one mindanao - october 14, 2015

PNP, AFP admit to initial hotspots, areas of concerns for 2016 polls

Women’s group gets livelihood project from DOLE

DOLE Sibugay conducts SRS provincial validation and assessment

The real glitter(The KZ Tandingan Story)

CHR calls for open, inclusive, transparent nomination process for ASEAN ntergovernmental commission on human rights

Manila, Mindanao brewers to join

Davao’s first Craft Beer Project

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15

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Cover Story

National

SOCCSKSARGEN

Western

InFocus

Caraga

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Alma L. TingcangO

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contents

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Volume 5 * Issue No. 38

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1721

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

Anti-domestic violence law of Brgy 17 up for review35

24

Northern

DTI-BPS releases Philippine National Standards on plastic shopping bags

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By: Susil Ragas

36 CSOs back institutionalization of Pantawid Pamilya By: Oliver B. Inodeo

Flood victims get P1.27-million emergency shelter assistance 40 39Southern

By: Rudolph Alama

20OWWA to honor outstanding OFW families in ARMM for 2015By: Oliver Ross V. Rivera

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

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

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

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSVICTORINAO VILLACRUZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EDITORIAL BOARD

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

4 October 14, 2015ONE MINDANAO

Cover Story

The real glitter by Rudolph Alama

(The KZ Tandingan Story)

5October 14, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

Kristine Zenie Lobrigas Tandingan, a young lass from Digos wanted to be a doctor.

A daughter of a government engineer (Tex Tandingan) and housewife (Marites Lobrigas Tandingan) she decided to enroll for a scholarship.

“I told my daughter I can support you to Ateneo, however your siblings will have to wait.” Says Tex, the brood includes KZ, sister Kathrine Sheree (Beauty) and 9-year brother Tex Paul Matthew.

With financial constraints,Kristine Zenie or KZ along with her sister Beauty relied on their GSIS scholarship. “It was hard, because we firsthavetopaytheschool,thenwe’ll get reimbursed, we got tired because we do not know when we will be refunded and there were times the previous semester was left unpaid.” Marites said.

The scholarship covers only public higher education institutions and not private colleges, thus KZ had to enroll at the University of Southeastern

Philippines (USEP) in Davao City, taking up B.S. Biology which is a pre-med course.

“Itwasdifficultbecausethepayments got delayed and I can’t take the exams.” KZ recalls.

“I really do not want to be a burden to my parents that is why I really wanted to have that scholarship.” KZ said.

One day, a family friend, a pastor in Davao City recommended that KZ apply for an Oplan Kaalam scholarship.

Oplan Kaalam is a scholarship program initiated by the officeof Davao City First District Congressman Karlo Nograles for deserving yet underprivileged students.

Since it began in 2007, the Oplan Kaalam has provided scholarship grants to 55,800 studentbeneficiaries.

Barangay Captain Conrado Bonsubre, a churchmate of


KZ helped the family facilitate the scholarship. Bonsubre’s barangay is located in Davao City’sfirstdistrict.

“With the scholarship, my parents did not have to worry about the tuition fees and also in a good way force you to do better in school.” KZ said. Marites recalls KZ so serious in her studies that she would cry over a professor notorious for giving low grades. Among the class only KZ and two other classmates were able to get passing grades from her professor.

KZ was gunning to graduate with honors when something extraordinary happened. The scholar becomes a star “When she was just two years old, she would grab the minus one mic from me and try to sing.” Tex recounts the antics of her daughter.

The precocious singing tyke would later become a talented young girl. Tex became

supportive of her daughter.

“She would sing Regine Velasquez, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston songs. There she became known around Digos.”

From singing in school programs she later performed in events of the provincial government particularly the inauguration of the provincial capitol, the inauguration of the cityhood of Digos.

When she was in Grade 5, she became a national singing champion in a competition held in Baguio City.

During her college days in USEP, KZ would sing in bars to provide extra income while she was studying.

“KZ really had big dreams and she really wants to achieve it.” Marites tells of her daughter.

The parents divided their duties in honing the young girl, Marites took care of her academic pursuits while her father Tex honed her singing inclination.


“But priority was really school. It’s really different when onefinishesschool.”KZsaysofherpriority.KZfinishedschoolingin 2012 earning a degree of B.S. Biology in USEP.

