PIA-10 NEWS

Consul General in San Francisco to determine if any Filipinos were hurt in Asiana Airline crash

The Philippine Consul General in San Francisco is working with American authorities to determine if any Filipinos were included in the Asiana Airlines crash upon landing at the San Francisco International Airport on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), a Palace spokesperson said on Sunday.

In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that initial reports from ConGen Marciano Paynor, Jr. was that no Filipinos were on board Asiana Air that was coming in from Seoul, Korea when it crashed but were still in the process of confirming it.

“Our fellow workers in the Consulate in San Francisco are already there. I think Consul General (Marciano) Paynor, Jr. has already sent and dispatched embassy officials to go to the airport to check on if there were any Filipinos in the plane,” Valte said.

“So far negative pa po ang mga reports but they’re still trying to get more information,” she added.

Valte said the Philippines is extending its deepest sympathies and condolences with the families of two passengers who, according to reports, perished in the crash.

“It is very unfortunate what happened. We continue to hope that everybody is safe and we send out our condolences to the families. The last time I checked there were (reports) of two casualties. We send out our deepest sympathies and condolences to them as well as our well wishes for the recovery of the injured,” she added.

A Boeing 777 airplane of Asiana Airlines carrying 307 people from Seoul, Korea crashed upon landing at runway 28L of the San Francisco International Airport on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Officials said 123 escaped without injury and 181 were hospitalized or treated for injuries. Among the injured, 49 are in serious condition and five, including a child remain in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital. Among the 47 others at the hospital, several were treated for minor injuries, including fractures and abrasions, and were released Saturday night.

Malacanang says travel advisories 'right of any country for safety of their citizens'

Malacanang brushed off the latest travel advisory issued by the United States of America against travelling to the southern portion of the Philippines, saying it was the right of any country in order to keep their citizens safe.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson said in a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the Philippine government clearly understood the intentions of the travel advisory as the Philippines, through its various diplomatic posts around the world, had also issued similar advisories to Filipinos, the most recent of which, was for Egypt and for Massachusetts during the Boston marathon bombing incident.

“We respect the right of any country to issue any precautionary measures intended for the safety of their citizens while visiting other countries in the same way that the Philippine government through our posts in other countries have also issued several warnings whenever we feel that our citizens should take extra precautions in light of events that are happening,” Valte said.

One example (is the) one I mentioned yesterday on the caution or the alert levels that we raised in Egypt due to the movements there. I also remember the DFA Spokesperson mentioning that we did issue a precautionary warning to our citizens residing in Boston right after the bombing had taken place,” she added.

“You know, as a country we also recognize the need of others to issue these precautionary measures to their citizens,” Valte further said.

Valte pointed out that despite such travel advisories to foreign visitors, the country posted two million tourist arrivals for the first five months of 2013.

“This is the first time in Philippine history that the country has reached the two million mark in the first five months of the year. So makikita po naman natin na marami pa rin ang dumadating sa ating bansa at talagang malaki ang katotohanan sa likod ‘nung ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’,” she added.

News Feature: Rights, Camera, Action!: A Call Against Child Labor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- One hundred students and teachers from different schools in the municipalities of Camiguin province participated in “Rights. Camera. Action!,” a summer workshop against child labor held at the Grand Provincial Convention Center, Mambajao.

The three-day workshop conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camiguin, Department of Education-Camiguin, Anak TV and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) was aimed to eliminate the worst forms of child labor such as sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, serfdom, prostitution and pornography, use of children for illegal activities—including drug trafficking.

“Activities like this has been my childhood dream and I thank you for making it a reality. Film-making is never easy and with your help, nothing now is impossible. Camiguingnons are thankful that agencies like NCCT, Anak TV and DOLE 10 are here to help," said Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo during the opening ceremonies.

Among the speakers of the workshop were Nestor U. Torre, Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Mag Cruz Hatol, NCCT Chairman; Theater actor, Basilidas V. Pilapil, Jr.; NCCT Project Development Officer II, Patrick Jay J. Veril; and Arlyn Z. Bael, Anti-child Labor Program Focal Person of DOLE 10.

“This workshop is the best avenue to cultivate the creative minds of the students and teachers in harnessing their skills in photography, videography, painting, stage acting and script writing. We do not know that in the future, another world class film maker would come from your group and it would not be a surprise because the people of Camiguin are gifted with cinematic views like the island that says ‘the island of your imagination’,” said OIC Head Jose Errol A. Natividad.

