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Health, peaceful polls top media wish for 2010

2009-12-25T20:55:00.001-08:00

THE year 2009 has brought drama and achievement in the lives of
journalists too. This is the year when media personalities—for their
part—cement their evolution and unity as they are becoming prominent,
making themselves part of the news they impart.

But accustomed to such good (or bad) moments or not, several of them
contend 2009 was such an awful year, with all the problems besetting
the industry as well as their personal lives.

Apparently, the ones who replied to this paper's text survey all
together agree, given their answers and their tone for this year's
wishes was probably to set a new mood for 2010 when they see a new
bailout.

And while it seems to go beyond their desperation and awareness of
their immense role as a committed partner in the community, their
retrospection of next year's general elections is first on their list
of wishes.

Appreciating what the automated election has brought in terms of
modernizing the country's electoral process, it is sad to know that
still several, if not, many of the provincial journalists has to find
time to learn the automated election system (AES).

"Peaceful polls," was RMN-DxDR Ramil Bangues' text message to this
paper when asked of his wish for 2010. Charnyl Albarracin of the
Pagadian Express seconded.

"Peaceful, orderly elections," was DxOC-AM reporter Reynaldo Rosal's
absolute reply.

"Peaceful, clean elections in May," Ping Deliverio, editor of the
Sibugay Express, makes another inclusive answer.

"Maturity among politicians to stop killing media people," Vic del
Pilar of Mindanao Balita Local and Frontline Mindanao Online
recommended the most suitable setting.

"Good health and no more media attack," said Neptalie Batolenio of
Malindang Herald, leading the pack of mediamen who wanted to grasp
favorable vigor and wellbeing.

"More blessings, good health and success," replied Jong Cadion of
Mindanao Balita Local and Frontline Mindanao Online.

"Maintain a happy family," also said Marive Jongco of DxBZ-Radyo
Bagting, waxing her maternal instincts.

"Financial stability and salary increase," this one from Lea Agonoy of
Ummah Fi Salam while Divina Suson of RMN-DxIC wished for a car and
another raise in her salary.

For Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR, he wants "continued blessings and
guidance in relaying the truth and God's protection in times of
trouble."

John Mark Cocos of DxWO-FM may sound funny when he wished for a
"sports car and to become the president of ABS-CBN," but he later set
it right with the words "Good relations with other mediamen."

Reflecting on what worked in 2009, what didn't, what media loved and
hated and what they could have done better, Wendell Talibong of CBCP
News and DxDD-AM told this paper: "Daghang patay ug katalagman.
Naghari ang mga tikasan sa gobyerno ug midaghan ang nag-antos sa
kalisod."

Agonoy butted in, "Maguindanao massacre, a president who is not
willing to retire, typhoons, volcano eruption, climate change, MILF
and global financial crisis.'

"Worst year, full of disasters and tribulations—a sign that Jesus is
coming," quips Mark Laride of DA-RAFID.

For Ryan Rosauro of Philippine Daily Inquirer, it is because of the
upcoming political exercise in May that the social atmosphere is ripe
for intrigues, mudslinging and double talk.

"The year 2008 is better than 2009 as the latter is marred by bloody
events and calamities. People wanted better life in 2008 after the
elections but their hopes dimmed when politicians reneged on their
promises," said Ellen Ajijul of MIT-RTVN.

"These trials and challenges will be an eye opener to the people and
will reflect in their decision come 2010," explains Cadion.

Albarracin, on the other hand, observed that there was little
upliftment of economic stability in the country from the recession and
only boxer Manny Pacquiao only got richer and more famous.

"The year was full of hardships and success. Nevertheless, its time
nga magpasalamat kita sa kahitas-an sa mga kaayuhan nga gihatag ug
sugaton nato ang bag-ong tuig nga puno sa paglaum," ended Maghanoy.

Well said, the next step now is to see media's goals and wishes come
in the upcoming year. Inevitably, the future is moving in that
direction.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

NUJP-Misoc condemns slay attempt on fellow broadcaster

2009-12-24T07:28:00.001-08:00

OZAMIZ CITY--The city chapter of the National Union of Journalists of
the Philippines (NUJP) condemned another slay attempt on one of its
colleague whose house was lobbed with a grenade last Sunday evening.

Reports from NUJP-Misamis Occidental identified the media man as
Danilo Pilar, a hard-hitting radio commentator and presenter of
"Analysis," a weekly current affairs program airing on a local
television.

Pilar was said to be active in denouncing shenanigans from political
celebrities and public offices in the province.

Ronda Balita, a nightly broadcast airing in Ozamiz City, showed this
paper its interview with Pilar a day after the incident where he
narrated that he was at the back of his house when two unidentified
persons lobbed a grenade in their front terrace around 7:00 in the
evening of Dec. 20.

The blast tore through his house located in Barangay Tabo-o damaging
the window jealousies.

The shrapnels likewise injured Pilar's father in law, identified as
Rodolfo Dulam, who was then immediately brought to Medina General
Hospital in Ozamiz.

Pilar said he could not recall anybody having a grudge against him
since he has been on break from his weekly television program for
almost a year although he admitted later that he has returned for two
weeks already.

He believes the attack is politically motivated and is related to his
work as a presenter in his weekly television program.

This paper learned that Pilar was doing research on a certain public
officials and that the said person may have been tipped off about
Pilar's inquiries.

In a statement emailed to this paper, NUJP-Misamis Occidental
president Ryan Rosauro condemned the attack and expressed the
chapter's view on the attack.

"Ang NUJP hilabihang naalarma ug naguol sa pagpangatake kang Danny
Pilar pinaagi sa usa ka granada nga gilabay sa iyang panimalay…Bisan
paman nga ang usa ka halalom nga imbestigasyon ang kamulo'ng
gipahigayon kalabot niini, among gipasalamatan ang PNP sa Misamis
Occidental, sa paspas nga pagresponde sa panghitabo. Hinaut nga
masustenir kining paningkamot sa pagsulbad sa kaso aron makaangkon og
hingpit nga hustisya si Danny Pilar," the statement reads.

"Dili madiskwento ang posibilidad nga ang pagpangatake adunay
kalambigitan sa pulitika ug ang trabaho ni Danny isip tigbalita.
Nahitabo kini human maplastar ang kandidatura sa mga pulitiko alang sa
nagkadaiyang posisyon. Gani, matud ni Danny, kung adunay nag-interes
sa iyang kinabuhi tungod sa lain pang rason, kaniadto ra siya hamyang
kaayo sa pagpangatake."

"Tungod niini, among gihangyo nga unta malinawon nga pamaagi ang
ipatuman sa mga pulitiko subay sa ilang personal nga interes nga
maagni ang katawhan sa pagdapig sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka kandidatura."

To recall, a few weeks ago, Ozamiz journalists expressed they were
incensed over the killing of their colleagues in Maguindanao and
called for the need to initiate a treaty among politicians as a
promise not to repeat the gruesome incident.

"Atong panawagan ngadto sa mga politiko: di magdayon ang panagbingkil.
Mahimo nga ang manag-away karon managsuud sa sunod ug vice versa.
Hunongon na nato kini nga cycle of violence nga maoy nagpatigbabaw
dinhi sa ato," they said then.

"After all, sa mga politiko, ang pagpapili para man mangalagad, dili
ang mohawod sa katilingban. Himuon nato nga matarong. Ang pagpatay s
mga kaaway sa politika pagpangalagad lamang sa atong kaugalingon ug sa
atong katuyuan."

The NUJP has been urging politicians in the province to assure the
public not to use violence in pursuit of their political interest,
especially with the 2010 general elections just around the corner.

"Among giawhag ang mga pulitiko nga mosaad atubangan sa katawhan nga
magdumili sa dugoon nga mga paagi aron mapalawig ang kinaugalingong
pulitikanhong interes," the journalists said.

"Ang pagpapili sa pulitikanhong posisyon usa sa mga hulagway sa
pagtunhay sa demokrasya. Kaubang hulagway niini ang kagawasan sa
pagpadayag," they concluded.

As of press time, the PNP has yet to submit to the journalist's group
their findings on the slay attempt on Pilar.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPO conducts 12th leg of ‘makeover caravan’

2009-12-24T06:53:00.001-08:00

THE Zamboanga Del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) recently
conducted the 12th Leg Transformation Caravan participated by staff
officers, respective police chiefs in the province and their
personnel, members of the Pagadian City Hikers Joggers Association
Inc., and the PNP Retirees Association of Zambosur.

Police Provincial Director S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena presently heads the ZPPO.

The 12th Leg of the PNP Transformation Caravan is hosted by PNP Region
9 after which will pass on to PNP Region 10 with the "Transformation
Torch."

This torch symbolizes the changes undertaken by the present PNP
administration in an effort to transform the organization into a
capable, effective and credible law enforcer, Ochotorena said.

"The torch of the PNP symbolizes the continuity of the PNP
transformation Program which aims to resolve organizational
dysfunctions and improve the quality of police services; to strengthen
law enforcement capabilities; and to enhance the welfare and benefits
of our personnel and dependents," a ZPPO press statement emailed to
this paper said.

"Likewise, it also promotes the culture of reform in the PNP personnel
and stakeholders through advocacy programs and development updates of
the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP)," the press statement
continued.

The caravan started with the torch run at the Balintawak junction
going to the city proper and culminated inside Camp Abelon, followed
by an integrated transformation briefing at the ZPPO conference room.

There, Ochotorena turned over the transformation torch to all chiefs
of police, represented by P/Supt. Ranulfo Sinajon of PNP Molave.

The PNP Transformation Torch run covers 17 regions around the country
and 20 National Support Units and was conceptualized by Police Chief
Jesus Verzosa, who said that he will make effective leadership "a way
of living in the PNP."

The PNP aims that by 2015, it will no longer have reasons for not
making any part of this country a more peaceful, orderly, and safe
place to work, invest, and do business.

Cerilles leads Pasko Nato ’09 opening

2009-12-24T06:32:00.001-08:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles led the formal opening of the Pasko Nato 2009
last Dec. 16 at the Agri- Tourism and Heritage Complex (AHC) in Brgy.
Dao amid a big crowd of eager spectators who wanted to take a glimpse
of the blinking fairy lights of the Giant Christmas tree located
within the area.

The Pasko Nato '09 is the third ZamboSur Christmas Festival initiated
by the Provincial Government.

As usual, the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree coincided with the
AHC Kids Caroling Contest and the first judging of the AHC LGU
Christmas Bazaar Contest that evening.

Cerilles, who is in her last term as the province's chief executive,
said she was happy with the fortitude shown by Zambosurians and
expressed her gratitude to the people for all the support she got.

"Your love, respect and cooperation have been my strength to pursue
big dreams and work even harder for the good of us all," Cerilles told
the crowd.

The governor added that despite the struggles she confronted during
her three terms, these were all conquered and she prevailed because
"we all worked together with one vision and one purpose."

She then congratulated all the Capitol employees, even calling them as
her "extended family who gave their best at the frontlines of
service."

The governor then reiterated her advocacy against illegal drugs and
mentioned her strong condemnation of the Nov. 23 massacre in Ampatuan,
Maguindanao, which killed 57 people including some 30 journalists.

"Let us therefore renew our commitment to work together in restoring
the dignity and peace in Mindanao, making it a land of fulfilled
dreams," she urged.

The opening and lighting activity at the AHC ended with a grand
fireworks display.

Meanwhile, Provincial Tourism Officer Anthony Padayhag said everybody
is welcome to visit the Provincial Government Center's nightly
activities of Pasko Nato '09.

Most of these activities are in collaboration with the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Dance Season program of
the Provincial Tourism Office, he added.

REPORT BY PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

RM, Sominot, Midsalip ink pact on mojon project

2009-12-24T06:14:00.001-08:00

THREE municipalities from the first district of Zamboanga del Sur
recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in support of the advocacy of
protecting and conserving geodetic control points or mojons.

The latest press release by the Provincial Press Bureau identified the
towns of Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot and Midsalip that will be installed
with mojons by DENR and the National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority (NAMRIA).

The said project is under the Adopt a Mojon Program of the PRS 92
which will provide a standard survey and mapping reference coordinate
system that will be used by agencies in all their developmental
programs.

The DENR has said that mojons will serve as reference points of
geodetic engineers in the conduct of all kinds of surveys in the
municipality.

These mojons, added the environment office, will form part of the
national network of geodetic control points used as reference in all
kinds of survey activities of all agencies.

Through these mojons, land titling will be easily facilitated
including the transfers of land titles; land or property boundary gaps
and overlaps; improve land administration and tenure system and
improve surveying and mapping capabilities.

The MOA signing between the DENA and the respective LGUs were done
between Mayors Pacifico Bulahan Jr. of Ramon Magsaysay, Teodoro Acosta
of Sominot, Leonida Angcap of Midsalip and DENR regional executive
director Maximo Dichoso.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, represented by Provincial Administrator
Pepito Degamo in the MOA signing activity, expressed her support and
said that she anticipates commendable outcomes in promoting a unified
reference system through the LGU's commitment.

It was learned also that with the reference points in place, geodetic
engineers will find it easy to locate the said mojons and thus the
cost of surveys will be made cheaper for land claimants.

NUJP-Misoc Statement on "Analysis" broadcaster Danny Pilar: Ang pagpapili ug ang kagawasan sa pagpadayag parehong hulagway sa pagtunhay sa demokrasya

2009-12-21T22:14:00.001-08:00

Disyembre 22, 2009

Ang NUJP hilabihang naalarma ug naguol sa pagpangatake kang Danny
Pilar pinaagi sa usa ka granada nga gilabay sa iyang panimalay didto
sa Taboo, Jimenez niadtong adlaw'ng Dominggo, Disyembre 20, 2009. Si
Danny kabahin sa komunidad sa mga tigbalita sa Misamis Occidental.

Bisan paman nga ang usa ka halalom nga imbestigasyon ang kamulo'ng
gipahigayon kalabot niini, among gipasalamatan ang Philippine National
Police (PNP), ilalom sa liderato ni Supt. Leonilo Cabug, provincial
director sa Misamis Occidental, sa paspas nga pagresponde sa
panghitabo. Hinaut nga masustenir kining paningkamot sa pagsulbad sa
kaso aron makaangkon og hingpit nga hustisya si Danny Pilar.

Dili madiskwento ang posibilidad nga ang pagpangatake adunay
kalambigitan sa pulitika ug ang trabaho ni Danny isip tigbalita.
Nahitabo kini human maplastar ang kandidatura sa mga pulitiko alang sa
nagkadaiyang posisyon. Gani, matud ni Danny, kung adunay nag-interes
sa iyang kinabuhi tungod sa lain pang rason, kaniadto ra siya hamyang
kaayo sa pagpangatake.

Tungod niini, among gihangyo nga unta malinawon nga pamaagi ang
ipatuman sa mga pulitiko subay sa ilang personal nga interes nga
maagni ang katawhan sa pagdapig sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka kandidatura.

Sa maong panghitabo, among giawhag ang mga pulitiko nga mosaad
atubangan sa katawhan nga magdumili sa dugoon nga mga paagi aron
mapalawig ang kinaugalingong pulitikanhong interes.

Ang pagpapili sa pulitikanhong posisyon usa sa mga hulagway sa
pagtunhay sa demokrasya. Kaubang hulagway niini ang kagawasan sa
pagpadayag.

RYAN D. ROSAURO
Chair,
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP)
Misamis Occidental Chapter

Neutering Congress and the Supreme Court: Statement of Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas on the Lifting of Martial Law in Maguindanao

2009-12-14T02:20:00.001-08:00

This afternoon Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced that the
President will lift martial law and the suspension of the writ in
Maguindanao effective 9 PM tonight.

The Filipino people deserve praise for the vigilance and scrutiny they
have exercised since the Maguindanao Massacre took place, and since
the President imposed martial law. Public outrage and devotion to
constitutional principles pushed Congress, in particularly the House
of Representatives which was uninclined to even meet with the Senate,
to assemble in joint session.

During the joint session we saw the government stumble and falter,
proving itself willfully ignorant of the law and of the Constitution's
requirements. Focused and fearless reports by the media showed that
much more was accomplished to obtain justice for the massacre victims
by the Human Rights Commission and by the police and military before
martial law was proclaimed.

However, let us not be carried away by feelings of relief over the
lifting of martial law.

By this action, President Arroyo has deprived Congress of its
constitutional mandate to exercise oversight. On cue from the Palace,
the Speaker says he wants to adjourn the joint session reviewing the
declaration of martial law thus sparing Malacañang from the scrutiny
of its disastrous illegal misadventure. We believe the administration
will make the same case when it comes to the Supreme Court, which was
due to hear the government's response on Monday, to the many cases
questioning martial law.

As the President has done before, so she's doing it again: she has
pushed the envelope but withdrawn her controversial proclamations
before anyone can actually render a verdict on their legality or
wisdom.

The Supreme Court and Congress must continue to examine and pass
judgment on this illegal martial law declaration in order to set the
proper guidelines for the correct exercise of the President's powers.

Statement on Ampatuan's ill gotten wealth, election fraud

2009-12-10T23:21:00.001-08:00

In recent days, military raids in Maguindanao have revealed much more
than high-caliber firearms; the raids have made public 16 homes in
Davao City and 14 mansions in Maguindanao, all belonging to the
Ampatuans.

While the Ampatuans wallow in splendor and grandeur, their
constituents suffer the hardship of squalor and poverty that is
prevalent in the third poorest province in the country.

The question is, where did all this wealth come from? Gov. Andal
Ampatuan's Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) for 2002 shows
only a net worth of P11 million. As public servants, Gov. Ampatuan and
the rest of his family must answer to the people for amassing a
suspicious amount of wealth while in power.

More importantly, the discovery of thousands of voter's identification
cards and other election materials in the home of Shariff Aguak Mayor
Anwar Ampatuan is a tell-tale sign of the source of their wealth, and
is further evidence of the long-standing rumors that the powerful
Ampatuan clan was involved in rigging the 2004 and 2007 elections.

It is no secret that the Ampatuans count themselves as the staunch
allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and that the province
where the Ampatuans have wielded their iron grip for more than a
decade is a known bulwark of the administration. The tragedy in
Maguindanao has now shed light into the ghost of electoral fraud that
has continued to haunt GMA's presidency.

We have had enough. We call on the Office of the Ombudsman and the
Department of Justice to conduct an immediate and impartial
investigation into the apparent ill-gotten wealth that is a stark
example of the corruption that has eroded our democracy, and the
fruits of this administration's efforts to deceive our people of its
legitimacy.

ATTY. EDWIN LACIERDA
Spokesperson (0917-6293416)
Presidential Campaign of Benigno S. Aquino III

Slowly digging one’s own grave

2009-12-10T17:20:00.001-08:00

THE ones responsible for the Maguindanao massacre should be arrested and castigated to the highest terms. Theirs deeds are too barbaric to contemplate, with no human sense and very hideous in the eyes of a civilized nation.

Imagine the new statistics of journalists killed in the Nov. 23 massacre is now at 37 with one more missing and unaccounted. All over the world, the Philippines stand embarrassed with this unfolding within our very eyes—the scattered bodies of innocent civilians, lawyers and journalists—some of whom were tortured, raped before being killed and a handful were buried alive.

We admit that many members of the fourth estate are affected by the deaths of our colleagues. We are not acting pretentious this time nor make exaggeration of this issue. Such deaths deserve our anger and indignation. It deserves our united call for justice.

Since we, as pillars of information, only work for the good of the public, we strive to give professional service for the community's collective interest in knowing what is happening around the world, in our country and our respective neighborhoods. No more, no less, not even politics.

Like our counterparts in other parts of the planet, we express their collective outcry to demand justice for the 31 journalists and media workers killed in Maguindanao. To this administration, let us once and for all stop this culture of impunity in our country, which is contributing to the string of deaths of media practitioners.

We send this statement of protest to President Gloria Arroyo for her to see the persistent episodes of this social malady. It doesn't need to have more than 100 journalists killed in their work desks or beats to rally support for our poor circumstances.

If the Philippines is one democratic country, why are there so many journalists being threatened and killed? We have been expressing this question and outrage for a long time already to no effect despite the fact that we who are left behind find it unpleasant that we too had to slowly dig our own graves. God forbid. God help us.

Pagadian, Ozamiz media light candles for fallen peers

2009-12-10T00:30:00.001-08:00

JOURNALISTS pledging memberships with the provincial chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) recently held its candle-lighting tribute to the fallen journalists in Maguindanao.

NUJP chapter president Hirohito Cadion said the activity also called to mind the lives and advocacy of the five Pagadian journalists killed in the line of duty since the 1990's.

Cadion identified the five as publisher Billy Yu (1998), Olympio Jalapit (1999), Edgar Damalerio (2001), Edgar Amoro (2005) and Rolly Cañete (2006).

The lighting of candles was done in front of the Jose Rizal Monument near Plaza Luz and joined by members of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, students, churchgoers and some media members from Ozamiz City.

The activity form part of the week-long annual celebration of the Mindanao Week for Peace, which ran from Nov. 6 to Dec. 2.

Cadion, in a statement relayed to this paper, said the condemnation and the protest of Pagadian journalists will not end up with the burial of the 30 working journalists slain in Maguindanao but will continue until justice will be served.

It can be recalled that of the five media practitioners killed in the Pagadian City, only the case of Edgar Damalerio earned justice with the arrest and prosecution of the supposed suspect.

Meanwhile, Ozamiz journalists were also indignant over the killing of their colleagues in Maguindanao and called for the need to initiate a treaty among politicians as a promise not to repeat the gruesome incident.

Led by NUJP chapter president Ryan Rosauro of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Jovencio Godoy Jr. of the national directorate, the journalists gathered for a 30-minute prayer vigil outside the city metropolitan cathedral and voiced out their call.

"Let us try hard not to sacrifice innocent lives in the political process or action. With what was happening in Maguindanao, I think there should be distinction but we saw none," Godoy said.

"Atoang iampo nga maundang ni kay kung magpadayon ni, nagtoo ko nga wala nay mag-media pa nga mubarog ug modala sa tingog sa katawhan kay lungguan man sa ulo og dili mauyunan ang ilang baruganan," he added.

"Atong panawagan ngadto sa mga politiko: di magdayon ang panagbingkil. Mahimo nga ang manag-away karon managsuud sa sunod ug vice versa. Hunongon na nato kini nga cycle of violence nga maoy nagpatigbabaw dinhi sa ato," Godoy continued.

"After all, sa mga politiko, ang pagpapili para man mangalagad, dili ang mohawod sa katilingban. Himuon nato nga matarong. Ang pagpatay s mga kaaway sa politika pagpangalagad lamang sa atong kaugalingon ug sa atong katuyan.

The journalists then called on the community to exercise the same vigilance. "Tabangan ninyo kami kay kung mawala na ang mga mensahero nga nagdala sa inyong mga tingog, mahimo na nga walay bili ang atong pagpuyo niining kalibutan," they said.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Famed anti-gambling bishop dies of liver cancer

2009-12-10T00:28:00.001-08:00

A bishop based in Ozamiz City who once spoke his piece vocally against illegal gambling has died of cancer, reports the Malindang Herald website.

News of Monsignor Emie Bienes' death was announced, Dec. 7, by Ozamiz Clergy President Fr. Edgar Canama, who said the 63-year old prelate died in Cebu City last Dec. 4 due to complications of liver cancer.

Bienes is the vicar general of the Ozamiz archdiocese and formerly the parish priest of St. Michael Parish in the neighboring Tangub City.

January, this year, the bishop was suddenly rushed to the hospital after he complained of abdominal pains and blurred vision while in the middle of his homily.

A source from the Bishop's Palace said then that Bienes once confided he has diabetes which also affected his liver.

"The Catholics of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz have lost a kind and dedicated priest, a good friend and trusted member of the board of consultors," Canama followed up his brief announcement.

Born on Sept. 3, 1946, Bienes was ordained priest on April 21, 1976. In his early years as a seminarian, Bienes volunteered as one of the teaching staff of St. Mary's Theologate Seminary in Gango, Ozamiz City.

The late bishop once hogged headlines for his stand against the so-called Small Town Lottery (STL), stating that "gambling breeds laziness and dependence on luck rather than hard work for livelihood."

The archdiocese will offer a nine-day requiem mass for the vicar general in all parishes and has called on priests and religious to include in their intentions the eternal repose of his soul.

At present, the bishop's remains lie in state at the St. Michael Archangel Parish in Tangub and will be brought to his hometown in Tudela on Dec. 14, where a concelebrated funeral mass will be held.

He will be interred on the same day at the San Isidro Labrador Catholic Cemetery.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPI changes guards

2009-12-10T00:24:00.001-08:00

AS a matter of urgency and necessity, the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) met last Saturday, delivered all the reports and elected its new set of officers.

Charnyl Albarracin of Pagadian Express was elected president, replacing Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR who served his full term. Albarracin's executive vice president is ex-board member Maria Dinah Marasigan, also of DxPR.

The vice presidents who will sit in the respective media divisions are Leo Santillan (MIT-RTVN) for broadcast; Jong Cadion (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) for print; and Michael Medina (Zamboanga Peninsula News) for online.

Provincial press officer Radem Gutang was re-elected secretary while Vanessa Cagas of Baganian Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is the new treasurer and Zamsureco information officer Levi Cabatcha as auditor.

Tony Bayamban (Mindanao Biznews), freelance journalists Leah Agonoy and Lualhati Belen, and Vic del Pilar (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) compose the members of the board, in addition to the three past presidents: Marive Jongco of BBC, Remai Alejado of DA-RAFID and Maghanoy.

In a huddle after the election, Maghanoy told this paper his wishes to the new officers as he exhorted other fellow members: "Unta suportahan nato sila aron mapakita nato nga nagkahiusa ta bisan pa man ug managlahi ang atong outfit nga gitrabahoan."

For Albarracin, Maghanoy has these words: "Normal man sa usa ka organization nga adunay mga miyembro nga dili nato ma-satisfy, kinahangalan nga dawaton nato sa dakong pagpahiubos."

"Usahay lisod lang kayo dawaton ang kamatuoran, pero bisan pa ug unsaon nimo, mangayo lang ta ug pasaylo nga wala nimo mahatag ang tahas isip usa ka leader," he added.

More wishes for ZPPI, this time from Marasigan: "Malaumon ko nga mamahimong usa ka malambuong organisasyon ang ZPPI ug mapadayon ang nasugdan na sa grupo."

Del Pilar butted in: "Charnyl is the timely guy to rule the club. With him, we hope a new image and new challenge will emerge."

For Julius Breva of Mindanao Chronicle and Agonoy, both recognized the fresh and unsullied personality of Albarracin, who, they said, will bring innovation to ZPPI.

"This is a welcome development and Charnyl has integrity to lead. Mas makaayo kini alang sa media in Zambosur. May we practice this sense of volunteerism and always think of development for the group and not for personal interest," they said.

Jong Cadion of NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter also said that he is 100 percent supporting Albarracin's leadership. "Aduna siya'y aggressiveness ug isip batan-on pa, he will be idealistic but nevertheless I will support him."

In response, Albarracin said he will try his best to bring together the local media and run ZPPI for the good of all.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MisOc gets a taste of 3-in-1

2009-12-10T00:20:00.001-08:00

The battle lines in the top political echelon in Misamis Occidental have been drawn and it's a toe-to-toe, three cornered fight among incumbents who are former allies and acquaintances.

Pitching in for the royal rumble for the congressional seat of the second district is incumbent Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Tangub mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan.

Also courting the votes of some 321,843 Misamisnons for their gubernatorial bid are Rep. Herminia Ramiro, Vice Gov. Francisco Paylaga Jr. and Ozamiz Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad.

Except for Ramiro and Parojinog who retained their loyalty with the ruling party, the other politicians mentioned in this report are once strong movers of Lakas-Kampi coalition.

Both Ocampos and Bernad are now pledging memberships with the Liberal Party (LP) while Paylaga opted to be a Nacionalista (NP) and Tan is in the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC).

Cracks in the Lakas-Kampi in Misamis Occidental started to show when Paylaga jumped overboard last March after being recruited by Sen. Manny Villar, followed by Bernad who tied up with Sen. Noynoy Aquino's group last November and Tan crossing towards Danding Cojuangco's camp. Lately, Ocampos' took his turn to bolt out from the ruling party and into LP, joining the surprised Bernad.

Even with this unexpected change, records from the provincial Comelec office shows Lakas-Kampi still reigning with 14 bets, followed by NP with 12, PMP with 8, LP with 4, 6 independents and a lone NPC candidate.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

NOVEMBER 25, INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (IDEVAW)

2009-12-02T23:40:00.001-08:00

November 25 is the day women around the world commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW). The IDEVAW commemoration originates from the defiance of the very well known three Mirabal sisters who fought the dictatorship regime of General Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.

Forty-nine (49) years ago today, assassins associated with Trujillo clubbed the sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa to death. The murder of three defenseless women was the last straw for the Dominican people, igniting general public outrage. This was the beginning of the end of the Trujillo regime. In 1961, Trujillo was assassinated.

On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the annual date for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in commemoration of the sisters.

TODAY, November 25, 2009 in Davao, in Mindanao, in the Philippines, and in all parts of the globe, women gather collectively shouting "I VOW TO FIGHT VAW (Violence Against Women).

We express our disgust and anger over state violence and other forms of violence against women.

We are appalled and angered by the recent grisly massacre of 46 people in Maguindanao, of which 21 were women. We condemn in strongest terms the brutality of the perpetrators, some of whom are alleged to be from the local government, police and civilian volunteer organizations. State support has made warlordism and impunity flourish in that area, heightening people's fears and insecurities.

We demand justice for women who were individually and collectively violated physically and systematically by this government. We demand justice for the killing of the two lawyers Atty. Connie Brizuela and Atty. Cynthia Oquendo and other women and men in the Maguindanao massacre. We demand justice for Laya and other victims of extrajudicial killings. We demand justice for Melissa Roxas who was abducted and tortured. We demand justice for the victims of murder and victims/survivors of rape, incest, and sexual harassment. We demand justice for hundreds and thousands of women being displaced as result of development aggression.

We hold our government accountable for the violence against women and for its failure to protect countless of Filipino women. We challenge government to live up to its international commitments and to implement the very policies that it enacted to protect, promote and fulfill women's rights.

Today we vow to fight all the structures and social context that disenfranchise and disempower women, condemning them to death, poverty, prostitution, diseases, hunger, displacement and gender discrimination.

