Mindanao Examiner Newspaper July 21-27, 2014

Batang patay, muling nabuhay, pero...

Unabated fuel smuggling from Sabah hurts legit Sulu gas station owners

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Sabit na sa plunder, may special treatment pa PAGE 6

Beware of Internet scam PAGE 7

Customs collect more revenues, taxes due to new X-ray machines at airports PAGE 8

Bigger fines for poor mobile phone, slow Internet services in Philippines PAGE 9

FOR SALE TOYOTA Innova E P550,000

Call 0917-7103642 Zamboanga City Founded 2006

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July 21-27, 2014

kabilang dito ang mga pondong mula sa remittance ng dividends ng mga government-owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions at mga pinagbentahan ng mga government assets.

Hindi naman agad mabatid ng Mindanao Examiner kung gaano kalaking salapi ang nakuha ng DAP mula sa Malampaya Fund kung mayroon man, ngunit ang pondo mula sa Malampaya ay maaari lamang gamitin sa mga proyektong may kinalaman sa enerhiya.

Sinabi noon ni Abad at Aquino na legal ang DAP base na rin sa Article VI Section 25 (5) ng 1987 Constitution. “…the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for their re-

spective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.”

At ang Book VI Chapter 5 Section 39 of the 1987 Administrative Code na nagsasabing: “Except as otherwise provided in the General Appropriations Act, any savings in the regular appropriations authorized in the General Appropriations Act for programs and projects of any department, office or agency, may, with the approval of the President, be used to cover a deficit in any other item of the regular appropriations….”

Sa kabila nito, sinabi naman ni Aquino na nais niyang maiwan sa bawat mamamayan ang isang legacy ng maayos na pamamalakad ng pamahalaan at magsilbing role model. “If there is a singular legacy that I am leaving and sana, masanay ang kababayan natin na ito ang kaya ng gobyernong pinapatakbo Continue to P age 2 Page

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PNOY SUPORTADO NG 5 ARMM GOVERNORS SA ISYU NG DAP

I

binuhos ng 5 gobernador ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) ang kanilang buong suporta kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino hinggil sa deklarasyon ng Korte Suprema na ilegal ang ilang bahagi ng kontrobersyal na Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) ng Malakanyang.

Pinganguhan nina programang ito ay Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan, maraming mga proyekto Tawi-Tawi Gov. Nurbert ang naipatupad sa ARMM Sahali, Basilan Gov. Jum at pinakinabangan ngayon Akbar, Lanao del Sur Gov. ng mga residente doon Bombit Adiong, Maguin- kung kaya’t ganoon na danao Gov. Esmael lamang ang pasasalamat Mangudadatu at ni Sulu ng mga gobernador at iba Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, at pang mga opisyal kay dating Tawi-Tawi Gov. Aquino.

Hindi naman nabigSadikul Sahali ang muling pagbibigay ng yan noon ng sapat na suporta kay Aquino. atensyon ng nakaraang Ilang ulit na rin administrasyong Arroyo nagbigay ng kanilang ang naturang rehiyon at suporta ang naturang tanging si Aquino lamang grupo ng mga gober- ang malaki ang naiambag nador at nina Sakur at sa peace and development Sadikul kay Aquino ukol efforts sa ARMM. sa mga mahahalagang Matatandaang isyu at program nito at inakusahan rin noon ng maging sa Mindanao oposisyon si Aquino at peace talks.

Abad na ginamit ang DAP Ang DAP ay brain- upang isuhol sa mga child ni Aquino at Budget politiko para sa conviction Secretary Butch Abad at ni Renato Corona, ang datbinuo ito upang magamit ing pinuno ng Korte ang pondo sa ibat-ibang Suprema. Binansagan proyekto at programa ng naman ng mga militante pamahalaan. At dahil sa ang DAP na siyang “pork

ARMM

barrel” fund ni Aquino, bukod pa ang limpaklimpak na pondo mula sa Presidential Social Fund.

Ngunit lahat ng ito ay itinanggi ni Aquino.

Nagsimula ang DAP noon Oktubre 2011 matapos na aprubahan ito ni Aquino sa rekomendasyon umano ng Development Budget Coordination Committee at ng Cabinet Clusters bilang “stimulus package” ng administrasyon para sa mga sarisaring proyekto.

Bilyon-bilyong pisong pondo ang inilaan ng pamahalaan para sa DAP. Mula 2011-2012, umabot sa P142.23 bilyon ang inilabas para sa mga programa at proyekto P83.53 bilyon noon 2011 at 58.70 bilyon naman sa 2012.

Sa 2011, karamihan sa mga pinaglaanang pindo ng DAP ay napunta sa healthcare, public works, housing and resettlement, gayun rin sa agriculture at iba pa. At sa 2012, ginamit naman ang pondo ng DAP sa turismo at road infra-

Southern Mindanao

Davao

structure, school infrastructure, rehabilitation at extension ng light rail transit systems, at ang sitio electrification project.

Sa taong 2013, umabot naman ang pondo ng DAP sa P15.13 bilyon at ginamit naman ito para sa karagdagang tauhan ng pulisya at bilang dagdagpondo rin sa modernization ng pambansang pulisya at sa redevelopment ng Roxas Boulevard sa Maynila at maging sa rehabilitation projects sa mga lugar na napinsala ng bagyong Pablo sa lalawigan ng Compostela Valley at Davao Oriental.

Ginamit rin ang DAP para pondohan ang mga proyekto ng mga piling mambabatas at umabot ito sa P142.23 bilyon mula 2011-2012.

At karamihan sa mga salaping inilaan para sa DAP ay galing diumano mula sa mga savings ng ibat-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan at ang ang mga “realignment at unprogrammed” funds na aprubado rin ni Aquino,

Western Mindanao

Cebu

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 21-27, 2014

Makikita sa mga larawan na ito na nasa Facebook account ni Sulu Gov. Totoh Tan sina Tawi-Tawi Gov. Nurbert Sahali, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu at ni Sulu Vice Gov. Sakur Tan, at dating Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali na nagbigay ng kanilang malaking suporta kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino hinggil sa deklarasyon ng Korte Suprema ang isyu ng Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Aquino suportado ng 5 ARMM governors sa isyu ng DAP Continued fr om P from Page age 1 nang matino,” ani Aquino.

Sa nakaraang televised address ni Aquino ukol sa DAP issue ay ito ang bahagi ng kanyang sinabi: “Kung maaalala po ninyo, nang umupo tayo sa puwesto, tumatakbo na ang 2010 budget, at minana rin natin ang panukalang budget ng 2011. Isipin po ninyo: Sa 1.54 trillion pesos na dinatnan nating pondo ng 2010, nasa 100 billion, o 6.5 percent lang nito ang natitirang gamitin sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taon.

Talagang mapapaisip ka: Saan kaya nila dinala ang pera?”

“Naaalala rin siguro ninyo ang maanomalyang proyekto tulad ng dredging sa Laguna Lake, kung saan gagastos tayo ng 18.7 billion pesos para lang sa paglalaro ng putik; o ang mga GOCC na nagpaulan

ng bonus sa mga opisyal at empleyado kahit nalulugi ang mga kompanya.”

“Linawin ko lang po muna ang usapin ng savings sa gobyerno. ‘Di po ba, sa ating mga tahanan, palaging magandang bagay ang magkaroon ng savings?

