Third wave of Info forum on Pablo slated in Comval town

NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, March 20 (PIA): The provincial government of Compostela Valley through the Provincial Information Management Cluster will roll out on Thursday, March 21, the second wave of the Makigsayod Information Forum in the Municipality of Montevista, Compostela Valley Province.

Translated as getting informed in vernacular, “Makigsayod” is  designed to resolve issues and concerns of Typhoon Pablo-affected families in the five worst-hit municipalities of Compostela, New Bataan, Monkayo, Montevista  and Laak.   It also seeks to answer questions on the  continuing relief, rehab and reconstruction operation of the government.

The forum is aimed at instilling awareness and understanding among community folks on the systems of operation that the national and local government have instituted to carry out  the rebuilding of devastated areas, and to further strengthen disaster preparedness of communities.

Conducted in  partnership with  the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)  XI, forum is an initiative of the information officers of Compostela Valley Province in line with their involvement with the Information  Management Cluster of Compostela Valley Provincial Coordinating Team.

Makigsayod was launched in the Municipality of Compostela on March 01 and was then pushed to New Bataan on March 13, bringing  into the forum representatives of regional line agencies with which residents of site towns had concerns to raise.

Among the participating agencies during the first two wave of Makigsayod Information Forum were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and  Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA), Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB),  National Housing Authority (NHA),  Department of Agriculture (DA), Overseas Worker Welfare Administrationb (OWWA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Red Cross, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).   

Other supporting agencies were the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army and the humanitarian agencies working for the typhoon Pablo relief and rehab operations.

The same agencies will also be joining during the  Makigsayod leg in Montevista on Thursday during which local officials, barangay captains, community leaders from various sectors and students are expected to listen to inputs from national line agencies and raise questions.   (JMDA/PIA XI)

Coops pooled P1.5 million for typhoon victims

TAGUM CITY, March 09:   Cooperatives in Luzon and in the Visayas together with Tagum Cooperative served a total of 5,480 families  who experienced the wrath of typhoon Pablo and the consequent  adverse weather conditions  causing massive floods.

Recently released Relief and Rehabilitation Report of Tagum Cooperative  showed that cooperatives in Luzon and in the Visayas  and Tagum Cooperative pooled together a total of P1,490,400 to reach out to the affected families.

Tagum Cooperative pitched in a counterpart donation of P940,000; Cebu Court of First Instance put in P300,000; Paco Soriano Pandacan Development Cooperative shared P150,000; CLIMBS Insurance, P40,000; Valenzuela Development Cooperative,  P30,000; Nocaliches Development Cooperative, Inc (NOVADECI), P20,000; and San Jose Del Monte Cooperative, P10,000.

“They extended and gave us their donations to typhoon victims without us asking them,” Tagum Cooperative Chairperson of the Board of Director Norma Pereyras said. As the trusted conduit of donations from fellow cooperative,  Tagum Cooperative brought relief goods to one city and three towns in Davao del Norte and to four towns in Compostela Valley.

Recipient  areas in Davao del Norte were barangays San Miguel and Liboganon in Tagum City; barangays Guadalupe, Maligaya and Salvacion in Carmen; and in the municipalities of Kapalong  and New Corella.

In Compostela Valley, Tagum Cooperative relief operation reached  the evacuation site of New Bataan; in barangays Poblacion and Bagungon in Compostela; New Visayas and Lino-an in Montevista;  and in barangays Babag, San Jose, Tubo-Tubo and Salvacion in Monkayo.

Including the P9,961 worth of relief goods given to Davao City,  Tagum Cooperative distributed P1,065,188.08 total worth of family relief packs to operation areas in Davao del Norte and in Compostela Valley.

Tagum Cooperative stretched the pooled resources to also buy P334,638 total worth of galvanized iron (GI) sheets  for building of new houses for typhoon displaced families in New Bataan, Nabunturan, Compostela, Laak and Monkayo; and in reconstructing elementary schools in Agusan del Sur.  (Tagum Cooperative)     

Tagum Cooperative goes to communities for ownership meetings

TAGUM CITY, March 09: In its drive to live by the spirit of transparency,  Tagum Cooperative has gone out of its way to visit schools and communities to discuss new policies and  disseminate updates on significant developments.

