DAR, DTI, DA converge for ARBs

By Florence A. Ramos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted the DAR-DTI Technical Discussion on Value-Chain Analysis and Planning for Project Converge on March 6-8 in this city.

The three-day affair was attended by officers and staff from the DAR and DTI central office and their counterparts from Regions 9, 10, and 13 (Caraga). A representative from the Department of Agriculture (DA-10) also attended.

The value-chain analysis and planning activity aims is to analyze and map the value-chain business development plans for selected crops in each of the covered regions and thereby increase the income of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

“DTI will be a major support since it will be the agency that will assist the project in building and improving agribusiness partnerships between ARB organizations and private sectors,” said Beh Afable, director of the DAR Project Development Management Service.

Furthermore, John Lucero, a senior trade industry development specialist from DTI central office said with the fast-paced development on the market, competitiveness between commercial products and products from local farmers will become more challenging.

“Consumers today are more sophisticated and tend to go for the best and convenient products on the market. This will be where value-chain can help our farmers,” said Lucero.

Value-chain analysis, according to his presentation, is a business promotion approach to help improve sectoral competitiveness.

Further, DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Jerry Pacturan emphasized the importance of properly organizing the ARBs in the value-chain to strengthen their competitiveness in the market.

The Convergence on Value-chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment, or simply Project Converge is a project conceptualized by the Philippine government through the National Convergence Initiative agencies (DA, DAR, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources) whose principal goal is to reduce poverty by increasing the incomes of poor agrarian reform community (ARC) clusters with the assistance of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.(Florence A. Ramos, DAR 10/PIA)

Consultation on BuB poverty projects to commence in Northern Mindanao

By Rochelle Dagang

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 12 (PIA) -- The Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team (RPRAT) will present the proposals of poverty reduction projects under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program to all focus cities and municipalities in Region 10, on March 12 to 14.

The mayor’s representative and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) field officer, being both members of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT), are expected to attend said consultation.

Batch 1 participants for the BuB consultation will be from the cities and municipalities of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin on March 12 while batch 2 from Lanao del Norte and Iligan City on March 13, and batch 3 from Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental will be on March 14.

BuB is an approach that will be used by concerned agencies for implementation of FY 2014 budget preparation, taking into consideration the development needs of poor cities/municipalities as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans.

The program was created under Executive Order No. 43, series of 2011 by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC), the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster (GGAC) and the Economic Development Cluster, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

Said consultation is based from the DBM-DILG-DSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2012 which stated that the RPRAT will provide support and guidance to LGUs throughout the BuB process and monitor the implementation of the BuB projects.

Proposals submitted by the concerned cities and municipalities have been reviewed and validated by each member agency.

Based on the guidelines, each member agency will endorse proposals which had been requested from their agency.

DILG, being the chair of RPRAT, then consolidates the results.

The rest who will answer queries are heads of agencies and focal persons from the departments of Budget Management, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Education, Labor and Employment, Energy, Trade and Industry, Tourism, and from the National Electrification Administration and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

After the consultation, the final submission of any revised proposals will be submitted again by LPRAT to the regional team.

When the projects are finally settled and/or replaced, the DILG will make a revised list of validated BuB projects for submission to the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the Regional Development Council.

A consolidation will then be made in the NAPC level to be presented to BuB oversight agencies for approval before the integration of LGU projects in the budgets of participating agencies. (Rochelle Dagang/DILG/PIA10)

LNNCHS Wildcats reign supreme in NCC 2013

By Jovanny M. Pangasian

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, March 12 -– The Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School (LNNCHS) Wildcats captured the national title for the high school coed division in the 2013 National Cheerleading Championships (NCC) held at the Philsports Arena formerly Ultra, Pasig City on Sunday, March 10.

The 30-member squad bested 14 other high school teams from different regions of the country with their clean and amazing routine including a 360 degrees tick tock stunt and the highly technical bow and arrow combinations.

Last year’s champions, the Paranaque National High School (PNHS) Warriors settled for third place while Cavite’s pride, the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) All Stars was adjudged second.

The LNNCHS Wildcats wowed the audience with their tosses, lifts and stunts, jumps and tumblings, pyramids, and their unique tango dance sequence.

“I was amazed by the performance of the Wildcats and I am so proud of their achievement being the first-ever high school squad from Mindanao to grab the title,” exclaimed Lanao del Norte’s 1st District representative, Angging Quibranza Dimaporo who was present at the championships to support Lanao’s cheerleaders.

“The Wildcats are now role models of our youth and with the discipline and commitment that they possess, I hope that they would continue to inspire young athletes and cheerleaders in our province,” said Sittie Amina Dimaporo, chief of staff.

