One Mindanao - January 4, 2012

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)

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

Northern Mindanao

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

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

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

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN)

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

New Year’s Resolutions

2012

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

Alma L. TingcangWestern Mindanao page 5

Today’s issue...Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 143

Carina L. Cayon, Southern MindanaoDavao to install CCTVs at checkpoints

Southern MindanaoPDEA-XI strengthens mandate with drugbus

Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, Caraga Region“Sendong” victims in Barobo receive relief goods

BSP-Zambo makes research easier and fun thru EFLC

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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Gov’t announces release of fund for waste management, Iloilo irrigation project 10

PAGASA warns Mindanaoans of possible flashfloods, anew Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

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Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao45,712 households in North Cotabato benefit from 4Ps17

Central MindanaoDOH allots P65.5 M for health facilities enhancement program in N. Cotabato19

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga RegionPNP-Caraga hopeful for “zero casualty” in 2013 New Year22

Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

ZamboSur records ‘zero’ indiscriminate firing during Christmas and New Year celebration29Gideon C. Corgue, Western Mindanao

Wood processors’ request to expedite review of existing forest agreements gets RDC-X nodNorthern Mindanao

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Malacañang says DOE is forming a team to scrutinize oil companies 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

5 Wednesday, January 4, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

New Year’s Resolutions 2012 Cover Story

There is always something about a new year to look forward to. A new beginning, new goals and resolutions, new plans, new dreams and new directions fuel your thoughts.

by Alma L. Tingcang

6 Wednesday, January 4, 2012ONE MINDANAO

With 2011 just ended, I’m sure many people have chosen a list of resolutions to provide order and direction in their life for this year 2012. Resolutions are always made with a positive intent. New Year’s resolutions help you feel grounded, as if you are on the right track. It is shared by many people. But unfortunate-ly, many of these resolutions are forgotten by the month of March. The major reason for this is that it is deceptively difficult to develop or deny in-grained habits. This would boil down to mere self-deception. It is a commitment that an individual makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. This lifestyle change is gen-

erally interpreted as advanta-geous. However, if we are really se-rious about changing any part of our usual behavior, we will do so, with or without a writ-ten or verbal expression. Collating these resolutions, spending more time with the family and loved ones would

come first. Others, in no partic-ular order would follow: physi-cal fitness; healthy eating hab-its; weight loss; quit smoking; quit drinking; get out of debt; be financially stable; enjoy life more; learn new things; help others; get organized, and the list goes on and on. Let us take a look at what


our media personalities in the Zamboanga Peninsula region have to say on their New Year’s resolution. Ellen Cerbo Ajijul – MIT-TV9 To stick to a good workout plan that will keep me healthy and happy. Charnyl Albarracin, Editor of Pagadian Express says he will spend enough time for family bonding; exert additional effort to double their income; main-tain good rapport with clientele and serve them well. Leah Agonoy – managing editor of Pagadian Times says she will be more responsible in everything this year. Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DXPR wants to work together with a team that promotes en-vironmental protection because he wants to show concern for the future generation. Marive Jongco who is cur-rently the program manager of DXBZ Radyo Bagting says ‘‘I’ll cut spending money for not so important things , I’ll try to cook delicious recipes and prac-tice healthy lifestyle para mag-

ing sexy uli. Arnold Ricote, station manager of MIT- TV9 resolves to ‘‘actively participate in all media undertakings in Pagadian City and work for the advance-ment of our colleagues in the profession.’’ Zeny Masong of Radyo ng Bayan, Jolo, Sulu says, ‘‘less spending, healthy living, and more time with family.’’ Edgar Dagumo – good, healthy , happy family and continued public service. Kates Robyn, e-news cor-respondent and creative direc-tor of Zimnet – ‘‘to love more of a change; to act more quick-ly ; to be more disciplined on


health.’’ Crismon Llanos – ‘‘No more intoxicating drinks, ug di na maglaag-laag.’’ Rosemarie Patangan Miran-da, president of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club – to con-tinue upholding press freedom without sacrificing integrity and independence. Editha Pagente Tomong , host , Kapihan sa Dipolog over RMN-DXDR ‘‘how can I serve our constituents more to find

true, effective and honest lead-ers to guide us if not through responsible journalism…carve my own niche in this complicat-ed world in my own little way with prayers for good health, happiness and continued bless-ings for my family.’’ And let us conclude with this saying of Abraham Lincoln, ‘‘Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is important than any other. ’’


Malacañang confident DTI will meet export targets

Malacañang expressed confidence the Department of Trade and Industry would be able to fulfill the country’s export target of $120-billion as contained in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP).