Halimbawa, kapag nakamenos-gastos sa biniling karne, may ekstrang pera para makabili ng pangrekado.”

“At kapag hindi ginastos ang pera para sa pinaglaanang programa, natural pong hindi makakarating ang benepisyo sa taumbayan. ‘Di ba’t nagbubunsod ito ng kapahamakan sa ating mamamayan?

Ibigsabihin, sa tuwing may ganitong savings ang gobyerno, sa tuwing natutulog ang pera ng bayan, mayroon tayong Boss na napagkakaitan ng

benepisyo. Siyempre po, sinumang matinong pinuno ng gobyerno ay gugustuhing madaliin ang mgaproyektong may pakinabang sa publiko.

Wala po akong makitang dahilan na iantala ang benepisyo, lalo pa’t may kakayahan tayong gawin ito.Malinaw na kapag hindi mo agad naiparating angbenepisyo, pinahaba mo na rin ang pagdurusa ng Pilipino.”

“Ang naging tugon po natin: Disbursement Acceleration Program o DAP. Ito naman po ang ikalawa kong ipapaliwanag sa inyo.

Hindi proyekto ang DAP— isa itong pamamaraan ng pamamahalana naaayon sa batas at sa mandatong ibinigay sa sangay ng Ehekutibo. Ipinatupad natin ito para makatulong sa paglalaan ng pondo at masagad ang mga

benepisyong hatid nito para sa taumbayan.”

“Sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema, kinukuwestiyon tayo sa paggamit natin ng savings at kung kailan natin puwedeng gamitin ang tinatawag na unprogrammed funds. Ang gusto po nila, ideklara ang savings sa ika-31 ng Disyembre. Sa sistemang ito, Kelan pa natin ito magagamit? Sa kahulugang ito ng savings, ‘yung proyektong puwede na sanang pondohan sa kalagitnaan ng taon, ipapagpaliban pa natin hanggang sa susunod na taon.”

“Ang epektibong paggugol ng pondo ay hindi lang po dikta ng aking konsensya, malinaw din pong nakasaad sa iba’t ibang probisyon ng isang batas na ang pangalan ay Administrative Code of 1987, at tinalakay ang paggamit ng savings.

Halimbawa, basahin natin ngayon (nandiyan sa

inyong mga screen) ang Book VI, Chapter 5, Section 39 ng 1987 Administrative Code of the Philippines... except as otherwise provided in the General Appropriations Act, any savings in the regular appropriations authorized in the General Appropriations Act for programs and projects of any department, office or agency, may, with the approval of the President, be used to cover a deficit in any other item of the regular appropriations…”

“Nakita naman po ninyo, na ayon sa batas na ito, hayagang binibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang Pangulo na maglipat ng savings sa ibang proyekto.

Walang nakasaad na limitado sa isang departamento o sangay ng gobyerno ang paglilipat ng savings. Sa simpleng salita po: Hindi tayo lumabag sa batas nang ipatupad natin ang DAP.” “Nagulat nga po kami

nang makita naming hindi naisaalang-alang sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema ang ginamit naming batayan ng DAP. Paano kaya nila nasabing unconstitutional ang aming paraan ng paggastos gayong hindi man lang nila tinalakay ang aming pinagbatayan?

Hanggang sa mga sandaling ito, umiiral pa rin ang Section 39 ng Administrative Code, at ang marami pang ibang bahagi nito.”

“Bilang pagtatapos, muli kong ididiin: Mabuti ang DAP. Tama ang intensyon. Tama ang pamamaraan. Tama ang resulta.Mga boss, ipinapangako ko sa inyo: Hindi ko hahayaang pahabain pa ang pagdurusa ninyo, kung ngayon pa lang, ay kaya na nating ibsan ito.

Marami-maraming salamat po, at sana po ay naliwanagan tayong lahat.” (Mindanao Examiner)

Eid'l Fitr celebration declared holiday MANILA - Philippine President Benigno Aquino has declared July 29 a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of this year’s Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadhan.

Aquino signed Proclamation 826 last week to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid’l Fitr, the first day marking the end of the 30-day fasting period of Muslims, to the fore of national

consciousness.

“To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” Aquino said in the proclamation.

Eid’l Fitr, an Arabic word which means “festival of breaking of the fast,” is an important holiday celebrated

by Muslims worldwide for three days after the end of Ramadhan, or the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The occasion has always been recognized by the Philippine government by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177, enacted by the 12th Congress in 2002, in deference to the Filipino Muslim community and to promote peace and harmony among major religions in the Philippines.

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 21-27, 2014

Batang patay, muling nabuhay, pero...

KALAT sa social media, partikular sa Face-book, ang video clip ng isang namatay na 3-anyos na bata na diumano’y muling nabuhay sa loob ng simbahan habang inihahanda ang paglibing nito sa bayan ng Aurora sa Zamboanga del Sur. Naganap umano ito noong July 12 at sa 48 segundong video na inilagay sa Facebook account na “Pinoy Estilo” ay makikita ang bata na binabalutan ng kanyang ama ng lampin matapos na ito’y dumilat sa kanyang maliit na ataul na nakapatong lamang sa apat na silyang plastic.

Pinagkaguluhan ng mga taong sasama sana sa paglilibing sa bata ang naturang eksena sa simbahan.

Maririnig pa ang isang babae na nagsabing “kodakan” o kuhanan ng litrato ang ama ng bata habang iniaalis ang bangkay mula sa ataul.

Makikita rin sa video na mukhang pawis ang bata at malambot pa ang katawan ng ito’y kargahin ng ama.

Mukha rin hindi inimbalsama ang katawan ng bata.

Hindi naman agad mabatid kung ano ang kinahinatnan ng bata o ang istorya sa likod ng kanyang pagkamatay, ngunit ayon sa ibang ulat ay namatay umano ito sa dengue fever.

Ngunit sa paliwanag naman ng administrator ng Pinoy Estilo ay “ang bata po ay 24 hours nang hindi gumising. Sa impormasyon po na nakarating sa amin, dinala daw po sya sa doktor at declared po ng mga doktor na dead on arrival sya. Kung ano man po ang dahilan at muli syang gumising ay tayo na po ang humusga.”

Sa huli ay nabatid na opisyal na idineklarang patay ang bata matapos ng isang pagsusuri ni Municipal Health Officer Dr. Mary

Silyne Cabahug, na gumamit pa ng cardio monitor at wala itong nakitang vital life signs at inabisuhan ang mga magulang ng bata na ilibing na agad ang bangkay.

Umani naman ng ibatibang reaksyon mula sa mga netizens na nakapanood sa video at marami sa mga ito ay agad naman tinawag na milagro ng Diyos ang naganap.

Ayon kay Angel Maldia: “Nakakaiyak kung tutuusin. This is not a joke mostly dun sa parents and relatives nong bata. Hindi biro ang mamatayan. Ang sarap yakapin nung bata kung tutuusin totoo man o hindi sapagkat muli ibinalik ng Dyos ang buhay ng batang iyan upang ipaalam sa mga tao na masarap ang mabuhay sa mundo gaano man kahirap ang dinaranas natin. Sa magulang po ng bata na muling nabuhay pakamahalin nyo po ang anak nyong iyan sapagkat sya po ang mensahe ng Dyos para sa inyo na totoong may Dyos. At sa nag upload po ng video God blessed you.”

