one mindanao - september 19, 2011

2 Monday, September 19, 2011

C O N T E N T SNATIONAL• Aquino says US trip will showcase Philippine transformation, its readiness for business• Aquino meets Miss Universe third runner-up Bb. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup• Aquino to keynote Asia Society meet in New York• Filipino students at Fordham University all set to welcome President Aquino• Ochoa expresses full support to Biazon as new Customs chief

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)• Stakeholders seek creation of ARMM Seaweeds council• DOH-ARMM seeks P-Noy’s help on crimes vs. health workers• Zambo. Norte Press Club supports anti-drug campaign • Poverty reduction is everybody’s concern- Dir. Romo• Pantawid Pamilya a big help for mothers

Northern Mindanao• Meat production in NorMin, up 4%, fish production, down 4% in 2Q• MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28! successful• CSC-10 holds trade fair and gov’t. express caravan, Sept. 21-23• Cebuano News: POEA mihatag og ARTIP seminar ngadto sa mga barangay officials sa Iligan• Cebuano News: CTO nagpahinumdum sa deadline sa ikatulong installment sa RPT

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)• Experience the Davao Punch• NCCA opens “Glimpses”, an exhibit at SM Davao• Sen. Legarda to prioritize IP bills• IRA be raised by 10% for sectoral representative including IPs• Legarda to push for free breast screening service in public hospitals

Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN)

• Programang pabahay para sa mga sundalo tuloy-tuloy ayon sa AFP• DOLE 12 patuloy sa isinasagawang routine inspections• Pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa Surallah inaasahang masimulan sa susunod na taon• P2-M na halaga ng marijuana sinunog sa Sarangani

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)• Police says no transport strike in Surigao del Sur today• Tourism Usec to grace Billabong Pro Junior Asia opening in Siargao Island• Gov’t agencies offer free ride to commuters in Butuan• Surigao City trike operators not joining transport strike today• Classes going on in Butuan amidst transport strike, DepEd says

OUR COVER:

BSP governor sees vast

potential inZambo City

EDITORIAL STAFF

An Electronic News Magazine published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA)

Mindanao Clusters

Executive Editor ……......... EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region

Associate Editors ……....... OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Emmanuel D. Gonzales, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

3Monday, September 19, 2011

Cover Story:

As greatly affected the city is with the erratic p e a c e and order

condition in this part of the country, it cannot be denied that “La Hermosa Zamboanga”, “Asia’s Latin City”, has vast potential to be one of the major economic contributors of the country.

Zamboanga City, some 460 nautical miles (850 kilometers)

from the country’s capital city of Manila, is strategically located

that it is considered the southern gateway to the Brunei, Indonesia,

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by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

BSP governor sees vast potential in Zambo City

The new Bangko Sentral office located at Pettit Barracks(Photos courtesy of Elizabeth O. Dela Cruz)


Cover story:BSP governor.....from page 3

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Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) due to its proximity to the three countries. Although lost in the countless negative news about Mindanao as a whole, the city never lacks for economic activities, the reason why it is called the economic or industrial center of Western Mindanao. Last September 15, one of the country’s authority in economy and finance visited the city and immediately saw a great economic prospective in the city. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco came to the city as the guest of honor during the inauguration of the new BSP Building here. But while looking around, Gov. Tetangco cannot help but marvel at the many economic indicators he is witnessing.

BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco, Jr. with City Mayor Celso Lobregat (above) during the ribbon cutting. Below, Gov. Tetangco with BSP Zamboanga Chief Melodino S. Patiño (Photos by Elizabeth o. Dela Cruz)As head of the country’s biggest bank, it is but natural for him to know that one indicator of economic activity in an area is the number of banks in it. “Zamboanga City alone has 55 bank branches. This could be one of the reasons why bank deposits here grew 12% and reached P46.7 billion in 2010”, he pointed.

To further stress his point, Tetangco said, “Clearly, you do not lack for capital or funding here”. The mere fact that the city hosts the country’s biggest bank is enough statement of its great value to the country’s economy and Tetangco can never be proud of it. “That this land now hosts the Bangko Sentral, a government institution mandated to provide stability to our economy through responsive monetary and banking policies, makes a powerful statement about our nation’s i n d e p e n d e n c e ” ,


Tetangco said. He added that the construction of a new and bigger office here manifests their commitment to strengthen Bangko Sentral’s presence here to help the entire region attain its full potential. During a press briefing, Tetangco said the increase in the amount of bank deposits here is a good indicator of economic stability. But he also left a challenged to the city officials and other concerned government agencies. “P46.7 billion is a significant amount.

The challenge now here is to be able to use those funds to further push developments in the region”, he said. “That shows that there is really a great deal of opportunity. Banks here and businessmen, together, should try and further help in the development of the region and the funding is not a problem as shown by the high level of deposits”, he said. Gov. Tetangco was accompanied by other bigwigs from Bangko Sentral like Monetary Board Members Alfredo Antonio, Ignacio Bunye, the

former Spokesperson of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Peter Favila, the former Department of Trade and Industry Secretary, Felipe Medalla, Armando Suratos, and Deputy Governors Diwa Guinigundo, Jr., Nestor Espenilla, and Jun Zuñiga, Managing Director, Regional Monetary Affairs Sub-Sector Pedro Tordilla, Jr., and Rosabel Guerrero, Director of the Department of Economic Statistics, among others. (JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZC, with news from City Hall)

Cover story:BSP governor.....from page 4


The invitation of the United States and Brazil for the Philippines to join the launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in New York is an opportunity for the Philippines to show to the world its significant

transformation, President Benigno Aquino III said in his departure speech Sunday evening.

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Aquino says US trip will showcase Philippine transformation, its readiness for business


Aquino says.....from page 6

“Patunay lamang po ito sa pataas nang pataas na pagtingin sa atin ng ibang mga ban-sa. Sa pagbisita nat-ing ito maipapahayag natin sa buong mundo ang ating tinatamasang sigla at kumpiyansa ng Pilipinas tungo sa pag-ginhawa ng mga Pilipi-no,” the President said in his message at the Ninoy Aquino Interna-tional Airport Centenni-al Terminal 2 just before he left for the US. The President said that during his atten-dance of the OGP launch-ing, he will share the country’s experiences in governance, adding that honest and good leader-ship has resulted to bet-ter economic conditions for the country. “Taas-noo nating ihahayag ang katuparan ng ating paninindigan sa pagsugpo ng katiwalian para maiibsan ang ka-hirapan. Tiwala po tayo na sa pagpunta natin sa Amerika, gaya ng una nating pagbisita, mara-mi tayong maiuuwing good news sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. In joining the event, the President said the world’s confidence towards the Philippines will increase even more because of its ability to work with other mem-

bers of the international community in many ar-eas. At the same time, President Aquino said he would seize the op-portunity during his four-day visit to talk to American businessmen to put their investments in the Philippines. “Muli’t muli po nat-ing ihahayag sa kanila na bukas at maaliwa-las na ang ating bansa sa larangan ng pagne-negosyo. Sa malinis na pamamalakad ng kasa-lukuyang gobyerno, pa-tas ang magiging laban sa mga itatayo nilang negosyo,” the President said. The more invest-ment coming to the Phil-ippines, the more jobs generated for the Filipi-nos, the President said. The President also mentioned his planned meeting with the Filipino community in Washing-ton DC during the trip, which he said is aimed at thanking Filipino workers for their sacri-fices for the benefit of their families and their country. The country has started to reap the fruits of good government and every Filipino would con-tinue to enjoy the much improved economy of the Philippines, the chief

executive said. “Hindi magbabago ang ating paninindigan at nakahanda tayong ipagsigawan sa mundo na marangal, tapat at may disiplina ang mga Pilipino. Handa tayong makipagsabayan sa anumang larangan at makipag-bayanihan sa ibang bayan,” hesaid. The President will be on a working visit in the United States from September 18 to 23, particularly in New York and Washington. President Aquino was invited by US Presi-dent Barack Obama and Brazilian Dilma Rouss-eff to the official launch of the OGP in New York on September 20. The OGP is a new multilater-al initiative to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new tech-nologies to strengthen governance. Presidents Obama and Rousseff are the co-chairs of the initiative. The Philippines is one of eight countries, and one of only two from Asia, that are members of the Steering Commit-tee of OGP. The other seven countries are: the US, Brazil, UK, Indone-sia, Mexico, Norway and South Africa. (AS)


Aquino meets Miss Universe third runner-up Bb. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup

Bb. Pilipinas Shamcey Supsup, the third runner up for the 2011 Miss Universe beauty pageant paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III Sunday evening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial

Terminal 2, just before the chief executive embarked on a four-day trip to the United States.