10 Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The PEDP seeks to double the value of ex-ports from $51.5 billion in 2010 to $120 billion by 2016 through vari-ous programs aimed at increasing exports by 10 percent beginning 2011. Deputy Presiden-tial Spokesperson Abigail Valte told a press briefing on Wednesday that the government was support-

ive of these DTI programs that, according to DTI Secretary Gregory Do-mingo, will help exporters make full use of the op-portunities presented by existing free-trade agree-ments (FTAs) and new preferential trade deals with the United States and Europe. “Secretary Domin-go said the Department

remains optimistic and that they plan to exhaust other means of providing assistance to the export industry given the down-turn we’ve seen in 2011,” Valte said. “Of course it should be given a chance and we are fully supportive of the DTI efforts to help our exporters,” she add-ed. (RCK)

The Aquino administration announced the release of P680

million intended for solid waste and flood control projects as well as for the budget of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Gov’t announces release of fund for waste management, Iloilo irrigation project


The Department of Bud-get and Management (DBM) also released P450 million for the Philippine-Korea irrigation project in Iloilo. “Iloilo is one of our ma-jor rice basins and in line with the administration’s target of rice sufficiency by 2013, the money was released to sup-port the first large-scale res-ervoir dam outside of Luzon that would provide uninter-rupted irrigation water sup-ply to 31,840 hectares of land mostly in Iloilo,” Deputy Presi-dential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednes-

day. Early this week, the DBM said the Aquino govern-ment has lined-up P141.8-billion worth of infrastructure projects, funded by the re-cently enacted General Appro-priations Act (GAA) of 2012, which are ready for imple-mentation starting January. Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said these infrastructure proj-ects include national roads and bridges; airports, sea-ports and lighthouses; classrooms and other ed-ucation facilities; potable water supply systems, ir-

rigation and post-harvest facilities; including flood control and slope protec-tion structures. He said the DBM will issue the allotments for the P141.8-billion infrastruc-ture projects so that imple-menting departments and agencies could bid out their projects. Because of the early approval of the 2012 ap-propriations, Abad said agencies can also start the project implementation this January compared to gov-ernment’s time frame last year, Abad said. (AS)

Malacañang says DOE is forming a team to scrutinize oil companies

The Department of Energy (DoE) is currently forming a team that will scrutinize the books of accounts of the

oil companies in support of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call for transparency, a Palace official said on Wednesday

12 Wednesday, January 4, 2012

“From what I un-derstand from Energy Secretary Jose Rene Al-mendras, they are close to already forming the team that will scrutinize the books of the oil com-panies. They already have representation from the sectors,” Dep-uty Presidential Spokes-person Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday. Report said the oil

firms are willing to open their books of accounts for government exami-nation in response to a call from the President to face public scrutiny. On the other hand, various groups ex-pressed concern over reports that oil players will implement upward price adjustments this January, according to news reports. Valte assured that the Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI) is regularly conducting monitoring of prices to prevent overpricing. “The DTI is always there to make sure that any increases in prices are warranted and are not in the area of over-pricing,” Valte said. Oil companies are ready to follow the re-quirements being im-posed by the DoE as mandated by appropri-ate provisions” relevant laws, such as the Down-stream Oil Industry De-regulation Act. The oil firms are also mandated to com-ply strictly with the “fi-nancial protocols of the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Rev-enue, as well as statu-tory submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. (JS)


Robust investments noted in Davao Cityby Carina Cayon

A robust influx of investments in the city was noted last

year, marking a growth of 47.6 percent in terms of the amount of investments from the new busi-nesses. Davao City Investment and Pro-motion Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye reported that Davao City gained total investments of P3.68 bil-lion from the new businesses in 2011 compared to the P2.5 billion invest-ment in 2010. Magnaye said the total invest-ments reached to P187 billion, earn-ing a growth of 2.6% for the city last year. In 2010, Davao City gained P183

billion, he added. Though the DCIPC chief noted a decline in business permit renewals last year, substantial business ven-tures poured in, saying that these “largely came from property develop-ment projects or real estate invest-ments.” Aside from the real estate in-vestments, Magnaye cited the busi-ness process outsourcing business to “continue to be upbeat.” He said that the growth of BPOs have provided employment to about 16,000 people in the city.He mentioned that two BPO firms have visited the city in December last year to look for different possible sites for their business. The tourism industry has also performed well last year, and is ex-pected to be more aggressive in 2012, Magnaye told the local media here on Monday.He said they estimated tourist arriv-als of 700,000 in 2011, adding that 375,000 tourists were recorded as of middle last year.


