Camiguin records rise in investments

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, January 15 (PIA) – Camiguin reported a 20 percent rise in investment, last year, with P586-million  worth of capital recorded.

The infrastructure and facilities sector brought in more than half of the pie or worth P286-million investments in the province, followed by the services sector with P262-million, trading at P38-million, and P.5-million from the manufacturing sector.

Data of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed that these investments, together with the government’s employment program, generated more than 20,000 jobs last year.

Top investments in the province for the year 2013 include operations in the line with agriculture for new rising farms, tourism support services, commercial arcade, trade, and more.

The province is likewise intensifying its local products potential into the international market. Eyed to be supported under the Export Pathway Program (EPP) of the government are the items showcased in last year’s International Food Exhibition (IFEX), to include the Maestrado Tablea (Cacao Choco), Soling’s (Peanut Brittle) Food Products, and the Vjandep Bakeshop’s Pastel (milk bun) which will penetrate China and Hong Kong markets, this year. (JCV/PIA)

DENR 10 achieves all 2013 targets

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 16 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 10 (DENR 10) has exceeded its targets for 2013, reporting 104 percent achievement rate for the year.

Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan said “Region 10 turned the challenges into opportunities to better our best in 2013 as espoused by our Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje.”

She said that close coordination with various stakeholders was undertaken to resolve issues confronted by DENR in Northern Mindanao.

Tawantawan thanked all DENR partners from the local government units, non government organizations, academe, military, police, Indigenous People’s, industry, youth, media, religious and civic groups and communities for the support extended to DENR in the implementation of its programs, projects and activities.

“As we embark on another challenging year, we hope that we continue to enlighten the people to act now to save our environment,” Director Tawantawan added.

Looking back, the Forest Management Service (FMS) accomplished 101% of its targets in 2013. The FMS is tasked to perform three of the six priority programs of the department namely the National Greening Program (NGP), Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign and “Balik Probinsya” Program.

A total of 25,795 hectares were established and planted with 13,530,025 various species of both indigenous/premium forest and fruit tree seedlings. Region 10 accomplished 109% on the implementation of the NGP. 

Under the anti-illegal logging campaign, DENR 10 was able to confiscate 318.05 cubic meters of various species of logs, lumber and flitches. Some 8,600 linear meters of rattan poles, 16 units of conveyances, two motorcycles and one chainsaw were confiscated by DENR and its partners from the military, police, local government units, civil society organizations, communities and other concerned groups.

Characterization of the Bulanog – Pigkutin watershed containing an area of 19,517 hectares was conducted last year. The Bulanog - Pigkutin watershed is one of the eight sub-watersheds of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. DENR also updated the integrated watershed management plan of the Mandulog watershed with an area of 82,500 hectares.

Director Tawantawan clarified that there are Central Office-based funds released to the region during the third or fourth quarter of 2013.  The funding for the reforesting of some 3,000 hectares in the hinterland barangays of Cagayan de Oro City under Republic Act 10452 sponsored by Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez (2^nd district of Cagayan de Oro City) was released early part of December 2013.  Initial activities undertaken include ground validation for the identified planting sites and meetings with People’s Organizations (POs).

Other Central Office-based funds released during the 3^rd and 4^th quarter of 2013 include the 8,000 hectares NGP sites of the Bukidnon Forest Inc. and 362 hectares plantation assisted by the Heneliban Foundation, Inc. in the province of Bukidnon. 

The Land Management Service (LMS) surpassed its targets by 111%. Some 3,733 residential free patents were awarded to qualified beneficiaries. These patents were transmitted to the Register of Deeds. The target for the year was 3,468 patents. Cadastral Survey Projects were implemented in 23 municipalities/cities in the region. This activity is intended to provide correct data baseline as for the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) distribution.

Meanwhile, the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) implemented seven major programs and projects namely Protected Area (PA) Management, Biodiversity Conservation Program, Tarsier Conservation Program, Philippine Eagle Conservation Program, and Marine Resources Management through the Integrated Coastal Management Program, Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program and Wetland Management. The sector got 100% of its targets for CY 2013.

The accomplishment of the year was highlighted with the proclamation of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental as an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Heritage Park. This brings to two ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region. Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon is the first proclaimed ASEAN Heritage Park in the region.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS) also implemented 18 Research, Development and Extension Projects (RDEPs). Seven of the 18 ongoing RDEPs were completed in 2013. 

The General Administrative and Support Services (GASS) garnered 110% of its accomplishment for CY 2013. The men and women of the Administrative and Finance divisions, Human Resources Development Division, Legal Division, Planning and Management Division and the Regional Public Affairs Office were instrumental in surpassing the targets. (DENR-RPAO/PIA) 

Young inventors showcase Innovative science products at RICE

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Jan. 16 (PIA) - Anti-theft devices, seawater-to-drinkable water converter, automatic rain shield, solar power bank for cell phones and other gadgets were just some of the innovative products of young inventors from different schools in Region 10 showcased in the opening ceremony of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) held January 15 at the SM Event Center here.

A total of seven schools (from secondary to tertiary levels) entered the contest particularly Misamis Occidental National High School-Oroquieta, Philippine Science High School-Main, Philippine Science High School-Central Mindanao Campus, Gusa Regional Science School, Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School, Liceo de Cagayan University and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan University.

