1.

32 SLPAs receive funding from DSWD

August 22, 2016

Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY, 18 Aug (PIA) A total of 32 enterprises and projects under the
Department of Social Welfare and Developments Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program have been implemented through the different Sustainable Livelihood
Program Associations (SLPAs) in the city.
SLP Project Development Officer Zandra A. Quirante reported during the City InterAgency Committee meeting held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Executive
Function Hall, the amount of P12,223,000 has already been released to these
associations, of which 10 were newly funded.
These SLPAs consist of 1,615 Pantawid beneficiaries and 125 non-Pantawid
members, Quirante said.
Moreover, another set of 20 SLPAs with over 1,500 members are still on the process
and are scheduled for funding by the program amounting to P9,914,000, she added.
Meanwhile, under the Pantawid conditional cash grants for the period February to
March this year, a total amount of P26,287,900 was allocated for the 11,777 target
beneficiaries of the city. Of this target beneficiaries, only 11,459 or 97.30 percent
were paid in the amount of P25,776,300 and the remaining 318 which is 2.54 percent
were unpaid in the amount of P272,500.
For April to May, there were 11,512 qualified beneficiaries with a total allocation of
P11,300,000, but only 11,220 beneficiaries were given their grant amounting to
P11,027,500 or 97.46 percent and 292 of them remain unclaimed or unpaid.
Per evaluation made by the implementing agency, these beneficiaries did not receive
their grants due to the following reasons; they are nowhere to be found, transfer of
residence, no eligible beneficiaries, change of grantee, attended other personal
matters among others, the report said.
These entrepreneurs were engaged mostly on consumers market and micro credit, hog
and agriculture production and several others. (ALT/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)
2. DSWD L-Net firms up plans for IPs month

August 22, 2016

Suzette R. Adduru

TUGUEGARAO CITY, August 21 (PIA) The Social Welfare and Development

Learning Network (SWDL-Net) headed by the Department of Social Welfare and

Development recently finalized its activities for the celebration of the national
Indigenous Peoples (IP) month this October.
Chanda Tuppil, Human Resource Development Unit head, said this years celebration
will focus on the law and programs of the government for IPs or indigenous cultural
communities that are not well disseminated to the sector.
Members of the learning network want to protect and promote the IPs rights within
the framework of national unity and development, she said.
Among the activities to be conducted include the IPs Congress which aims to address
concerns of IPs in upholding their rights and participation in nation-building.
We must ensure and guarantee that ICCs/IPs will benefit on an equal footing from
the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant to other
members of the population, said Napoleon Baltazar of the National Anti-Poverty
Commission.
Every October of the year is declared Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month as stipulated in
Proclamation 1906, series of 2009 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo. (ALM/SRA/PIA-2 Cagayan)
3. Kidapawan to release Php10.5 M aid for public school students

August 22, 2016

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Aug 22 (PIA) -- Kidapawan City local

government unit will release Php10.5 million educational assistance to public
elementary and high schools here on Friday August 26.
The amount comprises the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) subsidy that the city
government led by City Mayor Joseph Evangelista has promised early this year.
Under the program, each student from Kinder to Grade 10 enrolled in the public
schools in the city is entitled to a Php300 educational aid.
More than 35,000 students are set to benefit from this initiative this year.
Mayor Evangelista said the PTA subsidy intends to ease burden of parents in paying
school fees and contributing PTA endorsed projects and help the Department of
Education address concerns regarding students dropping of schools because their
parents could not afford to pay the required contributions
It also supports the zero collection of the DepEd, he added.
Checks for PTA subsidy will be handed out to the beneficiary schools on August
26 during the PTA Summit.
Kidapawan City LGU started the PTA Subsidy initiative in school year 2014-2015
with a Php100 per student subsidy.

