South Cotabato News

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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.

South Cotabato seeks DENR help to resolve land row in farming village

by (PNA)

LAP/FFC/AVE/KZT


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 23 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has sought for a re-survey of lands in a farming village in Polomolok town in South Cotabato in a bid to resolve a worsening land conflict in the area.

South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Thursday they have asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct another survey of some 45 hectares of farmlands in Barangay Koronadal Proper in Polomolok following claims from local Moro residents that they were part of their ancestral domain.

He said the move is aimed at establishing the real ownership of the lands and eventually diffuse the brewing tension in the area.

Two weeks ago, alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) started to converge in the area supposedly to assist the claims of Moro residents over the lands from local Christian settlers.

The rebels, who were reportedly led by Nadsid Akmad alias Kumander Faisal, allegedly issued threats of violence against local landowners.

Rosanna Albido, a leader of local Christian settlers, said they were forced to stop tilling their farmlands for fear of their security following the issuance of the supposed threats from the rebels.

“We’re appealing to the Army and police forces to remain in the area to ensure our security while the problem is still being resolved,” she said in a consultation-dialogue hosted by the provincial government.

Akmad, who joined the dialogue, admitted they increased their presence in the area but cited that they were there as part of the claimants.

He denied allegations that they issued threats against the landowners and that never intend to sow terror in the area in connection with their claims.

The rebel leader urged the provincial government to relocate several Christian settlers who were staying in their claimed ancestral lands to help resolve the matter.

“We only want to claim our father’s land and we do not want any confrontation with the settlers,” he said.

Akmad said they have documents issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform, DENR and the Registry of Deeds that prove their ownership over the lands.

To diffuse the tension in the area, Pingoy directed a temporary status quo over the ownership of the lands, which were subjects of a Certificate of Land Ownership Award issued by the government.

“I’m urging residents to go on with their normal lives and we’re hoping that the result of the DENR survey will finally resolve this problem,” the governor said.

He ordered the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office and the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion to deploy regular personnel in the area pending the resolution of the problem..





34 job fairs planned for Region 12 in 2012

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- At least 34 job fairs have been scheduled by the Department of Labor and Employment-12 (DOLE-12) and its partners for calendar year 2012.

DOLE-12’s partners include private and public colleges and universities, Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), and local government units.

A schedule of job fair activity released by DOLE-12 yesterday noted that five are set this month while six will be held in March.

The remaining job fairs in February will be held on February 24 at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College in Kidapawan City; on February 27 at Notre Dame of Midsayap College; and on February 29 at South Christian College in Midsayap -- all in North Cotabato.

In March, job fairs will be held at the Municipal Plaza of Banga, South Cotabato (March 1); at Notre Dame of Tacurong College in Tacurong City (March 12 – 13); STI College in Koronadal City (March 15); Golden State College, General Santos City (March 18); Notre Dame University in Cotabato City (March 21); and University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato (March 21).

In April, when the bulk of new graduates join the job-seeking population, three job fairs are planned: at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City on April 4; St. Alexius College in Koronadal City on April 27; and at Kidapawan City Gymnasium on April 27.

Major job fairs are also planned for the Labor Day on May 1, namely: at Protech Center in Koronadal City, at Robinson’s Plaza in General Santos City, and South Seas Mall in Cotabato City.

Another fair will be held at the Municipal Hall of Pigcawayan, in North Cotabato on May 12.

Jobs available in these fairs are for local and overseas employment.

As in the previous job fairs, DOLE-12 advised applicants to bring several copies of their pertinent documents such transcript of records, training certificates, passports (for foreign employment),and others.

During the recent meeting of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) here, DOLE-12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla, advised job seekers as well as graduating students to register with the PESO in their LGU.

“Part of our employment facilitation thrust is skills registration program, which our field office heads are concentrating,” she said.

She added that one of the major uses of the job skills registry is to fit labor supply with the needs of companies.

In this way, she said, more applicants may be hired on the spot because the companies that will be invited to specific job fairs are those that need workers that are available in the particular areas based on the skills registry.

Two job fairs each are planned for June and July, one in August, four in September, three in November, and three in December.

