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==NIA allots P472.3M for S. Cotabato, Gensan irrigation projects in 2012==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72540
*Saturday, January 14, 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==
==Anti Trafficking Task Force extends help for reintegration of trafficked persons==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72469
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=72469
Line 714: Line 746:
Engr. Benjamin B. Hurtado Jr., resident of barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City was hailed for his invention, the Daikkha Dehumidifier Mechanical Dryer, which has potential in helping farmers reduce cost and losses during post –harvest.
Engr. Benjamin B. Hurtado Jr., resident of barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City was hailed for his invention, the Daikkha Dehumidifier Mechanical Dryer, which has potential in helping farmers reduce cost and losses during post –harvest.
In his search for an efficient alternative equipment, Hurtado, being an owner of a fabrication company, perfected a dehumidifier mechanical dryer after a series of experiments.
In his search for an efficient alternative equipment, Hurtado, being an owner of a fabrication company, perfected a dehumidifier mechanical dryer after a series of experiments.
His machine has a dehumidifier or heat exchanger that removes water vapor in hot air produced from a rice hull oven before the hot air is diverted to the rice/corn bin for subsequent drying process.
His machine has a dehumidifier or heat exchanger that removes water vapor in hot air produced from a
With its capacity to provide drying services in any weather condition, it can produce food grade quality products at a significantly lower operational cost.
The Daikkah Mechanical Dryer can dry 700 sacks or 35 metric tons of newly harvested palay in four processing cycles lasting a total of 16 hours only.
Hurtado’s invention uses rice hull to create heated air for drying, and consumes only 144 kilowatts for 16 hours of drying.
Other winners of the 2nd Filipinovation Award are: Ahcil Laboratories, Inc., Barbalite Technologies, Crisologo Concrete Precast Enterprise, and Filimagineers, formerly Mayad-Web 3D.
The Filipinnovation Award seeks to recognize and promote local innovative technology development by start-up companies involved in biotechnology, information and communications technology, electronics, robotics/mechatronics, material science, nanotechnology or combinations thereof.
Plaques, cash prizes and gift packs were given to the winners during the awarding ceremonies held on November 25 at the Bayanihan Center, United Laboratories, Inc. in Mandaluyong City during the 4th anniversary celebration of the Filipinnovation.
DOST 12 regional director Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan said Engr. Hurtado’s mechanical dryer was among the winners in the 2011 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibition (RICE), which highlighted the regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in General Santos City in August.
It was the first time that RICE was conducted in Soccsksargen Region; previously it was held in cluster: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (PIA 12)
 
==Transport growth==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/343040/kids-welfare
*November 29, 2011, 5:24pm
:by  Nonoy Lacson
 
 
 
TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato – A transport group with members from the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City is preparing for what its members anticipate as a “tremendous growth” in terms of public transportation needs.
 
:“The Tampakan project will mean a bigger demand for public transportation and this will be good for the transport industry,” said Orlando Sabelita, president of the Socsksargen Transport Federation. “We believe that Sagittarius Mines, Inc. has safety and risks management systems in place, otherwise, they will not be given a permit to operate by the national government,” said.
 
==South Cotabato implements version of seal of good housekeeping for barangays==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=65927
*Monday, November 28, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- Some 100 barangays in South Cotabato will be given seal of good housekeeping in 2012 in line with the provincial government's implementation of a local version of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's program. Josephine Leysa, interior and local government provincial director, said "100 out of the 199 barangays of South Cotabato will receive awards and cash prizes from the provincial government if they pass the standards set.” Besides the seal of housekeeping, Leysa added "the top six barangays will be awarded cash prizes of P500,000, P400,000, P300,000, P200,000, P100,000, and P75,000, respectively. Other barangays -- up to 94 in number -- that will qualify based on criteria set, will also receive P50,000 each. Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. launched the project during the Liga ng Mga Barangay celebration on October 7 and the evaluation will begin in the first quarter of 2012. "The top six barangays will be recognized during the Tnalak Festival in July while the remaining 94 barangays that will pass the criteria for the seal of housekeeping will be named during the Liga Day next year.” Leysa explained that although the local seal of good housekeeping was patterned after the national program, the local version will be wider in scope. "Since we have been implementing barangay performance management system for eight years, our criteria will not focus on organization and creation of bodies but will deal much on the functionality of these bodies," she said. Without giving details on the criteria for evaluation, she said, "the local version of the seal of housekeeping will give emphasis on total barangay governance." DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping for LGUs is in line with the Department’s commitment to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation and performance into an institutionalized status. Through the program, DILG recognizes LGUs that have shown good performance in the areas of good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing of performance monitoring. LGUs awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping are given access to P3-million worth of projects under the Performance Challenge Fund. (PIA 12)
 
==Gov orders 24/7 monitoring of Digos-Cotabato highway project==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=65817
*Sunday, November 27, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- North Cotabato governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza has ordered contractors of Digos-North Cotabato Road Improvement project to monitor sections under construction 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
In a recent meeting of the Provincial Project Monitoring and Advisory Group, Mendoza also emphasized the importance of flag men to ensure constant flow of traffic, especially in critical areas such as in blind curves.
She said having personnel to guide traffic is necessary even at night time to be able to immediately address accidents that might occur.
Local government officials also cited poorly constructed diversion section, lack of safety barriers and traffic signage, and absence of warning devices as among the immediate concerns that the contractors should take care of.
“With all the on-going developments in our highways, we still have to bear in mind the convenience and most of all safety of the riding public,” Mendoza told the contractors.
She also ordered LGUs to account project-related road accidents, report it to the local police station and enter it into the police blotter for proper investigation.
The governor also asked contractors to shoulder hospitalization for any accident that may occur in their respective jurisdiction.
Contractors, on the other hand, said that complaints on signage and early warning devices have already been addressed. However, according to them, unidentified individuals removed and redirected them.
They also assured the governor that other concerns raised during the meeting will be acted upon the soonest possible time.
According to data from the Department of Public Works and Highways – 12 (DPWH) website, the road improvement project has a total budget of P277.97 million. (PIA 12)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==DOST-12 renews ISO 9001:2008 certification==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=65653
*Friday, November 25, 2011
:by  Bai Tagitican
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 25 (PIA) –- The Department of Science and Technology – 12’s (DOST-12) quality management system (QMS) recently received a confirmation that is has conformed to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008.
DOST-12 first acquired the prestigious certification three years ago.
On November 10-11, the Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) conducted an audit of the regional science and technology department and found it has consistently adhered to the rigid ISO 9001:2008 standards.
Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director, said they are continually improving the regional office’s QMS, including the four Provincial Science and Technology Centers, to comply, if not surpass, the standards set by ISO 9001:2008.
The CIPI reassessment covered DOST-12’s business processes such as the 1) Provision of Technology Transfer Services, 2) S&T Promotion, 3) S&T Information Dissemination; and 4) S&T Scholarships.
The audit also included the following areas: maintenance, procurement, competence training and awareness, internal audit, corrective/preventive actions, and management review validation.
The ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a QMS where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product and services that meet customer and applicable regulatory and statutory satisfaction.
Moreover, it aims to continually improve client satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement.
The ISO Certification renewal is not an outright privilege; it requires an annual surveillance audit and a more thorough reassessment audit every three years.
Engr. Joselito C. Soler, CIPI head of certification, led the team that conducted the reassessment.
CIPI is one of the best ISO 9001:2008 standard certifiers, both in the country and abroad, duly accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation System (UKAS).
Dr. Laidan described the latest certification as a validation of DOST-12’s accomplishments in its continued implementation of the international QMS standard as an instrument to further enhance the office’s competitiveness and to meet the needs and expectations of the people.
During the exit conference with the CIPI team, Director Laidan acknowledged the efforts of all the staff for their exemplary performances that led to the latest ISO 9001:2008 certification.
She encouraged everybody to continually improve the effectiveness of the agency’s QMS to attain its objective of providing outstanding services at all times.
“Let us continue doing our tasks and responsibilities better. We must go beyond the expectations of our clients in satisfying their needs. Teamwork is the key that will lead us towards the achievement of our objectives in contributing to the improvement of the socio-economic welfare not only in Region 12 but the country as a whole,” she said. (DOST 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
==Napolcom to complete inspection of PNP units soon==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=65448
*Thursday, November 24, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 24 (PIA) -- A technical team of the regional office of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM 12) expects to complete inspection of Philippine National Police (PNP) units in Soccsksargen Region in the coming week.
Brian Bingil, information officer of NAPOLCOM 12, said the technical personnel directed to conduct the inspections could wind-up the survey next week with the remaining four municipalities of South Cotabato that should undergo the process. South Cotabato is also the last province in Region 12 to undergo the visit this year.
Inspection of police units in South Cotabato as per directive from NAPOLCOM 12 Regional Director Atty. Edilberto Fermil began in November 16 and 17 at the police provincial office and Koronadal City Police Office on Nov 18.
The inspection is aimed at determining “the degree of compliance of PNP to the different policies and standards set by NAPOLCOM to ensure continuing professionalism of the PNP personnel,” Bingil said.
During the visits, inspection team was concerned with “accounting of all uniformed personnel, inventory of all service firearms issued to PNP members, and observation on their bearing and decorum as provided by ‘Oplan Tamang Bihis’.”
They also disseminated important information to police ranks such as qualification requirements for promotion, welfare and benefits, a discipline and other policies.
Police procedures and manners in conducting different police operations were also emphasized during these visits.
In several occasions Atty. Fermil reminded police personnel that “a police officer is bound to respect rights of civilians during operation like Oplan Kapkap Bakal and other searches. He or she must be courteous and prudent especially when carrying a service firearm while accosting civilians.”
This week, the inspection team composed of law enforcement evaluation officer (LEEO 3) Cristina Arevalo as team leader, LEEO 2 Gemma Panes, LEEO 2 Paul Sarino, and LEEO 2 Jerry Galanto went to the municipalities of Norala, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Banga, Lake Sebu, and T’boli.
Anytime next week they will visit the remaining municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi, Tantangan, and Tampakan.
Inspection activities started in the first quarter for the Regional Police Office 12 based in General Santos City and General Santos City Police Office. Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City were inspected in second quarter and North Cotabato in the third. Inspection of police units in Sarangani was completed in October.
After the team has completed the inspection, they are expected to submit a consolidated report, which will be made basis of recommendations that the NAPOLCOM regional chief will submit to the chiefs of police, police provincial director or the police regional director, wherever these are actionable.
Using the inspection report, RD Fermil may also submit inputs to NAPOLCOM commissioners for formulation of new policies and standards. (PIA 12)
 
==Automated Rain Gauge to be installed in R 12==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=64854
*Monday, November 21, 2011
:by PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA) -- An Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) will be installed in the last quarter of the year in region 12.
This was disclosed by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XII director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan who said that the ARG, one of the four kinds of flood monitoring instruments, is an instrument which is equipped with sensors that can gather and record the amount of rainfall over a set period of time, wind velocity, air temperature and air humidity.
The other vital flood monitoring instruments, Laidan continued, are automatic water level gauge, manual rain gauge and manual water level gauge.
The DOST XII director said the Department of Science and Technology has been beefing up the Philippine Real Time Environment Data Acquisition and Interpretation for Climate-related Tragedy (PREDICT).
PREDICT, she elaborated, is a nationwide system that is meant to complement the existing observation capability of DOST-PAG-ASA.
Recently, three automated weather stations (AWS) which are capable of monitoring weather situations in the region and generate particular data on rainfall were installed in the region..
The AWS are located in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, one at the General Santos City Airport and another at the Cotabato City's People's Palace (City Hall).
Laidan explained that the said AWS are equipped with sensors capable of measuring weather parameters, wind speed, rain amount, duration, and intensity.(OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)
 
==After the crackdown on illegal miners, SouthCot now eyes illegal gold processors==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/11/20/after-the-crackdown-on-illegal-miners-southcot-now-eyes-illegal-gold-processors/
*Sunday| November 20, 2011
:by mnicc
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/20 Nov) — After cracking down on illegal small-scale mining activities in the gold-rush town of T’boli in South Cotabato, the provincial government’s next targets are the gold processors in the area.
Only 15 of 200 gold processors in the province are operating with permits, South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy said, adding, the province could have earned at least P1.2 million if only all operators of  ball mills are legally operating.
Annual taxes and fees imposed by the provincial government on the ball mill operators or small-scale gold processors are estimated at P6,000 each.
Pingoy said the province could have earned P3 million this year from the ball mill operators, and small-scale miners but the actual collections from these two sectors did not even reach P200,000 because many of them are operating illegally.
Pingoy said they are targeting from P5 million to P10 million earnings from the small-scale mining activities and ball mill operators next year.
He said this would be a big help to the provincial government’s coffers,  particularly with the expected P20 million IRA cut next year due to the conversion of municipalities into cities.
Last month, South Cotabato ordered the closure of 300 gold tunnels for operating illegally and for unsafe mining practices.
But this week, the provincial government allowed several small-scale tunnel operators to resume their activities after they complied with environmental and work safety requirements.
The closure of the 21-hectare small-scale mining area came also because of  overlapping land claim of the T’boli Minahang Bayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMBMPC) and the Maguan clan in the gold-rich mountain.
In 1994, then Gov. Hilario de Pedro III issued Executive Order 12 declaring 21 hectares as “minahang bayan” or people’s mining site in favor of the TMBMPC.
In recent years, the Maguan clan claimed the area under their ancestral domain and demanded that mining operations there by the TMBMPC members should have their consent.
The 21 hectare minesite is within the tenement of Tribal Mining Corp’s 85-hectare under Mineral Production Sharing Agreement 090-97-XI granted in 1997. The agreement has a lifespan of 25 years.
Tribal Mining has partnered with Canadian firm Cadan Resources Corp. for the commercial development of  its T’boli gold-silver project, which is just awaiting final approval from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The Court of Appeals earlier ruled that the conflict over rights between the mining firm and the small-scale miners involving the disputed area shall be resolved by a Regional Panel of Arbitrators, which is a quasi-judicial body annexed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)
 
==South Cotabato embarks on massive rehab of bamboo plantations==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=386878
*November 18, 2011, 1:32 pm
:by (PNA)
FFC/AVE/HST
 
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato is embarking on the massive rehabilitation and expansion of bamboo plantations in bid to hasten the development of the province’s bamboo industry.
 
Engr. Mama Samaon, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the initiative was also aimed to complement efforts by local bamboo industry players to increase their production of engineered bamboo, which has been posting huge demands in the markets.
 
Initially, he said some 90 hectares of bamboo plantation along the province’s major rivers – Allah, Sapali and Banga - are due for rehabilitation in the coming months.
 
He said South Cotabato (2nd District) Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes has committed to pour in some P2 million through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the project.
 
Aside from the project, he said they are also targeting to plant 25,000 bamboo seedlings along the banks of other rivers to replace those that were earlier destroyed by severe flooding.
 
Samaon said the DENR has been pushing for the massive planting of bamboo as an alternative for fruit bearing trees and hardwood since it grows five times faster than trees.
 
He said it also offers a potential source of income for farmers since bamboo products are presently gaining popularity in the markets.
 
In South Cotabato, he said bamboos are used as poles and split for flat baskets; props to support fruit-bearing banana; for construction of sheds and nipa huts; furniture; and various handicrafts.
 
Most of the products are marketed locally and in nearby provinces and cities within the region, he said.
 
