Mindanao Daily (February 8, 2019)

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Volume VIII, No. 217

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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DESPITE BLASTS

Comelec notes high voter turnout in Lanao del Norte By FROILAN GALLARDO MindaNews

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-The explosions that rocked three towns in Lanao del Norte on Tuesday did not deter voters from coming to the polling places on Wednesday, the second round of plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Law, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. The province voted on the proposal to include six of its 22 municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Joseph Hamilton Cuevas, provincial election officer of Lanao del Norte said

they expect a 90-percent turnout of voters. “The multiple explosions on Tuesday have no effect in the turnout of voters today,” Cuevas said. He said many of the province’s 1,234 polling precincts opened at 7am Wednesday. He said the situation was normal that not one public school teacher refused to perform poll duties unlike in the past elections. He said they might finish the provincial canvassing by Thursday noon. Three explosions rocked the towns of Lala, Kauswagan and Sultan Naga See NOTES, page 11

After more than an hour of waiting, election returns of Linamon town is canvassed. It’s the last town to be canvassed by the Plebiscite Provincial Board of Canvassers to determine the official result of the plebiscite in Lanao del Norte, February 6. hoto by D ivina M. S uson

3 injured in fishing boat fire

3 p.m. “People were not interested in this electoral exercise despite the campaign urging them to participate in the process,” he said. Abas said he expected the canvassing of election returns from the 67 barangays to be completed on

GENERAL Sansots City-Three crew members of a fishing boat were injured after it caught fire while docked on Wednesday morning near the shores of Alabel town in Sarangani Province. Senior Fire Officer 4 Von Sancho, chief of the Alabel municipal fire station, said the boat’s crew were loading containers filled with gasoline at around 8 a.m. when the fire suddenly broke out. He said the crews were then preparing the boat, which was docked about a kilometer away from the shores of Barangay Ladol, for another fishing trip.

See VOTER, page 11

See FIRE, page 11

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde arrives at the Mindanao Civic Center grounds to visit Tubod, Lanao del Norte on the day of the plebiscite in said province on Wednesday, February 6. Photo by Gerry Lee Gorit

Comelec: Low voter turnout in N. Cotabato By BONG S. SARMIENTO MindaNews

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato--The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 12 said there was a low voter turnout in North Cotabato in Wednesday’s plebiscite on the inclusion of 67 barangays in seven towns of the province in the

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). “We would be lucky if the voters’ turnout will reach even 60 percent,” lawyer Michael Abas, Comelec-12 director told reporters in a briefing at the municipal hall here over an hour after polling precincts closed at

Health dept warns public against flu THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged the public to take extra precaution to avoid contracting and spreading the flu virus during the peak months of the flu season. “Binabantayan natin

kung ano iyong strain at talagang by middle of the year nagbabakuna na tayo. Sa Pilipinas ang peak lang talaga ng flu-like illnesses itong panahon na malamig (We’re looking at the strain See FLU, page 11

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Peaceful BOL plebiscite in Pantar town noted By LADY JEAN L. KABAGANI

PANTAR, Lanao del Norte -Hundreds of voters flocked to the polling precincts here for today’s plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the voting proceeded smoothly and peacefully. Four voting centers in this town were opened to cater to 9, 853 registered voters from its 21 barangays. School Principal Anisa Palagawat of Pantar Central Elementary School said the military and police personnel were securing the polling precincts. They were also grateful that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were there to help secure the entire polling place. “We know that we are secure here since there is a tie-up between the government security forces and the MILF to protect us,” See NOTED, page 9

MILF: We are for peace in Lanao Norte By LADY JEAN L. KABAGANI

BALO-I, Lanao Norte -“Walang mataas at walang mababa, pantay-pantay tayong naghahangad ng kapayapaan (No one is atop or below in our quest for peace),” Kumander Ultimax of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) said in today’s (Feb. 6) voting on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Ismael Disuma long a.k.a. Kumander Ultimax of MILF’s 102nd Base Command North-Western Mindanao Front emphasized the call of the MILF for a peaceful and orderly Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite in the entire Lanao del Norte. Kumander Ultimax said “the MILF wanted a peaceful BOL plebiscite and our presence in some polling precincts would cause no harm against anyone.” “The MILF’s central committee has ordered us not to violate the peace and ceasefire agreement,” Principal Anisa Palagawat, Pantar Elementary School affirms a peaceful BOL plebiscite in Pantar, Lanao del Norte. Disumalong added. Jason Casas/PIA

See PEACE, page 9

ARMM inaugurates PNP Chief Albayalde convenes security Bangsamoro Museum forces, COMELEC in Lanao del Norte MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -–The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) formally inaugurated the first Bangsamoro Museum on Monday, February 4, at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. The Bangsamoro Museum is a facility established under Executive Order No. 32 s. 2019. It serves as a repository of artifacts, works of art, as well as textual and iconographic records relevant to the cultural memory of the Bangsamoro people in the ARMM. Governor Mujiv Hataman, who led the opening of the museum, underscored it was not easy for the regional government to put up such facility. However, the assis-

tance of a national curator and the competence of the workforce of the Office of the Regional Governor drove him to push for it. He also noted the importance of the inauguration of the facility for ARMM and for the next generation. The Bangsamoro Museum was organized under independent curator and institutional critic Marian Pastor Roces. She emphasized that the purpose of its establishment is to collect significant stories of the Bangsamoro people through the exhibition of different artifacts from the region. Ro ces s aid she admires the resiliency of the Bangsamoro people and this is the reason why during See MUSEUM, page 9

By WILNARD BACELONIA

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- After three incidents of explosions in three different towns here, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director Oscar Albayalde personally visited today a polling center here and met with Lanao del Norte PNP, officials of the Philippine Army and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to discuss updates on security measures for the ongoing Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite in the province. In a press briefing in Tubod Central Elementary School, Director Albayalde ordered the security forces to strengthen the check- PNP Chief Director General points along major roads Oscar Albayalde listening

to Lanao del Norte PNP Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag’s updates on their investigation regarding the three explosions in the province. (PIA)

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in the province. He also assured that PNP does not allow armed MILF members to enter polling centers without proper authority coming from COMELEC. “They can observe outside the polling centers provided that they will not intimidate the voters. They are not authorized to bear firearms or carry any deadly weapon. They are also not allowed to wear their uniforms or anything with markings labeling their units or group while observing. If they start intimidating people, they will be ar-

Lanao del Norte Provincial Election Officer Joseph Hamilton Cuevas briefing PNP Chief Director Oscar Albayalde outside a polling precinct at Tubod Central Elementary School, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. (PIA)

rested,” Albayalde said. He also added that both PNP and AFP comprising of almost 4,000 troops here in Lanao del Norte are ready for any untoward incidents. All security forces were also instructed by Albayalde to stay with the plebiscite

committee in polling centers until they have brought the ballots to the canvassing area. Meanwhile, Albayalde shared that they have already identified persons of interest on the recent explosion See CONVENES, page 9

