Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Volume II, No. 098
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Tuesday
P15.00
October 1, 2013
Tagle to Pinoys: ‘Corruption is injustice’ Group asks PNoy: Where
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle: “We do not only lack love for others, but we also lack a sense of justice.”
BLASTING corruption as a form of injustice, the highest leader of Manila’s Catholic Church on Saturday called on the Filipino faithful to counter greed by letting the values of fairness and generosity reign in their lives. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in his keynote speech for Caritas Manila’s Generosity Conference, urged the faithful to give out love and justice while being more sensitive to the needs of less fortunate individuals. “At present, we witness
Where will P3.89-b for Zambor rehab go? DAVAO City––The national government has earmarked P3.89 billion for “early recovery program and rehabilitation” of Zamboanga City, the bulk of which – P2.9 billion - will go to shelter assistance and bunkhouses for 21,252 families, who were displaced by the three-week standoff between government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under founding chair Nur Misuari. Records of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report as of 5
p.m. on Sept. 28 show that the standoff that began on Sept. 9 has affected 23,794 families or 118,819 persons from 14 barangays in Zamboanga City and one barangay in Zamboanga Sibugay. Of this number, 21,959 families or 110,368 persons are being served in and out of evacuation centers. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Saturday declared “mission accomplished” while Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas said the siege is
in our society that cheating and corruption is a form of non-giving. Instead of giving what is due to others and to the country, resources are being denied from them. We do not only lack love for others, but we also lack a sense of justice,” Tagle said in the vernacular. “ This explains how cheating and injustice are considered forms of not giving what the people and the nation deserve,” he added. The prelate gave this remark amid the ongoing investigation in the multi-
billion peso pork barrel scam that involves the channeling of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to bogus nongovernmental organizations and foundations. Quoting verses from the bible that tackle injustices done against marginalized individuals, Tagle emphasized the need for people to give not just for the sake of charity, but for the sake of giving justice to those who are in need. “If we are to base See INJUSTICE/p.11
are the funds for the poor? By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO of Bulatlat.com
Residents of urban poor communities trooped to office of the Commission on Audit in Quezon City on Sept. 27, calling for the release of its audit report on President Benigno Aquino III’s Informal Settler Fund. “Every year, Aquino has been using the plight of the poor to justify the tremendous increase in the national budget, year after year. Yet the condition of the poor has only worsened under his administration, and thousands have suffered from lack of livelihood opportunities and employment in the government’s off-city relocation sites,” Carlito Badion, secretary general of urban poor group Kadamay, said. On Nov. 23, 2011, P10 billion ($230.8 million) was See poor/p.11
As battle for supremacy vs govt, MNLF subside
Bigger rehab eyed By By Cheng Ordonez Executive Editor
T
he Zamboanga standoff could be in the last stage at this time of the raging battle for supremacy between government troopers and the Moro National L iberation Front (MNLF) rebels in the coastal barangays of Zamboanga City, and armed confrontation is expected to subside, if not totally end, soon.
See rehab/p.11
Solon renews bill reinforcing use of English in schools House Assistant Majority Leader and Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. has renewed proposed new legislation that seeks to reinforce the English proficiency of Filipinos by reinstating the language as the medium of instruction in all school levels. “We have high hopes that our bill, once enacted, will go a long way in boosting the English competency of our future labor force participants, and build up the capability of our high school as well as college gradu-
SEE FULL STORY/p.8
Surfing in Siargao
ates to gain and maintain employment,” Gullas said. “English is the world’s RISKY RIDE. Despite the city’s strict helmet rules for motorcycle riders, some working language. It is also incidents such as this family allowing a kid to ride without his helmet slipped past the language of technol- traffic management personnel that police the streets. Davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani ogy. Young Filipinos with inadequate English skills may risk getting marginalized in the lucrative global labor markets of the future,” Gullas, also House higher and technical education Only committee vice chairman, Php12.00/capsule (500mg) warned. or House Bill 1339 proposes Php840/box (70 capsules) the adoption of a new biContact: lingual program in schools LYNEI G. MORDENO See english/p.7
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Sisters battle in 19th Siargao int’l surfing tilt finals
SEE FULL STORY/p.3
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2 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
EDITOR: RUEL PELONE, ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com
METRO CDO
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY l MISAMIS ORIENTAL
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Cop kills soldier who shoots another cop on Sunday night
C
By GERRY LEE GORIT, Correspondent
AGAYAN de Oro City--A soldier from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assigned to the 8th Infantry Battalion was killed Sunday evening when he fought with a police officer who came to search his body for a gun at Opol, Misamis Oriental.
Insp. Edwin Ipan, Opol municipal police chief, said PO3 Suay Baguio and PO3 Rodel Eugenio responded to a call for assistance from beachgoers who reported that a man fired a gun in their presence. Ipan said when the two police officers reached the scene they accosted the suspect and Baguio approached him for a body search but he instead pulled a handgun that was tucked in his pants and shot Baguio who was hit in the foot. Ipan added that when Baguio fell to the ground Eugenio fired his M16 rifle at the suspect who was hit at least three times. Milo marathon. Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano (center), provincial board member HeckThe police identified the dead as Pfc. Bobby Gersaert Emano and Clean & Green consultant Snooky Puertas participate in Sunday morning’s Milo marathon held in mio who was on his way out of the beach resort. Ipan Cagayan de Oro City. Runners of all ages, young and old, joined the annual event. said the Scene of Crime Officers found no license for Mindanao Daily News photo by Gerry Lee Gorit the soldier’s gun in his possession. The M16 and Magnum .357 are now in the police crime laboratory for ballistic tests. Witnesses said the soldier came from a birthday party at the beach and approached a group of women By GERRY LEE GORIT gave the workers a rest then fired his Magnum .357 handgun for some reason. Correspondent and medical checkup. Gersamio’s body has been brought to a morgue and Provincial administrathe wounded Baguio was brought to a hospital for treatCAGAYAN de Oro City–– tor Jun Pacamalan said the ment while investigation by the police continues. Seven workers from Binu- provincial social welfare Capt. Christian Uy, spokesman of the 4th Infantry angan, Misamis Oriental, department will conduct Division, said Gersamio was on leave from his battalion have returned home from stress briefing among them which is based in Maramag, Bukidnon. Cavite where they were and come up with recUy said they are conducting a parallel investigation threatened by relatives ommendations as to the of the incident. of a retired police officer kind of assistance to be He, however, said that Gersamio’s carrying a firearm who was killed by their extended by the capitol. could be a violation of the Commission on Elections co-worker. A father of one of the gun ban now in effect if he has no Comelec exemption. The seven men were workers said there were 16 assisted by the provincial workers from Binuangan government in their trip emplyed by the Interworld home after their families Plastic Manufacturing Co. sought Gov. Yevgeny Vin- in Bacoor, Cavite. cente Emano’s help. He said the 16 were A stopover at the pro- recruited along with others COUNCILOR Zaldy Ocon, vincial capitol on Friday from Libertad, Misamis A nurse reads the blood pressure of one of the seven chair of the City Council workers from Cavite who returned to Misamis Oriental due committee on environment to violence in the bunker where they lived to work for a and natural resources, this plastic recycling company. The workers from Binuangan week asked the barangay opted to return here following the killing of a retired police chair of Tablon to submit officer in Cavite allegedly by a co-worker from Bohol. the list of families who are Mindanao Daily News photo by Gerry Lee Gorit presently residing near Gamma Farms located in tives threatened reprisal Oriental. Barangay Tablon, Cagayan The trouble stemmed to all the occupants of the Ocon de Oro City. from the killing of a re- same bunker. This is in view of the the area are illegal settlers Some of the workers tired police officer by a complaint of the residents who are willing to transfer co-worker from Bohol who have left Cavite to seek concerning the drainage to the city’s relocation sites. lived in the same bunker. employment elsewhere in Councilor Ocon said problem and alleged foul After the burial, the rela- Manila and Central Luzon. odor from the said farm. the list of occupants will According to Punong be endorsed to the Office barangay Romeo Bacarro, of Estate Management Divithe problem has been acted sion for assessment if they by the barangay council. He are qualified to avail of this said families residing near program.
7 distressed workers return home to Misor
Ocon looks into env’t complaints
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News In Focus
Mindanao Daily 3 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Sisters battle in 19th Siargao int’l surfing tilt finals GENERAL Luna, Siargao Island–– Sibling rivalry added color to the finals of the 19th Siargao International Surfing Cup women’s division at Cloud 9 here on Saturday. In the end, host town bet 21year old Nilbie Blancada edged elder sister Nilde Blancada-Rietenbach to take home the $2,500 prize money for the champion. Foreign surfing experts called the finals between the two sisters the best show in the entire women’s category of the event that has obtained a 6-star rating from the
Asian Surfing Championship. The event ended with Nilbe scoring 16.00 for her two best wave rides, and Nilde tallying 15.50. “It felt great competing with my sister in the final round. I felt relaxed and with no pressure, it was just like surfing the waves without the competition. It was just about having fun and enjoying the ride,” Nilbe said. Last year, Nilbe beat Australia’s Kim Woolridge to win the Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup.
