Mindanao Daily Set A (March 3, 2017)

Second frontpage Tourism industry in Misamis Oriental stood still

Fact-checking the mining closure debate 8 page 5 n

Church in Oro maintains opposition to proposed casino 8 page 3

n

Kakampi Mo Ang Batas Harry Roque: RP Charter bars death pernalty 8 page 4

n

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. 229

Website: www.mindanaodailynews.com

Friday

P15.00

March 3, 2017

BIR-16 inspects establishments in Oro for tax compliance

By Elaine O. Ratunil of PIA-10

CAGAYAN de Oro City--The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 16 conducted on March 1 a tax compliance verification drive (TCVD) or mapping operation in an attempt to verify compliance of establishments in the city.

Led by BIR RR16 Director lawyer Hermeno A. Palamine, the campaign aims to verify compli-

ance with registration, invoicing and bookkeeping requirements provided for under existing internal revenue laws, put in check tax violators, stamp out payment irregularities and generate more tax revenue.

For his part, Cagayan de Oro Revenue District Officer Venerando B. Homez said the taxpayer owning, leasing or otherwise controlling the sales outlets or

service equipment is liable to register with the BIR office and pay the corresponding annual registration fee of P500.

Homez said that in addition to this, a Certificate of Registration (COR) provided by the tax agency should be securely attached to the sales machine or equipment and should be conspicuously displayed to the public.

He further said that the COR

shall be non-transferable to another taxpayer or from one location to another and should any changes be made as to its ownership and location, re-registration is required.

The provision fully supports BIR’s tax collection efforts and TCVD. The registration would help the BIR have an updated record of taxpayers’ sales outlets and

service equipment and enable the agency to better track the activities and operations of taxpayers.

Tax mapping is usually done unannounced by the BIR representative. For this round, TCVD was conducted as among the highlights for the 2017 Tax Campaign Drive with the theme, “Tunay na Pagbabago, Para sa Bayan” aimed to mobilize sector support

BOC on alert against illegal drugs shipments

See tax, page 7

PDEA chem lab exam result for 320 drums of seized hydrochloric acid yields positive

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-The Bureau of Customs here in Northern Mindanao (BOC-10) has level up its heightened alert in its main port and subports, following the release of the result by the Philippine

Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) of the examination conducted on the 320 drums of suspected hydrochloric acid earlier seized by the BOC in this subport which yielded “positive.”

Hydrochloric acid is a component used in making methamphetamine, See alert, page 7

Emano closely watching Misor’s armed conflict

By CRIS DIAZ, Executive Editor

MISAMIS Oriental--The provincial government of MIsamis Oriental was watching closely the development of the on-going armed skirmishes in the bordering towns of the province, provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said Wednesday.

The government troopers and the communist New Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office delivers his Inspi- People’s Army (NPA) were locked in a running gun battle rational Message during the Blessing of International Press Center and 44th Philippine News Agency Anniversary in the hinterlands of Sugbongcogon on Wednesday (March 01, 2017) at National Press Club in Intramuros Manila. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

See CONFLICT, page 7

MINDANAO DAILY SECOND FRONTPAGE mark francisco, Section Editor EDITOR: RUEL V. PELONE

Friday

2

Tourism industry in Misor stood still Misor LGU imposes temporary ban on tourism sites in wake of Army-NPA conflict

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

GOVERNOR BAMBI EMANO

CAGAYAN de Oro City--The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has directed its tourism office on Wednesday to ban temporarily all local and foreign tourists from visit the province’s tourism destination in the wake of the ongoing armed conflict between the New People’s Army and the government forces.

In a statement released to the media, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente

said he has ordered Yvonne Waga, the provincial tourism officer, to discourage hikers and mountain climbers from trekking in areas affected by the clashes, particularly in the municipalities of Sugbongcogon, Salay, Binuangan, and Kinoguitan.

Earlier, classes in six elementary schools in upland villages near the area where the firefights are taking place were suspended.

Meanwhile, the military has called the NPA’s attacks on properties of private companies as hypocrisy for calling for the

March 3, 2017

peace talks to resume while carrying out terroristic acts.

“These are the reasons why the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] has declared an all-outwar against this terror group.

They demand for peace their actions speak otherwise. We cannot let them (NPAs) roam around and lord over the lives of our peace-loving people. Our role is to protect our people and secure their communities from these terrorists,” said Major General Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

The areas of conflict are under the jurisdiction of the 4th ID. The 4th ID has noted that last month alone, the insurgents were responsible for the burning of equipment, the latest of which

was the torching of a backhoe and a prime mover truck in Caraga on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

On Monday, state forces engaged the rebels in Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte causing the death of one soldier and wounding another.

In the wake of the encounters, the military said they were able to recover firearms and improvised explosive device from the retreating insurgents.

“As you can see, the recent encounters in the area are the result of our deliberate and careful planning of the operations.

These have been made possible by the timely information given by the concerned civilians who are already fed up with the lies and deceit of these terror group,” Madrigal said.

Fighting in Sulu: 5 killed, 11 hurt

FIVE Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists were reported killed while 11 soldiers were slightly wounded by shrapnel during encounter in Sulu Wednesday afternoon.

The incident took place 5:15 p.m., said Western Mindanao Command (WMC) spokesperson Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay on Thursday.

The clash stemmed from ongoing focused military operations against the bandit group in Indanan town, of the said province.

Heavy fighting took place when troopers from the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion flushed an undetermined number of ASG terrorists.

In the encounter, five bandits were killed and undetermined number wounded while 11 soldiers were slightly wounded by shrapnel.

Petinglay said all the wounded soldiers were promptly evacuated to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital and were immediately given medical attention.

“The Joint Task Force Sulu continues See killed, page 7

NFA, running out of buffer stocks?

THE National Food Authority (NFA) will intensify its local palay procurement to reach its target volume.

“NFA’s target for palay procurement this year is 4,607,350 bags or 230,367 MT to boost the government’s buffer stock and rice distribution requirements,” said NFA administrator Jason Laureano Aquino in a statement.

Aquino already ordered its field offices to step up their buying operations, as the summer crop harvest starts this month until June.

The NFA’s buying price for clean and dry palay is meeting. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shakes hands with former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile during a meeting PHP17 per kilogram.

