Sajahatra Bangsamoro launch shows government's sincerity and seriousness in forging a 'just and lasting' peace in Mindanao, Malacanang says

The launch of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a socio-economic initiative aimed at uplifting the health, education and livelihood conditions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communitiese on Monday shows the sincerity and seriousness of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the government in “forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” a Palace official said on Sunday.

President Aquino will join representatives of the government and the MILF for the historic launch that will be held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute compound in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

The ceremonial launch will include the distribution of health insurance by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); upgrading of community-based health services by the Department of Health (DOH); college scholarships and technical-vocational training by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively; educational assistance to madaris (Islamic schools) and private schools by the Department of Education, needs assessment of selected Bangsamoro communities; and Cash for Work Program, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others.

In an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte lauded both sides for working towards achieving the milestone.

 “Yes, what kind of message is the President sending? First, that we are serious about forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao; and even way ahead of the signing, alam po natin that both panels are working on the annexes of the Framework Agreement,” Valte said.

The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, which was signed last October 2012, will pave the way for the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Under the agreement, the Parties agree to intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the Bangsamoro, and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants, internally displaced persons and poverty-stricken communities.

 “Even before a peace agreement is signed, you will see that it’s about providing the social services to the MILF and to the Moros in Mindanao because of the Framework Agreement. It shows also the sincerity of both sides as a continuity to talk and to finalize the annexes in the Framework Agreement,” Valte said. PND (rck)#####

No politician can enlist or delist Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries – DSWD

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- No politician has the authority to enlist and delist beneficiaries off the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

This was clarified by Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), who emphasized that only the DSWD can delist a beneficiary if he/she does not follow the conditions of the program.

Solamillo said Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, through the DSWD Grievance Redress System (GRS), gave feedbacks that politicians are allegedly claiming to have the authority to enlist and delist them from the program.

This only implies that the said politicians are out to use the program to gain leverage with the upcoming and mid-term elections.

However, DSWD has been consistent in performing its functions within the tenets of accountability and transparency, over the past years, Solamillo said.

Meanwhile, she said DSWD has launched the Anti-Epal or the “Bawal ang Epal Dito” Campaign in Region 10 to insulate the Pantawid Pamilya and other programs of the department, during the election campaign period.

The campaign seeks to empower the beneficiaries to know their rights and to be vigilant of individuals and/or groups who plan to use the program to push for their personal agenda

The Anti-Epal campaign confronts the issues of external pressure and eliminates the misconception of the beneficiaries about the control of politicians or parties over Pantawid Pamiltya and other programs of DSWD.

Aimed to intensify communication efforts ensuring that beneficiaries are accurately informed of the selection and delisting processes, the campaign focuses on the message that only the DSWD can delist a beneficiary if he/she does not follow the conditions of the program, Solamillo added. (RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental)

Police reports 22% decrease of crime incidents in NorMin

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb 9 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10) reports a 22 percent dive in crime incidents or a drop of 3,486 cases last year from the 15,743 in 2011 to only 12,257 in 2012.

During the 1st quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meet, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that index crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery and theft) make up 8,774 of the 12,257 total, last year.

This figure, however, still shows a dip of 2,952 index crime cases in 2012.

The report also notes that theft and robbery composed almost 60 percent of the index crimes, followed by physical injuries (23.4 percent), murder (6.6 percent), carnapping (4.9 percent), cattle rustling (2.1 percent), rape (1.9 percent), and homicide at (1.1 percent).

Meanwhile, all provinces in the region have likewise reported a decrease in crime incidents.

This significant decrease in crime incidents, according to the PNP, is the collective result of the implementation of Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) and other crime preventive measures with the active support of the community, LGUs, NGOs, tri-media, religious groups, other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders. (JCV-PIA 10, Cagayan de Oro)

Telecom agencies to make operational all its stations during the election period

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb 8 (PIA) -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Telecommunications Office (TelOf) and Philippine Postal Service Corporation (Philpost) will make operational all its stations during the election period.

They willl also assign sufficient number of personnel to receive, transmit and deliver election messages 10 days before election day, on election day, and 10 days after election day.

These functions are mandated by Comelec Resolution No. 9598 promulgated on Dec 21, 2012.

Meanwhile, the three (3) agencies and all private telecommunications firms shall give special preference to, and effect immediate transmission and delivery of messages or telegrams of the Comelec to their field personnel and deputies during the election period.

