Triathlon centennial championship set May 18-19 in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The city government here will hold the Triathlon Centennial Championship come May 18 and 19.

Triathlon is a kind of sport contest involving swimming, marathon and cycling.

The event will start at the Dipolog City Boulevard to Dipolog City Sports Complex passing through the streets of barangays Miputak, Sta. Filomena, Brgy. Galas and Olingan.

This event, which is being organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) of Manila and Sugbu Triathlon Association (STA) of Cebu in coordination with the Local Government of Dipolog, is part of the city’s 100^th year celebration since its creation as a municipality in July 1, 1913.  

This is also the first time the city will hold such a sport event.

Some athletes joining the competition come from other countries.

The competition is categorized according to age bracket. For Trikids category, six to eight years old will join the swim-100 meters, bike-2.5 kilometers and run-1 kilometer; nine to ten years old will join the swim-200 meters, bike-5 kilometers and run-1 kilometer; eleven to twelve years old for swim-300 meters, bike- 7.5 kilometers and run-2 kilometers.

In the Super Mini Sprint category, 13 to 15 years old for swim- 400 meters and bike- 10 kilometers; 16 to 19 years old for swim- 1.5 kilometers, bike- 40 kilometers and run- 10 kilometers; and those aged 20 to 50 years old shall be the same as the challenges of 16 to 19 years old.

The Mixed Relay category with swim- 1.5 kilometers, bike- 40 kilometers, and run- 10 kilometers is open only for female participants.

Winners shall receive plaque and cash while those who will reach the finish line shall receive medals and t-shirts.

There will be a registration fee of P1,200.00 for individual events while P1,500.00 for the mixed relay.(PIA9)

RDC9: The journey and learnings from Kalasag Hall of Fame

By Noemi G. Bernardino-Edaga

Climate Change is here to stay and mankind’s peril is inivitable without putting in place the safety net of Risk Reduction and Management System (DRRMS).

The Provision

Republic Act No. 10121 known as “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” provides that funds be appropriated to uphold the people’s constitutional life and property by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country’s institutional capacity for DRR and Management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts.

Dir. Aniano D. Fuego put an emphasis on the importance on the wise implementation of the Act for disaster mitigation to save lives.

  

The Wake-up Call

The much talked about DRRMS need to be strengthened as the country is located in the Pacific ring of fire and Region 9 has a share of active faults and trenches, emphasized the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

Change in typhoon routes to Mindanao calls for the everyone’s preparedness and better implementation of the framework of DRRM programs, such as Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Rehabilitation.

The Inspiration

This concern, resulted to the efforts of RDC 9 thru the leadership of its chair, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy and the logistics support from NEDA 9  and OCD 9 headed by directors Teresita  Socorro C. Ramos and Adriano D. Fuego to come up with the recent DRRM Executive Briefing in Iloilo City with a visit to Guimbal municipality.

Guimbal is a fourth-class municipality pride of Region-6, which Civil Defense-6 Director Rosario Cabrera said is a “Hall of Fame”  in showcasing the town’s intensive pursuit of excellence in disaster preparedness.She is the 2012 Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) National Awardee in the field of DRRM.

Best Practice Showcase

Better implementation of the Framework of DRRM Program: Preparedness, Mitigation, Response and Rehabilitation is Guimbal’s secret of disaster preparedness unlimitedly shared to RDC-9 executives

during their brief visit.

Guimbal Mayor, Christine S. Garin who was ably represented by the municipal information officer said that proactive leadership, LGU development plan and DRR integration, community-based mapping of  households with corresponding number and hazard identification color codes for landslide, fire, flood and storm surge, multi sectoral involvement and private sector support thru MOA are among the responses they preparedto keep everybody safe when disaster strikes.

Lessons Learned

Karin, Guimbal’s Information Officer shared that sectoral involvement,  implementation of the DRRM program intwined  with other LGU essential programs such as health, peace and order, agriculture, livelihood, education and business are factors that dictate the sucess of the program.

The Challenge

Excellence in the field of DRRM is no secret afterall but a sheer sincere determination to keep everyone at every homes, every offices and every communities proactively safe. Community-based DRRMs should be organized and functional at all times. Continuing campaigns and advocacies for management hazards and tasks should be maintained.

