One Mindanao - December 24, 2011

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

DOH pushes

APIR for injury-free

yuletide celebrations

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

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

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

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

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

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

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

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Dani Doguiles Central Mindanao page 4

Today’s issue...Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 Vol. 1 No. 132

Central Mindanao

Ac Agad, Central Mindanao

DOST-12 trains women on managing business

Michael E. Conte, Caraga Region

Economic enterprise unit itatatag sa South Cotabato

DPWH distributes Christmas ‘Bundles of Joy’ to indigents

Western MindanaoDPWH IX celebrates 39th year of public service

Zambo Lady Solon votes for Corona’s impeachmentMichael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

37% of water supply operations restored in Central Service area -- COWD Apipa Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

City officials to spend Christmas in evacuation centers Jayson P. Leguiab, Northern Mindanao

Indayog Festival 2011 draws participation from dance enthusiasts in Mindanao Southern Mindanao

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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Nora CL Molde, Caraga RegionCaraga reg’l health office provides public toy safety tips 18

Aquino leads Christmas gift giving event for street children at Don Bosco 9

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4 Saturday, December 24, 2011ONE MINDANAO

DOH pushes APIR for injury-free yuletide celebrations

Cover Story

Can we do a high five with only three or four fingers? Of course we can,” said Jennylyn Ellie Ventura, health education and promotion officer of DOH-12.

by Dani Doguiles

5 Saturday, December 24, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

DOH pushes APIR for injury-free yuletide celebrations

“But it wouldn’t look good with a missing finger or two,” she quickly added. Ventura told members of the press in a recent conference ar-ranged by the Philippine Informa-tion Agency - 12 in General Santos City that unlike in the past years, the DOH’s present strategy in the fight against indiscriminate and irresponsible use of fireworks is not anchored on fear appeal. There are no images of bloody, mangled hands dripping of crimson blood nor are there posters with pictures of lacerated wounds, blast injuries, and the like. Instead, DOH’s message is hitched on the popular Filipino greeting, “Apir,” our version of “high five” or “Give me five,” which is common to Americans, Ventura said. DOH’s “APIR” stands for Iwas Paputok Injury Reduction.

Ventura said, APIR’S campaign message is centered on five re-minders or warnings to prevent injury from firecrackers and five simple tips on alternative ways to celebrate the holiday season. The five reminders are: ma-panganib ang paggamit ng papu-tok, lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata, lumayo sa mga taong nag-papaputok, huwag mamulot ng di sumabog na paputok, magpagamot agad kapag naputukan. The five simple tips to cele-brate the yuletide season are: Ita-guyod at makilahok sa “Community Fireworks Display;” magdiwang ng ligtas kasama ang pamilya; lumikha ng ingay gamit ang ibang bagay tu-lad ng torotot, busina, musika, lata, atbp; makisaya sa ibang paraan tu-lad ng street party, concert, palaro, atbp; matuto sa mga aral ng na-karaan at magsimula nang maayos na buhay sa Bagong Taon.


Dr. Adimelca Gangoso of DOH-12 , explained that their strategy has shifted from fear tactics “into a more positive approach.” “Our campaign in the past three years has resulted in a re-duction of the number of cases of injuries caused by firecrackers. We have been successful. What is necessary now is to sustain what we have achieved with a more positive message, that is, for them to be careful,” she said. The primary objective, how-ever, is as determined as ever: to reduce the number injuries and deaths caused by fireworks or fire-cracker use, indiscriminate firing of guns, firecracker powder inges-tion, and fireworks-related non-neonatal tetanus in relation to the celebration of the yuletide season. Dr. Leonora Lozana, regional

non-communicable diseases coor-dinator of DOH-12 reported that in the previous Yuletide celebration, their sentinel hospitals monitored 66 cases of firecracker-related inju-ries. Thirty-seven cases happened in South Cotabato, 12 in General Santos City, 10 in Cotabato City, 4 in Sultan Kudarat, and three in North Cotabato. She added this year, monitor-ing of firecracker-related injuries started on December 21 and will last until January 5. During this period, all public hospitals are on Code White Alert, which means that hospitals are re-quired to have adequate manpow-er, drugs and medicines, vaccines, medical supplies and equipment at all times on standby for emergen-cies.


Aquino considers bringing hope a major accomplishment for 2011

President Benigno S. Aquino III said his biggest accomplishment for 2011 is changing the mindset of Filipinos that there is hope for the country and change is possible.