That same year, 2012 she joined the Davao auditions of X-Factor Philippines, a reality singing show being produced by ABS-CBN. Mentor/judges include Martin Nievera, Charice Pempengco, Gary Valenciano and Pilita Corrales.

She passed all levels of auditions during the screening. This includes the sixth level, which is the Mindanao screening of X-Factor Philippines.

In October 7, 2012 she was declared as the grand winner of X-Factor Philippines.

This paved the way for a lucrative singing career appearing in concerts, TV shows and music videos. She also released her self-titled album. KZ is one of the country’s most promising singers.

And last September 19, the former Nograles scholar held a huge concert inside the USEP gymnasium, a homecoming fitfor a distinguished talented and studious alumna.

Marites says the family is grateful to Congressman Karlo Nograles for the scholarship extended to KZ and her sister Beauty.

“He (Rep. Nograles) is also part of KZ’s journey to success.” Marites says.

9 October 14, 2015ONE MINDANAO 9October 14, 2015 ONE MINDANAO

P62.7-B in 2016 budget to expand CCT coverage

MANILA -- The National Government’s flagship poverty alleviation program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), will have a budget allocation of P62.7 billion in the proposed 2016 National Budget to broaden its coverage and include high school students to help more indigent families.


Budget Secretary Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad said the 4Ps must not only be sustained, but also widened, given that it is one of the most important and effective programs of the National Government that put resources in the hands of the poor and allow them to manage risks.

“Programs that protect the poor cannot be left underfunded. We will be able to further reduce the vulnerability of indigent families if we help them keep their children in school all the way to high school, as well as provide opportunities for employment and livelihood,” Abad said in the wake of the


approval of Congress of the 2016 General Appropriations Bill after a marathon deliberation last week.

As the lead implementing agency of the 4Ps, the Department of Welfare and Social Development (DSWD) will get the sixth highest fund allocation among the several departments in the 2016 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Of the agency’s budget of P104.2 billion, P62.7 billion is allocated for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, also known as the 4Ps. Of the amount allocated for the CCT program, P59.4 billion will benefit 4.4 million poorhouseholds registered under the regular CCT program. The remaining P3.3 billion will cover 218,377beneficiaryhouseholdsundertheModifiedCCTprogram.Thesebeneficiaries range fromitinerant families, homeless street families, and families

in need of special protection due to man-made and natural disasters.

Because a number of the households are set to graduate from the CCT program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program will double its budget with P9.6 billion to help a targeted 170,470 families move from subsistence to self-sufficiency throughmicro-enterprise subsidies. The program will benefit 208,352beneficiaries with skills andtechnical-vocational training to prepare them for future jobs.

Meanwhile, to increase communities’ access and participation in local planning, budgeting, and program implementation, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) National Community-Driven Development Program will get P10.9 billion to empower 13,357


barangays in 627 municipalities across 58 provinces.

Likewise, the DSWD budget is set to implement the provision of the senior citizens’ law—Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010—mandating a P500-monthly pension for all indigent senior citizens nationwide. With a budgetary allocation of P7.5 billion, this pension program will target 1,182,941 senior citizens aged 60 years old and above. The DSWD will also increase the budget of their

Supplementary Feeding Program with an allocated P693 million, for a total budgetary support of P4.05 billion. This amount will help feed 2,150,621 day care children with nutritious meals.

Lastly, the DSWD budget will provide budgetary support amounting to P129 million for the update of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR or the Listahanan), in the wake of the extensive destruction brought about by Typhoon Yolanda. (DBM)


CHR calls for open, inclusive, transparent nomination process for ASEAN ntergovernmental commission on human rights

QUEZON CITY -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to make the process of nomination for the next Philippine Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) as open, inclusive and transparent as possible.

Established pursuant to the ASEAN Charter to “promote

and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of

FILEPHOTO: RAPPLER.COM

14 October 14, 2015ONE MINDANAO14 October 14, 2015ONE MINDANAO

the peoples of ASEAN,” the AICHR is a consultative inter-governmental body composed of one representative from each ASEAN Member State. The next Philippine Representative will serve for a term of three (3) years and will succeed Amb. Rosario Gonzales Manalo (Ret.). Engaging AICHR is important towards developing in the region a practice and standards consistent with international human rights norms.

