One Mindanao - December 6, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

2/F Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

OUR COVER

features

Peace Village

in Kapatagan,

Lanao del Norte.

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

Managing Editor ……......... ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

Associate Editors ……....... NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Photo Credit: DepEd Lanao del Norte

In ThisIssue...

Tuesday, Vol. 1 No. 114

Cover Story

Peace Village - 7th Residential Experience

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

Indigenous Peoples magkakaroon ng representante sa SP

NFA Caraga to stay at PNP military reservation, says Ochoa

BIR hits 2011 tax goal in Surigao del Sur early

DepEd 9 official, in hot water for alleged P20M anomalous deal

“Halad Pasalamat” held in Dipolog

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Region IX

Franklin P. Gumapon. Region IX

Ac Agad, Region XII

Christine S. Pariñas, Caraga Region

Greg Tataro, Caraga Region

23

26

28

31

page 16

page 20

page 24

page 29

page 33

Lorry V. Gabule

Nat

iona

l

Aquino exhorts Liberal Party mates to help effect change in the country.......... 14

page 4

18 DavSur Coliseum expected to spur economic growth

Carina Cayon, Region XI

DPWH implements Php82.60M worth of infra projects in Mis. Occ., 2nd Engineering District

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob. Region X35

LTO-Marawi collections up by 200 percent in November

Apipa Bagumbaran, Region X36

Public lauds joint Philippine Marines, police security forces

Jeanevive Abangan Region XII22

32

4 Tuesday, December 6, 2011ONE MINDANAO

Peace Village - 7th Residential Experience

Cover Story

by Lorry V. Gabule

In a world so BIG, discover that our differences are SMALL”…is the theme on its 7th year celebration of the Peace Village Residential Experience.

5 Tuesday, December 6, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Close to 1,600 delegates from the grade school and high school levels, composed of 22 school districts and 34 second-ary schools of the Department of Education (DepEd), Lanao del Norte, were apt to experience activities geared towards finding similarities and celebrating dif-ferences. Cultural differences tend to make it more complicated and dif-ficult for two groups of people to know and relate with each other, or live together in a community. A cultural and social artefact like language spoken differently by two cultural groups, for example, could bar contact and communi-cation between their people. You then have a situation that tends to lend itself to misunderstand-ing, mistrust and mutual suspi-cion, chauvinism, or animosity. But the tri-people share the same fundamental belief in jus-tice, democracy and self-deter-mination. Thus, year after year, more and more partners, parents, teachers and school children join us every Month of October, in this annual activity of celebrating peace, expressed Schools Divi-sion Superintendent Maria Luisa Beltran Mutia, DepEd Lanao del Norte Schools Division Office.

The Peace Village, perma-nently located now at a one-hectare land area beside the Ka-patagan Central School in the municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, from 2005 where it started with structured cottages built in a vacant lot of the prem-ises behind Mindanao Civic Cen-ter, Sagadan, Tubod, this prov-ince. Key activities like the Show-er of Peace, Peace Parade, Flag Raising, Learning Hubs, Pledge to Peace, Non-Violent Communi-cation Workshop, Kids’ Say No to Guns and Yes to Life, and Peace Art are all lined up to make the stay at the village more fun and rewarding. Supt. Mutia, the brain child of this program, said for the past seven years they have joined


hands in learning peace, teaching peace and reaching peace. PEACE EDUCATION aims to foster the values and attitudes conducive to living harmoniously and peacefully amid cultural diversity. It seeks to achieve a state of oneness among the tri-people. Thus, it works to promote tolerance, goodwill, and respect for and understanding of diver-sity among young people. And all these way by way of learning activities that encourage them to:• Share stories that foster understanding, tolerance, and

goodwill- and learn from them;• Share thoughts and feel-ings on peace and its elements in communities of mixed faith, cultures and beliefs;• Celebrate similarities and diversity;• Experience the beauty of music, arts and crafts, dance and folk tales borne of different cultures; and• Play games and compete in sports, and hone skills and talents in the process.