Tagum Cooperative has delivered information on new policies and updates to members through conducting a series of in-house and community-based pre Annual General Assembly (AGA) Ownership Meeting.

It wages the pre AGA Ownership Meeting starting January to March involving mostly members enlisted in Tagum main and in Tagum Public Market branches which contributed almost half of the total membership.

It  even held ownership meeting with employees whom  Tagum Cooperative officers and management wanted to become agents of informing the public about new policies and guidelines, and significant updates.  

The in-house pre AGA Ownership meetings  were held on Jan. 21, Jan. 22, Feb. 04,  Feb. 05,  Feb. 06, Feb. 07,  and Feb. 12, drawing  368 participants.

Its community meetings were held   on Feb. 01 in Maco Central Elem. School; and in Tagum City barangays of barangays La Filipina on Feb. 14, Magugpo West on  Feb. 27,   and in Mankilam on March 6, bringing together  a total of 335 members.  It is set to conduct the ownership meeting in Barangay San Miguel on March 12.

Tagum Cooperative Education Committee with Vice Chairperson Monica L. Salido at the helm, spearheads the holding  of  the in-house pre AGA Ownership Meetings  including those held at the community level, targeting Tagum Cooperative members in good standing (MIGS).

The ownership meeting seeks to explain to MIGS  the membership qualification and guidelines of participation in the General Assembly, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) set rules on Guaranteed Interest Rates of Share Capital, and some updates on setting up of branches in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

It also covered concerns regarding the holding of only one annual general assembly instead of holding separate branch assemblies in Tagum City Public Market, Panabo City, Carmen (covering Sto Tomas), Nabunturan (Compostela Valley),  and in Davao City branches in Matina, Mintal and Bajada.

Other than the MIGS, the ownership meetings are participated by members of  the Board of Directors, management officers, BOD clerks, Education and Community Development Program (ECDP) staff members.   (Tagum Cooperative)

Oyo Uy hailed as Region’s Outstanding Councilor

By: Rhodora Joy Lumanog - Writer, De Carlo L.  Uy - Office

TAGUM CITY – Senior City Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” L. Uy was awarded Regional Winner and one of the Finalists of the prestigious The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) 2012 by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and the Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara.

The Awarding Ceremonies happened Wednesday, March 7, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Convention Center during the Philippine Councilors League convention. And present to receive the award in behalf of Coun. Oyo Uy was no less than PCL National Chairman and fellow City Councilor, Atty. Alan D. Zulueta.

The young legislator championed for his outstanding leadership, legislative excellence and exceptional contribution to the cause of their constituents, the community and the nation as Councilor thereby serving as an exemplar of good governance, devotion to sworn duty and as a shining example of true public service.

Moreover, the selection process has always been the most crucial stage of the search because of the equally outstanding members of the Board of Judges who guarantee the selectiveness and integrity of the process.

Through the years, the TOCP has established itself as the Philippines’ foremost award giving body for municipal and city legislators who excel in their chosen vocation and whose selfless efforts have given notable contributions to their respective constituencies, to the community and to the country in general.

The said award also is one of the flagship projects of JCI Philippines along with The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award and The Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines (TOPP) Award which are institutions over the years and known for its reputation of being selective in granting awards.

Durian Summit to tackle improved fruit production

DAVAO CITY March 12 (PIA)- A Durian summit which will be held this March 13 to 14 in Davao City will hope to tackle issues that hinder durian production in the region.

According to Larry Miculob president of the Mindanao Fruit Council- durian growers in the country are lagging behind Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of production per hectare.

Miculob said that neighboring countries have an annual yield of 10 tons per hectares  year this compared to local production which could only amount to 2 tons per hectare.

He said there is a big market potential for durian overseas and these markets cannot be tap unless there is a problem in the production.

Miculob added that China needs about 800 tons of durian monthly and these cannot be met by local growers.

Also the low prices of durian can be attributed to the grower’s focus on the local market instead of the growing overseas consumers.

He said that they are eyeing at least to double the current production of durian farmers to at least 4 tons per hectare or equal the normal production of their Asian neighbors of about 10 tons per hectare.

Miculob said that the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology is aiming for a 26 tons per hectare production.