8 Saturday, December 24, 2011

In an exclusive interview by GMA television aired Fri-day night, the Pres-ident said there is widespread desper-ation among Filipi-nos prior to his as-sumption to power believing reforms are impossible. “Ang unang bi-nago natin… ang attitude ng taum-bayan. Dati mas-ki anong isyu sa propesyon n’yo nakikita n’yo para bang apathetic, para bang walang pakialam, wala na tayong magagawa, ‘wag na lang,” he said when asked about his major ac-complishment for

this year. “Ngayon ang paniwala ko tala-gang nagbago ang opinion… na mara-mi tayong maga-gawa, may dangal tayong Pilipino, pu-wede mong itaas ulit ang noo mo,” the President add-ed. In a separate interview on Thurs-day at the Ninoy Aquino Internation-al Airport during the annual “Presiden-tial Salubong,” he said he hopes that the country weath-ers the effects of the global econom-ic slowdown as the country enters a

new year. “Number one, we’re hoping that we will be able to weather the current economic storm; that we will do a lot better than what we did this year,” he said about his wish for 2012. The adminis-tration has experi-enced its learning curve and there is a government sys-tem in place that corrects bureau-cratic issues with regards to fighting corruption. Reso-lutions are also in place for reform-ing the judiciary, he said. (AS)


Aquino leads Christmas gift giving event for street children at Don Bosco

President Benigno Aquino III joined his sisters in a gift giving activity for street children at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City on Saturday morning.

The President at-tended the “Alay ng Pangulo sa mga Batang Kalye ng Don Bosco” at the Joy Center Don Bos-

co Technical Institute in Makati City. The activ-ity was spearheaded by the presidential sisters. Some of the chil-

dren read a wish list to the President during the event asking him bags, shoes, food as well as employment for their

10 Saturday, December 24, 2011

parents. As a response, the President said all the wishes would be grant-ed and at the same time greeted them Merry Christmas. “Yung lahat ng mga wish kanina palagay ko lahat mami-meet yung tatay na permanenteng trabaho, kukuhanan natin yan ng trabaho na permanente,” the Presi-dent said in a brief mes-sage to the children. He said his admin-

istration is doing every-thing to improve the living conditions in the country so that all Fili-pino families could be merrier in celebrating the Yuletide seasons in the future. “Huwag kayong mag-alala dahil pinip-ilit natin na ang mga susunod na Pasko ay lalo pa talagang tumingkad, lalong gumanda at para talagang mabuo ang in-yong mga pamilya, na lahat ay magkaroon ng

pagkakataon na tala-gang umangat ang ka-buhayan,” he said. The President also vowed to fix the roof of the Pugad Don Bosco Center in Makati City which houses youth in conflict with the law, following the request of the center. Around 150 ben-eficiaries joined Sat-urday’s event coming from several organi-zations such as Ating Pamilya Center, Kuya Street Children Center, and Pugad Don Bosco Center. President Aquino was accompanied by his sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Viel Aquino-Dee, Pinky Aquino-Abellada and actress Kris Aquino, Don Bosco’s provincial rector, Fr. Noel Osial, was also present during the activity. (AS)


Sarangani Capitol flooded with donations for Sendong victimsby Beverly Paoyon

ALABEL, Sarangani – Dump trucks full of donated goods have been continu-ously arriving in the Capitol gym from drop off points across Sarangani prov-ince and General Santos City.

More donors rushed their relief goods to the gym Wednesday eve-ning, filling the entrance

with hundreds of sacks of used clothing and boxes of food.

“Thank you Socsar-

gen for all the dona-tions,” said Governor Migs Dominguez. “Two trucks have left full of


food and clothes. I’ve requested for more trucks from Fast Cargo. Keep it coming.”

As of Thursday morn-ing, donations were still flooding the gym.

At least three more ten-wheeler trucks are needed to load the cargo for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, said Ben So-larte, head of the Provin-cial Disaster Risk Reduc-tion Management Office (PDRRMO).

Solarte said the pub-lic’s response to Gover-nor Migs Dominguez’ call for donations was “over-whelming”, that PDRRMO volunteers were being dwarfed by the stockpile of donated relief goods for Sendong victims.