The President and Ms Supsup had a photo op-portunity at the Presi-dential lounge of the NAIA Terminal 2 an hour before the President’s scheduled departure for the United States. Ms Supsup arrived in Ma-nila around 6:30 Sunday morning from Los Ange-les, California. Upon arrival, Sup-sup had a brief press conference at the Termi-nal 2 VIP lounge where she thanked all her supporters particularly

those who helped her through the social me-dia. Aside from being the third runner up dur-ing the pageant, Supsup also ranked first among the fans in the vote for the top five candidates and second in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. T h i s year’s winner of the Miss Uni-verse beauty

pageant is Leila Lopes from Angola, beating 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the widely popular pageant of world beauties. Bb. Pilipinas Sham-cey Supsup will join a parade in Makati City Monday where she is expected to visit her high school alma mater, Makati High School. Sim-ilar celebrations will also be held in Cainta, Rizal, General Santos City, UP Diliman, and the Arane-ta Center. (AS)


Aquino to keynote Asia Society meet in New York

President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Asia Society, a leading global and

pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia, during his visit here Tuesday (September 20).

Citing the impor-tance of the Philippines as an ally in Asia and the world, Asia Society Executive Vice President Jaime Metzel said the group invited the Presi-dent to “celebrate” the Chief Executive’s suc-cessful bid to end cor-ruption in the Philippines once and for all. The Philippines is a critically important country both in Asia and in the world. And we al-ways feel that it is im-portant to raise the pro-file of the Philippines. And at the same time, the Philippines has had a lot of problems and President Aquino has

done a great job in his first year in office in be-ginning to address them and we would like to celebrate the great start that President Aquino has made (to end cor-ruption),” Metzl said. He lauded the Pres-ident’s “forceful” cam-paign to address cor-ruption which he said is the “scourge of the Phil-ippines” but noted that this fight would require a concerted and “sus-tained effort.” “As everybody knows, corruption is the scourge of the Philip-pines. The Philippines has the most talented population maybe in the

world but so many Fili-pinos are helping build other countries and Phil-ippines has become a country that exist large-ly on remittances and so the first steps that needs to be taken to address the problems in the Phil-ippines is to address cor-ruption,” Metzl said. “And President Aquino has raised these issues very forcefully but the system has many elements of corruption and so it’s going to re-quire sustained effort overtime and I believe that President Aquino has made a great start in that process but it will need to be an ongoing

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process,” he added. The President’s visit to the Asia Society is just one of numerous engagements the Presi-dent has lined up during his visit to the United States from September 18 to 21. The President will visit New York City and Washington D.C. to meet with business leaders and join US President Ba-rack Obama in launching the Open Government Policy, a new multilater-al initiative to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new tech-nologies to strengthen governance. While in New York, President Aquino will also speak before the IBM Centennial Forum called “THINK: A Forum on the Future of Leadership” on September 20. The fo-rum will be attended by more than 700 leaders from government, busi-ness, the academe and science, and up-and-coming leaders world-wide. President Aquino

will likewise be conferred a Doctor of Laws, hono-ris causa, by Fordham University in ceremonies to be held at Keating Hall in the school’s Rosa Hill campus in New York. Fordham, an in-dependent university in the Jesuit tradition founded in 1841, had also conferred an honor-ary degree on President Corazon Aquino in Sep-tember 1986. As part of the Ford-ham tradition, the names of over 30world leaders conferred a degree are carved on the steps of the “Terrace of the Pres-idents” at Keating Hall. President Aquino’s name will be carved next to that of his mother. While in New York, the President will also have business meetings with IBM and Convergys, both of which already have a substantial pres-ence in the Philippines. In Washington, D.C., President Aquino is invited by World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick to give a public lecture before the World Bank.

He will also meet with Senator Daniel In-ouye, president protem-pore of the US Senate and chairman of its Ap-propriations Committee, to thank the senator for his continued support for Philippine causes in the US Congress. Senator Inouye was responsible for the pas-sage of Filipino Veterans Compensation Fund and the primary sponsor of the SAVE Act, which will benefit both the Philip-pine garment industry and the US textile man-ufacturers. He will also be meeting with the Filipi-no community in Wash-ington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia “to appraise them about the govern-ment’s accomplishments and share the latest de-velopments in the coun-try.” According to the DFA, it would be the first meeting of President Aquino with the Filipino community in the region, composed approximate-ly of 110, 000 Filipinos. (RCK)

Aquino to keynote.....from page 9


Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. expressed full support to newly-appointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon as he lauded outgoing BOC Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, for his hard work

to meet revenue targets and improve the government’s financial situation over the past year.

Filipino students at Fordham University are looking forward to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s visit to their university on Monday, the first day of the President’s

official visit to the United States of America.

Filipino students at Fordham University all set to welcome President Aquino

President Aquino will be conferred with the de-gree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, by Ford-ham, an independent uni-versity in the Jesuit tradi-tion that was founded in 1841. The conferment cere-mony will be held at 1 p.m., Monday here, at the Keat-ing Hall in the University’s Rose Hill campus in Bronx, New York. Filipino and Filipino-American students, Filipino community members, Fili-pino staff members in the United Nations, along with Filipinos and Fil-Ams in the academe, business, media and civil society organiza-tions, Fordham faculty and

staff will witness the con-ferment. “We’re all very ex-cited. I mean as soon as we all got the news, we couldn’t believe that the president would be coming here,” said Janine Vicente, one of the Filipino students at the university. “His [President Aqui-no‘s] presence at Fordham just echoes the excitement of not even just the stu-dents but [also] the facul-ty,” Vicente said during an interview done by RTVM. “We are all so excited.” Matthew Novick, also a Filipino student and the president of Fordham Uni-versity Philippine-American Club (FUPAC), is also look-

ing forward to the Presi-dent‘s visit, saying that it is an “incredible opportunity” for them to see him. Before the confer-ment rites, the President will be escorted to the building step named after his mother, the late Presi-dent Corazon Aquino, who was also conferred an hon-orary degree in September 1986 by Fordham. The names of over 30 world leaders conferred honorary doctorate degrees are carved on the steps of the “Terrace of the Presi-dents” at Keating Hall as part of Fordham tradition. The President’s name will be carved next to that of his mother. (CO)

