CONTENTS NATIONAL • Aquino says US trip will showcase Philippine
transformation, its readiness for business
• Aquino meets Miss Universe third runner-up Bb.
Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup
OUR COVER:
• Aquino to keynote Asia Society meet in New York • Filipino students at Fordham University all set to
welcome President Aquino
• Ochoa expresses full support to Biazon as new
Customs chief
BSP governor
sees vast potential in Zambo City Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) • Stakeholders seek creation of ARMM Seaweeds council • DOH-ARMM seeks P-Noy’s help on crimes vs. health workers • Zambo. Norte Press Club supports anti-drug campaign • Poverty reduction is everybody’s concern- Dir. Romo • Pantawid Pamilya a big help for mothers
An Electronic News Magazine
published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Mindanao Clusters
EDITORIAL STAFF Executive Editor …….........
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Managing Editor …….........
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Regional Desk Editors …...
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Emmanuel D. Gonzales, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
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SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
Northern Mindanao • Meat production in NorMin, up 4%, fish production, down 4% in 2Q • MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28! successful • CSC-10 holds trade fair and gov’t. express caravan, Sept. 21-23 • Cebuano News: POEA mihatag og ARTIP seminar ngadto sa mga barangay officials sa Iligan • Cebuano News: CTO nagpahinumdum sa deadline sa ikatulong installment sa RPT
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) • • • •
Experience the Davao Punch NCCA opens “Glimpses”, an exhibit at SM Davao Sen. Legarda to prioritize IP bills IRA be raised by 10% for sectoral representative including IPs • Legarda to push for free breast screening service in public hospitals
Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN) • Programang pabahay para sa mga sundalo tuloy-tuloy ayon sa AFP • DOLE 12 patuloy sa isinasagawang routine inspections • Pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa Surallah inaasahang masimulan sa susunod na taon • P2-M na halaga ng marijuana sinunog sa Sarangani
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) • Police says no transport strike in Surigao del Sur today • Tourism Usec to grace Billabong Pro Junior Asia opening in Siargao Island • Gov’t agencies offer free ride to commuters in Butuan • Surigao City trike operators not joining transport strike today • Classes going on in Butuan amidst transport strike, DepEd says
Monday, September 19, 2011
Cover Story:
BSP governor sees vast potential in Zambo City
by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
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s greatly affected the city is with the erratic p e a c e and order condition in this part of the country, it cannot be denied that “La Hermosa Zamboanga”, “Asia’s Latin City”, has vast potential to be one of the major economic contributors of the country. The new Bangko Sentral office located at Pettit Barracks (Photos courtesy of Elizabeth O. Dela Cruz)
Zamboanga City, from the country’s that it is considered the some 460 nautical capital city of Manila, southern gateway to miles (850 kilometers) is strategically located the Brunei, Indonesia, 4 Monday, September 19, 2011
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Cover story:BSP governor.....from page 3
Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) due to its proximity to the three countries. Although lost in the countless negative news about Mindanao as a whole, the city never lacks for economic activities, the reason why it is called the economic or industrial center of Western Mindanao. Last September 15, one of the country’s authority in economy and finance visited the city and immediately saw a great economic prospective in the city. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco came to the city as the guest of honor during the inauguration of the new BSP Building here. But while looking around, Gov. Tetangco cannot help but marvel at the many economic indicators he is witnessing.
BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco, Jr. with City Mayor Celso Lobregat (above) during the ribbon cutting. Below, Gov. Tetangco with BSP Zamboanga Chief Melodino S. Patiño (Photos by Elizabeth o. Dela Cruz) As head of the country’s biggest bank, it is but natural for him to know that one indicator of economic activity in an area is the number of banks in it. “Zamboanga City alone has 55 bank branches. This could be one of the reasons why bank deposits here grew 12% and reached P46.7 billion in 2010”, he pointed.
To further stress his point, Tetangco said, “Clearly, you do not lack for capital or funding here”. The mere fact that the city hosts the country’s biggest bank is enough statement of its great value to the country’s economy and Tetangco can never be proud of it. “That this land now hosts the Bangko Sentral, a government institution mandated to provide stability to our economy through responsive monetary and banking policies, makes a powerful statement about our nation’s i n d e p e n d e n c e ”, 5
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Monday, September 19, 2011
Cover story:BSP governor.....from page 4
Tetangco said. He added that the construction of a new and bigger office here manifests their commitment to strengthen Bangko Sentral’s presence here to help the entire region attain its full potential. During a press briefing, Tetangco said the increase in the amount of bank deposits here is a good indicator of economic stability. But he also left a challenged to the city officials and other concerned government agencies. “P46.7 billion is a significant amount. Monday, September 19, 2011
The challenge now here is to be able to use those funds to further push developments in the region”, he said. “That shows that there is really a great deal of opportunity. Banks here and businessmen, together, should try and further help in the development of the region and the funding is not a problem as shown by the high level of deposits”, he said. Gov. Tetangco was accompanied by other bigwigs from Bangko Sentral like Monetary Board Members Alfredo Antonio, Ignacio Bunye, the
former Spokesperson of then President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, Peter Favila, the former Department of Trade and Industry Secretary, Felipe Medalla, Armando Suratos, and Deputy Governors Diwa Guinigundo, Jr., Nestor Espenilla, and Jun Zuñiga, Managing Director, Regional Monetary Affairs SubSector Pedro Tordilla, Jr., and Rosabel Guerrero, Director of the Department of Economic Statistics, among others. (JPA/ MVC/PIA9-ZC, with news from City Hall) 5
Aquino says US trip will showcase Philippine transformation, its readiness for business
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he invitation of the United States and Brazil for the Philippines to join the launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in New York is an opportunity for the Philippines to show to the world its significant transformation, President Benigno Aquino III said in his departure speech Sunday evening. 7 6
Monday, September 19, 2011
Aquino says.....from page 6
“Patunay lamang po ito sa pataas nang pataas na pagtingin sa atin ng ibang mga bansa. Sa pagbisita nating ito maipapahayag natin sa buong mundo ang ating tinatamasang sigla at kumpiyansa ng Pilipinas tungo sa pagginhawa ng mga Pilipino,” the President said in his message at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal 2 just before he left for the US. The President said that during his attendance of the OGP launching, he will share the country’s experiences in governance, adding that honest and good leadership has resulted to better economic conditions for the country. “Taas-noo nating ihahayag ang katuparan ng ating paninindigan sa pagsugpo ng katiwalian para maiibsan ang kahirapan. Tiwala po tayo na sa pagpunta natin sa Amerika, gaya ng una nating pagbisita, marami tayong maiuuwing good news sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. In joining the event, the President said the world’s confidence towards the Philippines will increase even more because of its ability to work with other memMonday, September 19, 2011
bers of the international community in many areas. At the same time, President Aquino said he would seize the opportunity during his four-day visit to talk to American businessmen to put their investments in the Philippines. “Muli’t muli po nating ihahayag sa kanila na bukas at maaliwalas na ang ating bansa sa larangan ng pagnenegosyo. Sa malinis na pamamalakad ng kasalukuyang gobyerno, patas ang magiging laban sa mga itatayo nilang negosyo,” the President said. The more investment coming to the Philippines, the more jobs generated for the Filipinos, the President said. The President also mentioned his planned meeting with the Filipino community in Washington DC during the trip, which he said is aimed at thanking Filipino workers for their sacrifices for the benefit of their families and their country. The country has started to reap the fruits of good government and every Filipino would continue to enjoy the much improved economy of the Philippines, the chief
executive said. “Hindi magbabago ang ating paninindigan at nakahanda tayong ipagsigawan sa mundo na marangal, tapat at may disiplina ang mga Pilipino. Handa tayong makipagsabayan sa anumang larangan at makipag-bayanihan sa ibang bayan,” hesaid. The President will be on a working visit in the United States from September 18 to 23, particularly in New York and Washington. President Aquino was invited by US President Barack Obama and Brazilian Dilma Rousseff to the official launch of the OGP in New York on September 20. The OGP is a new multilateral initiative to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. Presidents Obama and Rousseff are the co-chairs of the initiative. The Philippines is one of eight countries, and one of only two from Asia, that are members of the Steering Committee of OGP. The other seven countries are: the US, Brazil, UK, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway and South Africa. (AS) 7
Aquino meets Miss Universe third runner-up Bb. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup
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b. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup, the third runner up for the 2011 Miss Universe beauty pageant paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III Sunday evening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal 2, just before the chief executive embarked on a fourday trip to the United States.
