MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
Volume VI, No. 242
Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com
Monday
March 20, 2017
P15.00
DRUG REHAB IN EXCHANGE FOR CASINO?
Bishop thumbs down Pagcor offer for help By MARK FRANCISCO Correspondent
CAGAYAN de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma has turned down the alleged offer of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to help fund the archdiocese’s drug rehabilitation program. Ledesma said Pagcor sent unofficial “feelers” to his office saying that it is willing to fund the construction of a building that will be used in its drug rehabilitation program. In his reply, Ledesma told the Pagcor’s liaison that “you cannot stop an addiction by creating another addiction,” referring to drug intoxication in the former and gambling in the latter. He said the archdiocese is firm in its stand to protest against the establishment of a casino saying that Cagayan de Oro has been See bishop, page 6
Rains more likely today, tomorrow, says Pagasa
LADY MAYORS OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL. Mayor Marietta Roa Abogado of Balingasag town,
Mayor Meraluna Salvaleon Abrogar of Claveria, Villanueva Mayor Jennie Rosalie T. Uy, also the chapter president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Misamis Oriental, and Mayor Mildred Lagbas Mondigo of Sugbongcogon along with more than 1,300 municipal mayors attended the recent General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Manila Hotel.
Emano lifts tourist ban in towns east of Misor By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor
MISAMIS Oriental--Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano, of Misamis Oriental, has lifted the ban of tourist visits in the eastern district of the
province following the announced resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) in April next month. Emano said that he has lifted the ban on tourist visits, See BAN, page 7
Strict enforcement of ‘retention pond’ pushed projects as a measure to counter flooding, a member of the city council here said. CAGAYAN de Oro City--The City Councilor Teodulfo E. city government should strictly Lao said that a retention pond implement the required “reten- serves well if a flood takes tion pond” in all subdivision See pushed, page 7 By CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor
Alejo Gratico, a local raiser, is sizing-up his lobster if it is ready for harvest in Day-asan, Surigao City on March 17, 2017. A kilo of live lobster fetch a price ranging from P2,600 to P3,200. The watersurrounded village is known to be one of the lobster producing area in Caraga. Photo by Jun Ayensa for Mindanao Daily
Second frontpage
3 Mindanao solons lose committee chairmanship/p.2 n
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Earth Hour at Seda Centrio/p.3
More areas in Mindanao may experience rain until early next week. Such scenario is likely if the low-pressure area (LPA) in the Pacific enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility and nears Mindanao landmass, noted weather forecaster Robb Gile from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). “If that happens, the LPA will bring until around Monday (March 20) or Tuesday (March 21) light to moderate rain and thunderstorms to Caraga, Davao, Northern Mindanao, Northern Cotabato, Automous Region in Muslim Mindanao and even westlying Zamboanga del Norte all in Mindanao,” he said. The LPA may also bring rain to the Visayas and Luzon’s Bicol Region, he noted. PAGASA said the LPA’s trough or extension was affecting only Mindanao’s eastern seaboard at present, bringing rain there. “Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolatedthunderstorms are expected over CARAGA and Davao regions,” PAGASA also said in its 24hour forecast released Saturday (March 18). Gile said latest available model outputs indicated higher chance for the LPA not to dissipate early but to bring rain across See land, page 6
CA members with mining interests urged to inhibit /p.6
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MINDANAO DAILY SECOND FRONTPAGE mark francisco, Section Editor EDITOR: RUEL V. PELONE
Monday
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March 20, 2017
3 Mindanao solons lose committee chairmanship FOR VOTING ‘NO’ TO DEATH PENALTY
By Carolyn O. Arguillas of MindaNews
THREE Mindanawon representatives lost their chairmanship in key committees — Natural Resources, People’s Participation, and Muslim Affairs — for voting “No” to HB 4727 or the death penalty bill. The House of Representatives on Wednesday declared the post of Deputy Speaker for Luzon and the chairmanship of 11 committees vacant, on motion of House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas. The Deputy Speaker for Luzon, former FOR VOTING NO TO DEATH PENALTY. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Anak Mindanao lost her chairmanship of the Committee on President Gloria Muslim Affairs while Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate lost his chairmanship of the Committee on Natural Resources and Rep. Kaka J. See SOLONS, page 7
Bag-ao of the lone district of Dinagat Islands lost her chairmanship of the Committee on People’s Participation.
Ain’t easy being an MILF fighter’s wife By Keith Bacongco of MindaNews
KABACAN, North Cotabato--Tambay Sambutuan and Baiyan Basayan arrived in the village of Cuyapon in this municipality to seek temporary shelter from the aerial and ground assault against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Camp Rajamuda during the Estrada administration’s “all-out war” in 2000. Seventeen years later, their temporary stay had somehow become permanent. They did not have to evacuate again as they usually did before 2000, but they continue to hope that one day, they can return to Camp Rajamuda. The camp, straddling parts of Pikit in North Cotabato and Pagalungan in Maguindanao, was the MILF’s third largest back then. Sambutuan and Basayan were among hundreds of residents who trooped to evacuation centers during the “all-out war.” They were mostly women tagging along their children as they ran for their lives, bringing almost nothing with them but a few belongings. Their husbands could not be there to help them beFeedmixing. Workers of Agusan Farmers Producers Cooperative pour feed ingredients into the bin to mix raw cause as MILF fighters they were with their comrades materials together to produce specific hog feed ration in the village of Aurora, Sta. Josefa town, Agusan del Sur on March 15, 2017. The feedmill is a community-managed enterprise that is seen to have high potential in beefing-up exchanging fire with government soldiers. hog production in Caraga. Photo by Jun Ayensa for Mindanao Daily
CAID opens in Davao
See wife, page 6
By Carolyn O. Arguillas of MindaNews
DAVAO City––The Ateneo de Davao University has set up its multi-disciplinary Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID) to complement efforts of the Archdiocese of Davao and the Davao City Government in the “war against evil.” Archbishop Romulo Valles, who officiated at
Prof. Apple Alvarez, CAID head Prof. Roawie Quimba, Archbishop Romulo Valles and Fr. Joel Tabora, President of the Ateneo de Davao University, at the presscon after the blessing of the Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID) on 15 March 2017. Mindanao photo
the blessing of the center on Wednesday morning, said he felt a “sentiment of joy and pride” as the blessing of the CAID “gives a sure sign of hope and action.”
