Caraga infocus May 5 - 11, 2018

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Contents Volume II, No. 57

5 - 11 May 2018

4Ps beneficiaries in Butuan City harvest high-value crops ASEAN NEWS finances USD17-B projects in 8 ADB ASEAN countries FC, Yangon United 9 Ceres-Negros to meet in ASEAN Zonal semis

REGIONAL NEWS 10 11

MINDANAO NEWS Navy men honored for P67-M smuggled rice 21 seized shipment 22

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Suspect in 2007 Kidapawan City bombing nabbed

PNP Caraga readies for BSKE 2018; deploys personnel in different areas Kalahi-CIDSS livelihood, enterprise partnerbeneficiaries undergo TRAIN law orientation 37K Caraganon students to benefit from free higher education

12 PROVINCIAL NEWS Caraga police intensifies 13 operations vs illegal logging, 14

wanted persons Siargao welcomes GKonomics for social enterprise development

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Caraga army general warns candidates not to deal with rebels

16 in SurSur town AgNor to receive vet 17 equipment from DA Caraga Agnor SP supports CHED’s 18 Scholarship Program farmers get land 19 91 certificates

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NATIONAL NEWS chief takes oath as 21 Ex-PNP BuCor head 22

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Army troopers seize hot logs

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LGU break ground for Project 20 DAR, ConVERGE’s P24.8-M FMR

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MRT records no unloading incidents for 17 days

News Briefs The personnel of Del Carmen MPS headed by PSInsp Nira Brito Perocho & Commission on Elections (COMELEC) of Municipality of Del Carmen led by Municipal Election Officer Sarah Ramona Comon initiated a Candidates Fora and Signing of Peace Covenant by all political candidates/aspirants for the May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections held at Brgy.

San Fernando, Barangays Mahayahay and Sayak , Del Carmen , Surigao del Norte on May 4, 2018. It aimed to strengthen candidates’ commitment for the conduct of a clean , honest & peaceful elections in the barangays. (Del Carmen MPS)

The Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur was declared 1st place winner by RDRRMC Caraga for the Schools Category (Public Secondary/ High School) in the Caraga Regional Gawad KALASAG Search for Excellence in DRRM & Humanitarian Assistance 2018.

According to PNP regional director Noli Romana, during the Barangay and SK Elections on May 14, 2018, the barangays in the PNP’s election watchlist will be getting more PNP personnel. The PNP election watchlist monitors all the barangays across the regions and ranks them according to critical parameters. Parameters include extreme political rivalry, presence of private armed groups, activities of criminal gangs, proliferation of loose firearms and activities of threat groups.

The Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative II (SURSECO II) has given assurance that power supply will be stable especially on May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Aguinaldo Jaluag, corporate planning division chief & spokesperson of SURSECO II said that their maintenance crew had already got their job done by conducting clearing operations & other related works to ensure that nothing would go wrong.

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Cover story 4Ps beneficiaries in Butu high-value crops

B U T U A N CITY, Thirty-nine Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) partner-beneficiaries and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) participants had finally harvested the high-value crops which they cultivated for three months with the aid of “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan” program of SM Foundation.

Despite the scorching heat of the sun, they were all smiles while harvesting the crops at their plots at Brgy. Tiniwisan, this city.

Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan, a rural farmers’ training program, is being implemented as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of SM Foundation.

The said program was realized in the city in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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uan City harvest

Butuan City Agriculture Office, Harbest, their three-month training program. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) SLP. The participants have also prepared a sustainability plan to ensure

Included in the program were that the learning and theories they gained capability-building activities through trainings from their trainings and experiences to enhance the farming skills of the participants. would be put to practical use, thereby, contributing to improved socio-economic

Recently, they also received status.