The amount was raised to Php200 in SY 2015-2016 and again to Php300 this
school year.
In an earlier interview, Mayor Evangelista noted that this initiative is also an
effective means to help particularly the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
beneficiaries, making sure that their children remain in school, which is a
requirement for them to sustain the government conditional cash assistance.
(DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from LKOasay-PIA 12)
4. Isabela anti-drug council may spend millions to support TokHang campaign

August 22, 2016

Rene V. Carbayas

by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 17 (PIA) The Isabela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council
(CADAC) will be spending around six million pesos to support the TokHang, (coined
term for toktok and hangyo which means knock and plead) the anti-drug abuse
campaign of the national government under the Duterte administration.
The local government of Isabela admitted that they were overwhelmed by the degree
of responsibility that the LGU must assume after hundreds of alleged drug
personalities turned themselves in to authorities.
After the first few days of TokHang campaign in the city, Isabela City Mayor Al-Qaid
Akbar immediately convened the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) and held
series of CADAC meetings to look into some issues and concerns on the impact of
TokHang.
Where to put and what to do with the hundreds of those who surrendered remain the
biggest issue and predicament of the local government.
Based on the proposed plans and programs of the CADAC technical working group,
providing support to help rehabilitate surrendered drug personalities would cost some
Php6 million to cater to over 1,000 drug personalities.
Since majority of those who surrendered were Muslims, Mayor Akbar said that
Muslim NGOs or representatives must be part of the CADAC so that programs and
activities could respond to their religious and cultural needs or considerations.
City Budget Officer Estrella Dundain said that CADAC has still some Php2.5 million
at its disposal for the remaining months of 2016. She, however, emphasized that this
fund could not be used unless there is clear plan of programs from the CADAC.
With the projected deficit to be incurred to implement the plan, CADAC members
proposed that some programs and activities be included for funding by the CPOC
under its safety plan.

CADAC members also asked the city government to expedite the meeting of the
LGU, AFP, and the police to discuss mechanisms for cooperation and partnership in
establishing military camps as temporary rehabilitation centers for those who
surrendered. #50FirstDays #PartnerForChange (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)
5. Nueva Vizcaya PWSO bats for improved services, more income

August 22, 2016

Ben Moses Ebreo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, August 22 (PIA) The Provincial Waterworks

System Office (PWSO) here has put in place rehabilitation works for its ailing
facilities in a bid to gain customer satisfaction and draw more revenues.
Neguita Castro, PWSO chief, said they are focusing rehabilitation of the existing
28,350 meter distribution line, 59 hydrants, transmission pipes and ground
improvement.
She said 2,150 meters of the distribution line have been repaired with 26,200 meters
more to be done, while the 59 hydrants were already connected to the distribution
lines and also installed additional 13 more.
We have also installed a bigger transmission pipe directly to the water source which
resulted to the increase of water volume of 750 cubic meter per day, Castro said.
She added that other ground improvements worth P.255 million have been completed.
The PWSO, Castro said has also proposed projects for this year such as the P1.5
million construction of a sedimentation tank at the water source.
This will filter and treat water at the main source or before the storage treatment
facility, she said.
Other proposed projects also include P.250 million ground improvement phase 3 and
the P1 million rehabilitation of secondary distribution pipe in barangay Poblacion of
Bayombong town.
The waterworks system draws water from the Barobbob Spring in barangay Masoc in
Bayombong town which provides clean water to 2,536 consumers spread out in the
towns of Bayombong and Solano covers 21 barangays.
Castro said the waterworks system gained investment fund during the administration
of former governor Ruth Padilla.
Its embedded structures has been there for more than 50 years without much
rehabilitation and upgrading. This is the very reason for its deteriorating condition
resulting to inferior service and low customer satisfaction, she said.
The water facility, Castro added has accounted 40 percent systems loss of supposedly
revenue generating water. (ALM/BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)
6.Change Has Come: How an IP family rises from poor, isolated life through
DSWDs Pantawid Program

August 19, 2016

Change Has Come: How an IP family rises from poor, isolated life through DSWDs
Pantawid Program