Based on hotel arrivals, about 10% of the tourists were foreigners, while 90% represented the domestic visi-tors, he stated. Magnaye disclosed that the city government is eyeing to bid for two big ASEAN conventions this year ex-pecting to gather different visitors from all over Asia Pacific Region. Related to this, he also shared excitement over the soon to be opened

and would be biggest convention cen-ter at a major mall in Davao City. Meanwhile, Davao City Business Bureau chief Tristan Dwight Domingo reported that his office has processed a total of 31,747 active business per-mits last year. Domingo announced that a one-stop shop off-site business permit processing will be held soon at a big mall in Matina, Davao City.

Davao to install CCTVs at checkpointsDAVAO CITY– The city government here is pushing through a plan of installing closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) at three check-point sites in the city. Davao City Public Safety Command Center (PSCC) chief Magno G. Adalin Jr. confirmed to the local media here the putting up of more CCTVs in the city as part of strengthening its security measures. Adalin said that the wireless security and surveillance cameras will be positioned at the check-point sites in Sirawan, Toril; Ilang, Tibungco; and Lacson, Calinan.

He said that the city govern-ment has already allocated a P10 million budget for the project. He added that one system provider has already submitted its concept proposal to the local government unit. “It’s just a matter of imple-mentation,” Adalin stated. The PSCC chief also disclosed the intention of installing more CCTVs in key areas in the city such as at the City Hall, Sanguni-ang Panglungsod, People’s Park, Rizal Park and Sta. Ana Wharf. The city government has al-ready put in place CCTVs in 16 major intersections in the city as part of the Traffic Signalization System that aimed to address traffic concerns and reduce traffic accidents. Adalin said that the sys-tem helped the apprehensions of around 13,000 drivers who were caught violating traffic regulations last year.


He said that most of the vio-lations involved cases on obstruc-tion, illegal parking and swerv-ing. He noted though that there was a decline in the number of traffic violators in 2011, saying that drivers have become more disciplined. “Even without the traffic en-forcers, drivers have learned to

follow the traffic rules,” he said, adding that authorities recently recorded an average of 30 viola-tors per day. In April last year, the Traffic Management Center reported that around 70 to 100 traffic violators were monitored everyday as a result of the CCTVs. (Carina L. Cayon)

PDEA-XI strengthens mandate with drugbust

The Philippine Drug Enforce-ment Agency and the Phil-ippine National Police con-

tinue to fulfill its mandate as more drug pushers fall in the hand of the law. As a start for this year, PDEA-XI and the police apprehended on Tuesday one suspected pusher iden-tified as Claudio Espinosa Camerino, 35 years old, single and a resident of Rasay Extension, this city. Elements from the Police Precinct 8 (Toril Police Station) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and PDEA-XI operatives arrested the suspect in a buy-bust operation conducted on Jan-uary 3 at around 9:25 p.m. at Purok 4, Brgy. Lubogan, Toril, Davao City. The operatives recovered from the suspect one sachet of suspect-ed methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as “shabu” worth Php500.00.

The suspected illegal drugs were sold by Camerino to an operative who acted as poseur buyer. The five hundred peso buy-bust marked money bill with serial number SU223331 was also recovered from the suspect’s possession and control. The suspect was detained at the DCPO, Police Precinct 8 detention fa-cility, while the seized suspected ille-gal drugs were submitted to Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory at Ecoland, Davao City. A case on violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dan-gerous Drugs Act of 2002” is being filed against the suspect. This collaborative effort of the PDEA, PNP and other law enforcement agencies, and the communities serves as a warn-ing to all drug perpetrators.


Army sends five truckloads of relief goods to ‘Sendong’ victimsby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY –- Some five truckloads of relief items were transported early yesterday morning from Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao to the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.


Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of 6th In-fantry Division, Philip-pine Army, said three military trucks were loaded with non-food items, including more than 4,000 shovels do-nated by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Ref-ugees (UNHCR) while two trucks were load-ed with assorted relief goods and food items gathered by the 6ID’s Operation Tulong Send-

ong (OTS) from several donors in their area of responsibility.

Asto said, the con-voy led by Cpt. Mania-go Macalintangui of the Civil Military Operations Unit, left Camp Siongco around 3:30 a.m.

BGen. Rey Ardo, com-manding general of the 6ID, has earlier ordered continuous help for the victims of the worst ca-lamity in Mindanao by ordering the mobility of assets and a round-the-

clock participation of the military unit in the relief operations.

The relief goods is the third batch of assis-tance from the 6ID. This will be endorsed to the Civil Military Operations Battalion of the 4th In-fantry Division in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City for distribution to the evac-uees in both cities.

6ID is still accepting donations for the vic-tims of typhoon Send-ong.

Those who would want to give their share in helping the victims of Sendong may drop “anything that may be useful to the typhoon victims” at the re-lief dropping center in Camp Siongco.

45,712 households in North Cotabato benefit from 4Psby Olivia Sudaria

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) has a total of 45,712 household-beneficia-ries in North Cotabato (Cotabato Province) as of year-end 2011.


Benilda Cortez, 4Ps North Cotabato provin-cial link said the 45,712 households cover the following municipali-ties: Pikit with 10,712 which is the highest; then Carmen-5,3[71; Matalam-4,285; Al-amada-3,766; Pig-c a w a y a n - 3 , 5 0 8 ; Arakan-3,313; Aleo-san-2,911; Magpet-2,834; Banisilan-2,724; Tulunan-2,712; Tulunan-2,712 and Antipas-948.

Cortez said the grantee-households’ age brackets of their children are: 6-14 years old-169,040; 3-5 years old-26,752 and 0-2 years old-15,278.

The households

with pregnant moth-ers total to 1,499, according to Cortez. She also said there are 4,413 indigenous people-beneficiaries and 886 households with persons with dis-abilities. On the other hand, 35,264 house-holds engage in farm-ing, forestry work and fishing.

The 4Ps provincial link said the current household-beneficia-ries will increase in 2012, with the ongo-ing registration for incoming grantees from Kidapawan City, M’lang, Makilala, Li-bungan, Kabacan and Midsayap.

The 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social

development strat-egy of the national government that pro-vides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and educa-tion particularly of children aged 0-14.

CCT is one of the responses of the Phil-ippine Government to the challenge of meet-ing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of eradicat-ing extreme poverty and hunger, achiev-ing universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortal-ity and improving ma-ternal health.


DOH allots P65.5 M for health facilities enhancement program in N. CotabatoKIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Department of Health has allocated P65.5 million to North Cotabato for the improvement of the hospitals and ru-ral health units in the province, under its Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

Jessie Enid, focal per-son of the health service protocol under the office of North Cotabato Gov-ernor Emmylou Talino- Mendoza, said that the P41.5 million out of the P65.5 million is appro-priated for three hos-pitals, 17 rural health units and five barangay health stations of the province for expansion, repair and renovation.

The remaining P24 million, according to Enid, will be utilized to purchase medical equipment.

Enid said the three hospitals that will re-ceive P5 million infra-structure assistance and P1.5 million each for medical equipment are the Kidapawan City Hospital, President Rox-as Provincial Communi-ty Hospital and Aleosan District Hospital.

On the other hand,

the rural health units who are recipients of P1.5 million each for in-frastructure assistance and P1 million worth of medical equipment are the municipalities of Carmen, Arakan, Ba-nisilan, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Kabacan, Tulunan, Antipas and Mlang.

In addition, P1 mil-lion infrastructure as-sistance and P1 million worth of medical equip-ment each will be given to the rural health units of the municipalities of Libungan, Midsayap, Al-amada, Aleosan, Mata-

lam, Makilala, Presi-dent Roxas and Magpet Birthing Center.