The Commission, through a letter sent to DFA Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario, follows similar calls coming from civil society groups engaging ASEAN on human rights matters to allow a multiplicity of voices to weigh in on this important matter. The CHR believes there is suitable time to consider an appropriate representative to represent the Philippine commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. (CHR)

FILEPHOTO: INQUIRER.NET


Manila, Mindanao brewers to join Davao’s first Craft Beer Project

DAVAO CITY -- The first ever Craft Beer Project will be mounted this week in this city from October 16 to 18 at the SM Davao open parking along Quimpo Boulevard.

The mall’s assistant manager Nick Santos said the event is expected to gather four of the country’s top microbrewers.

Relatively new in the Philippines, Santos said

microbrewing has steadily been changing how Filipinos enjoy beer.

The SM’s Craft Beer Project is aimed at showcasing locally produced craft beers and SM is


opening a venue for its mall goers and shoppers to enjoy beer with their favorite food.

Among the microbrewers that will participate are the Joe’s Brew and Fat Pauly’s.

Joe’s Brew is a local brew from Manila that boasts of strong andflavorfulbeersthatappealtobeer lovers. Its Fish Rider Pale Ale is best with grilled dishes, meats and sandwiches while Sierra Madre Wheat Ale is best enjoyed withfrieddishes,especiallyfish.The recently introduced 34th Pursuit IPA, which is noted for its bitterness goes well with burger.

Iligan City based Fat Pauly’s Hand-crafted Ales and Lagers’ goal is to give people a tastier alternative beer. It is infused with local flavors likewild pukyutan honey, mangrove barks, wild tuba yeast strain, biasong or Philippine lime, kulikot chillies, Malagos chocolate from Davao, strawberries from Bukidnon.

They offer very interestingflavorssuchas Desert Rose and

recurring limited annual brews such as Smashin’ Pumpkin Ale for Halloween, Kalayaan Amber Ale for Independence Day and Inferno Yuletide for Christmas. Fat Pauly’s Ales and Lagers go well with anything.

Santos said the Craft Beer Project will run until Sunday with Brains and Beer Trivia Night on Saturday at 8pm to tickle the geniuses out of the mall shoppers. Exciting prizes await the smartest team.

Santos hopes for the success of this event as he aims to make this a regular event with foreign visitors, local tourists and beer enthusiasts as target market. (PNA)

17October 14, 2015 ONE MINDANAO 17

NorthCot LGU turns over health facilities to Kidapawan CityBy Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Oct. 14--- The provincial gov-ernment recently turned over health projects ti Kidapawan City governent in line with efforts to promote better quality of health services in the area.


Together with the Department of Health 12, a water treatment facility and hospital expansion project were implemented in the Kidapawan City Hospital with combined cost of Php13.7 mil-lion. Governor Emmylou Mendoza noted that the hospital expan-sion includes a new Out- Patient Department to cater to more patients.Also, four upgraded birthing fa-cilities were turned over to the city.The over P1.3 million birthing facilities were constructed in the villages of Meohao, Perez, Nu-angan and Macebolig under the DOH’s Health Facility Enhance-ment Program.

Mendoza emphasized that the provincial government is do-ing its best in strengthening the ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ advocacy aimed at providing the needed services, projects and programs in support to its constituents.Meanwhile, Department of Health- Center for Health Devel-opment (DOH- CHD 12) regional director Dr. Teogenes Baluma noted that with the DOH’s part-nership with the provincial gov-ernment, more and more health projects are implemented to answer the needs of the people particularly the poor. (SJDu-erme-PIA12 with report from JSta.Cruz- NorthCot Media Cen-ter)


Women’s group gets livelihood project from DOLE By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct. 14 — A group of women workers in nearby Banga town are given a chance to expand their income-generation capacity, an of-ficial of the Department of Labor and Employment here said.

