Regional Development Updates | Volume 13 No. 1 | Jan-Mar 2015

MinDA Chair Urges
Tourism Development,
Underscores Bright
Future for Cacao

2 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2015
Editor-in-Chief
RD ARTURO G. VALERO
Associate Editor
ARD NOEL E. QUIRATMAN
Contributing Editors
JULIE ESPERANZA B. CHUNG
PHLORITAA. RIDAO
MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO
ROSA D. LEMANA
MA. LULU E. VALENCIA
RDU Focal Persons
HELEN L. VESTAL
LALAINE M. SAJELAN
EDEN F. RIDAO
LIBERTY B. ARUMPAC
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
GWYNETH GRACE B. COLLADO
JUDD NICHOL L. LEONAR
Photographer
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Layout Artist
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Contributor
PIA XII
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Regional Development Updates
(RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII with
editorial office at the National Economic and
Development Authority Regional Office XII,
2nd
and 3rd
Floors, RML Building, Jose Abad
Santos Street, Koronadal City, South Cotabato,
with Telephone No.: (083) 520-0006,
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CONTENTS
MinDA Chair Urges Tourism Development,
Underscores Bright Future for Cacao
RDC XII Endorses PhP 90.768B Worth
of FY 2016 Budget Proposals for
Region XII
Inclement Weather Delays Libungan Flood
Control Project
Sultan Kudarat 2nd
DEO gets highest
infra fund for CY 2016
RDC XII AdCom Pushes Interconnection of
National Secondary Roads, PRGC
Improvement
It’s official: TreeVolution gets Guinness World
Record
Our cover are pictures of the
49th
RDC XII Regular Council
Meeting in Koronadal City on 25
March 2015. Secretary Luwalhati
R. Antonino, MinDA chairperson,
graced the meeting which was
attended by 44 Council members.
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Volume 12 | Issue 1 | January-March 2015

January - March 2015 | Regional Development Updates | 3
MinDA Chair Urges Tourism Development,
Underscores Bright Future for Cacao
Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, Chairperson of the MinDa Board, stressed the
need to develop Mindanao’s tourism and agriculture sector during the 49th
RDC
XII Meeting in Koronadal City. With her is Acting RDC XII Chairperson and NEDA
Regional Director Arturo G. Valero and RDC XII Secretary and NEDA XII Assistant
Regional Director Noel E. Quiratman.
by: Liberty B. Arumpac, NEDA XII-DRD
S
ec. Luwalhati Antonino,
chairperson of the
Mindanao Development
Authority (MinDA) Board,
urged the local government
units (LGUs) to fasttrack
the development of tourism
destinations. She also emphasized
the need to develop the cacao
industry as it has a high demand
in the global market. She made
this announcement during the 49th
regular meeting of the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII
on March 25, 2015 at the Farm@
Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City,
South Cotabato.
“There is a need to
develop Mindanao’s tourism
and agriculture sectors. These
sectors are also among the critical
drivers of SOCCSKSARGEN’s
development,” she stressed.
She noted that Region XII has
several tourist spots and their full
development can lure in more
foreign and domestic tourists.
“Region XII is only one of a few
regions in the country which can
be truly considered a melting pot
of diverse cultures and traditions
as its people come from several
ethnicities, something that can
attract the interest of tourists,” she
added.
“I am encouraging the
LGUs in Region XII to propose
tourism development projects
and ensure that they are ready
for implementation as funds
are available. Architects should
be hired to fast track the
preparation of designs for tourist
spots,” she further said. She
cited the efforts undertaken by
Gov. Corazon Malanyaon of
Davao Oriental to restore and
develop the Aliwagwag Falls in
Cateel municipality after it was
devastated by typhoon Pablo.
Sec. Antonino also
highlighted the strengths of
Region XII in agriculture,
such as rice, but specifically
mentioned cacao as having
the brightest prospects in
the international market. “A
program for cacao development
has been conceptualized and
technical assistance and credit
are guaranteed to be provided.
The Department of Agriculture
(DA) and the Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA) have been tasked
to assist farmers who are willing
to go into cacao production,” she
said. She emphasized the need for
the development of the region’s
products that can compete in
the world market. She further
announced that MinDA applied
for a seal for Mindanao products.
Among other concerns taken
up during the meeting, RDC
XII confirmed the resolutions
endorsing the FY 2016 budget
proposals of regional line
agencies, state universities and
colleges, and other National
Government instrumentalities in
Region XII.
RD Nasser Musali of DAR
XII, RD Reynaldo Tamayo
of DPWH XII, and RD Bai
Zorahayda Taha of DSWD XII
were awarded trophies after being
adjudged as top 3 best presenters
during the Consultation and
Review of the FY 2016 Budget
Proposals. The trophies, courtesy
of RD Allan Farnazo of DepEd
XII, were crafted by techvoc
MinDA Chair.. page 4