Ochoa expresses full support to Biazon as new Customs chief

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In his speech dur-ing the BOC’s turnover ceremonies at the So-cial Hall of the Bureau’s main office in Port Area, Manila on Monday morn-ing, Ochoa noted the competence of Commis-sioner Biazon as a public servant and his commit-ment in implementing reforms for the country. “Commissioner Bi-azon has remarked that he faces a ‘gargantuan challenge’ in his new job…but on behalf of the President (Aquino) I would like to assure him and everyone here that the government stands behind him and trusts him to do what is neces-sary to keep Customs on the right track,” Ochoa said. “It is my hope that everyone here at Cus-toms will also extend their support to Com-missioner Biazon, who has shown during his time in Congress that he truly cares for this coun-try, and is serious about implementing reforms,” he added. Ochoa cited Presi-dent Aquino’s directive to the new BOC chief

that there must be no “sacred cows” in effect-ing reforms in the bu-reau. “Sabi ni PNoy kay Commissioner Biazon, walang ‘sacred cows’ sa daang matuwid… sinabi mismo ni Commissioner Biazon na handa siyang mawalan ng kaibigan dito sa bago niyang tra-baho,” Ochoa noted. “We are ready to support him (Biazon) with the resources he needs to address the is-sues that have plagued Customs for the longest time,” the Executive Sec-retary stressed. Ochoa also remind-ed the BOC personnel of their duties and respon-sibilities to the country and the Filipino people. “So my word of ad-vice to everyone here is perform your tasks to the best of your abilities, not just because your new chief is a tough boss who will punish you, but because our people need to know that they can trust you and de-pend on you to do what is right for them and for our country,” he said. Ochoa thanked Bi-

azon for his willingness to come in and continue the reforms the Presi-dent wants to imple-ment in the BOC, re-forms that are part of a government-wide cam-paign to curb corrup-tion. He also thanked outgoing Alvarez for heading the BOC for the past year, giving up his private life and took on the daunting challenge of reform implementa-tion in the bureau. “For having ac-cepted that challenge, the country and I thank Commissioner Alvarez,” Ochoa said. Commissioner Bi-azon took his oath of office before President Aquino last Friday to formally assume his new post as BOC chief. Prior to his present position, he served as Represen-tative for the Lone Dis-trict of Muntinlupa City for three consecutive terms since 2001. He is the youngest child of former senator and now Muntinlupa Congress-man Rodolfo Biazon and Monserrat Biazon. (JCL)

Ochoa expresses.....from page 11


Stakeholders seek

creation of ARMM Seaweeds council

Stakeholders enthusiastically concluded the first Autonomous Region in Muslim Mind-anao (ARMM) Seaweeds Congress Monday last week, with a resounding call for the

creation of ARMM Seaweeds Council to steer the development of the industry in the region.

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Stakeholders seek...from page 13

ARMM Information Chief Ali Macabalang revealed that through resolution, stakeholders asked the ARMM’s Regional Economic Development Planning Board (REDPB) through the Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) member-agencies to assist them in realizing the creation of the council. Attended by stakeholders and representatives of government agencies, the one-day 1st ARMM Seaweeds Congress was conducted in Zamboanga City to craft strategies on addressing reported decrease in seaweed supplies from Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and partly from Maguindanao in view of reports that Indonesia would be linking up with seaweeds producers from the region for supplies. ARMM Exec. Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo, Agriculture Assistant Secretary

Salvadior Salacup and Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat led governments in gracing the occasion, even as they all underscored the importance of giving impetus to seaweeds farming and productions. “We have no doubt that seaweed production gives one ray of hope to farmers in this part of the country. With aquaculture resources of immense size, the ARMM offers prospects for more cultivation, expansion and processing of seaweeds,” Sinarimbo said. He said that enhancing the industry would spur tremendously the ARMM economy, and help bring about peace and stability in the region. For his part, Mayor Lobregat welcomed the conduct of the first ARMM Seaweed Congress in Zamboanga City, saying that his city benefits much from the proceeds

of the industry. Salacup, on the other hand, said the seaweed production is one of the major industries in the country where ARMM is principal player. He said 38% of the national total production of seaweeds (686,937.45 out of 1.799 million) is coming from ARMM where 20,017 hectares more of areas can be tapped for farming to beef up the existing 32,023 hectares of seaweed farms. “Filling it up will match our 20% shortfall in raw dried seaweeds in this country,” Salacup said, adding that such industry “provides livelihood to 42,664 families who are directly involved in production and hundreds more involved in trade. It also has potential value-adding. The congress participants said the proposed council would serve as the policy making body to set

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DOH-ARMM seeks P-Noy’s help on crimes vs. health workers

direction to further boost ARMM’s seaweeds industry that provides livelihood to thousands of families living in the coastal areas who are directly involved in the production, trading and export of seaweeds. They asked the local government units (LGUs) in the region to enact provincial and municipal ordinances anent the seaweed industry development. They urged the national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) to put up a seaweeds research

and development center and other infrastructures to assist them since the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-ARMM (BFAR-ARMM) is incapacitated in technical, marketing, production and processing of quality product. B F A R - A R M M assistant director Hadja Janice Musali revealed that her office lacks the personnel to assist the seaweeds farmers, citing one technician handles three to four municipalities. Despite the

shortage of personnel, Musali said they are exerting efforts as much as possible to cover all areas since 70 percent of the seaweeds production of Mindanao comes from ARMM. Records from BFAR-ARMM showed that the region produced a total of 686,397.45 metric tons (MT) of seaweeds in 2010, posting an increase by 3,312.62 MT compared to the 683,084.83-MT production volume in 2009. (BPI-ARMM/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

Stakeholders seek...from page 14

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept 19 (PIA) – Dismayed over unresolved crimes against field health workers, a Department of Health (DOH) official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has turned to President Aquino for relief in the fate of his three personnel kidnapped, murdered and raped in rural areas separately and still awaiting justice.

“I sent a letter to the President last week seeking (his) help” in

the dispensation of government appropriate actions on the unresolved

abduction of a midwife in Sulu, murder of a field sanitary inspector


DOH-ARMM...from page 15

in Tawi-Tawi, and rape of a volunteer-nurse in Maguindanao, DOH-ARMM Secretary Kadil Sinolinding Jr. told media Friday. S i n o l i n d i n g said they sought a Presidential intervention after realizing that pursuing their earlier plan to stage a sit-down strike in protest of the unresolved cases would just “punish further the people of the region” already deprived of the services of the victimized health workers. The aborted simultaneous sit-down strike of all health workers across ARMM was meant to put pressure principally in the clamor for the release of 50-year old midwife Evangiline Taverisma, who was kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayaff elements in Indanan, Sulu last Aug. 3 purportedly

to treat some comrades wounded in military pursuit operations. S i n o l i n d i n g lamented an alleged “news blackout” in the fate of Taverisma. “I felt sad that there seems to be a news blackout on her status. Anywhere I asked, they could not give me an exact detail. There was a rescue effort done last week (by police elements) but there are no developments (revealed about it),” Sinolinding said. There was “unofficial” report that the local government of Indanan allegedly had “already paid” half a million pesos “but the kidnappers wanted more,” he said, adding though that the media has no more updates about Taverisma’s condition. Because of the unfavorable trend, Sinolinding said, they opted for seeking

President Aquino’s intervention as the “most appropriate action for the moment.” He said they also would want the President to act on two other unresolved cases: The rape of nurse volunteer “Florence” in South Upi, Maguindanao that resulted to filing of still undecided cases against suspects in that town; and the murder of sanitary inspector Reynaldo Regino in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi three weeks ago in front of his son. S i n o l i n d i n g lamented the three unresolved crimes as a big blow to government health services in the autonomous region, which is beset by high maternal and infant mortality rates, and lack of ample medical facilities. (AGM/BPI-ARMM/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)


Zambo. Norte Press Club supports anti-drug campaignDIPOLOG CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) - - The officers and directors of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) have expressed their strong support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in pursuing drug pushers /traders in the city and neighboring municipalities.

by Franklin P. Gumapon

In a board meeting held recently, ZNPC officers have commended the city police station “for its untiring efforts, devotion to duty and dedication in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” which resulted in the arrest of suspected drug pushers including the three broadcasters who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. It can be recalled that in separate drug buy bust operations jointly conducted by the PNP elements, PDEA personnel and Team David, broadcasters Ryan

