Caraga Today July-September 2015

todaycaraga Vol. XVIII, Issue 3
July-September 2015
A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council
PAGE 20
Q1 2015 Regional
Economic Situationer
PAGE 28
Q2 2015 Regional
Project Monitoring
Report
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a
community to avert the further spread of HIV
PAGE 4

Published quarterly by the Caraga Regional Development Council with editorial office at the National Economic and Development
Authority-Caraga, Nimfa Tiu Building I, JP Rosales Avenue, Butuan City.
For questions, comments, and suggestions email us at neda13caraga@yahoo.com or call (085) 341-4195.
caraga today
Volume XVIII Issue 3 July-September 2015
PAGE 4
If it takes a village to raise
a child, it takes a
community to avert the
further spread of HIV
PAGE 6
RDC13 partners with
DOST-PCIEERD, CSU on
Responsible Mining
Forum
PAGE 8
PDI hosts 83rd RDC Full
Council Meeting
PAGE 9
Caraga RDC endorses
the declaration of
Hinatuan Bay, Enchanted
River as Critical Habitats
PAGE 10
RDC-IDC conducts 3rd
Infrastructure Assessment
in Siargao, Bucas Grande
Islands
PAGE 11
NEDA, SDSSU evaluate
safe motherhood project
in Bislig City
PAGE 12
Caraga’s economy slows
down in 2014
On this issue
FEATURE
PAGE 16
Laying the Policy Infrastructure for
Education Reforms
CENTERFOLD
All about HIV
HIGHLIGHTS
PAGE 14
Breastfeeding at work works
PAGE 20
2014 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer
PAGE 28
2nd Quarter 2015 Regional Project
Monitoring Report
PAGE 31
PSA launches 2015 POPCEN
Caraga nominates SIKAP, ANHS-SDRRMC
to 2015 SOV
PAGE 32
Hypertension, diabetes greatly increase risk
to cardiovascular disease
PAGE 34
ls rice to be blamed for rising diabetes?
PAGE 35
DA, LGU strengthen
regional DRM for
Agriculture
Caraga RPAB endorses
P711M worth of sub-
projects to the PRDP
PAGE 36
Photo releases

3Vol. XVIII Issue 3
Editor-in-Chief
Jazmin D. Berido
Writers
Sherwin E. Verdun
Rhea Mae C. Mendez
Naomi T. Mission
Maria Conception G. Duro
Ian G. Miculob
Shobie L. Salazar
Shiela M. Bermoy
Mirasol P. Montenegro
Gladys C. Giberson
Marx Rev A. Buenavidez
Design Editor
Sherwin E. Verdun
Advisers
RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño
ARD Roy B. Kantuna
Editor’s Note
Jazmin D. Berido
This quarter’s issue is
primarily focused on health
and environment concerns in
the region.
We highlight one of the
significant activities of the
Caraga RDC in the second
quarter of 2015 which is the
formulation of the HIV
Communication Plan.
A special HIV
infographic spread is also
featured to help promote
awareness and positive action.
As health advocates, we
have included health
discussions such as the
relation of hypertension and
diabetes to cardiovascular
diseases, and breastfeeding at
work .
We feature equally
important activities such as
the first Mindanao
Responsible Mining Summit
as well as the pilot testing of
the Ex-Post Evaluation
Manual, and the assessment
of the tourism road
infrastructures in Siargao and
Bucas Grande Islands.
We documented the
Caraga RDC endorsement of
the declaration of Hinatuan
Bay and Enchanted River as
Critical Habitats, and the
recognition of the 2014
Gawad Kalasag Search for
Excellence in DRRM and
Humanitarian Assistance
national awardees from the
region during the 83rd RDC
Editorial Board
Full Council Meeting.
As always, you can catch
our quarterly report on the
Regional Project Monitoring,
and an assessment of the
region’s economy.
A bonus feature by
TESDA-Caraga Regional
Director Florencio F. Sunico,
Jr. rounds up the policy
reforms in the education
sector .
Finally, a photo release
section is added to this issue
to draw attention to other
RDC-related events.

HIV/AIDS trends are falling worldwide but
it is increasing in the Philippines.
According to UNAIDS, worldwide
since 2001, new HIV infections have
decreased by 33% and new HIV infections
in children have decreased by 52%. AIDS-
related deaths (adults and children) have
decreased by 29% since 2005.
However, the Department of Health
Epidemiology Bureau in the Philippines
reported 20 new cases per day in February
2015 from one new case per day in 2008.
The cumulative total reported cases
from January 1984 to February 2015 have
reached 23,709. Of this number, 21,545
(91%) are males. Around 6,191 (26%) are
youth aged 15-24 years old while 11,953
(51%) are between the ages of 25 to 34
years old.
The most common mode of
transmission is men-having-sex-with-men
(MSM) at 79% (17,012 cases), followed by
4 caraga today
male-female sex at 15% (3,150 cases) and
sharing of needles at 5% (1,052 cases).
From 2006 (309 cases) to 2014 (6,011
cases), the HIV cases in the Philippines
have increased by 95%. Of the current
23,709 diagnosed cases, 19,285 (81%)
were reported only in the past five years
(January 2010 to February 2015).
In Caraga, from 1995 to 2015, there
are now 172 cases with eight reported
deaths. Of this number, 161 cases (94%)
are males. Around 79 cases (46%) are
between 25-34 years old. All cases were
acquired through sexual contact with
homosexual contact (47%) as the
predominant mode of transmission. Butuan
City has the highest incidence with 70
cases.
With the continued rise in HIV
incidence, the Caraga Regional
Development Council (RDC) recognizes
the urgency to mobilize key government
by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a
community to avert the further spread of HIV
Number of new HIV cases by month (2013-2015). Source: DOH-Epidemiology Bureau

5Vol. XVIII Issue 3
agencies and private sector partners to
prevent the further spread of HIV infection
and reduce the impact of AIDS on
individuals, families, and communities.
On June 25, 2015 during the 83rd
Caraga RDC Full Council Meeting, the
RDC expanded the Regional AIDS
Assistance Team (RAAT) to form the HIV
Technical Working Group (TWG), for the
purpose of crafting a strategic
communication plan. The HIV TWG is
composed of the following: Department of
Health (DOH), Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG),
Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), Department of
Education (DOH), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), and the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA).
The TWG met on August 5, 2015 to
come up with the analyses for the
communication plan, which will be
presented for approval to the Caraga RDC
during its 2015 fourth quarter meeting.
One of the communication challenges
of HIV is stigma, which weakens the
ability of individuals and communities to
protect themselves from HIV and to stay
healthy if they are living with HIV. Thus,
the communication plan primarily aims to
gather support especially from local
government units to advocate for
awareness of the disease and to put in place
policies, facilities, and services for HIV/
AIDS.
The reluctance to take an HIV test
would result in late diagnosis, when the
virus may have already progressed to
AIDS. Consequently, this makes treatment
less effective and increases the likelihood
of transmitting HIV to others, and may
even cause early death. Thus, promotion of
HIV test is crucial especially in areas
where people are more conservative.
For the same reason, UNAIDS
advocates that HIV should be tackled by
dealing with the circumstances surrounding
the individual rather than the individual
alone such as societal norms; gender and
socio-economic status; faith, beliefs, and
spiritual values; and the prevailing
governmental and policy environment for
HIV/AIDS. By then, the individual will be
empowered to take precautionary measures
for prevention, care, and support.
Like any other disease, HIV is one that
needs cooperation from everyone – family,
health institutions, and the government. As
Helen Keller has said, ―Alone we can do so
little; together we can do so much.‖ It is
hoped that synergies of efforts would
change the face of HIV in the future.
OPEN ARMS.
The three ribbons with tails of human arms
represent the three groups of influence. HIV
needs compassion from families represented by
the green ribbon that provides unconditional love
for others. It needs the determination
represented by the red ribbon of health
institutions to empower those who lack will
power. It also needs the sincerity of the
government represented by the blue ribbon to
provide policy environment.
Without stigma, represented by the open arms,
the ribbons resemble a triangle as a result of
harmony among families, health institutions, and
government.

6 caraga today
Caraga Regional Development Council partners with
DOST-PCIEERD, Caraga State University on
Responsible Mining Forum
by Marx Rev A. Buenavides, NEDA-Caraga
In a bid to advocate responsible mining in
the region, the Caraga Regional
Development Council (RDC), in
partnership with the Department of Science
and Technology – Philippine Council for
Industry, Energy and Emerging
Technology Research and Development
(DOST-PCIEERD) and the Caraga State
University (CSU) conducted a
Stakeholders’ Forum on Responsible
Mining last July 14-15, 2015 in Butuan
City.
The 2-day Forum aims to foster
dialogue and cooperation between the key
industry players and partners; present the
findings of the research and development
(R & D) projects as critical inputs for
policy reforms and technological
innovation with an end view of achieving
responsible mining; and identify activities
for the preparation of the Mineral
Development Roadmap for Caraga Region.
Representatives and staff from national line
agencies, local government units, academe,
non-government organizations/civil society
organizations and other stakeholders
participated in the said activity.
The first day of the Forum highlighted
the presentations on various topics by the
invited local, national and international
speakers. Ms. Helen Langley of
International Mining for Development
Centre (IM4DC) shared about the
International Perspective of Mining
Development. Engr. Francis Glenn Suante
of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(MGB)-Caraga discussed the Mining
Performance and Outlooks in the
Philippines and Caraga Region. A
presentation on the Caraga Regional
Development Framework by RD Mylah
Faye Aurora Cariño of NEDA-Caraga
followed.
The Caraga RDC recognizes the
critical role of R and D in pursuing
inclusive growth and sustainable
development in the region. Hence, the
Forum also featured the Mining and
Mineral Research and Development Road
Map for 2012-2016 by DOST PCIEERD
Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Primo
David; the Education and Research as
Foundations in Responsible Mining by the
CSU President, Dr. Anthony Penaso; the
results of several research studies
undertaken by selected state universities
and colleges (SUCs) in Caraga Region and
neighboring regions in Mindanao under the
project “Science and Technology for
Responsible Mining in Mindanao”; and
best practices of selected mining
companies. The CSU also launched during
the said event its ICT Portal for
Responsible Mining.
The second day of the Forum was
devoted to parallel workshops on the
preparation of the Caraga Mineral
Roadmap, which was facilitated by RD
Cariño. The outputs of the workshop will
serve as valuable inputs in the formulation
of the Mineral Development Roadmap for
the region. Caraga has been tagged as the
―new mining capital‖ of the country.
Positioning itself as the Fishery, Agri-
Forestry, Mineral and Ecotourism (FAME)
Center of the country, the region is
confronted with the biggest challenge of
striking a balance between production and
conservation. Land use conflict is a major
bottleneck of the region’s development