students of national high schools
in the region.
The Council also
deliberated on the issues and
recommendations of its Advisory
Committee (AdCom). Among
these were: the improvement
of T’boli-Banga-Tupi Road
and other secondary roads
that promote connectivity and
efficiency; improvement of
accessibility and stability of
peace, order and security to
support the flourishing tourism
industry; conversion of the Upper
Valley Community Hospital in
Surallah into a regional hospital to
be named as SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional Hospital; and the
approval of the PhP 959M for
the development of the General
Santos City Aerotropolis.
AdCom is composed of
SOCCSKSARGEN’s House
Representatives and the RDC XII
Executive Committee (ExCom).
The ExCom is composed of
the RDC XII Officers, Sectoral
committee chairpersons, co-
chairpersons and the Regional
Directors of DBM and DILG.
In recognition of the
outstanding performance of its
partners, the Council awarded
plaques of appreciation to
Vicente T. Lao Construction
and Gemma Construction
Supply, Inc. for their excellent
construction of road projects in
the region; the Department of
Social Welfare and Development
XII for its exceptional
implementation of a housing
project for the disadvantaged
in Maitum, Sarangani; and
Asst. Regional Director Yahya
Centi of the Department of
Labor and Employment XII
for his significant contribution
to RDC XII in crafting policy
recommendations for the region’s
development while assigned in
Region XII.
The meeting was also
highlighted by a discussion on
the conduct of advocacy on road
safety for student leaders and
teachers of Koronadal City in
October 2014. The advocacy
activity graced by Assistant
Secretary for Administration
Dante M. Lantin of the
Department of Transportation
and Communications (DOTC).
Plaques and certificates of
appreciation were given to Land
Transportation Office XII, the
United Transport and Drivers
Cooperative (UTODCO),
Rotary Club of Koronadal
Central, Mahintana Foundation,
UTODCO, DOLE Philippines,
Inc., Yellow Bus Line Employees
Union, and the Yellow Bus Line,
Inc. who assisted the advocacy
project.
The meeting was presided
by RDC XII Acting Chairperson
and NEDA XII Regional Director
Arturo G. Valero, and was
attended by 44 Council members.
MinDA Chair.. from page 3
3 4
1 2
RDC XII Acting Chairperson Valero
awards trophies to (1) DAR XII, (2)
DPWH XII, and (3) DSWD XII for being
adjudged as top 3 best presenters in
that order during the Consultation and
Review of the FY 2016 Budget Propos-
als. The trophies, courtesy of RD Allan
Farnazo of DepEd XII, were crafted by
techvoc students of national high schoos
in the region.
The Acting Chairperson also awarded
Plaque of Appreciation to (4) LTO XII
Regional Director Putiwas Malam-
but for supporting the road safety
advocacies of RDC XII’s Road Safety
Advocacy-Technical Working Group.
The plaque was received by Assistant
Regional Director Manuel Betaizar.