Ayon naman sa opinyon ni Kristine Apolonio ay baka mayroon “Sleeping Beauty Syndrome” ang bata. “Baka meron syang Sleeping Beauty Syndrome. Meron akong kakilala na ganun ang sakit at minsan natutulog sya ng 1 week - 3 weeks without waking up.

And wala pang gamot sa ganun,” ani Apolonio.

Ang Sleeping Beauty Syndrome o Kleine-Levin Syndrome ay isang pambihirang neurological disorder ng sobrang oras ng pagtulog o hypersomnolence at tinatayang may 1 milyon kaso ito sa buong mundo.

Sa panig naman ng mga dalubhasa ay mayroon tinatawag na Lazarus Complex o Lazarus

Syndrome na kung saan ay ang mga namatay, partikular ang mga hindi naembalsamo, ay biglang nabuhay. Ang Lazarus Syndrome ay ang muling pagtibok ng puso at daloy ng dugo sa katawan ng isang tao na idineklarang patay ng mga duktor.

Tinawag itong Lazarus Syndrome dahil na rin sa muling pagbuhay ni Kristo kay Lazarus at ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit maraming mga Kristiyano at panatiko ang naguugnay sa naturang medical phenomenon sa milagro ng Diyos.

Nitong Pebrero lamang ay isang 2-anyos na bata rin na si Jelyn Bejec mula sa bayan ng Maramag sa Bukidnon province ang muling nabuhay ilang oras bago ito ilibing, ngunit namatay rin matapos na matulog at hindi na magising ilang minuto ng manumbalik ang tibok ng puso nito. Namatay umano ito dahil sa kombulsyon sanhi ng sobrang taas ng lagnat.

Bagamat bihira ang Lazarus Syndrome ay marami rin kasong inulat ukol dito sa buong mundo at ito ang paliwanag ng mga eksperto sa medisina at siyensya “occurrences of the syndrome are extremely rare and the causes are not well understood. One theory for the phenomenon is that a chief factor (though not the only one) is the build-up of pressure in the chest as a result of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The relaxation of pressure after resuscitation efforts have ended is thought to allow the heart to expand, triggering the heart's electrical impulses and restarting the heartbeat.”

At tulad ng linya ni Nora Aunor sa pelikulang “Himala” noon 1982: “Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao!

Nasa puso nating lahat!"

(Mindanao Examiner)

Photo courtesy of Auroranian Views Facebook account.

Rice inventories stabilize prices in Northern Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - While there has been a perceptible rise in the prices of rice from last year, there is still a sufficient buffer stock for all types to cancel out any possible profiteering, hoarding or cartelization in Northern Mindanao region.

This was affirmed by Roxana H. Hojas, regional technical director for operations of the Department of Agriculture– Regional Field Office 10, during a recent NEDA Media Forum.

According to figures gathered by the DA-10’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, the average price of regular milled rice rose 20.5% for the first six months of 2014 to P37.81 per kilo compared to only P 31.38 for the same period last year.

The average price for premium rice increased 19.83% over the same pe-

riod from P40.03/kg. to P47.97/kg. Well-milled rice also rose 17.47% from P36.64/kg. to P43.04/kg. over the same period. However, for January to June 2014, the increase recorded was only 2.17% from P37.19 ( January) to P38 ( June) per kg. for regular milled rice.

“We do monitoring of rice prices twice a week throughout the region,” Hojas said. “So we don’t really have a big increase in prices for 2014 because we have enough supply. If indeed there is increase in price even with enough supply, somehow, somewhere, some people may be manipulating.”

Speaking in the same forum, Information Officer Celeste Gaabucayan, of the National Food Authority-Region 10, said the rise in prices could also be attributed to the milling and other

costs traders incurred and inputted into their retail prices. “ When they buy palay at P22 per kilo, traders incur expenses such as milling and labor to convert it into edible rice,” she explained.

“In order to break even, they have to price their milled rice at P44/ kg. and add two pesos profit margin and that’s how you have P46/kg. retail price for premium rice.”

“Similarly, when NFA buys palay at P17/kg. it has to price at P34/kg. to break even. So when NFA sells it at P32/kg. it is subsidized. However, since June 30, NFA outlets were directed to start retailing regular milled rice to marginalized poor at P27/kg. which is also available to better off buyers who want to buy it,” she said.

Gaabucayan said NFA-10 has increased the

allocation for NFA outlets in the city up to 100 bags a day to address the situation. The agency has two outlets each in Agora and Puerto, and one each in Cogon and Carmen markets.

In addition, it has rolling stores roving the villages selling NFA rice at P27/kg. for targeted beneficiaries in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The rise in retail prices followed the rise in the average farm gate price of palay which rose to P18.27/kg. for the first quarter of 2014, up from P15.06 over the same period last year. Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics presented by the National Economic and Development Authority during the forum showed palay production for the first quarter increasing

22.79% from 143,179 tons to 175,809 tons.

As a result, net rice production available for consumption against the clean rice requirement also increased the region’s rice sufficiency level for the 1st quarter to 76.89% compared to only 64.93% over the same period last year, using the same per capita consumption figure of 115.7 kgs. versus the region’s 2014 estimated population of 4,508,166.

The region’s total rice stocks of 2,256,383 bags as of March 2014 as monitored by NFA-X was 91.3% higher than the total monitored over the same period last year, and was estimated to last 84 days based on the region’s daily rice consumption of around 26,820 bags.

Pr ices were apparently also stabilized by the increase in the inflow of rice from outside the

region compared to outflows for the 1st quarter of the year.

Rice inflows/outflows monitored by the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division showed rice inflows increasing to 5,107.5 tons compared to only 3,487.95 tons over the same period last year, for a 1,619.55 tons increase or 46.4%. Some 96% of rice imports to the region came from Manila and Cebu in 2013, while 92.3% were accounted for

by Iloilo this year.

On the other hand, rice outflows dropped from 4,326.40 tons in 2013 to only 1,279 tons this year, a steep 70.4% decrease. Some 2,800 tons of the rice outflows (64.7%) in 2013 were shipped to Tacloban for victims of Typhoon Yolanda, while the bulk (94.75%) in the first quarter of 2014 was shipped to Cebu. (Mike Baños)

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The Mindanao Examiner

Troops hunt down NPA raiders CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Security forces continue to track down communist rebels who attacked the town of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur province.

The attack sparked fierce running gun battle that left at least 19 people dead.

The New People’s Army confirmed that 14 of its fighters were killed in the clashes. Rebels attacked an enclave of a private armed group in Santa Irene they accused as behind illegal activities and killings of civilians in Prosperidad town.

Four members of the armed group and several others were also killed in

the fighting.

Just recently, NPA rebels also raided the police headquarters in Surigao del Nor te's Alegria town, sparking a firefight. Two rebels were killed in the clash that also wounded two policemen, but the NPA captured four other officers - PO3 Vic Concon, PO1 Rey Morales, PO1 Joen Zabala and PO1 Edito Roquiño - and are being held as prisoners of war.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a secessionist war for decades now. ( J. Magtanggol)

LBC branch in Pagadian robbed PAGADIAN CITY – Armed men barged into a branch of LBC cargo forwarder in Pagadian City in southern Philippines and took off with P123,000, police said.

