1. todaycaraga Vol. XVIII, Issue 1
January - March 2015
A Publication of the Caraga Regional Development Council
PAGE 18
Q3 2014 Regional
Economic Situationer
PAGE 24
Q4 2014 Regional
Project Monitoring
Report
Caraga turns over a new leaf at 20
PAGE 22

2. 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 1 January-March 2015
PAGE 4
Caraga Regional
Development Council
through the years
PAGE 10
Caraga Regional
Development Council
reports 2014
accomplishments
PAGE 22
Caraga turns over a new
leaf at 20
PAGE 23
Caraga Regional
Development Council,
GIZ hold first Regional
Land Use Forum
PAGE 24
Caraga Regional
Development Council
steers FY 2016 regional
budget review
PAGE 36
Seniang affected
farmers get support from
the Department of
Agriculture-Caraga
On this issue
FEATURE
With a market of over 600 million consumers and
combined GDP of nearly US$3 trillion, ASEAN is
offering a future of prosperity and stability. Know more
about the ASEAN Economic Integration from the
following pages.
PAGE 18
12 things about ASEAN Economic
Community
PAGE 19
ASEAN Economic Community Key
Messages
CENTERFOLD
Timeline of the ASEAN Economic
Community Integration
HIGHLIGHTS
PAGE 34
Highlights: 2013 National Demographic and
Health Survey Results for Caraga Region
PAGE 35
Highlights: 8th National Nutrition Survey
Results for Caraga Region
PAGE 40
Highlights: Millennium Development Goals
Status for Caraga Region
PAGE 37
TESDA-Caraga gets
scholarship fund hike,
PhP11.9M skills training
PAGE 38
Department of Trade
and Industry, city
chamber hold tariff
elimination, ASEAN
economic integration
session
PAGE 39
IN PHOTOS: Caraga
turns over a new leaf
at 20

3. 3Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Editor-in-Chief
Jazmin D. Berido
Writers
Sherwin E. Verdun
Michelle P. Dela Calzada
Mirasol P. Montenegro
Graziella C. Harting
Paris Raymond S. Gaballo
Rhea Mae C. Mendez
Design Editor
Sherwin E. Verdun
Contributors
DA, DTI, TESDA
Adviser
RD Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño
Editor’s Note
Jazmin D. Berido
This year, Caraga Region
and the Caraga Regional
Development Council
(RDC) celebrate their 20th
year anniversary.
On this issue we feature
the platinum year
celebration of Caraga and
the achievements of the
Caraga RDC.
Also, this year the
ASEAN Economic
Community (AEC) starts its
integration. To understand
how the integration would
benefit the ASEAN region,
we feature introductory
articles about the AEC. We
begin with the 12 things that
we should know about the
AEC. We follow it with the
key messages to enhance
understanding of the
concept. At the centerfold,
we draw the timeline to
illustrate how the
integration evolved.
We highlight in this
issue the results of the 2013
National Demographic and
Health Survey (NDHS) and
the 8th National Nutrition
Survey (NNS) for Caraga
Region. NDHS aims to
measure levels and trends in
demographic, family
planning, and health
indicators for monitoring,
evaluating, and designing
population and health
policies and programs of the
government. Meanwhile the
NNS aims to assess and
monitor nutrition and health
status and food
consumption; identify
Editorial Board
nutritional problems of
public health significance;
and determine and monitor
utilization of nutrition and
related programs.
More importantly, we
feature the status of the
Millennium Development
Goals’ (MDG) targets for
Caraga Region. The MDGs
were established in 2000
following the United
Nations Millennium
Declaration to achieve eight
goals by 2015.
Finally, we present the
region’s economic situation
for the third quarter of 2014
and the projects monitored
by the Regional Project
Monitoring Committee for
the fourth quarter of 2014.

4. 4 caraga today
Caraga Regional Development Council
through the years
by Sherwin E. Verdun, NEDA-Caraga
At the dawn of the 20th century, the
name Caraga drowned in oblivion when
Provincia de Caraga became Provincia de
Surigao; more so, when Surigao and
Agusan provinces were sub-divided and
formed part of Region 10 while Surigao del
Sur became part of Region 11.
Years passed, underdevelopment
plagued the provinces of Surigao and
Agusan. Cognizant of this concern, seven
valiant congressional representatives
decided to unite the Surigaos and Agusans
into one region and give this erstwhile
neglected area the government’s attention
and focus.
Representatives Charito Plaza, Eduardo
Rama, Sr., Ceferino Paredes, Jr., Glenda
Ecleo, Robert Barbers, Mario Ty, and
Jesnar Falcon successfully labored for the
passage of RA 7901. Thus, Caraga
marched to a new dawn and began writing
its own history as a new region of the
Philippines.
At the outset, the road was bumpy for
the new region as it had to grapple with
many issues like persistent poverty, slow
economic growth, unemployment,
malnutrition, environmental degradation,
and others. But Caraga as a region believes
that meaningful development can come
only from convergence of efforts of
different sectors of society. Subsequently,
the Caraga Regional Development Council
was convened to steer the region towards
Caraga Region was created 20 years ago. But unknown to most of us, the name
Caraga already existed for more than 400 years when the Spaniards formed a
military garrison in 1609 in Tandag. Provincia de Caraga was born with Tandag as
capital.
Tandag - The first
capital. The Spaniards
formed Caraga by
creating a military
garrison in 1609 to
reinforce their invasion
of Tandag. Later on the
Provincia de Caraga
was born with Tandag
as capital.
The Moros re-occupied
Tandag and the capital
moved to Surigao. But
not long ago, the Moros
were driven out in 1848
with an expanded
territory.

5. 5Vol. XVIII Issue 1
progress. Twenty years later, Caraga RDC
has passed many milestones for the region.
For twenty years, five chairpersons
guided the Caraga RDC and pushed for
continued progress for the region.
Hon. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante,
then Governor of the Province of
Agusan del Norte, became the first
Caraga RDC chair from 1995-1998 with
Mr. Felix Villacastin as her co-Chair.
During this period, the Caraga RDC:
 Endorsed the first set of proposed
budgets of the regional line agencies;
and the initial protected area plan for
the Siargao Island Protected Landscape
and Seascape (SIPLAS) in the Province
of Surigao del Norte;
 Endorsed the following: the Lower
Agusan Development Project (LADP)
– Flood Control Component Phase II
for the construction of flood control
facilities for the lower Agusan River;
the construction/improvement of
Loreto-Dinagat-Cagdianao road, and
the proposed Butuan City
Circumferential Road Project
The Commission on Population-Caraga
became a special non-voting member of the
Caraga RDC; and Mario Viñas, Elsa
Sobrecaray, Felix Villacastin, Engr. Leonel
Santos, Engr. Epimaco Galero II, Cecilio
Corvera, Edna Hontiveros, and Rogelio
Fabe became the first set of Private Sector
Representatives.
Hon. Valentina Plaza, then Governor
of the Province of Agusan del Sur,
succeeded as the second Caraga RDC
chair from 1998-2001 with Engr.
Epimaco Galero Jr. as her co-Chair.
During this time, the Caraga RDC
membership grew with the addition of the
Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
as regular members; and the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine
National Police (PNP) as special non-
voting members.
The Gender and Development
Coordinating Committee was created to
handle and advocate GAD-related issues
and concerns.
The quarterly Caraga RDC newsletter
was born to provide a regular medium for
information dissemination about RDC
matters and activities. And, it continues to
fulfill its purpose after twenty years and is
now known as the Caraga Today.
Caraga RDC officially recognized the
Lake Mainit Development Alliance headed
The Women of Caraga.
Former Agusan del
Norte 1st District
Representative Charito
Plaza (left) lobbied for
the passage of RA 7901
which makes Caraga a
region. (Right) Gov. Ma.
Angelica Rosedell
Amante became the first
Caraga RDC
chairperson.

6. 6 caraga today
by then Gov. Francisco Matugas.
The Caraga RDC endorsed the
following: proposed Bayugan Water
District Development Program for funding
under the Local Water Utilities Authority;
conduct of counterpart feasibility study and
detailed engineering preparation of the
Adgaoan-Umayam River Irrigation Project
between the Agusan del Sur and NIA;
concreting of the Surigao-Davao Coastal
Road for funding and improvement and
development of the Loreto – Cagdianao
National Road Network in Dinagat Island;
improvement of the Siargao Island
Circumferential Road; middle Agusan
River Development Project and the Surigao
City Sanitary Landfill Project.
In 2001, the Caraga RDC adopted the
Regional Tourism Master Plan 2002-2030
that outlines the various prospects for
promotion like natural resource
endowments, rich historical and cultural
heritage and strategic location of the
region.
In 2001-2004, Hon. Lyndon Barbers,
then Governor of the Province of
Surigao del Norte, chaired the Caraga
RDC.
Mainstreaming GAD efforts in the
region was pushed and the Caraga RDC
adopted the industry clustering approach as
a strategy for Caraga’s regional
development.
During this time, the Caraga RDC
membership again grew when the Land
Bank of the Philippines (LBP),
Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP), and Quedan and Rural Credit
Guarantee Corporation (QUEDANCOR)
were confirmed as special non-voting
members of the Council. Likewise, the
membership of the Private Sector
Representatives was expanded.
The Caraga RDC supported the
following: Anti-trafficking in Persons Act
of 2002, the Child Friendly Movement, and
the KALAHI-CIDSS as the government’s
strategy for convergence in fighting
poverty. It likewise endorsed the 2nd
Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood
Project, and the proposed watershed/forest
reserve areas in Caraga Region for
presidential proclamation under NIPAS
Law of 1992.
The RDC mounted the Caraga Roads
and Bridges Forum, supported the 11th
Mindanao Business Conference, and the
conduct of the 1st
Regional Cooperative
Congress, the Mindanao-wide GIS
Conference-Workshop, the 9th Caraga
Siargao Islands are low
-lying islands that rise to
a maximum altitude of
only 290 m. There are
very extensive
mangrove forests on the
island, which cover a
total of c. 8,700 ha.
There are large areas of
old growth lowland
dipterocarp forest
(reported to cover 12%
of the island) and
secondary or residual
forest (reported to cover
33% of the island), and
areas of grassland
(reported to cover 12%
of the island). Source:
http://www.birdlife.org/