DOLE 12-South Cotabato Field OfficeactingheadRubyCarrasco,saidthebeneficia-ry group, Kaisahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Barangay Lamba Tungo sa Kaunlaran (KKBLK) composed of 32 members, were granted a high-speed sew-ing machine project worth P200,000. Said project was implement-ed under the 2014 Bottom-Up Budgeting fund and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Proj-ect (DILEEP) earlier endorsed by Banga Mayor Albert Palencia and the local government unit. “We hope that the project will provide permanent self-employ-menttothebeneficiariesandgenerate more jobs among their respective family members and community,” Carrasco said.At the hand-over activity, Ba-

rangay Lamba Chairman Ernesto Bustamante pledged to closely monitor the association’s proj-ect, ensure that the group will produce quality products, and help promote their craft in tai-loring and dress making.“The BLGU will patronize the products and services of KKBLK. We thank DOLE for believing in the capacity of our people to generate income through their skills,” Bustamante said.The DILEEP is DOLE’s contribu-tion to the government agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and poverty reduction and reduce vulnerability of the poor and marginalized workers.Aids given through DILEEP do not carry repayment obligations butbeneficiariesarechallengedto manage the livelihood proj-ects and make sure that these


COTABATO CITY, Oct 14 – The Overseas Workers Wel-fare Administration- Regional Welfare Office- ARMM (OW-WA-ARMM) is set to announce the winners for this year’s search for the Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MO-FYA).

OWWA to honor outstanding OFW families in ARMM for 2015By Oliver Ross V. Rivera

According to OWWA-ARMM Dir. Amy Crisostomo, the re-gional awarding ceremonies will be on Monday, October 19 at the Al Nor Hotel and Convention Center.

Crisostomo said this year’s nominees were screened by a panel of judges from govern-ment line agencies, non-govern-ment organizations, faith-based organizations, OFW sector and business sector and program partners.

The regional screening and screening was held last October 9 to determine this year’s MO-FYA awardees from the autono-mous region, she added

Crisostomo said one win-ner will be chosen for the land-

based category and one for the sea-based category.

The regional winners will re-ceive prizes in cash and in kind from OWWA and its program partners and will represent ARMM during the national MO-FYA awarding ceremonies to be held in Manila on December this year.

MOFYA is now on its 11th year of giving proper recognition and acknowledgement to OFWs and their families who were able to overcomethedifficultiesandchallenges of overseas migra-tion and become role models in their communities and help in the country’s economic develop-ment, Crisostomo said. (ORVRi-vera-PIA12)

develop into productive enter-prises. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with

report from DOLE 12)


OWWA holds financial literacy training for distressed, displaced Caraga OFWs

BUTUAN CITY -- In a bid to promote and provide alternative livelihood support and reintegration to its member-OFWs who have gone through various adversities during their employment abroad, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) conducted an Entrepreneur-ship Development Training (EDT) and Financial Literacy to Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! applicants on October 12, 2015 at OWWA Training Hall, this city.

By: Jean Pearl I. Millones


The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program grants a non-cash livelihood assistance of P10,000.00 to provide immedi-ate relief to displaced member-OFWs. The assistance consists of techno-skills and/or entrepre-neurship training, starter kits and other incidental services that will aid the beneficiary towards selfor wage employment. Thetargetbeneficiarieswhowere displaced by hostilities, wars/politicalconflictinthehostcountry, victims of illegal recruit-ment or human trafficking whowere repatriated before finish-ing their contracts may avail of the program only once provided they apply within one year after return to the country. As one of the availment re-quirements, the 37 applicants were provided with a one day entrepreneurship development training and financial literacywhich was carried out by the OWWA personnel. The training intended to provide the partici-pants with the basic concepts

of efficient budgeting, financialmanagement and saving ap-proaches. Furthermore, the OFWs are assisted in identifying their pros-pect business venture adhering to the priority projects includ-ing, but not limited to, health and wellness, house repairs, food processing, handicraft, goods un-der the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme and agriculture-related projects. Apart from the Certificateof Attendance to the Entrepre-neurship Development Training (EDT), the applicant must also submit a Simple Business Plan which was also part of the train-ing. He/she must also provide proof of repatriation or return to Philippines; e.g. passport or travel documents; airline ticket. After they have completed the training and submitted all the necessary requirements, the beneficiariesarethenadvisedtokeep in contact with the agency for the processing and procure-ment of their starter kits


PNP, AFP admit to initial hotspots, areas of concerns for 2016 polls

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Though the holding of 2016 polls is still far ahead, both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here have admitted to an initial list of hotspots or areas of concerns. P/SSupt. Narciso Verdade-ro said critical areas had been started to be marked off but pre-ferred to keep it still under wraps lest action to this effect would pre-emptthefinalone. For his part, Col. Isidro Puri-sima, 402nd Infantry Brigade

commander of the Philippine Army (PA) here, said hotspots could be found in some munici-palities in the northern, central, and southern part of the prov-ince, including the Andap Valley Complex where the 3,000 evac-uees who had been taking shel-

By: Greg Tataro Jr.

