PIA 10 News

Secretary Del Rosario call for support to Phl’s candidature to UN Auditing Board

08 July 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario hosted a reception for the diplomatic and consular corps on July 04 at the Manila Polo Club to seek international support for the candidature of Atty. Ma. Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, Chairperson of the Commission on Audit (COA), to the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNBOA) for the term 2014-2020 at elections to be held in November 2013.

Aside from highlighting Chairperson Tan’s extensive experience and expertise, as well as professional integrity that will make her an asset to the United Nations, Secretary Del Rosario also lauded COA as an institution that has contributed much to the economic development and progress of the country by ensuring the efficient and transparent use of government resources.

“Chairperson Tan’s candidature represents the Philippines’ contribution towards promoting transparency, accountability, high ethical standards, and efficiency in the UN,” Secretary Del Rosario added.

Chairperson Tan, in her speech, outlined her vision and priorities if elected to the UNBOA, which include:

Undertaking a risk-based audit planning process to focus UN’s limited resources to operations with the most significant impact;

Continuous dialogue and cooperation with the management and staff of the audited UN organizations to develop and put forward recommendations that are truly necessary and implementable; 

Coordination with other oversight bodies such as audit committees, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), finance committees, internal audits, and the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) to ensure coordination and coherence of plans and activities; 

Deployment of auditors and other experts with the professional expertise and experience, who are physically and psychologically fit for the rigorous and painstaking work that effective, world class audit demands, and who have proven relational and communication skills of the highest level; and 

Ensure that the external audit services to the UN organizations are delivered in conformity with international audit standards and with the highest level of integrity and independence to enhance accountability and transparency in corporate governance.

 “Last but not least, I bring the perspective and strength of a woman, a gender balance that should serve the UN well at these crucial times,” Chairperson Tan said.

Thirty-seven (37) members of the diplomatic corps and 30 honorary consuls were joined by the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of DFA geographic offices, as well as COA officials during the reception. (COA/PIA)

XU assures Xavier Ecoville sustainability during Hope Festival

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) -- In Cagayan de Oro, 568 tropical storm Sendong survivors were given permanent homes called Xavier Ecoville. To ensure sustainability in this community, Xavier University turned over a livelihood center to the Xavier Ecoville Multipurpose Cooperative (Xempco) during the Dayun, Padayun: The Xavier Ecoville Hope Festival and blessing of their houses on July 6 in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City.

This, in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation, Maybank Foundation, Steag State Power Inc., Smart Communications, Rotary Club West, and Rustan’s.

During the turn over, Fr. Roberto Yap, Xavier University president, said that the real challenge in building a community such as Xavier Ecoville does not solely focus on providing homes but on helping people get employment opportunities and earn a living for their families thus, they created the livelihood center.

Among the representatives of the partner institutions who graced the said event included Dr. Carsten Eevers, Steag State manager and Eric H. Montelibano of Maybank.

The turnover ceremony also highlighted the signing of the memorandum of agreement with Maybank Foundation, Xempco, and the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF).

In the MOA, Maybank agrees to grant XSF P500,000 for the implementation of the Xavier Ecoville-Maybank Manpower Services Project proposal and another P500,000 for the acquisition of a vehicle for the manpower services and the cooperative. In return, XSF agres to facilitate the implementation of the approved project proposal and judiciously use the grant amount to maximize the benefits to the community.

Xempco, on the other hand, agrees to help in implementing the approved project proposal and co-manage the manpower services for the duration of the project (six months). They will also take full managerial and operational function and responsibility afterwards.

The CDA-registered Xempco has been established to become the hub of enterprise development and livelihood skills training in the community. Currently, the enterprises managed by the cooperative are wholesaling, loan and credit, tree nursery, food processing, and bakeshop, sewing, and manpower agency. (RTP/PIA10)

Concerted efforts play vital role to end hunger – NNC-10

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) -- In celebration of Nutrition Month, the National Nutrition Council in Region 10 (NNC - 10) emphasized the importance of having the concerted efforts of different sectors to end hunger in the community and country.

Zenaida Tondares, nutrition program coordinator of the NNC-10 said that one government agency is not enough to help alleviate hunger problem in society, rather it takes all sectors of the community including the local government unit, private institutions and even the media to help advocate and put a stop to hunger.

