Caraga Today October-December 2013

posals of AROs, SUCs,
GOCCs/GFIs and at the
same time the RDC‟s basis
for review and evaluation of
the annual budget proposals
of these government entities.
NEDA-Caraga OIC-RD
Mylah Faye Aurora B.
Cariño chaired the 76th
RDC Full Council Meeting.
The RDP endeavors to make
the Caraga Region the Fish-
ery, Agro-Foresty, Mining,
and Eco-Tourism (FAME)
center of the country by year
2030 by developing the re-
gion‟s abundant resources in
fishery, agriculture, foresty,
mining, and eco-tourism.
These sectors have been
observed as growth drivers
of the region‟s economy,
generating employment for
the region.
The improvement of the
productivity of the said sec-
tors can translate into im-
proved gross regional do-
mestic product (GRDP).
In 2011, Caraga‟s economy
posted the fastest growth
among regions with an ac-
celerated rate of 8.5 percent
in 2011 from 7.4 percent in
2010, as reported by the
NSCB.
The RDC hopes to maintain
if not improve the GRDP of
the region through
the support of
every Caraganons
with this revised
RDP.
The Regional De-
velopment Invest-
ment Program
(RDIP) on the
other hand is the
companion docu-
ment of the RDP.
It is the translation
of the objectives
and strategies of
the RDP into con-
crete programs,
projects and activities to be
implemented by the agency
regional offices (AROs),
state universities and col-
leges (SUCs), and the local
government units (LGUs).
The RDIP is focused on
strategic core investment
programs/projects of AROs,
SUCs, and LGUs. It also
serves as basis for the prepa-
ration of annual budget pro-
Caraga Regional Development Council
approves, adopts revised
Regional Development Plan,
Investment Program
Inside this issue:
Team DSWD wins Re-
gional StatQuiz 2013
2
18-day Campaign to
End Violence Against
Women 2013
3
DA Caraga Turns-over
Farm Tractor to Las
Nieves, Agusan del
Norte
4
Caraga bags World
Food Day 2013 Best
Mosaic Award
4
The Regional Develop-
ment Council In Action
5
DOH announces new
program for elder per-
sons
17
PhilRice sets first ever
brown rice day
18
DTI-Agusan del Sur to
award engineered-
bamboo processing
equipment to SA-
FRAADAP
19
560 Farmers Graduate
from University on the
Air on White Corn Pro-
duction
20
Vol. XVII Issue 3 October-December 2013
A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council
by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga
Q3 Regional Project
Monitoring Activity
See page 6-11
Q2 Regional Eco-
nomic Situationer
See page 12-16
ON THE GAVEL. Acting Caraga Regional De-
velopment Council Chairperson, NEDA-Caraga
OIC-Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B.
Cariño.
The Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) approved and adopted the revised
Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2013-2016 and the Regional Development Invest-
ment Program through RDC Resolutions No. 34 and 35, series of 2013, respectively,
during the 76th RDC Full Council Meeting on October 4, 2013 at Butuan City.

The team of Mr. Cale B.
Pineda and Ms. Therese Mar-
garette C. Babanto from the
Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD-
Caraga) bested 21 other teams
during the 7th Inter-Agency/
LGU Stat Quiz on October
29, 2013 at Goat2geder Hotel
and Restaurant, Butuan City.
The winning team accumulated a
total score of 30 points in the
three-round Regional StatQuiz.
The Team DILG composed of
Mr. John Chris Malupa and Mr.
Don Manuelo Patrimonio came
close with a total score of 29
points while Team TESDA com-
posed of Mr. Robert Roperos and
Ms. Lyrette B. Ysalina got 27
points taking the second and third
spots, respectively. The top three
winning teams received certifi-
cates and cash prizes.
In her welcome remarks, Na-
tional Economic and Develop-
ment Authority (NEDA) OIC
Regional Director Mylah Faye
Aurora B. Carino stressed the
important uses of statistics in all
development –planning and gov-
ernment statistical activities.
Ms. Jazmin D. Berido of NEDA
hosted the event and Ms. Berna-
deth Bonachita and Ms. Rowena
Petate of NSO served as the Quiz
Masters.
The 7th Agency/LGU StatQuiz is
the culminating activity of the
region‟s National Statistics
Month celebration with the theme
“Statistics for Every Filipino.” It
was spearheaded by the National
Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), National
Statistics Office (NSO) and De-
partment of Trade and Industry
(DTI).
Team DSWD wins Regional StatQuiz 2013
Volume XVI Issue 3
The Editorial Board
Caraga Today
National Economic and Development Authority
Nimfa Tiu Building I, JP Rosales Avenue,
Butuan City
Jazmin D. Berido
Editor
Arven John B. Lumag
Mitchell C. Castillon
Sherwin E. Verdun
Emmilou R. Gonzaga
Writers
DTI XIII, DA XIII
Contributors
OIC-RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño
Adviser
THE WINNERS. Above, Ms. Therese Margarette C. Babanto (3rd from
left) and Mr. Cale B. Pineda (2nd from right) with the judges RD Rosa-
linda Celeste-Apura (NSO, left), Ms. Venus S. Derequito (NEDA, 2nd
from left), Atty. Mara C. Maquiling (DTI, right). Below, Mr. Don Manuelo
Patrimonio (left) and Mr. John Chris Malupa (2nd from left) of DILG and
Ms. Lyrette B. Ysalina (2nd from right) and Mr. Robert Roperos (right) of
TESDA.
by Emmilou R. Gonzaga , NEDA-Caraga
THE STATMAN
The Head symbolizes the sign
'Sigma (σ)' to denote standard
deviation or variations in human
endeavors.
The Right Arm symbolizes the sign
'Sigma (Σ)' to denote summation of
society's dreams and aspirations.
The Left Arm and Torso, taken
altogether, symbolizes the sign 'Chi
Square (χ2)' to denote independ-
ence and objectivity of one's views
and decisions while maintaining
harmony with the government.
The use of the symbols as the body
parts of STATMAN signifies coher-
ence and unity between statistical
theory and their various applica-
tions which include, among others,
the generation, analysis and inter-
pretation of data.
The picture depicted of
the STATMAN in motion signifies
the vision for and mission of the
Philippine Statistical System, that
is, 'Statistics in Action,' which
simply means a system that is pro-
active and responsive to develop-
ments affecting the country and its
products, in terms of statistical data
series, used in governance, and ion
the conduct of our daily lives.