Samaon said the top producers of bamboo products are Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tampakan, Banga, Tantangan, Tupi, Polomolok and Lake Sebu.
 
The official said a company based in Davao City recently met with bamboo growers in the province to explore the forging of a supply contract for the production of 7,500 bamboo poles per month for three years.
 
The provincial government earlier helped establish the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council, which was initially tasked to formulate plans and harmonize all bamboo-related programs and projects in the province.
 
The newly-established council is slated to join the upcoming sub-regional bamboo conference in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao to discuss possible convergence initiatives as well as the region’s potentials and capacity for bamboo production.
 
==MGB-12 recommends closure of mine tunnels in landslide-prone areas in South Cotabato town==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=386590
*November 17, 2011, 7:40 pm
:by (PNA)
DCT/LAM/AVE
 
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 17 (PNA) -– The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recommended the total closure of mine tunnels in some portions of a gold rush area in T’boli town in South Cotabato due to safety concerns.
 
Engr. Reynaldo Duque, MGB-12 mines safety section chief, said that results of the geo-hazard mapping earlier conducted by the agency showed that several portions of the gold mining area in Barangays Kematu and Desawo in T’boli were considered unsafe for further mining activities due to the possible occurrence of landslides and related incidents.
 
Duque said the areas that they recommended for closure were the elevated or upper portions of the mountains that straddle the two villages.
 
“Based on our assessment, there are nine mine tunnels in these areas that should be permanently closed down,” he said in a media forum in Koronadal City.
 
Duque said they also pushed for the banning of excavations and establishment of mine tunnels in the mountains of Sitio El Lubog, which were almost wiped out several years ago by the destructive "banlas" or sluice mining activities.
 
Sluice mining, which had been declared as illegal, is a method that employs the pouring of large amounts of water on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ores.
 
Geology experts at the MGB-Region 12 had identified Kematu as a high-risk area based on its geo-hazard mapping and assessment.
 
Earlier this year, the provincial government suspended all small-scale mining activities in T’boli town after four miners were buried alive in a landslide in several mine tunnels in Barangay Kematu.
 
The local government later allowed the resumption of the mining activities after local mining operators agreed to comply with the safety standards set by MGB-12 and the Provincial Environment Management Office.
 
Isidro Janita, acting chief of the newly-established Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said they have not yet received a copy of the MGB-12 recommendation regarding the situation of the mining areas in the two T’boli villages.
 
But he vowed to immediately act on the agency’s recommendations and include the matter as among its priorities once they get a copy of the document.
 
“We will immediately inform the (T’boli) municipal government about it and jointly act on the recommendations. We’ll also conduct orientations and trainings to make the residents and village officials better prepared in case disasters would occur in their areas,” he said.
 
==Padlocked mining tunnels in T’boli, So. Cotabato re-opened==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=64304
*Wednesday, November 16, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 16 (PIA) --Mining tunnels in Barangay Kematu T’boli, South Cotabato, which were padlocked on October 27, are back in operation after they complied with the requirements needed to be issued permit to operate.
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., who also chairs the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) yesterday led the ceremonial opening of at least 50 tunnels in the 21-hectare Minahang Bayan, after their operators were issued permits to operate in the gold –rich mountain.
The tunnels are part of about 300 tunnels that Gov. Pingoy ordered closed last month until the operators have sorted out their conflict with the Maguan Clan on land claims and the issuance of Free and Prior Informed Consent and until they have secured from the provincial the necessary permit to operate.
Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting provincial environment management officer, confirmed that operators of the tunnels opened yesterday have finally complied with the requirements and have been issued permit to operate.
“Stoppage order remains in effect for the more than 200 tunnels whose owners have yet to secure permits to operate,” Flaviano explained.
More tunnels covered by the closure order are expected to open in the next few weeks with other tunnel operators now processing necessary documents to be able to legally operate.
Gov. Pingoy expects the provincial government to earn P5 – P10 million in annual revenues once operations of the 300 tunnels in the Minahang Bayan in Barangay Kematu are made legal.
“Hopefully income from the small-scale mining can help increase provincial revenues especially with the reduction of our IRA (internal revenue allotment) next year,” he said.
In 2010, the provincial government only earned about P250,000 from the Minahan ng Bayan, Pingoy said in an interview before the implementation of the closure order.
To monitor activities in the mining site, the provincial government is putting up a detachment in Barangay Kematu. (PIA 12)
 
==200 bags of illegally-extracted copper ore seized in South Cotabato town==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=386072
*November 15, 2011, 5:49 pm
:by  (PNA)
LAP/FFC/AVE/RSS
 
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 15 (PNA) – Environment personnel in South Cotabato province seized late Monday some 200 bags of copper ore that were allegedly extracted illegally from the mineral-rich mountains of Tampakan town.
 
Eileen Estrada, Tampakan municipal environment and natural resources officer (MENRO), said Tuesday the copper ores were found by their personnel at a portion of Barangay Liberty in Tampakan, which is part of the mines development site of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
 
“It was reported early Monday to our office by the village chairman [that bags of copper ores] were stored there,” she said.
 
Estrada said she immediately instructed MENRO personnel to check the report that eventually led to the seizure later in the afternoon.
 
The seized illegal copper ores were transported before noon Tuesday to the office of the Provincial Environment and Management Office in Koronadal City, she added.
 
To date, no production permit has been issued to any company or individual for the extraction of copper and gold in the town of Tampakan.
 
Sagittarius Mines, which is controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, has rights over the mineral resources in Tampakan town.
 
However, the company’s permit so far is only for exploration.
 
Estrada did not say who was behind the illegal copper ore extraction.
 
This was the third seizure of a large volume of illegally extracted copper ores from the mountains of Tampakan.
 
In September last year, authorities seized an estimated eight metric tons (MT) of copper also in Tampakan town. Eight persons were arrested during the operation.
 
A month before, around 100 MT of illegal copper ores from the mountains of Tampakan were confiscated by authorities in a series of raids in the area. Police tagged the financiers as Taiwanese nationals.
 
==So Cotabato eyes development of bamboo industry==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63947
*Monday, November 14, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 14 (PIA) -- The industry of bamboo and engineered bamboo is taking shape in South Cotabato, with the initiative of the provincial government.
In addition to the massive rehabilitation in riparian zones using bamboo as alternative to fruit-bearing and hardwood trees, South Cotabato provincial government and its partners are tapping into the potential of bamboo as an industry.
Mary Jane Manlisis, senior environment specialist of the Provincial Environment recently announced that the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council (SCBIDC), chaired by Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., will hold a two-day sub-regional bamboo conference at EMR Center in Koronadal City on November 23 and 24.
“The sub-regional bamboo conference will look into the viability, potentials, and possible investments in the developing industry of bamboo,” Gov. Pingoy said in a communication sent to target participants.
Industry experts including Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Edgardo Manda will be here to present the bamboo industry value chain through which the neighboring provinces can be tapped, business potentials , and technologies for nursery and plantation management.
Among the highlights of the conference is planting of at least 3,500 bamboo seedlings and launching of a community bamboo nursery in Barangay Veterans, Surallah town.
The conference’s theme is “The Wood of the Future is a Grass: Bamboo.”
Bamboo Hub
To further boost the bamboo industry, the provincial government is considering the establishment of a bamboo hub in the province.
Initially, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) , through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has allocated P9.5 million for the purchase of tools and equipment for the establishment of bamboo nodes in the province.
Bamboo nodes, Manlisis explained , are facilities where raw bamboo will be cut, sliced, treated and dried. From these nodes processed bamboos will be sent to the bamboo hub, where the final processing into finished products such as bamboo tiles and planks will be undertaken.
“Gov. Pingoy has committed to allocate funds for the establishment of a bamboo hub that will ensure that products from nodes are processed, ” Manlisis said.
In its October 17 meeting, the SCBIDC finalized a proposal which lays down two options on the processes that the bamboo hub should include.
In the first option, which needs less than P2 million funding, South Cotabato will establish a hub that will produced engineered bamboo tiles and planks.
In the second option has a budget of less than P4 million, but with this fund, the hub will be able to produce finished products such as school desk, Manlisis explained.
She said the proposal is now with Gov. Pingoy.
“Initially, the hub will be located inside the Protech Center in Koronadal City”
Bamboo Development Council
Both the conference and the plan to put up a bamboo hub in South Cotabato are a result of the establishment of the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council (SCBIDC) pursuant to Executive Order No. 5, signed by Gov. Pingoy on February 15 this year.
The same EO also institutionalized the South Cotabato’s Kawayan Festival, which showcases bamboo arts and crafts.
The council which includes a multi-sectoral representation is responsible for formulating the Provincial Bamboo Industry Development Plan; harmonizing all bamboo related programs, projects, and other activities through convergence of all related projects; acting as advisory group assisting the Productivity and Technology (Protech) Center in the conduct of annual Kawayan Festival; implementing activities that promote bamboo industry in the province; and sourcing out resources that support bamboo industry.
Bamboo Rehabilitation
With the increasing demand for bamboo and its products, South Cotabato is embarking on a massive bamboo rehabilitation.
Provincial Environment Officer Engr. Mama Samaon said, this year until early next year, they are targeting planting of bamboos at least 90 hectares along tributaries of Allah River, Banga River, and Sapali River.
They are also encouraging farmers as alternative to hardwood and fruit-bearing trees because bamboos grow five times faster than most trees.
Samaon said even with only bamboo poles farmers are assured of reliable income in addition to income from the primary farm produce.
Recently, Nakayama Industries based in Digos, Davao del Sur, came to South Cotabato to enter into contract for a regular supply of 7,000 bamboo poles per month. (PIA 12)
 
==No sufficient reason to adjust wages – DOLE 12==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63762
*Sunday, November 13, 2011
:by Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 13 (PIA) -- Wage adjustment in the private sector is not yet necessary, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of Soccsksargen region (RTWPB 12) has decided in its recent meeting.
Ma. Gloria Tango, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment said, the wage board met on Wednesday, among their agenda was to review regional economic factors and determine whether there is enough reason for a wage adjustment, considering that the present wage order is already past the one-year prescriptive period.
“Based on the data on the prices of basic commodities we have gathered from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture and data on prices of fuel from the Department of Energy, the board has found no sufficient basis to adjust the minimum age in the region.”
Despite these, Tango ordered continued close monitoring of prices of the commodities across the region in the next two months.
Earlier, RTWPB Secretary Jessie dela Cruz explained that the board has not yet received a single petition asking for a review of Wage Order No. 16 or an increase of the basic wages, although the ban for filing a petition has expired last month.
Wage Order No. 16, approved on October 31 last year, increased the daily cost of living allowances of workers in the private sector by P15.
Thus, the prevailing minimum daily wage of workers in the region is P260 for non-agricultural workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for agricultural non-plantation workers, P240 for retail and service establishments with more than 10 employees and P234 for retail and service establishments with less than 10 employees. (PIA 12)
 
==63,000 displaced persons in Maguindanao to receive livelihood aid from New Zealand==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63703
*Saturday, November 12, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles and Salembai Abdullah
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) -- At least 63,000 internally displaced persons, comprised of about 10,550 farming and fishing households in Maguindanao are set to benefit from a livelihood project that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Government of New Zealand and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM) will implement soon.
The resolution approving the program implementation plan of the project “Restoring Agricultural Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas in Maguindanao Province of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao” was signed in a first meeting of the project coordinating committee at the Al Nor Hotel and Convention Center in Cotabato City yesterday.
Cesar Galvan, project team leader from FAO said, the project has an implementation duration of one year and primarily aims to bring back the agriculture-based livelihood of the target returning IDPs.
Assistance to IDPs is through provision of agricultural input packages that include rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; fertilizers; hand tools; livestock/poultry; and fishing gears; coupled with conduct of solicited trainings and technology demonstrations.
“This will help the IDPs rebuild their livelihoods and lessen the rate of their dependency on external food aid,” Alberto Aduna, emergency coordination officer of FAO said.
A formal launching of the project is scheduled on November 22 in either Barangay Liong or Barangay Balakanen in Datu Piang town, Maguindanao.
A joint press release of the FAO and Government of New Zealand in June this year said that the New Zealand Government has provided a grant amounting to US$ 1,351,413 for FAO to assist IDPs and returnee households in Maguindanao restore their farming activities.
In the same press release, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Andrew Matheson said the project “is another example of New Zealand Government’s commitment to responding to the most critical needs of conflict-affected people, particularly in Maguindanao province.”
“We hope to contribute in restoring and having lasting impact on food security, national status, and income generation of the IDPs,” he added. (PIA 12/DAF-ARMM)
 
==DOH XII prioritizes contact tracing of HIV-AIDS victims==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63539
*Friday, November 11, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- More than the usual prevention and control measures, the Department of Health has embarked into contact tracing which is the method of finding and counselling the sexual partners of a person who has been diagnosed with HIV-AIDS or other sexually transmittesd disease.
This was disclosed by Dr. Ali Tumama, the focal person on HIV-AIDS of DOH-Center for Health Development, region 12 who emphasized the importance of monitoring the whereabouts of the victims and their partners for counselling as preventive measure in the spread of the disease.
In an interview over "Kalinga Kutawato," a radio program sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency, Department of Health and other member-agencies under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, region XII (RDRRMC XII) and aired over DXOM-Koronadal City, DXMS-Cotabato City and DXND-Kidapawan City, Tumama revealed that region XII has a total of 45 HIV-AIDS victims of which 25 are from General Santos City while the others are from North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City and Tacurong City.
Dr. Tumama said while the stigma of the disease is still very strong, the DOH envisions that this will be diminished in due time to gain cooperation from the victims themselves.
He explained the provisions of Republic Act No. 8504 or the act promulgating policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS which institutes a nationwide HIV-AIDS information and educational program. The law also establishes a comprehensive HIV-AIDS monitoring system,and strengthening the Philippine National Aids Council.
Tumama underscored the significance of HIV/AIDS education in schools, in the workplace, in the communities, among Filipinos going abroad, among tourists and transients.
He mentioned safeguard provisions under the law which includes that no laboratory or institution shall accept a donation of tissue or organ unless a sample from the donor has been tested negative for HIV.
Likewise, he pointed out that the DOH in coordination with concerned professional organizations and hospital associations, shall issue guidelines against HIV transmission during surgical, dental, embalming, tatooing, or similar procedures.
There is no compulsory HIV testing, as provided under the law, but the government encourages voluntary testing for individuals with a high risk for contracting HIV, Dr. Tumama concluded. (OTSudaria/PIA)
 
