DavOr adunay 21,700 semelyang kahoy andam na ipatanon

DAVAO Oriental – Ang lokal nga kagamhanan dinhi nga probinsya ilawom sa adminsitrasyon ni Gobernador Cora Malanyaon, adunay 21,700 ka nagkalainlaing klase sa semelyang kahoy nga andam na itanom.

Ang mao nga mga semelya nga gipaturok nunot sa espesyal nga programa sa Gobernador nga mao ang Million Trees Movement of Davao Oriental, naglangkob sa mga kahoy nga mahogany- 16000 ka punoan, acacia- 1000, narra- 2000, falcata- 1000, ug neem tree- 700 ka punoan.

Forester Claudio Mirafuentes, nursery in-charge sa ENRO-Davao Oriental Provincial Nursery nagbutyag nga ang mao nga mga semelya nga nahimutang sa Sitio Magay, Don Martin Marundan, Mati City, aduna usab mga bag-ong pinaturok nga 3000 ka semelyang mahogany.

Dugang pa ni Forester Mirafuentes nga ang ENRO adunay andam kanunay nga mga semelya nga ipang-apod-apod ngadto sa mga barangay ug mga tulunghaan subay sa kamandoan ni OIC-ENRO Dante M. Ganir kay gusto sa Gobernador nga adunay ikahatag dayon nga mga semelyang kahoy ngadto sa daghang nangayo aron itanom sa nagkalainlaing dapit sulod sa probinsya. (Sarx Lanos/IPID News Service)

Samal opens privately designed cemetery

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL. The city government here opens Samal Island Memorial Park in Barangay San Miguel, Samal District, Island Garden City of Samal, Thursday, August 23, 2012.

Samal Island Memorial Park also called Pahulayan Memorial Park is a public cemetery furnished with amenities comparable to a private memorial park. It offers 62 mausoleum lots with 42 square meter per lot area and 2,005 subterranean lots  offered in the first phase of the project.

The city government budgeted P20 million pesos for the site development and construction of facilities of the public cemetery.

This project is given priority by the city government to ease up the congested existing public cemetery which has been accommodating interment for more than 50 years to the general public.

Other than providing a decent resting place for their deceased loved ones, the Pahulayan Memorial Park serves as an income-generating project of the city government.

The Economic Enterprise Division of the City Mayor’s Office is tasked to manage the project which will be open to all with affordable prices.  The division has developed the necessary papers for the selling and marketing of lots to the public. (melrosesamalcio)

ARENA XI caravan benefits Sarangani folks

Sarangani, Davao del Sur – “Nalipaykokay first time gyudnga nay ing-aningamgaserbisyongamiabotsaSarangani Island (I am very happy because this is the first time that these kind of services reached Sarangani Island),” declared Sarangani Mayor Jerry Cawa during the opening ceremony of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Davao Region (ARENA XI) Serbisyo Caravan held in Brgy. Mabila, Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao del Sur on Sunday, August 26.

Over 25 National Government Agencies joined ARENA XI to provide services to Sarangani folks. “ARENA XI is a fiesta of government services! We are hoping that this will not be the last time that NGAs will visit the municipality to provide various services to the people,” remarked ARENA XI President and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Director Achilles Gerard Bravo.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) rendered services for PantawidPamilya beneficiaries, as well as to Sustainable Livelihood, Supplementary Feeding and Social Pension recipients.

PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program or the “Conditional Cash Transfer Program”, a poverty reduction and social development strategy that provides “conditional cash grants” to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education disbursed P 2, 690, 200.00 amount of cash grants for the payroll period May – June 2012 to 2,048 beneficiaries in all twelve barangays in Sarangani.                 

Furthermore, the Sustainable Livelihood Program or formerly known as the “Self-Employment Assistance (SEA-K)” which aims to enhance and promote self-sufficiency of poor families through the provision of capital assistance and training in entrepreneurial skills, launched a total of P 200,000.00 capital assistance to 20 beneficiaries for a Fishing Project (Lapu-lapu Culture). It is designed to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families to establish and self-manage a sustainable community-based micro-credit organization for entrepreneurial development.

Also, the Social Pension disbursed a total of P 171,000.00 for Indigent Senior Citizens. The program provides a monthly stipend to indigent senior citizens of P 500.00 that will be disbursed on a quarterly basis. The program guidelines provide that eligible pensioners should be indigent senior citizens aged 77 years old and above and who do not have a permanent source of income or do not receive a regular support from their families and relatives. Also covered are senior citizens who are sickly, frail and or with disabilities and who are not receiving monthly pension from GSIS, SSS, PVAO and other private insurance companies.

The Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), on the other hand, turned-over a check in the amount of P 788,892.00 to 31 DaycareCenters with 630 recipients. SFP involves the provision of food in addition to the regular meals to currently enrolled Day Care and Supervised Neighborhood Play children as part of the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government. For 2012, food supplementation will be in the form of hot meals to be served during break/snack time in the morning or during break/snack time in the afternoon to children in day care centers for five (5) days a week. The parents manage the feeding program based on the prepared cycle meal using available indigenous/processed food materials. The children will be weighed at the start of the feeding program and monthly weighing thereafter will be done to determine improvement and sustenance in their nutritional status.

The ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan features series of community outreach programs and direct services closer to the people. The program provides a one-stop shop of services of national government agencies especially targeting the poor. Dubbed as “fiesta of government services,” the Serbisyo Caravan will also visit Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental on August 30; Mati City, Davao Oriental on August 31; Digos City, Davao del Sur on September 4; and Kapalong, Davao del Norte on September 7. (DSWD/Sheryll Jane B. Sanico)

Award fires up RDR’s commitment to blood program

TAGUM CITY – The National Sandugo Hall of Famer award inspired Davao del NorteGovernor Rodolfo P. del Rosario to do more in encouraging blood donations to beef up the blood supply in the province.

The Governor said that receiving the award is not the end, but marks the renewal of his lasting commitment to the provincial voluntary blood sufficiency program (PVBSP).

He received the National Sandugo Outstanding Local Government Executive Hall of Fame Award recently for his “support, commitment and active involvement in the promotion of voluntary blood donation for five consecutive years.”

Del Rosario was among the only two governors in the country who secured the Hall of Fame recognition in the National Sandugo award, which was given to LCEs who gave their full support to the national voluntary blood services program.

Six mayors from the province also clinched the national award, with four LCEs recognized as Hall of Famers.

“As a leader, it is important for me to engage and encourage donations among our constituents,” del Rosario said, stressing a stable blood supply is key to ensuring the well-being of his constituents.

The Governor has put optimum health as an integral component of his human-centered development agenda P.E.O.P.L.E. 

The province has conducted 123 bloodlettings last year, where over 3,000 patients benefitted from a total of 6,204 blood units released by the Provincial Blood Bank.

Since 1992, Davao del Norte has established its PVBSP that  earned the GalingPook Award in 1997.

In 2010, Gov. del Rosario launched Project DOLFO (Donors of Life for Others), which made it possible for Davao del Norte to attain a significant breakthrough in mobilizing 500 voluntary blood donors, beating the record of 300 of Camarines Sur.(Noel Baguio-PIO DavNor)

Coast Watch Stations improves PN capability

DAVAO CITY Aug. 29- The Coast Watch Stations (CWS) set up across southern and central Mindanao has greatly improved the Navy’s capability in maritime security and safety.

According to Captain Robert Empedrad Deputy Commander of the Philippine Navy Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, the past year have seen the Navy interdict suspicious vessels and seacraft aside from rescuing three to four vessels with the help of the CWS.

Empedrad said that coast watch stations helps the navy preserve its assets from wear and tear. He said that navy ships usually have 20-40 natical miles radar coverage while on sea, instead of conducting intensive sea patrols CWS with its radars can monitor suspicious seaborne movements and relay these findings to the coast watch center at the Felix Apolinario Naval Station in Panacan Davao City which will in turn feed the data to the nearest navy vessels that will  in turn interdict the targets.

Lieutenant Commander JulienDolor, Coast Watch Area Director Eastern Mindanao said that coast watch stations are equipped with radars along with Automated Identification System (AIS) to identify vessels and modern communication equipment.

Dolor said that CWS radars can cover 80 nautical miles of coast. The Eastern Mindanao Coast Watch center has six CWS one in Calamansig Sultan Kudarat, three CWS in Sarangani Province (Maitum, Maasim and Glan), one inBalut Island, Davao del Sur and a CWS in Cape San Agustin Davao Oriental. The Regional Command Center is in the Naval Station in Panacan.

“These CWS were established in traditional and busy marine routes.” There are two Coast Watch Centers, Central Mindanao and Eastern Mindanao, Dolor said, he added that each Coast Watch Station costs around P100-million each.

Empedrad said that the CWS are part of the initiatives in improving the Navy’s capabilities, he said that the CWS can be further upgraded particularly it can be linked to the country’s Air Defense system to detect airborne intrusions.

He said that  PresidentBenigno Aquino III is very interested in the modernization of the armed forces particularly the navy. This year the country is expecting its second Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) from the United States. It is also eyeing to buy two Italian frigates to beef up its territorial defense capability.

Meanwhile To enhance the capability of the CWS, the Philippine Navy  will launch the Coast Watch System Capability Exercises in Davao City this September 3-7. It will be participated by two Philippine Navy vessels, two aircraft and four speedboats. It will also involve the participation of 31 representatives from different government agencies and local government units. (PIA 11/RG Alama)

ARENA Serbisyo Caravan to revisit DavOr

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 29 (PIA):   National line agencies of the Davao Region will again be hauling various government services mounted in the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan, to Davao Oriental on August 30 and August 31.

            A flagship project of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) XI,  the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan first  rolled out last year in the municipalities of Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental.

            On Thursday and on Friday, it is set to take a return leg  in Davao Oriental particularly in the municipality of Governor Generoso and in Mati City, respectively, bringing along various services delivered by  the respective heads of 30 participating national line agencies.

            ARENA XI Pres. Achilles Gerard Bravo, regional director of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XI has emphasized that the project aims to bring together the national line agencies to far-flung municipalities with high incidence of poverty as identified by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

            The ARENA Serbisyo Caravan will be travelling 175 kilometers from Davao City to reach Governor Generoso,  which is a 3rd class municipality with a kilometer distance of 57.64 from Mati City, the capital city of Davao Oriental.