The pouring in of do-nations from cash, rice, canned goods to other basic needs for the re-

lief operation started on Monday after the governor convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to respond to the calamity wrought by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao.

As of mid-day Wednes-day, total donations reached to 251 sacks of rice, 150 gallons and 35 cases of mineral water, 166 cases sardines, 207 boxes infant milk, and a box of medicines.

Other donations in-clude used clothing, footwear, bags, kitchen ware, tooth paste, tooth-brush, etc.

The Fast Cargo trans-port corporation, which dispatched two cargo wing vans for the first trip, had also volun-teered to transport the remaining goods.

Solarte said the goods are delivered to the De-partment of Social Wel-fare and Development Office in Region 10 while other supplies will be de-livered to Xavier Univer-sity.

On Tuesday (Decem-ber 20), Solarte said Sa-rangani had also sent its medical team to assist in the conduct of the medi-cal mission in Region 10.

The Sarangani Quick Response Team (QRT) and medical team head-ed by Dr. Roel Cagape were in barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City for a medical mission and feeding program espe-cially for children.

The Sarangani QRT and medical team have been serving Cagayan de Oro barangays begin-ning Wednesday.

DOST-12 trains women on managing businessCOTABATO CITY -- Some 46 women in North Cotabato recently underwent a seminar on good manufacturing practices, food safety management system, packaging and labeling, courtesy of the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-12).


The seminar is in line with DOST-12’s advocacy to boost the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the province.

Participants were from the seven mu-nicipalities of the PAL-MA-PB Alliance, includ-ing the towns of Pikit, Aleosan, Libungan, Midsayap, Alamada, Pigkawayan and Ban-isilan.

Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 director, said the semi-nar was in partnership with the PALMA-PB Al-liance in line with the Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Wom-en) project.

“In coordination with the various stakehold-ers, the activity was the first in the series of projects that our office will implement for the benefit of the women sector in the region,” she said.

Laidan also vowed to integrate the Gen-der and Development (GAD) concepts in the agency’s regional ac-tivities to enhance the productivity and com-petitiveness of women in the area.

GREAT Women is a

governance and ca-pacity development project which aims to promote and support a gender-responsive enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment, partic-ularly, those in micro-enterprises.

The Philippine Com-mission on Women (PCW) has partnered with 12 national gov-ernment agencies, 8 pilot provincial govern-ments and 35 munici-palities, to implement the five-year project with technical and fi-nancial support from the Canadian Inter-national Development Agency.

DOST is among the national partner agen-

cies tapped to imple-ment the project in North Cotabato, one of the eight identified pri-ority provinces of the PCW for piloting of the GREAT Women proj-ect.

With women eco-nomic empowerment

as ultimate goal, the project hopes to raise the level of participa-tion that will enable women to make deci-sions based on their own views and per-spectives.

The expected out-comes of the process of partnering together for women’s empower-ment include the follow-ing situations: women obtain increased ac-cess to economic and/


or enterprise-relat-ed programs and ser-vices, better support services for women’s economic and enter-prise endeavors, less constraints on women as a result of gender responsive roles and expectations, and bet-ter incomes, expanded capabilities and life op-portunities.

GAD and women’s

economic empower-ment become value-adding perspectives to the way national gov-ernment agencies and local government units develop and implement policies and plans rela-tive to the MSME de-velopment, and deliver programs and services to women in livelihoods and microenterprises.

DOST, as mandated,

integrates GAD and women’s economic empowerment per-spectives in the provi-sion of technical assis-tance for the skills and capacity building train-ings in the identified priority provinces, in-cluding the PALMA-PB in North Cotabato prov-ince. (BKTagitican/NPPahm/DOST12/DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Economic enterprise unit itatatag sa South CotabatoKORONADAL CITY – Pinaghahandaan ng mga opisyales ng South Cotabato ang pagtatatag sa susunod na taon ng economic enterprise unit na isailalim sa Tanggapan ng Gobernador ng lalawigan.

Ang nasabing tangga-pan ayon kay Sangguni-ang Panlalawigan Mem-ber Ervin Luntao, na siya ring chairman ng Ways and Means Commit-tee, ang mangangasiwa sa ibang mga pasilidad ng pamahalaang lokal upang maging produk-tibo ito at mapagkaki-taan.