The PEACE VILLAGE draws insights from a thematic model for peace education pro-posed by UNESCO since 2001. The model offers ten basic themes covering key values that education hopes to see develop-ing in children. The themes in quick strokes are as follows: THINK POSITIVE aims to develop a positive mindset in children. It works to build a positive self-concept in oneself and attitudes towards accepting and appreciating others. EMPHATIZE is learning to put oneself in the shoes of oth-ers, and works to develop com-passionate qualities, like love, kindness, and friendliness, to counter the violence in society. DISCOVER INNER PEACE helps the learner in discover-ing peace of mind; covers ways of understanding self, control-

ling emotions, and soothing the mind. LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER is learning to work harmoniously with others; covers such topics as sharing, mutual help, trust build-ing, taking group responsibility, leading and following. RESPECT HUMAN DIGNITY tries to develop a consciousness that recognizes and respects one’s own rights and those of others. BE YOUR TRUE SELF helps acquire the strength of character needed to be honest and direct in expressing one’s needs, feel-ings and thoughts without letting others down. DEVELOP CRITICAL THINK-ING aims to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills, like –analysis, syntheses, logical thinking, etc.


RESOLVE CONFLICT NON-VIOLENTLY covers development of conflict resolution skills, like: analyses, negotiation, active listening, mediation, problem-solving, etc. BUILD PEACE IN COMMU-NITY exposes children to social realities. Schools can organize peace-building projects in the community. CARE FOR THE PLANET bears directly and immediately on the destiny of mankind. What is the Peace Village initiative? It stems from a simple hu-man proposition: We all want peace. Building on this is an-other simple but pure belief that peace is born of understanding. Understanding is not a sub-ject taught in school, it is not in the lesson plan of any teacher. But it is in the school- that of-fers a convention venue for initi-ating the process of acquiring it, as a mode of behaviour, or per-haps as a way of life. As life must life be in a community of mixed faith, cultures and beliefs. The setting moves beyond the classroom, and into the vil-lage. The idea has served to un-derpin the Peace Village initiative as conceived and implemented by the Department of Education in

Lanao del Norte for five consecu-tive years now, with guidance and support from its Regional Office for Northern Mindanao. The provincial government of Lanao del Norte under the leadership of former Gov. Imelda Q. Quibranza and the concurrent Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo has fully supported the Peace Village in its mission of providing peace and prosperity in this ‘Land of Beauty


and Bounty.’ The Peace Village traces its beginning five years back to a cul-tural exchange between groups of young people from Lanao del Norte and from the Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila. It offered a venue for Chris-tian and Muslim youth to ex-change knowledge about each other’s culture for deeper under-standing. The seminal activity

was called Cultural Youth Ex-change for Peace and Prosper-ity. In January 2004, a cultural dance group from the Smokey Mountain, calling itself Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig (MAID), paid Lanao del Norte a visit and staged a cultural presentation celebrating the diverse cultures of the Philippines. Adding more meaning to the event was the exposure of the visitors from Manila to a Ma-ranao village in the province, which allowed them a real taste of Maranao living. The Maranao children learned the games and poems from Luzon, while the children from Manila enjoyed be-ing a part of Pagana Maranaw/Kanduri, a festive Maranao cel-ebration to welcome visitors. Capping the exchange was a dia-logue between the hosts and the visitors on issues of peace and prosperity. The event inspired the hold-ing of the Northern Mindanao Peace Village in May 2006. It was an experience rich and ful-filling enough to call for a second initiative six months later in No-vember 2006. The goal has been to main-tain the initiative as an annual event enlivened by new designs


and approaches to make each one a unique funfilled learning experience for fostering a culture of peace. In October 2007, the chil-dren came again, journeying like pilgrims from far and wide, to

gather together for peace. Since then, the holding of the Peace Village became an annual event that the children in Lanao del Norte and even the whole of Northern Mindanao look forward to.


Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna on Australia, New Zealand envoys

President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna to the outgoing Ambassadors of New Zealand and Australia in recognition of their exemplary contributions to further strengthen the diplomatic

relations between their respective countries and the Philippines as well as the promotion of programs that will help uplift the lives of the Filipinos and their peoples.


