One Mindanao - January 6, 2012

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.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Blitz

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]: 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

Cover Story

Task Force Zamboanga

conducts various civic initiatives as

part of IPSP

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. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Michael Vincent D. CajulaoWestern Mindanao page 5

Today’s issue...Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 145

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga RegionBCPO chief vows to run after holdup suspects

Annette Villaces, Caraga RegionFilipino investor interested in Nonoc mining revival

Northern Mindanao Mindanao hosts BIMP-EAGA Friendship Run

Statement of Secretary Antonino, MinDA chair on the Pantukan landslide incident

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

9

25

1516

21

2426

Palace commends SALN disclosure of two SC members12

Firecracker-related injuries in S. Cotabato, 54 Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

14

29

Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao Zambo lad wins 20th PSQ Nat’l Finals18

Western Mindanao Zero fire welcomes New Year in Zambo City19

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, Northern Mindanao Latest floods destroy P50 million in irrigation structures- NIA 23

Southern Mindanao

Davao CENRO collects lesser wastes 27Carina Cayon , Southern Mindanao

Malacanang expects tourism, jobs boosts from ‘The Bourne Legacy’ filming13

17

28

S. Cotabato sends more help to Sendong victimsCentral Mindanao

31

Message Cover StoryWhat is so important in a new year? It is just the changing of a number. From 2011, it is now 2012.

The coming of a new year is celebrated in all cultures and religions. It is the coming of a new age.It is also a reason to hope.

Our countrymen, by overwhelming number look at 2012 with hope for a better life and a better Philippines, and rightly they expect so much from our leaders especially our President. 2010 and 2011 were the foundations of this great expectation. From a campaign promise of daang matuwid, the one year and a half of the Aquino Presidency has laid out the plans and programs of good governance. We saw the development and articulation of the Philippine Development Plan. We saw the systematic prosecution and bringing to justice of those who have violated the law. We saw the start of rebuilding and strengthening of the foundations of democracy and our institutions.

We saw that public money was prudently spent and policies were cleverly crafted.

We saw that this government is truthworthy and its President can be trusted. People saw that and they believe that they can deliver on the change that he promised.

These are the reasons for the high hopes and expectations for 2012.

As they say, new year is an opportunity for renewal. As we meet 2012 and embrace its promise of a new and better life for all Filipinos, let us look at 2011 and the years before that as foundations into the future. Let us take a stock of the good and trail-blazing projects that we had undertaken. Let us continue to innovate and improve on them and with hard work and with the grace of God Almighty, we will be able to do more.

To all the officials and personnel of PIA and our partners, thank you for a fruitful 2011. Your work in improving and saving the lives of others through timely, accurate information has affected the lives of countless Filipinos.

To those to whom much was given, much is expected. God has been so kind to us. Let us do more. We pray for wisdom. We pray for strength. We pray for guidance and protection as we perform our daily task with honor, dedication and joy.

God bless our country and its people. God bless PIA and the Philippines.

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

5 Friday, January 6, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Task Force Zamboanga conducts various civic initiatives as part of IPSP

Cover Story

Behind the strong façade being projected by our soldiers is a soft spot for those who are less privileged and in dire need.

by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

6 Friday, January 6, 2012ONE MINDANAO

This is what Task Force Zam-boanga (TFZ) would want the ci-vilians to realize as they continue to silently conduct civic actions for indigents in the city’s outskirts and even in neighboring areas. Driven by their willingness to help Typhoon Sendong victims, TFZ, headed by Col. Buenaven-tura Pascual, partnered with the New Marine Multi-Purpose Coop-erative and a local salon here to gather “ukay-ukay” (used cloth-ing). “We really want to help in any way we can. We know they really need clean, dry clothes af-ter Sendong’s devastation”, Maj. Jaran Abdula, TFZ CMO Officer said. Maj. Abdula said they have accumulated 3 bundles and a

sack of used clothing which they dispatched for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City last December 21. Maj. Abdula also added that they conducted a medical and dental mission in Barangay Ca-baluay, east of the city, last De-cember 18. The said activity benefitted 47 individuals, 34 of whom availed the free tooth ex-traction, while 13 young people availed of free circumcision. The activity is in partner-ship with the Philippine Army’s 1st Dental Operation Team, and Western Mindanao State Univer-sity Nursing Department. It was sponsored by Zamboanga Her-mosa Lions Club, represented by its President, Mr. Percival Mirav-ite.


