COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The current administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has gained good impression anew from another prudent institution, receiving this time an unprecedented recognition from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Due to its exemplary observance of civil service rule and rules, the ARMM’s Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO) received an accreditation from the CSC granting it a self-rule in appointing personnel in first, second and third level career and non-career positions without the usual attestation or intervention from the commission. (Ali G. Macabalang)

OFW training

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The financial, literacy and entrepreneurship training to quip Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from the countries due to peace and order problems, has started, it was reported Wednesday.

It was also reported that the Provincial Public Employment Service Assistance Office (PESO) in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City, have started its first of the series of activities lined up with partner agencies in an effort to help the OFWs in their financial literacy and entrepreneurship business, to equip them with business skills. (Mike U. Crismundo)

PCSO partners

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will bring its "new beginning" campaign to the Visayas and Mindanao in relation with strengthening cooperation with its 116 institutional partners (IPs), such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) that provide charity work for their thousands of beneficiaries.

PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II will lead a group Thursday to Cebu City and later to Cagayan de Oro City for meetings with its charity partners. He said the PCSO started its meetings with 44 of its IPs on Oct. (Edd K. Usman)

Disaster plan

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – This early, officials of the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Technical Working Group (TWG) are now preparing their disaster action plan for Calendar Year 2012-2016.

All disaster councils in the 5 provinces and 6 cities in the Caraga region are already advised to prepare their respective action plan for a 5-year preparation and implementation. The sounding off to all DRRMC’s throughout the Caraga region came out Wednesday in preparation for their unifide regional, provincial, city and municipal DRRM strategic action planning workshop. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Population quiz

BUTUAN CITY — Winners of the recent schools division contest will compete again to grab the title as Regional Champion for the Population Quiz, it was announced Wednesday.

The winners of the recent population quiz who will compete again are Leslie G. Sumabal from Carmen National high School represents Agusan del Norte division; Maynard E. Limbaco of Bayugan National Comprehensive High School – Agusan del Sur; Blessee Joy V. Lacuna, Tabon Maximino Estrella National High School – Bislig City; Ruby Althea C. Comiling of Agusan National High School will represent Butuan City division; the Province of Dinagat Islands will be represented by Jaffielu J. Morales of Don Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. Memorial National High School among others. (Mike U. Crismundo)