Partikular na tinu-koy ni Luntao ang mga pasilidad ng lalawigan gaya ng South Cota-bato Gymnasium and Cultural Center, Pro-

ductivity and Technol-ogy Center (Protech), South Cotabato Sports Complex at ang tan-yag Zip Line sa bayan ng Lake Sebu.

Ayon kay Luntao, ang mga nasabing pasili-dad, kung maayos na mapapangasiwaan ay malaki ang potensiyal para sa dagdag na kita para sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan.

Batay umano sa mga pag-aaral ng commit-tee na kanyang pina-mumunuan, ang Lake

Sebu Zipline at ang South Cotabato Sports Gymnasium and Cul-tural Centern ang ku-mikita, subalit ito ay hindi sapat, ayon kay Luntao.

Sa pamamagitan um-ano ng pagtatatag ng economic enterprise unit magiging isang opisina na lamang ang mama-mahala sa pagpapatakbo ng apat na pasilidad na kasalukuyan ay pinama-mahalaan ng iba’t-ibang opisina, paliwanang ni Luntao. (Ac Agad)


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City officials urged Butuanons to help flashflood victimsby Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City government, through Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, called on Butuanons to help flashflood victims in Cagayan de Oro and in Iligan City.

Economic enterprise unit itatatag sa South Cotabato


In a text mes-sage sent to PIA-Caraga Regional Director and con-current Head of PIA Northern and North-eastern Mindanao Abner Caga, the offi-cials reiterated their call to the constitu-ents of Butuan City to extend assistance to the victims of the neighboring cities Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. The officials said the city gov-ernment will be collecting slightly-used clothings, food items, blankets, and

anything of valuable use for the flash-flood victims in the two cities in North-ern Mindanao. They added the collection point will be at the Butuan City Hall starting Thurs-day, Dec. 22. “So please start bringing items so we can send them by Wednesday next week,” the offi-cials said. Amante and Fortun also enjoined the private and pub-lic offices in Butuan City to do the same. The officials fur-

ther stressed canned food items are better than those that are easily get spoiled. “Cash donations are also accepted,” they added. M e a n w h i l e , Amante has de-ployed the Butuan Search and Rescue Team (BuSART) in Cagayan de Oro to help in the on-going search and retrieval operations. In a related development, four dumptrucks loaded with dry goods and used clothings were sent by the city gov-ernment of Cabad-baran in Agusan del Norte. The lo-cal government unit through Vice Mayor Harris Glenn Puyot also handed-in cash donation to the city government in Ca-gayan de Oro.


DPWH distributes Christmas ‘Bundles of Joy’ to indigentsby Michael E. Conte

SURIGAO DEL NORTE – As part of its Christmas celebration, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Surigao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office (DPWH-2ND DEO) has distributed “Bundles of Joy” to identified indigents of Brgy. 1, Dapa, this province. Around 20 indigents received pre-Christmas gifts donated by the DEO employees. “Nagpasalamat jud ko og dako sa taga high-way na waya kami kal-imti kuman na pasko (I am very much thankful

to the (DEO) that they did not forget us this Christmas),” said Mrs. Florencia C. Esparrago, an indigent, who was one of the recipients. “We do this every year for the needy in the spirit of Christmas,” said

Mrs. Alice T. Boncaros of the DEO Administrative Section. Engineer Demelyn M. Castrence spearhead-ed the house to house gift giving activity which was assisted by Brgy. Officials. (DPWH 2nd DEO)


Caraga reg’l health office provides public toy safety tipsby Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga regional office warns the public on the health hazards that can be acquired on substandard and toxic toys.

Giving gifts espe-cially toys to children this holiday season is already a practice by most Filipi-nos that is why the DOH is providing tips and warn-ings to the public in order to a have safe celebration and to avoid the bad ef-fects to one’s health. The DOH suggested that in buying toys, buy-ers should check on the packaging and look for the following information: License to Operate (LTO) number; name and ad-dress of licensee; recom-mended age of child; and warning signs. Based on the DOH advisory, a good toy is

also characterized by the following: suitable to the child’s physical capabili-ties, mental and social de-velopment; appealing and interesting to the child; and well constructed, durable and safe for the child’s age. Also, DOH-Caraga cites the Do’s and Don’ts in toy safety, like, check-ing the labels on the pack-aging and observe pre-cautions appearing in the labels to ensure the safety of the child; ensure that the child will play with a toy suited for his/her age under adult supervision; dispose plastic packaging accordingly and keep it out

of reach of children; for children under age three, do not buy the following toys: balls with a diameter of 1.75 inches or less so as to prevent chocking; that easily breaks into small parts of pieces like glass or brittle plastics. Furthermore, toys containing small detach-able parts or pieces which could become lodged in the throat; with sharp points and edges; with electrical parts, unless supervised by an adult; with parts that could pinch or en-trap fingers, toes or hair; with parts put together by straight pins, sharp wires or nails that are exposed.


