Sarangani town receives P15M assistance from Sagittarius Mines

By ISAGANI PALMA

 MALUNGON, Sarangani (July 23, 2012) – This municipality has received over P15-million worth of assistance for its educational and sustainable alternative programs from Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

Nonito Nunez, municipal planning and development coordinator, said the financial assistance of five separate checks worth P15,005,800 were formally turned-over by JoJo Josol, SMI community relations project manager, to Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino and other top local government officials during the town’s foundation anniversary.

 Nunez said of the five checks, lastly given was amounting to P8,875,800 intended for the purchase of the local government’s Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) equipment that will be used to cover the actual living conditions of locals living all over the 31 barangays of Malungon.

 “The census facilities will gauge the total number of persons living in every household, their sources of income, health condition, sanitation, the level of literacy in form of educational attainment, agricultural produce, income, including the services that the far flung villages have availed from the local government,” Nunez said.

 In a memorandum of agreement, LGU-Malungon, by virtue of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 148, has expressed its intention to implement the CBMS as an instrument for collecting poverty baseline data and monitoring development within its areas of jurisdiction.

 Nunez said the MOA between SMI and Malungon shall take effect upon the signing of the duly authorized representatives of both parties, and shall be in force for a term of 13 months from the date of affectivity until completion, unless modified or revoked by mutual consent of the parties prior to that date. And also, the parties may extend the terms of the agreement by mutual consent.

 SMI has agreed to develop and implement a social development management program and assist the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to prepare an ancestral domain sustainable development protection plan for villages adjacent to the proposed mining site in Tampakan, South Cotabato. SMI will also develop a resettlement action plan and various other social and livelihood programs in connection with its mining operations.

 In a signed agreement, Josol also ensures that the program is effective and responsive, as the mining company seeks for an updated understanding at the key demographic indicators in Malungon.

 Consequently, SMI, which is a multi-million dollar mining company based in Tampakan, supports the Malungon LGU adopting the CBMS for data collection, as it seeks access to the data collated under the CBMS project for use as baseline data critical for developing the social development management program (SMDP) and any other associated social impact investments and community development programs.

 Nunez said the MOA was stressed in accordance to the mandates that are stipulated under R.A. No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, for LGUs to move the primary responsibility for the provision of basic services and facilities, and the improvement of the quality of life of their constituents by addressing poverty at the local level.

 Earlier, Constantino said the program, through careful evaluation, was approved by the local government unit of Malungon in a cohesive desire to uplift the living condition of its people, specifically the tribal minorities that are living at the far flung villages.

 “I have seen how truthful SMI was in this undertaking and hopefully they would continuously abide to what we have agreed in the memorandum of agreement, particularly to the expectation that encouraged us to sign the agreement. However, I would like to make clear that despite of all this valuable support, it is still the people’s mandate that will be followed at the end.  So hopefully both of us shall pursue well on our obligatory commitments for a job well done,” Constantino said.

 Reports said SMI was expanding its community development and relation activities toward Malungon where the mining company’s major pipelines shall pass.

 SMI representatives said if once developed, the Tampakan Project has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of the Philippines and would provide better future for the people of southern Mindanao. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Isagani Palma/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

CFAD grantees should not be picky

by Noel Baguio

 

TAGUM CITY - People’s organizations (POs) should not be choosy on their membership or prospective clients, especially those who wish to benefit from the livelihood facilities funded by the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD).

World Bank (WB) CFAD Consultant Luningning Bondoc stressed that lowly members and farmers should get an equal opportunity in availing the projects under the CFAD, which is the livelihood portfolio of the WB-financed Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

This is to ensure that development gains springing from the livelihood investments will truly benefit a broader segment of the society, particularly the poor, in support of President Aquino’s goal of promoting inclusive growth.

“’Wag tayong mamili ng magiging miyembro at beneficiary. Dapat nating isali lalo na yung walang-wala para hindi sila mapag-iwanan sa kaunlaran (We should not be choosy in selecting our members and beneficiaries so we can attain inclusive growth),” Bondoc told leaders of PO grantees during a WB review mission at the Provincial Capitol.

WB consultants visited the province to assess the livelihood projects proposed by eight POs who qualified for the resource-based livelihood assistance under the new Provincial CFAD portfolio in the amount of P10 million.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario earlier expressed confidence the livelihood projects would help bring a dramatic turn-around in the socio-economic progress of the communities.

These projects include a multi-pass rice mill, banana flour milling facilities, rice and cacao post-harvest facilities, copra dryer and coco shell charcoal machine and rubber nursery.

The Governor earlier called on the POs to rally behind his administration in the revolt against poverty, by supporting his development agenda P.E.O.P.L.E.

