DSWD to Pantawid beneficiaries: Don’t be cowed by ‘epals’

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here is renewing its call to the beneficiaries of its poverty-alleviation programs to not be threatened by politicians who may use said programs to their advantage.

Earlier, DSWD-9 Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said that members of the Pantawid Pamilya “owe nothing to politicians,” hence they should not be taken advantage of by politicians.

Since 2013 the DSWD has been campaigning for the beneficiaries to be aware of their rights as members of Pantawid. It used the slogan “Bawal ang Epal Dito” (Epals are illegal here), emphasizing that Epals, a Tagalog slang for someone who likes to butt in on others’ accomplishments and use it for their own advantage, are not to be tolerated.

One example, shared by DSWD-9 Information Officer Ivan Salvador, is when politicians threaten Pantawid members of being de-listed from the program if they do not favor them, particularly during campaigns and elections.

“They cannot do this, since only the DSWD has the authority to de-list a beneficiary if they are delinquent in their co-responsibilities,” Director Arevalo said.

Other scenarios include politicians that print tarpaulins with their pictures cropped alongside DSWD programs.

Meanwhile, Salvador said that guidelines for this year’s campaign would be released by the national office. He expects that there will be a rollout of forums on the Anti-Epal advocacy.

Salvador especially appeals to the members of the media to help them disseminate the anti-epal advocacy drive. “We really need the help of our stakeholders in this, especially the media to reach out to all our beneficiaries who may be taken advantage of in the coming elections,” he said.

Pantawid Pamilya this year has been allocated over P64 billion to cover its over 4 million household-beneficiaries all over the country. 

1st Cav distributes hygiene kit to school children

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The First Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army distributed yeserday hygiene kit to 200 grades 1 and 6 pupils of San Pedro Central Elementary School, this city.

City Administrator Lauro Mendoza said “at the onset of rainy season and not only rainy season but typhoon season, it is important that our children be protected from any illness and these can be prevented through regular proper hygiene.”

Mendoza commended the First Cavalry Squadron for initiating this program, “which is beyond its call of their duty.”

“Traditionally, we all know that our soldiers carry their firearms and go to the mountains in search of the lawless elements or enemies of the state. But today we all witness the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) particularly those of the First Cavalry Squadron are with us helping in the promotion of proper hygiene by giving hygiene kit to our schoolchildren,” Mendoza said.

Executive Officer Major Roger  G. Conmigo, who represented the Squadron Commander LtCol. Charlemagne Batayola Jr., said this activity is one of our program under the squadron’s  Civil Military Operation (CMO) aimed at promoting proper hygiene to our indigenous people especially the children.

“Cleanliness is really very important not only in our surroundings but also in our physical body,”  as he quoted the saying which goes “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

In addressing  the 200 pupils and some parents at the school’s stage, Conmigo pointed out that “if we will keep ourselves always clean, we will stay away from illnesses and we will have a healthy body.”

Dr. Mayleen Manupac of the Rural Health Unit of Labangan explained the importance of hygiene and demonstrated the proper hand washing, brushing of teeth and other hygiene techniques prior to the distribution of the kit.

Earlier, the same activity was also conducted by the First Cavalry Squadron at Margarito Lagare Elementary School, Navalan, Tukuran Zamboanga del Sur.

Basilan young science clubbers vow to help ease global warming

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – It may be a huge task for pupils from two elementary schools in Basilan, but young science clubbers vow to contribute to ease global warming by employing simple but effective ways in protecting the environment: reducing, reusing, and recycling wastes.

This was the commitment made by pupils of Kaum Purnah Elementary School (KPES) and the Isabela East Central Elementary School (IECES) here during the Science Clubbers Camps held on Sept. 10 and 11, respectively.

The science club campers tackled the issue of global warming and climate change as the highlight of the schools’ observance of the science club month.

At the lecture-forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Basilan explained the cause of global warming and how humans greatly contributed to climate change.

Through video documentaries, clips and photos, the PIA walked the participants through deeper understanding of climate change and its impact on the people’s lives. Moreover, the PIA emphasized the positive effects of having a sound and balanced environment and ecosystem.

Evidently from their responses and feedback, the pupils have shown that they are aware of the causes as well as the impact of climate change on the communities.