The President and Ms Supsup had a photo opportunity at the Presidential lounge of the NAIA Terminal 2 an hour before the President’s scheduled departure for the United States. Ms Supsup arrived in Manila around 6:30 Sunday morning from Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival, Supsup had a brief press conference at the Terminal 2 VIP lounge where she thanked all her supporters particularly 8
those who helped her through the social media. Aside from being the third runner up during the pageant, Supsup also ranked first among the fans in the vote for the top five candidates and second in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. T h i s year’s winner of the Miss Universe beauty
pageant is Leila Lopes from Angola, beating 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the widely popular pageant of world beauties. Bb. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup will join a parade in Makati City Monday where she is expected to visit her high school alma mater, Makati High School. Similar celebrations will also be held in Cainta, Rizal, General Santos City, UP Diliman, and the Araneta Center. (AS)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Aquino to keynote Asia Society meet in New York
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Asia Society, a leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia, during his visit here Tuesday (September 20).
Citing the importance of the Philippines as an ally in Asia and the world, Asia Society Executive Vice President Jaime Metzel said the group invited the President to “celebrate” the Chief Executive’s successful bid to end corruption in the Philippines once and for all. The Philippines is a critically important country both in Asia and in the world. And we always feel that it is important to raise the profile of the Philippines. And at the same time, the Philippines has had a lot of problems and President Aquino has
done a great job in his first year in office in beginning to address them and we would like to celebrate the great start that President Aquino has made (to end corruption),” Metzl said. He lauded the President’s “forceful” campaign to address corruption which he said is the “scourge of the Philippines” but noted that this fight would require a concerted and “sustained effort.” “As everybody knows, corruption is the scourge of the Philippines. The Philippines has the most talented population maybe in the
world but so many Filipinos are helping build other countries and Philippines has become a country that exist largely on remittances and so the first steps that needs to be taken to address the problems in the Philippines is to address corruption,” Metzl said. “And President Aquino has raised these issues very forcefully but the system has many elements of corruption and so it’s going to require sustained effort overtime and I believe that President Aquino has made a great start in that process but it will need to be an ongoing 10
Monday, September 19, 2011
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Aquino to keynote.....from page 9
process,” he added. The President’s visit to the Asia Society is just one of numerous engagements the President has lined up during his visit to the United States from September 18 to 21. The President will visit New York City and Washington D.C. to meet with business leaders and join US President Barack Obama in launching the Open Government Policy, a new multilateral initiative to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. While in New York, President Aquino will also speak before the IBM Centennial Forum called “THINK: A Forum on the Future of Leadership” on September 20. The forum will be attended by more than 700 leaders from government, business, the academe and science, and up-andcoming leaders worldwide. President Aquino 10
will likewise be conferred a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Fordham University in ceremonies to be held at Keating Hall in the school’s Rosa Hill campus in New York. Fordham, an independent university in the Jesuit tradition founded in 1841, had also conferred an honorary degree on President Corazon Aquino in September 1986. As part of the Fordham tradition, the names of over 30world leaders conferred a degree are carved on the steps of the “Terrace of the Presidents” at Keating Hall. President Aquino’s name will be carved next to that of his mother. While in New York, the President will also have business meetings with IBM and Convergys, both of which already have a substantial presence in the Philippines. In Washington, D.C., President Aquino is invited by World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick to give a public lecture before the World Bank.
He will also meet with Senator Daniel Inouye, president protempore of the US Senate and chairman of its Appropriations Committee, to thank the senator for his continued support for Philippine causes in the US Congress. Senator Inouye was responsible for the passage of Filipino Veterans Compensation Fund and the primary sponsor of the SAVE Act, which will benefit both the Philippine garment industry and the US textile manufacturers. He will also be meeting with the Filipino community in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia “to appraise them about the government’s accomplishments and share the latest developments in the country.” According to the DFA, it would be the first meeting of President Aquino with the Filipino community in the region, composed approximately of 110, 000 Filipinos. (RCK)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Filipino students at Fordham University all set to welcome President Aquino
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ilipino students at Fordham University are looking forward to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s visit to their university on Monday, the first day of the President’s official visit to the United States of America. President Aquino will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, by Fordham, an independent university in the Jesuit tradition that was founded in 1841. The conferment ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., Monday here, at the Keating Hall in the University’s Rose Hill campus in Bronx, New York. Filipino and FilipinoAmerican students, Filipino community members, Filipino staff members in the United Nations, along with Filipinos and Fil-Ams in the academe, business, media and civil society organizations, Fordham faculty and
staff will witness the conferment. “We’re all very excited. I mean as soon as we all got the news, we couldn’t believe that the president would be coming here,” said Janine Vicente, one of the Filipino students at the university. “His [President Aquino‘s] presence at Fordham just echoes the excitement of not even just the students but [also] the faculty,” Vicente said during an interview done by RTVM. “We are all so excited.” Matthew Novick, also a Filipino student and the president of Fordham University Philippine-American Club (FUPAC), is also look-
ing forward to the President‘s visit, saying that it is an “incredible opportunity” for them to see him. Before the conferment rites, the President will be escorted to the building step named after his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who was also conferred an honorary degree in September 1986 by Fordham. The names of over 30 world leaders conferred honorary doctorate degrees are carved on the steps of the “Terrace of the Presidents” at Keating Hall as part of Fordham tradition. The President’s name will be carved next to that of his mother. (CO)
Ochoa expresses full support to Biazon as new Customs chief
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xecutive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. expressed full support to newlyappointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon as he lauded outgoing BOC Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, for his hard work to meet revenue targets and improve the government’s financial situation over the past year. 12
Monday, September 19, 2011
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Ochoa expresses.....from page 11
In his speech during the BOC’s turnover ceremonies at the Social Hall of the Bureau’s main office in Port Area, Manila on Monday morning, Ochoa noted the competence of Commissioner Biazon as a public servant and his commitment in implementing reforms for the country. “Commissioner Biazon has remarked that he faces a ‘gargantuan challenge’ in his new job…but on behalf of the President (Aquino) I would like to assure him and everyone here that the government stands behind him and trusts him to do what is necessary to keep Customs on the right track,” Ochoa said. “It is my hope that everyone here at Customs will also extend their support to Commissioner Biazon, who has shown during his time in Congress that he truly cares for this country, and is serious about implementing reforms,” he added. Ochoa cited President Aquino’s directive to the new BOC chief 12
