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


Both General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani province Gov. Migs Dominguez led the Earth Hour campaigns. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
Both General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani province Gov. Migs Dominguez led the Earth Hour campaigns. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)   
 
==Agri official urges farmers to take care of farm machineries==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333168703
*Saturday 31st of March 2012
:by  (With report from Lito Salvo/DA-RAFID 12) (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 31 (PIA) -- Agiculture assistant secretary Dante S. de Lima yesterday urged farmers to adopt as their own the farm machineries that the Department of Agriculture has distributed to them.
 
De Lima was here for the turn-over of P18.6 million worth of threshers, hand tractors, and four-wheel drive tractors to 126 farmer groups across Soccsksargen Region; the turn-over ceremony was held at DA’s Research Outreach Station in Tupi, South Cotabato.
 
He also awarded P2.4 million worth of other agricultural machines to five best performing irrigators’ associations.
 
“We hope that you will take of these farm machineries. You are very fortunate to have been chosen to receive these,” he said.
 
Earlier, DA 12 regional executive director Amalia Jayag-Datukan these explained these machineries were provided by DA “in line with the Agri Pinoy Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) which is pushed by Sec Alcala and one of the top priorities of President Benigno Aquino.”
 
The is specifically undertaken under the Agri Pinoy Rice Program’s Mechanization Project that aims to enable farmers to improve their productivity through appropriate and efficient mechanization facilities.
 
Under the scheme DA pays for 85 percent of the cost of quality farm machineries while the remaining 15 percent is shouldered as equity of the farmer group cooperator.
 
Among those turned-over to farmer organizations in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces and General Santos and Cotabato cities were 37 rice threshers, 112 hand tractors and 5 four-wheel drive tractors.
 
This “85-15% counterpart scheme”, she added, “encourages a sense of ownership for the part of the beneficiaries.”
 
To ensure the successful implementation of these projects, she added, a team from DA would closely supervise and regularly monitor the farm equipment given to the beneficiaries. She also reminded them to make use of the machines only for purposes they were intended and not to sell or mortgage them.
 
Asec de Lima further explained that the machineries distributed yesterday were part of allocations approved in 2011.
 
“Farm machineries for 2012, are expected to be delivered in August,” he said.
 
Also distributed yesterday were units of hand tractors with trailers, hermetic cocoons, and portable dryers given as incentives to five outstanding irrigators’ associations in the region namely: PULMAKA IA, MAREMCO IA, LD1C IA, MASBACAS IA and Roxas Silang IA.
 
De Lima, who is also the national rice program coordinator, explained these farm machineries were granted to IAs to encourage them further to optimize the production potentials in their area.
 
Besides farm machineries, DA 12 also turned over 5.6 million pesos worth of certificates for the 45 units Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement (MPDP).
 
Earlier, DA has also distributed a total of 3,116 bags of registered seeds to rice farmers while ten (10) carabaos and farm implements were given to outstanding IA’s in Region 12.
 
In response, provincial agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste, said: “The provincial government of South Cotabato, farmers and fisherfolks would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to our Secretary represented by Asec de Lima.”
 
For his part, Sultan Kudarat provincial agriculturist Nestor Kasador said: “This really spells a big difference to develop the agriculture sector in the region. Farmers from our province are very happy knowing that they would get farm machineries from DA.”
 
Dante Cudal, president of the North Cotabato Irrigator’s Associations, said: “Ang DA ang nagbigay liwanag sa buhay ng mga magsasaka,nagbibigay ng mga tunay na programa. Kaya, nandirito ako upang pasalamatan ang DA. Salamat at dumating na ang tunay na Kagawaran ng Agrikultura.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Koronadal City's Earth Hour activities to last 15 hours==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333090936
*Friday 30th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 30 (PIA) -- “On March 31 at 8:30 pm, every resident and business in Koronadal City will switch off lights for one hour to send off a powerful message of commitment to lasting action against climate change,” thus says the message posted at the official website of Koronadal City government.
 
However, city environment and natural resources officer Augustus Bretaña emphasized, the celebration here won’t be as simple as putting off switches and turning off home appliances from 8:30 to 9:30 in the evening.
 
Instead, it will last at least 15 hours and involves several important activities that highlight the importance of environmental protection to mitigate the effects of climate change.
 
According to the program of activities sent to Philippine Information Agency 12 this morning, celebrations will start with an eco-invocation and ecumenical prayer at 6:30 in the morning, which will be followed by a symposium on climate change.
 
Signing of the “Manifesto of Support to the Environmental Causes” by all the participants will be among the highlights of affair.
 
At the symposium, Bretaña will present the city environmental action plan.
 
It will also feature advocacy messages from Mayor Peter Miguel for the LGU, city schools division superintendent Isagani dela Cruz for education sector; SP committee chairman for environment Gregorio Ogoy for the city council; City of Koronadal Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Danilo Ong for the non-government organizations and Notre Dame of Marbel University president Bro. Wilfredo Lubrico for the city green schools.
 
Environmental advocate Philline Marie Paye-Donggay will be the main speaker. She will present the science of climate, change, the Climate Change Reality Project, and the solutions to climate change.
 
Before the actual switching off of lights, participants will be joining Earth Hour 2012 Biking dubbed as “Earth Hour: Riding Beyond the Hour” and Earth Hour 2012 Night Walk, (a 3.5 kilometer walk) from Gaisano Grand Mall to Ace Centerpoint Supermarket where a candle lighting will be held in time for the Earth Hour and finally, lighting and releasing of sky lanterns.
 
Bretaña and other city government officials have repeatedly reminded residents of the city and its barangays as well as establishments, academe, government offices, business, and other sectors here to support the activity by putting all electric-powered lights and appliances off for one hour, starting at 8:30 p.m.
 
Other local government units are also enjoined to support the Earth Hour by conducting similar activities or by joining the celebration here.
 
“Earth Hour is a symbolic activity geared toward giving emphasis to finding solutions to climate change,” he explained.
 
“Our efforts should not end with Earth Hour celebration, but should be a lifetime commitment,” he added.
 
Meanwhile, General Manager Santiago Tudio of the South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1) said they might implement 15 minutes to 30 minutes power shut-off in some parts of the city where the activity will be held.
 
Most likely, he said, the brownout will affect the areas along General Santos Drive and Alunan Avenue.
 
“We cannot implement a full hour power shut-off because participation to Earth Hour is voluntary,” he said. “After the 15 to 30 selective brownout, it would be the decision of households to continue switching off lights and appliances to complete the one hour.”
 
To encourage wider documentation of the city’s Earth Hour celebration, the city government will has also opened Earth Hour 2012 photo contest. Winning entries will be featured in the upcoming Kanami Koronadal Special Edition Magazine.
 
==Farmer associations, IAs receive P21-M farm machineries from DA==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611333004312
*Thursday 29th of March 2012
:by Allan Pasaol
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 29 (PIA) –- Some 131 farmer groups and irrigators' associations in Soccsksargen region will receive P21-million worth of farm machineries from the Department of Agriculture on March 30.
 
Information from DA 12 indicated that these include P18.6-million worth of machineries to 126 farmer groups in four provinces and two cities in the region under the Agri-Pinoy program and P2.4 million worth of machineries as award to five outstanding irrigators’ associations in the area.
 
DA-12 regional director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, these will be distributed to the farmer groups’ and IA’s respective governors and chief executives in a turnover ceremony at the Research Outreach Station in Tupi, South Cotabato.
 
Congressional representatives of districts where they belong are also invited to witness “the realization of these noble initiatives” considering that they too took part in achieving these.
 
Machineries set for distribution to 126 farmers’ groups include 37 rice threshers, 112 hand tractors, and 5 four-wheel drive tractors.
 
The project is part of the Agri Pinoy Rice Program’s Mechanization Project to provide mechanization facilities to enable farmers improve their productivity thru appropriate and efficient mechanization technologies.
 
“This is in line with the Agri Pinoy Food Staple Sufficiency Program pushed by secretary Alcala, which is also one of the top priorities of President Benigno Aquino III,” Datukan added.
 