That victory and her win at the Cimaja Surf Competition in West Java, Indonesia gained for her international recognition. Nilde meanwhile said she did not expect to compete with her younger sister in the finals. “I did not expect to be competing against her, but I was happy it was a final round against my sister. It felt like it was just a ride out for fun. There was a moment after she got her ride that I wanted to stop but the waves came in and it was tempting so I took a good
ride. I really wanted her to win, and I’m glad she did,” she added. Contest Director Gerry Degan described the event as a spectacular show of talent as the two women gave out their best. “It was a dream show, we were given fantastic waves and the two sisters did not fail to give us their best. Both gave us outstanding barrel ride one from the other. Nilbe certainly showed us why she is considered the best Asian woman surfer and with proper sponsor and opportunity she can
compete with the world’s best,” said Degan. Twelve women from the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and Japan will battled it out for the $5,000 prize purse. ASC number one-ranked Rina Kitazawa of Japan, 5-time Indonesian Surfing Women’s Champion Yasniar “Bonne” Gea and Nilbe were the early favorites. But Kitazawa and Gea lost in the semifinal rounds. A report from Erwin Mascarinas of the MindaNews
Mariwasa, two other SCG subsidiaries in PH awarded with Green Choice Seal of Approval MANILA––Three of ASEAN conglomerate SCG’s local subsidiaries––Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (MSC), United Pulp and Paper Co. and SCG Marketing Philippines, Inc.––were awarded with the Green Choice Philippines Seal of Approval during the Suppliers’ Forum on Green Public Procurement recently held at the SMX Convention Center, attesting to the Group’s commitment of conducting business alongside conserving the environment and creating value for society. The Green Choice seal is awarded to products that are certified to be environment-friendly, with the objective of raising consumer consciousness on the environmental features of products they choose to buy and use. Among the products awarded with this quality mark is Mariwasa Siam Ceramics’ wall and floor ceramic t i les; UPPC ’s test liner board, which is made from 100 percent recycled paper used in the manufacture of boxes and other packaging materials; and SCG Marketing’s fiber board, which is an asbestos-free cement board, reinforced by high-quality cellulose natural fibers used for various purposes in construction. These products are compliant to the Green Choice requirements on environment and product quality performance, including adherence to environmental regulations, green procurement policies, health and safety standards, energy efficient processes, and waste and pollution-reducing practices, among others. “We are very honored and proud to accept the Green Choice Philippines Seal of Approval. It is indeed our philosophy to commit to sustainable development, and we hope and believe that with our high-quality products, green technology and green process, we will help support the Philippines achieve sustainable development for its economy, society and environment, to build towards a better quality of life in the coun-
ASEAN conglomerate SCG’s local subsidiaries were granted the Green Choice Seal of Approval for its environmentfriendly products and processes. Shown in photo are United Pulp and Paper Co. VP for Marketing Jirasak Kaewubol, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. VP for Sales and Marketing Jakkrit Suwansilp, SCG Country Director for Philippine Operations Anukul Kongrit, and SCG Marketing Philippines President Sunchai Jindasri.
Mariwasa President and SCG Country Director for Philippine Operations Anukul Kongrit (5th from left) accepts the Green Choice Seal of Approval from Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection Sec. Neri Acosta. Also shown in photo are (L-R) Development Academy of the Philippines President Antonio Kalaw Jr., Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora Terrado, Mariwasa Assistant Manager for Sustainable Development Jonathan Macaraeg, Mariwasa VP-Sales and Marketing Jakkrit Suwansilp and Asian Productivity Organization Director Setsuko Miyakawa.
try,” said Anukul Kongrit, President of MSC and SCG Country Director for Philippine Operations. Aside from highlighting the environmental value of these products, the Green Choice seal also marks the company’s leadership in promoting sustainable development, which takes into consideration not just
operational or production costs, but also the environmental and societal impact of doing business. With the Green Choice mark, these products are envisioned to encourage producers and manufactures to improve their production and operating process into reducing environmental harm. This is aligned with
SCG’s philosophy in taking the lead in developing solutions and programs toward economic, social, and environmental issues affecting its business operations, as part of its path toward becoming an ASEAN sustainable business leader. It imbues the concept of reducing, reusing/recycling, and replenishing
throughout all its business units, which helps shape the design of its plants and facilities, helps develop and improve production processes, and utilizes eco-friendly materials and technology, to ultimately produce green, sustainable, high-value added products. About SCG SCG, one of the leading conglomerates in the ASEAN region, comprises three core businesses: SCG Chemicals, SCG Paper, and SCG Cement-Building Materials, and has more than 200 companies under its umbrella and approximately 43,000 employees. As it celebrates its 100th year anniversary, SCG continues to create and distribute innovative products and services that respond to the current and future needs of consumers. SCG has been present in the Philippines since 1993 with more than 1,000 employees through its 7 subsidiaries: United Pulp & Paper Co., Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., CPAC Monier Philippines Inc., SCG Trading Philippines Inc., Green Siam Resources Inc., Green Alternative Technology Specialist Inc., and SCG Marketing Inc.
DILG-10 to conduct dialogue in Oro on October 10 THE Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 10 will hold a Constituency Dialogue entitled “Talakayan ng Pamayanan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan, in celebration of the 22nd Anniversary of the Local Government Code of the Philippines on October 10 this year at the Tourism Hall in Cagayan de Oro City at 2 p.m. Presidential Proclamation No. 63 declared October as the Local Government Month, with the second week of October as the Local Government Week and the 10th day of October as Local Government Day in the country, in line with the signing of the Local Government Code of 1991. This year’s theme for the celebration of the 22nd LG Code Anniversary is “Kilos Progreso, Makilahok sa Pagasenso” embodies a call for united and concerted action for national progress. United action entails transparency (advocates accountability and open governance), vigilance (intensifying citizen’s engagement) and volunteerism (strengthen people’s participation) on the part of the people in governance. The Constituency Dialogue, which is conducted simultaneously nationwide in various local government units, will serve as a venue for discussion on the following topics under the theme “Pakikilahok sa Pamamahala ng Barangay”: Mga Batayan sa Pagpili ng mga Tamang Kandidato and Citizens Volunteerism in Barangay Governance. All local government units are encouraged to celebrate and showcase good governance examples in their own localities based on the national theme, with special focus on good barangay governance. Other suggested activities are launching of new projects; forging of new partnerships among the leagues, civil society organizations and non-government organization; Grassroots Participatory Budget Process (GPBP) launching; barangay assembly, and; media activities.
4 Mindanao Daily NEWS
Caraga News
northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
tuesday | october 1, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com
Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur • Dinagat Islands
DOH-Caraga’s new chief to visit health facilities By PAT SAMONTE Regional Editor-Caraga
BUTUAN City––The newlyappointed head of the Center for Health Development in Caraga said she wanted to reach out and visit health facilities in all the five provinces of the region. In her first press conference before members of the Media for Health-Caraga (MHC), OIC-Regional Director Minerva P. Molon said she wanted to know the situation and problems in these facilities to enable her to take measures to resolve them. Molon also encouraged the MHC members to keep her informed about health services and facilities in the region even through text messages with the assurance she would attend to them. The new DOH-Caraga chief said aside from continuing the programs of outgoing Regional Director Ariel Valencia, she would introduce measures that would further improve health services especially to rural villages. Dr. Molon is a psy-
By Eric F. Gallego of DENR-13
BUTUAN City––The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga region is exploring other options that can put to jail the perpetrators including the main operator and financier of illegal logging and timber poacher. “We must admit that the DENR is finding hard time in pinning down a mastermind of illegal logging activities including their financiers owing to inadequate knowledge of legal procedures by the people imposing the environment regulations,” DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo said. Director Tamayo was answering a query from the members of the local media during a press conference held at the DENR Conference shortly after the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership with the Agusan National High School Class 1990 on the planting of logging | page 7
DOH-CARAGA CHIEF TO VISIT HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE PROVINCES. In her first press briefing as DOH-Caraga OIC Regional Director, Dr. Minerva P. Molon says she wants to visit and know the problems in the health facilities in the region’s five provinces. Mindanao Daily News photo by Pat Samonte
chiatrist by profession, a Master of Public Health (MPH), an Associate of Family Psychiatr y and Psychology and former Assistant Regional Director of Center for Health
Development of Region 8 for five years. Because of her accomplishments, she was chosen as one among those worthy and capable to lead. Although she was hesi-
Aggie News
DA-10, plant operators to intensify Bio-N promotion CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Decisive to boost the government’s thrust on food security, energy conservation and environmental protection, the Department of Agriculture through the Regional Soils Testing Laboratory (DARSTL 10) conferred with the Bio-N mixing plant operators in the region to assess the progress of their operation and lay-out plans for the promotion and marketing of Bio-N. Bio-N is a microbial inoculant in powdered form used as nitrogen supplement for the production of rice, corn and even in some vegetables which has been found to increase the yield of agricultural crops even at a reduced application in the amount of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer (urea) by 30-50% per hectare. Julieta A. Anarna, Bio-N Production Officer In-charge from the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB) challenged the Bio-N mixing plant operators to
Govt agency eyes other options to pin down illegal logging kingpins
be more keen in the promotion of the technology. “Kailangan natin na ma-explain sa client kung ano ba talaga ang Bio-N dahil hindi well-oriented ang mga farmers natin sa tamang paggamit,” she stressed (We need to inform our farmers on the proper use of Bio-N as not all of them are well-oriented about it). She also presented the latest research results conducted by the institute to fortify the quality of Bio-N inoculants by improving its performance and prolonging its life span from 3 to 10 months and in using charcoaled corn cobs as an alternative to wood charcoal as carrier in Bio-N production. Consequently, the DA-10 and Bio-N mixing plant operators crafted a plan to establish technology demonstration farms in their areas in 2014 which will showcase Bio-N technology to boost farmers’ adoption of the technology and reduce the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10).