Uy, Joseph Herrera and Genesis Ajero were caught red-handed with marked money and sachets containing white crystalline granules believed to be “shabu.” ZNPC said “it looks with deep concern at the arrests of the three broadcasters but it also recognizes the untold misery and suffering the victims of drug-abuse and trafficking have brought to families and communities.” The club officers also belied the claim of some irresponsible media practitioners that the exercise of press freedom is

being curtailed and dying in Dipolog City, saying that all print and broadcast media outlets in the city are continuing to operate and function normally and that press freedom here “is very much alive and kicking.” It is also the stand of the club “to leave the issue of the three arrested broadcasters to the courts for the ultimate resolution of their cases.” The PNP and PDEA here have always cornered a drug pusher or two in their drug buy bust operations since January up to this month. (FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)


Poverty reduction is everybody’s concern- Dir. RomoPagadian City, 19 Sept. (PIA) – “Everybody knew that poverty brings us all together here”, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-IX) Regional Director Teodulo R. Romo, Jr. said in his closing statement during the Convergence Caravan on Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) held on Thursday (September 15) in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

by Claro A. Lanipa

There is no program, no agency of the government that can solely solve the problem on poverty reduction, Director Romo stressed. He said, the only effective way to be able to solve this problem sustainably is thru the convergence of all of us. This is not only the problem of the local government units (LGUs) nor of the DSWD alone, but all of us. Let us join hands to address this by implementing all available programs we have for the Pantawid beneficiaries, Romo added. For the b e n e f i c i a r i e s ,

Pantawid Pamilya is not enough, let us not depend only on this program, we need to provide them a sustainable livelihood, Romo said. He said, soon their agency will forge a partnership with the provincial government headed by Gov. Antonio Cerilles and other line agencies including the local government. This is one way, we can provide a sustainable income to our beneficiaries, if incase Pantawid program will be phase out. Romo said one of the project is the

cassava production, as what Gov. Cerilles claimed that there is a big potential of cassava production in the province that could provide a long term poverty reduction income to our Pantawid beneficiaries. Dir. Romo said that he was convinced and still convinced that cassava production is the best opportunity that can provide a long term opportunity income to our beneficiaries. He added, that they have started discussing as to the pilot areas for the implementation of this project which includes the concept

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to be applied in the respective towns and households of our 4Ps beneficiaries. In a bigger way, our vision is to make the whole Zamboanga del Sur as the cassava capital of the Zamboanga Peninsula, so let us support this project, Romo urged. I believe if we can show to Secretary Dinky Soliman that the cassava production is viable and profitable we will advocate this project to the department for national implementation as part of convergence of poverty reduction with the Pantawid program, Romo said. Another big potential of the province is the partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National

Greening Program. Through this program there is also an opportunity for our Pantawid beneficiaries to earn extra income thru seedling production, he said. And the other one Romo added, is the rubber plantation which is being promoted by the DENR to be planted in the upland areas. “I think rubber has the capacity to provide additional income to our 4Ps beneficiaries,” Romo exclaimed. He said, we have discussed and agreed with DENR Regional Director Arleigh Adorable to look for a pilot area in the province with big potential for the rubber plantation for our Pantawid beneficiaries that would match with the NGP for poverty reduction.

He also urged the beneficiaries of 4Ps to use properly the financial assistance they received from the program for the good of their family. He asked them to support the program, because there are still some 2.6 million poor Filipinos in the entire country awaiting for their term to avail such assistance from the government. You, the beneficiaries of today has the responsibility to show to the people and to our leaders especially to Congress that you are worth receiving such assistance. There are still a lot of our poor families who are qualified and wish to avail of the assistance you are enjoying today, Romo said. (JPA/CAL/PIA9/ZamboSur)

Poverty reduction...from page 18


Pantawid Pamilya a big help for mothers by Claro A. Lanipa

Pagadian City, 19 Sept. (PIA) – Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) Parent Leader Nenita Arsenal-Torrecampo, a native of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur disclosed that 4P’s is of big help to the women’s group especially their relationship among mothers.

This was the testimonial statement made by Torrecampo during the Convergence Caravan for the 4Ps beneficiaries in the second c o n g r e s s i o n a l district of the province comprising of 15 mun i c i p a l i t i e s , held last week at the Dumalinao gymnasium. PL Torrecampo said the program also contributed much to them as parents in bringing up their children by way of sending them regularly to school, in which it is one of the requirements that need to be

complied by a 4P’s beneficiary. The main reason why this program is of big help for us is, like this gathering today, it gave us the opportunity to make a bonding with other parent leader/beneficiary coming from the different m u n i c i p a l i t i e s of the province, Torrecampo said. And most of all we have to thank our government for providing us this program. Through this program, we parents can pursue our dreams by providing our children’s

education so that they may become one of our future leaders. Aside from this she said, the number of m a l n o u r i s h e d children were reduced. Parents were encouraged to engage in individual gardening and c o m m u n a l gardening as well. And to increase their learning, parents met every month for a family d e v e l o p m e n t sessions handled by the teachers in their respective school. Torrecampo added. (JPA/CAL/P I A 9 / Z a m b o Sur)


Meat production in NorMin, up 4%, fish production, down 4% in 2Q

A total of 91,7092 metric tons meat production, in live weight, was

registered by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), region 10,

during the 2nd quarter, higher by four (4) percent, compared to the

87,826MT in the same period, last year.

by Apipa Bagumbaran

22


Meat production...from page 21

Data gathered from BAS-10 show that carabao posted the highest increase at nine (9) percent, Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, Chief Economic Development Specialist of by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, said. This was followed by swine at five (5) percent, and cattle at four (4) percent growth, Clarete said. The data, further, reveal that livestock and poultry inventory as of July 1, reached 20,083,727 heads/birds, up by almost 15 percent

from the previous year’s record. The high demand for carabeef and beef caused the increase in the total number of heads slaughtered resulting in the decline in inventories of cattle and carabao, he said. Meanwhile, overall fish production in the region was four (4) percent below the previous year’s level. He said the decrease was accounted for mostly by the 14 percent decline of seaweeds, which comprised about 70 percent of the total fishery production. The low production

in seaweeds was caused by low salinity and water pollution resulting from frequent rainfall, Clarete said. Commercial fishing, on the other hand, also went down by seven (7) percent as a result of lesser fishing trips due to unfavorable weather and lesser appearance of migratory species. Clarete, further, disclosed that municipal fishing also declined by 1.41 percent citing weather disturbances as the main reason for the negative performance. (PIA-10)

MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28! successful

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 19 (PIA) – Another round of clean up activity dubbed as “tribute to nature,” was undertaken by the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT), here, recently.

by Genesis V. Monterde

The activity was one of those lined-up by MOSCAT, a small college specializing in agricultural studies

located some one (1) hour-drive from Cagayan de Oro, to celebrate its 28th founding anniversary.

A regular activity in MOSCAT, students brought all types of cleaning materials, such as, bolo, dagger, stick

23


CSC-10 holds trade fair and gov’t. express caravan, Sept. 21-23CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 19 -- The Civil Service Commission, region 10 (CSC-10), will hold a “Diskwento Para sa Kawani Trade Fair & Government Express” Caravan, this coming Sept. 21-2 (Wednesday to Friday) at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. The 3-day caravan is among the activities lined-up for the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, Atty. Lourdes Clavite-Vidal of CSC-10 said. During the occasion, various products will be displayed for sale on special discounted rates for the benefit, not only of government employees, but also for private consumers. Among others, the participants of the caravan are the different government agencies,

such as: Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD), Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Department of Agriculture (DA). National Food Authority (NFA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). Also included are

the supervised private companies of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). and products and other agencies are to be displayed on the scheduled dates with special discounts for government employees as well as private customers. For more information, please inquire at CSC-10, Vamenta Boulevard, this city or call telephone nos. 72-31-08 local 107, or (088) 8587563, (08822) 728267. (CSC/PIA-10)

brooms, and the like, and worked together to clean the campus. Meanwhile, a weeklong event dubbed as “Linggo ng MOSCAT” to celebrate the occasion included the conduct of literary competition among students from

the different institutes within the college. Activities during the occasion were anchored on the theme “UNIFIED MOSCAT: Soaring Greater Heights at 28. The celebration was also highlighted with the search for Mr. and Ms.