==DOH XII prioritizes contact tracing of HIV-AIDS victims==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63539
*Thursday, November 10, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- More than the usual prevention and control measures, the Department of Health has embarked into contact tracing which is the method of finding and counselling the sexual partners of a person who has been diagnosed with HIV-AIDS or other sexually transmittesd disease.
This was disclosed by Dr. Ali Tumama, the focal person on HIV-AIDS of DOH-Center for Health Development, region 12 who emphasized the importance of monitoring the whereabouts of the victims and their partners for counselling as preventive measure in the spread of the disease.
In an interview over "Kalinga Kutawato," a radio program sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency, Department of Health and other member-agencies under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, region XII (RDRRMC XII) and aired over DXOM-Koronadal City, DXMS-Cotabato City and DXND-Kidapawan City, Tumama revealed that region XII has a total of 45 HIV-AIDS victims of which 25 are from General Santos City while the others are from North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City and Tacurong City.
Dr. Tumama said while the stigma of the disease is still very strong, the DOH envisions that this will be diminished in due time to gain cooperation from the victims themselves.
He explained the provisions of Republic Act No. 8504 or the act promulgating policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS which institutes a nationwide HIV-AIDS information and educational program. The law also establishes a comprehensive HIV-AIDS monitoring system,and strengthening the Philippine National Aids Council.
Tumama underscored the significance of HIV/AIDS education in schools, in the workplace, in the communities, among Filipinos going abroad, among tourists and transients.
He mentioned safeguard provisions under the law which includes that no laboratory or institution shall accept a donation of tissue or organ unless a sample from the donor has been tested negative for HIV.
Likewise, he pointed out that the DOH in coordination with concerned professional organizations and hospital associations, shall issue guidelines against HIV transmission during surgical, dental, embalming, tatooing, or similar procedures.
There is no compulsory HIV testing, as provided under the law, but the government encourages voluntary testing for individuals with a high risk for contracting HIV, Dr. Tumama concluded. (OTSudaria/PIA)
 
==DOH XII prioritizes contact tracing of HIV-AIDS victims==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63539
*Thursday, November 10, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- More than the usual prevention and control measures, the Department of Health has embarked into contact tracing which is the method of finding and counselling the sexual partners of a person who has been diagnosed with HIV-AIDS or other sexually transmittesd disease.
This was disclosed by Dr. Ali Tumama, the focal person on HIV-AIDS of DOH-Center for Health Development, region 12 who emphasized the importance of monitoring the whereabouts of the victims and their partners for counselling as preventive measure in the spread of the disease.
In an interview over "Kalinga Kutawato," a radio program sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency, Department of Health and other member-agencies under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, region XII (RDRRMC XII) and aired over DXOM-Koronadal City, DXMS-Cotabato City and DXND-Kidapawan City, Tumama revealed that region XII has a total of 45 HIV-AIDS victims of which 25 are from General Santos City while the others are from North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City and Tacurong City.
Dr. Tumama said while the stigma of the disease is still very strong, the DOH envisions that this will be diminished in due time to gain cooperation from the victims themselves.
He explained the provisions of Republic Act No. 8504 or the act promulgating policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS which institutes a nationwide HIV-AIDS information and educational program. The law also establishes a comprehensive HIV-AIDS monitoring system,and strengthening the Philippine National Aids Council.
Tumama underscored the significance of HIV/AIDS education in schools, in the workplace, in the communities, among Filipinos going abroad, among tourists and transients.
He mentioned safeguard provisions under the law which includes that no laboratory or institution shall accept a donation of tissue or organ unless a sample from the donor has been tested negative for HIV.
Likewise, he pointed out that the DOH in coordination with concerned professional organizations and hospital associations, shall issue guidelines against HIV transmission during surgical, dental, embalming, tatooing, or similar procedures.
There is no compulsory HIV testing, as provided under the law, but the government encourages voluntary testing for individuals with a high risk for contracting HIV, Dr. Tumama concluded. (OTSudaria/PIA)
 
==RDC XII pushes convergence initiatives in PNoy's greening program==
*Source: ww.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=63223
*Thursday, November 10, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) -- Members of the Regional Development Council, region XII participated in a planning-workshop for the preparation of the Regional Strategic Action Plan of the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. Aquino,III towards a clean and healthy environment.
Under the National Greening program as provided by Executive Order 26, 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares public domain shall be planted for a period of six (6) years from 2011 to 2016.
Rolando Doria, economic development committee chairman and private sector representative, economic sector, RDC XII underscored the importance of the galvanized efforts of all sectors in the greening program as a policy of the State to pursue sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
"We will complement present initiatives of both government and non-government organizations to boost the greening program in region XII not only as a matter of contingency in view of the prevailing environmental degradation but likewise for the protection and conservation of what is left of our natural resources for the future generation," Doria said.
NEDA XII assistant regional director Phlorita Ridao said to contribute to the vision of attaining green and healthy environment, the region shall improve its ecological integrity by rehabilitating, conserving and protecting its ecosystems and enforcing compliance to environmental laws.
Ridao further said that reforestation efforts of denuded upland and wetland areas have to be accelerated.
DENR XII Forest Management Services director Ernesto Lezada disclosed that the region has a total forest cover of 1,981,371 hectares with Cotabato province with the biggest cover of 663,707 hectares followed by Sultan Kudarat, 483,198 hectares. The other areas are South Cotabato, 422, 233 hectares; Sarangani province, 398,079 hectares and Cotabato City, 14,071.
Lezada said a total of 535,312 hectares are potential NGP sites outside forestry tenures. These areas, he added, comprise of other land, natural, grassland - 92,498 hectares; other wooded land, shrubs - 372,413 hectares and other wooded lands - 535,312 hectares. (OTSudaria/PIA 12)
 
==NFA S. Cotabato opens warehouses in Upper Valley area==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=63004
*Wednesday, November 09, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 9 (PIA) -- Officials of South Cotabato have recently asked Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for the inclusion of either Sarangani Province or General Santos City in the Roll on, Roll off (RORO) route.
Provincial Agriculture Officer Reynaldo Legaste said putting up of a RORO terminal in Glan, Sarangani will be an advantage to South Cotabato’s farmers, especially growers of quality vegetables.
Legaste explained that approximately 30 percent of the province’s vegetable production in the province are sold outside of the province through the nearest RORO ports in Davao City or Cagayan de Oro City.
“At times when there is surplus of vegetable in Davao City, our vegetables are rejected,” he said. “The same happens in Cagayan (de Oro).”
Legaste said thousands of farmers in South Cotabato and neighboring areas will benefit if a RORO station is set up in either Glan or Gensan.
“If this is realized we will be able to improve the capacity and provide opportunities for our vegetable growers,” he said.
Growers in the province and neighboring areas will be able to immediately ship their produce at cheaper cost, he added.
Legaste said, vegetable farmers in the province have already been organized, “which means that we already have a formal structure with whom we can talk about creating a production program and link with possible markets.”
South Cotabato is considered as a major producer of high-quality vegetables in southern and central Mindanao.
Major production areas include Tupi municipality, particularly Brgy. Miasong, which has more than 300 hectares devoted to vegetables and the highland barangay of Ned in Lake Sebu town where another 300 hectares are recently being developed. (PIA 12)
 
==PNP sets security plan for Yuletide season, deploys personnel in malls==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62879
*Tuesday, November 08, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 8 (PIA) -- Barely a week after the successful implementation of Oplan Kaluluwa, Region 12’s Police Regional Office (PRO 12) is already on the final stage of setting up security plans for the Christmas season.
Police Regional Director P/CSupt. Benjardi Mantele said they have already “set on paper” the security plans in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“We have already written down the duties and responsibilities of each unit,” he said.
After these plans have been finalized he said, he will call a meeting with police provincial directors and commanders and chiefs of police for a discussion and implementation of the security measures.
During the implementation of the plans, he said, senior officers will be going around their jurisdictions to supervise and make sure that plans are properly followed.
Mantele, however, emphasized that the police personnel need the assistance and cooperation of the public in the success of the security plans, pointing out that keeping the celebrations peaceful and orderly remains a concerted effort of the police and the communities.
Mantele has also ordered beefing up of security in malls and supermarkets that are expected to be busy in the coming weeks.
Effective yesterday, malls and supermarkets in General Santos City have been assigned with two to four police personnel to help security guards, particularly in assuring that no dangerous or illegal items such as firearms are brought inside the establishments.
He said he has already directed chiefs of police in the other parts of the region to also assign police personnel in malls in their respective jurisdictions. (PIA 12)
 
==So Cotabato sustains nutrition award with multi-sectoral participation==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62799
*Monday, November 07, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- Active participation of non-government and civic organizations, local government officials, communities, and other stakeholders haS helped South Cotabato in its fight against malnutrition, an official of the provincial government said.
Provincial Nutrition Officer Ma. Anna Uy said, South Cotabato recently received the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) First Year Maintenance Award for sustaining a downward trend in prevalence of underweight children in the province.
Dr. Ervin Luntao, chairman of the committee on health of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in behalf of Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. and the province of South Cotabato received the award on October 25 from Health Secretary Enrique Ona, chairman of the governing board of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in a ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Uy announced prevalence rate among children below 6 years old in South Cotabato this year has gone down to 8.16 percent as compared to 9.66 percent in 2010 when it got its CROWN award.
But Uy pointed out, the province’s supplemental feeding program could not have achieved such success without the help of partners in the private sector.
“Among the most active of these private partners are Dole Philippines, Mahintana Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Polomolok and Koronadal, cooperatives under the umbrella of Dolefil, the Philippine Association of Technologist and many other civic organizations,” she said.
With these private organizations, the provincial government is able to showcase supplemental feeding program such as the Kapitbisig Para sa Kabataan, which they implemented in cooperation with the Mahintana Foundation, for the local government units to replicate, she explained.
“Much help also came from the municipal and city government as well as the communities, because if they have not joined in the implementation of this concerted effort, we could have sustained our accomplishments,” she said.
She cioted that almost all barangays in the province have already allocated funds for their own nutrition programs.
CROWN Award is given by the NNC to local government units who have good performance in managing nutrition plans for three consecutive years.
An LGU like South Cotabato should receive three consecutive CROWN maintenance awards – proof that it has shown exemplary performance in managing its nutrition plans -- before it can be accorded the Nutrition Honor Award, the highest nutrition award in the country.
The NNC, in its programme for this year’s awarding ceremonies, cited South Cotabato for its partnership with many sectors in its fight for malnutrition.
“Each sector can help solve the problem of malnutrition. The key is to be able to weave each sector’s contribution into a cohesive whole through shared decisions on priorities and targets,” Pingoy said
Uy said, “With the support of Gov. Pingoy’s administration and with the active participation of the other stakeholders, we can achieve the highest honor.”
Data from the Regional Nutrition Council showed that South Cotabato has exhibited a downtrend in the prevalence of underweight children 0 to 71 months old (below 6 years), the measure being used as basis of malnutrition rate.
In 2004 South Cotabato had a prevalence rate of 18.04 percent which gradually decreased over the past five years.
This year, only 7,882 (8.16%) of the 81,591 children below 6 years old are malnourished. These consist of 6,466 underweight children and 1,416 severely underweight children.
The 6,466 underweight children are now being assisted by the provincial government’s supplemental feeding program in cooperation with its private sector partners.
As per directive of the governor, Uy and her team are preparing a supplemental feeding program to specifically address the nutritional needs of the 1,416 severely underweight children includi their families. The provincial government fully funds this program for the “poorest of the poor.”
Food packs containing rice, mungo, sugar, iodized salt, high-calcium whole milk, iron supplement for mothers, and multivitamins for the children, will be distributed to the beneficiary families each week. Mothers are also required to undergo nutrition education through the “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon” of the Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF) program. (PIA 12)
 
==So Cotabato to give supplemental feeding to 1,416 poor households==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62673
*Sunday, November 06, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 6 (PIA) -- The provincial government of South Cotabato is specifically targeting 1,416 "poorest of the poor" households in its program to address severe malnutrition.
Provincial Nutrition officer Ma. Anna Uy told members of the press that these families were identified based on the number of preschool children found severely underweight in a survey conducted at the beginning of the school year.
"Once a child is severely underweight, most likely the entire family is experiencing malnutrition," Uy said.
Considering that these families "need immediate intervention," Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. immediately directed Uy and her team to determine the specific locations of these families and prepare a supplemental feeding program for them.
Unlike the other nutrition programs of the provincial LGU, such as the Kapitbisig Para sa Kabataan project, which is supported by non government and civic organizations, the supplemental feeding program for the poorest of the poor is solely funded by the local government.
Uy said the provincial government has allocated approximately P4 million for this project.
She added they have already prepared the food packages and will be distributed anytime now.
Each food pack contains rice, mongo, iodized salt, and high-calcium whole milk.
The contents are enough to supply a third of each household's weekly nutritional requirement, she explained.
"Each pack also contains iron supplementation for mothers and multi-vitamins for the children," she added.
To assure sustainability of this supplementation program, mothers of these households will be educated in nutrition through the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon under the Infant Youth Child Feeding (IYCF) program, which is also being intensified by the provincial government. (PIA 12)
 
==DOLE releases P243,000 for water hyacinth handicraft production==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62615
*Saturday, November 05, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 5 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 12) has recently released P243,060 to an organization, organized specifically for the production of handicrafts made of water hyacinths.
The check was handed to Pusaw Handicraft Association based on Cotabato City, whose members include participants trained by the Technical Education and Skills Authority – 12 (TESDA 12) and DOLE 12 as a contributing effort to solve massive floods caused by water hyacinths in Cotabato City, Maguindanao and nearby places.
DOLE 12 Regional Director Ma. Gloria A. Tango said the amount was intended for materials and equipment the association needs to start their business.
Thirty-five selected participants underwent skills training on June 30 to July 4 at the TESDA Cotabato City District Office regarding the methods of processing water hyacinths into environment-friendly products like bags, slippers, tissue holders, and other household and office items, among others.
An expert from TESDA NCR came to Cotabato to train the local participants.
Another expert from NCR came to Cotabato on October 10 to 15 to teach the participants, who have been formally organized by DOLE Cotabato City Field office Pusaw Handicraft Association, with additional skills on water hyacinth handicrafts.
Tango, after consultation with senior officers of the agency, committed to support the project after having determined its viability as an income-generating, employment-generating, and environment-friendly project for Cotabato City.
The water hyacinth handicraft project was identified as a core enterprise of the Community Enterprise Development Program (CEDP) for the area.
During the opening ceremony of the second training, Tango emphasized the importance of enhancing the skills of each member as tool for their development. She said the enrichment of the skills of the members of Pusaw Handicraft Association in making handicrafts from the water hyacinth is essential in their community development.
TESDA Provincial Dir. Leonora Guiloreza also pledged the support of her agency by providing the necessary skills and training to continuously improve the quality of the water hyacinth handicraft that the association will produce.
CEDP aims to enhance and transform existing livelihood projects in the barangays into community enterprises and or set up community enterprises to be managed by community groups.
The CEDP of Cotabato City is the fourth that has been launched in Region 12.
Launched earlier during the year were the CEDPs of Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat (Kakanin Products); Barangay Libas, Tantangan, South Cotabato (charcoal briquetting); and Barangay Bula, General Santos City (deep-sea fishing and mini-motor shop).(LCO/CDML/DOLE 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
==South Cotabato to experience 11-hour power curtailment on Sunday==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62507
*Friday, November 04, 2011
:by    Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Nov 4 (PIA) -- South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO 1) today announce an 11-hour brownout on Sunday.
Santiago Tudio, SOCOTECO 1 general manager, said, “the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has scheduled a power shutdown on November 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Tacurong-Koronadal-Surallah 69 KV transmission line.”
SOCOTECO 1 covers the city of Koronadal and the municipalities of Banga, Norala, Surallah, Sto. Niño, Lake Sebu, T’boli, Tantangan, in South Cotabato and Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat province.
“This is to facilitate the Mindanao Project Division’s request for installation of scaffoldings in preparation for the last stringing portion and dismantling of the existing 138 KV DC Transmission Line Project on November 30. 2011,” Tudio explained.
While the NGCP personnel will conduct their activity, the technical crew of SOCOTECO 1 will also implement preventive and maintenance activities. (PIA 12)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'''Bold text'''==Spoiled fish downs 183 T'bolis==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/11/03/spoiled-fish-downs-183-tbolis-188432
*Thursday, November 3, 2011
:by  Edgardo Fuerzas
 
 
 
T'BOLI, South Cotabato -- A total of 183 lumads were brought to the hospital for food poisoning after eating trays of fish on Monday night.
 
