GOLDEN CHRONICLE

Published: Dec. 26-Jan 1, 2007 issue

Effective July, every employee will get 10 percent over base pay

President Gloria M. Arroyo on Monday said the government would give priority to the immediate passage of the bill granting a 10-percent increase in the base pay of government employees effective July this year.

In a statement, the President said she would send the proposed measure to Congress as soon as the legislators return from their holiday furlough.

"This bill will govern the usage of the P10.3 billion which they have set aside as the first installment of a merit-based, performance-driven compensation reform package for the public sector workers," she said.

The President, who ordered the pay increase for government workers at the start of 2006, said she would again ask Congress to cap its impressive run of legislations this year with the passage of the wage hike bill in 2007.

"And come July, when the next legislature convenes, I will stand before them to plead for the speedy passage of the third edition of the Salary Standardization Law, one that will not only increase pay of state workers but boost the productivity of government as well," she said.

The Chief Executive said she had asked Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to submit the bill to Congress.

"These measures distill inputs from the field, best managerial practices, performance benchmarks and projected revenue streams of the government, all with the interest of the public in mind," she stressed.

The President pointed out that when the government embarked on the mission to put the fiscal house in order, she had extended her appeal to the government workers to share the burden of the people.

"Now that we have turned the corner, it is time for their share of the social payback of economic reforms," she said.

Published: Dec. 26-Jan 1, 2007 issue

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING

Executive Editor

They all missed New Year’s eve with their loved ones. But not the much coveted prize at the 1^st Dr. Jose Rizal National Festival for Excellence that was held last December 29, 2006 at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City.

            Members of Teatro Gingoog, all students of Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School, emerged as among the national finalists and subsequently bagged the championship trophy. The title carries with it P100 thousand cash prize.

            Ms. Norebel Arazo Balagulan, who accompanied her students to the national finals, said they were so happy to make it to the finals to compete with four other finalists, all of them representing their respective regions.

            Balagulan said that while she is confident on the talents of the Teatro Gingoog they have no idea as to the performance levels of other finalists. Hence, they never expected to win first place in the final round of the competition.

            Teatro Gingoog, who represented Northern Mindanao, bested the school-based theater groups from Manila Science High School of the National Capital and Digos City National High School of Southern Mindanao that landed second and third places, respectively.

            Manila Science High School, winner in the NCR regional competition, took the P50 thousand second prize while Southern Mindanao winner Digos City National High School settled for the P30 thousand third prize.

            The two other finalists were the theater performers of Borongan National High School of Samar, the regional winner for Western Visayas, and that of Quirino National High School who represented Northern Luzon region.  

            Balagulan said they are thankful of the support they got from the city government of Gingoog through Mayor Ruthie de Lara-Guingona as well as from Rep. Danilo Lagbas of the first district of Misamis Oriental.

            “They provided us what we need. In fact, Mayor Guingona and Congressman Lagbas were with us during the awarding ceremonies,” Balagulan said.

            Before leaving for the national competition, Teatro Gingoog performed during the flag-raising ceremony of the city government employees in the presence of Mayor Guingona.

Published: Dec. 26-Jan 1, 2007 issue

The city government of Cagayan de Oro has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with a private subdivision developer for the establishment of a socialized housing project in the southwestern part of the city.

Mayor Vicente Y. Emano signed yesterday a MOA with the Crown Communities Cagayan, Inc. for the establishment of a socialized housing project within the subdivisions being developed by the said developer.

As part of the agreement, Crown Communities gave the City Government P6 million representing  20 percent of the land value of the housing project as mandated by law.

The financial assistance will be used to augment the city’s Piso-piso Land Resettlement Program that is designed to address the needs of landless residents in the city.

The Crown Communities Cagayan, Inc. is the developer of such subdivisions as the La Buena Vida 2, Frontiera, Montaña Vista 1, Montaña Vista 2, Portico 1, Portico 2 and La Mirande.

Emano expressed his gratitude to the said developer even as he pointed out that such a joint undertaking only proves the full support extended by the private sector to the programs of the city government.

The city mayor said that this partnership is also inline with the city government’s goal to provide a better place and a brighter future for the people of Cagayan de Oro especially those who live in difficult circumstances.

Published: Dec. 26-Jan 1, 2007 issue

To minimize if not eliminate violence in the 2007 elections, the Philippine National Police has created Task Force HOPE, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon said.

Calderon’s announcement Wednesday came four days after a string of attacks against local officials, namely Abra Representative Luis Bersamin who was killed Saturday; Dolores, Abra Mayor Alberto Guzman whose house was strafed; and Nueva Ecija Councilor Elpidio "Pidyong" Ruweda who survived an ambush earlier in the day.

Task Force HOPE--Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections--is a response to these attacks, said Calderon.

Calderon said the task force, headed by Deputy Director General Antonio Billones, deputy chief for operations, will supervise police activities during the election period.

Task Force HOPE will also implement a nationwide gun ban starting January, said Calderon.

"We will now start applying for search warrant to raid houses reportedly possessing loose firearms," Calderon told a press conference at Camp Crame.

He said Task Force HOPE would also be strict on "motorcycle-riding men in tandem," as this was the common modus operandi of murder suspects.

The task force will also address the wave of unabated political murders, said Calderon.

Published: December 19-25, 2006 issue

Thirty-five mobile stores will be managed by Dawn members

By RUTCHIE CABAHUG-AGUHOB

Contributor

The Government has never denied the issue of abject poverty among the people and admits it has no quick fix as to laying down a strong economic foundation to give the poor more opportunities to work and feed themselves.

            But the overall incidence of hunger can only be tackled by a comprehensive war against poverty using all the tools of economic reform and social payback as the Government has a long term solution based on total human security for every Filipino family in terms of food, education, shelter, health and law and order.

            Along this line, the Differently-Abled Women Network, (Dawn) Philippines, Inc. has called on the women with physical deformities to come out in the open and take part in uplifting their lives as well as that of their families and respective communities.

            “Gi-awhag nako ang mga babaye nga adunay kabilinggan sa panlawas, sama kanako, nga dili nila ikaulaw ang paggawas gikan sa ilang nahimutangan aron moduyog sa kalamboan sa ilang kumunidad.(I am calling on the women PWD’s, like me, to stop hiding but come out and engage themselves and help in community development,”  said Melagros M. Maquiling, executive director of Dawn Cagayan de Oro Chapter.

            Maquiling made the appeal during the blessing of the Persons With Disability (PWD) Mobile Stores at the Dawn Office in Cagayan de Oro City last week.

            “The days of stereotyping that women PWD’s belong to the weaker sex and better be left in a corner should now be a thing of the past because we have proven that our existence in this world is not by accident but with God’s purpose,” she said.

            An organization within the PWD, Dawn is composed of more than 70 women with hearing, visual and/or speech impairment, poliomyelitis, mild cerebral palsy, amputees and hunchback of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.

            In May, this year, it was declared one of the 59 Panibagong Paraan 2006 winners nationwide that availed of the viable projects funded by the World Bank.

            “This project is the fabrication of 35 units of the PWD Mobile and Dawn Cooperative Stores and its indicated incidental costs financed by the WB through the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (Pacap) of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID),” Maquiling said.

             Capitalization of the goods to sell, however, shall be borne by the PWD’s themselves as their counterpart to the project to mobilize the economic activity for the Dawn members.

            “We really consider the project a milestone since it is designed to regain our self-reliance and self-esteem” Maquiling further said. PIA 10

Published: December 19-25, 2006 issue

Disabled soldiers and their dependents and the ones left behind by those who were killed in action (KIA) as well as those killed in-line of duty (KLOD) will have something to look forward early next year.

            “This is because they are the target beneficiaries of the Kabuhayan para sa Kawal na Nagkakapansanan or K3 (Livelihood for Soldiers with Disabilities) Job Fair,”  said Maj. Gen. Jose T. Barbieto, commanding general of the 4^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, based in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

            The Job Fair is set on Feb. 1 and 2, this year.

            Barbieto said that the activity is in compliance to the mandate of the Department of National Defense (DND) to implement projects aimed at improving the lives of K3 soldiers which is why we join the administration in appealing to Congress on the passage of the 2007 budget.

            Further delays in its approval could result in the economic set back, particularly of investments, jobs and infrastructure programs that mark the social payback of our continuing gains in the economy, he further said.

            Meanwhile, Maj. Prospero A. Salas Jr., chief of the 4ID Division Livelihood Office (4DLO), said he has already coordinated with the regional line offices and local government agencies concerned purposely to accelerate the success of the job fair.

             “There are about 2,000 job opportunities offered during the K3 Job Fair by some 50 local and 28 overseas employers,” he said.

            Day 1 of the two-day activity will be devoted to the disabled soldiers, their respective dependents and the dependents of KIA and KLOD while Day 2 will be open to the public so those individuals in the area who are jobless can be given a chance to acquire jobs,” Salas added. PIA 10

Published: December 19-25, 2006 issue

BY EVELYN ERIGBUAGAS

Correspondent

BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental: After the ground-breaking and time capsule-laying last month, the municipal police building here is now under construction.

Mayor Agne Yap said he is grateful to the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for responding to his request.

Mayor Yap said that the police building is the only one in the province of Misamis Occidental with funding from the PNP.

Earlier, Police Senior Supt. Danilo Emperdad, the deputy regional director for administration of Police Regional Office 10, together with Police Senior Supt. Minoy R. Darimbang, the police provincial  director of Misamis Occidental, led the ground-breaking ceremony.

They were joined in by Mayor Yap and other municipal and barangay officials.

Darimbang said the funding came from the eight percent of the PNP capital outlay.

He said that with this development, police personnel in this municipality will be more effective and efficient in their campaign against all forms of criminality.

Emperdad lauded the partnership between the community and the police in preventing crimes and for maintaining peace and order here.

Municipal planning and development officer Anthony Pangilinan said that the building is worth P2.5 million on a 185-square-meter area.

Meanwhile, Darimbang said that the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office ranked No. 1 in administration and operational accomplishments for the third quarter of 2006 in Northern Mindanao.

He said the MisOcc PPO is also No.1 in Oplan Paglalansag after it was able to recover seven loose firearms. It also ranked No. 1 when it comes to the arrest of most wanted persons since there were 18 who fell into the hands of the law.

When it comes to illegal drugs campaign, MisOcc PPO ranked fourth with the arrest of five drug trafficking suspects and, again, No. 1 in serving warrants of arrest with 18.

Published: December 19-25, 2006 issue

By BEN SERRANO

December 21, 2006

BUTUAN CITY: One of the most-guarded and heavily-secured traders here is businessman Lorenzo "Censio" Dy, who is a former chapter president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI), claimed residents here are no longer safe.

Expressing dismay over the failure of the city’s law enforcement system to secure peace, order and safety to every citizen in this city, Dy’s family, who is one of the biggest donors of the Butuan City Police ever since, warned the more than 300,000 city residents to brace themselves with the rising criminality.

Dy Teban Family Foundation donates service vehicles, cash and other goods to the Butuan City Police Office yearly aside from donation it get from the local Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Butuan City Police Director Senior Supt. Ramon Castillo Espiritu and City Councilor Salvador Calo, city council chair for peace and order committee admitted that the Dy Family has been very benevolent for the law enforcement sector in the city.

The Butuan City Police Office, in exchange, has been detailing police security escorts to the businessman and his family, aside from providing police security details at their store.

Last Dec. 18, at about 5:10 a.m., the businessman’s son, Michael Dy, 23, who was attending mass, parked the family-owned blue-colored Mitsubishi Pajero, bearing plate number DTH 583, in front of the Butuan City Cathedral and the crowded Rizal Park, just about five meters away from the Butuan City Central Police Office.

When he came back after the mass, the vehicle was no longer at the parking site prompting Michael Dy to ask assistance from patrolling policemen and barangay tanods in the vicinity.

City police director Espiritu immediately called a flash alarm in all exit points of the city to block the carnappers but no vehicle that fits the description had been noticed going out the city by responding policemen.

Espiritu claimed that the carnappers, who have been victimizing many single XRM Honda model motorcycles and three other four-wheeled vehicles the past three days, now claimed they are not from Butuan City but from cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Marawi.

“As of now, we cannot say it was carnapped or missing until all means are exhausted,” Espiritu replied.

It was not learned whether the three count policy of the PNP will be applied to Espiritu and his men after civil society here wanted him replaced for failure to contain increasing criminalities such as theft, burglary, snatching and highway robberies hit the city for weeks now.

Espiritu was the personal choice of Butuan City Mayor Democrito Plaza  II.