MOSCAT Ecotourism 2011, joined by some 18 lovely and handsome candidates.It also enjoined the cooperation of high school students and faculty members, alike. (MOSCAT/PIA-10)

MOSCAT: Soaring...from page 22

by Luzviminda Sabal-Rodriguez


Cebuano News: POEA mihatag og ARTIP seminar ngadto sa mga barangay officials sa Iligan

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Mipahigayon og seminar ang Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ngadto sa mga barangayofficials sa Iligan kalabot sa gipatuman niining Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking of Persons Campaign.

by Boy Decena

Tumong niini ang pag-edukar sa mga partisipante sa mga pamaagi aron malikayan ang insidente sa illegal recruitment ug human trafficking sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga barangay. Midumala sa seminar mao sila si Atty. Lynda Llave kinsa mao ang hepe sa Prosecution Division sa POEA kauban sila si Atty. Geraldine Mendez, Atty. Harvey Dumbab ug Ms. Ann Apasra S. Abas sa POEA-Regional Extension Unit 10, nga naka base sa Cagayan de Oro

City. Partikular nga gipaambit atol sa seminar ang napulo (10) ka pamaagi sa paglikay sa illegal recruitment, nga mao kining mosunod: Dili pag-apply sa mga ahensiya nga dili lisensiyado sa POEA, dili pagdawat sa tanyag trabaho sa mga ahensiya nga walay job order, dili makiglambigit sa kinsa man nga dili awtorisadong empleyado sa usa ka lisensyadong ahensiya ug dili makig-t r a n s a k s i y o n

sa gawas sa r e h i s t r a d o n g address sa ahensiya. Diha sa mga provincial r e c r u i t m e n t a c t i v i t y , m a g p a k i s a y o d kung aduna ba kini’y special recruitment authority (SRA), dili mobayad sa gitawag ogplacement fee nga molabaw sa kantidad sa usa ka bulan nga suholan, ug dili mobayad og placement fee kung walay ihatag nga resibo ug kontrata sa trabaho. Dili gilayon motuo sa mga

25


Cebuano News: CTO nagpahinumdum sa deadline sa ikatulong installment sa RPT by Melvin T. Anggot

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Nagpahinumdum ang City Treasurer’s Office sa publiko nga sa Septembre 30 na ang deadline sa ikatulong quarterly installment sa pagbayad sa real property tax kon RPT ning tuig 2011.

Ang taxpayer nga makabayad sa dili pa molapas sa maong petsa makapahimulos sa 10% nga diskwento. Apan kadtong m a p a k y a s m a p a h a m t a n g a n hinoon ug dos

porsiyento (2%) nga interest sa p a g a b a y r a n g kantidad. Mipaabot ni ini nga kasayuran mao si Nicholas Jose Lluch, hepe sa RPT Divis ion sa CTO, ug gipamatud-

an usab ni City Treasurer Louela Maybituin. Ang RPT mao’y buhis nga gipahamtang diha sa yuta, balay o gambalay ug uban pa. (CIO/PIA-10)

anunsiyo o basahon nga nag-ingong ipadala ang tubag pinaagi sa P.O. Box nga adunay pataban nga bayad alang sa pagproseso sa papeles, dili makiglambigit sa mga ahente sa training center ug

travel agencies mga motanyag og trabaho sa ubang nasod, dili madawat og tourist visa alang sa pagtrabaho sa gawas sa nasud ug dili makig-transaksiyon sa gitawag nga fixers. M i a b a g sa natigayong

seminar ang lokal nga buhatan sa Department of Labor and E m p l o y m e n t (DOLE), buhatan ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz ug Barangay Affairs Office (BAO). (CIO/PIA-10)

Cebuano News: POEA...from page 24


Ali ra gud diri sir, ali ra gud” (come here sir, come here)

by RG Alama

Experience the Davao Punch A visibly up-set City Mayor Sara Duterte called the sheriff to come to her side. A vio-lent demolition over a small infor-mal settler com-munity has just broken out, the city was just reeling from one of its worst flooding in recent history and an unneces-sary bloody demolition in another part of the city was testing the already stressed Mayor’s patience.

the infamous punching incident.

27


She wanted to know why the sher-iff disobeyed an ear-lier request to delay the demolition allow-ing for more peace-ful negotiations. As the sheriff came near her, the inevitable

happened. A rain of p u n c h e s c o m i n g from the now raging city mayor s lammed down on the hap-less court deputy in the full view of the media who had earlier c o v e r e d the de-mol i t ion. Hours lat-er the in-cident was b r o a d -

casted all over the country, the video be-came an internet viral; Images of a punching mayor had spread all over the world inviting a hail of praise and a barrage of criticisms.

“We wanted to postivize

(make positive) the

incident.” Jason

Magnaye, Davao City Investment

and Promotions Center and

City Tourism Officer said

referring to the name of the drink which

utilizes the July 1 punching

incident into a marketable

tourism brand.28

Experience the....from page 26


Weeks later as the city started to prepare for one of the country’s grandest festivals, the Kadayawan, a chef from the Davao-based Center for Asian Culinary Arts (CACS) con-cocted a fruit-based drink. The City’s

Tourism Operations Office would later baptized it as the Davao Punch. “We wanted to postivize (make positive) the incident.” Ja-son Magnaye, Davao City Invest-ment and Promotions Center and City Tourism Officer said referring to the name of the drink which uti-lizes the July 1 punching incident into a marketable tourism brand. “Come to Davao and we will welcome you with a good punch,”

reads the drink’s poster. It shows a fair-skinned model dressed in in-digenous garb offering a glass of punch. The original plan was for the punching mayor herself to be the model but she declined the offer.

Davao Punch is a non-alcoholic drink composed of extracts from pomelo, cala-mansi and guava. The name and the mixture are patented under the name of Davao City. It is Davao’s counterpart to the unique Singapore Slinger. Shortly after it was in-vented the City Tourism Oper-ations Office or CTOO, estab-lished a booth at the Davao

International Airport where visitors are served free punch-

es, of course not the face-break-ers given to the hapless sheriff. The city is mixing about 90 liters of the drink daily to serve to about 1,500 visitors, the bud-get coming from the city’s tour-ism and promotions allocation. Magnaye hopes it could self-sustaining marketable product which could be served in the city’s hotels, bars and restaurants as they had given the recipes to these local

Davao media sampling the punch at the Davao International Airport booth.

29



establishments. Marco Polo Davao, the city’s biggest and plushiest ho-tel is now serv-ing Davao Punch. H o w e v e r since the City holds the rights to the name and the mixture, estab-lishments serving the Davao Punch must not devel-op any other ver-sions to this drink. “If they want to add alcohol its fine but they should not use the name Davao Punch.” Mayor Sara Duterte said. The City May-or has lauded the project citing it as an opportuni-ty for the City to create a unique brand some-thing it could use for its own good. “We have to look for something positive from

the negative.” The Mayor said. Aside from branding, the Mayor

looks at the Davao Punch as a way to bring livelihood opportunities to the women sector. Among the plans is a tie-up with the Depart-ment of Science and Technology particularly in find-ing ways to bottle and package the drink. The Mayor says that punch as a drink is hard to bottle hence they are trying to find ways through the DOST to pack-age it into a mar-ketable product. And once bot-tling is developed, the production of this bottled Davao Punch will be giv-en to the city-as-sisted women’s

sector for livelihood opportunities.

The City Mayor has lauded the

project citing it as an

opportunity for the City to create a

unique brand something it could use for its own good.



