NorMin to further strengthen anti-child labor program

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- Child labor focal persons in Northern Mindanao will converge here to further improve and strengthen the region’s anti-child labor program.

Lawyer Johnson G. Cañete, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said member-agencies and program partners of the Regional Child Labor Committee (RCLC) will meet on March 13 to tackle child labor concerns in the region.

Cañete, who also chair the RCLC, said the meeting will serve as a venue to discuss updates of the services, programs, and projects implemented by service providers in line with the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL).

The PPACL works to transform the lives of child laborers, their families, and communities, towards their sense of self-worth, empowerment and development. It envisions a child labor-free Philippines.

The RCLC, on the other hand, is an institutional mechanism at the regional level which seeks to efficiently and effectively address child labor concerns in the region through intensified and collaborative effort of all program partners and stakeholders. (APB/PIA10)

Women in gov't give gifts to 'Sendong' victims on Int'l Women’s Day

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 9 (PIA) -- The Gender Advocates-Women in Government Service (GA-WINGS) Region 10, supports the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) through giving gifts to 77 families and conducting medical and dental mission at Berjaya-Gawad Kalinga (GK) resettlement area in Camaman-an, here.

Around 29 government agencies participated in the said event bringing along their presents to the typhoon Sendong survivors who were relocated in the area.

Clarissa C. Rosales, GA-WINGS 10 president, shared that such activity is conducted to simply share little blessings and to showcase the capabilities of women to extend help to those who are in need as a manifestation of the celebration’s theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.”

Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) and medical practitioners from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) also attended in the celebration and led the conduct of the medical mission.

A culminating activity will be conducted on March 22 and the venue is to be announced by the organization. (RTP-PIA10)

DENR 10 promotes Baliangao Protected Landscape & Seascape as an eco-tourism site

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 9 (PIA) --The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region 10 is supporting the local government of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental in promoting Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape (BPLS) as an eco-tourism site.

Located in barangays Tugas, Misom, Sinian and Landing, the 299.9 hectare protected area thrives with 21 species of mangroves with Bakauan dominant in the said area. It has a 75 hectare marine sanctuary which is home to 39 colorful fish species.

Eco-tourism activities include boating, snorkeling, scuba diving and islet hopping. Nature walk can be done in the boardwalk of the Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape. The boardwalk which was constructed beneath the mangrove forests connects the islets from the mainland. It also serves as a research laboratory that offers educational and scientific values for marine researchers or related studies.

Proclamation No. 418 dated November 22, 2000 declared the wetland areas of Baliangao as a protected area under the category of Protected Landscape and Seascape. It is under the management jurisdiction of the DENR and administered in accordance with the provisions of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, and its implementing rules and regulations. A Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) was established to strengthen the conservation and protection efforts of the area.

Last year a 3 hectare mangrove rehabilitation project was undertaken within the area under the National Greening Program (NGP). Other activities conducted in BPLS include managing the protected area, implementing the Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) and the Nature Conservation, Education and Extension in schools or communities visited.

Prior to its proclamation as a protected area it was known as the Misom Sea Sanctuary established by the local government of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental pursuant to Resolution No. 01, Series of 1991. The 74-hectare marine reserve at barangay Misom was established by the PIPULI Foundation, Inc., an environmental non-government organization.

The municipality of Baliangao is located in the northern part of the province of Misamis Occidental. (DENR-10, RPAO/With report from PASu-BPLS/PIA)

DBM continues to implement budget reforms

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will continue to implement more reforms in the budget process.

DBM-10 Regional Director Annabelle M. Atillo said it would roll out the “General Appropriations Act (GAA)-as-Release-Document” by 2014.

She said the budget process for fiscal year (FY) 2014 as contained under the National Budget Memorandum 115 issued last year will be undertaken within the context of the GAA as the budgetary release document.

It means that the GAA will be considered as a release document starting 2014 expediting the release of appropriations to department and agencies and making it more transparent, she further said.

There will also be no more continuing appropriations for the FY 2014.

Atillo emphasized that the validity of appropriations whether personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses, and capital outlays will be one year.

The other budget reforms include the observance of the Unified Account Code Structure (UACS) which harmonizes government account codes, and the Government Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) which will generate real-time, reliable and accurate financial reports.

Also to be rolled-out is the Medium-term Information and Communications Technology Harmonization Initiative (MITHI), a system designed to integrate ICT operations of all government agencies and departments to ensure that the ICT programs and projects of the government is consistent with the five key result areas (KRAs) laid down in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016. (APB-PIA10)

Candidate Soldier Course application opens

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, March 9 -- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division is accepting and processing applicants for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) for the first Quarter Calendar of Year 2013 on March 15.