MINDANAO DAILY We innovate... and we lead! Editor: MARK FRANCISCO

Friday, February 8, 2019

BILLBOARD

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AmCham Foundation 8th ScholaRUN launches Eat and Run! THE American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. (AmCham Foundation) will hold its annual benefit ScholaRUN on March 3, at SM “By the Bay”, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Entitled “8th and Run” – the 8th AmCham Foundation ScholaRUN”, the title shows both a play of words of the “8th” edition of the ScholaRUN and “Eat” as our new concept of “Eat and Run!” This new charity fun run concept will highlight Filipinos love for American food. Participating runners will get to taste several American favorites like burgers, pizza and doughnuts upon reaching the pit stop. In partnership with Chevron Philippines and Emerson, “Eat and Run” concept is the first of its kind running event for charity

in the Philippines which shows the vast influence of America on Philippine cuisine. According to AmCham’s Executive Director, Mr. Ebb Hinchliffe, the idea behind the Eat and Run concept was adopted in the United States. “We get better every year, so why not try something new, something different that has not been tried here before,” explains Mr. Hinchliffe. AmCham Foundation Philippines’ President, Mr. Edwin Feist emphasizes this year’s run for scholars will stand-out from other runs. “We want to make it interesting and exciting for the participants as this unique fun run concept also help fund our scholarship program,” said Mr. Feist. The AmCham President adds that this activity is a major part of AmCham

Foundation’s fundraiser for underprivileged yet deserving scholars. Mr. Feist believes that the young people of today are the future of tomorrow. Likewise, Mr. Hinchliffe remarks that education is a key to the future. “That’s why whenever you take a step, you know that you’re just helping to give a book for a kid or help another kid go to school,” shares Mr. Hinchliffe. Mr. Feist also shares that the foundation involves their scholars to participate in the running event. “Our scholars not only join the run but they are manning booths; they are a big part of the event. It’s wonderful,” says Mr. Feist. This new Eat and Run concept race categories are as follows; 200-meter dash, 3K, 5K, and 10K. The event

will start at 4 a.m. To join this first of its kind charity running event, visit www. goorahna.com or register at selected Chris Sports branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Glorietta, and at Market! Market, BGC, Taguig City! Runners will receive a race shirt, racebib, finisher’s medal, and lootbag. To know more about the “8th and Run; The 8th AmCham Foundation ScholaRUN,” please contact the American Chamber Foundation Philippines at 16/F Sagittarius Condominium, H.V. Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City and look for Ms. Candy Gabriel, Events Manager. You may also send your inquiries via e-mail at candy@amchamphilippines.com or visit www.amchamfoundation. com.

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Lacson asks PDU30’s veto

THE presidential veto on items in the national spending bill denominated as legislators’ pork barrel was requested by anti-pork advocate Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Exasperated over his failure to make the 2019 appropriations bill porkfree, Lacson turned to the President for help. But will President Duterte heed the senator’s plea? This columnist doubts. As what we’ve said in previous columns, pork barrel has become an indispensable mechanism for solons, especially members of the Lower House, to prop up their political stock. House members, at least a

good number of them, will become irrelevant to the constituency that elected them to office if they have nothing to give them in return for their mandate. To this type of solons, only the pork barrel can make them relevant to the constituency they hope to serve. The legislative task, for which many of them are not equipped with the necessary skills, is a job that’ll not endear them to the consciousness of the voters. This is the task of the pork barrel hence the possibility of Duterte acceding to Lacson’s plea is nil. Remember what happened

to then President Estrada during his watch? When he deprived the congressmen of their pork, it became his Waterloo. Impeaching him on the flimsiest of justifications, his administration’s alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game jueteng, became handy. Proper impeachment processes were even brazenly discarded by the honorable members of the House of Representatives just so Estrada could be removed from office. By the way, have you ever heard of a barangay captain who was removed from office because of jueteng? Yet it was so easy for the con-

By WILLIAM R. ADAN MindaNews

voluted plebiscite harbors bad feelings. For how do you think the residents of the six Moro-dominated municipalities of Lanao del Norte feel if they voted for inclusion in the BARMM but are prohibited in becoming so by a “No” vote of the Province? There would certainly be gnashing of teeth from disappointment and frustration. Frustration engenders resentment; resentment leads to hatred, hostility and open conflict. Already, Commander Bravo, of the MILF 303rd Brigade in Lanao del Norte, the erstwhile

commander who led the assault of Kauswagan and Kolambugan in 2008 warned of continued violence if a vote against inclusion wins in Lanao Norte. Thus, the drum of war might beat again in the politically volatile areas. Why did the lawmakers complicate the concept of self-determination? What is wrong if the barangay that votes in favor of BARMM automatically becomes a part of BARMM as adjunct to the closest municipality within the BARMM? The same applies to similarly situated municipalities. If

they voted for inclusion then they should become integral parts to the closest province in the BARMM. Why make things so difficult to the people? What gains, if any, is achieved by the runaround process? Why can’t separation from the municipality or from the province be cut sharp and clean with no turning back? (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph.D., is retired professor and former chancellor of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines)

his fellow MILF leaders. Last January 12 was perhaps the first time that a highest official of a former enemy of the state had set foot in the seat of government of Cotabato Province. Officials of the MILF were ecstatic after hearing the assurance of the local government officials, particularly Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza that they fully support the ratification of the BOL. Originally, there were 39 barangays that have been included in the proposed territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region i n Mu s l i m M i n d an a o (BARMM). Based on the reports, of the 120 petitions, only 28 have been approved by the Commission on Elections. Should the ‘Yes’ vote prevail in all of the 67 barangays in seven towns, it will definitely redraw the map of the province. In my recent interview with MILF Information Committee chair Mohagher Iqbal, he expressed confidence; he said he is ‘almost sure’ that ‘yes’ vote will win in North Cotabato. Aside from the momentum of the recently concluded plebiscite in

Cotabato City, Iqbal was banking on the assurance of the provincial government officials that they fully support the ratification of the BOL as well as the inclusion of the 67 barangays to the proposed BARMM. Under the law, all towns should vote favorably for the inclusion of the listed barangays to the BARMM. However, some misconceptions still abound on the ground. Some are assuming that if the ‘Yes’ vote will win, the entire town will be part of the BARMM. Again, only the barangays listed in the proposed territory will be part of the BARMM. In the town of Pikit, 23 of its 42 barangays are included in the list of proposed territories. Eleven of which have voted ‘Yes’ in the 2001 plebiscite while the 12 new barangays have filed the petition for inclusion. This means that more than half of Pikit’s total land area, which is about 604 square kilometers, would be carved out of the province if the ‘Yes’ vote will prevail. In this Muslim-dominated town, over 80% of the 47,000 voters are Muslims. In November last year, 19 barangays from Pikit filed petitions for inclusion.

Thus, 30 barangays could have been included in the proposed territory. A bigger part of Pikit would have joined the BARMM if the 19 petitions were approved. To note, the 23 barangays are more than enough to create a new municipality. In Midsayap, 13 of its 57 barangays are included in the proposed BARMM territory. Twelve of them are interconnected except for Central Labas, which is located in the northwest part of the town. However, the 12 barangays which are part of the proposed territories have cut-off barangay Lomopog like an island. Barangays Rangeban and Tumbras filed petitions last year but only the latter made it to the list. In Pigcawayan, Mayor Eliseo Garcesa was perhaps the first local chief executive I interviewed who openly expressed his support to the ratification of the BOL as well as the inclusion of eight barangays to the proposed BARMM. Of the additional six barangays that filed the petition, only four have been approved making the list from eight to 12. These villages are mostly located

Jesse E.L. Bacon II

gressmen to have a sitting president impeached from office because of jueteng. Unbelievable, isn’t it. But we all know that in Philippine politics the extraordinarily unbelievable could easily be made believable. And this was clearly proven in the Estrada impeachment. The Estrada experience will surely become the beacon when Duterte is presented with the national

A Convoluted Plebiscite

NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental--A barangay desirous and votes to become part of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) does not become a member unless the municipality where it belongs votes allowing it to join the BARMM. On the other hand, municipalities who vote in favor of joining the BARMM don’t automatically become members unless approved or allowed by the province where they belong. Needless to say, the con-

See VETO, page 11

Can the MILF carry the momentum in North Cotabato?