Published: December 12-18, 2006 issue

INDAHAG, Cagayan de Oro City: Representatives of SM Foundation, Inc. SM City Cagayan de Oro and the Cagayan de Oro Press Club trooped to the Indahag High School covered court of this upland barangay last Friday (Dec. 15) for an annual outreach dubbed “Make A Child Happy This Christmas.”

         Along this line, 95 Grade I pupils and 55 other grade schoolers of Indahag Elementary School received toys as their Christmas gifts.

         In his inspiring message, Cagayan de Oro Press Club president Uriel C. Quilinguing said that Christmas celebration must be dedicated to children because this is the celebration of Christ’s birth. Thus, the idea of Make A Child Happy was conceived.

            Indahag barangay chairperson Carmelito Damo, in his welcome remarks, thanked SM Foundation, Inc., SM City Cagayan de Oro, and COPC for selecting his barangay of the 80 barangays for the outreach activity.

Parents, Teachers and Community Association (PTCA) president Reyniel Ytang shared Damo’s view that indeed Indahag children were fortunate for having been chosen for the project.

Boys received toy trucks while girls received Sponge Bob Square Pants in stuffed forms.

         The children all chorused in saying that they were happy with the gift giving.

         The Grade I pupils belonged to the tutelage of advisers Leodena B. Tapnayon of I-Green, Marcy Joy Melendez of I-Blue and Marianne Vega of I-Red.

         Aside from the toy giveaways, children who participated in the parlor games facilitated by ex-television celebrity host Maricel Casiño-Rivera were also able to snatch prizes.

         Other personalities who helped distribute the toys to the children were Indahag Elementary School principal Rogelio Vitorillo, the beauteous SM City Cagayan de Oro public relations officer Ivy Guantero and journalists Joey P. Nacalaban and Mark D. Francisco, both from the Cagayan de Oro Press Club.

Earlier, “Make a Child Happy this Christmas” was held last Dec. 11 at the Event Center of SM City Cagayan de Oro with around 100 children aged 12 years old and below.

Some of those who were there are presently housed at the Haven Center for Women at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 10.

They were treated to an afternoon of fun and entertainment, also in cooperation with the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Picture City.

Last Firday, Dec. 22, SM Foundation, SM City Cagayan de Oro and COPC also distributed gifts to about 50 children undergoing treatment at the J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

Published: December 12-18, 2006 issue

The City Council of Cagayan de Oro on Monday, Dec. 18, unanimously adopted a resolution commending municipal mayor Dixon Yasay of Opol,

Misamis Oriental.

City Council member Maryanne Chavez-Enteria, author of the resolution, said Mayor Yasay bested other municipal mayors

nationwide in the prestigious Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence-Municipality Category.

Yasay introduced the Total Human Resource Development Program. One of its components, the Hinterland Development Project, lifted the lives of the many in the hinterland barangays and helped in securing for the municipality the lowest poverty incidence record in the province of Misamis Oriental last year.

In Resolution no. 63 dated 6 February 1996, the Board

of Trustees of the Local government Development Foundation (LOGODEF), the major partner of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in the field of local government capability-building, formalized the decision to honor the man and the principles of his leadership by establishing the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence Award.

In March 1996, LOGODEF conceptualized and discussed the award system. The board formalized the program and projected to award the KAME in December 1996. It is awarded every three years.

The Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence Award is conferred to local executives of various local governments whose leadership epitomizes the ideals, which Konrad Adeanuer believed in and practice while in public service.

Konrad Adenauer was the Oberburgermeister (Mayor) of

Cologne from 1921-1933. As a Mayor of Cologne, Adenauer ringed the city with green trees to protect it from natural calamities. Thus, he became one of the pioneering environmentalists. He was also the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Konrad Adenauer staunchly believed that the democratic government can only survive if it is based on unshakable moral values subscribe to by its citizenry. He also believed in the fundamental principle in the freedom and dignity of an individual.

Published: December 12-18, 2006 issue

Christmas is just  around the corner.

This, even as the City Government will launch tomorrow two major Christmas events which are designed to make the Yuletide season a joyous occasion for all Cagayanons.

Foremost of these activities is the re-staging of the annual Halad Sa Pasko, an annual Christmas event that features the Oro Choir Festival and the Indigay sa Parol.

Acting City Tourism Officer Imma Rae D. Gatuslao explained that the Oro Choir Festival is a caroling contest while the Indigay Sa Parol is a lantern design contest. Both are open only for residents of Cagayan de Oro.

The Halad sa Pasko was launched Friday, Dec. 15, at the Kiosko Kagawasan.

           Another Christmas-related project that will was launched by the city government was the Light-A-Tree Project at the City Hall Compound which was participated in by the various offices of the city government.

           Cagayan de Oro City mayor Vicente Y. Emano led key city government officials and employees in the ceremonial lighting program that will be held at the City Hall Quadrangle.

           Local residents and tourists alike are expected to witness a spectacular display of lights and colors every night.

             Meanwhile, Gatuslao said that the final round of the Halad sa Pasko contests was held at the SM City Cagayan de Oro in Upper Carmen last Monday, Dec. 18.

The activity is a joint undertaking of the City Tourism Board, the city government and SM City Cagayan de Oro.

Published: December 5-11, 2006 issue 

Luli releases serpent eagle at Mapawa reforestation project

Villanueva, Misamis Oriental: Presidential daughter Evangelina Lourdes “Luli” M. Arroyo cited the strong support of STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) to efforts geared toward community development and sustainable environment.

This developed as Miss Arroyo made a visit recently to the various social and environmental programs supported and initiated by the company in its host communities in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City.

            During her visit, she led local government and private sector leaders during a tree-growing activity and symbolic release of the serpent eagle at the 1,200 hectare Mapawa Reforestation Project in Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

Considered as Mindanao’s first “carbon sink”, the project forms part of the company’s commitment to a worldwide campaign to help protect the environment. The project is implemented in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau and the E. Pelaez Ranch, Inc.

In Villanueva town where SPI’s newly-completed Mindanao Power Plant is located, Miss Arroyo also led the distribution of the more than 2,300 study chairs that finally puts to closure the gap between students and chairs in all public schools in Villanueva.

She likewise led the distribution of some P250,000 worth of science and laboratory equipment to several public schools in the area.

In the nearby town of Tagoloan, she led other local government officials and Philippine Veterans Industrial Development Corporation (Phividec) locator industries in the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of the new Mohon Elementary School .

Tagoloan mayor Bambi Emano said that the project has been initiated in support of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s program to have an elementary school in all barangays in the country.

Notably, Mohon is the only barangay in Tagoloan that does not have an elementary school. With funding support from companies located at the Phividec area, the school will be opened initially to Grades 1, 2 and 3 pupils starting next school year.

Miss Arroyo also noted the strong LGU-Private Sector partnership in the area as she expressed gratitude for development efforts initiated in support of her mother’s ten-point agenda.

She underscored the importance of private sector’s participation in community development and environmental protection. “Being part of the community, we are responsible for each other,” Miss Arroyo concluded.

Published: December 5-11, 2006 issue

To keep residents of Cagayan de Oro safe and sound during the celebration of the holidays, Mayor Vicente Y. Emano created a task force to monitor the display and sale of firecrackers.

         Mayor Emano signed Executive Order 131-06 which creates a Christmas/New Year’s Task Force to enforce compliance on firecrackers regulations.

The task force may confiscate illegally displayed and sold firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

          In the same executive order, firecrackers such as Super Lolo and atomic big triangle are not allowed to be displayed or sold and those who wanted to light firecrackers must do it away from persons, passing vehicles, places of worship, schools and other learning institutions, restaurants, houses, buildings and parks.

           The explosion of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices is also prohibited within or near structures made of flammable materials, and assemblies or gathering of people in parks or plazas.

           Section 392, Chapter 87 of City Ordinance No.  4373-94, as amended by City ordinance No. 6711-98, provides that no person, firm or partnership, association or corporation shall possess, keep in stock, sell or explode fire crackers or pyrotechnic devices of such explosive content that could endanger life and limb, such as Super Lolo and atomic big triangle and their equivalent.

           Mayor Emano said that the task force was created upon the recommendation of Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers, the chair of the city council committee on peace and order to ensure public safety and order.

           The task force is composed of Police Senior Supt. Aurelio Trampe as head, acting city administrator Wilma Rugay, acting city accountant Griscelda Joson, acting city planning and development coordinator Estrella Sagaral, Police Supt. Antonio Montalba and city treasurer Lino Daral as members.

           All confiscated items will be deposited at Cagayan de Oro City Police Office headquarters where the same items will be disposed of accordingly.

Published; December 5-11, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent 

ILIGAN CITY: A peace monument will soon be constructed in this city.

The unveiling of the marker of the peace monument last Dec. 4 was part of the Mindanao Week of Peace activities that were spearheaded by the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP).

Earlier, a peace workshop was held and eventually the signing of a peace covenant. The same document calls for the resumption of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

CSO-FP was with the support of the Civil Society Organization-Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development (CSOLN-PPD), and the Civil Society of Lanao del Sur (CSOLS).

These civil society groups are composed of various non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations and backed by local government officials. They also have the backing of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Peace Mindanao and European Union.

Mindanao Week of Peace observance in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces started with a peace caravan from Iligan City to Sultan Naga Dimaporo that was held last Nov. 29.

Last Dec. 4, the First Lanao Peace Summit was held Elena Tower inn, as conceptualized by the Civil Society Networks with the CSO-FP as the lead organization.

            Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated by virtue of the Presidential Proclamation no. 127, dated November 26, 2001, declaring the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year duly signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

            Other activities were the reading of Kid’s Appeal for Peace, response from civil society organizations and local government unit, laying of time capsule for the proposed peace monument.

Published: December 5-11, 2006 issue

Xavier University bested eight other law schools in the Philippines during the second Philippine Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at the Ateneo Professional School in Makati City, Dec. 9, 2006.

The winning team, composed of Garret Paolo B. Nolasco, April Ann A. Uy Ang, Zerah Marie B. Absin and coach Jerome J. Jarales, will represent the Philippines in the 5th Asian IHL Moot Court Competition in Hongkong next year.

Three IHL experts who judged the championship round were former Ambassador Rosalinda Tirona, Dr. Umesh Kadam, a delegate for the Academe of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)– Kuala Lumpur Delegation, and Mr. Johan Guillaume, ICRC Protection Delegation based in the Philippines.

The other competitors were from Arellano University, Ateneo de Manila University, Cagayan State University, Cagayan Colleges of Tuguegarao, University of San Jose Recoletos, University of San Carlos, University of St. La Salle and University of the Philippines.

UP was runner-up while Ateneo and La Salle made it to the semi-finals round.

The Best Mooter trophy was awarded to Ms. April Ann Uy Ang of Xavier University while the Best Memorial award was given to the Ateneo team.

Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard J. Gordon, Mr. Felipe Donoso, ICRC Head of Delegation in the Philippines and Atty. Carlos Medina, Director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center, awarded the trophies during the closing ceremonies.

Published: Nov 28- Dec 4, 2006 issue

Iponan river, environs to become mineral reservation area

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to convert the Iponan River into a mineral reservation area considering its historical value to the city.

MGB Region 10 director Dario Miñoza said Iponan River is a very historical area since it is where the “Oro” of Cagayan de Oro was extracted.

“We are now doing a study on Iponan River to determine how big is the area with gold deposits. We hope to complete the study by next year. We are also monitoring the river for the presence of mercury and other chemicals. But so far we found no traces of mercury. Since 1930, gold can be found at the river and until now, gold is still abundant,” Miñoza said.

Because of gold deposits, mining is rampant at the Iponan River which some people fear might cause siltation of the river but Miñoza said they are now trying to use a “carrot and stick” approach in solving this problem.

He said mining is illegal because the minerals are owned by the government but mining is the only livelihood of the people in the area and they cannot prevent them from doing it. One gram of gold reportedly costs P1,000.

But Miñoza said they are now encouraging the miners to do their processing in an area away from the river.

“Diha man gud sila ga process o ga-ayag sa balas duol sa sapa mao nga hugaw. Pero karon, ato na silang gihangyo nga didto na sila mag-ayag layo sa sapa. Butangan sila og silting pond para didto ma silt ang hugaw, dili sa sapa,” he said.

Since early this month, the MGB has asked the assistance of the Philippine National Police in putting up police monitoring stations from Tumpagon up to the last barangay of Cagayan de Oro to ensure strict compliance.

Published: Nov 28-Dec 4, 2006 issue

By BEN SERRANO

Correspondent

SURIGAO CITY: With a margin of only 6,914 votes from five municipalities of Dinagat island, the bailiwick of the Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association (PBMA), the “Yes” to Dinagat Island Province prevailed over a poorly-promoted “No” in the December 2 referendum.