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 18 (PIA) -- Over the past years, indigenous people (IP) are
often homeless, dispossessed of their lands, or in the center of conflict for access to
resources due to their location, or yet, in other cases they struggle to live, the way
they wanted. This has been the life cycle of indigenous people from one generation to
the other.
But, for the couple Richard and Mercy Susootin, of Kabihug Tribe of Barangay Bakal,
Paracale, Camarines Norte, breaking this cycle is within their reach.
The couple belongs to a total of 6,038 families of IPs in Bicol who went through
drastic changes in their lives, overcoming the life of isolation, discrimination, hunger
and ignorance through the social services provided by the government under the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for
Indigenous People (MCCT-IP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).
At present, a total of 6,038 IP households from the Geographically Isolated and
Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in the region are benefitting from MCCT-IP.
Of this, 1,007 are in the province of Albay; 1,884 in Sorsogon; 2,908 in Camarines
Sur; and 239 in Camarines Norte.
MCCT-IP is a special project of DSWD which is culturally responsive in improving
IPs access to basic social services such as health, nutrition, sanitation and to formal
and non-formal education.
DSWD Bicol regional director Arnel B. Garcia, said MCCT-IP uses the Conditional
Cash Transfer (CCT) strategy that is substantially distinct from the regular program
being provided since there is a modification in terms of targeting, process of
implementation, package of services, and the IPs are involved in identifying,
formulating, and planning development strategies to be employed in the program
implementation.
Embracing genuine change
Since time immemorial, the group of Mercy lived in separate settlements outside the
ancestral domain without security in present dwellings, facing discrimination, and in
deep poverty.
According to her, their group is afraid to the people living in the city. Kadalasan ay
pinapalayas kami, sinisipa, pinagtatawanan kaya takot po kami sa mga tao sa centro,
[Oftentimes, we were being driven away, kicked out, laughed with, that is why we are
afraid to the people living in the city], she said.
But the implementation of MCCT-IP in 2012 marked the beginning of sensible
government undertakings directed toward putting an end to the long history of
marginalization and neglect experienced by many indigenous communities in Bicol.
According to Mercy, now they were exposed to various individuals. The Family
Development Session (FDS) also made a big contribution to their development.

The FDS is a monthly activity being conducted to beneficiaries of the Program. It is a

venue for educational, interpersonal, interactive and adult learning engagement that
aims to empower and strengthen the relationship and ties among family members and
the community.
Natutunan ko kung paano makisalamuha sa ibang tao, kung gaano kahalaga ang pagaaral ng mga bata at ang aming kalusugan. [I was able to learn how to deal with
various people, the importance of education and health of my children], she stated.
Both, the couple also attended sessions which made their relationship better and
stronger. Dati po wala siyang paki-alam sa amin, pero utay-utay po ay nakikita ko na
tinutulungan niya ako sa pag-alaga ng mga bata. Nabawasan na din ang pag-aaway
namin. [Before, he does not care to us, but little by little, I see him helping me take
care of our children. It also minimizes our quarrel], Mercy said.
What the cash grant means to them
Like the regular Pantawid Pamilya, MCCT-IP targeted IP families with children aged
0-18. Identified beneficiaries received a cash assistance of Php500 for health and
Php300 for the education of children who are in elementary or Php500 who are in
high school for a maximum of three children per family.
However, this cash grants are accompanied with certain conditions. As beneficiaries,
the IPs are made to comply as 85 percent attendance of all children and adults
enrolled in school; regular health status monitoring of pregnant and lactating mothers;
full immunization for children and pregnant women; deworming for children, pre and
post-natal care; should deliver in government birthing facilities; and attendance to
family-community development sessions.
For Mercy, her compliance to these conditions subsequently enriched their familys
living. The cash assistance her family received allows them to provide the basic needs
of her five kids. Kung dati po isang beses kami kumakain, minsan kamote lang,
ngayon po ay tatlo na. Sobrang laki po na naitulong sa amin ng cash grant, [Before we
only eat once a day, sometimes only potato, but now we ate three times. The cash
grant is a huge help to us], she said.
She is now able to buy new clothes, slippers, school supplies and allocate money for
the tuition fee of her children.
Apart from that, her children regularly visit the nearest health center. Tinuturuan ko
na din po sila na maligo araw-araw. Natutunan na din ng mga anak ko na mag
toothbrush ng 3 beses sa sarong aldaw, [I teach them to take a bath daily. My children
learn to brush their teeth three times a day], she stated.
Faith and Determination is the Key
Mercy believed that the little income from farming would not suffice the needs of her
family. That is why she enrolled in the alternative learning system. Pangarap ko na
magturo. Gusto ko po na may kabihug na nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral at nagtuturo sa
tribu namin. Makaktulong din ito sa amin para makahanap ng mas malaking