RUNAWAY WINNER

“Sisid” has been declared the runaway winner in a one-minute film besting nine others. The film, made by Team Kid’s Zone directed by Roquieto A. Dal from the municipality of Catarman emotionally charged story of a young boy who swims for a peso coin in the port of the island raging against the waves and risks of facing death in exchange of his family’s daily meals.

“I did not expect our group would take almost all of the awards. It was a stiff competition with potential people in each group. I am very thankful to DOLE 10 because it has opened the youth’s awareness in our society’s issue such as child labor. More importantly, this had developed my personal pursuits in my dream to become a film maker and the youths become better citizens in the Province of Camiguin,” Dal said.

Kid’s Zone is compose of Leslie D. Abregana, Jonah Crisel H. Laguie (Bonbon National High School), Melton James C. Luanzon, Joy Marie C. Opamin (Fatima College of Camiguin), Ma. Kristine G. Abing, Jon Michael Semilla, Norbert Q. Libago, (Camiguin National High School), Sheena Cascon, (Western Mindanao State University) and Roquieto A. Dal (Liceo de Cagayan University).

“Sisid” also won for best in photography, best videography, best script, best production design, best direction, outstanding group, best video and best actor.

Jeffrey Masayon, a grade 4 student of Maac Elementary School won the Best Actor Award. With the group’s initiative, Jeffrey was given a complete set of school supplies, uniform and a cash prize from the NCCT.

During the film critiquing, Resource Person and Evaluator, Nestor U. Torre appreciated the groups. “For my part, I tried to put the exciting experience in perspective by pointing out to the workshoppers that they were starting a new chapter in their lives: Heretofore, they had been members of the audience, viewing productions made by other people. Now, they were the ones generating the product—for other viewers to benefit from!,” he said.

Torre also emphasized that it was important for them to realize that they were unique, and should not copy or do mere variations on what others were already making.

WORTH EMULATING

DOLE-10 Regional Director Johnson G. Cañete hopes to replicate the same activity in the different provinces of Northern Mindanao.

“This activity is a big challenge to our different DOLE 10 Provincial Heads and worth emulating to address the eradication of child labor activities in your respective provinces,” he said.

“This is the start of our partnership. I thank the NCCT, Anak TV, Department of Education and the province of Camiguin for this opportunity. Given a short time, you (participants) produced one-minute films as tools to spread awareness against child labor and to share your thoughts on children’s rights concerning them and the community,” Cañete added.

The culmination activity and awarding of prizes on the third day also displayed remarkable masterpieces made by the participants. Paintings, photography, stage acting and constellation were among the outputs presented. (Glenford C. Labial/DOLE-10/PIA)

Misamis Occidental, now a Filariasis-Free province

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 8 (PIA) -- Misamis Occidental will be officially declared as a Filariasis-Free Province on July 11, in ceremonies at Naomi’s Botanical Garden (NBG), this city.

This, as the province’s vigorous campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, a debilitating and disfiguring parasitic disease, has been won and achieved.

Misamis Occidental is the 18th province in the list of endemic provinces in the country that achieved the elimination of Filariasis as a public health problem.

Meanwhile, as part of the celebration, the Department of Education (DepEd), one of the stakeholders in the campaign, will hold an on-the-spot Poster-Making Contest on the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis at NBG on July 11, at 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Focused on the theme: “Filariasis Nasugpo na! Misamisnon… Pagpakigbatok, Ipadayon Ta! (Filariasis Already Eliminated! But Misamisnons Let’s Continue the Fight Against It!)” the contest is open to Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils and students in secondary schools, Superintendent Jonathan S. Dela Peňa of the Misamis Occidental Schools Division, said.

The first and second place winners in the Division level contest from the elementary and secondary schools, each, will compete with the winners from other DepEd divisions in the province, particularly, Oroquieta City, Ozamiz City and Tangub City Schools Division.

Criteria of the contest will include the originality, 40 percent, workmanship and relevance, 30 percent, each, Dela Peňa said.

The drawing materials of the contest will be provided by the Department of Health (DOH), with the artwork medium in pastel crayons and done on a one-fourth (1/4th)-size illustration board. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Lanao del Sur gets P129.7 million for health facilities

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 8 (PIA) -- A total of P129.7 million was allocated for the upgrading of health infrastructure and procurement of medical equipment for identified health facilities in the province.

This is 17 percent of the P756 million allocated for the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) under the ARMM Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP), Dr. Alinader Minalang, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported during the recently concluded Lanao del Sur People’s Dialogue.