RDC XII Endorses PhP 90.768 B Worth of FY 2016
Budget Proposals for Region XII
by: Judd Nichol L. Leonar, NEDA XII-DRD
K
oronadal City - A
PhP 90.768 Billion worth
of programs/projects/
activities (PPAs) was endorsed
by the RDC XII Executive
Committee (ExCom). The
endorsement was done after a
review/consultation on the budget
proposals for FY 2016 of thirty-
four (34) Regional Line Agencies
(RLAs), five (5) State Universities
and Colleges (SUCs), and six
(6) Government-Owned and
Controlled Corporation (GOCCs)
held on March 17-21, 2015 at
Viajera Dine and Café, Koronadal
City.
These PPAs were found to be
supportive of the Social Contract
and key result areas of the
President, the Updated Philippine
Development Plan; the Updated
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional
Development Plan (RDP),
2013-2016; and the Updated
Development and Investment
Program (RDIP), 2014-2016
and in particular, its FY 2016
Annual Investment Program (AIP)
component which was approved
by the Full Council during its 48th
regular meeting on 03 December
2014.
In the review of DA XII’s
budget proposal, the ExCom
recommended to the agency the
inclusion in its budget proposal
the Payapa at Masaganang
Pamayanan in Agrarian Reform
Areas (PAMANA-ARA) project.
The budget proposal for the
project has been excluded from
the DAR XII budget proposal
per instruction of their Central
Office to dismiss the said project
in its PPAs dispatching the
implementation of the project to
DA XII. The budget for FY 2015
has been transferred to DA XII
and the ExCom is suggesting that
DA XII once again provide the
funding next Fiscal Year. Updates
on this recommendation shall be
presented during the RDC XII 49th
Regular Meeting
Other issues discussed
were CHED’s Study-Now-
Pay-Later Scholarship Program
and the termination of the
SOCCSKSARGEN Area
Development Program Office
(ADPO) in CY 2016. CHED’s
study now pay later program has
been registering a low collection
rate, while ADPO’s closure might
adversely affect implementation
of the region’s food security
programs and projects.
Overall, DepEd XII has the
highest budget proposal in the
amount of PhP 46.293 Billion due
largely to the huge requirements
in the implementation of the
Senior High School Program.
DPWH XII came in second with
a proposal of PhP 13.292 Billion
followed by DOH XII with a PhP
5.849 Billion budget proposal.
MARINA XII had the least,
amounting to only PhP 7.791
Million budget proposal.
The RDC XII review of the
budget proposals is in consonance
with the RDC’s mandate as
provided for in Executive Order
No. 325, Series of 1995 and
in compliance with National
Budget Memorandum No. 123
(Budget Call for FY 2016) dated
28 January 2015. The latter was
discussed by OIC-RD Akmad J.
Usman of DBM XII during the
Pre-Budget Review Meeting of
the ExCom held on March 16,
2015 at the same venue. The
RDC XII Endorses... page 8
Good Governance and the Rule of Law
20.63%
67.49%
6.54%
Social development
Accelerating infrastructure support
Ensuring of a competitive and sustainable Agriculture and Fishery Sector
0.423%
Approved Budget Proposals for FY 2016