South Cotabato health officer Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr. said members of the Ubo and T'boli offered 16 trays of fish as part of their Tribal Day celebration in barangay Lamfugon, T'boli.
 
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The lumads used the fish as display as most of them were already spoiled. However, when the group who offered the food left, some started to cook it and eat it for dinner.
 
The victims started vomiting, felt stomach pain and fainted around 7 p.m. Monday. They were brought to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital.
 
Aturdido said the fish was not preserved properly and that caused the food poisoning.
Doctors at the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office are still investigating the incident.
 
==DILG-So Cotabato suggests cleaning list of beneficiaries for second Pantawid Pasada==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61874
*Monday, October 31, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 31 (PIA) -- The provincial office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here has brought to the attention of the department's central office some measures that could improve the implementation of the second round of government' fuel subsidy program.
This after approximately half of the P1.2 million subsidy under the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) or Pantawid Pasada in South Cotabato may be reverted to the national treasury because these have not been claimed.
Josephine Leysa, DILG South Cotabato provincial director, said they have already informed national officials of their suggestion, which include cleansing of the list of beneficiaries, authorizing drivers to claim the assistance, and increasing the amount of fuel subsidy.
"(During the first round of PTAP) we were given a deadline to submit the list of franchisees, so we had to submit what is available in the local government units," she said, "only to find out that the lists have not been cleansed."
"Some franchise owners (in the list) have not renewed their franchises while some have transferred to other places."
Leysa believes they will also achieve better turn out in the disbursement of the fuel subsidy if drivers are authorized to claim the assistance instead of the franchise owners.
"We cannot expect all of the franchise owners, some of whom are well-to-do, to queue for their P150 fuel subsidy," she said.
Increasing the amount of fuel subsidy is also most welcome among drivers, she said.
DILG South Cotabato have already directed local government units to liquidate their PTAP allocations.
Tantangan and Polomolok LGUs were the first to report their disbursements.
Tantangan has disbursed 100 percent of its allocation but Polomolok returned around P200,000 that comprised about 65 percent of their PTAP fund.
Koronadal City have already reported that about half of their more than 4,000 subsidy slots have not been claimed and will be refunded to the national treasury.
The same is expected from the other LGUs, Leysa said. (PIA 12)
 
==RSCC 12 joins national greening program==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61794
*Sunday, October 30, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) –- Representatives of member-agencies of the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC) 12 planted hard-wood trees in Sto. Niño, Koronadal City last week as part of the celebration of the 22nd National Statistics Month.
The activity was conducted in support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government which aims to plant some 1.5 billion trees in around 1.5 million hectares of public lands in six years, from 2011 to 2016.
RSCC 12 and National Economic and Development Authority 12 (NEDA 12) Director Teresita Socorro Ramos led participants in planting seedlings of Nabong tree in Purok Upper Valley of the said barangay.
Koronadal City’s Environment and Natural Resources led by CENRO Augustus Bretaña provided the seedlings and identified the tree-planting area while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) provided a shuttle to ferry participants to and from the planting site.
Food and drinks for the participants were provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The RSCC 12 is composed of representatives from the regional offices of NEDA, National Statistics Office, National Statistics Coordinating Board, Department of Budget and Management , Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry.
Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, DENR, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Tourism, Department Science and Technology, Commission on Higher Education, Bureau of Agricultural Statictics.
Provincial and City Planning and Development Offices and private sector representatives, Notre Dame University-Research Center (NDU-RC) and Women in Enterprise Development (WED).
RSCC plans to make the tree-planting activity as a regular project as part of the annual celebration of the National Statistics Month in the region. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/RSCC 12)
 
==Kins nabbed for illegal possession of drugs and firearms in Sto Nino, South Cotabato==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61715
*Saturday, October 29, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, October 29 (PIA) -- A joint team of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation apprehended three (3) male family members for possession of illegal drugs and home made firearms in a barangay at Sto Nino, South Cotabato on October 27.
On the strength of a search warrant issued by Municipal Circuit Trial Judge Marlo Brasales of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Norala-Tboli and Sto Nino, in Norala, South Cotabato, the joint PNP-NBI team arrested Pudi Ambalgan, 47 years old and former barangay captain of Upper Sepaka, Surralah, South Cotabato; Ato Ambalgan, 20 year-old son of Pudi.
Ambalgan and Tating Sandigan, 29 years and son in law of Pudi.
Poice senior inspector Dennis Madriaga, chief of police of the Sto. Nino Police Station said the arrest came after a one month surveillance of the suspects who have been complained of causing indiscriminate firing and public disturbances by the residents of Purok Lovers, Barangay Ambalgan, Sto Nino, South Cotabato.
Madriaga reported that their team confiscated 11 sachets of shabu weighing more or less 10 grams and assorted home made firearms from the suspects who did not resist arrest.
The Sto Nino chief of police disclosed that the seized firearms comprised of one (1) unit home made caliber 45 pistol, two (2) units home made single shot with caliber M16 ammunition, one (1) unit home made Ingram with 9 MM ammunition and three (3) units home made 12 gauge rifle with three (3) magazines.
The three (3), according to Madriaga, were brought to Koronadal City to face inquest proceedings. (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12).
 
==Dengue cases in region 12 decline==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61561
*Friday, October 28, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, October 28 (PIA) -- Dengue incidents in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region 12) considerably decreased this year compared to that of last year.
In an interview in the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) led Kalinga Kutawato radio program aired over DXMS-Cotabato City, DXND-Kidapawan City and.DXOM-Koronadal City, DOH 12 regional entomologist-designate Royfrextopher Boholst said there are only 2077 dengue cases in region 12 from January 1 to September 24, 2011 compared to last year's 11,190 dengue cases in the same period. Sixteen cases of deaths were reported, he added
Boholst further said that in 2010, North Cotabato had the highest number of dengue cases - 5038; second, South Cotabato - 2435; third, General Santos City -1,783; fourth, Sarngani - 950; fifth, Sultan Kudarat - 612 and sixth - Cotabato City - 372.
In 2011, according to Boholst, the downtrend of dengue incidents is as follows: North Cotabato - 575; South Cotabato - 521; General Santos City - 378; Sultan Kudarat - 212; Sarangani - 204 and Cotabato City - 187.
The regional entomologist - designate attributed the downtrend of dengue cases to the interventions of the Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, local government units and the cooperation of other sectors.
He said DOH 12 director Abdullah Dumama ordered the intensification of the information campaign on dengue prevention and control and pushed for the mobilization of residents in affected barangays in the clean-up drive and improved environmental sanitation.
Boholst also noted the effective implementation of Ovi/Larvi (OL) trap system in the households of affected barangays. (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)
 
==Soccsksargen Region sets first coffee congress==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61348
*Thursday, October 27, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 27 (PIA) -- Poised to claim the tag “Coffee Capital of the Philippines,” Sultan Kudarat province is staging the 1st Region 12 Coffee Congress on November 17-19, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol in Isulan.
Sultan Kudarat is currently the country’s biggest producer of all varieties of coffee recorded by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics at 23% of the national total.
In terms of Coffee Arabica, Sultan Kudarat remains the number one producer contributing 52% to the national total, trailed way behind by Davao del Sur with 7%, Iloilo and Sulu with 5% each and South Cotabato with 4%.
Sultan Kudarat is also the number one producer of Coffee Robusta with about 18% of the Philippines’ total attributed to the province. Compostela Valley follows closely with 15%, Cavite with 10%, Bukidnon with 7% and Kalinga with 5%.
For Coffee Excelsa, top five are Sulu (20%), Davao del Sur (12%), North Cotabato (8%), Davao City (7%) and Compostela Valley (5%).
While such is the situation, the yield is not as high as that of Cavite. Average yield in a hectare of coffee plantation in Sultan Kudarat is only 400 kg while that in Cavite was registered at an average of one ton per hectare.
This is one major reason for the conduct of the Congress, organizer said, citing the need to rejuvenate or rehabilitate the existing coffee farms.
The congress shall tackle ways to improve agricultural and cultural practices, coffee quality profile, coffee for climate change, market requirements, coffee processing, and coffee shop business.
There shall also be side events like Agri, Trade & Techno Fair on Coffee, Barista Exhibition, Market Matching with Nestle and Manila-based coffee shops, Investment Matching, Coffee Value Chain Tour and Coffee Cupping.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is expected to grace the Opening Program, as the agency has now included coffee as a priority high value crop.
The local office of the Department of Trade & Industry has set as sales target of P2.0 M for the Market Matching; P5.0 M for new investments and improvement of productivity by 80% in the coming three (3) years.
The country is both an exporter and importer of coffee. In 2009, the Philippines exported coffee to Canada, Japan, South Korea and the USA. However it is also importing more coffee along with EU, USA, Japan, Canada and Switzerland.
Currently the country supplies only 30,000 metric tons or less than half of the 65,000 metric tons domestic demand.
The domestic demand for coffee is currently pegged at 65,000 MT while country only supplies 30,000 MT posting a deficit of 35,000 MT. The shortfall approximately amounting to Php0.3.6 Billion will be imported from other coffee producing countries.
A Roadmap to address the concerns of the coffee stakeholders have also been drafted by the DA, DTI, DOST, TESDA, LGUs and the coffee players themselves to ensure that they are on the right track.
Provincial and Municipal Coffee Industry Development Councils have also been organized in the coffee growing municipalities to monitor the development of the industry.
Inquiries or reservation to the 1st Region 12 Coffee Congress can be directed to the Secretariat: DTI – Sultan Kudarat at telephone number (064) 200-3166; or Nelly Nita N. Dillera, Provincial Director DTI – Sultan Kudarat (nelly.dillera@dti12.org; 0920-932-7074). (DTI-SK/PIA12-aca)
 
==South Cotabato creates desk for Muslim affairs==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60926
*Tuesday, October 25, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 25 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s provincial government will soon have a desk where Muslim residents in the province can refer their concerns.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan yesterday approved a resolution requesting Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. to create a Muslim Affairs Desk at the Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWDO).
Board Member Jose Madanguit, chairman of the committee on human rights, Muslim affairs and cultural communities said that they pushed for the creation of Muslim affairs desk to hasten the provincial government’s response to concerns and issues affecting the Muslim communities in the province.
“The desk is equivalent to our Provincial Tribal Council,” Madanguit said. “It is about time that we also provide our Muslim brothers a representation in the provincial government where they can present their concerns and related purposes.”
“With a desk specifically looking into the affairs concerning the Muslim communities, the provincial government will be able to immediately address problems affecting them.”
The resolution was of a unanimous sponsorship.
Madanguit said the resolution was borne out of several meetings with Muslim leaders in the 10 municipalities and lone city.
The idea for the creation of a Muslim affairs desk in the provincial government was first suggested by Vice Governor Elmo Tolosa, he added. (PIA 12)
 
==South Cotabato shuts down 300 mine tunnels in T’boli town==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=381328
*October 24, 2011, 2:47 pm
:by  (PNA)
LAP/AVE/RSS
 
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 24 (PNA) - The provincial government of South Cotabato has ordered the closure of some 300 mine tunnels at a gold rush village in T’boli town as it intensified its crackdown against illegal small-scale mining operations in the province.
 
Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), said Monday the mine tunnels in Barangay Kematu in T’boli would be padlocked on Wednesday based on the stoppage and closure order issued by the local government.
 
“We have given the operators five days to bring out all their ore stocks from the tunnels,” he said.
 
Flaviano said the closure notice was sent last Friday to the T’boli Minahang Bayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMBMPC), whose members have been mining a 21-hectare gold rich area in Barangay Kematu since the early 1980s.
 
The padlocking of the hundreds of tunnels in the village has already been coordinated with the police and the military for the security of the implementing team, he added.
 
He did not say how many operators owned the gold tunnels as well as the number of affected workers.
 
Flaviano earlier said South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. issued an order stopping the small-scale gold mining operations in Barangay Kematu due to the resurgence of land-related dispute between the Maguan clan and the Minahang Bayan cooperative members involving the 21 hectares.
 
The Maguan clan insisted that the Minahang Bayan members should get their approval or the Free Prior and Informed Consent because the area is under their ancestral land, he added.
 
During the previous administration of then governor and now Second District Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, the provincial government also closed the small-scale mining in Barangay Kematu because of the land dispute.
 
Flaviano said the cooperative members have been given an 18-month extension to operate, after they appealed for consideration, prior to the serving of the closure order last Friday.
 
Pingoy also issued the stoppage order after the PEMO informed him that most of the small-scale miners have allegedly failed to comply with the regulatory guidelines on tunnel mining.
 
During a recent meeting with the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, the governor learned that 70 percent of the small-scale operations were illegal, the provincial information office reported earlier.
 
The 21 hectares are within the tenement of Tribal Mining Corp’s 85-hectare under Mineral Production Sharing Agreement 090-97-XI granted in 1997. The agreement has a lifespan of 25 years.
 
Tribal Mining has partnered with Canadian firm Cadan Resources Corp. for the commercial development of it’s T’boli gold-silver project.
 