More importantly, greater investments and efforts for prevention and mitigation should be allocated if only to mainstream DRRM in local development plans and programs.

The RDC 9 executives are one in belief that if the result of the RDC 9 DRRM executive briefing in Iloilo and onsite vist to the municipality of Guimbal - the Kalasag Hall of Fame would result to the formulation of a functional draft of  Region 9  DRRM plan based on standardized structures, the journey then is worth it all. (PIA9)

GSIS launches 2013 art tilt

By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY - In celebrating its 76^th anniversary, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has officially opened the 2013 GSIS Art Competition.

In a press statement, GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said all veteran and aspiring artists aged 18 years old and above are invited to join the contest. It has retained the three art categories: representational (any style), nonrepresentational (abstract), and sculpture.

Vergara said the competition has an "open" theme this year, so participating artists should consider in their work Museum visitors who will also view their entries.

According to Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS branch head here, the nationwide art tilt offers cash prizes ranging from P15 thousand to P300 thousand, subject to 20 percent value-added tax. The lucky winners will be announced during the awarding ceremonies at the GSIS Theater on June 21, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

The winning artworks will be displayed from June 21 to Aug. 3, 2013 in various GSIS areas - Museum's Upper Gallery, Pensioner's Lounge, and Level 2.

Entry forms and competition guidelines are now available at all GSIS offices nationwide; in Kanlungan ng Sining of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP); and in GSIS Museum galleries in Pasay City.

Entries will be accepted only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 1, 2013, at the GSIS Museum, GSIS Central Office, Financial Center, Pasay City.

Additional queries on the competition may be directed to 859-0395 and 479-3588, or emailed to museum@gsis.gov.ph or theatre@gsis.gov.ph.

Now on its ninth year, the GSIS art competition has paid tribute to local artists from all over the country with their winning artworks becoming part of the GSIS Art Collection. (PIA9)

KASAMAKA bats for sustainable organic farming

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Who one would think that a group of women can help conserve and restore soil and turn it into a fertile farmland given their very limited knowledge and capacities in doing farm work?

In Zamboanga del Sur, a group of women-farmers dubbed “Kahugpungan sa Mag-uumang Kababayen-an” (KASAMAKA) was established in Barangay Tigbao in 2006 purposely to promote organic farming.

Organic agriculture

KASAMAKA project coordinator Teodolita Suano said the organization is responsible for raising awareness about organics not only among fellow members but the public as well.

“We ventured into organic agriculture because most farmers have engaged in various kinds of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides which cause severe health and environmental impacts,” said Suano who has been working with the organization for seven years.

Suano said KASAMAKA members engaged in organic agriculture because it enables farmers to adapt to climate change and provide plausible solution to end hunger and ensure food security.

“We have expanded our goal to also help promote environmental protection, sustainable agriculture and healthy life by eating organic foods,” she stressed.

“Organic agriculture has become the fastest growing segment of the industry and the public has become very aware of organic products,” she explained.

Demo farm

KASAMAKA has three-hectare demonstration farm for organic rice, vegetables and root crops production and livestock production as well as upland farming and seed banking. It has also an organic fertilizer processing and production center.

Suano said it is on this farm where women-farmers do organic agriculture. “We have already sold organically grown crops in the market such as rice, corn and vegetables,” Suano said.

Increased agricultural productivity

Suano said they had noticed that with organic farming, their production increased leaps and bounds, as organic farming would build long-term soil fertility.

“All our crops such as rice, corn, vegetables and root crops planted in the demo farm were all “organic” and we successfully sold them in the market,” Suano declared.

Funding organizations

Impressed by its success, KASAMAKA received financial assistance from Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID), a Dutch Catholic Development Organization which caters to all aspects of development cooperation: emergency aid, structural poverty alleviation and health care.

CORDAID granted financial assistance in the amount of P5.3 million including a budget for the fertilizer center worth P300 thousand. The assistance, which was granted in 2006, had terminated in 2011 upon seeing improvement in production efficiency.

In 2009, KASAMAKA’s non-government organization (NGO)-partners such as Entraide Et Fraternite, Luxembourg-Phils., Action for Development and WEGA Aide Humanitaire in Luxembourg donated solar power package worth P600 thousand, while  the Belgian government donated one unit of thresher.