            The following day, Friday, the caravan of government services will take its course to Mati City which lies at the heart of Pujada Bay in Davao Oriental.

            Among the major services that the caravan will be hauling during the two-day leg, are the PantawidPamilyang Pilipino conditional cash and social pension funds that will be turned  over by the Department of Social  Welfare and Development (DSWD) to identified beneficiaries.

            Medical sevices  administered by teams from the Department of Health,  Davao Regional Hospital and 10th Infantry “Agila” Division will include influenza vaccination, surgical operations and dental services.

            Seedlings of agro-forest and fruit trees, and vegetable seeds will be distributed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI which will also be holding consultations on corn and rice farming, vermi-composting and livestock health management.

            Other agencies which have signified their  participation to this year’s Davao Oriental leg of the Serbisyo Caravan include the Civil Service Commission  (CSC), National Statistics Office (NSO),  Department of Education (DepEd),  Department of Science and Technology (DOST),  National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP),  National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Commission on Human Rights (CHR),  Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),  Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),  Commission on Audit (COA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Population (PopCom), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Quedancor.

            The return trip of  the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan to Davao Oriental is  the next immediate swing of the caravan of services after its leg in Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao del Sur on August 26.

            ARENA XI is scheduled to roll out again the caravan of services on  September 4, to Davao del Sur particularly in Digos City, before taking a trip to Kapalong, Davao del Norte on September  7.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Hedcor-donated classrooms benefits Sibulan kinder pupils

STA. CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR, Aug. 29 (PIA) – Kindergarten pupils in a remote public elementary school here have pioneered in benefiting from a newly-built and colorful school building furnished with educational facilities.

From an old wooden structure without concrete flooring, the Sibulan Elementary School at Barangay Sibulan has been accommodating since June this year some 45 kinder students in a one-storey building with two classrooms designed for a more conducive learning.

The little learners are using one classroom for their regular class sessions with new tables and chairs, books and educational toys and materials. The other classroom serves as a library filled with new story books.

The building costing to over P1 million was a donation from HedcorSibulan, Inc. as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for operating a 42.5 mega watts run-of-river hydro power facility in the locality.

“We believe that for our business to do well, our host communities must also be properly taken care of through (providing them) sustainable development,” Hedcor President and Chief Operating Officer Rene Ronquillo said during the formal turn-over rites of the building held on August 24 this year.

Ronquillo raised the importance of working with the community particularly in improving its educational resources.

In this endeavor, HSI has partnered with the Aboitiz Foundation and the Aklat, Gabay, ArugaTungosaPag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP)–SilidPangarap, a foundation chaired by Presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada.

The design of the kindergarten classroom painted with color mixtures of yellow, red and green was taken from the AGAPP school building standard which aims to provide a more conducive learning area and to encourage more enrollees.

AGAPP-Davao Officer Jocelyn Ledesma urged the localities to take care of the building “so that more children could benefit from it.”

Ledesma hoped that “other companies will replicate the goodness of the Aboitiz (Group of Companies)”, saying that the partnership with said firm is a good model for a Private-Public-Partnership.

Aside from Hedcor and Aboitiz Foundation, she said National Bookstore and Uratex also contributed their resources by donating books and tables and chairs.

Davao del Sur Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Dee Silva and Sibulan Elementary School Head Roderick Orpilla accepted the responsibility of managing the school building and committed to take care of the property.

Kindergarten teacher Karen Batiller was also happy with this great development, saying that her pupils now are more interested, active and participative in the learning process.

Batiller said the educational materials such as books and toys are big factor for the students to learn more.

DaniloCerence, Aboitiz Foundation manager for Project Development and Management, said the partnership with AGAPP has already built 45 classrooms in 22 schools nationwide since last year.

Of all school buildings built, the one in Sibulan had the biggest costing because of the rough road, Cerence told the Philippine Information Agency.

In Mindanao, he said there were five classrooms completed last year, and ten this year.

“Moving forward, we hope that this building is not the end of the activity here,” stated Ronquillo who pledged to help improve the other school buildings at Sibulan Elementary School during the turn-over ceremony on August 24. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

ARENA-XI’s “Serbisyo Caravan” reaches out to farthest town

By Carina L. Cayon

SARANGANI, Davao del Sur, Aug. 28 (PIA) – The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA-XI) has continued delivering a convergence of services closer to the people, recently reaching out to residents of this town, the last frontier of Davao Region.

ARENA-XI brought on Sunday (Aug. 26) its “Serbisyo Caravan” in the municipality of Sarangani, this province, serving more than 2,000 Saranganians, mostly farmers and fisherfolks including the indigenous people mostly from the B’Laan tribe.

The residents coming from the 12 barangays of said town have availed of various services and programs from 25 national government agencies with over a hundred personnel who converged in the caravan held at the municipal gym.

Mayor Jerry Cawa was thankful to ARENA-XI officers headed by its president Regional Director Achilles Gerard Bravo of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-XI), for considering the town as recipient of the caravan.

“Ever since I was the vice-mayor, and now the mayor of this town, it’s only now that we were visited by regional directors (of NGAs),” said Cawa adding, “We could see that you have concerns and love for the people of Sarangani.”