Task Force Zamboanga also visited Don Francisco Ong Seng Memorial Elementary School in Sitio Mala, Barangay Bolong, a far-flung barangay in the city’s east coast. Abdula said they conducted a “pulong-pulong” notifying teach-ers, pupils, and parents on bomb threat awareness. They distrib-uted information education com-munication materials (IECs) to help strengthen their community thru “bayanihan”. They also distributed fruit juice and foods for the kids for their Christmas party, and as-sorted medicines. Maj. Abdula emphasized that these activities were meant to help change the perception of the people about the soldiers. He

said one of their key functions is to conduct worthwhile activities other than protecting the popu-lace. “This is part of our Inter-nal Peace Security Plan (IPSP) BAYANIHAN, aimed at helping the people thru civic actions. It’s time that our civilians realize na hindi lang kami puro giyera. Marami rin kaming ginagawa para sa ikabubuti nila”. (We are not just here in times of war. We also undertake programs benefi-cial to them.) Col. Buenaventura Pascual has long been an advocate of civic actions to help spur devel-opment in the region. Thus, they are bent in implementing IPSP BAYANIHAN to reach out to the public.


Pascual, in a previous interview with PIA, said helping the public thru civic actions is the best way to curb lawlessness and even terrorism. He also opposed the all-out-war called by some sectors after 19 Ma-rine soldiers were killed in Basilan. “Hindi sagot ang giyera sa problemang pangkapay-apaan dito sa atin”, Pascual said.


Aquino leads commemoration of ‘Tandang Sora’ bicentennial

President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the very important role everyone play in nation-building as exemplified by Filipino national heroes, years ago as he challenged the people to live by their characteristics that

are worth-emulating.

10 Friday, January 6, 2012

In his speech during the commemo-ration of the bicentennial birth anniversary and re-interment of remains of Melchora “Tandang Sora” Aquino at the Tandang Sora Shrine on Banlat Road in Quezon City, Friday, President Aquino said that Filipinos should continue the greatness and patrio-tism of the Filipino heroes setting aside the hindrances that may come their way. In remembering the great works of the Tandang Sora and her relevant contri-butions to the Philippine Revolution that broke out in 1896, the President shared the challenge to every individual: to con-tribute in collective efforts for sustainable and lasting progress. “Ang hamon ni Tandang Sora sa atin ngayon: ano ang maiaambag mo para sa kapakanan ng mga susunod na Pilipino…Noon, hindi lamang heneral o rebolusyo-naryo ang humubog sa ating tadhana. Ngayon, hindi lamang mga opisyal ng pa-mahalaan ang magtitimon sa pagtahak na-tin sa tuwid na daan,” the President said. “Kasama dito ang bawat isa sa atin: ang mga gurong gumagabay sa paroroo-nan ng mga kabataan; ang mga doktor at nurse na pumupunta sa kanayunan para bigyang-lunas ang mahihirap na may kara-mdaman; ang mga abogado’t huwes na tumitiyak na pantay ang timbangan ng ka-tarungan; at siyempre, kayong mga kasa-ma ko ngayong umaga: kayong lumilingon at nagbibigay-halaga sa mga pamana ng ating kasaysayan; kayong hindi kailanman tinalikuran ang mga aral at kontribusyon ng ating mga dakilang ninuno. Mulat kayo

sa tungkulin ng bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz; batid ninyong nakasalalay sa inyong pakikilahok ang katuparan ng nagkakaisa nating mithiin,” he added. Following his speech, the President solemnly observed in the re-interment cer-emony of the remains of Tandang Sora that was led by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias. The Chief Executive said that the Tandang Sora Shrine serves as an encour-aging force, especially those who visit the place to take the cudgels and take part in serving others and the country.