Police said the gunmen also held up customers Quinn Guatno and Aljopher Realada and other employees before escaping with their loot. It said the robbers struck at the LBC branch in Benigno Street in the village of Santa Lucia and threatened the employees and customers.

It was not immedi-

ately known if the establishment was equipped with surveillance cameras or not.

Police also reported that two men riding tandem on a motorcycle grabbed the bag of Mary Aballe, 45, in Santa Maria village also in Pagadian City. Aballe, the wife of a policeman, said she lost P1,500 and several identification cards of her husband and hers.

She said she was walking at Salazar Street near Ariosa Compound when the duo struck.

(Mindanao Examiner)

For all your publications and advertisements in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, please call Richard Suarez 062-2142706 and 0910-7348600 The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur

Alan Navales North- South Cotabato Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc/ Jun Feliciano Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63.

Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

July 21-27, 2014

Proposed Philippines' 2015 national budget soars by 15% or P2.6 Billion MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management headed by Secretary Florencio Abad has proposed a P2.606 trillion budget for next year which is 15% higher than the 2014 national budget.

President Benigno Aquino also directed his Cabinet officials to "finetune" the budget assumptions and planning parameters for next year's budget, according to government spokesman Herminio Coloma.

"The President directed the Cabinet to further fine-tune the budget assumptions and planning parameters so that these may be fully explained and justified at the hearings to be conducted by the Congress," Coloma said.

Another meeting may be convened before the

National Expenditure Program Budget Proposal is approved and finalized and submitted to Congress after Aquino's State of the Nation Address late this month.

Among the key expenditures of the 2015 national budget includes Social Protection and Social Services, Job Generation and Economic Expansion, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Enabling Environment for Inclusive Development.

Under social protection, the government is increasing the budget for the conditional cash transfer (anti-poverty) program from P62.6 billion to P78 billion due to an increase in coverage from 4.3 million households to 5 million households based on the National Household

Targeting System.

The government is also boosting the allocation for the National Health Insurance Program from P35.3 billion to P37.2 billion. The insurance coverage increases from 14.7 million to 15.4 million.

The 2015 national budget also gives additional allocation for basic educational facilities such as classrooms, water and sanitation, from P44.6 billion to P52.7 billion.

To create more jobs, the Aquino government is also allotting more money for the Department of Public Works and Highways to build roads and bridges, an increase from P130.4 billion to P186.6 billion.

The budget for tourism infrastructure development was also increased from P14.7 billion to P20

billion as international tourists increased from 6.8 million to 8.2 million, and domestic tourists from 47.7 million to 51.7 million.

Coloma said the government is also focused on addressing the impact of climate change, as it allotted more budget for DPWH's flood control and drainage projects, from P34.8 billion to P38.6 billion.

The budget is expected to be scrutinized by the opposition following the decision of the Supreme Court against Abad and Aquino's controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program which is unconstitutional. And the scandal involving government funds called Priority Development Assistance Fund given to senators and congressmen.

Unabated fuel smuggling from Sabah hurts legit Sulu gas station owners ZAMBOANGA CITY – The unabated smuggling of cheaper fuel from Sabah in Malaysia has affected gas station owners in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

Many of them have complained after a drastic drop in sales over cheaper, but dirty gasoline and diesel fuel being sold by illegal and unscrupulous traders. Gasoline peddlers also sprouted like mushrooms in the town of Jolo where they illegally sell fuels in one-liter bottles much cheaper than local pump prices.

With daily losses, legitimate gas station owners are having difficulties in selling fuels and called on authorities to stop the rampant smuggling of gasoline and diesel from Sabah.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said he received reports that the smuggling activities has ceased after Malaysian authorities imposed a stricter patrol is Sabah near the southern Philippine border following the spate of intrusion by kidnappers in the oil-rich Malaysian state.

“We got reports that Malaysian has actually tightened the border to the extent that the delivery (of smuggled fuels) to Sulu has been affected,” he said.

With gas stations closed and stricter border measures in Sabah, smuggling activities were halted and the prices of gasoline and diesel being sold by unscrupulous traders and peddlers have soared up and are being sold as high

as P120 a liter.

“What really discouraged the local depot from supplying Sulu in the past was that they are competing against with (illegal) fuel (suppliers) that are not paying taxes (to the government). But now that there is a tight supply and there is nothing coming from Sabah then they might be encourage to do more frequent deliveries (of fuels),” Petilla said.

“We have an open market because they are deregulated and anybody can (legally) supply Sulu at this point but I think at one point I am trying to look at the history of suppliers in Sulu, the big oil companies for example, I don’t think they exist there at the moment because at one point they really cannot compete

with the prices of fuels coming from Sabah but it has been cut off, we don’t know if its temporary or permanent at this point.”

“But at this point is they don’t have the supply coming from Sabah...but what we can request and this is a business decision of the local companies to deliver more,” he said.

There were also reports of rampant smuggling of fuels from Sabah into the neighboring province of Tawi-Tawi.

Both Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.

There was no immediate statement from the Bureau of Customs about the unabated smuggling activities in the provinces.

(Mindanao Examiner)

The Mindanao Examiner

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 21-27, 2014

PHL tourism campaign lands 1st in Asia Pacific Sabit na sa plunder, may special treatment pa region, 3rd in the world in Warc 100 ranking MANILA - The Filipino gover nment's tourism campaign dubbed as "It's More Fun in the Philippines" landed third among the world’s best marketing campaigns and the first in the Asia Pacific region, according to Warc 100, a global annual ranking of marketing campaigns based on performance, effectiveness and strategy and serves as benchmark for commercial creativity.

The Department of Tourism is headed by advertising executive Ramon Jimenez Jr. He was a for mer vice-president and executive creative director at Ace-Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising before President Benigno Aquino appointed him in September 2011.

Creative agency BBDO Guerrero is the maker of the highly successful tourism campaign, which also won the top awards at the UA&P Tambuli Awards on May 30, 2013. Jimenez also received the Effectiveness Advertiser of the Year Award while BBDO Guerrero bagged the Carmencita Esteban Platinum Grand Prix.

Also for the same campaign, BBDO Guerrero won two gold awards Creative Effectiveness and Innovative and Integrated Media categories and a silver award - Insight and Strategic Thinking category.

"Congratulations to Secretary Mon Jimenez, to our fellows in the Department of Tourism as well as BBDO Guerrero for a very successful marketing campaign with It’s More Fun in the Philippines," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

"And more than the recognition that they have received, you will see that in the increase of tourist arrivals in our countr y, totoo naman ang patuloy na pagtaas ng ating mga turistang bumibisita at bumabiyahe sa ating bansa," she added.

BBDO Guerrero last month also launched the third of a series of ads that are part of phase 2 of the renowned “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” campaign.

It said Manila is the third destination to be featured in the latest spot

aired in worldwide markets. Previous commercials had highlighted Davao and Boracay as desirable destinations.

According to BBDO Guerrero, following a destination-specific approach for the new phase of the campaign, the spot captures the many contrasts that make Manila interesting – quirky finds and bargains as well as the legendary shopping malls, three of the world’s top ten largest malls are in Manila.

Lyle Sacris of Pabrika shot the commercial. The soundtrack was done by indie band Paloma.

David Guerrero, Creative Chairman at BBDO Guerrero, said: “Manila is a unique cultural experience for any traveller.