Davao City went through a long and bloody war on drugs that involved killings by what has come to be The Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID) along Padre Zamora Street at the Ateneo de known collectively Davao University campus, inaugurated Wednesday, March 15, 2017. See opens, page 6
MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
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In Focus
Earth Hour at Seda Centrio ON March 25, Cagayan de Oro and the rest of the world will be observing Earth Hour. From 8:30pm to 9:30pm, households, establishments, and landmarks will be turning off their lights to symbolize their support and commitment to keeping the Earth environmentally safe. Seda Centrio will take part in this global environmental awareness campaign. What is Earth Hour? Earth Hour was first organized on March 31, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The idea came about after WWF Australia and representatives from the advertising agency Leo Burnett Sydney met to think of ways to raise awareness on climate change and encourage Australians to take part in the campaign. The event was originally known as The Big Flick, referring to the switch off. San Francisco then organized their own switching off event in October 2007. In March 2008, the first international Earth Hour took place, with all seven continents participating.
The event drew in a total of 26 cities and around 300 small towns. As i d e f rom r ais i ng aw are n e s s on cl i m at e change, Earth Hour has also resulted to a decrease in electricity usage in some places. In Christchurch, New Zealand for example, there was a 13% drop in electricity demand after the 2008 Earth Hour. A significant drop in energy consumption was also reported for the Philippines (particularly in Luzon), Thailand, Canada, and Dubai. T h e P h i l ip pi n e s i s dubbed “Earth Hour Hero Country” because Filipinos were number one in global participation from 2009 to 2012. Lights Out at Seda Centrio In various parts of the world, Earth Hour is celebrated in different ways. There are information sessions, stargazing activities, and free concerts, among others. Seda Centrio, one of CDO’s finest hotels, is taking part in the celebration. On March 25, 2017, Seda
before the lights-out hour besides the Victoria Harbor, allowing citizens to witness the moment when lights in buildings on both sides of the famous harbor are turn off simultaneously. The Earth Hour campaign was launched by the WWF to encourage individuals, commercial buildings and government offices to turn off lights for one hour in order to send a message for the protection of the environment. Last year’s event was participated by 178 countries and regions, over 7,000 cities and more than 400 globally well-known landmark buildings. This year will be the ninth time for Hong Kong to take part in the event. Last year, over 4,100 companies’ offices, 230 primary and secondary schools and multiple landmark buildings turned off their lights during the hour. WWF-Hong Kong said it hopes to further promote the development of renewable energies, such as solar energy, in Hong Kong through this year’s Earth Hour campaign. “Hong Kong has outstanding conditions to comprehensively develop solar energy,” said C.W. Cheung, assistant director for climate and energy of WWF-Hong Kong, “This will help Hong Kong be-
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Centrio’s Misto will prepare a special dinner buffet for everyone who wants to be a part of this year’s Earth Hour campaign. While the lights are out from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, diners will enjoy a candlelit dinner. For only Php699 (nett) per person, you can experience the Earth Hour magic and feast on culinary masterpieces that have made Seda Centrio and Misto a favorite among many. To make the evening more special, exceptional entertainment will be provided by Corpus Christi School’s The Falsettos. With Seda Centrio’s special Earth Hour treat, you’ll get to take part in a global environmental awareness campaign while treating yourself (and your loved one) to a satisfying feast. The Earth Hour dinner buffet will be from 6pm to 10pm at Misto, which is located at the 4th level of Seda Centrio. For more information and to book your reservations, call 088323 8888 or 0917-577 5910. You may also send an email to cdo@sedahotels.com.