Incentives are also at the Study Room in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday (March 1, 2017). Also in the photo is Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. Photo by Toto Lozano/Presidential Photo/PNA

See buffer, page 7

Govt to OFWs: No funds yet but we can help you

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-10 (OWWA-10) has announced on Wednesday it does not have enough funds to extend assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)

who were repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as its finances suffered from downtrend in the price of crude oil in the world market.

This after former more than a dozen OFWs from Northern Mindanao sought the help of OWWA-10 after they were sent home from

the oil-rich country due to the failure of the Saudi government to pay their salaries.

According to Migrante, a group of OFWs, there are about 11,000 workers from the provinces in region 10 were working in the Arab nation and employed by the Saudi Oger Ltd., Saudi Bin

Laden Group, Mohammad Al Mojil Group and other firms, until the oil price crisis affected its economy.

Jonas Rule, Migrante leader for the repatriated Saudi OFWs, said many of them have not received their wages for three to nine months since 2015, and have not paid their end of

service payment and other benefits as most of them had already went home.

To survive in Saudi Arabia, many of them had to beg or scour for scraps that they could sell. “Worst of all, several of us committed suicide out of desperation,” Rule said.

See help, page 7

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com

Friday, March 3, 2017

3

Church in Oro maintains opposition to proposed casino

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-The Roman Catholic leadership here has maintained on Wednesday its opposition to the plan of a business firm to put up a casino in a mall complex which is near a church and a state-run university.

In the past, the city’s local government unit had expressed its strong resistance to the proposed construction of a building housing a casino facility led by then-mayor Pablo Magtajas.

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, in his pastoral letter, said the Church “cannot turn a blind eye to the negative effects that gambling institutions will create in our society: to our people, to the young, to families, especially those who are poor, or those who have just enough for their survival.”

Ledesma said the RoSEANTOR Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, receives from Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Meynard Guevarra the Instrument of Accession to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Legarda thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for ratifying the Agreement and confirmed her commitment to shepherd the Senate’s immediate concurrence. “Our ratification will send a strong signal of our continuing commitment to work with the rest of the world in ensuring the survival of our planet and its people,” said Legarda. PNA photo courtesy of Office of Senator Loren Legarda

man Catholic Church has already warned its faithful of the “gambling culture” which “leads to various problems and immoralities; to a culture of enslavement of money and pleasure as a form of addiction, from which many of our people are suffering today and families are victimized.”

The prelate noted that the proposed casino is located in front of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and the Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel inside the business establishment within the mall complex.

Quoting Pope Francis’ message in 2015, Ledesma said addiction to gambling, alcohol, drugs or pornography could pain in families when one of their members get involved in such vices.

Together with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and other religious leaders, the Archdiocese See CASINO, page 7

ZONE 3, CROSSING HIGHWAY, TEAKWOOD HILLS, AGUSAN, CDOC

Govt’s food self-sufficiency approach drove up food prices: PIDS study

A recent study on food security released by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Study (PIDS) said the government’s policy of rice self-sufficiency led to the unintended consequence of raising the price of rice.

Author Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow of PIDS, explained that the policy, which is being

“implemented in the name of food security, pushed up the price of rice to the detriment of the poor”.

There are two strategies usually associated with achieving food self-sufficiency: support for domestic production and maintaining protectionist barriers that “shield local producers from foreign competition”.

Between the two, Briones

‘Doctors to the Barrios’ volunteer shot dead in Lanao Norte

By RIchel V. Umel of MindaNews

KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte--A “Doctors to the Barrios” volunteer was shot dead in the municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte Wednesday evening, reports said.

Dr. Drefuss Perlas, 30, a native of Poblacion Batan in Aklan province, was reportedly riding his motorcycle on his way to his boarding house in the adjacent town of Lala when a still unidentified suspect shot him at the back in a dark portion of Barangay Maranding Annex around 7:30 in the evening.

Perlas reportedly belongs to the 30th batch of the Department of Health’s “Doctors to the Barrios” program.

Senior Insp. Melvin Loquinte, Kapatagan police chief, told MindaNews over phone that people at first thought the victim was suffering from hypertension, but when they noticed it was Dr. Perlas they rushed him to the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital.

Loquinte said they found one empty shell at the crime scene and are still conducting investigation to determine the motive.

Perlas reportedly served as municipal health officer of neighboring Sapad town since 2013 but lived in Barangay Maranding in Lala municipality. Sapad is a hinterland town 18 kilometers away.

“He was a good man and a dedicated health officer,” Loquinte said of the doctor.

1Lt. Marloue Decin, Charlie Company Commander of the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion, said See shot, page 7

pointed out that the barriers to imports are responsible for triggering price hikes.

“A ban will lead to shortages,” explained Briones, forcing the responsibility of supply solely on the domestic industry. As the cycle goes, a ban leads to shortages and causes prices to soar, but also, as Briones pointed out, See STUDY, page 7

ROOMS VARIES FROM 350, 450, 550, 850 – FOR 12 HOURS WASH UP FOR ONLY 180 – WITH RESTAURANT ON THE GROUND FLOOR WITH FUNCTION ROOM FULLY AIRCONDITIONED. Tel No. 0883232924 Cel No. 09757142125 / 09172221445

1. ML Iligan 1 Branch 1.

ML Bacolod Branch 1. ML Malabang 1 Branch 1. ML Maranding 1 Branch

Quezon Avenue, Iligan City Purok 3, Poblacion Bacolod, Camp Jas, Malabang, Salvador Road, Maranding

Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

2. ML Iligan 2 Branch 2. ML Camague Branch 2. ML Malabang 2 Branch 2. ML Maranding 2 Branch

Corner BS Ong and Badelles Sts., Macapagal Ave., Camague, Chinatown, Malabang, National Highway, Maranding

Iligan City Tomas Cabili, Iligan City Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

3. ML Iligan 3 Branch 3. ML Tambacan Branch 3. ML Malabang 3 Branch 3. ML Tubod 1 Branch

Mercado Street, Pontoy Bldg., Purok 11, Poblacion Malabang, Crossing Poblacion Tubod

Iligan City Tambacan, Iligan City Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

4. ML Iligan 4 Branch 4. ML Linamon Branch 4. ML Malabang 4 Branch 4. ML Tubod 2 Branch

B. Labao corner Sabayle Sts., Poblacion Linamon, Campo Muslim, Malabang, Quezon Avenue, Tubod

Iligan City Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

5. ML Iligan 5 Branch 5. ML Marawi Branch 5. ML SND 1 Branch 5. ML Baroy Branch

San Miguel Street, HRM Bldg., Amai Pak-pak, Canete Bldg., SND, Purok 5, Nat. Highway, Baroy

Iligan City Marawi City Lanao del Norte Lanao del Norte

6. ML Iligan 6 Branch 6.

ML Malutlut Branch 6. ML SND 2 Branch 6. ML Salvador Branch

Nunez Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Basak Mautlut, Marawi City Poblacion SND, Poblacion Salvador

Iligan City 7.