Officially, the "Yes" vote totalled to of 70,058 while "No" vote got only 63,144, the Commission on Electionrs (Comelec) said.

But only 44.7 percent of 297,959 registered voters in the entire province of Surigao del Norte, including voters from Surigao City, went to the polls last Dec. 2.

         Voters’ turn-out is the lowest, by far, in the history of political exercise in the province which has 27 and the component city of Surigao, according to Comelec provincial election officer Joy Jonathan Senaca..

         “This is also our first time to hold a plebiscite like this. Generally it is peaceful and orderly”, Senaca told the Golden Chronicle when she was interviewed at the provincial canvassing center which is located at Sangguniang Panlalawigan building.

         Earlier, “No” proponents complained of alleged coercion of voters to vote “yes,” vote-buying in the amount of P20 for each voter, and “flying” voters. But there was no formal complaint.

In an interview over radio station DXRS, Jose Cabradilla, a resident of Libjo town and one of the advocates of "Yes" vote thank those who supported the creation of Dinagat province.

Cabradilla, who is perceived to be eyeing for mayoralty post in the May 2007 elections, said: "This is our dream long overdue. The people of Dinagat Island have finally spoken. They wanted to decide their own fate."

Of the seven municipalities in Dinagat, San Jose residents registered an overwhelming “yes” vote of 91.9 percent. San Jose is the home of the PBMA.

Results from other towns were: Basilisa, 82 percent; Dinagat, 79.2 percent; Cagdianao, 65.6 percent; Libjo, 55 percent; Loreto, 57.3 percent; and Tubajon, 59.2 percent.

Dinagat’s seven towns have 62,298 registered voters.

In Siargao, another island of Surigao del Norte, the "No" votes won but the turn-out was dismally low at 38 percent out of the 63,633.

          Here in Surigao City, with 69,075 registered voters, only 44 percent went to the polls to cast their votes and they are against the creation of Dinagat as a province.

             Meanwhile, the 11 mainland towns of Sison, Tubod, San Francisco, Mainit, Placer, Alegria, Bacuag, Gigaquit, Claver, Malimono and Tagana-an of Surigao del Norte province, the "No" votes prevailed. However, only 31,956 out of the 102,957 registered voters voted.

Earlier, both the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and the Roman Catholic Church denounced the creation of the Dinagat into a province, saying only politicians would benefit out of Republic Act No. 9355, the law that calls for the creation of Dinagat Province.

            The "No" proponents admitted it has no funds and volunteers to actively campaign for "No" votes.

Once Dinagat becomes a province, “Yes” proponents are recommending that San Jose will become the provincial capital.

Dinagat which has a land area of 801.65 square kilometers is abundant with mineral resources.

Published: Nov 28-Dec 4, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: Chief-of-staff Roosevelt R. Radiaganding (retired general)

bared the accomplishments report of Lanao del Sur Governor Aleem Bashier D. Manalao from July 2004 to July 2006, as it is grouped into six (6) focus areas, namely: infrastructure; irrigation, agriculture and fisheries; health and social services; peace, unity and order; projects- assisted; and projects approved for fund sourcing and implementation.

            Governor Manalao has brought great pride and honor to the province and the people here. He has been behind the struggle and successes of the provincial government for the past two years and he has been instrumental in bringing Lanao del Sur back to being a competitive province in Mindanao and the Philippines, said Radiaganding.

             The Governor has led the provincial government  of this province in initiating and accomplishing programs and projects for and in behalf of the people of the province. These can be considered as the  initial  realizations of the Seven-Point Agenda of his administration, which are all in line  with the national government’s program and are in support of the national administration’s  Ten-Point agenda.

              Among the Infrastructure Projects completed by the provincial government of this province, 10 are on the construction of public facilities and structures, while 10 are on the repair and/or improvement of the same. Ten projects, on the other hand, are on road concreting, and 40 are on the repair and/or improvement of the same. The construction of the Maqbara or Provincial Memorial Park/Public (Islamic) Cemetery, which has long been needed by the people of the province and it has been constructed and completed.

            Other infrastructure projects are on-going; 11 are on the construction of public facilities and structures, five are on the repair and/or maintenance of public facilities and structure, two are on road concreting, and 10 are on the repair and/or improvement of concrete roads. 

  The provincial government has also begun implementing and is in the process of completing the Provincial Grand Arc located over the National Road at the provincial entrance along Saguiaran–Balo-i border, the Welcome Arc of the Mindanao State University Main Campus, this city, the Provincial Capitol canteen and Provincial Governor’s Office Building, both located at the New Capitol Complex, this city, and the construction and concreting of one kilometer of provincial road in each of the 39 municipalities and one city of the province. 

The latter undertaking, which shall cover a total of 25 kilometers, is worth P200 million, as appropriated from the approved Land Bank of the Philippines Loan, P125 million of which is allocated for actual road construction, while P75 million is for purchase of heavy equipments that would help facilitate the completion of this project and all other infrastructure projects presently being implemented and to be implemented in the future.

            Also, in the pipeline are the construction of 16 units Mostaqbal Health Centers, the Pualas Municipal Hall, 24 units Multi-Purpose Centers, and the P4.5-million Talao-Undalo Feeder Road, which amount to P33.3 million in all.

Published: November 21-27, 2006 issue

By LYN ERIGBUAGAS

Correspondent

BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental: Two political kingpins in Misamis Occidental have reconciled their differences after parting ways for more than fifteen years due to politics.

Rep. Ernie Clarete of the first district of Misamis Occidental and Baliangao Mayor Agne Yap last week met during the blessing and turnover ceremony of the P 500,000 Liga ng mga Barangay building.

Clarete, in his speech, said he was very grateful for having been invited to the occasion so that he could reunite with his friend, Mayor Agne Yap and other municipal officials.

            “I was glad that mayor Agne Yap reunited with me and I admitted that Baliangao was abandoned in terms of development due to heavy politic in the province and I am sorry for that,” Clarete said.

He said that Baliangao as well as the municipalities of Sapang Dalaga and Concepcion have been lagging behind in developments.

“Pasayloa ko ninyo kung napasagdan mo nako dire sa Baliangao uban ang duwa ka mga lungsod sa Concepcion ug Sapang Dalaga’ he stressed.

Clarete admitted his speeches in the past were hurting as he was also hurt as he was not supported and that he was not sensitive in knowing the needs of the people in these areas.

He then assured the town officials, including vice mayor Evita Yap and barangay officials of his support.

Earlier, the lawmaker extended P7 million of his Congressional Development Fund (CDF) to Baliangao so that projects like water system, road concreting, livelihood, and buildings could be constructed.

Among the buildings are that of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Women Center and Senior Citizen building.

Clarete also gave P200,000 for each of the 15 barangays and another P1.5 million for the completion of the municipal building.

For his part, Mayor Yap said he has seen the sincerity of Congressman Clarete and that he and Baliangao residents will be supporting him in his political plans as well as in whatever development programs and projects.

“Akong gideklara ang akong suporta kang Congressman Clarete tungod sa iyang sinseridad ug kayo sa katawhan sa Baliangao,”Yap said.

Also in attendance were provincial board member Jun Pagalaran who also represented Vice Governor Francisco Paylaga Jr.

Pagalaran, said like Mayor Yap , said the province is also supporting Congressman Clarete in the interest of public service and for the development and for the good of all residents of Misamis Occidental.

Published: November 21-27, 2006 issue

‘The same documents may be used for other purposes’

Lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, secretary general of the PDP-Laban, on Monday urged the Supreme Court to order the destruction of the signature sheets used by the Sigaw ng Bayan in its petition to amend the 1987 Constitution by people’s initiative.

This, Pimentel said, is intended to prevent the group from recycling them for a similar campaign in the future.

It should be remembered that the signature sheets do not contain the specific proposed amendments and can thus be attached to another Petition for Amending the Constitution through People's Initiative.

             Pimentel said the signatures that Sigaw ng Bayan collected for its petition in support of the adoption of a parliamentary system are legally deemed of no more use after the Supreme Court rejected the group’s motion for reconsideration on the tribunal’s Oct. 25 ruling dismissing the petition.

            Despite Sigaw ng Bayan’s claim that it had gathered 6.3 million signatures that were supposedly “verified” by election supervisors, the high court rejected its petition on the ground that the group failed to comply with constitutional requirements.

            For instance, the court found out that the people were not fully informed about the specific Charter amendments being proposed by Sigaw ng Bayan before they signed the petition. This and other findings prompted the tribunal to junk the petition for being a “gigantic” fraudâ€� and a “grand deception.”

Pimentel added that the court’s ruling on the validity of the Initiative and Referendum Law, (Republic Act 6735) rings hollow for the Sigaw ng Bayan because the tribunal’s ruling that this law applies only to minor or piecemeal amendments but not to revision or major overhauling of the Constitution which Sigaw is proposing to pave the way for the shift to a unicameral parliamentary system.

“While the Supreme Court has now upheld the validity of Republic Act 6735, the system of people’s initiative is of no use to Sigaw ng Bayan which is seeking a radical change in the form of government from presidential to parliamentary which can be done only through wholesale revision of the Constitution,” Pimentel said.

            He also advised the administration to accept with sincerity the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue following the pathetic statement of Solicitor General Antonio Nachura on his plan to file a second motion of reconsideration with the Supreme Court.

Published: November 21-27, 2006 issue

By BEN SERRANO

Correspondent

SURIGAO CTY: Former Surigao del Norte governor Francisco T. Matugas confirmed on Monday his spouse, Department of Education regional director Sol F. Matugas for region 8, is eyeing for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Matugas said his wife will run in the first congressional district of

Surigao del Norte which is composed of Siargao, Bucas Grande and Dinagat islands—all known as tourism destinations in the country.

He said that on December 2, a plebiscite will be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decide the fate of Republic Act 9355, also known as An act Creating Dinagat Province.

If “yes” vote prevails, Dinagat Island which has seven municipalities, with an area of 802.12 square kilometers and population of 113,000 will be a new province with capital town of San Jose, the home center of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA).

Ironically, the Matugases and Serings are two of the political clans who have been leading Surigao del Norte for several decades are campaigning for a “yes” vote.

For the first time, the two competing political giants of Surigao del Norte, the Barbers clan and the Serings and Matugas clans, on the other, were campaigning in favor of making Dinagat Island as separate province of Surigao del Norte.

At present, under Surigao del Norte’s first congressional district are Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands which has nine municipalities while Dinagat has seven town.

If approve, Dinagat Island will be the fifth province of Caraga Region of which at present has only four provinces namely; Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.

Former governor Matugas told the Golden Chronicle that he favors Dinagat Island to become a province “so that dreams of the people of Dinagat will be finally realized.”

“Let us allow them too decide for their own fate after all, it is the more than 115,000 inhabitants of that island who has a say of their lives not the grandstanding politicians,” Matugas said.

Matugas, who served the province for three undefeated terms said that his wife, Sol, a regional director of the Department of Education Region 8 has decided to enter politics after people of Siargao which has 67,000 registered voters bigger than that of Dinagat.

“Her priorities will be developing the beautiful islands in Siargao and Bucas Grande, a byword to local and foreign tourist as it is today’s hottest destination for foreign and local surfers,” Matugas added.

            Before her transfer to head DepEd regional office in Region 8, Sol Matugas had served as DepEd regional director for Caraga.

           From a classroom teacher at General Luna Elementary School in Siargao Island, the lady regional director rose from the ranks at the DepEd until she founded the Siargao Island Institute of Technology.

She then became the first regional director for DepEd in Caraga Region.

           The lady Deped regional director will be pitted against former Municipal Mayors’ League President for Surigao del Norte now Del Carmen town Mayor Arlene Navarro, wife of former Surigao del Norte Rep. Constantino Herrera Navarro Jr.

Incumbent Rep. Glenda Ecleo who is principal author of the Dinagat Provincehood bill now becomes a law is also set to seek reelection for the first congressional district of Surigao de Norte.

Matugas’ younger brother, Engr. Ernesto Matugas, a real estate developer being President of Woodridge Properties, Inc and school owner of Woodridge School in Molino, Cavite also signified intention to run for Surigao City mayor.

He is currently Surigao City chair Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) while former Governor Matugas is the provincial chairman for Kampi Surigao del Norte.

             Kampi, which is one of the major coalition political party under the administration party, Lakas-NUCD-CMD, has coalesced with local major political party “Padajon Surigao” which is registered with Comelec in 2005.