“During bad weather, the wind blows stronger, thunderstorms become louder, and rains heavier these days,” a pupil observed.

Another pupil who lived along coastal areas also observed that sea level had risen and that stronger waves and sea surges occur more often in recent times.

The pupils have committed to protecting the environment by maintaining the cleanliness of their schools and campus grounds, helping their parents in cleaning their homes, disposing of wastes properly especially candy wrappers, avoiding junk foods, and helping plant trees and mangrove in their communities.

Around 400 pupils participated in IECES, while some 300 at KPES. This year’s science club month celebration is anchored on the theme: “MateREALIZE: Synthesizing ideas, refining Knowledge, Forging Science Clubbers as Agents of Innovation.” 

FaMEALy: What it’s all about

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – September 21 to 28 is celebrated as Family Week. Part of the advocacy of government and non-government organizations is the “FaMealy”, which, in essence, underscores the importance of every member of a family to partake meals together, as often as possible.

True enough, many families these days tend to overlook the importance of a meaningful family mealtime, particularly due to the hectic schedules that each member is constrained in. Fathers and mothers tend to come home late because of the taxing work; others would have to remain abroad and away from their children leaving other people to tend to the children. On the other hand, children in school would have extracurricular activities – engaging in sports, debate contests, theatre and others – that would have to eventually sacrifice a family dinner.

Realities in families

Aileen Espiritusanto of San Jose Gusu is a nurse and a mother of 2 children. She shared that her current graveyard shift would make it impossible to have dinner with her family. Her husband works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as an engineer. “It is a good thing that my mother, their lola is around. But on my days off, ta pikura gad yo man bonding kame kay teenager ya el uno,” (I make it a point to bond with my children on my days off, they are now teenagers) shares Aileen.

Aileen’s situation is not unlike many other families’.

Irene, a social worker from barangay Sta. Maria and a solo parent says she barely recognizes her 16-year-old son now. “The yaya says he goes home at 10 or 11 every night, and he says that there is always basketball practice, but his attitude has really changed,” shares Irene. She adds that the boy rarely speaks to her anymore, and locks himself up in his room whenever he is home. Irene is assigned in one of the municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay province and only gets to come home every weekend – sometimes not at all.

“Wala akong choice, kailangang maghanap-buhay,” (I don’t have a choice, I have to work) she said. Irene makes it a point to have a family bonding with her boy whenever she’s around. “I make up for it by taking him to the movies, going to dinner, inviting his friends over our home and I would prepare snacks for them. I just feel that I need to make double my efforts, I want to be part of my child’s growing up.”

Consequences of no “faMEALy” time

Parents need to be part of the growing up process of their children, especially when they reach adolescence, when the kids may join peer groups that have a negative influence on them. Studies have shown that there is really no substitute to a meaningful family mealtime. Having less and less of it can lead to unwanted consequences.

One such study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University revealed that teenagers who rarely eat together with their families particularly in dinner are more prone to use illegal drugs, and pick up vices such as smoking and drinking.

Cases of drug abuse among teens are common in Zamboanga City. According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional operations chief Marvin Santos, teenage drug users are not uncommon. “There are many times, during our operations that we apprehend teenagers for drugs.”

City Police Director Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro had earlier related a case where the parents of a teenager were in fear of their lives because of their child’s erratic behavior due to drugs.

Drug abuse is only one of the problems that can arise due to less or no family interaction, especially among teenagers, the Columbia study emphasized.

Benefits of the ‘faMEALy’

Another study by the University of Michigan showed that children’s characters build up more through family interaction and consistent family mealtime, than in time the kids spend studying, or even in Church.

Aside from social and emotional benefits, eating together brings about good health habits. Said a study by the University of Minnesota, published in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in August 2004, “frequent family meals are related to better nutritional intake, and a decreased risk for unhealthy weight control practices and substance abuse”.

These studies together emphasize one thing, summed up by the words of Ron Afable in theasianparent.com: “Eating together brings back everyone to the true essence of what a family is: sharing, communicating, fun and belonging – on a daily basis”.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Zamboanga City is joining other government agencies, civil society groups and non-government organizations in advocating for more family meal time. #famealypamore

MSMEs fortunate to avail SSF projects, says DTI-9 director

By Gideon C. Corgue 

MOLAVE, Zamboanga del Sur – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 Regional Director Sitti Amina Jain recently commended the Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the municipalities of Molave and Josefina for availing themselves of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project of the agency.