From the 16th Century treasures of Intramuros to some of the 21st Century's largest malls.

We've tried to distill it into 30 seconds - but it's best to come and see for yourself.

The government has increased the budget for tourism infrastructure development from P14.7 billion to P20 billion in next year's national budget.

TINULIGSA ng mga grupo sa karapatang pantao ang mabilis na pagdadala kay Atty. Gigi Reyes, dating chief of staff ni Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, at dawit sa pork barrel scam, sa Philippine Heart Center matapos na diumano'y magreklamo ito ng paninikip ng dibdib.

Higit pa sa "special treatment" ang pagtrato ng gobyerno umano kay Reyes at sa mga sangkot sa pandarambong at korupsyon. "Sobrang pambababoy na ito. Todo alaga ang mga magnanakaw kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. Hindi lang ito special treatment, pagkanlong ito sa mga mandarambong."

"Lahat ng akusado at bilanggo, may karapatan sa pagpapagamot at sa medikal na atensyon. Pero itong pagtrato nila kay Reyes, kahit kailan hindi ito ginawa ng gobyernong Aquino sa mga ordinaryong bilanggo, kasama ang mga bilanggong pulitikal. Hindi ordinaryong kriminal sina Reyes at mga sangkot sa pork barrel scam, mga nandambong ito sa kaban ng bayan.

Ninakawan na ang mamamayan, sunod pa sila sa layaw," pahayag ni

Cristina Guevarra, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Hustisya, sa Mindanao Examiner.

Dagdag pa ni Guevarra, kung si Reyes 24 oras lang dinala na sa ospital, ang mga ordinaryong bilanggo gaya ng mga bilanggong pulitikal ay umaabot ng isang buwan o higit pa bago payagang makapagpatingin man lang.

Kailangan pa nilang maghintay ng utos ng korte para magamot ang kanilang mga sakit.

"Nagagalit kami dahil ang mga karaniwang preso, gaya ng mga bilanggong pulitikal na ginigipit ng gobyerno, mamamatay na lang hindi pa dinadala sa ospital. Double standard ng hustisya ang ipinatutupad sa ating bayan," sabi ni Guevarra.

Aniya, kitang-kita ang kaibahan ng pagtrato ng gobyernong Aquino kay Reyes kumpara sa mga bilanggong pulitikal kagaya nina Andrea Rosal na namatayan ng anak matapos ang mga kahirapang dinanas sa kulungan, at si Ramon Argente na ibinalik pa ng kulungan matapos ibypass surgery at gayun rin si Miradel Torres na dinudugo na’t maselan ang pagbubuntis pero inaresto at diniretso sa bilangguan.

Ayon sa Hustisya, may

humigit-kulang 50 na bilanggong pulitikal ang matatanda, maysakit at matagal nang nakakulong, na di nakaranas nang gayong pag-aasikaso sa gobyerno.

Sa tingin ng grupo, walang aasahang hustisya ang mamamayan kung pababayaan ang gobyerno sa pagtugis sa mga mandarambong.

"Hindi naman talaga nila tinutugis ang mga mandarambong. Binabaluktot ng gobyernong Aquino ang mga batas at patakaran, basta pabor sa kanilang mga kauri.

Tingnan nyo kung paano ipinagtanggol ni Aquino si Sec. Florencio Abad. Tapos bigay-hilig kay Reyes at dinala sa ospital. Madilim ang hustisya para sa m a m a m a y a n g ninakawan. Taumbayan ang tunay na magpapasya para papa-nagutin ang mga kriminal at magnanakaw," wika ni Guevarra.

Ganito rin ang ibinigay ng pamahalaan kay Senador Juan Enrile at iba pang mga sabit sa plunder na sina Senador Bong Revilla at Senador Jinggoy Estrada na nasa police custodial center sa halib na sa bilanguan.

Soldier buys kidnapped daughter’s freedom CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Kidnappers in the southern Philippines have freed a five-year old daughter of a government soldier after her family paid a small ransom in exchange for her freedom, officials said.

Officials said the girl was playing outside their house in Linamon town in Lanao del Norte province

when two men riding tandem on a motorbike snatched her. The family paid P19,000 or roughly about $436 to the girl’s captors to regain her freedom following a negotiation.

The girl was released after being held captive near the town of Balo-i and was handed over to her family and policemen by a

former village leader and an ex-police officer who were tapped to secure the victim.

The kidnappers were later identified only by their first name as Musa and Camal, who are residents of Iligan City. Police and military authorities were hunting down the two kidnappers. (Mindanao Examiner)

Trade official, 3 others injured in Zambo Sur road accident FOUR PEOPLE, including a trade official, had been injured when the vehicle they were riding over turned during a heavy rain and landed in a canal in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, police said.

Police said the injured were employees of the Department of Trade and In-

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The Mindanao Examiner

July 21-27, 2014

dustry, including its provincial director in Zamboanga del Sur, Maria Socorro Atay.

The others were identified as Crisvil Sarsalejo and Judith Guatno and their driver Maynard Fernandez.

The four were travelling from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City when the accident occurred at Sitio Tiniguiban in the town of

Kumalarang.

Zamboanga del Sur police chief, Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre said local policemen immediately rescued the injured and brought them to the hospital.

“It was raining hard and the road was very slippery and the accident happened,” Atay said. (Jong Cadion and Ely Dumaboc)

Beware of Internet scam THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Kuala Lumpur warned Filipinos working abroad and the public against falling victims to Internet scams, most of which involve asking for money on the pretext of love.

The Embassy said it has received and acted on complaints from victims who were scammed by supposed lovers they met through chat rooms and Facebook messaging.

It said a Hong Kongbased Filipina, whose name was not disclosed by officials, said she met an alleged Malaysiabased Briton on a social website who became her fiancé after two months.

With their series of conversations on the Internet and with promising words of this alleged Briton, the Filipina sent

huge sums of money to him, but the Briton was not heard from since.

Two Filipinas were also victimized by an alleged Malaysia-based Translink Express Courier which asked them to claim alleged parcels from their supposed lovers which were held at the Customs office. They sent several amounts via Western Union, but were not able to get anything.

A male Malaysian national met a Filipina through Facebook and Skype with account names Yukico Taro and Kico Taro.

Accordingly, the woman, who is very attractive, constantly contacted the Malaysian national through his Facebook account. As time went on, the two did intimate acts through webcam, but unknown to the Malaysian, the woman

or the syndicate behind her recorded his indecent acts. The video is being used against the Malaysian national, with the threat that said video will be uploaded to YouTube if he will not send her money.

The Embassy has also forwarded these information to the Philippine National Police and the Royal Malaysian Police for their information and further action. These internet scams are just a tip of the iceberg, and there may possibly be more which have not been reported.

The Embassy reminded Filipino nationals to exercise caution in dealing with people online, particularly those they have not met personally and who ask for money for whatever reasons.

Aquino urged to repeal 1995 Mining Act for proposed Alternative Minerals Management Bill

The Kiwanis Clubs of Agila Dabaw and Hamog Dabaw during a ground breaking ceremony in Davao City and feeding program for Kabacan Elementary School in Barangay 76-A. The activity was spearheaded by the school principal Apolinario C. Gambuta, Barangay 76-A Chairman Rolando Trajera, Kiwanis club presidents Angel T. Torrejon and Erdsan Rene S. Suero.

