these will be release after the necessary program of work have been submitted.(PIA 12)


==Anti Trafficking Task Force extends help for reintegration of trafficked persons==
AMRECO with its 33 member electric cooperative plans to submit a position paper demanding transparency so that the public may know of the real situation regarding the availability of energy supply, especially the contracted capacity from the power generators of the National Power Corporation.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72469
*Friday, January 13, 2012
:by PIA Press Release


MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, announced everything is set for the Mindanao Energy Summit where 300 to 350 delegates are expected to attend.


MinDA and the Department of Energy spearhead the summit.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – The Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking (RIACAT) in Region 12 extended a total of P298,000 assistance to trafficked in persons (TIPs) in 2011 through the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 12.
“The Power Summit accords us the opportunity to discuss the real Mindanao power situation and the specific short to long term measures that stakeholders wanted acted on jointly by the government and the industry players,”Antonino said.  
DSWD 12 Social Technology Unit head Amina Dataya said aside from the psychosocial services extended to all the 109 TIP victims-survivors, P200,000 out of the P298,000 aid was given to 20 recipients for livelihood/employment assistance; P90,000 to 12 recipients for skills training assistance and P24,000 or P8,000 financial aid to each of the three victims.
In addition to the RIACAT’s efforts, Dataya continued, the local government units have their own anti-human trafficking initiatives like Tacurong City which rescued eight TIPs and General Santos City which saved 30 TIPs.
Dataya said RIACAT conducted various activities to strengthen its anti-human trafficking drive such as advocacy campaigns, training on psychosocial recovery, case managements, adopting the national referral system for the recovery and reintegration of trafficked persons, management of information system, shelter for trafficked persons and the establishment of helpline. (OTSudaria/PIA12)


Antonino said that no less than President Aquino has sought that proposed measures for resolving the Mindanao power problem and putting in place of long term action plan should form part of the shared consensus of the Mindanao stakeholders.


“This is being done for and by the Mindanawons who have a direct stake on the Mindanao power issue and what needs to be done, and the President will be there to see to it that the proposed measures are thoroughly studied and doables carried through,” she added.


Among those expected to take part in the one-day summit are heads and representatives of all electric cooperatives in Mindanao, distribution utilities, generation companies, governors and city mayors, Mindanao lawmakers, business and industry sectors, non-government organizations, civil society groups and consumer advocates.


Antonino said the Summit format was designed to provide opportunity for the key sectors and stakeholder representatives to present their respective issues and recommendations for way forward actions.


The President is expected to respond with specific policy directives.


Earlier today, PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma confirmed President Aquino will attend and preside the summit.






==CCTVs installed in gold-rich town in fight vs illegal mining activities==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/01/12/cctvs-installed-in-gold-rich-town-in-fight-vs-illegal-mining-activities/
*hursday| January 12, 2012
:by  Bong S. Sarmiento






KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/11 January)—Surveillance cameras have been installed in the gold-rich town of T’boli in South Cotabato in an intensified crackdown against all forms of illegal activities that threaten the environment in the area, an official said on Wednesday.
Siegfred Flaviano, Provincial Environment Management Office chief, said the provincial government is cracking the whip not just on illegal small-scale mining operations but also against illegitimate ball mill processing plants.
“The stoppage order on ball mills operating without permits will be implemented by January 15,” he told MindaNews.
Flaviano said the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at the only road leading outside the gold-rush villages of Kematu and Desawo to monitor vehicles transporting ores towards the ball mills, which are mostly concentrated in the poblacion area.
It was installed on the heels of the recent disaster in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, where a landslide killed 36 people in a small-scale mining site years ago considered a high-risk area by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Two pairs of CCTVs, or four cameras in all that can take wide and close angle shots, were set up, he added.
These will monitor the ores transported out from Kematu and Desawo especially during nighttime, Flaviano said, adding the footages will help them determine if these are legally or illegally sourced.
In November, the provincial government shut down an estimated 300 gold tunnels for lack of permits.
Aside from illegal small-scale tunnel operations, the destructive banlas or sluice mining activities are also prevalent in the area.
Banlas mining employs the pouring of large amounts of water on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ore, and then pan them with mercury.
Flaviano said an estimated 200 illegal tunnel operators have been trying to seek a permit from the provincial government.
The same number of ball mill operators has scrambled up at the PEMO office here since last week to get clearances for their operations, he added.
Aside from ensuring that small-scale miners are complying with environmental requisites, the crackdown came in force to increase revenue collections from the mining industry players.
Gov. Arthur Pingoy, Jr. earlier noted the poor collections from the small-scale mining industry players in T’boli town.
For the ball mill operators alone, Pingoy said that if all of them are paying, the province could have earned P1.2 million from them last year.
Taxes and fees imposed by the provincial government on such kind of business reach P6,000, the governor said, adding that in 2010, only about 15 ball mill operators have paid their dues.
Pingoy said they are targeting to collect from P 5 to P10 million from the small-scale mining activities and ball mill operators this year.
He noted this would be a big help to the provincial government’s coffers with the expected P20-million cut on the internal revenue allotment this year due to the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)


==Robredo asks LGUs’ help in implementing national programs, projects==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72100
*Wednesday, January 11, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles






KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Interior and local government Secretary Jesse Robredo on Tuesday asked for support from local government units in the implementation of the national government programs and projects.
==Education remedies ignorance, poverty – VP Binay==
Although he was not able to come as guest of honor during the culmination program of the 72nd Foundation Anniversary and 12th Hinugyaw Festival of Koronadal City, Robredo asked Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Affairs and Special Concerns Nariman Ambolodto to read his message to thousands of residents gathered at the South Cotabato Sports Complex for the affair.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334120313
“We all hope for genuine peace and development…but the national government cannot do all these alone. As we always say, we need all the support from our counterpart in the grassroots,” he said in his message.
*Wednesday 11th of April 2012
He said provincial, municipal and even the smallest barangays, which described as “the real instruments of change” play major role in carrying out meaningful projects that benefit their respective communities.
:by  (Dani Doguiles and Roderick Beñez/PIA 12)  
With this as guiding principal , he said, the department has made it a goal to strengthen the capabilities of local governments and “would like to give them more freedom and power” because LGUs “know and feel the needs of their constituents.
“It is the local governments that know what programs and projects would benefit their communities,” he continued.
Sec. Robredo also called on LGUs to adhere to the department’s full disclosure policy because along
enormous powers provided to them comes transparency and accountability, which he said is the reason they have directed all government units to post all budget, procurements, bidding processes, and other information that the public would like to access.
He reminded local officials that local governments that comply with the full disclosure policy are rewarded with Seal of Good Housekeeping which is a basis for providing the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) that LGUs can use in roll out local programs and projects.
LGUs may also use the PCF for the preparations against disasters and calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and others.
“PCF radically changes the decade-old practice that LGUs that manifest gaps in the delivery of basic services should be given priority assistance,” he said.
Recently, Koronadal LGU received P25 million PCF, which Mayor Peter B. Miguel said will be allocated for the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads.
Robredo also urged local governments to create inter-LGU partnership “where rich LGUs may extend helping hands to poor LGUs.”
“At the same time, neighboring LGUs can also support one another to address common problems.”
He also asked them to encourage participation of the private sector and civic society organizations in local governance not only to review where government funds are allocated but also to increase legitimacy of the local government through dialogs and consensus building.
“May you continue to support our government and strengthen our unity and teamwork as we journey in the matuwid na daan that will bring us to progress and stable Philippines,” he concluded. (PIA-12)


==Piyesta Korona, fireworks display to cap Koronadal's 72nd anniversary==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=71838
*Tuesday, January 10, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles




KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 11 (PIA) -- Education remains the best way out of poverty and ignorance, said Vice President Jejomar Binay.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan 10 (PIA) -- Crowns will flood the streets of Koronadal City later today as street dancers from all over South Cotabato and nearby provinces display their interpretation of Piyesta Korona.
Vice President Binay was in Kabacan, North Cotabato yesterday as guest of honor during state-run University of Southern Mindanao’s 66th commencement exercises where he addressed 1,932 candidates for graduation.  
Piyesta Korona -- a mix of streetdancing and mardi gras -- along with disco sa kalye and fireworks display, culminates the five-day celebration of this city's 72nd anniversary and 12th Hinugyaw Festival.
Mayor Peter B. Miguel said, Piyesta Korona or Festival of Crowns is a move towards giving the city's festival an identity of its own.
The culmination day opened at 6:30 in the morning with a civic parade around major city streets and a drumline competition inside the South Cotabato Sports Complex where the foundation program will also be held at around 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Miguel said, they invited Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo as anniversary speaker but major security concerns in Metro Manila has prevented him to come.
In his stead, Assistant Secretary Nariman Ambolodto will address Koronadal City' residents.
Piyesta Korona will start at 5:00 in the afternoon at Gensan Drive.
As the name implies, all presentation storylines will center on crowns.
Meanwhile, the entire stretch of Alunan Avenue will also be closed to traffic for the disco sa kalye highlighted with a foam party.
Activities will end with a fireworks display at 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, police authorities have assured that security measures have been laid out for today's activities.
South Cotabato Police Provincial Director P/SSupt. Randolph Delfin said Koronadal City's police force have been augmented with more than 80 police personnel from municipal police stations.
Checkpoints in and out of the city have been tightened and police visibility in activity and public convergence areas have also been increased, Delfin said.
This year's Hinugyaw Festival started on Friday with a tribute to the city's first settlers.
Homage included wreath-laying at the Martyrs' Shrine inside Koronadal Central Elementary School 1 and theatrical presentation Handurawan, which recounted the settlers' story, including their struggles against Japanese invaders.
Municipal Council Resolution No. 32 series if 1948 proclaimed January 10 of each year as the municipal town fiesta on commemoration of the foundation of the Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement. (PIA 12)


“Kung nais nating maiahon sa kahirapan at kamangmangan, edukasyon nag-iisang tanging paraan,” he told the graduates.


“Ang lahat ay kailangang magsumikap. Ngunit kung ang walang sawang pagsusumikap ay sasamahan ng isang mahusay na edukasyon, labis na lumalawak ang nararating ang isang tao,” he said.


He also told graduates that finishing their courses comes with responsibilities to their families, the university and fellowmen.


“Ang tunay na saysay ng inyong pag-aaral ay nababatay sa kakayahan ninyong gamitin ang inyong dunong upang maglunsad ng inyong kakayahan,” he said.


Denying their service, he added, would make peace and progress elusive for themselves and the nation.


To be able to serve their families and the country, a graduate need not seek for remarkable opportunities, Vice President Binay pointed out.


For instance, he said, graduates could start by helping their parents send their younger siblings to school.


“Your challenge now is no longer defined by examinations, term papers, and reports,” he reminded the graduates, “You are now called to build your lives.”


==Hinugyaw Festival opens with tribute to first settlers==
Other guests of the graduation ceremony, which was led by USM president Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije, included North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, local officials, and the university’s Board of Regents.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=71487
*Saturday, January 07, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles


USM is considered one of the leading state universities in Mindanao and the entire country.


It has achieved excellence in agriculture education and most of its programs have achieved either Level II or Level III accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) -- Koronadal City’s Hinugyaw Festival 2012 opened with a homage to the first settlers who came to the city before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.
Training of students here does not only focus on instructions but also incorporates the aspects of research, extension and production geared toward producing quality professionals who are globally competitive.  
At 9:00 in the morning, Friday, activities for the five-day festivities took off with a wreath laying at the martyrs’ shrine inside Koronadal Central Elementary School 1.
Seventeen martyrs – residents massacred by Japanese soldiers for allegedly hiding Filipino guerrillas – were buried in the site.
The opening day was capped with a theatrical presentation Handurawan by the Hinugyaw Dance Troupe inside South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
Handurawan recounted the arrival of the first Christian settlers, their struggles against the Japanese invaders, and their heroism.
“The work that these heroes have done gave us the reason to celebrate what we have achieved at present,” Mayor Peter B. Miguel said.
The show had already been shown but only to select audiences.
“This has to be seen by students, the youth and the general public,” he said, “dahil sabi nga, ang mga taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggagalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan.”
The show should give the audience “a deeper understanding of our heritage, a deeper meaning of what we are and where we’re heading to,” he added.
On January 10, 2012, Koronadal City turns 72. It was created by virtue of Municipal Council Resolution No. 32 series of 1948.
Other important activities lined-up for the five-day celebration include: sports competitions (motocross, practical shooting, mountain biking, and golf), Search for Lakambini ng Koronadal, farmers’ festival, foam party and disco sa kalye, and drumline competition.
This year, the city LGU reinvents its traditional streetdancing competition with Piyesta Korona (Festival of Crowns), which Mayor Miguel described as a mix between traditional streetdancing and mardi gras that feature different designs of crowns.
As in the previous years, the festival will end with a grand fireworks display at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday. (PIA-12)


It is well-known to provide top-grade education in the fields of agriculture; arts and science; education; engineering and computing; human ecology and food sciences; industrial technology; business, development economics and management; public health; veterinary medicine; and Middle East and Asian studies.


==DOST-12 rolls off “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Syudad”==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334037184
*Tuesday 10th of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/OLAbo/ DOST-12)






KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 10 (PIA) -- DOST-12’s “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Siyudad” has gained ground in enhancing productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Soccsksargen Region.


A project of the Department of Science and Technology – Region 12, Agham at Teknolohiya sa Lungsod was recently conducted separately in the cities of General Santos and Koronadal.


Under the project, consultancy services, labeling design development and technology needs assessment were extended to MSMEs engaged in organic fertilizer, tuna, bakery, squash turon and lumpia, and banana buchi, among others.


It was implemented under DOST’s umbrella program Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) that aims to improve the productivity of small and medium industry players.


==PDRRMO removes obstruction in river near Lake Maughan==
Summit Consultancy and Research Services, which was earlier tapped by the DOST-12 for the Manufacturing Productivity Expansion Program (MPEX), presented its findings and recommendations to improve the productivity of 15 firms identified under the program.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=71361
*Friday, January 06, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles


Their recommendations included acquisition or upgrading of machines, nutritional facts analysis, production lay-out improvement, and packaging or labeling design development.


They also recommended trainings on Good Manufacturing Practices for ten firms.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan 6 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has began operations to remove an obstruction that has caused damming of a river near the outlet of Lake Maughan in Mt. Parker, T’boli town.
Other recommendations for MSMEs to undertake are energy audit, possible ultraviolet radiation, preventive maintenance, and materials management system, among others.  
John Lorca, a staff of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said at least 15 persons including technical experts from Department of Public Works and Highways, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Provincial Environment Management Office, and the local government unit of T’boli cleared away yesterday at least 10 feet of stone debris that have blocked part of Luhan River, about six kilometers from the lake’s outlet.
Lorca said the damming started on December 26 following a landslide in the area.
The resulting artificial dam “has an area of 15 by 25 feet and depth of 15 feet.”
Lorca added some cliffs in the area have some cracks that could collapse and aggravate the situation if the obstruction is not immediately removed.
On December 29, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. called an emergency meeting of the PDRRMC to discuss solutions to the problem and prevent its escalation which could mean disaster to areas downstream.
The council ordered immediate removal of the obstruction. Since the area cannot be accessed by machineries, the stone debris that have formed the embankment are being removed manually.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator and PDRRMO head Isidro Janita assured the situation in Lake Maughan “is not alarming, ” but added that flashflood could still occur during continuous and heavy rains and if it’s outlet is blocked.
Since the weather has become very unpredictable, Janita added, they have hired four persons whose jobs is to regularly monitor the conditions of the lake.
Lately, these workers removed a mass of floating vegetation to prevent it from blocking Maughan’s outlet.
Lake Maughan empties into Luhan River, which is a tributary of Allah River.
In September, 1995 a wall of Lake Maughan collapsed, resulting in flashfloods that killed about 100 people and damaged millions worth of crops and properties. (PIA 12)


==Army to deliver 531 MT of WFP-donated goods to Iligan City==
Some firms, on the other hand, have sought trainings on coconut syrup and accelerated vinegar production, bleaching and dyeing, waste management (vermi composting), and fiber extraction mechanization.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=71208
*Thursday, January 05, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles


Other companies have developed possible linkages, such as one firm offering to supply organic fertilizers to Kablon Farms and RRR Engineering offering to fabricate stainless products for food processing companies.


Another one also offered to design and fabricate a sorter or conveyor for a coffee and a fiber processing ventures.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) –- At least 13 military trucks from the 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao will be dispatched anytime today to deliver 531 metric tons of rice to victims of tropical storm Sendong in Iligan City.
A technology needs assessment was likewise conducted to Juco Yummyzo Food Products and Pascual Bakery Equipment Services in Koronadal City as a pre-requisite to the availment of SET-UP assistance.  
Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of 6ID, said the rice along with repacked oils are from the World Food Programme and will be picked up by the army’s Operation Tulong Sendong (OTS) at the WFP storage facility in Polloc Free Port.
He said, the delivery comprises the fourth batch of goods that they brought to Northern Mindanao in coordination with other partners, including foreign donors.
On Tuesday, OTS also delivered five truckload of relief goods to Cagayan de Oro. Three of the military trucks were loaded with more than 4,000 shovels donated by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Asto said, 6ID Commander BGen. Rey Ardo has directed his men to fully support all efforts that would make the lives of the victims of the recent calamity comfortable.
He also ordered mobility of assets, including those coming from the foreign non-government organizations and other foreign donors, intended for the evacuees.
He said, the 6ID Kampilan troopers are committed in this endeavor and in assisting the typhoon victims as a primordial duty of the soldiers as embodied in their obligation as protector of the people. (PIA 12)


==Army sends five truckloads of relief goods to Sendong==
Dr. Zenaida P. HR Laidan, DOST-12 director, said they conducted the “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Siyudad” to support MSMEs in the region achieve higher income, generate more employment and penetrate global markets.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=70789
*Tuesday, January 03, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles


She added that such activity aims to sustain economic development in the countryside.


==Smc Secures Clearance To Pursue New 3,000-mw Power Projects==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/356564/smc-secures-clearance-to-pursue-new-3000mw-power-projects
*April 9, 2012, 2:16am
:by  MYRNA M. VELASCO


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) –- Some five truckloads of relief items were transported early this morning from Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat Maguindanao to the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.
Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said three military trucks were loaded with non-food items, including more than 4,000 shovels donated by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) while two trucks were loaded with assorted relief goods and food items gathered by the 6ID’s Operation Tulong Sendong (OTS) from several donors in their area of responsibility.
Asto said, the convoy led by Cpt. Maniago Macalintangui of the Civil Military Operations Unit, left Camp Siongco around 3:30 this morning (January 3).
BGen. Rey Ardo, commanding general of the 6ID, has earlier ordered continuous help for the victims of the worst calamity in Mindanao by ordering the mobility of assets and a round-the-clock participation of the military unit in the relief operations.
The relief goods is the third batch of assistance from the 6ID. This will be endorsed to the Civil Military Operations Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City for distribution to the evacuees in both cities.
6ID is still accepting donations for the victims of typhoon Sendong.
Those who would want to give their share in helping the victims of Sendong may drop “anything that may be useful to the typhoon victims” at the relief dropping center in Camp Siongco. (PIA 12)


==RTWPB-12 sets public consultation on wages==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=70570
*Monday, January 02, 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles


Manila, Philippines - The power generation unit of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has secured the go-signal of the Department of Energy (DOE) to proceed with grid impact studies (GIS) on six power projects across grids that will beef up its portfolio by additional 3,000 megawatts.


The GIS will have to be undertaken upon the energy department’s endorsement to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). It will determine if the proposed capacity of the project proponents can still be absorbed by the grid or if the transmission lines are capable of wheeling that capacity to the substations.


KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- Despite the absence of a petition for a review of wage rates, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-12) will again hold a public consultation on the possibility of a wage adjustment this year.
Based on documents culled from the energy department, SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation is proposing to construct 1,200-megawatt coal plant in Cavite; and another 600-MW coal-fired facility in Bulacan for the Luzon grid.
These public consultations will also discuss the new two-tiered wage system being pushed by the Department of Labor and Employment.
DOLE 12 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Gloria Tango said, in the department's last meeting in third week of December, has tentatively scheduled the public discussion on January 25 and 26 in General Santos City and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.
Invited to the consultation are representatives of the employees and management groups, as well as other sectors that have stakes on the issue.
RTWPB 12 has already received the latest economic data from the National Economic Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Energy, Tango said.
Tango said the board needs to consult with the stakeholders on the necessity of revising the existing wage order.
"After the public consultations the board will meet to determine whether a wage hike is already necessary," she said.
RTWPB-12 Secretary Jessie dela Cruz said the scheduled public consultation is subject to the availability of resource persons from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) they invited to present the two-tiered wage system being pushed by DOLE.
The two-tiered wage system consists of a mandatory regional wage floor and a productivity or performance-based wage scheme.
The wage floor shall be the lowest wage in the region; this should be required of all employers in the private sector.
The second part of the scheme, a pay scheme given to workers based on productivity, shall be implemented on voluntary basis.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz believes this new scheme will encourage workers to be more productive.
Wage Order XII No. 16 that set the present wage rate in Soccsksargen, which includes the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Kidapawan City and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos, became effective on October 31, 2010.
It provided for a P15 - increase in the cost of living allowance (COLA) of employees in the private sector; the COLA was granted in two tranches: P10 on the date the order became effective and additional P5 starting April 1, 2011.
Daily wage in the region stands at P260 for non-agriculture workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for non-plantation agriculture workers, P240 for retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 workers, and P234 for retail/service establishments employing less than 10 people.
Wage Order XII No. 16's prescriptive period expired last October 31, but dela Cruz said, they have not yet received any petition requesting for its review. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==SP authorizes gov to sign MOA with mining firm==
In the Visayas, SMC’s proposed greenfield power investments are 600-MW coal plant in Leyte and 150-MW coal plant in Panay. For the Mindanao grid, the company’s proposed coalfired plant ventures are 300 megawatts in Davao del Sur and, 150-MW in South Cotabato.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=70310
*Friday, December 30, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


If the diversifying conglomerate is serious in pursuing all of these projects, it ought to face hurdles though in the market share caps prescribed under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) – which is equivalent to 30-percent of gridinstalled capacity; and 25-percent of national installed capacity. To date, SMC is already the biggest player in the power generation segment of the industry.


Documents also showed that the DOE has issued clearances to more than 30 power companies on their respective bids for GIS on proposed power projects.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 30 (PIA) -- South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. could formalize agreement with a mining firm regarding the latter's donation to the provincial government's hospital project.
As of end last year, the power companies allowed to proceed on their GIS include Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp. for its 100-megawatt coal power project in Iloilo; Global Business Power Corporation for 164-MW and 82-MW projects in Cebu and Iloilo; PhilNewEnergy Inc. for 40-50MW solar project in Alaminos, Pangasinan; 30-40MW solar project in Misamis Oriental and 40-50MW solar project in Davao; and Jobin-Sqm Inc. for its 100-MW Sta. Rita solar project in the Subic Bay freeport zone.
This week, the provincial board granted Pingoy authority to enter into an agreement with the Daguma Agro Minerals, Inc. (DAMI).
DAMI, a mining firm owned by San Miguel Corporation, has agreed to donate P25 million for the construction of the Upper Valley Community Hospital (UVCH) in Surallah town.
"Governor Pingoy can already sign a memorandum of agreement with officials of DAMI in January," board member Dr. Ervin Luntao said.
The donation shall form part of the P53-million initial funding for the construction of the community hospital.
The other P28 million will come from the Department of Health (DOH) through the agency's Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
Surallah local government unit has already purchased the lot where the hospital will be built.
According to the technical working group tasked to lay down the project plan, the hospital could cost P145 million to complete.
Pingoy said construction of the health facility will be done in phases as funds become available but added that the hospital could be partially opened late 2012 or early 2013.
The provincial government sees the UVCH as a remedy to the persistent congestion problem in the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) in Koronadal City, considering that about 30 percent are from the Upper Valley towns of Surallah, Sto. Nino, Banga, Lake Sebu, and T'boli.
At times, SCPH caters to more than 280 patients when it was only approved for a 220-bed capacity.
Meanwhile, vice governor Elmo Tolosa assured DAMI which plans to mine coal in Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu town will not be favored for its contributions to the provincial LGU's projects especially regarding issues of environmental protection.
These donations, he said, are in line with the firm's social responsibility and will not have any bearing on the provincial government's decisions to protect the environment, including the implementation of the South Cotabato Environment Code.
"We provided for a whereas clause that our acceptance of the donation will have nothing to do with the future decisions of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan with regards to issues on the environment," Tolosa said. (PIA 12)


==PRO 12 tapes service firearms of police personnel==
The others are Calamba Aero Power Corporation for a 120-170MW combined cycle power project in Calamba, Laguna; Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Corporation for its proposed 50-MW mini-hydropower project in Kapangan, Benguet; First Gen Corporation for a 300-MW midmerit power plant in Batangas; San Carlos Biopower Inc. for its 18-MW biomass facility in Negros Occidental; as well as those for Sta. Clara Power Corporation’s micro-hydropower projects in Danao, Bohol and Tinoc, Ifugao.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=70143
*Thursday, December 29, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


It has also been specified in the documents that the GIS clearance for the 600-MW coal power plant of GN Power was just issued by the energy department June 16 last year. This facility is expected on stream next year and will considerably shore up Luzon grid’s power supply.


Also in the roll of power firms already given the go-signal for grid impact study are San Jose I City Power Corporation for a 9.90-MW rice husk-fired power project; Aboitiz Power for its power barges 1 to 4 in Navotas; Global Green Power PLC Corporation for biomass projects of 17.5-MW in Nueva Ecija and 35-MW in Bukidnon; TeaM Energy Corporation for 382-MW each capacity expansion for its Pagbilao and Sual plants; FDC Utilities Inc. for a 300-MW power plant in Misamis Oriental; and Limay Energen Corporation for a 140-MW coal-fired facility in Bataan.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 29(PIA) -- Service firearms of police personnel in Soccsksargen Region have been taped in preparation for the New Year celebration.
The other projects are those of PetroEnergy Resources Corporation; Energy Development Corporation; Agusan Power Corporation; PNOC Renewables and Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation; HydroCore Corp.; Vivant Corporation; E-Power Technologies Corp.; Kanan Hydroelectric Power Corporation; Green Energy Management Holdings Inc., Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corpration and Bell Pine Power Corporation. (MMV)
The simultaneous ceremonial muzzle taping of the service firearms of policemen in all police provincial, city and municipal offices on Tuesday was spearheaded by the officers and personnel of the Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) at its headquarters in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City.
PRO 12 spokesperson Police Superintendent Resty Damaso, said “the activity was primarily designed in accordance to Letter of Instruction 42 s 2011, which pertains to the implementation of proactive measures against indiscriminate firing of guns during the yuletide season to further prevent injuries and deaths brought by illegal and indiscriminate firing of guns.”
During the ceremonial muzzle taping, Police Chief Superintendent Lester Camba, deputy regional director for administration said, “guns are made to protect the oppressed and not to cause violence and mischief.”
Camba explained, the order from higher headquarters to seal service firearms is a measure to prevent men in uniform from firing their guns especially during the New Year celebration.
“In the past, there have been several accidents involving stray bullets. To prevent these accidents from happening, higher PNP officials have decided to seal the firearms of all police personnel,” he said.
Even with sealed firearms, police personnel should continue with their duties in securing public places with heightened police visibility.
“Always be vigilant and alert especially this coming New Year,” he reminded them. “I hope you continue with securing peace and order of the entire region.
The activity, according to PSupt. Damaso, was also an opportunity to account police personnel and properly turn over the security of the PRO-12 camp to the incoming duty guards while some personnel are spending time with their loved ones and families welcoming the New Year.
In South Cotabato Police Senior Superintendent Randolf Delfin led the muzzle taping ceremonies at the provincial command office.
He reminded his troops not to break the order. Her said those proven to have violated the order may be punished, which could include dismissal from service.
Delfin, however, clarified that police officers could still break their service firearm’s seal during emergency and to response to an impending crime. (RPIO-PRO-12/PIA 12)


==Army denies violating SOMO==
==DOLE 12 trains women inmates in accessory making==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=69983
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333847213
*Wednesday, December 28, 2011
*Sunday 8th of April 2012
:by  Dani Doguiles
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles






KORONADAL CITY, Dec 28 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army has not violated its declaration of the suspension of military operation (SOMO) against the New Peoples Army, an army official said.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 8 (PIA) -- Female inmates of the North Cotabato Provincial Jail were recently trained in making ladies’ accessories to help them earn some income.  
“Let me clear that out. We have not conducted any offensive operation against the NPA,” Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, based in Tupi, South Cotabato said in a telephone interview this morning.
He pointed out that they are only on the defensive mode.
Bravo’s statement came after Ka Efren, spokesperson of NPA-Central Mindanao as reported by local radio station in North Cotabato criticized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ceasefire declaration by continuing its Oplan Bayanihan specifically around mining giant Sagittarius Mines Incorporated’s (SMI) copper-gold project in Tampakan town.
He explained, “The declaration of the suspension of military operations (SOMO) with the NPA does not mean that we also have to stop our responsibility of securing the peace and order in our area of responsibility.”
What is suspended is only active offensive operation against NPA rebels, he explained further.
There is also no reason for them to stop with their peace and development activities in communities in need of their assistance while the SOMO is in effect, he added.
Bravo, however, clarified that their troops have maintained patrols in the tri-boundary of the municipalities of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur, and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat following “persistent and consistent” reports that the NPA is consolidating troops in the area.
At least 40 persons have been monitored in the tri-boundary in the recent weeks, which he said is unusual because in the past they could only monitor less than 10 troops there.
“Columbio Mayor Amirh Musali sent me a letter requesting for us to patrol the area because he is worried that this gathering of NPA troops could result in atrocities in their communities,” he said.
Bravo added, they have also received text messages claiming that from December 24 until January 1, NPA troops could harass army detachment in retaliation of the death of a member of bandit Daguil Capion’s group.
Capion has allegedly allied with the NPA after he was declared wanted for murder.
This, he said, is another reason why they have to beef up their defensive security preparations . (PIA 12)


==South Cotabato to build Upper Valley Community Hospital==
In a press release sent to the Philippine Information Agency 12 this week, Charmaine Ladot-Sonsona, information officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12, said the training held on March 22 was spearheaded by the DOLE North Cotabato Field Office in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology as part of the Women’s Month celebration.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=69755
*Tuesday, December 27, 2011
:by PIA Press Release


Skills training involved techniques on production of commercially viable accessories such as bracelets, earrings, and others.


Lorie Buday of Matalam LGU Cooperative, who served as trainer, assured the inmates of market for their products. She said the cooperative is willing to purchase the inmates’ finished product which will then be sold in livelihood and trade fairs.


Koronadal City, Dec. 27 (PIA) -- The local government unit of South Cotabato will construct a community hospital at Surallah, South Cotabato in the first quarter of 2012.
North Cotabato Field Office chief Edna Sales urged the inmates who took part of the training to make this a livelihood opportunity.  
The Upper Valley Community Hospital will help decongest the provincial hospital in Koronadal City from the numerous patients that flock the hospital facility.
Dr.Salvecio Dagang, chief of the technical division of the South Cotabato provincial health office said the Department of Health through the Field Health Enhancement Program has provided P27.8 million assistance for the hospital construction.
He said that private corporations led by the San Miguel Corporation will be contributing P25 million as budgetary support to the project.
On the part of the local government unit of Surallah, South Cotabato, it purchased the P5 million site of the Upper Valley Community Hospital, Dr. Dagang added.
When completed, the 100-hospital bed facility, according to the PHO official, will cost P80 million. (OTSudaria/PIA)


==Irrigators agree to co-manage irrigation facilities==
She said the assistance was only the beginning of more assistance to the women inmates. Among the help that they could expect, Sales said, includes special program for the employment of students.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=69687
*Monday, December 26, 2011
:by  Evelyn Bragasin and Dani Doguiles


She added that children of inmates who would qualify will be given priority in SPES.


Meanwhile, acting provincial jail warden SInsp. Israel Arboleda was grateful that DOLE 12 initiated the livelihood training.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec 26 (PIA) -- Irrigators in North Cotabato recently had an agreement with the the National Irrigation Administration -12 (NIA-12) for the operation and management of facilities of Libungan River Irrigation System in their area.
He said inmates are one of the most neglected in society and at times adjudged as criminals even before they are convicted.  
Just recently, Saltum Irrigator’s Association Inc. (SALTUMIA Inc.) and LIBRIS Division 5 CHRISLAM Irrigators Association, Inc. signed a contract with NIA-12 Libungan River Irrigation System in line with the Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) program.
Under the IMT contract, both irrigators’ associations agreed to operate and manage the irrigation facilities, including the lateral canals in covered by the association.
They shall also take other duties, including water distribution and delivery and bills preparation and collection of irrigation service fee.
The contract was signed by Jerry Labrador as president the irrigator’s group SALTUMIA Inc., and Danilo Tacan president of the LIBRIS Division 5 CHRISLAM IA and Engr. C'zar M. Sulaik, division manager of Cotabato Provincial Irrigation Office for NIA.
Engr. Edna C. Bantala, irrigation superintendent of Libungan River Irrigation System, said the contract signing is another milestone in the history of the office.
The government is now putting more emphasis on the role of irrigators associations, making them the centerpiece of development initiatives.
Bantala encouraged other irrigator groups who have not decided to enter into contract to make the move so that they could also avail of the services and benefits being enjoyed by the IAs which have already existing IMT contracts with the NIA.
On the part of the irrigators, Labrador thanked the NIA administration for the effort the agency has been extending to the IAs particularly in irrigation-related activities.
He also enjoined his co-IA officers to continue supporting the programs of the NIA especially the IMT program for the benefit of the farmer-irrigation users.
NIA Region 12 Regional Manager Modesto Anderson M. Tolentino, Jr. said the IMT program is aimed at empowering irrigators’ associations by allowing them to accept the responsibility of managing the irrigation facilities covered by their association.
Through this program, the IAs would feel a sense of ownership so they will take good care of the facilities and to strive to attain their goals as embodied in their contracts, Tolentino said.
He also advised the IA officers present to be transparent to the members and to lay out to their members all transactions and activities they should decide on.
He added, IAs are now being recognized by the Department of Agriculture thus they should not betray the trust given by the agency to them.
He also encouraged the current IA officers to be lookout for potential leaders and train them so they will also have the chance to hold the reins of their IAs.
Earlier this year, LIBRIS Division 6 IA and Settlers IA of Midsayap (SIAM) entered into contract under the IMT Model 2.
With the contract, SALTUMIA Inc. is bound to operate and manage facilities in 139.30 hectares covering Barangays Salunayan and Tumbras in Midsayap town in North Cotabato. It involves 96 farmer-irrigators, of whom 73 are members of SALTUMIA.
On the other hand, LIBRIS Div 5 need to manage 817.075 hectares in Barangays Central Katingawan, Lagumbingan, San Isidro, Patindeguen and parts of Bagumba, all in Midsayap. The area serves at least 796 farmers, 766 of which are members of the irrigators’ association.
Libungan River Irrigation System which has an Ogee-type dam in Barangay Barongis, Libungan Cotabato has a potential coverage area of 12,000 hectares.
At present, it serves a firmed up area of 5,983.20 hectares in Midsayap, 1,453.34 hectares in Libungan, 1,098.05 hectares in Pigcawayan in North Cotabato and 721.35 hectares in Northern Kabuntalan in Maguindanao province.
It was opened on September 15, 1962 by President Carlos P. Garcia. (NIA-12/PIA-12)


==IEDs found in South Cotabato==
With such, he is assured that these inmates will see the hope of living a decent life after their rehabilitation inside the jail.  
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/25/11/ieds-found-south-cotabato
*December 25, 2011
:by  abs-cbnNEWS.com


After the training, inmates received starter kits for the production of ladies’ accessories for them to be able apply what they have learned and start a business. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/DOLE 12)


==North Cotabato’s peace camps to reach 25,000 kids==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333766497
*Saturday 7th of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12 with report from IDCD-Prov’l Governor’s Office)


MANILA, Philippines – The military recovered two improvised explosive devices (IED) in South Cotabato Sunday noon.


The IEDs were found by members of the Joint Task Force Kutawato and South Cotabato police along a national highway in Barangay Magon, Tantangan town at around 12 noon.


The explosives were made from the ammunition of a 105-millimeter howitzer and an 81-millimeter projectile. The IEDs are now under the custody of the task force.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 7 (PIA)-- At least 25,000 Grade V school children from 17 municipalities and lone city of North Cotabato are expected to participate in the second run of the province’s Gov. Lala Summer Kids Peace Camp.  


An investigation is ongoing to determine who planted the explosives and their motives behind it. – report from Chat Ansagay, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN
This year’s three-day peace camps began in Pikit municipality on March 9 – 11 where 2,451 children joined. This was followed by peace camps in Aleosan town on March 15 – 17 and another one on March 19 – 21 in Magpet municipality.  


==News Feature: Celebrating Christmas the LGU way==
More peace camps are scheduled after the Holy Week until May including camps in Antipas, Matalam, M’lang, Kabacan, Pigcawayan, Makilala, Arakan, Tulunan, Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, Midsayap, Libungan, and Pres. Roxas municipalities and in Kidapawan City.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=69437
*Friday, December 23, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza initiated this program last year in partnership with the Department of Education to promote peace among residents of the province starting while they are still young as well as developing potential leaders among them.


