Mindanao Daily Westmin (September 23, 2013)

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PPP to solve Butuan water woes

Malaybalay oustanding in corn production

Caraga News

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Garb-changing of St. Michael in Tangub feast

Mindanao Daily NEWS Aggie News

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Bomb blast kills 3, hurts 1 in Zambo Volume II, No. 091

web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com

Monday

September 23, 2013

P15.00

Z

AMBOANGA City––A powerful bomb explosion late Friday ripped through a passenger bus and killing 3 people in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where two weeks of fighting between security and rebel forces left over 100 soldiers and rebels dead.

SEE FULL STORY/p.8

XU Tabang Zamboanga raises nearly P250-T CAGAYAN DE ORO -- The outpouring of generosity for Zamboanga conflict victims through Xavier University’s Tabang Zamboanga has generated close to P250,000 in less than a week of relief drive.

As of Sept 21, 2013, the total cash donations received was P243,024.60. Of the total amount, P63,959.45 has been transmitted to the Ateneo de Zamboanga University through the XU Finance Office.

The cash gifts were raised through envelopes sent to the XU Grade School, High School, NSTP and FFP classes; contributions from University offices,

Immaculate Conception Church collections, fund drives at Centrio Mall, Limketkai Mall and Ororama (Mortola); street fund drive along Corrales Avenue; and walk-in donations received by the University’s Research and Social Outreach Office.

In-kind donations have poured in, as well, at the office of the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana, the social involvement arm of XU. The Armed Forces of the Philippine’s C-130 has been arranged to transport goods to Zamboanga on Tuesday, Sept 24. Any inkind donations may be best SEE tabang/p.11

Relief goods raised through Xavier University’s Tabang Zamboanga are being readied for transport via C-130 on Tuesday to Zamboanga City. Aside from in-kind donations, XU generated close to P250,000 for the victims of the conflict in Zamboanga City. (Photo courtesy of XU)

Oil firms to cut fuel prices today MANILA -- Several oil companies will implement price rollbacks effective 12:01 am Monday on back of similar movements in international oil market and stronger peso.

In an advisory, Petron

Corp. said price of Blaze 100 Euro 4, XCS, Super Xtra, and Xtra Advance will be slashed off P0.70 per liter, the Turbo Diesel and DieselMax by P0.90 per liter, and kerosene by

70 companies in the area.

Mr. Uy hopes to have more job matches this October during the 3-day OROBEST EXPO. The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ORO CHAMBER) is host

to the 2013 Cagayan de Oro Business Enterprises, Services and Trade Exposition (OROBEST EXPO 2013) slated on October 11 to 13, 2013, at the Limketkai Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

OROBEST job fair slated in October JOBSTREET, OROBEST JOB PARTNER Jobstreet. com will again serve the job seekers and employers in Cagayan de Oro City and its influenced areas.

Jobstreet is Oro Chamber’s official job fair partner in the largest trade exposi-

tion and business matching event in Northern Mindanao Region-- the OROBEST EXPO 2013.

Oro Chamber President Efren Uy beamed with pride that the April Career Fair with Jobstreet assisted more than 5,000 job hunters and

SEE job/p.11

P1 per liter.

Also, PTT Philippines said price of its gasoline will reduce by P0.70 per liter and the diesel by P0.90 per liter.

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EDITOR: RUEL PELONE, ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com

METRO CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY l MISAMIS ORIENTAL

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PNoy should look into customs bureau revamp, says BOC exec C

By GERRY LEE GORIT, Correspondent

AGAYAN de Oro City––The impending revamp among personnel of the Bureau of Customs nationwide could adversely affect the collections of some districts.

AQUINO

“Because some importers are having second thoughts,” said Marvin Mison, deputy collector for Northern Mindanao.

Mison said the effect of Commissioner Ruffy Biazon’s order for customs personnel to return to their mother units was “not studied well.”

He said the order could separate personnel from their families and that no replacements could be found immediately for those who would be leaving.

“They should not leave if there are no replacements yet,” he said, citing the case of the port at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, where several key plantilla positions would be left vacant if the current personnel return to their respective mother units.

The personnel of the Bu-

reau of Customs-10 joined the nationwide silent protest this week against the revamp order.

They wore black clothes as instructed by their union to signify dissatisfaction and sadness.

“But work continues,” Mison said. “There can be no dereliction of duty.” “ The Commissioner was probably ill-advised,” he said.

If the revamp pushes through, BOC-10 district collector Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang would return to the Cebu port next week as deputy collector because that’s her item.

“She is not deserving to be demoted,” Mison said, citing the good performance of the BOC-10 in exceeding their collection target to date.

Mangaoang’s replacement would be Atty. Marietta Zamoranos Pacasum.

Mison said the BOC-10 “is in good running order” under Mangaoang.

“She is more capable than a lot of collectors combined,” he added.

“I cannot question the wisdom of the President,” he said, “but PNoy should look into this.”

Bureau of Customs (BOC) District Collector Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang for Northern Mindanao speaks to reporters about exceeding their collection target to date. If the revamp pushes through, Mangaoang would return to the Cebu port next week. Right, personnel of the Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao led by deputy collector Marvin Mison wear black clothes as a sign of their silent protest against the revamp order from Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

The nationwide protest was called by the union of customs workers. Text and photos by Gerry Lee. Gorit

Jaraula pleads innocence on ‘pork scam’ CAGAYAN de Oro City––A former Congressman who also served as Cagayan de Oro City Mayor on Friday denied any involvement in the “pork barrel” scam in Congress.

Former Congressman Constantino Jaraula, of the Cagayan de Oro City’s lone district, said he was stunned when his name was included among the Congressmen who reportedly benefited some P 20 million out of the alleged “pork barrel” scam in Congress.