Beneficiaries of these interventions are registered farmer-cooperators willing to collaborate in the implementation of the program.
 
By province, distribution of the farm machineries will be as follows: 33 hand tractors, 11 threshers and two 4-WD tractors for North Cotabato Province; 34) hand tractors, 10 threshers and two 4-WD tractors for Sultan Kudarat; 33 hand tractors, 11 threshers and one 4-WD tractor for South Cotabato; and 9 hand tractors and 4 threshers for Sarangani Province.
 
Two hand tractors and one 1 thresher will be awarded to farmers in General Santos City while a unit of hand tractor will be given to farmers in Cotabato City.
 
Datukan explained that 85 percent of the total estimated cost will be shouldered by DA and the remaining 15 percent equity will be the paid by the proponent farmer-cooperators.
 
This “85-15% counterpart scheme” encourages a sense of ownership for the beneficiaries, she said.
 
“Beneficiaries should utilize the mechanization facilities in accordance with their intended use, allow access and use by farmer-members and shall not in any way sell or mortgage the units,” she emphasized.
 
Just recently, Datukan along with the bids and awards committee chairman RTD Jimmy M. Olivo and other BAC and technical working Group members conducted inspection to ensure that the units are in place, of good quality and will satisfy farmers’ aspirations to own durable farm machineries.
 
“Our farmers deserve the best quality. This is the reason why DA now has strengthened the Bids and Awards Procurement process,” as embodied in Government Procurement Reform Act or Republic Act 9184, she added.
 
Besides farmer-cooperators, five irrigators’ associations are also set to receive machineries from Sec. Alcala in recognition of the former’s exemplary performance.
 
IAs that will receive incentives are PULMAKA IA that will receive four hand tractors with trailer, two hermetic cocoons and two portable dryers; MAREMCO IA (two hand tractors with trailer, two hermetic cocoons and two portable dryers); LD1C IA (one hand tractor with trailer, one hermetic cocoon and one portable dryer); MASBACAS IA (one hand tractor with trailer, one hermetic cocoon and one portable dryer) and; Roxas Silang IA (one hand tractor with trailer, one hermetic cocoon and one portable dryer).
 
Besides congress representatives and local chief executives, DA 12 also expects the presence of Sec. Alcala and Assistant Secretary Dante Delima in the turn-over ceremony.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Wage board recommends P10 – P14 wage hike in Soccsksargen Region==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332914560
*Wednesday 28th of March 2012
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 28 (PIA) -- A new wage rate for laborers in the private sector in Soccsksargen Region could be implemented soon, a labor official here said.
 
Labor and employment regional director Chona Mantilla confirmed in a radio interview yesterday that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) – 12 has decided to recommend “increase in the minimum wage ranging from P10 to P14 daily.”
 
“If this is approved (by the National Wages and Productivity Commission) the new minimum daily wage in the region would range from P246 to P270,” she said.
 
During its meeting on Monday, the RTWPB-12 decided that there are enough reasons to increase the basic pay of workers in Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces as well as in General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan, Tacurong, and Cotabato cities.
 
Among the factors that the board considered in coming up with the decision were the economic data provided by the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry, the capacity of the employers to pay, and the economic requirements of the labor sector with the increasing prices of basic goods and services.
 
Mantilla , however, clarified the recommendation for the increase would still need review and approval by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
 
“So far, based on our records, the NWPC has not yet disapproved recommendations for wage hike from the RTWPBs,” she said.
 
Once approved by the national commission, the new wage order goes through 15-day publication before becoming officially effective.
 
“We hope to be able to implement the new wage order on or before May 1,” Mantilla said.
 
RTWPB-12 secretary Jessie dela Cruz explained further that the board decided to integrate the P15-cost of living allowance (COLA) ordered in the Wage Order No. 16 (which became effective on October 31, 2010) into the basic pay and decided that the proposed increase will be given as COLA.
 
At present, based on Wage Order No. 16, minimum wages in the region stand at P260 for non-agriculture workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for non-plantation agriculture workers, P240 for retail/service establishments employing more than 10 people, and P234 for retail/service establishments employing less than 10 people.
 
If the proposal is approved the new minimum daily rates would range from low of P246 to high of P270. Dela Cruz, however, did not disclose how much increase is recommended for each of the labor sub-sectors.
 
Meanwhile, Director Mantilla also disclosed that they will soon begin orientation of management and labor sectors regarding the two-tier wage system being proposed by DOLE.
 
The two-tiered wage system consists of a mandatory regional wage floor and a productivity or performance-based wage scheme.
 
The wage floor shall be the lowest wage in the region; this should be required of all employers in the private sector.
 
The second part of the wage system, a pay scheme given to workers based on productivity, shall be implemented on voluntary basis.
 
Mantilla said the orientations they will conduct will focus on the benefits of the new approach to both the management and workers.
 
==DOH 12 to intensify campaign on TB in children==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332825665
*Tuesday 27th of March 2012
:by Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 27 (PIA) -- Health officials in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 plan to strengthen its campaign on the identification and treatment of children affected by TB.
 
Data released by the Department of Health-12 (DOH) during the World TB Day celebration on Saturday indicate that of the 8,012 TB cases in the region in 2011, 801 were children below 15 years.
 
Dr. Arlene Taruc, regional TB program manager, however, said cases of children with TB could be higher than the reported 9.5 percent of the total TB cases in the region if all of the actual cases of children with TB were covered.
 
DOH-12 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar admitted that the agency as well as a the public should give more attention on tuberculosis among children.
 
Besides their regular information drive, Dr. Convocar also asked the media to help inform the public of this important concern.
 
“We have to remember that when their parents, relatives, or helpers have TB, most likely the children also have TB,” she said.
 
Coughs among children who had contact with TB patients, she said, should not be taken for granted. So, when the adult TB patient goes to the health center for their regular treatment, children should also be brought along for testing, she added.
 
“In this way, we will be able to control the illness at an earlier stage and prevent the development of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB,” she said.
 
“All our health units have a treatment regimen for TB in children. Medicines, as well as doctors’ services, are free.”
 
One of the 28 MDR-TB patients being treated at the Programmatic Multi-Drug Resistant (PMDT) Treatment Center at the Koronadal City Health Office is only 17 years old.
 
Dr. Taruc further explained that children are particularly vulnerable to the diseases because their contact with other people as well as fellow school children who may be carriers of the mycobacterium tuberculei organism are not always monitored.
 
Dr. Taruc added that the had already informed barangay health workers to intensify their campaign on TB in children in their respective areas.
 
DOH is also encouraging creation of barangay health teams to reach out to at least 100 families; their work includes close monitoring of residents with TB. (DED-PIA 12)
 
==Tribal folks oppose relocation from South Cotabato mining area==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=415413
*March 26, 2012, 8:48 pm
:by (PNA)
FFC/AVE/RSS
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 26 (PNA) -- Tribal communities opposing the large-scale copper and gold mining project of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in the mountains of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur provinces have set up barricades and roadblocks anew in the area in a latest show of opposition to the project.
 
The roadblocks were set up by residents belonging to the B’laan tribe in major roads covering Barangay Danlag in Tampakan, South Cotabato to portions of Kiblawan town in Davao del Sur.
 
The tribal communities in Sitios Bongsbang and Alyong in Barangay Danlag in Tampakan and Nakultana and Lapla in Bongmal District of Barangay Kimlawis in Kiblawan said they set up the barricades to oppose SMI’s relocation plan for them.
 
“The community was shocked by the relocation notice. I don’t want my family relocated,” local leader Juli Samling told reporters in the vernacular.
 
Samling said they put up the roadblocks after SMI posted tarpaulins outlining the terms for its proposed relocation project, without allegedly explaining to them what it was all about.
 
The company’s tarpaulins announced that March 22 should have been the cut-off date for those that would want inclusion to the relocation plans.
 
Fr. Guillarme Joy Peliño, Social Action Center director of the Diocese of Marbel, said the barricades initiated by the tribal members showed their discontent to the mining project.
 
“They have spoken and their voices should be respected by the company,” said the priest, who denied the local Catholic Church egged the tribal communities into setting the barricades.
 