“Our revolution today is not anymore aimed at toppling any regime, but to defeat poverty,” he said. (Noel Baguio DAVNOR PGO)

CFAD grantees should not be picky

 by Noel Baguio

 

TAGUM CITY - People’s organizations (POs) should not be choosy on their membership or prospective clients, especially those who wish to benefit from the livelihood facilities funded by the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD).

World Bank (WB) CFAD Consultant Luningning Bondoc stressed that lowly members and farmers should get an equal opportunity in availing the projects under the CFAD, which is the livelihood portfolio of the WB-financed Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

This is to ensure that development gains springing from the livelihood investments will truly benefit a broader segment of the society, particularly the poor, in support of President Aquino’s goal of promoting inclusive growth.

“’Wag tayong mamili ng magiging miyembro at beneficiary. Dapat nating isali lalo na yung walang-wala para hindi sila mapag-iwanan sa kaunlaran (We should not be choosy in selecting our members and beneficiaries so we can attain inclusive growth),” Bondoc told leaders of PO grantees during a WB review mission at the Provincial Capitol.

WB consultants visited the province to assess the livelihood projects proposed by eight POs who qualified for the resource-based livelihood assistance under the new Provincial CFAD portfolio in the amount of P10 million.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario earlier expressed confidence the livelihood projects would help bring a dramatic turn-around in the socio-economic progress of the communities.

These projects include a multi-pass rice mill, banana flour milling facilities, rice and cacao post-harvest facilities, copra dryer and coco shell charcoal machine and rubber nursery.

The Governor earlier called on the POs to rally behind his administration in the revolt against poverty, by supporting his development agenda P.E.O.P.L.E.

“Our revolution today is not anymore aimed at toppling any regime, but to defeat poverty,” he said. (Noel Baguio DAVNOR PGO)

Sarangani town receives P15M assistance from Sagittarius Mines

By ISAGANI PALMA

 MALUNGON, Sarangani (July 23, 2012) – This municipality has received over P15-million worth of assistance for its educational and sustainable alternative programs from Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

Davao Light re-greens 7 hectares more in Upper Kibalang, Marilog

Close to 300 employees of Aboitiz-owned Davao Light & Power Co. joined by 60 community resident volunteers and 20 army soldiers from the 84th Infantry Battalion trooped to the uplands of Upper Kibalang in barangay Marilog last Saturday, July 21 to plant 7,000 seedlings of various species.

The planting site is a 7-hectare contiguous area of the 500-hectare logged-over mountain that the company adopted in May 2011 from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Last year a total of 5,200 tree seedlings were planted in a 5-hectare area over a hundred meters away from the Davao-Bukidnon national highway some 59 kilometers away from downtown Davao City. Early this year three (3) other stakeholder-partners namely Ateneo de Davao University, the Reservists from the 22nd Infantry (Eagle) Division of the Philippine Army, and the employees of the National Irrigation Administration Region XI planted 6,000 seedlings.

This figure brings the total number of trees planted this year to 13,000. Hence, 18,200 seedlings are already planted over the last two years (2011 – 2012). The seedlings consisted of indigenous and fruit bearing trees and the species include some rubber, cacao, durian, mahogany, narra, and lawaan.

In May, 2011 Davao Light signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the adoption of an area to be used as the company’s  permanent tree planting site. Another signatory to the agreement is the Upper Kibalang Agro Forestry Association (UKAFA), the people’s organization authorized by the DENR to be the steward of the agency’s over 1,300-hectare Community-based Forest Management  (CBFM) Project in the area.             

In his message for the employees and other volunteer planters, including local residents, right after the planting activities last Saturday Davao Light Exec. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Arturo Milan said that the tree planting project done annually by employees of all Aboitiz companies is in accord with the company’s main thrust – that of building relationship bridges with the community while investing in environmentally sustainable projects like planting trees.

Milan said the Upper Kibalang site will be the company’s showcase of what a sustainable environment project should be.

He said the management is looking forward to the realization of an Aboitiz Park in that area within the next few years.

Last Saturday’s tree planting was the first time that was attended by all the top Davao Light executives based in Davao City. The top management include EVP & COO Milan, VP for Administration Bien Garcia, Vice President for Engineering Rodger Velasco, VP for Administration Bien Garcia, VP for Human Resources Lito Ortiz and the rest of the assistant vice presidents and department managers.

The community volunteers included UKAFA chairman Idilfonso Pama and Vice Chair Mimi Payusan.

Aside from tree planting, some of the company employees painted a Health Center project that Davao Light also supported. It benefits the residents not only of the Gawad Kalinga Village in Upper Kibalang, but the people in nearby areas as well.