S.Cotabato rehabilitates farm-to market roads

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- Transporting farm products in some interior barangays in South Cotabato will soon be easier once road rehabilitation projects are completed, a local government official said.

Barangay Affairs Unit chief Joel Dimput recently announced the province will be implementing in the coming weeks a P5-M project for the construction of Junction National Highway San Vicente – Malaya road in nearby Banga town.

“The provincial government has already received SARO (Special Allotment Release Order) from the Department of Budget and Management for the implementation of the project,” Dimput said.

The fund was taken from the allocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) following request by Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr.

“Gov. Pingoy has ordered Engr. Marnilo Aperocho, acting chief of the Provincial Office, to immediately prepare the program of work for the project so that this can be started at once,” Dimput said.

“Once the dilapidated road is repaired and rehabilitated, moving agricultural products from the interior barangays to intended markets would be easier and cheaper.”

The road, he said, would also benefit farm families in barangay Puti and other barangays in adjacent Norala town.

Dimput also announced that the rehabilitation of Upper Sepaka – Kibang farm-to-market road is nearing completion.

“Gov. Pingoy made this a priority project of his administration to so that products in Barangay Ned would be transported to Sto. Niño and Surallah towns in South Cotabato instead of the bringing these to markets in Sultan Kudarat,” he said.

He said, Engr. Aperocho has assured that the Sepaka-Kibang FMR would be more durable.

Instead of using mountain fill in the road upgrading, the project is using sand and gravel quarried from a river in Surallah to make sure that road would not be easily washed out.

Dimput said the provincial government is also considering putting up detachments in several locations from Barangay Ned to Upper Sepaka for security purposes.





OWWA announces scholarship grant for OFW children, dependents

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region’s Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-12) here has announced the opening of the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) for school year 2013-2014.

OWWA 12 Regional Director Abdulgani K. Umag said, the scholarship is open to all graduating high school students who are children or dependents of active OWWA members.

“We have already coordinated with schools all over the region to inform their students who are either children or dependents of OFW workers to already apply for the scholarship grant,” Umag said.

Application forms are available at the OWWA-12 Office at Reyes Subdivision, Barangay Morales, this city.

“Interested students may also get application forms from the public OFW desk officer of their local government unit,” he said.

Deadline of the submission of application forms is on August 31, 2012. The qualifying examination , which Umag said will be administered by the Department of Science and Technology may be held either in November or December this year.

Umag also encouraged interested students to file their application forms earlier because there are documents that need to be submitted to prove that they are bona fide dependents of active OFW members.

“We want to be assured that their parents are still working abroad and are active OWWA members because the money spent for the scholarship belongs to OFWs who paid their contributions,” he explained. “We cannot use the funds to children of undocumented workers.”

EDSP is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA members who intend to enrol in any 4-5 year baccalaureate course.

Each scholar gets financial assistance amounting to P30,000.00 per semester or a maximum of P60,000.00 per school year.

Tuition fees shall be paid directly to the school, while the remaining amount shall be released to the scholar upon submission of the grades for the term duration.

To be qualified, a senior high school student should be a child of an OWWA member or brother or sister of an unmarried OWWA member, below 21 years old, and among the upper 20% of the high school graduation class.

Applicants need to present proofs of relationship to the OWWA member such certified birth certificate, proofs of OWWA membership (such as official receipt of OWWA Contribution or certification from OWWA Membership Registry Division.

Other documentary requirements include high school report card, certificate of good moral character, certification issued by the school principal that the student belong to the upper 20 percent of the graduating class.

Applicants who have taken post-secondary or vocational courses or have started a college course are disqualified from EDSP.

Dolefil, labor group settle dispute

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 18 (PIA) -- After more than a year of negotiations, pineapple giant Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) recently awarded to members of the labor union their unpaid benefits.

Report from the Department of Labor and Employment 12 (DOLE 12) said Atty, Rene Almero who represented Dolefil handed to Jose Teruel, leader of AK-NAFLU–KMU (AMADO Kadena NAFLU -KMU), on February 10 a check amounting to P1,113,363.34, as part of the resolution agreed by the parties pertaining to the settlement demands of the workers.