ML MSU Marawi Branch Lanao del Norte Lanao del Norte

7. ML Iligan 7 Branch Old Agi, 1st St., 7. ML Balabagan Branch 7. ML Lala Branch

Autida Bldg., Roxas Avenue, MSU Compound, Marawi City Poblacion Balabagan, Purok 2, Lala Proper

Iligan City 8.

ML Kauswagan Branch Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

8. ML Tibanga Branch Poblacion Kauswagan 8. ML Daguan Branch 8. ML Malingao Branch

National Highway, Tibanga, Lanao del Norte Daguan, Kapatagan, Purok 5, Malingao

Iligan City Lanao del Sur Lanao del Norte

9. ML Quezon Aballe Branch 9. ML Kapatagan 1 Branch 9. ML Maigo Branch

Quezon Avenue Extension, Public Market, Kapatagan, National Highway, Poblacion

Villaverde, Iligan City Lanao del Norte Maigo Lanao del Norte

10. ML Lugait Branch 10. ML Kapatagan 2 Branch 10. ML Kolambugan Branch

National Highway, Mabini St.,

Gymnasium, Kapatagan, Purok 2, Poblacion Kolambugan

Lugait Misamis Oriental Lanao del Norte Lanao del Norte

11. ML Manticao Branch 11. ML Mananayo, Malabang

Poblacion Manticao, AREA D

Misamis Oriental AREA C

12. ML Naawan Branch AREA B

Purok 6, Poblacion Naawan, Misamis Oriental Commencing on March 21, 2017 at 10:00

13. ML Initao Branch A.M. those establishment above will set a public Commencing on March 20, 2017 at 10:00 14. ML Consunji Branch Commencing on March 17, 2017 at 10:00 auction all overdue pledges in the same up to A.M. those establishment above will set a Corner Agoncillo-Consunji Streets, Iligan City A.M. those establishment above will set a public October 2016. Patrons are enjoined to verify public auction all overdue pledges in the same

auction all overdue pledges left in the same up their receipts. up to October 2016. Patrons are enjoined to AREA A to October 2016. Patrons are enjoined to verify verify their receipts.

MANAGEMENT Commencing on March 16, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. their receipts. those establishment above will set a public auction

MANAGEMENT all overdue pledges left in the same up to October MANAGEMENT 2016. Patrons are enjoined to verify their receipts.

Sa Marso 21, 2017 sa mga alas 10:00 sa buntag ang tanang butang naremati, isubasta Sa Marso 20, 2017 sa mga alas 10:00 sa MANAGEMENT Sa Marso 17, 2017 sa mga alas 10:00 sa buntag ang tanang butang naremati, isubasta diri sa tagsatagsa, nga buhatan nga ginganlan buntag ang tanang butang naremati, isubasta Sa Marso 16, 2017 sa mga alas 10:00 sa buntag ang diri sa tagsatagsa, nga buhatan nga ginganlan sa itaas. Tanang Butang penerenda nga wala diri sa tagsatagsa, nga buhatan nga ginganlan tanang butang naremati, isubasta diri sa tagsatagsa, sa itaas. Tanang Butang penerenda nga wala malukat hangtud sa Oktubre 2016, maapil sa sa itaas. Tanang Butang penerenda nga wala nga buhatan nga ginganlan sa itaas. Tanang Butang malukat hangtud sa Oktubre 2016, maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanang suki sa pagsusi malukat hangtud sa Oktubre 2016, maapil sa penerenda nga wala malukat hangtud sa Oktubre subasta.

Giawhag ang tanang suki sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo. subasta. Giawhag ang tanang suki sa pagsusi 2016, maapil sa subasta. Giawhag ang tanang suki sa ilang resibo. sa pagsusi sa ilang resibo. sa ilang resibo.

TAGDUMALA TAGDUMALA TAGDUMALA TAGDUMALA

For inquiries visit our office at

M. LHUILLIER ILIGAN 3 BRANCH Mercado Street, Iligan City

4

Friday, March 3, 2017

Opinion

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Editor: Ruel V. Pelone

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

felix santillan ZELOUNE SUDARIA Layout Artist

WEMALYN GARCIA Marketing

Rolando sudaria Production

manila marketing office 9th Flr, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino cor. Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City TEL. #: 5555392, Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 lani vallido

Marketing and Sales

Manager

MIJIE JUAT MAY IGLECIAS Account Executives

DAVAO booking OFFICE Door 223, Doña Segunda Bldg., CM Recto Ave., Davao City Office in Charge : SARA CASTOR, 0926-398-8293 Circulation : JOHN PAUL AQUINO, 0907-331-5640

ILIGAN OFFICE G/F IBJT North Terminal, Tambo, Hinaplanon, Iligan City Office in Charge: SONNY SURDIA, 0916-349-7422

EDITORIAL ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief

ruel pelone Managing Editor

CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor

CHENG ORDOÑEZ Associate Editor

MARK FRANCISCO Lifestyle Editor

GILBERT Y. CHAO Motoring Editor

gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist

Harry Roque: RP Charter bars death penalty

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you…” (Psalm 73:27, the Holy Bible).

-oooHARRY ROQUE: RP CONSTITUTION BARS DEATH PENALTY: The greatest argument against unseating Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque is his mind.

Among the many asininebrained lawmakers we have today in both houses of Congress---the House of Representatives and the Senate---Roque stands out as someone who is possessed with logic, and clarity and depth of thinking.

As the guest speaker at the 33rd Charter anniversary of the Rotary Club of Uptown Manila where he is also a member, Roque displayed brilliance that is rarely seen among congressmen or representatives in assailing the death penalty bill. Roque agreed to be the Club’s guest speaker upon the invitation of its leader, All Star President Ruel Garcia, a Christian preacher.