18-Day Campaign to End
Violence Against Women 2013
Page 3Vol. XVII Issue 3
VAW is a human rights issue. It
strikes at the personhood of
women and limits human devel-
opment.
VAW is violence that is gender-
based. Gender-based violence
means that women are subjected
to violence or abuse because they
are women. Factors such as class,
race, educational background,
age or even looks are but secon-
dary to the gender factor in this
case.
VAW is not limited to physical
abuse. VAW can also take the
form of emotional, verbal, psy-
chological, economic and sexual
abuse.
Domestic violence or VAW in
the family is violence that occurs
within the private sphere, gener-
ally between individuals who are
related through intimacy, blood
or law.
The Campaign’s Objectives
 To increase support and
commitment of duty holders
particularly government
agencies, at the national and
local level, in eliminating
violence against women and
children.
 To sustain and improve
policies, laws and mecha-
nisms addressing VAW.
 To forge partnerships
among stakeholders in ad-
dressing VAW.
Statistics on VAW
The 2008 National Demographic
and Health Survey (NDHS) re-
vealed that one in five women
aged 15-49 has experienced
physical violence since age 15. It
added that four percent of women
who have ever been pregnant
have experienced physical vio-
lence during pregnancy. It also
revealed that women with higher
levels of education and those
from wealthier households are
less likely to report having ex-
perienced physical violence.
The survey also reported that one
-fifth or 18% of women who
have ever been married have
experienced physical or sexual
abuse by a husband. Pushing,
shaking, and slapping, according
to the survey, are the most com-
monly reported forms of physical
violence. According to NDHS,
Women from the poorest house-
holds are most likely to experi-
ence physical or sexual violence
by their spouse. Almost half or
49% of women whose husbands
get drunk very often report that
they are victims of physical or
sexual violence. From January to
September 2013, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) – Women
and Children Protection Center
(WCPC) documented a total of
11,158 violations of Republic
Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-
Violence Against Women and
Their Children Act of 2004
(VAWC) nationwide.
Among the four (4) VAWC cate-
gories, Physical Abuse tops the
rank with 5,728 (57%) reported
cases. It is followed by Psycho-
logical Abuse with 2,031 (20%);
Economic Abuse with 1,483
(15%) and Sexual Abuse with
743 (7%) reported cases. Among
the 16 regions excluding ARMM,
Region VII (Central Visayas) is
the number one region with the
most number of reported VAWC
cases at 2,762 (28%). Region VI
(Western Visayas) comes in sec-
ond with 1,704 (17%) followed
by Region XI (Davao Region) in
third with 1,123 (11%). This can
mean that women in these re-
gions have become more coura-
Background of the Campaign
Since 2002, the Philippine gov-
ernment has been actively joining
the 16 days of activism against
gender-based violence that is
being observed globally from
November 25 to December 10.
Said campaign calls for the elimi-
nation of all forms of violence
against women through aware-
ness-raising about gender-based
violence, strengthening local
work and establishing a clear link
between local and international
work to end VAW, among other
undertakings.
In 2006, through Presidential
Proclamation 1172, the Philip-
pine campaign was extended to
18 days, to include December 12,
which is known as the Anti-
Trafficking in Persons Day.
This year, the country's commit-
ment to the observance was
strengthened as President Be-
nigno S. Aquino III signed Re-
public Act 10398 declaring No-
vember 25 of every year as the
“National Consciousness Day for
the Elimination of Violence
Against Women and Children.”
The law also raises the standard
by which this campaign is ob-
served by mandating key agen-
cies to undertake activities de-
signed to raise public awareness
on VAW.
With the theme: “End VAW
Now! It‟s Our Duty!” the call
will emphasize the importance of
having a functional mechanism,
operated by competent and capa-
ble duty-bearers with a sense of
responsibility and accountability
originating from a deep under-
standing of the fundamental prin-
ciples of gender-based violence
and the provisions of VAW laws.
Violence Against Women
(VAW)
Theme:
End VAW Now! It‟s Our Duty!
Monday, November 25, 2013 to Thursday, December 12, 2013
Continued on page 19

thanked former Congressman
Aquino for various projects
undertaken during his admini-
stration for her constituents in
Las Nieves, Agusan del
Norte.
Director Mabeza was also
thankful to Aquino for being a
partner for the development
of the farming community.
Aside from the farm tractor,
DA Caraga also turned-over
to Las Nieves LGU a rice
reaper.
Las Nieves is a major pro-
ducer of corn in the Province
of Agusan del Norte and an
awardee of the recent Quality
Corn Achievers Awards un-
dertaken by the National Corn
Program of the Department of
Agriculture.
Butuan City – The Caraga
Agri-Pinoy Corn Program
further beefed up its farm
mechanization component by
providing a farm tractor to the
municipality of Las Nieves,
Agusan del Norte.
One (1) unit of 4-wheeled
farm tractor was turned-over
to the said municipality last
November 5, 2013 at DA Re-
search Outreach Station in
Taguibo, Butuan City.
Gracing the occasion were
DA Caraga‟s Director Edna
M. Mabeza, Engr. Rene
Morales of RAED and Mayor
Avelina Rosales of Las
Nieves.
Also attending the turn-over
ceremony was former Butuan
City and Agusan del Norte 1st
District Representative Jose
Aquino II who co-funded the
project during his term of
office.
In his speech, Aquino ex-
tended his heartfelt gratitude
to DA Regional Field Office
for still acknowledging his
support for the farmers al-
though he is no longer the
congressman of the said dis-
trict.
“Dako gyud ang akong
pasalamat sa DA kay bisan
wala nako sa poder giila pa
gihapon ang akong paningka-
mot alang sa kalambuan sa
katawhan” (I am so thankful
to the DA, that though I am
no longer in the office my
support to the program for
people‟s development is rec-
ognized,”) he said.
Mayor Rosales for her part
DA Caraga Turns-over Farm Tractor to Las
Nieves, Agusan del Norte
by Aurell P. Araiz, RAFID DA-Caraga
sponsored by the National Agri-
culture and Fishery Council
(NAFC). Christian was with his
coach Richard Obina, a grand
slam coach for winning in the last
three years in the DA‟s annual
poster and mosaic making con-
test.
“It was so much fun especially
the tour and we also met the Sec-
retary of Agriculture Proceso
Alcala in the DA who gave addi-
tional P10,000 as personal incen-
tive to the winners,” Garcia said
after returning from Manila.
Garcia received the award on
World Food Day, October 16, at
Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City
Circle, Diliman, Quezon City
together with regions 6, 11, 12,
and ARMM.
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - For
three (3) straight years, Caraga
Region took home the Best Mo-
saic Award during the National
On-the-Spot Mosaic Making
Contest held at the Diliman, Que-
zon City last October 11, 2013.
The On-the-Spot Mosaic Making
Contest is an annual activity
conducted in line with the cele-
bration of World Food Day every
16th of October. This year‟s
theme, “Sustainable Food Sys-
tems for Food Security and Nu-
trition” was the subject of every
artwork done by the 17 regional
representatives who came to-
gether to showcase their talent
and artistry.
In coordination with the Depart-
ment of Education, screenings
were conducted in the different
levels: school, district, division,
and then the regional elimination.
Participated by children in grades
IV-VI, each level selected three
best mosaics and moved on to the
next level. One winner was then
chosen during the Regional
Elimination and represented the
region in the National Contest.
At the national level, five (5)
Best Posters were chosen from
among the 17 regions and Chris-
tian A. Garcia from East Ba-
yugan Central Elementary
School, Bayugan City was cho-
sen as one of the five Best Mo-
saic and received a cash prize
amounting of P15,000 from the
Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion (FAO), a trophy, and an all-
expense paid tour in Manila
Caraga bags World Food Day 2013 Best Mosaic Award
by Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-RFU 13/PIA-Caraga
Las Nieves Chief Executive Avelina
Rosales (seating) got a chance to
try an actual operation of the farm
tractor after the turn-over cere-
mony. With her are (from left to
right) DA Caraga Legal Officer
Nicandro Navia, SB Timoteo Largo,
DA RFO 13 Acting Director IV Edna
Mabeza and former Butuan City
and Agusan del Norte 1st
District
Representative Jose Aquino II.