Present also during the ceremony were the members of the tripartite committee including DOLE-12 represented by Assistant Regional Director Yahya A. Centi, Jimmy Marquez and Gelse Lanzaderas; National Conciliation and Mediation Board- 12 Director Feliciano Orihuela , Jr.; AK-NAFLU-KMU representative and Lead.PH.

“Nagpapasalamat kami, ako at aking mga kasama sa ginawa ng DOLE, lalong lalo na kay (DOLE 12) Director Chona M. Mantilla para sa pagpaunlak na Ibigay ngayong araw ang tseke. Gayun din sa Dolefil na umintindi sa mga prinsipyo na hinahawakan naming,” Teruel said after receiving the check.

Furthermore, he advised the other unions to be open to dialogues and to settlement.

“Dialogue is better than litigation,” he said.

Mesawhile, Atty. Almero said Dolefil is thankful to DOLe 12 and to the members of TRICOM for the time and effort of being with them in settling the issues between Dolefil Inc. and the workers.

“Credit should be given to DOLE and the TRICOM. Candidly speaking, if not for the committee, the case should have been forwarded for litigation and will cost both parties more money and effort,” Almero said.

Dolefil Tripartite Committee was created last January 2011 in compliance to Administrative Order No. 08, creating a Tripartite Committee at Dole Philippines, issued by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

The committee is composed of the two contending unions: AK- NAFLU-KMU and Lead.PH, DOLE 12, NCMB 11 and NCMB 12, and representatives from CHR, Army, PNP, LGU of Polomolok, and Dolefil Inc.

At the onset, the committee signed a social accord that aimed to maintain the peace and the integrity of the forthcoming certification election of Dolefil Inc., by mutually binding themselves to safeguard the rights of the workers before, during and after negotiations.

ARD Centi citing the success of the committee said that “settlement in the industry is very vital in gaining social justice”.(CDMLadot/DOLE 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Health official welcomes deployment of nurses by PhilHealth

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (Philhealth) decision to hire and deploy nurses in the entire country would be an advantage to government hospitals, a local health official said.

Dr. Conrado Braña, chief of South Cotabato Provincial Hospital here said PhilHealth’s plan to assign at least one nurse to every public hospital would mean a big improvement in the services to health insurance beneficiaries.

“This would be a great help to our hospital staff because there will be a specific person who will be able to explain to patients about availment process, assist in filling out forms, and even help in computing the amount of services that could be availed,” he said.

With a nurse assigned to attend to Philhealth patients, the hospital staff delegated to this work could be assigned to the actual jobs they were primarily hired for.

Dr. Braña explained that at present, government hospitals have to delegate a staff to assist Philhealth patients, and prepare documents for the claims.

“This move of Philhealth is a very good news to public hospitals, which are often understaffed,” he added.

Delays in the processing of claims could also be ironed out, Dr. Braña said, because problems like insufficient information, wrong calculations and entries and the like could be avoided.

Early this month, Philhealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon said Philhealth will hire at least 530 nurses under its Customer Assistance, Relations and Empowerment Staff (CARES) program.

They will be deployed to government hospitals all over the country.

Banzon added the program was conceptualized to employ some of the more than 298,000 jobless nurses.

Philhealth CARES nurses, who will be paid P15,000 monthly salary, will help ensure hassle-free availment of Philhealth benefits via spot eligibility checks in hospitals, expedite the documentary requirements of PhilHealth members in hospitals, and lessen the return-to-hospital benefit claims, according to information posted at the Philhealth website.

“Besides assisting PhilHealth members with PhilHealth availment, these nurses would also conduct interviews with patients whether they were satisfied with the services provided by the health facility,” Hannah Naanep, information officer of PhilHealth 12 explained.

Results of the survey could be used as bases for Philhealth to facilitate improvement of the services that public hospitals should deliver to PhilHealth members, she added.

Naanep said, the PhilHealth CARES nurses will be deployed in March until December this year.

Kidapawan villages get P5-M aid from Department of Agriculture-12

by LM Salvo and Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- Eight barangays in Kidapawan City recently received P5-million worth of livelihood projects from the Department of Agriculture Region12 (DA-12).