For her part, Fatima Villaremo of NNC-10 enumerated five nutritional problems in the region, first is the Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM), second is the Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), third is the Iodine Deficiency Disorders, fourth, Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and lastly, Overnutrition.

The 2008 and 2011 studies of NNC in Northern Mindanao show the prevalence of undernourished children from zero to five years old.

In 2008, there was a 21.6 percent prevalence of underweight from 0 to 5 years old while in 2011, there was a slight increase of this prevalence to 21.9 percent in the same age range. This can be considered public health significant when underweight-for-age are those with prevalence rates of 20 percent or higher.

Further, the Operation Timbang of 2011 and 2012 show the province of Lanao del Norte holding the highest percentage for underweight, severely underweight, and overweight children ages 0-71 months.

Based on statistics, Villaremo said that Region 10 posted a poverty incidence of 32.8 percent in 2009, worse-off than the country average of 20.9 percent. In comparison with other regions in the country, Northern Mindanao ranked 12th in 2009 among the poorest regions.

Meanwhile, in terms of magnitude of poor families, there was an increase of 17, 793 from 257,640 in 2006 to 275,433 in 2009. Region 10 ranked third among the regions with increases in the magnitude of poor families.

Sherill Pineda of NNC further explained that hunger is determined through food poverty/food threshold, food insecurity, dietary adequacy, prevalence of underweight and self-rated hunger incidence.

Aside from the government programs such as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), rice self-sufficiency from the Presidential Proclamation No. 494 2013 National Year of Rice, Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy of the Department of Agriculture (DA), NNC said each Filipino can still help reduce hunger and malnutrition in simple ways.

They said we can promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and give appropriate complementary food while continuing breastfeeding, establish vegetable gardens, raise poultry and small animals/fish, buy locally-grown foods, cook and eat just enough food and support feeding programs. (JMOR/PIA)

Promotion of human rights is everybody’s concern

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 9 (PIA) -- The promotion of human rights should be everybody’s concern.

This was emphasized by Atty. Galuash ‘Bong’ Ballaho, commissioner of the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) during the inauguration of its field office in the city Monday, July 8.

He said human rights issues are a major problem in the region but this is now slowly changing.

Ballaho said their office is collaborating with other agencies for potential solutions to these issues citing their convergence program with the security sector in the region that is now gaining positive results.

The RHRC monitors family feuds (rido) and helps in the reconciliation of warring parties with the support of local government units and non-government organizations, he added.

Since most of human rights violations arise from armed conflict, Ballaho said they are monitoring the peace process and the flight of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) and evacuees.

So far, there are no reported IDPs in the province, he said.

The RHRC is an independent office that has the same powers and mandate as the national Commission on Human Rights. It was created by virtue of Section 16 of Republic Act No.9054 and operationalized by Muslim Mindanao Act No. 288 or the ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012 authored by Assemblyman Zia-ur Rahman A. Adiong.

Lawyer Abdel Jamal Disangcopan, head of the RHRC Marawi Field Office, meanwhile thanked the provincial government for giving them space at the provincial capitol complex.

He also expressed appreciation for the positive reception from human rights partners and stakeholders in the province.

He said the opening of the field office will ensure that human rights issues in the area will be addressed in line with the "Daang Matuwid (straight path)" espoused by President Aquino and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman. (APB/PIA-10)

Mambajao scored high in local performance rating

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, July 8 (PIA) -- Mambajao town’s Annual State of Local Governance Report (SLGR) showed a 4.63 rating (out of 5) or high level performance score in 2012.

SLGR is a web-based, self-assessment process developed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) using the Local Performance Management System (LGPMS) tool in identifying capabilities and limitations of the LGU in the delivery of essential services.

Town Mayor Maria Luisa Romualdo cited this during her State of Municipality Address (SOMA) on Friday, July 5 at the Camiguin Convention Center.

She noted on efforts invested in the crafting of the tourism master plan, updating of the land use plan and environmental laws, as well as, the streamlining of frontline services for improved governance.

In the area of revenue generation, the municipality showed an increase of 4.3 percent, due the increase in number of investors from 1,221 in 2011 to 1,286 in 2012 and another 6 percent increase in real property tax generation.

