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 the
STARBOOKS digital library in Zambopen, Basilan
National
Sunday,
Vol. 1 No. 112
In This Issue... 13 14 16 20 21 24
Zambo Norte still poorest province in region 9, says DSWD-IX chief
Region IX
Franklin P. Gumapon,
El Toro festival to cap Polanco town’s 60th founding anniversary
Region IX
Comval eyes installing smoking cessation clinic Rodielyn A. Manugas
DOST 9 distributes STARBOOKS digital library to 9 schools in ZamboPen, Basilan Jocelyn P. Alvarez
Region XI
page 4
WESTERN MINDANAO page 12
Region XII
Moner C. Dayaan,
Mga barangay sa T’boli aktibo sa pagbabantay laban sa iligal na pagmimina
Region XII
SOUTHERN MINDANAO page 15
Prepare for wet Yuletide season says Caraga DRRMC Nora CL Molde,
11
Cover Story
Pamahalaang lokal minamanmanan ang pagpasok ng “hot meat” sa lungsod
CENTRAL MINDANAO
Caraga Region
page 19
City gov’t to give early Christmas presents to poorest Butuanons Robert E. Roperos,
27 28
Aquino to keynote 1st Criminal Justice summit...............................................................
Caraga Region
CARAGA REGION
page 22
HIV rapidly rising in Oro Jorie C. Valcorza
, Region X
Army revives Dimalna Peace and Order Council 103rd Infantry Brigade,
Region X
NORTHERN MINDANAO
page 26
Cover Story DOST 9 distributes STARBOOKS digital library to 9 schools in ZamboPen, Basilan by Jocelyn P. Alvarez
T
he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 9 distributes its newest education innovation-the STARBOOKS digital library to eight (8) government secondary schools of the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamboPen) Region and one (1) tertiary school in Basilan Province. 4
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
“We have already deployed the STARBOOKS package to our public national high schools here; we travelled to Pagadian City, to Dipolog City and Sibugay Province just to bring to the schoolbeneficiaries their STARBOOKS,” Thelma Diego, Regional Information (IO) Officer, DOST said. Diego informed, the Science and Technology department has identified 9 schools as beneficiaries of the department’s digital library. For Zamboanga City, there are four (4) school-beneficiaries to include: Zamboanga City High School (Main); Regional Science High School, Ayala National High school and Vitali National High school; for Zamboanga Del Norte, one (1) school beneficiary- Zamboanga Del Norte National High School and one (1) for Zamboanga Del Sur- Zamboanga Del
Sur National High school for and two (2) for the Zamboanga Sibugay Province- Zamboanga Sibugay National High school and La Dicha National High school and one (1) for Basilan Province-The Basilan State College, the lone tertiary school recipient. “The distribution of the STARBOOKS package to these 9 schools will be completed first next week of December,” Diego assured. “The deployment STARBOOKS to some public schools in Region 9 was made possible through the initiative and efforts of the Regional Information Tech-
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 5
lan cost the government some P800,000.00” STARBOOKS explained STARBOOKS is the first Philippine Science Digital Library developed by the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) of DOST. nology and E-Commerce Committee (RITECC-IX) with funding from the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office,” Diego explained. The SATRBOOKS package distributed to the school-recipients for free include: mobile kiosk, hardware (one unit Personal Computer), software and server. According to Diego, the national government hopes to provide schools with an effective and efficient access to S&T information, create and enhance interest in the field of science and technology; encourage great curious minds to develop new ideas, inventions and innovations and stimulate one’s capacity to get involved in research entrepreneurship, thus the STARBOOKS project. Diego said “the STARBOOKS package allotted for the 9 beneficiaries of ZamboPen and Basi6
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations or simply STARBOOKS, is a stand alone, onsite research kiosk that provides free access on Science and Technology (S&T) informa-
tion for academic and livelihood use. Diego explained, “The project is aimed at providing Filipinos with relevant and latest information on the subject. Users can have access to thousands of titles of books, journals, scientific researches, technical and annual reports and other latest data and information contained at the DOST’s Science Information Network (SciNeT), freely-available online resources, and subscribed databases.” “The new academic and livelihood resource differs from other library portals as it does not require Internet connectivity to deliver information to its users. The kiosk has a built-in server