The Regional Development Council In Action
7th Regional Inter-Agency/LGU StatQuiz 2013. Participants anticipating the correct answer while holding
their placards. On the right, judges carefully record the points on the tally sheets.
Joint National Statistics Month, Consumers’ Month, and Cooperative Month Celebration. Member-
agencies of the Caraga Regional Development Council gathered at the Agusan del Norte Covered Court on
October 1, 2013 to celebrate the National Statistics Month, Consumers’ Month, and the Cooperative Month
celebrations. On the right, ARD Cesar C. Cassion of DOH is giving a message on the quality, efficacy, safety,
and transparency of health products.
18-day Campaign to end Violence Against Women. Volunteers gathered to light a candle and pray for the
end of violence against women. On the right, Ms. Irene M. Santiago, Chair and CEO of the Mindanao Com-
mission on Women and Convenor of Mothers for Peace, is giving her inspirational talk for the advocacy.

3rd
Quarter Regional Project Monitoring Activity
Page 6
Continued on page 7
Construction of Esperanza Bridge along Butuan City-Las
Nieves-Esperanza-Bayugan Road, Province of Agusan del
Sur nears completion
on the other side of Agusan River will be opened to
investment and development by providing a direct
link to Pan Philippine Highway, Surigao-Davao
Road. Soon it will link the Malaybalay City, Bukid-
non-Agusan Road. The Project has an estimated
cost of P336,008,777.86 and will soon be open to
the commuting public in the 1st Quarter of 2014.
The objective of the project is to support the socio-
economic growth and development of the region
especially in agriculture.
The Esperanza Bridge crossing the Agusan River is
part of the Butuan City-Las Nieves-Esperanza-
Bayugan Road which is a commitment project of
the National Government to Caraga Region.
The construction of Esperanza Bridge will complete
the inter-provincial link connecting the Provinces of
Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur and will
serve as a major route in the transport of agricul-
tural crops and products. Areas within the vicinity
of the municipality of Las Nieves that are isolated
Name of Project Location Imple-
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
Physical Accomplishment
in %
Status
(as of August 31, 2013)
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
Siargao Islands of Surigao del Norte
Construction of Six (6)
classrooms, Two-storey
Classroom Building, Gen.
Luna Science High School
General Luna DPWH 6.11 100.00 73.02 (26.98) Ongoing
General Luna Rural Health
Unit (Phase II 2010-2012)
General Luna DOH/
AECID
2.50 - - - Completed.
Already
occupied
but the
quality of
workman-
ship of the
structure is
not satisfac-
tory.
General Luna Rural Health
Unit (Upgrading) DOH-
HFEP 2012 Downloaded to
LGU
General Luna DOH 4.00 - - - Not yet
started
Dapa-Union Gen. Luna
Road (CY 2012 Depart-
ment of Tourism)
Dapa DPWH 85.79 68.11 63.75 (4.36) Ongoing
Improvement/Upgrading
(Gravel to Concrete) Dapa-
Union General Luna Road
(CY 2013 Tourism)
Repair/Maintenance of
DENR, Siargao District
Office Building, Brgy 12,
Dapa, Surigao del Norte
Don E. Navarro Municipal
School
Dapa National High School Dapa DPWH 12.15 47.33 50.00 2.67 Ongoing
Siargao District Hospital
(Phase IV) (Upgrading)
Dapa DOH 7.00 - - - Funds not
yet
downloaded
to LGU
Junction Del Carmen-Sta.
Monica-San Isidro Road,
k039+992 – K043+766 (CY
2013 DPWH Regular Infra)
Del Carmen DPWH 87.69 27.55 27.19 (0.36) Ongoing
Junction Mabini-Tubajon Road

3rd
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
in %
Status
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
Numancia Central Elemen-
tary School
Del Carmen DPWH 6.66 94.98 85.98 (9.00) Ongoing
Siargao DOH-Sub Prov-
ince Lab/Disaster OpCen
(Construction)
Del Carmen DOH 5.00 - 85.00 - Ongoing
Del Carmen Hospital Del Carmen DOH 3.97 - 55.00 - Abandoned
by the con-
tractor
Junction Osmeña-Pilar
Road (CY 2012 Depart-
ment of Tourism)
Pilar DPWH 79.63 81.24 91.77 10.53 Ongoing
Junction Cancohoy-Pilar
Road, K029+039 –
K030+606, K031+095 –
K034+340, K034+921 –
K037+000 (CY 2013
DPWH Regular Infra)
(Gravel to Concrete) Junc-
tion Osmeña-Pilar Road
(CY 2013 – Tourism)
Repair/Rehabilitation/
Improvement of JctOs-
meña-Pilar Road, Sta.
11+000 – Sta 15+800 with
exceptions (CY 2012
MVUC (Fund 151 – Spe-
cial Road Support Fund))
Pilar DPWH 9.51 40.36 35.50 (4.86) Ongoing
Pilar District Hospital
(Upgrading) Downloaded
to LGU
Pilar DOH 3.00 - - - The project
was turned
over to LGU
but with
reported
major de-
fects of the
structure.
Pilar RHU (Upgrading) Pilar DOH 2.00 - - - Funds not
yet
downloaded
to LGU
(gravel to paved) of Jct
Cancohoy-Pilar Road (CY
2013 – Tourism)
San Isidro DPWH 50.20 40.12 40.60 0.48 Ongoing
Improvement of Jct Canco-
hoy-Pilar, San Isidro-
Caridad Section,
K0026+000 – K0032+000
with exceptions (CY 2012
San Isidro DPWH 9.58 15.54 10.64 (4.90) Ongoing
San Isidro CES San Isidro DPWH 4.23 100.00 90.00 (10.00) Ongoing
Sta. Monica RHU
(Upgrading)
Sta. Monica DOH 0.99 - - - Abandoned
by the con-
tractor
San Benito RHU
(Construction)
San Benito DOH 2.00 - - - Funds not
yet
Continued on page 8
Rehabilitation of Road Slip Pro-
tection along Dinagat-Loreto
Road (Bolod-bolod Section), Libjo
Dinagat-Loreto Road

3rd
Page 8
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
in %
Status
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
San Isidro RHU Phase II
2010-2012
San Isidro DOH/
AECID
2.48 - - - Building
occupied
but not
accepted
because of
poor quality
of the struc-
ture.
Improvement of Del Car-
men-Sta. Monica-San
Isidro Road, Burgos Bay-
bay Section (CY 2012
Burgos DPWH 9.49 97.30 93.10 (4.20) Ongoing
Burgos RHU Phase II 2010
-2012
Burgos DOH/
AECID
2.50 - - - Completed
but not
occupied
because of
poor quality
of the struc-
ture.
Province of Dinagat Islands
Junction Magsaysay –
Cagdianao Road
K0006+050 – K0007+720
(CY 2012 DPWH Regular
Infra)
Cagdianao DPWH 31.87 99.34 95.20 (4.14) Ongoing
Junction Magsaysay-
Cagdianao Road,
K0007+720 – K0008+500
Infra)
Dinagat-Loreto Road,
K0002+050 – K0002+850
(CY 2013 Regular Infra)
Dinagat-Loreto Road,
K0013+050 – K0015+170
Infra)
Dinagat DPWH 45.64 100.00 98.78 (1.22) Ongoing
Junction Bolod-bolod –
Albor Road, K0060+914 –
K0061-415 (CY 2013
Regular Infra)
Libjo DPWH 13.72 100.00 72.67 (27.33) Ongoing
Rehabilitation of Road Slip
Protection along Dinagat-
Loreto Road (Bolod-bolod
Section), Libjo K0061+700
– K0061-900 (CY 2013
Regular Infra)
Libjo DPWH 5.00 100.00 91.47 (8.53) Ongoing
Junction Mabini-Tubajon
Road, K0085+(-2362) –
K0085+(-1562) (CY 2013
Regular Infra)
Tubajon DPWH 19.60 97.95 83.12 (14.83) Ongoing
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Kitcharao Small Reservoir
Irrigation Project
Kitcharao NIA 495.00 49.43 53.28 3.85 Ongoing
MAP CIP - Package 1-7 Las Nieves NIA 138.23 - 57.46 - Ongoing
Continued on page 9
Siargao DOH-Sub Province Lab/
Disaster OpCen (Construction) in
Del Carmen
Siargao District Hospital (Phase IV)
(Upgrading) Downloaded to LGU
Dapa National High School
Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement
of Del Carmen-Sta. Monica-San
Isidro Road, Burgos Baybay Section