Another P1 million worth of infrastruc-ture assistance and P500,000 worth of medical equipment will be allocated for the ba-rangay health stations of Barangay Bato-Bato in President Roxas; Ba-rangay Salama in Ban-isilan; Barangay Ponte-vedra in Antipas; Santa Maria in Matalam and Barangay Lampagang in Tulunan, Enid added. (Olivia Sudaria)


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Recent flood in Agusan del Sur affects 12,104 families by David M. Suyao

Victims of the recent flood that occurred on the last week of December 2011 reached 12,104 families from the seven municipalities and the lone city of Bayugan, partial reports from

the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC) revealed.


However, no casu-alty was recorded. The municipality of Rosario, who were the first to call the help of the PDRRMO, have the high-est number of affected families with a total of 4,147 families. It was fol-lowed by Prosperidad with 3,672 families. Ranked third is the municipality of Veruela with 3,200 fami-lies. Other areas had the following figures: San Luis with 408, Loreto with 220 families, Bayugan City with 179 families, Esperanza with 150 families and San Francisco with 128 fami-lies or 548 persons. Among the affected families, 3,033 have seek temporary shelter at the various evacuation centers like the municipal gymna-sium, schools, churches, barangay and municipal halls at the height of the flood. According to Rober-to Natividad, head of the PDRRMO, they immediate-ly dispatched search and rescue teams with rubber boats and rescue vehicles to the municipality of Ro-sario and San Francisco who were the first two municipalities to seek the help of the PDRRMO. Partial reports from

the PDRRMC also revealed three schools from San Luis namely San Gabriel Elementary School, Binon-gan Elementary School and Magsaysay Elemen-tary school were partially damaged while 40 houses from Don Alejandro and another 15 from Dona Fla-via still in San Luis were also partially damaged. Four houses from Veruela town were totally dam-aged. The City of Bayugan and the municipality of Lo-reto were the first to sub-mit reports of the damag-es caused by the floods to rice and corn fields in their respective municipalities, totalling P6,119,481. An approach por-tion of Langkilaan bridge in Barangay Sta. Maria, Trento falls and became impassable to traffic while Bridge 2 in Mambaos, Lo-reto submerged at the height of the flood. Portion

of the national road were also reportedly unpass-able when the volume of flood waters overflow the road at around 11:00 PM on December 26, but had immediately subsided af-ter around three hours, the DPWH reported. In a meeting the fol-lowing day, December 27, Gov. Adolph Edward called and ordered the Provincial Social Welfare and Devel-opment office to produce immediately relief goods and deliver them to af-fected areas. To date, a total of 2,836 families in three most affected municipali-ties namely Rosario, La Paz and Talacogon were already served with 279 bags of rice, 200 cases of sardines, 635 cases of noodles and other relief items like cof-fee, sugar, milo and milk for the children. The relief distribution still continues until reporting time.


PNP-Caraga hopeful for “zero casualty” in 2013 New Year

This developed af-ter the PNP reported that there was no incident on victims of stray bullet as the region celebrated the New Year’s eve. However, two victims were reported to have been injured be-cause of firecrackers. In an interview aired in a local radio station here, PSSupt David Om-bao, PNP-Caraga Directo-rial Staff said the entire

PNP force in the region is happy to know that there were no civilians reported hit by a stray bullet. “Meron tayong naita-lang dalawang insidente na firecracker-related at masaya po tayo na walang naging biktima ng ligaw na bala,” Ombao said. (We have recorded two incidents on firecrack-er-related and we are happy that there was no

victim on stray bullet.) Ombao further said this also indicates that there was no policeman that fired their issued firearms during the New Year’s eve celebration. With this, PSSupt. Ombao lauded the entire police force of the region for adhering to the direc-tives issued by top offi-cials of the PNP in Camp Crame.

BUTUAN CITY – Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Caraga Region is hopeful that the region will have again a “zero casualty” for 2013 New Year celebration as far as indiscriminate firing is concerned.

by Robert E. Roperos


PNP-Caraga hopeful for “zero casualty” in 2013 New Year

“Sendong” victims in Barobo receive relief goods

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Surigao del Sur Chapter and the provincial government here today distributed relief goods and items to victims of “Sendong” in Barobo town.