tant at first to be uprooted from her hometown, she accepted her assignment in Caraga head-on with high hopes and determination to overcome the challenges her new post brings.
into the barrel. Komang Putra Hermawan, of Bali, Indonesia, gets into the barrel of the Cloud 9 wave, giving him the point advantage to win the men’s finals of the 19th Siargao International Surfing Cup in General Luna, Siargao Island on September 27, 2013. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas
Malaybalay City: outstanding LGU on quality corn production Despite the devastation caused by typhoon Pablo in December 2012, the local government unit of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (LGU-Malaybalay) remained adamant in ensuring the production of quality corn and recently has been even declared as one of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 2013 Corn Quality Awardees in the city category. In order to achieve the average yield of 3.62 metric tons of corn production per hectare in 2012, the LGU through the City Agriculture’s Office has implemented several programs that have benefited around 3,500 corn farmers. “We prioritize projects that will increase the production and ensure the quality of corn grains,” stated Remedios R. Sarzuelo, City Agriculturist. She added that among the city’s major interventions in support to the corn sector is the hybrid corn seed subsidy program, in which 363 bags were distributed to the farmers at 50% subsidy in 2012. Moreso, in order to reduce the
Julieta A. Anarna (left), Bio-N Production Officer In-charge from the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of UPLB discusses the latest research results conducted by the institute to improve the quality performance of Bio-N as nitrogen supplement for rice and corn production during the Bio-N Mixing Plant Consultation in Region 10.
use of chemical fertilizer in corn production by 30%, the CAO also produced a total of 6,371 packs of Bio-N or nitrogen supplement for corn in 2010-2012, which has benefited 365 farmers with a service area of 1,061 hectares. Farmers were also encouraged to avail of the subsidized services of the City Soils Testing Laboratory which helps them determine the fertilizer recommendation for their farm area. They also support the government’s effort in the promotion of white corn production which is an alternative food staple for rice. In collaboration with the DA through the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program, the CAO has established four sites for the production of open pollinated variety (OPV) of white corn seeds in 2012. The LGU also prioritized the establishment of multi-purpose drying pavements fully granted to interested peoples’ organizations, farmers associations and barangay LGUs to insure the quality of corn grains produced, in which 41 units were established from 2010 to 2012. Every year, the LGU allocates budget for20 units of solar dryers at P 250,000 per unit. “We have implemented this project so that farmers will not have to take their produce to very far areas just to avail the use of postharvest facilities,” said Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri. Aside from providing logistic support to farmers, the CAO also leads in providing technical support through the conduct of Farmers’ Field Schools on Corn
LGU-Malaybalay City supports the corn sector through its intensified efforts for production increase, by providing interventions that ensure the quality of grains and the reduction of postharvest losses. Among these major projects were the hybrid seed subsidy program, Bio-N production and distribution (bottom left), the subsidized services provided by the City Soils Laboratory (bottom right) and the establishment of multi-purpose drying pavements (top right).
Breeding and Integrated Nutrient Management in six sites in 2010 to 2012. As one of the awardees of the Corn Quality Awards, the LGUMalaybalay commits to continue providing better services to the corn farmers. “We have seen that the systems put in place to increase the production of corn have become successful, so we would like to do more of the same and avail of the projects coming from the national government. We would like to learn new technologies even
from the private entities so that we can share these to our farmers to increase their production,” revealed Mayor Zubiri about his plans for sustaining the status of the city in producing quality corn. Being one of the 25 outstanding city or municipality for corn quality production, LGU-Malaybalay will receive agri-related projects worth P 500,000, which will be formally awarded during the 9th Philippine National Corn Congress on October 23-25, 2013 at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)
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NorthMin
Mindanao Daily 5 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Globe internet service down in Malaybalay for 2 days
M
Mary Joy Peñafil, Globe Malaybalay Business Center retail manager, told MindaNews the cause of disruption could “either be due to a routine maintenance operation or because of a stolen cable wire from a post in Barangay Casisang.” She said they reported the problem Saturday morning to the firm’s network administrator
in Cagayan de Oro City after bombarded with complaints from subscribers. Peñafil said the affected areas covered Casisang and downtown Malaybalay City. This is the first time the problem surfaced this month, she added. A similar Globe internet connection outage also occurred
between June and July here. She said that thieves stole Globe’s cable wires in the Impalambong area twice sometime in those months. Peñafil noted that the business center “is not privy to the operation of the repair and technical staff attending to the problem.” MindaNews learned from several Globe subscribers that they could not connect to the internet since Thursday noon. Rommel Pacheo, marketing manager of DXDB-AM Radyo Bandilyo, said they incurred loses after they failed to ac-
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Any appointive barangay, city, municipal, provincial, regional or national official or employee shall be considered 'ifso facto' or in fact resigned and must vacate their office at the start of the day he/she filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for the October Barangay and Sangguniang Elections (BSKE). The same provision also
applies to those in the civil or military service, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCC), pursuant to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 9740 promulgated last July 10. Such memorandum, however, provides that any person holding an elective office or position shall not be considered resigned upon the filing of the COC, Atty.
Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said. Meanwhile, Nala said the Election Officer (EO) shall verify from the certified list of voters' whether or not a candidate is a registered voter of the barangay where he/she seeks to be elected. After verification, the EO shall immediately transmit to the Law Department, through the fastest means available, the
reliant, living in an ecologically balanced environment managed by dynamic, transparent and accountable leaders.” Gamboa also cited the mission statement of the city government, which is to “provide basic services, encourage business enterprises, promote social justice and ensure effective management and utilization of its natural resources.” Among the highlights of the CLUP is the grouping of the city’s 46 barangays into six clusters, each with identified “major strategies.” City proper as center of services The core of the clusters is the “center of services cluster” to refer to the 11 poblacion barangays and Casisang and Sumpong. Gamboa said the major strategies of the cluster is to “provide conducive business environment, decent housing for the under privileged and homeless, sports and recreational facilities, and efficient and effective ecological solid waste management.” Basakan area for food security The next cluster is the agricultural protection cluster, grouping the 12 basakan or farming barangays. In this cluster, city planners will use strategies like increased agricultural crop production and productivity in support to food sufficiency and security, provision of adequate production facilities (irrigation and post-harvest), promote organic farming and increase inland fishery production, strengthen
production-marketing linkages and provide technical assistance. Upper Pulangi and Kibalabag watershed The third group, the forest and water resources protection cluster, includes the eight Upper Pulangi barangays and the villages of Can-ayan, Kibalabag and Manalog. In this area, which covers the Kibalabag watershed, the major source of potable water in the city, the city government intends to apply sustainable management of forest resources, control settlements in protected areas (forests and head water sources), control and limit harvesting of forest natural resources, promote sustainable farming technologies, sustain enforcement of forest protection laws and production laws in upland and marginal areas, and protect and sustain the water quality of the creeks and rivers. According to the CPDO, about 18 percent of 17,815 hectares is covered with primary forest and 16 percent of 15,453 hectares with secondary forest. The city has a total land area of 108, 259 hectares. The CPDO noted the need for protection of headwaters with the expansion of communities, deforestation and siltation of intake boxes. Kitanglad buffer zone The fourth cluster refers to NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Area System) Buffer and Forest Production Cluster to include the barangays of Dalwangan,
By WALTER I. BALANE
ALAYBALAY CITY —The internet connection service of Globe Telecom in parts of this city was disrupted since Thursday and restored only Saturday afternoon.
