PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
An Electronic News Magazine of the Phliippine Information Agency Mindanao Clusters
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail: r9_pia@yahoo.com mimibern17@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX
EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI Managing Editor …….........
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com r10_pia@yahoo.com rutchiecabahug@yahoo.com Blogspot: www.pia-10.blogspot.com
ABNER M. CAGA
Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
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
Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region
2/F Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail: r12_pia@yahoo.com, pia_xii@yahoo.com
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA
Presidential Communications Operations Office
OUR COVER
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga) Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com , pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph Blogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur
features
Northern Mindanao’s Fort City... OZAMIZ CITY
National
Saturday,
In This Issue...
Vol. 1 No. 118
17 18 19
DOE set to hold Consumer Empowerment confab in Iligan Melvin T. Anggot,
Region X
LCC conducts module dev’t WS for radio Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob,
Region X
Coloma underscores significance of Press Freedom in protecting democracy .............
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SSS verification, online na..........................
14
Cover Story Ozamiz, Northern Mindanao’s Fort City
page 4
Cities’ climate, environmental exposure assessed
Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
Mai Gevera Macapagat,
Region XI
22
City government prepares for Shariff Kabunsuan Day celebration
23
Daycare kids showcase talents, governor promises cash gift to teachers
Perlita Changco,
NORTHERN MINDANAO page 16
Region XII
Region XII
SOUTHERN MINDANAO page 19
26 27 31 34
DAR-Agusan del Norte distributes land titles in Carmen town Gil E. Miranda,
CENTRAL MINDANAO
Caraga Region
CHR spearheads Nat’l Human Rights Consciousness Week celeb in Caraga Leonor C. Ledesma, Jr.,
Caraga Region
ARMM, media, military commemorate Maguindanao massacre at peace week
page 21
CARAGA REGION
page 25
Region IX
ARMM to deploy 150 more midwives to remote communities
Region IX
WESTERN MINDANAO
page 29
Cover Story
Ozamiz, Northern Mindanao’s Fort City by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
O
zamiz City serves as the entry point to the province of Misamis Occidental from Panguil Bay in the southern part of Northwestern Mindanao.
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It is some 4-5 hours drive from Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, the seat of Northern Mindanao’s regional government. It is also one of Misamis Occidental’s three (3) cities, the other two (2) being Tangub and Oroquieta, the provincial capital. The “Cotta” (Fort) Because of its strategic location, during the Spanish conquest of Mindanao, a “Cotta” or fortress was built in Ozamiz, formerly Misamis, by Spanish Jesuit Father Jose Ducos. The Cotta served as the main bastion of a big Task Force against Muslim pirates and as watchtower and lighthouse for Misamisnons, in the dark days of the 1750’s, to guide both mariners and fishermen entering Panguil Bay, during dark nights. As described in the brochures prepared by the City Tourism Office, the light house
was a pre-World War 2 edition, located at the eastern bastion, standing on one-meter base tapering to a half-square meter top, with a height of 0.6 meters from the Cotta floor and a winding 38-step stairway, the Cotta became the nucleus of Misamis, which subsequently became an ecclesiastical center of Northern Mindanao and still stands, today as the object of pilgrims because of the miraculous growing image of its wall, the image of Our Lady Nuestra Señora del Triunfo de la Cruz. Saturday, December 10, 2011
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Image of the Blessed Vir- Parojinog-Echavez, said. gin of Cotta Among the religious accounts of the image is that it helped prevent the entry of Muslim pirates who wanted to come to Ozamiz through Panguil Bay. People believed it was the miraculous intercessions of the Blessed Virgin during the Muslim raids that the Cotta was never overtaken by the pirates, despite its being undermanned due to its distance from the main Spanish garrisons and the infrequent visits of the Spanish Armada whose “Birhen sa Cotta,” as it is principal anchorage in the popularly known, continues to south was Cebu. draw crowds not only of the But the Cotta had always Marian devotees, but of local withstood even with the fiercand foreign tourists, as well. est of Muslim attacks, a feat “In fact, it is one of the historical, cultural and pilgrimage destinations in Northern Mindanao that we want to promote, in collaboration with the private sector, by putting more energy and resources meant to entice more visitors to come to our city,” Mayor Nova Princess E. 6
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which they attributed only to the Blessed Virgin’s intercession. The image has been referred to simply as the Birhen sa Cotta or Virgin of the Fort, although its actual title is “Nuestra Señora del Triunfo or Our Lady of Triumph, a name taken after the flagship of Fr. Ducos, the “Triunfo.” The section where the Birhen sa Cotta have enshrined was formerly a gate, which is now closed and walled in and has been adopted as the second patroness of the city, with its feast day celebrated yearly. When the old church was destroyed by the strong earthquake in 1955, the image of the
Blessed Virgin was left intact. Today, many Misamisnons and other devotees from other towns and provinces come daily to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin. They also light candles in front of the carved image that was enshrined within the fort for some personal favors, believed in her miraculous powers.