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Zambo fire victims get cash aid from cityby Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - 25 family-victims of fire incidents that occurred in October and November received their cash aid from the city Monday.


“The city govern-ment released Mon-day the total amount of P90,500.00 in cash assistance to 25 fami-lies whose houses and other personal belong-ings had been razed by fires that broke out in the different baran-gays of this city in the months of October and November, this year,” said Vic Larato of the City Information Of-fice. Larato said the cash incentives were personally handed to the victims by Mayor Celso Lobregat himself in a simple ceremony held at the City Hall conference room. Larato said the mayor distributed “cash assistance at P5,000 for each owner of to-tally damaged houses,

P3,000 for each owner of partially damaged houses, P3,000 for each house sharer and renter, and P1,500 for each boarder.” “Of the total re-cipients, 13 families received P5,000 each for a total of P65,000; 9 received P3,000 each for a total of P27,000 and 3 received P1,500 each for a total of P4,500,” Larato speci-fied. It can be recalled, a fire broke out on Oc-tober 18 in Barangay Tetuan (Lustre), leav-ing 5 families home-less. Two of them had their houses totally damaged, 1 partially damaged and 2 board-ers. Larato narrated “on October 23, another fire incident was reported in

Camino Nuevo with three families affected. The fol-lowing day, a house was gutted down by fire in Upper Calarian. And still a day later, Ocober. 25, a fire engulfed 11 closely-knit houses in Canelar: 6 totally damaged, 2 par-tially damaged with 3 boarders.” Larato further re-counted, “On November 1 during the observance of All Saints’ Day, a fire broke out in Barangay Lunzuran, leaving a house totally damaged and another partially. On November 9, two fire incidents occurred; one in Tumaga that affected two houses, and the oth-er in Pasonanca with one house totally damaged. (JPA/V.Larato/City Hall/ PIA 9-ZamBa-sulTa)

DPWH IX celebrates 39th year of public serviceZAMBOANGA CITY - Celebrating its 39 years in the service of the public, the Department of Public Works and Highways IX continue its share of infrastructure development in Zamboanga Peninsula.


With the collective efforts of the men and women, the DPWH IX ranked second (2) na-tionwide as far as imple-mentation of infrastruc-ture projects for CY 2011-2009 Current Year and Carry Over Projects, completing 330 as of No-vember 30, 2011. Despite of the peace and order problem in some parts of the penin-sula, Region IX achieved a physical accomplish-ment of 65.60% of the 432 programmed proj-ects for the year. This sums up to Php 3, 752, 495.6B allocated amount for project implementa-tion under the leadership

of DPWH IX Regional Di-rector Jorge U. Sebas-tian, Jr. For CY 2011, DPWH IX completed 47 proj-ects, with a total of Php 2, 512, 195B. Funds for the lump sum allocation and Various Infrastruc-ture and Local Projects (VILP) allocation was released on the second week of November were the twenty (20) addi-tional projects are on its pre-construction stage as of to date. With this, Region IX was rated no. 3 nationwide. These roads and bridges, school buildings, water system, multi-purpose buildings,

flood control and drain-age systems construct-ed in various areas in the region are concrete evidence that the DPWH has carried out its man-date in ensuring the safety and quality of in-frastructure facilities. RD Sebastian said this accomplishment is a result of Region IX em-ployees’ commitment in focusing the Depart-ment’s Mission and Vi-sion, and continuous support from the nation-al and local officials and leaders in various com-munities for good gov-ernance.

(JPA/MVC/PIA9-ZBST/DPWH 9)


Zambo Lady Solon votes for Corona’s impeachmentby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City 1st District Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar threw her hat in favor of impeaching embattled Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona.