John B. Arnaldo, SMI corporate communication manager, said they have conducted initial dialogues with the tribal and barangay council leaders of the “project affected persons” (PAPs) who may be resettled if the Tampakan copper-gold project is approved.
 
Arnaldo said the consultation process is in accordance with the Philippine government’s regulatory requirements, relevant international IFC standards and the policies of SMI and its managing shareholder, Xstrata Copper.
 
As part of the resettlement consultation process, SMI has posted the cut-off date for the benefit of the communities to serve as reference of assets as of March 22.
 
“This process has been widely appreciated by the respective tribal and barangay council leaders of affected communities, and for them to communicate this to their community members,” he said.
 
==Increase in TB cases may mean improved reporting system - DOH-12==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332659940
*Sunday 25th of March 2012
:by (DED/PIA12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 25 (PIA) -- The increase in the number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in Soccsksargen may be a positive development according to the Department of Health (DOH).
 
 
Regional data of the National TB Program released by DOH Region 12 on Friday indicated that in 2011, the region had 8,012 TB cases, which is higher than the 7,895 cases in 2010 and 6,801 cases in 2009.
 
 
“The increase in the reported number of cases does not necessarily mean accretion in the TB cases in the region,” Dr. Marlyn Convocar, the new director of DOH 12, told local reporters.
 
 
“This could possibly mean improvement in our reporting system and an increase of patients seeking treatment with government health facilities because of our campaign and with the help of the media to encourage the public to seek help against the disease,” she said.
 
 
Dr. Amebella Taruc, regional TB program manager also reasoned that the increase in TB cases also translates to improved awareness of the public regarding the services provided by government health centers for TB treatment.
 
 
“People have become aware that health centers are now capable of providing quality TB services,” she said.
 
 
“What is more positive about this is that these 8,000 patients with TB have received treatment.”
 
 
According to the 2011 TB cases report, Soccsksargen region has a cure rate of 82.2 percent.
 
 
Convocar, however, explained the data on the cure rate was still incomplete.
 
 
“Reports on the cure rate from Sultan Kudarat are still not available,” she said. “Once the report is completed, I am sure that we have achieved more compared to the 85 percent target set by the World Health Organization.”
 
 
Sultan Kudarat reported only 66.66 percent cure rate, the lowest in the region. Cotabato reported a cure rate of 97 percent while South Cotabato reported a cure rate of 88 percent.
 
 
In accordance to the celebration of the World TB day yesterday, March 24, health officials reiterated their call to persons who suspect of TB infection to seek immediate treatment.
 
 
Taruc pointed out that all health centers in the regions, even the rural health unit in villages are capable of administering TB treatment.
 
 
“All of our health units are supplied with complete medicines for the treatment of TB. These medicines are absolutely free,” Taruc emphasized. “We have also established microscopy centers in many locations.”
 
 
Patients who need x-ray services are also being referred by rural health units to government health facilities, she said.
 
 
This year’s World TB Day carries the slogan, “Stop TB in my lifetime.”
 
==2-hour rotational brownout in Mindanao to last until April==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/03/24/2-hour-rotational-brownout-mindanao-last-until-april-212969
*Saturday, March 24, 2012
:by  (Sunnex)
 
 
THE power load curtailment of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) in General Santos City, some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province will last until April.
 
The two-hour rotational brownout started last March 05 and will last until April 1.
 
In its Socoteco II advisory, the electric cooperative based the rotational brownout on the power advisory released by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines saying that the Mindanao grid is on red alert status due to generation deficiency.
 
==DENR, LGU-Maitum to boost ecotourism==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332487223
*Friday 23rd of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/CGValdez/MCalungsod-Locsin/DENR 12 )
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 23 (PIA) -- In an effort to develop local ecotourism, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a meeting recently with key officials and staff of the Municipality of Maitum in the province of Sarangani.
 
The meeting held last March 16 at the Municipal Hall of Maitum coincided with the practicum of the cave assessment seminar-workshop, thus affording the DENR and LGU officials an opportune time to discuss initiatives on the LGU’s ecotourism efforts.
 
Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille R. Perett welcomed the move of the DENR towards the development and promotion of sustainable tourism in the region.
 
“It hurts to see the degradation of environment which is common almost everywhere. I want to spare our municipality from total destruction of forest cover and vegetation,” Mayor Perett said.
 
DENR 12 Protected Areas and Wildlife Division chief Ali M. Hadjinasser told LGU officials that projects on ecotourism activities proposed by the municipality should pass through the Regional Ecotourism Council (REC) for review, assessment, and sanctions.
 
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the DENR take turns every three years in leading the REC, with DENR taking the helm of the REC with Regional Executive Director Alfredo S. Pascual as Chair and adviser on matters related to the administration and technical aspects of Ecotourism Areas. The DOT Regional Director acts as Co-Chair of REC, Hadjinasser said.
 
Maitum Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member and Committee on Culture, Arts and Tourism Chair Jess C. Bascuña presented the Municipality’s Ecotourism Master Plan.
 
“We are happy that the DENR is willing to extend assistance to facilitate the implementation of our ecotourism program,” he said.
 
DENR Regional Focal Person on Ecotourism Engineer Rosalinda Cortez discussed some strategies for successful ecotourism development, explaining that there should be a balance among ecological sustainability, economic viability and social equitability; community participation is also vital and regarded as a capital in ecotourism.
 
“Let us prioritize activities that preserve the nature and originality of the area,” Cortez added.
 
The DENR has been tasked to ensure ecotourism development while maintaining a healthy environment and sustainable use of the country’s natural resources for the present and future generations.
 
==So. Cotabato retains title as CRAA champion==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611332389837
*Thursday 22nd of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 22 (PIA)—For  the second  year in a row, South Cotabato’s  athletic  delegation  clinched  the championship title of the  Cotabato Regional Athletic Association  (CRAA) Meet held  here from March 18 to 21.
Summary of results  released by  CRAA  2012 chief recorder Christopher Frusa  showed  that  South Cotabato  garnered  a total  of 621 points  besting  2010 champion  General Santos  City, which  earned 507 points.
Cotabato  Province and  Koronadal  City  were  second  runner up  and  third runner up, respectively.
The  host province’s  lead came  from boys’ and girls’ athletics  in elementary and high school where it  got 120 points.
It also  showed  supremacy in  softball, swimming, and volleyball  in  elementary girls as  well as  baseball, basketball,  and  volleyball  in elementary  boys.
Its  high school  contingent reigned in  boxing (boys) and  tennis (girls).
First  runner  up General  Santos City  won first place in  elementary  girls’ women’s artistic  gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, Taekwondo;  secondary boys’ chess, men’s  artistic  gymnastics,  taekwondo; and, secondary girls’ basketball, chess, rhythmic gymnastic, women’s  artistic gymnastics, and  taekwondo.
South Cotabato  schools district  physical education supervisor  Pedro Dajay  attributed their victory to the discipline that the athletes  have shown.
The provincial  government  earlier alloted  P350,000  for  the  incentives of winning athletes  but  because South Cotabato  players  performed better than expected , the  budget  was insufficient to cover  for the prizes  for the  winners originally  promised them.
“Instead  of P3,000,  gold  medalists  were only  given P1,000,” Dajay said.  Silver medal  winners  received P700  instead of P1,000 while those who won  bronze received P500.
However,  Dajay said  they  have already asked for additional allocation  for this  purpose from the provincial  government.
“We will  give  additional  incentive  to  winning athletes once the  provincial  government  approves  our request  for extra funds,” he promised. 
On  his part, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy  said  he has  already  considered  allocating  more  funds to  pay for  the incentives of the  athletes and  added that  he has already talked  with Vice  Gov. Elmo Tolosa  regarding  sources  of  funds  for this.
He also congratulated the  officials, coaches and  athletes  for  retaining  the championship title  but  also  challenged  them  achieve  the  same feat  next  year;  he  also implied  willingness to  host the regional sports meet  for the third year.
More than  100  athletes  from South Cotabato  have  qualified to represent  Soccsksargen region in the Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan in May. Although the actual number of  athletes  that will compose the  region's  delegation  has yet to be  ascertained, Dajay assured that  the largest  bulk  of  athletes  will  come  from the  host province.
 