(DSWD-Caraga/VLG/PIA-Caraga) their certificates of completion from

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Photo Gallery

ANHS Batch 1988 Ribbon Cutting and Turn-over Ceremony of School Clinic Building 08 - MAY - 2018

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ASEAN

ADB finances USD17-B projects in ASEAN countries By: Kris Crismundo share amounting to USD100 million.

The institution prioritizes projects in infrastructure including transport, energy, water, and urban services; public sector management; finance; health and education; water management and agriculture; climate change and disaster risk management; and regional cooperation and integration.

In particular, ADB’s projects in the Philippine include 280 kilometers of

MANILA -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has poured in USD16.5 billion as of February this year for developmental projects in ASEAN member states.

national roads and bridges, detailed design of 300 kilometers of national highways in Mindanao; the JobStart Program in 32 local government units, helping 50,000 out-of-school youths to prepare them to join the workforce;

This amount has financed 159 projects and assisting in rehabilitation of 74 poor in Southeast Asia aiming to address the municipalities affected by typhoon Yolanda. rising inequality in the region, narrowing infrastructure investments gap, and training In one of the media briefings during the skilled labors to fuel the ASEAN’s growth. 51st ADB Annual Meeting from May 3 to 6, ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Department

ADB data showed that 47 percent of its Ramesh Subramaniam said the Bank remains portfolio in the region went to Vietnam, which the optimistic with the economy of the region.

Bank financed 59 projects worth USD7.8 billion.

Subramaniam noted that

Indonesia and the Philippines are the ASEAN continues to be the fastest next biggest clients for ADB, accounting growing region in the world. for 21 percent (USD3.5 billion) and 16 percent (USD2.7 billion), respectively, He added that this growth would of its total portfolio in the region. be sustainable with better infrastructure connectivity and regional coopera

About 7 percent of ADB’s portfolio t i o n . in ASEAN went to Cambodia, which The Philippines concluded its hosting of amounted to USD1.2 billion; Lao PDR, with 4 the 51st ADB Annual Meeting on Sunday. (PNA) percent share amounting USD 730 million; Myanmar, with 4 percent share amounting USD620 million; and Thailand, with 1 percent MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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ASEAN

Ceres-Negros FC, Yangon United to meet in

By Nanette Guadalquiver ASEAN Zonal semis BACOLOD CITY -- The Philippines’ CeresNegros will face Yangon United of Myanmar in the first leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup ASEAN Zonal semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Panaad Park and Stadium here.

The upcoming match will be the first time the two clubs will meet in the AFC Cup, and Ceres-Negros is gearing up for a repeat of its semifinal success last year.

Ceres-Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic admitted though that replicating the past year’s feat would not be easy for the team.

“It’s not easy to repeat what we’ve done last year. That’s why I’m not expecting anything. For the team, just give everything what they have, to fight for each other, to fight for the team. Whatever happens I will be proud of them,” Vidakovic said during the pre-match press conference held Tuesday at Luxur Place.

“Every game for us is the same, same difficulty, same importance. We need to score in every game, tomorrow is not different,” the Serbian mentor added.

More than a year ago, Ceres-Negros defeated Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on away goals before foiling Home United of Singapore, 3-2 on aggregate in the regional final, but subsequently lost to Tajiskistan’s FC Istiklol in two legs of the Inter-Zone semi-finals.

Vidakovic said the game against Yangon United is “much more important because this is the semi-finals, this is the first leg.”

motivated for tomorrow,” he added.

Defender Junior Muñoz, who joined Vidakovic in the press conference, said he and his teammates are ready for the match against Yangon United.

“The team spirit at the moment is good, it’s high. Every game, we focus on our strength like coach tells us. We’re ready for tomorrow’s (Wednesday) game,” he said.

Ceres-Negros, the current Philippines Football League champions, finished second in Group F to book a trip to the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals. They tied for 13 points with Home United, but were beaten to top spot by the Singaporean team due to an inferior head-to-head record.