7. 7Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Business Conference, and the Mindanao
Environment and Watershed Summit.
It created an Oversight Committee to
assist DENR in managing the production
forest within the Caraga forest plantation
corridor and in monitoring, evaluating, and
assessing the implementation of the
community-based resource management
agreement.
On its 10th
year, the Caraga RDC
was chaired by the late Hon. Democrito
Plaza II, Mayor of Butuan City, from
2004-2007 with Engr. Leonel Santos as
his co-Chair.
The Caraga RDC supported tourism
initiatives to boost Caraga’s tourism
potential such as the conduct of WOW
Caraga: Madyaw Karajao Roadshow
Presentation in Caraga and Madyaw
Karajao 2005 in Manila. It also supported
the implementation of One Town One
Product Philippines (OTOP Philippines)
program, the implementation of RA 8980
or the Early Childhood Care and
Development (ECCD) Act and the
institutionalization of the ECCD
Programme at the Regional and Local
levels.
This term endorsed critical
infrastructure projects such as the Butuan-
Malaybalay Road, Butuan-Tandag Road,
Second Magsaysay Bridge, and Butuan
City Bypass Road Project, expansion of the
runway of the Butuan City Bancasi Airport
and Umayam Irrigation Project.
At the provincial level, the governors
were requested to formulate watershed
management and development plans.
The Caraga RDC fervently promoted
and supported the mainstreaming of the
Millennium Development Goals
concerning children in the planning process
at the regional and local levels and the
mainstreaming of the Millennium
Development Goals in local development
alongside the request for the establishment
of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs
and local investment boards in all local
government units.
The National Economic Research and
Business Assistance Center (NERBAC)
was created to support the government
policy of providing necessary strategic
economic and business information and
research assistance to speed up the process
and encourage the growth of
entrepreneurship.
In 2009, the coconut and moringa
industries were recognized and adopted as
part of the Caraga Region’s industry
Millennium
Development Goals.
The eight Millennium
Development Goals
(MDGs) – which range
from halving extreme
poverty to halting the
spread of HIV/AIDS and
providing universal
primary education, all by
the target date of 2015 –
form a blueprint agreed
to by all the world’s
countries and all the
world’s leading
development institutions.
They have galvanized
unprecedented efforts to
meet the needs of the
world’s poorest.

8. 8 caraga today
clusters.
The Regional Geographic Information
System Network (RGISN) was established
to support the effective physical planning,
decision-making, policy making,
investment programming, monitoring and
evaluation of socioeconomic development
and environmental-related programs,
projects and policies for sustainable
development.
Hon. Sol Matugas, Governor of the
Province of Surigao del Norte, became
the fifth chairperson of the Caraga RDC
and the first to serve two consecutive
terms. She chaired the Caraga RDC
together with Mr. Marlon Advincula as
her co-Chair from 2010-2013 and again
from 2013 to present.
In 2010, the conceptual framework of
the Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset
Management (COSERAM) Programme
was endorsed. Likewise, Caraga RDC
published the Disaster Risk Reduction and
Climate Change Adaptation Enhanced
Regional Physical Framework Plan for the
years 2004-2030. The Regional Physical
Framework Plan serves as the reference in
the advocacy and mainstreaming of
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate
Change Adaptation in the regional and sub-
regional development plans, programs, and
policy initiatives.
Subsequently, the Caraga RDC
requested support from all local
government units for the mainstreaming of
the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate
Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA) in local
development planning and decision-
making processes.
The Caraga RDC:
 Supported the enforcement of the
Magna Carta for Disabled Persons;
 Launched the Regional GIS Center and
the Regional GIS Network and its
website with funding support from the
Korean Government;
 Improved the RGIS Center and
provided training to the RGISN
members with funding support from
GIZ;
 Coordinated the research project on the
perceptions of Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program Beneficiaries in 2013;
 Endorsed the Reconstruction for
Socioeconomic Enhancement (RISE)
Plan for Tropical Depression Agaton-
affected areas in Caraga Region as
Caraga’s strategic roadmap for
recovery and reconstruction ; and
 Created the Committee on Indigenous
The Regional
Geographic
Information Network
Center. A project with
support from the Korea
International
Cooperation Agency
(KOICA). Initially, KOICA
deployed three Korean
volunteers with expertise
on GIS and computer
programming. It also
funded the project for
US$50,000. Later, the
Caraga RDC
institutionalized the
Regional Geographic
Information Network with
38 members through
RDC Resolution 23,
series of 2009 to provide
quality and up-to-date
spatial information and
GIS services in Caraga
Region for effective
planning, resource
allocation, and
management. The
Regional Geographic
Information Center was
launched March 22,
2011.
Later, the German
government through the
Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
supported the project by
providing funds for the
procurement of
equipment and capacity
building worth PhP1.2
million.

9. 9Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Peoples Concerns. Only Caraga and the
Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR) have such bodies to give
importance to IP concerns.
In 2012, Caraga’s poverty incidence
among families declined and Caraga’s
GRDP growth rate emerged as one of the
highest in the country.
Under Chairperson Matugas’
leadership, the Caraga RDC achieved many
firsts:
 In 2013, the Caraga RDC’s Regional
Project Monitoring Committee became
the first to apply geo-tagging
technology in project monitoring
among all the RPMCs in the country.
Geo-tagging is the process of adding
geographical information to
photographs of projects monitored.
Because of these trailblazing efforts,
the Caraga Regional Project
Monitoring Team serve as resource
persons on geo-tagging to other
RPMCs in the country.
 In 2014, the Caraga RDC became the
first RDC to go paperless by using
tablets during meetings.
 Also in 2014, the Caraga RDC was the
first to implement projects for the
communication of the Revised Caraga
Regional Development Plan. It
conducted:
 Agents of Change and the
Corporate Partners’ For a; and
 Be the Agent of Change contests on
jingle making, canvas painting, and
photography.
After 20 years, the quest for economic
and social progress continues to challenge
the Caraganons to do great feats and create
groundbreaking ideas for the region.
Everyone has to work harder to further
reduce poverty incidence so that everyone
will live better lives as well as fulfill the
targets of the Millennium Development
Goals.
For an economically and socially
progressive region, the Caraga RDC
continues to position Caraga as the Fishery,
Agro-Forestry, Mining, and Eco-Tourism
center of the country, or the FAME center
of the Philippines. Everyone should
continue to labor until this dream is
realized. It is a daunting task but it is
possible.
An initiative of the
Caraga RDC Committee
on Indigenous Peoples
Concerns, the Caraga
18th anniversary hosted
a forum with different IP
groups in Caraga.

10. 10 caraga today
FY 2015 Caraga RDC
Endorsed Budget
The Caraga RDC In Numbers
4 - Full Council Meetings
1 - Special Council Meeting
2 - Executive Committee Meeting
4 - Development Administration Committee Meetings
4 - Economic Development Committee Meetings
4 - Infrastructure Development Committee Meetings
4 - Social Development Committee Meetings

11. 11Vol. XVIII Issue 1
related concerns of the
region which need the
action of the Secretary were
also presented to during the
meeting.
During the 78th RDC
Full Council Meeting on
March 20, 2014, the Council
endorsed the Fiscal Year
2015 proposed budgets of
regional line agencies
(RLAs) and state
universities and colleges
(SUCs) amounting to PhP
55.9 billion. The RDC
endorsed proposed budget is
for the 23 RLAs, 12
attached agencies/bureaus
and four SUCs. The budgets
underwent a rigorous
process of consultation with
different stakeholders
including civil society
before securing the
The Caraga Regional
Development Council
(RDC) started the year 2014
with the launching of the
Revised Caraga Regional
Development Plan (RDP)
2013-2016 on January 15,
2014 in Butuan City. It was
followed by the ASEAN
Economic Community 2015
Integration Forum on
January 24, 2014 also in
Butuan City.
A Special RDC Meeting
with Sec. Florencio Abad of
the Department of Budget
and Management was held
on February 28, 2014 in
Butuan City. In the said
meeting, the RDC apprised
the Secretary on the recent
developments in Caraga
three years after his first
visit to the region. Budget
endorsement of the RDC.
The selection of Mayor
Dale Corvera (Cabadbaran
City) as the new RDC-
Development
Administration Committee
(DAC) Chairperson and
Mayor Shiela Mae Cebedo
as the new Local Chief
Executives’ (LCE)
representative to the RDC-
Executive Committee
(ExeCom) were confirmed
by the Council.
To chart the direction
and priorities of the Council
in the next three years, the
RDC’s Direction for 2014-
2016 was formulated.
During the 3rd quarter RDC
Meeting, the Council shifted
from paper to digital agenda
kits as an initiative to
further improve the
Caraga Regional Development Council
reports 2014 accomplishments
by Michelle P. Dela Calzada, NEDA-Caraga
Launching of the
Revised Caraga
Regional
Development Plan
2013-2016
ASEAN Economic
Community 2015
Integration Forum