3rd
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
in %
Status
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Rehab Const of Aclan-
Alicapawan-Hinandayan
FMR Nasipit, Agusan del
Norte under DA-MRDP-
APL2under MRDP-APL2
Brgys. Aclan-
Alicapawan-
Hinandayan,
Nasipit
DA 8.45 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Widening of Butuan-
Cagayan de Oro-Iligan
Road, (Agusan-Misamis
Oriental Section), Bue-
navista Section, Agusan
del Norte
Buenavista DPWH-
ADN
24.87 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Panaytayon Bridge along
Daang Maharlika (Surigao-
Agusan Section), Agusan
del Norte
RTR DPWH-
ADN
14.36 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Buenavista-Bunaguit
Road, Agusan del Norte
K1259+300 - K1267+360
Buenavista DPWH-RO 140.89 68.50 68.66 0.16 On-going
AGUSAN DEL SUR
Rehabilitation of Crossing
Luna Flood Control along
NRJ-Bayugan Esperanza
Nat'l Road Section 2,
Esperanza
Esperanza DPWH-
ADS1
18.19 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Rehabilitation of Crossing
Luna Flood Control along
NRJ-Bayugan Esperanza
Nat'l Road Section 3,
Esperanza
Esperanza DPWH-
ADS1
16.73 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Rehabilitation/Construction
of Bahayan River Flood
Control, K000+000 -
K000+403.06, Trento
Trento DPWH-
ADS2
23.28 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Concreting of NRJ Cuevas
-Bislig Road K1393+300 -
K1394+979.3, Trento
Trento DPWH-
ADS2
41.02 80.01 70.03 (9.98) Ongoing
Construction of Esperanza
Bridge and Attendant Items
of Work along Butuan City-
Las Nieves-Esperanza-
Bayugan Road
Esperanza DPWH-
RRNDP-
PMO
336.01 - 89.06 - Ongoing
Umayam River Irrigation
Project
Loreto and La
Paz
NIA 82.94 - - - Ongoing
URIPL-C-1 (Construction
of Project Manager's Of-
fice)
La Paz NIA 1.99 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
of Office Site Develop-
ment/Guard House/Power
House)
La Paz NIA 4.16 100.00 96.00 (4.00) Ongoing
of Field Office, Duplex
Staff Quarter, Multi-
Purpose Bldg., and Motor-
pool)
La Paz NIA 7.67 100.00 98.00 (2.00) Ongoing
Nueva Era SIP Bunawan NIA 44.63 - 23.32 (as
of Sept.
2013)
- Ongoing
Concreting of NRJ Cuevas-Bislig
Road
Nueva Era SIP
Rehabilitation/Construction of Baha-
yan River Flood Control

3rd
Page 10
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
in %
Status
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
AGUSAN DEL SUR
D.O. Plaza Memorial Hos-
pital, Phase 3, Prosperidad
Patin-ay, Pros-
peridad
DOH 18.19 - - - Ongoing
SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Lake Mainit Integrated
Area Development Project
- Gamuton CIS
Alegria NIA 18.47 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
- San Pedro CIS
- Alipao CIP
- Magpayang CIS I
Mainit NIA 21.52 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Flood Control Protection
Works, Mainit Lakewall
Mainit DPWH
SDN1
16.85 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Pungtod Bridge along
Daang Maharlika Road
(Surigao-Agusan Section),
Surigao del Norte
Alegria DPWH
SDN1
12.70 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Mabuhay Bridge along
Agusan Section)
Sison DPWH
SDN1
15.64 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Improvement Upgrading
(Gravel to Concrete) -
Junction Gata-Mapaso
(Hot Spring) Road, Brgy.
Mapaso
Mainit DPWH-RO 64.00 17.41 20.04 2.63 Ongoing
Cagbayok Bridge along
Agusan Section)
Sison DPWH
SDN1
14.26 82.00 72.61 (9.39) Ongoing
Surigao-Davao Coastal
Road, Surigao del Norte,
K1152 + 903.3 - K1160 +
940
Placer DPWH RO 50.94 97.09 92.83 (4.26) Ongoing
SURIGAO DEL SUR
Construction/Improvement
of SDCR, K1262+124.70 -
K1262+322.15 &
K1262+592 -
K1262+021.75, Cortes-
Lanuza Section
Lanuza DPWH-RO 9.30 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Road Upgrading (Gravel to
Concrete) of SDCR
K1213+330-K1214+040
Carrascal DPWH-
SDS1
34.86 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Tago RIS Improvement
Project (Package 1 and 4)
Tago NIA 138.23 - 55.00 - Ongoing
Buyaan CIP, Madrid Madrid NIA 72.48 - 80.00 - Ongoing
BAYUGAN CITY
NRJ Bayugan-Calaitan-
Tandag Road, K1276+340
Bayugan City DPWH-RO 159.50 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Tandag Rd, K1273+000 -
K1273+324, K1280+000 -
Buyaan CIP
Cortes-Lanuza Section
D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital

3rd
menting
Agency
Cost in
PhP
('000,000)
in %
Status
Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)
Tandag Rd, K1273+000 -
K1273+324, K1280+000 -
K1287+610
- K1273+491
Bayugan City DPWH-
ADS1
12.75 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
- K1293+400
Bayugan City DPWH-
ADS1
42.25 60.90 56.08 (4.82) Ongoing
- K1295+400
Bayugan City DPWH-
ADS1
39.01 58.50 53.96 (4.54) Ongoing
- K1288+222
Bayugan City DPWH-
ADS1
34.53 57.31 54.80 (2.51) Ongoing
Andanan RIS Bayugan City NIA 181.20 - 75.06 (as
of Sept.
2013)
- Ongoing
BISLIG CITY
Bislig City Integrated Pro-
ject Irrigation Component
Bislig City NIA 27.65 - 59.00 - Ongoing
BUTUAN CITY
Construction of Butuan
City By-Pass Road,
(Bonbon-Bancasi Airport
Section and Lemon-NRJ-
Antongalon Section), in-
cluding ROW
Butuan City DPWH-RO 69.09 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Construction of Additional
Lanes for Ampayon Bridge
in Brgy. Ampayon
Butuan City DPWH-BC 19.21 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
City Poly Sports Complex
Tiniwisan, Bu-
tuan City
LGU-
Butuan
City
252.94 - 49.00 - On-going
City South Market
Villa Kananga,
Butuan City
LGU-
Butuan
City
49.79 62.40 59.80 (2.60) On-going
SURIGAO CITY
Quezon-Mapawa-
Capalayan-Espina-Navarro
Road, K1133+652 -
Surigao City DPWH
SDN1
23.55 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
Drainage Facilities along
Agusan)
Surigao City DPWH
SDN1
17.37 100.00 100.00 0.00 Completed
(Gravel to Concrete) - NRJ
Lipata-Punta Bilar and
Surigao City DPWH-RO 80.62 87.73 84.48 (3.25) Ongoing
Lipata Port Expansion and
Improvement Project
Surigao City PPA 75.53 12.50
6.35 (6.15)
Ongoing
TANDAG CITY
Sta. Felomina CIS Tandag City NIA 36.24 - 65.00 - Ongoing
Bislig City Integrated Project Irriga-
tion Component
Construction/Improvement of SDCR
Tago RIS Improvement Project

Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry
Palay production increased by 19.55 percent or
49,822 MT. The increase in production was
attributed to more area harvested due to ade-
quate water supply brought about by the com-
pletion of rehabilitation work of irrigation fa-
cilities in Madrid, Carmen and Tago, all in the
Province of Surigao del Sur.
Agusan del Sur is the highest producer of palay
among the provinces in the region, contributing
50.68 percent of the region‟s total palay pro-
duction for this quarter. Surigao del Sur follows
at second with 21.22 percent contribution.
Corn production increased by 4.45 percent or
591 MT. The increase in production was attrib-
uted to increase in area harvested due to fewer
infestation of cornborer pests, sufficient rain-
water and increased utilization of improved
varieties.
The province of Agusan del Sur is
the top corn producer of the region
for the quarter, with 83.41 percent
contribution to the total corn pro-
duction for this quarter. Its produc-
tion, however, decreased by 8.82
percent.
The production of banana, another
major crop, increased by 3.22 per-
cent or 1,652.45 MT. This is attrib-
uted to increase in area harvested
from Dole and Sumifru Cavendish
plantations in Tago and Barobo,
Surigao del Sur. The province of
Agusan del Norte is the top banana
producer of the region for the quar-
ter, with 32.12 percent contribution
to the total banana production for
this quarter, it is closely followed
by Surigao del Sur with 31.98 per-
cent. Banana production in Surigao
del Sur grew by 33.81 percent,
while that of Agusan del Norte
decreased by 10.68 percent.
For non-food and industrial crops
(NFIC), coconut production de-
creased by 5.64 percent or
12,791.27 MT attributed to less
harvesting due to low price of
copra. The province of Surigao del
Sur is the top coconut producer of
Caraga Regional Economic Situationer, 2nd
Quarter 2013
Page 12
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII

price. The province of Agusan del Sur is the top
palm fruit producer of the region for the quarter,
with 98.30 percent contribution to the total pro-
duction for this quarter. Palm fruit production in
Agusan del Sur, however, declined by 36.89
percent.
Forestry
Log production increased by 393.67 percent or
154,961.38 cu. m. Production from the Private
Tree Plantation Ownership Certificates
(PTPOC) increased by 386.52 percent or
152,145.12 cu. m. The PTPOC accounted for
98.55 percent of the total log production for the
period. Manufactured forest products decreased
by 27.61 percent or 42,866.98 cu. m. Major
manufactured products include veneer, ply-
wood, blockboard and lumber.
Fishery
For the Fishery sector, the total volume of pro-
duction decreased by 9.68 percent or 1,806.88
MT. Most of the production comes from mu-
nicipal fishery, comprising about 53.58 percent
of the total volume of production. Municipal
production decreased by 8.41 percent or
1,331.03 MT compared to second quarter of last
year.
The province of Surigao del Sur is the top fish-
ery producer of the region for the quarter, with
51.14 percent contribution to the total produc-
tion for this quarter, followed by Surigao del
Norte with 39.82 percent contribution. How-
ever, both production in Surigao del Sur and
Surigao del Norte declined by 10.11 percent
and 9.33 percent, respectively.
Services and Industry
Sole proprietor investments for the
second quarter decreased by 16.19
percent or Php 59.22 million as
compared to the same period last
year. Domestic sales decreased by
24.83 percent or Php 31.66 mil-
lion. Jobs generated decreased by
63.06 percent or 3,129 jobs. New
business names registration in-
creased by 6.05 percent or 79 reg-
istrations. Exports increased by
58.30 percent or USD 2.81 Mil-
lion.
Among the provinces, Agusan del
Sur cornered the biggest share of
investments among provinces with
64.33 percent contribution. Suri-
the region for the quarter, with 47.90 percent
contribution to the total coconut production for
this quarter, followed by Surigao del Norte with
27.59 percent. Coconut production in Surigao
del Sur, however, declined by 2.05 percent,
while that of Surigao del Norte decreased by
15.54 percent.
Palm fruit production also decreased by 36.56
percent or 19,258.33 MT due to lower buying
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
Source: BAS XIII
2Q 2012 2Q 2013
Investments (in Php M) 365.88 306.66
Domestic Sales (in
Php M)
127.50 95.85
Jobs Generated 4,962 1,833
Business Name (New) 1,306 1,385
Exports (in USD M) 4.83 7.64
Source: DTI XIII
Source: DTI XIII

gao del Norte follows at second
with 31.14 percent share. In terms
of growth of investments, Surigao
del Norte leads with 157.89 per-
cent growth.
In terms of domestic sales, Agusan
del Sur ranks first with 33.50 per-
cent share, followed by Surigao
del Norte with 30.17 percent
share. In terms of growth in do-
mestic sales, Agusan del Norte
leads with 52.59 percent growth.
In terms of jobs generated, Agusan del Norte
ranks first with 38.46 percent share, followed
by Surigao del Norte with 26.35 percent share.
All provinces displayed negative growth with
the biggest contraction coming from Surigao
del Sur (81.13%), followed by
Agusan del Sur (53.09%).
In terms of new business name
registration, Agusan del Norte
ranks first with 42.17 percent
share, followed by Surigao del
Norte with 30.47 percent share. In
terms of growth in registrations,
Agusan del Norte leads with 21.16
percent growth.
Exports
Total exports for the 2nd quarter
of 2013 was valued at USD
254,038,913. It grew by 195.93
percent or USD 168,194,173 com-
pared to the same period last year.
In terms of value by product, 91
percent of total export comprised
of nickel ores and concentrates. In
terms of value by country of desti-
nation, 88 percent of the exports
value for the period went to China.
In terms of value by province, 51
percent of the exports value for the
period exited through Surigao del
Norte.
Shipping and Cargoes
Total number of ship calls de-
creased by 2.99 percent compared
to the same period last year. Ship
calls in the region are mostly do-
mestic comprising 96.55 percent
of the total number of calls for the
Quarter 2013
Page 14
Source: DTI XIII Source: DTI XIII
Source: DTI XIII
Source: NSO XIII
Source: NSO XIII
Source: NSO XIII
Source: NSO XIII
Source: PPA PMO Nasipit, PPA PMO Surigao