During his fare-well call on the Pres-ident at the Music Room of the Mala-canang Palace on Monday, New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Graeme Matheson was awarded the Or-der of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) for his significant contribu-tions in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Labor Coopera-tion in the year 2008; MOA on Environment Cooperation (2009) and the Exchange of Notes on the Tem-porary Employment of Nurses, Farm Managers and En-gineering Profes-sionals (2009). Amba s s a -dor Matheson also exerted

an impor-tant role in

shaping t h e

De-

velopment Coopera-tion program between the Philippines and New Zealand through the New Zealand Agency for Interna-tional Development (NZAid). During the event, the New Zealand en-voy was accompa-nied by Andy White, Deputy Head of Mis-sion; Heather Garven, Consul and Adminis-tration and Nathaniel Mackay, Immigration Branch Manager. Also present for the Philip-pine side were Foreign Affairs Assistant Sec-retary Laura del Ro-sario and Presidential Protocol Chief Miguel Perez- Rubio. President Aquino also awarded the Or-der of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross, Gold Distinction) on outgo-ing Australian Ambas-sador Roderick Rich-ard Campbell Smith for his steadfast ef-

forts in strengthening bilateral relations with high level meetings and the convening of the Bilateral Senior Officials and Minis-terial Meetings as well as the Inaugural Meetings of the Agri-cultural Forum, Min-ing Officials’ Meetings and Climate Change Consultations. The Australian envoy was cited for an important role he played in shap-ing the Development Cooperation Program between the Philip-pines and his country, making the Australian Agency for Interna-tional Development (AusAID) the largest development part-ner of the Philippines for grants in the year 2010. He was accom-panied by Andrew Byrne, Deputy Head of Mission; Titon Mi-tra, AusAID Minister Counsellor; Group


Captain Craig White De-fense Attache and Ross Bray, Senior Trade and Investment Commis-sioner of the Australian Trade Commission. Earlier, United Kingdom Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Jeremy Browne MP also paid a call on President Aquino. Browne was accompanied by British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

Browne returned to the country for the second time yesterday to affirm the strong re-lationship between the Philippines and the UK, and to express Britain’s continuing support for Philippine development and reform in line with shared values. Browne has held various positions in the Liberal Democrat par-ty, including as spokes-man on Foreign Affairs

and most recently as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He has also been a member of the cross-party Home Affairs Committee. (JCL)


Aquino exhorts Liberal Party mates to help effect change in the country

“I really have to be able to say what we will leave is defi-nitely better than what we found,” the President said in his impromptu speech during the oath-taking ceremony of

New Liberal Party (LP)

m e m -bers

and 65th Christmas Party of the LP at the Balay Expo Centro, Araneta Center in Cu-bao, Quezon City on Monday evening. The President also asked his fellow public servants in the LP to face the challenges in serving the people and perform their duties as instruments of the Di-vine Provider for the

good of the Filipinos. “God made us instruments—I’d like to think God is making us instruments of His will and, at the end of the day, we have been given an opportunity to really transform so much of our country and especially the lives of our people,” Presi-dent Aquino said. “And when you

President Benigno S. Aquino III has encouraged his party mates in the Liberal

Party to seize the opportunity given them by the Filipino people to effect change in the country that would help uplift their lives.


are given this responsi-bility, of course, the task ahead is not going to be easy. The battle that is looming will not be easy. But we do have to make a choice and the choice is very simple. We can choose to try and be visible at the same time being invisible or we can, you know, really fulfill what we promised our people when we campaigned to them,” he added. The President said that when he accepted the challenge of leading the country, he already knew the possible tri-als and tribulations that come along with his re-sponsibilities as he ex-pressed his unwavering commitment to change the lives of the Filipinos for the better when he steps down at the end of his term in 2016. “The idea is simple. I accepted this willing-ly. I know the risks in-volved. I know the trials and tribulations, at least

‘yung what to expect, and knowing fully well that the trials and trib-ulations that will come our way, I committed fully. I want to be able to step down in 2016 and have people tell me that they were satisfied or they were happy with the performance, or that nobody can tell me that the commitment that I willingly undertook I didn’t do. I want to be able to say to everybody and anybody that we really did everything,” President Aquino noted. “I already envi-sioned the time that I will be retired. But I have to be able to say that I didn’t bequeath to the next generation something the same or worse than what I found. I really have to be able to say what we leave is definitely bet-ter than what we found. And with your help with the constancy of your support,, and your un-derstanding, I see no

reason why we will not achieve the same,” he said. Also present during the event were prominent members of the LP led by Senators Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto, and Francis Pangilinan, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, LP Secretary General and Cavite Represen-tative Joseph Emilio Abaya and LP presi-dent and Transpor-tation and Commu-nications Secretary Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II, among others. During the event, President Aquino swore into office in the new mem-bers of the LP. (JCL)