He said the caravan is one of the strategies to address the needs of the people in far-flung areas, especially in Sarangani, a 5th class municipality and the farthest town in the region made up of two islands called Sarangani and Balut where its political seat is located. Cawa brought up health as one of the main concerns of his constituents.

In the caravan, the Department of Health (DOH-XI) with the assistance of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army administered 200 injections of influenza vaccines mostly to senior citizens.

DOH-XI also turned over common medicines worth P10,000 to P15,000 to the local government for the Rural Health Unit use, and anti-tuberculosis and anti-leprosy drugs as requested by the LGU.

DSWD-XI headed by Assistant Regional Director Priscilla Razon handed over financial/capital assistance worth P200,000 under the agency’s sustainable livelihood program to 20 beneficiaries.

For its supplementary feeding program for the daycare pupils, DSWD-XI turned over a check amounting to almost P800,000.

Some 2,048 households in Sarangani received their PantawidPamilya Over the Counter Payment (OTC) which amounted to P2,690,200 from DSWD-XI.

The agency also distributed the third quarter social pension pay-outs of P1,500 each to 114 senior citizen recipients. The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) carried the cash as conduit partner. 

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-XI) distributed 50 sets of tuna handline to fisherfolks, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) awarded Certificates of Entitlements of Livelihood Projects to the LGU for the provision of fishing gear to 100 beneficiaries.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-XI) handed over Certificates of Landownership Award (CLOAs) covering 17 hectares to 20 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The Department of Agriculture (DA-XI) distributed vegetable seedlings to farmers, and administered anti-rabies vaccination to the residents’ dogs and cats.

DBM-XI conducted consultation and dialogue with teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd-XI) in Sarangani and with the municipal and barangay officials.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC-XI) accepted applications for the Civil Service Exam-Paper and Pencil Test (CSE-PPT), while the National Statistics Office (NSO-XI) facilitated offline requests on birth and marriage certificate, among others. 

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST-XI) encouraged qualified students to apply for its scholarship program, and facilitated technology needs assessment.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED-XI) accepted applications for Certification, Authentication and Verification of School Records (CAV).

The other NGAs that provided information, advocacy campaign and lectures about their mandates and programs were the National Food Authority (NFA-XI), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA-XI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-XI) and Philippine National Police (PNP-XI).

Officials and personnel of the 10th ID headed by Col. Manuel Felino Ramos, deputy brigade commander of the 1002nd Infantry Battalion together with the PNP-XI provided the security of over a hundred officials and personnel of the participating NGAs throughout the conduct of the caravan as well as during the five-hour travel from General Santos City to Balut Island and vice versa. 

The group was ferried by the BRP Miguel Malvar ship of the Philippine Navy.

Bravo, who led the delegation in this one-stop-shop delivery of various services, explained that Sarangani was identified by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-XI) and the 10th ID as one of the priority town recipients in the province.

“This is one way of informing our people that the taxes they pay to the government is being used properly, and that services go directly to the people,” he stated.

Sarangani was the 3rd recipient of the caravan in the province, and the sixth in the entire region.

Next to Sarangani, ARENA-XI will be bringing the “Serbisyo Caravan” to the municipality of Governor Generoso and Mati City, both of Davao Oriental on August 30 and August 31, respectively.

The caravan will be back in Davao del Sur on September 4, this time in Digos City, and the next stop will be in Kapalong, Davao del Norte which is slated on September 7. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

Padayon nga pagmina sa bulawan sa Davao Or gikalipay sa mineros

DAVAO Oriental – Gipalakpakan sa makadaghang higayon sa mga nagmina sa Sitio Bangol, Tubaon, Tarragona, dinhi nga probinsya sa dihang ang representante sa Oro East Mining Company nga si Jose Nelson “Tata” Sala  namulong nga ipadayon ang pagmina sa mao nga lugar ug sundon sa kompaniya ang kagustohan ni Gobernador Corazon Malanyaon nga walay isa sa mga nagmina karon sa mao nga lugar nga matanggal.

 Atol sa tigum nga gipahigayon sa isa ka Kan-anan sa Mati City, Agusto 14, 2012 tali sa mga minero sa bulawan didto sa Bangol ug sa kompaniya sa pagmina nga Oro East, gipalakpakan na usab si Sala sa dihang iyang gisumpay sa pag-ingon  nga sundon usab sa kompaniya ang giingon ni Gobernador Malanyaon nga kung mahimo hatagan ug dakung pabor sa pagmina ang taga Davao Oriental ingon man ang pagtahod sa katungod sa katawhang lumad.

 Dugang gipalakpakan sa mga minero si Sala sa dihang iya na pud nga gisulti nga, “Kining ato-ang polisiya sa pagmina, buhi-buhi, kay ang akong dughan naa sa gagmay nga minero.”

 Ang mao nga tigum gitambongan usab sa representante sa  DENR nga sila Regional Director Joselin Marcus Fragada uban sa laing opisyal sa DENR nga si Ruth Tawantawan ug sa Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau Regional Director Edilberto Arreza, representante sa Bureau of Internal Revenue  ug ni OIC-ENRO Dante Ganir.

 Gibutyag ni  Arreza nga ang lugar nga gimina karon nahasulod sa dapit nga na-aplayan pagmina sa Oro East Mining Company ug ang pagka-abroba sa aplikasyon sa mao nga kompaniya napatik na sa pamantalaan ug nasibya na sa radio ug nakakompleto na sa tanang rekisitos ang mao nga kompaniya hinungdan nga na-aprobahan ang mao nga aplikasyon sa pagmina.