cess accounts online for their marketing activities. He also cited the difficulty suffered by the station’s reporters in researching for details of regional and national news from the internet. DXDB, located in the downtown area, confirmed the restoration of stable connection at around noon today. Police Officer 2 Ramel Romero, desk officer at the Malaybalay City police station, said Globe did not report the pilferage of its cable wires in Barangay Casisang. (Walter I. Balane/ MindaNews)
list of names of the candidates who are not registered voters of the barangay where they seek to be elected. The Law Department, shall endorse without delay the documents to the Comelec en Banc, which shall decide whether to institute ”motu proprio” the appropriate action pursuant to Resolution 9523 or set the case for further investigation. (RCA/ PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Appointive officials are 'ifso facto' resigned on the day they file a COC—Comelec
Malaybalay seeks 6 clusters, 9 zones in proposed new 10-year land use plan MALAYBALAY CITY – A city of six clusters and nine zones. These are the main features of the proposed 2012-2022 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) presented during the public hearing conducted by the City Council’s Committee on Human Settlement, Zoning and Land Use last Thursday. The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) presented the proposed measure, three years after the expiration of the 2001-2010 CLUP. Of the nine zones, two are classified as “new important” zones: the “no build zones” and the “restricted development zones,” which were based on the Water Code of the Philippines and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2011-2028. While he presented only the highlights of the proposed revised CLUP, Engr. Adrian Gamboa, CPDO officer-in-charge, said “nothing much” has changed between the 2001-2010 CLUP and the proposed version. Gamboa, who did not distribute copies of the CLUP and the zoning ordinance, said during the public hearing that among the preliminaries to the CLUP revision was the “inclusive vision of Malaybalay City for the next 10 years.” The CLUP, he said, envisions the city to become “a prime agriindustrial center in Northern Mindanao with vibrant economy where people are God-centered, productive, contented and self-
Capitan Anghel and Imbayao. In this area, city planners eye adherence to the buffer or multiple use zone and other regulations of the Protected Area Management Board of ASEAN Heritage Park Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, and the promotion of ecotourism such as the eco-lodge in Dalwangan for bird watching. Agri-industrial area The fifth cluster is the agriindustrial center referring only to the two barangays of Patpat and Kalasungay, host for poultries and piggeries. The lone strategy indicated for the cluster is to “limit the expansion of poultries and piggeries.” Agri production area The last cluster is dubbed the “agricultural production” area referring to Aglayan, Laguitas, San Jose and Magsaysay. In this sector, the major strategy cited was to stop the expansion of plantation crops especially bananas and pineapple, rehabilitation of creeks and rivers, strengthen production-marketing linkages and provide technical assistance. Mayor Ignacio Zubiri said during the hearing that the city government will impose the moratorium on agricultural plantation expansion even if it was approved only as a resolution and not as an ordinance. The CPDO cited a 285 percent increase in the areas planted to banana, pineapple, rubber and sugarcane, from 2,350 hectares in 2000 to 9,052 hectares in 2012. plan | page 7
NFA Iligan assures sufficient supply of rice
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte , -- No need to be alarmed or even panic over the supply of rice as there's enough stocks in the warehouses in Iligan City and in Lala, Lanao del Norte. This was the assurance of Sambitory O. Dimaporo, provincial manager, National Food Authority (NFA), Iligan City/ Lanao del Norte Office, in his appearance before the Iligan Sangguniang Panlungsod's regular session last September 24 (Tuesday). Dimaporo added, enough stocks of palay in Lala warehouse are ready for milling anytime. These statements were supported by Alex Wong, president of Grains Retailers Confederation (GRECON), Iligan City Chapter, and some members of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) represented by George J. Daanoy of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics-Iligan City, and Elvira Redublado of the Department of Trade and Industry, who were also invited to shed light on the alleged low supply and price increase of rice in the city. Furtheremore, Dimaporo explained that rice prices traditionally increase during the lean months when there is no harvest. However, with the onset of palay harvest, there is no increase of the price of rice as what has been usually monitored by the NFA monitoring team. The City Council thanked the concerned offices for responding to the council’s invitation through a resolution passed by Councilor Roy Openiano. (NFA Iligan/LVG, PIA-10 LDN)
User's Training on Iligan City Government (ICG) Electronic Communications System conducted ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte --The Information and Communications Technology Center (ICTC), under the Iligan City Administrator’s Office-Office of the City Mayor, conducted the User’s Training on Iligan City Government (ICG) Electronic Communication System on September 25. City Administrator Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy, said this is the first of its series where the objective is to ensure that most, if not all, departments can access and be accessed by email and other electronic means of communication. The first batch composed of 30 personnel from the Offices of the City Administrator, City Mayor, City Civil Registrar, and from the Assesor's Office, had their three-hour training on using electronic mail, instant messaging and related ICG policies. Motivated by the convenience, speed, cost-effectiveness and environmental advantages of using electronic communications rather than printed communication, an internal/local email and electronic messaging system will be made operational in the ICG at the soonest possible time, Sumaoy underscored. (LGU Iligan Web/LVG, PIA-10 LDN)
6 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
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Will Mindanao survive? YES, the AFP military mission in Zamboanga may be deemed accomplished. But is the problem really over? I don’t think so. To my mind, it will still take a long time to clean up the mess of the Zamboanga incident. And to be able to know how to effectively deal with this, one must understand that the siege was not done solely to create trouble. Or to burn and bleed Zamboanga City. Or to kill. WHY? ---To the ordinary Zamboanga folks, especially the victims, it was plain terrorism. To government and those in authority it was simply lawlessness and a defiant challenge to authority and plain disruption of peace and order that must be decisively smashed. To the businessman, it was money and opportunities lost. To President NOYNOY AQUINO, it was something he must personally attend
Advocacy Mindanao Jess Dureza to with firmness. To DILG Secretary MAR ROXAS, it was a task he had to grapple with and had to necessarily put at risk his own political future knowing that being crisis manager was a no-win situation. ( Take it from me. I was there before.) To Mayor BENG CLIMACO, it was something she had to face with the awesome mission of protecting her people and then leading Zamboanga to rise from its ashes -- a baptism by fire for a new lady mayor, although with genetic strains of an illustrious and fiery father, former Mayor Cesar Climaco. To NUR MISUARI and USTADZ HABIER MALIK
and their mujadeen forces, it was fighting for the cause of the Bangsamoro. BLO OD IN THEIR HANDS ---After the smoke clears, it is important to pinpoint responsibility and accountability on those who have “blood in their hands”. What caused all this? Or who or what triggered the incident? Are those responsible ready to own up for what they did or failed to do? Or will they continue to profess righteous indignation and point their dirtied fingers at others? I guess I have to leave this for others to deal with. D I F F I C U LT TA S K AHEAD -- I would rather
focus on the difficult task of how to help Zamboanga and its people rise from the ashes. Yes, rebuilding destroyed structures and homes can be done at considerable cost and effort. Grieving for the dead and nurturing the wounded will also take some time. Returning to “normalcy” is not easy but that is something we must now work on. To me, the most important work ahead is: rebuilding social cohesion and healing amongst us all Mindanaoans. This is most difficult to do. And hard to measure. BUT WE MUST DO FOR MINDANAO’S SURVIVAL! Conflicts always bring anger, hatred, animosity, sufferings that break the social bond that tie us with the other diverse peoples of our island region. Conflicts rip apart and rupture the social fabric. I cannot simply imagine See survive, page 7
Veterans, retirees ask PNoy: how about us?
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress…” (Isaiah 5:7, the Holy Bible). -ooo“BRIBERY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER”: So, since there is now an admission that senators were given additional P50 million each in pork barrel funds (some got more than P50 million) after they voted to convict and then oust former Chief Justice Renato Corona, and that congressmen were given additional P10 million to P15 million each, all through the courtesy of Malacanang, it is clear that the decision against him was really orchestrated and tainted by considerations other than the evidence and the law. This confirms to all the world that, in both houses of the Philippine Congress, justice is really for sale to
Kakampi mo ang batas Atty. Batas Mauricio the highest bidder, and that those who have been given the privilege of passing upon the guilt or innocence of citizens accused of crimes have not really been discharging their duties and responsibilities according to truth, justice, and fairness, but according to the bribes offered by interested parties. What all these confirm further is that President Aquino’s call for righteous governance is a sham, a farce, and is violated by his very own government. While he was mouthing slogans intended to honor righteousness, his own office brazenly manipulated
billions of pesos in government money to make lawmakers conform to its wishes against Corona. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Sen. Joker Arroyo are both correct: what Malacanang did in the case of Corona was bribery of the highest order. -ooo“WOE TO THOSE WHO ACQUIT THE GUILTY AND DENY JUSTICE TO INNOCENT”: If Filipino lawmakers are not aware of a dire warning against them for their misdeeds, I will reprint it here: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put dark-
ness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. “Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is See VETERANS, page 7
tuesday | october 1, 2013 Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776
Opinion
Get hold of happiness THINK a minute. Have you heard of the new emotional sickness called Sudden Wealth Syndrome? It happens to people who suddenly become rich by winning a big lottery jackpot, inheriting a lot of money, or other quick ways. But then what these newly rich people often find out is that it doesn’t end up being the happy dream they expected. They soon discover what many other rich people already know: money can’t buy happiness that lasts. But that’s just our problem: we think that happiness is something out there that we have to find and get, like money, a position of respect and power, or physical pleasure and fun experiences. We think we’ll finally be happy after we get out of school or
when we get married. But then even when we do finally get it, we find out it doesn’t last and make us happy for the rest of our lives like we expected. So how do we get hold of happiness that lasts for a lifetime? Well, the first big step is we must admit that we’re not totally happy and we need help. But that’s hard for us strong, independent human beings to do! We’re like the man who came home drunk one night. As his wife helped him into bed she asked him if he wanted her to pray for him. He nodded yes. So she began: “Dear Lord, I pray for my husband who lies here drunk.” But her husband suddenly interrupted her and said: “Don’t tell Him I’m DRUNK! Just say that
English...