Biometrics eyed in ARMM 4Ps distributionby Mai Gevera Macapagat

Social Welfare and Development Secretary

Corazon Soliman sees the need to use biometrics to ensure that target beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) really get the grant. After speaking with the local chief executives from all over the coun-try in today’s consultation dialogue held at the Grand Regal Hotel, Soli-man admitted that implementing the program in ARMM remains the most challenging. “ Doing it in ARMM makes it the most difficult. There are towns in Maguindanao which are controlled by barangay captains, local chief execu-tives and their representatives. Peo-ple who are supposed to get the grant opted not to talk because of fear” Soli-

man said. Assessment from the field showed that there are non-beneficiaries who insisted to claim the grant even if they clearly appear non-beneficiaries. De-spite that, they went home with the cash grant because the releasing offi-cer was often threatened by the sight of guns. Soliman said DSWD suspended the operation of 4Ps in ARMM last 2010. Months since its re-operation, the agency observed another recur-rence in some areas. Through its Grievance Redress Committee that receives and handles complaints from the people in the


field, DWSD recorded a total of 195 complaints sent through text mes-sage from ARMM beneficiaries from July to November this year. Sixty-three of that are payment-related. One of the solutions pushed by Soliman is the use of biometrics to make sure that only the target beneficiaries get to claim the cash grant. “We are still doing the math as to how to make use of the technol-ogy for a simple and cheap way of doing this in ARMM,” she said. This project will specifically pi-lot the operation in ARMM and in Leyte . The local chief executive

of Leyte personally requested for the inclusion of the province in the biometrics system that the DSWD hopes to apply in ARMM. DSWD gets to listen to the best practices shared by Tangub City Mayor Philip Tan Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog, Santiago City May-or Amelita Navarro, andNaga City Mayor Cecilia de Asis during the consultation dialogue forum. The activity is a series of con-sultation with the LCEs that aims to strengthen the relationship be-tween the national and local gov-ernment to work together for a better 4Ps.

regional gallery...

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte opens the City’s Pasko Fiesta celebrations last December 5 at the People’s Park (photo by M. Gevera Macapagat)


DavSur Coliseum expected to spur economic growthby Carina CayonDIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – A 5,000-seater coliseum worth P268-million here is expected to spur economic growth for the province. Governor Douglas Cagas has high hopes for the airconditioned col-iseum to bring economic stability for Davao del Sur, saying that this has been his long-time dream for his con-stituents. The coliseum is part of the P500 million five-structure components de-signed for the Davao del Sur Sports-Cultural and Business Center Complex to include convention centers, swim-ming pool, volleyball court, dormitory and restaurant, parks and playground

and track and field. Izumo Contractors, Inc. turned-over on Monday (Dec. 05) the com-pleted coliseum structure to the pro-vincial government that approved the project in 2008 and had the building constructed within the 11-hectare site of the complex in 2009. Cagas said that the coliseum is open for public function uses such as conventions, congress, and sports events like basketball games with a fee of P15,000 per hour. However, he said that the rate is negotiable subject to the discretion of his office and depending on the use and the users. The coliseum has been the venue of the regular Monday convocations


to the provincial capitol employ-ees and other big provincial events since its grand opening on Decem-ber 04 last year. The big gymnasium has al-ready hosted three games of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The Philippine Sports Commis-sion (PSC) has chosen the province as one of the ten provinces nation-wide to host the PBA semi-finals on July 30. The first PBA game was played by PBA teams Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine during the grand open-ing of the coliseum on December 4, 2010. The event has earned the province some P1.58 million net proceeds. The second PBA game was played on June 25 as part of the week-long celebration of the 44th Araw ng Davao del Sur. This game

provided about P700,000 net in-come for the province. Cagas said that the PSC has been considering the sports com-plex to be the sports training cen-ter in Mindanao. Early this year, Sports Com-missioner Chito Loyzaga visited the province and signified an in-tention to sponsor a resolution to the Commission to make Davao del Sur Sports Complex as the coun-try’s sports training center in the island. The governor has welcomed this development for the province as a headstart in the field of sports tourism in the province and a land-mark in the countryside. Improving the sports tour-ism in the province is part of the governor’s core program in making Davao del Sur an Agro Industrial Commercial Eco-Tourism province.

did you know...