Published: November 21-27, 2006 issue

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING

Executive Editor

Northern Mindanao’s cream of the crop in campus journalism will test their craft once they compete in the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) at Teachers’ Camp in Baguio City on February 19 to 23, 2007.

            This, after the top three in seven individual contest areas were chosen during the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) that was held at La Salle Academy, Iligan City last November 23 to 25, this year.

            Hosted by the City Schools Division of Iligan, Northern Mindanao’s 84 delegates were the top-three winners in the elementary and secondary levels for both English and Filipino who joined the news, sports, feature, editorial and headline (copy reading) writing contests as well as in editorial cartooning and photojournalism competitions.

            Based on the results, the schools division of Misamis Oriental emerged as the overall champion after amassing 369 points out of the 51 who made it to the top 10 in the seven contest areas and 25 of them were in the top three, including 11 first-place winners. That, after it surfaced as the champion in both elementary and secondary levels in Filipino category.

            The schools division of Cagayan de Oro however dominated the elementary and secondary levels in English category and was proclaimed as the champion for both since 33 of students from the division made their way into the top 10 of which 15 were in top 3, including six first-place winners. 

            Last year’s champion, the schools division of Bukidnon had more students barging into the top 10 with 38, compared to Cagayan de Oro City schools division but only 10 found themselves in the upper three and only two first-placers.

             The interim city schools division of Valencia managed to inch its way into the first-place level with two but it collected only nine winners in the top 10. Five other divisions had one first-place winner each and these are host Iligan with 24 top-10 winners, Camiguin with 23 top 10 winners, Misamis Occidental with 24 top 10 performers, Gingoog with 15 in the top 10, and Tangub with 13 students among top 10 winners.

            Misamis Oriental’s overall championship was triggered by the performance of the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School’s first-place finishes in photojournalism (Filipino, secondary)), copy reading (Filipino secondary), newswriting (Filipino, secondary), and feature writing (English, secondary). Also, Medina National High School topped the editorial cartooning in English, Talisayan Central School in feature writing (Filipino, elementary), Villanueva Central School in editorial cartooning (Filipino, elementary), San Martin Elementary School in copy reading and headline writing in Filipino, Jasaan Central School in news writing (Filipino, elementary), and Vicente N. Chaves Memorial Central School in feature writing in English.

            Meanwhile, Regional Science High School harvested five first-place awards from copy reading (Filipino), feature (English), photojournalism (English), sports writing (English), and editorial writing (English). This buoyed the City Schools Division to emerged as the champion in elementary and secondary English.

            Other first-place winners from Cagayan de Oro were students from Calaanan National High School in editorial cartooning English and  Bulua Central School in news writing English.

November 14-20, 2006 issue 

By: Mark Francisco

Contributor

Wildlife enforcement personnel to undergo training

More than a dozen government and non-governmental organizations in Cagayan de Oro City will send a representative each to be trained as wildlife enforcement officer.

            This was one of the provisions in the agreement inked last Thursday (November 16) at Deluxe Hotel creating the Task Force Wildlife Cagayan de Oro.

            The task force, chaired by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 10 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso, aimed to curb the illegal trafficking of wild birds in Cagayan de Oro City as part of anti-avian flu measures.

            In his remarks during the affair, Department of Agriculture (DA) regional executive director Joel Rudinas lauded Dichoso’s efforts in creating the task force. Rudinas is the regional chair of the Task Force on Avian Flu.

            Rudinas said that the newly-created Task Force Wildlife Cagayan de Oro would boost the government’s campaign in preventing the entry of avian influenza in the Philippines, particularly in this part of Mindanao.

            Under the agreement, law enforcement agencies would coordinate with each other in seizing suspicious fowl shipment in the various seaports and airports located here. But their scope is not limited to Cagayan de Oro’s entry points though.

            “Because of this agreement, we have now the authority to check up kanang gapamaligya’g mga langgam sa Cogon kung native birds ba g’yud na o gikan sa laing nasod,” NBI 10 director Virgilio Mendez said. The NBI is one of the signatories in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) creating the task force.

            Aside from DENR, DA and NBI, other agencies involved are the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine National Police (PNP) 10, PNP Maritime 10, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 10, Air Transportation Office (ATO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Radyo ng Bayan.

            Non-government organizations (NGO) asked by the DENR to help out in efforts to curb illegal wild bird trafficking are the PCG Auxiliary, Cagayan de Oro Cagebird Society and the Macabalan Wharf Porters Association.

            These NGOs have specific responsibilities against illegal wildlife trafficking as stipulated in the MOA.

            Both the government and non-government agencies will send a representative each to be undergo a five-day training on wildlife law enforcement. They will specifically tackle provisions of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, otherwise known as Republic Act (RA) 9147.

            The task force was first conceptualized on September 13 when Dichoso called for a multi-sectoral consultative meeting. It was finalized on September 27 with a multi-sectoral workshop.

            Dichoso called for the meeting after receiving reports that some endangered wild birds were transported from the Port of Sarangani to the Port of Cagayan de Oro.

            “Under this agreement, all law enforcement agencies at the port area like the Coast Guard, Customs and DENR will coordinate with each other so ma-apprehend namo ang kanang gikataho nga mga wild birds,” he said.

            One of the key responsibilities of DA in the task force is to report to the group its updates in monitoring that the poultry production in Northern Mindanao is avian flu-free.

            “We are randomly getting cloacal swabs from poultry in the region to ensure that it has not been contaminated with the virus,” Rudinas said.

Published: November 14-20, 2006 issue

Thousands of elementary pupils and high school students will be testing their editing, writing, lay-outing, editorial cartooning, photojournalistic  and radio broadcasting skills during the Regional Schools Press Conference that will be held in La Salle Academy, Iligan City on Nov. 23 to 25, this year.

            During the opening ceremony, Dr. Estrella Babano-Abid, the regional director of the Department of Education in Region 10, will be the keynote speaker while Dr. Lourdes Tolod, superintendent of the host schools division of Iligan will formally welcome the delegates, composed not only of campus journalists but also of teachers who serve as their coaches and advisers of school publications.

            Participating the hands-on competitions are those who were among the top four in the division-level press conferences from all over Northern Mindanao.

            At the RSPC, the top three in each contest category will represent Northern Mindanao in the National Schools Press Conference that will be held in February next year.

            RSPC regional coordinator Manuelito Rojas said they are hoping that Northern Mindanao delegates to the NSPC could duplicate the third-place overall standing that Region 10 got last year.

            These delegates come from the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte as well as the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, Valencia, Malaybalay, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangub City and Iligan City.

Published: November 14-20, 2006 issue

The municipality of Lugait, Misamis Oriental, together with the provincial government of Bulacan and the city Government of Naga, Camarines Sur garnered the top spots in the 2006 Search for Best Local Government Websites, an annual contest sponsored by the National Computer Center under its eLGU Project.

The search was broken down into three categories, namely; provincial, city and municipal, aside from a special award for the best LGU website developed using the NCC Content Management System (CMS). The municipal government of Infanta, Quezon received this said award.

The contest entries were evaluated by a distinct panel of judges according to the following set of criteria: functionality, 20 percent; content, 35 percent; presentation, 25 percent; originality, 10 percent; and eGovernment or citizen-centric value, 10 percent.           

Lugait's presence in the internet was first felt when it launched its independent website through http://www.lugait.com last March 16, 2006 in time for the municipality's 45^th Foundation Day.

The website has been providing valuable information to its visitors and boasts of interactive features.  It has also become an online haven for Lugaitnons and guests alike.

Lugait Mayor Wellie Lim said this adds yet another feather to the cap of the municipality that Lugaitnons should be proud of.  He further stressed how important of the website is to the community's growth and development and in the broadening good governance.

The website was developed by the Municipal Government of Lugait (MGL) Online Website Development Team composed of Vice-Mayor Bruce Colao as Project Director, Municipal Board Cedric Dayta, Engr. Monroe Insik and Engr. Evan Nazareno.

Winners of the contest will be awarded during the 9th Philippine Web Awards on December 7, 2006 at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

Published; November 14-20, 2006 issue

A feeding program was recently launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to improve the nutritional status of thousands of school children in Northern Mindanao.

            Dubbed as Food for School Program, the project aims to mitigate hunger and improve the nutritional status of school children through provision rice on a daily basis, for the family to partake.  It also aims to improve the school attendance of children, after a survey revealed the lack of food as among the reasons why school   children are unable  to attend school.

            DSWD Region 10 regional director Ester Acebedo-Versoza said that the Food for School Program is being implemented in coordination with the National Nutrition Council, the Departments of Education,  Interior and Local Government, Agriculture; the National Food Authority and the National Economic Development Authority.

            The project is being implemented in the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte as a food subsidy  package for children  in Grade 1 and in the Day Care Centers.

            Local Government Units in these target areas meanwhile conduct deworming, parent effectiveness sessions, immunization and family planning lectures.

            More than 10,000 children currently benefit from the Food for School Program regionwide. CHEERIE ANN B. LECHONSITO, DSWD

Published: November 7-13, 2006 issue

Pagasa predicts Mindanao to have less rainfall early next year

A mild El Niño is being felt in the southern part of Cebu province and western part of Bohol, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

With this advisory, Eduardo Lecciones, Department of Agriculture Region 7 director, said his office had started implementing mitigating measures to help farmers deal with the effects of the dry spell.

Pagasa officer-in-charge Prisco Nilo said a mild dry spell brought on by a developing El Niño had been recorded in some areas in the country since August.

With the coming of the El Niño, Nilo said below normal rainfall had been experienced in affected areas that included northern and western Luzon, most parts of northern Panay Island including Iloilo, southern Cebu, the western parts of Bohol and Zamboanga provinces, most parts of the Caraga provinces, Davao Oriental, eastern part of Davao del Norte and the southern tip of Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato.

The full adverse effect of El Niño will be experienced in the early part of next year and it will affect agriculture, hydropower generation, and domestic water supply, he warned.

Nilo advised the different government agencies to take appropriate actions to mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño on the different sectors.

Lecciones said the DA had directed its field offices through out Central Visayas to begin implementing mitigating measures, including the planting of early maturing varieties of vegetables, beans, monggo, leafy vegetables and corn and palay.

In Manila, the distribution of "quick turnaround seeds" will form part of the DA's plans to mitigate the rainless effects of the El Niño on the country's food supply, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

Outside the budget hearing of the DA at the Senate, Yap told reporters that seeds of palay and corn allowed for harvests within shorter periods.

"We're distributing them out now when there is still water and it is still possible to harvest them before the dry season arrives," he said.

Yap said his office was also continuously repairing the irrigation systems and canals of the country to ensure an efficient water supply system to the farms.

Yap, whose office is asking for an P18-billion budget for 2007, said cloud seeding and the planting of other crops will also form part of the plan.

"But of course, we're identifying what areas will be our battleground in this fight, which areas will be most affected by the El Niño so [that] we can concentrate our efforts in these areas," he said.

Asked about the amount in the budget that would be allocated for the El Niño mitigation efforts, Yap said he was not sure although he added that the previous appropriation was about P1 billion.

Published: November 7-13, 2006 issue

MISAMIS ORIENTAL. Governor Oscar S. Moreno last week forged ties with a consortium of private companies and the Department of Education (DepEd) to connect 60 public high schools in the province through the internet under the Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (Gilas) program.

Launched in 2005, the Gilas program aims to improve access to online educational resources and communication tools that complement classroom learning.

            “The Gilas program will change the course of the history of education. I can never be prouder to be part of the making of history. Many of us don’t realize how the world will be, this is it,” Moreno said during the launching of the project at the DepEd Misamis Oriental division.

            Gilas recently celebrated the connection of 1,000 public high schools in the country to the internet.

Gilas chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala is on the belief that the program is not only strategic to the young adults but important as well in building the capabilities of the country in the ICT sector.

            “This is the most important stage in the history of education in our country. But this is not as if it will just grow naturally, we have to nurture it. Kinahanglan lihokon that’s why we are here,” Moreno said.

            Moreno is so excited about the project that he wants it implemented in Misamis Oriental the soonest possible time. He has asked the role players of the program to fast-track its implementation and hoped that all school-beneficiaries will be internet-connected before his birthday on February next year.

            Public high schools that are located in the remotest parts of the province will soon experience free access to electronic encyclopedias and high-tech learning materials thus boosting the quality of education in public schools.

            The pressing need for internet literacy in public schools had brought together local government units, government agencies and even rival companies to form a multi-sectoral group engaged in the Gilas project.