==Mentors undergo seminar on public accountability, values enhancement==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332316076
*Wednesday 21st of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) 
 
 
KORONADAL CITY,  South Cotabato,  March 21 (PIA)  -- At least  295 elementary and  high school  teachers in nearby Tampakan underwent  a  two-day  seminar on public accountability and  values  enhancement.
Schools  district  supervisor  Ramona F. Bangoc, said  the seminar  held  at  the municipal gymnasium on  March  16 and 17  was aimed at  refreshing the  school  teachers of their  responsibilities and improve their appreciation of their  conduct  as public servants.
They were also  reminded  against  practicing  deeds  that can be considered  corrupt, Bangoc  added, and encouraged  them to do  what is  required of  public servants  such as  being punctual and  using  government property only for which  these are intended.
Specific  topics  centered  on  important  laws  and regulations pertaining to government  service.
Among those  discussed were  Republic Act 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices  Act),  Revised  Penalties  for Administrative Offenses, and RA 7877 (Sexual Harassment Act of 1995).
Speakers  included  officers of the  Office of the Ombudsman:  Jeannie Escolano, regional  director of the Council  for  the  Restoration of  Filipino Values - Corruption Prevention Unit of the Office of the Ombudsman  along with other  action officers of the  council.
Sangguniang Bayan  member Eduardo  Pinngoy  Sr. who represented  Mayor Leonardo Escobillo  congratulated  both the  organizers  and participants, pointing out that  the seminar is important  in the  delivery of  service  by public servants.
He encouraged the participants to  become models in public  accountability  and  values  in the  eyes of their community, parents, and  school children.
 
==Philippine Science High School in Koronadal opens in 2013 – DOST 12==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332222666
*Tuesday 20th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12  with  report from BKTagitican & GEOSiladan/DOST-12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY,  South Cotabato, March  20 (PIA) --  The Philippine  Science High School (PSHS)  here  could  begin accepting  the  brightest  students  of Soccsksargen Region  and  neighboring  areas  starting school  year  2013- 2014, an official of the Department of Science and Technology  confirmed.
DOST  12 Regional Director  Dr. Zenaida P.  Hadji Raof-Laidan, told  Philippine Information Agency-12 today  that  the  Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PSHS system has formally approved the setting up of a campus in Koronadal City, the administrative seat of  Region 12.
“This is part of the efforts to put up a  Philippine Science High School in every administrative region across the country to bring closer to the grassroots quality education highly focused on science, technology and mathematics,”  Dr. Laidan said.
Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo chairs the BOT and Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro sits as vice chairman. The members include 11 others from the government, academe and private sectors.
Dr. Laidan said the BOT finally gave its go signal after the provincial government of South Cotabato promised to donate  4.5-hectare property  in Barangay Paraiso that  the  LGU  bought  for  P7.3 million specifically  for this  purpose. 
The campus is situated  in an  area where  the  state-of-the-art  Philippine National Halal Laboratory and Science Center of DOST  shall also rise. 
In February, South Cotabato  Gov. Arthur  Y. Pingoy  Jr. announced the  provincial government is allocating  P5 million to help fast track the  construction of  the  buildings of PSHS campus  and  to  augment the  P5 million earlier pledged by  Youth Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) party-list Rep.  Carol Jayne Lopez.
Laidan said construction works will immediately commence after the formal turnover of the property to the PSHS, and that they are hopeful the school could begin operation next year. The turnover is still being worked out with Secretary Montejo expected to grace the event.
The PSHS, which is an attached agency of the DOST, is patterned after the Bronx High School of Science in New York City. It was created for the purpose of giving an education highly enriched in science and mathematics to exceptionally gifted Filipino children.
“The PSHS campus will not only boost quality education in South Cotabato but also throughout Region 12 and other neighboring regions,” Dr. Laidan said.
Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
A PSHS campus usually includes  school buildings, laboratories, dormitory, canteen and sports facilities, among other amenities.
Once completed  the campus in Koronadal  City  will be  the  country’s  ninth PSHS site  and the  third in Mindanao; the first two  are  located in Tubod, Lanao del Norte (Region 10)  and  Tugbok, Davao City (Region 12).
Its main campus is in  Diliman, Quezon City. It also has  campuses in  San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur; Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya; Goa, Camarines Sur; Palo, Leyte; Iloilo City; Argao, Cebu; and Clark  Freeport, Pampanga.
The PSHS accepts only the best and brightest high school students through a rigid screening process.
All students of PSHS schools are  scholars  who  enjoy  free tuition fee, free loan of text books, monthly stipend,  and uniform, transportation and living allowances for low income groups.
 
==Koronadal City to build class “AA” slaughterhouse==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332139911
*Monday 19th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March  19 (PIA) --  A  Class “AA” compliant  slaughterhouse  or abattoir  will soon rise in Koronadal City, an  official  of the  local  government  confirmed  today.
Acting  city treasurer  Marlon Gumbao  said,  public  bidding  for  P4.7-million  abattoir  is underway; bids  are  expected  to be  opened  this week.
“Construction of the slaughterhouse  could begin in April if the  project  is awarded to the winning  bidder next week,”  he said. This  should be  completed  before  2012  ends.
The plan  to  put up  a class  “AA”  slaughterhouse is  in accordance  with  Mayor Peter B. Miguel’s  move  to  improve  safety and  quality of  meat products  processed  in the city  as well as  improve the LGU’s  revenues.
The drawing up of the specific  plans for  the  abattoir  was  done  in close  coordination  with the  National Meat  Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of  Agriculture  to make sure that the  facility and its  equipment  will be  compliant with  “AA” classification standards, Gumbao said.
Once the  abattoir is  completed, the city  government  will apply  for  its  AA accreditation.
According to  Executive Order  No.  137 series of  1993  providing the  implementing rules and  regulations  governing the  devolution of  certain  powers and functions of then National Meat  Inspection Commission to LGUs  class  “AA” abattoirs are  “those with facilities and operational procedures sufficiently adequate that the livestock and fowls slaughtered therein are suitable for sale in any market domestic or international.”
“With  a class  ‘AA’ abattoir,  we can expect  four to  five times  increase  in our revenue  from the abattoir operations,”  Gumbao  said  because  local  meat  producers and  processors  could be  required to have their  livestock and poultry  prepared  in the facility.
“Unless  we have  ‘AA’ classification we cannot  compel  local  businesses and  meat producers to  have their  livestock and poultry processed in our  slaughterhouse.”
Gumbao, however, clarified,  having  an AA  facility would  not  necessarily mean an increase in fees “because such  would  need passage of an ordinance by the city council.”
“Mayor Miguel has  also  ordered  our office to  find all means  to improve our collection efficiency before increasing  standing  fees,” he said.
 
==Athletic meets instill values – DepEd official==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611332049333
*Sunday 18th of March 2012
:by Danilo E. Doguiles
 