their hearts. Or how the one million Zamboangenos feel whose normal lives were disrupted. Also the grief and possible thought of vengeance of those whose loved ones died or were wounded in the firefight -- on both the government and the MNLF. We must heal the social wounds inflicted. We must restore the broken relationships, and remove the animosity and the distrust that conflicts bring on peoples. WE MUST DEAL WITH AND REMOVE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS MALAISE. NO RETURN TO DARK DAYS --We do not want to see Muslims and Christians being polarized again. We do not want to see civilians arming themselves and taking the law into their own hands because of the perception -- and reality -- that government cannot immediately protect them from similar dangers. We do not want to see “vigilante groups” sprouting and rearing their ugly heads again. Reports of anti-Muslim armed Ilongo “ilagas” resurrecting in Central Mindanao and the return of the “Black Shirts” and “Barracudas” in Lanao must be quelled. Zamboangenos being urged to organize and fight back and train to fight should be nipped in the bud. Yes, we must be prepared to defend our rights and our lives, but do we want to return to those chaotic and dark days? SOCIAL COHESION ---Mindanao’s Muslims, non-Muslims and indigenous people have diverse ethnic, cultural, even religious groupings. How to have social cohesion and restore racial harmony in the midst of this diversity worsened by incidents such as this one in Zamboanga, is a big challenge. Yes, AFP’s military mission may be considered as “mission accomplished”. But government’s work with the civilians’ cooperation
from page 1
in which: • English, Filipino or the regional/native language may be used as the teaching language in all subjects from kindergarten to Grade 3; • English shall be the teaching language in all academic subjects from Grades 4 to 6 in elementary school, and from Grades 7 to 12 in junior and senior high school; • English and Filipino shall be taught as separate subjects in all levels of elementary and high school; • The current language policy prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education shall be maintained in college; and • English shall be forcefully promoted as the language of interaction in schools. The bill also categorically requires the use of English as the language of assessment in all government examinations, and in entrance tests in public schools as well as state universities and colleges. Meanwhile, Gullas expressed confidence that once English is fully revived in schools, students would also find it easier to learn both Math and Science. “Co-relations show that English proficiency translates positively to higher Math and Science abilities. This is partly because most if not all of our Math and Science manuals are in English to begin with,” he said. Gullas said highly improved English reading and comprehension skills would enable students to quickly work out Math or Physics problems that are couched in English.
Survive... from page 6
the anger and the hatred that those more than 100,000 suffering evacuees who lost their modest homes and lowly but priced belongings, are now nurturing in
Think A Minute
Mindanao Daily 7 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE, Email: amediante@yahoo.com
Biblical reflection Bro. Edcel L. Closas
Evil
Jhan Tiafau Hurst I’m…SICK!” In our own heart and conscience we all know that we’ve done things wrong and failed to live the way we know we should. We’ve not always lived in a close, right relationship with our Maker, and many of us won’t admit that we’re wrong and have failed. Neither will we admit that we can’t fix our life and make it right by ourselves. But until we finally face the facts that we’re not comto clean up this mess has just started. What we all Mindanaoans will do -- or fail to do -- henceforth will determine whether Mindanao will survive this latest crisis. But knowing our resiliency as a people, I have no doubt, we all can!
Veterans... from page 6
still upraised… Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; those of high rank will die of hunger and the common people will be parched with thirst…” -ooo“TO GOD BE THE GLORY”: Newshen Lolly Acosta, reacting to our column that not even one Filipino remembered to thank God for the Ms. World 2013 victory of Fillipina Megan Young: “Naku I will beg to disagree with you Kapatid. Check my FB account because immediately after she won, I posted on my FB account, `God wants Filipinos to be the head not the tail, and Megan proved it. To God be the glory!!!’” -oooVETERANS, RETIREES ASK PNOY: HOW ABOUT US? World War II veterans and their families, and even police and military retirees, who have not received their benefits for several years now are asking President Aquino: how come billions of pesos in government money can be annually allocated for pork barrel funds for congressmen and senators while virtually nothing is paid to them? Has the government forgotten the sacrifices of veterans and the retirees, and is concerned only with making lawmakers happy, they ask. -oooROTARY’S SHELTERBOXES IN ZAMBO SIEGE: Philippine national and local social welfare officials are not saying it, but they should really be thanking Rotary International members in the country who brought
pletely happy and at peace, our life won’t change. Yet today, if you’ll sincerely ask Jesus to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your way; then ask Him to take full control of your life every day, you’ll finally have peace with your Maker and the satisfying life you should be enjoying. So why not finally get hold of happiness that lasts? You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just Think a Minute. here the concept of “shelterboxes”, or big-sized tents that could house evacuees comfortably. In an instant, the shelterboxes could be put up and used right away, even by a family of six to seven people. I am particularly elated that in various places in Zamboanga City, the shelterboxes containing the logo of Rotary are being used once more. -oooREACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@ gmail.com
Power...
from page 9 NGCP gave it Monday an allocation of 15-18 megawatts (MW), he said. Socoteco-I’s daily peak demand is 33 MW. It serves this city, the seat of government of Region 12, and the towns of Tantangan, Tampakan, Banga, Surallah, Norala, Sto. Nino, Lake Sebu and T’boli and Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat. Based on the utility’s advisory, it will implement two rotational brownouts Monday, each lasting three hours or a total of six hours, per service area.
Logging... from page 4
mangrove as its contribution to the National Greening Program. He said the DENR has filed 81 cases related to illegal logging against the operators and timber poachers and more than half of these cases were dismissed by the court due to technicalities and insufficient documents. “The rest of the cases that we have filed at the fiscal office are still awaiting court actions,” Tamayo said. He said the DENR top management at the Central Office is on the process of reviewing the system to correct deficiencies in operational management based on the experiences of the people involved in the anti-illegal logging operations.
Special Gospel of the day: Matthew9:3238(September30, 2013-Monday) Matthew 9:32-38-As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest: In our gospel, we can discover that a dumb or mute person was healed when this person attached to Jesus Christ. The person became dumb because he was possessed by evil spirit and this is an implication that if we are mute in speaking the whole truth, maybe we are also possessed by evil spirit. Before the dumb healed, he never speaks due to the evil in his life. Meaning, for us to be able to speak the truth, we need to ask the power of Jesus to cast out the evil in our hearts. Take note, when Jesus did this wonder, the people accused him as a devil instrument because he commanded the devil to get out from the victim. Are you a victim? Remember, “in doing right, expect opponents.” This is an indication that each one of us is possible possessed by evils because of our “bad attitudes.” Do you have bad characteristics? Come to Jesus for deliverance: SPONSORED:Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-11883:00 PM - Sunday: #09284149490-09266607505: Question – Prayer request
Plan... from page 5
In contrast, increase in areas planted to rice allotted for food security has increased only 7.13 percent, from 2,797 in 2000 to 2,996 hectares in 2012. Gamboa also cited the problem of urbanization with the increase in informal settlers along environmentally critical areas, which mean an increase in demand for low-cost housing and basic social services. In the proposed CLUP, Gamboa cited the need to put up a buffer zone in areas exposed to natural hazards such as flooding and landslide, areas observed to have expanded over the years across clusters. The proponents have identified areas for settlement expansion in barangays Aglayan and San Jose, and urban expansion in Sumpong and Casisang barangays. To decongest traffic in the poblacion, the plan is to open a new road connecting Dalwangan and San Jose, but the details were not immediately available during the public hearing. The CPDO also cited that across all clusters, the city government will ensure public safety and internal security, and develop facilities and utilities geared towards the promotion of green infrastructure to support the social and economic needs
of the city. They also stressed that they plan “to make accessible and affordable quality preventive, promotive, consultative and rehabilitative health services, and increase participation, completion, cohort survival, and achievement rates at all educational levels.” Zoning ordinance To give legal support to the plan, the city council also proposed the zoning ordinance to embody the city’s land use policies and establish permitted uses for land covered by the ordinance. Engr. Jorge Cabanelez, city zoning administrator, presented seven zones with sub-zones in the public hearing, namely the residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, protective, and other zones to include parks and recreation and tourist zones. But Cabanelez said they will also designate “no build zones” or areas prohibited for all kinds of development at specific distances from the banks of streams, creeks, rivers and all other forms of bodies of water. He added that there will also be “restricted development zones” or areas where all kinds of developments are restricted due to existing, historical and/or perceived physical hazardous conditions like flooding, landslides and earthquakes. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
8 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
WestMin News
tuesday | october 1, 2013
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Zamboanga del Norte | Zamboanga del Sur | Zamboanga Sibugay | Dipolog City | Dapitan City | Pagadian City | Isabela City | Zamboanga City
Fears, biases: Bigger rehab for Zamboanga residents By Cheng Ordonez
The Zamboanga standoff could be in the last stage at this time of the raging battle for supremacy between government troopers and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in the coastal barangays of Zamboanga City, and armed confrontation is expected to subside, if not totally end, soon.
