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Zambosur voters near 600T

2010-01-26T21:48:00.000-08:00

A total of 558,871 Zambosurian voters will cast their ballot this May in the first ever nationwide automated elections, a latest Comelec voters list stated.

The said number already include the 109,339 voters of Pagadian City, the regional center, which is part of the first district.

The said list, which was taken by this paper last Nov. 16, 2009, excluded the newly registered voters in the province culled during the 5-day extension of registration, from Dec. 21-29,2009.

A source from the provincial Comelec office, however, said additional new voters during the said period for Pagadian only reached 395 while an estimated 1,500 voters will likely be added to the overall current list in the province.

Data forwarded last December by City Election Officer Dinah Sapong listed a total of 5,592 first time voters.

All in all, there are 143 clustered precincts out of the established 724 in 54 barangays all over the regional center.

Another Comelec report date June 2009 obtained from the national office disclosed a total of 936,797 voters for Zambosur. Minus the present figure, an overall difference of 377,926 is noted.

For the first district, the towns of Tukuran, Aurora, Mahayag, Molave and Labangan can be classified as vote-rich municipalities with voters numbering more than 25,000.

The towns of Josefina and Sominot tallied only 6,193 and 9,299 voters, respectively.

Bayog, Dimataling, Dumalinao, Margosatubig and Lapuyan are the vote-rich places in the second district with voters numbering between 17,000 to 20,000.

Tigbao and Lakewood has the least voters in the same district, with 10,558 and 10,864, respectively.

All in all, the first district registered 223,023 electorates while 226,509 were counted in the second district.

There are 27,793 new registrants for the whole province, including some 6,845 who transferred from other municipalities, another 158 were reactivated with transfer and 788 were reactivated.

A total of 4,158 registrants were cancelled either by reason of death, transfer, double registry or double entry.

There are paring bets vying for the two congress seats, governorship, vice-governorship, and mayoralty and vice-mayoralty in Pagadian while 22 candidates are running for the provincial board and another 20 for the city council.

Comelec Resolution 8646 has confined the dates of campaign relative to the May polls to March 26-May for members of the House of Representatives, elective provincial, city and municipal officials.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

SSS surpasses 2009 collection goal

2010-01-26T21:24:00.001-08:00

The Social Security System (SSS) office exceeded its 2009 goal with P102,900,327.89 actual collection in members’ contribution, a big feat compared to last year’s P94,412,786.14

Godofredo Martinez, branch head, said this sterling achievement by their office can be ascribed to the hard work of all his staff and the members, as well, for enlisting with SSS to avail of its benefits.

SSS benefits include sickness, disability, retirement, maternity, death and funeral and the so-called Employees’ Compensation (EC) program, which assist workers who suffer work-connected sickness or injury resulting in disability or death.

Martinez added that their painstaking efforts in educating the public about the benefits of SSS paid off just as 2009 started with already P10,695,620.37 actual collections in January, up from their P7.8 million target.

This achievement was replicated in July and October with an all time 7.88% and 7.95% rate increase, respectively, as compared to the other months in 2009.

From March until November, the SSS collected an average of P8 million every month, way above their monthly target, Martinez said, as he revealed that their office has raised some 100,601 members to date, of which 6,781 are employee-members or household employers and 37,347 are self-employed (SE) or voluntary members (VM).

SSS defines a self-employed person as those with an income of at least P1,000 a month, regardless of trade, business or occupation, and not over 60 years old.

These are the self-employed professionals, business partners, single proprietors and board directors, actors, actresses, directors, scriptwriters and news reporters who are not under an employer-employee relationship, professional athletes, coaches, trainers and jockeys, farmers and fisherfolks; and workers in the informal sector such as cigarette vendors, watch-your-car boys, hospitality girls, among others.

As to collections in contributions delinquencies, this was pegged at P5,011,716.62 while a total of P16,141,400.21 were collected for both current and delinquencies in member loans, still upbeat as compared to 2008 statistics.

Total SE/VM and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) remittances for 2009, meanwhile, was listed at P32,411,659.30 as Martinez said total contributions and loan amortizations was listed at P119,123,089.17, a 10.87% over from 2008’s P107,442.371.31. Part of this are real estate loans (REL) amounting to P81,361.07.

Martinez concluded that SSS will continue to be responsive to its members’ needs and with its commitment to extend social security protection to workers and their beneficiaries, will further strive to surpass its goals for the current year.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

At last, Pagadian airport will open in January

2009-12-28T21:49:00.001-08:00

FINALLY and irrevocably, the Pagadian City Airport in Muricay will be
opening up for air traffic on January 2010, Mayor Samuel Co disclosed.

Speaking over the radio last Wednesday during his weekly program, Co
said he was in high spirits after receiving favorable responses from
various air transportation companies he invited to open their flights
here.

Co explained the recent completion of the asphalt overlay, concrete
runway widening with shoulder grade and apron repair has paved way for
the airport opening last Dec. 20.

The mayor added that the travelling public will only have to wait for
the official announcement of the flight schedules from the three
airline companies—Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu
Pacific— which showed commitment to fill the Pagadian-Cebu route by
February.

Co said he has finally ascertained the airport's opening after he
received the "Notice to Airmen" (NOTAM), a transmitted dissemination
from the aviation authority addressed to all civil public use airports
that its landing field is already usable.

"So dili na maguol para sa tanan natong mga katawhan nga kanunayng
gasakay og eroplano nga sa dili madugay maabri na gyod ni atoang
airport," Co assured.

He predicted that the resumption of air traffic would increase
business and tourism activities in the regional center again as it
will likely be timed during the city's Pasalamat Festival 2010 which
falls in the third week of January.

The P379.46 million newly upgraded airport development project is one
of the major Mindanao Super Region projects which underwent
improvement since 2006. Last October, President Gloria Arroyo
inaugurated the airport after it was completed two months earlier.

A source from the Air Philippines said their company will probably
operate a Bombardier turboprop aircraft for the Pagadian-Cebu route
while a Cebu Pacific official told this paper they will be having a
probing flight using their A319 planes.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Irish leader hosts big reception for Sinnott

2009-12-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

FATHER Michael "Mick" Sinnott celebrated his 80th birthday last Dec.
17 in his hometown in Ireland, a day after Irish President Mary
McAleese held a reception in his honor at the Irish leader's residence
in Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, Fr. Seán Coyle, editor of Misyon
magazine, said in his blog.

Sinnott left for Ireland last Dec. 3, weeks away in freedom from his
still unidentified armed kidnappers who snatched the cleric from his
home in Pagadian City and held him captive for a month.

Coyle wrote that McAleese has been close to the Columbans since
childhood when the Irish official "used to sell our magazine, Far
East."

During the reception, McAleese praised the "quiet and modest work" of
Irish religious missionaries and paid tribute to a member of the
Kiltegan Fathers who was robbed inside his home in Kenya and brutally
murdered last Dec. 11.

The Columban Fathers and the Kiltegan Fathers were both founded in
Ireland and are societies of secular priests - not religious.

McAleese said some of the stories of 2009 had brought triumph in the
face of adversity and Sinnott's was a glowing example of that, adding
the story of the priest's captivity "started out very badly; It did
not start out a good story."

"It was a very bad story, the kidnapping of a priest of almost 80 who
was not in the full of his health. It had the potential to be a real
tragedy, with at times it seemed, small chance of a happy ending," the
president said.

Yet, McAleese said, Sinnott had come home fresh and well and was with
his family in the Áras just days before the celebration of his 80th
birthday. "It really is a privilege for this house to welcome a man of
such courage, faith and grace under fire," she remarked.

The President explained it was ironic that Sinnott's kidnapping
provided a chance to learn about the work which Irish priests "do so
quietly and modestly" and that "wonderful work which brings huge
benefit to the people [they] help and [it] also brings rightly high
regard for the Columbans."

"But it also brings, importantly, very high regard for Ireland. You
are the hands of very important work and you are the heart of that
work," she added, recognizing likewise Ireland's Ambassador, Dick
O'Brien and everyone from the Irish, European and Philippine
governments "who had worked so hard to secure Fr Sinnott's release."

McAleese then wished Sinnott "the happiest of birthdays" while Coyle
wrote a message to his fellow priest: "I thank him for his example,
his integrity, his prayerfulness and his total dedication as a priest.
I see in him a man who is truly 'configured to Christ'."

"He is a light in these dark times for the Church in Ireland," the priest added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Irish leader hosts big reception for Sinnott

2009-12-27T03:13:00.001-08:00

Sinnott left for Ireland last Dec. 3, weeks after he was kidnapped by
still unidentified armed men in Pagadian City and released a month
following government negotiations.

Coyle wrote that McAleese has been close to the Columbans since
childhood when the Irish official "used to sell our magazine, Far
East."

During the reception, McAleese McAleese praised the "quiet and modest
work" of Irish religious missionaries and paid tribute to a member of
the Kiltegan Fathers who was robbed inside his home in Kenya and
brutally murdered last Dec. 11.

The Columban Fathers and the Kiltegan Fathers were both founded in
Ireland and are societies of secular priests - not religious.

"He is a light in these dark times for the Church in Ireland," the priest added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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

Roy leads LP’s reform-oriented bets

2009-12-25T00:32:00.001-08:00

THE ranks of the Liberal Party (LP) in Zamboanga del Sur may be few
but it sure is composed of reform-oriented local officials and
candidates led by incumbent Vice Gov. Roseller "Roy" Ariosa.

Ariosa, former ally of Gov. Aurora Cerilles in Lakas-Kampi, is running
against the governor's husband, 2nd District Rep. Tony Cerilles, for
the governorship.

Ariosa ties up with another of Cerilles' former protégé, Lakewood
mayor Domingo "Doming" Ariosa.

"We are ready to face and present to the people our platform together
with my line-up," Ariosa told this paper over the weekend.

He adds LP's platform is to have a "change in the system through the
implementations of new programs and good services to the people
without any political color."

Running against the governor in her bid for the representation in the
second district is lawyer Romeo "Boyet" Vera Cruz, vice chairman of
the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Broadcaster Dinah Marasigan, Cesar "Diolo" Dacal, Mario Fermindoza,
Hope Florendo of Labangan and former NBI agent and lawyer Glen Peralta
compose LP's lineup for the first district provincial board.

Lawyer Tersindo "Dodong" Poloyapoy is running against the governor for
congressman in the second district along with colleagues Emiliano
Deliverio, Andres "Andy" Nacilla, Dr. Lucas Leonardo Jr. of Guipos,
former Tabina mayor Romulo Vic Lomo and former Bayog mayor Emercindo
Fullo as guest candidate for the second district.

"We did not put-up candidate for mayor in Pagadian City except for
lawyer Tata Quicoy and mediaman Anacleto "Boy" Deliverio because we
believe in the leadership of Mayor Sammy Co, his programs and
development for the city," Ariosa justified.

However, the vice governor said that in the municipal level for the
first district, the LP has filled up candidates from Mayor down to the
municipal councilor except in Ramon Magsaysay.

For the second district, they only filled five towns with complete
line-up: San Pablo, Dinas, Tigbao, Tabina and Lakewood while in
Dumalinao, the LP fielded one candidate for vice mayor along with
candidates for the Sangguniang Bayan. The rest of the municipalities
have guest candidates.

"I hope that the people will vote wisely and choose right the person
they believe can give real public service. With the election
automation, I believe that cheaters will have no chances to do their
schemes," Ariosa said.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Sammy Co’s ‘Fantastic 4’

2009-12-24T21:01:00.001-08:00

IN the potpourri of old timers, veteran lawyers and successful
entrepreneurs completing the local slate of Mayor Samuel Co, four new
faces did not escape the eye of the media.

Who are they? Will they hog the headlines and squeeze for voters'
preference in the next year's elections just like the old timers and
the veterans?

First is Alexander "Jun-Jun" Co Jr. The 23-year old is a hotelier and
Mayor Sammy Co's nephew. He is said to be a "substitute" for his
uncle, incumbent councilor Wilson Co, who opted not to run again owing
to health concerns.

A business administration and computer application graduate of La
Salle University in Cebu City, Jun admits he's a greenhorn in politics
and was hesitant at first.

"My uncle taught me the importance of coming out of my comfort zone
and start serving other people. It was an insight and from that time I
thought I am capable of becoming a humble servant," he added.

"In life we had to be determined. Achieving things does not depend on
age but on determination."

"Business wisdom is my forte that I can apply in the political arena
in the interest of public service and maximized potential and develop
to gain more business investors in the city," Co said.

Jun notes that he can make breakthroughs in the tourism, business and
youth sectors.

Next in Co's list is Aniceto Galon, a retired judge and former city
councilor who wants to make a comeback from his long respite.

He says he has reached the highest point of his career and wants "to
go back to his first love," which he mean as the city council.

As a young lawyer then, Galon has served for two terms in the
pre-martial law years before he shifted career and worked his way up
in the judicial courts.

"Akong gibati nga ang pagserbisyo sa lungsod walay kinutuban. Kung
nangandoy ko sa pagserbisyo sa publiko niadtong batan-on pa ko nga
kulang pa ko og kasinatian, labaw na siguro karon mapuslan ang akong
kasinatian nga edaran na ko," he said.

"Kung magustuhan sa katawhan akong tanyag kanila, ang akong gisaligan
sa akong pagpapili ug ang igarantinya ang akong tiunay nga
pagserbisyo," Galon added.

For lawyer Carlos "Caloy" Madarang III, taking his sights on public
service will be a specialty since as a lawyer, for example, he can
offer his services to the council and to the people.

"Being a rookie in the political arena I don't want to brag myself.
The task and work of a councilor will not be new to me. So far I'm
still hopeful and continue to pray for the blessing of the Almighty
and the people so that this bid will be successful," the former
provincial legal officer said.

Last but not the least is businessman and contractor Roque "Nonoy"
Yamba, who is also the president of the Baganian Broadcasting
Corporation and general manager of DxBZ-AM and DxCA-FM.

He said: "Kung unsa man gani ang tahas nga ihatag sa katawhan, akoang
himuon alang sa kalambuan sa siyudad," was his no-nonsense words.

On the sideline is incumbent board member Baldomero "Baleleng"
Fernandez—a private lawyer and formerly the provincial and city
prosecutor of Zamboanga del Sur.

Banking on his vast experience in law practice and as a seasoned
legislator, Fernandez said that he will focus on the needed
regulations and policies for a more progressive regional center.

"Nagtan-aw ko nga taga-dinhi man gyod ta ug basin aduna tay dako nga
mahimo ug ikatampo sa pagpanday sa balaod alang sa kalambuan sa
siyudad," he stressed.

Fernandez added that he wants to initiate laws that will benefit the
senior citizens, revenue collections and the poor.

For his part, Co said that their lineup went through the rigorous
selection process of their party and that he believes this chosen crop
will help propel the city to make more progress.

The mayor calls them a "teamwork of young, energetic and committed
people" that can lend a hand in propelling the city to sure
development.

"With this lineup, we will try our very best nga modaug gyod ang
tanan," the mayor added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

Guns, groans and goad

2009-12-15T20:35:00.001-08:00

<div style="text-align: justify;">The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has described the Philippines as the world's "most murderous" country for reporters. But this does not cite a position that any media member under threat may own and carry a gun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Journalists allowed to carry guns for self-defense in the wake of a growing number of murders of reporters and editors in the country does not in any way score, decrease, cut down or diminish the aggression against members of the fourth estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) could only tell its press members that there are provisions for safety and assistance to media workers under threat but carrying a firearm is practically not one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The International News Safety Institute (INSI) explains it well. Journalists increasingly are being targeted in conflict largely because they have lost, in the eyes of certain elements, their status as neutral observers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A journalist with a gun may have removed himself from this premise, as he unbuckles his cellular phone and exchanges it for a holster with .45-caliber pistol and some bullet clips. This clearly breaks the entrenched taboo against journalists carrying—and using—guns. Such a move is not beneficial to the press—or the threatened journalist—it will only place their lives and their peers further in danger.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">True, we journalists have to protect ourselves because the government does not protect us anymore and so the need for guns protruding in our shirts. But wait, this will only open the floodgates of never-ending cycle of attacks against us. Somehow, there are media people also who are slack, immature and reckless, and arming them might only bring harm or injury to their colleague seated next to them.</div>

2009-12-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

<div style="text-align: justify;">The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has described the Philippines as the world's "most murderous" country for reporters. But this does not cite a position that any media member under threat may own and carry a gun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Journalists allowed to carry guns for self-defense in the wake of a growing number of murders of reporters and editors in the country does not in any way score, decrease, cut down or diminish the aggression against members of the fourth estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) could only tell its press members that there are provisions for safety and assistance to media workers under threat but carrying a firearm is practically not one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The International News Safety Institute (INSI) explains it well. Journalists increasingly are being targeted in conflict largely because they have lost, in the eyes of certain elements, their status as neutral observers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">A journalist with a gun may have removed himself from this premise, as he unbuckles his cellular phone and exchanges it for a holster with .45-caliber pistol and some bullet clips. This clearly breaks the entrenched taboo against journalists carrying—and using—guns. Such a move is not beneficial to the press—or the threatened journalist—it will only place their lives and their peers further in danger.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">True, we journalists have to protect ourselves because the government does not protect us anymore and so the need for guns protruding in our shirts. But wait, this will only open the floodgates of never-ending cycle of attacks against us. Somehow, there are media people also who are slack, immature and reckless, and arming them might only bring harm or injury to their colleague seated next to them.</div>

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

2009-12-10T00:27:00.001-08:00

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

Pagadian media decry Maguindanao killing

2009-11-26T19:01:00.001-08:00

AS the death toll in the Maguindanao massacre climbs to 57, more journalists are ventilating their indignation on the Tuesday carnage that killed 21 of their colleagues who were out to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy of a political candidate for governor in the area.

“The NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter strongly condemns the killing in the highest terms,” Hirohito Cadion said in his text message sent to this paper.

Cadion added that the gruesome death of the 21 media men likewise ended the struggle for true democracy in the country and worsened the violence against journalists.

Cadion and other media practitioners attended mass together last Nov. 25 at the San Jose Parish to pray for the souls of the victims while some media offices hanged streamers expressing their disapproval of the killing.

A candle lighting activity is also set on Monday, Nov. 30, for a prayer and vigil dedicated to their fallen comrades. Cadion said all media will be wearing black shirts or armbands to mourn the deaths and show solidarity with other chapters doing the same.

The brutal killing suffered by the journalists was a result of a political war led by powerful men and their clans and this should have been prevented by those in powers themselves, declared Ping Deleverio, editor of the Sibugay Express.

“Hindi sila dapat pinatay. Sometimes, may mga media naman na mag-take sides pero hindi dapat ginamitan ng dahas especially if the media is only there to cover an event,” he said.

“Dili pwede idamay ang mga media sa political enmities tungod kay ang media maoy mata sa katawhan ug tigpalapnag sa kamatuoran alang sa tanan,” seconded Ellen Ajijul of MIT-RTVN.

In saying his piece that the Maguindanao massacre will have a long-lasting impact on journalists, Provincial Information Officer Allan June Molde said that the state should make sure to respect and protect media practitioners at all times.

“Such an inhuman act only shows that there was no respect for the media who are the pillars of information,” he added.

Some of the local journalists who requested that their names be withheld collectively said that they were shocked and outraged over the killings and demanded that justice should be served.

All in all, they agreed that government should ensure that there will be no retaliation against the Ampatuans by the Mangudadatus in order that more violence will be prevented and no more innocent civilians will lose their lives.

As this developed, the NUJP-Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (Zambasulta) Chapter also issued their statement, “expressing our most extreme outrage and horror over the massacre of probably as many as a dozen of our colleagues while in the course of their work in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.”

“Words fail to convey the enormous condemnation we heap upon this barbaric deed and its barbarous perpetrators, whose descent into moral monstrosity has no parallel in Mindanao’s troubled history,” the statement continued.

“Lest the world will erroneously perceive Mindanao’s as a dangerous society because of this tragic incident to our common communal discredit, we the Zamboanga mediamen are obliged to hasten to tell this truth: The primitive, savage practice of blood feud and vendetta behind the massacre of our colleagues – and the other civilians whose political activity they were covering on that fateful day- is solely the special characteristic of a few ethnic tribes now existing amid our civilized, democratic society in Mindanao.”

“We take this opportunity to appeal to these our tribal brothers and sisters to seriously re-examine their anachronistic and destructive sense or system of justice.”

“We ask the government to swiftly arrest and punish the perpetrators of this mass murder…Without such a categorical closure, we in Mindanao will continue to bleed and suffer from this systemic culture of violence and death. With hope we say, God forbid!” the statement concluded.

As for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) it called the Maguindanao massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in history. This is the same group which earlier labeled the Philippines as the second most dangerous country for journalists, second only to Iraq.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Statement on the death of 21 journalists in Maguindanao

2009-11-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

THE hostage-taking and killing of 21 media members in Maguindanao last Nov. 23 is a horrible illustration of a social order gone awry, an inhumane act and unequalled in recent history.

Those working journalists killed in the line of duty were only doing their job as correspondents, innocent of the political rivalry and were not even partakers of the culture of violence already happening in the territory.

We, who felt no safer even as we are away from the same danger, are also distressed and mourn the death of our colleagues who have become victims of this senseless violence and carnage.