That the crash of Air Philippines Flight 541 in the morning of April 19, 2000 in Sitio Camanlangan, Island Garden City of Samal that killed 131 people on board is the deadliest air disaster in Philippine aviation history


Koronadal City promotes hygiene, healthy lifestyle among schoolchildrenby Airyn Sucion and Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, -- Elementary graders in public schools in Koronadal City shall have additional education on proper hy-giene and healthy lifestyle with the city LGU’s implementation of “Fit for School” program.


Koronadal City promotes hygiene, healthy lifestyle among schoolchildren

Recently, the city government, repre-sented by mayor Pe-ter B. Miguel, signed a memorandum of agree-ment with the Depart-ment of Education and Fit for School , Inc. for the implementation of the program focused on promoting healthy habits among school children. The MOA signing was also in prepara-tion of the upcoming launching of the Essen-tial Health Care Program (EHCP) in the city; the measure aims at incul-cating healthy behav-iour among children for a more long-term health improvements of the elementary school pupils. Present during the signing were EHCP national coordinator Democrito Figueroa, Jr., Region 12 Fit for School project officer Edward Dawatan, act-ing city schools divi-sion superintendent Mario Madrero, other city officials. Based on the MOA, the city govern-ment commits to al-locate P500,000 coun-terpart fund for the implementation of the

program through the DepEd. In partnership with the public elementary schools it shall over-see the implementation of efficient and cost-effective health inter-ventions being promot-ed, such as daily hand washing with soap, dai-ly tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste and a biannual deworming activity. Mayor Miguel, a medical doctor by pro-fession, has been active in addressing health is-sues of Koronadaleños. Mayor Miguel said he welcomes all pro-grams that make the city’s public elementary schools healthy public places by promoting basic hygiene as daily routine.

He hopes that through this program, they could control the number of children be-ing absent from class or leaving school due to disease. He also pledged to sustain the program, in response to the chal-lenge of officials of Fit for School, Inc. to make the city a model in the implementation of the health interven-tion program. Fit for School Inc. is a non-government or-ganization that supports the Philippine govern-ment’s health and edu-cation sectors in their efforts to achieve the child-related Millenni-um Development Goals (MDGs), namely: to achieve universal prima-ry education, to reduce


major childhood dis-eases, and to develop global partnership for development. The Fit for School aims to promote the simple and cost-effec-

tive Essential Health Care Package (EHCP) in public elementary schools, preschools and day care centers. EHCP is a nation-al flagship program of

DepED, supported by international devel-opment partners such as GTZ, CIM, Inwent as well as corporate partners.

Public lauds joint Philippine Marines, police security forcesby Perlita Changco

COTABATO CITY - Cotabato City Mayor Jojo Guiani, Jr. and other various sectors in the community have commended the contingent of the Philippine Marines and city police, expressing satisfaction on the performance of both law enforcement authorities.

The chief executive issued the commenda-tion following the ar-rest lately of one of the notorious hired killers long wanted for series of shooting incidents in Cotabato City dating back several years ago. Guiani said, the joint intensified cam-paign against criminal activities and lawless elements by the Philip-pine Marines and city police that led to the ar-rest Guiapal Diocolano would boost efforts to improve peace and sta-bility and economic op-portunities in the city. “We give credit

where it is due and this time I commend the Philippine Marines and the city police for a job well done leading to the arrest of one of the no-torious guns-for hire na si Guiapal Diocolano,” Mayor Guiani said. The joint forces of Philippine Marines under Lt. Col. Doroteo Jose Jalandoni and city police director PSSupt. Danny Reyes have ar-rested notorious gun-for-hire identified as Diocolano. Reyes said, Dio-colano who uses sev-eral aliases is believed

to be responsible in the killing of several individuals including a policeman about five years back and the rugby boy few weeks ago here in the city. Now detained at the city jail, Diocolano faces several charg-es and other criminal case including illegal possession of fire-arms, Reyes said, cit-ing the importance of unity and cooperation between the authori-ties and people in the community towards peace and stability.