“Sa paglalagak natin ng mga labi ni Tandang Sora sa kaniyang bagong dambana, nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa bawat dumadalaw dito ang kakaibang uri ng kabayanihan ni Melchora Aquino: na kung gusto mo tala-gang pagsilbihan ang bayan, hindi hadlang ang edad, o ang kasarian, o anupamang balakid sa iyong harapan,” President Aqui-no said. He also encouraged the people to live by the spirit of unity and concern for others as shown by Tandang Sora who dedicated part of her life to fellow Filipinos. “Kaya naman tulungan natin ang ating kapwa, at nagkakaisa tayong kumilos

para sa kapakanan ng ating bansa. Sa ganitong paraan, ipinapakita nating buhay pa rin ang pamana ni Melchora Aquino; at buhay pa rin ang kabayanihan at pagba-bayanihan sa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” the President noted. Also present during the event were House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Ed-ucation Secretary Armin Luistro, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Maria Serna Diokno and Apo ni Melchora Tandang Sora Aquino Association Inc. President Jose-phine Geronimo, among others. Melchora Aquino gained the titles “Grand Woman of the Revolution” and the “Mother of Balintawak” for her heroic con-tributions to Philippine history. In her na-tive town, Tandang Sora operated a store, which became a refuge for the sick and wounded revolutionaries. She fed, gave medical attention to and encouraged the revolutionaries with motherly advice and prayers. She was deported to Guam, Mariana Islands until the time the United States took control of the Philippines in 1898, Tandang Sora, like other exiles, returned to Philip-pines. She died on March 2, 1919 at the age of 107. Prior to the re-interment in the Shrine, Tandang Sora’s remains was previ-ously buried in her own backyard (now as Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park, Quezon City). (JCL)

12 Friday, January 6, 2012

“The cause of Justice can have no sturdier shield than the integrity of those who are tasked with dis-charging it. The decision of Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Maria Lourdes Sereno to release the sum-maries of their statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) upon the re-quest of concerned citizens is commendable to the high-est degree,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda

said in a statement Friday. Lacierda said mem-bers of the judiciary disclos-ing their assets have every-thing to gain from embracing transparency and account-ability noting that the Palace believes that demonstrating faith in the Filipino is the best way to obtain and re-tain public confidence. It is regrettable that while it is simple to disclose their SALNs for public in-spection, there are those

who so fear people’s scru-tiny, Lacierda said. “We call on the judi-ciary to join the legislature and the executive in making the disclosure of SALNs a routine reality,” he added. Carpio and Sereno were the only members of the SC to respond to the re-quest of Kaya Natin! Move-ment for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership to release the summaries of their SALNs.

Palace commends SALN disclosure of two SC members

Malacanang commended the disclosure of the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) of two members of the Supreme Court and called on the other members of the judiciary to do similar practice and make it a routine.


The group has been asking SC Chief Justice Re-nato Corona to release his SALN. Corona’s failure to

disclose his SALN is among the key charges used by the House justice committee in filing an impeachment com-

plaint against him. Corona will go on trial at the Senate on January 16. (AS)

Malacanang expects tourism, jobs boosts from ‘The Bourne Legacy’ filming

Malacanang expects that the filming of the Hollywood action movie “The Bourne Legacy” in the Philippines will promote tourism and create jobs for Filipinos.

“It will help our tour-ism, it will help our film industry, it will help em-ployment in the country,” Presidential spokesman Ed-win Lacierda said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Friday. “The Bourne Legacy” is the latest in the movie franchise based on the es-pionage series created by Robert Ludlum. Local officials advised Metro Manila motorists about the closure of several

roads starting next week to make way for the filming of the Hollywood movie. Among the planned shooting locations include Intramuros, Malate and oth-er parts of the City of Ma-nila. There will also be a car chase shoot in the Edsa-Taft Avenue area in Pasay City. Some scenes will also be filmed on Ayala Avenue in Makati City, Marikina City public market and at the Navotas City fish port, offi-

cials said. Lead actress Rachel Weisz is also expected to ride a jeepney as it spins around, according to offi-cials. “The Bourne Legacy,” written and directed by Tony Gilroy, is the fourth in-stallment of the blockbuster Hollywood series that had Matt Damon playing the title character, Jason Bourne, in the first three installments. (AS)


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Businessmen, entrepreneurs urged to renew business permits early by Nora CL Molde

Chief of Business Licensing and Permit Division Paul Cabrera called on businessmen and entrepreneurs to renew their licenses and permits early to avoid penalties.


