COMELEC DavNor reveals full list of candidates for 2013 election

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 8 (PIA):  The Commission on Election (COMELEC) Davao del Norte provincial office has come up with the complete list of candidates who filed their certificates of candidacies  (COCs) last week at the city, municipal and provincial levels.

Within the five day COC filing period from Oct. 1 to 5 last week, only incumbent Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario of Liberal Party (LP) and Norberto Mijares who registered a nickname “King Norberto”, filed for  the provincial governor position.

Incumbent Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio of the Liberal Party is unopposed for the vice governor position.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan board member seats  for the 1st District of Davao del Nore are contested by eight candidates while the same number in the 2nd District vie for the same position.

In Tagum City, the COMELEC registered four candidates vying for the mayor seat: Allan Rellon under the PDP Laban; Suaybaguio Paultio, Aksyon; De Carlo Uy of LP; Virgilio Villamor, independent.

Contesting the vice mayoralty seat are Jaime Abcede,  independent;  Maria Lina Baura, LP; Cesar Cuntapay, PDP Laban;  Geterito Gementiza, Aksyon  Party, while 33 candidates are vying for seats  in the City Council.

The mayoralty seat in Panabo City is a fight Vivencio Jumamil of PDP and incumbent City Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr of Kusog Baryohanon.

The vice mayoralty seat is a match between independent candidate Ruperto Cagape Jr. and Kusog Baryohanon candidate James Gamao, while  25 candidates are racing for a City Council seat in Panabo City.

In the Island Garden City of Samal, the city mayoralty post is a race between incumbent Mayor Aniano Antalan  of Kusog Baryohanon and Armando Sanano (no declared party) while winning the vice mayoralty  seat is contest between Charles Ligan and Al David Uy.

A total of 18 candidates are fighting for city council seats in the 1st District of  the Island Garden City of Samal; 10 candidates in the 2nd District, and 10  are also for  City Council seats in the 3rd District of the island city.

In the Municipality of Asuncion, the mayoralty seat is a fight between independent candidate Silvino Matobato and LP candidate incumbent Mayor Joseph Nilo Parrenas while Eufracio Dayaday of LP is running unopposed for the vice mayoralty seat.   A total of 12 candidates  are aspiring for Sangguniang Bayan seats in Asuncion.

Meanwhile,  incumbent  Braulio Dujali Municipal Mayor Lolita Moral (Kusog Baryohanon) is running unopposed for the mayoralty seat. Three are aspiring for the vice mayoralty seat:  independent candidate Anna Cagulada,  independent candidate Julian Dujali and Kusog  Baryohanon candidate Samuel Pacres.  A total of 19 candidates are vying to get a seat at Sangguniang Bayan.

In the Municipality of Carmen, Davao del Norte,  the mayoralty seat is a fight between independent candidate Demetrio Atabelo and Kusog Baryohanon candidate Marcelino Perandos while Herminigildo Pabalinas and Alberto Saren are racing for the vice mayoralty seat.   A total of 13 candidates are eyeing for seats at the Municipal Council of Carmen.

Kapalong incumbent Mayor Edgardo Timbol is also running unopposed for a re-election  while  the vice mayoralty post is a race between Estrada Romy and Ma. Theresa Timbol.  Only eight have signified their interests to get a seat at the Municipal Council of Kapalong.

Another  unopposed re-electionist is  incumbent New Corella Municipal  Mayor Nestor Alcoran who is running under LP. The vice mayor seat is contested by Petronilo Jocson and Virgilio Maambong while 12 are aspiring to become one of the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of New Corella.

In  town of the Ata-Manobos in Talaingod, incumbent Mayor Basilio Libayao is seeking a re-election under LP with no rival candidate while Francisco Gipulla is also running unopposed for the vice mayor post.  Only 14 are vying for the city councilor seats.

In the Municipality of San Isidro, winning the mayoralty seat is a struggle among four candidates. Aside from incumbent Mayor Rosebella Abelita-Nana,  Eufracio Gabutan, Arnel Sitoy and Felicisimo Tanilon are also vying to take the municipal mayor seat.