Public lauds joint Philippine Marines, police security forces

Indigenous Peoples magkakaroon ng representante sa SPKORONADAL CITY – Inaasahang magkakaroon ng kinatawan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato sa susunod na taon ang grupo ng mga katutubo o Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

Ayon kay gover-nor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., nakatakda ng maglaan ng kinakailangang pon-do ang sanggunian sa unang supplemental budget nito para sa ta-ong 2012 para sa pag-tatalaga ng IP represen-tative sa konseho. Kanya na rin um-anong inatasan ang mga opisyal at miyembro ng Provincial Tribal Council

na kaagad simulan ang proseso ng pagpili ng kanilang opisyal na kina-tawan sa sanggunian. Tiniyak din ni Pin-goy sa mga tribal lead-ers na susuportahan nito ang mga hakbang ng grupo upang ang kanil-ang boses at mga mith-iin ay maipa-abot sa pa-mahalaan. Ipinangako din nito ang dagdag na programa

at proyekto na makakat-ulong sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayan at pamumu-hay ng mga katutubon ng lalawigan. Magbibigay din um-ano ang pamahalaang lokal ng espasyo sa PRO-TECH Center na nasa lungsod para sa perma-nenteng tanggapan ng Provincial Tribal Council na kilalaning “Kasfalah Hall.” (Ac Agad)


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Students plant trees for environmental protection by Robert E. Roperos

High school and college students here have shown support to environmental protection through a tree planting activity held Saturday at Brgy. Anticala. The activity was aimed at rehabilitating critical

watershed and key biodiversity areas of Caraga Region.


According to Fr. Chito “Kits” Butardo, school administration of different higher edu-cation institutions and from the high school signified their support to save the Taguibo Watershed, which is the only source of po-table water in Butuan

and some portions of Agusan del Norte. “The activity is also part of the advo-cacy campaign of the Save Taguibo Water-shed Network (STWN) to inform the general public of their role as concerned citizens liv-ing in Butuan City,”

Butardo said. The priest and academician also said they (students) have also learned how to value cooperation to save our nature. “A thing that must be passed to the (gener-ations to come),” Bu-tardo said.


A petition was filed in July 2011 by local government leaders urging Presi-dent Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to con-

firm NFA’s continued use of the site where the grains facilities are situated. The said petition was signed by Butuan

City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr, Agu-san del Norte Gov. Er-lpe John M. Amante, Rep. Jose S. Aquino II (1st Dist.) and Rep.

NFA Caraga to stay at PNP military reservation , says Ochoaby Christine S. Pariñas

BUTUAN CITY – Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. directed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Di-rector-General Nicanor A. Bartolome to maintain the status quo regarding the occupancy of NFA of the 1.644 hectares of the military reservation in Libertad, Butuan City.


NFA Caraga to stay at PNP military reservation , says Ochoa

Angelica Rosedelle A. Matba (2nd Dist.). According to the petitioners, the evic-tion of NFA ware-houses in Libertad, Butuan City will dis-rupt the food securi-ty program in Butuan City and Agusan del Norte and adversely affect peace and or-der. The petition arose after the lo-cal PNP authorities demanded of NFA to vacate the area. The PNP asserted the claim saying that it is in-

cluded in the seven-hectare site allegedly allocated to it. The request for status quo was origi-nally requested by the Provincial Agri-cultural and Fisheries Council (PAFC) and the Confederation of Grains Retailers As-sociation (GRECON). Under Proclama-tion No. 725 issued in 1960 it was the de-funct Philippine Con-stabulary, then an organic part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that was

given the portion of the military reserva-tion that was previ-ously created under Proclamation No. 526. In 1979, the AFP granted NFA permis-sion to use a portion of the military res-ervation comprising 16,448 square meters for its operations. On the basis of the permit, NFA con-structed two ware-houses, each with a capacity of 100,000 bags of rice and since then NFA has been in continuous posses-sion. The AFP has not revoked the permit up to this time. Military reserva-tions pertain to the patrimonial property of the State and are absolutely under the control of the Presi-dent of the Philip-pines being lands of the public domain.


TANDAG CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District Office 106 here has already hit its tax collection target for 2011 earlier.

BIR hits 2011 tax goal in Surigao del Sur earlyby Greg Tataro

According to Rev-enue District Officer Amanoding Esmail, they have even exceed-ed the target amount of P534,108,000. Esmail noted that as of November, ac-tual collection has al-ready reached up to P543,463,683, posting

an excess of P9,355,683 or equivalent to 1.75 percent increase. Meanwhile, he said as compared to last year, their of-fice has attained a marked increase of P56,464,326 or equiv-alent to 11.60 per-cent rise in collection

performance. Last year’s actual collec-tion was recorded at P486,999,357. Since there is a month to go, Esmail is optimistic to get as high as P50million more this December. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag)


“Pascua na Zamboanga” reels offby Jocelyn P. Alvarez

The recent bombing incident that happened at the Atilano Pension that killed three (3) people and wounded 27 others did not stop the throngs of

people from attending the kick off day of the city initiated Christmas festival dubbed “Pascua na Zamboanga.”