We are also alarmed that media can now be a target of blatant assault of political enmities. The fact, that 21 of our colleagues are dead and others still missing highlights the state of political warlordism and their ugly grapple for power still being observed in some areas of the country.

We hope that government authorities will go after the persons responsible for the acts, charge and prosecute them for the crimes. May there be no more knee-jerk response but a permanent commitment by this regime to uphold our democratic ideals and protection of all working journalists.

The media, however passionate we are of our work in spreading news and information, is always neutral. We are public servants and even unfortunate volunteers who sometimes become victims of warring people of influence and power who espouse the culture of impunity, with no sense of responsibility and respect for human life.

MICHAEL MEDINA

Managing editor

Zamboanga Peninsula News

Board of director, NUJP-Ozamiz City

Pioneer, Misamis Occidental News Bloggers atbp.(MONBA)

Columbans, MILF repeat firm stand on Fr. Micks freedom

2009-11-03T21:17:00.001-08:00

TWO groups interested in getting Fr. Michael "Mick" Sinnot back home safely have each declared their strong position regarding the ongoing discussions aimed in attaining freedom for the kidnapped priest.

A press statement issued by Fr. Patrick O'Donoghue of the Missionary Society of St. Columban (MSSC) dated Nov. 1 sternly said that their congregation "does not pay ransom."

"And we believe that it should not be paid," O'Donoghue added, reiterating his earlier call to "all people of good-will who may have ways of influencing those who are still holding Fr. Mick to continue their efforts to enable the abductors to see that the best and simplest way forward is for them to now release Fr. Sinnott without further delay."

The Columban superior declared that he has already seen the video sent by Sinnott's abductors and declared his happiness of seeing his fellow priest still alive and able to take some of his medication.

A $2 million ransom has been asked by the kidnappers for Sinnott's freedom, it was learned.

"However, this video is now eight days old. This past week has been very wet here in Mindanao and living in the conditions that he described can only have had an adverse effect on his fragile health. I hope that he continues to be well," he said.

Meanwhile, Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) Civil-Military Affairs Chief IEid Kabalu said it welcomed negotiations for Sinnott's release although "launching a rescue operation should be a primary option."

Kabalu was referring to an earlier proposal put up by the Zamboanga del Sur Crisis Management committee (CMC) created by Gov. Aurora Cerilles to explore more alternatives for a possible compromise with the group currently holding the 79-year old Irish missionary priest.

Last week, the MILF has declared that it is validating information that Sinnott and his captors are in the surrounding area between Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Two persons who claimed to be involved in the delivery of medicines and others provisions to Sinnott even told a group of local media that the Columban cleric's abductors are holed up in the mountain areas of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, specifically in Sitios Bulandosa, Tuka Alaw, Katipunan, Rombanon and Camangas.

But this information was belied by Lanao del Norte Information Officer Lyndon Calica who said the names of the places mentioned are "non-existing."

More on Kabalu, he stressed that the MILF tends to pick the option of launching a rescue operation "because getting into negotiation is like pampering 'yang mga tarantadong 'yan," referring to the priest's kidnappers, who he refers to as a band of lost commandos, "lesser in numbers but equipped with high-powered firearms."

The MILF official said he is also taking into account Sinnott's health condition and that entertaining another option aside from rescue might further lengthen his captivity. He, however, said that for the meantime their group will just wait for suggestions from the CMC.

This morning, the MILF Central Committee published in its website a retort to DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno's statement linking the rebel group to Sinnott's kidnapping.

Khaled Musa, deputy chairman of the MILF Committee on Information, described Puno's statement as an attempt to sabotage the MILF efforts to help rescue the priest and put into bad light the very reputation of the very unit tasked by the MILF central leadership to undertake the rescue mission.

"We suspect that Puno has other motives like sabotaging the peace process and perhaps monetary consideration," he said, adding the kidnappers were already demanding $2 million for the priest which will eventually be 'coursed through the DILG'," Musa said.

The MILF said that the Commander Aloy Asree referred to by Puno in television news reports is the head of the MILF 113rd Base Command, which has jurisdiction over most of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Asree and his men, the MILF website added, "are already on the ground to determine the whereabouts of the abducted priest and to jump off if necessary, taking utmost consideration of his safety."

MICHAEL MEDINA
Online editor
+639185304257

News blog: www.micmedina.tk
Alternate email: 130903@gmail.com

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Cerilles calls on faithful to pray for Fr. Mick

2009-11-02T20:01:00.001-08:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles is reaching out to all religious people in Pagadian, Catholics, Muslims and Protestants, to include Fr. Michael "Mick" Sinnot in their daily prayers.

Such a request was made by the governor during the Seventh-day Adventist Church Western Mindanao Association Rally opening ceremony last Oct. 27, at the Provincial Government Complex, this city.

"Kinasing-kasing ko nga naghangyo nga maghiusa kita sa pag-ampo alang sa kagawasan ni Father Mick Sinnott kinsa gidala sa mga wa mailhing tawo," Cerilles said.

Cerilles declared that she too is worried what might happen to the Columban priest as he reaches his fourth week in the hands of his captors, alone and lacking in provisions and his medicines.

Sinnot, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and coordinator of the Hangop Kabataan Foundation, was kidnapped from his residence in Gatas District last Oct. 11 by six unidentified men and taken to a hinterland area in Lanao del Norte.

Cerilles, chair of the Crisis Management Committee supervising Sinnot's rescue efforts, assured that a working party called Task Force Zebra is continually searching for the ailing priest as she appealed again to the kidnappers "to have compassion" for the kidnap victim.

She said she believes a lot in the power of prayer and miracles. "Moingon ko nga managlahi man ang atong pundok, apan usa lamang ang Diyos nga atong gisimba ug gialagaran ug nagtoo ko nga dunay gahum ang hiniusang pag-ampo."

REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PRESS BUREAU

MICHAEL MEDINA
Online editor
+639185304257

News blog: www.micmedina.tk
Alternate email: 130903@gmail.com

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Give to Mindanao what’s due

2009-08-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

MINDANAO—frequently referred to as the land of promise, is the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. It contains about a third of the country’s iron reserves and is one of the richest islands where over half of the country’s pineapple, corn, coffee, copra, cocoa and abaca is produced. It is also in Mindanao where many attractive tourist spots can be found.

But Mindanao’s real worth and importance cannot weigh up with the percentage of the national budget allotted by government, one reason why conflicts on the island remain unresolved, this according to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“The truth is that while Mindanao is responsible for 17.7 percent of GDP, it only receives around 9 to 11 percent of the government’s annual budget. This sad reality effectively stymies its growth and development,” Escudero said in his email to this paper.

“For the last 60 years, Mindanao has been touted by successive governments as the land of promise. And yet it continues to be treated like some backwater area,” the senator noted.

Mindanao contributes at least P200 billion to the country’s gross domestic product but only gets P30 billion as IRA share, Escudero’s colleague, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also said. He noted the need for an increase of Mindanao’s share of the national budget from 18 to 25 percent.

Mindanao’s share is less than 20% of the national budget, a deprivation in our eyes of and a close to neglect. This reality does not measure up to the many poorest provinces found in the region.

For his part, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, stated that in the 2009 national budget, Mindanao’s allotment shows only a dismal 14 percent of the total budget allocated to the regions, roughly equal to P70 billion in additional budget that the region should be getting.

President Gloria Arroyo, in one of her visits to Cagayan de Oro, promised an increase of not less than 30 percent for Mindanao.
So given these promises, intimations and the numerous peripheral problems confronting the island, will the politicians, those who talked a lot about Mindanao, finally see these concerns in their agenda?

For Escudero, it is but the right time for government to increase the budget allocation, or at least match Mindanao’s current contribution to GDP.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) has revealed that two of the fastest growing areas of the Philippines in 2008 were in Mindanao.

The NSCB identifies Northern Mindanao’s rapid growth by 5.3 percent and was primarily propelled by a 10.7-percent expansion in agriculture and a 31.2-percent growth in its fishery and forestry industries.

Followed by Socsargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) region whose economy grew by 4.9 percent, the NSCB noted that Northern Mindanao’s economic performance last year even outpaced the national average of 3.8 percent.

Escudero also said that the fact that the poverty incidence rate in the country was highest in Mindanao, about 14 of the listed 20, it is another reason why more money should be poured in the region.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO), which conducts yearly monitoring of the budget study for the island, reported that Luzon received the lion’s share of the total budget in 2007, about 85 percent while Mindanao only got nine percent.

This skewed financial allocation, Mindanao lawmakers are pushing for a higher expenditure for the island, perhaps a 30 percent increase will be sufficient, they said.

In 2006, six Regional Development Councils of Mindanao composed of Southern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Western Mindanao and the ARMM lobbied for a “fair share” in the proposed national budget.

“Our piece of the budget pie is so small that we hardly noticed it in the matrix. This has been the case for the last three years so we decided that it’s time to take the necessary actions,” the councils jointly declared.

MEDCo Chair Virgilio Leyretana Sr., in talking about the present socio-economic situation on Mindanao last February, noted that budgetary allocations for key national line agencies in Mindanao have not improved significantly as the lion’s share of the budget remains to be in Luzon even if its human security indicators are performing relatively well.

He cited the disparities in terms of budgeting support Mindanao has been getting as it is not commensurate with the island’s contribution to the national output. Moreover, Mindanao is experiencing the highest incidence in poverty among the three islands.

The calls, whether heeded, remains to be seen.

For this year, Department of Agriculture earmarked 30 percent of its 2009 budget for Mindanao to boost its agricultural productivity, Usec. Jesus Emmanuel Paras said.
Paras said that around P16 billion is allocated for rehabilitation and construction of agricultural infrastructures and livelihoods to stir food production and job creation in the South.

The DA official added that part of this stimulus package is the P1.7 billion worth of rural infrastructure and livelihood projects of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

MRDP is poverty alleviation project jointly funded by the national government, LGUs and the World Bank amounting to a total of US$ 123.75 million to be implemented in five years.

At present, seven on-going infrastructure projects and 64 livelihood projects have been completed while another 25 infra projects for 19 LGUs, 300 more livelihood projects to 27 towns are on various levels of implementation.

These projects are being implemented in 225 out of the 419 towns in Mindanao, identified as that of ARMM, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao and Caraga Region.

In her article “Transparent As a Moonless Night: The Budget Process and Spending,” Claire Delfin wrote that this year’s budget is an all-time high of P1.415 trillion.
About 30 per cent of P300 billion is set aside for economic stimulus measures for non specific infrastructure projects under the DPWH, perceived to be one of the most corrupt of government agencies, Delfin said.

Aside from the budget funds granted to DPWH, those of the DA and the DSWD were likewise increased by 61 percent and 114.3 percent, respectively this year.

These statements and public discourse about the Mindanao getting a bigger budget is just one of the many issues that linger in the minds of Mindanaoans. And it has overwhelmed us for decades while we take no more of their serious overtones or even recollect it might come true.

Knowing it will be election time again in 2010, people in Mindanao should see it a principal venue to articulate this promise again. Let us make it a real measure this time. Promising one thing is alright for us. But actually materializing it is quite another feat.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPO urges public to avail of gun amnesty

2009-08-20T05:19:00.001-07:00

THE Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) under Provincial Director Sr/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena is urging individuals with patently loose guns to avail of the firearms amnesty which will end on October 31, this year.

Ochotorena called on gun holders to take advantage of the amnesty program and process their application as early as possible or face stiff penalty and imprisonment if caught after the amnesty period is over.

President Gloria Arroyo issued Executive Order 817, which grants a “final general firearms amnesty” from Oct. 1 to 31.

Earlier, in August, the PNP started the first amnesty, processing those who have expired and unrenewed firearm licenses. The upcoming Oct 1 to 31 will be for patently loose and never-been-registered firearms.

Ochotorena said such an amnesty would lessen the chance of loose guns being used in the upcoming 2010 elections.

The PNP estimates the number of unregistered firearms to about 1,110,277, including 559,326 with expired licenses. Loose guns reportedly account for 97 percent of crime incidents involving guns.

It was also learned that the PNP leadership has long been pushing for the procurement and establishment of a Ballistics Information System, which will do “gun fingerprinting” to speed up the resolution of crimes committed with the use of firearms.

High-powered guns include .40-cal. pistols and up, including automatic rifles and machine pistols while low-powered firearms include .9mm-cal., 38, .32, .25 and .22 guns.

Meanwhile, C/Insp. Rafael Odevillas, during the recently concluded seminar with media members tackling threat detection, counter surveillance, personal security, gun safety, handling and proficiency, said “paltiks” are not allowed for registration or licensing.

Odevillas said a registration payment of P1,000 will be asked for each loose firearm while holders of firearms with expired licenses will pay only P650.

Gun holders who renewed or registered their guns will then be given a temporary license pending the issuance of permanent, laminated gun license.

The ZPPO is authorized to accept and process unregistered guns and those who want to avail of the amnesty may visit their office at Camp Abelon in Lumbia District, this city.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Notorious rob gang leader killed in Ozamiz

2009-08-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

A former bank officer who became titular head of a notorious robbery group operating in Luzon and Visayas finally met his end, Wednesday, after assassins waylaid the car he was riding along a university belt in Ozamiz City.

Jose Roy Quimada, a native of Pagadian City, was on his way home from taking his law classes in Misamis University when the ambush happened.

Police Chief Inspector Wilbur Salaguste told media in an interview that three unidentified killers waited near the university’s exit gate, 6:18 in the evening, then pumped bullets at the passing Quimada who was then driving his black CRV.

Witnesses said that as the victim’s car rammed into a nearby building, the killers made sure Quimada was dead by shooting him twice in his body before casually walking away to a waiting getaway vehicle.

Recovered from the scene are several empty M-16 rifle and two .45 caliber shells. The police chief added that the multiple gunshot wounds sustained by Quimada also suggested that a shotgun was used.

Two magazines of a Glock pistol were found on Quimada’s pocket but his gun and cellphone could not be found.

Salaguste added that except for the reports relayed to him from police counterparts in Cebu, Quimada’s record in Ozamiz City is clean.

Nevertheless, he added that the police are looking at all possible angles and the motive of Quimada’s killing, including the victim’s alleged involvement in several robberies in Cebu.

When asked if they have already identified the perpetrators, the police chief said they are still in the process of determining who the killers are since they only have descriptions provided by eyewitnesses.

“We will find soon find out the truth about this incident,” he assured journalists.

It was also learned from the police that a few hours after Quimada was shot, several armed persons barged into his apartment in Circumferential Road, burgled the place and took two cabinets and several appliances.

Responding policemen from the 1005th Provincial Mobile Group were not able to catch the intruders, whom neighbors said appeared to be looking for a document kept by the victim.

Quimada was alleged to have masterminded several bank robberies in Cebu, like the Aspac Bank armored car heist in Tabogon and in Oro Sugbu and Agencia Ann where they carted P10 million.

News reports still coming from Cebu implicated Quimada and his group in the P108,000 Fooda Savers Mart heist, P1 million Golden Treasures and Jewelry, P1.3 million GP Dental Supplies, P1.5 million Ayala money changer robbery, P70 million LBC Country Mall Banilad, P70,000 Robinson’s money changer and the P1.5 million Golden Treasure robbery.

Police said Quimada’s group is more sophisticated than any other robbery gangs operating in the country because of their high-powered firearms.

Last March, Cebu newspapers reported that Quimada and seven unidentified companions were charged before the City prosecutor’s office for the robberies.

July, this year, Roy’s name was included in the robbery charges filed by a businesswoman who claimed she was held up by Quimada and four other companions of P7.6 million worth of jewelry and cash.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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Cerilles praises EcoGov’s feat in Zambosur

2009-08-16T00:31:00.001-07:00

CITING the unrivaled efforts, accomplishments and assistance extended to Zamboanga del Sur by the Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project 2, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said last week she was very thankful enough.

The governor attended EcoGov’s closing session in Western Mindanao, Aug.11, at the PGO Conference Room in the Capitol Building.

Started in 2002, EcoGov Project 2, in partnership with DENR and the Provincial Government, is set to finish in 2011.

EcoGov’s extended term will be for “scaling up” or broadening to more municipalities, which include the creation of Forest Land Use Plan for Dumingag, Mahayag, Sominot and Lakewood and the technical assistance in the formulation of Solid Waste Management Plan for Dumalinao, Guipos and Labangan.

Once these plans are completed, the province would have official documents for watershed protection and management and would be able to manage wastes before it could reach and pollute the seas.

In Zambosur, EcoGov 1 provided technical assistance to 79 strategically located LGUs for the planning and implementatiomn of locally-financed environmental programs, while observing transparency, accountability and participatory decision making in all transactions.

In EcoGov 2, seven coastal towns and Pagadian City along Illana Bay formulated and legitimized its inter-LGU fishery law enforcement plan and created the Illana Bay Region 9 Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET).

FLET is tasked to enforce fishery laws and facilitate prosecution of violators in the Illana Bay area.

Cerilles notes FLET as IBRA-9’s unique feature that helped lessen the incidence of piracy, extortion and other fishery law violations.

“Zamboanga del Sur is truly grateful and appreciative to the men and women of the EcoGov Project sponsored by the USAID for having made such a commendable feat in forging strong alliance and collaboration with various line agencies and other concerned groups toward the edification of our coastal resource, solid waste and forest and forestland management efforts,” Cerilles said.

“I say with pride that indeed you have done a great job. The accomplishments you have reached serve as an enduring monument in our continuing quest for environmental management, preservation and conservation,” Cerilles remarked.

The governor then narrated several projects the Provincial Government and EcoGov accomplished, like the establishment of 19 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Illana Bay.

By declaring the nine coastal areas as MPAs, coral cover was observed to have increased and fishes thrived in abundance again.

Cerilles revealed that three MPAs—the Bibilik of Dumalinao, Tambonan and Talisay of Tabina were even nominated as finalists to the Marine Support Network–Search for Outstanding MPAs in the Philippines.

In the 2nd Coastal Conference of the League of Municipal Mayors of the Philippines last June 27-28, the Tambonan MPA of Tabina was awarded the 2nd Outstanding MPA of the country.

To recall, the towns of Dinas, Tabina, Tukuran, San Pablo, Dimataling, Labangan, Dumalinao and Pagadian City signed a memorandum of agreement, forming themselves as IBRA-9, with the purpose of conserving, developing, and properly managing their shared coastlines.

The move came after rapid depletion of natural resources through unregulated marine activities was observed, which threatened to affect fish catch and destroyed coral reefs and mangroves which serve as sanctuaries and fish breeding grounds.

The IBRA-9 Alliance implemented a coastal resource management (CRM) plan that was formulated with assistance from EcoGov Project.

The formulation of CRM plans in Tukuran, Tabina and Dinas and their continuous implementation to the present, it has forged laudable impact in environmental governance, particularly in upgrading the socio-economic status of the people, Cerilles stressed.

“EcoGov has also assisted in the drawing up of policies and guidelines for the proposed Mariculture Park in Dumalinao and the seaweeds farming in Dimataling,” she said.

On the other hand, coastal villagers from four barangays in Ticala Island, San Pablo also conducted community hearings to plan the establishment of MPAs in their shared waters and stop the worsening depletion of their fish catch and other marine resources.

With EcoGov assistance, the said towns were able to delineate municipal water boundaries, establish MPAs and restrict fishing in the said waters, likewise trained Bantay Dagat groups of barangay volunteers and encouraged mariculture activities in the bay.

To implement the initiatives under the coastal resource, solid waste and forest and forestland management, The Provincial Government also created the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).

All these, concluded Cerilles, have been the consequences of the joint commitment of EcoGov-DENR and her administration in reaching new heights in environmental governance.

According to the EcoGov, Illana Bay, particularly the western portion in Zambosur ranks among the top marine-biodiversity-rich waters in the country with high fish production and extensive coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass ideal for wildlife conservation and turtle nesting.

The EcoGov strategy is to scale up potential ecological and socio-economic benefits through baywide or ecosystem-based fisheries management; and forge partnerships and support systems for sustained good environmental governance practices.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Auring: A well informed barangay is an empowered one

2009-08-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

THE barangay, being the smallest unit in the local government, is a platform for community development where the true sentiments of citizens are recognized.

This was how Gov. Aurora Cerilles portrayed the immense role of the barangay and its officials during the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas-District Barangay Congress of 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur last Aug. 12-14.

“We make sure that the people avail the obtainable services and programs. Niana, atong gikinahanglan ang insaktong pagpadagan sa mga nag-unang concerns and issues ngadto sa nahintungdang ahensiya sa pangagamhanan ug mga pangulo aron wala’y maulawi sa natad sa kalambuan o mapasagdan nga panginahanglan,” Cerilles said in her message.

The governor went on to say that the Provincial Government expects “a greater consciousness and awareness” among barangay leaders on the value of having the much needed power, authority and sense of confidence as they lead their constituents.

What Cerilles wanted to point out is for the barangays leaders to dedicate themselves in building a stronger nation that starts in their respective communities, to unite and discuss matters that will help capacitate and strengthen themselves toward achieving peace and progress.

“Kinahanglan nga ang mga pangulo sa barangay sangkap sa kahibalo ug katakos sa paghatud sa serbisyo ug sa pagdumala sa mga katawhan,” Cerilles urged.

“A very crucial part of empowering the barangays is to equip and capacitate barangay leaders on the areas of harmonization of local planning, investment programming and revenue administration, budgeting and expenditure management. Importante kini aron mapahimutang sa insakto ang pagdumala ug pagpadagan sa kalambuan sa inyong barangay,” she added.