The Court of Appeals earlier ruled that the conflict over rights between the mining firm and the small-scale miners involving the disputed area shall be resolved by a Regional Panel of Arbitrators, which is a quasi-judicial body annexed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==LGUs implement improved permits, licensing system==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60491
*Saturday, October 22, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 22 (PIA) -- Interior and local government officials in South Cotabato hope time spent on getting permits and licenses will soon be shorter with their implementation of an improved business system.
DILG Provincial Director Josephine Leysa, said 10 municipalities and the lone city of Koronadal have already been oriented on the computer-based DILG program on permits and licensing system. Software has also been installed in some LGUs.
T'boli and Surallah towns were the last LGUs visited by DILG on Thursday and Friday for the same purpose.
According to her, the program streamlines the processing of permits and licenses."
From ten steps with 12 signatures we intend to standardize the process into 5-5-5: five steps, five signatures, five days in a unified form," she added.
Leysa said they are encouraging LGUs to upgrade to best practice of three steps, three signatures, in one day processing.
"Eventually, maybe we can achieve the efficiency of Makati and Marikina which follows a two-step process of file and pay,” she said.
DILG hopes to complete all installations will be completed within October.
"We hope to dry-run the system in January, Leysa said.
DILG is working with the Department of Trade and Industry for this project. (PIA 12)
 
==Conflicting tenurial documents hamper implementation of environmental projects==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60429
*Friday, October 21, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 21 (PIA) -- Environment officials in South Cotabato said their implementation of programs and projects in protected areas are being hampered because of conflicting tenurial instruments issued by agencies of the government.
Engr. Seigfred Flaviano, officer-in-charge South Cotabato Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) said, they are unable to promote co-management programs such as community-based forest management (CBFM) in declared protected areas because of conflicting claims by private individuals and indigenous peoples.
He said some portions of upland areas declared as protected by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have also been issued certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) while at the same time being claimed by indigenous peoples and have been issued certificates of ancestral domain title (CADT) by the Commission on Indigenous Peoples.
Flaviano cited some upland areas in T’boli town as having such problems.
“This is quite common in the upland areas of South Cotabato and in other areas of the country,” he said.
The protected areas in T’boli are part of the 102,350-hectare Allah Valley Protected Landscape covered by the National Integrated Protected Area System as provided for by Republic Act 7586.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Flaviano said they have already recommended to South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. for the creation of technical working group (TWG) composed of the agencies involved in the issuance of titles.
He said the TWG should identify the areas with overlapping tenurial documents, look into the issue and resolve how to harmonize the conflicting documents.
Flaviano said Gov. Pingoy has already endorsed the creation of a TWG. He expects the governor will soon issue on executive order regarding this matter. (PIA 12)
 
==BFAR 12 celebrates fish conservation week==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60201
*Thursday, October 20, 2011
:by  Jane Christine Balayo
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 20 (PIA) – The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 12 (BFAR 12) on Monday launched the 48th Fish Conservation Week at the conference hall of the regional office in General Santos City.
At the launching, BFAR 12 Assistant Regional Director Ambutong K. Pautong announced that the Bureau is now on its way to implement several conservation measures such as the planting of 300,000 mangrove propagules in Region 12 within a year.
He said this is in support to the efforts towards the recovery of vulnerable habitats and ecosystems in coastal areas.
The weeklong event, which runs from October 16-22, 2011, highlights series of activities that are designed to promote coastal and fishery resource enhancement initiatives.
Activities lined up include technology and livelihood symposium, fishery law enforcement, and recognition of the contributions of some individuals for the development of the fishery sector.
Information dissemination geared towards eliciting stakeholders’ participation to campaign for the conservation and development of fisheries and aquatic resources is also on-going.
The launching was participated by students and faculty member of the state-owned Mindanao State University (MSU)-General Santos campus.
Mary Lyn Abiera, vice-chancellor for academic affairs of MSU-GSC, congratulated BFAR 12 for its continuous efforts to push for people’s awareness in fishery and aquatic resource conservation and development.
She assured BFAR 12 that MSU, being one of the schools in the region that offers fishery-related courses, will always partner with BFAR in all activities that are contributory to the development of the fisheries sector..
Juliet Moquia, a representative from the local government of General Santos City, challenged the participants to help preserve aquatic ecosystems to ensure that these resources will still be available for future generations.
She said that fishes play a very vital role and must be conserved especially that these are safe source of protein particularly for the ordinary people.
This year’s Fish Conservation Week revolves around the theme “Karagatan pagyamanin, isda paramihin, buong mundo pasiglahin.”
This annual celebration started in 1963 by the virtue of the Presidential Proclamation No. 176 by the late President Diosdado Macapagal assigning third week of October as Fish Conservation Week to accentuate the importance of preserving and developing the fishery resources. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/BFAR 12)
 
==South Cotabato eyes special body to resolve ‘overlapping’ land tenurial issuances==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=380298
*October 19, 2011, 5:50 pm
:by  (PNA)
DCT/FFC/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 19 (PNA) – Environment officials in South Cotabato are pushing for the creation of a special body that will spearhead a study and evaluation of conflicting land tenurial instruments in the province that were earlier issued by various national government agencies.
 
Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting South Cotabato Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) chief, said Wednesday they recommended to South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. the immediate establishment of a technical working group (TWG) that will harmonize and resolve the “overlapping” tenurial instruments, especially those issued on declared protected areas.
 
He specifically cited the case of a portion of the protected areas in T’boli town that were earlier issued with certificates of ancestral domain title or CADT by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
 
Portions of T’boli town’s upland areas are within the Allah Valley Protected Landscape, which covers a total of 102,350 hectares in four municipalities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
 
The area is currently part of the National Integrated Protected Area System as provided for by Republic Act 7586.
 
“This problem is quite common here in the province, especially in remote upland areas, and it has been affecting the implementation of some of our environment-related programs and projects,” Flaviano said in a media forum in Koronadal City.
 
Based on a proposal he earlier submitted to Gov. Pingoy, Flaviano said the TWG will be composed of officials from the provincial government and agencies involved with the issuance of the conflicting tenurial instruments.
 
He said these agencies include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DAR and the NCIP.
 
“(Gov. Pingoy) already endorsed the creation of the TWG and an executive order will be issued soon regarding the matter,” he said.
 
Flaviano said they pushed for the resolution of the conflicting issuances to allow the provincial government pursue with the implementation of its priority programs, especially those involving the management of the lands and natural resources within the affected areas.
 
He was referring to the ongoing co-management programs for forestlands and watershed areas within the Allah Valley Protected Landscape that were being implemented by the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLADA)
 
AVLADA is an environment body jointly established by the local governments of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat that oversees the rehabilitation of the critical Allah River System and its environs.
 
Among its ongoing programs is the rehabilitation of Allah river’s watershed and headwaters that are situated in the mountains T’boli town.
 
==LGU gathers 4Ps parent-leaders to discuss issues on implementation==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=59748
*Tuesday, October 18, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 18 (PIA) -- At least 88 parent-leaders from 12 LGU- beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program gathered in Kidapawan City last week for a forum regarding the implementation of the government’s primary poverty alleviation program.
The forum - assembly organized by the provincial government of North Cotabato aimed to identify gaps, issues and concerns confronting the implementation of the anti-poverty program, particularly the conditional cash transfer.
Parent-leaders were also oriented on the programs systems including Compliance and Verification System (CVS), Grievance Redress System (GRS), Supply Side Assessment (SSA), and Beneficiary Update System (BUS). They also received lectures on leadership and teamwork.
“The Provincial Government is strongly pushing for efficient and effective implementation of the program since this is the biggest and single instrument of the government to improve the human capital,” said Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza.
“Let’s not put to waste government’s money. We should see to it that the program serves its purpose,” she told the participants.
The governor was encouraged by the observation that those who were chosen as household heads or parent-leaders are mother-beneficiaries.
This she said is an indication of gender equality and empowerment, which proves that mothers in the province are capable of leading groups.
North Cotabato has 41,320 CCT household-beneficiaries clustered into 1,489 parent groups.
As partners of the program implementation, parent-leaders of the clusters lead their members in meetings, develop rapport, monitor attendance of household grantees in the community assemblies and family development education sessions, visit households grantees who have missed community assemblies and disseminate information to household beneficiaries.
During the forum considerable time was spent in the discussion of the Beneficiary Update System (BUS).
BUS’s primary purpose is the gather, validate, report and record the changes that have occurred on the status or condition of any member of the beneficiary household while under the program.
This is one of the tools that the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), uses to continue, suspend, or terminate cash grants to specific beneficiaries.
An information sheet on the program says: “The continuity of the cash grant is dependent on two dimensions as follows: how the beneficiaries abide by the conditionalities as would be monitored through the Compliance and Verification System (CVS); and the change (s) on the status or condition of each beneficiary household which would be reflected in the Update Report. (PIA 12)
 
==RDC XII launches Regional Development Plan 2011-2016==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=59558
*Monday, October 17, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 17 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen’s Regional Development Council recently launched the Regional Development Plan (RDP) from 2011 – 2016 under the theme “Establishing its Role as the Sustainable Food Center in the South.”
The RDP envisions Soccsksargen or Region 12 to be the “home of God-centered and empowered, culturally diverse people, provider of world class high value crops, fishery, mineral and tourism products and services, propelled by dynamic and dedicated leaders, and living in a green and healthy environment.”
In attaining its vision, the following are the strategic outcomes that the council will undertake for the next six years: increased and sustained growth in agriculture, fishery, and industry; equal access to basic services; effective infrastructure support; adequate and reliable energy supply; improved ecological integrity; good governance; and sustained peace, development, and security.
The launching was attended by Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Talino of Cotabato Province, Mayor Darlene Antonino of General Santos City, Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal City and Director Socorro Ramos of NEDA 12.
A representative of Secretary Lualhati Antonino, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) also attended the activity. Also present were the regional heads and representatives from the different National Government Agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).
In her message which was read by her representative, Sec. Antonino hailed the region’s principle of “synergy” in reaching the eaves of success.
She also congratulated the Council in launching the RDP which is a meaningful renewal of the Council’s commitment towards development of the Soccsksargen region.
Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/CLSonsona/DOLE 12)
 
==More than 3,000 benefited from LBK bus tour to T’boli town==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=59434
*Sunday, October 16, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) -- The recent tour of Department of Health’s Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) to South Cotabato directly benefited at least 3,182 elderlies, parents and children in T’boli town, an official of the provincial government said.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rogelio Aturdido reported that 1,167 individuals received “critical health services” on the first day of operation and 2,015 were added on the second day.
Most of them are indigenous peoples living in remote barangays seldom reached by similar kind of health services packed in a “festival mood.”
DOH’s LBK was in Barangay Aflek, T’boli on October 5 and 6 to offer maternal and child health medical consultations, and primary health care services.
They also have health education packages presented innovative approaches like fun and games and an interactive exhibit of health messages.
It was originally planned to serve 500 families or 1,500 to 2,000 individuals from Aflek and at least ten neighboring villages.
Dr. Aturdido said, the management of Health Promotion and Communication Project (HealthPRO) has sent him an email to express gratitude for the success of the activity and for the impressive support provided by all levels of local government and their partners.
Because of the success of the LBK bus tour in T’boli, the provincial government is now working on a plan to replicate the LBK concept in its health services to underserved communities.
For this purpose, rarely used “Erap” mobile clinic has been sent to Davao City for its re-wrapping to look like the LBK bus. HealthPRO is spending around P100,000 for the wrapping of the bus.
Aturdido expects the local government’s LBK bus to start its trip to remote villages before the year ends. (PIA 12)
 
==LGU to implement austerity measures due to IRA cut==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=59175
*Friday, October 14, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 14 (PIA) -- With the inevitable cut in its 2012 internal revenue allotment, the local of government of Koronadal may have to enforce changes in the lifestyle of both officials and employees.
City treasurer Marlon Gumbao said the city LGU will also be implementing several measures to brace the city from the effects of limited funds for maintenance and other operating expenses.
Gumbao confirmed that next year, more than P59 million will be cut from the city’s IRA after the Supreme Court decided with finality that the cityhood conversion of 16 municipalities is legal.
IRAs of its 27 barangays will also be reduced.
“The solution to this problem is simple. We just have to implement austerity measures,” Gumbao said.
He said, they may have to order frugal use of electricity, gasoline, and office supplies and limit trips of department heads.
For electricity alone, the city LGU spends almost P500,000 a month. “With the budget cut, we may have to think of ways to reduce our monthly electric bill to P250,000,” he said.
The city LGU is also cutting its annual budget for next year.
Gumbao said, they are preparing for a P440-million budget for next year instead of the expected P525 million.
He, however, clarified that the budget is still in the proposal stage and has not been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
In an earlier interview, Mayor Peter B. Miguel promised that the budget cut will not hamper the delivery of basic services by the city government.
He said, the city will have to find other sources of income, including beefing up the city’s tax collection activities.
With 16 more cities getting share from the IRA, LGUs nationwide will be experiencing a total cut of their IRA by 4.8 percent.
These new cities are: Baybay in Leyte, Bogo in Cebu, Catbalogan in Samar), Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Lamitan in Basilan, Borongan in Samar, Tayabas in Quezon, Tabuk in Kalinga, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Batac in Ilocos Norte, Mati in Davao Oriental, Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte), El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, and Carcar and Naga City in Cebu. (PIA 12)
 
==South Cotabato gov bans issuance of special quarry permits==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=378951
*October 13, 2011, 5:25 pm
:by  (PNA)
DCT/FFC/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 13 (PNA) – South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. has stopped the issuance of special permits for quarry operations in the province following an accident in a quarry site in Polomolok town last weekend that killed a teenage worker.
 
Pingoy said Thursday he also directed the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) to evaluate the compliance to basic safety standards of existing quarry operations within the province’s 10 towns and lone city and look deeper into last week’s incident.
 
“We will no longer issue any special permit. All applications for quarry operations will be processed for regular permits and will be carefully scrutinized in terms of their compliance to safety requirements,” he said.
 
The governor, who co-chairs the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB), said the local government will immediately issue a stoppage and closure order for quarry sites and operations that would fail the safety evaluation.
 
The PMRB regulates the operations of quarry operations and small-scale mining activities within the province.
 
Quarry worker Alvedaic Bola, 15, was killed on Saturday following a landslide at a quarry site in Barangay Poblacion in Polomolok town.
 
The victim was reportedly resting at a portion of the quarry site in Purok Balabat when a nearby cliff collapsed on him.
 
The municipal government of Polomolok has already launched an investigation on the incident and the reported employment of the victim, who is a minor, at the quarry site.
 
Siegfred Flaviano, acting PEMO chief, said they have also started a separate investigation into the incident and an evaluation of the safety conditions of the quarry site.
 
He said the quarry site may face permanent closure if the operators would be found violating any of the safety standards that were set by the provincial government.
 
Flaviano said they are currently monitoring and evaluating the operations of other existing quarry sites in the province as ordered by the governor.
 
“We’re specifically reviewing their compliance to the safety standards and other local government regulations of the operators and whether the quarry sites are still safe to work on,” he said.
 
To ensure the proper regulation of quarry operations, Flaviano said they are looking at the possibility of establishing a common quarry site in each of the province’s 10 towns and lone city.
 
He said such move will enable PEMO personnel to easily monitor the quarry operations and impose the necessary regulations to the operators.
 
==Food poisoning downs family in T’boli, South Cotabato==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=58556
*Tuesday, October 11, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 11 (PIA) --Health officials in South Cotabato are conducting investigation of a food poisoning incident in T’boli town that downed a family of six.
Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer, said he immediately ordered a team to go to SitioLibi, Barangay Lambuling, T’boli to help determine the cause of food poisoning of a family that led to death of two children and hospitalization of four others.
Norberto Lapastora, administrative officer of the local government of T’boli , identified the victims who are now under observation at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital as Jomari and Mary Ann Fundo and their children Saida and Lorie.
Fatalities were identified as Narjun Fundo and Maila Fundo.
Initial reports that reached T’boli LGU said that the family experienced severe abdominal pain, headache and vomiting after eating a meal of porridge allegedly made from NFA rice distributed under the Municipal Social Welfare Office’s supplemental feeding program.
However, Dr.Aturdido said this report has yet to be confirmed. He said, investigation is still underway to determine what the victims have ingested.
Aturdido said they have already collected stool and blood samples for laboratory examinations.
Lapastora meanwhile said samples of the rice alleged to have poisoned the family have been sent to Davao City for testing.
Aturdido also reported that both parents and one of the two children confined at SCPH are now stable but added that one of the children is still in a critical condition. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
==Early marriage still common among T'boli tribe: Mayor==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/10/07/early-marriage-still-common-among-tboli-tribe-mayor-183658
*Friday, October 7, 2011
:by  Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper
 
 
T'BOLI, South Cotabato -- With early marriage still prevalent among tribal communities here, the National Government's health caravan, dubbed as "Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK)", rolled out here Thursday in a bid to lessen such phenomenon, as well as provide health care services.
 
Mayor Ernesto Manuel hopes the municipality, with 70 percent of the population composed of indigenous people, mostly T’bolis, could rise from poverty.
 
"In our case, we have 10, 12-year-old [T'boli] girls getting married already, and so they were forced to stop schooling," Manuel said, lamenting that this as a major reason why many of his tribal constituents are poor.
 