His main argument against death penalty? A concept known in inter-

national law as “pacta sunt servanda”, a Latin term which says that international treaties must be upheld and obeyed by all signatories. In particular, Roque said there are two international agreements where the Philippines was a signatory, in which the country agreed not to impose the death penalty, and not to execute anyone.

-oooTREATIES BANNING DEATH PENALTY PART OF RP CHARTER: Roque’s thesis is that since the Philippines is a signatory to those two international agreements---the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its Second Additional Protocol---it is actually legally prohibited from enacting a death penalty law, and is barred from executing criminal.

And these prohibitions are binding and obligatory upon the Philippines, Roque said, not only because they are parts of international law but, more importantly, because by the express mandate of the Philippine Constitution, they have become parts of this Constitution itself.

The lawmaker who remains to be a professor of law at the College of Law of the University of the Philippines up to now explained that under the 1987 Constitution, our country “adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land”, so that the ICCPR and its Second Additional Protocol are now deemed part of Philippine law and of the Constitution itself by virtue of Constitutional authorization.

-oooSC CHALLENGE VS. DEATH PENALTY SET: Roque rejected the arguments of his colleagues at the deliberations of the death penalty bill on Wednesday, March 01, 2017, that the 1987 Constitution contains a provision which allows Congress to pass a death penalty law. He said the power of Congress to pass a death penalty law is merely “permissive”, because the Constitution uses the word “may” in allowing the House to pass that law.

On the other hand, Roque explained that the ICCPR and its Second Additional Protocol are to be

Atty. Batas Mauricio

considered “mandatory laws”, which are obligatory upon all citizens. In a clash between a “permissive” law and a “mandatory” law, the “mandatory” law must be upheld, Roque said.

The lawmaker-Rotarian hastened to add however that, despite his opposition to the death penalty law, he remains an ardent supporter and is committed to promote the legislative agenda and other directions of President Duterte. This is well and good, but his arguments seem to point to the big possibility that if and when it is passed, the death penalty law can be substantially contested at the Supreme Court.

-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.

The Striker

The bannerline stories

GOVERNMENT troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) are engaged in fierce PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao battles in the mountain areas

of Sugbongcogon and Salay, Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING Misamis Oriental Tuesday, Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor this week.

AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA There was no report of Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant casualties although it was believed the rebels who RODRIGO B. SEVILLA JOE PALABAO retreated to the hinterlands Regional Editor-Davao Feature Editor suffered injuries as shown by traces of blood. The rebels ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI normally carry their dead NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE with them when they leave CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 the battle scenes. The govCRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY ernment troops reportedly Legal Counsel now using 105 howitzer --------------------------------------------------------------canons as well as helicopter bureau and mktg staff gunships. This being the case, I can easily see an candy macabale - 09161326483 uphill fight in the side of RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 the rebels.

GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 The transport strike North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0955-150-6602 proved once more than it VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 is the general public that MARAMAG - roFINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 actually is hit on the forequezon, buk. - ROSE GENON head and not the governIligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 ment which is actually the tangub city - bobby mag usara object of hatred by the drivOROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 ers. Some 29 jeepneys who cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 ventured into the streets had davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 flat tires when the protesters davao - tomas canoy avancena jr.-09177017010 threw “suyaks” or nails to davao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 disable the operations of the digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez few vehicles. Metro Manila davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) COMVAL PROVINCE AND DAV. OR. - Rhodel javier residents were severely afbutuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 fected especially the workers san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 who had to travel for their San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 places of work. Only about Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO -0912-8484037 80 percent of the drivers ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO -09177103642 went into the mass action in the entire country.

Member: ORO CHAMBER If the government needs Philippine Press Institute to phase out the operations

of jeepneys, it should offer an alternative. For instance, the government should operate a transportation system that would run on schedules. Big buses and railway system would serve the public well provided that the drivers of the jeepneys should be employed or their families will go hungry. Things like these need feasibility studies to avoid troubles with the populace. Implementation thereof should not be immediate.

Many public utility operators cannot afford to buy new vehicles. Phasing out a unit after 15 years of operation is good but to have them replaced is not easy.

For a fact, we knew that failure for the operator to provide service to the public can mean cancellation of his franchise. This would amount to a worst nightmare for the operator as he looks like jumping from a frying pan to the flames.

Rumors circ u l at ing around revealed that after Sen. De Lima, the next move is to send to jail Sen. Antonio Trillanes. The plan, therefore, is to silence the entire opposition. The Duterte regime will surely have difficulties with Trillanes because this guy is a trained fighter having graduated from the Philippine Military Academy. He knows bow to offend and defend

and what time of day is the best time to fight. To Gen. McArthur’s words, “old soldiers never die, they just fade away”. From my study of the ROTC, I learned what bayonet fighting is all about.

The advantage, therefore, of Trillanes is his being a young soldier and his being a determined politician in the opposition.

I wish more people joins the opposition to check every move of Duterte’s administration. If we leave him alone, tendency that he becomes a dictator is very strong and imminent. It would mean the death of democracy in our country and the advent of a one-man rule. In short, it is communism and certainly no space for doubts.

It is February 28 in the United States today - - the end of the month. In logic, where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages.

It is like Newton’s law, “in every action there is an opposite reaction. Friction is just like that, The advantages: one does not go out today until March 1. Supposedly, there are that February 29, 30 and 31 You save for foods, snacks, jeepney fares - to some people alcoholic drinks. Also water to drink, showers, you don’t shave, no gillette blades, etc.

Oh yeah the disadvantages: your money in the

Ben Emata Jr.

bank cannot earn interest, you don’t see your friends and co-workers, you don’t eat for three days, no ice cream or soda, no beers, no shower and you will smell bad. To some workers on daily basis, no work no pay.

In simple analysis, too many to gain and too many to lose. That is February. This is a joke that is backed up by reality and truth.

The bandits known as Abu Sayaff in Jolo has beheaded another foreigner a German national Once again this is an embarrassment and slap to our faces.

President Duterte should give more attention to these kidnappers in our country.

Believe me but we are driving away tourists from foreign lands to visit our country. I suggest the military should drop bombs to the hiding grounds of these shameless bandits. Let the human rights groups shout at the top of their lungs for as long as we struggle hard to maintain peace for our people. War cannot be won with jokes.

We need military strategists to get a better advantage.