The deadline for the renewal of business permits and licenses is until January 20 only, said Cabrera in an in-terview with local radio here. Beyond the said

date, a 25 percent pen-alty will be imposed on applications. Last Monday, more than 300 individuals have already applied their permits, and 50 of

these applications were already issued mayor’s permit. Cabrera also said that sari-sari (or con-venience) store owners should get and/or renew their permits only from the city hall. He further said that only the mayor can issue business permits and the barangays will only issue documents as one of the requirements in the se-curing the required per-mits from the city.

BCPO chief vows to run after holdup suspects by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY – Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) Director, PSupt. Pedro Obaldo today said he and the entire police force of the city are determined to run after suspects of series of holdups that took place on the first week of January.


Obaldo said in an in-terview that they are pres-ently conducting thorough investigations on the series of holdup which victimized businessmen here. He also said that while the BCPO conducts inves-tigations, police personnel are also formulating strate-gies to solve the problem. “Pinag-aaralan na po nating mabuti ‘yan…Alam n’yo kasi ang PNP ay maraming mga guidelines, policies o mga solusyon para sa isang partikular na sit-

wasyon o problema… Tayo po ay namimili kung anong strategy na ‘yun ang iimple-ment natin,” Obaldo said. (We are looking into it… You know, PNP has many guidelines, policies or solutions to be undertaken for a particular situation or problem… and we are going to select what strategy to be implemented.) With this, the official asked the public to give the police ample time to conduct investigations and solve the prevailing problems.

Among the establish-ments robbed were the Ne-gros Navigation Superferry Ticketing Outlet located at Lopez Jaena Street, Brgy Humabon, Butuan City. Investigation revealed that the suspect initially pre-tended as a customer and once inside, drew his gun, fired it and declared hold-up. The suspect managed to take the money from ca-shier’s drawer amounting to Php 7,000 and then fled aboard a motorcycle.

Filipino investor interested in Nonoc mining revival

SURIGAO CITY – A Filipino investor is interested in the revival of Nonoc Nickel mine of Philnico Industrial Corp. (Philnico), City Mayor Ernesto Matugas confirmed recently.

by Annette Villaces

Matugas said San Miguel Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramon Ang is now seriously con-sidering the re-opening of the said refinery located in

Nonoc Island. Matugas said he per-sonally persuaded Ang to invest in the said company while he was in Manila and that negotiations are still

on-going. Matugas said he ex-pects at least 8,000 new jobs will be created if the project pushes thru.


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Rice supply in Zambo City stable – NFAby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Zamboanga City Provincial Manager Gaudencio Nuega, Jr. assured the public that the city has sufficient rice supply for this year.

zamboanga.com


Zambo lad wins 20th PSQ Nat’l Finals

Nuega told local media here that the first batch of rice ship-ment will be arriving in the city on the second quarter. “The first ship-ment is expected to arrive by April or May. Kahit dumating ang bigas by April or May, in place ang food se-curity at rice supply for Zamboanga City”, Nuega said. As of present, there are still 92,000 bags of rice in their of-fice according to Nue-ga. Harvest time is also approaching and NFA is expecting around 44,000 sacks of palay from the nearby city of Pagadian and the entire region.

All together, the city will have at least 136,000 bags of rice, enough to supply the city for 110 days. There are also com-mercial rice available in the market, Nuega added. Nuega said NFA is planning to import 10 million bags of rice

(500,000 Metric Tons) for the entire country this year. However, it’s still unknown how many bags will be al-located to the city but he, again, assured the public of the city’s stable supply.(JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A Zamboangueño bested 16 others in the recently concluded 20th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) national competition held at the Assembly Hall of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Malate, Manila.