Today our collective voices declare: "I VOW TO FIGHT VAW"

Gabriela Network of Professionals
Gabriela Women's Party

Davao City

Leah D. Agonoy

PRO, Ummah Fi Salam

Pagadian City

Cel # +639073802458

2009-11-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

Cagayan de Oro Chapter

No words can describe our shock and grief over Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao. The carnage, committed by men against their fellowmen, is simply incomprehensible. The killings were, indeed, senseless and dastardly.

We mourn over the loss of journalists whose only fault—if that was ever a fault—was to go on field in hopes of finding a story to tell. Instead of telling a story, they became the story themselves. They were out to tell a story about a politician who dared to challenge another politician. They would never tell their story because beasts silenced them forever.

How can we say that the Philippines has the “freest press in Asia” when the massacre corroborated claims that our country is among the most dangerous places in the world for journalists today? The country now holds the record of having the most number of journalists killed in a single day.

The carnage and other senseless killings before raise too many questions about the kind of democracy we have. The Philippines is emerging as a classic case of a failed democracy. Sad to say, Philippine democracy is now on trial.

Strong physical evidence and clear motive have led into the identification of the brains and the group responsible for the slaughter. There is therefore no reason the dastards could not be arrested and brought to justice.

Enough with the government’s motherhood statements; we demand swift action and not a state of emergency in Maguindanao. We demand that the full force of the law fall upon the perpetrators and masterminds of Monday’s carnage without fear or favor. We call on the government to do its duty in enforcing our laws without any political consideration. We demand that the killers be arrested and tried. We want government to send a strong message that crime does not pay. We want it done not tomorrow but TODAY.

NUJP-Cagayan de Oro

25 November 2009

2009-11-24T00:18:00.000-08:00

The entire community of journalists in Misamis Occidental expresses our outrage over the gruesome fate suffered by our colleagues who were reportedly part of a group of some 50 people massacred in Maguindanao on Monday, November 23, 2009.

Some 20 of our colleagues were merely covering what should have been the filing of a certificate of candidacy of an aspirant for Maguindanao governor. It was just horrible that in the course of doing their work, they also become secondary targets, if not collateral damage, in the clash of people gunning for control of political power.

Such a highly abominable act of slaughtering scores of innocent people should be utterly condemned in the strongest sense. It is a conduct not befitting civilized society.

Suffrage is a Constitutionally-guaranteed right of everyone that provides the underpinnings of elections as a democratic exercise. Press freedom, which is equally sanctioned by the Constitution, guarantees unhampered chronicling of the travails of this political activity through the news media.

But last Monday’s Maguindanao carnage showed how brute force was employed to replace civilized and dynamic interaction in the political and social communication platforms in order to maintain hegemonic dominance over local fiefdoms. No doubt, this practice is further undermining the state of democracy which is still fragile throughout the country, and a seeming failure in Maguindanao.

By the sheer brutality of the incident, we will forever consider this date a day of infamy for Philippine democracy.

We demand justice and full responsibility by the perpetrators no matter who they are. We ask the government to do a no-nonsense probe into the incident and bring those responsible before the bar of justice.

(SGD) RYAN D. ROSAURO
Chair, NUJP-Ozamiz City Chapter

2009-10-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Amnesty International:Corporate accountability by mining companies urgently needed

Amnesty International challenged the government and mining officials who are participating in a conference on mining to discuss the impact of large scale mining on peoples, especially of indigenous peoples, and their human rights.

A Conference and Exhibition on “Mining Philippines 2009: Strengthening Competitiveness” on September 15-17, 2009 being held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza was organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), supported by DENR and the Office of the President - Minerals Development Council and managed by World Expos and Concepts Inc.

Dr. Aurora A. Parong, Section Director of Amnesty International Philippines said: “This mining conference must include human rights in its agenda. Large scale mining has resulted in the repeated displacement and fragmentation of many Indigenous communities in the country. The Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), a principle enshrined in the 1997 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of the Philippines (IPRA; Republic Act 8371) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has been undermined and manipulated by some mining operations, and, at times, with the help of government officials. ”

In order to attract foreign direct investment, the Philippine government has liberalized the mining industry, vowing to make the Philippines a “mining country” by 2010. The government stepped up efforts to attract mining corporations to invest in the country’s huge quantity of unexplored minerals – most of them within indigenous peoples’ traditional territories.

Dr. Parong further said: “Let us look at the Mamanwas of Taganito, Surigao del Norte as an example. The situation of the Mamanwas of Taganito is deplorable – they had been sitting on wealth because of gold and nickel deposits in their land but they are now suffering and living in extreme poverty. “

Amnesty International’s report, Rights Undermined, Demand Dignity for Mamanwas in the Philippines described the problems of the Mamanwas in Taganito, Surigao del Norte, who lived under a bridge for six years. The Mamanwas experienced repeated displacement and were not given information about the effects of mining operations in their ancestral domain. The report mentioned the destruction of burial and ritual sites due to the mining operations. It reported about the failure of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to protect the rights of the Mamanwas when it facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the tribal leaders and the mining company in 2006.

Amnesty International 2009 Human Rights Report stated that in mining sites across the country, IPs were displaced and hundreds forcibly evicted. The report noted that in October last year, the Defense Secretary announced that the government will deploy more troops in mining areas and allow mining companies to create militias, to be trained and supervised by soldiers, to secure their mining interests against the NPA.

“Protecting the rights of the indigenous peoples is not an option, it is an essential piece of good governance. Amnesty International demands due diligence from Philippine government leaders in fulfilling their obligations on the right of its citizens as well as protecting them from abuse of corporations.” Concluded Dr. Parong. She also said that the obligation of the Philippine government to protect peoples from corporations, including mining companies, cannot be relegated to the margins.

During March and April 2009 Amnesty International conducted interviews with a wide variety of sources in six provinces in the Philippines about violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, some findings of which were included in the report Rights Undermined, Demand Dignity for Mamanwas in the Philippines. Indigenous Peoples told the organization about being forced off their land to clear it for mining operations; and water and air pollution; resulting in violations of rights to health, adequate housing, water, and a sustainable livelihood. In the quest for commercial development, the State has failed to protect and fulfil the right of Indigenous Peoples to “freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

Amnesty International, calls on the Philippine authorities to:

·Take action to prohibit and prevent forced evictions of indigenous peoples from their traditional territories;

·Ensure that mining companies conducting mining activities in ancestral lands respect the human rights of indigenous peoples, fulfil the spirit of Free, Prior and Informed Consent and continuously inform the IPs of the environmental impact of their operations;

·Protect the indigenous peoples and call on the NCIP to fulfil its mandate of promoting indigenous peoples rights;

·Fulfil its commitment to indigenous peoples, as indicated in the 2004-2010 Philippine Medium Term Development Plan, including ancestral domain reform, preferential access to social assistance, social protection and safety nets, and delivery of socio-economic services by the State.

Amnesty International is a grassroots organization with 2.2 million members in more than 100 countries worldwide. It won the Nobel Peace Award for its human rights work. It is a non political and non-partisan organization.

REFERENCE:

Maria Edilyd P. Orias

Program Coordinator

Media, Communication and Publications

2009-09-29T02:35:00.000-07:00

Learning To Eat Unpolished Rice, Unrefined Sugar and Natural Foods

BY QUIRICO M. GORPIDO JR.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte

I have read an article entitled “What Color Is your Rice?” by M.Ceres Doyo in one of the issues of the Philippines Daily Inquirer. I have also read an article in Pinoy Press about Greenpeace seeking the Senate to ban the sell and importation of GMO rice to the country. I’m glad that issues about nutritional value of unpolished rice-violet, brown or black color- and the prohibition of “tinkered” rice have been tackled compared to well-milled rice where nutrients are almost nil. Is the eating of genetically engineered rice might allegedly post a danger to our health? While the nutrients extraction by means of refining process from rice and sugar cane means deficiency of some vitamins and minerals that our body needs.

On the other hand, Genetic Engineers, a name given to persons who scientifically study the formation of genes in edible plants must avoid tinkering with what is natural and inherently given by Nature. They should not try to modify the kind of arrangement and formation of the gene components provided by nature. Doing so is against the Law of Nature that is already in place. If their intent is to have plenty of harvest of every edible plants to feed the millions and millions of people on the face of the earth, it can be done by farmers and planters thru the help of the agriculturists if we really want to have plenty of yields from crops. Abundance in crop yields can be achieved by improving the scientific process of making organic fertilizer in every farm of all nations of the world by bulks and volumes. For several decades we have been using chemical fertilizers on our farms. Enough is enough. Time to stop now the use of chemical fertilizers on our edible plants. Do you know that according to a plant expert, the continual and regular use of chemical fertilizers will make the soil acidic and the plants that were raise with chemical fertilizers are already devoid of enzymes?

They (Genetic Engineers) should allow nature to do its ordained job rather than try to disrupt its functions. They should not dare to tinker because the disruption that they are going to commit might be the source of catastrophic health hazard to the denizens of our Planet Earth. The Lord Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, has given us the best natural foods that our bodies need for a healthy existence and energy to do our daily works for a living. Again, changing or modifying what is natural and inherent in plants for man’s consumption is absurd and a sin against the Law of Nature.

Would it not be better for them (Genetic Engineers) and other Scientists of the world to have unified efforts and focus on conducting an experimental research on how we could get rid of using chemical pesticides sprays on plants that are harmful for human consumption? Doing an extensive experimental research on the ways to replace these man-made obnoxious pesticides in spraying edible plants with harmless nature-derived pesticides sprays would be a superior achievement in science and technology. This would be a unique breakthrough that could ultimately free us and stop us from eating chemically-sprayed plants on farms that would only add some diseases instead of giving us with healthy bodies. This would also be a meaningfully beneficial approach in saving mankind on the face of our Planet Earth from the continual ingestion of toxic chemicals from the chemically-sprayed plants.

Likewise, I’m also disheartened why well-milled rice is being promoted by businessmen when the process of refinement which different varieties of rice have undergone have resulted to the depletion of its natural vitamins and mineral contents. The main reason why we eat food including natural rice is to get the necessary vitamins and minerals that our body needs. Logically, what’s the use of eating well-milled rice and refined sugar if all its vitamins and mineral contents were already taken out? If we were informed that the rice we are going to buy at the market is a GMO, why should we eat that? Is there an assurance from health authorities that eating this “tinkered” rice is safe for our health? None. I have also read an article somewhere claiming that the propagation of the GMO food plants might posed some hazard in our environment.

Furthermore, we continue to eat some food from the stores that are already devoid of necessary nutrients because of the method utilize in the processing of foods by the manufacturers of such products. The invention of the milling machine that will well-mill rice is not at all beneficial for the health and wellness of the majority of the people on earth because of its high extraction of vitamins and mineral contents in different varieties of rice. Only a very infinitesimal and insignificant amount is retaining. Are rice consumers throughout the world unaware of this man-made deprivation of what our bodies needed?

Another invention that does not actually sustain the wellness of the consuming public is the machine that will refine a dark brown sugar into an immaculate white! One can just imagine how many stages in the process of refinement a ton of dark brown sugar has undergone in the factory. Yet plenty of our businessmen are also promoting this kind of sugar akin to well-milled rice where its vitamins and minerals are almost entirely gone.

Instead of neglecting un-nutritious foods, but promoting and producing more nutritiously natural foods for the public, ironically, what we have witnessed as consumers is the reverse trend. Because of seeming ignorance in the way some businessmen and some manufacturers of processed foods are conducting and doing their things under this realm, there’s a need to re-educate all sectors of society in order to achieve our unwritten goal of having a healthy and strong people.

As we know in school and at home, we all need vitamins and minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, glucose and other elemental compounds to make our bodies healthy and strong and provide resistant to diseases.

Obviously, children, teenagers, adults and old people who lack the necessary vitamins and minerals due to eating non-nutrient foods are weak, lack resistance to diseases, poor in academics, fatigue, poor memory, lack of concentration, sleeping disturbance, lack endurance in both physical and mental activities.

People whose bodies lack vitamins and minerals from natural foods because of wrong eating habits and lack awareness on the importance of eating nutritious foods are in the alarming situation. The condition on the people’s health and wellness, which is one of the things that should be given priority by our real and honest nutritionists nationwide and globalwide,must start formulating measures now to abate this “silent plague” before it gets worst in the system. The kings and queens of the global households have the responsibilities to teach their respective families on proper and healthy eating habits of each family members to avoid malnutrition, that are now afflicting millions, not only on children, but also adults.

There’s the need now to redefine some ways in convincing and re-educating the entire people on the imperative need to return to eating basic and natural foods and products devoid of preservatives and refining process where nutritional elements are still intact.

This means also that we have to rediscover the ways of our forefathers who had been eating half-cooked or raw vegetables, fresh chemical-free fruits, eating unpolished rice of different varities, using raw dark brown sugar for coffee or milk drinks, molasses, using whole wheat in bread products and eating pure honey.However, avoid eating kangkong, particularly if you do not know where it was gathered or it was grown in stagnant water. Prefer kangkong that were grown in regularly cultivated ricefields but cook it well. Shun eating it in a half-cooked fashion to make sure.

Nevertheless, there’s also the need for all rice millers to adapt the procedure of one-stage rice milling where only the husks will be taken out, thus retaining all its vitamins and mineral contents. I have seen this kind of a one-stage milled rice four years ago which was made available at the public market in my place. I’ve bought that unpolished red rice for several times and cooked it for my meals. But its availability in the market did not last for long. I just don’t know why the supply was cut.

Its seemingly and slightly sagapsap (roughness) sensation in our palate as other people have commented, is harmless and just negligibly a passing feel. It’s a flimsy and immature reasoning to ignore a persuasion which will lead a consumer/eater to a double treat for his/her health. In cooking the unpolished rice, neither rubs the grains nor squeezes it fast inside the pot or cauldron after pouring water. Dip your hand and slowly stir the grains for a few seconds and pour the water. Avoid repeating the procedure, unless, of course, if the unpolished rice has already a bad smell.

For sugar millers in the country, it is also obligatory on their part as food providers to stop producing refined sugar. They should instead shift to start producing and promoting dark brown sugar or muscado and molasses in all stores and pubic markets. Why should they? For the simple logical reason that dark brown sugar (kinugay in local term) when it metamorphosed into an immaculate white sugar, as I stated earlier, means completely devoid already of all its vitamins and minerals. What the consumers/buyers can get is only sweet plus chemical additives. Mere sweet per se is unnecessary for our bodies. But sweets from fruits, pure honey, sweets from dark brown sugar or brown sugar and molasses are what our bodies needed.

On the other hand, why should bakery owners have to worry if their cakes and pastry products look brown by using brown sugar? Why also bread eaters have to worry if the color of the bread becomes brown? Owners and buyers alike must neither be distracted nor annoyed with the change in color. They must be distracted only if the change in color of cake or bread is due to heavy artificial coloring. It is only good for the eyes, but not for the stomach! If we can eat chocolate cake which is pitched black in colour, why can’t we eat brown-coloured cake because of brown sugar use as sweetener? The traditional white-coloured cakes in bakeries are the bakers’ choice of colour adoption, which is not in conformity with the overall sphere of health-conscious individuals who mostly preferred a sweetener that has nutrients content. Proof? Health-conscious people who know the health benefits of dark brown sugar or brown sugar (kinugay in local term; muscado in Negroes) for our bodies have used it in their coffee, milk, juice and other liquid drinks..

In re-educating both the producer and the consumer sectors in a global scale concerning the issue on proper and healthy eating, the trimedia have a great role. A regular and unrelenting information dissemination drive nationwide in every country is also needed for inculcation and gradual assimilation to the producers’, manufacturers’ and the consumers’ psyche.

2009-09-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Prerogative Right Should Be Use With Justice And Fairness

BY QUIRICO M. GORPIDO JR.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte

I have read an article in PDI’s Lifestyle section on its Aug.17, 2009 issue, “Who Is National Artist-Elect Ramon Santos” by Pablo Tariman.The author according to the footnote in his article, was a recipient of the Outstanding Pasigueño Award in Music along with composer Ramon Santos and the late Carmencita Lozada.Hence, we can say that he’s one of the persons in the world of art and culture who know what and where he speaks.

The article dealt with the recent event of alleged improper choosing of National Artist on various categories like music, theater and acting. It seems to focus only on the selection of the National Artist for Music, Theater and Film. This time the incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was given the prerogative right to choose who among the candidates would be fortunate to be chosen as a National Artist in their respective fields of endeavor.

There were already on the list of nominees who underwent rigorous deliberations by the National Commission For Culture and the Arts (NCAA)’s honor committee officials.Obviously, the list has served as the rightful candidates to choose from. Yet one could be considered as an intentional twist of fate, the name of one of the nominees, Ramon Santos was allegedly removed from the list as the new National Artist. Instead the author disclosed Arroyo named her adviser for culture and the arts, Cecile Alvarez-Guidote,as National Artist for theater. According to the report Alvarez herself remains an NCCA official (despite having reached retirement last year) and is disqualified from the award.

The information provided by Tariman on Santos is that he had been elected by the joint board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts after rigorous selection process to be named the National Artist for Music.

Santos earned his doctorate degree from Indiana University and State University of New York. But he didn’t specialize on the likes of Samuel Barbers and George Gushwin…

“While respected the country’s Western musical heritage, he spent a lifetime in the field studies of Philippine traditional music such as the musical repertoires of Ibaloi, the Mansaka, Bontoc, Yakan and Boholano.

“His areas of relentless concern, aside from the above cultural communities also include Philippine art and music, Philippine contemporary music and related music from Southeast Asia and the cultural communities of South China.”.

Pablo Tariman disclosed that Ramon Santos wore many hats-as music writer, composer, lecturer, and promoter of Asian music-in such traditionally Western-oriented music competition as the National Music Competition for Young Artists.

The author revealed that “in the deliberation for the National Artist Awards this year 2009, Santos got the highest rating votes in the music category.

Earlier, I have read an article impliedly related to the above complaint by Nestor Torre.His concern in his article was that in the selection of the National Artist Awards politics has intervened. He feared that the entry of politics would only jeopardize in the proper and rightful selection of who should be the deserving National Artist of so and so. In that article he suggested and strongly recommended to the officials concern to nip this unnecessary intervention in the bud before it would be allowed to bloom.

In less than three weeks later, I’ve read another article, a PDI news story containing the negative reactions of some nominees who were in the list speaking up their minds on the unfair selection of the awards.

If an incumbent President who has given the prerogative right to choose for an annual selection of National Artists would not respect the rules or regulations on what should be the right thing to do, then why allow her/him to participate in the final selection?

Granting or giving the prerogative right would not really mean one is free to take out a deliberated nominee or nominees on the list imprimatur by the NCCA and CCP officials or other agency in-charged in the monitoring, selecting and deliberating of deserving nominees for the awards. Did the past Presidents who might have enjoyed the kind of prerogative right Arroyo has, committed the same abuse of power by going outside the realm of rules and regulations in their selection of the National Artist Awards?

How did she feel now with her awards? Is she happy or sadden? Just asking. She knows her position and she knows also who deserves the awards, we are sure for that. And she knows also she is disqualified to join as NCAA official. And yet she was chosen.

She might have the guts to negatively react of the award. But she chooses to remain numb in order not to shame or insult the President. Neverthleless, any President of the Republic who enjoys such a prerogative right in any kind of selection of awards must have the modesty to use her/his right properly in fairness to the honors committee and the enlisted nominees. She/ he must understand that the officials involved in the process of selection and extensive deliberations on the candidates for the awards spent long hours and days to achieve what ought to be achieved to make fair and impartial judgments for the deserving candidates.

Regardless of one’s position in the government or private agency, high and low, respect to follow rules and regulations and order in any kind of undertaking should be given the foremost consideration. Any highest official of the land should avoid imposing his/her preference if it breaks some ethics where proper judgment is being sacrificed. Really, being respectful to the rights of others and to the implementing rules and regulations in any offices is a mark of a bonafide educated person. As the hundreds of angry artists in Metro Manila have vehemently shouted in protest: “let politics be out of the National Artist Awards!”

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2009-09-12T18:46:00.001-07:00

How Safe Are Plastic Wares?
BY EUGENIO A. SIERVO
Maasin City, Southern Leyte

For several years now, I have been asking this question to some people but they could not give me a clear answer. The uncertain safetiness of using plastic wares has led me to some arguments with some of the sales assistance particularly in some eateries/carenderias where I used to order food. I have been observing in many occasions, mostly at public market’s eateries/carenderias that there were sales helpers or cooks who poured very hot viand inside plastic “food wares”. We’ll just take two instances of such several encounters that I have been through.. One of them is a female friend who owned an eatery where I used to order either a meal or a lunch. “I’m so dubious for what you did”, I told her.” of pouring very hot viand inside your plastic food tray. Is it not harmful to the eaters?”. She answered, “I’m doing this for quite sometime now. And no one was complaining.” I replied: “But I have some doubts that what you are doing is not good and not healthful. I have notice that a very hot viand put inside plastic food container or tray, particularly those with plenty of soup have tasted differently after it cooled down. Have you not notice? “

Our discussion was abruptly cut because two customers have come and ordered some food for lunch. Another one was a helper in another carenderia who used plastic ladle to scoop very hot rice for my meal. I told her that it’s better to use stainless ladle since the rice was still very hot and plastic ladle is not good to scoop rice or any hot food. “You can use the plastic ladle if the rice or any food is already cool, “I said .Instead of accepting my advice she got angry and told me that everybody is doing what she did. I replied: “Even if everybody is doing what you did, it does not mean that what you did is right”. I said: “Have you not experienced that eating food or viand put in plastic food tray while still very hot would result to a different taste of the foods’ soup inside it after it cooled down?However,the change of taste of some soups in hot foods/viands with little soups is mostly unnoticeable to our palate. But still it has a bad effect to the body, manifesting different negative uncomfortable reactions to various eaters.” She did not answer.I told her: “I have experienced it myself. What did I feel”? I asked her, but answering the question myself: “I felt bad. I was having a headache less than thirty minutes later after I drank water. Not only once but in other occasions as well. I don’t think you will feel fine after eating this kind of careless food preparation”, I told her. She kept silent. I did not go back to that carenderia anymore.

Still I have also observed that base on our experiment with a boardmate,any kind of hot food put in a plastic ware, regardless of its brand name, would trigger the release of a certain chemical contain in making the plastic food container. Why? What’s the proof?

When we poured a hot or very hot tinola (refers to fishes cooked with plenty of soup and species) inside a plastic container, commonly design as “food container”, we have noticed that the taste of the tinola soup has tasted differently after it cooled down. Does this not mean that the hotness of the cooked fish with species (tinolang isda) has triggered the release of the chemical contain in that plastic product? If this is so, then the hot tinola soup is no longer good to sip since it already contains a certain chemical. Although we do not know yet the name of such chemical that is being released by any plastic wares when a hot food is place in it. But certainly it is harmful to any person who would ingest it. What with its unpleasant taste that will equally result to unpleasant reaction to one’s body, particularly to a sensitive body!

I have also further observed that those common eaters of hot food/viand placed inside plastic wares at the time of its extreme hotness (but have eaten it mostly when it was already cool), have commonly pale facial features than those cautious and meticulous eaters of such kind of careless food preparation. Does this also mean that the ingestion of chemical released from a plastic food ware in several occasions, triggered by the putting of a hot food/viand inside it, has a bad effect to one’s body?

On the same manner, shun from using plastic ladle to scoop hot rice, host viand or whatever kind of hot foods in your household. If your are fond of using plastic ladle to scoop hot rice or any kind of hot food for yourself and for the customers and put it inside the caldron together with still very hot rice, stop this bad habit. The extreme hotness inside it will also trigger the release of chemical contain in that plastic ladle that will mix with hot rice. Just a similar reaction to that of other plastic products based on my body’s (or anybody’s) sensitivity whenever I have “eaten enough” (as realty test) of such kind of food preparation. If you cannot wait for a certain hot food to cool down, why not use a stainless ladle to scoop hot rice or hot food? Preferably use whenever possible non-plastic products like stainless glasses or glass cups, ceramic plates, bowls, and other kitchen utensils as food containers for safer usage. Unless there is one hundred percent certainty that your kind of plastic ware contains no toxic chemical even if you have to pour a very hot food/viand inside it for your customers’ consumption or for yourself and your family. If in doubt never do it for the sake of your health.

Forego also from putting hot or very hot bread or any hot bakery products inside the plastic wrappers when you buy it at any bakery. Wait and have patience until the degree of hotness of bread you ordered has greatly diminished. Leaving plastic cup as rice measurement or non-plastic ladle inside the caldron after scooping rice for customers’ order is something detestable too among hygiene and sanitation buffs who are health-conscious individuals. Refrain also from transferring your ordered soft drinks into a plastic wrapper. Putting your soft drinks inside a plastic wrapper will create a chemical reaction between the soft drinks and the plastic wrapper. Drinking it is very bad for your health, although you will not feel its bad effect right away. Better to drink it direct from the bottle. Likewise, avoid using plastic wrappers to wrap hot foods/viands. As a general rule in using all kinds of plastic products available in your households: use it only when using it to wrap or as repository of cool foods or any kind of potable or edible food that are already cold. But only for a short period. However, do not use it to deposit your vinegar or any acidic substances for human consumption. Plastic bottles that contain the so-called mineral water with limited period of its usability (usage) should be used with cautiousness. Avoid also using any kind of plastic wrappers to cover your bare hands in the absence of spoon and fork when you eat. I have commonly observed this style in several occasions to some people in the market or in some areas in our place It’s better to wash your hands thoroughly if you really want to eat with bare hands as practice by some Filipinos in different parts of the country.(magkinamot sa pagkaon in Cebuano language).If you do this, you are ingesting micro powder residues in plastic wrappers if you use to cover it with your bare hands while eating. Have you not notice that?

On the other hand, the inventions of plastics have added to more garbage in our planet thus adding the pollution produced by other waste materials of various kinds. This is one of man’s productions that will not easily decompose unlike other biodegradable wastes. It will take many decades before it will start to disintegrate and decompose. If these kinds of materials are indiscriminately thrown on rivers, streams and on the seas, it was found also to poison some of the fishes and suffocate the coral reefs if brought there by the current of waves. In short it is destructive to our marine life. But since it is already in popular use, it would be better to recycle it (re-use) while still reusable than just throw it as waste if it can still be utilized. It is also important not to burn plastic wastes of all kinds. Peoples of the world should also be educated not to dump their plastic wastes just anywhere. Each household has to dispose it properly or burry in an area where it will not contaminate the water resources of every place where the people have their source of water for drinking.

Moreover, to make clear the buyers’/users’ doubt on the indiscriminate use of all plastic products-from wrappers, water receptacles, food trays/containers,etc.-on its safetiness, we urged the government or any government agency designated in granting licenses to those manufacturers’ operations of plastic products to oblige them to provide guidelines in the proper use of their respective products. They should also include the bad effects to its users resulting from its improper use. Buyers and consumers alike need these things to protect their bodies from the ingestion of harmful and toxic chemicals that are the common causes of additional illnesses and diseases afflicting millions of peoples worldwide nowadays.

Salesclerks and workers of merchandising stores, whose items/goods are mostly made of various plastic products, must always wear masks during their duties. This is to minimize the inhalation of badly pungent odors that various plastic products will emit.

Furthermore, I have read lately in a Manila-based tabloid an article that deals about plastics. The article has mentioned some chemical elements/compounds that are present in the making of plastics. One of its kinds is something that some sectors have clamored to be excluded as one of its component. I have regretted that I failed to have it Xerox copy for a file and reference. The name of that chemical ingredient (element) in plastics is something like bisephinol A or bisphenol A(if my memory serves well).

One important measure and suggestion to this kind of chemical is that a group of health advocates have made a strong protest to stop using it in all plastic products. However, makers and producers of CDs and other gadgets or portable equipment like personal computers and the like are making their appeal to allow it to be used in some products that have no mouth contact.

I would like to suggest that bisephenol A or bisphenol A(again if my memory serves well)and similar toxic chemicals must be excluded now as one of its compositions/compounds in the making of all plastic products(soft and hard plastic products) that have mouth contact. This would cover all plastic wrappers that are use to wrap bread and foods, plastics viand/food receptacles, straws in soft drinks,cups,bowls,plates,spoons and forks, ladles, toys and dolls(that kids and babies have the habit of licking it while playing), food trays,glasses,plastic galloon containers use to store sauces,oranges,beverages,liquid medicines; bottles of soft drinks, bottles for medicine storage, among other things that are made of plastics use by humans in association with his daily ingestion and taking of anything edible and potable as his food and body support.

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2009-09-12T18:36:00.001-07:00

The story of Josephine B. Ramos

BY QUIRICO GORPIDO JR.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte

Bad rumors silently spread like wild fire when a local young singer gets afflicted with a paralyzing disease that deeply grieved her parents, who also have to bear the pitiful condition of their child. At first the singer’s mother wants to retaliate and confront those badmouths, but the spirit of humility pervades in her heart and lulls down her plans to file charges in court against those backbiters. Instead she keeps her composure and is hopeful though, that when the time ripens, the truth of her child’s affliction will vindicate their malicious gossips.

Here is the real thing, a true story of Josephine Batistil Ramos that becomes a household byword by many in some communities of the province during her popularity as a promising young singer. By her behaviors and choices of activities and inclinations, one can say that she’s has the in-born talent for singing. Unlike other children her age, by common observation they could hardly attune their voices to a song’s particular melody even with a musical accompaniment. But for Josephine, adjusting her voice’s flexibility to a song’s tune is as normal as any other child’s activities she’s engaged in and gradually attaining mastery of her chosen pieces.

What really happened to her, who in her days of popularity has unimaginable falls into the pit of utter desperation after savoring her crown of glory reap from her winning stints in major singing competitions? Josephine starts singing in public at the age of 5 at St. Joseph College. Always passing the first auditions in many amateur singing contests sponsors by different barangays of Tagnipa, Badiang, Lanao, Manhilo, Guadalupe, and Ibarra, she usually emerges as either a champion or a grand champion. She also marks her winning prowess in the neighboring town of Macrohon’s 2 barangays of Ilihan and Laray

Singing Competitions.

In 1993 at 10 years old, she was the grand champion in DYDM’s “Battle of Champion” and Tacloban’s DYVL station, maintaining a winning streak in a weekly, monthly and grand final during that year. At eleven and12 years old, she won a consecutive Grand Champion titles after defeating all those winners who participated in that 2 events. Josephine seems so insatiable with all her successes in the provincial and regional competitions. In all of the singing competitions she has participated in different places of the province and in region 8(Leyte and Samar), it is always her father Segundino F. Ramos, now 65, who is her personal chaperon.