Vol. XVII Issue 3
In the 2nd quarter of 2013, a total of seven (7)
new permits on mineral production were ap-
proved as follows:
Tourism
Tourist arrivals increased by 36
percent compared to the same pe-
riod last year. Of these, 94 percent
comprise of domestic travelers, 5
percent were foreigners and 1 per-
cent were overseas Filipinos. Bu-
tuan City posted the highest share
with 28 percent of the total tourist
arrivals for the 2nd quarter of
2013.
The number of domestic travelers,
foreign travelers and overseas
Filipino travelers increased by 37
percent or 57,096 visitors, 14 per-
cent or 1,431 visitors, and 97 per-
cent or 790 visitors, respectively.
This shows that while attracting
foreign visitors has its merits, do-
mestic visitors still remain as the
region‟s main market. Given such,
there is a need for tourism stake-
holders to take this market seri-
ously and implement strategies
and packages that target this group. There is
also a need to improve the collection efficiency
of tourism data to capture the gains of the re-
gion due to the increase in number of flights
serving the region.
Labor
Unemployment rate increased
from 5.00 percent to 6.60 percent,
lower than the national figure of
7.50 percent. Likewise, underem-
ployment increased from 23.00
percent to 31.70 percent, higher
than the national figure of 19.20
percent.
quarter. Foreign ship calls also decreased by
5.50 percent.
Historically, inbound domestic cargo through-
put is higher than outbound. Inbound domestic
cargo increased by 62.33 percent or 181,317
MT. This is due to the increase in shipment of
general cargoes and refined petroleum products.
Outbound domestic cargo decreased by 26.09
percent or 67,834 MT. This is due to decrease
in shipment of fruits and vegetables, wood by-
products and fish preparations.
Foreign export throughput increased by 19.82
percent due to increase in shipment of nickel
ores to China. Total domestic passengers in-
creased by 8.80 percent. About 51.74 percent of
domestic passengers are composed of disem-
barking passengers. Increase in total number of
passengers is attributed to the entry of MV
Filipinas.
Mining and Quarrying
Contractor/Permit Holder Date Approved
Ludgoron Mining Corp. April 3-4, 2013
Kepha Mining Exploration
Company
April 2-3, 2013
Minahang Bayan ng Dinagat
Coop.
April 26-27, 2013
Krominco Inc. April 24-25, 2013
SR Metals Inc. June 19-20, 2013
SR Metals, Inc. June 20-21, 2013
Pacific Nickel Phils., Inc. June 2013
Source: MGB XIII
Source: DOT XIII
Source: DOT XIII
April 2012 April 2013
Labor Force 1,694,000 1,729,000
Labor Force Par-
ticipation Rate
(%)
65.10 65.60
Employment Rate
(%)
95.00 93.40
Unemployment
Rate (%)
5.00 6.60
Underemploy-
ment Rate (%)
23.00 31.70
Source: NSO XIII

Prices
Inflation rate for the 2nd quarter
of 2013 averaged at 3.10 percent,
lower compared to the 4.30 per-
cent average for the 2nd quarter of
2012.
Among the provinces, price move-
ment from April to June 2013 was
slowest in Agusan del Norte with
an average of 2.13 percent infla-
tion rate. On the other hand, Suri-
gao del Sur posted the highest
inflation rate at 4.27 percent for
the same period.
The CPI levels for the second
quarter of this year are higher
compared to the same period of
last year. This tells us that an aver-
age basket of goods cost higher
this year compared to the same
period last year.
Public Order and Safety
Total crime volume increased by 132.73 per-
cent. All of the provinces and Butuan City dis-
played increased crime volume with the highest
increase recorded in Agusan del Norte (232%),
followed by Butuan City (175%), Agusan del
Sur (169%), Dinagat Islands (139%), Surigao
del Norte (123%), and Surigao del Sur (69%).
Of the total crime volume for the
quarter, 53 percent were index
crimes, while 47 percent were non
-index crimes. Crime volume is
seen to be highest in Surigao del
Norte which comprise 34 percent
of the total figure in the region- 34
percent share for index crimes and
35 percent share for non-index
crime. Surigao del Sur, Agusan
del Sur and Butuan City follow
have 18 percent share each of the
total crime volume in the region.
Average crime solution efficiency
rate in the region decreased by 42
percent. The highest crime solu-
tion efficiency rate is in Agusan
del Norte at 60 percent, followed
by Butuan City with 50 percent.
Development Prospects
The Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) completed infra-
structure projects worth Php 64.13 million lo-
cated in various parts of Caraga under the Ka-
lahi-CIDSS Anti-Poverty Project. About 53
barangays in nine (9) municipalities of the re-
gion received assistance to construct education
and health facilities; community production,
economic and service facilities; environmental
protection and preservation structures; foot-
bridges; water systems; and roads. Kalahi-
CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan –
Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of So-
cial Services is a community-driven develop-
ment (CDD) project of the government that
aims to empower communities through their
enhanced participation in community projects
that reduce poverty.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas finally pushes
through with the establishment of a regional
office in Caraga. The BSP is constructing a Php
253 Million building in Libertad, Butuan City.
Jollibee companies will be putting up new
branches in Butuan City. The fastfood chain
Chowking will be establishing three (3)
branches in Butuan City, one of which is set to
open in November of this year while the other
two will be opening in 2014. Jollibee Foods
Corporation is also establishing another branch
to be located in Robinsons Mall in Butuan City.
Meanwhile, Red Ribbon which is another Jol-
libee-owned company is also opening a branch
in Robinsons.
Another set of national brands, Goldilocks
Bakeshop and Classic Savory, will be opening
branches in Butuan City. Local brands like
Margies and Islands Restaurants are expanding
as well by putting up new branches in Butuan
City.
With the increasing demand for new housing
projects, Camella housing development will be
expanding in Butuan City. The real estate com-
pany will be developing another 4-hectare prop-
erty adjacent to their existing property. Camella
is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market
segment of Vista Land, the country‟s premier
homebuilder.
The rubberized track oval of the Butuan Poly-
sports Complex in Brgy. Tiniwisan, Butuan
City is pipelined for completion before the year
ends.
Quarter 2013
Page 16
Source: PNP XIII
Source: PNP XIII
Source: NSO XIII
Source: NSO XIII