Yangon United topped Group G and was five points clear of second place Global Cebu to qualify for the ASEAN Zonal semifinals showdown with Ceres-Negros. (PNA)

“This game is different, this is something special. This is enough for us to be 9

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Regional News PNP Caraga readies for BSKE 2018; deploys personnel in different areas By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- A total of 3,131 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga region will be deployed to different areas in the region during the 2018 Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on May 14.

According to PNP regional director PCSupt Noli Romana, 2,387 police personnel will be deployed to provide security to polling places and the 744 will act as quick reactionary force.

“The barangays in the PNP’s election watch list will be getting more PNP personnel,” said Romana. The PNP’s election watch list will be monitored and will be ranked MAY 5 - 11, 2018

according to critical parameters, he added.

Also, PCSupt. Romana said that the parameters would include ranking according to extreme political rivalry; presence of private armed groups; activities of criminal gangs; proliferation of loose firearms; and activities of threat groups.

PNP, as per Comelec Resolution No. 9570, is deputized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as their partner in ensuring safe elections in 2018. (NCLM/PNP/PIA-Caraga)

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Regional News

Kalahi-CIDSS livelihood, enterprise partner-beneficiaries undergo TRAIN law orientation By: Russ Cleppin M. Paster & Marko Davey D. Reyes

B

UTUAN CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Caraga, through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services’ (KalahiCIDSS) – Livelihood and Enterprise (L and E) modality, conducted an orientation on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law or TRAIN LAW on April 6, 2018 at the DSWD Caraga Conference Hall here.

This was to address the challenge on educating and translating the salient features of Republic Act 10963 otherwise known as the TRAIN LAW to beneficiaries of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In attendance were the beneficiaries, together with representatives of the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) and Area Coordinating Teams (ACT).

Revenue Officer, Mr. Ellezer E. Dumaran, served as the resource speaker for the activity.

Dumaran discussed changes on the Personal Income Tax (PIT) and some impacts the TRAIN Law can make in their enterprises highlighting the use of correct books in accounting and the timely payment of taxes.

One of the goals of the TRAIN Law is to lower the PIT. Through this, small-scale entrepreneurs can now have a bigger

profit, thereby improving the well-being of individuals and households, which would then lead to the decrease of poverty.

An open forum was also initiated which paved way for participants to raise questions regarding the TRAIN Law, and be given explanations with regards to their queries.

The “L and E” is one of the new modalities being implemented by the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS Program.

Through the utilization of CommunityDriven Development, communities who have identified livelihood needs and have existing resources are extended funds and capability building activities to ensure a more active planning, budgeting and implementing of a community livelihood program.

(DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

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Regional News 37K Caraganon students to benefit from free higher education By: Zachary Claire Cruz

BUTUAN CITY -- Around 32,000 to 37,000 students are expected to benefit from the free higher education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Caraga starting this academic year 2018-2019.

In the nationwide information caravan for Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 (UAQTEA) Caraga leg recently held here, Dr. Maricar Casquejo, regional director of the Commission on Higher and Education (CHED) said that all Caraganon students enrolling in undergraduate courses can avail of the program.

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Casquejo said the UAQTEA is expected to be implemented in 78 local universities and colleges all over the country that have been recognized to be compliant with CHED requirements.

“In Caraga, Hinatuan Southern College is the first local college institution to comply with the specified requirements,” she said.

Unlike in the “Free Tuition of 2017” where only tuition is free, the new law will also cover miscellaneous fees, among others. (ZCC/PIA-Caraga) 12

provincial News

Surigao del Norte

Caraga police intensifies operations vs illegal logging, wanted persons

SURIGAO CITY, In the intensified campaign against all forms of criminality, Caraga police and environmental authorities arrested six suspects during the antiillegal logging drive and three wanted persons were also arrested in the different provinces of Caraga.