Kiwanis nutrition program in Davao City praised DAVAO CITY – The Kiwanis Clubs of Agila Dabaw and Hamog Dabaw have launched recently a feeding program and jointly led a ground breaking ceremony for Kabacan Elementary School’s nutrition center.

The activity was spearheaded by the school principal Apolinario C. Gambuta, Barangay 76-A Chairman Rolando Trajera, Kiwanis club presidents Angel T. Torrejon and Erdsan Rene S. Suero. They also signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the continuing program.

Aside from the improvement of the nutrition center, the project also includes the construction of an additional feeding area, provision of the needed fixtures, utensils, food packages and sup-

plies for the severely wasted children and educating the community on proper nutrition.

Gambuta said they have already identified 93 malnourished school children of which the program should give preferential attention and continued support.

Trajera praised and thanked the two Kiwanis clubs for selecting Kabacan Elementary School as the beneficiary of the noble project and encouraged the group to expand the program to other schools and daycare centers in the barangay.

Kiwanis is a global organization of member-volunteers working to change the world, one child and one community at a time. Its primary focus is serving the children of the world.

MANILA - Environmentalists renewed their calls for President Benigno Aquino to repeal the Mining Act of 1995 and certify as urgent the Alternative Minerals Management Bill.

Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, said large scale mining gravely damages the environment and disrupts peoples’ lives.

He said there are also continuing accounts of human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by mining companies.

"Worst, there are violations by some government officials and personnel who prioritize profit and income over peoples’ rights and welfare. What we still have today is a law

that tolerates all these in favor of corporate greed," he said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by SOS-Yamang Bayan (SOSYB) Network.

Judy A. Pasimio, head of Lilak (Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights), member of SOSYB Executive Council, also reiterated that “while the government works hard to protect the interests of the investors, there should be more protection for the rights and interests of its constituencies”.

"The country needs a just and equitable mining policy which covers not only the economic benefits but also the participation and opportunities for development, especially

for the affected communities," she said.

Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez said Aquino needs to certify as urgent the AMMB. "It is a legislative action that is our best alternative to the current mining policy that promotes large-scale mining and exploitation of the country’s mineral resources and communities."

"If we really want the future generations to benefit and experience our rich environment, we should help alter the global condition of our environment today and AMMB is a vital solution," Gutierrez said.

According to SOS-YB, it has been more than two years since they called for the Aquino administration

to certify the Green Bills, including AMMB as urgent, because it will significantly contribute to the rehabilitation of the country’s depleted ecosystem. Their call however, has so far been ignored.

The members of the group also said that with all the violations caused by mining operations, they will remain steadfast in their appeal to the government to prevent further catastrophic impacts to the indigenous communities and the rural poor who directly benefit from the remaining natural resources.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to push for the enactment of the AMMB in Congress.

8

The Mindanao Examiner

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July 21-27, 2014

Customs collect more revenues, taxes due to new X-ray machines at airports MANILA - The Bureau of Customs said it has collected some P972,977 in duties and taxes following the installation of new X-ray machines at the country's premier Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“So far, the new fixed Xray machines in NAIA have made significant headway in ensuring that duties and taxes are properly paid, and at the same time, prompted the seizure of undeclared, high-value items,” said Julito Doria, Office-in-Charge of the agency's X-ray Inspection Project.

He said the installations of the new machines were part of an effort to beef up their capability to detect highly taxable, including undeclared foreign currencies, and even prohibited drugs hidden in travelers’ luggage.

Four state-of-the-art fixed baggage Nutech X-ray machines were installed in May - the first tranche of eight machines purchased by the BOC early this year.

He said aside from NAIA, two other X-ray machines were also installed at the

Mactan-Cebu International Airport and one each at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan. The Bureau allocated about P145 million for the purchase of new X-Ray machines, he said.

“The additional X-ray machines will allow us to better detect contraband goods being smuggled in by airline passengers, rather than just relying on profiling techniques. It will allow us to release luggage faster and improve the traveling experience for passengers,” Doria said.

He said the improving customs processes at the airports is a priority project of Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.

Last April, the BOC scrapped the mandatory Customs Declaration Form for passengers arriving on international flights if they carry only goods that are duty-free and required passengers to queue at either the red or green lane for customs clearance at the airport.

The Green lane is for

those with “Nothing to Declare,” meaning they do not have items in their baggage that are not subject to duties and taxes, can be brought-in duty-free and are not subject to any import prohibition, regulation or restriction. On the other hand, the Red lane is for passengers who bringin goods are subject to import duties or taxes, are above the exempted Customs limits, or are prohibited, controlled or regulated by several statues.

The BOC also plans to procure additional fixed Xray machines this year, aside from at least six hand-held Xray units and four mobile Xray machines.

These will be deployed in international airports, including those in Laoag and Davao. In tandem with the Xray machines, the BOC will also install close-circuit television systems, initially at the NAIA. The acquisition of CCTVs is expected to be completed next year.

It was unknown why Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro airports were not provided new X-ray machines.

Police ordered to run after hoarders INTERIOR Secretary Mar Roxas has ordered the police to intensify its campaign against hoarders of rice and other basic commodities in an effort to break cartels.

“I expect the police to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to break the operations of criminal groups responsible for hoarding and pr ice manipulation of basic commodities,” Roxas said.

Just recently, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headed by Chief Superintendent Benjamin

Magalong inspected about a dozen warehouses in Metro Manila that led to the discovery of more than 170,000 bags of rice and that almost half of it were being repacked and mixed with other types of rice for reselling.

Other warehouses yielded old stock and broken rice not even fit for human consumption.

Roxas commended the CIDG for its successful operations against hoarders.

“I commend the PNPCIDG under Chief Superintendent Benjamin

Magalong for the successful operations against suspected rice hoarders. These efforts will definitely jumpstart our campaign to put behind bars those responsible for hoarding and help bring down the cost of food,” he said.

Roxas' directive came after President Benigno Aquino ordered law enforcement agencies to investigate and file charges against those behind the artificial increase in the prices of essential commodities such as rice, garlic, ginger, pork, chicken, and milk.

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July 21-27, 2014

Bigger fines for poor mobile phone, slow Internet services in Philippines

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, and Chief Superintendent Wendy del Rosario sign the Joint Standing Operating Procedure Number 1 or the Condition Situation Response System to address threat groups in Mindanao.

Philippine authorities sign accord to deal with threat groups DAVAO CITY – Police and military authorities have signed an agreement that would pave the way for a joint anti-insurgency operation in the southern Philippines, officials said Saturday.

The agreement was signed at the headquarters of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City between the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, and Chief Superintendent Wendy del Rosario signed the Joint Standing Operating Procedure Number 1 or the Condition Situation Response System. Del Rosario represented Chief Superintendent Angelito Pacia, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations.

“The JSOP prescribes certain minimum actions or responses pertaining to the counter-insurgency campaign by the PNP and AFP operating forces working under the Area Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center Eastern Mindanao within the territorial boundaries of Regions 10, 11, 12 and 13 in accordance with the established Condition Situation Response System,” Cruz said.

The signing ceremony was also attended by army commanders from the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions and representatives from the AFP General Headquarters.

Cruz said the new system will further enhance the interoperability operations between the police and military and effectively address the threats pose by the communist rebels and other threats, including terrorism.