 Gibutyag ni Sala nga paningkamotan nga buhaton sa kompaniya nga Oro East ang hangyo sa Gobernador nga aron mapatunhay ang kahapsay ug kalinaw sa mao nga lugar, lakip na ang hugot nga pagpapangandam aron walay mahitabo nga katalagman ug pulyosyon.

Gihisgotan usab sa Oro East nga likayan ang paggamit sa mercury ug kinahanglan nga ang pondohanan sa salin nga kinuhaan sa bulawan nga graba ug yuta  nga daw lapok na adto gayud mabutang sa hustong lugar ug ang mga graba adto gayud bolmilon sa dapit nga nadeklara nga mineral processing zone.

Gipasabot ni Sala ang  mga minero nga ang pamaagi sa Oro East mohatag kinig kontrata ngadto sa mga minero aron mahimong legal na ang ilang pagmina. Ang mga tunnel nga nagka-dug-ol ug base sa sukod sa gihabogon sa bukid diin ang mga tunnel nagkadug-ol, sila hugpongon (cluster) ug tawgon ang ilang pundok nga Oro East 1, sunod Oro East 2 ug ngadto na sa pataas nga numero.

Gipahinumdoman ni Sala ang mga minero aron pagbayad sa buhis unya ngadto sa kagamhanan sa probinsya sa kantidad nga nalatid sa Ordinansa sa Probinsya ingon man ang paghatag ug bahin kon Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) ngadto sa Oro East Mining Company nga 15 porsyento.

Giingon usab niya nga mahimong adunay tigum nga himuon aron hisgutan ang paghatag ug bahin ngadto sa mga lumad apan iya na gi-unahan daan sa pag-ingon nga hangyoon ang mga minero nga aron mohatag usab ug bahin ngadto sa mga lumad, bisan pa man nalatid na ang royalty fee didto sa  kasabotan sa dihang gihimo ang Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) nga gilagdaan sa mga lideres sa tribu.

 Bahin sa isyo nga adunay nawala sa napondo nga mga graba didto sa Bangol, gipasabot ni OIC ENRO Ganir nga subayon pa unta sa mga sakop sa Task Force ang mao nga report apan unsaon nga nagdali naman ang mga minero nga mahakot na ang mao nga mga graba sugod Agusto 11, 2012, apan kon man ugaling nahitabo kana dili gayud kalikayan nga aduna gayud mga gahig ulo nga bisag gibawalan na ang mga tawo aduna gayud mangitag pamaagi nga makapalusot ug iyang gidugang sa pag-ingon nga ang mga sakop sa Pulisya, Philippine Army ug mga kawani sa ENRO nga anaa sa mao nga lugar mga responsible, maayo ug nagtarung sa ilang trabaho.

 Angay sabton sa katawhan nga ang aduna lamang katungod sa pagmina sa Bangol mao ang kompaniya nga Oro East, ug kung adunay magmina sa mao nga lugar nga walay kontrata ug pagtugot o sa Oro East, klaro nga illegal.

 Kahinumdoman nga ang pagmina sa mao nga lugar gipaundang una gumikan sa dakung kabalaka nga mahunlak kay nagkadug-ol na pag-ayo ang mga bangag sa tunnel, nagkadaghan ang tawo ug walay mga kasilyas, walay klarong agas sa tubig nga mainom, ug sa daghan pang hinungdan.

 Atol sa mao nga tigum, isa sa mga minero nisulti ug nagpasalamat nga anaa ang kompaniya sa Oro East ug nga adunay maayong polisiya.

 Aduna usab nagkatapok nga nag-ingon nga maayo gayud ang gibuhat ni Gobernador Malanyaon kay alang sa kaayohan sa katawhan ug sa kinaiyahan.

 Daghan usab ang nag-ingon nga maayo nga tawo si Tata Sala kay ilang nakita nga sinsero ug adunay pagmahal sa mga yano nga tawo.

 Sa pagka-karon, ang kalihokan sa Sitio Bangol mao una ang paghakot sa mga graba aron mapagawas gikan sa mao nga lugar nga kinahanglang mahuman ang paghakot kutob Septembre 11, 2012, samtang gilihok usab karon ang pagpahapsay sa mga lakang nga himuon alang sa responsableng pagmina sa mao nga lugar.  (Sarx Lanos/IPID News Service)

Known Pusher Nabbed For Selling Illegal Drugs

Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office XI led byDIRECTOR III EMERSON R ROSALES conducted a buy-bust operation last August 14, 2012 at around 4:30 p.m. at Duha Village, Daliao, Toril, Davao City.

The suspect identified as Ian Homer Bariquit Y Ismael alias Ian, 22 years old, single with live-in partner and a resident of Duha Village, Daliao, Toril, Davao City was arrested after selling one (1) piece medium sized sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as “shabu”.  Another fifteen (15) small sachets of suspected shabu one (1) piece one thousand peso (Php 1,000.00) buy-bust marked money with serial number EF181419 boodle money were also recovered from his possession and control.