DOH announces new program
for elder persons
“As a token of the govern-
ment‟s appreciation for our
elderly, PhilHealth is provid-
ing our senior citizens free
membership after retirement,
and we hope to improve on
their benefit packages soon,”
Secretary of Health Enrique
T. Ona declared, adding that
the goal is to provide them
affordable and quality health
care services as well as sus-
tain their function, self esteem
as well as life satisfaction.
In the country, the population
of 60 years or older was 3.7
million in 1995 or 5.4% of
total population. In the 2000
census, this increased to about
4.8 million or almost 6%
(National Statistical Coordi-
nation Board). At present,
there are 7M senior citizens
(6.9% of the total population),
1.3M of whom are indigent.
Likewise, the DOH believes
that senior citizens can still be
economically productive.
As part of the country‟s cele-
bration of Elderly Filipino
Week, the DOH lauded the
program that hires senior citi-
zens as part of seasonal work-
force.
As part of the corporate social
responsibility of a supermar-
ket chain, its pilot program is
hiring documented senior
citizens, 60-70 years old,
medically fit and are residents
of communities where there is
an existing branch. The senior
citizens will be given part-
time jobs as ushers or greeters
in the malls with four-hour
working days twice a week,
preferably on Saturdays, Sun-
days, or holidays when there
is an influx of customers.
They will work anytime be-
tween 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
They start work on October 5,
2013.
The Elderly Filipino Week is
celebrated every year during
the first week of October pur-
suant to Presidential Procla-
mation No. 470 issued on
September 26, 1994. The an-
nual event aims to increase
public awareness on the dif-
ferent issues senior citizens
face today. This year‟s theme
is: “Nakatatanda: Pagtulun-
gang Isulong Benepisyo‟t
Karapatan Tungo sa Magin-
hawa at Masayang Pamaya-
nan.”
More than 2,000 participants
from the 17 Metro Manila
chapters of the Federation of
Senior Citizens Associations
of the Philippines, the Re-
gional Senior Citizens Federa-
tion, Coalition of Services of
the Elderly, Coalition of
Older Persons in the Philip-
pines, other government and
non-government agencies and
organizations joined the event
spearheaded by the DOH.
“With the latest trend that
shows the increasing number
of older persons and their
longer life expectancy, the
DOH‟s goal is to improve
their quality of life by con-
tinuously developing a pro-
gressive older person health
program,” Ona concluded.
(Department of Health)
The Department of Health (DOH) spearheaded the celebration of Elderly Filipino Week, in
coordination with other government agencies, in its efforts to improve the quality of life and
wellbeing of our elderly population, especially the indigents.
The Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
Week is annually observed simultaneously
throughout the country every third week of
November. The observance aims to increase
awareness among Filipinos about the unfavor-
able effects of drug and substance abuse not
only on the health but also on the social, eco-
nomic, and even the political development of
2013 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week:
"Make health your new high in life not drugs"
the country.
Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 124
on November 26, 2001, the third week of No-
vember has been declared as the Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control Week (DAPC) Week.
(National Youth Commission)
Kalusugang Pangkalahatan is the
new slogan adapted by the Depart-
ment of Health in its implementation
of Universal Health Care under the
Aquino Health Agenda.
The logo was designed by Lorna B.
Ballesteros of Parañaque City. “Like
an umbrella, Universal Health Care
or KALUSUGANG PANGKALA-
HATAN offers caring and complete
protection, safety and coverage to
all Filipinos. Stylized figures are
rendered in the colors of the Philip-
pine flag to denote all Filipinos,” she
explained in her winning entry.

The National Year of Rice is
part of the Philippine govern-
ment’s bid to achieve rice-self-
sufficiency beginning 2013. It is
an advocacy campaign that
aims to promote responsible
rice consumption for better
health and less rice wastage
and productive farming through
the promotion of efficient rice
technologies and inspiring farm-
ers to do better. The year 2013
was proclaimed as the National
Year of Rice by President Be-
nigno S. Aquino III under Proc-
lamation no. 494 on October
18, 2012 to enjoin everyone in
this advocacy.
NYR 2013 primarily aims to
help achieve rice self-
sufficiency through the help of
every Filipino - the producers,
the policy-makers, and the
consumers. Along with that, it
also aims to promote better
health among rice consumers
and improve the income of
farmers.
rice at the China Town Mall in
Divisoria, feeding program of
Jollibee foundation, and brown
rice-based food products such as
espasol, bibingkang kanin, and
palitao.
“Our goal at the Department of
Agriculture is to provide Filipi-
nos with affordable brown rice so
that more people could enjoy its
health benefits. We are hopeful
that with this initiative, the de-
mand for brown rice will in-
crease; thus, resulting in lower
prices,” Antonio said.
The Brown Rice Day is also sup-
ported by the Department of
Interior and Local Government,
members of the Hotel and Res-
taurants Association of the Phil-
ippines, and concessioners of
Megaworld Chain of Malls, and
Robinsons Dumaguete.
For price support or for a source
of affordable brown rice, malls,
restaurants, or fastfood chains
can contact the National Year of
Rice secretariat at (044) 456-
5390. (PhilRice)
The Department of Agricul-
ture-Philippine Rice Research
Institute in celebration of the
National Year of Rice has set
November 15 to be the first
Brown Rice Day in the coun-
try to promote better health to
Filipinos.
NYR campaign director Hazel V.
Antonio said that the Brown Rice
Day aims to encourage the food
service industry to serve unpol-
ished rice to increase public
awareness on its characteristics
and health benefits.
“Other countries eat brown rice
but this, we believe, is the first
initiative in the world to encour-
age all food service providers in a
country to serve this nutritious
rice on the same day,” Antonio
said.
Studies show that eating brown
rice or unpolished rice may re-
duce the incidence of cardiovas-
cular diseases such as hyperten-
sion, hypercholesterolemia, heart
disease, and stroke. Cancer and
diabetes may also be diminished
by eating brown rice.
Polishing brown rice to obtain
white rice removes 15 percent of
protein; 85 percent, fat; 80 per-
cent, thiamine; 70 percent, ribo-
flavin; 68 percent, niacin; 90
percent calcium; 75 percent,
phosphorous; and 60 percent of
other minerals.
“We want Filipinos to get these
nutrients, which is lost when rice
is fully polished. Thus, we en-
courage the food industry to
serve unpolished rice to the pub-
lic on this unique day so that
Filipinos could also experience
the nutty flavor and chewiness of
brown rice,” she said.
Eating brown rice could also help
in achieving the country‟s goal of
rice self-sufficiency as it has 10
percent higher milling recovery.
A study showed that if each Fili-
pino would eat brown rice 36
meals a year, our rice importation
would shrink by an average of
50,000mt a year.
The Brown Rice Day will high-
light exhibits on cheap brown
PhilRice sets first ever brown rice day
LEGAZPI CITY - The Philippine
Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice) has said that the ge-
netically modified (GM) rice
called “golden rice” it is develop-
ing to address Vitamin A defi-
ciency especially among children
will be available in the market by
2015.
“We are now in the final stages of
the research and evaluation of this
GM rice variety that earned the
„golden‟ moniker owing to the
yellowish color of its grains,” Phil-
Rice Director and Chief Science
Research Specialist Antonio Al-
fonso said during a recent media
seminar on rice and nutrition here.
This color, Alfonso said, comes
from the beta carotene content of
the rice that becomes Vitamin A
when processed by the human
body.
Millions of Filipinos do not get
enough of this vital nutrient, so this
rice has become the symbol of an
idea: that genetically engineered
crops can be a tool to improve the
lives of the poor, he said.
Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency can damage
the immune system and decrease
the body‟s ability to resist infec-
tions, resulting in increase in mor-
tality risk from common diseases
especially among young children,
he said, warning that such defi-
ciency may also result in impaired
vision -- including night blindness
that may lead to permanent, partial,
or total blindness if left untreated.
Recent data from the Food and
Nutrition Research Institute gath-
ered through the 7th National Nu-
trition Survey in 2008 reveals that
15.2 percent of Filipino children
aged six months to five years are
affected by Vitamin A deficiency,
according to Alfonso.
Alfonso said Vitamin A deficiency
remains a serious public health
concern in the Philippines, affect-
ing approximately 1.7 million chil-
dren under the age of five and
500,000 pregnant and nursing
women many of whom are living in
far-flung areas.
“A rice variety with beta carotene
offers a sustainable response to
Vitamin A deficiency as rice that is
grown in the Philippines is staple
food for more than three billion
Filipinos,” Alfonso said.
Rice is more accessible than Vita-
min A supplements in remote ar-
eas, he stressed. (Philippine News
Agency)
GMO rice with Vitamin A
out in the market by 2015 - PhilRice