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

When asked what will the PNP-Caraga do if there is a police officer found to have fired their issued firearms, the offi-cial said they will not hesi-tate to conduct thorough investigation and if found guilty, the suspect will be dealt with accordingly. “Managot ang dapat managot upang hindi pa-marisan,” Ombao said. (Those who are re-sponsible must answer

what was accorded by the law so that nobody will follow.) Further, the official said that there will no more casualty as the Car-aganons will celebrate the 2013 New Year. “Sana, wala nang casualty na mangyayari sa susunod na pagdiri-wang ng New Year dito sa Caraga Region, mapa-indiscriminate firing man o firecracker-related,” he

added. (I hope there will be no more casualties in the next celebration of New Year here in Caraga Region, may it be on in-discriminate firing or fire-cracker-related incidents.) Meanwhile, Ombao congratulates the region’s PNP through the leader-ship of PCSupt. Reynaldo Rafal for the successful campaign against indis-criminate firing.


The distribution was held at the municipal gymnasium and some 78 families received food and non-food items from Gov. Johnny Pimentel and PRC Chapter Ad-

ministrator Abel De Guz-man. In an interview, De Guzman said the recipi-ents are families whose houses were totally dam-aged. It can be recalled

that last December 28-29, the team already conduct-ed relief goods distribu-tion to some 547 families in Lingig, Tagbina, Brgy. Caguyao, Bislig City and Hinatuan.


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PAMANA to build 2,340 IDP shelters in Maguindanao by Rene V. Carbayas

T he Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) announced that the national government is set to build some 2,340 shelters for internally displaced persons

(IDPs) in Maguindanao under the PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program.


The IDP shelters will be constructed for families displaced by armed skirmishes between government forces and lawless el-ements led by former MILF Commanders Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato and Bravo after the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ances-tral Domain in August 2008. On behalf of ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman, new-ly-installed ARMM Vice Governor Bai-non Karon received the P62 million check from OPAPP Secre-tary Teresita Quinto-Deles in a ceremonial turn-over recently at OPAPP headquarters in Pasig. The amount is intended for the construction of the shelters. Deles empha-sized that “the gov-ernment is sincerely committed to winning peace, not only on the peace negotiating table, but also on the ground especially in conflict-affected com-munities, in order for them to have a stake

in sustaining peace.” Karon, mean-while, expressed grat-itude to the national government for the PAMANA projects vig-orously undertaken in the region.“Completing and im-plementing the PA-MANA projects is a challenge and also an important goal in the matuwid na daan (straight path) poli-cy of our President,” Karon stated. The shelters are expected to be com-pleted within four months in five munici-palities and 11 baran-gays. The municipali-ties include Talayan, Datu Anggal Midtim-

bang, Datu Piang, Datu Saudi Ampatu-an, and Datu Salibo. The IDP Shel-ter Assistance Project which provides basic housing facilities to displaced families in conflict-affected ar-eas is a project under Pillar 1 of the PAMANA program. OPAPP serves as the oversight agen-cy of PAMANA, while DSWD, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) are the imple-menting agencies. To uphold trans-parency and account-ability, civil society


BSP-Zambo makes research easier and fun thru EFLCby Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY - With the aim of giving the public easy access to various economic and financial information, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas – Zamboanga City Branch recently launched its Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), a world-class program that’s easy to use and open for everybody.

organizations are en-gaged in monitoring the implementation of PAMANA projects. For the IDP Shel-ter Assistance Proj-ect, the government has tapped the In-stitute for Autonomy and Governance as its third-party moni-tor.

The construction contractor for the shelters in the prov-ince is Kilusang Mag-kaibigan Multi-pur-pose Cooperative. PAMANA, a com-plementary track to peace negotiations, is the government’s peace and develop-ment framework that

seeks to reduce pov-erty, improve gover-nance and empower communities through community-driven projects that ad-dress people’s needs and, at the same time, promote peace. (OPAPP/ALT/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)


BSP-Zamboanga Research Specialist Her-mogenes Buenaflor, Jr. said ELFC is open to anybody who wishes to gather valuable informa-tion, from finance and economy, BSP’s core mandate and functions, basic knowledge on cen-tral banking, and bank-ing system in our country and its evolution, to name a few. More important, data gathering is made simple.“The scope and quality of data or information that researchers can easily gather from the EFLC is by any standard, world class and user-friend-ly, as it openly provides easy access to alternative forms of media that allow

visiting researchers to ac-quire the materials they need with relative ease, through the use and ac-cess to EFLC’s on-line computer terminal”, Mr. Buenaflor explained. However, he pointed that the availability of in-formation is limited only to certain archived mate-rials.Buenaflor, Jr. stressed that the putting up of EFLC in the city is a strong mani-festation of the BSP’s sup-port to the government’s social and economic de-velopment objectives. “The establishment of EFLC and its expansion to the rest of BSP’s re-gional offices and branch-es nationwide, including Zamboanga, give sub-stance to an advocacy fo-