It also aims to motivate children to get involved and affirm their commitment to the government, help them discover and enhance their abilities and realize their role in the community especially in the government’s goal towards lasting peace.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 23 (PIA) -- This is a given: Filipinos celebrate Christmas longer than any nation in the entire world.
This is done by gathering Muslim, indigenous people and Christian children in camps where they are introduced to diverse cultures of the tri-people living in the province, taught leadership skills and important moral values and encouraged to involve in community development.  
Christmas carols, greeting of “Merry Christmas” –- even giving hints on what sort of gift we want to receive from our friends and loved ones -- start on the first day of September and lasts until past January 6.
In roughly a decade, another trend has increasingly become popular: local government units spearheading Christmas festivities for their constituents.
Soccsksargen Region is never one to be left out.
The following are some of the most notable LGU Christmas celebrations this year.
Magpet, North Cotabato: Christmas for the Environment
This municipality, which sits within the slopes of the majestic Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest mountain, celebrates the yuletide season with utmost concern for the environment. Taking off as “Pasko sa Basura” four years ago, the celebration is now called 3K party: “Kinaiyahan Kasadya sa Kapaskuhan.”
All decorations in the town’s plaza are made mostly of indigenous and recyclable materials. All other activities in the event, albeit just a day, are focused on underlining the importance of the protection of Mother Earth.
In his message during the 3K party on December 16, Mayor Efren Piñol, challenged his constituents: “Let us unite to save our environment before it is too late.”
For the first time in four years, Magpet constituents released about 200 paper lanterns that turned the town’s skyline into a simpler version of a sky lantern scene in Disney movie, Tangled.
Tupi, South Cotabato: Ablaze in a Million Lights
“It looks like the entire town hall is covered in a giant blanket of lights,” says Boyet Reyes, a resident of Kidapawan City who dropped by the town plaza on his way to General Santos City. “I am already late for an appointment, I couldn’t help but park my car and take pictures,” he said.
Every pine tree within the town plaza is also filled with lights in red, orange green, blue and many other colors. The town plaza is perfect for friends to hang out until the wee hours or individuals who simply want to sit on one of the benches or the park’s lawn and listen to the Christmas song playing from the LGU’s sound system.
Tupi’s “Paskuhan ng Bayan” kicked off on December 17 with a torch parade participated by hundreds of residents. Highlights of the festivities include nightly band competition, singing competition, gift-giving for children, amateur boxing competition, among others. Activities culminate on December 23.
South Cotabato Provincial Government: December Fest
Of all the LGU-based Christmas celebrations in the entire Soccsksargen Region, only South Cotabato has successfully mixed merriments, private-public partnership, and delivery of social services in one package.
From December 9 until December 23, the province’s Productivity and Technology (Protech) Center becomes a venue of nightly live bands, singing contests, and shows from 6:00 pm until midnight.
Each day, a partner of the provincial government -- to name a few: Sagittarius Mines, Inc., private and public schools, DepEd, Socoteco -- sponsors presentation that showcase the province’s unique pool of talents in dancing, singing, stage play, etc.
Unlike most Christmas celebrations, South Cotabato makes sure that amidst the jubilations of the 15-day celebration, residents gain more than festivities. The provincial government has partnered with DOLE for a jobs fair. This year, a total of 23 local and foreign employers offered hundreds of jobs.
The LGU and the DOST also conducted livelihood trainings and business seminars purposely to develop local entrepreneurs.
The provincial government also sets a night wholly devoted to children. One December 22, hundreds of children came to the provincial capitol grounds for a night of party, food, gift-giving, and games. For the activity, the provincial government has partnered with the three malls in Koronadal City, a giant food chain (which provided party mascots), and other private partners.
Yearly, the capitol compound turns into a Christmas village of lights and sounds perfect for picture-taking and get-together. Last year, a giant Santa Claus straddled the main building’s canopy; this year, a nativity scene, complete with life-size camels and sheep, takes center stage.
General Santos City: Honoring its Champion’s
Yearly, the city government of General Santos City in partnership with the barangay councils, transforms the city’s oval plaza into a “Paskuhan Village,” a showcase of culture, tourism and economic richness of the twenty-six barangays of the Tuna Capital.
A tour in the Paskuhan Village is like a quick visit to the major attractions of the city’s 26 barangays. Barangay Fatima’s booth has a replica of the international airport. That of the Barangay Ligaya, known for it’s poultry industry has a “Santa Nok” (a santa chicken) with a giant egg.
Booths of coastal barangays like Bawing, Bula, Buayan, and Calumpang adorned their respective booths with a real “bangka” and fishnets. A giant shrimp made of luminous plastic in Bula, and the dried fish and squid for sale in Calumpang indicated the abundance of the sea in these barangays with fishing as the main source of income.
This year, Gensan’s Christmas celebration, tagged “Kampeon ang Pasko sa Gensan” pays tribute the personalities who have made a name for themselves and the city.
World boxing champion hails from Barangay Labangal while Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup comes from Barangay Katangawan.
Other personalities that have achieved stardom include actor Gerard Anderson, actress-comedienne Melai Cantiveros, boxer Nonito Donaire, and dance group XB-Gensan.
Wherever one may visit in the four provinces and five cities of Soccsksargen Region, the barangays plazas are adorned with lights and decorations that remind us that the last quarter of each year, is a Merry Christmas. (PIA-12)


==South Cotabato cracks down on illegal mining==
“There should be no discrimination. Everyone has an equal opportunity. No matter what the sexual orientation, tribe or religion. And if you have discipline in your studies, you will go far,” Gov. Mendoza told participants in one of the peace camps.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=760594
*December 21, 2011 12:00 AM
:by  John Unson


The lady governor also challenged the future leaders of the province to “put into practice what you learn during the summer kids peace camp and serve as role models to the younger pupils when you go back to school.”


Activities during the summer kids camp include lectures and group activities including leadership workshops, sports competitions, lectures on environment and climate change, life skills and emergency preparedness, as well as activities that promote understanding of each other’s social, cultural and religious diversity.


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – South Cotabato Gov. Arturo Pingoy Jr. yesterday ordered a crackdown on illegal mining in his province to prevent the adverse effects of cutting of trees in areas where miners dig for gold.
Campers were also given the chance to exhibit their talents and skills via a talent show and Pabonggahan Night and live theater presentation showcasing cultures in the province.  


In an executive order, Pingoy also warned that local officials found conniving with illegal miners would be prosecuted.
During the opening ceremonies of the summer kids peace camp in Magpet on March 19, Gov. Mendoza also turned-over a P3.5 million worth covered court to host Apostol Memorial Elementary School.  


Pingoy said the excessive tunneling of miners in the towns of T’boli and Tampakan and in the hinterlands at the boundary of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat can cause landslides that can endanger the lives of villagers at the foot of mountains.
She explained this was an incentive to the school for hosting the same event last year.  


Pingoy also called on the police and the military to help enforce the provincial government’s anti-illegal mining thrust in gold-rush towns.
The said project was funded in partnership with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Partylist whose representative, Congressman Raymond Mendoza, was also present during the turn-over ceremony.


==South Cotabato sending coffins to Iligan, CDO; WFP joins relief ops==
==N. Cotabato LGU hands over P29.7-M infra projects to municipalities==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=393377
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611333687802
*December 20, 2011, 4:44 pm
*Friday 6th of April 2012
:by  (PNA)
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
LDV/AVE/RSS






KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) – Aside from rice packs, the provincial government of South Cotabato committed Tuesday to send coffins to the typhoon-battered cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 6 (PIA) -- At least P29.7 million worth of infrastructure projects were turned-over in March by the provincial government of North Cotabato to five of its municipalities.  


South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said the coffins will be delivered to the area this week along with the P1.5 million worth of relief assistance allotted by the local government for the victims of typhoon “Sendong.”
Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza on March 10 handed over to the LGUs of Matalam and Carmen P17 million worth of infrastructure projects.  


He said the province has about 10 to 15 pieces of coffins in stock and they may send more units in the coming days.
These included water systems worth P500,000 each for barangays Kilada ang Latagan as well as P500,000 multi-purpose buildings for barangays Marbel and New Abra, all in Matalam town.  


Pingoy said the assistance from the province would be brought to the two Northern Mindanao cities together with those coming from nearby Sarangani province.
Also turned-over were infrastructure projects to barangays in Carmen town. These include a P7-million concreting project of the Aroman-Lanoon road, P700,000 worth of one-classroom school building at Pebpoloan, and P983,159 power distribution line for barangay Kitulaan.  


Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said they will be sending P500,000 worth of rice to the victims of the floods in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Other projects include a covered court in Carmen worth P2. 5 million, and a new rural health unit for barangay Poblacion built at P4 million.  


He also appealed to those who want to help donate blankets, used clothes, toothbrushes and others to drop them at the provincial capitol gymnasium in Alabel town until Wednesday noon.
“You are all accountable for the safekeeping of these projects. Use them for the benefit of the many and use them with care so that these projects can continue to provide service to the people in your barangays for a long time,” Mendoza said.  


Dominguez said courier company Fast Cargo has volunteered to transport the donations for free.
Turned-over projects in Aleosan town included a P1.2-million box culvert project charged against the province’s calamity fund in barangay New Panay, as well as concreting project of the public market worth P4.7 million and P5 million road concreting project in barangay Poblacion , which were both charged to the 20% economic development fund.  


In a related development, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has heeded the request of the Philippine government for immediate food, non-food items and logistics support in the ongoing relief efforts to Sendong’s victims.
Baranay Malinga, Midsayap received a solar dryer worth P347,000, while barangays Renibon, New Igbaras, and Datu Binasing of Pigcawayan town received a P500,000 worth multi-purpose building each. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/LAF-IDCD-North Cotabato)


In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Air Force, WFP immediately dispatched three tons of high-energy biscuits to the affected areas to assist 7,800 of the most vulnerable people who cannot easily cook food, WFP said in a statement.
==Wage hike in Region 12 seen before Labor Day==
*Source: http://www.soccsksargen.com/wage-hike-in-region-12-seen-before-labor-day/
*Apr 5th, 2012
:by  Allen V. Estabillo


In addition, WFP has already mobilized and delivered key items needed for the relief operation, including water tanks and a mobile storage tent.


“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and displacement as a result of the storm and flash floods,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP country director.


The government has specifically requested WFP emergency food and non-food items –such as blankets, water tanks, tarpaulins and tents– for over 74,000 people in the areas of Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador City and Kinoguitan of Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, as well as logistics support to help transport government relief items to affected communities in Northern Mindanao.
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/4 Apr) – An increase in the daily minimum wage rates for private sector workers in Southwestern Mindanao is looming, officials said on Wednesday.


==24 LGUs in ARMM to receive P1.5-M support fund==
In a statement, Chona Mantilla, Department of Labor and Employment Region 12 director, said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, which she also chairs, recently decided to hike the floor pay from P10 to P14 a day.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=68741
*Monday, December 19, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release


She noted the latest salary increase, or Wage Order No. RBXII-17, may take effect before May 1 or Labor Day, a regular holiday to honor the workers.


Before it will be effective, it needs to be published in a local newspaper.


KORONADAL CITY, Dis. 19 (PIA) -- Some 24 local government units in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are set to receive additional P1.5 million support under the ARMM-Social Support Fund (ASFP).
Under the new wage order, which will be implemented in two tranches, the daily minimum wage rates will range from P246 to P270.
On Friday, the first 8 LGUs that will receive the additional funding were named.
These are Upi and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao, Jolo and Indanan in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi, Wao in Lanao del Sur, and Lamitan City in Basilan.
Irene Fernandez, head of the Institutional Strengthening and Governance (ISG) component of the ASFP, added, a total of 24 LGUs in the region will be granted P1.5-M fund through its municipal block grant (MBG) scheme.
She said the LGUs were selected based on their performance on local governance, implementation of ASFP-supported projects, and fiscal handling.
The local governments of these recipient towns are required to provide a specified counterpart, bringing the total amount of the project that will be implemented to around P2-million, she said.
ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo said the MBG is ASFP’s way of “recognizing the support and performance of local government units (LGUs) especially in the implementation of ASFP-supported projects in their area.”
He said the funding support is an incentive for local governments to undertake participatory and community-driven development projects.
The MBG also scales up the impact of ASFP projects to the municipal level from individual communities, he said.
ASFP has earmarked total of P36-million for the MBG out of the rolled-out P1.4 billion additional financing it secured from the World Bank.
According to Sinarimbo, funds for the remaining 16 municipalities are scheduled for release next year.
ASFP handles the largest and only foreign loan assisted project that is being directly supervised by the ARMM government. It has been cited by the World Bank for its satisfactory performance, giving way to the approval of an additional financing.
The additional loan would allow ASFP to cater to 596 more communities across ARMM that were not previously covered by the project. Close to a thousand communities in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi have already benefitted from life-enhancing projects introduced by ASFP in its seven-year run. (BPI-ARMM/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==BFAR, DTI train coop members on seaweed processing==
The first tranche was expected to take effect before May 1 and the next on December 1, 2012.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=68427
*Friday, December 16, 2011
:by  Jane Christine Balayo & Omar Sabal


In coming up with wage adjustment, the RTWPB decided to integrate the present P15 daily cost of living allowance (COLA) to the new basic wage.


The existing daily floor pay ranges from P234 to P260.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec 16 (PIA) -- Fifteen members of a cooperative in Sarangani were trained on processing and value addition of seaweeds into income-generating products recently.
“The last wage order was issued more than one year ago and there being no petition, the RTWPB has resolved to review, motu propio (on its own), the existing minimum wage rates in the region,” Mantilla said.
The two-day training, specifically intended for members of the Sarangani Seaweed Producers Cooperative, was implemented by the Post Harvest Section (PHS) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 12 in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry - Sarangani Province (DTI-SP) at the Municipal Hall of Alabel town, Sarangani Province.
The training was focused on the production of pickles, noodles, and chips, among others from seaweeds.
Jocelyn Romasanta, PHSs chief of the PHS, BFAR 12 technical staff and DTI counterparts said the training is to ensure that technologies were clearly and properly conveyed to the target recipients for them to develop and sustain means of livelihood other than fishing.
She said the participants, majority of whom were women, were taught to maximize use of seaweeds which are commonly grown in the area.
“This, in effect, is an opportunity to empower women who complement efforts with their fisherman-husbands,” Romasanta said.
To ensure that beneficiaries sustain their operation, BFAR 12 also awarded them with one unit noodle-making equipment.
The participants personally thanked BFAR 12 & DTI- SP for the support they had given to their group and for the knowledge they had gained in the lecture and training.
According to them, it was indeed a great help for them to have an additional job and income.
Seaweeds is one of the municipal’s main product line and this is the reason why the government took the initiative to develop more products out of this commodity. (BFAR 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


==Authorities stop transport of 75 sacks of gold ore in So. Cotabato==
Studies on the socio-economic condition in the region warranted the need to grant an increase in the minimum wage rates of private sector workers in Region 12 regardless of their position, designation or status of their employment, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, Ms. Mantilla said
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=68167
*Thursday, December 15, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles


Also called the SOCCSKSARGEN region, Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.


The Wage Board conducted public consultations early this year in parts of the region to determine if a salary adjustment is needed for the area.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 15 (PIA) -- Personnel of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) of South Cotabato have seized 75 sacks of gold ore illegally transported from mineral-rich Barangay Kematu in T’boli town on Tuesday.
Alfredo Hebrona Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry governor for Southwestern Mindanao, declined to give a comment on the looming wage hike, saying he was not privy to the deliberation.
Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting provincial environment management officer said, the ore were sequestered at the PEMO checkpoint in Kematu around 6:00 p.m. on December 13 after those who transported the materials failed to present ore transport permit and delivery receipts.
He said they have already identified the name of the suspected owner of the confiscated ore but refused to disclose the identity of the suspect pending investigation.
“Aside from these we have also confiscated a total of 10 sacks of gold ore transported via motorcycles in the recent weeks,” Flaviano added.
PEMO has intensified monitoring of illegal transport of ore from the mining areas in T’boli as some tunnels there were re-opened following issuance of permit by the provincial government.
On October 27, the provincial government padlocked about 300 tunnels in the Minahan ng Bayan in T’boli after they failed to secure permits to operate from the provincial government. On November 15, at least 50 tunnels were allowed to operate again after they have complied with the requirements.
Along with the re-opening of the mining tunnels, South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. has also ordered strict monitoring of the mining activities in the area.
“We have installed two checkpoints, one at the Poblacion and another at the mining village’s exit point,” he said.
“Gov. Pingoy has even promised to install CCTV camera in the area to further ensure that illegal transport of ore from the area is curtailed,” he added.
Flaviano said, the 85 sacks of ore confiscated from T’boli, along with 92 sacks of gold ore recently confiscated from Tampakan town, are stored in PEMO’s stock room.
“We are coordinating with the provincial legal officer and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the possibility of processing the confiscated ore and selling them in favor of the provincial government,” he said.
He explained South Cotabato’s provincial board has yet to pass a resolution regarding disposition of seized ore.
According to estimates, Flaviano said, the provincial government could earn around P3 million from the 92 sacks of gold ore from Tampakan if these are processed and sold.
Flaviano added, since their issuance of permits to operate in November and implementation of stricter monitoring of the area, their office has been “flooded” with applications for permits to operate.
The number of applications to run ball mills has also increased after Gov. Pingoy ordered dismantling of illegal gold ore processors in the area.
Pingoy has given ball mill operators in mining areas until January 15 to secure permits from the provincial government, Flaviano said. (PIA 12)


==Fishery aid==
Jessie dela Cruz, RTWPB secretary, said that exemptions maybe granted to certain types of establishments, such as those distressed and those whose assets are not more than P3 million.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/344797/military-support
*December 14, 2011, 2:43pm
:by  www.mb.com.ph


Following the public consultations early this year, Dela Cruz has said that the situation may not warrant an adjustment in the minimum wages of private sector workers, citing a report then by the National Economic and Development Authority that prices of basic consumer goods have remained stable.


Militant labor groups in the area since the past few years have demanded a legislated P125 across-the-board daily wage increase. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)


KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – At least 27 fisherfolk in Lutayan town, Sultan Kudarat, have benefited from distribution of GET EXCEL tilapia by the Region-12 office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in cooperation with the Mindanao Freshwater Fishery Technology Center (MFFTC), The GET EXCEL (Genetically Enhanced Tilapias for Excellence) is a tilapia strain developed by the government to increase fish production, and provide solutions to the perennial problems of food security.
==Holy Week is time to reflect on Christ’s suffering and resurrection -- Bishop Gutierrez==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333518864
*Wednesday 4th of April 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)  


==Lady solon files bill establishing Mt. Matutum as protected area==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=67646
*Monday, December 12, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release




KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 4 (PIA) -- Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel urged believers of Christ, especially the Catholics , to spend the Holy Week in prayers, meditations and sacrifices rather than in vacations and merriment.


KORONADAL CITY, December 12 (PIA) -- The protection and conservation of Mt. Matutum watershed which is a vital water source in region XII will gain further momentum once a bill establishing Mt Matutum as protected area will be enacted into a law.
“This entire week should be devoted to remembering the suffering , crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said in an interview with a local radio station.  
South Cotabato second district representative Daisy Avance-Fuentes is pushing for the passage of House Bill Number 3832, an Act establishing Mt. Matutum as protected area under the category of protected landscape, providing for its management and for other purposes.
The bill is co-authored by South Cotabato first district representative Pedro Acharon, Jr. and Sarangani lone district representative Emmanuel Pacquiao.
Mt. Matutum was declared a protected landscape on March 25, 1995 through Presidential Proclamation No. 552 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos.
The purpose of the bill, it was pointed out, is to formally and finally declare Mt. Matutum as part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
On its part, the SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Board passed Resolution Number 03, series of 2011 supporting the approval of House Bill 3832.
Likewise, the Regional Development Council, region XII approved a resolution supporting the same bill during its 36th regular meeting in Alabel, Sarangani. (OTSUDARIA/PIA12)


==South Cotabato school kids receive book gifts==
“All other weeks of the year, we do not celebrate the Paschal mystery, only this week,” he reminded them.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=67591
*Sunday, December 11, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release


He said believers should spend this entire week to praise God the Father for giving his only Son Jesus Christ who offered Himself to be crucified on the cross for the salvation of humanity.


There is no better way to celebrate this, he added, but to reflect on the Jesus’s suffering on the cross and his rise to glory on Easter Sunday.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA)--- Joy illuminates the faces of school children of a remote village in South Cotabato as Nestle handed them out assorted story books and textbooks to aid them in their learning in school.
Bishop Gutierrez, however, asked believers to refrain from the traditional practice of some devotees to show their sacrifices by having themselves nailed on the cross.  
“Books are like lighthouses built in the vast sea of opportunities. These gifts are valuable contribution as we seek knowledge,” April Joy Calanza, Grade VI, quips in behalf of the school children during recent book turn-over at Teresita Elementary School in South Cotabato.
The gifts were indeed timely for students as they face the challenges of going to school in this remote village.
Nestle and partners saw the need to provide the assorted story books and textbooks “to support the school's remedial reading program.”
Intended to be used in reading camps, the books donation will help students develop reading habits and enhance reading skills and comprehension. “These books will really help us in developing reading habits, widen our imaginations, learn and discover other cultures and people,” April Joy emphasized.
Sheer excitement etched in kids’ faces as they begun scanning pages of the story books immediately after the simple turn-over ceremony.
Josh, a Grade II student took the colored book with animal story. “Beautiful, you will really learn and enjoy reading,” he said in vernacular.
Teresita Elementary School serves mostly farmers' children in South Cotabato. Most of them speak the “Ilonggo” vernacular.
The Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) findings, according to school records revealed an increasing number of Grades 2 to 6 ending up as frustrated readers.
It said “at least 49.4 percent of the students were considered non-readers and frustrated level readers.”
The school’s remedial reading program has been implemented in the hope to reverse the current trend with the concerted efforts of teachers following up the learning activities of students at homes. (Danny Escabarte/PBSP & CT Apelacio/PIA General Santos City)


==Authorities warn of fake peso bills==
Above all these, Bishop Gutierrez added, the entire Christendom should contemplate more on the glory of Christ’s resurrection.  
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=67490
*Saturday, December 10, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles and Rhoderick Beñez


In response, he pointed out, people should live with fear and faith on God by showing love and care for other people.


“After the Good Friday, Christ rose from the dead. He triumphed against death,” he said. “We should also change. We should also overcome.”