Hong Kong to launch Earth Hour 2017 with diversified campaigns Hong Kong will participate in this year’s Earth Hour campaign later this month with a series of diversified activities, the Hong Kong branch of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said Thursday. Ahead of the Earth Hour 2017, which will take place on March 25 at 8:30 p.m. local time, WWF-Hong Kong is launching a social media campaign called #EarthHourMoment, inviting the public to take selfies or photos of activity and actions when turning the lights off and share with friends and community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, with the hashtag #EarthHourMoment. “Every day, every hour and every second could be Earth Hour,” WWF-Hong Kong said in a statement, “You may take a photo of your lights off activity...You can even Tag your friends to lights off with you. That would finally target to encourage everyone to adopt an environmentally-friendly and smart lifestyle.” Besides the online campaign, there will be a tram parade on the afternoon of March 25, with the Earth Hour youth ambassador on the tram publicizing the campaign along a route across one of the busiest parts of Hong Kong. There will also be a countdown event right
Monday, March 20, 2017
come a low-carbon metropolis with sustainability.” In Manila, this year’s Earth Hour is set on March 25, with the Filipino youth leading the worldwide campaign. Everyone is encouraged to turn off their lights for an hour, from 8:30 p.m.9:30 p.m. as a symbolic action to raise awareness about the threats of climate change. Since the campaign was launched in Australia in 2007, the Philippines has been consistently at the forefront of the campaign and was dubbed as an Earth Hour champion for several years. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, the organizer of Earth Hour in the Philippines, encourages participants to join the event which has the theme “This Earth Hour, Shine a Light on Climate Action”. Through the use of social media, participants can tweet or post their best photos on that day, along with official hashtags #EarthHourPH2017 and #ChangeClimateChange. On March 25, NYC members will lead an Earth Hour Camp that will feature interactive climate adaptation and mitigation booths at the Mall of Asia Complex from 4 p.m. (PNA/Xinhua)
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Opinion
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Kakampi Mo Ang Batas The Mindanao Daily is pubished by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS PUBLISHING CORPORATION. It is Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Reg. No. CS201531735. With Business Plate No. BP-28984, Under Business License Certificate No. 2015-15224, BIR-TIN No. 464682-324-000. Main Business address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, 857-8447, 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mails: Advertising:mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, Editorial: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher and President TERESA ZAFRA PELONE Comptroller melanie rivera SAIRA E. GUMISING Advertising
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EDITORIAL ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief
ruel pelone Managing Editor
CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor
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MARK FRANCISCO Lifestyle Editor
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FB Live: broadcasting worldwide LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word…” (2 Timothy 4:1-2, the Holy Bible). -oooTHE MIRACLE O F B R OA D C A S T I N G WO R D LW I D E T H RU FACEBOOK LIVE: Today’s column concerns a personal matter. I wish to invite everyone to visit two Facebook pages or timelines, where I am the administrator---the “Ang Tanging Daan” and “Kakampi Mo ang Batas” timelines. For the last several days--and I pray to God this can go on at least until the purposes for which those Facebook pages or timelines have been established shall have been achieved---I have been broadcasting daily through what is now known as “Facebook Live” broadcast application (or “apps”, as these things are usually referred to by Internet users around the world). Indeed, I can only say, “thank God in the Name of Jesus” for this wonderful instrumentality made available for free by Facebook,
Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute
2007, the Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo (or the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ) Church. What is more, the live broadcast is simultaneously recorded by Facebook itself, so that anyone wishing to view or listen to any previous broadcast all over again can simply go back to the page “Ang Tanging Daan” by writing and clicking “Ang Tanging Daan” at the search engine of Facebook. Once the “Ang Tanging Daan” page appears, the image of the desired broadcast should be clicked to savor the discussions once more. -ooo“KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS” GOES ON AIR ONCE AGAIN: The broadcast for “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” employs the same process, and is also aimed to be held on a daily basis likewise, usually right after the Facebook Live broadcast for “Ang Tanging Daan” is completed. And just like the “Ang Tanging Daan” broadcast, it also lasts between 45 minutes to one hour. “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” features the English and Filipino columns I write everyday for newspapers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and in the
Atty. Batas Mauricio
Metro Manila region, and my answers to questions about the law, and about legal problems whether already filed in court or are still in its preparatory stages. I am aware, based on my past radio, TV, and newspaper experiences, that many of our countrymen hunger for free legal advice and counseling about their problems. This is the reason why media forums on the law and court cases enjoy great patronage. The airing of “Kakampi Mo Ang Batas” through Facebook Live seeks to fulfill this need of Filipinos, whether they are in the Philippines or abroad. -oooPLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible Exposition and prayer session online, could now be heard 24/7 (24 hours a day), in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook.com/angtangingdaan. Phone: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.
Think A Minute
Can’t get no satisfaction
THINK a minute. What’s your pleasure? PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Do you enjoy music and Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao parties? A nice meal with Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING your closest friends? Or do Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor you enjoy gambling and AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA alcohol? Maybe you love Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant sports like football, tennis or golf? What’s your greatRODRIGO B. SEVILLA JOE PALABAO est pleasure? As one guy Regional Editor-Davao Feature Editor puts it: “What turns your eyes red?” ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Pleasures make us feel NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE alive and free. But the probCELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 lem with pleasure is that it CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY only makes us feel good and Legal Counsel satisfied for a short time. --------------------------------------------------------------Unfortunately, we still end up feeling like the old hit bureau and mktg staff song by the Rolling Stones: candy macabale - 09161326483 “I can’t get no satisfaction.” RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 After the party’s over MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 we’re back to living our GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0955-150-6602 same, everyday life and VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 responsibilities. It seems
MARAMAG - roFINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 quezon, buk. - ROSE GENON Iligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 tangub city - bobby mag usara OROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 davao - tomas canoy avancena jr.-09177017010 davao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) COMVAL PROVINCE AND DAV. OR. - Rhodel javier butuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO -0912-8484037 ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO -09177103642
because through it, I can now bring my advocacy for spreading the Gospel that says Jesus is God and Savior, and is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, technically to the whole world, and for helping our countrymen, wherever they maybe, understand the complications and solutions to their legal problems. -ooo“A N G T A N G I N G DAAN”, BIBLE STUDY IN ENGLISH: The broadcast for “Ang Tanging Daan” is now carried out on a daily basis, usually starting between 7 p.m. up to 9 p.m. The starting time for the broadcast varies everyday, depending on whether or not I have already done away with the various tasks that are confronting me daily---as a broadcaster, columnist, trial lawyer, legal and management consultant, preacher, and, sometimes, as counselor. Then, as the experience of the past one week has shown, I usually go on air for about 45 minutes to one hour. The topics that I have been discussing focus on the teachings and basic doctrines of the Christian church where God graciously installed me as its first Leader Disciple since
even worse after your big high and pleasure. Just ask the guy with the terrible hangover. Ask his wife or kids whom he beat up while he was drunk. Ask the wife and children who are suffering terrible heartbreak and pain from the adulterous affair their father had with another woman. Yet the amazing thing is we keep doing these same wrong things over and over again. These same things that keep hurting ourselves and the ones we love. We keep believing the lie and illusion that these extreme feelings of physical pleasure are what we want and need to feel satisfied. So even though we already know from our own expe-
rience that the pleasure doesn’t last and satisfy, we keep going back for more. We’re almost like the dog that keeps chasing its tail. But there’s a reason why we can’t be satisfied just from physical pleasures. It’s simply not possible! We are not made or designed that way. We humans are not able to be permanently satisfied with only fun experiences and physical pleasures. You and I were made for much more than “just to have a little fun before we die!” God made us spiritual beings like Him, so the only way we can be fully satisfied and happy is by having a daily, close personal relationship with our Maker. Then, we can start
Jhan Tiafau Hurst
living His successful and satisfying way. So today, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way? Then ask Him to start changing your heart and lifestyle. He’s the only One Who can finally fill your life with the pleasure and peace of mind you’ve been looking for. Jesus will give you real satisfaction that lasts, not just for a day or a night, but for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute.