He said P43.2 million of the said amount will be used for construction of 36 barangay health stations (BHS) in 28 targeted municipalities and P3.0 million for the repair and renovation of Tamparan District Hospital.

The remaining P83.5 million will be used for procurement of x-ray and ultrasound machines for the Provincial Capitol Clinic, BEMONC Equipment Package for the 36 BHS, and various medical equipment for Tamparan, Wao, Malabang, Unayan and Balindong District Hospitals, he added.

Minalang, however, clarified that the role of IPHO in the implementation of these projects are limited to monitoring and as end-user of the projects.

He said the procurement processes are being undertaken by the DOH-ARMM through the regional Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

Meanwhile, the IPHO reported that there was already partial delivery of equipment to the five recipient district hospitals, Provincial Capitol Clinic and health stations.

Also, 25 BHS have commenced construction with different levels of accomplishment while the repair and renovation of Tamparan District Hospital have not yet started due to problem in bidding process.

The TISP is part of the Aquino’s administration’s continuing initiative to improve socio-economic conditions in the ARMM. (APB/PIA-10)

Lanao Norte celebrates Provincial Environment Day

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, July 8 (PIA)— The provincial government of Lanao del Norte spearheaded the Provincial Environment Day with a coastal clean-up and tree planting activities on June 28, 2013.

A total of 250 non-fruit bearing seedlings were planted at the vicinity and around Tinago Falls, one of the country’s known waterfalls located in Barangay Robocon, Linamon, Lanao Del Norte.

Among those who joined in were the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local officials of Lanao Del Norte.

Some members of the Girls Scouts of the Philippines as well as the school teachers of Robocon Elementary School were also involved in the tree planting.

Prior to the said activity, was a coastal clean-up at Adam & Eve Beach Resort, in Barangay Samburon, Linamon, this province.

Also, the provincial government has accorded plaques to stakeholders in their valuable contribution in protecting the environment.

One of those being recognized is the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion for the valuable efforts of the unit in protecting the environment with activities like tree planting, coastal clean-up thru the KALASAG’ or KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan Program.

After the awarding was the presentation of the eleven (11) candidates vying for the title of Miss Lanao del Norte 2013. The candidates also joined in the tree planting. (lvgabule/PIA-10 LDN/4th Mech IB, PA)

Mass oath taking of officials marks 54th Araw ng Lanao del Sur celebration

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 5 (PIA) -- A mass oath taking of newly-elected municipal, city and provincial officials marked the 54th Araw ng Lanao del Sur celebration on July 4.

Provincial Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Adiong Jr., Vice Governor Arsad Marohombsar and First District Representative Ansarruddin ‘Hooky’ Adiong led the other elected officials in taking their oaths before Judge Wenida Papandayan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

Also joining them were Board Members and Regional Legislative Assembly Members from the two districts of the province as well as elected mayors, vice-mayors, and councilors from the 39 municipalities of the province.

In his speech, Adiong encouraged his fellow officials to be true to their sworn duties and responsibilities.

Adiong also said that his administration will further strengthen programs on agriculture, health, education, youth and women empowerment.

We will continue enhanced cooperation with other agencies in pursuit of these goals, he added.

The mass oath taking, held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium here, was witnessed by Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV. (APB/PIA 10)

Comelec asks NSO for the national list of deceased persons of voting age

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 5 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the National Statistics Office (NSO) for the National List of Deceased Persons of Voting Age (NLDPVA) from the year 2010 to 2013 with quarterly update of the same.

It has also directed the Election Officers (EO) to use the NLDPVA as basis for submission to the Election Registration Board (ERB), the names of deceased voters for cancellation of registration records, submitting a corresponding report thereon to the Registration Division.

Stipulated in Comelec Resolution No. 9712, these directives will be implemented by the Election and Barangay Affairs Department, Atty. Cirilo Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said.

Nala said the resolution is in line with the Comelec mandate to cleanse the National List of Registered Voters (NLRV) not only of double/multiple registration records but also of deceased voters’ whose names are to date still included in the NLRV.

The Comelec said although the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) has been complying with the mandate to submit each month a certified list of persons who died during the previous month to the EO of the place of death, the problem lies in case the deceased is not a registered voter in the place where he dies or where he resides before his death.

When the deceased was a resident of a certain area but voted elsewhere because of failure/refusal to transfer his registration records, which is a very common occurrence, the names of the deceased voters will not be cancelled from the list of voters.