At the age of 14 in Sept 1998, she decided to transfer to Sauyo National High School in Novaliches, Quezon City where her aunt resides with her family. Knowing the talent of her niece, she accompanies her for an audition at ABS-CBN’s KTV or Katunog Ng Voice. She passes. During the competition, she was asked by the host about her place. While other well-known personalities in this province who gain a niche in the field of music and in sports are somewhat reluctant to tell of their respective places, Ms.Ramos shamelessly told the audience that she is from brgy. Tagnipa, Maasin, Southern Leyte.(Equally proud of her roots, actress Jenalyn Mercado speaks with candor that she hails from Southern Leyte when asks about her reaction of a great catastrophe that hits brgy Guinsaugon, a farming village). In that particular contest, she became the Grand Champion with her rendition of Celin Dion’s song “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”. She competes in this program relentlessly maintaining her position for 4 months from August up to the grand finals in November 1998.

At the age of 15 she became as representative of Sauyo National High School to the Marian Movement Singing Contest at the National Capital Region and emerged as the champion. Not long after that event, she joins the Red Cross Youth Super Camp Philippines held at Macario Peralta Janingdan in Capiz. As if lady Luck is always on her side, she becomes the champion in a vocal solo contest sponsored by the Red Cross sub-camp category. Later on she decided to transfer to another school at St. Francis Divine College where beauty titlist and actress Miriam Quiambao studies in the elementary. Still it is located within the vicinity of Novaliches, Q.C.There she graduated in high school in 2000.

Staying in Metro Manila for too long a period and away from her parents, she feels homesick. On her return to Maasin, she joins the Offbeat /band until the end of 2001.Another local popular singer who is her classmate, Hazel Año, now a licensed Civil Engineer, also joins.

In 2003 at the age of 19, she passed the audition in Search For The Star at GMA Channel 7 hosted by Regine Velasquez. While her singer-predecessor Sarah Geronimo, who is currently one of the popular singers in the country, was able to join the Search For The Star competition only after her third audition. But the Maasinhon Josephine has made it in just the first audition.

A Twist Of Fate

Unexpectedly however, not even a premonition or anticipation of some kind that her gradual rise to popularity of stardom would be snapped from a friend’s persuasion, whom she is not yet so familiar with, being new to her list of friends. How come? Josephine is friendly and can easily win friends, and in turn can easily be convinced from a friend’s persuasion. One day, her mother, Genita Batistil Ramos, 49, a former stenographer at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Southern Leyte.who resigned to take care of her daughter, says that according to Josephine, a Tagalog friend has given her Bangkok slimming pills. She says she accepts it without hesitation after her audition at GMA 7.She then starts taking the slimming pills but discontinue after 4 days because she feels bad like fast heartbeat and later a fever. Instead of reporting to GMA 7 studio on schedule for the contest, she goes to the hospital consulting a doctor. When the host of the Search for The Star knows about her condition thru a telephone call, she informs her that she can still join the next session. However, Josephine fails to make it.

Her parents brought her to Makati Medical Center where the doctor subjected her to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan in the laboratory. But the result of the MRI examination could not give the MMC doctor an exact diagnose of her sickness. The doctor refers her to Dr. Leonardo Fugoso of St. Luke Hospital where she undergoes Positron Emission Tomography (PET) examination. After reading the result, Dr. Fugoso could not also make a diagnosis.He refers the patient’s case to Dr. Jonas Francisco Santiago, Diplomat, American Board of Medicine who sends the PET result to an American Hospital connected with St. Luke Hospital. But still the American doctor could not arrive for an exact diagnose and therefore could not also prescribe medicine for Josephine.

MOA signing

Dr. Fugoso suggests to Josephine and her parents that a Memorandum of Agreement will be signed by them giving him their consent that he be allowed to study Josephine’s disease. After signing the MOA for their affirmation, Dr. Fugoso starts giving her medicines for Parkinson’s disease for a period of 5 months. But before taking her medications, the patient would already twitch, says her mother. However, there’s no sign of improvement for her health despite the treatment. Instead her disease gets worst.

Her attending physician talks to her parents and reveals that their daughter has only 6 months to live.

The revelation strikes like a thunderbolt upon her mother’s ears. Grief and sorrow grips her heart and starts imploring fervently to the Almighty Creator to give her daughter a chance to live and heal her sickness. Then they decided to go home to Maasin. After a lapse of 4 months, they bring their daughter to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. There they have met Dr.Florenz Eubil C. Bilocura, adult neurologist, who utilizes EEG (Electroencephalograph), a device that detects and records the electrical activity of the brain.(Electroencephalogram is the pattern traced by an Electroencephalograph).

They stayed at the hospital for 12 days.

Refer To Manila Metropolitan Hospital

Dr. Bilocura, who now discovers the patient’s sickness, refers Josephine to Dr. Martha C.T. Lu-Bolañoso,a pediatric neurologist. The doctor informs her parents that Dr. Lu-Bolañoso is his senior and that Josephine’s disease is a child’s disease, so his senior is fit to handle their daughter’s case. How come that Josephine, the young singer has a child’s disease when in 2004 she is already 20 years old?

AT the Manila Metropolitan Hospital where Dr.Lu-Bolañoso is a resident physician, the patent undergoes another examination and stays there for 19 days. She was brought to the Philippine General Hospital where her new doctor subjected her to lumbar tap (spinal tap) which extracts brain fluid from a patient. The result of the laboratory exam conforms to that of Dr.Bilocura’s findings. The singer’s disease is diagnosed as Sub Acute Schlerosing Penencephalitis (SSPE).

Dr. LU-Bolañoso prescribes for Josephine 8 1V globuline vials for one dose (500mg) for 5 days. After the5-day regular vial injections her eyelids starts moving, can laugh, can smile, hear, but cannot speak. “Before her eyes would just stare, her eyelids motionless, after the 5- day injections the first voice I ever heard from her is a cry. When she strives to talk she could not form a word”, her mother says. When I was ushered by her mother Genita after the interview at their residence in brgy. Tagnipa,I called her.She seems to response, but I could not hear a sound of words. During the previous years when she was still active and in the pink of health, in some occasions I advised her to finish a four-year college course. I explained to her that it would be much better for her to finish a 4-year college course before she would concentrate on her carrier as a singer and that the right place for her exposure is Cebu and Manila.

The doctor also prescribes for her patient the following maintenance for lifetime medicines and multi-vitamins:1)Immunosin(500mg) 6 tablets a day;2)Iveret-500 with folic acid-once a day;3)Neurobion(500mg)once a day;4)Duphalac 120 ml.-2 tablespoon 2 x a day. Dr. Lu-Bolañoso further informs Genita that her daughter still has the sense of hearing, seeing, smelling and feeling.

Exhausted Financial Resource

The Ramoses have already exhausted all their financial resources. In some occasions, if Josephine can be left alone with her father Segundino F. Ramos, 65 years old, a former DPWH worker, or her aunt as watcher, her mother Genita would be selling okay-okay on credit for Josephine’s needed medicines. One day when Ron Woods, an American married to a Filipina here in Leyte, was at Lina Hermosilla’s okay-okay store, when Genita coincidentally was also there, the former was introduced by Lina to the latter. Ms .Hermosilla reveals to Mr. Woods that she (Genita) has a daughter who is a singer but is sick and needs help. She even adds to tell him that occasionally Genita would lend her some money for Josephine’s medicines.

Woods touched by the plight of the Ramos family contacted Mr. Mark Coombs, another American friend who is also married to a Filipina here. Coombs is a musician and a FM disc jockey in Texas, USA. They visited the Ramos residence in brgy, Tagnipa to see for themselves the pitiful condition of the sick singer. A recorded 10 songs of Ms. Ramos is played for the American visitors to listen to. This is courtesy of Cebu’s FM radio station where Josephine won in a singing competition. It is in that occasion that they conceived the idea of holding a ‘concert for a cause’. Local bands in Maasin were then informed about the plan. They have responded with willingness to participate in the upcoming concert knowing fully well that the affair will greatly help Josephine’s medications and further treatment.

Concert Time

The ‘concert for a cause’ was held recently at the city gymnasium. The recorded songs of Josephine were repeatedly played while sponsors and concertgoers were entering the gate. It was a night full of songs and music. Viper Music Production with its modern equipments has provided for the sounds. In contrast to the past concerts by local bands and other bands from Cebu sans the state-of-the–art equipments, Viper Music has delivered a balance volume of vocals and musical accompaniment to the pleasure and delight of the entire audience. Left and right bleachers were full of people composed of children, youngsters, adults and the old. Fourteen bands were scheduled to perform but only 6 have made it to a live performance at the stage.

Two child singers render one song each beautifully “Broken Vow” and “Habang May Buhay” at the start of the show.Joani Cristi Cepada with SJC kids did a song rendition and dance number. Another 2 local popular singers Brian Gilles and Hazel Año beautifully render a match duet “Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon”.Año, now a licensed Civil Engineer, reminisces her days with Ramos when they were both members-vocalists of the Offbeat band (2000-2001). She dedicates one of Josephine’s favorite songs by Celin Dion entitled “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”. She claims that only her friend can sing it, but Año did it well with her inherent high pitch voice on a par with Josephine’s.

Janice B. Ramos, younger sister of the sick singer, also dedicates a song coming from her sister’s favorite singer Celin Dion.Wheelchaired Josephine was brought by several men upstage where the former sings infront of the latter. Emotions start throbbing when Janice kisses her sister as tears runs down her checks. Touching moment intrudes the air for awhile and the audience give applause.

Sixtenz band composed of SJC students covers some of Alanis Moresette hits, while the Trendsonic belts out some of Asin’s and Aegis hits. The songs renditions were a type of rock, love songs, ballads, rapping and reggae. Other bands doing live performances were the Recykool, Hybrid Monkees, Yawtakis and Tribu Latagaw who does a comic acts to the laughter of the crowd.

However, the night of music was unexpectedly disrupted when a drunken man throws a chair towards the youngsters’ side and shouts to stop the show, according to a witness. Instead of negatively reacting, he says, the youngsters and young men around just kept their cool in deference to him who is well-known in the religious circle. One of the witnesses, an Engineer, says that he accosts and pacifies the man, advises him to go home and he did. During that time at past 1:00 a.m., he says, there’s no policeman around. The American host Mark Coombs gets hungry and decides to stop the show.

Nevertheless, the trouble does not affect the purpose of the concert for a cause: The proceeds will be used for the further treatment of Josephine in Manila to see if she can still be cured of her debilitating disease, proclaims Mr. Coombs.

Weakens The Immune System

Earlier in Manila, the pediatric neurologist explains to Josephine’s mother that the Bangkok slimming pills given by a Tagalog friend to her daughter in Manila, which the latter has taken it for 4 days, have weakened her immune system. “It triggers in the reawakening of the measles’ viruses that remain inactive when Josephine’s immune system sustains a strong resistance”, Genita quoted the doctor as saying.

With this new information which the doctor has revealed, it would be better now for everybody, particularly those figure-conscious women to be meticulously cautious if a new friend or any new acquaintance would introduce them and sweet-talk them to take any kind of sliming pills or slimming tea. Is it not a common knowledge from the late Julie de Vega’s fans that she was reportedly taking slimming pills during her popularity days as a showbiz actress? Taking medically safe slimming pills might be proper for de Vega’s body size because she was really fat. But, is the kind of slimming pills that she was taken, a safe one? Is it herbs produced into pills or tablets? However, before taking it too long of her slimming pills, she got sick. It was diagnosed by a doctor as pneumonia which caused her early death. Is there not a probability that her taking of slimming pills has also weakened her immune system so that her body could no longer resist death-causing viruses? I also have a relative who was a figure-conscious woman and was taking slimming tea. It did not take too long for her that she also got sick. The manifestation of her symptoms under my personal observation and analysis is that her taking of that slimming tea has caused a disruption of the normal function of her immune system.

Be Cautious With Slimming Pills

If either a fat woman or a woman with normal body size is dead serious in reducing her body size she should choose and adapt the natural way. For instance, if she eats 2 cups of rice in every meal and consume 2 pieces of common sliced meat everyday, she should reduce it to half. But she should regularly eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and have a daily exercise. If her body will not reduce in size after three months, cut the consumption into half of the volume. If still this kind of body size reduction will not work, reduce your eating once more. If despite of these 3 practical reduction procedure your body still will not respond, forget about body reduction regimen. Really if you are determine to reduce your not-so-fat body into a cola-cola body, try what my friend was doing. Her approach in reducing her not-so-fat body size is done in a natural way, sans taking any kind of slimming pill or slimming tea. She reduced a third part of her daily food consumption and sleep at 9:00p.m. Waking up at 5:00 a.m. she started to jog for 2 kilometers and climbed up the long stairs at the Virgin Mary Shrine located atop the provincial hospital of Maasin City. She did this kind of exercise 5 days a week regularly. After two months her body has started to reduce until she has achieved her target.

Furthermore, never be duped into believing from anyone who is not a health professional in convincing you to take any kind of slimming pills. Remember what happens to Josephine B. Ramos, a young promising singer who has the great chance of becoming a professional singer. Yet her destiny and fortune was snapped from taking a misguided advice from a new friend, who probably lacks the proper knowledge about the slimming pills that she has introduced to her friend. Or is she a deceiver, out to deceive and mislead the gullible and vulnerable people? Since the time she has given Josephine the Bangkok slimming pills, that Tagalog friend of hers did not show up anymore, her mother says.

In spite of all these things that happens to her, Josephine and her parents are still hopeful that by the mercy of the Almighty Father, the Great Physician, thru the instrumentality of a specialist, she will miraculously be healed in the days to come.. With the realization of Josephine’s dream as a local popular singer in the past years, she can still starts anew to reach for the Star.

Comelec’s electronic transmission of votes should be accurate and free from hacks and intervention

2009-09-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

IT will be election time again in less than ten months and the Commission on Elections still cannot give its full assurance that there will be a smooth, credible, orderly, and systematic kind of election, especially in the marking of one’s ballot.

There’s even a big circumspect in the method of ensuring that electronic transmission of election results from 80,000 precincts nationwide in next year's polls can be done efficiently, easily and without the trouble of being tampered, rigged or corrupted by clever computer hackers.

This is our fear, that the nationwide network coverage might gone wrong because of the absence of contingency plans in case unforeseen events or when few dramatis personae might come into play, given the premise that there is no more time to pilot-test the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines to be provided by Smartmatic and TIM.

In an automated election, the transmission stage is crucial; therefore this should be looked into by the Comelec more than their other priorities at the moment, especially in the provinces when the May 10 poll closes at sun down and the result are due to be transmitted from clustered precincts to the canvassing and consolidation centers in the municipalities towards the poll body’s national center.

We’ve heard that Comelec has already tapped all existing technology platforms to deliver the election results promptly come Election Day. We just hope and pray that the Comelec will be able to see in advance the glitches and troubles before these happen and that whatever solutions they make now will do well to our electoral system and not taint our electoral process again.

Ninety percent of the Filipino electorate is for poll automation, that’s right, and they look back at the old manual counting of votes as time-consuming and bothersome.

Reverting to manual elections would then be unacceptable too, since the law on poll automation had been enacted. But either way, it still remains whichever will work best for the Comelec.

We welcome the signing of the Gender Equality Law

2009-08-19T00:53:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo’s signing of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women announced the good news women have been waiting to take place after so many years of setbacks and being put off.

It is indeed welcome news. Bigotry or prejudice against women should not be tolerated in the Philippine society for it will be a devastating reality for Filipinos ending up not making headway in social and economic progress because we continue to exhibit our blunt attitude towards women.

For a country to succeed, it needs to espouse gender equality by giving importance to women in the general public because women are vital to the health of our social order.

RA 9710 defined the state’s obligation to promote gender equality and detach any discrimination to women. With this law, gender-based violence is prohibited while sensitivity and inculcation of equal status will be upheld.

We hope that RA 9710 will also help bring education to the women sector for them to be informed or schooled since even the most basic skills in literacy learned can open up opportunities and thus more women will have better chances in pursuing worthwhile employment, higher education and a life without the hazards of extreme poverty.

Yes, Filipino women are not the only ones victorious with the passage of RA 9710 but everybody, whose dream and struggle for equality paved way for the government to pay attention to such important, legitimate concern.

Cop’s warning shot a bad move

2009-08-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

THERE have been quite a few stories of policemen killing others unintentionally when firing a warning shot and what happened in Pagadian last week is another classic case of gun mishandling.

A policeman, trying to arrest a running offender fired an unaimed warning shot into the air and unluckily killed a bystander, identified as Christopher Labajo of Lower Lumbia.

When confronted by a fleeing suspect, policemen are prohibited to fire warning shots, as contained in the 2002 PNP Operational Procedure. This order was even reiterated by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa disallowing it in police interventions. There was always the safer option of using a whistle, a megaphone or a policeman’s loudest voice.

We know for sure that such existing rule of engagement have been disseminated to all police commanders and their subordinates nationwide. What we do not know is whether the Pagadian City police is familiar with the order and followed it precisely and strictly.

At all times, a cop should have composure and make sure that he is capable of using his weapon wisely. As firearms owners themselves, cops have a larger accountability and that is where their bullets end up when fired upwards. It is standard doctrine among every firearms holder, policeman or not, that even for a variety of reasons a warning shot is both tactically and legally a bad decision.

When going after running crooks, the police’s paramount consideration is the preservation of life and prevention of bodily injury. When a policeman fires a warning shot into the air, one can only imagine the very narrow range between him and any innocent bystanders nearby getting hit by the stray bullet.

And to think that it was just about two weeks ago when the Police Provincial Office briefed local media the guidelines on weapon control techniques and gun safety and handling as a move to inculcate responsible gun behavior. We can still say that the accomplishments of our law enforcers against criminals and drug offenders are impressive but we are sure this unfortunate incident will overshadow it.

The policeman who violated the PNP rules of engagement, , in the person of Inspector Jerwin Cagurin, should face administrative charges aside from the criminal one arising from his action. We repeat, firing his gun was absolutely not necessary and such was a bad idea, albeit stupid.

Imitating Cory

2009-08-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

THE late president Cory Aquino is one person who has not only taken part in one popular revolt but led it in the hope of bringing the ultimate change in the country.

In Cory we find religiosity, morality, freedom, heroism and peace while looking for our need to change and find out what it is that we can do to offer to our country.

She was our country’s first woman president and her reputation as a democracy icon for her role in the historic EDSA People Power uprising in 1986 has travelled all over the international community.

Cory’s quota for suffering is our own too, should anybody desire to follow her humility, kindness, sacrifices and suffering.

Congressman Antonio Cerilles is right. He says that Cory, herself, is already a modern-day national hero, without even the need for one national declaration. It is well deserved, even for her to become another Filipino saint.

The youths of today and tomorrow, especially, could relate to Cory’s wonderful life and deeds—for they are the judges and the ones who will determine the fate of our nation. They should therefore be taught to be familiar with Cory’s deeds and honor her memory.

For the Filipino nation who saw Cory’s death, we should unite and become a potent force in bringing new change in the country, economically and politically. And most importantly, our love for the democracy must stay after Cory.

A laudable police organization and makeover

2009-07-26T01:12:00.000-07:00

THE re-organization and eventual transformation of the PNP has not come a moment too soon. The changes made under the agency's Integrated Transformation Program was successful in changing its “problematic image,” as pointed out before by the CBCP.

It has long been supposed by the public that the police are crippled, incompetent and thus has become inoperative because of alleged corruption, payola-taking and the like among its ranks.

But looking down on its faults, the PNP then implemented its Transformation Program to resolve its organizational dysfunctions and improve the quality of police services; strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and; enhance the welfare and benefits of personnel and their dependents.

Had it not been done sooner, the PNP would be, in no doubt, fall from grace and its dire leadership would have made law enforcers join the likes of the criminals.

At present, the public is impressed on the police’s image of integrity and character in their field of crime and public service. In Pagadian, for example, the police should still work extra effort, show us no excuses on why they were not able to response when a crime is reported or promptly inform the populace on the state of their affairs.

The PNP noawadays is facing a great deal of adversity. Criminal activities are dominated by drug and gun trafficking, which are more prevalent than before. Therefore, policemen must not compromise their moral values and be tempted to act in contradiction with the code of conduct. They should be at the highest point of discipline and effectiveness.

That is why we note that such a laudable police organization and makeover is the redeeming factor. The PNP only needs to keep up the good work.

Praising the NTC for its move on prepaid load

2009-07-25T01:47:00.000-07:00

We praise the National Telecommunications Commision (NTC) for coming up with an order extending the validity period of prepaid mobile phone credits thereby solving consumer woes and complaints.

But consumers should be wary that in order to experience everlasting relief from the vanishing prepaid loads, they should see to it that telecommunication companies rightly comply with the NTC order and that the NTC periodically monitor and check if the companies are conforming.

Aside from the vanishing loads, mention be made also to the charges on balance-inquiry service, unsolicited messages or spam, interrrupted or dropped calls, missed calls, and messages the network failed to send.

For texters, such a reprieve is worthy since with longer load validity, thumb-texting Pinoys will be able to save a lot on load, like for example, the ones matching one’s budget, spending only between P10 to P100.

A survey conducted in the country recently by the NTC reveals that mobile phone users in the Philippines send approximately two billion text messages daily. Imagine how big the revenues mobile phone network operators get.

No doubt, nowadays, cellphone use or text messaging has become a necessity among 90 million cp users. Therefore, we repeat, prepaid mobile-phone subscribers should have a reason to rejoice.

Call for thorough and steadfast resolution of the Rollin murder

2009-07-12T22:23:00.001-07:00

PRESS STATEMENT

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Northern Mindanao have recently announced the filing of a murder case before the Regional Trial Court in Oroquieta City against the suspect in the killing of DxSY broadcaster Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin.

Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa has declared that the suspect was positively identified by Rollin’s live-in partner, Ligaya Barrero, who was with him waiting for an Ozamiz city-bound vehicle on that fateful morning of February 23, 2009 when the shooting happened.

However, Umpa acknowledged that the suspect was only the triggerman, and the mastermind in the killing is yet to be identified as well as the motive for the attack on Rollin.

We laud the efforts of the law enforcers in going after the killers, as well as the prosecuting agencies who worked for the solution of the Rollin slay.

We understand the difficulties they have undergone in order to establish the vital information that make up a legal argument before the court to pin down those involved in the brutal act.

But amid this seeming success in bringing the resolution effort to this level, we still urge authorities to continue their lookout for vital information that may have been left out, even if this could mean starting over again.
We also insist that the authorities’ focus must be guided by the highest sense of justice: punishing those responsible and sparing those who are not. It is only through this that such a revolting act against journalists will be prevented in the future.

NAPTALIE BATOLENIO, vice-chair
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
Ozamiz City Chapter
Mobile phone 09297461772

2009-07-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

Zambo drug route ‘closely watched’

THE Philippine Drug Enforcemnent Agency (PDEA) last week said they are “closely monitoring” the so-called backdoor routes of drug syndicates as they disclosed they are “strengthening their strategies” to combat the continued proliferation of illegal drugs.

READ FULL STORY

Maceda praises Cerilles

FORMER ambassador and Senator Ernesto Maceda was full of praise when he spoke of the Cerilles and Enerio families last weekend with ex-president Joseph Estrada and company visited Pagadian City for their “Lakbay Pasasalamat.”

READ FULL STORY

Roads are ‘real drivers of development in Mindanao’

ROADS are important not only for travel and relocation but it can also be seen as the “real drivers of development,” MEDCo Usec. Virgilio Leyretana Sr. said.

READ FULL STORY

Zambosur warms up for Megayon ‘09

THE Provincial Government is currently putting things in order for the one-week affair of the 57th Megayon Festival 2009.

READ FULL STORY

Zambosur offers eco-adventure tourism

LOCAL government initiatives being implemented to develop the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex (AHC) in Dao, this city, has already produced good results and generated interest among visitors.

READ FULL STORY

Booming businesses liven up in Zampen

AMID the financial crisis besetting the world today, certain investors have come to put up their booming businesses in Zamboanga Peninsula.

READ FULL STORY

DOH confirms first AH1N1 case in Zambopen

THE influenza A(H1N1) protection barrier in Zamboanga Peninsula is breached after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed its first A(H1N1) case.

READ FULL STORY

RPOC makes fuzz on MNLF streamer

A streamer which specifies the location of the headquarters of the so-called Bangsa Moro Republic in Labangan became a big topic in the recently concluded meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

READ FULL STORY

15 Mindanao airport projects fast tracked

FIFTEEN airports in Mindanao classified as priority infrastructure projects will be completed by December, this year. Three of these are the big airports of Zamboanga, Dipolog and Pagadian cities.

READ FULL STORY

5 Zambosur towns stand out in 2008 MELLPI

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MARGOSATUBIG, Molave, Vincenzo Sagun, Dinas and Dimataling came out as the top five municipalities or Municipal Nutrition Councils (MNCs) who scored big in the 2008 Provincial MELLPI.

READ MORE

UNIFIED STATEMENT ON RIGHT OF REPLY BILL

2009-06-04T00:44:00.001-07:00

1. The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression.

2. It is both unfortunate and ironic that the principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have known better, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. having earned his reputation as a champion of civil rights and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella having been president of the Negros Press Club.

3. It is also clear, from the pronouncements of both lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation – personal pique.

4. The House version of the bill, HB 3306, parrots the Senate's SB2150 except it would have the reply run a day after receipt instead of the three days the Senate grants, and seeks to impose heftier fines and the absence of self-regulation (in the case of block-timers) and sunset clauses.

5. Both bills state that "all persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic devices."

6. They also would mandate that these replies be "published or broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, website or through any electronic device."

7. The danger in the right of reply bill is that it would legislate what the media OUGHT to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they SHOULD.

8. The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt – and they are legion – of accountability and give them carte blanche to force their lies on the suffering public.

9. As one article on the right of reply bill says, "It lumps together imputations of a crime with simple criticism 'of any lapse in behavior in public or private life' or what would otherwise be considered 'fair comment.' There is no judicial review. It does not differentiate direct and indirect criticism. It has been noted that under the proposed law a journalist does not even have to be in error to draw a right of reply claim."

10. We would be the last to say that the Philippine media are without fault. Yes, we understand perfectly the frustration and anger of Pimentel and Puentevella over some media outlet's refusal to air their sides on issues.

11. Alas, but we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would allow bad governance to triumph.

12. We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills.

13. We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed, and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply.

14. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.

WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THE SIGNING OF THE LAW ON RIGHT OF REPLY!

Two wounded soldiers get medals

2009-04-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Labangan, ZamboSur—Two wounded combat personnel were given medals of merit for showing gallantry in the line of duty, during an encounter against lawless rebels in the vicinity of Brgy. Sandur, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte last March 17.

Major General Romeo Lustestica, commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, personally pinned the medals on Cpl Nilo Cupat and P1C Mark Anthony Mabunga, members of the 11th Light Armor Company.

Cupat and Mabunga, still garb in their hospital dresses, were both recuperating inside the Kuta Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital.

Both narrated to this paper that they were conducting routinary security and patrol operations along borders of Balo-i and Pantao Ragat in Lanao del Norte aboard the Simba Fighting Vehicle (SFV) when ambushed.

Two of their companions died instantly.

Lustestica, the newly installed commander of Tabak, praised the bravery of the two soldiers.

He likewise visited other soldiers confined in the Tabak hospital and shared his sentiments regarding the sacrifices of every living soldier to preserve peace and order in their area of responsibility.

Another NPA graveyard uncovered by military

2009-04-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Buug, ZamboSibugay—Military troopers from Bravo Company of the 53rd IB have exhumed skeletal remains of New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas who were alleged victims of the bloody purging by the communist party, 1Lt. Joffrey Tacusalme said.

Tacusalme added that the remains were retrieved, March 26, at the vicinity of Brgy. Bulaan, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay following a tip from a resident in the area.

The said military official disclosed that they dug up skeletal remains of two male persons who were both hogtied with nylon ropes in their arms; whose shirts bore bullet holes, an indication that they were shot before being dumped in a cave located in the area.

“For male victims they are going to hogtie and burry them alive and for females, they are going to hang them to death. We can only imagine how the communist guerillas tortured these people during Oplan Ajos,” Colonel Alexander Dicang, commanding officer of the 102nd Brigade.

Dicang, who supervised the exhumation with the 53rd IB along with members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of Zamboanga Sibugay PNP Provincial Office and media personalities, surmised the two dug up remains were among the thousands the NPA purge from their organization in the late 80’s, a move to cleanse the NPA ranks from suspected DPA’s from the military.

In April 2007, a similar mass grave was first uncovered in Sitio Moningning, Bulaan where as many as 15 skeletal remains were unearthed by the 53rd IB and members of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR).

Barangay Bulaan and its neighboring villages are classified by the military as one of the lairs of the NPA insurgents under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) Front Committee Cara.

Dicang disclosed that at present, the NPA have already abandoned the area due massive military operations and were now holed up somewhere in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, between the boundaries of Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte called Centro de Grabidad Uno.

On the status of strength and threats of peace and order, the NPA is now on the third place, following the MILF and MNLF and the dreaded ASG lost commands.

Meanwhile, MGen Romeo Lusestica, 1st Infantry Division chief, commended the 53rd IB troops for a job well done.

Palermo is new police chief

2009-04-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo is the new boss in charge of the Pagadian City Police Station.

Palermo sits in the place of C/Insp. Parson Juljani Asadil, who will be posted for the meantime at Camp Abelon.

Palermo’s placement is seen to be a big boost in the provincial and city government’s crusade to stomp out illegal drugs in Zamboanga del Sur.

Mayor Samuel Co has accepted Palermo’s appointment from the PNP regional office, April 1, and assured the policeman of the mayor’s support when he made his courtesy call and first day of reporting for duty.

A native of Iloilo City and a graduate of PNPA Batch 2000, Palermo formerly head the PNP station in Dumalinao, ZamboSur from October 2008 until March 31, 2009.

His first assignment was at the City Police District in the National Capital Region Police Office (NCR-PO) in June 2001 and stayed there for one year. He was later reassigned to the 9th Regional Mobile Group in Zamboanga City in 2003.

He was chief of the PNP intelligence on December 2003 and once was the chief of police of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur in 2004 and was part of the Special Operation Group.

January to October 2006, Palermo was designated to led the 905th Police Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) and thereafter was sent to join the UN Mission in East Timor.

Last year, he completed his Officers Advance Course.

Remembering Ipil’s darkest day

2009-04-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

FEATURE STORY BY PING DELIVERIO

Ipil was a peaceful place until April 4, 1995, when a group of bandits numbering more than 200 and masquerading themselves as soldiers, attacked the commercial center, gunned down men, women and children, looted banks and seized money from the stores. And before they left, they set everything on fire, leaving the commercial center virtually smoldered to ruins, the entire town terrorized and traumatized and shocked the whole nation.