Tagum Doctors Hospital adjudged center of safety

TAGUM CITY - In the recently concluded Benchbook inspection, Philhealth Benchbook Inspection Head Dr. Marivic Malate pronounce Tagum Doctors Hospital (TDH) a Center of Safety with a 100% passing rate.

Dr. Malate was very much impressed on the result of the inspection after assessing the documents and physical facilities of Tagum Doctors Hospital. “You are the first hospital in Tagum City that has perfected at one time the 51 core and non-core requirements of Benchbook”, Dr. Malate said.

TDH President and CEO Lemuel Roy Podador was inspired by the result of the Benchbook inspection and declared to Philhealth through Dr. Malate that TDHI will apply for Center of Quality in 2013. It is the aim of President Podador to achieve a Center of Excellence in the future.

“I am very much confident that we can qualify for the Center of Quality,” Mr. Podador stated during his final statement in the Philhealth Benchbook Inspection exit conference.

All the Department and Unit Heads were mandated to immediately take into action the preparation of the requirements for Center of Quality and evaluate all areas set down in the benchbook. As early as next week, the Management Committee and Benchbook Committee will decide a blueprint for Center of Quality.

Benchbook is a tool applied by Philhealth in accrediting Health Facility to measure the standard of operation and evaluate the compliance of the 51 core areas and non-core areas to be able to determine the level of accreditation. There are three (3) levels of Philihealth accreditation : (1) Center of Safety , (2) Center of Quality, and (3) Center of Excellence.

The Department of Health will also monitor the compliance of benchbook for renewal of Hospital License.

TDH management commended the Medical Staff and Officers and employees of Tagum Doctors Hospital. A thanksgiving will be celebrated on July 24 in time for the 68th birthday of TDH President Lemuel R, Podador. (Edna Parcon, TDH)

Abused OFW comes home

NABUNTURAN COMVAL PROVINCE- An abused Overseas Filipino Worker from Compostela Valley province arrived safe in the country after concerted efforts from the congressmen from her home province.

As early as February of this year, after family members reported the maltreatment suffered abroad by Grace Aradilla to former district representative Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, the venerable Way Kurat called for help from incumbent Compostela Valley representatives Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay and Rommel Amatong.

Grace Aradilla hails from Purok 1, Barangay Libasan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province, and had gone to Kuwait to work as a household domestic.

Rep. Zamora-Apsay, as the incumbent Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers’ Affairs (COWA), took the lead in calling labor and embassy officials’ attention to assist Ms. Aradilla.

Zamora-Apsay and Amatong jointly wrote the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (Department of Foreign Affairs) and Labor Attaché David Des Dicang of the Embassy of the Philippines in Kuwait for assistance.

Following intervention of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), under the direction of Labor Attaché Dicang, the POLO, the permit of the foreign recruitment agency (FRA), Sarah Ayed Matar Al Shammari, was suspended pending a thorough investigation of the actions of its agents in not only failing to assist Grace Aradilla, but also in misleading her and the POLO on her circumstances.

Rep. Zamora-Apsay was instrumental in coordinating and notifying the authorities of Grace’s situation over the last few months. In several communications, the young solon updated officials of first-hand reports from Grace herself, serving as a feedback and monitoring system all throughout.

“Were it not for the unwavering efforts of our officials, especially the personal attention paid by no less than Labor Attaché David Des Dicang in attending to this case, Grace is finally home. Labor Attaché Dicang personally called Grace in the middle of the storm of confusion, and he and his team from the Assistance-to-Nationals Unit, POLO and OWWA, have all been instrumental in ensuring that Grace came home, and they have our undying gratitude,” Rep. Zamora-Apsay said.

Finally, after months of discussion, negotiation and documentation, the OWWA confirmed in a report that Grace Aradilla arrived via Gulf Air on July 17, 2012, and is safely back in the country.

 “In Grace’s case, had it not been for the compulsory insurance policy required by R.A. No. 10022 for migrant workers, it would have taken much, much longer for her to come home. My father’s legacy in ensuring the passage of R.A. No. 10022 during his time emphasizes that we cannot be careful enough in sending our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers abroad. We will continue to work to keep families together through not only ensuring the application of laws that protect our OFWs, but also through the provision of economic stability and opportunity,” added the lawmaker. ( OFFICE OF CONG. MARIA CARMEN ZAMORA-APSAY)

Sectoral leaders cite improvements of Pres. Aquino’s administration

TAGUM CITY, July 23 (PIA):   Sectoral leaders in Davao del Norte  and in the nearby provinces, cited several improvements of the three-year administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

          The campaign versus graft and corruption stands well-noted  by  the eight sectoral leaders who aired their views about the mid-term performance of President Aquino III.