cused towards supporting the economic and social development objectives of the government, spe-cifically in areas that in-volve financial education, consumer protection and access to economic infor-mation or data”, Buena-flor said. The EFLC has three main areas, the library, multi-media or internet area, and the numis-matic display, showcasing the Philippines’ different coins and bills from past to present. Buenaflor said the facility does not only make data gathering easier and time-saving, it also makes it fun for visi-tors as doubles up as a museum. “In some way, EFLC also acts as a “money museum” that will cap-tivate our visitors. This will show how the Phil-ippine Peso notes and coins evolved, provide a memorable and enchant-ing respite for some ed-ucational travel back to time”, he said. EFLC other functions also include conduct of briefings and lectures relevant to central bank-ing. (NBE/MVC/PIA9-ZBST)


Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Of-fice (ZSPPO) provincial director Sr. Supt. Jose Bayani L. Gucela said that there were no re-ports on indiscriminate firing of guns by the PNP members and civil-ians and stray bullet in-cidents during the mer-ry-making especially on Christmas eve and New Year’s eve. “We did not receive any single report from the units on indiscrimi-nate firing of policeman on his issued firearm during the Christmas eve and New Year’s eve,” Gucela said adding that it only shows that no policeman has violated the directive issued by PNP chief Nicanor Barto-

ZamboSur records ‘zero’ indiscriminate firing during Christmas and New Year celebration

PAGADIAN CITY – Christmas and New Year celebration in Zamboanga del Sur was generally peaceful.

by Gideon C. Corgue

lome. Gucela said on Monday’s inspection and ceremonial untaping of firearms’ during the flag raising ceremony, he did not found a broken tape. “The tapes on the nozzles of the firearms remained intact, a clear indication that the police personnel here strictly heeded to the order of refraining from making any indiscriminate firing of guns,” Gucela report-ed. It can be recalled

that on December 27, the ceremonial taping of firearms was conducted at its headquarters in Camp Abelon, Lumbia district where he led the ceremony with the key officials. “The taping ac-tivity has reminded our police personnel not to fire their guns indiscrim-inately during the Christ-mas holidays,” Gucela explained. ZamboSur, Gucela said posted an all-time low record on fire-crack-er related injuries with


5 (five) cases recorded adding that the figure is significantly lower than in 2011 and is still con-sidered one of the most peaceful celebrations of the New Year. Gucela said that the low record of fire-cracker related incidents was the result of the ef-fective implementation of the DOH and PNP’s fire-work-injury reduc-tion campaign dubbed ‘Aksyon Paputok, Injury Reduction (APIR). “With the effective implemen-tation of APIR campaign , the command was able to effectively deliver the message to the people on the harmful effects of firecrackers,” Gucela added. “We thanked our people for heeding the government’s call for banning the use of fire-crackers during New Year celebration. They are now educated and responsible citizens,” Gucela said. The same assess-ment was also done in the city PNP headquar-ters . Supt. Primitivo Lorenzo Jr, the city PNP director said he was happy that on the cere-monial untaping of fire-

arms , the tapes were remained unbroken. Lorenzo attributed the ‘zero’ indiscriminate firing to police profes-sionalism and discipline. The ‘zero’ indis-criminate firing of guns, Lorenzo said was due to the professionalism and discipline of police personnel and that they have followed the orders and directives of higher authorities of the coun-try’s police force. Gucela congratu-lates the entire police force of the province for adhering to the di-rective of the PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome and for the successful cam-

paign against indiscrimi-nate firing. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)


European Union, Red Cross visit project sites in CdeO

The European Union Head

of Delegation Ambassador Guy Ledoux, together with Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, and the IFRC Country Representative in the Philippines Selvaratnam Sinnadurai will visit Red Cross implementation sites of European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) project in Cagayan de Oro this week.

The ECHO project in Cagayan de Oro will run for 3 months focusing on relief operations and hygiene promotion. The team will check on the

reported outbreak of leptospirosis in some evacuation center, which as of 01 January 2012 has reached a total of 171 cases with three (3) deaths, according to DOH.


