PIA Caraga inks cooperation agreement with
Butuan Kidney Alliance, Inc.
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – The Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) Caraga represented by its regional director Abner Caga
has sealed an alliance with the Butuan Kidney Alliance, Inc. (BKA, Inc.)
chaired by Dr. Rene Vargas for the commitment of working together to raise
awareness about kidney failure and disease prevention here yesterday.
The signing of the agreement was one of the
highlights of the advocacy campaign in relation to the celebration of the
National Kidney Month with the theme, “A Healthy Lifestyle Makes Your Kidneys
Smile.”
No less than the program manager of National
Kidney and Transplant Institute-Renal Disease Control Program (NKTI-REDCOP) Dr.
Antonio Paraiso and the president of Rapid Media Reaction Team Franklin
Caliguid have witnessed the official pledge of partnership.
As a lead advocacy group and a non-profit
organization of volunteers duly organized to promote a public awareness on the
early detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions that can
lead to chronic kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), BKA, Inc.
commits to provide information on the programs and projects and/or data that
will be beneficial in certain communities in Caraga Region.
BKA, Inc. will also work together with PIA
Caraga in pursuit of attaining its objectives especially on significant
advocacy undertakings.
PIA Caraga also earmarked its support in
providing assistance on the dissemination of information about Kidney Failure
awareness campaign programs initiated by BKA, Inc. in the region; endeavor to
help in achieving goals of BKA, Inc., that is, to promote familiarity about its
programs on kidney failure control; extend earnest effort in the drive against
kidney disease through distribution of accurate data and reliable information;
and will work together with BKA, Inc. for the welfare of every member in the
community.
“This is one better way for our agency to lend a
hand by advocating in significant undertakings related to health,” said
director Caga.
The members of the board of trustees of BKA,
Inc. and the local media representatives as well were present during the
signing of agreement.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vargas expressed his gratitude
and consequently discussed with director Caga the plans and programs for the
upcoming activities that both parties have to carry out together.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
NKTI-REDCOP intensifies IEC on Renal Health
& Disease Prevention
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – As the National
Kidney Month will be celebrated in June this year with the theme, “A Healthy
Lifestyle Makes Your Kidneys Smile”, the National Kidney and Transplant
Institute-Renal Disease Control Program (NKTI-REDCOP) has intensified its
information, education and communication (IEC) campaign in the different
regions of the country including Caraga.
Dr. Antonio Paraiso, NKTI-REDCOP program
manager, together with Dr. Susan Jorge, assistant program manager, and Cristina
Tumaliuan of Philippine Renal Disease Registry visited this city for the
conduct of Lay Forum on Renal Health and Disease Prevention on May 29, 2014.
During said activity, there were more than 300
participants comprising barangay health workers (BHWs), academe, nurses,
information officers of government agencies and local media.
Paraiso encouraged everyone to take care of the
kidneys as a vital organ. “We are here to raise awareness among all Filipinos
that kidney disease is common, that often it is without symptoms, that it can
be prevented and that it can be treated if diagnosed early,” he said.
Paraiso also asked other government agencies to
help intensify nutritional campaign. “We’ll teach people how to cook and select
what food to eat so they will practice a healthy diet,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jorge shared that an individual
should drink five to eight glasses of water a day because our body needs it.
“Let’s eat vegetables, do exercise, have enough
sleep and avoid any vices. I know we all desire to be healthy and the best way
to achieve it is to practice healthy lifestyle, and we should take this
seriously,” stressed Jorge.
Jorge further explained the risks of sleep
deprivation which causes an increase of a person’s blood sugar and blood
pressure. “Make it a practice to always observe a good sleeping habit and
follow the doctor’s advice to avoid health complications,” Jorge pointed out.
The Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) is
the office in-charge of implementing the NKTI's public health projects on the
prevention and control of renal and other related diseases. It plans,
implements and monitors projects for research, advocacy, training, service and
quality assurance. REDCOP's activities are done mostly on a national scale
through its network of Regional Coordinators throughout the country.