By KEITH BACONGCO MindaNews

DAVAO City--Can the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) carry the momentum in North Cotabato after the overwhelming victory in Cotabato City? In the last two weeks, a resounding ‘Yes’ reverberated among local government officials in every gathering as they manifested their support for the ratification of RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (also referred to as Bangsamoro organic law). Excitement and hope filled the atmosphere at the last gathering on January 19 in Kabacan, where about 50,000 Muslim residents from different parts of the province joined local government officials, cabinet officials, military officers, former rebels and members of civil society organizations to manifest their support to the BOL. While it was not the first time that the local government officials signified their support to the peace process, it was quite a momentous occasion because of the presence of MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and

See CARRY, page 11

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1K poor Maguindanaoans benefit from medical-dental mission

DA-BAI honors PNP-10 officers CAMP ALAGAR, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City – Four officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Region 10 each received a plaque of recognition from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for actively enforcing Republic Act

(RA) 8485 as amended by RA 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines on February 5, 2019. PNP officers: PCSUPT Timoteo G. Pacleb, PSSUPT Benedicto P. Pintor, PSINP Noel Flores Cano, and PSUPT Al T. Abanales were awarded for their assistance in the prohibi-

tion of horse fight, during a fiesta celebration in barangay Kibangay, Lantapan, Bukidnon in 2018. Awarding the plaque of recognition on behalf of BAI is DA-10 thru Regional Technical Director Carmelita T. Bajarla. # (EMB)

Malaybalay intensifies anti-rabies campaign By MEL MADERA

MAL AYBAL AY CIT Y -- The city government of Malaybalay has intensified its anti-rabies campaign through “Oplan Dakip Aso”, which rescues dogs found roaming the streets. City Veterinarian Mark Ferdinand Arambala, animal health section chief of the city’s Animal Health and Production Division, said the operation was based on City Ordinance No. 669, series of 2009, which was adopted from Republic Act No. 9482, known as the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. “We found out that most cases of dog bites are caused by stray dogs. We also found stray dogs scavenging in the streets. ERRATUM

To maintain the cleanliness of the city, they must be netted and impounded,” Arambala said. City Veterinary Office personnel have netted 25 dogs from four barangays -- Barangay 5, Barangay 9, Sumpong and Casisang -- since Monday and they continue to inspect other barangays. Arambala said owners of the impounded dogs have three days to claim their pets before the unclaimed dogs are euthanized on Friday. “Pet owners can claim their pet after paying a PHP500 impoundment fee, another PHP500 as penalty for having no leash, and PHP100 registration fee,” he said, adding that the euthanized

dogs will be buried at the city hall landfill site in Barangay Can-ayan. Citing records, Arambala said 79 dogs were impounded in 2017, of which 14 were claimed and the rest euthanized. Last year, he said they netted 257 dogs, of which only 40 were claimed, 206 were euthanized, while 11 escaped because the cages were destroyed allegedly by a pet owner. He urged residents to observe responsible pet ownership by taking care of their pet dogs. (PNA)

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao -- More than 1,000 indigent residents of remote villages here benefited from the medical and dental outreach program jointly conducted by the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) and the provincial health team on Wednesday. The 21st Mechanized Company of the 2nd MIB, headed by 1Lt. Juvylito Lisondra, in coordination with the local government of Ampatuan and the Maguindanao medical team headed by Lynette Estandarte, conducted the outreach program in Barangay Tomicor, Ampatuan town. Lisondra said as a continuing program of the unit, the activity intends to deliver free health services to the constituents of Ampatuan, especially to the less fortunate residents who need medical attention.

“About 416 individuals have availed of free medical consultation, 32 had their tooth extracted, 25 young boys were circumcised, and more than 200 received hygiene kits,” he said. On top of the medical services, the provincial government, through the medical team, distributed 10 sacks of hybrid yellow corn seeds to farmer beneficiaries, and 200 school bags with 211 pairs of slippers for schoolchildren. Fre e h ai rc ut s we re given to 65 males, both youths and adults, while all the participants, soldiers, health workers, and village officials enjoyed sumptuous meals through food packs provided by the local government. Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the local government of Maguindanao for partnering with the Army in delivering basic health

services to impoverished communities in its area of operation. “I am grateful that the local government of Maguindanao continuously conducts this kind of program together with the military,” Sobejana said. Another company of the 2nd MIB, meanwhile, conducted a cleanup drive simultaneous with the medical-dental outreach program. In Barangay Talisawa, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao, just adjacent to Ampatuan, elements of the Army’s 23rd Mechanized Infantry Company, in partnership with local officials, cleaned portions of the national highway. The activity was participated in by Datu Abdulla Sangki Vice Mayor Somsoden Sangki, village officials and students of the Datu Abdula M. Camino Memorial National High School. (PNA)

OUTREACH MISSION. Dentists from the Maguindanao provincial health team and Philippine Army work hand-in-hand on the dental problem of a young girl during a joint medical-dental outreach program in Ampatuan town of the province on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

ERRATUM

In connection for Notice of Publication on DELMA DACOL GATO petition for Change of child’s first name from “THELMA” to “DELMA” in the Certificate of Live Birth published on January 5 & 12, 2019 in the Correct should be GREGORIA MAISOG DACOL not as published.

In connection for Notice of Publication on REY ANTONIO CABIAD RESTAURO petition for Change of child’s birth date from “AUGUST 10, 1964” to “AUGUST 7, 1964” in the Certificate of Live Birth published on January 19 & 26, 2019 in the Correct should be REY ANTONIO CABIAD RESTAURO not as published.

OUR APOLOGY

OUR APOLOGY MDN: Feb 8, 2019

MDN: Feb 8, 2019

RA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO) Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Misamis Oriental Municipality Salay NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that WENCHI N. SOLDEVILLA has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from “MARIA WENCHI” to “WENCHI” in the birth certificate of Maria Wenchi B. Nangcas who was born on December 12, 1965 at Salay, Misamis Oriental whose parents Leonido M. Nangcas and Lilia G. Bullecer. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than February 15, 2019. MDN: Feb 8 & 15, 2019

(SGD.) MARCEL L. CUE Municipal Civil Registrar MDN: Feb 8, 2019

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CDO airline passengers bound for Cebu increased in 2018 By MARK FRANCISCO

THE opening of a new passenger terminal in Mactan Cebu International Airport last July has increased traffic of passengers coming from Northern Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City, in the past year. In a press conference on Wednesday, Mactan Cebu International Airport marketing head Aines Librado reported that there were only 460,000 departing and arriving passengers from Northern Mindanao in 2017 before Terminal 2 was opened. That number has increased to 513,000 in yearend 2018 when the new state-of-the-art terminal was already opened. Of the figure, 347,000 passengers come from Cagayan de Oro City. This, as Librado said Mindanao is one of their key markets considering its proximity to Cebu and the rest of Visayas. She also said that the impending conversion of Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental into an international one will be an advantage of Mactan Cebu International Airport. “The more international passengers we can get to land here in VisMin, the better,” Librado said. From just 23 domestic and seven international destinations upon handover, See AIRLINE, page 11

Proponent status of Aboitiz for Laguindingan Airport project - The Aboitiz group thru Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) may soon receive original proponent status (OPS) soon for its P42.7-billion unsolicited proposal to operate and maintain (O&M) and expand Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. This was revealed by Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo as the government wants to award OPS within the first quarter of 2019. USEC Tamayo said the OPS could be approved during the next Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) board meeting set some time next week.