In July 2012, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) granted a loan of P258 thousand for the purchase of rice mill while the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided a shredder.

The Convergence of NGOs/POs in Zamboanga del Sur on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (CONZARRD), Inc., another NGO-partner responsible in providing assistance on technology transfer to farmers, came to assist the organization.

”The farm implements that we had received from our partners from government and NGOs have greatly helped in the successful operation of our demo farm,” said the KASAMAKA project coordinator.

Extends financial assistance

In its seven years of existence, the KASAMAKA has 32 barangay chapters that received financial assistance from their mother organization.

“We have extended P30 thousand to each chapter which is engaged in organic agriculture,” Suano said.

Suano said 20 out of the 32 barangay chapters have improved economically. Their seed money grew to more than P100 thousand as a result of a successful implementation of organic agriculture in their respective barangays.  (PIA9)

DOST-9 holds orientation, contract signing with new scholars in ZamPen

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – IX recently concluded its Scholarship Orientation and Signing of the Scholarship Agreement of new undergraduate scholars in Zamboanga Peninsula.

A total of 205 participants all over the region attended the series of orientation and contract signing with thirty eight (38) attendees, including the qualifiers and respective parents or legal guardians, inked to avail of the Science & Technology scholarship program funded by the DOST – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) last April 19 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City; thirty three (33) participants joined the Zamboanga Sibugay leg - scholarship session in Ipil last April 22; sixty eight (68) qualifiers and parents attended in Zamboanga del Norte on April 23 in Dipolog City; and finally, 66 from Zamboanga del Sur signed contracts during the conclusive orientation in  Pagadian City last April 25.

The session was aimed to brief the Science & Technology scholarship qualifiers and their parents on the terms and conditions of the contract, emphasizing mainly on the nature of the scholarship, benefits and scholar’s obligations.

The lined up events were facilitated by DOST-9, in coordination with the designated Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) in Ipil, Dipolog City and Pagadian City. Mr. Martin A. Wee, Assistant Regional Director for Finance, Administrative and S & T Services (ARD-FASTS), and Ms. Josephine B. Nohay, Center Manager for Scholarship, served as the resource persons for the said orientation.

Qualifiers of the S&T undergraduate scholarships may pursue a four or five-year college degree in priority science and technology fields. As benefits, RA 7687 scholars will receive tuition subsidy, monthly stipend, book allowance and many more. Scholars under the Merit scholarship program will likewise receive the same benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend based on the family’s socio-economic status.

The scholarship qualifiers can enroll in state universities and colleges and other higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development.

DOST-9 hopes that this year’s batch of qualifiers will ultimately add to the pool of scientists and engineers who will actively lead in S&T activities, research and development, and innovation.

Through DOST's scholarship program, the scholars are a step closer to success during and after college. (FPG/DOST9/MVC/PIA9)

Cash for work scholars taught organic farming

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Eighty five college students from JH Cerilles College in the campuses of Midsalip and Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur conducted recently an educational tour at Saniel Integrated Farm Technological Business School, Inc., in San Isidro, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur to get first hand information on organic farming.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Director Eulalio Lumactod said the tour was part of the cash for training project (C4TP) of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).

The C4TP was implemented by the government to provide sustainable intervention to improve the condition of disadvantaged youth and empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities,

Lumactod said the project aims to prepare the youth for possible employment in targeted communities and provide with the needed exposure to prepare them for gainful occupation.

Lumactod disclosed that these students were part of the 939 TESDA scholars in the province who underwent a month-long training on organic farming. “After they have completed the training, a certificate and tool kit worth P1,200 each will be awarded to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Midsalip Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Thelma Dolien said the scholars were given hands-on training on organic farming to teach their parent-farmers to help bring back the fertile soil with the use of organic fertilizers, thus improving the lives of farmers with this technology.

Dolien thanked the government for giving the students the opportunity to learn organic agriculture saying that nowadays, “it is very rare to find students taking up agriculture as their career.”

The scholars, Dolien said, were taught by the farm owner and outstanding farmer, Rogelio Saniel, to do different farming activities like planting trees, gardening, vermicomposting, animal dispersal and others.    