T
he Libungan Flood
Control Project Phase
III implementation was
delayed due to inclement weather.
Heavy rains have caused the water
level of the Libungan river to rise,
according to the Regional Project
Monitoring Committee (RPMC)
who visited the area on February
4, 2015.
Another reason cited for
the project’s delay was the
unavailability of the required
steel sheet pile prompting the
contractor to use what is readily
available in the local market.
This PhP50 Million project
is being implemented by DPWH
Cotabato 2nd District Engineering
Office. The contract was awarded
to Gemma Construction and was
scheduled to be completed on
December 7, 2014.
The project which covers
the construction of 209.075
linear meters of flood control
structure (steel sheet pile,
concrete slope protection, bio-
engineered coco-net and lined
canals) has a reported 90.40%
physical accomplishment but
with a slippage of (-) 9.60% as of
February 4, 2015.
The structure was originally
designed at 203.67 linear meters
long but later extended by 5.4
linear meters following the
approval of Variation Order No.
1 with revision. The project
duration was also extended from
270 to 285 days.
The remaining works are
the construction of catch basin,
stairways and open lined canal,
installation of modular blocks
with bio-engineering solution
(coco-net), and reinforced
concrete slope protection and
embankment works.
Aside from this project,
the monitoring team also visited
17 projects in the provinces of
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and
in Tacurong City on February 4-6,
2015 and February 11-13, 2015,
respectively.
On January 13-16, 2015,
the team also conducted a special
monitoring visit to 20 projects in
Cotabato City.
The special monitoring
visit in Cotabato City was in
compliance with the RDC XII
instruction and agreement during
its meeting on December 03,
2014.
Inclement Weather Delays
Libungan Flood Control Project
by: Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII-DRD
The construction of Libungan
Flood Control Project (Phase III)
in Cotabato Province.
Name of Project: Rehabilitation/
Reconstruction/Replacement/Retrofit-
ting of the Existing Permanent Libungan
Bridge I (Phase 1)
Location: Libungan, Cotabato
Province
Project Cost: PhP 25,000,000.00
The DPWH Cotabato 2nd
DEO and
the contractor mutually terminated the
contract on August 11, 2014, due to the
recommendation of the National His-
torical Commission of the Philippines
(NHCP) to retain the same configuration
of the existing structure of the bridge,
particularly the metal plates installed by
the United States Steel Export Company
(USSEC), considering its historical
and cultural value. The Libungan Steel
Bridge is already 66 years old. It was
constructed by the USSEC in 1949; thus,
its demolition or any alteration on the
said bridge would need NHCP approval.
PROJECT MONITORING

Name of Project: Construction of
3 units 1-Storey 2-classroom School
Building at Padura-Espabo High
School
Location: Libungan, Cotabato
Province
Source of Fund: DepEd School
Building Program 1st
Batch
The project is on-going with an
overall physical accomplishment of
93% and a slippage of (+) 8%.
Name of Project: Repair of Road Slip
along Isulan Jct. Ninoy Aquino Road,
Km 1808+523 to Km 1817+000 with
exceptions
Location: Bagumbayan, Sultan Kuda-
rat
Source of Fund: CY 2014 Regular Infra
Program
The project has an accomplishment of
67 % with a slippage of (-) 7.13 %.
2-Storey 6-Classroom School Build-
ing at Datu Ayunan Elementary
School, Cotabato City
Location: Brgy. Mother
Kalanganan, Cotabato City
Source of Fund: DepEd (CY2013
School Building Program 2nd
Batch)
On January 15, 2014 the project is
100% completed. The final
inspection report of the DPWH
inspectorate team was dated
January 27, 2014.
Name of Project: Road Upgrading
(Gravel to Concrete) along
Banisilan-Guiling-Alamada-
Libungan Road, Rangayen Section
Km1661+867.49 to km1666+960
Location: Alamada, Cotabato
Province
Source of Fund: CY2014 DPWH
Regular Infra (RUSR)
The the project has an overall
physical accomplishment of 85.91%
with a slippage of (+) 11.30%
slippage as of February 2, 2015.
Ala River Basin Flood Control (River
Bank Protection with Revetment),
Phase III, Brgy Katitisan-
Matiompong Sta 1+620 – Station
3+100
Location: Brgy. Katitisan – Brgy.
Matiompong, Lambayong, Sultan
Kudarat
Source of Fund: CY 2014 DPWH
Infrastructure Program
The project has an accomplishment of
80.40%, which is 19.90 % ahead of
schedule.
Name of Project: Road Upgrading
(Gravel to Concrete) along the
SNA-Lebak-Kalamansig Road, Km
1859+000 to Km 1859+900
Source of Fund: CY 2014 Regular
Infra Program
The project has an accomplishment
of 98% with a slippage of (-) 2%.
PROJECT MONITORING