PAL warns public vs. fake ads By MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA

MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Wednesday warned the public against fake advertisements circulating online.

“There are ads currently circulating online, saying that PAL is giving away two business class tickets to 800 people,” spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.

She confirmed that this is the first scam against PAL for this year. The carrier already encountered fake advertisements in the previous years. Villaluna also shared on

her social media account a screenshot of the advertisement, which stated that the free tickets will be given “to celebrate (PAL’s) 15 years”. The executive said PAL has already coordinated

with authorities, and that this is already under investigation. Meanwhile, Villaluna reminded passengers not to compromise their data by clicking on bogus sites. (PNA)

By JOANN VILLANUEVA

last among the currencies that strengthened to the greenback in the first month of the year. The same data showed that the Thai baht registered the strongest appreciation at 3.37 percent and was followed by the Indonesian rupiah, Chinese yuan, Indian rupee, Singapore dollar, Malaysian ringgit and Japanese yen. The peso was also among the least volatile in the region at 0.32 percent, same as the Korean won. The most volatile is the baht with a 1.42 percent rate and was trailed by rupiah, rupee, yuan, Singapore dollar, yen, ringgit, Taiwan dollar, peso, won, Hong Kong dollar and Vietnamese

dong. With these data, Beltran said the local unit “continues to be one of the more stable Asian currencies despite the uncertainties in the world market brought about by the normalization of Fed monetary policy, Brexit, volatile fuel prices and US-China trade war.” “The country also had to raise policy rates to counter inflationary pressures due to the drop in agricultural production and geopolitical issues that pushed petroleum price to its highest level in 4 years,” he added. He was referring to the total of 175 basis points increase in the Bangko

Import ban on fresh produce Peso among the ‘more stable’ from ASF-hit countries stays Asian currencies in January By LILYBETH ISON

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol on Wednesday reiterated that the import ban on fresh fruits, meat and its by-products, as well as plants from countries hit by African Swine Flu (ASF) is being strictly enforced by authorities. “O ve r t he l ast fe w weeks, following the strict implementation of Quarantine Rules against the entry of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, meat and meat products, friends of President Rody Duterte and mine as well, have asked for consideration so that they could pass through Quarantine Officers,” Piñol

said in a statement posted in his Facebook page. “We are begging for your understanding because we could not exempt anybody from the rule that these products could not enter the country without the needed sanitary permits,” he said. Piñol said he hopes they will understand the dangers they pose if these products are allowed to enter the country. “Alam ko marami ang magtatampo (I know many will have hard feelings over this),” he said, apparently referring to the “friends” who were refused special consideration. Countries hit by ASF include Belgium, Bulgaria, China,

Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and Zambia. The DA chief said the ASF particularly threatens the country’s hog industry “and we have to institute strict quarantine protocols.” “Let me just remind you of the implications if we become complacent or if we accommodate requests for exemptions,” he said. Besides, Piñol said, the Philippine Banana Industry now is facing a serious problem because of Fusarium or Panama Disease, which originated from another country. “How do you think it got here? That is a result of the See BAN, page 11

MANILA -- The Philippine peso is currently considered by financial think tanks as among the more stable currencies in Asia, a ranking Department of Finance (DOF) official said. In an economic bulletin, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran, who is also the agency’ chief economist, said the local currency has been regaining lost ground against the US dollar after weakening by 5.43 percent in 2018. Citing Bloomberg data, he said the peso appreciated by 0.73 percent last January to 52.17 from 52.56 last December, the

See STABLE, page 11

7

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Friday, February 8, 2019

Massive voluntary regularization expected THE labor department expects a massive voluntary regularization of contractual workers by thousands of employers starting this month. This after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the conclusion of an agreement with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) for the implementation of a voluntary regularization plan which will cover 30 to 40 percent of the workers of 3,200 pre-identified establishments, mostly ECoP members. “We are confident that this agreement will set the stage for the massive regu-

larization to be voluntarily initiated by the rest of the employers nationwide,” Bello said. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on the National Voluntary Regularization Plan is set on Friday, February 8. The plan will cover an initial 220,000 workers. Included in the agreement is the absorption by the principal employers as regulars the workers who are believed engaged under illegal contracting arrangements. Bello said the government hopes more private companies will also absorb their contractual workers

GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas assured the public that it will immediately take steps to address the notice of violation served to its head office in Pasay City. The GSIS head office is situated along Roxas Boulevard facing Manila Bay where rehabilitation and cleanup works are being done. “I was actually surprised when I came to know about the notice as we have been religiously monitoring our compliance with the guidelines of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) by having our wastewaters tested by an independent laboratory. In

fact, these self-monitoring tests have yielded negative results for pollution in the past three months,” Aranas said. The pension fund chief said that GSIS is set to

on their own volition once the agreement with ECoP is signed. Among other companies who submitted their voluntary regularization plan include SM Malls, which were able to regularize 11,660 workers and Jollibeee Foods Corp. As of December 2018, the labor department’s ‘endo’ campaign netted 413,940 regularized workers of which 291,612 workers were voluntarily regularized by their own employers, while the 122,328 secured their employment through labor inspections and assessment. (Abegail De Vega)

GSIS to take action over water pollution issue

NOTICE is hereby given that the intestate estate of late spouses SLVESTRE MAGLUYAN and NATIVIDAD MAGLUYAN consisting a parcel of agricultural land designted as Lot No. 3827, Pls-4, situated at Kapatungan, Trento, Agusan del Sur , containing an area of 5.6596 hectares covered by OCT No. T-2783 of the Agusan del Sur Registry is the subject of Extra Judicial Settlement Among Heirs with Special Power of Attorney under the notarial registry of Atty. Lyndon J. Romero per Doc. No. 361, Page No. 73, Book No, XIV, Series of 2019. MDN: Jan 25, Feb 1 & 8, 2019

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 27 Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM RUBEN VARIACION TO RUBEN VARIACION MERCADO,

ORDER In the verified petition which he filed on October 2, 2018, the petitioner prayed that, after publication and hearing, judgment be rendered changing his name from “Ruben Variacion” to “Ruben Variacion Mercado.” The petition, being sufficient in form and substance, is set for hearing on March 26, 2019, at 8:30 p.m. The petitioner is hereby directed to cause the publication of this Order once a week, for three (3) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Misamis Oriental and the city of Gingoog. He is further directed to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the City Civil Registrar of Gingoog with a copy of this Order and the petition. Any interested person may appear at the hearing and oppose the petition.

IN RE: JOINT PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES TEODORO BASTASA BULLONG JR. AND MARICAR MARICAR VIÑALON BERNALES-BULLONG

SO ORDERED. Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, October 8, 2018.