that there must be no “sacred cows” in effecting reforms in the bureau. “Sabi ni PNoy kay Commissioner Biazon, walang ‘sacred cows’ sa daang matuwid… sinabi mismo ni Commissioner Biazon na handa siyang mawalan ng kaibigan dito sa bago niyang trabaho,” Ochoa noted. “We are ready to support him (Biazon) with the resources he needs to address the issues that have plagued Customs for the longest time,” the Executive Secretary stressed. Ochoa also reminded the BOC personnel of their duties and responsibilities to the country and the Filipino people. “So my word of advice to everyone here is perform your tasks to the best of your abilities, not just because your new chief is a tough boss who will punish you, but because our people need to know that they can trust you and depend on you to do what is right for them and for our country,” he said. Ochoa thanked Bi-
azon for his willingness to come in and continue the reforms the President wants to implement in the BOC, reforms that are part of a government-wide campaign to curb corruption. He also thanked outgoing Alvarez for heading the BOC for the past year, giving up his private life and took on the daunting challenge of reform implementation in the bureau. “For having accepted that challenge, the country and I thank Commissioner Alvarez,” Ochoa said. Commissioner Biazon took his oath of office before President Aquino last Friday to formally assume his new post as BOC chief. Prior to his present position, he served as Representative for the Lone District of Muntinlupa City for three consecutive terms since 2001. He is the youngest child of former senator and now Muntinlupa Congressman Rodolfo Biazon and Monserrat Biazon. (JCL) Monday, September 19, 2011
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takeholders seek creation of ARMM Seaweeds council
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takeholders enthusiastically concluded the first Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Seaweeds Congress Monday last week, with a resounding call for the creation of ARMM Seaweeds Council to steer the development of the industry in the region. 14 Monday, September 19, 2011
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Stakeholders seek...from page 13 ARMM Information Chief Ali Macabalang revealed that through resolution, stakeholders asked the ARMM’s Regional Economic Development Planning Board (REDPB) through the Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) memberagencies to assist them in realizing the creation of the council. Attended by stakeholders and representatives of government agencies, the one-day 1st ARMM Seaweeds Congress was conducted in Zamboanga City to craft strategies on addressing reported decrease in seaweed supplies from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and partly from Maguindanao in view of reports that Indonesia would be linking up with seaweeds producers from the region for supplies. ARMM Exec. Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo, Agriculture Assistant Secretary
Salvadior Salacup and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat led governments in gracing the occasion, even as they all underscored the importance of giving impetus to seaweeds farming and productions. “We have no doubt that seaweed production gives one ray of hope to farmers in this part of the country. With aquaculture resources of immense size, the ARMM offers prospects for more cultivation, expansion and processing of seaweeds,” Sinarimbo said. He said that enhancing the industry would spur tremendously the ARMM economy, and help bring about peace and stability in the region. For his part, Mayor Lobregat welcomed the conduct of the first ARMM Seaweed Congress in Zamboanga City, saying that his city benefits much from the proceeds
of the industry. Salacup, on the other hand, said the seaweed production is one of the major industries in the country where ARMM is principal player. He said 38% of the national total production of seaweeds (686,937.45 out of 1.799 million) is coming from ARMM where 20,017 hectares more of areas can be tapped for farming to beef up the existing 32,023 hectares of seaweed farms. “Filling it up will match our 20% shortfall in raw dried seaweeds in this country,” Salacup said, adding that such industry “provides livelihood to 42,664 families who are directly involved in production and hundreds more involved in trade. It also has potential valueadding. The congress participants said the proposed council would serve as the policy making body to set 15
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Monday, September 19, 2011
Stakeholders seek...from page 14 direction to further boost ARMM’s seaweeds industry that provides livelihood to thousands of families living in the coastal areas who are directly involved in the production, trading and export of seaweeds. They asked the local government units (LGUs) in the region to enact provincial and municipal ordinances anent the seaweed industry development. They urged the national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) to put up a seaweeds research
and development center and other infrastructures to assist them since the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesARMM (BFAR-ARMM) is incapacitated in technical, marketing, production and processing of quality product. B F A R - A R M M assistant director Hadja Janice Musali revealed that her office lacks the personnel to assist the seaweeds farmers, citing one technician handles three to four municipalities. Despite the
shortage of personnel, Musali said they are exerting efforts as much as possible to cover all areas since 70 percent of the seaweeds production of Mindanao comes from ARMM. Records from BFARARMM showed that the region produced a total of 686,397.45 metric tons (MT) of seaweeds in 2010, posting an increase by 3,312.62 MT compared to the 683,084.83-MT production volume in 2009. (BPI-ARMM/ RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)
DOH-ARMM seeks P-Noy’s help on crimes vs. health workers ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept 19 (PIA) – Dismayed over unresolved crimes against field health workers, a Department of Health (DOH) official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has turned to President Aquino for relief in the fate of his three personnel kidnapped, murdered and raped in rural areas separately and still awaiting justice. “I sent a letter to the President last week seeking (his) help” in
the dispensation of government appropriate actions on the unresolved
abduction of a midwife in Sulu, murder of a field sanitary inspector 16
Monday, September 19, 2011
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DOH-ARMM...from page 15
in Tawi-Tawi, and rape of a volunteer-nurse in Maguindanao, DOHARMM Secretary Kadil Sinolinding Jr. told media Friday. Sinolinding said they sought a Presidential intervention after realizing that pursuing their earlier plan to stage a sit-down strike in protest of the unresolved cases would just “punish further the people of the region” already deprived of the services of the victimized health workers. The aborted simultaneous sitdown strike of all health workers across ARMM was meant to put pressure principally in the clamor for the release of 50-year old midwife Evangiline Taverisma, who was kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayaff elements in Indanan, Sulu last Aug. 3 purportedly 16
to treat some comrades wounded in military pursuit operations. Sinolinding lamented an alleged “news blackout” in the fate of Taverisma. “I felt sad that there seems to be a news blackout on her status. Anywhere I asked, they could not give me an exact detail. There was a rescue effort done last week (by police elements) but there are no developments (revealed about it),” Sinolinding said. There was “unofficial” report that the local government of Indanan allegedly had “already paid” half a million pesos “but the kidnappers wanted more,” he said, adding though that the media has no more updates about Taverisma’s condition. Because of the unfavorable trend, Sinolinding said, they opted for seeking
President Aquino’s intervention as the “most appropriate action for the moment.” He said they also would want the President to act on two other unresolved cases: The rape of nurse volunteer “Florence” in South Upi, Maguindanao that resulted to filing of still undecided cases against suspects in that town; and the murder of sanitary inspector Reynaldo Regino in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi three weeks ago in front of his son. Sinolinding lamented the three unresolved crimes as a big blow to government health services in the autonomous region, which is beset by high maternal and infant mortality rates, and lack of ample medical facilities. (AGM/ BPI-ARMM/RVCPIA9 BaSulTa)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Zambo. Norte Press Club supports anti-drug campaign by Franklin P. Gumapon DIPOLOG CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) - - The officers and directors of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) have expressed their strong support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in pursuing drug pushers /traders in the city and neighboring municipalities. In a board meeting held recently, ZNPC officers have commended the city police station “for its untiring efforts, devotion to duty and dedication in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” which resulted in the arrest of suspected drug pushers including the three broadcasters who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. It can be recalled that in separate drug buy bust operations jointly conducted by the PNP elements, PDEA personnel and Team David, broadcasters Ryan Monday, September 19, 2011