The suspect is detained at Davao City Police Office detention facility.  The seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted to Philippine National Police Regional Crime Laboratory, Ecoland, Davao City for laboratory examination.  Cases for violation ofSection 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” are being filed against the suspect. 

            UNDERSECRETARY JOSE S GUTIERREZ JR., Director General, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency stressed out that the collaborative effort of PDEA Regional Office XI, Police Regional Office XI and the community was the key in the successful apprehension of all drug perpetrators operating in the Region.  They will not put to justice, if it is not for the people’s continued vigilance and cooperation.  These are positive indicators that they are actively participating in our anti-drug campaign.  The office is asking everyone to help the government attain its vision for a drug free Philippines by reporting to us those who are involved in illegal drug activities.  You can call or text us at 082-222-3045, 09395433405 or 09331481387.

The must watch Culinary Olympics in 7th Durian Festival

 As London culminates the Olympic Games mania, Tagum City will launch the Culinary Olympics as it opens the 7th Durian Festival on Friday (August 17, 2012).

 Fourteen (14) participating schools will converge to show their competitive skills in Durian Restaurant Complete Services, Durian Chef’s Relay, Durian Extreme Flair Factor, Durian Coffee Blending, Durian Kakanin, Durian Bread, Durian Pie, Durian Entremet, Durian Petit Four, Durian Celebration Cake, Barangay Food Basket, and Durian Dessert Buffet.

 Nine (9) Colleges and Technical Schools from Tagum will vie for the competition and five (5) competing schools from Davao City will give weigh to the culinary olympics, they are from Davao Doctor’s College, Brokenshire College of Davao, Davao Central College, Gabriel Taborin College of Davao, and Intercity College of Science and Technology.

 The Durian festival is an off-shoot of Tagum Mayor Rey T. Uy’s vision fifteen (15) years ago on his “Plant Now, Pay Later Program”. Today, 203 hectares has been planted with durian of 19 varieties which is now enjoyed by 210 beneficiaries who supported the program.

 Conceptualized by Tagum Tourism Council Chair Madam Alma L. Uy seven (7) years ago, the Durian Festival was launched as a form of thanksgiving to the almighty for the “yields of the fields… an abundance to celebrate” with this year’s thematic culinary event and the month-long Durian Trade Fair. (CROMWELL-CIO TAGUM)

22 former rebels in Sarangani given livelihood opportunities

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 14, 2012) - Twenty-two former rebels (FRs) who have returned to the folds of law received on Tuesday (August 14) livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through Sarangani’s comprehensive local integration program (CLIP) for its rebel returnees.

OPAPP area coordinator Emmanuel Fable said the aid would provide FRs start-up capital to support them as they start a new life as he pointed out “ito (assistance) ay tiwala na binibigay namin sa kanila na pwede silang magbagong-buhay.”

The checks distributed has summed up to P419,000 where each FR received from a range of at least P5,000 to P50,000 depending on the proposal of FRs and the assessment of the provincial social welfare and development office.

This is the second batch of check awarding under CLIP, a new program under the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan of the government which enjoined more participation from the local government units to make the program more sustainable.

Same livelihood opportunities and assistance were also provided to FRs last year but was funded under the Social Integration Program of the Arroyo administration which has been shelved. 

Governor Migs Dominguez reported that for the past 10 years, Sarangani already facilitated more than 300 surrenderees which made the province noted to have topped over other provinces in the country in terms of the number of FRs.

“Dito mo makikita ang cooperation ng local government at national especially sa Armed Forces of the Philippines, 73rd Infantry Battalion at ang mga rebelde na gustong mag-surrender.”

 He told FRs that there are countless reasons behind joining the rebel groups but he pointed out “wala’y barrio, wala’y barangay, wala’y probinsya nga mulambo tungod sa giera. Naay balaod nga kinahanglanon ipatuman pero ang pagrebelde dili solusyon sa pag-arangkada sa kumunidad.”

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr. of the 73rd IB also told them it is in this intervention “makikita ang pagmamahal, pag-aaruga and care sa mga nahisalaag. Magpasalamat kita sa mga leaders nato that are really ready to embrace you back to the mainstream society.”

 “Obviously,” he said, “the program has been very effective in encouraging others to come down also dahil sa pagbibigay natin ng livelihood na naipapakita natin ang katotohanan at sincerity ng gobyerno para tumulong para sa mga handang magbalik-loob.”

 The FRs, which mostly came from the farthest barangays of Glan, were screened by the joint authentication and validation committee composed by representatives from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, the provincial government and from the civil society organization before they underwent the re-integration process conducted by the PSWDO. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Davao Light customer services open on August 17, 20 and 21

Davao Light and Power Company’s frontline customer services will be available to the public during the proclaimed non-working holidays on August 17, 20 and 21.

All the accredited customer service and bill payment offices of the local electric distribution utility in Ponciano, Bajada, Panabo, Toril, Sto. Tomas, and Calinan offices will be open to serve the public during the said holidays.

Davao Light's Ponciano, Bajada, and Panabo offices on the said dates will accept payments from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with no noon break. Meanwhile for Toril, Calinan and Sto. Tomas offices, the schedule will be be from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon, and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

The Ponciano and Panabo customer service offices will cater to its customers from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM straight with no noon break.