MindaViews
Bangsamoro, No; Good Governance, Yes By H. Marcos C. Mordeno of MindaNews
On the same day the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), on 27 March 2014, residents of Wao town in Lanao del Sur staged a rally to express their desire to be excluded from the
proposed political entity that seeks to end decades of armed conflict in Mindanao. The month before the signing of CAB, the municipal government had submitted a manifesto to Congress, President Benigno Aquino III and the peace panels to exclude Wao from the Bangsamoro. On 9 June 2014, the Sangguniang Bayan passed a
resolution expressing the same sentiment. And on 16 October of the same year, the municipal government submitted a position paper further elaborating its position. The position paper said Wao’s vote in the event of a plebiscite on the Bangsamoro should be counted separately from Lanao del Sur’s. It said doing otherwise “will
result to injustice on our basic rights,” adding it was time to heed Wao’s voice which has been “suppressed by political boundaries”. It further cited that the manner of the plebiscites on the ARMM in 1989 and 2001 was “oppressive”, as the result was based on how the province voted as a whole and the “No” vote See BANGSAMORO, page 7
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CA members with mining interests urged to inhibit
A Church official called on members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) with ties to mining firms to inhibit themselves in the process of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez’s appointment. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa), claimed vested corporate interests “play a big factor” in Lopez’s pending confirmation. “That’s why we demand that those CA members with link to mining inhibit themselves from the process,” said the priest. Lopez was among the four members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet who were bypassed by the CA this week. Tough opposition The environment chief has been facing tough opposition from different groups as the CA tackled her nomination. Some CA members are also questioning her admin-
Monday, March 20, 2017
IN SUPPORT OF GINA. Fr. Edwin Gariguez (extreme left), executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa), joins a rally in Manila to call for Environment Secretary Gina Lopez’s confirmation, March 1, 2017.
istrative competence to lead as well as her technical and scientific knowledge on the environment, particularly on mining. The CA has also set new rules which allow “secret
voting” among its members. Lopez has earlier ordered the closure of at least 23 mining operations, mostly located in functional watersheds. “We, in the Church en-
vironmental movement, cannot understand the logic of CA in highlighting some trivial issues and flimsy objections being raised against the confirmation of Sec. Gina Lopez,” stressed
highlight the symbiosis between water and wastewater in the quest for sustainable development, according to DENR Assistant Secretary for Staff Bureaus Nonita Caguioa. Caguioa, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the photo exhibit, said that wastewater is a valuable resource in the circular economy and its safe management could be an efficient investment in the health of humans and ecosystems. “Treated wastewater can act as a drought-resistant source of water especially for agriculture and industry, source of nutrients for
agriculture, soil conditioner and source of energy or heat,” Caguioa said. She added: “In effect, wastewater management is a key to poverty reduction for it sustains ecosystems services. It improves food security, health and ultimately the economy.” If untreated, however, Caguioa said wastewater can cause environmental damage and serious health problems. Wastewater contains a number of pollutants and contaminants such that when discharged to freshwater bodies and marine waters without being treated, can cause water pollution that
is harmful to aquatic life. When discharged on lands, wastewater can leach into underground water tables and potentially contaminate aquifers and underground water. Wastewater is also a big health issue as it carries and transports a myriad of diseases and illnesses. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.2 million people die each year worldwide from waterrelated diseases, mostly children in developing countries. WWD is an international event designated by the United Nations
Gariguez. Links with mining interests Meanwhile, environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) earlier said there are reasons to believe that
several CA members are compromised. According to the group, some of them allegedly either own mining companies or come from families whose business interests include mining. Other CA members received campaign contributions from individuals who are publicly known to be involved in mining operations, added the ATM. “Some of the CA members who will cast their ‘secret votes’ were affected by the mining closures and suspensions ordered by Sec. Gina Lopez,” the group said. “This situation clearly illustrates that mining interests are closely intertwined with national and local politics,” it also said. O t h e r m e mb e r s of Duterte’s Cabinet that failed to get the CA’s nod are Agrarian Reform Rafael Mariano, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, and Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial. CBCPNews
DENR: Treated wastewater could be a valuable resource
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is leading a week-long effort to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining reliable and effective treatment of wastewater, which has the potential to be an incredibly valuable resource. The DENR, together with the River Basin Coordinating Office, the National Water Resources Board, and the Ayala-led Manila Water Company Inc., has lined up a series of activities to celebrate the Philippine Water Week and the international observance of World Water Day (WWD) on March 22. This year’s theme aims to
See valuable, page 7
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Monday, March 20, 2017