Vol. XVII Issue 3
18-Day Campaign… from page 3
The awarding of the said set of
equipment is part of the agency‟s
Shared Service Facility (SSF)
program which provides process-
ing equipment or machineries
needed by the various industry
clusters to increase their produc-
tivity. A cooperator or partner
organization (in the case of SA-
FRAADAP) will receive and
manage the operation of the fa-
cility for the common or shared
use of members and other micro,
small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in the locality for a
minimal fee.
The introduction of engineered
bamboo offers a new hope to this
furniture-making cooperative
and other producers dependent
on wood who are affected and
threatened by the declaration of a
total log ban.
With SAFRAADAP manage-
ment‟s quest for alternatives, the
members willingly embraced this
new opportunity on bamboo.
In response, DTI-ADS facilitated
the conduct of Skills Training on
Engineered Bamboo Manufac-
turing last July 15-17, 2013 at-
tended by 20 participants from
SAFRAADAP. Experts from the
DTI-Cottage Industry Technol-
ogy Center (DTI-CITC) taught
participants to produce quality
bamboo planks for furniture
production, floor tiles, door pan-
els, and other construction mate-
rials.
This was followed by a Business
Opportunity Seminar with Mr.
Eduardo Manda of the Philippine
Bamboo Foundation as the re-
source speaker last July 25-26.
The seminar presented the eco-
nomic benefits of propagating
bamboo as a source of materials
for furniture and construction-
related products. It also high-
lighted the need for community
involvement for bamboo propa-
gation.
Manda also pointed out that
DTI-Agusan del Sur to award engineered-bamboo
processing equipment to SAFRAADAP
bamboo is the logical choice as a
possible substitute to timber. It is
reportedly the most sustainable
resource because of its ability to
reproduce regularly throughout
the year. Bamboo which is clas-
sified as a grass is also recog-
nized for its role in combating
climate change and in conserving
soil and water.
One hectare of bamboo is ex-
pected to yield 1,200 matured
poles per year. These poles can
be sold at 50 to 100 pesos each,
and when processed into bamboo
slats, these can be sold at triple
the price thus giving more in-
come to the bamboo growers.
DTI‟s SSF project, on the other
hand is open to all cooperators or
any juridical entity not limited to
NGOs, people‟s organizations.
Cooperatives, industry/trade/
business associations and aca-
demic institutions that are sup-
porting MSMEs belonging to an
identified industry cluster.
Agusan del Sur - The Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur Provincial Office (DTI-ADS) is
set to award 2.8 million pesos worth of engineered-bamboo processing and manufacturing equipment to the
San Francisco Association of Differently Abled Person (SAFRAADAP) Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
geous in reporting abuses to au-
thorities.
The least number of reported
VAWC cases for the same period
was recorded in Region II
(Cagayan Valley) with 318 (3%)
cases only. It is followed by Re-
gion VIII (Eastern Visayas) with
490 (5%) cases and Region XII
(SOCCSKSARGEN).
The consolidated reports of the
Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) as of Sep-
tember 2013 and PNP as of Au-
gust 2013 also provide informa-
tion on the different actions taken
by concerned agencies on the
reported VAWC cases, among
which is the Referred to PNP
which ranks first with 3,439
(29%) referrals. It is followed by
Referred for Medical Treatment
with 3,163 (26%) referrals; Re-
ferred to LSWDO with 3,671
(22%) referrals; Issued BPO with
1,744 (15%) issuances; and Re-
ferred to Court with 930 (8%)
referrals.
Region VII (Central Visayas) is
the top region with the most
number of actions taken on the
reported VAWC cases with 3,220
(27%). Region VI (Western
Visayas) is next with 1,960
(16%) actions taken and Region
XI (Davao Region) in third with
1,643 (14%) actions taken. The
top three regions with the least
number of actions taken on re-
ported VAWC cases were Region
X (Northern Mindanao) with
only 541 (5%) actions taken fol-
lowed by Region IX (Zamboanga
Peninsula) with 675 (5.6%) and
Region II (Cagayan Valley) with
737 (6.2%) actions taken.
Sources: Philippine National Police –
Women and Children Protection Center
(PNP-WCPC) January-August 2013 Re-
port; Department of the Interior and Local
Government- National Barangay Opera-
tions Office (DILG-NBOO), January to
September 2013 Report, and 2008 Na-
tional Demographic and Health Survey
(NDHS)
Reprinted from the Philippine Commission
on Women

Vol. XVII Issue 3
Sur. These UOA were anchored
by LGU farmcasters together
with their respective corn coordi-
nators and other resource persons
who have expertise on corn pro-
duction.
The UOA on White Corn Pro-
duction was jointly undertaken
by the Department of Agriculture
Regional Field Office Caraga
thru the Regional Agriculture and
Fisheries Information Division
(RAFID), Caraga AgriPinoy
Corn Program and the respective
local government units.
The program supports the Food
Staples Sufficiency Program
(FSSP) of the present administra-
tion and is aimed at promoting
white corn for health and as one
of the food staples aside from
rice.
Other identified food staples are
banana (saba), adlai and various
root crops.
“Translate what you had learned
on radio into more production in
the field.”
This was one of the challenges
posed by Governor Adolph Ed-
ward Plaza to the farmer-students
who graduated from the 3-month
University on the Air on White
Corn Production during the
graduation rites held recently in
the province of Agusan del Sur .
Plaza said that even with the right
technology and expertise of the
resource person, it would be
futile if the participants will not
apply their learning in their re-
spective field.
“Hinaut unta nga pinaagi sa in-
yong nadungog sa radyo mosaka
ang inyong abot,” (I hope that
what you learned while listening
to the radio would boost your
production) he said.
Data from the Bureau of Agricul-
tural Statistics (BAS) indicated
that Agusan del Sur for the past
four (4) years posted a 1.8 metric
tons annual average yield of
white corn. This figure is ex-
pected to increase considering
government interventions for the
farmers.
Series of graduation ceremonies
for participating LGUs where
being held in the region namely,
Agusan del Norte, Surigao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur and
Agusan del Sur. A total of 550
farmer-students successfully
completed the course , notewor-
thy to mention were the out-
standing farmer - students who
received plaques of recognition
and some prizes.
The UOA on White Corn Pro-
duction was aired over DXBC
RMN for Butuan City and
Agusan del Norte, DXSP One
FM for Surigao del Norte and
Surigao City, DXVP Sure FM
for Surigao del Sur and DXDA
Radyo Agusan for Agusan del
560 Farmers Graduate from University on the
Air on White Corn Production
by Aurell P. Araiz, RAFID DA-Caraga
The Caraga FAME Logo
The fish represents the fishery sector.
Its blue color represents life for the
Caraganons. The fishes are in standing
position representing optimism. Super-
imposed on the fishes are human
figures representing the people of
Caraga working side-by-side.
The rice stalks and trees represent the
agro-forestry sector. Its green color
signifies prosperity.
The rig represents the mining sector.
Its purple color means wisdom.
The surfer represents the tourism
sector. Its orange color means energy
and courage.
The wave represents stream of emo-
tions. Its red color means passion for
driving Caraga towards its goal.

Caraga Today October-December 2013

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