An increase in production will help increase the durian growers’ profit and will take his mind away from shifting to other high-valued fruits like bananas.

Miculob said the Durian Summit to be held in Davao City’s Grand Men Seng Hotel will discuss and impart to growers ways on improving their current durian production particularly disseminating new growing technologies and tackling important concerns which would affect the durian industry.

The Durian Summit is organized by the MFC and the City Agriculturist Office of the local government of Davao City. (PIA/RG Alama)

PH to campaign for more international events-PNOY

DAVAO CITY March 7 (PIA)- The government will be actively bidding to host international events in next few years.

This was said by President Benigno Aquino III during his speech  this morning (March 7) at the opening of the 2013 MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits) Conference at the new SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

“We in the Philippines have long wanted to explore other avenues for growth. In fact, my administration has been actively campaigning to host some events in the next few years—events that typically involve the participation of top global leaders in both industry and government.” the President said in his speech.   

Among the events the President announced which would be held in the country include the 2014 East Asia Summit of the World Economic Forum, the Joint Session of the UNWTO Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and Regional Commission for South Asia which will also be held next year and the 2015 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Leader’s Summit.

“Some of you may ask: what gives us the confidence to be so aggressive in making these bids? It is because we know that we have the facilities, the skills, and the competence to get things done.” President Aquino said confident of the country’s new capability to host more events and visitors.

In his speech the President stressed the importance of the MICE Conference as a way of enhancing the Philippines’ capability in handling such events. “Personally speaking, this will be very helpful since the Philippines is positioning itself to become a player, again, in the MICE industry.” the President added.

Also in his speech, President Aquino reiterated the continuing efforts of his administration in helping the tourism industry describing it as a low-lying fruit ripe for the picking.

“Back in 2011, we exceeded by two million our original 2016 target of 35.5 million domestic travelers. This means that, in just a year and a half, we already exceeded the target for our whole six-year term.” the President cited the exceeded tourism targets under his administration.

Before the President’s speech, in the presence of MICE Con delegates he signed into law Senate Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022 which exempts all international and shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers.

Also in the new law  the carriers are also exempted from paying tax on the gross revenue derived from the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail provided that the same exemption is granted by the carrier’s home country to the Philippines.

President Aquino said these is among the initiatives undertaken by the government to help the tourism industry as it will facilitate more air traffic and bring in more international visitors into the country.(PIA/RG Alama)

Church rebuilds homes of 100 typhoon hard-hit families

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, March 07 (PIA):  The Catholic Parish of Babag in Monkayo, Compostela Valley is rebuilding into much better houses the homes of 100 families which were washed out by floods due to Typhoon Pablo.

Barangay Babag Parish administrator Emerson “Em-Em” Luego said the on-going construction of 100 housing units for 100 worst-hit families in Barangay Babag came about from the instruction of Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz of the Diocese of Tagum who wanted  that assistance  be spent on rebuilding homes “for  those who really have no means.”

In an interview during an outreach activity last Sunday (March 03), Luego revealed that 22 houses (of the 100 targetted) had been built through “the spirit of bayanihan”   spending about P1.5 million donations and assistance  from various donors among which were the  Order of Malta,  the provincial governments of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, the municipal government of Monkayo, Rotary Club of Tagum and Tagum Cooperative.

“We ask them that they do it through bayanihan system for them to  have sense of ownership,”  he said in vernacular. “The recipients were previously living along the creek banks; their houses were not cemented  then, so we can just see how happy they are with their new houses,” he added.

Aside from the single unit houses partly made of Amakan,  other units will also be built in duplex  style and apartment type,  Luego said.

The Babag Parish is also providing  a means of livelihood by organizing  housing recipients into sweet potato and cassava growers, aside from  requiring them to raise their own backyard gardens.

Luego had high hopes for  the Pablo-stricken families of Barangay Babag as he saw the prospect of forming them into a farmers cooperative which  will soon be marketing their produce  in Tagum City “at a much higher price that would be fair for the farmers.”

Luego  also revealed that the Department of Agriculture (DA)  already had plowed some portions   of the land  previously planted with bananas and that it  had given given residents some seedlings.

“What is lacking here are those who can assist them start a living because the way I see it, people here are willing to work,”  he said.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)