CSupt Noli Romana, regional director of Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga said that the police operatives, together with elements of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office – Surigao del Norte (PENRO-SDN), conducted a joint antiillegal logging operation that resulted in the arrest of Rogeth Predog, 50 years old, resident of Brgy. Poblacion; Larry Sahay, 51 ; Ranel Ebale, 43; Noel Orillaneda, 30; Jonil Henuesga, 25; and Ariel Canor,  24, all residents of Brgy. Navarro,Tubajon, Dinagat Islands.

Confiscated from them were assorted round logs with estimated volume of 2,500 board feet worth P75,000 and one motorized banca. The confiscated logs were turned-over to PENRO while suspects were charged for violation of Presidential Decree No. 705, otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, three were arrested in

separate operations on Oplan Manhunt Charlie. Leo Linga, 22 years old, resident of Brgy. Libertad, Butuan City was also arrested for violation of PD 1612, also known as Anti-Fencing Law and listed as Top 10 Most Wanted Person in the city level by the elements of Butuan City Police Station 3; Lucrecio Tizon Jr., 40, resident of Brgy. San Jose, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and an active Militia ng Bayan member of FGFC8, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee was captured for the crime of multiple frustrated murder; and Allan Perez, 42, resident of Brgy. Del Monte for qualified theft.

CSupt Romana assured the community that the Police Regional Office-13, in coordination with other government agencies, would ensure that the laws on environmental protection are strictly implemented and the fight against all forms of illegal activity is strengthened.

(PNP-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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provincial News

Surigao del Norte

Siargao welcomes GKonomics for social enterprise development

Carmen local government unit, the resort owners in Siargao have participated in past GK Bayani challenge events and they will welcome GKonomics initiatives for sure.

GKonomics is now working closely with the municipal government of Del Carmen through Mayor Coro, the communities, and other partners to hopefully set up some social enterprises in Siargao.

SURIGAO CITY, With over 100 families in Gawad Kalinga (GK) Del Carmen villages that were sponsored by Berjaya, LBC, and Federal Land and 40 families in General Luna sponsored by GK Singapore and another group, the municipal government of Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte through Mayor Alfred Coro II is gearing to commence its social enterprises development in the said town.

“We reached out to GKonomics in 20132014 to help in our livelihood initiatives but not much had happened then. So, this time we are giving our best efforts to realize all the plans,” said Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro II.

When one of the top resorts in Siargao set up shop years ago - the Harana Resort, they hired GK Del Carmen residents and even ordered lighting fixtures made by community artisans which the residents themselves installed.

GK Del Carmen in the province of Surigao del Norte was the first GK community in Siargao which was built in 2013. GK now has two thriving communities in the towns of Del Carmen where the airport and famous

Sugba Lagoon are located and General Luna, the center of tourism establishments.

According to Allan Quiseo, GK liaison of Del MAY 5 - 11, 2018

These include the souvenirs and furnishings-making enterprise, in partnership with ASAM and Invisible Sisters; a social tourism enterprise, in partnership with MR; an ice-making enterprise, in partnership with Palamigan Incorporated; and a dried seafood enterprise, in partnership with Balangay’s Best.

“We need support such as yours to sustain the development that we started with our GK community here,” said Coro.

For anyone interested to partner, volunteer, or help out in anyway in social enterprise development in Siargao, GKonomics can be contacted at info@gkonomics.com.

GKonomics, a Gawad Kalinga partner in social enterprise development, works hand in hand with GK residents, partners, and volunteers to develop and distribute world-class, marketable, and eco-friendly products and services.

In the process, GKonomics helps build sustainable business enterprises that commit to either partner with a GK community; employ GK residents; include GK communities in their supply chain; or donate at least 10 percent of their net income to GK. (GKonomics/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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provincial News

Surigao del Sur

Caraga army general warns candidates not to deal with rebels By: Greg Tataro, Jr TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Following the arrest of two rebels suspected of collecting “permitsto-campaign and campaign-to-win fees,” the army general based in Caraga region has cautioned candidates “not to make a mistake of forging a deal with the New People’s Army (NPA).”

Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, said that once evidence to this effect could be found out such would certainly be detrimental to the status especially of winning candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on May 14, 2018.

He stressed that not only would they be charged of appropriate cases in conniving with terrorists, these charges would likewise jeopardize their victory.

Candidates were allegedly being charged P15,000 per head and asked to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) containing several conditions, Gen. Gacal pointed out.

in

their

respective

barangays

as

well.

Gacal expressed belief that he would not be surprised had there be rampant collection activities of this kind in areas where rebels’ influence were strong like those tagged as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs) region-wide.

It was not immediately known how many were classified as EWAs in the whole of Caraga but the province of Surigao del Sur was reported to have about 50 barangays as mentioned by PNP Provincial Director PSSupt. Francisco Dungo, Jr.

“Now temporarily detained in Surigao City Jail,” BGen. Gacal identified the two rebels as Larry Vergara, 48 and Felipe

Among the terms cited, according Daragoza, 47, residents of Mainit, Surigao to the army general, were not only del Norte and Agusan del Sur, respectively. the ban on the recruitment of both Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and CAFGU but Seized from the two were two improvised the setting up of CAFGU detachment explosive devices (IEDs), one (1) unit icom radio 15

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provincial News

Surigao del Sur

charger, one (1) pair of combat boots, one (1) on Saturday, May 5, while troops of the improvised homemade shotgun and P53,000 latter were conducting security operations. in cash believed to be “extortion money.”

The NPA camp which had been overrun

He suspected that these two rebels yielded one (1) M16 rifle, six (6) improvised were among those 15 NPA terrorists belonging explosive devices (IEDs), 10 backpacks, one to the Guerilla Front 16B who had clashed (1) hand grenade, seven (7) hammocks, with the 30th Infantry Battalion under LTC bullets, one (1) icom radio, one (1) sack of rice, Allen Raymund Tomas in Brgy. Can-aga, medical supplies and subversive documents.

Malimono, Surigao del Norte at 5:00 a.m. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Army troopers seize hot logs in By: Nida Grace P. Barcena SurSur town TAGO, Surigao del Sur, The army troopers of the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion, Philippine Army have seized a total of 179 pieces of sawn lumber in Sitio Cagpangi, Barangay Cabangahan in Tago town, this province around 8:45 am, May 7, 2018.

Based on the report, while the army troopers were conducting a combat security patrol in the area, they recovered a 1,141.99-board feet of abandoned sawn lumber worth P22,839.

To strengthen their campaign

Capt. Francisco Garello, 36IB Civil against illegal logging, 36IB Commander Military Operations Officer, said that the seized Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad reiterated the lumber were brought to the 36IB Advance call to the local government unit (LGU) Command Post in Brgy Magroyong, San officials to address the problem seriously.

Miguel, Surigao del Sur for temporary custody while coordination was made with the Tago “We are sending a message to Municipal Police Station and Community everyone to stop illegal logging as their Environment and Natural Resources Office livelihood, because the AFP will not hesitate (CENRO) Lianga for proper disposition. to go after illegal loggers and those who tolerate it through buying it or consented

Garello revealed that from January their vehicles to be used for hauling illegal 2018 up to this time, the 36IB troopers have logs. We are reiterating our call to the LGUs to already conducted 10 successful anti-illegal address this problem seriously,” Trinidad said. logging operations in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural The official noted that the troops of Resources (DENR) and the Philippine National 36IB are committed in the government’s Police (PNP). The said operations resulted campaign against illegal logging in to the confiscation of 53,754.57-board feet support to the government’s program of illegal logs/sawn lumber with an in the preservation and protection of estimated market value worth P1,291,096.80. the environment. (PIA-Surigao del Sur) MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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provincial News

Agusan del Norte

AgNor to receive vet equipment from DA Caraga By: Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is set to receive new veterinary equipment for its Provincial Artificial Breeding Center from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga.