NCCA Chair on Sub-Committee on Cultural Commission and Traditional Affairs Joycie Alegre said the exhibit is one of the preparatory activities be-fore the staging of Dayaw: Indigenous People’s Festi-val 2011 in October 6 to 10. “This exhibit is an opportunity for the indig-enous people to showcase cultural heritage and at the same time for the pub-lic to learn how we came to be known as the Philip-pine Race.” she said during Kapihan sa Dabaw earlier. The exhibit is based on the book “Glimpses” of an anthropologist Dr. Je-sus Peralta. It is aimed to enlighten Filipinos on their history and foster under-standing and peace be-tween them and indige-nous people still existing in many parts of the country.

Highlighted in the ex-hibit is a piece of foot bone uncovered in the Callao Cave in Penablanca, Ca-gayan Province dated to about 67,000 years old. It was from a population not yet known. The size of the foot bone showed that it belonged to an individual as small as a Negrito. The study of the fossil is ongoing. Alegre bared that the exhibit signals the start of Dayaw Festival which will gather about 400 IPs nationwide to show-case rituals, performing arts, cuisines, games, and crafts and all other cul-tural commonalities of the various Philippine tribes. “We are bringing master carpenters who will help us build four ver-nacular houses distinct to Ifugao, Ati, Manobo, and Subanese.” said Alegre.

Tagum City will play host in this year’s Dayaw Festival, simultaneously celebrated in neighboring towns and cities as some of the activities in Tagum are spread out to Davao uni-versities and leading malls. NCCA urged Dabawe-nyos to take advantage of the staging of Dayaw here in the region. Bringing the different IP representa-tives from various parts of the country is so rare, this makes the festival unique and worth-participating. Presidential Proc-lamation 1906 which de-clared October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month aims to provide a venue for indigenous people to celebrate the richness of their culture and allow cul-tural exchanges that will foster deeper cultural un-derstanding for peace.

NCCA opens “Glimpses”, an exhibit at SM Davao

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opens today an exhibit titled “Glimpses: Ang Mga Tao ng Filipinas Noon at Ngayon” at the SM City Davao.


Sen. Legarda to prioritize IP bills

by Jeane Duron-Abangan

Addressing the Min-danao IP Regional Assem-bly held in Davao del Norte from Sept. 16 to Sept. 17, Legarda outlined measures for the benefit of IPs, among which were Senate Bill (SB) No. 2858 or the Eth-nic Origin Act, SB No. 2831 or the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peo-ples Act and the Anti-Eth-nic or Racial Profiling and Discrimination Act of 2011. In filing SB No. 2858, she deemed as of utmost importance to determine exactly the total popula-tion of and location of IPs because the government is currently using outdated figures, “leading to the in-ability to address IPs’ needs and provide basic services.” Legard is also seek-ing to protect indigenous knowledge and cultural

heritage, a concern that she wants addressed in filing SB No. 2831 which seeks to make an inven-tory of all cultural prop-erties, and mandates the payment of royalties to IPs. Legarda said that these bills gained strong support expressed in reso-lutions passed during the Luzon IP Regional Assembly held last week in Baguio City. The IP Regional As-sembly is set to take a swing in Visayas on Sept. 23 to 24 at the Provin-cial Capitol in Ilo-Ilo City. The series of IP re-gional assembly is being held as a prelude to the In-digenous Cultural Summit that will run from October 13 to 14 to be held at the old Senate Building in Manila . The activity is being conducted to serve as a

forum to identify the con-cerns of IP. The output of which will form part of leg-islative measures, and will serve as basis of govern-ment initiatives, to address the particular needs of IPs. Meanwhile, Legarda revealed that she will soon be defending in plenary the proposed Anti-Ethnic or Ra-cial Profiling and Discrimina-tion Act of 2011 which seeks to penalize acts of discrimi-nation in employment, ed-ucation, delivery of goods, facilities and services, ac-commodation, transporta-tion, media, and in search and investigatory practices. Being the chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Legar-da urged the IP sector to tap the fund that will be made available under the People’s Survival Fund Bill,

DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Senate Committee Chair on Cultural Communities, and on Climate Change Senator Loren Legarda Fri-day bared to prioritize in the Senate bills seeking to ensure the welfare of indigenous peoples.

32


and use it in building “re-silience against the im-pact of climate change.” She bared that Peo-ple’s Survival Fund bill passed on third and fi-nal reading at the Senate, will ensure that funds are available to carry out ad-aptation projects within the context of local and community-based realities.

Other IP-related mea-sures under her committee deal with establishment of Pilot Housing Projects for IPs in each region; creation of the Philippine Center for Studies on Indigenous Cultural Communities in the University of the Phil-ippines; granting the Na-tional Commission on In-digenous Peoples (NCIP)

a ten year period within which to take appropriate legal action on illegally ac-quired titles; and recom-mending to the Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the institutionalization of indigenous practices and the widespread utilization of IP approach to protect Philippine forest. (PIA 11)

IRA be raised by 10% for sectoral representative including IPs

by Jeanevive D. Abangan

DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Local government units would have no reason not to accommodate indigenous people (IP) sectoral representative to local councils and provincial boards. National Commis-sion on Indigenous Peo-ples (NCIP) Chair Zenai-da Brigida Hamada-Pawid bared that Department of Interior and Local Govern-ment (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo had assured of 10 percent increase of internal revenue allotment (IRA) for local government s to fund for sectoral repre-sentatives, one of which is coming from the IP sector. Speaking last Satur-day before participants to the Mindanao Regional IP

Assembly held in Davao del Norte, Pawid emphasized the mandatory representa-tion of IP in the barangay and municipal councils and in the provincial boards. In a separate inter-view, she said the increase in IRA allotted for sectoral representation will take ef-fect by January next year. “For the meantime, we are rushing the guide-lines ( of choosing IP repre-sentative) so that between October and December ay makapili na sila ng rep-

resentative,” she said re-ferring to the IP sector. Pawid also revealed that Secretary Robredo is due to sign the guide-lines on selecting IP rep-resentative before the end of September, 2011. The selection of IP representative is man-dated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) but the guidelines set the specifics of choosing the right representation. Offhand, Pawid said that the guidelines pro-

33

Sen. Legarda....from page 31


hibit NCIP intervention in the process of choos-ing the IP representa-tive, and that the process should be done through “their own customary way.”“Dapat may consen-sus at ang tribo ta-laga ang pipili,” she said. However, Pawid cautioned the IPs to ob-serve the spirit of unity and to do away from any move that will cause division among members of their

respective communities. “Magkaisa tayo. Kung sino ngayon, next time pakibigay naman sa isa. (Let us be united. Whoever will be at the present, next time, please give it to the other.),” she said referring to sharing of post as the IP sectoral representative. She also explained to IP leaders attending the Mindanao IP Regional As-sembly that benefits due for the IP representatives will

be theirs, but she discour-aged them from engaging in a tug-of-war of benefits. “Di kayo nakaupo doon upang makiagaw ng imprastraktura. Nandun kayo upang maipaliwa-nag ang concerns ng mga IPs. (You are not sitting there to grab infrastruc-ture but you are there to explain the concerns of IPs.) she said. (PIA-11)

Legarda to push for free breast screening service in public hospitals

by Carina L. Cayon

DAVAO CITY Sept. 19 (PIA)- Senator Loren Legarda said she is working on a proposed bill providing for every woman to avail of a regular and free breast screening in a bid for an early detection and immediate cure of breast cancer. Legarda bared this current undertaking to over a thousand women who attended the breast cancer educational forum dubbed as 3rd Silver Lin-ings 2011 held on Satur-day (Sept. 17) at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city by the Icanserve Foundation, Inc. The lady Senator said that her proposed bill

would require the Depart-ment of Health to provide free breast screening to be available in govern-ment hospitals and health facilities in every region. The Bill would also seek for the breast screen-ing service to be integrat-ed free under the health care program of the Phil-ippine Health Insurance