"We would like to discourage early marriage [hopefully with this health caravan]," he added.
 
The mayor thanked the organizers of the health caravan, which was held at the Barangay Aflek gymnasium here.
 
In the traditional T'boli culture, marriages are pre-arranged by the parents, and may be contracted at any age, even right after the child's birth.
 
The mayor also stressed the need for a continuing family planning education among the tribal members to help them out of poverty.
 
South Cotabato Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said the province is blessed for having been chosen as one of the destinations of the pilot year of the LBK health caravan of the Department of Health.
 
"Health provision, especially for the poorest of the poor, is a priority program of the Provincial Government," said Pingoy.
 
The health caravan implored the importance of pre-natal check-up, safe pregnancy and delivery, birth spacing and hand washing.
 
About 1,500 residents in the town have been expected to avail the services of the LBK caravan, organizers said.
 
Aligned with the Aquino administration’s health agenda of universal access to quality health care, LBK aims to bring quality health information, education and services to Filipino people, especially in remote communities.
 
The LBK features a bus, customized with consultation and examination clinics and a health promotion arena of interactive exhibits, health classes and wellness activities, storytelling sessions, cooking demos, games and raffles, dance contests and entertainment shows focused on safe motherhood, child nutrition and family health.
 
LBK carries the theme "Walang Iwanan sa Biyaheng Kalusugan."
 
==SouthCot gov urges vigilance amid NPA attack in Surigao==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/10/06/southcot-gov-urges-vigilance-amid-npa-attack-in-surigao/
* Thursday| October 6, 2011
:by  Bong S. Sarmiento
 
 
T’BOLI, South Cotabato (MindaNews / 6 Oct) – The South Cotabato government has urged for extra vigilance to avoid the possible attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels against mining firms operating in the area.
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. made the appeal Thursday in the wake of the NPA attack in Surigao del Norte Monday against Nickel Asia Corp., the country’s largest nickel producer and partly owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Nickel Asia said they have already resumed operations following the attack, which damaged equipment worth an estimated P500 million.
Pingoy said that police and military personnel in South Cotabato are closely guarding the area even as he claimed that the threat of the NPA in the province “has been eliminated.”
“We are trying to secure all, and so we are on guard [all the time],” he told MindaNews at the sidelines of a health event here.
This town also hosts the large-scale gold-silver project of Canadian firm Cadan Resources Corp. in partnership with the local Tribal Mining Corp.
But while the governor “downplayed” the threats from the communist guerillas, Pingoy said they have monitored NPA recruitment in Barangay Ned [Lake Sebu town] and parts of Tampakan.
Lake Sebu and Tampakan towns are home to huge coal and copper deposits, respectively, with San Miguel Corp. holding rights over the former and Sagittarius Mines, Inc. on the latter.
Pingoy said that government security troops are on top of the situation, noting that last week, internal security efforts have been turned over to the provincial government by the military.
The turnover of internal security came after “assessments that South Cotabato has been cleared from the influence of the communist rebels.”
Pingoy said there has been troops deployment in Tampakan town “but for the purpose of containing” the illegal sluice mining operations, locally called banlas.
He dispelled allegations from local anti-mining groups that the deployment of soldiers in Tampakan was for the protection of Sagittarius Mines, noting that the “government is mandated to ensure the security of everyone.”
It maybe recalled that on New Year’s Day 2008, NPA guerillas stormed the base camp of Sagittarius Mines in the mountains of Tampakan. They burned the administration building and mining equipment worth P12 million.
In January the following year, NPA rebels raided the Tampakan police station downtown, which resulted to the wounding of three policemen and another civilian.
Since then, the NPA rebels have warned future offensives against Sagittarius Mines if it will not pullout its venture also straddling the towns of Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Malungon in Sarangani.
Sagittarius Mines is controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, with Australian firm Indophil Resources NL as the junior equity partner.
The Tampakan project is touted as the largest known undeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia, with commercial operations targeted in 2016 notwithstanding the open-pit ban imposed by the South Cotabato government. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==NHTS-PR solves problem on “political indigents” -- Philhealth official==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=57707
*Wednesday, October 05, 2011
:by  Hanah Naanep and Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 5 (PIA) -- An official of the Philhealth believes the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) database is an effective tool to prevent social protection benefits from going to the beneficiaries who are not poor.
“Gone are the political indigents,” Philhealth 12 Regional Vice President Ramon Aristoza said during the launching of NHTS-PR database in Soccsksagen region at the Protech Center here. The activity was a highlight of the opening ceremonies of the 22nd Statistics Month celebration.
By political indigents, Aristoza was referring to alleged beneficiaries of pro-poor programs of the government that were only included because they are either related or close to officials identifying list of recipients.
He said, Philhealth, being one of being one of the database’s stakeholders commends the project and encourages the strengthening of its review process in coordination with other partner agencies to avoid duplication and validate true recipients like the Pantawid Pamilya Program and Sponsored Program of PHilhealth
NHTS-PR, a nationwide project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are aimed for the government and civil society to establish objective targeting system and helps reduce inclusion of non poor in social protection.
It is a system that uses a statistical model that estimates income of households using the proxy variables that includes family composition, education of household members, housing conditions and access to basic services.
In March last year, President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order 867 directed all national government agencies to use the NHTS-PR as basis in identifying beneficiaries of social protection programs and services.
Jackiya Lao, NHTS-PR focal person ng NHTS-PR DSWD 12, in an earlier interview said with the NHTS-PR database social protection programs and projects are downloaded to the implementing agencies with a list of specific recipients.
Aristoza said NHTS-PR is the best statistical tool the national government should pursue in attaining the theme of the 22nd National Statistics Month celebration, “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives. ”
“As professionals in the social protection sector, we have long been in the business of helping the poor and the disadvantaged. As to what extent we have served, we can give you numbers of people served and how much was spent. But as to how much, have made into their lives, we cannot give you quantifiable figures,” DSWD XII Regional Director Bai Zorahayda T. Taha said.
She added the public is assured that the database can be corrected over time to ensure that those listed as poor households are in reality indigents.
Possible errors in data gathering may happen but the project has instituted a validation mechanism to address the problem, she said.
“Since our core social protection programs utilize this database the DSWD in collaboration with other agencies, we can work together to create synergetic efforts towards social protection for the poor,” Taha said.
According to the NHTS database Region 12 has 129,043 indigent households.
Region 12 or Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (PIA 12/Philhealth 12)
 
==‘Lolong’ takes first meal in captivity==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/70321/%E2%80%98lolong%E2%80%99-takes-first-meal-in-captivity
*4:00 pm | Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
:by  Jeoffrey Maitem
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Lolong, the one-ton crocodile captured in the Agusan Marsh last month, ate his first meal – a seven-kilogram slab of pork – Monday night, a local official said Tuesday.
Welinda Asis-Elorde, media relations coordinator of the municipality of Bunawan in Agusan del Sur, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone that Lolong, who had refused to eat since his capture nearly September 3, ate the food that was given to him by a worker at the wildlife park around 10 p.m. Monday.
“Tonight, we will try also to give food. Maybe the croc is not satisfied. We usually do it alternately. Once we serve pork, the next time, we provide dressed chicken,” she said.
 
==DSWD 12 launches National Household Targeting System database==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=57270
*Monday, October 03, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 3 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 12) today launched the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) database.
The launching highlighted the opening ceremonies of the 22nd National Statistics Month celebration in Region 12 at the Protech Center in Koronadal City.
Jackiya Lao, NHTS-PR focal person of DSWD 12, said with the launching they are presenting to the public the database which had undergone two years of intense re-evaluation and “cleaning.”
“This is the first attempt of the Philippine government to establish an electronic database of all the poor households in the entire country,” she said.
NHTS-PR is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide.
It aims to create an objective and transparent database of poor households “which will serve as guide to government agencies and other stakeholders beneficiaries of social welfare programs,” she added.
Lao added the database changes the manner by which program and project beneficiaries are determined.
“Before, we had to ask local government units for a list of possible beneficiaries before we can implement a program. With the NHTS-PR database, before programs are downloaded to the implementing agencies those who will receive benefits from the programs have already been identified,” she explained.
According to the database, Soccsksargen Region has 129,043 households that are considered poor.
Soccsksargen region covers the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato City.
Also during the opening activity of the statistics month celebration, Herlita Caraan, regional head of the National Statistics Coordination Boards (NSCB) delivered “Tracking on MDGs: Region 12 Beating the Odds Between Now and 2015.”
Her presentation updated stakeholders on the status of the region in terms of attaining the various MDG goals.
Several activities such as symposia, workshops, conferences, seminars, trainings, exhibits, statistics quizzes, poster and slogan making contests, and IEC activities are also lined up for the rest of the month to give emphasis on the importance and value of statistics.
This year’s celebration theme is “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives. (PIA 12)
 
==Provincial gov't renews call for rabies vaccination==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=57139
*Sunday, October 02, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- Officials of South Cotabato's Provincial Veterinary Office (PVet) have renewed their call to residents of the province to have their pet dogs vaccinated against rabies.
PVet conducted mass vaccination and castration in T'boli town on Wednesday to celebrate the World Rabies Awareness Day but only six of its 27 barangays have supported the activity.
From January to June, three residents in the municipality died of rabies.
Provincial health officials also searched for at least 40 individuals in the area who killed and ate a suspected rabid dog for their post exposure prophylaxis to prevent more deaths due to rabies.
Dr. Lorna Lamorena has also called on barangay officials to encourage their constituents to support the campaign to rid the province of the fatal virus.
She said they only charge a fee of P10 for each shot of anti rabies vaccine.
She added the amount is very minimal as compared to the cost of treatment which could amount at least P16,000 once a person is exposed to the virus.
Death cannot be avoided once rabies virus has attacked the nervous system, Lamorena pointed out.
A report from the provincial epidemiology and surveillance unit said that South Cotabato government has already spent more than P9 million for anti-rabies vaccines since 2009.
Of the said amount P2.7 million were spent this year to prevent the escalation of the recent spate of rabies incidents in the province.
This year, rabies has been listed among the top ten diseases in South Cotabato. (PIA 12)
 
==Former rebels, sympathizers to receive livelihood assistance from DA, Philippine Army==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=57058
*Saturday, October 01, 2011
:by  Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Oct 1 (PIA) -- Rebel returnees and former New People’s Army (NPA) sympathizers in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat will soon receive livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture in the region and the Philippine Army.
Lt. Col Alexis Noel Bravo, commanding officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion, said they are now finalizing with DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Datukan the release of P1 million worth of seedlings to rebel returnees, former sympathizers, and residents in the 11 villages of Columbio.
He said the assistance is line with the government’s social re-integration program where returnees are assistance, primarily through the Department of Social Welfare and Development from which they could earn their living and address poverty.
“We were able to facilitate around P1 million worth of high value crops seedlings to be distributed to the former sympathizers of NPA as their additional source of income,” he said.
The intended beneficiaries have been trained in the cultural management of the high value crops. They have also underwent exposure trips to leading plantations and model farms.
“Hopefully, we can release the seedling to the beneficiaries before the end of this year,” he said.
"These former rebel sympathizers have been organized and are now members of the barangay defense system," he added.
Bravo said his troops are concentrating on the mountain villages in the boundaries of Columbio, Matanao and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur and Makilala in North Cotabato because NPA rebels are still operating in the area.
He confirmed that NPA’s Front 72 has a guerrilla troop of less than 50 members in the area but added that their influence in the communities has already diminished after they intensified their peace and development outreach programs in communities known to have been controlled or influenced by the rebel group. (PIA 12)
 
==DOST 12 sets up 3 Automated Weather Stations==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=56909
*Friday, September 30, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 30 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-12) has installed automated weather stations (AWS) in three strategic locations in the region as part of the government’s nationwide disaster modernization mitigation program.
Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director, said the AWS were installed at the General Santos City airport, at the People’s Palace compound in Cotabato City, and in Barangay Badyangon in the coastal town of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province.
“The AWS is a modern weather tracking device that can do remote meteorological measurements and send data on a real-time basis,” she said.
Director Laidan said the AWS, which costs P250,000 each, can also be used to issue a tsunami warning so that people in the coastal areas can evacuate before it could strike.
She said that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), of the DOST, is presently embarking on the establishment of AWS nationwide in line with its modernization program.
The project is in coordination with the DOST’s Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), which developed various instruments such as AWS to assist PAGASA in weather monitoring and forecasting.
PAGASA, in addition to the Doppler Radar installation project, needs the AWS to automate its ground stations in order to perform faster, more accurate and efficient data system to help in early warning and monitoring of potential disasters.
The automation of data acquisition and transmission will decrease operational cost and minimize the possibility of errors brought about by manual instruments.
The AWS project hopes to establish and maintain a nationwide environmental monitoring network that will continuously provide warnings for the mitigation of environment-related disasters.
Each AWS is equipped with sensors capable of measuring weather parameters, wind speed and direction, air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, rain volume, duration and intensity.
It will also help in monitoring flood and typhoon that may affect the locality.
There will be a total of 80 AWS stations that will be established in the different parts of the country.
The nationwide setting up of AWS is under a special project dubbed “Development of Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and Production of Weather and Rain Automated Stations.”
It also seeks to support the disaster preparedness programs of local government units, particularly their respective Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.
The AWS also aims to improve the climate change adaptation and disaster risk mitigation programs of the LGUs.
To access DOST’s AWS nationwide, one can visit AWS Website: http://202.90.149.66/predict/stations.php. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/BK Tagitican, DOST 12)
 
==DENR 12 has new RTD for Land Management Service==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=56733
*Thursday, September 29, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 29 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR – 12) has a new regional technical director (RTD) for Land Management Services (LMS).
RTD for Lands Geronimo L. Sequito in a turnover ceremony at the function hall of DENR 12 on Tuesday handed over to Sultan Kudarat Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Morakie P. Domanday the leadership of the LMS.
During his acceptance speech, Domanday said that the new post has effectively transformed him from being a generalist to being a specialist.
“I intend to run the LMS like Gerry (referring to Sequito), except when there is still room for improvement,” he said.
Domanday is a career service office officer.
After thanking DENR 12 Regional Executive Director (RED) Alfredo S. Pascual for the trust and confidence by giving the RTD post for 9 months and his subordinates for the support, Sequito urged the LMS personnel to give the same level of support to the new RTD for lands.
During his stint as RTD for lands, DENR 12 topped all 15 regional offices of the department in terms of accomplishing most goals.
After the ceremonies at the regional office, DENR officials and employees proceeded to the DENR provincial office in Barangay Montilla, Tacurong City for another turnover ceremony, this time Domanday handing over to Sequito the leadership of DENR Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office.
Both Domanday and Sequito were designate to their previous posts on officer-in-charge status.
On both occasions, RED Pascual emphasized that the latest change in leadership is part of organizational development of the Department and that nobody did wrong.
Pascual likewise urged DENR personnel to follow the command of the two officials.
The reshuffle was implemented by virtue of DENR Special Order No. 2011 – 689 issued on September 19 by the DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations, Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/MCalungsod-Locsin/DENR 12).
 