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Aquino vows continued support for urban poor
P
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 23rd Urban Poor Solidarity Week and Awarding Ceremony at the Heroes Hall, Malaca単an Palace Friday (December 09). (Photo by: Robert Vi単as / Malaca単ang Photo Bureau).
resident Benigno S. Aquino III assured the Filipinos, especially those among the urban poor, that the government will continue to push for programs not only to end corruption and address poverty but also to provide more opportunities to uplift their standards of living. Saturday, December 10, 2011
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In his speech during the 25th Anniversary of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) coinciding with the 23rd Urban Poor Solidarity Week at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanang Palace, Friday, President Aquino assured the implementation of his covenant with the urban poor as well as Republic Act 7279 also known a s 10
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the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA). “Ngayong tayo na po ang nasa katungkulan, higit po nating ipagpapatuloy ang pagbagtas sa tuwid na daan… higit nating isusulong ang kampanya upang tuldukan ang katiwalian at labanan ang kahirapan sa bansa,” the President said. “Dito po nakaangkla ang panata natin na patuloy na ipatupad ang covenant with the urban poor… gayon din ang Republic Act 7279 o ang Urban Development and Hous-
Saturday, December 10, 2011
ing Act. Sisiguruhin natin na nasusunod ito upang masiguro ang pangangalaga sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga maralitang tagalungsod,” he added. The President said that in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, there are at least 560 thousand families that need assistance from the government. Such effort requires 500 billion pesos to ensure that their needs will be provided. “Alam po niyo dito po sa sitwasyon ng maralitang taga-lungsod, mayroong hindi
bababa sa 560 thousand families ang kailangan nating isaayos sa NCR. Magkano ba ang tinitingnan na kailangang gastusin diyan? Five hundred billion para sa taga-lungsod pa lang,” the President said adding that the total number of informal settler families in the country is pegged at 1.3 million. “Mahigit 1.3 milyong pamilya na ang bilang ng mga informal settler families sa bansa at mahigit kalahating milyon dito ang mula sa National Capital Region, ito po ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin,” President Aquino said. The Chief Executive bared that the government has allotted at least 10 billion pesos for the construction of vertical housing units for the in-city solution and the balik-probinsya program or the off-city solution. During the event, President Aquino led in awarding the “Natatanging Paglilingkod Award” to deserving urban poor leaders who have been
instrumental in the development and empowerment of the sector. Also, a recognition award or the “Pagkilala” was accorded to individuals from various sectors for their support and concern for the welfare of the urban poor. Prior to the awarding ceremonies, a documentary film was shown depicting the works and accomplishments of the PCUP for the past 25 years followed by the presentation of the following to the President: A posthumous award for his mother, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino symbolizing PCUP’s gratitude for her genuine concern for the sector that resulted to the creation of the PCUP; a PCUP Resolution upholding ad supporting the implementation of his ten-point covenant with the urban poor; and advocacy poster promoting greater awareness of the PCUP and its mandates. President Cory Aquino created the
PCUP on December 8, 1986 through Executive Order No. 82 to serve as a direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation addressing their needs. On January 30, 1989, President Cory issued Proclamation No. 367 declaring December 2 to 8 of every year as Urban Poor Solidarity Week to foster unity, dialogue and cooperation among government agencies, non-government entities and urban poor communities in specific programs and projects for the alleviation of urban poverty. (JCL)
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P
Coloma underscores significance of Press Freedom in protecting democracy
residential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma inducted Friday night the officers of a nationwide tri-media organization underscoring the importance of defending press freedom and responsible reportage.