In her message during the launching and turnover ceremony at Bogo Calapan Elementary School, Jain said the Molave Abaca Strippers Association (MASA) and Josefina Abaca Strippers Association (JASA) are so lucky to have availed of the project, the last under the DTI’s SSF fund for this year.

Jain said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had allocated P46 million for the SSF for 2014 but it was only implemented in 2015. “The DBM did not give us a single cent for the SSF program for 2016 that is why the SSF projects for MASA and JASA would be our ‘last hurrah’ for the MSMEs,” Jain announced.

“Unlike the projects of other national government agencies where the cooperators and or associations will pay the cost of the project that they acquired from the agencies, these SSFs are given by the DTI to MSMEs for free,” Jain said.

Jain appealed to MASA and JASA to use the machines productively and profitably adding that if the associations will fail to use it after six months, the SSF machines will be pulled out and it will be given to other associations.

“Since the SSF were given to you free, the government is very strict in monitoring the utilization of the projects,” Jain explained.  

Jain also disclosed that the department had hired two personnel to monitor the SSF project. “From time to time, these people together with the staff of provincial office will monitor the utilization of the equipment.”

Jain hopes that the facilities will not become a white elephant saying that the money spent for the projects are the taxpayers’ money.

Provincial Director Ma. Socorro M. Atay of DTI-Zamboanga del Sur sought the sincere commitment from the associations to take care of the equipment so as to improve abaca farmers’ productivity to uplift their living condition.

MASA president Camilo Villarta in his acceptance speech said he vowed to take care of the machines saying that it is a great help for them to increase their income.

“Among atimanon pag-ayo kini mga makina tungod kay dako ni nga tabang sa imong panginabuhi. Dili na kami mohimo sa kinaraan nga pamaagi paglanot sa abaca ginamit ang among mga kamot (We will take care of these machines. These are a great help to our livelihood. We will no longer use the traditional method of stripping the abaca with our bare hands),” Villarta stressed.          

Meanwhile, JASA president Joel Palomares thanked the DTI for its utmost concern to abaca farmers.

“Malipayon kaayo kami nga makapahimulos ning maong proyekto sa gobyerno tungod kay nagtuo kami nga pinaagi niini molambo na gayud ang among ekonomikanhong kahimtang (We are very happy to avail of this project from the government because we believe that through this, we will be able to improve our economic condition),” Palomares concluded.  

Zambo authorities urges transport groups to help ensure passengers’ safety

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In light of the recent bombing of a bus in Tomas Claudio Extension that killed a girl and wounded 33 others including an infant, local officials here are calling on public transportation operators to enforce strict inspection and security measures, especially in terminals.

Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar aired her call through Zamboanga Today, that operators of public transportation should enforce “strict inspection procedures, safety and security measures.”

After the blast on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy regional director for operations PSSupt. Randolf Delfin said that it is also “the responsibility of the bus liner to provide security to their passengers.”

“Please coordinate with us when you are receiving extortion letters,” Delfin said, adding that had they been informed, appropriate security measures would have been done pro-actively, which could have prevented the explosion.

The D’Biel transport, which operated said bus took flak from angry residents after authorities pointed out that the management had already received an extortion letter, which D’Biel allegedly did not disclose to police prior to the incident.

Local broadcast journalist and Talon-Talon barangay captain Teodyver Arquiza strongly criticized D’Biel’s management for their non-coordination with authorities. “The victims have suffered terribly as a result,” he said on-air in Chavacano.

In CCTV footages secured by GBPI TV-11 on Friday, a man wearing a black hoodie and green jogging pants can be seen carrying a package and walking towards the off-cam bus. A few minutes after, he was again seen, now hurriedly running away, this time without the package. There was an explosion barely two minutes afterwards.

Last Sunday, the police released a cartographic sketch of the suspect. City Police Director Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro said that based on eyewitness account, the suspect is 5’4 in height, about 25 years old, medium built, brown complexion and a slightly drooping shoulder.

Authorities have already set a P200 thousand bounty for the suspect.