7Vol. XVIII Issue 3
considering that the areas targeted for
mining development are also the same
areas considered by the DENR as critical
watershed areas, key biodiversity areas
(KBAs), habitats of the indigenous peoples
and hazard prone areas. Hence, the
preparation of a Mineral Development
Roadmap is deemed vital in pursuing
responsible mining in the region and in
attempting to strike a balance in the land
use.
Towards the end of the Forum, RD
Cariño presented the succeeding activities
of the RDC pertaining to the preparation of
the Mineral Development Roadmap for the
region. The CSU President, Dr. Penaso
concluded the said event with a note that
responsible mining is achievable if all
stakeholders in the region will CARE
enough — that is to Commit unwaveringly,
Adopt proactively, Respond positively and
Engage productively.
Right: Panelists during
the 2-day Forum include
(from left) NEDA Regional
Director Mylah Faye
Aurora Cariño, DOST-
PCIEERD Executive
Director Carlos Primo
David, IM4DC Program
Director Helen Langley,
CSU President Anthony
Penaso and MESD Chief
Francis Glenn Suante of
MGB-Caraga.
Below: RD Cariño
facilitates the workshop
on the preparation of the
Caraga Mineral
Roadmap.

8 caraga today
The Province of Dinagat Islands made history
as it hosted the 83rd Regional Development
Full Council Meeting on June 25, 2015. It was
the Province’s first time to host the RDC
meeting. Assistant Secretary Jesus Lorenzo R.
Mateo of the Department of Education served
as keynote speaker during the event and he
shared updates on the K to12 implementation
in the country.
The meeting was attended by 33 RDC
members, 11 regular invitees and 45 guests
including Sangguniang Panlalawigan members
of Dinagat Islands. The meeting was held at the
Provincial Guest Center, Capitol Compound,
Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose, Province of
Dinagat Islands.
To mark the Province’s first hosting of the
RDC meeting, trees were planted by the RDC
and local officials before the meeting
commenced symbolizing the RDC’s and the
province’s strong partnership and commitment
towards inclusive growth and sustainable
development.
In her opening message, Gov. Matugas
emphasized that, ―bringing the Council to the
mystical Province of Dinagat Islands is an
affirmation of the RDC’s commitment to pursue
the vision of One Caraga: One Vision, One
Mission. It is also a testament that we
recognize the contributions and potentials of
Dinagat Islands in realizing our goal for
Caraga to become the Fishery, Agri-forestry,
Mineral and Eco-tourism (FAME) Center of
the country.”
During the meeting, the Council tackled
issues and development priorities of regional
significance including the endorsement of
several infrastructure projects to improve
connectivity within the region. The body also
endorsed to the Department of Education
Central Office the funding of priority schools
for rehabilitation.
As the host, Gov. Ecleo was given the
privilege to raise the development concerns of
the Province of Dinagat Islands that require
RDC support. One of the significant actions of
the Council was to endorse the establishment
of a provincial hospital and the conduct of a
feasibility study in connecting the Province of
Dinagat Islands to the Visayas.
The national awardees of the 2014 Gawad
KALASAG Search for Excellence in DRRM
and Humanitarian Assistance were also
recognized during the meeting. A plaque of
recognition was given to Brgy. San Juan,
Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (1st
in the Rural
Barangay Category), Agusan National High
School (1st
in the Heroic Act/Deed – Group
Category), Municipality of Hinatuan, Surigao
Del Sur (2nd
in the 1st
– 3rd
Municipal Class
Category), Butuan City (2nd
in the HUC
Category), Sibog Katawhan Alang sa
Paglambo (SIKAP) Inc. (2nd
in the CSO
Category), Province of Dinagat Islands (3rd
in
the Provincial Category) and Municipality of
Basilisa, Province of Dinagat Islands (3rd
in the
4th
– 6th
Municipal Class Category).
by Shiela M. Bermoy, NEDA-Caraga
Province of Dinagat Islands hosts the
83rd Regional Development Full Council Meeting
Gov. Sol Matugas
requested Asec. Jesus
Lorenzo Mateo of the
Department of
Education to act on the
issue of unfinished
classrooms in Surigao
del Norte under Private
Partnership Project
(PPP)

9Vol. XVIII Issue 3
During its 83rd Full Council Meeting on June
25, 2015 at San Jose, Province of Dinagat
Islands, the RDC through the recommendation
of the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC)
endorsed the declaration of Hinatuan Bay and
Enchanted River as Critical Habitats in
recognition of the urgent need to
institutionalize protective measures over the
said areas. The RDC issued Resolution No. 30
series of 2015, ―Endorsing the Designation/
declaration of Hinatuan Bay and Enchanted
River as Critical Habitats.‖
The said resolution was anchored on the
Critical Habitat Assessment of Hinatuan Bay
conducted by the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga
Regional Office in 2007 which revealed that
―Dugongs and Turtles are already threatened
due to the persistent harvesting of turtle eggs,
hunting/slaughtering of the said marine
creatures and gradual deterioration of their
natural habitats due to removal of sea grasses,
siltation, marine pollution and destructive
fishing practices‖. Thus, the DENR-Caraga
recommended the declaration of Hinatuan Bay
as a critical habitat.
Republic Act No. 9147 known as the
Wildlife Resources Conservation and
Protection Act designates areas which are
outside the protected areas covered under
Republic Act No. 7586 known as the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) as
critical habitats for protection.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) Caraga Regional Office as
well as the Local Government of Hinatuan
supported the recommendation of DENR-
Caraga. The LGU-Hinutuan even requested the
expansion of the proposed critical habitat to
include the Enchanted River due to the
interconnectivity and interdependency of the
two (2) ecosystems.
On 10 February 2015, the Hinatuan
Sangguniang Bayan passed Resolution No. VC
-610 s. of 2015 to ―Save the Hinatuan Bay‖ and
was submitted to the RDC-Regional Land Use
Committee (RLUC) for support.
On the other hand, Representative
Florencio C. Garay of the Second
Congressional District of Surigao del Sur
sponsored House Bill No. 4865 which
proposed the declaration of Enchanted River as
protected area under the NIPAS with a
category of Natural Park. With the
recommendation of DENR-Caraga, the
Protected Area Wildlife Bureau (now
Biodiversity Management Bureau) considered
the expansion of HB No. 4865 to include
Hinatuan Bay to be declared as protected area
under NIPAS.
The approval process for the declaration
of a protected area under NIPAS is rigid and
will need an Act of Congress. Thus, the RDC
opted for the process for the establishment of
critical habitat because it is simpler and will
require only the issuance of an Administrative
Order by the DENR Secretary.
The declaration of Hinatuan Bay and
Enchanted River as critical habitats will
provide the legal basis for conservation and/or
allow special management protection to ensure
the survival of the species, increase community
awareness on conservation efforts, and thereby
improving the income of the fisherfolk in the
Municipality of Hinatuan.
Caraga Regional Development Council endorses the declaration of
Hinatuan Bay, Enchanted River as Critical Habitats
by Rhea Mae C. Mendez , NEDA-Caraga
The Hinatuan
Enchanted River is a
lagoon-river In the
island of Mindanao. It
flows into the Philippine
Sea and the Pacific
Ocean from Barangay
Talisay, Hinatuan, Suri
gao del Sur. It is found
between the
boundaries of
Barangays Talisay and
Cambatong. It earned
the moniker “enchanted
river” from the diplomat
Modesto Farolan who
described the river in
his poem entitled “Rio
Encantado.”

10 caraga today
Tourism Support Facilities in Surigao del
Norte is expected to improve after a
regional team validated the infrastructure
roads of the potential tourism sites in
Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands. The
Regional Development Council –
Infrastructure Development Committee
(RDC-IDC) conducted its 3rd
Infrastructure
Assessment Visit in Sta. Monica,
Cabitoonan, Dapa, General Luna (GL),
Pilar, Socorro and the new road opening
leading to Sohoton Cove on May 21-23,
2015.
As a game fishing and surfing hot spot
of the Philippines, Siargao Islands gained
extensive popularity among local and
foreign tourists. It is also known for the
untouched beauty of its beaches, and the
allure of the Pilar Magpupungko Tidal
Pool. The development of the famed
Sohoton Cove and Blue lagoon, located in
Bucas Grande Islands, is hampered by
accessibility issues. The only means of
transportation in and around the area are
habal-habal and pump boats.
Under the government program
dubbed as Tourism Road Infrastructure
Project Prioritization Criteria (TRIPPC),
potential projects for funding are identified
to include access to roads, sea ports,
airports, Siargao Agri-Ecotourism Nautical
Highways and leading to major tourist
hubs.
TRIPPC is a national program
developed under various agencies
including Department of Tourism (DOT),
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and Research
Education and Institutional Development
(REID) Foundation. It aims to ensure that
the most urgent and needed infrastructure
interventions are prioritized and
implemented. It is also anchored on the
Tourism Act of 2009 or Republic Act (RA)
No. 9593 that declares that tourism will be
one of the country’s engine of investment
and employment of national development.
This law primarily promotes the
tourism industry through the development
and integration of tourism concepts,
regulation of standards for the operation of
the tourism industry and establishment of a
tourism infrastructure program.
Caraga Regional Development Council-
Infrastructure Development Committee conducts
3rd Infrastructure Assessment in Siargao,
Bucas Grande Islands
by Shobie L. Salazar, NEDA-Caraga