In his address before the officers and members of Media Exponents in Developmental Information Alliance (Media Inc), Coloma recalled the imposition of martial law in the country, which c u r -
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t a i l e d p r e s s freedom, describing it as “dark days” in the country’s history. Coloma said he was also a victim of martial rule, having been a detainee for two months. It is important to remember the past in order for the country to learn
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from it and preserve the Philippine democracy, he said. Coloma mentioned three important points in media practice. Among these points include -- writing or to express is already to have a stand, the pen or word is mightier than the sword, and
press freedom must be exercised with responsibility. “Sa pagpapahayag natin sa paggamit ng ating kalayaan tandaan lang natin na meron tayong pananagutan,” he said. “Ang patakaran lang po ng ating pamahalaan ay gamitin lang po natin ito sa responsableng paraan. Kaya nga po ang patakaran ng ating Pangulo ay selfregulation.” There is no need for censorship in the country, he said, adding media men must use the highest faculties of reasoning and follow the Canons of truth and justice. “Pag atin pong kinilala na merong
karapatan ang ating mga mamamayan, kahit yung iba ang opinyon kaysa sa atin, igalang lang natin yun, yan po ang magiging daan para magkaroon ng pagkakaunawaan, katahimikan at kaayusan sa ating lipunan.” Media Inc, headed by its president, the veteran broadcaster and journalist Arnold Garcia, is a nationwide organization of media practitioners from radio, television and newspapers. It also has members from indoor and outdoor advertising, promotions and public relations, printing and publishing, special events and marketing and other form
of developmental journalism. A m o n g those who were inducted Friday were: Antonio Romero, executive vice president; Alfredo Salcedo, secretary general; Almario Macapagal, deputy secretary general; Antonio Rabo, treasurer; Pepito Guerrero, vice chairman of the board; Toto Aguila, board secretary; and Jeff Te o d o r o , trustee. (AS)
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SSS verification, online na
by Domingo B. Natividad V
M
agandang balita para sa mga manggagawa na may mga katanungan sa kanilang membership sa Social Security System (SSS).
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Sa ginanap na Talking Points radio program sa DZRBRadyo ng Bayan Martes ng umaga, inanunsiyo ni SSS Vice President for Public Affairs Marissu Bugante na maaring beripikahin sa pamamagitan ng internet ang impormasyon patungkol sa pagiging miyembro ng SSS gaya ng buwanang kontribusyon at mga benipisyo gaya ng pautang. “Hindi na ninyo
kailangan pumunta pa sa mga tanggapan ng SSS para magtanong o hindi kaya mag-verify (ng records),” ani Bugante. Magpa-rehistro lamang sa www. sss.gov.ph at i-click ang “Welcome to My.SSS!” icon. Sundan at punan ang mga impormasyong hinihingi. Kasama sa mga impormasyong hinihingi para maka-rehistro ay ang “SS number at employer ID number
ng mga employer kung kayo ay employed,” ani Bugante. Kailangan rin ang aktibong email address para sa pagpaparehistro. Sa mga selfemployed, ang official receipt number ng pinakahuling monthly contribution ay kakailanganin rin. Matapos mapunan ang mga impormasyong hinihingi, makakatanggap ng e-mail na naglalaman ng inyong password. Para makita ang inyong SSS account, buksan uli ang www.sss.gov. ph at hanapin ang “My.SSS” icon. Piliin ang “User Log-In” at punan ng kaukulang User ID at Password.
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ECPAT conducts advocacy campaign against human trafficking in Mis. Occ.
A
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
n intensified advocacy campaign in support of the celebration of the International Day Against Human Trafficking, this coming December 12, is being waged by the End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT), here, in the province. Particularly, the campaign makes use of “Animated Faces,� some 37seconder video infomercials and oneminute radio plugs that tells about the true story of three (3) sex trafficking survivors. These materials are being produced by ECPAT, in collaboration with the Department of Justice -Inter-
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Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT), Josefina Encenso Alforque, ECPAT Advocacy Officer said. Alforque said ECPAT has asked the radio and TV stations to air the CC/DVD materials before the Dec. 12, through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the provinces. She also said the materials were being sent to 67 other provinces to disseminate relevant information on the fight against human trafficking to be heard and seen by many Filipinos in the countryside.