The vice mayoralty seat is a tug between Reynaldo Cuyos and Tessie Domecillo while 18 have registered to vie for a seat at the Sangguniang Bayan of San Isidro.

In the Municipality of Sto. Tomas,  Benigno Andamon of Lakas CMD,  independent candidate Joel Bayanay  and Kusog Baryohanon candidate Daniel Lu are aspiring for the municipal mayor seat while Daniel Batosalem of Kusog Baryohanon and independent candidate Conrado Cocamas are in rival for the vice mayoralty post.  A total of 25 candidates are vying for a seat in the municipal council.   (Jeanevive Duron-Abangan, PIA XI)

Peace constituency crucial in peace talks success

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Youth caravan vs drug abuse set in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 8 (PIA) – Youth leaders and other stakeholders will be converging tomorrow (Oct. 9) in the city for a nationwide caravan that aims to convey the ill effects of substance abuse and dependence.

The National Youth Commission and the Dangerous Drugs Board will spearhead the event dubbed as the “Nationwide Caravan on Youth Drug Abuse Prevention and Control” to be held at Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto St., Davao City.

Bearing the theme “Intensifying youth empowerment efforts to zero-in on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control,” the caravan will highlight the best practices of youth groups and networks in the intensified campaigns and initiatives in combating drug dependence.

The youth leader and member-participants will be coming from the out-of-school youth (OSY), working youth (WY), and special youth group (SYG) and in-school youth (ISY) organizations, and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

NYC Davao Area Officer Julius Gutierrez said volunteers, youth focal persons of the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) member-agencies, representatives of non-government organizations and local government units, and other partner agencies will also be joining the caravan.

Gutierrez bared that the event will also highlight the launch of the “Barkada Kontra Droga – Bagets Edition” that aims to ensure that vigilance and awareness is instilled as a sense of responsibility on the part of young people to combat the proliferation of drug syndicates and activities.

After the launching, the participants will engage in a manifesto signing, launching of the Drug-Free Youth Freedom Wall, action planning, and commitment setting.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. is expected to grace the event, Gutierrez said. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

The military denounces rebs for killing of ex comrade

CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Oct 8 (PIA)-The military chided the New People’s Army anew for their alleged links to the killing a former comrade last Oct 7 at the victim's house in Sitio Fairview, Brgy. Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division identified the victim as Ruperto Cadungog, farmer, married and a father of seven children.

He said the victim was a former leader of the rebels with alias as Ka Toper.

Paniza said Cadungog was gunned down by unidentified armed men in the presence of his relatives who were traumatized by the incident.

He said the victim was rushed to the nearest hospital but expired due to multiple gunshot wounds.

The local police was still investigating the incident.

“Cadungog returned to the folds of the law for a new lease in life and to provide a decent life for his family,” Paniza said.

He affirmed that the execution of former rebels is set to stop more surrenders from the rebel group.

Paniza assured that security measures will be undertaken to prevent similar incident on other rebel returnees.

He lamented that as President Aquino welcomed the peace framework between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the communist rebels continue to sow terror to peace loving citizens especially those of their former comrades who decided to peacefully live a normal life.

Cadungog surrendered to the soldiers in 2011 and worked as  security staff at the City Engineers’ Office of Mati City, Davao Oriental up to the time of his death. (PIA 11/ Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

DavNor Province still reeling from 4.8% IRA cut

TAGUM CITY -The provincial government of Davao del Norte is still reeling from the 4.8 percent reduction of its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) prompting the Provincial Accountant’s Office (PACCO) to implement stringent disbursement and liquidation rules.

“We haven’t recovered from the IRA reduction nightmare and our financial managers are still figuring out how to carry out the different programs of the province efficiently even with limited resources,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said yesterday during Monday’s Convocation held at the Bulwagan of the Provincial Government Complex.