Uy, Joseph Herrera and Genesis Ajero were caught redhanded with marked money and sachets containing white crystalline granules believed to be “shabu.” ZNPC said “it looks with deep concern at the arrests of the three broadcasters but it also recognizes the untold misery and suffering the victims of drug-abuse and trafficking have brought to families and communities.” The club officers also belied the claim of some irresponsible media practitioners that the exercise of press freedom is
being curtailed and dying in Dipolog City, saying that all print and broadcast media outlets in the city are continuing to operate and function normally and that press freedom here “is very much alive and kicking.” It is also the stand of the club “to leave the issue of the three arrested broadcasters to the courts for the ultimate resolution of their cases.” The PNP and PDEA here have always cornered a drug pusher or two in their drug buy bust operations since January up to this month. (FPG/ PIA-Zambo. Norte) 17
Poverty reduction is everybody’s concern- Dir. Romo by Claro A. Lanipa Pagadian City, 19 Sept. (PIA) – “Everybody knew that poverty brings us all together here”, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-IX) Regional Director Teodulo R. Romo, Jr. said in his closing statement during the Convergence Caravan on Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) held on Thursday (September 15) in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. There is no program, no agency of the government that can solely solve the problem on poverty reduction, Director Romo stressed. He said, the only effective way to be able to solve this problem sustainably is thru the convergence of all of us. This is not only the problem of the local government units (LGUs) nor of the DSWD alone, but all of us. Let us join hands to address this by implementing all available programs we have for the Pantawid beneficiaries, Romo added. For the beneficiaries,
Pantawid Pamilya is not enough, let us not depend only on this program, we need to provide them a sustainable livelihood, Romo said. He said, soon their agency will forge a partnership with the provincial government headed by Gov. Antonio Cerilles and other line agencies including the local government. This is one way, we can provide a sustainable income to our beneficiaries, if incase Pantawid program will be phase out. Romo said one of the project is the
cassava production, as what Gov. Cerilles claimed that there is a big potential of cassava production in the province that could provide a long term poverty reduction income to our Pantawid beneficiaries. Dir. Romo said that he was convinced and still convinced that cassava production is the best opportunity that can provide a long term opportunity income to our beneficiaries. He added, that they have started discussing as to the pilot areas for the implementation of this project which includes the concept 19
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Monday, September 19, 2011
Poverty reduction...from page 18
to be applied in the respective towns and households of our 4Ps beneficiaries. In a bigger way, our vision is to make the whole Zamboanga del Sur as the cassava capital of the Zamboanga Peninsula, so let us support this project, Romo urged. I believe if we can show to Secretary Dinky Soliman that the cassava production is viable and profitable we will advocate this project to the department for national implementation as part of convergence of poverty reduction with the Pantawid program, Romo said. Another big potential of the province is the partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Monday, September 19, 2011
Greening Program. Through this program there is also an opportunity for our Pantawid beneficiaries to earn extra income thru seedling production, he said. And the other one Romo added, is the rubber plantation which is being promoted by the DENR to be planted in the upland areas. “I think rubber has the capacity to provide additional income to our 4Ps beneficiaries,� Romo exclaimed. He said, we have discussed and agreed with DENR Regional Director Arleigh Adorable to look for a pilot area in the province with big potential for the rubber plantation for our Pantawid beneficiaries that would match with the NGP for poverty reduction.
He also urged the beneficiaries of 4Ps to use properly the financial assistance they received from the program for the good of their family. He asked them to support the program, because there are still some 2.6 million poor Filipinos in the entire country awaiting for their term to avail such assistance from the government. You, the beneficiaries of today has the responsibility to show to the people and to our leaders especially to Congress that you are worth receiving such assistance. There are still a lot of our poor families who are qualified and wish to avail of the assistance you are enjoying today, Romo said. (JPA/CAL/PIA9/ ZamboSur) 19
Pantawid Pamilya a big help for mothers by Claro A. Lanipa Pagadian City, 19 Sept. (PIA) – Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) Parent Leader Nenita Arsenal-Torrecampo, a native of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur disclosed that 4P’s is of big help to the women’s group especially their relationship among mothers.
This was the testimonial statement made by Torrecampo during the Convergence Caravan for the 4Ps beneficiaries in the second congressional district of the province comprising of 15 municipalities, held last week at the Dumalinao gymnasium. PL Torrecampo said the program also contributed much to them as parents in bringing up their children by way of sending them regularly to school, in which it is one of the requirements that need to be 20
complied by a 4P’s beneficiary. The main reason why this program is of big help for us is, like this gathering today, it gave us the opportunity to make a bonding with other parent leader/beneficiary coming from the different municipalities of the province, Torrecampo said. And most of all we have to thank our government for providing us this program. Through this program, we parents can pursue our dreams by providing our children’s
education so that they may become one of our future leaders. Aside from this she said, the number of malnourished children were reduced. Parents were encouraged to engage in individual gardening and c o m m u n a l gardening as well. And to increase their learning, parents met every month for a family development sessions handled by the teachers in their respective school. Torrecampo added. (JPA/CAL/ PIA9/Zambo Sur) Monday, September 19, 2011
Meat production in NorMin, up 4%, fish production, down 4% in 2Q by Apipa Bagumbaran
A total of 91,7092 metric tons meat production, in live weight, was registered by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), region 10, during the 2nd quarter, higher by four (4) percent, compared to the 87,826MT in the same period, last year. 22 Monday, September 19, 2011
21
Meat production...from page 21 Data gathered from BAS-10 show that carabao posted the highest increase at nine (9) percent, Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, Chief Economic Development Specialist of by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, said. This was followed by swine at five (5) percent, and cattle at four (4) percent growth, Clarete said. The data, further, reveal that livestock and poultry inventory as of July 1, reached 20,083,727 heads/birds, up by almost 15 percent
from the previous year’s record. The high demand for carabeef and beef caused the increase in the total number of heads slaughtered resulting in the decline in inventories of cattle and carabao, he said. Meanwhile, overall fish production in the region was four (4) percent below the previous year’s level. He said the decrease was accounted for mostly by the 14 percent decline of seaweeds, which comprised about 70 percent of the total fishery production. The low production
in seaweeds was caused by low salinity and water pollution resulting from frequent rainfall, Clarete said. Commercial fishing, on the other hand, also went down by seven (7) percent as a result of lesser fishing trips due to unfavorable weather and lesser appearance of migratory species. Clarete, further, disclosed that municipal fishing also declined by 1.41 percent citing weather disturbances as the main reason for the negative performance. (PIA-10)
MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28! successful by Genesis V. Monterde
CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 19 (PIA) – Another round of clean up activity dubbed as “tribute to nature,” was undertaken by the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT), here, recently. The activity was one of those lined-up by MOSCAT, a small college specializing in agricultural studies
located some one (1) hour-drive from Cagayan de Oro, to celebrate its 28th founding anniversary.
A regular activity in MOSCAT, students brought all types of cleaning materials, such as, bolo, dagger, stick 23
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Monday, September 19, 2011
MOSCAT: Soaring...from page 22 brooms, and the like, and worked together to clean the campus. Meanwhile, a weeklong event dubbed as “Linggo ng MOSCAT” to celebrate the occasion included the conduct of literary competition among students from
the different institutes within the college. Activities during the occasion were anchored on the theme “UNIFIED MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28. The celebration was also highlighted with the search for Mr. and Ms.