Jar au l a vehe me nt ly denied any involvement saying he could prove his innocence in court.

Jaraula suspected that the pork barrel scam was an orchestrated scheme perpetrated by ambitious politicians who were aiming for the 2016 presidential elections.

The NBI charged Jaraula for allegedly misusing his P20.84 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“I never transacted or closed deals with the nongovernment organizations (NGO) under the control of Janet Napoles who has earned the moniker as the “pork barrel queen.”

Jaraula said that his PDAF was intact and properly used for various projects

at the time when he served as a congressman in the lone district of Cagayan de Oro City in 1998 to 2007.

Jaraula, who also served as Cagayan de Oro City Mayor in 2010 until 2013, expressed the doubt on the credibility of the witnesses.

The witnesses were being dictated and controlled by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Jaraula said.

He said that since the witnesses were being dictated, the NBI could fabricate charges to further political interest.

Jaraula cited the inconsistency and conflicting of the reports submitted by the DOJ and the Commissions on Audit (COA) regarding the alleged anomalous transactions using the “pork barrel.”

Jaraula did not mention names of politicians who were believed behind the “pork barrel” anomaly but was certain that the scenario was done for the benefit of politicians in preparation for the 2016 national and local elections that includes the Presidential poll.

“I will face them (NBI and DOJ) as I have nothing to hide. I will answer the charges once I receive the summons,” Jaraula said.

The two other congressmen together with Jaraula who were also with malversation, direct bribery and graft and corrupt practices

act were Rep. Rodolfo Plaza (P42.1 million) and Rep. Samuel Dangwa (P26.77 million). CD with PNA report

Turnover of Electric Patrol Motorcycle in Gusa Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez turns over one electric patrol motorcycle to Gusa Barangay Chair Emmanuel Beja that will be used for implementing peace and order and in responding emergency calls in the barangay. The electric motorcycle which is smoke free costs P35 thousand taken from the PDAF of Cong. Rodriguez. Witnessing the ceremony are City Councilors Enrico Salcedo, Zaldy Ocon, Barangay Kagawads Vincent Gadrinab and Joseph Baltazar, Concepcion Jabiniao and Florena Colonia. LESLIE

Rice in Northern M’nao remains sufficient: NFA

CAGAYAN de Oro City––Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 10 in Northern Mindanao said that there is an ample supply of rice for the consumers in the region.

Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos of the Department of Agriculture (DA) revealed that as of September 18, there were already 354,339 metric tons (MT) of palay produced from 82,110 hectares (has) planted in the region which is 63.08% of the total area planted.

Ramos further assured the public that there is enough supply of rice for the consumers in the region. The irregular increase of prices in the market, she said, should not be used as a measure in the insufficiency of rice in the country.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Agribusiness and Marketing Division (AMAD) of DA, also conducted onsite validation in Puerto, Misamis Oriental to verify reported dramatic increase in rice prices, as published in one of the local paper here. The rice retailer interviewed denied giving statement on price increase and that she only cited to have bought the bag of premium grade rice at a price of P2,000 and is selling it at a price of P45/kilo. (MGBS-NFA10/PIA)

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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

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).

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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.

Agri-Business

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)

Davao Norte gets P7.5m for organic farming Aetas learn PhilRice’s latest techniques on upland rice farming

By Noel Baguio

DAVAO del Norte––The provincial government of Davao del Norte and four of its local government units have received a total of P7.5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the promotion of organic agriculture in the province.

OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Anastacia Notarte bared the province, including the municipalities of Sto. Tomas, B.E. Dujali, Kapalong and the city of Panabo were given P1.5 million each to establish techno-demo farms that will showcase natural farming.

She said the demo farms are the most effective and efficient way of promoting organic farming among the farmers and the populace.

“Organic agriculture has been proven to increase productivity and income, while protecting our envi-

Rows of compose plots that are used for producing organic fertilizers at the famous ecological park of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

ronment,” she said.

Provincial OA focal person Marilou Runas said the province intends to use the fund to develop more than a hectare demo farm adjacent to the Provincial Agriculturist Office.

She revealed the diversified OA techno-demo farm of the Capitol will grow organic vegetables, fruit trees, and upland rice, among others.

Other components of

the project include training, vermi-culture, bio-pesticide, and the likes.

It will also employ the trichoderma and trichogramma projects, which are highly successful natural bio-control agent and natural pest control projects of the province, respectively.

Runas said the National Organic Agriculture Board is on the process of verifying the application of the other LGUs of the province

to avail of the fund.

It can be recalled that Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has urged all the LGUs to take advantage of the funds coming from the national government, as sanctioned by the Organic Agriculture Act (OAA) of 2010, in order to adequately promote organic agriculture in the province, which he said, has been tested to increase productivity and income of the farmers.

THE Aetas are now learning the latest techniques on upland rice farming through the recent establishment of an upland rice development program-farmer’s field school (URDP-FFS) in Zambales.

The Aeta community has been settling for two decades now in a relocation site in Lupang Pangako, Zambales where they learned to farm following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

The URDP-FFS seeks to teach upland farmers on latest technologies on upland rice production, improve current rice farming practices, and organize farmers so they can be assisted by funding institutions.

“We want those indigenous communities to be organized and be recognized by the government because they are usually neglected,” said Julian Macadamia, an upland rice technologist of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

The URDP-FFS has already reached other upland communities in Aurora, Bulacan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

The FFS sites are chosen based on the following criteria: at least one hectare flat land to 18 degrees slope; accessible to transport or walking; and with potential for soil and water improvement and management.

Existing upland rice areas in the stiff hills may be considered on a case-to-case basis. philippine news agency

Rehabilitated farm-to-market road boosts income of ARBs

THE Department of Agrarian Reform’s P7.2-million farm-to-market road is currently improving the economic lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Buguey town in Cagayan.