According to Mayor Climaco-Salazar, based on reports that she had received, there may be a link between the D’Biel blast and the Lamitan blast on September 16. Police are eyeing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for the atrocities, which has been engaging in extortions, bombings and kidnap-for-ransom within the Zamboanga Peninsula area.

Meanwhile, the cartographic sketch of the suspect, which has gone viral over social media was heavily criticized for being culturally-insensitive. The sketch, which provided physical information about the suspect carried the words “Muslim type.” Netizens cried foul over the unwarranted labeling. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clarified that the description was the eyewitness’ own words, and was “purely personal to the witness.”

Leila Dagalea Vicente on Facebook cited the Anti-Ethnic or Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011, which is the law providing for criminal liabilities for such issues.

24 employers jailed, 7,000 others sued for non-remittance of employees’ SSS contributions

By Felipo David G. Malcampo

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Twenty-four employers who were found guilty of refusing to remit the monthly social security contributions of their employees were sent to jail and cases have also been filed against some 7,000 erring employers by the Social Security System (SSS).

In a press release, SSS chief legal counsel and senior vice president of legal services division Atty. Voltaire Agas said that SSS has charged 7,072 employees beginning in 2010.

“The 24 employers convicted by the court were ordered to serve jail terms of up to 12 years,” Agas said. He emphasized that these convictions and SSS’ legal actions should be a reminder to erring employers.

“As much as they have a business to operate, they also have the obligation to fulfill their duties under the Social Security Law, he added.

According to the SSS, the legal actions were able to generate about P1.6-billion in unpaid contributions, penalties and fines, which were collected from the employers that entered into out-of-court settlements.

Under the SSS charter, employers must report new employees for contribution within 30 days of their hiring.

In the case an employer is found to be delinquent in its obligations, employees are encouraged to report such incidents at the nearest SSS branch. Agas said that the complaints should be accompanied by proofs of employment such as a company ID and the payslips.

The SSS is inviting all of its members to register for an online account at sss.gov.ph, where they can view their contributions and other membership details anytime. 

APEC 2015 skills enhancement workshop for HMLOs held

Franklin P. Gumapon

MANILA – As part of the preparations for the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November this year, the Media Relations Accreditation Office (MARO) has conducted on Saturday a skills enhancement workshop for Philippine Information Agency (PIA) personnel who will serve as Host Media Liaison Officers (HMLOs) during the event.

Some 20 PIA staff from both the regional and central offices converged at PIA conference room in Quezon City to participate in a one-day workshop, which aimed to acquaint them with their roles, duties and responsibilities as HMLOs.

Director JO Paulo Espiritu and Assistant Secretary Virgilio P. Nadal Jr. of the APEC 2015 Media Operations Committee briefed the participants on their specific roles to play during the gathering of Asia-Pacific economic leaders in November.

Each APEC member-economy will have one HMLO who will work with its own media liaison officer.

For the second time since 1996, the Philippines plays host this year to a year-long APEC meetings which will culminate with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18-19, 2015 in Manila with the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

The government has declared Nov. 18 and 19, 2015 as special non-working days in Metro Manila as part of the security measures for the APEC economic leaders’ meeting.

Member-economies attending this event include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hongkong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua Ne Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Vietnam. 

1st CAV Squadron bags Best Battalion award for 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The 1^st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army bagged two (2) awards from the Army Governance Pathway during the 9^thActivation Anniversaryat Camp O’Donnel,  Capas, Tarlac recently.

Lt.Col. Charlemagne F. Batayola, Jr., commanding officer of the 1^st CAV received the awards as Best Cavalry Squadron for 2015 and the Governance Strategy Management Office (GSMO) award for being the only battalion who implemented the first stage of the Philippine Army’s Performance governance system (PGS) particularly, the initiated stage.

The PGS is a performance management tool that assesses government agencies.

Batayola received the plaque of recognition from LtGen. Eduardo Ano, commanding general of the Philippine Army, for having demonstrated the commitment to pursue genuine transformation and reform as manifested by its exemplary progress to governance and strategy management.

The award was bestowed by 1^st Mechanized Infantry Division commander MGenMayoralgo M. Dela Cruz and assisted by Engr. Fernando Limbitco, chairman of the Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Board (MSAB) and city administrator of San Fernando.   