DOE set to hold Consumer Empowerment confab in Iligan by Melvin T. Anggot
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The Department of Energy (DOE) has scheduled an Energy Industry Consumers Empowerment Seminar in Iligan City on December 12, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Director Manuel Llaneza of DOEMindanao Field Office said the seminar will relay information to the public on the different DOE the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) laws that mandate business in liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and liquid petroleum product (LPP). DOE will also discuss ways to economize the use of energy in the household and fuel safety. This, he said, is in connection of the observance of National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM) for the entire month of December this year. Llaneza said DOE will conduct forums and launching of activities that will help promote the energy policies of the government this month. These include, he said, the Dual-
Fueled Bus in partnership with the private sector, the Philippine Energy Contracting Round for Coal, Final Presentation on Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Study on Gas Sector (Update of Master Plan for the Development of the Philippine Nat Gas Industry, Energy Information, Education and Communication campaign for various energy sectors in all regions, Energy Investment Forum, as well as the Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards, among others. He, likewise, said the DOE will continue to develop an energy consciousness and efficient citizenry that contributes to a revitalized energy sector through programs that will help educate them. (CIO)
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LCC conducts module dev’t WS for radio program CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - A consultative module development workshop for a Radio Program on Literacy (RPL) in Zamboanga and Northern Mindanao was held this city. The RPL aims to promote the thrusts and programs of Republic Act 10122, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) by Amending RA 7165,” also, known as “An Act Creating the LCC, Defining its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds, therefore and for Other Purposes.” Dr. Norma Salcedo of the Department of Education (DepEd), Head of the LCC Secretariat, said the program aims to intensify advocacy and social mobilization promoting the literacy endeavors of the LCC through radio broadcast in remote areas of the country where the literacy rate is at its lowest. She said through the RPL, the LCC hopes to convince the parents in these areas by showing them the importance of sending their children to school or to non-formal schools for out of school children. They also aim to encourage out of school youths (OSY) and indigenous people to avail of non-formal schools, placements and assessment programs. Meanwhile, the RPL will be conducted by the LCC, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in the provinces of Basilan in Region 9 and Misamis Oriental in Region 18
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10. Some of the “30 Bottom Barangays with Lowest Literacy Rate, 5th and 6th Class Municipalities,” are found in these regions, as shown in the “Literacy Mapping of the 20% of the Total Number of Barangays of the 20% Total Number of 5th and 6th Class Municipalities: Policy Implications to Local Government Units,” done by the LCC in 2007, Salcedo said. Thirteen of these barangays were in Region 10, of which seven (7) were in Lanao del Norte, three (3) each in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental respectively. These were Barangays Pendalonan, Bubonga Radapan and Old Poblacion in Munai, Dansalan in Sapad, Cabasagan and Natangcopan in Pantao Ragat and Bangcal in Pantar, in Lanao del Norte, Barangays Dioyo and Ventura in Sapang Dalaga and Manalad in Calamba, Misamis Occidental and Matampa, Alipuaton and Bunal in Salay town, Misamis Oriental. However, the LGU’s in these areas have qualified that the data might have been gathered when most of the people were not in their homes as these were declared “no man’s land,” during the period due to the insurgency problems. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob)
Cities’ climate, environmental exposure assessed by Mai Gevera Macapagat
F
our major Philippine cities got assessed on their climate and environmental exposure as part of a larger study that seeks to assess business risk and management of climate change impacts. Conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and supported by the Bank of Philippine Islands Foundation, the study showed that climate impacts like El Niño Southern Oscillation Events, rise in sea surface temperatures,
and ocean acidification will be nonlinear throughout the country. WWF’s Lory Tan described this non-linear as something that will provide varying environmental impacts in those four cities covered by the study. “High inter-annual variability and increasingly difficult predictability will be one cross cutting pattern characterizing climate change in the Philippines.”, he said. The study revealed that Baguio City given its location in Northern Luzon will face exposures to intensified tropical cyclones and extreme rainfall. It also appeared that due to aggravated human footprint, flooding would be another climate-related effect likely to plague Baguio. Groundwater supply also turned out grossly inadequate and runoff has regularly flooded the city’s lowest areas. For Cebu City, the study noted high likelihood for a rainfall Saturday, December 10, 2011
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challenge as there would be high variability and difficulty of prediction rather than a pronounced increase or decrease of rainfall. Tan stressed that the city will likely find itself caught in a “climate sandwich” as saltwater intrusion advances further, sea levels rise and more intense typhoons lash the coastline with storm surge. A strained source of marine products is seen with the rise of sea surface temperatures and advancement of ocean acidification. Davao City, on the other hand, is seen to be challenged with increased rainfall, river flow and flooding. It further revealed that increased rainfall and sparse forest cover in Davao’s uplands feeds ex-
pansive plumes of sedimentation that blanket Davao Gulf’s coastal zones. This diminished the Gulf’s resilience and ability to rebound from high temperature. Iloilo City, just like Cebu, was found to face rising sea surface temperatures that might bring negative impacts on city’s brackish water aquaculture fishponds. Tan explained that a similar study is set to be done in Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Laoag, Bacolod, Dagupan, and Lucena. It is primarily aimed to help the local government and the private sector integrate these environmental impacts in every development plan set to be implemented in the respective locality.