Of the 369 punong barangays constituting the first district of the province, some 274 attended the District Barangay Congress, said Allan Godoy, federated Liga president and ex-officio board member.

Godoy, in an interview with DxBZ-Radyo Bagting, acknowledged that the conference updated them on the several laws pertaining to effective barangay administration where inputs on local planning, investment, budgeting and expenditure management, programming and revenue administration are also discussed.

Godoy likewise said that they tackled the relevant provisions of RA 9262, relating to the application and issuance of the so-called Barangay Protection Order and the role of village chieftains on this.

To continue, the governor also called on the punong barangays to institute a solid “barangay justice” or Katarungang Barangay, as an effective alternative mechanism for dispute resolution and further called on punong barangays to increase their understanding on the processes and procedures of the barangay justice system to enable them to maximize its use in their communities.

The revised Katarungang Pambarangay law under RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 has substantial changes in the authority and procedures to be observed in settlements of disputes within the authority of the Lupon.

“With the fast-evolving demand for access to justice, there is a need to utilize and apply the Katarungang Pambarangay more strategically and proactively–as a valuable mechanism in administering justice, advancing human rights protection and resolving or mediating conflicts at the grassroots level. Ug niining paagiha ang kalinaw ug kahusay ato gayud nga maangkon,” she said.

Cerilles also noted the rampant proliferation of illegal drugs in the barangays and her determination to stomp out the said menace by declaring an all-out war against it with the support and partnership of the PNP, PDEA, AFP and the barangay.

Meanwhile, an August 14 report obtained by this paper stated the efforts of DILG asking Congress to allocate more funds for the benefits due to village executives, such as the payment of their premiums under the GSIS.

DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno has revealed that his office is now issuing new identification cards to barangay officials nationwide to prepare for, and facilitate, among others, the grant of benefits that have been approved by the national government, along with the free college education for their children and other benefits under RA 7160.

Puno added that in partial compliance with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the government has so far been providing death and burial benefits to barangay officials.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Ex-rebels receive P1.13-M livelihood aid

2009-08-15T21:47:00.001-07:00

A total of P1.13 million in financial support was given to 37 former rebels who surrendered to the government and were arranged to directly receive socio-economic assistance.

The 37 former rebels belonged to the communist front operating in Zamboanga del Sur. These rebels, it was learned, respectively came from Guipos, Lakewood, San Pablo, Lapuyan, San Miguel and Buug and were duly processed by the Local Social Integration Committees (LCIS).

Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Nabil Tan led the turnover ceremony, Tuesday last week, at the Bulwagan ng mga Kabataan of the Provincial Government Complex.

Governor Aurora Cerilles assisted Tan in giving the checks to the 24 rebel returnees, who received P20,000 each as capital assistance for the livelihood of their choice.

Another 13 former rebels who are covered by the SIP received their certificates after they were granted the amount of P50,000 each worth of livelihood goods.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the 24 former rebels were those who yielded prior the implementation of the Social Integration Program (SIP).

SIP is a process wherein former rebels and their dependents are provided a set of interventions to facilitate their integration into mainstream society. It is implemented under Administrative Order No. 172 of President Gloria Arroyo dated March 23, 2007.

Tan welcomed the former rebels who are now referred to as “partners in reform” or”Kauban sa Reporma” (KR).

“To our brothers and sisters who are here with us today, I am very happy with your sincere return to society. Our government is ready to help you,” Tan said.

“We cannot achieve our desired change and development if armed conflict continues to prevail in our country. War only causes divisions in our communities and kills soldiers, rebels and civilians who are caught in the middle.”

“Real change, justice and progress that we desire can only be achieved through unity and peace talks. It is now time for us to help one another to promote peace,” Tan added.

DILG Prov. Dir. Abcede Asjali, Lt. Col. Erwin Alea, commanding officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, MGen. Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the Ist Infantry (Tabak) Division, S/Insp. Teresita Paclibar of the ZPPO and Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Conchita San Diego also attended the turnover ceremony.

San Diego earlier said that the former rebels were given training in livelihood, livestock production and personality enhancement.

Alea, for his part, called on communist insurgents to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law, saying that it is the government’s sincere efforts to provide them with a better option in life.

The army officer further said that many NPAs are now in the process of surrendering and on their way to avail of this chance for a better and peaceful life.

To recall, Arroyo has said that about P250 million is allotted to the SIP program, as she noted that the most effective way to wipe out insurgency is through arms and confidence-building.

The president , in recognizing the accomplishments of the military and police forces, cited the decrease in strength of the communist New People's Army—from 12,000 in 2001 to a mere 6,000 in 2008.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

DTI-9 warns buyers to be wary on sales promos

2009-08-15T20:21:00.001-07:00

THE provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is warning the public anew on dubious promotional giveways or free gifts by some establishments which are in reality a trick to dupe consumers into buying an expensive product.

DTI Prov. Dir. Marichu Atay told media in a press conference that they have observed such deceptive sales gimmick being employed by an establishment in Pagadian which target unsuspecting mall shoppers.

The provincial director then aired her warning to consumers to be vigilant, cautious and well-informed when buying things, urging them to go for quality, practicality and affordability.

The practice of the misleading sales promo, according to Atay, is through a sale staff approaching a customer and informing them that he or she won a free gift or giveaway in a selected raffle.

The innocent customer will then be urged to claim the supposed prize by paying for another item that goes with the prize.

The customer will later know that the price quoted in the bought item from the assumed sales promotion is thrice the amount of similar products in other stores and that it turns out that the buyer has also paid for the supposed giveaway.

The DTI has earlier uncovered this kind of scam in the National Capital Region (NCR) and has already issued a consumer alert last April.

“If the consumer easily falls to (these) traps, it's already too late before they notice that the price of the items they bought from the assumed sales promotion is three times higher as compared to their price levels in other stores,” the DTI said in its memo, obtained by this paper.

The Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP), the policy-making body and overall implementor of trade and consumer protection laws, has also came out with a warning to the public, telling them to be wary on such scams.

The BTRCP also gave tips like: It is not a giveaway if you are required to buy something in return; compare the price of similar items; do not easily sign contracts; and understand well the terms of the contract.

RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines provides for the regulation of sales acts and practices. The law likewise prohibits deceptive sales acts or practices.

RA 7394 explains that an act shall be deemed deceptive when the supplier or seller, through concealment, false representation of fraudulent manipulation, induces a customer to enter into a sale or lease transactions of any consumer product or service.

Just recently, the DTI-NCR office ordered the temporary closure of Aowa Electronic Philippines and Homesonic Appliance Center, located in Mandaluyong City for allegedly employing deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales practices.

Reports said that various complaints were lodged against the two firms since 2003 and DTI, after issuing the temporary closure order, filed formal charges against Aowa and Homesonic.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

678 students from Ozamiz got flu-like symptoms

2009-07-30T00:38:00.000-07:00

THE City Health Office (CHO) is presently monitoring 678 students from different schools in Ozamiz City after they simultaneously showed flu-like symptoms and excused themselves from their classes.

This came while health authorities are still in the process of endorsing recommendations on school mitigation strategies against the possible outbreak of A(H1N1) in Misamis Occidental.

In a report aired over DxSY, Thursday, Ozamiz City Health Officer Daniel Medina assured the public nobody was yet confirmed positive of A(H1N1) in the city as he disclosed the students only exhibited fever symptoms, some of which were associated with stomach aches.

Medina said the 678 students came from Pulot Elementary School (ES), Maningcol ES, Catadman ES, Molicay ES, Gango ES, Tabid Central School and Montol National High School.

Of the mentioned schools, Pulot listed the most figures with 134.

Medina likewise said that they have classified two students from Misamis University and another three from La Salle University as “case under observation” after they showed the same feverish signs.

Swab samples from the said students were already taken and sent to the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Earlier this week, two students from Barra Elementary School (ES) in Tudela were found positive of the virus, based on the results from their swab samples.
The two confirmed cases in Barra ES were among the 125 taken in for swab sampling after 97 students from the said school all at once complained of fever.

The next day, another 28 students exhibited the same symptoms and were not in attendance. By Wednesday, the number rose to 182, this time, including 36 students from the nearby Tudela Central School and 21 more from Balon Elementary School.

Municipal health authorities surmised the flu-like symptoms felt by students in Balon were only associated with their lack of resistance since the barangay was classified as “moderately malnourished” and one of the “dirtiest” village in Tudela.

The tag came after a health team found that children living there have insufficient and unbalanced food diet and most households lack toilets, leaving people to use the backyard for human wastes.

While the spread of the flu-like symptoms were yet limited to the areas of schools, Medina said students who complain of fever or flu should be provided with appropriate guidance on supportive care and undergo self-isolation while continuously monitoring his or her health.

Medina added that the health department’s advice of observing good personal hygiene should also be followed in order to minimize chances of acquiring the A(H1N1).

He suggested the washing of one’s hands using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers immediately after coughing or sneezing, or after touching anything or anyone suspect.

Meanwhile, Gov. Loreto Ocampos said the A(H1N1) infection cases detected in the province is not as alarming and added that he has already ordered the Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital down to the Municipal Health Offices to stock vitamins A, C, D and E to prevent more A(H1N1) outbreak in the communities

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Gloria’s SONA was all about work, says Tony

2009-07-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

CONGRESSMAN Antonio Cerilles praised President Gloria Arroyo’s last State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) saying the growth experienced by Mindanao today is the best example of the chief executive’s good work in achieving reforms for the country.

Cerilles, talking over DxCA-Radyo Bagting, Tuesday, said that Arroyo’s SONA was “a full and factual report” of her achievement in transforming Mindanao from being a “land of promises” into a land of progress.

“These developments we have cannot be felt by those in Manila,” the congressman said.

“Generally, Zamboanga del Sur benefitted from PGMA’s term and we are thankful for that,” he added.

Cerilles then made a litany of the SONA projects made by the Arroyo like the paved highways all around Zamboanga Peninsula, which includes the Dapitan-Dakak Road and the Zamboanga West Coast Road, which runs from Gutalac-Baliguian-Siocon-Sirawai.

Cerilles added the completion of rural road network projects all over the region which made travel convenient and transport of farm products to markets easier, like the Malabang, Dobliston-Kapatagan-Molave Road; Monte Alegre-Tukuran Road—linking the two provinces of Lanao to Zambosur.

Cerilles likewise mentioned the Pagadian Airport, which is calendared for completion by September, as reported during the recently concluded 12th Mindanao Super Region (MSR) meeting here.

Another is the making of Pagadian into a regional government seat of Zamboanga Peninsula being one of the most competitive cities of Mindanao.

At present, at least 40 out of the 85 regional offices in Zamboanga City have already transferred to Pagadian and more transfer activities is expected to be fully complied before 2009 ends.

Meanwhile, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and presently Mindanao development in-charge Jesus Dureza said that Mindanao received substantial share of the infrastructure projects implemented during President Arroyo's administration.

Dureza added that Arroyo’s plan of clustering areas in the country into so-called “super regions” and that of Mindanao into an agribusiness area has resulted into the completion of major projects worth P88.19 billion.

“Towards that vision, we made key reforms. Our economic plan centers on putting people first. Higit sa lahat ang layunin ng ating mga patakaran ay tulungan ang masipag na karaniwang Pilipino,” Arroyo said in her recent SONA.

The president summed up that her administration “was able to make a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks, built new modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones, put the economy on the fair level, built a sound base for the next generation and safe from environmental degradation and man-made disasters.”

Cerilles then commented: “Ang importante dinha nay gihimo ug naa tay nakita, ilabi na kita dinhi sa Mindanao. Sayon kayo ang paglibak ug pagpangatake pero ang pangutana, unsay imong programa kung ikaw ang naa dinha?”

“Dili ta maminaw sa mga hiwi nga kritiko nga sige lang og panaway,” he concluded.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

DTI-ZDS warns public on impostors

2009-07-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

THE provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued its warning to the public and the business sector against unscrupulous individuals who pretend that they are from the DTI and gain monetary favor from the unsuspecting.

DTI Prov. Dir. Maria Socorro Atay said in an email to this paper that she received reports that there are people doing rounds in Pagadian and in the province, posing as DTI workers and demanding money from business owners.

Atay said these people are not authorized by DTI and urged the public to check with their office before committing any deals and or giving money to these people.

“For the information of the public, legitimate DTI employees who go on monitoring and enforcement activities are properly identified by wearing the prescribed uniform and official identification cards,” she said.

“These employees bring with them a copy of an office order directing them to undertake monitoring and enforcement activities for a certain date. DTI employees are not allowed and never demands from any business establishments without issuing official receipts,” she added.

Saying such a warning is a preventive measure and necessary to discourage said reprehensible practices, Atay then adviced businessmen to ascertain the true identity of persons posing to be DTI employees by contacting the DTI Provincial Office through telephone numbers 2143326 and 2142516 or call the local police.

PR

Teens advised to delay desire to marry

2009-07-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

PUTTING forth women’s adherence to safe reproductive options and contraceptive methods, the Provincial Population Office (PPO) is urging teenagers to re-evaluate their aspirations of marrying early to form their own family.

Such an advice is prudent, Provincial Population Officer Evelyn Panuncialman said, as doing so until a teenager reaches the age of 30, she will still mature, get better education and have economic independence before thinking about motherhood.

Panuncialman pointed out that a woman aged 45 can still conceive if she is still fertile and lives a healthy lifestyle.

And if she marries at that age, she has 15 more years to produce more children while spacing her births from 3-5 years apart. With this advice taken seriously, then a woman can have three or four children at most when she reaches 45.

Governor Aurora Cerilles says she is agreeable to the delayed marriage scheme because the delivery of health service will be more focused and will have greater significance.

Cerilles hosted the celebration of the World Population Day, July 11, where she signified her support to the Learning Package on Parent Education on Adolescent Health and Development (LPPED) launched by the Regional Population Office.

As of September 2008, birth figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO) disclosed Zamboanga del Sur’s total population of 1,935,250 as obtained from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing.

The NSO further stated that Zambosur’s annual growth rate is 1.97 percent, with more males than females.

Teenagers within the 14 years old bracket comprise 55.30 percent while those 18 years and above cover 51.80 percent.

Married people account to 445,421 while there are 422,584 singles.

In another statistic paper by the NSO released in 2003, it stated that Zamboanga Peninsula had a total population of 3.1 million representing 3.7 percent of the country’s population.

With these facts, Cerilles urged women to think sensibly and practice responsible family planning as such will improve their lives, that of men and children and benefits not only the couples but their families and the community as well.

Panuncialman cited that based on their pre-marriage counseling, about 19.7 percent of would-be couples are aged 18-19 and that a third of these were into premarital pregnancy.

Those aged 20-25 years old belong to the 23.8 percent while a tenth comprises the 26-31 years old bracket.

Aside from providing pre-marriage counseling, the PopCom office also holds Responsible Parenting Movement (RPM) classes in all 681 barangays of the province.

In 2008, PopCom’s regional office earmarked P2.1 million for such undertaking while the Provincial Government conterparted for the personal services of the municipal population officers.
For this year, about P4.1 million was allotted for more RPM classes in each village around the province, Panuncialman said.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

H1N1 reaches MisOc

2009-07-27T19:15:00.001-07:00

DESPITE its massive public awareness campaign and basic preventive measures instituted, the Influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be more resilient as it breaks into Misamis Occidental this week.

Governor Loreto Ocampos, in an email sent to this paper, calmed constituents, saying the A(H1N1) infection cases detected in the province is not as alarming.

The governor added that health authorities are already on the dot of monitoring the whole of Misamis Occidental, especially in schools and local communities where the said virus might contaminate.

“Walay angay kabalak-an ang katawhan kay dili tantong peligro ang AH1N1 basta madalian ug kung mo-cooperate ang katawhan sa kampanya karon sa provincial government, Provincial Health Office ug sa Misamis Occidental Schools Division aron dili mokatag kining sakita sa atong probinsya,” Ocampos said in his email message.

The email sent by the governor to this paper likewise disclosed that two of the 125 high school students from Barra Elementary School in Tudela who showed flu-like symptoms were found positive of A(H1N1), after the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa confirmed the results of the swab tests sent.

Last week, health authorities became suspicious when 97 students from the said school were all at once absent during their Monday classes after complaining of fever.

The next day, another 28 students exhibited the same symptoms and were not in attendance. By Wednesday, the number rose to 182, this time, including 36 students from the nearby Tudela Central School and 21 more from Balon Elementary School.

Municipal health authorities surmised the flu-like symptoms felt by students in Balon were only associated with their lack of resistance since the barangay was classified as “moderately malnourished” and one of the “dirtiest” village in Tudela.

The tag came after a health team found that children living there have insufficient and unbalanced food diet and most households lack toilets, leaving people to use the backyard for human wastes.

Ocampos, sensing the highly contagious and serious condition that can affect Misamisnons, especially children, then called a meeting among all LGU executives, the provincial and rural health offices and the provincial schools division.

It was decided to suspend classes for a week starting July 27 on all private and public schools in Tudela, such as the Tudela National Comprehensive High School, Tudela Central School, and the elementary schools in Barra, Sibac, Cabol-anonan, Pan-ay Diot, Balon, Nailon, Basirang and Tigdok.

“Duna tay public information campaign. Manghatag kitag posters ug handbills sa mga balay, barangay ug information materials sa mga radio ug TV kung unsay buhaton aron makalikay ta ani ug unsay buhaton kung dunay sakop sa pamilya nga hilantan. Ikatag ni nato aron magiyahan ang mga tawo,” Ocampos assured.

Another step, he added, will be to give vitamins and supplements to the affected villages in Tudela to strengthen the immune system of residents.

The governor ordered the Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital down to the Municipal Health Offices to stock vitamins A, C, D and E, seeing this as an urgent measure to prevent more A(H1N1) outbreak in the communities

“Among ipasabot sa katawhan nga dili angay mabalaka ug mohangyo mi nga mo-cooperate lang gyod sa atong kampanya,” he said.

“Unya kung naa man gani ma-apektohan, i-quarantine, dili pagawason sa balay aron dili matakdan ang uban. Unya dangop mo sa local government, sa atong mga hospital aron matambalan mo dayon,” Ocampos ended.

As of July 26, a total of 109 persons were positive of A(H1N1) out of the 196 persons who showed flu-like illness in the region, the DOH- Center for Health Development in Northern Mindanao said.

Of this number, 81 are from Cagayan de Oro City and mostly are students from the 11 schools earlier reported to have been affected by the dreaded swine-flu virus.

One school there—the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School registered some 2,000 students who showed flu-like illness.

As this developed, health officials said they are monitoring Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University, Lourdes College, Corpus Christi, St. Mary’s Academy, International School, Balulang ES and Balulang NHS and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School for possible infections.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Mahayag unveils hospital, water system

2009-07-26T19:08:00.001-07:00

MAHAYAG, ZAMBOSUR—Local government officials of this town led by Mayor Paulino Fanilag Sr. recently unveiled its two service projects in health and water resource development.

The newly renovated Mahayag Municipal Hospital (MMH) was one of the four infirmaries that were granted autonomy after the Provincial Government decided to trim down its administration on the said hospitals and turned this over to the respective LGUs.

Classified as primary, the 20-bed capacity MMH is equipped with service capabilities needed to support licensed physicians and medical workers.

During the inauguration ceremony last July 23, Rep. Antonio Cerilles, who stood in behalf of his wife, Gov. Aurora Cerilles, challenged town executives to attain self-sufficiency and be fully responsible in running the health institution.

Earlier, during the announcement of the Provincial Government to transfer it’s control of the health facilities to the local governments of Mahayag, Tambulig, Dinas and Lakewood, the mayors said such a responsibility may be demanding and not easy.

But the mayors of the affected municipalities said they will make sure they will help support their health institutions to continue its operations.

The mayors said that once they will operate their hospitals, this effort will be matched with the intensified enrolment of their constituents to PhilHealth for its all-inclusive health services.

Since the community hospitals in the mentioned municipalities already have its edifice and medical equipments in place, the LGU only needs to fill it up with qualified medical workers.

Fanilag said they will hire six doctors and will sustain MMH’s operations with at least 3,000 households enrolled in Philhealth.

The Mahayag Local Water System (MLWS), on the other hand, is a P28 million water infrastructure development project, which aims to provide piped potable drinking water supply to some 50,000 residents.

MLWS, according to Fanilag, will also provide water to the neighboring towns of Josefina, Dumingag and Don Victoriano in Misamis Occidental.

Mahayag, the center of the Salug Valley area, is known for its numerous natural water springs and pools.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

Auring leads Hataw, walk-for-a-cause

2009-07-24T00:11:00.001-07:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles, recognizing the importance of health, led the early morning Nutri-Walk-For-A-Cause 2009 and Hataw or the aerobic dancing exercise at the AEC last July 21.

The activity is part of the celebration of Nutrition Month, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 491, also known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, which mandates its observance every July.

This year’s theme is "Wastong Nutrisyon Kailangan, Lifestyle Diseases Iwasan," focusing on the importance of a healthy diet that would result to a healthy lifestyle.

The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) has been tasked to conduct information dissemination and all other activities of the celebration.

More than 2,000 men, women and children participated in the Nutri-Walk-For-A-Cause from the wharf area towards the AEC in the Capitol Compound.