But, a much deeper battle is coming to shape. This time it’s between Muslims and Christians who used to live harmonious lives before the Martial Law era. In 1974, Zamboanga City has been the center of conflict, owing to its proximity to the provinces of Sulu, Basilan and TawiTawi, which are Muslimdominated provinces badly affected by MNLF struggle with the Marcos administration. Years after Martial Law was lifted, Zamboanga City struggles to attain peace. Despite, efforts made by various religious and nonreligious organization for dialogues, the peace that Zamboanga City tries to earn continues to be disturbed by intermittent armed conflicts brought about by politicians from the neighboring provinces who engaged their enemies while they are on R and R (rest and recreation) in the then City of Flowers. Zamboanga City has been the place for business, education, banking and recreation for the people of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Unfortunately, aside from bringing in their money to Zamboanga City, they also tag along their small wars into the city. And before Zamboanga knew it, the city has already inherited mixed cultures, biases and deepening hatred. Various organizations tried to patch up the building up of Muslim –Christian conflict, among them is the Silsillah Dialogue Movement headed by Italian priest, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra. Fr. D’Ambra has established a community in the west coast called Harmony Village in Sinunuc village. Harmony Village has provided, for the past many years, venues for dialogues and understanding among Muslims, Christians and Lumads, and has formulated measures to address the conflict though immersion in both communities. Today, the peace and harmony that organizations, like Silsillah, have tried to establish for years is being threatened to crumble due to the MNLF guerrillas and government troopers turning of Zamboanga into a battle ground.
Joanne Carlos was raised and grows up a Muslim in Zamboanga City. Earlier in life, her family believed that mixed marriage could tame the conflict in culture, if not religion, among Muslims and Christians in Zamboanga City. Her mother married a Christian-born from Luzon. Joanne has been raised a Muslim though along with her two brothers. “I used to have good relationships with my Christian neighbors and co-workers, until the conflict erupted,” Joanne said in the vernacular. “Obviously, it was because of my family name and my understanding of both religions and cultures,” Joanne added. But, Joanne said, the standoff has cultivated a deepening rift because the Muslim MNLF guerrillas were considered as the perpetrators of the war that devastated not only Christian communities, but Muslimdominated communities as well. Joanne said “on top of the understanding on both religions and cultures, it was respect that made them exist harmoniously. The standoff, she said, has diminished it.
On September 9, 2013, the Carlos’ left Sta. Barbara in haste to evade being caught in the crossfire. Joanne, together with her ailing mother, two-year old son and younger brother, sought temporary refuge in a relative’s home, a safe kilometers away from the battle scene. And after almost two weeks of fighting, Joanne looked for a room to rent for her family. “At first, we were entertained by tenants who are Christians and, in fact, some of them have already received initial amount prior to the date we have decided to move in. But, when they knew we are Muslims, they returned our initial deposit and driven us away. Some of the Christian residents have threated harm against our male family members,” Joanne said in narrating their ordeal. Joanne said if this is happening to her, who bears a Christian family name, “what more to Muslims who have distinct Muslim family names?” True to her observation, Joanne said her cousins, of the Anuddin clan, experienced the same situation and driven away from Pasonanca, a Christiandominated community in Zamboanga City. “The tenant said the people in their community might maul us if we insist on entering the village, so the tenant returned my initial deposit for a room we were
supposed to occupy because our house was burned in the ensuing battle in Sta. Barbara,” Leny Anuddin, said. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, in an interview with a Solar Television Network, said the rift that both Muslims and Christians tried to patch up in the past is being threatened by the standoff. Sec. Soliman said the most difficult conflict to settle is that which affects the person from within. “Nabuksan muli ang nailibing na – takot, biases -- at nagkaroon ng panibago, dahil iba-iba rin ang naging biktima, nangbiktima na galing sa iba’t ibang grupo (It has opened up wounds that had been buried – fears, biases – and new ones surfaced, because there are new victims and new perpetrators from different groups) ,” Sec. Soliman said. Sec. Soliman said: “Yun yung mas malaking rehabilitation na nakikita kong kailangang maisagawa (This is the bigger rehabilitation that we have to work on).” Joanne and Leny are just among the very few Zamboangueno-Muslims who fall victims of biases. There so many others out there from among the evacuees. “We are trying to understand their hurts, but hopefully, they (Christians) will also understand that we are victims here, as well,” Joanne said. (Manila Bulletin)
Zambo hospital to reopen as soon as cleared, cleaned ZAMBOANGA CITY – The chief of the state-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) announced Sunday that they will reopen the hospital as soon as it is cleared and cleaned. Dr. Romeo Ong announced this as military and police Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) teams conducted clearing operations in the premises of ZCMC, which was vacated on Days 1 and 2 (September 9 and 10) of the standoff between government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under founding chair Nur Misuari. “We want to reopen as soon as possible… as soon as we clear the area, meaning we clean, we disinfect and we’ll prepare all the equipment,” Ong said. On Saturday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declared “mission accomplished” while Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas announced, “the siege in Zamboanga is over.” The ZCMC, which has just been elevated to a 500bed capacity hospital, was vacated because it is very close to the site of hostilities between government forces and the MNLF. The hospital is located at the corner of Veterans Avenue and Dr. Evangelista Street in Barangay Sta. Catalina. It is just around 150 meters from Lustre Street, where hundreds of MNLF rebels positioned at the height of the standoff. After ZCMC was closed, the gymnasium of the government-run Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) was converted into an emergency satellite hospital. The patients of ZCMC were transferred to the governmentrun Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Barangay Pasobolong and some private hospitals.
Ong said they have yet to assess whether there were equipment damaged although he was initially informed by the security and hospital personnel that the equipment are intact. Ong said the newest equipment they have is the P70million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which was given to them by the city government. Ong said the MRI has not been installed because it arrived evening of September 8. The standoff began dawn of September 9. The ZCMC was used by government forces as an advance medical post at the height of the standoff, Ong said. But the New York-based Human Rights Watch in its Sept. 16 report said Philippine military forces “may also have violated the laws of war by turning the largest hospital in Zamboanga City, the Zamboanga City Medical Center, into a veritable garrison.” “After the hospital staff evacuated all the patients on the first day of the crisis, the military promptly moved its forces into the hospital, parking their trucks inside the hospital compound and even sending snipers to two spots on the rooftop to fire on rebels a few hundred meters way,” it said. Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, information officer of the Police Regional Office-9, said the clearing operation is to ensure the safety of the staff and patients once the hospital is reopened. He said they want to ensure that there are no unexploded munitions within the hospital premises. During the clearing operations, they recovered several sets of MNLF uniforms just outside the perimeter fence at the eastern side of the hospital compound. (MindaNews)
URBAN WAR ZONE. About a hundred twenty soldiers moved single file to cross to the other side of the Veterans’ Avenue, passing through the Zamboanga City Medical Center on September 12, Day 4 of the standoff between government and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under founding chair Nur Misuari. The hospital, located in Barangay Sta, Zamboanga City. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas
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Soccsksargen
Mindanao Daily 9 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Solar power lights up Bagumbayan village
G
ENERAL SANTOS CITY –Residents of an upland village in Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat now have brighter days and nights ahead with the completion of a government-funded solar electrification project.