pagkakitaan. [I aimed for a kabihug to finish education and teach the tribe. It would
also be helpful to us to look for higher income], she firmly stated.
For the couple Mercy and Richard, they have already graduated from discrimination
and isolation. They have proven that embracing the life introduced to them gave them
the courage to pursue their dreams for their children to finish until college. As Mercy
said Proud ako sa mga anak ko kasi determinado sila mag-aral at gagawin namin
lahat para maabot ang pangarap nila [I am proud of my children because they are
determined to finish their education and we will do everything to achieve their
dreams], she proudly said.
The couple added that staying positive and faith in God is their shield from all
adversities that will come their way. Kaya po ginagawa namin ang paraan para
patuloy kami na magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan dahil ito ang magiging susi para tuloytuloy ang pag-unlad namin, para sa pamilya namin at mas makakatulong pa kami sa
aming kapwa IP, [That is why are doing everything to continuously earn because it
will be the key to improve our living, for our family and to be able to help our co-IPs
as well], Mercy said. (MAL/SAA/GNL-DSWD5/PIA5/Albay)
7. Meat processing training benefits OFWs in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

August 22, 2016

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 22 (PIA) In an effort to provide

additional sources of income for Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents, the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration recently led a seminar on meat processing
in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.
Some 30 OFW family circle members from joined the techno transfer training held
at the Columbio municipal gymnasium.
The training is a combination of technical lecture, demonstration particularly on the
proper way of making chorizo and embotido.
The participants were also given ideas on how to package the finished products to
increase its marketability.
OWWA 12 OIC Marlyn Jamero said, OWWA continuously provide trainings to OFWs
that would help develop their skills and capabilities and enhance their knowledge to
become competent and reliable members of the community, Jamero added.
Jamero added that they are set to conduct trainings for OFWs from different
municipalities and provinces for the following months.
Similar techno-transfer trainings will be conducted for OFWs in Malapatan,
Sarangani on August 31 and on August 31 at Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, Jamero
added.
This is carried out under OWWAs Family Development Support Program under the
Social Welfare Services (ORVRivera-PIA12 with report from OWWA-12)

8. DSWD conducts counseling for bereaved relatives of electrocuted 4Ps

beneficiaries in Pangasinan

August 21, 2016

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 21 - Following the death of a family of five members in

Malasiqui, Pangasinan, due to electrocution, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) is now providing psycho-social support to the bereaved
relatives to help them cope with the trauma of losing their loved ones.
DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said that the local government of Malasiqui has
requested for the provision of psycho-social support for the bereaved relatives who
are now suffering from depression.
To date, aside from the psycho-social support, DSWD social workers are now
assessing the other needs of the bereaved relatives.
According to Amelia Tablada, Municipal and Social Welfare and Development
Officer (MSWDO) of Malasiqui, the victims were beneficiaries of the DSWDs
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The local government already expressed their intent to shoulder all the burial
expenses of the victims. It also initially provided food packs and all the basic
necessities of the grieving family members.
Sec. Taguiwalo offered her sincerest condolences to the remaining family members of
the victims and assured them that the Department will provide additional assistance as
they go through this difficult period and to help them start over from the unexpected
loss of their loved ones.
Kasama po ng mga kawani ng DSWD, kami po ay nakikiramay sa mga naiwan ng
mga biktima. Handa po ang kagawaran na tulungan kayo hanggang sa aming
makakaya (On behalf of the DSWD family, we offer our deepest condolences to the
relatives of the victims. The Department is here to help you as much as we can), Sec.
Taguiwalo said. (DSWD)
9. DSWD continues to extend aid to Habagat-affected families; vows
transparency in handling public resources

August 21, 2016

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 21 - The Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD), as the lead disaster response agency, continues to extend relief and
augmentation support to families affected by the Southwest Monsoon rains.
Based on the recent bulletin released by the DSWD, as of 4AM of August 19, the
combined amount of assistance extended to affected families reached to P9 million, of
which P4,587,812.27 worth of aid was given by the DSWD, while local government
units (LGUs) provided P4,045,898.92, and non-government organizations (NGOs)
gave P517,186.20 worth of relief support.