The non-cancellation of the names of deceased voters when left unchecked will pollute the NLRV and raise issues as to the perpetuation of electoral frauds, such as, substituted voting using the names of deceased voters.

Thus, for the purpose of cleansing the NLRV of un-cancelled deceased persons’ registration records, the Comelec hereby directs the NSO to provide it with the NLDPVA from year 2010 to 2013, with quarterly update of the same.

It will then trickle down the NLDPVA to the EO’s, for them to use as basis for listing down the names of deceased voters for cancellation of registration records, Nala added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

ARMM Human Rights Commission to open field office in Marawi

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 5 (PIA) -- The Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is set to open a field office here.

The RHRC Marawi Field Office will be located at the New Capitol Complex, Provincial Capitol Compound, this city.

The inauguration of the field office, scheduled on July 8, will be graced by outgoing RHRC Chairperson Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia, ARMM Assemblyman Zia-ur Rahman A. Adiong and Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr.

The RHRC is the sole regional human rights institution in the ARMM created by virtue of Republic Act 9054 and operationalized by Muslim Mindanao Act (MMA) No. 288 or the ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012.

It is an independent office that performs the powers and mandate of the national Commission on Human Rights within the autonomous region.

The RHRC is authorized under Section 11 of MMA 288 to create and establish sub-regional and provincial offices which are necessary for the effective fulfillment of its mandate.

The RHRC Marawi Field Office will be headed by Atty. Abdel Jamal R. Disangcopan (APB/PIA-10)

Misamis Occ intensifies IEC on renal disease control and prevention

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 5 (PIA) -- An intensified information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on renal disease control and prevention (REDCOP) will be waged by the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, this year.

This, as kidney diseases posted a total of 5,994 cases or 1,024.19 percent rate per population of 100,000, and second among the 10 leading causes of morbidity in 14 municipalities and three cities of the province in 2012.

Renal failure, likewise, resulted in 185 deaths, last year, posting a 31.61 percent rate and ranked 4th among the 10 leading causes of mortality in Misamis Occidental, last year, Engr. Mercilyn S. Tinapay, REDCOP Provincial Coordinator, said.

Meanwhile, data at the Provincial Health Office (PHO) show that Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) posted the highest number of 27,323 cases or 4,668.67 percent per 100,000 population and ranked first among the 10 causes of morbidity in 2012.

The other ailments, their rank in the 10 leading causes of morbidity, number of cases and rates of incidence per 100,000 population are as follows:

Wounds, all types, 3rd, 5,532 cases or 945.25, Hypertension, 4th, 5,024 or 858.45 Pneumonia, 5th, 998 854 percent, and Bronchitis, 6th, 4,378 cases or 748.07 percent.

Skin Disease, 7th, 3,908 cases or 667.76 percent, Diarrhea, 8th, 2,828 cases or 483.22 percent, Gastritis, 9th, 1,798 or 307.22 percent and Abscess, 10th, 1,670 cases or 285.35 percent.

On the other hand, Pneumonia posted 334 deaths or 57.07 percent making it number one in the list of 10 leading causes of death per 100,000 population of the province, last year.

The other ailments, their rate and rank among the 10 leading causes of deaths per 100,000 population are as follows:

Cardio-Vascular Disease, 2nd, 321 deaths or 54.84 percent, Heart Disease, 3rd, 320 deaths or 54.67, Cancer, all forms, 5th, 163 deaths or 27.85, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 6th, 103 deaths or 17.59 percent.

Septicemia, 7th, 98 deaths or 16.74 percent, Diabetes Mellitus, 8th, 97 deaths or 16.67percent, Injuries/accidents, 9th, 95 deaths or 16.23 percent and Bleeding Peptic Ulcer, 10th, 62 deaths or 10.59 percent. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Fast tracking of city environment code tops agenda of Tangub SP

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 5 (PIA) -- Fast tracking the city environment code and gender and development program plan top the legislative agenda of the 13th Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP), here.

This was revealed by Vice-Mayor Edemar S. Alota, Presiding Officer of the SP, during its inaugural session at Function Hall 1, last July 2, attended by all the newly elected SP members, along with other guests led by Atty. Philip T. Tan, the re-elected City Mayor.

Also to be fast tracked by the 13th SP are the city’s tourism code, child and youth welfare code, disaster management code, and the annual investment program, said Alota, formerly SP member, who took over the reins of the city council, from April 2011 to June 2013, after the death of then Vice Mayor Alejo Monleon.