12. 12 caraga today
 Endorsing the Regional Ecotourism Committee
Resolution No. 2013-20, “A Resolution Requesting the
Regional Development Council to Pass a Resolution
Requesting the Department of Education to Develop a
Specialized Information, Education and Communication
Module Integrating Tourism Concepts and Highlighting
Local Ecotourism Destinations in Caraga Region, in
Order to Promote a Culture of Tourism Especially Among
the Youth
 Endorsing to the RDC the Results Matrices of the Good
Governance and the Rule of Law and Peace and
Security Chapters of the Revised RDP 2013-2016
 Endorsing to the RDC the Communication Plan for the
Revised Caraga Regional Development Plan 2013-2016
 Endorsing to the RDC the Election of Mayor Dale B.
Corvera of Cabadbaran City as the New RDC-DAC
Chairperson
 Endorsing to the RDC the Request for the Philippine
National Police (PNP) to Equip the Surigao City PNP
with Additional Three Mobile Vehicle for Operations
 Endorsing to the RDC the Request for the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) to Disaggregate Data of
Province of Dinagat Islands from Surigao del Norte
 Endorsing to the RDC the Proposed Institutionalization
of the Regional Development Budgeting Process
Framework to the Office of the President, DBM, NEDA
Board – Regional Development Committee (RDCom),
and other RDCs
 Requesting the RDC to request the Office of the
President through the Permanent Committee (DOF,
DFA, DBM) to adopt the Constitutional Fiscal Autonomy
Group (CFAG) and Commission on Audit (COA)
Resolutions Providing for the Increase of Government
Personnel Daily Travel Allowance for Local Travels from
P800 to P1,500
Development Administration Committee
Economic Development Committee
Resolutions passed

13. 13Vol. XVIII Issue 1
region. This document
serves as a reference of the
Council in evaluating the
FY 2015 proposed budgets
of the RLAs and SUCs.
To ensure that there is
horizontal and vertical
linkage of targets, the
Results Matrices (RM), one
of the companion
documents of the Revised
Caraga RDP 2013-2016 was
adopted. The RM
establishes the desired
development results that the
region intends to achieve by
the end of the plan
implementation period. To
ensure that the targets set in
the RM are realistic,
attainable and vertically
linked to the programs and
projects of various
stakeholders, the RDC
Secretariat validated with
the stakeholders the
indicators and targets
identified in the RM then
these were presented and
endorsed by the concerned
Sectoral Committees. The
adoption of the RMs by the
Council is a concrete move
to ensure that government
deliver results.
The Caraga RDC
conducted four Full Council
efficiency of RDC meetings.
This initiative is the first
among RDCs nationwide.
As part of the region’s
effort to fast track the
rehabilitation of Tropical
Depression Agaton affected
areas, the RDC endorsed the
Reconstruction Intervention
for Socioeconomic
Enhancement (RISE) for
Tropical Depression Agaton
-Affected Areas. This paved
the way for securing the
budget for the
implementation of the
needed rehabilitation and
reconstruction projects.
Moreover, the inclusion of
rehabilitation and
reconstruction projects in
the RLAs’ proposed budgets
was a requirement in
securing RDC endorsement.
The Revalidated
Regional Development
Investment Program 2013-
2016 which contains the
priority programs, projects
and activities (PPAs) of the
agencies, LGUs, state
colleges and universities
and the private sector was
also updated. This is to
ensure that the priority
PPAs are responsive to the
needs and priorities of the
meetings and passed 68
resolutions. During these
meetings, a total of 40
projects/programs were
endorsed by the Council to
the appropriate agencies/
funding institutions. A
number of these projects
have been funded for
implementation.
Endorsement of projects
that support tourism
development, improve
access to tourism
destinations and production
areas and mainstream DRR-
CCA measures in the region
has been a key agenda of the
Council in 2014. The
Council also supported 13
policy reforms including the
proposal to institutionalize
the regional development
budgeting process
framework into the existing
Philippine budgeting
process. Another policy
reform endorsed by the
Council is the adoption of
the Constitutional Fiscal
Autonomy Group (CFAG)
and COA Resolutions
Providing for the Increase of
Government Personnel
Daily Travel Allowance for
Local Travels from Php
800.00 to Php 1,500.00.
Special Caraga RDC
Meeting with Sec.
Florencio Abad
Second Quarter 2014
Caraga RDC Meeting
and Oath Taking
Ceremony of Gov. Sol
Matugas as Caraga
RDC Chair

14. 14 caraga today
 Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the Proposed Strategic Road
Links of Surigao Del Norte
 Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the projects for Feasibility Studies
and Detailed Engineering Proposals for NEDA Funding
 Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the Unfunded Tourism-Related
Road projects of Agusan Del Norte, Butuan City and Agusan Del
Sur
 Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the Proposed Butuan City Flood
Control Project and Construction of Drainage System Along
national Roads
 Resolution Endorsing to the Caraga RDC the Three FSDE
Proposals of Surigao Del Sue namely; Sedimentation and
Flooding Control of Cantilan Irrigation System, Completion of
Tago River Irrigation System and Flood Protection Works, Slope
Stabilization of Tandag Riverbank and Diversion Dam of Sta.
Felomina CIS
Infrastructure Development Committee
Resolutions passed
 Endorsing to the RDC the Proposed Priority Courses
Representing 3% of the Total Number of Scholarships for
Caraga Region
 Endorsing to the Regional Development Council the request to
strongly urge the Local Government Units (LGUs) to Create
Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the provincial,
municipal and city levels of Caraga Region
 Endorsing to the RDC the request for LGUs to include a
Person with Disability as a regular member of the City/
Municipal Building Inspectorate Team in monitoring the
compliance of government and business establishments with
Accessibility Law
 Endorsing to the RDC the request for the inclusion of Municipal
Population Officers (MPOs) in the Municipal Development
Councils (MDC)’s Sectoral Committees
 Endorsing to the RDC the request for the Department of
Education to Develop a Specialized IEC Module Integrating
Tourism Concepts and Highlighting Local Eco-Tourism
Destinations in Caraga Region to Promote a Culture of Tourism
Especially Among the Youth
 Endorsing to the RDC the request to encourage the LGUs to
pass an ordinance requiring boarding house operators to
secure business permits
 Endorsing to the RDC the request to encourage the LGUs to
pass an ordinance regulating access of teenagers to motels,
hotels and beach cottages
Social Development Committee

15. 15Vol. XVIII Issue 1
of the International Men’s
Day in Caraga Region.”
Thus, on November 19, the
region celebrated for the
first time International
Men’s Day making Caraga
Region the first to celebrate
the event. The celebration is
aimed at improving gender
relations, highlighting
positive male role models
and celebrating men’s
achievement and
contributions, particularly to
the community, family and
child care.
The Multi-Sectoral
Forest Protection
Committee met twice in
2014. A milestone
resolution passed by the
Committee is the resolution
supporting the reactivation
and strengthening of the
Ports Integrated Clearance
Office (PICO) at Nasipit
Port which resulted in the
activation of PICO and
allocation of budget for its
Office. With the
enforcement of EO 23, the
Committee participated in
the conduct of anti-illegal
logging operations and
apprehended/seized/
confiscated a total of
1931303.84 board feet of
The Regional Project
Monitoring Committee
conducted a total of six
monitoring activities
including two special
monitoring activities of
rehabilitation and
reconstruction projects in
areas affected by Tropical
Depression Pablo and
Agaton. The Committee was
able to monitor a total of
262 projects. The monitored
projects include roads and
bridges, slope and river
bank protection, irrigation,
school building projects,
and health facilities
enhancement.
Since the organization
of the Caraga RPMC, the
region hosted for the first
time a National Project
Monitoring Committee
(NPMC) Meeting on May
14-15, 2014 in Tandag City.
All the RPMCs all over the
country were represented
during the said meeting.
The RDC Executive
Committee (ExeCom)
conducted two meetings and
passed 11 resolutions. A
milestone resolution passed
by the RDC ExeCom is
Resolution No. 6, S. 2014
“Supporting the Celebration
forest products.
The Council also closely
monitored the advance
implementation of the
Senior High School in the
region and provided
avenues such as Technical
Working Group (TWG)
meeting on April 8, 2014
and a Forum on Senior High
School Advance
Implementation to discuss
operational issues and gaps
and come up with
appropriate actions.
The Regional Land Use
Committee geared up for the
updating of the Regional
Physical Framework Plan.
Thus, series of training-
workshops were conducted
to capacitate the RLUC and
the technical working group
members in physical
planning. Among these
training-workshops are:
1. Orientation on Land
Administration and
Management Policies in
the Physical Framework
Planning Process (July
17-18, 2014);
2. Integrating Conflict
Sensitivity in the
Regional Physical
Framework Planning
Process (Aug 4-6);
Simulation of the
Digital Caraga RDC
Meeting during the
Second Quarter
Caraga RDC-Social
Development
Committee Meeting
Agent of Change
Forum