(Bennex News Service)

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Editor: Ruel V. Pelone

Environment

Friday, March 3, 2017

5

Fact-checking the mining closure debate

By LEON DULCE, Kalibutan

THE way the big mining lobbyists paint the recent crackdown of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez on big mines, it would seem our country is on the verge of collapse.

Billions of pesos in local government revenue disappear overnight, running down basic public services to a halt. More than 60,000 mine workers suddenly find themselves jobless, and more than a million people directly and indirectly benefiting from mining are now facing the prospect of hunger and hardship in the coming days.

Unsuspecting taxpayers will shoulder even more billions of pesos in legal costs over the next decade, as disgruntled mining companies file case after case against the DENR’s sudden closure and suspension of mines and cancellation of mining agreements that allegedly violated their right to due process and for not following the mining law’s process on conflict settlement.

So we fact-checked these raised issues. Here’s what

we found: Economic losses The mining industry’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product is negligible at an average of just 0.7 percent from 2011 to 2015. In contrast, economic sectors that suffer from irresponsible big mines contributed more in the same period, with agriculture at 11.5 percent and tourism at 7.3 percent.

The Surigao Chamber

of Commerce and Industry argued that while mining contributes little on the national scale, it significantly contributes to host regions, such as its 28.5-percent direct and 32.5-percent indirect regional GDP contribution to CARAGA region.

Economic think tank IBON Foundation noted, however, that mining-generated local revenue did not translate to poverty reduction in these regions, such as CARAGA

remaining the second poorest in the country with a 39.1 percent poverty incidence.

So who gained from the extraction of our country’s mineral resources? Latest data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau shows that from 1997 to 2015, we extracted minerals worth P1.7 trillion but directly exported over P1.6 trillion or 93.4 percent of the mineral production value generated. From this, we

collected only P199.3 billion in taxes, fees and royalties or just 11.8 percent. Even subtracting production costs from the total value, the revenue collected would be just 21 percent of the gross value-add created from 1998 to 2015.

We can thus surmise that public interest would suffer minimally from the closure’s economic losses.

What we should instead be worrying about is that we

are losing to foreign companies 8-9 pesos for every 10 pesos worth of minerals extracted.

Employment losses Mining’s contribution to the national employment rate only averages at 0.6 percent from 2011 to 2015, in contrast to agriculture with an average of 31.1 percent in the same period. There are currently 236,000 people employed by the industry, but this is not yet disaggregated between big mines and registered small-scale mines.

The nature of work in big mines is already predominantly precarious, as a 2012 International Solidarity Mission on Mining revealed that contractualization, low wages, and other workers’ rights violations are rampant in mining areas they visited in Benguet province and the CARAGA region. In Benguet, particularly, 800 out of the 1,400 workers in Lepanto Mining Consolidated Corp., incidentally one of the suspended big mines, are contractual while the rest are ‘illegals’ who only get P200 to P250 a day.

See MINING, page 7

Thousands rally to support Lopez, anti-mining initiatives Brandishing flags and banners to decry mining, over 2,000 people gathered Wednesday morning in front of the Senate in Pasay City to rally in support of Environment Sec. Gina Lopez and her anti-mining initiatives.

“Sec. Gina, ikumpirma!

Senado, senado, maglingkod sa Pilipino, hindi sa minero!

(Confirm Sec. Gina! Senate, senate, serve Filipinos not miners!)” protesters chanted.

Among the groups present in the rally was the anit-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina which held a

banner that read: “Protect the environment. Defend people’s rights. Confirm Sec. Gina Lopez.”

Lopez’s confirmation was deferred after the Senate underwent a reorganization on Monday with new leadership positions and chairmanships decided.

Several oppositions have also been filed before the Commission on Appointments (CA) panel on Lopez’s confirmation.

Around 19,000 people are expected to be “directly affected” by the closing of mines, Lopez said. She, however, assured that displaced

miners could be trained to practice ecotourism as it has more long-term benefits as against mining.

Police say that protesters were in the Senate as early as 10 a.m. to show support for Lopez, who previously ordered the closure of 23 metallic mines and suspension of five others for serious environmental violations discovered.

L op e z, w ho br ief ly showed up in the rally, expressed gratitude for their support. “Para sa kalikasan!

Para sa bayan! (For the environment! For the nation!)” she said. (PNA)

RPN Radyo Ronda Stations Nationwide

CNN Philippines Stations Nationwide CNN Philippines TV-9 Manila CNN Philippines TV-12 Baguio CNN Philippines TV-12 Dagupan CNN Philippines TV-26 Tarlac CNN Philippines TV-10 Iriga CNN Philippines TV-4 Iloilo

CNN Philippines TV-8 Bacolod CNN Philippines TV-9 Cebu CNN Philippines TV-5 Cag. de Oro CNN Philippines TV-5 Zamboanga CNN Philippines TV-7 GenSan CNN Philippines TV-9 Davao

DZBS 1368 Baguio DZRL 639 Batac DZTG 621 Tuguegarao DZKI 1332 Iriga DYKW 936 Binalbagan DYKB 1404 Bacolod DYKC 675 Cebu DXKO 1368 Cagayan de Oro DXKS 1080 Surigao DXKD 1053 Dipolog DXKP 1377 Pagadian DXXX 1008 Zamboanga DXKT 1071 Davao DXDX 693 General Santos

6

In focus

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Editor: Ruel V. Pelone

Senators ‘more productive’ after lines clearly drawn – Pimentel Friday, March 3, 2017

By Carolyn O. Arguillas of MindaNews

Senators are now “more productive” after lines were “clearly drawn” between the majority and the minority on Monday, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said.

“The lines had to be clearly drawn and once you do that, you become more productive because when you now talk to your fellow senator, you know that he is with you in the majority or that he is in the minority, so productive yung talk ninyo.

You are not pretending to be somebody else or to be something, you are not hiding anything from the person you are talking to,” Pimentel told MindaNews

in his office Tuesday afternoon, during an interview on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Federalism (see other story).

Members of the Liberal Party (LP) on Monday were stripped of their posts on motion of Mindanawon Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao: Senator Franklin Drilon was removed as Senate President Pro-Tempore and was replaced by former minority, now majority member Senator Ralph Recto; Senator Francis Pangilinan was replaced by Senator Cynthia Villar as Agriculture Committee chair, Senator Bam Aquino was replaced

by Sen. Francis Escudero as Education Committee chair, and Akbayan’s Risa

Hontiveros who is allied with the LP, was replaced as chair of the Health and Demography committee by Senator JV Ejercito.