DA-12’s assistance to Brgys. Amazion, Junction, Linangkob, Singao, Kalaisan, Paco, San Roque, and Macebolig were channeled via the agency’s Mindanao Rural Development Program-Community Fund for Agricultural Development (MRDP-CFAD).

During the 14th foundation anniversary of Kidapawan last week, MRDP-CFAD formally turned over P2.5 M worth of cattle livelihood projects to recipient groups in Barangays Amazion, Junction, Linangkob, Singao, and Kalaisan.

Earlier, MRDP-CFAD handed in P2.5-million worth of projects to farmer associations, rural improvement clubs, and farmers’cooperatives in Brgys Paco, San Roque, and Macebolig. These projects include pre- and post-harvest facilities, traveling rice mill, and swine production assistance.

During the turn-over ceremonies, DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said these livelihood projects could be of great help to the members of the farmer’s cooperatives and associations. (LMS-DA 12/DED-PIA 12)

LGU intensifies drive against illegal quarries

by Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 15 (PIA) – Illegal quarry operators beware.

The local government unit of North Cotabato has beefed up its efforts to protect its quarry resources from illegal quarry operations.

Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza said she is willing to give a P50,000 reward for every illegal quarry operator reported to her office.

Taliño-Mendoza made the declaration during a recent dialogue-consultation with barangay officials, quarry operators, and officials from the National Irrigation Administration, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other line agencies.

She said she is “dead serious” in the campaign against illegal extraction of quarry materials in the province.

The P50,000 cash incentive per illegal operator, she explained, will be given to the first barangay who can report any firm or individual utilizing quarry materials from privately-owned lands and/or public lands within the territorial jurisdiction of Cotabato without permit, or operating with expired permit, or quarrying and mining outside their specified permit area. She also promised to conduct random checks on various quarry sites in the province to personally monitor if there is any unlawful utilization of Cotabato’s mineral resources.

She also warned operators that the provincial government will not hesitate to enforce sanctions or legal action against anyone violating Provincial Ordinance 410 adopting the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato.

During the said forum, quarry operators were briefed on the provisions of the said ordinance pertaining to “Tax on Sand, Gravel, and Other Quarry Resources” and “Quarry Operations” of the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato.

As she urged the barangay leaders to help protect the province from illegal quarry operations, the governor also explained how the barangay will benefit when required quarry taxes and fees are properly collected.

“When all fees due to the barangay are collected, this would mean more projects for your barangay…more services to your constituents,” she said.

Based on the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Cotabato, proceeds of the tax on sand, gravel and other quarry resources shall be shared: 30 percent to the provincial government, 30 percent to the LGU where the materials are extracted, and 40 percent to the barangay where the concession area was located.

She then appealed to the barangay officials to help in monitoring quarry activities in their respective area of responsibility and to ensure that the quantity of extracted quarry or sand and gravel resources is declared accurately by the permit holder.

To further guarantee that rightful fees go to the coffers of the government, Governor Taliño-Mendoza also dared barangay officials to report scrupulous tax collector who conspire with quarry operators or truckers. For every collector proven to have illegal transactions with quarry operators, she said is willing to give another P50,000. (LQG/IDCD/PGO N.Cotabato/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

S. Cotabato launches riparian zone re-vegetation program

by Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 14 (PIA) -- At least 425 bamboo seedlings were recently planted along riverbanks in Barangay BS Aquino Jr. in Norala, South Cotabato to kick off the riparian zone re-vegetation (RZR) program of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).

Acting PEMO chief Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, who led the launching on February 7, said the province’s RZR program aims to help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

The program was a joint collaborative of the municipal LGU, barangay LGU, Norala National High School and the landowners and claimants in the area.

Tita Faciolan , Norala’s municipal environment and natural resources officer and Laarni Fabiano who spoke for the national high school expressed commitment to support the program.

Fabiano narrated that their initial plan was to plant the bamboo seedlings inside the school’s premises, but later decided to plant these along riverbanks as part of their community service.

Earlier, PEMO’s Forest and Inland Water Division conducted an information drive with community stakeholders at Brgy. BS Aquino Jr. barangay hall where re-vegetation of riparian zones was emphasized.