that provides instant access to S&T information. The information can be printed using a portable printer” the lady IO was quoted as saying. STARBOOKS also contain various videos on DOST-developed technologies for entrepreneurs looking for potential science-based livelihood. “On its initial run, 171 technology videos have been uploaded in the kiosk through the different DOST agencies,” Diego said. “The videos range from food processing to laundry soap making and other livelihood materials,” she informed. Diego said the DOST through the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) will con-
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 7
tinuously build the STARBOOKS content to ensure that the information offered are rich and timely. “STII expects that this project will spur a wave of S&T enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it is also hoped that every barangay in the country will adopt STARBOOKS kiosk to make S&T information accessible to every Filipino,” she said. FREE STARBOOKS to Public and Private schools Diego said the department encourages private and public schools with S&T-based curriculum to avail of the STARBOOKS 8
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
package. “For interested schools, all they have to do is write a letter of intent to DOST, and that’s it. If approved, then the department and the school will enter in to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). It’s that simple, the school will not have to pay anything, the STARBOOKS package is given for free” Diego emphasized. DOST also encourages public and private libraries, information centers to adopt STARBOOKS. “DOST-STII is very willing to provide STARBOOKS content freeof-charge for educational and research purposes,” she said.
President Aquino leads Belenismo awards night in Tarlac
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding ceremonies for this year’s winners of the 5th Belenismo sa Tarlac on Saturday night praising event organizers for their contribution to the country’s tourism industry. Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 9
In his message during the awarding ceremony, the President thanked the provincial government of Tarlac, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation and other sponsors for inviting him in the event. “Nawa’y patuloy kayong magsumikap sa pagpapayaman ng inyong kakayahan at pagpapamalas ng kahusayan at pakikiisa sa ating pagbangon,” the President said in his message. “Tiwala po ako na sa patuloy na pasisikap at pagtataguyod ng Belenismo sa Tarlac at sa pakikiisa ng ating mga kababayan, malaki pa ang maiaambag ng pagdiriwang na ito sa turismo di lang sa ating probinsya kundi maging sa buong bansa.” More tourist arrivals in the country means i n 10
creased confidence of foreign investors to put their money in the Philippines, the President said. That as a result, create jobs and livelihood for Filipinos, he added. While the country celebrates the birth of the Great Savior that brought light to the world, the President said, his administration will not waver in fighting corruption in the country saying that he will hold accountable those who committed wrongdoings. “Pinaghahari po natin ang liwanag at pagbabago sa puso at isipan ng bawat Pilipino. Sa wagas nating pagsusumikap at pagmamalasakit sa mas mga nangangailangan kaakibat ng matibay na pananampalataya sa Dakilang Tagapagligtas,” he stressed. Belenismo sa Tarlac is a festival showcasing the best of Tarlac in spirited competition in a Belen-making contest.
ONE MINDANAO Sunday, December 4, 2011
The competition was first organized in 2007 by the Tarlac Heritage Foundation and the Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church aimed at promoting tourism in the province that could eventually benefit the people economically. This year’s Belenismo contest is supported by the Tarlac provincial government and its 17 municipalities, the Tarlac Convention and Visitors Bureau, private establishments, the Church, schools and private citizens. Joining the President during the awards night include Rep. Jesli Lapus of Tarlac 3rd district, Philippine National Police chief Nicanor Bartolome, Mrs. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, founder and chairperson of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation and Dr. Isabel CojuangcoSuntay, the co-founding chairperson of the foundation. (AS)
P
Aquino to keynote 1st Criminal Justice summit
r e s i d e n t Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the first ever National Summit on Criminal Justice (NSCJ) that will be held at the Manila Hotel on Monday, December 5.