The REDCOP also administers and manages the
Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR), which include the following: the End
Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Registry composed of the Hemodialysis, Peritoneal
Dialysis & Transplant Registries, and the Chronic Kidney Disease Registry
composed of Biopsy. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NKTI-REDCOP officials visit radio stations in
Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – In time with the
conduct of the Lay Forum on Renal Health and Disease Prevention on Thursday,
program manager of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute-Renal Disease
Control Program (NKTI-REDCOP) Dr. Antonio Paraiso, together with assistant
program manager Dr. Susan Gorge, and Cristina Tumaliuan of Philippine Renal
Disease Registry visited several radio stations here for its advocacy campaign
against kidney disease.
Said officials were interviewed at RMN
dxBC-Butuan, Bombo Radyo and Power-FM of the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) Caraga.
The importance of having a healthy lifestyle and
tips on how to prevent other diseases that also affect the kidneys of the
individuals are some of the topics discussed during their radio interview.
Paraiso explained that the NKTI’s goal is to
provide world class health care to all patients and their families and to
pursue excellence in developing and establishing the highest level of training
and research for physicians and paramedical personnel.
“Our mission is to campaign for a healthy
lifestyle. We inform people how to live a healthy lifestyle, prevent kidney
disease and let them understand how to cope if they already have this disease,”
remarked Paraiso.
Paraiso further disclosed that apart from its
general campaign on renal health and disease prevention, there are issues and
concerns that the NKTI-REDCOP need to address and let people know how to
prevent kidney disease. “That's why we visit places in the country to raise
awareness among all Filipinos that kidney disease is common, that often it is
without symptoms, that it can be prevented and that it can be treated if
diagnosed early,” he said.
Also, when asked the difference between a
nephrologist and urologist, Jorge explained that a nephrologist is a physician
who studies and deals with neprology. "A nephrology is the adult and
pediatric study of the kidneys and its diseases. The nephrologist deals with
the diagnosis and management of kidney disease. Meanwhile, a urologist is a
physician who had specialty training to diagnose and conduct surgery
operations, treat diseases of the male and female urinary tracts, as well as of
the male reproductive organs," she said.
Jorge then advised people to undergo urinalysis
every year so that they will know if they have kidney disease, and to know what
to do so as not to complicate the disease.
Meanwhile, Tumaliuan reported that around 142
patients were recorded to have undergone dialysis in Caraga region last year,
2013. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DOE, DTI to conduct “Consumers Forum on
Downstream Oil Industry and Energy Conservation” in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 30 (PIA) – The Department of
Energy (DOE) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to
conduct a “Consumers Forum on Downstream Oil Industry and Energy Conservation”
on June 3 at the Shacene Pension House Grand Ballroom, this city.
According to the letter of invitation of DOE
Director Manuel Llaneza, the occasion has two primary goals: To enhance the level of awareness of the
consumers, industry stakeholders/players, and other concerned government
agencies on different energy efficiency and conservation measures and the
pertinent government rules and regulations, safety and standards, including
other issues and concerns that are currently confronting the oil industry,
and; to provide the LGU’s and other
government agencies with a technical reference pertinent to the crafting of
local ordinances, issuance and granting of permit/licenses to various gasoline
and LPG establishments.
Based on said communication, the whole activity
will put premium on six major topics: 1.
Overview of the Downstream Oil Industry; 2.
DOE Rules and Regulations on Household LPG; 3. LPG
Consumer & Safety Tips; 4. DTI LPG
Cylinder Standards; DOE LPP Retails Rules and Consumer Tips; and, 6. Household Energy Conservation Tips.
An open forum will cap the affair before DTI
OIC-Provincial Director Romel Oribe gives his closing remarks. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur guv set for SOPA
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 30 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur
governor Johnny Pimentel is all set to deliver his State of the Province
Address (SOPA) on June 3.
Marjorie Pagaran, secretary to the governor,
said that copies of the official program of invitation were already sent out to
all concerned.
Prior to the schedule, Pimentel has already
indicated about the SOPA but also told capitol employees to attend and listen,
adding in jest that based on observation during the past that some just kept on
huddling while he was underway with his report.