16 year old Efren Medallo, a first year col-lege Electronics and Com-munications Engineering student of the Ateneo de

Zamboanga University (ADZU) bagged the cham-pionship title when he de-feated 16 other regional representatives coming

from the various regions all over the country. Medallo’s scored 33 points in total for the three rounds of questions and

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez


answers on statistical con-cepts, theories and prob-lems. It was a close fight among Medallo and Re-gion VI’s representative Raoul Danniel Manuel and Zamina Sabenecio of Re-gion IX. Medallo won over a one point lead over the two. Medallo brought not only pride and honor for the Zamboanga Peninsula Region but also P30,000 cash price, a PSQ medal and a specially designed trophy for himself. His coach was also awarded cash incentive of P15,000 and a special recognition.

This is the second in a row for Region 9 to win the prestigious PSQ Na-tional Finals since it start-ed in 1992. The PSQ is a na-tionwide search for young

statistics whizzes spear-headed by the National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association.(JPA/PIA-ZamBaSulTa)

Zero fire welcomes New Year in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY – News of fire incidents have become a norm in the country during New Year. Thankfully, no such incident happened in the city as reported by the Bureau of Fire Protection City Fire District Chief Supt. Dominador F. Zabala, Jr.


Zabala said the fire-free Christmas and New Year cel-ebrations in the city is due to the massive information campaign drive they conducted before the Christmas Holidays, with the help of local media here. “I would like to thank the differ-ent media outlets for helping us dissemi-nate fire prevention and safety tips to the people”, Zabala point-ed.

He also thanked the general public for taking heed of their reminder to stay away from using firecrack-ers. “We also thanked the people who also took precautionary measures in the fire prevention campaign of our district”, Zabala added. Zabala also re-ported that fire in-cidents in the city slightly decreased last year compared to 2010. According to

him, there were 35 fire incidents record-ed by their office last year as compared to 39 in 2010. However, 2011 posted a greater amount of damage as compared to 2010, with an estimat-ed damage of P54, 886,000.00 to the P21,860,000.00 in 2010, or a 105% in-crease in damage to properties. ( JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)


NGCP provides financial aid to Sendong-hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan

To further assist in ongoing humanitarian relief efforts, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is extending financial assistance to areas recently devastated by Tropical

storm Sendong.

The Philippines which is the 4th most calamity-prone country, according to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,

saw the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan hit with flash floods, wiping out entire communities and destroying billions of pesos in infrastructure and


agricultural lands. As of January 3, 2012, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) estimated the total damages to cost PhP1,384,592,708.00. Casualties have reached more than a thousand, with 80,647 families (429,045 people) displaced and living in evacuation centers. In an effort to rebuild affected areas, NGCP executives, headed by President and CEO Henry Sy, Jr., met with Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano and Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz, today, to hand over Php1,000,000.00 each to the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. NGCP employees based at its Head Office in Quezon City previously

donated 45 boxes of relief goods, as of December 22, 2011, and voluntary cash contributions amounting to Php178,980.00 to co-employees based in Mindanao. The management also allowed the use of its hangar space in Cagayan de Oro for forensic examination on the deceased and commissioned the use of a water pump and generator set to provide clean water and electricity to the public. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating and maintaining the country’s electric power grid. As a responsible corporation, NGCP takes care not just of its own employees, but also the communities hosting its facilities, which it considers one of its true partners in nation-building. (NGCP)


Latest floods destroy P50 million in irrigation structures- NIAby Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon - Six main irrigation structures estimated at over P52 million were in total wreck after the Pulangui River burst its banks following heavy rains that submerged twelve villages in Valencia City recently, barely a week after tropical storm ‘Sendong’ hit the area.

Engr. Jimmy Apostol, Division Manager, National Irrigation Administration (NIA), said, the rampaging floodwaters destroyed the grouted riprap at the bridge’s abutment including the huge siphon that draws off water from the river for distribution to vast rice fields in barangay San Isidro, here. He said several structures destroyed include two (2) spur dikes along Pulangui River and the embankment of the reuse dam in barangay Batangan. “Even the 60-meter irrigation canal that serves 950 hectares of rice fields in Nabag-o and San Isidro barangays was not spared,” Apostol said. As an agricultural backbone in the province, Valencia village farmers expected a plentiful harvest this season but their hopes have been dashed by the raging floods. Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata, in an interview, said the city government of Valencia is now closely coordinating with NIA on how to address the farmers’ plight and provide them

enough farm water to start planting afresh after the heavy rains subside, since they had invested all they had on the farms. “NIA has proposed construction of a diversion canal, but since the need is urgent, they were able to procure three (3) water pumps that could serve 600 hectares of rice fields,” Catarata said. Apostol, likewise, said the Mayor is considering NIA’s proposal of constructing diversion canal to temporarily cater to the farmers’ needs.