The 1st NSCJ brings together a gathering of stakeholders of the justice system to reexamine institutional criminal justice issues and forge strategies towards the enhanced delivery of justice. Among the highlights of the event is the unveiling of the draft of Book 1 of the
new criminal code mandated by the President in his first State of the Nation Address. The draft is a concrete output of the Criminal Code Committee (CCC) which was formed to craft a simple and Filipino penal code. A total of 500 delegates, from civil so-
ciety groups, development partners, foreign missions and core justice sector agencies are expected to attend the twoday event. (RCK)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 11
I
City meets with stakeholders for tighter security measures in hotels, inns by Jocelyn P. Alvarez
n the wake of the Sunday night bombing that rocked the city resulting to the death of three (3) and the wounding of 27 others, the city government headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat initiated a meeting Thursday to discussed the necessity of implementing a tighter and stricter security measures in hotels, motels, inns, pension and boarding houses and other places of accommodation in the city. The meeting which was attended by some 200 stakeholders to include business owners/managers of the above establishments was conducted to ensure safety not only of the guests but also of the establishments itself. City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias said “During the said meeting, Chief Inspector Hayudini Salvado of the local police presented the security updates and the measures 12
ONE MINDANAO
needed to implement to help prevent lawlessness specifically explosions.” The active IO further said “Mayor Lobregat dialogued with owners of hotels, motels, inns, pension houses, boarding houses and dormitories on the various security steps which he said will be firmed up through an ordinance that he will forward to the council for approval.” Covarrubias said authorities are doing every-
Sunday, December 4, 2011
thing to get to the bottom of the case and will not rest until perpetrators of recent bombing and previous incidents are arrested. The lady IO shared, “In fact, authorities have collared the other day a suspected bomber involved in a string of explosion occurrences in the city since 2004 and they are looking for the suspect’s links with the recent incident at the Atilano Pension House.”
P
Zambo Norte still poorest province in region 9, says DSWD-IX chief by Franklin P. Gumapon oor families still abound in Zamboanga del Norte, according to Regional Director R. Teodulo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-IX. Romo reported during the 138th Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting held at Top Plaza Hotel here that Zamboanga del Norte has remained the poorest province in the region since 2003. Latest survey also revealed that more than 65 percent of the households in the province are poor. Zamboanga del Sur, on the other hand, has more than 63 percent poor families while the province of Zamboanga Sibugay has around 61 percent destitute households. Among the 25 towns of Zamboanga del Norte, Siayan registered the highest percentage of poor families at 88.7 percent, followed by Sibuco at 87.6 percent, Sirawai at 84.4 percent, Godod at
81.3 percent and Gutalac at 78.5 percent. It could be recalled that the 2003 survey of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) had revealed that Siayan was the poorest town in the country. Presently, Siayan is a recipient of a number of poverty alleviation programs of the national government agencies (NGAs) more particularly those implemented by DSWD such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P), KAPIT-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and Self-Employment Assistance-Kabuhayan (SEA-K). All other municipalities of Zamboanga
del Norte including its two component cities of Dipolog and Dapitan are also beneficiaries of 4P, which is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education more particularly of children aged 0-14 years. The program provides beneficiaries with cash grants of P500 a month for health and nutrition expenses and P300 a month per child for educational expenses. A household with three qualified children could get P1,400 monthly. In a related development, the 2006 National
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 13
Statistics Office (NSO) survey identified the top 20 poorest provinces in the country as Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindan-
A
ao, Apayao, Surigao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Northern Samar, Masbate, Abara, MIsamis Occidental, Agusan del Sur, Oriental Mindoro,
Occidental Mindoro, Sulu, Kalinga, Surigao del Sur, Mt. Province, Sarangani, Lanao del Norte and Negros Oriental. (JPA/FPG)
El Toro festival to cap Polanco town’s 60th founding anniversary s this municipality will turn 60 years old on Dec. 8, the municipal government headed by Mayor Anacleto H. Olvis Jr. is now spearheading a weeklong celebration with a number of activities. A grand and colorful costume parade participated in by the municipal officials and employees, national government agencies (NGAs), teachers and students of elementary and secondary schools, barangay officials, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders kicked off the weeklong celebration on Thursday. Farm cart floats loaded with different kinds of farm produce were paraded around the municipality on the opening day with Dr. 14
ONE MINDANAO
Santiago R. Obien, national rice consultant of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as keynote speaker. Drum corps competitions, fireworks display, the presentation of the 30 candidates vying for “Mutya ng Polanco 2011” title and others were also held last Thursday. The “El Toro” festival showdown will be held on Dec. 8 at the playing ground of Polanco Central School. Polanco became a municipality on December 8, 1951 by virtue of
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Executive Order No. 467 issued by then President Elpidio Quirino. It is an agricultural town producing rice, corn, copra and different kinds of fruits like lanzones, mangoes, rambutan, marang, durian, mangosteen and many more. “El Toro,” which refers to an adult male carabao, symbolizes the town’s farming community thriving on its vast rice fields and corn lands and fertile rolling hills where coconut trees and fruit trees grow. (JPA/FPG)
Human rights day calls an end to impunity by Carina Cayon
T
he observance of the human rights day on December 10 this year centers on calling a stop to impunity in the country.