did you know that... That the Davao City Chinatown is the largest of its kind in the country based on land area. It covers an area of 44 hectares and is the only chinatown in Mindanao. It was in 2003 when an Executive Order by then City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte set aside a predominantly Chinese enclave in the portions of Barangay 27-C and 30-C as the Davao City Chinatown. The area is home to banks, Chinese-themed malls and shops, temples and mercantile establishments. 20
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RDC 12 approves draft EO on re-imposition of clearance trans-shipment of vehicles by Olivia Sudaria ALABEL, SARANGANI, -- The Regional Development Council – 12, extended its support to a Malacaùang drafted executive order for the re-imposition of clearance requirement for the transfer of motor vehicles from one island to another through ferry or other similar transshipment services. After complying consultations with con- and secure the LGUs enwith the recommen- cerned agencies and lo- dorsement, the draft exdations of conducting cal government units ecutive order finally
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earned the approval of the RDC XII members during its 36th regular meeting held yesterday at the Montana Resort, Alabel, Sarangani. Police Senior Superintendent Jaime Macarilay of the PNP- Highway Patrol Group, region XII quoting then Chief PNP director-general Raul Bacalzo said the discontinuance of the PNP transshipment clearance on May 11, 2004 through a directive of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has resulted in
the proliferation of car theft incidents. This has enabled the syndicates to use the situation to freely transport the stolen goods to other parts of the country, the HPG head added. The draft executive order states that Section 11 of Republic Act 8539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, provides for the imposition of PNP clearance for shipment of motor vehicles, engines, engine blocks, chassis or body from one island to another through ferry
services. The proposed executive order directs the Philippine National Police to continue enforcing the requirement for owners and operators of inter-island or any water transportation with launches, boats, vessels or ships to submit a report to the PNP within seven (7) days on all motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks, chassis or bodies transported by their vessels.
City government prepares for Shariff Kabunsuan Day celebration by Perlita Changco COTABATO CITY Preparations are underway for this year’s celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan day celebration in Cotabato City with the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s approval of necessary funding requirements for the 4-day festivities. 22
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City SP appropriations committee chair Atty. Froilan Melendrez announced the approval of P700,000 for this year’s celebration of Shariff Kabunsuan Day from December 15-19 spearheaded by the Liga ng mga Barangay led by Kagawad Abdila Lim. The observance commemorating the significant cultural and historical epic saga of Shariff Kabunsuan is one important occasion that the city has been celebrating for more than
two decades. The celebration, Melendres said aims to further boost the city’s tourism industry in support to the local government’s efforts to attract more foreign and local tourists citing Shariff Kabunsuan is featured in the program “Choose Philippines” of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Activities include cultural presentations, street dancing competition, civic-military parade, fluvial parade/ ginakit, ethnic games,
among many others. Melendrez said, prizes for the street dancing contest of P100,000, P75,000 and P50,000 for the first, second and third place winners respectively, would be drawn from the P700,000 appropriations. Meanwhile, Liga ng mga Barangay president Lim said, village officials of the city’s 37 barangays commit to share food for the Dec. 19 grand “kanduli’ or thanksgiving celebration for the general public to partake.