KORONADA CITY, South Cotabato, March 18 (PIA) --  “Aside from  sifting  the best athletes in the regions,  athletic  meets provide  an  opportunity to  instill within  our young  people the most  important values that will keep  out country moving  forward: excellence, discipline and  nationalism,”  Dr. Jesson Butcon  said today.
Butcon, Basic  Education Sector  Reform Agency  coordinator  of Department of Education Central Office, was  keynote  speaker during today's  opening ceremony of the four-day Cotabato  Regional Athletic Association  (CRAA)  Meet  at the South Cotabato Sports Complex, in this city.
He said through sports as an  extra-curricular  activity, students  are  encouraged to be faster, higher, and stronger.
“But this is  not about  being better than others  but about improving  ourselves and our athletes to go as  far as their  limits  allow  them and to be able to take  a step  further, and doing  so may  require discipline,” he  said.
Through the series and levels of sports competitions, he said,  DepEd is honing students “to develop more than the skills to win  but the  heart  of  champion.”
“A real champion is one who has the heart that aspires to win for his  country,”  Butcon said.
Directly addressing the athletes, he said, “ang pagiging  atleta  ay higit  pa sa pagtutuos  at  pagwawagi. Layunin  nito ang mapabuti at mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng isang bata bilang isang manlalaro at higit sa  lahat bilang isang  tao upang mapabuti ang kanyang kamalayan sa sarili, sa kapwa, at sa bansa.”
At least  4,000 athletes,  coaches and  chaperons have converged  here today  for the  regional  sports competition that intends to  select  Soccsksargen region’s  delegates  to the  Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan  later this year.
Sports events  include athletics, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball,  gymnastics, swimming, arnis, badminton,  sepak-takraw, football, archery,  taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, boxing, and  chess.
On his part, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said  he agreed to  host  the CRAA meet  for  two  consecutive  years not only to show the modern sports facilities of the province, but also  to  promote  South Cotabato and  Soccsksargen Region as  a  peaceful and  secure place.
In  2011  Palarong Pambansa Soccsksargen  Region  only ranked  6th in the  regional standings  but placed  2nd as  most  disciplined  delegation and  3rd  jolliest delegation.
“We would like to add ‘most peaceful region’ to this award,”  Gov. Pingoy said.
“I hope that when  Dr. Butcon  returns  to Manila  he would become one of our  ambassadors of  goodwill who would tell other  people  that there  is no truth to the perception that South Cotabato and  Region 12 are  not peaceful,” he added.
He has also  been open  about his plan  to  bid  for the  hosting of  2014  Palarong  Pambansa. The  national sports competition was held in South Cotabato  in  1996 and  2007. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==NGO’s anti-hunger program highly commended by local officials==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331784144
*Thursday 15th of March 2012
:by    (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 15 (PIA) --  Officials of the provincial government of South Cotabato commended  the non-government  organization, Save  the Children,  for its contributions in the fight against malnutrition among children.
On  Tuesday, March 13, Save  the Children  presented  to the local  government  officials and other  stakeholders the terminal  report its  project,  Making  Food Go Further (MFGF) after three  years of  implementation in selected  villages in  Lake  Sebu.  The project  was implemented  with support from Kraft  Foods.
Provincial  health  officer Dr. Rogelio  Aturdido Jr.,  said  malnutrition  rates  in villages  where the project was implemented declined sharply largely due to the efforts of the NGO.
“The project is worth replicating  in other areas, especially in  municipalities and  barangays  where  malnutrition  rates remain  high,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy  Jr.  immediately  expressed  commitment to  sustain the project.  He  added  he  will  push  for more legislations and allot  more resources  in support  to nutrition programs  specifically intended  for  school  children.
During the  exit  conference,  Save the Children Manager of South Central Mindanao Fanny Divino reported  that  they  have  served  9,378  Grades  1 – 3  school  children in their feeding  program in Lake Sebu and  other parts of the country.
They  have also  assisted  287  families with livelihood  assistance projects and trained  662  health care providers and  268  community health  workers  on the hunger mitigation approach.
The project, according to  a  press briefer, conducted activities such as direct food provision, de-worming medication, and vitamin supplements for school children.
It has extended health education in the communities on children’s health, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene through the Positive Deviance/Hearth Approach and  worked toward improving the capacity of volunteer health workers to recognize and refer severely malnourished children for treatment.
Livelihood assistance projects were extended  to  families  included  vegetable growing, loom weaving, food processing, abaca production, and cut-flower growing.
“With the help of partners from the local government units from the province, municipality and barangays, as well as from the Department of Education, Save the Children ensures that families, especially the children, have improved food security and health and nutrition resiliency,”  Divino said.
Save the Children wants to prove that communities have the power to make children’s lives better.”
At the  exit conference,  Divino pointed  out  that Making  Food  Go Further  is a means  to  showcase  a  proven approach in  hunger mitigation. She  urged  local  governments to  adopt the  practices  of the project  to  helping  reduce malnutrition incidence.
Besides Lake  Sebu,  MFGF was  also implemented in  Parañaque City in Metro Manila  and  Antique  in the Visayas.
Lake Sebu, along with  the municipalities  of  T’boli and  Tupi, have been  identified  as  areas  with  higher  levels  of  malnutrition.
Aturdido, however, noted that the malnutrition rate of the entire  South Cotabato is  only 14  percent, which is much  lower than the  national  target  of 22 percent.
Several  supplemental  feeding  programs  for  both  preschoolchildren and  grade school  pupils are  being  conducted  here in partnership  with  national line  agencies as  well as with partners  from the  private  sector.
One  supplemental  feeding  program  of the provincial  government  specifically  targets 1,416  “poorest of the poor”  families across the  provinces  classified  as  severely  malnourished. On weekly basis,  health  nutrition  officials  send  these  families  food packages consisting of rice, mongo, iodized salt, and high-calcium whole milk  as  well as  iron supplementation for mothers and multi-vitamins for children.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==2 youth leaders in Region 12 named student ambassadors to Japan==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331701157
*Wednesday 14th of March 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato,  Mar 14 (PIA) -- Two  student  leaders from state  schools in Soccsksargen Region/Region 12 will be  visiting  Japan as  ambassadors  on disaster management and recovery  program in May.
Lily Jean Cacatian,  a BS Development Communication  senior  at the  University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan Cotabato and  Angel Marie Ysik  BS Education junior at the Sultan  Kudarat State University  (SKSU)  in Tacurong City are among 400  Filipino  youths  selected  as “Tohoku-shinzen-taishi” or “Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors” who will be visiting  Japan this year.     
The  travel  is part of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Programme  funded by the  Japanese  Government  through the  Japan  International  Cooperation Center  (JICE) in cooperation with the  National Youth Commission (NYC).
Cacatian, in an interview with  Philippine  Information Agency -12  today said  she  and  Ysik will be  among the  third and  fourth  batches of  student ambassadors who will  visit Japan  for  10 days to learn  Japan’s  disaster management  and  recovery efforts after the March  13 , 2011  earthquake and tsunami disasters
“We will learn and understand Japan's experience and the lessons they learned from past natural disasters. We will also witness Japan's on-going recovery efforts and see how it was possible for Japan to make a fast turn-around from the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck its Tohoku region,” she said.
The  first  two batches  of goodwill ambassadors will  focus on the  host country’s  “Go Green” program.
An NYC statement  on the JENESYS  program  in October  last year said  the program  “will be a chance for student ambassadors  to learn everything about Philippine-Japan relations; Japanese culture; and issues on technology, environment, tourism, and health. They will interact with experts and will have a chance to live with a Japanese family.”
Cacatian said, “the feeling  was  overwhelming  when I  learned I was chosen as  one of the student  ambassadors. ”
She  joined  the  program  by  sending  in a policy paper  concerning the  issue of illegal logging  in some areas  of North Cotabato  along with  the  filled out  application form.
“I expect to  learn  a lot  from the  short-term visit, especially the  concept  of “Kizuna” which  is  about  brotherhood and friendship that  played  a  major role  in their  recovery from  the disaster. I hope to be able apply this concept  in our country’s situation,”  she  said.
Cacatian  was  recently  awarded  as this  year  Outstanding Student Leader of  USM.  She is expected to graduate  with  honors as  magna cum laude  in April.
Cacatian and  Ysik  are also delegates of the  prestigious  Ayala  Young Leaders Congress in 2011 and 2012, respectively. 
Ysik  is  a scholar of the Department of National  Defense.
Both are  expected to  travel to  Metro Manila on May  6  for a pre-departure  orientation  before  their  May 7 or  8  flight  to  Japan. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12  with report  from Rhoderick  Beñez/Radyo ng Bayan-DXVL)
 
==Hunger project benefits 9,000 poor school kids in South Cotabato, other areas==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=412245
*March 13, 2012, 4:00 pm
:by  (PNA)
LDV/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 13 (PNA) – Some 9,378 school children in Lake Sebu town in South Cotabato and several others areas in the country have benefited from feeding programs and other related initiatives conducted by an international child welfare organization in the last three years.
 
Fanny Divino, program manager for South Central Mindanao of Save the Children, said they launched the feeding programs for three consecutive years since 2009 in the lean months of August to October to mainly help poor school children remain in school.
 