KORONADAL CITY, Dec 10 (PIA) -- Authorities in North Cotabato warned the public of fake peso notes that syndicates have recently circulated in the area.
Easter should also be a time to give attention to the protection of the Mother Earth.  
Police report said, a bank collector in the Kabacan town, North Cotabato was the latest victim when a fake 500-peso bill was found among the bills he remitted to the bank’s cashier.
Although police have yet to establish the exact source of the fake bank note, the collector believes this could have come from a client who may not have known that he or she is using fake bills.
P/SSupt , Joseph Semillano, chief of Kabacan PNP, urged the public to examine very carefully the peso bills they receive especially in public places such as markets and public conveyances where these bank notes do not usually undergo checks for security features.
He also advised them immediately report to the police any bank notes they suspect to be counterfeit. They could also examine the bill for security features.
For example, he said, in a 500-peso bank note, the words “Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas” can be seen via a simple magnifying glass printed on top of the “500” mark on the bottom left corner of the note’s front face.
They may also check for the presence of features that can be immediately seen such as the security thread embedded off center of the bill and watermark of a silhouette of the face on the banknote on the unprinted portion of the note.
Semillano said counterfeit banknotes circulating in Kabacan are of P20, P100, and P500 denominations. (PIA12)


==Establishment of POEA extension office in region XII mulled==
He said, by giving importance and taking care of the Mother Earth, we show love for humanity as well as prepare the Earth for the future generation.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=67342
*Friday, December 09, 2011
:by PIA Press Release


==TESDA specialistas in Soccsksargen gain ground==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333416175
*Tuesday 3rd of April 2012
:by  (with report from Rolly Palencia/TESDA 12) (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, December 9, (PIA) -- Local government units and the Regional Development Council, region XII are pushing for the establishment of an extension office of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Koronadal City, the seat of the region. The need was expressed by overseas Filipino workers and those who would like to avail of the services of the POEA from region XII who have to travel to Davao City to undertake their transactions. To boost the move, Sultan Kudarat representative Raden Sakaluran, through a letter to DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, expressed his support to the establishment of the POEA extension office in Koronadal City. North Cotabato and South Cotabato legislative bodies have also thrown their support through separate resolutions in locating a POEA office here. DOLE XII director Gloria Tango explained that the organizational set up of POEA is different. Its area office is in Davao City and outside of this are the extension offices of the other Mindanao regions with a corresponding handful manpower for each. "Yong lahat ng resolutions at mga letters na sumusuporta sa establishment ng POEA extension office sa region XII ay pinadala na kay Secretary Baldoz," Director Tango disclosed. (All the resolutions and letters supporting the establishment of an extension office in region XII have been forwarded to Secretary Baldoz, Director Tango disclosed). (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)


==South Cotabato implements new anti-firecracker campaign==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=67240
*Thursday, December 08, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 3 (PIA) -- Barely three months from its launching, Region 12’s TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) has shown promise as a source of income among technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates.


A press release from the office Technical Education and Skills Development Authority regional direct Zeus Ampuyas on Monday said, 130 organized TSTP entrepreneurs in three provinces and one city have already earned a total income of P259,340.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec 8 (PIA) -- Health officials in South Cotabato are embarking on a massive information drive on the government’s revised anti-firecracker campaign.
Overall, TESDA Specialistas have served 893 clients in various service categories such as beauty care and wellness, caregiving, building/house repair maintenance, computer hardware servicing, appliance repair, catering/food and beverage servicing to automotive and small engine servicing, Ampuyas said.  
Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, provincial health officer said, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of South Cotabato is implementing Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR).
APIR or “Give Me Five” is the fire-cracker campaign implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in coordination with local government units to reduce the number of fire-cracker related injuries, usually caused by indiscriminate and irresponsible use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, especially during Christmas and New year
This year, DOH’s campaign will not ask people to stop using firecrackers. It will also not use the fear appeal approach through use of images of injuries. Instead, the campaign will show an uninjured hand with five fingers.
Each finger represents DOH’s tip for the holidays: participate in community fireworks display, celebrate a safe family holiday, use alternative noise-makers, join merry-making activities, and reflect on lessons of past year to guide New Year.
Dr. Aturdido said beginning Friday, December 9, they will begin posting of APIR campaign materials in conspicuous locations in the entire province.
This early, Dr. Aturdido has called on the public to refrain from irresponsible use of firecrackers.
In the holiday season of 2010, IPHO has recorded 36 cases of firecracker-related injuries, an increase of 38 percent compared to 26 cases in 2009.
He added that last year, the oldets victim was 68 years old while the youngest was only 3 years old.
The Department of Trade ang Industry has banned harmful firecrackers such as piccolo, super lolo, pla pla, judas belt and og.
To those who would be injured by firecrackers, Dr. Aturdido advised immediate medical attention.
“They should immediately wash the wound with clean running water and soap and immediately seek medical attention from nearest health center or hospital,” he said.
Parents should not to allow their children to handle firecrackers; drunk adults should also refrain from lighting firecrackers, Aturdido added.
He also called on the members of the media to help them in their anti-firecracker campaign. (PIA 12)


==South Cotabato taps barangay councils in crackdown vs illegal mining activities==
Areas where TESDA Specialistas are now operating include North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sarangani-General Santos.  
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=390706
*December 7, 2011, 6:19 pm
:by  (PNA)
DCT/FFC/AVE/HST


Ampuyas said, in the past three months they monitored the activities of the techno-entrepreneurs to determine if the purpose of the program has been achieved as evidenced by income per aggrupation.


Results of the monitoring indicated that of the seven service categories, building/house repair and maintenance has the highest average income which reached P43,126.67, followed by beauty care and wellness services which is P41,780.00. The third highest earning category was computer hardware services which accumulated income amounting to P15,100.00.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 7 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has stepped up its crackdown on the rampant illegal mining activities in the province by tapping the barangay councils as its monitoring arm.
The rest of the service categories are also picking well in terms of earnings, the report said.  


South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Wednesday he issued an executive order mandating Barangays Tablu and Pulabato in Tampakan and Barangays Kematu and Desawo in T’boli to specifically spearhead the monitoring of the destructive banlas or sluice mining operations.
Ampuyas said that the income earned by the TESDA Specialistas in the last three months is an indication that the “newly launched program has started creating awareness and gaining support from the people in the community.”


He directed the officials of the four barangays to constitute a team that would regularly monitor the continuing sluice mining and other illegal mining activities within their areas.
“Money has also started to fill up the TESDA Specialistas’ purse as they render their services to their valued customers.”


“Banlas is a highly-destructive mining method as some operators usually use high-pressure water jets to dislodge or move soil sediments and mercury for the mineral extraction,” the governor said.
TSTP was designed out to address problem of limited job opportunities in the market by assisting the unemployed or underemployed TVET graduates for them to be able to have a chance to be economically stable.  


Banlas mining involves the pouring of large amounts of water on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ore, and then pan them with mercury.
Under the program TESDA facilitates the organization of trained and certified TVET graduates with related skills to be productive into groups called TESDA specialistas who provide technical services for affordable fees in communities where they operate.  


The use of the illegal mining method, which was first uncovered in T'boli town, has caused the destruction of several mountains in the area.
TESDA provides them with a TESDA Nurturer to guide and mentor them as well as link with the local government unit for possible support such as operation center and advertisement in the locality.  


Reports said the sluice mining operations are centered in Kampo Kilot of Barangay Pulabato in Tampakan, where at least two hectares of a mountain in the area was already destroyed based on an aerial survey earlier conducted by the provincial government of South Cotabato.
Those interested to be a TESDA Specialista, they may inquire from the TESDA Provincial Offices near their area for a detailed information.  


Aside from the barangay councils, Pingoy said they have tapped the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the municipal governments to spearhead the crackdown and the clearing operations against illegal mining operations.
Households and individuals who would like to avail of the services of the techno-entrepreneurs may contact their local government officials or the local office of TESDA.


He said they have established a hotline that barangay officials and residents may use in reporting illegal activities directly to his office.
==PNP 12 on alert for the Holy Week==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333344785
*Monday 2nd of April 2012
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


Pingoy said he issued the order in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates Barangay officials to enforce laws and regulations on pollution control and environmental protection.


He added that barangay officials who would fail to execute the said order would be slapped with administrative sanctions for gross negligence, or dereliction of duty as cited in RA 7160.


==South Cotabato releases P10M worth of service vehicles, dev't projects==
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 2 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s police force has been put on heightened alert for the celebration of the Holy Week, P/SSupt. Randolph Delfin, police provincial director said.  
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=390243
*December 5, 2011, 9:28 pm
:by  (PNA)
LAP/FFC/AVE/HST


Delfin said, as early as two months ago, in accordance with a directive from the Police Regional Office, he ordered all police chiefs under his jurisdiction to plan out and strengthen security measures for the summer vacation.


“Included in this are the security measures for the celebration of the Holy Week as well as those intended to keep vacationers safe,” Delfin said.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has turned over on Monday some P10 million worth of newly-acquired service vehicles and development projects for at least five villages and three municipalities in the province.
As in other important events, he said, police personnel will be deployed in public convergence places, such as terminals, churches, malls, supermarkets and others.  


South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said the release of the service vehicles and development projects were part of the local government’s continuing initiative to bring its services closer to local communities and constituents, especially those in marginalized areas of the province.
Security in the popular tourist destinations in the province, including Lake Sebu and the famous Seven Falls zip line, will also be increased with the expected influx of visitors coming to these areas.  


The governor said the barangay service vehicles, which were composed of five units of Mazda 2-wheel drive cargo trucks worth P290,000 each, were released to the councils of Barangays Bacdolong and Lake Seloton of Lake Sebu town, Malugong of T’boli, Lopez Jaena of Norala and Upper Sepaka of Surallah.
“We are also intensifying our checkpoints in the province’s entry and exit points,” he added.  


The five vehicles, which were worth a total of P6.67 million, were among the 23 that were allotted for distribution this year by the provincial government to selected barangays in the province, he said.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office – 12 regional director Arlan Mangelen said they are putting up assistance centers along major roads in the region to help motorists and travellers.  


Pingoy said they already turned over 16 service vehicles in the previous months and they are working to the purchase two more vehicles before the end of the year.
“Our focus during the Holy Week is safety and protection of the traveling public,” he said.  


The 16 service vehicles were earlier released to Barangays Koronadal Proper and Silway 8 of Polomolok; Avancena and Carpenter Hill of Koronadal City; Basag and Kematu of T’boli; Liberty and Lambayong of Tampakan; Manuel Roxas of Sto. Nino; San Miguel and Poblacion of Norala; Lake Lahit of Lake Sebu; Simbo, Polonuling and Poblacion of Tupi; Maibo of Tantangan; and, Liwanay of Banga.
Mangelen added that starting Wednesday, they are temporarily suspending their anti-colorum operations to be able to concentrate on the Operation Semana Santa.  


“We’re targeting to release one barangay service vehicle every month by next year,” Pingoy said.
LTO has also reminded motorists to meticulously prepare for the expected long travels. According to the agency, drivers should check BLOWBAGETS or battery, lights, oil, water (radiator & wiper washer), brakes, air pressure, gas, early warning device, tools, and self.


The governor reminded officials of the recipient-villages to ensure the proper care and maintenance of the service vehicles and use them “for the good of their barangays.”
==Koronadal City turns dark for an hour==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611333248745
*Sunday 1st of April 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles


“These vehicles should not be used for the personal needs or concerns of the barangay officials. These should especially be used during times of disasters and official functions,” Pingoy said.


Meantime, aside from the vehicles, Pingoy said they also turned over some P3.4 million worth of as financial assistance for community-based development projects situated in the municipalities of Banga, Norala and Surallah.


He said some P2 million was allotted for the fabrication and installation of lighting system at the Rizal Part of Barangay Poblacion in Norala; P1 million for the construction of a music laboratory at the municipal grounds of Surallah; and, P400,000 for the construction of covered courts at the municipal plaza of Banga.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , Apr. 1 (PIA) -- A large part of Koronadal city turned dark as thousands of households joined the Earth Hour last night.  


==South Cotabato gets P53-M pledges for new hospital==
From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., households, offices, government offices, malls, public switched their lights and other electric-powered appliances off .
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=66561
*Saturday, December 03, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


Streetlamps were also turned off. Even motorists turned their vehicle’s lights to support to the global campaign.


The Earth Hour celebration here led by Mayor Peter B. Miguel, other local government officials and the city environment office started with an eco-invocation and ecumenical prayer at the city’s government center in Carpenter Hill.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) --Some P53 million have been pledged for the construction of a new government hospital in Surallah town, South Cotabato.
Other highlights leading to the 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour, included the signing of a manifesto in support to efforts against global change, and a symposium on the science of climate change and how to solve climate change.  
Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr, recently announced that San Miguel Corporation has promised P25 million fund for the construction of the hospital building and other facilities of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) Annex, which is envisioned to serve residents in the upper valley towns.
Originally, SMC planned to give the provincial government P15 million for the project.
He also said that health secretary Enrique Ona has also promised to give P28 million under the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
Pingoy added he has also asked SMC to undertake the construction of the hospital building using their pledged amount, instead of the provincial government doing the construction.
Earlier, the municipal government of Surallah has donated a 4.8-hectare lot worth P5.5 million as counterpart for the project.
According to plan, the SCPH Annex will require a total funding of P145 million to complete.
Since funding is not yet definite, construction will be done progressively, the governor said. He, however, hopes more donors will pour in financial assistance to the project.
Pingoy said his administration is undertaking this project in line with his advocacy to provide necessary health care to more people, especially the marginalized sectors in the province and nearby places.
The provincial government also sees the project as a major solution to the perennial problem of congestion in the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City, considering that more than one-third of its patients come from the upper valley towns , which include Surallah, Banga, T’boli, Sto. Niño, and Lake Sebu.
Start of construction of the SCPH Annex is expected in the first quarter of 2012; “soft” opening of the hospital is expected in December 2012. (PIA 12)


==Rescued geckos in Gensan released into the wild==
At around 6:30 p.m. participants who gathered in front of the Gaisano Grand Mall either joined the 3.5-kilometer Earth Hour Biking or Earth Hour 2012 Night Walk to Ace Centerpoint Supermarket at the center where the main program was held.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=66418
*Friday, December 02, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles


At exactly 8:30 p.m. candles were lighted as the electric lights were turned off.


Meanwhile, the local electric distributor South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO) 1 implemented a 30-minute power shut-off also in support of the campaign.


KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- Some 1,600 geckos rescued in a raid in General Santos City are now back into the wild.
However, General Manager Santiago Tudio said, since the activity is voluntary, brownout was only enforced in the areas where the main activities was held, specifically Feeders 11, 22, and 33.  
SSupt. Albert Ignatius Ferro, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-12) in an interview with a local radio station here said personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and CIDG released the geckos (tuko) in an area near the famous Seven Falls in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on Wednesday.
The area is part of the 102,305-hectare Allah Valley Protected Landscape.
The geckos were seized on Tuesday in the compound of Mindanao Development Venture and Trade in barangay Lagao, Gensan in a raid conducted by members of the CIDG, DENR, National Bureau of Investigation, and other police units after confirming reports that the company is engaged in buying and selling of geckos.
Geckos were placed in boxes, crates and cages and were reportedly ready for transport to Metro Manila when the team raided the compound.
Charges have been filed against suspects Mario Legazpi, Maricel Cayetano, Wesley Saliban and Gilbert Mendoza -- all officers of the company -- for violation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act have been formally filed against the suspects.
Ferro believes the geckos were collected from different parts of Mindanao, particularly around Marawi City.
He said t he company have been buying geckos at P2,000 to P5,000 each depending on the sizes.
Trading of wildlife, including geckos is prohibited by law. Collection of wildlife is allowed by law but only after securing permit from DENR.
Demand for geckos in the Philippines has intensified in the recent months after reports that the reptile can fetch millions of pesos because of its supposed capability to cure many diseases, including HIV-AIDS. (PIA 12)


==South Cotabato engineer wins nationwide invention tilt for start-up companies==
Earlier last week, South Cotabato Gov. Pingoy Y. Pingoy Jr. released a memorandum to employees of the provincial government to support the campaign. He also called on mayors in the province to encourage participation in their respective areas of responsibilities.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=66280
*Thursday, December 01, 2011
:by  Bai Tagitican and Dani Doguiles


Besides , Koronadal City and neighboring towns in South Cotabato, General Santos City and the province also joined the country and the world in the symbolic 60-minute turning off of electricity.


Both General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani province Gov. Migs Dominguez led the Earth Hour campaigns. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) 


KORONADAL CITY, Dec 1 (PIA) -- An engineer from South Cotabato was recently named one of the five winners of the 2nd Filipinnovation Award sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
==[[South_Cotabato_Archived_News]]==
Fiilinnovation Award is DOST’s search for five best inventions by start-up companies in the country.
The older news reports are kept [[South_Cotabato_Archived_News|here]]
Engr. Benjamin B. Hurtado Jr., resident of barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City was hailed for his invention, the Daikkha Dehumidifier Mechanical Dryer, which has potential in helping farmers reduce cost and losses during post –harvest.
In his search for an efficient alternative equipment, Hurtado, being an owner of a fabrication company, perfected a dehumidifier mechanical dryer after a series of experiments.
His machine has a dehumidifier or heat exchanger that removes water vapor in hot air produced from a

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

PO summit in Soccsksargen first in Mindanao

by (DEDoguiles- PIA 12 with report from LMSalvo-DA RAFID 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 12 (PIA) -- The Regional People’s Organization Congress on May 3 here was not only the first in the entire Soccsksargen Region but also the first PO gathering in the history of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in Southern Philippines, DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said.

More than 300 individuals attended the summit. Among two-thirds of them were chairmen and members of POs; other participants included local chief executives, CFAD focal persons, municipal and provincial project management implementing units in the region.

“The presence of our mayors is a manifestation of their support to MRDP,” Datukan said.

She added that the collaboration between the POs and their respective local government units assures the success of the implementation of MRDP initiatives.

DA 12 Regional Technical Director and MRDP Regional head Dr. Jimmy Olivo said “the regional PO summit was designed to prepare the region for the forthcoming Mindanao-wide gathering of POs.”

DA-MRDP’s 1st Mindanao PO Congress is slated on May 14 in Davao City where POs in the six regions in the entire Mindanao will convene to share developments of projects granted to them by the program and to discuss issues and concerns affecting them.

Participants of the regional summit here passed Resolution No. 01, series of 2012 requesting Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III to augment the existing funds of MRDP. They also appealed to local chief executives in the region to expedite the implementation of the program in their areas.

They also recommend the formation people’s organization that caters specifically to Muslim communities.

The resolution will be presented during the Mindanao PO congress where Pres. Aquino is expected to come.

During her presentation of the general updates of MRDP projects, MRDP CFAD coordinator Shiela Siago pointed out that of the six regions in Mindanao, Soccsksargen has been a consistent top performer with regard to implementation of project implementation.

“Region 12 gets almost a billion from the World Bank where a lion’s share of the amount funded the region’s rural infrastructure projects,” she said.

Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal City, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

RTD Olivo said, “looking at the map of Central Mindanao, it is already half-filled with MRDP projects.”

Before the summit here ended, a raffle was drawn where the top prizes included two rice threshers, two corn mills, four carabaos, ang laminated sacks (trapal).

At least one thousand banana suckers were also raffled off along with seedlings of mangosteen, marang, guyabano, rambutan, and jackfruit. Provided by AgriPinoy Rice, Corn, High Value Crops and Livestock programs of DA.

Formal turn-over of these items is slated on May 31, along with the awarding of Gawad Saka regional winners.

MRDP is a medium term development intervention that addresses poverty reduction designed and implemented by DA. The program is funded by the World Bank with the national government (DA), and the LGUs which provide an equity share.

The program has four components: Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), Rural Infrastructure (RI), Natural Resources Management (NRM), and Investment Governance Reform (IGR).






148 OSYs complete LGU-sponsored skills training

by (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 11 (PIA) -- Some 148 out-of-school youths in nearby Tampakan town recently completed a four-month skills training sponsored by the local government unit in partnership with the mining firm Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Of these, 15 completed training in carpentry, 15 in masonry, 45 in plumbing, 22 in electrical installation and maintenance, 28 in welding and 23 in beauty care.

Efren Villarina, community affairs officer II, said the training of OSYs was implemented under the Educational Livelihood Program of Mayor Leonardo Escobillo in accordance with two of his three-fold thrust, namely: education and livelihood. The third thrust is health.

For the training of the out-of-school youth who come from the different barangays of the municipality, the LGU provided for the venue while SMI provided the training equipment and tools and honorarium of the trainors provided by TESDA.