Photocredit: bicolnews.com


ter at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center since September 1 came. Meanwhile, both high rank-ingofficialsagreed that “permitto campaign fees” imposed by the New People’s Army (NPA) on candidates had formed part

of the electoral exercise here, something that had to be pre-vented. Moreover, classification ofhotly contested areas would de-pend on the final list of candi-dates, it was learned.

DTI-BPS releases Philippine National Stan-dards on plastic shopping bags

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has issued the Philip-pine National Stan-dards (PNS) on the specifications of plas-tic shopping bags, which is a flexible plastic material used for containing and transporting goods.

The PNS 2097:2014 pro-vides the general characteristics, safety and labelling requirements for plastic shopping bags. It applies the terms and def-initions of biodegradable, bio-degradable plastic, compostable

plastic, composting, degradable plastic, oxidatively degradable plastic, plastic, polymer, and re-cyclable. The PNS 2097 lists the max-imum allowable concentration of heavy metals and other toxic

By: Susil Ragas


hazardous substances and the degradation requirements of a plastic shopping bag. The BPS Technical Commit-tee on Packaging and packaging materials or BPS/TC 40, in col-laboration of the BPS Technical Committee on Plastics and plastic products or BPS/TC 45 prepared the said PNS. In preparation of PNS 2097:2014, the said committees referred to the following PNS: PNS 2102:2013-specificationsfor compostable plastic; PNS

2104:2011- standard specifica-tion for plastics that degrade in the environment by a combina-tion of oxidation and biodegra-tion; and PNS/BHT ISO 8124-1:2008 – safety of toys – safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties. The DTI-BPS, as the National Standards Body, is the Philippines’ member to the International Or-ganization for Standardization (ISO).


Php44.2 M set for El Niño interventions in SOCCSKSARGEN By Danilo E. Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct 1 -- Some Php44.2 mil-lion have been allotted for measures that would address con-cerns of farmers over long dry spell in the coming months, an official of the Department of Agriculture 12 said.


Tripartite council for overseas employment industry organizedBy Danilo E. Doguiles

could be reduced by more than 28,000 metric tons while that of could be reduced by 128,500 metric tons.

Yield from high value crops such as banana, coffee, rubber

and mango are also expect-ed to decrease. (DEDoguiles-PIA12)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Oct 1-- In line with their ef-forts to push reforms in their sector, the overseas industry play-ers in SOCCSKSARGEN Region have united to establish an Indus-try Tripartite Council (ITC).

Composed of representatives from the labor and manage-ment sectors and the govern-ment led by the Department of Labor and Employment, an ITC primarily serves as “a fo-rum for tripartite advisement and consultation among labor, employers and government sectors in the formulation and implementation of labor and so-cial policies” as indicated in the Department Order 111-11.

Adonis Dollente, vice chair-person of the newly-organized Overseas Employment ITC vowed that the recruitment agencies will continue to sup-

port the programs and services of DOLE and its attached agen-ciesforthebenefitofthein-dustry.

“ We will continue to abide by the rules and regulations, and we hope that through this newly established ITC we can resolve issues affecting our labor force,” Dollente said.

Meanwhile, DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo em-phasized that the establish-ment of the Overseas Employ-ment ITC in SOCCSKSARGEN Region along with the Overseas Regional Reintegration Network (ORRN), all industry stakehold


DIPOLOG CITY - The family of the victim who was abducted last October 7, 2015 here sought the help of the city government for the local media to refrain from broadcasting or publishing further details on the abduction issue.