Dolien said the approach used in the training was 70 percent field work and 30 percent lecture. (PIA9)

Brgy. Lubigan gets P4.1-M brgy hall, P2.6-M covered court

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Far off barangay Lubigan received P4.1-million barangay hall and P2.6-million covered court, as the city government turned-over said projects totalling P6.7million recently.

In a simple turnover ceremony,   “residents of Lubigan expressed gratitude to the City Government under the leadership of Mayor Celso Lobregat for continuously initiating projects to help spur development in Barangay Lubigan,” said City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias in a press statement.

The lady information officer also informed that the City Engineer’s Office is now preparing plans and estimates for the construction of a health center in the same barangay (Lubigan).

“As Mayor Lobregat turned-over the barangay hall and covered court, he also instructed City Engineer Luis Despalo and personnel from the City Engineer’s Office to prepare the plans and estimates for a health center, for inclusion in the bidding process after the election ban,” she said.

“He likewise ordered City General Service Officer Engr. Rene de la Cruz to immediately install streetlights along the highway fronting the barangay hall,” Covarrubias added.

Located some 40 kilometers east of the city, Lubigan is a recipient of a total of P26.828 million from 2007 to present. (PIA9)

Onay Museum: Depicting the life, works of 1st four-star Mindanaoan General

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - Who would think that an ordinary man from a very simple family would become surprisingly extraordinary and an inspiration to the many?

He is the complete epitome of a person who believes in the saying, “it pays to work hard.”He got his guiding principle in life from Cicero, a Roman philosopher, who said: “The man who commands efficiently must have obeyed others in the past, and the man who obeys dutifully is worthy of being someday a commander.”

  

Onay Museum

An impressive and incredible masterpiece and collection of General Alexander Badong Yano’s journey in life was built and completed in 2009 in Sicayab, Dipolog City, featuring his humble beginnings and his achievements being a man of consequence.

Although it is open to the public, one has to seek prior permission from the General or his caretaker before he could explore inside the gallery. 

A big portrait showing the life and works of the General would welcome you as you enter the museum. You would be tempted to pose for a picture with this portrait depicting his childhood to adolescence and to his years in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Definitely, you wouldn’t want to miss taking a pose with all the awards and other souvenir items General Yano has had inside the museum.

Among his collections are his memorabilia, uniforms, trophies, medals and plaques of appreciation and recognition for his courage and bravery, photos, news clippings about his great works and legacy, and other items gathered in the course of his military and diplomatic careers.

“You will find collection of items from my boyhood days in Sindangan and Dipolog, college days in Cebu, cadetship in PMA, my military career spanning 37years and my ambassadorial tour in Brunei Darussalam,”General Yano said in an interview with this writer.

But there was one thing that would get your attention from an array of things displayed in the museum. This is a letter written by him as a Grade I pupil on July 4, 1960 addressed to his grandmother and uncle to send him money for his uniform and clothing.

“This will serve as an inspiration to local residents and young people showing my humble beginnings that they too can succeed through hardwork, sacrifice and dedication,” the General further said.

Boyhood

Alexander Yano was the eldest in a brood of five and raised by parents, IñigoYano and Gloria Badong, both public school teachers. He came from the municipality of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. He married Estela Aragon from La Union, now a retired military nurse, with whom he has a son named Ervin Andrew, also a nurse by profession.

He graduated salutatorian during his elementary education in a public school of said town in 1965. He went to Dipolog to pursue his secondary education at Saint Vincent’s College and graduated with honors in 1969.

As described by Ms. Josefina M. Alforque, one of his grade schoolteachers, “Alex was everything a Grade 1 teacher would have wanted of a pupil: obedient, polite, friendly, and well-behaved. One could tell even then that he’d grow up to be a man of fine character. He excelled in almost all subjects more particularly in arithmetic, reading and writing.”

Entering PMA

“I was a student activist during my college days in Cebu in 1969-1972. I was then a third year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student and was not an ideal student. I was an irregular student due to activism. I thought, I wouldn’t have finished engineering in five years,” Gen. Yano revealed in an interview.

“When Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets visited Cebu, I was impressed by their discipline and performance during drills. I took the exam and passed in 1972. I wanted to pursue my ideals in a more positive and productive way as a cadet and eventually as a professional soldier,” he added.