Meanwhile, based on the order of presentation,
the SOPA will be preceded by the 2013 Annual Legislative Accomplishment Report
(ALAR) of Vice-Governor Manuel Alameda, Sr.
But, prior to and shortly after the 2013 ALAR,
both congressmen of the province, Philip Pichay of the First District and
Florencio Garay of the Second District, are expected to give their respective
messages. Garay will do the honor first
followed by Pichay.
The SOPA which will highlight the 44th Regular
Session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan contains the accomplishment of the
Pimentel administration for the preceding year and the plan for the current
year. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DSWD Caraga’s outstanding practices in KC-AusAID
implementation pay-off
AKLAN, May 30 (PIA) – Best Practices in
Kalahi-CIDSS Australian Agency for International Development (KC-AusAID)
implementation, and Development Partners’ Choice awards were received by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga during
the Implementation Review for AusAID Grant Culmination Activity on May 20-23,
2014 at Paradise Garden Resort Hotel, Boracay Island.
This event purposed to gather the KC-AusAID
workers to share their experiences, gains, and even learnings in their
implementation of the Project to recipient municipalities all over the country.
DSWD Caraga was recognized with its best
practices and innovations which are as follows: application of Thematic and
Environmental Management System (TEMS) to the construction of sub-projects
(SPs), promotion of social and peace cohesion among barangay residents through
SP implementation, inclusion of Indigenous People (IP) as workers for
construction, convergence (internal and external) with other agencies to
fast-track the process, completion of quality SPs ahead of targeted time,
establishment of ASK-CF database system for regional fiduciary review, conduct
of regular meetings and technical sessions with workers with their municipal
counterparts, strict observance of construction safety protocols, involvement
of women during SP implementation, and close coordination between community
volunteers and barangay officials particularly in strategizing the delivery of
materials in far-flung areas.
Regional Infrastructure Specialist and Engr.
Macrino Sumagang, Municipal Monitor Maryfel Jerios, Finance Analyst II Mary
Jane Angcos, Infrastructure Assistant and Engr. Vanessa Endozo, and Project
Operations Officer III and Engr. Potamio Valdehueza, are the representatives
from the Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) of DSWD Caraga,
who participated the summation activity and received the two plaques given by
the Coffey International.
Other participating regions are the following:
IV-A (CALABARZON), V (BICOL region), VI (Western Visayas), VIII (Eastern
Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao region),
and XII (SOCCKSARGEN).
AusAID is a program of the Australian Government
which aims to provide support and assistance to developing countries, such as
the Philippines, to fight against poverty and achieve sustainable development.
KC-AusAID implementation in the country,
including the social preparation, started in November 2012 and was finished on
April 2014 with a total budget of 10 million Australian dollars.
Its implementation in Caraga benefited the 13
municipalities in the five provinces of the region, with a total of 68
sub-projects constructed. Most of the SPs are day care centers and classrooms
since the Australian Government gives emphasis on the importance of education
in attaining development.
These recipient localities are the following:
Cagdianao, Gigaquit, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Libjo, Lingig, Loreto (Agusan del
Sur), Marihatag, Pilar, San Miguel, Sibagat, Socorro, and Veruela.
With the successful implementation of this
project in the country, the Australian government extends assistance through
another grant amounting to AUD 12M or approximately Php 476 M to be utilized
within 18 months.
AusAID will now have a new brand name which is
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD
Field Office Caraga)
Mindanao state universities, colleges to offer
DRMM, climate change courses
DAVAO CITY, May 30 (PIA) - Mindanao’s state
universities and colleges are stepping up efforts in making the island-region
and its people more adaptable to climate change by integrating disaster risk
reduction and management (DRRM) as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation
(CCAM) in their curriculum.