Mayor Uy appeals for news blackout on del Torchio abduction By Alfonso T. Ruda


The SRS is a continuing nationwide manpower skills registration to capture most, if not all the manpower supply available in every local government unit

(LGU) for potential employment locally and abroad. It also facilitates employability and contributes to the overall development and

DOLE Sibugay conducts SRS provincial validation and assessmentIPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - With the unemployment and underemployment problems that beset our country, the national government through the Department of Labor and Employment embarked on the establishment of a National Skills Registry System (SRS).

In a press conference held at the mayor’s conference room on Monday, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy issued an official statementappealing to the local media for a news blackout on the abduction of former Italian priest Rolando del Torchio. Mayor Uy said the immediate family requested news blackout on the kidnapping to give full leverage to the hot pursuit operation launched by the police. Unconfirmed reportingmight potentially jeopardize the operation and endanger the life of the victim. According to Atty. Antonio, the family’s legal counsel, they have still to receive communication from the group who is holding

the victim. She also appealed to the members of the media for cooperation and be responsible in their reporting. He assured that any major development on the abduction will be immediately relayed to the media for dissemination. The Italian businessman was abducted on October 7 by 11 by armed men inside his business establishment at the Andres Bonifacio College Complex, Dipolog City and taken aboard a silver-metallic L-300 van with place no. TMY-490. The get-away vehicle was recovered by police authorities at Purok Bularan, Miputak, Dipolog City.

By Alma L. Tingcang


improvement of the quality of the Philippine labor force to be more globally competitive. DOLE is committed to organize, develop and maximize utilization of the country’s manpower resources through the SRS. To further improve the SRS project, the National Skills Registry System provincial validation and assessment exercises attended by Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers wasrecently held at Tamayo Beach Resort in Malintuboan, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte. Mr. Elamsalih E. Ungad, Supervising LEO and OIC of DOLE Sibugay explained to the PESO managers the importance of NSRS in terms of employment facilitation which is the core function of the PESO. “The database can help the LGU, potential employers and other stakeholders to locate the skills they want or upgrade their skills through community-based training, minimizing the job mismatch problem and helping the community alleviate theireconomic status. This will also encourage investors to put up business activities due to realistic summary of skills,” the labor chief quoted.

The program capitalizes on the partnership of DOLE and LGU in employment facilitation through the PESO to deliver quality employment services to its constituents. Already on its fifthwaveofimplementation,theSRS project started in 2010. Aside from the validation and assessment exercises, other relevant topics were also discussed such as: the K-12 Orientation presented by Dr. Monalisa M. Babiera putting emphasis on the important role of Public Employment Service Officer (PESO) managers incareer counseling for senior high school and Stress Management: Reducing its Intensity through Managing Your Reaction, expounded by Ms. Mary Sanedna A. Ambi, a registered guidance counselor. Ungad said ongoing programs include DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program funded through Bottom-up Budgeting (DILEEP-BUB), the Government Internship Program (GIP), Labor Law Compliance System (LLCS) and Single Entry Approach (SEnA), a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation services for labor and management.


Pantawid Pamilya launches youth dev’t

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aimed to motivate and equip the adolescents with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude in finishing their education, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) launched the Youth Development Session (YDS) for the children of beneficiaries on October 13 held at Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS).

By: Recthie T. Paculba


During the launching, Commission on Population (POPCOM) regional director Niel Aldrin G. Omega stressed that since one of the concerns for the young people they are working onissignificantlyincludedintheYDS, they are working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in holding sessions such as the YDS. He also shared that the YDS will tackle reproductive health and teenage pregnancy issues as studies show that 33% of the young people in country have already engaged with premarital sex. Thus, he added the risks of such activity that include malnutrition, absence of prenatal care, higher rate of opting for abortion, acquiring cervical cancer or genital warts for the males and substance abuse. Meanwhile, Commissioner Perci Cendaña of the National Youth Commission (NYC) expressed his support for the implementation of YDS saying that the activity “equips the children of Pantawid beneficiarieswith thenecessarylife skills to realize their full potentials, reduce risky behavior and decrease deterrents to their development with the end goal of enabling them to contribute meaningfully to improving the

condition of their families.” As for enhancing and empowering the potential of the youth beneficiaries, DSWDAssistant Regional Director for Administration Manuel Borres said that the Department have included the YDS in the conditions of the Pantawid Pamilya and will conduct activities that will allow the youth to understand their changing bodies, mind and emotion. The YDS will be conducted in a school-based setting during weekdays within class hours and will include topics on the metamorphosis of a person, changing body, mind and emotions, body image and healthy lifestyle, expression of emotion, changing roles and expectations, identityidentification,self-worthappreciation, and discovering one’s destiny. As of October 2015, there are already 271,849 household beneficiariesofPantawidPamilyain region 10 covering 510,675 children aged 0-18 who receive health and education grant from DSWD.