==AFP sets turnover of internal security efforts to South Cotabato gov’t==
*Source: http://positivenewsmedia.com/blog/2011/09/afp-sets-turnover-of-internal-security-efforts-to-south-cotabato-gov%E2%80%99t/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=afp-sets-turnover-of-internal-security-efforts-to-south-cotabato-gov%25e2%2580%2599t
*Sep 28, 2011 
:by  (PNA)LDV/AVE/mec
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 28 (PNA) – Declaring the entire South Cotabato province as now “insurgency-free,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will turn over this week to the provincial government the lead role in the implementation of the “internal security operations” or ISO in the area.
Lt. Col. Alex Noel Bravo, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Tuesday the AFP will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government of South Cotabato on Friday to formalize the transfer of the ISO implementation, which would be shifting focus on socio-economic and development-related initiatives.
“We already cleared the whole province of insurgents or rebel units belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) so the ISO efforts will now be concentrated on development and that will be under the lead initiative of the LGU (local government unit),” he said in a media forum in Koronadal City.
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. will sign the agreement for the provincial government and Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, for the AFP, he said.
The MOA signing, which will be held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City, will be witnessed by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero.
The official said the transfer of the ISO function to the provincial government was part of the Internal Peace and Security Plan endorsed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III that took effect last January 1.
Under the plan, he said LGUs will be given the lead role in the implementation of the consolidation and development phase of the ISO after the completion of the clearing phase by the AFP.
Bravo said the LGUs will mainly facilitate the convergence of various government agencies in the implementation of development-related projects and programs in areas that were previously influenced by NPA rebels.
He said the initiative was launched earlier this year in Central Luzon and in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon here in Mindanao.
South Cotabato will be the third province in Mindanao that will take part in the initiative, he said.
Citing their records, Bravo said the entire province was declared as already cleared of the NPA’s presence when he assumed as 27th IB commander last May.
Such declaration was earlier made based on a report from the Joint AFP/PNP Intelligence Committee or JAPEC.
He explained that that their troops specifically dismantled the political structure and so-called “shadow government” in several villages within the province’s 10 towns and lone city that had been established by the NPA’s guerilla front 73.
“There are no more armed groups to speak about that are still based in the area so we will just take the supporting role in the ISO implementation,” Bravo said.
Under the MOA, he said the provincial government will establish the Provincial Public Safety and Security Operations Center, which will spearhead the ISO implementation and handle issues and concerns on the matter.
Bravo said the said the AFP will also deploy one of its engineering battalions to the province to undertake development projects such as the construction of classroom buildings, roads and other vital infrastructure in areas that were previously shunned by private contractors due to security concerns.
Initially, he said they are working for the deployment of the engineering battalion in Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu town to assist the implementation of a road project in the area.
“The assignment of the engineering battalion will be very beneficial to the LGUs since these units usually implement infrastructure projects at much lower costs when compared to private contractors,” he said.
He cited that a single classroom building, which usually costs P600,000 when constructed by private contractors, would only cost P400,000 when undertaken by the AFP’s engineering unit.
“We will also help in seeking funding for socio-economic projects and other initiatives that will eventually enable the provincial government to effectively address its internal security concerns,” he said.
 
==2 Tampakan barangays get SCCM project==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=56352
*Tuesday, September 27, 2011
:by  PIA Press Release
 
 
TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato, September 27 (PIA) -- The provincial government here awarded two barangays financial assistance amounting to P100,000 under the South Cotabato Convergence Model (SCCM) Project.
Barangay Sta. Cruz received aid for its vermiculture - vermicomposting livelihood project while Barangay Buto for the repair and rehabilitation of its water sytem.
Just recently, South Cotabato Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement with the barangay councils for the immediate implementation of the project.
Barangay Chairmen Reynaldo F. Estanislao of Sta. Cruz and Efren E. Batiao of Buto represented their respective barangay councils in th signing ceremony of the Project Proposal and the Trust Account Management Agreement (TAMA).
SCCM Project Manager Dennis C. Dignadice who conducted the orientation to the core group members assigned to manage the project said, the province will provide financial assistance of P 50,000 to each baranagay.
Dignadice reminded the core groups to properly spend the funds for the project. All transactions should be open to scrutiny by their respective residents to ensure transparency.
In his message to the residents, Pingoy thanked officials and core group members for their commitment and support and encouraged residents to participate in the activities and to support their councils.
“Although this is only a small amount, show that you can properly implement a project,” he told the two core groups.
Pingoy also promised to increase fund assistance for the projects if the residents could prove that they have effectively implemented their projects.
He assured the barangay officials and the core group members that as much as possible he would be transparent to them but he also urged them to do the same.
He also enumerated several accomplishments regarding assistance to barangays and their residents. These include distribution of more than 37,000 Philhealth cards to poor residents, the plan to put up a public hospital in Surahah, and educational assistance to hundreds of poor but deserving students of South Cotabato under the Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/Tampakan CDIO)
 
==South Cotabato to establish own gas station==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=375131
*September 26, 2011, 1:54 pm
: by  (PNA) LDV/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 26 (PNA) –- The provincial government of South Cotabato is planning to establish its own gasoline station or fuel retail filling outlet in a bid to augment its income and stabilize the local government’s fuel supplies.
 
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said they held discussions earlier this month with officials of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to explore the viability of operating a Petron gasoline station in Koronadal City under the local government’s management.
 
Petron Corporation, which is considered as the largest oil refining and marketing company in the country, is a subsidiary of SMC.
 
Pingoy said SMC officials initially signified to assist the provincial government in the construction and operation of the planned gasoline station.
 
“We pursued the idea so we can come up with an additional economic enterprise and at the same time ensure the availability of fuel supplies for the provincial government’s needs,” he said.
 
The governor said they decided to explore such move after the local government failed to secure a supply contract since last month for its fuel requirements.
 
He said local fuel dealers and suppliers repeatedly shunned the local government’s call for bidding for its fuel requirements supposedly due to the unstable prices of fuel products in the domestic and international markets.
 
Pingoy said the “repeated failure of bidding” for the fuel supplies practically limited the movement of some equipment of the Provincial Engineering Office.
 
“Hopefully, we can make a decision and finalize this matter soon,” he said.
 
Under its service station dealership program, Petron requires prospective operators to meet its required capitalization ranging from P1 million to P9 million, depending on the type of trade and type of station available.
 
The company also requires applicants to submit a financial statement and business plan for their proposed fuel dealership operation.
 
The Department of Energy has also set various requirements for the establishment of new gasoline stations, among them the submission of a project or business plan; proofs of compliance of local permits and licenses; certificate of conforme of facilities to national or accepted international standards on health, safety and environment; product certificate of quality; and, an Environment Compliance Certificate or ECC issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau or a certificate of non-coverage.
 
==Gov Pingoy: On with ban on open-pit mine==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/25/gov-pingoy-on-with-ban-on-open-pit-mine/
*Sunday| September 25, 2011
: by  Edwin G. Espejo
 
 
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/24 September) — Unless the provincial environment code of South Cotabato is declared void and contrary to existing laws, Gov. Arthur Pingoy said he is duty-bound to implement the landmark local legislation which bans open-pit mining in the province.
“As the governor of this province, I will implement the ordinance that there will be no open-pit mining in the province,” the governor said before qualifying his statement.
The governor issued the statement at the closing of the public consultation held Friday in this provincial capital and organized by the local government unit.
Both the proponent of the multi-billion dollar Tampakan copper and gold project and groups opposed to it presented their respective arguments for and against the controversial US$5.9-billion mining venture.
Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), owner of the copper and gold project, presented the results of its environment impact assessment (EIA) before a jam-packed crowd of close to 5,000 at the provincial gym.  Hundreds of others waited and listened to loud speakers outside the gym.
 
Anti-mining groups led by the Catholic Church also sent their own environment and mining experts who refuted the SMI’s EIA, claiming a major disaster could spell the death of thousands of residents downstream along the major river systems where its mining operation will take place.
Rene Cruz, an engineer who was part of the team hired by SMI that conducted the study, was not able to immediately determine the extent of damage and the number of people who may perish from such a disaster when questioned by Clive Wicks, one of the resource persons of the Catholic Church.
SMI is in the process of obtaining permits and licenses from government regulating bodies. It is eyeing to commence commercial production of copper and gold ores in 2016.
In addition to ‘clearing’ 3,965 hectares of arable and forested lands, SMI will also build a 400-megawatt coal-fired power plant, port facilities and a 40-kilometer pipeline conveyor system connecting the open-pit mine in Tampakan, South Cotabato to Malalag in Davao del Sur where the company’s berthing and offsite facilities will be located.
Gov. Pingoy however declined to say if his position is meant to challenge those who may question in court the provision of the provincial environment code specifically banning open pit mining method.
The governor said that unless ordered by the courts, he will have to deny any request by SMI for permits from the provincial government.
SMI manager for corporate community development Elvie Granchera who answered most of the questions hurled against SMI, declined to comment on the apparent legal challenge hurled by Gov. Pingoy.
She said only John Arnaldo is allowed to answer questions from the press.
Arnaldo, SMI corporate communications manager, did not answer however calls made to his mobile phone number.
He later sent a statement through short messaging system saying they are grateful to the governor and members of the provincial board for the opportunity to present their EIA.
“We remain hopeful that the information shared will help the SP (provincial board) in considering the review of the ban on open pit mining,” Arnaldo further said.
His team earlier declined a request for an interview with one of the scientists hired by SMI who conducted the EIA.
Company sources however said SMI maintains it is a mere contractor and holder of the Columbio Financial Assistance Agreement (FTAA) which covered the Tampakan copper and gold project.
In effect, company officials are banking on the national government to be the one to question the constitutionality of the provincial environment code.
South Cotabato provincial board member Cecil Diel said they are open to a review not only of the ban on open pit mining but also other provisions of the controversial ordinance.
But Diel added that she remains opposed to the said mining method.
She likewise vehemently protested an earlier administrative order issued by Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo ordering the provincial board to review the code.
The environment code was signed by former governor and now South Cotabato Rep. Daisy Fuentes.
Signing the code was among the last official acts of Fuentes who is opposed to a review of the landmark local legislation this early. (Edwin G. Espejo/MindaNews Contributor)
 
==DOST-12 now accepting application for S & T college scholarships==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55776
*Saturday, September 24, 2011
: by PIA Press Release
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology-Region 12 (DOST-12) is urging top graduating high school students to avail of college scholarships being offered by the agency.
Among these scholarship grants are the Merit Scholarship Program and the S & T Scholarship Program under Republic Act 7687 or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994.
Merit program is open to graduating high school students who would like to pursue baccalaureate degrees in S & T fields regardless of family economic status. S & T Act of 1994 is only open to students from poor families.
Annually offered through the DOST’s Science Education Institute (SEI), the scholarships seek to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology, among others, to further drive national economic development.
Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director said that the scholarships are an effective way to harness the youth’s potentials to also contribute to the development of a strong S & T community in the country.
“These scholarships will not only benefit the beneficiaries and their families but the whole nation as well. One of the major keys for a brighter national economic future rest in the field of science and technology,” she said.
Provincial S & T centers are now accepting applications to the scholarship programs strictly open only to the top five percent of the high school graduating class from the public and private school systems.
Scholars from poor families are entitled to tuition and other school fee subsidies, book allowance, and a monthly living allowance for the school year, among others.
Merit scholars, on the other hand, are entitled to the same benefits except for a pro-rated monthly stipend depending on the economic status of their families.
The examination for both scholarship programs is slated on November 20, 2011 simultaneously nationwide.
In Region 12, the designated testing centers are: University Laboratory School-University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato; Notre Dame University in Cotabato City; Mindanao State University in General Santos City; Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City; and the Sultan Kudarat State University in Tacurong City.
Interested students may get application forms from the nearest DOST regional office or at the provincial S&T centers. Forms can also be downloaded at www.science-scholarships.ph.
Deadline of application is on October 21, 2011.
For more information, please call the DOST-12 main office at (064) 421-6908 and 421-2711. You may also get in touch with our provincial S & T centers at (083) 554-7997 (SarGen); 083-228-2342 (South Cotabato); (064) 200-3521 (Sultan Kudarat); and (064) 248-2112 (North Cotabato). (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/BKTagitican DOST 12).
 
==Police director aims at operations readiness of forces, vows to enforce discipline==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55776
*Friday, September 23, 2011
: by Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 23 (PIA) -- Police senior superintendent Randolph Delfin, the new police provincial director of South Cotabato assured the public that his administration is on the right track in ensuring security of the entire province.
In a recent meeting with the press at the provincial capitol, Delfin announced that he is now focusing on strengthening the operational readiness and restoring discipline among members of the police force under his leadership.
“As I promised during the meeting with the POC, I will give priority to security concerns,” he said. “So, almost every night I’ve been conducting inspections of our police stations to check on the operational readiness of our policemen.”
On Wednesday, Delfin started his unannounced visits and inspections at the municipal police station of Sto.Niño at 1:00 a.m. Sto.Niño town is about 30 kilometers from the provincial headquarters in Koronadal City.
He then proceeded to police stations in Norala, Surallah, and Banga municipalities. At about 4:30 a.m., he arrived at Koronadal City to check on his men at the city police station.
He said he has already covered all the entire province in his first six days in office as police director.
One of his first order is to increase police visibility, especially at night time “to eliminate carnapping and to allay public apprehensions that South Cotabato is not safe.”
Aside from ensuring security of the province, Delfin said, he is also give importance to resolving problems regarding loose firearms and youth offenders.
“We will also give emphasis to our Pamilya Laban sa Droga program and strengthen coordination with communities for our objective to control the presence of drug,” he added.
During the meeting, Delfin confirmed that the is strict and a disciplinarian but pointed out that he disciplines his men by example.
“Showing your people that you can do what you ask them to do is of primary importance,” he said. “No official has the right to caution and order his men if he himself cannot do what he asked them to do.”
Just recently, he placed a policeman under investigation for not wearing uniform while on duty.
Delfin said his men cannot complain of him giving so much responsibilities because he himself will be actively participate in every activity. (PIA 12)
 
==PDRRMC renews call for vigilance in accident–prone areas==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55632
*Thursday, September 22, 2011
: by Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 22 (PIA) -- South Cotabato officials have renewed calls for vigilance, especially among residents living in or near identified flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.
Provincial Administrator Isidro Janita, who also heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said residents in the identified accident-prone areas should always be on the lookout because landslides and flash floods are being experienced in the province.
This renewed call for vigilance came after a flash flood incident in Polomolok town.
Fifty-six families, including 274 individuals, in Barangays Landan, Upper Klinan, and Maligo in Polomolok town were displaced when a creek overflowed Monday night.
PDRRMC incident report said 21 houses and one chapel were totally damaged and 25 houses were partially damaged. At least 6 hectares of crops and four farm animals were also lost.
Initial estimates have set the damages at P5 million.
No human casualty was reported.
Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. yesterday said the provincial government has already extended food and relief assistance to the displaced families.
He also ordered the immediate relocation of the residents in the affected area, which has been identified among the high risk area.
In a recent meeting of the regional council, Pingoy has requested the RDMMC to expedite the purchase of the relocation sites for communities living in calamity-prone areas.
He said purchase of the relocation site for affected residents in Landan area may not be difficult since the identified lot is properly titled. (PIA 12)
 