The lady solon cited eight grounds that she believed is applicable to remove Corona from his post, adding that there are still others for dis-cussion. “There were other points of impeachment which we weighed to de-cide”, Climaco-Salazar said. Salazar said these grounds include be -

trayal of public trust; culpable violation of the Constitution; and graft and corruption to name a few. Under the Consti-tution, an impeachment complaint should gather at least a third of the lower house members’ vote for it to move. On Monday, the complaint, initiated by Iloilo Con-gressman Neil Tupas,

gathered 188 support-ers out of the 285 con-gressmen, more than the minimum signatures needed. Salazar explained that the eight articles of impeachment also spe-cifically cites the “undue closeness” of Justice Corona to former Presi-dent and now Pampanga 3rd District Representa-tive Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing charges of electoral sab-otage. Salazar said the complaint was already forwarded to the Senate for further action. She added that by next year, they, the Senate and Congress, will convene as an impeachment court and give Justice Corona 10 days to answer all al-legations against him. (JPA/MVC/PIA-ZB-ST)


4ID conducts relief, rehabilitation efforts

T he 4th Infantry

“Diamond” Division,

Philippine Army is conducting relief

and rehabilitation operations in all

affected barangays by tropical storm Sendong here in Cagayan de Oro

City.

The division will also conduct a medical mission though an AFP medical team, headed by Col. Jocelyn P. Turla, composed of 20 medical practitioners. Another medical team from Manila headed by 2Lt. Peter James Garcia also arrived here. Meanwhile, the 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army from Bukidnon sent their engineering equipment to help remove the debris in several barangays here that were left by Sendong. The Army Engineers also cleared the roads that were blocked caused by said disaster.

MGen. Victor A. Felix, Commander, 4ID, ordered soldiers to help in the packing and distribution of relief goods to the typhoon victims. Candidate soldiers have also been mobilized to conduct clean-up operations in the city. The Philippine Air Force’ Tactical Operation Group-10 and the Philippine Navy assigned in the area of 4ID were also requested to continue helping the city. These two military units were very active in the rescue operations during the height of the typhoon’s slaughter.


37% of water supply operations restored in Central Service area -- COWDby Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - “We are starting to gradually restore partial operations of the system and we shall be working towards the stabilization of the water supply in some areas very soon,” an media advisory from the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) said.

In its latest advisory, the COWD announced that Production Wells Numbers 2, 8, and 16, are already operational and that they have bypassed their Booster Pumping Station and these sources are being directly fed to their distribution system. “This means a recovery of about 37 percent of the supply lost in the Central

Service area,” the COWD further said. With this development, the COWD shall be constrained to close exit points by strictly controlling access to the hydrants except those which have been designated as point sources. “This is necessary to build enough pressure in the system so distribution to the households can be readily facilitated,” the COWD added. According to the COWD, Rio Verde also has issued a formal notice that rehabilitation of their facilities is estimated be completed by 180 days, but, they are exerting their best efforts to resume delivery of treated water to COWD within 30 days from December 20, 2011. In the meantime, the water district

Many Kagay-anons were saved by the Air Force and Navy, espe-cially those that were swept to the sea. They were also responsible in the retrieval of float-ing dead bodies off the coast of Jasaan, Balin-goan, andBalingasag municipalities, even those around Camiguin Province. (4ID)


37% of water supply operations restored in Central Service area -- COWD

is advising residents of Nazareth and neighboring vicinities to check their connection for water flow which is expected to be of lower pressure than the usual. Water delivery is also continually being facilitated to the different areas in the city through the assigned fire trucks, tankers and trucks. The COWD is also appealing to the public to deal with the temporary water supply shortage with patience and sobriety citing the public’s cooperation would contribute a lot towards the

immediate restoration of normal water supply. The COWD made the appeal following reports that pipelines in their distribution system where water is available have been intentionally perforated and cut by some residents to source their water supply. “Cables, engine, motor parts and other appurtenances have also been looted from our production facilities making the current situation even worse,” the COWD said.

City officials to spend Christmas in evacuation centersby Jayson P. Leguiab

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY– Three days before Christmas, Cagayan De Oro City officials serving in the city government’s relief efforts may spend Christmas with evacuees in evacuation centers around the city. “The relief efforts will not stop during Christmas, as long as they (evacuees) are here, we will always be present to provide them their basic needs,” Office of the City Mayor Population Program Officer Ma. Lina T. Maagad said in Filipino during an interview. Maagad highlighted the importance of letting the evacuees feel that assistance is readily available when they need it due to the traumatic experience brought to them by the “Sendong” tragedy. “Masaya sila kapag may nakikita silang nakaantabay dito para tulungan sila kung kinakailangan,” (The evacuees feel happy when they physically see authorities in the area standing by in case they need assistance.) Maagad said.