This was cited this weekend by DAR Regional Director Marjorie P. Ayson, saying

the 4.078-km road, which was turned over last March of this year, resulted in the rehabilitation and improvement of Tabbac Proper.

Ayson pointed out that the farmers in the area of Junction National Road and Sitio San Francisco Road at Sta. Isabel Agrarian Re-

form Community (Sta. Isabel ARC), Buguey, could load now as many as 20 cavans of palay on their kuliglig (hand tractor with trailer) instead of the usual 7 cavans and still enjoy a trouble-free travel.

“The cost of hauling their farm produces, as well as selling them to the markets,

have been reduced by at least 30%, which resulted in the increase of the ARBs’ income,” she said in a press statement.

She added that the most significant improvement in the lives of farmers in the area is the increased number of traders visiting the agrar-

ian reform community.

“With their community becoming more accessible to traders, it gives the farmers the option to choose to which trader they prefer to deal with for fair price, unlike before when only a handful of traders could visit them and buy their products at

low prices,” she said.

Buguey OIC-Mayor Roderick Antiporda said the farm-to-market road also serves as an alternative route from the town proper to the Lallo International Airport in the nearby town of Lallo.

A report from Philippine News Agency

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Caraga News

monday | september 23, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com

AGUSAN DEL NORTE l AGUSAN DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL NORTE

BCWD takes PPP project to solve Butuan water problem

By PAT SAMONTE Regional Editor-Caraga

BU T UA N C it y - - A m i d flaks over lack of water from faucets despite water everywhere during heavy rain, the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) has announced to undertake a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project with TwinPeak Hydro Resources Corporation (THRC) as a long-term solution to the water supply problem.

BCWD General Manager Anselmo Sang Tian blamed the receding water supply on illegal logging and illegal mining operations in the Taguibo Watershed area, the primary supplier of this city’s 320,000 population’s water needs.

In a letter to City Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima, chair of the city council’s Committee on Utilities, Sang Tian said that not-

Prices of rice soar by P10 in Surigao

By Roel Catoto of MindaNews

SURIGAO City––Prices of commercial rice in this city have soared by as much as P10 per kilogram (kg), MindaNews learned Friday.

Celestino Negapatan, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial supervisor, said the Local Price Monitoring Council (LPMC), which is chaired

by Mayor Ernesto Matugas, is set to still conduct a monitoring on the prevailing prices of commercial rice within the month.

He also said it is the regional office of the Department of Agriculture that is tasked to monitor rice prices and not the DTI, which functions as the secretariat of the LPMC. The LMPC, along with other concerned government agencies, held a meeting earlier this month, with a representative of the National Food Authority presenting the price situation.

Negapatan said that rice stores selling at excessive prices would be summoned by the LMPC. Jo s e ph i ne G abut i n , DTI consumer specialist, said that their office has no authority overseeing the price of rice, adding they’re tasked to monitor other basic commodities like canned goods, milk, sugar and dairy products.

Soaring rice prices have been hurting ordinary residents, with one noting “it has gone beyond his pocket’s reach.”

TAGUIBO WATERSHED DESTRUCTION. Illegal logging and mining have led to dwindling forest stands

in the Taguibo Watershed area (left photo) and receding water level of Taguibo River (right photo), the primary sources of Butuan City’s 320,000 population’s water needs. Butuan City Water District has entered into an agreement with TwinPeak Hydro Resources Corporation under a Public-Private Partnership scheme to solve the water problem in the long term. Photos supplied.

withstanding Presidential Proclamation No.1075 dated September 4, l997, declaring the Taguibo Watershed as protected area, illegal logging and mining operations still encroached into the area, loosened and plunged

mountain soil into the water and caused massive damage to the watershed.

At the height of illegal logging and mining in the area, Sang Tian noted that the quality of water worsened reaching turbidity

(dirt and pollution) levels of 1,000 NTU. International standards for safe drinking water require only 1 NTU. As the situation worsened, it forced BCWD to shut off its facilities, he said.

While Sang Tian admit-

ted that illegal activities in the watershed area had ceased, the damage to the water supply remained.

On the question why there was no water from the faucets during heavy rainfall, the BCWD GM

answered that heavy rain caused the water supply to dwindle because mudflows from the loosened soil ran into the water basin. As turbidity levels rose, this caused water pressure to drop making it impossible for the water pumping stations to supply the entire city.

According to Sang Tian, BCWD had taken a policy decision to provide a long-term solution to the water supply problem by undertaking a Public-Private Partnership project in consonance with the Aquino administration’s push to implement projects under the PPP scheme.

TwinPeak Hydro Resources C orporation (THRC) has proposed a Treated Water Bulk Water Services contract with BCWD in conformity with the 2008 National Economic problem | page 10

Ex-gov lashes at COA over capitol fund mess

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN, Regional Editor-Caraga

S

AN Francisco, Agusan del Sur––Former governor Ceferino Paredes Jr. has questioned the inaction of the Commission on Audit (COA) over the alleged fund irregularities at the provincial capitol particularly involving P143 unliquidated cash advances from 2002 to 2011.

Paredes lambasted COA chair Grace Pulido Tan for allowing the provincial government to continue to get cash advances year after year in the last nine years even without clearing its unliquidated cash advances in the previous years.

“COA has become an inutile and useless watchdog,” the former governor and two-term congressman said in his letter to Tan citing that she did not really mean what she said in her statement before Senate committee hearing aired on TV that COA audit reports are subjected to exit conferences.

He particularly cited COA audit report from 2002 to 2008 which should have gone through seven exit conferences but provincial officials started to ignore its initial P30 million unliquidated cash advances that went on to succeeding years causing a staggering P188 million or 526 percent increase in 2008.