Importante po sa amin ang pagbibigay ng transparent na pag-uulat kung magkano na

ang public funds na nagagamit natin sa pagresponde sa mga kababayan nating
apektado ng disasters (It is important for us to provide transparent data on how much
public funds is being utilized during disaster response operations), said DSWD
Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.
As of this writing, a total of 87,536 families or 416,681 persons were affected by the
inclement weather in Regions I, III, CAR and CALABARZON.
Of this number, 3,071 families or 12,756 persons are still in 126 evacuation centers in
the said regions, while 63,575 families or 303,769 persons temporarily took shelter
with their relatives and friends.
Currently, the DSWD continues its coordination with LGUs in monitoring disaster
response operations in the local level.
Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy po naming aayusin ang pag-handle ng public
resources upang maipamahagi ang mga ito sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan (We
will continue to effectively handle public resources to provide the necessary help to
Filipinos in need of assistance), Sec. Taguiwalo ended. (DSWD)
10. Feature: Best 2016 inventor gets DOST's help in commercializing invention

August 22, 2016

TAGUIG CITY, Aug. 22 - A jeepney driver from Silang, Cavite who found a solution
to leaking brake fluid, received a back-to-back award from the Department of Science
and Technology this year.
After bagging the Outstanding Invention (Tuklas) award for 2016 last July, Melchor
R. Heosa received another award in the form of financial assistance from DOSTTechnology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) for the commercialization of
his invention named Leak Sealing Valve (LSV) for Brake System of Motorized
Vehicles.
Through a Memorandum of Agreement signed between DOST-TAPI represented by
Dir. Edgar Garcia and Heosa, DOST-TAPI will grant Heosa some P726,000 to
cover the cost of raw materials and die cast mold for the production and
commercialization of 40 sets or 160 units of his invention-product.
The project falls under the Invention Based Enterprise Development (IBED) and
Industry Based Invention Development (IBID) Assistance programs. The MOA
orientation was led by Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, division manager of TAPIs
Invention Development Division, with Mechelle Balboa, IBED program manager, and
Mr. Redentor Noche who witnessed the signing ceremony held at the TAPI
Conference Room last August 10.
Meanwhile, as the beneficiary, Heosa is responsible for the care and security of the
production facilities, raw materials and finished goods; provide the site and other
facilities needed to implement the project; and allow designated staff of TAPI to

access his workshop and other relevant information to assess the development and
progress of the project.
Earlier, Heosa bagged the Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention during the
DOSTs 2016 National Invention Contest and Exhibit and brought home P150,000
cash, certificate, and plaque, as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization
gold medal.
This IBED project is Heosas third from DOST. Previously, TAPI and DOSTs
Metals Industry Research and Development Center, provided assistance for 70 pieces
of LSV prototypes for testing purposes. Currently, the project is on its Component 2
for commercialization.
The idea all began when Heosa, who was a driver for almost 15 years, experienced
and observed brake fluid leakage while driving. Knowing the danger posed by such
condition, he developed an anti-loose brake device to be attached along the fluid pipes
of each wheel assembly particularly for PUV. When a leak occurs, he said that the
device will automatically lock the damaged assembly and cut off the supply of brake
fluid to it. Meanwhile, the remaining undamaged wheel brake assemblies continue to
function.
We are really promoting safety on the road. Kasi ako, bilang driver na ng ilang taon,
alam ko na yung problema kaya naghanap ako ng paraan kung paano masosolusyonan
ang problema na iyon, (We are really promoting safety on the road. Because
personally, as a driver for several years, I already know what the problem is, so I
looked for a way to solve it.) Heosa said in an interview.
The inventor also intends to upscale the said project to the DOST- Technology
Innovation for Commercialization Program for possible funding assistance. The said
upscaling would test and develop the LSV to be used for other types of vehicles aside
from jeepneys and automobiles which are the current target market of the product.
Along with the MOA orientation, a Certificate of Completion was also awarded to
Heosa for completing the project Pilot Production cum Market Testing of Leak
Sealing Valve.
TAPI is the DOSTs lead agency in providing technical consultancy and financial
assistance to technology-based projects per the Institutes mandate on technology
transfer and commercialization. One of the policies recently instituted by TAPI for
newly approved projects is to hold the signing of the MOA to orient proponents
regarding their critical role in ensuring the successful implementation of the project as
stipulated in the agreement. (DOST)
11. PDEA, Mexican Govt strengthen ties vs illegal drugs