Sultan
Kudarat 2nd
DEO gets
highest infra
fund in 2016
by: SJDuerme-PIA12
budget review/consultation was
spearheaded by RDC XII Acting
Chairperson and NEDA Regional
Director, Arturo G. Valero.
Based on the PPAs presented,
the biggest requirement to
attain the region’s strategic
development outcomes is for
social development at about
PhP 61.181 Billion (67.49%).
Accelerating infrastructure
support requires PhP 18.70
Billion (20.63%), while ensuring
a competitive and sustainable
Agriculture and Fishery Sector
needs PhP 5.930 Billion (6.54%).
Good Governance and the Rule
of Law requires PhP 383 Million
(0.423%).
T
he Sultan Kudarat 2nd
District Engineering
Office is set to get the
highest infrastructure fund in
2016. This was disclosed by
Engr. David L. Padlan, OIC-
Chief of the Planning and Design
Division of DPWH 12. “In our
FY 2016 Proposed Budget of
Infrastructure Projects, we have
allotted a total fund of PhP13.29
Billion with PhP3.83 Billion
going to Sultan Kudarat 2nd
District Engineering Office” he
added.
“Most of the unpaved roads
are in the area of Sultan Kudarat
2nd
DEO. The unpaved roads
under the said DEO stretch up to
144.201 kilometers,” he further
explained.
The amount is allotted
to fund eight national
road upgrading/widening/
improvement projects, four
bridge construction and
completion projects, two flood
control and drainage projects,
and one tourism road project.
These projects are located
in the towns of Kalamansig,
RDC XII Endorses... from page 5
At the end of the review,
ExCom recommended to the RDC
XII Full Council the awarding
of trophies to the top three
best presenters of the FY 2016
budget proposal. Adjudged best
presenters were: RD Nasser M.
Musali of DAR XII (1st
); RD
Reynaldo S. Tamayo of DPWH
XII (2nd
); and RD Bai Zorahayda
T. Taha of DSWD XII (3rd
).
The endorsed FY 2016
budget proposals were confirmed
by the RDC XII Full Council
during its regular meeting on
March 25, 2015.
The Regional Development
Updates can be downloaded
and viewed online through the
NEDA XII website
(http://nro12.neda.gov.ph/
products-and-services/publica-
tions/).
All RDC XII resolutions
can be also downloaded and
viewed through the RDC XII
website (http://nro12.neda.gov.
ph/rdc12/resolutions/cy-2015-
rdc-xii-resolutions/2015-rdc-
xii-full-council/).

Senator Ninoy Aquino, Palimbang,
Esperanza, Bagumbayan, and Lebak.
Out of the total fund for Sultan
Kudarat 2nd
DEO, the upgrading of Senator
Ninoy Aquino- Lebak- Kalamansig
Road reserved the highest allotment at
P2,001,160,000 or 52.24% of the total
allotment for the said DEO.
However, Padlan stated that the
proposed infra project budget is subject to
changes if there are still other projects the
LGUs want to recommend.
The DPWH XII FY 2016 Proposed
Budget for Infra Projects was presented
to the Regional Development Council XII
Executive Committee (RDC XII ExCom)
on March 19, 2015.
Padlan said that with the upgrading
of more roads, the proportion of paved
arterial and secondary roads in th region
will increase. He revealed that the over all
total length of these paved roads increased
to 1,168.10 kilometers or 75.79% of the
total arterial and secondary roads in the
region, as of December 2014.
To further strengthen the
implementation of infrastructure projects,
DPWH XII is seeking support and
cooperation from the local government
units and civil society organizations in the
region.
DPWH XII Regional Director
Reynaldo S. Tamayo said that with the help
of the LGUs and CSOs, it would be easy
for his agency to implement infra projects.
According to him, this is important as
some circumstances in the implementation
of projects can be addressed only by the
LGUs or the CSOs.
Tamayo cited the road right of way
as one of the issues that sometimes only
LGUs could solve.
“Our call is also in line with our
mandate of completing our projects before
the term of President Aquino ends on
2016,” Tamayo emphasized adding that
DPWH is doing its best to adhere to its
mandate.
He also pointed out that with support
from LGUs and CSOs, better coordination
for project implementation will take place.
(L-R) The Road Upgrading (Gravel to Concrete) along
Junction National Highway (Makilala-Allah Valley Road) to
Baras Bird Sanctuary (Rajah Muda-New Passi Section),
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat and the Repair of Road Slip
along Isulan Jct. Ninoy Aquino Road, Km 1808+523 to Km
1817+000 with exceptions are two of the projects monitored
by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee during the 1st
Quarter of CY 2015 in Sultan Kudarat.