He said despite the huge cash advance deficits, COA still allowed cash advances in 2009 to 2011 even there were just a few millions of pesos that were complied to audit reports.

“Some officials even have cash advances on top of their Photo and text by culled from www.butuan.gov.ph previous unliquidated cash advances, a clear violation THE city government of Butuan distributed relief goods to the evacuees affected by of existing audit policies, rules and regulations yet COA the gunfight between the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and members of the rebel group New Peoples Army (NPA) in Barangay Tungao, September did nothing about it after all these years,” Paredes said.

No comment 13. Initial count reveals 200 families affected.The provincial government particularly the provincial accounting office was asked by Mindanao Daily News Animation roadshow in Butuan for a reaction but opted not to comment on the issue. change illusion by means of rapid display of

By Jennifer P. Gaitano For his part, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. said he would a sequence of static images that minimally of PIA-Caraga region respond to the claims raised by Paredes only after he differ from each other. fully reads and understand the cited COA annual audit “The Philippine Animation Industry from BUTUAN City––In today’s Information reports.

Technology-Business Process Management 1983 to this present has served 30 years Cane however hinted the amount could have gone (IT-BPM) and ITPreneurship Road Show of passion for animation, said Marasigan lower if the audit report in 2012 will be posted to the in the Next Wave Cities held at the Almont adding, “we outsourced works from top Hotel’s Inland Resort here on September animations studios such as Disney, Cartoon COA website since the provincial government have 19, the Animation Council of the Philippines Network, Nickelodeon, Hanna-Barbera, and already attended the documents last year to clear a big (ACPI) promoted the art of animation to Toie Animation Japan.” part of the unliquidated cash advances.

Marasigan also expressed that to become students.

The issue of unliquidated cash advance has been ACPI President Benjie Marasigan said a successful animator, one should have hurled against the provincial government in the heat of that Filipinos are naturally artistic and have passion in the field of work, must be patient, the campaign during the last elections when opposition excelled in the field of animation around professional, and must be a team player. groups alleged that there was a related P852 million cash “The work of an animator is not that easy, the world.

As defined, animation is the process of it’s tedious, that’s why patience is really a advances which the province could not yet account to. creating the continuous motion and shape

big thing for us,” he said.

MESS | page 10

Mindanao Daily 5 NEWS

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Lanao Norte remains peaceful – AFP, PNP

T

EJARES_INTERVIEWTubod, Lanao del Norte – Despite recent bombings in Davao City and the invasion of Misuari-led MNLF faction in Zamboanga City, the province of Lanao del Norte remains peaceful. This was the assurance given by PNP Provincial Director Madid Paitao and Col. Demy Tejares of Philippine Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade (2MIB).

The announcement was made in response to increasing number of text messages attempting to scare local residents of an alleged impending MNLF sympathy attacks.

“The full force of PNP-Lanao del Norte is on full alert because we are ready for any atrocities that may be perpetrated in connection with the Zamboanga problem and to maintain the peace and order here in the province”, PSSupt.

Paitao said.

In a press briefing by Pakigdait ug Pag-Amoma Alang sa Kalinaw or Pakigdait Incorporated at Brgy.

Pala-o, Iligan City, 2MIB Commanding Officer Demy Tejares denied the presence of armed groups in their areas of responsibility saying, “there are no sightings of armed groups patrolling the City of Iligan or the province of Lanao del Norte”.

Also attending the briefing are MNLF Commanders Abidin Sanguila and J. Aberilla who assured members of local media that no attacks will occur in Iligan and Lanao del Norte.

Pakigdait, Inc. is an interfaith grassroot peacebuilder organization that spearheaded several peace

2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commanding Officer Demy Tejares (seated) assures local media that Lanao del Norte and Iligan City remains peaceful. Seated beside him are two MNLF Commanders operating in northern Mindanao.

initiatives in previous conflicts affecting the Lanao provinces.

Meanwhile, Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo has earlier instructed security forces

assigned in the province to intensify its intelligence gathering efforts to effectively thwart any threats from rebel groups. VNL/ PIO-LDN

Power curtailment in the city temporarily suspended say Mayor Regencia Mayor Celso G. Regencia is happy to announce to the people of Iligan the temporary suspension of the scheduled brownout in the city at this time.

In an effort to suspend the power curtailment in the city, a letter was sent to Treasure Steelworks through Alvin Tan with the request that the city is allowed to use 11 megawatt (MW) standby power of the plant.

This was explained by the mayor in an interview in Bagong Iligan, a radio program of Noli Pardillo. Mayor Regencia was thankful that the request of the city was granted. The city of Iligan will not experience power curtailment from September 10 until December 25. (with reports from Ree J. Altres)

DepEd-10 revisits curriculum on health

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- The Department of Education (DepEd), region 10, has revisited the curriculum content of health as a component of Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH).

Included in the revisit are the competencies, contents/ performance standards and development of assessment tools based on local information, HIV/AIDS trends and updates, adolescent and reproductive health, and issues on drug addiction, smoking and alcoholism among teenagers.

This was done through the Health Education Sem-

inar-Workshop for Music, Arts, MAPEH Secondary Teachers at De Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Sept. 19-20, Dr. Ingrid D. Racoma, Regional Director of DepEd, region 10, said.

Racoma said the twoday seminar aimed to make teachers aware of the real events in society which involves students' activities that needs guidance and proper attention and to develop lesson exemplars for the Grade 8 curriculum and show sample lessons through actual demonstration.

Held in cooperation with the Commission on Popula- KC-PAMANA evaluation and orientation - Members of the Regional Project Management Office of the Kapit-Bisig health | page 11

Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Field Office 10 conduct a Municipal Evaluation and Orientation in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte for the KALAHI-CIDSS Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project on August 27-30. The project implementation was deferred previously due to safety issues during the May 2013 elections.