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Mindanao hosts BIMP-EAGA Friendship RunRunners from all across the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) are set to compete in Marathon Friendship

Run slated on January 12, 2012 in General Santos City.

According to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which is organizing the event, BIMP-EAGA countries will each have a team of six runners, four males and two females, for the 42-km marathon. Thousand of local runners from General Santos and Mindanao are likewise expected to take part in the 3k, 5k, and 10k fun runs that will be open to both men and women athletes. “The Philippines is honored to host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Run as we endeavor to strengthen our relations within the sub-region through sports development,” said Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority chair and EAGA Signing Minister. She added that senior sports officials and heads of delegations from the four countries are coming to Mindanao, bringing with them their teams of runners and athletes for the friendly run along the stretch of General Santos City to Alabel, Sarangani and back. “The BIMP-EAGA Marathon Friendship Run officially launches the 7th BIMP EAGA Friendship Games of 2012, which will be discussed in a special meeting by all ministers and

delegation heads next week,” PSC Chair Ritchie Garcia bared. He added that this year’s 7th BIMP EAGA Friendship Games are tentatively scheduled in December and will be jointly hosted by General Santos City and the Province of Sarangani. The BIMP-EAGA delegates will be welcomed by Gen. Santos City Mayor Darlene R. Antonino-Custodio and Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, along with international boxing champ and Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. The BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994 covering the border areas of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines with the goal of spawning increased investments, trade, and tourism within this sub-region of the ASEAN. It specifically covers the island economies of island economies of Brunei; North, Central, South and Southeast Sulawesi, Central, East, West and South Kalimantan, Maluku and Irian Jaya in Indonesia; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. (MinDA)


Davao to host international air fora this quarter by Mai Gevera MacapagatDavao City,positioned as a

MICE destination or Meet-ings, Investments, Conventions, and Exhibitions is ready to play as host to three tourism-oriented ex-hibits this first quarter of 2012. Tourism Region 11 director Art Boncato Jr. announced this first inter-national tourism event to the Davao media in yesterday’s media briefing at Chippens Restaurant. These three fora are the Equa-tor Asia Air Access Forum, the Airline CEO Summit, and the Air Network Ex-hibit, all slated to happen on April 17 here. The Equator Asia Air Access Fo-rum is a convergence of airport author-ities where they can discuss challeng-es and future steps to be undertaken by the industry. The CEO Summit, on the other hand, is intended for all air-line executives.Boncato said this the Air Network Ex-hibit is a perfect opportunity for airline companies to showcase their packag-es and products and have it shown to

all participating airline companies in the said forum. “ We are still thinking of one or two more events to tie up with these three major fora.”, Boncato added.Aside from these slated international forum, the local government is also eyeing to host the next Ad Congress which was recently hosted by Cama-rines Sur. Boncato is optimistic that Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio can make it happen given that the city can now accommodate more than 4,000 visi-tors all at the same period.“She’s the perfect person to do that for Davao”, he said. (Mai Gevera-Macapagat)

Mindanao hosts BIMP-EAGA Friendship Run


Statement of Secretary Antonino, MinDA chair on the Pantukan landslide incident

We are saddened by this another turn of event, this time a landslide in a gold-

rush site in Purok Diat Uno, Nap-napan, Pantukan, Compostela Val-ley Province. Reports have initially placed the number of confirmed deaths to at least 25 people, with more than 100 missing and feared buried alive. We are coordinating with the local government of Pantukan and the Office of Civil Defense XI for the latest status of rescue opera-tions as well as confirmation on the number of casualties. Pantukan Mayor Celso Sare-nas, who heads the Municipal Di-saster Risk Reduction and Man-agement Council, has called for a