The curriculum integration includes the proposal
to offer short-term courses on DRRM and CCAM to students, employees of local
government units (LGUs) and other interested individuals. Part of the
initiative is the move to designate DRRM and CCAM as compulsory subjects for
all courses or to include these in the existing subjects such as the National
Service Training Program (NSTP), the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), and
the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
Among the schools that have committed to
integrate DRMM and CCAM in their curriculum include the University of
Southeastern Philippines, the Compostela Valley State College, the Davao del
Norte State College, the Sultan Kudarat State University, the Mindanao State
University-General Santos City Campus, the University of Southern Mindanao, the
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology and the Cotabato City
State Polytechnic College.
Other schools such as the Southern Philippines
Agri-business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), the Davao
Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) and the Notre Dame of
Dadiangas University have already incorporated DRMM and CCAM in their CWTS and
NSTP subjects.
“The country’s state universities and colleges
play critical roles in integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction in the education sector,” said Dr. Irvin Generalao, SPAMAST
president.
Majority of the students enrolled in SPAMAST
come from poor families “who are considered as among the most vulnerable sector
to climate change,” he added.
“By integrating and offering DRRM and CCAM in
our programs, we intend to equip our students the appropriate skills,
attitudes, and knowledge necessary for them and their families to adapt to
climate change, and eventually cope with its impacts,” he said.
Generalao said that students who recently
completed the school’s NSTP underwent series of trainings on first aid and
disaster preparedness.
SPAMAST also implemented projects on climate
change, including the Regional Disaster Science and Management (RDSM) funded by
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Science and
Technology-Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development
(PCIERD).
The RDSM maps out the earthquake-prone areas in
Davao del Sur and disseminates these information to concerned local government
units and authorities.
The school also manages two automated weather
stations that are located in Digos City and Matanao, Davao del Sur. The weather stations collect timely
information on meteorological conditions such temperature, amount of rainfall,
and relative humidity, which are being forwarded to Ateneo de Davao University
for consolidation.
“We hope to contribute to President Benigno
Aquino III’s programs on DRRM and CCAM in our own little way. SPAMAST sees to
it that all of its academic programs, including agriculture, environmental
science, and engineering must include awareness on climate change among its
courses,” Generalao said.
During roadshows with higher education
institutions in Regions XI and XII conducted by the Mindanao Development
Authority (MinDA), SPAMAST and the other 10 state universities and colleges in
Mindanao also pledged to undertake researches on climate change aimed to aid
policy and decision-making bodies.
“These studies are crucial and we would like to
maximize the expertise of our home-grown academic institutions,” said Janet
Lopoz, MinDA executive director.
She added that MinDA regularly submits policy
briefs to the members of Mindanao lawmakers’ bloc in Congress while adding “the
agency lobbies for Mindanao-related policies that are supported by thorough
research.”
The Mindanao 2020 or the island-region’s 20-year
peace and development roadmap for 2011-2030 stressed that Mindanao must
position itself to adequately meet the challenges of climate change.
“We are glad that our stakeholders from the
education sector are now rallying for this cause. The government and private
sectors must work together in implementing DRRM and CCAM initiatives,” she
said.
Lopoz encouraged all stakeholders in Mindanao,
especially those from the private sector to collaborate under MinDA’s flagship
program called the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program which seeks to
harmonize all DRRM and CCAM efforts in the island-region.
Republic Act No. 10121, the law that
institutionalized the country’s DRRM system and framework requires the
integration of disaster risk reduction in the school curricula. It mandates the
Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority to integrate disaster risk reduction
and management education in their school curricula, which include the National
Service Training Program (NSTP), formal and non-formal, technical-vocational,
indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and programs.
The education sector on the other hand is
required by Republic Act No. 9729 or the law that created the Climate Change
Commission, to incorporate climate change into their primary and secondary
subjects that include science, biology, sibika, and history. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
TESDA offers free assessment, certification
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – To promote
assessment and certification program at the company/enterprise level, the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering free
assessment and certification.
During the forum on the implementation of Senior
High School with the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical
Vocational Institutions (TVIs) held recently at Balanghai Hotel and Convention
Center here, Romel Natad of TESDA-Caraga presented the rationale of the
National TVET Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC). TVET stands for
Technical Vocation Education and Training.