August 22, 2016

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 22 (PIA) The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
and the government Mexico further strengthen its ties in fighting illegal drugs with

the recent visit of the Ambassador of Mexico to the Philippines, Ambassador Julio
Camarena to the agency.
We are honored to have Ambassador Camarena as guest. His visit to the PDEA
National Headquarters in Quezon City further develops the already established
cooperation between the Philippines and Mexico to address the drug problem in the
international level, said PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapea.
On November 17, 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was forged
between PDEA of the Republic of the Philippines and the Office of the Attorney
General of the Republic of the United Mexican States concerning cooperation on
combating illicit traffic of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues,
precursor chemicals and essential chemical products, as well as products or
preparations containing them.
The agreement, which will remain in effect for a period of five years, was signed to
fight illicit drug trafficking-a problem that has become a serious threat to the security,
health and welfare of the Filipino and Mexican people, Lapea noted.
The PDEA chief also recognized Mexico as one of the its strong allies in the global
war against the drug menace.
The agency values its partnership with the Mexican government in giving assistance
to combat threats to national security and stability, particularly in the flow of illegal
drugs through effective sharing of best possible practices, timely exchange of
information on illegal drug trade, and the implementation of international agreements
and provision of trainings, he added. (PDEA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)
GOVERNMENT IN ACTION - AUGUST 22, 2016
1. 32 enterprises and projects under the Department of Social Welfare and
Developments Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program have been implemented
through the different Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) in the
city.
More than 12 million pesos has already been released to these associations, of which
10 were newly funded.
These SLPAs consist of 1,615 Pantawid beneficiaries and 125 non-Pantawid
members.
Another set of 20 SLPAs with over 1,500 members are still on the process and are
scheduled for funding by the program amounting to P9,914,000.
Meanwhile, under the Pantawid conditional cash grants for the period February to
March this year, more than 26 million pesos was allocated for the 11,777 target
beneficiaries of the city.
These entrepreneurs were engaged mostly on consumers market and micro credit, hog
and agriculture production and several others.

2. The Social Welfare and Development Learning Network headed by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development recently finalized its activities for the celebration
of the national Indigenous Peoples (IP) month this October.
This years celebration will focus on the law and programs of the government for IPs
or indigenous cultural communities that are not well disseminated to the sector.
Among the activities to be conducted include the IPs Congress which aims to address
concerns of IPs in upholding their rights and participation in nation-building.
Every October of the year is declared Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month as stipulated in
Proclamation 1906, series of 2009 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo.
3. Kidapawan City local government unit will release Php10.5 million educational
assistance to public elementary and high schools in the province.
The amount comprises the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) subsidy that the city
government has promised early this year.
Under the program, each student from Kinder to Grade 10 enrolled in the public
schools in the city is entitled to a Php300 educational aid.
More than 35,000 students are set to benefit from this initiative this year.
Kidapawan City LGU started the PTA Subsidy initiative in school year 2014-2015
with a Php100 per student subsidy.
The amount was raised to Php200 in SY 2015-2016 and again to Php300 this
school year.
4. The Isabela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) will be spending around six
million pesos to support the TokHang, the anti-drug abuse campaign of the national
government under the Duterte administration.
TokHang is a coined term for toktok and hangyo which means knock and plead.
The local government of Isabela was overwhelmed by the degree of responsibility
over hundreds of alleged drug personalities who turned themselves in to authorities.
After the first few days of TokHang campaign in the city, Isabela City Mayor Al-Qaid
Akbar immediately convened the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC).
He has also held series of CADAC meetings to look into some issues and concerns on
the impact of TokHang.
CADAC members also asked the city government to expedite the meeting of the
LGU, AFP, and the police to discuss mechanisms in establishing military camps as
temporary rehabilitation centers for those who surrendered.