11Vol. XVIII Issue 3
The National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) – Caraga Regional Office
and the Surigao del Sur State University
(SDSSU) joined hands in evaluating the
Second Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood
Project (SWHSMP) implemented in Bislig
City.
The reason for evaluating the said project
is to pilot-test the Ex-Post Evaluation
Reference Manual drafted by the NEDA
Monitoring and Evaluation Staff, which will
guide future evaluation activities that will be
undertaken by the Government of the
Philippines.
NEDA and SDSSU researchers
interviewed 177 randomly selected respondents
who are beneficiaries of the project and
conducted focused group discussions among
workers in the Rural Health Units - Bislig City,
Bislig District Hospital, Basic Emergency
Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEMONC) and
Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and
Newborn Care (CEMONC) facilities during the
ex-post evaluation of the project on August 5-
6, 2015 in Bislig City.
Using a Cebuano-translated questionnaire
during the survey, the respondents answered
questions on the four evaluation criteria which
include effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and
sustainability of the project. The local health
workers were also interviewed based on their
involvement in the project. The focused group
discussions were conducted using the local
dialect. Finally, key informants from the
Department of Health, the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation, Provincial Health
Office and Local Government Unit –Bislig
City were also interviewed to provide relevant
information on the project.
Before the ex-post evaluation in Bislig
City, the team conducted two runs of pilot
testing of the questionnaires in San Agustin on
July 14 and Tandag City on July 24-25. The
content of the questionnaire was also validated
beforehand by the Department of Health,
NEDA Regional Office and NEDA Central
Office Monitoring and Evaluation Staff.
The results of the study will be used to
further enhance the draft Ex-Post Evaluation
Reference Manual prepared by NEDA Central
Office.
SWHSMP was approved by the World
Bank on June 30, 2005 with the amount of
US$16.00 million and was implemented in
Regions V and XIII specifically in the
provinces of Sorsogon and Surigao del Sur.
The project was completed on December 11,
2011.
Caraga is one of the pilot areas for ex-post
evaluation initiated by the Monitoring and
Evaluation Staff of the NEDA Central Office.
An ex-post evaluation is conducted three to
five years after the completion of the project to
draw lessons and guide policy makers
especially on how to improve the design of
similar future project.
NEDA contracted the services of Dr.
Roxan G. Eupeńa and Dr. Edmundo C. Lopez,
both professors of SDSSU to assist NEDA in
completing said study.
Earlier, the Regional Development
Council passed a resolution approving budget
support for the evaluation to go full circle.
by Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga
NEDA, SDSSU evaluate safe motherhood project in Bislig City
Left: Staff of Bislig District
Hospital led by Hospital
Director Dr. Elenila
Jakosalem (in gray dress)
answer
questions about the
project.
Right: Project
beneficiaries gather
inside the Bislig City Multi
-Purpose Hall during the
survey on August 5, 2015.

12 caraga today
Caraga Region’s economy slows down in 2014
by Mirasol P. Montenegro , NEDA-Caraga
Caraga Region has consistently been in the
top five fastest growing economies in the
country for the last five (5) years. The
region’s economy grew significantly with
rates even higher than that of the
Philippines. However, the trend in GRDP
growth rates is decelerating over the years.
The region experienced a slowdown in
its economy in 2014 as indicated in the
recently released Annual Economic
Performance Report by the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA). The region’s
economy, as measured in terms of Gross
Regional Domestic Product (GRDP),
reached PhP91.05 Billion in 2014 based on
2000 constant prices. This represents a 7.8
increase from PhP84.44 Billion in 2013.
However, the said growth rate was lower by
0.3 percentage points against the 2013
annual growth rate of 8.1 percent.
The slowdown in the region’s economy
was attributed mainly to the downturns in
several subsectors’ performance. The
biggest slump was noted in the Electricity,
Gas and Water Supply (EGWS) of the
Industry Sector, which growth rate
plummeted from 24.7 percent in 2013 to -
6.6 percent in 2014. The performance of
the Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and
Fishery (AHFF) was greatly affected by the
decline in the Agriculture and Forestry (AF)
Subsector’s growth rate by 9.04 percentage
points from 10.0 percent in 2013 to only 0.6
percent in 2014. Nevertheless, the
significant increase in the Fishery Subsector
from -6.1 percent in 2013 to 0.1 percent
salvaged the overall performance of the
AHFF Sector. For the Services Sector, the
Financial Intermediation Subsector
expanded but at a lower rate of 6.0 percent,
representing a 5.5 percentage point
reduction from its growth rate of 11.5
percent in 2013. A decline in the Other
Services Subsector’s growth rate was also
observed from 6.5 percent in 2013 to only
1.9 percent last year. The Real Estate,
Renting and Business Activities (RSRBA)
experienced also a reduction of its growth
rate by 1.1 percentage points from 6.5
percent in 2013 to 5.4 percent in 2014.
Among the Sectors, the Industry Sector
managed to display a double-digit growth
rate of 11.1 percent in 2014 notwithstanding
the low performance of the EGWS
Subsector. This represents a 2.8 percentage
points increase in its growth rate in 2013 of
7.3 percent. The substantial expansion of
the Construction, Manufacturing and
Mining and Quarrying (M & Q) Subsectors
heaved the overall performance of the
Sector, which grew by 23.5 percent, 12.7
percent and 7.9 percent, respectively.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
GRDP Growth Rates by Region, 2012-2013 and 2013
-2014, At Constant 2000 Prices, in Percent
AREA
GROWTH RATE
2012-13 2013-14
Philippines 7.1 6.1
NCR 9.2 5.9
CAR 5.4 3.2
Ilocos 6.8 5.7
Cagayan Valley 6.2 6.4
Central Luzon 4.4 9.0
CALABARZON 6.7 5.1
MIMAROPA 1.3 6.5
Bicol 8.1 4.2
Western Visayas 3.4 4.9
Central Visayas 7.4 8.8
Eastern Visayas 4.5 (2.3)
Zamboanga Peninsula 4.1 6.5
Northern Mindanao 5.3 7.2
Davao Region 6.7 9.4
SOCCSKSARGEN 8.4 6.4
Caraga 8.1 7.8
ARMM 3.8 3.0

Gross Regional Domestic Product’s Percentage
Share Contribution by Sector, 2013-2014
Gross Regional Domestic Product (Php’000) by Industrial Origin 2013-2014 and Growth Rates (in Percent) by Industry
Caraga Region 2012-2014 at Constant 2000 Prices
INDUSTRY 2012 2013 2014 2012-13 2013-14
I. AGRI., HUNTING, FORESTRY & FISHING 16,550,414 17,745,607 17,851,146 7.2 0.6
a. Agriculture and Forestry 13,704,534 15,073,313 15,164,891 10.0 0.6
b. Fishing 2,845,880 2,672,294 2,686,255 (6.1) 0.5
II INDUSTRY 26,480,210 28,422,904 31,588,408 7.3 11.1
a. Mining and Quarrying 16,914,312 18,108,320 19,543,433 7.1 7.9
b. Manufacturing 2,453,057 2,398,531 2,704,152 (2.2) 12.7
c. Construction 5,948,514 6,463,944 7,985,040 8.7 23.5
d. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 1,164,327 1,452,110 1,355,783 24.7 (6.6)
III SERVICE 35,069,677 38,270,050 41,607,398 9.1 8.7
a. Transport, Storage & Communication 11,710,061 13,352,497 15,566,468 14.0 16.6
b. Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles,
Personal and Household Goods
3,015,601 3,209,720 3,463,587 6.4 7.9
c. Financial Intermediation 3,067,164 3,419,304 3,623,393 11.5 6.0
d. Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 4,729,272 5,034,567 5,306,439 6.5 5.4
e. Public Administration & Defense;
Compulsory Social Security 4,514,797 4,699,442 4,932,834 4.1 5.0
f. Other Services 8,032,782 8,554,520 8,714,678 6.5 1.9
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 78,100,301 84,438,562 91,046,952 8.1 7.8
Indeed, the Manufacturing Subsector
rebounded from a negative growth rate of
2.2 percent in 2013 to 12.7 percent in 2014.
Despite the drop in its growth rate, the
Services Sector continues to account for the
biggest share of the region’s economy
contributing 45.7 percent in 2014. It is
followed by Industry Sector, which
contributed 34.7 percent. The AHFF
Sector’s contribution is recorded at 19.6
percent.
The region ranked 16th
in terms of
regional share to the national GRDP by
contributing 1.3 percent in 2014. The same
share was accounted for in 2013. The
National Capital Region (NCR),
CALABARZON and Central Luzon
remained as the top three regions with the
biggest economies. Caraga Region
contributed 0.1 percentage points to the 6.1
percent GDP growth in 2014. NCR was the
top contributor to the national growth at 2.1
percentage points followed by
CALABARZON at 0.9 percentage points.