            Zobel de Ayala and co-chair Sen. Manuel Roxas II, lead Gilas and its steering committee, composed of CEOs from the country’s largest corporations including Apple, Bayantel, Digitel, Globe, IBM, Innove, Integrated Microelectronics Inc., Intel, Microsoft, Narra Ventures Capital, Philstar.com, PLDT, Smart, SPI Technologies.

            For Misamis Oriental, Innove, a subsidiary of Globe, has offered to provide free unlimited internet access to the schools for one year.

             Misortel, the telecommunication company owned and managed by the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental will be one of the lead players of the Gilas project in the province in collaboration with DCTech Micro Services, Inc.

Published: November 7-13, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

ILIGAN CITY. Seventeen of the 24 bridges in Lanao del Norte are undergoing retrofitting and replacement works, according to the second engineering district of the Department of Public Works and Highways for Lanao del Norte.

District engineer Maribel Ong said her office is now in the process of replacing five bridges while 12 others are undergoing retrofitting works.

Ong said these P234.6 bridge replacement and retrofitting projects are contracted with Algon construction is totaled to P234.6-million and it has 457-calendar working days project and the target date to finish it is on by April 16, 2007 without delay.

            The five bridges that are to be replaced are located in the municipalities of Mago-ong, Liangan, Muntay, Kolambugan and Sagadan, all within the second engineering district.

As of Sept. 15, the accomplishment is placed at 12.63 percent based on record from the contractor.

Ong explained that the replacement works encountered minor delays due to heavy rains and on road-right-of-way that will be used in detouring of vehicles.

            She said these replacement and retrofitting works are expected to be completed within the second quarter of next year.

            Meanwhile, the P82-million bridge project in Barangay Mandulog of Marawi City which was funded under the first congressional district of Lanao del Norte has been turned-over by its contractor last September 25, this year. The repair and upgrading works started in 1995 by the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office 12 and subsequently completed by DPWH regional office 10.

            Also, the Iligan-Bukidnon road has recently been converted into a national Highway by virtue of Republic Act No. 3481 that took effect on August 4, this year.

This project has been transferred under the area of responsibility of the second engineering district of DPWH 10 Lanao del Norte Engineering District.

Another road project costing about P5 million project which is located in barangay Digkilaan is also targeted to be completed before 2006 year ends.

            Other infrastructure projects that are underway are: P5-million river control project in Madulog, Iligan City, P2-million Lanao del Norte Provincial Capitol Project in  Tubod, and another P1 million repairs of the provincial hospital in Baroy. All of these are calendared to be finished within this year and are funded through the efforts of Rep. Acmad Tomawis and with the assistance of Senator Pia Cayetano.

Published: November 7-13, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: Some 65,689 membership cards of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) have already been distributed to indigent families in Lanao del Sur.

Lanao del Sur governor Aleem Bashier D. Manalao personally distributed the Philhealth cards last Nov. 5, 2006 during the general assembly of the Mostaqbal Foundation of the provincial gym.

Atty. Khalimozaman M. Macabato and Dr. Basman Alonto, both of Philhealth, assisted the governor in the distribution of Philhealth cards in the presence of Lanao del Sur officials.

In an exclusive interview, Manalao said that the health care and other basic services has been one of his priority projects and that giving free Philhealth membership cards is one of these.

“We have distributed Philhealth cards to more than 65,000 families and that we are is targeting to reach 100,000 families by year end,” the governor told the Golden Chronicle.

            Aside from Philhealth card distribution, Manalao said the provincial government has also extended medical services such as free cataract eye and goiter operations.

This, aside from providing free wheelchairs to paralyzed persons, medicines—and even burial services—as well as rice to indigent persons.

Also, the provincial government distributed power generators to the municipalities, particularly in areas which have yet to be energized.

              Manalao said they intend to construct a P20-million Drug  Rehabilitation Center which would eventually become the best in Mindanao. It will rise in front of the muslim public cemetery in barangay Guimba, Marawi City.

            Provincial information officer Ding Sansarona said the 65,689 families who received the Philhealth cards represent 70 percent of the residents of Lanao del Sur.

            Sansarona said that before the assumption of Manalao there were only 15,000 who are holders of Philhealth cards.

Published: October 31- November 6, 2006

Nine young Pinoys. Nine young British. Six months of living and working together 24/7 as volunteers in two countries.  Outside one’s comfort zone. One life-changing experience.

This is the challenge offered by international development charities VSO, CSV and British Council as it announced the opening of application for the next batch of Global Xchange Programme (GXP) Volunteers today.

“We are inviting young people to become active global citizens and create positive change in various communities through volunteering,” VSO Bahaginan Director Malou Juanito said.

GXP is an international exchange programme that gives 18-25 year olds from the Philippines and the United Kingdom a unique opportunity to develop volunteering skills to help disadvantaged communities here and abroad. It also aims to build mutual understanding, learning and respect between cultures.

Since its launch in March 2005, the programme has encouraged several young Filipinos to advocate volunteerism by initiating various community projects under the theme “Peace and Development.”

Previous batches of GXP volunteers were able to renovate a barangay pre-school, mobilize resources for a resource center and library, teach indigenous children, and put up a tree nursery in Mt. Apo.

In their UK work placements, they participated in peace vigils and interfaith activities, assisted political refugees and organized various community projects, among other activities.

“Being a Global Xchange volunteer is a fulfilling experience.  It’s a six-month program but the lessons and the challenges that you will encounter is worth six years of your life,” GXP Team 52 Returned Volunteer Rhea Alba said.

“By becoming a volunteer, you share your skills in disadvantaged communities and learn something new in the process,” volunteer Hazel Galang said.

This year’s Global Xchange Programme will be composed of two teams, with exchanges to take place between Cagayan de Oro and Southampton, and Davao City and Bradford, England starting March until September 2007. 

Deadline for submission of application is on November 24, 2006. Only applications received on or before the closing date will be screened. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend the assessment day scheduled in early December, with training and fund-raising events to start in January 2007.

For more information about the programme and to apply, visit www.vsobahaginan.org.ph/gxpfv.

 Published: October 31- November 6, 2006 issue

Crime prevention, solution and intervention need the involvement and participation of the community.

            This is the focus of a search that the Metrobank Foundation has launched, in partnership with the Rotary Club of New Manila East and the Philippine National Police.

            Dubbed the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (Cops), the search is looking for 10 individuals, four commissioned and six non-commissioned police officers.

            Each of them will receive P200,000 prize and trophy, according to Metrobank Foundation.

            Cops search chair Noel E. Bongat said a memorandum of agreement has been entered into by the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East, and the PNP.

            The MOA was signed by Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, Rotary Club president Nestor P. Borromeo, and PNP director general Oscar C. Calderon.

            Deadline for submission of entries is on Dec. 4, 2006. Nomination forms are available at all PNP regional offices, Rotary Club chapters and in Metrobank branches.

            Forms may also be downloaded from www.mnfoundation.org.ph or www.pnp.gov.ph. For inquiries, Metrobank Foundation may be contacted at (02) 8575525 or (02) 8185656.

Published: October 31- November 6, 2006 issue

In line with the month-long celebration of the National Children’s Month, the city government of Cagayan de Oro declared barangay Canitoan as the Most Child-Friendly Barangay in the city.

          Mayor Vicente Y. Emano presented the plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P50,000 to barangay chair Marlyn Lagumen regular the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Monday, Oct. 30.

         Canitoan bested six other barangays in the city after a reevaluation of the existence and functionality of a Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Barangay Nutrition Committee and Barangay Development Council, presence of barangay facilities that ensure the holistic growth of children such as a barangay health center, day-care center, reading center and playground, and the provision of annual budget for children’s welfare and development.

           Other winners of the said search which were able to show their barangay’s goal along child health, maternal health, education, child protection, child participation and other family factors are Barangay 18, Bulua, Carmen, Patag, Macasandig and Puntod. Each finalist received a plaque of appreciation.

          Of the 80 barangays, only 33 participated in the search while eight barangays submitted their entries and seven made it to the final round.

           The search highlighted the Universal Children’s Month celebration which ended on Oct. 31.

          The city government identified children’s welfare and development as one of its priority development programs even as it implemented the Early Childhood Care and Development Program (ECCD) to ensure a balanced physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual growth of children in the city.

Published: October 24-30, 2006 issue 

More than P83 million will be released for port projects

By JORIE C. VALCORZA

Contributor

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo renewed her commitment to support the expansion of roll-on, roll-off (Roro) ports in Mambajao and Guinsiliban towns in Camiguin.

In her keynote speech during the launching of the 27^th Lanzonez Festival at the Camiguin Tourism Center in Mambajao, October 19, the President assured Governor Pedro Romualdo that she will release more than P83 million to fund the expansion of the two Roro ports, including the construction of a passenger terminal in Guinsiliban.

President Arroyo said this expansion project has to be completed soonest since it is among her priorities under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Project, as promised during her state of the nation address.

Its early completion, the President further said, would fast-track the establishment of the additional Mambajao-Jagna (Bohol) Roro route, which would form part of the Central Nautical Highway Roro ports of Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental), Balingoan (Misamis Oriental), Mambajao and Guinsiliban (Camiguin), Bohol, Cebu, Masbate, Bicol, and Quezon to Manila.

Central Nautical Highway Roro ports are likewise linked up with the Western Nautical Highway Roro ports of Dipolog and Dapitan (Zamboanga), Negros, Panay, Mindoro, Batangas, and to Manila, she added.

President Arroyo said aside from improving the nautical highway, there is also a need to fast-track the further improvement of the Camiguin Circumferential Road Project.

That is why Budget Secretary Nonoy Andaya brought along with him the sub-allotment release order (Saro) for the improvement of the Guinsiliban-Mambajao road section in the amount of P30 million and the second sub-allotment for the repair and slope protection of the road section worth P10 million, the President said.

All in all, more than P100 million has been set aside or released for the Roro and road improvement projects to boost Camiguin’s tourism industry, she further said.

Earlier, President Arroyo unveiled the 64-kilometer Camiguin Circumferential Road project marker in Barangay Naasag near the Mambajao-Catarman boundary with Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Governor Romualdo.

The project was started in 1988 but its completion was fast-tracked during President Arroyo’s term with the release of P77.604 million from 2001 to 2005 for the road’s improvement, concreting of 7.87-km. unpaved portions, and widening.

Funded by congressional funds and implemented by the DPWH-10, the project was finally completed on May 31, 2006.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo distributed to the Mambajao and Yumbing National High Schools in Camiguin a certificate each for 10 personal computers, a printer with networking equipment and internet connectivity with a total value of P786,928 or P393,464 per school. 

Under the Department of Trade and Industry's "PCs for Public School Project" Phase 3, the e-connectivity package includes a seven-day training for teachers.

The President also handed over award certificates to 10 recipients of the "Tindahan Natin" project. 

Under the entrepreneurship project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the recipients--two each from the towns of Mambajao, Mahinog, Sagay, Guinsiliban and Catarman--each got P20,000 start-up capital for their small business venture.

Likewise, the President distributed 52 land patents to 50 farmer beneficiaries in the towns of Mambajao and Mahinog.

The land patents covered an area of 27.5 hectares under the "Handog Titulo" program of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources.

Shortly after lunch, President Arroyo led a closed-door meeting with officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) composed of Presidential Assistant Jesus Dureza, OPAPP secretary and Mindanao Champion; National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Southern Philippines Development Authority chairperson Zamzamin Ampatuan.

The meeting was followed by another closed-door executive session attended by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Eugenio V. Cedo, and AFP Eastern Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Rodolfo S. Obaniana. PIA 10

Published: October 24-30, 2006 issue

Ten barangay chief executives in each of the urban, rural, sub-urban coastal and sub-urban inland barangays of Cagayan de Oro City made it to the ten finalists in the on-going Search for the Outstanding Barangay Officials in the city level.

City Director Clodualdo J. Espedilla of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the search committee is now in the process of revalidating the contenders for the search.

Another ten barangay councilors, treasurers and secretaries in the same barangay categories also made it to the finals.

Barangays under the urban category include the poblacion barangays 1 to 40. Rural barangays include Tignapoloan, Besigan, Dansolihon, Mambuaya, Lumbia, Bayanga, Tumpagon, Pigsag-an, Taglimao, Tuburan, Tagpangi, Pagalungan, Baikingon, San Simon, Pagatpat, Indahag, Balubal and F.S. Catanico.

Sub-urban coastal barangays include Puerto, Agusan, Tablon, Cugman, Lapasan, Gusa, Macabalan, Bayabas, Bonbon, Puntod and Bulua while sub-urban inland barangays include Bugo, Kauswagan, Iponan, Patag, Carmen, Balulang, Canitoan, Nazareth, Camaman-an, Consolacion and  Macasandig.