(Marko Davey Reyes/RTP/PIA10)

Changing of the garb of St. Michael drums up Tangub fiesta celebration

By RUTCHIE CABAHUGAGUHOB

TANGUB CIT Y, Misamis Occidental -- Today’s changing of the garb of St. Michael, the Archangel, drums up the month-long celebration that culminates during the Tangub City fiesta on September 29.

Held in honor of the city’s patron saint, this annual ritual of “Pagpakanaug ug Pag-ilis ni Se?or San Miguel” (coming down and changing the outfit of the image of St. Michael) at the Parish Church, at 2 p.m., Sept. 20, has always been a crowd-drawer.

The activity is attended not only by Tangubanon devotees, but also by the people of the neighboring towns, Vicenta B. Paller, Tourism Officer of Tangub City, said.

Following the church ritual is the conduct of the Talent Night for Miss Tangub City Tourism (MTCT) 2013 candidates, as the celebration is actually a collaboration of the Roman Catholic Church and the Tangub City Government, Paller said.

Meanwhile, she said the fiesta activities actually started with an “Alay Lakad” (Walk for a Cause)

and the presentation of the MTCT candidates on Sept. 6, followed in by the Archdiocesan Commission on Education Convention and pictorials of the MTCT candidates, Sept. 14.

The other activities includes the 3rd Dalit Invitational Football Festival at the Tangub City Sports Complex, Sept. 21-22, Acrobatic Show and Festival of talents consisting of a Super Quiz Bee in Mathematics and Araling Panlipunan, Elementary Level, and Science, Araling Panlipunan and Population, Secondar y Level, Sept. 23.

Science Fair and Quest in Araling Panlipunan, Secondary Level, Sept. 24, Pageant Night of MTCT, Language Festival in English and Filipino, Elementary and Secondary Levels, Sept. 25, Science Fair and Quest, Elementary Level, DXJT-R adyo ng Bayan Anniversary and Cultural Night, Sept. 26.

Pictorials of Dalit Festival Lead Dancers, Sept. 27, LGU-sponsored mass at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Sept. 28 and Street Parade, “Dalit” Festival and Search for Festival Queen, Sept.

29. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

VISIT OUR WEB PORTAL A girl carries a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of Iligan City, during the Kasadya Street Dancing Contest Sept. 20, 2013. The street dancing signals the start of the Diyandi Festival, which will culminate on Sept.

29.

(MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera)

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Stop tuition fee increases A group of lawmakers pushing for the imposition of a three-year moratorium on increases in tuition and other school fees is a very laudable move.

Giving respite to the unending yearly increases of tuition and other school fees even just for three short years is already a sigh of relief.

This will alleviate the burden of the already suffering families who have none or very low income.

The lawmakers who authored House Bill 354 must be congratulated. Their measure will prohibit schools, public or private, from imposing increases in tuition and other miscellaneous fees for to students such as medical and dental, library, laboratory, publication, and athletics.

Under the bill, only schools who have severe losses in the previous year may apply for an increase but such losses should be reflected in the complete annual financial statement, a copy of which shall be submitted together with the application for tuition hike.

The law once enacted will punish schools who impose unilateral

increases. They will be fined of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or suffer six-year imprisonment of their officials or both at the discretion of the court.

In filing the bill, the authors said that Filipino families put premium on education that they forego other needs. However, they still cannot cope because of the “meteoric and unchecked rise” of school fees in private and public educational institutions.

The unabated tuition increase is a result of the defects in the deregulated education and the lack of proper guidelines on school fee increases.

The deregulation policy mandated by Batas Pambansa 232 turned private schools into a very profitable business with its number of institutions increasing from 637 in 1991 to 1,523 in 2008.

These private education ventures have been included in the Top 1,000 corporations of the country. The top five schoolcorporations earned, in a span of six years, P15.43 billion in gross

Editorial

revenues and P3.45 billion in net income.

Why have the concerned government agencies failed miserably to protect the public against schools that engage in profiteering activities? As a result, increases in tuition, miscellaneous and other fees, some of which are collected redundantly, continue without regard to the suffering students and their parents.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approved 354 or 78% of tuition increase petitions in 2013 while the state universities and colleges were mulling the possibility of imposing a tuition moratorium following the suicide of a cash-strapped University of the Philippines student.

On top of these are various miscellaneous and other school fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of pesos. These include exorbitant, redundant fees like power charges, installment fee, copier fees and infrastructure maintenance fees.

The proposed measure will give of relief to parents who are suffering for their children’s education.

A tribute to Sir and Ma’am It’s always a joy to meet young people who aspire to become teachers. One of the oldest professions in the world, teaching has always been a well-admired vocation. After all, the doctors, lawyers, and scientists of the world would not be where they are today without the knowledge and guidance of their instructors and professors.

However, while teaching remains a noble occupation in people’s eyes, it also has been overshadowed by more glamorous and high-paying jobs. Many people actually dream of teaching but would not, thinking that the work will not be sufficient to raise a family or sustain a lifestyle.

Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. honored ten educators, who were chosen from among hundreds of nominees nationwide as winners of this year’s Search for Outstanding Teachers.

They represent the many Filipinos who still pursue the calling, and who are willing to stick it out, sacrifice, and excel as members of the academe. They are the people who remind us that while teaching can be the most difficult job, it can also be most fulfilling.

From the Elementary Competition, meet Fely A. Batiloy of the Special Education Integrated School for Exceptional Children in Iloilo City. A music scholar and a cultural researcher-educator, Ms. Batiloy has produced music albums and a book on less known Visayan and Ilonggo songs that are being used as reference in the Mother Tongue-Based Curriculum of DepEd’s K12.