14 caraga today
Do you know that mothers can continue
nursing their babies even when they are away
from home? August is Breastfeeding Month
and ―Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s make it
work!‖ is this year’s battle cry.
Developed by the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of
Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), the
revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos
(NGF) recommends the "exclusive
breastfeeding of infants from birth up to 6
months and provision of appropriate
complementary foods with continued
breastfeeding up to more than 2 years to ensure
optimum growth and development".
Lactating mothers can express breastmilk
into storage bottles and keep them in the
refrigerator or in insulated coolers with ice
packs . Considered to be the healthiest fast
food, breastmilk can last up to 24 hours when
stored in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in
deep freezer. It can be thawed in room
temperature and cup-fed to babies while the
mother is away.
While breastmilk provides the best
nutrition for human babies, breastfeeding
promotes a loving bond between the mother
and her baby. It strengthens their immunity by
building and exchanging antibodies through the
enteromammary pathway during direct
latching.
To help ensure breastfeeding at work
works, the Republic Act 10028 or the
Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of
2009 mandates to ―encourage, protect and
support the practice of breastfeeding; protect
working women by providing healthful
working conditions considering their maternal
functions; and provide specific measures that
will enable working mothers to continue
expressing milk and/or breastfeeding their
young child‖.
The Caraga Regional Nutrition Council
(RNC) supports this mandate through
Resolution No. 02-2012 enjoining regional line
agencies (RLAs) and local government units
(LGUs) to establish breastfeeding stations
where mothers can express breastmilk or
breastfeed in privacy.
Wanting to become a model as the RDC
Secretariat, NEDA is setting up a lactation and
child-minding room in its newly constructed
NEDA Building along J. Rosales Avenue,
Butuan City.
Breastfeeding at work works
by Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga
Breastfeeding by the Numbers
Philippines
6 months
Duration of exclusive breastfeeding*
recommended by WHO and UNICEF for opti-
mal infant growth, development and health
24 days
Average duration of exclusive breastfeeding in
the Philippines (2003 National Demographic
and Health Survey)
19.2%
Percentage of infants exclusively breastfed in
Caraga Region (2009 NDHS)
1 out of 4
Filipino children under 5 years old are at risk
of infection and death (WHO)
16,000
Number of deaths per year that can be traced
to formula-feeding (WHO)
25
Number of times a formula-fed infant is more
likely to die of diarrhea, than a breastfed in-
fant. (UNICEF)
P55.7 million
Amount spent yearly for out-patient treatment
of acute respiratory infections due to formula-
feeding (WHO)
P4,000
Average monthly cost of formula-feeding one
infant
P0
Cost of mother’s breastmilk
*breastmilk alone is the only food and drink given
to the infant; not even water.
Source: UNICEF

FOR BABIES
Colostrum
 Defends against infection
 High in protein
 First immunization
Breastmilk
 Supplies all necessary
nutrients in proper proportion
 Contains long chain polyun-
saturated fatty acids (DHA &
ARA) not found in other milks
that enhances neurological
development
 Prevents hypoglycemia or
low blood sugar
 Reduces the risk of
developing allergies
 Contains bioactive factors
that augment the infant’s
immature immune system
 Provides antibodies that
protect against common
illnesses
 Digests easily to help proper
absorption of nutrients
without causing constipation
and irritation
 Protects against diarrhea
 Protect against infections
including ear infections
 Keeps baby well hydrated
during illness
 Is always ready at the right
temperature
 Promotes proper jaw, speech
and teeth development
 Is comforting to colicky,
overtired, ill or hurt babies
Early skin-to-skin contact
 Stabilizes baby’s temperature
 Promotes a loving bond with
the mother
FOR MOTHERS
 Reduces blood loss after
birth (early/immediate
breastfeeding)
 Helps expel the placenta
 Reduces the risk of breast
and ovarian cancer
 Makes night feedings easier
 Delays return of fertility
(exclusive and on-demand
feeding)
 Ensure close physical
contact with the baby
 Saves time and money
 Is available 24 hours a day
 Makes mother calmer and
more relaxed
FOR FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES
 Is economical
 Is accessible
 Needs no preparation
 Reduces cost for medicines
for sick baby
 Delays new pregnancy
 Reduces time lost from work
to care for a sick child
 Reduces pollution
 Reduces poverty
 Is socially acceptable
 Less crime/ less theft to buy
formula
 Resources can be used for
other needs
Source: Infant and Young Child
Feeding, WHO
The Advantages of Breastfeeding

16 caraga today
Laying the Policy Infrastructure for Education Reforms
by Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr., Regional Director, TESDA-Caraga
and training an instrument of poverty
alleviation.
Kindergarten Law (RA 10157)
The law seeks to make kindergarten a
mandatory and compulsory entry-level
requirement for basic education prior to
Grade 1. This is the lowest rung of the K to
12 continuum, making the Philippine basic
education cycle equivalent to a total of 13
years.
Philippine Qualifications Framework
(PQF) (EO 83, series of 2012)
The PQF seeks to create a unified
education highway where students could
move seamlessly from one level of the
education system to the next (from basic
education on to technical education to
higher education) and from the informal
(recognition of prior learning and the like)
to the formal system. It allows for easier
access and flexibility in entry into and exit
from the system. Consisting of eight levels,
the PQF sets the standards for qualification
outcomes and is aligned with international
qualifications ―to support the national and
international mobility of workers through
increased recognition of the value and
comparability of Philippine qualifications.‖
The PQF is the Philippines’ our policy
and tool for generating Mutual Recognition
Arrangements (MRAs) with ASEAN
One of the gains the President cited in his
latest and last State of the Nation Address
(SONA) were the reforms in the country’s
education sector. Indeed, this
administration has produced more
education related legislations with far-
reaching impact to the nation than any of
its immediate predecessors.
While the Philippines as a country may
be ―forced to good‖ to do these reforms
amid the inexorable and tradition-altering
education innovations occurring across the
world, it is the Aquino Administration
which really had the political will to
initiate. Here’s an inventory of the
educational legislations enacted:
Enhanced Basic Education Act
(RA 10533)
Designed to lengthen the present education
cycle by two more years and make
education system at par with the rest of the
world. K to 12 offers, among other
features, choices for students in the basic
education after they graduate from Senior
High School to either continue on to
complete college degrees using the various
academic strands as their platforms, or
those who completed the technical-
vocational track and TESDA-certified to
pursue employment opportunities. This is
an empowering tool that makes education

member countries on human resources in
the regional labor market.
Ladderized Education Act (RA 10647)
Provides for multiple pathways for those in
technical vocational education and training
(TVET) stream to continue to higher
education and obtain college degrees by
going through the TVET ladder or so-
called access ramps embedded into the
higher education degree structure. This
allows for easy transition and progression
of students to go upward in their career at
their own pace and requirements.
Open Distance Learning Act (ODL)
(RA 10650)
Institutionalizes into a unified framework
the current models of alternative learning
deliveries, such as online programs,
distance learning and blended programs.
This new law will afford school leavers in
the tertiary education level to acquire
competencies without the rigid
requirements of physically going to
classrooms and workshops. It offers new
opportunities for those intending to pursue
graduate education but lacks the time
needed to do it.
Rural Farms Act (RA 10618)
Revives the dying programs on agriculture
and fisheries by bringing the training right
there in the communities. The challenge for
agriculture education nowadays is the lack
of enrolment and fresh intake of students
getting into the programs despite heavy
government subsidies and incentives.
Go Negosyo Act (RA 10644)
In a way, this can be considered a piece of
education legislation as it mandates the
integration of entrepreneurship into the
curriculum of basic and higher education
programs, and is expected to build the
infrastructure needed to create, nurture and
develop a culture of entrepreneurship
among students to prepare them to become
job creators rather than job seekers.
President Aquino recognized the
convergence efforts of DOLE, CHED,
TESDA and DepEd in addressing the
perennial issue of job mismatch. He
exhorted these agencies to review and
analyze the educational curriculum to fit to
the requirements of industries, and provide
students with informed career choices
based on labor market information.
From basic education to TVET to
higher education, from informal systems to
formal institutional structures, from a
domestic application to an internationalized
perspective - the Aquino administration has
got all policies in the education bases
covered.
Far right: On-site
training on
Heavy Equipment
Operator (HEO) -
Wheel Loader
National Certificate II at
TESDA-Agusan del
Norte.
Right: TVET on
Culinary Arts at the
TESDA-Agusan del
Norte
Training Center in
Cabadbaran City

All About HIV
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the
virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome, or AIDS. Unlike some other viruses, the human
body cannot get rid of HIV. That means that once you
have HIV, you have it for life.
HIV affects specific cells of the immune system, called
CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many
of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and
disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS.
Source: www.cdc.gov
Acute Infection: 2-4 weeks
Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection with HIV, you
may feel sick with flu-like symptoms
During this period of infection, large amounts of
HIV are being produced in your body.
Your ability to spread HIV is highest during this
stage because the amount of virus in the blood is
very high.
Clinical latency: up t
During this phase, HIV is still
reproduces at very low levels
any symptoms or get sick dur
Toward the middle and end o
load begins to rise and your C
to drop. As this happens, you
symptoms of HIV infection as
becomes too weak to protect
Stages of HIV
How is HIV transmitted?What is HIV?
unprotected sexual
intercourse (anal or
vaginal)
transfusion of
contaminated blood
sharing
contaminated
Source: Mikael Häggström Source: Thomas Splettstoesser
Source: www.who.int

 Use a latex condom or square of latex
or plastic wrap ("dental dam")
each and every time you have anal,
vaginal, or oral sex. (If you have a latex
allergy, use polyethylene condoms with
oil-based lubricants.)
 Learn more about how to practice safer
sex.
 Don't share needles, syringes, or
equipment used to prepare injection
drugs or to inject them. HIV can stay in
syringes for a month or longer. Seek
treatment for drug use, but in the
meantime, be sure to use a clean
to 10 years
active, but
s. You may not have
ring this time.
of this period, your viral
CD4 cell count begins
u may begin to have
s your immune system
t you.
AIDS: up to 3 years
This is the stage of infection that occurs when your
immune system is badly damaged and you
become vulnerable to infections and infection-
related cancers called opportunistic illnesses.
Without treatment, people who are diagnosed with
AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once
someone has a dangerous opportunistic illness, life
expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year.
People with AIDS need medical treatment to
prevent death.
Source: www.cdc.gov
of
needles
between a mother and
her infant during
pregnancy, childbirth
and breastfeeding
Source: Mikael Häggström
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and Others?
needle each time you inject.
 See a qualified professional who uses
sterile equipment if you plan to get a
tattoo or have your body pierced.
 Don't share toothbrushes or razors.
 Talk to a doctor about getting tested for
HIV if you are pregnant or planning to
become pregnant. If you're HIV-
positive, seek counseling and
treatment, which can prevent HIV from
being passed to a fetus or infant in
most cases.
 Do not breastfeed if you have
a newborn and are HIV-positive.
Source: www.webmd.com