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as the “Davao Death Squad.” The Center has four key programs: Healing and Recovery for Drug Surrenderers (HERDS), Drug Hotline and Referral Helpline, Mindanao Drug Trade Research, and Human Rights Training and Rights-based Policing and AdDU In-House Community Awareness. Fr. Joel Tabora, University President, said the establishment of the CAID “is part of the Archdiocesan effort to “stand for life.” “We would like to state that we are in full support of the lawful efforts that fight deaths in our society but we also recognize that this is a very difficult and … complex fight and the Church and the universities and the schools and the parishes would like to do its part to stand for life,” he said. Roawie Quimba, CAID head, cited church teachings about the “distinction between the error and the errant and that if a person commits an error, commits a sin, that person does not cease to be a person, the person continues to have his or her human dignity which is something that cannot be violated.” He said CAID is “faithful and true to that conviction so that in a very concrete way, Ateneo de Davao under the umbrella of Archdiocese of Davao’s Sagop Kinabuhi Program does not give up on the drug reformists.” Hotline/Helpline Prof. Apple Alvarez said the target clients of their 24/7 hotline/helpline are drug dependents, surrenderers / reformists, and their significant others. She said seven licensed psychiatric nurses serving as hotline and helpline specialists will answer questions on drug addiction and refer the drug reformist to rehabilitation centers and counsellors. The hotline/helpline numbers are (082) 2986728, (082) 2986729, 09434944211 (Sun), 09121968535 (Smart) and 09563895131 (Globe). Drug trade Prof. Neil Ryan Pancho, head of the research component said they are ” interested in looking at the mechanics, the processes, the hierarchy, the organization of the drug trade” because in their review of literature, there are only a few studies on the issue. Pancho said they will initially focus on six cities — Davao and General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, Zamboanga and Cotabato — to find out the extent of the drug industry in Mindanao. The areas were chosen based on income and population because “to some extent, naay bearing and income ug population because drug trade normally coincides with other economic activities,” he said, adding they also want to
look into the point of contact between the local drug trade and the regional players in Southeast Asia. Human rights-based policing Lawyer Romeo Cabarde, chair of the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC) and one of the persons heading the Human Rights Training and Rights-based Policing and in-house community awareness program, said they will run learning sessions to help prevent drug addiction. He said they were preparing for a Town Hall forum that afternoon with the regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency PDEA who was set to speak on the drug situation and at the same time look at the requirements on mandatory random drug testing in schools. “We will try to discuss what will be the implications for educational institutions if we run random mandatory drug testing,” he said. Cabarde said they will also conduct trainings on rights-based policing and has coordinated with the Human Rights Affairs Office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a trainers’ training on May 17 to 19 in Davao City for human rights action officers from all regions nationwide “to create a pool of trainers within the PNP on HRbased policing.” Healing and Recovery For the healing and recovery for surrenderers / reformists, Dr. Melba Manapol, project head, said they have committed to assist 28 barangays in coordination with the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and the Archdiocese’s Sagop Kinabuhi and other universities. Manapol said the city has 11,000 surrenderers and they will be able to assist at least around 3,000 surrenderers and their families. “We will support the initiatives in the barangays so we target and intend to form and develop at least six to 10 core volunteers that will hopefully ensure that surrenderers or reformists in each of the barangays are taken care of in terms of .. various social needs, rehabilitation needs.” Manapol said part of the process is to do profiling and screening of the surrenderers “so that we are able to identify what are their particular needs.” She said those who are severely affected will be referred to the city government for further support and assistance in the rehabilitation institution but those who are on the “moderate” level, can be supported through the healing and recovery program. Manapol said the economic side will be attended to under the HERDS component, where livelihood trainings may be initiated by the university’s School of Business or referred to the Department of Social
Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. War against evil Va l l e s s a i d S a g o p Kinabuhi has a map of the city’s 182 barangays where one could easily see which barangays are attended to by which school or institution and which barangays are still waiting for assistance. Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles at the blessing of the Ateneo de Davao University’s Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID) on 15 March 2017. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Argulllas He said there are now close to 50 barangays that are being attended to by Catholic schools and the state-run University of Southeastern Philippines. He said they are talking with the parishes and the Basic Ecclesial Communities so that when the drug reformist returns to the community, the community would be more receptive. Valles refers to the CAID’s programs as “the Ateneo forte.” Tabora said the war on drugs is “a real war and it is a war against evil in our society, abetted by internationally organized groups who have a lot of money and who have a lot of arms and the effect of this activity is very negative on our population.” “I think as much as possible,” Tabora added, “we all have to stand for a lawful response of the government agencies to this evil, from the level of the church, from the level of the university. We have to be able to trust I think that those who are in charge of the law enforcement will take the means necessary in order to protect the general population against this evil.” Tabora said the university “is not in the position to dictate on the security forces how to do their jobs… we want to make a contribution to the fight against illegal drugs and we will do it in a way where we understand our competencies and confine ourselves to that.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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Sambutuan, in recounting her ordeal during the evacuation, said that it was so difficult because there were no men around to assist the women. In her case, she had to attend to five small children. Sambutuan, who originally hails from Barangay Bulod in Pagalungan, said they rode a motorized banca, navigating through the narrow waters of the tributaries in the periphery of Liguasan Marsh. More than two hours later, they reached Cuyapon. Then they got to work. “Only us women laboriously built the shanties using any raw materials available,” Sambutuan recalled. Some of them used tar-