Dr. Mitchel V. Rodriguez of Odiongan Central School in Gingoog City, meanwhile, has come up with two books on Philippine folktales that are used in their school. She is also credited for developing a school reading program called ReVoE (Reading and Vocabulary Enhancement).

Speaking Out Ignacio Bunye Like Dr. Rodriguez, Cherry G. Vinluan of Guagua Elementary School in Pampanga also focused on developing the students’ passion for reading. Aside from putting up a reading center in her school, she also conducted research on improving reading comprehension and came up with instructional materials based on her findings.

Rodel C. Sampang of Pedro Guevarra Elementary School in the City of Manila, on the other hand, served as curriculum writer and national trainer for Social Studies.

He was also involved in developing DepEd’s K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), and is active in various trainings for his fellow teachers.

One of the awardees in the Secondary Competition is Dominique J. Maquiran of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo. Mr. Maquiran, who has organized close to a hundred community outreach programs, has produced Social Studies materials based on his own researches that are being used by different schools in his region.

Like him, co-winner Dr. Maria Teresa M. Bautista of Bacnotan National High School in La Union is also involve in community-based efforts, particularly in providing scholarships to the youth. Dr. Bautista, also a reading advocate, See bunye, page 7

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Think a minute…Imagine you had not eaten anything all day. So that night you decide to go out to a nice restaurant and buy the biggest, tastiest steak in the house. Finally, the waiter brings your meal and you can’t believe your eyes. On your plate is just a tiny piece of meat, enough for only two bites! You complain to the waiter about how tiny your steak is, but he says: “Sir, that little piece of steak is from the finest cow money can buy. You’ll never find a better bite of meat anywhere.”

Would you be satisfied? Of course not! Why? Because both quality andQUANTITY are important in life. This is especially true with how much time we give to our children.

Many of us parents spend such little time actually talk-

Opinion

Think A Minute Jhan Tiafau Hurst made time for our own fun and friends first. Or maybe we stay at work late, night after night, for more money.

Yet we still don’t understand why our kids are rebelling against us, or why they’re having problems at school.

It’s simply because we, their parents, are not giving them enough of our time, attention,

and real love.

You and I usually make time for things that are important to us. Your kids would much rather have YOU than a bigger house and more toys. Dad and Mom, your kids need both of you now while they’re growing up.

It’s now that they need you to talk with them, to listen and really understand what they’re feeling and going through, and just to be their friend and enjoy fun times together. So if you realize you’re not giving your best time to your children, both in quality and quantity, then today you can ask Jesus to forgive you. Then, with His real love and power you can change to start becoming the new and better parent your children need. Just Think a Minute…

Turning around Aquino’s slipping presidency Although I’ve commented President Aquino isn’t getting the advice he needs to govern successfully, Nestor Mata’s column “The most embarrassing of all presidents!” and Boo Chanco’s “Is P-Noy just all talk?” brought back my mind to the 2010 presidential election if the US-Pinoys’ support for Aquino was worth it.

Although I was close to his mother and knew quite well his sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz I was never sure if Noynoy knew me enough for me to put my credibility and objectivity on the line and face a libel suit in attacking Manny Villar’s corrupt business practices that my readers claimed made them vote and convinced others to vote for Aquino. As a result, Villar lost millions of votes to land at third place behind Joseph Estrada and couldn’t even raise a credible protest of having been cheated by Aquino who was the least interested candidate.

Our group of US-Pinoys had a delegation to attend Aquino’s inauguration. We were proud to be the first private delegation received by the new President on his second day in office.

While in Manila I was full of hope to be part of the incoming administration to stop or at least minimize graft and corruption pervading Philippine society and undermining its rule of law because of an understanding with former SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide, chairman-designate of the Truth Commission, to appoint me his adviser. I believed then as I and some Filipinos still do that Aquino is “hulog ng langit” who came from virtually nowhere to be elected the Philippine Government CEO he didn’t seriously aspire for previously.

Some friends and I share the belief Pamusa is also “hulog ng langit” to help Aquino clean up corruption because its birth was precipitated by Jocjoc Bolante’s detention at LAX for coming here without a visa and led me to learn for the first time of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Pamusa’s reason for existence. News from Manila indicated Bolante was allegedly the mastermind of the fertilizer scam. Evidence in the pork barrel scam suggests Janet Lim Napoles is probably involved also with Bolante and the fertilizer scam, meaning she has had her tentacles in two succeeding administrations. Which leads one to ask what happened Aquino’s “daang matuwid” (straight path). Could it had been washed away by frequently occurring typhoons and floods in the Philippines so it could hardly prove the most

debilitating problem of graft and corruption has been dented during the first three years of Aquino’s rule.

Could Chanco be right that with the possible exception of CJ Corona’s impeachment and dismissal, Aquino has no accomplishment to show in fighting graft and corruption? With due respect to Mata, however, being the lone survivor of the 1957 plane crash on Mt. Manunggal that caused President Ramon Magsaysay’s death, his sense of fairness may’ve been impaired to claim that Aquino is the most embarrassing president we’ve had. Mata has forgotten Ferdinand Marcos whose mere mention in social gatherings abroad make Filipinos bow their heads in shame. What about his wife, Imelda, whose over two-thousand shoe collection makes people laugh and then suddenly stop when it occurs to them millions of Filipinos can’t eat two square meals a day.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Imelda Marcos let the mouse out of the cat’s mouth in a press statement she wants Bongbong Marcos to run for President in 2016. I don’t have the details that Ochoa, De Lima and Bautista may be involved in Mrs. Marcos’ plan.