MOSCAT Ecotourism 2011, joined by some 18 lovely and handsome candidates. It also enjoined the cooperation of high school students and faculty members, alike. (MOSCAT/PIA-10)
CSC-10 holds trade fair and gov’t. express caravan, Sept. 21-23 by Luzviminda Sabal-Rodriguez CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 19 -- The Civil Service Commission, region 10 (CSC-10), will hold a “Diskwento Para sa Kawani Trade Fair & Government Express” Caravan, this coming Sept. 21-2 (Wednesday to Friday) at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. The 3-day caravan is among the activities linedup for the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, Atty. Lourdes Clavite-Vidal of CSC-10 said. During the occasion, various products will be displayed for sale on special discounted rates for the benefit, not only of government employees, but also for private consumers. Among others, the participants of the caravan are the different government agencies, Monday, September 19, 2011
such as: Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD), Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Department of Agriculture (DA). National Food Authority (NFA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). Also included are
the supervised private companies of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). and products and other agencies are to be displayed on the scheduled dates with special discounts for government employees as well as private customers. For more information, please inquire at CSC-10, Vamenta Boulevard, this city or call telephone nos. 72-31-08 local 107, or (088) 8587563, (08822) 728267. (CSC/PIA-10)
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Cebuano News: POEA mihatag og ARTIP seminar ngadto sa mga barangay officials sa Iligan by Boy Decena
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Mipahigayon og seminar ang Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ngadto sa mga barangayofficials sa Iligan kalabot sa gipatuman niining Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking of Persons Campaign.
Tumong niini ang pag-edukar sa mga partisipante sa mga pamaagi aron malikayan ang insidente sa illegal recruitment ug human trafficking sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga barangay. Midumala sa seminar mao sila si Atty. Lynda Llave kinsa mao ang hepe sa Prosecution Division sa POEA kauban sila si Atty. Geraldine Mendez, Atty. Harvey Dumbab ug Ms. Ann Apasra S. Abas sa POEA-Regional Extension Unit 10, nga naka base sa Cagayan de Oro
City. Partikular nga gipaambit atol sa seminar ang napulo (10) ka pamaagi sa paglikay sa illegal recruitment, nga mao kining mosunod: Dili pag-apply sa mga ahensiya nga dili lisensiyado sa POEA, dili pagdawat sa tanyag trabaho sa mga ahensiya nga walay job order, dili makiglambigit sa kinsa man nga dili awtorisadong empleyado sa usa ka lisensyadong ahensiya ug dili makigtransaksiyon
sa gawas sa rehistradong address sa ahensiya. Diha sa mga provincial recruitment a c t i v i t y , magpakisayod kung aduna ba kini’y special recruitment authority (SRA), dili mobayad sa gitawag ogplacement fee nga molabaw sa kantidad sa usa ka bulan nga suholan, ug dili mobayad og placement fee kung walay ihatag nga resibo ug kontrata sa trabaho. Dili gilayon motuo sa mga 25
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Monday, September 19, 2011
Cebuano News: POEA...from page 24
anunsiyo o basahon nga nagingong ipadala ang tubag pinaagi sa P.O. Box nga adunay pataban nga bayad alang sa pagproseso sa papeles, dili makiglambigit sa mga ahente sa training center ug
travel agencies mga motanyag og trabaho sa ubang nasod, dili madawat og tourist visa alang sa pagtrabaho sa gawas sa nasud ug dili makigtransaksiyon sa gitawag nga fixers. M i a b a g sa natigayong
seminar ang lokal nga buhatan sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), buhatan ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz ug Barangay Affairs Office (BAO). (CIO/PIA-10)
Cebuano News: CTO nagpahinumdum sa deadline sa ikatulong installment sa RPT by Melvin T. Anggot ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Nagpahinumdum ang City Treasurer’s Office sa publiko nga sa Septembre 30 na ang deadline sa ikatulong quarterly installment sa pagbayad sa real property tax kon RPT ning tuig 2011. Ang taxpayer nga makabayad sa dili pa molapas sa maong petsa makapahimulos sa 10% nga diskwento. Apan kadtong m a p a k y a s mapahamtangan hinoon ug dos
Monday, September 19, 2011
porsiyento (2%) nga interest sa p a g a b a y r a n g kantidad. Mipaabot niini nga kasayuran mao si Nicholas Jose Lluch, hepe sa RPT D i v i s i o n s a C TO, ug gipamatud-
an usab ni City Tr e a s u r e r L o u e l a Maybituin. Ang RPT mao’y buhis nga gipahamtang diha sa yuta, balay o gambalay ug uban pa. (CIO/PIA10)
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A Experience the Davao by RG Alama
li ra gud diri sir, ali ra gud� (come here sir, come here)
Punch
A visibly upset City Mayor Sara Duterte called the sheriff to come to her side. A violent demolition over a small informal settler comthe infamous punching incident. munity has just broken out, the city was just reeling from one of its worst flooding in recent history and an unnecessary bloody demolition in another part of the city was testing the already stressed Mayor’s patience. 27 26
Monday, September 19, 2011
Experience the....from page 26
She wanted to know why the sheriff disobeyed an earlier request to delay the demolition allowing for more peaceful negotiations. As the sheriff came near her, the inevitable Monday, September 19, 2011
happened. A rain of punches coming from the now raging city mayor slammed down on the hapless court deputy in the full view of the media who had earlier covered the demolition. Hours later the incident was b r o a d casted all over the country, the video became an internet viral; Images of a punching mayor had spread all over the world inviting a hail of praise and a barrage of criticisms.
“We wanted to postivize (make positive) the incident.� Jason Magnaye, Davao City Investment and Promotions Center and City Tourism Officer said referring to the name of the drink which utilizes the July 1 punching incident into a marketable tourism brand. 28 27
Experience the....from page 27 Weeks later as the city started to prepare for one of the country’s grandest festivals, the Kadayawan, a chef from the Davao-based Center for Asian Culinary Arts (CACS) concocted a fruit-based drink. The City’s
reads the drink’s poster. It shows a fair-skinned model dressed in indigenous garb offering a glass of punch. The original plan was for the punching mayor herself to be the model but she declined the offer. Davao Punch is a nonalcoholic drink composed of extracts from pomelo, calamansi and guava. The name and the mixture are patented under the name of Davao City. It is Davao’s counterpart to the unique Singapore Slinger. Shortly after it was invented the City Tourism Operations Office or CTOO, established a booth at the Davao Davao media sampling the punch at the Davao International Airport booth. International Airport where visitors are served free punchTourism Operations Office would es, of course not the face-breaklater baptized it as the Davao Punch. ers given to the hapless sheriff. “We wanted to postivize The city is mixing about 90 (make positive) the incident.” Ja- liters of the drink daily to serve son Magnaye, Davao City Invest- to about 1,500 visitors, the budment and Promotions Center and get coming from the city’s tourCity Tourism Officer said referring ism and promotions allocation. to the name of the drink which uti- Magnaye hopes it could selflizes the July 1 punching incident sustaining marketable product into a marketable tourism brand. which could be served in the city’s “Come to Davao and we will hotels, bars and restaurants as they welcome you with a good punch,” had given the recipes to these local 29 28
Monday, September 19, 2011
Experience the....from page 28 establishments. Marco Polo Davao, the negative.” The Mayor said. the city’s biggest and plushiest ho- Aside from branding, the Mayor tel is now servlooks at the Davao ing Davao Punch. Punch as a way to H o w e v e r bring livelihood since the City opportunities to holds the rights to the women sector. the name and the Among the mixture, estabplans is a tie-up lishments serving with the Departthe Davao Punch ment of Science must not develand Technology op any other verparticularly in findsions to this drink. ing ways to bottle “If they want and package the to add alcohol drink. The Mayor its fine but they says that punch should not use as a drink is hard the name Davao to bottle hence Punch.” Mayor they are trying to Sara Duterte said. find ways through The City Maythe DOST to packor has lauded the age it into a marproject citing it ketable product. as an opportuni And once botty for the City to tling is developed, create a unique the production of brand somethis bottled Davao thing it could use Punch will be givfor its own good. en to the city-as “We have to sisted women’s look for something positive from sector for livelihood opportunities.