Thousands gathered Friday Night at the Plaza Pershing and City Hall grounds as “Pascua na Zamboanga” (Christmas in Zamboanga) reeled off highlighted by the traditional lantern parade, fireworks display and ceremonial switch on of the Christmas lights and other landmarks. City Information Officer (IO) Sheila

Covarrubias

said “with the spectacular show of lights and decorations, City Hall is once again an icon of prosperity, joy and celebration and can be considered to have the most fantastic holiday display in this part of the country.” Covarrubias also boasted of the bubble-making machines “which make the City Hall holiday display even

more festive,” she

said. “The snow-making machine on the other hand is one latest attraction at the Plaza Pershing C h r i s t m a s Display,” the lady IO said. “This year, the

holiday displays in City Hall, Paseo del Mar and Plaza Pershing reflect on the concept that Christmas is for Children and that Christmas is a time for celebration-merry making, gift-giving and sharing,” Covarrubias was quoted as saying. Mayor Celso Lobregat during the ceremonial switch on of

lights said “Every year I would say the City Hall holiday display comes as a surprise.” L o b r e g a t enthusiastically said “the city’s Christmas celebration is getting bigger and brighter than ever.” The mayor also extended his invitation to the people to come and visit Zamboanga City this yuletide season. “We invite

everyone from here and elsewhere to come to Zamboanga. This is how we celebrate Christmas,” he said. “For several years now we have been lighting our city hall and every year the Christams lights and trimmings get better and better,” Lobregat bragged.

http.www.skyscrapercity.com


DepEd 9 official, in hot water for alleged P20M anomalous deal

According to a reliable source, the purchase of textbooks did not pass through proper bidding and was over-priced from P300.00 per book to P480.00. The source furthered that, “The official and his cohort got P9 M as kickbacks and commission”. The investigation started after books were distributed in 36 schools in the city this year. Investigation revealed that the deal was sealed last year silently. It appeared that only a few knew of the purchase. As the news reached the city government, Mayor Celso Lobregat

immediately called the source to shed light on the said anomaly. The City Council’s Committee on Education is currently exerting all possible efforts to determine the allegations and prosecute those liable. The source decried the stealing of the funds that were intended for the improvement of education here.

“While the city government and all local o f f i c i a l s are helping DepEd in the construction of school buildings and a c q u i s i t i o n of computer laborator ies for the school

children, this official is feasting on and stealing millions of pesos from the people”, the source lamented.

Authorities have not yet released

names of liable persons so as not to jeopardize ongoing investigation. (JPA/MVC/PIA-ZBST, with news from Allen Abastillas)

The Department of Education 9 official is now being investigated for anomalous acquisition of textbooks worth P19.8 M last year.

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao


“Halad Pasalamat” held in Dipolog

Thousands have joined the “Halad Pasalamat” (thanksgiving) celebration held here recently by the city government with religious leaders from

the different denominations offering prayers for God’s goodness and blessings to the city.

People from all walks of life comprising the city and barangay officials, students, civic leaders, followers of the differ-ent religious groups, and many others have converged at the Dipolog City Boulevard to acknowledge God’s

blessings for all the constituents of the city. Mayor Evelyn Tang-Uy has earlier issued Ex-ecutive Order No. 2011-27 dated November 22, 2011 enjoining all sec-

tors to put God first in all their endeavors. Pastors/ministers of the United Church of Christ in the Philip-pines (UCCP), Mission-ary Baptist Church, Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Is-lam, Lumads, Seventh

Day Adventist (SDA), Charis-matic groups, Roman Catholic Church, Jesus Is Lord Church and others have each offered prayers during the thanksgiv-ing celebra-tion.

The activity was preceded by a grand pa-rade with the part ic i -pants bringing along flaglets, balloons, slo-gans and placards with words of praises to the

Heavenly Father. The city govern-ment is now pushing for a Performance Gov-ernance System (PGS), which envisions a God-centered, peace loving and self-reliant super city in the year 2030. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zam-boanga del Norte)

by Franklin P. Gumapon


Solon spills out more infra projectsby Jumalyn J. Picato

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez spearheaded, recently, the ground breaking and turn-over ceremonies of some 23 infrastructure projects such as drainage

and road concreting, repair and construction. The project utilizes a total of P100 million fund benefiting the barangays of Agusan, Bugo, Cugman, Consolacion, Camaman-an, Gusa, Macabalan, Macasandig, Nazareth, Puerto, Puntod, and Tablon, this city.