          Acting Provincial Governor , Provincial Board Member Shirley Belen Aala said the  President has done well in going after government officials involved in graft and corruption.

          Cooperative and civil society leader Norma Pereyras said the President does well in putting into effect changes in governance as he relentlessly pursues his campaign against graft and corruption. 

          She also noted efforts of the national government to closely attend to the needs of the poor.

          Tagum City tourism and women council chairperson Alma Uy expressed the same observation, saying  the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program  is indeed helping the poor gain relief of their immediate needs.

          Parallel to efforts on poverty alleviation is the transparency in government auditing that Uy noted was implemented faster, citing the work of the Commission on Audit (COA) which now can release reports at earliest possible time.

          Meanwhile, Uy was glad about the focus that the Aquino administration is giving on tourism drummed up through  the theme, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, driving locales to explore their towns and cities, thereby propelling tourism businesses.

          As a businesswoman, Uy also noted well the extent of  providing  access to financial assistance even to small and micro businesses, saying the banks are opening  windows through which businesses can easily borrow capital.

          Pantukan (Compostela Valley) Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Irene Ang said  the business sector is willing to pay taxes as long as their money goes to development projects of the government, not to  graft and corruption.

Ang said the President’s campaign against graft and corruption serves as the bedrock on which the Philippine economy has favorably grown this year.

          On the other hand,  banana growers might have been a little dismayed over  the loss of their China market at the height of the “Scarborough Shoal” issue,  but Central Tadeco Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CTARBMPCO) chairperson Celso Cubio said he and his colleagues in the small banana industry were consoled through efforts of President Aquino to find another market.

          Cubio also noted well the peaceful and diplomatic means that the Aquino administration exerted to address the quarantine restrictions that China had imposed on the Philippine export banana, without impinging on the national patrimony issue of the Scarborough Shoal.

          The President’s tough diplomacy approach in facing China’s persistent claim over the Scarborough Shoal that lies within the Philippine Economic Zone, appeals to the patriotic spirit of the youth, young Tagum City barangay council Cyril Muring said.

          Also the president of Palm City Toastmasters Club of Tagum City, Muring said the diplomatic stand of the President on Scarborough Shoal kindled  the “love of country among the youth.”

          Muring also lauded the President’s campaign against graft and corruption,  K to 12 education initiative and reforms in governance.

          For Muslim-Christian Solidarity for Peace chairpman Manolito Tidoy of Panabo City, the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona is a strong evidence of the President’s “honesty” in his campaign against graft and corruption.

          However, Tidoy was hoping the President would extend such relentless campaign to national government agencies saddled with graft and corruption practices.  (PIA-11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan) 

Davao Int’l Airport anti-trafficking desk opened

DAVAO CITY July 23 (PIA)- An anti-trafficking in persons desk was finally opened last July 20 at the Davao International Airport. The desk is initiated by the Regional Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking-Integrated Action Network (RIACTION).

According to Regional State Prosecutor Antonio Arrellano, concurrent Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking chair, the establishment of an airport desk is an urgency with Davao City becoming more accessible to air travel being the primary entry and exit point of the region.

The desk will be manned by the Airport Security Group, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine and the Regional Public Safety Battalion. It is aimed as mechanism of integration and coordination between member agencies of the RIACAT.

The RIACTION is the implementing arm of the RIACAT which is composed of various heads of offices included under the anti-trafficking council. Arellano said that RIACTION was established as he noticed that RIACAT consisted of heads-of-offices and needed the players to do the work.

Under the RIACTION there are designated people for the prevention of trafficking, prosecution of the respondents, and protection of the victims. The RIACTION-DIA is the first tangible operating unit of the network.

The launching ceremony was graced by the presence of City Mayor Sara Duterte who expressed full support to the initiatives of the RIACTION. She also expressed the possibility of opening a similar anti-trafficking person’s desk in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.

During the event, Arellano cited the strides in the fight against Trafficking in Persons. From 2003 to 2010 there were only three convictions in TIP cases.

Arellano attributes the failures to lack of case and witnesses management and poor coordination between government agencies.

He said that the fight against anti-trafficking doesn’t just end after rescue but would also involve the successful prosecution of traffickers. Arellano said that in previous cases they could no longer locate the witnesses or the victim themselves.

With the establishment of RIACTION, they were able to convict two traffickers in 2011. There were also 16 cases filed in courts, with case build-ups undertaken by RIACTION members.

By June 2012, the network has rescued and intercepted 111 trafficking victims. About 94 victims were rescued in Davao City.

During the airport launch, the RIACTION also expanded their members with the inclusion of the Philippine Information Agency as one of its partners. (PIA/RG Alama)