16. 16 caraga today
Major outputs and activities
of RDC Sectoral Committees
The Sectoral Committees updated the
Results Matrices of the Revised Caraga
Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2013-
2016 and was approved by the Council.
Endorsed to the Caraga RDC the Mindanao
Spatial Strategy/Development Framework.
Endorsed to the Caraga RDC the
Communication Plan (ComPlan) of the
Revised Caraga RDP 2013-2016 was
approved.
Endorsed to the Caraga RDC the
Reconstruction Intervention for
Socioeconomic Enhancement (RISE) for
Tropical Depression Agaton-Affected Areas.
Planning Investment Programming
Budgeting
The Caraga RDC Sectoral Committees
updated the Regional Development
Investment Program 2013-2016.
The Caraga RDC endorsed 40 projects/
programs. These projects would help boost
the tourism industry, improve access to
tourism sites and production areas in the
region and Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate
Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA) projects.
The Caraga RDC Sectoral Committees
conducted Regional Budget Consultation
and consultation with Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) on the proposed
agencies and State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs) budgets. The Caraga
RDC endorsed the FY 2015 Agency and
SUCs Budget Proposals.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee
(RPMC) conducted quarterly monitoring of
programs and projects in the region. Two
special monitoring activities for
rehabilitation and reconstruction projects
were also conducted.
Advocacy
To engender support for the implementation
of the Revised Caraga RDP Plan 2013-
2016, the following activities were
conducted:
 Agents of Change Forum;
 Be the Agent of Change Photography,
Canvas Painting and Jingle Making
Contests;
 Corporate Partners Forum; and
 2014 Agents of Change Awards
Other RDC Initiatives
The Caraga RDC is the first to prepare a
Communication Plan for the Revised
Caraga RDP 2013-2016 and the first to
implement a paperless RDC meeting.

17. 17Vol. XVIII Issue 1
GADCC conducted a Forum
on Reproductive Health
Bill, jail visitation and
Kalandrakas X. The
region’s call to end violence
was highlighted with the
conduct of the 18 day
campaign to end violence
against women where
various activities were
conducted.
The successful
implementation of the
Revised RDP relies on the
effective communication of
the Revised RDP’s vision,
goals, objectives and targets
and the support and
participation of the regional
stakeholders. During the
79th RDC Full Council
Meeting on June 29, 2014,
the Communication Plan for
the Revised RDP 2013-2016
(ComPlan) was approved.
The ComPlan contains
communication strategies
and various activities to
communicate and advocate
the Revised Caraga
Regional Development Plan
2013-2016 (Plan) to the
different stakeholders. The
call to action message of the
Communication Plan is “Be
the agent of change” – a call
for everyone to do relevant
3. Integrating Gender and
Development Concerns
in the Regional Physical
Framework Planning
Process (Aug 18-20);
4. Training on Geographic
Information System for
Beginners (Oct 13-17);
5. Training Workshop on
the Integrated
Ecosystem Management
in the Sub-National
Physical Planning
Processes cum Training
on Map Generation
(Sept 29-Oct 3, 2014);
and
6. Training Workshop on
the Regional Physical
Framework Planning
(Dec 1-5, 2014).
As a result, the Planning
Environment Chapter of
Gender and Conflict
Sensitive, DRR-CCA-
Enhanced Caraga Regional
Physical Framework Plan
has been drawn.
The Gender and
Development Coordinating
Committee (GADCC)
continues to take the lead in
implementing gender and
development initiatives in
the region. During the
Women’s Month
Celebration, the RDC-
and strategic actions for the
region and become agents of
positive change.
As contained in the
ComPlan, the RDC
conducted the Agents of
Change Forum, Corporate
Partners Forum, Agents of
Change Photography,
Canvass Painting and Jingle
Making Competitions and
2014 Agents of Change
Awards. All these initiatives
are aimed at engendering
support for the
implementation of the RDP
and popularizing the call for
everyone to be agents of
positive change.
With these
accomplishments in 2014,
the RDC remains true to its
commitment to forge strong
partnership and be a
hallmark of unity and
cooperation. The Caraga
RDC will continue to blaze
trails that will bring into
fruition a development that
is high and sustainable,
generates mass employment
that draws the majority of
Caraganons into the
economic and social
mainstream and facilitates
the reduction of poverty.
Geographic
Information System
Training for Beginners

18. 18 caraga today
ASEAN Economic Community: 12 Things to Know
Source: Asian Development Bank, 2014
1 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is intensifying efforts to realize
by 2015 the ASEAN Economic Community and implement the initiatives to achieve a
single market and production base, allowing the free flow of goods, services,
investments, and skilled labor, and the freer movement of capital across the region.
2 If ASEAN were one economy, it would be seventh largest in the world with a
combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.4 trillion in 2013. It could be fourth
largest by 2050 if growth trends continue.
3 With over 600 million people, ASEAN's potential market is larger than the European
Union or North America. Next to the People's Republic of China and India, ASEAN
has the world's third largest labor force that remains relatively young.
4 ASEAN is one of the most open economic regions in the world, with total merchandise
exports of over $1.2 trillion - nearly 54% of total ASEAN GDP and 7% of global
exports.
5 Created in 1967 mainly for political and security reasons, ASEAN is today a successful
model for regionalism, widely recognized globally.
6 On its 40th anniversary in 2007, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Economic Community
Blueprint, which advanced the completion target to 2015 from 2020.
7 The ASEAN Economic Community is defined by four pillars: (i) creating a single
market and production base, (ii) increasing competitiveness, (iii) promoting equitable
economic development, and (iv) further integrating ASEAN with the global economy.
8 In November 2007, ASEAN leaders also approved the Initiative for ASEAN
Integration Strategic Framework and Work Plan (2009-15), which is meant to bridge
the perceived "development divide" between the older and economically more
advanced members - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand, known as the ASEAN-6, and the four newer ones - Cambodia (1999), Lao
People's Democratic Republic (1997), Myanmar (1997), and Viet Nam (1995).
9 As of October 2013, 279 measures (79.7%) of the ASEAN Economic Community
Blueprint have been implemented.
10 Under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff
scheme has brought down tariff rates on goods coming from ASEAN members to
virtually zero for ASEAN-6. The four new ASEAN members have until 2015 to reduce
their tariff.
11 While progress has been made in lowering tariffs and some behind-the-border
economic hurdles, non-tariff barriers remain as major impediments to achieving a
single market by 2015. The liberalization of trade in services has also been slow
despite the industry's growing importance in the region.
12 An ADB Institute study finds that that the ASEAN Economic Community should be
considered a stepping stone to deeper integration. With the appropriate policy mix,
ASEAN could triple per capita income by 2030, raising its citizens' quality of life to
levels enjoyed today by members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).
PROS/CONS
+ Dynamic growth
region
+ Growing regional
integration
+ Excellent
production
conditions
- Market
fragmentation
- Infrastructure
problems in some
areas
- Environmental
challenges
Source: www.bdg-
asia.com/asean/
TOP EXPORTS
Electrical machinery
and equipment
Mineral fuels, oils
and products
Animal and
vegetable oils
Rubber and rubber
products
Personal vehicles
Plastics and plastic
products
Source: www.bdg-
asia.com/asean/

19. 19Vol. XVIII Issue 1
ASEAN Economic Community Key Messages
Source: ASEAN
“SHARED MARKET, SHARED
BENEFITS” “FROM TEN to ONE”
With reduced barriers to trade and
investment, investors can move more freely
in the region, have greater access to capital
and benefit from moving goods easily
across borders.
“SIMPLIFIED RULES, GREATER
ACCESS” “TRADING ON A BIGGER
STAGE”
Trade in the region will be facilitated
through simple, harmonized and
streamlined trade and customs
documentation as well as rules and
procedures.
“ASEAN: HOME FOR YOUR
INVESTMENT” “PARTNERS IN
BUSINESS”
A more conducive business environment
will encourage investors who are not yet in
ASEAN to do business in the region,
provide greater confidence among current
investors and increase intra- ASEAN
investment.
“MAKING CAPITAL WORK FOR
YOU” “EXPANDING ACCESS TO
FINANCE”
A more robust financial sector translates
into stronger financial intermediation,
capacity and risk management to support
growth, and stronger cooperation to reduce
vulnerabilities to external shocks and
volatility.
“ASEAN PROFESSIONALS ON THE
MOVE” “BEST PEOPLE AND BEST
PRACTICES”
The diversity of talent found in the ten
Member States is a major benefit for
ASEAN employers as they build regional
companies.