No one objected to Pacquiao’s motions and the four senators in fact seconded his motions to replace them.

Drilon, Aquino, Pangilinan and Hontiveros are now members of the Senate Minority, joining Senator Antonio Trillanes. Recto and Escudero, formerly with the Senate Minority (Recto was Senate Minority Floorleader) and Escudero are now with the majority.

Detained Senator Leila de Lima, another LP member, is set to join the new minority.

Pimentel explained what Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III tells MindaNews on February 28 that happened on Monday “was senators are now more productive after lines were clearly drawn a day earlier between the majority and minority. MIndaNews photo by Manman Dejeto

only the action but the murmuring, NovemberDecember pa eh. Noon pa yan.”

“Some would tell me, ‘do they really belong with us?’ etc etc. Alam ko yan November-December but the action was only yesterday nga but it does not mean that’s because of some immediate past incident,” Pimentel said.

Reports have indicated that the ruling party was not happy with the moves of the LP members in the majority coalition on various issues, the vote on the probe on the testimony of self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) leader, retired policeman Arthur Lascanas and the appearance of their supposed party mates at the EDSA commemoration over

the weekend, among the more immediate reasons.

But Pimentel brushed these aside, maintaining that Monday’s reorganzation was “the result or the culmination of seven to eight months of relationship where the greater majority, the greater number thought that a smaller number who were with them were not acting as it they were one group. Ganon lang po yun.

It’s as basic as that.”

He said the new majority is now “happy” because this time “when we’re in a caucus, they can speak their minds.”

He said in the past, there was “that awkward feeling” shared by majority members, “(like) ‘should I speak my mind here? I will be quoted outside by this person because maybe he’s not with us.’ Yung ganon na feeling. We eliminated that feeling.”

See senators, page 7

BUSINESS LOAN!!! 100K - 10M No Collateral No Co-Maker

Existing Business Owners 5 Banking Days Processing

0906-671-2560 0917-555-5662

TEXT LOAN TO:

KIMBERLITE PAWNSHOP MALAYBALAY BRANCH

Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion

for Orders, Contact Yoyong:

09354145759 09169249371

Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having an AUCTION SALE on all items that expired on January 2017: AUCTION DATE: March 17, 2017 Estrada Bldg., Fortich-Don Carlos Sts., Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

OROFIESTA TRADING SERVICES, INC. TEL. #S: 0998-991-3742 - Smart / 0917-720-3742 - Globe

PURCHASING OFFICER

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com

Tax...

from page 1

for the payment of taxes.

Charges on non-compliance or violation to BIR rules of business establishment ranges from penalties amounting to P1,000 to P50,000, depending on the nature and scope of the violation. Some violation, however, can lead to permanent closure of the business establishment, criminal charges on the owners or imprisonment.

Conflict... from page 1

in Misamis Oriental since Monday.

The government troopers and the NPA engaged in a cross-country encounter last Monday where a government trooper was killed, the military said.

The firefighting has spread to the neighboring towns prompting the local government units (LGUs) to suspend classes in the hinterlands.

As of Wednesday, a lull in the fighting occurred, but the government troopers remained in the area as the provincial government expressed the optimism that the firefight would not displace hundreds of farmers and village residents in the affected areas.

Last Wednesday, Emano also ordered the provincial tourism office to “temporarily” prohibit the local and foreign tourists from any mountain climbing and hiking activities for security reason.

Alert... from page 1

an addictive ice or crystal meth stimulant locally known as “shabu”.

“A warrant of seizure and detention was issued

by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, upon the request of Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval, head of the Intelligence Group, against the shipment of Juchem Enterprises, consisting of 4x20 container vans said to contain hydrochloric acid 35 shipped from India to the Mindanao Container Terminal in the subport of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental,” Intelligence Office II Alvin Y. Enciso, chief of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), said.

PDEA, in its Chemistry Report released February 15, 2017, cited that the “qualitative examinations conducted on the specimens A to P gave POSITIVE result for the presence of Hydrochloric acid.”

It further said that the specimens that contain Hydrochloric acid is “a controlled precursor and essential chemical under Republic Act 9165” or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.” With this, PDEA is pursuing the filing of cases against the importer, Juchem Enterprises.

“We, in our part, with the result of the lab result,

have already forwarded our recommendations to the head office for the filing of smuggling case against the importer. There is no turning back, kasi dapat prior to importation, me mga import permits na from PDEA, DENR, FDA,” Enciso said.

Apart from being a regulated item, the violations include that on lack of permit for controlled precursor and essential chemical from PDEA/DDB, lack of permit to import from PNP Firearms and Explosive Office, lack of FDA permit license, and lack of DENR import permit.

“Under the instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte, in his thrust to stop illegal drugs, kasama ang pagbabantay internally ng BOC sa pagpasok ng raw materials and finished products entering the country through our borders. This is to assist in the external operations of PDEA and the Philippine National Police,” he added.

The resumption of operations against illegal drugs need the help of other agencies. That is why Deputy Commissioner Raval has instructed us to heighten the alert level in monitoring shipments with possible illegal drugs’ raw materials or finished products in all the ports here, said Enciso.

“Hihigpitan namin ng 10 times sa border to help PDEA and the PNP within our means and jurisdiction, as well as, strategic operations,”Enciso said.

Containerized shipment normally arrived at the MCT in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, while bulk shipments arrive in Cagayan de Oro port, Iligan subport and Ozamiz subport.

Enciso said the chemicals, if it went to the wrong hands, may produce hundreds of millions worth of shabu.

Killed... from page 2

to intensify the conduct of offensives against the Abu Sayyaf to neutralize the bandits and ensure the safe rescue of the remaining hostages. All measures are being undertaken in accordance with the rules of engagement and with the support from the local government and the populace,” said WMC commander Major General Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (PNA)

Buffer... from page 2

being offered to individual farmers and farmer cooperatives nationwide, including delivery, drying and Cooperative Development Incentive Fee or a total of PHP17.70 to PHP18 per kilogram.

The NFA aims to procure 79,240 metric tons of palay from January to June this year.