Price Index (CPI) averaged
at PhP159.27. This is 3.42
percent higher than the CPI
of the same period last year
which stood at PhP154.00.
Consequently, the
Purchasing Power of Peso
(PPP) decreased by 3.59
percent from an average of
0.65 in the first quarter of
2014 to 0.63 in the first
quarter of 2015.
AGRICULTURE,
FORESTRY AND
FISHERY
Crops
Palay
Palay production during the
first quarter of 2015 reached
27,812 MT or a decline of
5.90 percent from the
MACRO ECONOMIC
PERFORMANCE
Inflation and Consumer
Price Index
The average inflation rate
registers at 3.40 percent in
the first quarter of 2015.
This represents a decrease
of 2.30 percentage points
from the 5.70 percent in
2014. All provinces’ rates
decrease with Agusan del
Norte recording the highest
drop of 65.31 percent from
its 4.90 inflation rate in the
first quarter of 2014 to 1.70
in 2015. The province of
Surigao del Sur registered
the highest rate at 4.27
percent in the first quarter of
2015.
In the first quarter of
2015, Caraga’s Consumer
20 caraga today
1st Quarter 2015 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer
29,556 MT harvested in the
same period in 2014. The
decline in production is
mainly attributed to the
decrease in area planted and
delayed preparation of the
land due to late onset of
rains. Moreover, aside from
the damage inflicted by
Typhoon Seniang, some
areas were stricken by
blackbug and water stress.
Among the provinces,
Surigao del Sur is the
highest producer of palay
during the period
contributing more than half
of the total production.
Agusan del Norte and
Surigao del Norte follow
with 18 percent and 15
percent contribution,
respectively.
Overview of the Economy
Inflation Rate, 2014-2015 (%) Consumer Price Index, 2014-2015 (PhP)
Key Labor Statistics Caraga, January 2014-2015
Province/Region
January
2014
January
2015
Percent
Change
Labor Force (in thousands)
Labor force Participation Rate
Employment Rate
Unemployment Rate
Underemployment Rate
1,777
65.5
93.5
6.5
23.9
1,748
64.4
92.4
7.6
25.9
1.66 %
1.71%
1.19%
-14.47%
-7.72%

farmers were encouraged to
plant corn due to high
demand and better price in
the market. Similarly, they
were more inclined to plant
white corn for consumption
and the increase in yield was
attributed to the use of high
quality seeds. In addition,
financing schemes for
yellow corn were also made
available.
All provinces posted
positive growth with
Agusan del Sur as the top
corn producer contributing
67 percent to the total
production in the first
quarter of 2015 followed by
Agusan del Norte with a
share of 29 percent.
Other Crops
Fruits
Fruit production posted an
increase of 21.97 percent
reaching an aggregate yield
of 62,180.64 MT in the first
quarter of 2015 compared to
50,981.75 MT in same
period last year. Banana
contributed 95.45 percent of
the total fruit production as
it grew by 23.52 percent
from an output of 48,050.59
MT in the first quarter of
2014 to 59,350.30 MT for
As to areas planted,
Surigao del Sur topped the
five provinces by owning 48
percent of total are
a planted. This is followed
by Surigao del Norte and
Agusan del Norte with
shares of 19 percent and 18
percent, respectively.
Corn
Corn production for the first
quarter of 2015 was
estimated at 832 MT is
404.24 percent higher
compared to last year’s
output of 165 MT. The
growth is attributed to the
increase in area planted and
yield. The area planted with
corn reached 118 hectares
during the first quarter of
2015 compared to 88
hectares for the same period
last year. Further, more
22 caraga today
the same period in 2015.
This growth is largely due
to the increase of Banana
Cavendish production
brought about by an
increase in area harvested in
Tagbina and Barobo, all in
Surigao del Sur and more
bearing hills harvested in
Mindanao Agri Traders
Incorporated in Agusan del
Norte.
As to share, Major
Fruits contributed largely to
the total output by a
whopping 98.25 percent
share with a total of
49,726.08 MT. The output
exhibited a 22.85 increase in
production compared to the
first quarter of 2014. This is
followed by the Priority
Fruit Group contributing
0.91 percent which
represents a decrease of
22.17 percent for a total
harvest of 523 MT. The
decline is caused by fewer
fruits harvested per durian
bearing tree. A drop in
production of lazones,
mangosteen and papaya
were also noted. The
remaining 0.84 percent of
the total production was
accounted for by other types
of fruits.
Consumer Price Index, Inflation Rate, Purchasing Power of Peso by Province, 1st
Quarter 2014-2015
Province
CPI Inflation Rate PPP
1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Agusan del Norte 148.03 150.57 1.71% 4.90 1.70 -65.31% 0.68 0.67 -1.48%
Agusan del Sur 148.40 153.73 3.59% 5.87 3.60 -38.64% 0.67 0.65 -3.47%
Surigao del Norte 141.13 145.83 3.33% 4.00 3.37 -15.83% 0.71 0.68 -3.76%
Surigao del Sur 173.87 181.13 4.18% 7.07 4.27 -39.62% 0.58 0.55 -4.62%
Purchasing Power of Peso, 2014-2015

LIVESTOCK AND
POULTRY
Livestock production
improved by 4.05 percent
from 10,238 MT in the first
quarter of 2014 it went up to
10,653 MT in the first
quarter of 2015. Although
carabao, cattle and goat
registered decreases in
production, the upturn of the
total output is attributed to
the 5. 79 percent increase in
hog production.
Likewise, poultry
increased by 11.02 percent
as it went up from 4,346
2014 to 4,825 MT in first
quarter of this year. Chicken
and Chicken Eggs also
increased by 10.88 percent
and 19.98 percent
respectively. On the other
hand, both Duck and Duck
Egg productions slightly
declined by 2.44 percent and
19.05 percent respectively.
Non-Food and Industrial
Crops (NFICs)
Non-Food and Industrial
Crops declined by 4.67
percent with a total
production of 210,325.87
2015 compared to last
year’s harvest of 220,618.02
MT. This drop is largely
caused by the decrease in
production of coconut due
to continuous heavy rains in
January and February and
fewer nuts harvested per
bearing tree. There was also
a decrease in the production
of rubber (coagulated cup
lump) due to the drop in
prices in Agusan del Sur
and a decrease in production
of oil palm brought by
smaller sizes of bunch
harvested and fewer fruits
per tree.
Although coconut
production decreased by
4.34 percent in the first
quarter, it remained as the
top contributor with a share
of 85.30 percent .
Vegetables
In the first quarter of 2015,
all types of vegetables
showed an uptick compared
to the production in the first
quarter of 2014. From a
total production of 9,918.43
MT in 2014, it rose to a total
of 11,484.17 MT in 2015
posting a 15.79 percent
increase. The growth is
largely attributed to the
increase in production of
cassava, camote, eggplant,
squash fruit, okra, pechay
native, stringbeans,
ampalaya, gabi and gourd
brought by increase in area
harvested and bigger sizes
of tubers harvested for
cassava and camote.
Major vegetables
contributed 59.91 percent of
the total production for the
first quarter in 2015,
followed by priority
vegetables at 31.03 percent.
The remaining 9.05 percent
is contributed by other types
of vegetables.
Area Planted, Palay (In Hectares) Area Planted, Corn (In Hectares)

24 caraga today
last year’s 1,468.62 MT as
the species was affected by
“ice-ice.”
Forestry
Log production was
estimated at 130,764.27
cubic meters (cu.m.) in the
first quarter 2015, posting a
decrease of 30.47 percent
from the 188,073.88 cu.m.
level in the first quarter of
2014. Production from the
Private Tree Plantation
Ownership Certificates
(PTPOC) decreased by
31.65 percent. The PTPOC
accounted for 97 percent of
the total log production.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Manufacturing
Manufactured forest
products reached
“tamban” was recorded in
the first quarter 2015 with a
total of 11,783.48 MT.
Tilapia production
decreased by 3.78 percent in
the first quarter of 2015
compared to the 295.86 MT
produced in the same period
last year. This drop is
attributed to infrequent
appearance in Lake Mainit
and Baoy River in Gigaquit
due to low water level.
Lesser appearances of
Roundscad and Skipjack
were also recorded in the
first quarter of 2015
resulting in decreases in
production by 6.71 percent
and 7.75 percent,
respectively.
Meanwhile, seaweed
production reached 1,181.32
MT registering a decrease of
19.56 percent compared to
FISHERY
Tiger Prawns harvested in
reached 112.26 MT posting
an increase of 127.89
percent compared to the
level of production in the
same period last year.
Milkfish production
followed with an increase of
29.70 percent in 2015 due to
greater harvest from
brackish water cages in
Butuan City and Buenavista
and marine cages in Nasipit
and Carmen. Meanwhile,
Yellowfin Tuna appeared
more in the first quarter of
2015 compared to the same
period in 2014 posting a
5.44 percent increase in
production. More catch of
other species such as indian
sardines locally known as
Major Fruit Production, 1Q 2014-2015,
in Metric Tons
Type of Fruit 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Banana
Calamansi
Mango
Pineapple
48,050.59
447.52
1110.17
117.80
59,350.30
451.89
1,165.98
121.64
23.52%
0.98%
5.03%
3.26%
Major Vegetable Production, 1Q2014-2015,
in Metric Tons
Type of
Vegetable
1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Mongo
Peanut
Cabbage
Eggplant
Tomato
Garlic
Onion
Camote
Cassava
1.00
2.23
0.50
210.58
7.19
-
-
3,721.67
1,842.87
1.06
2.31
1.22
254.26
12.01
-
1.20
4,666.10
1,942.40
6.00%
3.59%
144.00%
20.74%
67.04%
-
-
25.38%
5.40%
Major NFIC, 1Q 2014-2015,
in Metric Tons
NFIC 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Abaca(dried raw fiber)
Coconut w/ husk
Coffee(dried berries w/ pulp)
Rubber(coagulated cup lump)
Sugarcane (cane)
Tobacco(dried leaves)
1,026.35
187,554.97
10.88
1,976.44
0.16
-
1,082.71
17,9418.0
1
11.63
1,827.94
0.12
-
5.49%
-4.34%
6.89%
-7.51%
-25.47%
-
Livestock Production, 1Q 2014-2015,
in Metric Tons
Livestock 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Carabao
Cattle
Hog
Goat
Total
792
338
8,863
245
10,238
710
337
9,376
230
10,653
-10.53%
-0.30%
5.79%
-6.12%
4.05%