Aside from the feeding programs, she said they provided livelihood assistance to 287 poor families as well as helped improve the capabilities of 662 health care providers and 268 community health workers.
 
“The participating families have significantly improved household food security, increased food diversity scores and gained economic opportunities,” she said during the program’s exit conference held in Lake Sebu town Tuesday.
 
Dubbed “Making Food Go Further,” Divino said the project was also implemented in marginalized communities in Paranaque City in Metro Manila and San Remigio town in Antique.
 
The three-year project, which was supported by international food firm Kraft Foods Inc., was mainly aimed at ensuring “that Filipino children are healthy and well-nourished, and belong to food-secure families by facilitating families’ access to food,” a Save the Children statement said.
 
It said the project focused on mitigating hunger among vulnerable groups; supporting livelihood activities of families; raising awareness on health and nutrition though the help of communities, government agencies and the private sector; and, enabling communities to address issues affecting children, particularly hunger and malnutrition.
 
In Lake Sebu, Divino said they held sessions on feeding, deworming and vitamin supplementation among residents of the community-beneficiaries.
 
She said they educated residents on proper health practices through the Positive Deviance/Hearth Approach, wherein “families , communities and schools work together to quickly rehabilitate malnourished children, sustain the rehabilitation and prevent future malnutrition.”
 
Through the project, Divino said they helped improve the capacity of local health workers in recognizing and immediately referring for treatment the severely malnourished children in their areas.
 
“To sustain the project, we provided assistance to several families in the area for livelihood ventures such as vegetable growing, loom weaving, food processing, abaca production and cutflower growing,” she said.
 
“Save the Children wants to prove that communities can fight hunger as one and have the power to make children’s lives better,” Divino added.
 
During the exit conference, the group challenged local government leaders in the province and officials of several government agencies to adopt the project and replicate them in other poor communities.
 
South Cotabato officials led by Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. immediately expressed commitment sustain the project and push for legislations as well as allot resources for more hunger mitigation and malnutrition initiatives in the area.
 
==Coco farmers in South Cotabato warned of Brontispa infestation==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331529864
*Monday 12th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL  CITY,  South Cotabato, March 12 (PIA)  --  An  agriculture  official here is  urging coconut  farmers  to immediately report to their agricultural  technicians signs of  Brontispa  infestation among their coconut  trees.
“Immediately report  any  detection  of  any appearance of scorching  or  burning  of  young  leaves  of coconut trees to  production technicians in your area and seek their assistance  on how to control the pest," provincial  agriculturist Reynaldo  Legaste said.
He  also warned  that if the present  pest attack is  not contained, this could  mean  major crop damage  that could  further  result in massive  economic  losses  for  coco-growers.
 
Brontispa  or  coconut  leaf  beetle  eat up young  leaves  of  coconut and palm trees. As the leaf emerges, the leaflets curl and turn brown, then dry.  At a distance the leaves  appear  burned.
“If this is not controlled, infested coconut  trees  could  die,”  he said, emphasizing  further  that infestation could escalate  with the onset of the  dry season. 
“In the  entire province,  63,707  coconut  trees  have been affected  by Brontispa,”  Legaste said, citing  a  February  17, 2012  report of the  Brontispa  Control  Project  of the Philippine  Coconut  Authority.
He said the  figure  “represents  a little  more than  2.2  percent  of the  total coconut tree population in the  province.”
The same  PCA  report  indicated  that  1,417  farmers  across  have  been  affected.
Most  affected  is  Koronadal  City  where  30,660  of  its  443,400 coconut trees  have  shown damages; 16 of its  27 barangays are under attack  by  the  pest, affecting  at least 671  coconut  farmers.
Barangays  where  more than  10 percent  of  both bearing and non-bearing  coconut trees  have  shown Brontispa  damage  are Rotunda, Mabini, New Pangasinan, Esperanza, Sto. Niño, and Avanceña.
Brontispa  infestation  have also been reported in  the municipalities of Tupi, Polomolok, Tantangan,  Banga, Surallah, and T’boli.
Legaste  warned  farmers  that  although the present  Brontispa infestation could not be considered  alarming this could  still  result in major economic  losses for farm  families  with the coming of the  dry months.
 
“Brontispa is a sucking insect and  sucking insects  are  very active  during  dry season  when  moisture  is  scarce,” he said.
To prevent  spread  of Brontispa  in the province, Legaste  reported that  they have coordinated with the  Department of Agriculture  Region 12, Philippine Coconut  Authority, Regional  Crop Protection Center  and the local  government  units  for the implementation of  an action plan against  Brontispa.
Legaste  said,  from March until  May, South Cotabato’s  Brontispa  Task Force  will be  visiting  municipalities  to conduct technical briefings on the  infestation and its  control to  technicians,  barangay  council members, and  barangay chairman.
They have  also  set  year-round  massive control operations  including  spraying and  cut-and-burn of affected to  control  the pest’s  population, production and  distribution of  tetrastichus spp. and  continuous  monitoring of the  pest.
Tetrastichus  spp,  he  explained, is  a wasp which is  a natural  enemy  and  known  effective  biological  control of Brontispa.
“At present  we have  four LGUs  that have already  put up  laboratory  for the  culture of  tetrastichus, namely:  Polomolok, Tupi, Koronadal and  Surallah,”  Legaste  said.
Other  municipalities are  also planning to  train  technicians  who will mass-produce this  biocon, he added.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==South Cotabato eyes creation of body to represent IPs==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611331430852
*Sunday 11th of March 2012
:by Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato,  Mar. 11 (PIA) -- South Cotabato’s  Sangguniang  Panlalawigan  is  considering the  creation of a council  that shall  ensure that  issues  and concerns  affecting the  indigenous  peoples  (IP) are  addressed.
This, after the Department of  the Interior  and Local  Government (DILG)  ordered  temporary  suspension of  appointment of  IP  representatives  to  local  legislative  councils pending the approval of national  guidelines on the  selection  process.
“Last month, we  received  a  memorandum circular from DILG  suspending  its  previous  memorandum because  several problems  regarding the  selection of these  representatives  have  cropped  up  all over the country,” Vice Governor  Elmo Tolosa said  in a  radio  interview on  Friday.
What Tolosa  was  referring to as  previous  memorandum was DILG Memorandum  Circular  2010-119  ordering “mandatory  representation of  indigenous  cultural  communities or  indigenous  peoples in policy-making bodies  and other  local  legislative  councils ”  as  mandated  by Section 16  of  Republic  Act  8371  or the Indigenous  Peoples Rights Act of 1997.
In compliance with the original DILG memorandum  circular, Tolosa  said,  the  local  board  last year  created an  ad hoc  committee  led  by board member Atty. Cecile  Diel specifically  to  study how the order  can be implemented.
He said, among  several  problems  the ad  hoc committee  found was  the  budget constraint  an  additional  board  member  would entail; there is also  an issue  of the need to appoint other  sectoral  representatives  such as  those  for  women, farmers and fisherfolk and  senior  citizens  mandated  under the  Local Government  Code.
“If we appoint a representative  for the IP, we  also  need to  appoint  representatives of the other  sectors,” Tolosa  said.
Based on the findings  of the  ad hoc  committee,  an  additional  representative in the  provincial board would  require  additional  P3.1 million yearly budget  for salaries and wages of  the  official and his  staff as well as  maintenance and  other  operating  expenses.
For these reason, Tolosa explained,  the provincial  board  has considered  the resolution  for the  creation of  a special  body specifically  for the concerns of the IP.
Tolosa  also said: “The public  and our brother and sister IPs need not  be concerned  because the  province  has  a  Provincial,” The  officers of the council  receive  honoraria  from the provincial  government to help defray travel expenses as they  bring to the attention of provincial official the concerns and issues  affecting them,  he added. 
“If we would look at it, there are alternative routes  to allow participation of peoples’ organization and  nongovernment organizations  such as undergoing accreditation  in our  development  councils,”  Tolosa  pointed out.
Meanwhile, the  provincial  government  has  also  committed  the  establishment of  a “Kasfalah  Hall”  inside the  Productivity and Technology  Center (Protech Center)  just beside the provincial capitol.
Other than  serving  as  a permanent  office of the  Provincial  Tribal Council,  the  Kasfalah  Hall  could also  serve  as  a  “justice  hall”  where the  tribal  leaders  could  settle  disputes and  differences, Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. said.
The  place will also be used to display are for cultural  artifacts and other products  of  the  IP members.
“It is  important that the IPs’ voice be heard  and be  addressed  properly. We  will continue  to  adhere to our vow  to support this  sector through  different  programs and projects  which hopefully will improve their lives,”  Pingoy said. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==MSMEs urged to avail of DOST funding==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331271422
*Friday 9th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato March 9 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST-12) is calling on managers and owners of micro small and medium enterprises to submit proposals for financial and other assistance deemed necessary to boost their enterprises.
In a press statement sent to the Philippine Information Agency today, DOST 12 Regional Director Zenaida P. Hadji Raof-Laidan said the regional office and its provincial science and technology centers are now accepting proposals from MSMEs for funding and assistance under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
SETUP, according to Dr. Laidan, is a flagship program of the agency geared toward assisting MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and boost their productivity and competitiveness.
DOST helps these MSMEs improve productivity by product quality improvement, human resources development, cost minimization and waste management, and other operation-related activities.
Support that can be availed from the program include new technologies, manpower training, access to capital ad market, use of product standards and testing facilities, appropriate packaging and product labeling, supply of raw materials, access to information and efficient transport facilities.
MSMEs that may avail of assistance should be involved in the following priority sectors food processing; furniture and Home Furnishings; gifts, holiday decors and fashion accessories; marine and aquatic resources; horticulture; metals and engineering; information and communications technology; and halal, she said.
For more information, interested individuals and group may see the nearest provincial S& T center: Door 4, R&E Bldg., Alim St., Kidapawan City in North Cotabato; Door 2-A, 2Flr, Mervic N Egrillo Bldg., Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat; Brgy. Hall Compound, Calumpang in General Santos City for Gensan and Sarangani Province; and K/F Avenue Arcade, Alunan Avenue, Koronadal City in South Cotabato.
A staff of North Cotabato S& T Center, explained they have been directed to accept proposal until June this year.
He said, proposals will be submitted to the regional office in Cotabato City for evaluation before approved projects will be submitted to the National Program Management Office (NPMO) for final evaluation and approval.
In 2010, DOST poured P56.9 million as assistance to at least 415 MSMEs.
Laidan said, these resulted in improved productivity of local enterprises and gave jobs to at least 34,380 individuals.
In 2011, DOST 12 endorsed 10proposals to the NPMO. Of these three were approved, namely: Upgrading of Handmade Paper Production of General Santos City Gardeners Cooperative, Inc., Technology Upgrading of BACAS Production” and “Upgrading of Banana Chips and Dehydrated Fruits of Vmotril Food Products” in South Cotabato.
To further boost competitiveness of local MSMEs for both domestic and foreign markets, DOST 12 launched early this year a program that shall provide consultancy services to MSMEs in agriculture and manufacturing sectors supported by SETUP.
The program, called Consultancy For Agricultural and Manufacturing Improvement (CAMPI), has two components: Consultancy for Agricultural Enhancement Program (CAPE) and the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program(MPEX).
MSMEs,  who would avail of these consultancy projects, are assured of attaining higher productivity that will be favorable to their businesses, Dr. Laidan said.
 