Daycare kids showcase talents, governor promises cash gift to teachers AMAS, KIDAPAWAN CITY – Pre-schools children in North Cotabato have recently made their parents and teachers proud. At least 270 children, ages 3 to 5 years, on Tuesday gathered at the provincial gymnasium in Amas, Kidapawan City for the Provincial Children’s Congress where they also showcased
talents in field demonstration, folk dancing, singing, poetry, and drawing. Contingents from Pikit won first place in field demonstration while Makilala group won solo singing and
folk dancing. Kidapawan City got top prize in poetry and drawing. Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza witnessed the children’s performances. After
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the talent presentation, the governor handed a pair of slippers to each child as a gift. In recognition of the day care workers (DCWs) efforts in nurturing the children of the province, the provincial government will be giving
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P500 cash gift, Gov. Mendoza announced. “We wish to thank you for your efforts in helping us parents prepare our children to regular school. Hopefully, we can augment the need of each municipality,” she said, adding that she eyes hosting of the Day Care
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Workers Convention in 2012. “Together with our vice governor and board members, we would like to commend all our day care workers, and the parents who are here as well. Together, we will be partners as we prepare our children for the future. In the years to come, these day care children will take over from us as day care worker, social worker, teacher, and even as governor of the province,” she ended. At present, Cotabato province has a 1,075 day care workers. (LQG/ICDCPGO/DEDoguiles/ PIA 12)
Agusan del Norte gov’t intensifies veterinary outreach program by Robert E. Roperos
T
he provincial government of Agusan del Norte is intensifying its veterinary outreach program by providing free vaccinations for farm animals owned by local farmers in the province.
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According to Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Belen Aruelo, the provincial veterinarian office wants to make sure that the animals are safe from diseases. Dr. Aruelo added the animals are part of the
farmers’ livelihood activities. “Thus, there is a need for their animals to be properly taken cared of.” Deworming of animals will also be offered by the office. The official also stressed that the office also
regularly provides farmers with vitamins for their animals. Among the livelihood activities of farmers in Agusan del Norte are hog raising, poultry, cow and carabao raising.
DAR-Agusan del Norte distributes land titles in Carmen town by Gil E. Miranda
Department of Agrarian Reform of Agusan del Norte through its Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Andre B. Atega distributes Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) covering 37 hectares of agricultural lands. From (L-R) Hon. Mayor Ramon M. Calo personnally hands-over the CLOAs to one of the 32 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. He is assisted by DAR Agusan del Norte representative CARPO Admin. Rodrigo Bitangcor and Barangay Captain Alfreda Cabatingan during the CLOA distribution held at Barangay Manoligao, Carmen, Agusan del Norte on December 5, 2011.
AGUSAN DEL NORTE – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan del Norte installed recently 32 agrarian reform beneficiaries as legal owners of public agricultural landholding under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), covering a total of 37 hectares in Barangay Manoligao, Carmen, Agusan del Norte. 26
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Carmen Mayor Ramon Calo handed the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to the farmerbeneficiaries. Some local government officials and employees, barangay local officials and residents witnessed the said event. In his speech, Mayor Calo lauded DAR for the benevolent effort in implementing CARP Program for the
welfare of his constituents specifically to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Barangay Manoligao. Calo further stressed that DAR aims to help small farmers while the new land-owners have the enormous responsibility to shoulder and develop the land in order to improve their economic condition. The government has drawn up mea-
sures to speed up the issuance of land titles throughout the country as part of its mandate in the provision of the extended CARP which will end on 2014. Also present during the event were CARP Officer Rodrigo Bitangcor, OIC-Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Vicente Magallon and DAR employees. (DAR-Agusan del Norte)
CHR spearheads Nat’l Human Rights Consciousness Week celeb in Caraga by Leonor C. Ledesma, Jr. BUTUAN CITY – The Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Caraga spearheaded the opening of the 2011 National Human Rights Consciousness Week (NHRCW) celebration on Monday, pursuant to R.A. 9201, which runs from December 4-10, 2011.