              Espedilla said that while they have already selected the ten finalists of each category, the names will not be disclosed as yet since they are still revalidating the initial findings.

The barangay chairpersons are being evaluated on six key areas of concern: governance, local legislation, development planning, local fiscal administration, delivery of basic services and compliance to the directives.

Barangay council members will be evaluated on three key areas: organization of Sangguniang Barangay, policy formulation, legislative system and procedure.

Barangay treasurers will be judged based on resource generation, resource allocation and revenue utilization while the barangay secretary will be judged based on records management of legislative instrument; records management of barangay assembly, barangay residents and others; administrative actions on ordinances/resolutions approved by Sangguniang Barangay; and records management of Lupong Tagapamayapa.

           The search is aimed at giving recognition to outstanding barangay officials, institutionalize a system of providing incentives and rewards to the best performing barangay officials, determine their present level of competence, provide valuable information in surfacing options for a more effective barangay government administration and highlight exemplary performance in the delivery of basic services and administrative efficiency.

          A joint initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Liga ng mga Barangay, the search has the support of the city government of Cagayan de Oro.

Published: October 24-30, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: While many local government officials are now preparing for the May 2007 elections, Lanao del Sur Governor Aleem Bashier D. Manalao has his hands full when it comes to priority developpment projects, all these under the so-called seven-point agenda.

The seven-point agenda includes the following: 1. Peace and order, 2. Moral recovery and Islamic values, 3. Agricultural and fisheries livelihood projects, 4. Development of highly-skilled and competent manpower resources, 5. Development of Center for Eco-Tourism Industry, 6. Promotion of youth leadership and sports development, and 7. Improvement of health and social welfare services.

            Manalao told the Golden Chronicle that he has already established the first ever public cemetery here and that is situated in Barangay Guimba.

“We provide the ambulance for more than 3,000 of our dead brothers and sisters for burial in the public cemetery in Guimba and we don’t charged their families a single centavo,” the governor said.

 The establishment of the public cemetery is one of the basic services the provincial government has already addressed.

Moreover, the Manalao administration is also looking into the delivery of basic health services and this is the reason identification cards (IDs) are being issued to provincial residents, particularly those who are indigent.

The governor said his administration has already distributed about 68,000 IDs of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“This project has already benefited about 100,000 people,” Manalao pointed out.

             Other than this, the provincial government has acquired a mobile clinic which, by itself, is like a mini-hospital since it has an intensive care unit (ICU).

The mobile clinic has an office and a store and it has been servicing even the remotest areas of the province.

Aside from medical services, eye glasses are also being distributed to those who have poor eye-sights. Medicines are also given to free to indigent patients.

On the area of peace and order, the provincial government has procured two units of fire-trucks with corresponding firefighting equipment so that firefighters could adequately response should fire incidents occur.

Manalao said that as the province and its municipalities develop, environmental concerns and practices promoting farm productivity must be given attention.

“We have adopted a green revolution project of which we have already served some 1,200 barangays in the province,” he reported, adding that with the project is the establishment of demonstration farms.

And, with the demonstration farm is nursery where seedlings of tropical and fruit trees as well as that of other crops and vegetable are available.

Thousands of tilapia fingerlings have also been dispersed to the Lanao lake so as to address the dwindling fish population in this large fresh body of water. 

Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Provincial Administrator Macalangcom S. Caris identified the major projects under the Manalao administration.  Among these projects are the P20-million Drug Rehabilitation Center, P125-million worth of road concreting work that will include a 40-kilometer stretch as well as he construction of municipal buildings.

Also in the list is the continuation of the Lanao del Sur-Bukidnon road project that would pass through Maguing and Talakag towns.

“I want to thank her excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her support so that this seven-point agenda projects would be realized,” Manalao concluded.

Published: October 17-23, 2006 issue

Foreign direct investments behind 2015 targets

The Philippines has so far failed to achieve all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets by 2015, says a joint report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations released Monday.

This unpleasant news casts a shadow on the administration’s performance when coupled with the news that in 2005 the amount of foreign direct investment that entered the Philippines was only US$1.13 billion, or US$5.75 billion less from the 2004 FDI mark of US$6.68 billion.

In a briefing, Shiladitya Chattergee, head of ADB’s Poverty Unit, said that on the basis of its MDG indicator the Philippines is off track in meeting the 2015 target. The Philippines’ score is 33.3 percent. The best score is 100 percent.

The ADB said one-fourth of the 42 developing countries for which the MDG and its funding were set up are not likely to meet the 2015 target if they do not radically improve.

"Even more worrisome is that some countries are at risk of falling to reach even two-thirds of their targets," the report said.

According to the report titled "The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2006," the Philippines has regressed in the goal of reducing underweight among children; having children reach Grade 5; stopping the disappearance of its forest cover; bringing down CO2 emissions and providing water for people in rural areas.

The country is, however, on track in having its people have a budget of US$1 a day; in increases in primary-school enrollment; in not having HIV cases as much as the worst countries; and in improving sanitation in most of the urban areas.

The report also says the Philippines has achieved early its goal of reducing infant mortality; the prevalence of tuberculosis and gender inequality.

"The countries of greatest concern are those that are falling further behind and that score negatively on both the progress index and the latest-status index. The countries in this group are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua new Guinea and the Philippines," the report says.

Chattergee noted that the improvement in economic growth is important in reducing the poverty and to meet MDGs.

"Public resources are important to be able to give services to the public," he said.

The ADB and UN report also says that the regional targets of halving poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, and eliminating gender disparity in education are on track or have already been achieved.

This is thanks to the greater achievements of other countries in the region.

The average progress, and relative performance, of the region, however, is no reason for early celebration," the report says. "The absolute size of social and economic deprivation... remains enormous."

The report also points out that two-thirds of Asians­or a total of 1.5 billion people­ still have no access to basic sanitation. The region is also home to roughly three times as many underweight children and people living on less than $1 a day as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America combined.

Earlier, Margarita R. Songco, deputy director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said that the country will have a high probability of achieving most of the targets of the MDGs on poverty, hunger mitigation, gender equality in education, child mortality, arresting the spread of AIDS and malaria, and access to safe drinking water.

"The MDG indicators show that our country will most likely achieve by 2015 the six out of eight targets. There is a high probability of achieving the targets on poverty and dietary energy requirement," Songco said.

She added that there is also a high probability of attaining the targets on gender equality in education, child mortality, HIV/AIDS and malaria; and access to safe drinking water.

Songco said, however, that the country needs to exert efforts to meet the targets for nutrition, maternal health, participation and cohort survival rates in elementary education, and access to reproductive health services.

She noted that the country must now face the challenge of achieving the MDGs by clarifying investment priorities, financial requirements and budgeting as well as bridging resource gaps.

She cited a study done by Rosario Manasan, research fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, that the cumulative resource gap for 2007 to 2010 is P394.7 billion for targets with high probability of being met and P323.2 billion for those with medium to low probability.

The MDGs are based on the United Nations Millennium Declaration endorsed by all 189 United Nations member-states in 2000. DARWIN G. AMOJELAR

Published: October 10-16, 2006 issue

Loaded in four cargo forwarders some 15,000 board feet of fletches

By BEN SERRANO

Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga region personnel recovered on Saturday, Oct. 7, some 10,136 board feet of lauan fletches, believed to be part of the seized forest products that were reported missing on Thursday from the compound of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in Barangay Bading here.

Cenro head Achilles Ebron said the pile of lauan fletches were abandoned along the Agusan river in Barangay San Vicente.

Ebron said that armed men entered the Cenro compound Thursday dawn, loaded the seized forest products estimated to be 15,000 board feet into four six-wheeler cargo forwarders, and drove away.

  Said lauan fletches were confiscated by Caraga police regional mobile group somewhere in Barangay Ampayon early Wednesday morning since these were believed to be illegally cut.

Cargo trucks carrying the lauan fletches were headed for this city when these were apprehended by members of the Caraga  police regional mobile group, according to PNP Caraga Regional Director Antonio Dator Nanas.

         Police said the drivers of the four six-wheeler cargo forwarders were Jayson Ejoc (LYA686), Roger Musico (VDK658), Mario Monteclaro (LYB105), and Melchor Sembario (KVC623).

         All the drivers, during the interrogation, refused to give information as the ownership the lauan fletches estimated to be worth P226,000. These were not supported with required documents.

         The police eventually turned over the seized lauan fletches to the Cenro and was duly receipted by a Cenro tree-marker Laynos Colloso.

         Caraga Police Regional Mobile Group team leader police inspected Exelso Lasaga said it was Colloso who received the undocumented forest products.

          But two senior companions of Colloso, foresters Vicente Trillo Jr. and Rolando Rosales did not sign the acknowledgement receipt.

Published: October 10-16, 2006 issue

Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will file in Congress before the end of the year a proposed new salary standardization law that promises not only to increase state workers’ salaries but also bring them to par with employees in the private sector.

For the next year, DBM has allotted P10.3 billion for wage increases but the total expenditure program for the proposed Salary Standardization Law (SSL) III is almost P100 billion over four years' time, Andaya said.

He said that the SSL III would cure the problem of low salaries and disparity in pay among the more than one million government workers.

Low salaries, he said, are the reason some teachers end up working in Hong Kong as domestic helpers and why some government doctors are now nurses.

The DBM, he said, made a "conservative study" comparing salaries in a medium-scale private corporation with those of government.

"And we found out that as the rank goes higher the disparity between the government and that of the private sector becomes bigger," Andaya said. "You actually see the difference from Salary Grade 10 going up," he added.

"The higher the educational attainment, the more you are punished," he pointed out, apparently referring to teachers, doctors and other professionals who receive salaries much lower than their counterparts in the private sector.

"We will now try to move towards (solving the problem), to increase the salary (of state workers) using as a benchmark the private sector."

But Andaya said that III is not only about salary increases. "There will be a lot of changes; not only a salary increase per se, but we also offer unholy hour compensation.”

He added that the existing 33 salary grades will be trimmed down to 22 and that promotions to higher salary grades will be based on performance.

"We also want to make sense of all our allowances, all the benefits we get...We want to make a general rule for everybody to follow to make sense of everything," Andaya said.

He, however, expressed apprehension that some politicians, with an eye on the May 2007 elections, might come up with another scheme like across-the-board salary increases, which might bring in some votes but do not address real problems like the disparities in wages.

"So, we need your support to lobby with the congressmen, the senators, to explain to them the merits (of the SSL III)," he told an audience composed of heads of government offices here and local officials during a gathering Wednesday afternoon at the DBM regional office in this city.

With the approval of the supplemental budget, Andaya also announced that the DBM would give to local government units not later than this December the differential for their Internal Revenue Allotment IRA this year.

He said he would issue a memorandum next week on how much more each local government unit would be getting by December.

Published: October 3-9, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

ILIGAN CITY: The city government here has launched a P160-million solid waste management project which includes the establishment of a central material recovery facility.

City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz said the solid waste management project is in pursuance of the provisions of Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as Solid Wastes Management Act.

Cruz said that although the bidding process is still underway, the city government is considering Barangay Bonbonon as the site for the material recovery facility.

The city mayor said that they envision the entire solid waste management project will be in place before the month of May next year.

            The implementation, he said, is expected to be smooth since material recovery facilities have already been pilot-tested in several barangays of the city.

Cruz said the MRF concept is already at the barangay level of the 44 barangays, of which six have already finished with it.

He said 38 more barangays will be implementing the solid waste management project.

Cruz said that the supply of limestone would eventually pose a problem but the city government is on the process of addressing it. Limestone will be used as filling to eliminate odor in connection with the solid waste management.

Residents of Barangay Santiago have already expressed their opposition in anticipation of the odor that would be emitted in the process of solid waste management.

City engineer Franklin Maata said the engineering details of the MRF are already complete.

Published: October 3-9, 2006 issue

More than two hundred Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons and SK council members and selected youth leaders from Mindanao regions converged in Cagayan de Oro City, October 6 to 8, for the Mindanao Environmental Youth Summit.

            Anchored on the theme “Youth Reloaded: Crafting Actions Towards Sustainable Development and Ecological Governance in Mindanao,” the participants discussed the issues of Mindanao and came up with a plan of action for the environment.

            The activity was a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Youth Desk, the National Youth Commission with the Office of the Commissioner Representing Mindanao, Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation and the Asia Pacific Society for Sustainable Development, Inc. (APSSDI).

            DENR 10 regional executive director Maximo O. Dichoso said the holding of the summit is part of DENR’s program to instill environmental consciousness among the youth.