As of Feb. 22, the food agency has already bought a total of 47,782 bags of palay nationwide based on the data released by the NFA’s Grains Marketing Operation

Friday, March 3, 2017 Department.

Bulk of this year’s target volume is expected to be bought during the main harvest from October to December.

At least 413 buying stations nationwide are being utilized so farmers can sell their produce to the agency.

Mobile procurement teams are also ready to be deployed to remote areas where farmers may find it hard to transport their produce to NFA buying stations. (PNA)

expansion of organized and systemic legal gambling such as putting up of casinos, and to refrain from soliciting or receiving funds from illegal and legal gambling so as not to promote a culture of gambling.

In a recent interview, City Councilor Zaldy Ocon said the proposed casino, aside from generating more revenue for Cagayan de Oro, will also provide hundreds of jobs to the city’s unemployed residents.

It can be recalled that in 2008, a Korean company’s plan to build a $20-million from page 2 casino-hotel was thwarted He said some of them by strong opposition by were given the OWWA re- various sectors. lief assistance program in the amount of P26,000 but added this was not enough from page 3 “stimulating domestic for their families’ daily needs production, stifling off some and debt payoffs.

“That’s why we are asking of the demand, while stimuOWWA, the labor depart- lating more production”.

Ideally, shortages are ment and other government agencies to help us get back eventually eliminated and self-sufficiency is eventually on our feet,” he added.

For its part, OWWA-10 attained. But at a higher officer-in-charge Leonor price paid by the consumMabagal said the agency ers, said Briones.

There are real consedoes not have sufficient financial assistance at pres- quences to rising prices in ent since funds have yet to basic commodities like rice. be released by the national As in many things, the poorest and the most vulnerable office.

Despite of absence of are the hardest hit.

“Statistical analysis relatavailable financial aid, former OFWs can still aug- ing regional stunting rates to ment their livelihood either regional per capital incomes through loan at Land Bank and food prices finds that, or avail of skills training as the price of rice increases, at the Technical Skills and the rate of childhood stuntDevelopment Authority ing increases,” said Briones.

(Tesda), Mabagal told the “High prices cause more group during a dialogue malnutrition.”

Down the line, malnutriat the OWWA-10 office tion is only going to develop Wednesday afternoon.

She said the OWWA-10 into long-term adverse conis willing to help the repa- sequences of poor cognition triated workers so they can and educational performance, low adult wages, obtain the loan.

“OFWs who have poten- and low productivity.

Briones argued: “The tial business endeavor may also apply for a collateral- Philippine government did ized livelihood loan ranging the right thing in pursuing from Php100,000.00 to 2 production support for rice. million under the OFW- It shifted support away from Reintegration Program of ineffective and wasteful OWWA in the partnership fertilizer and seed subsidy with the Land Bank of the programs.”

The complementary inPhilippines,” said Mabagal in her letter to Maria Luisa crease in budget for proSalonga-Agamata, Director duction support helped. of the Civil Service Com- Overall, Briones said the mission’s Public Assistance interventions were “on the and Information Office, right track” to promote in reply to the complaint food security by enhancfiled by the former overseas ing domestic production capacities. But what the workers to CSC. Rule said that while they government needs to revisit are open to any option, ap- now are the failures and plying for loan at Land Bank the rise in prices caused would take some time and by maintaining restrictive what they need is immediate policies.

Briones recommended assistance. repealing Republic Act 8178 “We don’t want our families to starve, that’s why exempting rice from tarwe are asking for immedi- rification, repealing the ate help from concerned National Food Authority’s government agencies,” he import monopoly, and opening rice importation to the added.

To date, it remains to private sector. He also unbe seen which government derlined the important role agency will provide the of the executive in defining former OFWs the cash as- an informed tariff policy. sistance they need.

Help...

Study...

Casino... from page 3

of Cagayan de Oro has reiterated its stand to denounce illegal gambling in all its forms and prevent its legalization.

It also aims to combat the

Shot... from page 3

Dr . Perlas led the OneStop-Shop Medical Mission in the interior barangay of Karkum only last Tuesday (February 28) together with the local government unit of Sapad, the military and

the police.

“He was a great loss for us and the medical team of the province who served and attended the health needs of the Muslim and Christian community in Sapad,” Decin said.

Perlas was once a medical retainer of the 35th Infantry Battalion before the unit was transferred to Jolo, Sulu, Decin added.

The slain doctor’s father, Dennis Perlas, a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Batan, said in a phone call that Dr. Perlas was the eldest of two siblings. He said they are coming today from Aklan. (Richel V. Umel / MindaNews)

Mining... from page 5

Regardless, the worker layoffs are a legitimate concern that must and can be addressed. An interagency that includes the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment is already looking into providing economic relief to the workers.

The employers are responsible as well to ensure the provision of benefits and compensation to workers while the operations remain suspended or closed.

Legal challenges Sec. Lopez asserted that due process was afforded to mines, as they were given the opportunity to respond to the findings and recommendations of the audit teams. The multi-partite and inter-agency Mining Industry Coordinating Council is already investigating this.

But there is just and scientific basis for the crackdown. From 2012 to 2015, scientific investigations conducted by our network on big mining projects in the provinces Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, and Palawan confirmed the massive environmental and socio-economic impacts of these mines. The DENR’s audit findings thus establish a pattern of impunity as violations persisted years after the big mines were found guilty.

Since 2001, we have also monitored cases of harassment, trumped-up charges, militarization, and other rights violations against anti-mining activists and communities in areas where 20 of the closed and suspended mines are located.

There are cases of killings involving critics and opponents of at least six of these companies.

Unfortunately, there are loopholes and impediments in the Mining Act. Grounds for a mining agreement’s cancellation, revocation and termination are limited only to administrative violations. Only ‘proclaimed’ watersheds will be protected from mining operations.

The Mining Act also lays down an arduous process for conflict settlement that involves a panel of arbitrators and a mines adjudication board.

7

There is international precedence, however, for a national government’s assertion to cancel mining agreements. The national government of El Salvador recently won against a USD250-million damages suit filed by AustralianCanadian mining corporation OceanaGold (which owns another suspended big mine in Nueva Vizcaya) over the cancellation of their mining agreement based on El Salvador’s argument that the mining project should be cancelled for failing to secure crucial environmental permits and land rights, among other bases.

Grain of truth Going by the facts, it turns out that there is some grain of truth in the doomsday prophecies of the mining lobby.