The outlaws began arriving on the evening of April 3 and continued on the next morning on board Lilian buses, trucks and some on the beachheads through pumpboats. People didn’t take much notice on them presuming that they were just government soldiers as they were in complete uniforms carrying rifles. But one witness observed that although they were on fatigue uniforms, the rank and battalion insignias stitched on their uppers were upside down. Too late did they realized that they were bandits when at around 12:30 pm, the first shots were fired killing instantly one military officer who was only eating inside a restaurant.

They right then wreaked havoc on the town’s commercial center killing everyone on sight or those who got in the way as they looted banks, shops, restaurants and stores. Among the first fatalities were the policemen who were overwhelmingly outnumbered. The men went from store to store emptying cash registers and firing wildly. Witnesses even saw some of them bringing along beverages on one hand and while the other hand an armalite or an AK-47 rifle firing viciously. A security guard of a bank was shot but managed to down two bandits before succumbing to death because of mortal wounds. When a bank assistant manager told them he can’t open the vault, they shot dead 2 bank personnel along with the security guards. The men blasted open another bank vault with a rocket propelled grenade.

As if the havoc and decimation were not enough, the raid’s leader then shouted “Impyerno!” – and the men started to set fire on the entire business center of Ipil. Eventually the town was ablazed with fire while its people who were hiding inside the shops and stores got out scampering for safety. Some were not lucky enough as they were caught with the fire inside the edifices and buildings. Bebot Zamora was a high school student then when he witnessed the horrific event. Now he knows that a person get so small and so blackened when charred with fire, he said.

When the firefighters on board a fire truck drove in, its driver was shot in the head. At around 3:00 pm, while Ipil was burning, the men casually began to withdraw from the town bringing along civilian hostages. Later in afternoon, the government troops began to arrive. Helicopters gunships swooped down on the fleeing terrorists and the hostages, while soldiers on foot engaged the men in a running gunbattle. The battle resulted with 14 fatalities from the raiders, 5 hostages and 3 soldiers dead.

The carnage of Ipil 14 years ago only lasted a little more than two hours but it left behind 48 dead, 44 wounded and around a hundred million worth cash taken and properties destroyed. Left among the ruins is a white flag printed with the words, “Abu Sayyaf.”

MisOc tackles solutions to fiscal crisis

2009-04-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—The solution to the economic crisis already being experienced by Filipinos is the main concern of the recently convened meeting called for by the Ozamiz City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (OCCIFI), the Provincial Government and the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The whole day event gathered together technical and experts from the DTI, DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, NFA, DAR, CPDOs, Philhealth, SSS, LBP and the BIR to share their expectations at the summit on the global economic crisis.

Former councilor and mediaman Gregorio Libor Jr., who acted as information officer of the event to the local media, said that the summit tackled and looked at the urgency for changes and tighter common systems and regulation in addressing the financial crunch.

Libor added that the representatives and experts invited to talk on the summit offered possibilities and movements on emergencies and bailouts by helping launch what he called a framework for cushioning the impact of the crisis.

Dubbed the Provincial Economic Summit, the said gathering is for the benefit of the Misamisnons while addressing the fiscal crisis which might take place in the province in the coming months, added Elvira Tan, Philippine Chamber regional governor for Northern Mindanao.

Tan, in an earlier conversation with Panguil bay monitor last July has already said that the global crisis is for real, as she mentioned that even in Manila and in several economic zones located in Northern Philippine regions, manufacturers who employed hundred or thousands of Filipinos have started to feel the effect of the crisis and were laying off their employees.

“Na feel na gyod nila because a lot of them are even closing,” she said.

A report from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has stated that as many as 200,000 Pinoy workers throughout the country may be retrenched from their jobs.

The NEDA likewise revealed that about seven out of every 100 Filipinos, aged between 15 and 55, who want to have gainful employment, may fail to find a job.

In the face of the growing unemployment, Tan said the Ozamiznon can do his or her share by doing some cost-cutting measures.

“Magtoon ta og save. Kung kusog ka mo-load sa imong cellphone para sa call og text, minusi gamay. Kung mosakay ta, mag-carpool na lang kaysa mag-tagsa-tagsa. Kung mahilig ta mag-lunch outside pwede man magbalon na lang ta. Let us also learn to save energy, atoang minusan ang oras sa paggamit sa atong aircon,” Tan said.

“Together we can do something to arrest this problem. Kung dili pa man gani kaayo nato makita ang krisis karon sa atong lugar pero later ang cascading effect ma-feel ra ni nato,” she added.

‘Atoang i-condition ang atong kaugalingon even though naanad na ta sa kalisod. Matabang ra ni tanan if we only change our lifestyles. Ang gobyerno daghan man og programs to cushion the situation. We will monitor that theses programs will come to the provinces and people will see and feel that the government is doing something for them,” Tan stressed.

We, people can be part of the solution also,” she concluded.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Backyard riches will solve crisis

2009-03-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

OZAMIZNONS don’t need to dig gold to take the edge off the worldwide economic crunch affecting them, they only need till their backyard and do crop growing to solve hunger and outlast the crisis.

These were the words of councilor Nova Princess Echavez last week, as she said that she wanted every resident to practice diligence and industry in order to survive.

“Sa panahon sa krisis, usa ra ang tumong sa tawo, survival ra. Sa akong nakita, very unique atong lugar kay anaa nato tanang resources. Ang atong katawhan sa kabaybayonan anytime makapangisda sila u gang sa kabukiran pwede man sila mananom,” she said.

But the first councilor said that if residents will only make use of the rich resources around them, they will get enormous benefit, citing for example the water system projects the local government installed in rural villages.

“Pero wala nato ni gamita sa pagpatubig sa atong mga tinanom, gihimo ra natong tubig sa panglaba. Hopefully, adunay makat-onan ang mga tawo bahin sa maong gasa. We will persuade our rural folks to plant vegetables,” she added.

“Naay advantage para nato kung maningkamot lang ta, mayo unta makita ni nga effort sa katawhan sa kabarangayan.,” Echavez hoped, as she assured this paper that she will speak to the agriculture and aquaculture officials on how to spruce up the seaweed growing business in the city and the undertakings in vegetable gardening.

A similar tack promoted by the provincial government named Food Always in the Home (FAITH) also promotes home and community gardening to increase dietary diversity and to achieve food security in the homes.

The said program is an offshoot of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) pilot program in promoting backyard gardening as nutritious food source and serve as a community beacon for advocacy of a healthy diet.

The FAITH program has been implemented by local government units and non-government organizations in both urban and rural areas nationwide.

“We will not wait for the problem to overtake us. Let us focus on food production and let us not get ourselves affected by the crisis,” she said.

Meanwhile, Echavez’ attitude is also being shared by former city vice mayor Elvira Tan, who is also the Philippine Chamber regional governor for Northern Mindanao.

Tan, in an earlier huddle with journalists, said: “Ang atong global crisis is for real” as she mentioned that even in Manila and in several economic zones located in Northern Philippine regions, manufacturers who employed hundred or thousands of Filipinos have started to feel the effect of the crisis and were laying off their employees.

“Na feel na gyod nila because a lot of them are even closing,” she said.

A report from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has stated that as many as 200,000 Pinoy workers throughout the country may be retrenched from their jobs.

The NEDA likewise revealed that about seven out of every 100 Filipinos, aged between 15 and 55, who want to have gainful employment, may fail to find a job.

In the face of the growing unemployment, Tan said the Ozamiznon can do his or her share by doing some cost-cutting measures.

“Magtoon ta og save. Kung kusog ka mo-load sa imong cellphone para sa call og text, minusi gamay. Kung mosakay ta, mag-carpool na lang kaysa mag-tagsa-tagsa. Kung mahilig ta mag-lunch outside pwede man magbalon na lang ta. Let us also learn to save energy, atoang minusan ang oras sa paggamit sa atong aircon,” Tan said.

“Together we can do something to arrest this problem. Kung dili pa man gani kaayo nato makita ang krisis karon sa atong lugar pero later ang cascading effect ma-feel ra ni nato,” she added.

‘Atoang i-condition ang atong kaugalingon even though naanad na ta sa kalisod. Matabang ra ni tanan if we only change our lifestyles. Ang gobyerno daghan man og programs to cushion the situation. We will monitor that theses programs will come to the provinces and people will see and feel that the government is doing something for them,” Tan stressed.

We, people can be part of the solution also,” she concluded.

Another report, this time from IBON, published in September, last year entitled “Philippines Vulnerable to Global Financial Crisis,” declared that government’s economic strategies have made the Philippine economy overly vulnerable to external factors.

“The chronic dependence on exports, foreign investment and debt– including official development aid that ends up as foreign debt– is at the heart of the economy’s vulnerability. Economic relief measures are thus urgent as the people will bear the brunt of the effects of the global crisis on the Philippine economy,” the article said.

“Drops in US consumption and investments will be deeply felt as the largest part of Philippine exports directly or indirectly goes to the US. Around 20% of foreign investment in the country comes from the US. Further, some 20% of exports already directly go to the US but a large part of exports to Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia which take up another 50% of exports, are actually components for assembly into products whose final destination is still the US. Slower growth in third party countries that depend on the US and which the Philippines deals with will also have adverse effects on Philippine exports manufacturing.”

“Even the vaunted local information technology (IT)-enabled industry will be likely hit hard because of its considerable dependence on the US market, further aggravated by the continued peso appreciation.”

“Slow global growth could restrain OFW deployments and slow down remittances which will reduce domestic consumption. The global financial crunch could also result in further cuts in the salary and benefits of OFWs as employers react to the crisis. All this highlights the folly of government economic strategies which unduly rely on external factors instead of creating jobs and producing goods by building domestic agriculture and industry.”

“It is becoming all the more urgent for the government to put a stop to failed policies of globalization. Beyond the immediate economic relief, much more meaningful over the longer term is to focus all efforts to build a genuinely self-reliant domestic economy,” it continued.

Villar’s party takes footing in MisOc

2009-03-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY--The Nacionalista Party (NP), the country’s oldest political party, is currently consolidating its forces in Mindanao provinces, taking Misamis Occidental too by storm as several mayors from the first district jumped ship towards the NP bandwagon.

A report relayed to this paper last week stated that 11 out of the 14 municipal mayors of the province and one city mayor bolted the Lakas-Kampi coalition and took their oath of allegiance to NP.

The move in the local scene is seen as part of the aggressive campaign to support NP’s head and presidentiable Manny Villar and his priming for 2010.

The NP, according to its website, “has the distinction of being the most enduring political party not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.” The said party has already in its roll six Presidents as well as a stellar cast of congressmen and senators.

The same source who provided this paper with the documents of the oath-taking and its meeting held in Plaridel said that among those who took their pledge as new NP members are Vice Gov. Francisco Paylaga Jr. and board members Inocencio Pagalaran Jr, Franklin Omandam, Rolando Regalado and Edilma Bulawin, all from the first district.

Also, Oroquieta City mayor Jorge Almonte and his councilor son, Jason took their oaths along with Vice Mayor Henry Famas.

Meanwhile, the mayors who bolted from the ruling party were identified by the source as Mayors Jimmy Regalado of Aloran, Rey Limquimbo of Jimenez, Roxannie Marie Paylaga of Panaon, Zenaida Azcuna of Lopez Jaena, Agnes Villanueva of Plaridel, Luisito Villanueva Jr. of Calamba, Haneya Theresa Chiong of Baliangao, Benjamin Pelota Jr. of Concepcion, Virginia Animas of Sapang Dalaga, Delia Lood of Sinacaban and Estella Obut of Tudela.

Vice mayors Tayo Dulalas of Lopez Jaena and Agne Yap Sr. of Baliangao also joined forces with Villar’s party.

It was learned that the new NP members, in a caucus held during their conference, decided to field Jimenez vice-mayor Jim de los Santos to run for board member.

The same source likewise intimated that Villar, in his attendance during the said conference, wanted former political enemies in the province to reconcile “for the sake of development”, thus former Oroquieta mayors Ernie and Nancy Bandala and ex vice-mayor Lemuel Acosta is said to be amenable with the approach of Villar’s group.

Meanwhile, two political figures always seen with Villar nowadays is Mayor Ernie Clarete and Paylaga, who is rumored to be runniNg for his dreamed gubernatorial seat soon to be vacated by Gov. Loreto Ocampos.

Last week, the camp of Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad has announced his bid for the Capitol seat. Such declaration was confirmed by Bernad’s media staff George Anngot and Fernando Dumanjug.

Ocampos, chair of the 80-man provincial governors’ league and a favorite of President Gloria Arroyo is rumored to be eyeing the representation of the second district next year, which will also to be given up by the graduating Herminia Ramiro.

In 2007, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, himself a three-termer, would joke mediamen that he is aspiring also for governor. “Hulata ko ninyo didto,” he would say in jest.

This late, the mayor said he is losing interest in the Capitol, a statement which gave birth to grapevines bouncing back and forth inside City Hall that the chief executive is also eyeing Bernad’s post.

First rumored to run for congressman, then city mayor, Bernad’s ambition in politics is difficult to keep track, according to media pundits and political analysts.

But DxSY announcer Antonio Lago, in a conversation with this paper last January, predicted he is sure Bernad will surely aim for the highest provincial seat.

“A Bernad will definitely make a comeback in the Capitol,” Lago explained, recalling that Kaloy’s grandfather, the indefatigable Don Anselmo, once served as governor in the 1940’s.

“Another Bernad sitting in the Capitol is possible, kay kining apelyedoha kaluha na sa politika,” Lago said, narrating the Bernad’s family tree of politicians.

The late Fernando Bernad, Kaloy’s father, served as this city’s mayor for a time before tasting defeat in the late 80’s when he ran for congressman in the second district against Hilarion “Nonoy” Ramiro Jr. by an insignificant margin.

As for Herminia, no pronouncement was made by her yet although she jokingly acknowledged media’s hint last December that she will probably throw her hat in the race for the Capitol.

As this developed, Mayors Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Jennifer Wee Tan of Tangub City are the only executives still with the Lakas-Kampi camp.

With Parojinog and Tan are Mayors David Navarro of Clarin, Samson Dumanjug of Bonifacio and Don Victoriano’s Annabel Hamoy.

March 15, a new survey conducted by University of the Philippines students showed Villar leading the top presidential race in the May 2010 polls with majority of the respondents saying they will vote for him as president.

Walk in hope, gratitude and dignity

2009-03-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

The infant FRONTLINE MINDANAO is conceived in faith, hard work and determination. Now that it is born, struggles to stand up and walk among men, it has to walk in hope gratitude and dignity.

But that does not apply to Frontline Mindanao alone. Walking in hope, gratitude and dignity had been, is now and should be our living commitment, our life, our daily struggle to survive in these truly hard times.. It applies to all of us.

We don't walk "with" because that would mean having them only as company. Hope, gratitude and dignity "must" be in our system, in our personality and in our chraracter.

Hope is planted, not merely hanged or placed in a sacred corner. Look at the farmer, he plants in the hope that what he has planted will grow, bear fruit and be harvested. We. too, plant hope when we wake up in the morning and step on the ground to pursue another day's hard work. Otherwise, one who no longer holds hope won't have the strength even to rise from bed. Hope is the very thing that inspire us to aspire for better lives.

Gratitude is the one that keeps us praying, thanking and petitioning the Great Gratifier, the Almighty Father. Gratitude is the mark of a good man or woman, for without it, we won't even have respect for our parents. Gratitude also drives us to look at living things around us with admiration, care and beneficial purpose. It is gratitude that makes us recognize the good things done and meaningful contributions of others to peace, harmony and progress. Gratitude helps us recognize that we are only here on this Earth to be trained and tested, if we deserve to return to the presence of the Father and our Savior already clothed with immortal bodies and eternal spirits enjoying the rewards we deserve in the eternities.

Dignity, that makes us stand with our heads up, is the thing that is often ignored, disregarded and taken for granted. Look, why do we dress and even want to dress better? Why do we seek to learn and even struglgle to earn a profession? Why do we work hard and, seek for improvement and happiness (which is the object of living)?
However, it is sad and lamentable to note that , because of greediness, due to overwhelming difficulties and because of lack of opportunities, not a few among us have squandered dignity and even throw it to the waste disposal pit. Greediness by those who lie, cheat, steal and even kill for money or power or for both. Difficulties by those who suffer poverty and deprivation and resort to fould means in earning their living. Lack of opportunities, by those who have succeeded in earning a profession but has nowhere to put their talents and skills to productive use. Dignity, at times, is lost due to laziness, indolence and dependence.

Since we are facing an election year, it is incumbent upon all good, well-meaning and responsible citizens (particularly you, who is reading right now) to walk in hope , gratitude and dignity. Hope that the best candidates will still win without spending so much; gratitude for being given the opposrtunity to exercise our God-given right of political empowerment and dignity that no amount of money, terrorism and cheating can bend our individual wisdom and courage to vote freely.

Frontline Mindanao will spearhead the way everyone should and must walk.

Priest condemns killing of Ozamiz broadcaster

2009-03-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL MEDINA

Editor-in-chief

OROQUIETA CITY--Resident priest Fr. Arnold Daplin Has condemned the killing of Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin; who was shot within the parochial jurisdiction of the pastor.

Daplin added he condoles with Rollin’s family as he called on the police to investigate, immediately arrest and prosecute the killers.

As of this writing, the self imposed countdown by media on police work for the solution of Rollin’s case is now on its 22th day.

“The church cannot discount an attempt to stifle press freedom, which is highly condemnable,” Daplin said.

Rollin, commentator of DxSY based in Ozamiz City, was shot dead by two assassins riding in a motorcycle at the national highway of Brgy. Talic while waiting for a public transport.

PNP Provincial Director Leonilo Cabug declared that they are still corroborating the angles of love triangle, property dispute, politics and drugs.

But Bukagan Chronicle, in its maiden issue dated Feb. 15-22, said Ocampos could not be discounted as among the alleged suspects in the death of Rollin because he has been consitently mentioned by Rollin in his radio program.

This premise was even mentioned by Ocampos to reporters during his visit to the Philippine Army’s Tabak Division in Pulacan Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur when he attended the turn-over of the new Tabak chief.

“Even I am considered as a suspect after Ka Ernie lambasted me for two weeks in his radio program,” Ocampos was quoted as saying.

“Task Force Usig,” a special investigating body created by DOJ has designated the NBI and the CIDG from Manila as the lead agency to conduct the investigation following the petition thru a resolution of the CSO-FP-MEDIA Fact Finding Team questioning the legality of the task force created by Ocampos.

The said group has requested the DOJ to create an independent body or a special team to avoid the partiality of the case.

The group also said in their information paper that it has presented to the DOJ their evaluation and recommendations based on the actual facts that only two out of the four angles are valid for justified reasons and that in their paper they are putting forward the political aspect as the possible motive that led to the killing of Rollin.

The fact finding team, which is based in Iligan City, has informed this paper that “Task Force Usig,” accordingly has identified the two suspects,

Although sketchy, the said report claimed that the one who voluntarily surrendered was the gunman. His identity though is still withheld due to the ongoing probe.

But Cabug dispelled the report as “flase and uncorroborated.”

On other hand, Daplin urged his parishioners to offer prayers for the soul of the slain radio personality.

The cleric said if there is no end to the senseless killings of broadcasters, it is because the perpetrators have been emboldened by the failure of law enforcers to solve past cases of neither media slayings nor arrest and prosecute the culprits.

Daplin challenged the law enforcement authorities of this province to exert more effort in breaking up gun-for-hire syndicates and in filing criminal cases against the mercenary hit men.

“We have the Court to persecute the offender and we don’t have the right to kill anyone no matter how sinful the person is,” Daplin concluded. WITH WENDELL TALIBONG

Plaza Luz will be city’s new amusement center

2009-03-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

JONG CADION
Chief of reporters

PAGADIAN CITY—Mayor Samuel Co will transform Plaza Luz into an activity center for residents to while away the time and use the area as a recreation facility.

Co said activities in the soon to be converted amusement center will be conducted daily after all the vendors leasing the area from shopping center will be transferred to the covered court near the plaza.

“With the different activities lined up daily, many people will be able to come and see what Plaza Luz can offer them, or perhaps buy wares from the vendors selling there,” Co told this paper.

Five batches of vendors will be relocated by Co from the downtown shopping center area to Plaza Luz.

The first batch will compose of those from the front of Jollibee near Uni City. Their new location is near the road side of Benigno Aquino Street at the Plaza Luz.

It was learned that the instantaneous transfer of vendors from the shopping center area to Plaza Luz was due to the impending construction of the mayor’s priority project—a P35-million shopping mall building.

This 5-storey mall is located along Ariosa and Jamisola streets.

“I will finish this project before my next term ends,” Co said.

The city-owned mall, once finished, will then lease its commercial spaces and stalls to businessmen who will sell their merchandise or develop the spaces into franchises, supply centers or retail stores.

NFA-Zambosur has enough rice stocks

2009-03-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

JONG CADION
Chief of reporters

LEARNING from its past predicament, the provincial office of the National Food Authority (NFA) declared it has locked up enough grains and is still storing more for the rainy days.

NFA Manager Regino Delfin told this paper that about 320,000 bags of rice is being allocated for this city and Zamboanga del Sur for this year.

He added that of the given number, 160,000 bags will be shipped from Zamboanga City and the other half will arrive from Cebu shortly within this week.

The grains manager explained Zambosur will have no rice shortage since they have secured their supply for the first quarter and so far the distribution throughout is stable.

Last month, the NFA was able to start distributing its rice throughout the province in a move to cushion the increase of prices of commercial rice in the public market at present.

It was learned that less palay harvest, from 40-50 bags per hectare, like what happened in the municipalities of Mahayag and Dumingag, was a big factor in the increase of rice prices in the local market.

But overall rice inventory in Zambosur is stable, Delfin noted.

Just last February, 34,000 rice stocks from Zamboanga City arrived and the supply in the Latin city were supplemented again with 260,000 bags coming from Vietnam.

For March, another 30,000 bags of rice will be shipped to Pagadian City on staggered basis, following NFA’s marketing plan in rice distribution.

At present, there are three kinds of NFA premium rice available in the market with prices ranging between P25-P35 per kilo.

This cheap rice is being sold in all the 32 accredited outlets of the Institutionalized Bigasan sa Palengke (IBSP) and distributed to the public market of different municipalities.

IBSP is the new name of the Institutionalized Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (IBGP).

The other variety of NFA rice is continuously distributed at P16.75 per kilo and can be bought in all the 21 Tindahan Natin outlets in Pagadian and the total 142 outlets provincewide at P18.25 per kilo.

In Pagadian City alone, a total of 30 bags is allocated daily from Monday to Thursday and 60 bags during weekends to ten IBSP outlets, nine in Agora Public Market and one in San Pedro District.

Mindanao Pilgrim completes Pecojon training

2009-03-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

TAGBILARAN CITY--Three members of the editorial staff of the MINDANAO PILGRIM, Philip James Tremedal, Jong Cadion and this paper's editor, recently completed the second and final course in Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (Pecojon) Training, Feb. 28 to March 2, here.

The second training came exactly three months after the said journalists attended the first training in Cagayan de Oro City last October which tackled on intensifying a reporter’s understanding on conflict by introducing the basic concepts and practical tools on how to report conflict in a professional and conflict- sensitive way.

Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter and PECOJON trainer Ryan Rosauro said this is the first time the organizers prearranged the same batch of participants from PECOJON 1, composed of different tri-media practitioners from all over the country.

Aside from those in print, radio and broadcast, journalism teachers and students taking their masteral studies, writers and document filmmakers composed the second batch of PECOJON trainees.

All Pecojon trainings are financed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and given in collaboration with the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ) of InWEnt, Berlin.

German journalist and Pecojon-Philippines consultant Antonia Koop facilitated the training together with Julia Meyers, Ledloren Manriquez and Rosauro.

While PECOJON 1 discussed the role and influence of media in conflict situations and the problems of objectivity, including how to report violence and framing of conflict stories, PECOJON 2 dealt with all the colors of propaganda and new definitions of quality journalism using the techniques taught by PECOJON.

Also, group discussions, games and reporting were still done attempting to interpret and study the reporting strategies of conflict sensitive peace journalism, including the differences between conflict-focused and violence-focused journalism.

Most of the ponderings and discussions in the three-day activity centered on the four propaganda phases of war, strategies and tactics, the use of words in propaganda news stories and approaches in dealing with propaganda.

New SMS message on Rollin’s slay trying to muddle probe?

2009-03-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

PAGADIAN CITY—A text message, claiming to be an unofficial communication from an unnamed government agency looking into the murder of Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin, mischievously circulated last Saturday among journalists, saying one of the suspects in the killing has already surrendered.

Rollin, a block timer of DxSY-AM and based in Ozamiz City was shot dead, Feb. 23, in Oroquieta City while on his way to work.

Journalists who received the said text message were one in labeling it as “mean and provocative and implying the obvious” as they said bringing it out will not only insult them but also confuse the investigators.

“Three days after the killing of Ka Ernie, ‘Task Force Usig’ was created by DOJ appointing the NBI and CIDG Manila to lead the investigation following the petition through a resolution by the media fact finding team requesting DOJ to create an independent body to investigate and the exclusion of the task force created by Governor Ocampos,” the first part of the message said.

“Two identified suspects, ang usa voluntarily surrendered while ang usa at large. Both are allegedly provincial government employees,” the message continued.

The media community in the cities of Ozamiz, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro has since demanded for a speedy probe on the broadcaster’s killing and has initiated a countdown.

This writer, after receiving the messages from a media colleague, requested the unknown sender to name himself and verify the information.

But the sender only said: “Misurender ang suspek kay nahadlok siya kay naa pod daw gusto mopatay niya, suspek na siya sa pagpatay ni Mayor Geromo sa Molave.”

A third message, this time said: “Naa na sa kamot sa task force ang driver. Dili pa ipabalita kay gi-ready ang demanda.”

The fourth message, although imprecise, stated that the said suspect was arrested “somewhere in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.”

Neither confirming nor denying the information was accurate, NUJP national director Jovencio Godoy Jr. advised media to exercise caution in reporting about the text message.

“As soon as the task force guys will say it can be released, it’s better to keep it FYI only,” he said.

To recall, hours after Rollin was shot, Gov. Loreto Ocampos and PNP Provincial Director Leonilo Cabug disclosed in their joint statement four angles as the possible explanation of Rollin’s death.

According to Ocampos and Cabug, these angles involved a love triangle, property dispute and politics—wherein Rollin was said to be actively involved in political character demolitions job sponsored by politicians and that the broadcaster has an alleged existing case in Lanao del Norte with former Rep. Cerilo Alipio Badelles.

The fourth angle involved an unvalidated allegation, which said that sometimes Rollin is seen in company with some notorious drug lords and criminal elements in Ozamiz City.

For the past week, media practitioners from Ozamiz City led by DxSY and Ronda Balita conducted their own probe and were able to disprove the four angles.

Pol Aguaviva, a colleague of Rollin in DXSY, said the fourth angle is preposterous, adding Rollin was never in the company with drug lords and was never in any way involved in drugs.

Even Rollin’s wife, Phoebe, when interviewed, likewise said the issue of love triangle was not a significant topic since she and Rollin were separated for several years already and that as long as she recalls, there was not one instance she and Rollin’s new live-in partner have had bitterness against each other.

As to the disputed property located in one of the subdivisions here, media met with the owner, identified as Rodolfo Reyes, who said the ownership of his house was transferred in the name of Rollin legally and without encumbrances.

Reyes added that he even gave Rollin a special power of attorney to deal and do every act necessary for the sale of his house. He likewise denied the property issue was the main motive of the broadcaster’s killing.

“Bakit ko naman siya (Rollin) ipapatay eh siya ang nag-alaga sa akin at maganda ang pinagsamahan namin. Hindi totoo lahat ng mga sinasabi diyan,” he said.

For his part, Badelles told media in an interview inside his residence that the case of libel he filed against Rollin a year ago was already dismissed.

“He has approached me, talked to me and apologized already. Isip usa ka Kristiyano, ako siyang gipasaylo and I have shown lack of interest in the case also that is why it was dismissed by the regional trial court,” he said.

Badelles likewise said that he was surprised why Ocampos’ press statement included his name in one of the possible angles.

“Ang tinuod, bisag kinsay mobasa, ang impression ug perception nga molutaw morag involved ko. Gusto unta ko maghilom lang, pero mas maayo mahibaw-an sa katawhan nga layo ra sa tinuod nang maong pasangil,” he added.

Meanwhile, a report from DxDD-AM said, quoting a recent interview with Cabug, said that the police is considering business rivalry as one of the new angles.

Cabug disclosed that they are looking into Rollin’s part-time job as an insurance agent.

To recall again, Rollin's last issues he tackled before he was shot concerned the Magna Carta for Health Workers. He also commented about the vehicles issued to Provincial Board members in Misamis Occidental.

City LPG prices, supply stable

2009-03-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

JONG CADION
Chief of reporters

PAGADIAN CITY--The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), particularly Gasul, is now all right after the unpredictable damage and repair of the storage facility in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental last February.

This assurance came from Councilor Jesus “Jun” Bajamunde after Mindanao Monitor asked him whether the short supply of LPG in the city was a result of hoarding or not.

Bajamunde owns Pagadian Gas, which obtains filled LPG at the Petron Gasul Bailing Station in the neighboring Misamis Occidental.

“Our supply now is back to normal following the repair of our storage facilities in Jimenez,” Bajamunde explained.

It was learned that the gasul supply allocation in Pagadian and the rest of the province was reduced to half after the malfunction of spiral tank storage in Jimenez.

Some 8,000 cylinders of gasul cylinder are sold by Pagadian Gas weekly. These composed of both the 11-kilogram and the commercial 50 kilogram, Bajamunde added.

A Weekly Price Monitoring Report forwarded by DTI-Zambosur dated March 6 listed a decrease in LPG products at an average of P20 per 11-kg tank.

The DTI paper listed the price of Gasul, Shellane and Caltex LPG at P580 while Pryce Gas and Petronas Gas are sold P10 cheaper.

Ozamiz media shout justice for Ka Ernie

2009-02-25T17:38:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY—Saying the killing of commentator Ernesto “Ka Ernie” Rollin is big affront to the freedom of the press, Times Broadcasting Network Corp. (TBNC), which owns DXSY, released its statement saying it will do everything in its influence and resources to get to the murderer and mastermind.