==BFAR offers scholarship in fishery courses==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611331172134
*Thursday 8th of March 2012
:by  Jane Christine Balayo
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 8 (PIA) -- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Region 12 (BFAR -12) is calling on graduating high school students and high school graduates interested in pursuing a career in fisheries to avail of the agency’s scholarship grant.
BFAR announced this week that they are still looking for scholarship grantees in Region 12 for its Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP), implemented in cooperation with the Department of Education and local government units.
The 20th National Competitive Examination for the FSP will be held on March 17, 2012 at Irineo L. Santiago National High School in General Santos City.
The scholarship is open to graduating high school graduating students or high school graduates in the Region who have not earned any unit in college.
Applicants must not be more than 20 year old and should belong to the top 10 of their graduating class to qualify in the said scholarship, the announcement said.
Successful examinees shall be entitled to a scholarship package and will be allowed to enroll with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries in any of the following schools in June this year: University of the Philippines in the Visayas in Miag-ao, Iloilo; Central Luzon State University in Munoz, Nueva Ecija; or Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences.
The scholarship package is inclusive of free matriculation and other school fees, allowances, and other support provided they satisfy the minimum requirements that are stipulated in the contract between BFAR and the scholars.
BFAR 12 Regional Director Sani D. Macabalang said that the scholarship is one way of searching and molding future key players and potential leaders who will promote the development and welfare of globally competitive fisheries and aquatic resources in the Philippines.
Jean Griengo, a parent of one of the aspirants said that the offered scholarship is indeed a great help for to parents.
“I am praying that my daughter would be one of the fortunate students who will acquire the scholarship and if that happens I would be much thankful,” Griengo said while submitting the filled out application form of her child.
The examination will be conducted simultaneously in 17 regions nationwide.
Only the top 10 passers from each of these regions will be identified. Their names shall be published in national dailies before the opening of classes for the first semester of school year 2012-2013.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their filled out application forms to the FSP regional coordinators at BFAR Regional Offices in Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City. (BFAR 12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
==BIR-Soccsksargen launches 2012 tax filing season==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331090675
*Wednesday 7th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 7 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Soccsksargen area (Revenue Region No. 18) officially started today the 2012 income tax filing season with a tax campaign kick-off program.
The tax campaign kickoff began with a motorcade from the BIR’s regional office in Barangay Carpenter Hill to the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center along Alunan Ave., this city. where a program signalling the start of the income tax filing season was held. 
In attendance are local government officials, employees of LGUs and national line agencies as well as private sector representatives in the region.
“I am pleased to inform you that for the preceding year of 2011, our office had a total collection of P4,420,940,992 as against our goal of 4,166,853,000,” Atty. Rozil Lozares, BIR- RR No. 18 regional director said in a letter sent to the Philippine Information Agency – 12.
Surplus collection of BIR RR No. 12 amounted to P254,087,992 or 6.10 percent of their 2011 target.
“Our collection goal for the current year is P5,126,213,000,” he added.
RDO Bagro Saransamun of Revenue District Office -111 (Koronadal and South Cotabato) said after the kickoff program, they will embark on a massive information drive across the 10 municipalities and lone city of South Cotabato to encourage taxpayers to pay their obligations on time.
“In these information drives we will help the public understand the role of taxes on their lives as well as the benefits that can be derived from taxes,” he said.
Other revenue districts are also expected to conduct similar campaigns, he said, to be able to achieve their expected collection targets.
Revenue Region No. 18 covers five revenue districts: Cotabato City and Maguindanao (RDO-107), North Cotabato and Kidapawan City (RDO-108), Sultan Kudarat and Tacurong City (RDO-109), Sarangani and General Santos City (RDO-110), and South Cotabato and Koronadal City (RDO-111).
 