20. 1967
ASEAN established
through the Bangkok
Declaration by the
five original member
countries: Malaysia,
Philippines,
Indonesia, Singapore,
and Thailand
1971
Zone of Peace,
Freedom and
Neutrality Declaration
1984
Brunei joins ASEAN
The ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint
The AEC aims to transform ASEAN into a stable, prosperous and highly competitive region with
equitable economic development, and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities.
Specifically, it comprises four key pillars:
(1) a single market and production base;
(2) a highly competitive economic region;
(3) a region of equitable economic development; and
(4) a region fully integrated into the global economy.
Pillar 1
Single market and
production base
Pillar 2
Competitive economic
region
Pillar 3
Equitable economic
development
Pillar 4
Integration into the
global economy
 Free flow of goods
 Free flow of services
 Free flow of
investment
 Freer flow of capital
 Free flow of skilled
labor
 Priority integration
sectors
 Food, agriculture and
forestry
 Competition policy
 Consumer protection
 Intellectual property
rights
 Infrastructure
development
 Taxation
 E-commerce
 SME development
 Initiative for ASEAN
integration
 Coherent approach
towards external
economic relations
 Enhanced
participation in global
supply networks
Indonesia: 870.275 Malaysia: 312.433 Philippines: 272.018 Singapore: 295.744 Thailand: 387.156
2013 Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in millions of USD
1976
First ASEAN Summit
convenes in Bali,
Indonesia
Declaration of
ASEAN Concord
Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in
Southeast Asia
1978
First ASEAN-
European Economic
Community
ministerial meeting
held in Brussels,
Belgium

21. 1992
Agreement on the
Common Effective
Preferential Tariff
Scheme for the
ASEAN Free Trade
Area
1994
ASEAN establishes
the ASEAN Regional
Forum
1995
Viet Nam joins
ASEAN
Treaty on the
Southeast Asia
Nuclear Weapon-
Free Zone
Adoption of ASEAN
Framework
Agreement on Trade
in Services in
Bangkok
1997
Laos and Myanmar
join ASEAN
ASEAN Vision 2020
1998
Adoption of ASEAN
Investment Area
1999
Cambodia joins
ASEAN
2006
ASEAN granted
observer status at
United Nations
General Assembly
2007
ASEAN signs charter
giving its 10 member
states a legal identity,
a first step towards its
aim towards a free
trade area by 2015.
2008
ASEAN leaders met
and addressed the
need to turn ASEAN
into a legal entity that
will create a single
free-trade area
2009
Free Trade
Agreement with
Australia and New
Zealand signed
2011
Bali Declaration on
ASEAN Community
in A Global of Nations
“Bali Concord III”
2012
21st ASEAN Summit
held in Cambodia
2013
Negotiations start on
Regional
Comprehensive
Economic
Partnership (Trade
zone between
ASEAN, and 6 major
trading partners -
Australia, China,
India, Japan, New
Zealand, and South
Korea
2015
Launch of the ASEAN
Economic Community
Timeline of the ASEAN Economic
Community Integration
6 Brunei: 16.214 Viet Nam: 170.565 Laos: 10.002 Myanmar: 56.408 Cambodia: 15.659
600+ million
people live in ASEAN
countries
53%
of Southeast Asia’s
population is under 30
$2.3 trillion
approximate GDP of
ASEAN counties in 2012,
with growth exceeding 5%
on average
Sources: BDG-Asia, ASEAN, Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd, Inside Investor, East Cube
2002
Declaration on the
Conduct of Parties in
the South China Sea
2003
ASEAN signs the Bali
Concord II which is
the catalyst for the
creation of a single
market and
elimination of tariff
and non-tariff
roadblocks within the
region, as well as the
promotion of a
democratic
peacemaking process
2005
First meeting of the
ASEAN Plus Six
comprising the
ASEAN countries
plus China, Japan,
South Korea, India,
Australia, and New
Zealand

22. Turning over a new
leaf. “Caraga at 20” is
symbolized by a leaf
logo, which denotes
prosperity as a result of
diligence. The number
of leaves represent the
20 years of Caraga as a
region, and the leaf
colors are the colors of
FAME. Caraga Region
positions itself as the
Fishery, Agro-Forestry,
Mineral, and Eco-
Tourism (FAME) Center
of the Philippines.
22 caraga today
winners of the Be the Agent
of Change Jingle-Making
Contest performed their
winning piece.
There was a 2-day
Caraga Through the Years
Exhibit and Trade Fair at
Almont Hotel’s Inland
Resort and Convention
Center. A Forum on Land
Use Planning and a press
conference followed in the
afternoon. The festivities for
the day was capped by a
Fellowship Night organized
by the Association of
Caraga Executives (ACE).
Aside from this whole-day
event, other anniversary
activities were:
Caraga Regional Meet
Tandag City
February 23-27
led by DepEd and the
Provincial Government of
The Caraga Region, created
through Republic Act 7901
on February 23, 1995, is
now 20 years old!
The region during its
platinum anniversary is
recognizing various
milestones. The occasion,
dubbed as “Caraga at 20,”
was celebrated with a
parade participated by
regional line agencies
(RLAs), local government
units (LGUs) and other
partners.
A Thanksgiving Mass
and Opening Programme
followed highlighting the
first ever State of the
Regional Address (SORA)
by Regional Development
Council (RDC) Chairperson
Sol Matugas.
Authors of RA 7901 as
well as other distinguished
officials were feted during
the programme. The
Caraga turns over a new leaf at 20
by Rhea Mae C. Mendez, NEDA-Caraga
Surigao del Sur
Local Overseas Job Fair
Claver, Surigao del Norte
and Butuan City
February 25 and 27
led by DOLE
Partners’ Forum of
COSERAM
Almont Hotel’s Inland
Resort, Butuan City
February 25-27
led by GIZ
Caraga Culinary Show
Bayugan City
February 26-27
led by DOT
Free National Competency
Assessment Services
TESDA Regional &
Provincial Offices
February 23-27
led by TESDA

23. 23Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Caraga Regional Development Council, GIZ hold
first Regional Land Use Forum
The Caraga Regional
Development Council (RDC)
in partnership with GIZ held
the first ever Regional Land
Use Forum on February 23-24,
2015 at Almont Hotel’s Inland
Resort, Butuan City.
Atty. Linda Malenab-
Hornilla, Commissioner-In-
Charge for Planning of the
Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board (HLURB)
was the Keynote Speaker.
Hornilla cited Section 6,
Article 12 of the Philippine
Constitution that states, “the
use of property bears a social
function and all economic
agents shall contribute for the
common good.” Along this
line, she underscored the
critical role of government in
balancing the effects of two
contradicting but important
functions of land for the good
of the society as a whole and
for personal gains. She
explained that land has always
been regarded as a shared
natural resource (much like
water and air), which should
be conserved and cared for
with due consideration for its
effect on the society as a whole
and for the condition in which
it will be passed on to the
future generation.
On the other hand, land is
viewed as a property and
private commodity, which can
be owned and used, bought
and sold for personal comfort
and profit. She challenged the
local government units (LGUs)
to adhere to the principles of
sustainable development in the
preparation of their respective
Comprehensive Land Use
Plans (CLUPs).
RD Mylah Faye Aurora
Cariño, RLUC Chairperson
and Caraga RDC Vice
Chairperson, presented the
Policy Paper on Land Use/
Rights Conflicts in Caraga
Region. The policy paper
provided the analysis of issues
and concerns pertaining to land
rights/resource use conflict and
the suggested alternative
courses of actions to be
implemented at the local,
regional and national levels to
promote good governance of
natural resources.
As a resource-based
economy, the region’s biggest
challenge is to strike a balance
between production and
conservation in order to have a
development that guarantees
not only economic growth but
also the preservation of culture
and integrity of environment.
After the presentation,
representatives from DENR 13
and Central Offices of DAR,
NCIP and BSWM provided
their responses to the issues
by Graziella C. Harting, NEDA-Caraga
concerning their respective
agencies.
Land use resource persons
talked about the land
management regimes in the
Philippines, application of the
Integrated Ecosystem
Management (IEM) Approach,
Climate Change Adaptation
Framework in the Philippines
and its Implications to Local
Planning, Enhanced-
Guidelines on the Preparation
of Comprehensive Land and
Use Plans (CLUPs) and
integration of disaster risk
reduction/climate change
adaptation in local land use/
physical planning processes.
During the Forum there
were presentations on best
practices of selected
development efforts on natural
resources management within
and outside Caraga Region.
Among those invited speakers
was Datu Lumad Samuel
Behing II, Chairperson of
Wawa Sektor Tribal Council in
Sibagat, who shared their
continued on page 38

24. 24 caraga today
The National Budget Memorandum (NBM)
No. 123 dated January 28, 2015 recognizes
the critical role of the Regional
Development Councils (RDCs) in the FY
2016 National Budget Preparation.
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 325,
Series of 1996, the RDC is tasked to
conduct a regional budget review to ensure
alignment and harmonization of the
programs, projects and activities of the
national government agencies (NGAs) and
local government units for greater impact
at the grassroots level.
The Caraga RDC issued a Regional
Budget Call for FY 2016 parallel to the
NBM to ensure that the budget proposals
of the agency regional offices (AROs),
state universities and colleges (SUCs) and
other government instrumentalities
consider the development thrusts and
priorities of the region.
Moreover, this year’s budget process
broadens the participation of civil society
organizations and the private sector in
accordance with the principles of
transparency, accountability, integrity,
partnership, consultation and mutual
empowerment, respect for internal
processes, sustainability and national
interests.
Caraga Regional Development Council steers FY
2016 regional budget review
by Graziella C. Harting, NEDA-Caraga
Activities Schedule
Regional Budget Forum March 3, 2015
Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Consultation March 6, 2015
RDC Sectoral Committee Budget Review
 Economic Development Committee March 16, 2015
 Development Administration Committee March 16, 2015
 Social Development Committee March 17, 2015
 Infrastructure Development Committee March 19, 2015
RDC Full Council Budget Consultation March 26, 2015
RDC-Advisory Committee Budget Consultation March 27, 2015
RDC Consultation/Dialogue with Selected ACOs March 30-31, 2015
Regional Budget Review Process Calendar of Activities:

25. 25Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Criteria for Budget Assessment
1. Focuses on the five (5) key result areas
(KRAs) of the President’s Contract to the
Filipino people:
 Transparent, accountable and
participatory governance
 Poverty reduction and empowerment of
the poor and vulnerable
 Rapid, inclusive and sustained
economic growth
 Just and lasting peace and the rule of
law
 Integrity of the environment and
climate change adaptation and
mitigation
2. Contributes to the realization of the
region’s development thrusts and
priorities.
3. Supports the realization of the regional
targets under the Millennium
Development Goals:
 Goal 1: Eradicating extreme poverty
and hunger
 Goal 2: Achieving universal primary
education
 Goal 3: Promoting gender equality and
empowering women
 Goal 4: Reducing child mortality
 Goal 5: Improving maternal health
 Goal 6: Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria
and other diseases
 Goal 7: Ensuring environmental
sustainability
 Goal 8: Developing global partnerships
for development
4. Provides allocation for Bottom-Up
Budgeting (BUB) related programs,
projects and activities.
5. Ensures allocation of at least 5 percent
for gender and development (GAD)
related programs, projects and activities.
6. Strengthens the region’s resiliency to
natural and man-made disasters through
allocation of budgets for DRR/CCA-
related programs, projects and activities.