Aida Ong Sy, TBNC president, said: “Tao ang pinatay nila, hindi tama yun. We will have justice.”

“If I have to do everything even if I’ll have to turn the world upside down, gagawin ko. I am giving you this solemn promise,” she added.

Rollin, a blocktimer of DxSY, was shot dead in front of his live-in partner, Monday, Feb. 23, in Oroquieta City while on his way to work.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) listed him as the eighth journalist killed this year and the 63rd during President Gloria Arroyo’s term.

“Ganitong mga pangyayari, this cannot go unpunished. Akala nila pwede na lang basta ganyan ang gagawin nila sa mga taga-media,” Sy said, condemning the dastardly act.

“Its high time the PNP will impress us and do its job better in going after the perpetrator,” she added.

Rollin, who was a staunch critic of certain public figures, including Gov. Loreto Ocampos, will be interned Saturday, Feb. 28.

NUJP-Ozamiz, through Jovencio Godoy Jr. and President Ryan Rosauro condemned the shooting and called on authorities to conduct a no-nonsense investigation and arrest the suspects.

“We condemn in the strongest sense the killing of our colleague, radio broadcaster Ernesto "Ka Ernie" Rollin. The brutality that he suffered in the hands of his assailants is not befitting of a civilized way of life,” the chapter statement reads.

“Like other attacks on journalists, the slaying of Ka Ernie has cast more shadow of gloom over press freedom and adds to the continuing mockery of Philippine democracy.”

“Granting that the attackers and/or their mastermind have scores to settle with Ka Ernie, the four gunshots that ended his life clearly are not the appropriate way for this.”

Meanwhile, two of the angles presented by PNP Provincial Director Leonilo Cabug in his official statement with that of Ocampos were already disproved by the community media as mere speculations after the parties vehemently denied their role in Rollin’s death.

To recall, both Cabug and Ocampos gave media their joint official statements the same morning a few hours after Rollin was shot.

Their statement condemned Rollin’s killing and called it a "big blow and grave offense to press freedom."

"The dynamics of a democratic society hinges in a free flow of information, exchange of ideas, and respect to one's opinion and tolerance to the thoughts of others," both officials said.

Ocampos added that he has ordered the PNP to form a task force and conduct a special investigation on the matter and bring the culprit to the bar of justice with no stones left unturned.

The governor likewise disclosed in his press statement that from his initial meeting with Cabug, four angles were looked into as the possible explanation of the broadcaster's killing.

Ocampos and Cabug listed four angles, which involved a love triangle, a property dispute and politics—wherein Rollin was said to be involved in political character demolition job sponsored by politicians critical to the government during elections.

The fourth angle was the unvalidated allegation that Rollin was sometimes seen in company with some notorious drug lords and criminal elements in Ozamiz City.

But Pol Aguaviva, DxSY broadcaster and a colleague of Rollin, told this paper that the fourth angle is preposterous. He added that he can vouch for Rollin’s credibility and that he was never in any way involved in drugs or in the company of druglords.

Yesterday, the media interviewed Rollin’s wife, Phoebe, who said that the issue of love triangle was not a significant topic since she and Rollin were separated for several years already and that as long as she recalls, there was not one instance her husband lifted a finger against her.

As to the disputed property located in one of the subdivisions here, media met with the owner, identified as Rodolfo Reyes, who said the ownership of his house was transferred in the name of Rollin legally and without encumbrances.

Reyes added that he even gave Rollin a special power of attorney to deal and do every act necessary for the sale of his house. He likewise denied the property issue was the main motive of the broadcaster’s killing.

“Bakit ko naman siya (Rollin) ipapatay eh siya ang nag-alaga sa akin at maganda ang pinagsamahan namin. Hindi totoo lahat ng mga sinasabi diyan,” he said.

New seminar offers tips, tricks on good housekeeping

2009-02-23T01:32:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY--A newly slated seminar on good housekeeping focusing meal preparation, control of house property, ensuring its maintenance and proper use and appearance and managing other domestic concerns will be held, Feb. 24-25, this city at the Brgy. Aguada Hall.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Northern Mindanao regional governor Elvira Tan said the two-day seminar will tackle on comprehensive housekeeping and is open to all interested househelps and prospective domestic helpers who are applying jobs abroad.

A housekeeper is a person responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of premises, usually residential.

Abroad, the said work is being classified into three: industrial–those responsible for the cleaning of institutional premises; servant—those in the maintenance of the interior of a residence; and hotel— a department that supervises the maids responsible for cleaning the rooms of a hotel or motel.

The comprehensive housekeeping seminar, Tan added, is being initiated by the Ozamiz City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Ozamiz Chamber), in collaboration with the local government and Department of Tourism-10.

The first among the four designed trainings to be conducted this year by the Ozamiz Chamber, the said seminar will introduce participants to housekeeping programs and give them the necessary guidelines in workplace organization.

This qualification is packaged from the competency map of the Tourism Sector (Hotels and Restaurants) as key speakers from the DOT regional office will conduct the training, divided into lectures and applications.

Competencies to be learned in the seminar will range from managing workplace diversity, finances within a budget to quality customer service, providing safety of VIPs

Tan added that they initiated this kind of activity for the benefit of those wanting to get employed as domestic helpers abroad and even as maids in the locality.

For his part, Ozamiz Chamber President Dominador Elemento told media in a press conference that interested participants need to pay a registration fee of P100 for chamber members and P150 for non-chamber members.

“Graduates of this seminar will be able to get priority in employment wherever one applies for work here and abroad beacuse of the competencies he or she learned,” he said.

Meanwhile, DOT-10 Regional Director Catalino Chan III will be present during the closing activity and will hand over the certificates to the graduates.

Other coming seminars set to be conducted within this year are waitering, front desk operations and bartending.

Those interested are requested to contact the Ozamiz Chamber at Telefax (088)521-1327, Text 09283101083 or visit their office at Rural Bank Bldg., Bonifacio Ext., Aguada, this city.

Ozamiz broadcaster shot dead

2009-02-22T22:22:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OROQUIETA CITY—A radio commentator was dead on the spot after an assassin shot him at close range while on his way to work around 530 a.m, Monday, Feb. 23.

Police identified the victim as Ernesto "Ka Ernie" Rollin, 52, a radio announcer of DxSY-AM based in Ozamiz City.

He also maintains a blocktime program in one of the local stations here during weekends.

Rollin, known for his slogan "Ang Magbalantay sa kaban sa katawhan," was with his live-in partner, Ligaya, when the shooting happened.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) listed him as the eighth journalist killed this year, two months after another broadcaster from Northern Samar was shot last December.

Last Jan. 21, a gunman shot dead Badrodin Abas, anchor for a radio block time program in Cotabato City.

In an interview with Ligaya, she narrated that they were waiting for a bus bound for Ozamiz that morning at the waiting shed near Seaoil gas station in Brgy. Talic when two men riding a motorcycle suddenly arrived and without provocation, shot Rollin three times.

"Abi nako og ang ligid sa motor ang mibuto. Nagpaka-paka man, wala lang pod ko nag-mind. Pagtan-aw nako ni Ernie misarasay na man sa kalsada. Paglili nako dunay miduol nga laki, giwakli ko niya dayon gipusil niya sa ulo si Ernie," she said.

This shot in the head killed Rollin outright.

Ligaya hinted that Rollin's tirades over the radio on certain public figures may have something to do with his shooting.

The local NUJP chapter in Ozamiz, through Jovencio Godoy Jr., condemned the shooting and called on authorities to conduct a no-nonsense investigation and arrest the suspects.

Godoy, in a text message to this paper, said Rollin's death should prod local media to make a howl of protest so that the trend of killing community journalists will be stopped.

“We condemn in the strongest sense the killing of our colleague, radio broadcaster Ernesto "Ka Ernie" Rollin. The brutality that he suffered in the hands of his assailants is not befitting of a civilized way of life,” the statement reads.

“Like other attacks on journalists, the slaying of Ka Ernie has cast more shadow of gloom over press freedom and adds to the continuing mockery of Philippine democracy.”

“Granting that the attackers and/or their mastermind have scores to settle with Ka Ernie, the four gunshots that ended his life clearly are not the appropriate way for this.”

In light of the incident, NUJP-Ozamiz urged authorities to conduct a no-nonsense investigation on Ka Ernie's slay and be steadfast in enforcing the law no matter who the suspects of the crime are.

“We call on our colleagues in local news media practice to maintain, if not improve further, our unity in order to surmount this seemingly incessant threat that undermines a no-nonsense dispatch of our duties as bearers of truthful information that the public ought to know of,” the statement continued.

“We also call on media watchdog groups to help us look over the performance of our law enforcement agencies in solving this case. Let us not be cowed by this act of cowardice lurking under the destructive power of the gun.”

As this developed, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Misamis Occidental chair Delia Rosal said: "This will not be the end for broadcast people to do their jobs. Maybe not of the same quality as that of Rollin, pero amo lang paningkamotan gyod nga mapabarog namo ang kaisog aron mahatod ang kasayuran sa inadlaw-adlaw nga panghitabo dinhi sa atong lugar."

For his part, PNP Provincial Director Leonilo Cabug has said in a statement that they are conducting a manhunt operation against the bonnet-wearing suspects who fled towards Ozamiz.

Both Cabug and Gov. Loreto Ocampos has forwarded their joint official statements condemning Rollin's killing and calling it a "big blow and grave offense to press freedom."

"The dynamics of a democratic society hinges in a free flow of information, exchange of ideas, and respect to one's opinion and tolerance to the thoughts of others," both officials said.

Ocampos added that he has ordered the PNP to form a task force and conduct a special investigation on the matter and bring the culprit to the bar of justice with no stones left unturned.

The governor likewise disclosed in his press statement that from his initial meeting with Cabug, four angles were looked into as the possible explanation of the broadcaster's killing.

According to Ocampos, one of the angles involved love triangle, wherein the victim reportedly has a pending case of alleged concubinage after he was known to have a live-in-partner in Oroquieta and another one in Ozamiz.

Another is property dispute, wherein Rollin is making a claim that he has bought and paid a house and lot in Ozamiz and that the owner of the said property is contesting over his claim.

"Ka Ernie is publicly known as a paid political operator actively involved in political character demolition job sponsored by politicians during elections. He has an alleged existing case in Lanao del Norte with former Rep. Cerilo Alipio Badelles," Ocampos said.

"There is also an unvalidated allegation that sometimes he is in company with some notorious drug lords and criminal elements in Ozamiz City," the governor further said.

"As we look into these angles, we call for sobriety and calmness and for justice to take its course. We offer our prayers and deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We assure you that we will attend to this matter with sincerity and commitment," Ocampos concluded.

‘Police Aux stipends officially permitted’

2009-02-16T01:56:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY--The use of the local calamity fund appropriation for honorarium of the barangay tanod and police auxiliary training subsidy is within the bounds of the law, Councilman Matronillo “Loloy” Cartajenas said last week.

Cartajenas’ explanation corrected the much-ballyhooed slip by city councilors some observers have tried to tell this paper that the City Government’s use of the local Calamity Fund on Police Auxiliary Unit (PAU) honorarium may be an irregularity.

Under the provisions of the law, the local Calamity Fund is used only for aid, relief and rehabilitation services to communities or areas affected by man-made and natural calamities, repair and reconstruction of permanent structures, including other capital expenditures for disaster operation, and rehabilitation activities.

The finance committee chair, who provided this paper with documents which itemized and described the purpose of the questioned funds, said that the appropriation of the Calamity Fund was based on the joint memorandum circular of the budget and management department and DILG.

The said memorandum contained clarifications on the utilization and validity of annual lump appropriations by local government units for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works or services in connection with calamities.

Cartajenas pointed out that the allocation of the 5% Calamity Fund was pursuant to the said memo, under the section wherein the preparation of relocation sites, facilities, disaster preparedness training and other pre-disaster activities is prescribed.

To recall, it was in September 2008, exactly a month after the bloody siege in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte that the Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog organized ad trained some 225 barangay tanods for the PAU.

The move was for the suppression of insurgency and in the fight against criminality. The training was conducted the whole month.

Parojinog, acting on the proposal made by City Police C/Insp. Wilbur Salaguste, said his approval was based also on the provisions of RA 7160, Memo Circular 42-44, the Barangay Tanod Professionalization Program and EO 546.

EO 546, signed by President Gloria Arroyo, stressed on the role of local officials in drawing up internal security plans for their respective localities and enjoining the police in the effort of combating insurgencies and terrorism in the country.

Under EO 546, policemen are given more active roles in internal security concerns, which likewise direct them to actively support the military in suppressing insurgency and other serious threats to national security.

It also authorizes the PNP to deputize barangay tanods as “force multipliers” in the peace and order plan and in the local anti-terror drive.

Salaguste, in his letter then submitted to Parojinog with regards to the creation of the PAU, justified that even though the city is not in any way under threat by Moro extremist groups and communist insurgents, the proximity of the city to Lanao del Norte might be a a likely invitation for intrusions by breakaway groups who might cause trouble or inflict terrorist actions.

Salaguste then assured the mayor that with the deputization of the barangay tanods or PAU, streets crimes, including drug peddling, is predicted to reduce to half “and will continue to reduce to the lowest level for the next calendar year.”

“Insurgency and other threat groups will be prevented from intruding to Ozamiz City through timely report and immediate response from the PNP and PAU,” the police major added.

“Local and transient residents will ve provided with a 24/7 security in their respective homes and can sleep well without doubt of harassment and or danger.”

“Investment will rise and local employment will continue to grow because of the security imposed by the local government and the PNP,” Salaguste noted.

As of the latest reckoning, about 11o PAUs were deputized by the PNP, their creation and honorarium totaling some P2,438,105.

These PAUs were issued uniforms, all totaling P180,400 while their logistics, which includes flashlights, handcuffs, medicines and shotguns totaled P324,090.

With each PAU receiving P2,000 a month, all in all, these personnel receive a total P880,000 while P340,00 is allocated for their gasoline expenses, good for four months.

Ozamiz City airport sees more expansion

2009-02-16T01:53:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY--The uncontrollable influx of passenger departure and arrivals is nudging Transportation and Communication (DOTC) officials to widen the Benigno Aquino Jr. Airport in Gango, this city.

Presently, the airport runway lengthening works from 1,746 to 1,900 meters is already finished and Air Transportation Office (ATO) manager Napoleon Bael said his next move will be to ask for its widening in the hope that the landing strip can accommodate bigger planes.

Bael has declared in an earlier interview with PANGUIL BAY MONITOR that the airport is shifting image and is adjusting to the times by becoming a state-of-the-art airport.

Bael said that aside from the widening and asphalt overlaying works, there is also ongoing expansion of the landing field’s apron to 600 square meters in the north taxiway as well as the newly finished P4.8-million arrival building.

The passenger terminal, which also went through instant renovations, is now equipped with an electronic check-in counter manned by non-uniformed personnel to handle the flow and inspection of baggages.

For passengers, a metal detector walk-through machine was installed inside the pre-departure area where all passengers are ordered to pass by.

Bael likewise said that the 49 kilometer runway will be extended, 100 by 45 meters, in preparation for its standardization at a cost of P30-million.

“We need 2,100 meters of runway length and widen it to 45, then our next program of work will be the runway lights, we will also procure navigational aids,” he told this paper then.

“Importante kaayo ni sila aron ma-all weather na dayon ang atong airport ug bisan maot ang tiyempo ang piloto maka-landing,” he said.

An additional riverbank protection will be done by end of this year, Bael added, to tone down the attrition of the riverbanks of Labo River, which is only a few meters away from the west side of the airport.

The ATO manager added that as for now, their priority is the perimeter fencing, using the P93-million funding, after his attention was called by officials of Air Philippines in Manila who told him of their pilots’ complaints of people trespassing inside the runway.

It can be recalled that in July last year, government infrastructure overseer Sec. Cerge Remonde announced that seven airports in Mindanao will be completed, all totaling P15.51 billion.

The Benigno Aquino Jr. Airport is one of them, classified as a secondary airport under the administrative control of Pagadian Airport–Area Center VII.

Twenty-one other air terminals are programmed to be completed before President Gloria Arroyo completes her term of office in 2010.

The airport projects are designed to promote the development theme of the respective Super Regions, the intra-regional and extra-regional transport system that would make Visayas and Mindanao, and their key tourist destinations more accessible.

During her visit here last year for the airport’s inauguration, Arroyo said that the seven airports in Mindanao will help improve the transport of agricultural products as well as provide access to key tourist destinations.

Arroyo predicted the airport will be able to sustain the viability and facilitate the economic growth of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte by attracting local and foreign tourists as well as investors.

To summon up, the airport was closed in 1998 after Philippine Airlines (PAL) stopped its operations of Fokker and Sunriser planes because of the small runway, too short for their jetliners and wide-bodied aircrafts.

Also, PAL was affected by financial crisis and labor disputes during that period.

Then three years ago, extension and expansion works of the airport started again after Rep. Herminia Ramiro said she was bent on opening the airstrip after much proddings from provincial and city officials who wanted it open to complement Misamis Occidental’s hard line eco and infra tourism growth.

The airport was reopened to commercial flights on July 11, 2007 with Air Philippines offering Ozamiz-Manila and vice versa routes four times a week, then switched its flight frequency to daily owing to the huge volume of passenegers and cargoes.

Early this month, Cebu-Ozamiz-Cebu flights via PAL Express commenced using its Bombardier Q400, 76-seater plane.

Also, Cebu Pacific Air opened November, last year, with its Ozamiz-Cebu-Manila route using the ATR 72-500 plane.

“Ang nagtabang ug anhi sa atoa are three provinces—Zambsour, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte—especially now that Iligan and Pagadian airports were closed at present,” Bael said.

Travel time for the Ozamiz-Manila route at present is only between 35-40 minutes.

The Ozamiz airport is one of the 27 infrastructure projects in Mindanao given an overall P200-billion funding by Arroyo, which she wants prioritized for completion before 2010.

CPC-6 holds arts camp for kids

2009-02-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Online news contributor

PAGADIAN CITY--Some 50 pre-teens, of Subanen and Muslim heritage, attended a three-day Arts Camp workshop conducted by the Provincial Government and the CPC-6 Communication Task Force, chaired by Allan June Molde of the Provincial Information Office.

Molde said the activity centered on children, aged 12-15, to create awareness among the kids the essence of the provisions and principles of UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC).

UNICEF, which stands for United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946, which advocates for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

UNICEF’s CRC, on the other hand, is a universally agreed standards and obligations, which includes human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social—and respect for the dignity of each individual.

In 2008, Unicef released P14-million as funding support in Zambosur CPC-6’s programs and activities focusing on health and nutrition, education, local policy and institutional development, children in need of special protection and HIV-AIDS.

Molde added that children participants from the towns of Lapuyan, Midsalip, Kumalarang and Vincenzo Sagun and this city eagerly played their part in the activity, which is also in observance of February as National Arts Month (NAM).

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) observes February as NAM, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 683, and in celebration of Filipino artistry and creativity.

For this year, the celebration takes a leap by going international under the name Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF) where selected artists from different countries will converge and hold events for the PIAF with funding and support from the NCCA.

In Pagadian, the NCCA will premiere the Sambayan Philippine Cultural and Arts Festival and its year-long cultural activity.

Molde likewise said he is tapping the Kazaulogan Cultural Group led by Felimon Blanco, Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts director, who also represent the NCCA.

Joanna Calooy of Lapuyan gave her impression on the said training and declared that it enlightened her comprehension on being a Filipino.

Calooy was referring to the different creative arts workshops like drama, Subanen and Moro dances and visual arts they were presenting at the Bulwagan ng Kabataan, Provincial Government Center in Dao.

Also, Marjorie Paulin, board member of Pegompongan Megayon Getaw Nawan (PEMEGENA) and Tarhata Daligdigan, officer-in-charge of the Office of Muslim Affairs discussed on Muslim and Subanen roots.

DILG strengthen anti-drug enforcement

2009-02-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

PJTremedal
Associate Editor

Pagadian City - With DILG Memorandum Circular No.2009-09 to all LGU’s down to the barangay level strengthens the enforcement against the proliferation of illegal drugs and other substance nationwide.

Dated January 29, 2009, after the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announces publicly that she will be the next anti-drug czar. Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the DILG immediately sent the MC 2k9-09 to all concern. However, said memorandum in its coverage exempted the ARMM region.

Further, MC 2k9-09 cited the responsibilities of all local government officials down to the barangays;

“As required under Section 51 to 53 of RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 as amended, Local Chief Executive and Sanggunian members must ensure the mandatory inclusion in the Local Annual Budget of a substantial appropriation that can adequately assist in or enhance the enforcement of RA 9165 giving priority to preventive or educational programs and the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents…

And ensure that the Anti Drug Abuse Councils at all levels perform their functions and responsibilities as embodied in relevant department issuances.”

The said MC 2k9-09 also cited the sanction against anyone who will not follow the memorandum circular especially in the mandatory inclusion to its annual budget, all officials concern be subjected to a possible administrative charges of dereliction of duty.

Failing in any action against the implementation of the memorandum in appropriate enforcement of RA 9165, said officials will be charge for gross negligence, despite knowledge of the PDEA and PNP adverse reports, are considered prima facie evidence for the administrative charges.

In Zamboanga Del Sur, Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles lately announce that she is now in war against the proliferation of illegal drugs and other illegal activities in the province. And immediately call on the police and other government agencies to help and support this campaign for the betterment of the province and to ensure the future of the youth a drug free citizen.

“Enough is enough, this should be stop at all cost” she said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Director P/SSupt Ramon Ochotorena of the ZDS-PNP Provincial Command in an interview said;

“This will sharpen the teeth of our campaign against illegal drug that has been the menace of this society for a long time.”

PDEA catches Army man, pal with shabu

2009-02-11T00:55:00.000-08:00

PDEA catches Army man, pal with shabu

PJAMES TREMEDAL

Associate editor

PAGADIAN CITY—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Provincial Enforcement Office scored anew in the fight against shabu with the arrest of an enlisted military man and his companion for drug peddling.

PDEA Provincial Drug Enforcement Team leader SPO1 Faigdar Jaafar identified the two as Pfc. Musal Ingoh, a member of the 18th Infantry Battalion and a resident of New Labangan, Labangan, Zambosur and Amir Ansad, a resident of Upper Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan.

Both were riding in tandem when they were flagged by the PDEA agents along the the national highway near the Integrated Bus Terminal in Bulatok, this city.

Both Ingoh and Ansad yielded a plastic container full of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, a caliber .45 with one magazine and two cellphones.

The PDEA said the arrest of the two suspects is a buy bust operation as both suspects were apprehended while on the way to a poseur-buyer.

CDCC aids Fire Victims

2009-02-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

PJTremedal
Associate Editor

Pagadian City(update) – The City Disaster Coordinating Council convene yesterday (February 10) four hours after two purok of Barangay Santiago this city was burned down to ashes when a fire broke at 11:50 AM which according to some fire victims disclosed that because of whirling winds it escalate immediately as firemen tried to control 10 minutes after the received the fire call.

Mayor Samuel S. Co, City Mayor and chairman of the CDCC convene the council at around 5:00 and presided what must be done. An emergency relief operations was conducted to more or less 114 families affected( but later final counting was done by the CSWD turn into 135) a Barangay Hall with its Health Center, 5 room School Building of the Santiago Elementary School, and more or less 700-1000 individuals loss their homes.

CDCC also pass a resolution to the Sangguniang Panlungsod proclaiming Barangay Santiago a calamity area after the Bureau of Fire protection under F/Insp Christopher Morales declared estimated fire damage worth 30-35 million pesos.

It was decided by the city disaster coordinating council to give cash assistance of P3, 000 every families and P2, 000 for every house.

Meantime an investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection on the cause of the fire which witnesses’ allegedly pointing to one of the shanties wherein occupants while cooking left the house to do some chores.

35 pass KBP exam

2009-02-09T01:34:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA

Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY--The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has released the results of the accreditation examination held last Dec. 13, 2008 at the Misamis University, Ozamiz City.

Based on the official paper sent in by Virginia Velasco, KBP standards authority performance officer and obtained by this paper, some 35 examinees passed from among the 51 takers.

The total passing rate is 68.62 percent.

Leading the passers is Jo Ann Mae Solatorio with a 96 score.

Solatorio is the municipal accountant of Mabuhay, Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay. She is a blocktimer of DxOI, a low-power community radio based in that area.

Examinees from DxOI took the first to fifth place in the KBP exam with only Pagadian’s DxWO and DxDD tying the fourth place.

DxOI, with 13, and DxDD, with 12, composed half of the examiners. From among the stations in Ozamiz, DxSY has 8; Ronda Balita has 4, DxOC with 3 and one from MBNN-TV.

Aside from DxOI, five examinees from DxUM also took the KBP accreditation examination which is made up of multiple choice and case analysis questions.

Genelisa Piedad, an intern DxDD and the youngest among the examinees, told PANGUIL BAY MONITOR the exam was “both easy and difficult.”

She sees her passing as an employment opportunity in the future and “a license to become a professional bearer of the freedom of speech.”

The KBP exam passers will still have to undergo performance evaluation by their respective station managers before being issued KBP accreditation cards.

The evaluation results will then be submitted to the KBP provincial chapter head, who will in turn forward them to the KBP national offfice.

Those who failed will be issued temporary accreditation cards valid for five months to give them time to review and take the exam again before the card expires.

Under the KBP Broadcast Code, all personnel who go on air, including blocktimers, should be accredited to ensure that minimum standards of broadcast professionalism are met.

Khalid treats media to a party

2009-02-09T01:16:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA

Editor-in-chief

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE—Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo treated local media to a thanksgiving party the other week, thanking them for the partnership in making known the best of Lanao del Norte.

The 28-year old governor said it was his pleasure having partnered the various media outfits from Iligan, Ozamiz and Pagadian cities, including those in Lanao area.

During the party, Dimaporo recalled the accomplishment of the media in putting off the stigma of Lanao as a war-torn province and countering this with news that Lanao del Norte today is the “land of beauty and bounty.”

“This is our way of expressing our gratitude for all your continued support to the various undertakings of the provincial government and for being instrumental in delivering timely and relevant information to our constituents,” Dimaporo said.

“Together, we did a good job in promoting Lanao del Norte and I am very happy. We could not have achieve that level of promotion for the province without our media partners that’s why I would like to thank you and spend (my time) with you tonight to acknowledge your partnership with our provincial agenda to promote Lanao del Norte,” he quipped.

“This is something that we cannot achieve overnight or even in a year or two but if we persistently promote the province, sana lang, our protiomotional activity will outshine the negative media and the backlash we exprerience from the rouge MILF attacks,” Dimaporo added.

To recall, it was in April, last year, when Dimaporo called on the local media telling them that he is determined to erase the stigma of the province being portrayed as a war-torn territory.

During that first meeting with the young governor, Khalid aired his sentiment, presented his plans and projects and indulged media to publicize the province’s good points.

“There is a big improvement now in Lanao del Norte, I believe people have seen it. We have improved, ,” was his message then to media.

“But the problem is that people outside Lanao del Norte have not seen that improvement, they do not know it. They still think that our province is all bukid,” he added.

The governor cited embarrassing instances wherein footages of mountains and interior barangays are shown everytime news reports about Lanao del Norte would be tackled on national television.

“They’re not showing the Mindanao Civic Center. They’re not showing our provincial and municipal roads, our Capitol, our agricultural livelihood but only the impoverished areas,” Dimaporo lamented.

“I do not know where they get their footages but it seems like they entered an MILF training camp. That’s a bad presentation of Lanao del Norte,” he said.

“We have that stigma that we are a war-torn province, we cannot deny the fact that we have the MILF but they are in the boundaries of Lanao del Sur and their targets are the Christians along the coastal towns,” he said.

He then cited the importance of responsible journalism, where journalists show and present the correct information. “Only that can remove the stigma of Lanao del Norte,” he said.

Dimaporo further said this was the reason why he called on tri-media practitioners to a forum to present the state of developments of Lanao del Norte.

“We called upon your help to inform the people and you did it. Your were there during the times we need you the most,” Dimaporo concluded.

Cha-Cha? Yes, but not this time

2009-02-07T02:41:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY--Most politicians from Misamis Occidental are keeping an open mind on Charter Change (Cha-Cha) attempts; among them is Rep. Herminia Ramiro who said she favors constitutional amendments for uncomplicated reasons.

Cha-Cha refers to the political and other related processes involved in amending or revising the current 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Under the current constitution there are three modes of which it could be amended: people's initiative (PI), constituent assembly (Con-Ass) and constitutional convention (Con-Con).

A referendum is needed for the proposed amendments or revisions to be approved by the majority of Filipinos and then adopted.

Under President Gloria Arroyo’s administration, there were several proposals, among them a shift to a unicameral parliamentary form of government; economic liberalization; further decentralization of national government and more empowerment of local governments via transition to a parliamentary-federal government system.

To the requisites of “spreading out” more of the Constitution’s economic provisions, this is where Ramiro says she would raise her hand in approval.

“Ang Cha-Cha dili kay ilisan ang term limit (sa mga opisyales) o i-extend dili kana ang tuyo sa mga kongresista. Ang atong tuyo patsada tungod kay nagtutok kini sa economic provision. Makatabang ni og dako sa katawhan,” Ramiro explained.

Ramiro was of the same mind with DTI Sec. Peter Favila who said in 2006 that introducing amendments to the Constitution should prioritize the inclusion of liberalized economic provisions.

Congress has passed House Resolution 737, which calls for the amendment of Sections 2and 3 of Article 12 of the Constitution for the purpose of allowing the acquisition by foreign corporations and associations and the transfer or conveyance thereto, of alienable public and private lands.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles, in an interview with the Inquirer, has said this resolution would be treated like an ordinary measure that needs to pass the committee level and be approved in plenary.

The Speaker said his resolution, when brought to the plenary, could serve as a basis for raising a point of constitutional inquiry before the Supreme Court.

Nograles has pushed for the removal of the restrictive provisions in the Constitution in foreign-ownership of public lands, specifically prosposing to amend Article XII, Sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution, the provisions that hold a 60-40 production-sharing agreements and control of public land and natural resources by Filipinos and foreigners, in favor of Filipinos.

A congressional press release forwarded to PANGUIL BAY MONITOR in May, last year, quoted Nograles as saying: “At least now, I think there is really a good chance that we can finally correct the defects of our Constitution.”

Nograles, added in the press release that these defects, apart from the highly centralized system of government, is the highly restrictive provisions on land ownership for foreign investors and the mandated 60-40 equity requirement for foreign nationals who want to establish a business in the Philippines.