The company’s Panabo branch and the accredited collection office in Sto. Tomas, both in Davao del Norte, however, will have normal operations on August 17 during the Kadayawan Festival, as these are not covered by the holiday declaration.

Emergency service will remain available 24 hours through 229-DLPC (3572).

Regular office hours will resume on August 22. (PR)

Cycling race for Kadayawan to tour rural barangays of Davao City

DAVAO CITY--- Davao City roads heat up as cycling enthusiasts gear up for the KadayawJuan Road Bike Challenge 2012 set on August 18 in line with the celebration of the 27th Kadayawan Festival.

The activity, organized by One Radio 102.7 NewsFM, Ang Radyo ni Juan, in coordination with Philcycling Mindanao, is a 150- kilometer bike race routing the city’s three congressional districts.

Rolling Start will be in Quimpo Boulevard, beside a city mall and will kick-off from Barangay Panacan to Lasang and Calinan (passing through Mahayag Road, Indangan, Magtuod, Talandang, Angalan, Sitio San Vicente Daliao in Toril, Ulas with an uphill climb to Shrine Hills going to Mc Arthur Highway and finishing- off back to Quimpo Boulevard). 

Dodong Solis, station manager of One Radio, said the cycling route is purposely chosen to bring the Kadayawan mood to far-flung barangays in the city.

“Even if some Dabawenyos live in remote areas, we wanted the residents to feel that the festivity is not only focus in downtown area but they can also see action right at their communities and be part of the celebration,” said Solis.

 Meanwhile, Jun Paholio of Philcycling said that participating teams and individuals coming from Davao, General Santos, Koronadal, Valencia City, Kidapawan and Cebu will compete in three respective categories: Open-Elite, Executive and Junior Developmental categories.

 Trophies, medals, cash prizes and special awards such as Sprint King and Mountain King await the winners.(PR)

Cycling race for Kadayawan to tour rural barangays of Davao City

DAVAO CITY--- Davao City roads heat up as cycling enthusiasts gear up for the KadayawJuan Road Bike Challenge 2012 set on August 18 in line with the celebration of the 27th Kadayawan Festival.

The activity, organized by One Radio 102.7 NewsFM, Ang Radyo ni Juan, in coordination with Philcycling Mindanao, is a 150- kilometer bike race routing the city’s three congressional districts.

Rolling Start will be in Quimpo Boulevard, beside a city mall and will kick-off from Barangay Panacan to Lasang and Calinan (passing through Mahayag Road, Indangan, Magtuod, Talandang, Angalan, Sitio San Vicente Daliao in Toril, Ulas with an uphill climb to Shrine Hills going to Mc Arthur Highway and finishing- off back to Quimpo Boulevard). 

Dodong Solis, station manager of One Radio, said the cycling route is purposely chosen to bring the Kadayawan mood to far-flung barangays in the city.

“Even if some Dabawenyos live in remote areas, we wanted the residents to feel that the festivity is not only focus in downtown area but they can also see action right at their communities and be part of the celebration,” said Solis.

 Meanwhile, Jun Paholio of Philcycling said that participating teams and individuals coming from Davao, General Santos, Koronadal, Valencia City, Kidapawan and Cebu will compete in three respective categories: Open-Elite, Executive and Junior Developmental categories.

 Trophies, medals, cash prizes and special awards such as Sprint King and Mountain King await the winners.(PR)

19 Former NPA receive Livelihood Assistance

ALABEL, Sarangani Province – 19 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels received livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol on Tuesday morning.

Emmanuel Gerard Afable of the Peace Integration Unit of OPAPP, led the distribution of the livelihood assistance amounting to a total of P419,400 to the 19 former NPA rebels of Sarangani Province during a simple ceremony at the Provincial Capitol at 11am.  Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and 73rd Infantry Battalion Commander Ltc Adolfo Espuelas together with the members of the Joint Validation and Authentication Committee (JVAC) also distributed the livelihood assistance to the former rebels.

“The livelihood assistance is a symbol of the government’s trust to our former rebels.  This trust is based in our government’s sincerity in its commitment in the pursuit of a comprehensive peace process to attain a just and lasting peace. Social integration supported by the livelihood assistance, is a vital part of the peace process”, Afable said during the distribution.

“This distribution of the livelihood assistance only shows that the present government is the only legitimate government.  Do not listen to the sweet words of those trying to destroy our government.  What you (the former rebels) can do is to send your children to school in order to make good use of the given assistance. Help yourselves so that you could also help our government attain a just and lasting peace”, Dominguez added.

The JVAC is a provincial level committee that conducts the validation of applicants for reintegration.  In Sarangani Province, the JVAC is composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Sarangani Provincial Police Office, the 1002nd Infantry Brigade and the SOCSARGEN Peace Network as the Civil Society Organization (CSO) representative.

“The Filipino soldiers are guided by the Internal Peace and Security Plan or the IPSP “Bayanihan”, where we commit ourselves to contribute to the permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflict.  We fully support the peace building activities such as the social integration of our former rebels.  Together with our “Bayanihan” partners, this is our first collaborative step in rehabilitating conflict-affected individuals and areas”, said Espuelas.