CIVIL CASE NO. 2019-013

ORDER Before this court verified joint petition for the approval and registration of the Divorce filed by the petitioners and alleging among others. That petitioners are husband and wife respectively in a marriage performed under Civil rite on OCTOBER 30, 2001 at El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, both petitioner’s had been converted to Muslim and thereby embraced Islam Religion as their new found faith, by virtue of their respective intellectual choices which were duly registered with this court, both of them can be served with summons and other legal process relative to this case at their residence at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental and Purok Vanda , Acmac, Iligan City respectively; That said marriage did not last long due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioners and reached the point of irreconcilability and they separated for more than nine (9 ) years now, they decided to separate live physically in bed and board, thereby, executed Memorandum of Agreement in order to formalize their separation. Since there separation, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other, neither minding each other affair’s; Petitioner’s seek judicial decree of divorce, thereby, severing their marriage bond on OCTOBER 30, 2001, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burdens. Reconciliation between them has already been diligently employed but all proved futile. WHEREFORE, finding this petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on March 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place. Any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of General Circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioners. SO ORDERED Iligan City, Philippines, this 4th day of February 2019. (SGD) HON. OSOP M. ALI Presiding Judge MDN: Feb 8, 15 & 22, 2019

R. A 9048 Form No 10.1 (LCRO)

The legislation was endorsed by the committees on finance and appropriations, on subdivision and landed estate and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Edna M. Dahino, Dometilo Acenas, Jr. and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, respectively.

IN RE: JOINT PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES ROVEL P. PAMISA AND CHRIS R. OBLIOSCA-PAMISA

CIVIL CASE NO. 2019-014

ROVEL P. PAMISA AND CHRIS R. OBLIOSCA-PAMISA Petitioners. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER Before this court verified joint petition for the approval and registration of the Divorce filed by the petitioners and alleging among others. That petitioners are husband and wife respectively in a marriage performed under Civil rite on JUNE 02, 2012 at Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental, both petitioner’s had been converted to Muslim and thereby embraced Islam Religion as their new found faith, by virtue of their respective intellectual choices which were duly registered with this court, both of them can be served with summons and other legal process relative to this case at their residence at Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte and Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental respectively; That said marriage did not last long due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioners and reached the point of irreconcilability and they separated for more than five (5 ) years now, they decided to separate live physically in bed and board, thereby, executed Memorandum of Agreement in order to formalize their separation. Since there separation, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other, neither minding each other affair’s; Petitioner’s seek judicial decree of divorce, thereby, severing their marriage bond on JUNE 02, 2012, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burdens. Reconciliation between them has already been diligently employed but all proved futile. WHEREFORE, finding this petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on March 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place. Any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of General Circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioners. SO ORDERED Iligan City, Philippines, this 25th day of January 2019. (SGD) HON. OSOP M. ALI Presiding Judge MDN: Feb 8, 15 & 22, 2019

R. A 9048 Form No 10.1 (LCRO)

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province; Lanao Del Norte City /Municipality: Iligan City

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province; Lanao Del Norte City /Municipality: Iligan City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that JEANNIE R. FABROS has filed with this Office a petition for Change First Name from “MARIA TERESA” to “MA. TERESA” in the Certificate live BIRTH of MARIA TERESA LAZAGA RUBIO who was born on 08 AUGUST 1965 at Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and whose parents are Iluminda P. Lazaga and Antonio Y. Rubio. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 2019.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that LEONORA A. REUYAN has filed with this Office a petition for Change First Name from “MARETES” to “VIRGINIA” in the Certificate live BIRTH OF MARETES GUALISA ARCIBAL who was born on 09 AUGUST 1966 at Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and whose parents are Remedios C. Gualisa and Teofilo P. Arcibal. Any person adversely affected by the said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than February 2019.

(SGD.) MARIA PURA C. MASCARINAS City Civil Registrar

MDN: Feb 8 & 15, 2019

MDN: Feb 8 & 15, 2019

PRA Form No. 10.1 (LCRO)

Publication of Notice R.A. 9048

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that DARYL R. CENA has filed with this Office a petition for the correction of clerical error in the entry of the child’s sex from “MALE” to “FEMALE” and the child’s date of birth from “Jan. 6, 1983” to “February 6, 1983” in the Certificate of Live Birth of DARYL RAIZ SINO who was born on Jan. 6, 1983 (as per PSA file) at Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are DOMINGO S. SINO and ROSENDA RAIZ. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than February 10, 2019.

MDN: Jan 25, Feb 1 & 8, 2019

tors enacted an ordinance appropriating P7.6 million for full payment and documentation expenses of a 3,380 square meter lot located in Barangay Patag. The property was affected by the 10-meter wide Molawan Street project.

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT 4TH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT 4th Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City

TEODORO BASTASA BULLONG JR. AND MARICAR MARICAR VIÑALON BERNALES-BULLONG Petitioners. X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------/

SPL. PROC. NO. 476-2017

RUBEN VARIACION MERCADO, Petitioner, X- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/

THE 18th City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy continues to speedily act on the city’s obligations to lot owners whose properties are affected by projects. During the regular session Monday, legisla-

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT 4TH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT 4th Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City

See ISSUE, page 9 NOTICE

Dads earmark funds for just compensation payment

MDN: Feb 1 & 8, 2019

EVANGELINE C. TAPANGAN City Civil Registrar For the City Civil Registrar (SGD.) ALICE THERESA M. GIL Registration Officer IV

(SGD.) MARIA PURA C. MASCARINAS City Civil Registrar

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In compliance with Section 5 of R.A, a notice is hereby served to the public that RUFINA EROYLA POWAO has filed with this office a petition for a (CFN) Change of First Name of her daughter from “JULIETA” to “JUDELYN” in birth certificate of JUDELYN EROYLA POWAO who was born on JULY 30, 1970, at Tangub City, Misamis Occidental and whose parents are Saturnino Powao and Rufina Eroyla. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her/ written opposition to this office not later than February 15, 2019.

MDN: Feb 1 & 8, 2019

(SGD.) BELEN F. LINGANAY City Civil Registrar

8

Davao

Friday, February 8, 2019

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American NGO says PH coffee industry in ‘good trend’ DAVAO CITY -- The Philippine coffee industry is in a good trend in terms of production and quality, according to an American non-government organization helping farmers in the country. “The coffee industry is in a good place. The trend is changing -- there is more coffee consumption, more skilled farmers,” said TJ Ryan, chief of party of the ACDI/VOCA during the AFP-PNP press corps briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. ACDI/VO CA is the organization that implements the US Department of Agriculture-funded Philippine Coffee Advancement and Farm Enterprise (PHilCAFE) project, the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), and the World Coffee Research (WCR). Along with robust growth in both quality and production, Ryan also cited the crafting of the five-year National Coffee Roadmap 2017-2022 that seeks to guide key sector players and government agencies in the development of the coffee industry. For four years now, ACDI-VOCA has been providing technical support to the Philippine coffee farmers with total funding of USD515 million, focusing in Mindanao regions -- Bukidnon, Socssksargen, Davao, Caraga, and parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Its four-year project seeks

to build the capacity and expand service provision to 350 value chain actors, financial and school institutions, producer organizations and input suppliers, roasters and retailers. Ryan noted that Philippine coffee has already penetrated the markets in Canada, Japan, and New Zealand and that the domestic market continues to be strong -- especially for specialized coffee. A briefer provided by ACDI/VOCA said the country’s coffee supply remains low compared to current demands. In 2015, coffee production was only 36,171 metric tons of green coffee beans while a farm yields an averaged 0.30 tons per hectare. It said the small farmers continue to be the country’s main producers of coffee, with the following varieties accounting for the total production: Robusta, 69 percent; Arabica, 24 percent; Excelsia, 6 percent; and Liberica, 1 percent. Soccsksargen, Davao, and ARMM are top three producing regions with a combined 68 percent of the coffee produced in the country in 2015, ACDI/ VOCA said. Socssksargen, Davao, ARMM, Calabarzon and Northern Mindanao are also top five regions with the huge coffee production area at 113,738 hectares. Under the five-year roadmap, the government aims to increase the yield See SAYS, page 9