Natad said NATCAC is the conduct of free
competency assessment and certification in identified key qualifications at the
regional and provincial level. “For each identified assessment schedule, there
shall be a sector-based synchronized assessment nationwide,” Natad said.
However, Natad said assessment for other
sectors/qualifications may still be scheduled by the Regional Offices or
Provincial Offices during the assessment period. The program shall be funded by
the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).
Aside from promoting the program at the
company/enterprise level, Natad said it also expands clients’ access to
assessment and certification program; enhance the competitiveness,
employability, and productivity of workers; and upgrade the qualification of
existing workers, trainers and assessors to a higher level of qualification.
Meanwhile, TESDA Caraga regional director Dr.
Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. said trainers of private and public
Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs), including TESDA Technical
Institutions (TTIs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and other government
agencies providing TVET programs and DepEd trainers, Public Utility Vehicle
(PUV) drivers, workers, industry practitioners, professional, career shifter,
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Filipino expatriates with relevant
experience, industry practitioners who are prospective competency assessors are
qualified to apply for free assessment and certification.
“They can apply at TESDA accredited competency
assessment centers or TESDA provincial and district offices,” Sunico said.
Requirements for application are as follows:
duly accomplished application form, self-assessment guide, three passport size
pictures in white background with name written at the back, and certificate of
employment.
The assessment covered all qualification in NC
II, III and IV levels with promulgated training regulations.
For the Automotive and Land Transport,
qualifications are as follows: Automotive Servicing NC II, Driving NC
II/Driving (Passenger Bus Straight Truck) NC III, and Motorcycle Small Engine
Servicing NC II.
Under the Construction, qualifications such as
Technical Drafting NC II, Masonry NC II and III, Plumbing NC II and III,
Carpentry NC II and III, Heavy Equipment Operators NC II, and Electrical
Installation and Maintenance NC II and III are included in the program.
The qualifications under Electronics include:
Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II and III, and CATV Operation and
Maintenance NC II and III.
Computer Hardware Servicing NC II and Visual
Graphics Design NC III are the qualification included under Information and
Communications Technology (ICT).
For Tourism, qualifications that are included
are: Food and Beverage Services NC II and III, Cookery NC II, Bread and Pastry Making
NC II, Housekeeping NC II and III, Household Services NC II, Bartending NC II,
Tour Guiding NC II, and Travel Services NC II.
In Agri-Fishery, Agricultural Crops Production
NC II and III, and Horticulture NC II. Under the Metals and Engineering, qualifications
offered are Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II and III, as well as Machining NC
II.
Under the HVAC, the program has included
Transport RAC Servicing NC II and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Services
NC II. For HSCDS, qualifications included are Bookkeeping NC III, Photography
NC II, and Security Services NC II.
The national assessment will be conducted at
TESDA Women’s Center, TESDA Training Center Taguig Campus Enterprises (TTCTCE)
and the TESDA Brick Plaza for selected qualifications in partnership with
concerned industry sectors.
It is also conducted at TESDA Regional Offices
nationwide. Sunico said the Regional Training Centers and/or selected private
TVIs may act as the regional hub with the Provincial Training Centers (PTCs),
TTIs, and selected TVIs providing simultaneous assessments for the identified qualifications.
The schedule and venue for the national
assessment per qualification will be determined by the regional and provincial
offices. However, the schedule must be within the following identified
assessment period.
For Automotive, Land Transport and HVAC, the
assessment was held last May 12-23, 2014. On July 14-25, 2014, qualifications
under Construction and Metals and Engineering will be conducted. The Tourism,
Electronics and ICT qualifications is scheduled on August 11-22, 2014 while
Agri-fishery/Food Processing and HSCDS is set on October 13-24, 2014.
The National Certificate (NC) or Certificate of
Competency (COC) will be issued to the successful candidates in accordance with
the provisions stated in the Procedures Manual on Preparation and Issuance of
NC/COC by the end of the assessment schedule.
For further information, the public is advised
to get in touch with the nearest TESDA Regional or Provincial Offices in their
area.