LNNCHS Wildcats is comprised of eight girls and 22 boys. The members of the cheerleading team are: Glen Blythe Alloso, Catherine Atis, Lorefe Alipio, Nelme Vann Dagondon, Lylanie Esguerra, Noriza May Quabo, Jennie Bantilan, Joy Sumalpong, Jaymar Saberon, Dwyeth Vergeire, Jayson Sarona, Jay-ar Abarquez, Marjun Perocillo, Leoniez Handumon, Janmar Manloza, Jevon Saberon, Aigime Bontuyan, Leberde Caralde, Edmar Melecio, Renz Marion Estavas, Johnlewin Echavez, Johnryl Baylosis, Denmar Gomera, Roy Rochell Vios, Harold Merontos, July Omas-as, Eric Trajano Jr., Jereniel Tiongco, Arafat Tomanto, and Felmer Taguinca.

“We are very thankful for the overwhelming support that we get from the Dimaporo family, the local government officials of Baroy, the teaching staff and administration of LNNCHS and all the people who support our squad including our families,” said Wildcats head coach, Emenioneth Gordoncillo.

“I am so happy with the Wildcats performance and this is such a sweet victory for LNNCHS and the people of Lanao del Norte,” declared one of the squad’s coaches, Jaypee Cordero.

The LNNCHS Wildcats is also coached by Jzeconiah Prince Villacorte, Chriza Faith Manlosa, and Suzette Morilla. (Jovanny M. Pangasian/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

ARMM solon underscores the need for an enhanced education act in region

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 12 (PIA) -- A member of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), underscored the need to fast-track the passage of the Enhanced Basic Education Act (EBEA) of the ARMM.

Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, chairperson of the Committee on Education, Culture, Arts and Sports Development, said one of the most important concerns continuously discussed by the Committee was the review of the Muslim Mindanao Act (MMA) 279 to improve the education standards in the region and be aligned with that of the national government.

Tomawis said MMA 279, otherwise known as the ARMM Basic Education Act of 2010, is not faulty but the prevailing conditions and situations demand changes in some of the provisions of the Act.

She even recalled the President’s State of Nation Address (SONA) where he mentioned ghost students, walking to ghost bridges, going to ghost schools, and maybe being taught by ghost teachers.

According to her, the EBEA is a more defined, comprehensive, and relevant measure that responds to the needs of time and the demands of the education sector of the region.

The EBEA has modern landmark features on K+12, disaster risk reduction management, recognition of tribal communities, health and nutrition, and open governance, she emphasized.

The bill also promotes and strengthens the Madrasah System as an essential part of the regional education system; provides an inclusive education including access by indigenous peoples and communities, people with disabilities (PWD) and learners with special needs; provides facilities and mechanisms for access to distant learning education by learners from remote and isolated barangays in the region and out-of-school youth in urban centers; among others. (APB/PIA10)

Tripartite board-10 calls on entrepreneurs to join Productivity Olympics

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 12 (PIA) -- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Region 10 (RTWPB-10) is calling all micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region to participate in the 2013 Productivity Olympics.

The Olympics is a national competition for best productivity programs or practices focused on business excellence and resource management of MSMEs nationwide.

It is organized by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) in coordination with all its tripartite boards.

The Olympics aims to intensify national awareness and commitment to quality and productivity.

It also seeks to enhance establishment’s performance in quality and productivity, as well as, showcase the best productivity improvement programs and practices.

According to RTWPB-10, awards and incentives await the 2013 winners such as Productivity Olympics trophy, cash award, use of Productivity Olympics 2013 award logo for publicity purposes for three consecutive years, and priority endorsement to other training programs and services of the NWPC/RTWPBs and other agencies of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Interested MSMEs can download the nomination form from the NWPC website at www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph or they may also inquire from the RTWPB office.

The last day of submission is on June 30 while the awarding will be held in October in line with the celebration of the National Quality and Productivity Month.” (APB-PIA 10)

NYC opens application for Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 12 -- The National Youth Commission (NYC) region 10 is urging all qualified Filipino youth to apply for a chance to represent the Philippines in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

SSEAYP is an annual youth cultural exchange program between Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and Japan.

Now on its 40th year, SSEAYP continues to promote friendship and goodwill among young people of Southeast Asia and Japan. The program is sponsored by the Government of Japan and is implemented in the Philippines by the National Youth Commission.

“This is one way of honing the skills of our Filipino youth; SSEAYP provides our youth the opportunity to showcase their unique talent and truly become global ambassadors of goodwill,” said Commissioner Erwin Andaya, 40th SSEAYP National Organizing Committee Chair.

Delegates to the program will embark on a 52-day voyage across Southeast Asia and Japan aboard the Japanese Ocean Liner Nippon Maru.

The country program for the Philippines is scheduled on December 6 to 9, 2013.

The selected delegate will be one of the 28 participating youths between 18 to 30 years old as of April 1, 2013.

Application forms are available on NYC’s website at www.nyc.gov.ph. Application period deadline is April 12, 2013. (JMOR/PIA10)