            Dichoso said the summit will provide a venue for the youth to discuss environmental issues and prepare a road map as stewards of Mother Earth.

            “In this undertaking we expect the emergence of new leaders among the youth, one who is most conscious about his environment.  This is a political capital that the youth must recognize,” the DENR regional head said.

            City mayor Vicente Y. Emano  and Mayor Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano, the mayor of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and chairperson of Mayor’s League of Misamis Oriental delivered their respective welcome remarks during the opening ceremony on October 6.

            Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao Ferdinand Mahusay and NYC Commissioner Priscilla Marie Abante were among the speakers.

            DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Teresita Samson Castillo delivered the keynote talk.

            Bukidnon lawmaker Nereus Acosta spoke on Ecological Governance.

            Speakers during the three-day summit were DENR 10 regional technical director Vicente Tuddao Jr. on the Mindanao Environmental Youth Situation; Ma. Magnolia Danganan on Youth of Today; Executive Director Joey Pelaez of the Department of Education who discussed the YES Program;  Executive Director Ares Goyena of the National Movement of Young Legislators on the Young Legislators’ Role in ENR Protection; Lourdes Arcenas of the Mindanao Economic and Development Council on Leadership for Sustainable Development; and Mayor Charlito Macas of Linamon, Lanao del Norte on Showcasing Linamon.

            Aside from lectures, team building and group dynamics, workshops and film showing aid the youth leaders in the learning process. 

            Moreover, the summit schedule included a plant tour at Steag State Power plant at Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, Holcim Philippines at Lugait, Misamis Oriental, and the Mapawa Nature Park at Malasag, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

Published: September 26- October 2, 2006 issue

Territory issue delays conduct of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur

By FROILAN GALLARDO

Correspondent

DARAPANAN, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao: Despite the tough talk, top Moro rebel leaders are appealing to Catholic bishops to intervene to help break the impasse in the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the bishops have considerable influence to change the minds of  government officials over the thorny territory issue that snagged the 13th Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur last Sept. 6 and 7.

Iqbal said they are willing to send a letter to the Mindanao Bishops and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to urge them to intervene. "The Church has considerable influence in government policies. This could end the Mindanao conflict if we can resolve this impasse," Iqbal told a group of peace advocates who trooped to this rebel camp last Friday (Sept. 22).

During its meeting last month in General Santos City, the Mindanao Bishops-Ulama Conference said it invited Iqbal and government peace panel chair Secretary Silvestre Afable Jr., to a conference. The invitations were signed by BUC convenors, Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla; Dr. Mahid Mutilan, head of the Ulama League of the Philippines and UCCP retired bishop Hilario Gomez.

"We were hoping that outcome of the peace talks will be hastened so that the people of Mindanao will enjoy just and  lasting peace,"  Cagayan de Oro Archbishop and BUC secretary-general Antonio Ledesma  said.

Iqbal said that aside from the five-province Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the government is open to  include only 613 predominantly Moro villages that will fall within the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity but these will have to be subject to Congress passing a law authorizing it.

"This condition is unacceptable. We do not have assurance that the Philippine Congress will pass such law," he said.

The present Congress is composed of a pro-administration majority.

Iqbal said the Moro National Liberation Front followed that path but instead found that the Tripoli Agreement they signed with the government in 1986 was not fully implemented.

" We will become the laughing stock. What will the MNLF say to us?" Iqbal told Mindanews.

Iqbal said the MILF is willing to be "flexible" on the issue of territory so long as the government can show it has political will to carry the agreed terms

In small meetings, people here are talking about the gathering storm spawned by the continued impasse in the peace talks between the government and the MILF.

The MILF is issuing tough statements and this is what the people here fear most: that the war clouds are again hovering.

"We will be forced again to evacuate. We will have to endure again," Mike Mamento, a community leader from nearby Pagalungan town said.

Mamento said the recent wars in 1997, 2000 and 2003 are still fresh in the minds of the people here, many of whom had to live for months in filth-filled evacuation centers.

"Another war would just be too much for many here," he said.

The municipalities of Carmen, Pagalungan and Pikit were worst hit in the battles between government soldiers and the MILF. Thousands were forced to evacuate and more than a hundred, many of them children, died.

Residents here say signs of hostilities are already on the ground.

Butch Gilman, who heads the Immaculate Conception parish relief team in Pikit town said he learned that the MILF forces in Buliok are on high alert. 

He said MILF forces have forged tactical alliance with some units of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the revolutionary group that signed a peace deal with the government in 1996.

Although MILF Vice Chair for political affairs Ghajali Jaafar assured a group of peace advocates Friday afternoon that they are very patient with the current slow pace of the peace talks, he did not, however, discount the possibility of war.

Published: September 26- October 2, 2006 issue

City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano on Monday, Sept. 25, inducted into office 39 high school student leaders from the various schools in the city who will take over the city governance for one week as part of their leadership training.

           The induction ceremony was held during the regular flag raising ceremony at the City Hall last Monday.

Mayor Emano said the youth leaders can do their share in improving the quality of service rendered by the city government to the people.

           “If you think there is something that I have failed to see or think of, in as far as running the affairs of the city is concerned, feel free to tell me and we shall do something about it,” the city mayor said.

            Mayor Emano also lauded the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro for providing the city student leaders with an opportunity to hone their leadership skills through trainings and exposures.

           The appointment of high school student leaders as junior city officials is a regular program of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro in partnership with the city government in line with the annual celebration of the Rotary Youth Week.

           This year’s batch of junior city officials are City Mayor Joseph Mathew Dosdos; Vice Mayor Jaya Ybañez as Vice Mayor; and city councilors Princess Aine Curro, Aryanna Bas, Joel Bilar, Mia Antennor Cruz, Antonette Laigo, Joanne Theres Gales, Ma. Carmel Rowena Neri, Alexis Heludo, Meg Yu, Elizabeth Mae Ravanera, Mary Chris Aguilar, Loraine Oneill, Nicole Monsanto and Maggi Mae Vestal.

           The other city officials are City Tourism Officer Jenessa Moreno, City Information Officer Genalyn Agbo, City Personnel Officer Ana Maria Concepcion Cabrera, City Secretary Mark Adrian Taganahan, City Administrator Al Cabrera, City Planning and Development Coordinator  Stefanie Joy Enobio, Estate Management Division Chief Farhana Hananih Macapanton, City Building Official Alberto Doller, City Civil Registrar Carel Fe Suyman, City General Services Officer Ramelou Cababaros,

           City Budget Officer Ana Katrina Lopez, City Accountant Ivy Imari Yap, City Treasurer Ian Gumapac, City Assessor Raizzel Grece Gayomali, City Legal Officer Lovely Faith Eduria, City Prosecutor Hermie Lumantas, Clerk of Court Rhea Angela Arancon, City Health Officer  Genevieve Katipunan,

           City Hospital Administrator Shalom Maglangit, City Public Services Officer James Theodore Retuya, City Agriculturist Alen Paul Melicor, City Veterinarian Lorenzo Ang, City Local Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonette Castrodes, City Engineer Majour delos Reyes, CEED Manager Micah Angela Pimentel, East and West Bound Terminal and Public Market Administrator Sheila Palon.

The Rotary junior city officials are allowed by Mayor Emano to perform actual functions of their respective offices for the duration of one week.

Published: September 19-25, 2006 issue

Martial law destroys democratic institutions-Pimentel

The names of the unknown and socially unconnected are inscribed along with the names of the famous and socially pedigreed on the Memorial Wall of Martial Law Victims which was unveiled at the Mehan Gardens in Manila, coinciding with the 34th anniversary of the imposition of martial rule on Sept. 21, 1972.

            Among the prominent names written on the Memorial Wall are Ninoy Aquino, Jose Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada, Edgar

Jopson and Macliing Dulag.

            But alongside these well-known victims of martial rule

were those of Salvador Santos, Roy Lorenzo Acebedo and Enrique Romero – people whose identities hardly ring a bell in the public’s memory.

            Speaking at the inauguration of the Memorial Wall,

Senate minority leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. said the mixing of the names of the great and the ordinary people on this wall of stone is explained by the fact that the same bond held them together in the people’s quest for the reinstitution of rights and liberties.

            “And that bond they have cemented by the common

shedding of their blood so that others may live and the risking of their liberty so that others may have freedom,” he said.

            “These are the heroes who chose democracy over dictatorship; constitutionalism over one-man rule; the rule of law over the rule of the gun,” he stressed

            Commending Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza for his

initiative in erecting the Memorial Wall, Pimentel said without historical landmarks like this, there will hardly be a public and concrete reminder of the selfless sacrifices of these patriotic individuals on the altar of liberty.

            “I appreciate that Mayor Atienza wants the fallen and

the disappeared freedom-fighters remembered regardless of their stations in life,” said Pimentel, who was arrested four times and jailed for resisting the abuses and repression of the Marcos regime.

            He decried that the country’s democratic institutions

were devastated by the imposition of martial law all over the land.

            Pimentel recalled that thousands were arrested without a cause, thousands were killed without a legal reason and thousands were disappeared without a trace under the brutal regime.

            It is time, he said to recall those who fell in the struggle or who disappeared in their quest for the restoration of people’s freedoms.

            By honoring the martial law dead and the disappeared,

it can be said that they did not die in vain, Pimentel stressed.

            “And by our collective presence here today, we are sending a message for the world to hear; never again to dictatorial rule but, yes to the rule of law; never again to oppressive leaders but, yes to respecters of human rights; never again to martial law but, yes to freedom, justice and peace for our people.”

The demand for 150,000 new medical transcriptionists (MT) every year cannot be met because training schools don’t produce enough quality graduates to serve the need.

            Leonardo C. Eduave, director of the Institute of Short Studies of Liceo Cagayan University (LCDU), said that the problem of producing the MT graduates may soon be addressed of the MT course they are offering during the second semester.

            The MT course at LCDU has already been approved of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

            “Medical transcription involves transcribing voice recordings by physicians and health care professionals about medical reports, checkups, patient correspondence, medical procedures and diagnosis,” Eduave said.

            He said that those who have medical background may enroll in the three-month course, while those without any medical training can choose to take the six-month course.

            “The medical transcription industry is one of the fastest growing outsourcing service in our country today,” Eduave said.

            Graduates of this short-term course can become employed by medical transcription companies or they can become entrepreneurs in their own homes, he concluded.

Published; September 19-25, 2006 issue

The Search for Outstanding Barangay Officials will start on September 19.

            According to Councilor Alexander Dacer, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, the search is aimed at recognizing outstanding Barangay Chairman, Barangay Kagawad, Secretary and Treasurer.

            Dacer, however, exempt himself from the nomination being the vice chair of the search committee.  

            Under Executive Order No. 096-06, Mayor Vicente Y. Emano authorized the conduct of the 2006 Search for SOBO and appointed Acting City administrator Wilma Rugay as chair of the search committee, with City DILG Director Clodualdo Espedilla, co-chair.

            Dacer added that the evaluators have divided themselves into four teams to meet the target dates.

            The search will end on October 5.

            He said Rugay, Acting City Planning and Development Officer Estrella Sagaral and City Treasurer Lino Daral will compose Team A which will evaluate officials of Barangays 1 to 20.

            Team B, composed of Acting City Accountant Griscelda Joson, City Budget Officer Zelpha Acenas and the representative of Capitol University will evaluate Barangays 21-40 while Team C evaluators Councilor Dacer, City Council Secretary Arturo de San Miguel and City Auditor Olivia Flores will take care of sub-urban barangays, Dacer said.

            He added that Team D, composed of City DILG Director Clodualdo Espedilla and Acting City Social Worker and Development Officer Fredirico Gempesaw will evaluate rural barangay officials.

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Misamis Oriental, Inc. celebrates its 39th founding anniversary with a week-long program held from Sept. 16 to 22 at the YMCA Founders Hall in Julio Pacana St.

Highlighting the week-long activity is the Regional Hi-Y Academic Olympics for students covering the YMCAs in Davao, Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro.

Included in the Olympics are writing contests for editorial, feature and essay; extemporaneous speech; quiz bowl and oratorical contest.

The writing contest was held on Thursday, Sept. 21, which drew in six participants from Davao and Cagayan de Oro with Ms. Lizanilla Amarga of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, Ms. Terry Betonio of The Golden Chronicle and Mr. Uriel Quilinguing of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club as judges.

Chosen as winners were Albert Ang from Brokenshire Science High School in Davao City for editorial writing; Aryana Bax of Pilgrim Christian College for feature Writing; and Hannah Mae Salugsugan of the Regional Science High School in Cagayan de Oro for essay writing.