I’ve learned though to connect the dots to see their involvement when almost simultaneously early in Aquino’s administration, maybe July or August 2010, Ochoa was reported of favoring the PCGG’s abolition. His statement was echoed almost immediately by De Lima and Bautista, which made me wonder what made the PCGG’s abolition so important to the just starting Aquino administration?

Who would be the biggest beneficiaries if the PCGG were abolished when there won’t be any legal framework let alone our courts that can stop the Marcoses bring home, say, $200 million and add this to the Marcos wealth already here held by Bobby Ongpin, Greggy Araneta and the heirs of Marcos’ cronies like Kokoy Romualdezes’ children, Eric Recto and Geronimo Velasco Jr.? When the dots are connected backward, wasn’t a deal being discussed between the former FG Mike Arroyo and Imelda Marcos’ reps on the sharing of Marcos’ wealth which Imelda is insisting to include the Golden Buddha and reminted gold from the Yamashita Treasure? They can’t be hidden for long because of the G8 decision to close down tax and hot money safe havens discussed further below.

The PCGG should explain what happened that the estate of the late Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez was freed from

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Quality & Quantity

ing and listening to our kids.

And we defend ourselves by saying: “Well, I have good quality time with them. I make my short times with my kids count. I even buy them nice things.” But our kids are starving for more time with us! They need more than just a small bite of our time and a few leftovers after we’ve

Mindanao Daily 7 NEWS

Frankly Speaking

By Frank Wenceslao sequestration including his and his wife’s, Juliet Gomez Romualdez, over $5 million Swiss bank deposit held in escrow by the Philippine National Bank supposed to be conveyed to the National Treasury after the Sandiganbayan’s decision came down forfeiting it in favor of the state. Moreover, it looks as though the PCGG has stopped its search and recovery of Marcos’ and cronies’ ill-gotten wealth such as the ill-gotten portion of Marcos’ energy secretary Geronimo Velasco’s estate probated in San Francisco after his death in 2007? It’s time the Senate should conduct a hearing what really is the remaining and unrecovered Marcos’ and cronies’ ill-gotten wealth, what has the PCGG accomplished in this regard and the cost to the government of the accomplishment during the Aquino administration.

I accidentally discovered Ochoa’s connection with Bongbong through his wife, Louise Araneta Marcos, a partner in the law office Marcos Ochoa Serapio and Tan (MOST) that again came into the limelight as it’s retained by Janet Lim Napoles on an administrative problem she had with the NBI which she asked MOST to resolve, which it did in 24 hours. Yet, Ochoa’s lame excuse was – more or less quoting Ochoa on TV in a Senate hearing – “when I heard MOST was representing Napoles, I advised the office (MOST) to disengage.” Aquino should therefore ask this question: How long has Napoles been a MOST client? MOST should show statements of account of the charges and fees Napoles personally and her owned or controlled companies have paid.

On the other hand, the whistleblowers should’ve across the documents, letters, vouchers and receipts of Napoles et al.’s dealings with MOST. I came to know MOST during my visit home to attend Aquino’s inauguration.

It concerned my QC Sports Club share of stock I learned so requested Atty. Joseph Tan to inform Ochoa the stock gifted to him by the QCSC Board of Directors was mine arbitrarily applied to payment of dues during the 6-year I was in the US and on leave from the club.

I assured Tan I didn’t mind that Ochoa got my share but he should either pay me or ask the board to pay me the stock price of P170,000.00 then. I didn’t hear any more from either

Tan or the QCSC board when I left for the US with my stock problem unresolved. I emailed Ochoa afterwards but didn’t hear anything from him or Tan. I concluded therefore that Ochoa lacks concern for a fellow human being maybe because he got drunk of power. Or, he doesn’t want to admit he received such an expensive gift, an evidence of graft. In any event Ochoa could’ve paid P170,000 and asked me to sign a quitclaim. This he didn’t do because he probably wanted the stock to remain a gift of the Chinese Filipino majority board members of the QCSC. Ochoa has a second think coming because I won’t forget this raw deal and perhaps be an added evidence to his corrupt practices when he’s in power.

Our point though is despite such experience that makes Ochoa’s integrity dubious, I’m still willing to help Aquino save his plunging presidency. Aquino should recognize graft and corruption hasn’t been dented in the last three years and is still the country’s biggest problem because his anticorruption program and its implementation

by De Lima can be likened to putting out a forest fire with garden hose.

The President hopefully realizes he’s now on the threshold toward the eradication of big-time corruption with the convergence of international cooperation agreements against corruption (ICAAGs), the UNCAC and the US National Strategy to Internationalize Efforts Against Kleptocracy after worldwide indignation has been aroused epitomized by the “0ne Million People” march against pork barrel.

Fortunately, our people aren’t prone to violence as the Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, etc. have shown against their government’s austerity programs. But, of course, we cannot wait until the tipping point and critical mass are reached before acting decisively and effectively against government corruption for which Chanco has raised the alarm. However, I still consider Aquino “hulog ng langit.”

The eight (G8) richest and most powerful nations on earth, namely (in alphabetical order): Canada, China, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and USA, have agreed in their Summit last June in Northern Ireland they are equally hurt by the multinationals’ profits and the taxes due from them getting locked up in safe havens that should go into investment capital as the proceeds of drug trafficking, organized crimes and kleptocracy.