“These are economic provisions that have largely contributed to the slow growth of investments in the Philippines. All of our neighbors including Vietnam have already opened their economy so I don't see any reason why we can't do the same,” he said.

But as ideas on how to go about with Cha-Cha comes, even on the process of changing the economic provisions in the charter, some if not most would usually believe this goes hand in hand with the political provisions.

Nograles put this doubt to rest, saying the resolution will not pave way for introductions of amendments that will tackle on political provisions, such as term extensions.

Some 163 congressmen have affixed their signatures to Nograles’ resolution, including Ramiro.

Kampi passed another one, which calls on Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly. This, according to ABS-CBN, has mustered 156 signatures.

With this reality, all Ramiro could say was: “Okay ang charter change apan basin apeke na ang panahon even more than of the majority the congressmen are supporting this.”

In the local level, several councilors also aired their opinion on the Cha-Cha moves; one of them is Romeo Jimenez, who said that such intention is commendable but then he said that such moves were politicized leading to disagreements.

Jimenez’s colleague, Irene “Girlet” Luansing also commented: “Uyon ko naay kausaban sa atoang konstitusyon apan atoang tukion pag-ayo kay adunay mga provision nga angay dili usbon ug adunay uban nga angay usbon so dili gyod ingnon nga sa kinatibuk-an uyon ta.”

Face-to-face, Cecilia Mabanag said she is not in favor of Cha-Cha because this will bring the 2010 electoral process to a standstill, although she added that amending the economic provisions in the charter is necessary.

“Cha-Cha is good pero after na sa eleksiyon, Kinahanglan pa nga pasabton ang mga tawo. Time element is important on Cha-Cha. Kung i-open nato nang Cha-Cha karon, apeke na unya kadtong mga incumbent nga politician mopabor gyod kay na-sentro man sa 2010, so mabutang ang mga tawo moingon dayon nga interesado ning mga politiko tungod kay naa silay interes sa 2010,” butted Matronilo Cartajenas.

“Daghan kaayong mga panglantaw sa atoang mga katawhan. Karon dili pa ta angay mohimo og charter change kay dagko pa kaayo ta problema nga gisagubang sa atong nasod. Focus sa ta sa recovery,” he added.

Yes, as to Cha-Cha’s timeliness, all the councilors were one in saying it is short of time. “There are some areas of concern for Cha-Cha but not this time, maybe after 2010,” Simplicia Neri said.

“If we want to amend the constitution all must be revealed at the proper time and those that need to be changed, those that are not appropriate anymore at this time should be the ones changed otherwise ma-stagnant pod ta. Ayohon gyod og lantaw both the positive and negative aspects that will redound to the general welfare of the people,” she added.

“The marginalized sector of the society should be given preference if ever adunay Cha-Cha,” Neri noted.

“Ang pulso sa katawhan mao ang pagpadayon sa eleksiyon karong 2010, kini nga sentimento sa katawhan maoy akong respetahan sa pagkakaron. Pwede ang Cha-Cha pero after na lang sa eleksiyon,” Nova Princess Echavez says her piece.

For Maria Constancia Lim, her agreement to moves amending the charter depends on the form. “It depends on what provisions would have to be amended. The proposal is for amending the economic provisions but not to the extent that foreigners will have a full 100 percent ownership of our land or regalian estate.”

As to the contention of term extensions, Lim added that she is not in favor of charter change if this is the case.

A report by the Philippine Star dated Feb. 7 has quoted Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III of saying the real motive of President Arroyo’s House allies in the renewed Cha-cha initiative is extending the terms of office of incumbent officials.

“The lack of a provision on how to change the Charter is a big gray area, but it looks like it will be a trial balloon for a constituent assembly. If a constituent assembly is convened, the self-interests of incumbents will definitely come into play. If we really want to end all these suspicions, the best thing to do will be to have a constitutional convention with delegates to be elected during the 2010 local and national elections,” Tañada said.

Lim, in commenting, said that if what Tañada said pushes through, it will only irritate the people. “That will only cause political, social and civis unrest,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero, in an email to this paper, has called for people's vigilance against moves by administration lawmakers to push for a piece-meal change in the Constitution.

“Unless they specifically say what they want amended and how they want the Constitution amended we cannot and should not let our guards down,” Escudero said in his statement.

“Even if chacha proponents say okay we'll convene just to amend the economic provision of the constitution, anybody can stand along the way and call for a move to amend the very rule which made them convene and move to include term extension,” he added.

“What they want us to do is close our eyes and allow what could later turn out to be the rape of the Constitution.”

Escudero then advised that the President's party mates should stand down and let Cha-Cha begin in the next administration.

New eco-tourism park to rise in Pagadian

2009-02-06T19:01:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate Editor

The Pagadian City Water District (PAWAD) is opening its most treasured eco-tourism recreational area, the Manga Serenity Park.

PAWAD general manager Ed Yorong said they are closely working with the city government, through the Pagadian City Tourism Council (PCTC) and the local tourism office for the development and promotion of the park.

Manga Serenity Park is in Brgy. Manga, about 10 kilometers away from the city proper.

This mini-forest was acquired by PAWAD a few years back for its watershed project as a spring for potable water, catering more than 2,000 families.

The park covers 11.6 hectares blessed with a 20 feet waterfalls cascading down into a lagoon.

Pawad, sensing its natural and captivating beauty, decided to rehabilitate it and turn into an educational eco-tourism destination for students and tourists.

The water district made safe routes and trekking steps as well as converted the lagoon into small swimming pool. All the trees there are marked and named according to its genus.

PCTC chair and former PAWAD director introduced Manga Serenity Park last week during the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Tourism Council (ZPRTC) stakeholders meeting last week.

Meanwhile, lawyer Allan Ranillo of Dipolog City, who heads ZPRTC, said he was impressed when he visited the park and experienced its natural conveniences for himself.

Mayor Samuel Co, who was there with the ZPRTC officials, said he will support the said tourism project.

Gender council centers on women, children’s issues

2009-02-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau
Online news contributor

PAGADIAN CITY--The Provincial Gender and Development Council (PGADC) have aligned its strategies for the special protection of children, maternal health and livelihood.

Board member Felicidad Funtanilla, who is also PGADC’s vice chair, said their council will focus on these concerns, in support of Gov. Aurora Cerilles promotion of women’s rights.

“Women who are abused need help while some need to be industrious and be given programs and activities to become useful in the community,” Cerilles emphasized.

The governor, in raising public consciousness on women’s civil liberties, added that health and well-being are likewise essential for women development.

During PGADC’s meeting last week, Provincial Health Officer Corazon Silla-Ariosa presented the Gender and Development Code (GDC) of Zamboanga del Sur.

The enactment of this province GDC is for the harmonizing gender policies, plans, programs and activities of the local government unit, NGOs and Pos.

The GDC mirrors the upholding of the equality of women and men as partners in nation building and development

Also, PSWD Officer Conchita San Diego underscored the role of PGADC, which is mainly for the protection of women and children.

Safety of women and children in conflict is one issue. Even in the provision of lavatories and restrooms in shelters and evacuation centers, there should be a separate one for women. So is true with menial chores, added San Diego.

Then there’s incest and sexual abuse on women committed by blood relatives, even fathers, San Diego noted.

In line with this concern, the Home for Children in Dao was established, maintained and supervised by the PSWD.

Buried NPA arms cache digged by civilians, military

2009-02-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

GUIPOS, ZAMBOSUR—Various war equipment and subversive documents believed to be owned by suspected New Peoples Army (NPA) were unearthed by the 53rd Infantry Battalion last week.

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Gayongorza said he believes the booty is part of the CPP-NPA arms cache hidden by the rebels to keep the military from finding it while conducting its offensives in the hinterland areas of their turf.

Actually, it was from the tales of residents of Brgy. Ocapan, San Miguel which reached the ears of 2Lt. Michael Jameson Constantino of the Alpha Company that assorted war materials were buried somewhere in the area.

Army diggers found and recovered an M-16 rifle, two cal.30 M-1 Garand Rifles, a home made Shotgun, a 357 revolver, 53 rounds ammunition for M-16 and three short magazines, one O2N VHF handheld radio, three VHF radio.

There were also assorted medical paraphernalia, subversive documents that contain articles and writings of the members of Front Committee “Kara” of the Western Mindanao Revolutionary Party Committee (WMRPC).

Gayongorza said the different civic activities and welfare programs being implemented by the 53rd IB in the area have deprived the communist insurgents of mass supporters as many subsequently decided to hide their firearms and or deserted the organization.

Meanwhile, MGen. Nehemias Pajarito, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Col Alexander Dicang of the 102 Army Brigade commended the 53rd IB.

They likewise cited the bravery and openness of the civilians to tell them of the hidden arms cache.

As of this writing, the office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process is in the process of reinforcing the Social Integration Program (SIP) thru the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) for its implementation.

The PPOC, during its recent initial inter-agency meeting, has revealed that there are 21 new surrenderees in Zambosur that need government assistance.

ARMM agri extension workers train on palay check

2009-02-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

JONG CADION
Chief correspondent

COTABATO CITY—The agriculture and fisheries department of ARMM in collaboration with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-ARMM) and PhilRice has conducted a check retooling for agricultural extension workers (AEWs).

The activity was held at the Mamitua Saber Research and Training Center, Mindanao State University in Marawi City.

ATI-ARMM center manager Vadreya Solaiman said 23 AEWs from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur including Marawi City were trained to enhance their knowledge on palay-check.

This knowledge will then will replicated by the AEWs to farmers in their areas.

The Palay Check System (PCS), if properly applied, will give farmers 10-15 percent yield increase in rice production, translated to cavans per hectare.

The PCS method includes soil analysis that determines input requirement level of the soil and the use of leaf color chart.

The workshop attended by the AEWs attempted to formulate and prepare plans that will be adapted to their respective areas, and seeks to improve farmers’ productive capacity.

Engineer Alberto Pajarito and Jose Nori Buhat from PhilRice, DAF-ARMM Regional Rice Coordinator Dadtungan Radzak and Rice Report Officer Edna Bajao were the resource speakers during the duration of the training.

DAF-ARMM Sec. Keise Usman is optimistic that the knowledged learned by the AEWs would be passed on to farmers and thus will achieve its goal in helping increase rice production to ensure food sufficiency and stability in the region.

Likewise, the activity is seen to fasttrack the department’s efforts in strengthening its agri-fishery programs.

This training is the education and extension component of the FIELDS Program of President Gloria Arroyo through DA Sec. Arthur Yap with the support of ARMM Regional Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. With reports from a.

Groundbreaking of ARMM's agri-aqua training center

2009-02-03T21:44:00.000-08:00

JONG CADION
Chief correspondent

COTABATO CITY--The groundbreaking ceremony of the first agriculture and fisherfolks Training Center in ARMM was held, Jan. 29, at the ARMMIARC Center Experimental Station, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat.

The event was attended by officials of the ARMM agriculture and fisheries department led by Sec. Keise Usman, field operations director, Dr. Salik Panalunsong for research and development, Jalika Mangacop and ARMMIARC center manager Siya Belongan.

Present during the occasion were Nasser Sinarimbo, consultant and procurement specialist of Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) and ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) project manager Mustapha Sambolawan, assistant project management officer Guimpan Paidomama and team leader Norodin Lumambas

They were joined in by Exec. Sec. Datu Quirino Udasan representing Sultan Kudarat Mayor Bai Shajida Mastura Bandila and FFJJ Construction Engr. Chona Sebelleta.

The said project, according to the said officials, will mark the beginning of more programs that will enhance agriculture through extensive trainings for agricultural extension workers and farmers.

This training center will be the venue for various agricultural and fishery trainings where all the needed equipments will be provided for by DAF-ARMM.

Usman disclosed that the facility alone worth more than P500,000.00, their counterparted to JICA’s funding.

Mangacop, for her part, said the contract signing by and among DAF-ARMM, JICA, ASFP and FFJJ Construction was made last Nov. 24, 2008 at the ASFP Office in Cotabato City.

She added said that the representatives of the government and the concerned agencies underwent a pre-construction meeting for the proper implementation of the program.

Sinarimbo and Lumambas both explained that the training center is one of the 33 projects that will be constructed in the region.

Panalunsong thanked JICA for the support in various ARMM agri-fishery programs. With reports from the DAF PIO

PPOC reacts to disruptions in Zambosur’s peace and order

2009-02-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

PAGADIAN CITY—Governor Aurora Cerilles has convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) to deliberate and pass resolutions related to the present volatile peace situation in Zamboanga del Sur.

Board member Ernesto Mondarte, chair of the peace and order committee, represented Cerilles in the said meeting.

Mondarte, when interviewed, said the resolutions the PPOC passed and approved were attentive to the provincial government’s support to the no-nonsense campaign initiated by both the military and police in the province against lawless elements.

Their meeting, Mondarte added, likewise kept in mind the unpredictable situation of Zamboanga del Sur, being a coastal province and susceptible to attacks and aggression from whatever lawless elements, including rebels and pirates.

The lawmaker pointed for example the municipality of Labangan as one of the areas which is exposed and in a weak position to ward off surprise attacks given the absence of any government forces guarding its vicinities.

Two resolutions were passed by the PPOC that day. One tackled on the council’s request addressed to the the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division to establish an army detachment specifically in Barangay Combo in Labangan.

Barangay Combo, Labangan is said to be a “landing area” of unwanted visitors, pirates, robbers and lawless elements from the neighboring shores.
Mondarte said that the presence of the 1st Infantry there will keep these marauders at bay.

The PPOC’s meeting actually was an upshot of an offensive shown last week by unidentified persons who attacked an army detachment established along the Tukuran-Labangan highway intersection.

In the said midnight attack, the aggressors fired a rifle propelled grenade to the checkpoint, wounding a soldier, later identified as M/Sgt. Samuel Companion.

The quick reinforcement of the MP Company and the 53rd IB prevented more hostility.

Mondarte said the PPOC condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it an act of cowardice and terrorism.

The Hacienda Filipina and its sovereignty

2009-02-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

PJTREMEDAL
Associate Editor

Iligan City- The Hacienda Filipina and its sovereignty together the Gospel Ministry of the Holy Spirit for Salvation together with the United Humanitarian Organization, (Phils.), Incorporated based here is an non-government organization trying to intervene in the resolution for peace in Mindanao.

Her Majesty Queen Regent Salvacion Legaspi y Espiritu Santo, who leds the organization said that she is soliciting the peoples consent to be together in solving the crisis in Mindanao.

“it is for me to help and mediate and intervene, in order to support a peaceful means of exercising the rights of the ancestral lands earmarked for the Muslims thru the Sultans of Mindanao. We have to reach first the bottom and root of the problem before we can start solving the issues on claim on the Ancestral Lands,” she said.

She further explained her intention and be it a fact that there are reasons and figures why she intervene, in her letter to all the nations of the world, below are the facts in intervening the peace process which, both the government of the Philippines and the MILF should ponder upon; “The original Certificate Title No. 01-4, by the Royal Crown of England Land Form 01-1764, which was entered pursuant to the decree of 01-4 in accordance with the order of the Royal Audiencia de Manila, dated January 17, 1764.

The Royal Government of England who heard in the accordance with the provisions of the Land Laws known as the Torrens system, that Lacan Acuna (of the Tagean clan) married Princess Rowena Ma. Elizabeth Overbeck Macleod of Austria, for owning certain lands known as Hacienda Filipina consisting of 7,169 islands.

In the Treaty of Paris, originated by the Original Certificate Title 01-4, that was mediated by and between the Five Signatory of that Treaty namely: the US France, Mexico, Spain and Great Britain, witnessed by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.” It may be recalled that, after the MOA-AD-BJE controversies, Mindanao again is in the verge of another war.

Last August lawless elements from the command Commander Bravo of the MILF attack and killed innocent civilians and damage millions of properties in Kolambugan and Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte. “No one wins on war except distraction and cost of lives; now is the time to resolve and conclude critical issues in mainland of Mindanao’ in time immemorial, Ancestral Lands of both the Indigenous Peoples, the Bangsamoro People claim for self-determination, and the Local Settlers (Christians) plight for their Rights to abode and right to life, property and dignity should be respected and be acknowledge to stop this conflict and attain peace in Mindanao,”

Her Majesty concluded. With its sovereignty and the heart to help the innocent, HRM Legaspi told this reporter that as god’s messengers it is her responsibility to help resolve peace in Mindanao.

Police impounds truckload of guns, ammunitions

2009-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

OROQUIETA CITY—The Provincial Highway Patrol Team (HPG-10) apprehended three suspects and impounded their vehicle after failing show legal papers for the sackload of assorted firearms and ammunitions they were transporting, Jan. 29.

Police S/Supt Romeo Razon Uy, regional director, identified the arrested persons as Hanzel Paculba, Ambrocio Canter and Jovencio Tamondong.

Paculba was said to be the driver of Isuzu dumptruck loaded with the firearms while Canter and Tamondong identified themselves as security supervisors of Double Top Security Agency, based in Iligan City.

Police confiscated their load, which included three sacks full of M-16 rifles, 21 shotguns, 25 cal.38 revolvers and a bag full of different live ammunitions.

Also, 15 assorted handheld radio sets, logbooks and four motorcycles were discovered at the back of the dumptruck.

SPO4 Ebra Rajah, who led the apprehending team along with members of the TMEAG Force, said the three were flagged along the national highway of Brgy. Southern Looc, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

The three averred that they are transferring the said firearms from their office in Zamboanga to Iligan. But police said the three failed to show legal documents for their cargoes.

Rajah said they will file charges of illegal possession of high caliber firearms against the three arrested persons.

LTFRB-10 gears up for ISO 9001:2000

2009-02-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

PJAMES TREMEDAL
Associate editor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is in the thick of preparation to become an ISO 9001:2000 office.

ISO 9001:2000 refers to standardized, predictable, and globally understood process language hinged on an international agreement on Smart Management Practices.

It offers assurance that an organization's services will consistently meet an expected quality standard through a strategic upgrade of processes or documentation. It is also granted or renewed on a per-function basis, hence, there are about 14,000 known ISO accreditations known worldwide.

The move is also pursuant to Executive Order 605 Instituting Structure, Mechanism and Study to Implement the Government Quality Management Program (GQMP) of Philippine public offices.

Its primary aim is to standardize the national competitiveness agenda particularly on the frontline services or government to business transactions (G2B) needed by a customer. It likewise serves as a barometer for organizational effectiveness in achieving individual office Quality Management System (QMS) objectives.

Sultan Mandangan Darimbang, who heads the LTFRB regional office here, said he is making things in order and that such measure was to establish a reputable public office.

Such activities they did in order to achieve this is by rehabilitating their office structures and setting up one-stop shops that will certify and accredit clients.

This move, he added, is also for easy access and eliminates the bureaucratic red tape.

Meanwhile, on the issue of unregistered public utility vehicles vehicles, the so-called koloroms, Darimbang said law enforcement agencies like the TMG and LTO are the only ones responsible in apprehending and filing cases against violators.

“LTFRB is a quasi-judicial government institution. We can only certify, verify and accredit vehicles to be come legal,” he clarified.

12 Zambosur MPS receive new policecars

2009-02-02T02:47:00.000-08:00

PJTremedal
Associate editor

Camp Abelon, Pagadian City – Twelve local Municipal Police station are now mobile after they received light PNP vehicles from the Philippine National Police Transformation program initiated by Camp Crame after 13 Key result areas are to be program, and one of this is the police mobility.

With their local government units counterpart especially in the transportation and shipping expense of the said PNP vehicles, Municipalities of Molave, Dumingag, Mahayag, Tukuran and Aurora for the 1^st District while municipalities of San Miguel, Tabina, Dinas, San Pablo, Lakewood, Kumalarang and Vencinzo Sagun for the 2^nd District received their units after the blessing and turn-over rites held at Camp Abelon this week.

Assistant Provincial Director for Administration, P/Supt George Galano, who at the same as the concurrent provincial program management officer said that the turn-over of 12 vehicles to include one(1) SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) ZDS Provincial Police Office Ambulance is in line with the PNP Integrated Transformation Program.

“This is line with the on-going PNP and the Logistic Support Services program as the result of the 13 key areas for priority of the PNP command nationwide, which is police mobility.” APD/PSupt. Galano said.

Meanwhile Mayor Jun Saniel of Molave said that with this program,” efficiency in our police action is augmented with fast mobility this because of this vehicles that we long for years.”

While Mayor Boy Vega of Tukuran was quoted saying that, “Our financial counterpart for the shipping and transport of the vehicles from Camp Crame to the Cagayan de Oro City Port is minimal to be compared in our peace efforts and public safety financial endeavor, in which we did not hesitate to help and support our police forces.”

Mayors from other municipalities attended in the blessing ceremonies held with Fr. Vince Romanos initiating.

Meantime, PNPZDS-SOCO (Scene of the Crime operatives) and PNP Crime Lab unit also thank the higher headquarters in granting there request. The PNP SOCO Unit received a Mitsubishi Van/Ambulance type vehicle for their use.

“ It is dream come true” said P/Supt Susan Cayabyab, SOCO provincial chief.

As part of the PNP mobilization program, the vehicles distributed and turn-over to the municipal PNP Stations were ten (10) Toyota D-4D Hi-Lux back to back light vehicle, One (1) Toyota Innova, and One (1) Mitsubishi Ambulance/Van Type.

“With this development, the provincial command is hoping to double your effort and be effective in every response or assistance to our people’s need in any event that will hampered the living condition, properties, of this communities in respect to peace and order and public safety which is our responsibility.” Galano pointed out.

P/Supt Galano represented the provincial director P/SSupt Ramon M. Ochotorena who is now in the regional office to attend the 18^th PNP Founding Anniversary regional celebrations.

Checkpoint harrased

2009-02-02T02:42:00.000-08:00

PJTremedal
Associate Editor

Junction, Labangan, ZDS – An army detachment based in the Junction (national Hi-way) between Tukuran and Labangan was harassed by more or less fifteen (15) armed men believed to be lawless elements.

Report reaching the 1^st Infantry Division Headquarters whose camp sang-an is a 5 minutes ride from the said junction , the Army detachment manned by elements of the Division Support Companies and 9^th Field Artillery Battery was hit by an RPG rocket that resulted to damage of the makeshift detachment and wounding one military personnel.

A certain MSgt. Companion of the 9^th FAB was wounded during the exchange of fire with the lawless elements that was reported circling the detachment but with the timely response of the Military Police team led by Ilt. Renato Estrivillo and the 53IB team led by Ilt Aguilar, no further damage was done with the detachment and no more casualties, while the lawless elements scampered to different direction.

MGen Nehemias G. Pajarito, Commanding General of the Army’s premier division order a full investigation and operation to catch up with the enemies.

It may be recalled that, after the incident in Kolambugan and Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, the province of Zamboanga del Sur is not free from any threat of Bravos lawless MILF Group and its counterpart units within the area of responsibility of the Tabak Troopers.

Meanwhile, Governor Aurora Cerilles who was informed with the recent incident called for an emergency meeting with provincial peace and order council.

New book on Philippine Mining, food launched

2009-02-02T02:35:00.000-08:00

JONG CADION

Chief Correspondent

MINDANAO PILGRIM

PAGADIAN CITY--A book containing a second report on Mining in the Philippines entitled “Mining or Food?” was first launched here on January 21, 2009 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center after 12-months in the making.

The author Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks said in an interview that together with the Working Group on Mining in the Philippines respectfully dedicated this reports to all the courageous and dignified people who have been killed while protecting the environment and upholding human rights in the Philippine archipelago.

The report, commissioned by the British-based Working Group on Mining in the Philippines (WGMP0, chaired by the former minister for international Development, Clare Short MP, Members of the London Working Group on Mining in the Philippines highlights the treat that mining poses to food security with help from many Filipinos who's names we can not mention for safety reasons, the authors said.

The report makes clear how food production will be damaged irreparably if the mining projects on the drawing board go ahead. Six cases studies are documented, including Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur; Sibutasd, Zamboanga del Norte; Tampakan, South Cotabato and Pujada Bay in Davao Oriental and also ming, food and environment related issues on the islands of Mindoro and Sibuyan.

Once self-sufficient in rice, the Phiulippines is now the world’s biggest importer and with world rice prices tripping in 2008, it has to pay record prices. In a country where two-thirds of the population lives on only $2 a day, this means that more Filipino families are being force into poverty.

The book cited the problem is rooted in the failure to maintain the health of its agricultural sector and to conserve vital natural resources, such as tropical forest and water, which contribute to national rice output. The loss of watershed, for example, has a direct impact on the water supply for irrigation that is so vital for rice farmers. Yet, the Government seems to regard forests purely as a source of timber and as potential areas for mining.

The stark choices’ facing the Philippines is between a few years of mining and thousands of years of irrigated rice and fisheries production. Mining reduces the options for future generations. The lessons learnt from the 2002-2004 independent World Bank-funded Extractive Industry review have not been heeded in the Philippines.

The report urges a moratorium on new mining projects in the Philippines and the review of existing projects. It points to serious reservation about the practices of the mining companies, many of which have headquarters in Britain and are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

It was on February 2008 when the WGMP asked two environmental experts to visit the Philippines in order to investigate more fully, document and map some key sites targeted for mining.

“We are not against mining provided that the source of food will be protected,” Clive Wicks told this reporter. Wicks has 48 years of experience of working in engineering, agriculture and environment, specializing in the impact of extractive industries on the environment. He chairs IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, and co-chairs IUCN’s Working group on the Social and Environmental Accountability of the Private Sector. He works in the international environmental movement for the last 24 years, mainly with WWF UK. He headed WWF UK’s African, Asian and Latin America programmes, and represented WWF at G8 World Bank, IFC, UNEP and UNDP meetings on extractive industries. He is concerned about mining activities failing to meet sustainability criteria.

“You have the best Law in the Philippines regarding on the Mining and Environmental protection but, it was not strictly implemented and perhaps violated,” Robert Goodland also said. Goodland is an environmental scientist specializing in economic development. He advised the World Bank Group from 1978 through 2001. he then became a technical director to H.E. Dr. Emil Salim’s independent Extractive Industry Review of the World Bank Groups Portfolio of oil, gas mining projects. He was elected president of the International Association of Impact Assessment, and Metropolis Chair of the Ecological Society of America. He was awarded the World conservation Union’s Coolidge medal in October 2008.

The reports which likewise highlight the clash between the Philippine Government’s rhetoric about supporting agriculture and the crises on the ground will also be launched in the other sites studied and in Manila on February 4, and in London on February 9, 2009.

The 2006 fact-finding team to the Philippines to investigate mining was led by Clare Short MP and published it findings and recommendations n the first reports, Mining in the Philippines: Concerns and Conflicts on January 2007.

'Drug problem more than that meets the eye’

2009-01-31T02:54:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA

Editor-in-chief

PAGADIAN CITY--Take these revelations straight from the shoulder: the illicit drug abuse in the city and elsewhere is more serious than thought by many—more serious and worse than communist rebels, Islamic militants and the Reston ebolavirus combined.

This was how board member Ernesto Mondarte, chairman of the committee on police and public safety, sees the drug problem in the country in an exclusive interview.

Mondarte’s revelation followed the release of the US Department of State’s 2006 International Narcotics Control Report, which labeled the Philippines a “drug smuggler’s paradise.”

The report went on to say that the illegal drug trade in the country has evolved into a billion-dollar industry while it continues to host foreign organized criminal activities from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“Its earth-shaking, vicious than terrorism and dangerous than any diseases known to man. Dili gani nato ni makompara sa pinakangilgig nga sakit kay mas grabe ang epekto niining droga unya ang iyang effect indiscriminate, dili tumbok,” Mondarte told MINDANAO MONITOR.

A latest study has acknowledged that there are now 3.5 million habitual drug users nationwide while there are 1.6 million who uses drugs occasionally.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also said that illegal drugs, the most common is shabu and ecstasy, are easily bought in every part of the country and that drug syndicates are not only confined to the ordinary people but those who hold power and fame.

Even honest authorities have no match to these powerful drug syndicates because of protection they are getting from the corrupt judiciary, police and politicians.

And when it comes to counter-narcotics law enforcement, the government offices assigned suffers a setback because of lack of resources.

The report also noted that corruption and inefficiency among government officials has also complicated eradication efforts. This reality exacerbates the campaign against the illegal drug problem, Mondarte laments.

“Kung naa gani paryente, amigo o kaila nga involve sa drugs, dili gyod angayan manawag sa otoridad ug moingon nga ato na lang ayum-ayumon. Mao unta nay himoon sa anaa sa mga public officials,” Mondarte explains.

Although the board member declined to give details and statistics for his revelation, he expressed grief that in Pagadian, for example, the illegal drug trade has infiltrated almost all of its 54 barangays.

When asked to appraise the level of illegal drugs infiltration into these villages in the scale of 1 to 10, Mondarte readily answered, “ten.”

“Kung pananglitan ang epekto sa droga taman lang sa gagamit, bahala ka diha’g unsay mahitabo pero og pamilya ug katilingban na ang gun-ubon, wala tay padulngan,” he said.

“With the drug addiction, the youth sector is not only the vulnerable sector but everybody,” he added.

Now, a new problem is emerging, the lawmaker said, as he believed the illicit drug trade would most probably fund politicians in the May 2010 presidential and congressional elections.

PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago, who said he had information that politicians at local and national level were involved in the drug trade, protecting and even financing syndicates, shares Mondarte’s point of view.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Aurora Cerilles cracked her whip and announced that she will wage war against druglords and gunrunners in the province.

The governor’s announcement came in the heels of the so-called “Alabang Boys” controversy wherein it was reported that there was an alleged P50-million bribe that led to the recommendation by state prosecutors to dismiss the charges against the rich boys.

Cerilles, who repeated her pronouncement during an interview at her residence, said: “As long as I am the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of Zamboanga Peninsula, I will do my best to stop illegal drugs in the region. We should protect the future of our children and grandchildren as illegal drugs are considered a menace of society.”

The governor said she was concerned the infiltration and continued proliferation of illegal drugs into villages unhampered could be an upshot of the so-called narco-politics.

Narco-politics is the unholy practice of financing the election campaigns of political candidates by drug lords in exchange for the protection of drug syndicates.

Cerilles told this paper that she strongly believes in narco-politics having observed the involvement of some political personalities in her province in the illegal drug trade.

In alluding, the governor then remarked, “Dili na ni sila pwede tawgon og mga suspects kay publicly known na man ni sila.”

Mondarte, in assuring this paper, said that the provincial government is continuing its plan to revitalize the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Committees (BADAC), which will lead in identifying who among those in the villages are into the illegal drugs business.