The Philippine government will join the global celebration of the International Human Rights Day that anchors on the theme: “End Impunity! Make Human Rights our Way of Life.” Commission on Human Rights regional director Atty. Alberto Sipaco, Jr. explained on the meaning of the theme as to putting “an end to crimes” and making the law enforcement “stronger with much political will.” Sipaco defined impunity as to “the state where people can just commit crimes without being apprehended.” He said that “if there’s impunity, we might develop the culture of violence, and people might accept this state.” “If this happens, what kind of future can we give to the generations
to come?” he told the Philippine Information Agency. Sipaco said that it’s the primary obligation and responsibility of the government to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of every Filipino including the foreigners. However, he lamented that the “community has become apathetic and complacent” on crime incidence, citing the people’s notion that “there’s no way to prosecute criminals who get away from their crimes.” In winning the fight against impunity, he raised the suggestions to strengthen governance and maintain police force to be efficient in their tasks. “Place more political will on the leaders of the government and the present administration,” Sipaco stated. On the part of all government agencies, he urged for their cooperation in curtailing incidence against human rights such as extra-judicial killings and summary executions. Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 15
CHR, as the lead agency of the annual International Human Rights Day celebration, has requested all other government agencies to join and partake in the week-long undertakings to start today (December 04) and to culminate on December 10. In the region, government employees will gather on December 05 at People’s Park in Davao City to hold a flag raising ceremony where
the “Panata sa Karapatang Pantao” will be recited. Sipaco also requested the government offices to display streamers designed for the commemoration in their respective workplace and public places during the week. He said that they have also prepared other activities such as human rights exhibit on December 7-10, and torch parade on December 9.
Comval eyes installing smoking cessation clinic
NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley – The provincial government here mulls over installing a Smoking Cessation Clinic along the capitol premises that aims at providing therapy services for employees who are trying to quit smoking.
The said plan was agreed upon during the recently conducted Provincial Health Board meeting facilitated by the provincial executive assistant
16
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Isabelo L. Melendres and Provincial Health Office chief Renato Basañes. The smoking cessation clinic in the capitol will be realized through a passage of a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and an Executive Order from the Chief Executive. This program is another mitigating measure of the province in promoting healthy lifestyle for the capitol employees. A smoking cessation clinic is defined as a fixed premise where qualified medical professionals/counselors provide smoking cessation therapy to help clients in their attempts to quit the smoking habit. The therapy can involve individual or group counseling and may include the dispensing of pharmacological aids, if the clinic is registered and
equipped to do so. Smoking cessation is the process of discontinuing the practice of inhaling a smoked substance. Its mission is to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use. Tobacco is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, implicated in over 90% of all lung cancers, contributes to cancers at many sites including the
larynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, and cervix, and is a principal risk factor for respiratory illnesses such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Tobacco use also causes damage to non-smokers, for example to spouses, and young children in the smoker’s environment through passive exposure to cigarette smoke. (IDS-COMVAL/Rodielyn A. Manugas)
did you know...