The City Mayor has lauded the project citing it as an opportunity for the City to create a unique brand something it could use for its own good.
Monday, September 19, 2011
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NCCA opens “Glimpses”, an exhibit at SM Davao
by Mai Gevera-Macapagat
DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opens today an exhibit titled “Glimpses: Ang Mga Tao ng Filipinas Noon at Ngayon” at the SM City Davao. NCCA Chair on SubCommittee on Cultural Commission and Traditional Affairs Joycie Alegre said the exhibit is one of the preparatory activities before the staging of Dayaw: Indigenous People’s Festival 2011 in October 6 to 10. “This exhibit is an opportunity for the indigenous people to showcase cultural heritage and at the same time for the public to learn how we came to be known as the Philippine Race.” she said during Kapihan sa Dabaw earlier. The exhibit is based on the book “Glimpses” of an anthropologist Dr. Jesus Peralta. It is aimed to enlighten Filipinos on their history and foster understanding and peace between them and indigenous people still existing in many parts of the country.
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Highlighted in the exhibit is a piece of foot bone uncovered in the Callao Cave in Penablanca, Cagayan Province dated to about 67,000 years old. It was from a population not yet known. The size of the foot bone showed that it belonged to an individual as small as a Negrito. The study of the fossil is ongoing. Alegre bared that the exhibit signals the start of Dayaw Festival which will gather about 400 IPs nationwide to showcase rituals, performing arts, cuisines, games, and crafts and all other cultural commonalities of the various Philippine tribes. “We are bringing master carpenters who will help us build four vernacular houses distinct to Ifugao, Ati, Manobo, and Subanese.” said Alegre.
Tagum City will play host in this year’s Dayaw Festival, simultaneously celebrated in neighboring towns and cities as some of the activities in Tagum are spread out to Davao universities and leading malls. NCCA urged Dabawenyos to take advantage of the staging of Dayaw here in the region. Bringing the different IP representatives from various parts of the country is so rare, this makes the festival unique and worth-participating. Presidential Proclamation 1906 which declared October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month aims to provide a venue for indigenous people to celebrate the richness of their culture and allow cultural exchanges that will foster deeper cultural understanding for peace.
Monday, September 19, 2011
by Jeane Duron-Abangan
Sen. Legarda to prioritize IP bills
DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Senate Committee Chair on Cultural Communities, and on Climate Change Senator Loren Legarda Friday bared to prioritize in the Senate bills seeking to ensure the welfare of indigenous peoples. Addressing the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly held in Davao del Norte from Sept. 16 to Sept. 17, Legarda outlined measures for the benefit of IPs, among which were Senate Bill (SB) No. 2858 or the Ethnic Origin Act, SB No. 2831 or the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Anti-Ethnic or Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011. In filing SB No. 2858, she deemed as of utmost importance to determine exactly the total population of and location of IPs because the government is currently using outdated figures, “leading to the inability to address IPs’ needs and provide basic services.” Legard is also seeking to protect indigenous knowledge and cultural
heritage, a concern that she wants addressed in filing SB No. 2831 which seeks to make an inventory of all cultural properties, and mandates the payment of royalties to IPs. Legarda said that these bills gained strong support expressed in resolutions passed during the Luzon IP Regional Assembly held last week in Baguio City. The IP Regional Assembly is set to take a swing in Visayas on Sept. 23 to 24 at the Provincial Capitol in Ilo-Ilo City. The series of IP regional assembly is being held as a prelude to the Indigenous Cultural Summit that will run from October 13 to 14 to be held at the old Senate Building in Manila . The activity is being conducted to serve as a
forum to identify the concerns of IP. The output of which will form part of legislative measures, and will serve as basis of government initiatives, to address the particular needs of IPs. Meanwhile, Legarda revealed that she will soon be defending in plenary the proposed Anti-Ethnic or Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011 which seeks to penalize acts of discrimination in employment, education, delivery of goods, facilities and services, accommodation, transportation, media, and in search and investigatory practices. Being the chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Legarda urged the IP sector to tap the fund that will be made available under the People’s Survival Fund Bill,
32 Monday, September 19, 2011
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Sen. Legarda....from page 31 and use it in building “resilience against the impact of climate change.” She bared that People’s Survival Fund bill passed on third and final reading at the Senate, will ensure that funds are available to carry out adaptation projects within the context of local and community-based realities.
Other IP-related measures under her committee deal with establishment of Pilot Housing Projects for IPs in each region; creation of the Philippine Center for Studies on Indigenous Cultural Communities in the University of the Philippines; granting the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
IRA be raised by 10% for sectoral representative including IPs
a ten year period within which to take appropriate legal action on illegally acquired titles; and recommending to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the institutionalization of indigenous practices and the widespread utilization of IP approach to protect Philippine forest. (PIA 11)
by Jeanevive D. Abangan
DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Local government units would have no reason not to accommodate indigenous people (IP) sectoral representative to local councils and provincial boards. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chair Zenaida Brigida Hamada-Pawid bared that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo had assured of 10 percent increase of internal revenue allotment (IRA) for local government s to fund for sectoral representatives, one of which is coming from the IP sector. Speaking last Saturday before participants to the Mindanao Regional IP
Assembly held in Davao del Norte, Pawid emphasized the mandatory representation of IP in the barangay and municipal councils and in the provincial boards. In a separate interview, she said the increase in IRA allotted for sectoral representation will take effect by January next year. “For the meantime, we are rushing the guidelines ( of choosing IP representative) so that between October and December ay makapili na sila ng rep-
resentative,” she said referring to the IP sector. Pawid also revealed that Secretary Robredo is due to sign the guidelines on selecting IP representative before the end of September, 2011. The selection of IP representative is mandated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) but the guidelines set the specifics of choosing the right representation. Offhand, Pawid said that the guidelines pro-
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Monday, September 19, 2011
IRA be raised....from page 32 hibit NCIP intervention in the process of choosing the IP representative, and that the process should be done through “their own customary way.” “Dapat may consensus at ang tribo talaga ang pipili,” she said. However, Pawid cautioned the IPs to observe the spirit of unity and to do away from any move that will cause division among members of their
by Carina L. Cayon
respective communities. “Magkaisa tayo. Kung sino ngayon, next time pakibigay naman sa isa. (Let us be united. Whoever will be at the present, next time, please give it to the other.),” she said referring to sharing of post as the IP sectoral representative. She also explained to IP leaders attending the Mindanao IP Regional Assembly that benefits due for the IP representatives will
be theirs, but she discouraged them from engaging in a tug-of-war of benefits. “Di kayo nakaupo doon upang makiagaw ng imprastraktura. Nandun kayo upang maipaliwanag ang concerns ng mga IPs. (You are not sitting there to grab infrastructure but you are there to explain the concerns of IPs.) she said. (PIA-11)
Legarda to push for free breast screening service in public hospitals
DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Senator Loren Legarda said she is working on a proposed bill providing for every woman to avail of a regular and free breast screening in a bid for an early detection and immediate cure of breast cancer. Legarda bared this current undertaking to over a thousand women who attended the breast cancer educational forum dubbed as 3rd Silver Linings 2011 held on Saturday (Sept. 17) at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city by the Icanserve Foundation, Inc. The lady Senator said that her proposed bill