Discussions centered on the use of bamboo for riverbank stabilization. Economic benefits of bamboo were also covered in the discussion.

A signing of a memorandum of agreement that define and stipulate responsibilities of stakeholders followed the bamboo planting activity.

Farmer/landowners and beneficiaries likewise signified their commitment and support to sustain the program through a pledge of commitment officiated by Engr. Flaviano.

Barangay Kagawad Cyril Cancel, representing Punong Barangay Leonar Vincent Lida, acknowledged the participants and expressed their gratitude in choosing their barangay as recipient of the RZR program.

In an earlier interview with a local radio station, Engr. Falviano pointed out that the activity is part of their massive program to protect embankments of rivers in the province.

Besides being an important plant to protect riverbanks from erosion, the provincial government also sees bamboo as a major source of income for farmers. South Cotabato LGU has been pushing for the establishment of bamboo hubs where engineered bamboos can be produced. (FSumagaysay/SoCot PIO/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Investors eye S. Cotabato for high value crops development

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato , Feb 13 (PIA) – Good news to farmers in South Cotabato: a group of investors is looking for at least 3,000 hectares for development of high value crops here. Provincial Agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste has confirmed they have been meeting with representatives of Puyat Group of Companies for the possibility of the expansion in South Cotabato for development of at least 1,000 hectares each for rubber, coffee and cassava. “These investors can expand their operations to as much as 5,000 hectares,” Legaste said. Besides these three crops, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) has also seen this as an opportunity to introduce soybean as an alternative source of income among farmers here. Besides the suitability of the soil and terrain of the province for the development of these crops, Legaste said these investors were attracted to South Cotabato because of the warm welcome they get from residents and local government officials here. Legaste, however assured that planting of these high value crops would not affect the province’s rice and corn production. “We offer for their consideration the watershed areas,” he said. In this way, he explained, watershed areas that have lost their forest cover could be replanted and the farmers in the area will be given opportunity to earn a living. Legaste said more agreements can be arrived at in the coming weeks. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Health Insurance

by www.mb.com.ph


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. lauded the automatic inclusion of conditional cash transfer (CCT) beneficiaries as PhilHealth members as announced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office – 12 (DSWD 12). During a recent orientation of social welfare officers on National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS – PR) for Indigenous People in this city, Pingoy said this development provides an opportunity for the provincial government to enrol more indigents in the province into the health insurance.

Gov welcomes inclusion of 4Ps beneficiaries as PhilHealth members

by Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb 10 (PIA) -- South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. lauded the automatic inclusion of conditional cash transfer beneficiaries as Philhealth members as announced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office – 12 (DSWD 12) .

During a recent orientation of social welfare officers on National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS – PR) for Indigenous People in this city, Pingoy said this development provides an opportunity for the provincial government to enrol more indigents in the province into the health insurance.

He plans to make use of P10 million budget of the provincial LGU, originally intended for "poorest of the poor" -- including 4Ps beneficiaries -- to enrol other indigent families not covered by the CCT.

With 4Ps beneficiaries taken off from original list of indigents that the provincial government sponsored for Philhealth enrolment, he said, more poor residents in the province could become health card holders.

“The provincial government will enroll as Philhealth members those who were not included in the NHTS – PR survey but are identified as "poorest of the poor" in the Community Health Living Standard Survey (CHLSS),” Pingoy added.

NHTS-PR was the basis of DSWD's identification of CCT recipients. CHLSS, on the other hand, was a survey conducted under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that also identified the poorest families in South Cotabato.

Since the national government has paid their health insurance of 4Ps beneficiaries, the provincial government could pay for the Philhealth cards of 15,000 more indigent families, he said.

Jakiya Lao of DSWD 12 said, they will only pay P900.00 per year as health insurance premium of the 4Ps member-beneficiaries to PhilHealth.

South Cotabato , according to DSWD 12 record, has a total of 29,112 4Ps beneficiaries.