Rodriguez assured that before the end of his term all roads within his district will be fully repaired or cemented. During the event, the congressman also acknowledged


the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Congressman Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. of Abante Mindanao Party-list (ABAMIN) for the partnership, so with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for providing the P5 million counterpart for the construction of farm to market road in upper Agusan. The Congressman likewise disclosed the passing of a bill in the congress, which proposes the conversion of Agusan, Alae, Balubal and Manolo Fortich as a national road.“If approved, more funds can be accessed for the

realization of a four-lane project on these areas,” he said.


DPWH implements Php82.60M worth of infra projects in Mis. Occ., 2nd Engineering Districtby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental – Some 12 infrastructure projects worth Php82.60 million have been implemented by the 2nd Engineering District of Misamis Occidental, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), based here, as of Oct. 31, this year.

Engr. Dario C. Pusod, Acting District Engineer, said four (4) of these projects have already been completed, while two (2) are still on-going and six (6) others have not yet been started. Pusod said among the completed projects were those funded by the DPWH Regular Infrastructure Program for Calendar Year 2011, particularly, the construction of two (2) sections of the Bonifacio-Don Victoriano Road involving 0.520 km. worth Php11.92 million and some 0.600 km. worth Php9.30 million, respectively. Also under the DPWH Regular Infra for CY 2011 is the construction of the Ozamiz-Pagadian Road involving 2.07 km. worth Php37.17 million, which is still on-going and already 65% completed. Pusod also said the construction of the multi-purpose building at the Lorenzo Tan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Lorenzo Tan, this city, under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the Coop Natcco Partylist worth Php1.0 million is now 80 percent completed. Meanwhile, two (2) projects

which were implemented starting CY 2010 under the PDAF of Congressman Loreto Leo Ocampos and contracted by the RN Builders and General Merchandise, have been completed, as of the period. These projects included the improvement /expansion of the Carriageway along the Ozamiz-Oroquieta Road, Sinacaban Section, involving 1.416 km., worth Php10 million and the Tudela Section, involving some 0.370 km. , also worth Php10 million. Projects with the not yet started (NYS) status include the following: construction of classrooms at the Bonifacio Central School (CS) in Bonifacio town, worth Php257,000, and Pan-ay Diot Elementary School (ES) in Tudela, worth Php200,000: Libertad Bajo ES in Sinacaban, worth Php250,000, Sinuza ES in Tudela worth Php200,000 and Pan-ay ES in Clarin worth Php284,000. Also in the NYS stage is the construction of two (2) classrooms at the Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trade (OCSAT) worth P1.023 million, Pusod added.


LTO-Marawi collections up by 200 percent in Novemberby Apipa Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Land Transportation Office – Marawi District Office posted a total collections of Php853,268.00 for the month of November, up by more than 200 percent as compared to the Php246,742.75 collections recorded the same month of 2010.

Sibana M. Datumanong, district head of LTO-Marawi, said the increase in the agency’s collections was due to the inspection and checkpoint operations conducted by the members of the army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade (Bde), based in Kampo Ranao, this city. The LTO has deputized the army to assist the agency in the implementation of road and traffic laws in the city. As a result of the checkpoint operations, various types of motor vehicles were apprehended because of no registration, expired registration, expired licenses of the drivers and drivers without license, he said. Out of the Php853,268.00 total collections, Php141,500.00 came from fines and penalties on law e n f o r c e m e n t which posted a zero collections last November of 2010. Also, fines and penalties on Motor Vehicle

User’s Charge (MVUC) and licensing amounted to Php107,071.50 and Php22,000.00, respectively, compared to the Php42,802.50 and Php8,775.00 collected last year. Datumanong, meanwhile, expressed appreciation to the Philippine Army for its support in the implementation of land transportation laws. On the other hand, Col. Daniel A. Lucero, commander of the 103rd Bde, gave assurance that the army will continue to give support operations to local government units and government agencies in the province in pursuant to the army’s Internal Peace and Security Plan dubbed as “Bayanihan.”

LTO-Marawi collections up by 200 percent in November

Documents

One Mindanao - December 6, 2011