The Red Cross has deployed 11 health teams, one each for the 11 evacuation centers in CDO. The Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) will distribute hygiene kits and will conduct hygiene promotion among the evacuees. The Red Cross in coordination with the Department of Health will distribute doxycycline tablets for preventive treatment for at risk individuals. This is as well paired with an intensified health information campaign on the prevention of leptospirosis. European Union and PRC will visit the Xavier University relocation site where Red Cross will build 1,000 shelters for families displaced by tropical storm Sendong. The property measuring

5 hectares located in barangay Lumbia CDO, was donated by Xavier University to the affected families through the Red Cross. The Red Cross team will distribute food and non-food items in Tibasak and Makasandig evacuation centers. PRC works closely with its Movement partners led by International Federation of the Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Partner National Societies as well as its local corporate partners. The Red Cross lauded its hundreds of volunteers who have been working without let up since Day 1 of the disaster.


PAGASA warns Mindanaoans of possible flashfloods, anewby: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

A low pressure area (LPA) and a tail end of a cold front are expected to affect Mindanao, today, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The same weather condition will be experienced in Eastern and Southern Mindanao, as well, as Eastern Visayas and Eastern and Southern Luzon. Per Weather Advisory No. 5, issued at 10:00 a.m., Jan. 4, 2012, by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the LPA is estimated at 240 k.m., East Southeast of General Santos City at 5.0 degrees North, 127 degrees East. PAGASA said these two (2) weather systems will result to Mindanao having cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains and thunderstorms over the eastern section of Southern Luzon. Thus, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), region 10, has warned people in the coastal areas and other low-lying places not to lower their guard against possible rise in coastal waters.

Likewise, fishing boats and other small sea crafts in the region are advised to take precautionary measures before going out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. Regional Director Ana Caňeda of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, who is also the Chairperson of RDRRMC-10, said the local DRRMC’s are reminded to take appropriate pro-active actions to aim for “zero” casualty focused on evacuation, rather than rescue.


Wood processors’ request to expedite review of existing forest agreements gets RDC-X nodBy: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) has endorsed the request of the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to expedite the review of existing forestry agreements/contract .

Such action of RDC-X was made during its 90th Full Council Meeting held in the city, recently. The request of PWPA was prompted by its claims that the prolonged implementation of the said Executive Order (EO) No. 23, has “gravely interrupted” the various forestry/wood industry activities of it members in the region. Issued by the President Benigno S. Aquino III, EO 23, dated February 1, last year, was declared a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force. The said EO prohibits the issuance of logging contracts and/or agreements in all natural and residual forests and other agreements and/or contracts with

logging components covering the same forest areas as it also prohibits the issuance and renewal of tree cutting permits except for certain reasons provided for in the said EO. It also tasks the DENR to review all existing forestry agreements and/or contracts, terminate or cancel the agreements of the violators, and also to close and not allow to operate all sawmills, veneer plants, and other wood processing plants that are unable to present proof of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for at least five (5) years. The RDC-X’s endorsement on the PWPA’s request, was through the recommendation of the RDC-10 Economic Development Committee (EDC). In a letter dated 6 June 2011


signed by its National President Antonio C. Olizon and Chairman Fernando A. Lu, addressed to the RDC-X Chairperson, Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, the PWPA requested RDC-X support for its request to the Office of the President to expedite the review of existing forestry contracts/agreements, such as, the Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMAs) issued to PWPA members. The PWPA notes that an expeditious review of forestry contracts/agreements may result to immediate lifting of logging moratorium on those qualified to engage in logging and wood processing activities, thereby, easing the hardship currently encountered by dependents of forestry/wood industry activities. Thus, it has requested DENR to expedite the review of all existing forestry agreements and contracts with the end in view of facilitating the

lift of the moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber in forest areas covered under logging components through various forestry contracts. It also requested the review the required submission of proof of sustainable source of wood materials for 5 years when the permit issued by DENR to wood processors is renewed annually and also because agreements on prices with suppliers for the purchase of wood covering five (5) years is difficult to secure. Also included by PWPA is the request to pre-delegate to the DENR Regional Executive Director the review and approval of Wood Processing Permits (WPP) and allow the wood processors whose WPP’s have expired or soon to expire to continue their operation while their WPP’s are being processed for renewal.

Documents

One Mindanao - January 4, 2012