coordination meeting this morning for quick assessment of the situa-tion and subsequent deployment of rescue teams. Meanwhile, we support the move of Compostela Valley Gover-nor Arturo Uy ordering force evacu-ation for residents in similarly situ-ated landslide prone areas in the province. It may be recalled that in April last year, a similar landslide incident also struck a small-scale gold mining site in Sitio Pangana-son, Barangay Kingking, Pantukan which claimed 5 deaths, with more than a dozen missing. The incident prompted DENR and local officials to forbid people from residing in such geologically hazardous areas. The small scale miners were also urged to organize themselves into cooperatives so they can be properly assisted and monitored, pursuant to the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act. This can’t be allowed to hap-pen over and over again hence, an investigation should be in order to determine accountability and en-sure prevention of similar incidents in known danger-prone sites. - Secretary Luwalhati Antoni-no Chair, Mindanao Development Authority.


Davao CENRO collects lesser wastesby Carina Cayon

DAVAO CITY– The city’s manda-tory segregation of solid wastes policy has brought about the de-cline in garbage collection by 100 tons daily for the last few months last year. City Environment and Natu-ral Re sources Officer Atty. Jo-seph Dominic Felizarta said that the “No segregation, No collection” policy gained a recent waste collection of 380 tons per day from the 480 tons collected per day at the start of the policy’s implementation. Prior to the execution of the mandatory waste segregation which was on July 1 of 2011, waste collec-tions reached to 600 to 700 tons per day. However, Felizarta reported to the local media here during Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw that the collection in December last year reached to 385 tons per day due to the holiday activi-ties. He also said they were not strict executing the segregation policy on December 24 and during New Year’s day.

With the stringent implementa-tion of the waste segregation under the city’s Ecological Solid Waste Man-agement Ordinance of 2009, Felizarta disclosed that already 1,600 violators have been apprehended. The figure included the 90 viola-tors who were arrested for the period of December 1-23, 2011.Felizarta said 400 cases have also been filed against the violators for non-segregation of wastes. He said that one violator was convicted after he/she pleaded guilty, and was fined P1,000. “Others will follow as summons has already been issued to them,” Fe-lizarta stated. Under Section 10 of the solid waste management ordinance, “the segregation of waste at source by generators as household and all es-tablishments is mandatory.” The penalty for violating this par-ticular provision is a fine of P300.00 and mandatory seminar in the first offense. The second-time offenders are required to pay a fine of P500.00 or five-day community service, while the third-time violators will have to pay a penalty of P1,000 or ten-day commu-nity service. For the 4th and succeeding of-fense, violators shall be prosecuted in court with a maximum penalty of P5,000 or six months imprisonment if convicted. (Carina L. Cayon)


Solon to donate land to disaster-affected families in Saranganiby CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Sarangani Cong. Pacquiao is donating land to affected families in Glan affected by the disaster last year.

Pacquiao’s public informa-tion officer Rose Tamayo said the congressman bought two hectares of land for the “180 families in Tango, Glan who have been affected last year by disaster.”

Barangany Tango has been touted to be the childhood hometown of the world boxing icon before his entire family settled in General Santos City.

Tamayo said Pacquiao bought the two hectares of land using his own money aside from the 1.5 hectares he had already bought for the “relocation site” of a number of vulnerable fam-ilies in the province.


Sarangani Provincial Disaster Risk Reduc-tion and Management Officer Buenaventura Solarte said though he was not privy to the buying of land, he ap-plauds the congress-man’s move describ-ing it a big help to the would-be beneficia-ries.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao was also set to distrib-ute two units of com-puters with printers to Tango Elementary School yesterday.

Tamayo said the con-gressman immediately decided after learning that the Principal’s of-fice has no computer sets at its own disposal.

The school has also no available water supply so “the congressman will also be giving out water pumps.”

In addition, Tamayo said Pacquiao will also be giving away incen-tives to at least 17 teachers in the same school.

Firecracker-related injuries in S. Cotabato, 54by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- Despite massive information drive, firecracker –related injuries during the yuletide season in South Cotabato in-creased this year, a health official confirmed.