nificantly reduced their household expenses. “Our children can now study at night while our community is now safer with the presence of the solar streetlights,” she said. Kalahi-CIDSS forms part of the three-pronged anti-poverty convergence programs of the national government. Dubb ed “ Tatsulok,” the initiative includes the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps and Sustainable Livelihood Program. Under the Kalahi-CIDSS, poor communities are capacitated to analyze their own problems, manage,
plan, and implement their identified project to answer their pressing needs. In Region 12, the project was able to help build various community infrastructure projects such as school buildings, bridges, health stations, water systems, day care centers, roads, post-harvest facilities, and other common services. Region 12 (Southwestern Mindanao; also known as tSoccsksargen), comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos,Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (MindaNews)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 has forged an agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the provision of various skills training to beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program in Sarangani province. Gemma Rivera, DSWD12 assistant regional director, said in a statement the initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to improve the livelihood status of the beneficiaries of the anti-poverty program, which is also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. She said they earlier committed to provide communiThe tower of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in Sitio Malabuaya, Barangay Kayaga in Kabacan, North ty-based capacity building Cotabato toppled by an explosion Thursday night, September 26, 2013. (MindaNews photo courtesy of PNP-North projects to the beneficiaCotabato) ries, especially those who are already in its final phase, Toppled power through the Sustainable liveliline worsens outage hood Program (SLP). Under its partnership in Region 12 agreement with TESDA, Rivera said 4Ps beneficiaries in KORONADAL CITY – Powthe municipalities of Maasim er outage in parts of Socckand Malapatan in Sarangani sargen Region or Region 12 G E N E R A L S A N TO S processing, PhilHealth court hearings, which was will undergo various skills has worsened due to the CITY – The city govern- insurance registration, dubbed “Judgment Day,” ment plans to mainstream utility bill payments, the city jail’s nearly 1,100 trainings that will be facilitoppling of a transmission tated by TESDA trainers. line of the National Grid the Supreme Court’s En- free legal consultation, inmates were treated to The implementation of Corp. of the Philippines hanced Justice on Wheels business permit process- a free medical and den4Ps is scheduled to wind up (NGCP), distribution utili- (EJOW) program in the ing and licensing and tal mission through the area through the acqui- employment assistance city government’s mobile in December in Maasim and ties said Monday. Malapatan towns. Santiago Tudio, South sition of its own mobile through the public em- hospital. ployment and services The Philippine JudiThrough the training, she Cotabato I Electric Coop- court. Mayor Ronnel Rivera office. cial Academy also consaid they’re hoping to capacierative, Inc. (Socoteco-I), During the expedited ducted an orientation tate the beneficiaries towards said the toppling of Tower said they are considering getting gainful employment 141 DC in Barangay Kayaga, acquiring a customized hearings conducted by for officials of the city’s or starting livelihood ventures Kabacan has caused a per- bus that will be trans- EJOW’s mobile court 26 barangays regarding by the time they leave the 4Ps. manent fault in the Kibawe- formed into a mobile at city jail or reforma- the operations of the Rivera said an initial 375 Sultan Kudarat 138-kilovolt court of the EJOW pro- tory center compound in Lupong Tagapamayapa or gram, which was finally Purok Lanton, Barangay barangay justice system. beneficiaries have signed up to line. Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, undergo skills training, which “This resulted in power launched in the city last Apopong here, at least Thursday. 63 inmates were ordered city administrator, said includes massage therapy, nail shifting causing transmis“We’re looking at makfreed following the resothe local government earcare, fish processing, banana sion constraints or low voltlier coordinated with the chips making, housekeeping, age in the grid especially ing it (EJOW) a part of lution of their cases. Rivera said they are Supreme Court for the food preparation, carpentry during peak hours,” he said our barangayan program,” the mayor said initially arranging with launching of the EJOW and masonry. in an advisory. The skills training, which Owing to this, the NGCP in an interview over TV Regional Trial Court in the city. Branch 35 Executive He said the move is will be conducted from Ochas implemented compli- Patrol Soccsksargen. “B arangayan” is a Judge Oscar Noel for part of the city governtober to November, will last ance with the Load to Mainspecial program of the the regular conduct of ment’s efforts to help from seven to 25 days, detain scheme to ensure qualcity government where it the EJOW in the area. decongest the city of pending on the course, she ity of power to all electric “We’ve requested them “overstaying” detainees said. distribution utilities and brings its various services down to the barangays. to hold it on a quarterly and de-clog local courts Meantime, Noraida Buscustomers, Tudio said. These include medical basis,” the mayor said. of pending cases. (Minran, DSWD-12’s SLP regional In the case of Socoteco-I, and dental care, land title Aside from the mobile daNews) project coordinator, said that power | page 7
aside from the skills training, the beneficiaries will be provided with post-training assistance to facilitate their employment and the launching of their entrepreneurial initiatives. She said they have tapped the local government units of Malapatan and Maasim, TESDA, business groups and other government agencies to assist their post-training programs. Busran said they earlier signed a partnership agreement with Sarangani Energy Corp. for the provision of classroom facilities, equipment and other necessary assistance to facilitate the conduct of the carpentry and masonry trainings in Maasim. The company, which is presently building a P13 billion coal-fired power plant in Maasim, also committed to help provide employment later to qualified trained beneficiaries from the area, she said. The 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to “poorest of the poor” households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years. The program provides beneficiaries cash grants of P500 a month for health and nutrition expenses and P300 a month per child for educational expenses. A household with three qualified children could get P1,400 monthly. The SLP is a multi‐stakeholder program that aims to improve the socio‐economic status of 4Ps beneficiaries to generate greater impact on the government’s poverty reduction efforts. Along with Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, the 4Ps and SLP form part of the three-pronged anti-poverty convergence programs that are implemented by the DSWD. (MindaNews)
Bai Zorahayda Taha, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said they recently turned over to residents of Barangay Sumilil in Bagumbayan at least 13 units of solar battery charging stations and 15 units of streetlights that were installed through its flagship anti-poverty
program Kalahi-CIDSS. Kalahi-CIDSS stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services. Taha said the project, worth around P1.38 million, is now serving 293 households of Barangay Sumilil, which is considered one of the remotest villages
of Bagumbayan. “B efore the project came, local residents used either gas lamps or rechargeable batteries to light up their homes at night, exhausting their meager income and time for livelihood-related activities,” she said in a statement. She said the project was implemented to address the electricity needs of the village, which is about 50 kilometers away from the town proper of Bagumbayan. In an earlier consultation, Sumilil residents pointed to electricity as their “most pressing need.” Taha said the installa-
tion of the solar-powered battery charging stations in the area helped address the other basic needs of residents and reduced the time and expenses required for travelling to nearby Barangay Gapok of Senator Ninoy Aquino town where the charging stations are based. She noted that in order for the residents to recharge their batteries, they have to travel to Gapok and spend P20 for battery charging and another P100 for the fare. Lulicia Magabala, 30, a Manobo mother of four, said the project is a big relief for them as it sig-
GenSan mulls acquiring own mobile court
DSWD, TESDA forge partnership to improve skills in Region 12
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Davao News
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DAVAO DEL NORTE l DAVAO DEL SUR lDAVAO DEL ORIENTALl COMPOSTELA VALLEY
A vendor’s lament By MEDEL V. HERNANI of Davao Today
DAVA O C i t y – – B o m b threats here have affected not only major business players but also vendors in the city’s public market who also complained of poor sales lately. “Ang mga tawo nangahadlok moanhi sa palengke tungod sa balitang pagpamomba ug pagbuto sa bomba sa duha ka dagkong mall. (People do not come to the market often because of bomb threats, especially after the two malls were hit),” said Jose Pungyan, a durian vendor at the sidewalk of Bankerohan Public Market. Even though he’s selling durian for as cheap as P20, bomb threats have reduced his gross earnings to as low as P1,000, an amount that could not even cover for his daily working capital. He bought the durian in far-flung Calinan at P8,000. He said he only receives around P100 to P150 a day from his sales. At 50 years old and retired from his work for 21 years as a security guard, Pungyan just started vending durian last February.