They are in T’boli with 12,907 beneficiaries, Lake Sebu, 8,439; Tupi, 6,297; Polomolok, 4,367; Surallah, 4,128; Banga, 3,603; City of Koronadal, 1,088;Tantangan, 924; Tampakan, 922; Norala, 748; and Sto. Nino, 689.

In Mindanao, Region 12 ranks second to Region 11 in having the most IP settlers. (FrutoSumagaysay Jr/ SoCot PIO/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Barangay Council commends Gov, PENRO for immediate action on illegal quarry operators

by Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- The Barangay Council of Klinan 6, Polomolok town commended South Cotabato Governor Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy Jr and officials of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) for their immediate action against rampant illegal quarry operations in their area.


Through Resolution No. 4 s. 2012 passed on February 6, 2012, Klinan 6 Barangay Council led by chairwoman Florencia Docallos extended their commendation to Governor Pingoy for his leadership in strictly implementing the Provincial Environment Code (PEC), specifically on quarry operations.


The same resolution also thanked acting PEMO Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, Engr. Roldan Lachica and Quarry Inspector Remus Guillermo for their apprehension of illegal quarry operators.


The PEMO staff apprehended and impounded two dump trucks last January 26, 2012 at Klinan 6 for quarrying using expired permits.

They were later released upon payment of penalty, the PEMO report said.

PEMO started this year with a series of apprehensions and impositions of penalties against errant quarry operators as well as resolution of permittee quarry boundaries as part of its campaign to strictly enforce the PEC on quarry operations.

South Cotabato generated P5.76 million in quarry or “sand and gravel” tax in 2011. (Fruto Sumagaysay Jr/SoCot PIO/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

DA 12 warns farmers on new rice pest

by pia.gov.ph


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- Agriculture officials in Region 12 or Soccsksargen Region have warned local farmers of a new rice pest that have attacked some parts of the country.

According to a report of the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) in Tacurong City submitted to the DA-12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag – Datukan, this new rice has been observed in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga regions.

The pest was presented during the KASAKALIKASAN –BPI workshop on the Establishment and Operations of the Community-based Biological Control Agents, Bantay Peste Brigade and Updates on the Management of Insect on Corn, Cassava, Banana, and Coconut in Manila.

On December 21 last year, Dr, Clarito M. Barron , director of the Bureau of Plant Industry, also released an advisory on the pest.

RCPC-12 Officer-in-Charge Ludivina S. Dumaya described that the rice grain or seed bug smaller than rice bug, moves quickly and easily in water and a crawling type of pest.

Dumaya added that this pest is similar to an ordinary rice bug (Leptocoriza oryzae) commonly called tiangaw which feeds on rice grains. This pest, she added differs from the ordinary bug because it has the ability to fall off to the ground when touched or disturbed.

According to the advisory, the recently discovered pest attacks rice panicles from flowering stage to milking stage and results in unfilled or discolored grains that eventually reduces quality and subsequently yield.

RCPC in Bicol Region reported 50 to 70 percent crop damage due to the same pest in estimated 100 hectares of rice in Camarines Sur.

Although the pest has not yet been reported here, South Cotabato Provincial Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator Dave Nicolas urged local farmers to intensively monitor their farms.

“Bantayan natin ang bagong tuklas na pesteng kulisap na ito nang hindi na dumami at makapaminsala sa ating mga palayan,”he said.

As immediate action, Dumaya said that RCPC will conduct massive information dissemination across Soccsksargen Region about the pest; they will also intensify coordination with IPM controllers in the region.

Aside fom these, RCPC is also set to attend Municipal Agriculture Officer’s (MAOs) meetings to relay the information on this pest and to mobilize Bantay Peste Brigade.

BPI - Manila has recommended the following measures and strategies to control the spread of this pest: 1) burning or plowing under of rice straw/stubbles right after harvest to kill the bugs; b) ensuring sanitation and cleanliness of rice fields, including dikes; regularly monitoring of the field to determine early pest appearance. In case the pest is already present it is recommended that application of green label contact insecticides be done early morning or late afternoon. (with report from LMSalvo/DA 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

PCCI seeks Palace meeting on Tampakan project

by MAX V. DE LEON / REPORTER


THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s biggest business organization, is seeking an audience with President Aquino to push for the continuation of the $5.6-billion Tampakan copper-gold project.