It is the second time that the 1^st Cavalry Squadron received the award as Best Cavalry Squadron, the first was in September 2013.

Batayola said the Army Governance Pathway lauded the overall operational readiness of the unit saying that the armor personnel are more capable and responsive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ needs and are operationally ready to perform its mission.

He added thatunder the Army Transformation Roadmap, the 18-year transformation and governance program, all line units are mandated to implement four (4) stages of PGS, namely: initiated, compliant, proficient, and institutionalized.

Asked if the unit can sustain the next stages of PGS, Batayola said the armor personnel were more inspired and motivated to perform their duties and responsibilities to attain its goal to become a more credible, dynamic, responsive, capable and professional Army by 2028.

“Our collective efforts and hardwork as members of the Tagapanguna team has finally paid off,” Batayola proudly said, as he congratulated them.

He said the awards they received will serve as a challenge for them to do more and perform better in the fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities of serving the people and securing the land. 

POPCOM educates Ayala teens on adolescent health

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – In an effort to increase awareness on reproductive health, especially among curious adolescents, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) held a seminar for this purpose among students of Ayala National High School Thursday, September 17.

According to POPCOM’s information officer Cecil Abuy, it is necessary to “equip the youth with the correct information on reproductive health” to curb misinformation on the issue, which has caused the spread of teen pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) among other adolescent health-related problems.

In a study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute, teens are said to consider their peers as the primary source of information on sex and adolescent health, and such information may be inaccurate, which lead to increase in cases of teen pregnancies, and others.

“It is for this reason that we should really educate the youth and provide them with the necessary information,” emphasized POPCOM regional director Reynaldo Wong in an earlier interview.

Director Wong had emphasized that based on recent studies, region 9 is one of the areas with high incidence for unprotected sex, and this makes people highly prone to STDs. The region ranks fourth in the incidence of teen pregnancies nationwide.

Ayala was chosen as the pilot area for the adolescent health seminar considering the high incidence of teen pregnancies there.

The POPCOM has been reaching out to the youth to inform them on adolescent health. “The youth now are very engaged in gadgets and in social media,” said Director Wong, hence, they are tapping new technology for their advocacies. “We have come up with information and education campaign (IEC) materials in multimedia,” he said.

However, Director Wong emphasized that “there is still no substitute for good parenting.” 

Pensioners’ Day caps SSS 58th Anniversary celebration

By Alma L. Tingcang

IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay – A total of 115 pensioners of the Social Security System participated in the Pensioners’ Day hosted bySSS Ipil Branch held at Ati-Atihan, Imelda, this province.

Rudy M. Lacandalo, SSS Ipil branch head said the activity was one of the highlights of the 58^th Anniversary of SSS.

“This is our way of paying tribute to our pensioners who worked hard during their younger years,” Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo, Asst. Vice President for Western Mindanao said.

Filoteo also mentioned a possible pension increase of P2,000 across the board; the implementation of PESO fund; a voluntary provident fund for members; and increase in funeral benefits up to P40,000 from the previous P20,000, among others.

SSS pensioners enjoyed the day which was full of surprises, replete with parlor games and raffle draw. They were treated to a sumptuous lunch and came home with grocery packs.

Special awards were given to the Early Bird won by Henry Bation, Oldest Pensioner and September birthday celebrators. Pensioners who rendered intermission numbers such assinging,Tula, and Balak were also given awards.

Meanwhile, Lacandalo said the AlkanSSSya program is still ongoing. “The informal sector groups can join through this program by just dropping P12 a day in their assigned coin slots or P330/ month,” he explained. At the end of the month, these savings will be counted and remitted to the SSS as their contribution.

“We have three associations in the province who have joined the AlkanSSSya Program: Kabasalan Business Association, Ipil Market Vendors Association and Ipil Federation of Tricycle Drivers Association,” according to Lacandalo.

SSS Ipil also partnered with various government agencies and LGUs in the province for possible enrolment of non-regular employees or Job Order employees as self-employed through salary deduction.

It has linked with Ipil-Titay Water District, Naga Daycare Workers Association and the local government units (LGUs) of Sirawai, Tungawan, Kabasalan, Diplahan, Alicia, Mabuhay, and the provincial government of Zamboanga Sibugay.