==Solon releases P2.36-M livelihood fund for senior citizens, women’s groups==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611331006833
*Tuesday 6th of March 2012
:by  (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, March 6 (PIA) --  Cotabato  Second  District Representative  Nancy Catamco  last  week  distributed  checks worth  P2.36 million  intended  as livelihood assistance for  women’s  groups and senior  citizens’  organizations  in six municipalities  of the province.
A  press  release  from Rep. Catamco’s  congressional  office said, turnover  of checks were  held on February 28  at the  Antipas municipal  hall  for recipients in  President Roxas, Arakan, and Antipas  at  the Kidapawan City gymnasium  for  beneficiaries  of  municipalities of  Makilala and Magpet  city of  Kidapawan.
It  noted that the  amount  were  released  by  the  Department of  Budget  and Management  in response to initiatives of the  congresswoman  to provide  productive  livelihood to her  constituents.
A staff of the congressional office,  in a  phone  interview,  said the congresswoman  gave P10,000  for women’s  organizations in each of 171  barangays and  P100,000  for  senior citizen’s  associations in  each of the aforementioned municipalities.
During the turnover  ceremony,  Catamco  promised  she will  give  additional  financial  assistance to  groups  that would  earn  profits  from the initial  funding  in three to  six  months.
In total,  a financial assistance of  P350,000  was downloaded for  recipients in  President Roxas; P380,000  in  Arakan;  P230,000 in  Antipas;  P480,000 in  Makilala;  P420,000 in  Magpet, and P500,000  in Kidapawan City.
The  congressional  office is being  assisted  by  the social  welfare  offices  of the LGUs  in implementation of this  advocacies  tagged as  “Women’s Empowerment Through Livelihood Opportunity Veered to Enhance Novelty Cooperatives”  (WE LOVE NC), and “A Noble Care for Golden Elder-Members” (NC’s-GEM).
Livelihood  projects  conceptualized  for  the elderlies include small and medium enterprise-livestock livelihood projects, small and medium enterprise-goat dispersal livelihood project, and establishment of pharmacy for  senior citizens.
Women’s association,  on the other hand, could  choose from the following  livelihood  project options: noodles and pasta making, commercial baking, soap making, curtain–bed covers weaving , give-away  gift making,  candle making, meat processing,  nutritional snacks, catering and food services, food and beverage services, fruits and vegetables processing, children’s wear and ladies’ RTWs, piggery, cattle fattening,  chicken and duck raising,  and  goat raising.
 
==South Cotabato eyes development of more rubber plantations==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=410285
*March 5, 2012, 5:06 pm
:by  (PNA)
DCT/LAM/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 5 (PNA) -– South Cotabato officials are pushing for the development of additional rubber plantations this year in several upland villages in T’boli town in a bid to provide alternative livelihood for local residents, some of whom had reportedly turned to marijuana cultivation for survival.
 
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said he directed the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) to fast track the expansion of rubber plantations in Barangay Salacafe and neighboring villages in T’boli through a financing partnership earlier forged by the local government with the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines.
 
The governor said they have identified portions of Barangay Salacafe, where some P1 million worth of marijuana plants were uprooted last week by local police operatives, as part of the project area.
 
He said such move was proposed by South Cotabato Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Randolf Delfin as a counter-measure against the proliferation of marijuana plantations in the area.
 
Local police personnel destroyed last Feb. 25 close to 4,000 fully-grown marijuana plants and 9,500 seedlings that were recovered in plantations located in Sitios Blo and Culi of Barangay Salacafe.
 
“Through this project, we’re hoping to eventually lure away our residents there from cultivating marijuana,” Pingoy said.
 
Pingoy said the provincial government signed last year a financing scheme with Land Bank for the establishment of rubber plantations covering 111 hectares in the area.
 
He said Land Bank had allocated some P10 million for the initiative, which will mainly involve marginalized farmers within the project area.
 
Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculturist, said the T’boli expansion will be patterned after the 127-hectare rubber plantation development project that started last year in Barangay Lamdalag in Lake Sebu town.
 
He said the Lake Sebu rubber plantation project, which is also supported by Land Bank, is situated within the critical watershed area of the critical Allah River.
 
“The project was designed to provide alternative livelihood for local farmers and residents and at the same time help reforest and rehabilitate our watersheds,” Legaste said.
 
Barangay Salacafe in T’boli is the closest village to Mt. Melebengoy (formerly Parker) and critical crater-lake Holon (formerly Maughan), which drains at the Allah River.
 
The project areas form part of the 102,350-hectare Allah Valley Protected Landscape, which covers four municipalities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
 
Legaste said the local government is currently promoting the development of rubber plantations in the province due to the area’s suitability and the crop’s rising value in the markets.
 
“In terms of income, our farmers may potentially earn about P12,000 to P15,000 per hectare by the time the actual production begins on the sixth or seventh year,” he said.
 
Legaste said the demand for rubber has been increasing steadily that North Cotabato, the area’s top rubber producer, failed to meet the market’s requirements last year.
 
“Our target right now is to develop around 200 hectares of rubber plantations through the project so we can later open a village-based rubber processing plant,” he added.
 
==Scholarship Program==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/353192/lanao-workshop
*March 4, 2012, 2:24am
:by  Mindanao Newsbits
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has allotted P24 million for its flagship Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship Program (KPSP) and grant-in aid assistance to poor but deserving students this year, a provincial government official said.
 
Alex Basco, executive director of the KPSP, announced during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo of the province’s information office Thursday that P15 has been earmarked for matriculation and stipend of scholars in degree and non-degree courses. The remaining P9 million is set for grant-in-aid assistance to recipients in high school and elementary levels.
 
==LGU allocates P24 M for scholarship program==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611330752356
*Saturday 3rd of March 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles
 
 
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato  March 3 (PIA) -- The provincial  government  of South Cotabato  has  allotted  P24 million for  its  flagship  Kabugwason-Paglaum  Scholarship  Program (KPSP) and  grant-in aid  assistance to  poor but  deserving  students  this  year, a  provincial  government official  said.
Alex Basco,  executive  director of the KPSP,  announced  during the  Kapehan  sa  Kapitolyo  of the province’s  information office Thursday  that P15  has been  earmarked for matriculation and  stipend of  scholars  in  degree and  non-degree  courses.
The  remaining P9 million is set for  grant-in-aid  assistance  to recipients in  high school and  elementary  levels.
This  year, the  KPSP  is  open to applicants  who would  like to  pursue  medical  courses  or  take up Bachelor of Laws.
“Based  on our  observation of  scholarship  programs  offered  by local  government  units,  our  (South Cotabato’s) Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship  Program,  has  the biggest  support to its  beneficiaries,”  Basco said.
KPSP is open to  single residents of  South Cotabato  who are not  over 25 years old and whose family’s  gross  annual  income  does  not  exceed  P150,000.
Scholars  receive  financial  assistance  ranging  from  P15,000  to P27,000  per semester.
According to the guidelines,  scholars in the degree courses whose families’ annual gross income does not reach P75,000 as well as those who are members of indigenous peoples groups and persons with disabilities receive  financial assistance amounting to P27,0000 per semester, which includes P12,000 for matriculation and P3,000 monthly stipend.
Those whose family income ranged from P75,000 to P150,000 receive P18,000 per semester (P12,000 matriculation and P1,200 monthly stipend) while those who have given honors to the province via national and international games and competitions receive a semestral assistance of P21,000 (P12,000 for matriculation and P1,800 monthly stipend).
Scholars in the ladderized program receive P15,000 assistance per semester, which covers P9,000 for matriculation and P1,200 monthly stipend.
Basco said, this  year, they advise applicants  who undergo the stringent  selection process to  avoid  courses  that have  been  covered  by moratorium orders  of the Commission in Higher  education, including  nursing, education,  hotel and restaurant  management, information  technology among others.
“The scholarship committee is also encouraging  scholars  to enrol in state  universities and colleges,”  he said.
Having  more  students enrolling  in  SUCs, he explained,  would mean  more savings  for the  KPSP and  more poor students  who  could  be  given educational support.
Among the  SUCs  where  many scholars of the  program  enrol are  University of Southern Mindanao  in Kabacan, North Cotabato  and  Mindanao State  University  General Santos  City Campus.
Since  the program’s launching  seven years ago, Basco added, KPSP  has already helped  169 individuals  finish either  degree or  non-degree  courses.
In March and April,  109 scholars  are expected to complete  their  courses,  34 in  degree  courses and  75 in non-degree courses.
Under the grant-in-aid program, he said, 505 grantees in the tertiary level, 356 for the short/modular courses, and 15,619 secondary students will also graduate this year.
KPSP  has also  supported  1,562  pupils  in  its grant-in-aid program, which has benefited some 1,562 pupils.
During the  weekly program of the provincial  government “Gov. Dodo u gang Katawhan”  on February  25,  Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy  Jr. said,  he  has  advised the  scholarship committee  to  allocated  equal  scholarship  slots  to all  ten  municipalities and one city under the province.
Last year, KPSP  operated on an allocation  of P22.3 million. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)   
   
   


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