One of the science products showcased in the contest-exhibit was PSHS-Central Mindanao Campus’ Desalinator Kit for Natural Disasters. It is a box-like device used to separate freshwater from saltwater in order to have drinkable water.

According to the young inventors from PSHS-Central Mindanao, the device is best used when living in coastal areas, especially if when in a time of water unavailability due to natural calamities.

The contest-exhibit has six categories: the Outstanding Invention or Tuklas Award, the Outstanding Utility Model, the Outstanding Industrial Design, Outstanding Creative Research and the Outstanding Student Creative Research for secondary and tertiary levels.

Moreover, the sole winner of the competition will qualify for the National Invention Contest, to be held this year.

The three-day Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit is spearheaded by the DOST Region 10 and its Technology Application and Promotion Institute, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and Innovative and Technical Support Office, pursuant to Republic Act 7459 or known as “Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines.” (TIEspinosa/JMOR/PIA10)

NYC urges barangays to allocate budget for youth

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan.16– The National Youth Commission (NYC) urges all barangays to comply with Republic Act 10632 which allocates budget solely for youth development at the barangay level.

According to NYC Cagayan de Oro Area Head Salma Jane Tamano, this follows the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections with the passage of Republic Act (RA) 10632.

Based on Section 4 of this Act, “The Sangguniang Barangay shall use the SK fund solely for youth development programs until the new set of officials have been duly elected and qualified.”

However, she said they have noticed the recent news concerning the budget allocation for youth activities at the barangay level wherein budget plans of barangays did not include the youth or youth-related programs.

NYC would like to remind all barangays that the law clearly earmarks budget for the youth.

According to NYC Chairman Leon Flores III, “While the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) has yet to be signed by COMELEC and DILG, we would like to remind all barangays that the law clearly earmarks budget for the youth. Those who so violate or intend to violate such provision should be forewarned.”

It is clearly stated in the law that barangays are compelled to apportion certain percentage of its budget and income to fund activities that will train, capacitate and enhance the youth.

Temporarily even without the SK, it is still the government’s mandate to provide avenues for youth participation and development. We would like to highly encourage youth organizations to engage their barangays actively so that youth programs can be implemented strategically and effectively, Flores said.

For now, it is encouraged that the barangays create a Committee on Youth Affairs to be headed by a Barangay Councilor and a Barangay Youth Development Task Force that enjoins youth organizations.    

NYC also clarifies that the SK has NOT been abolished. There will be an election late this year or until early next year to give time for Congress to pass a legislation that will reform the institution.  Should Congress fail to enact such reform law, according to RA 10632, SK elections will still be held using the old system.

“There is no truth that the SK has been abolished.”

The NYC has an SK Empowerment Desk that will still allow the youth and barangays to send their clarifications, questions or even complaints on the implementation of RA 10632. The SK Empowerment Desk will also ensure that the filed concerns will be directed to the proper authorities for their response.

For further queries or clarifications, you may reach the SK Empowerment Desk at the email address: skempowermentdesk@nyc.gov.ph  or through mobile number: 0908-867-4964 within office hours.

The National Youth Commission as the voice and advocate of the youth is the government agency mandated to craft and recommend policies on youth development pursuant to Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act. (NYC/JMOR/PIA10)

Students gather for 6th ASEAN Quiz National Competition

MANILA, Jan 15 -- Some 17 high school students from the country’s 17 administrative regions will be competing on January 23 for the Sixth ASEAN Quiz National Competition to be held at PTV 4, Quezon City, Philippines.

“This is the first time that we will have a representative in the ASEAN Quiz from the ARMM region and this bodes well for our continuing preparation for the ASEAN community integration in 2015,” said Mr. Cleo B. Dongga-as, Chair, 6th ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition.

Students will compete on their knowledge on ASEAN - the three Community Pillars: political-security, economy, socio-cultural and general information on ASEAN (structure, mechanisms, etc.) and on the ten Member States (history, forms of government, culture, etc.)

Based on the Quiz mechanics, the 17 national contestants will compete in all four rounds - Visual Matching Type; True or False; Multiple Choice; and Fill-in-the Blanks.

The first placer will receive P20,000 and a medal. The second placer will get P15,000 and a medal, while the third placer will bring home P10,000 plus medal.

The top three winners will be the country’s representative to the Sixth ASEAN Quiz Competition that will be held in Vietnam on August 2014. The students will be accompanied by their coaches together and possibly other DepEd representatives.

Over the past years, the Philippines has consistently won in the previous four Regional Competitions of the ASEAN Quiz: in 2002 (individual delegates competition) 1st place held in Thailand; in 2004 (individual delegates competition) 1st place in Brunei Darussalam; in 2006 (individual delegates competition) –2nd place in Malaysia; in 2009 (country competition) –1st place in the Philippines and in 2012 (country competition)- 1st place in Cambodia.

A project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI), the ASEAN Quiz which aims to foster the spirit of healthy competition and friendships among ASEAN youth.

People’s Television Network is the implementing agency of the project in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Presidential Communication Operation Office (PCOO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS). (PIA-PND)