paulins provided by the local government in building what were supposed to be their temporary shelters. “It was a very tough situation,” she said. Like Sambutuan, Basayan had to leave her home in Barangay Bulod when the war broke out, tagging along her two-year-old daughter, her only child at that time. She said she could no longer recall where her husband was at the time they fled. “But I knew that he was out there in the battlefield with his comrades,” she said in the vernacular. She said she could not even go to the town proper because they were being watched by government soldiers. Worse, they were facing an uncertainty that they may never see their husbands again. Fortunately, they were united with their partners over a month later, when things had settled down. The Sambutuans and the Basayans are among the families who are now living in this secluded community at the periphery of Liguasan Marsh. Both their husbands have been MILF fighters for over 25 years. As in most cases, their husbands usually live with their families to help earn a living and watch out for the children during peace times, and leave their family behind when trouble erupts to join in the fighting. Both of them admitted that evacuation had already become part of their lives even before the all-out war broke out in 2000, due to the sporadic clashes between government forces and MILF fighters. They could no longer remember how many times they had evacuated when they were still young. In previous wars, they would usually seek refuge in the town center of Pagalungan, only around five kilometers away, and only for a few days, and then return to their village when the fighting was over. But during the all-out war in 2000, they sought refuge to this far place, in Cuyapon, which is about 30 kilometers away from their original homes. The good thing about this place, they said, is that they never had to experience evacuation again. Cuyapon was spared during the 2003 war in the Buliok Complex as the latter was situated far away. The last major fighting between government forces and the MILF rebels was in August 2008, when the signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was aborted. Again, Cuyapon was far from where the action was. The failed signing triggered MILF commander Umbra Kato to attack military outposts in Aleosan town. The fighting spilled over to the neighboring province of Maguindanao and displaced at least half
a million people, including those affected by the war in the Lanao provinces. In another part of town, Guinaria Alamansa, 55, recalled how difficult life was when they were staying in the remote parts of Barangay Pisan in Kabacan, where they were always on the run. Being the wife of a ranking MILF combatant, Alamansa said that they had to go with her husband wherever he would be deployed. “It’s very hard to be a wife of a revolutionary because the MILF fighters have no salary. We could only earn money when we can work on other people’s farms during the harvest season,” she said. On October 15, 2012, the government and MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Two years later, both parties signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. In the evacuation area in Cuyapon, dozens of families of MILF combatants from Pagalungan have already settled for good. Most of the men in this community are still active MILF fighters, who report to their unit for “duty” at least once a month depending on the situation. While they are “off duty,” the men would help the women in gathering the nipa leaves, fishing in the marsh and collecting firewood. Sambutuan says she now has “peace of mind” that her husband is always around. “Our lives are better now, we can work and provide the needs of our children,” said Sambutuan, who weaves traditional sleeping mat for a living. Basayan, meanwhile, paddles her wooden canoe to the marshy area once a week to collect nipa leaves, a favorite roofing material for huts. Basayan is selling the nipa roofing for two pesos each in the town proper. During market day, she could earn between P100 and P200. “During the harvest season, we also work on the farms of some landlords here.” Unlike in the past when Basayan had to feed her five kids all by herself, life is easier now that there is no more fighting. Her husband is also helping out in making a living. “He is helping me sell the nipa roofing in the town proper and he is catching fish in the marsh for food,” she said. For Sambutuan, her children can now go to school uninterrupted. Two of them, in fact, already finished high school and are already working abroad. In Pisan, meanwhile, contrary to their life in times of war, Alamansa now enjoys their newly built house near the barangay center. Her family, along with those of other MILF fighters, used to live in a shanty located in the rugged mountains of Kabacan. It was so far from the barangay center
and could only be reached by foot. “Life is different now that there is no fighting,” Alamansa said. Now she owns a sari-sari store after they moved into this new community more than a year ago. “We can now send our children to school. Two of them are in high school.” One of her daughters is already working abroad while another is a public school teacher in this municipality. (Keith Bacongco)
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Mindanao as well as the Visayas and Bicol. He said the LPA might also bring light to moderate rain this Tuesday to Bicol and provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Isabela all in Luzon. “There’s low chance for the LPA to intensify into a tropical cyclone, however,” he said. The northeast monsoon or ‘amihan’ will likely still affect Northern Luzon until early next week, Gile said. He’s not discounting the possibility that ‘amihan’ may resurge then, bringing anew strong to gale-force winds that previously fanned rough to very rough Northern Luzon seas and waves up to 4.5 meters high. ‘Amihan’ will likely affect just either Northern Luzon or its northernmost areas, however, he added. (PNA)