Data from the Inte-grated Provincial Health Office indicated that as of 2:00 p.m. on January 3, IPHO’s surveillance unit has already moni-tored 54 blast injuries, 18 persons more com-pared to the number of cases in 2011.

“We cannot deny the fact that our massive campaign had no ef-fect on the public,” Dr. Salvecio Dagang, chief of IPHO’s technical divi-sion replied when asked if their Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) program failed. “Our objective is zero injury, unfortunately we had 54

cases of firecracker-re-lated injuries.”

Of the 54 injured 24 were children 10 years old and below. The report

indicated the youngest victim was 5 years old while the oldest was 72 years old.

Piccolo remains the


major cause of injuries, accounting for 27 cas-es.

This year, the top three LGUs concerning most number of fire-cracker-related injuries were Koronadal City with 15, Norala town, 10, and Surallah town, 9.

The towns of Tupi and T’boli reported 6 and 5 cases, respectively.

“So far, we have no reported amputations but we have four cases of eye injuries,” Dr. Da-gang said.

Of the total number 50 were blast injuries and burns.

“It’s really alarming,” he said, “that despite our massive efforts to campaign against use of firecrackers which be-gan as early as the first week of December, we still have this number of injuries,” he said.

He added, as far as the DOH and IPHO are con-cerned, they have done their best in remind-ing the public to refrain from use of firecrackers during the celebrations.

Dagang as well as Provincial Administra-tor and Provincial Di-saster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Isidro Janita, implied that the

increasing number of firecracker-related in-juries could be due to “weak” implementation of law on part of local government units.

Political will in imple-menting Republic Act 7183 (Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices) has been lacking, Da-gang said.

Janita, on the other hand said that local gov-ernment units of South Cotabato should follow the example of Davao City which has been suc-cessful in achieving very minimal cases of blast injuries with the imple-mentation of total ban of any form of firecrack-ers.

“I strongly support the move of DOH and the DENR for a total ban

in firecrackers,” he said. “If this can be success-fully done in Davao City, then it is also possible [in South Cotabato].”

The provincial govern-ment should pass a res-olution or an ordinance banning firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, he said.

Dagang said he is also concerned with the persistent problem of parents allowing their children to handle and even light firecrackers, considering that almost half of the victims are children below 10 years old and added that he also supports the sug-gestion to penalize par-ents whose children are wounded by firecracker blast.

IPHO’s monitoring of firecracker-related inju-ries will end on Friday, January 6.


S. Cotabato sends more help to Sendong victimsKORONADAL CITY – As promised, the provincial government of South Cotabato has sent more help to the victims of typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao.

A team from the provincial LGU, led by Provincial Administra-tor and Provincial Di-saster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Isidro Janita, took off early yesterday morning to bring 450 sacks of rice intended for Sendong victims in evacuation centers in Iligan City.

They brought with them a truckload of relief items including clothes, noodles, canned goods, bottled water and oth-ers that the provincial government have col-lected since December.

They also brought a check amounting to P50,000 from the lo-cal government of Tan-tangan and more than P5,000 cash donated by employees of Tupi LGU.

Janita said, a team of

social workers, led by Provincial Social Wel-fare and Development Officer Nelida Pereira also joined the group.

Pereira’s team who came from different lo-cal government units in the province will help in the stress debriefing of the victims.

Janita said they in-tend to distribute rice -- which have been re-packed into five-kilo packages -- and the other relief goods di-rectly to families in evacuation centers. But if local government offi-cials would advise them against it, they will hand the goods over to the LGU, the Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment or whoever manages the relief op-erations.

On December 23,

South Cotabato deliv-ered the first batch of rice donation to typhoon victims in Cagayan de Oro City. The first de-livery also included 20 caskets.

Based on observation that relief operations by several donors were concentrated to Ca-gayan de Oro City, the provincial LGU pledged to send the remaining goods to Iligan City.

Earlier, the Sang-guniang Panlalawigan approved an allocation of P1.5 million as assis-tance to Sendong vic-tims in Northern Min-danao but Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. suggested that instead of cash do-nation, the help should be in the form of rice so that local farmers could also benefit from the support. (Dani Doguiles)

Documents

One Mindanao - January 6, 2012