The 15-minute Hataw made Cerilles dance to her amusement, joined by board members Juan Regala, Baldomero Fernandez, Eriberto Sumalinog, Flaviano Fucoy, and Miguelito Ocapan and the department heads of the provincial government.

Everybody had fun, said Cerilles; even she was sweating from the exercise.

Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, assistant regional director of DOH’s Center for Health and Development and Regional Nutrition Committee coordinator Pamela Tarroza was there too with Cerilles.

The governor also acknowledged the participation of the regional directors of DENR, DAR and PIA, the academe, Zamsureco-I and the NGOs.

Cerilles then commended the Nutri-Walk-For-A-Cause, for bringing attention to nutrition as well as build public involvement in the fight against malnutrition.

Last Tuesday’s Nutri-Walk-For-A-Cause raised some P30,000 from the participating 30 offices and organizations. The PNC said they also received pledges totaling P20,000 from various government agencies who are nutrition advocates and benefactors.

The PNC also initiated a Weekly Nutri-Bingo as another fund-raising activity.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

JHCSC holds 3rd capping of nurses

2009-07-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

THE JH Cerilles State College (JHCSC)-Pagadian City Campus recently held its 3rd Cap and Badge Investiture and Candle Lighting Ceremony for senior nursing students.

Governor Aurora Cerilles was guest of honor and speaker during the ceremonies held at Hotel Alindahaw, July 13.

About 112 senior nursing students were invested with their caps and badges which symbolize the authority bestowed upon them as they officially undertake their duties in affiliated hospitals.

In Zamboanga del Sur, successful nurses train and work in the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center.

For a nurse, the capping, badging and candle lighting ceremony is the handling down of symbols of the nursing profession and is also the strengthening of the commitment to serve with honor and dignity and to continually learn and practice to eventually excel.

The nursing cap and badges are used to signify the nurse’s vocation and wearing them is considered a privilege.

Cerilles, in her speech, observed that the capping event was the most solemn from among the capping and badging nursing ceremonies she attended in the past.

The governor then encouraged the student nurses to pursue their dreams and aim to become professionally registered nurses.

Cerilles likewise mentioned to the nurses to emulate the brave spirit of Florence Nightingale, as they light the lamp and recite the pledge.

Several personalities attended the capping and badging ceremony, among them lawyer Domingo Redelosa IV, dean of the schools’ College of Law, who is also the campus administrator and Dr. Wendell Glenn Cagape, college/board secretary and Campus academic head, Dr. Carlicita Saniel, president.

Chief Nurse Helen Arao of the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, Dr. Gloria Florendo, dean of the College of Nursing of the Western Mindanao State University and Prof. Evely Rendon, Consortium Coordinator of WMSU were also present.

Aside from Nursing, JHCSC-Pagadian City Campus offers course in Law, Nursing, Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management, and Information Technology. Graduate programs in Education and Public Administration are also available.

PR

ZPPO holds 2nd summit for scribes

2009-07-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

THREE campus journalists came out as over-all winners in the recently concluded 2nd Summit for High School Editors and Writers sponsored by the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZPPO).

The said activity is one of the highlights of the PNP’s celebration of its 14th Police Community Relations (PCR) Month.

President Gloria Arroyo’s Proclamation No. 74 declares every July as PCR month, which aims to develop closer interaction between the community and the police in handling peace and order problems.

Police S/Insp. Teresita Paclibar of ZPPO’s Police Community Relations (PCR) office, informed this paper that for this year, the ZPPO-PCR initiated an on-the-spot Feature Story writing contest participated by 12 campus writers and editors.

The content of the feature story was based on the theme: “PNP Facing the Challenges of the Transformation.”

Paclibar said that ZPPO-PCR’s conduct of the press summit with journalists from secondary schools is to give importance to campus journalism’s role in schools.

Judges of the half-day competition composed of Ann Lu of the Pagadian Times, Ramil Bangues of RMN-DxPR and this paper’s editor.

The winners, in order, were Virren Leigh Duray of St. Columban High School (SCHS); Rachel Alvarez of Pagadian City National Comprehensive High School and Jose Virgel Herrera of SCHS.

It was learned the winning entries of the students will be published in the PNP journal.

Police S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, when visited at his office, commented that campus journalists should be taught to focus on both sides of the issue while using their school papers a venue to voice out their concerns.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

DepEd’s Jesli said he is eyeing ‘something significant’

2009-07-23T19:05:00.001-07:00

FOR DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus, it’s hard to stereotype but people can just about describe him in three sentences: He is a perfectionist, he does only significant things and he doesn’t postpone.

Disciplined by no-nonsense parents and mentors in his youth, Lapus recalls the traits and character he learned in his boyhood that helped shape his present-day leadership ability and outlook.

During his visit in Pagadian last weekend, he shared that he made a difference in his life by learning history through stamp collecting.

Starting while he was 10-years old, he says philately introduced to him lessons not normally taught in schools. “It opened my eyes to the broader world of diverse cultures,” he said.

He shares again his penchant for wide-ranging learning while in college by enrolling only the subjects he like. But then he adds he graduated had a balanced life.

The secretary explains his secret to rising in public service after serving as finance expert, manager and auditor in reputable private companies lay in hard work.

In 1987, he was appointed DAR undersecretary and in 1992 was Land Bank of the Philippines chief. Six years later, he entered politics and completed three terms as congressman of the third district of Tarlac.

In August 2006, he was appointed DepEd secretary by President Gloria Arroyo. He said he took the opportunity “to show everyone why he was the president’s choice.”

Though his administration faced several controversies, like the furor over erroneous textbooks and the Cyber Education Project, he said he was able to come out of it “through dialogue, concrete solutions and swift action.”

As he would always repeat: “To manage the biggest department in the executive branch requires no less than a top-notch professional manager.”

At present, he added that he is decentralizing DepEd, making it a school-based management and focusing on its human resources as frontlines.

“Principals must think like managers, as administrators. Teacher education must also be improved,” he said.

If everyone doesn’t know it, Lapus, though his leadership, manages more employees than any other person in the country and handles the largest budget than any government agency.

“The highest form of investment is education,” he told a crowd of 500 teachers during the regional executive conference held at the AEC, here, July 17.

That evening, in a dinner tendered by Rep. Antonio Cerilles with provincial and DepEd officials, Lapus said he was flattered being tagged as a likely contender for a senate seat in the upcoming 2010 elections.

He added that he was happy hearing the comments from teachers who told him that his presence boosted their morale. “The success and backbone of DepEd lies in them,” he remarked.

On talks about his Senate bid, Lapus adviced media in a huddle at Hotel Alindahaw to see the events as they are. “Let it be, let it be,” he said.

Lapus is a partymate of Cerilles in the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). When he decides to run in next year’s polls, he said he will run under the administration coalition ticket.

“After success, you want to become significant and then you think of leaving a legacy. I have achieved quite a bit,” he further said.

He then intimated that his desire to run for the Senate was also upon the clamor of the teachers, although he admitted he will be facing tough contenders.

Surely, as some observers point out, Lapus will be squaring off against nine re-electionist senators and three come-backing senators who have indicated their plans to run again.

“People are entitled to their opinion. We will make our decision known by November,” he replied.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Two carnap suspects fall

2009-07-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

TWO carnapped motorcycles were returned to their respective owners after the suspected carnappers were nabbed by city police, last week, C/Insp. Michael Palermo said.

Palermo identified the alleged carnappers as Ronnie Agner, a resident of Purok Malamboon, Balangasan, this city, and Jonathan Patarata, a resident of Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur.

Agner was alleged to have carnapped the parked black Honda XRM 110 motorcycle of a certain Jerson King last July 19 and took it for a ride in Tigbao where town police there intercepted him after setting up a road block.

Patarata, on the other hand, was arrested, July 20, after the owner of a stolen motorcycle identified as Ricardo Bongolan, a retired policeman residing in Lower Pulacan, Labangan, reported that his yellow Honda XRM was lost and believed carnapped after he parked it at the entrance gate of the San Pedro Fishport.

Palermo said they immediately informed all operating units and nearby municipal police stations and conducted a hot pursuit operation against the perpetrator.

The police chief added that they recovered Bongolan’s motorcycle parked at Purok Osmena in Sto. Nino District in Patarata’s possession.

Carnapping charges were filed against the two suspects who are now detained at the PNP lock-up cell.

In June, two stolen motorcycles were reported as recovered by the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office as PNP Prov. Dir. S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena said his office has conducted 35 round-the-clock operations against carnapping around Zambosur.

Mayor Samuel Co, for his part, commended the PNP for its relentless campaign against all forms of criminality in the city, saying such an accomplishment matched his vision for a peaceful and progressive Pagadian.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

It pays to be alert always

2009-07-22T00:51:00.000-07:00

IT pays to be alert; this seems to be the vital significance of observing the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM).

Executive Order No. 137, dated August 10, 1999, declares July as NDCM to institutionalize the civil defense deputization program.

NDCM activities aim to increase the awareness to the threats of disaster and for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness program.

Regional Director Adriano Fuego of the Office of the Civil Disaster (OCD) said the NDCM observance in Pagadian City, with this year's theme: “Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro,” is telling everybody to have common sense and be ready to act anytime.

“Common sense saves you from emergencies,” Fuego stressed.

On the activities lined up by OCD, he cited the need for LGUs, schools and the local disaster coordinating councils “to rehearse earthquake and fire drills, including evacuation procedures.”

In a meeting with press members, Fuego was accompanied by the representatives of the BFP, PNRC, DOH and DSWD, who each explained the impact of imparting consciousness and readiness in times of emergencies.

The panel mentioned that in Pagadian City and around Zambosur, for example, residents should be wary on tsunami recurrence, fire incidents, landslides and flashfloods.

The BFP noted that even in inner-city villages considered as fire hazard areas, like Sta. Lucia, Santiago and Santiago, houses made of light materials are built so close to each other.

The BFP then added that they are addressing the problem by conducting periodic inspections and lectures to the people in the mentioned barangays.

As for the PNRC, it said that they are on alert for terrorist acts like bombings and the deficiency of blood supply.

For the DOH, it said that they are coming up with a contingency plan related to the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) in the province.

Fuego said they are doing information and education advocacies and campaigns the whole month as they anticipate zero casualties when disaster comes.

To recall, on August 16, 1976, a devastating earthquake on the Cotabato Trench caused a tsunami to rise, killing some 8,000 people in coastal communities in Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagadian, Lanao, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

At present, Pagadian, along with the cities of Basilan, Dipolog and Malaybalay have been classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as Intensity 6 zones in the Modified Mercalli Scale Intensities for Mindanao.

Based on the survey by PAGASA then, it was determined that the maximum height of the tsunami waves in the entire Moro Gulf during the August 1976 disaster was 4.5 meters.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Is Zambosur prepared vs. H1N1?

2009-07-21T23:58:00.001-07:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles has ordered the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council and the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) to come up with a contingency plan related to the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) in the province.

The meeting of health officials called by Cerilles took notice of the urgent situation and conducted their orientation and emergency preparedness and planning workshop last week.

The meeting tackled on the health department’s new interim guidelines on A(H1N1), which includes effective intervention to reduce mortality and further morbidity, clinical management, the revised response level guide for schools, and the policy changes from containment to mitigation response to the virus threat.

Health representatives from the regional office Center for Health Development (CHD-9) headed by Dr. Marcos Redoble conducted the said workshop at Hotel Guillermo.

DepEd executives, department heads, those from the private sector and media personalities attended the half-day orientation and emergency preparedness and planning workshop.

Redoble, in his presentation, summed up the difficulty of controlling the A(H1N1) virus even with 90 percent isolation and contact tracing.

This is so because, as Redoble adds, “because of the high level of presymptomatic transmission.”

“In addition, quarantining and contact tracing for influenza would probably be unfeasible because of the very short incubation, from two days and [the] infectious periods of that disease, which is from 3 to 4 days,” the doctor said.

Health authorities do contact tracing to mark out who are in close contact with an A(H1N1) patient sorted out as a case under observation (CUO), who might be tested positive for the said virus.

“The primary purpose of contact tracing is to determine whether influenza A (H1N1) virus has acquired the ability to transmit from person-to-person or has caused sustained community level transmission,” Rodoble explained.

As of date, the CHD said there are 26 A(H1N1) cases in the region, 14 of these were declared negative while 12 CUO’s were classified as positive.

Of those positive, eight came from Zamboanga City, three in Zamboanga del Norte and one from Zamboanga del Sur who has already fully recovered.

Earlier, the IPHO and the City Health Office of Pagadian City have declared that they cannot keep in check, more so control a possible occurrence of A(H1N1) in the province.

But health authorities in the province said they are providing only the right information to the public and or minimize misinformation to avoid panic.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Maria Corazon Ariosa thanked Cerilles for the initiative on A(H1N1), adding their office have already alerted the provincial offices of the social welfare and development and the interior and local government on the said matter.

Last June, Ariosa conducted statistical updates and risk assessment concerning A(H1N1) in the country with the health sector.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Troops rescue Zambosur fishermen from captors

2009-07-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-kidnapping operatives backed by Marine troopers rescued two Zambosur fishermen from their captors, Thursday, in Basilan.

Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO)-West Chief Director Felizardo Serapio identified the rescued fishermen as Renante Sequien, a resident of Tukuran, and Ronnie Nabie, of Sto. Nino, Pagadian City.

Both were fishing off Sibago Island in Tuburan, Basilan, April 4, when rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked their trawler, killed three of its crew, and seized the two after they failed to pay protection money.

Policemen then launched the rescue operation for the two fishermen following a tip that the victims were kept in Sitio Bohe Bessey in Brgy. Semut.

A firefight ensued between the kidnappers and the policemen who swooped down on the kidnappers’ lair. The gunmen escaped and there were no reports of casualties.

Serapio said the kidnappers fled after seeing the policemen were backed up by Marine Battalion Landing Team-7.

He added that the kidnappers were led by a certain Kumander Uzzi Hasim, a group that has ties with another rogue MILF leader named Usman Lidjal.

The two rescued fishermen are now at Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters for medical treatment and debriefing, a military spokeswoman said.

As this developed, both Gov. Aurora Cerilles and PNP Prov. Dir. Ramon Ochotorena commended the authorities for the safe rescue of the fishermen.

Meanwhile, policemen have intensified their search also for the three other missing fishermen earlier abducted last July 6 in Landang Laum on Sacol Island, this city.

The missing fishermen were identified as Jesus Alfonso, Edgar Barrera and July Gapol.

Up to this date, alleged Abu Sayyaf kidnappers are still holding three teachers seized also in March from Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School in Zamboanga Sibugay. A P10 million ransom has been demanded for the release of the teachers.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

NARS training for first batch ends

2009-07-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles praised the 90 volunteers of the Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) for their dedication, hard work and service to the rural areas.

During the culmination ceremony of Project NARS Training Program Batch-I at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZSMC), the governor likewise extended her admiration to the said volunteer-nurses for their sacrifices.

Cerilles added that enlisting under the program was a privilege and that the certificate of work experience being given to those who labored will vouch sure employment opportunities if ever they wish to look for greener pastures abroad or elsewhere.

It was learned that the 90 nurses composing the first batch is 40 short of the 130 quota for Zamboanga del Sur.

The lack of applicants, according to DOLE Provincial Director Virginia Bonbon is the lure of employment in Saudi Arabia, which is hiring nurses with or without experience.

The NARS program is President Gloria Arroyo’s strategy to cushion the impact of global financial crisis by employing new registered nurses who will help improve the delivery of health care services in rural areas.

Under the NARS program, applicants must be not over 35 years old with no nursing-related practice for the past three years with valid license from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

A collaborative effort of DOLE, DOH, PRC and Board of Nursing, nurses employed under NARS program will receive a stipend of P8,000 a month from DOLE.

In Zamboanga del Sur, the Provincial Government through the Public Employment Service Office headed by Tyrone Singgo as manager, has assisted DOLE in scouting applicants from the 26 municipalities of the province.

The nurses dispatched to their respective stations or in rural health units have undertaken various responsibilities in health services like the giving of Vitamin A capsules and deworming to children.

The second batch of nurses working for NARS will go on active duty from October to March 2010, Bonbon disclosed.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

PopCom-9 launches LPPEd

2009-07-15T19:08:00.001-07:00

THE need for mothers to teach their girls on adolescent reproductive health is essential, this was the point raised during a conference of the Population Commission (POPCOM) in celebration of World Population Day, here.

During the conference, the Learning Package on Parent Education on Adolescent Health and Development (LPPEd) was launched.

LPPEd is a module for a program developed to equip parents with the knowledge on adolescent sexual and reproductive health concerns as well as skills on how to communicate these concerns with their children.

Adosclents are to be taught at this age because it has been shown that it is from this age group the majority of the new incidences of sexually transmitted diseases and or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) come about.

According to a POPCOM study, majority of Filipinos are below the age of 25 and the reproductive health decisions that these people make determine the quality of life of the next generation of Filipinos.

Thus, the LPPEd will focus on community interventions in reproductive health for adolescents and the best among these is the inclusion of mothers who can closely relate with, influence and educate their growing girts to adopt a responsible and healthy sexual life.

Seeing that open and honest discussion regarding sexuality is not encouraged by parents, LPPEd will likewise correct inaccurate informations gathered from peer groups, media and other informal channels.

Present during the unveiling of LPPEd’s learning packages are Gov. Aurora Cerilles and son, Dumalinao mayor Ace William Cerilles, Mayor Samuel Co and POPCOM-9 OIC Dir. Susan Tejada.

Led by Tejada, the said officials signed their declaration of support to LPPEd.

Dumalinao has been chosen by POPCOM to be the pilot municipality for LPPEd activities this year.

Meanwhile, Presidential Assistant for Western Mindanao, Asec Crisanto de la Cruz praised the Zamboanga Peninsula Population Officers and Workers Inc. (ZPOWERS Inc.) for their laudable undertaking.

Cerilles, in her message, also expressed full support in managing the population growth.

In fact, Cerilles mentioned that the Provincial Government has earmarked P4.04 million for the Response for Parenting Movement through a memorandum of agreement she signed with POPCOM.

Some 200 population program officers and field workers from the four cities and three provinces of the Zamboanga Peninsula attended the POPCOM and ZPOWERS Inc.’s annual regional population congress and general assembly. WITH REPORTS FROM PIA-9

PNC advocates for a healthy lifestyle

2009-07-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

WITH the changing lifestyle of Filipinos, public health concerns regarding chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer are becoming too significant to ignore.

That is why healthy diets, regular exercise, abstinence from smoking and moderate alcohol intake were recommended for one to develop or have a healthy lifestyle.

Creating a healthy lifestyle is making small changes in how one live each day and be healthy; this is the message of the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) when it organized healthy lifestyle classes to Capitol employees since last week.

July is celebrated as Nutrition Month bearing the theme: “Wastong nutrisyon kailangan, lifestyle diseases iwasan.” The celebration is stipulated in Presidential Decree No. 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines issued in 1974.

Governor Aurora Cerilles has urged the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) to coordinate with LGUs, NGOs, schools and communities for the nationwide celebration.

The governor said she wants everybody’s participation as this month’s celebration focuses on the role and importance of proper nutrition in the prevention and control of diet-related lifestyle diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases (NCD).

The four major NCDs, branded as the leading causes of death in the country, are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

On the other hand, the PNC, led by Provincial Nutrition Officer Jocelyn Dajao along with Jocelyn Saludsod of the Provincial Nutrition Action Office, has urged Capitol employees “to become instruments to friends and families in making positive decisions for taking up healthy diets and healthy lifestyle behavior.”

Dajao and Saludsod both see to it that their healthy lifestyle classes, which ran July 6-10 among Capitol employees, are filled with attentive listeners.

“Keep your own food diaries,” Dajao once suggested. “Take small portions of food, eat slowly and exercise to keep fit. Ayaw pagpagutom kay mao nay hinungdan mokaon ka sobra pa sa kinahanglan sa imong lawas.”

In her classes, Dajao pointed out that diabetes, which in the past is caused by heredity factors, is now acquired through environmental conditions, such as obesity, lack of activity and excessive food intake.

She then advised that in order to have an ideal body weight, males standing 5” should only weight 112 pounds or 51 kilos, and for females of the same height, normal weight should be 106 pounds or 48 kilos.

Aside from their healthy lifestyle classes, the PNC initiated “Hataw” exercises at the AEC every Friday afternoons and there’s also the “Nutri-Hataw” competition among the 17 departments.

A fund-raising activity called “Weekly Nutri-Bingo Game” was likewise coincided every Friday and the “Nutri-Walk for a Cause” scheduled on July 21.

Proceeds of the fund-raising activities will be used for PNC’s Feed a Child Enterprise (FACE) project, which concentrates on iron deficiency in children.

In the meantime, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Estrella Esma said Cerilles has been pushing for continued milk-feeding and iron supplementation to pregnant women in the province.

Zambosur eyes full, complete Philhealth coverage

2009-07-15T05:27:00.001-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

BEFORE bowing out on her last term, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said she is making sure her target to enroll 100 percent of Zambosurian indigents with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) will be met.

Cerilles vowed to expand the coverage of Philhealth to embrace more beneficiaries who were not enrolled before and were not covered by the Social Security System or the Government Service Insurance System and even those who do not have any health insurance.

With the presence of the Zambosur Medical Center (ZSMC) and the intensified Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZs) in the province, the governor stressed that securing health services in the province will be easy with Philhealth.