For more information and updates, you may tune in to their radio program over DXIR FM every 2^nd and last Friday of the month.

Over the years, SSS has continuously improved its service delivery, expanded Social security coverage of its members and has provided more meaningful benefits to members and beneficiaries.

City Health Office records 233 dengue cases in Dipolog

By Grace Montallana

DIPOLOG CITY - The Dipolog City Health Office (DCHO) has reported 233 cases of dengue in the city for the first six months of 2015.

According to the CHO, from January to June 2015, dengue has been the most common disease that affected the residents of some barangays in different age groups.

Those mostly affected with dengue were 0-12 months-5 cases; 1 year old-3 cases; 2-4 years old-  15 cases; 5-9 years old-49 cases; 10-14 years old-48 cases; 15-19- 41 cases and 20 years old with 72 cases, wherein males were identified to have the most number of cases with 121,  and females with 112 cases.

On the other hand, the CHO urged the local folks to observe the 4 O’ clock habit daily and follow ‘’search and destroy ‘’ procedures inside and outside their homes,where the breeding sites of mosquito-carrying dengue virus may be found.

CHO also advises the public to coordinate with barangay officials to help them take preventive measures to avoid dengue.

DSWD assesses level of “well being” of 4Ps families in R9

By Jocelyn P Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - How well are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)recipients doing, a year after being enrolled in the program as beneficiaries? What are the changes and progress in their lives and living conditions? These are but few of the questions the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here would like to know to determine the impact of this government poverty intervention program in the lives of the marginalized sector.

There are close to 288,000 4Ps household-beneficiaries in the entire region 9and the social welfare department,is currently conductingan enhanced Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) assessment to determine as to what extent these families have improved their lives based on their economic sufficiency and stability, as well as their social adequacy.

The SWDI

Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo said the SWDI is a tool being used by the department toassess the level of well-being of the 4Ps families- from survival, subsistence, and self-sufficiency.

 Arevalo averred, SWDI assessment is essential so that needed interventions, which may include employment facilitation, skills training and provision of livelihood opportunities can be carefully and efficiently planned out.

The SWDI monitoring scheme isa yearly assessment applied to 4Ps grantees.

Conduct of the SWDI

As of early September, there are already 35,686 households assessed and evaluated, quite a long way to go putting to consideration the 288,000 target of 4Ps grantees for assessment until October 20, 2015.

Assessment is done through actual visitation and conduct of interview by DSWD’s field workers, municipal / city links, community empowerment facilitators and project development officers.

In the SWDI, families are being evaluated in terms of their economic sufficiency and social adequacy.

In economic sufficiency, families are being assessed based on the employability skills of members including employment and salary, source of income, membership to social security and access to financial institutions.

Meanwhile, in social adequacy, familiesare assessedbased on the members’ health condition, nutrition and education, access to safe drinking water, sanitary toilet facility, house construction and ownership, and social issues awareness.

Results of the evaluation will also serve as the baseline of the department in evaluating poverty alleviation programs and services. 

PIA-9 gears up for ISO certification

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Following a workshop on the Quality Management System (QMS) conducted last week at the central office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Quezon City for regional ISO focal persons, all PIA-9 personnel have also converged here to discuss the salient features and requirements for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification starting Sept. 14-17.

In her opening statement, Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga has reiterated Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma’s directive to make all PIA regional offices ISO-certified.

Director Edaga started the four-day conference-workshop with a discussion on the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) followed by the requirements for ISO 9001:2008 certification.

It can be recalled that during the QMS workshop, Secretary Coloma emphasized that with the ISO the PIA regional offices will now have the benchmark in their operations.

“We are now building a stronger agency – that is ISO-certified PIA,” Coloma stressed.

An internal audit is slated to be conducted to PIA regional offices before the end of this year and the external audit is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2016.

On the final day the group will proceed to Manuel’s place in Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte for a teambuilding activity. 

ZSPH bags Asian Hospital Management Award 2015

By Rhea Grace A. La Plana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital (ZSPH) recently won the Asian Hospital Management Award 2015 under the category Community Hospital Improvement Award.

Provincial Governor Wilter Yap Palma, assisted by Acting Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rolando A. Olmoguez personally received the excellence award on September 4, 2015 during the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremonies at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar.