133,045.88 cu.m. duing the
first quarter of 2015, which
is 18.62 percent lower than
the output in first quarter of
2014 at 163,488.19 cu.m.
Major manufactured
products include veneer,
lumber, blockboard and
plywood.
SERVICES
Tourism
Tourist arrivals increased by
3.65 percent in the first
quarter of 2015 with a total
of 210,745 arrivals
compared to 203,314 during
the same period last year.
The aggregate figures in
2015 for domestic tourist
arrivals reached 195,739,
which is equivalent to 92.88
percent of the total tourist
arrivals. This poses an
increase of 2.87 percent
from last year’s total.
Foreign tourists
contribute 6.54 percent;
while the remaining 0.58
percent of the total tourists
are OFWs or ―balikbayan”
which increased by 100.65
percent in the first quarter of
2015 with a total of 1,228
compared to 612 in the
same period last year.
Among the provinces,
Surigao del Norte registered
the highest number of
tourist arrivals both in the
first quarters of 2014 and
2015. Surigao del Norte is
the home to the famous
Surfing Capital in the
country, the Siargao Islands.
Surigao del Norte was
followed closely by Agusan
del Sur in both periods.
In the first quarter of
2015, Surigao City recorded
a total of 58,833 tourist
arrivals. This is followed
closely by Butuan City with
a total of 56,837 tourist
arrivals or 26.97 percent.
Despite its decrease by 3.06
percent compared to the first
quarter 2014 figure, Surigao
City still has the most
number of tourists
contributing to 27.92
percent of the total tourist
arrivals in the region.
Shipping and Cargoes
Total number of shipcalls in
reached 3,515, higher by
21.25 percent from the
2,910 posted in the first
quarter 2014. Ship calls in
the region are mostly
domestic comprising
Poultry Production, 1Q 2014-2015,
in Metric Tons
Poultry 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Chicken
Duck
Chicken Eggs
Duck Eggs
Total
3,279
41
816
210
4,346
3,636
40
979
170
4,825
10.88%
-2.44%
19.98%
-19.05%
11.02%
Log Production, 2014-2015
Fishery Production, By Species,
1Q 2014-2015, in Metric Tons
Species 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Milkfish
Tilapia
Tiger Prawn
Roundscad
SkipJack
Yellowfin Tuna
Seaweeds
Others
360.01
295.86
49.26
448.92
852.09
897.1
1,468.62
11,242.93
466.92
284.68
112.26
418.79
786.02
945.88
1,181.32
11,783.48
29.70%
-3.78%
127.89%
-6.71%
-7.75%
5.44%
-19.56%
4.81%
Manufactured Products, 1Q 2014-2015,
in Cubic Meters
Product 1Q2014 1Q2015
Percent
Change
Lumber
Veneer
Plywood
Blockboard
Fiberboard
Matches
Barecore
Match Splints
27,411.77
50,086
49,670
23,422
4,569
7,868
336
126
27,234.57
45,291
24,230
26,936
656
7,868
642
189
-0.65%
-9.57%
-51.22%
15.00%
-85.63%
0%
91.00%
50.00%

99 percent of the total
shipcalls. Domestic
shipcalls increased by 20.79
percent due to an increase in
shipment of sand and gravel
particulary at Masao Local
Government Port. Foreign
shipcalls likewise increased
by 187.50 percent as Agata
Mining Ventures
Incorporated commenced its
operations.
Inbound domestic cargo
throughput increased by
20.36 percent from 178,583
MT during the first quarter
of 2014 to 214,944 MT in
the first quarter of 2015.
Likewise, outbound
domestic cargo increased by
24.24 percent from 115,270
26 caraga today
40.61 percent, from 1,406
crime incidence in the first
quarter of 2014 it went
down to 835 incidences in
the same period this year.
However, the province still
ranks second in terms of
crime occurrence in the
region with 24 percent
share. Agusan del Sur and
Surigao del Sur followed
contributing 16 percent and
15 percent, respectively.
Of the total crime
volume, 50.10 percent were
index crimes while 49.90
percent were non-index.
Statistics also show that in
the first quarter of 2015,
both index crimes and non-
index crimes were most
rampant in the month of
January 2015.
Compared to the figures
in the first quarter of 2014,
Caraga generally presented
an improvement in both
Crime Clearance Efficiency
(CCE) and Crime Solution
Efficiency (CSE) in 2015.
CCE reached an aggregate
of 43.48 percent in the first
quarter of 2015 which is
70.06 percent better than the
figure in the first quarter
2014. Meanwhile, CSE
Tourist Arrivals, By Type of Tourist, 1Q 2014-2015
MT to 143,214 MT in the
same period.
Foreign export
throughput reached 941,109
MT in the first quarter 2015,
indicating an increase of
70.27 percent from last
year’s 552,705 MT due to
the entry of Agata Mining
Ventures Incorporated
which consequently
increased the shipment of
nickel ore to China.
PEACE AND SECURITY
In the first quarter of 2015,
Caraga’s crime incidence
contracted compared to the
figures in the first quarter of
2014. From a total of 4,596
in 2014, it dropped to 3,549
in 2014 posting a decrease
of 22.78 percent. All
provinces reflected a drop
except for the crime
incidence in Dinagat Islands
which grew by 13.83
percent.
Although Butuan City’s
crime incidence decreased
by 5.43 percent, the city
contributes 35 percent of the
region’s total crime rate.
Surigao del Norte registered
the most significant drop by
Tourist Arrivals, By Province, 1Q 2014-2015 Tourist Arrivals, By City, 1Q 2014-2015

averaged at 36.88 percent
posting a 56.96 percent
decrease from the previous
year’s figure.
According to the
Philippine National Police
(PNP) Regional Office 13,
the number of crimes
involving the use of
firearms, street crimes and
those perpetrated by
motorcycle-riding criminals
are not alarming relative to
other regions. PRO 13 is
implementing pro-active
measures, such as police
visibility, motorcycle
tandem police patrol, and
checkpoints/chokepoints to
prevent and control crimes.
The region through the
Regional Investigation and
Detective Management
Division (RIDMD) is
regularly conducting
Criminal Investigation
Courses (CIC) to equip
investigators with basic
skills and techniques in
criminal solution and filing
of cases in court.
Despite the possible
resurgence of crime groups
in the region, PRO 13
considers them as non-
serious threats to the general
peace and order.
PRO 13 initiates
innovative pro-active
strategies like Patrol 101
and “Operations Tambuli‖
which ensures 24-hour
police visibility along
National Highways, major
thoroughfares and crime
prone areas. Generally,
Caraga remains peaceful
with manageable crime
incidents.
Domestic Cargo Throughput, 1Q 2014-2015 Foreign Cargo Throughput, 1Q 2014-2015
Total Crime Volume per Province, 1Q 2014-2015 Total Index Crime Vs. Total Non-index Crime, 1Q 2015

28 caraga today
2nd Quarter 2015 Caraga RPMC Monitoring Report
a) Project Title Schedule
Financial (PhP '000)
Program Physical Accomplishment
(as of Date of Monitoring)
Remarksb) Implementing Agency a) Started a) Allocation
c) Location b) Completion b) Proj Cost Planned
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
(%)d) Contractor c) Rev Comp Date c) Rev Cost
a) NEDA/RDC Building Project is ongoing. Remaining Works in-
clude minor corrections, installation of air
conditioning units and CCTV System.
b) NEDA Caraga a) 12/13/2013 a) 48,206.61 93.17 90.00 (3.17)
c) Butuan City b) 4/8/2015 b)
d) Kyro Builders c) c)
a) Baleguian Communal Irrigation System Project is ongoing but delayed. NIA took
over the project.b) ADN-IMO a) 7/17/2014 a) 27,353.00 no data 51.54 no data
c) Baleguian, Jabonga, ADN b) b) 27,353.00
d) Force Account c) c)
a) Construction of Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital Project is ongoing.
b) DPWH SDN 1st DEO a) 2/6/2015 a) 60,000.00 10.51 19.38 8.87
c) Placer, Surigao del Norte b) 1/16/2016 b)
d) Kent Group of Companies c) c)
a) Lipata Port Expansion Project Project was completed on November 21,
2014.b) PPA Surigao City a) 9/10/2013 a) no data 100.00 100.00 -
c) Lipata, Surigao City b) 11/21/2014 b) no data
d) Equi-Parco Construction c) c) no data
a) NRJ Lipata-Punta Bilar-Looc-Mabua Road leading to War Memorial Building and Pebbles Beach Resort,
Brgys. Lipata, Punta Bilar and Mabua, Surigao City
As of March 23, 2015, the project was
suspended due to RROW issues.
b) SD 1st DEO a) 5/29/2014 a) 50,000.00 100.00 70.64 (29.36)
c) Brgy. Lipata, Punta Bilar & Ma-
bua, Surigao City
b) 5/23/2015 b) 45,305.00
d) GICAR Construction Inc. c) c)
a) Surigao Port Improvement Project As of May 13, 2015, the project was de-
layed due to non-availability of area for
storage of materials.
b) PPA Surigao City a) no data a) no data 2.85 0.66 (2.19)
c) Surigao City b) no data b) no data
d) EPCC c) no data c) no data
a) Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of Circumferential Road Leading to Lake Mainit (Mainit-Poblacion-
Tagbuyawan)
Project is ongoing. Equipment failure and
RROW issues delayed the project.
b) SDN 1st DEO a) 3/23/2015 a) 150,000.00 19.39 12.34 (7.05)
c) Mainit, SDN b) 12/17/2015 b) 137,508.00
d) GICAR Construction Inc. c) c)
a) Construction/Improvement of Access Roads Leading to Tourism Destinations Jct Gata-Mapaso (Hot Spring)
Road Leading to Lake Mainit
As of April 30, 2015, variation order for a
130-day extension was issued due to rock
excavation.b) SDN 1st DEO a) 5/26/2014 a) 62.36 59.60 (2.76)
c) Brgy. Mapaso, Mainit, SDN b) 5/11/2015 b) 38,451.00
d) ADFIL Construction c) c)
a) Concreting/Construction of Butuan City Bypass Road (Bancasi Elliptical & Mahay-NRJ Antongalon Section),
with Bridge, Butuan City
Project is ongoing as of May 15, 2015.
b) DPWH RO a) 2/27/2015 a) 13.02 14.20 1.18
c) Butuan City b) 11/18/2015 b) 109,195.00
d) Equi-Parco Construction Co. c) c)
a) Upgrading of NRJ-Butuan City-Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II Ave. Road Leading to Mt. Mayapay (Delta Discov-
ery Park), Sitio Matin-ao, Bonbon, Butuan City
Project is ongoing. There are portions that
need riprap, but riprap was not included in
the project.b) DPWH BCDEO a) 3/3/2015 a) 40,000.00 12.82 25.97 13.15
c) Butuan City b) 10/21/2015 b) 36,840.00
d) ADFIL Construction c) c)
a) Rechanneling/Desiltation of Langihan Lagoon-Pequeǹo Creek with Bridge As of May 15, 2015, there are RROW
issues that need to be resolved since
about 200 households need to be relo-
cated.
b) DPWH RO a) 2/27/2015 a) 0.27 0.44 0.17
c) Butuan City b) 11/23/2015 b) 134,470.00
d) Equi-Parco Construction Co. c) c)