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With this year’s theme: “End Impunity! Make Human Rights Our Way of Life”, CHR Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin M. Pintor stressed that impunity should be stopped. She also challenged the public to make human rights part of their daily walk. Pintor added that impunity arises from a failure of government to meet its state obligations to investigate violations; take appropriate measures in respect of the perpetrators, particularly in the area of justice, by ensuring that those suspected of criminal responsibility are prosecuted, tried and duly punished; provide victims with effective remedies and to ensure that they receive reparation for injuries suffered; ensure the inalienable right to know the truth about violations; and take other necessary steps to prevent 28
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a recurrence of violations. The region’s CHR chief urged the people to comply its obligation by respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights. “Non-compliance with state obligations is a human rights violation and whether the state complies with
its obligations or not, it is important to distinguish the inability from the unwillingness of a State to comply with its treaty obligations,” Pintor said. The official also stated that a state that is unable to carry out its obligations for reasons beyond its control has the burden
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of proving that this is the case. “A state not capable of proving inability due to forces reasonably beyond its control would be in violation of human rights,” she added. Meanwhile, PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal, Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director led the recitation of the “Panata sa Karapatang Pantao”. The PNP is a member of the Inter-Agency Committee for the NHRCW which is tasked, among others, to take the lead in the preparation and implementation on how to celebrate the week through simple and appropriate ceremonies and activities. The opening day activities for the celebration was attended by the different national government agencies in the region, PNP, 401st Brigade - Philippine Army and employees of the city government of Butuan. (CHR-Caraga)
PIA9 personnel urged to highlight PHL development plan in news releases by Franklin P. Gumapon
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eeing the need to communicate the government programs espoused by the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-IX personnel are now ready to disseminate bits of information on the different projects pursued under it. Saturday, December 10, 2011
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PIA-IX Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga summoned all her staff in Zamboanga City for a two-day conference starting yesterday to discuss certain strategies in communicating the PDP as well as the Regional Development Plan (RDP) to the public. Ms. Jocelyn PinedaAlvarez, PIA-IX news editor and who was sent to PIA Central Office a week ago for a training on communicating the PDP,served as facilitator. Alvarez emphasized that one strategy to
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develop a story from the PDP/RDP, the programs/ projects, chapter, messages and possible stories of the programs pursued under the PDP must be properly identified. Alvarez also briefed the group how to open and use the PIA website, upload stories and photos to PIA facebook accounts and other processes in sending stories to the news desk via electronic mail (email). Director Edaga, on the other hand, urged everybody to reach out to as many recipients of PIA news releases through email and
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short messaging system (SMS). PIA-IX administrative division chief Melinda Atilano-Enriquez demonstrated to the participants how to do blogging with the PIA9 blogspot. PIA management has found it indispensable and inevitable for its personnel to learn the new media to effectively disseminate accurate and timely information on government programs, policies, apronouncements and accomplishments. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)
ARMM, media, military commemorate Maguindanao massacre at peace week ISABELA CITY – The second year anniversary of the infamous Maguindanao massacre and the Mindanao Week of Peace drew commemorative activities that put civilian and military officials alongside local journalists to advance the advocacies for peace, justice and growth in Mindanao. Members of the Cotabato City chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) were joined by regional heads of agencies of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the solemn rite preceding the regular discussions on issues and concerns at the local media forum. ARMM Information chief Ali G. Macabalang disclosed that officialdom of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao held its weekly Tapatan sa ARMM media
forum at the regional executive conference room in Cotabato last Nov. 23 that saw attending journalists and guests lighting candles and praying for justice for the victims of the massacre, peace in Mindanao, and good governance in Moro communities. In a revealing announcement, ARMM’s Regional Economic Zone Authority Executive Director Rosalaini AlontoSinarimbo averred that more than the 58 people, including 32 journalists slain in the carnage and their grieving families, the autonomous region-
al government, too, is the bigger “struggling” victim in the massacre. “Because of the negative opinion shaped by the massacre among outsiders towards the principal suspects, the people now holding positions in the institutions or places where accused Ampatuans were previously associated with like the ARMM government, feels deprived and persecuted,” Sinarimbo said at the forum. Sinarimbo cited the suspension of multimillion peso projects in Maguindanao by the World Bank as an offshoot of the image-
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breaking massacre. The suspension, though, was lifted in 2010 after the new ARMM administration painstakingly brought back normalcy in its governance in a so-called triumph that saw the World Bank approving even additional US$30-million package in the region. She said the Office of the President had transferred its supervisory power over the autonomous region to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), “making ARMM an ordinary local government unit (LGU) until now.” She recalled that early this year, Palace officials and Congress