That the Whale Shark or Butanding can also be found in the Davao Gulf area. Particularly sighted along Bunawan in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal There are 10 species of cetaceans, marine turtles, whale sharks and other elasmobranchs that inhabit Davao Gulf taken from a 2004 survey according to the Davao Gulf Management Council. Because of their presence the gulf is considered as country’s top diversity sites for whales and dolphins, Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 17
Photo release
Partners for Health ALABEL, Sarangani – Governor Migs Dominguez and Rep. Manny Pacquiao sit down with Partners for Health consultants and key Capitol department heads to lay down details for the construction and management of Sarangani Medical Center, the first Private-Public Partnership (PPP) hospital in the country. PPP in Health is a program implemented by the Development Bank of the Philippines with support from the Asian Development Bank. (Russel Delvo/ Sarangani Information office)
18
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
DAR-Maguindanao posts 70% accomplishment in CARP implementation by Perlita Changco COTABATO CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform in Maguindanao province has consistently topped in the distribution of land program under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Maguindanao provincial agrarian reform officer Bing Bacar said. Bacar said based on latest assessment by DARCentral Office, Maguindanao has accomplished 70% of the provincial agency’s target for this year under the land distribution program. In line with the continuing CARP implementation, Certificates of Land Onwership Awards (CLOA) were distributed to farmer program beneficiaries in Talayan, Maguindanao on Tuesday, November 29 Some 104 farmers received their CLOAs,
proof of ownership of 2-hectare land each or a total of 200 hectares to be paid by the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) for a period of 30 years through the Land Bank, Bacar said. Bacar expressed optimism that under the CARP, more landless farmers in the province would have the opportunity to own land thereby improving their quality of life as there are efforts of the several owners of private lands to avail of CARP’s
Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) citing the Sarmiento Logging Co. and RAMCOR, among others covering several hundreds of hectares. Representing Governor Esmael Mangudadatu during the awarding ceremony, Maguindanao Vice-Governor Dustin Mastura lauds DARMaguindanao’s aggressive CARP implementation in the province citing the program of Governor Esmael Mangudadatu for the massive planting of palm oil trees to boost the economic development of the area.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 19
Pamahalaang lokal minamanmanan ang pagpasok ng “hot meat” sa lungsod COTABATO CITY – Dahil sa pagpasok na ng panahon ng kapaskuhan, mahigpit na minamanmanan ng pamahalaang local ang pagpasok sa lungsod ng tinatawag na mga ‘hot meat’ na nanggagaling sa ibat-ibang lugar na hindi dumadaan sa meat inspection division ng city government. Ito ang binigyang- veterinary
diin ni Atty. Cynthia G. Sayadi, City Administrator sa panayam sa kanya kahapon (Huwebes). Ayon kay Sayadi lahat na ipinapasok na karne tulad ng baka, baboy, carabeef, kambing at manok ay dapat na mainspeksyon ng mga tauhan ng city veterinary office na itinalaga sa ibat-ibang mga checkpoint sa lungsod. Layunin ng hakbang, ayon pa kay Sayadi na maiwasan maibenta sa mga palengke ng lungsod ang ‘double dead’ na karne o bucha upang hindi madaya ang mga mamimili at maiwasan magkasakit ang maaring makakabili ng nasabing mga ‘double dead’ na karne. “Katuwang ng mga kawani ng city 20
ONE MINDANAO
office ang mga kagawad ng Traffic Management Unit (TMU) ng city government na kasalukuyang itinalaga sa ibat-ibang checkpoints na umiinspeksyon sa mga karneng ipinapasok sa lungsod bago matiyak na puwede na itong ibenta sa mga palengke ng lungsod,” paliwanag
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ni Sayadi. “Tulad noong nakaraang buwan ng Ramadhan, mahigpit na ipinatupad ng city government ang ‘price monitoring council’ ng pamahalaang-lokal at ipapatupad na rin ngayong kapaskuhan,” dagdag ni Sayadi. (Moner C. Dayaan)
Mga barangay sa T’boli aktibo sa pagbabantay laban sa iligal na pagmimina KORONADAL CITY -- Aktibo na ngayon ang mga opisyales ng mga barangay sa bayan ng kung saan may nangyayaring pagmimina ng ginto sa kanilang mga gawain upang mapigil ang iligal na banlas operations.
Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting provincial environment management officer ng South Cotabato, mismong ang mga opisyales ng barangay Desawu at Kematu sa T’boli ang nakikipag-ugnayan sa PEMO at sa kapulisan para sa pagsasagawa ng raid. Nagkusa na rin umano ang mga ito sa pagbabantay at pagmonitor mga lugar kung saan nangyayari ang banlas operations. Umaasa si Engr. Flaviano na dahil sa naturang hakbang, unti-unti nang mapipigil ang iligal na pagmimina ng ginto sa barangay Desawu at Kematu.
Matatandaang kamakailan lang, inilabas ni South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. ang Executive Order 28 na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga mga lokal na opisyal at nag-uutos sa kanila na i-monitor ang iligal na pagmimina. Inaasahan din ng pa-
mahalaang panlalawigan ang positibong aksyon ng mga opisyal sa mga barangay ng Pulabato, Danlag, at Tablu sa bayan ng Tampakan hinggil sa kampanya laban sa iligal na banlas operation na nagyayari sa loob mismo ng nasasakupan ng copper-gold project ng Sagittarius Mines Inc.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 21
“Light Up Butuan” ceremonial switch-on held by Robert E. Roperos
T
he city government here has conducted the “Light Up Butuan” ceremonial switch-on Friday night.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com 22
ONE MINDANAO
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
Sunday, December 4, 2011
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
In his speech, Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. said the activity is just a kickoff to the world’s longest Christmas celebration. He added the longest Christmas celebration is in the Philippines. “We have experienced trials in our lives… and may these trials will turn into challenges, hope and inspiration as we jointly celebrate the birth of our Savior,” Mayor Amante said.
The local chief executive pointed out that in the spirit of Christmas, we should not lose hope because there is always a star that brightens the darkest night. Amante further calls on every Butuanon to take part and join with the government in an effort to achieve progress and development in the city. Meanwhile, Sangguniang Pan-
lungsod members led by Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun led the flying of sky lanterns and participated by chiefs of offices of the local government and regional directors of national line agencies. The new attraction of the city hall will run until eve of January 1, 2012 as the whole world meet the coming of the New Year.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 23
Prepare for wet Yuletide season says Caraga DRRMC by Nora CL Molde BUTUAN CITY - The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga region through its chairperson called on the public to be prepared for a possibly wet yuletide season.
Caraga DRRMC Chairperson and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Dr. Blanche Gobenciong said Filipinos may experience a wet Christmas season this year based on PAGASA’s forecast.
Gobenciong said that from December 2011 to January 2012, there is a strong chance of above normal rainfall in the tropical western Pacific, including the Philippines. Thus, Gobenciong
said that this year’s observance of Christmas season requires preemptive actions on the part of the RDRRMC to avert any potential disaster in order to ensure peaceful celebration of this yuletide season.
City gov’t to give early Christmas presents to poorest Butuanons BUTUAN CITY – To celebrate the true spirit of Christmas, the city government here announced recently that packed grocery items are now ready for distribution to “the poorest of the poor” Butuanons 24
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said that this is the city government’s way helping poor families celebrate Christmas through a “salu-salo” (partaking of food). The city government also said the “Pamaskong Handog ng City Government” is the same program initiated by the previous administration through the late former Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II. “Ang pamaskong handog ng city government usa sa mga programa ni kanhi Mayor Boy Daku Plaza ug ato
lang kining gipadayon aron mahatagan usab og kahigayunan ang ga kabus nato nga mga kaigsuonan nga makasaulog sa pasko nga adunay pagkaon sa ilang lamesa (The ‘pamaskong handog ng city government’ is among the programs of former Mayor Boy Daku Plaza and we are just continuing the program to give our poor brothers and sisters to celebrate Christmas with foods on their table),” Mayor Amante said. The chief executive of the city also stressed the gift-giving is among
the activities lined-up by the city government in celebration of Yuletide Season. Some 19,000 packed grocery items were already prepared by city hall employees. Meanwhile, Mayor Amante said that aside from the gift-giving, a Christmas Bazaar will also add color to the city’s celebration of Yuletide Season. The bazaar will be participated in by local business entrepreneurs here where selected items are sold in low prices. (RER)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 25
ASEAN declares Mount Malindang as a Heritage Park by G. Thiam
M