At the graduation ceremony on April 25, TESDA-South Cotabato Director Leonora Guiloreza encouraged the trainees “to make of the skills you have acquired from the training course.”

“Believe in yourselves, hone your skills and never let them wane,” she challenged them.

Meanwhile, Mayor Escobillo assured that them that help from the local government unit would not end with the graduation rites.

“We have more dreams for the residents of Tampakan. This will not end here, he said. “I assure you that we will continue to develop and enrich what you have learned for the benefit of the entire municipality.”

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr, who was guest of honor at the graduation rites saluted the LGU for spearheading the education and livelihood program for the OSYs and for giving emphasis on skills training as a solution to poverty.

“These youths can make use of the knowledge they gained to get jobs. And if they have jobs they have sources of income and could help improve the lives of their families,” the governor said.

DOLE 12 pushes for voluntary compliance with labor laws thru ICP

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 10 (PIA) -- In line with its advocacy to promote industrial peace in the entire Soccsksargen Region, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-12) pushes for more voluntary compliance by companies and establishments to labor laws and standards.

Charmaine Dawn Ladot-Sonsona, labor communications officer of DOLE 12, said through the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP), they are encouraging establishments to abide by occupational safety and health standards, labor standards, and labor-management dispute resolution among others

“ICP encourages voluntary compliance first by giving recognition and incentives to a company’s initiatives to voluntarily comply with labor laws or having implemented a much higher standard and second by assisting a non-compliant company through training and technical assistance to enable the company to comply with the requirements,” Sonsona explained.

Incentives for these companies include a tripartite (management-labor-government) Seal of Excellence for their establishments which should also be carried on their products, she added.

In Region 12, nine establishments have already been enrolled in the ICP.

These are Dole Philippines Inc (Dolefil Inc.); Sagittarius Mining Incorporated, and South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. in South Cotabato; ALSONS Industries; Notre Dame of Tacurong College in Sultan Kudarat; Cotabato Light in Cotabato City; and Energy Development Corporation-MDGP and Stanfilco - North Cotabato Operation in North Cotabato.

She said, before these companies could be awarded with the Tripartite Seal of Excellence, they should have abided with the following criteria: Tripartite Certificate of compliance on Labor Standards, Gawad Kaligtasan and Kalusugan, Certificate of Child Labor Free Establishment, National Productivity Olympics Award or its equivalent, and Outstanding LMC Awardee for Industrial Peace.

On April 20, 2012, Tripartite Certification Committee (TCC) met to discuss the results of the assessment done by the social auditors, which is composed of labor representatives Francis Gales and Mr. Ronnie Mondragon, Regional Tripartite and Industrial Peace Council vice chair for management Carlito Uy and management representative Norlan Yap.

Based on the audit results, Sonsona said, the enrolled establishments will submit necessary documents for remediation where compliance gaps are addressed and corrected.

DOLE 12 management aims to nominate the company or companies who will qualify based on criteria set forth by Department Order No. 011 , series of 2011 for the National Recognition Awards, she said. Meanwhile, during the April 20 meeting of the TCC-ICP, Dolefil Inc., released a check amounting to P1.7 million for the payment of the balance for the rice benefits of its employees.

The ICP guideline (Department Order 115-11, series of 2011) states: “promotion of voluntary compliance with the involvement of workers and employers is a complementary approach to a) imbed a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws; b) ensure fair, expeditious and non-litigious settlement of disputes; c) enhance workplace productivity; promote decent work; and increase the level of Philippine competitiveness.” (DEDoguiles- PIA 12/DOLE-12

DA 12 assures dispersed machineries to farmer groups were of high quality

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 9 (PIA) -- DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan refuted earlier report of a TV station in nearby General Santos City that the farm machineries distributed to farmers in Soccsksargen Region on March 30 were defective.

Datukan said, it came to her attention that a news report in one of the local TV stations in Gensan had the headline, “Ilang makinang natangap ng mga magsasaka sa DA, depektibo.”

The report was based on an interview with some farmers in Surallah town.

Although some units had minor defects, Datukan explained, those found with some flaws were not released to the beneficiaries pending compliance by supplier to the request of DA 12 to conduct proper quality checkup and to come up with necessary adjustments before these will be finally awarded to the recipients.

“The defect is only at the mounting and spindle part of the hand tractor and thresher, respectively,” Dir. Datukan pointed out.

During the interview with the TV reporters, some of the recipients, like the members BINTIKO extended their gratitude for receiving a number of farm machines including one thresher, one 4-wheel drive tractor, and one hand tractor but also said that their thresher was held by DA pending further quality check because of a minor factory defect in their unit.

Unfortunately, Datukan said, the words “factory defects” were highlighted in the news report.

BINTIKO Chairman Jonathan Javelosa called up the DA Regional Office and told Regional Technical Director Jimmy M. Olivo that such comment in no way intended to undermine or discredit the Department of Agriculture.

“The DA stands for quality assured equipment and ensures that any fabrication defects must be replaced by the supplier, since these are under the one-year warranty and service after sales agreement,”Dir. Datukan said.

Starting immediately, Dir Datukan promised that all units will undergo thorough and careful quality inspection instead of random and sampling check only.

Meanwhile, Chairman Arnulfo Beltijar of San Felipe Irrigators Association in Tantangan, South Cotabato said that the farm machinery they received were in good performing conditions.

“We will take good care of these sets of farm machinery given by the DA,” Beltijar said.

The P21-million worth of farm machinery was distributed to various farmer groups in Region 12 to further improve their area’s agricultural productivity.

The project is part of the Agri Pinoy Rice Program’s Mechanization that enables to mobilize productive farming in the region.

Dir Datukan reiterated that these agricultural machines and equipment were procured through RA 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act directing the Bids and Awards Committee to be responsible in the bidding process therefore these machines are of high quality considering that the winning bidders provided the farmer’s preferred brands, “Kubota” and “Yanmar.”.

For the next awarding of farm equipment, Dir Datukan ordered the one-on-one checking on the unit to reassure that these were in good working condition before these are awarded to the intended beneficiaries. (DED - PIA 12/DA-RAFID 12)

South Cotabato police to lay down anti-drug strategies

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 8 (PIA) -- Police officials in South Cotabato will meet Friday, May 11, to craft strategies against illegal drugs and drug abuse.

Eduardo Siason, permanent representative of the governor to the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) said, “the action planning would require municipal and city police stations to focus their activities on drug problems in their respective area.”

Invited to the anti-drug strategic planning workshop are the chiefs of police of 10 municipal police stations, and lone city police office, along with one investigator involved in drug cases from each station, as well as agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assigned in in the province.

Highlight of the activity would be the presentation of each police station's anti-drug action plan; PDEA will also present its anti-drug action plan.


“Members of the panel will be there to clarify each police station’s strategic plan such as how this will be implemented, sources of fund, and other concerns,” Siason said.

After these plans are presented and discussed, he said, each police station will revise their plans according to the suggestions by a panel and present these for approval to Police Provincial Director P/SSupt. Randolph Delfin, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., and PDEA 12 Regional Director Aileen Lovitos.

Siason said, the action planning is necessary after the provincial board approved Gov. Pingoy’s request for this year’s supplemental budget no. 1, which include P500,000 additional allocation for PADAC operations.

“We want to make sure that the funds that Gov. Pingoy has given us will be spent on the purpose these were intended for,” he said.

Also with the approval of the supplemental budget, Siason expects the PADAC and its partners would be able to intensify its advocacy projects against drugs, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and its campaigns in the communities.

He also announced that the provincial government will hold search for outstanding municipal and barangay anti-drug abuse councils, where one of the criteria for judging pertains to the implementation of the strategic action plan.

“The awarding will coincide with the celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week in November,” Siason said. (DED-PIA 12)

School supplies on sale on May 16- 18, says DTI–South Cotabato

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 7 (PIA) -- Parents will receive support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as they try to look for low-priced school supplies of their children with the opening of classes on June 4.

Elbert Capecio senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-South Cotabato said they are now preparing for the staging of the three-day “Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” where school supplies such as notebooks, pens and pencils, coloring tools, and many others, as well as uniforms, bags and shoes, will be offered on discounted prices.

Capecio said, the Balik-Eskwela Caravan in South Cotabato will be held on May 16, 17, and 18 in Koronadal City “Instead of the usual practice of gathering producers, manufacturers, and other participants in one place, the school supplies will be sold inside the participating malls, and stores.”

He identified the participating stores as KCC Mall of Marbel, Ace Centerpoint, Gaisano Grand Mall, and Starbright Store.

The decision not to gather the participating entities in one place, he explained, was in response to some concerns like pilferage and additional effort and expenses to install booths.

Capecio added that based on their monitoring, there has not been changes in the prices of school supplies in the province.

Besides the Balik-Eskwela Diskwento Caravan next week, DTI-South Cotabato is also preparing for a major discount during South Cotabato province’s T’nalak Festival in July. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Tampakan issue triggers FB word war between military and militant group

by Bong S. Sarmiento


KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/05 May) – Exchanges between the military and a militant group have lately turned nasty due to the Tampakan copper-gold project issue, with both sides resorting to name-calling via the social network, Facebook. The 27th Infantry Battalion based in Tupi, SouthCotabato branded Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) –SOCCSKSARGEN spokesperson Ryan Lariba as “liar.” In turn, Bayan-SOCCSKSARGEN called the 27th IB “berdugo,” or butcher or executioner. The harsh labeling, done via Facebook, originated from the April 22 Earth Day incident when groups supporting the Tampakan project allegedly blocked the solidarity mission of militant, religious and indigenous peoples’ groups from proceeding to the mountains. In a Facebook post dated April 24, the 27th Infantry (Action) Battalion called Lariba a “liar and wished that his soul burn in hell.” “You are the one violating the human rights of the members of 27th Infantry Battalion. You know you are making false accusation in public,” the post reads. “You were there. We were not. You are fabricating stories that are designed to malign the reputation and honor of the men in uniform. You are misleading the general public with your hallucination.” it added. On Thursday, the Facebook account of Bayan-SOCCSKSARGEN tagged the 27th IB as “berdugo” and alleged protector of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. It said the mine site had become militarized since news broke out in March that several tribal communities had set up barricades against the Tampakan project in protest to the relocation plans of the mining company. Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, 27th IB commander, himself labeled Lariba as a “liar” over a local radio station during the futile attempt of the militant groups to go up Bong Mal district last April 22. Bong Mal is the boundary between Tampakan town and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur that serves as a crucial artery in the mines development site. Blaan communities opposing the Tampakan project have set up several checkpoints in Bong Mal. At the time, Lariba accused Sagittarius Mines and the 27thInfantry Battalion as behind the efforts to stop them from going to Bong Mal to express their solidarity to the tribesmen opposing the mining venture. Bravo explained then that those who blocked the solidarity mission were groups supportive of the Tampakan project and that he ordered his troops to stay in their detachments and be prepared as reaction forces in case an accident would happen.

Portions of the way to Bong Mal have steep inclines accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles. Members of the solidary mission were on board jeepneys, elf trucks and multi-cabs. The Tampakan project is touted as the largest known undeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia. The estimated contained copper at Tampakan in total resources has risen from 13.9 million metric tons to 15 million MT while estimated contained gold has risen from 16.2 million ounces to 17.9 Moz, according to the latest company study. In January, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources rejected Sagittarius Mines’ application for an environmental compliance certificate, citing the unresolved open-pit mining ban imposed by South Cotabato province. The company filed a motion for reconsideration but the Environment department has yet to announce a decision. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)

DOLE-12 to hold more confab on new wage order

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 5 (PIA) -- After a successful symposium on Wage Order RB XII No. 17 here last May 1, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) have slated a series of meeting with stakeholders on the new wage order.

RTWPB 12 Board Secretary Jessie dela Cruz said the activities are intended to encourage public awareness of Wage Order 17 that became effective last April 18.

He said that wage symposiums will be held in Tacurong City for Sultan Kudarat area on May 4 (Friday); in Cotabato City on May 17 and in Kidapawan City for North Cotabato province on May 24.

“Wage clinics for General Santos City and Sarangani province area is tentatively scheduled on May 11. We aim to cover the entire Soccsksargen area before the end of May,” he said.

Through these wage clinics, DOLE 12 and RTWPB 12 explain how the board - which include among others labor and management representatives - arrived at the decision to order an additional P10 to 14 to the daily cost of living allowance (COLA), decide on the salient features of the new wage order, as well as penalties for non-compliance and provisions regarding exemptions.

The activities are also venues where stakeholders can clarify issues regarding the provisions of the wage order and implementation of the same.

During the symposium in Koronadal City on Tuesday, dela Cruz said the board decided to pass the new wage “motu proprio” after a series of public consultations, and based on the socio-economic data provided by the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture.

“We would like to clarify the wrong notion that only DOLE fixes the wage in the region, he said. “Both the labor and management sectors are equally represented in the board.

Simplicio Villarta Jr of the Federation of Free Workers and Jomarie Angeles of the ALO-TUCP sit in the board as labor sector representatives while Atty. Eugenio Soyao and Warren Gregorio Manilay represented the management sector, dela Cruz said.

The board is being chaired by the DOLE regional director.

Dela Cruz said that the board decides to raise the minimum wage based on the following criteria: needs of the workers and their families; capacity of pay of the employee or industry; comparable wages; and requirements for national development, investment, and employment generation.

Other factors considered were changes in the prices of the basic commodities and services, inflation rate, and poverty threshold.

“As of February 2011, poverty threshold level in Region 12 is at P226.62 per day for a family with five members,” he said. “If we consider, our lowest minimum wage was already P234 before the implementation of the new wage order.”

Wage Order RBXII No. 17 orders the integration of the P15 COLA ordered in the previous order into the basic pay, which dela Cruz pointed out also increases the bases of computation of the 13th month pay and other benefits and bonuses of the laborers.

The wage clinic in Koronadal City was attended by more than 200 participants from labor and management groups, payroll officers of establishments, nongovernment organizations, media, private schools, and other stakeholders.

Dela Cruz also pointed out that so far they have not received any petition or formal complaint against the implementation of the new wage order. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

NDRRMC: Whirlwind hits Bukidnon, flash floods hit South Cotabato

by KG, GMA News


At least one house was destroyed while 12 others were damaged after a whirlwind hit a residential area in Valencia City in Bukidnon Thursday afternoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the incident occurred at 3:30 p.m. at Purok 1-A in Lumbo in Valencia City.

It cited initial information indicating 13 families were affected, although no one was reported hurt.

A local disaster risk reduction and management team was sent to the area to assess the damage, the NDRRMC said.

South Cotabato

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC also said a flash flood hit two villages in South Cotabato Wednesday.

Citing belated initial reports, the NDRRMC said the incident occurred between 2 and 3 p.m. at Lambingi and Kusan villages in Banga town.

It said 26.7 hectares of corn fields were damaged in Lambingi, while properties and infrastructure were damaged in Kusan.

At least 12 farmers from Lambingi and two families from Kusan were affected.

The estimated damage to property was pegged at P200,000.

JICA president vows continued support to Upi, Maguindanao

by (Dani Doguiles and Hannadi PIA/-Upi LGU)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 3 (PIA) -- The new president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reiterated the international donor agency’s commitment to help in the development efforts of Upi town in Maguindanao.

“In behalf of JICA, I promise you that we would continue to work closely with you in the coming years," Dr. Akihito Tanaka told Upi Mayor Mayor Ramon Piang Sr., Vice Mayor Alexis Platon, SB members, and heads of offices.

Tanaka, along with some members of the International Team and officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Social Fund Project (ASFP), visited Upi yesterday as part of their monitoring of the implementation of JICA projects in the area.

These projects include several school buildings, heavy equipment, and solar dryers as well as goat raising project in support of efforts to promote Halal industry in Maguindanao province.

The visit was the first trip of the 56-year old official to Upi and Mindanao. Tanaka , which JICA Newsletter described as “a renowned academic of international relations” began his role as JICA president on April 1, 2012.

Tanaka is vice president of the Tokyo University. He replaced Dr. Sodako Ogata.

“I am quite impressed with the mayor’s leadership and the cooperation of local officials to realize good governance in the implementation of projects,” he said.

He also congratulated Mayor Piang “for his vigor and dynamism.”

On his part, Mayor Piang thanked JICA for its support to the development of the underprivileged Upi town through construction of roads, improvement of the level of education in the municipality, assistance to local farmers.

N. Cotabato hands P5.9 M worth of infrastructure to Arakan LGU

by (DEDoguiles – PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 2 (PIA) -- North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza and officials of the provincial government recently turned-over to the municipality of Arakan, P5.9 million worth of infrastructure projects .

In a press release sent to PIA 12 yesterday the Information and Development Communication Division (ICDC) of the provincial government reported that the turn-over ceremony was held at the opening program of the Gov. Lala 2nd Summer Kids Peace Camp in the municipality on April 23.

Infrastructure projects turned-over to the LGU include multi-purpose covered court worth P3,483,800. This, according to the ICDC report was as an incentive for its successful implementation of the 1st summer kids peace camp last year.

The provincial government also turned over P2.47 million worth of improvement which upgraded the Arakan Rural Health Unit as a Basic Emergency Management Of Obstetrics Cases (BEMOC) facility. The project was funded by the European Commission.

With the upgrade, the BEMOC facility in Arakan can now provide delivery services for pregnant women. It is also seen to improve accessibility, utilization, and quality of services for the treatment of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

With Gov. Mendoza during the turn-over ceremony were 2nd District board members Cristobal Cadungon, Airene Claire Pagal, Onofre Respicio, and Noel Baynosa.

The lady governor promised more incentives to the municipality depending on the success of the summer kids peace camp.

The summer kids peace camp, is an annual program of Gov. Mendoza and intends to inculcate among Grade V pupils of the province leadership skills in the context of peaceful co-existence among the lumads, Muslims and Christians inhabitants of the province.

School children are also taught important moral values such as respect for others’ cultures and beliefs and are honed to become the provincial government’s young ambassadors of peace to their respective communities.

Some 25,000 Grade V pupils are expected in participate in this year's summer kids camps in the 17 municipalities and lone city of North Cotabato.

40 Midsayap fisherfolk to receive tilapia fingerlings, fish pond

by (DEDoguiles -PIA 12/Roderick Bautista-1st District NCot Congressional Office)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, May 1 (PIA) -- Some 40 fisherfolk in confict-affected village in Midsayap, North Cotabato are set to benefit from tilapia fingerlings distribution and turn-over of nine units of fish ponds from the government.

Plan for the fingerlings dispersal and fish pond turn-over in the remote village of Olandang is being finalized by the office of North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus Sacdalan and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and officials of the local government unit.

Dominador Aspacio, congressional district office staff, said the fingerlings will be dispersed free to help residents begin a sustainable livelihood.

Aspacio also said fish ponds were built through Food for Work of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These will be turned-over to the fisherfolk to provide them with facility where they can raise the dispersed tilapia.

Earlier, BFAR personnel conducted a series of lectures on the cultural management of tilapia with the beneficiaries to prepare them for the implementation of the livelihood project.

Barangay Olandang is situated along Rio Grande de Mindanao and Liguasan Marsh, which make the village an ideal location for the tilapia raising.

Adults, OSYs in Upi, Maguindanao finish literacy and numeracy course

by (DEDoguiles-PIA 12, with report from Hannadi Guiamad-Upi LGU)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 30 (PIA) -- Hundreds of adults and out-of-school youth in Upi town, Maguindanao have completed a three-month literacy and numeracy course, recently.

On Saturday, at least 400 adults and out-of school youth learners received their certificates of completion from the Literacy for Peace and Development (LIPAD) Project, where they learned how to write, read and do simple computations. The ceremony was held at the Upi municipal gymnasium on Saturday.

Learners were from barangays Kibleg, Ganasi, Nangi at Borongotan.

In her message, LIPAD Project director Prof. Pilar A. Bautista said they aim to provide underprivileged individuals, especially adults and out-of school youth, the opportunity to learn basic writing, reading and counting.

This is necessary for them, she said, to learn these very important skills, which they can use in daily affairs and in simple transactions such as those involved in doing business with others.

LIPAD is a project of the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the promotion of literacy, poverty alleviation, as well as peace and development founded by former Senator Santanina Rasul in the 1960s.