26. 437,730.87 MT in the same
quarter of 2014 because of
increments in fruit, vegetable
and non-food and industrial
crops production. Livestock
and poultry production
increased by 2.90% in the
second quarter 2014, from
14,211.89 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 14,623.33 MT
in the third quarter 2014.
Similarly, the fishery sub-
sector improved by 3.63%
reaching a total production of
23,676 MT, which was
attributed to municipal fishing
and aquaculture.
Log production decreased
because of lower private
land’s timber production. Log
production reached
155,326.28 m3
in the third
quarter 2014 from the
231,820.93 m3
level in the
The labor force participation
and employment rates in
October 2014 improved
compared to the same period
last year with 67.1% and
64.8%, respectively. However,
employment rate contracted
by 0.31% from 96.1% to
95.80%. Underemployment
rate increased by 9.55%, from
19.90% in October 2013 to
22% in October 2014.
Inflation rates in all
provinces in the third quarter
of 2014 increased by an
average of 5.17%.
In Agriculture and
Fishery, a minimal growth
was recorded. The increase
was attributed to higher crop
and poultry yields.
Agricultural crops grew by
1.71%, from 430,358.74 MT
in the third quarter of 2013 to
26 caraga today
3rd Quarter 2014 Caraga Regional Economic Situationer
third quarter 2013.
For mining and quarrying,
shipments of gold bullion and
nickel increased in the third
quarter of 2014 resulting in
more royalty taxes earned at
PhP1.2 billion.
Total number of flights
reached 1,800; higher by
19.36% in the third quarter
2014 from 1,508 during the
third quarter 2013. This was
due to the reopening of the
Tandag City Airport which
started its operation on June
30, 2015.
About 6,247shipcalls in
the third quarter 2014 was
recorded, higher by 137%
from 2,630 in the third quarter
2013. Ship calls in the region
are mostly domestic
comprising 95% of the total
shipcalls.
Overview of the Economy
Inflation Rate, Third Quarter 2013-2014 (%) Consumer Price Index, Third Quarter 2013-2014 (PhP)
Key Labor Statistics, Caraga, 2013-2014
Oct 2013 Oct 2014
Labor Force Participation Rate 67.10 64.80
Employment Rate 96.10 95.80
Unemployment Rate 3.90 4.20
Underemployment Rate 19.90 22.00
Source: PSA-NSO

27. 27Vol. XVIII Issue 1

28. 19.90% in October 2013 to
22% in October 2014.
Inflation and Consumer
Price Index
The average inflation rate
reached 5.17% in the third
quarter 2014, higher by
65.78% than the 3.12%
registered in the third quarter
2013. Agusan del Sur
recorded the highest increase
of 105% while only Agusan
del Norte decreased by 21%.
The Consumer Price Index
averaged at PhP155.20 in
the third quarter 2014. This
is 5.28% higher than the
same period last year at
PhP147.42. Consequently,
the purchasing power of peso
decreased at the average of
4.65%, from 0.68 in the third
quarter 2013 to 0.65 in the
Macroeconomic
Performance
Labor and Employment
The region’s labor force
increased by 1.27% from
1,738,000 in October 2013 to
1,760 in October 2014. On
the contrary, labor force
participation rate declined by
2.30 percentage points, from
67.1% in October 2013 to
64.8% in October 2014.
Employment rate
contracted by 0.31% from
96.1% in October 2013 to
95.80% in October 2014.
Consequently,
unemployment rate increased
by 7.69%, from 3.9% in
October 2013 to 4.20% in
October 2014. Likewise,
underemployment rate
increased by 10.55%, from
28 caraga today
third quarter 2014.
Agriculture, Forestry, and
Fishery
Crops
Palay production in the third
quarter 2014 reached 35,426
metric tons (MT), lower by
9.25% compared to third
quarter 2013. The decrease
in production was attributed
to the decrease in area
planted.
Surigao del Sur is the
biggest producer of palay
among the provinces,
contributing 43% to total
regional production in the
third quarter 2014. Surigao
del Norte follows with 32%
contribution.
Corn production
increased by 4.25%, from

29. 2013 to 253,932.85 MT in
the third quarter 2014. The
decrease was caused by
fewer coconut produced
from Typhoon Yolanda
affected areas. Coconut has
the highest contribution with
83 % of the region’s NFICs
production.
Livestock and Poultry
Livestock production
increased by 0.92% from
10,245 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 10,339 MT
in the third quarter of 2014
due to more disposal of
carabao, cattle and goat.
Likewise, poultry
production registered an
increase of 8%, from
3,966.89 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 4,284.33 MT
in the third quarter 2014. All
decrease in production of
other fruits (i.e. pineapple,
papaya, orange).
Vegetables
Vegetable production
increased by 10.86% from
21,130.75 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 32,059.35
MT in the third quarter 2014.
Most of the major crops, i.e.
camote, cassava, gabi, and
squash fruits registered
higher yields. Camote
registered the highest
production with 39% to the
region’s production.
Non-Food and Industrial
Crops
Non-Food and Industrial
Crops (NFICs) declined by
2.07% from 259,299.23 MT
during the third quarter of
29Vol. XVIII Issue 1
44,613 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 46,511 MT
in the third quarter 2014. The
increase was due to higher
yields and more area
harvested for both white corn
and yellow corn in the third
quarter 2014. The province
of Agusan del Sur was the
top corn producer,
contributing 71% of the total
production in the third
quarter 2014.
Fruits
Fruit Production increased
by 16.92% from 69,899.76
MT in the third quarter 2013
to 81,713.42 MT in the third
quarter 2014. Banana
contributed 85% of the total
fruit production thus
increasing the total fruit
production despite the

30. 30 caraga today
2013. Among the provinces,
Agusan del Norte had the
biggest share with 31%
which increased by 112.10%.
On new business names
registration, DTI recorded
1,375 in the third quarter
2014. This represents a
decrease of 12.25% from the
third quarter 2013 figure of
1,567. Agusan del Norte
contributed the biggest share
of 40%, followed by Surigao
del Norte with 27%. All
provinces incurred a
decrease in new business
names registered.
Services
Air Transport
Total number of flights in the
region during the third
quarter 2014 reached 1,800.
Both incoming and outgoing
flights registered an increase
of 19.36% from 1,508 in the
third quarter 2013. This was
due to reopening of Tandag
City Airport in June 30,
2015.
Total incoming
passengers reached 81,342 in
the third quarter 2014,
signifying an increase of
9.74% from 74,124 in the
declined by 7.68% from
1,383.76 MT in the third
quarter 2013 to 1,277.47 Mt
in the third quarter 2014.
This was caused by the
prohibition of danish seine
and “basing” in Surigao del
Norte.
Forestry
Log production was
estimated at 155,326.28 m3
in the third quarter 2014,
posting a decrease of 33%
from the 231,820.93 m3
level
in the third quarter 2013. A
huge portion of the growth
was generated from the
Private Tree Plantation
Ownership Certificates
(PTPOC) production which
decreased by 32%. The
PTPOC accounted for 99.0%
of the total log production.
Trade and Industry
Trade
In the third quarter 2014, the
Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) XIII recorded
aggregate domestic sales of
PhP188.3 million, which is
19.02% higher than the
PhP158.2 million sales
recorded in the third quarter
poultry products increased
led by chicken contributing
74% of the total production.
Fishery
Fish production increased by
3.63% from 22,847.49 MT in
the third quarter 2013 to
23,676.07 MT in the third
quarter 2014. The increase
was driven by both
municipal fishing and
aquaculture that increased by
5.78% and 0.48%,
respectively. Municipal
fisheries contributes 71%
while aquaculture shares
24% to the total fishery
production.
More catch of Skipjack,
Frigate tuna, Indian
mackerel, Fimbriated
sardines, Porgies and Squid
(Barawan), freshwater goby
and tilapia contributed to the
production increment of the
municipal fishery. The
increase in the aquaculture
production was attributed to
seaweeds and more yields in
brackish water fishponds due
to high stocking and feed
support from LGU-BFAR.
On the contrary,
commercial production