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consistent in its stance as a developed economy even without a casino. Tito Mora, president of the local travel and tour operators association, agreed. Mora said that doing away with a casino doesn’t mean a stagnancy or a decrease in tourist arrivals. “The only people who are interested to visit Cagayan de Oro because of a casino are the gamblers. They’re not tourists. They’re not here for pleasure or business. They’re solely here to gamble. If they lose, they simply leave without buying anything or dropping by any of our spots,” Mora said. Mora also said that the government should instead do more to promote the city and its environs to tourists and other visitors alike. “There are certainly a lot of leisure activities that are found here. You can do business in one day and still have time to tour around the city the next. You can golf, your wife can shop, you can travel as a family. We don’t need a casino,” he said. For now, the City Council is weighing on the situation by conducting public hearings on the matter. About 20 years ago, Pagcor attempted to create a casino at the now-defunct Pryce Plaza but this was heavily opposed by the city government then. The casino being proposed is to be put up by the Limketkai group in its spacious complex at barangay Lapasan adjacent to the Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
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of the town was ignored. Prof. Miriam CoronelFerrer, chair of the government peace panel during the Aquino III administration, offered a different argument, in a forum in Malaybalay City on 22 May 2014 attended by Bukidnon’s Catholic clergy. (Wao belongs to the Diocese of Malaybalay.) Citing Moro residents of Wao, Ferrer said [excluding the town from the Bangsamoro] would be an injustice to the hospitality of native inhabitants who welcomed the settlers to their place. Resettlement site Wao, although part of Lanao del Sur, is inhabited predominantly by Christian settlers who now comprise at least 80 percent of the population. It became part of the ARMM by virtue of Republic Act 6374 of 1990 and RA 9054 of 2001 which expanded and strengthened the autonomous region. The rest of Lanao del Sur’s 39 municipalities are Muslimdominated. Lying next to Kalilangan in Bukidnon and Alamada and Banisilan in North Cotabato, Wao became a resettlement site during the Quirino and Magsaysay administrations. To entice settlers from various parts of the country, the government provided them lands, farm tools and supplies and other incentives. Thanks to the industry of the settlers, Wao parish priest Fr. Floredelito Nazareno said in an interview on 6 January 2017, the place and its people prospered, in stark contrast to the status of Lanao del Sur as one of the most impoverished provinces of the country. Settlers, Fr. Nazareno said, would emphasize their contribution to Wao’s development as a reason for their rejection of the Bangsamoro. He added the settlers are also questioning why the law carried an “opt in” section but not an “opt out” provision. Absence of government In a separate position paper dated 16 August 2014 and written in Cebuano, Catholic lay leaders in Wao voiced their stand for the town’s exclusion from the Bangsamoro. They said that while they appreciate the determination and sincerity of the government and the MILF to pursue peace, they believe the Mindanao problem cannot be resolved by the aggressive effort of then President Benigno Aquino III to implement the CAB. Signed by 210 lay leaders, the position paper argued that if the ARMM which the Bangsamoro shall replace, is indeed a “failed experiment,” it is not for lack of resources but for “dysfunctional or nonexistent” local government units. It said the national government has done no concrete moves to rectify the alleged anomalies. “This is
why government money has been drained but services are wanting and sometimes nothing reaches the people,” it added. But the lay leaders pointed out that Wao’s experience in governance differs from that of other municipalities of Lanao del Sur “as can be seen from the progress the town has achieved.” Fr. Nazareno echoed a similar observation. “The DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) should mentor the LGUs of Lanao del Sur. The national government is not aware how the IRA (internal revenue allotment) is being spent…If only the money goes to the people.” “Audit, dili ma-audit kay hadlokon lang, wala na (Audit can’t be done because of threats). Why not bring a battalion of Marines during audit?” Nazareno, who had served as priest in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, suggested. “The national government just relies on the word of the politicians. The reports, development plans and all about Wao have been copied many times by other municipalities of Lanao del Sur,” he said. “Cultural divide” Randy Wagas, vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council cited [1] cultural differences and [2] fears that properties owned by Christian settlers would be divested in favor of Wao’s Moro inhabitants as among the reasons for their opposition to the Bangsamoro. He said some Christians panicked after some Moro residents spread word they would confiscate lands and houses owned by the latter once the Bangsamoro is approved. “So, what would the Christians do when we bought these properties? We were brought here by the government,” he said, referring to the resettlement programs in the 1950s. “That’s why many people here have bought firearms.” Besides, he added, it is difficult to reconcile Christian and Muslim cultures. “Dili na ta makabaligyag baboy sa merkado kay ibawal na man. Lahi ilang balaod (We can no longer sell pork in the market because it will be banned. Their law is different),” Marissa Gerona, a resident, said. “King na ang mo-dominate sa ato (A king will rule over us).” Ir anu n n at ive s ap proached by MindaNews said they have no problems concerning their relations with settlers. As for the Bangsamoro, they said they believe the law will help bring peace but admitted they have not read it. “Nakabalo ko ana nga balaod pero dili ko familiar,” one of them said. Asked if she knew that it will replace the ARMM, she answered in the negative and added she was unaware too if it had been approved or not. “Mag-apil-apil pa ko ana nga naa ka sa paninda (I’d rather attend to my merchandise than get involved with it),” she said.
