“Sustain your knowledge in newswriting, photography,” says ZAMSURECO-I chief

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The 3-day Journalistic Writing Workshop for Zamboanga Peninsula electric cooperative information officers winds up today at Heroes’ Hall, ZAMSURECO-I here.

ZAMSURECO-I General Manager Engr. Jose Raul A. Saniel in his message said he wanted the skills on newswriting, photography, social media utilization and everything that they have learned from the training to be sustained.

He encouraged them to keep in touch with each other from time to time, share stories from their areas of operation and organize themselves for future activities and programs that would benefit the electric cooperatives they are serving.

He added that it is always an advantage to sustain their learnings by putting it into practice, adding that it is the first time that they have attended such training workshop which is very interesting and informative.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga of Philippine Information Agency 9 supported the need to organize the group with its set of officers to plan other activities after the training.

“I believe you have a lot of things to write about from your respective electric cooperatives,” she stressed.

The lady chief said the officers may assign anyone who will write regularly for ZAMSURECO I in Pagadian City, ZAMSURECO-II in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, and ZANECO in Dipolog City.

For a start, Edaga encouraged them to write developmental news to further enhance their newswriting skills because practice makes perfect. “Your articles will be posted and published in the websites and Facebook fan page for the public to read,” she concluded. 

NEA rates ZAMSURECO-1 100 points for 2014 performance

PAGADIAN CITY - The Zambonga del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO-1) has garnered 100 points for its 2014 performance in an evaluation conducted by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

NEA Administrator Edita S. Bueno personally handed the result to ZAMSURECO-1 General Manager Jose Raul A. Saniel in a recent gathering of board of directors, general managers and department managers of electric cooperatives in Zamboanga Peninsula held at ZAMSURECO-1 Heroes’ Hall, Pagadian City.

ZAMSURECO-1 got a perfect score in all the parameters used in evaluating its financial, institutional and technical performance during the previous year.

In an interview with Ms. Charina Arabejo, ZAMSURECO-1’s Finance Services Department chief, she said the cooperative was able to sustain its financial status amid the power crisis pestering the whole of Mindanao.

“Prudent and reasonable spending has been introduced by the management, targeting P1.5 million cost saving per month,” she explained.

The management has also introduced the “Transformer Rent- to-Own Scheme,” that helps the cooperative earn some income and, at the same time, helps the member-consumers improve the voltage efficiency on their connection. More than 250 member-consumers have availed themselves of the said scheme.

With the the use of modern technology, surcharges on the electric billings were 100 percent captured.

To reduce fuel and oil expenses, gadgets were also installed to coop vehicles to determine kilometer run and fuel consumption.

High collection efficiency was also achieved by the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) department for more than nine years, thus, resulted to shorter average days receivable ranging from 24 to 26 days.

“All these strategies adopted by the management have improved the financial efficiency of the cooperative,” Arabejo concluded.

“Love yourself, your tribe, preserve your culture,” says PIA-9 head

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – “In the five workshops that we have conducted throughout the region, we always instill in the mind of the participants the importance of loving yourself first, your tribe and preserving your culture,” PIA-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga emphasized.

This was the closing message of RD Edaga during the IP Journalistic Writing Workshop yesterday at Chandler Suites, to the 31 participants and grantees under the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples IX (NCIP-9) in Zamboanga del Sur.

“PIA can only teach you to write, and we hope that the knowledge we shared will be kept alive in you by writing, re-writing and reading,” Edaga said.

“You are the only one who can write from the heart, from the IP’s point of view, ours is just to give you the tools,” Edaga pointed out.

She added, “this workshop will end up today, but I hope our connection would not end here because we are virtually connected through the internet.”

The lady chief encouraged the newly-elected officers and EAP grantees   to unite, meet every now and then, send text messages to the group and encourage them to write or do something for their IP community.

“We want to see you shine through this workshop,” Edaga said.

Meanwhile, Mercilyn Hatad, NCIP Provincial Officer was optimistic that participants have learned much through this two-day training workshop given by PIA. “For those of you who have the skills and talent in writing, this training will help enhance and improve it,” she encouraged.