The OPAPP through the Sarangani JVAC also distributed livelihood assistance amounting to P649,600 to 14 former rebels on May 25 during the Basic Business Management and Capability Training conducted to the former rebels.  To date, the total assistance to the former rebels in Sarangani amount to 1.069M. (pr)

Three Panaboans emerge as regional Gawad Saka achievers

PANABO CITY- Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. represented by City Agriculturist Alejandro Mayato cited the Gawad Saka Agri Achievers during the 2012 Regional Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony and National Agricultural & Fishery Council (NAFC XI) General Oath taking held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City last August 3, 2012.

Awardees are Dr. Francisco P. Dela Peña, one of the Outstanding Panaboan, who was awarded as Outstanding Organic Farmer; A.O. Floirendo RIC - Outstanding Rural Improvement Club; and Dr. Girley S. Gumanao from the Davao del Norte State College who was held as Outstanding Agri-Scientist. The exemplary innovations made by the awardees to improve productivity and income as best practice worthy of immolation in the field of agriculture brought them in the helm of success & recognitions.

Mayato said that the City Government of Panabo is wishing these winners will again dominate the national search and will emerge outstanding agri-achievers in the national level. These achievements, he said, are important to boost the eagerness of the farmers and fisherfolks in exploring other means for food security and sustainability in Panabo City.

The Gawad Saka Award is the most prestigious token given to individuals or groups of farmers and fisherfolks who have done exemplary performance in improving the capability of the agricultural sector to attain the government’s food security program.

National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) Executive Director, Engr. Ariel T. Canayan stressed that emphasis is given to production than those who consume; lifting than those who lean; those who look for ways and means than stagnate and those who move on despite physical set up couldn’t make it. 

More important is the determined spirit of the farmers and fisherfolks that fueled the human limitations to never surrender & move on to the finishing line despite of the undertaking that the government encounter yet volunteered them and worked hard for rice/food sufficiency. This year’s good news however is that DBM increased NAFC’s budget up to 18%, Canayan added.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Department of Agriculture RFU XI Constancio Maghanoy, Jr. led in honoring the contribution of the Gawad Saka awardees to the agriculture-based economy of Panabo City.  Nineteen (19) individuals and organizations emerged as winners of this year’s Gawad Saka Regional Search for Outstanding Agri-Achievers.

Davao del Sur, Davao City and Compostela Valley Province copped the 2nd Place in Region XI Ranking, while the Province of Davao del Norte won 1st Place as Davao Oriental was crowned as the Champion of the said search.

Region XI was judged as Hall of Famer of Gawad Saka Search last year, after winning grand slam for three consecutive years.  Subsequently, the province of Davao del Norte won two National Gawad Saka awards in 2011. Anna C. Cagulada of Braulio E. Dujali won as best integrated rice farmer and the Four Seasons Fruits Corporation from Tagum City as the most outstanding agri-entrepreneur in the country. (Mark Anthony Gellor – Panabo City Information Office)

DOJ steps up efforts on case building vs human trafficking

TAGUM CITY,  Davao del Norte, Aug. 15 (PIA):  The Department of Justice (DOJ) is stepping up efforts  to  strengthen the building up of evidences in cases involving  human trafficking.

Regional Prosecutor Antonio Arellano of DOJ XI said police authorities and even local government units are now being taught to handle a case build-up on human trafficking to gather strong evidences that authorities can present in court.

DOJ directs its effort on the “legal aspect of the case” to improve investigation and eventually gather strong evidence as conviction rates of human  trafficking remain low.

In the Davao Region,  DOJ has recorded only six conviction since 2003 when Republic Act 9208, known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 was signed into law.

Prosecutor Arellano revealed that four of these convictions were decided at Davao City courts; one in Tagum City and one in Davao del Sur.

Since 2003, a total of 41 human trafficking cases were filed in various courts in the Davao Region but seven of these cases were dismissed; 12 were archived. Only 16 are currently under  litigation in courts.

Authorities in the region, however,  made several efforts to check human trafficking.  They conducted 11 operations, intercepted 103 instances of human trafficking  and arrested nine suspected perpetrators.

In a recent press conference, Prosecutor  Arellano admitted that conviction of human trafficking cases is hard to clinch as witnesses, who  usually are the victims,  tend to give up and won’t go through the entire litigation process.

“They’re vulnerable.  They no longer have money. That’s why we have psycho-social interventions,” he said. “We are giving them livelihood assistance and skills training,” he added.

Arellano was referring to  support services of government agencies involved in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) created through Republic Act 9208, known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The secretary of the Department of Justice chairs the IACAT with the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the vice-chairperson.

Among the mandated members of the Council are the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), PNP and the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW).

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is among the mandated agencies to provide intervention programs on human trafficking.

Arellano signed last Monday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, bringing in the city government of Tagum as a member of the Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Riacat)-Regional Integrated Action Network (RIACAT-RIACTION).

Meanwhile, DSWD-XI Assistant Regional Director Priscilla Razon during the MOA signing ceremony said DSWD 11 served 43 clients in 2011 and reached out 105 clients as of July 2012.

DSWD-XI was also part of providing psycho-social interventions to 75 victims rescued at Juna Subdivision in Matina, Davao City in an operation spearheaded by RIACTION XI in June this year. 

Only one of the rescued victims was a resident of the Davao Region as the rest of the rescued individuals come from Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, DSWD XI said.   (PIA-11/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)