bomb SCARE. Jose Pungyan worries how he would sell his durian amid the bomb threats and demolition of sidewalk vendors. Davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani Pung yan g radu ate d from a two-year course in 1985 of Industrial Electricity from Ateneo Livelihood Outreach Program in Partnership with National Man-
power and Youth Council. He only got to apply his course when he was hired as electrical maintenance worker in City Hall right in 1986. But he lost his
job two years later with the change of administration, as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took the helm as the new city mayor in 1988. Pungyan found his way
to the Black Arrow Security Agency and stayed in the agency for 18 years, then transferred to another agency for the next three years. His earnings as a
security guard helped sent his two children to school until college. He said his livelihood is tough. Aside from the bomb threats, he and other vendors have to deal with the city government’s demolition team that drove away poor vendors like him from the streets. “Dungagan pa sa pagdemolish sa mga sidewalk vendors, asa na man mi moadto niani? (Add to that is the demolition of sidewalk vendors, where do we go from here?)” asked Pungyan. Since July, authorities have cleared sidewalks of vendors who violate the two-third, one-third policy—a local ruling that permits vendors to occupy one-third of the sidewalks, the rest for pedestrians and remaining space as open sidewalk. About 3,200 vendors reportedly attended the city government’s consultation with them last August. Demolitions by some 50 city personnel have been conducted against these vendors. A report from Medel V. Hernani of Davaotoday.com
Mindanao Daily 11 NEWS
tuesday | october 1, 2013 Editor: CRIS DIAZ Email: crisguardian@yahoo.com
Injustice... from page 1
the concept of giving according to what is written in the Old Testament, it pertains to the concept of giving that is just, giving that is based on justice,” he said. “Some people think that the act of giving is only a form of charity, but what they fail to see is that there is also a need to fulfill the act of giving that is according to justice,” he added. ‘Demand of justice’ The cardinal also criticized politicians who plaster their names and faces on government projects that were funded with taxpayers’ money, noting that they must not gain credit from what the people rightfully deserve “It gives me the creeps to see government projects plastered with the names and faces of government officials who grab credit for the construction of various infrastructure projects,” the prelate said. “ These projects are funded by the taxes taken from the salaries of average workers and from the taxes imposed on every consumer good we buy…Do not say that these projects are built as an act of generosity on your part because that is a demand of justice that you should give as justice demands,” Tagle said. He also reminded business owners to be fair to less fortunate individuals by paying them with the amount that is due of the services they rendered. “Do not make a profit out of what is due of your workers. Do not withhold their salary and give it when it is due for they have needs to sustain…that is a right that they are entitled to since they rendered their services to sustain their needs,” he added. Tagle also urged the laity to practice a sense of justice that is rooted not merely in equality, but also in compassion. “This is a different sense of justice—not that if someone borrowed 30 from you, he will have to return the same amount. Instead, if someone borrowed 30, you have to see the greater need
northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
of that person and let him have even what he borrowed. See that his need is greater than what you could gain,” he said. He warned those who take advantage of other people, saying that the Lord will hear the cry of those who seek His name and give justice to those who are marginalized and abused. “When these poor people cry out and seek help from the Lord, be prepared for God will hear and listen to their call…These teachings are set in the time of Moses, but until now we still experience them. When will we ever learn?” Tagle said. Being just He chided the mentality of some individuals who perceive that the poor are only after money—can be easily bribed and bought, primarily because of their financial needs. “What am I? A (material thing)? Since (material things) can be bought, I too, can be bought as well? Do I still have honor?” Tagle said in the vernacular. The persistence of individualism and personal desire to gain are the primary reasons why some people nowadays lack concern for poor individuals, he noted. “Be just. Do not only think of what you are going to gain. Instead, think that your neighbor is also like you, suffering from poverty. You are just the same but because of selfish thinking, we tend not to give,” Tagle said. “I hope that we would learn how to give according to justice—helping others because you see their true value,” he added. Citing bible verses from the book of Proverbs, Tagle said, “Those who are just would never be in need of anything. The Lord will take care of all your needs, while those who take advantage of the less fortunate will be cursed.” If his statements will hit those who are guilty of committing injustices against the poor, Tagle said that he is just echoing lessons of the bible. “If (those who are guilty) will get mad, I will just respond by saying that these are not my words. They may
charge Moses or the Word of God because I am just quoting His words. I will not make up a message that is based from my own statements…After all, we are ordained to proclaim His words, not ours,” he added. (Jennifer Orillaza)
Poor... from page 1
first placed under the administration of the National Housing Authority. The PNOY Fund, as the National Housing Authority calls it, is supposedly allocated for the relocation of informal settlers residing in so-called danger areas, particularly along waterways. Kadamay said $230.8 million is allotted for housing of urban poor families every year. Budge Secretary Florencio Abad quoted presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda as saying that the government will use this year’s $230.8 million to provide P18,000 ($415) to relocatees as subsidy. In the light of the pork barrel scam, which implicated legislators for reportedly pocketing public funds by funding projects of fake non-government agencies, the urban poor are asking: Where are the funds for the poor?” Letter to COA Leaders of Kadamay were initially barred from entering the premises of the Commission on Audit. Badion said the security personnel told themthat an officer would go down near the gate to receive their letter for Commission on Audit chairperson Gracia Pulido-Tan. “We asserted our right. Otherwise we could have just handed the letter to the first person we saw working for (the Commission on Audit), even a janitor,” Badion told the media. Urban poor protesters forcibly opened the gates of the Commission on Audit, which resulted in a brief scuffle with security personnel and the police. The urban poor eaders were eventually allowed to deliver their letter. In their letter, Kadamay said they fear that the annual release of a P10 bil-
lion budget for the housing program of informal settlers has suffered the same fate as the pork barrel funds. “In this light, we are urging your humble office to conduct a thorough investigation on how such fund was used by the Aquino administration. Or if a study has already been done on the said fund, we ask to be furnished a copy of the said report,” the letter, signed by Gloria Arellano, national chairperson of Kadamay, read. “We feel we have the right to know where every centavo of the Informal Settler fund has been spent by the Aquino administration,” the letter added. Kadamay also raised the issue of contracts entered into by government housing agencies with private developers such as the New San Jose Builders Inc., which is owned by Jerry Acuzar, brother-in-law of President Aquino’s executive secretary Paquito Ochoa. The urban poor group said these contracts are “anomalous.” “In Kasiglahan relocation sites in Rodriguez, Rizal, thousands of newlyconstructed housing units are being built by the NSJB but are now declared condemned and inhabitable due to their substandard construction and vulnerability to flooding,” the letter read. Public misled? Kadamay, in its statement, said families whose homes were demolished were given false hopes by both the past and present administrations. “Taxpayers are misled into believing that the urban poor are spoon-fed with taxpayers’ money. But in reality, relocatees were victims of the housing programs of the government, which are being run like a business,” Gloria Arellano, chairperson of Kadamay, said. The urban poor group has long scored the government for the poor standards of homes being built in relocation areas. These relocation areas, they added, are found in geo-hazard areas, such as Kasiglahan Village, a resettlement area in Rodriguez, Rizal, which was heavily flooded dur-
ing the monsoon rains on August 2012. Kadamay said that while the government is using taxpayers’ money to build these houses, families who were relocated are being charged ten times the actual cost of the house. Urban poor protesters vowed to hold more protest actions until the government looks into their conditions and promotes their welfare. (http://bulatlat.com)
Rehab... from page 1
“over.” The officials said all the hostages had been accounted for. Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala told ABS-CBN News channel on Saturday that there were still “less than 10 stragglers” from among the MNLF forces but “they can no longer inflict danger to Zamboanga City.” He said it would take 10 to 14 days to clear the conflict-affected areas of, among others, possible unexploded ordnance. Government forces are still looking for Ustadz Habier Malik, who led the MNLF forces from Sulu in the Zamboanga standoff. Of the P2.9 billion budget for shelter, P2.13 billion is allocated for “shelter assistance for 21,252 families at P100,000 each” while P797.25 is for the “construction of 2,126 bunkhouses” for the same number of families at P375,000 per unit of 10 rooms each. A total of 10,160 houses were reported burned, according to the NDRRMC, with Sta. Catalina posting the highest number of houses burned at 3,591; Rio Hondo at 2,113; Kasanyangan at 1,685; Sta. Barbara at 1,592; and Mariki at 1,179. As of 5 p.m. September 26, the NDRRMC quoted the Bureau of Fire Protection in Zamboanga City as saying that the estimated cost of damage from the series of fires in Ayer Village, Sta. Barbara; houses near the mosque in Sta. Barbara; Lustre, Sta. Catalina; Fisheries Compound, Rio Hondo; Mariki; Rojo compound, Sta. Catalina; Zone 4; and Mampang is
P189.9 million. “ The next biggest cost for the recovery and rehab program is P285.02 million for “operational and/or administrative expenses for the project management,” followed by P212.52 million for livelihood assistance for 21,252 families at P10,000 each. Government is also allocating P178.46 million for relief assistance for 23,794 families at P250 per pack per family for 30 days. This is on top of the cost of relief assistance of P116.2 million recorded by the NDRRMC from Sept. 9 to 28 for medicines, medical supplies and relief goods to affected families and financial assistance to casualties and hostages. The P3.89 billion rehab program also includes P149.90 million for cash for work/training for 23,794 families at “P210/person/ day for 30 days,” although it probably meant P210 per family per day; P106.94 million for educational assistance for 21,387 children at P5,000 each; P24.10 million for supplementary feeding program for 15,446 kids aged 2-5 years at “P13/child/day for 120 feeding days.” The budget also includes P10.63 million for Balik-Probinsya program for 2,125 families at an average of P5,000 per family. The standoff as of Sept. 28 resulted to 137 dead and 241 wounded in Zamboanga City. Of the 137 killed, five were from the police, 18 from the military , nine civilians and 77 MNLF. Of the 241 wounded, 15 were from the police, 169 from the military and 57 from the civilians. No data was available for the wounded MNLF. The P3.89 budget will be taken from the P6.1 billion calamity and contingency fund. Budget Secretar y Florencio Abad on Sept. 23 told MindaNews that P4.2 billion out of the P6.1 billion fund is from the calamity fund while P1.9 billion is from contingency fund, but what Zamboanga City needed was P3.89 billion “so far. “ (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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