The project is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It aims to raise the basic and functional literacy level among adults and out-of-school youth in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Besides Upi, LIPAD project is also being implemented in the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Guindulungan, and Talayan for Maguindanao province area.

Some of the graduates were emotional when they received their certificates of completion because they did not expect to have been given the chance to learn to read, write, and do simple computations despite their age.

Barangay Borongotan chairperson Irene Galanto, in her message, thanked the learning facilitators for their diligence in helping the participants learn these basic and important skills and for being patient in going to remote areas to reach the under served residents.

Upi Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. and some members of the Sangguniang Bayan attended the completion ceremony.

The affair was highlighted by presentations of learners, who showed their talents in cultural singing and dancing.

Aside from the certificate of completion, those who have completed the course, also received reading materials featuring indigenous stories, which they can use to hone what they learned.

Awards like Best in Reading, Best in Writing, and Best in Numeracy were also given to graduates who excelled.






SPES-TWSP convergence program to cover 21 LGUs in Region 12

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 29 (PIA) -- A total of 21 municipalities in three provinces of Soccsksargen region will benefit from the initial implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Convergence Program on poverty alleviation.

The program brings together DOLE’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) to provide training and employment opportunities to the marginalized sector of the society, especially the out-of-school youth (OSY).

Based on a list provided by the office of DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla last Friday, the SPES-TWSP Convergence Program will cover 11 municipalities in North Cotabato, eight in Sultan Kudarat, and two in Sarangani.

In North Cotabato, beneficiary OSYs should come from Aleosan, Midsayap, Tulunan, Alamada, Arakan, Banisilan, Kabacan, Libungan, Magpet, Matalam, and President Roxas.

Interested and qualified OSYs in Kalamansig, Bagumbayan, Colombio, Esperanza, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, and Senator Ninoy Aquino municipalities of Sultan Kudarat may also avail of the training and employment program.

On May 1, the program will be launched in General Santos City for the municipalities of Malungon and Alabel in Saragani Province where the first 42 scholarship grantees come from.

Director Mantilla said more municipalities may be included in the coming months.

“We have requested for the inclusion of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato,” Director Mantilla said, adding that they are now awaiting approval of this by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Under the program, beneficiary OSYs who “may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment or child labor,” will undergo mandated 20 to 52 days of technical vocational training in TESDA-identified institutions.

As in the original SPES program, DOLE will pay each beneficiary 40 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the region for every day of training.

The amount, according to the program guidelines, may be used as a training allowance or as capital to purchase the OSY’s starter kit.

More than 400 scholarship slots may be opened in Soccsksargen Region this year for OSYs interested in techvoc trainings that will be identified by TESDA 12. The program is open to OSY’s between 15 to 25 years old, whose family income (including his, if any) does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six, as determined by the National Economic Development Authority.

Applicants should have reached high school level to be able to participate in the program.

Interested individuals need to submit to the nearest DOLE or TESDA office the needed documents. For more information, you may refer to the nearest DOLE Field Office or Public Employment Service Office or provincial/district office of TESDA. (DED-PIA 12)

Cotelco GM says AboitizPower, TMI did not refuse delivery of power to coop

by (DED-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 28 (PIA) -- AboitizPower and Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) did not refuse to deliver power to Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) nor did they impose P16.11 per kwh rate on the cooperative, Cotelco General Manager Godofredo Homez said.

Last Wednesday, several radio stations and newspapers reported that negotiations between Cotelco and TMI for a 8-MW supply of electricity have stalled because the latter would charge Cotelco P16.11/kwh of power supplied, as well as require them a P4-million security bond and P14-million advanced payment.

“In summary, we want to clarify that AboitizPower and TMI did not refuse to deliver power to Cotelco,” Homez said in a letter sent to the Department of Energy and PIA-12.

“AboitizPower and TMI did not impose P16.11 per kwh rate on Cotelco,” he added.

Homez also pointed out that the prepaid agreement was not imposed on the electric cooperative, adding that the rate is more or less P9.00 per kwh, which is the same rate charged to all electric cooperatives under contract with all TMI.

“It was an agreement discussed between two parties in consideration of the immediate need for power by Cotelco and the need of TMI to be protected for the costs they will incur in delivering power, especially fuel costs,” he explained.

Homez confirmed that Cotelco wrote to AboitizPower last April 12 to ask for a 8-MW supply from TMI in anticipation of the huge deficit in power supply during the month-long rehabilitation of Pulangi IV hydropower plant.

Aboitiz power, he said, expressed availability of 8 MW.

“But following rules of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), our transaction must be governed by at least a provisional authority (PA) from the ERC,” he said. PAs, he explained, are usually issued 30 days of publication of the draft power supply agreement.

Homez explained that since they could not wait for a provisional agreement, they wrote to ERC asking that they be allowed to receive delivery of power from TMI without the required authority.

On April 19, he said, ERC approved Cotelco’s request to get power from TMI but not less than the prevailing NPC-Time of Use Rate or P.90 per kwh.

Regarding the P4-M security bond, Homez pointed out that this is a standard in all financial contracts. About the advanced payment, he explained that “without a provisional agreement, Cotelco cannot legally impose the new rates to its consumers; following this is the risk that TMI will not be paid for its fuel and overhead costs. Thus a proposal for a prepaid system was discussed.”

Cotelco’s service area at regularly experiences up to 8 hours of rotational brownout after the Pulangi IV plant was closed for maintenance works last week.

Before Pulangi IV was closed, Cotelco imposed 3 to 5 hours of rotational brownout. Cotelco, as well as the city government of Kidapawan and the provincial government of Cotabato, have been asking for the retention of 25 percent of the power generated by the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant owned by the Energy Development Corporation.

The present 8-hour-per-day power outages in North Cotabato could persist until May 17, the date set for the completion of the Pulangi IV rehab, if Cotelco cannot buy supply from TMI.

Opportunities await OSYs in DOLE-TESDA convergence program

by (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 27 (PIA) -- More help will soon be made available to out-of-school youths in Soccksargen Region as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) joined together two of their flagship programs.

DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla yesterday announced they will launch on Labor Day (May 1) in General Santos City the DOLE-TESDA Convergence Program on Poverty Alleviation.

“The program joins together the Special Program for the Employment of Students of DOLE and the Training for Work Scholarship Program of TESDA,” Mantilla explained. “This will be called SPES-TWSP Convergence Program.”

Under the program, qualified OSYs undergo the SPES program but instead of employing in an establishment for a specified duration should instead undergo technical-vocational training.

Forty-two OSYs from Malungon and Alabel towns in Sarangani province are scheduled to receive scholarship grants during the ceremonial launching at the KCC Convention Hall in Gensan.

At least 400 SPES-TWSP scholars are expected to benefit from the program this year.

According to the DOLE-TESDA Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2012 dated March 23, 2012, “the implementation of the SPES-TWSP convergence program will be nationwide, prioritizing the poorest areas in the 16 regions.”

In region 12, it will be implemented in 21 poor municipalities in the provinces of Sarangani, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

Mantilla said, they are still requesting for the inclusion of at least three municipalities in South Cotabato, which was not included in the initial list.

For an OSY to qualify, he or she should be 15 to 25 years old and whose parents’ combined income does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six.

“An OSY may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment of child labor,” the circular noted.

Based on the existing SPES guidelines, the training program in which the beneficiary can enroll should be for a minimum of 20 days (160 hours) to a maximum of 52 days only.

DOLE will pay for 40 percent of the applicable minimum wage after completion of the training program for the training allowance or starter kit of the OSYs.

The agency will also provide guidance and necessary technical support to capacitate the OSYs to engage in self-employment after the training.

TESDA handles the selection of the OSYs who will undergo the training program and become beneficiaries as well as identification of technical education and skills development institutions where the scholars will enrol.

Interested OSYs may file application and required documents at the Public Employment Service Office or TESDA Provincial/District Office nearest them.

Required documents include duly accomplished SPES Application Form and TESDA Trainee Profile Form; copy of birth certificate or any document that shows his or her date of birth, latest report card (Form 138), income tax return of parents or certification issued by BIR or barangay chairperson indicating that they are exempted from paying taxes, and certificate of good moral character from authorized barangay official.

8 DAR scholars in So. Cotabato finish in Agri-tech course

by (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/MTVQuimsing/DAR-SoCot)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 26 (PIA) -- Eight scholars of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in South Cotabato under the Programang Agraryo Iskolar yesterday graduated their course at the Surallah National Agricultural School (SUNAS), in nearby Surallah town.

Ma. Theresa Quimsing, information officer of DAR-South Cotabato said, the scholars completed all requirements for a Diploma in Agricultural Technology.

The new graduate are Josephine Areza, Mery Chris De Joseph, Ernest John Eucare, Ramilyn Lasig, Jayren Mandeoya, Ryan Plenciano, Lovelyn Joy Retuyan, and Rosa Santerva.

For two years they received financial support for tuition fees, books, and personal allowances from DAR.

The “Programang Agraryo Iskolar” is part of the support services given to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Under the program children of ARBs are given the opportunity to finish a college degree related to agriculture.

The knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies should help them become agents in developing their awarded lands and spur progress in their community in general, Quimsing added.

South Cotabato cops note improved operations

by .(PNA)

LAP/AVE/AC


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Operations of police units in South Cotabato province significantly improved during the first three months of the year as they cleared over 73 percent of the crime incidents that occurred in the area. Senior Supt. Randolph Delfin, South Cotabato police director, said they achieved a crime clearance efficiency rating of 73.33 during the first quarter, which increased by 20 percent from last year’s records. Crime clearance efficiency refers to the percentage of cleared cases out of the total number of crime incidents handled by law enforcement agencies for a given period of time. In terms of crime solution efficiency, he said they slightly improved their rating from 25 percent last year to 27.33 percent this year. “Out of the 793 crime incidents that we handled, 494 were so far cleared and 218 have been solved,” Delfin said. The police official said among their major accomplishment for the period was the recovery of 15 of the 23 motorcycles that were stolen within the province’s 10 towns and lone city. He said they filed six cases on Monday against several identified carnapping or motorcycle theft suspects. Delfin maintained that the province has remained generally peaceful and orderly as shown by the area’s crime statistics. He said the average crime rate in the area during the first quarter of the year has gone down to 31.9 percent from the 35.7 percent in the same period last year. In terms of illegal drugs, Delfin said they have so far arrested 33 suspects and launched 18 major operations in the area. He said these operations have led to the recovery of some P5M worth of illegal drugs, specifically mehtamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" and marijuana. The police official said they were able to arrest 75 persons with pending arrests warrants, including 18 who were facing illegal gambling charges. Delfin added that they apprehended 12 suspects and recovered 18 high-powered arms in separate operations in Tantangan and Banga towns.

LGU, Army to gather youth in leadership summit

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 24 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army and the local government are organizing a four-day leadership summit on May 13 where more than 200 young people from Tampakan town are expected to attend.

Gricelda Pacano, social welfare and development officer of Tampakan said the local government and the 27th Infantry Battalion are collaborating to hold the Youth Leadership Summit (YSL) 2012 to increase awareness among young residents of their responsibilities and help achieve lasting peace in their respective communities.

Pacano said, the activity will be held at the Rock Ridge Resort in Barangay Lambayong, Tampakan and will be attended by young people from the municipality’s 14 barangays.

She said, the summit specifically aims to develop leadership potential of the young people, increase their knowledge of peace and development, educate them on the effects of illegal drug use, and improve their understanding of patriotism and cooperation with their communities.

Activities shall include lectures and workshops on interpersonal communication, disaster risk reduction and management, dangerous drugs awareness, gender and cultural sensitivity, values formation, social responsibility, environmental awareness, threats to national security, knowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines and government plans for the youth sector.

Other activities include film viewing, contests on logo and poster-making, extemporaneous speech, mural painting, and Search for Mr. and Ms. YLS 2012.

Youth participants are also expected to organize their community action plan and pass a manifesto or oath for peace on the final day of the summit. (DED-PIA 12, South Cotabato)

Army troops join Earth Day clean-up drive in Tacurong City

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 23 (PIA) -- Troops of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade based in nearby Tacurong City on Saturday joined different sectors in a clean-up drive, which was part of the city’s celebration of the Earth Day 2012.

Civil military operations officer Cpt. Alex Escalante, explained the Unifier Brigade’s participation in the “Limpyo Kalog” (cleaning of canals) was to encourage people to participate in environmental preservation and protection.

Other participants of the activity were member of the Philippine National Police, employees and officials of the local government units, academe and the transports groups.

Non-government organizations, civil society and the private sector also joined in the activity.

Clean-up focused on cleaning of the city’s canals of wastes, debris, plastics and other materials that could clog the drainage during heavy rains as well as clearing of the grasses along the national highway.

After the clean-up drive, participants converged at the City Hall Ground for a short program

Unifier Brigade commander, Col. Edmundo Pangilinan reminded the participants: “Earth Day is every day, so let us work together and better care for our natural environment.

Tacurong City councilor Psyche Sucaldito, Tacurong , chairperson of the committee on environment also expressed appreciation to all participants for sharing their time and effort to care for Mother Earth.

Earth Day is an annual global celebration, spearheaded by the Earth Day Network. It is geared toward bringing awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.

This year, the Earth Day Network expected at least two billion people worldwide joining the Earth Day celebration and helping “Mobilize the Earth.”






Peace Council objects to establishment of MILF camps in the So. Cotabato

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 22 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Governor Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy Jr. during its second quarter meeting on Wednesday passed two resolutions objecting the putting up of two camps in the province by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Senior Board Member Jose Madanguit, who was the proponent of the two resolutions, disclosed that the acts of the MILF was in violation of the present ceasefire agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF.

The first resolution specifically objected to the putting up of a camp at Tudok, T’boli, while the second resolution also objected the putting up of a satellite camp at Sitio Lampakpak, Lampari, Banga.

Both resolutions also called for the immediate dismantling of the two camps.

The move was prompted after the presentation of Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in the town of Tupi, confirming the presence of the MILF to set up camps in the province.

“The MILF 107th Base Command with a strength, more or less, of about 200 fully armed combatants, was responsible for setting up the camp in Tudok, T’boli,” Bravo added, ”but the camp is currently maintained by members numbering between 30 to 40 only.”

In Sitio Lampakpak, Lampari, Banga, the military has monitored around 11 fully armed members staying in the satellite camp.

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo and Banga Mayor Henry Ladot, who were present during the meeting and whose municipalities bordered the MILF satellite camp, expressed their respective concerns regarding the situation and appealed for intervention, especially in the dismantling of the camp.

The satellite camp was previously occupied by the MILF, but dismantled about five years ago, which raised questions among PPOC members why the said group occupied it again.

In an interview with a radio station here today, MILF vice chairman Gadzali Jaafar confirmed that they have several camps in South Cotabato and the neighboring provinces of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

He, however, cannot confirm the presence of the camps that were identified in the PPOC resolution.

Jaafar emphasized that residents in South Cotabato need not be concerned about the camps in the province because they respect the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government. (DED-PIA 12/ FS-SoCot-PIO)

DTI’s SME Caravan 2012 focuses on upgrading enterprises

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, Southern Mindanao April 21 (PIA) -- Once again, Sultan Kudarat province’s Department of Trade and Industry will gather micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in Soccsksargen Region to help boost local enterprises.

This time though, preferred participants to the SME Caravan 2012 at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium in Isulan town on April 25 to 26 are those who have existing enterprises and are looking for means to improve their businesses.

Sultan Kudarat Trade & Industry Provincial Director Nelly Dillera said the SME Caravan 2012 aims to provide the local entrepreneurs with first hand information on entrepreneurship – from improvement of product to capacitating entrepreneurs.

“This year’s SME Caravan in Region 12 would help the growing number of entrepreneurs learn how to manage their businesses, access funds, maintain high level of product quality for food and enhance their awareness on sensing the right and legitimate local and international market opportunities,” Dillera said.

“There shall also be a topic on Tourism Product Identification and Development to aid the tourism officers and even landowners in identifying potential area for tourism development.”

Among the resource persons invited for the breakout sessions include Roberto Castañeda and Euclid Cezar.

Castañeda, who will share his knowledge on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and surviving pitfalls of small businesses, is the founder of the Don Roberto’s Winery, producer of the world’s first mango wine. Besides, its green mango and sweet mango wines, his company also produces brewed coffee wine.

Cezar, a professor of San Beda College – Manila, is a well-known business coach and host of “Super Entrepinoy” program. He is the owner of Ink More which sells ready-to-use ink cartridges.

“We want to benchmark what these entrepreneurs have done to be able to inspire our ‘kababayans’ to aspire to attain what these entrepreneurs have achieved,” Dillera said in an interview with a local radio station.

Other resource persons include Engr. Menandro Ortego, OIC Testing and Inspection Division of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), who will discuss food safety assurance system; and Dennis Monong, assistant vice president for Mindanao operations of People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) who will teach MSMEs how to find best financing for their businesses.

Side events such as trade fair of Region 12’s best products, market matching, product evaluation, design exhibit, online business name registration, and plant visit and assessment for the acquisition of Food and Drug License to Operate.

Dillera said preferred participants are entrepreneurs involved in the region’s priority industries like processors of coffee, muscovado, banana, coconut, bangus/fishery, crafts, bamboo, pangasius, rubber, palm oil, mango, ICT-BPO.

Dillera reported that number of new businesses in Sultan Kudarat has increased 84 percent, from 959 newly registered businesses in 2010 to 1,770 in 2011. Last year, 121 new entrepreneurs were created, which is 74 percent higher than the 107 new entrepreneurs in 2010.

This is a two-day activity for free but reservations must be made for pre-screening. Contact the nearest DTI office for details and reservations. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

South Cotabato generally peaceful -- PNP

by (Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr./DED-PIA 12/SoCot PIO)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 20 (PIA) -- “The peace and order situation in the province is generally peaceful, under control,” Police Senior Superintendent Randolf Delfin, South Cotabato Police Provincial Office (SCPPO) Provincial Director, during the 2nd quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held on Wednesday in Koronadal City.

For the first quarter of the year, Delfin said, the province’s total crime volume was 793. Of this number 494 were cleared and 218 were solved.

PD Delfin said that the province’s crime rate in the first quarter of this year have reduced compared to last year in the same period.

Data indicated that the crime rate for the first quarter of 2012 averaged 31.9% versus 35.7% in the first quarter of last year, he reported.

Crime solution efficiency, he continued, increased from 25% in 2011 to 27.33% in 2012; crime cleared efficiency also increased from 53.33% in 2011 to 73.33% in 2012.

The SCPPO scored big in its campaign against illegal drugs with 33 persons arrested out of 18 operations conducted, and confiscating in the process illegal drugs (both marijuana and shabu) with an estimated DDB street value of more than P5 million .

In its campaign against wanted persons, 75 persons with warrants of arrest were apprehended while 18 financiers, coordinators or ushers were likewise arrested in its campaign against illegal gambling.

he SCPPO report further indicated that they were able to recover IEDs at Lamba, Banga and Magon, Tantangan early this year, and 18 low-powered and high-powered firearms which resulted in the apprehension of 12 suspects.

In their anti-carnapping campaign, the SCPPO were able to recover 15 motorcycles out of the 23 incidents reported, in which six cases have been filed in court.

RDRRMC, LGUs in Soccsksargen region discuss RA 10121

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 19 (PIA) -- Local chief executives and LGU officials involved in disaster risk reduction and management across Soccsksargen region gathered here yesterday to discuss issues pertaining to the two-year old RA 10121 otherwise known as "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010".

Jerome Barranco, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 12, explained that the regional consultation organized by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 12 was called to clarify issues regarding RA 10121.

He said there have been “varying interpretations of the new law resulting in either immediate or delayed establishment of the local DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management ) councils.”

“The latter was due to the hesitation or fear of violating audit and budget rules,” he continued.

He added that they brought together governors and mayors as well as chairpersons of local DRRMs and budget officers of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos City basically to increase local awareness on the DRRM law.

Objectives include orienting the LGUs on civil service guidelines pertaining to the establishment of DRMM offices and budgetary and audit guidelines on the allocation and utilization of the local DRRM funds.

Regional officials of the Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and Management, and Commission of Audit were present to discuss the aforementioned issues with the LCEs and other LGU officials.