They will also impress upon such personnel and management that non-compliance with the provisions of Sec. 9 of the Omnibus Election Code on preferential transmissions of official mails, messages and telegrams relative to the elections, constitutes an election offense.

Under Sec. 264 of the Code, such offense is punishable with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years and shall not be subject to probation.

In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage, Comelec Resolution 9598 stipulates. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Ozamiz kids join the National Science Quest in Baguio City, Feb

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- Some 28 students from the Ozamiz City Schools Division (OCSD) have joined the 10th National Science Quest (NSQ) at the Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City, Feb. 8-10.

Initiated by the Association of Science Educators in the Philippines (ASEP) in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), the NSQ aims to promote academic excellence and create camaraderie and sportsmanship among students, pupils and coaches.

Activities of the NSQ are focused on the theme: “Science and Technology Advancement for Creating Quality Environment-Friendly in Improving Productivity Prospects,” Rebonfamil R. Baguio, OCS Division Superintendent, said.

He said participants of the NSQ are the first and second place winners of the following contests in the recently concluded Northern Mindanao Regional Children’s Science Fair and Quest 2012.

Science Quiz and Sci-Dama, elementary pupils Grade III-VI and secondary students, 1st-4th Year levels, Sci-Dama Water Patrol for elementary parents and teachers and Electro Sci-Dama for the secondary parents and teachers.

Science Fair – individual and group category for Grade III, IV, V, VI and individual group category Cluster 1 and 2 for secondary schools and Science Intervention Materials (SIM)/Science Investigatory Projects (SIP) – for elementary and secondary teachers.

On the Spot Painting and Collage-Making – for elementary and secondary teachers and students and Elementary and Secondary Robotics Dance, Sci-Cheer and Tugsayawit with Science Implications and Search for Ginoo and Binibining Kalikasan.

Additional categories include the Improntu Speaking, Essay Writing, Sci-MCO Tech, Science Fair for Public School Teachers, Secondary Level, Kiddie Science Fair for kiddie NKP, Grades 1 to 2, Jingle-Making Competition, Sci-Folk Dance, Sci-Modeling Technical Dance and Creative Modeling with Science Implication.

Meanwhile, participating in the NSQ, from OCSD are the following first and second place winners of the Regional Science Fair 2012: Quiz Bee - Sophia H. Tumada, Grade III, Neil Ian M. Mejares, Grade VI, Ian D. Oniot, Sci-Dama Water Patrol and Clint Paran, Collage-Making,

Robotincs Dance - Nicholas Joseph Balgue, Jerick Andrei L Francisco, Garry Gim Geralde M. Gaabucayan, Gim Garry Staeuard M. Gaabucayan, Edwin P. Gordove, Jr., Abesalom Chee Morgi, Empress Nel P. Macias, Angelica Jean Razonable, Jea Ysabelll Rasonable and Jeanete Robo.

Also going are coaches Mary Ann U. Sispon, Efren V. Mejares, Jose L. Baldemor, Lily D. Ng, Dorina Rule, Miraluna Gaabucayan, Cesar Y. Regadalo, and parents and chaperons of some of the contestants, Baguio added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Thousands of 4P beneficiaries avail of P142.13M worth of SLP projects

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- A total seed capital of P148,128,500 have been spent for 41,651 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P) beneficiaries under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in region 10, as of December, last year.

These beneficiaries come from 860 Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran Areas (SKA) of the region located in 28 municipalities and one city, particularly from the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.

Under the SLP, beneficiaries are allowed to get a loan ranging from P5,000 to P10,00 for their livelihood projects, which they themselves choose, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, said.

These loans, which are community-based do not bear any interest and do not need any collateral, are payable in one year, for others to also borrow under the same set of arrangements, Solamillo said.

Aside from the 4P beneficiaries, qualified to borrow are those who are listed in the National Housing Targeting System (NHTS), Solamillo added.

To ensure the success of the SLP, a five-component program that starts with a partnership-building with the community, local government units have been developed by DSWD.

Included in the process is the social preparation involving a Participatory Livelihood Issue Analysis and Value Chain Analysis, as well as Financial Literacy and Self-Awareness for the beneficiaries.

Capacity-Building, including a Business Development Service and three-five (3 to 5) day trainings for the beneficiaries follow, after which the funding for the Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) comes about.

For sustainability of the program, DSWD-10 extends technical assistance and equips the beneficiaries with a management tool which the beneficiaries themselves implement, Solamillo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)