An organized BADAC Auxiliary Force consists of 25 people who are not members of the Sangguniang Barangay and Barangay Tanod.

This group will gather information on the existence and names of drug pushers, users and protectors after which the list is turned over to the local chief executives.

“Our fight against drugs will not be effective if dili magsugod sa barangay level,” Mondarte said.

The lawmaker concluded that he is optimistic he has the commitment of local executives and law enforcers.

But the anti-drug campaign, he concluded, still has to get full support and active participation from the general public.

Cebu’s Bantayan Island attracts most tourists

2009-01-31T00:50:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

Cebu’s Bantayan Island is leading the race for the country’s top tourist’s destination in 2008, as listed by Philippine Travel Blog (PTB) Website.

Following Cebu is Boracay Island’s White Beach; Puraran Beach, Panglao Island in Bohol; Honda Bay in Palawan; Muelle Bay, Puerto Galera in Mindoro Island; Malapascua Island in Cebu and Amanpulo, Pamalican in Palawan.

The travel blog likewise mentioned the province of Camarines Sur as among fastest growing tourist destinations in the country with the same category as those in Bohol and Palawan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Tourism Sec. Ace Durano said he is confident tourist visits to Camarines Sur will be doubled this year with the opening of the newest tourist spot in Gota Beach in Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte recently developed Gota Beach, located in the Caramoan Peninsula. The beach and those of nearby islands like Lahuy, Bitanglaya have white, powdery sand and the waters that surround them are crystal-clear.

It was the site where the French edition of the popular TV series “Survivor,” was filmed. Shooting was completed last week, to be aired soon in Europe.

Durano said being a location venue for shootings is one way of promoting Caramoan in the European and international market.

Based on DOT 2007 figures, tourist arrivals in Camarines Sur jumped by 41 percent compared to the number of visitors to the province in 2006, PTB said.

Of the 456,911 tourists who visited the province last year, 411,285 were locals while 45,626 were foreigners.

The latest DOT report showed there were 897,680 tourist arrivals in the region last year, or an increase of 41 percent from 2006’s record of 637,127. Of the total number of arrivals, 792,072 were local tourists and 105,608 were foreigners.

As this developed, Misamis Occidental’s nightly news broadcast Patrol sa Kalamboan reported that the province is still hopeful it will still grab the highest point in tourism visits this year.

“Siguro ma-apektuhan sa global financial crisis ang turismo sa Misamis Occidental, pero nagtoo ang Provincial Tourism Office nga dili gihapon kita ma-iwit sa top tourist destinations sa Pilipinas karong tuiga,” PSK said.

Provincial Tourism Officer Karl Imanuel Aoanan said the recent visit of President Gloria Arroyo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith in Dolphin Island and Wildlife Sanctuary would entice tourists to come and take pleasure in the amenities of the province.

To recall, the province came second last year as the country’s top tourist destination, whisking Boracay out of the position as the country’s leading travel destination.

The ranking came after Misamis Occidental, in terms of foreign and local visitors, posted the second highest number of visitors after Cebu City as “top tourist destinations,” a position formerly held by Baguio City, the “Summer Capital.”

The DOT has recorded an overall 748,006 local and foreign tourists in Cebu for the year while 526,367 visits were recorded from this province, purged from its list of one million, as reported by Sinacaban Mayor Delio Lood in this paper’s Oct. 1-7 issue.

Baguio City has 441,863 visitors while Boracay has close to 400,000 and Davao is fifth, with 300,000.

“Cebu and Misamis Occidental are now considered the new prime destinations, dislodging Boracay Island in Aklan province,” the DOT then said in its report.

“Misamis Occidental is known for its beautiful waters and bountiful fish and seafood for export. Layawan River in Oroquieta City is a constant recipient of the national environmental award, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran, as Cleanest Inland Body of Water,” continued the report.

“One other place is also drawing tourists to this coastal province – the city of Tangub, which comes alive especially at Christmas,” the report noted.

Tangub City Mayor Jennifer Tan, in email then sent to PANGUIL BAY MONITOR, expressed her appreciation to residents “not only for the support of her programs but also to the warm hospitality extended to guests.”

Tan said, “the reason why the city was included to the top tourist destination in the Philippines is not only of the beautiful Christmas arches, symbols and lanterns but the warm hospitality of Tangubanons.”

“Tangub also has the best tasting crabs because of the unpolluted water of Panguil Bay,” she said, adding, “The culture and attitude of the people in Tangub is our best promotion.”

Ocampos, for his part, said: “Ang Misamis Occidental hinay-hinay nga mihimo ug ngalan sa natad sa turismo tungod sa eco-tourism projects nga usa sa nag-unang programa ni Gov. Loreto Ocampos.”

“Nailhan na karon bisan sa gawas sa nasod ang Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) ug Dolphin Island and Wildlife Sanctuary sa Sinacaban ug ang Hoyohoy Vegetable and Highland Park sa Tangub City,” it added.

Aside from these, Ozamiz City, being a pilgrimage and historical destination, boasts of its 250-year old fort and Shrine, popularly known as the Fuerte de la Concepcion del Triunfo de la Cruz, a tourist come-on.

Another one is the St. John the Baptist Church in Jimenez, one of the 25 oldest churches in the country built in the 18th century by the Recollect fathers.

More report, even in the wake of the economic slump, the Philippines could still shine because of tourism, TUI Travel PLC Chief Executive Officer Peter Long said.

Long, whose revelation was posted in PTB , said their firm expects 600 million tourists from and within Asia over the next five years — and mainly to other Asian destinations.

The country, added Long, remains resilient since it has a lot to offer to travelers, in terms of destinations.

The DOT has said this development will surely translate into economic growth for the country, which will somehow be an offsetting factor against the contagion effect of the ongoing worldwide economic slowdown.

The DOT added that it foresees big tourism receipts until July, proof to this is the increased tourism investments and the number of newly built of hotels and hospital rooms all over the countryside.

BFP-Ozamiz runs into fewest fires in 2008

2009-01-31T00:49:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY—The local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) office greets 2009 with optimism after it scored less fire calls in the previous year, attributed to its aggressive fire prevention awareness campaign.

Senior Inspector Rommel Villafuerte, BFP-Ozamiz’s acting fire marshall, said he construes fewer fire incidences as a sign that people have fully grasp the significance of their fire safety enforcement and education campaign.

Villafuerte likewise said they conduct daily visibility patrols around the city and give fire prevention lectures and drills to volunteers and interested organizations.

FO1 Isagani Olmedo Jr., fire arson investigator, who was interviewed for this report, said there are only four fire incidents tallied last year, a big drop compared to 2006 and 2007 figures.

Based on records and post fire investigation report provided by Villafuerte to this paper in 2007, about 12 fire incidences happened in 2006 while this reduced to almost half the next year.

The PANGUIL BAY MONITOR has reported in its yearender issue the first fire that happened in 2008, which happened at the stockroom of Fuller Life office located along corner Mabini and Valconha streets.

According to BFP’s estimates, damages brought by the fire totaled P14, 804,651. Fuller life sells cosmetics and accessories.

The second fire occurred Jan. 21, in Purok 3 Calabayan with total damages placed at P9500 while the third came noontime of March 15 at the Ozamiz City Central School. The BFP said the fire was arson-related because of traces of forcible entry in one of the rooms of the said school. Damages were estimated at P1000.

The last fire to happen in 2008 was on March 26, in Brgy Lam-an where six houses were razed to the ground while most of the residents were attending a graduation ceremony.

Three local schools simultaneously had their commencement exercises that day when a spark started to set off from a wire inside the house of a certain Elizabeth Agustin located in Purok 1.

Villafuerte said that the owner of the reported to him in a query that Agustin’s house was experiencing electrical sparks a week before the fire incident.

The fire happened as the BFP celebrated “Fire Prevention Month” as Villafuerte placed fire damages at P1.5-million.

The figures in 2008 will not be beaten as three fires were already recorded in January, this year.

January 1, New Year’s Eve, a fire occurred at Andot’s building, which is owned by the Paderanga family. The BFP placed initial damage estimates at P150,000.

January 6, another fire happened in the densely populated Purok Malig-on in Tinago, just a fire meters away from the BFP station. The fire engulfed some P300,000 in properties.

The latest fire was last Jan. 15 along Juan Luna St., at the Happy Church. Initial damages guess was placed at P500,000.

According to the BFP, most of the fires that occurred in January, this year, were either attributed to the so-called “hazardous establishments” or the erratic switching of electricity during the weeklong intermittent brownouts after one of Transco’s towers was undergoing repairs.

Book on Philippine mining, food launched

2009-01-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

JONG CADION
Chief of reporters

COTABATO CITY—The second installment on the book about mining in the country entitled “Mining or Food?” was launched, Jan. 21, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center attended by selected media personalities and Mindanao Pilgrim.

One year in the making, the book's authors, Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks, said they collaborated with the London-based Working Group on Mining in the Philippines (WGMP) in coming up with the data used in their articles.

WGMP is presently chaired by former minister for International Development Clare Short.

“Mining or Food?,” Goodland and Wicks said, is dedicated to all the courageous and dignified people who have been killed while protecting the environment and upholding human rights in the Philippine archipelago.”

It likewise highlights the threat that mining poses to food security with help from many Filipinos whose names they would not mention for safety reasons, the authors added.

A glimpse of the book pictures how food production will be damaged irrepairably if the mining projects on the drawing board go ahead.

Six case studies documented were presented in the book, including that of Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur; Sibutad in Zamboanga del Norte; Tampakan, South Cotabato and that of Pujada Bay in Davao Oriental.

Also included are the mining, food and environment related issues on the islands of Mindoro and Sibuyan.

In one chapter chapter of the book, it said that once self-sufficient in rice, the Philippines is now the world’s biggest importer and with world rice prices tripping in 2008.

“It has to pay record prices. In a country where two-thirds of the population lives on only $2 a day, this means that more Filipino families are being force into poverty,” the book said.

The likewise book cited the problem is rooted in the failure to maintain the health of its agricultural sector and to conserve vital natural resources, such as tropical forest and water, which contribute to national rice output.

“The loss of watershed, for example, has a direct impact on the water supply for irrigation that is so vital for rice farmers. Yet, the Government seems to regard forests purely as a source of timber and as potential areas for mining,” the book said.

“The stark choices’ facing the Philippines is between a few years of mining and thousands of years of irrigated rice and fisheries production. Mining reduces the options for future generations.”

“The lessons learnt from the 2002-2004 independent World Bank-funded Extractive Industry review have not been heeded in the Philippines,” the book continued.

The report also urges a moratorium on new mining projects in the country and the review of existing projects, pointing to a serious reservation about the practices of the mining companies, many of which have headquarters in Britain and are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

“We are not against mining provided that the source of food will be protected,” Wicks told Mindanao Pilgrim.

Wicks have 48 years of experience of working in engineering, agriculture and environment, specializing in the impact of extractive industries on the environment.

He chairs IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, and co-chairs IUCN’s Working group on the Social and Environmental Accountability of the Private Sector.

For 24 years, he worked in the international environmental movement, mainly with WWF UK’s African, Asian and Latin America programmes.

He said he is concerned about mining activities failing to meet sustainability criteria.

“You have the best Law in the Philippines regarding the mining and environmental protection but it was not strictly implemented and perhaps violated,” Goodland also said.

Goodland, an environmental scientist and an awardee of the World Conservation Union’s Coolidge, specializes in economic development and is an adviser to the World Bank Group from 1978 through 2001.

A technical director to H.E. Dr. Emil Salim’s independent Extractive Industry Review of the World Bank Groups Portfolio of oil, gas mining projects, he was elected president of the International Association of Impact Assessment, and Metropolis Chair of the Ecological Society of America.

The book, which also reports the clash between the Philippine Government’s rhetoric about supporting agriculture and the crises on the ground will also be launched in Manila on Feb. 4 and in London on Feb. 9.

Unidentified aggresors fire at Army detachment

2009-01-30T00:37:00.000-08:00

JAMES TREMEDAL
Associate editor

LABANGAN, ZAMBOSUR--The army detachment located along the traffic circle of the national highway between Tukuran and Labangan was attacked by about 15 armed men early dawn Friday.

But the 1st Infantry Division treated the Jan. 30 attack, which injured one of its soldiers, as insignificant, calling it a “harassment.”

The said Army detachment is being manned by elements of the Division Support Companies and 9th Field Artillery Battery (FAB).

The makeshift house was badly damaged after it was hit by an RPG rocket.

A certain M/Sgt. Companion of the 9th FAB was wounded during the exchange of fire with the lawless elements who surrounded the detachment.

A military police team led by 1st Lt. Renato Estrivillo and the 53rd IB team led by 1st Lt. Aguilar responded from Camp Cesar Sang-an and reinforced the detachment, saving it from further casualties.

The attackers scampered to different directions after seeing the reinforcements coming.

By noontime, MGen. Nehemias Pajarito has ordered an investigation of the incident to identify the perpetrators.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, after being informed of the incident, likewise called for an emergency meeting with Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Crame gives 12 vehicles to PNP Zambosur

2009-01-30T00:20:00.000-08:00

PJTREMEDAL
Associate editor

Twelve municipal police stations in the province were selected recipients of light police vehicles from Camp Crame for mobility and patrol in their respective areas of responsibility.

The said vehicles are composed of ten Toyota D-4D Hi-Lux back to back light vehicle, Toyota Innova and a Mitsubishi ambulance van type.

These motor vehicles form part of the PNP’s transformation program focusing on its logistic support services and listing 12 muncipal PNP station priorities.

The recipients are Molave, Dumingag, Mahayag, Tukuran and Aurora for the first district while for the second district are San Miguel, Tabina, Dinas, San Pablo, Lakewood, Kumalarang and Vincenzo Sagun.

Assistant Provincial Director for Administration George Galano, who is also the provincial program management officer, said the turn-over of the vehicles included one ambulance for the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco).

Meanwhile, Molave Mayor Flaviano Saniel commended the turnover saying police efficiency will be bolstered with the newly issued vehicles.

Also, Tukuran Mayor Bonifacio Vega Jr. said that police efforts in maintaining public safety will be doubled with the arrival of the vehicles.

For SOCO Provincial Chief Police Superintendent Susan Cayabyab, their newly acquired vehicle is “a dream come true.”

All the 13 new police cars were blessed by Fr. Vince Romanos at Camp Abelon before being turned over to their recipients.

PMG shooter surrenders

2009-01-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

PJTREMEDAL
Associate editor

DINAS, ZAMBOSUR—One of the suspects in the shooting of a member of the 905th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) surrendered to the authorities three days after the incident.

Police cornered Omar Kadingilan, a.k.a. Kalabaw, in Brgy. Zambulawan, this town. He eventually surrendered after seeing police operatives surrounding him and ready to take him down anytime.

A police report obtained by this paper stated that Kadingilan was one of those who shot PO3 Dexter Dalena and a police asset identified as Ronald Edo while both victims were riding Dalena’s XR 200 motorcycle enroute to Camp Abelon, Jan. 27.

The suspect’s capture came after PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena prompted all police units to conduct a manhunt operation to get Kadingilan and his still to be identified companion.

The 906th PMG, under C/Insp. Romulo Suarez and Dinas Police Chief Norhasan Failan, were the first to come and cordon Kadingilan’s hiding area.

Suarez and Failan said that Kadingilan gave up after a negotiation was brokered by Zambulawan village chair Jumra Amander and the policemen for the suspect’s peaceful surrender.

Legacy raked in P1-B from investors

2009-01-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY - Now it can be told the Legacy’s Double Your Money investment scheme in three years have raked in a total of P1-B in cold cash from 684 investors ranging from the highs and the middle –class income bracket sector society in Caraga Region, Davao and Misamis Oriental provinces.

Caraga businessmen mostly wood traders, copra buyers, retirees, professionals, military and police and local government officials such as Mayors including congressmen, regional directors and religious leaders too allegedly a Bishop were reportedly to have invested more than P500-M, that is from Caraga Region alone.

The Catholic Bishop who allegedly invested substantial amount of money is reportedly close to President Arroyo.

The rest of the P1-B investments were from Davao and Misamis Oriental provinces including Cagayan de Oro City who invested from different sales or investment agents from Legacy offices in Surigao City, Butuan City and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

The Legacy regional office here claimed the investors invested to as low as P100-T to a million of pesos to as high as five to ten million pesos each.

Mrs. Cecil Cloribel Zamora, one of the independent division heads of The Legacy of Caraga Region based here in Butuan City told AFP it took her so many sleepless nights thinking ways on how to explain to her clients about the dire situation the company was experiencing.

She however requested in not naming names of the 684 client-investors for the moment saying they too are still suffering emotionally and trying to recover from it from uncertain ordeal which somehow embarrassed them since they are moneyed and most educated in Caraga society.

Zamora is one of the most awarded division heads of the firm The Legacy topping the investment sales and awarded once by Legacy President and CEO Celso Angeles himself as Top Division Head of the Year nationwide.

“It pains a lot when our Legacy head office in Makati announces last December 2008 that they have filed notice of dissolution and from there on I received many text messages from my clients”, Zamora added.

Zamora claimed that majority of the 684 Legacy clients were not hers but from different sales agents who traveled day and night to as far as Davao, Misamis Oriental, Surigao and Agusan provinces just to convince would be investors in a double your money in three years.

Zamora added that she joined Legacy in 2004 upon invitation of another Legacy investment agent then from Cagayan de Oro City who had direct contact with Legacy CEO Celso Angeles.

Before joining Legacy, Zamora claimed she is already a top executive of another pre-need company Rhine Consolidated Plans, sister company of sewing machine and appliance giant Rhine Marketing.

Zamora claimed she herself has invested more than P2-M to Legacy and is planning to file charges against Legacy itself if things won’t be settled.

“All I want now are moneys be back to me and my clients as I am telling the Legacy officials in Makati office that we are giving them until February 15 for these things be settled” Zamora said.

“What is at stake here is not only money but reputation that I build for many years,” Zamora told this writer in an exclusive, tape recorded interview at her office witnessed by her subordinates.

Zamora revealed it took her weeks of researching and background checks on Legacy and she found out it was SEC-registered, PDIC affiliated and is even registered with the Central Bank of the Philippines

“That’s why I was convinced and there on I started convincing people”, Zamora further adds.

Zamora concludes that as of now all 684 clients under her wing is now forming the Association of Legacy Caraga Claimants through the help of the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Zamora said some of the client-investors particularly smaller ones who invested their ultimate savings ranging from P100-T have been already complaining that their day to day living were already affected saying they don’t have money for their daily subsistence anymore as their savings were invested to Legacy.

“Some of the small clients who invested their savings have informed they already don’t have money to buy rice, I took pity as I understand their plight but I told them me too have no money anymore” Zamora said.

Zamora admitted she was able to meet President Arroyo at the Malacaňan Palace last January 20, 2009 wand there she claimed she was able to tell the President briefly her problem.

“She was busy at that time but I was able to relay to President Arroyo my problem briefly and she ordered Defensor (former DENR Secretary Michael Defensor) to talk to me”, Zamora concludes.

Army-NPA fresh encounter in Agusan

2009-01-29T23:24:00.000-08:00

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY- At least two soldiers were confirmed to be wounded and lots of bloodstains were found along New People’s Army rebels’ escape route after an hour of fresh encounter in Sitio Pirada, Barangay Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City shortly after President Arroyo took off from Bancasi Airport here in Butuan City almost noon Wednesday (January 28), police and military reports said.

President Arroyo was in Veruela, Agusan del Sur Wednesday morning for a brief, moiré than thirty minutes visit to personally inspect the extent of damages in the area brought about by flooding.

The Philippine Army’s fourth infantry division based in Cagayan de Oro City claimed in their reports that an undetermined number of communist insurgents were believed killed or wounded when a fierce gunbattle erupted Wednesday between combat maneuvering troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the communist New People’s Army.

But New People’s Army spokesperson Maria Malaya claimed the military reports were exaggerated.

She didn’t however elaborate further as in her past pronouncements about the government reports were all lies and mere propaganda allegedly meant to duped the public.

But a third force, two retired top rank but discontented Philippine military officials claimed the root cause of the decades old communist insurgency problem in the country was all for money, money and money not really ideology as what the New People’s Army are espousing.
“Surrendered firearms are paid by government from taxpayers’ hard-earned money and recycled over and over again making a business but illegal loggers and miners including mining companies are supplying the rebels with guns and ammunitions as bribe and protection money to prevent their illicit operations in the mountains”, a retired army colonel who lead a local uprising against government due to alleged corruption in 1995 but requested anonymity told this writer.

“It was all a huge comedy drama from both sides with satiric twist’ the retired army colonel added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army’s 4th ID spokesman Maj. Michele B. Anayron, Jr. claimed gun battle lasted for almost one hour until the rebels hastily ran away at nearby mountain area

Military’s initial report claimed one section of Charlie Company led by certain 2nd Lt. Ausente of the 30th Infantry Battallion while on security and combat operation encountered an undetermined number of heavily armed rebels wearing black fatigue uniform in Pirada area.

The area was former gold rush site and presently the site of many small-scale copper mining operations.

The communist rebels were believed to be regular fighters of Regional Operations Company (ROC) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC).

Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Ricardo A. David, Jr. ordered Col. Emiliano Gupana, commanding officer of the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, the deployment of more combat maneuvering troops in Pirada to beef up the government forces there.

Gen. David also ordered the deployment of war earth-moving equipment in the area.

Initial report received by Gen. David claimed combat troops in Pirada gunbattle already seized some war materials from the rebels and lots of documents with high intelligence value.

Meanwhile, Carmen, Agusan del Norte Police Chief P/Insp. Dionisio Pingos was temporarily relieved from his post after the January 23 lightning raid of Carmen Municipal Police Office that killed SPO4 Arsenio Aboc.

It can be recalled that early dawn of January 23, some 50 New People’s Army young fighters raided the Carmen Municipal Police Office and carted away three .9mm cal pistols from three policemen manning the stations at the time of the attack.

Temporarily replacing Pingos while the investigation was on-going was P/Chief Insp. Dexter Herrera

The Carmen Municipal Police Office attack was the tenth in Caraga Region, four of which was last year’s lightning raid which caught authorities empty handed.

NGO workers get death threats after exposing illegal logging activities in Surigao

2009-01-29T23:21:00.000-08:00

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY - Four non government organization officials and members claimed they have been getting death threats since December last year including a botched ambush after reporting rampant illegal logging activities in their area in Barangay Camp Edwards, Alegria, Surigao del Norte.

In an exclusive interview this morning upon their request, Teresita Rosales, Barangay Camp Edwards Kagawads Marisita Gloria and Vicente Pegarro, Jr. told this writer that since the failed ambuscade set up by armed men that could have killed them all last December 2008 they have been living in fear that disturbed their once normal lives.

The other NGO worker who is also getting death threats but is not present during interview due availability of transport fares is Antonio Rosales.

The four have reported and blotter the death threats to Alegria Municipal Police Office.

They said they have been asking assistance from authorities particularly from the local DENR and the PNP officials and personnel, “but all we’ve got were promises and some of them even blamed us of why we fight the high and the mighty in illegal logging business”, the three chorused.

“Their initial reactions discouraged us because they are suppose to uphold laws and punish violators and go against those who plunder our environment that’s why we decided to seek help from the media hoping media can help us”, the three told this writer in a tape recoded interview.

Rosales, Gloria and Pegarro are officials of DENR-created Bantay Gubat and a Community-Based Resource Management Project (CBRMP), a project funded by World Bank to elicit united community efforts to protect environment while maximizing, conserving and managing local resources for sustainable livelihood programs.

Aside from being barangay officials of Barangay Camp Edwards, Marisita Gloria and Vicente Pegarro, Jr. are also active with non government organizations, Barangay Camp Edwards Upland Farmers Association and Bantay Gubat.

“We are supposed to be protected by the DENR because we are their creation notwithstanding our efforts to save environment but now we are being hunted by armed goons of illegal loggers and we are not getting protection from the government, we are pleading to you Mr. Secretary to help us”, the three in their signed prepared letter to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza.

They added that what happened to them now may discourage other people’s organization, individuals and even the government created anti-illegal logging groups to wage war against those who plundered environment for selfish motives and greed.

They claimed their agonizing experiences started when they cause the confiscation of some 858.2 board feet of illegally sawn lumber of hard wood species such as tanguile and lawaan last November 20, 2008 in Barangay Camp Edwards public timberland area.

In their sworn affidavits furnished to this writer alleged the cutting of the sawn lumbers were illegal since it do not have corresponding government permits and since they were hard woods of endangered species particularly Tanguile, it is banned from cutting.

“What is ironic is that DENR personnel who are supposed to lead the confiscation process were not present last November 20 but only law enforcement personnel as they only arrived to Camp Edwards and signed documents of confiscation only last December 2, 2008, some thirteen days later”, Teresita Rosales, President of Camp Edwards Upland Farmers Association (CEUFA), a Community-Based Resources Management funded project alleged.

Rosales claimed they have footage of the video they took when the DENR personnel conducted confiscation inventory of the illegally sawn lumbers whose activity must have been conducted during actual confiscation last November 20, 2008.

Rosales claimed she is fighting illegal cutting of trees within their 808 hectares of CBRMP area, “because it will caused flooding and will destroy our fruit trees and Falcata Tree plantations comprising nearly 578 hectares for our livelihood since they are all foreign funded” Rosales added.

Last year, another two NGO workers from Butuan City also get death threats after the two reported an on-going transportation or towing of illegally cut timber from Agusan del Sur floating along Agusan River towards wood firms in Butuan City for delivery.

The workers alleged those hundreds of logs floating Agusan River were not only manipulated in documents because it is wrong source but it deprived the cash-strapped Philippine Government of due taxes because the volume were allegedly tampered.

After confidentially reporting the on-going illegal activities hapening to a local CENRO officer, the two NGO workers the following morning got a call from an unnumbered mobile phone from an alleged influential illegal logger who even boasted that even how many times illegal logging activities will be reported in Caraga Region it will not be listened.

“Because our connections reach up to high places in government ", the illegal logging financer allegedly was quoted as saying while scolding the two environmental watch group workers on mobile phone.

The two wondered how the influential illegal logger got their phones when it was only the CENRO officer knew it.

The two are now nowhere to be found.

Movement for Good Governance to hold 1st Assembly

2009-01-29T23:19:00.000-08:00

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY- Newly formed Movement for Good Governance (MGG) which is composed of broad coalition of group of people or individuals coming from the academe, religious, youth, urban and rural poor and professional sectors seeking political reforms in the country will be holding its 1st General Assembly on February 3, 2009 at Robinson Galleria’s Indie Sine in Metro Manila.

The assembly which will be highlighted by now famous Juana Change character who will jump from computer screen to big screen will start at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 3.

The scheduled February 3 event is the first coming together of the different people and organizations that comprise the Movement for Good Governance.

Organizers said they will be looking forward in organizing MGG’s members and volunteers around key result areas.

Lawyers Anthony Goquingco, MGG Executive Director and Legal Counsel and Milwida M. Guevara in their signed invitation letter said, “Our driving force is to unite 10 million voters to demand better governance and support reformists in the 2010 elections. As a first step, please ask your friends to come with you”.

“Together, let us make our dreams come true---FOR THE PHILIPPINES WE DESERVE”, the two added.

“We are inviting those who have already signified their interest in being part of this umbrella movement and those who would like to see what the group has done and what it plans to do for the 2010 elections. It is an invitation to all who desire to have a CHANGE for a better Philippines”, the letter said.

PGMA to inspect P350-M irrigation project

2009-01-29T23:15:00.000-08:00

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY - President Arroyo will personally inspect tomorrow the P350-M Baobo National Irrigation Project in Sitio Fatima, Barangay Sinobong, Veruela, Agusan del Sur which was one of the irrigation projects in Caraga Region destroyed by flooding due to weeklong intermittent rains that ravaged the region recently.

Earlier environmental groups such as Green Mindanao and others have blamed unabated, wanton destruction of forest by illegal loggers, kaingin method, illegal mining and migration of lowland settlers to upland areas as the real culprit in the flooding.

They alleged continuing deforestation have caused waters from the mountains to flow downstream with cascading sands and soils filled up rivers and lakes that cause floodwaters to overflow due siltation.

Environmental group Green Mindanao Executive Director Butch Dagondon said “Trees whose roots were suppose to sip cascading waters are no longer there and now we are paying dearly for the mistakes and greed of illegal loggers and yet they go still unpunished, scot-free while some even become Mayors”.

“The recent disaster that hit Caraga Region is surely man-made destroying irrigations, rice lands, other agricultural crops and that there must be someone or group of people be held liable” Dagondon told this writer

“We are not learning lessons from landslides like what happened in Ormoc, Guinsaugon in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte that killed many innocent lives and we will not wait this will happen to us here in Caraga Region”, Dagondon added.

Dagondon said that the recent disaster in the region should also tantamount to criminal and administrative liability of concerned government agencies.

'The funds used to build those danaged government infrastructures were hard-earned Filipino taxpayers' money and letting these culprits go unpunish is an insult to the intelligence of the Filipino people" and it is our right as Filipino citizens to call for an investigation to this, Dagondon concludes.

Meanwhile President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to arrive at Baobo National Irrigation Project in Sitio Fatima, Barangay Sinobong, Agusan del Sur at 10 o'clock in the morning of January 28.

According to Presidential Management Staff representative who coordinates the presidential visit, the President will physically inspect the Php350 million irrigation projects which were damaged due to a week long heavy rains that ravaged the province recently.

The President will arrive at Bancasi Airport here in Butuan City in the morning of January 28 (tomorrow) and will immediately take the helicopter together with Agusan del Sur Governor Tina Plaza who will conduct an aerial inspection of the flood affected towns in Agusan del Sur in going to Veruela.

In Veruela, PGMA will be met by Veruela Mayor Salimar Mondejar, Sinobong Barangay Captain Adela Matood, 402nd Brigade Commander Col. Gupana, DAR-13 Asst. Regional Director Al Otacan, NIA -13 Regional Director Democratico Grana and some 2,000 people of Veruela.

NIA Provincial Director Mr. Pacifico Calibayan will brief the President on the profile of the irrigation project.

Mayor Mondejar said that the project if not damaged by flooding was supposed to benefit five barangays of his municipality and supposedly serve about 1,600 hectares.

He said that the visit will surely boost the morale of the people of Veruela despite the extent of the damage on their farms caused by the calamity.

Agusan del Sur Governor Maria Valentian Plaza said that Agusan del sur is one of the President's priority areas of the GMA Rice Sufficiency Program. The heavy rains and the floods that hit the province of Agusan del Sur has damaged more than 6,000 hectares of agricultural lands and estimated to cost about Php 27 Million pesos.