RDC XII AdCom Pushes Interconnection of
National Secondary Roads, PRGC Improvement
G
en. Santos City - The
Regional Development
Council XII Advisory
Committee (RDC XII AdCom)
convened to look into the
priority programs and projects
of the region that will require
support of the region’s House of
Representatives.
During the meeting on
January 14, 2015 at Green Leaf
Hotel, Gen. Santos City, the
congresspersons identified the
need to improve interconnection
of the national secondary roads
in the region, as well as the
improvement of the Prime
Regional Government Center
(PRGC) in Koronadal City. This
was bared by NEDA XII Regional
Director Arturo G. Valero who
presided over the meeting in his
capacity as the RDC XII acting
chairperson.
In his message, Congressman
Hernandez, who acted as
convenor of the region’s
legislators, thanked the Adcom
members for their presence.
“The participation of my fellow
legislators here is a sign of a
good start and an indication of
full support to the attainment of
the region’s goals and targets,
as expressed in the updated
Development Plan (RDP), 2014-
2016, “ he said. “I am happy
that my fellow lawmakers from
the region are setting aside their
political differences in favor of
working together for the benefit of
the entire region,” he added.
Notwithstanding these
positive developments, Cong.
Hernandez emphasized the
need for AdCom, as an advisory
body of RDC XII, to push for
programs, projects, and activities
(PPAs) that can support the
region’s food security, tourism
industry, health services, and
overall economic development.
He cited some of them, such as
the improvement of T’boli-Banga-
Tupi Road and other secondary
roads that promote connectivity
and efficiency; modernization of
farming techniques and efficient
infrastructures for increasing
revenue generated from the
high value commercial crop
production that can generate
increased revenues; improvement
of accessibility and stability
of peace, order and security to
support the flourishing tourism
industry; the conversion of
the Upper Valley Community
Hospital in Surallah into a
regional hospital to be named
as SOCCSKSARGEN Regional
Hospital; and the approval of
the PhP 959 million for the
development of the General
Santos City Aerotropolis.
Congressman Hernandez
urged his colleagues in Congress,
the local chief executives, heads
of regional line agencies, and
the private sector representatives
of the region to continue
working together for Region
XII’s development. He said the
region must be ready with the
implementation of the ASEAN
Economic Integration and the
approval and enactment of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law.
In relation to the call of
Congressman Hernandez for
AdCom to support strategic
projects, Engr. Phlorita A. Ridao
of the RDC XII Secretariat,
presented the SOCCSKSARGEN
CY 2016 Priority Programs
and Projects, for information
and appropriate action of the
Committee members.
The RDC XII AdCom passed
five (5) resolutions during the
meeting. First was a request to
the Supreme Court to start the
process of filling-up the plantilla
positions of the legislated four
additional branches of the
Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)
NEDA XII Regional Director
Arturo G. Valero (in blue)
presided the AdCom
meeting in his capacity as
the RDC XII and AdCom
Acting Chairperson on
January 27, 2015 in
General Santos City. With
him is RDC XII Secretary
and NEDA XII Assistant
Regional Director Noel E.
Quiratman.
by: Gwyneth Grace B. Collado, NEDA XII-DRD