Anti-domestic violence law of Brgy 17 up for reviewCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – City Council committee on barangay affairs is set to review ordinances of Barangays 17 and 36 in Cagayan de Oro.

Barangay Ordinance No. 002-2015 of Barangay 17 penalizes residents committing domestic violence as it recognizes its negative impact to families and also threatens the very foundation of society. In such law, domestic violence refer to any act which results in or likely to result in physical, psychological harm or suffering, economic or financialform of suffering. Under the barangay ordinance, examples of physical violence are slapping, pulling of hair, boxing, hitting with an object or use of deadly weapons and forcing the use or intake of alcohol, drugs or dangerous substances. Meanwhile, emotional or psychological forms of abuse includes verbal abuse such as shouting invective or criticism against the victim and even name calling and derogatory remarks, according to the barangay ordinance. Economicorfinancial forms

of abuse include withholding of personal property or money due to the victim and not contributing to the family budget. It also means unreasonably preventing the victim from engaging in any profession, occupation, business or activity or solely controlling the conjugal money or properties or controlling the victim’s own money or property. The committee, chaired by Councilor Yan Lam Lim, is also set to review Barangay Ordinance No. 001-2015 of Barangay No.36, which increases the age range of persons covered for curfew hours from 15 years old to 16 years old and above. In his endorsement, Barangay 36 Punong Barangay Eddie Laguna cited that most of the crime incidents such as drug dealing, drug use, thievery and robbery usually happen in the evening until dawn and are committed by persons aging from 16 years old and above. (ELB/CdeOSP)


During its monthly regular meeting here, 18 CSOs passed a resolution declaring its support to the institutionalization of the conditional cash transfer of the national government. In a three-page resolution number 001-2015, the organizations headed by its Chairman Francisco Mabaso Jr, president of the People Power Volunteer for Reform (PPVR) Bukidnon, expressed their support for DSWD in conducting the family development sessions with Pantawid Pamilya beneficiarieson active citizenship. The resolution said, “CSOs deemed conditional cash transfer to beneficial to its partnerbeneficiaries considering theupshot on partner beneficiaries’status of well-being- from survival to subsistence (82.03%) and from subsistence to self-sufficiency (0.198%)asofApril

2014.” Aside from Mabaso, signatories of the resolution include Elvie Parel, vice president of CSOs and president of Pilipina; Eden Jacinto of GCAMFI; Michael Cagulada of GROUP Foundation; Jonathan Mongcal of Citizens Watch on Good Governance; Dr. Rosalina Huerbana of Safer River Life Saver Foundation of Liceo de Cagayan University; Rizalina Amesola of Ranao Women and Children Resource Center, Pastor Crispin Dura of NACPHIL; Adelina Sales of GTAPWo; RufinianoLindongan of NACPHIL; Noel Resma of MROFI-NAC MRP; Gil Salavaleon of Farmers Federation; Jimmy Oco of ALEMA Organization; Brenda Caberiana of MALISA Home; Christian Flores of Values Restoration Advocate for Mindanao; Felipe Tangcalagan of Philippine Task Force Movement; Roseller

CSOs back institutionalization of Pantawid PamilyaCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in northern Mindanao expressed their anticipation for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) to be institutionalized to ensure its continuity even with changes in leadership.