“The CPP and NPA, and other threat groups commit terror acts or atrocities not only against PNP and AFP, but civilian targets as well. “In particular, NPA attacks are usually against those who refuse to give in to their extortion demands, like business companies in-

volved in mining, transport, plantations and even against poor and low income individuals and families in the countryside and these have to stop immediately,” he said.

Del Rosario has admitted that the peace and order situation in Eastern Mindanao is greatly affected by the violent acts of the CPP and NPA which is considered to be the most potent security threat.

“Their boldness in committing criminal violent acts against their chosen targets denotes that it remains a major security threat which poses a very serious challenge to the government in general and the AFP and PNP in particular,” he said.

Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, tagged the NPA as behind the spate of armed attacks on government installations, ambuscades, harassment, abductions and even kidnapping and bombings and arson, murder and other acts of terror in Mindanao.

A similar accord is also being prepared for Western Mindanao between police and military authorities to address the growing threats pose by the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya militants who are behind kidnappings for ransom and terrorism.

Capt. Franco Suelto, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, and Insp.

Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesperson, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that police and military forces are closely coordinating efforts in law enforcement and anti-insurgency operations and have been successful so far in their security campaign.

Just recently, a joint police and military operation led to the capture of a senior NPA leader, Mercy Maghinay, in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town following a clash with rebels.

Brig. Gen. Gerardo

Barrientos, Jr, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said Maghinay heads the NPA forces in the province and was behind the spate of attacks on military and police targets. He said security forces recovered a shot gun, a .45-caliber pistol, a hand grenade and some P100,000 in cash from Maghinay.

In Zamboanga City, policemen and army troops from the Task Force Zamboanga, have captured more than a dozen Abu Sayyaf militants in joint operations in recent months.

The joint police and military operations, according to Suelto, is covered a Joint Letter Directive which mandates the AFP to support PNP law enforcement operations against lawless groups; and the Internal Peace and Security Operation that also mandates the PNP to support the AFP in counter-insurgency operations.

A Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center was also created to craft and implement plans for intensified security operations against lawless and criminal elements, private armed and other threat groups in support of the local governments; assume functions during elections; monitor and assess peace and security situations; coordinate the implementation of necessary measures to ensure peace and security in their area of responsibility; conduct intensified law-enforcement; initiate and coordinate training and exercises; conduct information dissemination of timely and relevant information and enhance awareness program.

“Police and military efforts in maintaining peace and order, and the close coordination with the local government units in protecting the civilians, are working perfectly well with the support of course of various sectors of the society, the community and the public,” Suelto said. (With a report from J. Magtanggol)

MANILA - Rep. Arnel Ty said due to widespread consumer complaints of slow Internet access, as well as recurring blocked or dropped mobile phone voice calls,House Deputy Minority Leader now said he is batting for an administrative fine of up to P50 million for telecommunications companies that fail to comply with directives to improve their services.

“We are pushing for new legislation that will revise and update the financial punishment that regulators may impose on telecommunications companies that are unable to live up to mandatory quality of service standards,” Ty said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said at present, the National Telecommunications Commission may exact a fine of only up to P200 per day on telecommunications companies offering services that do not meet quality benchmarks.

The amount is based on a 78-year-old law, the Public Service Act of 1936 and as a result these companies would rather risk paying the paltry fine, than upgrade their services.

“There are bills seek-

ing to raise the maximum fine to any amount, as may be deemed appropriate by the NTC, provided it shall not exceed P50 million,” he said.

Citing the Consumer Act of 1992 - to protect the interest of consumers, including mobile phone and broadband subscribers, promote their general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry - Ty said he favors the classification of broadband or highspeed Internet access as a “basic service,” along with voice calls and text messaging.

“We are pushing for universal broadband service. Government’s goal should be to ensure that all citizens have access to high-speed Internet service at a fair price,” he said, stressing the need to renew the telecommunications laws to make them highly responsive to rapidly evolving new technologies.

“In the case of broadband, we have to enable the NTC to push for greater public access to the service via minimum quality standards and reasonable user rates,” he said, adding, at present, high-speed Internet access is being

treated as a value-added service, meaning its speed and price are supposed to be dictated by the free market.

Ty also filed House Resolution 186 calling for a congressional inquiry into the deteriorating services of telecommunications companies. He said that a growing number of consumer complaints received by the NTC pertain to blocked calls (denied access by the network), dropped calls (involuntarily disconnected), delayed call set-up, inadequate reception, and deficient broadband services.

Besides the poor signal quality wherein voice transmission in an ongoing call becomes choppy or garbled, Ty also cited complaints that it takes a long time for subscribers to get the first ring after dialing a called party.

“The degraded services may be due to extreme congestion. It would appear that telcos have been taking on an incremental number of subscribers every quarter, without building up their networks fast enough, their huge earnings notwithstanding,” he said.

Stop gruesome Israel attacks against Palestine Suara Bangsamoro Dear Editors, SUARA Bangsamoro, alongside the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao, strongly condemns the merciless attack of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The indiscriminate attack that started on July 8 is a grave contempt in the observance of the holy month of Ramadhan. To date, the attacks had claimed the lives of 91 civilians, including women and children, and resulted in injuries among countless civilians and destruction of their properties.

The airstrikes launched by the Israel Government that intentionally and deliberately targeted private dwellings clearly violate norms of the International Humanitarian Law and other laws pertaining to armed conflict that prohibit indiscriminate attacks that harm civilians and put them at risk of being casualties of war.

SUARA Bangsamoro and the

Bangsamoro people in Mindanao are urging the United States of America to stop its ally country from perpetrating terroristic action against Palestine. We are calling upon the attention of the United Nations to stop Israel on its terror attack against the citizens of Gaza, and positively intervene to avoid further destruction and human rights violations. Lastly, we are challenging the sincerity of the United Nations and United Nations Security Council in taking decisive action regarding the situation to ensure justice to the victims.

We are urging that these international bodies shall exercise their obligations to protect and uphold the human rights regardless of religion, nationality, gender, or class.

We are also knocking on the hearts of our brothers and sisters from different faiths to unite with the Muslim community in an appeal to stop the airstrikes against Palestinian people that results to a great outrage. Let us include in our prayers the safety of Palestinian people whose struggle continues against Israel governments’ occupation on their homeland and territory.

The gruesome attack of Israel government against the Palestinian people is an attack against humanity and everyone must make a stand for a free Palestine!

Jerome Succor Aba Spokesperson Suara Bangsamoro suarabangsamoro 2014@gmail.com

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July 21-27, 2014

Cebu City's program benefits 9,000 people with disabilities

O A blind woman, who is a beneficiary of Cebu City's program for people with disabilities, affixes her thumb mark, to be able to get cash aid, in this photo released by the local government. Mayor Micharl Rama said over 9,000 PWDs in 80 villages will get P5,000 in cash aid.

ver 9,000 people with disabilities here are exp ected to receive financial aid from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama as part of the program of the local government to help them.

The local gover nment will provide P5,000 cash aid to some 9,268

PWDs in 80 villages in north and south districts in Cebu City for one year.

Dr. Ester Concha, head of the city's Department of Social Welfare and Ser vices, said the distribution will be conducted by their disbursing officers and the City Treasurer's Office in barangay sports complex or gymnasiums, ba-

rangay halls or any convenient place in the barangay.