In picture - (L-R) South
Cotabato Governor Daisy
P. Avance-Fuentes,
Congressman Arnulfo F. Go
of the 2nd
District of Sultan
Kudarat and Congressman
Ferdinand L. Hernandez
of the 2nd
District of South
Cotabato during the RDC XII
Advisory Committee meeting
on January 27, 2015 in
General Santos City.
in Koronadal City and Surallah,
South Cotabato.
Another resolution requests
DPWH to provide funds from the
MVUC for the construction of
an overpass with manlift and to
provide augmentation funds for
the improvement of the Regional
Government Center in Koronadal
City, including the concreting
of the road network, and
construction of a drainage system
and perimeter fence.
Two road projects were
covered by two resolutions,
namely: the request for the
conversion of the Malapag-
Tinimbacan-Banisilan Road from
a provincial road to a national
road category, and the request to
include in the DPWH Mindanao
Logistics Road Project the Silway
8-Mabuhay-Tinagacan Road as a
national secondary road including
the rehabilitation of a bridge along
the said road.
The meeting was attended
by Congressmen Ferdinand L.
Hernandez of the 2nd
district
of South Cotabato; Pedro B.
Acharon, Jr. of the 1st
district of
South Cotabato; Jose I. Tejada
of the 3rd
district of Cotabato
Province and Arnulfo F. Go of
the 2nd
district of Sultan Kudarat.
Local chief executives were also
present, namely, Gov. Daisy
P. Avance-Fuentes of South
Cotabato and Gov. Steve C.
Solon of Sarangani Province.
Congresswoman Nancy A.
Catamco, Congressman Jesus N.
Sacdalan, Governor Emmylou T.
Mendoza and City Mayor Japal A.
Guiani were represented during
the meeting.
For the regional line
agencies, present were RD
Reynaldo M. Bungubung of
DILG XII, RD Akmad J. Usman
of DBM XII, RED Amalia J.
Datukan of DA XII, RED Datu
Tungko M. Saikol of DENR
XII, RD Nelly Nita N. Dillera of
DOT XII, RD Maximo C. Aljibe
of CHED XII, RD Reynaldo S.
Tamayo of DPWH XII, and RD
Olivia P. Sudaria of PIA XII.
Private sector representative
(PSR) Rolando S. Doria,
chairperson of the Economic
Development Council (EDC)
XII and PSR Alfredo Bronx
P. Hebrona, Jr., chairperson of
the Infrastructure and Utilities
Committee (Infracom) XII were
also present during the said
meeting.

It’s official: TreeVolution gets Guinness World Record
Photo Source: https://5crgcrsafp.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/dsc_0172.jpg
K
ORONADAL CITY,
South Cotabato, Feb. 24
(PIA) -- The official
verdict is out: TreeVolution
Greening MindaNOW holds the
world record for “most trees
planted simultaneously (multiple
locations).”
“We are happy to announce
that Mindanao, Philippines has
officially set a new Guinness
World Record for the most trees
planted simultaneously at multiple
locations through TreeVolution:
Greening MindaNOW held on
September 26, 2014,” Secretary
Luwalhati Antonino, chair of
the Mindanao Development
Authority, announced.
Antonino said, the
new world record set by the
TreeVolution is 2,294,629 trees,
carried out by 122,168 volunteers
in 29 locations across Mindanao.
“This is a huge feat for
all Mindanawons, especially
the volunteers and partners,
particularly the Department
of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) who
showed overwhelming support
in the successful conduct of
TreeVolution. We express our
heartfelt gratitude to all those
who participated in the event.
Their involvement has made
this historic event even more
meaningful,” Antonio further
said.
Due to the stringent
verification process of the
Guinness committee, only
2,294,629 out of the 4 million
trees planted were officially
tallied. The number, however,
was enough to break the record
previously held by India, by
more than 300,000 trees. India’s
record was 1,945,535 trees
planted by 340,200 people in
408 sites. It was set in August
2011.
More important than
setting the record, Antonino
emphasized, “this official number
from Guinness does not in any
way reduce the long-term impacts
of the actual 4 million trees
planted in over 7,800 hectares of
land all over Mindanao.”
“The 4 million seedlings
planted add 1 percent to
Mindanao’s target forest cover
by 2016. These trees, once fully
mature, can supply oxygen to
around 16 million people daily, or
75 percent of the total Mindanao
population.”
“There’s also no doubt on
how the seedlings we planted
could eventually minimize the
impacts of climate change,” she
said.
Antonino added that the
TreeVolution was also a proof
that Mindanawons could bond
together.
“TreeVolution has showed
one overwhelming reaffirmation
– that Mindanawons can unite for
a common good, and that, we,
Mindanawons, can truly become
one for the environment,” she
said.
by: Danilo E. Doguiles-PIA 12

Regional Development Updates | Volume 13 No. 1 | Jan-Mar 2015

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Regional Development Updates | Volume 13 No. 1 | Jan-Mar 2015