The equipment included one unit portable veterinary ultrasound and one unit binocular microscope for pregnancy diagnosis and semen evaluation of livestocks in the Provincial Artificial Breeding Center to be purchased by DA Caraga for the provincial government through the Provincial Veterinary Office, which handles the breeding center.

This is in line with the policy of the national government to conserve and preserve its meager livestock resources to pursue and achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliance.

The provincial government and the DA Caraga recognized the need

for a comprehensive small and large ruminants’ Genetic Improvement Program to improve and develop productivity and efficiency of local livestocks as well as the need to hasten the production of good quality breeds of animals and improve genetic components of native livestocks.

o ensure the purchase of the veterinary equipment and proper implementation of the program, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte authorized Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DA Caraga.

Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr. pushed for the granting of the said authority through Sanggunian Resolution No. 061-2018 during its 74th regular session.

(LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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provincial News

Agusan del Norte

Agnor SP supports CHED’s Scholarship Program By: Justine V. Lumonsod

BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte strongly supported Resolution No. 318-2017 from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental, requesting the Houses of Representative and the Senate to provide and maintain in the general appropriations act the budget for Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Scholarship Program.

This scholarship program is for the poor but deserving students enrolled in private universities and colleges. The Republic Act No. 10931, recently signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, otherwise known as the Universal Access to Quality Education Act, provides free tuition and other school fees to student enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) run by the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA).

However, the legislative body

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observed that although there is free tuition by the government-owned Higher Education Institution (HEIs), but, said schools cannot accommodate all graduating Senior High School students and transferees from private universities and colleges based on the figures issued by the CHED as of June 2017.

The SP believed that both Houses of Congress might overlook the importance of CHED’s existing scholarship and grantin-aid programs and may remove the corresponding budget allocation therefore from the 2018 General Appropriations Act, thus, the move for such support for said request for funding of the scholarship program.

The support of the said resolution was pushed for approval by Honorable Aquino W. Gambe through Sanggunian Resolution No. 362-2017. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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provincial News

Agusan del Sur

91 farmers get land certificates PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, “The time has come!”

This was the statement of Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Leoncio C. Bautista Jr., in his message as he explained the history and transition of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in this municipality during the distribution of individual titles held recently in Barangay Magsaysay.

A total of 105 Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) were distributed to 91 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) covering an aggregate landholding of 151.1652 hectares of Government Owned Lands (GOL).

The activity was spearheaded by the DAR Municipal Office, through the effort of the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs) Eugenio Sotelo and Alvaro Orboc, in its aim to assure the farmers of their security to own the land that they till together with the cooperation of the Barangay Local Government Unit thru Barangay Captain Warlito Corvera.

“I hope that this will be the beginning of much productive and developed Barangay,” Corvera said.

Also in attendance was PARPO I Allan Mundala, who stressed the important obligations that come with the title.

“You must remember, as the new CLOA holder, that part of your obligation is to make

the land productive, and pay your required taxes,” he emphasized to the farmers.

Meanwhile, Gaspar Epelipsia, a 73-year old ARB said that the distribution of title was a dream come true.

“Mapasalamaton kaayo ko ug dako sa atong ahensya sa DAR ug sa LGU officials sa paghatag nila ani nga higayon nga kami hingpit na nga nanag- iya niining yuta nga among gitikad ilabi na sa akong katiguwangon (I am so thankful with DAR and the LGU for giving us the chance to become landowner ourselves),” he said.

Also emphasized by MARPO Sotelo during the distribution were the duties and responsibilities of the ARBs over the land that they now owned.

Together with the CLOA, tax declarations were also distributed on that same day. This is to enable the ARBs to become aware of their responsibility in paying the required taxes. (Rechel D. Besonia, DAR-Agusan del Sur/ PIA-Agusan del Sur).