Del Rosario congratulated the PACCO for being mindful of its obligations and the expenses of the province saying it is the first outpost that will ensure the safe journey of the provincial documents.

PACCO head and Provincial Accountant Serlina C. Atake reminded the different offices concerned with the payroll and other financial transactions of the province to observe the procedure in preparation for the closing of the accounting books of the province at the end of the year.

Atake urged accountable officers to liquidate their funds immediately to avoid delays. She added that expenses for local travel should be liquidated after 30 days while foreign travel should be liquidated after 60 days.

Citing amendments to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Rule V on the policy guidelines related to the liquidation of cash advances, Atake said failure of an accountable officer to liquidate such advances in full after formal demand is punishable by suspension from service for one month, one day up to six months for the first offense and dismissal from service for the second offense.

“The province has already been practicing this even prior to the CSC amendment to the said circular but not strictly implemented for humanitarian reasons,” she said. But with the new memo from the CSC, she added, we will be strictly implementing this from now on.

Del Rosario supported the “careful attitude” of the PACCO saying that any negative findings from the Commission on Audit can affect the Seal of Good Housekeeping awarded to the province recently.

“Every peso counts as we pursue our people development agenda,” he said.  Accountable officers should follow the rules to have an efficient budget and avoid wastage of government funds, he added.(lovely a. carillo)

Mawab sets GK Partners Forum, pledges pour in

MAWAB COMPOSTELA VALLEY—The Municipality of Mawab took the first step  in making true Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy’s promise of having a Gawad Kalinga village in every municipality in the province.

“We have butterflies on our stomach as to what will be the outcome of this event,” Mawab Mayor Evalina Jampayas first admitted as they hold the Gawad Kalinga Partners Forum on September 28, 2012 at Miko’s Brew, Tagum City. But it turned out pledges pour in for the realization of the soon-to-be “Pagsandugan Uswag-GK Village.”

The village, to be situated in Barangay Tuburan, will benefit the poor residents and those living in the landslide-prone and high risk areas as declared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

For this, the mayor has expressed her deepest thanks for giving their time and own resources to be part of this noble endeavor. “Thank you for gracing this occasion. You could have chosen to be elsewhere but you chose the best part,” she said.

Impressively, 41 houses worth P85,000 each along with construction materials, various amounts and the commitment to be part of the build have been pledged by LGUs, companies and private individuals.  Leading the pledges are Gov. Uy with 11 houses and LGU Mawab with 5 houses.

“This is empowering our community by helping provide for our poor brothers and sisters to also feel and experience a dignified life despite their status in life,” Provincial Sports Coordinator Tyron Uy, who pledged for 1 house and P27,000, said.

Set to be built by November this year for the 10th Bayani Challenge, Mawab will be the last to have its own GK Village completing all 11 municipalities in Comval. To date, a total of 521 houses were already built  all over the GK Villages in the province. (fe maestre/ids comval)

ComVal joins World Rabies Day Celebration, extends free dog vaccination

NABUNTURAN COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE ---The province joined the nation in celebrating the World Rabies Day celebration held last  September 28, 2012 by conducting several activities like information, education, and communication campaign on animal and human rabies virus, and massive registration and vaccination of more or less 200 dogs at Maco Municipal Gymnasium. 

As one of the priorities in global health, the said World’s celebration aims to raise people’s awareness on the impact of rabies and how it can be prevented.

According to the Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Benjamin S. Reyno, the provincial government manifests strong support and commitment to the national goal of making the Philippines a rabies-free country in 2020.

Since 2007, Governor Arturo T. Uy has set Animal Rabies Prevention and Control as one of his program priorities.  This year, the program is widened and strengthened the more through a bigger budget allocation for the program and creating the Provincial Anti-Rabies Control and Coordinating Committee and Anti-Rabies Taskforce (PRCCC-ART). 

Complementing efforts are facilitated through the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office, Provincial Health Office, and Provincial Economic Enterprise Management Office in coordination with the local government units.  (grace almedilla, ids-comval)