ZSPH won the much-coveted award through the implementation of an Online Collaborative and Interactive Learning to create a structured, comprehensive and sustainable design and development plan on maternal death control management system.

Now, on its 14^th year, the Asian Hospital Management Awards recognizes  hospitals in Asia that implement best practices.

Such prestigious award is only for community hospitals with a capacity of less than 100 beds. ZSPH is a government hospital with a 25-bed capacity which has been considered as the most improved community hospital. It focuses on effective community services, patients’ safety, implementation of a continuous quality improvement program and involvement in the community.

The project is programmed to be sustainable and beneficial to the community with the ultimate goal of reducing maternal mortality ratio in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

According to Dr. Olmoguez, it has been very beneficial especially for  indigent pregnant patients, citing comparable data as follows: the formative evaluation after three months of implementation showed one direct maternal death from January to June 2015 compared to 4 deaths in 2014;

There had been no out-of-pocket expenditures for indigent pregnant patients in 2015. No patient had been deprived of treatment because of indigency;

All medicines and supplies had been supplied to indigent patients through a consignment program in 2015 compared to 90% of patients buying outside the hospital in 2013. The funds are sourced from PhilHealth and the provincial government;

There has been no reported shortage of blood reserve in 2015 because of a strong blood donor recruitment program and the availability of skilled health professionals had tripled in quantity in 2015 compared to 2013.

Gov. Palma and all Ipilenos are proud that Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital is the only government hospital in the Philippines which garnered the prestigious award this year. The rest of the Philippine winners are: St. Luke’s Medical Center and Ciudad Medical de Zamboanga.

DOST-9 to hold invention contest, exhibit in Zambo

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-9 will showcase on September 17-19, the latest scientific and technological innovations from Zamboanga Peninsula’s best and brilliant inventors at Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar here.

Students, researchers, inventors, professionals and the general public are all invited to take part in the event dubbed as 2015 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) with the theme, “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating and Inventing for Global Competitiveness.”

A total of 90 entries will be on display such as research projects, prototypes, industrial designs and software applications, each created to contribute and provide significant advancements to different fields.

Guests from the DOST- Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd) are expected to grace the event.

The conduct of RICE is pursuant to Republic Act No. 7459 known as the “Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act of the Philippines.” It is designed to encourage Filipino inventors, researchers, and students to use their inventive capability by competing for cash rewards and recognitions both locally and internationally.

To view the complete schedule of events, visit the DOST-9 website at http://region9.dost.gov.ph. 

DILG urges LCEs to support the 35TH National Quiz Bee

By Grace Montallana

DIPOLOG CITY -  The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local chief executives  all over the country to support the upcoming 35^th National Quiz Bee this year.

The 35^th National Quiz Bee,  spearheaded by the Quiz Bee Foundation under Ms. Gloria ‘’Gay’’ Palarca-Tayag, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will be held between October 19, 2015 to February 28, 2016 in different venues nationwide.

It is open to all learners in elementary, secondary and tertiary level who are currently enrolled in either private or public institutions. 

Under Memorandum Circular No. 2015-98 dated August 26, 2015 issued by DILG Secretary Mar A. Roxas, all DILG Regional Directors and ARMM Regional Governor are directed to disseminate this information to all chief executives in the local government units within their respective area of jurisdiction.

The activity gears to support the government’s continuing objective of   strengthening education by promoting academic excellence in Philippine history, mathematics, science and technology, values education, leadership, peace, unity, brotherhood and patriotism.

Contest categories and levels, are as follows: National Senior Quiz Bee for Tertiary Level (1^st-5^th year college) National Junior Quiz Bee for Secondary Level (Grades 7-10), and National Children’s Quiz Bee for Elementary Level (Grades 5-6) Elementary Makabayan with the following schedule of the nationwide eliminations: Provincial Schools Eliminations from October 19 to November 20,2015, Provincial Division Eliminations  from November 23, 2015 to December 20, 2016, Provincial Regional Eliminations January 5 to 30, 2016, NCR Division Eliminations from November 7, 2015 to January 23, 2016, NCR Regional Eliminations  from February 6, 2016,Summit of the Super Quiz Bee from  February 18 to 21, 2016,  and National Grand Finals on February 20,2016. (Grace Montallana)