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provincial News

Agusan del Sur

DAR, LGU break ground for Project ConVERGE’s P24.8-M FMR

JOSEFA, Agusan del Sur, A traditional groundbreaking ceremony recently took place at Barangay Sayon, Sta. Josefa, this province to mark the construction of a P24.8 million Farm-to-Market Road project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Project Convergence on Value-Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE).

big help for our farmers to be able to have an easy access for their products to the market and lessen the cost of labor,” Plaza said.

Assistant Regional Director Narisma also highlighted that with the construction of the FMR, agricultural production will likely increase.

“Once the project is fully implemented, it will directly benefit a total of 4,176 farmers that will result to poverty reduction by

Sta. Josefa Vice Mayor Richard Plaza, generating more economic activities for DAR-Caraga assistant regional director the farmers and their families,” she said.

Daylinda Paz Narisma, together with DARAgSur provincial agrarian reform program The design of the FMR will feature a width officer I Allan Mundala attended the ceremony. of 4.0 meters with shouldering of one meter on both sides which will cover the three barangays

Vice Mayor Plaza expressed his - Poblacion, Concepcion and Sayon. gratitude for the construction of the Farm- The FMR project is under Project ConVERGE, to-Market Road and urged his constituents which is implemented by DAR and to actively take part in monitoring the funded by the International Fund for proper implementation of the project. Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Government of the Philippines (GOP).

“Thank you so much to DAR for choosing (Rechel D. Besonia and Rondick Sodusta, us as the recipient of this project. It is a very DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur) MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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Mindanao news

Navy men honored for seized P67-M smuggled rice shipment By Teofilo Garcia, Jr

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) has honored the sailors who foiled the smuggling of PHP67-million worth of rice in the region last month.

T h e awardeesailors, who are assigned with the BRP G e n e r a l M a r i a n o Alvarez (PS38), MultiP u r p o s e

Attack Craft (BA485), and Naval Special Operations Unit-6 (NAVSOU6), apprehended 15 foreign crew and 51 illegally employed Filipinos, including three minors, when they intercepted the M/V Diamond 8, a Mongolianregistered bulk carrier, near Olutanga Island in Zamboanga Sibugay province on April 14.

Pangan Jr., Boat Attack Division; Lt. Junior Grade Jaymar Jayson, Philippine Navy; and Seaman 1st Class Underwater Operator Rey Tano of NAVSOU6.

The award recognized the sailors’ efficiency, loyalty and selfless devotion to duty in connection with

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, Navforwem the seizure of the smuggled rice. commander, and Capt. Joe Anthony Orbe, Naval Task Force 61 acting commander, led “We witness the awarding of our the awarding ceremony held at the Romulo deserving units in the recent successful Espaldon Naval Station that houses the anti-smuggling operation. Having heard Navforwem headquarters here last Monday. the contents of the citations of the award for Bronze Cross medal, I hope that it will

Medina said the award was received convey to all of us, the inspiration of fulfilling by each unit’s representatives, namely Lt. our duty and mandate with bravery, Commander Ted Cerezo Jr., BRP General dignity, and honor,” Medina said. (PNA) Mariano Alvarez; Lt. Commander Cesar 21

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Mindanao news

Suspect in 2007 Kidapawan City bombing nabbed By: Edwin Fernandez

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- A man believed Manuangan, Pigcawayan’s border village to be behind the bombing here in 2007 with nearby Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. was arrested by police and military personnel in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

Police and soldiers chased Mantil and alerted the Army brigade headquarters

Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato in Barangay Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat, police spokesman, identified the arrested Maguindanao to put up a roadblock. person as Abdulgani Mantil, 48, who attempted to break through a police-military checkpoint The suspect was unarmed when arrested. in Barangay South Manuangan, Pigcawayan, According to Tayong, Mantil has standing North Cotabato past 4 p.m. Monday. warrants of arrest for his alleged involvement in the 2007 Kidapawan City bombing.