Miguel Varela, PCCI president, said the group understands the concerns of the provincial government and other oppositors of the open-pit mining method.

However, Varela said based on consultations and studies made for the Tampakan project, the proponent Sagittarius Mines Inc. “will be able to respond to any possible impact of the open-pit mining method.”

Varela, at his recent visit to General Santos City, said the national chamber will make representations in Malacañang for the Tampakan project in support of the local business chambers, including the Mindanao Business Council.

“We will make our own representation because we believe all the safeguards are in place for this project. The Tampakan project is an investment the government must not ignore. The parties supporting the Tampakan project are doing the correct process and we will do our part by talking to the national government”, Varela said.

Varela met with local business groups in South Cotabato and Tampakan Mayor Leonardo Escobillo over the weekend to discuss issues hounding what is seen as the biggest single foreign investment in the country.

Varela said the proponent of the Tampakan project has “consulted the community and that this project will benefit not only the host municipality but the entire country.”

“We were presented with the environmental and safety plans for the Tampakan project and this project is actually doable,” he said.

Varela said they are also willing to dialogue with the South Cotabato provincial officials, consistent with the pronouncement of South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy that he welcomes a dialogue with any group to finally resolve the Tampakan issue.

Pingoy has declared that he is not against the Tampakan project but wants to resolve an environmental code “he is bound to implement” through intervention from either the courts or the national government.

Aside from the ban on open-pit mining ordinance that was issued by the local government of South Cotabato, the Tampakan project was also denied the environmental clearance certificate by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.

Construction gov’t hospital in S. Cotabato begins

by Danilo E. Doguiles


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. 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. It is also geared to promote a better image for Maguindanao. 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. 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. At the kanduli, Muslim delicacies and dishes made from tilapia, one of Buluan town’s primary products will definitely be served. 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. Other activities include Carabao race, horse fight, drum and lyre competition, rubber and palm oil technology forum and cultural presentations. Saturday, Feb. 11 is exclusive to two important festival competitions such as Sayagan Dancing and Kulintang competion. A street dance, a showdown and a tribute program will highlight Feb. 14. 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)

Maguindanao to stage maiden Sagayan Festival

by Danilo E. Doguiles


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.

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.

It is also geared to promote a better image for Maguindanao.

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.

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.

At the kanduli, Muslim delicacies and dishes made from tilapia, one of Buluan town’s primary products will definitely be served.

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.

Other activities include Carabao race, horse fight, drum and lyre competition, rubber and palm oil technology forum and cultural presentations.

Saturday, Feb. 11 is exclusive to two important festival competitions such as Sayagan Dancing and Kulintang competion.

A street dance, a showdown and a tribute program will highlight Feb. 14.

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)

Koronadal LGU brings offices closer to villagers

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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.

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

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


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.

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.






Labor attaché to Rome assumes post as DOLE-12 chief

by Danilo E. Doguiles


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).

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

by Danilo E. Doguiles


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. 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

by (PNA)

LAP/FFC/AVE/HST


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

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

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.






P1-B cash grant for Soccsksargen, some ARMM areas

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

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

by PIA Press Release


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

by MARVYN N. BENANING


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. 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

by PIA Press Release


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. 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

by PIA Press Release


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)

South Cotabato eyes P30-M mining revenue for 2012

by Bong S. Sarmiento


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

by zambotimes.com


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

by (PNA)

RMA/LAP/AVE/KZT


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.

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.

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.

“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.

The local government earlier launched the program to help effectively address the province’s malnutrition problem among pre-school children.

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.

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

DA urges farmer groups to avail of seeds, seedling assistance

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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)





Major irrigation system in S. Cotabato to shut down in May; agri sector braces for production loss

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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

by PIA Press Release


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. 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)





CCTVs installed in gold-rich town in fight vs illegal mining activities

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

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. 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. “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. 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. 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

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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)





Hinugyaw Festival opens with tribute to first settlers

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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)





PDRRMO removes obstruction in river near Lake Maughan

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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

by Dani Doguiles


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

by Dani Doguiles


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. 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)

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