Monday, March 20, 2017 Sarah Amad-Tomara, although a member of the Moro National Liberation Front herself, appeared to be unfamiliar too with the proposed Bangsamoro law. “Napasar man tingali kanang balaod sa MN (MNLF). Ako man ang kuan sa MN, kang prof (MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari), under sa gobyerno kini nga kuan (I think this law by the MNLF has been passed. I’m with the MNLF of Prof. [Nur Misuari], this is under the government).” Federalism? Fr. Nazareno said that on 25 November 2016, during the local celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, they invited former Quezon City congressman Dante Liban to explain the Duterte administration’s federalism agenda. Liban, president of the People’s National Movement for Federalism, said the plan is to establish two federal states for the Moro areas — Marawi State and Sulu State. His group is working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government in holding consultations on federalism. Wagas, however, doubted that the proposed federal setup would make any difference since Wao will remain part of Lanao del Sur. “We’re satisfied with the ARMM, just change whatever is wrong with it,” Wagas said, echoing the stand of the municipal government. He claimed that most Moro residents of Wao, particularly the old-timers who have lands and businesses, also oppose the Bangsamoro but are just afraid to voice their sentiment. “But many would prefer federalism over the Bangsamoro,” he noted. If Congress decides to pass the law, Wagas said, they’d rather leave Lanao del Sur and join either Bukidnon or North Cotabato. He, however, knew such proposal needs the approval of the provincial government, which he considered a long shot. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)
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General Assembly. It is held annually on March 22 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to promote the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The first WWD was held on March 22, 1993. Every year, the celebration highlights a specific aspect of freshwater or corresponds to a current or future challenge. In the Philippines, the celebration lasts for at least one week by virtue of Executive Order No. 258 issued in 1996, adopting the Philippine Water Week. Other activities lined up the week-long celebration include a tree-planting activity and symposium in Davao Oriental province; inter-school mural painting, photo journalism, feature
writing and digital story telling contests in Leyte province; tour of the Sta. Cruz wastewater treatment facility in Laguna, and lake tour in the Pagsanjan side; and simultaneous river clean-ups nationwide. On March 22, World Water Day awards shall be given out to recognize water champions to highlight the culminating activity of the week-long celebration to be held at the Quezon City Sports Club. denr.gov.ph
voted for the bill, 54 voted against and one abstained. Mindanao has a total of 66 representatives in the House of Representatives, 59 of them representing districts and seven representing party list groups.. The reimposition of the death penalty is a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte, the country’s 16th President and the first Mindanawon to lead the nation. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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Macapagal-Arroyo and the chairs of 11 committees, including the three Mindanawons, voted no to the restoration of the death penalty. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez Jr. last week warned that those who vote no to HB 4727 would lose their posts. Stripped of their committee chairmanship were Mindanawons Kaka Bag-ao of the lone district of Dinagat Islands (Committee on People’s Participation), and party list members Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman of Anak Mindanao (Committee on Muslim Affairs) and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna (Committee on Natural Resources). “This is to be expected and we stand by our principled decision to vote NO against the anti-poor death penalty bill,” Zarate said, adding “it does not speak well for the House leadership to have resorted to arms-twisting and railroading just to ensure the passage of an anti-poor death penalty bill.” Zarate said Bayan Muna and the Makabayan Bloc “will have to seriously assess the situation and discuss our next move.” Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was removed as House Deputy Speaker for Luzon. The death penalty, abolished in 1987, was reimposed in 1993 but abolished again in June 2006 under the Arroyo administration. Also stripped of their committee chairmanship were Diwa party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar (Women and Gender Equality), Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad (Government Reorganization), Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte (Land Use Special Committee), Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus (Poverty Alleviation ), Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero (Basic Education and Culture Committee), Batangas Rep. Vilma SantosRecto (Civil Service and Professional Regulation Committee), and Antonio Tinio (Public Information) and Buhay party-list Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde Jr. (Overseas Workers Affairs Committee), A total of 49 of Mindanao’s 66 representatives to Congress voted in favor of HB 4727. Nationwide, a total of 217 representatives
place because it would serve as catcher to minimize the gushing of flood waters to residential areas. Lao cited that the certification issued by the City Planning and Development Office for the development of almost all subdivision projects here has without the required “retention pond.” “Even the clearance issued by the City Engineer did not indicate compliance with the requirements imposed on the proponent prior to the issuance of the development permit,” Lao said. He said that the violation is also committed in “high end” subdivisions where one could not see an installed “harvesting facilities” [retention pond]. However, Lao said, that a gold course in the city’s uptown district here where high end houses were constructed on the course’s periphery has a retention pond. A retention pond serves as a water catcher in times of heavy rain that could cushion the impact of flood water on residential houses, Lao said.
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both domestic and foreign, as a gesture of confidence that the resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDF
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panel would lead to the cessation of hostilities between the government troopers and the communist insurgents. “I am confident that the resumption of talks would provide the opportunity of settling the long-drawn insurgency that otherwise stalled much needed development in the countryside,” Emano said. He said that he issued a tourist ban last month at the height of the armed skirmishes between the military and the communist rebels in the province east district as a precautionary measure to visiting tourists. A number of tourists, par tic ularly mount ain climbers and hikers, normally scale the jungles of the mountainous terrain of the Balatucan Mountain Range, a mountain range that straddle toward the Diwata Mountains in Northeastern Mindanao, Emano said. He said that Mt. Lumot , in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, the crash site of the ill-fated flight 387 of Cebu Air Pacific 19 years ago, has since then became one of the important routes of mountain climbers. According to Emano, he has to suspend the mountain climbing and ban tourist visits when the armed skirmishes between the military and the communist insurgents erupted in the mountains of Sugbongcogon, Balingasag, Medina, and Salay, all towns of Misamis Oriental’s east district. He said that the resumption of the peace talks has indicated that the armed skirmishes in the province’s mountain ranges and hinterland villages had also subsided. “I am optimistic that the lifting of the ban of tourist visits in Misamis Oriental would revitalize the otherwise fragile tourism industry in the province,” Emano said.
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Monday, March 20, 2017
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