She also said that Veruela is one of the rice producing towns of the province. The calamity has damaged 2,729 hectares of its agricultural lands and estimated cost of Php14 million pesos.

The President is expected to stay for 30 minutes and will immediately depart for Koronadal, South Cotabato, Agusan del Sur Provincial Information Officer Ferdinand Perez said.

Can they capture Bravo or not?

2009-01-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor in chief

OZAMIZ CITY--The commander of the MILF’s 102nd Base Command is a hard man to catch, surely embarrassing the military at this point.

From August to January, what the military could only tell media is that the most wanted man in Mindanao is moving from one hiding place to another in the mountains of Lanao.

This is a setback for the armed forces. Truthfully now, does the military really know where Kumander Bravo and his lawless MILF followers are?

October 2008, two months after the bloody siege in Lanao del Norte, Col. Benito De Leon, commander of the 104th Brigade of the 1st (Tabak) Division admitted the AFP does not know where is Bravo’s exact location.

However, he assured that their forces are closing in on Bravo’s hideout. “It is only a matter of time before our men on the ground can catch them,” said de Leon.

October 20-21, 2008, ABS-CBN aired an exclusive interview of the wanted Moro rebel leader Kumander Bravo. The military felt its face slapped. In that interview broadcasted nationwide, Bravo challenged the government to a war of attrition.

Holed up in the homes of their close families and relatives in the hinterlands of Lanao, sometimes mixing with the civilian populace, Bravo remained elusive.

Capturing him isn’t easy, thus admitted Col. Rey Ardo, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Campo Ranao, Marawi City.

Bravo, Abdurahman Macapaar in real life, is a hero among the Maranaos. He belongs to a family of warriors in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and his influence spans in many towns of Lanao del Norte.

When you go to Munai, residents there would tell you that the MILF commander “is a good man.” He reportedly put a stop to cattle rustling, robbery, illegal drugs, illegal gambling and petty crimes in many remote villages in Lanao del Norte.

But the military has a different picture of Kumander Bravo: He is a lawless MILF rebel leader and a “psychotic case.”

In March 2000, he attacked Kauswagan, which fueled the “all-out-war” declaration of President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. Three years later, Bravo and his men assaulted Maigo. After that his name was never mentioned in the news.

October 2006, in the wake of text messages circulating in Lanao del Norte of a forthcoming attack by the MILF, Bravo assured residents: “Dili kamo mahadlok kay wala kami threat sa lugar ninyo. Gusto lang namo mapirmahan ang kasabutan sa GRP-MILF. Gusto lang sa gobyerno nga bahinon ang Lanao del Norte.’

This paper then reported Bravo’s statement in our Oct. 25-31, 2006 issue. In that news report, even Kolambugan mayor Bertrand Lumaque and then PNP Provincial Director Linog Bagul disproved the rumors as false, to the point of boasting the province is “relatively peaceful” and that the text messages were only the work of pranksters.

August 2008, Bravo rampaged Kolambugan and Kauswagan shortly after the government backed out from signing the already initialed Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain with the MILF in Kuala Lumpur.

Bagul was relieved of his post and some 200,000 civilians instantly became internally displaced persons and 62 civilians were reported dead.

A number of Lanao residents hurriedly left homes in the hinterlands and drifted to Iligan and Ozamiz cities while the distance end to end from Kauswagan to Kolambugan became danger zones for almost a month.

The government became angry and put a P10-million bounty for Bravo’s capture. Yet, this cannot entice residents to just hand over Bravo to authorities, Ardo admits—not even adequate to relocate and secure the lives of relatives of those barfaced enough to conspire with the military and tell where he is.

So this is why correct information on the whereabouts of the rogue MILF leader is hard to find among the conflict-affected areas, especially those in Bravo’s turf. Could this be also the reason why it’s taking them long to capture of Bravo and his men?

"No matter how strong and how many troops we have on the field, still the AFP would welcome all the help it could get from the people to help catch Bravo,” Col. Daniel Lucero of the Army’s Civil Military Operation Group (COOG) laments.

“There should be no in between or undecided in this case. It’s either you are for it or you are against it. And we need real time intelligence to be able to capture Kumander Bravo and his group,” Lucero added.

“Even if we only have one squad or one battalion of soldiers, if you give them real time intelligence, we will be sure 100 percent that we will be able to solve this problem. Yet even if we have lots of troops but if nobody supports them, we will not win this war with the lawless MILF group,” Lucero said.

“If you have knowledge about Bravo, feel free to inform the military and the sooner you do it, the better,” sounds the military’s stage campaign.

Lieutenant Col. Agane Adriatico, chief of the Civil Military Operations, said it is actually fear that causes people to withhold information on the whereabouts of the controversial MILF leader.

Bravo, it was learned, now faces a probe by a disciplinary board created by the MILF to look into his role and participation in the attacks in in Lanao del Sur last August.

MILF vice chair Ghazali Jaafar said Bravo and Ameril Umbra Kato, another MILF commander, would face sanction if they were found to have violated the rules of engagement.

The MILF has since refused to surrender Bravo and Kato to the government, asserting that as a rebel organization it does not recognize Philippine laws.

Also, chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal reiterated the MILF’s refusal to give up Bravo and Kato, explaining the ceasefire agreement gives their group the prerogative to deal with its own men accused of violations.

However, DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno said once the MILF central leadership surrenders Bravo and Kato, a monetary reward of P25 million would be given to the Islamic group, which they could use in developing Muslim communities in Mindanao.

Cop adopts girl who survived massacre

2009-01-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

Police Officer 3 Edgardo Figuracion II, a policeman assigned as a nurse at the Provincial Hospital became a hero in his own right after he assumed parental obligation to an infant who lost her parents.

Figuracion, a member of the PNP recruit class 99-07 and a nursing graduate, adopted one-month old Ezzia straight from the hospital.

Unknown killers massacred Ezzia’s parents three years ago while they were deep in their sleep inside their home in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ezzia’s was saved when her mother, who was breastfeeding at the moment when gunfires bursted, covered her with her body.

Ezzia’s father survived but later died while being treated at the hospital, leaving her in the care of the hospital personnel.

The girl had stab wounds and a cut wrist that needs tendon rehabilitation when taken to the hospital. Doctors said the girl has a 50-50 probability of surviving.

Figuracion’s compassion for the baby prompted him to adopt Ezzia.

During last week’s visit of Cynthia Verzosa, current national adviser of the PNP Ladies Club, who is also the wife of PNP Chief, Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa, Figuracion asked the lady Verzosa for help.
He pleaded for monetary aid for the operation and rehabilitation of Ezzia’s wrist.

The general’s wife promised to relay the request to her husband and even added that Figuracion will likely get a commendation and a promotion for his good deed.

PNP Regional Director Angel Hipolito Sunglao said he was impressed with Figuracion’s exploits, adding this comes with a reward.

"Here is a very extraordinary policeman who made his way in taking up shelter for a massacre victim. It is our obligation and responsibility to look and commend him as a hero on his own way,” Sunglao declared.

Lawmen arrest ‘untouchable’ Bana boy anew

2009-01-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

AUTHORITIES swooped down again on the suspected drug den situated inside the Bana Compound along Rizal Avenue last week and caught a familiar figure in the illegal shabu business inside with his girlfriend.

Joint elements of the NBI, PDEA, the Pagadian City PNP Office and the 905th Provincial Mobile Group claimed they caught Ivanhoe “Bobby” Bana red-handed this time.

Bobby, according to the police, is regularly mentioned in their list of suspected drug dealers in Pagadian whose house is frequented by addicts almost everyday.

He was caught pushing drugs years ago during a buy bust operation, was charged with violating RA 9165, the Dangerous Drug Act and imprisoned. But his case was later dismissed.

Police records accounted about 25 sachets of plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances believed to be shabu were confiscated from Bana along with several paraphernalia and P1200.

PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena has requested to withhold the name of Bobby’s girlfriend, a minor, who was arrested with him.

Both Ochotorena and board member Ernesto Mondarte, chairman of the committee on police and public safety, said that the raid at the Bana Compound is in support of Gov. Aurora Cerilles’ war against illegal drugs.

“This time he cannot deny that he is involved” Ochotorena said.

“The governor is serious in her campaign and we need to get our acts together on this problem immediately,” Mondarte seconded.

Cerilles has earlier said she will cleanse Zamboanga del Sur of illegal drugs and loose firearms. “Enough is enough,” she said.

Auring joins city party of Chinese New Year

2009-01-29T18:45:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Zambosur PPB

It was merry night for Gov. Aurora Cerilles as she took part in the city’s celebration celebration of the Chinese New Year, Jan. 25, led by Mayor Samuel Co and the Filipino-Chinese community at Plaza Luz.

Cerilles, born in the year of the Ox, wore a Chinese terno that evening.

In her inspirational message to the city’s Filipino-Chinese community, she said: “We all look forward to the coming of the Chinese New Year, which has become a gesture of appreciation and respect to the contributions of our Chinese brethren in forging the advancement of business, commerce and trade in the city.”

The year of the Ox means hard work, added the governor, and that this year should be a season for dynamism and a time for good ideas for the city government in its quest for more development.

“Strong and hardworking as an Ox, let us build new dimensions of progress, upgrading productivity and enterprise as we give our best in contending with the current economic challenges.”

“This is not the time to slumber, neither the time to remain complacent; this is the season of action. Everyone should give his part in community progress,” Cerilles said.

Newly installed Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director James Elridge Adriancem likewise was there to greet visitors and the community.

According to him, Pagadian is the only city in Mindanao that publicly celebrates the Chinese New Year.

“We need to act as one so that good fortune will lead our lives more wonderful. Let us tell the whole world that our city is the paradise of Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said.

Co, who is also the president of the Pagadian City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that his administration always observe important dates like the Chinese New Year, the Paskuhan and Pasalamat festivals, Eid’l Fit’r and Buklog as a tradition.

PMG man, backrider shot

2009-01-29T18:43:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

A member of the 905th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) assigned as a police investigator was shot, Tuesday, along with his companion while riding a motorcycle for work.

PO3 Dexter Dalena and a police asset identified as Ronald Edo were riding Dalena’s XR 200 motorcycle enroute to Camp Abelon when the incident happened.

Police said two assailants suddenly came out of nowhere and ambushed Dalena and Edo at the corner of Ariosa and V. Sagun streets, near the Sangguniang Panlungsod building.

Dalena was hit at the nape and chest and was taken to a nearby hospital while Edo suffered contusions in his cheek and nose bridge.

The policeman, accordingly, is now recuperating.

Police investigation disclosed that the suspects used a .45 caliber in shooting the two victims and casually walked away towards a waiting DT motorcycle then fled.

Meanwhile, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena has ordered a manhunt against the two shooters whose identities were given by Edo who claimed to have positively identified their assailants.

Police Superintendent Nelson Eucogco told this paper that his office will also conduct a separate probe on Dalena’s shooting to determine whether the shooting had something to do with the various high profile cases the policeman is investigating.

Governor Aurora Cerilles the other day has denounced Dalena’s shooting.

Cerilles, in a statement relayed to this paper, said that she “was saddened by the attempt to silence Dalena who plays vital role in the drug buy-bust activities of the 905th PMG.”

The governor said she strongly believes the shooting was work-related as Dalena is active in the fight against illegal drugs and criminalities in the city.

“The incident has sent us a strong message that the evils of drugs are lurking just outside our doorsteps, waiting for the opportune time to harm our children,” she said.

“Drug traffickers will not stop spreading the menace in our society. They will do whatever it takes, even resorting to violence against law enforcers and anyone who gets in their way,” Cerilles continued.

To recall, Cerilles has initiated her no-nonsense war against drug traffickers and has received an all-out support from the police command headed by Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena.

As of Monday, joint elements started their drive against illegal drugs and scored right away with the capture of Ivanhoe “Bobby” Bana and the arrest of a drug-dealing couple based in Dalapang, Labangan.

“Let us be one in the fight against illegal drugs and any other form of criminalities,” Cerilles urged her constituents, telling them further “to be more vigilant” and “cooperate by reporting to authorities all unusual activities in their neighborhood.” WITH REPORTS FROM REMAI ALEJADO, Zambosur PPB

Cop adopts girl who survived massacre

2009-01-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

Police Officer 3 Edgardo Figuracion II, a policeman assigned as a nurse at the Provincial Hospital became a hero in his own right after he assumed parental obligation to an infant who lost her parents.

Figuracion, a member of the PNP recruit class 99-07 and a nursing graduate, adopted one-month old Ezzia straight from the hospital.

Unknown killers massacred Ezzia’s parents three years ago while they were deep in their sleep inside their home in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ezzia’s was saved when her mother, who was breastfeeding at the moment when gunfires bursted, cover her with her body.

Ezzia’s father survived but later died while being treated at the hospital, leaving her in the care of the hospital personnel.

The girl had stab wounds and a cut wrist that needs tendon rehabilitation when taken to the hospital. Doctors said the girl has a 50-50 probability of surviving.

Figuracion’s compassion for the baby prompted him to adopt Ezzia.

During last week’s visit of Cynthia Verzosa, current national adviser of the PNP Ladies Club, who is also the wife of PNP Chief, Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa, Figuracion asked the lady Verzosa for help.

He pleaded for monetary aid for the operation and rehabilitation of Ezzia’s wrist.

The general’s wife promised to relay the request to her husband and even added that Figuracion will likely get a commendation and a promotion for his good deed.

PNP Regional Director Angel Hipolito Sunglao said he was impressed with Figuracion’s exploits, adding this comes with a reward.

"Here is a very extraordinary policeman who made his way in taking up shelter for a massacre victim. It is our obligation and responsibility to look and commend him as a hero on his own way,” Sunglao declared.

Lawmen arrest ‘untouchable’ Bana boy anew

2009-01-28T23:59:00.000-08:00

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

AUTHORITIES swooped down again on the suspected drug den in Bana Compound along Rizal Avenue, Jan. 26, last week and caught a familiar figure in the illegal shabu business and his girlfriend.

Joint elements of the NBI, PDEA, the Pagadian City PNP Office and the 905th Provincial Mobile Group caught red-handed Ivanhoe “Bobby” Bana.

Bobby, according to the police, is regularly mentioned in their list of suspected drug dealers in Pagadian and has been known publicly in addicts’ circle of having converted his residence as a drug den.

He was caught pushing drugs years ago during a buy bust, was charged with violating RA 9165, the Dangerous Drug Act and imprisoned. His case was later dismissed.

Police records accounted about 25 sachets of plastic sachets containing white residues believed to be shabu were confiscated from Bana along with several paraphernalia and P1200.

PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena has requested to withhold the name of Bobby’s girlfriend, a minor, who was arrested with him.

Ochotorena added that the present raid at the Bana Compound is in support of Gov. Aurora Cerilles’ was against illegal drugs.

“This time he cannot deny that he (Bobby) is [not] involved,” Ochotorena said of Bana.

PMG man, backrider shot

2009-01-28T23:57:00.000-08:00

Regional office mark PNP' 18th anniversary

2009-01-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

Zamboanga City--The region’s Philippine National Police command region 9(PNPRO9) celebrated the 18th PNP Anniversary with P/CSupt Felizardo M. Serapio Jr. Director, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations of the Philippine National Police as the guest and speaker.

With this year’s theme; “Pambansang Pulisiya: Kaagapay ng Mamamayan sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran” Regional Director P/CSupt Angelo Hipolito Sunglao had prepared for this year’s awardees to received giving them thanks and appreciation for their support and help and achievements in achieving the mission and goals of the regional police office and its efforts to promote peace and development in the region.

“With this year’s celebration, I would like to thank those who in one way or another help and supported our mission as the peacekeepers of the region” He said.

P/CSupt Sunglao who recently takes over command from his predecessor, Regional Director P/CSupt Jaime Karingal has done much in his first days of managing the regional police office into a humane force of the government especially in the conduct of its mission, objectives and goals to promote lasting peace in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

In the celebration, major units of the PNP Regional Police Office were awarded as the best unit of the region. The Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Police Office was adjudged as the PNP Provincial Office of the Year, while the Pagadian City Police Office garnered as the Component City Police of the Year, Molave Police Station of Zamboanga Del Sur was also chosen as the Municipal Police Station of the Year, Dipolog City Police Station was awarded as this years Women and Children Protection Desk of the Year, and the Regions Intelligence Unit was awarded as the National Support Unit of the Year and the 905th Provincial Mobile Group was also chosen as the region’s best.

It may be recalled that, two of the regions police station and the 905th Provincial Mobile Group was also vying for the nations best of the best. With PNP Police Director P/Director General Jesus Verzosa and the President herself awarded Pagadian City Police Station as the best of the best City Police Station of the Year in Malacañang this week, while Molave PNP Municipal Station landed second and the 905th PMG was adjudged 3rd best of the best nationwide.

Meanwhile other ranking Police Officers and Police Non-Commission Officers were also awarded this year; P/SSupt Mario B. Yanga as Senior PCO of the Year for Administration, P/SSupt Felixberto D. Candado as Senior Officer of the Year for Operations, while P/CInsp Reynaldo M. Maclang was adjudges as the Junior Officer of the Year.

Two PNCO and Non-Uniformed Personnel’s were also awarded, they are: SPO2 Antonio B. Tapales as Senior PNCO of the Year, PO3 Reynante A. Mago as Junior PNCO of the Year while, NUP Corazon Agda and NUP Rachel C. Tugade were chosen as this years Non-Uniformed Personnel of the region.

The celebrations also awarded civilians and other PNP personnel who in way or another supported and help the regional police office to achieve its worth as the region’s peacekeepers, and they were: Gov. Aurora E Cerilles of ZamboSur and the concurrent Chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council, Gov. George Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay, Gov. Rolando Yebes of Zanorte.

Mayors Samuel S. Co, Celso Lobregat and Evelyn Uy of Pagadian City, Zamboanga City and Dipolog City respectively, and the three congressman, Congressman Antonio H. Cerilles of the 2nd District of ZamboSur, Congressman Ernie Fabian of the 2nd District of Zamboanga City and Congresswoman Ma. Isabela Climaco of the 1st District of Zamboanga City.

Other awardees are: Archbishop Romulo Valles of Zamboanga City Diocese, Atty. MaryAnn Tugbang, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Zamboanga del Sur, RD Arturo Valero of NEDA 9, Mayor Edwin Alibutdan of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Allen Labastillas of Zamboanga Times as the Media Awardee.

Major General Nehemias G. Pajarito, CG, 1ID, PA together with P/Supt Angelito Casimiro, Opns Officer, DIPO Eastern, and Col. Santiago Baluyot of Task Force Zamboanga were also awarded. And two other PNP personnel were also given special awards, SPO2 Lino Felicano and PO3 Edgardo Figuracion who adopted a massacre victim and make his own daughter.

PJTremedal, Associate Editor

Cynthia Versoza inducts new PNP ladies club execs

2009-01-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

JAMES TREMEDAL
Associate editor

PAGADIAN CITY--Cynthia Verzosa recently visited this city and inducted the officers and members of the Zamboanga del Sur PNP Ladies Club (PNP-LC).

Versoza, being the wife of PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa, is the PNP Ladies Club national adviser.

Part of Verzosa’s entourage was the inauguration of the PNP-LC office in Camp Abelon, where a bloodletting and tree planting activity was coincided with her arrival there.

She likewise met Mayor Samuel Co and Rose Sunglao, PNP-LC regional adviser and wife of PNP Regional Director Angel Hipolito Sunglao.

At Hotel Alindahaw, Gov. Aurora Cerilles, FL Ilang-Ilang Co, Clara Ochotorena, provincial PNP-LC adviser and wife of PD Ramon Ochotorena, and spouses of the respective town executives joined Versoza

Inducted were: Brevita Eucogco, president; Rowena Palermo, vice president; Fraulin Hinoctan, secretary; Jocelyn Odevillas, treasurer; Sherly Hinoctan, treasurer.

There were two PIOs and PMOs: Yteth Pailan for District 1 and Dolly Vicente for District 2, and Sakrina Sali-Eding and Norly Asadil, respectively.

Aside from Ochotorena, Maria Nelly Galani was inducted as advisers of ZDS-PNP Officers Ladies Club.

For the 905th PMG Ladies Club, inducted were Nenita Ababon, president; Ma Teresa Dela Cruz, vice president; Cherry Duman-ag, secretary; Lucresia Yape, treasurer; Wilma Estonillo and Leonita Duhaylungsod as PIO’s; Merlita Mantuhan and Aida Velasquez as business managers; and Brevita Eucoigco as adviser.

For the Pagadian City PNP Ladies Club, inducted were Evalis Candia, president; Esperanza Gallosa, vice president; Florlyn Sanchez, secretary; Ellen Colonia, treasurer; Sol Ordeniza, auditor; Emily Torres and Leonita Duhyalungsod as PROs and Annie Hawani and Nnena Doliente as PMO’s; and Norlyn Asadil as adviser.

Also, Versoza installed the officers of the local policewomen group known as CITADELS, acronym for courage, integrity, trustworthy, advocators, diligent, euchasiastic and loyalty.

They were SPO1 Gina Gumilao, president; SPO2 Victoria Cabaron, vice-president; PO3 Vinnah Encarquez, secretary; PO3 Geryl Tampal, treasurer; PO3 Tessette Padua, auditor; PO3 Irene Daligdigan and PO2 Melanie Andale as PIOs; SPO1 Petronila Suan and PO1s Jean Colipano and Mercy Mondoy as sergeants-at-arms.

Chief Inspector Charlita Cabatit, with Senior Inspectors Eleuteria Fuertes and Teresita Paclibar are the advisers.

After the induction ceremonies, different groups rendered their performances, with the special participation of young officers from the PNPA and the PNCO’s of PNP-Zambosur Command.

Can they capture Bravo or not?

2009-01-27T18:14:00.000-08:00

Phil-JobNet Center now at Capitol

2009-01-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau
Online contributor

PAGADIAN CITY—Job seekers looking for local and foreign employment can now readily avail of free net services through the Phil-JobNet program of the government.

Phil-JobNet is an internet based job and applicant matching systems which will fast track the search for jobs and employers search for manpower.

The Zambosur Phil-Jobnet Center is presently located at the AEC food court inside the Capitol compound.

The center has 11 on-line computers, which will give direct access to the Phil-Jobnet Website: http://www.phil-job.net/

Jobseekers can submit their application, run job matching process, and get list of vacancies and corresponding employers and contact information. Employers, on the other hand, can post vacancies for free, search for job applicants run job matching process and get list of applicants and corresponding contact information.

Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Tyronne Singgo said the center will accommodate jobseekers within office hours free of charge.

DOLE Usec. Lourdes Trasmonte of the Workers Welfare Division, who represented Sec. Marianito Roque, graced the Jobs Fair held in line with the city’s celebration of the Pasalamat Festival 2009.

Also, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said the Zambosur Phil-Jobnet Center is her way of facilitating job-matching for prospective employees from Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur to the world.

Cerilles expressed her appreciation to President Gloria Arroyo “for bringing the jobs right in just a click of the mouse,” adding such a technology bring together employers and jobseekers in a convenient venue and provide access to available job vacancies and skills matching opportunities

Both Trasmonte and Cerilles hailed Phil-Jobnet’s enhancement of the province’s prospective workforce.

V. Sagun’s dried fish venture gets boost from DOLE

2009-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau
Online contributor

PAGADIAN CITY—The Vincenzo Sagun Fish Ventures Association (VSFVA)’s dried fish enterprise gets a boost from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with the receipt of a check worth P435,971 as additional funding.

VSFVA produces the one-of-a-kind Tamban or Lopoy dried fish and is hailed as the town’s OTOP or one-town-one-product.

DOLE Usec. Lourdes Trasmonte, RD Ponciano Ligutom and PD Virginia Bonbon were joined by Gov. Aurora Cerilles in awarding the check to Mayor Edilberto Adlaon, who received it with VSFVA President Joy Rabon.

The funding aid received by VSFVA is President Gloria Arroyo’s workers income augmentation program (WINAP) and the awarding was coincided during DOLE’s launching of Phil-Jobnet Center at the Capitol, Jan. 17.

Trasmonte, a native of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, said in her message that opportunities abound for jobseekers and future entrepreneurs if only they will learn to make use of available resources found in their locality.

She cited, for example, the big prospects on agriculture products, fishery and natural resources development.

For VSFVA, it started only with 20 women members but at present has already attended several Regional Trade Expositions at SM Megamall in Manila as well as trade fairs in Davao City.

The DTI has been assisting VSFVA in the packaging of their products. With the DOLE fund assistance, Adlaon is optimistic they can procure the needed equipment for mass production.

JHCSC perks-up vermi-composting technology

2009-01-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau
Online contributor

PAGADIAN CITY--The JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC) is in the process of revitalizing an environment-friendly technology of turning wastes into organic fertilizers.

This effort is in line with the thrust of the Cerilles administration in its advocacy of organic farming, increase crop yield while improving soil health.

Called vermi-composting, this technology uses earthworms to convert wastes into organic fertilizer using any raw materials like rice straws; coconut saw dust, coco coir, madre de cacao leaves and household wastes such as rotten vegetables.

For this plan to work, a training on vermi-composting production technology and planning workshop was held at Hotel Alindahaw.

The project will be started within this year and is predicted to be viable by 2011.

Governor Aurora Cerilles expressed her delight with the college’s initiative.

“I appreciate of your involvement, especially to the key leaders and program directors from the Regional Vermicompost and Vermimeal Production Center and the JH Cerilles State College for instituting this important undertaking,” Cerilles said.

“Having proven the viability and high agricultural production turn-out of this technology, apart from its ecological advantage and health benefits, we have good reasons to pursue its spread and application among our farmers,” she added.

The governor further hoped that such project will be soon available to the rural farmers, recalling how she advocated organic agriculture in 2006.

A vermicomposting plant that processes household wastes into vermicompost is located in Dao, this city, and will soon sell its produce at P250 per bag.

August, last year, JCHSC was declared as Regional Vermicompost and Vermimeal Production Center in Region IX, DA’s Agnes Riñon and concurrent project leader of Vermicompost production center, said.

JHCSC’s vermicompost plant project involved a wormery, site development, salaries and wages of technicians and farm workers, and subsidies to vermicast farmers, all to the tune of P1-million.

Since its establishment, several farmers from Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Tambulig, Ramon Magsaysay, Guipos, Tigbao, San Miguel and this city were able to catch its technology and benefited from it.

Radyo Kampana hints closure

2009-01-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief

OZAMIZ CITY—The economic downturn takes its toll on the local broadcast industry and radio station DxDD-Radyo Kampana could possibly be its first casualty.

DxDD, one of the earliest radio stations in Ozamiz and famous for its “Dan-ag sa Dakbayan” slogan is rumored to cease its operation for a few months, a source from the said station told MINDANAO MONITOR the other day.

Although the decision is not yet final and awaiting further official authorization and consultations, the source added that its board of directors has already decided on the fate of the broadcast station rumored to have been riddled with fiscal mismanagement and unable to deliver the profits.

“It may come anytime this week or not,” the source said.

Archbishop Jesus Dosado is the chairman of the board while Vicar General Msgr. Emie Bienes is vice chairman and Fathers Antonio Sagrado, Edgar Calogm Mario Magcanam, Marvin Osmeña, Maximino Naron Jr. and Edgar Canama composed the members of the board.

Canama is the newly appointed priest in-charge of DxDD-AM and FM while veteran announcer Fernando “Nanding” Dumanjug is the present station manager.

The given period was six months, Osmeña, BOD secretary and treasurer, was quoted to have said, confirming a board resolution passed in November, which ordered closing down the operation of both its AM and FM facilities pending an evaluation into its financial liquidity.

This paper later learned that the real intent of the closure is for the Catholic Media Network affiliate to “realign and modify its financial status and upgrade technical facilities.”

December, last year, Dosado commissioned Robert Castro, a certified public accountant, to make an internal audit of DxDD’s financial viability and to present the findings on March 10.

Castro, in a conversation last Sunday refused to reveal his findings but only said that it will made known in due time.

Although unconfirmed, an insider source has reported that Castro was able to discover several discrepancies in the station’s remitted collections and other dealings made by some DxDD employees.

When asked, some DxDD insiders would categorically deny the station is bankrupt and that what was uncovered in the audit dated back to a decade ago.

“Dili oy, we are earning and gaining profits,” somebody from the production department said.

Meanwhile, Dumanjug has submitted a petition that seeks a review of the board resolution.

In the said petition, the station manager underscored that the BOD’s resolution passed in November violated the constitutional provision on the rights of employees and the right of procedural due process.

“They (the BOD) passed the resolution without prior consultation and conference with DxDD employees who are party in interest,” Dumanjug defended.

The former city councilor added that the clear intention of the board’s resolution is to place the stations' employees in a floating status for six months.

“Within the legally prescribe period of six months suspension of operation, DxDD employees placed in floating status can't receive wages, which is tantamount to depriving them the right to life because their jobs denote their means of living,” he reasoned out.

What Dumanjug wanted, as well as with the rest of the employees, is that an open negotiation will be called for to weed out any possible legal solution, not the temporary closure.

This may include the suspension of other wages and incentives, cost cutting and modification of its financial system and increasing revenues by creating hard line programs that will be the road mark for the station’s recovery.

Such programs, according to Dumanjug, may be aimed in spicing up the doctrinal exposition of Catholic Faith Defenders; engage in radio-television kind of broadcasting and by concentrating more on political advertisements.

Canama, in response to Dumanjug’s petition, has stressed that the BOD resolution placing DxDD on a six-month temporary closure is still subject for legal consultation by CBCP legal counsel Sabino Padilla Jr. before it is implemented to the letter.

Dosado, for his part, clarified that the archdiocese of Ozamiz will not abandon DxDD, the radio apostolate being the modern pulpit of evangelization.

The archbishop revealed that he is at the moment sourcing out financial grants for DxDD but first the BOD has to modify the guiding principles and systems of DxDD’s financial course of action to avoid the repetition of this present trouble.

Last Jan. 18, DxDD-FM marked its 29th anniversary while DxDD-AM will celebrate its 39th anniversary on Feb. 14.

All in all, DxDD has some 20 employees; half of this make up the technical men and paid volunteers.

“All those involved in the corporation and in its radio stations are extensions of the bishop in his office of evangelization. We need to professionalize ourselves in the performance of our apostolate. Those who work for the Gospel must not be left behind in the practice and use of the instruments of communication by those who work only for their livelihood,” Dosado concluded. WITH REPORTS FROM WENDELL TALIBONG