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy officially received the “Davao Regional Athletic Association” (DAVRAA) Key and banner together with Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Reynante A. Solitario of the Department of Education (DEpEd) Compostela Valley Division Office as the next host for the DAVRAA meet 2020. The ceremonial turnover was held during the closing program of the DAVRAA meet 2019 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao – Davao City Sports Complex, Mintal, Davao City on February 2, 2019. Provincial Photo, M. Lasaca

CDO, GenSan, Zambo take opener in Batang Pinoy slugfest DAVAO CITY -- Cagayan de Oro and General Santos took the early lead, even as Zamboanga also won in Day 1 in the ongoing Batang Pinoy Mindanao Games in Tagum City. CDO’s Angelou Lo-

franco showed a Referee Stop Contest in the first round over Tagum’s Garry Agne in the Jr. Boys Pinweight (44-46 kg.). GenSan’s John Paul Nap oles b eat Davao’s Harvey Klaint Buynay,

3-2 to also advance in the Jr. Boys Pinweight. Zamboanga’s Marlon Luna also scored an RSC in the first round over MDO’s Angelito Davala Jr. while Koronadal’s Rene Boy Atam landed a 5-0

Pawikan nest found at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park at the start of the love month

victory over ADS’s Ian Dave Racoma. Z amb o anga’s Judel Orong Orot also won over Davao’s Christian Dales, 5-0 in the Jr. Boys light flyweight (48 kg.). (PNA)

Drug addiction a relapsing illness-CADAC

DAVAO CITY -- An official of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) bared Resources to establish a that being hooked to drugs Pawikan Rescue Center at is indeed a relapsing illness. the Cleanergy Park. This Ronald Rivera, program collaboration will intensify director of the CADAC said conservation efforts for the that of the 11,000 total drug marine turtles or pawikan rehabilitation-responders, particularly the critically seven thousand went back endangered hawksbill turtle to their old ways while four in Davao City. thousand have enrolled and In two weeks time, the are pursuing the therapy same mother pawikan is being implemented in the expected to come back and city. See FOUND, page 9 He said the seven thousand responders are now subject to monitoring by barangay officials and the police and are returned to the hitlist of law enforcers while the four thousand are moved up to Phase 2 where they are provided with skills training and livelihood. “Almost eight hundred among them are availing of the after-care services Discovery of the Pawikan Nest: Antonio Aboitiz (2nd from right) together with his friends and Fermin Edillon (rightmost), Davao Light Community Relations Manager, are the first to discover the Pawikan nest last February 3, 2019 in Barangay Pangyan in the

IT was a great way to welcome the love month as Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. discovered the first pawikan nest for the year at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City last February 3, 2019. Fermin Edillon, Davao Light Community Relations Manager, was accompanying Mr. Antonio Aboitiz together with his friends for a tour in the Cleanergy Park when they found pawikan tracks on the shore, which headed them to the location of a Pawikan nest. The discovery of this pawikan nest is very timely with the recent signing of Memorandum of Agreement among Davao Light, Aboitiz Foundation Inc. , Davao City Local Government Unit and the Department of Environment and Natural at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park.

See ILLNESS, page 9

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Says...

and for the coming years. A total of 3,482 hatchfrom page 8 lings were already released of green coffee beans by 0.3 at the Cleanergy Park since metric tons per hectare to it was established in 2014. 1 metric ton per hectare by 2022 and production by 5 from page 8 percent per annum. city’s Third District, they will Culture of quality ACDI-VOCA is also be moving up to the Third helping to build a culture Phase or the continuum preof quality consciousness ventive care where they have by staging the Philippine to be monitored through the Coffee Quality Competition health center until they die,” (PCQC). Now in its third Rivera said. year, OCQC hopes to draw He said the treatment more coffee processors to has three phases namely the join the competition this intensive care for six months, the 18-month after-care proyear. PCQC seeks to improve gram and the continuum the quality and marketing preventive care. of Philippine coffee and Rivera said that partnerserves to promote Philippine ing with the CADAC are 13 Arabica and Robusta coffees educational institutions and in local and international four of these institutions were cited recently for their markets. Ryan said they have in- leadership, namely University vited local coffee producers of Southeastern Philippines, to submit entries between University of the ImmacuFebruary 22 and March 8. late Conception, Ateneo de The cupping event will be Davao University and the held between March 10 and University of Mindanao. “These institutions were 22 in Manila. Competitors are required cited the government for their to bring at least 180 kilos support to the drug war,” he of green coffee beans or a said. maximum of 360 kilos that Connie Domag, chief will be auctioned during researcher of the CADAC said the drug-free work place the competition. The winning coffees for ordinance is now implementthe PCQC 2019 competition ed which requires random will be publicly cupped drug-testing to establishat the SCA Global Expo ments employing ten or more on April 11-14 in Boston, people. She said that in January Massachusetts. Last year, Ryan said they 2019 with the renewal of received 108 entries and business permits, the CAhopes to increase the num- DAC got a low turn-out of only more than 500 business ber this year. (PNA) establishments declaring ten or more employees. from page 8 “We appeal to the business lay another set of eggs. owners to coordinate with the The Cleanergy Park has CADAC and register their been a nesting ground of total number of employees,” the critically endangered Domag said. (PIA 11-Joey Hawksbill Turtles and the Sem G. Dalumpines) recently found nest is also believed to be of the same from page 2 species. Davao Light is hoping said Palagawat. for more pawikan eggs to “We may not know the be laid in the park for 2019 outcome of the plebiscite

Illness...

Found...

Noted...

Friday, February 8, 2019 but we are hoping that at the end of the day, a peaceful election would prevail,” she added. On the security forces Police Inspector Marlone Dahili of Pantar town noted that the BOL plebiscite here was generally peaceful. The police official added that there were no reported complaints of harassments in regard to the BOL plebiscite. “We have conducted several barangay assemblies (pulong-pulong) here days before the balloting to orient the residents and other stakeholders on the BOL” Dahili revealed. While the PNP forces from regional offices 7 and 10 augmented the municipality’s security forces to ensure an orderly and peaceful BOL balloting, the policemen here have fully monitored the said political exercise. “We are in full alert against any untoward incidents, as we want the residents to exercise their rights to suffrage [free of fear and worries],” Dahili concluded. (LJKabagani/ PIA ICCC)