There is no definite time as to the duration of the evacuees’ stay in the centers. At present, city officials’ focus remains on ensuring that they respond to the immediate needs of the victims housed in temporary shelters around the city.


Davao Region unemployment rate hits 3-year low by Rudolph Ian Alama

The unemployment rate in Davao Region has hit a 3-year

low this according to figures from the Department of Labor and Em-ployment. According to DOLE-XI Regional Director Atty. Joffrey Suyao, an un-employment figure taken from Janu-ary to July 2011 is pegged at 5.8%. This is lower compared to the 6.1% unemployment rate of 2010. The un-employment rate in 2009 registered 5.9%. The region has an employment rate of 94.2% as compared to nation-al average of 92.9%. “Although the growth is small, but this is something we can build upon.” Suyao said, optimistic of rosier chances in the economy for the next year. Suyao credits the current con-struction boom with the building of hotels and malls, the entry of more investments as current drivers for employment growth. He added that peace and order continues to be the main attraction of the region particu-

larly in Davao City. According to the National Statis-tics Coordination Board; the jobless rate in the country for 2011 (January to October year) hit at around 6.4%. This is the lowest jobless rate since 2007 when it unemployment rate registered 6.3%. The employment growth translated to 2.1 million jobs created from January to October of this year. According to Press Secretary Edwin Lacierda, the jobs growth is a manifestation of government’s efforts to create a conducive business and investment environment.


Indayog Festival 2011 draws participation from dance enthusiasts in MindanaoTAGUM CITY-Considered to be Min-danao’s largest gathering of dancing enthusiasts and the island’s biggest dance festival, Tagum City’s Indayog Festival ended December 18, 2011 with a bold celebration of dance de-velopment program as a catalyst for peace and harmony. Now on its fourth year, the five-day festival featured competitions on different dance genres such as cheer-leading competition, contemporary dance, dance sports, folk dance, hip-hop dance showdown and indigenous dance. This year’s Indayog Festival also featured outreach performances in nearby municipalities as well as the Mindanao Dance Sports Educators Fo-rum. Clinching the championship tro-phy for the Indigenous Dance Com-petition was the Madayaw Cultural Ensemble followed by the Bukidnon State University College as first run-ner up, Bahaghari Cultural Ensemble as second runner up and Indak Ka-bataan Dance Troupe as first honor-able mention. In Traditional Folk Dance (Nation-al Open), the UM Kalumunan Theatri-cal Dance Group grabbed the cham-pionship trophy while the La Filipina National High School was declared

first runner up and the Bukidnon State University as second runner up. Christian Bernal and Ritcel Anne Limsan was declared as champion in juvenile category for the dance sports competition. Grabbing the top plum for the adult category for the same competition was Jack Tan Nery and Regel Lucero. The Bukidnon State University Hip Hoppers went home victorious as champion for the Hip Hop National Open followed by Infinity Davao and AYLA Attraction as first and second runners up, respectively. The group from BSU was also declared champi-on in the contemporary dance com-petition with the Arriesgado College Foundation trailing behinf as first run-ner up and Letran de Davao as second runner up. General Santos City’s Holy Trinity College left the crowd in awe in their mouth-dropping cheerleading perfor-mance enough for them to grab the championship trophy. Tagoloan Com-munity College finished as first run-ner up followed by Holy Trinity High School and the Infinity Elite All Stars. All of the winners each received cash prizes ranging from 2000 pesos to as high as 30,000 pesos courtesy of the City Government of Tagum and the City of Tagum Tourism Council.


regional galleryContemporary Danc-ers from Bukidnon gracefully danced during the competi-tion staged at the freedom park. This is one of the com-petitions in the 4th Indayog Festival in Tagum City. Photo by Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum

A dancer tumbles in mid-air during the 4th Indayog Festival’s Hip Hop Dance Competi-tion. Photo by Francis Abrenica of CIO Tagum

Hip-hop dancers groove it up during the Hip Hop Dance Competition last December 17 in front of the City Hall of Tagum. Photo by Francis Abrenica of CIO Tagum

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One Mindanao - December 24, 2011