Mantil, who has several warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder and Mantil was also linked to the frustrated multiple murders, was driving Kidapawan City bus terminal bombing, a white car without license plates when also in 2007, that left two persons injured. flagged down by government forces.

He was included on the list of wanted

“He ignored the police and soldiers, and persons issued by the Department of National sped away towards Maguindanao,” Tayong Defense following the declaration of martial Law said, referring to the checkpoint in South in Mindanao last year. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA) MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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national news

Ex-PNP chief takes oath as BuCor head By: Benjamin Pulta

MANILA---Former Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Friday formally took his oath as the new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief before Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara.

Dela Rosa said he is evaluating the specifics of which buildings in the facility need immediate repairs, adding that at times inmates and jail guards have no choice but to be soaked during downpours due to the leaks in the dilapidated roofs.

Aside from noting the need to address over-congestion in the facility, dela Rosa said he is looking at the immediate segregation of local from the foreign, noting that communication between the two could be providing support in running the drug trade.

components-- supply and demand. So if you segregate the supply side, which are the Chinese, they could not communicate with the Filipinos who act as distributor. They will only be limited to supply. These Filipino drug lords, they will be left with a wanting demand. Between supply and demand, they should cut off, they are separated.)

Dela Rosa also ordered the return of inmates billeted at the facility’s

“Yung Chinese drug lord sila ang hospital for months to their cells. may contact dun sa supplydoon China, tapos itong mga local drug lords, Filipino drug “Eh kaso sa ngayon halo-halo sila yung lords sila ang mga contact sa local iba pang drug lord dun ilang buwan na distribution dito sa Pilipinas. So ang drug sa hospital. Sa ospital kasi anybody can go there. problem is dalawang components yan – So yung mga Filipino drug lords can go there at supply and demand. So kung i-segregate mo makipag-communicate dito sa mga Chinese yung supply side, yung mgaChinese, hindi sila drug lord na naka-confine,” dela Rosa said. makipag-communicate dito sa mga Pilipino na drug distributor hanggang supply lang (The problem now is that they are mixed sila. Ito namang sa side ngFilipino drug together with other drug lords for months lords, pag walang supply na makarating, kahit inside the hospital. It is because anybody na anong demand sa labas, kahit gaano can go to the hospital. So the Filipino drug kalakas ang demand, wala silangsupply. lords can go there and communicate with Between supply and demand, they should the Chinese drug lords who are confined.) be cut-off, hiwalay sila,” dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said they will also look into

(The Chinese have contacts in China, the effectiveness of cellphone jammers local drug lords have contacts in local installed in the facility earlier during the distribution. The drug problem has two previous administration, adding that 23

MAY 5 - 11, 2018

national news

they will look into the technical details signals inside the facility, dela Rosa said. of the cellphone jammer antenna .

Guevara, for his part, said the President has

Some suspected the antenna have given dela Rosa marching orders to do all what been programmed to act as a booster is necessary to accomplish eliminating the instead of actually blocking cellphone drug trade in the national penitentiary.(PNA)

MRT records no unloading incidents for 17 days By: Aerol John Pateña

MANILA -- The operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line-3 (MRT-3) continues to improve and has not recorded any unloading incident for 17 consecutive days.

The MRT management has started implementing on 2011 its record-keeping system of the number and causes of unloading incidents of the railway system.

This is the longest streak of no The MRT has also increased the number unloading incident of the MRT since of running trains to 18 last Thursday. The last time 2011, according to a statement from it has fielded 18 trains was on Nov. 16, 2017. the Department of Transportation Friday.

The MRT management earlier said

It also surpassed the 13 consecutive the arrival of more spare parts starting last days without unloading incident which February has resulted to the improvement was recorded from Oct. 12 to 24, 2014. of the railway system’s operations. (PNA) MAY 5 - 11, 2018

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