Cerilles, who chairs of the Provincial Health Board, calls her plan “universal health insurance coverage,” which means that all eligible indigents or residents of Zambosur will be given coverages in medical and dental health care.

Cerilles then urged all city and municipal executives to measure up with her target and aim for the same goal, enrolling all their indigent households with PhilHealth.

“Health is our priority, it is one of my 7-Point Agenda and before I finish my term, I want my agenda to succeed,” Cerilles said during the policy meeting at Hotel Alindahaw, July 10, attended by Philhealth president Dr. Rey Aquino.

It was learned that the governor, along with Representatives Victor Yu and Antonio Cerilles, has implemented Philhealth’s multi-payor scheme, a system launched by Philhealth since 2005 that provides health insurance coverage to more than 50 percent of the indigent and underprivileged clients in the locality.

Such a scheme was implemented in order for all local government seats, whether the barangay, municipal and provincial, to allocate financial counterpart in the first two years of its implementation.

An example under this scheme, the beneficiary will only pay 25 percent of the total premium while LGUs will equally share the remaining 75 percent.

So far, of the total target of 134,301 beneficiaries, PhilHealth data states that about 92,216 were enrolled in Zambosur, which is about 76 percent in total enrolment.

Cerilles said that with the Province-wide Investment Plan for Health in place, the province was able to receive a grant from the health department amounting to P1.5 million for the maternal newborn child health and nutrition and commodity self reliance.

She likewise disclosed that with the teamwork of her husband, the congressman, they were able to obtain a subsidy from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in the amount of P10 million for ZSMC’s expansion.

The funding, according to Cerilles will be for the establishment of the Physical Therapy Center and the construction of private rooms in the said hospital. The bidding for this project will be made next month.

All these plans, Cerilles hoped, will be achieved with the full backing of the provincial board and local chief executives as she urged them to attend the the regular policy board meetings in their respective ILHZs.

Under Zambosur’s new health system, three ILHZs were set up: J-Smart, Dumanquillas and Yllana, from which all the 26 towns of the two districts Zambosur were assigned accordingly.

Interest in Scout movement strengthens in Zambosur

2009-07-14T05:05:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

THE Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Zamboanga del Sur-Sibugay-Pagadian City Council (BSP-ZSSPCC) is looking forward to make 2009 a busy year for the scout movement in Zambosur.

This after the said council, chaired by Rep. Antonio Cerilles, was proclaimed over-all winner of the 2nd Philippine Border Jamboree held in San Ramon, Zamboanga City last May 21-26.

The BSP-ZSSPCC bested 110 other scout councils throughout the country by winning first in Place Campsite category and Street Dancing Category and second in the Grand Camp Fire and Talent Competition.

At present, 20 municipalities in Zambosur are into the Neighborhood Scouting Project—a community-based scouting program intended for out-of-school youths, teaching them skills in knot tying, navigation, rappelling and survival techniques, among others.

Cerilles, in an interview, said he is strengthening the scout movement in the barangays after noticing its unimpressive growth in the past because of voluntary membership.

The congressman added that as first step, he adapted the Wood Badger’s leadership program in order for adult scouters to create a bond and commitment to the Scout movement.

The wood badgers, after their training, will then put their newly gained experience into practice by aiding the would-be scouts.

Cerilles remarked that because of their training success, interests in the scout movement are slowly coming back, with the enlistment of about 1,266 officials composed of regional directors, town mayors down to the village councilors.

“With a strong scouting movement, we can prepare the young to be good citizens so we can be sure that our country will not be short of strong leaders,” Cerilles stressed.

“Because scouting is one’s duty to God, country, others before one’s self,” he concluded.

Global warming: A threat to our lives

2009-07-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

LAST Tuesday’s news worth pondering to was about Sen. Loren Legarda’s appeal for help to save the islands of Maldives and the Philippines from the threat of rising waters due to global warming, specifically caused by heavy and excessive carbon emission from rich and industrialized countries.

Constantly threatened by rising sea level, our country stands on the possibility of getting obliterated from the world map too; if for example, a one-meter rise in sea level will happen. The 1,192 islands in Madives would be almost gone at this deep while in our country; the same rise in sea level can affect 28 coastal settelements around the archipelago.

And while Legarda laments that both Maldives and the Philippines may have contributed less to the problem of climate change, people living in the scattered islands of the two countries are on the brink of getting exterminated as the threats of climate change become more and more visible in its borders.

Meteorologists and weather experts have said that the current sea level rise is due partly to human-induced global warming, to mention also the glacial flows from North America.

Global warming is the result of the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, methane, chloroflorocarbons and nitrous oxide.

Carbon dioxide, a by-product of the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline in an automobile or coal in power plants that generate electricity is slowly enveloping our skies. So too with atmospheric methane, a powerful greenhouse gas derived from sources such as rice paddies, bovine flatulence, bacteria in bogs and fossil fuel production.

Remember that a carbon dioxide’s lifetime in the atmosphere can range from 50-200 years. This kind of gas prevent the reflection of solar radiation back out into space. Once it is there in the atmosphere, there is very little we can do to reduce it.

Experts have claimed that temperature increase of several degrees wouldn't be experienced consistently but there’s evidence that this is felt by particular regions more profoundly than others. Some might suffer changes in the amount of rainfall received. Again, this rise in temperatures could cause sea level increase of 20 or more inches, which in effect will destroy coastal wetlands and flood coastal areas.

It’s not difficult to sense the effects of global warming. It is still July here yet unabated rainfall has started to flood our agricultural lands, damage homes and infrastructures. The abnormal weather is new to a tropical country like ours because we should be expecting downpours by August but the current situation shows otherwise.

In the universal scale, we have the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty which agreement requires the United States, the European Union and Japan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2010. We don’t know if this agreement has been complied with by the concerned countries.

A study made by the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that 154,000 people die every year from the effects of global warming, from malaria to malnutrition, with children in developing nations seemingly the most vulnerable.

WHO estimates the said numbers could almost double by 2020, further suggesting that even a small shift in temperature, for instance, could extend the range of mosquitoes that spread malaria.

Dr. Thomas Karl, director of the National Climatic Data Center, says that global warming has produced an increase in precipitation during the 20th century, mostly in the form of heavy rainstorms and little in moderate, beneficial rainstorms.

Meanwhile, Britain's Meteorological Office has warned in its report issued in November, 1999 that flooding in Asia and Southeast Asia would increase more than ninefold over the coming decades.

An October 2007 report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer stated that the country’s corals are under threat from bleaching and illegal fishing and ocean “acidification,” which is caused by excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is slowly dissolving in the oceans, reducing the ability of the coral reefs to deposit calcium carbonate or calcify.

With the ocean becoming more acidic, corals would stop growing and eventually disintegrate and this would affect other sea shells and mollusks.

Another PDI report dated June 25, 2009 notes the briskly changing weather pattern all over the countryside, which is hurting the fishing industry. The fishing season has become shorter as heavy rains and strong waves now begin as early as late March or early April.

Global warming is a global concern. Calamities of sort occur frequently in our archipelago due to climate change that was also rooted from the people's lack of concern to the environment and even by abuses.

So what can developing countries do? How can we Filipinos take part in reducing the effects of global warming? With the 2010 election a few months from now, we should know how prepared the government is in responding to the effects of global warming as well as to its impact on the population.

We should demand from our candidates their convincing action in fighting climate change since it is their responsibility as our representatives in public office to protect our children and future generations from damage to the environment they will inherit. In short, let us vote only for those who care about our planet.

Even in the local scene, we can step up efforts to lessen the impact of climate change by tackling on issues about environmental management such as solid waste management, forest management, pollution and coastal management, among others.

With all these information identifying the problems, let us address the global warming problem and anticipate its effects on our lives. There are solutions, if people will only care to take action.

So then, let us help rid the atmosphere of poisonous gases. Let’s suggest the use of clean and renewable energy. Let’s advance organic farming and protect our remaining forests.

Let us try. We must.

Zambosur’s off-grid villages use solar power

2009-07-13T00:48:00.001-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

THE Provincial Government and the Department of Energy (DOE), effecting its memorandum of agreement signed last March for the energization of selected villages in the province, is now in the thick of training the so-called Barangay Power Association (BAPA), Ramon Jaurigue, DOE science research specialist said.

Jaurigue, in an interview, said BAPA’s creation will ensure the sustainability of the photovoltaic solar home system (PSHS) project as BAPA members will be given the task of managing PSHS’ power system in their respective villages.

The project is being implemented in the province by Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Solar Home Systems Distribution Project using using 5-Wp Solar PV module complete with 100 AH storage battery, battery control unit and four compact fluorescent lamps.

To date, about 246 sets of PSHS have been installed in barangays Busol, Nangan-nangan and Lacarayan in Tigbao; Bulanay in Sominot; Man-ilan in Tukuran; and Lower Liason in Tambulig.

The PSHS project would serve about 40 households in each of the barangays mentioned.

Presently, the PNOC has energized some 12,390 barangays across the country under the said project.

PNOC’s Antonio Buenviaje, who trained the BAPA members, explains the PSHS project is a financing program for off-grid communities not energized by the local electric cooperative.

He added that beneficiary-families will only pay an initial P1,000 in counterpart for the PSHS installation while a token monthly maintainance fee will be collected by BAPA for the upkeep and replacement of the battery used for the storage of solar power for the next three years.

Buenviaje believes electricity is important to rural communities in order for them to be productive and do lucrative activities.

Last year, DOE Sec. Angelo Reyes visited Brgy. Langilan, San Miguel and witnessed the implementation of the Expanded Rural Electrification Program in 21 barangays in the region, which are being fitted with communal electrification systems.

Reyes then said that harnessing the power of the sun to energize homes will bring substantial savings on the expense families pay for buying kerosene.

Meanwhile, the July 9 technician’s training seminar was conducted by DOE and PNOC at the PGO Conference Room to enhance the participants’ knowledge in the proper handling, maintenance and utilization of the PSHS facility in their respective area of coverage.

The activity was facilitated by Provincial Planning and Development Office Coordinator Loy Canales and attended by 20 BAPA members, municipal engineers and meter readers from the mentioned villages.

The inputs, according to Buenviaje, will help BAPA do some repairs in case the PSHS bog down during its daily operation.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, for her part, welcomed the developments and thanked the facilitators for their assistance and in creating BAPA.

“Progress results from persistence with purpose. We can never afford to be complacent because we want a better quality of life for the people; we want to give flesh and value to equitable development that those in the off-grid and far-flung barangays also deserve,” Cerilles said.

“To effectively combat today’s economic recessions, the need to capacitate and empower the people is crucial. Lauman ko nga kini nga kahimuan makatabang sa paghimong labing mabungahon ug malambuon sa kahimtang sa kinabuhi sa atong mga katawhan,” she concluded.

Firms urged to link with local business chambers

2009-07-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

CONGRESSMAN Antonio Cerilles urged the local government of Pagadian and the Pagadian-ZDS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (PZCCIFI) to rally round on local businesses to become chamber members.

Cerilles said the LGU and PZCCIFI can help spruce up local economy by formulating laws that mandates micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to register or affiliate with the business chamber in order to justify their legitimacy as traders.

This was the first track of Cerilles’ discourse when he he delivered his keynote speech during the 5th Zamboanga Peninsula Business Conference (Zampenbizcon) held here last week, July 8-11.

Cerilles curtly said that efforts to boost the business sector will find relief when all businesses in the locality, in Pagadian City and in other urban centers, for example, feel their relationship with their respective trade chambers.

“The local government may opt not to issue licenses to businesses who are not members of your business chambers,” Cerilles said, saying this notice will guarantee enlistment.

The congressman added that he was moved to offer such a suggestion after seeing few people in attendance although he said those present in the conference were the more responsible business sectors in the region.

With the theme: “Meeting the challenges of time: One region, one vision,” the 5th Zampenbizcon gathered together delegates from the local chambers and trade associations along with different regional officials of the trade department.

The delegates are businessmen from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Misamis Occidental and from the cities of Isabela, Dipolog, Dapitan, Zamboanga and Ozamiz.

During its plenary sessions, the said event tackled on the LGU’s role in business and investment promotion, tourism and agri-aqua development agenda, offered special presentations on successful ventures and awarded the “2009 Most Oustanding MSMEs.”

In recognition of its innovative business processes, Nutribooster Foods Phils. Inc. is the provincial winner in the micro category while Pagadian City Springland Hotel grabbed the award in small category and RML People’s Mart in the medium category, for its entrepreneurial spirit.

The Zamboanga del Sur-I Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco-I) also received an award for demonstrating excellent responsiveness and service to customers and commitment to the growth and well-being of the community.

Governor Aurora Cerilles and Mayor Samuel Co, respectively gave their messages during Zampenbizcon’s opening ceremonies.

The governor, in her welcome remarks, commended the business sector for its active role in peace building and community development, which subsequently improved people’s lives.

Co, for his part, encouraged firms and private companies to invest and take advantage of the trade opportunities in Pagadian, taking cue from the achievements of the already thriving businesses in the locality.

DOLE hands out livelihood funds to Zambosur rubber farmers group

2009-07-12T00:11:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

THE regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), last week, turned over a P500,000 livelihood check to the Tubod Farmers Association (TFA) of Lakewood, this province.

Ponciano Ligutom, DOLE-9 director, said the funds will be distributed as a grant-in-aid to TFA for their rubber nursery project in the municipality.

Rubber is the top 12 agriculture produce of Mindanao, with 404.05 metric tons produced in 2007, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said.

The turnover was made possible by Ligutom and DOLE Provl. Dir. Virginia Bonbon, also witnessed by Gov. Aurora Cerilles, who represented the provincial government as DOLE’s accredited co-partners (ACPs).

ACPs are tasked to assist DOLE in monitoring the development of livelihood undertaking of a particular group or association to ensure that the grant-in-aid is put to good use.

The half-a-million pesos aid is under the economic resiliency program of the government which aims to provide emergency employment and or livelihood to probinsiyanos.

Ligutom, in a huddle, said that their department is responding to the possible impact of global financial crisis and has stepped up efforts aimed at providing immediate interventions to those who will be affected.

In Zamboanga Peninsula, Ligutom identified the workers from canning, coconut and rubber industry as those likely to be affected by the looming crisis.

In Zamboanga City, last June 12, DOLE has facilitated the turnover of several emergency employment contracts and livelihood programs under its Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (CLEEP) in the amount of P46,552,372 including scholarship grants worth P8,000,040.

DOLE also awarded P33,742,466 for training agreements of CLEEP agencies and another P3,594,004 in livelihood checks to municipalities around the region.

In Zambosur, the grant will be used to start various livelihood projects such as the boneless danggit production, cassava and broiler production and seaweed farming.

Cerilles, in her message, thanked DOLE for the financial support as she urged the beneficiaries to make their livelihood ventures useful in order to get the best benefit.

RPOC pushes for special courts for drug cases

2009-07-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

THE growing incidence of illegal drugs and the increase of drug-related cases have nudged the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to pass a resolution requesting for a special court in Zamboanga del Sur, which will exclusively try drug cases.

Resolution No. 01 series 2009 contains RPOC’s request, as pushed by the council chaired by Gov. Aurora Cerilles, duly motioned by Mayor Samuel Co and seconded by B/Gen. Jovencio Magalso of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

The RPOC noted the statistics presented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which showed “a remarkable increase” of drug related cases.

The council likewise mentioned that despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, the PDEA and PNP, only a negligible percentage has been resolved.

“Whereas to dispel doubts on the impartiality of our justice system, there is an imperative need to place responsibility in the prosecution of drug-related cases in a particular court,” the RPOC resolution reads.

Last June, the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) raised the possibility of holding a dialogue among the so-called pillars of the criminal justice system in order to complement each others action and or interpretation of the law, especially on drug-related cases.

PADAC noted the need to harmonize community involvement, law enforcement, prosecution, court and the correctional institution in the provincial government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

PADAC was suggesting the move based on the case of one illegal drug suspect who was caught red-handed by police in a drug buy-bust operation but was granted bail by the judge.

Congressman Antonio Cerilles, himself said in an interview that he is agreeable to the proposal put up by Chief Justice Reynato Puno, which calls for the creation of a three-member special court that would exclusively try drug cases.

Cerilles said he is open to the said proposal; especially that it goes with the establishment of a separate penitentiary exclusively for drug offenders in order to isolate them from their drug networks.

Article 6, Section 90 of RA 9165 referred to special courts to be designated by the Supreme Court from among the existing Regional Trial Courts in each judicial region to exclusively try and hear cases.

It likewise added that “The DOJ shall designate special prosecutors to exclusively handle cases involving violations of this Act.”

May, this year, the House committee on dangerous drugs approved the bill creating the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Dangerous Drugs (OSPDD), as filed by Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez.

The OSPDD, which would be under the Office of the President and with an initial budget of P200 million, will solely handle controversial drug cases against drug offenders who may include government officials.

Pagadian takes steps against dengue

2009-07-08T01:06:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

IN an effort to help decrease dengue incidence in the city, a week-long fogging activity was conducted by the Provincial Government in several villages here identified as having high prevalence of dengue hemmorhagic fever (DHF).

The activity came after reports from the City Health Office (CHO) stated that the city, as of June, noted an increase of dengue cases documented in the barangays.

Although City Health Officer Noel Ceniza said he does not endorse fogging, he said in a conversation that for this time only, he is giving in to the request of local government to fumigate barangays suspected with dreaded dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Both Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Mayor Samuel Co have each set aside funds for the fumigation activities and Ceniza said he has likewise mobilized health teams to conduct information dessimination campaigns about the dangers of dengue in identified high-risk barangays.

The barangays subjected to fumigation last June 29 to July 3 were Sta. Lucia, Dumagoc, Sto. Niño, Gatas, Kawit, san Pedro, Tiguma, San Jose, Balangasan and Napolan.

Fogging, according to the Department of Health (DOH), is used to kill adult mosquitoes infected with the virus to immediately stop transmission.

But fogging, added the DOH, is recommended “as a preventive measure” only as it will be very costly to do fogging every seven days since mosquito larvae thrive and became adult in 7-8 days.

Despite the suspected presence of the Influenza AH1N1 virus all around, the DOH said that dengue is still a major concern that should also be addressed by barangays and town officials.

2009 figures from the CHO listed Tiguma, Balangasan, San Pedro, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Niño, San Jose, Tuburan and Banale were among the so-called high-risk villages when it comes to incidence of dengue cases.

Zambo drug route ‘closely watched’

2009-07-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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.

PDEA Reg. Dir. Adzhar Albani disclosed that drug syndicates have been keeping their illicit transport of shabu under wraps through land, sea and air logistics.

During the Regional Peace and Order conference last week, Albani reported to the council that the usual drug routes have not changed and still tag along that of the integrated transport network system, from the National Capital Region down to the east-west nautical highways including that of Misamis provinces.

Down south, one can see the straight path from China in the west border and the Sandakan, Malaysia-Zamboanga Seaport link, which also involves Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) areas.

So overwhelming were the interchange and the volume of drugs being transported in this network that the PDEA started to monitor closely those smuggling illegal drugs by large quantities.

By this appraisal, Albani said they have categorized Zamboanga del Sur as a “critical area” along with Sulu.

Albani further stated that PDEA’s “Task Force Foxtrot” is watching over Regions 9, 10 and ARMM over these illicit drug trafficking.

He added that drug trafficking in these areas is controlled mostly by locally based drug group and sometimes, by politicians acting as protectors and or drug lords.

Albani explained that PDEA’s assessment is consistent with that of intelligence reports received from their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) placing Zambosur and Sulu in equal level.

This is so because, as he affirmed, of the presence of armed groups affiliated with the locally-based drug organizations and the emerging narco-politics in their responsibility areas.

Albani adds that shabu “is still the number one choice of drug” in the region, presently with a prevailing price between P9,000-P11,000 per gram.

This increase in price, he said, is attributed to the pounding buy busts and raid operations jointly conducted by PDEA, PNP, NBI and the 53rd IB, which eventually lead to the dwindling supply of the illicit drugs.

To recall, in a press conference called by Gov. Aurora Cerilles last May, attended by Task Force Kontra Droga (TFKD) action officer and board member Ernesto Mondarte, the lawmaker claimed that they have suppressed circulation of shabu illegal in the province, resulting to the increase of shabu street price due to dwindling supply.

Prices have increased five times, from P100 per sachet to P500, said Mondarte, as evidenced by relentless entrapment and buy-bust operations against drug traffickers in identified barangays in Pagadian.

“The price now is high because of the diminishing supply,” Mondarte disclosed.

Mondarte adds the supply reduction and their strategy against shabu proliferation have been successful in the mentioned areas because they saturated the secondary and tertiary schools through information campaign on the dangers and effects of illegal drugs.

Likewise, the legislator said that he requested each town to activate their municipal anti drug abuse councils, which they did, and intensified advocacies on radio airtimes and media reports in the all out war against illegal drugs

“Nakita nato ang effect niining nanglabay nga confiscations, tungod sa scarcity sa supply, mimahal ang shabu. Magdungan ning supply and demand reduction and the community has done well, I hope kita tanan, with the parents and all sectors in the society will help flush out illegal drugs in our communities,” Mondarte said.

As of June 29, about 13 anti-drug operations have been conducted by the PDEA resulting to the arrest of 23 suspects and the confiscation of 247.77 grams of shabu with 25 cases filed against the alleged suspects.