31. Banking
RCBC Savings Bank (RSB)
opened its first branch in
March 2015 along J.C.
Aquino Avenue Butuan
City. RSB is a wholly
owned subsidiary of one of
the country's top universal
banks, Rizal Commercial
Banking Corporation
(RCBC).
Transport Services
The Tigerair Philippines
Manila -Butuan -Manila
launched its first night flight
through Butuan City’s
Bancasi airport on
December 16, 2014. This
presents many opportunities
and may boost the city’s
economy and tourism
industry, with Butuan City
being the regional center of
Caraga region.
Malls and Hotels
Two branches of Gaisano
Malls opened in San
Francisco, Agusan del Sur
in December 2014 and
March 2015. The Gaisanos
provide opportunities for
employment in San
Francisco and the rest of
Agusan del Sur. Gaisano
also plans to build malls in
Bayugan City and Tandag
City, Surigao del Sur.
Go Hotel in Robinson's
Place Butuan opened in
February 2015. Go hotel
caters to both business and
leisure travelers in the city/
region.
31Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Development Prospects
third quarter 2013. Total
outgoing passengers reached
86,323 in the third quarter
2014 indicating an increase
of 9.14% from 79,093
passengers in the third
quarter 2013.
Total cargoes recorded in
the third quarter 2014
reached 1,632.59 MT, lower
by 19.94% from 2,038.28
MT during the third quarter
2013. Both incoming and
outgoing cargoes registered a
decrease of 23.03% and
15.37%, respectively.
Shipping and Cargoes
Total number of shipcalls in
the third quarter 2014
reached a total of 6,247,
higher by 137% from 2,630
in the third quarter 2013.
Ship calls in the region are
mostly domestic comprising
95% of the total shipcalls.
Both domestic and foreign
shipcalls increased by
149.8% and 27.5%,
respectively.
Inbound domestic cargo
throughput increased by
9.40% from 440.2 MT
during the third quarter 2013
to 481.6 MT in the third
quarter 2014. On the
contrary, outbound domestic
cargo decreased by 6.46%
from 194.7 MT to 182.1 MT
in the same period.
Foreign export
throughput reached 14,751
MT in the 1st semester 2014,
indicating an increase of
1,708% from last year’s 815
MT due to the increase in
shipment of nickel and
chromite ores.

32. 32 caraga today
4th Quarter 2014 Regional Project Monitoring Report
Name of Project Location
Cost in Million
(PhP)
Physical Accomplishment (%) as of
October 24, 2014
Status
Planned (%) Actual (%)
Slippage
(%)
Construction of 4-Classroom New Israel
Elementary School
Brgy. Sta. Maria, Trento,
Agusan del Sur
3.44 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom San Miguel
Elementary School
Brgy. Sta. Maria, Trento,
Agusan del Sur
1.72 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Sta. Maria
Elementary School
Brgy. Sta. Maria, Trento,
Agusan del Sur
3.44 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Cebolin
Elementary School
Trento, Agusan del Sur 2.94 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom San Ignacio
Elementary School
Trento, Agusan del Sur 3.15 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom San Jose
Elementary School
Sta. Josefa, Agusan del
Sur
1.32 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Singapore
Elementary School
Brgy. Sta. Maria, Agusan
del Sur
3.43 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 5-Classroom Pag-asa
Elementary School
Sta. Josefa, Agusan del
Sur
1.69 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Dao Primary
School
Sta. Josefa, Agusan del
Sur
1.25 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Trento Central
SPED
Trento I, Agusan del Sur 1.65 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Trento
National High School
Trento I, Agusan del Sur 1.64 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Kapatungan
Elementary School
Trento I, Agusan del Sur 3.36 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 3-Classroom Tagyago
Primary School
La Paz, Agusan del Sur 2.02 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Storey, 4-Classroom La
Paz Central Elementary School
Brgy. Poblacion, La Paz,
Agusan del Sur
3.62 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 3-Classroom Sagunto
Elementary School
La Paz, Agusan del Sur 2.02 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Storey, 10o-Classroom
Doña Adela Central Elementary School
Panagangan, La Paz,
Agusan del Sur
9.09 100.00 80.00 (20.00) Completed
Construction of 1-Classroom Waloe
Elementary School
Loreto, Agusan del Sur 0.63 100.00 94.80 (5.20) Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Bacay
Elementary School
Veruela, Agusan del Sur 1.68 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Don Mateo
Elementary School
Veruela, Agusan del Sur 3.33 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom, East
Bunawan Central Elementary School
Brgy. San Teodoro,
Bunawan, Agusan del Sur
3.14 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Bonifacio
Central Elementary School
Brgy. Bayugan 3, Rosario,
Agusan del Sur
1.59 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 2-Classroom Cuevas
Elementary School
Trento, Agusan del Sur 1.51 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 4-Classroom Patrocenio
Elementary School
Sta. Josefa, Agusan del
Sur
1.36 100.00 100.00 - Completed

33. 33Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Widening and Clearing of Landslide Prone
Section along NRJ Bayugan-Calaitan-
Tandag Road
Agusan del Sur 19.70 15.25 61.20 45.95 Completed
Emergency Repair/Restoration of Calamity
Damaged Roadway along Daang Maharlika
(Agusan-Davao Road), Brgy. Tabon-tabon
to Brgy. Mahayahay
Sibagat, Agusan del Sur 10.95 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 1-Storey, 3-Classroom San
Roque Elementary School
San Roque, Lingig,
Surigao del Sur
2.24 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 1-Storey, 4-Classroom
Pagtilaan Elementary School
Pagtilaan, Lingig, Surigao
del Sur
2.57 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Road Slip Protection along Surigao-Davao
Coastal Road (K1474+489 - K1474+531)
Brgy. Mahayahay, Lingig,
Surigao del Sur
10.65 0.57 1.09 0.52 Completed
Road Slip Protection along Surigao-Davao
Coastal Road (K1474+958 - K1474+972.2)
Sitio Paradise, Brgy.
Tagpoporan, Lingig,
Surigao del Sur
5.24 0.97 1.28 0.31 Completed
970m Rehabilitation along Butuan City-
Talacogon-Veruela-Sta. Josefa Road
(K1325+500 - K1332+800) Laminga-Zillovia
Section
San Luis, Agusan del Sur 19.40 100.00 100.00 - Completed
500m Rehabilitation along Butuan City-
Talacogon-Veruela-Sta. Josefa Road
(K1336+304 - K1342+770) Marbon Section
Talacogon, Agusan del
Sur
9.70 100.00 100.00 - Completed
500m Rehabilitation along Butuan City-
Talacogon-Veruela-Sta. Josefa Road
(K1349+336 - K1353+114) Desamparados
Section
Talacogon, Agusan del
Sur
9.70 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Replacement of Classroom, La Flora
Elementary School
Talacogon, Agusan del
Sur
2.02 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Construction of 3-Classroom Magsaysay
Elementary School
Veruela, Agusan del Sur 0.91 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Guinabsan CIS in Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte
Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte
3.00 100.00 100.00 - Completed
Name of Project Location
Cost in Million
(PhP)
Physical Accomplishment (%) as of
October 24, 2014
Status
Planned (%) Actual (%)
Slippage
(%)
Rehabilitation of Union Communal Irrigation System
Union, Lingig, Surigao del Sur
Repair of Road Slip along Surigao-Agusan Road Poblacion Sison, Suri-
gao del Norte

34. 34 caraga today
19.7 years
first sexual intercourse of women age 25-
29, younger than the other age groups
Highlights: 2013 National Demographic and Health
Survey Results for Caraga Region
3.6 births
per woman
4.4 children
born to women 40-49
years old
92 percent
of married women with 6 or more
living children want no more children
60 percent
of married women age 15-49 want
no more children
On Fertility, Fertility Preferences and Family Planning
14 percent
of currently married women have an unmet
need for family planning service of 5.9 percent
for spacing, and 7.8 percent for limiting births
68 percent
total demand for family planning
54 percent
of married women use contraception
(39 percent modern method, 15.2 percent use
traditional method)
46 percent
are not currently using any contraception
Maternal and Child Health
9 in 10 women
received antenatal care from a
skilled health provider (doctor,
nurse and midwife)
84 percent
women age 15-49 with a live birth
had their last live birth protected
against neonatal tetanus
55.5 percent
of births are delivered in a health
facility
95 percent
of children received the BCG vaccine
93 percent
of children received the dose of DPT
93 percent
of children received the first dose of polio
vaccine
92 percent
of children received the first dose of hepatitis B
vaccine
Marriage and Sexual Behavior
20.8 years
median age of first marriage
3 in 5 births
were assisted by a medically-trained provider
(doctor, nurse or midwife)

35. 35Vol. XVIII Issue 1
Highlights: 8th National Nutrition Survey Results
for Caraga Region
2 in every 10
0-5 years old children are
underweight
3 in every 10
school-age children are stunted
1 in every 4
school-age children are underweight for their age
3.7 percent
0-5 years old children are overweight
6.8 percent
adolescents are overweight
18.3 percent
prevalence of nutritionally-at-risk pregnant
women
9.6 percent
prevalence of underweight lactating
women
7.7 percent
adults had chronic energy deficiency
35 percent
adults are overweight and obese
24.6 percent
prevalence of overweight and obese
lactating women
35 percent
adult pregnant women are overweight and
obese
3 in every 10
0-5 years old children are
stunted
8 in every 100
0-5 years old children are
underweight for their height