Furthermore, he said that because of the scholarship in the academy and being the eldest in the family with siblings starting college in Cebu and financial constraints, I decided to pursue a military career.

As a PMA cadet, he excelled in athletics and extra-curricular activities. He even set two PMA athletic records, in high jump and 400-meter low hurdles.His hurdles record set in 1975 still remains unbroken up to this date.

He later on completed and topped in all his military trainings in the Philippines and abroad. He also finished the Infantry Officers Advance Course in the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning,Georgia, USA and landed in the Commandant’s List as an honor graduate.

Service beyond the call of duty

General Alexander B. Yanogot the highest position in the AFP hierarchy as the 38th AFP Chief of Staff, succeeding GeneralHermogenes C. Esperon Jr.

He is undoubtedly, the great pride of Zamboanga del Norte, being the first four-starmilitary General not only from the province but the whole of Mindanao, as well.

“I was the 49^th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, 38^thAFP Chief of Staff, the first and only Mindanaon to become Chief of Staff and four-starGeneral,” he said.

As a young Army officer, he had been assigned in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar in the 70s and 80s at the height of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebellion.

He became Task Force Zamboanga chief and overall ground tactical commander during the 2001 Cabatangan crisis that led to the release of over a hundred civilian hostages from over 300 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group elements. This accomplishment gained him a name as the “Liberator of Cabatangan” from the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat.

“I was dealing with the CPP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) threats, terrorism and kidnapping in Mindanao, consolidation of the force and preventing military adventurism,” Yano said when asked about the challenges he was faced with while active in military service.

He became an adopted son of General Santos City, when no single terrorist bombing occurred during the height of terrorism in the said city while serving as the brigade commanderin the area. He also gained similar recognition as adopted son of both Zamboanga and Dipolog cities.

He was also the first in PMA batch 1976 tobecome a Brigadier General in 2003 when he received his “first star.” In 2005, he earned his “second star”as Major General.

Facing new challenges

He had his early retirement on May 1, 2009 and he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, his PMA classmate.

Right after his retirement from the military service, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoappointed him as Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.

Right now, he is living as an ordinary citizen but he continues serving the Filipino people in his own little way thru various civic organizations and advocacies.

He had published two (2) books entitled,“Onay: A Personal Journey” and “The Man Who Dared to Dream”.

“I want to share my thoughts, experiences and personal story so that people may gain lessons and inspiration from them - that a local boy who,thru  sheer perseverance, hardwork, sacrifice and merit, could reach the highest post in the AFP and fulfill his dreams” Gen. Yano stressed.

“Strive hard through your own merit, talents, hardwork and sacrifice. Endeavor for excellence in everything you do,” his answer when asked for his formula of success. “Be a role model to others and set the correct example”, he added.

Truly, he is a man with competent leadership, dedication to duty, and high level of professionalism, bringing prestige, honor and inspiration to Filipinos especially the youth. (PIA9)

DOH-CHD 9 to hold seminar for media people

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 9 is periodically conducting a seminar for press people on health reporting, recognizing that “health stories are not among the easiest news to report to the public.”

DOH-CHD 9 Regional Director Teogenes P. Baluma said the activity aims to help media fully understand the significant facts surrounding health issues that are currently making the headlines.

Baluma said the media seminar dubbed “DOH and the Media on Health Issued 101,” is a half day activity and to be held in Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City on May 16, 2013.

Topics to be discussed center on “100% Smoke free Environment” based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The agency has invited selected media practitioners to join the activity. (PIA9)

Col. Alobba installed new 101st brigade commander

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - A new commanding officer has recently been installed at the Philippine Army’s (PA) 101^st Infantry Brigade based at Barangay Del Pilar, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Col. Apolinario Alobba, former chief of staff of the First Infantry Tabak Division at Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, was installed last May 3 as the new commanding officer of the brigade in a simple change of command ceremony presided by Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, First Infantry Tabak Division commander.

Alobba replaced Col. Amadeo Azul, who also assumed as assistant division commander of the First Infantry Tabak Division. He served the brigade for barely six months only starting Oct. 26, 2012 to May 3, 2013.

During his stint as brigade commander, Col. Azul was instrumental in weakening the West Mindanao Command of the New People’s Army (NPA), involved in promoting peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in support of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, able to avert kidnapping and sea piracy in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and provided coordinative support to help secure the pre-electoral process along with the PNP and COMELEC.