would require the Department of Health to provide free breast screening to be available in government hospitals and health facilities in every region. The Bill would also seek for the breast screening service to be integrated free under the health care program of the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation, stated Legarda who gave an inspirational talk and lecture on the role of family and friends of breast cancer patients during the forum. Legarda sought support for the passage of this bill from the forum participants comprising of breast cancer survivors and their families, friends
34 Monday, September 19, 2011
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Legarda to push....from page 33 and supporters whom she called “breast sisters and breast friends.” She also called on her colleague Senator Serge Osmena to be coauthor of her proposed bill and for Davao del Norte Congressman Anton Lagdameo, whose wife actress Dawn Zulueta supports the Icanserve Foundation, to sponsor a counterpart Bill at the Congress. Legarda empathized with the breast cancer patients and survivors and with their families, having a mother who was diagnosed with the disease in 1994 and who later died in 1996 due to the Big C. “I went through the same thing as you have gone through, groping in the dark,” the Senator lamented as she mentioned that the time her mother got ill, there was little information about breast cancer which she regretted. “Maraming pagsisisi na sana maagang nalaman, na sana regular ang pagpa check-up para maagang naagapan,” (many have regretted that they could have known it earlier, that there would be regular check-ups to manage the disease early on) she intimated but
34
quipped that these regrets are now translated into positive things by helping in the efforts of preventing the ailment through information, education and dissemination. “We’re here to help serve a life,” Legarda said, bringing up the helplessness and hopelessness that every breast cancer patient has gone through not only because of the illness itself, but also because of the high cost of clinical tests and treatment. “Nakakalungkot (its sad) I wish I could assist patients to have chemotherapy, to have mammogram,” she lamented. However, Legarda was glad to reveal the DOH plan of integrating in its budget for next year a provision for a free chemotherapy for every Filipino suffering from cancer of stage 1 to 3. The Senator said she still have to confirm this though with DOH Secretary Enrique Ona. “I hope this is not a lip service,” she stated. Meanwhile, the more than 1,200 women covering breast cancer survivors and their families, friends and supporters including some men who attended
the 3rd Silver Linings applauded the good news from Senator Legarda. Showbiz personality and breast cancer survivor Bibeth Orteza raised a suggestion to the lady Senator to include in her proposed Bill a provision of additional leave days for working women undergoing chemotherapy, citing at least one week of privilege leave per cycle. Legarda was among the lecturers comprising of medical experts, showbiz and television personalities who shared their inputs and experiences on various topics on breast cancer during the forum. Icanserve Foundation is spearheading the national Silver Linings educational forum every three years to increase the level of awareness among women of the worsening prevalence of breast cancer in the country. Icanserve founding president and breast cancer survivor Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala said that Silver Linings is about saving lives and keeping families intact. “We want to give hope to breast cancer patients and survivors,” she stated. (PIA-11) Monday, September 19, 2011
photo releases Over a thousand women comprising of breast cancer patients and survivors, their families, friends and supporters join the national breast cancer educational forum dubbed as 3rd Silver Linings spearheaded by the Icanserve Foundation, Inc. on September 17 at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
Senator Loren Legarda and actress Dawn Zulueta share a laughing moment during the 3rd Silver Linings, a breast cancer educational forum, on Sept. 17 in Davao City where Legarda imparted an inspirational message and lectured on the role of family and friends of breast cancer patients, and Zulueta gave a welcome address. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
Senator Loren Legarda bares a proposed bill that would provide a free breast screening for all women in government hospitals during the 3rd Silver Linings breast cancer educational forum on Sept. 17 in Davao City. With the Senator is Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, a breast cancer survivor and founding president of Icanserve Foundation which spearheads the forum. (PIA-11/ Carina L. Cayon)
Monday, September 19, 2011
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Programang pabahay para sa mga sundalo tuloy-tuloy ayon sa AFP
T
iniyak ng isang mataas na opisyal ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa mga kasundaluhan ng 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, na nakabase sa Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao na na nagpapatuloy ang implementasyon ng programang pabahay ng gobyerno. 37
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Monday, September 19, 2011
Programang pabahay .....from page 36
Sa kanyang pagdalaw sa 6th ID kasama si Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin kamakailan, ipinarating ni AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban na puspusan ang ginagawang paghahanap ng mga lugar na pagtatayuan ng mga pabahay laan para sa mga sundalo. Ayon kay Oban, kasalukuyang gumagawa ng survey ang pamumuan ng AFP upang alamin ang lugar na nais ng mga sundalo na nakadestino sa Visayas at Mindanao na kumuha ng lote at bahay.
“Samoung libong bahay ang itatayo para sa mga sundalo ng Mindanao at Visayas area kaya nakikipagugnayan tayo sa ating mga major service command kung saan banda sa Mindanao at Visayas ang preference bilang identified sites,� ayon kay Oban. Sa ilalim ng programang pabahay ng gobyerno, ayon kay Oban, ay sineseguro na hindi magiging mabigat sa bulsa ng mga sundalo ang pagbabayad ng buwanang hulugan sa loob ng 25 taon.
Sa unang limang taon, P200 lamang kada buwan ang kakaltasin sa sahod ng mga sundalong kasali sa pabahay program handog ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III, ayon sa opisyal. Ayon sa opisyal, kahit naunang naisakatuparan ang nasabing programa sa Luzon, target ng AFP na maitayo ang mga pabahay para sa sundalo sa Visayas at Mindanao sa susunod na taon. (pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City)
DOLE 12 patuloy sa isinasagawang routine inspections KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Nagpapatuloy ang isinasagawang routine inspection ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa lahat ng mga pribadong establisimyento sa buong Soccsksargen Region. Ayon kay DOLE 12 Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango, balak nilang tapusin ang routine inspection bago pa magtapos ang taon. Sa mga routine inspection sinusuri ng tanggapan kung sinusunod ng mga establisimyento ang mga labor standards. Dagdag pa ni Tango, Monday, September 19, 2011
base sa kanilang nakalap na imporasyon nasa 25 hanggang 30 porsiyento ng mga pribadong kompanya sa rehiyon ang non-compliant o hindi sumusunod sa mga nakatakdang panuntunan hinggil sa mga manggagawa, kabilang na ang Wage Order No. 16 na sinimulang ipinatupad mag-iisang
taon na ngayon. Naglagay na ng mga tarpaulin ang DOLE ng mga tarpaulin sa mga lugar na madalas puntahan ng publiko. Nakasulat sa mga tarpaulin ang tamang pasahod batay sa iniuutos ng Wage Order No. 16. (DEDoguiles/ PIA 12)
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Pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa Surallah inaasahang masimulan sa susunod na taon by Dani E. Doguiles KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Inaasahan ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. na masisimulan na sa susunod na taon ang pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa bayan ng Surallah. Sinabi ni Gov. Pingoy na naging maagap ang pamunuan ni Mayor Romulo Solivio sa paghahanap ng limang ektaryang lupain na pagtatayuan ng ospital. Naatasan na rin niya si Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., pinuno ng Integrated Provincial Health Office, madaliin na ang pagpapagawa kamakailan. Iniulat rin ni Gov. Pingoy na pumirma na siya at isang pribadong kom-
panya ng memorandum of understanding para sa pagbibigay ng kompanya ng P15 milyong pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng ospital. Nangako na rin umano ang Departnent of the Interior ang Local Government ng P7 milyon at ang Department of Health ng P20 milyon para pa rin sa pagtatayo ng naturang ospital. Binigyang-diin ng gobernador na malaki ang
maitutulong ng itatayong ospital sa Surallah para maibsan ang pagsisikip ng mga pasyente sa South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) na nasa lungsod ng Koronadal. Bagamat sertipikado ang SCPH bilang 200-bed hospital, mas maraming pasyente ang malimit ang naka-confine dito. Minsan umaabot pa ng 280 ang bilang ng pasyente. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
P2-M na halaga ng marijuana sinunog sa Sarangani KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Magkatuwang na sinunog ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaang bayan ng Malungon at pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Sarangani ang pagsunog ng P2 milyong halaga ng Marijuana Ang mga sinunog ay kinabibilangan ng mahigit 3,400 na puno ng marijuana na kamakailan ay nadiskubre at binunot ng mga lokal na opisyal, mga pulis at mga sundalo sa Barangay Manlabod na nasa boundary ng Sarangani at Davao del Sur. Ayon kay Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez
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ang pagkakatuklas sa plantasyon ng marijuana sa tulong ng mga residente ay malaking tagumpay sa lokal na pamahalaan at ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Iilang mga liblib na lugar pa sa Sarangani ang kasalukuyang minamanmanan ng mga otoridad dahil sa posibilidad na mayroon pang
ibang taniman ng marijuana. Naniniwala naman si Gov. Dominguez na magtatagumpay ang kampanya sa tulong ng mga mamamayan, partikular na sa pagpapaalam sa otoridad kung mayroon silang makikitang taniman ng marijuana. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) Monday, September 19, 2011
Police says no transport strike in Surigao del Sur today by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
T
ransport groups here did not join the nationwide transport strike spearheaded by the militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), police authorities here said. City Police Station Chief Julito Daray said there is no record that transport groups have filed a permit to rally and participate in the nationwide transport strike. PSupt. Ronelo Jaurigue, Bislig City Chief of Police also said no transport group in the area joined the call for nationwide transport Monday, September 19, 2011
strike. He said operation is normal since last night up up to noontime today. Meanwhile, Oscar Estrada, Operation Controller of Bachelor Express Bus Company, the lone bus company here, bared that the top management of the company did not advise for the suspension of their operation today. He described their
operation today here as well as in the other parts of Mindanao as “normal.� The nationwide transport strike today is a protest against the continuous increase of the fuel prices. Transport groups have called on government government to re-impose price regulations in the oil industry. (PIA Surigao del Sur) 39
Tourism Usec to grace Billabong Pro Junior Asia opening in Siargao Island by Dandy Lapura
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- A top senior official from the Department of Tourism (DOT) will grace the opening of Billabong Pro Junior Asia in the world-class break of Cloud 9, Gen. Luna in Siargao Island tomorrow, Sep. 20, Provincial Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag said today. Dumadag said DOT Undersecretary Atty. Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin will lead in the ceremonial breaking of surf board on Tuesday at 3pm in Cloud 9, Siargao Island along with other local officials led by Gov. Sol F. Matugas; 1st District Congressman Francisco Matugas; General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon for this year’s Billabong Pro Junior Asia. “This is one of the highlights in the two-week activity dubbed as 2nd Siargao Surfing Festival,” Dumadag said. Dumadag also confirmed the arrival of Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith with some top officials from Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) to witness the opening of the event. It was learned that
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eighty surfers from Australia, Japan, Hawaii, Europe, Brazil, South America, Indonesia, Malaysia, United States of America and the Philippines will converge at Cloud 9 for the first ever 5-star rated Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) event dubbed as Billabong Pro Junior Asia. “Undoubtedly, this is going to be a high profile international surfing event in the country that offers a total prize-money of US$25,000 or approximately 1.075 Million pesos plus trophies,” said Dumadag. Participants in Billabong Pro Junior Asia are on the age bracket of 17 to 21 years old where the champion of this year’s event will be globally known. Dumadag said wireless services provider
Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) will sponsor in Billabong Pro Junior Asia competition to enable people from different parts of the world to watch it via live video-streaming through the high-speed mobile broadband coverage of SMART. “Website will be announced as soon as the set-up will finish,” she added. After the ceremonial breaking, a welcome dinner is prepared to all the participants and visitors for this year’s surfing event. Aside from the top-level surfing competition, also featured are the street dancing festival, agriaqua trade fair and exhibits, sports competitions, cultural shows, the search for Miss Siargao 2011 and street parties. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Gov’t agencies offer free ride to commuters in Butuan by Maria Rebecca Ayaton BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- The local government unit here as well as the Regional Offices of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) offer free ride to public commuters who are affected with the nationwide transport strike Monday. According to PSupt Joseph Boquiren of the Butuan City Police Office, said agencies provided vehicles marked with “Libre Sakay” or Free Ride for the affected commuters who still have work despite of the transport strike. The said vehicles will
ply from barangays Ampayon, Langihan, Libertad, San Vicente, Tungao to Butuan City Rizal Park and back. Boquiren added that not all transport drivers participated in the transport strike. He also observed that some public utility jeepneys
and tricycles put “Family Use” signs in their vehicles while plying their route. The PNP is securing the welfare of the people and ensuring that the city will have a peaceful transport strike, he said. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City trike operators not joining transport strike today by FEAbkilan
SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Federated tricycle groups in the city assured the public that they will not join the transport strike of the militant Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) today. Citing the need for public transport at this time, Daniel EngwanSo, president of Surigao City Federated Tricycle Operators and Drivers said his group composed of a number of associations with over 2,000 members
in the city will not participate in the strike. He, however, said that they will respect the decision of members who will join the strike. PISTON Surigao del Norte President Joel Albarando, in a radio
interview recently, urged the public and other drivers and operators to join them in the mass up centers in the city namely, San Nicolas Street, checkpoint in Brgy. Luna, and Nueva Street in Brgy. Taft. Albarando revealed
42 Monday, September 19, 2011
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Surigao City...from page 41 that the local federations and operators of multicabs, jeepneys and vans are expected to join the strike. Other militant groups such as Gabriella, Bayan Muna and Anak Pawis are also
expected to participate. Albarando said their group is calling on government to junk the oil deregulation law and remove the valueadded tax (VAT) on oil
products. Meantime, city local officials appealed to the organizers not to harass those who want to continue plying their routes. (PIASurigao del Norte)
Classes going on in Butuan amidst transport strike, DepEd says by Robert E. Roperos BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) – In spite of the nationwide transport strike where majority of the transport groups here sympathized with the militant transport group Piston, the Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan City Division did not suspend classes in the elementary and high school. In an early interview this morning, Prof. Israel Reveche, Spokesperson of DepEd Butuan City Division, they did not issue a directive for the suspension of classes because students in schools within the city proper are only affected with the transport strike. “Majority of the schools here are located in barangays and they are not fully affected with the nationwide transport strike since students and pupils enrolled in these schools are also living in the same barangay,” Reveche said. Reveche further said students enrolled in schools located in the city are greatly affected with it. “Thus, if they
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will be absent today, they will be given due consideration,” he added. For private schools, Reveche said the school administrators will decide if classes will be suspended or not. The DepEd official also informed the parents not to enforce their children to attend classes if there is difficulty in transporting them. However, Agusan National High School, the most populated secondary school here has advised their students as early as Sunday for the suspension of classes. Meanwhile, transport group leaders here said
85 to 90 percent of their members have participated the activity in support to the call of Piston. As early as 5:00 o’clock this morning, it is observed that only few vehicles are operating here and majority of it are private vehicles.
Because
prevailing
of
the
situation,
some
government agencies offered their vehicles to transport employees and constituents. It was learned that the city government
has
provided
five pick-up points around the city. All passengers are transported to the city’s Rizal Park and vice-versa. (PIACaraga) Monday, September 19, 2011