By: Oliver B. Inodeo


Bastillada of PHILCARED Inc.; and Virgelia Demata of Philippine Island Kids Foundation. Alongwithbeneficiaries,theCSOs will gather signatures in support for the institutionalization of Pantawid Pamilya. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation has already approved the consolidated bills institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilya. Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap authored House Bill (HB) 154 or “An act institutionalizing the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the government to reduce poverty and promote human capital development and providing funds therefore.” HB 154 or the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act “seeks to provide assistance to the poor, break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, promote gender equality, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, which are also the part of the government’s Millennium Development Goals.” Given the success of the program in reaching out to the poor, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-10 (DSWD),

said there is a need to ensure sustainability through an enacted policy. She also welcomed the support of the CSOs. Under the bill, qualifiedhousehold beneficiaries willreceive conditional cash transfer of P500 per month for health and nutrition expenses, P300 per month per child for educational expenses, and a supplementary education grant of P300 for each child who maintains passing grades in all subjects after the first year of implementation ofthe program. A maximum of three children will be allowed for each qualifiedhouseholdbeneficiary. The bill will limit the time spanofbeneficiariestoavailtheassistance to seven years and provides programs that would ensurethatsaidbeneficiarieswillremain non-poor after the time limit. According to a study conducted by Dr. Celia Reyes of the House Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, school attendance rates of children six to 11 years old from Pantawid Pamilya household families were higher compared to children from non-Pantawid families. This marks the positive impact of the program to school participation of children at


the primary level. The studies also disclosed that most of the parent beneficiarieswhoarepoorbelongto the categories of those who didnotfinishtheirstudiesoroutof school youths (OSYs). It is also through the program where parents are given the chance to learn the value of good health and education to their children’s future and its effect in the struggle against poverty. At present, over 10 million children in the country are sent

to schools through the Pantawid Pamilya. Last March, a total of 333,673highschoolbeneficiariesnationwide were able to graduate with the existence of the conditional cash transfer. Some of them continued their studies in college through scholarships and graduated with honors. To date, more than 4.4 million poor households in the country are benefiting from theprogram.


Tagum prepares for 16th National Scout JamboreeTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - We are ready!

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon declared earlier today during the Tagum Biz Talk at Big 8 Corpo-rate Hotel that the city govern-ment is prepared to accommo-date around 15,000 scouts for the 16th National Scout Jambo-ree on October 24-30, 2015 at the Energy Park, this city. “More than 15,000 scouts haveconfirmedalloverthecoun-try but we can roughly say that around 15,000 will actually at-tend the scout jamboree,” Mayor Rellon said. Rellon disclosed that more or less 100 international scouts will also participate on the said jamboree. “There are 22 scouts that are confirmedfromGhanaandthereare other scouts from Malaysia, and other countries,” he said. Rellon stressed that the for-eigner-scouts will camp along-

side scouts from the Philippines. “They will experience to-gether with other delegates all the activities of the jamboree in-cluding having a sub camp in the park,” he added. Rellon said that the city al-located more than P7-million to mobilize the scouting jamboree from the General Fund and Spe-cial Education Fund. “The amount are allotted more on the infrastructure and operating expenses for the se-curity, working staff and national service team,” he emphasized. Rellon also underscored that about 500 security person-nel from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forced of the Philippines that will be deployed in the city during the duration of the jamboree. (PIA11, Michael Uy)


Flood victims get P1.27-million emergency shelter assistanceDAVAO ORIENTAL – Some 127 families in the village of Marayag in Lu-pon town have recently received a total of P 1.27 million Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), after their homes suffered damages due to a destructive flood brought about by LPA Agaton in 2014.

Turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) XI and the Pro-vincial Government, each family beneficiaryreceivesP10,000.00. Governor Corazon N. Malan-yaon, who led the turn over, said she hopes that the cash assis-tance would help residents repair and improve their homes. For families who have al-readyfixedtheirhouses,thecashassistance will serve as a refund for the repair costs. The residents who received the emergency shelter cash as-sistance thanked the Provincial Government and the DSWD for the aid, saying it is truly a big help for them. The qualified recipients ofthe ESA are those who were evaluated by the municipal and provincial social workers and val-idated by the DSWD regional of-fice. The governor thanked the DSWD Regional Office for their

relentless support to her prov-ince, noting them to be one of the most reliable partner agency that her province have. “Without them (DSWD), it may have been difficult for us to address ourconcerns on our own,” she said. She also highlighted the DSWD’s active role in the relief operation at the time of the di-saster. Residents recalled the horror they endured during the heavy floodingthatsweptawayhousesand crops. Boulders and mud slid down from the mountains and piled in the center of the village. “It was a good thing that the gov-ernment acted quickly and that help came right away,” said one villager. (PIO)

one mindanao - october 14, 2015

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