It was also a venue for the LGUs and local DRRM councils to learn from the successful experiences of some locally established DRRM offices, including South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and Tupi municipality, Barranco further explained.

Tupi’s Barangay Poblacion’s DRRM Council of is a Gawad Kalasag National Awardee for its excellent implementation of disaster risk reduction and management plan and humanitarian assistance.

“The importance of disaster preparedness cannot be relegated to the backseat,” South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said during his presentation of his provinces DRRM efforts.

He emphasized that the LGUs are primarily tasked with a great responsibility of protecting its inhabitants.

This is why, the said, South Cotabato LGU is set to organize disaster response teams from the grassroots.

At least 44 volunteers per barangay will be trained to improve the capability of the villages to respond to disasters and calamities, the governor added.

In 2011, South Cotabato’s provincial board passed SP Resolution 99 s. 2011 for the establishment of the provincial DRRM office, now being headed by the provincial administrator with initial designation of employees from the Disaster Management Section of the Disaster and Crisis Management Division of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office along with some employees under the Provincial Administrator’s Office.

“This was resorted to because there were no clear-cut guidelines covering the staffing requirements for the PDRRMO,” Gov. Pingoy reasoned.

As per section 21 of the RA 10121, “not less than five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources should be set aside as Local DRRM Fund.”

Seventy percent of which can be allocated for “pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities, and for payment of premiums on calamity insurance.”

“The remaining 30 percent shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or standy-fund for relief and recovery programs.”

However, Pingoy pointed out, that the same law has not been clear about the 70 percent pre-disaster allocation.

“There have been discussions whether we are allowed to purchase rescue vehicles out of this fund.”

“We are happy to hear that we have with us DBM and COA,” he said. “Hopefully we will be enlightened on this problem.”

Meanwhile, Director Ronald I. Flores, civil defense executive officer of the Office of the Civil Defense central office who came here as guest of honor announced that the national government is on the final stage of putting up a guideline on the utilization of the Local DRRM Fund.

“In due time, the national council, especially the financial community of the national government will come up with a guideline on the utilization of the Local DRRM Fund,” Flores said.

“What is stipulated in the implementing rules and regulations related to RA 10121 is that the money can be used for preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation,” he said.

“This allows for a wide interpretation by the local government units, including the Commission on Audit which looks into out financial transactions.”

However, Flores assured that in the guideline that the national government will issue soon will be specific as to where these funds can be allocated.

He said the guideline is being prepared by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, DBM, Department of Finance, and OCD. Preparations for the said guideline, he added, was started after RA 10121 became a law on May 27, 2010.

NIA-12 honors outstanding irrigators in 34th anniv

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 18 (PIA) -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-12) celebrates its 34th founding anniversary this week with a lineup of several activities culminating in the awarding of outstanding irrigators’ associations, officials, and employees.

Eveyln Bragasin, information officer of NIA-12 said activities of the three-day celebration, which started yesterday, include sports competitions in volleyball, dart, badminton, and table tennis. She added that there shall also be cultural dance and choir competitions and Search for Miss NIA-12.

Outstanding irrigators’ associations, irrigation management office managers, operation and maintenance chiefs and employees will also be given awards on April 19 at the Notre Dame of Midsayap College Gymnasium in Midsayap, Cotabato. NIA administrator Antonio s. Nangel will be the guest of honor and speaker in the awards program.

Major awardees this year include Engr. C’zar M. Sulaik of North Cotabato as most outstanding Irrigation Management Office Manager, Engr. Gina L. Lozano as most outstanding operation and maintenance chief; Bulacanon IA, Inc. of North Cotabato as most outstanding irrigators’ association under the communal irrigation systems category and Napal-Conel Road IA, Inc. of General Santos City as most outstanding irrigators association for the national irrigation systems category.

Outstanding awardees for operation and maintenance are Engrs. Edna C. Bantala, irrigation superintendent of Libungan River Irrigation System; Flora May D. Respicio, principal engineer A of Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System; Rory F. Avance, principal engineer A of Kabacan River Irrigation System; Orlando A. Tibang, principal engineer A of Marbel-Banga Rivers Irrigation System; Julio L. Antenor, principal engineer A of Ala River Irrigation System and Cesar D. Agduma, principal engineer A of Lambayong/Tacurong River Irrigation System.

Mary Grace S. Gonzales of Mlang/Malasila Rivers Irrigation System will also receive recognition as outstanding senior water resource facilities technician.

NIA-12 will also honor irrigators' associations who have shown exemplary performance in the past year.

For its Club 100 Award, NIA-12 will honor 13 irrigators associations (IA) from the national irrigation systems and for the communal irrigation systems, 19 from North Cotabato area, 9 from Sultan Kudarat, 1 from Maguindanao and 9 from Sarangani.

“The Club 100 Award is given to IAs of national irrigation systems which has attained 100 percent collection efficiency for both wet and dry seasons with an average programmed area of 80 percent of the service area, average irrigated area for wet and dry seasons is 80 percent of the programmed area and the benefited area for dry and wet seasons is 80 percent of the irrigated area,” Bragasin explained.

It is also given to, “IAs of communal irrigation systems which have attained 100 percent or more Current Amortization Payment Efficiency with no back account or have fully paid their back account due.”

Four IAs in North Cotabato, two in South Cotabato, two in Sarangani and one in Sultan Kudarat have qualified for the Golden Star Award.

Moreover, Silver Star Awards will be given to two IAs in Maguindanao and one in Sultan Kudarat.

Bragasin explained that Golden Star Award is given to IAs from the national and communal irrigation systems which garnered the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Outstanding Rating) while Silver Star Award is given to IAs from both national and communal irrigation systems with the Highest Functionality Survey Rating (Very Satisfactory Rating).

Buluan-Pigcawayan Irrigators Association, Inc. of North Cotabato will receive a special award for being a Hall of Famer in the Highest Functionality Survey Rating.

This year’s celebration theme is “Samahang NIA, IA at LGU Patuloy na Pagtibayin Upang Makamtan Sapat na Pagkain ng Pamayanan.”

According to the agency’s website, NIA-12 “formally started its operation as a region on April 10, 1978 with its office based at Villarica, Midsayap, North Cotabato.

“That time, it was composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat. It had only four operational national irrigation systems, namely: Libungan, Kabacan, Mlang, and Malasila River Irrigation Systems.”

At present, NIA 12 covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat as well as the province of Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Among the guests expected to attend the awarding ceremony are North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan, DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia J. Datukan, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza, Midsayap Mayor Manuel M. Rabara, Libungan Mayor Manuel T, Dela Serna, Pigcawayan Mayor Roberto S. Blasé and Northern Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Ramil B. Dilangalen, Al Haj and Mr. Gerardo R. Barrientos, president of the Regional Confederation of Irrigators Association president. (DED-PIA 12)






South Cotabato fetes scholar graduates

by (PNA)

DCT/LOR/AVE/HST


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato recently honored at least 115 student-beneficiaries of its Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program (KPSP) who have graduated from various colleges and universities in the area. Alex Basco, KPSP executive officer, said the local government feted the graduates in recognition of their hardships and perseverance in pursuing their studies in the past several years. He said the scholars received certificates of completion for completing the degree and non-degree programs they pursued. Of this year’s graduates, seven were from batch three and 26 from batch four of the degree category while 75 were from the sixth batch of the non-degree category. “Most of the graduates under the degree category took up courses in education, nursing, business administration, accountancy and engineering. For the non-degree category, most of the scholars took up computer-related courses,” Basco said. The official said the scholarship program has so far produced 41 four-year degree holders and 128 non-degree or ladderized program graduates. Basco said they have advised the program’s incoming scholars to take up courses or programs that have high employment demands such as mechanical engineering and electronics, agriculture, medical technology and pharmacy, among others. He said they dissuaded them from taking up courses that have been placed on moratorium by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), among them the nursing degree. The provincial government, which has institutionalized the scholarship program, has set aside an annual budget of P15 million for its implementation. Such budget is on top of its P9 million annual allocation for the grant-in-aid program for tertiary, secondary and elementary students as well as for short or modular courses for the out-of-school youths. Aside from the KPSP graduates, the local government also gave recognition to its six scholars who have completed their two-year Midwifery ladderized course at the University of the Philippines-Manila School of Health Sciences extension campus in Koronadal City. As part of the program, the six graduates will be taking a brief break to serve their communities before proceeding to the nursing course and medical degree later on.







No extension for filing of ITR – BIR

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , April 16 (PIA) -- Taxpayers only have until 12 midnight today, April 16, to file their income tax returns (ITR) and their will be no extension, an official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue here said.

Aileen Punzalan, assessment section chief of BIR Revenue District 111 (Koronadal City/South Cotabato), said, like other BIR offices across the region, their office will be open from 8:00 am in the morning until 12:00 midnight to cater to taxpayers who have waited for the deadline to file their respective ITRs.

BIR RD 111, along with other revenue district offices under BIR Revenue Region No. 18, last month began an information drive to urge taxpayers to pay their taxes ahead of the April 16 deadline.

“But we expect overcrowding in our office today,” she said, “which is why we extend office hours until midnight.”

This, she said, is also the subject of a directive from BIR Central office to all revenue district offices to hold office until midnight to be able to accommodate all taxpayers.

“Commissioner Kim Henares has already announced that there will be no extension of the filing of the ITR,” Punzalan pointed out.

In 2011, BIR in Soccsksargen Region collected a total of P4.4 billion and surpassed its annual target of P4.167 billion by 6.1 percent or P254.09 million.

BIR RR-18 regional director Rozil Lozares confirmed that 70 percent of these come from the taxes withheld from the income of local employees.

This year has started well for the regional revenue with the five revenue district offices collecting P794.225 M or 12.11 percent higher that their period target of P708.463 M.

Considering this performance of the revenue district office, Lozares said, exceeding the P5.126 billion 2012 target is most likely.

DA releases P6.9-M farm equipment to South Cotabato farmers

by (PNA

FFC/jfm/AVE/HST


GENERAL SANTOS City, April 15 (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released some P6.9 million worth of farm equipment to farmers’ groups in South Cotabato in a bid to further improve the area’s agricultural production. Amalia Datukan, DA Region 12 director, said the assistance was part of the ongoing implementation of the agency’s rice mechanization and post harvest facility assistance program, which was availed by irrigators associations and cooperative in the area. Datukan said it was also in line with the Agri Pinoy food staple sufficiency program pushed by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. “President Benigno S. Aquino III had endorsed this program as one of his administration’s top priorities,” she said. Under the program, Datukan said South Cotabato received an allocation of 32 hand tractor units worth P3.95 million; 10 units of rice threshers worth P1.13 million; one unit of four-wheel drive tractor worth P761,117; and, nine units of multi-purpose drying pavement worth P1.125 million. The recipients were the Parbangon Irrigators Association of Barangay San Felipe in Tantangan; farmers group Komatiku of Barangay Sto. Nino in Koronadal City; Lower Tampakan Creek Irrigators Association of Barangay Concepcion in Koronadal City; SANISCA Irrigators Association Inc. of Barangay San Isidro in Koronadal City; PAGMACE Irrigators Association of Barangay Cabuling in Tantangan; Magic Flower Irrigators Association of Barangay GPS in Koronadal City; BINTIKU multi-purpose cooperative of Barangay Dajay in Surallah; SOCOSEPCO of Koroandal City; The Rice Field Irrigators Association of Barangay Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City; Country Folks Irrigators Assocaition of Bo. 3 in Banga; Modern Farmer Irrigators Association of Barangay San Isidro in Koronadal City; Siok Communal Irrigators Association of Koornadal City; Cabuling Agricultural Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Barangay Cabuling in Tantangan; and, San Felipe Irrigators Association of Barangay San Felipe in Tantangan are also beneficiaries. Datukan said the beneficiaries availed of the farm equipment through a cost-sharing scheme. She said the agency shouldered 85 percent of the costs while the beneficiaries contributed 15 percent as counterpart. The DA’s share for the total cost of the farm equipment was P6.09 million while the recipients’ share was P877,787. Datukan said the newly-released farm equipment was part of the P20 million worth of farm machineries earlier allocated for Region 12. Aside from South Cotabato, she said the agency also released 33 hand tractors, 11 threshers and two four-wheel drive tractors to beneficiaries in North Cotabato. They have allocated 34 hand tractors, 10 threshers and two four-wheel drive tractors to Sultan Kudarat as well as nine hand tractors and four threshers to Sarangani Province.

Motorcycles accidents on the rise in South Cotabato, neighboring areas

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE/AC


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Health authorities have expressed alarm over the rising road or vehicular accidents involving motorcycles in South Cotabato province and the neighboring areas. Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, South Cotabato health officer, said their records showed that 256 road accidents had occurred in the province during the first three months of the year. He said 211 cases involved single motorcycles, 22 tricycles while the rest concerned four-wheeled vehicles. He said the victims comprised 218 drivers, 109 passengers and 87 bystanders who were either killed or sustained serious injuries. Of the injured victims, 153 sustained abrasions, 68 with lacerations and 17 with bone fractures. “The trend is currently going up and what is alarming here is that most of the drivers involved in these accidents were under the influence of liquor or alcohol,” Aturdido said. The official said 103 cases or 64 percent of the recorded road accidents in the province in the last three months took place in Koronadal City, South Cotabato’s capital and regional seat of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region. He said 52 road accidents were recorded in the city in January followed by 21 in February. In the first two weeks of March, Aturdido said the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital already recorded a total of 30 accidents in the area. He said reckless driving, over speeding, distraction from cellular phones and substance abuses were among the main causes of accidents that involved teenage drivers. Late last month, five people were killed while two others were injured when a multicab passenger van collided with a trailer truck along the national highway in Koronadal City. To help address the problem, Aturdido said they have sought assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government to ensure the strict enforcement of road safety regulations in the area. He said they have also linked up with the Regional Development Council’s social development committee for the conduct of orientation-seminars on proper driving behavior among teen drivers in the area.

Shutdown of major dams in So. Cotabato to last only 3 months -- NIA

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 13 (PIA) -- Shutdown of one of Soccsksargen region’s largest irrigation system will push through as planned starting May 1 but the National Irrigation Administration Office here announced that the closure would be shorter than what was originally planned.

In January, NIA-South Cotabato chief Engr. Ramon Bugacia and provincial agriculturist Reynaldo announced that the two dams of the Ala River Irrigation System (RIS) could be closed until end of August or September for major repairs intended to restore the crop watering system’s efficiency.

Yesterday, in an interview with a radio station here, Engr. Bugacia said, “NIA has made adjustments with the construction schedule” after a series of consultations with affected irrigators’ associations, Department of Agriculture – 12, provincial and municipal agriculture offices, and other stakeholders.

“So from the original plan of four months, total shutdown (of the operations of Ala RIS) has been reduced to three months,”

The two dams of Ala RIS, namely: Dam 1 in Colonggolo, Surallah in South Cotabato and Dam 2 in Bai Sirafinang, Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat, have a combined coverage area of 12,046 hectares.

He said, adjustments were made considering the effect of the total shutdown of the irrigation system on the livelihood of the farm families who will lose water supply while the dams are out of operations. According to a report from DA-12, at least 8,850 families are being served by the Ala RIS.

Bugacia explained the dams need to the totally shut down effective May 1 until July 31 because major repair and rehabilitation works will focus on the main diversions (dams) as well as the main canals.

He added, some repair works that would not require closure of the dams have begun.

Data from NIA indicated that P138,225,000 has been allocated by the national government for the rehabilitation of the Ala RIS.

“This is the first time that such amount was allotted to a project NIA-South Cotabato,” he said. Previously, he added, they only received P3 million to P6 million for irrigation development projects.

This would also be the first time that Ala RIS undergoes repair since its opening in 1972.

Repair works in the 40-year old dam, according to Bugacia, would cover protection works on the dams, repair of the mechanical systems that take care of the closing and opening of the water gates, rehabilitation of the main canals, and construction of additional structures and check structures that would extend the coverage area of the irrigation system.

In an earlier interview, provincial agriculturist Legaste assured residents and farmers of South Cotabato that the shutdown of the Ala RIS will result in food shortage in the province.

He explained that farmers in the province were able to immediately replant in January and February which assures of an earlier than expected harvest.

Also, of the 9,000 hectares in South Cotabato that would lose water supply, about 2,000 hectares can still be cultivated because they have alternative water sources.

Contingency plans have also been prepared for those who could not plant rice; these include planting of corn in coordination with hybrid corn companies as well as temporarily shifting to other crops such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and vegetables like okra, squash, upo, patola, and ampalaya.

Bugacia said rehabilitative works of Ala RIS are also set for implementation next year, but these would not require closure of the dams.

Local officials expect positive results from power summit

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 12 (PIA) -- Officials in South Cotabato hope tomorrow’s Energy Summit in Davao City would end with solutions that would address the power crisis in Mindanao.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, and South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1) General Manager Santiago Tudio said they will be attending the summit.

South Cotabato First District Representative, Daisy Avance-Fuentes has earlier announced in a radio interview that she will join the event.

Gov. Pingoy said, the presence of President Benigno Aquino III during the summit is a positive indication since he could personally join the discussion of the Mindanao energy shortage as well as the proposals to address the power crisis.

“Several proposals and measures will be presented. Hopefully, we will be able to take these up with the president,” he said.

In preparation for the summit, Mayor Miguel has asked city information officer Judith Amido, who also sits as a member of SOCOTECO 1’s board of directors for an in-depth discussion of the power situation particularly in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

He, however, pointed out that he has reservations regarding the suggestion of former Pangasinan Fifth District Representative Mark Conjuangco to put up a nuclear power plant in Lake Sebu.

“I did some research and talked with some Japanese regarding nuclear power plants,” he said.

“I am not in favor of the proposal,” he said, “because even Japan, which is a First World Country, has experienced radiation leaks due to the recent earthquake and tsunami.”

He said lives of millions of Filipinos could be compromised if a disaster like that in Japan occurs in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, GM Tudio said, SOCOTECO 1 supports the move of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) to oppose the privatization of the Pulangi Hydropower plants.

AMRECO with its 33 member electric cooperative plans to submit a position paper demanding transparency so that the public may know of the real situation regarding the availability of energy supply, especially the contracted capacity from the power generators of the National Power Corporation.

MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, announced everything is set for the Mindanao Energy Summit where 300 to 350 delegates are expected to attend.

MinDA and the Department of Energy spearhead the summit.

“The Power Summit accords us the opportunity to discuss the real Mindanao power situation and the specific short to long term measures that stakeholders wanted acted on jointly by the government and the industry players,”Antonino said.

Antonino said that no less than President Aquino has sought that proposed measures for resolving the Mindanao power problem and putting in place of long term action plan should form part of the shared consensus of the Mindanao stakeholders.

“This is being done for and by the Mindanawons who have a direct stake on the Mindanao power issue and what needs to be done, and the President will be there to see to it that the proposed measures are thoroughly studied and doables carried through,” she added.

Among those expected to take part in the one-day summit are heads and representatives of all electric cooperatives in Mindanao, distribution utilities, generation companies, governors and city mayors, Mindanao lawmakers, business and industry sectors, non-government organizations, civil society groups and consumer advocates.

Antonino said the Summit format was designed to provide opportunity for the key sectors and stakeholder representatives to present their respective issues and recommendations for way forward actions.

The President is expected to respond with specific policy directives.

Earlier today, PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma confirmed President Aquino will attend and preside the summit.






Education remedies ignorance, poverty – VP Binay

by (Dani Doguiles and Roderick Beñez/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 11 (PIA) -- Education remains the best way out of poverty and ignorance, said Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Vice President Binay was in Kabacan, North Cotabato yesterday as guest of honor during state-run University of Southern Mindanao’s 66th commencement exercises where he addressed 1,932 candidates for graduation.

“Kung nais nating maiahon sa kahirapan at kamangmangan, edukasyon nag-iisang tanging paraan,” he told the graduates.

“Ang lahat ay kailangang magsumikap. Ngunit kung ang walang sawang pagsusumikap ay sasamahan ng isang mahusay na edukasyon, labis na lumalawak ang nararating ang isang tao,” he said.

He also told graduates that finishing their courses comes with responsibilities to their families, the university and fellowmen.