Corporation, stated Legar-da who gave an inspi-rational talk and lecture on the role of family and friends of breast cancer patients during the forum. Legarda sought sup-port for the passage of this bill from the forum participants comprising of breast cancer survivors and their families, friends

34

IRA be raised....from page 32


and supporters whom she called “breast sis-ters and breast friends.” She also called on her colleague Senator Serge Osmena to be co-author of her proposed bill and for Davao del Norte Congressman Anton Lag-dameo, whose wife actress Dawn Zulueta supports the Icanserve Foundation, to sponsor a counter-part Bill at the Congress. Legarda empathized with the breast cancer pa-tients and survivors and with their families, having a mother who was diag-nosed with the disease in 1994 and who later died in 1996 due to the Big C. “I went through the same thing as you have gone through, groping in the dark,” the Senator la-mented as she mentioned that the time her mother got ill, there was little infor-mation about breast can-cer which she regretted. “Maraming pagsi-sisi na sana maagang nalaman, na sana regu-lar ang pagpa check-up para maagang naagapan,” (many have regretted that they could have known it earlier, that there would be regular check-ups to manage the disease ear-ly on) she intimated but

quipped that these re-grets are now translated into positive things by helping in the efforts of preventing the ailment through information, edu-cation and dissemination. “We’re here to help serve a life,” Legarda said, bringing up the helpless-ness and hopelessness that every breast cancer patient has gone through not only because of the ill-ness itself, but also because of the high cost of clini-cal tests and treatment. “Nakakalungkot (its sad) I wish I could assist patients to have chemo-therapy, to have mam-mogram,” she lamented. However, Legarda was glad to reveal the DOH plan of integrat-ing in its budget for next year a provision for a free chemotherapy for every Filipino suffering from cancer of stage 1 to 3. The Senator said she still have to con-firm this though with DOH Secretary Enrique Ona. “I hope this is not a lip service,” she stated. Meanwhile, the more than 1,200 women cover-ing breast cancer survivors and their families, friends and supporters including some men who attended

the 3rd Silver Linings ap-plauded the good news from Senator Legarda. Showbiz personality and breast cancer survi-vor Bibeth Orteza raised a suggestion to the lady Senator to include in her proposed Bill a provision of additional leave days for working women un-dergoing chemotherapy, citing at least one week of privilege leave per cycle. Legarda was among the lecturers comprising of medical experts, show-biz and television person-alities who shared their inputs and experiences on various topics on breast cancer during the forum. Icanserve Founda-tion is spearheading the national Silver Linings educational forum every three years to increase the level of awareness among women of the worsen-ing prevalence of breast cancer in the country. Icanserve found-ing president and breast cancer survivor Kara Mag-sanoc-Alikpala said that Silver Linings is about sav-ing lives and keeping fam-ilies intact. “We want to give hope to breast cancer patients and survivors,” she stated. (PIA-11)

Legarda to push....from page 33


photoreleasesOver a thousand women comprising of breast

cancer patients and survivors, their families, friends and supporters join the national breast cancer educational forum dubbed as 3rd Silver Linings spearheaded by the Icanserve Founda-

tion, Inc. on September 17 at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

Senator Loren Legarda and actress Dawn Zu-lueta share a laughing moment during the

3rd Silver Linings, a breast cancer educational forum, on Sept. 17 in Davao City where Legarda imparted an inspirational message and lectured

on the role of family and friends of breast cancer patients, and Zulueta gave a welcome address.

(PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

Senator Loren Legarda bares a proposed bill that would provide a free breast screening for all

women in government hospitals during the 3rd Silver Linings breast cancer educational forum on Sept. 17 in Davao City. With the Senator is

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, a breast cancer survi-vor and founding president of Icanserve Foun-dation which spearheads the forum. (PIA-11/

Carina L. Cayon)

36 Monday, September 19, 201136 Monday, September 19, 2011

Programang pabahay para sa mga sundalo tuloy-tuloy ayon sa AFP

Tiniyak ng isang mataas na opisyal ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa mga kasundaluhan ng 6th Infantry Division,

Philippine Army, na nakabase sa Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao na na nagpap-atuloy ang implementasyon ng programang pabahay ng gobyerno.

37


Ayon kay DOLE 12 Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango, balak nil-ang tapusin ang routine inspection bago pa mag-tapos ang taon. Sa mga routine in-spection sinusuri ng tang-gapan kung sinusunod ng mga establisimyento ang mga labor standards. Dagdag pa ni Tango,

base sa kanilang nakalap na imporasyon nasa 25 hanggang 30 porsiyento ng mga pribadong kom-panya sa rehiyon ang non-compliant o hindi su-musunod sa mga nakat-akdang panuntunan hing-gil sa mga manggagawa, kabilang na ang Wage Or-der No. 16 na sinimulang ipinatupad mag-iisang

taon na ngayon. Naglagay na ng mga tarpaulin ang DOLE ng mga tarpaulin sa mga lu-gar na madalas puntahan ng publiko. Nakasulat sa mga tarpaulin ang ta-mang pasahod batay sa iniuutos ng Wage Order No. 16. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

DOLE 12 patuloy sa isinasagawang routine inspections

Programang pabahay .....from page 36

KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Nagpapatuloy ang isinasagawang routine inspection ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa lahat ng mga pribadong establisimyento sa buong Soccsksargen Region.

Sa kanyang pagda-law sa 6th ID kasama si Defense Secretary Vol-taire Gazmin kamakai-lan, ipinarating ni AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban na puspusan ang ginagawang paghah-anap ng mga lugar na pagtatayuan ng mga pabahay laan para sa mga sundalo. Ayon kay Oban, kasalukuyang gumaga-wa ng survey ang pa-mumuan ng AFP upang alamin ang lugar na nais ng mga sundalo na nakadestino sa Visayas at Mindanao na kumu-ha ng lote at bahay.

“Samoung libong bahay ang itatayo para sa mga sundalo ng Min-danao at Visayas area kaya nakikipagugnayan tayo sa ating mga ma-jor service command kung saan banda sa Mindanao at Visayas ang preference bilang identified sites,” ayon kay Oban. Sa ilalim ng pro-gramang pabahay ng gobyerno, ayon kay Oban, ay sineseguro na hindi magiging mabigat sa bulsa ng mga sun-dalo ang pagbabayad ng buwanang hulugan sa loob ng 25 taon.

Sa unang limang taon, P200 lamang kada buwan ang kaka-ltasin sa sahod ng mga sundalong kasali sa pabahay program han-dog ni Pangulong Beni-gno S. Aquino III, ayon sa opisyal. Ayon sa opisyal, kahit naunang nai-sakatuparan ang nasa-bing programa sa Lu-zon, target ng AFP na maitayo ang mga paba-hay para sa sundalo sa Visayas at Mindanao sa susunod na taon. (pb-changco/PIA Cota-bato City)


KORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Inaasahan ni Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. na masisimulan na sa susunod na taon ang pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa bayan ng Surallah. Sinabi ni Gov. Pingoy na naging maagap ang pa-munuan ni Mayor Romulo Solivio sa paghahanap ng limang ektaryang lupain na pagtatayuan ng ospi-tal. Naatasan na rin niya si Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., pinuno ng Integrated Provincial Health Office, madaliin na ang pagpapa-gawa kamakailan. Iniulat rin ni Gov. Pingoy na pumirma na siya at isang pribadong kom-

panya ng memorandum of understanding para sa pagbibigay ng kompan-ya ng P15 milyong pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng ospital. Nangako na rin um-ano ang Departnent of the Interior ang Local Gov-ernment ng P7 milyon at ang Department of Health ng P20 milyon para pa rin sa pagtatayo ng naturang ospital. Binigyang-diin ng gobernador na malaki ang

maitutulong ng itatayong ospital sa Surallah para maibsan ang pagsisikip ng mga pasyente sa South Cotabato Provincial Hospi-tal (SCPH) na nasa lung-sod ng Koronadal. Bagamat sertipikado ang SCPH bilang 200-bed hospital, mas maraming pasyente ang malimit ang naka-confine dito. Minsan umaabot pa ng 280 ang bilang ng pasyente. (DE-Doguiles/PIA 12)