The write-ups were judged based on the theme “Youth and YMCA: Transformational Leaders in Today’s Society” with particular focus on the following; Responding to the Call for Charter Change (Editorial), One Day in the Life of a Calamity Victim (Feature), and Moral Ascendancy of Leaders (Essay). 

Judge Maximo Paderanga, president of YMCA Misamis Oriental and the vice chair for YMCA for Region 10, said they hope to make the Academic Olympics a yearly activity and to make YMCA prominent.

SM dismissal of PI paves the way for Constituent Assembly

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

Marawi City: Lanao del Sur governor Aleem Bashier D. Manalao is supporting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in pushing for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.

Provincial information Officer Ding Sansarona said that Governor Manalao is on the belief that the decision of the Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc in dismissing the petition filed by the Sigaw ng Bayan on the issue of “people’s initiative” would pave the way for amendment of the Constitution.

Sansarona said the governor views that in elevating the issue to the Supreme Court and if ever the high court decision would deny the petition then it would then be pursued by the House of Representatives through a Constituent Assembly.

Manalao was quoted by Sansarona as saying that the Senate and House of Representatives can jointly propose amendments or for changing the entire 1987 Constitution.

            The governor however is also entertaining the possibility that there might be no election because of the move to change the Constitution while others remain optimistic an election will be held next year.

 Then, he said he said he will definitely seek reelection should the scheduled electoral exercises pushes through.

            On rido settlements, the governor said that records would show that from June to August this year, there were 10 cases of family feuds.

These, he said, have been confirmed by the Advisory Council that includes the Philippine Marines.

These family feuds, he said, were the results of five cases of murder, two rapes, two land-disputes and a family conflict. 

             Meanwhile, Sansarona reported that crop production has tremendously increased due to the rehabilitation of the irrigation project in Basak area. This resulted to corresponding improvement in the income of the farmers.

             Transport of goods from the farms would then be made easier due to the ongoing construction of farm-to-market roads from the provincial government’s P125-million funds.

Published: September 12-18, 2006 issue

Villanueva, Misamis Oriental: German-owned firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) is backing-up efforts to improve quality of public education in the field of sciences.

            This developed as government reports of dismal performance of Filipino students from public elementary and high schools in science and mathematics. Recent Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) indicates that the country performed poorly in International Mathematics and Science Test, ranking second and third from the bottom in the mathematics and science categories, respectively.

            Among the reasons cited include the lack or absence of quality instructional materials and equipment, poor school facilities, and a dearth of highly competent teachers who are the students' primary source of learning in the absence of books and other learning materials.

            During a recent roundtable discussion initiated by SPI to look deeper into the causes of the deteriorating quality of student performance in the science subject, school administrators present during the forum affirmed the findings of the PHDR and recommended immediate interventions not only from government but also from the private sector. Among the recommendations include the provision of appropriate science equipment and facilities, as well as teaching methodology skills upgrading for science teachers.

            As an initial response, SPI committed to provide basic science equipment and sponsor a special teachers training program to select schools in its host communities in Villanueva and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental via an inter-school science competition among public elementary schools in the area.

            Scheduled on 21 September 2006 at the Villanueva Gymnasium, the contest will highlight this year’s commemoration of September as Science Month. About P150,000 worth of prizes will be given away in the form of science equipment, short-term scholarship program for science teachers at Xavier University,  computer-literacy training for students courtesy of sponsoring partner STI College, trophies, medals and gift certificates.

            SPI President Andreas Rubin said the company’s commitment goes beyond providing safe, efficient and reliable supply of energy to Mindanao . “We are also committed to help improve the quality of lives of the people especially those living within the vicinity of our business operations” Rubin said.

            SPI is currently putting-up the Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to address Mindanao ’s growing demand for electricity.  The plant will start commercial operations before the end of the current year.

Published: September 12-18, 2006 issue

By CHERIE LECHONSITO

Contributor

Scavenger children in the dumpsite of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City are set to benefit from the Play, Learn and Earn with Child Scavengers (PLECS) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in region 10.

            PLECS aims to  address the  hazardous working condition  that beset some 73 children and their families in the Cagayan de Oro dumpsite by helping them learn and play while they earn.

            DSWD 10 regional director Ester Acebedo-Versoza said that the scavenger children will be provided with education assistance through school supplies, uniforms, as well as tutorials to aid them in reading and simple arithmetic.

“They are also encouraged to join sports activities and engage them in Supervised Neighborhood Play,” Versoza said.

She said that health services and skills trainings are also among the services that will be provided to the scavenger children and their families.

            Furthermore, the DSWD 10 head said that by making use of recyclable materials that are dumped in the dumpsite, the children and their families will be provided with skills trainings on handmade paper production, frames, chimes and other decorative materials.

Other products include hand-painted and silk screen produced tee shirts are also among the alternative livelihood projects that the scavengers will venture in.

            Launched in August 2006, the project is being pilot tested in the Cagayan de Oro dumpsite located in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.  Its implementation is being coordinated with the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Non-Government Organizations and line agencies to be able to provide a wide range of services to the scavengers.  Among the agencies that are involved in the PLECS Program are the Department of Health, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Department of Labor and Employment.

            While it is not commonly known that the conditions in the dumpsite are completely and immediately redeemable, PLECS seeks to provide opportunities for scavenger families to find alternative means of livelihood and their children with opportunities to play, learn and earn.

Published; September 5-11, 2006 issue

Penro cites massive support to Green Philippine Highways

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte: Once again, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) here assured all residents of this province that it will run after those responsible for illegal logging activities.

Ben-Ali Decampong, the provincial environment and natural resources officer (Penro) for this province, said this during the simultaneous planting of tree seedlings and saplings nationwide on August 25, this year.

The tree-planting activity here as part of the Green Philippine Highways project, generated massive support from various sectors—government, academe, professionals, non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, foundations and even the media.

Decampong said while thousands of Filipinios, including those from this province, who participated in the greening activity their information, education and communication campaign shall continue.

This, he said, is very important to make sure that the thousands of tree seedlings would survive in the next years and in the coming years, emphasizing that these should be taken cared of by the residents along the national highways.

He said that unless every Filipino would recognize the importance of trees to human survival and that those who would resort to illegal tree-cutting are penalized no campaign for greening would ever succeed.

For this, Decampong said they will not hesitate to pursue suspects in illegal logging operations so that they would be charged in court and eventually jailed for them to suffer the consequences of their actions that are detrimental to the general public.

            He described the implementation of the GPH project here as successful particularly those along the borders of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte for Northern Mindanao and  in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur for the neighboring region.

            Decampong said that while project will be implemented until 2011, the campaign must continue even after the termination of the Green Philippine Highways.

            He also thanked the local government officials for their active participation in the greening activity as well as in the campaign against illegal logging operations.

Published: September 5-11, 2006 issue

British Council Philippines, in collaboration with UK Partners for Peace, announces the finalists of the Hatag Kalinaw Grant Competition for school and community-based youth organizations in Mindanao.

            Over 50 project proposals were received addressing issues concerned with the ideals of peace, development and tolerance among young people in Mindanao.

            The 10 project proponents who make it through the preliminary evaluation (in no particular order) are: 1. Tagabili for its “Kumustahanay” of Koronadal City; 2. Linayag Artist for its “Painting for Peace” (Cotabato); 3. Kids for Peace Foundation’s “Paminaw ug Ipadayon ang Kalinaw” (Cotabato City); 4. Center for JustPeace for “Engendering Awareness on Protection of Children in Armed Conflict” (Cotabato City); 5. Tri-People Silent Club for “Inter-Faith Dialogue for Deaf Youth in the Quest for Peace and Development” (Cotabato); 6. Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (Makalaya) for “Ma” (Davao City); 7. Bangsamoro Youth-Ranao Center for Peace and Development, Inc. for “Peace, Justice and Development through Education” (Marawi City); 8. Philippine Women’s College of Davao for “Peace Enhancment among Community and Student Organizations (Davao City); 9. Lumad Inter-Tribal Student Organization, Inc. (Liso) for “Promotion of Peace and Culture among Indigenous People Youth thru Cultural Arts (Tagum City); and 10. Inspired Young Optimists Guild (Iyog) for “Iyog to Kalilintad” (Marawi City).

              All 10 project proponents are uploaded on the British Council website for one-line voting. To cast a vote, register through www.britishcouncil.org.ph and vote the project of your choice. One vote will be given to each e-mail address registered through our on-line voting. Cast your votes starting Sept. 2 until 5 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2006.

            The top five project proponents based on points gained from the on-line voting and scores earned in the preliminary judging will advance to the final phase of the competition. They will battle it out on a panel presentation on Sept. 16, 2006. The three winning proponents will receive up to P100,000 to implement their projects over a six-month period.

            For more information about the project grant competition, visit www.britishcouncil.org.ph or call British Council Philippines at (02)9141011-14 local 150.

Published: September 5-11, 2006 issue

Isis International-Manila and Mindanao Women Writers (Min-Wow) are inviting interested women media practitioners to join “Women Making Airwaves for Peace,” a training on using community radio for peace building to be held on October 19 to 22 in Cagayan de Oro, October 26 to 29 in Pagadian City and on December 6 to 9 in Cotabato City.

The training, which is part of Isis International-Manila's campaign on “Free 4 All: Media, Democracy and Peace,” seeks to enhance the crucial role media plays in conflict resolution and peace building in Mindanao.

In particular, the training will stress the importance of community media, particularly radio, as a tool for peace building; elaborate on the contribution of women to conflict resolution, particularly in Mindanao, and how media has promoted women's active participation in peace initiatives; and explore other creative ideas and strategies on how women – through media – can build peace in the context of existing direct and structural forms of violence.

The training, which is being supported by Canada Fund, looks at content development, skills building in radio productions and self-care strategies for women journalists.

Among the important issues to be discussed in the training will be on Peace Journalism and Engendering Peace which will focus on Peace Language versus War Language: A Feminist Perspective and Trauma Sensitivity and Respectful Reporting; radio production skills focusing on operation of radio studio and audio editing, radio interview and radio plug production; and on self-care strategies which will focus on development of self-care strategies to guarantee women's safety and well-being and development of strategies to assert women's rights as a media practitioner.

Qualified to participate in the training are women community media practitioners, women journalists, and women interested to develop skills in the area of peace building through community radio based in Mindanao.

Additional information on the training is available at www.isiswomen.org or those interested to join may contact Bianca Miglioretto, community radio and alternative media officer of Isis International-Manila, at telephone number (02) 928-1956 or send email at bianca@isiswomen.org and Lina Sagaral Reyes of Min-WoW, project coordinator in Mindanao, at (0927) 415-5513 or mindanawwomenwriters@gmail.com.

Deadline of submission of application forms is on September 23 for the Cagayan de Oro training and October 25 for the Cotabato training.

Published: September 5-11, 2006 issue

The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office 10 once again held a three-day journalism training for campus journalists and campus paper advisers from the different public and private schools in Northern Mindanao, which was conducted in three batches at the Regional Education Learning Center in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

One-hundred thirty campus journalists and paper advisers attended the first batch from August 18 to 20, another 128 attended the second batch from August 25 to 27, and 140 in the third batch from Sept.1 to 3.

The participants came from the divisions of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangub and Camiguin.

Among the private schools that participated in the journalism training include STI Colleges of Mindanao, Xavier University, MSU-IIT Coop Academy, Don Mariano Canoy Colleges, Merry Child School and Community Christian Academy.

Mr. Manuelito Rojas, DepEd journalism coordinator, said the training is an annual activity of the DepEd 10 that aims to enhance the knowledge of campus paper advisers and campus journalists on the different journalistic writing.

Invited as resource speakers for the training are Mr. Jesus Apepe, former regional director of the Philippine Information Agency, who talked about news writing; Mr. Allan Mediante, assistant vice president for marketing of Mindanao Gold Star Daily who gave inputs on editorial writing; Mr. Uriel Quilinguing, president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club and executive editor of the Golden Chronicle for sports writing and layouting; Mr. Jack Alingasa for photojournalism; and Ms. Terry Betonio, contributing editor of Golden Chronicle for feature writing.

Other invited resource persons include Mr. Judy Baldemor who talked about radio broadcasting; Mr. Nonoy Estarte of the Oro Arts Guild for editorial cartooning; Ms. Consuelo Neri for copy reading and headline writing in Filipino; and Ms. Nonita Macalla also for copy reading and headline writing in English.

The training hopes to further hone the writing skills of the campus journalists in preparation for the Regional Schools Press Conference to be held on November 23 to 25, 2006 in Iligan City and consequently, for the National Schools Press Conference to be held in Baguio sometime in February 2007.