Azul was also instrumental in the peace covenant signing among local candidates for the May 13, 2013 elections and in the conduct of an interfaith prayer rally with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, COMELEC, Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) and various religious groups in Zamboanga del Norte.

In his farewell message, Col Azul thanked the men and women of the brigade for the cooperation and support they had extended to him. He urged them to extend a similar support to the new brigade commander, as he assured them of “his good character as a person and as a leader.”

In his acceptance speech, Col. Alobba vowed to continue various programs and projects initiated by his predecessor, committing to provide a peaceful community to the people residing in his area of responsibility. (PIA9)

PH’s 455 waterless towns will all have water supply by 2016, says DILG

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – The country’s 455 waterless municipalities will have their own water supply system by 2016, according to Ms. Fe Crisilla Banluta, Program Manager, Water Supply Sanitation Unit (WSSU) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Speaking in a forum held here Tuesday on human rights-based local water and sanitation governance, Ms. Banluta said potable water systems were already given to 36 of the 455 waterless towns in the country under the Sagana and Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SaLinTubig) [Sufficient and Safe Water for All] project.

These 36 towns belong to the pilot regions comprising regions 2, 5,9,10 and 13.

The SaLinTubig project gets funding support from the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDGF) 1919 whose goal is to help the poor families and their waterless communities in the country gain and sustain access to clean and safe water.

In implementing the program, the DILG partners with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the local government units (LGUs) including the local communities and local water service providers.

In Zamboanga Peninsula, the municipalities with ongoing SaLinTubig-funded projects are Tungawan, Alicia, Ipil and Payao of Zamboanga Sibugay, Midsalip, Lapuyan and Tigbao of Zamboanga del Sur and Katipunan, Kalawit and Sindangan of Zamboanga del Norte.

The forum also tackled the five Cs plaguing poor communities, namely: corruption, climate change, culture, conflict and weak communities.

Ms. Banluta also reported that 122,000 households from depressed town in 12 provinces have now access to safe water.

To ensure sustainability of SaLinTubig projects, citizens’ monitors would be organized in the communities to serve as integrity watch, enlisting support from people’s organizations, religious leaders and other stakeholders.

Attending the forum were representatives from the municipalities of Katipunan and Kalawit of Zamboanga del Norte, Tungawan, Alicia, Ipili and Payao of Zamboanga Sibugay, Midsalip, Lapuyan and Tigbao of Zamboanga del Sur, DILG-IX personnel headed by Regional Director Paisal Abutazil and local media practitioners.

The fund for MDGF 1919 was established in 2006 by the Spanish government. (PIA9)

PAG-IBIG’s innovative system launched introduced in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The PAG-IBIG Fund has successfully introduced its “innovative system” in the recent Fund Coordinators Club (FCC) meeting held here with employers and employees from the local government units (LGUs) and private sectors throughout the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

“It is the mission of PAG-IBIG FUND to uplift the quality of life of members through savings. For this reason, this financial institution has been thinking of innovative ways to improve its system in order to serve the public with competence and efficiency,” said Ms. Cora Mamauag, Member Service Officer IV of PAG-IBIG Fund-Zamboanga del Norte branch. 

PAG-IBIG fund introduced the “Identification Card System,” encouraging all members and those willing to become members to register under this new system for them to be issued an ID which could be used in all transactions with the agency.

“But this transaction card is not yet in full implementation as we are still in the process of online registration,” Mamauag explained.

Savings loan and housing loan were also discussed featuring all new attributes with interest rates being lowered.

In the savings loan, members can get multi-purpose loan like salary loan through Land Bank Class Card, making all transactions easier for members.

In housing loan, members can get a maximum loan of P6 million from P 3 million.

It can be recalled that last April 8, the city government of Dipolog through Mayor Evelyn T. Uy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on housing loan with the PAG-IBIG Fund represented by Fermin A. Sta. Teresa Jr., Vice-President for Mindanao, for the city to develop a housing subdivision project for its employees whether permanent, casual or job order.

The city serves as the pilot LGU being the first and only local government throughout the province to avail itself of such privilege from the Fund. Other LGUs, however, are also encouraged to follow suit. (PIA9)