Hatad was also grateful to PIA for helping the IP youths because this is one way to hone their skills and talents. “I am pretty sure that this training will be a great help to the EAP grantees,” Hatad declared.

“I challenge everyone to show me your write-up or output and I will exchange it with a reward. So that the effort of PIA and our office will not be in vain, it will pay-off,” Hatad inspired the grantees. 

Journalistic writing workshop for IP studes held in Pagadian

By Adrienne Natalie Ebillo

PAGADIAN CITY - A two-day journalistic writing workshop for Indigenous Peoples (IP) students has started today at Chandler Suites.

The activity, which is attended by 25 IP students and 10 personnel of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9, began with an opening program followed by a lecture on newswriting.

In his welcome message, Engr. Dave Lampayan said, “this program will help you enhance your capability in writing and give you an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills.”

Speaking on behalf of Regional Director Woy Lim P. Wong, Ms. Margarita Baya, chief, Administrative and Finance Division, NCIP-9, encouraged the participants, who are mostly Educational Assistance Program (EAP) grantees, to study hard to reach their dreams saying “it’s up to you to either fly low or fly high.”

This activity has been spearheaded by NCIP-9 in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Embassy of the United States of America with the theme, “IP Youth for Climate Change Adaptation and Peace Promotion.”

            

NCIP-9 holds journalistic writing workshop for IP studes

By Rode Jane P. Sumamban

PAGADIAN CITY - The National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9 together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has conducted a two-day Journalistic Writing Workshop for the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) grantees on July 1-2, 2015 at Chandler Suites.

The program started with a prayer and the singing of the National Anthem followed by a message of Engr. Dave Lampayan who welcomed the participants in lieu of Ms. Mercilyn Hatad, NCIP-Zamboanga del Sur provincial officer.

“This program will help you enhance your capability in writing and this is a big opportunity for you to develop your knowledge and skills,” Lampayan said.

On the other hand, Mrs. Margarita Baya, chief, Administrative and Finance Division, NCIP-9 gave a message that hit the heart of the listeners saying, "it’s up to you if you fly low or you fly high; it’s your choice because you’re the one making your future."

“As an EAP grantee, you must take your responsibility, to learn to speak your dialect, reach out to your community, and know your ancestors for you to preserve your culture,” she stressed.

After the opening program, a lecture on newswriting by  PIA-9 Assistant Regional Director Franklin Gumapon followed.

NCIP focuses on youth development, says NCIP-9 official

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – A total of 25 grantees under the  Educational Assistance Program (EAP) of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-IX from the two districts of Zamboanga del Sur have come to participate in the two-day journalistic writing workshop at the Chandler Suites this city starting today.

Ms. Margarita Baya, chief, Administrative Division, NCIP-9 who represented Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim Wong said the programs of NCIP are geared towards the development of our youth.

“NCIP is looking at our youth especially our EAP grantees that they will be guided in the right path, so that … you will be able to achieve your dreams,” Baya said.

“While we are giving you all the assistance you need, you have also a responsibility to pay back the assistance given to you. As an IP, or as an EAP grantee you have to maintain your grade - at least an average of 80 percent for the regular grantee and 85 percent for the merit-base,” Baya reminded the scholars.

“Remember your mission is not only for yourself, but for other people who need your help,” Baya stressed.

“There are so many IPs in the country, but only a few are willing to stay or willing to be tapped to the community, where the IPs are waiting for them,” Baya added.

She also challenged the grantees to do their responsibility, as “the NCIP is doing its best to help you.”

“Please learn to speak your dialect, because your dialect is your identity. Reach out to your community, know your culture (our attire, rituals) and know your forefathers,” she continued.

“These are the challenges that NCIP is giving you now, because if we do not preserve our culture, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years from now, the IPs particularly the Subanens will  perished in the map,” Baya warned.

“You have to dream high, remember  your dream will only come true if you have the  determination especially so the government has  several programs in store for you,” Baya encouraged the youth.

NCIP and your parents will provide you with wings so you could fly, but to fly low or fly high is your choice. Your choice depends on you because you shape your own destiny, the choice is yours, Baya pointed out.