As to the joint operations, 74 drug buy bust and raids have been effected resulting to the arrest of 117 suspects the confiscation of 132.4228 grams of shabu.

As to Cannabis or marijuana, PDEA has uprooted some 1,500 hemps worth P300,000 in Brgy. Punungan in Talipao, Sulu.

Cerilles, in her response to Albani’s report, said that she “was saddened in knowing that Zambosur is still considered as critical” despite the significant accomplishment of the authorities in the anti-drug campaign in the province.

“Honestly, you’ve heard about the accomplishment of Task Force Kontra Droga running after drug personalities in Zambosur. Their action has brought about the scarcity of drugs,” Cerilles said.

Even so, drug lords in the province are now “transferring,” added the governor, to which Albani corrected that some may have, to the so called “friendly areas.”

“Don’t worry maam, there’s no boundary limit in our campaign. We can cross those places and arrest those people. We only need to continue our coordination and the community’s participation and involvement,” Albani assured.

For his part, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena, when asked by this paper what he thinks of the report, said the information was a good eye-opener.

“Nindot na aron ma-focus sad ang PDEA dinhi sa atoang probinsiya. As for the PNP, we also need to double our effort,” he said.

Maceda praises Cerilles

2009-07-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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.”

Estrada and son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, actor Rex Cortez and Maceda were welcomed and billeted by provincial officials led by Representatives Antonio Cerilles and Victor Yu, Mayor Samuel Co, members of the provincial board and village chieftains.

In his short speech at the multimedia center stage of the AEC, Maceda recalls his past visit in the city when he proclaimed all the candidates of the Cerilleses in the Nationalist Peoples Coalition provincial convention.

“I must congratulate the Cerilles and Enerio families for their more than 50 years of service to Zamboanga del Sur,” Maceda said, explaining his familiarity with former governor and congressman Vicente Cerilles and the late Rep. Canuto Cerilles who served the province for many years

“The best proof of their long service is the fact that you the voters of Zambosur keep on sending them to office because you have seen and you have decided that they have done a good job in running this province especially the incumbent Governor Auring Cerilles,” the former ambassador said.

“Earlier, Governor Inting reminded me that when I was executive secretary, I was the one he approached for the release of the funds for Salug Valley Irrigation project and the approval and implementation of PADAP,” Maceda recalls.

“I am grateful that during the time of Governor Vicente Cerilles I was made an adopted son of Zambosur and nalipay gyod ako nga nakabalik ako dinhi sa atong pinalanggang lungsod,” he added.

Saying further that he won’t be running again this May synchronized election but hopes that when Estrada returns to Malacañang, he will be given a position so that he can help the people of Zambosur.

Maceda then give details of their visit and explained the possible direction of Estrada this coming May 2010.

“Bakit ba kailangan ibalik si Erap sa Malacañang? Fair play and justice dictates that dapat ibalik si Erap because he was unsconstitutionally removed after two and a half years inspite of having won by a landslide of six million votes,” was Maceda’s words.

“Not satisfied with that, he was imprisoned for six and a half years. Tama lang, its just right and fair na dapat, kung papayagan ninyo, ibalik naman siya uli bilang presidente ng Pilipinas,” he bellowed, as the audience clapped their hands.

“There are many presidentiables at present but sino ba ang dapat piliin? I would like to recommend to you the following reasons: Experience, yong may malawak ang karanasan, with more than 30 years in public.”

“Maturity—as you grow older you become mellower, you become more deliberate and understanding,” he said.

“And especially for a person who has served six years in jail, you have gone to a feeling of reflection and penance. He has gone to a process of purification and conversion and therefore having been in the shoes of somebody who has been imprisoned, who has been unjustly treated, he knows what it is to be a person na naapi at pinahirapan.”

“And therefore when he makes decisions as a president in the future, he will be objective, balanced and Chistian-like and he will never be a dictator.”

The former senator said that Estrada will likely win if the voice of the people, the “charisma factor” and the “underdog factor” plus the “sympathy votes” prevails.

Maceda recalls that past presidents like Ronald Reagan got re-elected at the age of 73 and became the best president the US ever had; likewise with Nelson Mandela—a Nobel Peace Prize winner— who was elected president of South Africa at the age 84 and Charles Nicole, who was elected at the age 70 and became the greatest president of France.

“Huwag na tayong mag-take a chance sa 40-45 anyos na kandidato na kulang pa sa karanasan, kulang pa sa maturity at experensiya sa kahirapan ng buhay dito na tayo sa taong mahaba ang karanasan at isang taong dako ang kasing-kasing para sa mga pobre ug motabang gyod sa mga pobre,” Maceda concluded.

A dinner party was held for Estrada and company that evening, at Hotel Alindahaw after which a film showing of Estrada’s “Ang Mabuhay para sa Masa” was shown to guests.

The dinner was attended by provincial, city and municipal executives, Jaycee members, PNP officials and media.

Zambosur warms up for Megayon ‘09

2009-07-06T23:16:00.001-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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

This early, Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Officer Anthony Frederick Padayhag has called on a number of meetings attended by the different assigned clusters.

Padayhag explains the Megayon Festival for this year will be the last under the leadership of Gov. Aurora Cerilles so he wants to make it more impressive than the previous ones as well as more memorable.

Megayon, a Subanen word for unity, traces its history as an artist-led cultural event started in 1996 at the foot of Mt. Timulan.

In 2006, the Provincial Government, through Ordinance No. 016-2006, officially adopted the Megayon Festival for the annual celebration of the founding anniversary of the province.

It was learned that Cerilles has directed Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo to head the Steering Committee, which composed of board member Felicidad Funtanilla, Mayor Ace William Cerilles and Exec. Asst. Tyrone Singgo as vice chairmen.

For the 57th Megayon Festival, about 50 working committees are being organized and divided into four clusters.

The Physical Preparation Cluster is being headed by Diego Suela of Provincial General Services Office; the Sports, Culture and Arts Cluster by Padayhag; the Activities and Program Cluster by OIC Provincial Agriculturist Marilyn Bersales; and the Administration Cluster by Allan Cabatingan of the Barangay Affairs Office.

Padayhag said that they have come up with a tentative theme for the celebration, which is, “Lig-ong Pangagamhanan, Tuburan sa Kalambuan, Legasiya sa Kasamtangang Pamunuan.”

The Megayon Festival will be officially opened this coming Sept. 11 and will culminate on the 17th, the province’s anniversary and coincidentally the governor’s birthday.

Padayhag noted that the annuall beauty pageant “Search for Miss Zamboanga del Sur 2009” is still included in the list of activities along with a band festival, skate boarding, mountain bike race, video kasiyahan and others.

A consolidation meeting was just concluded and the budget proposal is now the main concern being deliberated by Padayhag and company.

Roads are ‘real drivers of development in Mindanao’

2009-07-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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.

Farm-to-market roads, for example, drive farmers to produce something to be harvested, collected and bring in to the market,” he told journalists.

“Circumferential roads and bridges facilitate movement and mobility of people and make the goods people bring at low cost. Roads really are a big incentive to producers and boost Mindanao’s development, he added.

Leyretana visited Pagadian last week for the 12th Mindanao Super Region inter-Agency meeting with other stakeholders and attended also by provincial and city officials led by Rep. Antonio Cerilles, Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Mayor Samuel Co as hosts.

“Roads, for law enforcers, make it easy for patrolling the barangays,” Leyretana continued, “greatly benefitting the community,” along with big infrastructure projects like airport rehabilitations all over the island.

The undersecretary mentioned that portions of roads from Surigao to Bislig need improvement, including the Sibuco-Siraway network.

“With good roads, Mindanao will not be anymore a fragmented geographical region. Farming, tourism, trading and commerce will then expand. The integrated system of tourism development will boost job generation and everybody lives,” Leyretana said.

“What Mindanao needs today is a logistical hub for the import and export of goods and distribute these to other regions. We also need to build lateral roads and make it a holistic and balanced development,” he stressed.

Raw 2007 data of infrastructure utilities from the Department of Public Works and Highways stated that some 4,359.06 kilometers in length are classified as paved national roads in Mindanao while another 2,650.63 are unpaved national roads.

“With this, Mindanao will then be a self-sustaining, integrated, borderless sconomy. But we first need to protect our environemtn, rivers, lakes because no living things will survive without these,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cerilles commented that in setting up developments in Mindanao, population frequency should be considered.

“We should look into the poverty incidence in the island and the disparity between the poor and rich,” the congressman said.

In her 2006 State-of-the-Nation Address, President Gloria Arroyo unveiled the concept of “super regions,” noting the importance of grouping selected regions and provinces by their economic strengths to stimulate economic growth and development.

Arroyo’s EO No. 561 dated Aug. 19, 2006 mandated the formation of Mindanao Super Regions (MSRs) to strap up the island’s competitive advantage in agribusiness, through major infrastructure support.

MSR projects, to date, have a total budget of P62.555 billion until 2010 for the implementation of its programs, projects and activities. The whole amount does not include those for additional projects.

A MEDco briefing paper stated that there are still unfinished businesses in Mindanao like the widespread and chronic poverty, the need to address long-standing conflict, strengthening of weak institutions and the need to increase public and private investments.

Zambosur offers eco-adventure tourism

2009-07-06T23:15:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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.

The AHC, a novel innovation by Rep. Antonio Cerilles and Gov. Aurora Cerilles, has been the customary venue for the annual Megayon Festival.

The AHC is said to be the harbinger of the ambitious promotion of the province as an eco-adventure tourism destination in Zambosur.

Within its grounds one can find the famous Butterfly Park, Canopy Walk and Zipline and other amenities for adventure-loving people to explore and venture.

Last April, the AHC hosted the 2nd Summer Youth Fest (SYF) and gathered together youths from as far as Jolo-Sulu and Misamis Occidental for an educational-cultural immersion on the dances and rituals of the Subanen people.

The Zambosur SYF was conceptualized by Provincial Tourism Officer Frederick Anthony Padayhag in accordance with the thrust of Cerilles for youth development in arts and sports.

The event was coincided with the celebration of the 1st League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Zambosur Week, led by Dumalinao mayor Ace William Cerilles.

Padayhag said the AHC was the center of attraction in their promotion to other areas like Ozamiz, Iligan, Cagayan, Dipolog and Dapitan cities, though the conception of “Laag Zamboanga del Sur.”

Padayhag reveals that the Provincial Government is [ayong attention to the promotion of tourism that will cater to adventure, escapades and exploration.

These adventure come-ons, Padayhag said, will be diverse and unique from other tourist destinations with the help of improved domestic transportation and the re-opening of this city’s airport in the coming months.

Provincewide, Zambosur boasts of pleasureable resorts and attractions like the Lapuyan Falls, Lakewood’s Biswangan Resort, Lake Dasay in San Miguel, Mount Timolan Protected Tourism Landscape in Tigbao, Sominot Cave and the Pulacan Falls and camping site.

Dive sites can also be found in San Pablo and Tabina, where white sand beaches abound along with giant turtles in the so-called Panikian Island.

In Pagadian City, one can visit Dao-Dao Islands, White Beach, Bomba Beach, Mt. Susong Dalaga, Lourdes Waterfalls, Mt. Pinokis in Lison Valley and Manga Falls, a two-layered cascading fall surrounded by huge trees which are home to white monkeys.

By itself, this city’s motorcab is already a tourist attraction, with its one-of-a-kind aerodynamic design—the sidecar tilted upwards.

Last June, during the 40th Araw ng Pagadian, the city government lined up 2,000 motorcabs in single file along F.S. Pajares Avenue, in its bid for a Guinness World Record for the longest motorcycle parade.

Based on raw data from the Department of Tourism, for 2007, total tourist arrivals in Zamboanga Peninsula accounts for 11.2 percent of the total arrivals in Mindanao.

Booming businesses liven up in Zampen

2009-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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

Nick Nacaytuna of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Dipolog City said example of this observation is POMS Venture Corporation (PVCorp).

PVCorp, a manufacturer and exporter of high-grade quality crude and refined coconut oil products, has put up a processing plant for dried mango and mango puree at the Provincial Agri-Industrial Center (PAIC) in Irasan, Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte.

Its products are now being sold here and abroad.

Asia Milk and Cream Inc., a company owned by an Indian national, likewise showed interest in putting up a dairy plant in Dipolog City.

With these developments, Nacaytuna surmised business activities in Zamboanga Peninsula have perked up despite the economic downturn that sweeps across the world.

With the favorable peace and order condition in the province more particularly in the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan coupled with the proximity to the markets in the Visayas, more businessmen are expected to come and start investing here, he said.

In Pagadian, during the launching program of the National Disaster Consiousness Month, PNP Reg. Dir. C/Supt. Angelo Sunglao said that Zamboanga Peninsula enjoys big investor confidence, citing for example the establishment of a 24-hour operation of the Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI).

RTMI routes in Zamboanga Peninsula, Sunglao observed, start from Zamboanga up to Davao and vice versa daily, which is different from that of General Santos, which closes at 3:00 in the afternoon because of security problems.

He also noted his travels to and fro, seeing the rapidly increasing construction of hotels in Zamboanga, Dipolog and Pagadian cities, an indication of growing tourist visits in the region.

Another example the police director cited is BIR-91 in Dipolog, which topped its 2008 tax collection goal in Region 9 with 504.1 million, registering an excess of P337 million plus, as stated by the Department of Finance (DOF) for 2008.

And in Pagadian too, Sunglao said that as a regional center, the city has a lot to offer for investor come-on.

“Because Zamboanga Peninsula delivered a good mandate in 2004 to President Gloria Arroyo, nakikita ninyo na laging bumibisita ang pangulo sa ating lugar. Ganyan tao kamahal ni PGMA,” he stressed.

Mayor Samuel Co said Pagadian is seeing improved business climate with the opening of Best Emporium and Gaisano Capital and the recent branching out of Rural Bank of Dipolog Inc. (RBDI)-Pagadian.

Governor Aurora Cerilles too once said that businessmen investing in the city give a big boost to local employment. WITH REPORTS FROM PIA

DOH confirms first AH1N1 case in Zambopen

2009-07-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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

This information was from DOH Reg. Dir. Aristides Tan, who said that a Grade 3 student from Ateneo de Zamboanga was positively tested for the virus.

The boy was reportedly infected after coming into contact with a woman who came to Zamboanga from Manila last June.

It was not known whether the woman was the boy’s relative or not as the DOH has promptly subjected the said woman for quarantine and medication after she went back to Manila.

The DOH likewise reported several suspected infections in other government elementary schools in the city but laboratory tests are still on going.

Tan also said that they already were recording several suspected cases since May 14 after several patients showed symptoms of A(H1N1).

Following DOH protocols, the identities of the patients were classified confidential.

So far, the number given by the DOH is 12 as Tan explained that half of the number showed negative results while the other half still has to be received from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) which made laboratory analysis of the patients’ swab samples.

Health officials there said two of the suspected cases came from Isabela City in Basilan, two in Zamboanga del Norte and one from Zamboanga del Sur.

Dr. Norvie Taruc, chief of DOH’s Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), confirmed to Pagadian reporters the lone case of A H1N1 patient from this province during a press conference held during the launching of the National Disaster Conciousness Month at the Liga City.

However, Taruc assured mediamen that the individual was still being sorted out as a “case under observation” pending the release of laboratory results.

The doctor declined to tell the place where the Zambosur patient lives as she urged the public to “bear with us” since specimen results “would take a lot of time to arrive.”

Taruc added that DOH has already shifted its control strategy from containment to mitigation, which means that A(H1N1) cases will now be treated as an ordinary flu.

A DOH update No. 35 has stated that “Those manifesting with mild symptoms can be managed and monitored at home so that only patients at risk who develop complications will have to be hospitalized.”

A(H1N1) virus is spread from person-to-person and is transmitted as the normal seasonal flu and can be passed to other people through coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled or contaminate hands or surfaces.

Signs of A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose.

Health Sec. Francisco Duque III disclosed that as of June, there are 1,709 confirmed A(H1N1) cases reported. He said 1,485 of these cases have already recovered, while the rest are still under treatment.

As this developed, the DOH has already designated the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) as the Regional Satellite Referral Hospital to handle treatments and or confinement of any victim of A (H1N1) in the region.

ZCMC has also stacked 5,000 Tamiflu capsules and organized its personnel protection equipment like mask, goggles, and gowns including the assignment of trained nurses for A(H1N1) patients.

RPOC makes fuzz on MNLF streamer

2009-07-01T02:00:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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

The streamer in question was hung by Labangan mayor Abubakar Afdal in front of his residence a few months back, which voluntarily announced MNLF’s presence in Zamboanga del Sur.

The said streamer, actually, was also brought out during the Provincial Peace and Order Council as the ruling body fumble about what specific violation was committed by the mayor.

Afdal, in an interview with several Pagadian reporters, admitted he is an active member of the MNLF or the Moro National Liberation Front under Prof. Nur Misuari’s faction.

The mayor further claimed that Misuari appointed him as in-charge of MNLF’s civil and military affairs in the whole of Region 9.

Afdal accordingly said that his intentions of revealing his affiliation with the MNLF was for “peaceful means,” a move he wished “will help bring serenity in his home town" after authorities placed Labangan under close watch due to alleged rampant drug peddling activities by illegal drug syndicates.

Lately, in an interview aired over RMN-DxPR, Afdal said that as an entity recognized by the Philippine government, there is nothing wrong with his membership with the MNLF, maintaining this same stand in his action of hanging a streamer outside his house.

Afdal, in the same radio interview, concluded by saying: “Kung unsay akong sala, ipaagi lang unta sa balaod, dili lang ta ipersonal.”

It was not known, however, whether Afdal’s group has been making recruitment activities in large numbers or not as several reactions came about from government officials in the province.

Brigadier General Jovencio Magalso, assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, was quoted by a report from the previous RPOC meeting last March as having said that as long as recruitment activities fall under lawful means like forming cooperatives for livelihood purposes and peaceful assemblies, these are justifiable and allowed by the law.

But Magalso added that in the case of arms build-up, establishment of camp with the presence of armed groups, wearing of uniforms and insignias and battle gears, these are strictly prohibited.

As an addition, PNP Directorate for Intelligence head Felizardo Serapio said that MNLF activities in the region are being closely monitored and that they have already warned on the use and display of any Bangsamoro emblems or flag, establishment of camps and the wearing of unauthorized military uniforms.

He added that if found, they will not hesitate to dismantle the same.

But for Gov. Aurora Cerilles, as chair of the RPOC, she said she won’t take the issue sitting down.

“As marshalls of peace and order in the region, we highlight the importance of convergence and keep an eye on external security, operational efforts and giving support to authorities, agencies, military and police,” she said.

“The hanging of a streamer by my mayor in Labangan bearing the words Bangsamoro Headquarters, Bangsamoro Armed Forces instills fear and apprehension among the people. We shall delve into the legality and propriety of the hanging of such streamer,” the governor added.

“There is only one Republic of the Philippines and embracing another republic is a betrayal (of trust) and a threat to our country. Kinahanglan siguro we need a clarificatory statement from the national government kung unsa ba gyod ni and that we might be enlightened (on this matter),” Cerilles said.

As for Usec. Nabil Tan of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), he explained: “The establishment of the headquarters of the Bangsamoro and the putting up of streamer may not be illegal per se.

“However, it may pose as a threat to the peace situation of the area especially when they (the Bangsamoro) converge and display or carry their firearms in the public. This constitutes illegal assembly and illegal carrying of firearms,” he added.

Tan further mentioned that recruitment of any kind by the MNLF; especially for the regional security force of the regional police command of the autonomous region is being withheld at present.

As a sense of history, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MNLF signed its historic agreement in 1996 ending a 25-year conflict in the country.

The agreement was said to be a culmination of previous accords signed by both parties since 1976 and was meant to serve as a final peace agreement paving for the creation and self-rule of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Misuari was then appointed Regional Governor of ARMM while institutions were established to channel aid to the region. Some 7,250 MNLF fighters were then also integrated into the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

15 Mindanao airport projects fast tracked

2009-07-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

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.

A press release distributed by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) during its 12th Mindanao Super Region (MSR) inter-agency meeting here, stated that works of the the three airport upgrade projects are sped up for completion before 2010.

The said airfields have a combined funding of P1.28 billion and are being implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication in close coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines under the MSR strategy.

Works of the project components of the mentioned airports include the continuation or completion of the asphalt overlay of runways, rehabilitation or construction of terminal and fire station buildings and the procurement of air navigational facilities, among others.

Of the total amount, the Dipolog airport gets the biggest chunk with P478.05 million, followed by Zamboanga City with P428.5 million and Pagadian with P379.46.

The status report paper of the MSR stated that total funding requirements for both Dipolog and Pagadian airports have already been released while that of Zamboanga City has a total of only P127 million or 29.64 percent released.

“By fasttracking the upgrading ofour airports, we would be able to improve our connectivity with the rest of the country. This would lead to more economic activities and generate employment and business opportunities in Mindanao,” said MEDCo chair Usec. Virgilio Leyretana Sr.

Leyretena, who is also MSR’s deputy development champion, added that the rehabilitation and contructions of the airport facilities will contribute to the safe and efficient airport operations as well as ensure safer and smoother landings.

Presently, 35 other infra projects with a total budget of P62.555 billion are under MSR, a concept which aims to spruce up Mindanao’s potential as an agribusiness center through major infrastructure support.