Pagtatayo ng pampublikong ospital sa Surallah inaasahang masimulan sa susunod na taonby Dani E. Doguiles

P2-M na halaga ng marijuana sinunog sa SaranganiKORONADAL CITY, Setyembre 19 (PIA) -- Magkatuwang na sinunog ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaang bayan ng Malungon at pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Sarangani ang pagsunog ng P2 milyong halaga ng Marijuana Ang mga sinunog ay kinabibilangan ng mahigit 3,400 na puno ng marijuana na kamakailan ay nadisku-bre at binunot ng mga lokal na opisyal, mga pulis at mga sundalo sa Barangay Man-labod na nasa boundary ng Sarangani at Davao del Sur. Ayon kay Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez

ang pagkakatuklas sa planta-syon ng marijuana sa tulong ng mga residente ay malak-ing tagumpay sa lokal na pamahalaan at ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Iilang mga liblib na lugar pa sa Sarangani ang kasalukuyang minamanman-an ng mga otoridad dahil sa posibilidad na mayroon pang

ibang taniman ng marijuana. Naniniwala na-man si Gov. Dominguez na magtatagumpay ang kampanya sa tulong ng mga mamamayan, parti-kular na sa pagpapaalam sa otoridad kung may-roon silang makikitang taniman ng marijuana. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


Transport groups here did not join the nationwide transport strike spearheaded

by the militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), police authorities here said.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

City Police Station Chief Julito Daray said there is no record that transport groups have filed a permit to rally and participate in the nationwide transport strike. PSupt. Ronelo Jaurigue, Bislig City Chief of Police also said no transport group in the area joined the call for nationwide transport

strike. He said operation is normal since last night up up to noontime today. Meanwhile, Oscar Estrada, Operation Controller of Bachelor Express Bus Company, the lone bus company here, bared that the top management of the company did not advise for the suspension of their operation today.He described their

operation today here as well as in the other parts of Mindanao as “normal.” The nationwide transport strike today is a protest against the continuous increase of the fuel prices. Transport groups have called on government government to re-impose price regulations in the oil industry. (PIA Surigao del Sur)

Police says no transport strike in Surigao del Sur today


Tourism Usec to grace Billabong Pro Junior Asia opening in Siargao Islandby Dandy Lapura

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- A top senior official from the Department of Tourism (DOT) will grace the opening of Billabong Pro Junior Asia in the world-class break of Cloud 9, Gen. Luna in Siargao Island tomorrow, Sep. 20, Provincial Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag said today. Dumadag said DOT Undersecretary Atty. Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin will lead in the ceremonial breaking of surf board on Tuesday at 3pm in Cloud 9, Siargao Island along with other lo-cal officials led by Gov. Sol F. Matugas; 1st District Congressman Francisco Matugas; General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon for this year’s Billabong Pro Junior Asia. “This is one of the highlights in the two-week activity dubbed as 2nd Siargao Surfing Festival,” Dumadag said. Dumadag also con-firmed the arrival of Aus-tralian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith with some top officials from Australian Agency for In-ternational Development (AusAid) to witness the opening of the event. It was learned that

eighty surfers from Austra-lia, Japan, Hawaii, Europe, Brazil, South America, In-donesia, Malaysia, United States of America and the Philippines will converge at Cloud 9 for the first ever 5-star rated Associa-tion of Surfing Profession-als (ASP) event dubbed as Billabong Pro Junior Asia. “Undoubtedly, this is going to be a high pro-file international surfing event in the country that offers a total prize-money of US$25,000 or approxi-mately 1.075 Million pesos plus trophies,” said Du-madag. Participants in Billa-bong Pro Junior Asia are on the age bracket of 17 to 21 years old where the champion of this year’s event will be globally known. Dumadag said wire-less services provider

Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) will spon-sor in Billabong Pro Junior Asia competition to en-able people from different parts of the world to watch it via live video-streaming through the high-speed mobile broadband cover-age of SMART. “Website will be announced as soon as the set-up will finish,” she added. After the ceremo-nial breaking, a welcome dinner is prepared to all the participants and visi-tors for this year’s surfing event.Aside from the top-level surfing competition, also featured are the street dancing festival, agri-aqua trade fair and exhib-its, sports competitions, cultural shows, the search for Miss Siargao 2011 and street parties. (PIA-Su-rigao del Norte)


Gov’t agencies offer free ride to commuters in Butuan by Maria Rebecca Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- The local government unit here as well as the Regional Offices of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) offer free ride to public commuters who are affected with the nationwide transport strike Monday.

According to PSupt Joseph Boquiren of the Butuan City Police Office, said agencies provided vehicles marked with “Libre Sakay” or Free Ride for the affected commuters who still have work despite of the transport strike.The said vehicles will

ply from barangays Ampayon, Langihan, Libertad, San Vicente, Tungao to Butuan City Rizal Park and back. Boquiren added that not all transport drivers participated in the transport strike. He also observed that some public utility jeepneys

and tricycles put “Family Use” signs in their vehicles while plying their route. The PNP is securing the welfare of the people and ensuring that the city will have a peaceful transport strike, he said. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)

Surigao City trike operators not join-ing transport strike todayby FEAbkilan

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Federated tricycle groups in the city assured the public that they will not join the transport strike of the militant Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) today. Citing the need for public transport at this time, Daniel Engwan-So, president of Surigao City Federated Tricycle Operators and Drivers said his group composed of a number of associations with over 2,000 members

in the city will not participate in the strike. He, however, said that they will respect the decision of members who will join the strike. PISTON Surigao del Norte President Joel Albarando, in a radio

interview recently, urged the public and other drivers and operators to join them in the mass up centers in the city namely, San Nicolas Street, checkpoint in Brgy. Luna, and Nueva Street in Brgy. Taft. Albarando revealed

42


that the local federations and operators of multicabs, jeepneys and vans are expected to join the strike. Other militant groups such as Gabriella, Bayan Muna and Anak Pawis are also

expected to participate. Albarando said their group is calling on government to junk the oil deregulation law and remove the value-added tax (VAT) on oil

products. Meantime, city local officials appealed to the organizers not to harass those who want to continue plying their routes. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Classes going on in Butuan amidst transport strike, DepEd says by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) – In spite of the nationwide transport strike where majority of the transport groups here sympathized with the militant transport group Piston, the Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan City Division did not suspend classes in the elementary and high school.

In an early interview this morning, Prof. Israel Reveche, Spokesperson of DepEd Butuan City Division, they did not issue a directive for the suspension of classes because students in schools within the city proper are only affected with the transport strike. “Majority of the schools here are located in barangays and they are not fully affected with the nationwide transport strike since students and pupils enrolled in these schools are also living in the same barangay,” Reveche said. Reveche further said students enrolled in schools located in the city are greatly affected with it. “Thus, if they

will be absent today, they will be given due consideration,” he added. For private schools, Reveche said the school administrators will decide if classes will be suspended or not. The DepEd official also informed the parents not to enforce their children to attend classes if there is difficulty in transporting them. However, Agusan National High School, the most populated secondary school here has advised their students as early as Sunday for the suspension of classes. Meanwhile, transport group leaders here said

85 to 90 percent of their members have participated the activity in support to the call of Piston. As early as 5:00 o’clock this morning, it is observed that only few vehicles are operating here and majority of it are private vehicles.

Because of the

prevailing situation, some

government agencies offered

their vehicles to transport

employees and constituents.

It was learned that the city

government has provided

five pick-up points around

the city. All passengers are

transported to the city’s Rizal

Park and vice-versa. (PIA-

Caraga)

Surigao City...from page 41

by Robert E. Roperos

one mindanao - september 19, 2011

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