(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
a) Bayugan Riverbank Protection along National Road Junction Bayugan-Esperanza Road Approved Time Extension of 60 CD due to
inclement weather. This is a NDRRMC-
funded project.
b) DPWH ADS 1st DEO a) 11/28/2014 a) 95.20 96.80 1.60
c) Bayugan City, ADS b) 3/20/2015 b) 17,586.00
d) ROIM Builders & Cons. Supply c) 5/19/2015 c)
a) Rechanneling of Wawa River along Crossing Luna (Upstream) k0+000 - k0+340 Approved Time Extension of 60 CD due to
funded project.
b) DPWH ADS 1st DEO a) 11/28/2014 a) 24,381.69 27.61 27.70 0.09
c) Esperanza, ADS b) 4/2/2015 b)
d) ROIM Builders & Cons. Supply/
Datrebil Cons. and Supply (JV)
c) 6/1/2015 c)
a) Rechanneling of Wawa River along Crossing Luna (Downstream) k0+000 - k0+376 Approved Time Extension of 60 CD due to
funded project.
b) DPWH ADS 1st DEO a) 11/28/2014 a) 18,520.68 48.37 49.77 1.40
c) Esperanza, ADS b) 4/2/2015 b)
d) ROIM Builders & Cons. Supply/
Datrebil Cons. and Supply (JV)
c) 6/1/2015 c)
a) Umayam River Irrigation Project (URIP) Construction of Diversion Dam and its Appurtenant Structures Project is delayed. Contractor's PE in-
structed to implement the agreed catch-up
plan and to increase labor and equipment
to make-up for the delay.
b) NIA-URIP PMO a) 3/20/2014 a) 205,996.12 31.80 21.11 (10.69)
c) La Paz and Loreto, ADS b) 7/14/2016 b) 173,036.65
d) Kyro Builders Construction c) c)
a) Bislig City Integrated Development Project - Irrigation Component (BCID-IC) Project is ongoing. Delayed.
b) NIA SDS PMO a) June 2014 a) 6,047.13 100.00 no data no data
c) Bislig City, SDS b) Feb 2015 b)
d) JAP Construction & Devt Corp. c) c)

30 caraga today
(%)
Actual
(%)
Slippage
a) Road Upgrading and Preservation Project - Annual Work Program 2/Preventive Maintenance - 19, Balibadon -
Tandag Section
Project is ongoing and ahead of schedule.
Employment Generated: 48; 47 Male and 1
Female.b) DPWH J-RUPP PMO a) 3/30/2015 a) 164,227.64 3.76 4.79 1.03
c) Tandag City, SDS b) 10/25/2015 b)
d) EQUI-PARCO Construction Co. c) c)
a) Road Upgrading and Preservation Project - Annual Work Program 2/Preventive Maintenance - 20, Tandag-
Tago Section
Project is ongoing and ahead of schedule.
Employment Generated: 30; 26 Male and 4
Female.b) DPWH J-RUPP PMO a) 3/30/2015 a) 148,906.15 0.22 7.98 7.76
d) M. Montesclaros Ent., Inc. c) c)
a) Construction of Pre-Stressed Concrete Girder (PSCG) Bridge, La Purisima, Prosperidad Construction is ongoing. Through interview,
monitors were informed of existing security
problems in the area. The Brgy. Captain
was recently murdered.
b) ADS PEO (PAMANA) a) 12/3/2014 a) 42,000.00 no data 60.50 no data
c) La Purisima, Prosperidad, ADS b) 7/30/2015 b)
d) ARQ Builders c) c)
a) Tagbina Communal Irrigation Project (CIP) Data provided was aggregate for the three
packages of the Project. No data provided
for each package.
b) NIA SDS PMO (ARISP III) a) 7/5/2013 a) 13,186.40 no data 89.02 no data
c) Tagbina, SDS b) May 2015 b)
d) DECK c) c)
a) Retrofitting/Rehabilitation/Strengthening of Monong Bridge along Surigao Davao Coastal Road (SDCR) Project was completed on April 29, 2015.
b) DPWH SDS 1st DEO a) 3/10/2015 a) 1,009.00 100.00 100.00 -
d) J&A Construction Corp. c) c)
a) Road Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) of Surigao Davao Coastal Road (SDCR) BDRY Surigao del Norte Project is ongoing.
b) DPWH RO a) 3/13/2015 a) 60,815.00 7.83 7.36 (0.47)
c) Carrascal & Nurcia, SDS b) 10/8/2015 b)
d) JM Luciano Construction, Inc. c) c)

Caraga nominates the Sibog Katawhan
Alang sa Paglambo (SIKAP) Incorporated,
Agusan National High School-School
Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Committee (ANHS-SDRRMC), and
Respond Incorporated to the 2015 Search
for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV).
The SOV is an annual recognition for
the unsung and ordinary Filipino
organizations and individuals whose small,
yet invaluable acts of service contributed
towards extraordinary milestones in nation-
building and national development.
The Regional Search Committee
(RSC) evaluated several entries and
confirmed that SIKAP and ANHS-
SDRRMC qualify for the Search. A
national screening will be undertaken
before the awardees will be recognized in
December 2015.
The SOV is spearheaded by the
Philippine National Volunteer Service
Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) and
coordinated in the regions by the NEDA in
partnership with the regional offices of the
Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), Technical
Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), and the Civil
Service Commission (CSC). These
agencies compose the RSC.
Caraga nominates SIKAP, ANHS-SDRRMC to 2015 SOV
by Maria Conception G. Duro, NEDA-Caraga
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Regional Statistical Services Office 13
launched the 2015 Census of Population
(POPCEN 2015) on August 3, 2015 in
Butuan City.
PSA-Caraga Interim Director
Rosalinda Celeste-Apura emphasized the
importance of the POPCEN 2015 by
explaining that the census will generate
statistics on the socio-economic and
demographic characteristics of the
population and important housing
characteristics. These data will become the
bases in the formulation of development
plans, policies and programs and in the
allocation of resources at various
geographic levels.
Spearheaded by the Regional Census
Coordination Board (RCCB), the POPCEN
2015 commenced on August 10, 2015 and
will end on September 6, 2015. The
reference point of this total enumeration is
August 1, 2015, 12:01AM.
Based on section 27 of RA 10625,
otherwise known as the Philippine
Statistical Act of 2013, respondents are
obliged to give truthful and complete
answers to all statistical inquiries and any
individual who refuses or fails to give
truthful and complete answers to statistical
inquiries shall be imposed a penalty of one
(1) year imprisonment and a fine of one
hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00).
Given the importance and significance
of the POPCEN 2015, Regional Census
Coordination Board (RCCB) Chairperson
and NEDA Regional Director, Mylah Faye
Aurora B. Cariño, encouraged the public to
cooperate responsibly in all census
activities.
Philippine Statistics Authority launches the
2015 Census of Population
by Naomi T. Mission, NEDA-Caraga

32 caraga today
Hypertension or high blood pressure, as
defined by the Eighth Joint National
Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood
Pressure (JNC 8, 2013), is blood pressure
greater than or equal to 140/90 for persons
60 years old and below and 150/90 for
those 60 years old and above.
Known as the ―silent killer‖ because of
the lack of warning signs or symptoms,
many people do not realize they are already
hypertensive.
According to the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2013), nearly one
billion people globally have high blood
pressure, two thirds of whom are in
developing countries.
Hypertension is also one of the top
causes of premature deaths worldwide and
the problem is growing.
In 2025, an estimated 1.56 billion
adults will be living with hypertension, the
WHO (2011) warned.
In the 8th National Nutrition Survey
(NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute of the Department of Science and
Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2013, the
single visit blood pressure measurement
estimated that about 22.3 percent of
Filipino adults were considered
hypertensive.
This is a meager decline from the
25.3% hypertension rate in 2008, based on
the 7th National Nutrition Survey also of
the FNRI.
The 2013 survey further revealed that
the prevalence of hypertension was highest
among the 70 years old and above age
group at 43.4% and lowest among the 20-
29 age group at 7.2%.
Males had a higher hypertension
prevalence of 25.1% than females at 19.9%
in every age group from 20-70 years old
and above.
Hypertension tended to increase with
wealth and was slightly higher among rural
dwellers at 19.0% - 24.8% compared with
urban residents at 20.0% - 23.4%.
Hypertension exerts significant
comorbidity impact on type 2 diabetes,
thus leading to cardiovascular diseases.
According to the New England Journal
of Medicine (2000), type 2 diabetes is
almost 2.5 times likely to occur in persons
with hypertension compared to those with
normal blood pressure.
Diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, is
a metabolic disorder that results in
hyperglycemia, characterized by high
blood glucose levels due to the inability of
the body to produce enough insulin or is
ineffective in using the insulin it has
produced by being resistant to it.
Type 1 diabetes is deficiency in insulin
production and requires daily
administration of insulin.
The cause of type 1 diabetes is not
known and it is not preventable with
current knowledge.
Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes results
from the body’s ineffective use of insulin
and is largely the result of excess body
weight and physical inactivity.
In the Philippines, the 8th NNS
revealed that diabetes prevalence based on
the standard set by the World Health
Organization (WHO), International
Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Philippine
Clinical Practice Guidelines (PCPG) was
5.4% in 2013.
This was remarkably higher than the
4.8% prevalence in the 2008 7th NNS.
Based on high fasting blood glucose
levels, diabetes prevalence peaked at age
60-69 at 12.6%.
Among the rich population, diabetes
Hypertension, diabetes greatly increase risk to
cardiovascular disease
by Dr. Imelda A. Agdeppa, Asst. Scientist, FNRI-DOST