Museum... from page 2

the conceptualization of the museum’s theme, her group collected objects that convey stories of courage and survival as their main value. Curation is a process of organizing and managing artifacts to ensure that they remain tangible and visible for the years to come. The Bangsamoro Museum has its permanent exhibition, which presents artifacts from the different parts of ARMM that have existed for centuries now. Visitors can also view the textiles produced by Maranao women during the Marawi Siege as means of survival; recordings of the

for the MILF, but this is also for everyone,” he pointed out. The notion of placid plebiscite Despite some untoward incidents happening in some other areas of Lanao del Norte a day before the plebiscite, the conduct of plebiscite in Balo-i town was a peaceful one. Sonia Canoy, teacher, and member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) was optimistic that the peaceful election would continue until the end of the canvassing period. “So far, we are having smooth and orderly balloting here in Balo-i,” Canoy said. Canoy revealed that they are not worried about the presence of the MILF members in the polling precincts saying,” they are not doing anything against us, and we are confident that this plebiscite would end up peacefully. Meanwhile, the security sector maintained that Baloi town has been consistently peaceful and orderly during from page 2 elections. (LJKabagani/PIA He further clarified that ICCC) whatever would be the result of the plebiscite will be from page 2 respected by the front. When asked if “No” explosion incidents hapvotes won in Balo-i, he said: pened in the towns of Lala, “There’s no problem about Kauswagan and Sultan Naga that and we understand the Dimaporo. “The explosion incidents voters’ decision.” He further explained are still being investigated. that if the six municipali- We are reviewing the CCTV ties in Lanao del Norte footages. They are most would be included in the probably belonging into the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), “rest assured the tri-people will be given equal access to all opportunities for the Bangsamoro.” “Lumads, Christians, and Muslims will be protected by the Bangsamoro government,” Dimasilong assured. “This [BOL] is not only Tausug Kissa-chanting of the Bud Dajo massacre; a personal library of Moro Islamic Liberation Front founder Hashim Salamat; and the 2,000-year-old archeological artifacts of Kulaman plateau, specifically burial urns. Aside from the said artifacts, the museum also has ample space reserved for receiving important documents in the future. The museum currently exhibits documents related to the peace process, including the Bangsamoro Organic Law. With the establishment of the museum, the incoming government will immediately learn that ARMM looks forward to the future of the Bangsamoro. Along with the launching of the Bangsamoro Museum was the formal opening of the ARMM Regional Library, although it has already been made available to the public. (Bureau of Public Information-ARMM/ PIA10)

Peace...

Convenes...

9

same group but different persons,” Albayalde said. The official also assured that the augmentation forces will stay on their posts until the peace and order situation in the province will normalize. After the press briefing, Albayalde visited a polling precinct in Tubod Central Elementary School with Lanao del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor Joseph Hamilton Cuevas. Since the start of voting this morning, PNP has not recorded any election-related incident. (WLBacelonia/ PIA-ICCC)

Issue... from page 7

upgrade its sewage treatment plant into a more cost-effective and low-maintenance system to support the environment. “As we speak, GSIS is finalizing the terms of reference to procure the upgrading of its sewage treatment plant that will blaze the trail in complying with the new water guidelines and general effluent standards of DENR.” The pension fund chief said that GSIS is a staunch advocate of environmental protection, one of its corporate social responsibility programs. “Every year, GSIS never fails to participate in the coastal cleanup drive of Manila Bay.” He added that GSIS is committed to support government’s campaign to clean up Manila Bay and restore it to its “old grandeur”.

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT MUNICIPAL LEVEL Surallah Bongao, Tawi-tawi Simunul, Tawi-tawi Malit, Davao Occ Diplahan, Zambo Sibugay Sto. Tomas, Davao Norte Medina, Misamis Oriental Don Marcelino, Davao Occ. Maramag, Bukidnon Buadiposo, Lanao del Sur

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Airline... from page 6

Mactan Cebu International Airport is now connected to 32 domestic and 20 international destinations. South Korea, China and Japan both continue to be strong markets. Currently, scheduled flights from Mactan connect to seven destinations in mainland China namely Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Kunming and Shenzhen. Spanning 65,500 square meters, Terminal 2 is dedicated to serve all international flights. With the addition of a new terminal, Mactan International Airport will increase its total passenger capacity from 4.5 million to 12.5 million per year.

Ban... from page 6

complacency of quarantine officers in the past,” he added. According to the rules of the Bureau of Customs, agriculture quarantine restricts the entry of animals, fish and plant products or their by-products (such as meat, eggs, birds, fruits, etc.). Transport of endangered species and their by-products is also restricted/prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regulations. Likewise, export of such products and by-products must be referred to quarantine officers to ensure compliance with Philippine regulations and requirements of country of destination. Failure to obtain prior import and/or export permit from the DA together with corresponding health sanitary or phytosanitary certificate from country of origin and to declare the same may result to seizure, fines and/or penalties. (PNA)

Stable... from page 6

Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates. To date, the BSP overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) rate is 4.75 percent, the overnight lending rate is 5.25 percent and the overnight deposit rate is 4.25 percent. (PNA)

Veto... from page 4

budget that Congress will finally pass whether to sign it without any veto in regard some items that Lacson had convincingly identified as pork or veto such items. The Supreme Court had already settled the issue that the congressional pork barrel is unconstitutional. These are lump sum allocations in the national budget whose detailed expenditure is left for the solons to make including its implementation.

This is ruled as unconstitutional because the national budget should not leave any gap that only the congressmen can fill in. This is the principle embodied by the line item procedure in our national budget formulation. All expenditures must be clearly spelled out with its corresponding budgetary allocation and everything related to it such as the implementing agency likewise identified. Lacson’s painstaking review of the 2019 national spending bill showed so much pork had been inserted into it by the solons themselves, the congressmen and even his colleagues in the Senate. This is the rationale for his plea to Duterte to veto these allocations for being pork, a plea that the president will unlikely heed so much so that 2019 is an election year. (jelbacon@yahoo.com; jelbaconii@gmail.com)

Carry... from page 4

on the southern portion of the peninsula-shaped municipality. Should ‘Yes ‘vote prevail in this town, this would cut about one fourth of its total land area. Only Barangay Patot will be isolated from the 11 adjoining barangays . Patot, which sits on the mountainous northern part of the municipality, was once among the gateways to the sprawling Camp Abubakar Assidique – the former MILF main headquarters. Perhaps the most complicated, at least in terms of geographical implications, among the seven towns when the ‘Yes’ vote will win are in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen and Kabacan. In Aleosan, the four barangays listed on the proposed territory are not contiguous to Maguindanao but it is interconnected to some barangays in Pikit that are also in the list of proposed Bangsamoro territories. The barangays of Dungguan, Lower Mingading and Tapodoc are among the 39 barangays that voted ‘Yes’ in the 2001 plebiscite while Pagangan was added later after it filed a petition before the Comelec. In Carmen, only the village of Kibayao is directly contiguous to Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao. The other six barangays are interconnected to Manarapan, which is among the original 39 barangays. The villages of Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan Pebpoloan and Tupig were among those added in the list upon getting the approval of Comelec. Should the ‘Yes’ vote prevail in Carmen and Kabacan, it would punch a hole in the map of Cotabato Province. Because in Kabacan, the villages of Buluan, Pedtad, Nangaan, Sanggadong Simbuhay, Simone and Tamped are not contiguous to Maguindanao. The villages of Nangaan, Simbuhay and Sanggadong were among the 39