ount Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP) in Misamis Occidental was declared as one of the new ASEAN Heritage Park, during the 13th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment held recently in Cambodia. This after MMRNP qualified and met the stringiest of criteria like ecological completeness, naturalness and high conservation importance. Further, this came about from the endorsement of Mt. Malindang to be nominated and included in the consideration as an ASEAN Heritage Park. This was decided and duly endorsed by the Protected Area and Management Board (PAMB) and the 26
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
stakeholders of MMRNP. Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP) is one of the biodiversity rich areas in the Philippines. It is the home of several endemic species of flora and fauna like the Philippine Eagle, one of the largest and rarest eagles in the world. MMRNP is blessed with numerous waterfalls, supports major river system, provides safe water, carbon
sink, climate regulator and clean air for the populace in the three (3) provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. The rugged, mountainous features of the park are also ideal for hiking and climbing activities. Likewise, the area holds promise caving activities such as spelunking. Facilities include wildlife observation areas, trekking trails and hospitals for medical emergencies among others. Access to the park is through the
municipality of Don Victoriano. One can reach Don Victoriano through jeepneys on regular scheduled routes from Ozamiz City. As a tourist destination, on the other hand, the MMRNP offers a vast area blessed with natural attractions. The areas of Hoyohoy, Lampasan, Lobong Balo, Gadawan, Sibucal, Upper Salug Valley and Lake Dumunagat are considered good site for eco-tourism activities such as guided tours and wildlife observation. (DENR)
HIV rapidly rising in Oro by Jorie C. Valcorza
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A total of 51 cases of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), have been reported, here, in Northern Mindanao, as of Nov. 16, this year. This figure is actually 17 cases more or 50 percent higher than the 34 HIV cases reported in December 2010, Emiliano Galban, Jr. Regional Information Officer of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), region 10, said. This situation has alarmed the DOH-CHD-10 which noted that more than 95 percent of those who tested positive in the region are mostly acquired through homosexual contact of men who have sex with men (MSM), following the same trend of the national HIV situation.
Galban said two (2) of these cases were just added very recently. From the total regional figure, Cagayan de Oro City, tops the list with 30 recorded cases, absorbing some 16 additional HIV positive, this year. The DOH data also reveal that 72 out of 80 provinces in the country or 90 percent are all reporting HIV cases and in Northern Mindanao only Camiguin is decleared to be HIV-free. Health officials, however, reminds the public that in cases, such as this, numbers do not count much for the vulnerability to HIV is really high. Other cities in the region with reported cases include Iligan, Ozamiz, Malaybalay and Valencia City. At present, some 28 HIV positive persons are now Sunday, December 4, 2011
ONE MINDANAO 27
under the care of the Alliance Against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Mindanao, Inc. (ALAGADMindanao), a non-government organization that focuses on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), HIV, and AIDS.
Army revives Dimalna Peace and Order Council MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -The leadership of the 65th Infantry Battalion pursued the conduct of Barangay Peace and Order Council for Barangay Dimalna, this city. Comprehensive lectures on AFP’s Bayanihan, DENR’s environmental management, and PNP’s Barangay Defense System were given out by respective speakers to the officials during the meeting. Heading the troops was Major Dhoc K. Equing, the executive officer of 65th Infantry Battalion. Accordingly, the unit involved the local police of Marawi City under PSupt. Jaime Mojica and the PENRO represented by Forester Alimon D. Gamon through the spirit of “Bayanihan.” The said agencies are the top priority to provide information drive regarding their programs due to the issues prevailing in the area. It has been noted that criminal activities have been prevalent in Marawi City although only a few are 28
ONE MINDANAO
Sunday, December 4, 2011
being reported. Equing likewise held a dialogue with the officials after the lectures and urged them to pursue peace and security programs for their barangay emphasizing that it is still the barangay officials are the primary responsible in responding to situations before PNP forces could respond. The barangay officials expressed their support to the Army’s programs and thanked them for their effort. “We hope that the Army will continue this kind of program to include the nearby barangays for the involvement of more people in the campaign of peace and security,” Barangay Chairwoman Hadja Sobaida M Salic said. (103rd Infantry Brigade)