The Philippine Army has a quota of 100 candidate soldiers for this Division.

Applicants must have at least 72 units in college (if High School Graduate only, he or she must possess a special skill needed in the military service and certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA).

Interested applicants must be at least five feet in height for both male and female with ages from 18 to 26 years old on the start of the training. They must also be physically and mentally fit and has no pending case in any court.

Further, applicants may advise to bring along with them their supporting documents with proper tabbing during registration on March 15. Supporting documents includes the following:

A. Whole body picture

B. Bio-data with 2X2 ID picture

C. Original copy of National Statistics Office Birth Certificate with official receipt

D. Original copy of National Statistics Office Marriage Contract of Parents with official receipt

E. Certificate of Legal Beneficiaries

F. Original Transcript of Records (College/Vocational) or Form 137 and 138 (High School) with visible School Dry Seal

G. Diploma (with School Dry Seal)

H. Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery Result (Official Result Authenticated by the examiner)

I. Physical and Medical Examination Results (Authenticated and signed by the Commanding Officer of Medical Service Unit Station Hospital)

J. Physical Fitness Test Result (Authenticated and signed by the PFT Officer)

K. Drug Test Result

L. Hepatitis B Test Result

M. Local Clearances from the place of residence for at least 10 years

1. Barangay

2. Police

3. Mayor

4. Regional Trial Court

5. National Bureau of Investigation

6. Residence Certificate

N. Affidavit of Being Single

O. Original Copy of Certificate of Non-Marriage (CENOMAR) with Official Receipt

There is also an ongoing pre-processing of applicants in 401st Brigade at New Leyte, Awa, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur which ended Friday.. Other pre-processing venues are at 402nd Brigade at Bancasi, Butuan City on March 10-11, and at 403rd Brigade at Camp Osito Bahian, Impalambong, Malaybalay City on March 12-13.

Those who will qualify on the pre-processing conducted in the above mentioned venues will be advised to proceed here at Camp Evangelista, to undergo the next stages of processing of applicants.

Qualified applicants who will be selected among the pool of applicants will undergo CSC to be handled by the 4th Division Training Unit (4DTU) at Battalion Retraining Facility, Kibaritan, barangay Malinao, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

Candidate Soldiers while on training will receive monthly pay and allowances of P14,205.

Once enlisted in the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with a rank of Private, they will receive a monthly salary of P20,404 with insurance and healthcare benefits, billeting and housing privileges, job security, leadership and other skills trainings, opportunity for career advancement based on performance, opportunities for Post graduate studies both within the country and abroad, and will enjoy the opportunity and privilege of serving in the Army for our country.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio C Osias IV, 4ID spokesperson said, “We would like to encourage everybody, especially those who are coming from the provinces covered by the Division to take advantage of this opportunity and eventually become a member of the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who will be receiving a decent salary and benefits and assured of a stable job. Aside from the fact that this is an employment opportunity, you will also enjoy the privilege of serving our country, which is not given to every Filipino.” (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

DepEd-ARMM to hold Teacher Induction Program

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 10 (PIA) --- The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) will hold a Teacher Induction Program (TIP) for newly-hired teachers in the region this coming March 18 to 22.

More than 140 newly-recruited teachers representing the third batch are expected to attend the five-day induction to be held at the Pacific Heights Hotel in Cotabato City.

Forty-four of these inductees are from Lanao del Sur IA, IB, and II Schools Division while seven are from Marawi City School Division.

The TIP is designed to orient new teachers about the relevant education policies, rules and regulations pertaining to the general scope of their work, as well as their rights and responsibilities as public school teachers.

Accordingly, the five-day induction is free-of-charge. Transportation, food, accommodation, and induction materials will be paid for by DepEd-ARMM.

For more information, interested parties may contact the Action Center for Education (ACE) at 0908-869-6077 or 0916-358-5010. (DepEd-ARMM/APB/PIA10)

ARMM legislator salutes women’s contribution to society

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 10 (PIA) -- A legislator of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) underscored the multiple contributions of women in the society.

Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis said women not only play the role of mothers but also of teachers, providers and professionals reminding the society of the need to balance modernity and tradition.

She said women are innate teachers because they are the first to teach their child while some leave their families behind to work as overseas workers in order to feed their families.

Tomawis further said the role of women in the workforce and economic development must also be accounted for.

“They have overcome major hurdles and even worse stereotypes, cement-thick beliefs against their capacity to make decisions, and even with their multiple burdens in their vast communities, they hide their pains because they are expected to be strong for their families,” she added.

Thus, she enjoined ARMM constituents to “cite stories of women and make them part of a tapestry being woven in an evolving cultural and democratic society that is preparing for a Bangsamoro government.” (APB/PIA10)