“Ang tunay na saysay ng inyong pag-aaral ay nababatay sa kakayahan ninyong gamitin ang inyong dunong upang maglunsad ng inyong kakayahan,” he said.

Denying their service, he added, would make peace and progress elusive for themselves and the nation.

To be able to serve their families and the country, a graduate need not seek for remarkable opportunities, Vice President Binay pointed out.

For instance, he said, graduates could start by helping their parents send their younger siblings to school.

“Your challenge now is no longer defined by examinations, term papers, and reports,” he reminded the graduates, “You are now called to build your lives.”

Other guests of the graduation ceremony, which was led by USM president Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije, included North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, local officials, and the university’s Board of Regents.

USM is considered one of the leading state universities in Mindanao and the entire country.

It has achieved excellence in agriculture education and most of its programs have achieved either Level II or Level III accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.

Training of students here does not only focus on instructions but also incorporates the aspects of research, extension and production geared toward producing quality professionals who are globally competitive.

It is well-known to provide top-grade education in the fields of agriculture; arts and science; education; engineering and computing; human ecology and food sciences; industrial technology; business, development economics and management; public health; veterinary medicine; and Middle East and Asian studies.

DOST-12 rolls off “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Syudad”

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/OLAbo/ DOST-12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 10 (PIA) -- DOST-12’s “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Siyudad” has gained ground in enhancing productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Soccsksargen Region.

A project of the Department of Science and Technology – Region 12, Agham at Teknolohiya sa Lungsod was recently conducted separately in the cities of General Santos and Koronadal.

Under the project, consultancy services, labeling design development and technology needs assessment were extended to MSMEs engaged in organic fertilizer, tuna, bakery, squash turon and lumpia, and banana buchi, among others.

It was implemented under DOST’s umbrella program Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) that aims to improve the productivity of small and medium industry players.

Summit Consultancy and Research Services, which was earlier tapped by the DOST-12 for the Manufacturing Productivity Expansion Program (MPEX), presented its findings and recommendations to improve the productivity of 15 firms identified under the program.

Their recommendations included acquisition or upgrading of machines, nutritional facts analysis, production lay-out improvement, and packaging or labeling design development.

They also recommended trainings on Good Manufacturing Practices for ten firms.

Other recommendations for MSMEs to undertake are energy audit, possible ultraviolet radiation, preventive maintenance, and materials management system, among others.

Some firms, on the other hand, have sought trainings on coconut syrup and accelerated vinegar production, bleaching and dyeing, waste management (vermi composting), and fiber extraction mechanization.

Other companies have developed possible linkages, such as one firm offering to supply organic fertilizers to Kablon Farms and RRR Engineering offering to fabricate stainless products for food processing companies.

Another one also offered to design and fabricate a sorter or conveyor for a coffee and a fiber processing ventures.

A technology needs assessment was likewise conducted to Juco Yummyzo Food Products and Pascual Bakery Equipment Services in Koronadal City as a pre-requisite to the availment of SET-UP assistance.

Dr. Zenaida P. HR Laidan, DOST-12 director, said they conducted the “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Siyudad” to support MSMEs in the region achieve higher income, generate more employment and penetrate global markets.

She added that such activity aims to sustain economic development in the countryside.

Smc Secures Clearance To Pursue New 3,000-mw Power Projects

by MYRNA M. VELASCO


Manila, Philippines - The power generation unit of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has secured the go-signal of the Department of Energy (DOE) to proceed with grid impact studies (GIS) on six power projects across grids that will beef up its portfolio by additional 3,000 megawatts.

The GIS will have to be undertaken upon the energy department’s endorsement to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). It will determine if the proposed capacity of the project proponents can still be absorbed by the grid or if the transmission lines are capable of wheeling that capacity to the substations.

Based on documents culled from the energy department, SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation is proposing to construct 1,200-megawatt coal plant in Cavite; and another 600-MW coal-fired facility in Bulacan for the Luzon grid.

In the Visayas, SMC’s proposed greenfield power investments are 600-MW coal plant in Leyte and 150-MW coal plant in Panay. For the Mindanao grid, the company’s proposed coalfired plant ventures are 300 megawatts in Davao del Sur and, 150-MW in South Cotabato.

If the diversifying conglomerate is serious in pursuing all of these projects, it ought to face hurdles though in the market share caps prescribed under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) – which is equivalent to 30-percent of gridinstalled capacity; and 25-percent of national installed capacity. To date, SMC is already the biggest player in the power generation segment of the industry.

Documents also showed that the DOE has issued clearances to more than 30 power companies on their respective bids for GIS on proposed power projects.

As of end last year, the power companies allowed to proceed on their GIS include Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp. for its 100-megawatt coal power project in Iloilo; Global Business Power Corporation for 164-MW and 82-MW projects in Cebu and Iloilo; PhilNewEnergy Inc. for 40-50MW solar project in Alaminos, Pangasinan; 30-40MW solar project in Misamis Oriental and 40-50MW solar project in Davao; and Jobin-Sqm Inc. for its 100-MW Sta. Rita solar project in the Subic Bay freeport zone.

The others are Calamba Aero Power Corporation for a 120-170MW combined cycle power project in Calamba, Laguna; Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Corporation for its proposed 50-MW mini-hydropower project in Kapangan, Benguet; First Gen Corporation for a 300-MW midmerit power plant in Batangas; San Carlos Biopower Inc. for its 18-MW biomass facility in Negros Occidental; as well as those for Sta. Clara Power Corporation’s micro-hydropower projects in Danao, Bohol and Tinoc, Ifugao.

It has also been specified in the documents that the GIS clearance for the 600-MW coal power plant of GN Power was just issued by the energy department June 16 last year. This facility is expected on stream next year and will considerably shore up Luzon grid’s power supply.

Also in the roll of power firms already given the go-signal for grid impact study are San Jose I City Power Corporation for a 9.90-MW rice husk-fired power project; Aboitiz Power for its power barges 1 to 4 in Navotas; Global Green Power PLC Corporation for biomass projects of 17.5-MW in Nueva Ecija and 35-MW in Bukidnon; TeaM Energy Corporation for 382-MW each capacity expansion for its Pagbilao and Sual plants; FDC Utilities Inc. for a 300-MW power plant in Misamis Oriental; and Limay Energen Corporation for a 140-MW coal-fired facility in Bataan.

The other projects are those of PetroEnergy Resources Corporation; Energy Development Corporation; Agusan Power Corporation; PNOC Renewables and Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation; HydroCore Corp.; Vivant Corporation; E-Power Technologies Corp.; Kanan Hydroelectric Power Corporation; Green Energy Management Holdings Inc., Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corpration and Bell Pine Power Corporation. (MMV)

DOLE 12 trains women inmates in accessory making

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 8 (PIA) -- Female inmates of the North Cotabato Provincial Jail were recently trained in making ladies’ accessories to help them earn some income.

In a press release sent to the Philippine Information Agency 12 this week, Charmaine Ladot-Sonsona, information officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12, said the training held on March 22 was spearheaded by the DOLE North Cotabato Field Office in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology as part of the Women’s Month celebration.

Skills training involved techniques on production of commercially viable accessories such as bracelets, earrings, and others.

Lorie Buday of Matalam LGU Cooperative, who served as trainer, assured the inmates of market for their products. She said the cooperative is willing to purchase the inmates’ finished product which will then be sold in livelihood and trade fairs.

North Cotabato Field Office chief Edna Sales urged the inmates who took part of the training to make this a livelihood opportunity.

She said the assistance was only the beginning of more assistance to the women inmates. Among the help that they could expect, Sales said, includes special program for the employment of students.

She added that children of inmates who would qualify will be given priority in SPES.

Meanwhile, acting provincial jail warden SInsp. Israel Arboleda was grateful that DOLE 12 initiated the livelihood training.

He said inmates are one of the most neglected in society and at times adjudged as criminals even before they are convicted.

With such, he is assured that these inmates will see the hope of living a decent life after their rehabilitation inside the jail.

After the training, inmates received starter kits for the production of ladies’ accessories for them to be able apply what they have learned and start a business. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/DOLE 12)

North Cotabato’s peace camps to reach 25,000 kids

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12 with report from IDCD-Prov’l Governor’s Office)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 7 (PIA)-- At least 25,000 Grade V school children from 17 municipalities and lone city of North Cotabato are expected to participate in the second run of the province’s Gov. Lala Summer Kids Peace Camp.

This year’s three-day peace camps began in Pikit municipality on March 9 – 11 where 2,451 children joined. This was followed by peace camps in Aleosan town on March 15 – 17 and another one on March 19 – 21 in Magpet municipality.

More peace camps are scheduled after the Holy Week until May including camps in Antipas, Matalam, M’lang, Kabacan, Pigcawayan, Makilala, Arakan, Tulunan, Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, Midsayap, Libungan, and Pres. Roxas municipalities and in Kidapawan City.

Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza initiated this program last year in partnership with the Department of Education to promote peace among residents of the province starting while they are still young as well as developing potential leaders among them.

It also aims to motivate children to get involved and affirm their commitment to the government, help them discover and enhance their abilities and realize their role in the community especially in the government’s goal towards lasting peace.

This is done by gathering Muslim, indigenous people and Christian children in camps where they are introduced to diverse cultures of the tri-people living in the province, taught leadership skills and important moral values and encouraged to involve in community development.

“There should be no discrimination. Everyone has an equal opportunity. No matter what the sexual orientation, tribe or religion. And if you have discipline in your studies, you will go far,” Gov. Mendoza told participants in one of the peace camps.

The lady governor also challenged the future leaders of the province to “put into practice what you learn during the summer kids peace camp and serve as role models to the younger pupils when you go back to school.”

Activities during the summer kids camp include lectures and group activities including leadership workshops, sports competitions, lectures on environment and climate change, life skills and emergency preparedness, as well as activities that promote understanding of each other’s social, cultural and religious diversity.

Campers were also given the chance to exhibit their talents and skills via a talent show and Pabonggahan Night and live theater presentation showcasing cultures in the province.

During the opening ceremonies of the summer kids peace camp in Magpet on March 19, Gov. Mendoza also turned-over a P3.5 million worth covered court to host Apostol Memorial Elementary School.

She explained this was an incentive to the school for hosting the same event last year.

The said project was funded in partnership with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Partylist whose representative, Congressman Raymond Mendoza, was also present during the turn-over ceremony.

N. Cotabato LGU hands over P29.7-M infra projects to municipalities

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 6 (PIA) -- At least P29.7 million worth of infrastructure projects were turned-over in March by the provincial government of North Cotabato to five of its municipalities.

Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza on March 10 handed over to the LGUs of Matalam and Carmen P17 million worth of infrastructure projects.

These included water systems worth P500,000 each for barangays Kilada ang Latagan as well as P500,000 multi-purpose buildings for barangays Marbel and New Abra, all in Matalam town.

Also turned-over were infrastructure projects to barangays in Carmen town. These include a P7-million concreting project of the Aroman-Lanoon road, P700,000 worth of one-classroom school building at Pebpoloan, and P983,159 power distribution line for barangay Kitulaan.

Other projects include a covered court in Carmen worth P2. 5 million, and a new rural health unit for barangay Poblacion built at P4 million.

“You are all accountable for the safekeeping of these projects. Use them for the benefit of the many and use them with care so that these projects can continue to provide service to the people in your barangays for a long time,” Mendoza said.

Turned-over projects in Aleosan town included a P1.2-million box culvert project charged against the province’s calamity fund in barangay New Panay, as well as concreting project of the public market worth P4.7 million and P5 million road concreting project in barangay Poblacion , which were both charged to the 20% economic development fund.

Baranay Malinga, Midsayap received a solar dryer worth P347,000, while barangays Renibon, New Igbaras, and Datu Binasing of Pigcawayan town received a P500,000 worth multi-purpose building each. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/LAF-IDCD-North Cotabato)

Wage hike in Region 12 seen before Labor Day

by Allen V. Estabillo


KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/4 Apr) – An increase in the daily minimum wage rates for private sector workers in Southwestern Mindanao is looming, officials said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Chona Mantilla, Department of Labor and Employment Region 12 director, said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, which she also chairs, recently decided to hike the floor pay from P10 to P14 a day.

She noted the latest salary increase, or Wage Order No. RBXII-17, may take effect before May 1 or Labor Day, a regular holiday to honor the workers.

Before it will be effective, it needs to be published in a local newspaper.

Under the new wage order, which will be implemented in two tranches, the daily minimum wage rates will range from P246 to P270.

The first tranche was expected to take effect before May 1 and the next on December 1, 2012.

In coming up with wage adjustment, the RTWPB decided to integrate the present P15 daily cost of living allowance (COLA) to the new basic wage.

The existing daily floor pay ranges from P234 to P260.

“The last wage order was issued more than one year ago and there being no petition, the RTWPB has resolved to review, motu propio (on its own), the existing minimum wage rates in the region,” Mantilla said.

Studies on the socio-economic condition in the region warranted the need to grant an increase in the minimum wage rates of private sector workers in Region 12 regardless of their position, designation or status of their employment, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, Ms. Mantilla said

Also called the SOCCSKSARGEN region, Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The Wage Board conducted public consultations early this year in parts of the region to determine if a salary adjustment is needed for the area.

Alfredo Hebrona Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry governor for Southwestern Mindanao, declined to give a comment on the looming wage hike, saying he was not privy to the deliberation.

Jessie dela Cruz, RTWPB secretary, said that exemptions maybe granted to certain types of establishments, such as those distressed and those whose assets are not more than P3 million.

Following the public consultations early this year, Dela Cruz has said that the situation may not warrant an adjustment in the minimum wages of private sector workers, citing a report then by the National Economic and Development Authority that prices of basic consumer goods have remained stable.

Militant labor groups in the area since the past few years have demanded a legislated P125 across-the-board daily wage increase. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

Holy Week is time to reflect on Christ’s suffering and resurrection -- Bishop Gutierrez

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 4 (PIA) -- Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel urged believers of Christ, especially the Catholics , to spend the Holy Week in prayers, meditations and sacrifices rather than in vacations and merriment.

“This entire week should be devoted to remembering the suffering , crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said in an interview with a local radio station.

“All other weeks of the year, we do not celebrate the Paschal mystery, only this week,” he reminded them.

He said believers should spend this entire week to praise God the Father for giving his only Son Jesus Christ who offered Himself to be crucified on the cross for the salvation of humanity.

There is no better way to celebrate this, he added, but to reflect on the Jesus’s suffering on the cross and his rise to glory on Easter Sunday.

Bishop Gutierrez, however, asked believers to refrain from the traditional practice of some devotees to show their sacrifices by having themselves nailed on the cross.

Above all these, Bishop Gutierrez added, the entire Christendom should contemplate more on the glory of Christ’s resurrection.

In response, he pointed out, people should live with fear and faith on God by showing love and care for other people.

“After the Good Friday, Christ rose from the dead. He triumphed against death,” he said. “We should also change. We should also overcome.”

Easter should also be a time to give attention to the protection of the Mother Earth.

He said, by giving importance and taking care of the Mother Earth, we show love for humanity as well as prepare the Earth for the future generation.

TESDA specialistas in Soccsksargen gain ground

by (with report from Rolly Palencia/TESDA 12) (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 3 (PIA) -- Barely three months from its launching, Region 12’s TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) has shown promise as a source of income among technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates.

A press release from the office Technical Education and Skills Development Authority regional direct Zeus Ampuyas on Monday said, 130 organized TSTP entrepreneurs in three provinces and one city have already earned a total income of P259,340.

Overall, TESDA Specialistas have served 893 clients in various service categories such as beauty care and wellness, caregiving, building/house repair maintenance, computer hardware servicing, appliance repair, catering/food and beverage servicing to automotive and small engine servicing, Ampuyas said.

Areas where TESDA Specialistas are now operating include North Cotabato, South Cotabato, and Sarangani-General Santos.

Ampuyas said, in the past three months they monitored the activities of the techno-entrepreneurs to determine if the purpose of the program has been achieved as evidenced by income per aggrupation.

Results of the monitoring indicated that of the seven service categories, building/house repair and maintenance has the highest average income which reached P43,126.67, followed by beauty care and wellness services which is P41,780.00. The third highest earning category was computer hardware services which accumulated income amounting to P15,100.00.

The rest of the service categories are also picking well in terms of earnings, the report said.

Ampuyas said that the income earned by the TESDA Specialistas in the last three months is an indication that the “newly launched program has started creating awareness and gaining support from the people in the community.”

“Money has also started to fill up the TESDA Specialistas’ purse as they render their services to their valued customers.”

TSTP was designed out to address problem of limited job opportunities in the market by assisting the unemployed or underemployed TVET graduates for them to be able to have a chance to be economically stable.

Under the program TESDA facilitates the organization of trained and certified TVET graduates with related skills to be productive into groups called TESDA specialistas who provide technical services for affordable fees in communities where they operate.

TESDA provides them with a TESDA Nurturer to guide and mentor them as well as link with the local government unit for possible support such as operation center and advertisement in the locality.

Those interested to be a TESDA Specialista, they may inquire from the TESDA Provincial Offices near their area for a detailed information.

Households and individuals who would like to avail of the services of the techno-entrepreneurs may contact their local government officials or the local office of TESDA.

PNP 12 on alert for the Holy Week

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 2 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s police force has been put on heightened alert for the celebration of the Holy Week, P/SSupt. Randolph Delfin, police provincial director said.

Delfin said, as early as two months ago, in accordance with a directive from the Police Regional Office, he ordered all police chiefs under his jurisdiction to plan out and strengthen security measures for the summer vacation.

“Included in this are the security measures for the celebration of the Holy Week as well as those intended to keep vacationers safe,” Delfin said.

As in other important events, he said, police personnel will be deployed in public convergence places, such as terminals, churches, malls, supermarkets and others.

Security in the popular tourist destinations in the province, including Lake Sebu and the famous Seven Falls zip line, will also be increased with the expected influx of visitors coming to these areas.

“We are also intensifying our checkpoints in the province’s entry and exit points,” he added.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office – 12 regional director Arlan Mangelen said they are putting up assistance centers along major roads in the region to help motorists and travellers.

“Our focus during the Holy Week is safety and protection of the traveling public,” he said.

Mangelen added that starting Wednesday, they are temporarily suspending their anti-colorum operations to be able to concentrate on the Operation Semana Santa.

LTO has also reminded motorists to meticulously prepare for the expected long travels. According to the agency, drivers should check BLOWBAGETS or battery, lights, oil, water (radiator & wiper washer), brakes, air pressure, gas, early warning device, tools, and self.

Koronadal City turns dark for an hour

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , Apr. 1 (PIA) -- A large part of Koronadal city turned dark as thousands of households joined the Earth Hour last night.

From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., households, offices, government offices, malls, public switched their lights and other electric-powered appliances off .

Streetlamps were also turned off. Even motorists turned their vehicle’s lights to support to the global campaign.

The Earth Hour celebration here led by Mayor Peter B. Miguel, other local government officials and the city environment office started with an eco-invocation and ecumenical prayer at the city’s government center in Carpenter Hill.

Other highlights leading to the 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour, included the signing of a manifesto in support to efforts against global change, and a symposium on the science of climate change and how to solve climate change.

At around 6:30 p.m. participants who gathered in front of the Gaisano Grand Mall either joined the 3.5-kilometer Earth Hour Biking or Earth Hour 2012 Night Walk to Ace Centerpoint Supermarket at the center where the main program was held.

At exactly 8:30 p.m. candles were lighted as the electric lights were turned off.

Meanwhile, the local electric distributor South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO) 1 implemented a 30-minute power shut-off also in support of the campaign.

However, General Manager Santiago Tudio said, since the activity is voluntary, brownout was only enforced in the areas where the main activities was held, specifically Feeders 11, 22, and 33.

Earlier last week, South Cotabato Gov. Pingoy Y. Pingoy Jr. released a memorandum to employees of the provincial government to support the campaign. He also called on mayors in the province to encourage participation in their respective areas of responsibilities.

Besides , Koronadal City and neighboring towns in South Cotabato, General Santos City and the province also joined the country and the world in the symbolic 60-minute turning off of electricity.

Both General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani province Gov. Migs Dominguez led the Earth Hour campaigns. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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