Biblical reflection Bro. Edcel L. Closas

Traitor Fresh Gospel of the day: Matthew9:913(September21, 2013-Saturday) Matthew 9:9-13-And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance: In this gospel we can notice that Jesus called Matthew to be His disciple despite he was a public sinner and traitor to the co Jews. This means that Jesus never called the qualified but He qualified the called. In 1 John 1:8-If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Therefore, no one is entitled supposed to be in serving God but it does not affect the desire of God to call us in working in his divine vineyard. The importance of God is to imitate Matthew who responded the invitation of Jesus to follow him. Take note, we are like fishes that are caught by a net and the cleansing is after being caught. This is like us, we need to be with God in order that we will be cleaned for us to be saved: SPONSORED:Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:30 PM - Sunday: #0928414949009266607505: Question – Prayer request

Bunye... from page 6

has helped produce champions in oratorical competitions and journalistic writing contests.

Marcelo T. Otinguey of Ampusongan National High School in Benguet, meanwhile, is a champion of Values Education and the preservation of culture and ethnic traditions. He has helped his colleagues as a demonstration teacher and resource speaker, while inspiring students through forming a cultural dance troupe and conducting seminars on cultural arts for them.

They are joined by Maria Lorna L. Garnace of Philippine Science High School, Eastern Visayas Campus in Leyte. Apart from conducting research and submitting papers, Ms. Garnace is known for her innovative teaching tools and strategies that make learning fun and exciting for her students.

Finally, from the Higher Education Competition, we have Dr. Alfredo C. Robles, Jr. of the De La Salle University in the City of Manila and Dr. Emilyn Q. Espiritu of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Dr. Robles, who has published books and taught abroad, is behind the very first graduate program in the Philippines that combines International Relations and European Studies. He has passed on his knowledge to younger teachers, as well as diplomats, development workers, and government employees.

Dr. Espiritu, meanwhile, continues to juggle teaching and field work to be able to “walk the talk.” While conducting researches on environmental management, toxicology and solid waste management, she also serves as consultant for organizations such as the World Bank and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

All ten winners received gold medallions and cash as reward for their outstanding performance. However, we all know that there is something more precious that we can give them, and that is a simple “Thank you Sir or Thank you Ma’am.”

It’s never too late to express our gratitude to our teachers, some who have even become are second parents, mentors, and friends. A perfect time to say thanks is today until October 5, which marks the end of the National Teachers’ Month. October 5 is also the World Teachers’ Day. Note: My book, Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria is now available in main branches of Fully Booked, Power Books, National Book Store, and University of the Philippines Press.

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Zamboanga del Norte | Zamboanga del Sur | Zamboanga Sibugay | Dipolog City | Dapitan City | Pagadian City | Isabela City | Zamboanga City

Bomb blast kills 3, hurt one in Zambo Z AMBOANGA City––A powerful bomb explosion late Friday ripped through a passenger bus and killing 3 people in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where two weeks of fighting between security and rebel forces left over 100 soldiers and rebels dead.

MORO-CHRISTIAN RALLY FOR PEACE IN ZAMBO

Sulu Princess Jacel Kiram (center) is joined by Catholic nuns in a rally calling for a peaceful resolution to the Zamboanga conflict last Thursday along F. Bangoy Street – Sta. Ana Avenue. The Initiatives for Peace in Mindanao (InPeace) mobilized 100 church leaders and peace advocates in its Mindanao School of Peace in time for the International Day of Peace.

Zambo volunteers risk lives to keep evacuees safe, nourished

By Dominic I. Sanchez of PIA-Western Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA City––For one meal, eight sacks of rice and 1,500 cans of sardines are prepared by about ten volunteer- cooks at the evacuation center in the Zamboanga City High School’s main campus in barangay Tetuan.

The viands would of course vary, but the amount of food prepared remains the same.

There are 2,295 people currently at this center, who are mostly residents of nearby barangay Mampang and Arena

Blanco, where the gunfights and explosions have been intermittent but unremitting.

Janet Mohammad who is in charge of the food preparation committee said that the cooks, mostly women have been doing this for an entire week now on a daily basis.

On regular days, you would see them in teachers’ uniform, reporting to work at about 7 p.m. and leaving at 9 p.m. But now, they have been coming in as early as 5 a.m.; some leave after suppertime risk | page 10

Army officials said an improvised explosive was left under a passenger seat and exploded inside a bus depot in the coastal town of Labuan. The bus, owned

by Biel Transit, just returned from a daylong trip shuttling village passengers to downtown Zamboanga and back.

The blast was powerful that it totally destroyed the roof of the bus and damaged several others parked nearby.

Bomb experts sifted through debris looking for shrapnel and pieces of evidence to determine what type of explosive device was used and what they recovered were the decapitated bodies of three people – two teenage bus washers, Hudson Guinilac and Allison Saavedra; and the bus conductor Meliton Orquijo.

The driver, Bello Domingo de Jesus, who was walking near the bus, was wounded from the explosion.

“It is very tragic. Those who

“

It is very tragic.

Those who were killed in the bus were really hard working people, especially the bus washers.

We mourn their deaths.’

were killed in the bus were really hard working people, especially the bus washers. We mourn their deaths,” one man, who is a neighbor of two of the victims, said.

No individual or claimed responsibility for the attack, but Col. Androlino Colina, commander of an army anti-terror task force, warned citizens to stay vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious or abandoned baggage

they see.

“We appeal to everyone to report to us any suspicious or abandoned baggage and please do not touch them,” he said.

The blast occurred near a penal farm where authorities would put dozens of captured Moro National Liberation Front rebels after processing them at a police base.

Hundreds of rebels stormed several villages on September 9 and took over 180 civilians and used them as shield against security forces, but officials said at least 175 people were freed, escaped or rescued since the violence erupted. And that about two dozen more are believed being held captive by rebels, who split into several groups.

Security officials said 13 soldiers and three policemen, including 81 rebels were killed in the fighting. The clashes forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes and resulted to a humanitarian crisis in Zamboanga and severely affected the economy of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Sporadic clashes still continue in the villages of Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina where they rebels are scattered with their hostages. (Mindanao Examiner)