For health services, the LGU reported an investment in the amount of P1.5 million for the maternal, child and health care program, which also translates to zero maternal deaths in 2012.

The Mambajao LGU likewise came up with a feedback system, now made available to every transacting client, to solicit their views and satisfaction level on services availed.

“Programs, projects, and activities in the name of ‘good governance’ were delivered because we have championed participatory governance,” she said.

Romualdo added that her administration’s thrust for a ‘Clean and Beautiful Mambajao’ will remain as the LGU’s loud battle cry, as a way of protecting the town from floods or calamities triggered by poor garbage or environment management.

To date, the LGU has already owned three dump trucks and one garbage compactors to manage garbage collections and targets further to institutionalize the scheduled collection of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. (JCV/PIA)

Comelec tells voters: Submit to biometrics data validation

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 8 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged the registered voters whose biometrics data have not been captured to submit themselves for validation.

This provision is stipulated in Republic Act No. 10367, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for Mandatory Biometrics Voters Registration,” to complete the list of voters with complete biometrics data for the May 2016 National and Local Elections.

As such, the Comelec has started the validation of registration of voters with no or incomplete biometrics data, last July 1, at the Office of the Election Officer (EO) of the city/municipality where the voter is registered.

Data at the Comelec show that a total of 9,018,256 registered voters for the May 13, 2013 elections were without biometrics data as of Oct. 31, 2012, the last day of registration and validation for the said national and local exercise.

Meanwhile, Atty. Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) said voters who have no or incomplete biometrics data appearing in the Voter Registration System (VRS) shall have their biometrics data validated by presenting themselves personally before the EO in order to establish their identity, bringing any of the following:

Current employees identification card with signature of the employer or authorized representative, Postal ID, Students ID or Library Card signed by the School Authority, Senior Citizen’s ID Card, Driver’s License, PNP/NBI Clearance, Passport, SSS/GSIS ID, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID, Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) license or any valid ID.

Report on validation of the voters biometrics will be submitted simultaneously with the quarterly progress report upon resumption of the system of the continuing registration of voters after the Sychronized Oct. 28, 2013 Barangay and Sanggunigan Kabataan Elections.

The registration records of voters without biometrics data who failed to submit for validation on or before the last day of filing of applications for registration for the purpose of the May 9, 2016 national and local elections shall be deactivated in the last ERB hearing to be conducted prior to the said elections.

Deactivated voters shall not be allowed to vote but they can apply for reactivation upon the resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters after the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections, the PES also said. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DSWD advocates laws on solo Parents, domestic workers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development 10 (DSWD-10) conducted an Advocacy Forum on Republic Act 8972 or The Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000 and Republic Act 10361 or The Domestic Workers Welfare Act on June 21 at Cagayan de Oro City.

There were 50 participants comprising local social workers, solo parents advocates, as well as people’s organization representatives in the forum.

Deputy Provincial Prosecutor of Misamis Oriental Atty. Malou Romualdo-Sumalpong who specializes in family court cases, discussed Republic Act No. 8972.

According to her, the law aims to help solo parents who find it difficult to cope being a single parent.

Promulgated on November 7, 2000, RA 8972 is the Philippine law on single parents.

The law provides comprehensive program of services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by DSWD, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, and other related government and non-government agencies. (Sec. 2, RA 8972).

A person is considered a single parent if:

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without final conviction of the offender: provided that the mother keeps and raises the child;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one year;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of children;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to declaration of nullity of annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of children;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to abandonment of spouse for at least one year;

Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep and rear her/his child/children instead of having others care for them or give them up to welfare institution;

Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children;

Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

A change in the status or circumstance of the parent claiming benefit under this Act, such that he/she is no longer left alone with the responsibility of parenthood, shall terminate his/her eligibility for these benefits.

Meanwhile, the speaker shared the details of the new law on Republic Act No. 10361 also known as “The Batas Kasambahay.” The law elaborates on the new approved rights and privileges of the domestic workers and employment terms and conditions as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement.

The law signed January 18 by President Aquino sets the minimum wage of household service workers in the country to P2,500 a month for those employed in the National Capital Region; P2,000 a month for those employed in chartered cities and first class municipalities; and P1,500 a month for those employed in other municipalities.