==P52-M vowed for planned public hospital in Surallah==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55459
*Wednesday, September 21, 2011
: by Dani Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept 21 (PIA) -- If commitments were to be counted, the provincial government of South Cotabato has at least P52 M fund for the construction of a public hospital in nearby Surralah town.
Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. in a meeting with the press this morning announced that three partners, namely: San Miguel Corporation (SMC), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have signified to finance the construction of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) annex in Surallah.
Recently, Gov. Pingoy went to Metro Manila to sign a memorandum of understanding with the San Miguel Corporation for a P30-million assistance package for the province, including P15 million for the planned hospital.
While in Metro Manila, he also met with Health Secretary Enrique Ona regarding possible financial assistance under the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
He said Ona has committed to give the province at least P30 million. The governor is confident Sec. Ona’s promise will be realized.
While serving as the representative of South Cotabato’s Second District, Pingoy was instrumental for the release of of P23 million for the upgrading of several health facilities in the province, including that of Polomolok and Lake Sebu municipalities and SCPH.
He also announced that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also committed to pour in P7M for the project.
The provincial government in now complying with DILG assistant secretary for plans and programs Eubert Gutierrez’s directive to submit the project’s program plan for possible funding.
Meanwhile, a five-hectare lot where the annex hospital will be established has been identified by the local government unit of Surallah.
Gov. Pingoy said the provincial government expects Surallah Mayor Romulo Solivio to hand in the deed of donation anytime soon.
He said he has already directed Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office to fast track the making of the hospitals design.
Construction of the hospital is expected to start in the first quarter of 2012 for a target soft opening of the health facility in the second or third quarter.
Gov. Pingoy added that this government hospital that will cater to patients in the Upper Valley area, including the municipalities of Surallah, Sto. Nino, Lake Sebu, Norala, T’boli and Banga, the provincial hospital in Koronadal City will surely be decongested.
SCPH has a capacity for 220 beds but the number of patients served here reaches as many as 240 to 320. About 24 percent of the patients are from the Upper Valley area. (PIA 12)
 
==Transport strike in South Cotabato fizzles out==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/20/transport-strike-in-south-cotabato-fizzles-out/
* Tuesday| September 20, 2011
: by  Bong S. Sarmiento
 
 
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/19 September) — With most public utility vehicles still plying their routes here and in the other municipalities of South Cotabato, police assessed the transport strike organized by militant groups to have fizzled out in the province and neighboring areas.
The number of tricycles, the main mode of transport in this regional seat of government of Southwestern Mindanao or Region 12, was just the same as in normal days.
Buses and passenger vans also plied the routes in various parts of the province and other neighboring and far destinations.
Except for the town of Polomolok, the transport strike called by the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) was also not felt in the nine other municipalities of South Cotabato, the police monitored.
“Generally, the transport strike fizzled out all over South Cotabato. Flow of traffic in the streets was normal,” said Supt. Jemuel Siason, spokesperson of the provincial police command.
In Polomolok, Siason said there was a “slightly significant participation” among the drivers because of organized militant groups there.
In this city, also the capital of South Cotabato, government vehicles were put on standby just in case the strike would cause transport paralysis, he added.
Around 50 protesters from various militant groups gathered in front of the Iglesia ni Kristo along the national highway early morning but later on left the area, with a few later seen huddling beside the round ball area.
No barricades were set up in the roads in this city unlike years before to force public and private transport drivers to join the protest. Also, no passengers were seen stranded in the streets or in the terminals.
Ryan Lariba, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Socsksargen chapter spokesman, said that various militant groups kicked off their protest actions as early as 5 a.m. in parts of the region.
“We want to send a message to our government that our people, especially the drivers, are hurting from the series of fuel price increases,” he told reporters.
Lariba said they were demanding for a rollback as the prices of fuel were overpriced by at least P9/liter, citing a study by their group.
The protesters also called on the government to scrap the oil deregulation law as well as remove the value added tax on fuel products. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)
 
==Tourism boost==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334876/tourism-boost
*September 19, 2011, 3:37pm
: by Mindanao Newsbits
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Philippines (PIA) – A recent significant development could spell a major push for South Cotabato’s bid to become a primary tourist destination. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. recently announced that beginning September 23, management of the internal security operations (ISO) will officially be transferred to the provincial government from the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.
 
We have been promoting tourism in the province but we have been hindered by the perception that the province has a problem with peace and order,” he said, “the transfer of ISO to the provincial government is proof that South Cotabato is indeed peaceful.”
 
==Mindanao gets P157-M tourism dev’t budget==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/18/mindanao-gets-p157-m-tourism-dev%E2%80%99t-budget/
*Sunday| September 18, 2011
: by  Bong S. Sarmiento
 
 
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/17 September) —  The Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has allocated P157 million to further develop the tourism industry in Mindanao, Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said.
TIEZA, formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority, increased its annual allocation for Mindanao, which in the last 10 years only received an average of seven to 10 percent budget share from the agency, Antonino announced at the recently concluded 20th Mindanao Business Conference in Pagadian City.
“I am happy to report that in our recent meeting with the TIEZA board, Mindanao got a hefty share of 35% from the Php448.84-million TIEZA priority infrastructure projects this year,” Antonino said in a statement.
Antonino who sits as member of the TIEZA board of directors also said that Region 9 or the Zamboanga Peninsula got two of the 29 approved projects for Mindanao namely the development of Pulacan falls in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and the construction of the Cogon Eco-tourism development project in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
She added that MinDA shall continue in its efforts to secure financing support for the Mindanao initiatives by engaging more public-private partnerships while advocating for a fair share in the national budget.
“Unlike before when we only had a measly share of their (TIEZA) budget, Mindanao is now given attention,”  Antonino said, adding that tourism has a multiplier effect in terms of job creation.
Mindanao tourism industry officials welcome the increased budget, their clamor for a decade now.
“TIEZA has made an unprecedented move to develop a strong backbone for tourism in Mindanao,” Art Boncato, Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Region 11, was quoted in the same statement.
Boncato said tourism is “a major economic driver for Mindanao.”
The island-region’s potential for nature-based and cultural tourism is one of the best in the country and that “strategic infrastructure support ensures its sustainability,” he said.
The advocacy for Mindanao’s equitable share in the national budget is one of the strategies identified towards achieving the overall peace and development goals for Mindanao in the next 20 years.
According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020), tourism development “can be a win-win for the economy and environment and must be pursued vigorously through policy reform and public investments. “
The promotion of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as premier ecotourism destination also provides substantial growth potential in Mindanao tourism.
In the medium term (2011-2016), DOT has taken a cluster approach in pursuing tourism promotion, with nine defined clusters for Mindanao highlighting various types of tourism assets.
The clusters include the Surigao-Dinagat islands, Cagayan de Oro-Tangub coast and hinterland, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bukidnon highlands, among others. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)
 
==South Cotabato sets MOOE budget cuts due to reduction of IRA share==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=373095
*September 16, 2011, 1:41 pm
: by  (PNA) LAP/AVE/HST
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato is cutting back on its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) by next year due to the reduction of its annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share from the national government.
 
Elvira Rafael, South Cotabato provincial treasurer, said the provincial government received a notice that it will get an IRA share of P751 million for next year, which is down by P36 million from this year’s P787.8 million allotment.
 
For the entire province, which is composed of 11 towns and lone city, she said the total IRA share for next year will be reduced to P2.1 billion or a P104.16 million drop from this year’s P2.21 billion.
 
Rafael said the provincial government, which is currently preparing its 2012 budget, is implementing cuts in its MOOE budget for next year due to its reduced IRA share.
 
“We will not be cutting our budget for basic services but only for the MOOE. This includes purchases for office supplies, gasoline, oil and lubricants, electricity and water consumptions, among others,” she said.
 
Rafael also said the third tranche of the salary increase for provincial government workers next year will not be affected by the budget cut.
 
The IRA share of local government units (LGUs) represent 40 percent of the national internal revenue taxes collected in the third fiscal year before the current fiscal year.
 
The IRA sources are income tax; estate and donors’ tax; value-added tax; other percentage taxes; excise taxes; documentary stamp taxes; and such other taxes that may be imposed and collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
 
Rafael said Koronadal City, which is a component city of South Cotabato, is getting an IRA cut of around P20 million after its total share of P425.59 million this year will further reduce to P405.2 million next year.
 
The municipality of Sto. Nino, which received an IRA share of 57.12 million this year, posted the least cut for next year with only P2.45 million.
 
Rafael said the huge reduction in Koronadal City’s IRA share for next year was triggered by the earlier conversion of 16 municipalities in the country into cities.
 
==British environmental experts dispute EIA study of South Cotabato mine operator==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=372800
*September 15, 2011, 4:29 pm
: by  (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE/RSS
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 15 (PNA) -– Two British environmental experts are set to arrive in this city next week to contest the results of the newly-completed environmental impact assessment (EIA) study of foreign-backed mining firm Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) for its proposed large-scale copper and gold mining project in the tri-boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur provinces.
 
Rene Pamplona, advocacy officer of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel, said Thursday the British experts were invited by local Catholic Church leaders to attend the scheduled presentation of SMI’s EIA study on Sept. 23 in this city.
 
He said they are planning to mobilize at least 5,000 people to fill the South Cotabato gymnasium during SMI’s EIA presentation.
 
“The two foreign experts will present on behalf of the anti-mining advocates. A 3-D [three dimensional] map will also be presented involving the affected communities,” he said.
 
Pamplona identified the environmental experts as Clive Wicks and Robert Goodland, author of “Philippines: Mining or Food?” a book report that highlight the threats that mining poses to food security.
 
The report, which examined six mining sites in the country, including the Tampakan project, was a follow-up to “Mining in the Philippines: Concerns and Conflicts (January 2007),” which documented the negative effects of mining on the environment and peoples’ livelihood.
 
The latter report was based on the fact-finding mission led by Hon. Clare Short MP, a member of the British Parliament and former UK Minister for International Development.
 
In February 2008, the UK based Working Group on Mining in the Philippines (WGMP), commissioned the two environmental experts to visit the Philippines in order to investigate more fully, document and map some key sites targeted for mining.
 
Goodland worked for the World Bank Group for 23 years, as senior environmental advisor. Wicks worked in the corporate sector for many years and then for the Worldwide Fund for Nature and served as the vice-chair of IUCN-Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (IUCN-CEESP). IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
 
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said the public forum was meant to hear the side of those against the Tampakan project, particularly their take on the EIA study of Sagittarius Mines.
 
“Hopefully, this will guide the Sangguniang Panlalawigan with regards to the request to review the environment code that bans open-pit mining,” he said.
 
==Prov’l LGU, charity group holds grand surgical mission for IPs, indigents==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=54086
*Wednesday, September 14, 2011
:by PIA Press Release
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Hundred of indigents, indigenous peoples, and retirees who need surgical procedures but are unable to avail of medical services for reasons of financial incapacity and lack of services can avail of free surgical services in a five-day surgical mission here starting September 25. “The Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc., (MCFI) together with provincial government of South Cotabato and the Koronadal Lodge 209 of Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a surgical mission at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center from September 25 to 29,” board member Dr. Ervin Luntao announced yesterday. He said among the conditions that will be operated free of charge during the medical mission include cleft palate, cataract (including pterygium), stradismus or cross-eyes, goiter, hernia among children five years old or younger, and minor cysts. Dental services will also be available. “This is the first major surgical mission in South Cotabato under the management of Gov. Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy Jr.” he said. Dr. Rizal Aportadera, president of MCFI, said the medical mission in Koronadal will be their 49th mission in Mindanao and their first in South Cotabato. “We are giving surgical services exclusively for indigents who cannot afford surgical operations and indigenous peoples who lack opportunities to avail of costly procedures,” Dr. Aportadera said. “We are also giving the same services to retirees in government and private sectors.” MCFI was created in 1973 to give free medical treatment for the poor. Its office is located at J.P Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City. MCFI started conducting medical missions in 2000. “Our objective is to give specialized and rehabilitative operations,” he added. “Specialized because the doctors we bring in the medical missions are all specialists and rehabilitative because the patients’ defects and deformities are corrected and they given opportunities to be restore their confidence and become productive citizens,” Dr. Aportadera added. For the medical mission in South Cotabato, MCFI will be bringing at least 35 specialists, including eye doctors, plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and general surgeons along with other medical staff including as nurses, medical technologists and others. He said, on regular medical missions they serve at least 60 to 100 surgical patients each for eye operations, cleft palate correction, and minor surgeries. More patients are served in dental services. “We are very glad that the Maharlika Charity Foundation has chosen Cotabato for their surgical mission,” Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa said. Vice Gov. Tolosa’s office is among the offices listing names of possible patients who will undergo surgical procedures. Other offices where interested individuals can go to be listed are Office of the Governor, Office of Board Member Luntao, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Radio Mindanao Network and Bombo Radyo Koronadal. Listing of patients in these offices is still on-going. Candidates for surgery will be gathered by the provincial government for a briefing on September 20. An advance team of the MCFI will conduct initial screening and laboratory examinations on September 25. Actual operations will start at September 26. “Screening and of candidates lab tests are necessary to provide maximum safety for all procedures, especially among children and the elderlies,” Aportadera said. Medicines for post-operation treatment will also be provided free. Patients who will develop complications after the operation are also assured of continuous medical care from MCFI doctors. (PIA 12)
 
==SouthCot worried over bird flu==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/13/southcot-worried-over-bird-flu/
*Tuesday| September 13, 2011
:By Allen V. Estabillo
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 September) – Veterinary personnel in South Cotabato province have intensified their monitoring against the possible entry of H5N1 Avian Influenza or bird flu virus in the province following the resurgence of the deadly disease in several parts of Southeast Asia.
Dr. Raul Teves, Veterinarian IV of the South Cotabato Provincial Veterinary Office, said they have launched a series of random tests on chickens, ducks and other poultry species in several parts of the province for possible infection of the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus.
He said they were specifically testing six blood samples every week of various poultry animals from selected areas of the province.
“This is a precautionary measure since the province is adjacent to the areas that are considered as highly vulnerable for the possible entry of bird flu,” he said in a radio interview.
Teves said Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao’s Avian Influenza Task Force had identified the coastal areas of nearby Sarangani province and several wetlands in the region that have been drawing migratory birds from the neighboring countries as possible entry points of the disease.
He said the task force is mainly concerned with the possible entry of infected birds and poultry species from Indonesia through Sarangani’s coastal areas.
The national government earlier activated task forces against bird flu from the national down to the municipal levels to prevent its entry into the country, which has remained free of the disease.
As part of such mandate, Teves said they have linked up with local government units of the province’s 10 municipalities and lone city to assist their monitoring activities.
Avian Influenza, which has already affected 10 countries in Asia, mainly infects poultry species and has already resulted in mass deaths and destruction of chickens and other poultry such as ducks, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted.
But it said the infected poultry can transmit the virus to humans and lead to severe disease that may result to death.
As of August 9, the WHO already recorded five confirmed deaths due to bird flu in Indonesia out of the seven positive cases that were reported in the area this year. Seven bird flu deaths were also recorded this year in Cambodia.
Teves said the task force has been also monitoring the migratory birds that have been flocking to a bird sanctuary in Barangay Baras in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.
The city government of Tacurong, which has been developing the bird sanctuary as a tourist destination, reported that around 7,700 migratory birds, mostly herons, have been flocking to the area every year.
For their part, Teves said they have doubled their watch on palay farms near Tacurong City that are frequented by mobile duck growers.
He said local duck growers usually lease palay farms in some parts of the province for several weeks after the harvest season, which start every late August.
Owing to this, Teves said they have scheduled the random tests for bird flu this month in palay-producing areas in Tantangan and Norala
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