Concha said they will also give the aid personally to those who are bedridden since they cannot go out and get the money.

She said PWDs will have to present their identification card for them to claim their financial assistance.

"Pasalamat gyod mi sa city government hilabina kang Mayor Michael Rama kay nakadawat nami ug hinabang ug naa nami ikapalit ug tambal ug bugas," said 52-year old blind Maria Regner, one of the beneficiaries of the program, who received her share of the aid. (Greggy Senados)

PLDT mitapos sa P600-M proyektong fiber-optic cable

N

atapos na ang unom ka gatus ka milyon ka pesos nga pagladlad sa fiber optic cables nga magduso sa Bohol ngadto sa ekonomikanhong kabulahanan.

Ang proyekto nagpahiluna sa dul-an sa tulo ka gatus ka kilometrong linyang fiber optic nga nagtadlas sa kadagatan ug kamad-an nga magsumpay sa Bohol sa nasud da us aka kasaligang tubod sa digital nga kasayuran, matud sa Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

Sa pagtapos sa proyekto, gilauman nga mapalig-on sa Bohol ang

posisyon niini, isip laing pili-anan alang sa negosyong business process outsourcing (BPO).

Ang Bohol fiber project nagasumpay sa Loon ngadto sa Mactan sa Sugbo ug sa Garcia Hernandez ngadto sa Kinoguitan sa Misamis Oriental.

Sa nasumpay nga linya ngadto sa Mindanao, napalig-on sa PLDT ang iyang serbisyo, nag nagasumpay usab sa kapin sa kawalo-an og lima ka kilometros nga linya niini.

Kini usab, matud sa PLDT, ang ika tulo nga linya nagdto sa Mindanao, nga nia mag-subay sa Bohol gikan sa Sugbo.

Matud ni PLDT President ug CEO Napoleon

Nazareno, ang bag-ong fiber link magduso sa turismo sa Bohol ug magpahimutang sa lalawigan sa usa ka posisyon nga makaaghat pa sa mas daghang mamumuhunan sa BPO. Gawas pa, dugang sa Bol-anong si Nazareno, ang mga taga Bohol makasinati na karon sa napaugmad nga serbisyong internet sa ilang mga balay, eskwelahan ug buhatan, tungod sa 50G nga kapasidad.

Ang 50G nga kapasidad makasuporta sa nagkadaku nga panginahanglan sa mas lapad nga bandwidth sa mga linyang telepono ug wireless nga serbisyo sa mga customers. (MBCN)

Makikita sa larawan ang donasyon ng mga bota ng Sunpride Foods sa Mandaue City sa larawang ito na inilabas ng lokal na pamahalaan.

Sunpride Foods nagbigay ng mga rubber boots sa Mandaue City

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agbigay ng donasyon na 180 pares ng bota o rubber boots ang Sunpride Foods sa Mandaue City upang magamit ng pamahalaang lokal para sa mga empleydao at trabahador na nangangailngan nito.

Mismong si Kevin

Castillo, isang opisyal ng Sunpride Foods, ang nanguna sa pagbibigay ng donasyon kasama si Councilor Beethoven Andaya na siya naman tumanggap nito.

Sinabi ni Andaya na ipapamahagi ang mga bota sa mga miyembro ng Traffic Enforcement Agency of

Mandaue, sa slaughter house, mga garbage collectors at lokal na pulisya.

Nagpasalamat naman ang pamahalaang lokal sa suporta ng Sunpride Foods na siyang nasa likod ng mga processed foods at de-latang tulad ng Holiday beef loaf at maraming iba pa.

Typhoon victims thank Cebu Grupo mihangyo sa DPWH sa estrikto Archdiocese, Caritas for help

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he Archdiocese of Cebu said efforts to help victims of Typhoon Yolanda still continue, particularly in the relief and rehabilitation operations in North Cebu and Catholic faithful who are victims of the calamity thanked the Church for helping them.

Fr. Charles Jayme, Cebu Archdiocese disaster focal person, said that immediately after typhoon Yolanda hit, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma then formed a Relief and Rehab Operation Unit and launched the first phase of it which was the "Adopt a Parish Program" where in churches from the South Cebu will adopt and partner with one typhoon af-

ARMM

fected parish in North Cebu.

"Parishes from the South assisted the needs of these affected parishes in North Cebu," Fr. Jayme said, adding, that it catered to the needs of the people in the community where the parish belongs.

The Cebu Archdiocese also partnered with Cebu Caritas in the relief and rehabilitation efforts extended to the Yolanda devastated communities in North Cebu, he said.

Cebu Archdiocese coordinated with the Caritas International - with about 160 Caritas all over the world - for the delivery of the assistance in North Cebu that included shelters, livelihood program, water, sanitation and hygiene, and education,

among others.

"The Shelter Project of the Cebu Archdiocese and the Caritas now adopted a Yolanda Village in Lapaz in Bogo City with 27 houses serving as relocation and resettlement for the typhoon affected families in the area whose houses were totally devastated by typhoon," the priest said. Villagers also praised Caritas for its rehablitation efforts.

Caritas Village in Tacup in San Remegio now has 27 houses and Hagnaya with 39 more houses that typhoons victims are now using. At least 74 more houses will be built in the village of Bungtod in Bogo City for other victims of last year's deadly typhoon that left more than 6,000 people dead. (Amor Saludar)

Southern Mindanao

Davao

nga pagpatuman sa accessibility law

G

iaghat ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa paghimo sa gimbuhaton nga gimandu sa balaod aron mapatuman na ang accessibility law alang sa mga may diperensya sa lawas.

Kini nga panawagan giluwatan ni Mateo Quilas, pangulo sa Bohol Federation of Disabled Persons Inc. naghangyo usab sa DPWH ilabi na sa Office of the Building Official sa pagseguro nga ang mga matukod nga mga gambalay pang komersyo, magasubay na sa balaod sa accessibility.

Ang Accessibility Law, o Batas Pambansa 344 nagamandu sa mas sayon

nga paglihok sa mga tawo nga may kabilinggan, pinaagi sa pagpahimutang sa mga pasilidad ug mga gamit sa mga gitumbok nga mga buildings nga sudlan sa mmga may kabilinggan.

Tataw nga human sa linug, may mga buildings nga apektado ug nagkinahanglang ipahiuli.

Sa laing bahin, duna usab mga building nga atukoron ning panahona, matud ni Quilas, kinsa nanguna sa pagduso sa katungod sa mga may kabilinggan.

Unta, aghat niya, nga estriktohon na nga ipatuman sa DPWH ang pagpahiluna sa mga rampa nga kaagi-an sa mga nagsakay sa wheel chair, o mga pansayan nga may

Western Mindanao

Cebu

espesyal nga probisyon sa mga may kabilinggan.

Kahinumduman nga pipila lang ka pangpubliko nga buildings sa Bohol ang duna nay rampa isip probisyon sa mga wheelchair, mga kabatan alang sa may kabilinggan ug mga confort rooms nga mahimo masulod ang wheel chair.

Gani, dili tanan nga shopping malls may igo nga probisyon alang niini, matud ni Quilas. Tungod niini, samtang nagbukas ang pagpang-hiuli sa mga buildings, unta, alang sa semana sa Disability Prevention and rehabilitation, bisan kani na lang una ang mapatuman, panahum ni Quilas.

Manila