Yes, there are economic losses—in the trillions of pesos that will continue to be shipped overseas if we don’t stop the plunder.

Yes, jobs will be lost— just not in the scale of unmanageable crisis proportions we are being made to believe.

Yes, our mining law has specifications that Sec. Lopez might not have followed to the dot—we’ll let the lawyers deliberate on this—but it only goes to show how more than two decades of the Mining Act was able to perpetuate such callous injustices.

Leon Dulce is the campaign coordinator of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, a national environmental campaign center established in 1997. (http://bulatlat.com)

Senators... from page 6

He said their move to reorganize should not be likened to the time of the dictator Marcos as some critics are saying.

“It was just there’s a table with pebbles or stones and then there’s a line. We just transferred two to the right side, we transferred five to the left side. So they’re still there on the table,” Pimentel said. It would have been a different story, he added, “if they were expelled from the Senate. That’s different.

Iba po yun because that’s totally silencing them from the forum.”

“When they speak out, when they will raise their hands, they will be recognized,” Pimentel vowed.

In a statement Wednesday, Senator Pangilinan, LP President said they joined the “super majority” last year because “every incoming President deserves chance to prove himself and also deserves to be supported at the beginning of his term because if he succeeds in fulfilling what is required of him in his oath of office then his success will be our success as a nation.”

He said records will show that of the 29 bills/committee reports being tackled on second reading on the floor at the time of the reorganization, “20 or over 2/3 were bills being defended by the LP, Senator Trillanes and Senator Hontiveros.”

“After less than seven months, we have come to a point wherein a number of events have made it untenable and unacceptable for us to stay with the supermajority in the Senate. The writing was on the wall. It was just a matter of time and the time did come. Hence when we are asked to leave the Supermajority, we did not resist and did so willingly and without debate.”

8

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com

Friday, March 3, 2017

VALENTINE SALE

MSU-iiT naTional MUlTi-PURPoSE CooPERaTiVE

UP TO 50% DISCOUNT ON SELECTED ITEMS

To: notice to all Members in Good Standing (MiGS) 39th annual General assembly by Cluster Schedule: ORDER OF BUSINESS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

R.E.R. Highway, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City Telefax. No. (088) 856-5763, Cel. No. 09268376542

WHOLESALE & RETAIL TENZEN CERAMIC TILE IMPORTED CERAMIC TILE IMPORTED GRANITE TILE IMPORTED GRANITE SLAB EUROLUX LIGHTING OSRAM LIGHTING FIREFLY LIGHTING AKARI LIGHTING FOCUS LIGHTING TILE TRIM WASH BASIN PVC MOULDING

ROYALTERN WATERCLOSET HUIDA WATERCLOSET SUNLOT WATERCLOSET SOHO WATERCLOSET ROYU ELECTRICAL DEVICES ANAM ELECTRICAL DEVICES GLASS BLOCK PINLIGHT/CHANDELIER BATHROOM ACCESSORIES CONCRETE PAVERS SHOWER PANEL ABC ZEMCOAT

ROYALTERN BATH TUB AEROGAZ WATERHEATER ARISTON WATERHEATER FIRSTANK STAINLESS TANK RONDINA KITCHEN FAUCET RONDINA LAVATORY FAUCET STAINLESS KITCHEN SINK PRETTYDOOR PVC DOOR ABC TILE ADHESIVE ABC TILE GROUT PVC/BRASS STAIRNOSSING DOOR KNOB

CONGRATULATIONS

To the New Fraternal Order of Eagles NMR-1 ASSEMBLYMAN

Call to Order Proof of Due Notice Determination and Declaration of Quorum Consideration and Approval of the Minutes of the March 19, 2016 Annual General Assembly by Cluster Matters arising from the Minutes of the March 19, 2016 Annual General Assembly by Cluster Confirmation of BOD Resolutions: January to December 2016 Presentation of Officers and Management’s Reports a. Chairperson b. Joint BOD and Management c. Audit d. Election e. Credit f. Other BOD Committees 8. Presentation of Audited Financial Statement of 2016 Financial Condition of Operations 9. New Business: a. Approval of Strategic Plan for 2017-2019 b. Approval and Confirmation of Budget for 2017 c. Appointment of External Auditors for 2017 d. Proposed New Sunshine Guidelines e. Proposed Amendments of the Bylaws f. Presentation and Confirmation of the Newly-elected Coop Officers 10. Other Matters 11. Adjournment BRANCH General Santos City (Cluster 6)

DATE February 25, 2017

TIME 7 AM – 12 NOON

Davao City (Cluster 6)

February 26, 2017

7 AM – 12 NOON

Cagayan de Oro City (Cluster 3) Bulua, Cogon, Carmen, Puerto and Laguindingan Butuan City (Cluster 5)

March 4, 2017

7 AM – 12 NOON

March 5, 2017

7 AM – 12 NOON

Maranding, Tubod LDN, and Pagadian (Cluster 4)

March 11, 2017

7 AM – 12 NOON

Iligan City (Cluster 2) Pala-o, Buru-un, Tubod, SuarezTominobo, Poblacion and Bacolod LDN Iligan City (Cluster 1) Tibanga Main, Kiwalan and Manticao

March 18, 2017

1 PM – 5 PM

March 19, 2017

7 AM – 12 NOON

Please be notified that the basic requirement for membership with INDAWAG ASSOCIATION INC. is as follows; 1.) Membership fee Php.150.00 2.) Membership card Php.50.oo Please do not give any amount more than the amount as aforecited.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

(SGD.) ELY L. OLARIO CHAIRMAN

INDAWAG ASSOCIATION INC. MDN: Mar 3 & 10, 2017

MSU-IIT Gymnasium, Tibanga, Iligan City

Prepared by: Engr. Jeremy V. Pinzon Board Secretary

Attested by: Dr. Rhodora S. N. Englis Chairperson, Board of Directors

Notes: 1.

Please bring at least one (1) valid I.D. for verification of identity.

2.

Election 2017 will be done simultaneously with opening program and business meeting.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

VENUE Robinson’s Mall Activity Center, General Santos City USeP Social Hall, Obrero St., Davao City Brgy. Nazareth Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City FSUU Gymnasium, Butuan City Christ the King College de Maranding, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte MSU-IIT Gymnasium, Tibanga, Iligan City