5. The Provincial Waterworks System Office (PWSO) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

has put in place rehabilitation works for its ailing facilities.
The activity aims to gain customer satisfaction and draw more revenues.
PWSO says they are focusing rehabilitation of the existing 28,350 meter distribution
line, 59 hydrants, transmission pipes and ground improvement.
2,150 meters of the distribution line have been repaired with 26,200 meters more to be
done, while the 59 hydrants were already connected to the distribution lines and also
installed additional 13 more.
They have also installed a bigger transmission pipe directly to the water source which
resulted to the increase of water volume of 750 cubic meter per day.
Other proposed projects also include P.250 million ground improvement phase 3 and
the P1 million rehabilitation of secondary distribution pipe in barangay Poblacion of
Bayombong town.
GOVERNMENT IN ACTION - SEPTEMBER 2, 2016
1. Couple Richard and Mercy Susootin, of Kabihug Tribe of Barangay Bakal,
Paracale, Camarines Norte, has risen from poverty through the social welfare
department's Pantawid Program.
Susootin couple belongs to a total of 6,038 families of IPs in Bicol who went through
drastic changes in their lives, overcoming the life of isolation, discrimination, hunger
and ignorance.
All these were made possible through the social services provided by the government
under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Modified Conditional Cash Transfer
for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP) of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
At present, a total of 6,038 IP households from the Geographically Isolated and
Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in the region are benefitting from MCCT-IP.
Of this, 1,007 are in the province of Albay; 1,884 in Sorsogon; 2,908 in Camarines
Sur; and 239 in Camarines Norte.
MCCT-IP is a special project of DSWD which is culturally responsive in improving
IPs access to basic social services such as health, nutrition, sanitation and to formal
and non-formal education.
2. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration recently led a seminar on meat
processing in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

It aims to provide additional sources of income for Overseas Filipino Workers and
their dependents.
Some 30 OFW family circle members joined the techno transfer training held at the
Columbio municipal gymnasium.
The training is a combination of technical lecture, demonstration particularly on the
proper way of making chorizo and embotido.
The participants were also given ideas on how to package the finished products to
increase its marketability.
This is carried out under OWWAs Family Development Support Program under the
Social Welfare Services.
3. DSWD has recently conducted counseling for bereaved relatives of electrocuted
4Ps beneficiaries in Pangasinan.
This followed the death of a family of five members in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, due to
electrocution.
DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said that the local government of Malasiqui has
requested for the provision of psycho-social support for the bereaved relatives who
are now suffering from depression.
To date, aside from the psycho-social support, DSWD social workers are now
assessing the other needs of the bereaved relatives.
The local government already expressed their intent to shoulder all the burial
expenses of the victims.
It also initially provided food packs and all the basic necessities of the grieving family
members.
4. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead disaster
response agency, continues to extend relief and augmentation support to families
affected by the Southwest Monsoon rains.
Based on the recent bulletin released by the DSWD, the combined amount of
assistance extended to affected families reached to P9 million.
Of this amount, P4,587,812.27 worth of aid was given by the DSWD, while local
government units (LGUs) provided P4,045,898.92, and non-government
organizations (NGOs) gave P517,186.20 worth of relief support.
Currently, the DSWD continues its coordination with LGUs in monitoring disaster
response operations in the local level.

5. A jeepney driver from Silang, Cavite who found a solution to leaking brake fluid,
received a back-to-back award from the Department of Science and Technology this
year.
After bagging the Outstanding Invention (Tuklas) award for 2016, Melchor R. Heosa
received another award in the form of financial assistance from DOST- Technology
Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).
This is for the commercialization of his invention named Leak Sealing Valve (LSV)
for Brake System of Motorized Vehicles.
DOST-TAPI will grant Heosa some P726,000 to cover the cost of raw materials and
die cast mold for the production and commercialization of 40 sets or 160 units of his
invention-product.
The project falls under the Invention Based Enterprise Development (IBED) and
Industry Based Invention Development (IBID) Assistance programs.
TAPI is the DOSTs lead agency in providing technical consultancy and financial
assistance to technology-based projects per the Institutes mandate on technology
transfer and commercialization.
6. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the government Mexico
further strengthen its ties in fighting illegal drugs.
This adds with the recent visit of the Ambassador of Mexico to the Philippines,
Ambassador Julio Camarena to the agency.
On November 17, 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was forged
between PDEA of the Republic of the Philippines and the Office of the Attorney
General of the Republic of the United Mexican States.
This is concerning cooperation on combating illicit traffic of narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances, their analogues, precursor chemicals and essential chemical
products, as well as products or preparations containing them.
The agreement will remain in effect for a period of five years to fight illicit drug
trafficking-a problem that has become a serious threat to the security, health and
welfare of the Filipino and Mexican people.
The PDEA chief also recognized Mexico as one of the its strong allies in the global
war against the drug menace.