In Caraga Region, the regional office can be
reached at (085) 341-5220. TESDA-Agusan del Norte can be contacted at
(085)342-0085. TESDA-Agusan del Sur (085) 343-7278; TESDA-Surigao del Norte
(086) 826-2592; TESDA-Surigao del Sur (086) 211-3957; and TESDA-Dinagat Islands
(0908-9956348).
With these developments, Sunico enjoined the
public to grab this opportunity to be assessed and certified for free. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)
TESDA trains Agusan del Sur policewomen for driving
By Engr. Norberto B. Dorado
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – The Provincial
Office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in
Agusan del Sur has conducted a refresher course and assessment in driving to
lady enforcers of the province’s Philippine National Police (PNP).
Dubbed as “Drayber Ko, Ate Ko,” the activity is
supporting the Gender and Development program of the government, promoting the
equal role of women to the society.
During the training, some 14 policewomen have
participated the program coming from Bayugan City and the 13 municipalities of
the province. Said participants serve as patrol car alternate drivers in times
of responding to gender cases and emergencies.
Agusan del Sur Police provincial director
Alexander Sampaga said the training conducted by TESDA will help the provincial
office police force in responding to crimes or emergencies that may happen,
aside from the fact that this also supports the gender equality program of the
national government.
Sampaga added, the role of women in the
development of the society today cannot be denied. They also served as
initiators in promoting peace and security in the area. “Thus, they need to be
developed and trained with works and jobs which we previously think that are
only intended for men,” Sampaga said.
With these developments, Sampaga acknowledged
the effort and time extended by TESDA, which promotes the Human Development
Cluster of the Philippine Development Plan and supports the Peace and Security
sector of the plan. (TESDA-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
DA info officers set communications direction
for PRDP
By Jay M. Rosas
QUEZON CITY, May 30 (PIA) – Information officers
from various regions gathered to craft a communications plan that would help
the new national rural development program.
Tagged as the Information, Advocacy,
Communication and Education (InfoACE) unit of the PRDP, the InfoACE is composed
of information officers coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional
offices.
The team agreed to come up with a communications
plan that would set directions for various communication and advocacy
initiatives under the PRDP.
PRDP is a six-year program designed to establish
the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented
agri-fishery sector. The Program is being implemented by the DA with funding
assistance from the World Bank, national and local government units.
The Program will partner with LGUs and the
private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities and technology to
raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in the countryside.
“The role of information and communication is
critical at the inception of PRDP,” said PRDP deputy program director Arnel De
Mesa, citing the positive outcome of strategic InfoACE activities of the
Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) that helped in planning for the
creation of PRDP.
“We need to get the word out there about the
Program to generate stakeholder support particularly with our target clients,
the local government units and private sector,” he said.
De Mesa added that one of the key information
that LGUs need to know is the lower counterpart equity of 10 percent in various
rural infrastructure projects like farm-to-market roads. Relevant information
on policies and project specifications should also be communicated to adhere to
quality standards as previously practiced in MRDP, he added.
An important part of the workshop the
communications audit, which allowed the participants to evaluate communication
skills and expertise, programs and technology, which are crucial in the
implementation of communication and advocacy activities.
MRDP InfoACE unit head Noel Provido also
presented the communication needs research for PRDP conducted by the unit in
cooperation with the DA information officers.
“The study presents media preferences and
exposure of the program’s intended audience and should help the information
officers in anticipating and responding to communication challenges that will
arise during the course of the implementation of the Program,” he said.
He cited that among the information needs that
arose during the MRDP implementation was to come up with a unified checklist of
requirements in easy-to-digest format that LGUs and people’s organization (PO)
beneficiaries would understand.
He also said that the unit is finalizing short
video documentaries that highlight success stories and best practices of the
Program implementation, which he said could serve as benchmark for implementing
projects under PRDP.
PRDP is a P27.5 billion program where the bulk
of the program will go into infrastructure and enterprise development
components. It will also adopt value chain analysis of priority commodities
identified by the province or region and make use of business development plans
as bases for investments. (DA-MRDP/PIA-Caraga)