36. 36 caraga today
Tropical Storm Seniang
destroyed PhP32 million
worth of cereals, PhP3.5
million other crops, and
PhP3.5 million livestock as
of January 16, 2015.
Regional Director Edna
Mabeza committed that DA-
Caraga will distribute initial
buffer stocks to local
government units with
validated damage reports.
A total of 3,047 bags of
certified seeds will be
distributed to Agusan del
Sur (1,645 bags), Surigao
del Sur (1,200 bags),
Agusan del Norte (250
bags), Butuan City (750
bags), and Taganaan,
Surigao del Norte (20 bags).
Also, Tago, Surigao del
Sur will receive 80
ducklings and Barobo,
Marihatag, and Tago,
Surigao del Sur will receive
200 chickens each.
In addition, Butuan City;
Nasipit, Agusan del Norte;
and Barobo and Tagbina,
Surigao del Sur will receive
45 kilos of assorted
vegetable seeds each.
Bayugan City and the rest of
Agusan del Sur will receive
10 bags of corn each.
DA-Caraga is also
committed to procure more
seeds and provide other
interventions to fully
rehabilitate affected farmers
once the final validation and
assessment is done. This
will ensure that food
sufficiency program of the
department will be sustained
even with the occurrence of
floods and other calamities.
Seniang affected farmers get support from the
Department of Agriculture-Caraga
by Rhea Abao, DA-Caraga
Tandag’s Municipal Food Terminal – a marketing
hub for farmers, fisherfolks
The Department of
Agriculture (DA)-Caraga
launched its second
Municipal Food Terminal
(MFT) in Bongtud, Tandag
City last January 30, 2015.
The MFT is managed by
the Tandag Boholano
Fishermen Association
(TANBOFISA), the winner
of the Regional Search for
Best Barangay Bagsakan in
2014. It ranked third at the
national level.
DA-Caraga granted
TANBOFISA an additional
capital of PhP1 million to
become a municipal food
terminal.
Lucita Solis, President
of TANBOFISA, said that
they would use the fund for
rice trading. But to ensure
steady supply of rice and
rootcrops, the first MFT
under the Maitom Farmers
Association inked a
marketing agreement with
TANBOFISA. Under the
agreement, Maitom MFT
will supply TANBOFISA
200 bags of rice and other
alternative food staples
while TANBOFISA will
supply Maitom MFT with
aqua marine products.
Maitom Farmers
Association President
Ricardo Fernandez said that
both fisherfolks and farmers
could directly benefit from
the project since they now
have sure market for their
produce.
To date, DA Caraga had
launched a total of 57
Barangay Food Terminals
and nine Municipal Food
Terminals strategically
located across the region.
Tandag City Mayor
Roxanne Pimentel directed
the City Agriculture Office
to closely monitor the
project to ensure its success.
by Aurell P. Arais, DA-Caraga

37. 37Vol. XVIII Issue 1
TESDA-Caraga gets scholarship fund hike,
PhP11.9M skills training
Scholarship Fund
Technical Education and
Skills Development
Authority (TESDA)-Caraga
Regional Director Florencio
Sunico, Jr. announced the
increase of scholarship fund
for 2015 in a press
conference.
The Training for Work
Scholarship Program
(TWSP) has increased by
92% from PhP21 million to
PhP40 million. Sunico
explained that TWSP
budget will benefit 4,268
scholars regionwide.
Under the TWSP, the
budget allocation for the
Agriculture sector is
P5,913,000; Tourism –
P10,925,000; IT-BPM –
P2,948,000; Semi-conductor
and Electronics – P673,000;
Automotive – P796,000;
General Infrastructure/
Construction/Housing –
P6,033,000; Manufacturing
– P7,653,000; Logistics –
P255,000; New and
Emerging Sectors –
P405,000; Trainers’
Methodology/Skills
Upgrading – P2,960,000;
Language and Culture –
P450,000; and the National
TVET Competency
Assessment and
Certification (NATCAC) –
P1,533,000.
Skills Training
A total of P11,941,171
worth of skills training
under the Bottom Up
Budgeting (BUB) has been
approved for Caraga Region
in 2015.
For Agusan del Norte, a
project worth PhP2,840,171
with a total of PhP500,000
counterpart from the local
government units will cater
194 beneficiaries from
Butuan City, Jabonga and
Tubay, Agusan del Norte.
Also, 83 beneficiaries
from Talacogon, Agusan del
Sur will benefit from a
PhP1,089,000 project. The
provincial government will
contribute PhP99,000 to the
project amount.
Further, 319
beneficiaries from Surigao
City, Dapa, and Bacuag,
Surigao del Norte will
benefit from a
PhP4,350,000 project. The
provincial government will
counterpart PhP540,000 to
by Robert E. Roperos, TESDA-Caraga
TESDA-Caraga
Regional Director
Florencio Sunico, Jr.
(center) shows the
Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA)
signed between
TESDA and the local
government unit of
Gigaquit, Surigao del
Norte represented by
Mayor Carlos Egay,
Jr. (left) during the
MOA-signing of the
Bottom-Up Budgeting
(formerly Grassroots
Participatory
Budgeting) last year.
Also in photo is
TESDA-Caraga
Regional Operations
Division (ROD) Chief
Liza Budtan.
the project amount.
Furthermore, some 144
beneficiaries from Lanuza,
San Miguel, and Tandag
City, Surigao del Sur will
have training opportunities
from a PhP2,050,000
project. The provincial
government will contribute
PhP335,700 to the project
amount.
Finally, 125
beneficiaries from
Cagdianao and Libjo,
Dinagat Islands will benefit
from a PhP1,612,000
project with PhP112,000
counterpart from the
provincial government.
The BUB
implementation in Caraga
Region is a mechanism of
TESDA to mold the youth
to become world-class
skilled workers.

38. 38 caraga today
The Department of Trade
and Industry-Surigao del
Norte Provincial Office
(DTI-SDN), in coordination
with the Surigao City
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, held a “Session on
Doing Business in Free
Trade Areas and ASEAN
Economic Integration,”
Friday, February 20, 2015 at
Parkway Hotel, Surigao
City.
The participants were
exporters, importers,
members of academe and
students in business
management or international
marketing, business support
organizations, trade
associations, chamber of
commerce and industry
leaders, business clubs,
customs brokers, freight
forwarders, NGOs and
private organizations
involved in assisting
exporters.
The activity aims to
increase awareness as well
as foster appreciation of the
benefits of tariff elimination
or reduction within the 10-
member countries of the
Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN)
and other free trade areas. It
also covered discussions on
market opportunities with
focus on products with zero
or reduced tariffs under
existing free trade
agreements.
Department of Trade and Industry, city chamber
hold tariff elimination, ASEAN economic integration
session
by Rodrigo R. Matabaran, DTI-Caraga
experience in harmonizing
their Ancestral Domain
Sustainable Development and
Protection Plan (ADSDPP) in
the municipality of Sibagat
under the Conflict Sensitive
Resources and Asset
Management (COSERAM)
Program funded by the
German International
Cooperation (GIZ). Mr. John
Francisco Pontillas, Planning
Development Officer V of
PCSD presented the Palawan
experience on mining,
ecotourism and conservation
development. Forester
Edgardo Agbayani, Deputy
Protected Area Superintendent
of Mt. Kitanglad PAMB
shared their experience on the
management of protected area
within the ancestral domain.
Caraga Regional Development Council, GIZ hold first...
from page 23
Other invited speakers were
representatives from the
Provincial Government of
Agusan del Norte and
Municipal Government of
Malimono on building
capacities in land use planning
and ridge-to-reef project,
respectively.
At the end of the Forum, a
Pledge of Commitment was
signed by the different
stakeholders, which was an
appeal to the national
government to take actions on
the issues and concerns
confronting the region’s land
and natural resources
utilization and management.
The participants included
local chief executives (LCEs),
local planning and
development coordinators
(LPDCs) and representatives
from regional line agencies
(RLAs), selected agency
central offices, civil society
organizations (CSOs), private
sectors and bilateral partners.
Dr. Stephanie Schell-
Faucon of GIZ expressed her
gratitude to all partners who
supported the COSERAM
Program implementation. As a
major partner in conflict
transformation efforts in
Caraga Region, the Caraga
RDC Vice Chairperson Cariño
gave Faucon a Manobo doll as
a sign of the region’s
recognition of her invaluable
contributions in conflict
transformation undertakings.

39. 39Vol. XVIII Issue 1
IN PHOTOS: Caraga turns over a new leaf at 20

40. Highlights: Millennium Development Goals Status
for Caraga Region
40 caraga today
Goals/Indicators Baseline Current Level
Probability of
Attaining the
Targets
Target
Eradicate Extreme Poverty
Proportion of population 2003 2012 2015
below subsistence threshold 21.70 23.00 Very Low10.85
below poverty threshold 44.70 42.00 Very Low22.35
Proportion of families 2003 2012
below subsistence threshold 16.60 16.90 Very Low8.30
below poverty threshold 37.60 34.10 Very Low18.80
Prevalence of malnutrition among 0-5 years old (%
underweight)
23.12 9.80 High11.56
Achievement of Universal Primary Education 1995-1996 2012-2013
Elementary participation rate 93.01 97.20 High100.00
Elementary cohort survival rate 68.43 72.00 Low82.25
Elementary completion rate 66.79 71.30 Low81.27
Promote gender equality and women
empowerment
Elementary participation rate 2000-2001 2011-2012
Male 86.78 96.50 High100.00
Female 93.27 97.90 High100.00
Secondary participation rate
Male 50.54 62.00 Very Low100.00
Female 57.23 72.10 Very Low100.00
Reduce child mortality 2000 2013
Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths) 26 7.00 High8.70
1991 2013
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths) 17.37 4.76 High5.80
Improve maternal health 1991 2013
Maternal mortality rate (per 1,000 livebirths) 161.00 135.00 Very Low54.00
Increase access to reproductive health services 1999 2011
Contraceptive prevalence rate 37.96 56.14 Low75.92
Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria
and other diseases
1995 2011
Malaria morbidity rate (per 100,000
population)
154.98 1.65 High31.00
TB morbidity rate 231.1 13.23 High46.22
Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Provide basic amenities 2001 2011
Proportion of families with access to safe
drinking water
70.61 93.00 High87.00