Aside from the Pagadian City Airport, two other infra projects are mentioned as 100 percent completed under MSR. These are the P9.97 million Aurora General Hospital in Aurora, Zambosur and the P20 million Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Hospital, now renamed Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZSMC).

The ZSMC project involves the construction of a CT Scan facility and repairs of the doctors’ quarters, OPD and PT rooms and OR and laboratory rooms, improvement of the administration building, construction of the two-storey building, construction of dialysis center and facilities and the gas pipe-in connections.

2009-06-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

Lakewood Subanens learn cassava planting

REPORT AND PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO

A three-day seminar in natural farming system (NFS) concerning the cassava rootcrop was initiated the other week with the Subanens from Lakewood.

READ FULL STORY

2009-06-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

5 Zambosur towns stand out in 2008 MELLPI

Lakewood Subanens learn cassava planting

2009-06-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO

A three-day seminar in natural farming system (NFS) concerning the cassava rootcrop was initiated the other week with the Subanens from Lakewood.

Cassava in local parlance is kamoteng kahoy or balanghoy.

Provincial Agriculturist Marilyn Bersales and Agricultural technologist Ramon Rodrigo Jr. trained the Subanens on NFS while supervising cassava livelihood coordinator Jothan Marc Agad assisted.

Board members Eriberto Sumalinog and Ernesto Mondarte likewise participated in the training as resource speakers, tackling on the two important advocacies of the Provincial Government which is Better Quality of Living and the Anti illegal drugs campaign, respectively.

Primarily, the training was for Subanen tribal leaders and members to know NFS for sustainable rural development and food security.

Interest in NFS has been advocated by Gov. Aurora Cerilles since 2001, as she sees this essential to agricultural production in the province, aside from health and environment considerations it gives to consumers.

Thus, preferring to plant only organically-produced crops, Cerilles sees an opportunity for farmers to cash in on cassava and perhaps, after the training, the 54 timuays and their tribesmen will become model-trainers in their Lumad community for the cultivation of cassava.

With NFS applied to cassava planting, there’s what they call the “Cerilles method,” which means and as Rep. Antonio Cerilles would always suggest, require the use of compost or organic fertilizers.

Not only realistic but sensible since cassava can withstand periods of prolonged drought, and therefore the use of organic fertilizer is highly recommended.

Cerilles has employed livelihood coordinators all over the province who are tasked with teaching farmers in 681 villages about the “Cerilles method” and transform their land into productive farms.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NICP) Regional Director Abdul Puengan sponsored the training in part along with NCIP Provincial Director Marita Miñao, who distributed pick mattocks as digging tools for planting.

The Provincial Government also handed out cultured trichoderma samples to the participants for development into organic fertilizers.

5 Zambosur towns stand out in 2008 MELLPI

2009-06-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

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.

MELLPI, which stands for Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Program Implementation, cites local government units who implement the best nutrition programs.

The scores and evaluation visits also assessed the LGU’s good nutrition records, consistent performance, and the support of the local chief executive.

After the annual evaluation will be the award-giving ceremonies this July during the celebration of the 35th Nutrition Month.

The Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC), which conducts the yearly MELLPI, is responsible for the selection of the said MNCs.

The high-pointer list is contained in the agenda folder of the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) 2nd Quarter Meeting last June 25 and obtained by this paper.

The said meeting, held in the PGO conference room of the Capitol, discussed several nutrition concepts and presented overviews of the Nutrition Program Management, the Local Nutrition Committee and the 2008-2010 Updated Medium Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition.

There, it also listed the results of the municipal visits and the provincial searches for 2008 Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementers, 2008, Most Functional Barangay Nutrition Committee (FBNC), Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) and BNS.

In the Municipal MELLPI, The evaluators adjudged Margosatubig as first, based on its final score of 89.00; followed by Molave with 86.11, then V. Sagun with 84.29; Dinas with 83.48 and Dimataling with 82.98.

Completing the list for the top nine are San Pablo, Mahayag, San Miguel and Tukuran.

The paper likewise listed the municipalities whose MNCs failed to conduct Municipal MELLPI for 2008.

These are the towns of Dumingag, Josefina, Midsalip, Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot and Tambulig for the first district and Dumalinao, Guipos, Kumalarang, Lapuyan, Pitogo, Tabina and Tigbao for the second district.

In the search for 2008 Provincial Outstanding BNS, Marife Basalo of Poblacion Dinas garnered the highest total score of 94.00 followed closely by Adelaida Miral of Kalian, Margosatubig with 93.10.

For the 2008 most FBNC, Poblacion, Dinas—as FBNC entry and headed by Faisal Andi as BNC chair—is first with 91.38 total score.

The list also included Margosatubig, Vincenzo Sagun, San Pablo, Dimataling and Mahayag.

Dinas, again, is first in the 2008 provincial outstanding MNAO, with Corazon Bernante as MNAO entry and scoring a total score of 88.70; followed by Glemma Briones of Margosatubig and Maria Elena Pailden of Vincenzo Sagun.

The said MNAO entries are scored according to their status of appointment, acapability trainings, ability to manage and plus factors.

The selected provincial winners will vie for the regional contest before competing for the national green banner award.

Last year, Zamboanga del Sur coveted the Green Banner Award as 2007 Outstanding Nutrition Program Implementer during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony.

The province bested its neighbors in the region in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of nutrition program as measured by the National Nutrition Council (NCC) MELLPI.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, in receiving the award, emphasized the importance of proper health and good nutrition that she integrated into her nutrition programs, as contained in the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan for 2008-2010.

“This shall be one of lasting legacies that I can leave behind to the people when my full term of office ends,” Cerilles then said.

For the said year, Zambosur then got 91.23 percent in the regional ranking with Margosatubig, Dinas, Vincenzo Sagun and Mahayag on the top ten.

Lakewood Subanens learn cassava planting

2009-06-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

REPORT AND PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO

A three-day seminar in natural farming system (NFS) concerning the cassava rootcrop was initiated the other week with the Subanens from Lakewood.

Cassava in local parlance is kamoteng kahoy or balanghoy.

Provincial Agriculturist Marilyn Bersales and Agricultural technologist Ramon Rodrigo Jr. trained the Subanens on NFS while supervising cassava livelihood coordinator Jothan Marc Agad assisted.

Board members Eriberto Sumalinog and Ernesto Mondarte likewise participated in the training as resource speakers, tackling on the two important advocacies of the Provincial Government which is Better Quality of Living and the Anti illegal drugs campaign, respectively.

Primarily, the training was for Subanen tribal leaders and members to know NFS for sustainable rural development and food security.

Interest in NFS has been advocated by Gov. Aurora Cerilles since 2001, as she sees this essential to agricultural production in the province, aside from health and environment considerations it gives to consumers.

Thus, preferring to plant only organically-produced crops, Cerilles sees an opportunity for farmers to cash in on cassava and perhaps, after the training, the 54 timuays and their tribesmen will become model-trainers in their Lumad community for the cultivation of cassava.

With NFS applied to cassava planting, there’s what they call the “Cerilles method,” which means and as Rep. Antonio Cerilles would always suggest, require the use of compost or organic fertilizers.

Not only realistic but sensible since cassava can withstand periods of prolonged drought, and therefore the use of organic fertilizer is highly recommended.

Cerilles has employed livelihood coordinators all over the province who are tasked with teaching farmers in 681 villages about the “Cerilles method” and transform their land into productive farms.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NICP) Regional Director Abdul Puengan sponsored the training in part along with NCIP Provincial Director Marita Miñao, who distributed pick mattocks as digging tools for planting.

Also, the Provincial Government also handed out cultured trichoderma samples to the participants for development into organic fertilizers.

2009-06-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Motor parade aims for Guinness record

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MAYOR Samuel Co showed city residents a glimpse of what it’s like when all the city motorcabs assemble in single file and parade itself around the city proper. READ MORE

Motor parade aims for Guinness record

2009-06-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MAYOR Samuel Co showed city residents a glimpse of what it’s like when all the city motorcabs assemble in single file and parade itself around the city proper.

Consuming half the stretch of the three-kilometer F.S. Pajares Avenue from the crossing of Cabrera Street to the Rotunda in Dao, some 2,000 motorcabs lined up, Wednesday, June 17, for documentation and in preparation for its Guinness bid next year.

Roseller Duterte of the Federation of Tricycle Drivers and Operators Association (FETDOA) told journalists in an interview that some 80 percent of their membership attended the motor show along with individual motorcab owners who volunteered to attend the demonstration.

“This is in support of the mayor’s activities of the 40th Araw ng Pagadian for giving importance to the transport sector. This is our show of force and unity,” Duterte said.

Co, accompanied by councilors Arnold Gavenia and Bienvenido Culve, made the pass and review, 9:00 in the morning, and led the motorcade downtown towards the City Oval grounds.

The mayor, in a huddle with mediamen, said that he wants to set a record for the “longest motorcycle show” which he plans to submit to the Guinness World Records.

“Maybe next year atong iplastar and mo-invite ta og mga taga-Manila ug TV crews to document it,” Co said.

According to the Guinness World Record website, an application for a Guinness record can be submitted to them by completing a detailed information form, which they will then register and confirm.

The application requires a period of two months to be processed.

Presently, Guinness has several records for longest bike jump, longest backwards motorcycle ride, longest motorcycle ramp jump and longest motorcycle ride through a tunnel of fire but none for longest motorcycle parade.

2009-06-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Anti-drug council seeks new scheme

Anti-drug council seeks new scheme in crusade

2009-06-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO

THE Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) last week has raised the possibility of holding a dialogue among the so-called pillars of the criminal justice system in order to complement each others action and or interpretation of the law, especially on drug-related cases.

The five pillars of the Philippine criminal justice system are community, law enforcement, prosecution, court and the correctional institution.

Saying these pillars has important roles to play in the investigation, prosecution and dispensation of justice of alleged offenders or felons, PADAC members said such a move of exchanging ideas for synchronization would strengthen the Provincial Government’s campaign for a drug-free Zamboanga del Sur by 2010.

This suggestion, actually, was an offshoot of the report of Assistant City Prosecutor Cleto Edralin who opined on one illegal drug case whose suspect was caught red-handed by police in a drug buy-bust operation last May 14 but was granted bail by the judge handling the case.

In certain circumstances, a judge may refuse bail for an accused on the grounds that the accused would pose a significant threat to public safety, or would attempt to interfere with witnesses and evidence.

But such a condition is rare enough, because of the basic rule which says that a person is innocent until proven guilty and is therefore within reason entitled to bail.

Edralin said that the suspect in the drug case he mentioned was granted bail by the judge but he petitioned for reconsideration as there was no hearing done to determine the bail.

PNP Provincial Director and PADAC vice chair Ramon Ochotorena said he is also familiar with the situation, citing instances wherein the PDEA, PNP and the military going through the action of running after everybody in the illegal drug business but then get to see the suspects in liberty after the legal battle.

He added that there are even times that law enforcers get blamed and or charged in court for their official acts.

For her part, Provincial Prosecutor Mary Ann Tugbang remarked that the case mentioned by Edralin is an example of differing interpretation of the law between the prosecutors and the judge.

For this, Tugbang confirms her willingness and favored the suggestion of her fellow PADAC members about holding a dialogue as an ideal move.

However, the suggestion by PADAC is still up for contemplation by Gov. Aurora Cerilles as she will be informed of this when she returns from her trip in Manila this week.

2009-06-24T19:11:00.001-07:00

DAR-Zambosur’s feat on CARP

2009-06-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

CHO cites need to drop Dengue data

2009-06-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

NUJP cites Tony's effort in stalling ROR’s passage

2009-06-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Tony sees cassava’s role in stifling global crisis

CHO cites need to drop Dengue data

2009-06-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

WHEN it comes to solid figures as to which city barangay is “Dengue prone” or has the most cases of the mosquito-borne virus, Balangasan District is a topnotcher, a report paper submitted by the City Health Office (CHO) said.

The said paper from CHO contains comparative graphs prepared by Task Force Dengue Control and Prevention Program Coordinator Dr. Referino L.A. Lingating, which indicated Balangasan as a consistent honor.

The said barangay topped the list from 2004 to 2007, before sliding second in 2008 and for this year, next to Tiguma, which previously was a third placer.

Balangasan posted its highest number of Dengue cases in 2005 with 48, up from only 14 the previous year.

By 2006, the said village posted 27 cases before reducing this by four in 2007 and then shoot up to 31 in 2008 and finally settling with 10 in 2009 for the period of January to April.

Other barangays frequently listed since 2004 are San Pedro, Sta. Lucia, Sto. Niño, San Jose and Tuburan.

San Francisco, listed as No. 11 in 2004, was not included in 2005 anymore along with Kawit and Napolan, which were also replaced with newcomers Lumbia and Sta. Maria districts.

In 2007, barangays Dumagoc and Dao were included in the top 10 along with Napolan.

San Francisco was listed again in 2008 statistics with both Kawit and Lumbia districts while Santiago was a newcomer in the 2009 list along with Banale making a comeback since it landed in the list four years ago.

The six-year data collected by CHO pointed to 2005 as the year with the highest number of Dengue cases with 303, followed by 2008 with 236; 2006 with 194; 2007 with 159 and 2004 with 74.

As to the municipalities and for the period 2005 to 2007, Labangan and Dumalinao occupied the first two slots for 2005 and 2006 along with Tukuran and Tabina exhibiting two-figure statistics in 2005.

All other towns listed with Dengue cases are Tigbao, San Miguel, Bayog, San Pablo, Vincenzo Sagun, Dinas, Guipos, Lakewood, Aurora and Margosatubig.

City Health Officer Dr. Noel Ceniza said the given figures may not be accurate because some of the victims were not confined to local hospitals, which is the basis of their office for these statistics.

2008 PNP crime solution ability sinks, says NSCB

2009-06-24T19:06:00.001-07:00

THE Crime Solution Efficiency Rates (CSER) of the Zamboanga Peninsula Police Office (ZPPO) dropped by 6.8 percent in 2008 compared to the previous year, a latest crime report statistic said.

The detailed report, based on National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) data, showed that the ZPPO has solved 1,557 cases out of the total 1,858 crimes recorded in 2008.

“This is a worse scenario as compared to 2006 and 2007 where the CSER were 91.7 percent and 90.6 percent, respectively,” the NSCB stated.

The province of Zamboanga del Norte recorded the highest CSER in 2008 with 87.09 percent, while Zamboanga City had the lowest with 80.50 percent.

The NSCB also noted that Zamboanga del Norte consistently registered the highest CSER from 2005 to 2008, with 95.8, 95.1, 92.3, and 87.9, respectively.

Zamboanga Sibugay, meantime, showed a consistent increase in the number of reported crimes from 2005 to 2008, with 209, 210, 277, and 347, respectively.

Zamboanga City showed a decreasing number of crimes committed from 2005 to 2008, with 1,164, 1,055, 827, and 477, respectively.

The NSCB said the number of reported crimes in Zamboanga Peninsula decreased by 14.57 percent from 2,175 total crimes in 2007 to 1,858 in 2008.

Zamboanga Peninsula's reported index crimes decreased from 1,544 in 2007 to 1,336 in 2008, as well as the non-index crimes from 631 to 522 covering the same period.

Again, based on the NSCB report, physical injuries topped the statistics at 37 percent, with 492 cases among index crimes reported in 2008. This was followed by murder and robbery, with 27 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

About 10 percent of the total index crimes registered in 2008 was homicide while the two least committed index crimes were theft and rape, which comprised of eight percent and four percent, respectively.

Index crimes refer to crimes that are suitably significant and which occur with suitable regularity to be meaningful such as murder, homicide, robbery, physical injury, theft and rape. WITH REPORTS FROM BONG GARCIA

DAR-Zambosur’s feat on CARP

2009-06-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

VOLUNTARY Land Transfer (VLT) composes the bulk of lots accomplished by the provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for their land acquisition and distribution (LAD) under CARP for the period covering 1972 until Dec. 31, 2008.

CARP, acronym for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, expired last June 10, 2008 and was recently extended by both the Senate and Congress through Senate Bill 2666 and House Bill 4077.

The other week, during DAR’s celebration of CARP’s 21st anniversary, Dir. Julita Ragandang and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Glenn Sabijon hailed the approval of CARP extension for another five years.

The sizeable volume of VLT composed of 43,063.9479 hectares with 31,356 farmer-beneficiaries.

A paper containing DAR-Zambosur’s LAD cumulative accomplishment by land type distributed during Sabijon’s meeting with press members, Monday, last week, stated a total 61,215.5535 hecatres of land distributed under CARP, benifitting some 43,217 farmers.

Following VLT is operational land transfer (OLT), composed of 6,147.9724 hectares and 4,813 farmer-beneficiaries.

Sabijon, in his Land Tenure Improvement (LTI) accomplishment report covering January to May 2009, said that some 21.4572 hectares classified as OLT have already been submitted to DAR regional office and classified as distributed but not yet paid (DNYP).

Next are the government finance institutions (GFIs) with 5,900.0997 hectares and benefitting 3,384 farmers. As to GFIs, some 175.69 hectares were listed for submission and classified as DNYP, from the 1,463 targeted lands.

This was followed by those under PP2282 with 4,847 hectares and 2,818 beneficiaries.

As to DAR-Zambosur’s accomplishment in legal assistance covering January-May, this year, some 275 cases in agrarian law implementation has been targeted and with 224 present cases received, 190 of these has been resolved—an 83 percent attainment.

As to mediation, 500 were targeted, of which 218 were received and 209 were eventually resolved, translating to a 96 percent accomplishment.

All in all, 4,558 cases were listed for target in 2009, which includes representation before the courts and DARAB and legal counseling, among others, and a total 3,868 case resolved.

In whole, under CARP, some 7.2 M hectares of lands were previously distributed to 4.5 M farmer-beneficiaries, surpassing DAR’s land distribution targets.

Also, about 4.106 million hectares of the total accomplishment were distributed by DAR to 2.387 million beneficiaries. The rest consisted of uplands and ancestral domains distributed likewise by the DENR.

Agrarian Reform Sec. Nasser Pangandaman said his department’s land distribution target was increased from 100,000 hectares to 130,000 hectares and improved the disposition of several agrarian cases.

NUJP cites Tony's effort in stalling ROR’s passage

2009-06-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) lately acknowledged Rep. Antonio Cerilles’ helping move in stalling the passage of the Right of Reply (ROR) Bill in the House of Representatives.

The pending ROR Bills are both contained in Senate Bill No. 2150 and House Bill No. 3306, also known as “An Act Granting The Right Of Reply And Providing Penalties In Violation Thereof.”

In an open letter distributed to its entire chapter-members ’forums signed by NUJP vice chair Nonoy Espina and secretary-general Sonny Fernandez, the NUJP hierarchy mentioned Cerilles’ part in “exposing ROR’s unconstitutionality.”

Cited along with the congressman from Zambosur’s second district are fellow Representatives Raymond Patalino of Kabataan Partylist, and Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna.

NUJP was referring to June 2’s Congress session wherein only 110 of 265 congressmen were present but an attempt to railroad the ROR was observed.

“As with the previous sessions, proponents of the bill, most notably one of its principal authors Rep. Bienvenido Abante, have been insistently pushing that the Reply Bill be voted on and ultimately approved,” NUJP said in its letter.

“Interpellations and statements from our allies in the House, like Representatives Raymond Palatino, Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares, and Antonio Cerilles, helped not only to stall the bill on the plenary but also to expose the bill’s unconstitutionality,” the letter added.

“It is in light of this that we are enjoining all media outfits and organizations to mobilize their members…to register our collective opposition not only to the bill but also to the attempts by lawmakers to railroad the passage of the bill,” NUJP then urged.

“We also encourage the continued release of statements, news articles, and editorials, as well as sustained TV and radio coverage, as our expression of uncompromising position towards the junking of the Reply bill.

Meanwhile, a position paper circulated by NUJP stated the media organization’s unified statement on the ROR Bill.

“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,” it said.

“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.”

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

The NUJP added that the danger in the ROR Bill comes when “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.”

“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,” the position paper stressed.

“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,” it added.

“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.”

“We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills. 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. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.”

As of this writing, concerned media groups and other journalists nationwide have signified their opposition to the ROR Bill saying the bill has negative repercussions on the workings of the free press.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang has stood pat on its earlier decision that it would not support a bill that would infringe of the freedom of speech and of the press.

For his part, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said concerned media entities may submit recommendations on the ROR Bill so that Congress “can craft a measure that is acceptable and fair to all parties.” WITH REPORT BY PJAMES TREMEDAL

Tony sees cassava’s role in stifling global crisis

2009-06-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO & MICHAEL MEDINA

CONGRESSMAN Antonio “Tony” Cerilles foresees the immense participation of the agriculture sector in mitigating the hard impact of the looming financial slump hitting the country by next quarter of this year.

Cerilles said the farming sector should intensify its efforts in generating employment or income for themselves in order to cushion the blow of global economic crisis.

The congressman pointed out that most of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad are working as domestic helpers and with the recession hitting the US, UK, Germany and Japan, a large part of these people will be forced to go home.

This shift would inadvertently swell the unemployed in the country.

Cerilles then consoled that in Zamboanga del Sur, for example, if people will only cash in on cassava planting that advocates organic farming, such an income generating pursuit would do well to the unemployed.