During the session, two resolutions were passed: Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez who administered the city officials’ oath of office in the previous week and resolution supporting the formulation of a Master Plan for Eco-tourism.

Likewise, three out-going SP members: Filoteo C. Alngohuro, Sabiniano S. Canama and Francisca P. Lopez were given tribute and token by the heads of department, in recognition of their years of service to the local government.

Highlighting its accomplishments, Alota said Tangub became the Most Outstanding Sanggunian, Component Cities Category, in Region 10, and a finalist in the national level, last year, for its approval of a total of 896 resolutions and 67 ordinances and the conduct of 12 special and 94 regular sessions, during the 12th SP.

In 2008, the SP went paperless with the sessions conducted using mounted LCD and laptop for each member, making way for transparency, efficiency, easy access to references and attachments, data banking and capability enhancement of the city legislators, economy on the use of paper and ink, and environmental conservation.

Moreover, two of its members finished their master’s degree studies in development management and governance through a scholarship program of the Philippine Councilors League-Legislative Academy, in partnership with the University of Makati, which was sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government. (JBT/RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Lanao Norte receives P5.8M farm equipment

By Jorie C. Valcorza

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE, July 5 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture-10 (DA-10) has turned-over P5.8 million worth of farm equipment in support to rice production of the Lanao del Norte.

The turn-over ceremony was conducted during the Agri-Aqua, Livestock and One Town One Product (OTOP) Fair conducted in celebration of the 54th Founding Anniversary of the province.

The farm equipment which includes one unit of combine harvester, six units of shallow tube well, seven units of power tiller, 12 units of rice cutter and one unit of drilling rig is expected to benefit local farmers in the province.

Lealyn A. Ramos, DA-10 Regional Executive Director lauded the contribution of the province of Lanao del Norte in bringing about agricultural development which facilitated in uplifting the lives of marginalized farmers and fisherfolks, as delivered by Engr. Roxana H. Hojas, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations.

“I am grateful and appreciative that you have exerted another effort in allowing our farmers, fisherfolks, agri-entrepreneurs and many other stakeholders of the mother of all industries…to take the center stage and to exhibit, promote and sell their respective farm harvest and fish catch and other agri-products at the same time increase their sales while naturally augmenting their income,” Ramos said.

On the other hand, Lanao del Norte Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo expressed his gratitude to the DA and other government agencies with the downpour of support in mitigating hunger and malnutrition and in making the province competitive in the aspect of agriculture by initiating livelihood opportunities to farming communities, establishing agri-related infrastructures such as farm-to-market roads and providing support for farm mechanization, among others. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10/PIA)

DSWD-10 joins the 2nd NorMin Career Advocacy Congress

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office 10 participated in the recently concluded 2nd Northern Mindanao Career Advocacy Congress at Pryce Plaza, Cagayan de Oro City.

Represented in by the DSWD–Field Office 10 Human Resource Management Unit, the whole day affair was conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – 10 and participated in by various regional government agencies, guidance counselors and school administrators from various private and public schools around the region, representatives from the local government units, the media, and other stakeholders.

The Career Advocacy Congress aims to strengthen the labor trends in the region through strengthened cooperation and partnerships with the various stakeholders in the region.

Christine Z. Leyva, DSWD FO-10 Unit Head of the Human Resource Development, saw the Advocacy Congress as a welcoming development, especially that the activity could now be a venue for the department to introduce existing and upcoming projects and programs. Leyva took the opportunity to introduce to the participants the forthcoming implementation of the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) the department will carry out starting July 2013.

“The Career Advocacy Congress is the perfect venue for us to introduce the NCDDP and also a venue to promote the job opportunities for the said program since we will be hiring more than 400 employees in implementing the region-wide project,” Leyva said.

The conduct of the 2nd Northern Mindanao Career Advocacy Congress was just among the Inter-Agency partnership activities in the region that aims to promote development and sustainability in Northern Mindanao. Participants of the activity have seen the significance of the activity and are hopeful that there will be more activities such as this one that will follow in the future.

“The activity does not only showcase programs and job opportunities of the various government agencies and the private sectors, but a good venue in strengthening Private-Public Partnership that will ensure harmony and cooperation among stakeholders in improving lives of people in Northern Mindanao especially in developing tools that will aid career paths for our youth in the region,” said Leyva.(Charmaine P. Tadlas/RTP/PIA10)