prevalence was 6.4 – 8.1% while for urban
residents it was 6.3%.
Hypertension among Filipino adults
and the escalation of diabetes prevalence
rate bring cardiovascular complications.
Strong evidence exists that
hypertension and diabetes mostly coexist
and serve to exacerbate each other.
High blood glucose levels in
uncontrolled diabetes causes injury to the
body’s blood vessels, making it more prone
to damage from atherosclerosis and
hypertension.
Also, both medical conditions worsen
at significant and disturbing levels the
morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular
diseases.
Hypertension has long been recognized
as a major risk factor for cardiovascular
diseases.
Likewise, the American Diabetes
Association and American Heart
Association (2014) jointly stated that
diabetes is a prime risk factor for
cardiovascular disease.
Persons with diabetes increases the
likelihood of developing cardiovascular
diseases by two to four times compared
with non-diabetics. Moreover, diabetics
have two- to three-fold greater risk of heart
failure that causes heart attack without
them even realizing it.
With hypertension’s and diabetes’s
devastating cycle of health impairment and
cardiovascular threat, national health
programs targeting lifestyle habits and
dietary practices should be effected in
combating these diseases’ alarming
prevalence rates among Filipinos.
The latest nutritional guidelines for
Filipinos (NGF) developed by the
Technical Working Group (TWG) led by
the FNRI is addressing this issue. The
latest nutritional guidelines for Filipinos
emphasize and recommend useful and easy
-to-follow solutions in battling the rise of
non-communicable diseases.
The guidelines include eating more
fruits, vegetables, and root crops; avoiding
excessive salt intake; maintaining a healthy
body weight; exercising regularly; and
minimizing smoking and drinking
alcoholic beverages which all can lead to a
healthy lifestyle and better nutriture.
By being more aware of what we do and
what we eat, health and nutrition problems
can be largely prevented.

34 caraga today
The Philippine scenario
In the Philippines, the 8th National Nutrition
Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department of Science
and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2013 showed
that the individual rice consumption was 298
grams or about 1.5 cups daily.
Rice consumption in 2013 was lower than
the 2008 NNS which was 3.17 grams or a little
more than 1.5 cups daily.
Moreover, diabetes prevalence at the
national level based on a cut-off of 126
milligrams per deciliter is 5.1 percent in the
2013 NNS.
Diabetes prevalence in 2013 was higher
than the 2008 prevalence at 4.8 percent. This
trend was similar to what is observed in Japan.
Promoting brown rice
Going back to the topic of debate: Is rice
consumption causing the rise of diabetes in
Asia?
In the end, Drs. Henry and Yamamoto
concluded that the rising prevalence of diabetes
cannot be blamed on a single food. It is not rice
per se that is the issue but the kind and amount
of rice consumed, they further emphasized.
The FNRI-DOST has been promoting the
consumption of brown rice, the kind that is
minimally processed, with its bran still intact.
Unlike white rice, which is almost purely
carbohydrate, brown rice still contains dietary
fiber, vitamins and minerals.
In a previous study by Dr. Trinidad P.
Trinidad, former Scientist II at the FNRI-DOST,
brown rice has a row glycemic index (GI) of 50
compared to white rice at 75. Dietary fiber
content of brown rice also helps make one feel
full longer with lesser intake.
These findings support the promotion of
brown rice in diabetes management.
The FNRI developed various recipes and
food products using brown rice to promote its
consumption.
As what experts have said, it is not rice per
se but the kind and amount of rice that is
important in preventing diabetes and other
lifestyle-related diseases.
Choose brown rice and refuse "unli" rice.
Rice consumption and diabetes were the topics
of debate in the recently concluded Asia-Pacific
conference in clinical Nutrition (APCCN) in
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on January 26-29,
2015.
Two clinical nutrition experts served as
opposing speakers of the debate.
Yes, it is
Dr. Christiani Jeyakumar Henry from the
United Kingdom presented the arguments that
link white rice consumption to the rising
prevalence of diabetes, particularly that Asia is
the epicenter of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
He also said that the Asian phenotype or
body composition predisposes them to T2D. He
then discussed several studies on the high
glycemic response of white rice that contributes
to T2D. Glycemic response is the change in
blood glucose after consuming a carbohydrate-
rich food.
No, its not rice alone
Dr. Shigeru Yamamoto from Japan presented
opposite arguments saying that even though rice
consumption has dramatically decreased,
diabetes prevalence is still rising, specifically in
their country.
Dr. Yamamoto said that rice cannot be
blamed as long as everything is consumed in
moderation. lt is the amount of rice that may
need monitoring, Yamamoto further reiterated.
The high glycemic index of white rice came
from the results of studies on post-prandial
glucose or after-meal blood glucose response
using a single food.
However, in daily life, people do not eat a
single food but in combination with something
else.
Moreover, Dr. Yamamoto said that the
prevalence of obesity in Japan is low despite
high carbohydrate intake and they have the
highest life expectancy in the world.
Dr. Henry rebutted that Japan's rice
consumption is different from other Asians in
the sense that while Japanese eat rice, the
amount is nothing compared to how much more
their neighboring countries do.
ls rice to be blamed for rising diabetes?
by Charina A. Javier, FNRI-DOST

Caraga RPAB Endorses P711 Million Worth of Subprojects to PRDP
After a two-day deliberation, the Caraga
Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB)
endorses around P712 Million worth of
Infrastructure Projects proposed by different
local government units for funding in 2016
under the Philippine Rural Development
Project (PRDP).
PRDP is a P27.5-billion World Bank
project implemented by the Department of
Agriculture. It is a six-year program that runs
from 2013 to 2019 and is designed to establish
the government platform for a modern, climate
-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.
Considering the immense demand from
LGUs nationwide for funding under the PRDP,
the DA Regional Project Coordination Office
(DA-RPCO) is assisting Provincial LGUs to
fast track submission of project proposals,
which are then evaluated on a first come, first
serve basis.
Under its infrastructure component, the
Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and
Logistics for Development (I-BUILD), Caraga
is endorsing the following sub-projects: two
Farm-Market-Roads (FMR) from Surigao del
Norte amounting to P272.5 Million; Road
concreting of Mabuhay-Bagumbayan FMR,
Province of Dinagat Island amounting to P50.5
Million; Concreting of Bay-ang-Mahaba FMR
with bridge component in Cabadbaran
amounting to P156.1 Million; Surigao del Sur
FMR projects in Cortes and in San Agustin
amounting to P170 Million and P33.3 Million,
respectively; and the rehabilitation of Culit
Communal Irrigation Project of Nasipit,
Agusan del Norte amounting to P29.3 Million.
―Careful review has been made on the
proposed sub-projects because its approval
would ultimately lead to the development of
the agriculture sector in our region. We have
to make sure that every monetary investment of
the government through the PRDP would lead
to economic gains and sustain agricultural
growth even after the project has ended‖, DA
Regional Director and RPAB Chair Edna
Mabeza said.
by Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-Caraga
DA, LGUs strengthen Regional Disaster Risk Management for
Agriculture
―We cannot wait for disaster to hit us. Rather,
we have to prepare for it.‖ Dr. Roberto
Sandoval, Jr. of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization said.
The UN FAO in coordination with the
Department of Agriculture – Regional Field
Office 13 (DA-RFO 13) conducted a two-day
Rehabilitation and Mitigation Planning
Workshop and Action Planning for Disaster
Risk Reduction for Agriculture on June 2 and
3, 2015.
DA-13 Regional Executive Director Edna
M. Mabeza urged the participants to work
together so that the needed interventions can be
delivered immediately to affected areas. She
also emphasized the need to be realistic in
submitting damage reports so that those that
need immediate assistance can be provided the
soonest possible time.
by Vanessa P. Sanchez, DA-Caraga
Dr. Sandoval emphasized that Disaster
Risk Reduction is not just about inputs or
infrastructure but also about changing practices
or technologies.
The workshop outputs on Rehabilitation
Planning and SWOT Analysis on DRR in
Agriculture will be used as basis in addressing
the needs of El Niño affected areas and in
institutionalizing mitigation measures to reduce
the adverse effects of future hazards.
In the midst of the mild El Niño that the
country is experiencing, only two provinces in
the region, the provinces of Agusan del Norte
and Agusan del Sur, have declared to have been
affected, so far. Representatives from the
Municipal Agriculture Offices of the region,
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Offices, and DA Caraga
participated in the workshop.

36 caraga today
From left to right:
DOST-Caraga RD Dominga D. Mallonga, RDC Vice Chaisperson and NEDA-Caraga
RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, RDC Chairperson and SDN Gov. Sol F. Matugas,
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, and DOST Usec. Carol M. Yorobe were the
panelists during the Science and Technology Forum sponsored by the RDC and held
on May 27, 2015 at Samping Avenue, Butuan City
Photo Releases
Advocates and participants pose with PNVSCA Executive Director Lito De Vera during
the Volunteers for Information and Development Assistance (VIDA) Program Advocacy
Orientation held on April 29, 2015 at Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City

Caraga Today July-September 2015

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Caraga Today July-September 2015

Similar to Caraga Today July-September 2015 (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Caraga Today July-September 2015