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allies rallied for the passage of RA 10153 that postponed and synchronized ARMM election for 2013, which some ARMM populace felt the curtailment of their rights of suffrage to elect their leaders and stop the President from appointing caretakers. Philippine Star staff reporter John Unson, NUJC Cotabato chapter president, Rajah Buayan ABC president Zamzamin Ampatuan, and Maguindanao provincial election registrar Udtog Tago, a lawyer, shared the belief that the massacre indeed has brought about stigma not only among the slain victims and their families but also on a
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greater number of people and children unduly implicated in the criminal prosecution process. At the media forum, Fr. Dace Procalla, the ARMM’s chief of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), however, expressed optimism that the massacre would eventually redound to a better electoral system in Maguindanao, in particular, and the ARMM, in general. Meanwhile, Sinarimbo and the personnel of the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information alongside the same group of local journalists conducted a tree planting last Nov 24 at the ground of the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao in support of the Mindanao Week of Peace observance this year. Cotabato City Vice Mayor Muslimin Sema on his way to a flight for Manila dropped by and joined the group in planting his own tree and expressing thoughts recalling the fateful day of massacre. In his recollection,
Sema said the early hours after the breakout of raw information about the incident was characterized by “deafening silence” where no media entity or personality would comment about it. But he professed that in the late afternoon of Nov. 23, 2009, he could not help but go on the air over radio stations and condemned the carnage, asking relatives of victims to keep sobriety as the incident might trigger a “civil war.” Prior to Sema’s remarks, Unson, Macabalang and Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Charlie Senase also expressed their sentiments about the incident, sounding off their burning emotion on the loss of their intimate colleague Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, a Manila Bulletin reporter who was one of the 32 slain media practitioners. For his part, event’s host Col. Bernie Langub, commander of the 38th IB, said his command had taken a lesson from the massacre in overhauling the organization and
character of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGUs) under his jurisdiction. It may be recalled that some armed elements suspected of involvement in the massacre were CAFGUs. Langub said that after persistent indoctrinations and trainings, the CAFGUs in Maguindanao and nearby areas would no longer serve at the whims of politicians but pursue a thrust mandated of true public servants in local communities. Brig. Gen. Rey Ardo, the commanding general of the 6th Infantry Division, a mother unit of the host battalion, expressed belief that while government efforts have put an end to the reign of impunity in Maguindanao after the massacre, some unscrupulous sectors remain untouched in creating violence in the province. “Isolated cases of armed skirmishes stemming mostly from land conflicts were being ex-
ploited by groups with vested interest to ostensibly draw military actions and escalate the violence,” Ardo said. “But no, the 6th ID will not be drawn to evil schemes,” Ardo said, pointing out that a great part of his 30-year service in the Army has been spent in Mindanao and that his experience in the area has taught him to prefer settling conflict in the negotiation table. From the Army headquarters, the group of journalists, BPI staff and Sinarimbo proceeded to the massacre site in sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town to take a glimpse of the place that placed the Philippines in the world map of violence against the media. (JPA/BPIARMM/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)
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ARMM to deploy 150 more midwives to remote communities ISABELA CITY – The Bureau of Public Information announced that at least 150 more midwives will be deployed in remote areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to help provide basic health services to people living in places where government services were hardly felt.
ARMM healthy secretary, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding said the deployment of the additional midwives would start in December. With the fresh deployments, Sinolinding said the current ratio of one midwife for every 6,088 people will be further improved. “There are more 34
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than 500 midwives in the region and the additional 150 new midwives were expected to improve the delivery of health services in the ARMM, the country’s poorest,” Sinolinding said. He said the deployment of the new midwives was being made with the help of the national government’s De-
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partment of Health. “Secretary Enrique Ona readily granted our request in accordance with the DOH program Pangkalahatang Pangkalusugan,” Sinolinding said. As this developed, Sinolinding announced that the government has allocated P1.3 billion for health programs in the
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provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. He said the fund will be taken out of the P8 billion ARMM Mini-Marshall plan, adding, “In DOHARMM, when it rains, it pours.” He said the Mini-Marshall plan also included P380 million for the health facility enhancement program of DOH, which includes increasing the number of rural health units, clinics and hospitals. It can be re-
called that a national transition team was created by the government headed by the Department of Interior and
Local Government in preparation for the appointment and installation of officers-in-charge in ARMM. The transition team is composed of DepEd, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development which are the key government agencies identified with providing basic services. The ARMM economic recovery and development initiative is also called “ARMM Mini Marshall Plan,” and is aimed at addressing gaps in basic services for the next 21 months of transition. (JPA/ BPI-ARMM/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)
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