Tony added that the province already have trained livelihood coordinators who will assist farmers in all 681 villages around the province, providing them the methods, technology and experience in utilizing even small farmlands into productivity.

Thus, a “Cerilles method” of farming cassava will be taught, which means that a farmer with at least 10,000 square meters will be able to earn money for the whole year with planting only cassava.

Supervising Coordinator Allan Cabatingan says a farmer can do it step by step and may start cultivating 1,000 square meters in the beginning, adding organic fertilizer before planting the cassava stalks, until he covers his whole 10,000 square meter land.

This method has been applied by Dumingag, one of the towns which has the largest number of lands planted with cassava at present.

“This gives them no excuse of having failed to plant for lack of space and planting material,” Cabatingan said.

Cassava grows and matures within ten months. By the time the last 1,000 square meters is planted with cassava, the farmer also begins to harvest those he planted ten months earlier.

“This explains how a farmer earns ten-fold from his one hectare land for the whole year,” Cabatingan concluded.

The cassava farmer is likewise assured of selling his produce since a sure and tenable buyer, which is San Miguel Corporation, will buy his cassava at a hefty price per kilo.

2009-06-18T02:04:00.000-07:00

Cop escapes death after shooters miss

A policeman barely escaped death after he was shot four times by two motorcycle-riding assassins, mid-morning last Tuesday. READ FULL DETAILS

Cop escapes death after shooters failed to hit him

2009-06-18T02:03:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY JONG CADION

A policeman barely escaped death after he was shot four times by two motorcycle-riding assassins, mid-morning last Tuesday.

All four bullets missed PO1 Felix Engalla Jr., assigned in the React Team, and who was with other people in a waiting shed near his residence in San Francisco District.

Engalla shot back at his attackers using his service firearm but also failed to hit the duo, who fled towards the west direction.

Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo surmised the attempted killing of Engalla was work-related or in retaliation for the policeman’s active involvement in the anti-illegal drug campaign in the city.

Palermo said he is gathering witnesses’ statements for possible identification and the capture of the suspects.

Last January, a member of the 905th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) assigned as a police investigator and his back rider was shot while riding a motorcycle for work.

The two victims were identified as PO3 Dexter Dalena and a police asset identified as Ronald Edo. Both survived the ambush.

Three days after the incident, a resident of Barangay Zambulawan, Dinas surrendered to authorities after he was cornered by pursuing operatives. He later admitted to shooting the PMG man.

2009-06-18T01:25:00.000-07:00

Illegal drugs get in the way of prosperity

ONE hundred eleven years since the Philippines was emancipated from Spanish rule but Filipinos are still squirming from foreign intervention as well as from the quagmire of its own social problems.READ FULL DETAILS

Illegal drugs get in the way of prosperity

2009-06-18T01:16:00.000-07:00

REPORT & PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

One hundred eleven years since the Philippines was emancipated from Spanish rule but Filipinos are still squirming from foreign intervention as well as from the quagmire of its own social problems.

This was the gist of the message of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Commander MGen. Romeo Lustestica during this city’s celebration of Independence Day as he stressed the three social menaces that continue to haunt the society today.

These social menaces, according to Lustestica, are poverty, illegal drugs, and protection from destructive elements.

The army general said their greatest worry among the mentioned problems is the proliferation of illegal drugs, which is a big obstacle in attaining freedom, prosperity and peace.

With Lustestica during the early morning program held at the City Hall grounds are Mayor Samuel Co, Gov. Aurora Cerilles and William Medici, Vis-Min department manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

He admitted that in fact, illegal drugs have been classified as a major concern of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), which is presently chaired by Cerilles.

“While there are government agencies charged of addressing this problem, like the PDEA, PNP and the AFP, we should not lose sight of the fact that in our communities, families play impressive roles in telling youths to keep away from drugs,” Lustestica said.

In February, in a report titled 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), the US State Department said the drug problem in the Philippines remains significant, despite the continued efforts of law enforcement authorities to disrupt major drug trafficking organizations and dismantle clandestine drug laboratories and warehouses.

“The Philippines faces challenges in the areas of drug use and production, law enforcement, corruption, and drug trafficking,” the INCSR report said.

But for Lustestica, the solution is easy and personal. “The first line of defense of our children against the drug menace is the intimate family unit because broken families and unhappy homes produce children who will soon become drug users,” he added, as he reminded parents not to be remiss on their roles on disciplining their young ones.

As to schools, the army commander said that they too have moral obligations to create an environment that is unfriendly to illegal drugs and those illicit pushers. “Let everyone in the community to do his share by disallowing the illegal drugs to persist in their grounds,” Lustestica said.

On the other hand, Cerilles highlighted her message for the occasion on poverty alleviation, revealing the national government’s focus on jobs generation with its Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

CLEEP is a program aimed in helping the poor, returning expatriates, workers in the export industry and out-of-school youths earn income by providing emergency employment and funding and supervising livelihood projects.

The Department of Labor and Employment is the lead agency in the fulfillment of CLEEP as the national government has set aside P10 billion for this year, targeting the creation of more than 220,000 jobs.

“CLEEP will surely help the poor and underprivileged workers who are affected in the present global financial meltdown,” Cerilles said.

2009-06-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

5 PCSO millionaires live in Pagadian

2009-06-16T03:12:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
FILE PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO, PPB

FIVE multi-millionaires live in Pagadian City, this information from the briefing paper of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Vis-Min data on sales, outlets and social services for online lottery sector.

Distributed to journalists during PCSO’s media interaction at Bay Plaza Hotel last June 11, the paper stated that a total of P222,703,561.59 was won in 2008, or close to P45 million each for the winners, if divided equally.

Also, there are about 17 jackpot winners in the whole of Zamboanga del Sur, accumulating a total wealth of P348,505,773.88, or P20 million each, again if divided equally among themselves.

About 143 identified lottery outlets can be found in the whole of Zamboanga Peninsula and 86 of these are scattered in Zambosur while 10 are being placed in Pagadian.

The total amount won in Pagadian has a difference of P105 million greater than that collected by winners from Zamboanga City, although jackpot winners in the chavacano city listed 11, and beating also Pagadian’s number of outlets with 64.

Zamboanga City likewise posted a total sales of P347,557,440 in 2008, way higher than Pagadian’s P65,395,700 during the same period.

The PCSO paper added that combined gross sales for 2008 in Region 9 is P634,702,810.

William Medici, PCSO department manager for Vis-Min online lottery, said his office has disbursed an overall P12,651,347.80 for Region 9 in 2008, benefiting 2,937 patients in their various charity services.

Medici added that PCSO has raised the living standards of their patients through their services and programs like the endowment fund for private and public hospitals, the individual medical assistance program, support to orphanages and charitable institutions, upgrading of hospitals and, health care and related facilities, ambulance donation, aid to the National Calamity and Disasters Program and other mandatory contributions.

But Medici stressed their plan to revive the traditional sweepstakes draw will boost their services to the indigents while complementing other online lottery games launched by PCSO since its inception.

The revival of the sweepstakes was timed during PCSO’s 75th anniversary this year, themed: “Spreading the charity virus” with P75 million for the first prize. Draw date is on Sept. 8.

Other existing lottery games include Suertres, Super Lotto 6/49, Philiippine Lott 6/42, Mega Lotto 6/45, Power Lotto and 4 Digit Lottery.

2009-06-16T02:35:00.000-07:00

PCSO in Pagadian

2009-06-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY PHILIP JAMES TREMEDAL
PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO, PPB

IN celebrating its 75 years of charitable endeavors, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) continues to feed thousands of hungry children, give medicines to the poor patients and relief assistance to calamities.

PCSO’s humanitarian goal is also to raise funds through sweepstakes and online lottery draws and allocate proceeds to these charities.

As indispensable charity arm of the government, frequently summoned to provide money for essential health and welfare activities and projects nationwide, PCSO will celebrate its diamond jubilee on September 9.

During the media interaction at Pagadian Bay Plaza Hotel, William Medici, Visayas-Mindanao online lottery head said that PCSO will launch the “Kaibigan ng PCSO Volunteer program” focusing on health care and promote Filipino values in volunteerism rending vital work that meets the immediate health needs of the Filipino poor.

Kaibigan ng PCSO Volunteer program, as the name suggests, will sustain a network and linkage that will serve as sources of medical and health volunteers as well as additional funds for its charities.

June 12, as Pagadian City commemorated the 111th year of Independence, PCSO followed it with the Charity Caravan 2009 to serve Pagadianons while it spreads the charity virus all over the Philippines.

Prov’l Legal Office adds new lawyers

2009-06-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

REPORT & PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PRESS BUREAU

THREE home-grown lawyers are added to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) last week.

Provincial Legal Officer Mark Anthony Padayhag introduced last Monday, during the flag ceremony, lawyers Gia Luy Ariosa, Stahrl Kristine Guadalquiver Montealto and Benison Mahawan.

All in their late 20’s, Padayhag said he expects the new legal officers will help lighten his workload at the PLO.

The PLO is undermanned; with only eight persons manning the said office, two of which are lawyers, Padayhag then said in 2008.

Aside from himself and fellow lawyer Carlos Madarang III, two legal researchers and four office staffs supplement the understaffed office.

The two legal researchers are contractual employees.

The PLO used to have five lawyers. But two of them—Joel Vercide and Mary Ann Tugbang—joined the Provincial Prosecutors Office while Domingo Redelosa IV went into private practice.

PLO’s function is to provide legal opinions to both the executive and the legislative departments of the Provincial Government, as well as assist the legal needs of indigenous people in the province.

The office is tasked to review municipal ordinances, contracts entered into by the Provincial Government with different line agencies and other organizations.

Moreover, PLO lawyers serve in litigation proceedings of the Provincial Government in any legal battle in court.

As to the new lawyers, Ariosa is a law graduate of Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City. She is also a Management major in Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

Gia is Vice Gov. Roseller Ariosa’s niece, the youngest among the five siblings and is the third lawyer in the family.

Montealto, on the other hand, is a law graduate of the University of the East. She formerly completed her Arts in Legal Management at Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation, also in Manila.

Stahrl Kristine is the daughter of Provincial Budget Officer Rogelio Montealto.

Benison Mahawan, who hails from Molave, is an undergraduate in Business Computer Administration but he finished his law at San Carlos University in Cebu City.

DAR-Zambosur observes 21st CARP anniversary

2009-06-16T00:13:00.000-07:00

REPORT & PHOTO BY MICHAEL MEDINA

THE regional and provincial offices of the agrarian reform department (DAR) jointly observed the 21st anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) last June 9.

DAR Reg. Dir. Julita Ragandang and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Glenn Sabijon led the celebration along with the DAR family.

The observance, according to Sabijon, is meaningful because of the approval of CARP extension for another five years with P147 billion budgetary supports in land acquisition and distribution.

CARP’s extension was contained in Senate Bill 2666 and House Bill 4077. The law expired June 10, 2008.

Sabijon added that the passage of the measure was anticipated by various stakeholders and that with Congress breaking the impasse was a positive response.

Under CARP, some 7.2 M hectares of lands were previously distributed to 4.5 M farmer-beneficiaries, surpassing DAR’s land distribution targets.

Also, about 4.106 million hectares of the total accomplishment were distributed by DAR to 2.387 million beneficiaries. The rest consisted of uplands and ancestral domains distributed likewise by the DENR.

Agrarian Reform Sec. Nasser Pangandaman said his department’s land distribution target was increased from 100,000 hectares to 130,000 hectares and improved the disposition of several agrarian cases.

Meanwhile, DAR-9 Reg. Dir. Julita Ragandang talked on updates on CARP, saying CARP’s extension “is not an easy task ahead of us.”

She added that in Zamboanga Peninsula, for example, about 30,000 hectares are still up for acquisition and re-distribution.

A sportsfest and cheering squad competition will be held this week while a meeting with press members is being scheduled on June 15 and a Kumustahan sa mga ARCs on the next day until the 18th wherein used clothing will be distributed to beneficiaries.

An Essay writing and oratorical contest is also slated during the DAR Employees Association Week on June 20-26.

Governor Aurora Cerilles was the invited speaker during the affair.

Prov’l Legal Office adds new lawyers

2009-06-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

THREE home-grown lawyers are added to the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) last week. Provincial Legal Officer Mark Anthony Padayhag introduced last Monday, during the flag ceremony, lawyers Gia Luy Ariosa, Stahrl Kristine Guadalquiver Montealto and Benison Mahawan. READ FULL DETAILS

DAR-Zambosur observes 21st CARP anniversary

2009-06-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Cerilles meets Zampen expats

2009-06-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

REPORT & PHOTO BY REMAI ALEJADO, ZAMBOSUR PPB

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles recently met and chat with returning Filipino expatriates or OFWs from this province.

Some 1,200 of the expats and their families cheered and shook hands with Cerilles at the City Gym during the celebration of the 13th Migrant Workers Day last June 7.

Cerilles was the invited speaker for the occasion, which was spearheaded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-9).

There, the governor saluted the OFWs and their families who participated in the Thanksgiving Day bearing the theme: “Araw ng Pasasalamat: Pagpupugay sa Kakayahan at Talino ng Expat Pinoy.”

Cerilles said she was happy OWWA held the affair in Pagadian as the gathering boosted this city’s description as the new regional center in Region 9.

OWWA’s effort likewise received the same admiration from Mayor Samuel Co.

The 13th Migrant Workers Day honored six outstanding OFWs from across the region, who each received plaques of recognition and cash rewards from Globe Communications.

The outstanding OFWs are incumbent councilor Arnold Gavenia, Hatta Ali of Zamboanga City; Akas Baradzar of Muricay, this city; Teodoro Sabate Jr. of San Jose District, Engr. Alfonso Homecillo of Santiago District, and Ambrosio Rillera.

Another two OFWs were also awarded: 78-year-old Ambrosio Rillera as the most senior surviving OFW and Nena Benigno.

Gavenia once worked in Saudi Arabia and Taiwan while Ali is a global stage performer; Baradzar a utility worker in Saudi Arabia and presently a public school teacher here.

Cerilles, in her message, called the Filipino expatriates as the “living heroes of the country,” bitterly surviving on unpleasant and hostile environments just to give their loved ones and families a better life and contribute to the country’s economy.

The whole day affair also included a raffle draw of the Kabuhayan Showcase, livelihood and trade fairs and dental outreach.

DOLE Reg. Dir. Ponciano Ligutom and Provincial Labor Officer Virginia Bonbon said they both support the affair.

Mayor Samuel Co's Chinese New Year greetings

2009-06-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

City needs millions for firefighting upgrade

2009-06-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY JONG CADION
ZAMPENEWS ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

THE city needs to upgrade its fire hydrants and standpipes and construct it in strategic places around the urban areas, aside from procuring ten more fire trucks for fire emergencies, this statement from City Fire Marshal Christopher Morales.

At present, there are only 11 water hydrants around the city, according to the Pagadian City Water District (PCWD). Then there are only three fire trucks covering nine towns, Morales added.

Engineer Henry Topia, head of PCWD’s engineering department, said the water hydrants are situated in fire-prone areas while one is placed in Tiguma. Four standpipes can also be found in different subdivisions in the city.

With PCWD’s proposed additional six hydrants to be installed in the city proper, the city needs to have at least 23 and another three more standpipes while city fire trucks needs to reach the ideal ten for the city’s present population.

Morales said that the number of additional hydrants should be put to nine. It was learned that a single hydrant costs between P80,000 to P100,000 while a fire truck will most likely fetch P10-million.

With the upgrade, the BFP can then serve and response to fire calls without delay to the municipalities of Tukuran, Labangan, Dumalinao, Tigbao, Kumalarang, Lakewood, Bayog, Guipos and San Pablo.

Around the province, only the towns of Aurora, Molave, Dinas and Margosatubig own fire trucks but these areas also have their assigned jurisdictions in an event of fire calls from neighboring places.

Example, in case of fire emergency, the fire truck from Dinas is tasked to cover that of San Miguel, Dimataling, Tabina and Pitogo.

But with the planned upgrade, the city is faced with the dilemma as to where to get the money. Some councilors proposed that the city avail of the financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office or from senator-friends s or through loan assistance.

But Mayor Samuel Co said this is not his priorities for the meantime, adding the BFP can solve its own problems.

It can be recalled that on March 2006, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) launched a loan facility for BFP known as LGUs Fire Protection Program.

During the MOA signing, LBP made available assistance to LGUs for the acquisition of necessary firefighting equipment like fire trucks, ambulances and other fire fighting equipment.

Also included are funds for the prevention training and the purchase of fire hydrants including rehabilitation of existing water supply lines and the improvement of fire stations.

Provinces, cities and municipalities are eligible to avail of the loans which can be paid within five years while for the construction, improvement and rehabilitation of fire stations, a maximum term of seven years is given to a loan.

Search for city’s five prettiest starts

2009-06-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY PHILIP JAMES TREMEDAL

THE City Tourism Office (CTO) is pushing through with the Search for Ms. Pagadian 2009, this time renaming it to “Search for Pagadian’s Five Prettiest.”

The beauty pageant is part of this city’s main activity for its 40th Araw ng Pagadian, which will be commemorated from June 11 to 21.

Tourism Officer Jewelo Barrios said Mayor Samuel Co has already given his go signal to get the event going as many residents were expecting it.

The scrapping of the June 19 beauty pageant was thought of during the preparation and planning activities due to financial and venue problems.

However, those assigned in the beauty pageant thought it best to continue with the pre-audition and the physical groundwork, just in case the mayor changes his mind. Two of the candidates have already withdrawn from the search.

This year’s theme is “Pagadian: Kakugi Padayon Aron ang Dakbayan Magmalambuon.”

Two dead in Sta. Lucia massacre

2009-06-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

REPORT BY PHILIP JAMES TREMEDAL

A former city government employee and a fireman were killed, Thursday, by masked gunmen inside a makeshift dwelling of the compound owned by one of the victims in Purok Pagatpat, Santa Lucia District, this city.

Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo identified the two victims as FO1 Myles Cirunay and Pedrito Escario Jr., a retired government employee.

It was not known what the two victims were doing inside the compound at the time of the shooting.

Police investigators said they found several empty bullet shells of .45 caliber pistol near the two lifeless bodies of Escario and Cirunay.

Also found were aluminum foils and empty plastic sachets used for packing methamphetamine hydrochloride, some lighters and drug paraphernalia.

The police further said, quoting eyewitness accounts, that about five to six masked, gun-toting men arrived inside the compound early evening of June 4 in three motorcycles then without warning fire at the two.

Palermo added that they are still investigating the incident as he disclosed City Fire Marshal Christopher Morales has already confirmed Cirunay is a member of the city fire station and that the department is cooperating fully in the probe.

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ZPPI changes guards

Pagadian media decry Maguindanao killing

Statement on the death of 21 journalists in Maguindanao

Columbans, MILF repeat firm stand on Fr. Micks freedom

Cerilles calls on faithful to pray for Fr. Mick

Give to Mindanao what’s due

ZPPO urges public to avail of gun amnesty

Notorious rob gang leader killed in Ozamiz

Cerilles praises EcoGov’s feat in Zambosur

Auring: A well informed barangay is an empowered one

Ex-rebels receive P1.13-M livelihood aid

DTI-9 warns buyers to be wary on sales promos

678 students from Ozamiz got flu-like symptoms

Gloria’s SONA was all about work, says Tony

DTI-ZDS warns public on impostors

Teens advised to delay desire to marry

H1N1 reaches MisOc

Mahayag unveils hospital, water system

Auring leads Hataw, walk-for-a-cause

JHCSC holds 3rd capping of nurses

ZPPO holds 2nd summit for scribes

DepEd’s Jesli said he is eyeing ‘something significant’

Two carnap suspects fall

It pays to be alert always

Is Zambosur prepared vs. H1N1?

Troops rescue Zambosur fishermen from captors

NARS training for first batch ends

PopCom-9 launches LPPEd

PNC advocates for a healthy lifestyle

Zambosur eyes full, complete Philhealth coverage

Interest in Scout movement strengthens in Zambosur

Global warming: A threat to our lives

Zambosur’s off-grid villages use solar power

Firms urged to link with local business chambers

DOLE hands out livelihood funds to Zambosur rubber farmers group

RPOC pushes for special courts for drug cases

Pagadian takes steps against dengue

Zambo drug route ‘closely watched’

Maceda praises Cerilles

Zambosur warms up for Megayon ‘09

Roads are ‘real drivers of development in Mindanao’

Zambosur offers eco-adventure tourism

Booming businesses liven up in Zampen

DOH confirms first AH1N1 case in Zambopen

RPOC makes fuzz on MNLF streamer

15 Mindanao airport projects fast tracked

Lakewood Subanens learn cassava planting

5 Zambosur towns stand out in 2008 MELLPI

Lakewood Subanens learn cassava planting

Motor parade aims for Guinness record

Anti-drug council seeks new scheme in crusade

CHO cites need to drop Dengue data

2008 PNP crime solution ability sinks, says NSCB

DAR-Zambosur’s feat on CARP

NUJP cites Tony's effort in stalling ROR’s passage

Tony sees cassava’s role in stifling global crisis

Cop escapes death after shooters failed to hit him

Illegal drugs get in the way of prosperity

5 PCSO millionaires live in Pagadian

PCSO in Pagadian

Prov’l Legal Office adds new lawyers

DAR-Zambosur observes 21st CARP anniversary

Columbans, MILF repeat firm stand on Fr. Micks freedom