Sumalpong said the purpose of the law is to protect the rights and provide better privileges of domestic workers for them to become more productive citizens of the country. She said they have contributed a lot in the daily activities of our family and the community as well. (Hacelyn B. Barrero/RTP/PIA10)

DA holds scrapbook workshop for regional winners

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) - With the coming National Corn Quality Awards competition, the Department of Agriculture in Region 10 (DA-10) invited the regional winners to a Scrapbook Preparation Workshop, on Monday, July 8 at the DA-10 Compound, in this city.

The activity primarily intended to coach the regional winners in the preparation of their documentary requirements (scrapbook) as entailed to qualify as official contenders for the above said awards.

With assistance from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID), the regional winners were briefed on how to competitively package their scrapbook that will capture and hold the contest evaluators’ interest in their claim as outstanding local government unit provinces, cities/municipalities, provincial and municipal corn coordinators and agricultural extension workers, who are actively involved in the implementation of the Program.

Among the topics discussed include the elements of visual design; guidelines in using colors, borders, and spaces; tips on using words, illustrations or graphics, among others.

Noemi Beth G. Macario, media specialist of the ATI-10 said that apart from following the rudiments of scrapbooking, the regional contenders should bear in mind that the primary purpose of making the scrapbook is for the evaluators to assess objectively the operations of producing quality corn in their respective areas of responsibility.

The declared winners of the 2013 Corn Quality Awards will be recognized during the 9th Philippine National Corn Congress on October 23-25, 2013 at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City. Nearly P 29 million worth of prizes are at stake for the winners. (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10/PIA)

Kapatagan high school tops Sagayan Festival

By Lorry V. Gabule

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, July 9 (PIA) -- The Kapatagan National High School topped this year’s cultural dance of Lanao del Norte, the Sagayan Festival.

First Runner-up went to Balo-i National High School, while the Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School of Baroy placed second runner-up.

Prizes at stake were checks amounting P100,000, P75,000, and P50,000 for the champion, first and second runners-up, respectively, plus trophy each. While the non-winning contingents Teofila Quibranza National High School of Tubod and MSU-IIT IRDA of Lala received consolation prize of P25,000 each, plus trophy.

Criteria for judging were based on Performance: interpretation equivalent to 30 percent; choreography, 30 percent; costume, 10 percent; and Musicality—tonality, 15 percent; rhythm, and 15 percent.

Sagayan depicts a war dance among the Maranaos, performed during the Araw ng Lanao del Norte celebration.

This year, the provincial government initiated it through a school based sustainable program tapping the secondary level, cited Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo in his message.

The Governor urged the students to understand that diversity of culture would not affect the harmonious relationship we instill among Muslims and Christians here in the province. (lvg/PIA-10 LDN)

DSWD holds Regional General Assembly in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Region 10 (DSWD-10) conducted its Regional General Assembly on June 26 at Chali Beach Resort, Cugman, this city.

This biennial activity updates the staff on the latest news and important matters affecting the operations and management in the field office, said Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, regional director.

The one-day activity was filled with activities that provided DSWD employees with the necessary knowledge and important information needed to be effective in working with the agency. Purita Santa, assistant regional director, welcomed all participants to the activity and wished that the event will be fruitful so that the department may benefit from the said gathering.

During the activity, Portia Roldan, OIC of the Institutional Development Division, presented the latest updates on the Performance-Based Incentive System-Performance Based Bonus.

Roldan emphasized that the bonus will be given to personnel bureaus or delivery units in accordance to their contribution to the accomplishment of the department’s over-all targets and commitments.

For his part, Joseph Manuel Aguja, training specialist, presented the Feedback Report Template, the proper way of completing requirements for any department staff who will go on official travels for trainings, workshops, and seminars.

On the other hand, Christine Leyva, head of Human Resource Development Unit, presented the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS), an important tool in monitoring the competence and effective services of employees.

Santa also discussed policies and procedures for employees traveling abroad. Several misconceptions and matters were clarified during the presentation, which enlightened the agency employees on rules and regulations covering government employees regarding the matter.

A special presentation was also given by Aloha Jaudian, from the Department of Labor and Employment, who shared information about the Kasambahay Law. (Marko Davey Reyes/RTP/PIA10)