Friday, February 8, 2019 barangays. Thus, making the adjoining barangays eligible to file the petition for inclusion. In Kabacan, only the village of Sanggadong was isolated from the rest of the adjoining barangays included in the proposed territory. The latest to the towns to be added in the list is Tulunan after Galidan village filed the petition for inclusion. The barangay is contiguous to Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao. While Iqbal is ‘almost sure’ that they would be able to get all the 67 barangays, in my own view, the town of Pikit will earn a resounding ‘Yes’ vote amongst the seven towns and will certainly redraw its territory on February 6. Pikit is home to the third biggest camp of the MILF — the Camp Rajamuda — under the command of veteran Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commander Jack Abas, chief of the MILF’s Eastern Mindanao Front. The number of barangays in Pikit that wanted to join the BARMM speaks a ton of message as to how deep is the influence of the MILF in the grassroots level. It is a clear manifestation of MILF’s control and power in the area. More than half of the 67 villages sit on the shores of resource-rich Ligawasan Marsh. For years, the Ligawasan Marsh’s natural resources have remained untapped. Thus, whoever controls these villages may also have the total control of access to the marsh. Over the years, hundreds of MILF mujahideen have sacrificed and fought up to their last breath to defend these territories. In Pikit alone, several wars have devastated communities — among these are the 23 barangays — and until today have never fully recovered from the ashes of conflict. The seeds of revolution have been nurtured by the blood, sweat and tears of the mujahideen. Do you think they will just let this once in a lifetime opportunity slip away? (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. PeaceTalk is open to anyone who wishes to share his/her thoughts on peace in Mindanao. Keith Bacongco is a staff photographer of Manila Bulletin based in Davao City. This piece was first published in his blog www.bacongco. com and reposted here with permission. Bacongco grew up in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato and spent most of his early years as journalist in his home province.)

Notes... from page 1

Dimaporo on the eve of the plebiscite. Philippine National Police 10 spokesperson Supt. Surki Serenas said no one was hurt in the explosions and immediately dismissed them as “scare tactics”. Serenas said two po-

licemen were arrested at a checkpoint in C3 Road, Tomas Cabili in Iligan City Tuesday night. He identified them as Police Officers 1 Johaimen Mohamad and Rasid Arumpac Lambay, both assigned to the police station in Pantar, Lanao del Norte. He said the policemen failed to present a Comelec permit allowing them to escort a politician in the province. (Froilan Gallardo/ MindaNews)

Voter... from page 1

Friday or two days after the plebiscite even if the voter turnout in the province was lower than the January 21 plebiscite’s turnout of more than 85 percent. He said the completion of the counting of votes and the municipal canvassing would take two days since in some areas, “there are many questions.” For instance, voters in Pikit town had to answer 23 plebiscite questions that will take time to tally, he added. After the election returns are canvassed in the municipality, it will be submitted to the national board in Manila, he said. The official said all the plebiscite committee members performed their duties, unlike in Cotabato City during the January 21 plebiscite where over 70 teachers failed to render their service due to security threats. Police officers trained to act as Board of Election inspectors filled up the teachers’ roles in Cotabato City, which voted for inclusion to the BARMM. In North Cotabato, the 67 villages, 39 of which voted yes during the 2001 plebiscite, belong to the towns of Midsayap, Pikit, Aleosan, Pigcawayan, Carmen, Kabacan and Tulunan. Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, Police Regional Office-12 deputy director for operations, described the conduct of the plebiscite as generally peaceful. Enmodias said there was case of an unnamed person who snatched a voting form from a voter inside the precinct and then tore it. Two MG-520 attack helicopters from the Armed Forces of the Philippines flew over towns where the plebiscite was held as part of the measures to secure the elections. At the Indayla Silongan Elementary School in Barangay Kapinpilan here, polling precincts opened on time at 7 a.m., with several voters seen already waiting for their turn to vote. Toto Kunakon, village chair of Kapinpilan, said they want to become part of the BARMM “as it will open promising new doors for the Bangsamoro people.” Kapinpilan is a stronghold of the Moro National Liberation Front faction loyal to founding chair Nur Misuari. “This (BARMM) will put a period to the conflict in

Mindanao and will bring peace and development to our communities,” said Kunakon, who became a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front before becoming a local government official. “We are tired of war,” noted Kunakon, who said he voted “yes” for the inclusion of his village for the sake of the future generation. Thirteen villages here, 12 of which voted for inclusion in the 2001 plebiscite, wished to be part of the BARMM. Midsayap has 57 barangays. At 6:30 p.m. the municipal board of canvassers here convened but immediately declared a recess until 9 p.m. due to lack of watchers and submitted election returns. Reynaldo Tubelonia, the municipal Comelec officer, chairs the board. Earlier in the day, he said they received complaints that some voters could not find their names. Their names might have been taken off the voters’ list because either they have not voted twice in a row or they have double registration, he explained. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Flu...

from page 1

and by the middle of the year we conduct vaccinations. In the Philippines the peak of flu-like illnesses is this cold weather),” Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a statement. The flu season starts in October, peaking from January to February when temperature drops, Domingo said. Based on DOH records, flu cases in the country have declined in 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. From Jan. 1 to Dec. 15, 2018, some 153,659 cases of influenza-like illnesses were reported, which is 17 percent lower than the 127,632 cases during the same period in 2017. The DOH differentiated flu from common cough and cold. It said flu is accompanied by high fever and muscle pains, which last for days. “Ang nakakatakot lang kasi na gusto nating ma-prevent iyong mga flu na nagkakaroon ng complication. Kasi maaari siyang mauwi sa pneumonia at of course maaaring in the end makamatay (What we’re wary about is to prevent flu with complications. Because it could lead to pneumonia and of course could lead to death in the end),” Domingo said. The flu’s different strains are contagious once they come in contact with the body through coughs from another person, holding contaminated objects or touching

11

the mouth or nose. The public is advised to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of the flu virus as it can be fatal to the human body. If not immediately addressed by a health professional, it could cause severe effects or complications. The DOH advised the public to keep the immune system strong by: * Taking more water and fluids like orange juice and six to eight glasses of water every day. * Sleeping at least six to eight hours a day * Making sure to exercise and eat fruits and vegetables * Making it a habit to wear face mask especially when in crowded places or when travelling to avoid contracting flu virus The DOH also advised parents to ensure their children’s full protection against flu by getting a complete set of vaccination. Senior citizens can get free flu shots in barangay health centers and DOH-accredited hospitals. (PNA)

Fire... from page 1

One of the containers reportedly had a leak and eventually ignited through a nearby liquefied petroleum gas-fired cooking stove, he said. “The crew members loading the gasoline did not notice that someone was cooking inside (the boat),” Sancho said in an interview over radio station dxMD. He said three of the crew members identified as Superiano Sultan, Geovanni Pintuan and Rosvil Antonio sustained burns on parts of their bodies and currently being treated at the Sarangani Provincial Hospital. Sancho said they received a report about the incident past 8 a.m. through the Alabel municipal police station. He said they rushed to the scene but most parts of the boat, which is classified as a mother fishing boat supported by smaller boats known locally as “pakura,” was already engulfed in flames. Since their equipment could not reach the boat, he said they dispatched their personnel using pump boats to help put out the fire through bucket relay. Sancho said the fire was totally extinguished at around 9 a.m., with the fiber glassmade boat considered as totally damaged. He said the boat’s owner, who was identified as Amado Parilla, placed the damage at around P1 million. (MindaNews)

MINDANAO DAILY We innovate... and we lead! Editor: MARK FRANCISCO

FEATURE

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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